Toaru Hikuushi e no Seiyaku:V8Part9
Part 18 (Part 9 of Volume 8)
Breathing heavily, the Supreme Commander of Urano, Demistri’s, ascended the stairs of the Ulysses Palace's harem. His emotions, heightened, echoed in his heavy footsteps as he made his way to the grand hall on the fifth floor, located at the southern end of the palace.
“We’ve been expecting you,” came the voice of Renjaku, the second-ranked S-class operative of Patriotis, stepping forward from the oppressive darkness that clung to the rear of the hall.
“Where is it?” Demistri demanded, his bloodshot eyes scanning the surroundings for his target.
“Just as you wished—within ‘the house.’”
Nodding in satisfaction, Demistri tossed a handful of gold coins at Renjaku’s feet.
“Well done. A reward.”
“I am honoured,” Renjaku replied, glancing at the coins briefly before stepping aside. Demistri strode into the darkness.
The only illumination came from a dozen or so candles placed on the floor. Velvet curtains hung from the ceiling, filling the air with the scent of decaying incense and the rich feel of carpets from the surface world. Scattered bedding lay about, and several concubines lounged seductively, half-draped, giving Demistri playful, practiced looks.
Without hesitation, Demistri brushed the women aside as if they were mere annoyances, pushing them away indifferently as he made his way to the large cage at the far end of the hall—so massive that a tiger could fit inside.
In the thick shadows of the hall, the flickering candlelight faintly illuminated a woman within the cage.
Noticing Demistri, the woman immediately stood, pressing her back against the bars.
Demistri’s breath quickened unknowingly.
He exhaled slowly, stepping closer to the cage and examining the woman.
The prize he had sought after for so long stared back at him with fierce, determined eyes.
“You managed to evade capture for over a month,” Demistri said, addressing her.
“All the nobles of the Mycenaean faction have been detained, and their estates thoroughly searched. Those fools, this is what happens when they defy me.”
It had been thirty-five days since the coup, and Demistri had finally found her hiding place. Now, at last, she was here.
“How are you feeling, Nina Viento?” Demistri smiled as he grasped the iron bars, addressing the woman within.
Nina Viento, no longer wearing her grand priestess robes but dressed in a simple white blouse and navy skirt, stared back at Demistri, her expression defiant. She had removed her extensions, revealing her true self, but her grape-coloured eyes still held a powerful will. However, with her hands shackled behind her back, she had no freedom of movement.
A dangerous gleam shone in Demistri’s eyes as he admired her helpless form from head to toe before speaking with satisfaction.
“Beg for forgiveness. Do that, and I’ll let you out of this cage.”
Nina’s voice remained unshaken as she responded with pride.
“What have you done with my companions?”
“If you swear loyalty to me, I’ll tell you.”
“Answer me. Where are my companions?”
Demistri laughed darkly before sneering at her from the other side of the cage.
“Your allies are nowhere. They’re all gone.”
“…”
“But I am merciful. I’ll make you my wife, Nina Viento.”
“...!!”
Nina pressed her back further against the iron bars, her expression hardening.
Demistri undid the lock on the door and stepped inside the cage.
“...Don’t come any closer! If you do, I’ll bite my tongue!”
Her words, filled with dignity, did nothing to stop Demistri’s wicked grin as he stepped forward.
“I said, don’t come any closer!”
Her voice grew harsher, but Demistri halted his step, then spoke in a soothing, almost mocking tone, as if calming a frightened animal.
“No one is coming to save you. It would be easier for you to give in now.”
Nina’s eyes, usually serene, now burned with an intensity that pierced through Demistri. Her courage was unwavering.
“They will come. They will.”
Her pride, her dignity, and her unwavering belief radiated like a halo around her.
“The Second Isla Fleet will come. They will reach this place.”
Despite being captured and held deep in enemy territory, Nina had not lost hope.
Demistri clenched his teeth, the sound of his grinding molars filling the air as he stretched his claw-like fingers toward her.
In that moment, he noticed that Nina had shut her mouth, preparing to bite down hard on her tongue.
She was serious. She was truly willing to choose death over dishonour.
Demistri glared at her with fury before lowering his hands and exhaling deeply. He turned and stepped out of the cage.
“...Fine. We have plenty of time.”
With his back still to her, he muttered to himself.
