Toaru Hikuushi e no Seiyaku:V5Part2

Part 9 (Part 2 of Volume 5)

The taste of blood seeping through the mucous membrane of his mouth jolted him back into consciousness.

He would never give in.

No matter how unjustly they treated him, he would not yield to the likes of them.

Another punch landed on his right cheek. For a moment, his vision almost went black, but he focused all his willpower into his gaze, forcing himself to stay conscious.

Sakagami Kiyoaki spat out the blood and mucus pooling in his mouth, then glared fiercely at the St Vault military police officer in front of him, his bruised and battered face radiating defiance.

"You keep making that face, and you'll just get hit again," the officer sneered, shaking his head in mockery before delivering another blow to Kiyoaki's cheek. Sparks of pain flared in his vision, but he clenched his fists behind the back of the chair, where he was handcuffed, and endured the impact.

"I'm not a spy," he muttered, repeating the only words that mattered. The officer, a stocky man in his late twenties with a sneering, reptilian grin, grabbed Kiyoaki by the hair and yanked his head upward.

"We're not so naive as to believe an Akitsu monkey's lies."

".................."

"That look in your eyes pisses me off. What a joke—"the Six of Eriadore," huh?"

The officer punched Kiyoaki in the jaw again, relishing the hit.

"Your command wanted to make you heroes, but what a disgrace. One's a Uranos spy, and the other two are nothing but cowardly monkeys. We were kind enough to form an alliance with you, and this is how you repay us?"

The officer, full of venom, kicked Kiyoaki's chair. Bound to the chair, Kiyoaki toppled over onto the concrete floor, unable to brace himself as his head struck the ground hard.

"Do you even know how many St Vault soldiers died at Balsinos? Over 3,500. You monkeys slaughtered them all after we neutralized the surface and began landing. It was the worst kind of betrayal—how dare you treat your allies like that?"

The officer pressed the sole of his boot against Kiyoaki's temple, grinding it into his skull.

Even as he was crushed beneath the boot, Kiyoaki didn't falter. His eyes, still sharp, glared upward.

"There must have been… a mistake…! Akitsu would gain nothing… from such an act…!"

"Shut up, monkey. Stop pretending to be human."

The officer removed his boot from Kiyoaki's head and kicked his face again. Kiyoaki's head jerked violently, and blood splattered against the wall. Choking on his own blood, Kiyoaki still refused to lower his gaze.

"Answer the question. You and your comrades were reporting on the Voltec Air Squadron’s movements to the Akitsu Federation. Isn't that right?"

"I would never… do such a thing…!"

His body was battered and broken, but he managed to pour the last of his strength into his words, fuelled by anger.

"They're all comrades…! I would never betray… my own comrades!"

The officer grinned, a malicious glint in his eye, as he crouched down next to Kiyoaki.

"I don't believe you. After all, you people are the kind who can smile while stabbing your allies in the back. You infiltrated Air Hunt to pass on intel to Akitsu. Just admit it."

"We came here… to learn!!"

"That's a lie."

The officer squatted down, enjoying every second of Kiyoaki’s sincere response, laughing mockingly.

"You got yourselves inside St Vault's military, absorbed our knowledge, and reported our moves back home. That’s how it was, wasn’t it? Come on, admit it."

Clearly, the higher-ups in St Vault were intent on framing Kiyoaki and Kagura as spies, stirring up hatred against Akitsu. The truth didn't matter. They wanted to paint them as traitors to stoke animosity toward the Akitsu Federation.

"If you confess, I'll stop kicking you. How about that?"

"Have some shame!"

"Tch. What an idiot."

The kicks rained down again, followed by three more punches. Kiyoaki, still bound to the chair, became nothing more than a punching bag, his body enduring blow after blow until his consciousness began to slip away.

But cold water splashed over him, snapping him back to life.

Through blood-streaked vision, he saw the officer grinning down at him.

"This won't stop until you talk. You’re wasting your energy."

"I… won’t… lie…! Even if I die… I won’t tell such a lie!"

Spitting out a mixture of blood and phlegm, Kiyoaki glared at the officer with fierce resolve.

"We're not spies! We came to St Vault to learn, to work alongside Voltec Squadron. I respect them! It doesn't matter where we're from—I would never betray them!"

The officer shook his head in mock amazement, looking up at the ceiling and sighing dramatically.

"Still going strong, huh? You're a tough one. Guess I'll have to ask someone else…"

"…………!? No…!"

"Was her name… Kagura Murasaki? She seems like she'd be much more fun to question."

Kiyoaki froze, the full weight of the officer's words hitting him. Then, the realization set in, and his legs thrashed violently in his restraints.

"Oh, look at that reaction! Maybe she's the one I should ask, huh?"

"If you lay a hand on Kagura… I will kill you…!"

The officer stopped, mouth half-open in surprise.

Kiyoaki's expression twisted into a snarl, his voice growing savage.

"Do whatever you want to me. Beat me, break my bones, I don’t care. But if you touch Kagura, I swear I will kill you. I will kill you."

The officer gazed at him with a look of contempt, as if staring at a pile of trash, before speaking.

"Are you trying to make a deal?"

"Don’t touch her."

"Hmph. I see… She’s important to you, huh? Well, this just got interesting. You know what? You’ve convinced me. I’m done with you."

