《Lillia to Treize》


 Volume 1 Prologue

    <h4>Volume 1 Prologue</h4>


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    Crash!


    My name is Lillia Schultz. Lillia is my given name, and Schultz is my family name.


    Everyone calls me ¡®Lillia¡¯, but my full name is ¡®Lillianne Aikashia Coraz¨°n Whittington Schultz¡¯. It¡¯s ridiculously long. That¡¯s why I only end up using the whole thing once a year or so. In Roxche¡ªthe Roxcheanuk Confederation¡ªnot many people have middle names, so everyone who hears my full name asks me what it all means.


    I always exin that ites from an old custom in the West¡ªthe Allied Kingdoms of Bezel-Iltoa¡ªwhere you put the names of both parents and your grandparents into your name. People either get it or look surprised. Some people are astonished.


    I was born and raised in the Special Capital District(Capital District for short).


    I¡¯ve lived in the same apartment building and room since I was born. Our ce is at the very top floor of a cluster of five-story apartments filling the Capital District¡¯s residential district.


    Until the Historic Architecture Protection Law was amended and elevators were installed in even the oldest apartment buildings, apartment buildings were extremely cheap because climbing the stairs was such a hassle. That was why they were so popr with young people.


    ¡°That¡¯s why we rented this ce. We¡¯re still crashing here because moving is such a hassle.¡±


    That was what Mom said. She¡¯s asleep right now. That crash just now was the sound of Mom chucking the poor, hardworking rm clock against the wall.


    So, as usual, I decided to go wake her myself.


    I turned off the electric toaster, put breakfast on our tes, and left the kitchen. The bricks lining the hall were chipped everywhere, showing signs of age. I went into Mom¡¯s room. I didn¡¯t get permission to enter. I couldn¡¯t get it even if I wanted to, since she was still asleep.


    The room faced east, and the window was installed with thin curtains on purpose. The morning sun was bright. But Mom was lying face-down on her bed, still in her pajamas. She was sleeping with her golden hair covering her face. As usual, her nket was crumpled on the floor and her pillow was on top of her feet. If she weren¡¯t sleeping in a double bed, she would have fallen by now. Her right arm, in fact, was already dangling off the side of the mattress.


    First, I picked up the poor, abused rm clock from by the door and put it back on the shelf. It was thetest model¡ªthe hands and batteries were impact-resistant¡ªand expensive to boot. But it wassting a surprisingly long time for a clock in Mom¡¯s room. It really is a miracle.


    ¡°It¡¯s morning, Mom. Wake up.¡± I tried saying, ncing at the clock on the wall. If Mom woke up just like that, it would rain cats and dogs and hell would freeze over. And I¡¯d stay bundled up inside.


    As usual, there was no response. I went around the bed and up to Mom¡¯s shoulder. Her left side, today.


    Squatting by the bed, I grabbed Mom¡¯s shoulders as shey facedown.


    ¡°Wake up!¡± I shouted, shaking her hard enough to pull off her shoulders. I showed her no mercy.


    The bed shook and squeaked irritatingly.


    ¡°It¡¯s! Morning! Mom! Wake! Up! Wake! Up! Now!¡± I yelled.


    About neen seconds of shakingter.


    ¡°Mmm?¡±


    A reaction. Mom is still alive today. I stopped shaking her.


    ¡°Mmm¡­¡±


    With a groan, Mom slowly raised her head. She stared at me¡ªI was still holding her shoulders¡ªthrough her messy hair. Her clear blue eyes were still half-covered by her eyelids.


    ¡°Who¡¯re you?¡± She asked. Still not awake.


    I came up with an answer. Take this.


    ¡°This is the Confederation Police Force. You¡¯re under arrest for using an Air Force aerone without permission to teach your daughter to fly, using two hundred liters of gasoline without permission, and falsifying a ground run of an engine test to justify the use of gasoline. What do you have to say to that?¡±


    ¡°C¡¯mon, Officer. It¡¯s all for the noble goal of raising the next generation of pilots.¡± Mom slurred, still half-asleep. ¡°As long as no one finds out. Right, Officer?¡±


    If I were a cop, I would have arrested her on the spot. If a cop¡¯se to see you, he obviously knows about your rampant personal use of military assets.


    ¡°Bye-bye.¡±


    I gave up. Mom buried her face in the mattress and began snoozing away again in the same pose as before. Because she had shifted slightly, she was now lying very close to the edge of the bed.


    That was it. The switch was pressed.


    I got up and waited for the engine in Mom¡¯s head to warm up. And I aimlessly looked around her room.


    There was no dust on the floor; I cleaned the room yesterday. There wasn¡¯t a single fallen leaf by the flowerpot. The big dresser caught my eye. Mom¡¯d been talking about moving it to the north-side wall for days, but she still hadn¡¯t done it. On the clothes hanger by the dresser was the boring dark-red uniform of the Roxcheanuk Confederation Air Force, top and bottom side-by-side. She must have gotten them readyst night. Women could wear pants or a skirt; today, she was going to wear a skirt.


    On the cor of her top was a badge of rank with three stripes¡ªthree stripes for the rank of captain. Over the left breast was a square, multicolored embroidered patch. Over the right breast was embroidered her name. Of course, it read ¡®Schultz¡¯.


    On the oaken desk was a small electricmp and an oak bookshelf. There were difficult flight theory books, and a thick book of fairy tales from the West that I¡¯d never seen her read.


    And a picture frame.


    It was a pretty silver frame. There was a color photograph inside, slightly yellowed with age.


    There are two people in the picture. They were shot from the knees-up, but the angle is wonky¡ªit looks like the picture was taken looking down at them.


    One of them is wearing a thin yellow dress, looking like ady from a rich family. She has an awesome and confident smile, and has long blond hair and blue eyes. Mom, when she was younger.


    Next to her is a boy with light brown hair, who¡¯s wearing a school jacket and uniform. He must have moved his head when the picture was taken, because his face is aplete blur. It kind of looks like he¡¯s nervous. The backdrop is the tform of a train station. I can see a dark sky, a hazy green forest, and a station sign that¡¯s written in Roxchean but only the first part is visible. It looks like a ¡®Ka¡¯, but I have no idea where that is.


    The boy is Dad¡ªWilhelm Schultz¡ªwhen he was younger.


    It¡¯s the only picture of the two of them together¡ªin fact, it¡¯s the only photo of Dad, period.


    ¡°Mmm¡­? Hmm¡­¡±


    I turned to the bed, where Mom was mumbling.


    ¡°Mmm¡­¡±


    All of a sudden, she got up. She lost her bnce and fell back-first on the floor. There was a loud noise.


    ¡°Huh¡­? What?¡±


    I could hear her voice from across the mattress.


    ¡°It¡¯s morning, Mom. You¡¯re going to bete.¡± I replied coldly.


    Mom raised her head from behind the bed with a pout. She shot me a re.


    ¡°You¡¯re awful, Lillia¡­ You know, your father used to wake me up every morning with a kiss. He used to stroke my hair and wait next to me until I woke up.¡±


    I guarantee you that that is a lie.


    ¡°How do you know that?¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t say anything, Mom. Anyway, you have to wash up, brush your hair, and eat breakfast. You¡¯re going to bete. You said you¡¯re going to get a pay cut if you¡¯re tardy again, right? I¡¯m not going to themand center for you even if they call. It¡¯s embarrassing.¡±


    ¡°All right, all right.¡±


    Who¡¯s the mother around here, anyway? I sighed.


    ¡°And you said you¡¯re going to have lunch with Mr. Hero today, right?¡±


    ¡°Hm? Did I?¡±


    This is ridiculous. She¡¯s the one who pranced homest night and announced it as soon as she stepped through the door.


    ¡°Oh, right! That¡¯s right. I¡¯d better dress up nicely.¡±


    Sleeppletely chased from her, Mom leapt over the bed.


    ¡°Good morning, Lillia. You¡¯re looking as lovely as usual.¡±


    nting a kiss on my cheek, she rushed into the bathroom.


    I went back to the kitchen, brewed tea for both of us, and ate breakfast first. It tasted delicious.


    ¡°Sorry to keep you waiting.¡± Mom said as she emerged, although I hadn¡¯t waited for her. She was in full Air Force regalia. It was hard to believe that she was the same person who was half-asleep in pajamas in her bed until just earlier. Captain Allison Whittington Schultz of the Roxcheanuk Confederation Air Force. A female test pilot who¡¯s the undisputed no. 1 in the Confederation. What a wless transformation. This is how she fools the taxpayers who support her.


    With a ¡®Thanks for the meal¡¯, Mom began eating. I observed her as I sipped my tea.


    She had clear blue eyes as beautiful as the sky on a winter morning. And strands of hair that glinted like fine strings of gold.


    ¡°Hm? Wha iff iff?¡± Mom asked with a sandwich in her mouth, noticing my gaze.


    ¡°Well. I just kind of wished I could have gotten those from you.¡±


    ¡°¡®Those¡¯?¡±


    ¡°Your eye and hair colors.¡±


    Mom nodded in understanding and gulped down her tea.


    ¡°It¡¯s all right, Lillia. You have Wil¡¯s eyes and hair. And that¡¯s the biggest proof that you¡¯re his daughter.¡±


    The same answer as usual. And nothing more. I held up the teapot.


    ¡°More tea?¡±


    ¡°Sure.¡±


    ¡°Make sure to lock up when you leave. Don¡¯t bete for school.¡± Mom said, skipping out the door.


    For someone who had the gall to say to hermander, ¡°Days without flights are too boring, sir. To be perfectly honest, I want to make up excuses and skip work those days¡±, she was pretty cheerful.


    She¡¯d also once said, ¡°I wonder if there¡¯s going to be an ident on the way to work. Then maybe I could use the traffic jam as an excuse¡­¡±, but today, she¡¯s going to rev up the engine on her beloved car, drive through the packed Capital District streets, and race down the autobahn.


    That¡¯s all thanks to the date she has scheduled with Mr. Hero.


    He¡¯s Mom¡¯s boyfriend. Of course, ¡®Hero¡¯ isn¡¯t his name. I don¡¯t know where the nickname came from¡ªMom never told me.


    A long time ago, Roxche was involved in a stupid(from my perspective, having been born after the war) conflict with Sou Be-Il over who was the ancestor of humanity. Mr. Hero is from Sou Be-Il, and he¡¯s working at the embassy in the Capital District. He¡¯s something called a ¡®military attach¨¦¡¯¡ªhe¡¯s around Mom¡¯s age, but he¡¯s a rank higher than her at major. ording to Mom, he¡¯s one of the super-elite. Straight from the cream of the crop.


    He came to visit us at home a few times when I was little. I still sort of remember thest time he came over. Mom was sitting in a chair drinking tea, giving him orders as he moved the dresser. She was lording it over him like he was her underling or subordinate.


    ¡°Is he a ¡®nobody¡¯?¡± I¡¯d asked Mom while he was right there. Mom was astonished, but at the same time she sounded impressed.


    ¡°Oh my, Lillia. Where did you learn that word?¡±


    Now that I think about it, that was really rude of me. I still remember how Mr. Hero was smiling bitterly. Mom answered,


    ¡°Mr. Hero here¡¯s fallen head over heels for me, and he owes me a lot. So I can order him around as much as I¡¯d like, whenever and wherever. Isn¡¯t that useful? I¡¯m going to boss him around forever.¡±


    Now that I think about it, that¡¯s unbelievable. I wonder what Dad would say if he were still alive?


    That¡¯s right. Dad¡¯s already gone¡ªhe passed away a little while before I was born.


    I heard that he got into an ident while he was on his way to the West for some business. Apparently he fell off a luxury train while it was passing through the mountains.


    They never found his body.


    * * *


    Another uneventful day of sses came to an end. In a few days, it would be summer break.


    ¡°Bye, Lillia.¡±


    ¡°Bye. See youter.¡±


    I left my friend¡ªwho was busy with club activities¡ªtook my bag, and headed for the gates.


    To get home, I have to take a bus from here, transfer to the subway, and then walk a little more.


    I chose to attend this secondary school¡ªand I like it very much. But it¡¯s true that it¡¯s a bit of a chore tomute here every day. It¡¯d be nice if someone coulde pick me up, but I¡¯m going to have to refuse Mom showing up in a slick, shy sports car likest time, or her friends from work driving here on their way to see her sometimes on a green four-wheel drive vehicle topped with a machine gun.


    ¡°Oh well.¡±


    That¡¯s how things always are.


    I decided to kill time by reading on the bus, and stepped out the school gates. About a dozen or so female students were crowded in the school parking lot outside.


    One of them asked someone, ¡°Where are you from?¡±.


    Someone was surrounded by the sixth-year girls. I couldn¡¯t tell who. But I guess it doesn¡¯t really matter. At least, that¡¯s what I thought as I passed by¡ª


    ¡°Ah! There you are.¡±


    I heard a familiar voice from the crowd. It was a male voice.


    Over twenty eyes red daggers at me from the five o¡¯clock direction.


    ¡°Lillia!¡±


    Don¡¯t call me by name!


    ¡°Miss Lillianne Aikashia Coraz¨°n Whittington Schultz!¡±


    Don¡¯t call me by my full name!


    I turned with a furious re. The sixth-years flinched like they spotted a wild animal from the zoo on the loose, and moved aside so I could see the owner of the voice. Tch. Talk about being uselessly considerate.


    ¡°It¡¯s been a while, Lillia. How¡¯re you doing?¡±


    Surrounded by the girls was a motorcycle equipped with a sidecar. It was a pretty new model, and the sidecar was spacious. The owner was sitting on the motorcycle. Put simply, he¡¯s a boy one year older than I am. Done.


    I gave him a look. He suddenly spoke up.


    ¡°Huh? Don¡¯t tell me you forgot about me. We used to y together all the time¡ªheck, we used to sleep together, too.¡±


    The sixth-years shrieked in unison. It urred to me that I should give this guy a good punch or three. I went up to him, ready to do just that, when a senior-ssman¡ª who was both ridiculously beautiful and ridiculously rich¡ªspoke up.


    ¡°Is this your childhood friend?¡±


    ¡°Yes. Looks like this is goodbye for you and me,dies. What a shame.¡±


    ¡°ttery will get you nowhere.¡±


    ¡°ttery will get you nowhere.¡±


    ¡°Hmph.¡±


    The senior-ssman scrutinized me like a product on disy. Then, she called her friends away as she headed for the luxury car that waited for her. If you stare, the least you could do is apologize. Talk about rude.


    I went up to the guy who was waving like a smiling idiot and scolded him.


    ¡°What are you doing here?! Why?!¡±


    He is my childhood friend. I remember ying with him a lot when I was little. But that¡¯s only because he lives next door to the most famous inn in the Kingdom of Iks¡ªthe country in the Central Mountain Range on the western tip of Roxche that I visit with Mom every holiday season¡ªand because there aren¡¯t many other kids our age in that valley.


    Incidentally, Iks has been the most popr tourist destination as voted by Roxche for the past ten years. Under the rule of the wise and beautiful Queen Francesca, Iks has been drawing in tourists while maintaining its trademark culture and history. It¡¯s also on very good terms with the royal families of Sou Be-Il. I don¡¯t know her name, but there¡¯s also a princess. The next ruler is also going to be a queen.


    Anyway, this guy¡¯s name is Treize.


    I don¡¯t know his family name. After he gave me this embarrassing gem¡ª¡°Call me Treize of Ikstova¡±¡ªit sounded kind of stupid to use a title for him. So I just call him Treize. We met once or twice a year in over the past few years. I¡¯ve never met him in the Capital District.


    I couldn¡¯t even pay lip service to his messy pants and patched-up jacket. He wore a long pair of boots¡ªwhich I couldn¡¯t tell if they were for horseback riding or motorcycling¡ªand he had a belt pack around his waist.


    I don¡¯t really dislike this guy or hate him. But he does get on my nerves.


    Treize finally answered me.


    ¡°Your mom¡ªAllison¡ªsent me.¡±


    ¡°Really?¡±


    ¡°Yeah. When I got to the Capital District, I called the Air Force number she gave me before. She told me, ¡®It¡¯s about time for sses to end, so seduce or kidnap my daughter home¡¯.¡±


    I could not find the words to answer.


    ¡°She also said, ¡®Lillia¡¯s school¡¯s pretty far from home, so I¡¯m sure she¡¯ll appreciate it¡¯.¡±


    ¡°Really?¡±


    Treize pointed at the sidecar and told me to get in. It was covered in dirt. It wasn¡¯t exactly the kind of thing you wanted to escort someone in. There was luggage and travel gear piled on the back of the seat and the sidecar. Bags, a sleeping bag, a tent, pots, and stuff like that.


    ¡°Don¡¯t tell me¡­ did youe all the way here from Iks on your motorcycle?¡±


    ¡°Of course.¡± Treize answered simply.


    I was at a loss. Does this guy even know how many thousands of kilometers it is from Iks to here?


    ¡°I didn¡¯t have enough money to stay at hotels, so I camped out on the ins on the way. I came as fast as I could, but it still took twenty days.¡±


    ¡°Are you an idiot? It only takes three days by train or aerone.¡±


    Aerones are the hottest mode of transport for vacationing these days.


    ¡°Stuff I don¡¯t fly or drive myself just isn¡¯t that fun. You know what I mean, right?¡±


    ¡°Ugh¡­¡±


    I didn¡¯t answer. I understood what he meant.


    The reason Treize bugs me is because he shares the two talents I have that other secondary school students don¡¯t. My two specialties.


    One is flying.


    When I was little, Mom used to leave me at the daycare on the Air Force base. When flights were grounded due to bad weather, Mom would bring me to the hangar and show me the aerones. When I got a little bigger¡ªbig enough to sit in an aerone seat¡ªshe would often take me out for a ride. Mom drove me to a primary school near the base. After ss, I would often go to the base to y, and Mom would take me on an aerone ride whenever she had the time. And when I was around ten years old,


    ¡°Why don¡¯t you give it a shot, Lillia? No one¡¯s watching, anyway.¡±


    ¡°Okay!¡±


    It was unbelievable, but that¡¯s when I started learning to pilot an aerone.


    Just like a normal mom teaches her daughter how to bake cookies, Mompletely ignored official Air Force pilot training programs and taught me to fly.


    Once I started getting the hang of flying to my heart¡¯s content, she taught me takeoff andnding procedures, aerobatic maneuvers, how to read the instrument panel, how to read the weather, and about different types of aerones. Maybe she¡¯s just that good of a teacher, or maybe I had talent, just like she said. Right now, I¡¯m better at flying than I am at riding a bicycle.


    Treize also knows how to fly an aerone.


    Thanks to Queen Francesca¡¯s love of nes, there are apparently a lot of crafts used for tourism in Iks. Maybe that¡¯s why Treize knows. When I expressed my disbelief, the next day, he brought a small aerone from somewhere and flew it right in front of my eyes. To be honest, he was a better pilot than me. He was doing aerobatic maneuvers to the background of the incredible Central Mountain Range.


    The other talent we share is our fluency in Bezelese.


    I can speak Bezelese, the officialnguage of Sou Be-Il. That¡¯s also thanks to Mom. We spoke bothnguages at home ever since I was little, and until I started going to daycare, I thought that was what all families did.


    Unlike before, there¡¯s a lot of activity between Roxche and Sou Be-Il, both on the cultural and economic levels. Students in good academic standing are chosen as exchange students and are given full schrships by the government to study Cross-River. People can go by train, ship, or aerone, but not many people can speak bothnguages yet.


    My school offers Bezelese sses, but when I asked the Bezelese teacher if I should take the ss, I received the credit on the spot and was told that I had nothing more to learn in secondary school. ording to the teacher, I should take it in university for writing a thesis or something.


    Treize also speaks Bezelese. That¡¯s another mystery, but it¡¯s probably because Iks gets a lot of visitors from the West.


    ¡°So are you gonna stay at our ce?¡±


    ¡°Allison gave me permission. Although I¡¯m not sure if a certain childhood friend will. Hey, did you just snort?¡±


    Man, he¡¯s got good ears.


    ¡°Never mind. Fine. So you¡¯re taking me home, right?¡±


    ¡°Of course, Mdy. Please, have a seat. The helmet¡¯s in there, right?¡±


    I picked up the leather hat that was rolling in front of the sidecar seat. It looked like an aviator hat. I put it on and pulled the tinted goggles over my face so no one would recognize me.


    The streets in the Capital District are sometimes incredibly congested, and sometimespletely empty.


    Treize followed my directions. He was pretty good at riding a motorcycle. Much better than the subway, which brakes out of nowhere every five minutes.


    At this speed, we probably have time for a detour. I told Treize to take another route because I wanted to drop by somewhere.


    We arrived at a park in the middle of the Capital District. It¡¯s a refreshing ce where the entire area is covered in grass and woond.


    ¡°¡®Bemarte Park¡¯, huh? Funny name.¡± Treize remarked, parking the motorcycle by the road. I walked onto the grass. Iid down and looked up at the blue sky.


    ¡°Ah¡­ that feels good.¡±


    ¡°Aren¡¯t secondary school students supposed to go home straight after ss?¡±


    ¡°What are you, my teacher?¡±


    ¡°No, but¡­¡±


    ¡°Then cut your worrying. And move away a little. Someone might think we¡¯re friends or something.¡±


    ¡°Sure, sure.¡±


    ¡°One ¡®sure¡¯ is enough.¡±


    ¡°Sure, Mdy.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s with the Old Roxchean?¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s with the Old Roxchean?¡±


    Iy on the grass for a while, looking up at the cool green trees and the sky filling my view. I almost never visit this park, but ever since Mom brought me here for my birthday, Bemarte Park¡¯s been one of my favorite ces.


    With my right hand I drew an aerone.


    ¡°Whoosh.¡±


    It climbed, then twisted at the apex and dropped straight down. I repeated the motions for fun. Now that I think about it, I haven¡¯t gone flying recently because of school. I should ask Mom once summer break starts.


    Wait, summer break? Something¡¯s not right here. I spoke with my eyes still on the sky.


    ¡°Treize.¡±


    ¡°Yeah?¡±


    ¡°You just took a twenty-day trip. What about school?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t go to school. Didn¡¯t I tell you?¡±


    I turned and looked at Treize. He was sitting with his legs stretched, looking back at me.


    ¡°Then do you work? Don¡¯t tell me you pilot tour nes?¡±


    ¡°Huh? No¡­¡±


    He trailed off. I asked him what he did every day. This is what he said.


    ¡°It¡¯s a secret.¡±


    What the heck? Surprisingly, he looked pretty serious. I asked,


    ¡°Doesn¡¯t your family say anything about it?¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t tell you.¡±


    ¡°What? But you know everything about my family. Tell me.¡± I said, sounding a little more pushy.


    Treize stared at the sky for a while. Was he just going to ignore me? But at that moment, he clenched his right hand into a fist, put it over his chest, and said in apletely serious tone,


    ¡°That¡¯s a secret. The moment I tell will be when I propose to you, Lillia.¡±


    What. The. Heck?!


    Who does he think he is, some sort of mysterious prince? I leapt off the grass and kicked him in the back.


    ¡°Driver, we¡¯re going!¡±


    ¡°Sure, sure.¡±


    ¡°One ¡®sure¡¯ is enough!¡±


    ¡°Sure, sure¡­¡±


    Once I returned home on my servant¡¯s motorcycle, I found Mom¡¯s sports car in her usual parking space. After a carpany moved in by the narrow road next to the apartmentplex, people wouldn¡¯t stop parking illegally there. So they had no choice but to dedicate onene to parking and make the otherne a one-way street. People rub bumpers as they squeeze into any space they find.


    We parked the motorcycle and took the elevator up to the top floor. Of course, I didn¡¯t carry a single piece of luggage for Treize.


    ¡°I¡¯m home.¡±


    I left Treize at the door as he struggled with his things, and ran into¡ª


    ¡°Wee back. It¡¯s been a long time.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    Not Mom, but Mr. Hero. He¡¯d walked out of Mom¡¯s room.


    He was a man in a brown uniform. He had ck hair and wore sses. Mr. Hero put a finger to his lips and slowly shut the door, leaving it slightly ajar.


    ¡°Hello¡­¡± I said. Mr. Hero spoke in a quiet voice.


    ¡°Hello, Miss Lillianne. Do you remember my name?¡±


    I replied half-mechanically.


    ¡°Yes, Major Travas.¡±


    He was Major Travas of the Sou Be-Il Royal Army. He could speak Roxchean as well, but right now he was speaking Bezelese.


    ¡°You were on a date with Mom today, right? Thank you for taking the trouble to bring her all the way home.¡±


    ¡°Not a problem. Your mother wasining about being tired, and she just fell asleep.¡±


    ¡°I see. Thank you.¡±


    ¡°Actually, I¡¯ve been invited to join you for dinner. May I wait here?¡±


    ¡°Be my guest.¡± I replied, and said no more.


    Major Travas thanked me and headed for the living room further down the hall. He¡¯se here a few times, so he naturally knows theyout.


    I stood in front of Mom¡¯s door and peered inside. The setting sun was casting an orange light into the room, and she was lying on the big bed in herfy military-issue sweats.


    ¡°¡­¡±


    She looked happy as she slept. How many times have I seen that expression on her face?


    I closed the doorpletely.


    And just as I turned toward the living room, I remembered someone. I turned and switched gears to Roxchean. It didn¡¯t really matter whatnguage I spoke, but still.


    ¡°Youe in too. The spare room¡¯s open, so just put your stuff there or whatever.¡±


    ¡°All right. Who was that?¡±


    ¡°Mom¡¯s boyfriend. From Cross-River.¡±


    ¡°Does hee often?¡±


    ¡°Not much these days. Well, doesn¡¯t really matter.¡±


    ¡°Is this really all right?¡±


    ¡°I said it is. It¡¯s fine.¡±


    ¡°Really¡­?¡±


    Treize looked a little upset. He began to put down his armful of stuff in the spare room. I walked in the opposite direction from where Major Travas disappeared to. And,


    ¡°Here. Let me help.¡±


    ¡°Thanks.¡±


    Treize looked strangely sincere. Almost like a kid. I¡¯d almost never seen him make that face.


    Treize looked strangely sincere. Almost like a kid. I¡¯d almost never seen him make that face.


    ¡°What? Puppy-dog eyes won¡¯t get you anywhere with me.¡± I said, trying to hide my surprise.


    ¡°You could at least get me a cup of tea or something.¡±


    That was pretty rude.


    Oh well.


    I guess I can brew a cup of tea for the two of them.


    ¡°I¡¯m gonna go change, so watch TV or something. Also, don¡¯t even think about peeping.¡± Lillia said as she went into her room. The boy and the man sat at the table with two steaming cups of tea between them.


    Lillia opened the ss door and disappeared into the room along the hall.


    ¡°¡­¡±


    When Treize turned, his eyes met those of the major. He was looking at him.


    ¡°Huh¡­?¡± Treize gasped.


    ¡°What might be the matter?¡± Major Travas asked in Roxchean. Treize shook his head, answering that it was nothing. Then, he picked up his cup and happily sipped his tea.


    ¡°Hmm¡­¡±


    Suddenly, he realized that Major Travas had not even touched his cup.


    ¡°You think Lillia poisoned it or something?¡± Treize asked, a little annoyed. Major Travas shook his head.


    ¡°No, it¡¯s just that I¡¯m not very good with hot foods and drinks. It¡¯s a habit I could never fix.¡±


    ¡°I see.¡± Treize replied, and returned to his tea. He was about halfway through when,


    ¡°It¡¯s been a long time. It¡¯s an honor to be able to meet you again.¡± Said Major Travas.


    Treize put down his cup and gave the man a quizzical look.


    ¡°Have we met before?¡±


    ¡°Yes. Although it¡¯s been nearly ten years now. You¡¯ve grown quite a bit, Your Highness.¡±


    Treize silently red at the man.


    Major Travas slowly bowed. Treize nced at the hall. Thankfully, Lillia was still in her room.


    ¡°¡­Please, raise your head. Who are you?¡±


    Major Travas did as he was asked.


    ¡°The one you suspect me to be.¡±


    ¡°I see¡­ so it¡¯s you. The one Father and Mother always spoke of.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Your Highness.¡±


    ¡°The true Hero of the Mural, the Magician who saved Mother, Allison¡¯s trustworthy subordinate, and¡ª¡±


    ¡°Did they tell you that much?¡±


    ¡°¡ªLillia¡¯s father, Wilhelm Schultz. I knew I saw a resemnce. She has your eyes.¡±


    ¡°Ah, so that was why¡ª¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°I am happy to hear that.¡±


    Wil picked up his cup, blew on it, and finally began to drink.


    ¡°This tea is delicious. It¡¯s the first time Lillia¡¯s ever brewed tea for me.¡±


    Treize silently emptied his cup. When he ced it on the table, Major Travas said quietly,


    ¡°I came here today because I was told you came to the Capital District. I¡¯d wanted to let you know about me.¡±


    ¡°I see. ¡­I will protect your secret with my life.¡±


    ¡°Thank you. But your lifees before my secret. You must protect yourself, and¡ª¡±


    ¡°And?¡±


    ¡°The one you love.¡±


    ¡°I will.¡±


    Treize and Major Travas continued to quietly chat over tea, making sure to asionally nce down the hallway.


    Major Travas asked about Treize¡¯s family. Treize exined.


    That his mother Queen Francesca, and his father Benedict¡ªwho had left the Sou Be-Il military to help his wife¡ªwere both doing very well and were in good health. That they were so rxed that they could often go back and forth between the royal pce in Kunst and the valley. That the only hard worker in the family¡ªhis sister the princess¡ªwas left to grumble about how it was all up to her to get things done.


    ¡°Meriel thinks she¡¯s the older sister, but I think she¡¯s the younger one. We argue about it every time we meet. Being twins sure is a bother. But Mother was right to choose Meriel. I like being able toe here like this.¡±


    ¡°I see.¡± Major Travas replied, an amused smile on his face.


    Treize asked how Wil was able to gain Sou Be-Il citizenship.


    Although he added that Major Travas did not have to answer, Travas told him. That, upon graduating from Confederation Capital University after three years of study, he became the adopted son of a trustworthy Sou Be-Il aristocrat. That he attended university in Sou Be-Il for about two years under the tutge of a distinguished individual. That, as nned, he took on the job of clearing up international problems at the embassy.


    ¡°It was quite painful to kill ¡®Wilhelm Schultz¡¯, but I did not wish to get an innocent person involved.¡± Major Travas confessed, his eyes narrowed.


    ¡°You mean Lillia?¡± Treize asked for confirmation.


    Major Travas nodded. He then exined that he had fewer dangerous missions now, and that thanks to that, he was able to spend more time with Allison as her ¡®boyfriend¡¯.


    ¡°One day¡­ will you be able to tell Lillia the truth?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not sure. Would it be best to tell her, or keep her in the dark? What do you think?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not sure¡­¡± Treize answered, mirroring Major Travas¡¯s answer.


    At that moment, Lillia finished changing and came out of her room. Major Travas also noticed that she hade outside.


    They ended the conversation they had as their true selves.


    ¡°Please take care of Lillia.¡±


    ¡°Of course.¡±


    cing a hand over his chest, Treize quietly but firmly nodded. Then he added,


    ¡°Although I have no idea what she wants of me¡­¡±

 Volume 1 1 — And so the Two Left on a Trip

    <h4>Volume 1 Chapter 1: And so the Two Left on a Trip</h4>


    -----


    The fourth day of the seventh month, the year 3305 of the World Calendar.


    The Roxcheanuk Confederation was known for its cool summers, owed mostly to the brisk, dry seasonal winds that blew in from the north.


    The official name of its capital, on the northeastern part of the continent, was the Special Capital District. It was an independent part of the Confederation not affiliated with any of its members. Five-story apartments took up a good chunk of the residential district surrounding the civic center.


    And in one room in one particr building,


    ¡°WHAT?!¡±


    Lillia Schultz raised her voice.


    It was early summer, at around noon.


    Lillia Schultz was fifteen years old.


    She had long straight brown hair and big light brown eyes.


    When she stood still for a photograph, she looked like a pretty and demure girl. But at the moment, she was wearing a look of indignant fury.


    Lillia was a student at a famous secondary school in the Capital District. She was wearing her summer uniform¡ªa white blouse embroidered with the school crest, a red tie, and a green skirt.


    Her official name was Lillianne Aikashia Coraz¨°n Whittington Schultz. Lillianne was her full given name; Aikashia was the name from her mother¡¯s parents; Coraz¨°n was the name from her father¡¯s parents; Whittington was her mother¡¯s maiden name; and Schultz was her family name.


    She was shouting loudly in the dining room of the apartment, mming her hands onto the table as she stood.


    ¡°Calm down and listen to me, Lillia.¡±


    Across the table sat her unppable mother.


    Lillia¡¯s mother was Allison Whittington Schultz. She was in her mid-thirties, but she looked deceptively youthful and attractive. She had sky-blue eyes and long blond hair she tied above her neck. She was also in a summer uniform, albeit a red military one. She wore a long skirt and a short-sleeved summer shirt affixed with her badge of rank, along with a dark blue tie. On the nametag over her right breast was the name ¡®Schultz¡¯.


    Reduced to angry silence, Lillia did as she was told and plopped down on her chair, then ced her fists on the table.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry to say this, Lillia. But by the time the Air Force gets to the testing stage, they have to prioritize the military¡¯s and the developers¡¯ schedules over the pilots¡¯. Even if, for example, a pilot¡¯s daughter were starting summer break, they wouldn¡¯t dy production.¡± Allison exined.


    Having just returned from the end-of-sses ceremony, Lillia had been surprised and overjoyed to find her mother home, and suggested that they head to their favorite restaurant nearby for lunch, where they could make ns for the summer. Until then, Lillia had been enthusiastic. But Allison had asked her to take a seat. Lillia ended up sitting at the table, still in her uniform. And what her mother said was that, in two days¡¯ time, she would be out of the house for a while for an aerone testing assignment.


    ¡°Why does it have to be now¡­?¡± Lillia said sullenly.


    ¡°Why, I wonder?¡± Allison agreed, ncing out the half-open window. A middle-aged woman was hanging up herundry in the window of the apartment across the street. Lillia¡¯s hair shook in the wind.


    The mother-daughter conversation hade to a stop. Time passed.


    ¡°Er, I brewed some tea. Drink up before it gets cold.¡± Said a male voice.


    Allison turned and thanked him.


    ¡°What do you want?!¡± Lillia red in a perfect show of venting.


    ¡°Here. Have some tea.¡±


    The boy was a year older than Lillia, and had slightly long ck hair and brown eyes. He was about a head taller than Lillia, and had soft but attractive features. He was handsome enough that if he were dressed up, girls mighte to him instead of the other way around. But he looked a little scared. He was wearing a light yellow apron over his cotton pants and T-shirt.


    ¡°Oh, you¡¯re still here? I thought you¡¯d gone back to Iks, Treize.¡±


    ¡°Nope. You¡¯re the one who ordered me to make you tea as soon as you got home, Lillia.¡± Treize retorted firmly, approaching the table with a teapot in his right hand and a tter with three mugs in his right. Expertly cing the mugs on the table, he poured the steaming-hot tea.


    ¡°Thank you for everything, Treize.¡± Said Allison. Lillia also thanked him, albeit more brusquely.


    ¡°Thanks.¡±


    Treize ced his own mug to Lillia¡¯s left and took a seat.


    After a sip of tea, Lillia spoke.


    ¡°Anyway, Mom. I¡¯m not going to get mad at the Air Force¡ªI mean, we¡¯re living off your sry. But to be honest, I wanted to y around for the first half of summer break and do my homework during the second half.¡±


    ¡°You always do narrowly finish your homework.¡±


    ¡°Well, yeah. It¡¯s practically tradition at this point, but otherwise I don¡¯t feel like doing schoolwork at all. I¡¯ll just spend the first half rxing¡ª¡±


    In the middle of the everyday conversation between mother and daughter, Lillia suddenly remembered something.


    ¡°Wait! You said you¡¯re going to be doing test flights for twenty days straight!¡±


    ¡°Yeah. Maybe even longer, depending on the weather.¡±


    ¡°Then¡­ does that mean you¡¯re gonna stay there the whole time, Mom?¡±


    Allison nodded.


    ¡°It¡¯s not an ordinary base, honey. I can¡¯t tell you the details, but it¡¯s a little far from the Capital District. I can¡¯tmute there every day.¡±


    ¡°Th-then¡ª¡±


    Lillia red at the boy in the apron drinking tea next to her. Then, she pointed at him.


    ¡°Then I have to stay with Treize the whole time? Here, just the two of us?¡±


    ¡°I guess so.¡± Allison replied nonchntly. Lillia raised her voice again.


    ¡°No way! With this sorry guy?!¡±


    ¡°Now, now, be nice, Lillia. And what¡¯s wrong with Treize? He¡¯s a good cook and an excellent housekeeper. You have no idea how much I appreciate all his help.¡±


    Lillia nodded, sullenly agreeing. But she quickly shot back.


    ¡°But still! You want a teenaged guy and a teenaged girl to live in a house together, just the two of them? As a mother, aren¡¯t you worried? What if we have an ident or something?¡±


    Treize quietly sipped his tea.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Treize is a gentleman.¡±


    ¡°How can you be so sure?¡±


    ¡°Because I¡¯m good friends with Treize¡¯s father, who is a gentleman.¡±


    Treize quietly sipped his tea.


    Lillia shot him a nce, then replied dubiously.


    ¡°Still¡­¡±


    Allison gave a loving smile.


    ¡°It¡¯ll be fine as long as you don¡¯t force yourself on Treize.¡±


    ¡°Why would I?!¡±


    ¡°For example, when he¡¯s asleep and defenseless.¡±


    ¡°Are you out of your mind, Mom?! I would not!¡±


    Treize quietly sipped his tea.


    Treize¡¯s homnd was the Kingdom of Iks, now called ¡®Ikstova¡¯. It had been five days since he arrived at the Capital district after leaving his home. Allison epted him as a guest, giving him the spare room that was usually reserved for winter clothes, skis, and unguarded military rifles. Meanwhile, Treize had taken Lillia¡¯s orders(¡°If you¡¯re freeloading, you¡¯d better do at least this much¡±) to heart and was acting as her driver. His job was to drop off and pick up Lillia near her school every day on his motorcycle. He also made sure to sightsee around the city between trips.


    From the second day of his stay in the Capital District, Treize volunteered to cook for the family.


    ¡°You¡¯re not going to burn down our kitchen, right?¡± Lillia had questioned him.


    In response, Treize put together a marvelous breakfast from the ingredients in the fridge as Lillia watched.


    ¡°¡­Not bad.¡± Lillia was forced to admit. Treize bowed courteously.


    ¡°I am honored, mdy.¡±


    Between bites of her cheese-and-veggie omelet, Lillia had asked Treize where he had learned to cook.


    ¡°From my parents.¡±


    Allison, who had finished changing, had joined the breakfast table and chimed in.


    ¡°You haven¡¯t met them yet, Lillia, but Treize¡¯s parents are really good at everything.¡±


    ¡°Huh. Then make me more tea, Treize.¡±


    ¡°As you wish.¡±


    Though Lillia did not know, Treize was actually a prince of Ikstova.


    However, he was not an officially recognized prince. Because of an age-old custom in the royal family which allowed the monarch to have only one child, only Treize¡¯s twin sister Meriel was officially dered a princess. Very few people knew of the prince¡¯s existence.


    Treize¡¯s mother was Queen Francesca of Ikstova. His father was the former Sou Be-Il Air Force pilot Carr Benedict, the hero who discovered a historic mural that ended the war between East and West. If Treize had been an only child, he would by now be surrounded by servants and advisors in the restored kingdom.


    But right now, he was in the Schultz family home in the Capital District, being told off by Lillia.


    ¡°This is ridiculous. Go back to Ikstova, Treize!¡±


    ¡°Hey¡­¡±


    Allison answered for the lost Treize.


    ¡°Is that any way to speak to a guest, youngdy? I¡¯m sure Treize has things nned out, too. And he came all this way from Ikstova.¡±


    ¡°But still! ¡­Oh, wait! I could just go to the base with you, Mom. Problem solved. Watch the house while we¡¯re gone, Treize.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Lillia. But the base is off-limits to civilians. There¡¯s nothing I can do about it.¡±


    ¡°Ugh.¡±


    Pouting, Lillia guzzled the rest of her tea and put down her mug on her left side. Without a word, Treize filled it about 70% of the way with practiced hands.


    ¡°Then how about I go traveling somewhere on my own?¡± Lillia suggested, turning her mug in her hands. The tea was about to spill. ¡°Mom goes to work, and I go on a trip. And since we have someone to watch the house, it all works out!¡±


    ¡°That won¡¯t do either, Lillia. You¡¯re still fifteen. What if you get caught? They¡¯re really cracking down on minors traveling alone these days.¡±


    ¡°Tch. Damn the Ministry of Education.¡±


    ¡°On that note, I have a suggestion.¡± Allison said, her eyes twinkling.


    ¡°What is it?¡±


    Both Lillia and Treize(who had been silently listening all this time) looked up at the uniformed Allison.


    ¡°Lillia, I think it would be wonderful for you to go on a trip. So you should go with Treize.¡±


    ¡°What?!¡± Lillia screeched, making a point of disying her anger. Allison continued nonchntly.


    ¡°You¡¯re not breaking any rules as long as you¡¯re with a sixteen-year-old. That solves everything. And don¡¯t worry, I can at least cover your costs.¡±


    ¡°B-but! Well, I¡¯m thankful for the money, but! You want me to go on a trip with him, alone?¡±


    ¡°Oh? How is that any different from staying home alone with Treize?¡±


    ¡°Still¡­¡±


    ¡°Lillia, there was somece you always wanted to go, right? In Tolcasia. The city of La-something."


    ¡°Ah! Lartika in Tolcasia? ¡­Really?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s the perfect opportunity. I¡¯ll let you go for a summer vacation.¡±


    ¡°Yes!¡±


    ¡°But. You have to go with Treize.¡±


    ¡°Ah¡­ ugh¡­¡±


    Lillia cradled her head in her hands, a truly fierce debate raging in her mind.


    ¡°So? What¡¯s your answer?¡± Allison asked, amused.


    Treize watched the conversation and nkly thought about the fact that mother and daughter had been making his summer ns for him without even asking for his opinion.


    ¡°Like mother, like daughter.¡± He said very, very quietly under his breath.


    That evening.


    There was a small ckboard hanging on the wall of the Schultz family¡¯s kitchen. Normally, it disyed shopping lists and the expiration dates for the food in the fridge. But now, it was filled to the edges with words under the title ¡®Summer Vacation ns¡¯.


    [Allison: Sixth day of the seventh month - Will be doing secret test flights of a secret top-of-the-line fighter ne in a secret secret base. Will be going to the secret secret base. Will call Lillia when the secret return date is decided.


    Lillia: Early morning, sixth day of the seventh month - Will be going on a sightseeing trip to Lartika in Tolcasia with Treize, who is simply a chaperone. Including two days for travel, the trip willst seven days. Aftering home, remember to call the gaspany to reconnect the gas lines. For living expenses before Momes home, withdraw money from the bank. Make sure that the automatic payment for the rent has been made. Make sure to throw out the oversized garbage.


    Treize: I promise to be a good chaperone. I don¡¯t know what I¡¯ll do after the trip, but I¡¯ll figure it out then. Although I don¡¯t even know where exactly we¡¯re going, I¡¯ll do everything Lillia tells me to, even if it¡¯s carrying her luggage. ¡ûYou don¡¯t need to write that. -Lillia ¡ûIs that any way to speak to a guest, Lillia? -Allison ¡ûYou¡¯re being too nice, Mom. Even if he¡¯s a guest, you shouldn¡¯t spoil him! -Lillia ¡ûThank you so much, Allison. -Treize ¡ûHey, stay off the board! -Lillia ¡ûBut¡­ -Treize ¡ûNo ¡®but¡¯s! We¡¯re going to the department store tomorrow to buy stuff for the trip, soe along and help me carry stuff. You¡¯re so¡ªthere¡¯s no more room here, so I¡¯ll just tell you in person!


    * * *


    Early morning. The sixth day of the seventh month.


    In the narrow road between apartment buildings, Allison and Lillia stood at the doors.


    The road was packed on either side with cars that threatened to encroach even on the sidewalk. Even though it was already a one-way road, there was only enough room left for one car to squeeze through at a time.


    Treize¡¯s motorcycle was parked between the cars. The motorcycle¡¯s engine cylinders were jutting out on either side, and on its right was attached a sidecar fixed with a luggage holder. In the sidecar was camping gear Treize had brought from all the way in Ikstova, and Lillia¡¯s leather suitcase.


    Between the apartment buildings they could see the sky; it was covered in grey clouds, and rain seemed to be on the way.


    ¡°You haven¡¯t forgotten your money?¡± Allison asked. Her hair was a tangled mess, and she was wearing a red cardigan over her light green pajamas. She was also wearing a pair of sandals over her bare feet.


    ¡°I got it. I put just a bit in my wallet and put the rest in the hidden belt.¡± Lillia replied. She was wearing a light pink blouse, a beige skort, and a light jacket¡ªall clothes that were easy to move around in.


    ¡°You have your ID?¡±


    ¡°Packed. I didn¡¯t put it in my wallet, just to be safe.¡±


    ¡°And you have your emergency contact info?¡±


    ¡°Packed. I wrote it down.¡±


    ¡°Medication?¡±


    ¡°Packed. Stuff for headaches, colds, and stomachaches.¡±


    ¡°And what about Treize? He came out with us, right?¡±


    Lillia nced at the motorcycle. Treize was squatting on the ground, undoing the lock.


    ¡°Packed. He¡¯s right there.¡±


    ¡°Did you call, Mdy?¡± Treize asked as he finished, getting to his feet. He was dressed just like the day he came to the Capital District¡ªdark olive cargo pants, slightly long boots, a white T-shirt, and an old leather jacket.


    ¡°No.¡± Lillia replied.


    ¡°I see. Preparations areplete.¡± Treize said, joining Allison and Lillia.


    ¡°Take good care of Lillia.¡± Allison said, meeting Treize¡¯s gaze. Treize looked directly into her blue eyes and nodded firmly.


    Allison then turned to her daughter.


    ¡°Take care, Lillia. And have fun.¡±


    ¡°Thanks, Mom. Have fun with your new fighter ne. And also¡ª¡±


    ¡°Yes?¡±


    ¡°Whatever base you¡¯re staying at, please try to get up on your own. Otherwise you¡¯ll give a really hard time to the poor soul who has to wake you up.¡±


    ¡°Ohh¡­ All right, I¡¯ll try. Have a good trip, Lillia.¡±


    Allison smiled, and nted a kiss on Lillia¡¯s cheek. Lillia kissed her mother back.


    As Treize watched he suddenly found himself meeting Allison¡¯s gaze.


    ¡°Would you like one too, Treize?¡± Allison asked, reaching toward him. Lillia pped down her hand.


    ¡°Don¡¯t bother, Mom.¡±


    ¡°Hey, that¡¯s not nice.¡± Treize grumbled.


    ¡°Ask your own mom for a kiss.¡± Lillia snapped back. Then, she added in a softer tone, ¡°As I wish, right?¡±


    Treize nodded, slightly.


    ¡°Yeah.¡±


    ¡°Hmm¡­ Lillia, you should be the one giving Treize a kiss after all.¡±


    Lillia reacted instantly.


    ¡°Denied!¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s going to be a long trip, you know. Plenty of time for at least one.¡±


    ¡°Denied.¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s no need to be stingy.¡±


    ¡°I said, denied.¡±


    ¡°You keep saying so, but I bet you¡¯re thinking to yourself that once might be all right? A mother knows what her children are thinking.¡±


    ¡°Nope.¡±


    ¡°Just do it when no one¡¯s looking.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not the problem here.¡±


    ¡°Just a quick one on the forehead.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not about where.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not like it¡¯ll hurt.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not the problem, either.¡±


    ¡°Or maybe you¡¯re too shy when you¡¯re sober?¡±


    ¡°Mom, I¡¯m a minor.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    Standing idly by the mother and daughter, Treize waited for their conversation to end.


    It was a little before morning rush hour. The Capital District¡¯s streets stretched on under the cloudy sky.


    The motorcycle,den with luggage, was traveling down a sixne street. Because helmets were not required byw, Treize was just wearing goggles over his eyes. Lillia sat in the sidecar with the windshield raised.


    Treize stopped the motorcycle at the traffic light and nced over at Lillia. She was staring straight ahead.


    ¡°Y¡¯know, don¡¯t people usually look¡­ happier when they¡¯re going on a trip?¡±


    ¡°Hm. I guess that depends on who you¡¯re going with.¡± Lillia replied, her gaze unwavering.


    ¡°But you can¡¯t go traveling without me.¡±


    ¡°Which is why I¡¯m so angry. I guess life really is unfair.¡±


    ¡°You can say that again.¡±


    The light turned green.


    Capital West Station.


    It was one of three train stations in the Capital District, and as apparent from its name, it was the station in the western part of the city. And because the continent extended far to the west, this station was the Capital District¡¯srgest.


    As soon as they made a turn at the thoroughfare, a vast parking lot and a traffic circle appeared before them. Beyond stood a massive ss dome that looked like a sports stadium. The dome encased over ten tforms, and nearly twenty tracks branched from the building and to the west.


    As soon as they made a turn at the thoroughfare, a vast parking lot and a traffic circle appeared before them. Beyond stood a massive ss dome that looked like a sports stadium. The dome encased over ten tforms, and nearly twenty tracks branched from the building and to the west.


    Lillia and Treize would board a sleeper train bound west. They paid extra to take Treize¡¯s motorcycle on the freight cars as well. Lillia first got off the motorcycle at the station entrance.


    ¡°You take care of the luggage.¡±


    ¡°All right. You can take care of our tickets. You have the reservation number written down, right?¡±


    ¡°As if I¡¯d be stupid enough to forget.¡±


    ¡°Sorry.¡±


    Treize took the motorcycle to the side entrance, entering the station through the freight gate. He did as the station employees instructed and rode through the station, packed with cargo from the morning trains. Eventually, he reached arge check-in area on one side of the end of the tform.


    Soon, Lillia came walking down the tforms with the tickets and a paper bag in hand. She showed the tickets to an employee and pointed at Treize and the motorcycle. The employee gestured Treize over. He rode the motorcycle cautiously across the tracks and to tform 4. As they showed their tickets, the train slowly entered the station, pushed by a steam lotive.


    Lillia and Treize left the motorcycle and their bigger luggage in the freight car and boarded the passenger car. Lillia was carrying just her suitcase and a paper bag. Treize had a small backpack and a belt pack.


    They were in a 4-passenger cabin in second ss. The door and a ss wall covered by shades separated the seats from the corridor. The seats faced one another, and each seat could be converted into a bunk bed. Cabins in first ss were for two passengers each and wererger, but they were also more than double the price.


    Lillia stepped inside as Treize held open the door. The passengers they were to share the cabin with were not there yet. Treize ced their things on the shelf above the window and secured them with the stic strap there. They both took off their jackets, hung them by the window, and sat face-to-face. Lillia faced the front of the train, and Treize(with his belt pack turned to the front) faced the back.


    Lillia unfolded the table from under the window and took out the contents of the paper bag. Two tetrahedral packs of milk and four loaves of bread with jam.


    Once the conductor finished checking the passengers¡¯ tickets, the train left the station in the morning as scheduled. The lotive gave a long whistle next to the tform, which was filling with morningmuters. The other passengers who were to share Lillia and Treize¡¯s cabin did not show up, even when they left the station.


    The train sped up. When it left the station, Lillia saw the Capital District¡¯s familiar grey apartment buildings packed in under the cloudy sky.


    ¡°It¡¯s boring just sitting around like this.¡± She grumbled.


    ¡°True. But it¡¯s not like we can drive the train ourselves. And it would take two days to get to Lartika by motorcycle.¡± Treize replied.


    ¡°You just read the guidebook, Treize. We should at least know the basics about where we¡¯re going.¡± Lillia said, and started on her breakfast.


    Treize quickly finished eating first, and took out from his backpack the guidebook he had bought the other day.


    Their destination was the city of Lartika in the country of Tolcasia.


    The Roxcheanuk Confederation was a union of sixteen nations and territories on the eastern half of the continent, and Tolcasia was one of them. Its territory began six hundred kilometers southwest of the Capital District.


    By Tolcasia was a giganticke called the Kurz Sea.


    1200 kilometers long and 500 kilometers wide, it was the biggestke in all of Roxche. The Kurz Sea was arge watery surface in and of t ins and woods. Despite the name, it was a freshwaterke. From the distant past, theke had been a cornerstone of river traffic in Roxche, and countless canals were connected to theke.


    The country of Tolcasia was located on the southern shore of the Kurz Sea, and it was known for its particrly lengthykeshore. The country itself was not veryrge, being a long strip ofnd attached to the southernkeshore.


    Until about two thousand years ago, there was no nation there¡ªonlyrge fishing towns scattered by the water. The first Kingdom of Tolcasia was only created 1500 years ago. The country went on to be invaded many times over, entering times of decline and revival in turn.


    About a thousand years ago, there was a king who proposed that they build a settlement on theke. He supposed that an ind in theke would not be easy to invade, and put his absurd idea into motion. He first selected a shallow part of the Kurz Sea, then put down stakes on thekebed and transportedrge boulders by ship to create a foundation. And with tens of thousands of rocks and bricks, he creatednd.


    Then, heid the bricks on top and created a fortress, along with streets. Over time, the ind expanded, and the town waspleted centuriester.


    That was the origin of Lartika. Thend was made of stone, and the buildings of reddish-brown bricks. The canals and horizons were cut to geometric perfection. With a thriving fishing and trading industry, the town became a harbor city and capital of Tolcasia. At the limit of its expansion, the city was about twenty-five square kilometers in size and was nearly a perfect square.


    When Roxche was first created 200 years ago, the city rose to fame as a wondrous ce floating on ake. That was when it became a renowned tourist destination.


    With the development of the railroad, Lartika became an easily-essible destination for Capital District residents. The city invested even more effort into its tourism industry¡ªhotels were built and restaurants and souvenir shops created, and with the city offering both historic tours and amusement on theke, Lartika thrived as a tourist destination.


    ¡°So it was really famous, huh.¡± Treize remarked as he finished reading.


    The world outside the window had changed from the bustling city to rural fields stretching toward the horizon, though the sky was still cloudy. The train was traveling southwest through the Republic of Farkas, which was just west of the Capital District. ording to their schedule, they would reach therge town of Bren near the Tolcasia border early next morning.


    To reach Lartika, they had to take a boat from Bren, which was on the shore, and cross theke. They would leave Treize¡¯s motorcycle in the town.


    Treize suddenly found himself ncing at Lillia. She had finished breakfast, and was leaning against the window with her gaze fixed on the scenery. Neither particrly happy nor sad, she was the picture of calm¡ªno different from usual.


    Silently, Treize continued to stare in a daze.


    ¡°What?¡± Lillia said, looking at him. Treize was taken aback.


    ¡°N-nothing. Wanna read the guidebook?¡±


    ¡°No thanks. I know the gist of things anyway. You can put it away.¡±


    Treize did as he was told and put the book back in his bag. Then, he rolled up the paper bag filled with garbage from breakfast, threw it in the bin in a corner of the car outside the cabin, and returned to his seat. Lillia¡¯s eyes were locked on the scenery outside.


    Treize also looked out the window from his seat. Lillia¡¯s reflection ovepped with the grey and green background of the world.


    Suddenly, droplets of water sttered against the ss. They were followed by a veritable torrent of rain, striking the window hard in the gust.


    Countless drops of water covered the window in an instant, and the scenery turned hazy.


    Afternoon.


    The train continued through the rainstorm.


    They stopped at three stations on the way. Treize bought lunch from one of them through the window. It was a paper box containing two servings of sandwiches. Lillia and Treize ate their lunch in the cabin. And just as they finished up, the people they were to share the cabin with finally showed up.


    They were a couple in their fifties, wearing ssy clothing. They briefly greeted Lillia and Treize and casually took their seats. The husband alternated between reading the newspaper and taking naps. The wife busied herself with embroidery, her hand expertly outmaneuvering the shaking of the train.


    Treize leaned against the window frame, looking out the translucent ss. He nced at Lillia; she was absorbed in a thick book.


    He stared at the ceiling for a while. When he looked down, he met Lillia¡¯s eyes.


    ¡°You¡¯ve been reading for a while now. Do you like books?¡±


    ¡°Meh. They¡¯re better than boring conversations.¡±


    ¡°I see. ¡­Do you want to drink some tea? I saw some in the dining car.¡±


    ¡°Not now. I¡¯d just end up wanting to go to the bathroom.¡±


    ¡°I see¡­¡±


    The conversation was over in seconds. Lillia returned to her book.


    The middle-aged woman, who had been working away next to Treize, discreetly shed her finished embroidery to her husband.


    [This is going nowhere], it was written among the roses and little birds.


    Slowly but firmly, the husband nodded.


    No one spoke for about an hour. The only sounds in the cabin were the noise of the wheels, the plopping of water falling against the window, Lillia turning the pages, and the clicking of the woman¡¯s deft needlework.


    Eventually, Lillia closed her book, put it on the table, and spoke as Treize looked at her.


    ¡°I¡¯m going to the bathroom. Should I pick up something on the way? Tea?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, sure. If it¡¯s not too much trouble.¡±


    ¡°Then that¡¯s two cups of tea.¡± Lillia replied, squeezing past the couple and leaving the cabin. Her footsteps disappeared toward the bathroom at the end of the car, drowned out by the sound of the train.


    ¡°Whew¡­¡± Treize sighed loudly. At that moment, the man sitting diagonally across from him suddenly leaned over.


    ¡°What are you doing?¡±


    Treize turned, neither surprised nor visibly annoyed. The man spoke to him as though they were acquainted.


    ¡°What are you doing, Your Highness? How could you have Miss Lillianne pick up your tea?¡±


    ¡°Well, she¡¯s the one who offered¡­¡± Treize retorted feebly. The woman turned.


    ¡°Then it would only have been right for you to act the gentleman and reply, ¡®I¡¯lle with you and carry the tea¡¯!¡±


    Treize was not pleased.


    ¡°Right¡­ so I¡¯d appreciate it if you left me alone.¡±


    ¡°How could we, sir, after that shocking disy? Where is the conversation? A young man and a young woman, alone in a cabin, and all she does is bury her nose in a book! Do you understand what that means, sir? She has no interest in you! I infer that you must have made no progress during your time at the Capital District, either. What would we have done if not for Ms. Schultz?¡± The woman scolded Treize quietly, showing him no mercy. The man continued where she left off.


    ¡°Indeed. You must make conversation! Think of something romantic that a woman might like. Books, thetest films, anything!¡±


    ¡°I just don¡¯t get that book she was reading, and I¡¯ve barely watched any films.¡±


    ¡°Which is precisely why we¡¯ve been telling you all this time that you should get away from your aerones and guns and hunting sometimes.¡± The woman said, flushing red as she shook her head. The man continued.


    ¡°This is your chance, sir. A trip to a beautiful city, just the two of you. There¡¯s no better time or ce to develop your rtionship.¡±


    ¡°Okay, just leave me alone.¡±


    ¡°Preposterous! You must act, sir, or Miss Lillianne¡¯s heart will only grow distant!¡±


    ¡°Forget growing distant¡ªI don¡¯t think her heart¡¯s been that close in the first ce¡­¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t take much more of this. Honey, we¡¯ll have to put our n into action immediately.¡± The woman said. The man nodded and whispered to Treize,


    ¡°Your Highness. Once Miss Lillianne returns, the two of us will act like delinquent elders and provoke a quarrel. We will bother you with all we have. That is when youe in and gantly cry, ¡®Stop this immediately!¡¯. That will solve everything. I¡¯m sure Miss Lillianne will be won over by your dauntlessness. What do you think?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll also do my best to seem like a delinquent old woman.¡±


    The couple looked quite excited to put on their little show. But Treize shot them down.


    ¡°Stop this immediately.¡±


    ¡°But Your Highness¡ª¡±


    ¡°Your Highness¡ª¡±


    ¡°Just leave me alone!¡±


    The moment Treize raised his voice, the door to the cabin opened.


    Lillia was outside. She was not carrying anything. Treize froze.


    Lillia¡¯s eyes fell on Treize.


    ¡°Treize! What are you doing?!¡± She said indignantly, striding into the cabin.


    Thwap.


    ¡°Ow.¡±


    She smacked him on the head.


    ¡°How could you pick a fight with these people?¡±


    ¡°What? But¡ª¡±


    ¡°No ¡®but¡¯s!¡± Lillia cut him off, and took out her wallet from the jacket she left by the window. ¡°I forgot to bring money. I¡¯ll go get the tea, so stay put and be nice.¡±


    ¡°Huh? Oh, right¡­¡±


    Treize nodded obediently. ring at him onest time, Lillia apologized profusely to the couple and went to the door.


    ¡°Oh, wait¡­ I¡¯lle with you. I¡¯ll carry the tea.¡± Treize quickly said.


    ¡°It¡¯s fine. I¡¯m going to get a thermos.¡± Lillia replied, and left the cabin.


    For some time, the only sound in the cabin was that of the train moving down the tracks.


    ¡°Ugh¡­¡± Treize sighed.


    ¡°Don¡¯t lose heart, Your Highness.¡±


    ¡°You must steel yourself, Your Highness.¡±


    ¡°And just whose fault is this to begin with?¡±


    ¡°Miss Lillianne truly is a strong-willed and motivated youngdy.¡±


    ¡°Just like Lady Fiona when she was young.¡±


    ¡°Hey, don¡¯t shirk responsibility like that.¡±


    ¡°I do wonder how ¡®Lady Francesca¡¯ is doing right now.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m a little worried.¡±


    The couple quickly changed the subject. Treize could do nothing but sigh.


    Then he mumbled,


    ¡°It¡¯ll be fine as long as Meriel¡¯s around.¡±


    At the same time, at the royal pce in the city of Kunst, in the Kingdom of Iks situated in the middle of the continent.


    ¡°Treize and Lillia must be on the train by now. I wonder how things are going?¡±


    ¡°Who knows?¡±


    The queen and her husband were talking in Bezelese, the officialnguage of Sou Be-Il.


    They were in the queen¡¯s office in the pce¡ªit was not a particrlyrge room, but the beautiful wood-finish interior lent the office the air of a cozy cabin in the mountains. On one wall were ceramic tes, pictures, and wooden tes cared with intricate art.


    On the wall opposite hung framed photographs. One was a color photo capturing the snowy mountains; the snow was so white it was blinding. There was also a group picture taken in front of what seemed to be a vige hall. The people in the photo, all middle-aged or older, were smiling. There was another photo of a city with blue roofs, taken from overhead, and a photo of the queen and her husband sitting on either side of a crib where a pair of identical-looking babiesy. In another photo, a woman with blond hair was holding the babies.


    In a corner of the room was a kitchte and a round table. In front of the wall was a heavy desk. Sitting there was Queen Francesca of Ikstova. She was still rather young, not yet forty years of age.


    She had fair skin and short ck hair. Currently, the queen was wearing a white half-sleeve blouse and a long skirt. Around her neck was a pendant¡ªa small golden coin. In her right hand was a weighty royal seal. On the desk, ahead of her left hand, was a mountain of paperwork.


    Next to the desk, by the round window through which the cloudless sky was visible, was her husband Benedict. He was leaning against the frame. His messy brown hair and beard, which covered his mouth and chin, made him look almost like a mountain man. He was wearing a checkered shirt and cotton pants with many pockets, as though he were prepared to go hiking at a moment¡¯s notice. However, just like Francesca, he had a golden pendant around his neck.


    ¡°Oh? Is that any way a concerned father should be acting?¡± Francesca asked, pausing from her work as she looked up. Her Bezelese was fluid, and she had perfect pronunciation.


    ¡°To be honest, I don¡¯t care about any other couples as long as the two of us are fine.¡±


    ¡°Oh my.¡±


    Benedict walked up to the smiling Francesca. Leaning over her, he looked into her face.


    ¡°So forget the paperwork for now¡ª¡± He winked, then switched to Roxchean. ¡°And will you join me for morning tea? Please let ¡®Queen Francesca¡¯ rest for a while, Fi.¡±


    Fiona looked around.


    ¡°All right. That sounds wonderful. It¡¯s not like anyone¡¯s watching.¡±


    ¡°Then I will brew the tea¡ª¡±


    ¡°¡ªand I¡¯ll get the jam.¡±


    ¡°Excellent. But first, will you kiss me?¡± Benedict asked, leaning in. Fiona smiled again and closed her eyes.


    They upied themselves with the kiss for some time. Then¡ª


    Thud.


    The office door mmed open. But they did not stop kissing.


    ¡°You two!¡±


    The girl who barged inside pointed an using finger at the couple.


    She was a pretty girl in her mid-teens. Her long ck hair was tied back in a sloppy ponytail, and she was wearing grey work wear stained with oil. The girl red at the couple as she reached back and shut the door.


    ¡°Oh my. Meriel.¡±


    Finally breaking away, Fiona turned to the girl. The neer was Princess Meriel¡ªTreize¡¯s sister. The princess strode up to her parents.


    ¡°Your Majesty, get back to work. And her husband! Don¡¯t get in her way.¡± She warned, mming her hands on the desk. Some of the documents were pushed back a few centimeters by the force.


    ¡°And Her Majesty¡¯s husband? Please shave that beard. Just looking at it makes me feel stuffy!¡±


    ¡°Ohh.¡±


    ¡°But¡ª¡±


    The queen and her husbandined in unison.


    ¡°I think the beard is fine, once you get used to it. A lot of men grow out their beards in Iks.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s right. I thought I looked pretty thuggish at first, but you just have to get used to it. I look like a mountaineering tour guide, don¡¯t you think? And I can go incognito easily like this, as long as I wear a pair of sunsses.¡±


    Fiona replied in Roxchean, and Benedict in Bezelese.


    ¡°Argh! You two drive me up the wall!¡± Meriel cried in Bezelese, shaking her head. ¡°Forget the beard! But just stop interrupting the queen¡¯s work! The prime minister already scolded you about not getting your work done on time!¡±


    ¡°True. You know, I¡¯m always so impressed by how hardworking you are, Meriel.¡±


    ¡°I think you could try to rx a little.¡±


    Meriel clenched her fists.


    ¡°This is hopeless¡­ Ikstova¡¯s future rests on my shoulders.¡±


    Her parents replied simultaneously.


    ¡°Do your best, honey!¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ll be cheering you on.¡±


    ¡°Please stop acting like this is someone else¡¯s business!¡± Meriel cried.


    Inside a cabin in a rain-soaked train.


    ¡°Princess Meriel certainly is a hard worker.¡±


    ¡°Indeed she is. The future of Ikstova is bright.¡±


    Treize mustered up every ounce of sarcasm he was capable of.


    ¡°You got that right. Much better than some stupid, indecisive prince.¡±


    ¡°By the way, I¡¯ve been told that you secured lodgings at your destination under your name, because of Miss Lillianne¡¯s age.¡± The man said,pletely ignoring Treize¡¯s remark.


    ¡°Told by whom? Oh, you must¡¯ve called Allison. I don¡¯t believe this¡­¡± Treize sighed.


    ¡°Yes. She was happy to tell us.¡± The woman said. Her husband continued.


    ¡°But we noticed that you were to stay in the smallest rooms at the cheapest hotel in the area.¡±


    ¡°Obviously. Allison¡¯s paying for it, and young people shouldn¡¯t be spending money like water anyway. The cheapest room¡¯s good enough.¡±


    ¡°No, Your Highness! You may be young, but this is a trip for the two of you!¡± The woman said firmly. ¡°Which is why, with Ms. Schultz¡¯s permission, we called in earlier to reserve better rooms for you.¡±


    ¡°Wait¡­ What?¡± Treize gaped, unable to believe his ears.


    ¡°This here is the hotel you will have ¡®reserved¡¯, sir.¡±


    The man produced an envelope from his breast pocket and unfolded the piece of paper inside. It was a hotel pamphlet. It depicted an opulent brick building and uniformed doormen.


    ¡°¡­¡±


    Treize was dumbstruck. The man put the pamphlet into his hands.


    ¡°We thought of booking two affordable single rooms, but we decided on the expensive suite with a sweeping living room and two bedrooms on either side with individual bathrooms. I suppose we maye off as nosy, but we thought it might be a little early to book the double bed suite.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    The pamphlet in Treize¡¯s hands trembled.


    ¡°Not to worry, sir. We¡¯ve told the hotel that you¡¯re the son of a rich family, but that we couldn¡¯t give your surname due to personal circumstances. We also told them that Miss Lillianne is your girlfriend, approved by your parents and hers. So present yourself proudly at the desk. The view from the room is spectacr, and the room itself is supposed to be very romantic. We¡¯ve paid for your stay ahead of time. Now you can finally impress Miss Lillianne.¡± The woman said.


    ¡°You¡¯ll have dinner at their four-star restaurant. Who knows? Perhaps you¡¯ll clink sses and promise your future together. How romantic.¡± The man said.


    Treize looked up from the pamphlet, ring at the couple.


    ¡°If¡­ if I were a real prince¡­ I would have fired you two on the spot.¡±


    ¡°And also¡ª¡±


    Ignoring Treize¡¯s remark yet again, the man changed the subject.


    ¡°Take this, Your Highness.¡±


    From his suitcase, the man produced a gun.


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    Treize was silenced. The weapon was a 30-centimeter miniature submachine gun. The stock was folded over the gun, and there was a magazine that held twenty rounds.


    It was a fearsome weapon that could fire twenty rounds in two seconds in automatic mode.


    It was a fearsome weapon that could fire twenty rounds in two seconds in automatic mode.


    ¡°What the hell¡­¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re just worried that there won¡¯t be anyone around to protect you. We contacted someone in the Roxche military and received this prototype¡ªno one owns this model yet. We¡¯ve also brought arge supply of bullets and magazines. Keep this with you, and if anything should happen, use it to gantly protect Miss Lillianne¡ª¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t need it. As if anything¡¯s going to happen. And why a submachine gun, of all things?¡± Treize sighed, astonished.


    ¡°Because your favorite hunting rifles are too heavy to carry¡ª¡±


    ¡°Never mind. I don¡¯t need it. Don¡¯t hand firearms over to someone going on vacation.¡±


    Treize held up his hands, adamantly refusing the weapon. The man put back the submachine gun, dissatisfied.


    ¡°And in case you were actually nning, don¡¯t follow us all the way to the hotel.¡±


    ¡°Even we wouldn¡¯t go that far, Your Highness.¡± The man replied, and gave his wife a look.


    ¡°Of course.¡± Treize said sarcastically. The man looked him in the eye then, and said in a firm tone.


    ¡°We have faith in Your Highness. And there¡¯s only one piece of advice we have to offer you.¡±


    ¡°One? You¡¯ve been telling me what to do for a while now.¡±


    ¡°¡®Young man, you must contemte¡¯!¡±


    ¡°No one asked, okay? Where is all thising from?¡±


    ¡°Contemte on this, contemte on that, and continue to contemte. Contemte thoroughly and with all your mind, until the very end.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t need to hear it five times, all right?¡±


    ¡°And even if you cannot find your answer, even after all that contemtion¡ª¡±


    ¡°Then I¡¯m still gonna learn a lesson or something, right?¡±


    ¡°No, sir. Even if you cannot find your answer, we are not responsible. Please try to understand.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    * * *


    Night.


    The rain had stopped, and the clouds disappeared. Therge, round moon rose at dusk, casting a bluish-white light over the fields and woods.


    The sleeper train was a line of light traveling southwest across thend.


    ¡°Huh? Where¡¯d the couple go?¡± Lillia wondered as she returned from the bathroom. The cabin had been rearranged, the seats reced by beds. But Treize was the only one there. The old couple and even their luggage was gone.


    ¡°They moved. Apparently they ran into acquaintances in the dining car. They took their stuff, too.¡±


    ¡°Huh. You didn¡¯t kick them out or anything, Treize?¡± Lillia asked dubiously. Treize almost lost hisposure, but he quickly yed dumb.


    ¡°Why would I do that?¡±


    ¡°¡­That¡¯s a relief, then.¡±


    ¡°This is their idea of being tactful, huh.¡±


    ¡°Did you say something?¡±


    ¡°Never mind.¡±


    Treize had a good reason forining. The couple, who were residents of the hidden valley in Iks and members of the kingdom¡¯s royal guard, had left with the meaningful words ¡°We¡¯ll leave you two alone for the night¡±.


    ¡°Anyway, it looks like we can both take the bottom bunks now. You take that side.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re right. d we don¡¯t have to climb up to the top bunks.¡± Lillia said, and tossed her pouch of toiletries on the bed opposite Treize. Then she nced at her leather suitcase on the shelf.


    ¡°Should I get that?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s fine.¡±


    Lillia took off her shoes, climbed up thedder on her bed, and narrowly managed to pull down her suitcase.


    ¡°¡­¡±


    Treize, who was ready to step in if she needed help, sat on his bed and looked out the window. Reflected hazily in the ss were Lillia¡¯s back as she opened her suitcase, and his own foolish face.


    ¡°Hmph.¡±


    He lowered the shades in one go.


    It was the middle of the night.


    The train was traveling at reduced speed. The shaking had softened, and the sound of the wheels passing over the grooves in the tracks echoed in 3/4 time.


    Each of the beds in the cabin had curtains to hide the sleeper. Treize was on the front side of the cabin, wearing a light T-shirt and shorts with a thin nket over him. Suddenly, he opened his eyes.


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    Sleepily, he raised his left arm and looked at his watch. The glow-in-the-dark hands pointed to a time still far from morning.


    ¡°I¡¯ll just drop by the bathroom¡­¡±


    Quietly, he drew his curtains open and sat up.


    There was just one dim light glowing orange in the cabin. They had pulled down the shades over the window and the corridor side, so the cabin was a little dark. Putting on a pair of slippers instead of his boots, Treize quietly opened the door and left for the bathroom.


    Not long afterwards,


    ¡°Yawn¡­¡±


    He returned to the cabin with a yawn and silently shut the door.


    For a while, Treize sat nkly on his bed. The train seemed to shake more loudly than usual.


    With his left hand, he adjusted the blinds and slowly changed their angle. In a single moment, white moonlight seeped inside through the gaps and filled the cabin with light. Treize quickly fumbled to adjust the angle.


    Then, he leaned next to the window and peered outside.


    ¡°I wonder where we are.¡±


    Outside was a t in tinted a bluish white. A canal ran parallel with the train, about ten meters from the tracks. It was about thirty meters in width. Roxche, which was mostlyposed of nds, was crisscrossed by webs of canals that had been built over the ages.


    Dozens of secondster, Treize grew tired of the unchanging scenery and turned. Then,


    ¡°Whoa!¡±


    His eyes met Lillia¡¯s. Treize froze.


    Lillia, wearing light green pajamas, had half-opened her curtains with her left hand was was staring at Treize as shey on her side. Her eyes were half-open and she was ring.


    ¡°Ah, sorry. I¡¯ll just close the blinds¡ª¡±


    ¡°Tomorrow¡¯s garbage day.¡± Lillia said suddenly.


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    ¡°I know, Mom. I know.¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    Lillia closed her eyes and rolled on her back. Her left arm, propping the curtain open, fell onto her bed. Her hand was sticking out.


    Realizing that Lillia was talking in her sleep, Treize breathed a sigh of relief.


    ¡°Just sleep talk, huh. I should get some rest.¡±


    Reaching to adjust the blinds again, Treize found himself looking at the bed opposite.


