After settling the details of the deal with Himari, sacrificing my own looks in exchange for her technical support in personal privacy protection, I returned to the Veritas clubroom feeling satisfied.
After pushing the door open, Hare, who had been saying something, looked over at me. "...Ah, Sensei, you came at just the right time."
"Hm? What is it?"
"Well, it's like this..."
Hare briefly summarized what they had been discussing earlier.
Simply put, upon hearing that they would be facing C&C, Momoi rejected the idea outright without even thinking.
Although the objective of the operation was merely to retrieve the [Mirror] stored in the contraband storage and did not require a direct confrontation with the maid agents, Momoi had heard too many rumors about the opponents and was fully aware of their own combat capabilities, so she naturally grew fearful before the battle even began.
However, when Veritas shared an important piece of intelligence regarding C&C, the Game Development Department fell into hesitation.
That was that Neru, the absolute trump card of C&C, was currently not at the school.
This was something I already knew beforehand.
Considering our encounter in the Millennium suburban ruins yesterday, and the fact that Neru's reputation would most likely scare the Game Development Department into inaction, Rio had dispatched Neru early in the morning to investigate the ruins and planned to recall her at an appropriate time.
Specifically, to catch the Game Development Department in case they somehow managed to break through the blockade formed by the other C&C members.
"...In short, we've already decided. We're going to infiltrate the student council and steal the [Mirror] from the contraband storage, to protect our club."
Momoi said this with high spirits.
Midori and Yuzu looked tense, but just as determined.
As for Arisu, who knew nothing about the true cause of the impending turmoil, she nodded and smiled. "Yes, we can definitely do it."
"And before we put the plan into action, there are still some preparations we need to make."
Hare said this, then continued. "Besides the wiretapping and EMP strike we mentioned earlier, we also need... partners."
Upon hearing this word, Arisu, who had spent many days immersed in RPG games, clasped her hands expectantly, her eyes sparkling.
Hare paused, then said, "But since our relationship with them isn't exactly great, we'll have to ask Sensei for help. Without their assistance, this operation probably can't succeed."
It seemed Hare already had suitable candidates in mind. Speaking of Millennium, groups that were close to me and could provide the most help...
"You want me to persuade the Seminar members to help?"
Hare froze for a moment. "Uh... actually, I was thinking of the Engineering Department... but is that possible?"
I pondered for a bit. "I'll have to ask first. Either one."
Suddenly, I thought that having Rio pass along some unimportant information, loosening things up a little, and then letting Neru solo the entire Game Development Department when she returned might actually produce a better result.
"Then let's not waste any time!"
Momoi directly grabbed my hand. "Sensei, let's go ask Utaha-senpai and the others in person right now!"
Seeing this, Midori hesitated for a moment, but Momoi was already dragging me toward the door. "Game Development Department, all members, move out!"
"Yes, Arisu, switch to auto-follow mode."
"Th-then, excuse me."
Having missed her chance, Midori saw that everyone else had already run out the door and hurried to follow. "Onee-chan, everyone, don't run so fast, wait for me!"
Holding up the drink she had only finished halfway, Hare took a small sip of the sweet and sour liquid, her gaze flickering as she sank into thought.
—
Engineering Department.
After listening to our explanation, Utaha nodded.
"I see. That's a very sound judgment. Just like you said, without us, this method would be difficult to carry out."
Right after that, she agreed without hesitation. "Alright, I understand. We'll assist you."
"R-really?" Midori asked nervously. "The Engineering Department has so many achievements already, there's no need to take risks like this..."
Utaha admitted frankly, "That's true, you're not wrong. But..."
As the department head paused, Hibiki finished the sentence for her. "Because it's more interesting, right."
Kotori added, "Exactly. And we also want to get on good terms with Sensei!"
I had long suspected that the Engineering Department might also harbor special feelings toward me, but due to the common trait among Millennium's science girls of being bad at expressing themselves, they had never revealed their feelings. Looking at it now, I felt my suspicion was quite convincing.
"Yes, and also..."
Utaha gazed at Arisu's innocent face, hesitating to speak.
In the end, she shook her head. "No, let's leave it at that for now. Please take care of us."
Arisu beamed. "Bum bum bum!. The great blacksmiths have joined the party."
Hearing this, the girls of the Engineering Department could not help but laugh.
"With this, there's finally a chance of success. But..."
Momoi looked at me. "Sensei, do you think Eimi from yesterday would be willing to help us?"
They probably did not know that the Super Phenomenon Task Force (SPTF) was actually a club completely subordinate to the Seminar.