The officer grinned wickedly and turned as if to leave the cell.

Realizing what was happening, Kiyoaki forced his swollen eyes open wide, shouting.

"Stop!! Ask me! I’ll tell you anything—just leave her alone!"

His desperate screams echoed through the cell, his mouth spilling blood as he pleaded. But all he received in return was the officer's vile grin. With a sneer of satisfaction, the officer glanced at Kiyoaki’s contorted face one last time before walking out of the cell.

The heavy clang of the iron bars locking into place echoed ominously.

"I'll kill you! I'll kill you, I swear it! I’ll kill you!!"

Kiyoaki’s roar of rage reverberated through the dungeon, but the only answer was the fading sound of footsteps.

"Kagura…! Kagura!!"

The thought of Kagura, always calm and composed, being subjected to such brutality made his blood boil. He had to escape this prison, but no plan presented itself.

"Damn it…! Damn it all…!!"

The feeling of helplessness was overwhelming, bringing him to the verge of tears. To endure such torment, to be beaten and coerced into confessing falsehoods—it was infuriating.

The officer wanted him to confess that he and Kagura were spies for the Akitsu Federation. If he did, it would be over. Execution or forced labour until death would follow. Everything he had worked for at the officer academy and the Voltec Air Squadron would be undone. Worse still, Kagura would suffer for it too.

──I have to endure…

He told himself this over and over again.

But could he really withstand it all? The beatings would continue until he broke. Day after day, he would be subjected to pain, suffering, and humiliation. How long before his resolve crumbled?

──Hold on. Just hold on. Somehow… somehow, things will get better…

──My comrades will come. They’ll come to save us…

That was the only glimmer of hope. The friends he had shared everything within Eriadore, the pilots of Voltec—they had to be working to free him and Kagura. He had to believe in them.

──Believe in them. They’ll get us out of here…

The pain from his injuries finally began to seep into his awareness. During the beating, adrenaline had dulled the sensation, but now the true extent of his wounds became apparent. Bound to the chair, unable to wipe the blood from his face, Kiyoaki summoned every ounce of his willpower to stay strong.

──We’ll survive. I won’t give up. Kagura and I have comrades we can trust…

Clinging to that thin thread of hope, Kiyoaki vowed he would never give in.

Flying Fortress "Odin."

The flying island, once owned by Uranos and called "Kalkinos," was captured by the St Vault Empire, renamed "Odin," meaning "Thunder God," and anchored over a small island off the Sierra Greed Sea, floating at an altitude of 2,000 meters.

Its propulsion system, rudder, and engine were all destroyed by the enemy commander Lysander, rendering Odin incapable of self-navigation. For now, it was merely a floating island, and it would take at least two more years to repair it and integrate it into the assault fleet.

Though unable to sail, it was still usable as a forward airbase. Odin was an invaluable bridgehead for St Vault's entry into the Southern Archipelago Sea. Elite flight crews from across the Northern Archipelago were now gathering on Odin, preparing for the upcoming battle with the new enemy, the Akitsu Federation.

There were three airfields in total.

St Vault's most elite fighter squadron, the Voltec Air Squadron, was stationed at the third airfield, carrying out daily reconnaissance and enemy surveillance missions.

Next to the runway, the former Uranos air command building remained intact and was repurposed as the Voltec Air Squadron Command Centre.

On the third floor of the command centre, Colonel Abraham Monroe, the commander of the Voltec Air Squadron, turned a cold, emotionless gaze toward Lieutenant Leo Rosenmuller, who had once again stormed in, just as he had the day before.

"I told you last time, there's nothing I can do. You understand that, don't you?"

He spoke calmly. But Leo, unusually, did not back down.

"At least allow me to meet with them and assess the situation. If they're undergoing improper interrogation, it could damage the honour of our nation."

"This isn't something for you to worry about. The matter has been left to military police. Sticking your nose into their territory won't gain you anything."

Leo's expression shifted to one of anger. Leaning forward as if about to slam his hands on the desk, he raised his voice.

"Two of my valued subordinates have been taken by unknown forces, and I have no idea where they are or what's happening to them. Isn't that reason enough to get involved?"

Colonel Monroe glared at Leo for a moment before resting his elbows on the desk and interlacing his fingers.

After taking a deep breath, he raised his head with a calm, calculated expression.

"Kagura Murasaki and Kiyoaki Sakagami are no longer your subordinates. They're criminals. Their crime is being Akitsu citizens. The judiciary has ruled as such. This isn't an issue for the Voltec Air Squadron."

"I am responsible for my subordinates' lives. I have a duty to ensure they're safe and not being mistreated."

"Lieutenant Rosenmuller, I know well that you're a devoted officer. But your passion should be directed toward the current members of your squadron, not toward criminals who are no longer under your command. We're still on the front lines here. Our enemy is not our allies; it's Uranos."

"They are not criminals. They are soldiers who risked their lives for St Vault!"

"This conversation is over. Return to your duties."

Colonel Monroe, with all the authority of his position, pointed his pen toward the door. Leo, suppressing his seething emotions, shot Monroe a look of reproach, clicked his heels, saluted, and left the office.

"This is beyond outrageous. How can this be allowed to stand...?"

Leo stormed down the stairs in a rage, but he still had no clear plan on how to rescue Kiyoaki and Kagura.

