The Former Swordmaster Who Pretends to Be the Worst, and the Schoolโs Top-Ranked Chairmanโs Daughter Whoโs Way Too Sweet in Public, Itโs a Real Problem
โWowโฆ Saito-kun, you really are something else. Itโs been a while since you were discharged from the hospital, but I hear rumors about you almost every day now! I hear youโre even getting respect from the schoolโs big names?โ
โIs that really something you should be saying? Youโre the one whoโs putting your own achievements on the back burnerโฆโ
โHa ha ha! Iโm just an ordinary wizard, you know?โ
โAnd what does one of the worldโs top wizards have to say about that?โ
We moved to the chairmanโs office, where Ryotaro and I were talking alone.
Sipping my coffee, I rolled my eyes at my cheerful companion while taking a sip of the black coffee heโd offered me. Savoring the deep bitterness and aroma, I asked him,
โโฆSo, you said you needed me. Whatโs this all about, out of the blue?โ
โAh, right. I suppose itโs time we moved the conversation forward.โ
At that, he stopped joking around, set down his coffee cup, and cleared his throat.
After taking a slow breath, he began speaking in a serious tone.
โโฆTo put it bluntly, I want you to continue guarding Rika.โ
โContinue her protectionโฆ?โ
Hearing that, I furrowed my brow.
The danger to my childhood friend should have ended once we resolved the recent incident with Nishimiya. That guy wanted her as an excellent โhostโ for his own experiments.
Is that still causing problems?
Thinking that, I asked further.
โCould it be that remnants of Novozarsk are stillโฆ?โ
โNo, weโve managed to wipe out almost all of the collaborators who had infiltrated the research facility. Itโs not complete, but theyโre already on their last legs. Theyโll disappear on their own before long.โ
โโฆThen this must be a completely different matter, then.โ
โThatโs right. Howeverโโ
If thatโs the case, what kind of force could this be?
Rika had always been a target, but this string of attacks in quick succession seemed odd. As I was pondering this, the sharp-witted Ryotaro seemed to catch on immediately.
He let out a soft sigh, then nodded and said,
โWe know the identity of the enemy this time. Itโs just unclear when exactly theyโll strike or who will come.โ
โTheyโll comeโฆ?ใDoes that mean itโs another external force?โ
โYeah, thatโs about right.โ
When I replied in a low voice, he nodded repeatedly.
Then, he stated this with certainty.
โThe ones targeting Rika this timeโฆ are โEuclid.โ Ever since the emergence of magic, theyโve been trying to open a gateway to another world.โ
That statement, delivered with such certainty, actually made me feel uneasy. Itโs true that โEuclidโ is the nationโor rather, the federationโmost skilled in magic in the world. However, that doesnโt mean thereโs been any public disclosure of such internal activity.
So,
โRyotaro san, how do you know so much about thisโฆ?โ
โAh, youโre right. It would be a bit unfair to keep this from you.โ
When I asked him that, the Chairman seemed to steel himself.
He fell silent for just a moment, gazing quietly at me before continuing.
โI was originally a member of Euclid. Ever since magic first appeared, the Imazawa family crossed over from Japan to contribute to the development of their influence. Andโโ
In a tone so cold it was unimaginable coming from his usual gentle manner,
โI wonโt make excuses. In the past, I was complicit in inhumane rituals.โ
Hearing this confession from someone so close to me, I felt a slight chill run down my spine for the first time in a long while.
But this was surely just one part of the many โatonementsโ he had yet to make. Even so, there was only one thing that mattered to me right now.
Yes, that wasโ
โI get it, Ryotaro san. But let me make one thing clear: I have no interest in the state of the world. Iโm here to protect my own peace of mind. That said, on top of that, you want me toโโ
If thatโs the case, now is not the time to be listening to confessions about the past.
โWhat do you want me to do from here on outโฆ?โ
With that thought, I leaned forward slightly and asked him.
โ
โMeanwhile, at the same time.
At Tokyo International Airport, there was a woman dressed in a nunโs habit. She had long silver hair, thick eyebrows that gave her a gentle, calm impression, and soft features. Even though nothing out of the ordinary was happening, a โwarm, gentle smileโ played on her lips.
Time seemed to flow much more slowly for her than for those around her. She placed her pink suitcase beside her and stretched her arms wide.
โHmmโฆ! I slept so, so wellโฆ Fuaaโฆโ
It seemed she had slept quite soundly.
Without a care for the onlookers, she yawned leisurely and rubbed her eyes. Given how sluggish she appeared, it was only natural that the surrounding gazes would turn to her.
โUmโฆ where were we supposed to go nextโฆ?โ
Yet, she showed no sign of being bothered by it.
Tilting her head slightly, the woman opened her worn notebook at her own pace and nodded.
โAh, thatโs right.โ
Only then did she finally pick up her suitcase and begin walking slowly.
At the very last moment, a look of sudden surprise flashed across her faceโ
โOh dear, this is terribleโฆ!โ
She uttered these words with genuine anxiety.
โI wonder if I locked the door at homeโฆ?โโshe said.
Maiban