Toaru Hikuushi e no Seiyaku:V5Part6

Part 12 (Part 6 of Volume 5)

Only a small number of trusted people would participate in the plan.

For the execution, two people would be enough for the jailbreak, plus one driver.

That meant the participants were obvious.

"I’m only leading this rescue operation because Cecil requested it. Do either of you object?"

Sitting on a wooden bench in a public park on the outskirts of Odin City, Balthazar crossed his arms and addressed Illia and Reiner, who sat across from him.

Illia leaned forward, her eyes sparkling more than usual, with her hands on her knees.

Reiner, on the other hand, looked at Balthazar with a sceptical expression and straightforwardly asked,

"Why are you going this far for Cecil?"

"Is that a problem?"

"No, not really... Fine, understood."

Apparently bored with questioning, Reiner shrugged and turned away indifferently.

Balthazar began explaining the plan.

"You and I will infiltrate the jail. You will free Sakagami, and I will free Kagura. Then we will escape the station. Illia will wait with the car, pick us up, and drive us to the outer perimeter of Odin. We’ll give them parachutes and have them descend from the island. That’s the outline, but the real challenge is how to accomplish it."

Illia pondered for a moment and then asked,

"How do we break into the police station’s underground jail and free them? And how do we ensure they rendezvous with the Federation’s recovery ship after they parachute? Those are the two main challenges, right?"

"Exactly. For now, the three of us will focus on the rescue part. Another group is handling their transfer out of the country."

Reiner raised an eyebrow.

"Another group?"

Balthazar glanced at Reiner.

"I can’t tell you. The less you know about them, the safer we all are."

"Not trusting us, huh?"

"If you were captured and given truth serum, it would put them at risk. It’s safer for everyone if you don’t know."

"Yeah, yeah, I get it."

Reiner shrugged again while Illia, beside him, raised her hand with a suggestion.

"I think the Voltec Air Force crew might help us. They’re furious at the military police and are willing to use some force."

"That’s encouraging, but we need to keep control of the critical information within this small group. The more people involved, the greater the risk of exposure or betrayal."

"But there are, like, two hundred military police officers in Odin, right? How do just the three of us handle that? We can’t exactly kill any of them."

"We’ll need a diversion. We’ll create a commotion on Odin’s surface, draw the military police away, and break into the police station while it’s undermanned. The question is how."

Balthazar outlined the preliminary plan to Reiner and Illia, who both fell into thought.

"That does seem like the only way," Illia nodded. Reiner crossed his arms and looked down at the table.

"Yeah, but the real issue is how many military police officers are still inside when we sneak in. If they spot us, it’s over. We can’t just kill cops."

"Good observation for once. That’s true. We don’t yet have a complete picture of what to do once inside."

Balthazar admitted honestly, and Reiner, after a moment of deep thought, finally looked up with a rare serious expression.

"Uh, just give me a little time. I might be able to work something out."

"What are you planning?"

"Well, for example…"

Reiner explained his idea to Balthazar, who listened, arms folded.

"If that works, it would be a stroke of luck…"

"It’s worth a try. I’ll need two days to get it ready."

"Better than doing nothing. I’ll leave it to you."

Illia raised her hand again to ask another question.

"The problem is timing. How will we know when the Federation’s extraction team will arrive? Without that information, the entire plan could fall apart."

"I’ll coordinate with the other group. Yes, the most difficult part will be synchronizing the timing. The Odin sea area is completely controlled by the St Vault military, so the Federation will likely send a submarine. But the time it can remain in the area will be limited. If we free the two of them at the wrong time, they could be recaptured by the military police."

"Sounds tough. And if we fail, our lives are over too, right? Spending the rest of our lives in a military prison is not something I’m looking forward to."

"There’s no room for failure here. We must succeed, no matter what. We have to use every resource we have."

When Balthazar declared this, Illia nodded resolutely.

"Yes. I’ll give it everything. We will free them."

"Yeah, yeah, I’ll do my best too. It’d be pretty sad if Kagura stays like that."

Despite his casual tone, Reiner agreed. The three of them spent the entire afternoon refining the plan and assigning their roles before disbanding.

After seeing Illia and Reiner off as they returned to Odin’s third airfield, Balthazar turned around and hailed a carriage, heading toward a luxury hotel in the uptown area.

