Translator: Skythewood
Editor: Hiiro
「──And so, we will prepare an environment where all of you can make a living.」
On the afternoon of the third day after she started her persuasion campaign. The Empress’ voice echoing in the tent was mixed with a hint of frustration..
「We will provide support until your livelihood gets on track. If you stay in this place where self sustenance is impossible, you will eventually die out.」
Chamille’s will remained firm, but repeating the same thing tens of times had made her impatient. 「Yes...」 unaware of how the Empress felt, her targets answered vaguely with a confused expression.
「... W-Well then, I will discuss this with the others...」
Without giving a clear answer, the representative would return to the village to 「discuss with their companions」. Seeing the same scene play out repeatedly, Chamille couldn’t help saying the moment they left.
「... This is making me so anxious! Why can’t I get through to them!」
The Empress sat on her throne frustratedly. This was only natural. Until now, only two of the seventeen groups had accepted the offer, while the others showed no signs of making a move.
Vackie who was observing the negotiations walked over and said:
「Well, Your Majesty, they are not used to discussing and making decisions, and are fumbling unsteadily like toddlers learning to walk.」
Chamille looked at her with a sour face, and the Scientist girl continued:
「Remember the Nation of Hundred Sages? They are not sages, and the situation is worse than the fable. They can’t make a decision because they fear making mistakes, and chose the status quo for their peace of mind. Most groups where the leader lost their authority are like this.」
「......」
「If you want to settle this quickly, you can hint to them that you will use force. Because obeying the ruler is something they are familiar with. It’s not too late, want to change your policy?」
Vackie proposed without any hint of sarcasm. The Empress pouted bitterly and answered:
「... I won’t use force to intimidate them right now, but I already made arrangements for that. Three battalions dispatched from the closest base are expected to be here by tomorrow evening. The time I will wait is limited. If there still isn’t any progress by today, my only options is to force them down that path at gunpoint.」
「That’s right. I would like to see them take their first unsteady steps, but we don’t have the time. Setting a time limit to give up ahead of time, not a bad move.」
「Not a bad move? I’m just forcing the mistakes of a ruler on them shamelessly.」
The girl’s voice was filled with disappointment towards herself. She sighed deeply, then opened her eyes wide to perk herself up.
「Anyway, I have not given up on convincing them, and will work on it for the rest of the day. If summoning them here isn’t working, I will go to their village to persuade them...」
The Empress searched for a different way to interact with them. But the Scientist girl shook her head.
「If you want to skip the representatives and give a speech directly to the crowd, I will stop you even if I have to put you in a chokehold. The efficiency of it aside, the risk is too high. I won’t expose you before an unfriendly crowd.」
The girl who likes to make extreme theories said something very rational, contrary to how she usually acts. Silence loomed over the tent. Haro listened to all that from a corner of the tent, and couldn’t help speaking at this impasse.
「Y-Your Majesty, I will──」
But when her words just came out, another voice rang in her heart.
── Wait, Haro. This isn’t right.
Haro suddenly froze. The other persona inside her continued:
── If we take direct action, we might be able to create a situation to disperse those people. But if she was fine with that, Her Majesty wouldn’t have come in the first place. She has been working hard to dissuade the habit of dumping all political problems onto the soldiers, right?
「......!」
Haro couldn’t think of an answer, and clenched her fists with her head hung low. The Empress noticed Haro and asked:
「...? Haro, what’s wrong? Not feeling well...?」
Seeing the person she should be protecting casting a concerned gaze at the protector instead, Haro felt a stinging pain in her chest for her uselessness. She concealed it with a smile:
「... No, I’m fine. I almost misspoke, my apologies, Your Majesty.」
Haro bowed and apologized to suppress the anxiety in her heart, then stood to the side again── at this moment, a soldier barged into the tent and reported:
「R-Report! There’s a conflict between the residents in the west of the village! It seems to be an internal scuffle for food between the different factions...!」
Tension flashed across everyone’s face, and the Empress asked:
「Casualties?」
「They’re increasing! Some even brought makeshift weapons, it has gone beyond a verbal squabble!」
A few seconds after hearing that, Chamille stated the action that needed to be taken.
「── Honorary Field Marshal Igsem! Take a battalion of cavalry to stop the conflict!」
On the receipt of order, the vermillion haired man who had not said a word all this while responded.
「Pardon my impudence, Your Majesty, but my top priority in this place is to ensure your safety.」
「I know, but you are undoubtedly the best candidate to suppress the mob. Most people will rethink their actions at the sight of your dual blades. To avoid unnecessary bloodshed, it has to be you.」
Chamille stated her reasons behind her orders. Honorary Field Marshal Igsem pondered for a moment and replied:
「... Then promise me, Your Majesty, that you will not leave this place before I return.」
「Of course. I will wait for your good news.」
The Empress placed her hand on her breasts and promised. Acknowledging her intent, the vermillion haired general took action.
「I will be back.」
And so, Solvenares Igsem led a cavalry unit and made a detour for the west side of the village. A few people in the village saw that scene.
「...『Vermillion haired Igsem』 has left their basecamp.」
One of them muttered while looking through a telescope. The man beside him nodded and looked at their armed comrades behind.
「This is a great chance── Move out! Abduct the Empress!」
Roars echoed out loud as a group charge into battle.
「E-Enemy attack! Enemy attack──!」
The soldier barged into the tent and reported, and the gong sounding outside relayed the same information to the entire unit. As the tension of impending battle filled the air, the soldier explained in more detail.
