"There seems to be some kind of misunderstanding."
"What is?"
"I've never used Ganesha Tripathi."
Gulshan Tripathi let out a low chuckle.
It was a laugh close to mockery.
"Well… I know there was no coercion or pressure. I also know Ganesha trusts you on his own. But that doesn't mean it wasn't use. For someone who should know better to throw out such a feeble excuse… I'm disappointed, Carl Marcus."
"You've misunderstood what I said."
"Misunderstood? What exactly have I misunderstood?"
"I'm not the one using you."
Gulshan Tripathi's expression shifted strangely.
"I act to protect the Ark, and the Ark belongs to you. So of course you should help me. Calling that duty 'use' is just absurd, isn't it?"
The twisted look on Gulshan Tripathi's face soon shifted into a curious smile.
"You intrigue me more and more. Just why would someone like you—an outsider in the Ark's eyes—go this far?"
"I simply can't stand by and watch humanity's last city be destroyed."
"Is that really all?"
Gulshan Tripathi stared at me.
The deeply sunken gleam in his eyes seemed as though it would pierce right through me, but I didn't bother looking away.
Why do I protect the Ark?
The truth is, I've had an answer to that for a very long time.
Of course, I couldn't share that reason with Gulshan Tripathi.
"That's all."
And so, my answer remained unchanged.
"Well… it makes no difference, I suppose."
Whether it counted as a proper answer or not, Gulshan Tripathi seemed to reach some private conclusion and slowly nodded.
"From this point on, the Tripathi family will fully support and back you, Carl Marcus."
"I won't refuse."
"You may be the only one who can so casually accept the backing of our family."
"I believe this much is worth accepting."
"What? Ahaha!"
Gulshan Tripathi burst into hearty laughter.
It was so loud I briefly wondered if he might choke from laughing too hard at his age, but thankfully no such absurd mishap occurred.
"Well then, let's talk business."
"Business, huh… I suppose you could call it that. Say what you need."
"You're aware another multi-wave is imminent, aren't you?"
"It's no surprise."
By the clock alone, another wave should've already occurred.
The fact that it hadn't was strong evidence something huge was approaching.
"This multi-wave will be unlike any other that came before."
"Even the Rose Line is doing everything it can to prepare accordingly."
"You already know that alone won't be enough, don't you?"
"What are you getting at?"
As I already knew, Gulshan Tripathi wasn't someone who placed infinite trust in me like Ganesha did.
And that was fine.
"I'll reinforce your strength."
"You mean you'll step in personally? That would certainly help, but..."
It wasn't enough.
Though not said directly, Gulshan Tripathi was clearly implying just that.
"You must also know that alone won't suffice?"
"Hm… then are you suggesting you'll bring in an army from somewhere?"
Though he likely already guessed, Gulshan Tripathi made a show of saying it playfully.
"Correct."
Gulshan Tripathi's eyes narrowed.
"The Kronos Union, then."
"I appreciate how quickly you catch on."
In the current situation, the only external force we could draw upon was the Kronos Union.
In addition, the deep ties between me and the Kronos Union made it obvious what force I would mention.
Naturally, Gulshan Tripathi—leader of one of the most powerful factions—was fully aware of this.
"Don't tell me you're asking me to bring the Kronos Union's military into the Ark?"
"Yes."
"And you do realize how absurd that request sounds?"
"I also know you'll grant it anyway."
"What makes you think that?"
"Because the Rose Line will do anything if it means shedding less blood."
After the collapse of the Black Line, the Rose Line naturally became humanity's front line and had to abandon its old doctrine.
No longer could it afford to be selective.
That became the Rose Line's basic philosophy—reflected in its actions and outcomes.
Ether soldiers, Skull Knights, enhanced soldiers...
Those rejected or scorned by the Ark were still welcomed and utilized by the Rose Line.
If selling their soul to a demon would protect the Rose Line and the Ark, they would do it without hesitation.
"…Hmm, I won't deny that. As you said, the Rose Line is prepared to sacrifice much to protect the Ark."
Though Gulshan Tripathi said that, there was a deeper meaning hidden in his words.
"But."
Tap, tap, tap.
Gulshan Tripathi tapped his desk.
"This isn't something the Rose Line can decide on its own. If we're careless, our true intentions may be questioned."
As he implied, this wasn't just a matter of whether the Rose Line could trust the Kronos Union.
Bringing in an external military force...
If handled poorly, it could make the White Line and Red Line suspect the Rose Line of rebellion.
