Chapter 115: “The Sleeping Calculation God and the Silver Wedge”
Sylphille: Still immersed in the cold spring water‚ Sylphille remained frozen in place‚ unable to move.
The slender naked body trembling in small shivers was by no means because of the water temperature.
A sense of absolute “death” crawling up her spine had completely entangled her.
Even when she squeezed her eyes tightly shut‚ only that gruesome sensation clung stubbornly to the backs of her retinas and refused to leave.
Sylphille: —Countless‚ murderous intents.
It was not the ordinary hatred or anger that a single person might harbor.
It was an eerie‚ inorganic malice‚ as if it had been given only a single purpose from the very beginning and existed solely for that purpose.
Moreover‚ those cold blades were no longer outside the kingdom.
They had already sunk deeply into the interior of the absolute barrier that should have been safe.
Sylphille: “…………”
Sylphille bit her lip so hard that blood seeped out.
Sylphille: I’m scared.
To be honest‚ that was all there was to it.
No matter how much the people revered her as a “Saintess” and no matter how much she continued to pray for the nation‚ at her core she was nothing more than an eighteen-year-old girl terrified of her own death.
Even so.
Sylphille: “…I have to go.”
She murmured in a trembling voice‚ as if to encourage her thoroughly weakened self.
She had to inform His Majesty Lucius.
What that thing was‚ where it was hiding‚ and what it was plotting—she could not grasp any concrete outline at all.
Yet the existence of that “fatal turbidity” she had sensed through the filter of her own life was something she had a duty to report to the ruler‚ the king‚ as quickly as possible.
When she slowly lifted her feet from the spring‚ water droplets slid down her white skin and made faint sounds on the water’s surface.
As if urged by those water sounds that highlighted the silence‚ Sylphille looked up at the goddess statue standing in the center of the spring.
A face full of compassion‚ quietly closed eyes‚ both hands resting on her chest as if accepting everything.
The white-stone goddess stood there today in the same unchanging form.
Sylphille: “…Goddess.”
Why was something so impure able to enter this country?
She asked without voicing it‚ but of course there was no reply from the divine.
She understood that even the kingdom’s protection spun by the Oracle Spring was not all-powerful.
That was precisely why this abnormal situation that had slipped through the mesh was bottomlessly terrifying.
Sylphille: “…I have to pull myself together.”
Telling herself once more‚ Sylphille left the spring.
She opened the small door leading further in and stepped into the waiting room for changing.
Normally‚ after finishing her prayers she would have a lady-in-waiting wipe her body and slowly arrange her clothes before heading to the next schedule.
But today of all days she could not afford to spend leisurely time.
Lady-in-waiting: “Saintess…?”
The lady-in-waiting waiting in the corner of the room noticed her master’s unusual presence and turned around.
Lady-in-waiting: “Is something the matter?”
Sylphille: “…Please hurry.
My clothes‚ immediately.”
Sylphille’s tone was more urgent than even she herself found surprising.
Sylphille: “I will go to His Majesty.”
Lady-in-waiting: “To His Majesty…?”
The lady-in-waiting looked puzzled for just a moment.
It was extremely rare for the Saintess to request an unscheduled audience with King Lucius.
And appearing in such a bloodless‚ terribly flustered state was unprecedented.
Lady-in-waiting: “…Has some sudden situation arisen?”
Sylphille: “……”
Sylphille found herself at a loss for an answer.
Countless murderous intents were inside the kingdom.
The moment she put that into words so casually‚ she felt as if the peaceful world spreading outside would collapse with a sound.
Sylphille: “…I still don’t know.
What is happening.”
To the vague reply‚ the lady-in-waiting asked nothing further.
She simply nodded deeply.
Lady-in-waiting: “Then let us hurry.”
At that composed single sentence‚ Sylphille’s eyes widened slightly.
The lady-in-waiting prepared the pure white garments with her usual fluid movements.
She clad her in the proof of the Saintess‚ wiped her wet hair‚ and straightened her disordered appearance.
Sylphille stared fixedly at her reflection in the mirror.
Standing there was not merely the girl who had trembled in fear of death at the Oracle Spring.
It was the form of the “128th Saintess” who supported the peace of the southern Kingdom of Arcadia by using her own life as firewood.
Even so‚ deep within the eyes reflected in the mirror‚ an irremovable fear still wavered.
Sylphille closed her eyes once and exhaled deeply.
Sylphille: “It’s alright… it’s alright.”
She murmured as if casting a suggestion upon herself.
Yet that resonance was far more fragile and weak than she herself had thought.
The moment she finished dressing and stepped out into the stone corridor.
From afar‚ the high‚ clear laughter of children was carried on the wind.
Girl: “Look! It’s falling again!”
Another child: “It’s true! So pretty!”
Looking out the window‚ the everyday life of the capital spread out like a painting.
The lively morning market‚ the small line formed in front of the bakery.
Merchants pushing carts‚ mothers leading children by the hand‚ an old man squinting on a sunlit bench.
The unchanging scenery of beloved Arcadia.
Girl: “Ah‚ it’s the Saintess!”
On the street below the window‚ one girl spotted Sylphille and waved her small hand widely.
Girl: “Saintess! Thank you for today as well!”
Sylphille reflexively formed her usual smile full of compassion and slowly waved back.
The girl smiled happily as if a flower had bloomed.
Yet—that pure voice of gratitude became a sharp thorn that deeply gouged her chest.
Sylphille: (…I’m sorry)
Without letting her smile crumble in the slightest‚ she secretly confessed in the depths of her heart.
Right now‚ something “terrifying” that you children have no way of knowing is lurking inside this country.
Having sensed it‚ there was no time to stop.
She widened her stride.
She had to protect them.
Those children‚ the people working in the market‚ the infants sleeping at home.
The innocent people living in this country who knew nothing.
That was precisely why she had to convey it as quickly as possible so that the judgment of how to protect them could be left to the ruler.
Before long‚ the large door of the heavily decorated audience chamber came into view.
Sylphille stopped for just a moment in front of it.
Sylphille: I’m scared.
Even so‚ she would go.
Sylphille: “…I request an audience with His Majesty.”
She briefly informed the royal guards protecting the door.
Beyond this door was the king who moved the kingdom.
And now‚ she herself was about to cast the first stone that would move the nation.
Sylphille raised her face resolutely.
Sylphille: “—I shall enter.”
The heavy door slowly opened with a solemn sound.
◇
The royal castle‚ audience chamber.
King Lucius de Arcadia was seated on the throne‚ in the middle of receiving the morning’s routine reports from several civil officials.
