"Where should I drop you off, Eugene?" (Claude)
"If you can just get me above that small forest on the right, I'll jump down myself. After that, meet up with Sumire and the others." (Eugene)
Claude's flying dragon managed to shake off all pursuers.
That said, the patrol units would spot me in no time if I leisurely got dropped off on the ground.
"Got it… Are you sure you don't want a pickup later?" (Claude)
"I can't predict the timing. I can't trouble you with that." (Eugene)
"It wouldn't be trouble…" (Claude)
"Don't worry. I told you…the Imperial Capital is my backyard." (Eugene)
When I said that, Claude gave a faint smile.
"Then there's no problem. I'll be waiting in the Dungeon City. Make sure you come back, alright?" (Claude)
"Yeah. See you later." (Eugene)
Claude and I lightly bumped fists and exchanged small nods.
The wyvern he piloted reached the skies above the small forest.
"I'm off." (Eugene)
"Yeah, be careful." (Claude)
I leapt from the wyvern.
Claude and the wyvern's figures shrank into the distance in the blink of an eye.
I began chanting magic as I fell.
(Angel Magic: [Wing of Light].) (Eugene)
A small, single wing of light appeared on my back.
It wasn't a physical wing, but a magical one.
As the envoy of the Goddess, the fastest flight magic in this world is called [Angel Wings].
…Of course, mine was only a single wing, so it didn't have that full power.
I killed my falling speed and landed quietly.
Then I concealed myself within the forest.
For a while I was on alert for Imperial ambushes, but my Mana Detection picked up nothing nearby.
It was evening.
The sun hasn't quite set yet.
(I'll wait for night.) (Eugene)
I didn't have the luxury to set up camp, so I leaned against the shadow of a large tree, resting my body while waiting for the sun to go down.
◇◇
The sun had completely set.
Darkness enveloped the surroundings.
I left the forest and, avoiding the Imperial patrols, made my way to the high walls encircling the Imperial Capital.
The capital has four gates: north, south, west, and east.
As an Imperial citizen, if I could prove my identity, entry would normally not be difficult.
However, given my three years of being missing and the loss of my position as a student of the Lykeion Magic Academy, I doubted how much they would trust me.
It would probably take several days.
I did have the strong card of being the son of the former Imperial Sword, but to prove that, I'd need Pops or someone close to him to appear.
They were all busy people, so rather than rely on that, I chose to sneak in.
In any case, if I was going to meet my childhood friend Airi later, it was better my presence wasn't known.
The capital's outer wall not only stood tall, but was protected by a barrier that detected intruders.
In theory, with my barrier magic, I could pass through without being noticed…but there's a high chance the barrier has been strengthened since I last knew it.
So, I chose a more certain method.
"Here…it is." (Eugene)
Between the north and west gates, there was a section of crumbling outer wall.
This place had been shoddily repaired after a storm, leaving the barrier weak.
Airi and I found it and occasionally used it to slip out of the capital for sword training.
I thought it might have been repaired by now, but it was exactly as it had been back when I attended military school.
(Did Airi not order it repaired…) (Eugene)
Could it be she left it for me to use? …No, that's probably just wishful thinking.
Just in case, I cast concealment magic, then vaulted over the wall.
Here, the barrier was weaker.
Exploiting that flaw, I slipped into the capital with ease.
Once inside, I walked openly without hiding myself.
Only my White Sword and Black Katana were concealed in a large traveler's backpack to avoid drawing attention.
Even in the middle of the night, the entertainment districts were lively, with shops open and people bustling about.
I thought it would be easier to move during hours when there were still people out rather than deep into the night…and I was right.
Choosing the busier streets, I headed toward the Emperor's residence, the Einherjar Palace.
The largest entertainment street in the capital, Aleus Street…named after the first emperor…led straight to the palace.
I could have gone directly, but there was somewhere I had to see first.
Near the palace, among the military buildings and grand noble estates, stood a single modest one-story house with an unusually spacious yard.
My family home.
With Pops gone, I worried it might have been torn down, but it remained exactly as I remembered.
The gate, once always open, was now closed.
The lights inside were off; no one lived there now.
