Monster no Goshujin-sama - Volume 15 - Chapter 8

Chapter 8: The Enemy

The battle between best friends had come to a complete stop and the follow-up attack had been prevented. The tumult of battle had vanished from the vast room.

“I’m glad to see you’re safe, Senpai,” Kudou said, seated on Berta’s back as she walked toward Majima Takahiro.

“Kudou? Where’s Edgar?”

“Sorry. He got away. Once he saw your fight was over, he ran away immediately. I never imagined he’d retreat, so it caught me off guard.”

“I see... Whatever, I don’t mind. For now, let’s just be happy we drove him off.”

“Ah, about that, Takahiro,” Mikihiko joined in. “There’s something I gotta tell you. Edgar might not be an enemy. Well, I suppose that doesn’t make him an ally either, so you should still be wary of him...”

“What do you mean?”

“I had a chance to chat with him. Looks like he’s got another objective in mind. He told me he wants to know why Harrison is so hostile toward you.”

“The reason Harrison is hostile...?”

Majima Takahiro grimaced. He had in fact harbored suspicions about the Holy Order’s overbearing behavior. By killing the guests they themselves had invited to the capital, the Holy Church would take a tremendous hit to their dignity and the trust the people had in them. They only had things to lose by committing to this betrayal, so their motivation was a complete mystery.

Of course, humans weren’t driven entirely by logic. Even if that wasn’t the case, it was possible this conflict was born of a difference of values, much like with Margrave Maclaurin. There was more than enough of a reason for them to be hostile, considering Majima Takahiro’s monstrous menagerie, so there was no reason to overthink it.

“Got it. That helps, Mikihiko. If that’s the reason he backed down so easily, then there’s no need to be overly concerned about him.”

And as they exchanged what information they had to share, a new figure appeared in the corridor.

“Kuu.”

“Ah, hey, wait up.”

It was Shimazu Yui and Ayame, who’d kept their distance during the fighting. At a glance, it looked like Shimazu Yui had been looking after Ayame, but the little fox was actually the guard here. Even if she couldn’t use her power right now, the Fairy Ring’s presence was a trump card, so this was an important duty.

“It’s a relief to see you safe, Majima. Looks like you repelled the enemy,” Shimazu said.

“Yes. Just as you can see, Mikihiko isn’t in any danger of dying either.”

“So that’s Kaneki Mikihiko...”

“Nice to meet you,” Mikihiko said. “I’m glad you managed to link up with Takahiro... Um, Shimazu? Why are you glaring at me like that?”

“I’m just having trouble coming to terms with this,” she said. “You’re the one who tricked me, right?”

“I’m really sorry about that. I’ll apologize all you want.”

“It’s fine. I’m not going to complain if it helps Majima out. Besides, you’re a total mess.”

So, after a minor quarrel, everyone was back together.

“Okay then, about what to do next.” Everyone paid attention to what Majima Takahiro had to say. Kaneki Mikihiko’s case was resolved now, but that was still just one stage in a complex web of crises. “Next is Katou. We have to save her. Mikihiko, can you tell me where she is?”

“Of course.”

The boys were moving on to what had to be done next, but just then...

“What the?!”

A tremendous tremor shook the entire room. It was the biggest one yet. At the same time, the corridor Ayame and Shimazu Yui had just used sealed itself. Tension was clear on everyone’s faces. And as that went on, someone laughed inappropriately.

“H-Ha ha...”

It was the assault force’s leader, still prostrate on the ground. Dora had cut him down, but he was still alive. Blood dyed his lips as he spoke.

“Ha ha ha. It’s over.”

“What do you know about this?!” Mikihiko roared.

“We...failed,” the man said, smiling as the shadow of death hung over him. “So this is the fail-safe.”

“The fail-safe...?”

“Prepare yourselves... This room...is collapsing.”

Leaving behind that curse, the man passed away. As if reinforcing his words, cracks ran along the ceiling.

“No way?!”

Kaneki Mikihiko understood the situation. His face twisted. He’d seen himself as a sacrificial pawn, no more than an expendable tool meant to slam against their enemy and exhaust him, but what if that wasn’t all? For example, what if he’d only been sent here to keep Majima Takahiro in place?

There was no meaning to victory or defeat in the first place. If he won, that would be fine. If he couldn’t finish Majima Takahiro off or was defeated, they’d kill every last one of them like this. That was their plan from the very beginning.

