3
DECIPHERING THE THREATENING MESSAGE!
In the bedroom of Hope Manor as the morning sun began to shine in, an investigation by the Knights was being conducted.
“I see, I see. So Count Oyano-Bou, Viscount Shinobi, and Marquis Jet conspired to attack the Hope family…”
Christina and the others were being questioned by Gray, the department head of the Knights’ Investigation Division.
“And then the blood-soaked Clown, Jack the Ripper, appeared. He massacred all the attackers, but didn’t lay a hand on you and left…” How very convenient.
Gray cast a suspicious gaze at Christina.
“But that’s the truth,”
“Then the natural conclusion would be that Jack the Ripper is an assassin and bodyguard hired by the Hope family, no?”
“That’s wrong! I would not do such an obvious thing!”
“It could also be seen as an attempt to escape suspicion by intentionally making it too obvious.”
“That’s nonsense! Rather than that, the fact that Count Oyano-Bou, Viscount Shinobi and Marquis Jet attacked us is the real issue. First of all, investigating their connections should be the Knights’ job…”
“Ah, about that… That’s just the Hope family’s perspective that they were attacked.”
Gray narrowed his eyes and gave a wry smile.
“…What do you mean?”
“It could also be seen that Counts Oyano-Bou and the others were lured out and framed by the Hope family.”
“That can’t be true! They were wearing masks and armed!”
“As cautious and intelligent men, they likely anticipated an attack and had guards wearing masks waiting nearby. An excellent judgment, though…unfortunately it ended poorly.”
“Count Oyano-Bou himself was wearing a mask too!? And where’s your evidence that the Hope family lured them out in the first place!?”
“We’re still investigating that. I’m just saying, it could be viewed that way too. Right now, the capital is obsessed with Jack the Ripper. His identity, his motives… At present, your Hope family is under the most suspicion.”
“Just from baseless rumors, you’d treat us as criminals!?”
“No no, I’m just saying there are such rumors. However, public sentiment like that can’t be ignored. They fear Jack the Ripper’s blade could turn towards them at any moment. Tonight, the capital’s streets are quiet. The lights in the shops go out early, and there are no people on the roads. Everyone is afraid of Jack the Ripper and doesn’t dare go out. If this situation continues, citizen discontent will swell and a witch hunt could begin. We fear that.”
“Even so…”
“I’m not asking you to understand, but our position is difficult too. Just last night I was scolded, asking why we don’t hurry up and investigate the Hope family, why don’t we just hurry up and arrest them.”
Saying that, Gray gave a troubled laugh.
“Well, I should get back to work. I may need to talk to you two, Kanade and Cid, individually later, so cooperate when the time comes. The truth is always one.”
With a pose like the famous detective [Conyan], he smiled at Kanade and Cid before leaving.
“Lady Christina…”
With shoulders slumped, Christina was comforted by Kanade.
“At this rate, the Hope family will be treated as criminals.”
“That would be bad,”
Cid Kagenou said, steadily munching on high-class tea cakes.
“Night Blades will definitely pin the blame on the Hope family. If only we could prove the Hope family’s innocence… But…”
“Oh yeah… Jack the Ripper left a message behind, right?”
“Ah yes, this.”
Christina took a note out of her pocket. The card had been seized by the Knights as evidence.
“Look here, Knights
I kill all bad guys
I always just count
But sometimes I play like this”
She recited the message she had written down.
“I feel like it must have some meaning. He went out of his way to leave it behind.”
“Yeah,”
“It says ‘Look here, Knights’ so his target is definitely Night Blades.”
“And ‘I kill all bad guys’ means Jack intends to kill all of Night Blades!”
Kanade chimed in proudly.
“But I don’t really get the meaning of the last two lines.”
“I don’t get ‘[I always just count]’ either. Count what?”
“I guess…like corpses?”
“That’s it!” Christina seemed to realize something when Cid said that.
“Jack the Ripper was counting Night Blades’s corpses with the numbers on playing cards.”
“So if that’s true, ‘[I always just count] but [sometimes I play like this]’ means he leaves messages like this for fun?”
“That must be it.”
“Huh, I thought it had some more serious meaning.”
Kanade sighed disappointedly.
“There’s no such thing. It’s become clear Jack the Ripper’s goal is to kill all of Night Blades.”
“Boring…”
Ignoring the two of them, Cid seemed to notice something.
“Huh? You can also read this message horizontally.”
He pointed to the note and said.
“Eh! Read it horizontally?”
“Let’s see…”
The two of them peered at the message, and they both noticed it simultaneously.
“White?”
“I wonder if it’s about Oshoku-White Count.”
“Who’s that?”
“An upper-level member of Night Blades. He’s also the owner of a large mansion on the outskirts of the royal capital, the [White Mansion].”
“Ah, that luxurious mansion…”
“Basically, it means that Jack the Ripper’s next target is Oshoku-White Count… a warning of his crime. You noticed it well, Cid.”
“Well, it’s just a coincidence.”
“Well, I also noticed it halfway!”
Kanade countered mysteriously.
“That’s good. But the meaning that Jack the Ripper left in the message is not just this.”
“Huh!? Is that so?”
Jack put a different meaning into the cards. I remember, the card was the Ten of Spades. Spades represent winter, and the numbers represent weeks. So, this card means the tenth week of winter. By the way, today is the ninth day of the tenth week of winter.”
“Tomorrow is the tenth day of the tenth week of winter. Tens lined up. It doesn’t seem like a coincidence.”
“So, does this mean that Jack will act tomorrow?”
“On the tenth day of the tenth week of winter, Jack the Ripper will target Oshoku-White Count’s [White Mansion]. With this much information, we can also be prepared.”
“But why would Jack leave a message like this?”
Kanade’s innocent question.
“That is…strange.”
“I know, right? Doing this would just make him fail.”
Just as the two were about to further analyze it, Cid’s cough interrupted them.
“Ahem, Jack the Ripper has a genius intellect beyond our imagination, and after considering every possibility, he comes to optimal solutions from his lofty vantage point. We common folk could never hope to grasp his motives no matter how hard we think…”
He spoke quickly.
“Maybe Jack the Ripper is…trying to tell me something.”
Christina murmured seriously.
“Something? Like what?”
