Toaru Hikuushi e no Seiyaku:V6Part3

Part 17 (Part 3 of Volume 6)

As Mio Syira gazed up at the twinkling stars, she inhaled the crisp night air deeply, raising her hands towards the sky. She felt something gentle and warm descend from beyond the stars, and she reached out to capture it, pressing it into her heart, which often felt as if it might freeze over.

In the early days of October in the 1349th year of the Imperial Calendar, at the Lamia Palace in Pleiades, the capital of Uranos:

Three months had passed since the return of the Kai Andros fleet, which had dominated the sky over the capital.

Although not immediately apparent, something had undeniably changed since that day.

Mio lifted her gaze to the dome-topped structure at the peak of the round tower.

A girl stood alone, her hands placed over the pendant hanging from her neck, staring intently up at the zenith.

This was Mio's current mistress.

The one who would inherit Uranos.

Nina Viento.

It was a windless night. The moon in the southern sky outlined the "Wind-Calling Girl" against the silver-flecked stars, making her stand out against the night sky.

Though it appeared as if Nina was offering a prayer to the stars, this was not the case.

This was training.

Nina was honing her "power," working to refine her control over it.

She wasn't merely standing there; Nina was quieting her mind, descending deeper into her consciousness, listening to the voices only she could hear.

──She's drawing in the words of the wind…

At least, that's how it appeared to Mio.

Ever since that strange long-distance communication through the pendant three months ago, Nina had dedicated herself to this nightly training without fail.

But the wind remained unchanged. The mysterious atmospheric flow known as "Wind Calling" had yet to manifest.

Mio had never once seen Nina successfully control the wind. On the contrary, Nina would often collapse from exhaustion, which was why Mio always stayed by her side during these sessions.

"Ah…"

A gasp escaped Mio as Nina swayed like a top about to fall. Mio quickly ran up the sloped dome and caught Nina's collapsing body.

"Nina!!"

Supporting her from behind, Mio gently lowered her to the ground, cradling her in her arms. Nina's teeth were chattering, and her limbs trembled in small spasms. Thin veins surfaced along her neck, and Mio could feel the cold sweat soaking through Nina’s blouse.

"…Nn…"

Nina weakly waved her hand, as if trying to ward off something unseen. It was clear she was frightened by something invisible to Mio.

"Nina, hold on! Nina!!"

Mio called out urgently as she carried Nina from the dome, through the balcony, and back to Nina’s quarters.

Inside the small curtained-off section of the room, Mio laid Nina on the simple bed and took her hand.

Nina’s lips were as blue as if they had been submerged in icy water, and her entire body continued to tremble. Mio covered her with a blanket, rubbing Nina’s hands and cheeks while calling her name in desperation.

Nina muttered incoherently, seemingly fighting against something unseen. She barked out fragmented orders as if commanding someone, then let out a short scream, contorting her face in pain.

"Nina!! Nina!!"

After repeated calls, Nina’s pale, grape-coloured eyes finally fluttered open.

"Mio…"

"Nina, are you alright…?"

Nina’s face was pale as a corpse, and Mio couldn’t help but press Nina’s hand to her own cheek in worry.

"…Yes… I’m fine."

Nina spoke with fragile resolve, but there was little life left in her voice.

"You shouldn’t push yourself…"

"…No… I’m alright now. It's gone…"

Still lying down, Nina offered a small, brave smile. She was trying to act strong, but her current condition made her look more like a patient than anything else.

Mio felt the urge to cry. She couldn’t help but feel sorry for Nina.

"…Is this training… truly necessary? It feels like the more you push yourself, the worse your condition becomes…"

Mio couldn't help but voice her concerns. This training had been going on for three months now, but Nina's collapses had only become more frequent with each passing day.

"It’s just… how it works. The strain on my body and mind has certainly increased, but that also means I’m getting closer to hearing the wind’s voice…"

Mio didn’t fully understand, but Nina had explained before that to control the wind, one had to align their consciousness with the wind itself. While Nina had been able to do this effortlessly as a child, as she grew older, she now required active effort—what she referred to as "prayer"—to maintain the power of "Wind Calling."

However, in the process of this "prayer," there were times when Nina would inadvertently connect with something else—something "bad." These malevolent forces would invade her, trying to control her instead. Each time this happened, Nina had to fight to expel them from her mind, a process that took a great toll on both her body and spirit. The severity of these battles was evident in the symptoms she exhibited after collapsing.

Every time she trained, Nina was forced to engage in an invisible struggle with these ghosts, battling alone without anyone to help her, risking her sanity in the process.

──Does she really need to carry this burden?

──For whom?

Mio couldn’t understand. Nina's power didn’t seem to bring her any happiness; if anything, it appeared to be a source of suffering.

According to Ignacio, when Nina was aboard the flying island Isla, she had many friends. Though she had been emotionally closed off due to being used politically from a young age, meeting those companions had brought some youthful light to her face. But Nina had used her "Wind Calling" power to protect Isla, which had led to her being recognized by Uranos as the "prophesied Savior of the Myths of the World" and forcibly brought to Pleiades. To ensure her friends could continue their journey, Nina had no choice but to sacrifice herself. Since then, for over four years, she had been confined in this lonely palace under the guise of being a goodwill ambassador.

──It’s too sad.

The happiness she had known was far too brief, and she had been forced to give it up because of her power. If not for that power, she could have lived as an ordinary girl, free from this suffering. Yet here she was, clinging desperately to the very power that was causing her such harm.

──Who is it all for?

As Mio stroked Nina’s hand, these soundless questions echoed in her heart.

Just then, the fluttering of wings filled the room. An old friend had come to visit. Mio pulled back the curtain of the small enclosure.