    ¡°¡­¡±


    There Lillia slept unguarded, her hair loose over her cheeks. Her eyes were shut tight, but her lips were slightly open.


    Treize adjusted the blinds again, letting even more light seep inside.


    ¡°¡­¡±


    And sitting on his bed, he leaned over. Just a single meter away from Lillia¡ªan arm¡¯s reach¡ªand stared at her face for a long time.


    The bluish-white cabin and the sound of the wheels.


    Treize continued to stare, on and on.


    The next morning.


    Lillia opened her eyes to the blinding sun. The first thing she saw was the gaps between the slightly open blinds and the feet of the boy who was supposed to be sleeping in the bed across from hers.


    ¡°Whoa.¡±


    Treize had fallen asleep as he sat, falling to his right. His upper body was on the bed, but his legs were stretched out toward Lillia¡¯s. With the right side of his face smushed against his bed, Treize looked to be lost in happy sleep.


    ¡°Talk about awful sleeping habits! Who taught you to behave?!¡± Lillia cried indignantly. There was no answer.


    ¡°Trust me¡­ I¡¯ll do something¡­¡±


    All she got in response was Bezelese sleep talk.


    ¡°¡­¡±


    The first thing Lillia did as soon as she awoke was step down from her bed and kick Treize in the thigh.


    ¡°Hmph.¡±


    Without mercy.


    ¡°Ow!¡±


    Treize woke in an instant.


    -----

 Volume 1 2 — Tourism and Reality

    <h4>Volume 1 Chapter 2: Tourism and Reality</h4>


    -----


    The morning of the second day of the trip.


    Lillia and Treize were on a boat.


    It was a small wooden boat about fifteen meters in length. There were bench seats lined up on the deck. Above were metal railings for propping up a canvas in case of rain, but the canvas was not up now. Just one step higher than the deck, at the very back of the boat, was the wheelhouse. ck smoke was rising from the smokestack.


    Leaving a trail of white over the murky water, the boat slowly proceeded with the calm vibrations of the engine. Behind was Bren¡¯s harbor, which they had just left. Lillia and Treize had gotten off the train, entrusted Treize¡¯s camping gear and motorcycle to the station, and had boarded a boat bound for Lartika.


    It was very early in the morning. The darkness had given waypletely, but the sun had yet to rise. The sky was quite clear, with just a few spots of clouds here and there. The massive Kurz Sea was covered by a cool morning mist. But because of the fog, it was impossible to see the horizon.


    Lillia had put on her jacket and was sitting in a seat near the center of the boat, where the shaking was the least noticeable. Next to her was her leather suitcase and a duffel bag; next to them sat Treize, in his leather jacket.


    They were the only passengers on the morning ferry. Ahead and behind were rows upon rows of empty benches.


    There was no conversation between them. The boat continued into the mist with its quiet passengers.


    ¡°Talk about one heck of an awkward silence¡­¡± Treize grumbled to himself. He nced at Lillia, who was sitting a little far from him behind their luggage. She seemed to be enjoying the boat ride, staring at the prow and further ahead.


    Some time passed. Then,


    ¡°Wow¡­¡±


    With a gasp, Lillia beamed. Treize looked up.


    ¡°Whoa¡­¡±


    Even Treize found himself gasping. Though it was before dawn, the morning fog had cleared before he realized, and the horizon was growing clear under the clear sky. And ahead was a city.


    The foundation seemed to curve with the horizon as its jagged brick silhouette came into view. From the size of its apartment buildings Treize could tell they were still quite a distance away, but that also served to emphasize the vastness of the city.


    ¡°Wee to Lartika!¡± Said a middle-aged man as he suddenly came up behind them.


    The man was dressed in overalls and wore a fisherman¡¯s cap. He was the captain¡ªno, ferryman¡ªwho had checked their tickets earlier. He was also the only crew member aboard.


    ¡°Is it okay to leave the helm?¡± Treize wondered.


    ¡°Just for a while, sure!¡± The man replied, smiling.


    ¡°Really?¡±


    ¡°Anyway, wee to Lartika! It¡¯s a little tradition I try to keep¡ªI say that whenever we first catch sight of the ce.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, captain. I¡¯m so happy I finally get to be here.¡± Lillia said, truly awed.


    ¡°d to hear that, youngdy. Foggy mornings like this mean it¡¯ll be clear all day. We¡¯re in for some beautiful weather.¡±


    ¡°Captain. The helm?¡± Treize repeated himself. The ferry seemed to be veering away from the city more and more.


    ¡°Hm. We¡¯re all right for now!¡±


    ¡°Seriously¡­?¡±


    The man continued to speak from behind Lillia.


    ¡°We get a lot of honeymooners from the Capital District in Lartika. I can¡¯t count how many happy couples I got to show this fantastic view to. You know, couples that¡¯re moved by the same things are bound to be happy! I guarantee a happy future!¡±


    ¡°Please guarantee a safe arrival for this ferry¡­¡± Treize grumbled under his breath.


    ¡°You have such a wonderful job.¡± Lillia said, turning. The man smiled.


    ¡°Thank you, youngdy. For your information, the two of you¡¯re the youngest couple I¡¯ve ever ferried across. I¡¯m honored to be guiding you two as you start your life together.¡±


    ¡°Huh? No, we¡¯re not on a honeymoon. We¡¯re not even dating, actually. This guy¡¯s just my luggage bearer.¡± Lillia dered.


    ¡°Oh. That it, young man?¡± The man turned to Treize.


    ¡°Yes, Captain. And would it really be too much to ask for you to get back to the helm?¡±


    ¡°I see. ¡­Good luck, young man. Yourdy friend might realize how you feel, one of these days!¡± The captain said, returning to the wheelhouse. The boat changed heading and once more pointed at the city.


    Lillia¡¯s eyes were fixed firmly on the city. Treizeined to everyone on the boat, including himself.


    ¡°¡­Right.¡±


    The fortresslike city was within an arm¡¯s reach, and its brown brick buildings were all that could be seen.


    ¡°Now that I think about it, I¡¯d wanted toe here for my honeymoon.¡± Lillia muttered.


    ¡°Then¡­ juste back again for it.¡± Treize said without thinking.


    ¡°Stupid Treize.¡±


    A terse reply.


    ¡°Now, sit down, you two. I¡¯m docking the boat.¡± The captain saidzily, docking at a pontoon bridge with a ramp ced atop a drum canister.


    From the center of the 5-kilometer bridge, the bridge seemed to stretch on endlessly. The captain expertly stopped the boat. With a gentle impact, the boat hit the shock absorbers made of tires.


    ¡°He¡¯s good.¡± Treize said to himself.


    Waiting for the two to makending was a boat from the hotel.


    A pair of men wearing suits led Lillia and Treize a little further from the piers. There was a staircase leading down, and below was a canal about ten meters wide that led directly into the city.


    Next to the canal was moored a small boat about five meters long and two meters wide. It was mostly ck with golden trimmings, and was clearly expensive. With Lillia and Treize¡¯s luggage safely onboard, the boat¡¯s electric motor and propellers began to quietly whirr.


    From the canal, the streets were tranquil, and it was a little dark because of the shadows of the buildings. All they could see from the boat were the sides of the red brick buildings, but Lillia looked around in amazement all the same. Treize sat next to her, rxed.


    Soon, the boat arrived at arge pier with a staircase. Treize looked up at the left side.


    ¡°I can¡¯t believe they went this far¡­¡±


    At the top of the stairs was the luxurious hotel from the pamphlet.


    ¡°People of Ikstova. I¡¯m so sorry for this waste of your tax money.¡± Treize whispered under his breath.


    ¡°Are we getting off here? Hm? Did you say something, Treize?¡± Lillia wondered in the midst of asking questions to a bellboy who hade to greet them.


    ¡°No, nothing. Let¡¯s go inside.¡± Treize replied.


    ¡°Mr. Treize and Miss Lillianne Schultz, correct? We¡¯ve been informed of your arrival.¡±


    ¡°Thank you.¡±


    The hotel interior was more than a match for the outer architecture. Treize spoke to the employee at the front desk while a uniformed bellboy loaded their luggage onto a brass cart. Lillia was next to him, wide-eyed as she looked up at the chandelier.


    Treize nced at Lillia and showed her the key he received at the front. Suddenly, Lillia tugged on his arm.


    ¡°Treize, wait!¡±


    ¡°Wh-what is it?¡±


    To Treize¡¯s shock, Lillia suddenly leaned in toward his face. She whispered,


    ¡°Is it really okay to stay at such a fancy hotel? This isn¡¯t a misunderstanding, right? They don¡¯t have us confused with some other people?¡±


    ¡°Oh, er¡­ it¡¯s fine! Actually, our family knows some people in the hotel business, so we get a big discount.¡±


    ¡°All right¡­¡±


    Lillia seemed to buy Treize¡¯s panicked lie. Treize continued.


    ¡°I just wanted to surprise you. Allison knows too, and she agreed with the price. So don¡¯t worry about it.¡±


    ¡°As long as Mom¡¯s okay with it.¡± Lillia said, and looked around the lobby. Treize breathed a sigh of relief. The bellboy waited behind them, his expression nk.


    Lillia and Treize were led into a simple yet elegant suite. And once the bellboy bowed and left¡ª


    ¡°Amazing!¡± Lillia cried, raising her arms into the air. Treize froze for a moment before replying.


    ¡°What is? Er, wait. Yeah. It¡¯s a great suite.¡±


    ¡°Who¡¯d have thought I¡¯d ever get to stay in such a fancy ce?¡±


    ¡°Are you happy?¡± Treize asked hopefully as Lillia basked in the atmosphere. She turned and beamed.


    ¡°Of course I am! I don¡¯t mind home, but sometimes you want to stay in a cushy ce like this. This is really incredible.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m d you like it.¡± Treize replied, smiling.


    ¡°It kind of feels like I¡¯m a princess.¡±


    His smile faded.


    ¡°Who knows? ¡­But I think a real princess or a prince would have a lot to struggle with. Yeah.¡±


    ¡°Maybe. It¡¯s great to be amoner!¡±


    Watching Lillia skip around the suite, Treize muttered to himself.


    ¡°It sure is.¡±


    Afterwards, Lillia and Treize decided on their rooms. But Lillia quickly asked to switch.


    ¡°I like this one better after all. Can we trade?¡±


    ¡°How¡¯s this one better?¡±


    ¡°The view. I like how it faces west. The sunsets must be spectacr.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    So Treize had no choice but to switch rooms.


    First, they unpacked and each showered in their own bathrooms. Treize took in the view from the living room as he waited endlessly for Lillia toe out of her room.


    Eventually, Lillia came outside. They had both changed out of the clothes they traveled in. Lillia had switched from her skort to afortable pair of cotton pants. Treize had switched his long boots for ankle-high hiking boots, but his clothing did not look much different from before.


    ¡°¡­Did you change?¡±


    ¡°I have multiples of the same clothes. It¡¯s nice to not worry about what I have to wear.¡±


    ¡°¡­I see.¡±


    For breakfast, they headed for the restaurant on the first floor of the hotel. They would leave to sightsee immediately afterwards, so Lillia was carrying a small bag and Treize had his belt pack.


    ¡°Is that all you¡¯re taking?¡± Lillia asked. Instead of his usual leather jacket, Treize was holding a light cotton jacket.


    ¡°Yeah. We just need our wallets, right?¡±


    ¡°I guess that¡¯s the perfect outfit for being my souvenir-carrier.¡±


    ¡°Wait, you¡¯re going to start shopping on day one? I think we¡¯ll have more than enough time on thest day.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m the type of girl who has to take care of all her responsibilities first.¡±


    ¡°What about your homework?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s a different story. It¡¯s not a good idea to apply the same standards to everything.¡±


    ¡°Of course, Mdy.¡±


    At the restaurant, they were led to their seats by a waiter. On the table were clearly-expensive silverware and delicate-looking sses.


    Soon, other guests entered the restaurant as well. Lillia¡¯s excitement at their high-ss breakfast was dampened by the sight of so many patrons in middle age orter, dressed in fancy clothes. She whispered to Treize.


    ¡°Hey, Treize¡­ don¡¯t we stick out like a sore thumb?¡±


    ¡°Just act cool.¡± Treize replied without looking at her, focused on tearing off a piece of bread and buttering the surface.


    ¡°Yeah, but¡­¡±


    After the bread, Treize savored a sip of his carbonated water,plete with ice and lemon slice.


    ¡°Treize, are you by any chance from a rich family?¡±


    ¡°What? Wh-where¡¯d thate from?¡± Treize asked, putting down his ss.


    ¡°You just look so used to ces like this. You¡¯re really good at using all this silverware, and¡­ you look really convincing.¡±


    ¡°¡­It¡¯s all about confidence.¡± Treize said, after a moment of thought. Lillia was clearly displeased.


    ¡°What, you mean I¡¯m being too shy?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t mean it like that. I¡¯m just saying that as long as you have confidence, everyone will think we¡¯re rich people, too. It¡¯s the same at your school, right?¡±


    ¡°I guess. Everyone at the secondary school is rich. I mean, we¡¯re not poor, but they¡¯re just on a different level.¡±


    ¡°But no one says anything as long as you¡¯re a confident student, right? It¡¯s the same thing here.¡±


    ¡°Hmph. Anyway, where¡¯d you learn your table manners? Your parents?¡±


    ¡°Nah, my parents don¡¯t really care about that stuff. I learned from all the uncles and aunties near the vige. They¡¯re really strict people.¡±


    ¡°Huh.¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s nothing good about it, really. I¡¯d love to just squirt ketchup onto my fries and eat them with my hands.¡±


    ¡°Whoa¡­ hey, I¡¯m not a barbarian like you.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re the one who brought it up, Lillia.¡±


    ¡°Just kidding. Heh heh.¡±


    Excited for the trip, they shared a meal and conversation at the expensive restaurant.


    Lartika wasid arranged like a grid. Every building was of a uniform color and style, and the streets were perfectly straight. Arge canal ran through the center of every major street. Over the smaller, branching canals were stone arch bridges.


    The roads were covered in stones worn smooth. There wasn¡¯t a single gasoline-powered car in sight in the city, only small electric cars. Gonds and small boats made up the majority of transportation, and stairs leading down to the canals were everywhere.


    At a wide street lined with apartments, Treize unfolded a veryrge map. It was the tourist¡¯s guide he had picked up at the hotel.


    ¡°Let¡¯s see¡­ Streets with canals that are wide enough for motorized boats are given numbers. East-west streets have odd numbers, starting from the north, and north-south streets have even numbers, starting from the east. Right now, we¡¯re on the southwest corner of 13 and 8. And that number at the end is probably the building number. This is a really easy system to learn. It¡¯s a world away from thebyrinths in Ikstova.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re going to fall into a canal if you don¡¯t take your eyes off that map.¡± Lillia warned from behind.


    The sun had risen quite high as they walked. Behind them was the hotel, from where they had been seen courteously seen off. The hotel had offered to assign them a private tour guide, but they refused.


    Treize stopped and scrutinized the map.


    ¡°I expected nothing less from a tourist destination. There¡¯s so much to see in this range alone.¡±


    Lillia peered over.


    ¡°Over here¡¯s an art gallery. Next to that is a history museum. There¡¯s a big stage here for performances. They have fishing ports in the north and west, and there¡¯s a street full of eateries next to them. Over there¡¯s a marketce for souvenirs. And there are piers everywhere.¡± Treize exined, pointing out ces on the map. ¡°They even marked out ces of historic interest and facilities where you can tour buildings. There are docks for gonds everywhere, and the wider canals have motorboat buses. They charge per person per block. And I don¡¯t see anything that looks like an overpriced tourist trap around here.¡± He said, excited.


    ¡°¡­¡±


    But unlike Treize, Lillia just looked around dubiously. Treize quickly noticed her state.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡±


    ¡°Huh? No, well¡­¡± Lillia said doubtfully. ¡°Isn¡¯t it a little¡­ quiet around here?¡±


    ¡°Now that you mention it¡­¡±


    Realizing what she meant, Treize looked around as well. The apartments lined by the hotel generally reserved their ground floors for businesses, but most of them were closed. There were very few people walking along the streets, and they saw almost no gonds on the canals.


    ¡°I swear I saw more tourists than this when I saw Lartika on the news as a kid. This doesn¡¯t make sense. It¡¯s summertime.¡± Lillia said. ¡°I saw this ce on a color television about ten years ago. The city looks the same but there were a lot more people around, and I couldn¡¯t even count all the gonds on the canals. There were open-air stalls on every street, too. It was more lively than this.¡±


    ¡°You think maybe the captain made a mistake?¡± Treize joked, but Lillia was silent. ¡°¡­Let¡¯s look around a bit more. There¡¯s a street full of souvenir stands just two blocks ahead. Wanna check it out?¡±


    ¡°You think maybe the captain made a mistake?¡± Treize joked, but Lillia was silent. ¡°¡­Let¡¯s look around a bit more. There¡¯s a street full of souvenir stands just two blocks ahead. Wanna check it out?¡±


    This time, Lillia nodded.


    ¡°This way.¡±


    She began to walk with Treize.


    ¡°Are you sure this is the ce?¡± Lillia asked.


    ¡°Yep.¡± Treize replied.


    They were standing at a street. It was a mid-sized road with no canal running down the middle. The road was lined with small, square brick buildings reminiscent of workshops or warehouses. The first floor of every building was a business. Sunshades and signs lined the walls. There was a sign that read, ¡®Western Souvenir Street¡¯.


    ¡°It¡¯s quiet.¡±


    ¡°I wonder if they¡¯ve already closed for the day.¡±


    Lillia and Treize mumbled. This street as well was noticeably lethargic. The shutters were closed on about half the businesses. Although there were some open-air cafes by the street, there weren¡¯t more than one or two people in the seats. There were some tourists around, but not many.


    ¡°W-well, it¡¯s still morning. And it¡¯s just the start of summer break, too.¡± Treize theorized in vain as Lillia remained silent.


    Eventually, she began to walk. Treize followed.


    After briefly examining a show window, Lillia began to walk again. There was a signbeled ¡®Closing soon¡¯ on the door of a wooden doll workshop she was interested in.


    ¡°¡­¡±


    She began to walk again. Treize quietly followed.


    After looking at about a dozen stores, Lillia finally entered one souvenir shop. It sold cups, tes, small brooches, and other ceramic trinkets. The store was open.


    ¡°Oh my! Wee, wee.¡±


    The bell on the door chimed; a woman in her mid-forties looked up and greeted the two with a smile. The store was stuffed full of souvenirs.


    ¡°Can we take a look?¡±


    ¡°Be my guest. Take your time.¡±


    Lillia looked a little happier as the shopkeeper described the products to her. Treize shrugged lightly.


    Eventually, Lillia decided on what she wanted to buy¡ªsome small essories like brooches, pins, and badges. She put them in a wisteria-weave basket and took them to the counter. She paid the shopkeeper, who put the souvenirs in a paper bag, and received her change.


    ¡°Thank you. It¡¯s been a while since Ist had customers¡ªand a youngdy, to boot. Please,e again.¡±


    ¡°¡­Er, I have a question. Are there not as many people here as before?¡±


    The shopkeeper nodded many times.


    ¡°That¡¯s right. We used to get so many more tourists.¡±


    And as if on cue, she began to exin passionately about the state of the city.


    That she had been doing business for over thirty years now, but the number of visitors began to drop around the time the war with Sou Be-Il came to an end. That the drop became even more pronounced in the past ten years. That locals suspected the aerone industry, which enabled people from the Capital District to travel further.


    ¡°There¡¯s another reason, actually. Iks.¡±


    Treize looked up. He silently turned his gaze from the tes on the wall to the two women.


    ¡°You two are from the Capital District, yes? Isn¡¯t Iks the most popr destination now?¡±


    ¡°Well¡­ probably.¡± Lillia replied. She had visited Iks almost every year since she was old enough to remember, and was almost sick of it.


    ¡°People used toe to Lartika before. But Now it¡¯s all about Iks. Everyone¡¯s off to Iks. Apparently it¡¯s the mountains. After it took first ce in a poll, Iks only became more famous and drained Lartika¡¯s poprity. That¡¯s what everyone says. That Iks is stealing our tourists. Did you know? Before Iks came into the spotlight, half the Confederation¡¯s tourism budget went to Lartika. But we lost most of it because Queen What¡¯s-her-name of Iks is so young and beautiful.¡±


    Treize quietly listened to the shopkeeperining to Lillia.


    ¡°Tolcasia isn¡¯t a very fertile country. All we have is akeshore lined with trees you can barely use for firewood. Our agricultural and fishing industries aren¡¯t very profitable, either. That¡¯s why children from poorer families have alwayse to Lartika to make money. They¡¯d work in a souvenir workshop or do porter work. Their cheapbor was what sustained the city. Children from slums by thekeshore can¡¯t even afford the ferry, so they make boats of their own or swim to Lartika clinging to driftwood.¡±


    ¡°I see¡­¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s how desperate they are for money. There were some jobs for them, at least, back when our tourism industry was flourishing. But now that the tourists are gone, those children can¡¯t find a job anywhere. Some resort to pickpocketing or mugging just to survive. Even if they¡¯re caught and sent back where they came from, theye back. But the politicians in the Capital District won¡¯t do a thing to help us.¡±


    ¡°I had no idea¡­¡± Lillia said, upset.


    ¡°Oh dear. I didn¡¯t mean to sound like I was ming you two. Please cheer up. You came all the way to visit Lartika, and you even gave me some business. You have no idea how grateful I am. I¡¯m so sorry if I offended you.¡± The talkative shopkeeper said.


    ¡°No, not at all. I¡¯m d I got to understand the situation a little better.¡±


    ¡°Please,e again.¡±


    ¡°Thank you. Have a good day.¡± Lillia said, and turned. Treize nodded lightly at the shopkeeper.


    ¡°Thank you.¡±


    With the shopkeeper¡¯s voice behind them, Lillia and Treize stepped out into the street. It was still as empty as ever¡ªthe city did not look like a tourist destination during vacation season.


    The moment Treize began to walk,


    ¡°What a talkativedy.¡± Lillia said brightly from behind him.


    ¡°¡­¡±


    But Treize did not answer.


    ¡°Hmph.¡±


    Lillia lightly kicked him in the rear.


    ¡°Whoa! What¡¯re you doing?¡± Treize stumbled, turning around.


    ¡°Don¡¯t start moping like that! I bet you¡¯re ming yourself right now, am I right?¡±


    ¡°Ah¡ª¡­yeah.¡±


    Shocked, Treize nodded slightly.


    ¡°Do you have any idea how worried I was that you¡¯d apologize to thedy while we were in there?¡±


    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t¡ª¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about it! It¡¯s not your fault. Iks is such a popr ce because the queen and the people worked so hard for it. I grew up seeing that with my own two eyes.¡±


    Lillia pointed at Treize. She seemed to have gotten back her energy¡ªshe was almost back to her usual self. Treize smiled.


    ¡°All right. I got it.¡±


    ¡°Good!¡±


    ¡°Where to next? More shopping?¡±


    ¡°Of course. I¡¯m going to try and do all my shopping today. Let¡¯s go find some scarves.¡± Lillia replied, walking off again.


    ¡°All right. Let¡¯s go.¡±


    It was almost noon, and shadows were almost disappearing underfoot.


    ¡°This should be about enough. I checked off everything on my list. I think I have everything.¡± Lillia said, cing her hands on her hips.


    ¡°I can¡¯t carry any more anyway¡­¡± Treize replied, five paper bags hanging from his right arm, four from his left arm, and threerge boxes on top of his arms. They were walking down a narrow alleyway that had no canal. With no windows on the walls around them, it was like walking through a little valley.


    ¡°Whoa¡­¡±


    Treize narrowly caught the top box with his chin as it began to slide away. A droplet of sweat ran down his forehead.


    ¡°Don¡¯tin. We¡¯re going back to the hotel now.¡±


    ¡°Okay. But before that¡­ did you notice?¡±


    Lillia nodded slightly. And she continued to walk slowly as she replied.


    ¡°The kid that¡¯s following us.¡±


    ¡°Yeah. And I get the feeling he¡¯s not here to help me with the souvenirs.¡±


    A small figure stirred in the street corner, about twenty meters behind Treize. The child was about ten years old. He was wearing a messy brown shirt and long ck pants. Under his short-billed cap his eyes glinted as he stared at Lillia and Treize.


    ¡°You think he¡¯s a pickpocket?¡±


    ¡°Probably. We¡¯re in a deserted alley now, so I think he might make a move soon.¡±


    ¡°Even if he does¡­ I¡¯m sure you¡¯ll manage, Treize.¡±


    ¡°With all this stuff in my arms? I can toss it all and chase away the kid, but you¡¯re gonna lose at least a couple of things if I do that.¡±


    ¡°No way. I can¡¯t just go up to my friends and tell them, ¡®Sorry, the souvenirs I bought for you got stolen¡¯.¡±


    ¡°No.¡±


    ¡°And how could I tell them that the guy I went on vacation with ended up being totally useless?¡±


    ¡°By that, you mean me.¡±


    ¡°If you let the kid do what he wants, yeah.¡±


    ¡°That won¡¯t do. Then what? Should I take out a gun and fire warning shots? I¡¯d run if I were him.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s a good idea. But you don¡¯t have a gun, do you?¡±


    ¡°Then how about I warn him, ¡®You¡¯d better not make this girl mad. She¡¯s got a pretty horrifying violent streak¡¯.¡±


    ¡°¡­Are you asking me to kick you again?¡±


    ¡°Can we run?¡±


    ¡°No.¡±


    ¡°Then¡­¡±


    They continued to discuss ideas as they walked down the alley. The buildings seemed to end a little further ahead, but it was hard to see what was in the light beyond.


    The boy came out from behind the corner and quickly walked up to them.


    ¡°He¡¯s here. Do something.¡±


    ¡°Like what¡­?¡±


    Lillia stopped. Treize stopped as well, and caught the sliding boxes again.


    Turning, Lillia red at the child. He came up to them anyway. There were now only ten meters between them.


    ¡°Hey, where¡¯re you two going? There¡¯s nothing there that way.¡± Said the child.


    ¡°Huh?¡± Lillia gaped.


    ¡°There¡¯s nothing but theke out there. I¡¯ve been watching you for a bit. Where are you trying to go, anyway?¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    Lillia and Treize exchanged nces. Then they looked at the child.


    ¡°What do you mean?¡±


    At the end of the alleyway, obscured by the light, was theke. The edge of the buildings were also the edge of the city andnd. Lillia and the boy stood there.


    ¡°You were right.¡±


    ¡°I followed you ¡®cause I was wondering why you¡¯d go this way.¡± The boy said.


    ¡°I see. Thank you.¡± Lillia replied, going back down the alleyway with him. Treize was waiting with all her souvenirs.


    ¡°Did we make a wrong turn?¡±


    ¡°Completely. This is the northern edge of town.¡± Lillia said, and turned to the boy.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry. We were scared that you were going to do something bad.¡±


    ¡°What? Like pickpocketing?¡±


    ¡°Well¡­ yeah.¡±


    ¡°I would never!¡± The boy said angrily. Lillia apologized again.


    ¡°We know now. We¡¯re really sorry.¡±


    ¡°I mean, I found out that doing stuff like that isn¡¯t worth the effort.¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°Pickpocketing, I mean. If the city police catches you, you¡¯ll be locked up for three days. And then they kick you out of Lartika. It¡¯s just not worth it.¡±


    ¡°Which means you must have tried it before.¡± Treize said snidely. The boy ignored him.


    ¡°Anyway, I gave up on doing stuff that¡¯ll get me arrested. From now on, I¡¯m using my brains. You two should hire me! Just give me a bit of money, and I¡¯ll show you around! I¡¯ll introduce you to all the best restaurants!¡±


    The boy looked up expectantly at Lillia. She stared back. Then she turned to Treize.


    ¡°What do we do?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s up to you. Although I, for one, wee the chance to finally get to the hotel without another wrong turn.¡±


    The boy asked Lillia for the name of the hotel. When Lillia told him, his eyes turned to dinner tes.


    ¡°Wow. That¡¯s a really fancy ce, y¡¯know. Guess you can¡¯t judge a book by its cover.¡±


    Then, the boy offered them a price for guiding them that distance.


    ¡°Hm¡­ all right. Better than getting lost again.¡±


    ¡°All right! Negotiationplete!¡± The boy cheered.


    ¡°But we¡¯re not paying you until we reach the hotel.¡±


    ¡°Tch. Talk about cheap. So I can¡¯t just take the money and run.¡±


    ¡°Is that what you were nning?¡± Treize groaned. Lillia ignored him.


    ¡°Let¡¯s get going before my friend gets ttened under the souvenirs.¡±


    ¡°My name is Lillia. This is Treize. What¡¯s your name?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s my personal policy to never tell passing acquaintances my name. ¡®Cause that makes it sadder when we say goodbye, you know? So I¡¯m not gonna call your names, either. I¡¯m just gonna call you big bro and big sis.¡±


    ¡°Talk about cheeky. Looks like Lillia¡¯s gonna have to teach you a lesson.¡±


    ¡°Quiet, Treize. All right, then. You can tell us your name when you feel like it.¡±


    ¡°If I feel like it.¡±


    Guided by the boy, Lillia and Treize passed through alleyways and crossed bridges to finally reach the hotel. They never had to take a major numbered street. They must have cut through the shortest distance possible.


    ¡°What do you think?¡± The boy said proudly.


    ¡°That was amazing. You¡¯re really good.¡± Lillia praised him.


    ¡°All right. Where¡¯s my pay?¡±


    ¡°You did a good job. I¡¯ll keep my end of the bargain¡ª¡±


    ¡°Feel free to give me a tip, too.¡±


    ¡°A tip? I¡¯m surprised someone your age knows about that stuff. Here you are.¡±


    ¡°Tch.¡±


    From her purse, Lillia took out a single coin marked with a leaf. But just as she held it out to the boy¡ª


    From her purse, Lillia took out a single coin marked with a leaf. But just as she held it out to the boy¡ª


    ¡°Hey, you!¡± Someone roared.


    ¡°Whoa.¡±


    ¡°The boy snatched the coin from Lillia and bolted. Then came the screech of a whistle.


    ¡°Hold it right there!¡±


    The voices belonged to police officers dressed in dark blue uniforms. There were two of them, both in their thirties¡ªand both passed by Lillia and Treize and chased down the boy.


    ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡±


    ¡°Who knows?¡±


    As Lillia and Treize(still carrying an armful of souvenirs) watched, the officers caught the boy. One of them grabbed the struggling boy by the back of the cor.


    ¡°Hold still!¡±


    ¡°Let me go! I didn¡¯t do anything!¡±


    One of the officers dragged the screaming boy to Lillia. The other spoke.


    ¡°This boy just stole your money, didn¡¯t he, Miss?¡±


    Lillia immediately shook her head.


    ¡°No. He just showed us how to get here, so I wanted topensate him. It¡¯s proper payment.¡±


    ¡°Yeah! It¡¯s all proper!¡±


    The officer ignored the boy.


    ¡°That is illegal, I¡¯m afraid.¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°In this city, it is illegal to give directions or introduce lodgings for pay unless you are an officially registered city guide. And there¡¯s no way a child like this could be a guide. He shouldn¡¯t be charging money for his services.¡±


    ¡°But he still helped us out.¡± Lillia pointed out, but the officer¡¯s reply was final.


    ¡°That may be true. But if we let this one slide, countless children from nearby viges will flock here and do exactly what this boy just did. We already have a surplus of children from other towns mugging and pickpocketing from tourists. What if those children extort money from tourists, or if they fail to find work and end up turning to worse crimes? That would make the city less safe for tourists, when we¡¯re already hard pressed for visitors.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    Lillia could say nothing. The officer forced the boy¡¯s hand open and took back the coin.


    ¡°This belongs to you.¡± He said, handing the coin to Lillia. She took it, astonished.


    ¡°Enjoy your stay, then.¡±


    As the officers left with the boy in tow, Lillia stopped them.


    ¡°Wait. What are you going to do with him?¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ll send him back home if possible, but¡ª¡±


    ¡°As if! I don¡¯t have a home! We were so poor my parents had to kick me out!¡± The boy howled. Sympathy rose to the officers¡¯ eyes, then disappeared. One of them spoke in a mechanical tone.


    ¡°As for children who have nowhere to return, we send them to a facility in a vige a little further from here.¡±


    ¡°What?! What facility?!¡±


    The other officer scolded the boy, telling him to quiet down, and took him away. The remaining officer exined.


    ¡°It¡¯s a facility where children are supported until they can be independent. It provides afortable living environment and education to children who cannot go to school, and helps them find job opportunities in bigger cities, like the Capital District.¡±


    ¡°Is that facility¡­ all right?¡± Lillia asked. The officer nodded.


    ¡°Of course. It¡¯s been in operation for twenty years now¡ªa man we call ¡®Master¡¯ worked very hard to start the facility by himself. There are more kids there these days because Lartika¡¯s tourism industry¡¯s in a bit of a slump, but¡­ please try to understand. We¡¯re doing what we can, as well.¡±


    ¡°I see¡­¡±


    ¡°If you¡¯ll excuse me. Please, enjoy your stay.¡±


    The officer departed.


    ¡°¡­¡±


    Lillia said nothing, staring at the coin in her hand before stuffing it into her jacket.


    Lillia and Treize were at the hotel restaurant. Just like at breakfast, they sat at a fancy table with polished silverware and sses before them, and were dressed in casual outfits while surrounded by adults in formal clothes.


    They dug in as though all of that waspletely normal. Lillia ordered fish meuni¨¨re and sd, and Treize ordered beef cutlet and minestrone soup. They were both served with bread.


    ¡°Phew.¡±


    Polishing off her te with incredible speed, Lillia took a sip of water and mmed her ss on the table.


    ¡°¡­Are you trying to eat away your frustration?¡± Treize wondered, hand stopping partway through silent sips of his soup.


    ¡°No.¡± Lillia said brusquely.


    ¡°All right, then.¡±


    Eventually, Treize finished as well. The waiter brought them dessert. Vani ice cream and cranberry ice cream served in beautiful ss bowls. Mint leaves and small biscuits were stuck in the scoops.


    ¡°¡­This, too.¡± Lillia said, taking a spoonful. ¡°This is gonna help the city¡¯s economy, right?¡±


    ¡°Yeah.¡± Treize replied, scooping ice cream into his mouth. ¡°This is good.¡±


    ¡°Say, Treize?¡±


    ¡°Hm?¡±


    Lillia drew zigzags in her ice cream with the tip of her spoon, not looking at Treize.


    ¡°I feel like I¡¯m in the wrong city.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    Treize waited for the ice cream to melt in his mouth before he spoke.


    ¡°It¡¯s not your fault, Lillia.¡±


    ¡°I know.¡± Lillia replied immediately.


    ¡°¡­¡±


    Treize put down his spoon.


    ¡°Now that we¡¯ve gotten the shopping over with, do you want to go somewhere else? My motorcycle¡¯s back in Bren, so we can go wherever you want.¡±


    Lillia looked up, a little surprised.


    ¡°Is that why you brought it?¡±


    ¡°No, but¡­¡± Treize shook his head.


    ¡°Forget Lartika and go camping, you mean?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m kidding. We still have ces to see here, right?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll think about it.¡±


    ¡°Anyway, for now¡ª¡±


    ¡°Yeah?¡±


    ¡°¡ªlet¡¯s finish the ice cream before it melts.¡±


    ¡°Yeah. Everything they serve here is really good.¡± Lillia mumbled, taking another spoonful. ¡°It really is.¡±


    -----

 Volume 1 3 — Tour Planes and Fighter Planes

    <h4>Volume 1 Chapter 3: Tour nes and Fighter nes</h4>


    -----


    <Yes, this is the Enterhail 4th Farm Machinery Factory. This factory ceased operationsst year and is currently closed. We only take telephone enquiries. How can I help you?>


    <I know that the factory has ceased operations. I¡¯m just calling to get the local weather forecast. What will the weather be like from tomorrow afternoon to evening?>


    <I¡¯m afraid I can¡¯t answer that question. Perhaps you should give the local newspaper a call. Do you have any other business?>


    <Grapes on the left. 9399 of 87. 553. The firewood has been stacked in the backyard. The fox is not nearby.>


    <¡ªConfirmed. This is a top-secret line. This is the 2nd Special Flight Test Center in Sector 4 of the Roxcheanuk Confederation Air Force. State your name.>


    <Major Watts of the Air Force Intelligence department. Please connect me to Captain Allison Schultz, who is currently staying at the base as a test pilot.>


    <One moment, please. ¡ªCaptain Schultz had an early-morning test flight session and is currently asleep. Would you like to leave a message?>


    <I¡¯d like to speak to her in person. Please wake her at once.>


    <One moment, please.>


    <Hello? This is Master Sergeant Maggie Eatner, assistant to Captain Schultz. The captain is currently resting in the lounge.>


    <I understand. Could you wake her?>


    <But¡­>


    <This is an emergency. Please wake her at once.>


    <But it might take some time¡­>


    <I understand that it might be difficult to wake her. The beds in the lounge are foldable, correct? Copse the back in one go. And run as fast as you can to take cover, Master Sergeant. Captain Schultz will be awake within the minute.>


    <What? Er¡­ yes, of course. Force her awake, huh¡­ man, I hate my job¡­>


    <I can hear you, Master Sergeant.>


    <Yes! This is Captain Schultz. Who¡¯s calling? Apologies, but I only just woke up and forgot your name.>


    <Allison. It¡¯s me.>


    <Huh? Wi- er, oh! Excuse me, sir! It¡¯s been a while!>


    <I¡¯m calling from the Sou Be-Il embassy. This line is safe.>


    <Is that so, sir? Please excuse me!>


    <I have urgent matters to discuss. It¡¯s about thedy and the ¡®prince¡¯.>


    <Yes, sir?>


    <Listen carefully to what I say.>


    <Then shall I call back from my end, sir?>


    <I see. So that¡¯s the sinister plot, huh. And by Lartika, of all ces. This isn¡¯t good.>


    <I¡¯m in charge of the cleanup, so you don¡¯t have to worry. But there¡¯s something I need you to do. I think you¡¯ll be able to intercept their radiomunications. Keep an ear out, and if anything happens, contact Roxche¡¯s intelligence department. I want to keep those two out of the plot at all costs.>


    <All right. I¡¯ll warn them if I hear anything. And I¡¯ll call those two tonight at the hotel.>


    <I¡¯m counting on you. Just make sure they don¡¯t board any aerones while they¡¯re there.>


    <Aerones, huh. I think they¡¯ll be fine. I mean, why would they spend all that money when they both grew up flying to their hearts¡¯ content?>


    <I hope you¡¯re right¡­>


    <I understand that you¡¯re worried, but did you seriously call just to tell me that? You called me on a secure line and all¡­>


    <Oh, and there¡¯s something else.>


    <Yeah!>


    <If we need support, the Roxche Air Force might send a request to your base. It¡¯s the closest one to the area with a unit under directmand.>


    <Huh? Oh, that. All right, all right. Gotta follow orders and bring home the bacon. Hmph.>


    <Sorry, Allison. But I¡¯m d you¡¯re there.>


    <Sure, sure. I¡¯d love to chat, but you have to get going, right?>


    <Yeah. I have to go soon.>


    <All right. I¡¯m going back to bed. See youter.>


    <And onest thing¡­>


    <Hm?>


    <I love you so much, Allison.>


    * * *


    Just as Allison hopped around the empty room in glee¡ª


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    Lillia and Treize were looking up at a sign.


    It was afternoon. The bright sunlight was shining on a south-facing sign.


    Painted inrge print on the 3-meter sign were the words: ¡®You too can be a pilot! Go on a tour flight.¡¯


    Underneath were the words,


    ¡®Take a walk in the air on one of our floatnes! The seats are open to the air, just like a convertible. Feel the wind in your hair as you look down at Lartika from above! We rent flight suits, hats, and goggles. Up to two passengers per ne. This business is part of Lartika¡¯s Public Tourism Department. We also offer photography services(additional fees apply).¡¯


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    Lillia and Treize silently stared at the sign.


    The sign was on the corner of a prominent intersection. They had left the hotel after lunch to see more of the city, leaving the souvenirs in the suite and carrying just a small bag and a belt pack respectively.


    Treize turned to Lillia. Lillia met his gaze.


    ¡°Wanna try?¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ¡°Well?¡±


    ¡°Lillia¡­¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re thinking what I¡¯m thinking, right?¡±


    ¡°¡­Say it. What?¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re both thinking, ¡®It¡¯s no fun to be on an aerone if I¡¯m not piloting it. Do we really have to pay so much money to take the back seat? But it¡¯s been a while since thest time I flew, so I guess it might be nice¡¯.¡±


    ¡°¡­Yeah. Exactly.¡± Lillia replied. Treize thought for a moment.


    ¡°I don¡¯t mind trying it out.¡±


    ¡°You ¡®don¡¯t mind¡¯? So you don¡¯t mind if we don¡¯t, either?¡± Lillia asked, looking into Treize¡¯s face.


    ¡°No, well, I do want to try it. Er¡­ I actually really want to. If we¡¯re not too pressed for time¡­ wanna give it a shot, Lillia?¡±


    ¡°I guess I don¡¯t have a choice. I¡¯ll go with you. Normally, I¡¯d never pay money to sit in the back, but I¡¯ll show you that I can be considerate to my travelingpanion sometimes.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s an honor, Mdy.¡±


    ¡°But¡­¡±


    ¡°But?¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re not going on the tour if the pilot and the ne aren¡¯t good enough. If the ne¡¯s too old, or if the pilot¡¯s not that good, for example.¡±


    ¡°I feel the same way. Let¡¯s get going. Which way?¡±


    Lillia read out the numbers written on the sign and asked Treize for the location.


    And just as Treize took out the map and opened it,


    ¡°Give it here.¡±


    Lillia became impatient and snatched it out of his hands.


    Lillia and Treize took a water taxi to the wharf on the western side of town.


    It was a port where boats headed for a vige to the southwest of theke were moored. The floatne tour hangar was supposed to be just north of the area, said the map and the signs with pointed arrows in the wharf area.


    Lillia and Treize walked down a street where they could see the horizon to their left. Past the railings, just a meter underneath, was theke¡¯s surface. To their right were lined warehouses marked with numbers. They were massive, at over thirty meters wide.


    ¡°Warehouse 8.¡±


    ¡°I know.¡±


    Warehouse 8 was where they came to a stop. It was the only warehouse with no railings in front of it, and there was a gentle slope down from the warehouse to theke. Two lines with cog-like teeth ran along the ramp. At the edge of the railings was a long pole from which hung a g, used to tell wind direction. It was fluttering from west to south.


    On the door by the warehouse was a small sign that read, ¡®Tour ne hangar¡¯.


    Treize and Lillia exchanged nces, nodded, and knocked.


    ¡°Excuse us. We¡¯d like to try a tour flight.¡±


    They could hear someone thundering over. The door quickly opened.


    ¡°It¡¯s been a while since I had customers. Come in,e in!¡±


    Opening the door was a kindly-looking man in his fifties. He was slightly plump and had short hair, and was dressed in a grey flight suit. The top of his suit was undone and wrapped around his waist, exposing his tank top and chest hair.


    ¡°Hello¡­¡± Lillia said, taken slightly aback.


    ¡°Ah. Sorry, Miss.¡± The man apologized, and put on his suit properly. He then introduced himself as Mateo and led Lillia and Treize inside.


    Through the door was a room built inside the warehouse. The walls and ceiling were made of white plywood, and there was a naked lightbulb hanging from the ceiling. In the middle of the room were sofas and a table like a lounge, and there was a desk in the corner with a half-finished cup of juice on top. There were blinds covering the few windows, and there was one other door on the opposite end of the room.


    ¡°Come on in. We have to talk before we start anything.¡±


    ¡°Thank you. Where is the floatne? Is it through there?¡±


    ¡°Yeah. It was raining so hard yesterday I had to bring her in. Let me show you.¡±


    Mateo reached for one of the blinds, but stopped and went over to the door instead. He opened it and gestured over his excited customers.


    Lillia and Treize stepped through the door. The warehouse interior was cool. The lightbulbs hanging from the scaffolding overhead came to life, one after another.


    Inside the warehouse was a ne.


    ¡°A floatne! This is cool. So we get to ride on one of these?¡± Lillia wondered.


    A floatne differed from a seane in that there were pontoons underneath the fusge. Seanes used the fusge itself for buoyancy.


    The floatne was about 10 meters long, and the pontoons were mounted on carts so the ne could move onnd. The cart, the pontoons, and the support stand underneath. The fusge at the top was quite high in the air.


    On the ne¡¯s sharp nose was a four-ded propeller. Being a bine, the craft had wings atop and under the fusge, and the wings were just behind the engine. The upper wing was positioned slightly closer to the front, and there were three seats. Each seat was covered only by a simple windshield, leaving the passengers and pilots exposed from the shoulders up.


    The tops of the wings, the fusge, and the pontoons were painted a dark green. The undersides were white. On the sides of the fusge was the emblem of the Roxchean military, the Spear of Seron. The emblems were peeling slightly. On the fin was the name of the city, Lartika.


    ¡°She¡¯s a real beauty, eh? This is the ne we use.¡± Mateo said proudly. He, Lillia, and Treize looked up at the ne.


    ¡°She used to be an over-water scouter craft in the Air Force until not too long ago. She can even make long-distance flights. A real hardy girl, her.¡±


    ¡°Are you from the Air Force?¡± Lillia asked. Mateo nodded.


    ¡°Sure. Used to pilot scouter crafts back in the day. I flew the old girl over the North Sea to keep an eye out on Sou Be-Il ships. Sometimes the weather was lethal and sometimes it was freezing; but for some reason, even when things got dicey, it felt like I¡¯d be able to pull through so long as she was with me. Which is exactly what happened. All thanks to her.¡± Mateo said, lightly tapping on the metal pontoons.


    ¡°Did you leave because they downsized the military?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re a clever one, Missy. A few years after the war ended, the military suddenly said they didn¡¯t need me. I¡¯d been flying ever since I first entered the Air Force¡ªI was a little sad to think I¡¯d never fly an aerone again. I came back home to Tolcasia and worked thend for a while. But suddenly, the city started up this aerone tour business and hired me. I was floored when I saw the old girl floating on theke! I was so moved, I started crying. Me and her both, we were kicked out of the military and ended up here. But now we take rxing strolls in the air to give people tours. Better than anything I could have asked for.¡±


    Lillia looked at the emotional Mateo, then met Treize¡¯s eyes. Treize nodded lightly. Lillia did as well.


    ¡°That¡¯s wonderful, Mr. Mateo. Then could you give us a ride today?¡±


    Sitting on a sofa in the lounge, Lillia and Treize listened to Mateo exin about the costs and regtions. The tour was by no means cheap, but Lillia readily paid for it.


    ¡°We¡¯vee this far, so we might as well.¡±


    She also wrote down her name and address in case of emergency. Treize used her address and just put down his given name.


    Then Mateo made a phone call, and several men in work wear ran over and helped pull the floatne out of the warehouse. They slid open the doors, and light hit the fusge.


    Lillia and Treize were handed all kinds of gear¡ªit was all necessary to protect them from the cold. Customer-use one-piece flight suits, leather aviator jackets, aviator hats with built-in headsets, goggles, white mufflers, and gloves. Mateo was about to exin how to put them on, but Lillia and Treize were already putting on the flight suits over their clothes. With practiced hands they finished putting on the suits, secured their sleeves and belt, and put microphones around their necks. Lillia tucked in her hair under her jacket and put on the hat.


    ¡°You two¡¯re old hands at this.¡± Mateo said, pleasantly surprised.


    ¡°That¡¯s right.¡± Lillia replied a little proudly. Treize said nothing, tightening the strap on his goggles.


    Lillia agreed to leave her bag in the lounge, taking only her wallet with her. Treize¡¯s belt pack was still around his waist.


    ¡°Well, let¡¯s climb aboard. The weather¡¯s great today, and there¡¯s no fog or wind. Perfect for flying.¡± Mateo said, also wearing a leather jacket and holding an aviator hat. ¡°I¡¯ll take the cockpit up front. Pick your seats, you two. The back has the better view, since it¡¯s supposed to be formunications.¡±


    Lillia immediately chose the second seat.


    ¡°All right, then.¡±


    Treize epted her decision.


    The fusge was positioned rather high, so it was a 3-meter climb up to the seats. Mateo first climbed up the pontoons and stepped onto the fusge via the steps near the bottom and middle of the ne. Then, he stepped on the lower wing to climb into the cockpit.


    ¡°You sure you won¡¯t need anydders?¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re fine, thank you.¡±


    Lillia also expertly climbed up to the second seat. Treize followed, taking thest seat. Three heads were lined up in a row down the fusge.


    There were sturdy belts on each seat to secure the upants. The men in work wear came up to help Lillia and Treize, but they had already securely fastened themselves in.


    One of the men checked Mateo¡¯s belt in the cockpit and said,


    ¡°All seats checked. Preparationsplete.¡±


    ¡°Haven¡¯t had customers this easy to work with in a while¡­¡± Mateo said to himself.


    It was time to connect the radio. When Lillia and Treize put on their aviator hats, the headphones came right over their ears. If they plugged them into a port by the seat, they couldmunicate with the others on the ne.


    <This is Mateo. Miss Lillia, Mr. Treize, can you hear me?> Mateo asked courteously.


    <All clear.>


    <All clear.>


    Lillia and Treize replied immediately.


    <Excellent.>


    Working the control stick between his knees and the pedals underneath, Mateo adjusted the rudders on the ne¡¯s wings.


    The ne was in good working condition. Mateo gestured to the men that everything was clear, and pressed the call button.


    <All clear. We¡¯re heading out now. Just to warn you ahead of time, this ne¡¯s going to shake hard enough to hurt your rear. We¡¯re sorry for the inconvenience.>


    <Does it shake when you lift off the water?> Lillia asked.


    <No, when we go down to theke from the ground.> Mateo replied.


    Amidst the screaming of cogs, the fusge shook up and down.


    Loaded on a cart, the floatne slowly emerged from the warehouse and descended the ramp. The lines on the ramp were part of a device that raised and lowered the cart. One of the men was in the warehouse, vigorously turning arge handle.


    The tips of the pontoons touched the water. Soon, the entire fusge was on theke. Two men pushed the ne as hard as they could; the floatne was now three meters from the ramp. It floated alone by the perfectly-cutkeshore by the rows of warehouses.


    <We¡¯re finally off. I can¡¯t wait.> Lillia said.


    <Well, let¡¯s get started.>


    Mateo pressed the ignition switch.


    With the wail of a monstrous bird being strangled, the impingement starter began to move.


    Then came ignition. Unlike with cars, there was nothing to muffle the deafening roar of the engine. The vicinity of the floatne was quickly drowned in noise, and the fusge began to vibrate. At the same time, the propeller began to spin. The ne slowly taxied over the water. The wind from the propeller traveled down the fusge and rushed past Lillia and Treize¡¯s faces.


    Lillia turned to Treize. With the goggles over their eyes, they exchanged smiles, not words.


    The ne slowly slid over the murky water on its pontoons. It turned southward and followed the stone-and-brick shore, maintaining a distance of of about 30 meters.


    <I usually head toward the south harbor when I¡¯m warming up the engine.>


    <In case the engine fails?>


    <No, to advertise to the people waiting for boats. A lot of people are still afraid of flying, you see. Could you give them a friendly wave once we pass by?>


    <Sure.>


    When they drew near the pier, the ne slowly turned to the right. And when the fusge was pointed to the side, Lillia and Treize waved to several people on the pier.


    <Well, we¡¯re off. Don¡¯t touch the control stick or the pedals, Miss.>


    <Got it.>


    Mateo grabbed the throttle lever on the left and pulled it all the way. The roar of the engine grew even louder, sending stronger vibrations through the fusge. A secondter, the ne sped up a notch. All three people onboard were pressed against their seats.


    All Treize could see were the shaking heads of the people in front of him. Because the ne was taxiing over water with the nose slightly raised, he could not see the horizon. Treize turned his head. The reddish-brown city of Lartika was growing smaller behind them.


    The floatne thundered over theke; a spray of water rose from behind the pontoons, and scattered in the propeller winds.


    Then, the pontoons left the water. The spray of water instantly dissipated, and the floatne¡¯s wake shrank behind them. The floatne took to the air, and rose in a gentle arc.


    About 300 meters in the air, Mateo spoke.


    <I¡¯m banking to the left. We¡¯ll be flying over the city.>


    Slowly, the floatne tilted left. And it continued to fly in a wide curve. To the left underneath was Lartika¡ªa reddish-brown box floating on theke. Beyond it was thekeshore and the green earth.


    When they flew out of the turn, Lartika was before them like a massive castle. The floatne ascended and flew over the city. It was sorge that it almost felt like the ne was stopped in midair and Lartika was gliding toward it.


    The engine buzzing, the floatne soared over the reddish-brown city. Its square-and-rectangr blocks slowly passed them by.


    <What do you think? Isn¡¯t Lartika beautiful from up here?> Mateo asked Lillia and Treize, who were both looking down.


    <Yes! It almost looks like a toy made of blocks!>


    <It¡¯s wonderful. I¡¯m really d we took this tour.>


    They replied.


    <Would you like to fly over the city one more time?>


    <Before wend, sure. But I¡¯d like to fly a little higher over theke.>


    <And you, Mr. Treize?>


    <Oh, you can ignore me while we¡¯re on the ne. My opinions don¡¯t matter or something.>


    <All right, then. We¡¯ll fly over theke. I¡¯m banking left again.>


    With that, the aerone tilted far to the left. The nose was pointed at the center of the massiveke, where sunlight shone and scattered.


    2000 meters in the air.


    <There¡¯s really nothing like flying!>


    <You¡¯re right. And judging from what you just said, Miss Lillia, I suppose you and Mr. Treize have been on more than just passenger crafts.>


    Lillia and Mateo were enjoying their conversation. The floatne hummed vibrantly as it soared over a clear view of the entire horizon.


    <That¡¯s right. Although I can¡¯t tell you how.>


    <That¡¯s fine by me. I won¡¯t pry.>


    <So, er. I have a request.>


    <Hm?>


    ¡°That¡¯s why she took the second seat.¡± Treize muttered without holding down the call button. The wind and the noise overpowered his voicepletely, preventing the others from hearing.


    <Could you let me take the controls for a bit?>


    ¡°As if he¡¯d let her.¡± Treize mumbled. But¡ª


    <Sure.> Mateo replied immediately. Treize was bbergasted.


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    <Really?> Lillia asked, surprised.


    <I used to be a flight instructor back in the day. You can tell who¡¯s got experience or not just by having them sit in the back. And you seem like an expert yourself, Miss Lillia. Can your family by any chance afford an aerone? I suppose you got a chance to take the controls in midair then?>


    <Amazing! That¡¯s almost correct.> Lillia replied, honestly awed.


    <And you too, Mr. Treize. Looks to me like you¡¯ve gone flying by yourself before.>


    <That¡¯s correct.> Treize replied.


    Lillia did not, however, exin that she had flown, not a private aircraft, but fighter nes and bombers from the Roxche Air Force.


    <Then I really can, right?>


    <Sure, if it¡¯s just in midair. I¡¯ll take the controls right away if things get dicey. But no fancy aerobatics, you hear? Maintain altitude between 1000 and 1500. And don¡¯t let the throttle lever go into the red when you bank.> Mateo said, and looked back.


    <All right! Thank you! All clear to go.> Lillia smiled, putting her hands on the control stick and her foot over the pedal.


    <Then it¡¯s all yours, Miss Lillia. You¡¯re the pilot now.>


    <Yeah!>


    Lillia flew to her heart¡¯s content over the massiveke. At first, she made wide turns to keep Mateo calm, then returned to level position and circled in the opposite direction.


    <Excellent. Let loose a bit more, if you¡¯d like.>


    Empowered by Mateo¡¯s permission, Lillia made steeper turns and ascended and descended.


    <Man, flying sure is great.>


    <You¡¯re good at this, Miss Lillia. Whoever taught you must be an ace.>


    <Thank you. This ne¡¯s a really sweet girl.> Lillia replied, and banked to the right. The horizon tipped to the left, and they could see sunlight glinting off the water to their right.


    <Wow! This is great!>


    ¡°Lucky¡­¡± Treize mumbled as he listened to Lillia¡¯s cheering from his seat, where there were no controls.


    Once Lillia had her fill of flying, Mateo informed her that they were almost out of time. Lillia thanked him and relinquished the controls. Mateo banked a full 90 degrees into a turn, and pointed the nose straight at Lartika.


    <Let¡¯s head back, now.>


    With three people aboard, the floatne slowly, quietly, descended.


    <Times sure have changed.> Mateo said without warning. <Ah, just talking to myself. I don¡¯t think about anything else these days, so I always end up saying it out loud.>


    <What do you mean, ¡®times have changed?¡¯> Lillia asked.


    <Well, in the old days I always thought I¡¯d die flying. That one of these days there¡¯d be a big war and I¡¯d go out to fight for Roxche.>


    <You won¡¯t have to worry about that now.>


    <That¡¯s right. And that¡¯s wonderful. The very day I had that thought, I came back to the base after a long flight, and there was an uproar. It was the day they announced the Mural discovery. Before the two of you were born, probably.>


    <I learned about it in history ss back in primary school. A pilot from Sou Be-Il found the Mural while he was stranded and announced the discovery.>


    <History, eh. That¡¯s a perfect example of how one little stroke of fortune can change the world. That discovery gave tens of thousands of people years more of life. Including me.>


    <It¡¯s such a relief. We wouldn¡¯t be flying here otherwise.>


    Treize decided to chime in.


    ¡°Mr. Mateo. The parents of the girl behind you are brave people who did most of the work back then, though history doesn¡¯t know it. The true heroes, whom almost no one will ever know about. And the boy behind her¡¯s the decently nice son of two other people who know a lot of things about them.¡±


    Of course, he did not hold down the call button.


    The floatne was slowly flying over the sky. Lillia basked in the wind, and Treize lowered his seat to take shelter behind the windshield, nearly asleep and his eyes closed.


    <Let me bank a bit.> Mateo said, banking to the right. The ne flew at 45 degrees as it flew straight across the sky.


    Several secondster, Mateo returned the ne to level position.


    <Miss Lillia. Mr. Treize. We¡¯re going to have to take a short detour. Don¡¯t worry¡ªI won¡¯t charge you extra if we take too long. And we have plenty of fuel.>


    <Understood.> Treize said, opening his eyes.


    <All right. Is something the matter?> Lillia asked.


    <I just saw something on theke¡ªa small boat or a seane, I think. There shouldn¡¯t be anyone out fishing in this time of year, so I¡¯m worried they might be stranded. I¡¯d like to go check in on them; this is part of my job.>


    <Okay.>


    <If they are stranded, they owe their lives to you, Miss Lillia. I don¡¯t usually fly over this area.> Mateo said, quickly descending. He made a hard turn and flew about 100 meters across the water. The surface of theke was as smooth as ss as it passed endlessly by the ne. And eventually, a floatne came into sight on their left.


    They turned their heads.


    It was a small monone about 9 meters long. There was onerge pontoon under the fusge, and two smaller pontoons under each wing. The fusge and wings were painted in a camouge pattern in green and brown, and its underside was the color of murky water. There was a saw-shaped mark painted on the fin.


    The ne was floating on theke, its engine shut off and the propeller still. Mateo, Lillia, and Treize glimpsed the cockpit(where the windshield was open) and the head of the pilot inside. The pilot also noticed them and followed their floatne with his eyes.


    <That¡¯s a fighter craft from the local military. I can see the saw crest.> Mateo exined. His floatne slowly turned to the left.


    <The local military?> Lillia wondered. Treize was the one to answer.


    <He¡¯s talking about the Tolcasia Self-Defense Force. Countries in the Confederation have their own self-defense forces, even if they¡¯re very small.>


    <I see. But they even have a fighter ne.> Lillia replied. Mateo chuckled.


    <Hah hah hah. They sure do. But only nine of them. If the man¡¯s stranded, we should help him. Pilots and nes are hard toe by.>


    <All right.>


    <¡­But something¡¯s strange. Air Force nes should all be equipped with thetest emergency radio beacons.>


    <What are those?> Asked Treize.


    <It¡¯s a device that kicks in during emergencies. The signal¡¯s on an exclusive frequency, and when you activate it someone around theke should get the notice and contact you. Theke¡¯s so big that people get stranded all the time.>


    <Ships that go into the open sea have those signals, correct? Weren¡¯t they developed very recently?>


    <They are. Incidentally, we don¡¯t have one on this ne here. But a military ne should have one. There should be a rescue team on their way as soon as he activates the signal¡­>


    <Maybe he¡¯s just taking a break? I mean, the weather¡¯s so nice, maybe he¡¯s doing some fishing.> Lillia suggested.


    <Hah hah. You might be right. You can catch huge catfish and sturgeon around here.> Mateo replied. <But we should still take a look.>


    The ne flew just above the water¡¯s surface, and soon Mateo warned the others that he wouldnd in theke. The ne began to leave a wake in the water again. It slowed and quieted. Like a boat, the floatne glided on the water and headed for the fighter craft ahead.


    Mateo matched the timing to shut off the engine at just the right moment. When he hit the switch, the propeller stopped instantly. His ne stopped about 10 meters next to the fighter craft, with both nes¡¯ noses pointing in opposite directions.


    ¡°Wow. That was perfect.¡± Treize remarked. On theke, things were silent and still.


    <One moment, you two.> Mateo said, and pulled themunications cable. Then he undid his belt and climbed on top of his seat.


    ¡°Hello there!¡± He said loudly with a smile.


    There was one pilot on the fighter ne. Sitting in his seat, he looked back and lightly raised his right hand. He was a young man in an aviator jacket, probably in his early twenties. He wore an aviator hat with the goggles pulled onto his forehead.


    ¡°Having some mechanical trouble? Or did you run out of fuel? My apologies if you were taking a break, but this is part of my job.¡±


    Theke stretched on endlessly for miles, the horizon never broken bynd. There wasn¡¯t a speck of wind and the sun was high up in the sky. The light¡ªand Mateo¡¯s gaze¡ªwas on the fighter craft.


    But there was no answer. A hint of anxiety flitted past the pilot¡¯s face. He was intentionally avoiding Mateo¡¯s gaze, staring at his control panel and his own feet.


    ¡°Hello?¡± Mateo repeated himself.


    ¡°I-i-it¡¯s all right!¡± The pilot finally replied. He was clearly very agitated.


    ¡°Are you sure? If you¡¯re out of fuel, just say so. We¡¯ve still got plenty, and I have a hand pump just for situations like this.¡±


    Yet again, the young pilot was silent.


    ¡°?¡±


    Lillia turned her gaze from the left to behind herself.


    ¡°Who knows?¡± Treize replied, meeting Lillia¡¯s eyes.


    ¡°Are you sure¡ª¡±


    ¡°I said, I¡¯m all right!¡±


    The young pilot¡¯s answer was once again off-kilter. He was starting at his own hands as he sat in the cockpit, not in the mood for any conversation.


    ¡°Er¡­ well, did I make a mistake? Is this some secret training mission? Then we¡¯ll just pretend we didn¡¯t see anything. Excuse us.¡± Mateo said, noticing something was wrong. But the pilot again said nothing.


    ¡°Maybe we should just leave him?¡± Lillia asked.


    ¡°Hm¡­¡± Mateo thought, and met Lillia¡¯s and Treize¡¯s eyes. ¡°That¡¯s true, but what if he really does need help? He¡¯s a young man. Maybe he¡¯s too proud to say that he ran out of fuel.¡±


    ¡°Maybe.¡±


    ¡°I just can¡¯t leave him here like this. As a fellow pilot, you see?¡± Mateo said, and got out of the cockpit. Climbing down the steps, he went down onto the pontoons.


    Then, he called out to the fighter craft.


    ¡°Are you sure you¡¯re all right there, young man? If you¡¯re having problems, don¡¯t hesitate to tell me! I could contact the air force base if you¡¯d like! I could tell them where to find you.¡±


    The young pilot answered by swearing.


    ¡°Fuck off!¡±


    At the same time, he got up from his seat and held out his arms at Mateo. A secondter, the revolver in his hands roared.


    There were three gunshots. One bullet hit the metal pontoon and ricocheted away.


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    With a short moan, Mateo held his left hand to his chest and fell face-first into the water. There was a loud ssh.


    ¡°AH!¡±


    ¡°¡­!¡±


    Mateo floated to the surface as Lillia and Treize watched.


    ¡°Die, dammit!¡±


    The man swore again, and fired. Mateo¡¯s head jerked upwards. The bullet made a hole in his hat, and something red spurted up from the hole. His aviator hat was dyed red in seconds. The water around Mateo also turned red. Bullets continued to punctuate the air, creating pirs of water.


    ¡°Die, bastard! DIE!¡±


    Click. Click. Click.


    The pilot fired away on his revolver, which eventually spewed nothing. The empty magazine clicked and turned again and again.


    ¡°H-HEY! Hey, you!¡± Lillia cried. The pilot looked up in shock and stopped. And with the revolver still in his hands, he finally turned to Lillia and Treize.


    ¡°What¡ª¡±


    ¡°Tch.¡±


    Lillia had to stop mid-sentence. Treize clicked his tongue.


    When the pilot turned, his face came into view; he was clearly out of his mind. There was a smile on his lips, but his eyes were petrified with fear.


    ¡°Hee hee! Eeheehee!¡±


    His shoulder twitched as though in spasms, and heughed.


    ¡°Hee hee hee! So that¡¯s what it feels like to kill! Nothing to it! Hee hee!¡± He said to no one in particr.


    ¡°¡­¡±


    Lillia red and ground her teeth. When she tilted her gaze, she could see Mateo floating before her. He was spread-eagle on the red water, not even twitching.


    ¡°Heh. If you were onboard, you would have died too¡­¡± The pilot muttered, sliding out the magazine and disposing of the shells. The shells slid down the side of the fusge and fell into theke. With his left hand, the pilot took out more rounds from his seat. He began to load them into his six-round magazine, one after the other.


    Treize saw him, and looked at his own belt pack. He opened the zipper.


    ¡°Lillia.¡±


    ¡°Ah!¡±


    Lillia flinched. She spat angrily.


    ¡°What?!¡±


    ¡°When I give you the signal, lower your head as much as you can. And stay in your seat.¡±


    ¡°Huh? What¡¯re you thinking?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m going to jump over you. Please.¡±


    Before Lillia could respond, Treize pulled on the metal lever on his seatbelt. He was instantly loosed from the belts. Then, he pulled off his gloves as fast as he could.


    ¡°Heh heh.¡± The pilot giggled, loading the fifth round. He then grabbed the sixth and pushed it into the magazine.


    ¡°DIE!¡±


    The moment he looked up at the floatne to take aim, however,


    ¡°I¡¯m gonna have to decline!¡± Treize replied. He stood from his seat at the very back and held out both arms, just like the young pilot had done earlier. In his hands was a mid-sized automatic handgun, the kind used by police officers and detectives.


    Treize pulled the trigger.


    Bang.


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    A lead shell sparkled as it flew over the Lillia¡¯s head. She watched in shock.


    ¡°Gah!¡±


    The pilot screamed; he was shot in the right shoulder. Flinching wildly as though having been burned, he dropped his revolver. It bounced off the fusge of his ne, then hit the water and sank.


    ¡°Now!¡±


    Lillia immediately ducked. Her hat hit the control panel.


    ¡°Ow¡­¡±


    Treize leapt over her and climbed into what until not too long ago was Mateo¡¯s seat. He armed the safety on his gun and jammed it back into his belt pack.


    ¡°Let¡¯s get out of here!¡± He cried, starting the engine. The ne roared briefly as the engine and the propeller came to life. They were quickly enveloped by noise once more.


    The floatne began to move, gliding across the surface of theke. Mateo¡¯s body and the fighter craft grew distant.


    ¡°¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª!¡±


    It was impossible to hear over the noise, but the pilot pressed down on his arm and shouted something, his face twisted.


    ¡°¡­¡±


    Lillia stared back at him with a look both pitiful and outraged. Treize pushed the control stick to the right. The pilot and his ne disappeared from Lillia¡¯s sight, and because she was held in ce by the belts she could not even turn to look at them.


    At the same time, Treize pulled the throttle lever all the way. The wind and the water stirred up in the floatne¡¯s wake crashed over the pilot.


    ¡°Sheet!¡±


    By the time the pilot wiped his face with his bloody hand and followed the wake left behind the floatne, it was already soaring through the air.


    <Lillia! Can you hear me?!>


    <I can hear you! Don¡¯t yell into the microphone!> Lillia shouted back. The floatne was climbing rapidly, with Treize in control.


    <All right. You sound okay, but you didn¡¯t get shot or anything, right?>


    <I¡¯m fine. anyway, gimme the controls! I¡¯ll take over!>


    <Not right now.>


    <Why not?!>


    <Because you¡¯re not calm enough to fly, Lillia.>


    <Obviously! That bastard shot Mr. Mateo! He¡­ he might even have killed him!>


    ¡°¡­¡±


    For a while, Treize was silent. He reset the controls to return to level flight, then held the control stick in ce with his knees while he adjusted his seatbelt. He then put his right hand back on the control stick and used his left hand to adjust the throttle, lowering the engine¡¯s RPM. The noise abated slightly.


    <Lillia. Mr. Mateo died. He was shot in the head.>


    <I know that! Urgh, who was that guy?!> Lillia said quickly. Treize gave a deliberate pause before saying,


    <I don¡¯t know.>


    Lillia seemed to be calmer.


    <Ugh¡­ what is this? What do we do now? What do you want to do?>


    <We have to get away. I want to get out of here. If this was a fighter craft, I¡¯d at least want to leave a couple of holes on that ne¡­>


    With that, Treize changed directions. They were headed south. The sun was to their right, now.


    <Where are we going? Do you know where we are?>


    <South. I¡¯m taking us to thekeshore. I don¡¯t know where we are, but we can¡¯t be far fromnd. And if we fly east along the shore, we¡¯ll definitely make it back to Lartika.>


    <I see. ¡­And what about that man?> Lillia raised her voice again.


    <We¡¯ll think about that after we get back to the city. Reaching Lartika is our priority.>


    <What if hees after us?>


    <He was shot in the arm. He probably won¡¯t be able to fly his ne.>


    <I see. That¡¯s fine, then. Wait, no. Why do you have a gun?>


    ¡°Because Mother forced me to bring it.¡± Treize replied without pressing the call button. Then,


    <For protection. Valleys in Ikstova are full of bears, wolves, and bearded men.>


    <It¡¯s illegal to possess a handgun without registering it or getting official permission around here. Mom said so. Apparently they¡¯re cracking down so hard these days that you¡¯ll get arrested if you have a gun but not a military ID.>


    <I know the Confederation¡¯sws. And I know that the Capital District¡¯s regtions are the strictest.>


    <Yeah. And you¡¯re a minor. What if you get caught?>


    <It¡¯s fine.>


    <Why?>


    ¡°Because anyone guarding royalty is allowed to carry a firearm. And that applies to me, too.¡± Treize replied without pressing the call button.


    <Why, Treize?> Lillia repeated herself.


    <Because they¡¯ll never catch me.>


    <That¡¯s not an answer. Even if they don¡¯t catch you¡ª>


    Suddenly, Lillia stopped. Then,


    <Treize! Above!>


    ¡°?¡±


    Treize looked up. The upper wing was right in front of the cockpit, making it harder to look up from there. Treize gently pushed the control stick to tilt the ne forward.


    <Ah¡­ I see it.> Treize finally replied. There were aerones in the distance, ahead of them. Two aerones of the same model. They were the size of peas from the floatne, but they were the same model as the one that they had seen on theke.


    <His friends?> Lillia wondered anxiously.


    The fighter crafts were flying almost directly in the direction of Lillia and Treize¡¯s ne. But they were hundreds of meters overhead.


    <Maybe the pilot radioed them.>


    <What if they catch us?>


    <What if they catch us?>


    <If nothing else, we¡¯re at an angle they¡¯re least able to see.> Treize said, and slowly pulled the control stick to bring the ne level. They were 30 meters above the water. The ne licked theke¡¯s surface.


    The distance between them and the fighter crafts slowly closed. When Lillia and Treize looked up, they could even see the details of the fighters¡¯ construction. The two nes were flying side-by-side against the clear blue sky.


    Treize whispered, even though there was no way for anyone to overhearmunication done over solid wires.


    <What if they notice?>


    <My gun?>


    <No, us.>


    <That depends on who those people are¡­ but if they¡¯re anything like that freak we just saw, we¡¯re in a lot of trouble.>


    <But they¡¯re part of Tolcasia¡¯s military, right? They¡¯re soldiers, just like Mom. Why would people who¡¯re supposed to defend the country do something so horrible?>


    <Lillia. A viin is someone who does bad things, whatever their social status and whatever they¡¯re wearing. We saw what that man did, and it was something only a viin would do.>


    ¡°¡­¡±


    Lillia said nothing. Their conversation ended there.


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    The two fighter nes passed over the floatne skimming theke.


    Lillia turned her head as far as she could and watched until the two nes disappeared from sight.


    <All right. Oh, I see the shore. We must¡¯ve been pretty far out.>


    At Treize¡¯s prompting, Lillia looked ahead. The horizon had shifted from blue to green¡ªthey were at the southern shore.


    <What should we do?>


    <We¡¯llnd and go ashore. I¡¯d love to fly to Lartika, but we¡¯re finished if they shoot us down in midair. Cruising in the air is going to be dangerous. Also, I want to find out where we are. I hope someone lives around here.> Treize said, and descended again. When the forest on the shore grew clearer, Lillia turned again to check if the nes weren¡¯ting after them.


    <We¡¯rending.>


    Treize lowered the ne onto the water. Just like with Mateo earlier, there was little impact as the floatne hit the surface and glided across the water.


    On the shore was a short strip of sand, about 5 meters long. Beyond it was an eroded 1-meter-high teau. Above that was a deep, dense forest. There were no houses or people to be seen in any direction¡ªjust an endless wall of green.


    Treize kept an eye out on the forest to his left as he maneuvered the ne as close to the shore as he could. Even after he shut off the engine, the ne continued moving for a short time due to inertia. The pontoons on the left side of the ne slowly hit the sand.


    ¡°Please don¡¯t crash¡­¡±


    Treize¡¯s prayer was answered. Thankfully, the ne came to a gentle stop without the wingtips hitting the trees.


    Treize quickly climbed off the ne. Lillia soon followed.


    ¡°We can¡¯t lose Mr. Mateo¡¯s ne.¡± Treize said, securing the ne to a tree with a rope he found onboard. As he worked, Lillia kept an eye out on the sky for enemies.


    ¡°Hold this for a second.¡±


    Treize pulled out a cloth bag from under a seat and tossed it to Lillia. It was about 30 centimeters wide and long, and was filled with things like emergency rations and survival gear. There was a second bag, but they left it on the ne just in case.


    Lillia and Treize made their way into the woods. Fallen moss-covered trees were everywhere. They took shelter under a particrlyrge tree about 20 meters from shore.


    They leaned against the trunk and sat on the roots the protruded above. The wet grass underfoot dampened the hems of their flight suits.


    ¡°Phew¡­¡± Treize sighed, and began to take off his aviator jacket.


    ¡°What the heck¡­¡± Lillia muttered from next to him, trembling in outrage.


    ¡°Whoa.¡±


    Treize caught a glimpse of her face and leaned away.