I replied ambiguously. "Well, I'll have to ask about that too."
In reality, I meant asking Rio.
"Mm, thank you!"
Seeing the bright smile on Momoi's face, I could not help pinching her soft cheeks, which earned me a dissatisfied protest.
After that, we hurried back to Veritas to discuss the concrete battle plan.
—
The contraband storage was located on the west side of the top floor of Millennium Tower. From the entrance, one would need to break through nearly 400 surveillance cameras, 50 security robots, dozens of combat robots confiscated from black-hearted corporations, and the Seminar members.
To enter the storage, one had to take an elevator equipped with a fingerprint recognition system that only student council members could pass.
Moreover, most importantly, every room on the top floor of Millennium Tower was divided into zones corresponding to the security system. Likewise, the gates could only be lowered or raised with the fingerprints of Seminar members.
If an unregistered fingerprint was detected or a strong impact was applied, another layer of even sturdier titanium alloy gates would drop, requiring dual iris and fingerprint authentication from Seminar members.
At the same time, if someone chose to force their way through the elevator, all zone gates would drop.
The defenses could hardly be described as anything but tight.
After summarizing both enemy and allied information, the plan gradually took shape amid heated discussion.
First was how to pass through the elevator without being noticed.
There was a minuscule flaw in the Seminar's security system. When its power supply was cut from the outside, it would automatically connect to an external network. By using the ultra-mini EMP provided by the Engineering Department, they could secure six seconds to gain a hacking opportunity.
Although it was only six seconds, for Hare, it was already enough.
Next was how to pass through the gates equipped with recognition systems, or even turn them to our advantage.
This was once again where the Engineering Department came into play.
In fact, the Seminar's security system, including the gates, was originally handled by the Engineering Department.
Although the Engineering Department claimed they had never left any backdoors in the past, the truth of the matter was probably known only to them.
In any case, the Engineering Department stated that for this operation, they could make a small exception.
Because it was not very complex, if they rushed the work after returning, they should make it in time.
Hearing this, I could not help thinking of Schale, which had also asked the Engineering Department to handle its renovations, and suddenly worried about whether I might one day be attacked by the Engineering Department myself.
However, to deploy the tampered new security system, two issues had to be considered.
First was how to destroy the original gates. Second was how to get the Seminar to use the tampered new gates, even if they might suspect the Engineering Department's involvement.
For the former, it would probably have to rely on Arisu using the Sword of Light.
As for the latter, it was relatively simpler. The Engineering Department only needed to rush in another batch of anonymous, slightly lower-quality products.
The more I listened, the more worried I became.
With that, the countermeasures for the security system were more or less settled.
And what remained was the most critical part.
How to deal with C&C, the maid club.
Excluding the director with code name 00, Mikamo Neru, C&C had three members.
Code name 01, Ichinose Asuna.
Code name 02, Kakudate Karin.
Code name 03, Murokasa Akane.
Among them, Asuna's elusive nature could be set aside for now.
Akane would most likely appear on the top floor to intercept them. At that time, the gates with hidden backdoors could be used to temporarily trap her, as well as Asuna if she appeared.
The one that required the most attention was Karin, who served as the sniper.
Utaha volunteered to work together with Hibiki, one in the open and one in the shadows, to restrain Karin.
If everything succeeded, the Game Development Department would have enough leeway to retrieve the [Mirror] from the contraband storage and retreat safely.
However, the premise was that everything succeeded.
If even a single link in the chain went wrong, allowing any one of the maid agents to break free and intercept them, this plan would end in a disastrous failure.
Therefore...
We needed someone who, if everyone else failed, could infiltrate the contraband storage without attracting attention.
For example, someone who failed to escape in time during the elevator sabotage and was detained in solitary confinement?
The most suitable candidate, and one that would not arouse the Seminar's suspicion, seemed to be only one person.
Arisu, who already bore the task of using the Sword of Light to destroy the elevator.
"That's how it is."
I said to the Seminar president standing before me. "Rio, you've already thought of this too, haven't you?"
"...Yes. It seems there's no need to let the Seminar suffer damage."
Rio nodded. "Our goal was merely to test and probe Arisu."
I smiled slightly.
"Thank you for providing the intelligence. Then, I'll have Eimi follow your instructions."
"Mm. And is that all?"
Rio frowned slightly. "What?"
"Toki."
I met Rio's gaze, my tone carrying a hint of playfulness.
"Asuma Toki," I said. "She's your person, isn't she?"