Civil official: “The grain transport from the south is proceeding roughly according to schedule.”
Lucius: “Is that so.”
Civil official: “Also‚ regarding the security situation around the capital‚ no particular problems have been reported.”
Lucius: “Understood.
Continue to ensure that security in each area is not neglected—”
It was then.
From beyond the opened large door‚ the announcement of a royal guard resounded.
Royal guard: “Your Majesty.
The Saintess has arrived.”
The king sharply raised his face from the documents.
Lucius: “Sylphille?”
In an instant‚ the everyday looseness vanished from Lucius’s expression.
The fact that the Saintess‚ who could be called the heart of the nation‚ was appearing of her own accord at this time outside of routine reports—was more than enough to sense an abnormal situation.
Lucius: “Let her through.”
Accompanied by quiet footsteps‚ Sylphille entered the room.
The moment the king saw her face‚ he understood everything.
Lucius: —She’s frightened.
There was none of the usual soft smile she directed toward the people.
In her beautiful eyes‚ tension and fear that could not be concealed were clinging.
Lucius: “Sylphille.
What happened?”
The girl tried to answer‚ then bit her lip once with a pained expression.
She herself had not yet been able to organize it logically‚ how to explain it.
However‚ there was no time to decorate her words.
Sylphille: “Your Majesty.”
Sylphille bowed her head deeply.
Sylphille: “Inside this country…”
Her voice trembled faintly.
Sylphille: “Someone with malice has entered.”
A silence as if water had been poured fell over the audience chamber.
While the civil officials held their breath‚ the king’s eyes narrowed.
Lucius: “…Who is it?”
Sylphille: “I do not know.”
Lucius: “How many?”
Sylphille: “I cannot say precisely… However… it is by no means only one.”
Lucius: “Their purpose?”
Sylphille: “…That too.”
At the repeated words of ignorance‚ the king silently gazed at her.
Lucius: “The location?”
Sylphille lowered her eyes as if tormented by her own powerlessness.
Sylphille: “…I am truly sorry.”
The king closed the mouth he had been about to use to press further.
Looking at Sylphille’s face made it clear.
This was not a vague conjecture or needless worry.
This girl had indeed—sensed something deep within her body.
Lucius: “Did the Oracle Spring sense it?”
Sylphille: “Yes.”
It was a voice as if squeezed out.
Sylphille: “Within the kingdom’s protection… something foreign is mixed in.
It was a terribly gruesome‚ unpleasant sensation.”
No further words came out.
The king exhaled deeply and leaned his body against the back of the throne.
Identity‚ numbers‚ purpose‚ and current location.
Viewed as military information‚ it was an all-too-vague report full of gaps.
Even so‚ there was only one most important and certain fact for a ruler present there.
Lucius: —Someone who might be an enemy is already lurking on the “inside” of this country.
Lucius: “Understood.”
Lucius stood up.
Lucius: “We shall smoke them out.”
Sylphille: “…Yes.”
Lucius: “However‚ do not yet decide they are enemies.”
The king sharply stared at the lined-up civil officials and royal guards.
Lucius: “Who they are.
What their purpose is.
First‚ that.”
Sylphille nodded deeply along with a sigh of relief.
Lucius: “Call the special operations unit.”
The royal guard waiting beside him straightened his posture as if struck.
Royal guard: “Yes‚ sir!”
Lucius: “Investigate recent entrants into the country.”
Royal guard: “The targets?”
Lucius: “Everyone.”
The king’s voice‚ carrying the cold dignity of steel‚ resounded through the audience chamber.
Lucius: “Merchants‚ travelers‚ pilgrims‚ mercenaries.
Investigate without exception every person who crossed the border and entered this country in the past few days.
Even if you find suspicious individuals‚ never handle them on your own authority.
First‚ have them report the situation.
…Go.”
Royal guard: “Yes‚ sir!”
The royal guard turned on his heel and dashed out like a gale.
While listening to the sound of the heavy door closing‚ Sylphille exhaled.
With this‚ at least the number of people who would be harmed while knowing nothing and remaining defenseless should decrease—she wanted to believe that.
Yet outside the window‚ the people were still laughing innocently today.
At the bakery‚ freshly baked bread was being sold; in the market‚ merchants were raising their voices; children were running around chasing petals of light.
Right behind that happy everyday life‚ the unidentified foreign object was already nesting.
The kingdom had begun to move.
Even so‚ the southern Kingdom of Arcadia—on the surface‚ was still maddeningly peaceful today.
Around the same time.
An old stone building standing in a corner of the capital Arcadia.
Thick blackout curtains were layered over the windows‚ leaving not even a single ray of moonlight room to enter.
The only thing faintly outlining the room was the light of a small lamp placed on a wooden desk.
In the stagnant air‚ two men faced each other.
Undercover operative: “—You’re late.”
The man who had been waiting opened his mouth with a low‚ muddy voice.
The presence of a completely extinguished aura peculiar to an operative who had long been latent in the capital.
His gaze was directed at Petelgeuse‚ who had entered the room without a sound.
Petelgeuse: “As planned.”
Petelgeuse replied flatly in a voice drained of emotion.
Undercover operative: “Through the main gate?”
Petelgeuse: “Yes.”
Undercover operative: “Openly?”
Petelgeuse: “Indeed.
As pilgrims.”
Undercover operative: “Any issues with the border security?”
Petelgeuse: “None.”
The man narrowed his eyes slightly.
There was no surprise there.
They were coldly processing the abnormal situation of forty-eight special operations members entering the capital of the enemy nation without raising any waves whatsoever as “business as planned.”
Undercover operative: “The kingdom’s reaction?”
Petelgeuse: “At present‚ there is no overt movement.”
Undercover operative: “Then we proceed according to procedure as well.
The hideout is already secured.
There are no problems with the communication routes either.”
Only dry‚ businesslike confirmations were exchanged.
From beyond the window‚ the faint sound of church bells celebrating peace could be heard.
Arcadia’s night was endlessly calm—and that was precisely why the coldness of the “Silver Wedge” driven into its bosom stood out.
Petelgeuse: “Then—let us search.
For the Calculation God.”
At Petelgeuse’s words‚ the undercover operative shook his head.
Undercover operative: “There is one problem.
The means of finding the target individual in this country.”
Petelgeuse silently looked at the man.
Undercover operative: “We are foreigners.
We are not familiar with the city’s underworld either.
Without any clues‚ smoking out a single person will be extremely difficult.”
The information given by the Pope was only the designation “Calculation God.”
Name‚ face‚ age‚ even the location—none of it was known.
Petelgeuse: “…Have someone else search for us.”
