Chapter 23: Out of Control

“W-what is that!?” “Kyahhh!?”

The sudden appearance of numerous summoned beasts caused a panic among the people enjoying the festival. It was understandable. Savage beasts had suddenly appeared in the middle of town.

“I do not know who is responsible, but they are a graceless lot for spoiling the festival.” “Mm. I question their sanity.”

Even in this situation, Tifa and Luca were not afraid. As expected of Princesses of a nation, they had remarkable composure. Our Crown Prince Elliott also seemed to be holding his ground without becoming flustered. Good boy. Currently, the only one panicking is Hanger-on A… ah, Miss Annemarie. She was clinging to Elliott’s waist, flustered and utterly distraught. Elliott seemed troubled, unable to move.

GARAAAUGH!

A shadow in the shape of a wolf dashed straight toward us, leaping into the air to attack. But Grandfather stepped in front of us and instantly slashed his sword. The unfortunate wolf was cut clean in half at the torso and fell wretchedly onto the street. The wolf, severed in two and leaking black blood, made a chilling shush shush sound as it dissolved back into black mist.

“Even summoned beasts have a physical form! Strike them down!”

Following Grandfather’s command, Elliott’s, Luca’s, and Tifa’s guards began to swing their swords at the attacking summoned beasts. As expected of the royal guards, their skill was certain. They protected their charges while slashing down the summoned beasts one after another. The summoned beasts weren’t just targeting Elliott. They were attacking indiscriminately, including us. They were in a completely out-of-control state. If this continues, even the surrounding common people might be harmed…! I suspect the summoner can’t control them either. The best option would be to capture the summoner and neutralize their consciousness, but in this state, I don’t know where they are…! Fortunately, they are still in an out-of-control state. Please, please don’t reach the final form…! In the game, after going into an out-of-control state, Sakuraile becomes completely self-destructive and summons the ultimate Dark Dragon with [Beast Demon Summoning], trading her own life for it. Estelle and Elliott then use a Sword of Light summoned with [Holy Miracle] to destroy the Dark Dragon, leading to the True End of the Elliott route. If Elliott’s approval rating is low before that point, the Sword of Light is not summoned, and the Dark Dragon cannot be destroyed. It is merely sealed in a Magical Orb of Sealing. Estelle then embarks on a journey of training to completely destroy the Dark Dragon, and Elliott waits for her—that’s the Good End. Of course, there is also a Bad End where the two of them are defeated and killed by the Dark Dragon. Currently, Estelle, who can summon the Sword of Light, is not in the Imperial Capital. If the Dark Dragon is summoned here, we are completely doomed. This is a major pinch. What should I do…! The summoned beasts tried to attack anyone and everyone. We stood against the wall of a building, preventing attacks from behind, and maintained a strictly defensive stance.

GRRRGAH! “Guuh!?” “Hiiieee!?”

One of Elliott’s guards was blown away by a bear-shaped summoned beast that charged toward him. Driven by terror, Miss Annemarie panicked, immediately separated from Elliott, and fled like a scared rabbit. Ah, I’ve seen this scene. It looks exactly like the illustration where my hangers-on ran away when I was being prosecuted for my crimes in the game. Hanger-on B is missing, though. It is extremely dangerous to leave us in this situation, but luckily, the summoned beasts did not pursue her. If she can run away, it’s better. She’s just dead weight. Though I am too.

“[Gravity Change]!”

Elliott used his [Gift] against the bear summoned beast. At that moment, one of his guards tackled the bear, sending it flying with ridiculous force. I see, he made the bear light and blew it away. I thought [Gravity Change] could only make things heavy, but it can be used this way too.

“His Highness the Crown Prince is quite capable, isn’t he?”

Tifa smiled defiantly. It seems she has a slightly better opinion of our Crown Prince now. As the summoned beasts rampaged, we focused on defense while slowly reducing the enemy’s numbers. Grandfather worked with the fury of a lion, protecting me while keeping an eye on Elliott, and not allowing a single beast to pass. Grandfather’s [Gift] is [Blade Myriad Generals] (Jinra Banshō). It is a [Gift] granted by Blade-sama, the God of Blades, which allows him to handle any bladed weapon with supreme skill. Even in his old age, he is the ‘Lion of the Empire.’ Tifa was following his magnificent fighting with sparkling eyes. However, I was worried that even Grandfather wouldn’t be able to handle it if the Dark Dragon truly appeared, when suddenly, knights arrived on the scene with the clanking sound of armor. Of course, they would come with this much commotion. A figure among the knights, wearing prominent armor and a red cloak, spotted Elliott and ran toward him. How did he recognize Elliott? Could that be the Knight Commander? If so, that would be Jean’s father.

“Your Highness the Crown Prince!? Are you alright!” “I am fine! Protect Princess Lucariola and Princess Tifania!” “Yes, sir!”

