"We need to destroy Inverse Moon! Right now!"
The sicko maid, Villhaze, sighed internally as she gazed down at the fist that had just slammed into the desk.
The location? Commander Gandesblood's office, in the Crimson Tower. The commander herself? Absent. Villhaze and Caostel Conto stared at each other across the polished black
table. No one else was in the room. But the hallway outside was crammed with Seventh Unit soldiers, who were clamoring and yelling out of deep concern for their commander. It sounded like the doors to the office would
break at any moment.
Caostel was deeply agitated himself.
"They're criminals who seek to damage the Mulnite Empire! They should be punished!"
"But we still haven't been able to locate their hideout. Even with all Six Nations working together over the past few years."
"So we should find it ourselves. What are you suggesting, that we just sit around until they strike again? Are we fools?!"
A week had passed since the girl calling herself Millicent Bluenight had infiltrated the Empress's party, attacked Komari, and stabbed her chief officer, Bellius, sending him into a coma.
That's right, a coma.
Typically, the power of the Dark Core would regenerate someone killed or gravely injured within a short span of time, but a week had passed without Bellius regaining consciousness. Plus, the knife wound didn't seem to be healing at all.
The busty blond Empress explained it like this:
"She used some kind of cursed knife to do it. Something with the power to cancel out the Dark Core's influence. Something with enough strength to rival that of the Dark Core itself. The only way to help your wolfy friend is to
find some way to revive him ourselves. The Dark Core will be of no use here."
Years ago, back before the Dark Core existed, there were people called "Doctors," who were very highly regarded in society. But once the era of the Dark Core began, wounds started to heal themselves automatically, so the "Doctor" profession died out. As a result, not a single one remained in the Empire. Sure, there were a few who dabbled with the old trade as a curiosity, but their skills were lackluster, so they would not be able to revive Bellius.
Caostel seemed to want to avenge Bellius, of course. But he also seemed more motivated by fury. Fury toward the terrorists who had assaulted his beloved commander and left her covered in spaghetti.
"What is the Imperial Court even doing?! A terrorist infiltrated our country! If this isn't a national crisis, then what is?!"
"The Imperial Court has been engaged in meetings from dawn till dusk every day. There's a reason why they haven't acted yet."
"What? What's the reason?"
"There may be a traitor in our midst."
"A traitor…?"
Caostel glared at Vill, puzzled.
"Apparently, someone constructed a Gate of Transference in the soiree venue. You're good with Void Magic, right, Lieutenant Conto? So then you're aware that the ability to teleport hinges upon first setting up two magic gates. In other words, someone got access to the venue before the party and primed a gate there. No outsider could have done that. Incidentally, it seems the second gate was located in a back alley in the capital's skid row area."
"I see. So the Imperial Court is trying to expose the traitor, while at the same time checking to make sure there aren't any more gates."
"Right. That's why they've been having very serious meetings about this."
"Idiots!" Caostel suddenly squawked, like a strangled chicken. "If there's a traitor in our midst, we should root him out and execute him on the spot! Job done!!!"
"Could you calm down a little there?"
"Desperate times call for desperate measures! Now is the time to strike! I'll gather a team and get to work at once! First, we'll go around the entire city and—"
"That would put you in contempt of command, Lieutenant Conto."
He gulped loudly.
"Lady Komari has given her orders. 'Wait until I return.' If you bypass her wishes and act on your own, your head will roll."
"I…I know that. But where is the commander? I'm going to see her right now, and I'm gonna get her permission to do something!"
"It seems she's currently monitoring the enemy's movements. From where, I know not. Even I, her closest associate, am not privy to that information."
"I see… Ah, but hold on a minute, Special Lieutenant Villhaze. I'm not about to let that slide. I'm her closest associate, not you. Me. Caostel Conto."
"Well, do you know what color underwear Lady Komari wears?"
"??!?!!"
"You don't, do you? So then I'm her closest associate. Anyway, we remain on standby until we receive some kind of word from Lady Komari herself."
"But…will she really come back?"
"What do you mean?"
"The Komari Unit is dangling by a thread. Yohann's been dishonorably discharged, Bellius is currently gravely injured and in a coma. Mellaconcey's taken his paid vacation and gone on an overseas trip. If we lose the
commander, too…"
Vill nodded knowingly. Caostel's bluster was all a front. He was genuinely worried.
"It's all right. The Empress herself holds Lady Komari in high esteem. She's as savage as anyone who ever held the Crimson Lord position. She would never, ever abandon her troops."
But in truth, the Seventh Unit was on the verge of collapse.
And Komari, currently monitoring the enemy's movements? Please. Our Komari? She really had the bravery for that? Nuh-uh. Vill was simply making stuff up in an attempt to placate the rowdy Seventh Unit soldiers and
keep them calm.
