Chapter 04 “Assassination”
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Part 1
In the school cafeteria, a farewell party for Mia was being held, albeit a fine one.
The participants are the usual members of the group, and it was Ange who planned the event.
“Sorry for the detail. If I had more time to prepare, I could have made it a little more grand.”
Mia is nervous in front of the dishes on the table.
“T-That’s not true! It’s so gorgeous and Mia is happy with it. ——I was just sad about leaving.”
Mia spills her true feelings in front of everyone.
“I wanted to be with you all for just a little while longer. Besides, it’s kind of strange to be treated like a princess all of a sudden.”
Mia suddenly had to return to her homeland, but was puzzled when she was informed of her origin as a member of the royal family.
And she is not satisfied with the sudden discontinuation of her study abroad program.
Erika speaks to Mia, who is looking down in her chair, in a gentle tone of voice.
“It can’t be helped if you don’t feel it actually happening. You just have to get used to it slowly.”
“Erika-samaa.”
Erika smiles at Mia, who is in tears.
“You can call me without honorifics.”
“B-But Mia——”
Mia can’t call Erika without realizing her position as a princess —— Erika shakes her head at Mia.
“I want to be your friend. The Princess Mia-san —— Mia, you can call me without honorifics and no one will blame you. Please, will you be my friend?”
“Erika-sama —— Y-Yes! Mia will also call you Erika!”
Seeing Mia looking tearful and happy, Ange strokes her chest in relief.
It looks like this will not end in a painful goodbye, she thought.
But at the same time, it makes her think.
(Why is the Empire so impatient? The timing of the announcement regarding Her Imperial Highness is also unnatural. It could have been done after the study abroad program was over. Is there some kind of incident within the Empire?)
Ange, worried about the many suspicious points, turned her gaze to Finn, who was attending the farewell party.
He is by Mia’s side and has a troubled look on his face, but he watches over her with warm eyes as usual.
However, Brave is strange.
He shows no interest in any of the food on the table and does not act as cheerful as he usually does.
And he did not want to leave Finn’s side.
Is there something going on? While she was thinking like that, Finn approached Leon and called out to him.
“Leon ——can I talk to you for a second?”
“Is it okay if you don’t stay by Mia’s side?”
“I need to talk to you. Can you make time for me later? I want to talk to you personally.”
“I don’t mind.”
Looking at Finn, who had a contemplative expression on his face for a moment, Ange thought.
(Herring also mentioned he was going back to the Empire. Is he going to say goodbye to Leon or something? ——But still, he’s acting strangely.)
As she is concerned about their situation, Livia speaks to her.
“Ange, what’s wrong with Leon-san and the others?”
“I was just a little worried. Hey, Livia —— Isn’t something wrong with Herring?”
“He certainly looks lonely.”
Livia looks at the two of them. It seems that Finn, who has grown close to Leon, appears to be reluctant to say goodbye.
Ange agrees, but she feels there is something more to it than that.
She felt a tingling sensation that stimulated her skin.
“——I’m curious.”
As she is wary of Finn, Noel approaches her this time.
No idea what she had gotten herself mixed up in, but she was laughing at Ange.
“Angelica is a little overconcerned, don’t you think? Maybe you thought Herring-san was going to take Leon away from you? I don’t think so”
Noel jokes about it, and Ange tells her in amazement.
“I know it sounds funny, but it’s not the least bit funny.”
“Eh, you’re lying, right?!”
At Noel’s surprise, Ange lets out a sigh.
“I don’t think it’s possible when it comes to Leon. But if we’re not careful, other women could snatch him up. Even now, Claris and Deirdre are still aiming at him.”
Livia apparently got a headache at the mention of their names.
She lowered her eyebrows and let out a small sigh.
“Putting aside Claris-senpai, Deirdre-senpai’s older sister married into the Bartofalt family, right? I think the connection between the families has been established.”
Why does she keep going after Leon? Ange tells Livia, who doesn’t understand, with a wry smile.
“In her case, it’s just a combination of personal greed and her family’s policy. ——Noel, because of that, be careful, because if you’re careless, they’ll take Leon away.”
Noel, advised by Ange, was struggling to understand with her head in her hands.
“Why do they only go after Leon? There are other men out there.”
Livia says, raising her gaze slightly.
“That is, well —— Leon-san’s fault, isn’t it?”
Livia’s expression, recalling what had happened so far, was dumbfounded, but she smiled wryly at the fact that it was inevitable.
Ange had also given up on the matter.
It was inevitable that the two of them would go after Leon, she thought.
“Leon, who usually has a dull attitude but takes an active part when the occasion calls for it, is at fault. That gap is a foul. But that doesn’t mean I can’t tolerate more.”
She accepts that this is the result of Leon’s actions and that it is inevitable.
There was a little bit of affection mixed in while blaming, but neither Livia nor Noel were particularly bothered by it because they both remembered it.
However, Ange has no intention of allowing the number of women to increase any further.
Livia makes a troubled face.
“Ange is very strict. The other day, when she found out that a first-year student had taken a liking to Leon-san, she gave her a warning.”
Noel is surprised by the word “warning,” which brings up a scary image.