It was Fio, who alighted gracefully on Mio’s shoulder, gazing down at Nina and letting out a soft chirp.

Nina smiled weakly.

"Fio, don’t worry about me."

The wise little bird chirped softly in response to Nina’s voice. Mio touched Fio’s beak with her fingertip.

"Fio likes Nina too. He’s very selective about who he gets close to…"

Still lying on the bed, Nina cast a wistful gaze at Fio.

"…Such a curious bird. It’s almost as if he understands human speech…"

"I think he does understand. I’ve had Fio with me since I was a child, and I’ve seen moments like that many times."

Nina sat up slightly, now gazing directly at Fio with rare interest.

"…May I hear more about that?"

It was unusual for Nina to ask such a question. Perhaps her extraordinary powers had attuned her to something in Fio’s unique nature.

Choosing her words carefully, Mio began to speak.

"When I was a child, we moved to an island in the countryside, and I didn’t have any friends. So as a joke, I asked Fio to find me one. He flew off, and when I followed him, I found him sitting on top of a boy’s head. That boy… he became my friend."

As memories of meeting Kiyoaki surfaced, Mio smiled softly. She had originally asked Fio to find her "the person she was destined to be with," but she left that part out, feeling embarrassed.

"Fio became very attached to him too. After that, whenever I asked Fio to go find him, he would always fly to that boy…"

Listening quietly, Nina gazed at Fio, then raised her hand toward him.

Without hesitation, Fio hopped onto Nina’s finger and climbed up her arm to perch on her shoulder.

"Is that so… Perhaps he really can understand our words."

As Nina closed her eyes and tilted her head slightly, Fio nestled against her cheek, as if comforting her.

"I have a feeling that someday, Fio will help you, Mio… I just have that sense."

Nina said those words, then lay back down on her bed. Mio stayed by her side, placing Fio gently on her own shoulder, waiting until Nina had fallen asleep.

Once Nina was asleep, Mio lit a candle and descended the spiral staircase.

It was clear to anyone that Nina’s strength was being drained with every session of this intense training. As Mio tried to puzzle out why Nina would go to such lengths to maintain her power to summon the wind, only one answer seemed plausible.

—The succession of the Uranos throne…

—Nina intends to become the Queen of Uranos...

The thought had first crossed Mio's mind after hearing a certain phrase.

"The Second Isla Fleet will be utterly destroyed."

Three months ago, when Ignacio had made this grim decLalation, Nina had turned pale, her legs trembling uncontrollably. At the time, Mio hadn’t fully understood what was happening, but from the snippets of conversation, she had deduced that someone named "Kal" had set sail with a fleet to rescue Nina, yet it seemed that their forces were insufficient to defeat Uranos.

—Perhaps Nina plans to become the Queen of Uranos to save Kal.

—Is that why she is clinging so fiercely to her "Wind-Calling" power?

As Mio formed this hypothesis, a wave of sadness washed over her.

Kal had gathered a great fleet to save Nina.

Nina, in turn, was preparing to ascend to the throne to save Kal.

—They’re both acting out of love for one another…

—But what will the outcome be…?

For some reason, Mio had an oMisatous feeling that it wouldn’t end well. Instead, it seemed more likely that something terrible would come of it.

It was as if some cruel god governing this world had designed the current situation with the intent to make both of them suffer. This unfounded anxiety burst into Mio’s heart, leaving her uneasy.

—Am I just being mean-spirited…?

Mio shook her head, trying to dispel the dark thoughts. Maybe it was because her own fate had been manipulated cruelly, forcing her to abandon the bonds of the "Seven of Eriadore." Perhaps she was unconsciously projecting her own pessimism onto the fates of others.

"I’m a terrible person…" she muttered to herself, stopping the unhelpful speculation. After all, this was merely her own baseless conjecture. She was nothing more than a simple attendant, and she had no right to meddle in the lives of those of higher status. She should focus solely on carrying out the tasks Zenon assigned her.

—Papa, Mama, Kazuki, Dominic, Bonita.

—We’ll meet again someday. Please wait for me.

Zenon had been searching for Mio's family, who had gone missing in the chaos of war. As long as Zenon kept his word, there was still a flicker of hope. That was all Mio needed to concern herself with.

—All I need to do is avoid displeasing Zenon. That’s it.

Mio repeated this to herself, pushing all other thoughts aside, as she made her way back to the servants' quarters.

Oratorio District, Right Bank of the Uranos Capital, Pleiades—

If the Evangelis District on the left bank served as the urban centre of Pleiades, then the Oratorio District on the right bank was its military hub. It housed the Ministry of Military Affairs, responsible for overseeing military governance and operations. In the adjacent skyscrapers, the Unified Operations Headquarters was located, effectively serving as the brain of all Uranos military power.

Within this district, Zenon Kavaris, an officer of Uranos’ Intelligence Department, who officially held the title of Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, gazed out of a seventh-floor window at the towering buildings in the distance. Behind him, a subordinate—having fled his post—was nervously explaining his failure.

“...And thus, the operation at the flying fortress Odin became unsustainable. Rather than risk capture, I chose to escape, deploying a parachute to descend into the sea from the edge of the fortress.”

The subordinate’s voice strained to maintain composure, but bitterness was evident in his tone. Zenon continued to face the window, listening silently to the justification, until the man finished speaking. Then, slowly, Zenon turned to face him, offering a smile to the subordinate he had painstakingly trained.

"You're useless garbage."

His tone was as gentle as if he were admiring a flower.

For a brief moment, Hachidori’s face tensed, but he kept his gaze fixed upward, not daring to meet Zenon’s eyes.

"I have no hobby of keeping worthless trash around. Do you have any idea how much time, manpower, and budget was spent infiltrating you into the St Vault military?"

“...I apologize,” Hachidori responded, his voice low with shame.