But...

"Just wait. I will save you."

The only thing Leo had was that resolve. Nationality didn't matter to him.

He simply wanted to return the wings to Kiyoaki and Kagura, who loved the sky just as much as he did.

Leo was certain after the recent battle off the Sierra Greed Sea. Kiyoaki was destined to become the "Ace of the Archipelago" one day. And Kagura had already proven herself with her command abilities during formation flight. With more experience, she could eventually lead an entire air squadron.

"I can't let their wings be taken from them."

His instincts as a pilot told him that much.

Even if they ended up on opposite sides, they were still people who loved flying and the sky. All Leo wanted was for them to unleash their abilities in the sky, not rot away in a prison cell.

"I won't let you two end here..."

Looking up at the summer sky as he left the command centre, Leo spoke to his missing subordinates.

Meanwhile, at the third airfield's ready room, Voltec's non-commissioned officers had gathered around a table, studying a map of Odin.

Senior flight officer Macguire, the leader of the non-commissioned officers, pointed to a spot on the map, reporting on his tailing of a military police officer.

"The main base for the military police is in the northwest of the city, at the old Uranos police station. They're using the same building Uranos used. If those two are being held somewhere, it's probably there. There might be other detention facilities, but this one is the most suspicious for now."

Beside him, Illia Kreischmidt nodded gravely as she gazed at the map.

"If it's a police station, we can at least visit and inquire about their safety. First, we need to confirm they're safe, and then we can work toward getting them released."

The twin female flight officers, Lulu and Lala, grinned mischievously and chimed in.

"See? I told you it's useless to just keep asking nicely."

"Yeah, even if the captain tries, they're just gonna get annoyed."

"We should just bust them out with force."

"How about we go shoot up the police station right now?"

Like mischievous children plotting a prank, they made terrifying suggestions with frighteningly genuine intent. Illia shook her head.

"That's a last resort. We need to find a legitimate way to secure their release. If we don't, it'll affect the entire squad."

Her voice trailed off. Illia's desire to rescue Kiyoaki and Kagura was personal. If the legal route failed, she was willing to consider forceful measures, but she didn't want to drag the squad into it and make them bear the consequences.

However, Lulu and Lala pouted, clearly unhappy.

"That's not fair. You're acting like we don't care about Kiyoaki."

"Illia, are you trying to hog the glory? We want to help him too!"

Other male non-commissioned officers, with equally frustrated expressions, joined in, directing their complaints at Illia.

"I want to rescue Kagura too!"

"I've already figured out how to carry her out—I'll scoop her up in my arms, hold her here, support her there..."

"After I rescue her, I'm gonna kiss her on a cliff!"

"I'm gonna do something even better!"

"I've got a plan to do this!"

"What? Well, I'm gonna do this!"

"I'll do this!"

"No, you're not!"

"I'm not doing it to you, so don't worry!"

"What did you say, you bastard?!"

"Grrr!"

"Arrgh!"

"Raaah!"

The non-commissioned officers started arguing over what they'd do after rescuing Kagura, eventually devolving into a fistfight as usual.

"Enough."

Leo, who had just returned from the command centre, coldly ordered, immediately silencing the brawl, as was customary.

"Captain, how did it go with Mon-chan?"

Leo slumped into a chair and frowned at Lulu's question.

"Don’t call the commander by a nickname. It's Colonel Monroe. As for how it went...well, the phrase "hitting a brick wall" comes to mind. He just kept insisting it's not his jurisdiction and sent me away."

Everyone around them let out frustrated snorts.

"Ugh, I knew it, that "Mon-chan" is useless," Lulu said.

"Yeah, he's so stiff. He doesn't even get jokes," added Lala.

"Did you know "Mon-chan" had a thing with Irene from maintenance, like three times in the hangar back in the day?"

"Seriously? So he likes older women?"

"Well, it was more than 20 years ago, so they were both younger then."

"Ugh, I can totally picture it—"Mon-chan" and Irene doing all sorts of things in the hangar."

"Enough with that talk. And stop calling the commander "Mon-chan." The higher-ups aren't going to help. Now, how do we get them out...?"

Leo crossed his arms and looked around the room. Macguire, with a serious expression, made a suggestion.

"We could just throw some dynamite and blow up the police station."

"How is that a good idea? Sakagami and Kagura would die too."

"How about loading a 50-kilo bomb on the Beo Eagle and blowing up the station?"

"No bombing. We need to rescue them legally."

"I once fired a 20-millimeter machine gun by hand. I could storm the station."

"Pfft, I did 30 millimetres, one-handed."

"I'll steal an army tank and blast them. Never driven one, but it’s probably the same as flying a plane."

"No, it isn’t, you idiot!"

"Why not? They both run on gasoline and engines!"

"Sure, but everything else is different, moron!"

"Says the guy who’s the real idiot!"

"Shut up, fool!"

"Die, idiot!"

"No, you die!"

"Uraaa!"

"Orraa!"

"Hunnooo!"

Another brawl broke out, but Leo, his gaze now distant, didn’t bother to stop it.

Amid the chaos, Illia, standing still, opened her mouth to speak.

"Given that one of the "Seven of Eriadore" defected to Uranos, and now two of them are labelled enemy foreigners, this is inconvenient for the military's narrative. We could appeal to the public through the media, highlighting their chivalry, and push for their release. It's a roundabout way, but it could work."