When Petelgeuse answered in a voice without inflection‚ the man nodded deeply.
Undercover operative: “Yes.
There is a connection for that purpose.
—Do you know of a great merchant named Balthazar?”
Petelgeuse’s eyes narrowed slightly.
Undercover operative: “On the surface he is a wealthy merchant‚ but he is a man deeply connected to the underworld as well.
He buys information‚ searches for people… and if necessary‚ can even ‘erase’ people.
The name of the organization he keeps is—《Sleeping Sheep》.”
Contrary to its pastoral name‚ its reality was a cold information network that would carry out any business depending on the money.
They did not question the identity or purpose of the client.
They simply performed the necessary work‚ for the necessary amount‚ to the necessary extent.
Undercover operative: “Tomorrow night‚ if you go to the designated place‚ they will make contact from their side.”
Petelgeuse: “Understood.
Then we shall make the request.”
Petelgeuse answered immediately in a voice without emotion.
He himself did not know who they were searching for.
Only the empty outline of “Calculation God” had begun to walk alone through the darkness of the night.
◇
The following night.
Capital Arcadia‚ a back alley where pedestrian traffic had ceased.
Separated from the glamorous clamor emitted by the main entertainment district‚ a dense shadow stagnated in that corner.
Petelgeuse‚ deeply covered in an inconspicuous cloak‚ stopped alone in front of one old building.
He knocked on the door twice.
After a short interval‚ once more.
The sound of a heavy bar being removed resounded‚
Balthazar: “Enter.”
a low voice leaked out.
The one waiting beyond the step was a large man clad in high-quality clothing.
Multiple jewels fitted on his thick fingers emitted a dull light in the dimness.
Balthazar: “You must be Lord Petelgeuse.
I have been waiting.”
Balthazar‚ the great merchant whose name resounded in the capital.
An amiable smile was plastered on his face‚ but in the depths of his eyes resided the cunning appraisal light peculiar to merchants.
Balthazar: “In this country‚ you are quite a rare customer.
When people like yourselves come to visit me… it is usually not ordinary business.”
Petelgeuse remained silent as he took out a heavy leather bag from his breast and carelessly tossed it onto the table.
Clink—.
The heavy‚ cold sound of metal resounded‚ and Balthazar’s gaze was drawn to the bag.
Petelgeuse: “This is the reward.”
The bag was opened‚ revealing a large quantity of gold coins and a group of dazzling gems stored in a small box.
Balthazar: “…I see.”
The amiability vanished from Balthazar’s smile‚ transforming into the pure face of a merchant measuring the “amount.”
Balthazar: “It seems to be a quite serious request.
You wish me to find someone?”
Petelgeuse: “Yes.”
Balthazar: “The name?”
Petelgeuse: “I do not know.”
Balthazar: “…Oh.
Age or appearance?”
Petelgeuse: “Unknown.”
Balthazar’s eyebrows rose slightly.
Balthazar: “That is… quite a high-difficulty request.”
Petelgeuse: “Please search.”
Petelgeuse stated.
Petelgeuse: “There is a clue.
—‘Calculation God.’”
Balthazar pondered for only a few seconds.
Then‚ without hesitation‚ he reached for the bag of gold coins.
Balthazar: “We shall accept this as investigation expenses.
……”
He lifted the box containing the gems and deepened his satisfied smile.
Balthazar: “This shall be the success reward.
Very well.”
Balthazar called out magnanimously toward the darkness behind him.
Balthazar: “Then—shall we wake the Sleeping Sheep?”
At that word as a signal‚ multiple human shadows soundlessly oozed out from the deep darkness at the back of the room.
Without uttering a single word‚ they received the information and expenses from Balthazar and disappeared again as if melting into the night’s darkness.
Petelgeuse: “How long will it take?”
Balthazar: “A person search?”
Balthazar laughed deep in his throat.
Balthazar: “It should not take that much time.
After all‚ in this country… there are mountains of people who sell information.”
It was exactly as those words said.
From that night onward‚ large quantities of gold coins began to move like capillaries through the underside of Arcadia.
Taverns‚ cheap inns‚ back-alley merchants‚ porters‚ gatekeepers‚ academy cleaners—nameless information brokers flocked to the glitter of gold coins‚ and countless small pieces of information were scraped together.
Information broker: “Haven’t you seen anyone going in and out of underground facilities recently?”
Information broker: “Louis Adel? Never heard the name.”
Information broker: “Special training room? …I’ve heard a little about that.”
Information broker: “How much will you pay?”
Information broker: “Depending on the value of the information.
Then how about this?”
Gold coins slid across a dirty desk.
Click‚ a dry sound rang out.
Information broker: “…One more.”
Information broker: “Greedy‚ aren’t you.”
Information broker: “Lives are on the line.
It’s palace confidential‚ after all.”
One more coin.
One piece of information called the next‚ points became lines‚ and eventually those lines converged upon a single definite place.
And then.
Into the hands of 《Sleeping Sheep》‚ a clear “name” and “location” were delivered.
In a dark room‚ the man who received the final report read aloud the letters on the parchment.
Sleeping Sheep man: “…Found them.”
There‚ several concise lines were recorded.
—Target: Louis Adel.
—Location: Royal Magic Academy underground‚ Special Training Room.
—Status: Currently still sleeping.
Sleeping Sheep man: “Sleeping…?”
The man reread that one line with a suspicious expression.
“Calculation God.”
Despite having stretched such a large-scale net to find that terrifying target of unknown identity—they were sleeping.
Without knowing anything about the countless people writhing on the underside of the capital or the approaching Silver Wedge filled with murderous intent‚ they simply continued to sleep.
That report raced through the night capital in the blink of an eye and was brought to Petelgeuse.
Petelgeuse: “…Louis Adel.”
Placing that name on the tip of his tongue‚ Petelgeuse closed his eyes.
Petelgeuse: “At last‚ we have found them.”
The emotionless whisper of a fanatic resounded terribly coldly in the empty night room.
The night of the capital Arcadia grew deeper together with a profound silence.
The clamor on the surface had long ceased‚ and it was the time when people were sinking the end of a peaceful day into the abyss of drowsiness.
The lights of the shops that had colored the townscape went out one by one‚ and the warm light leaking from the windows of houses gradually melted into the jet-black darkness.
However‚ only one room in the deepest darkness of the Royal Magic Academy—the underground sector where no one was permitted to enter—continued to light a cold light as if rejecting the curtain of night.
Special Training Room.
On the luxurious bed set in its center‚ Louis Adel was sleeping as if dead.
Regular breathing slowly raised and lowered his chest.
