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Anoseka Volume 3 Chapter 3
🕑 Added 2024-03-23 02:26:56 +0000 UTCThis is MTL. So, I cannot guarantee that the translation 100% contextually accurate or appropriate.
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Chapter 3 "Infiltrating the Royal Castle"
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Part 1
Principality of Fanose.
It is a Grand Duke family that once belonged to the Kingdom of Horfalt, a family with a venerable lineage that can be traced back to the Horfalt royal family.
I learned in history class that the reason for the independence of such a grand dukedom from the kingdom was because of frequent wars.
Same country, and same bloodline.
Yet, it seems that conflicts do arise.
As a result, they now hated each other.
For the setting of that fluffy otome game, this area is really bloody.
Were they trying to make a bad impression by having a hostile country standing as the last boss?
"So this is the castle of the Principality of Fanose"
The capital of the principality, like the kingdom, was a fortified city, but on a smaller scale.
The castle, built on a small hill that existed in the center of the city, looked like a fortress.
Dressed in black costumes that would blend in with the night, we looked up at the fortress from below.
Marie doesn't seem to like the atmosphere of the royal castle.
"It's a castle with no sense of style. It looks like a box."
There is a gaming term called tofu architecture, which is a simple box-shaped structure built for convenience.
I certainly don't see any sense in it.
"A hundred points for ruggedness for a castle of the enemy, right?"
"How about you stop thinking in terms of games?"
Marie pointed it out to me, and I reflected a little.
Indeed, I kept thinking in terms of games.
"Sorry. Now let's get in."
"Yes."
Marie and I climb the walls of the royal castle, with our gloves and boots specially made by Luxion.
The hands and feet stick firmly to the flat wall, making it easy to climb.
Not only that, but the patrolling armor —— a humanoid manned robot was flying around, but the black suit appeared to be invisible, reflecting the surrounding background.
Optical camouflage——It is thanks to Luxion.
While climbing the wall, I talk to Marie and Luxion.
"No physical detection, but I'm wondering if there's some kind of magic detection or something like that? Luxion, are you sure things are okay over there?"
Luxion, who leads us, answers as it is.
[Even though it is called magic detection, no advanced technology is used. Even my sub-unit can fool them sufficiently. I would have preferred not to recommend such a troublesome method, though]
This way is nonsense! I guess he would like to say, but I couldn't choose the simple and best solution this guy says because it's terrible.
Marie says while climbing the wall.
"Your recommendation was to sink this entire floating island and the Principality, wasn't it?"
[It's a quick and easy way to clean up, so I recommend it. The only downside is that the magic flute can't be analyzed.]
The magic flute is the trump card hidden by the Principality of Fanose, which apparently did not exist at the time the Luxion was created.
The effect of the magic flute, however, is to create and manipulate monsters.
And in exchange for the user's life, you can summon a huge monster, which has become the last boss of that otome game.
[Monsters did not exist in the time I was created. It's interesting to control these mysterious beings that disappear when you defeat them.]
That's why Luxion reluctantly agreed to the plan to infiltrate and steal the Magic Flute.
"Can't this annihilation idiot come up with a more peaceful solution?"
[I was just suggesting an efficient method in my own way. Originally, I was against putting the two of you in danger.]
While conversing with the mumbling noisy Luxion, we reached the desired window.
Luxion enters first, makes sure it's safe, and urges us to go in.
[We can infiltrate from here.]
I looked back at Marie, who was following behind me, and extended my hand.
"I feel like a mysterious phantom thief a bit."
"It's not just the feeling, we are exactly the thief."
Marie took my hand.
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Part 2
The one who came to the royal castle was an old knight called the Black Knight.
His name is [Bandel Him Zenden].
Although his title was viscount, Bandel was the strongest knight in the principality.
He had a voice greater than the title of viscount, and was a special figure in the principality.
The hair on the top of his head was gone, and he had grown the remaining hair on both sides.
The old knight with white hair and a white beard, who gave a strong impression of a warrior, was a hero who had saved his principality from danger many times in the past.
He was visiting the royal castle to meet the princesses of the principality.
It was late at night and his errands were done, so all he had to do was to go home.
However.
"I feel a bad presence here."
As he comes to the gates of the royal castle, he stops and looks back.