“Harrisooooon!”

The boy’s bellow was drowned out by the tremors.

◆ ◆ ◆

A short while earlier, Ottmar led Katou Mana and the female knight keeping an eye on her, Elena, to another location. The mastermind behind this incident, Harrison Addington, had called for her. They arrived in a large room furnished with an altar. The moment she stepped foot inside, her expression convulsed.

This was due to the amassed attention of the two groups awaiting her arrival. One group was made up of armored men who gave off a similar impression to Ottmar. The other was made up of knights of the Holy Order like Elena. There were several women, but the majority were men.

“Eep...”

Her throat went dry in an instant and the blood drained from her face. Her androphobia was back and wouldn’t relent. It was already bad enough with just Ottmar, but now there were so many men around. Gastric acid surged up her throat and she was assaulted by a horrible dizzy spell. The impulse to scream in despair and run back the way she’d come pounded in her chest. How easy things would be if she could just lose her mind like that.

“Miss Katou?” Elena said.

“It’s nothing...”

Katou Mana forcefully repressed her panic attack. She couldn’t lose her mind here. She’d clenched her teeth and made it all the way here hoping there was something she could do for the boy she loved.

She bit her lip to retain her sanity, glaring at a particularly splendid knight who stood out from both groups. He had short trimmed black hair and hazel eyes. He had chiseled features, but still looked somewhat Asian, giving a sense of his mixed heritage. His thoroughly tempered body gave off a heavy presence.

This was the marshal of the Holy Order, Harrison Addington. He was the ringleader behind this entire incident. If not for this opportunity, he was someone she could never have approached. Katou Mana clenched her dainty fists, pressing hard against her chest.

“Give me strength, Senpai...”

Having once had his heart gouged out by human cruelty in the Colony before being forced to wander the Woodlands with the fear of death carved into his soul, he’d still chosen to march forward. Her yearning for that boy was the only thing supporting her now.

“Let’s go,” Ottmar said, turning around.

“Yes...”

She suppressed the fear roiling inside her and limped forward. Step by step, she kept her body from trembling and walked, finally arriving right in the center of both groups.

She came to a sudden realization. Something was strange here. Her thoughts had been muddled, so she was late in noticing. Once she saw it, however, the source of her unease was clear.

Despite calling for her, the people in this room were apathetic to her presence. Standing atop the altar, Harrison hadn’t even given her a single glance. The two groups had also only turned to look when she first entered the room. Their zealous eyes were instead focused on something else entirely. What were they watching? Upon turning to take a look for herself, Katou Mana’s eyes shot open.

“Majima-senpai?!”

In front of the altar, where both groups were focusing their attention, there was a circular cutout in the ground reflecting a faraway scene. It was an image being shown through some magical means; a bird’s-eye view of two boys talking to each other in a vast space.

Kaneki Mikihiko was on the ground covered in wounds, while Majima Takahiro was standing over him. He was safe. Relieved by this fact, Katou Mana also found it strange. To the people gathered here, this scene wasn’t supposed to be what they’d hoped for. And yet, they showed no signs of being vexed or bewildered.

“He really got us,” one of the knights said. He didn’t sound particularly shaken. He was just straight and to the point.

“A meaningless victory. With this, it’s over,” another knight with level eyes said.

Hearing that, Katou Mana felt a chill run up her spine. The words had an ominous ring to them, as if he was certain that the people he was looking at were going to die. She couldn’t let this go on. With that thought in mind, she stirred into action.

“Harrison Addington!” she screamed, hiding her fear by raising her voice. “You’re the one who called me here, right?! Didn’t you need something from me?!”

With that, Harrison’s hazel eyes turned to her for the first time. He had a far more placid gaze than expected. Unlike when he greeted them the other day, there was absolutely no need for him to keep up appearances. She figured she’d see him displaying negative emotions like anger or revulsion toward the boy who led monsters, but he was the same as before.

The knight among knights.

“You misunderstand,” Harrison said, his bearing unchanged.

“Huh?”

“I have no business with you. I simply have no intention of making unnecessary sacrifices. In the worst case, it’s possible the room you were being held in could get caught in this.”

She hadn’t expected this. She’d come here prepared to be thoroughly interrogated about Majima Takahiro, or perhaps to be tortured and made an example of. But that apparently wasn’t the case.

