Chapter 28: The Net of Heaven Casts Wide

The goodwill party was proceeding smoothly. The Princesses of Prélude and Minuet were separated, conversing with the nobles of the Sinfonia Empire. From the perspective of the high-ranking nobles, they probably wanted to establish connections here. They were promoting their territory’s specialty products. They must really want to build a connection with them somehow. Luca and Tifa seem to be having a particularly hard time. It would be a great success if they could gain the favor of royalty. However, Luca and Tifa seem a bit strange today. Their movements are brisk, unlike their usual selves. I can’t tell clearly from a distance, though. They don’t seem to be talking much either. Their attendants are handling everything. They look like ornaments. …Is it just my imagination?

Statues of the Goddess on pedestals are placed in the four corners of the garden. Those are probably the magic tools for the barrier that seals [Gifts] and magic. Two knights stand guard at each one. It would be terrible if they were removed or broken again. However, those are magic tools that only seal ‘[Gifts] and magic,’ and are ineffective against other magic tools. Well, naturally, the belongings of the party attendees have been inspected. But apparently, distinguishing magic tools is difficult… Some look just like regular accessories. To be honest, I’m worried whether that barrier can prevent the [Beast Demon Summoning] in an out-of-control state. Frankly speaking, the level is different… I gave Elliott the paralysis potion I made, so I want to believe he’ll manage if attacked again, but there’s no guarantee that what worked in the game will work in this world. I told him it was just for peace of mind, though…

“Sakuraile-sama?” “Ah, w-what? Sorry, I was spacing out…”

Estelle, next to me, was peering at me with concern. No good, no good. I’ve done what I could. Let’s leave the rest to the adults.

“That food called a hot dog was incredibly delicious! The red and yellow sauces matched so well, and the taste of the meat snapping and bursting out when I bit into it was just!” “Did you like it? Then I’ll let you eat it again after the party ends.” “Really!? Thank you very much!”

Estelle beamed with a full smile. It seems Estelle liked the hot dog she ate on the way to save her mother. Come to think of it, Father mentioned that the Chancellor is going to start importing tomato seedlings from Luca’s Prélude Kingdom so that we can make ketchup. Hot dog stands might line up at next year’s Founding Festival. Hmm?

Suddenly, I spotted a familiar face in my line of sight. It was the Kaiser-mustached, dark-circled Marquess, Marquess Ragtime. He still has that villainous look. …Actually, he was plotting something evil. Marquess Ragtime was staring intently at Luca and Tifa. He’s smirking. I already know your plot. Don’t think it will go well. Luca and Tifa walked together past the pond, heading toward us. In other words, toward where Marquess Ragtime and I were. Just as Estelle and I stood up to greet them, men dressed in black suddenly leaped out of the pond with great force, blocking Luca and Tifa’s path. Knives were gripped in the men’s hands. They discarded the long, tube-like objects they held in their mouths onto the ground, and all of them attacked Luca and Tifa simultaneously.

“Intruders! Protect the Princesses!”

Marquess Ragtime shouted at the top of his lungs as if he had been waiting for this moment. Some of the nobles around him drew longswords, perhaps brought in from somewhere, and slashed at the black-clad attackers. It wasn’t noble swordsmanship. It was a rough, crude fighting style. They didn’t look like nobles or knights at all. The black attackers fought back, but they were outnumbered and cut down in no time. Screams and angry shouts from the party participants flew around at the sudden tragedy.

“No, that was a close call. I am glad both Highnesses are safe.”

Marquess Ragtime stepped forward in front of Luca and Tifa. The men who cut down the black attackers were grinning, still holding their swords. While the commotion had yet to settle, His Majesty the Emperor appeared from behind Luca and Tifa, accompanied by Father, the Chancellor, and Elliott.

“What is the meaning of this?” “Oh, Your Majesty the Emperor. Thieves have infiltrated the party from somewhere and seemingly targeted the lives of both Princesses. Fortunately, the mercenaries I arranged in case of emergency eliminated the thieves… However, the security was lax.”

Ignoring Marquess Ragtime, who spoke sarcastically, the Chancellor picked up the long stick-like object that the attackers had held in their mouths.

“Your Majesty. This is a magic tool made in the Empire that allows breathing underwater. It appears these men had been hiding in this pond for quite some time.” “Assassins from the Empire.” “Most likely. It must be a plot to alienate our country from both Prélude and Minuet.”

Breathing underwater… is it like an oxygen tank? But since quite some time ago… Did they hide in this pond for days!? I don’t know whether to praise their professional spirit or be appalled. I’ve heard that first-rate hunters wait for hours to ensure they catch their prey, though. Even so, this is technically within the castle walls. It’s not inside the castle building, but it’s not a place you can infiltrate so easily. That means…

“However, Marquess Ragtime. What is your intention in sneaking private soldiers into an official event like this without permission?” “I am prepared for censure. I obtained information that both Princesses of Prélude and Minuet would be attacked. I couldn’t wait for knights from my territory, so as an emergency measure, I deployed them at my own discretion.” “In that case, wouldn’t it have been better to inform us?” “I couldn’t determine if the information was certain. I had hoped it was unfounded fear.”

Ooh… The Chancellor and Marquess Ragtime are going at it. His Majesty the Emperor and Elliott are just watching silently. The surrounding nobles are also watching the turn of events without saying anything.

“Indeed, I apologize for not seeking permission beforehand, but thanks to that, both Highnesses are safe. More importantly, I think we should view this lax security and negligence as a problem. One wrong step, and it could have led to war with both Prélude and Minuet, you know? What do you think about this, Chancellor?” “…The reason the thieves were allowed to intrude this far is that there was someone inside who guided them.” “……What did you say?”