The next person he needed to meet had arrived late last night on the flying fortress.

"Oh my, you’ve become quite the handsome man, Lieutenant Grimm," greeted Colette Avery with a graceful smile, as she welcomed Balthazar in the top-floor VIP suite.

"Your gaze is splendid. Much better than when we last met. Please, have a seat," she added, gesturing elegantly toward a leather sofa.

"Thank you for your hospitality, Your Highness. Excuse me," Balthazar replied, removing his military cap and taking a seat. Through the large glass windows of the spacious suite, the entire landscape of Odin was visible. This hotel, once used by Urano, had been repurposed, though there was little noticeable difference in style compared to St Vault.

"I thought I would feel more of Urano's culture being here, but strangely, I don’t sense much difference between us," Colette mused.

"The people of Urano pride themselves on having planted the seeds of culture on the surface world. I believe that sentiment is even written into Urano’s divine myths," Balthazar explained.

"That elitist mentality is quite grating, isn’t it? Their disdain for the surface is deeply ingrained, which is probably why the conflict never ends."

"You’re absolutely right, Your Highness. The sooner these foolish wars end, the better," Balthazar replied, though internally, he restrained himself from asking about the Sylvanian royal family. During their previous phone conversation, he had been strictly forbidden from discussing it, and the frustration gnawed at him. After exchanging a few more objective opinions on the principles governing Urano's actions, Balthazar shifted the conversation to the main topic.

"As for the transportation arrangements for the two individuals, how are they progressing?" he asked.

Sipping her tea, Colette’s expression turned serious.

"I’ve made a request to the Akitsu Federation ambassador in the name of the Sylvanian royal family. They’ve promised to handle it, but the problem is that there’s no reliable way to contact the island."

Balthazar had anticipated this issue. Even if the Akitsu Federation sent a ship to pick them up, they had no way of knowing when it would arrive directly beneath Odin.

"Is there no way for the ambassador to inform you via telephone?"

"If the ambassador were to call me, the intelligence agency would intercept it immediately. Even though your superior is cooperating, he doesn’t have the authority to interfere with the intelligence agency’s operations."

"…Indeed. However, if we don’t know when the ship will arrive, even if we parachute the two of them, they’ll be found by the St Vault Navy and recaptured. We need to retrieve them the moment they hit the water, or this operation will fail."

"Exactly. But how can we possibly communicate the timing from the Akitsu Federation military to you on Odin? I can’t even imagine how."

Balthazar sank deep into the sofa, staring up at the ceiling.

Relaying classified information from the enemy military to a St Vault officer.

If they used phones or telegrams, it would be intercepted immediately. The key to success hinged on finding a way to learn when the ship would arrive swiftly and covertly.

"What about using carrier pigeons? It would take time to set up, but…"

"That would be too slow. We need the information as quickly as possible, or it’s meaningless."

"What if we set the date ourselves in advance?"

"That depends on the Federation. If they’re risking a valuable submarine by sending it into enemy-controlled waters, they’ll need coordination between the high command, the combined fleet, and related departments. Plus, weather conditions on the day are a critical factor. We have no way of knowing when the preparations will be complete and the orders to launch will be given."

"Looks like we’re stuck. We can’t just act on a gamble, either."

"There’s no room for failure. We need to plan a strategy that guarantees success on our own."

"This is giving me a headache. I’m counting on you, elite lieutenant," Colette said, abandoning the problem as she stood up, grabbed a vintage bottle of wine from the cellar, and began pouring herself a glass.

Balthazar remained seated, arms crossed, glaring alternately at the ceiling and the table, before standing up and pacing around the room.

Gazing out at the hazy landscape of Odin through the glass, he muttered a few short words to himself, before turning back, arms still crossed, continuing to walk in circles. Colette, unconcerned, simply enjoyed her wine.

—A way for the Federation military to contact me quickly…

—If I don’t figure this out, Kagura will remain imprisoned…

The thought alone made his stomach twist. The idea that Kagura could be suffering abuse from the military police at this very moment drove him to the brink.

"Think. Think. Think…!"

He finally voiced his thoughts aloud, urging himself on.

"Don’t give up. There has to be a way…!"

Shaking his head from side to side, arms tightly crossed, Balthazar continued to scan the room, his bloodshot eyes darting between the landscape outside and the room inside.

"Not telegrams, not wireless radio, not phones… a way to send information quickly…!"