Zenon’s smile didn’t waver as he continued. "You’re demoted to the lowest rank of the S-Class operatives—Patriotis. For the time being, you’ll be assigned tasks even an idiot could handle. It's clear that covert operations were beyond you."

The S-Class agents Zenon had groomed—called "Patriotis"—were ranked. Hachidori, previously fourth in rank, had plummeted to the bottom, branded as the "most incompetent" among his peers.

As Zenon observed Hachidori’s hands trembling from humiliation, he took a perverse satisfaction in the agent's suffering.

—I want to make him cry.

There was no reason for it. Breaking Hachidori wouldn’t improve the mission’s outlook, but the thought of crushing his pride and watching his reaction amused Zenon.

He addressed Hachidori’s pale face with an insult.

"Hey, you spineless coward."

“……………………”

"Did my hearing suddenly go bad?"

“...Yes, sir.”

"I have a task even a worm like you can manage. You know Mio Syira, correct?"

“...Yes, sir.”

"Mio is currently working to establish a personal connection with Nina Viento. She’s been quite successful—gaining Nina’s trust in just a few months. She’s even blended seamlessly into Lamia Palace, earning the favour of the guards. Unlike you."

“...Yes, sir.”

“Nina will soon be considered for the Uranos throne. The Demistri faction is becoming active in opposition. You will be sent to Lamia Palace under the guise of an old friend of Mio, to protect Nina.”

"Protect...Nina Viento?"

"Nina has a dedicated guard, yes. But if the Demistri faction makes their move, I have doubts about their ability to handle it. They may be adequate in open combat, but against agents like you, they wouldn’t stand a chance."

Standard military training and the specialized training of agents were fundamentally different. Soldiers excelled in frontal combat, while operatives like Hachidori were skilled in more subtle means—such as poisoning food.

“While you’re there, you will also train Mio as an operative. She’s one of my Favorites, and I intend to make her my personal plaything. However, I don’t have the time to educate her myself, so you will do it.”

“...Yes, sir.”

“Don’t destroy her spirit. Her charm lies in her personality. You must maintain her bright demeanour and intelligence while implanting the necessary skills."

"Yes, sir."

Hachidori stared blankly ahead, his emotions concealed, but Zenon could sense the simmering anger deep inside him.

Of the one hundred initial candidates, only eight had survived the gruelling selection process to become S-Class agents. Hachidori’s pride as an elite operative was immense, and being relegated to mere training duties was a bitter humiliation.

—humiliation is the best way to motivate the incompetent.

—Let fear of failure seep into his bones.

With an inner smirk, Zenon gave the final order.

“Leave tomorrow. And don’t show your face to me again unless I give you permission.”

“...Yes, sir.”

Hachidori clicked his heels, standing at attention, then left the office.

“Don’t fail again, you useless coward,” Zenon sneered at the closed door, reclining in his chair and staring at the ceiling.

After venting his frustrations on his subordinate, Zenon turned to his work.

The desk in front of him was piled high with documents.

From the Southern Archipelago, to Balesteros, the Holy Spring, the Kai Andros region, and Levamme—information about the world’s many domains, where Uranos was expanding its influence, was stacked before him.

—A treasure trove.

Zenon relished the thought as he sifted through intelligence reports compiled by Uranos’ intelligence officers and meticulously verified by analysis teams.

The thrill of holding in his hands information that others couldn’t even dream of knowing—the kind of knowledge that allowed him to survey the entire globe—was intoxicating. While the leaders of other nations were unaware of each other’s existence or the true shape of the world, Zenon had a bird's-eye view of it all.

—This is the privilege of the Uranos elite.

Uranos’ primary strategic goal was to maintain the isolation of various regions from one another.

By preventing information from spreading while monopolizing it for themselves, Uranos ensured that their grip on the world remained unchallenged. The flying fortresses patrolled the skies, seeking out exploratory fleets from other nations and eliminating them before they could return home, preventing any knowledge of Uranos from spreading.

In this way, while other nations remained ignorant of each other’s existence, Uranos steadily consolidated its power.

—That’s why this is necessary.

Zenon glanced at the piles of documents on his desk.

To him, this classified information was as exquisite as a fine wine. He savoured its quality, internalizing every detail.

Zenon Kavaris had recently ascended to the role of Chief of Uranos Intelligence, a promotion earned just three months ago following the death of King Ortega of Uranos. His prior position had been Director of the Multi-Island Sea Department, but with the increasing importance of Nina Viento, the credit for bringing her to Uranos secured his rise. Now, Zenon held the critical role of overseeing all intelligence on the world's surface nations. Simultaneously, he also served as a member of Chrono Magos, an influential council operating beyond the boundaries of Uranos. This group, composed of key figures from politics, business, and finance, primarily in the Multi-Island Sea region, manipulated international markets. In essence, it was a transnational network of merchants with the power to topple an advanced nation into financial chaos if they so desired. Zenon masterfully utilized his authority as head of Uranos Intelligence to further Chrono Magos’ interests.

Why did he do it?

—Because it was fun.

Basking in the infinite sea of information, Zenon revelled in his euphoria. If he could live like this forever, that would be enough. When bored, he amused himself by tormenting subordinates, sabotaging political enemies, or finding bright, innocent girls untouched by the world's filth, manipulating them until he could break them and turn them into his personal playthings.

Zenon had no ambition for power—no dreams, no goals, and no hope for a better future.

—Dreams and goals are the path to self-destruction.

Dreams and hopes inevitably attract obstacles and enemies. The larger the dream, the thicker and higher the walls that stand in the way. Moreover, humans are never satisfied with their current state. Even after overcoming challenges and achieving their dreams, their hearts remain unsated. Satisfaction, if it comes at all, lasts only a fleeting week, and then a new hunger arises. Desires, by their very nature, are self-replicating. Those who attain their dreams soon find themselves pursuing new ones, facing fresh walls to scale, either bleeding to surpass them or falling broken along the way.