There was no color of pain on his face.
Not a single wrinkle gathered between his brows.
He was simply sunk into a deep sea of peace.
Despite having exercised the absolute calculation magic that shook the very principles (system) of the world‚ on his current profile there remained not the slightest trace of the dignity of a “god” who bore destruction and salvation‚ nor the vestiges of a gruesome battle.
Beside the bed‚ Selina Elferia was seated.
Without uttering a word‚ as if grudging even a blink‚ she simply continued to gaze intently at the beloved boy’s sleeping face.
Selina: “…Louis-kun.”
Even when she called‚ of course there was no reply.
Selina: “You’re still sleeping‚ huh.”
Having deployed a large-scale formula and to cool the enormous load placed on his personality and brain‚ he was currently transitioning into a deep sleep mode.
Selina understood that painfully well.
Selina: “…You can sleep slowly.”
She smiled with a sweet‚ terribly gentle voice.
Yet behind that smile‚ a cold tension that had not disappeared since earlier was clinging.
Selina stood up and cast her gaze over the walls‚ floor‚ and ceiling of the training room.
She carefully confirmed one by one the multiple layers of high-dimensional defensive barriers stretched there.
The wavelengths of the barriers and the spatial blockade were normal.
There were no signs of physical or magical interference from outside.
Selina: “Agreas.”
The dense shadow that had fallen at Selina’s feet rose up slimily into three dimensions.
The primordial demon clad in a jet-black tailcoat respectfully bowed his head.
Agreas: “Did you call‚ my lady?”
Selina: “What you mentioned earlier.”
The warmth of a girl smoothly withdrew from Selina’s blue eyes.
Selina: “Are they still there?”
Agreas’s ruthless expression tightened slightly.
Agreas: “…Yes.”
Selina: “Do you know the location?”
Agreas: “I have not yet grasped the precise coordinates.”
The demon slowly shook his head from side to side.
Agreas: “However.”
Agreas’s voice sank low as if crawling closer.
Agreas: “There is no mistake that a group possessing clear ‘malice’ has entered somewhere in the capital.”
Selina fell silent.
The sense of foreignness the Saintess had felt in the distant palace and the malice Agreas had sniffed out deep underground.
Completely separate sensations were pointing with uncanny accuracy to the same fact.
Selina: “…What kind of malice is it?”
Agreas: “That far is beyond me.”
Selina: “Toward whom as well?”
Agreas: “At the present time‚ I cannot judge.”
Selina returned her gaze to Louis once more.
He was sleeping.
Without knowing anything of the world’s crisis or the schemes of the writhing fanatics‚ he was simply continuing to sleep defenselessly.
After gazing at that sleeping face for a while‚ Selina opened her mouth.
Selina: “If you find the intruders.”
Agreas: “Yes.”
Selina: “Eliminate them immediately?”
Agreas respectfully bowed once.
Agreas: “If my lady so commands‚ at once.”
Several seconds of silence.
Selina: “…Not yet.
Because I still don’t know what the malice is directed toward.”
Agreas narrowed his eyes slightly as if probing.
Agreas: “Is that acceptable?”
Selina: “Mm.”
Selina nodded small.
Selina: “Even if you find them‚ don’t touch them for now.
You don’t have to chase them.
From our side‚ we will do nothing.”
Selina approached the bed once more.
Regular‚ quiet breathing in sleep.
The boy who in the midst of battle had wielded abnormal power enough to rewrite the world itself was now nothing more than a single defenseless sleeping boy.
Selina: “…Louis-kun.
I won’t wake you.”
She murmured small as if praying.
Selina: “It’s fine to keep sleeping for now.
You worked so hard.”
That voice was not meant for anyone else to hear; it was for telling herself.
If she had strong power‚ she should use it.
If danger approached‚ the two of them should fight together—the previous her would probably have thought that way.
But it was different now.
There was no need for him to continue calculating while grinding down his heart any further.
If he was sleeping‚ it was fine to let him keep sleeping forever.
If the enemy came‚ they would cleanly eliminate them by themselves without waking him.
Selina knelt beside the bed and gently adjusted the edge of the futon.
Selina: “…Good night‚ Louis-kun.”
It was then.
Far away‚ beyond the thick underground defensive walls.
In the surface domain‚ some magical wave trembled faintly.
Selina’s pupils suddenly narrowed like needles.
Selina: “…Just now.”
Agreas had raised his face at the same time.
Agreas: “Yes.”
Selina: “Close?”
Agreas: “…I still cannot judge.”
Selina stood up.
From her expression‚ the warmth of a girl completely vanished.
She had no intention of waking Louis.
With the bed at her back‚ she simply coldly stared in the direction of the heavy door.
Selina: “Rosetta.”
Rosetta: “Yes.”
Selina: “Can you make this room even stronger?”
When she asked the combat maid who had soundlessly appeared from empty space‚ Rosetta nodded expressionlessly.
Rosetta: “It is possible.
—Come forth.”
The moment Rosetta briefly commanded‚ three girls oozed out from the shadow behind her as if appearing.
Iris‚ Claire‚ Noir.
The special-grade combat maids directly under Rosetta that the Elferia ducal house prided itself on.
Rosetta: “While maintaining the existing barriers‚ we shall construct additional absolute-cutoff defensive walls on the inside.”
The three maids‚ without uttering a single word‚ instantly scattered to three directions of the room.
When they held out their hands‚ pale geometric lights ran‚ and new formulas layered multiple times upon the magic circles on the walls.
The absolute birdcage was woven into an even thicker‚ almost violently robust fortress.
Having watched that‚ Selina lowered her gaze.
Selina: “Agreas.
Prepare for interception.”
Agreas: “Understood.
—Come.”
The primordial demon snapped his fingers.
At once‚ the darkness that had fallen on the floor of the training room boiled stickily‚ and three aberrant forms appeared as if crawling out.
The higher demons Valefar‚ Gusion‚ Sitri.
Abyssal monsters that had sworn absolute obedience to Agreas and existed solely to reap human souls.
The three demons‚ understanding their master’s will‚ soundlessly melted respectively into the ceiling‚ the blind spot of the door‚ and the reverse side of space.
An invisible interception net that would reap lives the moment one stepped in was completed.
Illuminated by the pale barrier light‚ Selina murmured in a terribly calm voice.
Selina: “…It’s alright.”
An excessive amount of fighting force.
In the center of a space filled with breathtaking murderous intent‚ she protected the sleeping boy with her back.
Selina: “I will absolutely not let them lay a hand on Louis-kun.”
And then.
Even the faint remaining smile completely disappeared from her face.