Vill left the Crimson Tower, got into a carriage, and headed straight to the Gandesblood residence. She entered the mansion by way of the tradesmen's entrance and ascended the stairs to the second floor as if she had every right to be there. Then she walked down several corridors until she spotted the room she was heading for. Standing in front of the busted door, she called out to the person inside. "Lady Komari?" But there was no answer. Of course.
"Lady Komari, I'm coming in."
Vill entered nonchalantly.
The room was dark. Books were scattered across the floor, their spines splayed open. It appeared Lady Komari still wasn't feeling well enough to pick up after herself.
Taking a deep breath, Vill called her name again.
"Lady Komari, how are you feeling today?"
"…Vill?"
Something stirred over on the bed.
Relieved to have gotten a response at last, Vill started speaking in a low, soothing voice.
"Everyone's worried about you. Why don't you come out of your room, just for a little while?"
"No."
Her response was curt.
"If I go out there, I'm gonna get killed. There's no place in the world for a weak, directionless, cowardly vampire. Being a shut-in is the best thing for me."
"That's not true at all. Lieutenant Conto really wants to see you."
"Who cares! He doesn't know me! He only thinks he does! Hey, everyone, look at the Crimson Lord sitting on the floor covered in spaghetti! I couldn't even look out for Bellius!"
Vill sharply inhaled. So that's what she was upset about?
"Lady Komari…"
"B-besides, if I leave this house, she'll come for me again…"
She. Vill didn't even need to ask. Millicent Bluenight, of Inverse Moon. An old classmate of Lady Komari's, who had bullied her into becoming a shut-in in the first place.
Vill sighed. "All right, then," she finally relented.
"We'll just have to wait until you feel better, then."
With a small bow, she left the room.
Lady Komari had been cloistered away for just about a week. Millicent's attack had clearly traumatized her. Or perhaps all the stress had finally gotten to her, and she'd snapped. Either way, this was hardly an ideal situation. She
refused to eat the meals Vill prepared, and in her worst moods, she ignored Vill completely.
As the maid rounded a corner, she bumped into Komari's father.
"Ah, Vill. No good, eh?"
"…Unfortunately not, sir."
He frowned with concern.
"I see. Well, there's not much we can do now. No one could have predicted that little madam would show up again to terrorize Komari. Ah, I
should never have done what I did."
"…Excuse me?"
"Millicent…she was the vampire girl who bullied Komari three years ago. I was furious. I had her whole family framed for treason and banished from the country. Then she joined a terrorist group to take revenge. Oh dear, what
a mess."
"…"
"Well, that aside, please do what you can for Komari. She's weak and fragile, yes, but she's got a good heart. I don't think she'll be able to get by anymore without you around."
"…I understand, sir."
"Good. Well then, I have work to do. Thanks, Vill."
Then, the cause of this entire headache waved jauntily at her and walked off. Vill gazed at his black-cloaked back as he disappeared around the corner. Her fists were clenched by her sides.
***
It all started from the tiniest of things.
I'd unwittingly done something to antagonize Millicent one day, and after that, it had been too late to set things right.
It wouldn't have been so bad if she'd just given me the silent treatment and had ignored me during team activities and magic practices.
No, Millicent's bullying just kept escalating. Gossiping about me behind my back, cackling shrilly whenever I was in earshot. Breaking my things, before finally escalating into direct physical violence against me.
At first, I tried to laugh it off.
After all, how could the daughter of the esteemed Gandesblood family be a victim of bullying, at school of all places? If either my family or the other aristocrats found out, the Gandesblood name would be dragged through the mud. So I kept it all to myself and refused to ask anyone for help. When Millicent would ignore me, when she would steal my shoes and hide them, when she would scribble horrible things in my textbooks, when she would drop a dirty dishcloth on my lunch, when she would leave dead flowers on my desk…I cried about it all alone. And I never let it show that she was getting to me.
Because bullies are pathetic creatures who can only feel happiness by hurting others.
That's what I'd told myself. To stay strong.
But I soon reached my breaking point.
It had happened that summer, three years ago. Millicent had asked me to meet her in an empty classroom. Stupidly, I went along with her request, and when I arrived, she pounced.
"Hey, will you lend me that pendant of yours?"
I refused, of course.
I always wore my pendant. I'm wearing it now. It's a memento of my mother, who passed away in a fatal accident. A very rare and tragic thing to transpire in this current era of the Dark Core. But pass away she had.
Millicent cackled, amused by my rare show of defiance. She ordered her minions to grab me and pin my arms behind my back. Then she reached toward my neck, grinning as if she'd found a shiny new toy.
That's when I'd snapped.