「Y-Your Majesty! Some of the residents are launching a direct assault on us! They aren’t using makeshift weapons, but military crossbows and Wind Guns...!」
The word weapon resounded heavily in the Empress’ ears. But before she could say anything, another alarmed soldier charged in.
「Report! The two groups who went south after accepting the offer suddenly changed their routes and are approaching us! From afar, they appeared to be armed!」
This report meant that there was an attack coming from another direction. Oh no～ the Scientist girl covered her forehead and moaned:
「... We got played like a damn fiddle.」
「Vackie...」
「They are probably the remnants of the rebel army, the survivors of the rebellions that Your Majesty had put down over time. They probably mixed in with the residents to get supplies, and waited here when they heard that you will be coming.」
Chamille nodded with a serious face. The officers inside the tent started moving in a panic.
「They used the opening when Field Marshal Igsem left the basecamp, then coordinated with the group who pretended to accept our proposal for a pincer attack. A well thought out tactic. Our goal is to persuade them, not subjugate them, so our forces are limited in size.」
「... I will take a look outside!」
Haro ran out of the tent. There was no reason for her to hesitate because of her position as a soldier.
「「「「「「「Wooooaaaahhhh!」」」」」」」
The group was flooding towards the Empress’ tent with weapons. The cavalry intercepting them immediately realize that they weren’t just any old armed mob. They could tell from that the enemy was trained in a way similar to them.
「Damn it, stay back, rebel...!」
「Don’t break formation, the enemy will aim for the gaps and slip through! They are desperadoes!」
The sound of compressed air exploding echoed out, and the horses that got hit neighed in pain. The cavalry roared in defiance at this unexpected battle.
「......!」
Seeing this, Haro realized they were in trouble. As to confirm that, a voice in her mind said:
──… This is bad, Haro. They are throwing everything they have at this chance. They outnumber us greatly, and we are fighting in the plains, so the defenders don’t have much of an advantage. Their encirclement will be completed soon…
Patrenshina continued anxiously:
── If Solvenares Igsem’s unit returns, the situation will be different. But from the looks of things, we might not last that long. We have to think of a way.
「......」
──? Hey, Haro?
Haro returned to the tent. With the Empress and vassals watching her, she tried to stay calm and told them the current situation.
「... Everyone, the situation is very dire.」
The moment she said that, she could feel everyone gasping. Haro continued mercilessly:
「If they encircle us with their numbers and persistently charge in, the defense lines might get broken before Honorary Field Marshal Igsem returns.」
She said and signalled her subordinate with a look, getting him to bring in the items she prepared ahead of time. Haro pick up a blonde wig── which was styled similarly to the Empress, and said:
「Hence… I have a proposal. Your Majesty, pardon me for asking, but can you please give me two calvary platoons, your robe and the crown?」
The unexpected proposal made Chamille turn stiff for an instant. Realizing her intent, fear flashed across her face.
「... Wait. Haro, are you...」
「The enemy’s goal is Your Majesty. So I will use Your Majesty’s body double to draw their attention away… I’m much taller than Your Majesty, so I will pick a double from my subordinates. If it works, I can lure most of the enemy away.」
From what she knew, this was the only way to break through their current predicament. Chamille got up and yelled:
「No! Haro, I won’t let you do such a dangerous──」
「Hmm. That’s the only way.」
Another voice drowned out the Empress’ words. Beside the confused Empress, the Scientist girl nodded with her arms crossed.
「I will be the body double. Out of everyone here, I’m the closest to Her Majesty in height. Will that be fine, Major Becker.」
「Vackie?」
Chamille looked at her vassal in shock. The subject herself added calmly:
「Don’t mind it, Chamille. Being unprepared for such a situation is the mistake of the vassal. And I’m the one who provoked you, so I will take responsibility.」
Vackie took off her white coat and tossed it aside, then consoled her with a smile>
「Don’t worry, I inherited my teacher’s fleeing abilities, and will make them run in circles.」
The girl declared firmly. Haro checked her resolve:
「... The double will suffer a terrible fate in the enemy’s hands. Vackie-san, are you sure?」
「I will be fine. I don’t plan to get caught.」
Vackie snorted. Chamille alternated her gaze between them with shock.
「Wait── Both of you, wait. I won’t permit it…! Instead of using you two as bait, I would rather use the forces here to break out!」
The girl was almost screaming, but Haro shook her head firmly.
「Your Majesty. The enemy is deploying their forces to separate us from Honorary Field Marshal Igsem as their top priority. So our best chance of breaking out would be the opposite direction from him… Even if you did that, you will just be further away from our allies.」
「The same goes for you if you act like bait! The further you draw them away, the more isolated you will be...!」
「It’s fine. We will set off on horseback, and continuing to flee won’t be difficult once we break out. While we are playing hide and seek with them, Honorary Field Marshal Igsem’s unit will come to relieve us.」
「But there’s no guarantee you’ll be safe before help arrives…! Don’t go, Haro. I-I’m scared! If you leave the basecamp, and just like Yatori──」
Chamille pleaded with tears in her eyes. Haro walked quietly to her and hugged her gently.
「I will definitely come back. I will return safely.」
The woman borrowed the girl’s crown and robe, then said with her usual gentle smile.
「So leave this to big sister, it will be fine.」
── Haro! Hey, Haro! Are you listening!?
Haro exited the tent, and saddled a horse a short distance from the disguised Vackie and the other horsemen. The other persona in her heart was making a ruckus.
── I did say we have to do something, but being the bait in this situation is insane! What’s the point if you lower your survival chances!?
Haro didn’t answer and did her prep work in silence. Patrenshina called out as if she was going to cry.