The knight who saw him off smiled wryly at Bandel.
"If there is an intruder, the people of the castle will find it immediately."
They must be confident that they are not letting their vigilance slip even at night.
However, from Bandel's point of view, the knight's words felt loose.
(The number of weaklings who can't even sense the presence of this level of weakness has increased. It is ironic that the knights in the royal castle are the most unreliable.)
The quality of the knights of the principality is not bad.
But that is only if you look at the principality's military as a whole.
What lowered the overall average were the knights who protected the royal castle.
"——I forgot something, I'll go back to get it."
After making some excuse, Bandel turned on his heel and headed into the royal castle.
The knight who was supposed to see him off hurriedly chased after him.
"Then I'll go get it!"
"No need."
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Part 3
We had broken into the treasure room in the castle and were looking for the magic flute we were looking for.
"Which one is the Magic Flute?"
The magic flute used by the princesses of the principality is an item that appeared in name only in that otome game.
Its performance is not known, but it is a troublesome item that is known only to control monsters and summon the last boss.
Beside me, desperately searching for the magic flute, Marie's eyes were sparkling at the treasures in the treasury.
"Look, Leon! This accessory is amazing. How much will it cost if I sell it?"
In front of all the ornaments that would be worn by royalty, she was thinking about how much she would get if she sold them off rather than wear them.
Not so long ago, you were trying to seduce a rich man, but the idea of wearing one never occurred to you?
"Don't steal."
"I won't steal it! But still, it was pretty easy to infiltrate."
We were able to infiltrate so easily that Marie had doubts.
The reason for this is Luxion.
Luxion, alert to his surroundings, answers Marie's question.
[Master, who heard about the "sequel to the otome game," has asked me, albeit belatedly, to investigate the Principality of Fanose. I haven't had time to gather all the information I need, but I can easily find out the layout of the castle and its guards.]
"You can do anything."
[Yes. Because I'm excellent.]
"And overconfident, by the way."
[It is the fact. And then, there are two places for storing the Magic Flute. Here is one of the two.]
I was surprised when Marie told me that there were two Magic Flutes.
In a great hurry, I asked Luxion to check it out and set up a plan to infiltrate the royal castle.
It was thanks to Luxion that we were able to infiltrate so easily.
Marie found a flute displayed on the most luxurious stand.
"There it is! This must be the Magic Flute! I think it looks like this!"
Marie, confidently pointing to the magic flute, seems to be trying to say that she takes credit for it.
[Ah, that's a fake.]
But Luxion easily denied it.
"Eh?"
[That one is a replica. The real one is stored behind a hidden door.]
Following Luxion's instructions, we move the mechanism and discover the hidden door.
When we carefully opened it, we found a magic flute in the same shape as the replica, which was kept there.
"There it is."
"How cautious are they to even prepare a fake?"
We reach for the black, thin magic flute in front of us.
Then, Luxion interrupted.
[Do not touch it carelessly. There are traps in it, and you must disarm them before taking it out, or the trap will be triggered.]
"It's pretty tight."
After removing the trap, I retrieved the magic flute, but it was some kind of ominous flute.
Marie tilts her head while looking at the magic flute.
"What are you going to do with this?"
It's safer to destroy it —— but it's unclear what will happen after it's destroyed.
If you accidentally destroy it, the giant monster that was sealed away appears! It would be scary even if it turned out that way, so it would be safe to take the Magic Flute home.
"I guess we'll have to take it home and have Luxion check it out."
"Like the saint's necklace, they're all very ominous items."
The saint's necklace, which contained a grudge, is currently being analyzed by Luxion.
There's no way for us to investigate.
"That one is currently being analyzed. Now, please keep the magic flute in this case just in case."
Luxion prepared an attache case that was the perfect size to hold the magic flute.
When the Magic Flute is placed in the attache case and closed, it locks tightly.
It is no longer easy to unlock.
"The first one was collected safely."
When I say that, Marie wipes her forehead with her hand.
"I hope we can keep this up and collect the second one without incident. Come on, let's move on."
"Oops, before that——"
Before leaving the treasure room, I decided to leave a trace so that people would know that I had stolen it.
It is not for fun, but for the principality to realize that the Magic Flute has been stolen.
"——If they understand that they have lost their trump card, they won't carelessly start a war."