    ¡°Man, what the heck?! What was wrong with that man?! How could he shoot someone who wanted to help him?!¡± Lillia cried, still in her jacket and with beads of sweat on her forehead.


    ¡°Calm down, Lillia. We¡¯re not going to let him get away with it.¡±


    ¡°You got that right!¡± Lillia replied, shooting Treize a re. He met her gaze and suggested that she take off her jacket. Lillia pulled off the thick aviator jacket, rolled it up, and hugged it to her stomach.


    ¡°What do we do?¡± She asked.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know. It doesn¡¯t look like anyone lives around here.¡±


    ¡°I can see that.¡±


    ¡°So obviously, we¡¯ll fly back to Lartika on the ne. But we can¡¯t just cruise over.¡±


    ¡°I know that too. You already said all that.¡±


    ¡°Which is why I think we might as well take a nap here or something and wait for nightfall.¡±


    ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°Because when it gets dark, theke won¡¯t be easy to see. At the same time, the sky will be easier to see because of dusk. We¡¯ll fly low along the shore to Lartika or Bren. Since this isn¡¯t Tolcasia, we might as well go to Bren. We¡¯ll contact the police or the Roxchean military there, and make sure that guy faces justice.¡±


    ¡°All right. We¡¯ll do that. I¡¯m never going to let him get away with what he did¡­ never.¡± Lillia mumbled, emphatically repeating the word ¡®never¡¯.


    ¡°¡­¡±


    Treize watched Lillia for a while, before eventually mumbling, ¡°I guess it¡¯ll work out¡±. With the hat still on his head, he leaned back against the tree and looked up. The sky shone between the foliage.


    Suddenly, a shadow flitted past.


    ¡°Damn it!¡±


    Treize quickly pushed Lillia to the ground.


    ¡°Eek!¡±


    Lillia fell with a soft scream. Treize covered her body with his.


    At the same time, the roar of an engine filled the sky. The sound approached from theke and passed overhead.


    ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± Lillia asked, still on the ground.


    ¡°Keep your head down! It¡¯s them! Next time they pass, they¡¯re going to shoot at us!¡± Treize cried, keeping Lillia down.


    Soon, there was the sound of gunfire. The sound of metal whipping through the air, and the sound of something breaking.


    Grass was shredded all around them; dirt popped into the air; the trees were shot, their white insides exposed. The three-second storm ended without warning, and an engine seemed to roar past overhead.


    Soon, the noise disappeared into the distance. Lillia, frozen on the ground for ten more seconds, finally spoke.


    ¡°Is it gone¡­?¡±


    There was no answer. She pushed away the boy on top of her by his shoulders.


    ¡°Hey. You¡¯re heavy.¡±


    She could finally move her head. Lillia looked up.


    She saw Treize¡¯s face. He had a look on his face like he had just swallowed mustard thinking it was marmde, his eyes shut and his teeth gritted.


    ¡°Treize! Did they get you?¡±


    ¡°No¡­¡± Treize quickly replied. And he opened his teary eyes.


    ¡°Then move.¡±


    Lillia pushed Treize aside with both arms and sat up. Something fell from atop his head.


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    It was a tree branch, about 30 centimeters thick and 1 meter long. The end of the branch was covered with more branches and leaves. It must have been carved off the trunk in the storm of bullets.


    ¡°It hit my head¡­¡± Treize muttered, pushing his fingers under his hat and pressing them onto his head. He curled up and groaned. ¡°That hurt¡­¡±


    ¡°Oh¡­ oh no¡­¡±


    Protected from the impact by Treize, Lillia could do nothing but watch for a while.


    ¡°Hey¡­¡±


    She hesitated.


    ¡°W-we got attacked by a fighter ne! We got off easy, you know!¡±


    That was all she coulde up with.


    ¡°I have to press on my head so it won¡¯t leave a bump. Give me a bit¡­¡± Treize said, holding his palms against his head.


    ¡°¡­¡±


    Unable to help, Lillia quietly stood. The hapless grove had been assaulted by gunfire, leaving the trees littered with bullet holes and exposing their white insides. Leaves fell from above on asion.


    ¡°Huh? Oh no!¡± Lillia cried. Treize asked her what was wrong.


    ¡°The ne¡­¡±


    ¡°So they got it after all¡­¡± Treize grumbled, getting to his feet with his hands still on his head.


    He walked up to Lillia, who stood stock still at thekeshore, and followed her gaze.


    About 20 meters ahead, between the trees, they could see the decimated remains of the floatne. The fin was snapped in two, and the seats they had been sitting in until not too long ago was riddled with holes. The fusge was leaning heavily to the right, likely because the pontoon support was broken. The left wing, which pointed at the sky, was also broken in the middle.


    Soon, the smell of fuel from the ne drifted on theke breeze and into the woods. Lillia finally broke her silence.


    ¡°Mr. Mateo¡¯s ne¡­¡±


    ¡°Mr. Mateo is dead. And so is his ne.¡± Treize said.


    With the hand that was holding down his head, he took off his aviator hat. He ced it over his chest and observed a moment of silence.


    ¡°Ohh¡­ what do we do now?¡± Lillia wondered. Treize opened his eyes and replied, rubbing his head.


    ¡°Hm. It¡¯s a good thing it was my head.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± Lillia asked, confused.


    ¡°I¡¯m d the branch fell on my head and not my legs. Then you would have had to carry me.¡±


    ¡°What the heck. Does that mean¡ª¡±


    Treize nodded.


    ¡°We¡¯re walking.¡±

 Volume 1 4 — The Guiding One

    <h4>Volume 1 Chapter 4: The Guiding One</h4>


    -----


    Late-summer evening approached. The tilting sun began to lose light and the sky turned a darker shade of blue. In the dense forest, the sunlight didn¡¯t even reach the ground¡ªit was even darker there than it was outside.


    The grass was wet and thick roots wound everywhere, making it quite difficult to hike through.


    ¡°How¡¯d we end up like this?¡±


    ¡°Seriously.¡±


    Lillia and Treize were walking through the woods.


    Exhausted from their long walk in the heat, they had taken off the tops of their flight suits and had tied them around their waists. Lillia rolled up the sleeves of her blouse and unbuttoned the top button, and was carrying the two cloth bags from the floatne on her back.


    Treize was down to his white T-shirt, with his belt pack over his flight suit. His gun was still in the belt pack in front of him. He had tied together their two leather aviator jackets into a makeshift backpack, loaded it with their aviator hats and gloves, and slung it around his shoulders.


    ¡°It¡¯s hard to walk in the forest, and it¡¯s steaming hot out here, and there¡¯s bugs¡­¡±


    Lilliained endlessly.


    ¡°Yeah.¡±


    Treize agreed calmly as he followed from about three meters behind.


    They had walked for over an hour since their ne was wrecked. With theke on their left, they had been heading east toward the city. It would have been much easier if they could walk along thekeshore, but that would provide them with no cover if the fighter crafts spotted them. So they were forced to maintain a certain distance from theke as they traversed the woods.


    Eventually, Treize nced at his watch.


    ¡°Let¡¯s take a break.¡±


    ¡°Why? I¡¯m still good to go.¡±


    ¡°Still, it¡¯s important to rest regrly. After all, we don¡¯t know how much more we¡¯ll have to walk.¡±


    Treize picked out a tree, and after making sure there were no insects crawling on it he sat down on one of its roots. With the jackets still on his back he leaned against the tree to rest. Lillia waded through the grass and sat by a tree across from Treize and stretched her legs.


    She then took out a metal cylinder about 20 centimeters long and 10 centimeters wide from one of her bags. It was a hefty water bottle. She grumbled.


    ¡°This thing¡¯s weighing me down.¡±


    ¡°It must¡¯ve been heavy. But it¡¯s important.¡± Treize replied, and held out his hand. Lillia tossed him the bottle, which flew about two meters andnded in Treize¡¯s hand.


    The lid of the bottle was a cup that covered the cylinder. Treize pulled it off and opened a small stopper underneath. Then, he sniffed the contents before pouring it into the cup. There was a steady stream of clean water.


    ¡°Looks pretty good. I¡¯m impressed¡ªMr. Mateo must¡¯ve restocked his emergency kit often.¡±


    Lillia stopped as she pulled out her own bottle and red.


    ¡°I¡¯m going to make sure that lunatic gets what he deserves. You bettere testify at the trial, Treize!¡±


    ¡°As you wish, Mdy.¡±


    Treize drank slowly, as though trying just to moisten his lips. He then advised Lillia not to drink too much.


    ¡°I know that.¡± She replied brusquely, quenching her thirst at a steady pace.


    After putting back their bottles, they took a short rest.


    ¡°You know.¡±


    Lillia said as she looked at the sky through the leaves. Treize¡¯s eyes were closed.


    ¡°That fighter craft shot the ne on purpose, right? Why¡¯d they do that?¡±


    Treize opened his eyes.


    ¡°Dunno. They were probably trying to make sure we couldn¡¯t get anywhere.¡±


    ¡°And?¡±


    ¡°In other words, they wanted to make sure we couldn¡¯t get somewhere to report them. They might have wanted to kill us, but they couldn¡¯t have seen us because we were in the woods. They didn¡¯tnd ande after us because they were either pressed for time or they were cautious because I have a gun. Anyway, you know how they say you can¡¯t hear an aeroneing until it¡¯s toote if it¡¯s flying really low? I never knew that was true until today.¡±


    ¡°Now¡¯s not the time for stupid observations.¡±


    ¡°And I figured out one more thing.¡±


    ¡°Yeah?¡±


    ¡°The two fighter crafts we saw earlier were the ones that attacked us. Or maybe there were three of them. I couldn¡¯t confirm because of the gunfire, though. But what that means is that our deranged pilot¡¯s friends are also deranged. We¡¯ve got more people to interrogate now.¡±


    ¡°What do we do now?¡± Lillia wondered. Treize shrugged.


    ¡°What can we do? We have to keep walking and get somewhere. Everything elsees after. Although it might take a few days.¡±


    ¡°All right. I¡¯ll walk ¡®til my feet fall off.¡±


    ¡°I like your spirit, but let¡¯s rest for now.¡± Treize said, closing his eyes once more.


    * * *


    ¡°Meriel.¡±


    ¡°Yes! I¡¯m over here, Mother!¡±


    Meriel raised her voice at her mother¡¯s call. She was dressed in overalls, sitting in the cockpit of an aerone in an hangar with her head bowed as she upied herself with something. The small, agile bine was about 10 meters long, and was the only ne upying the 50-meter-long hangar at the moment. The hangar¡¯s multiyered shutters were all closed and only the ceiling lights directly over the ne were on.


    ¡°Still working away, honey?¡±


    Her mother Fiona came up to the ne.


    ¡°What is it, Mother?¡± Meriel asked, poking her head out of the cockpit. Fiona was looking up at her.


    ¡°It¡¯s almost dinnertime.¡±


    ¡°Already? Time flies.¡±


    Meriel nced at the small window further down the hangar. Beyond the frosted ss she could see the sky burning orange in the light of dusk.


    ¡°All right. ¡­I can¡¯t believe I couldn¡¯t finish again today.¡±


    Mumbling to herself, Meriel picked up a bag containing a small shlight and tools and climbed out of the cockpit. Stepping on the main wing under the fusge, shended on the floor.


    ¡°Dinner~ Dinner~ I¡¯ll just wash my hands, Mom. Wait for me?¡±


    Meriel walked over to a sink on the wall, took off her work gloves, andthered soap on her greasy hands. She spoke to her mother as she continued.


    ¡°I bet Treize must be getting all anxious at the hotel by now. Although I doubt he¡¯ll bring her home after the trip.¡±


    ¡°Oh? What would you do if he did, honey?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡±


    Rinsing her hands with water, Meriel fell into thought.


    ¡°What would you do?¡± Fiona asked again.


    Meriel turned off the tap as she replied.


    ¡°It¡¯s so impossible I can¡¯t even imagine it.¡±


    As Meriel passed cruel judgement on her brother,


    ¡°We might have to camp out today¡­¡±


    Treize was in a dark forest. He and Lillia had drawn as close to theke as they could, and found that the sun had already set and the sky above was a dark blue. The full moon had just begun to rise, tinting the tree-obscured sky a pale blue.


    Treize looked as far east as he could¡ªin the direction of Lartika and Bren. But the lights that should be visible at that time of day were nowhere to be seen.


    ¡°Tch. So we¡¯re not gonna be staying at that hotel tonight.¡± Lilliained for the hundredth time that day, leaning against a tree.


    ¡°We can stay at the hotel whenever we wantter, Lillia.¡± Treize consoled her. ¡°We¡¯ll take care of the business with Mr. Mateo before we get back to the hotel.¡±


    ¡°Right¡­ You¡¯re right. That¡¯s the important part. I¡¯m such an idiot.¡± Lillia replied, lightly punching herself. Treize watched curiously as he replied.


    ¡°At least it¡¯s summertime¡ªwe won¡¯t have to worry about freezing to death. And we have water, since we¡¯re by theke. If we dig a hole in the woods and start a campfire there, they won¡¯t be able to spot us from above.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s fine, but I¡¯m still good to go. Let¡¯s go a little farther!¡±


    ¡°Rule #1 of camping out is to find a safe ce to stay while it¡¯s still light out.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s only when you have to set up a tent. We¡¯re just going to cover ourselves with jackets today, so it doesn¡¯t matter where we sleep. The moon¡¯s bright, so we might as well keep going down the shore.¡± Lillia said. She had a point¡ªonce the massive moon was up, it would illuminate the world clearly.


    ¡°True. But still¡­¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s decided. Let¡¯s keep moving. I¡¯m sure we¡¯ll get an extra shot of motivation once we spot lights from a town or something. Follow me, servant!¡± Lillia said in mock haughtiness. Treize gave up on arguing and did as he was told.


    ¡°All right.¡±


    ¡°Thank you for the meal. It looks as delicious as ever.¡±


    At a humble dinner table in the Kingdom of Iks, Meriel joined the table where her parents waited and looked up at a steaming pot of cheese. At the same time¡ª


    ¡°Do we keep going?¡±


    ¡°Yep.¡±


    Treize and Lillia were walking endlessly along the Kurz Sea in the country of Tolcasia. Pushing their feet into the sand under the pale blue moon, they were walking along a narrow sandbank.


    ¡°Tired already?¡± Lillia asked as Treize stopped in front of her.


    ¡°Yeah, but I¡¯m fine for now.¡± He replied.


    ¡°Then why¡¯d you stop?¡±


    ¡°Huh? Oh. I just thought theke was really beautiful.¡± Treize replied, turning to theke with its gentle waves and the hazy horizon in the distance.


    ¡°It¡¯s like you¡¯re not worried at all.¡±


    ¡°Maybe.¡± Treize said, walking again.


    ¡°Thank you. That was delicious.¡± Meriel said as she finished her meal. At the same time¡ª


    ¡°You know what they say about hungry soldiers. I¡¯m not really being a glutton, you know.¡±


    ¡°Of course, Mdy.¡±


    Lillia and Treize were sitting on a pale blue beach for dinner. Their emergency supply kit was packed with hard crackers and a small bottle of strawberry jam. They dipped the crackers in the jam. Lillia ate faster than Treize.


    ¡°Breakfast and lunch were so decadent that I actually don¡¯t mind eating like this.¡±


    ¡°Are you being sarcastic, Treize? Anyway, we¡¯ll walk a bit more after this to work off the food.¡±


    The sound of munching echoed across the tranquilke.


    ¡°Ahh¡­ This feels great.¡± Meriel said as she slid into the bathtub in her own bathroom, surrounded by fluffy bubbles. At the same time¡ª


    ¡°It¡¯s hot at night, too.¡±


    ¡°It is summertime¡­¡±


    Lillia and Treize were sweating profusely as they walked through the woods.


    Because the beach was not wide enough for them to walk on without getting their feet wet, they were forced back into the forest. Lillia and Treize had to climb with both hands as they mbered over the thick roots on the ground. The air in the forest was humid and dense. Their faces and shirts were soaked.


    ¡°How about we set up camp somewhere around here? It¡¯s gettingte.¡± Treize proposed. Lillia did not deign to turn around.


    ¡°Not yet. I¡¯d still be listening to the radio at this hour if I were home.¡±


    ¡°So you¡¯re a night owl?¡±


    ¡°So what if I am?¡± Lillia replied, pressing onward.


    ¡°Good night, Mother. And Father? Please shave that beard.¡± Meriel said to her parents as she left the living room and headed for her own room. At the same time¡ª


    ¡°I can¡¯t believe we¡¯vee this far.¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s midnight. Just past it.¡±


    Because of the time difference, Lillia and Treize were already experiencing midnight. The eighth day of the seventh month had begun.


    With the cool night breeze against them, they resumed walking down the beach. The wind was cold against their soaked bodies, so Lillia and Treize both pulled up their flight suits again.


    ¡°Let¡¯s rest now. We¡¯vee a long way.¡± Treize said from behind Lillia as he stopped. They had traveled over 10 kilometers since evening, resting at regr intervals.


    ¡°Damn it! How much longer do we have to walk before we see a town?!¡± Lilliained for the first time that say, kicking the damp sand underfoot toward theke.


    ¡°There¡¯s no point trying topare our walking speed to aerones. Even a hundred kilometers is nothing if you¡¯re flying.¡± Treize said, sitting on the shore that happened to be about a chair¡¯s height from the water¡¯s surface. The moon was shining brilliantly in the sky. The white moon and the pale blue sky were so bright that none of the stars were visible.


    As Lillia stood indignantly, Treize took off the watch on his left wrist and wound it.


    Putting the watch back on, Treize said to Lillia¡¯s back,


    ¡°What do you want to do?¡±


    She did not answer.


    ¡°My legs are tired. I think we¡¯ll be best off just going to sleep under a tree nearby.¡±


    She did not answer.


    ¡°We might have to walk all day tomorrow, too. And maybe even the day after. It¡¯s important to get rest. We slept on a trainst night; we probably didn¡¯t feel very rested.¡±


    She did not answer.


    ¡°Lillia? Are you sleeping on your feet?¡±


    ¡°As if I could!¡± Lillia retorted, finally turning. ¡°Just a little more! We¡¯ll walk until the next time we have to rest! And if we still don¡¯t find a town¡­ I¡¯ll give in, too.¡±


    Treize shrugged in surrender and stood.


    ¡°All right. We¡¯ll do that.¡±


    They began to walk again under the moonlight.


    It was only several minutes after they started walking again that they found the cabin.


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    Lillia and Treize peered out from behind arge tree trunk. The cabin stood alone in the woods, under the pale blue sky.


    It was a log cabin about 10 meters square, built by a small stream that flowed into theke. The foundation was firmly paved with bricks, as was the chimney. It was a sturdy building that couldst a very long time. Behind it was a small plywood building, most likely a bathroom.


    A 30-meter radius around the cabin had been cleared so that theke was visible. The clearing was a carefully-groomed yard, with small trees nted at regr intervals, brick-lined flower beds, and a small embankment as well. Firewood was stacked before the back wall.


    There was no light at alling from the four windows.


    ¡°What is this?¡± Lillia wondered as she and Treize watched from behind the tree.


    ¡°A mysterious cabin in the forest. No lights, no people to be seen.¡± Treize summarized. Lillia angrily pointed out that that was obvious.


    ¡°Then what do you want me to say?¡±


    ¡°I want to know why there would be a cabin all the way in the woods like this.¡±


    ¡°Who knows?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t tell me¡­ is this a trap?¡±


    ¡°What?¡± Treize gasped.


    ¡°Maybe they¡¯re trying to lure us into the cabin¡ª¡±


    ¡°Wasn¡¯t there a fairy tale like that? There was a witch who tried to eat a brother and sister who got lost in the woods. She got the brother to prepare a pot so she could cook the sister¡­ or was it the other way around?¡±


    ¡°Exactly. That pilot and his buddies might have lured us here. As soon as we stagger in there, they¡¯ll have us¡ªhook, line, and sinker.¡±


    ¡°I would give them a pat on the back if they went all the way to the trouble of building an entire cabin,plete with a beautiful yard, just so they could capture us.¡± Treize said sarcastically.


    ¡°Then you mean it¡¯s not a trap?¡±


    ¡°If nothing else, they probably didn¡¯t build the cabin. But what is this ce, then? It¡¯s too fancy for a hunting outpost. It¡¯s even got a garden.¡±


    ¡°Maybe the owner¡¯s out. All right. We¡¯ll sleep here today. Much better than camping out, right? We¡¯ll get some actual rest.¡± Lillia said matter-of-factly. Treize¡¯s eyes widened.


    ¡°Sleep? In there?¡±


    Lillia met his gaze.


    ¡°Yeah. It¡¯s perfect.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not too sure about that. What if someone¡¯s inside?¡±


    ¡°I feel a bit bad, but we¡¯ll have to wake them up. I¡¯m sure they¡¯ll understand once we exin.¡± Lillia said. Treize shook his head.


    ¡°It¡¯s the opposite¡ªwe might end up getting the people in there involved.¡±


    Lillia did not reply, but her eyes did not leave Treize. She seemed a little impressed. Treize grinned¡ª


    ¡°Then we just won¡¯t tell them anything.¡± Lillia said as she walked over to the cabin. Treize hurried after her.


    ¡°Sorry to intrude sote!¡± Lillia said loudly as she knocked at the door, which faced away from theke. She waited for a moment, but the cabin was silent. The cooing of the birds in the woods seemed a little louder.


    ¡°Sorry to intrude sote! We¡¯re lost! Please help us!¡±


    She knocked again and waited. Silence.


    ¡°I don¡¯t think anyone¡¯s here.¡± Lillia said as she turned to Treize.


    ¡°Yeah. No one was here today, at least.¡± Treize surmised. Lillia was quick to respond.


    ¡°How do you know that? Don¡¯t tell me you actually know who lives here.¡±


    ¡°No way. Look at the left wall.¡±


    Lillia peered at the left side of the building and examined the window and wall.


    ¡°See the kitchen drainage pipe below? Look at the ground under it. It¡¯s only as wet as the rest of the ground. And there¡¯s no sign of water passing through, either. It means no one used any water here since it rained two days ago.¡±


    ¡°I see¡­ that was clever of you.¡± Lillia admitted, looking impressed for a moment. She reached for the doorknob.


    ¡°Sorry. We¡¯ll be using the cabin for the night.¡±


    The door opened with ease. It must have been unlocked.


    ¡°Excuse us.¡±


    Apologizing to the absent owner, Lillia stepped inside. Treize wiped his dirty shoes on the mat at the entrance and followed after her.


    Most of the cabin interior wasposed of a single room. There were several pirs, but no walls dividing the space. A small table was by the entrance, and in front of that was a kitchen with a water tank installed on the wall. There was a cooking stove with a chimney routed outside, and cabs filled with dishes and silverware. On the right side of the door was a brick firece and chimney, and further inside the room was a simple wooden bed.


    Most of the cabin interior wasposed of a single room. There were several pirs, but no walls dividing the space. A small table was by the entrance, and in front of that was a kitchen with a water tank installed on the wall. There was a cooking stove with a chimney routed outside, and cabs filled with dishes and silverware. On the right side of the door was a brick firece and chimney, and further inside the room was a simple wooden bed.


    From the neatness of the cabin, it seemed like it was not abandoned. Everything, from the nk floors to the humble furniture, was silently bathed in moonlight as though time had stopped.


    ¡°Er¡­¡±


    Lillia hesitantly spoke. Her voice sounded particrly loud.


    ¡°No one¡¯s here, right? Then we¡¯ll be staying the night! Thank you!¡± Said Treize in ce of the silent Lillia, making a deliberate show of speaking loudly as he reached back and shut the door.


    At the royal pce in the Kingdom of Iks, Meriel slept peacefully andfortably in her own bed. At the same time¡ª


    ¡°Well¡­ I¡¯m only letting you sleep in the same room as me because it¡¯s an emergency. All right?¡±


    ¡°Yes, Mdy.¡±


    ¡°Good.¡±


    Lillia and Treize were preparing to go to sleep in the cabin in the woods.


    Lilliay on the bed with her jacket over her in ce of nkets. Treize sat on the left side of the bed with the nkets under him. He was also wearing his flight suit and had put a jacket over himself.


    ¡°Let¡¯s get some sleep for now. Today was such a hectic day¡­¡±


    ¡°Good night.¡±


    ¡°But! We have to walk as much as we can tomorrow, too. We¡¯ll avenge Mr. Mateo, no matter what!¡±


    ¡°Yeah.¡±


    With a loud yawn, Treize nced at his watch.


    ¡°The radio broadcasts in the Capital District must have ended by now.¡±


    ¡°I get the point, okay? Good night.¡± Said Lillia.


    Treize also bid her good night.


    There was silence. Treize quietly reached for his belt pack, which was still wrapped around his waist. He could see a glimmer of ck between the open zipper.


    ¡°¡­¡±


    He brushed the glint with his fingers, as though to check it was there, then put his leather jacket over himself and closed his eyes with his back against the bed.


    Sleep washed over him. But at that moment¡ª


    ¡°Just to warn you!¡±


    Lillia¡¯s voice chased away his drowsiness.


    ¡°Hm?¡±


    ¡°Just to warn you, you¡¯d better not up and leave without telling me!¡±


    ¡°Okay, I¡¯ll keep watch from here. I even rigged the door.¡± Treize replied without opening his eyes.


    There was a thread tied to the doorknob from the inside. It was tied to a precariously-bnced chair set up to fall as soon as the door opened.


    ¡°Good.¡±


    With that, silence once again returned to the cabin.


    Lilliay asleep on the bed, and Treize¡ªsitting next to her¡ªalso slept.


    They remained exactly where they were as time passed in silence.


    The pale blue light seeped in through the window. Only the shadow of the frame moved, slowly brushing over Treize¡¯s ck hair and Lillia¡¯s face.


    When morning neared, the moon fell toward the west and light began to shine through the kitchen window.


    And,


    ¡°¡­¡±


    His shadow was far from Treize and Lillia. It moved silently over the wooden nk floor.


    Standing without a word in the center of the room, he looked down at the sleeping duo.


    For a very long time, he did not move.


    ¡°¡­¡±


    Suddenly, he pulled a knife from behind his back. It was a thin ck knife over 20 centimeters long.


    ¡°¡­¡±


    He drew closer to Treize, knife in hand.


    ¡°Just you wait, Meriel¡­¡±


    ¡°!¡±


    The figure stopped when Treize suddenly spoke.


    ¡°Just you wait, Meriel¡­ I swear¡­¡±


    Treize¡¯s Bezelese sleep talk filled the quiet cabin.


    * * *


    Morning.


    It was just before dawn, and the world was full of light. The light outside illuminated the cabin, bringing shapes into focus and emphasizing their presence.


    The light reached Lillia¡¯s face as well as she slept on the bed. The sunlight highlighted her every eysh. Her eyelids twitched.


    ¡°Hwaaa¡­¡±


    She opened her eyes.


    ¡°Morning already?¡±


    Not being a heavy sleeper like her mother, Lillia muttered as she slowly sat up. Her long hair slid down and the jacket she had over herself fell onto herp.


    ¡°Yawn¡­ that was a good night¡¯s sleep. Yep.¡± She mumbled, rubbing her eyes¡ª


    ¡°Good morning. Did you sleep well?¡± Asked the man in the kitchen.


    ¡°Yes. Good morning.¡± Lillia replied, turning to the kitchen. ¡°¡­Huh?¡±


    About 5 meters away stood a man. He was about sixty years old, and was tall and fit. He had short, thin ck hair with patches of white, and had a genial smile on his face. He was wearing white clothes reminiscent of a doctor¡¯s coat.


    ¡°Ah¡­¡±


    Still sleepy, Lillia thought for a moment.


    ¡°Excuse me, but who are you?¡± She finally wondered, confused.


    ¡°Me? I¡¯m the owner of this house, Miss.¡± The man replied.


    ¡°Oh, I see. I see.¡± Lillia nodded. Then,


    ¡°Huh? Oh! Ah! Er¡ª¡±


    Finally realizing what was happening, Lillia stammered incoherently.


    ¡°Please, not to worry. Calm down. There¡¯s nothing to panic about.¡± The man said. Only after sighing and taking a couple of deep breaths did Lillia return to normal.


    ¡°We¡¯re sorry for intruding! We lost our way in the woods, and¡ª¡±


    ¡°Yes, I suspected as much.¡± The man replied, sitting in a chair. ¡°So please don¡¯t worry. If you¡¯re still tired, feel free to get some more sleep.¡±


    ¡°Ah!¡±


    That reminded Lillia. She quickly looked around, and found what she was looking for on the left side of the bed. He was sleeping peacefully in the same position asst night, leaning against the bed with his head bowed even as Lillia and the man spoke.


    ¡°Ugh¡­¡±


    She red.


    ¡°He seems to be tired¡ªlet¡¯s not wake him. Let him sleep a little longer.¡± Said the man. But Lillia ignored him and, with her left foot, kicked Treize in the head.


    ¡°Gwah?!¡±


    With a humorous gasp, Treize woke up to Lillia¡¯s kick for the second morning in a row.


    ¡°What were you thinking you were no help at all¡ª¡±


    Lillia raised her foot again, menacingly reprimanding him.


    ¡°Please, calm down. I think that¡¯s enough morning exercise for now, don¡¯t you think?¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s going on here?¡±


    For a moment after being rescued by the man, Treize was lost. He head only cleared after about ten seconds.


    ¡°Oh¡­ I¡¯m sorry we barged into your house, sir.¡± He said quickly.


    ¡°Please, it¡¯s not a problem. As I said to your friend, I understand the gist of things. There aren¡¯t any other houses or towns around here, after all.¡± The man replied courteously with a smile. ¡°Why not wash up first? We can talk afterwards and introduce ourselves then. It would be a shame to send you off without knowing your names.¡±


    Lillia and Treize did as the man suggested. They went to the bathroom outside and washed their faces with clean water from the stream, still dressed in their flight suits.


    Treize wiped his face with a handkerchief as he spoke.


    ¡°It¡¯s like he¡¯s a monk or something.¡±


    Treize nced at the cabin several meters away.


    ¡°Anyway, it¡¯s a good thing he¡¯s such a nice person. Although a certain useless someone¡¯s useless little contraption turned out to be useless.¡±


    Treize ignored Lillia¡¯s jab.


    ¡°I wonder if there¡¯s a secret passage into the cabin or something. I guess that¡¯s the owner for you.¡±


    ¡°This is no time to be impressed. If he was a bad guy, we¡¯d be dead by now.¡±


    ¡°Then I¡¯d me you for the rest of my life for refusing to camp out.¡±


    ¡°After you die? That¡¯d be something.¡±


    They walked back to the cabin. It was a pleasant morning, with clear sunlight and the cool moist air. It was bright enough now that they could clearly see vegetable patches and flower beds, the vibrant green forest around them, and the greatke between the trees. Wisps of cotton-candy clouds floatedzily across the sky.


    ¡°What a beautiful ce.¡± Lillia said, stopping partway and looking around in awe. Treize left her and went ahead into the cabin.


    ¡°Let me introduce myself first. I am Ein Morseau.¡±


    Inside the cabin, Lillia, Treize, and the man sat around the small round table. Because there were only two chairs around it, they had to bring in a folding chair that had been leaning against the wall. On the table were three freshly-prepared cups of steaming-hot tea.


    ¡°My name is Lillia Schultz.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m Treize. Nice to meet you.¡±


    The man named Morseau replied politely.


    ¡°Lillia and Treize. You both have wonderful names.¡±


    ¡°Er¡­ Mr. Morseau?¡± Lillia said. ¡°I¡¯d like to apologize again. For using your house without permission.¡±


    ¡°Again, it¡¯s perfectly fine. I keep the door unlocked precisely for situations like this¡ªif anyone were to lose their way in the woods, I mean. Although I must admit that you two were the first to ever do so.¡±


    ¡°Thank you so much. You didn¡¯t have to serve us tea.¡± Lillia replied apologetically.


    ¡°Not at all. While you¡¯re here, why not join me for breakfast?¡±


    ¡°If you need any help with anything, please let us know.¡±


    ¡°Thank you. I will. But what do the two of you n to do now? That¡¯s the most important question, I think.¡± Said Morseau. As Lillia wondered what he meant, Treize answered.


    ¡°We¡¯d like to return to Bren first; that¡¯s where we left our things. And we¡¯d like to get there as quickly as we can. We have some important business to take care of. Could you tell us how to get there? And if you know of any method of transportation, please tell us.¡±


    ¡°Of course. Now, it seems like your urgent business has something with you two getting lost. Am I correct? What in the world happened?¡±


    Treize was quick to reply.


    ¡°I¡¯m afraid we can¡¯t say. I¡¯m very sorry, Mr. Morseau.¡±


    Lillia shot Treize an angry re. Treize met her gaze. So neither of them noticed the glint of chilly sadness that shed over Morseau¡¯s face.


    ¡°I see. That¡¯s unfortunate. I¡¯m sure I could help you if you¡¯d tell me.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m very sorry, Mr. Morseau.¡±


    Lillia suddenly turned to Treize.


    ¡°Hey. Let¡¯s talk for a second.¡±


    With a firm grip on Treize¡¯s shoulder, Lillia berated him furiously under her breath in Bezelese.


    ¡°I know we said we wouldn¡¯t tell anyone, but maybe we should tell this person. He helped us out; it¡¯s the least we could do.¡±


    Naturally, Morseau could hear her voice just fine. He seemed a little surprised.


    ¡°I¡¯m sticking by what I said yesterday. I don¡¯t want to get anyone involved.¡± Treize replied quickly in Bezelese. Lillia red.


    ¡°Please, you two. Don¡¯t argue, now. Everyone has their secrets. I may not know what your business is, but let me try and help you nevertheless. Let¡¯s think together.¡± Morseau said. Lillia obediently took her hand off Treize¡¯s shoulder.


    ¡°I can imagine what must have happened, of course.¡± Said Morseau. ¡°I suppose your vehicle must have broken down.¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s correct.¡±


    Lillia and Treize replied.


    ¡°Then allow me to lend you my car.¡±


    ¡°What? Where is it?¡± Lillia asked. The cabin¡¯s surroundings looked exactly as they did the previous day.


    ¡°If you follow the short path to the south, you¡¯ll reach a narrow road between the trees. That¡¯s as far as the car cane. I always park there and walk the rest of the way to the cabin. I¡¯ll let you use my car.¡±


    ¡°Thank you. Then¡­ where do we go with the car? Where are we? How long until we reach a town?¡± Lillia asked in one breath.


    Morseau thought for a moment. Several seconds of silence passed before he opened his mouth.


    ¡°It might take me a while to exin. Shall we talk after breakfast?¡±


    Lillia, Treize, and Morseau divided up duties to prepare breakfast.


    Treize¡¯s job was to chop firewood outside. Lillia¡¯s job was to draw water. Morseau¡¯s job was to prepare the ingredients.


    When Lillia and Treize finished their work and returned to the cabin, Morseau was peeling potatoes. With a thin ck knife over 20 centimeters long, he expertly peeled the potatoes and carved out the eyes.


    ¡°Let me help.¡± Said Lillia.


    ¡°I¡¯m grateful for the offer, but I¡¯m finished peeling now. I¡¯ll be boiling them, along with the eggs and sausages I brought this morning. You can sit back now.¡±


    Treize put firewood into the stove as Morseau instructed and lit it. Lillia had nothing to do but wait.


    ¡°Is there anything I can help you with?¡±


    ¡°Please, it¡¯s quite all right. This is my specialty.¡±


    cing the thin potato slices into the pot, Morseau waited for it to boil before adding sausages and salt and pepper. Finally, he lowered the heat, and cracked the eggs into a bowl before beating them and pouring the bowl into the pot. Then, he shut the lid and waited.


    Soon their meal was ready. The food was served in soup tes and ced on the table. Soft potatoes and sausages filled with herbs. And one serving of poached egg per person.


    ¡°¡­¡±


    The food was steaming. Lillia swallowed.


    After breakfast, they had tea again.


    ¡°Well now¡­ where should I begin?¡± Morseau said, speaking first.


    They were all sitting around the table. Treize and Lillia had taken off their flight suits and were dressed in the same clothes as the previous day.


    ¡°I suppose I should begin by telling you where we are.¡±


    Lillia and Treize nodded. Morseau continued.


    ¡°This house is my refuge. Ie here when I want to take some time to think quietly by myself. I spend about half the year in this cabin.¡±


    ¡°What do you do for a living, Mr. Morseau? ¡­Oh, you don¡¯t have to answer if you don¡¯t want to.¡± Lillia said.


    ¡°I don¡¯t mind. I help people in this country¡ªor so I¡¯d like to believe.¡±


    ¡°You help people?¡±


    ¡°Yes. Do you know how poor this country is? That there are many orphans?¡±


    Lillia and Treize solemnly nodded.


    ¡°I am nting hopes for the future in those unfortunate children. I am working alongside people, believing that our work will instill hope in the orphans.¡±


    ¡°By any chance¡­ do you run a facility that helps poor children find work in the Capital District?¡± Treize asked. Morseau seemed a little surprised.


    ¡°I¡¯m surprised you know.¡±


    ¡°Are you the ¡®Master¡¯, then? The person everyone loves and respects?¡± Asked Lillia. Morseau put on an embarrassed smile.


    ¡°That is what people call me sometimes. But please, call me Morseau. It¡¯s a little less awkward for me that way.¡±


    Lillia and Treize exchanged nces. Lillia leaned forward.


    ¡°Mr. Morseau, wasn¡¯t a little boy sent there yesterday? We met him in Lartika¡­¡±


    Morseau was surprised yet again.


    ¡°Y-yes. His name was¡­ Carlo, correct?¡±


    ¡°We don¡¯t know his name, but¡­¡±


    ¡°Hm. If I recall, he was wearing a dirty brown shirt and long ck pants. He seemed to be about ten, but he said that he was twelve years old.¡±


    ¡°Yes, that¡¯s him!¡±


    ¡°A police officer brought him to ustest evening. He was very unhappy at first, but he opened up to us as he ate dinner. He¡¯s a good, honest boy at heart.¡±


    ¡°Thank goodness. And he even told you his name.¡±


    ¡°Yes. Although he didn¡¯t seem to want to at first.¡±


    ¡°Thank goodness.¡± Lillia repeated, her eyes narrowing as she took another sip of tea.


    ¡°Then let me continue. We are very deep in the woods here. We¡¯re about 80 kilometers directly from Lartika and Illues¡ªah, Illues is a vige on theke southwest of Lartika.¡± Said Morseau.


    ¡°No way¡­ 80 kilometers?¡± Treize muttered, astonished. Morseau chuckled.


    ¡°Hah hah hah. It¡¯s a bit of a long walk. And incidentally, the nearest vige to the west is about 40 kilometers away. They have bus services there. And Healer Vige, where the facility is, is about 15 kilometers further.¡±


    ¡°Hah hah hah. It¡¯s a bit of a long walk. And incidentally, the nearest vige to the west is about 40 kilometers away. They have bus services there. And Healer Vige, where the facility is, is about 15 kilometers further.¡±


    ¡°Man¡­ I can¡¯t believe it.¡±


    ¡°This is what Tolcasia is like.¡±


    ¡°Then¡­¡± Said Lillia. ¡°What should we do?¡±


    ¡°As I said earlier, I will lend you my car. Take it to the vige. Oh, can you drive a gasoline car?¡±


    Lillia shook her head and turned to Treize. He was in the middle of sipping his tea, but he met her gaze and replied, ¡°I don¡¯t have a license, though.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s all right. You won¡¯t run into anyone on the way. Please park the car at the vige hall and ask the vigers to take you to Healer Vige. I¡¯ll write a letter asking them to take you. I¡¯ll also ask them to bring my car back here.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, Mr. Morseau. You¡¯re a lifesaver.¡±


    ¡°Thank you. Is there another way to get to Lartika from the vige? A bus, by any chance?¡± Asked Treize.


    ¡°Well, yes. But you¡¯ll need to make transfers, and it takes an entire day. There are only two buses per day.¡±


    ¡°Oh¡­¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s a long time.¡±


    Morseau gave them an amused look, like a parent hiding a birthday gift from a child.


    ¡°You two are lucky. So very lucky. There¡¯s another way to get to Lartika or Bren¡ªvery quickly, to boot.¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°¡­?¡±


    Lillia and Treize waited for him to continue. Morseau chuckled, embarrassed.


    ¡°There is an aerone heading from Healer Vige to Lartika.¡±


    ¡°An aerone?¡±


    ¡°This isn¡¯t part of a regr service, is it?¡±


    Lillia and Treize asked. Morseau nodded firmly.


    ¡°This is practically a miracle. The flight¡¯s only operating today. You see, we¡¯re having a charity tour flight for the children at the facility¡ªchildren who would never otherwise have the chance to fly. Anonymous donors from the Capital District have provided us with funding to show their love for Tolcasia. They want to give these underprivileged children a chance to see nature from high up in the air.¡±


    ¡°Wow¡­ that¡¯s so kind of them.¡±


    ¡°Aren¡¯t you going to board as well, Mr. Morseau?¡±


    Said Lilia and Treize, respectively.


    ¡°Naturally, I was offered several times. But if I went aboard, that means one fewer child will get to enjoy the flight. So I declined. I¡¯m actually running away here today because I thought it might be difficult to stay on the ground, what with all the vigers telling me to go.¡± Morseau replied.


    ¡°So is it really all right for us to board?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sure it will be. I don¡¯t know much about aerones, but they supposedly rented one that can fit many people. It¡¯s going to be departing from theke.¡±


    ¡°So it must be arge seane.¡± Treize said.


    ¡°Ah, that¡¯s the word!¡± Morseau eximed.


    ¡°But if there¡¯s no room¡­¡±


    ¡°I was told that the ne would take on more passengers at the harbor in Illues. So some seats will be empty until then. The departure time will be after lunch¡ªyou¡¯ll have plenty of time to get there.¡±


    ¡°I see¡­ so we can get back to Bren today if we take the ne.¡±


    ¡°There are many ships that go between Illues and Bren, so I¡¯m quite certain you¡¯ll get there.¡±


    ¡°But could we afford a seane ride?¡± Lillia wondered anxiously.


    ¡°Not to worry. Like I said, this is a charity flight. I¡¯ll write a letter saying that you two are volunteers. I would be lying, but this is an emergency, yes? I¡¯m sure things will be all right so long as you exinter.¡±


    ¡°Then¡­¡±


    ¡°Not to worry. Enjoy the flight alongside the children. And get your business settled when you reach Bren. I will pray for your sess from here until then.¡±


    Outside the cabin. Lillia, Treize, and Morseau were standing at the door. The morning sun rose and shone on them all.


    Treize was holding a paper bag from Morseau that contained the flight suits and jackets he and Lillia had been wearing. Lillia had bottles of water¡ªnewly re-filled¡ªslung over her back.


    ¡°Take care, then. ¡­Come to think of it, this is the first time I¡¯ve ever seen people off from this house. It¡¯s strange, but also quite fun.¡±


    ¡°Thank you for everything, Mr. Morseau.¡± Lillia said.


    Morseau smiled and spread his arms. Lillia walked into his embrace. He hugged her gently.


    ¡°Be careful. And Treize? Please drive safely.¡±


    ¡°Of course. Thank you, Mr. Morseau. We¡¯ll do exactly as you said once we reach the vige.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯lle and thank you again once everything settles down.¡± Said Lillia.


    ¡°Please. Let¡¯s meet at the facility next time.¡± Morseau said, and waved. Treize coaxed Lillia forward. Lillia bowed onest time at Morseau. Treize did the same.


    ¡°Take heart. I know the two of you will be just fine.¡± Morseau finally said.


    With the cabin behind them, Lillia and Treize set off for the vige. Just before they stepped into the woods, they turned and waved. Morseau waved back.


    * * *


    There was a narrow road in the forest, just wide enough for a car to pass though.


    The road stretched straight from east to west; the dirt underneath was trodden solid, and green weeds poked out of the earth at points.


    A slightly old and small 2-seater car with a cover over it was traveling west on that road.


    Treize sat in the driver¡¯s seat on the left, holding the thin steering wheel. Lillia sat next to him.


    Whenever they hit a muddy stretch of the road, the car shook. Treize changed gears when necessary and slowed down, carefully driving as fast as he could.


    They had said nothing since they stepped into the car, silently watching the scenery.


    About 20 kilometerster,


    ¡°We¡¯re halfway there.¡± Treize muttered. ¡°It¡¯s definitely faster than walking.¡± He said, gauging Lillia¡¯s reaction. But she said nothing.


    ¡°You¡¯re really quiet today, Lillia. You can go to sleep if you¡¯d like.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not sleepy.¡± Lillia finally said, looking straight ahead.


    ¡°Of course, Mdy.¡±


    ¡°We met people in this country.¡± She said suddenly and firmly. Treize was surprised.


    ¡°Huh? ¡­Right. And?¡±


    ¡°The captain, the boy, and Mr. Mateo. They were all such nice, kind people.¡±


    ¡°Yeah¡­¡±


    ¡°But that pilot was the worst of the worst. And his friends, too. Then we met Mr. Morseau, who turned out to be theplete opposite.¡±


    ¡°Yeah.¡±


    ¡°Then who are we going to meet next? Good people? Or bad?¡± Lillia wondered, looking Treize in the eye.


    ¡°Who knows?¡± He replied immediately.


    <This is Treefrog 1. Come in, Thunderstorm. This is an emergency.>


    <This is Thunderstorm. Treefrog 1, respond.>


    <The car is here. It¡¯s ¡®his¡¯ car. Currently heading for the vige. But ¡®he¡¯ is not in the car. I repeat. ¡®He¡¯ is not in the car.>


    <Roger that. Describe the upant.>


    <Now passing¡ªpassed. Two upants, both in their mid-tote teens. A boy and a girl. They are not on the list. ¡®He¡¯ does not seem to be in the car. Shall I have Treefrog 2 stop the car?>


    <Not unless ¡®he¡¯ is there. Treefrog 2, respond.>


    <This is Treefrog 2. Reception clear. Thunderstorm, respond.>


    <So you were listening. The car is moving. Take photographs of the car, just in case. I repeat. Take photographs.>


    <Copy that.>


    ¡°Right¡­ we don¡¯t know.¡± Lillia said, looking forward again.


    At that moment, their faces were caught on film.


    A man dressed in camouge gear was in the woods. He had held up a camera equipped with a rifle-like stock and a long telephoto lens and quickly pressed the shutter.


    Next to the man with the camera was another man, who was also dressed in camouge gear and aiming a small submachine gun directly at the car. Behind him was yet another man, holding a gun in the opposite direction as they stood nigh-invisible in the woods. The men¡¯s submachine guns were the very same model that Treize had refused on the train.


    ¡°They¡¯re gone. Photographs?¡±


    ¡°They¡¯re good. It was definitely a boy and a girl.¡±


    ¡°Yes. I saw. But who are they? No one should have gone to that cabin after ¡®him¡¯.¡±


    ¡°They don¡¯t look like Tolcasians to me, sir.¡±


    ¡°I agree. Those two just might be with the ¡®Monstrous One¡¯.¡±

 Volume 1 5 — Reunion

    <h4>Volume 1 Chapter 5: Reunion</h4>


    -----


    ¡°The Master helped you two? That¡¯s wonderful!¡±


    Lillia and Treize had arrived at a tiny vige in the woods, which consisted of a cluster of twenty houses and a single road.


    Just as Morseau instructed, they had gone to the vige hall on the outskirts of themunity. A middle-aged woman heard the car and came outside, and seemed to be shocked to see the two. But once she read Morseau¡¯s letter, all her doubts were cleared.


    ¡°This is delightful. I can¡¯t believe I¡¯m getting to help out the Master!¡± She said, beaming. ¡°Come inside and sit for a while. I¡¯ll have my husband get his truck.¡±


    Then she quickly ran toward the houses.


    As they watched her depart, Treizemented,


    ¡°It looks like Mr. Morseau gets a lot of respect.¡±


    ¡°Of course he does.¡± Lillia said, holding her head high.


    ¡°Why are you acting so proud?¡±


    Soon, a middle-aged man arrived with an empty truck. He promised Lillia and Treize that he would take them to Healer Vige. Treize handed Morseau¡¯s car keys to the woman.


    With Treize and Lillia in the passenger seats, the truck departed amidst the well-wishes of the vigers.


    They traveled down a gravel road that was about twice the width of the forest path. The truck raced to the vige, leaving a trail of dust in its wake.


    ¡°¡­¡±


    Lillia clung to the leather handle on the side of the door for dear life, frozen in the midst of the roaring noise and the speeding surroundings.


    ¡°Please, slow down!¡± Treize pleaded with the driver. The paper bag at his feet danced.


    ¡°Heh. We¡¯ll be just fine. My job¡¯s to get you two to Healer Vige as fast as possible for the Master.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s great and all, but what if something leaps out of the woods or something?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s all right. The local animals don¡¯t get much bigger than deer¡ªwhen one pops out, the rest usually just follow without even thinking.¡±


    ¡°So what if a deer¡ªor a herd of deer¡ªleap into the road?¡± Asked Treize.


    The man met his gaze, staring for a long time.


    ¡°Please keep your eyes on the road.¡±


    ¡°If a deer runs into the road, that¡¯s when I run it down like BAM! What else d¡¯you think the grille guard is for?¡± The man replied, nodding at the front of the truck.


    ¡°I¡­ see.¡±


    ¡°If I hit the brakes and slow down, the deer might end up jumping into the truck. Then it¡¯ll go wild before it dies, which is bad for us. But if I hit it properly, we could be having venison tonight.¡±


    ¡°I understand. But please slow down.¡±


    ¡°All right.¡±


    The man lifted his foot slightly from the gas pedal. The truck was finally moving at a legal speed again.


    ¡°Man¡­ I thought we were done for.¡± Lillia mumbled, letting go of the handle. ¡°Say, Mister? Is Mr. Mo- I mean, the Master really such a great person?¡±


    ¡°Of course he is!¡± The man replied, stepping harder. The truck elerated violently.


    ¡°Please! The gas pedal!¡± Treize said desperately.


    ¡°Oh, sorry. ¡­Of course he¡¯s a great man. I take it the two of you don¡¯t know much about the Master?¡±


    ¡°We don¡¯t know anything about him. He didn¡¯t really give us a biography, and we couldn¡¯t just pry.¡±


    ¡°True. He¡¯s a humble man, too.¡±


    ¡°Could you tell us who the Master is?¡± Lillia asked, eyes on the driver¡¯s seat.


    ¡°Of course. It¡¯s been about thirty years since the Master came to Tolcasia. We were still at war with Sou Be-Il. Was it during the Lestki Ind incident, or earlier¡­? It was a long time ago, at any rate.¡±


    ¡°Where did hee from?¡± Asked Lillia. The man shook his head.


    ¡°Who knows? The Master didn¡¯t seem too keen on talking about his past. So we decided not to pry. He suddenly appeared in Tolcasia out of nowhere. He rented an empty house in Healer Vige and started a facility to help poor children be independent. He looked after them, fed them, taught them, and found work for them¡ªall for free. At first, everyone was suspicious. What kind of foreigner would just do all this for no profit, everyone wondered.¡±


    ¡°But what about now?¡±


    ¡°Well, time passed and everyone was moved by how the Master did all he could for the children. More and more people stepped up to volunteer help or support him. So our country¡¯s poor children lived at the facility, then became independent and moved away. I¡¯ve even heard that some children who found work at the Capital District started sending donations to the facility once they were adults.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s so sweet.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s certainly heartwarming. Nowadays, no one would badmouth the Master¡ªat least, no one from Tolcasia. We¡¯re such a backwater country that the rest of the Confederation knows almost nothing about the Master, though. ¡­ No offense to you Capital District folks.¡±


    ¡°None taken.¡±


    ¡°Please don¡¯t worry about us.¡±


    ¡°Anyway, that¡¯s how the facility sends a few kids to the Capital District every year. Of course, a lot of kids forget the Master¡¯s kindness and break off contact with the facility. Ungrateful lot.¡± Said the man. Lillia agreed.


    ¡°Shouldn¡¯t they at least write back? Everyone would be so happy to hear from them.¡±


    ¡°Darn right. But the Master always says, no news is good news. And he always personally sees off the children who leave. He¡¯s always hoping the children will have a bright future.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s wonderful. I¡¯ll be sure to tell everyone I know once we get back to the Capital District.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m happy to hear that.¡±


    ¡°And I¡¯ll tell everyone about the nice man who took us to Healer Vige.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m happy to hear that, too.¡±


    ¡°We met someone really awful recently. But it turns out that everyone we met after that were really kind. It feels good knowing that the world¡¯s not full of bad guys after all.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m very happy to hear that.¡±


    The truck continued down the gravel road.


    ¡°We¡¯re almost there.¡±


    No sooner had he spoken than the surface of the Kurz Sea came into view between the trees to their right. Theke shone brilliantly under the blue sky and the midday sun.


    ¡°Thank you so much, Mister.¡±


    ¡°Thank you.¡±


    Lillia and Treize stepped off the truck.


    ¡°Don¡¯t mention it. I¡¯m just honored I could do something for the Master. Have a good flight, you two.¡± The man replied, starting the truck. Soon, he gave a honk and drove back down the gravel road.


    ¡°Finally.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re finally here.¡±


    Treize and Lillia turned.¡±


    They stood at the edge of the woods. About 200 meters ahead they could see Healer Vige and theke.


    The vige began at thekeshore, and was crowded with roads and houses. There was a building with a spire in the distance past the red brick roofs.


    Many docks were set up on theke to the right, acting as the vige¡¯s harbor. There were several boats moored there.


    And before the docks was arge seane. It had a shining metal fusge with a ship-like underside. Itsrge, wide wings were above, with four engines and propellers. The seane was over 20 meters long, and the two fins were over 4 meters above the water¡¯s surface. The boat in front of the ne looked tiny inparison.


    Several tents had been erected by the warehouse at the harbor. A crowd was gathered there.


    Lillia and Treize headed for the tents. Because there was no road to the harbor, they had to diagonally cut across the square, which was still covered with dirt and had not been cleared of tree stumps.


    ¡°That¡¯s a big seane. Have you ever flown on something like that?¡± Asked Lillia. Treize shook his head.


    ¡°Of course not. That one looks like an older passenger craft. I heard models like that were cut from service recently because aerones are getting better and airstrips are being repaired.¡±


    ¡°You know a lot, don¡¯t you?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯d love to try flying something that big one day.¡±


    ¡°Not me. I¡¯ll take the small, fast ones any day.¡±


    The harbor was upied with arge lunch gathering. Countless dishes were lined up on the tables, and the people chattered like they were at a festival as they enjoyed their meals. There were many children there as well. Over twenty of them sat on the concrete ground in front of a warehouse as they ate.


    ¡°Excuse me. Could we ask a question?¡± Treize asked a young woman sitting next to the children. Making sure that she was employed at the facility, he handed her Morseau¡¯s letter.


    ¡°Please, I¡¯m not worthy to read the Master¡¯s letter!¡± She said, passing the letter to an older woman in an apron who was carrying dishes.


    The older woman read the letter and nodded.


    ¡°I understand. We¡¯ll do as the Master asks.¡±


    The woman called over a man in a suit and exined the situation to him. The man introduced himself as being from the Capital District, and as the one who arranged for the seane. He promised to allow Lillia and Treize to board.


    Lillia and Treize politely expressed their gratitude.


    ¡°Have you eaten yet? The whole vige is eating together today. Join us for lunch.¡± The older woman suggested with a smile.


    Lillia and Treize epted her offer with gusto. They stuffed themselves with boiled meat and peas from massive pots and tes, tiny fried shrimp, fruit tarts, colorful breads, and apple juice with endless refills.


    In the middle of their meal, Treize whispered to Lillia,


    ¡°This Master¡¯s getting us everywhere and everything.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯d be goners if not for him. ¡­Imagine how much fun we¡¯d be having by now if we¡¯d never met that crazy pilot.¡± Lillia replied.


    It was after the meal, when they sat on the concrete floor to rest, that someone spotted them.


    ¡°Huh? It¡¯s big bro and big sis! What are you doing here?¡±


    A boy walking by with an apple in hand suddenly spoke up. He was about ten years old, and wore a brown shirt and long ck pants. He was the ¡®guide¡¯ they had hired at Lartika.


    ¡°Hm? Oh, Carlo!¡± Lillia cried. Treize also greeted the boy.


    ¡°We meet again.¡±


    Carlo sheepishly came up to them.


    Carlo sheepishly came up to them.


    ¡°How¡¯d you know my name? ¡­I guess the old guy must¡¯ve told you, huh. Damn it.¡±


    ¡°The old guy? Oh, you mean Mr. Morseau. Yes, we met him.¡± Lillia replied with a smile.


    ¡°So you at least told him your name. Good.¡±


    ¡°Well¡­ he gave me food and stuff, so yeah. But I¡¯m stickin¡¯ by my personal policy, big bro. Big sis.¡±


    Lillia chuckled. ¡°I¡¯m fine with that. ¡­We were a little worried about you, Carlo. I¡¯m so d we met again. How¡¯s the facility?¡±


    Carlo looked at the air and thought.


    ¡°Well¡­ it¡¯s not as bad as I thought. For now. They give me all my meals, too. Well, the police officer was annoying.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s good to hear. You clothes look a little cleaner, too.¡±


    ¡°What happened to you two, anyway? What are you doing out here in the countryside? Did they kick you out of that fancy hotel because you made a racket at night or something?¡±


    ¡°No, Carlo. We just¡­ had a rough day. But then Mr. Morseau helped us out. Now we¡¯re getting a ride on that seane so we can go back to Lartika.¡±


    ¡°Huh. So even rich people like you get in trouble sometimes?¡± Carlo replied. It was hard to tell if he was shocked, astonished, or mocking.


    Then, he suddenly raised his voice.


    ¡°Anyway, aren¡¯t you excited? This is amazing!¡±


    ¡°What is?¡± Treize asked.


    ¡°What else? The aerone! They said we get to ride it! It¡¯s even better than this feast! I saw the ne flying herest night!¡± Carlo raved, holding his apple in one hand and pointing at the seane with the other. Lillia, who had been on aerone rides since she was younger than Carlo, made aplicated face.


    ¡°I¡­ I see. It must be exciting?¡±


    ¡°Of course it is! Poor kids like me would never get to ride on an aerone, you know. I don¡¯t believe it! It must be a miracle! If I got here a dayte, I wouldn¡¯t have gotten to ride it. We¡¯re all so lucky.¡±


    ¡°True.¡± Said Treize.


    After lunch, people began to take away the dishes and silverware from the table.


    Lillia and Treize stood to help, but were turned away and left with nothing to do. They sat at the stairs by the warehouse and nkly stared at the scene. The sun shone brightly overhead, and a gentle breeze from theke caressed them.


    ¡°I¡¯m getting tired. I think I might fall asleep on the ne¡­¡±


    ¡°Sure.¡±


    ¡°We went through too much yesterday and today.¡±


    ¡°Yeah.¡±


    ¡°But we¡¯re going to avenge Mr. Mateo no matter what.¡±


    ¡°Yeah. Definitely.¡±


    That was when Carlo came up to them.


    ¡°They said we¡¯re leaving soon, so anyone who has to go to the bathroom should go now and meet in front of the ne.¡±


    ¡°Okay. Let¡¯s go.¡±


    Treize stood and held out a hand to Lillia.


    She refused his hand and got to her feet with all the gravity of a soldier bound for battle.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go. I swear, the first thing I do when wend is run straight to the police station.¡±


    Treize lightly waved his empty hand and shrugged.


    Watching Lillia quietly walk away to the ne, Carlo asked Treize,


    ¡°Say, is big sis actually scared of flying or something?¡±


    The lunch was attended by about forty adults, about twenty children, and several people with armbandsbeled ¡®press¡¯, including cameramen. The reporters snapped photograph after photograph and asked the adults and children all kinds of questions with notebooks in hand.


    Of the reporters, one group saw the children lining up to board and turned to his group.


    ¡°All right. Let¡¯s head out.¡±


    ¡°Right.¡±


    The men returned to their vehicle near the warehouse entrance. It was a perfectlymon ck van, difficult to distinguish from others. There was a spare tire affixed behind it, and there was a wooden crate in the back covered by cloth.


    The men got in and started the van. Noticed by no one, the van left the vige and merged onto a main road outside the settlement. The road was wide and paved with dirt, and there were no other vehicles in sight. The road continued endlessly to the horizon. Utility poles stood in a line under the shoulder.


    When the vige waspletely out of sight, the van stopped at a stretch of the road sandwiched between a field and a forest. One of the men stepped off and pulled a thin antenna out the window.


    Another man, who sat in the back, operated the machine in the crate in the back. The machine was a radio. The man who had until not too long ago been wearing a ¡®press¡¯ armband held the microphone and spoke.


    ¡°This is Treefrog 4. Come in, Thunderstorm.¡±


    For a second, there was static. Then, a response.


    <This is Thunderstorm. Treefrog 4, respond.>


    <This is Thunderstorm. Treefrog 4, respond.>


    ¡°Treefrog 4 reporting. The seane is departing as scheduled. We confirmed two additional passengers who were not on the original list. I repeat. Two additional passengers. Requesting instruction.¡±


    <The passengers. A boy and a girl in their mid-tote teens?>


    ¡°Yes. How did you know?¡±


    <Treefrog 1 and 2 witnessed them heading west by car from ¡®his¡¯ house. Their presence on the ne changes nothing. Confirm takeoff and proceed as nned.>


    <Understood. We will return to the harbor to confirm takeoff.>


    ¡°We have contact from Treefrog 4. The boy and the girl are boarding the seane. Departure as scheduled.¡±


    ¡°Then we¡¯re clear. We won¡¯t even need to step in.¡±


    ¡°But we should report to ¡®Aristocrat¡¯ just in case.¡±


    ¡°Huh? It¡¯s just a little detail.¡±


    ¡°He wants detailed reports. Nothing is to be left out. He¡¯s a meticulous man. Connect me.¡±


    ¡°Yes, sir.¡±


    ¡°Ahem. Thanks to the kindness of anonymous donors from the Capital District¡ª¡±


    When the vige elder¡¯s lengthy speech finally came to an end, the children lined up to board the ne.


    They were five or six years old at the youngest, and the older ones were about twelve. In total, there were twenty-three children, about ten of them girls. They were all wearing simr shirts and shorts.


    ¡°They¡¯re all from the facility. They all have stories like mine. I made friends with a few of them yesterday, but some of them I¡¯ve never talked to.¡± Said Carlo.


    ¡°You two? I know the children might be a handful, but I hope you have a good trip. I¡¯ll tell the Master that we sent you off.¡± The older woman said as she came over to Lillia and Treize. Lillia thanked her again. Treize bowed.


    Carlo stood at the back of the line. Lillia and Treize lined up after him. A man in his forties, who wore a button-up shirt and tie like amercial aerone pilot, counted the passengers. Twenty-five people, up to Treize at the very end.


    ¡°So you two are thest-minute passengers? Since you¡¯re the oldest of the bunch, I¡¯d like you to watch over the children during the flight.¡± Said the pilot. Lillia nodded.


    ¡°Of course. But we¡¯ll be getting off partway.¡±


    ¡°But please take care of them while you¡¯re onboard. Just make sure they don¡¯t do anything dangerous. I agreed to the flight knowing only children were going to board, but to be honest it¡¯s a little unnerving if they¡¯re not supervised.¡±


    ¡°Hm¡­¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m counting on you.¡± The man said, and left the line. He went over to shake hands with the adults, and led the children at the front to the dock.


    Seen off by the vigers, the facility employees, and the reporters and their cameras, the children walked in single file down the dock. The 40-meter dock was the longest in the vige, and was connected to a 20-meter floating bridge made of drum canisters and plywood. The edge of the bridge was the ramp into the seane. The door into the ne was in the middle of the passenger cabin; the cockpit was on the right side of the fusge, and round windows dotted the sides in perfect symmetry.


    From up close, the seane looked even more massive. The two fins stuck proudly into the air, and the 35-meter wings covered the sky like a shade.


    ¡°Wow, it¡¯s huge!¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s so big.¡±


    ¡°Does this thing really fly?¡±


    ¡°This is so cool!¡±


    The children chirped and chattered as they stepped onto the ne.


    Lillia, Treize, and Carlo entered as well. On the right side of the ne was a very steep staircase¡ªwhich was almost adder¡ªthat led into the cockpit higher up. On the left was a corridor leading into the freight hold and the passenger cabin.


    They passed through a long, narrow oval-shaped door and entered the cabin. There was a carpet running down the middle of the cabin, with two-person seats facing one another on either side of the aisle.


    Because the children who boarded earlier took up most of the seats, Lillia and the others headed for the empty seats at the very end. Behind the seats were a door leading into the bathroom and the emergency hatch on the right side.


    Carlo and Lillia sat on the right sides. Treize sat alone on the left, putting the paper bag in the empty seat.


    Not only were the seats as good as couches, they were alsorge and soft andfortable. There were patches of visible repair and some discoloration, but it was another worldpared to the cramped, ufortable cockpit seats in smaller nes. The interior was finished with a polished veneer, just like a fancy hotel.


    ¡°I¡¯ve never flown in such a nice seat before.¡± Lillia mumbled.


    ¡°Same. I feel like I might fall asleep.¡± Treize agreed.


    ¡°This is so cool! It¡¯s just like a luxury cruise ship or a luxury train! Not that I¡¯ve even ridden on them before.¡± Carlo cheered, ignorant of Lillia¡¯sment.


    ¡°Children, do not get out of your seats during the flight, and do not make amotion. Sit quietly and look out the windows. Put on your seatbelts tightly when we take off andnd, and the bathroom is in the back but try not to go unless you absolutely must.¡±


    The man they met earlier was exining all the safety guidelines from the aisle, but almost none of the children were paying attention.


    ¡°¡ªThat is all. Was anyone even listening?¡±


    Soon, the man shut the door and left.


    Lillia looked out the window. Through the ss, only a meter above the surface, she could see the bridge, the harbor, the vige by theke, and the people there.


    ¡°I wonder how long it¡¯ll take?¡± She wondered.


    ¡°140 kilometers in a straight line. A seane like this could probably get 200 to 250 kilometers per hour if the weather¡¯s good. Add in takeoff andnding, and it¡¯ll probably take about an hour. Unless we stop by other ces or something to sightsee.¡±


    ¡°I see. I should have asked. I might fall asleep, so wake me up when we get there.¡±


    ¡°Okay.¡±


    ¡°Okay.¡±


    The moment Treize replied, the engines began to rumble overhead and the noise filled the cabin.


    ¡°It¡¯s the engines! We¡¯re flying!¡±


    ¡°Wow! We¡¯re flying!¡±


    ¡°Yay!¡±


    Listening to the children cheer, Lillia leaned against thefy seat and closed her eyes.


    <What?>


    <A boy and a girl have boarded the seane. I am reporting because their presence was not part of the original n.>


    <¡­>


    <Sir, are you listening?>


    <What of the seane?>


    <The engines just started¡ªah, it¡¯s taken off now. We can see from here with binocrs. It¡¯s just about on time.>


    <¡­I see. Understood. Thank you for the notice.>


    <Shall we proceed as nned?>


    <Yes. You may.>


    <Then if you¡¯ll excuse me, Major.>


    ¡°What¡¯s going on here?¡± Said the suit-d man, putting down the receiver. He was in a small hotel in the vige. In the room was a single bed, a desk, and a haphazardly-arranged radio system.


    The seane outside was circling the vige as it gained altitude.


    ¡°What is going on here?¡± Said another man, putting down the receiver.


    He was in his mid-thirties, and had ck hair and schrly silver-rimmed sses. He wore a green and brown checkered shirt and light pants, along with a vest with many pockets. He looked like he was ready to go fishing.


    ¡°Is there a problem, Major Travas?¡± Asked the young woman next to him.


    She was in herte twenties. Although she was not wearing a vest, she also wore a simr shirt and pants. She had short brown hair and sharp, stern eyes.


    The man and the woman were in a bus. A perfectlymon 20-seater bus with an aisle between the seats. The bus was stopped by the roadside, idling with the engine still on. Outside the bus was a forest and a field.


    Other than the two, there was a man dressed like a driver in the driver¡¯s seat, and five men in their twenties to thirties near the back. They were all wearing vests like fishermen. Their belongings consisted of simple backpacks and bags, and long fishing pole holders. From the outside they merely looked like a group out on a fishing trip.


    The woman and the men all looked at Major Travas. He did not look like a man on a fishing trip, his expression betraying incredible unease.


    ¡°Hm. We have a problem, Axe.¡± He said to the woman.


    Then,


    ¡°Attention, everyone.¡± He said loudly, so everyone on the bus could hear. ¡°This is an emergency. My friend¡¯s daughter and herpanion, who went missingst night, have boarded the seane in question.¡±


    The men grimaced in unison. The driver found himself turning, but caught himself and turned back. The woman called ¡®Axe¡¯ swallowed.


    ¡°Major. It¡¯s¡ª¡±


    ¡°As such, there will be a change of ns. I will inform you of the changes in due time.¡± Major Travas said, picking up the receiver he had just put down. The phone had been hidden so it could only be seen when the seat was lifted.


    ¡°It¡¯s too dangerous to change our ns now, Major. You¡¯re the one who taught me to never wing things.¡± Axe cut in disapprovingly. Major Travas smiled.


    ¡°I¡¯m not winging everything.¡±


    ¡°Sir?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll tell you the detailster.¡±


    Major Travas replied, and turned the dial. The thin cable stretching from the roof of the bus was connected to the phone line on the utility pole by the road.


    Someone soon picked up. Major Travas spoke into the receiver.


    ¡°I know that the factory has ceased operations. I¡¯m just calling to get the local weather forecast¡ª¡±


    <Yes, sir. As I informed you yesterday, I¡¯m avable to leave at any time.>


    <Thene immediately. This is Code Rhubarb. I repeat, Code Rhubarb. Both are aboard.>


    <¡­How¡¯d that happen? Why?>


    <I can¡¯t say for sure yet, but maybe she¡¯s just as fond of getting involved in things as a certain someone I know. I¡¯ll ask about the detailster.>


    <All right. I¡¯ll be right there. But where are they? Thatke is huge.>


    <We have no way of knowing from here. It¡¯s all on you.>


    <You¡¯re giving me a pretty big job, you know.>


    <Good luck.>

 Volume 1 6 — Wings of Death

    <h4>Volume 1 Chapter 6: Wings of Death</h4>


    -----


    The seane was flying over the Kurz Sea.


    Its hard streamlined fusge, the wide wings over it, the four engines lined up on the wings, and the propellers drawing clear circles in the air.


    Much like a waterborne vessel, everything under the water line was painted ck.


    The engines sang a four-part harmony, leisurely and elegantly¡ªor, to be more cynical, slowly and heavily¡ªpushing the ne through the air.


    Three men sat in the cockpit. The two sitting side-by-side were the pilot and the co-pilot, with the pilot on the left side. Sitting sideways behind them, beside the engine control panel and the radio, was the engineer. He was the one who had led the children aboard earlier.


    The men were all in their forties, wearing aviator jackets over their button-up shirts with ties, with hats and headsets on their heads. There were microphones strapped around their necks.


    The bearded man in the pilot¡¯s seat spoke over the radio to hispanions.


    <Things are going smoothly. For now.>


    The other men replied.


    <For now.>


    <Yes, for the time being.>


    The pilot nced at the clock, crowded amidst the instruments, and muttered amusedly.


    <Not much longer now. Soon, we¡¯ll be filthy rich.>


    Somewhere above and behind the seane.


    Four fighter nes were flying in the seane¡¯s blind spot.


    They were amphibious nes equipped with floats; the same model flown by the man who shot Mateo the previous day, and the ones that riddled Mateo¡¯s ne with bullets.


    The nes flew in diagonal formation, maintaining the same speed as the seane as they followed behind.


    Inside the seane, the children clung to the windows as the dampened roar of the engines filled the cabin. They stared outside, ever-captivated by the water below and the ripples of sunlight.


    And in the veryst row, Lillia slept.


    Carlo, sitting across from her, twirled his hat around his finger and whispered,


    ¡°Big sis is totally knocked out. Too bad.¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s just tired. Leave her be.¡± Treize replied. He also seemedpletely uninterested in the view, keeping the curtain shut and staring a hole through the seat ahead of him, deep in thought.


    Carlo turned to Treize.


    ¡°I wanna ask you something.¡±


    ¡°Yeah?¡±


    ¡°Are you big sis¡¯s boyfriend?¡±


    Treize¡¯s expression stiffened. He slowly shook his head.


    ¡°If she were awake to hear that, she¡¯d yell, ¡®No!¡¯ andsh out.¡±


    ¡°At me?¡±


    ¡°At me. Though I don¡¯t know why.¡±


    ¡°Huh.¡± Carlo mumbled, then asked, ¡°Then you¡¯ve never kissed each other, either?¡±


    For a moment, Treize was floored. But he quickly struggled to gather himself.


    ¡°No, not yet. And I seriously hope she didn¡¯t hear that, either.¡±


    ¡°Would she hit you?¡±


    ¡°She would.¡±


    ¡°Well, I guess it¡¯s nice to be friends.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know how you came to that conclusion, but it certainly is nice to be friends.¡±


    ¡°Anyway¡­¡± Carlo trailed off, his gaze turning to Lillia as his tone grew calm. ¡°Big sis is really pretty.¡±


    ¡°Huh? ¡­Oh. Yeah.¡±


    ¡°She looks like a good person. She looks really nice and kind.¡±


    ¡°You wouldn¡¯t want to see her when she gets angry.¡±


    ¡°And she¡¯s got long, shiny hair. You see brtes everywhere, but something¡¯s different about her. You know, when I saw her at the harbor earlier, big sis¡¯s hair was shining in the sun like silk. It was really pretty.¡±


    ¡°Looks like someone¡¯s in love.¡±


    Carlo¡¯s gaze turned into a re aimed straight at Treize.


    ¡°What? No!¡±


    ¡°I dunno about that.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t make me get mad at you! Stop acting like you know everything.¡±


    ¡°All right, all right. I¡¯m sorry.¡±


    ¡°Tch.¡±


    Treize apologized with a smile, and Carlo pushed his hat over his face and turned away. He turned his sights to the scenery outside.


    Treize turned to him.


    ¡°Anyway, you can see underneath from that window, right?¡±


    ¡°Yeah. Why?¡±


    ¡°Can you seend? It doesn¡¯t matter if it¡¯s in the distance.¡±


    ¡°Land? No. There¡¯s been nothing but water all around for a while. This is really fun. You know, I¡¯ve been swimming a lot but I¡¯ve never seen theke from high up.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s strange¡­¡± Treize muttered, ncing at the watch on his left hand. ¡°Something¡¯s not right.¡±


    It was already long past thending time he had estimated for Lillia earlier.


    Treize drew back the curtains and pressed his face against the window, his sights set ahead. He could see the left wing and the support floats underneath. When he turned, he could see the sun shining brightly above.


    ¡°What?¡± He gasped. Carlo looked over.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong, big bro?¡±


    The sunlight filtered in through the round window and shone on Treize¡¯s shocked face.


    Treize scrambled to unwind his watch. He pointed the hour hand, which was pointing at the 3, toward the sun. In the northern hemisphere, the angle between the hour hand pointing at the sun and the number 12 was south.


    Currently, as Treize sat facing forward, south was behind him and to his left. So the ne was headed northwest. In other words, the seane was flying further into the center of the massive Kurz Sea¡ªin the opposite direction from Lartika andnd.


