It was, as Lichthofen said, a success.
'This played out much shorter than I read about.'
More than half of the expected sequence had been cut out, but the outcome was the same as before.
After the amplification magic had been cut off midway, someone else cast their own spell to keep the sound flowing. Even as a plain-clothed vigilante tried to pull them away from the balcony, others took their place and continued casting.
The message was clear: the people were willing to listen to Elias.
And…
'Earlier, they were calling for Elias's execution. Did Lichthofen's speech change their minds?'
I'd thought his remarks were just there to irritate Elias, but to think he'd actually end up helping.
"No matter how skilled the Commander is, he can't withstand the magic of twenty people simultaneously. He'll flee under the cover of the Defense Forces," Lichthofen predicted.
"That's fine."
If he didn't suppress the mutiny but instead chose to run, it would still be a win. Showing that kind of weakness to the public would spark endless doubt and speculation.
"Next, we need to head to the Defense Bureau building, where the vigilantes and guards operate together. But before that…"
Lichthofen swatted at Leo's hand, which was gripping his collar.
"…Could you let go of me, please?"
"Wasn't it you who almost handed Elias over earlier? What were you doing instead of stopping your men?"
Leo's tone was the coldest I'd ever heard. I didn't interfere, deciding to observe instead.
"…Yes, that was my mistake, and I apologize for it. But you know why I couldn't order them to stop, don't you?"
Leo scowled, shoving Lichthofen aside and letting him go.
If Lichthofen had commanded them to betray their Commander for a noble's sake, it would have only painted him as a traitor, given his noble lineage. The vigilantes had to change their minds about Elias themselves for it to mean anything.
That, of course, was why it held significance now. Results born of Lichthofen's direct orders wouldn't have carried the same weight.
"Let's move," Leo said tersely.
Freed, Lichthofen brought up a floating map with spatial magic.
"We're about halfway there. We'll enter the underground passage 1 kilometer away from the Defense Bureau. It's a high-security zone with plenty of spatial magic users, so don't expect an easy path forward."
So far, we had been traveling alongside Lichthofen on foot. To avoid suspicion, we refrained from using magic and had even changed into vigilante uniforms to pass inspections.
'The confusion spell I cast was working overtime.'
Unless someone stared at us for too long, they wouldn't find anything unusual about our vague appearances.
Perhaps interpreting my silent reflection as worry, Lichthofen winked and said, "Don't worry too much. I'll make good use of my spatial magic when the time comes."
"I'm not worried. Let's go," I replied, leading the way with Lichthofen close behind.
After some time traversing the underground corridor, we encountered two Defense Bureau guards standing in front of a heavy door.
Without a word, Lichthofen presented his vigilante identification papers.
The guards barely glanced at it before stepping aside.
"Go on in."
"…!"
But I noticed their right hands subtly moving toward their left wrists.
Acting quickly, I yanked down Lichthofen's hood and drew my wand.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Leo move a finger, sending a pulse of blue magic flying past me.
BOOM!
"Urk!"
The guards were slammed against the walls, struggling to move as Leo's magic crushed their hands and throats.
Switching my wand into a staff, I invoked divine power.
―Unless the Lord watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain.
KWOONG!
As white light filled the hallway, the guards collapsed, their strength drained.
Clicking his tongue, Leo withdrew his magic.
"They're using those artifacts too," he muttered. "No one outside Bavaria was authorized to distribute them, though."
He was referring to sensory transfer artifacts.
Lichthofen's expression grew grim as he examined the fallen guards. He blasted the artifacts on their wrists with magic, shattering them.
Standing up, he spoke. "It's safe to assume an alert has been issued. They've probably reported my betrayal to the Commander."
After checking the surrounding area with spatial magic, he continued, "If that's the case, subtle entry is pointless. I considered using the portal at the Defense Bureau, but it's probably locked down by now. Let's go straight to the Commander's office instead."
Whether we could enter directly didn't matter—the Commander's office was likely compromised already, given the internal dissent among the vigilantes.
"The Defense Bureau isn't our only option to contact Pleroma, right? What about another Robert Müller?"
***
"Is he a dog?"
Leo's voice was icy as he questioned Lichthofen.
Barely a month ago, he'd been scolding us to speak respectfully because he was the class vice-president. Now, formalities were long abandoned.
We were moving through a dense forest, where the sun had just set. Red sunlight filtered through the raindrop-speckled fir and hornbeam trees, stinging my eyes.
Lichthofen turned and smiled. "I have a good sense of smell."
"That's an understatement," Leo said, frowning suspiciously.
Still, the result spoke for itself. We hadn't encountered a single vigilante since entering the forest. Earlier, we'd confirmed that the Defense Forces were scouring the city like madmen.