“I look forward to seeing how long you can hold out.”
Turning back to Nina, he spat out a final taunt.
“Like everyone else here, you’ll eventually submit to me. Even if your man comes for you, by then, your body and soul will already belong to me.”
His dark desires gleamed in his eyes as he picked up a nearby toy and began playing with it in front of her, as if to provoke her further.
Nina—no, Nina—turned her face away from the disgusting display, closing her eyes and curling up in the corner of the cage.
She wanted to hold her knees to her chest, but with her hands bound behind her, she couldn’t. The fear she had hidden deep within her core seeped into her every cell. Nina buried her face against her knees, trying to push the fear back down.
She couldn’t let Demistri know her legs were trembling. If she showed weakness, he would exploit it. She had to remain strong. She had to believe her comrades would come to rescue her.
──Igna. Ulshyrra. Mio. Reiner.
──Are you all safe? Where are you?
──You’re alive, right? You managed to escape… right?
With no power left to call the wind, no way to break free from her restraints, Nina could hear strange animal-like noises from the surrounding darkness—sounds she had never heard before. The overwhelming, cloying scent in the air made her feel nauseous, like something rotten and sweet was suffocating her mind. The longer she stayed in this place, the more she feared her spirit would be twisted by it.
“...I won’t lose…”
Whispering to herself for comfort, Nina buried her face deeper into her bent knees.
“...I’ll keep fighting. I won’t lose, Kal…”
She quietly spoke the name of the one she loved, making sure no one could hear.
“There really are incredible pilots all over the world, aren’t there...”
As Kiyoaki watched the foreign aircraft dancing in the December sky, he couldn't help but share his thoughts with those beside him. It was natural to feel that way, but seeing such manoeuvres, on a completely different level from what he was used to, made him feel a little shaken.
“... The two in particular stand out. The rest are inferior to the Valkyrie.”
Next to Kiyoaki, Illia, also observing the distant sky, murmured his own impression.
“You have a good eye.”
Beside them, Kal-el smiled and turned to the two of them.
“Those two are monsters.”
With that remark, both Kiyoaki and Illia nodded. Indeed, there were two monsters flying freely in the skies above Santos Island.
December 15, Imperial Year 1351, Kingdom of Sylvania’s capital, Sierra Greed on Santos Island.
From a mountainside halfway up the headquarters of the Kingdom's military operations, Kiyoaki, Illia, and Kal-el watched the mock air battle unfolding offshore. From this altitude of 1,200 meters, they had a clear view of the Second Isla Fleet's task force deployed off the coast of Sierra Greed.
Since the Second Battle of Sierra Greed six months ago, the Second Air Squadron of the Isla Fleet had been undergoing repairs in the former capital of the Hydrabard Union, Isrion, due to a shortage of port facilities. Three days ago, they finally completed repairs and made their way to Santos Island. Now, in what seemed like a show of strength, they were engaging in a 12-on-12 mock air battle with the First Air Squadron of the Isla Fleet, and the newly arrived Second Air Squadron was dominating. In fact, it was almost entirely thanks to the "monsters" that were single-handedly taking down the First Squadron.
Kiyoaki narrowed his eyes, focusing on the two aircraft.
“Those planes aren’t Maestras, are they? I’ve never seen those models before...”
In response to Kiyoaki’s question, Kal-el nodded.
“There’s a civilization zone called the Levamme Sector in this world. Those two are reinforcements from there. The main Levamme fleet hasn’t arrived yet, so only the vanguard is here, and while it’s a small unit, it’s filled with elite crew members. Those two are especially the best of the best.”
As Kal-el explained, the outcome of the mock air battle had already been decided. The two "monsters" from the Levamme Sector had taken down all 12 enemy planes in an overwhelming display.
“The blue one is an Ailes V. The black one is a modified Shinden. Levamme's Chancellor refused to allow any technological changes for nearly 20 years, but even so, these planes are still more than capable of fighting.”
Kiyoaki and Illia nodded. They understood that differences in technology could arise depending on the region, and even from a distance, it was clear that these planes were combat-ready.
“Oh, looks like they’re coming over. Probably to greet the Valkyrie commander.”
Kal-el shielded his eyes with his hand as he peered into the distance and muttered. It seemed those two knew that Valkyrie Commander Kiyoaki and Vice-Commander Illia were watching.
