4
Seeing the flag burning and realizing that the city hall had been captured, the soldiers were surprisingly obedient when ordered to disarm.
The city’s guards, too, complied without much resistance, which was both a great help in achieving Subaru’s goal of a bloodless victory and an unexpected turn of events.
“This was quite the feat, Subaru…or, rather, Natsumi.”
“Mizelda.”
Still in disguise, Subaru was breathing a sigh of relief when Mizelda appeared, drinking straight from a bottle of alcohol.
She and the others had been waiting outside the city, prepared to move in once the burning flag signaled the army’s headquarters had fallen. With the guards and soldiers already aware of their loss, they apparently made no attempt to stop the outside force from entering.
As a result, with the Shudrak’s help, most of the soldiers had been successfully tied up.
The banquet hall had been cleaned up, with drinks and food removed, and now rows of bound soldiers filled the room.
“With this many…a head-on fight would have been difficult.”
“Even when facing a numerous enemy, Shudrak pride would not waver…though it cannot overcome sheer numbers. But you and Abel did.”
“…”
“Be proud, Natsumi. You have proven your courage through wisdom. That is something we could not have done.”
Giving Subaru a good slap on the shoulder, Mizelda flashed him a broad, manly smile before heading over to Talitta and Kuna, who had played crucial roles in capturing the building.
Even from a distance, it was heartwarming to see Talitta’s eyes shimmer as she was praised by her sister.
Kuna, on the other hand, was bear-hugged by Holly and nearly snapped in two.
“So long as the distinguished service medal winner doesn’t get choked out…”
Feeling a bit relieved, Subaru allowed himself a small smile—until he turned around and almost bumped into someone standing right behind him.
“R-Rem…”
“…”
She was staring up at him from an unexpectedly short distance, causing Subaru to reflexively step back.
Leaning on her wooden staff, she slowly looked him up and down with her light-blue eyes. Feeling awkward under her silent scrutiny, Subaru coughed.
“Wh-what is it? There’s nothing wrong with me, right?”
“So I have heard. However, I have the feeling you would say so even if you were injured.”
“So untrusting…but I don’t do well with pain, so I’d definitely say something if I was hurt. Really.”
He tried to brush the concern aside with the demeanor of an innocent little princess, but then he cocked his head.
“Hmm? W-were you worried about little old me?”
“Huh?”
“Ah! I’m sorry! I got ahead of myself! That’s right! It’s fine, even if you weren’t worried a—”
“I was.”
“Eh?”
Subaru had been frantically waving his hands, trying to correct his own misunderstanding, but Rem cut him off.
Looking closer, he saw that her expression hadn’t changed, but there was a slight shift in her eyes.
“I was worried. Of course I was. No matter how absurd the plan was, I was the one who asked you to carry it out. So why wouldn’t I worry? How heartless do you think I am?”
“N-no, not at all, of course not! I don’t think you’re heartless in the slightest! You’re deeply affectionate, a little extreme in your assumptions, and can be distant until you warm up to someone, but that’s just part of your charm and allure…”
“…”
“Are you, by any chance, moved by—?”
“No, I was simply thinking you are disgusting.”
“Ugh!”
Subaru clutched his false breast in exaggerated pain as Rem sighed, looking exhausted. Then she took a step closer.
“However, regardless of your words and conduct, you somehow managed it. You really did capture the town. And without anyone dying.”
“…I would have preferred if there hadn’t even been any injuries to stay faithful to the spirit of the plan. But that was too much to hope for.”
“I wonder. Perhaps, with you and Abel, it might actually have been possible… Why are you making that face?”
“…It…it’s…nothing.”
Subaru grimaced, and Rem furrowed her brow in suspicion.
In truth, there was something to what she said. Without Abel’s cooperation, the plan never would have worked. It was undeniable that he was a terrifyingly intelligent and strategic man.
But hearing her praise another guy—it really hit him in the heart.
“Even this fake breast can be deeply moved…”
“It sounds like you are saying something utterly stupid…”
Subaru quickly waved both hands and shook his head as Rem stared at him coolly.
Even if I tell her about it, it would just disgust her. That’s fine and understandable, but if something hurts, it hurts. One-sided love is a painful thing.
“No, in this case, it would be reflex…? It goes straight past Emilia-tan, but at least it feels like she’s accepting it…”
“Oh! Natsumi, there you are! I heard you were incredible! Congratulations!”
“Wah, Medium.”
Medium came bounding over with loud footsteps and a booming voice. She wore a big, beaming smile and had Utakata and Louis perched on her shoulders as she cheerfully scanned the room filled with bound soldiers.
“You caught all of them, right? What a surprise! So, so, so, where’s Big Sis? Did she do her best?”
“Big Sis… If you mean Flora, then…”
“I’m here, my sister!”