── Answer me! What’s with you? Are you giving up? Finally tired of living? Because of the sins we committed...!?
「No. I’m not giving up.」
Haro finally answered. She said with a quiet but unwavering voice:
「I think being the bait is the most effective way to ensure Her Majesty’s safety. I think we can do it. I’m just making a decision based on that. I don’t have any intention of dying here.」
Haro stepped on the stirrup and straddled onto the secured saddle, then took the reins.
「Let’s do what we can, Patrenshina… I thought long and hard, but this is the only answer. I can only support everyone as part of the Knights Corp, and protect Empress Chamille alongside them.」
Haro gripped the reins harder. She voiced out the will that had taken shape in her heart.
「I know this won’t mend the past. But I’m not protecting everyone because I want to redeem myself. Or rather, I’m willing to commit more sins to protect them. Protect Ikuta-san, Matthew-san, Torway-san, Empress Chamille, and Yatori-san── the people who knows I’m not a good girl, but is still willing to accept me.」
With each name she said, the conviction in Haro’s heart grew firmer. That’s right── she was doing this out of her own volition.
「Because I have resolved myself, I can face the sins I committed in the past and the crimes I will do in the future. I won’t push my sins onto you (Patrenshina) anymore. I won’t hang on tightly to the illusion of being a good girl. No matter how ugly and dirty I am── I have decided to shoulder it all and live with everyone!」
This declaration became the turning point in her life. Seeing Haro has resolved herself to take the irreversible step, Patrenshina said uneasily:
──… You want to accept everything as a part of yourself. Including a mass murderer like me, and everything I have done so far.
Haro nodded. The query from her mind came again.
── If you do this, you won’t be able to go back. You can’t be a good girl anymore, Haro. Are you really fine with that?
Haro nodded immediately. Patrenshina finally understood that the results would be the same no matter how many times she asked or how she changed her question.
──… Is that so… It can’t be helped then. These blood stained hands and their skill and power are yours now, Haro.
The antihero born to protect Haro’s soul finally accepted Haro’s change in attitude. Haroma Becker spurred her horse forward, taking the first step of her own will.
「Thank you, Patrenshina── Let’s go!」
「──Charge! Charge～!」「Just one more push!」
The rebel remnants kept attacking. Their surprise attack working motivated them greatly. At this moment, A cavalry unit charged them in single file.
「Uwah...?」
They weren’t so reckless as to stop the charge, and the cavalry charged through the group. There was a familiar blonde hair and dark robe fluttering amongst the cavalry, and they shouted loudly:
「── It’s the Empress! The Empress is amongst them!」「Don’t let her escape, go after her! Hurry～!」
「Heehee, they fell for it!」
「Don’t talk! You will bite your tongue!」
In the middle of the procession escorting Vackie, Haro yelled at her. They were behind her, but she could feel some of the enemy cavalry was pursuing them with more than twice their numbers.
「Running like this will just lead us further away from our allies! So before we get too far── Ready, Vackie-san!?」
Haro urged her to prepare herself, and the Scientist girl bravely answered: 「Got it!」 Haro felt lucky to meet someone who wasn’t fazed by this dire circumstances and shouted to her troops:
「Right turn! Into the village!」
She tugged the reins with her left hand to turn. Ignoring the residents screaming because of the approaching cavalry, she charged into the village with her unit.
「Dismount here!」
「Ohh?」
When they entered the zone surrounded by makeshift houses, Haro pulled on her reins, then picked up Vackie, who was disguised as the Empress, off her horse and put her on solid ground. Leaving the horses behind, she told her men.
「From here on, split up and move in sections! Go through the village according to our plan! If you are lost, run towards the southwest! Don’t try to link up midway, go all the way to the other end of the village!」
The soldiers dismounted on her orders. Haro took Vackie’s hand and hid in the shadows, aware of the eyes on them as she said quietly.
「...Vackie-san, please give me the wig and the robe. It’s fine to take off the disguise now, follow them to the other end of the village. I will take care of the diversion.」
Since the pursuers were aware of the Empress’ presence here, they didn’t need the double to draw their attention. Vackie quickly noticed her intentions and removed her disguise.
──Is it time for me to take the stage?
The bored Patrenshina quietly asked for work, and Haro answered positively. Before her, the Scientist girl who had taken off the Empress’ attire had started running.
「The real game of tag is starting! Big sister, be careful!」
Vackie linked up with the soldiers and ran deep into the village. After seeing them go── Haro closed her eyes right away and transferred control over to her other self.
「── Damn it, they blended into the village!? Where is she? Where is she hiding?」
Lured by the illusion of the Empress, their pursuers gave chase before losing their target at the cluster of houses. The terrain in the village wasn’t suitable for horse riding, so they had to dismount and search on foot.
「Split up and search! We will take that side──」
「Found her～! Over here～! The Empress is here～!」
Before they commenced their search, a cry came from nearby. The eyes of those who heard that changed.
「That way, huh!? Quick, don’t let the others steal a march on us!!」「Wait! We got here first!」
── I can sense the pursuers getting closer. This intel is just meant to disrupt them, but it’s very effective against a group that isn’t united from the start.
Patrenshina led her men sprinting in the village and muttered to herself. At this point in time, the enemy that was made up of a few different rebel armies had an intense argument regarding who would abduct the Empress. This was natural since the group who abducted the Empress would have a great advantage. And Haro’s unit was making use of this weak point.
「First Class Private Nakusa, can you shout it again?」
「Yes Mdm! ── Hey, over here! The Empress is here～!」
The Private shouted on her orders. Patrenshina nodded with a smile.