"You're right. Illia, you and Reiner handle that. If we can shift public opinion towards their release, we might be able to influence the situation. By the way, where’s Reiner? I don’t see him around."

"He's off duty today. He left early this morning on his motorcycle."

"I see. He's a bit of a mystery..."

"Yes, but he’s likely working on something in his own way. He doesn't tell us much, but that's the kind of person he is."

Illia cast a melancholic look out the window. Ever since Kagura and Kiyoaki were captured, Reiner had been acting differently. His usual carefree attitude had lessened, and he had started showing a side of himself Illia had never seen before—gazing out into the sky with a stern expression. Even when the other non-commissioned officers tried to engage him in their usual banter, his responses had become more detached.

──It's no wonder. He was close to Sakagami...

Illia thought that Reiner must be very worried. It seemed he had stopped relying on the higher-ups or the media and was moving according to his own plans.

──I'll have to start doing the same...

Illia had already made up her mind. While she would still appeal to public opinion as she had suggested to Leo, she was prepared to resort to other methods if necessary to free Kiyoaki and Kagura. And she intended to do so without involving her fellow Voltec Air Squadron members, taking all the responsibility upon herself.

During the battle off the coast of Sierra Greed, Illia had flown in formation with Kiyoaki and Kagura, fighting as one unit. They had protected each other, and it was only through their mutual support that they had survived the intense air combat. For Illia, rescuing them was no longer a matter of gain or loss—it was a personal obligation. Their suffering was her suffering. She couldn’t focus on her duties because her thoughts constantly wandered to the two of them.

──I can't stop thinking about Kagura and Sakagami.

Are they still alive? Have they been mistreated? The St Vault military police were notorious for their brutality. Violence during interrogations was routine, and if a suspect happened to die as a result, it was easy enough to cover up the truth.

No matter how much she tried to push those thoughts away, dark imaginings filled her mind. Each time, her stomach clenched, and a dull, heavy pain spread through her core.

Her legs trembled. It was a different kind of fear from what she felt in the heat of air combat—something more insidious and suffocating. A pilot’s place to die was in the sky, not rotting in a police station’s underground cell. After all the training they had undergone at the academy, to meet such an end was too cruel.

──I will save them, no matter what it takes...

Sharing in their pain, Illia solidified her resolve. Even if it meant becoming a criminal, she wouldn’t regret it.

At 9:00 AM, Reiner Beck, dressed in civilian clothes, parked his bike in front of the Odin City Hall and began to wander around the city on foot.

The city centre, unlike the other military facilities, had largely retained its original form.

Although there were some buildings with large holes from artillery strikes or collapsed roofs, many structures remained intact as the city had been spared from heavy bombardment. When the St Vault infantry landed, Uranos soldiers quickly retreated into underground facilities, converting themselves into a resistance force, which meant there was no intense urban warfare, leaving much of the city undamaged.

Of course, remnants of battle could still be seen. Cracked and pockmarked roads bustled with vehicles: cars carrying officials, armoured vehicles with St Vault soldiers, and trucks loaded with building materials, all weaving through the streets. Policemen directed traffic with whistles, and car horns blared constantly. The noisy activity echoed the rebirth of Odin as part of St Vault’s expanding territory.

With his hands in his pockets, Reiner meandered through the city for about two hours before returning to the front of the city hall.

The building, previously used by Uranos, had survived the conflict and was now staffed by officials and personnel sent by St Vault, who were beginning to oversee the administration of Odin.

Reiner paused, observing the people and vehicles coming in and out of the main gate.

He occasionally smoked a cigarette or shifted locations to read a newspaper, all while carefully keeping an eye on the traffic at the entrance.

Two hours into his surveillance, a police vehicle emerged from the city hall’s main gate. Without raising suspicion, Reiner casually straddled his bike and started it up, keeping enough distance to blend in with other cars but never losing sight of his target.

After about 15 minutes, the police vehicle pulled into a large, imposing three-story concrete building on the outskirts of the city. Reiner parked just before reaching the building and resumed his watch.

“I hope they’re in there.”

Leaning against the wall of the building across the street, he muttered to himself, lighting another cigarette. Although it seemed like he was talking to himself, the words were meant for the other presence deep within him.

──You’re being overly cautious.

Hachidori’s voice echoed back in his mind, full of irritation.

“It’s for the boss. If everything we’ve worked for falls apart now, all this effort would’ve been for nothing.”

──Sakagami will reveal my true identity to the military police. If that happens, the investigation will lead to me.

Reiner, used to Hachidori’s complaints, responded calmly.

“We can leave this island anytime we want. Even if the military police come after us, we can just bail out with a parachute. Simple.”

At his soothing words, Hachidori fell silent momentarily, then once again criticized Reiner’s plan from the other day.

──It’s too much trouble. The risks are too high.

“There are risks, sure. But if we don’t do this, everything we’ve infiltrated for will go to waste. Isn’t it worth verifying with Sakagami?”

Reiner’s plan was simple: locate Kiyoaki’s detention facility, infiltrate it, and confront him to confirm if he had revealed Reiner’s true identity to the military police.

If Kiyoaki had already exposed him, Reiner would kill him on the spot.

If not, he’d break him out, take him to a secluded location, and kill him there.