“I don’t know. I just had that feeling somehow…”
“Rather than that, we should let the Knights and Night Blades know the meaning of this message. If the Knights pass it to Night Blades, they’ll prepare countermeasures too. Like gathering forces and having everyone meet Jack’s attack together… If Jack the Ripper boldly shows up in a place like that, suspicions about the Hope family should vanish completely.”
Cid said.
“But then Jack the Ripper would…”
“Be killed, I suppose.”
“Is Jack the Ripper really an enemy? Maybe he’s actually a victim of Night Blades too…”
“But no matter his reasons, what Jack the Ripper is doing is murder. It can never be justified!”
Cid spoke with a strong light of justice in his eyes.
“But…I’ll go let them know.”
With a gloomy expression, Christina went to inform Gray, the department head of the Knights’ Investigation Division.
Alexia sipped high-quality coffee in the Hope Manor parlor.
“So the Knights were in an uproar…”
She said, returning Jack the Ripper’s message note to Christina.
“As expected, the Knights will also participate in the operation to capture Jack the Ripper?”
Christina asked, and Alexia shook her head.
“The Knights will tighten security around White Manor.”
“Eh? They won’t go inside?”
“Night Blades has pride too. They definitely want to capture or rather, kill Jack the Ripper themselves. They’re desperately gathering forces. Tomorrow both the surface members and underground will assemble at White Manor.”
“This has become a major incident… Will Jack the Ripper really come?”
“Only a fool would boldly come when so much force has been gathered against him. The message was likely a bluff, and his real target is somewhere else. That would be normal thinking. The Knights are moving based on that premise too.”
“But Jack the Ripper’s skill is beyond normal.”
Christina said.
“According to Christina, Jack the Ripper overwhelmed that Wakoku martial artist. Wakoku martial artists out training are exceptionally strong without exception. To be able to overwhelm someone like that means he has considerable confidence in his skill… Thinking that, he may come after all.”
“I see…”
Christina breathed a small sigh.
“You look worried, Christina.”
“Jack the Ripper is a vicious killer. But is this really alright? He may have a sorrowful past that made him into a vicious killer… I can’t help but think that. Maybe he’s trying to tell me something…”
“Alright, Christina. Shall we go to White Manor tomorrow? We can’t go inside, but we’ll be able to watch over things from outside with the Knights.”
“Really!?”
“Night Blades will dislike it, but with my royal authority I can make it happen. Let’s see this case through to the end.”
“Thank you very much.”
Christina smiled.
Alexia took a sip of coffee and sighed softly.
“Um… Princess Alexia also looks worried.”
“Yes… I have a lot on my mind. And Claire still hasn’t woken up either.”
“Ms. Claire. Will she be alright?”
“The doctor says there’s nothing wrong with her life force. She should wake up eventually, but that Doctor Mu is rather suspicious.”
“Cid said he trusts the doctor, though.”
“He’s got no eye for people.”
“But Cid must be having a hard time too. She’s his only sister. And he refused to stay here because he was worried about Ms. Claire.”
“That guy…cares about Claire that much?”
“Yes. They’re an enviable brother and sister.”
“I thought he was more cold-hearted. Let’s buy some delicious sweets in Mitsugoshi to give him next time.”
“I’m sure he’d be happy.”
“You’re right. There’s no way he wouldn’t be happy with a present from me.”
Alexia’s expression softened, and she abruptly changed the subject.
“Yesterday, I talked with my father.”
“King Midgar?”
“About the recent incident and various things from the past… There are things I can’t deal with alone, so I wanted to talk to him a bit.”
Saying that, Alexia began recounting yesterday’s events.
“Why, Father!?”
Alexia confronted King Midgar in her private room.
“What is it, Alexia?”
King Midgar spoke in a calm voice.
“Why does Father tolerate Night Blades’s arrogance!?”
“That again?”
King Midgar sighed.
“I won’t give up until you answer me. And this isn’t only about Night Blades! It’s about the existence lurking behind Night Blades too!”
“Oh? What is this about?”
“Enough playing dumb, Father. I already know everything. About the Diabolos Cult’s existence, and everything else!”
“I see…”
King Midgar sighed deeply once more. Then he closed his eyes for a while, pondering something.
“Father…?”
“It seems the time has come,”
He said, opening his eyes again.
“What do you mean, Time for what?”
“I intended to speak of this eventually. About the Diabolos Cult.”
“So you did know!”
“The Diabolos Cult is an existence that rules the darkness of the world. To oppose them would mean great sacrifice for this country.”
“So you side with those bastards!?”
Alexia’s tone grew sharp.
“We had to deal with them cleverly, that’s all.”
“It’s the same thing, isn’t it!?”
“That is politics. To protect the country, there are priorities beyond good and evil.”
“It makes me want to vomit.”
“One cannot rule through punishing evil alone. If we had done that, this country would have perished long ago.”
“Even so, joining hands with the Diabolos Cult is─!”
“We did not join hands with them.”
King Midgar spoke strongly.
“Eh?”
“We did not join hands with them. The Midgar Kingdom has simply dealt cleverly with the Diabolos Cult, that’s all.”
“Isn’t that the same thing?”
“The Midgar Kingdom has never approved of nor cooperated with the Diabolos Cult’s actions. Of course not.”
“But the Diabolos Cult commits evil in the Midgar Kingdom! There were even moles among the Knights!”
“That was each person acting on their own.”
“It’s the same thing! You turn a blind eye to it, don’t you!”
“The Midgar Kingdom provides no assistance whatsoever to the Diabolos Cult. However, we also do not condemn the Cult’s actions. By doing so, we have survived as a nation.”
“So the Cult is allowed to do as it pleases!”
“The Diabolos Cult has never sought the spotlight. They needed our façade of ignorance. They also knew the limits.”
“You forgot what happened at Midgar Academy! And when they kidnapped me too! Do you call that knowing the limits!?”
“Until a few years ago, they did know the limits.”
“A few years ago?”
“Before Shadow Garden appeared.”
“Shadow Garden…”
King Midgar stood and walked to the window. Placing his hand on the glass, he gazed steadily into the night’s darkness.
In just a few years, the world had changed drastically. On the surface, the Mitsugoshi Company, and in the shadows, the Shadow Garden, were trying to transform society itself. Those who couldn’t keep up with the flow were screaming, thrashing, and resisting. This was that kind of era.
“The Diaboros Cult is in a hurry…”?
“In the past, even they wouldn’t have done something this reckless. The organization itself is being driven into a corner by the Shadow Garden. The backlash is starting to emerge.”
