12
Two days after our visit to the headquarters of ‘The White Smoke Lizards’—the day of the battle with ‘Red Broad’ arrived with a ferocious storm.
Rain lashed against the windows, over and over. Deep puddles spread across the ground, and the visibility was so poor that the distant mountains were just a blur.
“Al. It’s time.”
“Yes.”
Even on a day this cold and ominous, there was no cancelling or postponing our plan. Princess Valtrune, a waterproof cloak over her head, stared up at the black clouds, map in hand.
“…Today will decide the future of the Provisional Elite Corps.”
It sounded like an overstatement, but she wasn’t far wrong.
‘The White Smoke Lizards’ was a massive organization, one of the three great powers, with many skilled members. Whether or not we could get them on our side would drastically change our fate.
“If we fail to form an alliance with them, our future battles are going to be incredibly difficult.”
“I know. That’s why we must win today! …By the way, just to be sure, the Provisional Elite Corps…”
“Yes. I’ve ordered the entire corps to rest. You don’t need to worry about them interfering.”
This battle cannot be known to the public.
If any of the corps members were to find out that Princess Valtrune herself was participating in a shadow war, they would likely faint. To prevent anyone from coming near the battle site, I had forbidden all activity in the capital’s outskirts for today only.
“I wasn’t able to stop the Imperial Army, of course. I asked Epika and Rudolf to ease up on security around the capital, but they said they couldn’t change their daily patrols.”
“The ‘Lizards’ have their own spies in the army. They’ll have to handle that part.”
“We can only hope so.”
Princess Valtrune looked paler than usual, perhaps from a lack of sleep. It was no surprise; she’d been up late last night, poring over tactics for this very battle.
“Rune-sama. Are you feeling all right?”
“I’m fine. Though, you look like you haven’t slept at all.”
“I’m used to it.”
“I see. But don’t push yourself too hard.”
It’s true that pushing oneself is bad, but this was a time when a little endurance was necessary.
“We can rest a bit in the carriage. If we need to, we can take turns sleeping before the battle.”
I suggested it, but I knew neither of us would. We couldn’t afford to lower our guard, not even for a moment.
“…Yes.”
A deep wrinkle of worry was etched between her brows.
With no time to rest, we plunged out into the worsening rain.
A plain carriage was parked near the castle gate. Flegel, disguised as the driver, his black hat pulled down low, was waiting for us, talking with Fadi, who was sitting in the back.
“Sorry to keep you.”
“No. You’re right on time.”
Flegel muttered in a low voice and gave a small nod.
We climbed in, and the carriage set off at once.
“Our destination is… right, the old large-scale weapons depot, far to the west of the capital…”
As Flegel confirmed the location, his voice grew heavy.
“…Even if it’s abandoned, that depot is massive. The ‘Lizards’ are really taking a gamble, choosing to fight indoors.”
An indoor battle. Four walls, limited exits. Retreat would be difficult.
For the ‘Lizards,’ who were at a numerical disadvantage, it was an incredibly bold, almost aggressive, choice of venue.
“…So, what’s the expert’s opinion?”
Princess Valtrune looked at Fadi. He just gave a wry smile and ran his fingers through his red hair.
“Eh, it’s very Dorothea. The ‘Lizards’ are masters of fighting in tight spaces. This just means she’s going for a guaranteed win.”
“A specialty in indoor combat? That’s unusual.”
“Less ‘indoor combat’ and more… ‘using a limited area to create an advantageous position.’ They’re awful at straight-up brawls on an open plain. In other words… they’re a cunning little organization that relies on ambushes, guerilla tactics, and other ‘unfair’ strategies.”
It was a calm analysis, laced with a bit of a sneer. But as the organization once led by Fadi, an assassin, it made sense they’d be experts at fighting with precision and tactics.
If that was the case, their value as intelligence agents was even higher.
“…They’re an asset we absolutely must acquire.”
“Of the three shadow organizations, they are certainly the most appealing.”
“Their aptitude for intelligence work must be, by far, the highest.”
“…Jeez, you two are overhyping us.”
Fadi looked exasperated, as if telling us not to get our hopes up. But based on his own track record, my estimation of the ‘Lizards’ had just skyrocketed.
Fadi, however, just sighed, a distant look in his eyes.
“…’Course, if we lose this fight, or if the ‘Lizards’ take massive casualties… forget an alliance, the whole organization’s survival will be in question.”
So, the ‘Lizards’ could just… die out, without ever having the chance to bare their fangs.
“That’s… not funny.”
“But Fadi is right.”
“It’s hard enough to fight two hundred with fifty, but now we have to keep most of them alive…?”
If we formed an alliance, only to find that all the key members were dead… this whole operation would have been for nothing.
“…This is a losing battle we’ve chosen.”
Flegel’s murmur was almost lost in the sound of the rain.
“…We didn’t have a choice.”