—An utter waste of effort.

The key to navigating life wisely is to avoid clinging to such things.

—Never expect anything from this world.

—Do not have dreams or hopes from the outset.

—Simply float along, and enjoy what drifts by.

Zenon believed in flowing with life’s current, floating on the surface, enjoying each passing moment, resisting the temptation to pursue some higher purpose.

—Principles are unnecessary.

—What is needed is stability.

All that mattered was securing the conditions that guaranteed his current position, punctuating those efforts with the occasional amusement. That was enough.

Zenon had a family—an intelligent, beautiful young wife and three talented children. Though he rarely returned home and their relationship had long gone cold, from the outside, it appeared to be the perfect family. Zenon felt no love for them. He maintained the facade of a family man, using his position to manipulate those around him for his amusement. As long as life remained entertaining, he had no complaints.

—What I must prioritize now...

A glint of eerie light shone behind Zenon’s glasses.

—Nina Viento and Demistri.

—No matter who claims the throne, my position must remain unshaken.

He reaffirmed this to himself.

The successor to the throne would be decided in two months during the Holy Aldista Nativity Festival. Currently, two factions vied for control: the radicals supporting Nina Viento and the conservatives backing Demistri. Both camps were vying for influence, engaging in fierce battles both publicly and behind the scenes, each hoping to secure their standing post-coronation.

Zenon, however, had no intention of taking sides.

Getting involved in a royal power struggle might invite disaster. The key was to observe from the sidelines, waiting for the right moment to jump onto the prevailing current.

—Therefore, careful orchestration is necessary.

"Atori. Renjaku."

He called into the empty air, and two shadows appeared silently in his office.

One was tall and slender, with long hair tied at the back. The other was a small man, sharp-eyed and exuding an aura of agility.

Without turning to face them, Zenon issued his orders.

“Renjaku, guard Prince Demistri. Neutralize any assassins sent by Nina Viento’s faction, and gather information on the conservatives."

“Yes, sir,” replied Renjaku, the number two among the S-Class agents, known as the Patriotis.

“Atori, guard Pope Illustriali. Investigate the inner workings of the Aldista Papacy and report everything to me."

“Yes, sir,” answered Atori, the number one agent. Pope Illustriali was a key figure in the faction pushing for Nina Viento’s coronation. His actions would undoubtedly play a pivotal role in determining the outcome of the succession.

"Go."

At Zenon’s command, the two shadows disappeared from the room as silently as they had come.

Zenon smirked as he turned to the now-empty office. Not even Hachidori could detect the presence of Atori and Renjaku. Once they infiltrated a location, no secret would remain hidden from Zenon’s grasp.

—Obtaining the strengths and weaknesses of both camps is crucial.

—I’ll drip-feed them valuable information, keeping both sides dancing and indebted to me.

—No matter who ascends to the throne, I will remain at the heart of power...

Confirming this to himself, Zenon let a euphoric smile creep across his face as he returned to his documents, savouring the secrets of the world alone.

Hachidori stood in the hallway, enduring the curious, mocking gaze of Kiliai, Patriotis No. 6, whom he had accidentally encountered. Worst-case scenarios had a tendency to pile up, and this was one of them. There was no point in resisting the flood of misfortune. Instead, he reminded himself to endure—never to lash out emotionally or resort to force, as it would only worsen his position.

"Well, well, back already, huh? You finished your job that quick?" Kiliai said with a cheerfulness that was almost infuriating for an S-Class agent of the Patriotis. She patted Hachidori's right shoulder with a roughness that felt intentionally demeaning.

"Why the long face, like you ate something rotten? Did you pick up something off the street, or what?"

"…"

"The boss told me everything—your infiltration mission failed, huh? Now you're bumped down to No. 8? That makes me No. 5 now, so guess what? You'll have to listen to me from now on!"

Kiliai's voice was playful, but the undercurrent of mockery was impossible to miss. In the world of the Patriotis, rank was everything. Hachidori had just been demoted, and now he was beneath Kiliai in the hierarchy, bound to obey her.

—I'll kill you, you pest.

Hachidori swallowed his murderous thoughts, his gaze lowering to meet his colleague's gloating face. Kiliai’s short, boyish haircut, her bright, darting red eyes, and her incessantly moving mouth—she looked like any ordinary girl from the outside. But the truth was far more dangerous: Kiliai was an expert in poisons, unrivalled in her knowledge of their effects and remedies. If she so much as scratched you, you'd better be prepared for death.

—Of all people, why did it have to be her?

Hachidori inwardly cursed his luck, while Kiliai continued to prattle on.

"Oh, and by the way, Atori and Renjaku are back from Harmonia. Unlike you, they actually completed their mission. Have you bumped into them yet?"

At the mention of Atori and Renjaku—Patriotis’s top two agents—Hachidori felt a cold chill run through him.

"They’re in Pleiades?"

"Yeah, you might run into them. Just watch your mouth and attitude, or you might get beaten down again."

"…"

The bitter taste of old memories seeped into Hachidori's thoughts. Kiliai had a way of digging into his deepest scars, and he hated her for it.

"People have to know their limits," she said with a smile. "Push too far, and you'll end up getting crushed, just like last time. They don't mess around, you know."

Hachidori’s mind flashed back to his childhood days, during the gruelling training that had shaped them into Patriotis agents. Back then, his pride had driven him to challenge Atori and Renjaku—and he had been beaten nearly to death for it.

He hadn’t even landed a blow. Before he could comprehend what was happening, they had pinned him to the ground and broken his fingers, one by one.

