Volume 7 Chapter 11 Unsettling Shadows
The practice shooting was decided to be postponed for another time.
Elk put bullets into the black pouch he received from Emma. It was attached to his belt, making it easy to grab bullets from his waist.
He passed by several security teams.
Everyone was smiling while staying alert, trying to ensure that the customers felt comfortable. This consideration seemed to come from Cagliostro.
Elk headed towards Emma's class.
"Oh, there you are."
Emma was in the corner of the classroom, looking nervous but smiling.
When she noticed Elk, her expression brightened, and she quickly walked over.
"Mr. Elk!"
"Hey, Emma. You look happy."
"Yes! Hehe... My wallet design got praised!"
"Is that so? Congratulations!"
"Thank you!"
Emma's class had many girls. There were a lot of handmade accessories and clothing.
The wallet Emma made was a small, foldable one.
However, the decoration was... a crow.
"...Um, is this yours, Emma?"
"Yes! Hehe, I got really into the crow decoration."
"I-I see."
Elk wasn't sure if Emma was aware of him or not.
Not knowing what to say, he smiled ambiguously.
* * *
Meanwhile,
Yato and Kaya were walking with somewhat unhappy steps.
People other than security were prohibited from being armed. Weapon and item rings were also not allowed.
The two walked unarmed down the commerce department hallway.
"Peaceful, isn't it..."
"Yes. But it's during times like this that something happens."
"I think so too. Honestly... it's true what they say about being a burden."
"I agree."
Kaya was no longer trying to hide that she was Yato's servant.
At first, she approached her as a disciple and acted like a friend, but as they spent time together, her desire to serve her as a servant grew stronger. Now, she used polite language and was always by his side.
At first, Yato found her annoying. However, she eventually gave in to Kaya's persistence and allowed her to act as her servant.
There was a chance that Yato's true identity could be revealed, but since Elk and the others were not familiar with Yamato country, they casually explained that "Kaya fell for Yato's strength and became hier servant." It was almost the truth.
Yato never showed it, but having someone from the same hometown was comforting. It was nice to know she wasn't alone, and she appreciated Kaya's presence.
"Lady Yato, what should we do now? Spending the whole day just visiting the commerce department is a bit much."
"Well... we can't use the training ground today. It would be boring just wandering around like this, so how about we go to the shopping mall for some tea?"
"Sounds good. So──ah."
When Kaya looked straight ahead, she saw Elk.
Wearing combat gear, Elk noticed Kaya's gaze and approached them.
"Hey, you two are here."
"Yeah, we came to see it as students, not for security."
"That's a bit sharp..."
Elk smiled wryly at Yato.
Even though it wasn't Elk's responsibility, he felt a tiny bit guilty that the two he recommended for security were treated as "burden."
"Uh... so what are you two going to do now?"
"We're going to have some tea. There's no class today, and we can't use the training ground."
"Then why not go see Emma? You both live in the same dorm, so it's fine to say hello, right? Plus, Emma would be happy if you two went."
"Is that so? I don't remember being close to her."
"Saying hello, but..."
"Come on, just do it. Okay?"
"...Well, fine."
"Got it. So, shall we go?"
After parting with Elk, Yato and Kaya head to Emma's classroom.
Then, Kaya suddenly stops.
"Kaya? What's wrong all of a sudden?"
"...W-Why?"
"Kaya?"
"Um, Lady Yato... let's not go to this classroom."
Kaya takes Yato's arm and leads her to a different classroom.
Once inside, she presses her body against the wall.
"Hey, hey... what's going on?"
"Lady Yato, we should go back to the dorm and get our weapons. It's too dangerous to be unarmed."
"...Enemies?"
"Yes. No doubt about it."
Then... several women in kimonos enter Kaya and Yato's classroom.
Kaya stands in front of Yato. Seeing this, the women in kimonos giggle.
"Your caution is so obvious, isn't it? An unarmed young lady."
"...!"
