Right from the outset, the defection incident had been about more than Lupus. It was a tale of clashing agendas—those of the Second Prince, the First Prince, the Free City of Elbar, the Balga Empire, and all kinds of organizations and individuals, each one stirring and colliding beneath the surface.
It was far too heavy a burden for Lupus to bear alone. It was a matter of strategizing between nations. And more sickeningly, a filthy struggle had unfolded, with adults circling a lone girl as they each tried to seize their own profits and desires. And all without regard for her wishes.
Feeling like he might vomit, Tsushima took a cigarette from his pocket and lit it, making a big show of exhaling the smoke.
“So we were both dancing in the palm of your hand from the start, huh? No wonder you’re in such high spirits. So what is it you want me to do? If you’re an adult, then own up to it.”
Causa smiled with genuine delight at Tsushima’s audacity. He was pleased by the Informationist’s ability to grasp his true intentions without needing them to be spelled out.
“Kill Ross Ruber and his knight Canus Miles. If you do that, I’ll allow Lupus to defect to Elbar.”
“I’ll do it,” Tsushima replied without hesitation, giving an immediate answer. The exchange between Causa and Tsushima completed in mere seconds. Lupus, realizing this fact after a pause, raised her head, forgetting her grim expression.
“Tsushima?!” Lupus asked, parting her lips to say something. But Tsushima silenced her with his hand. He had already made up his mind.
He wasn’t escorting Lupus to Elbar for her sake alone. This had also become his own issue. Now was the time to accomplish what he couldn’t in the past. For that, he couldn’t afford to be selective about his methods.
A cigarette in his mouth, Tsushima looked down at Lupus before turning a confrontational gaze toward Causa.
“Three days. I’ll kill those two in three days. And in return, keep your promise; get Lupus to Elbar within those three days.”
“Very well. It’s a deal,” Causa said, nodding politely and rising from the sofa. Dusting off his trousers, he finished by extending his hand to Tsushima for a handshake, which Tsushima reluctantly accepted.
“Well then, I look forward to hearing your report on the results,” Causa said in parting, then went to leave the room. As he passed by Tsushima, he suddenly clapped his hands as if remembering something.
“Ah, that’s right, I nearly forgot. I have a letter addressed to you from Mayor Tachibana. It seems he foresaw this outcome all along. What a terrifying man,” Causa said, handing Tsushima a black-colored card from inside his military uniform. Just by looking at it, Tsushima could tell that Tachibana had really penned the message.
The note was printed on something known as a Black Card, an object that incorporated mechanisms that only allowed specific Informationists to view its contents. This product was manufactured exclusively by Tsukumo Heavy Industries, which was headquartered in the Free City of Elbar.
As Tsushima accepted the card, Causa leaned in uncomfortably close and whispered into Tsushima’s ear so Lupus wouldn’t hear.
“It seems you’re extremely close with Mayor Tachibana. Who are you exactly?” Causa smiled softly as he spoke, but Tsushima showed no interest as he exhaled cigarette smoke. Looking up at the smoke rising toward the ceiling, Tsushima replied in a casual tone, “Just a level-seven Informationist. What, do you not like my answer?”
Tsushima had responded without any regard for the prince’s status, but for some reason, his remark made Causa smile in delight.
“You’re truly remarkable. A fascinating individual. I hope we meet again.”
Leaving him with those final words, Causa and Finé left the room. Tsushima dropped his cigarette onto the floor and crushed it with the sole of his shoe. Then he relaxed his shoulders.
As soon as Causa and Finé were gone, he sensed Lupus quickly rise to her feet.
Lupus moved faster than expected, not giving Tsushima any time to step aside. The small girl rushed at his chest and grabbed hold of his collar without hesitation.
“Tsushima, do you know what you’ve done? Do you realize you’ve promised to kill a member of the imperial family?!”
“Yeah. That’s what I plan to do.”
“No! I’m asking if you know what it means to kill a member of the imperial family!”
She no longer seemed like the girl who, just moments ago, had been on the verge of collapse, as if her soul had left her. Fire in her eyes, she glared up at Tsushima.
“If you do that, there’s no way the emperor will let you escape. Forget about leaving this country, I don’t even know if you’ll still be alive the next day! And it won’t just be Canus who comes after you—the other Six Imperial Swords will hunt you down, too. Do you have a way of getting away from them?”
“I’m used to adversity. Besides, I’ve already said that I’ll protect you.”
“So you’re willing to die for me? Is that what you’re saying?”
The expression on Lupus’s face suddenly shifted from anger to one of sorrow. Confronted by her unfiltered, genuine emotions, Tsushima responded in a calm tone.
“You don’t need to carry the burden any longer. From this point onward, I’ll take care of everything. You can go to Elbar and start a new life. That will solve everything.”
“No. No, it won’t, Tsushima,” Lupus said in a shaky voice as she shook her head wildly from side to side. “I don’t want you to die. I’ve never asked anyone to give up their life for me. All I asked was for you to take me with you to Elbar.”
Lupus gave him a full view of her emotion-stricken face. Her small mouth opened slightly, twisting awkwardly. Tears streamed from her large eyes and down her flushed cheeks before falling to the floor.
Tsushima gazed at Lupus and felt a heart-wrenching pain in his chest.
But he still firmly pushed back against her plea.
“I lacked resolve before—the kind of resolve that comes at the cost of someone’s life. That’s why I lost someone precious to me…why I lost Shion forever. But I won’t make the same mistake twice. This time, I’ll make sure you reach Elbar. Don’t worry,” Tsushima said, his tone weakening at the end despite his usual self-assurance. Perhaps he couldn’t bring himself to be harsh with Lupus while she was expressing her earnest feelings.
But the princess defied his expectations entirely.
Suddenly, a sharp slap echoed throughout the room. Lupus had struck Tsushima hard across the cheek with her palm. She had swung her hand so abruptly that it caught him completely off guard.
She followed this up by yelling.
“You stubborn blockhead! I’m not your beloved Shion. Stop projecting a woman from your past onto me!”
Touching his slapped cheek, Tsushima looked down at Lupus. Struggling to comprehend what had happened, he gazed with confusion at a girl whose patience had reached its breaking point.
“My life was almost entirely dictated by Ross. I kept hiding my true self and ended up living as a sham, a hollow shell constructed from lies and deceit. But I thought you saw the real me, Tsushima. So what’s the big deal?! Why are you projecting Shion—some woman from your past I don’t even know—on me and turning me into a tragic heroine? I won’t stand for it! Who do you think you are?!”
Her face a mixture of emotions that could no longer be discerned, Lupus once again grabbed Tsushima’s collar. This time, she pulled him toward her with such strength that he couldn’t push her away.
Tsushima, unable to avoid looking at her face even if he wanted to, found himself unconsciously holding his breath due to her intensity.