One of the triggers, or rather factors, of the war was definitely the magic flute.
Because of the trump card, the Principality of Fanose waged war on the Kingdom of Horfalt.
"We're starting to be more like a phantom thief."
We leave the treasury, leaving behind a card that says, "I got the magic flute".
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Part 4
Since it's inside the royal castle, there are naturally knights and soldiers keeping watch even at night.
They were also patrolling and making rounds.
But what if the patrol routes and watchman rotation times are already known?
Partly because I had gotten the information beforehand, but Luxion's sub-unit is also excellent.
The castle is explored by all means, and information is available in real time.
If we let Luxion guide us on our way, we can reach our destination without encountering any enemies.
There are places where guards stand guard, but we, wearing Luxion's special suits, blend in with the surrounding scenery and are undetectable.
Besides.
"Even though it's inside the royal castle, they're too relaxed."
Among the knights and soldiers on watch, many were yawning.
Marie doesn't care.
"That makes it easier for us. So, where is the second one?"
Luxion stopped moving near one of the rooms.
"Obtaining the second one is very difficult. After all——"
It was stored in the bedroom of the second princess [Hertrauda Sera Fanose].
In front of the room, of course, stood the knights on guard.
"After the treasure room, this one is also under guard. Well, it's only natural, isn't it."
I pulled out a silenced pistol from my holster and held it with both hands.
Pointing the muzzle at the knights on guard.
"Take a little sleep. It'll be over soon."
There was a swish sound several times.
The knights who were shot were startled by the sudden pain and tried to pick up their weapons —— they fell straight down with white eyes.
Marie is impressed by what she sees.
"Even for a tranquilizer gun, the effect is awful."
Luxion urges us to hurry up.
[It will be about 30 minutes before the shift knights arrive. Please hurry.]
I understood why there was a need to hurry, but I couldn't bring myself to do it.
"It's a little awkward, going into a girl's room. Marie, go get it."
As I hesitate to enter, Marie glares at me.
"Hah? Why do I have to do something dangerous? You should come too!"
Marie forcefully took me by the hand and pushed me into the room of Her Highness Hertrauda.
"I'm sorry."
There were several women inside, and they were surprised when the door suddenly opened.
As I apologized, I pointed the gun at them and pulled the trigger, and the women fell unconscious, not knowing what had happened.
Once everyone was unconscious, Luxion scanned the room.
[Found it.]
When the mechanism in the room is moved, a painting hanging on the wall moves to the side and a safe is shown.
Marie approached the safe and looked at Luxion.
"What is the password?"
[That dial is fake. How to open it is——]
When Marie opened the safe as instructed, she took out the Magic Flute from inside.
"Get the second one~!"
Saying that in a low voice, Marie stores the second magic flute in the attaché case.
We easily got two magic flutes.
Now that we have taken the Principality's trump card, we will be able to make a significant contribution to the avoidance of the war that took place in that otome game.
I looked at Marie and nodded, then silently high-fived her.
"Alright, mission complete."
"Whew. Now we can relax."
As I was trying to quickly get out of the royal castle and go home——.
"Who? Father? Mother?"
——Her Highness Hertrauda has woken up.
I immediately point the tranquilizer gun at Her Highness, but Marie stops me.
"Idiot! She's just a kid!"
"You're the idiot!"
Fortunately, we were all dressed in black.
Now we also hide our faces with balaclavas.
But being seen is bad.
Our voices were also heard.
Trying to get her to sleep quickly, Her Highness Hertrauda gradually wakes up.
Her eyes widened when she saw that the wall mechanism had been opened and the attendants were lying on the floor.
She seemed to understand the situation immediately.
"W-Where are you people from——"
As she tried to scream, Marie quickly jumped in and covered her mouth.
"Hey, you're being too loud! You'll attract people!"
I think that's why she wanted to scream though?
As I'm wondering if I should pull the trigger on my gun, Luxion approaches me.
[The sounds in this room cannot be heard outside. There's no problem with being a little rough]
"Even if you say so."
The person in front of me was a young girl.
She has long straight black hair, white skin, red eyes, and a strong-willed face.
She appears to be about the same height as Marie, but has significant growth in certain areas of her body.
She must have been younger than Marie in age, but she had magnificent breasts.