I felt as though I were a cornered mouse, desperate enough to fight back against a cat. I head-butted the girls who were restraining me with the back of my head to free myself from their grips. Then I ran out, crying. But before I could get far, Millicent cast an incantation (probably a gravity spell), which
sent me flying. I hit my face as I landed.
Ha-ha! Look at the crybaby! Need a tissue for that nosebleed?
I shrank as I gazed up at her face, full of malice and hatred.
Let me cut off a finger and I'll let you go. Come on! Just one little pinky!
The pinky finger loophole. It was drastic, sure, but many a bullied child took that route. If you allowed your bully to cut off your finger and keep it, you could walk away free.
But anyway, I don't remember what happened after I'd refused to give her my little finger.
I think she beat me up, without me fighting back. Sometimes I recall differently, however, and envision drawing her blood with a few blows of my own. But at any rate, the next thing I knew, I awoke on my own bed, battered
and bruised.
The physical wounds didn't matter so much. They would heal.
The problem was the damage she'd done to my mind.
I was terrified of Millicent, so from that day forth, I'd refused to attend school. The abuse she'd heaped on me had seemed to hit me all at once, as if a dam had broken in my mind. I'd felt paralyzed.
Nothing much happened after that.
I spent the next three years after the incident sequestered in my room.
I stopped going out, stopped seeing people. It was a lonely life, but I spent it reading, and writing my own stories. Stuff like that.
The longer I spent as a shut-in, the deeper the wounds seemed to etch themselves into my psyche.
Daddy and the Empress must have noticed this. And their scheme had worked. It had forced me out of my room and into the Seven Crimson Lords. It granted me normal life again. My new position even enabled me to forget about what had happened…well, more like put a mental block on it. I started regaining my ability to talk to people, as if nothing had ever gone wrong.
But that was all over now.
Because Millicent had come back.
Those cold, dark days of the soul were upon me again.
"…"
Cuddling my dolphin-shaped hug pillow, I trembled as I thought about all the horrible things that would await me in the future. Being a Crimson Lord was something I was starting to get used to, even enjoy a little, but I had to admit it to myself. My true nature was to remain a pathetic recluse for the rest
of my days.
So I made up my mind.
I was never going outside again.
Three days had passed.
There was no sign of Millicent. But still I couldn't relax. I felt constantly wired. The slightest creak or slamming door had me twitching with terror.
Vill brought meals to my room three times a day.
Whenever she entered, she would try to talk to me. But the sexual harassment behavior that had always been her specialty had completely
ceased. Instead, she acted almost completely normal.
"Lady Komari, I made omelet rice for dinner. Your favorite, isn't it?"
"Lady Komari, it's great weather outside today. Why don't you and I go for a walk together?"
"Lady Komari, I read this great book recently. I'll lend it to you if you'd like."
Just pleasantries like that.
But the "great book" she'd wanted to lend me turned out to be a naughty magazine. I had the feeling she was trying too hard to be normal, and the cracks were starting to show.
Occasionally, I responded to her when I was feeling up to it. But for the most part, I stayed completely silent. Undeterred, Vill kept on trying to get me to talk.
Why was she even bothering with me? Was it sympathy? Pity? Was it because I belonged to a rich family? Were they paying her a lot for this?
That reminds me, she'd mentioned that weird thing once about committing a crime.
"Lady Komari, aren't you planning to write a new novel?"
"…"
"Well…when you do finish a new one, I'd love it if you'd let me read it."
Then with a polite bow, Vill left my room.
Since the door was still broken, I was able to watch her walk away down the hallway.
Just who was she anyway?
***
Caostel was standing high up on the Artois Plaza Clock Tower's ledge, the tallest landmark in the Imperial Capital, gazing emotionally out at the sky. He was filled with a determination to track down the wench who had attacked Bellius, his brother-in-arms, and had slung spaghetti over the commander,
whom he burned with love and respect for.
The situation wasn't showing promise, though.
Two weeks had gone by since the party incident. But there had been no reports of the perpetrator's whereabouts. With no sign of an attack on the horizon, the whole of the Imperial Court seemed to almost relax.
Apparently, the cabinet minister had said: "The enemy hasn't done anything else, so perhaps that's the end of it."
Were the leaders of this country all complete morons?
"Commander…"
Caostel pulled a photograph out from his chest pocket and gazed at it. It showed his beloved commander, dressed in a skimpy bathing suit, blushing.
This photograph had really been keeping him going lately.
"Where did you disappear to, Commander?"
His beloved Komari hadn't appeared before the Seventh Unit even once since the attack at the gala. Villhaze had told him that the commander was gathering intelligence on the enemy, but something about that sounded
suspicious. That maid was hiding something.
"Commander… Forgive me, Commander…"
Caostel repented.
The terrorist who'd assaulted the party…it had been the fox-faced girl. If Caostel had only been able to apprehend her when she'd appeared in the gardens that night, then none of this would have happened.