Furthermore, she didn’t know what he meant by “getting caught in this.” Surprisingly, Elena, who was supporting Katou Mana from the side, also looked bewildered. Ottmar, who’d brought her here, had his back turned to her so she couldn’t see his reaction. At the very least, Elena hadn’t been informed of this situation. And with no way of guessing, Katou Mana could only ask.

“What are you talking about?”

“I don’t mind telling you. You have the right to hear it,” Harrison said, agreeing with unexpected ease. “But there’s something that needs to be done first.”

He then quietly gave an order.

“Do it.”

In an instant, Ottmar turned around toward her.

◆ ◆ ◆

By the time he was facing her, Ottmar’s hand was already on the hilt of his sword, drawing it in a quick slash. With her focus on Harrison, Katou Mana couldn’t react. Even if she were keenly focused on Ottmar, there wasn’t anything a girl lacking any skill in combat could do about an attack from a trained knight.

The sword flashed through the air, scattering blood in its wake. Dyed red by the splash, Katou Mana fell on her backside. Her mind couldn’t keep up with the situation. She could only interpret the reality she saw before her.

“Lady...Elena...?”

The knight who’d been watching her had been cut down. Elena vomited a large quantity of blood and fell to her knees.

“The commander of the Alliance Knights was broken out of confinement just now,” Harrison said from the altar. “It seems the remnants of the Alliance Knights have done so on Kaneki Mikihiko’s directions. That isn’t all. It turns out a great many of the troubles we’ve had with this operation were instigated by Kaneki Mikihiko.”

“Huh? Kaneki-senpai did?”

This was the first Katou Mana had heard of this, but since she’d harbored doubts regarding Kaneki Mikihiko’s speech and conduct to begin with, this made sense to her.

He’d likely been prepared to be treated like a traitor for the sake of protecting what was dear to him. The sight of him resisting no matter what for the sake of something precious reminded her of the boy she yearned for.

Despite being smeared in mud, they shined so brightly. It wasn’t strange for others to be attracted by such brilliance. Katou Mana was one case, and the woman before her was surely another.

“You’ve been watching Kaneki Mikihiko at all times,” Harrison said to the blood-soaked Elena. “There were no openings for him to act. Although, if there’s even one traitor, things change considerably. You’re a traitor. Do you have anything to say in your defense?”

“No, nothing at all,” Elena answered, her face pale from blood loss. “It’s only natural for me to be punished, but I have no regrets.”

“So you were deceived. To think you’ve lost sight of your duty.”

“Those who risk their lives for others shine so brightly, even if their feelings don’t penetrate the darkness. I simply cannot see the justice in harming that man.”

“Justice must be carried out regardless. That is precisely our duty as descendants of foreign entities, as people who don’t belong to this world.” Harrison shook his head. “To maintain this easily shaken world is both our mission and true justice. How unfortunate, Elena. To think you’d give your life away so meaninglessly.”

“What are you saying...?”

“Your betrayal has no purpose. They will die here,” Harrison declared, holding up the large jewel in his hand. “Controlling this Dimensional Cornerstone is difficult, but given enough time and sufficient limitation of the effective range, it isn’t impossible to make large-scale modifications. Just like this.”

Harrison poured his mana into the large jewel—the Dimensional Cornerstone. The ground gradually started shaking. The tremors got stronger and stronger, but things were far worse in the image being reflected by magic.

“S-Senpai...!”

Katou Mana turned pale as the boys realized the abnormality. She could see what looked like pieces of ceiling tumbling down.

“Don’t tell me, you plan on destroying the whole room to kill them?!”

That was why none of the people here were perturbed by Kaneki Mikihiko’s defeat. Harrison had played his hand such that it didn’t matter how things unfolded. Realizing this, a shudder of horror ran up Katou Mana’s back. But it was too late.

“With this, it’s over.”

A cruel declaration. Those boys’ efforts, feelings, devotion, all of it was being crushed under the weight of this so-called justice. There was no way to resist the power that manipulated the very fabric of this world. That was supposed to be the case.

“What...?”

A bewildered sound quivered in Harrison’s throat. The shaking on the other side of the image didn’t subside, but the room’s collapse wasn’t progressing.

It was an unexpected development. What was happening? The first to realize was the girl who possessed no strength in a fight.

“Senpai...?”

In the magical image on the floor, the boy glared straight at the ceiling. It was as if he was aware of those peeping down on him. His eyes were telling them that he wasn’t going to let it end yet.