A year and a half earlier, during a meeting on an airship…
“So you want to bring her into the fold…? Hmm. It’s not like you to make that kind of suggestion.”
Madiath rubbed his chin in thought as he took in the image of Percival’s face projected by the air-window.
The only time the members of the Golden Bough Alliance met in person like this was when there was something of considerable importance to discuss.
“I wouldn’t have expected to hear this from you, seeing how you were opposed to our efforts to recruit Xinglou Fan,” Varda remarked, watching Madiath with her head tilted to one side.
She wasn’t being ironic—she was no doubt simply pointing out a fact. Nonetheless, the observation roused Dirk’s ire.
“Not as an ally. Just a pawn,” he replied, making no effort to conceal his frustration as he stared back at Varda and scratched his cheek. “But a talented pawn, the kind you don’t often come across. Certainly worth the effort it would take to bring her in.”
“The effort, yes…,” Madiath repeated. He clearly had something more to say.
“…What’s the problem?” Dirk asked with a murderous stare.
“Oh, I was just thinking how you seem willing to go to considerable lengths for this outstanding resource of yours.” Madiath gave an exaggerated shrug. “Ranked number five at Gallardworth, the wielder of the Holy Grail. A highly accurate shooter, eyes capable of seeing through deception, a perfect rearguard fighter… Yes, she does indeed look excellent. She’s certainly earned the alias Agrestia. But…is it enough to embrace her as one of us?”
“I agree,” Varda added. “There is no mistaking Percival Gardner’s abilities, but if we were concerned with abilities alone, there would be countless other candidates. Even if we needed more pawns, there is no clear reason why we should choose her.”
As Dirk had expected, the two were unified in their opposition.
That, however, couldn’t be helped. At Gallardworth, Percival had always dedicated herself to serving as part of a team. You could watch a recording of any of her matches, and it would be enough to demonstrate her worthiness as a Page One. However…
“Hmph. Neither of you have a shred of discernment.” Dirk scoffed, sending additional data to Madiath and Varda’s terminals.
“And this is…?”
“Data from when I had her on my team at the Institute.”
The two fell silent for a moment as they took in the information.
Varda spoke up first: “Oh? So she’s an irregular designer child? This is certainly intriguing, but is it enough to stand out?”
At this, Dirk let out an exaggerated sigh. “You’re a machine, an Orga Lux through and through. You can’t see the intrinsic worth of human beings. If you don’t get it, just shut up for a minute, would you?”
Madiath, meanwhile, continued to stare at the air-window for a moment longer. Finally, his lips twisted in a grin, he looked up. “Ah… I see what you mean.”
As Dirk had expected, he had noticed it.
“As far as I can see, this data doesn’t paint a very different image from her record at Gallardworth. She’s an excellent backup fighter, with a particularly outstanding shooting ability. But it is strange…”
“…? What is?” Varda asked, even now still stumbling in the dark.
“Oh, it’s all very simple,” Madiath explained gently, like a teacher lecturing a child. “According to what’s written here, the Institute was trying to genetically engineer designer babies with the same specifications as Genestella. She’s the result born from that process—a genetically engineered Genestella.”
“I can see that. It explains why her physical capabilities are above those of other designer children…,” Varda remarked, before quickly shifting her attention to Dirk.
“Heh. So you finally caught on?”
“Genetic engineering is a technology from a bygone age, and she’s probably the only Genestella to have been produced by it,” Madiath explained. “So why did she devote herself to serving as a rearguard supporting fighter?”
Indeed.
Percival Gardner’s true domain was close-quarters combat.
The fact that she had survived a direct confrontation against Rodolfo Zoppo was proof enough of that.
“Wait. Are you saying Percival Gardner, whether as part of Dirk’s team or at Gallardworth, has never demonstrated her true potential?” Varda asked.
“Nah, that ain’t quite right.” Dirk shook his head. “Watching her teammates get annihilated came as a pretty big blow to her. Since then, she’s held back from close combat. No matter how I threatened or coddled her, she wouldn’t give me the time of day.”
That had been a major miscalculation on his part, as he had been the one who recruited her. She was certainly good enough in the rearguard, but he couldn’t see it as anything short of a shame to put her true talents to waste.
Now, however…
“Maybe you can do something about that, Varda?”
“…So that is what you meant by effort. I’d rather you didn’t place the burden on me for such things, but…” Varda seemed taken aback, but didn’t deny it could be done.
“So do you have a plan in mind to draw her in?” Madiath asked.
“Does that mean you are in favor of this idea?” Varda rejoindered.
“Oh yes. We’re most definitely short on manpower, and if this works out, it would be an interesting hidden play to keep on hand should anything go wrong.”
“Okay. I’ll get her to come here, then. Won’t be a problem,” Dirk said.
Percival wanted to destroy the Institute, but even if she did manage to win at the Festa, it would hardly grant her wish. Strictly speaking, the organization could be crushed, but a successor would simply be created in short order to take its place.
All he had to do was exploit that fact, and he would easily win her over. At the very least, it would be enough to get her to hear him out. Then, with Varda there to help, everything would take off without a hitch.
“I don’t wish to increase my burden, but I will accept that she seems a valuable resource. This will be a conditional agreement.”
Varda didn’t seem particularly enthusiastic, but she had given in.
“What conditions?”
“Percival Gardner’s fighting ability is presently unclear. Until it is clarified, I cannot give my full support.”
Well, that was fair enough.
“You’re welcome to test her yourself if you want. But if I had to guess…” Dirk paused for a second, then flashed his counterpart his usual easygoing grin. “She might even be stronger than you are now.”