"Another 300 meters from here, and we'll reach the Parliament building. Let's stop and confirm first," Lichthofen said, coming to a halt and casting spatial magic.
The other Robert Müller we sought was the Speaker of Parliament, who had also deployed the Defense Forces across the city.
Though the population here was small and governance was centralized, his position as commander of the military made him the de facto head of state.
Through the spatial magic, we saw a group of black-robed mages stationed in front of Parliament.
"Hmm, they're already in position… In that case, we'd be better off warping directly into the building," Lichthofen said, kneeling and brushing his hand across the ground.
"...."
For some reason, the way he did that felt oddly canine.
Apparently unsatisfied, he began sifting through the dirt while seated.
"No good," he muttered.
"Care to explain?" Leo asked impatiently.
"This isn't the original location. The spot we're standing on is already layered with spatial magic."
"Is that common?"
"Of course not. Deploying so many people to a fake space… they're definitely up to something."
Lichthofen stood, brushing off his hands.
Leo motioned for us to follow him. "No point overthinking it. Let's go."
Before I could ask why he'd come to that conclusion, Leo offered an uncharacteristically patient explanation.
"If this is intentional, the person we're after must be in the original space. Once we get there, the soldiers stationed in this fake world will vanish. A direct assault will save us time."
"Fair point," I agreed.
Still, it felt surreal hearing Leo suggest a frontal assault after years of him doubting my abilities.
"I'll cast dual-space magic on us just in case," Lichthofen said. "But beware—if they use anti-spatial magic, you mustn't take their attacks head-on."
Leo nodded, scanning the area ahead. "300 meters is manageable. I'll buy time below. You two head up. You know the warp coordinates, don't you?"
"Of course. What kind of local would I be if I didn't know my own coordinates? That said, you used to speak so politely as vice-president, but now you talk like this~" Lichthofen quipped, grinning as he grabbed my wrist.
As his magic coursed through my veins, a sharp wind howled past us.
The view shifted, revealing the forest below bathed in red twilight.
BOOOM!
A thunderous explosion echoed below, likely caused by Leo.
Lichthofen cast a protective barrier around us, leaning against a railing as we watched the Defense Forces bombard us with magic.
Each impact on the barrier sent cracks rippling across its surface.
KRRRR—BOOOM! CRASH!
"Hurry," Lichthofen urged. "I'll head down to help once you've gone in."
I didn't need the reminder.
Twisting my wand, I transformed it into a staff, letting divine power flow freely through me.
I didn't know how many layers of spatial magic surrounded this place, but I had one shot.
'I'll amplify it if I must.'
Even if it cost me more magic power.
I thrust my divine power to the tip of the staff and shouted:
―If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you!
The air grew thick as my ears popped, and countless layers of space blurred past my eyes in rapid succession.
When my hearing returned, the deafening cacophony of battle was gone as if it had never been.
The black-robed mages who had surrounded the building had vanished without a trace.
'Leo…?'
I turned my head sharply and rubbed my ear to clear the sudden ringing.
Thankfully, before the spatial magic dissolved entirely, Lichthofen had returned with Leo to the rooftop.
Lichthofen, wand in hand, carefully began descending to the lower floors.
Recalling the divine energy I had used earlier, I spoke up.
"First floor. Likely alone."
The moment I dispelled the layered spatial magic concealing this place, the so-called Speaker of Parliament must have realized the situation. The fact that there'd been no response yet—and that he remained alone—made it obvious what he was up to.
Lichthofen nodded in understanding.
Standing at the top of the staircase, he silently counted down, then turned the corner and struck the marble floor with his staff.
Immediately, his magic flowing into the ground came to a halt.
"It seems my carefully prepared meal will go to waste," a voice rang out.
"…!"
I couldn't believe my eyes.
The main hall of the first floor had been cleared entirely, save for a long table at its center.
An old man, standing beside the table with a bottle of wine, greeted me with a composed smile.
"At last, we meet, Sir Nikolaus."
Though I wasn't wearing a mask or anything of the sort, he immediately recognized me as Nikolaus.
I didn't hesitate. I bound his body with divine energy and aimed my wand directly at his heart.
―I can do all things through Him who gives me strength.
"Ah, yes," the man said calmly, raising both hands before pressing them lightly to his chest.
Then, with an amused grin, he added, "It's an honor to witness Sir Nikolaus's divine power up close. And to think I'm considered threatening enough to warrant such caution—what an even greater honor."
"...."
Honor?
Was this really the time for such nonchalance?
This man—there was no mistaking it—was Robert Müller, the one who wrote the letter.
It was an instinctive conclusion.
But… Robert was a masculine name, wasn't it?