Immediately, half of the knights formed a shield around us, and the rest charged at the still-rampaging summoned beasts. We’re saved. With this, somehow— “Mmmh…!”

Suddenly, the summoned beasts began to lose form, dissolving into black mist and vanishing into thin air. I braced myself in fear, thinking this might be the prelude to the Dark Dragon summoning, but nothing happened. Did the rampage stop…?

“Is it over…? Sakuraile, are you safe?” “Ah, yes. I’m fine, Grandfather.”

After confirming my safety, Grandfather let out a small sigh of relief. The commotion subsided, and a feeling of relief spread through the area. However, the culprit who caused this disturbance hasn’t been caught, so we can’t let our guard down. They summoned that many summoned beasts. They must have consumed a significant amount of magic power. Unless the summoner has an extraordinarily large amount of magic power, I don’t think they can attack again on the same day. Honestly… The festival is completely ruined. Knights gathered at the scene one after another. At the same time, Healers with healing-type [Gifts] also arrived and were treating the people who were caught up in the chaos and injured. Fortunately, there were no fatalities or serious injuries. Despite the out-of-control state. That’s truly fortunate. The people around us were murmuring and looking at us. In the end, we drew attention. The nobles and their children whom I saw at Elliott’s birthday party were also glancing at us.

“To Princess Lucariola and Princess Tifania. I sincerely apologize for involving you in the internal troubles of our country. I will certainly make amends for this…”

Elliott ran over and bowed to Luca and Tifa. Strictly speaking, it wasn’t Elliott’s fault, but it’s true that he left them despite being the escort and exposed them to danger. He has to apologize to the invited guests.

“No, no, there is no need to worry so much. This attack was not the Crown Prince’s fault. The one to blame is the attacker, of course. But if you insist on making amends… well, let me think. I would like to receive it from Sakuraile. Something like sweets?” “Eh?”

As I looked surprised, Luca, who was standing next to me, vigorously nodded her head up and down.

“That’s a good idea. Your Highness the Crown Prince, I also request the same.” “Um… Sakuraile?”

Elliott looked at me, seemingly perplexed. More sweets? How addicted are they? I don’t mind, but still.

“Hmm… We can’t enjoy the festival in this situation, so why don’t you all come to my house now? I can give you as much as you want there.” “We’ll go!“

The two of them nodded with radiant smiles. Seriously, how much do they like it?

“Um, Sakuraile… Can I come too?” “You too, Elliott? …Well, I guess so.”

There’s no reason to refuse, and Elliott must be under orders from His Majesty the Emperor to escort the two Princesses. It’s a shame that the place for enjoyment isn’t the festival grounds. This is all the fault of the person who summoned those demon beasts. Who in the world is the culprit? Attacking Elliott in the middle of town, especially during the festival. If Elliott dies, the Empire will fall into chaos. The nobles might argue over who should be the successor. It’s not impossible to suspect the Allegretto Empire might be trying to launch an invasion war under the cover of this… But still, that [Beast Demon Summoning]… The Dark Dragon wasn’t summoned, but it reached an out-of-control state. That means there is a possibility that with just one more trigger, the Dark Dragon summoning could happen. I wish Samonia, the Goddess of Summoning, would just take the [Gift] away from that person! Well, it’s probably not going to happen. Even after all the wicked things Sakuraile did in the game, the [Gift] was never taken away. Samonia-sama probably isn’t interested in good and evil. The thoughts of the gods are beyond us humans… Thinking that, I returned home a little earlier than planned, accompanied by the Crown Prince and the two Princesses. Since there was still time until evening, I summoned the cheap sweets store and the kitchen car (I can now summon the kitchen car simultaneously with another store) and decided to treat the three of them to hot dogs. And Grandfather too, of course. The two Princesses, after taking a bite of the hot dog, changed their expressions and quickly ordered item after item from the menu. …You’re going to get fat.

“Delicious!? It’s delicious, Sakuraile! To think you were hiding something like this! You are formidable!” “Delicious…! I will marry Sakuraile…! I will eat this every day…!”

Oops, I got a proposal from Luca. Sorry, Luca, I think you’re cute, but I’m straight.

“This is… I had heard about it, but Sakuraile’s [Gift] is wonderful…! Truly worthy of my granddaughter!” “Aah, the ‘Six-Sided Puzzles’ are here again…! There are patterned ones too! S-Sakuraile, can I buy these…?” “Eh? No, I don’t mind, but…”

Grandfather was impressed by the summoned kitchen car and buildings, but Elliott’s interest was completely captured by the ‘Six-Sided Puzzles’ at the cheap sweets store. How much does he love them? I think I’ll try summoning a Level 4 store tomorrow. Given attacks like this one, it’s painful to have a [Gift] with no combat power. Is there a store with combat power? Is there a tank mobile sales store?