In other words, this was all his fault. He would have to take responsibility for this himself. But how?
He made up his mind to locate the commander by himself.
Putting the photo away in his chest pocket, Caostel cast Void Magic, The Gates of Hell. Reaching into the portal, he retrieved a small wooden box. From it, he took out a single strand of hair. It was one of the commander's
beautiful golden locks, which he'd secretly harvested.
This single strand of hair would allow him to locate the commander. With another Void spell (The Net of Attraction this time), he could use magic to locate the vampire who possessed a head of hair that matched this one strand.
However.
Using this incantation would also cause this sacred lock to disappear. In order to locate the commander, he would have to give up his treasure. He'd spent hours, days even, retracing her steps along the hallways, scrambling about on the floor before he'd found that elusive dropped strand.
"Nothing ventured, nothing gained, as they say."
Never mind. There was no other way. And perhaps he could procure himself another piece of hair later on. Caostel gazed down at the Imperial Capital spread out beneath him, trying to reassure himself. Then he began to
cast the spell.
Void Magic. The Net of Attraction. Instantly, the strand of golden hair evaporated, and an invisible web sprang from Caostel's hand to cover the entirety of the Imperial Capital spread out before him.
He waited for a few moments before tugging his net back in. And what he found was surprising.
His target was located in the Gandesblood mansion.
So she wasn't out tracking the enemy's movements after all! Caostel was triumphant for a few moments. But then why hadn't she appeared before the Seventh Unit? He pondered this for a moment before stopping himself. The commander must have had her reasons. It would be faster simply to ask her
himself.
Yes, he planned to head straight to her residence. Usually, it would be the height of bad manners to show up at your commander's abode without being invited first. But these were extenuating circumstances. She would surely forgive him. Oh, but if she invited him up to her bedroom, whatever would he say…? Hee-hee-hee.
Picturing all kinds of delicious scenarios, Caostel sniggered to himself. But just then…
The Correspondence Crystal he always carried began to vibrate with magical power. He answered it, annoyed. All of a sudden, a loud voice rapped in his ear.
"Check it! I found the right potion, it's caused a commotion! Bellius is awake, we're all filled with emotion!"
"What?"
His eyes widened.
So Bellius was well again. That was excellent news. But wasn't this ridiculous rapper supposed to be on an overseas vacation? Wait, did he go on a quest to a faraway land to find medicine?
Well, whatever.
"Mellaconcey, take care of Bellius for me. I'm going to the commander's house."
"Pourquoi, my dude?"
"There's no other way."
"Yo! Intruding on the commander's personal space? It ain't a great idea, and this isn't a race! The terrorist has gone underground, there ain't no sight or sound, so let's all just chill before things go ill."
Caostel ended the transmission abruptly. He had no time for the opinions of others.
Leaping down from the clock tower, he headed to the Gandesblood mansion at top speed.
*** (Let's go back a bit) ***
Over lunch, I asked Vill why she kept bothering with me.
The sicko maid shrugged.
"I would have thought it was obvious. It's because I love you more than anyone else in the world, Lady Komari."
It sounded like a lie, but if it was really money or status she was after, then her kind, considerate treatment of me the past few weeks didn't really add up.
Ignoring the curry she'd brought me, I started nibbling on the pear instead, which was for dessert.
"I really don't get it. Are you my long-lost sister or something, Vill?"
"If you want to role-play that, I'm down for it. But we're not long-lost sisters, no."
"Then what is it?"
Vill blushed a little, looking down.
"You know, I've been meaning to tell you this for a long time…"
"…"
"But I was too embarrassed…"
"Okay, you don't have to tell me."
"Hold on! Don't just give up so easily! This is the part where you try to convince me! Aww, is Vill embarrassed? Tell Aunty Komari everything. Stick to the script!"
"…"
"Sorry. I forgot, I'm not the comic relief in this story."
Vill sighed deeply then began rummaging around in the pocket of her apron. She pulled out an envelope.
"I wrote down all my feelings in this letter. Please read it when you have a spare moment."
"Yeah, I might. If the mood strikes me."
I rose unsteadily to my feet, still chewing my mouthful of pear as I flopped back into bed. I was feeling a bit lighter today, so I'd decided to talk to her. But now I'd exhausted all of my strength. Spending time around the creepy maid had just made me remember things I'd rather not think about. The Seventh Unit; war; blood.
But Vill didn't leave. Instead, she kept on talking.
"Lady Komari. Lots of people are worried about you."
This again? I rolled my eyes.
"There are a lot of people who are worried about you, and not just because they value your leadership skills and smarts. Please remember that."
She was clearly lying. The Seventh Unit cared about me only because I was a Crimson Lord. Take away all the bluff and bluster, and all you had left was a nondescript, weakling vampire girl. I knew that better than anyone.