「Good work, your voice sure is loud. We shouted twice here, so the other sections will now do the job of drawing their attention.」
「Yes Mdm! Please leave such works to me!」
Private First Class Nakusa answered with a warm smile. Patrenshina ran alongside them and muttered to herself.
── Disrupt the enemy, go through the village and get nearer to Solvenares Igsem’s unit. Once we link up with them, then our victory is assured──
She thought as she visualized future developments. At this moment── an enemy soldier garrisoned in the village noticed them and blocked their path.
「Ugh...? Wait, those guys── Kyaa!」
Before any conflict occurred, Patrenshina’s throwing knife pierced his forehead. The man slumped and fell over. Patrenshina retrieved her knife when she passed him by, and walked over him without sparing him a glance.
── The enemy has people with keen observation skills too. We have to take them out before they sound the alarm.
At this moment, she felt a gaze from the side. Private First Class Nakusa whom she ordered to yell just now looked at her with surprise.
「Major, so you are great at throwing knives. Just one throw from that distance… what a surprise.」
「......」
She was thinking of an excuse, then decided to switch with her other self on a whim. Haro who gained control suddenly almost fell over, then steady herself before saying:
「── A-As an officer, I will have a couple of tricks up my sleeves!」
Why the sudden switch? Haro fudged over the conversation and complained to Patrenshina in her heart. Patrenshina who had quickly dived inside answered nonchalantly:
── Because you used my skills, so your subordinates’ impression of you will change. You should use this chance to get used to you. If I keep covering for you, you won’t be able to adapt during the crucial moments, right?
Not expecting her consideration of the future, Haro answered with surprise:
「... Yes, you have a point. Sorry Patrenshina, you are right.」
── What are you apologizing for? More importantly── I can deal with a couple of enemy soldiers, but it will be a problem if there’s more of them. My knives are limited too, so we should avoid contact.
「Yes… Got it.」
Haro nodded solemnly… the precise usage of troops, misleading the enemy and the ability to handle dangerous situations. With the skills she learned as an agent unleashed, anyone who dare block her path would be in for a reckoning.
「... We made it through the village.」
After toying with the enemy and running for tens of minutes, the clustered houses became scattered, and they reached the other end of the village. Haro’s group stopped. If they went into the plains that had no cover, they would get hunted by the enemy cavalry, so they couldn’t go any further.
「Oh, big sis!」
Vackie who was waving her hand appeared before Haro, and they linked up with the section protecting the girl. There was less cover here, so after linking up with the section that got here ahead of time, they had to prepare for a battle of attrition. When the other sections arrived in similar fashion, Haro told her troops:
「Everyone, protect Vackie and wait for our allies to relieve us. If you see Honorary Field Marshal Igsem’s unit, wave flags to call them over… If the situation gets dire, please sprint over to him.」
Haro gave detailed orders to the soldiers under her command, then went back the way they came. Her surprised subordinates called out to her?
「Major?」 「W-Why are you going back?」
Haro stopped and turned back, and calmly answered:
「There are some sections that aren’t here yet. I will lead them here and buy some time.」
「You are going alone?」「That’s too risky!」「It’s dangerous to go alone, take──」
The brave soldiers volunteered to follow her, but Hero raised a hand to stop them and said firmly:
「I will handle it, this is an order── keep our losses to a minimum.」
I will leave this place to you── Haro ran back to the village with that. She found a section that appeared to be lost, and ran at them without hesitation.
「Damn it, where are our allies── Oh, Major Becker!」
「The gathering point is over there! Hurry on over!」
She gave them instructions. After repeating that at several different places, a voice came from Haro’s heart:
── the pursuers are getting close, and are almost onto us. Even if Solvenares Igsem noticed something is amissed and rushed over, he might not make it in time.
「... Yes. But if we can stall them for ten minutes, that will be our victory.」
With that, Haro resolved herself and barged into a nearby rundown shack. The family of three who were cooking a meal turned to her in surprise.
「Everyone, please leave this house at once.」
Haro didn’t dally and stated her demand curtly. The mother backed away while shielding the child, and the father stood up with a frown.
「... W-Who are you? This is our──」
Thump! A knife flew past the man’s head and sunk deep into a pillar. With the three stiff people and their sprites before her, Haro raised another knife and said:
「I say again, please leave… There won’t be a third time.」
Her intimidation worked, and the three of them charged out of the house in fear. Haro spread the vegetable oil inside the pots around the place, then used a tong to toss a burning charcoal into the oil. A fire started immediately and spread from the pillars to the roof.
「Uwah...?」 「Fire! There’s a fire!」 「Damn it, who's behind that!?」
The residents who noticed the fire screamed. Haro sneaked out without getting noticed by them, and muttered while looking at the flame and smoke in the sky.
「With this much ruckus, the pursuers should be drawn here.」
──… You’re ruthless, Haro.
「I made the decision, so I will follow it through. I won’t force you to be the bad girl anymore.」
In contrast with her plain tone, Haro was clenching her fists so hard that she was cracking her knuckles… During the Northern unrest, Haro had experience setting villages on fire. She had the excuse that she was just following orders back then, but not so this time. Everything was decided by her, and the results were the scene before her.
Haro could no longer be a good girl. She painfully realized what Patrenshina meant by that, but she still wanted to apologize for one thing.
「... I’m sorry. I said some big words, but I can’t use many of the techniques I learned as a Phantom...」
── I know. You still can’t use skills that inflict direct harm. I will take care of the rest.
A reliable response came from her heart, and Patrenshina once again took control of Haro’s body. The tasks ahead made her curl her lips from excitement, and she sang that children’s song that started it all.
