EPISODE 5 LET’S PROTECT SHIREN FROM THE ENEMY! It didn’t take long for them to get into the castle. Ryouta was glad neither of them had been bathing at the time. Because of that, they were able to get moving right away. Ouka was waiting for them at the castle. “You made good time,” she said. “I was sure you would take too long trying to find your bankbook and wind up late.” “Well, it’s not a fire, so that wasn’t a priority.” “And you don’t have enough savings to worry about theft anyway.” “That’s true, but you still don’t need to say it out loud! We may be commoners, but we’re getting by!” “We’ll be going to the emergency evacuation shelter—my mother’s room—now. I’ll be hiding there, too.” Ouka started moving away as she spoke. She probably went to Ominaeshi’s room often; her movements were smooth and confident. Meanwhile, the rest of the castle was in an uproar; people running about the halls caught Ryouta’s eye. He’d never really paid any mind to it before, but there were indeed a lot of people working in the castle. There were soldiers wearing armor that looked like it came out of the Middle Ages, and still others in modern military uniforms, all going this way and that. Ryouta thought again how jumbled up this country’s institutions were. Nonetheless, everyone present had an equally tense expression. “Any information on the enemy, Ouka?” “A group of fifteen from the Virginal Father have crossed the mountains and infiltrated the Empire, with Sairi Fuyukura at the center. But there’s only fifteen of them. That’s too little to decimate an entire country, even a small one.” “That’s right. Even an elite corps can only do so much.” “That means their objective must be limited to the country’s backbone: us. If we can evade them, then we’ll win this game of tag. There’s room for us to win. More than enough.” First, they went down to the second basement level. After passing through the storage rooms, they came to the bathroom that led farther down. This time when they knocked, the automated voice said, “I’m sorry, I have diarrhea, so this might take a while…” “That’s kinda gross…,” Ryouta remarked. “But it’s better than the previous version! Be grateful we improved it!” Standing in the center of the long hallway was a group of female soldiers. When they noticed Ouka, they all bowed deeply in unison. “Ahh… They’re the Imperial Guard…” “Precisely. The Guard stays by my side to protect me, so they’re all women—except you, Ryouta.” “I noticed that. It makes me feel a little inferior, though…” “This will be the next to last line of defense. The guards are to completely cut off this corridor.” There was one familiar face missing, however. “Huh? Where’s Sasara?” “She’s here. She’s farther in, on the last line of defense. That’s where you’ll be, Ryouta.” “Can I even fulfill such an important post…?” Even though he knew he couldn’t be weak-willed here, he still shrunk back in the face of such heavy responsibility. “To be honest, I don’t really expect that much from you.” “Your honesty is pretty harsh…” “But you’re needed to strengthen Sasara. You understand what I mean, don’t you, Shiren?” A look of empathy for Sasara crossed Shiren’s face. “You’re awful, Big Sis.” “Don’t insult someone who shares half your blood, my foolish sister.” Ryouta felt Ouka had specifically chosen to use the word sister. “Follow me, bearing in mind that you are the sister of the emperor. I will not be pleased if you act shamefully.” “I would be more than happy to, Big Sis.” The two sisters grinned at each other. The sturdy door—which might as well have been a wall—was already open. Inside, Sasara was waiting. She was dressed in her knight’s gear, of course, and fully armed. “I have been waiting for you. Never fear, Lady Ouka, I shall not allow a single ant to pass this point.” “And that is exactly what I hoped for when I gave you this assignment. Ryouta, you hold the line here with Sasara.” “Got it. I’ll do what I can. I mean, I’m hoping that won’t be necessary, though.” “Rei, by the way, is in charge of surveillance in case the enemy retreats, and Toraha is leading the citywide defenses.” “Where’s Alfoncina?” Ryouta asked. “The First Cathedral is kind of like a dungeon, so she said that anyone who wanted to get at her was welcome to try. Besides, the archbishop can’t abandon the cathedral.” “Does she have security? She’s important, so she might be a target…” “No need to worry. She’s powerful enough on her own, so she’ll be all right. And considering the size of the group, they aren’t likely to divide their forces.” Indeed—if the small group of fifteen were to split up, they would be easier to pick off. “Well then, I guess I’m off, Ryouta…,” Shiren said. “Yeah. Take