Toaru Hikuushi e no Seiyaku:V4Part3

Part 3 What would I do if I were born an incompetent fool, yet somehow found myself riding a wave of good fortune, moving up the ranks, only to have a talented, sharp-witted, and physically appealing subordinate come along and threaten my position?

I’m clearly incapable and foolish. There’s no way I could defeat such a capable and brilliant junior. However, I also need to survive in this workplace. The only thing someone as useless, dumb, and plain-looking as myself could do is band together with others of similar ineptitude and sabotage the talented one. In doing so, I’d attempt to drive them out.

That’s likely why they’ve done this.

Against someone as talented as myself.

These incompetent fools, banding together.

—Truly, a pitiful lot.

Balthazar Grim, Second Lieutenant, found himself explaining to his superior why the report he had painstakingly compiled over the course of a week had been altered and submitted by someone else. As he defended himself, he couldn’t help but pity his colleagues.

Such a childish ploy.

Yet, he couldn’t afford to underestimate the dark tenacity of ordinary fools. These idiots, driven by desperation, would surely continue to harass someone as talented as him. The key here was not to stoop to their level, but to maintain the trust of his direct superior.

After listening to Balthazar’s explanation, Colonel Andy Bott, Head of the South-eastern Seas Operations Bureau of the St Vault Navy Air Force, gave him his usual thoughtful gaze.

“It seems the altered sections match what you’ve identified.”

Comparing the original data submitted by Balthazar with the tampered report, Colonel Andy let out a deep sigh.

“…This is serious. To think such a childish scheme could occur within the Operations Command. This isn’t a grade school. This is supposed to be where St Vault’s finest minds gather. The person responsible clearly doesn’t understand the gravity of what they’re doing—how thousands of lives are at stake with each decision made here.”

Colonel Andy, who was usually calm and composed, struggled to hide his anger.

—Even if the subordinates are fools, having a competent superior is a blessing.

It had been the same during last summer’s Judeka Operation. Back then, Balthazar had been just a trainee, but the report he submitted was handed over to the bureau chief without any mocking laughter from Colonel Andy, who had been a lieutenant colonel at the time. After the destruction of Air Hunt Island, Andy had also ensured that Balthazar’s accomplishments were reported to the command without attempting to take credit for them himself.

“I also share some of the blame for not double-checking the final version. I was careless.”

Instead of bad-mouthing the fools to his superior, Balthazar apologized for his own carelessness. It would make him appear more mature.

Without looking at Balthazar, Colonel Andy continued to scowl at the report.

“…You’re not only competent but seem to adapt your behaviour depending on whom you’re dealing with. Be careful. That sort of nature will only increase the number of unnecessary enemies.”

It sounded like advice, though Balthazar didn’t fully grasp its meaning. Dismissing it as the usual lecture superiors were prone to give, he replied casually.

“Understood. I appreciate your guidance.”

“You probably don’t, but…this is an unprecedented situation. We’ll need to find out who’s responsible. I wonder if the members of this bureau even realize how dire the war situation is.”

With a final deep sigh, Colonel Andy looked up at Balthazar again.

“…I sympathize with you. The success of the Judeka Operation was too great. The Operations Command itself has been inquiring about you. On top of that, you win too much in wargames. I’m not saying you should intentionally lose, but your victories are so thorough that they’ve stirred up quite a bit of resentment. Routinely crushing your seniors in encirclement and annihilation tactics will naturally make enemies.”

The “wargames” were a tactical simulation exercise promoted by the St Vault Operations Command. Two players acted as opposing commanders, moving pieces representing military units across a model battlefield. When units engaged, dice rolls determined the outcome, with factors like terrain, weather, and supply lines affecting the results. Though complicated and difficult for most to enjoy casually, the wargames were an essential tool for simulating actual military operations.

Balthazar had repeatedly annihilated veteran staff officers in these simulations without mercy. His ruthless victories shattered their pride, leaving many with nothing but resentment toward him as they left the simulation board.

“If an experienced staff officer is defeated by a novice who has never set foot on a real battlefield, it’s natural for there to be lingering resentment…But this is worse than I expected. This situation could tear this workplace apart.”

“Understood.”

After Balthazar’s curt reply, Colonel Andy stared at the ceiling in contemplation before softening his tone.

“…I have a strange question for you. Do you have any friends?”

The question took Balthazar by surprise.

“Not particularly.”

“What about your comrades from the Eriadore? The seven of you…or six now, I suppose. Any contact with them?”

