The residential district located at the highest point when dividing the city of Lindblum into upper, middle, and lower layers is the land known as the Noble District. Originally, nobles ruled over provincial towns, and the nobles of their faction lived in those regions as assistants. However, over the long years, the nobles gradually abandoned their own territories and relocated their residences to Lindblum, rich in bounty. Of course, it was not only the nobles, but even their subjects who followed. Still, there remained provincial towns with farmland, or with advantages other than nature; sources of income such as industry, fishing, or trade. Yet those were the minority. The majority of nobles lived in Lindblum’s upper layer as people who bore neither duty nor office as nobles. But even among such nobles, there were a select few families given roles as court nobles. These households built mansions on elevated ground within the Noble District, commanded and made use of the many jobless nobles, and toiled away in service of the nation. Among those court nobles, the one possessing the largest faction, the House of Marquis Alheus,was now where the kingdom’s knight order was beginning to gather… The time had come. As the sun sank and ceased to shine upon the Noble District, like shadows spreading into the night, the knights of the Holy Principality fanned out through the district under Kres-san’s command. “Shizuma. I’ll visit first. Depending on their reply and actions, I may take a stance as is. You will follow. Understood?” (Kres) “Because I have a reliable Knight Commander at my side.” (Shizuma) “Wha…! Don’t say such cute things.” (Kres) It may have been unnecessary, but the lighthearted jab I gave to ease the tension seemed to not have pleased her. Soon, once the red glow lingering in the far sky vanished…at the very moment that signified the last light of day had faded…Kres-san knocked upon the mansion’s door… Inside the mansion. Detecting the uneasy air, Marquis Alheus had secretly gathered his private soldiers into the hall. “What is the situation?” (Alheus) “Not a single scout has returned. Likely captured… In other words, the mansion is completely surrounded.” “No visual confirmation?” (Alheus) “They are perfectly hidden. Likely making use of the neighboring estates’ grounds to conceal themselves.” “Meaning, the groundwork has already been flawlessly laid.” (Alheus) “What shall we do? We, the private guard, await only Your Excellency’s command.” The Marquis pondered. Why such sudden action? At the luncheon the other day, attendees’ identities had been firmly verified. Even if people from the state…people of the Queen’s side…had mingled in, it should have posed no problem. There should have been no reason whatsoever for the kingdom to mobilize its knight order against him. And yet…he also understood that he himself had indeed committed the single greatest act of betrayal. “A worm within the lion’s body…or perhaps the mistake was letting it outside… All of you, buy time. Surely their target is my guests. I will buy time first. In that span, guide those guests to the underground. A battle will likely break out… I entrust it to you.” (Alheus) Read complete versıon only at 𝔫𝔬𝔳𝔢𝔩~𝕗𝕚𝕣𝕖~𝙣𝙚𝙩 The private soldiers’ fighting spirit flared at the words of their master and employer. And one messenger departed toward the guests…the former classmates. “Everyone, please evacuate to the underground at once.” The students, relaxing in the mansion’s depths, stirred into commotion at the sudden summon. “This mansion is currently surrounded by the kingdom’s knights. The Marquis said the target is you. Orders have been given to see you escape at once.” The report sent tension racing. “No way… The country found out…?” “That was quick. Hishida-san, was there anything unusual at the academy?” “Are you suspecting me? Unfortunately for you, I haven’t gotten deeply involved with anyone. I doubt I was followed or drew attention. There was a rumor a student died in an accident…but that has nothing to do with this, surely.” (Shuu) “Hey, what do we do? Are we just supposed to run?” “…Honestly, I don’t think this mansion’s soldiers can stall for much time. What do we do? Does someone stay behind?” Surprisingly, Isaka seemed to consider the possibility of someone remaining behind. But in truth, it was simply him implying that the strongest…himself…ought to be prioritized above all else. “I think I’ll run. Getting caught would be bad, right? Shuu, what about you?” “…I’ll stay. But not to buy time. Even now, our status as students can still be used to slip into the country.” (Shuu) “Ehh…then maybe I’ll stay too?” “…Yuuko, this time you’d better think seriously. Worst case, we’ll be killed.” “What, for real!? Then I’ll run… Isaka, Kazunuma, will you protect me?” “Chances are pursuers will be on us. We may not have that much leeway.” Yuuko’s endless lack of urgency grated on Isaka’s nerves. And then… “…I’ll stay too. I’m the best suited for buying time. I should be able to endure a decent amount of attacks. If Hishida-san stays, I won’t stop her, but if I’m stalling them, and there’s a chance, I want you to escape.” “Mm. We’ll adapt as the situation demands.” Isaka joined in at Kazunuma’s resolve. “Understood. I’ll escape, but with Kazunuma-kun behind us, I’ll feel at ease. Who else is fleeing?” “I’ll go too. If it comes to fighting… I probably have more ability than most.” The next to declare escape was Inami Kaho. Among the girls, Inami wielded magical power, making her more suited for offense than defense. “Ugh, everyone’s getting serious. I can’t fight, though.” “Yuuko, you can run. Just understand no one’s going to be there to save you.” “…Then I’ll hide here. Kazunuma, you’ll make the chance, right?” “Yeah. I’ll hold them off with everything I have.” “Settled then. I’ll flee with Inami-san. If there’s an opportunity, we’ll try to rescue Muraki-kun. But if retreat becomes necessary… I’ll consider it. We still don’t have enough strength.” That much was true. They lacked power to infiltrate the kingdom and realize their ambitions. That was why they sought strength, hid, and waited for the opportunity. Each made their choice: to flee, to fight, to hide, to infiltrate. And then…a declaration rang out, loud enough for all to hear even deep within the mansion… ‘Is Marquis Alheus within! I am Kres Veil, Commander of the Holy Principality’s Knight Order! Open at once!’ Kres-san struck the door knocker and declared with a booming voice. Silence for a moment. Then, the door slowly opened as though with resolved determination. “What business brings you at this hour, Commander Kres?” The man who appeared was one I had seen before as Hash. Butler? Steward? It was that sort of position. “I seek an audience with Marquis Alheus. This is by direct order of Her Majesty the Queen. The writ is here.” (Kres) The course of events had already been decided. They arranged matters such that refusal was no longer an option. If they still refused…force would be applied. “Please wait a moment, I shall inform him at once.” The steward withdrew quietly. …So, he has already steeled himself and made some move. “Commander Kres. I’ll move now. May I?” (Shizuma) “What are you planning? It is too soon to storm the place.” (Kres) “No, I will call out.” (Shizuma) They’ll try to run, won’t they? Try to buy time, won’t they? After sneaking and hiding and fleeing this long. There’s no way they’ll all boldly come out here, right? I stepped into the mansion. And…I have just the skill for this. Activating [Crimson Howl]. “Get your asses out here already!!! Isaka Iori! Kazunuma Kouhei! Samie Yuuko! Inami Kaho! Hishida Shuu!!! You dumbasses got yourselves turned into terrorists by blindly going along, huh!? If you don’t come out, I’ll kill you myself, you failures!!!” (Shizuma) Damn, it flows out so smoothly! “Did you know!? Muraki…! He’s not even human anymore!! You lot might already be half monsters yourselves!! Then I’ll kill you all!! Stop running and come face me, you weaklings!!!” (Shizuma) How’s that? Feel like coming out now? At the very least, they’ll be rattled. Who’d expect a former classmate to be here? “If you run, next time I’ll kill you on sight, so be ready!! Hah, what a joke, Isaka! ‘Make me the strongest’, was it? The strongest, skulking and hiding…real dignified, huh!?” (Shizuma) I spit out every bit of information I know. Even what I shouldn’t know, I use it all. “Samieee! Wasn’t it luck? You said you’d make yourself lucky, right!? You happy being a criminal then?!” (Shizuma) Cheap provocation. That’s all it is. “Kazunuma! What’d that tough body get you!? Leaving Muraki behind, huh!? He’s not human anymore! Maybe he’s already dead!!” (Shizuma) “Inami!! What’s your deal!? You’re the one who told me to hole up ‘til the last second, weren’t you!? Ah, was I not supposed to say that!? I’ll definitely kill you, so start trembling!!” (Shizuma) That should be enough. I’ve probably hit every nerve. “S-Shizuma… You…” (Kres) “Ah, sorry. I figured they’d try to run, so I provoked them. I think this’ll at least delay their escape. We should break in right away.” (Shizuma) “I…I see… Just don’t make a habit of such foul words. It’ll be troublesome if it sticks.” (Kres) “Yes, my apologies.” (Shizuma) …With Crimson Howl’s effect, my next strike will hit harder. I never intended dialogue from the start. The moment my classmates appear… I’ll finish it. Then, the steward returned with Marquis Alheus from within. “My, what a boorish voice I heard. A new errand boy of the knights, perhaps?” (Alheus) “No, a guest. Said to be kin of the guests you’re harboring.” (Kres) “Pleasure to meet you. Thank you for looking after my foolish kin.” (Shizuma) “Oh? And what do you mean by—” (Alheus) It happened in an instant. I just felt a gust of wind, and a spear was already at the Marquis’s throat. “This is not a request. Orders have already been issued. Submit quietly…or die. With suspicion of treason upon you, guilty or not, once accused you have no choice but to obey.” (Kres) “…Good grief. Very well, take me away.” (Alheus) “So we shall. And…ALL UNITS, STORM THE PLACE! Secure the basement! There must be a tunnel! Search every room!” (Kres) The knights waiting surged into the mansion at the command. A mass of soldiers flooded into the entrance hall at the bound Marquis’s shout. It’ll turn into a melee…! This confusion is bad, it’ll waste too much time! “Kres-san, halt the charge for a moment. Just a moment…three seconds.” (Shizuma) My usual speed-focused combo, plus this new “trample build.” I charged straight into the onrushing soldiers. Pretending to head directly for the man in front, I stepped aside at the last moment, zig-zagging, overlapping with soldier after soldier. …Enough damage to instantly weaken even powerful monsters. Worst case, some will die. I’ve already resolved to kill if I must. “Gaaaahhh!!! My stomach! It’s split…!” “What is happening…!” Screams rose not only from behind, but right beside me. Literally trampling them. Men suddenly blown away, necks and limbs bent in impossible angles. When I am doing my steps, my arms are spread wide to increase my touch range…and where my hands touched, their flesh split open. One after another fell. In a blink. In just an instant of invisible movement, every last charging soldier was rendered combat incapable. “Search the mansion! Enemies eliminated!” (Shizuma) “Wha…! Shizuma, you…! To such an extent…!” (Kres) The knight order poured in at last at my signal. “Shizuma!!!! What do you know!? Why are you siding with this country!!” A man emerged from deeper inside. A former classmate…Kazunuma…appeared.