    ¡°Why didn¡¯t I figure this out earlier? ¡­I¡¯m such an idiot!¡± Treize chastised himself. Carlo gave him a quizzical look.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong? Was the apple from before poisoned?¡±


    ¡°No, it¡¯s something else.¡± Treize replied, and getting off his seat, he went over to Lillia. With his right hand he mercilessly pinched her left cheek.


    ¡°Lillia, wake up!¡±


    ¡°Hmm? Huh¡­?¡±


    When Lillia woke up to the sight of Treize pinching her, she instantly swung her right arm. Treize stopped her fist with his left hand and let go of her face.


    ¡°What the heck, Treize? You couldn¡¯t think of any other way to wake¡ª¡±


    ¡°Lillia. Something¡¯s not right.¡±


    The gravity in Treize¡¯s face chased some(but not all) of the sleep from Lillia¡¯s eyes.


    ¡°With you? Took you long enough to figure out.¡±


    ¡°No, I¡¯m talking about this seane.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s still flying nicely.¡±


    ¡°Exactly. It¡¯s still flying. We should havended already by this point.¡±


    ¡°Maybe they¡¯re taking a detour. Wake me up when we get there.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t fall asleep! The seane¡¯s headed in the opposite direction. At this rate, we¡¯re going to run out of fuel in the middle of theke.¡±


    Lillia stared curiously and stood.


    ¡°What are you going to do?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m going to the cockpit to ask what¡¯s happening. Let¡¯s go.¡±


    ¡°All right.¡± Lillia nodded.


    ¡°Hey, what¡¯s going on?¡± Carlo wondered, finally joining the conversation.


    ¡°We¡¯re not sure yet, but tell the others not to worry.¡±


    ¡°Okay¡­¡±


    Lillia and Treize left Carlo behind and walked down the aisle. They passed the children, who clung to the windows, and approached the door. Treize reached for the door¡¯s handles. Of the three, the top and the bottom handles moved. However¡ª


    ¡°¡­Damn it.¡±


    The second one was locked. Treize crouched next to the door and peered into the keyhole.


    ¡°Lillia, do you by any chance have a¡ª¡±


    ¡°Move.¡±


    Lillia grabbed Treize by the shoulder and pushed him aside. Then she took out a hairpin from the wallet in her pocket and broke it in half, then stuck it in the keyhole and fiddled with it with both hands.


    ¡°¡­Come on¡­ just a little more¡­¡±


    There was a click, and the lock came undone. Treize tested the handle and turned to Lillia.


    ¡°You¡¯re good.¡±


    ¡°Mom passed on this technique to me. Apparently now I can get into the house even if I forget my keys.¡±


    ¡°Right¡­¡±


    Quietly, Treize opened the door and slid outside. Lillia followed him and shut the door behind her.


    In the dark corridor, they turned to the front of the ne. At that moment¡ª


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    Treize¡¯s eyes met the bearded pilot¡¯s. Both gasped in bewilderment.


    The pilot stood at the door. There was arge cloth rucksack on his back. Upon closer examination, it was not a rucksack, but a parachute. It was strapped not only to his shoulders, but also around his chest and thighs.


    ¡°What¡¯re you doing?¡± Treize asked.


    ¡°Heh heh heh.¡±


    The pilotughed abashedly. Lillia, who watched from behind Treize, also froze in shock.


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    ¡°Sorry!¡±


    With that, the pilot heaved the door open.


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°Wait¡ª¡±


    The moment the door opened, the corridor was filled with the howl of the wind and the roar of the engines. Lillia¡¯s hair danced in the gale.


    The pilot fixed the gaping door to the interior and pulled the parachute cord from his left side. There was something metal at the end of the cord, and he hooked it to the handle by the door.


    ¡°Bye!¡±


    With a yell, the pilot jumped out the door. All that was left was the rope hanging out the doorway.


    As Lillia and Treize stood, dumbfounded, the co-pilot emerged from the cockpit. He was also strapped to a parachute. His eyes went wide for a moment when he spotted the duo, but he quickly hooked the cord to the handle with a deft hand and followed the pilot outside.


    The third man soon emerged. He was the friendly engineer from before. Treize pulled his handgun from his belt pack and pointed it at the man.


    ¡°Hey, you! Freeze!¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    Takenpletely by surprise at the presence of people outside the locked door, and the fact that one of the people was pointing a gun at him, the engineer froze with his eyes bulging. Though he had the cord in his left hand, he had yet to hook it onto the handle. In his right hand was something resembling arge telephone receiver, about 30 centimeters in length.


    ¡°Whoa! Don¡¯t shoot, young man!¡± The engineer cried, his voice fighting the roar of the wind. Treize stepped forward, his gun still trained on the man.


    ¡°Don¡¯t move!¡±


    ¡°This is very unfriendly of you, young man! Why do you have a gun?¡± The engineer mocked. Treize cocked the gun.


    ¡°Get back to the cockpit!¡±


    ¡°And what would I do back there, eh?¡±


    ¡°Do I have to spell it out for you? Land this ne immediately!¡± Treize replied without hesitation. But the engineer snorted.


    ¡°Hah hah! I¡¯m just an engineer, kid. How would I fly this ne? The people who could are already gone!¡±


    Treize ground his teeth. The engineer quickly used his right hand to affix his parachute cord to the handle. Then, as he prepared to jump,


    ¡°If you so much as twitch, I will shoot you.¡±


    A look of deadly calm rose to Treize¡¯s face. He looked even more menacing than before. The engineer¡¯s forced grin vanished.


    ¡°Look¡­ you wouldn¡¯t open fire inside the ne, would you? One bad ricochet, and it¡¯d take down the ne.¡± The engineer pointed out.


    ¡°That won¡¯t happen. All I have to do is shoot you in the head. Once these bullets get into your skull, they won¡¯t be getting out.¡± Treize replied nonchntly.


    ¡°A-anyway! This ne is going to crash now that the pilots are gone. Everyone here is going to die!¡±


    ¡°Would you like to be the first?¡±


    The engineer was silent.


    ¡°Why are you doing this?¡±


    ¡°¡­For the money, obviously.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll ask youter about your employer. First, put your hands in the air and turn around. Get back in the cockpit.¡±


    ¡°A-and if I refuse?¡±


    ¡°Your inheritance will be mine. I¡¯m sure it¡¯ll be enough to feed me for a very long time.¡± Treize threatened with a smile on his face. A hint of anxiety rose to the engineer¡¯s face.


    But at that moment, the world shook.


    The floor seemed to sink beneath them, throwing everyone into the air. Lillia quickly grabbed the handrail. Treize reached for the wall with his left arm¡ªhis gun-arm¡ªto support himself.


    The engineer threw aside his radio and grabbed a nearby handrail. Then,


    ¡°AAAAAARGH!¡±


    With a shout, he pushed forward with his right hand and broke into a run. And he stumbled toward the door.


    ¡°Tch!¡±


    The moment Treize spotted the man¡¯s charge, he took aim¡ªbut when the target ovepped with the interior of the ne, he gave up and ran for the door. And with his left hand on the handrail inside the shaking ne, he stuck out his head into the gust outside.


    In the distance was a small circle. A parachute.


    Treize pulled himself back inside, armed the safety on his gun, and dropped it into his belt pack. Then he pulled the three parachute cords into the ne and shut the door. The gust ceased.


    Like a car driving off-road, the seane continued to shake. To make matters worse the fusge was beginning to tilt forward. Treize climbed up the steep steps toward the cockpit.


    Naturally, the cockpit at the top of the stairs was empty. Beyond the empty seats, a circr yoke¡ªshaped much like a steering wheel¡ªrattled unattended.


    ¡°Bastards.¡±


    Treize ran to the pilot¡¯s seat and firmly took hold of the yoke.


    ¡°I know I said that I¡¯d love to try flying this thing, but seriously¡­¡±


    Suppressing the turbulence as best he could, Treize slowly pulled the yoke forward.


    ¡°Please stop shaking¡­¡±


    The turbulence slowly began to weaken. Eventually, the ne had returned to its cid pace.


    ¡°Phew¡­¡±


    Treize breathed a sigh of relief. The ne was now stable.


    ¡°Hey! What¡¯s going on here?!¡±


    That was when he heard Lillia¡¯s voice from behind. She climbed the steps and poked her head into the cockpit.


    ¡°Ugh¡­¡± She groaned when she saw the cockpit, with no one but Treize upying it. She climbed all the way inside and took a seat next to him, putting a hand on his chair. The engines were so loud that she had to shout. ¡°Talk about cking off on the job. Big time.¡± Lillia grumbled. Treize looked to his upper right.


    ¡°If only things were that easy. There¡¯s no one left now.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯re we going to do?¡±


    ¡°Easy. We do something¡ªanything.¡±


    Lillia nodded and replied, as though none of this was happening to her.


    ¡°Yeah. I guess you¡¯re right.¡±


    ¡°Why does this instrument panel have to be so uselesslyplicated?¡± Treize groaned, his eyes passing over the sprawling instruments. He pointed at each one in session, checking the functions.


    ¡°Fuel¡­ we¡¯re still got about half. Altimeter¡­ turn indicator¡­ variometer¡­ airspeed indicator¡­ turn coordinator¡­ clock¡­ the clock¡¯s working, at least. Heading¡­ I knew it¡ªwe are headed north. Engine readouts¡­ not every day you get to see four of those in a row. And the throttle lever is overhead¡ªnot my style, but what can you do? And¡­ what¡¯s this?¡±


    Treize wrestled with the controls for some time. Several minutes passed.


    ¡°All right. I think I¡¯ve got the gist of things.¡±


    ¡°Are you sure?¡± Lillia asked, worried. Treize replied in his usual tone.


    ¡°All nes are the same! ¡­Is what I learned from the guy who taught me to fly.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re inspiring so much faith, Treize.¡±


    ¡°Anyway, we¡¯ll slowly descend from here¡ª¡±


    ¡°Are we going to keep flying?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know. We should head back to the vige if we can turn. If not, we¡¯ll descend into a waternding. This is a seane, and we¡¯re on ake. Everything we see is a potential airstrip. Can you take care of the rest, Lillia? A seane this size has got to have arge radio somewhere.¡± Treize said.


    ¡°You mean that thing there?¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    Treize turned. Behind him and to his right, in therge radio usually manned by the engineer¡ª


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ¡ªwas an axe with a red handle. The axe that was normally supposed to break the windows in case of an emergencynding.


    ¡°Damn it¡­ talk about thorough.¡± Treize growled.


    ¡°Oh! What about that emergency signal thing Mr. Mateo told us about?¡± Lillia wondered.


    ¡°The emergency radio beacon? ¡­I don¡¯t think we¡¯ll find one on an old model like this.¡± Treize replied, looking around the cockpit. ¡°¡­Nope.¡± He added with a deliberate nod. Lillia frowned.


    ¡°Then what do we do?¡±


    ¡°We can¡¯t radio for help, but as long as we have fuel we can taxi over water to get to the vige. Like a ship.¡± Treize said. ¡°Lillia. Thest man dropped a radio before he jumped. It should still be on the floor.¡±


    ¡°It should be.¡±


    ¡°Could you get it for me? If it¡¯s not broken, it¡¯ll have a range of a couple kilometers. It¡¯ll be useful for when wend and wait for a rescue crew.¡±


    ¡°All right. It looks like things¡¯ll work out. I¡¯ll be right back¡± Lillia said and turned, but Treize stopped her.


    ¡°While you¡¯re at it, could you check on the kids?¡±


    ¡°Check on them¡­ and then what?¡±


    ¡°If they¡¯re panicking, calm them down¡­ and please bring Carlo here.¡±


    Lillia nodded and climbed downstairs.


    About thirty secondster, she returned with the radio in hand. Carlo followed after her.


    ¡°What¡¯s going on, big bro? Why¡¯re you the only one here?¡± Carlo asked. Instead of replying, Treize asked Lillia how the children were.


    ¡°They were a little scared because of the turbulence earlier, but I think they¡¯re over it now.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s good to hear.¡±


    Treize turned to the confused Carlo.


    ¡°Actually, we have a problem. Not a big one.¡±


    ¡°Not a big one?¡± Carlo shot back immediately. ¡°As if. It¡¯s written all over your faces.¡±


    ¡°¡­Well, true. It¡¯s not not a big one.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s happening? You can tell me. I¡¯m listening.¡±


    ¡°All right. The people flying this seane all took off with parachutes.¡±


    ¡°What? Then we¡¯re a ship without a captain? That¡¯s not good.¡±


    ¡°Yeah. So I have to fly the ne myself. Lillia and I are going to do something about this.¡± Treize said.


    Lillia quietly waited for Carlo to react.


    ¡°Oh.¡±


    And she was shocked by his response.


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    ¡°You two know how to fly a ne? I guess that¡¯s rich people for you.¡± He said nonchntly.


    ¡°I-I guess so, but¡­ anyway, it¡¯s no big deal. There¡¯s nothing to worry about, really. Treize said, ying along.


    ¡°So what do you need me to do? You called me up here to do stuff, right?¡±


    ¡°Good to see you¡¯re quick on the uptake. You can leave the flying to us, but since we¡¯re here we can¡¯t keep an eye out on the passenger cabin.¡±


    ¡°I know that. And?¡±


    ¡°So go back to the cabin and take charge of the kids. There might be turbulence likest time, and there might be a big impact when wend on theke. But there¡¯s nothing to worry about, so calm down the kids if they panic. Tell them to sit in their seats and enjoy the view.¡±


    ¡°Ugh. Really? Leading a bunch of kids? That¡¯s so uncool.¡±


    ¡°Damn it, kid¡­¡± Treize shook, holding back his frustration.


    ¡°Carlo.¡± Lillia said then, squatting next to Carlo and meeting his gaze.


    ¡°Yeah?¡±


    ¡°Look at this.¡±


    She held out her hand. Between her thumb and index finger was a coin marked with a leaf.


    ¡°This is the coin I was going to give you back in Lartika. Would you ept this job?¡±


    ¡°Well, I can¡¯t exactly turn down cold hard cash.¡± Carlo grinned. At that moment, Lillia moved her fingertips. What had appeared to be one coin actually turned out to be two.


    ¡°One is for showing us around back in Lartika. Don¡¯t tell the policeman, okay?¡±


    ¡°Now you¡¯re talking, big sis!¡± Carlo replied, quickly snatching the coins. ¡°So you want me to keep the kids calm if something happens? I¡¯ll do it!¡±


    As Carlo turned and climbed down the steps, Lillia said,


    ¡°I¡¯m counting on you.¡±


    Carlo gave her a thumbs-up.


    ¡°Thanks, Lillia.¡± Treize said to Lillia, who sat in the co-pilot¡¯s seat to his right. She had the radio on herp, and her hands were folded pointedly away from the controls.


    ¡°Hey, did you really mean what you just said? That this isn¡¯t a big problem?¡± Lillia asked, staring. Treize met her gaze and lightly shook his head.


    ¡°No. Frankly, I don¡¯t even know if I couldnd a ne this big without an instructor¡¯s help. I¡¯m worried.¡±


    ¡°I knew it.¡±


    ¡°But it¡¯s best to keep them in the dark, don¡¯t you agree?¡±


    ¡°Yeah. To be honest, I didn¡¯t want to know, either.¡±


    ¡°I see.¡±


    ¡°They say that a lie is a tool of sorts, too. I hate to say this, but adults do lie often. Usually to protect themselves, though.¡± Lillia remarked without much thought. Treize¡¯s expression darkened.


    ¡°I see¡­¡± He muttered, taking his left hand off the yoke and cing it over his chest in a fist. Lillia did not pay his action much mind and continued.


    ¡°I wonder why those pilots all jumped? There doesn¡¯t seem to be anything wrong with the ne or anything.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know. And why would they jump out in the middle of a charity flight, of all things? It just looks insane to me.¡±


    ¡°They must be in theke by now. I wonder what¡¯s happened to them.¡±


    ¡°They had emergency life vests, so they¡¯ll stay afloat for a while. But who knows for how long?¡±


    ¡°Well, I¡¯m not going to go rescue them.¡±


    ¡°Neither am I. We should be worrying about ourselves. First, we¡¯ll practice banking. Is that all right with you?¡±


    ¡°Sure. I can¡¯t believe I¡¯m saying this, but you can take over. Better than the two of us bickering over the controls together.¡±


    ¡°Thanks.¡±


    ¡°Well then, the yoke is yours.¡± Lillia said, making a point of waving her empty hands.


    ¡°All right. Here we go.¡±


    Slowly, Treize tilted the yoke and gingerly stepped down on the left pedal. The seane tilted to the left little by little, turning in a steady, gentle arc.


    ¡°Great. This ne¡¯s a lot nicer than I expected.¡± Treizemented.


    ¡°Do your best.¡± Lillia cheered.


    ¡°Huh? Me?¡± Treize nced over.


    ¡°No, I¡¯m talking to the ne.¡± She replied with a re.


    ¡°¡­Of course, Mdy.¡±


    The seane continued to turn. Thepass needle moved from northwest to west-northwest, then from west-northwest to west. The sun seemed to move for them, shining directly into the cockpit.


    ¡°All right. Just a little more¡­¡±


    The needle was just passing the point marked ¡®west¡¯.


    That was when streaks of red suddenly passed before their eyes. Light seemed to rain down from overhead.


    ¡°What is this?¡±


    ¡°Hey!¡±


    Soon, the source of the light came into view. An amphibious fighter ne narrowly passed by overhead.


    ¡°Not good.¡±


    Treize quickly turned the yoke. The seane seemed to stumble for a moment before tilting to the right and returning to level position.


    ¡°Treize! It¡¯s that ne¡ªthe one we saw yesterday!¡± Lillia cried sharply, her voice tinged with hatred.


    ¡°I noticed. I don¡¯t believe this¡­ how could they just open fire like that? Both today and yesterday.¡± Treize groaned.


    He leaned toward the windshield and surveyed their surroundings. A fighter ne was flying about 50 meters to their left. The fusge was camouged in splotches of light green and brown paint, with the underside painted a murky blue. There was a saw-shaped mark painted on the fin.


    An identical ne was following behind it.


    ¡°There. Two nes on our left. They must be with the people from yesterday¡ªthe ¡®viins¡¯ from the Tolcasian Air Force.¡±


    ¡°They¡¯re on our right, too. One¡­ no, two.¡±


    Treize turned. Past Lillia¡¯s head to his right, outside the window, were two more identical nes flying at identical distances.


    ¡°Did they just show up?¡± He wondered. But he quickly shot down his own question. ¡°No, that¡¯s not it. They must have been watching us from above all along. And they must have been floored when I started banking.¡±


    ¡°What do you mean?¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s test this out again.¡±


    Once again, Treize attempted a left bank. The moment the seane began to tilt, a fighter ne on the left opened fire. Tracer shots whistled past.


    ¡°See?¡± Treize said, pulling the yoke back to the center. The seane continued due west.


    ¡°Wow, those aerones have floats under them! Cool!¡±


    ¡°Look! He fired his gun! And the bullets are glowing!¡±


    ¡°I know what those are! They glow so you can see where the bullets are going.¡±


    ¡°On this side, too! There¡¯s two more!¡±


    ¡°This is awesome! They¡¯re flying in formation!¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s wave at them!¡±


    ¡°Hey!¡±


    ¡°Whoo!¡±


    ¡°Yeah!¡±


    ¡°Hi there!¡±


    The cabin was whipped up in a frenzy of excitement. And from a seat in the back row, Carlo watched quietly with two coins on the palm of his hand.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know, but it looks like I don¡¯t need to do anything here.¡±


    ¡°They opened fire the moment we tried to bank. In other words, they want to keep this ne headed northwest, or west if they can¡¯t help it.¡± Treize spected. Lillia was quick to reply.


    ¡°I get that. But why?¡±


    Treize thought for a moment before responding.


    ¡°This is just a gut feeling, but I think I have the answer. It¡¯s probably for the same reason the crew jumped out. Those nes are going to contact us soon through that.¡±


    He was pointing at the radio on Lillia¡¯sp. The moment she nced at it, a male voice suddenly escaped the speaker.


    <¡ªseane,e in! I assume someone is in the cockpit. Answer!>


    ¡°Whoa!¡± Lillia pulled back.


    <Answer! I repeat, answer!> The voice said again. It was a male voice, neither very young nor old.


    ¡°What the heck¡­¡± Lillia breathed, pointing dubiously at the radio.


    ¡°See? It¡¯s them.¡± Treize said. He picked up a headset from next to his seat and put it on, and wound the microphone around his neck. Then he found the end of the cord, pulled it out, and handed the jack to Lillia.


    ¡°Could you plug this in for me?¡±


    <I know you¡¯re listening! I re->


    Lillia plugged the jack into an opening on the side of the radio. The radio went silent, but the man¡¯s voice now began to escape from Treize¡¯s headset.


    ¡°Argh, that¡¯s loud.¡± He grimaced.


    ¡°Agreed.¡±


    Lillia put on the co-pilot¡¯s headset and plugged it in as well.


    <Can you hear me? Is anyone in the cockpit? Answer if you¡¯re listening!>


    Soon, they heard another voice.


    <Captain. Maybe we should fire off more warning shots.>


    <Captain. Maybe we should fire off more warning shots.>


    <I see children waving from the cabin, sir.>


    <Can we open fire now? There¡¯s no one to see.>


    <Only as ast resort. We will not waste bullets. ¡­I repeat, Answer if you¡¯re listening!>


    Hearing the four-way conversation over the radio, Lillia turned to Treize.


    ¡°What is this? What¡¯s going on?¡±


    Then, it struck her.


    ¡°No way¡­¡±


    Treize nodded firmly.


    ¡°Yeah. The crew was working with those people on the fighter crafts. They must have agreed to fly the ne into the middle of theke and jump off somewhere. That¡¯s what this radio was for. Those fighter nes must have been watching from overhead all along.¡±


    ¡°Why would anyone do something like this?¡±


    ¡°Who knows? Maybe we should have a little chat.¡± Treize replied, and pressed a switch on his neck.


    <This is the seane. We hear you loud and clear.>


    Bewildered, Lillia stared at Treize contacting the fighter nes.


    <Who is this? There were only three crew scheduled to be on the flight. Was there a change of ns?>


    The response came from the man earlier addressed as ¡®Captain¡¯. His answer confirmed Treize¡¯s suspicions about the crew.


    ¡°I knew it.¡± Treize muttered. Then, he began to spin a web of lies.


    <I boarded the ne to chaperone the children. I spotted the crew jumping outside and grabbed the controls. Who are you people? Why did you open fire? From your nes you seem to be part of the Air Force¡ªstate your names and affiliation!>


    There was a moment of silence. What followed out of the radio was a threat.


    <It doesn¡¯t matter who I am. Now, let me tell you something you¡¯ll be grateful for. Do not even think about turning. If you bank or descend, we will shoot you down.>


    ¡°Grateful?!¡± Lillia roared indignantly.


    ¡°Calm down. For now, let¡¯s listen to what they have to say.¡± Treize replied, then turned to the radio with feigned outrage.


    <Why should we be grateful?>


    <Why not? Do as we tell you, and you will live. There should be some extra parachutes left in the cargo hold. Use them to escape. We wille rescue you on theke. You will escape with your lives.>


    ¡°That stupid idiot! What about the kids? They¡¯re going to leave all the kids to die!¡± Lillia cried. As the cockpit filled with rage, Treize nodded.


    ¡°Exactly.¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°Without anyone to fly it, this ne will fly further into theke¡­ and eventually it¡¯ll lose bnce or fuel and crash. And it¡¯ll sink. I don¡¯t know why they¡¯re doing this, but these people want the seane to crash and disappear.¡±


    <I repeat. Use the parachutes to escape. Resistance is futile!>


    The captain¡¯s voice threatened from the speakers, but Treize ignored him.


    ¡°Incidentally, if we do escape with the parachutes¡ª¡±


    ¡°They¡¯ll obviously shoot us down in midair or on the water.¡±


    ¡°Yeah. They¡¯ll silence us anyway. I mean, that¡¯s what they want. For everyone to die. The pilot in the middle of nowhere from yesterday, the people who tried to shoot us in the forest¡ªthey probably got in touch with this seane on theke to formte this n.¡±


    ¡°I see. The crazy pilot thought we¡¯d seen them, and shot Mr. Mateo to silence him.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s right. That means they¡¯re willing to kill one or more people to fulfill their n. What in the world are they thinking?¡±


    ¡°Damn it¡­¡±


    Lillia ground her teeth audibly even amidst the din of the engines.


    <Can you hear me? Respond!>


    When the seane stopped answering, the pilots began to talk amongst themselves.


    <Let¡¯s just shoot it down, captain.>


    <No. We still have time.>


    <But this will speed things up.>


    <I agree. Let¡¯s shoot them down at once.>


    <Not yet! I have final say in this matter!> The captain dug in, silencing the others. Treizeughed.


    ¡°Looks like some of the men still don¡¯t get the n. They need this ne to go down in an ident. After all, if people somehow find the wreckage underwater and find signs it was shot down, there¡¯ll be a huge stir.¡±


    ¡°I see. So that¡¯s why they¡¯re not opening fire.¡± Lillia was impressed. Treize nodded. ¡°But why does the local defense force want to do that?¡±


    This time, Treize shook his head and replied.


    ¡°I¡¯m not sure yet. But now we know we have some time. As long as we keep flying straight ahead, they¡¯ll keep telling us to escape with the parachutes until we run out of fuel.¡±


    ¡°Then what do we do?¡± Lillia pressed. ¡°Even if we stay at the controls until the end, we¡¯re going to crash eventually. Can west until we reachnd?¡±


    ¡°Of course not.¡± Treize replied firmly.


    ¡°Then what do we do?!¡±


    ¡°Calm down, Lillia. Take a deep breath.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    Even in her disbelief, Lillia did as she was instructed.


    ¡°All right. Now, exhale.¡±


    Lillia breathed out. She repeated the process about three times.


    ¡°Well? Feel calmer now?¡±


    ¡°Indeed I do, good sir.¡± She replied with a grin. Treize made a face like he had encountered a legendary snow demon from his hometown.


    ¡°What¡¯s what supposed to be?¡±


    ¡°Some of the senior-ssmen girls at my school talk like this. I was making fun of them.¡±


    ¡°Oh, I see.¡±


    ¡°Indeed, good sir.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    The air in the cockpit grew cold.


    ¡°So, now what?¡± Lillia finally broke the silence, returning to her usual tone.


    <Answer!>


    Treize ignored the radio yet again and replied.


    ¡°To be honest¡­ I can¡¯t think of anything that¡¯ll get us out of this spot. We couldn¡¯t possibly take down four fighters with a handgun, and we can¡¯t get to safety on this craft. What about you, Lillia? Any ideas?¡±


    Gravely, Lillia thought for a moment before looking up at Treize.


    ¡°What about this radio? Can we call for help? It doesn¡¯t matter who.¡±


    ¡°I told you before, this radio¡¯s range is only a couple of kilometers at most. That¡¯s why they keep contacting us like this.¡±


    ¡°Because there¡¯s no one else around to hear. ¡­Damn it.¡±


    ¡°What to do¡­ We have to keep thinking. Think. Think.¡±


    The slightest hint of desperation rose to Treize¡¯s expression. Lillia shot a re at the fighter ne to their right.


    <We know you¡¯re listening. There is nothing you can do. Abandon the ne and escape. Do not throw away your lives.>


    It sounded like a line from a film viin. Lillia retorted angrily.


    ¡°Shut up, you liar! I¡¯d rather just ram into one of you and take you down with me! We¡¯re not going to lie down and die like this!¡± She was almost ready to yell into the microphone on Treize¡¯s neck herself.


    ¡°¡­That¡¯s it!¡± Treize whispered, raising his head.

 Volume 1 7 — Wings of Greater Good

    <h4>Volume 1 Chapter 7: Wings of Greater Good</h4>


    -----


    Onerge seane was flying over the blueke, surrounded on either side by a total of four fighter crafts.


    The fighters maintained a certain distance from the seane, almost like they were escorting it.


    Meanwhile, inside the seane¡¯s passenger cabin:


    ¡°This is so cool! Fighter nes!¡±


    ¡°I wanna fly one!¡±


    ¡°No one ever said anything about fighter nes. I bet the Master wanted to surprise us!¡±


    ¡°The Master is awesome!¡±


    ¡°Are we gonna keep flying like this?¡±


    The children seemedpletely unconcerned.


    Meanwhile, in the fighter nes:


    ¡°Dammit. No one would know if we shot them down anyway.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know who they are, but they¡¯re idiots if they don¡¯t get out of there.¡±


    The pilots were muttering dangerous words.


    Meanwhile, in the seane¡¯s cockpit:


    ¡°What? Did you think of something, Treize?¡±


    Lillia was grilling Treize, who sat in the pilot¡¯s seat to her left.


    ¡°I figured out a way to turn this whole situation around.¡± He replied, meeting her gaze.


    ¡°Yeah?¡±


    ¡°Well¡­ just to warn you, it¡¯s going to be really dangerous. And risky to boot.¡±


    ¡°Okay, so tell me. That won¡¯t cost you anything.¡±


    ¡°All right. ¡­We ram into them with this seane.¡±


    Lillia¡¯s brow furrowed as she stared in silence. Several seconds passed.


    ¡°Are you out of your mind?¡±


    ¡°No. If possible, we¡¯ll have to hit them with the tip of our wings¡ªthis seane has pretty wide wings, you know. We¡¯ll hit their propellers. Not even a fighter ne could withstand that.¡±


    ¡°I guess we could take down one if we got ¡®em while they¡¯re distracted. But what about the rest of them?¡± Lillia said, pointing out the obvious.


    ¡°It¡¯s simple.¡± Treize replied. ¡°We¡¯ll get that downed craft to send out a rescue requestfor us.¡±


    ¡°Hmm¡­ I see.¡±


    Lillia thought for several seconds but eventually nodded firmly, impressed.


    ¡°I get what you¡¯re saying. Once the pilot ejects with a parachute, the ne will automatically send out a distress signal.¡±


    ¡°Yeah. As long as he doesn¡¯t override it before he ejects.¡±


    ¡°Once the signal goes off, someone will pick it up ande to rescue us. Then they won¡¯t be able to shoot us down, either.¡±


    ¡°Yeah. But there are a few holes in the n. First, there¡¯s no guarantee that we¡¯ll manage to take down one of them. If they evade or we take critical damage, it¡¯s over. Second, we don¡¯t know for certain that the downed pilot will eject or that his distress signal will go off. He might even pull into a glide and make anding somehow. Third, even if the distress signal goes off, our friends here might get impatient and shoot us down anyway. Fourth, even if they turn out to be amazingly patient people, we might not get any help at all¡ªor worse, more of their friends might show up.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s¡­ a lot of holes.¡±


    ¡°¡®A few¡¯ was kind of pushing it, I guess.¡±


    ¡°Anyway, there¡¯s nothing else we can do, right?¡±


    ¡°Not at the moment. What do you think? Is it worth a shot? It¡¯s up to you, Lillia.¡±


    ¡°Just out of curiosity, what happens if we don¡¯t do this?¡±


    ¡°We either take a very optimistic stance and take the parachutes, hoping these people will be merciful, or we somehow outfly those nes with this heavy craft.¡±


    ¡°Then what are the chances of survival? For everyone on board.¡±


    ¡°Close to zero¡ªno, maybe not even.¡± Treize replied, convinced. Lillia nodded and, with a re, smiled.


    ¡°Let¡¯s do this. We¡¯ll wipe their smug grins off their faces.¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s going to be some worse turbulence soon, so tell the kids to put on their seatbelts.¡±


    ¡°All right.¡±


    Lillia and Carlo were next to the cargo hold. Because the seane was shaking slightly, they were both holding onto the handrails.


    ¡°And make sure to tell them that the fighter nes might give them a cool air show, too.¡±


    ¡°Got it. Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯m not gonna charge for this stuff.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re a good kid. I¡¯m counting on you.¡± Lillia said, and bent down to give Carlo a light kiss on the forehead.


    He did not seem particrly happy.


    ¡°Save your kisses for big bro. I¡¯m sure he¡¯d be happy to get one.¡±


    ¡°Hah hah. Maybe if I feel like it.¡±


    ¡°You have to, okay?¡±


    They parted,ughing. When Lillia returned to the cockpit, Treize was intentionally making the ne shake while spouting lies into the radio.


    <I¡¯ve never flown a ne before, damn it! I¡¯m just going through the motions withmon sense! This thing¡¯s been unstable for a while now¡ªwhat am I supposed to do?>


    Lillia held up her thumb as she returned to her seat, approving of Treize¡¯s performance. When she put on her headset, she could hear the captain.


    <Like I said, you can escape without the children. Your ne is going to crash into theke no matter what you do. You can still get out alive. Once we abandon you, even that chance will be lost. Think carefully.>


    ¡°You think they¡¯re buying it?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know. But I¡¯ll keep acting like I¡¯m desperate.¡± Treize replied, hard at work shaking up the ne.


    Lillia strapped herself in. Then, she checked that Treize was also secure.


    ¡°I¡¯m ready.¡±


    ¡°Me too.¡±


    ¡°Then we¡¯re set.¡±


    Lillia said, leaning back and cing her arms over the armrests. When she nced over, Treize was looking at her. She had never seen such a serious look on his face.


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°I just want to tell you something in case this doesn¡¯t work out. Sorry. I¡¯m really sorry.¡±


    Lillia burst outughing.


    ¡°Pfft! C¡¯mon, you can tell me that after you fail. We won¡¯t know how things turn out until we try. ¡­Oh, that¡¯s right. If things work out and we get out of this in one piece¡­¡±


    ¡°Yeah?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll give you a kiss.¡±


    ¡°Wha?¡± Treize gaped, looking more surprised than ever. Lillia grinned.


    ¡°On the forehead. I gave one to Carlo earlier, and he says you¡¯d be happy if I kissed you too.¡±


    ¡°Hah hah¡­ Hah. Right. The forehead.¡±


    ¡°All right, let¡¯s do this! Right? Left? Have you decided?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll go for the right. That way they won¡¯t try to shoot immediately because we¡¯ll be turning northward.¡±


    ¡°Great! Get started, Treize. This is an order!¡±


    ¡°Yes, ma¡¯am!¡± Treize replied with a smile and closed his eyes.


    When he opened them, exhaling softly, a grave look had risen to his face. He red at the instruments, the windshield, and the sky.


    ¡°Power up.¡±


    With his right hand he grabbed a throttle lever overhead. And he pulled all four of them in turn.


    The engines sped up. A momentter, the massive seane slipped past the fighter crafts.


    <Whoa! What¡¯s happening?> He cried into the microphone, putting on the most convincing act of his life. <The engines! There¡¯s something wrong with the engines! Damn it!>


    With a cry, he confirmed the position of the closest ne to their right. Lillia ducked.


    The seane began to fly further away.


    <Captain!>


    <Speed up!>


    Secondster, all four fighter nes also elerated¡ªeven faster than the seane. There were only about three seconds before they caught up. Then,


    ¡°There!¡±


    Treize pulled the yoke to the right and mmed down on the right pedal. The seane banked heavily to the right, and the sky outside seemed to tilt. The fighter nes also tilted, drawing closer.


    <Look out!>


    The warning came from the furthest ne to their right. It quickly swerved to the right and changed course, but the other pilot was dyed as he followed hisrade¡¯s movements.


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    The moment he looked forward again,


    ¡°Whoa!¡±


    He could see the seane¡¯s right wing over the windshield. The long, thick wing gleamed silver as it bore down on his ne.


    ¡°Take this!¡± Treize cried, and the tip of the wing hit the fighter ne. Thetter¡¯s propeller dug into the wing, and they could hear a faint metallic screech from the cockpit.


    ¡°All right!¡± Lillia cheered. Treize immediately pulled the yoke away. The seane was back to level position.


    The fighter ne they rammed was left without a propeller. The shards flew past in the air. The ne continued to follow the seane for about three seconds as though nothing had happened. Then,


    ¡°Huh? Argh!¡±


    It tilted forward and began to plummet, the pilot¡¯s scream following it. From the engine came a trail of white smoke.


    <Captain! A collision! 03 has collided!>


    <Damn it! The bastard did this on purpose!>


    <Calm down! I¡¯ll take care of this. You two, maintain formation.>


    Tense voices filled the radio as Treize slipped into the conversation.


    <Argh! What¡¯s happening?! The ne is going out of control!>


    ¡°¡­Pfft.¡±


    Lillia snorted, unable to hold back herughter.


    The seane hade out of the turn, and was now flying cidly northward. The tip of the right wing had a dent about two meters down the tip, but the wings were long enough for them to continue unhindered.


    Below, a fighter ne plunged toward theke in a trail of smoke.


    The children in the cabin saw it clearly.


    ¡°Wow! Something¡¯s falling!¡±


    ¡°No way!¡±


    ¡°Let me see!¡±


    Taking off their seatbelts, the children crowded on the right side.


    ¡°Whoa!¡±


    ¡°It really is crashing! Cool!¡±


    ¡°Amazing!¡±


    They were having the time of their lives, their faces stered against the windows.


    ¡°Wonder if that fighter ne¡¯s gonna be okay.¡±


    ¡°Of course it¡¯s gonna be fine. I told you, it¡¯s all one big show. Cool, right?¡± Carlo said as the children trilled in excitement


    ¡°Yeah!¡± They replied.


    Though the cabin was in a frenzy, the voices on the radio seemed even louder.


    <Captain! He took out my propeller! The enginemp! There¡¯s smoke everywhere!> Cried the panicked pilot inside the falling ne.


    <Calm down. You¡¯re going to be fine¡ªyour floats are still intact. Glide into anding. It¡¯s going to be all right.>


    Keeping the falling ne within sight, the captain calmly tried to pacify the pilot as he slid into an inverted flight.


    <But sir! The warning¡ªthe smoke¡ªit¡¯s over! It¡¯s finished! I¡¯m ditching the ne!>


    <Calm down. You are not finished. When is your birthday? Answer the question.>


    <None! I can¡¯t find my birthday! The smoke!>


    <Take a deep breath, then think. You still have enough altitude.>


    <I can¡¯t find it! I¡¯m losing altitude! The warning signal! Argh! I can¡¯t, sir! I have to escape!>


    <Shut off your engine. Your ne is tilting sixty degrees to the right. Return to level position. Keep your eyes on the instruments. Try it. You can do this.>


    ¡°C¡¯mon, ditch it! Ditch it already!¡±


    The captain remained perfectly calm, while Lillia prayed desperately in the seane cockpit for the pilot to escape. And about ten seconds after the impact,


    <I CAN¡¯T!>


    With that, the pilot¡¯s signal cut off.


    ¡°I wonder what happened?¡±


    ¡°Who knows?¡±


    Inside the cockpit. It had been about thirty seconds since thestmunication. Around the seane flew three fighter crafts still, including the captain¡¯s.


    ¡°I guess I should take the moment to apologize.¡± Treize said, pressing the call button.


    <This is the seane. What happened? Did we collide?>


    <Shut your trap!>


    First came angry swearing.


    <Who told you you could turn, damn it?!>


    <I-I¡¯m sorry! The ne was just flying out of control¡­ What happened?>


    <I don¡¯t buy that. I know you did that on purpose! ¡­Damn it, I¡¯ll shoot you down this instant!>


    <Hey, stop this. Wait for the captain¡¯s orders.> The other pilot cut in, calming down his friend.


    ¡°This is getting interesting. Wanna join in, Lillia?¡± Treize offered. Lillia pointed at herself, surprised.


    ¡°Me?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sure hearing a woman¡¯s voice is going to catch them off-guard. Now we just have to stall for time like our lives depend on it. Try your nicest, most properdy voice.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s a tall order.¡±


    Lillia pressed the call button.


    <Save me! I don¡¯t want to die!>


    It was a surprisingly lovely voice.


    ¡°What do you think?¡± Lillia asked, quickly turning to Treize.


    ¡°Not bad.¡± He replied.


    <Hey¡­ who was that just now? Answer me!>


    <Look, there¡¯s another chaperone onboard with us! Please, don¡¯t hurt her.> Treize pleaded, returning to his incredible act. ¡°A few more lines please, Lillia. Like you¡¯re losing it.¡± He did not forget to direct Lillia¡¯s performance, either.


    <Help! I don¡¯t want to be here anymore!>


    <What the¡­ hey. Why¡¯s the woman onboard?>


    <I-I came along to make sure the children wouldn¡¯t be frightened. Please, don¡¯t shoot me!>


    ¡°Wow, you¡¯re sounding pretty cute.¡± Treize said, stifling hisughter. Lillia¡¯s left arm shot out and punched him in the shoulder.


    ¡°Ow.¡±


    <We¡¯ve been saying all this time¡ªyou have the parachutes. Jump out of the ne, and you¡¯ll live! Decide quick! We¡¯re going to blow your ne to smithereens!>


    The incensed pilot flew ahead of the seane and moved the fighter craft¡¯s ps in a show of hostility.


    ¡°Man, if we were on a fighter ne I¡¯d have shot him down by now.¡± Lillia muttered.


    ¡°It¡¯s going well for now. We¡¯ve cleared the first hurdle.¡±


    <Jump outta there, dammit!> The pilot cried, but he was cut off by the captain.


    <Enough. Return to formation.>


    <Captain!>


    <Captain, what about 03?> Asked the other pilot. Lillia and Treize gulped.


    <Do not worry. He managed to escape with a parachute. We¡¯ll pick him up on theketer.>


    <Great!>


    <Yes, sir!>


    The pilots cheered.


    ¡°Awesome!¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s the second hurdle!¡±


    But Lillia and Treize were even more ecstatic about the news. They cheered and hugged each other.


    ¡°Now we just keep stalling.¡± Treize said, pressing the call button.


    <How¡¯s the pilot down there? Is he safe?> He asked, honestly concerned.


    <Yes. Although that has nothing to do with you bastards.> The captain replied. Treize breathed a sigh of relief.


    ¡°Hear that?¡± Lillia pointed out. ¡°He¡¯s gone from ¡®you¡¯ to ¡®you bastards¡¯.¡±


    ¡°You think we¡¯re bing friends?¡±


    ¡°You should ask him.¡±


    ¡°Heh. Never mind. What if he asks me out to tea?¡±


    As Lillia and Treize joked, the other pilots spoke up.


    <Captain. There¡¯s a woman on the seane.>


    <I heard. You, respond.>


    ¡°What the heck.¡± Lillia groaned. <Why¡­ why would you do something so awful?!>


    She was only half acting.


    ¡°Seriously. Are they out of their minds?¡±


    <I¡¯m sorry to say this, but that seane must crash.> The captain replied.


    <Why? I don¡¯t understand.>


    <You wouldn¡¯t understand, even if we told you.> The captain replied immediately.


    ¡°All right. Keep the questions going.¡± Treize encouraged Lillia.


    <You can¡¯t say for sure until you¡¯ve told us!>


    There was no response.


    <Why would you do this? Why? Do you want to bring tragedy to your beloved country?>


    Five seconds passed in silence. Lillia reached for the call button again¡ª


    Five seconds passed in silence. Lillia reached for the call button again¡ª


    <¡­No. The very opposite.>


    The captain finally spoke.


    ¡°The opposite?¡± Treize frowned.


    <What do you mean by that? The opposite?>


    <Those children on the seane¡­> The captain replied, his voice endlessly calm. <¡­they are going to die for our country¡¯s future.>


    Lillia and Treize exchanged quizzical nces.


    ¡°What¡¯s he saying?¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ll hear him out. We¡¯ve still got fuel left, right?¡±


    ¡°Yeah. Go on and keep up the native Tolcasian act.¡±


    Lillia pressed the call button. At that point, Treize spotted the captain¡¯s ne overhead on the left side.


    <I don¡¯t understand. These poor, unfortunate children just received a chance for a new life under the Master¡¯s care. So why do they have to die for our future?>


    Lillia was barely acting at this point. Treize nced at her profiled face, hands still firm on the controls.


    <Their deaths will be a noble sacrifice.> The captain replied. <They will change Tolcasia¡¯s fortunes.>


    ¡°Huh? What¡¯s he mean?¡± Treize wondered out loud. Lillia repeated his sentiments on the radio.


    The captain did not reply, for a time. But several secondster, as Lillia and Treize exchanged nces again¡ª


    <Once the seane crashes and the children die, the tragic and shocking news will be the talk of the Confederation.> The captain said.


    ¡°True.¡± Treize nodded. ¡°Roxche¡¯s in a state of peace, so it¡¯ll definitely be newsworthy¡ªcameramen from TV stations are going to flock to the country instantly.¡±


    <Once that happens, those who do not know of our pitiful state¡ªand those who knew but chose to ignore us¡ªwill turn their attention to his ce. All of Roxche will know what is happening here. That is why the children will die.>


    ¡°Seriously?¡± Treize gasped, looking over at the ne to his right and the pilot inside.


    <¡­What¡­ did you say?> Lillia stammered, also unable to believe her ears. She was almost out of character at this point.


    <Those children will be the centerpiece of a tragedy. The tragedy will unite Tolcasia and bring us aid from the Capital District. They will be the foundation of our livelihood. Now that our tourism industry is floundering and our portion of the budget has been cut, this is the only way left to us.>


    <Wait¡­ so¡­ you¡¯re going to murder a bunch of children and make it look like an ident, just to get some pity from the Capital District? Are you insane?>


    <We debated long and hard to get to this point. There is no turning back. We must move forward.> The captain said firmly. Lillia cut off their conversation and turned to Treize.


    ¡°¡­They really are out of their minds. The only thing sane about this guy is his voice.¡±


    Treize said nothing, meeting Lillia¡¯s gaze.


    ¡°They¡¯re crazy. There¡¯s just no other¡ª¡±


    ¡°Lillia.¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    Treize put on a half-smile.


    ¡°Their n might actually work.¡±


    ¡°What the¡ªTreize! How could you even think that way?!¡± Lillia cried.


    ¡°Calm down. ¡­Lillia. When you first came to Lartika and saw how tough things were for the locals, it made you think, didn¡¯t it? You felt guilty that you didn¡¯t know anything about how hard they had it here, right?¡±


    ¡°Huh? Er¡­ well, yeah.¡±


    ¡°Exactly. The people in the Capital District just don¡¯t know. They¡¯re living their peaceful and plentiful lives,pletely ignorant of what¡¯s happening here. They¡¯re practically bored, even. And suppose that¡¯s when this hits the news¡ªdozens of dead orphans, weeping matrons, and the destitute lives in the background of it all. ying every day on television and radio. How would people react?¡±


    ¡°I¡­¡±


    ¡°I think they¡¯d get angry and sad, just like you did yesterday. Right? I mean, I don¡¯t think this n of theirs is going to solve all their problems, like poverty. But it¡¯ll be a start.¡±


    ¡°Urgh¡­ but still! You can¡¯t seriously agree with this n!¡± Lillia snapped, but Treize almost looked amused.


    ¡°A ne crashes and kills two dozen children in a tragic ident. Could anyone imagine that it wasn¡¯t an ident after all? That Tolcasia¡¯s very own military had nned it? Suppose we never came on this trip. You¡¯re bored in the Capital District when you turn on the television, and happen to see the news. Would anyone possibly think that their own military was responsible?¡±


    Lillia was silent.


    ¡°I hate to say this, but this n is incredible. It¡¯s so outrageous and reckless. Whoever thought of this is either a genius tactician or a madman. Or both.¡± Treize said, amazed. Lillia was furious.


    ¡°This is no time to be impressed!¡±


    ¡°Well, no. But it¡¯s astonishing to see this is the answer to all the mysteries.¡±


    ¡°You idiot!¡± She roared, ring. ¡°That¡¯d better not mean you¡¯re fine with us and all the kids getting killed!¡±


    ¡°Of course not.¡±


    ¡°Well, I¡¯m d you haven¡¯t gone crazy.¡±


    Treize chuckled bitterly and pressed the call button.


    <Let me ask you one thing. Who thought of this n? Was it you, Captain?>


    <A pointless question.> The captain replied promptly.


    ¡°So I guess it wasn¡¯t him.¡± Treize mumbled.


    <I don¡¯t believe this!> Lillia cried into the microphone, her rage mounting. <Soldiers are supposed to be protecting their countrymen! Sacrificing these children to save the country? What a joke! There¡¯s a limit to how backwards you can get! It¡¯s not toote; you better realize how idiotic this n is, right now!>


    ¡°Scary.¡± Whispered Treize, shrinking slightly. Lillia was not even bothering to put on a performance anymore.


    <For the future of Tolcasia? As if! These kids you¡¯re trying to kill are the future of Tolcasia! You idiots can bash those twisted heads of yours into a wall or something!> Lillia bellowed.


    <I suppose trying to reason with you was pointless after all. This conversation is over. You may be a good person, but being good won¡¯t save our country. Power will. Tolcasia is fading from Roxche¡¯s memory as we speak. We must turn the eyes of thezy and rich in the Capital District to thisnd. We carry out this mission in the name of the greater good. We will lead Tolcasia to a bright future.>


    Wide-eyed and lost for words, Lillia trembled. She could not hold back her anger.


    ¡°That¡¯s why you¡¯re going so far¡­? These children¡¯s lives¡­ Mr. Morseau¡¯s kindness¡­ do they mean nothing to you¡­?¡±


    His hands still on the yoke, Treize cast a sidelong nce at Lillia.


    <This is my final warning. You two can still escape. Once we pick up our fellow pilot, we wille back for you. I swear it on my honor. We may limit your actions, but we will spare your lives. I will let you see how this country changes through this sacrifice.>


    There was something both threatening but kind about the captain¡¯s tone. Lillia pressed the call button.


    <You people¡­>


    She took her finger off the button; then, she took a deep breath and pressed it again.


    <¡­are awful! There¡¯s no way we¡¯ll do what you say!>


    Her cry rode the airwaves, echoing kilometers through the sky.


    <You people are viins! You shouldn¡¯t be allowed to call yourselves soldiers, pilots, or even humans! I guarantee you¡¯re not going to die peaceful deaths! ¡®Tolcasia¡¯s future¡¯? ¡®Noble sacrifice¡¯? Letting innocent people die for any reason is nothing but terrorism! It¡¯s a crime!>


    ¡°They might really shoot us down at this rate¡­¡± Treize whispered to himself.


    The other pilots did not reply. But over the radio they could hear the captain coldly issuing orders.


    <I¡¯ll shoot them down. You cover the sides, but make sure to keep a distance. We don¡¯t want any more collisions.>


    <Yes, sir.>


    <Yes, sir.>


    Treize nced out the left windshield. One of the two fighter nes had disappeared behind them, and the other began to bank away.


    ¡°Figures.¡±


    He tightened his grip on the yoke, and checked the throttle levers overhead.


    <You two, on the seane. I am behind you now. This conversation is finished. Anyst words?>


    The death sentence.


    ¡°Well, I¡¯d prefer not to leave myst words yet¡­¡± Treize muttered without pressing the call button.


    But not Lillia.


    <Yeah! A whole lot of them! You people are insane! You¡¯re not some bringers of greater good, and you¡¯re not leading Tolcasia to the future! You¡¯re just fanatics! Criminals! Acknowledging even one person like you is going to make innocent people suffer! I will never forgive you! You¡¯re the ones who should be jumping out that ne and cooling off in theke, you bastards!>


    ¡°Hah¡­ hah¡­¡±


    Lillia¡¯s shoulders rose and fell as she panted. Treize turned to her.


    ¡°Lillia.¡±


    ¡°Hah¡­ hah¡­ what?¡±


    Treize took a breath, ready to say, ¡®Well said¡¯. At that moment¡ª


    <Well said!>


    ¡°Whoa?!¡±


    ¡°Eek!¡±


    Treize yelped at the sudden voice. Lillia also reached up to her headphones, shocked.


    The voice belonged to a woman.


    ¡°What was that?¡±


    Five meters behind the seane, the pilot muttered in shock at the sudden voice. A secondter¡ª


    ¡°Whoa!¡±


    A dark shadow fell from overhead, before his eyes and the sights, crossing in front of the seane. The pilot reflexively pulled back.


    <Well said! Really, that was great. Yep!>


    An amused female voice filled the airwaves across the nes.


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    ¡°Oh!¡±


    Lillia and Treize quickly recognized the voice.


    A lone fighter craft rose before their eyes.


    The ne was pitch-ck, both the fusge and the wings a in matte. There were no markings, numbers, or words that indicated its affiliation; only the warnings ¡®Do not step on¡¯ and ¡®Fuel cap here¡¯ were visible.


    The new craft was arge model, with a wingspan of about 10 meters. It was twice the size of the Tolcasian nes, and thending gear waspletely stowed to reduce air resistance. A three-ded propeller spun at the nose, and the wings spread out from the bottom of the fusge.


    The fighter craft tilted left, moving over to the right side of the seane¡¯s cockpit. The pilot in the cockpit, which was domed in ss and stuck out, nced at Lillia and Treize. With the ne still tilted the pilot raised their goggles with their left hand. A pair of eyes as blue as the sky in the distance winked at the two.


    <Hey there. Having a good time?>


    <Hey there. Having a good time?>


    <M-Mom¡­?> Lillia gaped from her seat.


    <That¡¯s right!>


    Allison Whittington Schultz grinned and did a half barrel-roll, bearing down on the amphibious fighter craft on the right.


    ¡°Argh!¡±


    The bewildered pilot yelled and tried to flee. But instead of chasing it down, Allison¡¯s ne elerated in the blink of an eye. She banked easily to the right and made a hard left, crossing the seane from right to left.


    ¡°That¡¯s Mom¡­¡±


    ¡°Yeah. It¡¯s Allison.¡±


    And in one elegant motion, the ck fighter craft bore down on the amphibious unit from the front.


    <Hey, you there! Ratatatatatatatatatat!> Allison mimicked the sound of gunfire, charging toward the craft.


    The pilot was too shocked to scream, let alone evade.


    <Ratatatatatatatatatatat!>


    Allison cheered like a child and passed before his eyes.


    A secondter.


    ¡°Ah¡­ AAAAAARGH!¡±


    The amphibious craft finally dodged left.


    Having chased off three fighter crafts from the seane in a matter of seconds, Allison flew along the seane¡¯s left side and did a barrel roll, then moved her wings back and forth.


    <Sorry to keep you waiting! It looks like you¡¯re holding up all right.>


    <Mom! How¡¯d you get here?>


    <You called me, didn¡¯t you? I heard the SOS and flew straight over. Then I heard all the shouting. I bet they¡¯re listening to us as we speak.>


    <Thank you, Allison. But how did you get here so quickly?> Asked Treize.


    <That¡¯s a secret. I¡¯ll tell youter.> Allison replied, moving from the upper left to the nk of the seane. At the same time, she spoke into the radio.


    <Attention, pilots of the Tolcasian Air Force crafts. Can you hear me? Respond if you can¡¯t.>


    There was no answer. Allison continued.


    <From this point on, I forbid any approach on this seane. Return to your base and surrender to the Confederation MPs waiting there. Let me put that another way¡ªstop bothering the children and go let your mothers tell you off.>


    ¡°That¡¯s Allison for you¡­¡± Treize whispered, slowly and gently banking to the left. Thepass needle went from west to west-southwest to southwest.


    The ck fighter craft was behind the seane. Allison scanned every direction from her cockpit.


    Then, as the seane turned southward¡ª


    ¡°There.¡±


    Her blue eyes spotted three fighter nes flying in formation toward her.


    <Seane: three enemy crafts spotted in the six o¡¯clock direction. Maintain course.>


    <Understood.> Treize replied immediately.


    <This is a message for the Tolcasian Air Force fighter crafts. If you get any closer, things will get ugly. This is a warning, even if doesn¡¯t sound like one.>


    <Is this a joke? Don¡¯t interfere.> The captain replied.


    <I¡¯d hate to say this, but my craft is much more powerful than your units. You have no chance of victory. Surrender immediately. Do you understand? I don¡¯t want to be a bully.> Allison said. There was no response.


    Instead, the captain issued orders to his men.


    <02. 04. You two tie up the ck unit. I¡¯ll take care of the seane.>


    <U-understood.>


    <But her ne¡¯s too¡ª>


    <Calm down. I¡¯ve never seen an aerone like this in the Confederation¡¯s forces. It¡¯s likely unarmed¡ªif it were, it would haveunched a surprise attack from the start.>


    <I see¡­ yes, sir.>


    ¡°Seriously? Man¡­ I warned them.¡± Allison mumbled from her seat, and lowered her goggles again. The sunlight glinted off the surface and hid her eyes from view.


    Meanwhile.


    ¡°What do we do?¡±


    ¡°Exactly as we¡¯re told.¡± Treize answered Lillia¡¯s question, and gave the throttle lever a slight pull. The seane began to elerate.


    ¡°Will the kids be all right?¡± Lillia wondered, suddenly remembering the passenger cabin.


    ¡°We¡¯ll just have to trust in Carlo.¡± Replied Treize.


    ¡°Yeah.¡±


    Meanwhile, in the cabin.


    Carlo looked down the aisle, astonished.


    All twenty-two children in the warm cabin were lying asleep on therge, squashy seats.


    ¡°I¡¯m still on the clock. Can¡¯t go to sleep yet.¡± He muttered. ¡°But I¡¯m sleepy.¡±


    Of the three fighter crafts after the seane, 02 and 04 made for Allison¡¯s ne. The captain turned toward the seane.


    ¡°There.¡±


    Allison pulled the throttle lever to elerate. Her aerone shook as it charged toward the two enemy crafts.


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    The pilot of 02 watched in horror as the ck craft grewrger andrger in his sights at an rming rate.


    <Left! Bank!>


    The voice of 04¡¯s pilot spurred him to quickly turn left. Allison¡¯s craft passed between them in a sh in a steep climb. As it slowed to a crawl in the midst of the perpendicr climb, the ck ne swerved suddenly, headed straight for 02, which had turned left. At the same time, it elerated as it fell.


    <02! Behind you!>


    <I see it. Sheet, it¡¯s too fast!>


    As quickly as it could, 02 banked at a right angle. Allison¡¯s aerone was at its heels. No amount of banking could shake her off.


    <Keep going! I¡¯ll take care of it.>


    The pilot of 04 desperately chased after them. Pushed to its limit, the engine screamed and the ne seemed to rattle.


    Approximately three seconds after closing in behind 02 and Allison¡¯s ne¡ª


    ¡°So ites to this.¡± Allison mumbled in her tilted seat. She pulled the trigger on the control stick to her right, opening fire.


    Light spewed from the ck fighter ne.


    A pair of lights shot out of the nose. The two 20mm machine guns mounted atop the fusge, in front of the cockpit, had fired. The shots flew between the spinning propellers and were sucked into the ne ahead.


    The barrage was over in an instant, but the 02¡¯s fin and its saw-shaped mark were vaporized. The rest of the tail also scattered.


    ¡°Argh!¡±


    With nothing to stabilize it, 02 was left uncontroble and spiraled to the left.


    <You¡¯d better get out of there.> Allison warned over the radio, and nced back.


    ¡°Damn you!¡± The pilot of 04 cried, putting his finger on the trigger. The ck craft was in his sights.


    Shots flew from either side of the amphibious ne. But the rounds disappeared into the air, leaving nothing but faint smoke in their trail.


    ¡°What?!¡±


    The ck fighter craft had disappeared from his sights.


    ¡°Where are you?¡±


    The moment he raised his head, the ck fusge materialized upside-down overhead. Like a raven, or perhaps the shadow of death, it blocked out the sun and cast darkness into the cockpit. He could see the pilot of the unit staring back at him. Her goggles reflected nothing, like the sockets of a skull. There was a smile ying at the woman¡¯s lips.


    ¡°Ah¡ª¡±


    But that was for only an instant. The shadow disappeared behind him.


    A secondter, the 04¡¯s engine began spewing white smoke. The long, thin afterimages of the machine gun¡¯s tracer shots looked almost like arrows of light, mming into the engine.


    ¡°Damn it!¡±


    Pitch-ck oil spurted from the engine and instantly smudged the windshield.


    ¡°Damn it¡­ Sheet! Sheet!¡± The pilot cried. The oil continued to spread over the ss, and the white smoke knew no end. The rumbling of the engine became more and more pronounced.


    <You¡¯d better escape, too. Invert the craft and make sure your feet don¡¯t get caught on the way.> Advised the woman who shot him down.


    ¡°Sheet!¡±


    With one final howl, the pilot of 04 pulled the emergency lever to open the canopy. The window was sted backwards, frame and all. Wind assaulted his face.


    A pilot plummeted from the upside-down amphibious craft as it flew in a trail of smoke. Several seconds after the drop, a round parachute activated over theke. Further in the distance was another parachute, floating in the water.


    ¡°Two down.¡±


    Allison looked over at where she expected to find the seane. And there it was. It was small in the distance as it descended. Thest of the amphibious fighter crafts was on its tail.


    Allison changed heading, and with her left hand pulled the throttle lever.


    Six vents unfolded on either side of the front of the fusge, where the engine was. mes began spewing from them.


    The rotation intensified dramatically. And with the roar of the engine before it, the ck fighter craft elerated as though it had been kicked forward.


    ¡°Just a little more¡­ make sure only the engine is damaged¡­ leave no hint of a deliberate attack¡­¡±


    The seane was in the amphibious craft¡¯s sights. The captain fixed the crosshairs on one of the engines atop the seane¡¯s wings.


    Though the seane was flying away as fast as it could, there were only a few meters between it at the captain¡¯s ne. The captain focused solely on the sights and lightly adjusted the control stick and the pedals. Then he took aim at the leftmost engine on the seane.


    His right index finger touched the trigger.


    ¡°Please. Let this work¡­¡±


    ¡°Please. Let this work¡­¡±


    But a momentter, the seane vanished from his sights. It sped to the bottom right at unthinkable speed.


    ¡°What?¡±


    He did notprehend. As the captain stared, bewildered, the sparklingke came into view.


    ¡°No!¡±


    He took his eyes off the crosshairs and looked up. Only then did he realize that his craft was tilted. Quickly, he pulled the control stick to right himself¡ªthat was when the voice came over the radio.


    <Oh, I¡¯m sorry. I must have bumped into you.>


    The captain rapidly scanned his surroundings, and finally spotted the ck fighter craft above him to the right.


    <Damn you!>


    <I just couldn¡¯t leave you to do something so awful.> Allison said.


    Several seconds earlier, she had swiftly caught up with the captain¡¯s craft as he was distracted by the seane, slipping under his right side and pushing up the amphibious fighter¡¯s wing with her left wing. That was how the captain¡¯s ne suddenly flipped to the side against his will.


    <Your two friends made their escape. You¡¯re the only one left. That¡¯s enough struggling, don¡¯t you think? You did your best, and now it¡¯s time for you to go home.> Allison said amicably and slowly approached the amphibious ne. Immense mental pressure came over the captain.


    <Don¡¯t mess with me!> He cried, heaving the throttle lever and the control stick.


    Allison¡¯s ne overtook the amphibious craft as thetter stalled.


    Now the tables were turned. The captain was the one after Allison. Abandoning the seane, they began to elerate.


    And soon, they entered Lillia and Treize¡¯s sights.


    ¡°Hey, he¡¯s going after Mom!¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    Treize, who had been ring at the instrument panel with his hands on the yoke for some time, finally looked up and slightly pushed back the throttle lever.


    Outside, they could see the ck fighter craft and the amphibious ne engaged in a twisted game of tag.


    ¡°He¡¯s gaining on her¡ªhe¡¯s opening fire!¡±


    Lights spewed from the amphibious ne, shing between the two fighters. Allison continued to flee.


    ¡°¡­¡±


    Soon, Treize turned his attention from them to the anxious Lillia.


    ¡°It¡¯s okay. She¡¯s doing that on purpose to lure him in.¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°See how she always waits until thest second to evade? Allison¡¯s craft is much faster than his. She could outfly him easily if she wanted to.¡±


    ¡°Then¡­¡±


    As Lillia trailed off, the captain howled into the radio.


    <Stop running away, woman!>


    Even the sound of his machine gun fire came over the airwaves.


    ¡°See? The captain¡¯s losing hisposure. At this rate he¡¯ll run out of rounds, and Allison will win without having to shoot him down.¡± Treize stated.


    <That¡¯s enough of your futile resistance.> Said Allison, as though scolding the captain. <Surrender peacefully, and I guarantee that you will be treated with all due respect. Obviously you¡¯ll be imprisoned and courtmartialed, but I¡¯ll butter up the guards and have ice cream delivered to everyone in prison.>


    <Enough!>


    <Hey, mint ice cream is great if you¡¯ve never tried it.>


    <Die!>


    <Oh, you missed. Then how about chocte? You know, my daughter loves both vors.>


    <Damn you!>


    <She never listens to me, even when I tell her she¡¯ll gain weight. Apparently she¡¯s got a separate stomach for dessert or something¡­>


    <Stop moving, damn it! Hah¡­ hah¡­>


    The game of tag went on for what seemed to be an eternity. Missed rounds and empty shell casings scattered across theke.


    <Missed again. You could really use some target practice. Are you getting enough training? I expected more from themander here¡ªyour subordinates were much more interesting to fight.>


    <Enough! Sheet! Sheet!>


    As the captain roared into the microphone, Treize mumbled to himself.


    ¡°I¡¯m almost starting to feel sorry for him.¡±


    ¡°He deserves that much, if nothing else.¡± Lillia dered.


    ¡°I¡¯m sure he¡¯s a good person on the inside. He just struck out like this because he was so passionate about helping his country.¡±


    ¡°That doesn¡¯t mean you should sympathize. Him and the guy who shot Mr. Mateo¡ªthey can say whatever they want in court.¡±


    ¡°Court, huh.¡± Treize mumbled.


    <You just keep missing and missing.>


    Allison¡¯s voice came over the radio again. The two fighter crafts were circling the air before the seane. There were more shes of light, and the sound of gunfire came to an end.


    <See? That¡¯s what happens when you open fire so recklessly. You run out of ammo. That¡¯s enough now. I can even give you some time to go back for your friends.>


    <I don¡¯t need your sympathy.> The captain replied.


    <Surrender, please. Your n was a failure. Go back and rescue your subordinates.> Allison said gently.


    ¡°¡­¡±


    Silently, Treize nced at Lillia.


    <Hah hah hah¡­ no. It¡¯s not over. It¡¯s not over yet!> The captain cried with a howl ofughter.


    ¡°Huh?¡± Treize gasped. Lillia asked him why.


    ¡°He threw away his floats¡­¡±


    Lillia looked around and quickly spotted the amphibious ne. Just as Treize said, therge floats underneath it were gone. She could see them spinning to the water below.


    ¡°What¡¯s he up to? Now he won¡¯t be able tond.¡±


    ¡°No way¡ª¡±


    <It¡¯s not over yet!>


    They grimaced.


    <You idiot! Stop!> Allison cried.


    And as Lillia and Treize listened in horror¡ª


    <Not yet!>


    The captain¡¯s ne charged the seane.


    ¡°No!¡±


    ¡°Oh!¡±


    The tiny craft in the distance seemed to balloon into their sight.


    ¡°He¡¯s going to ram us!¡±


    ¡°Get out of the way!¡± Lillia cried. But Treize did not more the yoke.


    ¡°It¡¯s no use. Besides¡ª¡±


    <Your Highness!> Allison cried. At the same time, the ck fighter craft broke out of its turn and chased after the amphibious ne.


    <Yes!>


    <Maintain course! You¡¯ll be in the safe zone if you continue that way! Maintain course at all costs!>


    <Yes, ma¡¯am!>


    Treize firmly gripped the yoke.


    <Glory to Tolcasia!>


    There was an ear-splitting cry of madness and euphoria.


    The ck fighter craft followed just behind it.


    Powerful 30mm machine gun rounds shot out the front of the craft. The strands of light pierced the captain¡¯s ne.


    There was a metal te on the back of his cockpit to protect him, but the armor-piercing rounds shattered through and went off in the captain¡¯s head, turning it to fine red mist. Death came so quickly he had no time to feel pain. It was instant.


    Even after death, his right hand was fixed on the control stick. The masterless craft continued to rush toward the seane.


    Allison tilted her right hand slightly, taking aim at the right side of the craft¡¯s main wing. Her shots all made contact, breaking the wing itself.


    With a flurry of sparks and fire, the right wing fell off the fusge. The lift from the remaining wing forced the ne into a violent right turn.


    The fighter ne with a corpse inside spun like a top as it plummeted to the right side of the seane.


    Treize was watching the approaching fighter ne to the end.


    The face of the man as he cried out behind the windshield. The ck ne looming behind him like the reaper. The light spewing from Allison¡¯s ne, swooping down like a scythe. And the red mist.


    The two nes converged for a single second before diverging¡ªthe amphibious ne covered in ck smoke to the lower left, and the jet-ck fighter craft disappearing to the upper right.


    The seane continued to fly over theke as though nothing had ever happened.


    Several secondster.


    ¡°Did we make it¡­?¡±


    Asked the person on the right.


    ¡°Yeah. We did, anyway.¡± Treize replied.


    Meanwhile, in the passenger cabin¡ª


    ¡°¡­¡±


    Carlo was leaning against the window in a seat at the very back, his mouth gaping open as he slept.


    -----

 Volume 1 8 — No Other Choice

    <h4>Volume 1 Chapter 8: No Other Choice</h4>


    -----


    A seane was flying over theke.


    Its right wing was slightly damaged, but the massive ne continued to fly smoothly.


    Next to it flew a fighter ne.


    The pitch-ck craft was on alert, doing figure-eights in the seane¡¯s vicinity.


    <All right, Treize. Time for you to show off.> Allison said from the fighter craft. Treize replied from the seane.


    <We¡¯vee this far; I¡¯llnd this ne safely no matter what. But to be honest, I¡¯m not sure if I can pull it off. I¡¯m not confident I can.>


    ¡°What the heck, Treize? We¡¯re almost done here. You can do it. Remember what you said your flight instructor said? All nes are the same!¡± Lillia said next to him.


    ¡°You¡¯ve got to be kidding¡­¡± Treize trailed off. Then he spoke into the microphone. <Allison, do you know anything about this model? Have you ever flown something like this?>


    ¡°Probably not.¡± Lillia quipped.


    <I¡¯m sorry, Treize. All I¡¯ve flowntely are fighter nes.>


    ¡°See?¡±


    <All right. Listen up, both of you. I¡¯m going to give you an important piece of advice.> Allison said. Lillia and Treize exchanged nces and nodded.


    ¡°Wonder what she¡¯s gonna say?¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t wait to hear it.¡±


    Allison descended in front of the seane and advised,


    <All nes are the same.>


    Then she twirled around excitably.


    ¡°Mom¡­¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s exactly what he said¡­¡±


    Lillia and Treize cast disappointed nces at the spinning ne.


    ¡°Hey big sis! It looked like things were winding down, so I just took a quick break. I swear I did my job!¡±


    ¡°Oh, thanks. But that¡¯s not important right now.¡±


    ¡°Oh.¡±


    Lillia was talking with Carlo in the passenger cabin. Some of the children were looking out the windows, but most were still napping. One of the girls came up to ask how much further they had to go¡ªLillia replied that they werending soon.


    ¡°Anyway, Carlo, I need your help again. You¡¯re gonna have to get back to work.¡±


    ¡°Okay.¡±


    ¡°Treize is going tond this ne now. We had to change course, and we¡¯rending on theke.¡±


    ¡°Okay. And?¡±


    ¡°The ne¡¯s going to shake a little when wend, so wake up the kids now and tell them to put on their seatbelts. And tell them to hold on tight once we descend low and you can see the water.¡±


    ¡°Okay. I have to tell them the ne¡¯s going to shake?¡±


    ¡°Yep. Thanks, Carlo. Wish us luck.¡± Lillia said, leaving the cabin.


    When she returned to the cockpit, the first thing she head was Treize replying to Allison.


    <Understood. I can see from here. Continuing descent.>


    When Lillia took a seat, she could seend on the horizon, tinted green. It was halfway through the afternoon but the sun was still high in the air.


    ¡°How¡¯re the kids? Lifejackets?¡± Asked Treize.


    ¡°The kids are fine. Most of them were asleep. But get this¡ªwe don¡¯t have any lifejackets.¡± Lillia replied.


    ¡°Oh. Damn it¡­¡± Treize shook his head.


    The ck fighter ne flew ahead, suddenly plunging toward the horizon. It then began circling over a sandy beach.


    ¡°What¡¯s Mom doing?¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s probably dropped something to check wind direction.¡±


    ¡°I see.¡±


    And just as Treize exined, Allison reported in.


    <We¡¯ve got light wind on the shore. The water¡¯s calm, too. I want you to make the approach from near the shore with the sun behind you. Just wait there and a rescue party will arrive¡ªI¡¯ve already informed the authorities. The nearest Confederation base is going to send in a seane.>


    <Roger that. Thank you, Allison.>


    Lillia jumped into the conversation.


    <Mom, what about the pilots who jumped?>


    <The military will pick them up too. The armed MPs will, anyway.>


    <All right.>


    With that, Lillia fastened her seatbelt. The seane slowly began to descend. Land began to fill their sights as they drew near.


    Lillia did not insist on helping Treize. she simply sat and watched the yoke shake.


    ¡°Lillia.¡±


    ¡°Yeah?¡±


    ¡°I can take the cockpit alone. If I end up crashing nose-first, anyone here¡¯s going to be a goner. You¡¯ll be safer in the cabin¡ª¡±


    ¡°Shut up. I¡¯m not leaving you.¡± Lillia cut him off.


    <Bank to the left. Easy does it.>


    Treize did as Allison instructed, banking left. The seane continued to fly smoothly. It looked as though thend was moving to their right.


    <And turn again. ¡­Good. Excellent job.>


    With the nose pointed due east, the seane flew almost parallel to thekeshore. Altitude was at 300 meters.


    <Thank you. I¡¯ll maintain heading and slow into descent.>


    Treize gently operated the throttle levers and the control stick. Both altitude and speed began to fall.


    The narrow strip of sand was dotted with rocks. Beyond was a verdant forest. Lillia looked over thend.


    ¡°I don¡¯t see any houses or viges. It¡¯s all trees from here.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s Tolcasia for you. Wanna take another walk after wend?¡± Treize joked.


    ¡°I think I¡¯ll wait for the rescue nes this time.¡± Lillia replied.


    ¡°Well, let¡¯s get started.¡± Treize said, tense.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. We already went through a lot to get here. You can do it. Give it your best shot.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re talking to the ne, aren¡¯t you?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m talking to you.¡± Lillia said.


    Treize turned, as though he remembered something.


    ¡°Come to think of it¡­ what about the kiss?¡±


    ¡°Not yet. We¡¯re not out of hot water yet.¡±


    ¡°Tch.¡±


    ¡°Just thending now.¡±


    ¡°Okay. Then I guess I¡¯ll have to do my best.¡± Treize said with a smile, and turned his gaze forward. And with a re at the horizon and the instrument panel, he pressed the call button.


    <I¡¯ll do it. For the prize.>


    <All right. Slow and steady, okay? We can do this as many times as it takes.>


    ¡°Hey, you don¡¯t need to get into the details!¡± Lillia snapped. At the same time, she noticed an unusually determined look on his face.


    Treize took a deep breath and pressed the call button again.


    <Captain Schultz of the Confederation Air Force. I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude for your support. The blood of Ikstova is once again in your debt. I will not forget your kindness to the end of my days. Thank you.>


    <You¡¯re wee. I expected no less from a knight in shining armor. Tell your parents I¡¯m expecting a helping of stewed cheeseter, okay?>


    <Of course. Endmunications.>


    ¡°Knight in shining armor¡¯s way too good for him.¡± Lillia muttered quietly.