「──Let’s start our wonderful work. Let’s get on with it.」
With that song as the turning point, her figure suddenly vanished── two knives were stabbed into the neck and the back skull of two enemies who were drawn by the commotion.
「Hng!」「Nng!」
The two collapsed from the mortal blow. A third member of the trio searched around him in panic.
「What...! W-Where? Where did that attack come──」
「Here.」
A voice came suddenly from behind, that was the man’s last thought before his demise. The artery on his throat was slit, and he lost consciousness in just a few seconds. Three corpses laid in a pool of blood. Patrenshina turned to the residents gasping at the sight of this.
「I need a favour from you一 if you are going to scream, can you do so louder?」
She said as she approached the residents with her blood stained knife in hand. The mob scrambled away screaming, and a large number of soldiers gathered, drawn by that commotion.
「There’s a commotion over there!」 「There’s a fire!」 「Where’s the Empress?」
Before anyone noticed, Patrenshina hid in the shadows to observe the situation. She gauged the enemy’s numbers and asked the other persona within her.
「... There’s loads of them. The diversion worked, but it will be hard to take them out with surprise attacks. It will be risky. How many do you want to take out before retreating?」
── That doesn’t matter, we just have to keep them occupied until the time limit. There’s seven minutes left!
「It’s going to be tough!」
The woman said with a smile, then tossed out a firewood nearby. It hit the wall of a nearby house, drawing the enemy’s attention.
「Movement! Over there!」 「Don’t let them escape! After them!」
They flooded in the wrong direction. Patrenshina tailed them, toying them with further diversion. Not just that, she killed four of them who were momentarily isolated.
Patrenshina counted the knives she still had and muttered with a grunt.
「The terrain here is just fine. There’s lots of hiding places, perfect for hit and run tactics. I can’t deal with multiple foes like Yatorishino Igsem, but I can toy with them and run around for a while longer.
Her confident monologue stopped there. Patrenshina who was getting optimistic spied three soldiers wearing the same uniform as her getting surrounded.
──Patrenshina! That’s our comrades!
「It can’t be! I told them to go straight through the village, just how far off did they wander to get here!?」
Patrenshina grumbled and dashed straight ahead. Once she was in range, she threw out two knives. They stabbed two enemies in the back of their heads, and Patrenshina kept a low profile to slash at the five remaining enemies.
「Kyaa─!」「Uwah?」
She slit the throat of one, but that’s as far as she got. The second backdash to dodge her blade, pulling away with his crossbow readied. Patrenshina clicked her tongue, and stood between them and her troops.
「M-Major...」
「Don’t stop, run!」
Patrenshina pushed her men with her back towards them, telling them to flee. But as a result, she couldn’t go yet, with the four armed enemies blocking her retreat.
── They have surrounded us...
Haro’s voice echoed in her mind. Patrenshina muttered 「don’t worry」 with knives in both hands.
「... Phew──!」
She threw two knives at the enemy before her, and they blocked with their arms to avoid a fatal blow.
「──Hah!」
But when her arms were fully stretched out, Patrenshina still had a knife in each hand. She swiftly twisted ankles and waist to turn 180, and swung her arms up this time, attacking again in the shortest amount of time. The unexpected counter caught the two soldiers trying to sneak up on Patrenshina by surprise, and they stumbled backwards. Patrenshina immediately slipped past them.
「... Good! I’m out of knives, but we can──」
Confident of victory, Patrenshina charged into an alley── at that moment, a hand shot out from her blind spot and grabbed her arm firmly.
「──?」
「I caught you, woman.」
A pair of hostile eyes pierced through her, and Patrenshina’s face cramped as she muttered 「Oh shit.」
「「「「「「 Woaaahh!」」」」」」
The enemy slowly found where Haro’s troops were located. They formed ranks and tried to push through, attacking any opening they could find.
「Vackie-san, it’s dangerous! Stay back!」
The buff soldiers shielded the admin officer girl behind them. Vackie could observe the situation from the gaps between the soldiers, and analyzed what she saw:
「... There are fewer enemies than expected. Big sis is really diverting the enemy’s attention by herself...」
Imagining the struggle of the woman who wasn’t here made the Scientist girl clenched her fists.
「...Ah～ Really now...! That’s the problem with Scientists during times like this, there’s no god for us to pray to...!」
「── Gahh!」
Her bones were creaking. The woman was thrown onto the ground, and boots kicked her mercilessly in the breasts.
「Playing us like a damn fiddle, huh. How many of us did you kill?」
The men kept kicking Patrenshina who was on the ground. As the four of them were focusing on this task, their comrades from behind rushed over with a panicked face:
「Hey, the enemy is gathered over there!」 「The others will steal a march on us! Hurry up and kill her!」
A pair of cold eyes glared at his two comrades who wanted to hurry on over.
「Saw any signs of the Empress?」
「Huh? No...」
「No, huh── look at her empaulatte, she is a field-grade officer, unlike the grunts out there. Someone like her should be by the Empress’ side until the very end.」
The man cast his gaze to the woman and said with confidence. When they heard that, the others also noticed that something was off.
「A high ranking officer moving alone to act like a diversion. I can’t help thinking that the Empress is nearby── you guys, search around here.」
On his orders, his companions searched the rundown houses in the vicinity with dubious faces. Patrenshina’s eyes wavered as she searched for a way out, but a voice came from her heart.
──… Switch, Patrenshina.
