“Thanks. I’ll be counting on you again.”
“Ah, that was a good magic.”
Leaving the magic training ground.
Kukuku, it may have been rough, but it was truly a good magic. He really does have something excellent. I think he’s no less than Alice or Mia.
…However, it’s still boring. Magic may be profoundly deep. But the things I wanted to do can be accomplished too easily.
Above all, there’s less of that thrilling back-and-forth in magical combat, like with swords. That pulsing excitement of the weak overcoming the strong. Well, this is probably because my attribute is [Darkness], which can nullify most magic, so it can’t be helped.
After all, swords are better–hm?
“…………”
Lost in thought as I walked, I felt a gaze. Turning around, our eyes met, and the person hurriedly walked away.
A woman with purple hair. I’m not sure if I’ve seen her before or not. There was a girl like that in our year, I think. …Well, whatever.
“Good work, Luke-kun!”
From another direction, I was called out to again.
It was Polpon, the source of my troubles these past few days.
“…………”
“Ah, wait for me!”
I somehow feel an annoyance from this one, similar to Abel. No matter how much I reject or ignore him, he keeps coming after me. …It’s unpleasant.
That day we talked in my room, this prince said some insane things about making me his pawn. Of course, I refused. …Or at least, I thought I had.
But this persistent guy just keeps coming to me ever since that day…
…No, I also bear some responsibility.
Just out of mild curiosity, I asked him, “If you became king, what would you do?”
[Well, I’m glad you asked! First, I’d consider the baseline needed for the country’s functioning, and then start cleaning out the incompetent nobles. I don’t know how many years it would take, but until this country becomes united, none of the strategies I have in mind can truly be realized. –I think I’ll start with rule through [fear].]
Polpon answered enthusiastically.
The casual way he said the word “[clean]” – it likely meant stripping titles from incompetent nobles, and showing no mercy to those who resist.
This pure, cold-blooded cruelty, so at odds with his appearance, was somewhat intriguing and impressive. …But this was not good.
This is what had emboldened his persistence.
“…Ah.”
“What’s wrong, Luke? Are you tired?”
“…………”
In reality, it was not that simple.
First, overwhelming military might that no one could defy would be necessary. For that, the King’s faction would need greater power, and as Polpon said, it could take years.
Even so, the cold, blade-like heart that could unhesitatingly take other lives for the sake of the country was somewhat interesting…or so I found myself thinking.
Sensing my reaction, Polpon started following me around.
“…………Ah.”
“Are you really okay, Luke? You seem quite tired. I think you need me as a pawn in your game, don’t you? Then you wouldn’t have to be this exhausted–”
–No, it’s your fault, you fool.
“Ah, that’s right! The one who’s first in the ranking, that girl, will be returning from the magic corps training soon. You know her well, don’t you? After all, she’s the heiress of House Godwin, Eleonora.”
“……Hm?”
Eleonora…?
For some reason, that name, unfamiliar as it should have been, piqued my interest slightly.
§
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“Come again tomorrow, Canis! Felis!”
“Sure thing~ The food was delicious! See you later, master!”
“…Thank you for the meal.”
The tall man called Canis.
The petite girl called Felis.
The one thing they had in common was the turbans they wore.
“Whew~ I ate a lot today~”
“…………”
“Huh? What’s wrong, Felis? You don’t seem energetic.”
“…………”
“Hmm, looks like you’re brooding about something again.”
“…Nothing’s progressing. Since that day. Nothing at all.”
“Things are progressing properly, you know.”
“Where?”
“We now know that our [goal] is not just magic, but to also be skilled swordsmen. The veracity is still uncertain, but this information is invaluable.”
“…………”
“Geez, don’t give me that scary look–”
At that moment, Canis saw a man in a black hood disappear into the alley.
From his gait and overall aura, he immediately recognized him as another of their kind.
Though normally they would ignore such a thing,
as it didn’t concern them…
“The operation is tonight. — Secure the [darkness].”
“Yes.”
His keen hearing had caught their conversation. Thus, it became something he could not ignore.
It was easy to imagine what their “darkness” referred to. He had to confirm if his guess was correct.
“–Felis.”
“Yeah. I heard. We should confirm.”
“That’s right. But my orders are absolute. Understood?”
“……Got it.”
With those words, Canis and Felis disappeared into the dark night, blending in like shadows.
4
The time when even the trees and grass are asleep.
In the dead of night, three men in black hoods were running. Their footsteps were barely perceptible, a refined gait.
“Let’s do a final confirmation. This magical tool can obstruct the magical power in a given area. However, the effect lasts only about five minutes. After that, it will self-destruct to mitigate the risk of information leakage.”
“So in other words, failure is not an option, huh?”
“…Understood.”
“That’s right. Neutralize the [darkness] and shackle [the magic binding] before the time limit expires.”
“Roger that.”
“…Acknowledged.”
Their destination was the dormitory of the Aslan Magic Academy. Normally, it should have had rigorous anti-intruder measures with numerous magical tools, but for some reason, nothing reacted.
The men reached the dormitory and went around to the back. Then, simply placing a hand on the door, it opened without difficulty.
“–The information was accurate.”
“Wow~, they’re really lax, huh~”
“Shut up, don’t let your guard down. Failure is not an option for us.”
“Okay, okay. Sorry ’bout that.”
Admonishing his chatty companion, the man continued.
“So far, the information has been accurate. However, anticipate unexpected circumstances. Activate this magical tool immediately after entering the dormitory. From then on, keep strict awareness of the time. Understand?”
“…Understood.”
“Alrighty~ Exactly five minutes, no problem!”
” …… Agreed ”
“……You really don’t say more than two words, do you.”
“Then let’s go.”
The man in charge took the lead and opened the door. They invaded the inside and activated the magical device as declared.
The flaw of this magical device is that it also affects them, but that was known from the beginning. It’s not a problem.
So the three men immediately sprang into action. The first place they arrived at was the dining hall.
On the passage, there were two men who seemed to be guards lying unnaturally. They were still breathing, so they weren’t dead.
“…………”
But the men showed no surprise at seeing this, and simply took a cursory glance before continuing on their way.
They walked with no hesitation, as if thoroughly familiar with the darkened dormitory interior.
And the men stopped in front of a certain room, exchanging a silent signal. ──This is it.
The door was locked, but the man skillfully unlocked it with a practiced hand.
After another silent signal, he quietly opened the door.
“Oh my, welcome.”
“──Wha!?”
The man let out a cry of surprise, the first unexpected thing to happen here.
///
***
scene transition
***
///
A small light was already lit. The figure revealed in its glow was a beautiful girl with silver hair calmly sitting on the bed. The momentary bewilderment passed quickly. The man’s next action was swift. If she were to scream, failure would be assured in that instant.
I have to kill her. I don’t know who she is, but I must stop her breathing right now.
Somehow a stiletto had appeared in his right hand, and with clear murderous intent, he raised it towards the silver-haired girl──only to let it drop with a clatter.
“Hmm, so you are an enemy after all. Knowing that is enough.”
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