“Eh, did you do that!?”
Ange is a little baffled by Noel’s reaction.
“Why am I being blamed? Let me tell you, this is still a very moderate measure.”
There is a first-year girl whom Leon saved from an arrogant male student.
She seems to have developed a faint crush on Leon.
To such a girl, Ange give a warning indirectly.
However, she felt that Livia misunderstood her, so Ange explained it properly.
“The goal is to warn her before she gets serious, so that both sides don’t get hurt. In fact, that girl understood and withdrew, too. I only stopped her before she made a mistake and approached Leon, because it wouldn’t have been good for her. Let me tell you, I could have been rougher with her, but I didn’t.”
Ange says that she can’t stand being blamed even though she gently admonished him.
Livia was satisfied with the explanation and seemed a little apologetic.
“I see that was the case. I’m still not familiar with the common sense or unspoken understanding of the school——Ange, I’m sorry I misunderstood you.”
When Livia apologizes, Ange shrugs.
“Well, considering your circumstances, it can’t be helped.”
As the two seem convinced, Noel grabs the ends of her side ponytail with her fingers and plays with them.
“I guess there are various things at school only for nobles.”
After Ange finishes her explanation, she takes a breath and looks at Leon.
As usual, Luxion was by Leon’s side.
(If Luxion is there, even if trouble arises, it will be manageable. I hope nothing happens, though.)
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Part 2
After the farewell party, Finn took me to an unpopular place.
Although it’s on the school grounds, I don’t like the atmosphere of the school at night.
This is because, like in my previous life, there are ghost stories of the school in this world.
It seems that another world like scary stories as well.
When I came to the well-kept courtyard, the trees blocked the view from the surroundings.
“So what are we talking about all the way out here? It could be okay to talk in the boys’ dormitory.”
I shrug my shoulders and look at Finn, who has his back to me.
But Brave was staring at me with one wary eye.
——Luxion is floating around my right shoulder, increasing his vigilance.
Maybe he is concentrating on Brave’s moves, so he doesn’t speak much.
I speak to Finn’s back.
“It’s about time you told me why you called me up”
I tried to keep my voice as relaxed as possible, but I couldn’t help but feel nervous.
Finn’s unusual atmosphere stirs my bad hunch.
Finn put his hands in his pants pockets and looked up at the sky.
I looked at the sky, too, and saw that the stars were unusually beautiful today.
Finally, Finn opens his mouth.
“—— I was instructed to assassinate you from my home country.”
How many seconds did it take for me to understand what he had just said? I understood the meaning of the words, and my wide-open eyes returned to normal.
“What is it about me that has provoked the Empire? In the first place, why would Karl-san permit me to be assassinated?”
I didn’t think that person would order an assassination, and I thought that he would crush the order, even if someone else sent the order.
But I am concerned that the order was reached to Finn.
Did Karl-san approve of this assassination? And what would have caused him to do so?
As my normally unused head begins to spin, Finn, who has only his upper body looking back at me, tells me a terrible truth.
“He was assassinated by his son, His Highness Moritz. Now——His Highness Moritz has ascended the throne.”
“It’s the first time I’ve heard it.”
I think as I listen to my own slightly trembling voice.
Assassination? That man? Why was he killed? What happened? I never heard of any change in the Empire.
I look at Luxion and he answers my question.
[The information has not reached the Kingdom.]
Although diplomatic relations with the Holy Magical Empire of Voldenowa are not strong, is it still possible to keep the change of Emperor a secret?
Before I can answer the questions that come to mind one after another, Finn turns his body to me and gives me the details.
“The succession itself is a secret. When Mia returns to the empire, the coronation of Moritz will be officially announced. The Empire will then declare war on the Kingdom of Horfalt.”
I furrowed my eyebrows at the words squeezed out of Finn’s anguished expression.
“Does this Moritz guy really hate this country that much? I’ll stop the war. Finn, you’ll help me, won’t you?”
Why does everyone always want to start a war right away?
I suggest to Finn that we forcefully stop it if this happens, but he refuses my offer.
“I can’t help you.”
“Finn? Why?”
“For Mia’s sake —— I have no choice but to fight you.”
Finn’s expression, which was distressed but smiling, looked sad even though he was laughing.
Brave jumps in front of Finn and spreads his tiny hands.
[Buddy, don’t fret! If we don’t defeat Leon here, we’ll be in trouble! Wear me and fight now!]
Hearing Brave’s words, Luxion emitted a crackling electrical discharge from his sphere.
He deploys a defensive field between me and Finn and starts stalling for time.
[The garbage of pollutants created by the new humans has revealed its true nature. ——Master, my main body is already in the sky waiting for you. Permission to attack!]
As Luxion and Brave were about to start fighting, I watched Finn.
—— Finn doesn’t take Brave’s suggestion and doesn’t try to wear a magic equipment.
Seeing that figure, I guessed that Finn was hesitant and raised my voice.
“Finn, answer me! How come Mia-chan’s name came up?”
[Master? Why don’t you give permission to attack? These guys are enemies, you know?]
Brave rushes Finn when he sees that Luxion is unable to attack.