    Altitude 100 meters. The seane was closer vertically to the shore than lengthwise.


    ¡°You can do it, right?¡± Asked Lillia.


    ¡°Yeah. As long as I can raise the nose at the right moment just before wend.¡±


    Meanwhile, in the cabin¡ª


    ¡°Guys! We¡¯re gonnand now, so take your seats and fasten your seatbelts! Hurry! Wake up anyone who¡¯s still asleep!¡±


    Carlo was giving orders to the other children. Those who were lying on the seats and those who were left to sleep on the floor all opened their eyes, slowly sitting and putting on their seatbelts. Some of the children at the window seats cheered when they saw how close they were to theke.


    Fifty meters. There was moreke than sky in the cockpit window now.


    Twenty meters. As the ne descended lower than the fusge was long, the forest passed beside them rather than under.


    ¡°All right! Raise the nose and¡­¡±


    Slowly, Treize pulled on the yoke.


    The ne tilted up from being parallel to the water, and the angle between the wings and theke began to widen.


    As though running into an embrace, the seane approached the surface. The air between the wings and theke created white ripples on the water and turned to sprays.


    The seane hit theke. The back of the fusge was first, cutting through the water in a wake of white waves.


    Soon, the front of the fusge hit theke as the ne slowed against the water. It finallynded with a massive ssh.


    ¡°There!¡±


    With his hands firmly on the yoke Treize stopped the ne from bouncing back from the recoil. Then he set the throttle levers to the lowest output.


    The massive seane moved across theke, slowing down against the water as it barreled forward.


    ¡°I can do this¡­ probably.¡± Treize mumbled. As the fusge shook, it tilted forward because of deceleration.


    ¡°You can! Land this thing!¡± Lillia replied, clutching her seat and watching the water pass by.


    Allison circled clockwise overhead and watched as the seane left white sshes in its wake. It was clearly slowing down.


    ¡°I can¡¯t believe he made it on his first try. At this rate¡ª¡±


    She stopped.


    In the brown water ahead of the seane were different colors. Splotches of grey. The shore there was not made of sand, but a cluster of jutting rocks.


    Allison pressed the call button.


    <Seane, turn left! Left pedal!>


    ¡°!¡±


    Reacting to the suddenmand, Treize did as ordered. When he stepped down on the left pedal, the seane¡¯s fin tilted left and caused the fusge to tilt to the right. The float under the right wing supported the craft.


    Inside the tilted ne, Lillia cried into the microphone.


    <What¡¯s going on, Mom?>


    But before she could hear an answer, the seane shook.


    They could hear an impact under the cockpit. For a moment they felt like they were floating.


    ¡°No! It¡¯s caught on something below!¡± Treize said immediately. The ¡®something¡¯ hit the bottom of the fusge multiple times, shaking Lillia and the ne.


    ¡°Argh! Whoa! Ack!¡±


    <Rocks!> Allison cried from above. Jagged rocks had been hiding beneath the surface¡ªthey were connected to the rocks on the shore.


    The seane moved past the rocks and turned slightly further into theke.


    ¡°Damn it! Why now?¡± Treize swore anxiously.


    The seane continued skidding across the surface of theke. But they could clearly sense vibrations that were not there before.


    ¡°Hey, what¡¯s happening?¡± Asked Lillia.


    ¡°Those rocks hit the underside! They probably left holes on the fusge.¡±


    Lillia was lost for words.


    <¡ªseane, can you hear me? Are you all right?>


    <The underside is breached! The ne might sink!> Treize replied immediately.


    At the same time, he looked past Lillia¡¯s head and out the window. The t, sandy beach was about 300 meters away.


    <I¡¯ll run the craft aground before that!> Treize added, and pulled the throttle levers back to medium output.


    The engines began to growl again, and the propellers spun faster. Treize stepped down on the right pedal.


    The seane tilted left as it turned right. And, shaking in every direction, it struggled toward the beach.


    The engines roared and the ne sped up. For a moment it felt as though they were on track, but in three seconds the seane slowed down again.


    ¡°No good, huh.¡±


    As though someone were holding onto it by its ankles, the seane slowed to a crawl.


    ¡°We won¡¯t make it.¡±


    ¡°Why not?¡±


    ¡°The holes on the underside are creating too much resistance. We can¡¯t move forward. This ne¡¯s going to sink soon.¡±


    With over 100 meters to go before the shore, the seane came to a nearlyplete stop. The propellers alone continued to flounder through the air. The fusge began tilting forward.


    Treize pressed the emergency engine cutoff switch. The four engines and the propellers shook violently and stopped. At the same time, the seane stopped moving forward.


    ¡°There¡¯s nothing we can do. It¡¯s dangerous in here.¡±


    As the ever-present hum of the engines disappeared and stillness fell over the cockpit, Treize undid his seatbelt and stood. Lillia stood after him.


    ¡°Are we going to sink?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know, but we have to get out of here first.¡±


    ¡°Right. ¡­Oh, the kids!¡±


    ¡°Hope they didn¡¯t bump their heads or anything back there¡­¡±


    Lillia turned and ran down the steps. Treize went after her.


    The moment they passed the cargo hold and opened the cabin door¡ª


    ¡°Hey big sis! Have wended? You were right¡ªthat was really shaky.¡± Said Carlo. the other children chimed in in agreement and red.


    ¡°Is everyone all right? No one¡¯s hurt?¡± Lillia asked loudly. The children looked around at one another. One of them answered that they were fine.


    ¡°Thank goodness.¡± Lillia sighed.


    ¡°Not quite yet.¡± Treize said, firmly shutting the door behind them. The fusge continued to tilt. The water was almost up to the window next to Lillia.


    ¡°Listen up, everyone! We¡¯re going to open up the back hatch, so you have to get out of this ne! It¡¯s dangerous to stay in here!¡± Treize said, running down the aisle to the back of the ne.


    ¡°You heard him. We¡¯re getting out of here.¡± Carlo spurred on the children.


    ¡°Too bad.¡±


    ¡°Are we getting off already?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m hungry.¡±


    ¡°Where are we?¡±


    The children grumbled as they lined up along the aisle, with Lillia bringing up the rear. There were so many of them that once they were in the aisle, they couldn¡¯t take a step forward.


    The moment Treize made it to the right hatch at the back of the cabin, he grabbed the lever with both hands. It was made so that twisting and pushing the lever at the same time forced the hatch open.


    ¡°What?¡±


    But the lever did not budge. Even the emergency escape hatch had been locked from the outside.


    ¡°I should¡¯ve shot them when I had the chance¡­¡± Treize growled, fists pounding against the exit. The wooden hatch shook heavily.


    Lillia raised her voice from behind the children, who were gathered near the back seats.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡±


    ¡°The hatch won¡¯t open. It¡¯s stuck.¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m gonna have to force my way.¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll just take out my anger on this!¡±


    Reaching into his belt pack, Treize pulled out his handgun.


    Then with his left hand he gestured away the cheering children.


    Holding the gun tightly with both hands, he undid the safety and took aim at the lever.


    Bang. Bang. Bang. Bang. Bang. Bang. Shots shook the cabin in session. The slide rose and fell six times, then finally stopped at the bottom. The lower wooden part of the lever shattered.


    Treize took a step back, then drew back his right foot and leapt forward with his left.


    ¡°Hah!¡±


    And in midair, he held out his right foot. The kicknded square on the middle of the hatch, sending it flying with nothing but the lever mechanism left on the ne. Treizended gently on both feet on the carpeted floor.


    ¡°Wow!¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re so cool, mister!¡±


    ¡°Amazing!¡±


    The children cheered and pped. Sunlight spilled inside the darkened cabin, illuminating him. Humid air began pushing inside.


    ¡°All of you, climb onto the top of the ne.¡±


    Treize threw his gun to the carpet, then lifted a nearby child over the hatch. The child climbed outside and onto the top of the seane.


    ¡°Next. Hold on tight so you don¡¯t slip and fall. Next. That¡¯s three.¡±


    Treize continued to lift the children onto the top of the ne.


    ¡°What are we going to do after everyone¡¯s up?¡± Asked Lillia.


    ¡°Well, we climb to the top with them. Then¡­¡±


    ¡°Then?¡±


    ¡°Well, I hope the ne doesn¡¯t sink.¡±


    ¡°So we¡¯re working off hopes, not ns.¡±


    The seane was about 100 meters from the beach. The top of the nose was submerged, and the cockpit window was touching the water.


    ¡°Oh, they¡¯re out.¡±


    As Allison circled the air, she spotted the rear hatch fly open and the children climbing onto the top of the ne. soon, the children were steady atop the fusge and therge tail.


    ¡°And that¡¯s twenty-two! Man, what a workout.¡± Treize sighed, after lifting the twenty-second child to safety. Beads of sweat dripped down his face.


    The tilt was worsening by that point. Lillia was clinging to the seats.


    ¡°Your turn, Carlo.¡±


    ¡°Got it.¡±


    Treize lifted Carlo by the underarms and raised him over the hatch. Carlo easily climbed up.


    ¡°You¡¯re next, Lillia. ¡­Want some help?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m fine.¡±


    Lillia stepped over the backs of the seats and the frame of the hatch and climbed up with ease.


    Treize picked up the gun at his feet, ced it back in his belt pack, and scanned the cabin onest time. Then he whispered to the empty seats,


    ¡°¡­Thank you. I¡¯m sorry I couldn¡¯tnd you properly.¡±


    And he was out.


    Outside, the back of the fusge and the tail were crowded with children. Because the ne was tilted forward, there was an incredible view of the scenery from the tail. They were about 4 meters from the surface of the water.


    There was no wind. They could hear the dry hum of the ck fighter craft overhead.


    The seane¡¯s outer panels jutted out at regr intervals, which made it easy to climb. Treize sat with his feet on one such panel and turned toward the nose.


    He could see the wings spread out over the fusge, and the stopped engines. The nose was almostpletely underwater now, as were the cockpit windows. They were 100 meters to the forest, with murky water between them.


    ¡°¡­¡±


    Treize turned to the tail.


    Lillia seemed to be bored. She sat between two girls about ten years old.


    ¡°Allison must have told the rescue team our location by now.¡±


    ¡°Yeah.¡±


    Lillia looked up at the ck fighter ne circling the air.


    ¡°But it¡¯ll be bad if this seane sinks before they get here.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. We¡¯ll hold out until they do!¡± Treize said with surprising confidence. Lillia frowned.


    ¡°What if we don¡¯t? If the ne sinks¡ª¡±


    ¡°It won¡¯t!¡±


    ¡°You have proof?¡±


    ¡°No.¡±


    ¡°Then don¡¯t act like it¡¯s a fact. You¡¯re acting really weird, Treize.¡±


    ¡°Really? ¡­But you know, we¡¯ve gone through so much already. Even the most evil god in the world wouldn¡¯t put us through any more suffering.¡±


    Immediately, the ne shifted violently and tilted right. As buoyancy and water pressure yed a game of tug-of-war, the right float supports broke.


    ¡°Eek!¡±


    ¡°Ah!¡±


    ¡°Whoa!¡±


    Several children screamed as they fell into theke, sending up columns of water.


    ¡°Oh no!¡±


    Lillia pulled the girls next to her close and clung to the ne. At the same time, she leaned forward to search for the fallen children. Their heads bobbed on the water¡¯s surface.


    ¡°Guys! Grab onto something! We¡¯ll pull you right up!¡± She cried desperately.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s fine.¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s nothing to get worried about.¡±


    Said the children around her side.


    ¡°What? ¡­Ah!¡±


    The ne tilted again, and yet more children fell. They quickly rose to the surface and raised their heads.


    ¡°Big sis, is the ne really okay?¡± Carlo asked, holding on to the tail. Lillia shook her head.


    ¡°I don¡¯t think it¡¯ll hold.¡±


    ¡°Then what are we sitting around here for? Let¡¯s go, guys. We¡¯ll head for the beach!¡±


    ¡°What? But¡ª¡±


    Lillia was quickly cut off.


    ¡°Okay.¡±


    ¡°Sure.¡±


    ¡°Why not?¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s go swimming.¡±


    ¡°All right!¡±


    ¡°All right!¡±


    ¡°Here I go!¡±


    The children nodded one after another and jumped into the water.


    ¡°Yeah!¡±


    ¡°Whee!¡±


    ¡°Yahoo!¡±


    Even the children who sat swinging their legs from the tail dropped down head-first from almost 5 meters in the air. They could hear sshes everywhere.


    ¡°Hey, the water¡¯s warm!¡±


    ¡°Race you to the shore!¡±


    ¡°This is great!¡±


    ¡°Wow!¡±


    Children chirped and chattered on the water. Listening to their voices, and looking at their smiles, Lillia furrowed her brow.


    ¡°¡­You know how to swim? ¡­All of you?¡±


    Carlo was astonished.


    ¡°Obviously. We all grew up on thekeside. Swimming¡¯s about the only thing you can do when you¡¯re bored, and you can find food and make money if you catch fish. This is nothing.¡±


    Immediately, the girls next to Lillia leapt into theke.


    ¡°See you in theke, Lillia.¡±


    ¡°Yay!¡±


    Eventually, only three people were left on the tilting ne. Carlo, who stood holding the tail, and Lillia and Treize, sitting on the fusge. The rest of the children were all swimming toward shore.


    ¡°Can you swim, big sis?¡± Asked Carlo.


    ¡°I-I go to a secondary school famous for academics and athletics. For your information, I was offered spots on the swim team and the water polo team. Although I didn¡¯t join.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t really get it, but as long as you know how to swim. Can I go now?¡±


    ¡°Er, yeah.¡± Lillia nodded.


    Carlo took off his hat and rolled up his sleeves.


    ¡°Then be careful on the way. I¡¯ll see you on the beach. Oh, and make sure you take off your jackets and your shoes.¡±


    With that, Carlo leapt head-first into the water. He rose to the surface much closer to shore, swimming to the beach in an expert freestyle.


    ¡°They¡¯re such energetic kids¡­¡± Lillia said, watching him depart. ¡°Well, let¡¯s get going.¡±


    But the moment she looked back at Treize¡ª


    ¡°¡­¡±


    He was justughing.


    ¡°Treize?¡±


    It was an emptyugh. When Lillia called his name, Treize continued hoarsely.


    ¡°Hah hah hah¡­¡±


    ¡°Treize. ¡­Please don¡¯t tell me you¡¯re about to say, ¡®I can¡¯t swim¡¯.¡±


    He soon spoke.


    ¡°Even in midsummer, Lake Ras is freezing cold. Yeah. And there¡¯s really not much in the way of fishing, either. The only way to have fun on theke is skating on it when it freezes over.¡±


    Lillia understood. She deted.


    ¡°So you can¡¯t.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s all right!¡±


    ¡°What is?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll stay behind. I mean, the water¡¯s not that deep. The nose¡¯ll sink first, so I can just cling to the tail¡­¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t be stupid! What happens when even the tail sinks?¡± Lillia cried. At that very moment, the ne shook and the front of the ne sankpletely. The water rose to the heated engines, evaporating loudly on contact.


    ¡°It¡¯s sinking fast! Treize!¡±


    Treize shook his head ufortably.


    ¡°¡­I¡¯m a confident marksman and hunter. Once, I got a deer with one shot from 400 meters away. I shared the meat with everyone in the valley. They all said I was amazing.¡±


    ¡°Who asked about that stuff?¡±


    ¡°I also know how to speak Ikstovan, even though it¡¯s not used anymore. Although my old teacher¡¯s the only one who speaks it with me.¡±


    ¡°Who cares about that?! We have to jump, Treize! Swim!¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s a tall order.¡±


    ¡°Do it!¡±


    ¡°Tomorrow? ¡­Civilized people shouldn¡¯t get into water too deep to stand in.¡±


    ¡°Get a hold of yourself! You at least know what swimming looks like, right? You¡¯ve seen people swim? You know, like a frog! Answer me!¡±


    Treize nodded.


    ¡°Good! You just have to keep your head out of the water and move your arms and legs as much as you can! You won¡¯t die as long as you can keep breathing! Okay?¡±


    Treize would not budge. Lillia went over to him and pulled his button-up shirt.


    ¡°Take this off!¡±


    A couple of buttons went flying, but she seeded in pulling the shirt over his head. Once she got the shirt off(leaving a T-shirt), she got to work on ucing his shoes. Treize remained sitting. Then she took off his boots and socks.


    ¡°This, too!¡±


    Lillia unbuckled the belt pack around Treize¡¯s waist.


    ¡°My gun¡­ I don¡¯t really want to lose that.¡±


    ¡°Then I¡¯ll take it.¡±


    Lillia put the belt pack around her own waist. It fell to her hips, too loose for her size.


    Then, she took out a handkerchief and tied her hair into a ponytail.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go! Don¡¯t struggle, okay?¡± She cried.


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    She grabbed him by the belt and leapt into the water.


    ¡°Whoa!¡±


    ¡°Take a deep breath!¡±


    With a ssh, they fell side-first into theke.


    ¡°Pffha!


    ¡°Pfwaa!¡±


    They lifted their head above the water.


    ¡°C¡¯mon!¡±


    Lillia pounded on Treize¡¯s back.


    ¡°Damn it! Argh!¡±


    Treize waved his arms and legs desperately. His form was sloppy to put mildly, but being athletic he was at least quick.


    ¡°Argh! Pffha! Ack, agh!¡±


    Imitating something between a dog paddle and a breaststroke, he pressed forward. Sometimes his face fell under the surface and he emerged to spit out water.


    ¡°Keep going! You can do it! Go!¡± Lillia cheered, doing a perfect breaststroke behind him.


    ¡°Gah! Agh!¡±


    ¡°See? You¡¯re doing it!¡± Lillia cried.


    ¡°Hah! Hah!¡±


    Looking just about ready to cry, Treize breathed like a carp begging for food. Lillia could see clearly.


    ¡°Go! Keep at it! You¡¯re doing really well!¡±


    Between breaths Lillia made sure to encourage Treize. And on asion, she stopped to see if her feet could touch the bottom of theke.


    The shore came closer, little by little. The children who had already made it were watching from the beach.


    ¡°Man, they¡¯re slow.¡± Carlo mumbled, scratching his head.


    ¡°Almost there! Come on!¡±


    ¡°Hah! Hah!¡±


    About halfway to the beach¡ª


    ¡°Hm?¡±


    They heard something behind them, like arge balloon popping in slow motion. Like air escaping something. Lillia twisted herself around and looked back.


    ¡°Oh¡­¡±


    The massive seane, which had been cruising through the air not long ago, was sinkingpletely. Tilted at a full 90 degrees, only the back of the fusge was visible. But soon even that was sucked into the waves.


    ¡°¡­¡±


    The round windows on the side, the open hatch, and the tail. In the span of three seconds the ne disappearedpletely.


    ¡°Thank you¡­¡± She whispered, and turned back toward the shore. The ne was sunk, but Treize was afloat. Lillia followed after him in freestyle.


    ¡°Almost there! You can do it!¡±


    ¡°Argh! Hah! Glug! Hah! Gah!¡±


    Crying out a series of half-screams, Treize moved forward.


    They were just 20 meters from shore. Lillia stopped and checked underfoot. The tip of her toes brushed against the bottom of theke.


    She swam past Treize in freestyle. By the time she stopped, her feet were solidly on thekebed. She stood and raised her headpletely above the water.


    ¡°We can stand now!¡± She cried, turning. ¡°¡­Treize?¡±


    There was no one there. The cidke continued on to the horizon.


    ¡°Huh?


    For a second, she spotted a fingertip rising to the surface of theke. It soon disappeared.


    ¡°How?¡±


    Treize was drowning in the shallows, where his feet could touch the bottom. Lillia ran as fast as she could. The water was so murky that she could not see below, so she frantically waved her arms under the water.


    ¡°Oh!¡±


    Her fingertips brushed against something. But she could not grab ahold of it. She searched the area again, but found nothing.


    ¡°Tch!¡±


    Leaning forward, she groped through the water with her right arm. She turned in a circle for five seconds, but she felt nothing.


    ¡°Argh¡­¡±


    Lillia took a deep breath and dove in. The water was so murky she couldn¡¯t see further than 20 centimeters, but she still searched the water with eyes wide open.


    A leg. Someone¡¯s right leg suddenly appeared before her and kicked her in the forehead.


    ¡°!¡±


    Lillia did not miss her chance. Quickly, she grabbed it by the ankle with both hands.


    ¡°Gah!¡±


    She broke the surface and searched fornd. It was right behind her. With Treize¡¯s ankle in her hands, Lillia trudged across the sandyke toward the shore.


    ¡°Seriously. It takes talent to go under when you¡¯re this close to shore.¡± Carlo muttered, looking down on Treize on the beach.


    Lillia came ashore with her back to the beach. Soon, Treize¡ªpulled by his ankles by Lillia¡ªalso emerged. His T-shirt was rolled up to his armpits.


    Treize¡¯s eyes were closed peacefully, as though he was asleep.


    ¡°Argh!¡±


    With all her strength, Lillia dragged him onto the sand. The water still reached his face. She quickly crouched next to him and turned him the other way, grabbing him under the arms.


    ¡°Hah¡­ hah¡­¡±


    ¡°Hah¡­ hah¡­¡±


    She panted as she sat on the shore, but quickly knelt next to Treize and looked at his face. Carlo and the children gathered around them.


    ¡°Treize! Wake up!¡±


    She pped him. There was a resounding smack. His face shook slightly, but he did not respond.


    ¡°Open your eyes.¡±


    Smack. Smack. No response.


    Carlo squatted on the other side and put his fingers in front of Treize¡¯s nostrils and his mouth, then ced his middle finger under his face.


    ¡°No good. He¡¯s not breathing. His lungs are stopped, too.¡± He said, looking up at Lillia. His voice sounded final.


    ¡°No¡­ Treize, you idiot! How could you die so easily?!¡± Lillia cried, pale.


    ¡°Calm down, big sis. He¡¯s not gone yet. You just have to give him the kiss and chest press to wake him up.¡± Carlo said matter-of-factly.


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°You breathe air into his lungs by the mouth. Then you press on his chest to force his heart to move. Smart people call this CPR. You know that much, right?¡±


    Immediately, the other children nodded and voiced their agreement.


    ¡°I-I know how it works, but I¡¯ve never tried it. What about you, Carlo?¡±


    ¡°I have, but I can¡¯t do it. I¡¯m not strong enough. You¡¯re the only one who can save big bro. I¡¯ll teach you, okay?¡±


    ¡°A-all right¡­ what do I do?¡± Asked Lillia.


    Carlo exined. First, she should tilt Treize¡¯s head back with one hand and lift his chin with the other. Lillia did as instructed. Carlo looked into Treize¡¯s mouth to check if he hadn¡¯t vomited.


    ¡°The rest is simple. Pinch his nose, put your mouth over his, and blow as hard as you can. Check to see if his chest is moving.¡±


    ¡°O-okay¡­¡±


    Lillia pinched Treize¡¯s nose and looked at his mouth. she froze.


    ¡°I¡¯m¡­ supposed to kiss him, right?¡±


    ¡°Duh. That¡¯s how every prince wakes up.¡±


    ¡°You mean princess?¡±


    ¡°Who cares.¡± Carlo replied. ¡°You¡¯d better do it quick, or he really is gonna die.¡±


    ¡°It was supposed to be the forehead¡­¡±


    ¡°What¡¯re you talking about?¡±


    ¡°Never mind.¡±


    Lillia shut her eyes and took a deep breath.


    Then she put her mouth over Treize¡¯s. With eyes closed tight and bodypletely tense, she breathed out deeply twice.


    ¡°All right. The air¡¯s in.¡± Carlo said, checking that Treize¡¯s chest was moving. ¡°Next, press on his chest.¡±


    Carlo groped over Treize¡¯s bare torso and found the center of the chest, above the sr plexus. He tapped the spot with his fist.


    ¡°Over here. Put your palms here, one over the other, and push. You can¡¯t bend your arms and you have to use all your strength. Enough to break his ribs. On my signal, okay?¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    Looking ready to cry, Lillia did as Carlo said. She ced her palms on his chest, one over the other, and pressed down with all her weight at Carlo¡¯s signal.


    ¡°Press!¡±


    Treize¡¯s chest seemed to sink far enough for his ribcage to break. Lillia grimaced, wondering if she wasn¡¯t doing more harm, but Carlo continued to give signals, three in two seconds.


    ¡°No breaks. Press. Press. Press. Press.¡±


    Lillia desperately followed Carlo¡¯s directions. Ten secondster,


    ¡°All right, that¡¯s fifteen. Back to the mouth! Hurry!¡± Carlo urged, excited. Lillia went back to doing mouth-to-mouth.


    ¡°Chest again!¡±


    Two deep breaths, followed by chestpression. Carlo pped to keep the beat.


    ¡°Good. You¡¯re doing great. Mouth again.¡±


    More mouth-to-mouth with Treize andpression.


    ¡°Mouth.¡±


    ¡°Chest.¡±


    Lillia continued to repeat the process, moving back and forth as Carlo instructed.


    After four chestpressions and five kisses¡ª


    ¡°Gah!¡±


    Treize shuddered and exhaled.


    ¡°Eek!¡± Lillia swung back before she could perform another chestpression.


    ¡°Gah! Koff!¡±


    Treize coughed violently and seized.


    ¡°Hah¡­ hah¡­¡±


    Then he knelt on the beach with his head on the sand, breathing heavily for some time.


    Lillia was frozen, havingnded on her rear. She stared at Treize.


    ¡°Whew¡­¡±


    And she breathed a sigh of relief.


    ¡°Hey. You all right, big bro?¡± Carlo asked, tapping him on the back. Treize panted loudly.


    ¡°Koff¡­ I feel sick. My stomach feels heavy¡­ I¡¯m gonna hurl.¡±


    ¡°Then go throw up.¡±


    Carlo managed to help Treize to his feet in spite of his height. Treize staggered into the water, knelt in the shallows, and began to vomit.


    The children giggled as Treize emptied his stomach.


    ¡°Whoa.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s puking!¡±


    ¡°I feel bad for him.¡±


    ¡°Too bad; lunch was really good.¡±


    Carlo returned to Lillia¡¯s side. She was still uncertain.


    ¡°Is¡­ is he going to be okay?¡±


    ¡°He wasn¡¯t in there long, and if he¡¯s coughing up all that water, he¡¯ll be fine. Although he¡¯s gonna feel sick for a while. Good job, big sis. That was great for your first time.¡±


    With her soaked bangs clinging to her forehead and sand covering her cheeks, Lillia looked up at Carlo.


    ¡°Thank you¡­ thank you, Carlo. If not for you¡­¡±


    ¡°This one¡¯s on the house. I¡¯m charging for the next time, okay/¡±


    The moment Lillia stood, the handkerchief tying her hair came loose. Her long hair flopped down and stuck to the back of her wet shirt.


    Treize had taken off his T-shirt as he stood with his feet in the water. He wrung it out and was wiping his face with it. Lillia began walking over to him. Carlo followed.


    She stood behind him, to his left, and asked,


    ¡°Treize¡­ are you okay?¡±


    ¡°Huh? Oh, er¡­ yeah. The inside of my mouth stings a little, though.¡± He said, turning to Lillia with a smile. His hair was soaked and stuck to his face.


    ¡°¡­¡±


    Because he had taken off his T-shirt, Lillia¡¯s eyes were immediately drawn to his well-defined abs and toned but lean chest.


    ¡°Oh¡­ er¡­ That¡¯s good to hear.¡± She replied, looking away with her face flushed.


    ¡°I was drowning back there, wasn¡¯t I?¡± Treize asked.


    ¡°Yeah.¡± Lillia answered. ¡°You were doing fine until we were this close to shore. I dragged you out of there.¡±


    ¡°I see. Thank you, Lillia. Man, I don¡¯t believe this¡­ I¡¯m ashamed of myself.¡± Treize mumbled. He was almost pitiful to look at.


    ¡°As long as you made it out in one piece, you know?¡± Lillia said, trying to cheer him up.


    ¡°True. But I really thought I was going to die back there. I was sinking, and by the time it was dark and I couldn¡¯t hear anything, I dreamt that someone was beating me up. It hurt so much that I woke up, and I was on the beach.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t remember?¡±


    ¡°Remember what?¡±


    ¡°No, well¡­ I see. You were unconscious, I mean. It¡¯s all good. I¡¯m d you¡¯re safe.¡± Said Lillia.


    Carlo finally chimed in.


    ¡°You¡¯d better seriously thank big sis. She was so desperate, you know? You know how many times she ki-mmph!¡±


    Lillia quickly covered his mouth and knelt down next to him.


    ¡°I¡¯m fine if he doesn¡¯t remember!¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    Carlo made a face, but when Lillia took her hand off his mouth he shrugged.


    ¡°All right. I guess we can just leave it at that.¡±


    He left them be, walking over to the children who were throwing sand at one another on the beach.


    Lillia looked back at the dejected Treize. Suddenly, their eyes met.


    She quickly looked away.


    ¡°Oh.¡±


    That was when the golden pendant around Treize¡¯s neck came into view. It was a golden coin on a thin, glittering golden chain. On the face of the coin was an intricate carving of a hawk with its wings spread.


    ¡°Hey, nice pendant.¡±


    ¡°Hm? Oh, this.¡± Treize seemed to have only just noticed that his pendant was visible. ¡°This is¡­ like a lucky charm. Is it weird for a guy to wear a pendant like this?¡±


    ¡°No. It¡¯s really nice. Where¡¯d you get it? Iks?¡±


    ¡°Huh? Oh, yeah.¡±


    ¡°Wow, I want one too. Show me where you bought it next time Ie visit.¡±


    Treize silently looked at her.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong? ¡­I-is it really expensive?¡± Lillia stammered.


    ¡°No.¡±


    Smiling, Treize looked down at his chest.


    He held up the coin with his left hand and looked at the hawk carved on the face, then let it drop.


    ¡°I¡¯ll give you one someday, Lillia. I promise.¡±


    ¡°Really? That¡¯s a promise, okay? Even if it¡¯s super-expensive. You can¡¯t back outter!¡±


    ¡°Yeah. Don¡¯t forget.¡±


    ¡°Of course I won¡¯t! I¡¯m going to remember this moment forever!¡± Lilliaughed, and pped Treize in the back.


    There was a resounding smack.


    Immediately, a deafening noise shook the air. The ck fighter craft was flying low, crossing over theke from left to fight. When Lillia and Treize waved at the ne, its wings moved in response.


    The children cheered. Allison¡¯s fighter ne changed direction in the distance, this time approaching the beach from the west.


    Something dropped from the ne as it flew a hundred meters overhead. It was a cylindrical case that looked almost like a baton, suspended on a red-and-white parachute.


    It fluttered over their heads andnded in the sand a short distance away.


    ¡°It¡¯s amunication cylinder.¡± Treize said. The children raced to retrieve the message.


    Treize put on his T-shirt again. It was dyed a reddish-brown from theke water. He walked over to where Lillia and the children were huddled.


    ¡°Let me see that for a minute. I just want to take out the letter; you can have the cylinder back.¡± He said to the first child to grab the message, and plucked out the letter before returning the container.


    ¡°What¡¯s it say?¡± Asked Lillia as Treize unfolded the paper.


    ¡°¡®Remain where you are. The storks will rescue you soon. Good work. -Allison¡¯.¡±


    ¡°Thank goodness.¡± Lillia said, turning her gaze upwards once more.


    ¡°Thank goodness.¡± Lillia said, turning her gaze upwards once more.


    The ck fighter ne circled the air again, heading toward the beach. This time it sped up and zoomed over the heads of the waving children. Then it banked for a hard turn. The children cheered.


    Lillia and Treize followed the ne with their eyes.


    The fighter craft climbed higher and higher before disappearing into the sun shining in the west.


    Silence returned to the beach.


    ¡°I¡¯m exhausted.¡± Treize mumbled, sitting on the sand, and nkly looked at the sky. The summer sun cast a warm light on his soaked clothes and body.


    The children were enjoying themselves, some napping on the beach and others sitting in circles to chat. Some of the more energetic ones were swimming in theke.


    ¡°How are you, Treize? Feeling better now?¡± Lillia asked as she sat next to him.


    ¡°Yeah. I¡¯m not feeling queasy anymore, at least. Now¡­ I¡¯m just hungry.¡±


    ¡°Hah hah. Then I guess you¡¯re all right. I¡¯m really d. And here you go.¡±


    Lillia held out his belt pack.


    ¡°Thank you.¡±


    Treize took it.


    Suddenly, they caught the children¡¯s voices.


    ¡°Isn¡¯t the Master incredible?¡±


    ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°Yeah. Why?¡±


    ¡°Think about it. He crashed that big aerone into the water just so we could have a good time!¡±


    The children gasped and nodded.


    ¡°Hah hah!¡± Treize barked.


    Lillia put on a wry grin.


    ¡°This is great. Let¡¯s just y along with that if the kids ask any questions.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sure that¡¯ll put Mr. Morseau at ease, too.¡±


    ¡°Yeah. We all got out of that safe.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s all thanks to you, Treize. Good job.¡±


    ¡°It was nothing.¡±


    One of the girls called Lillia over.


    ¡°Hm? I¡¯ll be right there.¡±


    Lillia stood and left Treize¡¯s side with a light wave.


    Once she was gone,


    ¡°That¡¯s the first time she said, ¡®good job¡¯ to me.¡± He muttered to himself. Then he frowned. ¡°In any case¡­ who in the world could havee up with that n and convinced the captain and the other pilots? And how could they have bought out even the seane¡¯s crew?¡±


    As he lost himself in thought, he saw little specks in the eastern sky.


    ¡°Oh well. I¡¯ll look into itter.¡±


    The specks grewrger andrger, eventually bing mid-sized seanes. They were about 15 meters long, with propellers on the front and back of the engine affixed atop the fusge. They were all marked with the emblem of the Roxchean military, and the unit¡¯s symbol¡ªa stylized stork¡ªwas painted on the fins.


    The four identical seanesnded in the water one after another, avoiding the rocks.


    Rubber boats then emerged from the seanes and headed for the beach. Each of the four boats were upied by soldiers in work wear. They beached the boats onto the shore.


    ¡°Snack time, kids!¡±


    As the soldiersnded, they began handing out cookies and bottled juice to the awestruck children. And within seconds the boats were surrounded by cheering children.


    Then, a man about thirty years of age wearing a ck-and-red Confederation Air Force uniform, with his badge of rank identifying him as a first lieutenant, saluted Lillia and Treize.


    ¡°You must be Mr. Treize and Miss Lillia. I¡¯vee to get you on Captain Schultz¡¯s orders. We¡¯ll be taking the two of you to Bren, and the children to Healer Vige.¡±


    ¡°Thank you.¡±


    ¡°We appreciate your help.¡±


    Said Lillia and Treize.


    ¡°Then I¡¯d like to ask you to board the boat now. We¡¯ll set off as soon as you¡¯re on the seane.¡± Said the first lieutenant.


    ¡°Before that¡­ could we say goodbye to the kids?¡± Asked Lillia.


    ¡°Of course.¡± The first lieutenant smiled.


    Lillia thanked him and ran over to the children, who looked like they were enjoying a pic.


    Immediately, the first lieutenant walked over to Treize. With his back turned to him the first lieutenant whispered.


    ¡°Sir. The Roxchean military¡¯s intelligence department is working to resolve today¡¯s incident. Please leave the rest to us.¡±


    ¡°I knew it.¡± Treize¡¯s gaze narrowed. ¡°So that¡¯s how Allison arrived so quickly. There were people behind the scenes who knew what was going on. And by ¡®leave the rest to us¡¯ you mean, ¡®keep you nose out of this business¡¯. Am I right?¡±


    The first lieutenant¡¯s gaze was fixed ahead.


    ¡°We would be grateful if you took it that way, yes.¡±


    ¡°When will you make the official announcement?¡±


    ¡°The crew of the seane will be officially tried and punished. And as for the rest¡­¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ll make it so that ¡®nothing ever happened¡¯.¡±


    ¡°That is the best choice for a great many people involved. Like you, Miss Lillia, and Captain Schultz.¡±


    ¡°So a lie is a tool of sorts too, huh. ¡­But what about us? The people who got plenty involved in this mess? Are you going to keep us in the dark, too? Will we never know the truth?¡±


    The first lieutenant was expressionless and silent.


    ¡°Heh¡­ I understand.¡± Treize sighed. ¡°I¡¯m going to say goodbye to the kids, too.¡±


    ¡°Go right ahead.¡± The first lieutenant said with a smile.


    ¡°Seriously? You¡¯re both leaving already?¡± Carlo pouted, holding a cookie in each hand.


    Lillia squatted next to him to say goodbye.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Carlo. We¡¯re not from here, so we have to go separately now. I¡¯ll write to you once I get back to the Capital District. So study hard with the others when you get back to the facility. Then you¡¯ll be able to make lots more money once you¡¯re an adult.¡±


    ¡°If you say so. ¡­I mean, I wasn¡¯t even gonna tell you guys my name at first anyway. Parting is a part of life.¡±


    ¡°Look at you, acting all mature. You should try for the cutesy act sometimes.¡± Treize chuckled.


    Carlo stared up at him without a word. Then, he stuffed both cookies into his mouth and swallowed them.


    ¡°Big bro. I need to talk to you. C¡¯mere for a minute.¡± Carlo said, dragging Treize away.


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°Shut up and follow me.¡±


    As Carlo pulled Treize along, Lillia wondered to herself,


    ¡°Hm? Is this what boys¡¯ friendships are like?¡±


    ¡°Hey Carlo, isn¡¯t this far enough?¡± Treizeined, once they were about five meters from the other children. Carlo finally came to a stop.


    ¡°Hey!¡±


    Carlo turned and shot Treize a re.


    ¡°You know, don¡¯t you?¡±


    ¡°What are you talking about?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t y dumb!¡± Carlo shot back, punching Treize in the gut. Treize looked unperturbed.


    ¡°What, that you¡¯re actually ¡®Ca¡¯?¡±


    ¡°Ack! I knew it! ¡­How? How did you know?¡± Carlo demanded.


    ¡°I had a feeling from the moment I first spotted you. But I wasn¡¯tpletely sure until I saw you staring at Lillia¡¯s hair. You looked really envious.¡±


    ¡°Tch! Long hair doesn¡¯t look good on me anyway.¡± Carlo said, scratching her sandy wet hair with an embarrassed look.


    ¡°I won¡¯t tell Lillia.¡±


    ¡°Really?¡±


    ¡°I promise.¡±


    ¡°Y-you¡¯d better! Next time I see her, I¡¯m gonna have long, pretty hair and surprise her!¡±


    Treize burst intoughter.


    ¡°Hah hah hah! It¡¯ll look good on you. I¡¯m sure Lillia¡¯s going to be floored.¡±


    ¡°¡­Then we¡¯re good. Not a word, okay? Don¡¯t tell her that I¡¯m a girl! This is a man-to-man promise!¡±


    ¡°That doesn¡¯t quite make sense.¡±


    ¡°Shut up! Who cares? I¡¯m just saying man-to-man to make thing easier. ¡®Cause right now, I¡¯m Carlo!¡±


    ¡°All right, all right. This is a man-to-man promise between Carlo and Treize. I promise I¡¯ll take your secret to the grave if necessary. I won¡¯t tell.¡±


    Treize dered, cing his left hand in a fist over his chest. Then he slowly knelt in front of Carlo and met her gaze.


    ¡°Then let me tell you my secret, too. I¡¯m actually a prince. You can¡¯t tell Lillia, okay?¡± He said with a wink. ¡°But I don¡¯t have much time left. I have to make a very important decision before I turn twenty. This is actually thest chance I¡¯ll have to spend time with Lillia like this.¡±


    ¡°Wow¡­ this is great!¡± Carlo grinned.


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s awesome! That¡¯s definitely gonna win her over. It¡¯s a fun story, and you sound so cool when you¡¯re saying it! It¡¯s really good.¡±


    Treize was at a loss.


    ¡°Oh, right. ¡­Yeah. I¡¯ll try it out sometime if I get the chance.¡±


    ¡°Sometime? C¡¯mon, you gotta tell her tonight! Tonight! You gotta catch opportunity when it strikes. It doesn¡¯te every day, you know!¡± Carlo snickered, poking Treize in the chest. ¡°But if you can¡¯t manage to win her over, I¡¯ll take you. You¡¯re a pretty good guy, big bro!¡± Carlo beamed.


    ¡°I see. ¡­Thank you.¡± Treize said with aplicated expression. ¡°I¡¯d better get going. You guys follow the soldiers after snack time¡ªthey¡¯ll take you to the Master and the matrons at the facility. They¡¯ll be worried that you¡¯ve all been gone so long.¡±


    ¡°All right. I¡¯ll pay attention and be a good kid. But I¡¯m not gonna wear a skirt.¡±


    ¡°Hah hah hah.¡±


    Treize stood and began to walk with Ca.


    ¡°And about what Lillia and I did on the seane¡­ I know the other kids didn¡¯t see anything, but¡ª¡±


    ¡°I know. It¡¯s a secret, right? I¡¯ll keep it safe.¡±


    ¡°Thanks.¡±


    Lillia was waiting for them to return.


    ¡°Finished talking? Let¡¯s go.¡±


    Treize nodded. Lillia squatted in front of Carlo and gently embraced her tiny form.


    ¡°Bye, Carlo. I¡¯m so d we met you.¡±


    Carlo raised her arms and hugged Lillia¡¯s head.


    ¡°See you, big sis.¡±


    ¡°Yeah. Take care, okay?¡±


    ¡°You too.¡±


    ¡°Yeah.¡±


    Lillia pulled away from Carlo and stood. Then, with a light wave, she turned and walked over to the first lieutenant by one of the rubber boats.


    Treize leaned in toward Carlo¡¯s ear and whispered,


    ¡°Goodbye¡­ Ca.¡±


    Carlo whispered back.


    ¡°Goodbye¡­ Prince Treize.¡±


    Then, the two of them¡ª


    ¡°See you, Carlo!¡±


    ¡°See you, big bro!¡±


    Exchanged smiles and loudly said their goodbyes.

 Volume 1 9 — And so the two…

    <h4>Volume 1 Chapter 9: And so the two¡­</h4>


    -----


    The setting sun shone over a dense forest, where a single road stretched on in a straight line.


    A bus was parked on the side of the road. Inside were several people dressed for a fishing trip.


    Across the road was a ck fighter craft. It stood quietly there, with thending gear underneath and the nose pointed upwards.


    One of the men on the bus went over to the blond woman leaning against the ne, who wore a flight suit. The man was wearing sses.


    Major Travas and Allison.


    ¡°Thanks for your hard work.¡±


    ¡°Yeah. It was rough.¡±


    Beneath his sses, Major Travas¡¯s eyes were narrowed.


    ¡°Thank you, Allison. We couldn¡¯t have done it without you.¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s no need to thank me.¡± Allison grinned.


    Major Travas looked up at the fighter ne, its propellers still as it stood like a sculpture.


    ¡°So this is Roxche¡¯stest fighter craft.¡±


    ¡°Cool, isn¡¯t it? She¡¯s really fast. Although Sou Be-Il¡¯s tech is still ahead of ours.¡±


    ¡°What are you going to do now?¡±


    ¡°I pulled so many crazy maneuvers that I ran out of fuel partway back. An aerone packed with people from the base is going to get here soon, so I¡¯m going to take a break here until then. I¡¯ll watch the moon on the way back.¡±


    ¡°All right, then. I have to go now; we still have work to do.¡±


    ¡°Looks like you do.¡±


    A brown-haired woman came up behind Major Travas. It was Axe.


    ¡°Major. We should be leaving now.¡±


    Major Travas nced at her.


    ¡°Ah, let me introduce you, Axe. This is Captain Allison Schultz of the Roxche Air Force. She¡¯s helped us out before and knows about us. Commit this part to memory. You are free to introduce yourself by your real name.¡±


    ¡°Good afternoon.¡± Allison smiled, speaking in Bezelese. Axe seemed taken aback, but replied in Roxchean.


    ¡°It¡¯s an honor to meet you. Gratz Axentine.¡±


    It was a typical military greeting, minus the salute. Allison switched to Roxchean.


    ¡°It¡¯s nice to meet you, Axentine.¡±


    Though Allison was constantly smiling, Axe remained cool and businesslike.


    ¡°If you would be quick, Major.¡±


    ¡°Understood. Inform the others that I will be there shortly. Begin preparations.¡±


    Allison watched Axe walk back to the bus.


    ¡°Her, too?¡±


    Major Travas nodded.


    ¡°Yes. A student of the Aikashia school. An excellent one.¡±


    ¡°Huh. She sure is pretty.¡± Allison mumbled, and looked Major Travas in the eye. ¡°The question is, is she pretty enough for a certain someone to be cheating on his girlfriend for?¡±


    ¡°What? No, no. I wouldn¡¯t.¡± Major Travas replied, flustered. Allison narrowed her eyes.


    ¡°Of course not. I mean, I wouldn¡¯t want toy a one-man siege on the embassy with this baby here.¡± She threatened, tapping the fusge. It rang loudly.


    ¡°Scary.¡± Major Travas chuckled. ¡°Anyway, we have to be going. The real work¡¯s just ahead for us¡ªor the cleanup, if you look at it another way.¡±


    ¡°All right. Let¡¯s have dinner sometime. You owe me for today.¡±


    ¡°Sure. I¡¯ll see youter.¡± Major Travas said, and turned back to the bus.


    ¡°Say.¡±


    Allison suddenly stopped him.


    ¡°Hm?¡±


    Major Travas stopped, but did not turn. Allison stared with her eyes narrowed and asked quietly,


    ¡°Is ¡®Gratz¡¯ amon family name in Sou Be-Il?¡±


    ¡°No.¡± Major Travas replied immediately. Allison shrugged.


    ¡°I knew it.¡±


    The conversation came to an end.


    Allison watched as Travas departed.


    * * *


    Twilight wasing to the little cabin in the forest.


    The sky was losing its blue tint, and a golden light was cast on the clouds high in the air.


    Inside the cabin sat Morseau, absorbed in a book. The interior quickly grew dark.


    Morseau put a bookmark on his page, put the book on the table, and stood.


    He picked up the kettle in the kitchen and poured lukewarm water into a cup. He slowly drank it on the spot.


    ¡°¡­¡±


    Putting the cup down, he reached behind a piece of plywood hanging from the wall. Then he slowly reached for the thin ck knife hidden there. But mere centimeters from the knife¡ª


    ¡°Freeze!¡±


    Four men kicked down the door and leapt inside. They were not only dressed in camouge gear, their faces were covered in paint and their hats were covered with leaves. As soon as they were inside, the men scattered to the corners of the house and held their small machine guns at Morseau.


    ¡°Move, and we¡¯ll shoot.¡± One of the men said tersely from behind Morseau. Morseau froze.


    One of the men grabbed him by the cor and forced him down to the floor. Then he pulled back Morseau¡¯s arms and tied them together with string from his pocket.


    ¡°Hah. Such violent visitors. I don¡¯t think this is any mood for a tea party. You¡¯re nothing like the guests I greeted earlier.¡± Morseau said calmly as hey on the floor.


    ¡°You¡¯reing with us.¡± One of the menmanded.


    The men in camo gear put a cloth bag over Morseau¡¯s head and took him into custody. They left the cabin and pushed the old man into the ck van parked outside. It was the very same vehicle that had picked up the ¡®reporters¡¯ outside Healer Vige.


    The van tumbled down the road with the five men inside. Away from the vige, eastward where there was nothing but trees.


    The men said nothing. Nor did Morseau. He sat silently between the intruders, cramped in his seat with his hands tied behind his back.


    The forest seemed for all the world like a pair of ck walls lining the road. The sky alone retained a hint of light. The van continued quickly in the darkness. Each time they hit a puddle in the way, the driver expertly operated the wheel as mud sshed outside.


    And just as the man in the passenger seat nced at his watch,


    ¡°Whoa!¡±


    The driver flinched and hit the brakes.


    There was someone ahead, crossing the middle of the road. He was a well-built man in his forties, wearing a hat and dressed for a fishing trip. Slung over his shoulder was a fishing bag and in his left hand was a bucket.


    There was no shock or fear in his eyes as he looked at the car. The only thing visible under his hat was a nk expression. Suddenly, the bucket fell from his hand.


    The empty bucket hit the road, then bounced up. And before it hit the ground again, the fisherman pulled his bag in front of him and took out its contents.


    A shotgun emerged. The man held it at the van as it barreled toward him. And he pulled the trigger.


    The front-left tire burst. The van, already slowing, decelerated almost instantly as its bumper ground against the mud. It soon came to a stop on the left side of the road as though tripping forward.


    The man with the shotgun pulled the pump handle to expel the empty shell, then loaded the next one and took aim at the van again. His movements were calcting and businesslike, and his face showed no sign of emotion.


    ¡°Sheet!¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s going on?!¡±


    The driver and the man in the passenger seat yelled.


    The two men in the back seat took up their submachine guns and opened the doors. Then they quickly stepped outside and took aim at the man on the road, using the doors as shields. But then¡ª


    ¡°Don¡¯t even bother.¡±


    The men found themselves being held at gunpoint from behind. Two men dressed in fishing gear had emerged from the woods, and were holdingrge handguns to their heads.


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    The two men in camo gear seethed as they put down their submachine guns, ring at the muzzles pointed at their heads. The driver and the man next to him put their feet on the hood to indicate surrender.


    The two fishermen who emerged from the woods forced the men in camo gear to the ground. They made sure to restrain their hands backwards and cross their legs so it would be difficult for the men to stand. Then, two more men emerged with shotguns in hand and expertly tied up the four fallen men.


    In less than ten seconds, the van had been taken and four men in camo gear were left on the ground.


    ¡°Finished.¡± Said a fisherman holding a shotgun. He was speaking in Roxchean. Taking aim with his right hand, he took out slugs from his vest pocket and loaded them with his left.


    A young woman carrying a mid-sized handgun emerged from the brush and approached the van. She checked the back seat through the wide-open doors and carefully removed the bag from over the old man¡¯s head. Morseau calmly looked at the woman.


    ¡°Well, this is a surprise. What is going on here, Miss?¡±


    The woman¡¯s reply was emotionless.


    ¡°We¡¯re here to rescue you. If you would step outside.¡±


    She was speaking Bezelese.


    ¡°¡­¡±


    Morseau¡¯s expression shifted. As his eyes widened in shock, the woman pulled him out.


    ¡°You¡­¡±


    One of the men kissing the mud growled resentfully.


    ¡°My apologies.¡± Said a voice, emerging from the woods. It was Major Travas. Holding a handgun, he squatted next to the men in camo gear. ¡°We¡¯ll be taking him now.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re¡­ ¡®Aristocrat¡¯, aren¡¯t you?¡± The man spat.


    Major Travas did not reply.


    ¡°Don¡¯t y dumb. Why are you turning against us now?¡±


    The man demanded, raising his head. He found a shotgun muzzle pointed at his face. But Major Travas waved the gun aside.


    ¡°We¡¯re not turning against you. This was our n from the very beginning. Thank you for your efforts, ¡®Treefrogs¡¯. Or I suppose I should call you the Roxche Special Forces. Leave the rest to us.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    Leaving the man dumbstruck, Major Travas went over to Morseau. The woman had untied him and was massaging his numb wrists.


    ¡°It looks like you had a rough time.¡± Said Major Travas with a smile. He was speaking Bezelese.


    ¡°Who in the world¡­?¡± Morseau asked in Roxchean. Major Travas replied in Roxchean as well.


    ¡°Isn¡¯t it nostalgic, speaking in your mother tongue again? Although I suppose you¡¯ll be hearing much more of it soon.¡±


    ¡°Th-then¡ª¡±


    So shocked was Morseau that he could not continue.


    Major Travas nodded firmly.


    ¡°Yes. We will be sending you back to Sou Be-Il¡ªour homnd. That is why we are here. You can rest easy with us.¡±


    ¡°Ah¡­¡±


    Morseau closed his eyes. A tear ran down his cheek.


    The sun setpletely and the sky turned orange, then indigo.


    In the woods, where darkness fell before moonrise, sat a van driven into the dirt with one of its tires punctured. Next to ity four men in camo gear, their arms and legs all bound.


    There was no one else around. They could not hear any vehicles. Only the cries of the birds in the trees seemed to resound through the forest.


    ¡°Mountain fowl, do you think?¡± Asked one of the men, still lying face-down on the ground.


    ¡°You¡¯re actually enjoying this, aren¡¯t you?¡± Replied another. The men burst intoughter.


    ¡°Can we stop kissing the dirt now?¡±


    ¡°Yes. To your feet.¡±


    The men flipped themselves around to face the sky. Then, with their hands still tied behind their backs, they began to untie the ropes on the hands of the men next to them.


    Soon, the four men rose to their feet and picked up their submachine guns. The magazines were empty. The group that restrained them had taken all the rounds.


    ¡°Looks like we¡¯ll be getting an earful from the old man at the armory again.¡±


    ¡°Stopining. This is part of the mission budget.¡±


    The men chattered, rxed as could be, and gathered up the ropes and even the torn pieces of the exploded tire.


    The man who went over to the front of the van examined the front-left wheel, which with the exception of the tire waspletely unscathed.


    ¡°He¡¯s a great shot, that one. Taking out just the tire with one round? Even I can¡¯t do that.¡±


    ¡°If things hadn¡¯t changed, we¡¯d be facing monsters like that on the battlefield.¡±


    ¡°Scary. But thedy was a looker.¡±


    ¡°Can¡¯t believe you had the guts to check her out. I was busy being scared that they¡¯d actually shoot.¡±


    ¡°Ask her out next time if you see her at the Capital District, Master Sergeant.¡±


    ¡°No thank you, sir. A woman that scary just might castrate me if I got on her nerves.¡±


    The men had a heartyugh over the master sergeant¡¯sment. Then,


    ¡°Well, Treefrogs, the mission is over. With just one popped tire and a few lost magazines, thank the heavens. We¡¯ll switch out and withdraw.¡±


    Soon, the men disappeared and left nothing behind.


    * * *


    It was at the end of that summer evening that the rescue seane carrying Lillia and Treizended near Bren. The sun had already set, and the sky over theke was glowing a brilliant orange.


    Lillia and Treize had both changed into tracksuits given them by the soldiers on the ne. The words ¡®Air Force¡¯ were embroidered over the chest. They wore t sandals on their feet. Their wet clothes were inside a waterproof bagbelled ¡®corpse bag¡¯ in tiny letters, carried by Treize.


    A medical officer had given Treize a checkup on the ne. Lillia breathed a sigh of relief when Treize was deemed unhurt.


    Then, they had exined everything that had happened since they boarded Mateo¡¯s tour ne. Afterwards the first lieutenant exined several things to them.


    That the children were on their way back to the facility, and the vigers were informed that the seane had run aground due to pilot error. That the Tolcasian pilots who took part in the plot, excepting the dead captain and including the one who had shot Mateo, had been arrested. That a trustworthy team was already investigating the case for the mastermind. That the employees of the Lartika tour nepany were informed that their two customers were safe.


    ¡°We won¡¯t be bothering you any more after today. Because the man who shot Mr. Mateo is a soldier, he will be courtmartialed behind closed doors. Once we have a verdict, we will give you a brief summary of everything we are permitted to reveal.¡±


    Treize listened skeptically. He knew that they would be permitted to reveal nothing, which meant that they would not be giving any reports¡ªand even if they did, the report would be apletely fictional one.


    ¡°Thank you, First Lieutenant. We¡¯re counting on you.¡±


    But when Lillia replied, Treize looked at her and said nothing.


    The town of Bren was filled with lights from streemps and houses. Lillia and Treize disembarked at a pier in the harbor.


    The first lieutenant took them by car into town. A short driveter, they arrived at a hotel. It was not as luxurious as the one in Lartika, but it was also quiterge and looked expensive.


    ¡°We¡¯ve contacted the hotel in Lartika ahead of time and brought your belongings here. Along with Miss Lillia¡¯s souvenirs.¡± The first lieutenant exined.


    He had led them, not through the front doors, but the back. They left their wet clothes with theundromat service and took the elevator.


    Lillia and Treize were given tworge single rooms.


    ¡°I¡¯m not the one who prepared your rooms. I¡¯m sure you both must have a lot on your minds, but we¡¯d like for you to rest here for tonight. And there¡¯s no need to worry about the hotel expenses, including the meals. Take your time and rx. And starting tomorrow, please continue your trip as if nothing happened.¡± the first lieutenant said, and disappeared into the elevator.


    ¡°Is he making fun of us?¡± Treize grumbled.


    Afterwards, Lillia and Treize went to their own rooms and spent a long time washing out the mud and sand in the shower.


    About an hourter, Treize called Lillia¡¯s room and asked if she wanted to get dinner. Lillia stepped out in the same clothes as the first day. Treize was in his usual outfit. They headed for the restaurant on the top floor together.


    The world outside was tinted a bluish white under the moon, and candles lit the restaurant interior. Completely ignoring the other patrons in their fancy clothes, Lillia and Treize ordered one expensive dish after another and wolfed them down.


    ¡°If we¡¯re not paying for ourselves, might as well go all-out.¡±


    ¡°Yeah. I¡¯m starving.¡±


    They cleaned off their tes with very few words between them, and by the time they finished several different desserts, there were no other patrons in the restaurant.


    Lillia picked up her teacup.


    ¡°That was great. I¡¯m really sleepy now. We went through so much today¡­¡±


    ¡°Agreed. Today and yesterday. We only set off three days ago, but this trip is turning out to be an exhausting one.¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s get some sleep. We¡¯ll think about tomorrow tomorrow.¡±


    ¡°Yeah.¡±


    ¡°Anyway, you really helped out a lot today, Treize. Thank you.¡±


    ¡°Not at all. I just wish I didn¡¯t end up looking so bad at the end there¡­¡± Treize trailed off. Lillia gave him an encouraging look.


    ¡°Who cares? I mean, I got the chance to pay you back.¡±


    ¡°All right.¡± Treize nodded and mumbled. Then, ¡°Come to think of it, you were supposed to give me that prize. Don¡¯t tell me you forgot.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    Lillia stared. Treize was smiling like a kid in a candy store.


    ¡°Not anymore.¡± She replied tersely.


    ¡°Hmph. ¡­Wait, what do you mean, ¡®anymore¡¯?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not important.¡±


    Finishing her tea, Lillia cupped her hand over her mouth as she yawned loudly.


    ¡°Yeah. I think I¡¯ll sleep like a rock tonight.¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s get going. I¡¯ll wake you up in time for breakfast tomorrow?¡±


    ¡°Yes please. We¡¯ll stuff ourselves tomorrow, too.¡±


    Finally, they stood. Treize signed the bill that the waiter brought.


    Once they stepped onto the elevator, Lillia asked,


    ¡°How much was it?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re better off not knowing.¡±


    They disembarked, walked down the hall, and stopped in front of Lillia¡¯s room.


    They disembarked, walked down the hall, and stopped in front of Lillia¡¯s room.


    ¡°See you tomorrow, then. You don¡¯t want to switch rooms this time?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t have the energy. And we¡¯re not in Lartika anyway, so I don¡¯t really care about the view.¡±


    ¡°All right.¡± Treize replied, pointing at his own room. ¡°I¡¯ll be in there.¡±


    ¡°Too bad we¡¯re not using the same suite this time. Good night.¡± Lillia said, disappearing into her room.


    ¡°Good night.¡± Treize replied with a wry smile, taking herment as sarcasm.


    The doors closed, and the hall was deserted.


    ¡°What the heck did I just say¡­?¡±


    Lillia leaned against her door, blushing furiously, and writhed in embarrassment as she punched herself in the head.


    ¡°Stupid! Idiot! Imbecile!¡±


    * * *


    ¡°It¡¯s finally over¡­¡±


    Inside his room, Treize ced his handgun on the table.


    The gun had been submerged, and was covered in sand. He dismantled it and cleaned out the parts, oiled it, then reassembled it. Then he loaded the extra magazine and ammunition he had locked in his luggage.


    ¡°I should get to bed¡­¡±


    When he turned off the tablemp, the room instantly dimmed. Only pale blue moonlight seeped in between the curtains.


    But the moment Treize stood, the phone at the end of the table began to ring.


    ¡°Whoa!¡±


    Flinching, Treize reflexively picked up the receiver.


    ¡°¡­¡±


    And, looking around, he slowly brought it to his ear.


    <Hello? Who is this?>


    From the phone came a man¡¯s voice.


    <Good evening, owner of the hawk pendant.>


    <¡­You? ¡­Why?> Treize asked, having an idea about the voice. His voice instantly fell to a whisper, though no one could have possibly overheard him anyway.


    <You see¡ª> The man began.


    <Oh! I get it!> Treize cut him off. <You¡¯re part of this¡ªyou¡¯re also part of this, aren¡¯t you?>


    <The moon is beautiful tonight.> The man replied. <Would you like to join me for a drive?>


    Treize put on a leather jacket over his T-shirt and stuffed his wallet and his handgun into his pockets.


    Then he put on his boots and left his room.


    ¡°¡­¡±


    Treize nced at Lillia¡¯s room as he stepped onto the elevator.


    Crossing the first floor lobby, he left through the rotating doors. A car was parked outside in the moonlight.


    It was a ck sedan, the typemonly used as taxis. In the driver¡¯s seat on the left side was a bespectacled man dressed for a fishing trip.


    ¡°Good evening.¡± The man said, opening the window.


    Treize epted the man¡¯s offer and sat in the passenger seat next to him. Then, checking that no one else was in the car, he greeted the man.


    ¡°Good evening.¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s take a quick drive through the area.¡± Said the man in the driver¡¯s seat, and started the car. They left the hotel roundabout and drove into the paved road lined with streetlights. The man drove carefully, keeping a steady pace and making no sudden turns.


    ¡°So no one could possibly overhear us in a moving car, is that it? Major Travas?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s the idea, Your Highness.¡±


    They drove at a rxed pace through the town, toward the harbor. Before the harbor was a single road leading north. To the left was theke and to the right was an orchard lined with small trees. There were no other vehicles in sight.


    Major Travas slowed down and switched to a lower gear. He continued to drive, but at a slower pace, down the road.


    ¡°We received word about your boarding the seane immediately after it took off. We could have stopped you if we¡¯d known sooner. It¡¯s a miracle you made it out alive. I¡¯m very impressed.¡±


    ¡°It was a piece of cake.¡± Treize replied. Major Travas grinned.


    ¡°But in reality?¡±


    ¡°I thought we were goners. Really, I did.¡±


    ¡°Hah hah hah.¡± Major Travas chuckled, his eyes narrowing. But Treize frowned.


    ¡°To be honest, there¡¯s still so much about the incident that confuses me, even though we were involved in it. And the first lieutenant from the Roxchean military outright told me not to poke my nose into this.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not surprised.¡±


    ¡°But I think it¡¯d chase away my sleep if you were to tell me, Major.¡±


    ¡°And why do you suppose I would tell you?¡± Asked Major Travas, sounding like a teacher. Treize replied immediately.


    ¡°Because if you are here, there is no way that you have no rtion to this case. And if you had no intention of telling me the truth, you wouldn¡¯t have called me out in the first ce.¡±


    ¡°A simple answer.¡±


    ¡°Then will you tell me?¡±


    ¡°Is that an order from His Highness Prince Treize of Ikstova?¡± Asked Major Travas.


    Treize furrowed his brow, but when he glimpsed Major Travas¡¯s profiled face and the amused smile on it, he understood.


    ¡°Oh! Yes. This is an order from the prince.¡±


    ¡°That is quite troubling. I have no choice but to follow the prince¡¯s orders. Now, the topic of our discussion being what it is, I ask your understanding if I happen to identally let a few national secrets slip.¡± Major Travas said, not looking troubled in the least.


    ¡°The ones behind this incident¡ªin other words, the ones behind the n to crash a ne full of orphans¡ªwere not the Tolcasian pilots.¡± Said Major Travas. ¡°They were won over, or perhaps manipted by the real mastermind.¡±


    ¡°Yes. I could see that much.¡±


    ¡°The one who attempted to turn the charity flight into a tragedy¡­¡±


    Treize waited, holding his breath.


    ¡°¡­was the man who nned the charity flight.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± Treize gaped. Major Travas repeated himself.


    ¡°The man who nned the charity flight.¡±


    ¡°¡­Mr. Morseau, you mean?¡±


    The major nced at Treize with a nod.


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°He nned this alone?¡± Treize asked immediately.


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°Is the Roxchean intelligence department after him?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°And are you and the Sou Be-Il intelligence department after him as well?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°Is he¡ªis Mr. Morseau¡­ a Sou Be-Il spy?¡±


    ¡°The answer is ¡®yes¡¯.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ¡°Any other questions?¡±


    ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°Why do you think?¡± Major Travas asked, rather than answer.


    Treize stared at the dashboard for ten seconds, deep in thought. Then,


    ¡°I don¡¯t know. ¡­Mr. Morseau runs an orphanage in Tolcasia and has for a long time. The people of Tolcasia love him. I don¡¯t think any of that was falsified or exaggerated. But why would a Sou Be-Il spy do such a thing? And why would he want to suddenly kill all the children?¡± Treize muttered, shaking his head again and again. And he looked at Major Travas.


    ¡°You ¡®don¡¯t know¡¯, you say.¡± Replied the major. A smile rose to his face. ¡°That is the answer. There is no way for you to know the truth at this point in time. For that, you would first need information on who Morseau is and what he has been doing over these years.¡±


    ¡°Please, tell me.¡± Treize asked immediately. There was a hint of sadness in Major Travas¡¯s eyes as he nced at him.


    ¡°I must warn you beforehand, Your Highness, that the truth will disgust you. You may even think it was best that you never asked. ¡­Do you still want me to continue?¡±


    ¡°¡­Yes.¡±


    ¡°Then let me exin. First, about the man known as Ein Morseau. He was born about sixty years ago in a poor mining vige in Sou Be-Il. Naturally, ¡®Morseau¡¯ is a pseudonym. Not long after he was born, his father was killed in a cave-in and his mother went missing. He grew up a poor orphan and had a difficult childhood. When he learned that Sou Be-Il was engaged in fierce battles in the Great War, he entered the Royal Army iming to be older than he was. Though he never took part in battle, he grew into a great soldier with excellent achievements. Afterwards, he was selected to be part of the intelligence department and became one of their operatives. Any questions so far?¡± Major Travas said, his recitation civil and expert.


    Treize replied that he had nothing to ask.


    ¡°Then let me continue. For some time he worked internally in Sou Be-Il. And about thirty years ago, an incredible n was formted and he was chosen to carry it out.¡±


    ¡°He had to sneak into Roxche to do something, right?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s correct, Your Highness. Has anyone ever told you about Allison¡¯s father, Aikashia Cross?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s correct, Your Highness. Has anyone ever told you about Allison¡¯s father, Aikashia Cross?¡±


    ¡°Mother and Father told me about the events surrounding their betrothal oath. They also told me that, during the war, spies were dispatched to opposing nations for espionage and sabotage.¡±


    ¡°Indeed. Mr. Morseau was given one such mission. He illegally entered Roxche and got his hands on a fake citizenship.¡±


    ¡°Then¡­ did he abandon his mission? ording to the vigers, that¡¯s about when he started the orphanage at Healer Vige.¡± Treize noted. Major Travas shook his head.


    ¡°That was his mission. He would gather orphans and educate them in Tolcasia, even then a poor country. Then he would raise them to be workers in the Capital District.¡±


    ¡°¡­I don¡¯t understand. How does that help Sou Be-Il during the war?¡±


    ¡°Morseau¡¯s actions were in themselves a great help to Tolcasia and its people. Which is why the citizens called him ¡®Master¡¯ out of respect. But that was all a part of his ns.¡±


    ¡°I suppose he must have been using the orphanage as a cover for something sinister.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s correct.¡±


    ¡°Which is?¡± Asked Treize. But Major Travas did not answer, instead changing the topic.


    ¡°In this world¡­ there are people with interests that defymon sense and morality.¡±


    ¡°Well, wherever there are people, there are weirdos.¡± Treize replied, a little surprised at the change of subject.


    ¡°Legal interests, at least, end at worst with the person being ostracized by others. But what if the interest in question happens to be illegal? Then the person with the interest has two options. Give up on it because it is illegal, or do it in secret because it is illegal.¡±


    ¡°I see.¡±


    ¡°And if the person happens to be powerful¡ªespecially in the financial sense¡ªthey will often choose thetter. They use money to get what they want. ¡­For example, living children.¡±


    ¡°What? You mean¡ª¡± Treize¡¯s face darkened in an instant.


    ¡°Yes. I did warn you that you would be disgusted, Your Highness.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ¡°Morseau sent the orphans to the Capital District. Many of them found work there and live on to this day. But many others are no longer of this world.¡±


    ¡°Human trafficking¡­¡±


    ¡°Indeed. Those children were sold to rich patrons of the Capital District and met cruel and terrible ends.¡±


    ¡°¡­Damn it¡­¡± Treize swore, clenching his fists. ¡°¡®A lot of kids forget the Master¡¯s kindness and break off contact with the facility¡¯, they said¡­ so that was why¡­¡± He muttered and hung his head. Major Travas continued.


    ¡°That was Morseau¡¯s true mission. He would gather children with nowhere to go and sell them to rich people in the Capital District. There are many kinds of rich people. Morseau¡¯s clients in particr happened to be particrly powerful. Other than their sick interests, they were assets to their country and people. They worked for the sake of many and made many happy.¡±


    Treize raised his head.


    ¡°So he was gathering ckmail material on them. That was his mission¡­ I get it now.¡±


    ¡°Yes. A spy needs informants. Other spies would get in contact with these people of influence and threaten them with evidence. Naturally, these people would never have realized Morseau¡¯s true identity, or the fact that they had been caught in a trap. We do not know how much information these people provided Morseau¡¯s spies, but the intelligence seemed to have been quite beneficial to Sou Be-Il. At least, until the war was ended.¡±


    ¡°What happened eighteen years ago, then, when the armistice was signed?¡±


    ¡°The signing of the armistice did not mean immediate peace between East and West. The foundations of both nations¡¯ defenses still remain the same. But the value of information has notably dropped. It would have been just as well for Morseau¡¯s mission to end there.¡±


    ¡°But¡­¡±


    ¡°Though the reasons remain unknown, he continued his mission. In other words, Morseau did not receive orders to stop. This is just a guess, but the military may have decided that he could still be useful in his position. However, not a single spy has contacted him in the past ten years.¡±


    ¡°Was he abandoned, then?¡±


    ¡°Perhaps.¡± Major Travas said, then stopped the car. Turning the car several times on the narrow, deserted road, he slowly drove back the way he came.


    ¡°I understand everything up to that point.¡± Said Treize. Major Travas continued.


    ¡°Let me exin today¡¯s incident, then. Even I do not know why he nned this. Perhaps he became sick of his mission and decided to wash his hands of the child trafficking by killing the children from the facility. Perhaps he intended to leave, burning his farm behind him, so to speak.¡±


    ¡°And you¡¯re telling me that people went along with his n, not realizing the truth.¡±


    ¡°Yes. The young officers of Tolcasia, and the rich patrons of the Capital District who provided the money to rent the seane and bribe the crew¡ªwhether they were ckmailed or paid willingly to destroy evidence. Sou Be-Il and Roxche¡¯s intelligence departments noticed the n almost simultaneously.¡±


    Treize nodded several times.


    ¡°So both sides moved to cover up the past. Sou Be-Il, to hide the fact that they gave such sickening orders to a spy, and Roxche, to hide the identities of the people who took part in those sick hobbies. You were working together to prevent a scandal from breaking out.¡±


    ¡°Correct. The Capital District Police had a vague idea about the child trafficking for quite some time. But they could not make any rash moves because the patrons happened to be people of influence. I can¡¯t name any names, but even among the police department¡¯s superiors¡ªin other words, those in the judicial department¡ªwere regr patrons of Morseau¡¯s business.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ¡°You will see such people retire in unusually quick session very soon. Roxche is not sitting on its hands. There are people who scorn such disgusting acts. We must have faith in their abilities.¡±


    ¡°I understand that.¡±


    Treize was silent for a time; then he spoke again.


    ¡°What will happen to the Tolcasian pilots who fell for his n?¡±


    ¡°They will be courtmartialed¡ª¡±


    ¡°Firing squad?¡±


    ¡°Possibly.¡±


    ¡°With certainty.¡± Treize dered.


    ¡°Why do you say that?¡± Asked Major Travas.


    ¡°Because that¡¯s the only way to silence them.¡± Treize replied immediately. ¡°You didn¡¯t stop the seane from taking off. You didn¡¯t stop it, even though you knew all those children were going to die. You watched the ne take off. You were nning to arrest the Tolcasian pilots after the crash and reveal that they were the ones who had shot down the seane. At the same time, you would shut down the empty facility and inform the sick bastards in the Capital District that the ¡®farm¡¯ was gone. Once the public found out that the orphans were killed by soldiers from their own country, Tolcasia would indeed get attention. But that was just a side-effect for you. One that didn¡¯t matter in the least.¡± He said quickly, without pausing. Major Travas kept his eyes forward as he continued to drive.


    ¡°You were going to let that happen, Major Travas. If we didn¡¯t happen to be onboard.¡±


    ¡°¡­Yes.¡±


    ¡°When you found out that we boarded the ne as well, you quickly contacted Allison and sent her in a fighter craft to protect the seane.¡±


    ¡°I did. I had to prevent the crash. I quickly altered our ns so that the passengers would be rescued afternding and the ne would be sunk afterwards.¡±


    ¡°If we didn¡¯t happen to be on board¡­ you would have killed those children.¡± Treize repeated. Then, ¡°But ultimately, you saved our lives and the children are safe.¡±


    Quietly, he red at Major Travas.


    ¡°So¡­ thank you.¡±


    They drove back the way they came.


    To the right was theke, the moon reflected on the surface. Beyond shone the tiny lights of Lartika.


    Treize watched the scenery pass by and whispered,


    ¡°That man¡ªMr. Morseau¡ªhe knew.¡±


    ¡°What do you mean?¡± Major Travas turned. Treize looked him in the eye.


    ¡°That we¡ªor at least one of us¡ªknew how to fly an aerone.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ¡°There was no way to reach his house other than by aerone. He also must have noticed that we were wearing aviator jackets. There¡¯s a good chance that he heard about what happened from the Tolcasian pilots before he came to his cabin.¡±


    ¡°I see. So he must have known.¡±


    ¡°And yet he had us board the seane. There were a lot of circumstances, but he still had us board a ne that was going to lose its crew and crash after running out of fuel. Until now, I¡¯d thought he did that to erase evidence of Mr. Mateo¡¯s death¡­ but maybe¡­ just maybe¡­¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t say I have an answer to that.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯d like to ask him in person, if it were possible.¡± Treize muttered. Major Travas replied,


    ¡°He¡¯s no longer here, I¡¯m afraid.¡±


    Treize turned his gaze to the bluish-white world outside.


    ¡°Come to think of it, you¡¯re right. You must have smuggled him away to take him to Sou Be-Il. That¡¯s why you¡ª¡±


    He froze.


    ¡°No. No¡­ that¡¯s not it¡­¡±


    Slowly, Treize turned. And, with his eyes locked on Major Travas who continued to drive, he voiced his suspicions.


    ¡°Before, you didn¡¯t deny that Sou Be-Il might have abandoned Morseau. Then it doesn¡¯t make sense for you to rescue him now. ¡­You killed him, didn¡¯t you, Major Travas? That was your mission¡ªto silence him permanently.¡±


    Eyes tinged with sadness, Major Travas looked at Treize.


