The Battle of the Capital ②

Shun's perspective

"Teacher. I will go to save my elder brother, even so."

My voice, resolute, made the teacher bite her lip.

She must know I will not turn back.

"Are you certain you wish to go?"

"Yes."

"Understood. I will accompany you."

"Teacher, this is my matter. You don't need to force yourself to come."

"I cannot leave Shun alone like this."

"I am not alone. Naturally, I am going too."

"Katie, but—"

"Please let me go. Even if I was manipulated, I must take responsibility for what I did myself."

In Katie’s eyes, I saw the same resolve I carried.

She had no intention of backing down.

"Fine. But don’t push yourself too far."

"Yes."

I nod, straightforward.

Yet, I cannot trust those words.

Katie now carries an air of recklessness—she might well go too far.

"If Shun goes, then I'm going too."

"Mr. Hyarins."

[Don't worry. I'll protect the young lady.]

Hyarins speaks to me through mental linkage.

Then, I am at ease.

"What is the plan, then?"

"Drop Yugo. There is no other option."

"That is impossible."

The teacher's words.

"Yugo-kun, no—Yugo has already transferred to the Lengzant Empire. With Suto-chan."

"What?!"

"Shun, you obtained spatial magic, correct? What is your level?"

"Impossible. Spatial magic progresses too slowly. I'm only at level three. I cannot possibly train enough now to learn transfer magic."

The royal castle of Anareit has a transfer array directly connected to the Kasanagara continent, but even using it, the distance to the Lengzant Empire remains too great.

No matter how hard I struggled, reaching the Lengzant Empire before the execution of my elder brother was impossible.

"Did you flee?"

"Yes. Therefore, killing Yugo is impossible."

"Kill... him?"

My composure shattered at the teacher's words.

"Shun, are you seriously considering letting Yugo live after causing such an outcome?"

"No, but—"

"Shun. I regret my decision. I should have eliminated his skills and stats entirely. If I had properly contained him afterward, this might not have happened. But if I had killed him then, this would never have occurred."

A chill ran through me at the teacher's dimly glowing eyes.

She meant it.

She was serious about killing Yugo.

I, too, could not forgive Yugo.

Father was killed. Sui and countless others were manipulated.

There was no forgiveness to be had.

But I never considered killing him.

I couldn't consider it.

Even now, after all this, I still hesitate to take a life.

"Regardless, dealing with Yugo will come after we rescue Reston. Let's consider other options."

Everyone else accepts the word "dealing with" without hesitation.

Am I the one who's wrong?

Yes, I am.

Objectively speaking, what Yugo has done deserves death ten times over.

And yet, I, the one who suffered, feel no desire to kill.

Still, the image that keeps surfacing is that of a great hero.

Julius, my elder brother.

He didn't refrain from killing either.

He has buried countless fiends with his own hands.

Yet, even so, did his heart not carry the same aversion to murder that I feel?

I shake my head.

Focus solely on rescuing Reston, your elder brother, for now.

"Before his execution, infiltrate the location where he is imprisoned. I believe this is the only viable option, to avoid unnecessary combat."

Each of us falls into thought.

"Too many problems."

Hailins murmurs quietly.

"What problems?"

"First, we don't know where Reston is being held. Without that knowledge, infiltration is impossible."

"Then my skill may help."

The teacher raises a small hand in response to Hailins' words.

"I possess a specialized skill reserved for rulers. It allows me to locate a specific being with a known skill set. I know Reston's skill configuration. Using this ability, I should be able to determine his location."

I nod in understanding.

Now I understand why the teacher was able to gather us former students so quickly.

Using that skill, he must have searched for the unique cipher skill only we possess.

"Then, the second issue: there are definitely soldiers stationed around Reston. How do you plan to handle that?"

"We are stronger than ordinary soldiers. Our stealth has limits too. If discovered, we will push through."

I answer this time.

All members here are among the strongest in the human race.

We do not fall behind ordinary soldiers.

"There is definitely a trap. How do you handle that?"

"We will crush it all."

A definitive statement.

That is the power we possess.

That is what we believe.

"Then, let me state the greatest concern. What if Reston himself has been brainwashed?"

Hylins' words leave me without an immediate answer.

That is something I have considered too.

Given Yugo's personality, he would do exactly what I dread most.

And it would enslave Reston-sama, forcing him to attack us—those who came to rescue him.

Worse still, it would compel Reston-sama to kill himself before our eyes.

If attacked, we could subdue him. That would be manageable.

But suicide cannot be prevented.

In either case, if Reston-sama were enslaved, the situation would become dire.

"I have a plan."

But I do possess a secret strategy.

I would prefer not to use it, but if necessary, holding back is not an option.

"If Reston-sama were enslaved, could you trust me with the situation?"

"Can you really handle it?"

"Yes."

A firm declaration.

No one will let Yugo do as he pleases again.

"Then, we must rescue the others, aside from Reston-sama."

They all react with strained expressions to my words.

"Shun, that’s impossible."

"Why?"

"Regardless of how many people were captured this time, it is certain they are numerous. There is no margin to escape while protecting them all."

"But—"

"Shun, I agree with Highness Hyilins."

"Katia."

"Shun, we are not gods. There are things we can do and things we cannot. Trying to save everyone will only expand the damage."

I attempt to counter Katia’s words, but notice my hand is tightly clenched.

That’s right.

Katia has said nothing about her parents or the members of the ducal family.

From her expression, I can infer the outcome.

Yet she has not said she wishes to save them.

Katia has already given up on rescuing her parents.

She should want to save them.

"I understand. This time, we will only rescue Reston-sama."

Said with unbearable resolve.

I’m curious too, about what became of Crebera after that.

I’d like to save Su and the others who were brainwashed as well.

But that’s impossible.

I don’t have the power to do so.

“Having Yuguo absent is convenient, isn’t it? But, Shun. For safety’s sake, keep checking your status frequently. Since we’ve returned via transfer, it means we can return again through transfer. Someone among us might already be brainwashed without us knowing.”

“Yeah. That’s right.”

“Master. For that reason, please accept Shun’s assessment.”

Kathia’s sharp words.

So that’s her intention.

The master’s expression shifts.

“What’s wrong? If you have nothing to hide, there’s no reason not to accept the assessment, is there? Or is there something you’re not supposed to be seen?”

“That is… ”

"Master. If you do not accept Shun's assessment here and now, I cannot accompany you in action."

After Catia's words, the Master fell silent for a moment, then nodded weakly.

"Very well."

At the Master's words, I activated the assessment.

High status.

High-level skill.

Expected. No surprise.

And what the Master had concealed.

"Everything is fine. There is nothing suspicious about your status."

"That is right. If Shun says so. I will believe you. Forgive me, Master, for doubting you."

"N-no. It is fine."

The Master flinched as Catia bowed.

[Why?]

[What do you mean?]

I hesitated at the Master's telepathic inquiry.

[You should know.]

[You were expecting it.]

Yes.

I had anticipated it.

The taboo skill within the Master.

[Shun-kun, you… could it be…]

Ignoring the master's telepathic inquiry deliberately.

What must be considered now is how to infiltrate the location where the elder brother is being held.