We are encroaching on a totally chaotic situation─
─which is fully expected. But I wanted to make it sound cool.
Cloaked silhouettes with headdresses are gathered around a table in the same old room of the same old shabby building that we’re all familiar with at this point.
Amongst them are two new members who vehemently refused to wear the uniform’s full-face coverings: Princess Marianne and Prince Laius.
“Are you insane, Number 1?! Inviting the prince and princess to Numbers?!” Slam! A burly dude with the number 4 on his forehead pounds the table.
“And don’t get me started on the clown. Who the heck is this?!” He points his finger straight at what looks like Medjed─a minor Egyptian deity.
The mystery character is covered in a white sheet with two holes for the eyes. There are two small lumps atop her head. I hid her ears with my Barrier magic but it’s kind of useless with the sheet-ghost costume.
You guessed it. It’s Flay.
She spent last night slaving over her DIY costume project with a needle and thread, but it turns out her idea of the club uniform was entirely wrong. Looks nice, though. She has a huge number 0 on her forehead. Bold choice. Just who does she think she is?
“I thought we weren’t revealing our identities here,” says Flay.
“That doesn’t mean I can’t question an obvious impostor!” Number 4 rants.
“Then I shall do you the favor of answering your questions. I’m a foreign exchange student who arrived a few days ago. The name’s Fletch Zenpos.”
She didn’t give her alias much thought.
“You clearly have no business here!”
Alexei-senpai (who’s also unmasked) cuts in, “Calm down, Number 4. She is…Number 7’s attendant. When the prince and princess agreed to attend this meeting, they requested that she be allowed to sit in as well. She’s a bodyguard.”
“I’m not a bodyguard. I am a secret weapon.”
“A secret weapon, you say?”
“Mwahahaha!” cackles Flay. “Your evil machinations will come to an end today!─hm? Oh, okay. What…?”
I whisper in Flay’s ear to shush. I’m in the room too. Just invisible.
“What is it? If you have something to say, say it then!” barks the hulky 4.
“Number 4, I told you to settle down.” Alexei darts him a look.
The big guy plops his butt back down in his chair.
“Allow me to apologize to you all for inviting the royal prince and princess without prior explanation. I anticipated that the idea would be met with dissent from the group. Which is why I figured we may as well discuss the topic in their presence.”
“It’s not like you to act unilaterally,” Number 4 grunts.
Number 12 adds, “He’s right. You’re usually very inclined to maintain peace and order. Almost to an obsessive extent.”
“Don’t tell me the queen’s gotten her claws into you?” accuses Number 6.
“Is our own founder betraying us?” Number 2 jeers.
Alexei’s authority is dwindling rapidly.
But senpai seems unperturbed. He flashes an icy grin.
“My principles are unchanged. We younger nobles must unite to protect the nation from the encroaching quagmire. Is that not our shared objective?”
“Yes, but…” hedges Number 12.
“I’ll go ahead and say this in the presence of the prince and princess. The rivalry between the king and queen is why this kingdom is in decline. I believe they must feel the same, which is why I’ve invited them here today.” He looks at Princess Marianne.
She speaks up. “I understand the intention of this gathering. While we do share a common goal, our approaches are starkly different. Let me be clear. Your way will lead to nothing but further unrest.”
“Hmph! The spoiled little princess thinks she knows everything!”
“Perhaps she needs to expand her horizons.”
“A bit naïve.”
Wow, they think they can get away with that tone with the princess. Do they seriously believe they’re anonymous?
But my big sis doesn’t shrink at their derisive laughter.
“The way I see it, you’re the ones with a narrow perspective. You’re being ridiculous and pathetic, dancing in the hands of evil puppeteers…”
A murmur of dismay runs through the masked club members.
Marianne declares steadily, “…The Church of Lucifyra.”
The room falls silent at her words.
“They are dangerous. Not only have they wormed their way deep into the core of the aristocracy, but they’ve also gained influence over the queen of the kingdom─which I’m sure you’re all aware of. Why can’t you see that they’re the evildoers bent on overthrowing the government?”
But the princess’s pleas are lost on Number 4.
“To ascribe such an imposing ploy to a measly little offshoot of Mijaism─I’ve never heard such delusions of grandeur!”
“No! If you knew what they’re truly plotting─”
“M-Marianne! Don’t─” protests Laius.
The siblings’ faces are flushed.
Number 4 doesn’t miss the chance to prod. “And what might that be? Do tell us!” He sneers tauntingly (only I can see his face, though). The other masked members start demanding answers as well.
Princess Marianne’s face gets even redder as she whispers…
“Revival of…the Devil Lord.”
A hush falls over the room. Then…
“Bwahahaha! The Devil Lord?! Oh, that is rich!”
“Your royal highness, please spare us the fairy tales!”
“I take it you have no interest in having a real conversation.”
Princess Marianne falls silent. Laius grits his teeth, red-faced.
Just then, Number 7 shoots her hand up in the air.
Alexei nods.
She proclaims assuredly, “If the Church succeeds in reviving the Devil Lord, the entire world will be in peril─not just the kingdom. We must set aside our factions and unite forces right away. Everyone, do not avert your eyes from the impending crisis!”
“You can’t be serious…”
Number 7 asserts, “I understand, Number 4. It sounds unbelievable, and yet it is true. Have you already forgotten the tragic Bloodless Vier?”
“Blood…what?”
Perfect timing. Just as the crowd is puzzling over Char’s unique lingo, I whisper instructions into Flay’s ear.
She hollers, “Hear me, o foolhardy humans! If these burning pleas fail to reach your ears, then I have no choice but to deliver them directly to your hearts! Let my blaze of passion illuminate your ignorance!” As Flay leaps to her feet, flames envelope her body.
Everyone’s freaking out. Utter chaos.
Suddenly, a second figure in a sheet-ghost costume enters the room and dumps a gush of water all over the first. Bloosh!
The flames are extinguished. Medjed Number Two immediately leaves the room, leaving Medjed Number One standing there dripping wet. Nice work, Liza.
As for you, Flay. Jeez. All I said was, “Step in and set things straight.” She sure took liberty with her improvising. I doubt we got our message across.
“I don’t get what just happened,” Number 4 growls, “but are you suggesting we settle this with a magic duel?”
But the message was clear enough for the meathead.
The other members pipe up.
“That certainly would simplify matters.”
“A rather bold approach.”
“Our opponents are a princess who’s unfit for combat and two first-year students.”
“Plus a flashy sidekick who’s all bark and no bite.”
“They wouldn’t stand a chance against us!”
The masked gang is getting all riled up.
My little sister muses, “Does this mean a battle scene is coming up?”
She doesn’t seem too excited?
“I suppose we can’t avoid it,” Char says decidedly. “Time to show off the fruits of our painstaking training regimen!”
Phew, she’s down.
In any case, it seems we’ve set ourselves up for a showdown against Numbers.
All right, everyone! Knock yourselves out!
I catch a glimpse of Alexei pressing his fingers to his temple and shaking his head. Aww, does someone have a brainy-hurty?