it easy, okay?” As they parted, they looked into each other’s eyes. This wasn’t the time for long conversation. A few words were enough. “Ryouta, Sasara. Fight well, but don’t try to earn any posthumous promotions.” “You don’t have to tell me twice, Your Majesty.” “I would never die and leave you alone in this world, Lady Ouka. No need to worry,” Sasara said, her smile carefree. “If it comes to that, I will beg for my life in the hopes of seeing you again.” “I would prefer if you fought like an Imperial guard in that case, but… Sure, fine… Okay…” “You two go on, then! Let’s make this quick!” “Yes! And don’t die, even if you’re killed!” But just before they parted, Ouka’s phone rang. “Hello, this is the emperor. Oh, I see. I kind of got that feeling anyway. Mm-hmm.” She chatted casually with the person on the other end. “What was that about?” “Apparently, the Virginal Father never had any intention of fighting. It sounds like their main mission was to make sure Sairi Fuyukura got into the country. They’re at the convenience store now.” “You don’t think…?” Ryouta wondered. “Shijou’s shop, I hear,” said Ouka. “I hope Shijou will be okay…” “Please be safe, Tamaki…” Both Ryouta and Shiren looked uneasy. “Oh, okay. Uh-huh. Why is that? I see. I’m hanging up now.” Ouka ended the conversation. “Is Tamaki okay, Big Sis?!” “Apparently, they all went red the moment they entered the shop and then ran out because they’re only selling porn.” ““The Kairakuten!”” Shiren and Ryouta yelled in harmony. “What on Earth is that store doing…? This is no time to be messing around…” Ouka cleared her throat and got the conversation back on track. “So that means Sairi Fuyukura is heading here by herself. It seems she seriously plans to take on all of us alone. She must think this is a game.” The woman certainly had a lot of confidence in her abilities. But of course she did—she was the current head of the Virginal Father. “We’re going for real now, you two.” Shiren looked silently at Ryouta and Sasara. “And, Sasara, if all ends well, I’ll be issuing a ticket to Toraha allowing him to kiss you or whatever else for one whole day.” “That is way over the line!” “But first, you need to concentrate on your enemy. Good-bye.” Ouka took Shiren’s hand and ran off. Ryouta’s and Sasara’s only task now was to wait for their enemy. They had been left alone in the cold, empty corridor. The thick door stood locked in front of them. The lock could be set using a combination of twelve numbers and letters, so of course Ryouta had used all twelve spaces. He prayed that the door would never open. “So Sairi has finally arrived.” Ominaeshi was already awake, sitting on her coffin like a chair. “Will it be a heartfelt reunion, or something else? Either way, I do not particularly want to see her. Nor do I want to hear her voice, or even her footsteps.” “That reminds me—you were never on good terms with Sairi Fuyukura, were you, Mother?” Ouka sat down beside Ominaeshi, but Shiren decided to stay opposite the coffin. “No. She is the person I hate the second most in this world. It might even be fun to settle our dispute, here and now, once and for all. Oh-ho-ho.” Ominaeshi chuckled like a vampire again. “Shiren, deary. How do you feel, knowing your mother is paying you a well-overdue visit?” Ominaeshi commanded the space, of course, as she was the oldest woman here and owner of the room. “Annoyed… I can live a perfectly good life without her around.” “Then tell her how annoyed you are. Stick your tongue out at her; perhaps insult her using words banned from broadcast television. That will surely make you feel better.” Ominaeshi was the only one who seemed at ease. Ouka sat quietly, but her expression betrayed mixed feelings. “You see,” Ominaeshi went on, “a child has the right to stand up against her parents. There is merit in pushing them to tears. The only question is whether or not you will make use of your rights. That is truly it.” “Mother? May I ask you a question?” Ouka turned to the woman beside her. “Is the person you hate the most in the world my father?” Ominaeshi’s eyebrow twitched. “Yes, and?” “Why is that? You may be Sacred Blooded, but wasn’t yours a love match?” “Yes, we were so in love. When we were around your age, we did many things together that cannot be described in a teen novel. Oh-ho, they were lustful and raunchy days. Would you like to hear the spicy details?” “No, thank you. I’m not in the mood for smut.” “Oh, whenever he took off my bra, he would—” “I told you, no!” “Sometimes, I would ride the train without wearing underwear—” “I already said no! You’re in your thirties already; please have a little more restraint!” “Aww. A life without dirty talk