"Dallas? You think that old country is going to attack this mighty Lowenglin?
Asked Asio to Chester with a stunned look.
But Shester took that gaze without changing one complexion.
"That's right. I can't believe it."
Azio's dismayed expression kept asking.
"His country is on the way to decline, isn't it? If you're going to be absorbed by Lowenglin in the not-so-distant future, I understand, but you're saying that Dallas is going to attack Lowenglin? That's not possible. On what basis do you say such absurdity?
Then Shester answered without changing his complexion.
"Basis...... I can't go into details about that. But that's the kind of answer I get from certain experiences (...). It's not a sure talk, and I can't throw away the possibility that Dallas will be absorbed by Lowenglin sooner or later, as you say. But the question is, why is Melba aware and prepared for this?"
Then Asio panicked and took control of Shester.
"Wait a minute, please. I don't know what you're talking about. What's an experience? What does Melba realize?
Then Shester nodded lightly.
"I apologize for not being able to explain it in detail. But these things have a good chance of happening in the near future."
"Well, it's probably diplomatic information that the Republic of Valentin has learned, so it's a state secret, and I know you can't explain it in detail."
It was a very convenient interpretation for Chester, where Asio could be considered within common sense.
For that reason, Shester responded nothing in particular to this interpretation, just silently waiting for the conversation to move on.
Then it appeared that the surrounding people had no objection to this interpretation, and no one pinched their mouth, so Asio moved on.
"So that's fine. On the contrary, I would like to thank you enough for telling us something that belongs to state secrets. But then... well, why would Melba have such a brilliant intelligence agency to know such a serious thing... this is strange, isn't it?
"Well yes. How did Melba know information that she would not normally know? And no matter how new this town is, it will take years to build this town. That would mean we had that information years ago..."
"When did Mr. Shester get that information?
"Very recently."
"Very recently...... did Melba really build this satellite town thinking Dallas was going to attack?
Then Shester nodded with a tough face.
"I don't know that. Until I ask Melba himself..."
Shester looked out at the town of Chiquith from the hills, and thought to Melba, who would have built it.