A loud stomp accompanied the cheerful call, and the beautiful young man made his presence known. Medium’s round eyes widened as she saw Flop step into the room.
“Oooh!”
She was looking at the familiar Flop she had known for so long.
“Big Bro! It’s you, Big Bro?! I thought you were my big sis, but the Big Sis I thought was Big Sis was actually you, Big Bro?!”
“Ha-ha-ha! I don’t have any idea what you’re saying, Little Sister! But either way, here I am. In which case, whether I’m your older brother or older sister is just a trivial matter, isn’t it?”
“Right! Then maybe I’m your younger brother instead of your younger sister! I am really big, after all!”
“Brother or sister, it doesn’t change the fact that we’re family!”
The O’Connell siblings’ conversation was as distinctive as ever, but in their own way, they made sense of the situation.
Flop smiled, wrapped his arms around Medium’s waist, and spun her around. Since Utakata and Louis were still on her shoulders, they were swept up in the motion, too, and before long, Flop’s feet left the ground entirely. All four of them twirled together, their laughter filling the room.
“It’s surreal…”
“Medium was worried about Flop, too… So then, how long do you intend to remain like that? The rest of your life?”
“That’s a little much! However cute I may be, this is just a temporary form… I am destined to return to my original self at some point.”
“At some point? Meaning you’re staying like that for now?”
“I just didn’t have anything else to change into!”
Rem looked at him with clear skepticism—or, more accurately, like she was looking at an insect. Subaru didn’t have the mental endurance to withstand that gaze for long.
The truth was, between burning the flag, greeting the Shudrak as they entered the city, and giving orders to the soldiers, he had simply been too busy to change.
It wasn’t that he wanted to remain as Natsumi Schwartz.
“That isn’t it at all.”
“Is that so? If you’re looking for Abel, he’s in the back room with the commander.”
“You don’t sound like you believe me!”
Rem’s face remained doubtful as she pointed the way, and Subaru quickly headed in that direction.
I’d love to just celebrate the operation’s success with Rem and everyone, but now isn’t the time for thoughtless celebration.
Guaral’s capture was just a stepping stone. The real turmoil that would shake the empire’s foundations was yet to come.
And I need to decide what position I’ll take in all of it.
Speaking of which…
“Pardon me,” Subaru said as he pushed open the door to the back room of the large hall.
This had originally been the mayor’s office, but the previous occupant had been removed, and a new ruler had taken his place.
First it had been General Second-Class Zikr.
Now an even haughtier man sat in that chair.
“…You? Still dressed like that?”
Abel sniffed in mild disdain, resting his head on one hand. He had already discarded his dancer’s outfit and changed back into men’s clothing.
Zikr knelt before him, his hair disheveled. Aside from them, the room was empty.
“I’d appreciate it if you didn’t dwell on that. More importantly, you’re alone with the general? Without a guard? There should be a limit to recklessness, don’t you think?”
“Of course. If he had any will to resist, I’d have him at sword-point. However, he has no such will. Isn’t that right, Zikr Osman?” Abel nodded toward the kneeling general.
“…Sir. That is correct, Your Highness.”
His words carried an unmistakable reverence, proof that he no longer saw Abel as just some cross-dressing rebel.
“You’ve already spoken with him?”
“There was no need. It seems he realized it during the dance. Or perhaps it would be more accurate to say his head understood after the dance.”
“…?”
Subaru cocked his head, not quite grasping the distinction.
Zikr, on the other hand, bowed his head deeply, as if in admiration of Abel’s discerning eye.
Honestly, it had never really felt real that Abel was the emperor. Seeing someone actually acknowledge it and treat him with the proper respect was oddly reassuring.
“But this is convenient in its own way. Zikr Osman, obey me. I will see that you are not mistreated.”
“Sir! If it would serve Your Highness, I, Zikr Osman, would gladly stake my life!”
“W-wait, wait, are you serious?! You haven’t even heard what’s happening yet!” Subaru cried.
Still seated, Abel calmly requested Zikr’s loyalty—and the man accepted without hesitation.
It was convenient. Too convenient.
But Zikr shook his head emphatically.
“His Highness sits before me and asks for my service. As a general of the empire, it is my duty to answer his call. If anything, I would swear an even greater loyalty than before.”
“Ho-ho… And why is that? Were you that enchanted by my dance?” Abel asked, his tone dry, not even a trace of humor in his voice.
“It was truly a wondrous sight to behold. However…that is not all.”
Zikr’s passion was palpable as he pressed both fists against the floor. An intense, almost burning delight shone in his eyes.
“Your Highness not only remembered my second name, one that I cursed as naught but a disgrace, but Your Highness even trusted in it…”
“Of course. As the ruler of the empire, I must understand all its extensive territory. The same applies to the subordinates who serve me. A general must always be prepared—who knows when I may need to rely on them as my arms or legs? Do you think an emperor could walk straight without understanding his own limbs?”