That was Reiner’s solution, presented to Hachidori as a way out of their current predicament.

In any case, Kiyoaki had to die. Now that he had figured out Reiner’s true identity as an infiltrator, there was no reason to keep him alive. The only question was whether he had already informed someone else, and that needed to be answered.

“It’s a better option than running, right? If he’s told someone, I’ll have to escape too, but if he hasn’t, I can stay here in the Voltec Air Squadron. I think, given Sakagami’s personality, he probably hasn’t said anything. He’s annoyingly honourable like that.”

──I agree about his character. But under torture, who knows what he might say.

“Yeah, that’s true. But if he’s talked, I’ll just kill him. Simple. The most important thing is that I can stay here and continue our mission. If that’s still possible, we have to try.”

──Hmph... troublesome.

“It’s all because Sakagami figured me out. That idiot, always wearing that dumb expression but picking up on the wrong things... what a fool.”

──I’ll leave this matter to you. I’m not enthusiastic about it. But when you kill Sakagami, call me.

“Sure, sure. I’ll make sure it’s quick and painless.”

With that, Hachidori fell silent again.

Reiner continued his surveillance.

As the day wore on and the shadows lengthened, a small delivery truck entered the police station. Bold orange letters on its side read "Delivery Dinner," and the truck was loaded with blue containers that likely held food.

Reiner’s eyes gleamed.

He waited for the delivery truck to leave and then tailed it, tracking it back to its origin after two hours of following.

“Even the military police need to eat.”

Muttering to himself with a smile, Reiner began formulating his next steps. He knew the members of the Voltec Air Squadron were working behind the scenes to rescue Kiyoaki and Kagura, but in Reiner's opinion, their efforts were bound to fail.

“This kind of job should be left to the professionals.”

A sinister grin spread across his face as he revved his bike and sped off. The cracked and crumbling roads passed beneath him as he accelerated, his thoughts crystal clear.

──The goal is not to rescue him. It’s to kill Sakagami with my own hands.

Hachidori’s reminder echoed from deep within.

“I know.”

With that confirmation, Reiner opened the throttle wide and raced through the streets, the glow of gaslights shimmering as he sped toward the vast plains under the moon and stars.

Upon receiving Ilia’s telegram informing her that Kagura and Kiyoaki had been captured, Cecil Hauer left the Selfaust Officer Academy immediately.

After about an hour and a half on the tram, she arrived at Greenhill, an upscale residential area nestled in the mountains.

It had been approximately seven years since she last visited. The last time, she was only eleven years old, and her memory of the streets was vague. With a map in hand, she wandered through the area until she finally found the house she was looking for.

Behind the grand front gate stood a gleaming white one-story mansion, reflecting the bright July sunlight.

She hadn't arranged a visit, showing up unannounced. But there was no time to lose. Feeling a bit hesitant, Cecil mustered her resolve and rang the doorbell.

An elderly butler appeared to greet her, and upon seeing Cecil standing alone before the gate, his deep-set eyes widened in shock.

“Lady Elisabeth...!”

It had been seven years since she’d last been addressed by that name.

Barely managing to remember how to carry herself with dignity, Cecil informed him of her intentions.

“I have come to see my aunt. I apologize for arriving without notice, but I have an urgent matter to discuss.”

The butler, still showing traces of astonishment, quickly remembered his duties and wasted no time in inviting Cecil into the estate.

“I will call for the mistress right away. As this is unexpected, it may take her a moment to prepare, so please be patient.”

“I don’t mind.”

Cecil was led to a clean parlour, where she sat down in an elegant chair with intricately carved backrests. She waited for her aunt, Colette Avery, to arrive.

The chirping of birds in the garden was the only sound. Even the silence in Greenhill seemed refined. A maid respectfully placed a teacup before Cecil and poured fragrant tea.

──I wonder if Aunt Colette will be angry.

As she took a sip of tea, Cecil couldn’t help but wonder.

Though Colette had been overseeing Cecil’s education, the one rule was that she was never to visit this home. As the sister of the late king of Sylvania, Colette’s household had to remain under the radar. If Cecil, the surviving Princess Elisabeth, were to be spotted visiting, suspicions about her true identity would arise. The fact that Elisabeth was still alive had to remain a secret from the world.

But at this moment, that concern no longer mattered.

──I have to do everything I can.

──I have to save Aki and Kagura.

Cecil had resolved to use any means necessary to help them escape, fully aware of the weight she would have to carry as a result.

Just as she steeled her resolve, the door opened.

“Elisabeth. You...”

One look at Cecil’s face was enough to leave Aunt Colette speechless.

Though her expression was stern, Colette seemed to sense the gravity of the situation. She softened her stance and extended both hands toward Cecil.

“Come here.”

Cecil stood up from her chair and rushed into her aunt’s embrace. A gentle hand rested on the back of her head.

“You’ve grown so much. You’re eighteen now.”

“Yes, thanks to you, Aunt Colette.”

“You look and sound so much like your mother.”

Cecil felt tears welling up. Thanks to Colette’s protection, she had lived as an ordinary girl without any hardship. Colette understood the burden of the Sylvanian royal family’s legacy and had left Cecil the option of living a normal life.

Visiting this house before coming of age was a breach of that deep kindness.

“I told you not to come here.”

“I have an important matter.”