The two "monsters" flew straight towards the mountain where the headquarters was located.
“Let me introduce you. The one flying the Ailes V is my mentor.”
Kal-el waved with a smile, signalling to the two approaching planes.
Both pilots seemed to recognize Kal-el, as they waved their wings in acknowledgment.
Kiyoaki squinted his eyes again.
The blue-gray aircraft at the front slowly performed a gentle roll, as if greeting them, before roaring past at the same altitude as Kiyoaki with a thunderous engine, climbing higher and higher into the December sky.
On the nose of the plane, Kiyoaki spotted a nose art of a white bird.
“Sea Cat. My mentor, Charles Kari.”
Kal-el introduced briefly. Kiyoaki etched that name into his memory. It was the plane that had been dazzling them with its overwhelming aerial manoeuvres from the start.
Following closely behind, the jet-black aircraft performed the same gentle roll as Sea Cat, and then with a loud hum from its tail propeller, soared even higher into the sky. On its nose was a playful nose art of a beagle.
“Demon Dog. Yoshio Takeo.”
Kiyoaki committed that name to memory as well. The terrifying skills of these two "monsters" were unmistakably conveyed through their mastery of the air.
“... Do you think we could beat them if we teamed up?”
Kiyoaki asked Illia, gazing at Sea Cat and Demon Dog as they frolicked in the high sky.
“... Right now, we can’t win.”
Illia’s answer came as Kiyoaki nodded in agreement. Indeed, at this moment, they couldn’t win.
But.
“... I’d like to train with them. Of course, with you too, Kal-el.”
In response to Kiyoaki’s request, Kal-el smiled broadly and turned back to him.
“That’s why I brought them here. I’m sure we can all learn a lot from each other. I’m still learning from Sea Cat myself. Takeo’s also a terrifying genius. Until the day of the decisive battle, we’ll train together through mock air battles. The more we practice, the more we’ll absorb from each other and get stronger.”
Kiyoaki and Illia nodded simultaneously.
──We can still get stronger.
──We’ll get stronger, and then, we’ll crush Uranos.
As Kiyoaki strengthened his resolve, he felt an intense urge to jump into his fighter plane and spar with Sea Cat, Demon Dog, and Kal-el. By competing with top-tier pilots, he knew they could reach even greater heights.
“Oh dear, did the mock air battle already end?”
At that moment, the door to the semi-underground entrance opened, and Queen Elisabeth, having finished her meeting, peeked out from the headquarters. Kiyoaki turned to ask her.
“Unfortunately, yes, it just ended. So, was there anything of value?”
Elisabeth shook her head regretfully.
“...Nothing. As expected, we can’t interfere in the affairs of other nations…”
Illia furrowed her brows in concern.
“...Hasn’t Kagura been imprisoned for over a month now?”
“...Yes. We are making efforts, but all we can do is believe in a pardon.”
It was Kagura and Balthazar who had undoubtedly brought the Second Archipelago War to an end. They could only believe that someone who had fulfilled such a great mission wouldn’t be executed so easily.
A wind blew up from the base of the mountain, swirling clouds as it raced across the mountainside, passing over everyone and disappearing back into the sky.
── Even if we can’t meet again, we’ll always be together.
Kiyoaki suddenly felt as if he had heard Kagura’s words in that wind. It was what Kagura had supposedly told Balthazar during their farewell after the signing of the ceasefire agreement. A bad feeling came over him, and he shook his head to clear it away.
“We’ll meet again. We definitely will… Yeah, we have to believe in Kagura.”
As Kiyoaki encouraged everyone, Kal-el smiled as if to change the atmosphere and thanked Elisabeth.
“Your Majesty, regarding the matter of the Balesteros bonds, I can't thank you enough. It’s incredible news for the Isla fleet.”
“Don’t thank me. The credit goes entirely to General Grim over there.”
Elisabeth smiled as she gestured behind her. Balthazar emerged into view, wearing his usual stern expression.
“...It was my grandfather’s doing. I didn’t do anything.”
He responded dismissively, as if the matter didn’t interest him.
Last month, the Balesteros bonds, which had been offered on the Sierra Greed stock market, became so popular that lines of investors stretched 200 meters outside the banks handling them. With an application ratio of over thirty times the amount available, preparations for a second issue of bonds were already underway.