is like char siu ramen without the char siu…” Ominaeshi chewed her nails, looking surprisingly disappointed. “And you are not allowed to say the word thirties. I am forever seventeen—” “And stop trying to avoid the question with all this nonsense. Why do you hate Father the most?” “Obviously, it’s because in the end, he chose Sairi over me.” Ominaeshi sulked like a child. “I was so certain that I was the one he loved most in this world. I understood that as emperor, he was bound to have another woman, a lover or second wife. It was not just about love, but the survival of our country.” A tired look crossed her face. “Although apart from that, he was still such a womanizer, he would seduce anyone… I’m sure he’s making moves on a new woman even in Asgard, land of the gods…” “That’s just the sort of person Father was.” Ouka sympathized with her, seeming to know what she was talking about. “Despite that…” Ominaeshi turned to Shiren sitting opposite her. “I was supposed to be his number one. I believed that was the only possibility that existed for us, even if heaven and Earth were turned on their heads. And he betrayed me spectacularly. So of course I hate him.” As Ominaeshi stared at her, Shiren felt like she had become Sairi, that she had lived her life. “Lady Ominaeshi, if I recall, Father was shot with a gun, wasn’t he?” “That is what they say. It is most likely true.” “Does that mean he allowed Sairi to shoot him because he loved her, even though she was a member of the Virginal Father?” The truth of the incident was still shrouded in darkness. All they knew was that the emperor had been shot, and Sairi, who was discovered to have been a spy for the Virginal Father, vanished. That was the only reason for Ominaeshi’s hate that Shiren could think of. “This is the first time you have asked such a thing, Shiren.” “You may be right…” Maybe she should have confirmed it earlier. But Shiren had never had the courage. She had never even had the courage to come to see Ominaeshi. She was too sensitive to the possibility that Ominaeshi hated her. “Your guess is incorrect. It is my disgrace as well, so I do not wish to say more.” Ominaeshi turned her gaze toward the floor, as though she’d recalled something awful. Her various accessories clinked together with the movement. “But, Shiren. Ouka. There is one thing I’d like to say to you,” she said, a villainous smile on her face—even though the expression seemed particularly forced. In truth, there was nothing funny about it at all. “A man can only choose one woman. Just as a woman can only choose one man.” A quiet chuckle slipped from her lips. “That is why when you love the same man as another, all that awaits you is tragedy. You will find yourself trapped by despair, as though you will never again bask in the sun’s rays. Even though it is naught but one of the many forms love can take. Oh-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ho-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ho-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ho-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha… Ha…ha-ha… Ha-ha… Ah… Wah…” Ominaeshi’s loud laughter soon dissolved into sobs as emotion overwhelmed her. She covered her face with both hands and cried. “Lady Ominaeshi, is the real reason you hate the sun and hide yourself in here…?” “When Ouen died, it was as though I died with him. That is why I remain here in this coffin. I have no intentions of going back up to the surface.” Her exhausted face made her seem so much like Ouka, they practically looked like sisters. And that was exactly why Shiren felt so uncomfortable about all this. She had the feeling a similar misfortune might befall her own sister and herself. “As the oldest here, and one who has tasted tragedy, let me give you a word of warning… If you will be driven to despair, then it is better to give up now. Even Sairi and I, who have no blood connection, came to hate each other so much…” Ominaeshi was stumbling over her words but managed to continue. “To make matters worse, you two are sisters. You’ve come so far to make amends, and to think you will only end up hating each other… That is much more painful than giving up on just one man… It truly, truly is…” She gazed up at the gothic-style ceiling, full of eerie monster carvings trailing down the walls and pillars. Her little room was a bit like her own personal hell. “Please calm down, Mother…” Ouka sensed trouble brewing and tried to stop Ominaeshi. “Allow me to be frank. There is only one Ryouta Asagiri in this world. One of you must stand down. Or both of you must.” Ominaeshi brought up a certain name. “You will be destroyed if you try to take him from each other. Just