“So my kidnapping was also a backlash?”
Alexia glared at her father, putting anger into her voice.
“Yes,”
The King of Midgar stated bluntly.
“So I’m supposed to accept that?”
“As a father, I should apologize to Alexia. This is how it is.”
With that, he deeply bowed his head.
“Father…”
“But as king, I will not apologize at all. Before I am a father, I am the King of the Midgar Kingdom.”
“Father!”
“Our country does not have the power to fight the Diaboros Cult. The cult has the Knights of the Round Table, immortal swordsmen who have lived for over a millennium, and the Children, a battle group enhanced by ancient knowledge. As you know, the outcome of war is determined by the quality and quantity of swordsmen. The mere normal troops are no match for them, they couldn’t even serve as shields.”
“I understand that, but…”
War was a clash between magic swordsmen and magic swordsmen.
However, that didn’t mean regular soldiers were useless.
If there were ten soldiers equipped with anti-magic gear, they could restrain a single magic swordsman. If the soldiers were highly skilled, there was a chance they could target running out of magic power. That was common sense in warfare.
However, that was when facing average magic swordsmen.
Irregular magic swordsmen could kill ten soldiers with a single strike. Years of training and expensive anti-magic gear would evaporate in an instant.
That’s what the cult’s swordsmen could easily accomplish.
“With their overwhelming magic swordsman quality, no one could defy the cult. Until now.”
“Until now?”
“Things changed when the Shadow Garden appeared. There have been groups that opposed the cult in the past, and of course some among this country’s knights as well. But they were all crushed quickly.”
“Among this country’s knights…”
A man rose in Alexia’s mind. The former head librarian knight, wielding a large axe in both hands, with eyes that seemed to have given up on everything.
“People thought the Shadow Garden would be crushed quickly too. Everyone thought that. Of course, the cult as well…but that didn’t happen. They were never crushed. On the contrary, they whittled away at the cult’s forces. Things were completely different than before. The name Shadow Garden quickly spread through the underworld. Everyone took notice, and gained hope…”
“Hope?”
“That they might end this world ruled by the cult. The leader of the Shadow Garden had overwhelming power that made people think that. “
“Shadow…”
Alexia still remembered that beautiful purple light Shadow had released in the royal capital.
It wasn’t admiration.
It was a light she had sworn in her heart that one day, she would also reach.
“Not just Shadow, but those moving under him were also strong. As an organization, they had the definite strength to oppose the cult. The idea that they could defeat the cult was no longer a dream. As people gained hope, we also became wary.”
“Wary?”
“After the Diaboros Cult, the Shadow Garden might end up ruling this world. With the Diaboros Cult defeated, there would be no one left in this world who could oppose the Shadow Garden.”
“That’s…”
The head librarian had said the same thing on the brink of death.
“That would change nothing. Which is why we observed the existence known as the Shadow Garden. That’s why we wavered. About which side we should take…”
“What do you intend to do?”
“Well. It might be ideal for us if the Diaboros Cult and Shadow Garden kept fighting indefinitely.”
“Father!”
“I’m joking. To be honest, I don’t want to have to choose. But in pivotal battles that divide eras, forces that equivocate have always been destroyed throughout history. Regardless of my feelings, a choice will eventually be forced upon us. Even if futures of ruin await whichever one we choose, we can only choose one. Such is the flow of great eras.”
“The flow of eras…”
“The cult is in a hurry. Their recklessness lately is a sign of their impatience, and also pressure on us. They’re demanding that we side with the cult. I thought the Shadow Garden would contact us sooner or later, but…”
“There’s been no contact?”
“No. Even when we try to contact them, we can’t find where they are. The Midgar Kingdom may not be a necessity for the Shadow Garden. It could be something like that. If so, there is only one path left for us.”
The king smiled wearily.
“What about the Oriana Kingdom? They opposed the cult, but…”
“They’ll probably be crushed quickly. Rose-Oriana killed her father and was declared a heretic by the Holy Church. Trade will be severely restricted. That small country with nothing but art will dry up in no time.”
“I see…so there’s no way for them to survive…”
When Alexia heard Rose had become queen, she congratulated her in her heart.
They had once sworn to fight together. Their paths diverged, but she was still glad Rose hadn’t lost the will to oppose the cult.
But a thorny path lay ahead.
“It depends on the Shadow Garden.”
“So they are intervening after all.”
The king nodded.
“I wonder where Rose-Oriana was hiding after killing her father. The Oriana Kingdom, the Midgar Kingdom, and the Diaboros Cult were all desperately searching, but never found her.”
“You mean the Shadow Garden was sheltering her?”
“It’s natural to think that. If you consider the Shadow Garden was smuggling in food, it makes sense that the Oriana Kingdom still has abundant food reserves. It was all arranged by Shadow, I’d guess. Rose-Oriana moves, and Shadow is always behind her.”
“Come to think of it, at the Bushin festival too…”
It was Shadow who had helped Rose escape.
“There are also unconfirmed reports that Shadow appeared alongside the Black Rose.”
“Rose senpai…no, Rose-Oriana has joined forces with the Shadow Garden.”
“Yes. Despite trade restrictions, the Oriana Kingdom still has plenty of food. We can reconcile that if we think the Shadow Garden is bringing it in.”
“Then the Oriana Kingdom will survive?”
“We don’t know yet.”
“Huh?”
“The cult is making moves. They plan to rouse the Holy Church and launch a heretic suppression. Behind the scenes, they’re pressuring the Midgar Kingdom to send troops too.”
“No way!”
“The Vegalta Empire will likely move. That country has repeatedly invaded the Oriana Kingdom in the past. Yet they always withdrew for unnatural reasons.”
“Unnatural reasons?”
“It seems the cult was intervening. The Oriana Kingdom and the Vegalta Empire were kept in balance by the cult. But this time, the cult has taken the Vegalta Empire’s side. With the Holy Church’s grand pretext, this is the best opportunity the Vegalta Empire could ask for.”
“Father…I mean, what does the Midgar Kingdom plan to do?”
That was a question from her as princess.
“Well…”
The king heaved a deep sigh and fell silent.
Outside the window, snow was falling.
“You won’t side with the cult, will you?”
“When the snow melts, the war will probably begin.”
“Invading the Oriana Kingdom?”