    ¡°The person who brings his car back to his cabin will discover his body there. His death will make the news here either tomorrow or the day after. But it won¡¯t even make a corner of the papers back in the Capital District.¡±


    ¡°Is your mission finished?¡±


    Major Travas nodded. And, downcast, he repeated himself.


    ¡°I did warn you that you would be disgusted, Your Highness.¡±


    The harbor and the town were near. Their drive was at an end.


    For some time, they sat in silence. But as they left the harbor area, Major Travas finally spoke.


    ¡°I might be deemed unnecessary myself someday. And I hope that, when the timees, as few people as possible despise the country for it.¡±


    ¡°You mean Lillia?¡± Asked Treize.


    ¡°Well, among others.¡± Major Travas smiled, dodging the question. He turned a corner and headed for the hotel.


    ¡°If it ever seems like you¡¯re going to lose your job, contact our family.¡± Treize said. Major Travas looked a little surprised.


    ¡°Your parents once said the same thing to me. Word-for-word, in fact.¡±


    ¡°We will wee you, no matter what position I may be in.¡±


    ¡°¡®I¡¯ll think about it¡¯. That¡¯s what I told them. And that is my answer this time as well.¡±


    ¡°Please think carefully.¡±


    Major Travas slowed the car, approaching the hotel roundabout.


    ¡°Thank you, Major.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, Major.¡±


    ¡°It was nothing, Your Highness.¡±


    With that, Major Travas stopped the car at the entrance.


    Treize said nothing as he opened the door and disembarked. And with a light wave of the hand, he stepped inside.


    Major Travas started the car.


    * * *


    The next day. It was the fourth morning of Lillia and Treize¡¯s trip.


    They were sitting in the hotel restaurant. Lillia in a simr outfit to the previous day¡¯s, and Treize in the same outfit as before. Between them was a long table.


    Their expensive dishes filled with bacon, toast, eggs, and vegetables¡ªamon but expertly-crafted breakfast¡ªLillia stabbed a tomato with her fork.


    ¡°Is that why you brought it along?¡±


    ¡°No, but¡­¡± Treize mumbled, shrinking back. ¡°Going through all that stuff made me really think, you know? I mean, the timing worked out, so I thought I should get back home. I¡¯ve actually been thinking about it sincest night. I didn¡¯t say anything because it¡¯d be awful to suddenly leave you when I said I¡¯d be your chaperone. But when you said you wanted to go back to the Capital District today¡­ it just kind of fit.¡±


    Lillia put the tomato in her mouth, chewed, swallowed, and continued to talk as though nothing had happened.


    ¡°¡­I see. You¡¯re going in the opposite direction, so you shouldn¡¯t have toe all the way back again. I can take a sleeper train alone, anyway. And I can catch a taxi so I don¡¯t have to worry about carrying my stuff. I don¡¯t really have any reason to stop you.¡±


    ¡°Sorry for being so selfish.¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s nothing to apologize for. What¡¯s gotten into you?¡±


    ¡°Thanks for everything, Lillia.¡±


    ¡°Hey¡­ did you eat something funny? Not here, I mean somewhere else. You don¡¯t sound like yourself.¡± Lillia noted, pointing her fork at Treize.


    ¡°Huh? Maybe I¡¯m just tired.¡±


    ¡°Did you sleep wellst night?¡±


    ¡°Hm? Er¡­ no. I mean, yes.¡±


    ¡°Which is it?¡± Lillia demanded, cutting a piece of bacon with her fork and cing it into her mouth. ¡°Anyway, we went though a lot of crazy things, but it wasn¡¯t all bad.¡±


    ¡°Huh. you think so?¡± Treize asked, spreading butter on a piece of toast.


    ¡°Yeah. Like the Master. Mr. Morseau.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    Treize froze. Butter ran down the hot piece of toast andnded in the scrambled egg.


    ¡°I learned that there are good people wherever you go. I was happy to see Lartika in person, but I was even happier to meet Mr. Morseau. I hope he¡¯ll be able to give opportunities to more kids like Carlo. It really was an awesome coincidence, running into him. It was the best part of this trip. Don¡¯t you think so?¡±


    Treize¡¯s eyes caught Lillia¡¯s smile. After a moment of silence, he finally opened his mouth.


    ¡°Yeah¡­ I guess you could see it that way.¡±


    ¡°Hey, are you really okay?¡±


    ¡°Y-yeah. I¡¯m fine.¡±


    ¡°Are you sure?¡± Lillia asked, staring into Treize¡¯s rigid face.


    He averted his gaze and ced his toast on the te, picking up a ss of orange juice.


    ¡°Never mind. When¡¯s the next time I can see you?¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    Treize¡¯s hand stopped. He put down the ss, which he was trying to drain in one go.


    As Lillia waited for an answer, looking no different from usual, Treize stammered.


    ¡°¡­Er, well¡­ I don¡¯t really know yet, but¡­ sometime¡­¡±


    ¡°I see.¡±


    ¡°Oh, yeah! You shoulde over to Iks sometime, Lillia. You¡¯re always wee.¡±


    ¡°Later. I¡¯ll go with Mom when winter break starts, okay?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re both wee! I hope I can invite you to my ce¡­¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s a good idea. I¡¯ll crash at your house next time, then.¡±


    ¡°Great. I promise.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a promise.¡±


    Lillia raised her ss of grapefruit juice. Treize also raised his ss, cing his left hand over his chest.


    Soon, there was a clink over the breadbasket.


    ¡°I promise.¡±


    * * *


    ¡°Oh, Miss! It looks like we¡¯re on the same train again.¡±


    The woman who entered the cabin spoke to Lillia, who sat alone as she watched the scenery pass by outside. The train had left Bren, and was moving across a field under the blue sky.


    Lillia searched through her memories, then replied.


    ¡°Oh! We shared a cabin on the way, didn¡¯t we?¡±


    The woman nodded.


    ¡°That¡¯s right. Are you going back alone?¡±


    ¡°Hoh hoh. On your way back alone, I see?¡±


    Lillia answered the woman and her husband, who followed her in.


    ¡°Yes. I¡¯m going back to the Capital District.¡±


    The couple sat side-by-side across from Lillia. The conductor came in to check their tickets and left.


    ¡°What about yourpanion, Miss?¡± Asked the woman.


    ¡°He said he had something to do, so he went back home. He¡¯s not actually from the Capital District.¡±


    The couple seemed a little surprised.


    ¡°Oh¡­ I see. I was afraid you rejected him, Miss.¡± Said the man. Lillia chuckled.


    ¡°Hah hah. It¡¯s not like that.¡±


    ¡°Speaking of which, Miss. Is he your type?¡± The man asked.


    ¡°Oh, Honey. What kind of question are you asking?¡± The woman scolded him, but Lillia didn¡¯t mind.


    ¡°My type? I don¡¯t really know. But he can be dependable.¡±


    ¡°Oh?¡±


    ¡°Oh my.¡±


    The couple replied in unison.


    ¡°To be honest, there was a lot about him I didn¡¯t like until recently.¡±


    ¡°Hm.¡±


    ¡°Oh dear.¡±


    ¡°But I realized that I was just jealous of him. Because he could also do the things I could do. Then it turned out that even he had stuff he wasn¡¯t good at¡­ It was kind of cute. I¡¯m d I realized all this. I¡¯m reflecting on myself for resenting him for such a petty reason.¡±


    ¡°I see¡­¡±


    ¡°My¡­¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t think I¡¯m a cute person at all. Heh heh¡­ I should try and change.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    Watching Lillia smile brightly, the couple exchanged nces.


    * * *


    The Roxcheanuk Confederation was known for its cool summers, owed mostly to the brisk, dry seasonal winds that blew in from the north.


    The official name of its capital, on the northeastern part of the continent, was the Special Capital District. It was an independent part of the Confederation not affiliated with any of its members. Five-story apartments took up a good chunk of the residential district surrounding the civic center.


    And in one room in one particr building,


    ¡°I¡¯m back. ¡­Then again, nobody¡¯s here. Oh well. I guess I¡¯ll spend the summer rxing.¡± Lillia Schultz mumbled to herself.


    It was early summer, in the middle of the day.


    At the same time.


    Treize was wearing a leather jacket, in a vige bookstore by the street.


    He had parked his motorcycle and stepped inside. He turned to the owner in the aisle.


    ¡°Do you have any swimming manuals in stock? Something good enough so anyone could learn.¡±


    -And so the Two Left on a Trip(Part 2): End-

 Volume 1 Extra 1 — Will

    <h4>Volume 1 Extra 1: Will</h4>


    -----


    Last Will and Testament


    Dear Mr. Wilhelm Schultz,


    Hello, Wil.


    Am I really dead?


    If you are reading this and I am not dead, there has been a terrible mistake. Please fold up this letter, ce it back in the envelope, and send it back to me or bury it in your suitcase.


    Oh, but you might be confused if I just end things here, so please read on a little more. (Until the end of the first page.)


    This letter is thest will and testament of Allison Whittington. Me.


    Recently, there were a series of aerone-rted idents at a certain Confederation Air Force base. Fifteen pilots lost their lives in the span of three days, and it was suggested that measures be taken to lessen the grief of the bereaved.


    So the Air Forcemand center has issued an order to every pilot to write ast will and testament, whether they are inbat or not. They say that themand center will keep the letters and send them to the bereaved when the pilot¡¯s death has been confirmed.


    Some people had wills written even before the idents, but this time, it is mandatory. Orders are orders. I am no exception, even though I am not part of abat unit.


    Most pilots say that they are writing to their family, friends, and as many people as they can. But I do not have a single person to call ¡®family¡¯ in the normal sense of the word. Even Grandmother Mut is no longer with us. So my will is for you and you alone, Wilhelm Schultz.


    Let me confirm once again.


    Am I really dead? Not stranded or missing in action, but truly dead, corpse and all?


    If not, as I wrote earlier, this letter ends here.


    * * *


    This is the second page.


    So I am dead after all.


    This feels very strange. Right now I am alive to write this will(obviously, I could not write it if I were dead), but by the time you read this, I will no longer be in this world. This feels very strange.


    Incidentally, how did I die?


    Was it an aerone ident after all? Or did war break out without warning? I pray with all my heart that I did not go out like a fool by slipping on a banana peel and hitting my head.


    Although I suppose that doesn¡¯t matter anymore, now that I am gone.


    Let me continue.


    Wil. I loved you.


    Not as family or a friend who was with you for years. I, the woman named Allison Whittington, loved you, the man named Wilhelm Schultz. For a very long time. I do not know when I first fell in love with you. But I have loved you for a very long time.


    When we turned twelve, you entered secondary school to study, and I entered Roxche¡¯s Air Force Academy to fulfill my dreams of flying. So we could no longer be together like before.


    Maybe that was why my feelings only grew stronger. I love you so much, Wil.


    I want to be with you forever. I want to see things with you, visit ces with you, sleep with you, wake up with you(I¡¯m sorry, but please wake me up), spend time with you, grow up with you, and grow old with you.


    I suppose I should write in the past tense, now.


    I wanted to be with you. I wanted to see things with you, visit ces with you, sleep with you, wake up with you(I¡¯m sorry, but I wanted you to wake me up), spend time with you, grow up with you, and grow old with you.


    Something just urred to me. ¡®Was I able to confess my feelings to Wil, who reads this letter, while I was still alive?¡¯


    If I told you that I loved you, told you many times how much I loved you, and you thought I was an annoyance¡ªand if you began to treat me differently because of that¡­


    That thought scares me more than death.


    But if you told me that you loved me too, I would be so happy. ¡ªWould have been.


    As I write, I am trying to picture you reading this letter.


    When this letter reaches you, what kind of person will you be? The Wil I know now? The Wil I¡¯d wanted to know for a very long time? Or¡­


    I do not know for certain, but I am sure that, no matter who you are now, I am very very upset that I can no longer be by your side.


    I have decided. Next time we meet, I will tell you that I love you. That I love you very much. With confidence. I might be too scared to say it, but I will confess my feelings. I have written them down here¡ªthere is no reason I cannot say it in person. I am the pilot whonded an aerone alone on her first try.


    I do not know when it will be, but I pray with all my heart that I have already confessed my feelings to you, Wil, by the time you read this letter.


    I think I will be visiting the area soon for a transport mission. I hatched a n to find out when your summer break starts and arrive at your school with myrades, making anding on the grounds. Without warning. I am nning an adventure that will change our rtionship forever in that short period of time. Tell me, did it work?


    Wil. Wilhelm Schultz.


    I have so much to convey to you. So much gratitude. I am embarrassed to say it in person(although I suppose that is impossible by now anyway) so I will write them all now.


    Thank you for staying with me, even though I called you rude things like ¡®underling¡¯ from the moment we met.


    Now that I think about it, a part of me was afraid of losing my father and leaving my familiar home to live in an orphanage. Even though I had made up my mind to be strong.


    I decided to be strong. I decided not to cry. That was how I went up in front of the others, but I was actually very scared. I was so happy that you were my underling¡ªno, trustworthy subordinate. ¡ªActually, no. I am sorry. I apologize. Wil, you are infinitely more precious to me than any ¡®trustworthy subordinate¡¯ could ever hope to be.


    When I lived in the Capital District, other children used to tease me because of my unusual hair and eye color(although I made sure to pay them back with flying kicks). But when we first met, you said this to me, Wil.


    ¡°Allison. Your hair is so pretty because it sparkles in the sunlight.¡±


    ¡°Allison. Your eyes are so pretty because they look like they¡¯re reflecting the sky.¡±


    I was too shocked to give you a proper reply then, Wil, but in truth I was very, truly happy. I will remember those words to my dying day. (Will have remembered.) Thank you.


    You were always so kind, Wil. You always joined in on my schemes, got in trouble with me if we got caught, and were punished together as well.


    I still treasure the four years we spent at the Future House, having all sorts of adventures(getting into trouble?) together. Thank you.


    When Grandmother Mut passed away, I was despondent that I could not make it in time to say goodbye to her. But you sat silently by my side and let me cry into your shoulder. I was very sad, but thanks to you I did not end up sobbing in front of many people. That would have been unsightly.


    It had been a long time since we met, then, but I was so happy to see that you had not changed a bit. Thank you.


    It is nighttime now.


    There are no flights tomorrow. So I am sitting alone in the mess to write this will. Whenever I write to you, the other members from my unit rush over and make a fuss, asking me to show them. But no one is rushing to me now. The friend(female) who dropped by to get hot water for her thermos also just left with a wave.


    It is a very quiet night.


    Do you remember how you once asked me, ¡®Why do you sound so formal in your letters, Allison?¡¯? I am writing formally to you now all alone, still not remembering the answer. I wish I had your memory, Wil. I hope I remember before I die.


    How did I die¡­?


    Although I am alive right now.


    I suppose there is no use wondering about it now.


    Wil, I have one final request.


    After I die¡ªin other words, after you read this letter¡ª


    For one year, until this season returns, think of me sometimes as you live.


    When you see something beautiful or when you are moved by something, please¡ªif only for a second¡ªremember how I wished I could be with you for those moments. Please turn to look for me.


    And once a year has passed¡­ please move forward. Enjoy your life.


    Find a wonderful person to treasure and love with all your heart.


    And live happily ever after with the person you love.


    If, like Grandmother once said, death is just a deep, deep sleep, please forgive me for going to sleep first by myself.


    I do not need to wake up.


    You do not need to wake me up.


    Thank you. Goodbye, Wil.


    Allison Whittington


    P.S. I have just cut off a piece of myself and am enclosing it in this letter. Whenever the urge strikes you, please look at it as you hold it up against the blue sky.


    May your feelings be the same as mine. May they be eternal. Forever and always.


    Allison


    * * *


    ¡°What¡­ is this¡­?¡± Whispered a brown-haired girl, her hands trembling as she finished the letter before her. She was in her mid-teens, and was standing at the door to a bedroom finished with brick and wood.


    The room was filled with morning light. And sprawled out on the bed surrounded by simple furniture was a woman in blue pajamas. Her long blond hair concealed her head, which jutted off the mattress. There was a thin, wrinkled nket over her, and she waspletely still. Almost like an abandoned corpse.


    ¡°¡­So what was it, Lillia? A report¡­? ¡­What does it say?¡± The corpse asked sleepily.


    ¡°Huh? ¡­Er.¡±


    The girl named Lillia held back her trembling and folded the letter back along the clear creases. Then she pushed it into an envelope on the cab, so old that the ink on it had smudged into a blur.


    ¡°¡­¡±


    But the letter would not fit. There must have been something at the bottom of the envelope. In the end, the letter stuck out several centimeters from the opening.


    Lillia ced that enveloped into a newer,rger envelope. The words on it were clear. Ms. Allison Schultz¡ªthe upant of the bed¡ªand her address and apartment number. There was also arge red box stamped on the side: ¡®Returned due to overdue storage: Air Force Command Center¡¯.


    ¡°Well¡­ it¡¯s from the military, so I thought maybe I shouldn¡¯t look after all. I mean, what if it¡¯s a military secret? I opened it, but I didn¡¯t read it.¡± Lillia lied cautiously. The owner of the bed remained lying on her stomach, still half-asleep.


    ¡°¡­Okay?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll just put it in the cab here. It wasn¡¯t an express delivery, so I don¡¯t think it¡¯s an emergency. Read it when you feel like it.¡±


    ¡°Okay. I¡¯m gonna sleep some more. Leave me some food¡­¡±


    ¡°All right. Sweet dreams.¡±


    Lillia ced the envelope into the cab and stepped into the hall, quietly shutting the door.


    Left alone in the room, Allisony on her bed and murmured in her sleep.


    ¡°Grandma¡­ Wil¡­ let¡¯s y¡­ We got an awesome new aerone¡­ let¡¯s fly together¡­¡±

 Volume 1 Extra 2 — Meg and Lillia

    <h4>Volume 1 Extra 2: Meg and Lillia</h4>


    Note: This is the second side story from volume 2 of Lillia and Treize, which serves as a sort of prologue to the high school romance slice-of-life spin-off series, Meg and Seron.


    This update contains spoilers for Allison, but not Lillia and Treize.


    -----


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Miss Megmica. You might bete for your first day of school.¡± The driver said apologetically.


    ¡°It¡¯s all right. It¡¯s not your fault.¡± I replied from the back seat.


    The capital of Roxche, the Special Capital District, was crowded with apartment buildings and paved with wide eightne roads packed with cars.


    The car I was in was also part of the traffic jam, surrounded on all sides by unmoving vehicles. Morning traffic was usually hectic, but it was very rare that things got this awful. Even the busne didn¡¯t move. There must have been an ident further down the street.


    The aboveground metro train sped along the rails in the middle of the street, glinting in the sun as it passed the unmoving vehicles. People on cars and buses leered as they followed it with their eyes.


    My name is Meg.


    My full name is Strauski Megmica. Strauski is my family name, and Megmica is my given name.


    In Roxche, the given namees first. I am from Sou Be-Il, the Allied Kingdoms of Bezel-Iltoa.


    Twenty years ago, it would have been unthinkable for me to be stuck in traffic in an enemy nation like this. That¡¯s because Sou Be-Il in the west and Roxche in the east¡ªthe two nations on either side of the world¡¯s only continent¡ªwere at war for all of history.


    But things changedpletely a little while before I was born. The nations lost their reason for war.


    And now, there is an unbelievable amount of trade happening between the two nations. Many people are now working Cross-River. My dad used to be one such person. Because he works for a foodstuffspany, when I was a little girl he was assigned the job of importing high-quality flour from Roxche.


    He lived alone in the Capital District for a long time, until two years ago¡ªwhen I was fourteen years old¡ªhe decided to bring over the entire family.


    At the time, I was in my second year of middle school. Even though I would be with my family, it was painful to leave the friends I¡¯d known since elementary school, my beloved hometown, and the nation I was born and raised in. There is no special school in Roxche for people from Sou Be-Il. Although I didn¡¯t speak a word of Roxchean, I would have to attend a Roxchean school. Apprehensively, I boarded a ferry that crossed the North Sea alongside my mother and my two younger brothers.


    I gazed at the massive mouth of the Lutoni River and tossed the bouquet I had prepared into the water. I thought of the thousands of soldiers from either side who died there and told myself that it was a wonderful thing for me to be able to go to Roxche like this.


    When we arrived at the Capital District, we moved into a wonderful apartment building provided by my dad¡¯spany.


    Life in Roxche wasn¡¯t difficult. I had my family, and my dad¡¯s coworkers were eager to help. The climate was simr to our hometown, and the restaurant food seemed to taste even better.


    I decided to not attend school for a while. That was because I decided that my Roxchean wasn¡¯t good enough for me to keep up with sses. So we hired a tutor and I practiced as much as I possibly could.


    Unlike Bezelese, which has been used for ages in the Bezel area and had a rich history, Roxchean is an artificialnguage developed two hundred years ago at the founding of Roxche. So it is very simple and functional. Unlike Bezelese, Roxchean has no grammatical gender or irregr conjugations and pronunciations. There are fewer characters in its script, and no special characters, either. So to my surprise, I picked it up quite quickly. I¡¯m sure it would be very difficult to do the opposite¡ªfor someone born in Roxche to learn Bezelese.


    In half a year, I could read, write, and converse to some degree. I began to attend secondary school in the Capital District.


    A secondary school is abination of Sou Be-Il¡¯s middle and high schools. It is attended by students between the ages of twelve and eighteen, who generally want to move on to university. In Sou Be-Il, after middle school you could go to a vocational school or go to a high school to take more varied sses and move up to university or find a job. There are many options. But in Roxche, if you do not go to secondary school when you are twelve years old, you cannot advance further in academics. Then you would have to spend four years or so in vocational school before finding work. It may just be a matter of policy, but I think it is too harsh for your future to be decided when you are only twelve years old.


    Secondary school was full of surprises.


    Because I started school almost a yearte due to how terms are scheduled, I had to start as a second-year student and redo my studies from my second year of middle school. I was a year older than my ssmates, but no one in Roxche bats an eye at someone staying back a year. In Sou Be-Il, you cannot repeat a year in middle school, and though it was possible in high school it was supposed to be very embarrassing.


    There is also very little deference toward senior-ssmen in Roxche. In middle school and high school in Sou Be-Il, senior-ssmen who are only a year older boss around the younger students. Maybe things are different because there is no aristocracy in Roxche now.


    In Sou Be-Il, each ss of students gets one ssroom, where most of the sses take ce. We gather in that ssroom in the morning and leave our things there. And we say good morning and good evening to our homeroom teacher there. But in Roxche, there is no homeroom ss we have to go to every morning. We leave our things in one of hundreds of lockers lining the walls, and when it is time for ss we take our textbooks and head to the ssroom. It means I have new ssmates for every course.


    Other than a few required courses, you can choose to take any subjects you want. You choose the sses you want from the curriculum to build your own timetable. Sometimes, you can take the same course as people in different years. Excellent students can take as many sses as they like, and if their grades are good enough they can move up a year or more. It is just like the university system in Sou Be-Il. It felt like I started university a few years early, although I don¡¯t know if that¡¯s a good thing or a bad thing.


    There are ordinary sses likenguage (Roxchean), social studies, mathematics, physics, chemistry, and music. But there are less ordinary sses with fewer students, like foreignnguages (such as Bezelese), cooking, photography, horseback riding, driving, yachting, marksmanship, archery, and swordsmanship.


    In Sou Be-Il, you are expected to bring a lunch from home. But at the secondary school in Roxche, everyone eats lunch at the student cafeteria. The cafeteria is next to the central garden, and when the weather is nice, you can go out and enjoy lunch in the sun. There are no set menus¡ªyou just have to take the food you like, put it on your te, and pay for what you get. Because the country pays for half the food, lunches are very affordable. And they are so tasty that I might gain weight if I really let myself go.


    In Sou Be-Il, I attended a girls-only school. So it was unnerving at first to attend sses with boys as well. We had to take physical education sses together, and we even had mixed swimming sses in the big school pool. Although I guess that doesn¡¯t have anything to do with Roxche itself.


    The other students and I were both very conscious of me being from Sou Be-Il. I was reserved because I could not adjust to theid-back atmosphere at the school. And the other students treated me very carefully because I was a foreigner¡ªalmost like I was a fragile doll. Our generation is not very conscious of the war in the past, but they still looked at me differently. And not because of my looks¡ªafter all, many people in Roxche have ck hair and fair skin like me.


    For half a year, I didn¡¯t make any close friends, and ended up mostly hanging out with two people who were studying on a national schrship from Sou Be-Il. It was great to be able to speak in my mother tongue, but because they were both two years older than me, they felt more like senior-ssmen than friends. I could not open up to thempletely. The two of them had simr problems making friends, like I did, so the three of us ended up sticking together.


    And at the end of the term, they both returned to our homnd.


    I don¡¯t know how many times I wished I could go back, too. But my dad¡¯s work was going so well, and myid-back mom was enjoying life in Roxche¡ªto say nothing of my brothers, who were celebrities in their sses at primary school and loved living in Roxche. Sometimes they even brought their friends home.


    I knew I couldn¡¯t sit back and wait. So I decided to join a club.


    I chose the chorus club because it could help me practice my Roxchean, but more because I love singing. Back in Sou Be-Il, I was in the church choir ever since I was four years old.


    Joining the chorus club turned out to be the right choice. Meeting the same people every day in the club room helped me befriend them. Of the other club members, the president, who was in her final year at the school, was the nicest. She reminded me of one of the aunties in my hometown, with her plump build and warm-heartedness. She was the first real friend I made in Roxche. So for a few months before she graduated, I had a wonderful time at school.


    I sent her off with tears at the end of the year, and a new term began.


    I was used to the school by then because I¡¯d been going for a year, but I didn¡¯t make any friends who would go to sses with me or sit next to me at the cafeteria. Everyone in Sou Be-Il used to just call me ¡®Meg¡¯, but here it was always ¡®Miss Strauski Megmica from Sou Be-Il¡¯.


    I told myself that that wasn¡¯t necessarily a bad thing, and began to nkly go to sses by myself and eat lunch alone, just looking forward to chorus club after sses.


    That was when I met her.


    A little while after the term began, we were given a choice between taking art or music ss. I was always singing after sses anyway, and I wasn¡¯t very good with instruments, so I decided to take art ss.


    On the first day of the ss, about forty or so students gathered in therge art room. About half were boys and half were girls. As people sat together, chatting with their friends, I sat alone in a corner like I usually did.


    The teacher came in and gave us a brief overview of the ss. Then, for our first ss, we had to pair up and draw a picture of our partners.


    I hadn¡¯t expected such a trying lesson right off the bat. Because I didn¡¯t have any friends, I was usually one of thest people left. Although I was used to it, it was sad to always raise my hand whenever the teacher asked if anyone was still not in a group.


    But this time, it was even worse.


    ¡°Megmica here moved to Roxche from Sou Be-Il. Would anyone like to volunteer to be her partner?¡± The teacher said out of the blue. I was taken by surprise. People were already avoiding me(or maybe were afraid of me?) because I was from Sou Be-Il.


    I even began to resent the teacher for telling everyone. But then¡ª


    ¡°I¡¯ll be your partner.¡±


    It was a girl¡¯s voice. But I was probably the only one in the ss who understood her. That¡¯s because she was speaking fluent Bezelese.


    As I watched in shock, a girl with beautiful brown hair came up to me. She looked lively and confident¡ªin a word, ¡®strong¡¯.


    ¡°My name¡¯s Lillia Schultz. And you are?¡± Lillia asked in Bezelese. I introduced myself to her, and she smiled and sat across from me.


    Everyone paired up and began to draw portraits of their partners. The art room was quickly filled with chatter.


    I chatted with Lillia, too. First, I asked her how she spoke Bezelese so well. I even wondered if she was from Sou Be-Il, as the family name ¡®Schultz¡¯ was not unheard of back home.


    Lillia exined that she was born and raised in Roxche, but that she grew up speaking it at home because her mother was fluent in Bezelese.


    Still, her Bezelese was excellent. One characteristic of the Bezelesenguage is that everyone outside Sfrestus, the capital, speaks a dialect(including me). But Lillia didn¡¯t. She spoke ¡®true¡¯ Bezelese, the kind used by aristocrats and royalty.


    The other students looked at us in awe because we spoke in a foreignnguage, but Lillia paid them no attention and talked with me. I did the same.


    Lillia asked about me, and I exined that I moved to Roxche two years earlier because of my father¡¯s work. Lillia seemed really jealous. She said that she wanted to visit Sou Be-Il someday, and even live there.


    ¡°I especially want to visit the vige I was named after.¡±


    I asked her what she meant, and Lillia exined. That her name hade from a vige in Iltoa where her parents pledged their future together.


    ¡°My real name is actually really long. Lillianne Aikashia Coraz¨°n Whittington Schultz. Oh, you don¡¯t need to memorize it.¡±


    I was surprised, for two reasons. My hand froze.


    First, the name ¡®Lillianne¡¯. I assumed ¡®Lillia¡¯ was a Roxchean name, but that wasn¡¯t the case.


    Queen Lillianne is the most famous ruler in the history of Iltoa. She was a beloved queen who united the Iltoa region in the Middle Ages. The vige of Lillianne at the foot of the Central Mountain Range was named in her honor.


    Very few people in Sou Be-Il named their daughters ¡®Lillianne¡¯. Queen Lillianne is such a famous figure that it¡¯s difficult to live up to her name. Lillia seemed to know that as well.


    ¡°Well, yeah. I heard about that from my mom. But this is Roxche.¡± She chuckled, not very concerned. I thought the name ¡®Lillianne¡¯ was a perfect fit for her.


    The other reason I was surprised was her middle names. Adding in the grandparents¡¯ and the mother¡¯s family names as middle names is a very old custom in Sou Be-Il, where blood ties are considered very important. No one follows it anymore, though, and in my case my legal name is just Strauski Megmica.


    ¡°Huh¡­ I think my mom named me that way so I wouldn¡¯t forget my roots. But it¡¯s a such a pain because there¡¯s never enough space to write my name in official documents. So I almost never use it.¡±


    The family names Aikashia and Coraz¨°n are both in Sou Be-Il, too. When I pointed that out, Lillia told me about her mother. Her mother was a war orphan, she said, who grew up in an orphanage called the Future House. I didn¡¯t know about it, but apparently the orphanage was founded by a woman who defected from Sou Be-Il many years ago. Lillia¡¯s mother had looked up to the woman as a grandmother. That was why Lillia¡¯s middle names came from Bezelese family names.


    ¡°I have a lot of ties to Sou Be-Il. Even though I¡¯ve never been there.¡± She grinned sheepishly.


    Lillia then asked me if I could speak Roxchean, so we switched to it. I still had a bit of difficulty, but I could get by in ordinary conversations. My listening was better than my speaking, so I could understand most things unless it was spoken very quickly.


    Lillia stopped drawing and smiled.


    ¡°You¡¯re really good! I thought you¡¯d juste to Roxche this year.¡±


    I told her that I had moved the previous year. And that I didn¡¯t know anyone outside the chorus club, and that I didn¡¯t have a single friend in my year.


    Lillia¡¯s hand froze.


    And,


    ¡°Hm¡­ So I guess that makes me your first Roxchean friend. It¡¯s an honor. Can I call you ¡®Meg¡¯?¡±


    ¡°Ohh¡­ I¡¯m sorry, Meg. I¡¯m no good at drawing.¡± Lillia said apologetically as she showed me her picture at the end of ss.


    I told her it was all right¡ªthat, in fact, it was wonderful. That I loved it.


    Lillia¡¯s drawing did need some work. But in the picture, I was smiling.


    It has been six months since that day. Lillia is my best friend. We don¡¯t take any sses together other than art, but we always sit together at lunch.


    ¡°Hm? ¡­Huh?¡±


    I was floored. Lillia was outside my window. She was in a motorcycle sidecar behind my car, wearing a light jacket over her uniform and just as stuck in traffic as I was. She was wearing goggles, but I recognized her.


    I repeatedly turned the crank to open the window.


    ¡°Lillia!¡± I cried, waving my hand. The boy on the motorcycle, who wore a leather jacket, heard my voice and told Lillia.


    ¡°Meg!¡± Lillia replied, getting to her feet in the sidecar. She took off her goggles and handed them to the boy, grabbed her bag, and got out of the sidecar.


    Leaving the boy on the motorcycle in the deadlocked road, she wove between vehicles and crossed the center of the street to get to my car.


    ¡°Hey there, Meg! Hello, Mr. Driver! Can I get a ride, please?¡±


    I nodded.


    There was a good reason Lillia wanted a ride.


    Students like me, who went to school by car, could do nothing about being stuck in traffic. If the driver testified at the school gates that we were stuck in a traffic jam, we were not marked as tardy.


    Lillia usually went to school by bus and metro train. She would usually be on the train on this section of the road. I didn¡¯t know why, but this time she was on a motorcycle¡ªand at this rate, she would be marked as tardy. But if she was with me, she could also be excused with the traffic jam.


    ¡°Man, that was close! Thank you, Meg! You¡¯re my hero!¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re wee. Who was that boy on the motorcycle just now?¡±


    ¡°No one important. He¡¯s just my servant.¡±


    ¡°A servant? What do you mean?¡±


    ¡°Just some guy who came to our house two days ago to sightsee around the Capital District. He happens to have a motorcycle, so I asked him to give me rides to and from school starting yesterday, but this happened. I would¡¯ve been markedte for sure if you weren¡¯t here.¡±


    ¡°Now you won¡¯t break your note record, right?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s so nice to have friends.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong, Meg?¡±


    ¡°Yeah. It sure is.¡±


    The car didn¡¯t budge. Even with the fan on, it was hot under the summer sun.


    But I am very happy today.


    And once more, I start a day of school in Roxche.


    -Meg and Lillia end-

 Volume 2 1 — Things That Led Up to That Day

    <h4>Volume 2 Chapter 1: Things That Led Up to That Day</h4>


    -----


    Dear Treize,


    Are you well? I am. End.


    That made for a very short letter, so I will write a little more. My rxing summer vacation has finished, and a new term has begun. I am attending secondary school as usual. I sent Carlo a letter not long ago, but he has not replied. Did you by any chance say something to him before we parted ways?


    Lillia Schultz


    * * *


    Dear Miss Lillianne Aikashia Coraz¨°n Whittington Schultz,


    It has been a while. This is Treize.


    I am well, but I cannot say the same for my poor motorcycle¡ªI drove it to death and the engine finally gave out. I wrote this in the previous letter, but I owe you so much for what happened this summer. Please convey my thanks to Allison as well.


    About Carlo: he might not know how to read and write yet, so give him some time to send you a reply.


    Autumn is almost over in Ikstova now. The photo on this postcard was taken by my mother and printed in the vige photo studio.


    Treize of Ikstova


    * * *


    Dear Treize,


    Wow! That¡¯s a great picture! Is your mother a professional? I asked Mom, but she wouldn¡¯t tell me.


    Here¡¯s a Capital District postcard in return¡ªa picture of the bustling city. Don¡¯t you miss it?


    Lillia (who has midtermsing up and shouldn¡¯t actually have time for this stuff)


    * * *


    Dear Miss Lillia Schultz,


    I love you! I love you very much!


    I¡¯m sorry for the sudden nature of this letter.


    But I could not hold myself back any longer.


    I¡¯ve rewritten this message so many times that the letter is going nowhere; so I am being very brief.


    Any response is fine by me, so please reply soon.


    I am prepared to ept even a rejection.


    Archer Bernardo, third-year.


    P.S. We took history ss togetherst year! Do you remember me?


    * * *


    ¡°Meg? Miss Strauski?¡±


    ¡°Hm? What is it, Lillia?¡±


    ¡°Is there a guy named Bernardo in this ss?¡±


    ¡°Er¡­ he¡¯s not here yet, but yeah.¡±


    ¡°Could you give this to him? I don¡¯t know what he looks like.¡±


    ¡°Sure, but¡­ is this a letter? A love letter?¡±


    ¡°A reply to a love letter.¡±


    ¡°Oh my goodness!¡±


    ¡°Obviously I¡¯m turning him down. Now give it to him quick and don¡¯t tell anyone.¡±


    ¡°So that¡¯s why you were talking to me in Bezelese¡­ All right. Just leave it to me.¡±


    ¡°Thanks, Meg. I¡¯m counting on you¡­¡±


    ¡°You didn¡¯t sleep well, Lillia?¡±


    ¡°I never thought I¡¯d end up looking through a dictionary to write the thing without making any mistakes¡­ man.¡±


    ¡°Oh my.¡±


    ¡°Stuff happened, and I just didn¡¯t get a lot of sleepst night.¡±


    ¡°Good job, Lillia.¡±


    * * *


    To the Schultz family,


    Hello, this is Treize. I am writing on behalf of my mother. Have the two of you made ns for the winter holidays yet? If you¡¯d like, pleasee visit Ikstova for the end-of-year festivities. We will wee you with open arms.


    Lillia,


    Mother was very pleased when I gave her yourpliments. She says she would like to meet you if she has the chance. This is also one of her photos, of the Central Mountain Range as seen from nkns.


    Treize of the Ikstova Tourism Association


    * * *


    ¡°Hey, Mom. I¡¯m he sorry to drop this on you straight from school, but check this out.¡±


    ¡°What is it, Lillia? You¡¯ve got a scary look on your face and you sound like you¡¯ve been hanging out with the wrong crowd.¡±


    ¡°I got this letter from Treize. Look.¡±


    ¡°Hm? Let¡¯s see¡­ I see, I see. I don¡¯t get sweaty at all in my flight suit when I walk over to the nes, so it must be about time to n for the holidays.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s a funny sense of the seasons you¡¯ve got, Mom. So what are we gonna do?¡±


    ¡°What would you like to do, Lillia?¡±


    ¡°¡­I¡¯ll let you decide. You can get a long vacation from work, right?¡±


    ¡°If I sign up for one. If not, just thest few days of the year.¡±


    ¡°Do it! We¡¯ll think about the restter.¡±


    ¡°Yes, ma¡¯am!¡±


    ¡°No saluting.¡±


    ¡°Got it! So Lillia, what¡¯s for dinner tonight?¡±


    ¡°I haven¡¯t decided yet. ¡­Maybe meat, to get us pumped up?¡±


    ¡°Yeah! There¡¯s nothing like a carnivore¡¯s diet.¡±


    ¡°Okay! Meat it is.¡±


    ¡°Huzzah! You¡¯re the best, Lillia!¡±


    ¡°Huzzah! All hail meat! ¡­Mom?¡±


    ¡°Hm?¡±


    ¡°We sound like idiots.¡±


    ¡°Oh, it¡¯s not like anyone¡¯s watching.¡±


    ¡°True.¡±


    * * *


    Dear Treize,


    Mom. Me. You. End of the year.


    * * *


    Dear Miss Lillianne Aikashia Coraz¨°n Whittington Schultz,


    This is Treize, wondering if you could have made that letter any shorter.


    It actually looks very scary, the way you wrote. I almost thought it was a threat.


    Allison sent my mother a telegram, so we have a schedule set. This time, we¡¯ll meet at Kunst instead of the usual valley. As usual, leave the lodgings to me.


    If I remember, this is the first time you and Allison areing to Ikstova at the end of the year, yes? Thest day of the twelfth month in Ikstova is a day of dazzling celebration, and feels like the longest yet shortest day of the year. ¡®Revelry¡¯ does not begin to describe the day. The streets of Kunst are bustling until dawn. There are open-air stalls and performances, and it will be an exciting time. We¡¯ll be waiting for your arrival.


    We just got our first snow here in Ikstova. Over thirty centimeters, in fact. And it¡¯s only going to get snowier from here on out. The world will be nketed in white for months toe.


    Treize of Ikstova.


    * * *


    The 19th day of the final month of the year 3305 of the World Calendar.


    The capital of the Roxcheanuk Confederation was famous for its warm winters rtive to itstitude. That was thanks to the currents and seasonal winds blowing warm air into the area.


    Its capital, situated in the northeastern area of the continent, was officially known as the Special Capital District¡ªa self-governing region independent of other members of the confederation. The National Library next to the civic center was a massive building with five wings spreading out around it, and was affectionately called ¡®The Starfish¡¯.


    It was in one wing of that library, between the shelves so high they could kill several people with ease if they fell, that Major Travas reclined on a sofa and read a book.


    He was a man in his mid-thirties of average height and average build. He wore oval frameless sses, and his hair was between short and slightly long. Travas was dressed in a in navy suit with a tie. Next to him in a neat pile was his folded brown trench coat, a winter hat, and his gloves.


    It was just before morning tea time. Snow was falling softly outside the windows, but the interior was warm. The library was almostpletely empty, as it usually was on weekdays just after opening hours.


    The sofas continued in a line for about fifty meters, asionally interrupted by aisles, but the only ones seated were Major Travas and an old man about 20 meters away.


    Major Travas was holding a book made of clearly cheap paper. The title read, ¡®Mystery Creature¡¯s Existence Confirmed! See thetest photos here!¡¯ in Roxchean, the officialnguage of the Confederation. Major Travas flipped quickly through its pages, his brown eyes rapidly scanning the words.


    As time passed peacefully, a man stepped in.


    He was in histe forties and had an athlete¡¯s build, and wore a in grey suit. The face under his short-cropped blond hair was a stern one. In his hand was a folded newspaper.


    The man¡¯s footsteps resounded as he passed the shelves, slowing as he neared Major Travas and finallying to a stop just two meters from him.


    ¡°Mind if I sit here?¡± He asked stoically.


    Major Travas, who was already looking up at the man¡¯s approach, smiled and replied, ¡°Yes¡±. The man walked over to the empty sofa on the major¡¯s right and took a seat. He threw a nce at the cover of Major Travas¡¯s book before turning to his own newspaper, seemingly uninterested in conversation.


    Major Travas returned to his book as well. There was nothing there but the sounds of pages being turned.


    It was about when the long hand of the clock on the wall had made a quarter revolution around the face that the old man slowly rose from his seat. He ced his finished book on the returns cart and left, never returning.


    ¡°¡­¡±


    The man in grey said nothing as he folded up his newspaper irritably and tossed it to his right. For a moment, something seemed to bulge at his left side under his suit. He was wearing a shoulder holster with arge handgun.


    ¡°So.¡±


    The man began, his eyes facing forward. Major Travas¡¯s eyes stopped. The man continued.


    ¡°What are your people up to this time?¡±


    Major Travas also did not look at the man, and replied matter-of-factly.


    ¡°I¡¯m afraid I don¡¯t understand.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t y dumb. It looks like your taste in books isn¡¯t the only joke around here.¡± The man growled. ¡°Twelve of the newest submachine guns, along with so much ammo a man couldn¡¯t carry it on his own, were sold over the past three months. Along with thetest in miniature radios and silencers for automatic handguns. The buyers were all individuals, but the orders, deposits, and receipts were fiddled with just right that we couldn¡¯t track them. Clearly this is the work of a single group¡ªa group of people who¡¯re particrly good at these tricks. Yours.¡±


    It was a very bold usation, even considering the absence of eavesdroppers. Major Travas was a little surprised as he finally turned to the man. The man met his gaze.


    ¡°You¡¯re using the wrong man.¡± Major Travas said firmly. The man was quick to retort.


    ¡°I heard you and your little gang got your hands on the magazines from those models this summer in the middle of that crazy show you put on at theke.¡±


    ¡°And indeed we did. But we disposed of the magazines and filed an official report about our reasons.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not here to listen to stuff I already know. But you people have always used Roxchean weapons when you pulled things in Roxche. Clever, I¡¯ll give you that. Procuring supplies locally to act like locals.¡± The man said, and suddenly changed the subject. ¡°When I was just born, this country and yours were at war. Before I started primary school I was taught to kill anyone from Cross-River on sight.¡±


    ¡°I see.¡± Major Travas replied tersely.


    ¡°When I see you bastards reading on a sofa in the National Library, my hands start tingling for a gun.¡±


    ¡°I see.¡±


    ¡°It bugs me that I can¡¯t scratch that itch until I get evidence of your misconducts. Don¡¯t you agree, Major Travas of the Sou Be-Il Royal Army?¡±


    ¡°Perhaps.¡± Major Travas replied with a sincere smile. The man¡¯s re did not soften.


    ¡°I despise you Westerners. Especially you ¡®noble¡¯ ones.¡±


    ¡°Of course.¡± Major Travas replied, nonchnt as ever. The man smirked.


    ¡°That was apliment, Major. You could try looking a little happy. That¡¯s all I came to tell you. I don¡¯t know if you¡¯re on vacation or what, but sorry to interrupt your reading. Feel free to contact me if you ever discover the Giant Dragon of Lake Baszen, the human-faced deep-sea fish in the Arctic Sea, or the snow monsters in the Central Mountain Range. And don¡¯t forget to take your camera.¡±


    ¡°Of course.¡± Major Travas replied with another smile.


    The man grabbed his newspaper and turned away. Just then, Major Travas suddenly spoke.


    ¡°About the self-immtion suicide case forty-five days ago with the Dezer Pharmaceuticals executive¡­¡±


    ¡°Yeah?¡±


    The man stopped in his tracks. Major Travas¡¯s gaze never left the shelves as he continued quietly.


    ¡°I just happened to hear that, between forty-six and fifty-one days ago, some among the dayborer recruiters in the northern district slums promised an unusuallyrge sum of money to their recruits. All of them happened to recruit older but muscr men of small builds. I¡¯m sure no one would bat an eye at one or two vagrants going missing from the slums. And it¡¯s only recently that their blood trafficking has started to be an issue.¡±


    ¡°¡­And?¡±


    ¡°Dezer Pharmaceuticals was not floundering, and there was no unusuallyrge life insurance policy on the dead executive. But back in the days when heroin wasmonly used as a painkiller, he had been in charge of overseeing the manufacturing process¡ªstarting all the way from the acquisition of poppy. Which is why¡ª¡±


    ¡°All right, all right, damn you!¡± The man burst out, turning. ¡°Fine, I did not know that! Looks like you just love saddling us with more work. Bastard.¡±


    With that, the man strode gruffly away.


    Major Travas watched the grey suit disappear before returning to his book. On the page were the words ¡®Footprints of Mysterious Snow Creature of the Central Mountain Range!¡¯, dancing next to a blurry photograph.


    The Sou Be-Il embassy was located a slight distance from the civic centers. It had been rebuilt in an empty plot ofnd after the armistice to provide jobs to more people.


    At the rear intersection of the new five-story concrete embassy building stood a ck car. Major Travas stepped out of the driver¡¯s seat. It had stopped snowing now, but his breaths still puffed visibly into the grey sky.


    The major handed his keys to the soldier who greeted him, saluted, and stepped inside. He took off his hat and coat then entered the elevator to head to the third floor.


    It was a in office setting inside, except for the sign ¡®Royal Army¡¯ hanging on the wall. Administrative clerks were busy at work under the even spread of fluorescent lights. The sound of paper and typewriter keys filled the room.


    Major Travas walked into a hallway on the side and opened the door to a small room at the very end. It was a snug office with eight desks set up. The only person in the room stood when he arrived, surprised.


    ¡°Major? Don¡¯t you have the day off today?¡±


    She was a woman in herte twenties, wearing a navy suit with a skirt. She had short brown hair and sharp eyes. The words from her mouth were Bezelese, the officialnguage of Sou Be-Il.


    ¡°Hello, Axe. Where is the colonel?¡± Major Travas asked, also in Bezelese. The woman named Axe replied tersely,


    ¡°He had to attend a partyst night.¡±


    ¡°Hung over, I see. It may be part of his duties, but I feel for him.¡±


    Major Travas crossed the room and to his personal office. He took out a key from his pocket and unlocked it.


    ¡°Tea, Major?¡± Axe asked from outside the wide-open door. Major Travas answered as he hung up his coat and jacket.


    ¡°Please. Thank you, Axe. I came in today to look into something. Where are the others?¡±


    ¡°The corner store, sir. To, er¡­ to buy some crisps¡­¡± Axe said nervously.


    ¡°You mean the crisps I warned you to stay away from because they¡¯re so greasy and have a strong smell and taste?¡±


    ¡°Y-yes, sir.¡±


    ¡°They can be a treat once in a while. Could I have some too?¡±


    ¡°Of course, sir! They¡¯ll be back very soon.¡±


    Just as Axe said, the moment Major Travas sat at his neatly-organized desk and received his lukewarm cup of tea¡ª


    ¡°The Capital Crisp Retrieval Squad is back in one piece with a big haul! Let¡¯s dig in.¡±


    A group of men came crowding into the office. The bringer of good news was a man in his twenties, who was apanied by a man in his thirties and two men in their forties. All of them were wearing suits and carryingrge paper bags.


    ¡°¡­¡±


    When they discovered Major Travas, who should have been on vacation that day, they put down their bags in surprise and embarrassment. And they turned to Axe for answers as she weed them back.


    ¡°He says he wants to look into something today.¡± She said, reaching into one of the bags and taking out a crisp. She bit into it and grabbed a bag to take to the major. The man in his thirties let her take it, confused.


    The man in his twenties put down his paper bag on a desk.


    ¡°You¡¯ve got got no real work to do and a long vacation, Major. You could leave all the paperwork to us and take a breather. Never seen a finer workaholic.¡±


    The others turned to Major Travas in agreement.


    ¡°Let us help you.¡±


    They nodded in unison.


    * * *


    The 12th day of the final month.


    ¡°All right. Cheers to a year well done!¡±


    ¡°All right. Cheers to a year well done!¡±


    ¡°Cheers!¡±


    The two secondary school students raised a toast with grape juice.


    They were in the kitchen of a typical apartment building in the Capital District. Outside the fifth-story window, it was snowing hard enough to almost block out the building across the street.


    The students were sitting across the table. One of them was Lillia Schultz. She had a very long full name¡ªLillianne Aikashia Coraz¨°n Whittington Schultz¡ªand was almost sixteen years old. She had long, straight brown hair and big brown eyes. If she didn¡¯t say anything, she looked like a demure girl¡ªbut at the moment, she was chugging her grape juice.


    ¡°Yeah! That hits the spot! Nothing like a ss to wash down the stress of studying!¡±


    She sounded more like a middle-aged man at a bar after work than a teenaged girl. But she was dressed in her school uniform nheless¡ªa green checkered skirt, a white blouse, and a red tie, along with a grey jacket.


    The other student was Strauski Megmica¡ªMeg. Because she was from Sou Be-Il, ¡®Strauski¡¯ was her family name. She had moved to the Capital District in Roxche two years ago with her family for her father¡¯s work. She became friends with Lillia, who spoke Bezelese, after they took the same ss together.


    She had beautiful ck hair tied into pigtails, and fair skin and dark eyes. At Lillia¡¯s side, she looked even more mature than she already was(she had entered secondary school a yearte). Just like Lillia, Meg was in her winter uniform. She had taken off her jacket and hung it on the back of her chair, and over her shirt she wore a cream-colored cardigan embroidered with the school crest.


    Meg slowly sipped half her ss and ced it back on the table.


    ¡°It¡¯s already been a year since we met, Lillia. Time sure flies.¡± She remarked.


    ¡°It sure does. Here. Have some more.¡±


    Lillia replied, and filled Meg¡¯s ss. Then she poured more juice for herself. At school they spoke Roxchean together, but now they were using Bezelese.


    ¡°It just went by so quickly. Next year, we¡¯ll be fourth-years. They¡¯ll start pestering us about university, too. But today¡¯s a day for celebration, so let¡¯s set aside all the serious stuff.¡± Lillia said.


    It was earlier that very day that the end-of-sses ceremony had taken ce. They had gone out for lunch together at a nearby restaurant and were now rxing at Lillia¡¯s house.


    ¡°When did you say you wereing back, Meg?¡±


    ¡°The thirteenth of next year.¡±


    ¡°So the day before ss starts. I¡¯ll pray that your ne doesn¡¯t get dyed.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, Lillia. ¡­Actually, I¡¯d prefer if you prayed we wouldn¡¯t crash, but I¡¯m scared to just say the word.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re the one who mentioned it, Meg. You¡¯ve never been on a ne before?¡± Asked Lillia.


    Meg nodded nervously.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry! Aerones these days don¡¯t crash.¡±


    ¡°But¡­ what if the engines give out halfway?¡±


    ¡°In midair? There¡¯s nothing to worry about. Even if the engines die, an aerone can keep flying for a while. You can even control it! It¡¯s called ¡®gliding¡¯. And Mom says that engines these days don¡¯t stop like that. So she¡¯sining about how they don¡¯t train young pilots to get out of fixes like that anymore.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    Meg went silent, unsure whether Lillia was trying tofort her or scare her.


    ¡°Oh! Sorry, Meg. I¡¯m sorry. Don¡¯t worry about it! Just go to sleep in your seat, and you¡¯ll be there before you know it!¡±


    Meg changed the subject to avoid discussing aerones further.


    ¡°You said you¡¯re going to Iks this winter, right? I¡¯m jealous. I¡¯d love to visit someday.¡±


    ¡°It is a nice ce. Unlike the city here, there¡¯s mountains in every direction and the snow is beautiful. And if they get a lot of snowfall, you can see fun stuff like avnches now and then.¡± Lillia said, not considerate in the least for potential avnche victims or their families. She stood and picked out a book from the shelf by the kitchen. It was travel guide for the Kingdom of Iks. Lillia took out a map from the pages and spread it on the table.


    The Central Mountain Range vertically bisected the only continent on the. The Kingdom of Iks was situated on the Roxchean side of that mountain range. In the middle of the country was the long, narrow Lake Ras. And dotted around the massiveke¡ª100 meters from north to south and 40 kilometers from east to west¡ªwere cities and viges.


    The Kingdom of Iks was colored green on the map. And in small letters were written the words, ¡®Western border and size of Kingdom of Iks unknown¡¯. Because the Central Mountain Range, over 10,000 meters tall in some ces, were inessible to humans, it was impossible to draw a border.


    ¡°Iks is the only country in Roxche that¡¯s in the mountains, right?¡± Asked Meg.


    Lillia nodded and gesticted wildly as she continued to exin.


    ¡°It¡¯s really amazing. On clear days, you can see mountains everywhere. It¡¯spletely surrounded¡ªand the peaks are really sharp, too. They¡¯re covered in snow even in summer. And in summer, the valleys turn green and when you climb up any of the mountains you can see the big blueke. And when you look down toward Roxche you can just faintly make out the ins.¡±


    ¡°Wow. Iks is the only kingdom in Roxche, right?¡±


    ¡°Yeah. And it¡¯s ruled by a queen, too. Queen Francesca. She¡¯s really beautiful, and still young. Although I¡¯ve only ever seen a tiny picture of her on the papers.¡±


    ¡°And her husband is the Hero of the Mural. The one who ended the war.¡±


    ¡°Yeah. Something Benedict from Sou Be-Il, right?¡±


    ¡°¡®Carr¡¯. He must be from the south. They¡¯re such a perfect couple. It¡¯s amazing.¡±


    ¡°This is the first time I¡¯m spending the new year in Iks. But I heard it¡¯s gonna be a real party on thest day of the year. Everyone has fun all night celebrating the new year and watches the sun rise together.¡± Lillia said, folding up the map and cing it back in the book.


    ¡°Really? It¡¯s simr in Sou Be-Il.¡± Meg said, surprised.


    She exined that thest day of the year was very important in Sou Be-Il. Families would eat together before going to a chapel for evening service. People would go out into the streets to loudly count down toward the new year. And on the first day of the new year, the people of Sou Be-Il could visit the pce and see the royal family beyond a ss window.


    ¡°Kings and queens, huh. I wonder what kind of lives they have.¡±


    ¡°Who knows? But I¡¯ve heard that the Royal Family of Bezel is having some problems right now.¡±


    ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°The princess is twenty years old now. Normally, a princess her age would have already been married. But¡­¡±


    ¡°She doesn¡¯t have anyone?¡±


    ¡°No. They say there¡¯s almost no men her age in the Royal Family of Iltoa, or among the high-ranking aristocrats. I don¡¯t mean to be rude, but since she¡¯s going to rule as queen someday¡­ she needs a husband worthy of her status.¡±


    ¡°So she can¡¯t just bring any guy home and say, ¡®This is my boyfriend¡¯.¡±


    ¡°Exactly.¡±


    ¡°She doesn¡¯t have any decent ssmates to marry?¡±


    ¡°The princess doesn¡¯t go to school.¡±


    ¡°Huh. The tragedy of the upper sses, I guess. Come to think of it, I think the heir to the throne in Iks is sixteen or seventeen this year, too. They¡¯re almost the same age¡­ but then again, the heir to Iks a princess too, and she has to take over after her mother.¡±


    ¡°We can worry about them all we like, but¡­¡± Meg began.


    ¡°It¡¯s not like we can help them.¡± Lillia finished her sentence. Meg narrowed her eyes.


    ¡°I think we should be thankful, you know. After all, we can choose the people we like¡ªthe people we might end up marrying someday.¡±


    ¡°Yeah.¡±


    Lillia said half-heartedly, chugging her grape juice again. Then she froze, as though something urred to her.


    ¡°Do you have one?¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡± Meg replied, her eyes wide. Lillia stared up at her face.


    ¡°Strauski Megmica, do you have someone in mind?¡±


    ¡°Huh? Er¡­ what?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m the one asking questions here.¡±


    ¡°I¡­ I don¡¯t¡­ think so. No.¡± Meg replied, frozen. Lillia backed down.


    ¡°I see. So no.¡±


    ¡°What about you, Lillia?¡±


    ¡°Huh? N-no!¡±


    ¡°I¡­ I see.¡±


    ¡°Yeah. ¡­Let¡¯s not talk about this.¡±


    ¡°Yeah. All this talk about marriage is still so far away.¡±


    Almost in unison, they sighed. Lillia reached for the juice bottle when Meg spoke again.


    ¡°I think it might be okay to take our time.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s right! We¡¯re not at the ¡®have to get married now¡¯ age yet¡ªwe¡¯re not even pushing it.¡± Lillia replied, shaking the bottle.


    ¡°Then you know what we do? We drink one more ss!¡±


    ¡°Yes! That¡¯s the spirit! Cheers!¡±


    Just as they finished raising a toast,


    ¡°I¡¯m home!¡±


    The owner of the house returned.


    ¡°Oh, Mom! You¡¯re early today.¡± Lillia said, surprised. ¡°Wee home.¡±


    ¡°Thank you. Oh! Hello, Meg.¡±


    Stepping into the kitchen was a woman so beautiful and youthful that she did not look like she was in her mid-thirties. She had blue eyes like the sky on a clear day, and long, shimmering blond hair tied up in a bun. She wore a dark red uniform,plete with a jacket with a badge of rank, a pilot¡¯s badge, and a nametag, and a long skirt. It was Allison Whittington Schultz, Lillia¡¯s mother. She was a captain and a test pilot in the Roxchean Air Force.


    ¡°I am here to visit. It has been a long time, Allison.¡± Meg said in Roxchean, getting to her feet. Meg and Lillia¡¯s other friends called Allison by given name instead of ¡®Ms. Schultz¡¯.


    ¡°Meg says her family¡¯s going back home for the first time in two years the day after tomorrow.¡±


    ¡°That sounds wonderful.¡±


    ¡°Yeah. Anyway, you¡¯re home early, Mom. What¡¯s going on?¡± Lillia asked, turning from her seat. Allison put down a packed file in the living room.


    ¡°The end-of-term ceremony at the Air Force Academy was today. Just like at your school. And an old superior of mine came to say hi. It¡¯s been so long since we met I decided to take half the day off to go to the get-together. I¡¯ll be out real soon.¡±


    ¡°I see. Oh, we¡¯re out of tea, Mom. I was panicking for a second today.¡±


    ¡°Sorry, honey. Wasn¡¯t there any juice left in the storage room?¡±


    ¡°We are drinking them now.¡± Meg replied.


    ¡°You want some too, Mom?¡±


    ¡°No thank you. I¡¯ll be going now. I¡¯ming homete, so make sure to lock up before you go to bed.¡±


    ¡°No thank you. I¡¯ll be going now. I¡¯ming homete, so make sure to lock up before you go to bed.¡±


    ¡°Okay. Have fun.¡±


    Allison walked into the kitchen and nted a kiss on Lillia¡¯s cheek. Then she winked at Meg and walked out the hallway. The door opened, then shut.


    Lillia turned back to the girl in front of herself.


    ¡°Ohh!¡±


    Meg¡¯s eyes were shut tight, and her hands were balled into trembling fists.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± Asked Lillia.


    ¡°Ohh! Lillia¡¯s mother is still as ever cool! She is magnificent!¡± Meg raved in Roxchean. Lillia was unconvinced.


    ¡°You think so?¡±


    ¡°Yes, I do think so! You just don¡¯t know it because you see Allison every day.¡±


    ¡°Well¡­ I do see her a lot with messy hair, looking for her bra when it¡¯s on her head¡­¡±


    ¡°Oh my. I think Allison is not a morning woman.¡±


    ¡°Hm? Oh, a morning person, you mean?¡±


    ¡°Yes, those words. They are my new Roxchean vocabry today.¡±


    Then, Meg switched to Bezelese.


    ¡°Lillia, since your mother¡¯s a soldier, does she teach you how to fight and stuff?¡±


    ¡°Hmm¡­ I¡¯d stake an omelet and a bottle of milk from the cafeteria that you don¡¯t know any real soldiers.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re good, Lillia.¡±


    ¡°How to fight, huh? ¡­She did teach me one thing.¡±


    ¡°What is it? Can girls pull it off, too?¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s see¡­ when you¡¯re fighting hand-to-hand and you need to put some extra oomph into an attack¡­¡±


    ¡°Yes?¡±


    ¡°Say your name before the technique for maximum power!¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s what Mom told me!¡±


    ¡°¡­Hah. Meg Punch.¡±


    Meg tapped Lillia¡¯s shoulder with a fist.


    ¡°Counter. Lillia Chop.¡±


    Very slowly, Lillia mmed her left hand under Meg¡¯s shoulder.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know if this is working.¡±


    ¡°No. Would you still trust my mother?¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ¡°What do you say?¡±


    ¡°I think she¡¯s got a wonderful figure! What¡¯s her secret? Is it a really strict diet?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know how to say this, but¡­ Well, Mom is a meat-eater. She might as well be a carnivore. Although she almost never drinks ¡®cause she says it¡¯s not good for when you go up to really high altitudes. But she does a hundred sit-ups for her abs every morning right before she showers for that sculpted stomach. Does that help?¡±


    ¡°Thank you for destroying my hopes and dreams. Waahh¡­¡± Megined, feigning sobs.


    ¡°¡®Weep not, Mdy. Life and suffering are one and the same; you must ovee this pain¡¯.¡±


    ¡°¡­Where did you get that line?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s what the main character in ¡®What is your Name?¡¯ says to the love interest at the end. Y¡¯know, the radio drama from the Capital District station.¡±


    ¡°Oh, I remember! It¡¯s a really popr drama, isn¡¯t it?¡±


    ¡°I hear the sequel¡¯s starting in the beginning of the new year.¡±


    ¡°Oh no! I¡¯ll miss the first broadcast!¡± Meg cried. Lillia put aforting hand on her shoulder.


    ¡°Weep not, Mdy. Life and suffering are one and the same; you must ovee this pain.¡±


    * * *


    The 26th day of the final month.


    ¡°Highness? Your Highness? Has anyone seen Prince Treize? Has he left for the capital already?¡±


    ¡°No, he went to the mountains at the crack of dawn. He was raring to take care of the wandering wolf that¡¯s been bothering us all week.¡±


    ¡°I see. All alone?¡±


    ¡°Yes. I¡¯m sure he¡¯ll be back for afternoon tea, whether he nabs the wolf or not.¡±


    ¡°Hmm¡­ With his skills, I¡¯m sure His Highness will be sessful in his hunt.¡±


    ¡°Then I wager a hundred Roxes than he ends up losing the beast.¡±


    ¡°I as well.¡±


    ¡°Hm. I don¡¯t think this wager will work out.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re right.¡±


    ¡°Achoo!¡±


    In the snowy valley, Treize stifled a sneeze.


    He was sixteen years old, with an androgynous face that mirrored his mother¡¯s, and a lean and muscr build like his father. He was not unattractive at all, but he was currently dressed like a snowman.


    He was wearing a shirt and pants made of thick knitted wool, over which were a sweater and a winter coat, over which were a white parka and snow pants. There was a pair of ck goggles over his eyes and a white cloth wrapped around the rest of his face.


    The wool hat on his head had ear ps that tied together under the chin, and a corner of a white sheet was tied over his hat. His boots and his gloves were also white. So from head to toe he was round and white.


    Treize was at the base of arge, rolling valley nketed in snow, a world of nothing but white. Large coniferous trees dotted thendscape, and in the middle was a 30-meter-wide in. A small stream flowed down the very center. The end of the valley connected to a steep incline and disappeared into the cloudy sky. The back of the valley led to a gentle downward slope, veiled by the fog. There were no manmade things like houses or utility poles in sight.


    Treize leaned on his left side against a boulder topped with snow and sat with his legs stretched before him.


    In his hands he held a long, thin rifle with a wooden stock. It was a bolt-action rifle that had to be reloaded after each shot, and was equipped with a short scope. Loaded inside were five rounds measuring at 7.62mm wide and 54mm long.


    Behind him was a backpack, also white, and a pair of snowshoes made of bent branches.


    ¡°Phew¡­¡±


    Though his eyes were concealed beneath his goggles, Treize kept his eyes trained ahead into the valley, slowly exhaling.


    On a rolling slope about 5 meters from him was a plump, round chicken shivering in the snow, curling into its own wings. Tied to its leg was a string, which was tied to a nearby rock.


    Treize was almostpletely still as he shivered in the freezing air and stared ahead. Gusts of wind sometimes cut past the valley.


    ¡°It¡¯s here¡­¡±


    Slowly, carefully, Treize raised his rifle. He ced the stock against his cheek, his left elbow against the inside of his left knee, and his right elbow against the inside of his right knee as he peered into the scope.


    In the crosshairs stood the shivering chicken, appearing 3.5 times its size. When Treize raised the rifle slightly, he saw the approaching beast.


    It was a mountain wolf,mon in the Central Mountain Range. It was a light grey in color, almostpletely white. The wolf was about as big as mid-sized dogs raised by rich families. But its maw and the glimpses of its teeth were sharper than any pet dog could ever have. The wolf halted at times before nearing, step by step.


    Wolves were pack animals by nature, but there was only one here now. It must have been cast out of the pack or separated¡ªa literal lone wolf. There was a nice ring to the phrase, but real lone wolves had trouble procuring food and often starved. And out of desperation such wolves came down to human settlements, which a pack would normally avoid, and hunt livestock.


    The wolf that drew near beyond the scope was, unsurprisingly, very thin. Its skin was taut around its ribcage.


    ¡°Looks like you¡¯re having a tough time, too.¡± Treize whispered. ¡°But that chicken is ours. Once Lillia gets here, I¡¯m going to roast it whole. I can¡¯t let you take it¡ªyou¡¯re not getting anything.¡±


    For a moment, he took his eye off the scope. Treize checked the mechanism to see the rifle was properly loaded. He had not armed the safety to begin with. He wiggled his gloved right hand¡ªhis index finger stuck out of the glove. The second glove he was wearing underneath was also white.


    The wolf stopped about 20 meters from the chicken and cautiously scanned the area. For a split second, its eyes met Treize¡¯s through the scope.


    ¡°Just one shot is all I need¡­¡±


    The wolf leapt. It charged straight for its prey. The chicken noticed the approach and spread its wings in an attempt to flee, but the string around its leg quickly went taut and it fell face-first to the ground. The chicken iled as it stirred up snow. The wolf slowed, convinced of its victory, and came closer.


    ¡°Sorry.¡±


    Soon, the wolf¡¯s entire body fit into the center of the scope. Treize held his breath and slowly put pressure on his trigger finger.


    Then, he pulled. The spring-loaded firing pin inside the bolt sprang forward and hit the detonator at the center of the bottom of the round, which was inside the firing chamber at the back of the barrel. A small spark erupted, lighting the dormant detonator inside the cartridge and forcing it to instantlybust. The sudden expansion of gas forced the ammunition clear out of the barrel.


    The bullet spun furiously along the grooves in the barrel, and escaped the muzzle with an explosive burst of noise and gas¡ªtraveling at over 800 meters per second, and 2800 kilometers an hour.


    In less than a tenth of a second, the 20-gram bullet would pierce the wolf¡¯s forehead, breaking through skin and skull with pressure alone, scattering its brain across the snow. At least, that was the intention.


    He was not far enough to miss. But just as Treize willed his trigger finger to move, the wolf tripped on a rock and fell forward. The bullet flew over its head, hit a boulder, and flew off with a spark.


    The recoil instantly forced the world through the scope upwards.


    ¡°What?!¡±


    By the time Treize pulled the rifle back down, he saw the wolf¡ªhaving quickly regained footing¡ªlunge at the chicken. Its grey jaws tore apart the chicken¡¯s skinny neck.


    ¡°Damn it!¡±


    Taking his right hand off the grip, Treize raised the bolt lever to undo the lock. Then he pulled down the lever and loaded the next round from the magazine, and pushed the lever forward to lock it again.


    There was no hesitation in his movements, and it all took ce in less than a second. But in that short time the wolf had already turned away.


    The scope followed the wolf. It fled as fast as it could, deeper into the valley. With the chicken in its mouth the wolf¡¯s paws drummed against the white ground. The string had already snapped.


    The scope followed the wolf. It fled as fast as it could, deeper into the valley. With the chicken in its mouth the wolf¡¯s paws drummed against the white ground. The string had already snapped.


    ¡°Damn it¡­ that¡¯s Lillia¡¯s chicken.¡±


    Treize took aim and pulled the trigger. Snow scattered upward from just next to the running wolf.


    Treize operated the lever again and took aim, but the wolf grew smaller in his sights by the second. The third round missed, to the upper left. He loaded again and opened fire. He aimed the fourth round just a little ahead of the wolf, but it narrowly missed its target.


    ¡°C¡¯mon, just hit the thing!¡±


    His agitated fifth shot flew off wildly in a spray of snow.


    Treize pulled back the bolt again. But¡ª


    ¡°¡­¡±


    He did not push it back. When he nced at the rifle, he could tell instantly that he was out of ammo. A faint wisp of smoke rose from the gun, apanied by the stinging smell of gunpowder.


    ¡°Aw, man.¡±


    Treize looked up. The grey beast was moving, deeper inside the valley. He could still recognize its shape, but even that grew smaller and smaller.


    ¡°You win.¡± He mumbled. He was not wearing his earmuffs because he had intended to finish with one shot; his ears were ringing.


    Eventually, the wolf became a speck in the distance and disappeared into the valley.


    ¡°I lose¡­¡±


    Sitting on the ground, Treize slowly reached over to the backpack behind him.


    Then he took out a small wooden box from one of the pockets and opened the lid. Extra rounds neatly filled it.


    Treize began to load them into the magazine one by one for protection on his way back. He inserted one, then took out another from the box and put it into the magazine. And once five rounds were finally loaded, he pushed the bolt forward. This time, he armed the safety.


    Leaning the rifle against the boulder, Treize searched for his spent cartridges. Brass cartridges could be reused several times if they were loaded with gunpowder and a bullet.


    Treize picked up all the cartridges melting through the snow and stuffed them into his pockets.


    ¡°Guess I should get going soon.¡±


    He tied his snowshoes to his boots and slung his backpack on his back. Then, he took out a leather strap from his pocket and fixed it to the rifle, before slinging it over his right shoulder.


    ¡°¡­¡±


    Suddenly, he stopped. Treize put down his rifle and backpack and took off his parka, coat, and sweater. He rolled them up in a ball, stuffed them into his backpack, then put on his jacket and prepared to leave again.


    ¡°Looks like I¡¯ll have to think up another menu.¡±


    He began to stride down the snowy valley.


    * * *


    ¡°What sort of a person is Treize, you ask? I would have to say, in a word¡­¡±


    ¡°In a word¡­?¡±


    ¡°An imbecile. He is an imbecile, Elder Sister.¡±


    ¡°A-an ¡®imbecile¡¯¡­?¡±


    ¡°Although it pains me as his older sister to say so, yes.¡±


    ¡°Oh? I was informed that you were the younger twin, Meriel.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m afraid that is untrue, Elder Sister. Treize goes on about being the older brother¡ªFather also agrees with him, yes, but it has been long known that the second twin to be born is always considered the elder.¡±


    ¡°Is¡­ is that so? My sincerest apologies, Meriel. I don¡¯t know much about your customs¡­¡±


    ¡°Please don¡¯t let it bother you, Elder Sister. None of that should concern you! I just wanted to let you know that Treize is the younger twin.¡±


    ¡°I see. I will remember that well. So, er¡­ speaking of Treize¡­¡±


    ¡°Although it pains me as his older sister to say this, to be frank, Treize can be quite emotionally frail. To be specific¡­ let¡¯s see¡­ hmm¡­ I must admit that he is very handsome, being the very image of our mother.¡±


    ¡°Yes, I¡¯ve seen a photograph of him. He looks just like Her Majesty.¡±


    ¡°But he is emotionally frail. When we were children, he was always hiding behind Mother. Even when we quarreled, one volley of arguments sent him running to Mother or a grandmother in the valley.¡±


    ¡°Oh my. That sounds adorable.¡±


    ¡°But now, he is nothing but impudent. And because he is a man, I can no longer beat him in a battle of strength.¡±


    ¡°But surely he¡¯s not so barbaric as to try and solve everything with force?¡±


    ¡°No, I suppose not. But they say that old habits die hard¡ªTreize still fails to be decisive at the opportune moments. And I doubt he will change. ¡­Elder Sister, are you interested in my brother?¡±


    ¡°Oh! Actually, yes. You know that I do not have a single friend my own age. I was always very lonely, to be honest. But now that I¡¯ve be friends with you, Meriel, I think I would like to get to know Treize as well.¡±


    ¡°I understand! I will bring him with me next time, even if I must drag him on a leash!¡±


    ¡°Thank you, Meriel. Personally, I would love to visit Iks myself, if not for my circumstances.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m certain Treize will understand. I¡¯ll bring him along next time, I promise!¡±


    ¡°Thank you, Meriel. I¡¯m looking forward to it already. ¡­Truly.¡±


    * * *


    The 27th day of the final month.


    A group of people were wrestling a mountain of paperwork in the Sou Be-Il Embassy in the Capital District.


    Major Travas, Axe, and the four men working for the major. They were in the midst of exhausting work, quietly checking each and every word in the stack of documents piled on their desks.


    The man in his thirties finished one stack and sighed loudly.


    ¡°Clear. Nothing fishy with this bank.¡±


    He tossed the documents into a cardboard box near his feet.


    ¡°Good work. Everyone, take a breather and have some tea. Feel free to get some air if you¡¯d like.¡±


    Said Major Travas as he continued to scan through a document, dressed again in a suit instead of his uniform. His subordinates could see him through his open office door. The men exchanged nces and shrugged, knowing they couldn¡¯t rest now.


    ¡°Hm¡­?¡±


    Axe, whose eyes were also focused on a document, frowned.


    ¡°Major, may I have a moment?¡±


    She stood from her seat and went over to Travas with the document in hand. The men stopped and turned their attention to her.


    ¡°I¡¯ve found something unusual. Someone¡¯s been making irregr purchases of the same products for the past year through an anonymous ount at this bank.¡±


    ¡°Not weapons?¡±


    Axe shook her head and held out the document. Travas received it and scanned the many words on the paper. And ten secondster, he furrowed his brow.