「... huh? Wait, Haro──」
While the woman was still confused, control of the body had returned to Haro. Feeling the pain from the kick to her stomach, she muttered:
「... Our mission is to buy time, and you worked hard for that. And so── enduring the pain is my mission.」
Haro said with resolve in her eyes. They pulled her hair to lift her face and ordered curtly:
「Answer me, woman! Where’s the Empress?」
Haro pursed her lips and ignored him. Seeing her reaction, he ordered his comrade beside him:
「Pinkie.」
When he heard that, he bent Haro’s pinkie finger in the opposite direction, then pushed his boot against it. The interrogator gave him a look, and the man put his weight heavily onto it.
「────!」
Snap! Haro’s pinkie finger was crushed with the sound of a splat. Haro’s shoulders quivered, and the man pulled Haro’s body up and asked with the same tone:
「Where’s the Empress?」
「...!...」
She ignored him again. As if he expected that, the man signalled his comrade again.
「Ring finger.」
The second finger was crushed in a similar fashion. The pain came from her fingertips to the top of her head, and cold sweat drenched Haro’s forehead.
「Where’s the Empress?」「── middle finger.」
「Where’s the Empress?」「──index finger.」
The sound of crunching bones kept echoing out. Their conversation was quiet, and there weren't any screams of pain. If someone only listened without seeing them, they wouldn’t realize that this was an interrogation. The only thing that hinted that was Haro’s body that was spasming from the pain.
「Where’s the Empress?」
The exact same question was answered by silence for the fifth time. The man ordered with a light nod.
「Thumb. This will hurt.」
His comrade executed the interrogation on his orders. He positioned his boot on Haro’s bent thumb and shifted his weight onto it── fracturing the thumb.
「～～～～～～～～!」
Haro’s teeth were chattering. Her mind turned blank as the pain from her crushed thumb coursed through her body.
「Impressive. You didn’t even scream at that?」
The man said as he looked at Haro’s face. He could see a firm light in her eyes, which made him grunted.
「Her eyes are still strong… Changed the torture for her left hand.」
Leaving Haro’s right hand where all the fingers were bent in the wrong direction, the man gestured to his comrades to deal with the left hand. When one of them pushed a blade into her fingernail, he continued the interrogation:
「Where is the Empress?」
No matter how much she was tormented, Haro didn’t bear any grudge towards them.
She could easily think of an even more cruel torment. She remembered that most of the torture was inflicted on others, not her── That’s right, those were the memories of things she had done, and remained in the hearts of Haroma and Patrenshina.
In her dark and bloody memories, she was always torturing them with a smile. In contrast, the people before her were gentlemen. After all, interrogation was just a means to them, and they didn’t find any joy when inflicting pain on their subject.
Ironically, it was easy if they only inflicted pain… Compared to the people who enjoyed abusing her and her siblings.
「... Enough. Stop.」
Not seeing any results, the man raised a hand to stop the torture. Inspecting her body who had suffered serious abuse in a short amount of time, the man said with a sigh.
「... Five broken fingers, five stripped fingernails, whipped everywhere. You are staying quiet after going through all that?」
In contrast to her miserable state like a pierce of blood soaked rag, there was not a shred of fear in her eyes. The man accepted the fact that this was a waste of time and approached Haro.
「If time permits, I want to take my time with this interrogation── but I can’t let this drag on.」
With a face of resignation, he drew his knife and pointed it at her unwavering eye.
「Last chance, woman── light or the Empress, what’s your choice?」
「......」
「If you choose light, I will let you go. If you choose the Empress, I will blind you and leave you here.」
The man was counting on her fear of an irreversible loss, and not her instinct to avoid pain. Instead of threatening to kill her, this was more effective in most situations. The reason was simple── it was hard to imagine death, but anyone could imagine what eternal darkness was like.
「Haro, say something! Or you will die, Haro!」
── Switch with me! He will really do it! Can you hear me, Haro!
Her partner Mia in her pouch, and Patrenshina in her heart kept calling out to her. Haro heard them, but she didn’t react.
Because── the pain made her feel at peace. The idea of the retribution for all her crimes being inflicted on her made her so at ease that it overwhelmed the pain she was feeling. So she didn’t feel any hatred or hostility towards the enemy, and was even grateful towards them.
「Not a word? … You will regret this, I will take one eye first.」
The knife tip was pushed towards her eye. The cold blade drew closer.
At that moment, Haro thought regretfully about the scenery that would be taken away by that blade.
「── Ahh──」
It was too bright. The light that the 「Knights Corp」 members had given to her was all the light of her lifetime.
── Come back to us. We are waiting for you.
Those words echoed in her ears. She could recall the voice of the youth who accepted all her sins.
She couldn’t accept it── Haro suddenly thought. She wasn’t afraid of losing the light. Even if both her eyes were blinded, the light in her soul would never disappear. She would embrace that light in the darkness until the end of her life.
What she couldn’t accept── was dying before she could pay back the light she was given. They were her salvation, but she was heading towards a meaningless death that would only break their hearts.
── Haro is a good girl and a bad girl. And all of us love you.
She had a wish── she wanted to repay those words. Repay him who saved her soul from hell, and the comrades who chose to accept her. Before she could repay their kindness, she couldn’t die yet.
「──Ahh...」
Power surged out from her. Her hands that could only feel pain burst forth with unbelievable strength.
「──── Ahhhhh──!」
「Uwah──!」 「──Ehh?」
Haro roared. She regained freedom in one hand from the enemy’s lapse and the slippiness of the blood . She grabbed the man’s wrist with her left hand that had lost all it’s fingernails, shifting the tip of the knife from her eye to the ground.
「Waaaahhhhhh!」
「Tch──!」
The man looked surprised for a moment, but he calmly flicked her arm away.