“Is it something troubling?”

“Yes. I need to help a friend. And for that, I must ask for your assistance.”

“...I see. I hope it’s something simple.”

“...It’s not simple. That’s why I’ve come.”

Cecil’s expression was sincere as she faced her aunt. Colette, with a thoughtful nod, placed a hand on Cecil’s back.

“Please sit. From the looks of it, you don’t have much time, do you?”

“...No. Time is of the essence.”

Cecil sat down again, and, across the table, she told her aunt everything about the situation.

As she spoke, Colette’s expression grew darker.

“The arrest of Akitsu nationals is an imperial decree from St Vault. No amount of influence can change that.”

After hearing Cecil’s story, Colette quietly explained.

“Then how can I save them?”

“There’s no way. Even my husband’s power couldn’t help.”

Cecil bit her lip. She knew the situation was dire, but she desperately searched for a solution, any possible way to grasp even a thread of hope.

“My uncle has close ties with the Akitsu Federation’s ambassador. Would it be possible to make contact?”

“That’s possible, but what would you say to him?”

“I’d ask him to send a ship or airship from the Akitsu Federation to retrieve them.”

“Even though St Vault won’t release them?”

“Yes. The release would be handled by other means.”

“By unofficial means?”

“........................”

“The Avery family cannot be involved in such things.”

“...Yes. That’s my responsibility.”

“...This won’t be easy.”

“Please. All I need is for the ambassador to meet with me. I’ll handle the negotiations under my name. I won’t cause any trouble.”

Once again, Colette met Cecil’s plea with a long silence.

She took a sip of her tea before speaking in a calm voice.

“Cecil Hauer’s name won’t be enough to meet the ambassador. He’s not someone a mere student can easily meet. You understand that, don’t you?”

“...Yes. I understand.”

“As Princess Elisabeth of the Sylvanian royal family, you would be requesting cooperation from the Akitsu Federation’s ambassador... Do you understand the weight of that?”

“I’ve come here fully prepared.”

“If your existence becomes public, not only will the old retainers but the former subjects of Sylvania will be roused. There will be a push for the restoration of the royal family, and it will be impossible to stop. Are you truly ready for that?”

“...Yes. I am... prepared for it.”

Colette’s gaze turned harsh.

“Elisabeth. A ruler cannot make decisions based on emotion alone. One decision you make could lead to the deaths of thousands, even millions. You are about to alter the lives of millions of people tied to the Sylvanian royal family, all for the sake of two friends. Think carefully.”

“........................”

“If you reveal your identity and request a transport for your friends, is that worth risking the future of the Sylvanian royal family?”

“........................”

“You’re being reckless. Go home and cool your head. This isn’t a decision worthy of a future monarch.”

Cecil stood still, absorbing her aunt’s words.

Anger, like molten lava, surged from the pit of her stomach.

She couldn’t hold it back.

Her words erupted with fury as she faced Colette.

“Before being a ruler, I will make the choice that is right as a human being.”

With her head held high, she continued, her expression resolute.

“If becoming a ruler means forsaking my humanity, then I’ll accept that fate and rise above it.”

The air itself seemed to hum with tension. Cecil had never experienced such an oppressive silence weighing down on her entire being.

“You speak of succession as if it’s a mere qualification exam.”

Colette’s voice was cold.

“It’s my destiny. I will accept it and overcome it.”

Cecil responded without hesitation, recalling the word “destiny” that Kagura had once used during their night landing on the airship Eriadore.

──This is why I was born into this world.

──I will carry this burden and fulfill what only I can do.

Cecil faced her aunt, projecting the dignity of a future monarch.

Colette’s gaze sharpened, as if her eyes had become blades, cutting deep into Cecil’s soul, scrutinizing her inner resolve.

But.

──There’s nothing I’m ashamed of.

──I will save them. I will save Aki and Kagura with my own hands.

Telling herself this, Cecil allowed Colette’s piercing gaze to explore everything inside her.

The long silence was finally broken by Colette’s sigh.

“...In that, you’re just like your mother.”

She spoke with a touch of exasperation and shook her head slightly, as if in resignation.

“The fatal flaw in your plan is that you don’t have a way to actually free them. Even if I arrange for transport, it’s pointless if they remain imprisoned, isn’t it? How do you plan to break them out?”

“I’ll consult with my comrades.”

Likely by physical means.

“That won’t do. Present me with a concrete plan for their release. If I find it feasible, I’ll arrange a meeting between you and the ambassador.”

“........................”

Cecil could only bite her lip. Her aunt was right; she had rushed here driven by her emotions. Her concern for her friends wasn’t enough to move the situation.

"…How can I free the two of them?"

Cecil found herself asking her aunt the very question that had been troubling her.

Colette gazed at Cecil for a moment before her expression softened.

"You really are just like your mother. She always acted on impulse, dragging everyone into her whirlwind, while she smiled as if everything was fine."

A vision of Cecil's late mother briefly flashed behind her eyelids.

"Even though she caused so much trouble, you couldn’t hate her. She was charming and sincere, without a hint of deceit."

Colette's words stirred memories deep within Cecil's heart. Her mother was cheerful, full of life, and always seemed to brighten the world around her.

"...To think I’d meet her again like this. I thought she was lost forever, but she’s still alive... inside of you."

