081 Drifting Arc 21: Secret Meeting

Short.

True Empire, certain outpost.

The True Empire’s stronghold, the return of Princess Kaede—descendant of the True Emperor’s blood—brought relief to all.

"Princess!—!"

An old man in a white-haired butler’s uniform sprinted toward Kaede.

At the instant she’d be embraced, Kaede dodged.

"Old man. No need for that kind of physical contact."

"My apologies, Your Highness. But I was worried—worried sick... General! You’ve annihilated them, haven’t you?"

In a flash, the doting expression vanished, replaced by a stern glare fixed on the General.

(He’s a hereditary retainer, descendant of an old noble house, and the Emperor’s personal attendant. Also Kaede’s tutor.)

Which meant he was gentle with her, harsh with everyone else.

"That’s something I’ll report on shortly..."

"What? You’re back without completing the mission?!"

The old man narrowed his eyes, pressing his authority. This old man seemed to have skills of his own.

"Grandfather! There’s a reason for this. Listen to me!"

The old man relaxed his glare at the words of Kae-de.

"But seeing the princess in such a state... I can’t just stand by. It’s already settled!"

Kae-de cut in sharply.

"Listen! I was saved by someone important over there. It was Akira, my brother!"

"What?! Akira-sama?!—wait, what?!"

"Yeah. Shone brighter than a gemstone. No mistake."

"Finding the princess... Grandfather, I’m so happy I can’t even—!"

"He was in control over there. That’s why they didn’t wipe us out. Got it?"

"Actually, if we’d fought, we’d have been the ones wiped out..."

The general muttered under his breath. Couldn’t say it was Akira’s Personal Ship alone that did it—not that it mattered much.

“Dimensional comms didn’t reach you? I sent everything I had…”

“We received the ‘help’ signal. So we sent the fleet. Now, Your Highness—what’s this cipher? ‘Anagis discovered. Red Jade Pear’?”

“Ah. That one didn’t work. It was supposed to be ‘Akira found. No attack needed.’”

“If that had gotten through… we wouldn’t be in this mess…”

The general hung his head.

“My brother was ridiculously strong—single ship, mind you. And I’ve got a message from him. You need to hear it.”

“Understood. Gather all the officers at once!”

The old man summoned the True Empire’s high command, and the meeting moved to the audience chamber.

Before the assembled True Empire nobility, Kaede appeared, resplendent in a lavish gown, taking her seat upon the throne.

“Everyone… I’ve caused you worry. Forgive me. I’ve returned with a vital message.”

Kaede began speaking in her usual princess-mode.

“Though I thought myself captured by the Empire, it was actually my brother Akira who protected me.

Identification was confirmed through this gemstone. It glowed far more intensely than I ever have.”

The chamber stirred with murmurs.

Kaede raised a hand to quiet them.

“My brother sent a message: ‘Fight alongside me.’”

“Though he was deceived and allied with the usurping Empire, thanks to the Emperor’s genetic factor, he rose to become the Sixth Prince of the usurper regime and expanded his power.

But he was drawn into a succession war—set up as a trap—and nearly eliminated.”

The high-ranking officials of the True Imperial Court gasp.

To think their beloved True Emperor’s heir had nearly been erased.

“The greatest threat right now is the so-called Prince, the Thirteenth Prince of the Usurper Empire.

He’s been lying in wait, pretending to be on the elder brother’s side, just to bring him down.

Currently, the elder brother’s forces number about one fortress ship and three thousand three hundred starships.

The strength disparity favors the Prince slightly.

That’s why they’re asking us to lend our support.”

“We serve the True Emperor without question. If the True Emperor’s signature is confirmed, there’s no choice but to cooperate.

First, we should send envoys for precise verification. Then, iron out the details of our alliance.”

"I'll be the envoy myself," I said. "Send the parents of the specialist Yaezashi too. And assign one from the military for the practical negotiations."

Our public presence weakens the usurper's position. We'll remain in the shadows from now on."

Kae-de maintained her regal demeanor throughout the audience. The audience concluded.

Once the retainers had departed, Kae-de deflated like a balloon with the air let out.

"Man, I'm totally not cut out for this—!"

Kae-de was five years old in actual age. Her princess act was laughably forced.

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A dimensional comm report arrived from Kae-de.

She and the envoy, plus a technician—four people total—were scheduled to visit.

I’d already advanced my Personal Ship to the Dimensional Jump Gate ahead of schedule, waiting to greet Kaede.

A fleet intrusion alert blared from the Kae-de Dimensional Jump Gate—Anoi Fortress.

Timing-wise, it had to be Kaede’s envoy. My Personal Ship, poised at the gate, ready to receive them.

But the vessel that came through wasn’t the real Imperial ship I’d marked.

‘Damn it. Let my guard down. That’s Red! Enemy fleet! Engage!’

We’d been hit with a surprise assault from the enemy forces.

We unified the True Emperor faction under the True Empire.