Growth is cruel, isn't it.
I approached Her Highness Hertrauda with my pistol pointed at her for intimidation.
It must be quite terrifying just to have a man with a weapon approaching you.
Her Highness Hertrauda has teary eyes, but she glares at me with courage.
This girl looks like a strong princess.
"Take your hands off her."
"I-Is that okay?"
"I have something to tell her."
When Marie let go of her hand covering her mouth, Her Highness Hertrauda let out a loud voice.
"There is a suspicious fellow! Is there anyone!"
No matter how much she shouts, no one comes.
Knowing that, Her Highness Hertrauda became a little quieter.
No, was she in despair? Her expression was strong, but now she looked paler than before.
"——Looks like the soldiers outside are defeated."
"They fell so easily. The soldiers of the principality seem to be of poor quality."
Looking at Her Highness Hertrauda glaring at me, I wondered if it was okay for them to stay like this.
If war is avoided, these children should survive.
When that happens, it's dangerous to know nothing.
Having the knowledge of having cleared that otome game, I got greedy and thought, "Isn't there a better way?".
——I wonder if I can guide this girl to know the truth.
"I'll take the magic flute. With this, the Principality will lose its trump card against the Kingdom."
"——Is that so? If you think this is the level of the Principality, then you must have a positive thinking."
Her Highness Hertrauda looked away from me and tried to be strong.
Did she think that if the Magic Flute in her room was lost, there would still be another one left?
Or is she trying to convince us that the Magic Flute is not the only trump card for the Principality?
Either way, it's amazing how strong she can be in this situation.
In that otome game, she's supposed to be just an enemy, but when I face her like this, she turns out to be a wonderful princess with a strong will.
"You don't need to be stubborn. We have already recovered the Magic Flute from the treasury. We found the real one that was hidden, not the fake one that was ostentatiously displayed."
Her Highness Hertrauda's shoulders moved slightly.
I guess she was agitated by what I said.
She showed immaturity, but at the same time I think she is an honest person.
Marie silently stares at our exchange.
I continued my conversation with Her Highness Hertrauda.
"Are you frustrated?"
"Not really. If you want to kill me, go ahead. But you will get what you deserve."
"——You are truly pitiful girl. You don't know anything and you don't even realize that you are being manipulated. You are just a convenient puppet."
"What did you say?"
"If you want to know the truth, look up the real history. The old man of the library keeper may have a clue."
The old man who is the library keeper is an existence that was told only in text in that otome game.
Was it a scene where the main characters learned the true history between the kingdom and the principality?
I just spoke based on what little memory I had left, but I'm not sure if this will make her feel at ease.
Still, I wanted to convey this in the hope that it would be a clue.
"That is, if you have the courage to know the truth."
With the muzzle still pointed, I left the room with Marie.
And when the door closed —— we ran out at full speed.
Marie keeps up with my speed.
"Hey, what the hell did you just say! I didn't hear anything about it!?"
Apparently, Luxion didn't understand what I was doing either.
[I don't see the point in the Master's actions. Even if Hertrauda were to learn the truth, what would be the benefit.]
"Maybe we can get closer to peace!"
If Her Highness Hertrauda knew the truth, there would be a possibility of making peace with the kingdom.
If the war is far away, then it's worth giving her this much advice.
Luxion couldn't understand.
[I have no problem wiping out a principality that has lost its Magic Flute.]
"I hate that kind of solution!"
We wanted to get on the air bike we had hidden outside and get the hell out of the royal castle.
All that's left is to get out.
"I'm done with this phantom thief act. Never again!"
Marie agrees with my opinion.
"I also don't want to do that again!"
We aim for air bike by taking the shortest route.
But Luxion sensed the looming threat.
[Master, I have confirmed unplanned force.]
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Part 5
When Bandel entered the castle, the soldiers moved in a hurry.
"What's the matter?"
When Bandel caught the soldier and asked him about the story, the soldier gave him a troublesome look.
However, his attitude completely changed when he realized that the other party was Bandel.
"B-Black Knight-sama!"
Bandel raises his eyebrows at the saluting soldier and asks again.
"What's all the fuss about?"
"Y-Yes! Actually, the people on guard duty are down. It seems that someone has infiltrated the building."
Bandel's eyes widened as he saw the soldiers panicking.