We were on a single path, lined with thorns. The dark clouds grew thicker, a heavy, unmoving wall between the sky and the earth. As lightning flashed and thunder rumbled, the carriage pressed on. It was five hours until the battle.
13
The rain was a steady, quiet drone. It was an unpleasant, ominous sound, as if implying the very worst was yet to come.
I could feel the dampness through the soles of my boots. Water dripped from my hair onto the ground.
“Lady Dorothea. Front, rear, and support units are all in position.”
The subordinate who reported was soaking wet, his face drawn and exhausted.
“Good work. Tell everyone, except the lookouts, to rest until ‘Red Broad’ arrives.”
“Understood.”
He left, and the area was suddenly silent.
“Tch. So damp, it won’t even light… Useless piece of junk.”
The small stick between my fingers wouldn’t catch, even with magic. I threw it onto the wet ground and crushed it under my boot.
…Hah. To think, the future of the ‘Lizards’ is riding on this stupid fight. This is what we get. We cut ties with Rigel, Fadi leaves… and ‘Red Broad’ and ‘Izu Clan’ think we’re weak.
If we lose, we’re all dead. If we win… we become the Empire’s dogs. Hah. Either way, this is the end of ‘The White Smoke Lizards’ as we know it.
I rested my hands on my knees, staring at the ground.
“Hah… Dammit.”
“…Tense, are we?”
I looked up at the light, airy voice. The red-haired, smart-mouthed brat was standing there, his own red eyes watching me.
“…Tch. Oh, it’s you, Fadi.”
“Hey, what’s with that ‘oh great, this pain in the ass’ reaction?”
“Heh. You know me so well.”
“Nnnngh!”
The idiot, who was running around like a child, puffed out his cheeks. He was completely relaxed, as if this wasn’t just before a decisive battle. Seeing him… I calmed down, just a little.
“Hah. If you’re here, just say so.”
“I did! I came right to you, first thing!”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Then don’t complain!”
Ah. This… this is nostalgic. Back when Fadi was in the organization, we used to have these same, pointless arguments. I knew this wasn’t the time to get sentimental, but I could see the old days clearly in my mind.
Just then, Fadi clapped his hands.
“Oh, and…”
“Hm?”
“Here.”
He handed me a small box, one that fit easily in my hand.
“They’re cigarettes. Your favorite, right?”
A brand-new, unopened pack. My favorite brand.
I tossed the damp, ruined pack aside and immediately tore this one open. I took one out, sparked a flame from my fingertip, and lit it.
“Fuu… How thoughtful. What’s gotten into you?”
“Nothing! Just… happened to have a fresh pack in my pocket.”
“Hmph. Says the kid who can’t even smoke.”
“Shut up…”
The white smoke was thin, but it was there.
“Is it good?”
“…Yeah. It’s perfect.”
“Glad to hear it.”
Fadi, looking satisfied, sat down next to me.
“Hey, hey. If we win, you’re going to join the Provisional Elite Corps, right?”
“Idiot. We’re just ‘cooperating.’ I’m staying right here, as Queen of the ‘Lizards.'”
“…Ugh. Just hand your dictatorship over to Princess Valtrune already. Way more people would be happy.”
“Hmph. The pleasure of ordering people around? I’m not giving that to anyone. As long as I’m happy, that’s what matters. The people live for the King, and the King lives for the King.”
“You’re an awful person.”
I ignored his cold stare and took a deep drag.
The usual rush. But this one… this one tasted special.
“Fuu…”
“…”
The silence wasn’t awkward. Fadi just sat there, rocking back and forth, clearly in a good mood. And looking at him, I…
“Hey, Fadi… You want the ‘Lizards’ back?”
…I said, the thought just popping into my head.
His jaw dropped. He tilted his head.
“Huh? You’re serious?”
His voice was sharp. His surprised, unguarded expression was so funny… I couldn’t help but smile.
“Yeah. You can have it.”
“N-No way!”
“…When I’m dead.”
The moment I added the condition, his face went bright red.
“That’s the same as never! By the time you die of old age, I’ll be an old man, too!”
“Heh. Just teasing. You’ve known me this long, you should have seen that coming.”
“Haaaa… Why did I ever leave this person in charge…? Worst decision ever…”
I just watched him, as he clutched his head and thrashed around, still joking.
…Give the organization back, huh? It’s not… impossible.
After all, there’s no guarantee I’ll survive this battle. If I do die here… then that joke might just become reality. But even if I imagine that dark future, I’ll act as the Dorothea that Fadi knows. Resolute. No weakness, no fear of death.
“Unfortunately for you, I don’t plan on dying. This position is mine.”
“Yeah, yeah, I know.”
This feeling of reprieve won’t last forever. Not even I know when the end will come. That’s why I’m leaving these words behind, like a bit of insurance. So that, whenever I go… things will be okay.
Join the Discussion