"Cry."

That had been Atori’s only command. Hachidori had endured it for as long as he could, but when Atori moved to break his thumb, nine-year-old Hachidori had finally cried out for mercy.

Then, it had been Renjaku’s turn. Despite his broken hand, Hachidori had tried to fight, but Renjaku deflected every blow and countered with brutal precision.

Renjaku had pummelled him until he collapsed, ribs broken and lungs punctured. Hachidori had cried and begged for the beating to stop, and when it finally did, he had been left lying in a heap, his face swollen beyond recognition. His fellow Patriotis had watched, some with pity, others with amusement, as he lay there humiliated.

"I remember that tear-streaked face of yours. It was hilarious," Kiliai said, her laughter filled with mockery. "Honestly, you should be glad you’re still alive. They could’ve killed you."

Hachidori's hands twitched involuntarily, forming into claws as he imagined crushing her throat. But he knew better—Kiliai was dangerous, her body likely laced with poisons.

"You staying around here for a while?" Kiliai asked, oblivious to the dark thoughts crossing Hachidori’s mind. "Well, don't mess up again. Two failures in a row, and we’re done for. No joke."

She waved nonchalantly and walked away, heading toward Zenon's office to receive her next assignment.

"…Poison witch," Hachidori muttered under his breath as he turned away. The encounter had dredged up memories he had hoped to forget.

—Forget them. These colleagues are nothing.

The Patriotis agents worked alone most of the time, rarely crossing paths. Even when they did, there was little reason to acknowledge one another. They had no camaraderie—Kiliai’s chattiness was the exception, not the norm. And if Zenon ordered it, Kiliai wouldn’t hesitate to poison him, either. Friendship, even the faintest sense of loyalty, was non-existent.

—Unlike the "Seven of Eriadore."

—They vowed eternal friendship, even if their nations became enemies.

The thought briefly crossed Hachidori's mind, but he quickly shoved it aside. Comparing officer cadets' naive friendships to the Patriotis was absurd. For soldiers, friendship might be an asset, but for special agents like him, it was a liability—a tool for manipulation, nothing more.

—Don’t be stupid. You’re getting soft.

He scolded himself and refocused.

Tomorrow, he would head to Lamia Palace for his new assignment—guarding Nina Viento and training Mio.

Failure was not an option. If Nina were assassinated, Hachidori’s reputation as "useless" would be cemented, and his life would be forfeit. Zenon had likely sent other Patriotis agents to guard Prince Demistri, which meant Hachidori might have to face Atori or Renjaku. The Patriotis had no loyalty to one another—Zenon could command them to kill each other with a snap of his fingers. Their sole loyalty was to him.

—Stay sharp. Stay focused. No more failures.

—Train Mio and protect Nina Viento’s life at all costs.

With renewed determination, Hachidori left the Uranos Intelligence Headquarters, knowing that his survival depended on success.

The next day—

After reading the introduction letter from Zenon, Ulshyrra, the countess handling external affairs at Lamia Palace, fixed her cold, mechanical gaze on Reiner Beck, also known as Hachidori.

“We already have seasoned Royal Guards assigned to Lady Nina's protection.”

Reiner flashed a casual smile and gave a prepared answer.

“Well, our boss is the cautious type, you see. We can't afford anything to happen to Lady Nina before the December Holy Festival. I'll be protecting her in my own way, so as long as the guards don’t mind me, it’s all good.”

“And how can we be sure you won’t harm her?”

“If you’re worried about my character, feel free to ask Mio. We’ve been together since our days at Air Hunt Academy, so she knows me well. Besides, our boss was the one who brought Lady Nina to Pleiades in the first place. It’d be a huge win for us if she ascends to the throne, so we’re committed to protecting her. That’s why I was sent—pretty simple.”

Reiner explained with a grin, maintaining a light-hearted demeanour. Staying in Lamia Palace as Reiner instead of Hachidori made it easier to communicate with Mio, and Reiner was aware of this tactical advantage. Even though Hachidori observed through Reiner’s eyes, staying in this persona was convenient.

“As I mentioned, your role as a bodyguard will be kept secret to avoid backlash from the Royal Guards. You will be introduced as a gardener, an acquaintance of Mio.”

“Sure, no problem.”

“Mio’s training will take place in secret, away from prying eyes. I still question the necessity of combat training for her, but if it’s Zenon’s will…”

“She’s already serving as Lady Nina’s bodyguard, so she’ll benefit from being more combat-ready. She’s already got a year of training under her belt—better than most soldiers. A bit more, and she’ll be able to kill a cow barehanded.”

Ulshyrra gave only a cold glance in response to Reiner's grin, then placed the official paperwork approving Reiner's presence in the "approved" folder. Once Nina signed it later, Reiner would officially be a live-in gardener at Lamia Palace.

After thanking Ulshyrra, Reiner left the reception room and headed to the palace’s garden.

It was already evening. Reiner stretched under the crimson sky, already dressed in the gardener’s uniform, complete with pruning shears and a sickle strapped to her belt.

“Well then... time for a little reunion.”

Reiner strolled leisurely through the palace, exchanging greetings with servants and gardeners, inquiring about Mio’s whereabouts.

He was directed to the chapel at the edge of the grounds, a building with a triangular roof and the Saint Aldista emblem engraved on the bronze door.

Reiner pushed open the heavy door and entered.

The beams of light filtering through narrow windows bathed the chapel in a warm amber hue. At the altar in the back, Mio was quietly polishing bronze holy objects.

From where Reiner stood, Mio’s profile was illuminated in the soft light, making her appear like a forgotten doll or a worn-out painting.

“Busy with something dull, huh?”

At the sound of her voice, Mio turned to face her.