Selina: “But—”
In her blue twin eyes resided a bottomlessly dark light.
Selina: “If they approach Louis-kun even a single step.”
One beat.
It was a terribly gentle voice.
That was precisely why it carried a pure 100% madness that made even demons shudder.
Selina: “At that time—we shall eradicate them from the root.”
Agreas respectfully bowed his head as if hiding deep joy.
Agreas: “—As you will.”
Perfect silence returned once more to the Special Training Room.
The absolute barriers stretched in multiple layers.
The boy who continued to sleep.
Beside him‚ the girl sharpening cold murderous intent‚ and the primordial demon lurking in the shadows.
And the strongest watchdogs deployed throughout the room.
No one in the capital yet knew the precise coordinates of this place.
And the boy sleeping deep underground still had no way of knowing that the enormous schemes revolving around him were already approaching right there.
Another place in the capital Arcadia.
Kingdom Army Operations Command Room.
As if cutting through the silence of the night‚ a single messenger soldier was racing through the stone corridor.
The sound of heavy military boots resounded‚ and the door was roughly opened.
Messenger: “Captain!”
In the depths of the dim command room‚ several elites of the kingdom’s special operations unit were waiting around a round table.
Captain: “Enter.”
The captain seated in the upper seat briefly responded.
The messenger sharply saluted and held out a single report sheet.
Messenger: “An emergency report has come up from the Border Control Bureau.
Regarding the group that entered the capital in the past few days.”
The captain received the report and lowered his gaze.
Seeing the numbers recorded there‚ a deep wrinkle gathered between his brows.
Captain: “…Forty-eight people?”
Messenger: “Yes.”
Messenger: “All of them were wearing white garments.
Affiliation is the northern ‘Hero Church.’
They entered as pilgrims‚ and formal seals are complete on their identification papers as well.”
On paper there was no problem.
There was not the slightest deficiency in the legal procedures either.
On the surface‚ just a group of devout pilgrims.
However‚ the intuition of a captain who had long lived on the battlefield as a soldier was blaring an alarm loudly.
Captain: “…All forty-eight were unified in the same white clothing?”
Messenger: “Yes.”
Captain: “Weapons?”
Messenger: “Within the confirmed range‚ they possessed no clear lethal weapons or magical tools of any kind.”
The captain stood from his chair and approached the wide-area map of the capital hanging on the wall.
Captain: “How is their movement.
An amateur pilgrimage group?”
Messenger: “About that…”
The messenger hesitated in his words.
Messenger: “They were strangely too well-aligned‚ it seems.”
Captain: “Aligned?”
Messenger: “Yes.
According to the gatekeepers’ reports‚ neither the walking speed nor the intervals in the line were disturbed by a single person.”
One beat.
Messenger: “It was as if they were ‘one living creature’ that shared will from the beginning‚ they said.”
The captain closed the report.
Captain: “…Not like pilgrims.
It’s the marching of a highly trained army.”
Messenger: “I think so as well.”
A heavy silence fell over the command room.
Outside the window‚ the peaceful capital with faint lights stretched out.
But somewhere in that calm town‚ forty-eight people of unknown identity with military-level training were lurking.
That alone sent a cold sensation running down the spine.
Captain: “When did they enter?”
Messenger: “Several days ago.”
Captain: “Current place of stay?”
Messenger: “It appears they are dispersed among multiple inns within the capital.”
Captain: “…Understood.”
The captain opened the report again and ran his eyes over the remarks column.
There—his finger stopped dead.
Captain: “—《Silver Wedge》.”
He slowly ruminated on that name inside his mouth.
Unit member: “…Captain?”
Captain: “You lot.”
The captain raised his face.
Captain: “Do you remember this name?”
The unit members looked at one another and shook their heads from side to side.
The captain remained silent for a while‚ then eventually opened his heavy mouth.
Captain: “I do.”
The unit members all raised their faces at once.
From their superior’s face‚ the color of blood had drained to a degree unbefitting a battle-hardened soldier.
Captain: “It is a special operations unit directly under the Hero Church that exists in the northern Holy Empire.”
Unit member: “The Hero Church’s…?”
Captain: “Yes.”
The captain opened a desk drawer and took out an old battle record that had been strictly sealed.
Captain: “Do you remember the incident several years ago when a large-scale independent military organization expanded its influence near the eastern border of the empire?
That organization had repeatedly engaged in armed clashes along the border with our kingdom as well.”
Veteran unit member: “…Ah‚ those radicals.”
The veteran unit member frowned.
Veteran unit member: “I’ve heard damage reports from the border garrison.”
Captain: “Not only military force.”
The captain tapped a line of the record with his finger.
Captain: “They had tamed wild dragons and subordinated them as fighting force.
It was not an army of humans alone.
They incorporated magical beasts into their tactics and occupied multiple fortress cities.”
The air in the room changed.
It was a massive military force that had long been a border threat not only for the empire but for the kingdom as well.
Unit member: “And that… the 《Silver Wedge》?”
Captain: “That’s right.”
The captain’s voice lowered another notch.
Captain: “—Only seven days.”
Unit member: “Seven days…”
Captain: “In just seven days‚ they annihilated a military organization that possessed thousands of troops and dragons.”
No one uttered a word.
The abnormality of a massive military force that had threatened both countries for years vanishing from the map in just one week.
Captain: “If that were all‚ it would end as a story of an elite unit the empire had been hiding.”
The captain opened the next record.
Captain: “But the problem is what came after.
Almost no survivor testimonies or details of the battle remain.”
The unit members’ expressions stiffened.
Captain: “There are traces of physical destruction.
But what happened and how it was annihilated.
The tactical process is almost unknown.
In the final report left by the scouts who investigated the battlefield site…”
One beat.
Captain: “It is recorded only that ‘people in white clothes were standing.’”
Someone held their breath.
Unit member: “Don’t tell me…”
The captain did not answer and placed another unofficial report in the center of the desk.
Captain: “There is a rumor whispered among the information departments of various countries about the 《Silver Wedge》.
—That they have contracted with demons.”
Silence.
No one laughed.
Normally it would be a story to dismiss as a ghost tale told by third-rate minstrels.
But—.
Captain: “…It was not a mere rumor.”
The captain stated lowly.
Captain: “As a result of integrating fragments of information‚ the members of the 《Silver Wedge》 each individually command ‘Archdemon-class demons.’”
The captain directed his gaze outside the window.
Captain: “—Forty-eight people.”
That number fell into the room like lead.
Forty-eight people.
Forty-eight Archdemons.
The white group that had entered the capital through proper procedures earlier.