Balthazar almost laughed out loud. In interviews with newspapers and magazines, he would emphasize their bonds, but that was simply for appearances. He had never considered them his companions.

Truly, not even once.

“Occasionally, they visit me.”

Not wanting to appear too detached from others, he lied.

“I heard Lieutenant Kagura from the Voltec Air Squadron recently paid you a visit.”

He knows everything. Kagura had mentioned asking the Operations Command for Balthazar’s address, so it was no surprise that Colonel Andy was aware of the visit.

“Yes, just some idle conversation.”

“…I see. Friends from the academy are invaluable. You should cherish them.”

“Understood. I appreciate your advice.”

“You’re exceptionally talented. It’s inevitable that you’ll be envied and stand out. But your behaviour could also use some improvement. Learning the nuances of human emotions comes from maintaining relationships, especially friendships.”

Colonel Andy spoke as if lecturing a wayward student.

—He’s a capable superior, but his tendency to lecture is tiresome.

Keeping his irritation in check, Balthazar maintained his composed demeanour as he responded.

“Thank you for your advice.”

Colonel Andy glanced through the corrected report before shifting the conversation back to work.

“As for your report… It seems likely that two aerial fortresses are stationed around Santos Island?”

“Yes. There’s a slight discrepancy, but it appears that a different call sign, distinct from the Uranos fleet, is mixed in. This suggests the presence of the aerial fortresses.”

“Balsinos and Kalkinos?”

“Most likely. It’s unsettling that the remaining two aerial fortresses have left no trace.”

Current intelligence suggested that four Uranos aerial fortresses had been dispatched to the South-eastern Seas. Balsinos and Kalkinos had been spotted frequently, but the other two had yet to make any appearance.

“We can’t avoid confronting those two. It would be helpful to gather more intelligence on their ground defences, but the Operations Command won’t wait. We need to uncover everything about Balsinos and Kalkinos, and the key to that is information from Santos Island…but even contacting our agents there has been difficult.”

Santos Island, separated by the Great Falls from Mauregan Island, was the stronghold of Uranos and the Hydrabard coalition forces. It was a fortified bastion awaiting the St Vault military, and the next decisive battle would likely take place over the falls between the two islands. Understanding the full scope of the enemy’s defences was crucial, but the island’s formidable intelligence network had kept everything shrouded in mystery.

Colonel Andy finished reading the report and looked up at Balthazar.

“…This is a solid report. As always, excellent work. I’ll bring this up in tomorrow’s meeting. Good job.”

“Thank you.”

“I’d like you to continue monitoring communications intelligence around Santos Island. But I also have another task for you.”

“Understood.”

Balthazar straightened his back, ready to accept what was likely a troublesome assignment, but one that was worth taking on, especially since it came directly from his superior. A task like this could be a stepping stone for future promotions.

“You’re aware that several former retainers of the Sylvania royal family are in exile within the St Vault Empire?”

“Yes.”

Seven years ago, the Sylvania royal family, rulers of Santos Island, had been wiped out by an attack from Uranos. Though the royal family perished, some of their loyal retainers survived and scattered across the world, working quietly in hopes of one day restoring their kingdom.

Colonel Andy continued, “I want you to gather information about them. One of the more notable figures is Princess Colette, the sister of the Sylvania king, who married into the St Vault Empire. Her husband is a senior official in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, so getting too close could backfire. Then there’s Akmed of the Valkyrie, who’s currently fighting Uranos in the Vestelant Continent, but it’ll be hard to contact him. Aside from Colette and Akmed, we need to find any other key former retainers and bring them to our side. Do you think you can manage that?”

This was a low-priority task, essentially a side job. It wasn’t risky and wouldn’t result in losses if it failed, but it was worth pursuing in case useful allies were found. Without hesitation, Balthazar responded.

“I don’t believe it will be too difficult. If we go through official channels and seek an audience with Princess Colette, she could potentially connect us with the others.”

Colonel Andy, however, cautioned, “It might not be that simple. For some reason, Colette has been reluctant to discuss anything related to the Sylvania royal family. We suspect there are things she doesn’t want to reveal. Your goal is to gather as much information as you can. If you can successfully gain her trust, that would be ideal.”

Balthazar paused for a moment before speaking thoughtfully.

“Could it have something to do with Princess Elizabeth’s whereabouts?”

“Possibly. It’s rumoured that she died during the fall of Sylvania, but her body was never found. There’s a chance she might have survived. It’s mostly gossip and rumours, but we can’t completely rule out the possibility.”