「Damn it, she’s still...!」
The man clicked his tongue to imply that resistance was futile. That intense struggle would only delay her inevitable loss of the light...
「──Seh!」
With a flash of cold steel, the man’s vision tumbled without any warning── He didn’t realize he was mistaken until he lost his head.
「── Huh?」「What...」「Uwahh──!」
After that man fell, the soldiers were cut down one after another. The saber and short sword left no survivors in their wake. They didn’t even have the chance to resist and the dual blades dominated the place. Haro who was freed crawled desperately in the bloodbath.
「Hah, hah...!」
What caused this change? She couldn’t spare the faculty to think. Even so, she still moved her hands frantically through her blurred vision, searching for something to use as a weapon. Shortly after, Haro touched a hard gunstock. She couldn’t tell if that was a crossbow or a Wind Gun, and lifted that weapon with her injured fingers…
「Well done, Major Haroma Becker.」
The vermillion general stood tall in the direction she was looking at.
「Her Majesty is safe, and has linked up with my men. Your diversion mission is a success.」
He told her that irrefutable fact, boldly grabbing the crossbow with one hand to push the tip of the bayonet down.
「You have accomplished your mission. So── you can relax your grip on consciousness.」
Hearing his crude words of concern, Haro understood she was saved and lost consciousness─ Solvenares Igsem held her battered body silently, as if he was handling a fragile object.
After linking up with Honorary Field Marshal Igsem’s unit which had crushed the enemy’s main forces, Haro’s diversion unit returned to the tent where the Empress was waiting. However, the commander who should be reporting the success of the mission was brought to the Empress on a stretcher.
「... Sorry Chamille, I made the big sister push herself.」
「── Haro...?」
The girl called out to her with a trembling voice, and approached with unsteady steps. And she saw the bloodied and tattered uniform dyed a dark shade of red. She saw the pale face of the familiar gentle woman.
「Ah── Ah── Haro, Haro! Get a hold of yourself, open your eyes, Haro──!」
Chamille wanted to embrace her in a crazed state, but Vackie grabbed her arm to stop her.
「Don’t wake her up… The whipping was much harsher than we thought. From her injuries, big sis suffered more than 30 whips. It won’t be a surprise if she had died.」
「────!──」
「The fingers on her right hand are all dislocated or fractured, and she lost all the nails on her left hand… It won’t directly endanger her life, but there is a risk of infections. She needs medical treatment as soon as possible...」
Vackie called for a medic. When Chamille who couldn’t help just stood there stiffly, another soldier rushed towards her with a different report.
「── Your Majesty! The group representatives are in an uproar! Because of the earlier attack, they seemed to think we are hostile towards them...!」
「── Ah, ughh...」
「Your Majesty, leave this to us. Big sis will be fine, please deal with the residents.」
The Scientist girl’s words managed to give direction to Chamille’s stalled mind. Driven by her sense of responsibility and obligation, the Empress moved with stiff steps.
「I── I will be right there.」
She left the large tent with the soldier and headed to the small tent where the representatives were waiting. The Empress took deep breaths on her way there, and said loudly in a majestic fashion.
「Please remain calm! There are outlaws mixed amongst you, but I’m not assuming everyone is a rebel! When the dust have settled, we will continue the talks──」
「Please show mercy～～!」
Chamille’s words were drowned out by a wail from one of the representatives. However, he wasn’t speaking to the Empress. The mob didn’t even look her way, and were begging the soldiers who walked in before the Empress desperately.
「We are not like those guys!」「That’s right! We are not trying to rebel!」「We just want to ask for help!」「We are thinking the military will help us if we gather here...!」
The representatives bared their selfish hearts. The Empress’ face twitched. Not because of what they said, but because they didn’t even ask her for help even though she came here personally.
「We will follow the military’s orders without any questions! We won’t resist! So please, save us from our predicament!」
「Don’t abandon us! Please, please...!」
The representatives ignored Chamille and continued pleading. The girl felt a sense of emptiness as if her existence was being rejected. She was standing on an invisible wall and looking at the world outside. She couldn’t even erk out the strength to yell and draw their attention── She could only stand stiffly by herself in a world where no one would turn and look her way.
Chapter 4: An Unprecedented Opening
The unit led by the Empress reached the capital’s eastern gate. When he heard that news, Ikuta put aside his work on hand immediately.
「Hah! Hah! Hah!── Ughh!」
He charged out of the palace and hopped onto a carriage. When the coachman told him the route to the eastern gate was mobbed with people, the youth switched to walking without any hesitation. Seeing his unsteady figure hurrying ahead, Torway and Matthew rushed to him.
「Ik-kun!」
「Hey, don’t push yourself, retard! I will give you a hand!」
They supported Ikuta from both sides. The youth rushed forth with the help of his friends, and soon saw the cavalry advancing between the crowds. When he saw the carriage in the midst of the procession, Ikuta was certain they were in there and yelled:
「──Chamille! Haro!」
Pushing aside the cavalry stunned by the sudden appearance of the Field Marshal, Ikuta’s group approached the carriage. Chamille leaned out of the window to confirm their presence, then opened the door for the three of them to board.
「──Everyone.」
A familiar woman was secured to the bed inside the carriage. But she looked absolutely pitiful. She was bandaged everywhere and her right hand was stabilized with a board, showing the harsh violence that she suffered.
「Haro-san!」「Haro!」
Torway and Matthew rushed her way. They couldn’t say anything as they looked at that woman from close up.