I felt relieved it still stood, but also a pang of sadness.
There was no one here to welcome me home anymore.
(…I should head to the palace.) (Eugene)
Lingering here served no purpose.
Just as I turned to leave, someone was standing right beside me.
"…!?"
I didn't notice until they were this close!?
Shocked, I instinctively took a guarded stance, but the person seemed even more shocked to see me.
"Master Eugene…?"
"Hana…-san?" (Eugene)
It was Hana, who always lived in and took care of our home.
"Master Eugene!! You're safe!!"
She hugged me at incredible speed.
(S-So fast!) (Eugene)
She closed the distance faster than I expected despite her age.
Still, I hugged her back, feeling the frail shoulders trembling.
"Sorry I took so long to return, Hana-san." (Eugene)
"It's fine… It's fine, as long as you're safe. …Your father…" (Hana)
"…Yes, I know. Pops is…" (Eugene)
"…"
We both wore somber expressions.
I then asked her briefly about her current situation.
She now lived elsewhere in the capital with distant relatives, visiting our home once a month to clean it.
"But that would mean you're working for free…" (Eugene)
After all, Pops…her employer…was gone.
"Well, you see… The Prime Minister's aide came and asked if I'd manage this house. I didn't want to leave it unattended until you returned, so I agreed right away." (Hana)
"Prime Minister Catherine…?" (Eugene)
Why go so far…?
Well, I could ask her about that directly later.
"Then today was lucky. I got to meet you by chance." (Eugene)
Hana chuckled.
"No, Master Eugene. There's a spell on this house that alerts me if anyone approaches. I hurried here when I sensed you." (Hana)
"…R-Really now." (Eugene)
I didn't notice at all.
I didn't feel her presence even when she stood right behind me.
Her true ability still eludes me.
"Will you be returning home tonight? There's no food, but I can prepare a place to sleep…" (Hana)
I stopped her with a hand.
"No… I have somewhere I must go." (Eugene)
"To Airi-sama, I suppose. Please be careful, Master Eugene." (Hana)
"…Yes." (Eugene)
Even though I didn't say anything, she knew. She always did.
I thanked her and turned my back to the house.
I am glad I came.
The heaviness in my heart had lightened a little.
◇In front of the Einherjar Palace◇
In the center of the capital stood the massive palace, home to the Emperor…and to Airi.
Unlike the outer wall, this place was surrounded by powerful barrier magic and patrolled by soldiers 24/7.
A moat and another high wall encircled it.
There was only one gate.
No other way in.
I knew all too well there were no secret passages…after many failed escape attempts with Airi that ended in getting caught.
Sneaking in unnoticed was impossible.
It would definitely cause a stir.
That's why…I needed an inside contact.
I sent a coded letter from the Dungeon City to that person.
It should have arrived by the time I stopped in the Holy Union.
If they received it, then probably any moment now…
"Eugene-kun…?"
The voice I was hoping for called out to me.
"Long time no see, Camilla." (Eugene)
It was Camilla… Airi's friend and my classmate from military school.
She was dressed as a regular Imperial soldier, but in reality, she was part of the intelligence division.
"Euge—!" (Camilla)
"Wait!" (Eugene)
I hurriedly covered her mouth as she suddenly called my name and moved to hug me.
"Don't shout my name!" (Eugene)
"Ah, ah…sorry, sorry… But I'm glad. You're alive… After hearing you were trapped in the Last Dungeon during the Lykeion Magic Academy collapse three years ago…" (Camilla)
Seeing her eyes well up brought a lump to my throat too.
…But were we even that close?
This felt like some touching reunion scene.
I returned my expression to seriousness.
"You got the contents of the letter I sent, right?" (Eugene)
"Yeah, leave it to me. I've made the preparations. Follow me." (Camilla)
Camilla led me toward the main gate of the palace.
Several Imperial soldiers and members of the Black Iron Knights stood guard.
"No need for a disguise?" (Eugene)
"It's fine. I've confirmed none of the guards on duty at this time know your face." (Camilla)
"Got it." (Eugene)
Under normal circumstances, someone from intelligence like Camilla wouldn't be helping an outsider like me sneak in.