“Alexia. The cult is testing us. Which side we will take, the cult or the Shadow Garden. Our choice here will determine the Midgar Kingdom’s future.”
“If Father decides to invade the Oriana Kingdom, I will…!”
“I will give my answer before the snow melts. I will only make the choice for the Midgar Kingdom to survive. Alexia, do as you like.”
“Is that alright?”
“Iris has gotten close to the cult.”
“My sister really is with the cult…!”
“It’s what she desired.”
“No, she’s just being led on!”
The king shook his head.
“Alexia, if you can get close to the Shadow Garden, the Midgar Kingdom’s bloodline will remain whichever way we fall.”
“So that’s what it is. I won’t necessarily get close to the Shadow Garden, you know.”
Alexia tightly clenched her fist.
“Do as you like.”
The king said with his back turned.
Remembering last night’s conversation, Alexia spoke.
“I see…so that’s what happened.”
After hearing the story, Christina took a sip of coffee and breathed out.
“That’s right. So Father won’t stop me from getting involved in this incident, but of course he won’t support me either, it seems.”
“So you’re free to do as you like.”
“Yes…no matter what Father thinks, I’ll stick to my own will.”
“Admirable.”
“Keep today’s talk confidential please.”
“Of course.”
“Anyway, changing the subject…I just remembered…”
Alexia suddenly became fidgety.
“Is something the matter?”
“Um, we’re not going to the White Estate tomorrow, right?”
“That’s right.”
“So, we should have strategy meetings and plan and talk about stuff we need to, right?”
“Huh? Oh, yes, I suppose we should.”
“Right…so I’ll stay over tonight!”
Alexia stated boldly, as if to drive her point home.
“Pardon?”
“So, we have stuff we should talk about, so I’ll stay over!”
“But there’s still time, no…?”
Christina glanced at the Mitsuboshi-made wall clock.
“Who knows, it might be dark before we realize it. It would be bad if something happened on the way back!”
“I’ll prepare an escorted carriage. Or we could contact the castle…”
“That might be fine in peaceful times. But right now, with the Jack the Ripper incident and all, it’s dangerous to go out at night!
“That’s…true. Then I’ll prepare a room for Princess Alexia.”
“No need for that. I’m the one imposing out of the blue!”
“But still…”
“Oh, now that I think about it, Cid-Kagenou and Kanade are staying over too, right?”
“Yes, but…”
“It’s fine if we share a room! I’m the one imposing out of the blue!”
Alexia vigorously emphasized her words.
“Sharing a room with them? That would be terribly rude…”
“It’s fine, it’s fine! I’m the one imposing out of the blue!”
“But…!”
“It’s fine! I have permission from Father!”
The permission was probably for a different matter, Christina briefly thought, but she was pulled up out of her chair by Alexia.
“Now, show me to your bedroom!”
“Why are you here?”
Were the first words Cid-Kagenou said when he saw Alexia in the bedroom.
“That’s a very difficult question. Why am I here? It’s philosophical. I think, therefore I am. Words of Natsume-Kafka. An annoying woman, but the truth remains the truth.”
“I think, therefore I am…”
Cid muttered the words said to be from novelist Natsume, and scowled deeply.
“Oh my, did it resonate with you too? It was from Natsume-Kafka’s lecture at that summit in Ravagas Peak. It’s all the scholars can talk about. I hear it’s the most used essay topic this year at the philosophy department of the Academic Institute.”
“I see…”
Cid seemed to give up as he rubbed between his brows.
“What I was asking wasn’t some philosophical thing. I just can’t understand why the noble, celestial existence known as Princess Alexia would go out of her way to come to a place like this.”
“A place like this…”
Behind Alexia, Christina’s face twisted.
“Oh my, you’re finally learning your place, huh? It’s only natural that I’m a celestial existence to you, but I just felt like coming down to see what’s below the clouds for once. That’s what I thought.”
“That’s not an answer.”
“You don’t need to know the scenery above the clouds. Now shoo. I’m using your bed tonight.”
“Huh? You’re staying over!? And where am I supposed to sleep?”
“Can’t you just sleep on the floor?”
Alexia haughtily said and dumped Cid’s belongings from the bed onto the floor.
“I’m sorry Cid, please bear with this blanket.”
Christina quietly held out a blanket.
Cid wordlessly stared at the blanket, then
“Can I go home?”
“You’ll be attacked by the Night Blades.”
“I feel like I’d miraculously and luckily survive even if I was attacked.”
“Stop it. Really.”
Alexia spoke seriously.
“…Got it.”
Cid sighed and took the blanket.
Sitting on the bed, Alexia looked around the room.
“It must have been hard for you all. You were attacked in this room last night, right? Is this stain blood?”
Alexia’s gaze seemed sharp, as if searching for traces of the attack.
“No, the attack was in the next room.”
“That stain’s from Kanade spilling his coffee when she got carried away earlier.”
“Ugh…”
Kanade, who had been erasing his presence in the corner of the room since Alexia arrived, reacted.
“Oh, that’s right, with last night’s incident, Kanade must have been uneasy.”
Alexia’s cheeks flushed as she said that.
“Ye, yes, I couldn’t sleep last n…”
“Kanade was snoring loudly and dead asleep. She’s surprisingly tough so don’t worry about her.”
“Why do you have to nitpick everything when I’m kindly worrying about her?”
“I’m just correcting your misunderstanding.”
Alexia and Cid’s gazes collided.
“Now now, both of you.”
Christina stepped in.
“Anyway, we should review last night’s incident and Jack the Ripper’s movements. There might be something we overlooked!”
Alexia insisted and looked over Cid’s group.
“You’re right.”
“No objections there, but…”
“In that case, have you noticed anything? Whether it’s from last night’s incident or anything before. Anything will do.”
“I still don’t believe that Jack the Ripper is our enemy. If he were our enemy, he could have just abandoned us last night.”
“Indeed, the timing is too convenient.”
“Yes. Perhaps Jack the Ripper has been following Night Blades’s movements for a long time. And when he saw that we were under attack, he intervened to help.”
“─I’m not so sure about that.”
Cid disagreed with Christina’s words.
“I think it might just be a matter of efficiency. Jack the Ripper probably found it easier to fight alongside Christina-san and the others rather than facing Night Blades alone.”
“I don’t think so.”
Christina immediately denied it.