    ¡°Film stock?¡±


    ¡°Yes. .35mm color stock from Baker&Don. It¡¯s thetest version in Roxche. And as you can see, it¡¯s a rather expensive brand of film.¡±


    ¡°Mass quantities¡­ and all film stock.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve yet to find any other transactions of unusualmonality. This might be the work of a corporation or a powerful millionaire, or perhaps a drug dealer¡¯s attempts at moneyundering.¡±


    ¡°Perhaps, if the buyer is always the same person or organization. ¡­Why does our anonymous buyer here want to buy film stock in secret, I wonder?¡± Major Travas asked.


    ¡°Strange, isn¡¯t it? Unlike weapons or ammunition, no one would be suspicious about buying film stock in bulk.¡± Axe noted.


    ¡°A film crew. Hmm¡­ this might be worth looking into. Everyone, I¡¯d like your attention here.¡±


    ¡°W-would you have usunch an investigation, Major?¡± Asked Axe. Major Travas shook his head.


    ¡°No. We¡¯ll be getting help from the police.¡±


    He reached for the phone on his desk and picked up the receiver. Axe¡¯s gaze turned chilly.


    ¡°Him, Major? I can¡¯t agree with this decision.¡±


    ¡°He may hate us Westerners, but he is passionate about his work as a police officer.¡± Major Travas replied. Axe shot back.


    ¡°I¡¯ve never seen him in anything but the same grey suit. Please ask him to change sometimes.¡±


    As Major Travas began his phone call, the men left the office.


    ¡°That¡¯s the major for you. Wanna go get lunch?¡±


    ¡°That sounds good. ¡­Y¡¯know, where¡¯s the major supposed to be from, anyway? There¡¯s a fine line between taking on a job because you¡¯re bored and taking an active part in fighting crime for a different country.¡±


    ¡°As if we didn¡¯t know that already. And it¡¯s not a bad idea to put Roxche in a bit of debt to us.¡±


    ¡°I guess you¡¯re right. But you know, when I work with the major, I sometimes think¡­¡±


    ¡°Hm?¡±


    ¡°¡­It¡¯s like he¡¯s not just working for our homnd. Like he¡¯s working for Roxche, too.¡±


    ¡°¡®Working for the world¡¯, eh? Not bad. It¡¯s just like him.¡±


    ¡°Is this really all right? Not for the major, I mean. For us.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s fine. We¡¯ve been ordered to follow him, so that¡¯s what we do. If we¡¯re ordered to kill him, that¡¯s what we do. And have we been ordered to kill him?¡±


    ¡°No.¡±


    ¡°Exactly.¡±

 Volume 2 2 — Everyone Heads to Iks

    <h4>Volume 2 Chapter 2: Everyone Heads to Iks</h4>


    -----


    The 28th day of the final month.


    ¡°Why not fly there yourself, Captain?¡± Asked the subordinate who drove Allison and Lillia from the airport near the Capital District, which also doubled as a Confederation Air Force base. With that, mother and daughter were off.


    Flying through the air was a civilian aerone about 20 meters long with a wingspan of 30 meters. There were three engines and propellers on the ne, one on the nose and one on each of the wings. The reinforced rippled outer panels drew lines along the fusge and the wings at regr intervals. Thending gear was fixed, andrge tires were attached under the engines.


    The civilian aerone traveled at a crawl, but it wasuded for itsfort and was mass-produced, now widely used in Roxche. This model was also famous for poprizing air travel, which had once been a luxury reserved for the highest echelons of society. On the shiny grey fusge were the words ¡®Confederation Airlines¡¯ and a three-digit production code.


    The sky that winter morning was a perfectly clear blue. The ins of Roxche were covered in endless clouds, and viges, roads, rivers, and canals drew tiny maps on the ground over a kilometer below.


    There was an aisle going down the middle of the passenger cabin; eight rows of seats, with one seat on either side of the aisle. The captain¡¯s right shoulder and the first officer¡¯s left shoulder were visible through the cockpit door at the front of the cabin. The framework and the paneling was painted a light green on the inside.


    The seats were full. As the cabin shook with the engines¡¯ roar, most passengers pressed their faces to the windows and watched the world pass by.


    And in the right seat at the very back,


    ¡°¡­¡±


    Allison was fast asleep. She wore thick brown winter pants and a reddish-brown sweater. A nket from the ne was over herp.


    In the seat across the aisle,


    ¡°¡­¡±


    Lillia was fast asleep. She was also wearing long pants like Allison, and had a dark green half-coat over herself.


    The middle-aged man in a suit who sat in front of her nced back, frowned that she was wasting the view, and turned back to the window disapprovingly.


    Due to limitations on the craft¡¯s cruising range, the aerone had to makending at least once every four hours. Each time the passengers would disembark to get some rest or eat. In the meantime, the ne would be refueled and checked before departing again. Passengers headed in a different direction could transfer nes during this time.


    On the evening of the 28th, after onending and another four-hour flight, Allison and Lillia arrived in a vige near the very center of Roxche. That was the end of their trip that day. They would need to fly for another whole day to reach Iks.


    Thanks to technological developments, aerones could fly through bad weather or the night with the help of instruments. But only therger cities supported night nes¡ªand even if night nes were avable, many people chose rather to spend the nights at hotels for a break from the exhaustion of traveling.


    Allison and Lillia also headed to their hotel, which they had booked alongside their ne tickets. They had dinner, showered, andy down in their beds in their pajamas.


    ¡°First day¡¯s travels,plete!¡±


    ¡°Complete! We have an early flight tomorrow, so make sure to get up early, sweetheart.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m more worried about you, Mom.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s going to be all right. I can get up early when I have to. Good night.¡±


    * * *


    That evening.


    Two men were talking over the telephone. One was in the Roxche police headquarters, and the other was in the Sou Be-Il embassy.


    <Yes, this is Major Travas.>


    <Good evening to you, foreign aristocrat. Thanks for butting in and helping out with our country¡¯s crimefighting. Things all right with you?>


    <Yes. It¡¯s been quite warm these past few days, don¡¯t you agree?>


    <At least try to y along with the sarcasm, my man. Or do you not even return fire if you get shot? Don¡¯t tell me you¡¯re actually pacifists. The Dezer executive who just came back from the dead had a better sense of humor than you.>


    <My apologies. And I am d to hear that the executive is well.>


    <Hmph. I¡¯ll be taking all the credit for cleaning out the cartel, for your information. Now, let me get to the point. About our loaded film buyer. I nabbed your so-called culprit.>


    <¡­>


    <Surprised?>


    <That was quick.>


    <What¡¯d you expect? ¡­Is what I¡¯d like to say, but their self-proimed bookkeeper ratted them out the moment we started the investigation. They covered up their tracks so well I thought we¡¯d be in for a headache, but then he went and confessed.>


    <Oh? ¡­What sort of people were they?>


    <What else? Filmmakers. Not one of those big weekend shows they advertise in the Capital District. Some documentary about loads of beautiful scenery.>


    <I see. So why the secrecy?>


    <You have no idea how much I enjoy imagining the ignorant look on your face, Major. Apparently they just wanted to keep the production a secret.>


    <That¡¯s what he told me. They don¡¯t want anyone to know they¡¯re shooting a documentary, and they covered their tracks because the Capital District is the only ce they can buy the film stock.>


    <And you believe him?>


    <I¡¯m saying that¡¯s what he told me. I dug up info on the crew and the production team, but there weren¡¯t any records. They¡¯re just normal people.>


    <What sort of people are they?>


    <I can¡¯t get into that much detail. Gotta protect the privacy of innocent Roxcheans.>


    <Apologies.>


    <Anyway, the bookkeeper agreed to the questioning and apologized about his crimes. He¡¯s posted bail, so he¡¯ll be out by tomorrow evening. And he¡¯ll be paying the bank a fine. It¡¯s all cleared up now. On the surface, anyway.>


    <¡­>


    <You listening?>


    <Yes.>


    <Cheer up, Major. You just uncovered a very significant crime. Should I send the thank-you letter to the embassy with all the trimmings, then?>


    <No thank you. I¡¯d appreciate it more if you taped it upside-down to the women¡¯s restroom wall at the police headquarters.>


    <Heh. That wasn¡¯t too bad. Maybe we should go for drinks sometime.>


    <I¡¯m afraid I¡¯ll have to decline. In any case, what was the crew shooting, and where?>


    <Scenery. Don¡¯t make me repeat myself.>


    <Specifically?>


    <Didn¡¯t get that much into detail. What¡¯s it to you?>


    <A film crew¡ª ¡­Never mind. Excuse me. I¡¯m sorry you had to go to so much trouble for such an insignificant case.>


    <You should be. Feel free to give me a call next time you want to y games like this.>


    Major Travas put down the receiver. Axe, who had been listening to the conversation with the other men around the desk, finished the major¡¯s sentence.


    ¡°¡®A film crew is a perfect excuse for conducting espionage in broad daylight¡¯.¡±


    ¡°Full marks.¡± Major Travas said, and turned to the others. ¡°Anyone interested in tailing a man tomorrow? Drinks at a bar, making new friends?¡±


    Hands shot into the air.


    * * *


    The 29th day of the final month.


    ¡°Get up, Mom! We¡¯re gonna bete! We¡¯ll miss our flight!¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s okay¡­ they have washing machines on the ind¡­¡±


    ¡°What the heck are you dreaming about? ¡­Oh no! We¡¯re running out of time, Mom! Wake up!¡±


    Lillia was barely out of bed before she was panicking over her mother.


    Narrowly boarding the morning flight, Allison and Lillia cruised on the same craft as the previous day as they continued their leisurely journey across the sky.


    The aerone¡¯s final destination was the city of Elitesa in the Republic of Raputoa, situated in front of the Kingdom of Iks. There were no regr flights to Iks¡ªthey would have to switch to a bus at Elitesa instead.


    The aerone refueled in the afternoon and took off toward Elitesa. There were six passengers onboard, with Allison and Lillia in the front row. Two rows behind them was a businessman in his thirties, and in the back were three men between their forties and fifties, dressed in suits.


    The aerone flew under a thickyer of clouds. At times, the fusge shook.


    Lillia was once again asleep. She had no interest in the scenery outside. Allison was reading a magazine featuring articles on politics and society, and brief reviews of films and ys.


    Time passed, and Allison was in the midst of turning the page on an article on the new North Sea-style grillhouse that opened in the Capital District.


    ¡°Hm?¡±


    Something seemed to sputter amidst the roar of the engines. Allison looked up past her sleeping daughter at the left engine and propeller. They were working. She turned to her right.


    ¡°Oh dear.¡±


    A thin wisp of ck smoke was rising from the engine affixed to the wing outside. It sputtered desperately several more times, then finally stopped with a loud noise. The propeller spun idly several times before stopping as well. The aerone tilted slightly to the right.


    ¡°I¡¯d better check out this ce next time.¡± Allison noted nonchntly, folding a corner of the page and cing the magazine at her feet.


    ¡°GAH!¡± The businessman in his thirties cried out. ¡°Hey! The engine¡¯s stopped!¡±


    His voice was loud enough to drown out the remaining engine. Lillia opened her eyes. The men in the back exchanged worried nces.


    ¡°What¡¯s going on, Mom?¡± Asked Lillia. Allison seemed unconcerned.


    ¡°The right engine¡¯s gone. But since it¡¯s not ming and there¡¯s no fuel leakage, the other engine¡¯ll keep us going.¡±


    ¡°Oh. All right.¡± Lillia replied nonchntly.


    ¡°She¡¯s tilting! We¡¯re done for; this ne¡¯s going to crash!¡± The panicked businessman cried again. Allison turned anxiously, wondering how she should stop him.


    ¡°W-we have parachutes!¡± Cried another man, who darted out of the cockpit. He was in his early twenties, and was in a ck pilot¡¯s uniform.


    ¡°G-get back here, you imbecile!¡± The captain, a man in his thirties, hollered from the cockpit with a nce at the cabin. The hysterical first officer rushed down the aisle and toward the back of the cabin, where the exit was.


    ¡°Someone stop him!¡±


    ¡°Stop that idiot!¡±


    The captain and Allison cried at the same time. The three men in the back reacted instantly. In unison they jumped on the first officer, and in the blink of an eye had grabbed him by the limbs and pressed him into an empty seat. When the first officer continued to struggle, one of the men drove his fist into his sr plexus.


    ¡°Agh¡­¡±


    The first officer quickly lost consciousness.


    ¡°What¡¯s going on? Are we going to crash?¡± The businessman asked anxiously.


    ¡°No. Don¡¯t worry.¡±


    Allison replied calmly, and cast a nce at the three men in the back. With firm nods they silently took charge of the first officer. At that moment, the ne returned to level position. Allison stumbled and grabbed onto the seats because of the sudden movement. Lillia looked up at her.


    ¡°What are you going to do, Mom?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll be right back.¡±


    With that, Allison entered the cockpit. She sat herself in the first officer¡¯s empty seat and greeted the captain to her right. He looked quite desperate, both hands tight on the yoke. It was clear he was at the end of his rope.


    The greenhorn back there¡¯s a bit of a wreck, isn¡¯t he? Is there anything I can help you with?¡± Allison asked gently, keeping her hands away from the controls.


    ¡°O-oh¡­ you do have some flying experience, ma¡¯am?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m an Air Force captain. A test pilot. Though I can¡¯t tell you how many hours I¡¯ve logged¡ªwe never used to do that back in the day.¡± Allison replied nonchntly. The captain instantly deferred.


    ¡°Please pardon me, Captain. We¡¯re got a problem¡ªwe lost the right engine.¡±


    ¡°I noticed. Of all the things to happen. Although it wasn¡¯t all that umon before.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a t in under us right now. I was considering making an emergencynding.¡±


    ¡°That won¡¯t be necessary. There¡¯s no fuel leak, so we can fly all the way to the runway at Elitesa.¡±


    ¡°I-I¡¯m afraid I¡¯ve never had to deal with something like this before.¡±


    ¡°But you did receive gliding training, no?¡±


    ¡°Y-yes. But only once, and under a veteran instructor¡¯s supervision.¡±


    ¡°Then I¡¯ll supervise for you this time.¡± Allison said, taking out the flight map from next to the seat. Recorded on it was the topography, the altitude of the airport, the flight path, and the estimatednding and takeoff times. Allison checked her watch and nced outside.


    ¡°We¡¯re not far from Elitesa Airport.¡±


    ¡°R-really?¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s prepare fornding.¡±


    ¡°In this situation, ma¡¯am?¡±


    ¡°I suppose I could take over, but would it be all right if I took the cost of my daughter¡¯s ticket and mine out of your pay?¡± Allison joked.


    The pilot was silent for about twenty seconds before he finally burst out,


    ¡°Please, just help me!¡±


    He stared straight out the windshield.


    About an hour before sunset, the aerone madending at the airport just outside of Elitesa on time, with one propeller out ofmission.


    The airport at Elitesa had one concrete runway and one passenger lounge¡ªreminiscent of a train station¡ªand two hangars and fuel tanks. It was rtivelyrge for a city in the countryside. There were other aerones there, big and small. Under the distant cloudy sky was the city of Elitesa, and beyond the slopes of the Central Mountain Range.


    Passengers disembarked from the ne, which hadnded on a parking ramp cleared of snow. The three men in the back were calm in their trench coats, and the businessman seemed somewhat unnerved as he stepped out with his coat on his arm.


    And¡ª


    ¡°We¡¯re finally here.¡±


    Lillia closed her coat as she stretched, disembarking from the aerone. Allison did not emerge. Instead, airline employees rushed into the cabin. Several minutes passed before she came outside, saluted by the captain.


    Allison and Lillia picked up their luggage in the passenger lounge. They each carried a leather suitcase.


    And just as they reached the doors¡ª


    ¡°Excuse us, Captain.¡±


    Someone spoke to them. The three men who had quickly subdued the first officer. In front of them were two cartsden with fourrge, ck boxes. The oldest of the men, with a stern and wrinkled face, spoke to Allison.


    ¡°You saved our lives. We are in your debt.¡±


    ¡°Not at all.¡± Allison replied. Lillia raised her head a little high, proud.


    ¡°Your mother is incredible, youngdy.¡±


    ¡°Thank you. You have a lot of luggage on you, I see.¡±


    The men exchanged nces.


    ¡°Filming equipment.¡± The oldest man replied, putting on a smile ill-fitted to his face.


    ¡°You¡¯re filming something?¡± Asked Lillia.


    ¡°Yes. We¡¯re documenting the beauty of the Kingdom of Iks throughout its four seasons. Things happened, and before we knew it, it¡¯d already been a year since we began.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s amazing! Do you have cameras and rolls of film in there, then?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s correct. We¡¯re going to be shooting thest day of the year this time.¡±


    ¡°Is it just you three, then?¡±


    ¡°The rest of the crew rented an aerone and got to Iks ahead of us. We¡¯re thest team. It would have been a disaster if the ne made an emergencynding and dyed us. We¡¯re very grateful.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re going to Iks, too. By bus tonight. We¡¯ll arrive early tomorrow morning.¡±


    ¡°Our team¡¯s heading off now. We rented a truck ahead of time.¡±


    ¡°I hope we see one another there, then.¡± Lillia smiled. The man smiled back.


    ¡°Yes. I hope so.¡±


    The three men and the two women waved one another goodbye.


    Allison and Lillia took a taxi into downtown Elitesa.


    After a rxing dinner at a restaurant downtown, they drank tea and waited for their bus. And around 11 in the evening, they boarded the bus bound for Kunst, the capital of the Kingdom of Iks. The bus wasrge, equipped with a bathroom, and was filled with tourists and homebound locals.


    Allison and Lillia sat side-by-side just behind the driver¡¯s seat. The bus began to move in the darkness.


    Lillia shut the curtains on the window.


    ¡°Once we go to sleep and wake up, it¡¯ll be morning and we¡¯ll be there. Right?¡±


    ¡°Sure. What else could possibly happen? Treize¡¯ll be waiting for us tomorrow.¡±


    ¡°Heh¡­ heh heh. I¡¯m gonna make him pay us back for freeloading this summer. Good night, Mom.¡±


    ¡°Good night, sweetheart.¡±


    The bus drove out of the city and down the road on a snowy in. At first to the south, then to the west, it continued with its load of sleeping passengers. There was a long road head, up the harrowing mountains to Iks and past the southern pass into Kunst.


    And finally, on the 30th day of the final month. Thest day of the year.


    ¡°Mmh¡­¡±


    When Lillia opened her eyes to the light shining through the front windshield, the bus had stopped moving.


    ¡°Are we here?¡±


    Lightly rubbing her eyes, Lillia peered out between the curtains. And as her eyes adjusted to the light, she saw¡ª


    ¡°What?¡±


    Not the bustling bus stop in Kunst, but lines of vehicles stuck on the snowy mountain road. They were still on the mountainside. To the right of the road was an upward ascent, and beyond the guardrails to the left was a snowy¡ªbut not too steep¡ªdownward slope.


    There was another bus in front of Lillia¡¯s. Behind them were trucks, then cars, lined as far as Lillia could see until the curve. The many headlights on the road made it seem as bright as dawn.


    The clock by the driver¡¯s seat pointed to 3 in the morning. They had not been traveling long. When the driver noticed Lillia wake, he whispered to her.


    ¡°It¡¯s an avnche, missy. The road¡¯s jammed solid about 50 meters ahead.¡±


    ¡°Again? Why?¡± Lillia groaned, wondering why everything was happening to her. But the driver assumed she was in disbelief about the avnche.


    ¡°Who knows? We don¡¯t normally get avnches in this area, especially at this time of year.¡±


    ¡°Really?¡±


    ¡°We have no idea when they¡¯ll send over a bulldozer from Kunst, so everyone¡¯s working together to clear the snow ahead. It¡¯ll be a while yet, so get some sleep.¡±


    It was only then that Lillia realized that the seat next to hers was empty. She looked around in confusion when the driver gave her her answer.


    ¡°Your sister¡¯s out there helping out; she said she was a soldier or something.¡±


    ¡°Heh. As if I¡¯m gonna let her show me up.¡±


    Lillia disembarked and put on her hat and gloves. She grabbed a shovel from the bus and approached the people surrounding the mound of snow. They looked almost like ants crawling around piles of spilled sugar. Lillia found Allison in their midst and went to her.


    Allison¡¯s feet were covered in snow, and she was sweating slightly; she was surprised to see Lillia.


    ¡°Oh? You should get some more sleep, Lillia.¡±


    ¡°I got plenty of rest on the aerone today. And it¡¯s ufortable in more ways than one, trying to sleep in the bus.¡±


    ¡°We still have a long way to go, sweetheart.¡±


    ¡°Since I¡¯m here, not anymore. Let¡¯s get this over with.¡± Lillia said energetically.


    But there was just too much snow. Eventually dawn came and the sun rose through the clouds, but less than a quarter of the snow had been cleared.


    It was around the time everyone was at their limit that a truck carrying a bulldozer arrived. It cleared away the snow far more efficiently than human hands.


    The people watched as the road was cleared in half an hour, and realized that their efforts would only get them to town ten minutes faster than if they had stayed in their vehicles. Countless sleepy eyes red at the bulldozer.


    11 in the morning.


    The snowy road was white. The nted roofs designed for snow to slide off were blue. Winter in Kunst consisted of only two colors.


    The capital of Iks, a city of ny thousand, was situated on the southwestern tip of Lake Ras. It was bustling in preparation for the new year¡¯s celebrations. Tinnterns hung from homes and streets, thick candles waiting inside for sundown. Street vendors were beginning to set up shop; horse-drawn carriages, not yet ousted by motor vehicles, trotted and clunked down the snow-cleared streets.


    The streets had been set in zigzag formations to hinder hostile invasions. But in the midst of them was one veryrge street that ran from the south to the city center. At a major intersection at the end of the street was a bus stop.


    Treize was waiting there. He sat on a bench under an awning and stared nkly into the sky, leaning back.


    He was dressed in a pair of green winter pants and a jacket, along with a hat¡ªperfectly normal attire for a local. It was below freezing that day, but natives of Iks were used to it enough that it felt warm.


    It had been five hours since the scheduled arrival time, but the intersection was empty. Not a single night bus from Elitesa had arrived. The glimpses of blue in the sky had been coveredpletely after dawn by a thickyer of clouds from the south. The wind was beginning to pick up.


    ¡°It looks like there¡¯s going to be a big snowfall. We¡¯re in for some bad weather today.¡± Treize mumbled to himself.


    Countless people were passing by. Not a single person in the kingdom, where only the ruling monarch was revealed to the public, recognized the unofficial prince.


    Suddenly, he heard a low roar in the distance. The noise grew louder and louder, until an aerone eventually appeared in the east. It was a mid-sized model with two engines.


    ¡°More rich folks.¡±


    As the Kingdom of Iks was a famous tourist destination, visitors from all over Roxche¡ªand sometimes Sou Be-Il¡ªcame to enjoy itskes and mountains. There were no other mountain regions to speak of in Roxche, so the people of Iks were proud of their homnd¡¯s views of the majestic Central Mountain Range and Lake Ras. However, the country forbade entry to the dangerous hintends of the Central Mountain Range.


    Tourists¡ªespecially the wealthy ones¡ªtended to avoid the long drive to Iks up the mountain pass, and instead rented thetest aerones for travel.


    In the summer, they used mostly seanes or amphibious nes, which led to countless temporary piers being set up on theke along lines of boats. In the winter, they came mostly by aerones and parts of the frozen Lake Ras were cleared of snow to create a runway.


    Kunst Airport, located on theke about 4 kilometers from the capital, was a fully-equipped airportplete with radio guidance systems for nightndings and bad weather. However, it was only usable during the winter.


    The luxury hotels by theke were teeming with rich visitors. In the past, such facilities had been built with foreign capital; but local businesses improved dramatically about fifteen years prior. Iks left the ranks of Roxche¡¯s poorer nations, leapt over the median, and was joining the wealthy.


    The aerone slowly cruised overhead and descended toward Lake Ras.


    ¡°There really need to be regr flights here from Elitesa all year round. Then evenmoners could vacation here during the short winter holidays. ¡­And once we get proper pressurization devices on every aerone, we could even get visitors flying directly over the Central Mountain Range from Cross-Mountain.¡± Treize muttered to himself, envisioning the future of the tourism industry in Iks. ¡°But there¡¯s not enoughnd here to build any runways. And thekeshore¡¯s crowded with hotels¡­ What if we filled in a long strip of theke? Then people¡¯re going toin about the scenery being ruined or something.¡±


    ¡°What are you mumbling about, Treize?¡±


    ¡°Hm?¡±


    Treize looked down. A police officer about twenty years old was standing there. He wore a dark blue uniform and a hat. Because officers in the Kunst police department did not carry around guns, they were all equipped with oaken truncheons. On the officer¡¯s chest was a name tag that read ¡®Piazza¡¯.


    ¡°Oh, Officer Piazza. It¡¯s been a while.¡± Treize said, still sitting on the bench.


    Piazza had been a new recruit to the police force who practiced with Treize when thetter visited the Kunst police force shooting range. Being an outgoing man, he had often joked around with Treize, who was the only person younger than him at the range. Naturally, he did not know Treize¡¯s true identity. Treize had always imed that his parents ran an inn in a small valley.


    ¡°You can say that again, kiddo. Come practice at the station again sometime. Are you waiting for someone?¡±


    Treize nodded.


    ¡°Treize, you didn¡¯t know? There was an avnche along the southern pass. The night buses from Elitesa are going to be reallyte.¡±


    ¡°I heard. How much longer are they going to take, do you think? And why was there an avnche there, of all ces?¡±


    ¡°You should wait in the cafe on the corner or something. You¡¯ll see the bus when it arrives, anyway. That¡¯s what everyone else is doing.¡±


    ¡°But if I did that, I¡¯d make them wait for me here, even if it¡¯s only for a minute.¡±


    ¡°Look what we have here!¡± Officer Piazza smirked impishly. ¡°A VIP, then! Is it a girl?¡±


    ¡°Huh? Er¡­¡±


    As Treize gaped silently, Piazza gave him a thumbs-up.


    ¡°It is! Hey, introduce me!¡±


    ¡°I¡­ I¡¯m going to have to refuse.¡±


    ¡°What?! ¡­It pains me to say this, Treize, but you¡¯re under arrest.¡±


    ¡°On what charges?¡±


    ¡°Er¡­ I¡¯ll think of thatter.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve always wondered how you managed to join the police, Officer Piazza.¡±


    ¡°Hey, hey. I¡¯ve got dreams, y¡¯know. Police officer¡¯s just the first step.¡±


    ¡°Really?¡±


    Piazza inted at Treize¡¯s genuine curiosity.


    ¡°I¡¯ll climb thedder and join the royal guard someday! I¡¯m going to protect Her Majesty the Queen and Her Highness the Princess for as long as I live.¡±


    Silently, Treize dared to wonder if Piazza would achieve his goal.


    ¡°Hey, don¡¯t get all serious on me, Treize. I know it¡¯s gonna be tough trying to join the royal guard. But I¡¯ll never get anywhere if I don¡¯t work hard, anyway.¡±


    ¡°¡­You¡¯re right. Good luck.¡±


    ¡°Thanks. Good luck to you, too.¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    ¡°Your bombshelldy. Take good care of her, and remember: put on a cool smile and make interesting conversation. Pick a tasteful inn. Make sure the bedroom is neat and tidy. And who knows? She just might give you a smolderinge-hither look and whisper, ¡®Take me to bed. Take me now¡¯! Got all that, kiddo?¡±


    ¡®What the hell?!¡¯ Treize almost said. He suddenly felt very tired.


    ¡°Anyway, I¡¯ll see youter. They¡¯ve called in every officer for security duty today. We¡¯ll be real busy until tomorrow morning.¡± Piazza snickered, and left with a cheerful wave.


    ¡°Phew¡­¡±


    Treize sighed and looked back into the sky. Snow was beginning to fall from the grey clouds.


    Suddenly, he heard a loud honk. Treize cast a nce at the road¡ªthe bus was finally approaching. He stood from the bench.


    Three buses came up in a line and stopped at the intersection. The passengers behind the windows looked exhausted.


    The doors opened, and Lillia and Allison were the first to step out of the second bus. Treize quickly went up to them with a smile.


    ¡°It¡¯s been a while, Allison. Lillia. Wee to Ikstova!¡±


    Mother and daughter simultaneously looked at Treize.


    Allison was wearing sunsses, a smile ying at her lips. Meanwhile, Lillia was clearly sleep-deprived and exhausted. Treize flinched upon meeting her gaze and staggered back.


    ¡°Whoa¡­¡±


    Lillia approached him with a re. And, speaking to him for the first time in six months, she squeezed out a hellish growl.


    ¡°Take me to a bed. Take me right now.¡±


    * * *


    The same morning, in Capital Standard time¡ªin other words, while Allison and Lillia were still busy shoveling snow.


    Two men returned to Major Travas¡¯s personal office in the Sou Be-Il embassy. The man in his twenties and the man in his forties. They were both wearing suits and carrying briefcases.


    Axe greeted them at the entrance. When they asked her where the major was, she pointed them at the office. The men knocked on the door.


    ¡°Come in.¡±


    Major Travas answered. When Axe and the men stepped inside, Travas¡ªreading a book at his desk¡ªraised his head. Instead of a suit, he was wearing a brown Royal Army uniform. On the coat hanger in the corner was his coat and his hat, and a utility belt that included his holster and his gun.


    The woman and the two men stood in front of the desk. They did not salute him. The man in his forties ced his briefcase at his feet and spoke.


    ¡°We have our report on the bookkeeper and the organization, sir.¡±


    ¡°Thank you. Let¡¯s hear it.¡±


    ¡°Sir.¡±


    The men reported the actions they had taken the previous evening. The men had all gone outside and tailed the bookkeeper, a man in his fifties, who had been released on bail.


    After saying goodbye to hiswyer, the bookkeeper had gone into a bar. One of the men posed as a patron and approached the bookkeeper, making small talk over drinks. They had not obtained any useful information by that point. All they found was that the bookkeeper lived alone.


    The unsuspecting bookkeeper had epted the man¡¯s offer to share a taxi back, and disembarked at his apartment first. So the team then knew where he lived.


    Late that night, the men easily infiltrated the bookkeeper¡¯s home and searched his room while he slept. The team looked into his background and work records, among many other things, and took photographs of seemingly important documents with a small camera before pulling out, leaving no trace of their presence.


    They had returned to the embassy early in the morning to develop the photographs, and returned to the office afterwards.


    ¡°Any chance of detection?¡±


    ¡°We looked into it, but it¡¯s unlikely. There¡¯s no movement on the police¡¯s end, either. The bookkeeper¡¯s just a normal ountant, with no criminal records to speak of. No suspicious activity other than this one. And we also got info on this ¡®film crew¡¯ from the documents. All the stuff the bastard wouldn¡¯t tell us.¡±


    ¡°Continue.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a productionpany. ¡®Laurie Productions¡¯. They¡¯re actually making a nature documentary. Or rather, they founded thepany for this film. They have no other filmspleted to date. They¡¯re led by a young woman; Alicia Laurie. She must be quite well-off seeing as she managed to start up apany singlehandedly. She has about ten employees, mostly film crew. They¡¯re a simple small-scale team with nothing strange of note. Other than how they illegally purchased film in secret to keep the project under wraps.¡±


    ¡°I see.¡±


    With that, Major Travas was silent. ¡°Was that a false lead, perhaps?¡± Axe asked hesitantly.


    ¡°We can¡¯t be sure yet.¡± Major Travas said, leaving room for more possibilities, and turned to the man. ¡°Do you know where they were filming?¡±


    ¡°Yes. Iks.¡±


    ¡°The Kingdom of Iks?¡± Major Travas repeated.


    ¡°Yes. Apparently they wanted to film the sights of the Central Mountain Range. They did some filming in the Republic of Raputoa at the base of the mountains for a short time, but most of the filming took ce in Iks. By cliffsides, theke, or the mountains.¡±


    ¡°Iks certainly is a beautiful ce all year round.¡± Axe noted. The young man continued where the older left off.


    ¡°It¡¯s a popr tourist destination, and it¡¯s not very essible, so the film might actually hit it big in the Capital District.¡±


    ¡°Of course.¡± Major Travas said briefly, and fixed his sses with his left hand.


    ¡°We looked through all the documents, but that is all we can confirm.¡±


    ¡°I understand. Thank you. Please get some rest.¡± Said Major Travas. But the men exchanged nces instead of returning to their desks. Axe cast them a quizzical look.


    ¡°Is there anything else?¡±


    ¡°Yes. There¡¯s just one thing we weren¡¯t certain about. We weren¡¯t sure whether to report it or not, but we thought you might ask us to tell you everything anyway.¡± Said the man, opening his briefcase. He picked out a single photograph from a pile and handed it to Major Travas.


    ¡°Here.¡±


    The ck-and-white photograph depicted a letter. Written in Roxchean at the very top were the words ¡®Shooting Schedule¡¯, underneath which was typed a neat schedule of the summer¡¯s filming. It was a perfectly normal document that disclosed what days the team would be in Iks, what they would be shooting and for how long, and when they would being back to the Capital District. On the top right was written the name of thepany and its address.


    ¡°It¡¯s a simple letter; nothing wrong with it in and of itself, but take a look at the bottom.¡±


    Written, not typed, at the very bottom of the letter were several sentences. They were short phrases written with a fountain pen. From the punctuation it was clear they were meaningful words, but the sentences were not written in Roxchean or anynguage of Sou Be-Il.


    ¡°It looks like a personal postscript the sender added, but we just can¡¯t figure out whatnguage this is written in.¡± Said the older man. Axe furrowed her brow.


    ¡°I can¡¯t tell, either. The characters themselves look closer to Iltoan than Roxchean¡­¡±


    ¡°We thought you might know, Major, since you¡¯re a walking encyclopedia and all.¡± The younger man joked.


    ¡°This is Ikstovan.¡± Major Travas said, as nonchnt as though he had been asked for directions in his own hometown. Everyone was quiet.


    Eventually, the man in his twenties broke the silence.


    ¡°Major¡­ what is ¡®Ikstovan¡¯?¡±


    ¡°Exactly what it sounds like¡ªthenguage of the Kingdom of Iks. It was used before the creation of the Roxcheannguage.¡±


    ¡°Ah, right. I¡¯dpletely forgotten that Roxchean was created when the Confederation was first founded. But Major, can you actually read Ikstovan?¡±


    ¡°Of course not.¡± Major Travas chuckled. ¡°I¡¯ll have to look up a dictionary.¡±


    ¡°Where would you find one? ¡­A library?¡±


    ¡°Right here.¡± Major Travas said, asid-back as ever, and walked over to the bookshelf. He opened a door at the bottom and pulled out a thick old book, then gingerly ced it on his desk.


    ¡°This is an Ikstovan-Roxchean dictionary. It was published about a hundred years ago to preserve thenguage for future generations. But supposedly, there are less than a thousand copies left in the world. I doubt even the National Library has one.¡±


    ¡°Major¡­¡± The younger man gaped. ¡°I know a good subordinate doesn¡¯t poke his nose into his superior¡¯s business. That goes double for us spies. But I have to ask¡­ Why doyou have this book?¡±


    A very long time ago, when he was still known by a different name, Major Travas had received the book from the new Queen of Iks as a sign of gratitude for his service to the country.


    ¡°That¡¯s a secret.¡± Major Travas replied with a smile.


    Then, he got to work on deciphering the text. First, he copied out the characters on the letter onto a piece of paper and looked up the words in the dictionary, one by one. He allowed Axe and the others to go back to the office for some rest, but the three chose to wait and watched in fascination as he decoded the message.


    ¡°It¡¯s a difficultnguage indeed. This should be¡­ ¡®An eighteen¡¯? No. ¡®The eighteen¡¯¡­ ¡®High¡¯, no. in this case, it would be ¡®long¡¯.¡±


    But over time, even Major Travas¡¯s enthusiastic mumblings gave way to silence. The men simply exchanged nces, and Axe held her concerned gaze on the major¡¯s profiled face.


    Finally.


    ¡°There. I think I have the gist of it.¡± Major Travas said grimly.


    ¡°What does it say?¡± Asked Axe.


    Major Travas said nothing, simply handing her the piece of paper with the Roxchean trantion. Axe read it out immediately.


    ¡°¡®The eighteen years were long. But the neenth year will nevere. We have already resolved. To do what we must¡¯.¡±


    ¡°What does that mean?¡±


    ¡°Hm¡­ Some sort of resolution.¡±


    The two men spected. Axe furrowed her brow.


    ¡°¡®Revenge¡¯? ¡®Eighteen years¡¯? Took them long enough¡ª¡±


    But Major Travas cut her off, calling one of the men by name.


    ¡°What of the crew? Do you know where they are now?¡±


    ¡°Apparently they¡¯re still shooting. They¡¯ve been in Iks for the past few days.¡±


    It was then that the man realized, to his shock, that Major Travas looked like he had swallowed a bug.


    ¡°Is something the matter, Major?¡±


    ¡°Yes, actually.¡± Major Travas nodded. ¡°Eighteen years¡­ revenge¡­ Eighteen years¡­¡±


    He repeated the words to himself as Axe and the others looked on. The men turned to Axe as though urging her on. She took up their plea.


    ¡°Eighteen years ago would be around the time the Mural of the Beacon was discovered, Major. Did anything happen in Iks at that time? Did something happen?¡±


    The answer made no sense to Axe and the others.


    ¡°¡®Just one shot¡¯.¡±


    ¡°Hm? Major?¡±


    Major Travas picked up the receiver. Then¡ª


    ¡°¡­But what if I¡¯m wrong?¡±


    Putting the receiver back down, he suddenly got to his feet. And as the others recovered from their shock, he made a deration.


    ¡°I¡¯m going on vacation!¡±


    ¡°Sir?¡±


    ¡°Axe, I¡¯ll be using up all the vacation time I¡¯ve umted.¡±


    ¡°Excellent idea, sir.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll be leaving today. I won¡¯t be back for days, at the very least. Likely not for the rest of the year.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not a problem, sir.¡± Replied the man in his forties. ¡°It¡¯s the end of the year; we don¡¯t have much to do. Destination?¡±


    ¡°The Kingdom of Iks.¡±


    The man in his forties spoke again.


    ¡°You¡¯re nning to act for Iks, then?¡±


    ¡°I am.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯d like to convince you otherwise, as we have no idea if His Majesty would approve.¡±


    ¡°The responsibility is all mine. In fact, this might turn out to be the better choice for His Majesty in the long run. Although I can¡¯t say why just yet.¡±


    ¡°I understood the first part clearly.¡± The older man said, backing down. The younger man pped his hands together.


    ¡°Great! I¡¯ll wake up the team. ¡®Let¡¯s go, people! The major¡¯s taking us on vacation to thend of snowy mountains!¡¯.¡±


    ¡°I haven¡¯t said a thing about taking everyone else.¡±


    ¡°But you will. Won¡¯t you?¡±


    Major Travas chuckled.


    ¡°I won¡¯t need to anymore.¡±


    ¡°Yes! We¡¯re going by aerone, yes? I¡¯ll get us the fastest craft in Roxche! Night-capable with a decent pilot, too. He used to do acrobatics, and he¡¯ll do anything for the right price.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m counting on you, then. ¡­Axe?¡±


    ¡°Yes, sir?¡±


    ¡°Sign out weapons from the armory under my name.¡±


    ¡°Yes, sir. How many?¡±


    ¡°Enough for everyone. Also pick up winterbat gear.¡±


    ¡°Yes, sir. I¡¯ll also need an exnation for why we needbat gear while on vacation in Iks. What shall I write?¡±


    Major Travas¡¯s reply was immediate.


    ¡°How about ¡®in case of wolf attack¡¯?¡±


    ¡°That might be a little weak, sir.¡±


    ¡°Then¡­ snow monsters.¡± Major Travas said without a hint of humor. Axe grimaced.


    ¡°Then¡­ snow monsters.¡± Major Travas said without a hint of humor. Axe grimaced.


    ¡°Wolves it is.¡±


    Minutester, the office was empty.


    A Royal Army uniform and a utility belt hung from the coat hanger in Major Travas¡¯s room, but the gun and the holster were gone.


    * * *


    There was a house in a snowy forest.


    Even as snow piled up, about half the stone foundation was still exposed. The building atop it was a log cabin about 20 meters long and wide. All around it were trees and gentle slopes covered in snow, and not a single house in sight.


    The house was two stories tall with a half-basement in the foundation. Most of the first floor was a veryrge living room, with the rest a kitchen and a bathroom. Wooden supports jutted out on half the second floor, which was open to the first floor. The rest was divided into two bedrooms.


    On therge rectangr table were silverware, candlesticks, winesses, andrge tes. However¡ª


    ¡°Phew¡­ ¡°


    Treize was sitting there alone, sighing. He was wearing a checkered woolen shirt and long pants. Silver lids were ced over the some of the dishes, and other dishes were covered by tes forck of covers. Naturally, the candles were not lit.


    A fire burned quietly in the firece in the corner. Wood crumbled to ash on asion. The world outside the thick-framed windows was submerged in grey shadows. Countless snowkes fluttered to the ground.


    ¡°I¡¯m hungry.¡±


    Quietly, Treize stood and left the table. He went up to the long sofa arranged in front of the firece and, with his knees on the armrest, fell back.


    He nced up at the clock, upside-down from the sofa. It was 4:30 in the afternoon.


    ¡°Maybe I should get some sleep too.¡± He mumbled, and closed his eyes.


    A little earlier¡ªthat afternoon.


    Soon after Lillia and Allison arrived, Treize went up to a ck taxi cab by the bus stop with the sign ¡®on break¡¯ disyed on the windshield, and spoke to the driver. Treize took the passenger seat, and Lillia and Allison took the back seats.


    ¡°Get some sleep on the way, Lillia.¡±


    ¡°No. The next time I close my eyes, it will be on a bed. I¡¯m sick of sleeping on seats.¡±


    The taxi drove along the zigzagging streets.


    The man in his early sixties who drove the taxi was actually a member of the royal guard, and the taxi was also a property of the royal family prepared for asions like this.


    As the snow came down harder, the car headed southwest from downtown Kunst.


    Just outside Kunst was a hill country, very rare in Iks. The area was owned by the royal family and there were no homes or viges in a 30-kilometer radius. The old pce on the shores of Lake Ras, which was burned down in a terrorist attack decades ago, had been converted into arge park.


    The current pce, built in the heart of the park, overlooked the park and the city from a hill. It was a wooden four-story building based on the old pce, and the semicircr hangar by theke was connected to it through an underground passage.


    A road stretched along the southern edge of the premises. The road circled theke, and it was closed over the winter because of the snow and ice and theke was used for travel instead. There was a gate and a guardhousebeled ¡®Closed During Winter¡¯ a short distance from Kunst, but the taxi ignored it. The policeman at the guardhouse did not stop the car, either.


    Eventually, they reached a fork. The road ahead was snowed in, so the car had to turn right. Hundreds of meters along the narrow roadter, they came to a house along the slope of a gentle hill.


    ¡°We¡¯re here. This is a rental cottage some of our acquaintances run. It¡¯s good for the summer, but they close it down during the winter because it¡¯s so hard to get to. So I managed to rent the whole thing this time.¡± Treize exined, reciting a lie. Although the cottage was private property on paper, it was actually owned by the royal family. It was located on the southern tip of the royal family¡¯s property.


    ¡°Wow.¡± Allison said as she stepped out of the car.


    ¡°But does it have good beds?¡± Lillia growled, her eyes half-closed. She disembarked.


    Treize took their bags and led them inside. Lillia did not even nce at the food prepared for her and staggered upstairs in search of a bed.


    Wooden walls, wooden beds. Clean sheets and warm-looking feather nkets.


    ¡°Not bad¡­¡± Lillia mumbled with a look at the tidy bedrooms. And, taking off nothing but her boots, she copsed into one of the beds.


    ¡°Oh¡­ a bed¡­ hello, dreand¡­¡±


    And she fell right asleep.


    Time passed quietly, and it was just past eight in the evening.


    ¡°Hm¡­¡±


    Treize woke to a dim light upstairs. When he sat himself up, he caught a glimpse of golden hair fluttering in the kitchen.


    ¡°It looks good.¡± Allison said when she noticed Treize was awake, and picked up some of the cold food. Treize stood and went over to the kitchen.


    ¡°Let me warm that up for you.¡±


    ¡°No, it¡¯s all right. Lillia¡¯s still asleep, and I¡¯m going out now.¡±


    ¡°But what about the new year¡¯s party?¡± Treize asked. Allison grinned and replied in a singsong voice.


    ¡°Have fun, you two.¡±


    Treize gaped.


    ¡°I¡¯m asking you as her mother to take care of Lillia. And if you¡¯ll excuse me, the third wheel will get out of the way shortly.¡±


    ¡°R-right¡­¡±


    ¡°I mean, no one can make decisions for others, right?¡±


    ¡°I¡­ I suppose you¡¯re right.¡± Treize said dubiously. ¡°Where are you going?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m going to enjoy the party in downtown Kunst. I mighte back to sleep tomorrow.¡±


    ¡°I understand. I¡¯ll call the driver.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, Treize.¡±


    Treize picked up the phone on the disy case by the wall and called the so-called taxi over. Then he put down the receiver.


    ¡°The driver¡¯s at the guardhouse and says he¡¯ll be here shortly.¡±


    ¡°Thank you. By the way, can you make normal calls on that telephone?¡± Asked Allison. Treize shook his head.


    ¡°No. The phone lines here connect only to important ces like the vi, the pce, and the police, passing through the vi. You can¡¯t call other ces.¡±


    ¡°I see. Make sure toe up with an excuse if Lillia decides she wants to call someone.¡±


    ¡°Yes, ma¡¯am.¡±


    ¡°Or you can tell her everything and take her over to the other end. That¡¯s why you invited us here, right?¡± Allison asked, quite serious.


    Treize was silent for a moment. He balled his left hand into a fist and ced it over his chest.


    ¡°¡®No one can make decisions for others¡¯, you said.¡±


    Allison nodded. Her hair shimmered as it shook.


    ¡°I did. The night¡¯s still young. Plenty of time for a long talk. Good luck, Treize.¡±


    Allison put on her coat, pulled her hair out, and put on her hat. Then she slung her purse over her shoulder and checked for her wallet.


    ¡°What are Fi and Benedict doing tonight?¡± She asked about the queen and her husband.


    ¡°A new year¡¯s party at the vi.¡±


    ¡°Oh, right. They do that every year, right? Inviting a group of guests for the night for a home-cooked meal with them.¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡± Treize nodded.


    ¡°I heard you invited the Vice President¡¯s familyst year.¡±


    ¡°Yes. Even the children were loud and outgoing.¡±


    ¡°Oh? Did you attend, too?¡±


    ¡°No. I was staying here, but I dropped in because I got bored¡ªand I saw a big mess of drunk people. Then again, we got the northern pass expansion project funded by the Confederation the next spring, so it wasn¡¯t all that bad.¡±


    ¡°Talk about some real talent. That¡¯s Fi for you. What kind of people areing this year?¡±


    ¡°A film crew, I heard.¡±


    ¡°Making a nature documentary?¡±


    ¡°How did you know? They were shooting in secret, so they even hid cameras in dugouts. Almost no one around here knows. Did Mother tell you?¡±


    ¡°Nope.¡± Allison replied nonchntly. ¡°We actually came on the same aerone as some of the crew. We heard about it from them in person.¡±


    ¡°I see. They¡¯re close topleting the work, so I suppose it doesn¡¯t have to be kept secret much longer now. They¡¯ve been filming everywhere this past year.¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t wait to see it.¡±


    ¡°Yeah. Mother and Father are very interested, too. They¡¯re so happy that the documentary can pass on ourndscapes to the future. So they epted the crew when they applied for this year¡¯s dinner. I heard they¡¯re even going to shoot tonight¡¯s festivities¡ªdiscreetly, of course. ¡­Oh, he¡¯s here.¡±


    The taxi¡¯s headlights blinked in the snow as it stopped in front of the cottage. The driver stepped outside with an umbre in hand.


    ¡°Take care of Lillia.¡±


    With that, Allison crossed her right pointer and middle fingers together and saluted Treize. It was a Sou Be-Il gesture wishing someone luck.


    Lightly but solemnly, Treize lowered his head.


    The taxi carrying Allison disappeared into the growing snowfall.


    ¡°Counting on me, huh.¡±


    And Treize and Lillia were left alone in the cottage.

 Volume 2 3 — Festival Fire

    <h4>Volume 2 Chapter 3: Festival Fire</h4>


    -----


    Deeper within the premises of the new royal pce was a separate building Treize called a vi. It stood on a hill hundreds of meters from theke, about ten kilometers from the heavily guarded gate by the main pce.


    The vi was three stories high and had a basement. Its foundations and outer wall were made of grey stone. The interior and the roof were wooden. A single chimney rose from the roof, which was tilted to let snow slide off.


    From overhead the vi was almost perfectly square. Each side was about 30 meters long. There was a wide parking area south of the building, in which direction the main doors faced. On the northern side, where the hill sloped down, the first and second floors were connected. The interior of the foundation served as the basement.


    It was a humble building at first nce; little different from a mountain lodge. When the pce and the vi were built sixteen years prior, the recently-crowned Queen Francesca hadmanded that as little money be spent on the construction as possible and that the buildings be simple. After all, the infamously secretive royal family had no reason to make a show of splendor with buildings that no civilian would ever see.


    Gentle hills surrounded the area. And naturally, there were no other houses in sight. From the northern side of the house the 100 kilometer-long Lake Ras was visible at a nce. And on clear days, even the majestic peaks of the mountain range around the water were clear from the windows.


    The queen, her husband, and Princess Meriel usually spent their days in the royal pce under the constant supervision of guards. When they were free, and whenever possible, they rxed in the vi to spend time together as family.


    Entry to the vi area was restricted. No uniformed guards were in sight. Only some of the residents of the queen¡¯s former home¡ªthe vige in the valley¡ªworked there as servants.


    And on thest day of the year, just before nine in the evening.


    ¡°Fiona¡ªI mean, Your Majesty, are you in?¡±


    A plump, middle-aged woman in an apron over her dress knocked on the door. She was one of the servants, who looked like any other woman her age.


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    A woman¡¯s voice spoke from inside. The middle-aged woman excused herself and opened the door. Beyond was a walk-in closet about the size of a small room. Staring into the closet filled withpletely ordinary clothing, the woman sighed.


    ¡°Fi¡­ what are you doing?¡±


    The queen of Ikstova and her husband were making out.


    The youngest queen in the world was not yet forty. She was slender and had fair skin and short ck hair. And as usual, she wore a maroon skirt and a white blouse like anymon woman would.


    As queen, her name was Francesca. But the few who knew her well called her Fiona, or ¡®Fi¡¯ for short.


    Wrapping his hands firmly around her waist and showering her with passionate kisses in spite of the time and ce was her husband the Hero of the Mural, Carr Benedict.


    He was about a head taller than his wife, and had a rugged build. His messy brown hair was tied back in a ponytail and a beard covered his face. In his green cargo pants and grey wool jacket he was dressed just asfortably¡ªif not even more so¡ªas his wife.


    They continued to lock lips for about four seconds before finally turning.


    ¡°All right. Are preparations finished?¡± Fiona asked as though nothing was wrong. The middle-aged woman replied that they were ready for quite some time. Then,


    ¡°The guests will be arriving shortly, but¡­ Your Majesty, I am happy to see that you and your husband are still very much in love, but you two aren¡¯t young people anymore.¡±


    The woman sounded like she was scolding a youngdy in the neighborhood and not a queen, but no one working in this building cared for formalities.


    Benedict replied in fluent Roxchean.


    ¡°Then shall we go enjoy a lively night?¡±


    ¡°I suppose. Although sometimes I wish we could have a cozier start to the new year.¡±


    The middle-aged woman held open the door for them.


    ¡°Please don¡¯t do that in front of the film cameras.¡±


    The queen and her husband smiled at each other.


    ¡°Then¡­¡± Fiona began. Benedict nodded. ¡°¡­one more time.¡±


    They locked lips once again.


    The middle-aged woman sighed, incredulous.


    It was just past nine in the evening.


    Light shone from the vi windows and faintly lit the dark, snowy world outside. The snow wasing down harder and endlessly covered thend and the roof.


    A pair of headlights shook and crashed toward the vi. Eventually, a mid-sized bus and its chain-equipped tires appeared, crushing the snow underneath.


    A light on the second floor wall came on. Two male servants in their fifties stepped out of the south doors to greet the guests. The bus stopped at the small, illuminated square before the doors.


    The bus¡¯s door opened and a middle-aged man in a coat disembarked.


    ¡°Please, watch your step.¡± He said, waiting for the next person. He was also a royal servant, and the one following him was one of the guests for that evening.


    First outside was a woman in her mid-twenties. She was beautiful with cold, attractive features. Her long ck hair was pinned at the back, and she wore an expensive-looking fur coat.


    She took several steps forward to let the others off the bus.


    Then she silently looked up at the vi.


    In all, one woman and eight men stepped off the bus.


    The men were all wearing simr suits in dark blue or ck. Two were in their forties, and the rest were somewhere between their fifties to their sixties. Among them were the three men who took the same aerone as Lillia. The men began to unloadrge ck boxes from the luggagepartment of the bus.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go, Miss.¡± Said a man in his sixties, who had a shock of white hair. He met the woman¡¯s eyes.


    The beautiful woman red.


    ¡°Call me ¡®Leader¡¯.¡± She said in a clear soprano voice and walked to the door, where a smiling middle-aged couple in aprons waited.


    ¡°Excuse me. Let¡¯s go, Leader.¡± The man replied, sounding strangely happy, and followed.


    Ten in the evening. The vi.


    ¡°This is pretty good. It¡¯s really good.¡±


    Lillia was eating. The food on the table was all warmed up in theirrge tes.


    ¡°Gimme some of that next. And pass the vinegar.¡±


    ¡°Of course.¡±


    And she was treating the apron-d Treize like a servant. There was a cutesy pair of waterfowl embroidered on the cream-colored apron.


    Treize put some more food onto Lillia¡¯s te. She devoured it.


    ¡°This is good, too. Tea, please.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Mdy.¡±


    It was just Lillia and Treize in the cottage. The kettle over the firece began to whistle. It was still snowing heavily outside.


    ¡°It¡¯s all delicious. Even the water¡¯s good, which even makes the tea taste better.¡±


    ¡°I am honored, Mdy.¡± Treize said with a courteous bow. Lillia nodded.


    ¡°Good work, servant. You may now seat yourself and partake in this meal.¡± She said with exaggerated self-importance.


    ¡°Finally.¡±


    Treize took off his apron, rolled it up, and ced it next to his seat. Then he sat down across from Lillia.


    Several dishes were atop the long, narrow table. Small fish deep-fried and marinated in vinegar. Steamed pork. Boiled vegetable sd. Venison pie. Fried pumpkin filled with minced meat. Several kinds of bread and cheese. Cinnamon-baked apples. There were multiple kinds of tea separated by the kind of leaf and the presence of milk. Each pot was covered with an Ikstova-style patchwork tea cozy.


    ¡°This is amazing. Don¡¯t tell me you made all this yourself.¡±


    ¡°No, ady I know helped me out. Sorry there¡¯s no chicken this year, though¡ªit doesn¡¯t really feel like an end-of-the-year party without one.¡± Treize said, bringing some food onto his te. ¡°All right.¡±


    And, using his fork like a shovel, he wolfed down his food.


    ¡°Where¡¯re your table manners, Treize?¡±


    ¡°Oh. Excuse me.¡±


    At Lillia¡¯s scolding, Treize began to eat as elegantly as he did at the hotel restaurant, using both a fork and a knife.


    ¡°You must¡¯ve been hungry.¡±


    ¡°Starving.¡± He replied. Rather than risk her wrath by waking her up, Treize had waited for Lillia to open her eyes. Then he had to wait until she was finished showering and was busy heating up all the food. But strangely enough, he was adamant about using utensils to eat all his food. ¡°Someone kept me waiting.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t have to put it that way.¡± Lillia said, waving off the answer to her own question. ¡°What was Mom thinking, anyway?¡±


    ¡°¡­I¡¯m not sure.¡± Treize lied. Lillia didn¡¯t seem to care.


    ¡°Oh well. Let¡¯s eat.¡±


    ¡°Yeah. It¡¯s ourst meal.¡±


    ¡°Whoa, let¡¯s not get too ominous.¡±


    ¡°What¡­? Oh. I meant st meal of the year¡¯.¡±


    ¡°Really? All right, then.¡±


    Though their dinner began with a conversation¡ª


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    Eventually both Lillia and Treize focused all their energy into eating.


    Just as Lillia and Treize enjoyed theirst meal of the year¡ª


    There was a room in the royal vi that took up half the second floor.


    It was arge and rectangr hall about the size of a ssroom. There was no balcony on the north-facing wall¡ªinstead there wererge windows that reached from waist-level to the ceiling. There was a roaring fire in the firece on either side of the room. Sofas were ced in front of the walls, and there was a table at the center of the room. Atop it were dishes simr to those Lillia and Treize were enjoying, along with alcoholic beverages.


    In the hall were the guests for the evening and the servants in charge of greeting them. They were all waiting for the hostess and host of the party, Queen Francesca and her husband.


    The servants chosen to wait on the guests were all older, being from the vige in the valley. Most were middle-aged at the very least, and some even looked like grandparents¡ªin total, there were fifteen servants present. They were in charge of bringing in food and drinks. All of them worefortable clothes they might wear at home, making the aprons over them even more eye-catching.


    Eight men and a woman were the guests that evening¡ªthe employees and owner of Laurie Productions, which had been shooting a documentary in Iks for over a year now.


    Like before, the men were dressed impably in suits with ties. They all wore name cards that also served as identification. There was no filming equipment in sight.


    The woman standing in their midst wore a white blouse and ck formal pants. The name ¡®Laurie¡¯ was written on her name card. She and the men had all changed out of the boots they had on for the walk through the snow and into low-heeled shoes.


    ¡°Thank you for waiting. Announcing Her Majesty Queen Francesca and her husband, Sir Benedict.¡± An elderly woman dered in all formality, but shecked the pomp of a royal guard in ceremonial uniform. All eyes turned to therge double doors. The old woman and another woman about her age opened one each.


    Fiona¡ªying the role of Queen Francesca¡ªand her husband Benedict entered together. Like before, they were dressed infortable clothing.


    At that moment, the men apuded.


    Laurie¡¯s beautiful eyes narrowed. She was not smiling¡ªit was clearly a hostile re.


    ¡°Smile, Leader.¡± The man next to her whispered, and the hostility was gone in a sh. Laurie smiled as though she were a different person and joined the apuse.


    A name cardbeled ¡®Elvar¡¯ was on the breast of the man who spoke to Laurie. He was the one she had scolded at the doors about calling her ¡®Leader¡¯.


    Fiona¡¯s eyesnded on the men and the woman, and she slowly approached them with a smile. Fiona stopped in front of the woman and offered a handshake.


    ¡°So we finally meet, Ms. Laurie. I am Francesca. Wee to Iks.¡±


    The fake smile was still on Laurie¡¯s face when she stopped pping and bowed her head. Then she epted the handshake.


    ¡°It is an honor to behold you, Your Majesty. I am Alicia Laurie of Laurie Productions.¡±


    ¡°No, the honor is all mine. I¡¯ve seen some of the footage, and it¡¯s marvelous. It¡¯s like looking at Ikstova today with my own two eyes. I can¡¯t wait to see itpleted.¡± Fiona confessed. Laurie curtly thanked her.


    Afterwards, Fiona introduced Laurie to Benedict, and Laurie introduced Fiona to her employees. And everyone invited to the dinner was given a mug of beer for the toast.


    It was the queen¡¯s role to propose the toast. She thanked the film crew, the subjects who supported her, and the kingdom, and briefly mentioned her hopes for the new year.


    ¡°Let¡¯s have a wonderful time tonight. Cheers!¡±


    The sound of clinking mugs filled the vi hall. But back at the cottage¡ª


    ¡°Done¡­¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m stuffed.¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t move an inch.¡±


    ¡°Me neither¡­¡±


    Lillia and Treize were sprawled out in the living room.


    Lillia was lying on the sofa with her legs over the armrest, just as Treize had done earlier.


    Treize was sitting back in a dining chair with his feet on another chair, his gaze on the ceiling.


    Two of the eight tes on the table were covered with silver lids. The rest were clean.


    ¡°Lillia?¡±


    ¡°Yeah?¡±


    ¡°If you lie down right after you eat¡­¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t care.¡±


    ¡°I see.¡±


    ¡°Yep.¡±


    They reclinedzily without and talked. There wasn¡¯t a hint of romance in the air.


    ¡°Oh well. I¡¯m going to take a break¡­¡±


    ¡°Yeah. Let¡¯s rest until we digest some of this food¡­¡±


    Their cozy new year¡¯s eve passed meaninglessly. Wood crackled in the firece sometimes and crumbled to ash.


    While Lillia and Treize explored the limits ofziness in the cottage, the party at the vi was in full swing.


    After dinner, the table at the center was moved to the wall andden with drinks and snacks. The guests were sitting on the sofas. The film crew, Benedict, and the other men¡ªthe ones who lived in the vige in the valley¡ªwere chuckling about entertaining production stories. The film crew, however, stopped drinking partway and declined any more drink, no matter how much the hosts and servants offered.


    Laurie, the guest of honor, spoke little as she sat off to the side with a teacup in hand. She had acted no differently during the meal. Even when Fiona spoke to her, she would simply answer ¡°Yes¡±, ¡°No¡±, or ¡°I see¡±. Eventually, the film crew had to step in.


    ¡°She must be so nervous to see Your Majesty in person.¡± One of them said.


    After the meal, Laurie simple sat and listened. She made no conversation with the queen or Benedict.


    But the party was mostly a friendly affair. The clock on the wall continued to mark even time toward the new year.


    The cottage. Just before midnight.


    ¡°Lillia.¡±


    ¡°Hm?¡±


    Treize turned to Lillia on the sofa, while still lounging on his chair.


    ¡°It¡¯s almost the new year.¡±


    ¡°I see.¡± Lillia replied indifferently.


    Treize was silent for a moment before speaking again.


    ¡°Hey¡­ wanna eat some more?¡±


    ¡°What, are you nning to fatten me up and roast me like a pig?¡±


    The conversation did not continue.


    The vi. Just before midnight.


    ¡°Thank you for the permission. We¡¯ll make sure to show you the footage before we use it.¡± One of the crew members said to Fiona and Benedict. He was the camera operator, a man just shy of fifty with his thinning hair cropped short. The name card on his chest read, ¡®Mores¡¯.


    ¡°We¡¯ll be right back with the equipment.¡± He said. Two other men stood to assist him. Fiona asked a middle-aged woman nearby to guide them to the room where they kept the guests¡¯ belongings. The women led the three men out of the hall.


    Laurie nced at the watch under her left sleeve. It was a men¡¯s wristwatch with arge face and a leather strap. Fiona noticed it.


    ¡°I see you¡¯re wearing a men¡¯s watch, Ms. Laurie.¡±


    Surprisingly, Laurie beamed as though her frigid face had been a mask.


    ¡°Yes. It¡¯s a memento of my father.¡±


    Fiona was taken aback at the word ¡®memento¡¯. Benedict cast her a concerned look. Elvar, who had been near Laurie the entire time, also gave Luarie a concerned nce.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, ma¡¯am. He passed away when I was still young. He left us an inheritance, and I had an affluent upbringing. It¡¯s thanks to him that I can make films almost on a whim like this. I¡¯m always very grateful to him. Even more so when I look at this watch.¡±


    Laurie was being more talkative than ever. She showed no reservations about revealing her past.


    ¡°I see. I also¡ª¡±


    The moment Fiona began,


    ¡°Sorry to keep you waiting.¡±


    The doors opened, and the men returned with their equipment¡ªa film camera, a tripod, a battery for the camera, and a microphone, among others. The camera was about the size of a small suitcase, and rolls of film were fixed to the front and back like a pair ofrge ears.


    The men set up the tripod near the middle of the hall, expertly secured the camera atop it, then ced the hefty battery box next to it. The camera was positioned to capture about half of the room.


    Laurie watched as Fiona and Benedict looked on, then nced at her watch. There were still about ten minutes until midnight. Elvar approached from behind without a sound.


    ¡°I think we¡¯re ready, Leader.¡±


    ¡°Five minutes to go!¡±


    ¡°Five more minutes!¡±


    The crowd shouted in Kunst.


    The city was alight with energy in spite of the falling snow. Stalls lined every street, and children and adults alike went to and fro with ayer of snow over them. Loud music yed everywhere from records and live bands.


    ¡°I wonder how our little prince is doing?¡±


    Allison was sitting alone on at a table by the street, wearing her hat and coat. There was a parasol over the round table, and steam rose from the cup of tea in front of her. The other tables were also filled with guests, but most were couples or families. Allison was the only one alone.


    Elegantly, she picked up her cup and took a rxed sip before cing it back on the table.


    ¡°Maybe I¡¯ll eat him alive if he doesn¡¯t make it this time.¡±


    At the same time, someone shouted,


    ¡°Four minutes left!¡±


    The cottage.


    ¡°Ugh¡­¡±


    Treize snapped out of his doze with a shiver, sitting up and shaking his head with a sigh.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± Asked Lillia. Treize looked at her. The clock on the wall beyond her and the sofa indicated that the end of the year was nigh.


    ¡°Nothing. I just felt a chill¡­¡±


    ¡°Maybe you caught a cold?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t think I did¡­ Anyway, it¡¯s almost the new year.¡±


    ¡°Yeah¡­¡± Lillia also nced at the clock, but did not get up. ¡°Man, what is Mom thinking?¡± She grumbled.


    ¡°In Ikstova, we do a countdown starting a few minutes before the new year. And the moment the new year starts, we scatter confetti and hug our friends and family or jump into the air.¡± Treize said. Then he added, his tone dropping, ¡°Then again, it¡¯s just the two of us here.¡±


    ¡°Hm¡­ Maybe we should sing a song or something? Bring some cheer to this ce?¡±


    ¡°If you want to.¡±


    The vi.


    ¡°One more minute!¡±


    The countdown continued in the party hall on the second floor. Everyone in the building gathered inside. Even the servants washing dishes in the kitchen and the servants standing watch at the doors. Everyone was holding paper bags filled with confetti. The film crew gathered by the camera in the center of the room, preparing to shoot. They stood with their backs to the wall and upied the entire east side of the room, waiting to film the servants and Benedict greet the new year.


    ¡°Forty seconds. Let¡¯s try not to make any mistakes.¡± Said one of the servants.


    ¡°Not to worry. There aren¡¯t any clocks in the shot, so we can do as many retakes as we need.¡± Mores replied with his eye pressed against the viewfinder. Everyone burst outughing.


    The men around the camera exchanged nces, nodding discreetly.


    ¡°Fifteen seconds.¡±


    The men moved. One squatted by the battery box at his feet and opened the metallic lid. Another opened the film magazine as the camera began rolling. Another man reached over and unlocked, then opened the camera itself.


    ¡°Five seconds.¡± Someone said.


    The men pulled out submachine guns.


    They were smaller models about 30 centimeters in length. They were affixed with foldable wire stocks, which were currently folded. In front of the grip and the trigger were magazines that held twenty rounds. Each man held the grip with his right hand and pulled the part jutting from either side of the gun to load the first round.


    Fiona, among arge majority of the others in the room, watched the entire process. But no one could react immediately to the sight of the men taking out one submachine gun after another from their camera.


    ¡°Three¡­ two¡­ one¡­¡± Someone who had yet to notice continued to count down. ¡°Happy new year!¡±


    The voice was quickly drowned out by gunfire.


    ¡°Oh. It¡¯s the new year.¡±


    ¡°Yeah. Happy new year!¡±


    ¡°Happy new year, Lillia. Hope we get along this year too.¡±


    ¡°Yep.¡±


    ¡°¡­Don¡¯t you have anything else to say?¡±


    ¡°Hm? Nope.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s 3306! Happy new year, everyone!¡±


    As confetti filled the air, people hugged one another, jumped into the air, and shouted out loud. Fireworksunched from thekeside drew bright patterns on the clouds.


    ¡°Another year.¡± Allison said, raising her teacup toward the glowing sky.


    The men opened fire.


    Each held firmly onto the grip with his right hand and the magazine with his left, pointing the gun at the ceiling before shooting on automatic. Gunfire filled the room. The bullets carved holes through the roof and the walls. Splinters danced in the air and empty cartridges scattered to the floor.


    Only four of the eight men had opened fire, but a total of eighty rounds had been used in the span of three seconds. And just as suddenly as it had begun, the warning barrage came to an end.


    ¡°Nobody move!¡±


    Elvar threatened, submachine gun in hand. The men stood with the camera at the center and pointed their guns at every direction. The four who opened fire quickly switched magazines.


    Fiona was on the floor; the women near her had pushed her down the moment the barrage began. She red incredulously at the men.


    ¡°Damn it¡­¡±


    Benedict was crouched with the people around him. He swore and dropped his bag of confetti to the floor.


    Nine people in the center of the room, and seventeen around them. It seemed time had frozen around them, but at that moment the servant nearest to the camera¡ªan old man well over seventy¡ªstood without a sound and charged. His target was the camera operator who was distracted receiving a submachine gun from his friend. Mores, who had just made thest joke of the previous year.


    ¡°Mores! Look out!¡±


    One of the men shouted, but it was toote. The old man rammed into Mores¡¯s side.


    ¡°Urgh!¡±


    With a distorted scream his body bent.


    ¡°Damn you!¡±


    The man who was handing the gun to Mores punched the old man. The small old man flew almost a meter backwards. At that moment, the men realized that the old man was holding a fruit knife. And that it was stained red.


    ¡°¡­Damn¡­ he got me¡­¡± Mores muttered feebly and leaned against the tripod. His side was stained a dark red.


    ¡°We told you to freeze.¡±


    A short, fat man whose name card read ¡®Kirk¡¯ took aim at the old man with one hand and pulled the trigger.


    Four clear shots. Blood spewed from the old man¡¯s belly as he made to stand. The fruit knife fell to the floor.


    ¡°Gah.¡±


    The old man exhaled blood and air before he copsed. When the gunfire ended, empty cartridges clinked against the camera on their way to the floor.


    ¡°Argh¡­ that hurts, damn it¡­¡± Mores groaned.


    ¡°It¡¯s gonna be fine. Get a hold of yourself¡ªwe¡¯ll stop the bleeding. Hey, someone get the morphine¡ª¡±


    The man supporting the wounded Mores.


    ¡°You bastards¡­¡±


    And the old man with four gunshot wounds. He raised his head, blood spilling from his stomach.


    ¡°How, dare, you¡ª¡±


    Bang.


    The gunshot swallowed his voice partway. Fiona, Benedict, and the servants¡ªall huddled down¡ªlooked at the source of the gunshot.


    ¡°Does it look like I care?!¡±


    Laurie¡¯s soprano voice filled the room. She held a small revolver in her right hand and stood before the camera. A thin wisp of smoke rose from the muzzle. It pointed at a corpse bleeding from its wrinkled forehead.


    ¡°Who¡¯s next?¡± Laurie threatened, shifting her gaze along with her aim. From Benedict in the rightmost corner to Fiona in the left near her, she looked at everyone in the room.


    Several seconds of silence passed.


    ¡°That¡¯s enough.¡± Fiona finally said, getting to her feet. The women around her tried to stop her, but she batted their hands aside.


    ¡°So Her Majesty is unharmed.¡±


    Laurie angrily faced¡ªand took aim at¡ªFiona. She bared her white teeth and grimaced as she red.


    Fiona took a sharp breath, but she refused to falter as she quickly replied.


    ¡°Everyone, that¡¯s enough futile resistance. Stay where you are.¡±


    ¡°Ha! I expected nothing less from Her Majesty.¡±


    Laurie snorted and walked up to Fiona. With a frigid re she held out her right hand. The muzzle of her gun stopped only a few dozen centimeters from Fiona¡¯s face.


    ¡°But you think that¡¯s going to save you? Didn¡¯t you consider that we might be after your life?¡± Laurie smirked. Fiona narrowed her eyes, afraid. But she quickly put on an elegant smile.


    ¡°No. If that were your aim, you would have killed me already.¡±


    ¡°Hmph. I¡¯ll be sure to kill you over and over again once we¡¯re through with our business.¡±


    Laurie swung her gun downward, gesturing Fiona to sit. Fiona took two steps back and sat among the servants.


    ¡°Leader.¡±


    Someone called to Laurie. She turned. Among the men standing in a circle with submachine guns at the ready was Mores. He was gasping on the floor. A pool of blood was spreading under him.


    Laurie quickly walked over to him.


    ¡°Leader¡­ I¡¯m sorry¡­ I let my guard down¡­¡± He said, his empty eyes grasping for her. He seemed to be in no pain thanks to the morphine shots. Laurie knelt at his left side and smiled. She looked nothing like the woman who threatened Fiona.


    ¡°Not to worry. This is just a mark of honor¡ªan injury. I¡¯ve taken care of the bastard who did this to you.¡±


    Then, she nced at the man sitting on Mores¡¯s right. He was a slender man in his mid-fifties with a name card that read, ¡®Jake¡¯. He quietly shook his head. Mores was not going to make it.


    For a moment, Laurie looked like she was on the verge of wailing. She red at Jake. But he did not try to correct himself.


    One of the men turned to Mores and spoke nonchntly, as though pointing out Mores had dropped something of little value.


    ¡°Hey Mores, don¡¯t worry Leader too much, you hear?¡±


    ¡°Hah hah¡­ I¡¯m sorry¡­ Leader¡­¡±


    ¡°I told you it¡¯s all right.¡±


    With her free hand she took Mores¡¯s bloodied left hand.


    ¡°Leader¡­ you¡¯ll get your hand dirty¡­¡±


    Several secondster, Mores closed his eyes. Jake put his fingers to Mores¡¯s neck.


    ¡°He¡¯s gone.¡±


    The hostage-takers each took half a second to mourn in turns.


    ¡°Damn it¡­ Damn it¡­¡±


    Protected by the men, holding the hand of the dead, Laurie began to sob without a care for who was watching.


    ¡°I¡¯m bored.¡±


    Lillia pouted, putting a log into the firece.


    ¡°Yeah.¡±


    Treize agreed from the single-seater sofa.


    Lillia turned with a log in hand.


    ¡°Not like you¡¯ve got any right to say that. You¡¯re the one who picked¡ª ¡­sorry. It¡¯s ¡®cause the bus waste, wasn¡¯t it?¡± Lillia¡¯s tone dropped. ¡°We were supposed to go see the festival at night after dinner.¡±


    ¡°Why don¡¯t we head out now? We can still enjoy the celebrations. Although we might not find Allison in the crowd.¡± Treize suggested.


    ¡°Hmm¡­¡±


    Lillia thought for a moment, then tossed the log aside.


    ¡°Sure. That sounds good.¡±


    ¡°All right.¡±


    Treize rolled back and climbed off the sofa. Then he went over to the phone and picked up the receiver.


    ¡°Hello? Yes, happy new year. Actually, we wanted to go out to Kunst for the¡ª huh? Oh. Okay, I see¡­ No, no. There¡¯s nothing you could do about that. Yeah. Don¡¯t worry about it. Thank you. All right.¡±


    The call ended.


    Treize put down the receiver and turned. Lillia was cringing in front of the fire.


    ¡°I can take a guess¡­ but let me hear it.¡± She said. Treize responded.