[Buddy, if we don’t do it here, we will definitely regret it! You decided to fight for Mia, buddy. Then we have to do it here, right? There is still a chance. At this distance, Luxion can’t fire its main gun because it’ll engulf Leon. It’s our last chance!]
Finn was troubled by Brave’s statement about being wary of Luxion’s main gun, and was unable to give an answer.
I keep calling out to Finn without giving up.
“Say something. You don’t really want to fight, right? So do I. I don’t want to fight you. If that’s the case, why don’t we just find a way to avoid it.”
In response to my voice, Finn, who had been looking down, raised his head.
He just looks frustrated and shed tears.
“There’s nothing I can do about it. If you knew the circumstances, even you——I know that, so I——”
[Buddy!]
Brave approaches Finn and wants him to put on his magic equipment.
However, Finn grabs Brave with his right hand —— and orders him to stay.
“Kurosuke —— I’m done. I don’t want to kill Leon this way.”
[B-Buddy?]
Seeing Brave with his hands slumped, Luxion’s electronic voice goes wild.
[You have been assuming from earlier that you can win, but you are underestimating me and my Master.]
Immediately afterward, Arroganz descended behind me.
In order not to damage us, he slowed down the moment he landed.
In his hands he holds a Gatling gun, the muzzle of which is pointed at Finn and the others.
[Realize the power of weapons that have been improved with anti-magic equipment in mind——]
“Luxion, wait.”
[Master, if you give me permission to attack, we can eliminate these guys immediately.]
“I said stop!”
I forcibly stopped Luxion and approached Finn, ignoring the defensive field.
Luxion released the defensive field and I approached Finn and grabbed his arm.
“Tell me. What happened?”
Finn says while drooping his head weakly.
“The boss of the cores has revived.”
At Finn’s words, Luxion was muttering behind me, [——Arcadia].
The electronic voice had a tremble to it, as if he was upset, but I focused on Finn’s story.
“The boss —— Apparently Arcadia has a grudge against the kingdom. Especially you —— Leon. You, who have Luxion, are their top priority to get rid of.”
When it comes to the boss of the new humans’ side, Luxion, a weapon of the old humans’ side, is probably an existence that cannot be left alone.
Just as Luxion hates the magic equipment, the magic equipment hates Luxion and other artificial intelligences.
“Then, you and me——”
Defeating the boss of the magic equipment would be the end of it, but it was Brave who rejected such a suggestion.
[It’s impossible.]
“You won’t know unless you try.”
[As soon as that bastard revived, the artificial intelligences woke up, too, as if they sensed the danger. They charged in to destroy Arcadia, and they were all shot down. ——The bastard Arcadia had just been revived, and it was not perfect. Its performance is 70% at best. At worst, about 50%. If I tell you that much, even Luxion can understand that, right?]
When I looked at Luxion, his attitude was different from usual.
Luxion, who is supposed to be bold, comes up with an unexpected suggestion.
[——Master, my main body is an immigrant ship.]
“I know. So what?”
[Unlike other artificial intelligences, my main purpose is for the survival of the humans —— migration. That is why I exist. Therefore, the conclusion I have drawn —— is to escape into space.]
“Ha? Are you insane? It’s like you’re going to lose before you try——Oi, don’t tell me”
[At this point, the probability of me winning is probably not zero. However, the odds of winning are at most a few percent. I cannot involve Master into such a battle.]
That Luxion assured me that we could not win.
Luxion, which has so far overwhelmed his opponents with his specs, suggests to me that I should run away because I can’t win.
Finn talks about the meaning of my assassination.
“He says that the kingdom you are in is a threat to our Empire.”
“I’m a threat? I have no intention of fighting.”
“Aa, I know. I know you’re not a mindless fighter either! But it’s already been decided.”
I was speechless.
I didn’t want to understand what Finn was saying.
Assassinate me because I’m a threat? And they want Finn to do that?
When I was speechless, Finn continued.
“I can’t die to protect Mia either.”
As a result of his anguish, Finn seems to have decided to return to the Empire to protect Mia.
They say that if he resists, they will destroy the whole kingdom.
I’m at a loss for words.
Finn says to me.
“Arcadia hates you guys. They will do whatever it takes to destroy you.”
[My partner is right. No one can stop that bastard in this day and age. Even we can’t do anything about it! That’s why buddy —— to you——]
We cannot win if we go against it.
Finn would not want to involve Mia in such a battle.
Finn shows me his tears. (TLN: Wouldn’t this kind of development be liked by fujoshi?)
“——I was requested to assassinate you, and I will report that I failed. Leon, you need to run. To space, or anywhere. Just run away.”
After saying that, Finn takes Brave and leaves.
I cover my face with my hands and look down.
“What the hell, really! How could this happen?”
You want me to abandon my second homeland and flee into space? What’s that?
I was able to avoid killing each other with my friend, but I was too shocked to move.
Then Luxion approaches me.
[Master, you must make a decision.]
“Luxion?”
[Let’s get those who should be evacuated on my main body and get out into space as soon as possible. It will take some time to select the people, so we should act immediately.]
——Only this time, it seems that even Luxion can’t do anything about it.
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