Princess Elizabeth Sylvania, the lost royal of a fallen kingdom, had become a favorited figure in popular stories. According to myth, she survived the fall of her kingdom and, along with the remnants of the Sylvania court, continued to resist Uranos in secret. Plays and stories depicting her as a tragic heroine were widely circulated, but now it seemed Balthazar would need to investigate if there was any truth to these tales.

“Understood. I’ll begin gathering information on Colette and the rest of the Sylvania loyalists. I’ll start by solidifying our external contacts before approaching the Princess directly.”

“I’ll leave it to you. These exiles will be crucial once we secure Santos Island and need to gain the trust of the local population. There’s no immediate urgency, but keep me informed weekly on your progress.”

“Understood. I’ll do my best.”

After saluting and receiving Colonel Andy’s approval to leave, Balthazar exited the office. He returned to his desk on the third floor, already considering how to approach the new assignment and planning the steps he would take to gather the necessary intelligence.

──The Lost Princess Elizabeth.

That phrase seemed to cling stubbornly to his mind. His current mission was to locate the former loyalists and bring them over to his side. However, if he were to find Princess Elizabeth, gain her favour, and make her an ally, then there would be no need to search for the other loyalists—they would come to him on their knees.

──If only she were alive.

──She would be incredibly useful.

As these thoughts occupied his mind, a local staff member brought in some mail.

“Lieutenant Grimm, a letter for you. It’s from a lady.”

“Huh?”

“Your girlfriend?”

The staffer joked as they handed him an envelope. Without returning the smile, Balthazar glanced at the sender’s name with a grim expression.

It was from Cecil. He let out a sigh.

“Just what I needed, right now…”

He had no interest in reading it, but there was a chance it might contain something important, so he reluctantly opened it and skimmed the contents.

“Cecil here. How have you been? I thought about not sending this to you, but since I’m writing to everyone else, I figured I should include you too. You probably won’t read this anyway.”

That was how it began. He already lost interest. The letter was filled with trivial details about Cecil’s life at the Selfaust Officer Academy—things Balthazar couldn’t care less about. Half-heartedly skimming through the letter, he reached the final part.

“Take care, and who knows? I’m doing well in my studies, so if I graduate, I might even get into the Operations Command. If that happens, I’ll be counting on you.”

Finished with the letter, he stuffed it back into the envelope and tossed it into the trash. There was no need to write a response. However, Colonel Andy’s words echoed in his mind.

“You need to learn the subtleties of human emotions. Building friendships is a good place to start.”

All the letters sent to and from officers were checked for content. This one had undoubtedly been read before it reached him, and his decision to respond—or not—would probably be noted.

──Perhaps it’s better to at least pretend to maintain friendly relations…

With a sigh, Balthazar retrieved the letter from the trash and reluctantly began drafting a response. He didn’t know how to write such a letter, but he figured it didn’t really matter with Cecil. He scribbled something down quickly.

“If you ever get into Operations Command, I’ll make sure you’re assigned to cleaning toilets. Your enemy won’t be Urano, it’ll be the stains on the toilets.”

Satisfied, he imagined Cecil turning red with rage, yelling like a monkey. The thought of her frustration lightened his mood. It wasn’t that he particularly hated her—it was just that something about Cecil made him want to mess with her.

He handed the letter to the staff member for mailing and returned to his work.

──Cecil is irrelevant. Whether she lives or dies, it doesn’t matter.

──The issue at hand is Princess Elizabeth. If only there were some way to find out if she’s still alive.

──If she’s out there, I would use every bit of my charm and skill to win her over…

With his refined looks, conversational skills honed at countless social events, and the charisma he had spent years cultivating, Balthazar could easily win over Princess Elizabeth. If he succeeded, the rewards would be immense.

──I need to rise quickly through the ranks and free myself from the burden of dealing with imbeciles.

Keeping these thoughts to himself, Balthazar considered his next steps. To get close to someone as high-ranking as Colette, the Sylvania princess married into St Vault, he would need a proper introduction from someone in her inner circle. Fortunately, Balthazar had connections with several high-ranking bureaucrats from the central ministries, thanks to his position as one of the “Seven of Eriadore.”

──First, I’ll send greetings to some of those contacts.

──Through them, I’ll get close to Colette’s husband.

──Once I have that connection, I can approach Colette herself and gather the information I need about the former loyalists.

It was a straightforward plan, though somewhat tedious. Still, it seemed the most effective path forward. With that, Balthazar immediately began drafting letters to the influential bureaucrats he knew. The letters were meticulously crafted, beginning with seasonal pleasantries, followed by compliments on the recipient’s recent work. He subtly mentioned his own accomplishments, including his success in the Judeka operation, before finally requesting a meeting.