    ¡°Yeah, it¡¯s about the car. They said there¡¯s too much snow¡­ the snowplows alwayse early in the morning, you know¡­¡±


    ¡°I knew it! First the avnche, then this! It looks like the snow really hates me.¡±


    She flopped onto the carpet angrily, but hit her head on the edge of the sofa.


    ¡°Ouch.¡±


    Laurie hung her head and sobbed for about three minutes.


    Fiona, Benedict, and the servants looked on.


    They quietly watched the young woman weep, clinging to her friend¡¯s body beside the body of the man she killed. Her cries were punctuated by fireworks from Kunst popping in the distance.


    As Laurie¡¯s sobs came to an end,


    ¡°I¡¯m sure Mores will be happy.¡± Elvar said gently on behalf of the other men.


    ¡°The dead can¡¯t feel happiness.¡± Laurie hissed.


    ¡°You¡¯re right. And the living must do what only the living cam do, Miss.¡±


    Wiping her tears with her sleeve, Laurie looked up. Her swollen red eyes met Elvar¡¯s gaze.


    ¡°Call me ¡®Leader¡¯.¡±


    ¡°Excuse me, Leader. Let¡¯s begin.¡± Elvar said with a smile.


    ¡°All right. You can take the new year¡¯s greeting.¡±


    ¡°Understood.¡± Elvar said, and stood. ¡°Everyone.¡± His voice resounded in the quiet hall. ¡°This building is under our control. We will kill anyone who attempts to resist. We also wish to avoid any unnecessary deaths, so please obey the queen¡¯s order from earlier.¡±


    Elvar remained as polite as ever even when he threatened the hostages. That only made him sound more dangerous. No one tried to retort.


    ¡°If everyone would gather in that corner, please.¡±


    Two of the men moved at Elvar¡¯smand with their submachine guns held at waist-level. In the meantime, the rest of the men followed Laurie¡¯s instructions and moved their friend¡¯s body to another corner, sping his hands in front of his chest and putting a handkerchief over his face. They then ced the fake camera where they had stored the guns next to him.


    Fiona and the others did as they were told, and moved to a corner far from the door and sat down. Along the way, one servant ced a cloth over the face of the dead old man.


    ¡°Enough. Move.¡±


    The servants did not even try to hide their hostility, even faced with the guns, but they followed orders and quietly sat on the floor.


    ¡°My, my. Did that give you a scare, sweetheart?¡± Benedict asked in Bezelese as he walked over to Fiona and patted her head.


    ¡°No.¡± Fiona replied bitterly. Benedict shrugged when his joke fell t.


    ¡°Anyway, excellent choice telling everyone not to resist.¡± He whispered. Then he turned to the three men holding everyone hostage and the rest of the attackers who were whispering behind them, and spoke in Roxchean.


    ¡°Erm. Everyone?¡±


    Elvar turned in the midst of talking to another man.


    ¡°Yes, Mr. Carr?¡±


    His attitude was unchanged from before.


    ¡°So you¡¯re used to this work, old man.¡± Benedict muttered in Bezelese and shrugged. Fiona stared at him, surprised.


    Benedict made a point of raising his voice, then.


    ¡°We may be hostages, but you will take questions, yes?¡±


    ¡°It would be a bother if everyone spoke at once, but we are willing to answer questions from you or the queen.¡±


    ¡°Thank you. I¡¯ve been wondering¡ª¡±


    Benedict slowly put his hand into a fallen paper bag. Then he tossed a handful of confetti into the air.


    ¡°¡ªis the shoot finished?¡±


    Elvar did not smile.


    ¡°Yes. We¡¯ve got more important things to do.¡±


    ¡°I see. I would be happy if you would do them somewhere else.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m afraid that¡¯s not possible. We need the queen¡¯s cooperation for this little venture of ours.¡± Then, Elvar turned to the men. ¡°Go.¡±


    Three men took up submachine guns, stuffed extra magazines into their suit pockets, and left the hall.


    ¡°Everyone in the vi should be in this room and we doubt anyone will being until morning, but we will be searching the building just in case. Your understanding, please.¡±


    ¡°Even if you find someone, I won¡¯t tolerate any attacks on people who don¡¯t resist.¡± Fiona said firmly from beside Benedict.


    ¡°Believe me, Queen Francesca. It¡¯ll be better for us as well if no one resists.¡± Elvar replied and handed his submachine gun to the man behind him. Then he took up a 9mm automatic handgun and expertly loaded it. He cocked the gun, armed the safety, and stuck it in his belt.


    ¡°Anyway, this is a veryrge-scale operation for you to take the queen hostage and take over the vi with your numbers. You are all right for now, but won¡¯t there be a bigmotion soon?¡± Asked Benedict.


    ¡°Not to worry.¡± Elvar replied.


    ¡°I¡¯m bored.¡± Allison grumbled as she finished off yet another cup of tea in the open-air cafe.


    After the fireworks disy at the very beginning of the year, which had filled the sky but was mostly hidden by the snow, the city was still bustling with excitement.


    The snow seemed endless. There was a thickyer atop the parasol. Sometimes snow quietly slid off the edges and onto the ground.


    Allison handed a coin to a waiter who came over¡ªa waiter who did not look like one thanks to a full winter getup¡ªand ordered the same tea as before.


    ¡°Why can¡¯t it be morning soon? Or why can¡¯t something interesting happen?¡±


    As if on cue, a siren began to wail in the distance. It grew louder and closer in time, and people turned before noticing the bright red light and making way.


    Soon, a small fire truck passed by Allison and disappeared further down the street.


    ¡°Nothing to do with me¡­¡± Allison mumbled, sipping her new cup of tea. But at that moment,


    ¡°Fire!¡±


    Someone cried from behind her.


    ¡°Hm?¡±


    Allison turned to see ck smoke rising from behind the cafe. The waiters shouted as they fumbled through the snow.


    ¡°It¡¯s the back alley! Someone call the fire department!¡±


    ¡°A truck just passed by!¡±


    ¡°Someone call them!¡±


    ¡°Hey, where¡¯s the nearest telephone?!¡±


    Some began to wonder if they should evacuate the customers or wait to see how bad the fire was.


    As Allison took anotherzy sip of tea, she spotted someone.


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    The man was in his thirties and dressed in local clothing. There was a rucksack on his back.


    The man stepped out of the back alley and was walking in the opposite direction as the murmuring crowds. His head was slightly bowed and his hat was pressed over his head.


    Allison stood, leaving more than half her tea unfinished, and followed the man. Onlookers were rushing to the scene but the man alone was leaving it.


    After following the man about 20 meters, Allison ran into a young police officer rushing to the scene of the fire. And she did not miss the man turning his head when the officer passed by.


    ¡°Wait¡ª¡±


    Allison spread her arms to stop the officer.


    ¡°It¡¯s dangerous, Miss. Please let me pass¡ª¡±


    ¡°Never mind. Come with me.¡±


    She grabbed him by the cor and began to walk. The nametag on his chest¡ª¡®Piazza¡¯¡ªwas on the verge of tearing. The truncheon at his side swung back and forth.


    ¡°What are you doing? Are you drunk? I¡¯ll have you arrested for assaulting a police officer!¡± Officer Piazza threatened as he was dragged away.


    ¡°I¡¯m not drunk, FYI. Just follow me. You might have to arrest that man if my hunch is right.¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    Allison stopped for a moment, giving Piazza the chance to behold her face. His tone changed in an instant.


    ¡°Oh.¡±


    And he put on the most dashing look he could think of¡ªwhich ended up being closer to a gape.


    ¡°What is it? How can I help¡ª¡±


    ¡°Be quiet and follow me.¡±


    ¡°Of course!¡±


    Allison and Officer Piazza followed the man a further ten meters.


    As they watched, the man stepped into another alley. Allison quickly went over and poked her head inside, watching the man disappear. Officer Piazza did the same.


    ¡°So¡­ who is that man?¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s suspicious. I saw him practically running away from the fire without so much as looking back.¡±


    They heard another siren wailing in the distance. The man turned right into another alleyway. Allison quickly ran after him, treading over the snow, and to the corner.


    ¡°What?¡± Officer Piazza asked as he came after her.


    ¡°Hey! What¡¯s he doing?¡±


    10 meters ahead of them stood the man in a deserted stretch of the alley. There was a grim look on his face as he poured out the contents of a bottle onto several crates stacked under a roof.


    The man emptied two small bottles before putting them back into his rucksack. Then he stepped back and took out a pack of matches.


    ¡°Stop! Arsonist!¡± Allison shouted as she stepped into the alley.


    ¡°Agh!¡±


    The man flinched almostically as he dropped his half-open pack of matches. Countless matches scattered over the snow.


    ¡°Hey! You¡¯re under arrest for attempted arson!¡±


    And the moment a police officer appeared, the man¡¯s terror peaked.


    ¡°Gah!¡±


    He quickly turned and fled further down the alley. But the moment Officer Piazza stepped forward, the man slipped on the snow and fell.


    Before he could stand Officer Piazza climbed onto his back. Pressing the man against the ground, Piazza took one hand off him to reach for a pair of heavy handcuffs.


    ¡°Argh!¡±


    But the restrained man iled like a child and ended up poking Officer Piazza in the eye.


    ¡°Urgh!¡±


    Officer Piazza flinched reflexively. The man took his chance and grabbed the lid of a wooden crate.


    ¡°Graaaaah!¡±


    His desperate swing hit Officer Piazza square in the side of the head. His hat went flying.


    ¡°Urgh!¡±


    Officer Piazza screamed again, holding his head in his hands.


    ¡°Oh dear.¡± Allison mumbled. The man had stood and was running off. But only then did he notice Allison standing in his way.


    ¡°Move!¡±


    Allison stepped aside without a word.


    ¡°Heh.¡±


    The man smirked and continued. But the moment he passed by Allison¡ª


    ¡°Allison Elbow.¡±


    With that, she stuck out her right foot and ced her left hand on her right fist. Then she stuck out her right shoulder and right elbow. Her long golden hair danced.


    The elbow hit the distracted man in the forehead.


    ¡°Gah!¡±


    The man howled as he fell back. He flew into the air for half a second beforending back-first on the paved, snow-covered ground and hitting his head. Then resounded something between a ¡®thud¡¯ and a ¡®bang¡¯.


    ¡°Oh? It actually worked.¡± Allison mumbled to herself.


    Then she walked over to the snow-covered man writhing on the ground.


    ¡°Damn this guy¡­¡±


    Officer Piazza came over with watery eyes and bent the man¡¯s arms backwards, finally snapping handcuffs on him.


    ¡°And I¡¯ll be adding an obstruction of justice charge on top of that!¡±


    Allison muttered quietly as she watched.


    ¡°Looks like I managed to kill some time.¡±


    ¡°Not to worry.¡± Elvar said.


    Laurie came up from behind him, wiping her face with a handkerchief.


    ¡°You should be worrying about yourselves.¡±


    Fiona stared straight up at Laurie. Laurie met her gaze.


    ¡°Of course. And now you have ruined our party. What do you n to do next?¡± Benedict said snidely. Laurie did not smile.


    ¡°I have questions for the queen. We¡¯ll be taking you two to a different room.¡±


    Fiona stood. Then she looked at Laurie, who was just about her own height.


    ¡°Fine. But¡ª¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re in no position to negotiate.¡±


    ¡°¡ªI¡¯ll never forgive you if you harm the people here.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t need your forgiveness.¡±


    As the women red daggers at one another, Benedict slowly got to his feet.


    ¡°Anyway, it seems we must do as we are told.¡±


    Elvar spoke from behind Laurie.


    ¡°We will not kill anyone who does not resist.¡±


    ¡°¡­I understand.¡± Fiona replied, and turned. ¡°But first, let my subject¡¯s body rest somewhere else.¡±


    Laurie did not answer. Elvar spoke instead.


    ¡°We¡¯ll let two of the women move him.¡±


    Laurie snorted, but she did not stop him.


    ¡°Thank you.¡± Fiona replied, and walked over to the servants. ¡°We need two people. Please.¡±


    Four of the servants gathered at the back of the room hesitantly stood. For a minute each woman tried to yield to another, but in the end two middle-aged women came forward to take the body.


    The women exchanged nces and nodded, then went to the corpse.


    Elvar gave orders to watch the two women. Kirk held his submachine gun at waist-level and kept his eyes on them from a distance.


    Once the women were beside the bloodied old man, Benedict spoke.


    ¡°Please use the curtain.¡±


    The women detached a beige-colored curtain from the window. They spread it over the floor, carried the body onto it, and then rolled it up. The old man had bled outpletely¡ªblood did not smear the curtain.


    It was just then, as everyone waited for the women to move the body.


    It was just then, as everyone waited for the women to move the body.


    One of the two¡ªa plump woman wearing a green apron¡ªsuddenly lifted the body on her own. The moment the other woman opened her mouth in shock, the plump woman shouted.


    ¡°You! That¡¯s right; you foolish youngdy!¡±


    Kirk was bbergasted; Fiona and Benedict gaped.


    ¡°¡­Are you talking to me?¡± Laurie turned with a frigid re.


    ¡°Who else would I be talking to?¡± The woman taunted, holding the body in her arms. ¡°I don¡¯t know what these men are thinking, working for a little girl like you, but let me tell you¡ªI¡¯ve never once seen an idiot¡¯s n work out! And I¡¯ve never seen a worse idiot than you!¡±


    ¡°Oh?¡±


    Laurie seethed.


    ¡°Leader. Don¡¯t let her provoke you.¡± Elvar advised. But Laurie ignored him and slowly walked over to Kirk.


    ¡°You¡¯ve got guts, I¡¯ll give you that.¡± She said and held out her hand toward Kirk. ¡°Give it here.¡±


    Kirk paused for a moment, but armed the safety and handed her the submachine gun.


    ¡°It¡¯s loaded, Leader.¡±


    As soon as Laurie received the submachine gun she disarmed the safety and set the gun to ¡®single shot¡¯. With her left hand she gripped the magazine and raised it in front of her face, taking aim precisely at the woman 3 meters in front of her.


    ¡°Wh-what are you doing?¡±


    The woman flinched, reflexively backing away. But she had only taken four steps before her back hit the window. The other middle-aged woman moved aside in fear.


    ¡°And you¡¯ve got quite the mouth on you.¡±


    ¡°Nothing wrong with calling an idiot and idiot, I assure you!¡±


    ¡°Defiant to the end.¡±


    Laurie pulled the trigger. An empty cartridge leapt out of the gun. The bullet hit the wooden frame about 30 centimeters from the woman¡¯s face.


    ¡°Enough!¡± Fiona cried. Benedict grabbed her so she would not bolt toward the servant.


    The plump woman red at Laurie.


    ¡°I¡¯ll let you live if you beg for your life. I don¡¯t want to waste any bullets.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t be absurd! I would never stoop to begging a foolish viin like you! I¡¯d like to see the face of the brainless parents who raised you!¡± The woman cried.


    Laurie¡¯s eyes narrowed. She set the gun from ¡®single shot¡¯ to ¡®safety¡¯ to ¡®continuous fire¡¯.


    ¡°I¡¯m afraid that¡¯s not possible. Die.¡±


    She pulled the trigger, fighting the recoil with one hand. The bullets drove themselves into the woman¡¯s body as she clutched the corpse.


    ¡°Gyaaagh!¡±


    The crisp sound of gunfire was practically one with the woman¡¯s scream. The sound of shattering ss resounded in the hall.


    Blood spewing from every part of her body, the woman and the body she held fell out the window. At the same time, the submachine gun ran out of ammo and went silent.


    The scream outside the window stopped with a thud.


    Silence returned to the room. The snow and the icy wind sted the room. What little was left of the ss fell from the frame and broke against the floor.


    ¡°Hmph. She had iting.¡±


    Laurie lowered her gun.


    ¡°It¡¯s out of ammo.¡±


    She handed it to Kirk with one hand. Kirk took the gun without a word, switched magazines, and checked outside with a shlight.


    The vi was positioned atop a hill. In other words, the second floor in the vi was about as high up as the third floor of a normal building. It was almost 10 meters from the snow-covered ground. Below were two figures, one atop the other, staining the snow red. Snow was piling on top of them.


    With snow on his head Kirk pulled himself back inside. And he turned to Laurie, shaking his head.


    Laurie looked at Fiona.


    And she put on a friendly smile as she faced the queen¡¯s re.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong, Queen Francesca? Anything you¡¯d like to say?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re an¡ª¡±


    ¡°I thought I said I wouldn¡¯t kill anyone who didn¡¯t resist. I don¡¯t think your servants are as disciplined as you think they are. Now we¡¯ve taken care of all the corpses; sorry we had to break your window, too. I¡¯ll make sure to cover the costs sometime.¡±


    ¡°Do people¡¯s lives mean nothing to you?¡±


    Laurie cast a nce at the body of her friend in the corner of the room.


    ¡°They do.¡±


    ¡°Then¡ª¡±


    ¡°It depends on who!¡± She cried, cutting off Fiona. ¡°That woman¡¯s life must have been important to you! But it was nothing to me! Just like the lives of my men mean nothing to you! Am I wrong?! You are selfish people, just like me! And that¡¯s fine; what really disgusts me is your holier-than-thou attitude! It¡¯s sickening!¡± Laurie cried in a single breath.


    The men did not try to stop her. They did not even encourage her. The men in ck simply stood there like backdrop.


    ¡°This is war, Queen Francesca. War! Ahaha! That¡¯s right! A wonderful time when we murder one another¡¯s loved ones; a time when the precious lives of those around us be cheaper than month-old vegetables!¡±


    Fiona¡¯s shoulders trembled in rage. Benedict pulled her back.


    ¡°Oh!¡±


    He caught her just before she fell, and sat her down on the floor. Fiona stared.


    ¡°Why did you do that?¡±


    ¡°Please, wait.¡± Benedict replied, and looked up at Laurie as she calmed herself.


    ¡°Er¡­ may I say something?¡±


    ¡°What? Say it.¡±


    ¡°Thank you. We do not want any more people to die. We will scold the servants so they will not fight back, so please finish your business quickly.¡±


    ¡°Agreed.¡± Laurie said snidely.


    ¡°Also, if we leave the broken windows as they are, this room will soon be cold and snow wille inside. It would be good to at least block it. Should I?¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ll be taking care of that.¡±


    Laurie went to the men at the center of the room and ordered them to block the window with another curtain. The men moved quickly to get their job done.


    ¡°Here.¡±


    They stuck the curtain to the walls with the adhesive tape they used to pack their equipment. It was a new product from the big city, which Benedict noted.


    ¡°I see you have something very useful.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ll give you a demonstrationter on your hands and feet. We don¡¯t have much in the way of rope, you see.¡± Elvar replied. Benedict shrugged.


    ¡°Was that in the manual?¡±


    Elvar shook his head.


    ¡°No. But I guarantee you it¡¯ll be standard use in the future. The police mighte knocking at your door just for buying a roll.¡±


    At that moment,


    ¡°We¡¯re back.¡±


    Two of the men who had been sent to search the vi returned, announcing themselves loudly to avoid being mistaken for hostiles. They turned to Elvar.


    ¡°We¡¯ve checked all the rooms, but found no one. Wayne¡¯s watching the doors.¡±


    Elvar thanked them and replied to their questions about the gunfire they heard.


    ¡°The Leader killed a resisting servant that is all.¡±


    Laurie returned to Benedict and Fiona, a ss of water in hand. She drained it.


    ¡°Now, Queen Francesca and Hero of the Mural. It¡¯s questioning time. Follow me.¡±


    Then she added,


    ¡°The senior citizens can stay here.¡±


    She then cast aside the ss without even looking where it went.


    The ss hit one of the wooden tes decorating the walls in a line¡ªthe one depicting a hawk with its wings spread¡ªand shattered.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡±


    Fiona stood without a word. And she gently let go of the hand of an elderly woman who tried to hold on to thest moment.


    ¡°Please don¡¯t worry about us. Just watch over the others. I don¡¯t want any more people to die.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Your Majesty.¡± The woman nodded firmly. Fiona turned to Laurie.


    ¡°Where shall we go, then? I could brew you some tea if you¡¯d prefer my room.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t need any of your poisoned tea. Let¡¯s go.¡±


    Fiona and Benedict began walking, side-by-side.


    And they left the room surrounded by men in submachine guns, looking almost like they were being protected.


    * * *


    Next to the vi foundation. On a gentle slope covered with snow.


    Two people were buried in the snow.


    One was wrapped in arge piece of beige cloth stained with droplets of dark red blood.


    The other was lying on top of him. A plump, middle-aged woman wearing a green apron. Her clothes were also stained with blood. Her graying ck hair, once tied in a neat bun, waspletely disheveled.


    Snow came down endlessly, covering the bloodcurdling sight.


    Several minutester, when a beige-colored curtain firmly covered the broken window from which the two people had fallen, the two bodies werepletely covered and impossible to find in the snow.


    The mound of snow moved.


    The mound covering the two people, bulging just a little higher than the others, slowly stirred.


    Something squirmed under the snow. It seemed to be trying to get away from the building, quietly but steadily crawling away from the light seeping out the windows. The snow over it seemed to ripple like water.


    Eventually, by the time the shape reached the base of arge tree and was swallowed by darkness¡ª


    ¡ªA human face emerged from the snow.


    It was the middle-aged woman who had fallen from the window. Her hair was drenched, sticking all over her face. A thin stream of blood ran down her right earlobe. Her left cheek was torn apart, exposing the flesh.


    Her arms were also bloodied, and the fingers of her left hand were syed in odd directions. Blood also spilled from her thighs and left knee, soaking her clothing.


    ¡°Phew¡­¡±


    The moment she exhaled, she coughed up massive amounts of blood.


    ¡°Koff!¡±


    The blood melted the snow under it and dyed the ground red. But there was a glint of life in the woman¡¯s eyes.


    ¡°Don¡¯t make meugh, little girl¡­ Master Treize will set things right¡­¡±


    The woman muttered to herself as she slowly moved through the pitch-ck darkness.


    The snow came up to her waist. She swung her arms back and forth, wading her way through.

 Volume 2 4 — Counterattack

    <h4>Volume 2 Chapter 4: Counterattack</h4>


    -----


    ¡°Are you in, Elder Sister?¡±


    ¡°Yes. Come in.¡±


    ¡°Please excuse my intrusion. ¡­Oh my, Elder Sister! That dress looks splendid on you!¡±


    ¡°Thank you, Meriel. Your dress is wonderful, too.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, Elder Sister. I am so happy to hear that. But I¡¯m not certain I will be able to stand wearing this dress all evening.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. Everyone changes after the dinner banquet. There¡¯s even time set aside for it.¡±


    ¡°I am relieved to hear that. Will the festivities for the new year¡¯s countdown begin soon?¡±


    ¡°Yes. It¡¯s a beautiful time of hear that enlivens all of Sfrestus. And now I¡¯ll have the chance to greet the new year with a friend near my age for the very first time.¡±


    ¡°I will visit again next year, Elder Sister, if you would kindly invite me. I promised earlier that I would bring Treize, but I shall do my very best and ask Mother if the entire family could visit!¡±


    ¡°That sounds wonderful! Father and Mother have also said that they would like to meet Sir Carr Benedict, Hero of the Mural, again.¡±


    ¡°Then that will be the first thing I ask my family when I return to Ikstova.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, Meriel. Shall we be off now? Perhaps by this time next year, I will be with both you and Treize. I can¡¯t wait.¡±


    ¡°Of course, Elder Sister. But please remember that Treize is a numbskull.¡±


    ¡°A ¡®numbskull¡¯?¡±


    ¡°Ah! Pardon me, Elder Sister. I¡¯ve used a very crude word. It is Roxchean for ¡®fool¡¯.¡±


    ¡°Oh my. ¡®Treize the Numbskull¡¯¡­? That¡¯s a rather funny name.¡±


    ¡°I feel bad for saying this after coining that name myself, but I don¡¯t think it¡¯s a good idea to call him that¡­¡±


    * * *


    As Meriel and her ¡®Elder Sister¡¯ chattered in Sfrestus, the capital of Sou Be-Il.


    It had been several dozen minutes since the year 3306 began in the kingdom of Iks.


    ¡°Man, I¡¯m bored. Are we supposed to sit around like this until morning?¡± Lillia grumbled from her seat on the carpet in front of the firece.


    ¡°Apologies, Mdy. There¡¯s nothing around here.¡±


    Treize the Numbskull bowed his head from the sofa.


    All Lillia had done since the start of the year was drink two cups of tea and tend to the fire in the red-bricked firece. She was bored of even that, tossing in pieces of wood when she felt like it.


    ¡°As your host tonight, I would like to offer you my sincerest apologies. The snow is just too much¡­¡±


    ¡°Snow again! I don¡¯t believe this!¡±


    ¡°Of course! I¡¯m very sorry!¡±


    ¡°Man¡­ It¡¯s reallying down, isn¡¯t it?¡± Lillia sighed, ncing outside. Therge window behind Treize was half-covered by the snow on the windowsill.


    ¡°Maybe I should tell you about Ikstova?¡± Asked Treize.


    ¡°Sure. Not like we have anything else to do.¡± Lillia replied. Treize cleared his throat.


    ¡°During winter in Ikstova, the weather tends to change rapidly. You¡¯ll get huge snowkes out of nowhere, then it¡¯ll stop just as suddenly and the sky¡¯ll be full of stars.¡±


    ¡°Huh.¡±


    ¡°So it¡¯s dangerous to go outside if you¡¯re not prepared. That¡¯s why everyone here takes necessary equipment when they go out¡ªthat way, if they¡¯re caught in a blizzard, they could dig themselves a hole for shelter. Then they could wait out the storm.¡±


    ¡°Right.¡±


    ¡°And we actually have a lot of dangerous animals around, too. Wolves aremon in the valleys. They almost never attack humans, but being around livestock can be risky. We also have bears. They usually hibernate over the winter, but the ones who didn¡¯t find enough food to fall asleep or the ones that woke up are extremely dangerous. In the worst case scenario, they can evene into human settlements. Last year, we switched out all the fences around garbage collection zones to metal ones.¡±


    ¡°Oh yeah. Mom used to tell me never to wander into the mountains when I was little.¡±


    ¡°Although¡­ you¡¯d have been safe if you were in that valley.¡±


    ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°Oh, er¡­ because there¡¯s barbed wire all around the woods there.¡±


    ¡°Huh.¡±


    ¡°There are bears in this area, too. So it¡¯s a very bad idea to try ande without a car. That goes for leaving, too.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I don¡¯t ever n to trek dozens of kilometers on foot to Kunst. But what if a bear attacks the cottage? Those ss windows aren¡¯t gonnast.¡±


    ¡°Things like that happen sometimes. They smell food inside and ransack houses.¡±


    ¡°Then aren¡¯t we in danger here?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯ll be fine. Every residence in Ikstova is bound to have a hunting rifle or two. You can chase off most bears with the sound of gunfire alone.¡±


    ¡°Uh huh.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    The conversation ended less than five minutes after it began.


    ¡°Ugh¡­¡±


    Lillia sighed.


    Treize shut his eyes. He was still for several seconds as though he were asleep.


    Then, he opened his eyes and put his left hand¡ªballed into a fist¡ªover the golden pendant on his chest. He tapped it several times, then spoke.


    ¡°Lillia.¡±


    ¡°Hm?¡±


    Lillia turned, taken aback. Treize was the picture of gravity.


    ¡°What¡¯s with the serious look?¡±


    ¡°I, er¡­ I was thinking about things I haven¡¯t talked about.¡±


    ¡°And?¡±


    ¡°And I realized I haven¡¯t told you about my family. I thought it was about time I told you.¡±


    Lillia¡¯s curiosity was piqued.


    ¡°All right.¡±


    ¡°R-really?¡± Treize gasped.


    ¡°Yeah. I also wanna know how you learned to fly aerones, how you speak Bezelese, and how you met Mom.¡±


    ¡°Huh? Oh, er¡­ I was going to tell you one of these days¡­ or before that, like this summer, but I never got the chance.¡±


    ¡°Is it that heavy? Also, it¡¯sst summer now.¡±


    ¡°R-right. Last summer. I¡­ well, I think this might surprise you. You might not believe me.¡±


    ¡°Now this is getting interesting.¡±


    Lillia turned not just her head, but her entire body. She looked at Treize from in front of the firece.


    ¡°Talk.¡±


    ¡°Okay. I¡¯ll tell you.¡±


    His decision made, Treize ced his hand over his chest again and took a deep breath.


    ¡°I¡¯m¡ª¡±


    ¡°EEEEEEEEK!¡±


    Treize was only a word into his confession before it was buried in Lillia¡¯s scream.


    ¡°Whoa!¡±


    Treize flinched. Lillia¡¯s eyes were the size of dinner tes as she pointed at something behind Treize and a little above him.


    ¡°Treize! Behind you! Look!¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    He turned.


    ¡°WHOA!¡±


    He froze. A blood-covered woman was clinging to therge window.


    Her mouth was stained red. Her face was partly shredded, the meat exposed to the air. Soaking-wet ck hair clung to her cheeks and forehead. Her ragged dress was drenched below the waist and dotted with blood. Her bloodshot eyes were staring straight at Lillia and Treize. The moment she opened her mouth to speak, blood spewed out.


    ¡°Eek!¡± Lillia trembled.


    ¡°Wh-what¡¯s going on¡­?¡±


    Treize stood and took a defensive stance.


    The woman shook the window. The ss did not break, but she made a loud racket. The snow on the windowsill fell away.


    ¡°¡­Huh? Auntie?¡±


    Treize finally realized that he knew the bloodied woman¡¯s face.


    ¡°Auntie!¡±


    He ran to the window and unlocked it. Then he slightly pushed open the window and yelled.


    ¡°Stand back, Auntie!¡±


    The woman staggered backwards. Treize opened the window fully. The woman leaned against the windowsill as though falling, then used thest of her strength to crawl inside. Treize quickly dragged his sofa over to the window.


    ¡°Uaaaagh¡­¡±


    The woman made a noise¡ªsomething between a scream and a sigh¡ªand fell onto the sofa. Treize shut the window and turned to her.


    ¡°What¡¯s happened, Auntie? What¡¯s going on?¡±


    Lillia finally realized that the stranger was injured; she quickly rose and hesitantly looked over her.


    ¡°A-are you all right?¡±


    ¡°Uaaaagh¡­ Hah! Koff¡­¡±


    Bloodied and drenched, the woman made a horrifying sound as shey on the sofa and exhaled raggedly. Then¡ª


    ¡°Highness¡­ Treize¡­¡±


    ¡°Yeah! It¡¯s me! I¡¯m here!¡± Treize replied loudly, kneeling by the sofa.


    ¡°Hey, she looks really bad! I don¡¯t think she should be talking!¡± Lillia suggested, but Treize ignored her.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong, Auntie? What¡¯s happened?¡±


    The woman spoke.


    ¡°Vi¡­ intruders¡­ everyone¡­ hostage¡­¡±


    ¡°What? Intruders? ¡­You mean the new year¡¯s guests?¡±


    ¡°Yes¡­ we got¡­ one¡­ but they¡¯ll¡­ interrogate¡­ Majesty¡­¡±


    Treize leaned in close to the woman¡¯s ear so Lillia could not hear.


    ¡°Someone took care of one of the intruders, you mean? And the bastards are going to interrogate Mother and Father?¡±


    ¡°Yes¡­ wanted¡­ to know¡­¡±


    ¡°All right, I get what you¡¯re saying! I¡¯m going to do something about this, I promise! Thank you foring to tell me, Auntie! Thank you! You¡¯ve done a great job! Thank you!¡±


    ¡°Highness¡­ it was¡­ no-¡±


    Her words cut off. The woman seemed to snort as she exhaled, and with her eyes wide open she stopped movingpletely.


    ¡°T-T-T-Treize! This isn¡¯t good, she¡¯s not going to make it! We have to get a doctor quick!¡±


    ¡°Yeah¡­ but¡­¡±


    He looked into the woman¡¯s eyes. They did not move. Then he put his fingers onto her bloodied neck and waited.


    ¡°¡­Thank you, Auntie¡­ I mean it.¡± He mumbled, and with his left hand closed the woman¡¯s eyes.


    ¡°T-Treize?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s no use. She¡­ just passed away.¡±


    ¡°Why? Who did this to her? Was it a bear? That must be it! Maybe she was wandering the woods and a bear attacked her?¡± Lillia asked, staring at Treize¡¯s back.


    ¡°No. It¡¯s safe here. Don¡¯t worry.¡± He replied. Then,


    ¡°Damn it¡­¡± He swore quietly.


    Treize rose and ran over to the telephone. But the moment he picked up the receiver and reached for the dial, his expression changed.


    ¡°Sheet!¡±


    There was an impact as he mmed the receiver onto the phone.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong, Treize?¡±


    ¡°The line¡¯s been cut!¡±


    ¡°What? How?¡±


    The phone line at the vi had been cut, rendering the internal line at the cottage useless.


    Treize did not answer Lillia; instead, he turned and opened the living room door and ran toward the front door.


    ¡°W-Wait!¡±


    Lillia and the woman¡¯s body were left alone in the living room.


    Quietly and hesitantly, Lillia cast a solemn nce at the body. Blood and water were soaking into the sofa.


    ¡°Er¡­ I don¡¯t know who you are, but please rest in peace.¡± She said, sping her hands over her chest and closing her eyes. She held a long moment of silence.


    Then, Lillia opened her eyes.


    ¡°Treize, you imbecile¡­ you better not have gone off somewhere by yourself¡­¡±


    About two minutes of quiet waitingter,


    ¡°Sheet!¡±


    Treize swore as he opened the door and ran back into the living room.


    His arms werepletely full, and there were things on his back as well.


    ¡°Damn it! Don¡¯t screw with me!¡±


    Treize haphazardlyid everything down on the carpet and angrily began to equip them.


    He had brought an assortment of outdoor gear for winter use. Long snow boots, snowshoes, a canvas knapsack, a metal water bottle, gloves, a pair of goggles, a mask, a shlight, and a signal re.


    Then came thebat gear¡ªa bolt-action rifleplete with scope, along with a wooden box of ammunition.


    Quickly, Treize prepared himself. He put on his utility belt over his clothes, strapped on his holster, loaded his rifle, switched to snow boots, and put on a jacket and a hat. He stuffed the rest into the knapsack, hung the snowshoes from it, threw on the knapsack, then slung his rifle over his right shoulder.


    ¡°All set!¡± He said, getting to his feet.


    ¡°¡®All set¡¯, my butt!¡± Lillia cried indignantly. ¡°Lillia Smash!¡±


    ¡°Ack!¡±


    She smacked Treize in the back of the head. His hat flew right off andnded on the carpet.


    Treize turned, fully equipped for battle.


    ¡°What was that all about?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s my line! You just listened to thisdy by yourself, jumped to conclusions by yourself, and started getting ready by yourself. I want an exnation!¡±


    ¡°Th-there¡¯s no time!¡±


    ¡°So make it quick!¡± Lillia argued, silencing Treize. ¡°Who is thisdy? It looks like someone shot her! You¡¯d better tell my what¡¯s going on and what you¡¯re going to do¡ªall of it!¡±


    Treize was silent.


    ¡°Now!¡±


    ¡°¡­All right, I¡¯ll tell you. I¡¯ll exin. And you should tell someone what happened, too, just in case. In case something happens to me.¡± Treize said gravely. Lillia hung her head.


    ¡°This would¡¯ve sounded like a bad joke if it weren¡¯t for the body¡­¡±


    ¡°Yeah.¡±


    ¡°Talk.¡±


    ¡°Yeah.¡±


    Treize took several calming breaths.


    Then he thought about how much he should tell Lillia.


    ¡°If you head toward theke from here, over one mountain¡ªno, hill¡ªyou¡¯ll reach the royal family¡¯s property and their vi. I think something¡¯s happened there. Thisdy works in the pce for the royal family¡ªfor the queen¡ªand we happen to know each other.¡±


    ¡°¡­Go on.¡±


    ¡°This is what she told me before she passed away. The guests for this year¡¯s new year¡¯s eve party have taken the queen, her husband, and the servants hostage. They¡¯re up to something at the vi, where no one is going to go until morning.¡±


    ¡°¡­That¡¯s¡­¡± Lillia gaped for a moment, lost for words. ¡°¡­That¡¯s terrorism! Against the queen! Isn¡¯t this really bad?!¡±


    ¡°Which is why I¡¯m in such a hurry. Do you understand now?¡±


    ¡°Yeah. Keep exining.¡±


    ¡°Auntie here managed to escape somehow, and was shot in the process. And she came to this cottage, which is the nearest building to the vi.¡±


    ¡°I see. I get it.¡± Lillia nodded again and again. Then she looked Treize in the eyes. ¡°So what are you going to do, decked out like a soldier?¡±


    ¡°Obviously I¡¯m going to charge in there and¡ª¡±


    ¡°On your own? You¡¯re out of your mind.¡± Lillia dered


    Treize could not respond. Lillia continued.


    ¡°There¡¯s a bunch of hostage-takers, right? And they have guns, right? And you¡¯re still going to bust in there alone and protect the queen and all the hostages so no one gets hurt, while somehow taking care of all the bad guys? It¡¯s impossible. I guarantee it.¡±


    ¡°¡­Well¡­ I guess¡­¡±


    ¡°Mom told me something really great once. ¡®Only an idiot rushes into a battle he can¡¯t win¡¯.¡±


    ¡°Yeah. ¡­You¡¯re right.¡±


    Treize¡¯s shoulders sagged. The knapsack and the rifle seemed so much heavier now in spite of his earlier energy¡ªhe sank into a nearby chair.


    Lillia put her hands on her hips and stared down at Treize.


    ¡°So let¡¯s think of something more realistic. Okay?¡±


    ¡°Yeah¡­¡± Treize replied, hanging his head.


    ¡°First, we have to report this! We¡¯ve got to get the word out! The police? Or¡­ wait! Doesn¡¯t the royal family have a personal guard team?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, but we can¡¯t reach them. The phone¡¯s dead. Our only option¡¯s to go on foot. Damn it¡­ those people were prepared. ¡­The royal family always spends the end of the year at the vi, and security isx. No one¡¯s going to the vi until morning.¡± Treize said dejectedly. Lillia fell into thought.


    ¡°What about the guardhouse we passed on the way? There was a policeman there!¡±


    ¡°Yeah, but it¡¯s way too far. Ten kilometers at the very least. And with this snowfall, it¡¯ll take us at least three hours to get there. More, if we¡¯re unlucky.¡±


    Treize shook his head.


    ¡°I see¡­¡± Lillia nodded gravely, but she remembered something. ¡°Wait. What were you just about to do, then? Is the vi close? You said it¡¯s over a hill, right?¡±


    ¡°Oh, er¡­¡±


    Treize looked up.


    ¡°The thing is¡­¡±


    He thought for a moment if he should tell the truth.


    ¡°The thing is¡­¡±


    Eventually, he gave in.


    ¡°The vi¡¯s connected to a little hut next to this cottage. The hut looks like a shelter, but it¡¯s actually on royal property. And¡­ there¡¯s a tunnel in the basement that leads to a storehouse right next to the vi.¡±


    ¡°What? Really?¡±


    ¡°Really?¡± Treize replied tersely. He looked up and continued weakly like a child admitting to a lie. ¡°There¡¯s a hidden basement under the storehouse by the vi. The basement¡¯s connected to the hut outside. There¡¯s a small railcar there that takes less than ten minutes from one end to the other. Auntie took the railcar here, too.¡±


    ¡°I see. But why did the royal family install something like that?¡± Lillia wondered pointedly.


    ¡°Actually, it¡¯s been around since before the vi was built. It was for transporting lumber supplies.¡± Treize lied. The tunnel was actually built so the royal family could go between the two buildings even in wintertime, and also to provide them with an escape route in case of an emergency.


    Lillia did not doubt Treize.


    ¡°But how do you know all this, Treize?¡± She asked another pointed question.


    ¡°I¡­¡±


    Treize hesitated, but quickly recalled the skeevy police officer he spoke to the day before.


    ¡°I¡­ I actually have a friend in the royal guard! I heard it from him. I want to join someday, too. Doesn¡¯t it sound cool, protecting the queen and stuff?¡±


    ¡°Huh. Yeah.¡±


    She seemed to be convinced.


    ¡°So I have to do something. I¡¯ll take the wagon to the vi¡ª¡±


    ¡°¡ªand die of a gunshot wound before you can save anyone. End Book 1.¡±


    Treize could not reply. He sighed.


    ¡°Then what do I do? Is there any way to make this into a battle I can win?¡±


    ¡°No.¡±


    Treize stared.


    ¡°So call someone. We have to contact someone. There¡¯s nothing else we can do.¡±


    ¡°I told you before, the phone¡¯s¡ª¡±


    ¡°What about at the vi?¡± Lillia cut him off. ¡°Won¡¯t we find something to contact outside there?¡±


    ¡°Oh! You¡¯re right!¡±


    ¡°Yes? Yes!¡±


    ¡°Ipletely forgot. If I can get to the third floor, I can get the radio in my¡ª¡±


    ¡®I can get the radio in my room¡¯, Treize was about to say, but he caught himself before he could.


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    ¡°¡­Okay. So the vi is three stories high. The queen and her husband¡¯s room and their daughter¡¯s room are on the third floor.¡±


    ¡°Yeah?¡±


    ¡°Yeah. Now, the queen and her husband love aerones, so they have a radio on the third floor. We could use that to contact the air traffic controller at the airport on Lake Ras.¡±


    ¡°Great! That¡¯s a n! ¡­Wait, how do you know about¡ª¡±


    ¡°This is not the time!¡± Treize cut her off, reaching the limits of his creativity. ¡°I¡¯m heading to the vi! There¡¯s nothing else we can do! There¡¯s supposed to be eight hostage-takers. The vi¡¯s a big ce¡ªthey couldn¡¯t possibly keep an eye on all the rooms while watching the hostages. I¡¯m going to sneak in there somehow and get to the room with the radio.¡±


    ¡°All right¡­ no objections.¡±


    ¡°Good!¡±


    Treize stood from his seat and headed to the door.


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    Then he spotted Lilliaing up behind him with her coat and hat in hand.


    ¡°What are you doing?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ming too.¡±


    ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°Two heads are better than one. Especially if it gets you an extra set of eyes.¡±


    ¡°But¡ª¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re not going to fight. You¡¯re going to sneak in. That means I can help you! If the queen really is in danger, I can¡¯t just sit back and do nothing! I¡¯ll keep an eye on you so you don¡¯t get yourself into a shootout! That is all!¡±


    ¡°No, but¡­¡± Treize began, but he trailed off. ¡°¡­All right.¡±


    ¡°And leave the rifle!¡±


    ¡°What? I can¡¯t¡ª¡±


    ¡°It¡¯ll get in the way! How¡¯re going to sneak through the vi with that thing on your back?¡±


    ¡°What if they catch us?¡±


    ¡°Then you surrender! We went over this, Treize; they¡¯d kill you in a straight fight. You fire off one shot, and they¡¯ll be on you like a pack of wolves.¡±


    ¡°¡­All right. Then I¡¯ll leave it in the storehouse once we get to the other side.¡±


    ¡°I guess that works. ¡­Let¡¯s go!¡±


    With that, Lillia put on her coat and her hat. Then she headed for the doors to put on her boots. Treize followed after her.


    ¡°You know what? Maybe you should stay behind after all¡ª¡±


    ¡°You would have died this summer if I wasn¡¯t there!¡±


    ¡°True¡­ Also, it¡¯sst summer now.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not gonna let a guy who can¡¯t swim go off by himself.¡±


    ¡°I practiced a lot after that, you know. I can go a few kilometers¡ª¡±


    ¡°Shut up!¡±


    They geared up for the weather and stepped outside.


    Left alone in the living room was the servant¡¯s corpse.


    * * *


    ¡°You bastard! You¡¯ve got a lot of nerve to be setting fires on the first day of the new year!¡±


    Officer Piazza was hopping mad.


    ¡°Now, now. There¡¯s no need to be raising your voice like that.¡±


    Quietly chiding him was another police officer, this one in his sixties.


    In the center of a small white room was a table. The arsonist was handcuffed to a corner of the table, sitting with his head bowed.


    Standing behind the arsonist was Officer Piazza, who was holding a truncheon and whose ears were tinged red. Across from the arsonist sat an old, white-haired officer. Because they were inside, he wore a suit instead of a uniform and was not wearing his hat.


    They were in a questioning room at the Kunst police department. The table and the chairs were bolted to the floor to prevent them from being used as weapons.


    ¡°Won¡¯t you at least tell us your name?¡± The older policeman asked gently. Over his breast was embroidered the name ¡®Warren¡¯.


    ¡°C¡¯mon, fess up!¡± Officer Piazza demanded. ¡°You have any idea who you¡¯re dealing with here? This is Rein Warren, chief of police and a member of the royal guard! He¡¯d never normally deal with a petty criminal like you; you should be honored that everyone else was too busy for the questioning¡ª¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s more than enough, Officer.¡± Warren ordered.


    ¡°Urk! Yes, sir!¡± Officer Piazza replied, standing up straight. Warren tut-tutted and shook his head before turning to the arsonist once more.


    ¡°I can¡¯t exactly speak with you if you won¡¯t give me your name. Even a temporary nickname will do for now. Won¡¯t you tell us?¡±


    The man said nothing. He was not even looking at Warren.


    Warren paused, then spoke again.


    ¡°Now, about the ces you set on fire¡­¡±


    The man twitched.


    ¡°No deaths, and the only injured are members of the fire department. It¡¯s certainly a relief, isn¡¯t it?¡±


    ¡°H-how is that a relief, sir?¡± Asked Officer Piazza.


    ¡°It¡¯s very much a relief.¡± Warren replied. ¡°Arson causing death is a serious crime. This man could have been sentenced to death if someone had been killed.¡±


    The man said nothing.


    ¡°Now, depending on the case, we can overlook charges of assaulting a police officer.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ¡°Huh? But chief!¡± Piazza raised his voice. But the man still remained silent.


    Warren ignored Piazza¡¯s protests.


    ¡°In any case, I suggest you get some rest. Calm down. And feel free to call for me when you decide you¡¯d like to talk. And naturally, you also have the right to remain silent until you¡¯ve consulted awyer in the morning.¡±


    Then, Warren stood and opened the door behind him. Outside was the hallway. He thanked the officer who was waiting outside.


    ¡°You keep an eye on him, now. Call for me if anything happens.¡± He said. ¡°Officer Piazza? Come with me.¡±


    ¡°I¡ª¡±


    ¡°Now, now, Officer. Let¡¯s go greet the brave woman who assisted us.¡±


    ¡°Yes, sir!¡± Piazza cried with a salute. He gave the guarding officer a nod and followed Warren out, heading down the long hallway. After they passed one or two cells,


    ¡°Sir, shouldn¡¯t we have gone a bit tougher on him?¡±


    ¡°No; he¡¯s not like to confess anything at the moment. I was just prodding to see what I could get. Times like this, it¡¯s best to give him some time. I doubt he¡¯ll say a word to the guard. So for the next few hours, he¡¯ll be alone and afraid, not knowing what will happen to him. Then I¡¯ll visit him again and strike up a normal conversation¡ªone that has nothing to do with the case.¡±


    ¡°By that¡­ you mean small talk? Nothing about the fires?¡±


    ¡°Exactly. Even if it doesn¡¯t seem meaningful in the least. The important thing here is to rid the suspect of his reluctance to talk to the investigators. It doesn¡¯t matter what you talk about. And it doesn¡¯t matter if either of you get angry sometimes. As long as you keep a conversation going, like a game of catch, you¡¯ll draw out all the answers you need. The point is to pop the important questions before he can expect it. Then he won¡¯t be able to retreat to silence; that¡¯s when we get the answers.¡±


    ¡°I see¡­ It looks like I still have a long way to go, chief.¡±


    ¡°In any case, Officer Piazza. What is your evaluation of our suspect?¡±


    ¡°Well¡­ I guess he must have wanted to make some noise, considering the day he pulled this stunt. Or maybe he was really lonely because he didn¡¯t have anyone to spend today with.¡±


    ¡°Hmm.¡±


    Warren nodded dubiously and entered a roombeled ¡®reception¡¯.


    Two sofas were arranged in the room. Allison sat on one of them, sipping tea. She tried to stand when she saw Warren enter the room, but he stopped her.


    ¡°Please, no need to stand.¡±


    Warren and Piazza sat across from her.


    ¡°Ms. Schultz, yes? I¡¯m terribly sorry you had to see such a shameful sight while on vacation here.¡±


    Allison grinned, unconcerned.


    ¡°Not at all. I was just getting bored since I lost mypany. Thanks to you, I even got some exercise.¡±


    ¡°By that, I guess you were here with your¡­ boyfriend? What am I saying, of course a beauty like you has a boyfriend!¡± Piazza rambled.


    ¡°That¡¯s more than enough, Officer.¡± Warren ordered.


    ¡°Urk! Yes, sir!¡± Piazza replied in a repeat of their earlier exchange.


    ¡°No, no. I¡¯m here with my daughter.¡±


    Piazza positively beamed when Allison began, but he hung his head the moment she finished.


    ¡°Have you found out anything?¡± Asked Allison. Warren slowly shook his head.


    ¡°Not yet, ma¡¯am. But we¡¯ll know soon. He doesn¡¯t seem to be a local. From the looks of him I¡¯d wager he¡¯s from the countryside, here to make some money. And I don¡¯t suspect his intentions were necessarily to set fire to the city.¡±


    ¡°More likely he was forced to do it for money.¡±


    ¡°Hm? Yes, that was my guess. Why do you suppose so, Ms. Schultz?¡±


    ¡°If he just wanted to burn down Kunst, there would be no point in doing it on the night of a celebration, when the police and the crowds are out in full force. And if he were doing this for entertainment, he would have looked much happier in the act. But he was clearly desperate and calm. It¡¯s likely that he was given arge sum of money to cause these fires tonight.¡± Allison said without even pausing to think.


    ¡°Ah.¡± Officer Piazza nodded, impressed.


    ¡°My assumptions exactly. I¡¯m amazed.¡± Said Warren. ¡°Ah, it looks like I haven¡¯t introduced myself yet. Police Chief Rein Warren, at your service. I¡¯m the oldest member on the force.¡±


    Allison¡¯s eyes turned to dinner tes.


    ¡°No way¡­ Captain Warren?¡±


    ¡°Chief of police, actually. Just under the dire-¡± Piazza began, but Allison cut him off.


    ¡°Oh, excuse me. You were a captain eighteen years ago, right? Stabbed by Nichto on the balcony?¡±


    ¡°Ah!¡± Warren gasped, surprised in turn. ¡°Yes, that would be me. But how¡ª¡±


    ¡°Heh.¡± Allison smiled as she dove into her memories. Officer Piazza stared, transfixed.


    ¡°At the time¡­¡± She began. ¡°¡­I was a child soldier in the Confederation Air Force. Oh, I¡¯m still in the Air Force, for your information.¡±


    Warren nodded.


    ¡°I see. I remember there was a joint air force training session on theke at the time. Where the airport stands today.¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    In truth, Allison had been flying over Kunst on a fighter ne, but she nodded anyway.


    I heard it all over the radio. How Queen Francesca returned from the dead, how the Hero of the Mural saved the day, and how you made that courageous statement. And how the bad guy died. The moment you stepped forward, I yelled out loud: ¡®Awesome, Captain! We have a witness!¡¯. I also remember how you were injured in the line of duty.¡±


    ¡°Please. It was a shameful moment.¡± Warren chuckled bitterly.


    Officer Piazza, who happened to be two years old at the time, could not join the conversation.


    ¡°I failed to prevent Nichto¡¯s suicide, and I failed to protect Her Majesty¡¯s family¡­ I am ashamed to remember.¡±


    Allison gave him a gentle smile.


    ¡°But didn¡¯t queen Francesca choose to turn her attention to governing Iks rather than hunting down the criminals before the statute of limitations expires?¡± Fiona had told Allison this in person, but Allison decided to emphasize herck of connection to the queen. ¡°That¡¯s what I heard in passing. Is it true?¡±


    ¡°Well, yes. ¡­But it would be a lie to say I wasn¡¯t frustrated.¡± Said Warren. ¡°Her Majesty can be too forgiving sometimes. Nichto¡¯s family might have known something, but she kept her promise to the man. After a simple questioning session she sent the family to the Capital District.¡±


    ¡°Did he have parents or children here?¡± Asked Allison. Warren nodded.


    ¡°Yes. A wife and a young daughter¡ªabout six years old, I believe. They were living in the Kunst suburbs, but considering their family¡¯s infamy it would have been difficult for them to remain here.¡±


    ¡°I see¡­ do you know where they are now?¡±


    Warren shook his head.


    ¡°No. I¡¯m afraid not. ¡­But they are not responsible for Owen Nichto¡¯s crimes. I only hope they are living in peace somewhere.¡±


    * * *


    ¡°It¡¯s like this snow is never going to stop. We¡¯re in for a very long night, Queen Francesca.¡± Luarie smirked, looking out the window.


    She looked happy. She looked positively giddy.


    The hostage-takers, including Laurie, were dressed from head to toe in tightly woven woolbat gear. Khaki pants and long-sleeved jackets with many pockets¡ªit was a full set of winter gear from the Roxchean Army, which anyone could obtain when the military cleared out old equipment. On the belts were holsters containing handguns and magazines, and small pouches.


    There was a revolver in Laurie¡¯s holster as well. She had switched to short winter boots. One of her men was burning the clothes they had been wearing before in a firece.


    The room was a small onepared to the party hall, but it was still about the size of an average living room. There was a coat hanger on the wall, and a wooden shelf was fixed to the opposite side of the room. There were few windows and only a single door, making it a very poor bedroom. This space was actually used for storage and as a guest waiting room.


    The ck boxes Laurie¡¯s men had brought were stacked in a corner. They were all empty; all the weapons and gear hidden in their fake filming equipment were now in the hands of the hostage-takers.


    In the center of the room was a long table and several chairs.


    Fiona sat in one of them, ring at the back of Laurie¡¯s head from across the table. She wore a light jacket because the room was a little chilly. To her right, two meters away, sat Benedict. His hands were bound together with tape over hisp.


    Behind them stood Elvar and the man named Kirk, submachine guns at the ready.


    A radio was strapped around Elvar¡¯s waist like a belt for ease ofmunication. The wires from the radio and the battery were connected to the headphone on his left ear and the microphone near his throat.


    ¡°We kept you waiting while we changed and cut the telephone lines.¡±


    ¡°We kept you waiting while we changed and cut the telephone lines.¡±


    Laurie smiled as she turned, taking a seat a short distance from the table. She crossed her legs, now covered bybat gear, and threw Fiona an amused look.


    ¡°Now, let¡¯s begin the questioning.¡±


    * * *


    ¡°We ride this thing?¡±


    ¡°Yeah.¡± Treize nodded.


    They were inside a basement walled with stone. It was a narrow space scarcelyrge enough for a dozen people, lit by a yellow lightbulb. A simple staircase led up to a door on the ceiling. It was as cold as a freezer there, and each time they exhaled their breaths rose in puffs of white.


    Against the wall was a small shelf littered with things like an oilmp, gas, tins of machine oil, simple tools, gunpowder and cartridges for rifles, ss jars of all sizes, wires, and thin strings, among other things.


    And in the center of the basement was a narrow set of rails less than a meter wide. It began at the buffers on one side of the room and led into a dark, gaping tunnel on the other side of the basement. They could hear a hum from the shadows, like wind was blowing inside.


    A railcar stood on the rails.


    It was about 3 meters long and 1.5 meters wide. The chassis was t and wooden, essentially arge piece of plywood. Underneath were three wheels attached to electric motors. On the railcar were four chairs in sets of two, ced back-to-back, along with handrails. There were simplepartments on the front and back for luggage, andrge batteries. The railcar seemed to scream ¡®handmade¡¯.


    Lillia turned on the shlight she grabbed from the shelf and brought it to the railcar. The seats were stained with blood.


    ¡°Oh¡­ let me wipe that.¡± Treize said and quickly grabbed a piece of cloth to clean off the seats. Then he turned, dejected. ¡°I think you should wait here after all, Lillia.¡±


    Lillia wasted no time in retorting.


    ¡°So you want me to fight through the blizzard outside and somehow make it back to the cottage on my own? Or are you asking me to freeze to death here in the basement?¡±


    A sigh left Treize¡¯s mouth in a puff as he ced his gear in thepartment. The rifle was too long to fit, so he put it onto the chassis.


    ¡°Let¡¯s get to the other side first. Then we cane up with a n and do something.¡± Lillia said.


    ¡°All right. Get on.¡±


    Treize pointed Lillia to the left-side seat that faced forward. When she sat down, he turned on his shlight, extinguished the basement light, and sat beside her.


    ¡°W-we just have to stay sitting here, right?¡± Lillia asked anxiously in the shadows.


    ¡°Yeah. But the tunnel¡¯s not that wide, so keep your arms inside. You might hurt yourself if you¡¯re not careful.¡±


    ¡°O-okay. ¡­Dammit¡­¡± Lillia swore, clutching the handrail with a gloved hand. She shrank.


    Treize relied on his shlight to find the controller for the railcar. It was shaped like the grip of a gun with a cable protruding from the bottom. The wooden controller, which seemed to be handmade, had a lever for switching between forward and reverse functions, as well as a trigger-shaped eleration button.


    Treize held the controller in his right hand and turned off the shlight.


    ¡°Hey! It¡¯s pitch ck in here!¡±


    ¡°Yeah. Let¡¯s go.¡±


    The motors hummed in the darkness as the railcar made its way forward. At walking pace it entered the tunnel. The motors and the wheels suddenly became louder, but not enough to hurt their ears.


    The railcar trembled as it continued into the darkness. It thunked loudly for the first few dozen seconds, but that soon quieted down.


    About two minutes down the cold tunnel,


    ¡°C-can I ask you something?¡± Lillia asked, a little loudly.


    ¡°Sure.¡±


    ¡°H-how long do we have to go on this thing?¡±


    ¡°About ten minutes. It¡¯s not that fast¡ªit¡¯d be dangerous if it were.¡±


    ¡°A-and we have to stay in the dark until we get there?¡±


    ¡°All you¡¯re gonna see is the tunnel and the rails anyway. Auntie¡¯s probably turned out the light on the other end.¡±


    ¡°I-I see. ¡­Y¡¯know, I think I just learned something new about myself¡­¡±


    ¡°Yeah?¡± Treize asked, surprised. Lillia replied in a trembling voice.


    ¡°I-I don¡¯t like d-dark ces and narrow ces! I-I¡¯m kinda scared!¡±


    ¡°So ustrophobia and nyctophobia.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not asking for a diagnosis! How much longer do we have to stay like this?!¡±


    ¡°¡­Good luck.¡±


    ¡°Are you blowing me off? C-can¡¯t this thing go any faster?¡±


    ¡°No. This is how it normally runs.¡±


    ¡°¡­Let¡¯s at least turn on a light!¡±


    ¡°No. It¡¯ll just be a waste of batteries.¡±


    ¡°Th-then we won¡¯t even know when the rails end! What if we crash? Turn on that shlight right now!¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not an issue, Lillia.¡±


    ¡°Why not?¡±


    ¡°Remember how the car shook a lot when we first started? It means we¡¯re close to the end of the line. The rails were built that way on purpose. Once the railcar starts shaking again we can turn on the light and slow down.¡±


    ¡°¡­Th-that makes sense. But! ¡­Ohhh¡­¡±


    Lillia could not continue.


    ¡°Let¡¯s calm down. Think about something else.¡± Treize said nonchntly.


    ¡°As if that¡¯s even possible! I was supposed to be having a good time celebrating the new year, but here I am in this pitch-ck tunnel. This is all your fault, Treize!¡±


    ¡°¡­Then may I assume that you finally understand the indescribable emotion I felt when I was pushed into theke from the seanest summer, Mdy?¡± Treize asked. Lillia¡¯s patience evaporated.


    ¡°Hey! Are you trying to start an argument here?¡±


    ¡°No, Mdy. I simply remembered that moment like it was yesterday, so I thought I should mention it. It really was the most terrifying moment of my life.¡±


    ¡°You would have died if I didn¡¯t push you off!¡±


    ¡°Still, at the time I felt the same way you do now.¡±


    ¡°You can¡¯t me me for that!¡±


    ¡°Please, Mdy. I was simply citing an example.¡±


    ¡°No, Treize! You sit down right there! I am going to lecture you like you wouldn¡¯t¡ª¡±


    ¡°¡ªI¡¯m already sitting, Mdy. I happened to be fixing my cor. Terribly sorry you can¡¯t see.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re asking for it now!¡±


    Including the few moments Lillia spent catching her breath, her yelling and Treize¡¯s halfhearted answeringsted several minutes.


    ¡°But¡ª¡±


    Finally, Treize was cut off by the railcar shaking.


    ¡°¡ªOh. Argument¡¯s over.¡±


    ¡°Why do you always have to¡ª What?¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re almost there.¡±


    ¡°And?¡±


    Treize turned on the shlight. He could see the tunnel, lined with plywood, and the rails passing behind them.


    ¡°You can calm down now. It feels a little better now, right?¡±


    Lillia was silent.


    Treize slowed down the railcar. Soon they saw the exit by the light of the shlight. Treize slowed the car even more.


    They finally came to a stop at a basement just like the one they had departed from.


    Treize scanned the room. Like before, there were walls and a shelf full of trinkets.


    Checking that no one was there, Treize disembarked and locked the wheels.


    ¡°Are we here?¡± Lillia asked as she stepped off.


    ¡°Yeah.¡±


    Lillia turned on her own shlight and looked around.


    ¡°This looks like the same ce. You better not have brought us back.¡±


    ¡°If only.¡±


    Treize turned on the basement light. Orange light filled the room. Then he pulled down his knapsack and his rifle from the railcar.


    With the railcar between them, Lillia and Treize stood face-to-face.


    ¡°I¡¯m d no one¡¯s in here. This storeroom¡¯s about a hundred meters from the vi, and it¡¯s hard to see from there because there are so many trees. And you can¡¯t see the basement light from outside.¡±


    ¡°Now what? Are you still dead-set on storming the ce alone?¡± Asked Lillia. Treize replied calmly.


    ¡°No. That whole banter in the tunnel helped me clear my head.¡±


    ¡°R-really? That¡¯s great. And?¡±


    ¡°First,¡± Said Treize, ¡°we¡¯ll take some time to strategize.¡±


    * * *


    ¡°We¡¯ll start with your name.¡± Said Laurie.


    On the table between her and Fiona was a maic cassette recorder, a very recent invention. Next to it were extra batteries and several more cassette tapes.


    ¡°I am very impressed with all your new toys.¡± Benedict said instead of Fiona.


    The recorder was about the size of a book, and was quite handy because the user did not need to manually attach the reels to the device.


    ¡°I never asked for your opinion.¡± Laurie said with an amused grin, and signaled Elvar.


    ¡°Excuse me.¡± Elvar said quietly, and whipped a leather belt across Benedict¡¯s shoulder.


    Smack.


    ¡°Ow!¡± Benedict cried in Bezelese. He twisted in his seat, his hands still bound.


    ¡°Stop this!¡± Fiona yelled as she turned.


    ¡°Are you talking to my subordinate? Or your babbling fool of a husband?¡± Said Laurie.


    ¡°Please, excuse me. I will remember how my mother punished me with a bamboo ruler and be quiet.¡± Benedict said with a smile, sitting upright again. Elvar stood emotionlessly behind him.


    Fiona turned and looked back up at Laurie.


    ¡°My name is Francesca. Francesca of Ikstova. Currently, as of the year 3306 of the World Calendar, I am the queen of this country.¡± She said, unafraid.


    ¡°All right, Queen Francesca.¡± Laurie said. ¡°I¡¯ll have you exin this situation in my stead.¡±


    ¡°¡­May I be honest, then?¡±


    ¡°Be my guest.¡±


    ¡°The guests we invited on the final day of the year 3305¡ªthe owner and the employees of Laurie Productions¡ªviolently seized control of the royal family¡¯s vi with the weapons they smuggled inside their filming equipment, and have taken myself and about a dozen people hostage. As for why they are doing this and what they are nning next¡­ I have no idea.¡± Fiona continued mechanically. ¡°Three people have already lost their lives.¡±


    Laurie did not even try to hide her irritation.


    ¡°Don¡¯t patronize me. Two were your servants who put up resistance, but one was my dear subordinate.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t care what you think. I simply counted the dead.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorely tempted to increase that count. Starting with you.¡±


    ¡°By all means, if you have the courage to jump over this table.¡±


    ¡°I can end it instantly with this revolver.¡±


    ¡°But something¡¯s stopping you.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re right. You should be celebrating, Queen Francesca. That ¡®something¡¯ is keeping you alive.¡±


    Benedict nced at the man who had whipped him earlier.


    ¡°Women are terrifying, no?¡±


    ¡°Women are terrifying, no?¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t say I disagree.¡± Elvar muttered.


    ¡°All right, next. We of Laurie Productions were invited to the royal family¡¯s highly exclusive annual year-end dinner under the pretense of filming thendscape of Ikstova, and are in the process of carrying out our mission. Now, let¡¯s hear ament from the queen about the catastrophic failings of the royal family¡¯s security team. How do you feel?¡±


    Fiona¡¯s answer was immediate.


    ¡°I am ashamed. It saddens me to say that I¡¯ll have to stop inviting guests to our year-end celebrations.¡±


    ¡°Excellent idea. If you¡¯re still around to celebrate the next year, that is.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not worried in the least. My sessor will manage just fine.¡±


    ¡°Your daughter, Princess Meriel. Word is that she went on vacation to Sou Be-Ilst month, no? A subordinate of mine read about it in the papers not too long ago. It¡¯s a shame I never had the chance to meet her.¡±


    ¡°Personally, I¡¯m quite grateful.¡±


    ¡°Lucky in all the wrong ways. I expected nothing less from the queen who rose from the grave.¡± Laurie snorted.


    ¡°Oh? I wasn¡¯t expecting apliment. Thank you.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s certainly an honor to behold you, Your Majesty. Oh, am I repeating what I saidst year?¡±


    ¡°Yes. You were still a wonderful person in 3305.¡±


    ¡°Thank you. But remember this, Queen Francesca. The me of 3306¡ªthat¡¯s the real me.¡±


    Laurie rambled unnecessarily before the tape recorder. Fiona began to speak more and more in turn.


    The men behind them did not try to end the conversation that seemed like useless banter.


    Loosening up the suspect with small talk and suddenly popping an important question out of nowhere¡ªthat was the basic rule of questioning.


    ¡°It¡¯s not every day you get to meet a real live queen, so let me ask you a question.¡±


    ¡°Yes?¡±


    In the very same mocking tone, Laurie finally asked the question she had been waiting for.


    ¡°What is the treasure of Ikstova?¡±


    * * *


    In the basement of a storehouse in the snowy woods about a hundred meters from Fiona.


    With a white chalk used for mechanical repairs, Treize was drawing a simple floor n of the vi on the stone floor next to the railcar.


    The floor was lined evenly withrge stones. Treize drew one floor on each stone, three stones in a row for the entire building. Inside each square was a simple diagram.


    He and Lillia squatted next to the first floor and examined theyout.


    ¡°So this is the vi.¡±


    ¡°You know a lot about this ce for having no reference whatsoever. Did your royal guard buddy tell you this too?¡±


    ¡°Oh, er¡­ yeah. Can I continue?¡±


    ¡°Sure.¡±


    ¡°For starters, the queen, her husband, and the servants are locked in the vi. The intruders must be inside, too. They can¡¯t exactly leave the ce in this snowstorm.¡±


    ¡°Right.¡±


    ¡°Let me exin theyout. The vi¡¯s basement is inside the foundation. But you can ignore it because it¡¯s just a storage space for food and firewood.¡±


    Treize continued, pointing at the first floor.


    ¡°In the center here you have the entrance hall and the lobby.¡±


    Lillia scrutinized the floor n. The front doors were at the center of the south side of the building. Straight inside was arge, square lobby. The lobby ceiling extended to the second floor.


    Across from the lobby and the door were the stairs. It split into two branches in front of thending wall and connected to the second floor hallway.


    ¡°On either side of the lobby you have rooms for the people who work there¡ªthe servants. Bedrooms, bathrooms, andundry rooms segregated by gender. We don¡¯t need to worry about them, either.¡±


    Treize continued. Lillia paid close attention.


    ¡°On the north side of the first floor is the kitchen, which is the only ce in the vi with a brick wall. There¡¯s also a living room. They¡¯re about the same size. The people in the kitchen must have been moved somewhere else after they were taken hostage, since there are potential weapons like knives in there. The living room¡¯s probably been left alone, too. Let¡¯s move on to the second floor.¡±


    Lillia nodded and turned to the second floor n.


    The lobby area was connected to the first floor, and therefore empty. On either side were hallways and staircases overlooking the entrance hall.


    And on the left side of the floor n¡ªthe west side¡ªwere three rooms.


    ¡°This room on the left is a waiting room for guests. They can change or leave their belongings here. There¡¯s also a guest bathroom. If the intruders are going to interrogate the queen, this is the most likely ce.¡±


    Lillia nodded gravely and repeated his words under her breath.


    ¡°Next¡ª¡± Treize pointed at arge room on the north side of the floor n. ¡°This is the party hall, which takes up half the second floor. They always hold the end-of-year parties here, and this is probably where the incident started. I bet they¡¯re keeping the hostages here, too. I assume they have at least three guards in here in case the hostages decide to fight back together. So we have to steer clear.¡±


    Lillia nodded. ¡°So there¡¯s eight intruders in all, right?¡±


    ¡°Yeah. And if you look on the bottom right here, this storeroom is connected to the party hall. They store tables and chairs and stuff here. And at the end of the hallway are the stairs to the third floor.¡± Treize exined, tracing a line over the stairs with his fingertip. Then he finally jumped to the third floor.


    The bottom right of the floor n was connected to the stairs. There was a short hallway running vertically down the middle of the n, with three rooms of different sizes around it. And one much smaller room.


    ¡°The big room on the top left is the queen and her husband¡¯s room. It¡¯s got a bathroom and a dressing room inside, like a hotel suite. The second-biggest room here on the right is Princess Meriel¡¯s room. And the third-biggest one on the bottom left is¡ª¡±


    He had been telling the truth until then, but Treize had no choice but to lie about this one. It was his own room, but he said,


    ¡°¡ªit¡¯s a recreation room for Sir Benedict¡¯s hobbies.¡±


    ¡°A recreation room?¡±


    ¡°Apparently he likes aerones and fishing, so they keep that kind of stuff in here. The radio we need to call for help is here. It¡¯s inside the built-in closet, so the intruders probably won¡¯t notice unless they looked really hard. The little room by the stairs is another storage room, so we can ignore it.¡±


    ¡°I see¡­ You know so much about this vi, Treize. Maybe they should think about beefing up security?¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    Unable to answer, Treize simply agreed quietly.


    ¡°But I guess it¡¯s a good thing for them this time. We just have to make it to this room here, right?¡± Lillia continued, pointing to Treize¡¯s room.


    ¡°Yeah. But as you can see, the only way up to the third floor is through the stairs here on the bottom right. And we have to pass this hallway here to get up there, but it¡¯spletely visible to the first and second floor¡ªespecially the room they¡¯re probably using as a base. If they have even one guard posted there, we¡¯re finished. Which is probably exactly what they did, since the one guard here prevents anyone from getting to the third floor.¡±


    Lillia nodded. Treize circled the ces he expected to find the intruders stationed.


    ¡°Let¡¯s see¡­ three in the party hall, one at the entrance, and at least three in the questioning room, since they¡¯ll need one person to conduct the interrogation and two to stand guard. And then one more in front of the room. ¡­That¡¯s how I¡¯d ce eight people.¡±


    ¡°I see. ¡­Say, what¡¯s this part?¡±


    Lillia¡¯s finger stopped over an area jutting outside to the north and south of the third floor.


    ¡°The balconies. The one on the south side is really narrow. The one on the north side, though¡­ all the space jutting from the building is the balcony, so it¡¯s pretty big. You can see all of Lake Ras from here.¡±


    ¡°Can¡¯t we somehow get to the balcony of the room with the radio from the outside? They probably only have guards posted inside, right?¡±


    Treize thought for a moment.


    ¡°There are gutters on the walls. I could probably climb them. But¡ª¡±


    ¡°But?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯ll squeak like no tomorrow. There¡¯s a lot of resonance because the vi¡¯s made of wood. And there¡¯s a very good chance that the guard at the door will spot me on the way because this balcony is on the same side.¡±


    ¡°Then what about the other side? You could cut across the third floor from the balcony at the queen¡¯s room.¡±


    Lillia¡¯s gloved finger traced a line from the queen¡¯s balcony to the bottom of the diagram.


    ¡°Cutting across sounds fine, but getting to the balcony is the problem. I don¡¯t think I could climb up the gutter on the north side without being caught by the guards in the party hall. And this is the lower side of the hill. The balcony here is closer to being on the fourth floor. It¡¯ll take me more time to go, which means I¡¯m more likely to get caught.¡±


    ¡°Hmm¡­ What does the roof look like on this building?¡± Asked Lillia. Treize drew a sharp peak in the air.


    ¡°Like this. Like any other roof. There aren¡¯t any houses nearby, so it¡¯s built to let snow slide off to the east and west. There¡¯s probably a good amount on there now.¡±


    ¡°Can¡¯t we climb from the roof somehow? Climb down to the third floor balcony?¡±


    Treize considered the suggestion.


    A few secondster, he shook his head.


    ¡°No¡­ there¡¯s a big tree nearby, but we couldn¡¯t possibly climb up that high, and it¡¯s too dangerous to jump to the roof from there.¡±


    ¡°Can¡¯t we use a rope?¡±


    ¡°We don¡¯t have any. And even if we did, we can¡¯t throw it to the roof, either.¡±


    ¡°I see¡­¡±


    They hung their heads in silence.


    ¡°What can we do?¡± Treize muttered to himself, desperate for a n.


    ¡°Hey!¡± Lillia looked up. ¡°What about the electricity? We could cut the power lines or break the control panel!¡±


    Treize shook his head.


    ¡°I thought about that, too. I know what the ce looks like, so I could move inside even in the dark.¡±


    ¡°Then it¡¯s settled!¡±


    ¡°But we can¡¯t do that. We won¡¯t be able to use the radio without electricity.¡±


    ¡°Oh, right.¡±


    It was just another disappointment in a series of many that night. Treize whispered self-deprecatingly.


    ¡°There¡¯s no beating a group armed with guns. You really drove that point home.¡±


    ¡°Yeah.¡±


    ¡°So if we¡¯re caught, we¡¯re finished. If we¡¯re lucky they¡¯ll take us hostages and put them in an even better position, and if we¡¯re unlucky we¡¯ll die on the spot. We can¡¯t afford to get caught.¡±


    ¡°Yeah.¡± Lillia nodded firmly.


    ¡°We have to stay calm and think, and we¡¯ll figure something out.¡±


    ¡°Yeah. Let¡¯s keep thinking.¡±


    They fell silent in thought.


    They thought.


    And thought.


    About fifteen seconds with nothing but puffs of breathter¡ª


    ¡°AAAAARGH!¡±


    Lillia exploded.


    ¡°Don¡¯t you have any ideas? Anything?!¡±


    ¡°Calm down, Lillia. I¡¯m just as anxious as you are.¡± Treize said, having himself recovered from an outburst earlier. But Lillia did not calm down.


    ¡°Damn it! Why don¡¯t we just set the ce on fire to make them all escape? The intruders won¡¯t want to die, either! