Chapter 367 - Of Course It's Not a Coincidence!
On the way back from a practice match, the bus was bustling with excited students, but it quickly grew quiet. Most of them seemed to have fallen asleep, exhausted from the evening's excitement.
I stood up to check on everyone. The reliable club president and even the cheeky curly-haired kid were sound asleep, their faces looking innocent and childlike. It was a peaceful, tranquil moment.
Amid this calm, my younger sister and Harriet remained awake, keeping a vigilant eye out. They believe that the journey is the most dangerous part, so they never let their guard down. Apparently, there are assassination attempts on my sister, the younger sibling of the Grand Master of the Anastasia Union. On the surface, she acts as usual, but I’m sure she’s anything but calm inside.
I, her bodyguard, have already been targeted by some kind of curse-like magic, confirming that there is indeed a threat lurking nearby. The anticipation of an attack is stressful, but I’m ready for them—let them come.
"Reporting, this is Layla. President, an unfamiliar vehicle is approaching from behind. It’s gradually picking up speed and is almost out of control."
My internal monologue turned into reality a bit too quickly. I received this timely and unsettling report.
"Understood, this is Shinogami. They must be targeting us during transit. Do they plan to self-destruct and ram into us?"
"I think so, but something’s off. It’s less like a determined charge and more like a drug addict in a delirium... I’ll take care of it."
Whether or not this is an enemy's doing, we should consider ourselves targeted. The best course of action is to neutralize the threat before it gets close.
"Reporting, this is Heidi. There’s another vehicle on the opposite lane, accelerating unnaturally. It seems like the driver is dozing off, but the situation with vehicles coming from both directions seems too coincidental."
"Huh? An ambush, perhaps. Layla, Heidi, take them out as quietly as possible. We don’t want the students to notice."
"Layla, understood. I’ll handle it."
"Heidi, roger that."
With those difficult orders, I trusted those two to handle it. Closing my eyes, I expanded my senses to detect any disturbances. I sensed the vehicles crashing into what seemed like street trees at distant spots. I didn’t know how they did it, but they managed to cause minimal accidents.
"Good work. Keep monitoring the surroundings, please."
Feeling satisfied with their performance, I considered the situation. An ambush from both directions can’t be a coincidence. It’s almost certainly a suicide attack. However, the drivers—one a drug addict and the other dozing off—seemed incapable of making rational decisions. They didn’t seem to be top-notch hitmen. It’s possible they were used as cannon fodder, but a sleeping driver seems unlikely.
The worst possible accident, perhaps. If they’re not hitmen, then objectively, it might be just that.
"Reporting, this is Layla. President, something’s falling from the sky... It looks like a bird-type magical beast, but it’s not hostile. It’s quite large."
"Could it be a dead magical beast in mid-air? And it’s on a collision course with our bus? Large magical beasts rarely approach cities, though."
"It’s definitely suspicious... Regardless of the reason, I’ll alter its trajectory."
There’s no such thing as a series of coincidences without someone’s malice. This level of bad luck is impossible without a malevolent force at work.
"Seems like this is the work of Badu Lot... the curse-like magic, perhaps?"
It must be their doing. But there’s no change in the talisman. If it was a curse targeting me, it should have reacted... unless the target is someone else on the bus.
If my sister or I aren’t the targets and the curse is on another student, the only way to protect everyone is to have them all carry talismans. This is a hassle I don’t have time for.
The search for Badu Lot continues, but I’m prepared to take more drastic measures to find and eliminate them. Involving innocent students is unacceptable.
"Damn, this is getting tiresome. Heidi, we can’t afford to be patient. We need to crush Badu Lot with full force."
"Heidi here, but we haven’t even caught a glimpse of their tail. The Phantom Thief Guild has no information either. Without a lead, it’s difficult."
They’re low-level thugs who excel at hiding. That’s what makes them so troublesome. But if they exist, there’s a trail to follow.
If we can get a lead, it will likely come from someone in the know.
"That’s true. I’ll meet with Count Cleados. While it’s unlikely his son is involved in my sister’s assassination, the culprit is probably a detached noble. Count Cleados might have some leads."
There’s a faction within the noble ranks that wants to weaken the Anastasia Union for their own gain. They might even be colluding with foreign enemies. In a power struggle within a historical nation, such extreme measures aren’t uncommon.
"The nobles of Berliza... It could be the easiest path, but I’m wary of being used. Count Cleados might throw us a random name to get rid of his rivals."
Being used is inevitable, but it works both ways.
"In this situation, it might be best to play along. Count Cleados is a powerful noble, and if we can use this to our advantage, I’m willing to overlook some things. The real problem is Badu Lot."
Ruth Cleados, the student council president, once said she resented me out of jealousy. Apparently, some prince was interested in me, which caused this. To be envied to the point of being cursed for being popular is a bothersome fate.
There are many factions at play here: those who want to eliminate me, those who want to dismantle the Kikyo Society, those who want to weaken the Anastasia Union, and those who want to destabilize the nation for power. This is the complex situation in Berliza.
Power struggles are a part of life for those in power. Being targeted is part of the game when it comes to interests and power. However, involving children in attacks and aiding foreign forces is unacceptable. Even the criminals of Exembra, who consider themselves the epitome of evil, have more sense than to do such things.