But where could such a convenient method possibly exist?

If such a means of communication were available, the military would already be using it...

As his mind raced feverishly, Balthazar’s gaze landed on a household appliance across the glass table.

"…A radio…"

A common civilian device. But something clicked in Balthazar’s brain.

"…Radio waves…!"

Balthazar rushed to the tabletop radio, turning it on and adjusting the dial. He tuned it to a familiar frequency, and a static-laden female voice came through the speakers.

"Greetings to you hapless St Vault soldiers, your wives back home are probably enjoying themselves while you’re stuck here. Here’s some news from your lively Samurai boys, just for you."

It was the enemy shortwave radio program broadcast by the Akitsu Federation to demoralize the St Vault Navy and Air Force. The female DJ, known affectionately as "Misa Rose," had a sultry voice and was popular among St Vault soldiers.

Balthazar clenched his fist.

"There it is…!"

He leaned forward, excitement brimming. Colette turned around, puzzled.

"Did you come up with something?"

Balthazar stood tall and turned to face Colette, unable to hide his excitement.

"Your Highness, I have a proposal."

Colette, sipping her wine occasionally as she listened to Balthazar's idea, finally raised her glass with a light smile.

"A toast to the future Chief of Staff."

Without attempting to conceal her satisfaction, Colette offered Balthazar the highest praise.

After surveying the police station where Kiyoaki and Kagura were being held, Illia opened the throttle on her beloved 400cc red full-fairing motorcycle, accelerating swiftly through the streets of Odin. In less than five minutes, she had exited the urban centre and reached the outskirts. She rode around the city's perimeter, getting a feel for the layout, before arriving at a deserted residential area.

This neighbourhood had once been home to the upper-class Uranos people when this airborne island was still known as Kalkinos. During the Battle of Sierra Greed, when the St Vault ground forces landed and secured the surface, over 7,000 non-combatant Uranos residents surrendered without a fight and were sent to internment camps on the ground. These once-luxurious homes were stripped, and now only desolation remained.

Illia shifted into low gear, slowing to a crawl as she inspected the area. It was devoid of life. She parked her bike in an alley surrounded by grand houses and began walking, taking in the surroundings.

Magnificent homes lined the streets, all three or four stories tall, with wide lawns and pools visible from above. Though they needed some repairs, these once-opulent estates were now abandoned. With the former owners taken to internment camps, these properties were being sold at bargain prices compared to homes on the ground. As a result, Odin had received a flood of applications from citizens eager to settle here, with competition rumoured to be thirty times higher than available spots.

"This area looks perfect," Illia murmured to herself, nodding before turning back to her bike.

She donned her helmet and kick-started the engine, letting the rumbling of the motor drown out her thoughts. As she sped through the outskirts of the city, her thoughts were consumed by Kiyoaki.

Wait for me, Sakagami.

I won’t abandon you. I’ll save you, no matter what.

The current state of Kiyoaki, as described by Balthazar, tore at her heart. If only she could endure even a fraction of the violence inflicted upon him, she would, to ease his pain. She let her anguish feed her speed, accelerating until the landscape blurred into oblivion.

As the scenery melted away, her mind drifted to memories of Kiyoaki.

She remembered sitting next to him in the cockpit of the Eriadore, gazing at the Etika meteor shower. Kiyoaki had told her how much his father, Sakagami Masaharu, had respected Karsten. At that time, Illia hadn’t believed it, but now she understood the truth of Masaharu’s death. The same selfless nature that led Masaharu to sacrifice himself for a child had clearly been passed down to Kiyoaki.

The countless hours spent sparring in the Air Hunt Officer Academy’s gymnasium came to mind. How they would stare each other down, breath held, carefully reading each movement before striking with their swords. Time and again, they clashed blades, honing not only their combat skills but the bond between their souls.

Then there was the mock air battle, witnessed by the citizens of both St Vault and the Akitsu Federation. High above the island, they duelled one-on-one, an intense competition that made Illia realize, for the first time, the joy of flying. She had found Kiyoaki beautiful in that moment, as they danced together in the skies, feeling as if their very beings had melded.

Even after joining the Voltec Air Squadron, they flew side by side more often than not. She remembered how she once pretended to be drunk on the beach, just so he would carry her, pressing her cheek against his back. Her face reddened at the memory, but Kiyoaki hadn’t seemed to mind. He accepted her, flaws and all.