「Sorry── I got, a little banged up. But, tis but a scratch. I will, get better soon──」
Haro couldn’t even talk properly as she raised her arms to show them she was fine. Ikuta stumbled to her side and held on to the edge of the bed and trembled.
「These… These wounds aren’t nothing! … You’re not fine...!」
Uncertain about the extent of her injuries, he couldn’t even hold her hand to encourage her. The anxiety tortured Ikuta, and he tried his best to maintain his composure.
「...! A doctor has been arranged, we will send her straight into the palace.」
Everyone concurred with a nod, and they took the carriage and went straight into the palace under the watchful eyes of the troops. After sending Haro into the room where a good female doctor was standing by, they waited in the corridor as she tended to Haro.
「Doctor, how’s… how’s Haro’s injuries?」
Shortly after the medical examinations ended, Ikuta asked the female doctor on behalf of everyone. She answered with a standard poker face:
「... She suffered intense torture in a short period of time. Her injuries had been tended to, so there isn’t much I can do. Her consciousness is vague because of her fever, but that’s natural given her injuries. For now, we have to be careful to stop her wounds from getting inflamed.
Once there is no risk of infection, her life won’t be in danger… The worrying thing would be the long term effects of her injuries. Especially her fingers on her right hand… Some of them might not be as nimble after healing. There’s also her left hand stripped of fingernails, and the whip wounds all over her body… I will do my best, but there will still be scars.」
The details of her injuries turned their faces gloomy. The female doctor sounded cheerful out of concern for them.
「However── I’m impressed by her strong will to recover. During my examinations, she must have felt excruciating pain whenever I touched her wounds, but she didn’t complain one bit. As the saying goes, a healthy body starts with a healthy mind… I shouldn’t say this as a doctor, but having the will to get better will affect the speed of recovery. You can encourage her to keep her motivation up.」
After saying these words of concern, the female doctor reverted to her serious face.
「... Well then, there’s another thing that bothers me. Before that… Can everyone tell me what’s your relationship with her?」
Matthew and Torway looked at each other. Ikuta gave a clear answer:
「We are like family to her. Please think of it that way.」
Seeing no objections from anyone, the doctor nodded calmly.
「... I’m a little hesitant, but in that case, I will let you know. Aside from the injuries from this time, she had many old scars on her. It had faded with time… But those are probably traces of abuse during her childhood.」
Ikuta was silent while Matthew and Torway turned stiff. Only Chamille didn’t understand what she meant and looked confused.
「That’s all I have to say. I don’t know what this means, and have no intention of prying.
… But from your reactions, it’s unnecessary for me to say so. I will take my leave now, and will return for a follow up examination at the same time tomorrow.」
The doctor turned and left, and the blue coat on her shoulders fluttered in the air. After she left, Chamille lost balance.
「──Chamille!」
「... Sorry. I’m fine, just a little dizzy...」
She might be saying that, but the girl in Ikuta’s arms were clearly looking unwell. Torway said when he saw that:
「Ik-kun, we will stay with Haro-san. Bring Her Majesty to rest.」
Ikuta nodded without hesitation, took Chamille’s hand and left. As the two youths watched on, they exited Haro’s room.
When they returned to the living room of the restricted zone, Ikuta wanted Chamille to lie on her bed, but she shook her head and refused. The girl sat on a rattan chair with downcast eyes, and the dark-haired youth bent over to her eye level and said:
「Chamille. Are you fine with not lying down to rest?」
She didn’t answer that question. A short moment later, the girl said weakly:
「... I couldn’t do anything.」
Her voice was filled with self reproach. Ikuta held her hands and listened.
「I talked big when I set off─ the people I want to lead to a safe haven didn’t acknowledge my existence from the very start. From start to finish, they only seeked help from the soldiers… Even when I’m before them and promised to provide assistance, they didn’t ask me for help...」
Her uncontrollable emotions made her hands that were held by Ikuta tremble.
「Not just that, I failed to see through the rebel’s trap and fell for it… To save me, Haro risked her life to act as bait. She lured them away with a small group of men─ and got hurt badly for her troubles.
I’m such an incompetent ruler. I showed my unsightly side and how unpopular I was with the citizens. My retainer almost died because of me, and I came back shamelessly without accomplishing anything. I’m not even good enough to be a despot. Tell me, Solork. Just what, just what am I?」
「──Chamille!」
The youth couldn’t bare seeing the girl continue, and held Chamille closely as if to stop her words. However, the girl struggled violently in his arms.
「Don’t be so gentle to me, Solork...! You can discard me, strangle me, or anything! Punish me with your hands! Let me suffer the pain Haro felt! Or else, I, I── will go insane──!」
As Chamille went on, her breathing got more ragged. Ikuta sensed that her mental condition was very fragile, and after some hesitation, he opted to use a forceful means.
Ikuta held Chamille with one hand and took a small bottle on the table with his other hand. He then took out a sachet of powder from his pocket and poured it in. He shook the bottle gently, then moved it to the girl’s lips.
「── Drink it, Chamille.」
「... Hmm? Hmmm──!」
The liquid suddenly injected into the girl’s mouth surprised her, but she still drank it on reflex. Seeing the movement in her throat, Ikuta moved the bottle away. Chamille covered her mouth and coughed for a moment, and felt very drowsy.
「.. Solork… What, did you do...」
「Just sleep for now, Chamille. You don’t have to think about anything.」
The youth embraced the girl again and whispered into her ears. As she slumped weakly into his arms, he looked up at the ceiling and lamented:
「You are not a tyrant nor a despot. You don’t have any obligation to be a good ruler in the first place. You are just Chamille── and that’s good enough.」
No comments:
Post a Comment