"Well, I'll take my leave now. Once you're feeling better, you should return to the Crimson Tower, and…"
Suddenly, she trailed off.
I turned to look over my shoulder, wondering what was up.
That's when I thought my heart was going to leap out of my chest.
"Hello, Terakomari."
"…??!!"
It was Millicent. Standing right behind Vill. Half shrouded in darkness, with a sick grin on her face. She'd thrust a sharp sword into Vill's back.
"Guh…Lady…Komari…"
Her white apron blossomed with red. A jet of blood came shooting out of her mouth, splattering over my uneaten dish of curry. Vill blinked several times, as if in complete disbelief. But a moment later her strength failed her, and she slumped to her knees.
I couldn't even breathe.
My mind was refusing to process reality.
"Oh dear, what's wrong? Cat got your tongue? You could at least say hello after I went to all the trouble to visit. How rude."
"Ah…ah…"
"You were always so squeamish. There's no need to go that pale just because someone got stabbed. Relax, this sword isn't cursed. She'll regenerate in time. Not for a while, though."
"What are you…doing here?"
"What am I doing here?" Millicent cackled. "I told you I'd come back to see you again. You can't have forgotten what I said?"
She started creeping slowly toward me. I was paralyzed by fear.
"Hya-ha-ha! There's no need to look so frightened. I'm not going to kill you in your own bed. If I started slicing you up here, someone would only show up to interrupt us."
Someone? …I almost forgot! This mansion was full of people!
Just as I took in a huge breath to unleash a massive scream, Millicent shot a bolt of magic into my bed, producing up a huge hole. Terrified, I clamped my lips shut.
"If you scream, I'll kill you. If you struggle, I'll kill you. You just sit there like a good girl and listen to what Millicent has to say."
"…"
"That's right. Very good, Terakomari. Okay, shall we get down to it? I didn't come here to assassinate you in your home. I came to set the stage for an even more tragic murder!"
"Set…the…stage?"
"This mansion is full of bothersome flies. So what I need you to do is to get up and come to the location I'm about to name. Can you stand?"
Was she serious? If I went with her, she'd do me in.
As I continued to sit there mutely, she raised an eyebrow and chuckled.
"I see, you're not brave enough to come of your own volition. Well, I predicted this. You always were a complaining, whining crybaby. It beats me how you always used to walk around like you owned the place while being
absolute trash at the same time. All right, then, we'll do it this way. Just like how it was three years ago."
Millicent turned and grabbed Vill's arm. Then she dragged her up off the floor as if she were a rag doll.
"I'll take this one with me. If you want her back, come to the abandoned castle at La Nelient when the clock strikes midnight."
"Don't…"
"If you're even one second late, I'll kill Villhaze. Oh, and by the way, make sure you come alone. And if you decide to tell anyone about this…well, you know what will happen, don't you?"
A deep wave of despair crashed over me.
What was I supposed to do about this?
"All right, then, it's settled. Don't disappoint me now, Terakomari."
Then Millicent turned to the windows, which were covered by dark curtains. Casting a magic spell, she shattered the glass with an almighty smash. Sunlight streamed into my bedroom for the first time in days. I was still too terrified to speak. The terrorist hoisted Vill across her shoulder and leaped out of the broken window, disappearing like some sort of bat.
Left propped up in bed, I still couldn't move or speak.
The floor was drenched with blood. Curry was splattered on the walls and the sheets. Millicent had shown up. Vill, murdered. Stabbed. I…
Vill…
I still couldn't believe what had just happened. I didn't want to believe it. But the pain I was feeling was all too real. This was reality. Horrible, horrible reality.
What do I do? What do I do? What do I do? I just sat there, trembling and hugging my knees.
I stayed there in bed for around an hour, cocooned in my blankets.
As I started to calm down, the gravity of the situation began to sink in with horrifying clarity.
Vill had been kidnapped. By a terrorist. There was no guarantee she was even still alive. The perpetrator wasn't motivated by money, so I couldn't use the Gandesblood name as leverage. Millicent had told me to come to the
abandoned castle alone. She'd ordered me not to tell anyone else. So there was no one who could resolve this situation besides me.
I was going to have to act alone.
But I was used to acting alone. I was a shut-in who didn't rely on anyone. Still, what did the sicko maid matter to me?
…
Nothing, right? But then why did I feel so terrible and afraid for her? Thinking back on my time with her, I felt my chest constrict painfully.
Vill had never once let me down.
She'd stayed up all night hand-digging all those pitfall traps for me so I could defeat Yohann. She'd attacked Millicent at the party to try to save me. She'd risked her life for me. And over the past few weeks, while I'd been
cloistered in my room all day and night, she'd brought me three meals a day. The sicko maid had done all of that, for me.
I couldn't turn my back on her now.
I was going to have to save her.
But I was facing the rebel Millicent Bluenight. She was in possession of cursed, Dark Core–canceling weaponry. Could I really go up against such a terrifying foe to rescue the captured maiden like the protagonist of some fairy tale? That was a job for a hero. I should call in the army—entrust this mission to some great commander. Oh wait. Commander…that was me.
I laughed bitterly.
A commander on paper alone. How absurd.
I was an idiot. I'd started to get too big for my boots, strutting around in front of the Seventh Unit as a Crimson Lord. Okay, I know I complained nonstop the whole time about how much I hated it and how much I despised
working, but…it was actually kind of fun, spending my days with Vill and my soldiers. I couldn't deny it to myself anymore. Returning to my shut-in life had made it very clear.
Being alone all the time…it got lonely.
I didn't feel like I was really living.
Staying in my room all day was somehow worse than having to go to war. Worse than spending my days on my toes, wondering if my soldiers were going to turn on me. Worse than snotty classmates bullying me. Because all those things were real.
I really wanted to go outside.
I wanted to take all my trauma from being bullied, ball it up, and throw it in the trash.
But I couldn't. I wasn't strong enough. I wasn't brave enough. My knees still trembled.
If only I really did have combat abilities. I'd run right over there and save Vill in a blaze of glory. But I was a frail, anemic vampire. There was no way I could save her. Yet I couldn't give up on her, either. I was so lost. There
didn't seem to be a way forward…
Then my gaze fell on the envelope lying on the table.
It was the letter Vill had left.
She'd mentioned something about putting her true feelings down in that letter.
Carefully avoiding the drips and splashes of blood, I got out of bed and grabbed the envelope. I opened it up to find a completely ordinary-looking letter inside.
Dear Lady Komari,
I hope this letter finds you and your family in good health. Although I see you all every day, so you would think I already knew that. Sorry, just trying to make this seem like a normal letter.
Anyway, let's cut to the chase. You and I first met three years ago, actually. Big surprise, right? You probably don't remember, but I can recall every detail of what happened on that day.
Back then, I was a student at the Imperial Academy, and a poor student at that. I was a true dunce, a dunderhead, a dummy. The strong prey on the weak, so naturally the other students led an intense bullying campaign against me.
The ringleader of their band was Millicent Bluenight.
This vixen had zero empathy, no ability to comprehend the feelings of others. She thought only of herself, and she was the
queen bee of the nastiest clique in school. Just thinking about the cruel treatment I received at her hands makes me shiver to this day. No one came to my aid. Everyone was afraid of her, and she ruled the school with an iron fist.
My days felt dark and cold. Then, one rare ray of light shone into my life. That was you, Lady Komari.
I'm guessing you don't remember? One day, while the dreaded Millicent was torturing me, you appeared and reached out a hand to me, a ministering angel come to pull me out of hell. You saved me.
You asked me if I was okay, if I was hurt. You said everything would be okay. You told me not to let them get me down. I've locked all of your sweet words away in my heart to keep forevermore. You were like a true angel to me, one who appeared in the darkest moment of my life. If only there were more people like her, the world would be a better place. That's what I remember thinking.
But then something terrible happened after that. You probably remember this part well enough, so I don't need to go into too much detail, but Millicent's attentions soon switched to you. She despised you for spoiling her fun, so you became her prey from that day forward.
I couldn't do anything about it. I didn't even try to stick up for you when Millicent was tormenting you, as you'd done for me. That is my crime. Cowardice. I wasn't able to repay your kindness. What a terrible person I am. Anyone would agree.
And so, despicable 'fraidy-cat that I am, I hid in the shadows until Millicent disappeared from the country and you became a shut-in. After that, I decided to try to make amends. Why should someone as lovely as you have your life ruined by that bully? The real you, the real Komari, is like a ray of sunshine, a true beacon of goodness. It was all my fault that you became a recluse. Ever since then, I've done everything I can to get stronger. I trained under hellish conditions. But reminding myself it was all for you is what got me through. Yes, there were times when I wanted to give up, to lie down and cry, but remembering your kindness toward me was what always got me back on my feet.
Then, after graduating from the Academy, I managed to get a position as a maid for the Gandesblood family. It was so fortuitous! Yes, indeed, I had actually been working here at the mansion for a year before we officially "met." I hid myself from you because I didn't want to remind you of the terrible trauma you'd suffered. But I couldn't stop myself from watching you, rooting for you from the shadows. Until…well.
…Everyone has their limits, don't they? When I got word of your appointment to the Seven Crimson Lords, I knew I had to step up and offer myself as your personal maid and steward. Who else could I entrust with that task after all? So let's skip ahead a little.I got them to let me enlist in the Imperial Army (I was given the rank of special lieutenant), and I had myself reintroduced to you as your personal maid. I was worried about how our meeting would go down, but it seemed like you'd forgotten all about me. It was bittersweet, but it made things easier. Well, you know the rest. I apologize for withholding this information from you until now.