like us.” She gave them a warning, born from her own failure. “You are horribly mistaken if you think peace will come once you beat back Sairi. The fight does not stop there. It will go on for a long, long time.” Shiren and Ouka turned to face each other at practically the same time. Their eyes locked. “I—” Ouka made the first move. “—love Ryouta.” All Shiren could do was gaze weakly at Ouka. “I’ve been holding back all this time because I’m the emperor, but I’m not going to do that anymore. I’ve liked him ever since elementary school, okay! And then I miraculously get to see him again, so why should I have to stay quiet?!” Ouka yelled, getting emotional. She had completely forgotten about her own grace as emperor. Well, perhaps she was still aware of it but decided to ignore it instead. She didn’t need that right now. She could be selfish. “That’s why I’m going to make Ryouta my minion, even if it means using my power as emperor. Then we can go back to the way we were meant to be.” “That…doesn’t matter…,” Shiren said, her head drooped. “What, do you have something to say?” “I do!” She glared at Ouka. “Sure, you may have liked him for a long time, but Ryouta’s my minion now! You’ve never lived with him, not even for a single day!” She knew that if she backed down here, it would all be over. That was why she could not stay silent. If she did, she would be doing a disservice to herself—and especially to Ryouta. “And that was all because I showed you compassion! You still haven’t made him your minion yet, so give him to me!” “Then you never should have showed me that compassion! If you’d really loved him, you wouldn’t have done that!” For a moment, Ouka lost the words to argue back. Bull’s-eye. If she had told Ryouta that she loved him and asked him to be her minion right from the start, then she wouldn’t have constantly been one step behind. “We’re not going to get anywhere like this. We can’t even make a majority decision when it’s you against me,” Ouka said with a calm face. “So let’s ask Ryouta when he gets here. That should make this quick.” Shiren’s face clouded over at Ouka’s words. That was because she knew—Ryouta’s first love was Ouka. Meanwhile, a little way in front of the evacuation shelter, Ryouta and Sasara stood together. “Now that I think about it, we have fought many times, but this may be the first time we fight a common enemy together,” Sasara said, a joking tone in her voice. But her eyes were dark—the eyes of a soldier quietly waiting for battle. “Really? Oh, but what about the thing with Toraha?” “I would not call that fighting together. At any rate, I would say I have fought against you more than aided you.” “Yeah. We even tried to kill each other. When I think about how recently that was, it feels kind of weird.” “Th-this p-pair work is not such a bad idea…” “Why are you blushing?” “Do not ask me. If I answer, it will only bring unnecessary trouble. Right now, we must first concentrate on fulfilling our duties as Imperial Guard.” “You’re absolutely right.” Back when Ouka first gave Ryouta this sword, he had felt more like he was borrowing it from a real soldier. Now it was more comfortable in his hands than ever. “But it is unlikely that they will come this far in. The recently established Magnificent Fourteen of the Imperial Guard are waiting for them ahead of us, you see.” “So including you in the Imperial Guard makes it fifteen, right? And with me, that makes sixteen… Does that mean you’re considered to be the strongest? Like, on a whole different level?” “I was treated as a pervert and removed from the group after loudly screaming my love for Lady Ouka.” “So you’ve been deemed a negative influence on society!” “They do not invite me to the guard parties, either… Lady Ouka has the power of appointment, though, so I haven’t been fired yet.” It sounded like she was being treated horribly. “The fact that they’re called the Magnificent Fourteen makes them sound really strong. Even though I’m not that great, I’m still an Imperial guard. And don’t know any of them…” “You’re such a slacker. Then I will use this time to tell you who they are,” Sasara said, exasperated. “The Magnificent Fourteen are Asuka the Multitudinous, Matilda the Haze, Mega the Malodorous, Kilue the Wicked, Selea the Savage Moth, Thunder Lirulu, Flameblood Garda, Galeblade Kena, Prickler Iriael, Naru the Imaginary, Phillea the Cruel, Clear Ice Ilhue, Sarelil the Shatterer, and Leftover Filla.” “The last one sounds really weak!” “The last one? Do you mean Leftover Filla?” “Of course I mean that one! They sound like a total afterthought!” “Leftover Filla used to play softball. Once, she was put on the field as a pinch hitter when her team had two outs, down ten points in the final inning.” “Exactly the entrance I would expect for a leftover filler! It’s like, Well, we’ve already lost. Let’s just let her stand in the batter’s box for once. Why not?” “She gave up on softball in high school and took up the sword instead.” “I guess that was the right decision in a way, but her nickname makes it sound like people really don’t think anything of her!” “My nickname, by the way, is Sasara the Pervert.” “That isn’t a nickname; they’re just calling you a pervert!” “It just does not make sense. I am fifteen times more powerful than Leftover Filla…” “Must suck being a leftover…” “Marre the Rook was the weakest before she quit…” “Sounds like she’d be better at chess!” “She quit when she decided to be a professional chess player.” “The Imperial Guard is an important post! Stop hiring weirdos!” Just then, Sasara’s phone rang. “What…? Impossible! Asuka the Multitudinous, Matilda the Haze, Mega the Malodorous, Kilue the Wicked, Selea the Savage Moth, Thunder Lirulu, Flameblood Garda, Galeblade Kena, Prickler Iriael, Naru the Imaginary, Phillea the Cruel, Clear Ice Ilhue, Sarelil the Shatterer, and the leftover have all been defeated by Sairi alone…?!” “Sairi Fuyukura is way too strong! And at least call the leftover girl by her name! Why did you leave it out?!” “Well, leftover and filler are pretty similar, so I believe just calling her by one of those words should be enough.” “Filla has to be her real name, though… Right? But now I’ve got the feeling we’re in for it!” It was a bad sign to hear all their names in full a second time. The probability was high they were going to be out of commission without even getting any screen time. “She took them out one by one, and when Leftover Filla stepped in last, she was struck down in a single blow.” “She didn’t get to do anything!” “Filla apparently yelled, ‘I’m more than enough to take her on! Everyone else, go on ahead!’” “She definitely wasn’t enough! And we’re not the ones who need to let teammates ahead! We’re the ones stopping them from coming!” “The phone call was from Filla, by the way, and considering she hung up in the middle, I believe she may be exaggerating. I doubt she got to yell anything at all. She is a filler character, after all.” “This is a weird time to be reminded of the harshness of society, but here we are…” Events were now unfolding toward the worst possible outcome. “If Sairi breaks down this door, then we will clash with her head-on. Luckily, no one besides her is coming.” Indeed—if they could manage this one woman somehow, then they would emerge victorious. “Hey, Sasara? Be honest, how much of a chance of winning do you think we have?” “You ask for honesty, and you shall receive. Considering how she took down the Magnificent Fourteen, we do not stand a chance. I suppose it would be a different story if she was already severely wounded, however,” she said, a fragile smile across her face. “Right. If you think we don’t have a chance, then I don’t know how much I’ll be able to manage… I’ll do what I can not to get in the way.” He wouldn’t let shaky knees root him in place. He had managed to avoid death thus far, and if his enemy wasn’t out for blood, then he could probably survive the ordeal. That said, it pained him to think that he wouldn’t be able to carry out his duty. No—even if he was able to stop Sairi, should he? Even though she was an intruder, she was still Shiren’s mother on her way to see her daughter. Maybe we should just step out of the way and let her through…? No! I’d be betraying all of them if I did that. Ryouta crushed the tiny hint of doubt. “But even if I do get in the way, I’ll do what I can to fight.” “There’s no need to worry. You will never get in the way,” Sasara declared, her tone confident. “How do you know that?” “Because so long as you are here, I am three times more powerful than I usually am.” “Three times? Ouka said the same thing, I think you’re fudging the numbers—” “Certainly not. In fact, it may be even more than three times.” Ryouta wasn’t really clear on what she meant. Then all of a sudden…she embraced him. Well, it wasn’t much of an embrace; she mostly just wrapped her arms around him in a light hug. “Sa…sara?” “Lady Ouka is too cruel. Though, I cannot tell if it is for her own victory or if she really did spare a thought for me.” “Hey, Sasara? What do you…?” “I apologize if I am causing you confusion. But this will give me even greater power, so please let it slide.” She let him go. But she was already looking toward the door. “Ryouta Fuyukura, it is truly an honor to fight by your side.” “Th-thanks…” “I would like to fight alongside you as long as I live, but I fear that is asking for too much. “You’re right, as long as we can both stay alive, we can fight together another day.” “Sigh… That thick head of yours truly enrages me.” Sasara huffed. “Though, it would cause me problems if you were more perceptive.” She broke into a smile. “By the way, Sasara, do you think Sairi can get through that door?” “I will bet a hundred thousand sacred yen that she can.” “Then it isn’t really a bet. I don’t think it’s going to do much to stop her, either.” As they spoke, that very door split right in two. Despite being so thick, it was practically a wall, it had been sliced like warm butter—and it was cut so cleanly that barely any pieces broke off from either half. The side of the door that slid toward Sasara and Ryouta fell onto the ground and opened a pathway. And from behind the door appeared a woman, holding a sword with a dragon design wrapping around it. For a split second when she first came into view, Ryouta considered how much she looked like Shiren. Of course she did—they were mother and child. Her hair was shorter than Shiren’s—which was absurdly long anyway—but it could easily reach her lower back. For how powerful she was, her expression felt much softer than Shiren’s. “No offense, but these walls are way too shabby for an emperor’s hideout. You don’t even need to know the passcode. You can just cut your way through.” “You’re Sairi Fuyukura…” “I am. I’d always planned to assault the castle on my own; bringing my people would just result in casualties on both sides. That’s why I thought it’d be more convenient for all of us if there was a big power gap.” “It has been quite a while, Lady Sairi. I did not think you would become this powerful.” This was the first time Sasara had seen Sairi in two years as well, though this time, they met as enemies. “It has been a while. But you’re wrong on the second point. I was just pretending to be a little weakling when I lived in the Empire. As a result, I’m a bit rusty compared with my prime.” Ryouta wished she were joking, but he could tell by the air around her that she had far surpassed the boundaries of any normal person. “Two years. Wow—it’s felt so much longer than that. But everything’s finally ready, so it was time for me to stop by.” Sasara quietly readied her sword. Ryouta followed suit. “Pardon me, but no one here is ready to see you. I will keep the property damage a secret, so please be gone.” “So sorry, but I’m sure you two realize you won’t even slow me down, right? Though I suppose if people could be persuaded with reason, we wouldn’t have wars, huh?” “Exactly!” Sasara moved first, dashing toward Sairi. But Sairi responded without pause, and her training was clearly advanced. Though she was likely many years older than Sasara, her age had not dulled her abilities at all. Even her looks were eerily young. The sound of clashing metal echoed through the corridor. It was a horrible noise, tearing at Ryouta’s nerves with every reverberation. They were so much more advanced than him that Ryouta didn’t have much of a chance to join in. If he was off by just one second, he would certainly be killed. “Wow, you’ve gotten a lot stronger, Sasara. I now see why you were placed here, after all the other guards.” “I am honored to receive such a compliment.” “To be honest, I thought Leftover Losa was going to be the last one.” “Her name is Filla, not Losa! You have her name wrong!” “Oh, it’s basically the same. Still means she’s weak.” “That’s the joke! Leave her be!” Leftover Filla was getting ripped to shreds on the gossip circuit. “There are times when a knight cannot afford lose! For me, that moment is now!” “Yes, I can’t disagree with that as someone who also wields a sword. But I can’t lose, either…because I need to see my daughter.” The charged atmosphere around them practically exploded. Sasara had only blocked Sairi’s sword with her own, but she was blown across the room and slammed hard into the wall. “Aaaah!” “Sasara!!” As Ryouta stepped in to help, he suddenly blacked out. He had been thrown back, too. It was hard to tell when, but Sairi had struck him in a brief opening of weakness, one he wasn’t even aware of. The next thing he knew, he had fallen over and was crawling along the ground. He couldn’t even feel his own pain. “I don’t know you, but since you are here and holding a sword, you are my enemy. You’ll eventually be able to stand again, so stay down for now.” She’s so powerful… She destroyed me in just a split second… I can’t even move—it’s like I’m asleep… This was so far beyond anything he could comprehend. Masatsuna Toraha couldn’t compare. Ryouta couldn’t even lift his sword. He had no time to steel himself.
Chapter 96
26 min read