Night. Galia, the capital of the Reauxgard Empire. Under the cover of the deep darkness of the new moon, a group advanced. Though its members were clad in armor, the use of magic completely muffled the noisy clinking of the metal, and their stealthy movements despite the lack of illumination gave the impression of a high level of training. Alert, they made their way through the upscale residential streets, always aware of their surroundings, their tight formation putting them in a position to deal with anything that might emerge from the darkness.
Since the area was home to many nobles, guards were stationed at key points, but that didn’t pose a problem. Because as soon as the watchmen checked the sigils the group showed them as identification, they let them pass without a word. The Reauxgard First and Second Imperial Orders of Knights—that was the group’s true identity. In other words, imperial guards.
“Area secured, Commander.”
“Target is inside the abode. No presence of guards.”
They had finally arrived at their destination: a mansion. Although large, it wasn’t ostentatiously decorated, instead giving off a refined air.
The group was led by Helgar Landros, a man who had been planning counterterrorism measures with Yuki in preparation for the Magical War Games. Normally, investigations and captures such as this fell under the military police’s jurisdiction rather than the imperial guard’s. However, this time, erring on the side of caution, the country’s most powerful warriors had traveled all the way here.
The First Imperial Order of Knights had existed in Reauxgard since before the Great Corpse Dragon War, but the Second Order had been established after the war’s end by the various rules who had decided that a mixed-race unit was necessary. Put another way, it was a politically motivated force. It would eventually be absorbed into the First, however, with its supreme commander ultimately being the emperor. Or at least, that was the official position.
The true leader was Helgar Landros, the First’s vice commander and the head of the emperor’s personal guard. Why? Because he knew many of the country’s dark secrets. The covert organization Avend had been secretly created by Shendra, the former emperor, and even now, after his reign had ended, it continued to protect the country from the shadows. Helgar was a member of that organization, and he had planned this operation based on information it had gathered.
“Good. Squads one and two, prepare to enter. Squad three, secure the rear entrance. Squad four, stay on guard around the perimeter. As a reminder, even if the target resists, our directive is to capture, not kill.”
“Yes, sir.”
Helgar nodded at his subordinates’ response, then gave the order.
“Go!”
At his signal, the group stormed the estate grounds, moving like a single organism. In the blink of an eye, they took control of the interior. However, they knew from their advance briefing that only the target and his family were inside the mansion, so they secured the area without resorting to force.
And then, they came face-to-face with a couple and their child. They seemed to have been asleep, but the sound of the soldiers’ entrance must have woken them, because the man, in his pajamas with a sword in hand, stood guard in front of his terrified wife and child. He appeared to be in his mid-forties. Gray streaked his hair, and the wrinkles on his face suggested that he was a little older, but his gaze exuded a strength of will. He stared straight at the intruders, the look in his eyes and on his face indicating that he was coolly analyzing the situation.
Seeing his face, Helgar spoke calmly, keeping a wary watch on the man’s sword.
“You are Assemblyman Alveiro Velburn, correct? Please don’t resist. So long as you don’t, we vow not to harm you or your family in any way.”
“And you’re...knights. Judging by the crest on your armor, imperial guards. Which, in turn, makes this a serious matter. Fine, I’ll stand down.”
Understanding that his opponents operated under the government’s authority and that resistance was futile, the man, Alveiro Velburn, tossed his sword to the floor. Then, he obediently held out both arms.
“Thank you for your cooperation. If you’ll excuse me.”
Helgar clapped the shackles he had brought with him onto both of Alveiro’s hands. The arrest took place quietly, neither man wanting to make a fuss in front of the frightened child.
“Don’t fret. These are trustworthy soldiers. Do what they say and they won’t hurt you.”
Alveiro’s wife sucked in a sharp breath at his words, then nodded.
“I understand. We’ll await your safe return.”
“Hopefully I won’t be gone long. Right, then. Lead the way.”
And so, with soldiers flanking him, Alveiro walked toward the carriage that had been arranged for his transport. Once his family was out of sight, he spoke again.
“So tell me. The fact that imperial guards are investigating means the country believes I’m involved in something vital having to do with national politics. But what exactly are you arresting me for? Corruption? Sedition? Or perhaps my rivals bribed you to do this?”
He sounded amused.
“No, Assemblyman Velburn. You’re suspected of summoning monsters at the stadium and bombing the airport, so we’d like to question you regarding those incidents,” Helgar replied.
“...What?”
That was all Alveiro said as he stood there in slack-jawed shock, a complete departure from the composure he’d displayed up until that moment.
Upon seeing the genuine emotion on the man’s face, Helgar thought to himself, Ah, we might have made a mistake. But he kept his own expression impassive, not wanting to worry his subordinates.