“I figured we’d run into each other again, but didn’t expect it this soon,” Reiner quipped, continuing the light banter. Mio remained silent, her mouth barely opening in response.

“Guess we’re bound by fate. Sorry, but there’s no escaping me,” Reiner teased with a grin, walking toward the altar. She passed through beams of light, stopping just in front of Mio.

Mio’s expression briefly flickered with surprise, but it quickly returned to a calm stillness.

“You’re alive.”

The words were dry, barely more than a whisper.

“Like I’d die that easily.”

“...Did the mission fail? Was it... because of Kiyoaki?”

Mio’s face tightened at the mention of Kiyoaki. Reiner sat down on the front pew, looking up at her.

“If you don’t want to hear it, I won’t talk about what happened next. Your call.”

Mio gripped the cloth she was holding tightly, hesitating for a moment before speaking.

“Is it... a long story?”

“Could be. A lot happened.”

“...Tell me. I want to know.”

Mio placed the holy object back on the altar, then sat next to Reiner on the pew. Reiner scratched the back of her head with a sigh.

“Before I start, you’re not going to ask why I’m here?”

“...I don’t care.”

“Wow, cold. I thought we were part of the Seven of Eriadore.”

“…”

At the mention of “the Seven of Eriadore,” Mio’s face twisted with visible pain. Clearly, the memories still haunted her deeply.

Seeing that expression, something stirred uncomfortably in Reiner's chest. She didn’t know why.

Changing her tone to something more upbeat, Reiner began the story.

“Let’s see… I guess it starts back in September of last year, when Uranos ambushed Air Hunt. After you left with Uranos’s airship, that’s when things got really interesting.”

Mio nodded solemnly, bracing herself for the story that followed.

Reiner then began recounting the events that had unfolded after Mio’s departure from Air Hunt.

As Reiner recounted the events that had transpired after they parted ways, Mio sat quietly, her gaze lowered. Reiner explained the fate of the Air Hunt Academy after its buildings were damaged: how Kiyoaki, Reiner, Illia, and Cecil had been transferred to the Selfaust Officer Academy. After graduating, they were assigned to the Voltec Air Squadron, fought in the Sierra Greed Sea Battle, and eventually, Kiyoaki and Kagura were captured. He told how Balthazar had successfully helped them escape, but because of Kiyoaki's accusations, Reiner had to flee as well. Reiner finished his recounting with his usual sarcastic grin.

"And that's why I’m here now. Quite a rollercoaster, huh? The seven of us are scattered, everyone’s back in their own countries, and meeting up again? Yeah, that’s not happening anytime soon."

Mio listened quietly, her eyes downcast, before murmuring softly, almost to herself.

“So… Kiyoaki and Kagura… went back to the Federation…”

“If they stayed in St Vault, they’d have been executed as spies. So yeah, it was their only option.”

“Balthazar… helping them escape…”

“Seems like he’s into Kagura or something. Not sure about the details, but they kissed when they parted.”

Mio’s eyes widened in shock for the first time that day.

“Balthazar and Kagura… kissed?”

“Oh yeah, a real kiss. Like, "je t'aime" or "I love you" kind of kiss.”

“Really? Them? I can’t believe it…”

Mio blushed, pressing her hands to her cheeks in an attempt to hide her embarrassment. Finally, showing some reaction, Reiner couldn’t help but push further.

“And then, Kiyoaki was all over Illia.”

“What…?”

“I couldn’t hear what they were saying, but they looked like they were having a hard time letting go.”

Mio’s expression tightened as she absorbed that information. Her eyes filled with sorrow.

“… I see…”

Her voice, though calm, was a clear effort to maintain composure. She bowed her head again, her voice cracking as she spoke.

“… So… Kiyoaki and Illia… they’re like that now…”

Reiner could see the storm of emotions swirling inside her. He hadn’t meant anything by his comment, just light banter, but it was clear that Mio had taken it hard.

For some reason, his chest ached. He didn’t understand why.

“They’re not together. They didn’t kiss or anything. They’ve flown together a lot in combat, so they’re close, but Kiyoaki’s too much of a coward to make a move. He could, but he doesn’t.”

Reiner’s crude joke managed to soften Mio’s hardened expression, bringing a faint flush of colour back to her face.

“… I see…”

But the sadness still overflowed from her, visible even to Reiner.

—She’s really hurting…

That ache in his chest grew stronger, turning into a deep throb.

Mio, cloaked in sorrow like a worn-out coat, stirred something inside Reiner that he had never felt before. Her current face overlapped with the memory of her smiling back at Air Hunt Academy, a time that now seemed so far away, even though it had only been a year.

Everything had changed.

Reiner, who had never felt sympathy for others, suddenly had the urge to comfort her, to make her feel safe.

He spoke without being asked.

“Kiyoaki doesn’t hate you, you know. He understands why you left, even though you lied.”

Mio remained silent, her head still bowed, but Reiner continued.

“None of us think you betrayed us by choice. We know your family pushed you into it.”

Slowly, Mio raised her head, looking at Reiner with eyes like a small, frightened animal. He shrugged.

“Your lies were obvious, you know. You’re a terrible spy. After winter break, when you came back all different, we all figured something happened at home. Then, when we heard about your dad getting arrested as a spy, we were like, oh, that explains it.”

“…”

“They still believe you didn’t want to be a spy. Your sudden change was suspicious, sure, but they still see you as a friend. Sorry, but they haven’t forgotten about you. You’re still one of them.”

Reiner finished with a sigh, sneaking a glance at Mio.

Her green eyes were wide with surprise.

“Why…? I’m a traitor…”

“Because they’re all soft-hearted. And you’re a terrible actor.”

As Reiner watched, he noticed that the sadness around Mio was starting to lift.