If all of them were the 《Silver Wedge》—.
Unit member: “…That can’t be.”
One of the unit members leaked a hoarse voice.
The captain did not answer and put strength into the tightly clenched fist on the round table.
And—into his mind floated the figure of the youth who had once been the hope of this country.
The kingdom’s strongest Holy Knight Commander—Leon Valks.
Captain: (…We)
Once‚ everyone in the kingdom had relied completely on him.
They had enshrined him as absolute justice and continued to overwork him as a shield to protect the people‚ or as a sword to intimidate other countries.
His anguish‚ his feelings toward his distant homeland‚ the tremendous pressure brought by the curse called justice.
Even though they should have been seeing it right beside him‚ they had not tried to understand a single thing.
For the sake of the kingdom.
For the sake of the innocent people.
They had forced such justifications upon him‚ and as a result—they had completely destroyed even his own heart.
The captain closed his eyes with a pained expression.
Captain: (…Just what were we protecting‚ I wonder)
A voiceless atonement resounded emptily in the depths of his chest.
Unit member: “Captain…?”
Captain: “…No.”
The captain sharply raised his face.
He shook off personal feelings.
Now was not the time to regret an irreversible past.
Leon was no longer here.
That was precisely why—.
Captain: “With the Holy Knight Commander gone‚ we are the only ones who can do it in this country.”
In that voice resided the firm resolve of a soldier.
Captain: “Whether the opponent is the 《Silver Wedge》 or a legion of demons makes no difference.
We cannot allow them to do as they please within the kingdom.”
The unit members all straightened their postures at once.
Captain: “However.”
The captain closed the confidential documents.
Captain: “Do not make a move from our side.
Attack is strictly forbidden.”
Unit member: “…Yes.”
Captain: “First‚ accurately investigate their purpose.”
The captain’s sharp gaze pierced his subordinates.
Captain: “I cannot possibly think that the ‘malice’ the Saintess sensed today is unrelated to this group.
However‚ there is still no confirmation.
As the kingdom army‚ while protecting law and order‚ we shall discern the enemy’s identity and aim.”
Unit member: “Understood!”
Captain: “Thoroughly monitor them.
If there is even a slight change in their actions‚ report immediately.
…Disperse!”
Unit member: “Yes‚ sir!”
The unit members all saluted at once and turned on their heels.
The heavy door opened‚ and one by one they scattered like shadows into the night capital.
Before long—only the captain remained in the command room.
On the round table was a single cold report.
The name 《Silver Wedge》 recorded there.
The captain stared at it for a while.
Captain: “…What are you searching for in this country.”
A low voice fell into the empty dim room.
There was no one to answer that question.
The kingdom army still did not know.
What the 《Silver Wedge》 had come to the capital seeking.
And—that that “someone” was sleeping in the underground of the Royal Magic Academy.
Around the same time.
The night of the capital.
Even deeper‚ in the cold darkness.
Five shadows were soundlessly racing through the back alleys of the academy district completely cut off from human eyes.
Clad in black cloaks‚ their faces hidden by deep hoods.
They were precisely 《Sleeping Sheep》.
In the surface world their name was not even known‚ but for those living in the underworld‚ hearing that name meant either “certain death” or “absolute results.”
Their work tonight‚ performed not by emotion but solely by the absolute contract of money‚ was to search for one person.
—Louis Adel.
Sleeping Sheep leader: “…From here on.”
The man in the lead stopped his feet.
Before his eyes stood the massive school building of the Royal Magic Academy sunk in the night’s darkness.
Sleeping Sheep man: “Is the target really here?”
The man behind asked lowly.
Sleeping Sheep leader: “Royal Magic Academy underground‚ Special Training Room.
No mistake.
We verified it from multiple information sources.
We also scattered a considerable amount of money.”
The man in the lead narrowed his eyes only slightly.
Sleeping Sheep leader: “…But that’s precisely why it’s strange.
The information connects too cleanly.”
No one answered.
Information normally becomes incomplete midway through transmission‚ mixes with lies‚ and shifts locations.
Despite that‚ the information this time had matched unnaturally well.
Sleeping Sheep man: “A trap?”
Sleeping Sheep leader: “The possibility is high.
Even so‚ we go.
The request is ‘confirmation.’
We confirm the target’s life or death and return.”
Sleeping Sheep man: “Understood.”
They soundlessly infiltrated the academy grounds.
The security patrol routes‚ the magical surveillance nets‚ the cleverly mixed multiple dummy codes—while each of the five took separate roles‚ they slipped through the gaps with needle-eye accuracy.
Sleeping Sheep leader: “…Found it.”
A slight distortion of magic power in part of the wall.
When the man touched it‚ the concealed sealing formula floated up bluish-white for an instant.
His fingertips moved‚ carefully untying the knots of the complex formula one by one.
Goon—.
A low bass sound resounded‚ and part of the stone wall slowly slid sideways.
A dark‚ long staircase leading underground appeared.
The five shadows disappeared into the underground abyss.
The sound of the surface wind and the town’s murmur were completely cut off beyond the thick bedrock.
Sleeping Sheep leader: “…Deep.
The Special Training Room is ahead.”
At some branch after several turns‚ the man in the lead stopped his feet dead.
Sleeping Sheep man: “What’s wrong?”
Sleeping Sheep leader: “From here on‚ the kingdom’s security level should jump up.
We’ll break through in one go.”
It was that moment.
Catherine: “—It would be better not to go any further from there.”
A resolute‚ cold voice cut through the stagnant air of the underground.
Sleeping Sheep: “…!”
The five all took combat stances at once.
At the boundary of the darkness in the passageway where no one should have been‚ one woman was standing.
Leader of the palace investigation team‚ Catherine Belmond.
While maintaining a certain distance‚ she was staring at the five with a cold gaze from behind her glasses.
Catherine: “From here on is a special district strictly managed by the kingdom.
Unauthorized entry is not permitted.”
Sleeping Sheep man: “…How long have you been there?”
Catherine: “For a little while.
There was no need for you to notice.”
The man’s eyes narrowed.
Sleeping Sheep man: “Were you waiting for us?”
Catherine: “No.
I was simply investigating this underground sector.
However… you appeared.”
Catherine flicked the documents in her hand with her fingertips.
Catherine: “May I hear your purpose?”
Sleeping Sheep man: “A stroll.”
Catherine: “In the middle of the night? Through an underground sealed area? Quite an unusual hobby.
I can tell at a glance that you who have entered the capital’s underground are not ordinary intruders.
Your destination?”
The man did not answer and directed only his gaze toward the depths of the passageway—the direction of the Special Training Room.