This letter has become quite a long one, but there's really not much more I want to tell you. Only that I think you're amazing. You're stronger, nicer, and warmer than anyone I know. You shine like a true diamond. You may have had some troubles and had a period of reclusion, but you can still get back on your feet. Our mental struggles make us better people; they are nothing to be ashamed of. If Millicent comes back again, we can just ignore her together. Or you can ignore her, and I'll handle her by myself. I may have betrayed you once, but I will never repeat the same mistake again. I'm going to do everything I can to help you move forward. But if you say you really don't want to, I won't force you. I'll just stay here by your side.
Ensuring your happiness is my greatest desire, and the only way I can atone for my
crimes.
With all my love,
Vill
The paper fluttered to the floor as I finished reading.
Now what?
Tears were beginning to roll down my cheeks.
Millicent had bullied Vill first. Then she'd turned her evil attention toward me. Vill had become my maid to try to make up for that.
Why didn't I remember that? How could I have forgotten something that important?
"Crap…"
You can't just give a person a letter like that and expect them to shrug it off.
Only an insect would be able to read it and not be deeply, intensely moved.
I clenched my fists.
How ironic. We were in the same situation as we were in three years ago. Millicent was tormenting Vill. I was standing here agonizing over whether I should help her. If I did nothing, nothing would happen. But if I saved Vill,
Millicent's fury would fall upon me…
Ah, but no.
Things were different now.
This time, I wasn't going to let Millicent have her way with me.
She'd derailed my entire life. I'd spent three years avoiding everyone, shut up in my room. But I wasn't going to let that be my world anymore. I was done.
I wanted to wash away the past completely.
It didn't matter how weak I'd been back then. I was going to save Vill, return to the Seventh Unit, and take up arms again… I mean, I really didn't want to, but I wanted to get my life back. My crazy, madcap life.
I would emerge from my dark room into the sunlight, to smile and laugh and joke with everyone…
"Lady Terakomari. You have a visitor."
I whirled around. A servant was standing in the open doorframe.
Quickly throwing the blankets over the blood on the floor, I tried to act normal.
"A visitor? Who is it?"
The servant frowned, looking uncomfortable.
"He said his name is Caostel Conto. Apparently, he's one of your subordinate officers…"
***
I quickly changed into my army uniform and headed outside to find the stripped-tree man standing there with a solemn expression. When I asked him what in the heck he wanted, he clutched his cheeks and began to wail.
"Oh, Commander! Finally I get to see you again! Where have you been all this time?!"
I felt a sharp pang of guilt at seeing Caostel so clearly concerned about me. Great, one more thing to feel bad about. But it was too late to take it back now. I sucked in a deep breath and looked him square in the eye.
"I'm sorry. I've been…shut in."
"Excuse me?"
Caostel's eyes widened in confusion. I looked at my feet, muttering.
"Feel free to laugh. I was terrified of Millicent. My knees trembled so much, I could barely stand."
"Laugh…?"
"Yeah, it's pretty funny, right? I mean, I—"
"But, Commander, you're outside right now, talking to me. You're not shut in at all."
I blinked.
Caostel wore his usual unsettling grin. But I saw not a trace of disappointment in his eye. That was encouraging.
"Anyway, we can worry about the insignificant details later. First, we need to discuss the current state of affairs."
"Insignificant—?"
But he interrupted me, nostrils flaring in passion.
"Commander! As I'm sure you're aware, that lawless terrorist attacked the Empress's party purely to besmirch your reputation! That is a crime of the highest order. We must set out to track down Inverse Moon so that we can
properly exterminate this scoundrel! Unfortunately, however, we've hit a standstill. Without our commander to guide us, the Seventh Unit is like a ship lost at sea."
"More like a ship of fools."
"You are quite correct. We are fools. We weren't able to track down the terrorist in your absence. For that, I apologize deeply. But I must ask you, Commander! Please return to lead us once more!"
I wasn't sure how to respond.
I mean, I didn't even know what to do myself.
"A lowly officer like me has no right to ask where you've been these past two weeks. However, the fact that I've found you now surely means that this is the right time to act! All of us in the Seventh Unit have all been waiting for this moment!"
Caostel suddenly snapped his fingers. With a blast of magical energy, a magic circle suddenly appeared, burned into the grass of the lawn. It was a teleportation gate produced with Void Magic. I recognized the sigils. This
kind of portal was a Summoning Gate. Caostel was calling someone to this location through magic.
"Commander! I'm so glad to see that you're all right!!!"