“Let’s see who’s trying to pick a fight with us.”
If it’s a noble, I’ll crush them. The rich brats have become too arrogant. If you curse someone, you’ll only dig your own grave. Don’t think you’ll get away with it.
We returned to the academy, maintaining our guard, as if nothing had happened. The next day, I asked Ruth Cleados if she had any leads on Badu Lot. She wasn’t familiar with the underground organizations.
I asked her to arrange a meeting with Count Cleados, and I received a response the next day.
"Teacher, my father can spare some time five days from now, in the evening."
"Five days. What’s the specific location and time?"
"We don’t know who’s watching, so he’ll inform us at the last moment."
"Then, I’ll see you in five days."
Berliza’s political climate is tense. Count Cleados is a powerful noble and likely very busy. Meeting with the leader of a foreign organization like the Kikyo Society isn’t easy.
Moreover, as power struggles intensify, security measures must be heightened. This isn’t a time for casual outings.
I can’t shake the feeling that things are becoming more ominous. Even though we don’t have the full picture, we can sense Berliza’s situation worsening.
Major events like murders and kidnappings are on the rise, according to the Bluecoats and Thompson. I’ve even had to lend a hand to Heidi and her team in some cases.
However, since the bus attack, there have been no signs of curse-like magic, and the young master and his associates haven’t shown any suspicious activity.
I need to stay calm and focus on my daily routine and temporary teaching duties while waiting for the meeting with Count Cleados. Once we find the enemy’s location, we’ll finish this quickly.
"President, the current situation is becoming too much for our current numbers. We need to expand our focus beyond the academy and the Anastasia Union."
"You’re right, Layla. I thought having Heidi and her team would be enough, but the situation has worsened since then."
Heidi and her team are overwhelmed with surveillance and information gathering. We need to secure my sister’s safety and protect the academy and its surroundings. We might have to hire temporary help from a guild, but we need to be wary of spies and traitors. It’s a difficult decision.
Damn, being on the back foot is stressful.
"This is Valeria, Onee-sama!"
The communication from Valeria, my younger sister and drama club member, was filled with excitement.
"What’s up?"
"A signal flare just went up! It’s the Delta!"
The large, armored troop transport vehicle, Delta, signaled its arrival with a flare. There was no mistaking it. This means...
"Just like them to make such a grand entrance."
"Maybe it’s the Third Seat herself?"
"Only Gradena would bring out the Delta. She must have brought additional reinforcements."
Perfect timing. This must be a response to Layla’s reports, with the headquarters in Siegrune assessing the situation and sending reinforcements. It’s a heartening boost to our forces.
"I’ll go and meet them."
"Sure, Layla, count on you."
A while later, another communication came in.
"This is Gradena. Hey, Yukari! We’re here to help."
"Shinogami here. Welcome. Where are you?"
"Not many places can fit the Delta. Layla’s leading us to a hotel near the school. We’ll use this hotel as our base for now."
It seems they’re staying at the hotel where we first stayed when we arrived in this city.
The hidden base where Heidi and her team operate can’t accommodate the Delta. Plus, having someone as flashy as Gradena in the same hideout would be risky. Inviting her to the school is also out of the question. For now, using the hotel is the best option.
"I’ll stop by tonight."
"It’s still mid-afternoon, and I’m a bit bored. Maybe I’ll pay a few visits."
"Visits? I understand, but we agreed with the Grand Master to avoid conspicuous activities until the territory is secured."
"I’ve already cleared it with the Grand Master. He’s aware of the situation."
"Then it’s fine. As the Third Seat of the Kikyo Society, make sure to handle it properly."
"Leave it to me. I won’t let you down."
We were supposed to avoid high-profile activities until the territory was secured, but given the current situation, those details don’t matter as much. Plus, the Grand Master’s approval means we’re not breaking any promises.
The additional support is welcome. Now, we can divide our roles: the academy group will focus on teaching and student life, Heidi’s team will operate in the shadows, and Gradena’s team will draw attention with their flashy presence.
I feel like we have a better plan to handle the situation. After the night training at the club, I left the younger members with my sister and drove the armored vehicle to the hotel.
There’s no need to be stealthy now. The Delta’s arrival has likely drawn attention, and I’m already a person of interest. Meeting with fellow Kikyo Society members in the same city isn’t suspicious. In fact, the information department might even welcome the increase in our forces.
I’ll invite them to attack. I’ll crush them all and reduce their numbers.
No need to hide if we’re already being watched. With the Grand Master’s approval, we can proudly display the Kikyo Society’s emblem. I can return to my usual style outside of academy-related activities.
Slipping into my black coat, I fastened the purple quartz badge and insignia to my ribbon rack. It felt invigorating.
"President, we’ve been waiting for you."
In the hotel parking lot, five familiar faces greeted me. No new recruits, just the usual team.
They looked fierce in their black and moon-white coats, armed and ready. It’s been a while since I felt this conspicuous in a busy area at night.
"Everyone looks good. Gradena’s in the room?"
"Yes, please follow me."
What do the watchers think of this? They won’t mistake our calm for naivety. They’ll recognize our combat readiness, which is fine by me.
Come at me, come at me. The longer you wait, the stronger we’ll get.
I’ll lure you in and finish this. Anytime, anywhere, come at me!