Thanks to you, I am who I am today, Sakagami.

So this is my way of repaying you.

I’ll return the favour. Everything you’ve given me, I’ll give back.

Reaching the edge of Odin, Illia parked her bike. She walked to the very brink of the island, where the faint smell of saltwater lingered in the air. Peering over the edge, she saw the shimmering sea two thousand meters below, reflecting the bright summer sunlight. When Kiyoaki and Kagura escaped, they would leap from somewhere along this edge, using parachutes to descend.

This is where we say goodbye.

We’ll never meet again.

The wind whipped through her hair, and her chest tightened painfully.

We’ll be on opposite sides, won’t we?

Helping Kiyoaki and Kagura escape meant they would return to the Akitsu Federation as soldiers in the Second Archipelago War, potentially facing the Voltec Squadron on the battlefield. Illia thought back to the oath they had taken together.

“Even if we become enemies, we will never hate each other. Our friendship is eternal.”

The casual oath they had sworn in the past might soon become a crushing reality for all seven of them. Illia closed her eyes, feeling the wind as she contemplated the uncertain future.

But she couldn’t let them remain prisoners. If she did nothing, Kiyoaki and Kagura would be branded as spies and executed. They had to be freed, or there would be no future for them at all.

No matter where fate takes us...

Illia opened her eyes and gazed up at the summer sky.

We will never hate each other.

She would hold on to that vow, doing everything in her power to change their current fate. Determined, she mounted her bike again and opened the throttle wide.

Though the future was shrouded in darkness, she would break through that wall with everything she had. She couldn’t know what lay ahead, but she was resolved to push forward with everything she had built up inside her.

I will trust in this path.

Pushing aside all hesitation, Illia sped away, the world around her once again melting into a blur.

Balthazar sat, glued to the radio, listening intently to the voice of Misa Rose. It had been four days since his meeting with Colette, and now, he was waiting for the critical signal. The team had been instructed—Ilia and Reiner included—to listen carefully to Misa Rose's broadcast for any mention of "the message." They didn't know when it would come, and the nature of the operation demanded secrecy, so the usual tactics of mass surveillance weren't an option. As a result, Balthazar had barely slept, clinging to the radio, awaiting the vital information.

"You bumbling fools of St Vault, how did you enjoy Odessa? The brave men of the Third Kristar Regiment sure had a long journey, and it seems poor Lakefield has been relieved of duty," the broadcast sneered.

The content was mostly repetitive propaganda, designed to demoralize St Vault soldiers by stoking homesickness and eroding their morale. Balthazar had heard it so many times he could recite it by heart. His chest was filled with both irritation and fatigue, but missing even a single word would mean failure. His bloodshot eyes remained fixed on the radio, focusing through the droning voice.

He sharpened his attention, listening for the moment the broadcast would change—today, tomorrow, next week, or even next month. He didn’t know when the message would come, but he knew that, eventually, it would. Until then, he couldn’t afford to move from his spot.

Thanks to Colonel Andy's intervention, Balthazar was technically participating in the Santos Island civilian pacification project. The cover allowed him time and space to focus on this mission. If the operation to free Kiyoaki and Kagura succeeded, he could expect substantial rewards from the Sylvania royal family. This would be another great achievement for him, just like when he helped foil Uranos’s Judeka operation.

This is why I’m working so hard. For my promotion, not for Murasaki or Sakagami.

I’m doing this for myself.

Balthazar reassured himself, like a statue before the radio, trying to dismiss the memories of Kagura’s suspended figure. Every time her image crossed his mind, he shook his head, muttering to himself, "It doesn't matter. I don’t care about Murasaki. I'm doing this for my own advancement."

Misa Rose's voice continued to flow from the speakers, the same monotonous provocation.

"Thanks to you, we've reclaimed Messus Island, Odessa. The Samurai Boys are pleased with the defeat of the weakling Lakefield you left behind. What a delightful battle it was."

She wasn't wrong—Messus Island, Odessa, had fallen to the Akitsu Federation. The triangular conflict between Uranos, St Vault, and the Federation had resulted in a Federation victory, largely due to their superior supply logistics.

"Keeping those flares going all night must’ve been exhausting for you. Meanwhile, back home, your wives are resting peacefully with their high school friends. Oh, and the Samurai Boys? They’ll be giving you a little night-time surprise."