“Cid-kun didn’t see it, so he wouldn’t know, but Jack the Ripper’s abilities were far beyond those of ordinary people. He single-handedly annihilated the enemy. We were no match for him.”
“I see, it’s understandable that Cid-Kagenou ran away in the middle of it.”
Alexia slyly threw in a dig.
“Yeah, yeah, it’s natural that a traitor who ran away in the middle wouldn’t understand.”
Kanade wholeheartedly agreed.
“Well, well, thanks to Cid-kun drawing the enemy’s attention, we were able to hold on, so I guess it’s not impossible to think that way…”
Christina then provided support.
“He’s not the type to think about such things. He fled for the sake of his own life.”
“I’ll never forget that moment. He had the eyes of a traitor.”
“You talk a lot, don’t you, guys.”
Cid said with a tired expression.
“By the way, there was a strange report earlier.”
Christina recalled it as if she had just remembered.
“Something wrong?”
“It seems that a valuable vase from the mansion was stolen. It was still there yesterday afternoon, so it was probably stolen during the incident.”
“Wow, that’s interesting. What kind of vase is it?”
“Do you know if I say it’s a work by the ceramic artist [Da Vinci] from 300 years ago?”
“Huh, you mean that two hundred million Zenny vase in the hallway!? Was it stolen!?”
“Unfortunately…”
“Wait, isn’t that a national treasure-class vase? It shouldn’t be displayed in the hallway like that.”
Alexia said in astonishment.
“Oh, that vase was a replica.”
“Huh? It was a replica?”
Cid spoke.
“Yes, I wouldn’t display the real one in such a place. That’s why it was puzzling. Why did the thief bother to steal a replica?”
“That’s certainly puzzling. There’s no point in stealing a replica if it’s for money.”
“Still, it was a good-quality replica, so it could fetch tens of thousands of Zenny if sold.”
“If it’s for money, it would be better to steal something else.”
“Yes, there are other valuable artworks worth millions of Zenny displayed in the hallway. Why did the thief specifically steal the lowest-value replica?”
“Given the circumstances, it’s highly likely that the thief is connected to Jack the Ripper or someone from Night Blades.”
“You mean they couldn’t tell that it was a replica?”
“I don’t think that’s likely. No matter how well-made it is, you can tell it’s a replica. Not being able to tell would be the sign of someone with no knowledge or a born pauper.”
“Right.”
While Christina and Alexia discussed it, Kanade and Cid exchanged glances.
“No knowledge…”
“A born pauper…”
The two of them looked dejected.
“This is puzzling. Maybe there’s a hidden message left by Jack the Ripper.”
“That possibility can’t be denied. It’s worth investigating.”
“I don’t think there’s anything.”
“Pochi, be quiet. Christina, lead the way to the scene! Let’s decipher the mystery from the few clues we have!”
“It’s a waste of time.”
“We’re going, Pochi.”
That day, Alexia and the others investigated the theft scene late into the night, but they ultimately found nothing.
“[White Mansion] is just up ahead.”
“Wow.”
Christina led me through the upscale residential area of the royal capital.
The surroundings were filled with ultra-luxurious residences that would easily exceed a billion Zenny each. In terms of the size of the house, Christina’s might have been larger, but Kanade and I were dumbfounded by the overwhelming sense of celebrity emanating from the entire town.
“It’s strange. Jack the Ripper must have left a message for sure. Maybe he reflected the sunlight on a mirror in the hallway to reveal a code…”
In the background, Alexia, with dark circles under her eyes, muttered pointless speculations.
“Did I, uh, come to the wrong place or something?”
Kanade, who was acting suspicious, looked at me.
“Maybe you should have stayed home.”
“It’s safer to be with everyone!”
“Is that so?”
“…If you use Alexia as a shield, you’ll definitely survive.”
Kanade mumbled a disrespectful remark under his breath, but I heard it clearly.
Considering that I’ve led a rather disrespectful life myself, I silently cheered for her.
“Perhaps Kanade will go down in history.”
Most likely, in a negative sense.
“Huh? Is that so? It’s kind of embarrassing.”
Kanade made an unsettling smirk.
“Hmm?”
At that moment, as a habit, I instinctively sensed a tremendously fast approaching magical power.
Whoa, this guy seems dangerous.
And it turned out to be Delta.
“…This might be bad.”
“Huh, what’s wrong?”
“Well, um…”
At this point, it feels like I’ve come at an inconvenient time and I’m just drawing unnecessary attention as a background character.
“I just need to go to the bathroom…”
As I was about to come up with a natural excuse to step away, a beastkin girl rushed towards us with incredible speed.
“Boss!”
Delta, who had momentarily slowed down, was back at full speed.
“Wait, Delta!”
“Huh? Delta is bad at waiting!”
She briefly slowed down, but that was only for an instant.
However, that instant was enough for me.
I quickly backstepped at the maximum speed a background character can manage and cast a spell on the accelerating Delta.
“Wait!”
“Huh!?”
Delta reacted with a twitch, slowing down briefly.
But she soon accelerated again.
“Wait! Wait!”
“Huh!? Huh!?”
“Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait!!”
With a series of “waits,” her speed gradually decreased, and she arrived in front of me.
“Ugh…”
Delta, looking dissatisfied after so many “waits,” and Alexia and the others, who were taken aback by the sudden appearance of the mysterious beastkin, were left dumbfounded.
Now, how should I explain this? I scratched my head.
“Umm, Pochi, do you happen to know this beastkin? Her magical power is incredible.”
While slightly distancing herself due to Delta’s overwhelming magical power, Alexia said. Her own magical power was on the verge of bursting due to Delta’s presence.
“Well, she’s like my pet… More like, whoa there.”
I stroked Delta’s head vigorously to prevent her magical power from going haywire. It would be a disaster if she exploded here.
“You have quite a dangerous pet. By the way, isn’t it forbidden to have beastkin slaves?”
Saying that, Alexia directed a sharp look at me.
“Oh, this is bad.”
I realized too late.
“Hey, don’t talk to the boss, you mook,”
Delta interpreted Alexia’s look as hostility.
“All right, all right, Delta, all right!”
I continued to pat Delta’s head,
Delta’s face was melting as she was being petted.
“Did you call me a mook? I won’t let that slide.”
Alexia provoked.
“Hey, you idiot, cut it out.”
Even though Alexia would disappear from Delta’s forehead flick, why did she keep getting worked up?
