Rokujouma no Shinryakusha!? - Volume 21 - Chapter 1

Quickening

Tuesday, October 26th

Forthorthe had what could be considered the space-age version of television, but programs didn’t air on set schedules like they did on Earth. Moreover, they didn’t actually use TVs. The equivalent device was more like a version of the bracelets that Theia and Clan wore, enlarged to make the projected images easier to see. Said devices were connected to a galactic network and were always kept up to date with the latest information and shows. Both personal and household versions existed, the only real difference being the size.

Forthorthian TV—to call it that for convenience’s sake—aired a number of programs and features on the royal families. The most predominant figure of interest, of course, was none other than Empress Elfaria. She’d been sick over the past few months and was convalescing, which heightened the attention on her all the more.

Little did the citizens of Forthorthe know, however, that all the information they were being fed on the empress was fake. She wasn’t really sick at all. She’d been placed under house arrest by the military. Her daughter Theia had come to rescue her and taken her to safety on Earth. But the news didn’t report a peep on that. No, the story was that Elfaria was simply refusing interviews and public appearances while she was convalescing. The military had already seized the ear of parliament and the media, and was continuously pumping them false information that was then disseminated among the people.

But suddenly, the tune of the story changed one day. The media all at once began reporting that Elfaria wasn’t actually sick. It had all been a cover. The real scoop was that she’d been accused of several crimes and had thus fled to a planet Forthorthe had no diplomatic relations with—or so they said.

The media wrote off the months of coverage they’d aired about her supposed illness as a polite stopgap. They knew the truth would come out eventually, but they couldn’t just up and report that the empress—the highest and most preeminent authority of the nation—was a criminal without unmistakable, bulletproof evidence. All of the media outlets had agreed on that point.

“The current empress, Her Majesty Elfaria Dana Forthorthe, is now suspected of having embezzled considerable sums of public funds. She is also a suspect in the murder of journalist Curial Maduldin, who attempted to expose her. According to the prosecution, they’ve gathered extensive evidence against the empress. Based on that, parliament finally decided to make the accusations against her public. A royal family conference will be held shortly to rescind Her Majesty’s crown and authority before she’s formally arrested. The real problem now is that Empress Elfaria is believed to have fled to a remote planet on the edge of known space, and Princess Theiamillis is suspected of―”

These reports came as a huge blow to Elfaria’s supporters. It was clear that they would be painted as rebels next, all for remaining loyal to their empress. Nevertheless, they were proud Forthorthians who remembered the long struggles of their nation. They were no strangers to adversity, and they wouldn’t hesitate to stand tall beside their beloved empress and princess until the bitter end. The spirit of the legendary story of Alaia and the Blue Knight lived on through them.

Elfaria’s supporters’ first move was to inform Elfaria and Theia of the situation. Nothing could happen before that. In order for them to take swift action, they’d need their leaders fully informed.

“The problem is how we get this information to the planet where Her Majesty is...”

Lord Pardomshiha, an older gentleman with a well-groomed beard, stood rubbing his chin as he stared at the monitors reporting various information. In a situation like this where the empress was absent, Lord Pardomshiha served as the de facto leader of Elfaria’s supporters. In spite of the grim situation, he would do his best in her stead until she returned.

Elfaria’s loyal faction largely consisted of the Mastir family, allied members of parliament, a diehard group of citizens, and two select bands of knights—Pardomshiha and Wenranka. Both were storied organizations that had served the Mastir family for over two thousand years. They always rushed to the aid of the Mastirs without hesitation, even at dark times like this. They were the epitome of devoted.

“Normally we would just send them a message using hyperspace communications, but the Imperial Army... No, the coup d’etat army would likely detect that.”

Standing next to Lord Pardomshiha was the captain of the other band of knights, Lord Wenranka. The family of Wenranka held the same peerage as the Pardomshihas, the only difference being that they were granted the title of Triumphant Knights rather than the Pardomshihas’ Guardian Knights. They were equal in rank and glory, but as Lord Wenranka had yet to reach the age of forty, he readily deferred to the older Lord Pardomshiha as the commander out of respect. Bravery wasn’t the only thing the Wenrankas were known for; justice and reason were also on that list.

“Then that means our best chance of getting information to them is stuffing it into a pod and shooting it towards Earth from the edge of the solar system.”

“The forces in charge of sending that pod will be risking their lives to do so. Please allow my knights to handle this, Lord Pardomshiha.”

“Are you certain, Lord Wenranka?”

“If Pardomshiha is the shield of the royal family, then Wenranka is its spear. Please allow us the honor of demonstrating that.”

“I would gladly.”

They were desperate to get information to Earth to inform Elfaria of the current situation, but the circumstances barred them from using any of the normal methods to do so. If they used hyperspace communications to send a message over 10 million lightyears away, the source of the broadcast would easily be detectable. That would mean giving away the location of the base, and they couldn’t risk that. They had to come up with something else.

The best alternative was packing up a communications pod and sending it to Earth. Though the Forthorthians referred to such a thing as a pod, it was truly a spaceship in its own right. Due to its small size, however, it couldn’t carry any crew and it moved much faster than a normal ship. It moved so fast, in fact, that accuracy in destination was an issue, but that potential hitch could be overcome by launching multiple pods to ensure at least one reached the target. Though they’d need to be sent from the edge of the solar system, it would still be much safer and more secure than using hyperspace communications.

I just hope this information reaches Ruth...

As Lord Pardomshiha collated the information to be put in the pod, his thoughts turned to his faraway daughter. Elfaria and Theia weren’t the only ones on Earth. Ruth, Lord Pardomshiha’s daughter, was with them as well. And the information he was sending them would affect all three of their fates. Elfaria and Theia were the top priority as royalty, but it was only natural for a father to be worried about his child.

“I’m counting on you, Lord Wenranka.”

With those words, Lord Pardomshiha’s voice reflexively grew stiff. Complex feelings he couldn’t give voice to were hanging just behind them in the air.

“Leave it to me, Lord Pardomshiha. We will triumph without fail.”

But Lord Wenranka was also a father. He knew exactly what it was that Lord Pardomshiha was so unable to say, and he didn’t hesitate to accept this important mission with a steely resolve and a bright smile.