"Hehe, the only ones from Yamato who know our true identities are the Oniwabans group (Protectors of the Noble House). Plus, we have many guests who are connected to the Yamato government... it can't be made public, you know."
"...Kaya, explain."
Yato glares at the women in kimonos with a serious expression.
The women are smirking. It just hit her that the classroom was empty.
Kaya speaks, not bothering to hide the cold sweat running down her face.
"'Night Festival Courtesan'... one of the S-rank dangerous organizations, originating from the Yamato country, and the largest and worst brōtḥel in the world. They are the 'courtesans' belonging to it... our enemies, the Oniwabans group (Protectors of the Noble House)."
"...S-rank dangerous organization."
"Correct. Hehe..."
"I never thought it would be you guys, not the Goddess Holy Church, who would invade the academy."
Kaya dropped her polite speech and took on the persona of the Oniwabans group (Protectors of the Noble House).
However, she couldn't win unarmed. Kaya's skill was body enhancement. She had trained in martial arts and could fight, but... without a weapon, her strength couldn't be fully realized.
Then, the courtesans started laughing.
"Pfft, ahhahaha! The Goddess Holy Church, the Goddess Holy Church, huh?"
"...What's so funny?"
"Hehe, the Goddess Holy Church is here too, you know? My sister has teamed up with the Goddess Holy Church."
"...Huh?"
The courtesan took out a fan from her chest and opened it.
"Hehe, the festival is about to start, right? How about we play a little, girls?"
* * *
Elwood was organizing documents in the office of Galatinne Castle.
Today, he was busy not as a student of Galatine Royal Academy, but as a prince of the Galatinne Kingdom.
His attendant and bodyguard, a young man named Lokis, brought in some tea, so he decided to take a break.
"Ahh..."
"Your Highness, thank you for your hard work."
"Ah. Being a student and a prince, both positions are not easy. Um... what was it again? I read in a book about Yamato that said, 'You can't wear 2 pairs of sandals at once'."
"That's a difficult saying."
Lokis poured himself another cup of tea.
Then, there was a knock on the office door, and a knight came in to deliver a message.
"Your Highness. A guest has arrived."
"...They've come."
Elwood stood up.
He headed to the reception room with Lokis.
There, they found Duke Kinesis, the father of Elk and the others.
Duke Kinesis stood up and bowed his head.
"Your Highness, this time..."
"Wait. No need for apologies."
"B-but..."
"I'm the one who should apologize. I couldn't stop Rosho and Sarissa, even though they are my friends."
"..."
Duke Kinesis gritted his teeth and looked down.
Elwood couldn't understand what emotions were swirling inside him.
Duke Kinesis spoke as if squeezing the words out.
"Your Highness... is it true after all?"
"......Yes."
"Ugh... Rosho, Sarissa, why?"
Rosho and Sarissa.
They were wanted as terrorists for joining the S-rank dangerous organization 'Goddess Holy Church.'
Though it was still a secret, it was only a matter of time before this fact spread.
The important thing was that they joined not due to brainwashing, but of their own will.
What flashed through Duke Kinesis's mind was the thought of the Duke family's downfall, loss of title, and confiscation of property.
"Why, why are those 2... I gave them everything they wanted and raised them with care. For those 2 to join an S-rank dangerous organization... why?"
Duke Kinesis sat on the sofa, holding his head.
Elwood sat across from him and said,
"We will definitely get them back. I think a heavy judgment will be passed, but please don't give up."
"...Yes."
"By the way, about Elk..."
Duke Kinesis's head twitched slightly.
"Will he not return to the Duke family? I heard he went missing after losing a duel."
"Yes. But he is no longer a noble, and he has no ties to the Duke Kinesis family."
"I see. If he has such achievements, perhaps..."
"...!"
Elwood meant well.
If Elk's achievements were recognized, Rosho and Sarissa's crimes might be lessened. Then, Rosho and the others might reconsider Elk, and they could be together as siblings again.
But─── that was naive. Elwood was endlessly 'naive.'
Duke Kinesis's expression twisted into a smirk.
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