For a fleeting moment, Cecil thought she saw a glimmer in Colette’s eyes.

Colette turned her gaze to the bright sunlight outside the window and, as if speaking to herself, continued.

"About ten days ago... I had a visitor. His title was 'Officer of the Information Bureau at the St Vault Operations Command.' One of the 'Seven of Eriadore'... or is it six now? He’s one of them."

Cecil’s eyes widened in surprise.

"Captain Balthazar… came here?"

"He wanted to get in touch with the former retainers of the Sylvanian royal family. I didn’t intend to meet with him, but since his business also concerned my husband's work, I had no choice. Quite the cunning young man. He tried to use some clever negotiation tactics, so I pretended to be interested and introduced him to a lowly bureaucrat who would be of no use to him. He left with a big grin on his face, but I’m sure by now he’s found out that he was played. The man I introduced him to is the worst sort—someone who lives to spend other people’s money."

Colette chuckled, clearly amused by her own trickery. Cecil, determined not to let her aunt turn into an enemy, cautiously asked her next question.

"But why would Captain Balthazar want information about the Sylvanian royal family?"

"He’s thinking ahead about the occupation of Santos Island. The people there still yearn for Sylvanian rule, so it would be convenient for their propaganda to have a former retainer of the royal family. He asked me an amusing question: "What are your thoughts on the rumours of Princess Elisabeth’s survival?"

Colette mimicked Balthazar’s tone with uncanny accuracy and burst into laughter. Despite having met him only once, she perfectly captured his manner of speaking.

"He brought that up and carefully watched my reaction. When I laughed it off, he didn’t seem too pleased. It seems that he really wants you to be alive. If Elisabeth were still alive, it looks like he’d try to use you for his plans."

Cecil’s head spun.

"W-Why would Captain Balthazar be looking for me?"

"Because if he has you, he wouldn’t need to rely on the former retainers. You alone would be enough to sway the people of Santos Island to his side. The lost Princess Elisabeth holds that much influence. You need to be more aware of your position."

Cecil fell silent. The idea that Balthazar was looking for her left her feeling strangely unsettled.

And why was her aunt telling her all this now?

It was clearly a hint of some sort.

Balthazar is looking for Princess Elisabeth, and now that Cecil knows this, what should she do next…?

The answer suddenly flashed in her mind.

"A-Aunt Colette, can you contact Captain Balthazar?"

Colette raised an eyebrow.

"He should be with the Intelligence Bureau in Odin right now. But what will you do if I contact him?"

"I-I thought… maybe I could cooperate with him…!"

"Cooperate, you say?"

"Yes! If we work together, I’m sure we can save Kagura and Aki!"

Colette sighed theatrically, clearly unimpressed.

"Elisabeth, a king must never act first."

"B-But…!"

"You need to make the other party approach you. That way, you hold the advantage. Be patient. Balthazar will come to you."

"But Balthazar doesn’t know I’m the real princess! There’s no way he’ll reach out to me."

"Listen carefully. This house is always under surveillance by St Vault intelligence agents. The fact that you entered the estate freely is already known to their command."

"W-What…?"

"That’s why I told you never to come here. But since it’s too late now, we must adapt to the new situation. You just have to wait. He’ll make contact with you, and when he does, you must conduct yourself with the dignity of a monarch when addressing your subjects."

Cecil was left speechless.

"Use Balthazar. He’ll be your first subordinate."

Colette smiled wickedly, clearly relishing the situation.

Despite it being the height of summer, a chill ran down Balthazar Grim’s spine.

He instinctively turned his head, glancing over his shoulder to check if he had been doused in cold water, but finding no such thing, he dismissed the feeling. Descending the short ramp of the transport aircraft, he set foot on the tarmac of Odin's First Airfield.

Balthazar had recently vacated his post on Mauregan Island, relocating to Odin. This would be his new assignment for the foreseeable future. He boarded a taxi with his superior officer, Colonel Andy Bott of the St Vault Navy and Air Force Operations Command, and they set off toward the city.

“Your friends have found themselves in quite the unfortunate situation, still held captive on this island,” Colonel Bott commented, staring uninterestedly out the window at the passing scenery of the "floating island."

“It was always a possibility. I imagine they were prepared for such a situation,” Balthazar replied matter-of-factly, watching the armoured vehicles, trucks, and bulldozers pass by. Three days had already passed since Kiyoaki and Kagura had been captured.

“Does it trouble you?” Bott pressed.

“It’s beyond my jurisdiction,” Balthazar responded with calculated indifference. The colonel glanced at his side profile.

“You look sleep-deprived.”

Balthazar, maintaining his composure, answered with controlled detachment.

“I haven’t been sleeping well lately. If it continues, I’ll consider taking some sleeping pills.”

“Hm,” Bott responded, his probing ending there.

What a strange superior, Balthazar thought. This wasn’t the first time Bott had said something like this. Previously, he had advised Balthazar to “maintain friendships to better understand human emotions.” Now it seemed Bott was observing how Kiyoaki and Kagura’s capture might affect him emotionally.

How ridiculous, Balthazar scoffed internally. He cared little for what happened to them.

The Operations Command would likely paint Kiyoaki and Kagura as spies for the Akitsu Federation, using them to fuel hatred and bolster the fighting spirit of the troops. The truth didn’t matter anymore. All that was needed was a convenient scapegoat to unite the soldiers.