The catalyst had been the entry of Renior Berner into the Balesteros bond market. The world’s leading financier wouldn’t have gotten involved unless the rumour about the 50 billion pesos on the sunken ship was true. The moment this speculation spread, star players in the financial world flocked to the Sierra Greed stock market, and the Balesteros bonds suddenly became a hot commodity. As a result, the Isla fleet quickly gained a fortune of 100 million pesos in hard currency from the first round of applications alone. This was more than enough to pay the salaries of their 400,000 crew members, replenish their fuel and munitions, and replace their consumables.
“With this, we can fight the Uranos fleet. General Grim didn’t just end the Second Archipelago War, but also saved the Isla fleet. I’m beyond grateful. We must invite you to the Republic of Balesteros and give you the reception you deserve.”
Kal-el’s straightforward words made Balthazar’s expression twist further in discomfort, and he changed the subject.
“With the signing of the peace treaty with the Kingdom of Keiken, the 1.7 million troops who withdrew from the Henan Front are being reorganized for the counter-landing on the Mitterland mainland. When the time comes, we’ll need the support of the Isla fleet. To destroy Uranos, we look forward to working together.”
“Yes. The final battle with Uranos is approaching. It will determine the fate of the world.”
Kal-el said this as he looked up at the sky.
Kiyoaki also thought about the looming day of the decisive battle.
The preparations for the counterattack were progressing steadily. However, the difference in strength between them and Uranos was still vast. According to calculations, Uranos had twice as many warships as their side. In addition, reports were coming in that fleets and air fortresses deployed to other sectors were converging on the archipelago. If that were true, the odds of victory would become even slimmer. No matter how skilled their pilots were, modern warfare was decided by resources. At this point, they still didn’t have the strength to defeat Uranos head-on.
“But we can't win by facing them head-on. The only way for a smaller force to defeat a larger one is through surprise attacks. But right now, we don’t have enough information to move.”
Balthazar seemed to be thinking along the same lines as Kiyoaki and said this to Kal-el.
“We need to focus all our efforts on gathering intelligence, but Uranos' counterintelligence division is highly capable. We haven’t been able to obtain any significant information, and if we’re not careful, we might end up acting on false information, which could lead to disaster. We need more time to gather critical information that will allow us to strike at their weaknesses.”
“How much time do we need?”
“...At least six months.”
“...Six months.”
“In other words, we shouldn’t act yet… but?”
The words trailed off.
Kiyoaki and Balthazar simultaneously looked up at the sky.
Against the midday sun, a pair of white wings appeared.
Feathers fluttered down like angel wings, enveloping everyone.
Suddenly, a white bird dove straight towards them──
And landed gently on Kiyoaki’s shoulder, as if returning home.
It was a filthy bird. Its feathers were frayed, and it looked like it had been attacked by hawks or crows. Blood stained its chest and wings. It couldn’t stay on Kiyoaki’s shoulder for long, and soon its talons slipped from the fabric, causing its body to slump forward.
Kiyoaki’s hair stood on end.
“Fio!!”
He shouted the bird’s name as he hurriedly caught its body with both hands. Fio, as if relieved, closed its eyes and folded its wings in Kiyoaki’s palms.
“That bird... it’s Mio’s...”
Illia noticed and leaned in to look. Kiyoaki’s eyes widened as he gently stroked Fio’s limp body with his fingers. The bird didn’t move.
“Fio...?”
Kiyoaki knelt down and gently laid Fio’s body on the ground. The bird took a slow breath once, then twice, before closing its eyes. It didn’t move again. Staring at its dirtied and wounded body, Kiyoaki noticed something strange.
“Ah...”
Something was tied to Fio’s leg with a piece of string. Carefully, Kiyoaki untied the string and brought the item into view, finally realizing what Fio had delivered.
“...A ring...?”
It was a rusted, faded silver ring.
Kiyoaki knew exactly whose ring this was.
Unforgettable memories came rushing back to his mind.
A midsummer day on Odessa, Messus Island.
A girl, laughing in the bright white sunlight, wearing a tiara of canola flowers.
‘We promised to get married!’
‘I’m going to be Kiyoaki’s bride!!’
The girl’s smile was bursting with happiness.
‘Next, I’ll give Kiyoaki a silver ring! Then the ceremony will be complete, and our love will last forever!’
