CHAPTER 5
Cheers and Applause to Mark an Arrival
1
What is the most tolerant of beasts on this planet?
And what is the most ferocious?
The answer to both questions is a dragon.
Only inhabiting the outer reaches of the planet, these beasts are so mighty, they are seldom bothered. A dragon would continue to slumber even if a human researcher poked it or blasted a rocket in its face.
Unless, of course, it hit its chin shield.
Of all its scales, that was its Achilles’ heel. A single weak spot. Touching it would cause the dragon to fly into a rage and destroy its surroundings indiscriminately.
It was like Salinger—and his value system that owed no alliance to the Empire or the Sovereignty. It didn’t matter to him whether the Empire invaded Nebulis or the Hydra schemed in secret—nothing mattered except learning the secrets of astral power.
…At least, in theory.
That was, until the Hydra had touched upon the one forbidden scale.
“Pathetic. I’m not even in the mood to make excuses.”
“I vowed to fulfill my duties as queen… When did I become so weak?”
They had hurt Mira. In body and in spirit.
“…You did the same thing thirty years ago. And I forgave you then.”
He had been charged with attacking the queen—a crime for which he was innocent. He had been subjected to unspeakable interrogations. Even then, he hadn’t planned to retaliate against the Hydra.
Revenge meant being bound to past emotions. It ran contrary to his philosophy to look only to the future…
“Salinger.”
“I thought of you as my archrival—my only one. I enjoyed being with you, even as adversaries. I wanted to spend more time with you.”
Except there was one thing no one could ever touch, just like a chin shield. Mira was Salinger’s scale.
“You’ve crossed the line, Hydra. Not with the queen, but with me. Know that.”
This declaration of revenge was the one thing that ran in opposition to all his values.
“Who told you that you could lay a hand on Mira?!”
The Nebulis palace. General hall.
The conference of the Founder’s descendants progressed in silence.
“Something went off in the Hydra’s facility?!” Alice shouted, voice ringing through the hall.
“Lady Alice, please lower your voice,” Rin scolded, which made Alice come back to her senses.
“B-but…!”
They had just learned Snow and Sun was ablaze. That was the exact facility the Imperial unit had snuck into.
…Is it from a battle with Iska’s unit?
…Does that mean they were discovered, even under disguise?!
Alice was trying to remain calm, but her heartbeat was quickening from fear. Mercifully, Alice wasn’t the only one struggling here. Dozens of ministers and guards behind her had the same expression.
“What an alarming state of affairs.”
There was one tranquil voice. The head of the Hydra was speaking. Even after the discovery that the base containing Sisbell was ablaze, his gaze remained unchanged.
“It has only been a few days since the Imperial attack. It’s no surprise if their soldiers are still hiding in the vicinity. You, there.” Talisman turned to a royal guard who was holding his breath. The guard was a young man who had come in running with this report. “I believe the culprits to be Imperial soldiers. Please have the military police immediately—”
“I-it can’t be!” cried the guard.
“What?”
“It’s the transcendental sorcerer, Salinger—the criminal who escaped from prison in the thirteenth state!”
“…What did you say?”
This statement cracked Talisman’s mask. His smile fractured.
“And you are sure of this? There was no mistake?”
“Y-yes, sir. The military police are sorting through the footage! But we’ve already confirmed his face on the surveillance cameras using the data gathered during his imprisonment…”
“And they’re positive it’s him?”
“Yes.”
“……” Talisman crossed his arms.
Alice watched the whole scene from across the table before sharing a look with her attendant.
“Rin?”
“I—I have no idea! The last I saw of him was in the thirteenth state. No one has seen him since. Perhaps Her Majesty is—Your Majesty?” Rin addressed the queen, who sat next to Alice. “…Your Majesty?”
She received no reply. Rin’s voice didn’t reach her. She looked into the distance. It seemed her mind was elsewhere.
“…Salinger. What in the world are you…?” whispered the queen.
“Let us continue the conference.” Talisman clapped once, the sound echoing through the hall. “If they know who the culprit is, they must have control over the situation. Your words of support are appreciated, but that’s all we need. Our defenses will hold up somehow.”
“How uncharacteristic of you,” replied Lord Mask of the Zoa. The man—silent until now—coolly lifted the corner of his mouth. Next to him was Kissing, a black-haired girl wearing a blindfold. “Why has that infamous sorcerer chosen now to reap destruction on us? That would normally make you suspicious, Lord Talisman.”
“……”
“It was Snow and Sun, the astral power engineering research institute that was attacked, right? Why was it targeted? Perhaps you have an idea you can share with us?”
“Any ordinary person like me would have trouble imagining how to commit treason.” Talisman shrugged. “I have no idea why he would do such a thing, but we can settle this by catching him and investigating his motives.”
“Oh?” Curiosity worked its way into Lord Mask’s voice. “So you’re saying you’ll capture the sorcerer then?”
“Our defense is perfect. Since we have no idea when Imperial soldiers might appear, after all.”
“…Tch.” Alice gritted her teeth while they continued their conversation.
That was because Talisman wasn’t just using the term generally to refer to the forces that had attacked the palace. He was using it to refer to Unit 907, the soldiers who had gone to save her sister.
…Perfect defense, huh? So, they were planning on ambushing Iska’s unit.
…They expected Snow and Sun to be under attack.
But what did this new development mean? She could hardly think the timing was a mere coincidence.
Why had a felon-at-large resurfaced at this exact moment? And why had he targeted Snow and Sun?
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