At the Chancellor’s words, Marquess Ragtime’s eyebrow twitched.

“That person approached the Shadow Guild and lured in the Empire’s assassins. Indeed, if both Highnesses were harmed, the trust between Sinfonia, Prélude, and Minuet would fall to the ground. That is why the Empire likely accepted this offer. Never knowing they were meant to be disposable pawns from the start.”

As the Chancellor stated this, Marquess Ragtime’s complexion visibly changed. The surrounding nobles also began to murmur in surprise at the story.

“I-if that story is true, it is outrageous. Do you have any proof?”

“Yes. I have the perfect proof. Right here.”

The Chancellor took out a rectangular machine slightly larger than the waist pouch he had hanging at his hip. That waist pouch must also be imbued with [Storage Magic], like my pochette. Otherwise, there’s no way that machine would fit. Marquess Ragtime looked suspiciously at the unseen object the Chancellor produced. Well, I also wondered what kind of machine it was when I first saw it. But since it was at my grandmother’s house, I somewhat knew how to operate it. It was colored red and black, with several buttons on top, and inside the openable lid was something called a ‘cassette tape‘. It was a ‘small boom box‘ I bought at the pawnshop I summoned with [Store Summoning]. Incidentally, I charged it using the outlet in the summoned store. I was lucky they sold blank cassette tapes too. Are tapes also considered antiques? I’d never seen one either. The Chancellor pressed the play button and turned the volume knob to the maximum. The sound quality was poor, but clear voices could be heard.

‘…Then my mercenaries will defeat the Empire’s attackers, selling a favor to Prélude and Minuet. We will pursue His Majesty the Emperor and the Chancellor for lax security and make them take responsibility. If things go well, the Chancellor’s seat might roll into my hands.’ ‘I see… However, even if it is the garden, it is inside the castle. Can they infiltrate so easily?’ ‘I will handle that. Inside the castle building is difficult, but the garden is no problem. You will use the Shadow Guild to skillfully lure in the Empire’s men. Do not fail. With this, my Ragtime Marquess House and the Traditionalist Faction will seize real power in this country. It is the beginning of a new Empire…’ “Wha-!? Wha, wha…!?”

Marquess Ragtime was at a loss for words at the sudden turn of events. Naturally. The entire content of their wicked plot from the other day was being broadcast.

“You seem to recognize it. It is very rare, but this is a magic tool that records sound. It was provided as evidence by a certain person. Thanks to this, we were also able to take safety measures.”

When the Chancellor glanced toward Luca and Tifa, the two gave a small nod and removed the bracelets they were wearing. Eh? Their appearance blurred, and girls with completely different hair from Luca and Tifa appeared. Looking closely, it’s Jean’s childhood friend and villainess Bianca, and the other long-haired girl is… could it be Jean’s sister, Cecil? So they were transformed using magic tools.

“Defeating the Empire’s assassins you invited yourselves to gain fame. What a complete farce you have staged. The term ‘Traditional Noble’ weeps. Know shame as a noble of the Empire!”

Father’s angry voice flew at Marquess Ragtime. It might be the first time I’ve seen Father truly angry. Ugh, a little scary.

“Marquess. Do you have any defense?”

Conversely, His Majesty the Emperor’s voice was cold. He looked at Marquess Ragtime with icy eyes.

“Kuh, so I was set up…! When did you get such a magic tool… Hah!”

Marquess Ragtime’s gaze turned toward me. Ah. No good, I’m busted. I was the only one who approached them when they were having that conversation. Even the foolish Marquess would realize. That I was the one who planted it.

“You did this, you little brat…!”

“A, ahaha…”

I flinched at Marquess Ragtime’s hateful gaze and tried to take a step back. Then, suddenly, a black shadow-like thing extended like a whip from the short tube the Marquess held in his hand and bound me.

“Sakuraile-sama!”

Estelle reached out, but I was pulled toward Marquess Ragtime. Is this a binding magic tool!?

“Nobody move! Do you not care what happens to this girl!?”

The black shadow that was a whip now took the shape of a dagger and was pointed at my neck. Oh my, am I a hostage!?

“Wh- Sakuraile!”

“Marquess. Stop this foolishness. Do not add more sins to your name.”

“Silence! Now that it’s come to this, I’ll take this girl as a souvenir to the Empire!”

Souvenir!? I’m not worth that much!? No, maybe as the Emperor’s niece, I have quite some value? A cornered rat bites the cat. You never know what a cornered rat will do. However, I’m glad I prepared this just in case. I tightly gripped the object in my pocket. I quickly took out the water gun from my pocket and fired it vigorously at the face of the desperate Marquess Ragtime.

“Take this!”

“Pfft!? You! What… Gyaaaaaah!?”

Marquess Ragtime threw the magic tool and me aside, covering his face and rolling on the ground. The contents of the water gun were Tabasco from the hot dog shop. It was so brutal I hesitated to use it, but villains deserve no mercy. It seems to have gone mostly into his nose and mouth rather than his eyes, though. However, I can’t do anything more than this. Like a startled rabbit, I moved away from Marquess Ragtime and jumped into Father’s chest.

“Sakuraile!”

“Capture the Marquess! And those mercenaries too!”

At His Majesty the Emperor’s command, the guard knights immediately moved to capture the Marquess and the mercenaries. Naturally outnumbered, the mercenaries threw down their swords and were quietly arrested. Marquess Ragtime was still writhing in agony, perhaps because his face still stung. Since his hands were tied behind his back, he was rubbing his face against the ground. Mmm, I feel kinda sorry.