Distant words seemed to transcend time, now conveyed through the ring before his eyes.
── Mio.
A dazzling smile blurred beyond the ring.
“There’s writing on the string!”
Beside Kiyoaki, Elisabeth exclaimed in surprise as she opened the string, hastily showing the contents to Balthazar.
“This… this is…?!”
Balthazar couldn’t hide his shock either. It was a detailed map: the orbital route of the capital Pleiades, current position, speed, and layout of surface facilities—precisely the critical information they had desperately sought, all written in fine detail using advanced techniques on the small string!
“…Pleiades is over Krista!!”
Balthazar shouted the name of the industrial city in the centre of the Mitterland continent.
But the murmurs of the group didn’t reach Kiyoaki’s ears.
He knelt on the ground, gently stroking the bloodstained body of Fio.
Fio had already grown cold. To deliver this message to Kiyoaki, the bird had flown far beyond its limits.
“Fio, thank you.”
Kiyoaki cradled Fio’s body in both hands, gently lifting it and pressing it to his forehead.
“Thank you, Fio. Thank you. Thank you.”
Fio’s feelings resonated through its lifeless body, and tears flowed down Kiyoaki’s cheeks. Fio had come this far, risking everything, to help Mio. Crossing great waterfalls and evading predators, it had flown here even beyond the point of death.
What an incredible bird. What a remarkable friend. With his forehead pressed against Fio’s cold body, Kiyoaki made a promise.
“I’ll answer you. I’ll honour your feelings and your bravery. I’ll definitely respond.”
He expressed his gratitude again and again to the small, lifeless creature, tears streaming down his face as he gently laid it on the ground. He wished he could bury Fio in the canola field on Odessa, Messus Island.
Then, wiping his tears, he slipped the silver ring onto his finger.
The harsh words Mio had thrown at him during their farewell were now gone. The faded, rusty little ring conveyed her true feelings to him.
── Mio is calling me.
Every cell in his body surged with energy.
── I have to go. To Pleiades.
His soul ignited.
His eyes glowed with resolve.
They pierced the sky.
Kiyoaki bit his lip hard, stood up on his knees, and turned his fiery gaze toward the skies over Krista on the Mitterland continent.
Mio was there.
She was waiting for him.
All he had done was hurt and sadden her. Her tearful face had been burned into his memory forever. He didn’t want their relationship to end in regret.
With a gaze as if trying to burn the sky with his eyes alone, Kiyoaki glared at the world.
The future he desired could only be forged by his own hands.
No matter how much despair stood in his way, he would break through it.
At that moment, from behind the mountains, twelve new wings rushed through the winter sky, overtaking Kiyoaki and the others as they turned toward Sierra Greed’s offshore.
The Valkyries. Kiyoaki’s squadron, the strongest wings in the archipelago.
Unable to remain silent after witnessing the aerial manoeuvres of the Sea Cat and the Demon Dog, the Valkyries soared through the sky, determined to catch up to them.
Suppressing the raging fire within his soul, Kiyoaki directed his burning gaze at the sky and commanded the world’s strongest wings.
"Let’s go, Valkyries."
Even if it means destroying this world.
"I’m coming, Mio."
To the sky where you are.
"I will destroy Uranos."
I will fulfill the vow I made.
“Get up.”
Hearing the voice of a military policeman, Kagura lifted her head.
In the windowless room, the glaring light of an old electric lamp aimed at her was blinding.
Squinting, she stood up. She was led out of the cell and into the corridor, where the military policeman passed a rope through her handcuffs, guiding her as they began to walk. Kagura already knew where they were headed. Without resisting, she followed quietly.
Since there were no windows, she didn’t know how much time had passed. It had probably been over a month since she had signed the ceasefire agreement with Balthazar at Kariba Bridge.
Five days after leaving Kariba Bridge, she had watched as all 1.7 million St Vault soldiers withdrew unharmed. Afterward, she had turned herself in to the military police headquarters in Misato, confessing that she was the mastermind behind the coup, and was imprisoned here. She knew nothing of what had happened since.
She wondered if His Majesty, Emperor Yoshihito, was still on the throne.
As they walked down the dim corridor, Kagura asked the question aloud to the military policeman ahead of her.
Without turning, the policeman answered.