“Ugh… Ga…rrruu…”
As Delta’s face melted while being petted, she growled softly to Alexia.
I restrained Delta in a headlock and dragged her away.
“Sorry, my pet caused a ruckus.”
“Hey, we’re not done here yet.”
“Okay, okay, we can talk later.”
I seriously restrained Delta, and I moved away from Alexia and the others.
“I’m suffocating.”
“Oh, sorry, sorry.”
I released Delta in the shade of the upscale residential wall.
“The boss is powerful. You’re incredible without using magic!”
“Well, I’ve been training, you know. But more importantly, isn’t it against the rules to make contact when I’m with the people from the surface?”
“Huh?”
“Yeah, that’s it. It’s against the rules to make contact with the people from the surface when I’m with them…”
“Hmm?”
Seeing Delta’s puzzled expression, I gave up.
“Never mind, it’s nothing. I don’t do unnecessary things.”
“Delta doesn’t do unnecessary things either!”
“That’s right. So, Delta, what did you come here for?”
“I wanted to see the boss!”
“You came because you wanted to see me?”
“No, no! Boss, can I beat up that girl from earlier? I’ll teach her a lesson!”
“Beating her up is a no-go. She’s the princess of this country, and it’ll cause trouble. So, Delta, what did you come here for?”
“It’s fine! I’m here to beat her up in front of the boss and make her shake her butt!”
“No, Delta, why did you come here? And it’s forbidden to beat up Alexia, prohibited.”
“Is it forbidden?”
“Yes.”
“But she acts all high and mighty even though she’s weak!”
“She may act that way, but it’s still not allowed.”
“Ugh… Okay.”
“So, why did you come, Delta?”
“Umm, Delta….”
Delta tilted her head and blinked as if remembering something.
“Um, Delta came… Delta came to find a female cat!”
“A female cat… something wrong with Zeta?”
“Alpha told Delta to find one! Um, report? Many blanks? Well, I don’t really get it, but Delta is going to beat up a female cat and bring her back!”
“Oh, I see.”
Well, if it’s about finding someone, Delta’s nose is the best bet. But even if she finds the person, I doubt Zeta will obediently follow Delta’s orders.
“Sniff, sniff, I can smell just a bit of the female cat’s scent from the boss. But it’s just a little bit.”
Delta, her nose twitching, sniffed all over my body.
“I haven’t seen her in a while. The last time I saw zeta was during that incident.”
“This country has the scent of a female cat. But it’s all faint. She must have moved somewhere else.”
Delta’s face became more serious as she searched for the scent. It was the face she wore when hunting.
At that moment, I felt a slight change in the atmosphere and turned around.
“Delta-sama, please wait!”
An out-of-breath beastkin girl appeared. With her blue eyes and ears and tail in black and white, she resembled a Siberian Husky.
“Oh, Delta-sama? Could it be…?”
“Hehe, the boss is Delta’s boss!”
Delta introduced herself proudly.
“Ah, I’m Cid Kagenou. Are you an acquaintance of Delta’s?”
“Huh, really!?”
The Siberian Husky-like girl widened her eyes.
“So, Delta, who is she?”
“She’s Delta’s subordinate!”
Delta nodded, satisfied.
Delta has a subordinate. It’s the end of the world.
“A subordinate, huh. What’s her name?”
“I’m Phi!”
“Phi, huh.”
Given that it’s a Greek letter, she must be associated with the Mitsugoshi Corporation.
“I’m Phi~ Nice to meet you~”
Phi said and suddenly flopped onto her back.
“Uh…?”
“It’s the pose of submission!”
Delta nodded in satisfaction.
“Oh, I see.”
I just nodded, not bothering to comment.
“I’m being looked down on~ I’m being seen with eyes like I’m a cockroach~”
“It’s not like that.”
Come to think of it, there were many beastkin like her, I thought. Yukimr and Zeta were exceptions.
“Why is Phi being treated like that? Did Phi do something bad~ If Phi is disliked by the master, Phi can’t survive in this group~”
“Boss! Is Phi not suitable for the group? Even though she’s silly, she’s a good girl!”
“Is she suitable?”
I have no idea.
“Yay! The boss recognized Phi!”
“Hooray~ Phi will do her best for the master!”
Phi jumped up and wagged her tail.
Sniff, sniff.
Then she approached me, sniffing and began smelling.
“Phi remembers the master’s scent!”
“Boss, Phi is amazing! She may be silly, but her nose might be better than Delta’s!”
“Wow, really?”
Seems like being sillier is more amazing to Delta.
“By the way, Phi is quite strong!”
“I know that.”
The way she disappeared when she appeared wasn’t normal.
“Hehehe~”
She laughed with a foolish expression, but it seems everything but her head isn’t bad.
“When is the master going to conquer the world~”
“No, I won’t.”
“Is it still not ready? Phi and Delta are brainstorming the ultimate world domination plan with Delta-sama every day!”
What an unsettling plan.
“Phi, not yet! The plan is only thought up to the point of having ten thousand children with the boss!”
Delta, unusual for her, hurriedly stopped Phi’s statement.
The two of them whispered in hushed voices, keeping an eye on me.
“Ten thousand people won’t be enough to conquer the world, right?”
“Alpha said it’s not enough! So, we need more, like a million people, and then Alpha will recognize us!”
“A million!?”
When Delta explained while flapping her hands, Phi was amazed, flapping her hands in surprise.
“So, telling the boss about [Delta and Phi’s Ultimate World Domination Plan] will have to wait!”
It’s an extremely unsettling plan. I can only hope it’s never put into action.
“Well, we better revise the plan sooner.”
“No, not allowed! Right now, I’m on a mission to capture a female cat!”
“Oh, right, but Phi has a cat allergy.”
At that moment, Alexia’s presence approached us.
“Hey, how long are you going to make me wait!?”
“Oh, sorry, sorry. I’m going now.”
I gave them a signal, and Delta and Phi disappeared in an instant, moving away.
It’s a shame about their heads, but this kind of quick and spontaneous communication works well. Maybe it’s because they’re dogs.
After that, I rejoined Alexia and the others and made up some excuses.
“Count White, Princess Alexia is at the front entrance.”
The butler of the White Mansion called out to Count White, who looked up.
“Princess Alexia, why?”
“She wants to be present at the time of Jack the Ripper’s attack.”
“Troublesome…”
Count White sighed.