But I placed a [Curse of Words Contract] on her.
It never came into play until now, but it was finally useful.
I used curse magic to threaten her into helping me infiltrate the palace.
No other way came to mind.
"This man is here under orders from the Prime Minister. Here's the permit, see?" (Camilla)
Camilla explained to the guards.
Apparently, I was being passed off as a guest of Prime Minister Catherine.
(Is it okay to use such a big name? She's the second most powerful person after the Emperor.) (Eugene)
Still, thanks to that, I wasn't even asked my name before being let through.
We entered the vast gardens of the Einherjar Palace.
There were many blind spots among the trees.
Camilla and I drew close and spoke in low voices.
{Thanks. You really saved me.} (Eugene)
{You're welcome. But this is as far as I can take you. Inside the palace, there'll be plenty of people who know your face. Be careful.} (Camilla)
{That many?} (Eugene)
Aside from schoolmates, I couldn't think of many acquaintances working in the palace.
{Oh, please… You think there's anyone who doesn't know the hero who slew the Great Demonic Beast Haagenti? You're even in the current school textbooks! Any officer-level person who took part in that battle will definitely recognize you.} (Camilla)
{Got it. I'll be careful…} (Eugene)
So even strangers might recognize me. That would be troublesome.
I thanked Camilla and, as a final word…
{Sorry for forcing you to help by putting that curse on you. For causing trouble.} (Eugene)
She stepped closer, her expression dead serious.
{What are you talking about? Are you serious?} (Camilla)
{…Camilla?} (Eugene)
{I'm happy you're alive, and grateful you came to see Airi-sama. You've caused me no trouble at all!} (Camilla)
Her eyes told me she meant it.
{…Alright.} (Eugene)
{Please… Eugene. Help Airi-sama. Her mind is…probably at its limit…} (Camilla)
I gave a small nod.
Those last words were unsettling.
From what Sara and Claude have told me, Empress Airi hasn't shown herself in public for the past month.
Rumor had it her health was poor.
I wanted to hear more, but there was no time while I was trespassing.
I parted with Camilla and aimed for a less-trafficked back entrance.
Using Concealment Barrier, I moved onward.
From here, I had to be extremely careful not to be seen by anyone.
I took my White Sword and Black Katana from my pack and fastened them to my waist.
If I was discovered, I'd immediately be targeted for elimination.
Combat would be unavoidable.
Non-combatants wouldn't notice me with [Concealment], but I avoided the Golden Knights entirely… They were dangerous.
I knew the building's layout well.
Airi and I have run through it countless times.
I knew every blind spot, every quiet corridor, every unused room.
My destination…the Emperor's private chambers, deep inside.
But to get there, I had to pass through the vast audience hall.
It was the greatest obstacle, where the chance of being spotted was highest.
I reached the entrance and peeked inside.
It was always a place with people, so I expected to see some…
(That's strange…) (Eugene)
It was empty, no sign of anyone.
A once-in-a-lifetime chance to pass through.
Yet something about it felt…off.
(But there's no other way.) (Eugene)
I had to pass through the audience hall to see Airi.
Resolving myself, I entered, heading for the Emperor's chambers.
Then…
*…ZAN!!!…*
A sudden slash came at me.
(Fast!!) (Eugene)
I blocked it with barrier magic, unable to dodge.
The attacker immediately pressed another assault.
(Tch! One after another!) (Eugene)
The sword strikes came from blind spots, unpleasantly familiar in their precision.
The opponent was battle-hardened.
Their style was somewhat reminiscent of Pops's.
Barely evading the second and third strikes, I caught sight of the attacker's face.
"You're…" (Eugene)
A large swordsman.
"Long time no see, Legendary Hero of the Great Demonic Beast Subjugation, Eugene Santafield. That's the Emperor's chamber behind you. Everyone's troubled because no one's been allowed an audience for the past month. So don't think you can bluff your way in with some permit. Hahaha!"
On his back was a massive greatsword…the Holy Sword, Colbrand.
"Sword Hero… Edward-sama." (Eugene)
The Empire's strongest swordsman stood in my way.