“The Emperor has already passed away. Prime Minister Kuonji hid the truth. The whole country is in turmoil. Thanks to your attack on Kyonagi Palace, the real traitors have all been rounded up.”
Kagura was shocked. So what Lord Kuzuha had said was true?
“Then… the abdication?”
“It’s been recognized as legitimate. Emperor Yoshihito’s abdication has been validated, and a peace treaty with St Vault is being negotiated. The Second Archipelago War is over.”
Ah… Kagura let out a sigh of relief.
That was good. The war was over. Crown Prince Daitoku had fulfilled her wish…
“…It’s ironic. Thanks to you, the war is over. The people should be thanking you, really.”
The military policeman spoke without turning. Kagura understood what he meant.
“It’s fine. The crime I committed deserves death.”
“…………”
“What about my comrades?”
“Thirteen were discharged. The others were found not guilty, as they were merely following your orders. You’re the only one bearing responsibility.”
“I see. That’s good. I have no regrets.”
Kagura meant it. The military policeman seemed to have something to say but swallowed his words, continuing to walk in silence. The sound of their shoes echoed through the cold, lifeless corridor.
At the end of the hall, the military policeman opened a door.
Morning light flooded in, causing Kagura to squint against its brightness.
The policeman waited until her eyes adjusted. Soon, Kagura finally raised her face to the sunlight.
“Wow… it’s beautiful.”
The world she hadn’t seen in a long time was filled with light.
Even though it was an execution ground, it seemed like the most beautiful sight she had ever witnessed. For the first time, she truly felt the brilliance the world contained. She had never realized just how beautiful the blue sky could be.
There were no witnesses present. It was just an open space, about forty meters long and seven meters wide. In front of Kagura was a sturdy stake driven into the ground. About thirty meters away stood a single soldier, holding a rifle.
“Do you want a blindfold?”
The policeman asked. Kagura shook her head.
“I’d like to keep my eyes on the sky.”
“…Understood.”
The policeman took the rope and moved to tie her to the stake.
Standing in front of the stake, Kagura shook her head again.
“I don’t need the rope. I won’t run.”
The policeman exchanged glances with the executioner. After the executioner nodded, the policeman turned back to Kagura.
“Then we’ll leave you as you are. Do you have any final words?”
Kagura smiled softly.
“Tell the Seven of Eriadore that I’m sorry I couldn’t meet them again.”
“…Understood. I’ll pass on the message.”
The kind-looking military policeman said and stepped aside.
With a calm expression, Kagura looked at the distant executioner.
She couldn’t see his face due to the distance, but for some reason, she felt as though he resembled Yukihira.
The barrel of the gun was raised, aimed directly at Kagura’s heart. In just a few seconds, her life would end.
── Brother. I’m coming to you now.
Kagura lifted her face to the blue sky. When she arrived in the afterlife, she knew her brother would challenge her to duels again, and she would be cut down by him many times.
The sky above was as pure and spotless as Kagura’s current feelings, singing of eternity.
Faces of the Seven of Eriadore appeared one by one in the sky.
Kiyoaki. Illia. Cecil, Reiner, Mio.
And then Balthazar.
── I’m sorry for lying to you, Balthazar.
Kagura apologized.
── I love you.
She cast her true feelings into the sky, and at that moment, the sound of a gunshot rang out.
She saw her own blood scatter into the clear blue sky.
Crimson droplets exploded from her chest, painting her vision red.
As she slowly fell backward, Kagura reached her hand toward the sky.
Beyond the blood that danced in the air, she saw the eternal blue and the smiling faces of her comrades──
And then, everything faded into darkness.
“Kyonagi Palace Assault Incident: Former Captain Kagura Murasaki Executed
The Misato General Headquarters announced early yesterday that former Shinmei Unit Captain Kagura Murasaki (22) was executed by firing squad. As previously reported, Kagura was convicted last month of leading her unit in the unauthorized assault on Koyanagi Palace and government residences, capturing three members of the Supreme War Council, stealing the imperial seal, murdering Imperial Guards, and forging the abdication decree. In accordance with the emperor’s orders, there were no witnesses, and no funeral was held. Her remains were interred in an unmarked grave at Shukokai Temple after her relatives refused to accept them.”
(Excerpt from the Akitsu Daily, December 15, Imperial Year 2011)
END VOLUME 8