“She’s not allowed to enter the premises. If she stays outside the gate with the knights, it’s permitted.”
“Is that acceptable? She’s Princess Alexia.”
“She’s not that powerful of a princess. After defeating Jack the Ripper, we can invite her to a dinner and make amends.”
“Then, as you wish.”
The butler bowed and left.
“Really, at a busy time like this…”
Count White muttered in annoyance and took his seat at the round table.
Already seated at the round table were six Night Blades, including Count White.
“Sorry for keeping you waiting. I’m grateful for your assistance this time.”
Count White nodded slightly.
“No need to worry. This is a matter that concerns the entire Thirteen Night Blades.”
“The COunt Oyano-Bou, Viscount Shinobi, and Marquis Jet have all been killed by him. The remaining Night Blades are the six of us here and Marquis Dacuaican,”
“The weakening of the Night Blades is unavoidable. It will take five years…no, ten years to raise a successor,”
“That’s a matter for later. For now, our top priority is to deal with this Jack the Ripper,”
“That should be no problem. Here we have the top fighting forces of the Night Blades, summoned without restraint. That foolish clown is nothing,”
The Night Blades leaders all echoed similar sentiments.
“And where is Lord Dacuaican?”
Count White inquired about the last of the invisible Night Blades.
“It seems he’s in negotiations with that organization. We can no longer rely on the Fenrir Faction. He’s close to reaching an agreement with a leader of the Loki Faction,” explained one leader.
“If the negotiations go well, they’ll send powerful reinforcements for us,” said another.
“But our opponent is just one man. Isn’t this a bit excessive?” questioned the Count White.
“This is the greatest crisis the Night Blades have faced since our founding. Excessive is just right. Besides, we still don’t know the true identity of Jack the Ripper,”
“A mere clown assassin. Do we have no clues at all?”
The topic shifted to discussing Jack the Ripper.
“We thought he was an assassin hired by the Hope Family, but that seems unlikely now. The Hopes don’t have the connections to hire someone that skilled,”
Count White crossed his arms with a hard look on his face.
“Hmm, then perhaps another organization. What about that Shadow Garden?” s
“If it were the Shadow Garden, they wouldn’t use such roundabout methods. Dressing as a clown, leaving playing cards and messages…that’s not their style,”
“Jack the Ripper is relishing the killings. This could be the work of an individual rather than an organization. A thrill killer, or someone with a grudge…”
“An individual…how humiliating for the ‘Thirteen Night Blades’,” g
“We’ll make him pay…show him what happens when he looks down on us,”
The Night Blades then stood up from their seats.
“The magic swordsmen are ready. Let’s go – tonight this underground arena shall be Jack the Ripper’s graveyard,”
At his signal, the butler lit a fire in the hearth. The blue flames traced arcane symbols and the fireplace transformed into a staircase leading underground.
“Magnificent as always. This was an artifact used in the ancient elven kingdom, correct?”
“Indeed. Elven artifacts, elven books, elven weapons, elven slaves – everything elven turns to gold,”
Count White led the way down the staircase
The staircase is wide and flanked on both sides by a collection of ghastly exhibits.
“Oh, that sword belonged to the beastman swordsman, the rabbit who lost recently…”
“A spectacular match that was. The desperation of a beastman whose family is held hostage is terrifying,”
“Among beastmen, rabbits are said to have especially deep love for family. The sight of him fighting to save his family brought tears to my eyes,”
They walked past the staircase display of bloodstained weapons and taxidermied beasts, conversing all the while.
“We’re having his body preserved as a specimen. Once finished, we’ll display it with the sword,”
“Please call me when it’s ready. By the way, what became of his family?”
“Why, we’re going to preserve them as specimens too, of course. I’m sure it’ll please this beastman to be displayed together with his family,”
“Passing by this each time will bring back memories of that intense, moving battle…simply wonderful,”
And so the Night Blades descended the staircase lined with bloody weapons and taxidermied “trophies”.
Finally, they opened the doors to the underground arena.
Beyond lay a dimly lit domed space.
Flickering torchlight circled a circular pit, its walls scarred by dark stains and marks of violence.
None of the colorful excitement of the Bushin Festival was present here – only a dank, blood-scented aura of death.
“This way, please,”
said the butler with a bow, guiding the Night Blades to special spectator seats.
“This place is protected by powerful artifact barriers. No matter if Jack the Ripper shows up, he won’t be able to lay a finger on you honorable lords,”
The Night Blades took their seats overlooking the arena.
“And in the depths of the arena await master magic swordsmen gathered from all over. Here is the list,”
The butler, handing the Night Blades a list of the fighters’ profiles.
“Excellent work. To think you gathered this many skilled swordsmen…”
Breathed the Count White as he eagerly unrolled the list.
“Hah! When we Night Blades spare no expense, this is the expected result,”.
“The greatest swordsman of Vegalta, the Oni from the city-states, legends of the lawless cities…calling this excessive is an understatement,” .
“Jack the Ripper is just one man. If we send them all at once we’ll turn him to cinders instantly,”
“It will be a test of the Count White’s skill to make this entertaining. You can manage that, yes?”
The Night Blades member’s faces were relaxed as they looked at the list of top-notch magic swordsmen.
“Of course. I’ve prepared mechanisms for that purpose,”
said the Count White, pointing to the arena entrance.
“The only way into the underground arena is through there. Everywhere else is sealed off, so if Jack the Ripper wants to come for us, he has to enter there. The moment he does, we activate the barrier,”
With a wave of his hand, the Count White activated the barrier and the entire arena glowed as a domed forcefield surrounded it.
“Like so. For Jack the Ripper to get out of the barrier, he’ll have to defeat all the swordsmen we provided,” said the Count White smugly.
“As if he could possibly accomplish that,”
“Exactly. That’s why as he tires, we’ll carefully select his opponents to match his stamina. Starting with one, then gradually increasing the forces as we observe his condition. It will make for the greatest show,”
Count White says proudly.
“We get to pick his opponents? How fun,”
“Oh, a spectator participation show. I hear the Mitsugoshi Company started doing those lately,”
“Cursed Mitsugoshi Company. Stealing our business interests…”
“There is much to learn from their business practices, rather than pure antagonism. For now cooperation over conflict is best. Now, who should be the vanguard? How about the Lawless City Legend?” suggested the Count White.