At this point, Balthazar could almost mouth the words along with the broadcast. He had heard it hundreds of times. Irritation surged, but he couldn’t risk missing the crucial message. His sleep-deprived eyes were swollen, but he kept his focus.

Then, finally, the words he had been waiting for:

"Oh yes, on September 1st at 6 p.m., the ship of the moon will come to collect the princess. It will wait only thirty minutes for her and her attendants to descend."

The long-awaited message had arrived. The code phrase “ship of the moon” referred to the submarine. Balthazar’s eyes widened.

The rescue submarine is coming!

He shot to his feet, his heart pounding.

“September 1st, 6 p.m.,” he muttered to himself, quickly scribbling the details in his notebook. He checked the calendar—September 1st was two days away.

Only two days!

Joy surged through him, and he clenched his fists in triumph. The response was faster than expected. The involvement of the Sylvania royal family had undoubtedly spurred the Akitsu Federation into swift action. While the quick timing was exciting, it left little room for preparation.

Without wasting a moment, Balthazar secured permission to leave for an "external meeting" and rushed out of the operations centre. He hailed a taxi and headed straight for the Odin Third Airfield, where the Voltec Squadron was stationed. His only reliable allies were Illia and Reiner, and they needed to finalize their plans for the rescue immediately.

During the taxi ride, he found himself biting his nails—a habit he didn’t remember developing. The mounting anxiety gnawed at him, manifesting in this unconscious action.

Wait for me, Murasaki. It’s almost time.

The words slipped out involuntarily, and he quickly shook his head to clear them.

“This is for my career, not Murasaki,” he muttered, noticing the driver eyeing him suspiciously in the rear-view mirror.

“Hurry up, please,” he added, redirecting the awkwardness.

Upon reaching the Third Airfield, Balthazar jumped out of the taxi, barely waiting to pay the fare, and made his way to the barracks with long strides.

“Two days, Illia,” he announced as soon as he saw her. Her face brightened for a moment before she composed herself, nodding firmly.

“I understand.”

As Illia nodded resolutely, two figures appeared, grabbing her by the arms.

"Now, now, Illia, what are you up to without telling us?" said one of the twins.

"We won’t let go until you tell us everything," chimed the other.

Lulu and Lala Scott, the mischievous twin pilots, flashed sly smiles at Balthazar.

“We know who you are, Balthazar of the Eriadore Seven. You’re rescuing Kiyoaki and Kagura, right? We’ll help you with whatever you need—just say the word!”

“We're all mad at the military police, so if you need us to shoot or blow something up, just say the word, right, Balbal?”

With playful persistence, they threw their support at Balthazar. Illia turned to him, her expression serious.

“...They’re trustworthy. I believe they can be a great help.”

Before Balthazar could respond, a commanding voice from behind interrupted.

“I can’t openly assist, but I can help from the shadows. Let me be part of this mission, Lieutenant Grimm.”

Balthazar turned to face none other than Leo Rosenmuller, St Vault’s national hero and ace pilot.

“You’ll need more hands, won’t you? Leave it to us.”

Balthazar raised a sharp question, still doubtful.

“Captain Rosenmuller, this mission offers you nothing. You stand to lose everything if we fail.”

Leo chuckled, his sombre face breaking into a half-smile as he answered.

“Would you trust an officer who leaves his men behind because of a cost-benefit analysis, Lieutenant?”

Balthazar fell silent.

“Kagura and Sakagami are my subordinates. What’s wrong with saving them? Let's discuss the details at the briefing. This will succeed—with all of us together.”

Without waiting for a reply, Leo strode toward the briefing room. Illia looked up at Balthazar, her expression earnest.

“Let’s trust them, Balthazar. With everyone’s help, we can pull this off.”

Still hesitant, Balthazar felt a push from behind as Lulu and Lala nudged him forward without a shred of reservation.

"Hurry, hurry!"

"There's no time, right? Let's get going, quickly!"

Reluctantly, Balthazar, with no other choice, was led away by Lulu and Lala. He had wanted to keep the plan as secret as possible, but it seemed that wasn't going to happen. However, there was no doubt that they were reliable allies.

──It can't be helped. We definitely need more people…

Resigned, Balthazar began assembling the details of the escape plan in his head.