These letters were vastly different from the one he had written to Cecil—polished, courteous, and professional. Each sentence was carefully worded to convey both respect and intelligence. As he wrote, Balthazar reflected on what Colonel Andy had said about changing one’s behaviour depending on the person.

──Of course. Why would I waste the same energy on Cecil as I would on someone important?

Everyone has limited time and energy each day. It only made sense to use those resources efficiently. To Cecil, he gave scorn; to the bureaucrats, he extended the utmost respect. It was a logical, practical approach to dealing with people.

──I hope this effort leads me to Princess Elizabeth.

After finishing the letters, Balthazar had them mailed. He stared out the window, thinking. If the princess were alive, he would go all out to win her over, bring her into his fold, and ensure his rise in the military. Then, he could finally leave behind the menial work and trivial annoyances that plagued him at his current station.

──The Lost Princess Elizabeth.

The weight of that name clung to her thoughts, refusing to leave her mind. Cecil Hauer, who was once known as Elizabeth of Sylvania, found herself at the heart of this unresolved legacy. If she could reunite with the remnants of the royal loyalists, and rise to the throne once more, they would kneel before her without hesitation.

But for now, Elizabeth was Cecil. And in the quiet of the self-study room at the Selfaust Officer Academy, where the cold bit at her nose, she had to focus on the here and now.

Ah-choo!

She sneezed, rubbing her nose as she caught a glimpse of her reflection in the window.

“It’s freezing…” she muttered to herself, shaking off the chill and returning to her studies.

It was 9:30 p.m., and she had the entire library to herself. For five hours each night, from 8:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m., Cecil dedicated herself to her studies without fail. This routine was more than just habit—it was a necessity. She had entered the academy as a transfer student halfway through her third year, and since then, she had never relinquished her spot at the top of the class.

Even before the fall of the Air Hunt Officer Academy, she had been skilled academically. But after that tragic event, Cecil pushed herself harder than ever. Her studies spanned the theories of warfare from the greatest military strategists—past, present, and future. From mechanized warfare and air strategies to deep operations and logistical theories, she immersed herself in the advanced science of war, proposing potential national policies based on those future possibilities.

The paper she was currently drafting was titled, “The Possibility of Mechanized Forces Crossing the Unlon Mountains.” Her hypothesis was that the Harmonia Empire might bypass the heavily defended Kukuana Line by sending its cutting-edge mechanized divisions through the Unlon mountain range, potentially via Zunjin. The range itself consisted of towering, 3,000-meter peaks, a wild, untamed region separating the borders of Zunjin and the St Vault Empire. While it was an intriguing concept, Cecil’s professor had deemed it unrealistic, but she was determined to prove her theory with logical support through meticulous research.

She had to excel, far beyond her peers.

──Because I am one of the Seven of Eriadore.

While her comrades from the Air Hunt Academy had graduated and gone on to prestigious roles—four had joined the Voltec Air Squadron, and Balthazar had been placed in Operations Command—Cecil was determined not to be left behind.

──I want to be with them again.

Her desire to join her friends, to be part of that close-knit group once more, fuelled her every effort. She clung to the hope of being assigned to their unit upon graduation. To achieve that, she had to maintain her standing and prove her worth.

──I’ll work hard, and next year, we’ll all be together again…

Cecil poured her feelings into her studies, scribbling away. When fatigue crept in, she stood up to stretch, took a sip of coffee from her thermos, and slapped her cheeks to chase away the drowsiness. Every bit of effort made her feel like she was one step closer to her comrades on the battlefield.

At 1:20 a.m., Cecil finally left the library and made her way back to the student dormitories. As she walked along the gas-lit streets, she gazed up at the misty night sky over the imperial capital of Selfaust.

The faint stars, dimmed by the haze of the city, reminded her of someone no longer there.

──I wonder how Mio is doing…

It had been nearly nine months since she had last seen her. Yet, Mio never left her thoughts. She had been someone kind and gentle, someone Cecil had adored. They had shared much—both having lost their families at a young age. Mio had taught her how to cook, laughed at her silly jokes, and always treated her with warmth.

──We’ll meet again someday, won’t we, Mio?

Cecil spoke silently to the stars, imagining Mio looking up at the same sky from somewhere far away. She couldn’t believe Mio had truly betrayed them of her own free will. Someone must have forced her hand; otherwise, Mio’s sudden change in behaviour upon returning from her trip home made no sense. Cecil was convinced that guilt over betraying her friends had driven Mio to distance herself.