The cool breeze that had once surrounded Kagura was gone. What awaited her now was the storm of violence reserved for sacrificial lambs.

Unlucky. Just give up, Balthazar sent an unspoken condolence to Kiyoaki and Kagura, who were likely being beaten in their cells.

There’s nothing I can do.

That’s what he had been telling himself repeatedly these past three nights as he lay in bed, unable to sleep.

But even in the darkness, images of Kagura continued to appear in his mind.

“I have a saying in my country: "tenmei," or destiny. It means that each person is born into this world with a mission bestowed upon them by heaven,” Kagura had said during one of their operations aboard the airship Eriadore. Her words, from that time, when they had narrowly escaped death, were etched in his memory.

“We have overcome every trial so far. That means we must face the final trial head-on and return together, without losing anyone. That is our destiny.”

Her dignified words had stuck with him.

So, dying in a prison was your destiny after all, Balthazar bitterly retorted to the image of Kagura in his mind.

But then, another memory crept in.

“You’re not as cold-hearted as you think you are,” she had once told him, smiling, as they walked along the beach.

Her smile returned to him again and again, along with the vow they had made:

“Even if we become enemies, we will not hate each other.”

“Friendship is eternal.”

Since their imprisonment, those words and her smile had haunted Balthazar, refusing to leave his mind.

I don’t care. Get out of my head. This has nothing to do with me.

Even as he tried to banish Kagura from his thoughts, the image of her being tortured in prison would not leave him alone.

In truth, though he hadn’t told Bott, he hadn’t slept in three days.

It doesn’t matter what happens to her.

They had simply been passengers on the same airship, nothing more, nothing less. He had far greater ambitions than to lose sleep over a mere classmate falling from grace.

Balthazar’s thoughts were interrupted by Bott’s next question.

“And how’s the situation with the Sylvanian royal family? Any progress?”

The colonel’s words were like salt in an already raw wound. Balthazar buried his frustration beneath a calm, rational facade.

“Ten days ago, I met with Lady Colette. She introduced me to one of the former retainers of the Sylvanian royal family. After traveling for two days by train, I met the individual in question, but after a brief investigation, I discovered that he was a man of low character, despised by the people of Santos Island and implicated in corruption.”

“I see. It sounds like Lady Colette set you up.”

“There was no other option but to trust her recommendation. Given that we don’t have an active list of surviving retainers, there was no way to prevent such manipulation.”

“Lady Colette is a shrewd woman. You aren’t the first to try gathering information on the Sylvanian royal family. Many capable individuals have tried and failed, often manipulated by her for her own amusement. You must not have made a very good impression on her.”

Balthazar remained silent.

He had thought he’d made progress during his meeting with Colette, using all the negotiation tactics he’d learned. But now, it was clear he had been played.

He had expended significant resources, time, and effort, only to come away with nothing but frustration.

What a devious woman, Balthazar thought bitterly.

Bott’s voice brought him back to the present.

“Incidentally, I’ve received some interesting information. It seems that one of the Six of Eriadore, Cecil Hauer, visited Lady Colette’s residence yesterday.”

Balthazar’s confusion deepened as he turned to his superior.

“Cecil?”

“According to our spies watching the Avery estate, Cecil arrived without prior notice, yet was immediately allowed entry. She stayed for five hours and even dined with Colette before being sent back to the station in a two-horse carriage. What do you make of that?”

Balthazar was at a loss for words.

It seemed that Cecil and Colette were more than mere acquaintances.

“Who is that girl, really?”

“That’s what I want to know. Her family register places her as a native of Santos Island, where she lost her parents during Uranos’s invasion seven years ago. She’s been living with relatives in St Vault ever since.”

Balthazar crossed his arms, deep in thought.

During their time at the officer’s academy, Cecil and Mio had accompanied him to many high-society events. Both were unnaturally adept at navigating such circles despite their youth.

Mio, as he later learned, had been a spy, likely trained for such roles. But why was Cecil so skilled?

And then there was the visit by Akmed, the King of the Skies, when Kiyoaki and Ilia’s duel had caught everyone’s attention.

At the time, Balthazar had wondered why someone like Akmed would take an interest in a mere student duel. Could it be that Akmed’s true purpose had been to observe someone else?

The thought sent a cold sweat trickling down Balthazar’s temple.

“No, it couldn’t be.”

As the chill crept back up his spine, he tried to shake the idea from his mind.

“It’s impossible… it can’t be true.”

Balthazar shook his head in denial. The very notion was absurd.

That girl, of all people…

The thought alone made his skin crawl.

If what he feared was true, then everything he had ever said or done to Cecil…

Balthazar’s body shook with a fear he had never known. The implications were too terrifying to accept.

Please, let it not be true. Let her be dead, as the official records say.

"Upon arrival, I'll inquire with the operations headquarters' archive to see if there are any photographs or portraits of Princess Elizabeth... There's something that's been bothering me," Balthazar said, his voice slightly more tentative than usual.

"Hmm. I'll leave the task of gathering information on the Sylvanian royal family to you. This could turn out to be more intriguing than I initially thought," Colonel Andy Bott replied, gazing out at the passing cityscape.

For my part, I hope there's nothing intriguing about it at all, Balthazar silently prayed to himself.