“Too strong. If he finishes it too quickly, it’ll be boring,” dismissed another.
And so the Night Blades gleefully debated who to pit against Jack the Ripper first.
When they finished selecting the initial opponent, the Count White muttered softly:
“Night has already fallen above ground. Will Jack the Ripper really come?”
“If he shows up to face this many magic swordsmen waiting for him, he’s a fool. But if he doesn’t come, how dull for us,”
“If he doesn’t come, we can spread rumors that he fled in fear of us. That preserves our prestige,”
“Rather, it would ruin his reputation completely. To issue a warning then run away would make him the laughingstock of the capital,”
“Either way, we have nothing to lose,”
“Except for the gold spent hiring these swordsmen,” grumbled one.
Raunchy laughter echoed through the underground arena.
“Princess Alexia, are you sure this is alright?”
Christina, Alexia and Kanade walked through the dim underground passage.
“It’s fine, I know these underground tunnels of the capital well,”
Alexia confidently, leading the way.
“But isn’t the rumor of a secret underground area in the White Estate just hearsay?” .
“It’s more than just a rumor,”
“Do you have proof?”
“Bad guys’ homes always have secret underground rooms,”
“I see…”
said Christina uncertainly, glancing back worriedly at Kanade bringing up the rear.
“If you’re near Alexia-sama, it should be okay… I can use her as a shield if needed…”
She muttered something while trembling.
“I wonder if Cid is okay. Leaving him with the knights and all…”
“Geez, that scaredy-cat is useless at crucial moments. Well, his swordsmanship is average so can’t be helped,”
“At least he doesn’t seem to be a target for the Night Blades. And the surveillance on Kanade stopped too, it seems,” said Christina.
“Yay, really!?”
Exclaimed Kanade excitedly.
“Yes. The Night Blades see Jack the Ripper as such a threat, they’re concentrating all their forces on him. This will continue until the issue is resolved,”
“Hope this issue is never resolved then,”
Kanade had an evil grin.
“Don’t worry. My plan… the plan I came up with… If the plan to infiltrate the White Mansion from underground during the commotion caused by Jack the Ripper’s attack and collect evidence of their wrongdoings is successful, everything will be resolved.”
Alexia said confidently.
“Uh, that was a plan Cid-kun thought up on the spot, right?”
“Flexibility is always necessary in a plan.”
“By the way, who is Cid-kun?”
Christina asked after a short pause.
“Who is he? Pochi is Pochi.”
“Cid-kun discovered the entrance to the underground tunnel, and he’s also the one who deciphered most of the messages left by Jack the Ripper. Normally, he should be too scared to do anything like this.”
“Well, now that you mention it… It’s true. Even though Pochi is ordinary, he’s quite sharp. A hint of the truth from a few clues, Cid-kun’s insight is remarkable.”
Alexia has same idea too.
“Cid’s insight in deducing the truth from the sparsest clues is quite remarkable,”
“Hey, I figured most of it out too you know,”
Muttered Kanade.
“And he seems vaguely familiar somehow. That air of mystery…could Cid be…” continued Christina.
“W-who do you think Pochi is anyway…?”
Asked Alexia nervously.
“A master detective, perhaps,”
“Huh? Detective?”
“Yes. His true identity is a veteran detective. Like the protagonist Conyan from the novelist Natsume-Kafka’s novels – he was forced to take a drug by a shady organization to become young again, and has infiltrated the Magic Swordsman Academy disguised as a student to investigate… “
“Now now, there’s no way Pochi is a detective. He’s just an ordinary guy. See, the emblem of the White Count White family – just like I planned,”
The wall of the passage Alexia pointed to had the White family crest on it.
“But maybe Cid figured it out already and…”
“There there, it’s just as I said, see?”
Alexia then examining the wall eagerly.
“So what’s your plan now?”
“Places like this usually have hidden doors,”
“I doubt we’ll find one that easily…”
“There!” exclaimed Alexia.
“Huh!?”
Alexia fiddled with part of the crest and with a clunk, part of the wall slid open.
“Same trick as the hidden passages in the castle. The thinking of the powerful is so similar,”
Alexia smugly, heading into the narrow dark corridor beyond.
“Ew, so dusty and cobwebby. Looks like it hasn’t been used in ages,”
“Princess Alexia, this is dangerous. We should proceed more cautiously…”
“I’m the cautious type, compared to Claire at least,”
“I’m not sure that comparison helps…”
Alexia led the way, followed by Christina and Kanade.
After continuing along the passage for some time, Alexia stopped.
“Dead end it seems,”
Alexia said, touching the wall.
“The wall seems thick but there are faint sounds beyond,”
“Hey, light’s coming through under the wall here,”
“Kanade was right, there was a small amount of light coming through a crack in the wall.”
“The material here feels different too…if I do this…”
A section of it lifted slightly, creating a gap just big enough to crawl through.
“Alright, let’s go,”
Alexia crawls forward.
“Please be careful, Princess Alexia,”
“In this situation, the safest position is second… third risks getting crushed by the falling wall or legs bitten off by monsters…”
“It’s too dangerous so Kanade, follow after me,”
“Eh!?”
Kanade stared in astonishment at Christina, who was crawling forward, and then hurriedly looked behind.
“Well, no signs of monsters, no pursuers…”
After checking the safety of the wall, she crawled after Christina.
“Kyaa!? Wait, don’t push, Kanade! My skirt!”
“Can’t help it, can’t help it.”
“Hey, Christina!? Don’t touch my butt just because it’s attractive.”
“No, it’s different, Kanade is pushing…”
“Faster, faster, faster, faster!”
Pushed by Kanade, the three of them crawled into the wall.
“Ugh, what is this place?”
It was a dimly lit, dome-shaped space.
“Alexia-sama, over there…!”
Christina pointed, and the Night Blade nobles were gathered there. It seemed that they hadn’t noticed from their side due to the dim light and distance.
“Night Blades, all six of them… What’s going on?”
Gulp…
The three of them concealed their presence and hid in the shadows. When they looked around again, it seemed that they were in what appeared to be the spectator’s seats.
“Is this an arena…? It seems to be the underground of Count White’s mansion.”
“There are rumors about the Count. That he forces slaves to fight and bets on them… Could it be true?”
Gulp…
As they cautiously watched, the arena began to faintly shine.
“Something is about to begin…”
Saying that, the three of them focused their gaze on the center of the light.
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