Unlike the post-human "New Humans," whose gender was indistinguishable due to their standardized forms, it was easy to infer gender from the physical appearances of old humans. And judging by his—or rather, her—appearance, this Robert Müller seemed to be female.
'Well, not that it matters.'
What mattered was that this person was Robert Müller, my target.
'Let's see if there's anything I should be wary of.'
Simon Eberhardt
Favorability: 0Title: Robert MüllerHealth: +5Mental Strength: +10Magic Power: +6Skills: +9Impression: +1Luck: +1Trait: Perseverance (Lv.10)
Apart from an exceptionally high Mental Strength, nothing particularly alarming stood out.
Eberhardt smiled kindly, gesturing to the table.
"I knew you would come here. After waiting so long, now that we're finally meeting… what could I possibly do to you? Have a seat, Sir Nikolaus."
With a slight smirk, I picked up the wineglass in front of me.
"Feels like I've practiced for this exact scenario."
"Haha, well, that's all part of my grand design," Eberhardt replied with a chuckle.
Leo's expression turned murderous, prompting Lichthofen to avert his gaze with an awkward smile.
Feigning sympathy, Eberhardt raised his eyebrows dramatically and clasped his hands together.
"To think you'd betray us so thoroughly, leaving no stone unturned in the Catacomb. Impressive work," he said, scolding Lichthofen while mimicking my earlier turn of phrase.
"Leaving it alone wasn't an option. Convincing the Commander to spare you was no easy feat," Lichthofen replied.
"That fool is as careless as ever. I warned him repeatedly…"
"Do you not trust me?"
"Well, it would be rude to keep chatting among ourselves with a guest present. Sit, please. Standing won't change anything."
Lichthofen gestured subtly, and I took a seat across from Eberhardt.
"It's been three weeks since I sent you that first letter," Eberhardt began. "I've been quite impressed with your activities, Sir Nikolaus."
"I wouldn't have expected someone like you to align with Pleroma."
"Hohoho…"
Eberhardt laughed, then responded, "Isn't it enviable? You have the privilege of pursuing justice as you see fit—a remarkable fortune, Sir Nikolaus."
"...."
"Prince Elias suggested that embracing a doomed path was unthinkable. But how idealistic. For some, there's only one option left."
Eberhardt smiled faintly as he sipped his wine.
Repeating the words, I muttered, "Only one option left…"
"Grasp it or die. But if grasping it allows survival, the choice is clear. I'm responsible for hundreds of thousands of lives—I can't make decisions based solely on my personal values."
I fixed my gaze on him.
He didn't view Pleroma favorably.
He didn't explicitly state it, but it was obvious. Someone who had tried to kill me for Pleroma's sake wouldn't talk about opposing them here unless there was something more to it.
"The Emperor is planning to attack this place. Were you aware?"
"Of course. That's why we had to gain power ourselves—by any means necessary."
If I had to categorize him, Eberhardt belonged to the radical faction. Instead of hiding until the time was right, he was preparing for open war with the Emperor.
'We're not the same.'
For me, the solution didn't lie in Catacomb clashing with the Emperor. Satisfying the Emperor while protecting the Catacomb was possible—it only required the creation of a third enemy.
So I wondered… would he agree with my plan? What choice would he make?
I watched him expressionlessly.
"Let's talk about that day. I apologize for injuring your hand."
"A hand? I'm just relieved I didn't lose my life," Eberhardt replied with a faint smile.
"While serving Pleroma, I pondered how to ensure the safety of both the Catacomb and the wider world. And how to strike back at Pleroma without anyone knowing."
"I see."
"My conclusion was to borrow Pleroma's power to grow stronger, then break free from them once that strength was sufficient."
"And that's no longer your position?"
Eberhardt didn't respond to my jab, simply smiling instead.
"You understand, of course, that the success of my plan hinged on your life or death. If Nikolaus were to die, the loss to Pleroma would be offset by gains. If not, Pleroma would only suffer losses."
"As expected of you, Sir Nikolaus. You understand quickly. That simplifies things."
Finishing his wine, Eberhardt set the glass down and stared at us silently before lifting a fork to tap his plate lightly.
Kwoong—
"…!"
Lichthofen shot to his feet as everything around us turned pitch black.
It was unmistakably spatial magic.
Eberhardt's voice echoed calmly.
"You'll need to go, Sir Nikolaus."
A third enemy was necessary. If that enemy were Pleroma, it would be perfect—satisfying the Emperor's goals, striking a blow against Pleroma, and securing the Catacomb's safety.
Which meant I needed to face Pleroma directly.
Even without asking, it was obvious where I was being sent.
Eberhardt must have handed this entire space over to Pleroma.
Smiling faintly, I stared at him.
"Thank you for being so helpful."