In short, while the Rose Line might be able to bring outside forces into its domain at will, it would still bear full responsibility for whatever followed.
"You don't need to worry about that."
Of course, for me, it wasn't a problem at all.
"Hmm… You have a way?"
"Yes."
"May I hear it?"
Gulshan Tripathi wasn't the type to accept vague answers.
If he were, he would've never risen to become the head of the Tripathi family.
He demanded clear proof and logic.
"The White Line will actually support this operation."
"…Ho? Are you saying you can influence the White Line to that extent?"
"You'll see soon enough."
Gulshan Tripathi asked no further.
He likely knew asking more wouldn't get him any answers.
"Very well. By my authority, I'll officially grant the Kronos Union access to the Rose Line."
Technically, Gulshan Tripathi didn't have the official power to do that, but he declared it boldly.
And I had no intention of contesting it.
Whether officially or unofficially, it was a fact that Gulshan Tripathi wielded tremendous influence within the Rose Line.
"Then, prepare a gift for the Kronos Union."
No sacrifice comes without cost.
Even if this was a win-win for both the Ark and the Kronos Union, on paper it was the Kronos Union making a one-sided gesture of support.
Naturally, appropriate compensation had to follow.
"Don't worry. The blood they shed won't be in vain."
"Make sure they know that."
The meeting with Gulshan Tripathi had been unexpected, but the outcome wasn't bad.
In fact, some things that Ganesha Tripathi couldn't achieve might have been inevitable through this encounter.
"Oh, and could you introduce me to a quartermaster from the Rose Line?"
"A quartermaster... I take it there's something you need. Alright."
It seemed Gulshan Tripathi wasn't bluffing about his intent to support and back me—he readily agreed to introduce a quartermaster.
And this wasn't just about meeting a supply officer.
'The fact that Gulshan Tripathi is introducing me personally means access to goods that normally can't be bought is now open to me.'
In other words, the time had come to spend the military merit I'd been saving up.
"Until next time, Carl Marcus. This has been a fruitful meeting. The butler will tell you about the quartermaster."
Thus, my impromptu meeting with Gulshan Tripathi brought me far more than I expected.
"Carl Marcus."
"Yes."
"I've contacted the quartermaster. They'll be here soon. Will you wait here?"
"No, I'll meet them outside."
"Understood."
After the conversation with the butler, I stepped out of the Tripathi estate and quietly called for Esther.
'Esther.'
["Did you call me?"]
'Head to the Shadow Order's hideout immediately and meet with Isabel.'
["…You mean the Commander?"]
'Yes. Tell her about the conversation that just happened here—she'll understand.'
["…Are you seriously trying to use the Commander?"]
Ether began to ripple quietly around Esther.
[Don't.]
[Don't play games. Don't play games. Don't play games. Don't play games. Don't play games. Don't play games. Don't play games. Don't play games.]
[Kiiiiiiiieek───!]
An unmistakable burst of anger.
As I already knew, Esther held deep affection for Isabel, and so she reacted this way even to my command.
'It's not use—it's cooperation.'
["You really expect me to believe that? You're just planning to use her!"]
'Lower your voice.'
This was the Rose Line.
Esther was a spirit type, and her voice was essentially a ripple of ether.
There was no guarantee the nearby Ether soldiers or ether-detecting devices wouldn't pick it up.
In fact, I could already sense several Rose Line soldiers paying undue attention to me.
'If you won't go, I'll go myself.'
Esther's shoulders flinched.
She knew I wasn't bluffing or threatening—just stating a fact.
["…If the Commander gets hurt because of this, I won't stand by quietly."]
'You don't have to worry.'
Though her face still radiated distrust, she had no grounds to refuse.
And she knew full well that if I wanted to force her into submission, I could do it anytime.
["…I'll go."]
'Good.'
Esther gave me one last glare, putting strength into her eyes, and vanished.
She probably meant to look intimidating—but to me, it was just cute.
'Now then…'
After leaving the Tripathi estate, I sat casually on a nearby bench to wait.
With Esther gone, my only conversation partner was Janus.
[Gikk!]
'…Be quiet.'
Not that I had any intention of actually talking to Janus.
How long had I waited?
Eventually, a familiar-looking officer approached and greeted me.
"You must be Carl Marcus? Pleased to meet you! I'm Becky Baxter."
Quartermaster Becky Baxter.
A supply officer of the Rose Line—and the one with the most authority out of all quartermasters in the Ark.
She had come to meet me.