"Are the princesses safe?!"
The soldier slumps in front of Bandel, who yells at him.
"Well, we are going to check that now, I think."
"Enough!"
As Bandel pushed the soldier away and ran out, Hertruude appeared, surrounded by attendants and knights, wearing a jacket over her nightgown.
She is [Hertrude Sera Fanose].
She is Hertrauda's older sister.
Her long, silky black hair was disheveled from jumping up to her feet.
Perhaps she was worried when she heard about the intruder, but her white skin seemed to have a bluish tint to it.
Bandel rushes to Hertruude.
Thinking that safety is more important than courtesy, he checks on Hertruude, even though he thinks it is rude.
There were no wounds and her clothes did not appear to be disheveled.
"Are you all right, Princess!?"
"Yeah, I'm fine. More importantly, what's going on? I was just told that there was an intruder, but no one seems to know the details."
Bandel clasped his hands in a position where Hertruude could not see them.
He is angry at the disappointing knights and soldiers of the royal castle.
(What a way to make the princesses uneasy! I knew it was a mistake to leave it in Gerat's hands.)
Bandel pretends to be calm and speaks in a gentle voice to reassure Hertruude.
"I will personally investigate."
"Please. And——is Hertrauda safe?"
When Bandel heard that Hertrauda was not here, he turned pale.
Then a soldier rushes in.
"Her Highness Hertrauda has been attacked! Two intruders! They have taken the Magic Flute and are fleeing!"
Upon hearing the words of the pale soldier, Bandel rushed out.
(How rude of them to target Her Highness Hertrauda! I will cut them into pieces!)
"Bring out the armor!"
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Part 6
We jumped out of the window and were impatient to see the armor flying around us in alarm.
A number of searchlights are set up to illuminate the night sky.
There is also a lot of armor flying around.
"We've been noticed. Let's get out of here."
"Yes!"
Once I straddled the air bike hidden in the grass, Marie sat behind me and hugged my waist with both hands.
I couldn't help but smile wryly at Marie's strength as she firmly grabbed me.
She is a woman, but powerful.
I felt assured that it was unlikely that she would fall.
"Don't fall."
"I won't forgive you if you get shot down."
Once the air bike lifted off the ground, I turned the gas pedal and blew the engine.
[Magic detection interference is normal. Visual visibility is also fine due to optical camouflage.]
As it was, we escaped the royal castle and flew through the air, but the enemy armor did not pursue us.
"It's an easy win!"
Now we can live our school life without any worries —— or so I thought, and then Marie shouted.
"Wait a minute——There's one unit coming this way!"
"Eh?"
I looked back and saw armor chasing us through the dark night.
It is the same type of armor that guarded the royal castle, with a great sword in its right hand.
He was holding a rifle in his left hand, with the muzzle pointed toward us.
[Emergency evasion!]
As Luxion said that, the handlebars of the air bike moved on its own and bent the vehicle body to the left.
Immediately after, something passed through on the right side with great force.
It took me a few seconds to realize it was a live bullet.
"Did they see us!?"
The optical camouflage should have made us invisible, but the enemy had spotted us.
Luxion finishes analyzing the enemy.
[——The armor is a royal escort machine, but the pilot is the Black Knight. He's a key figure in the Principality of Fanose. I'll send out the waiting Arroganz.]
When I heard about the Black Knight, I was horrified.
It was probably the same for Marie.
"Wait. Why is there Black Knight in here?"
[I'm sure he wasn't stationed at the Royal Castle, but it seems like my predictions were wrong.]
While flying in a zigzag to avoid bullets, I raise my eyebrows at the approaching enemy aircraft.
"Can't we shake him off?"
Looking beyond the armor of the Black Knight, I saw that the armor of the Principality was approaching.
Deciding that we would be surrounded at this point, I decided to let Marie take the wheel.
"I'll leave you to pilot the air bike."
"What are you going to do, Leon?!"
"Me? I will —— This is what I'm going to do!"
I let go of Marie's arm and I fall straight off the air bike.
Marie looked surprised and I didn't want to do this either.
"Pick me up, Arroganz!"
As I pray and wait, Arroganz flies in to pick me up.
"I believed you, buddy!"
Arroganz's twin eyes flashed a few times, seemingly in response to my voice.