It was only for a brief instant‚ but it was fatal for deceiving Catherine’s observational eye.
Catherine: “…I see.
There is something beyond there‚ and you are searching for it.”
One of the Sleeping Sheep slightly moved his hand under his cloak.
Catherine: “Please do not move.”
Catherine’s voice rang sharply.
Catherine: “I have not yet judged you as ‘enemies.’”
Sleeping Sheep man: “In that case‚ step aside.”
Catherine: “I cannot do that.
There is no reason to let you proceed further.”
Their murderous intents crossed‚ and the underground air tensed to the limit.
It was then.
Tia: “Catherine.”
From the darkness behind‚ a girl’s clear voice resounded.
Accompanied by quiet footsteps‚ one girl appeared beside Catherine.
Glossy golden hair that seemed to sway in the sea breeze.
Emerald eyes that shone vividly even in the darkness.
A delicate face as neat as a doll’s.
Yet in those eyes resided an abnormally cold‚ bottomless shadow of intellect that no ordinary girl could possess.
Emeraldia Aurelia.
Commonly known as—Tia.
Enrolled in the Magical Research Department of the Royal Magic Academy‚ the “once-in-a-millennium genius mage.”
Tia: “…Five people.”
Tia gazed at the Sleeping Sheep in turn with a languid look.
Tia: “The flow of magic power… all of them are hiding it.
Weapons as well‚ magic as well.
But all of them are moving with the same purpose vector.”
The man’s expression twitched slightly.
In only a few seconds—with that alone‚ Tia had read everything: the five’s hidden equipment‚ the flow of magic power‚ and even the dummy codes set around them.
Tia: “You are searching for ‘someone’ who is ahead.”
A short silence.
That alone was sufficient.
Tia: “…Catherine.
I don’t think we should let these people through.”
Catherine: “I have judged the same.”
The Sleeping Sheep leader exhaled small.
Sleeping Sheep leader: “…I see.
Is that young lady the escort?
Name?”
Tia: “Emeraldia.
Tia is fine.”
Sleeping Sheep leader: “…‘Once-in-a-millennium genius mage‚’ is it.”
Tia: “I don’t particularly like that way of calling me.
It’s bothersome.”
Tia answered flatly.
Beside her‚ Catherine leaked a faint bitter smile.
But—the next moment‚ the drowsy light completely vanished from Tia’s emerald eyes.
Tia: “More importantly.”
A gaze harboring bottomless intellect captured the Sleeping Sheep from the front.
Tia: “You intend to proceed further from here‚ right?”
Sleeping Sheep man: “…And if we do?”
Tia: “That would be a problem.”
Tia slightly raised her right hand.
The air of the underground passageway trembled decisively.
There was no chant.
Even the magic circle was not yet complete.
Simply the magic power drifting in space itself‚ as if following her will‚ slowly converged accompanied by absolute pressure.
Tia: “Ahead of here is the person you are searching for.”
The man’s eyes sharpened to the limit.
Sleeping Sheep man: “…You know?”
Tia: “Who knows.”
Tia tilted her head with a composed face.
Tia: “But as a reason not to let you through… that alone is sufficient.”
The underground silence completely died.
No one had yet launched an attack.
Yet if anyone moved even a few millimeters next‚ this closed underground passageway would become a gruesome battlefield.
And—beyond that passageway.
Still a little distant‚ there was the Special Training Room protected by multiple excessive barriers.
Inside it—even now‚ Louis Adel continued to sleep.
The stagnant air of the underground passageway tensed to the limit.
Palace investigation team leader Catherine and the “once-in-a-millennium genius mage” Tia.
Facing them were the five shadows of 《Sleeping Sheep》 who lived in the darkness of the underworld.
Even deeper beyond them‚ even now a single boy continued to sleep.
Those who knew of the boy’s existence were now precisely about to cross swords and murderous intent.
Sleeping Sheep commander: “…The content of the request is confirmation.”
The Sleeping Sheep commander stated lowly.
Sleeping Sheep commander: “To verify whether the target individual is ahead.”
Catherine: “In that case.”
Catherine responded and placed her hand on the hilt at her waist.
Catherine: “There is no need to proceed further from here.”
Sleeping Sheep commander: “There is.
Because it is work.”
The moment the man answered immediately‚ a sharp blade sound slid from Catherine’s sheath.
Catherine: “—I cannot let you through.”
That instant.
The figure of the man in front melted into the darkness in a flash.
A pure leap of murderous intent that completely severed footsteps and presence.
A black shadow that appeared behind Catherine thrust a jet-black dagger toward her throat.
—Kiin!
A high metallic sound echoed through the underground passageway.
A transparent barrier instantly deployed in space slid the blade and repelled it.
Catherine: “…Fast.”
Immediately after Catherine narrowed her eyes‚ the assassin clicked his tongue‚ took distance‚ and rolled a small metal piece from his feet.
Click.
Tia: “Catherine‚ to the right.”
Simultaneously with Tia’s quiet murmur‚ the floor of the passageway explosively leaped up.
Doon!
In the midst of the tremendous blast and stone fragments piercing the wall‚ Catherine who had leaped sideways readied her sword again.
Catherine: “…A trap?”
Tia: “Yes.
The first attack was not to kill‚ but to limit the evasion direction and guide toward the next deadly blade.”
Tia’s emerald eyes coldly saw through beyond the swirling dust cloud.
Tia: “They are quite well trained.”
Zash.
Left‚ next right‚ and behind—from all directions of the underground passageway‚ countless footsteps began to echo as if an illusion.
A net of false images as if surrounded by more than ten ambushers.
Catherine: “Illusion…?”
Tia: “No‚ sound.”
Tia slightly closed her eyes and listened to the resonance of space not with her eardrums but with magic power.
Tia: “They are simply scattering the footsteps themselves in multiple directions.
The ones actually moving are—the third.”
She lightly flicked her fingertips.
Paan!
Magic power exploded in what should have been empty space‚ and with a muffled groan one man tumbled out from the darkness.
Sleeping Sheep man: “Why…!”
Tia calmly looked down at the astonished man.
Tia: “The echo of the sound and the source of the magic power did not match.
I simply excluded the camouflaged sounds and calculated backward.”
Sleeping Sheep man: “…A monster?”
Tia: “I dislike that way of calling.”
Tia furrowed her brows as if truly offended.
Tia: “I simply thought normally.”
Sleeping Sheep commander: “—Don’t let her use magic!”
Together with the commander’s scream‚ another assassin leaped forward.
The black stake gripped in his hand was thrust into the stone pavement.