──It can’t be a final goodbye.

She believed firmly that they would meet again one day.

The Selfaust Academy wasn’t as vast as Air Hunt, so it didn’t take long to reach her dorm. Once inside, she found her five roommates already sound asleep. As she approached her desk, she noticed a letter waiting for her.

“Oh!”

Delighted, she snatched it up, but upon seeing the sender’s name, she recoiled in surprise.

“F-from the captain!?”

A letter from Balthazar. Of all people.

Cecil had written to Kiyoaki, Reiner, Illia, and Kagura, and received replies from each of them. But she hadn’t expected Balthazar to respond. She had hesitated to write to him at all, thinking he wouldn’t care and wouldn’t bother replying. Still, out of a sense of obligation to the bond they had shared in Eriadore, she had sent him a letter with little expectation of hearing back.

Yet here it was—a response from Balthazar.

“Maybe he’s kind after all…”

Cecil had always thought of him as cold, arrogant, condescending, and a narcissist who looked down on others. But now, feeling a warmth spread through her chest, she was on the verge of tears. She opened the letter with trembling hands, read the words within—and then hurled it against the wall.

“What is wrong with this guy!?”

She couldn’t stop herself from screaming. Toilet cleaning? Fighting the stains on the toilets? Why would anyone write such a thing in a reply? She would’ve preferred to be ignored than to read this mockery.

Fuelled by anger, she almost ripped the letter apart. But just before she did, she paused.

“…I’ll keep it.”

Her instincts told her it might come in handy one day. Instead of destroying it, she would hold onto it and, when the time came, she would use it against Balthazar. The day he needed a favour, she would pull this letter from her pocket and shove it in his face. She would make him squirm, and throw his words back at him tenfold.

Smiling coldly at the thought, Cecil carefully tucked the letter away. As she did, her eyes landed on the return address:

Mauregan Island, Chandler District.

In that instant, her memory ignited with the vision of a burning palace, buried deep within her mind.

Her father’s face, as he gripped her hand and commanded her to survive.

“Please, Akmed. Take her and flee. The bloodline of Sylvania must endure. It will become the hope that will one day destroy Uranos. The light of hope.”

Akmed, kneeling before the king, accepting the command with a long, dark cape billowing behind him, even as his heart screamed for the right to die beside his king.

“The wings of Sylvania shall last for eternity.”

Akmed had vowed with blood and honour, before taking Elizabeth—now Cecil—and escaping into the night sky, through the hell that had descended upon them, and eventually, to Mauregan Island.

Cecil Hauer was the name given to her by her aunt, Colette Avery, as a means of hiding her true identity. Only a handful of people, Akmed and a few others, knew that Princess Elizabeth was still alive. This secret would remain buried until Cecil turned twenty.

She would be eighteen in December. In two years’ time, on her twentieth birthday, she would have to make a decision.

Would she carry on her father’s legacy and revive the Sylvania royal family?

Or would she abandon her birthright and live as a commoner?

There were only two choices.

“Sigh…”

Every time she thought about it, she couldn’t help but sigh.

──My stomach hurts…

A dull ache settled deep within her, as if a heavy stone had taken root inside. The burden she bore, without ever having asked for it, was immense.

What would she choose in two years’ time? As she looked within herself for answers, one thought surfaced clearly.

──I just want to be normal…

That was her honest feeling. It wasn’t that she wasn’t angered by the fall of her family. But the idea of standing at the forefront of a movement to restore the royal family didn’t resonate with her. She had no desire to lead others into battle for such a cause.

It wasn’t fear or laziness.

It was the knowledge that such an Endeavor would only lead to more lives being lost. Should they attempt to revive the royal family on Santos Island, they would inevitably face Uranos in battle. How could the restoration of a monarchy be worth so many lives?

──I couldn’t bear being responsible for people dying…

──I just want to live a normal life…

Looking at her reflection in the window, Cecil reaffirmed her thoughts.

If the upcoming battle was victorious, the St Vault Army would begin its campaign to retake Santos Island. She might one day stand on that soil again. Would that change her outlook?

──I don’t know. I don’t know, but…

──I hate the idea of people dying…

Her eyes, devoid of strength, gazed at her reflection.

The only thing she truly desired was for the seven friends who had shared that oath to reunite, to fly together again, and to laugh like they once did. Nothing else held much interest for her.

Cecil had lived as a princess, surrounded by people who served her for most of her life. The six friends she made at the Air Hunt Academy were her first true companions, not as a princess but as a person. To her, they were her most precious treasure, and for them, she would give everything.