“Certainly not, Your Highness! That is why this is an honor—from the depths of my heart!”
Zikr shuddered with persistent ecstasy, swearing fealty to Abel with fervent passion.
To be honest, given the circumstances, his reaction was over the top. But the sheer intensity on Zikr’s ghastly face left Subaru unable to doubt his sincerity.
At the same time, Subaru was overwhelmed by the sheer cohesive force of Abel’s charisma—his powerful confidence and unwavering conviction.
The emperor, a being so far beyond reach, had not only known of him but also grasped his strengths and weaknesses, crafted a strategy around them, and magnificently entrapped him within it, securing his defeat.
It might be akin to how a high school pitcher would feel after giving up a home run to a major leaguer.
…Though in this case, the situation was war. A bit too intense to be compared to baseball.
Either way—
“If Zikr Osman will obey, then the officers beneath him will follow. Combined with the fortifications of the city, we finally have something resembling a proper fighting force.”
“Nonetheless, if Your Highness intends to deal with other locations, then I believe it may be wise to first handle the reinforcements sent from the capital. Perhaps by luring them into the city and demanding their surrender.”
Now that professional strategists with a greater understanding of Volakia’s situation sat at the table, this war council was far more fully realized than any of their ad hoc planning sessions.
Unlike Abel, who accepted this with ease, Subaru still had major reservations about preparing for a real war. Before the discussion advanced too far, he wanted to talk with Abel—about what position he and Rem would hold after the city’s capture.
However, before he could broach the topic—
“…Reinforcements from the capital.”
The mood in the room shuddered at Abel’s quiet murmur.
Subaru’s and Zikr’s eyes widened as he forcefully rose from his seat and strode into the hall.
“Close the front gate at once! Do not engage—even with a messenger!”
Abel’s loud bellow stunned everyone in the hall.
Naturally, if Subaru and Zikr—who had been speaking with him just moments ago—had no idea what was happening, Mizelda and the others were even more in the dark.
But Abel’s expression and demeanor were more than enough to convey that this was no trivial matter.
“Go, Talitta. Tell them to close the gate.”
“S-Sister, what is—?”
“Go! Do not stain the Shudrak name!”
Mizelda’s forceful voice cut through Talitta’s hesitation.
Eyes wide at the almost murderous edge in her sister’s tone, Talitta frantically dashed out of the room. Surely she would run straight to the gate and ensure it was sealed.
But would that be all he intended to do?
“What happened, chief? It’s rare to see your expression change like that.”
“I do not have time for your prattle, merchant. We must ready ourselves at once. Zikr Osman, rally the officers. Mizelda, you—”
“Uuuuuu!!!”
Disregarding Flop’s concern, Abel quickly fired off instructions to the others. Abel instructed Zikr and Mizelda, the leaders of their respective groups, but he was interrupted by a child’s loud tantrum.
“Wa, whoa, what is it? What’s wrong, Louis?!”
“Uuu! Uuu! Aaauuu!”
“Lou! Calm down! I’m here!”
Medium’s eyes spun as her hair was pulled. Perched on her shoulder, Louis was frantically crying out, while Utakata tried to comfort her. But she refused to calm down.
Instead, she started bawling, big tears rolling down her face, her expression tense with fear.
“Louis, please calm down! What is it? If something happened, I’ll listen—so please don’t cry…”
“Uuuu!”
“Hmm? There’s something over there?”
Unable to bear seeing Louis cry, Rem stepped forward.
Louis, noticing her, pointed toward a corner of the room, tears still streaming.
Following the direction she indicated, Rem—and then Subaru and Abel—looked toward that spot.
But there was nothing there.
There should be nothing.
“Mizelda!”
Glowering at the empty space, Abel promptly shouted her name.
Without hesitation, Mizelda immediately drew her bow, snatching four arrows with one hand, nocking them all at once, and pulling back the string.
With the sheer strength of her stout body, she loosed a tremendous volley.
The four arrows tore through the air, bearing down on the seemingly empty space where Louis had pointed.
The sheer force behind the shot made Subaru recall the hunter’s attack in the jungle—the one that had killed him.
It was that level of power.
If he had been the target, the arrows would have torn right through his torso.
The floor and wall, which should have been far harder than the arrows, shattered on impact, scattering fragments of stone in a cloud of dust.
Soldiers scrambled out of the way, gasping as they eyed the dust-filled space, waiting for whatever had triggered Louis’s terror to reveal itself—
“…That can’t kill me.”
An easygoing voice fell gently in the room.
A…female voice. Casual, carefree, almost monotone—and quiet.
It felt incredibly out of place in such a tense moment. However, the results were powerful.
—In the blink of an eye, Mizelda’s entire body was engulfed in flames.
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