—She must have been beating herself up this whole time.

He realized it now. The icy barrier she had built around herself was beginning to melt in the faded light of the chapel.

Sensing the mood getting a bit too serious, Reiner cracked another joke to lighten the air.

“What’s with that face? Are you about to cry? You can cry on my chest all night if you want.”

He spread his arms wide in a mock embrace, but Mio glared at him sharply, her voice trembling slightly.

“…I’m not going to cry, idiot…”

But even as she spoke, her voice carried the weight of tears. It was clear she was deeply touched that her friends still believed in her.

—She’s still holding on to the Seven of Eriadore… especially Kiyoaki.

Reiner’s chest throbbed again, more intensely this time.

Mio wiped her eyes once, then turned away from Reiner to gaze out at the stained glass windows. She stretched, as if trying to shake off her feelings.

“… Is everyone okay? No one’s hurt?”

Her back still to him, she asked quietly.

“They’re all fine. Everyone’s doing pretty well, actually. Especially Kiyoaki and Illia—they’re both on track to become ace pilots. Future sky kings, maybe.”

“I see… that makes sense… they’ll do fine…”

Her voice was soft, filled with distant thoughts.

“They might all meet again someday, so don’t be too down.”

After a brief pause, Mio nodded without turning around.

“… We won’t meet again. Never.”

Her voice, now brittle and cold, sounded like rusted metal.

“Maybe not. But hey, lighten up. I’m sticking around for a while, so if you’re all gloomy, it’ll rub off on me. Let’s take it easy, yeah?”

Reiner forced a laugh, trying to keep the mood light. But the pain in his chest kept swelling, threatening to spill out of his mouth if he let his guard down.

—What’s the point of dwelling on the past?

—And why won’t she look at me?

—Look at me!

He fought the urge to shout these thoughts at her as she kept her back to him, seemingly lost in her own world.

In that instant, Reiner's thoughts spiralled into chaos.

—I’ll never meet Kiyoaki again.

—In two or three years, he’ll forget about you.

—Why are you still clinging to someone like him?

These thoughts, totally unbecoming of an S-rank operative like Patriotis, coursed through his mind. Normally, Hachidori would berate him from within for such sentimentality, but strangely, the voice remained silent, buried deep in his subconscious. Reiner noticed the unfamiliar irritation welling up inside him and took a deep breath to steady himself. Something was off.

He needed to get to the point.

"So, here’s the deal: Zenon wants me to teach you assassination techniques. We’ll train in secret at night."

Without looking directly at Reiner, Mio nodded slightly. She was unable to defy Zenon’s demands, knowing her family was being held hostage.

"Someone might try to assassinate Nina, so knowing how to kill will only help you. It’ll also give you the skills to protect yourself. Anyway, that’s the deal. Let’s work together."

“…Yeah. Okay.”

"And if you ever feel lonely, let me know. I’ll comfort you."

Reiner forced a crude smile as he said this, watching Mio frown in response.

"…You haven’t changed. And where’s Hachidori?"

"Oh, I dunno. He hasn’t said anything for a while. Maybe he’s taking a nap."

“…A nap? Fine. As long as I don’t have to see him again."

"Don’t worry, he hates you too. The moment he heard I was assigned to the Lamia Palace, he threw all the work at me. But if you slack off in training, he might pop back up."

Mio grimaced at the thought, and Reiner chuckled as he left the chapel. Carrying her cleaning supplies, Mio followed him outside, gazing up at the now-darkened sky.

The everlasting torches cast a dim orange glow over the palace, illuminating Mio in their soft light.

"…Reiner."

“Hm?”

Mio hesitated, her cheeks flushing slightly as she cast her gaze downward once more.

Reiner laughed.

“What is it?”

“…”

"Come on, spit it out. Whether it's a complaint or an insult, I’ll listen. It might be fun."

“It’s not that… I just…”

Once again, Mio fumbled for words, finally looking up at him.

“…Thank you. I’m glad you came.”

“….”

“You’re not a bad person. I know that. So… thanks. Let’s keep working together.”

Mio’s voice was halting, but sincere. Reiner fought to keep his heartbeat steady and his usual nonchalant demeanour intact.

"Ah, c’mon, no need to get all formal. Of course, I’m a good guy. Anyone can see that."

He grinned, but Mio only managed a small, awkward smile, as though trying to force herself to laugh and failing.

“…Says the spy.”

There was a slight warmth behind her words. Reiner grinned wider.

"You're one too, you know."

"…Yeah. I am."

"Exactly. We’re both traitors, so let’s just keep going, licking our wounds as we go."

He shrugged dramatically, gazing up at the stars, and finally, Mio let out a small, stiff laugh.

—She looks better when she smiles.

Reiner couldn't help but think that. It was a realization that felt both familiar and strange to him.

Sensing the intensity in his chest growing stronger, he scanned their surroundings, looking for an excuse to leave.

"Anyway, I gotta go. Where’s Tower Two? I’m supposed to stay there."

“…Follow me. I’ll show you."

Mio lit a lantern and led the way through the dimly lit palace grounds. As they walked, a few towers stood out against the night, their outlines illuminated by the flickering torches. Reiner guessed one of them must be his destination.

Suddenly, a guard stepped out from the shadows and approached them.

Judging by his armour, he was one of the night patrol guards, holding a spear almost twice his height as he moved toward them.

“Oh, Igna,” Mio called out. The guard stopped and raised his head to look at Reiner.

“Who is this?”

His tone was immediately harsh and confrontational. Mio began to explain.

“Didn’t Ulshyrra tell you? He’s my friend and the new gardener…”

Before she could finish, Igna’s eyes flared with anger as he barked a warning.

“Get away from him, Mio!”

The spear’s tip was suddenly an inch from Reiner’s forehead.