Zun‚ the air distorted.
The magic circle that had been about to be woven at Tia’s feet took on noise and fragilely collapsed.
Tia: “…I see‚ an anti-magic interference tool?”
Sleeping Sheep man: “A tool for killing mages.
It obstructs the construction of the formula itself.”
Toward the man smiling ferociously‚ Tia slightly tilted her head.
Tia: “You’ve researched the methods of killing mages quite thoroughly.
But—the range is a bit too narrow.
It’s only interfering at my feet.
In that case‚ I simply need to avoid it.”
The moment the man’s smile froze‚ another assassin’s deadly blade approached from behind‚ piercing Tia’s blind spot.
But—Kiin! Catherine’s sword nonchalantly repelled it.
Catherine: “I won’t allow it!”
The assassin retreated‚ and Catherine‚ without pursuing‚ lined up beside Tia.
Catherine: “Tia.
It would be better not to play any further.”
Tia: “…You’re right.”
The moment Tia nodded small‚ even the faint interest completely vanished from her voice.
Tia: “It’s about time to finish this.”
Sleeping Sheep commander: “Smoke screen!”
Together with the commander’s shout‚ a sphere burst on the floor.
Dense white smoke of magical particles that disordered not only vision but even magic power perception at once completely covered the passageway.
Beyond the smoke‚ four murderous intents rushed from all directions.
Someone from Sleeping Sheep: “It’s over.”
Someone’s murmur resounded.
But Tia’s voice wrapped in the white smoke was endlessly quiet.
Tia: “Two on the right.
One on the left.
And one behind.”
The assassins’ movements stopped as if frozen.
Sleeping Sheep man: “…How do you know.”
Tia: “Every time you give an order‚ magic power moves.
Not the voice‚ but the tremor of magic power.”
Paan!
An invisible impact ran‚ and the commander was violently slammed against the wall.
Sleeping Sheep man: “Captain!”
The remaining four moved at once.
Assassination‚ illusion‚ anti-magic‚ restraint.
Four roles meshing in an instant—a perfect coordination that an ordinary mage could never break.
Tia: “…Too slow.”
The moment Tia murmured‚ countless magic circles floated up on the walls of the underground passageway.
Sleeping Sheep man: “—What is this!”
Tia: “The formulas you used.
I borrowed them just a little.”
The blood drained from the assassins’ faces.
The magic circles inverted‚ and the illusions‚ restraints‚ and magic interference they themselves had released assaulted them from completely different directions.
Tia: “Formulas can be used even if they belong to the enemy‚ once the structure is understood.”
Tia’s fingertips moved faintly.
Don! Space trembled‚ and the assassins’ bodies were mercilessly pinned to the stone floor.
The magic power of the man who held the anti-magic tool reversed‚ and the man who had used illusions had his own phantoms bare their fangs at him.
The commander was confined within a sturdy spatial barrier.
Complete neutralization.
In the underground passageway where silence returned‚ the commander muttered blankly.
Sleeping Sheep commander: “Just by seeing them once…”
Tia: “Yes.
I mostly understood.”
Catherine looked at Tia with a mixture of exasperation and awe.
Catherine: “…Aren’t you a bit too strong?”
Tia: “Is that so? I simply analyzed normally‚ though.”
Before the girl who tilted her head as if truly wondering‚ the restrained men lost their words.
The anti-mage tactics they had polished over many years had‚ in just a few minutes‚ been seen through to the bottom and trampled by a single girl.
Catherine: “All four are completely neutralized.”
Hearing Catherine’s report‚ Tia stretched small.
Tia: “Then let’s rest a little.”
Catherine: “With this much?”
Tia: “Because it’s this much.
I haven’t used much magic power.”
At that time‚ Catherine noticed a sense of incongruity.
Catherine: “…Tia.
The fifth?”
Silence.
Looking around‚ they had indeed restrained four.
But the shadows they first faced had definitely been five.
Tia: “…One is missing.”
Tia narrowed her emerald eyes.
At that moment‚ far in the rear darkness‚ one man was racing.
There was no disorder in his breathing‚ nor any impatience or guilt at abandoning his comrades.
His role was not combat‚ but “in the event of encountering fighting force beyond expectations‚ to bring back certain information.”
At the point the four were suppressed‚ his true mission had begun.
The man placed his hand on the passageway wall and opened a hidden door to an old underground waterway not recorded on the palace maps.
For those living in the underworld‚ escape routes were as important as the battlefield.
When the man disappeared into the darkness and the door closed without a sound‚ only the traces of the old stone wall remained.
◇
Further in.
In the middle of the underground passageway leading to the Special Training Room‚ Catherine stopped her feet.
She activated the communication magical tool and called to the demon on the other side of the barrier.
Catherine: “—Agreas.
Any abnormalities on the Special Training Room side?”
Agreas: “There are no problems.
There are no abnormalities in the barriers either.”
The voice of the primordial demon was far too flat.
Catherine: “There was a battle outside.”
Agreas: “I am aware.”
Catherine: “…You could hear it?”
Agreas: “No.
Nothing has reached here.”
Catherine exhaled small.
Catherine: “Louis?”
Agreas: “Please rest assured.”
The demon’s voice softened only a little.
Agreas: “Even now‚ he is sleeping healthily.”
On the other side of that thick absolute barrier.
In the Special Training Room‚ Selina was nestled beside the sleeping Louis.
Neither the tremendous sounds of the battle exchanged outside nor the swirling murderous intent reached here at all.
Only silence was protecting them.
Selina: “…He still won’t wake up.”
There was no reply.
Even so‚ Selina smiled and affectionately combed his disordered silver-thread hair with her fingertips.
Selina: “It’s fine.
Keep sleeping for now.
I will protect you.”
That voice was endlessly gentle‚ and carried a maddening purity.
At the same time‚ the man who had passed through the underground waterway was expelled into a back alley of the night capital.
In his hand was gripped the “confirmation of information” obtained in exchange for the lives of his four comrades.
—The target is indeed present underground and currently still sleeping.
That information that was too clean was not a trap but the truth.
And what was burned into the man’s memory was the “out-of-spec defensive power that even the palace is wary of” hardening around that boy.
However‚ they still did not know.
That the existence protecting that boy was not mere escorts.
And that the boy himself was a bug capable of changing the kingdom’s history itself.
On that night when the world had begun to move decisively around him.
The Louis Adel in question‚ knowing nothing of the approaching Silver Wedge or the fanatics’ schemes‚ simply continued to sleep deeply at the bottom of the quiet cage.
Chapter 15: “The Sleeping Calculation God and the Silver Wedge” End
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