I froze. A figure had suddenly materialized over the magic circle… It was Bellius, the canine-headed fellow who'd saved my life back at the party. He was leaning on the shoulder of another man—Mellaconcey—and the two of them began slowly to walk this way.
"Bellius? Are…are you well?"
"I'm fine. A little wound like that won't stop me."
"But you were in a coma for two weeks…"
"A trifling matter. I'm only happy to have been able to shield you, Commander. Ah, but perhaps I was too hasty. After all, a mighty warrior such as you should have been able to well withstand a few blows from that puny terrorist. I apologize for acting so rashly and putting myself out of commission for so long."
"Yo! We're here via portal, this dog dude's immortal! When—"
Suddenly, a fist smashed into Mellaconcey's jaw and sent him flying. It must have hurt Bellius's still-healing hands to have socked the rapper like that, but he merely grunted once before regaining his composure.
"…Anyway, to battle! I, Bellius Hund Cerbero, will follow you to the edge of the world, Commander. Simply lead the way."
"And I, Caostel Conto, am with you, too. Let us bring justice down upon that lawless heathen wench!"
"Check it!"
I felt…deeply moved all of a sudden.
These silly men really did think I was some mighty leader.
"You guys…"
I gazed at them all one by one, hesitating.
"Why do you all…adore me so much?"
I regretted the question instantly. I knew why after all. Because I was such a "strong leader." What other reason could there be? But I kept waiting for my answer. Several seconds passed. I felt like a criminal up on the stand. My subordinates were exchanging the heck is she even asking us? looks.
Finally, Caostel spoke.
"Because you're a good person, Commander. You always think about the feelings of the unit. And also because you've got such a cute little bod, despite being so strong, and that contrast is super charming. But mostly the
thoughtfulness thing."
Then Bellius gave his piece.
"I am afraid that to speak the frank truth would be improper in front of a lady such as yourself. So I'm going to go with the thoughtfulness aspect as well."
And last it was Mellaconcey's turn.
"Yo, you're the only one who'll rap with me. The others treat me so disrespectfully. So I'll follow you anywhere, Commander. You're the only one who really understands…er."
Ah…
My chest swelled with emotion. Tears were prickling my eyes.
They really were a bunch of dim-witted, criminal-record-having fools, but it was adorable how they were still so willing to follow me. Simply adorable.
I didn't think I'd ever felt this happy before.
"I…I see," I replied, clearing my throat. "In that case, you don't care about my actual strength and whatnot?"
"Strength? Nah, that really doesn't factor into it."
"Huh?"
Caostel clenched his hands together at his breast, continuing.
"Obviously, you're strong. You're a Crimson Lord, aren't you? If you were a weakling, we'd have already mutinied against you, right?"
"…"
"But such concerns are nothing for you to dwell on, Commander! After all, you're the mightiest Crimson Lord in history! Despite that, you have never once acted like a snob; instead, you always put your troops first! That's why everyone is waiting on your word, Commander! Who could fail to love you?"
"…"
Yeah, but this was all predicated on the lie that I was superpowerful.
In that case, I really should just keep on hiding it, shouldn't I? My…true self, that is.
"Y-yeah! You're right! You guys love me because I'm super kind even though I'm also superstrong! Well, I'll just have to show you that your faith has been justified! Let's roll!"
The three of them cheered.
They…really didn't know anything about me.
Yep, they were clueless…but they still believed in me. And they had responded to me as a person…as the leader they knew, not the story they'd been told. I was pretty convinced of that.
So they deserved a payout on that faith they'd put in me.
Okay. I would become their mighty leader. I'd take control of their unit again as the fearsome Crimson Lord, whose name alone could silence even the naughtiest of bratty children. Anything was better than sniveling under the sheets in my darkened bedroom.
Taking a deep breath, I whirled around to face my men, chin raised with pride, one fist clenched against my chest. Just like an commander addressing her troops. Oh wait, that's what I was.
"Thank you! Your words of support have bolstered my spirits. I have decided! We are to track down that lawless terrorist and exact mighty justice upon her!"
"So you know where she is, then?"
"I do." I nodded, before shaking my head immediately. "But you are not to accompany me."
"But, Commander!" "Commander, why?!"
Their cries of dissent pierced me.
I wish I could have taken them with me, too. Oh, it would be so easy if only I could sic my officers on her. "Kill the terrorist." That's all I'd need to say.
But this was my fight.
If I was going to really cast off my shut-in persona and step into the light, then I needed to deal with my trauma myself. I had to do this for me, not because Millicent's threats had forced my hand.
Turning to my officers again, I tried to adopt a confident, arrogant air.
"Sorry, but this is my battle. I need you to return to the Crimson Tower and rally the troops. Explain my mission to them, and then please send me your good vibes and wishes. Knowing I have you all rooting for me will give
me all the strength I need to face her…"