—Switch.

“Got it.”

In a fraction of a second, Reiner dodged the spear thrust by leaning back just in time for Hachidori to take over, his consciousness rising to the surface and seizing control.

“Igna!?”

Mio’s voice was filled with panic as Ignacio launched a series of rapid spear strikes at Hachidori. Each thrust cut through the air with deadly force.

But Hachidori dodged every blow effortlessly, moving with the grace of a handball as he unsheathed the sickle hanging from his belt.

The steel blade gleamed in the torchlight.

Crouching low, Hachidori assumed a combat stance, grinning fiercely.

"You're pretty aggressive."

Ignacio maintained his guard, spear still raised.

"Assassins have a distinct smell."

"You’re like a dog."

"The stench of death is all over you. How many have you killed?"

"You'll be the twenty-eighth."

The moment those words left his mouth, Hachidori, moving with inhuman speed, dodged another thrust and closed the gap between them.

His sickle sliced through the air toward Ignacio's throat.

But the blow was blocked by the shaft of the spear.

Sparks flew as Ignacio deflected the strike, immediately countering with a leg sweep aimed at Hachidori’s feet.

“Tch.”

Hachidori leapt, avoiding the sweep.

As he landed, the butt of Ignacio’s spear was already flying toward his face.

"Hmph."

Hachidori barely dodged the strike by jerking his head to the side. If it had hit, it would have likely killed him on the spot.

The close call only served to fuel his growing rage.

"I’ll kill you."

Raising the sickle in front of his face, he made his decLalation in a low voice. He would make this mere guard regret picking a fight with a Patriotis.

"Try it."

Ignacio, his silver hair flowing in the night wind, repositioned the spear at his side and replied curtly.

A gust of wind kicked up dust between them, and sparks from the torch exploded in the space between them.

In the split second that Hachidori was about to step forward──

"Stop this."

A girl's voice cut through the silence.

Mio gasped in surprise.

"Lady Nina…!"

Recognizing her voice, Hachidori immediately set his sickle on the ground and knelt.

Nina Viento, in a white blouse and navy skirt, gazed down at Hachidori's bowed head with calm eyes.

Ignacio quickly moved in front of Nina, keeping his guard up and the spear aimed at Hachidori.

"Igna, it’s alright. He’s an ally dispatched by Mr. Zenon."

"……………………"

"He’s disguised as a gardener to protect me. He’s not a threat."

Only after Nina’s reassurance did Ignacio finally lower the spear and step back to her side.

In a calm tone, Nina addressed Hachidori.

"I haven’t informed the soldiers of your true identity. Apologies for Ignacio’s response."

Hachidori, still bowing his head, replied,

"We were merely playing."

At his dismissive tone, Ignacio shot Hachidori a glare of clear disapproval.

"From now on, work in cooperation with the royal guards."

"Yes, ma’am."

"…Mio, it’s time."

"Oh, right. Yes, I’m coming."

With Nina’s prompt, Mio followed her toward the round tower.

Ignacio cast a sidelong glare at Hachidori.

"…If you show any suspicious behaviour, I’ll throw you out."

He spat out his warning before turning on his heel. Hachidori called after him provocatively.

"Think you can do it?"

Ignacio glanced back with a single, murderous look before disappearing into the night without further words.

──This might be pretty entertaining.

Leaving behind that silent thought, Hachidori relinquished control to Reiner.

"I’d rather live peacefully, but you’re always picking fights with the guards," Reiner muttered to himself, shaking his head.

Hachidori’s earlier response had been curt, as usual, but now he retreated, allowing Reiner to handle the more mundane aspects of their double life.

As Reiner approached the second tower, he couldn’t help but reflect on the brief exchange between Nina and Ignacio. Nina had effortlessly defused the situation, her mere presence commanding respect and compliance from those around her, even someone as fiercely protective as Ignacio. Her calm demeanour and quiet authority were impressive, especially considering her young age and the burden she carried.

For Reiner, there was a part of him that admired Nina’s ability to maintain such composure, but there was also something about her that stirred a strange unease in him. She was a central figure in this complex political web, and Reiner knew better than to underestimate her.

Reaching Tower Two, Reiner glanced around, his eyes scanning the darkened surroundings. The night was calm, the air thick with the scent of damp earth and the quiet hum of crickets in the distance. The flickering torches cast long shadows, stretching across the stone pathways and creating an eerie, yet oddly peaceful, atmosphere.

The door to the tower creaked as Reiner pushed it open, the hinges groaning from years of disuse. Inside, the small room was sparse—just a bed, a desk, and a single chair by the window. It was modest, but sufficient for his needs.

He threw himself onto the bed, staring at the ceiling, thinking about his mission here. He had a job to do: train Mio in the ways of assassination, protect Nina, and above all, ensure that nothing jeopardized Zenon’s plans.

But as much as he tried to focus on his mission, Reiner couldn't shake the image of Mio’s face. Her vulnerability, her hesitation when she thanked him, and the way her expression softened when she realized that her former comrades hadn't abandoned her—all of it gnawed at him. He wasn’t used to feeling conflicted about his duties, but something about Mio stirred unfamiliar emotions in him.

"Get it together, Reiner," he whispered to himself, trying to push the thoughts away.

But even as he closed his eyes, trying to fall asleep, the memory of Mio’s sad smile lingered, making sleep feel impossibly distant.

In the distance, the faint sound of footsteps echoed through the corridors of the Lamia Palace, the guards making their rounds. The night was settling in deeper, and while the palace itself was quiet, the undercurrents of tension that flowed beneath its surface never ceased.

Tomorrow, Reiner would begin Mio’s training. And though he tried to push the thoughts away, he couldn’t help but wonder how much this mission would change the both of them.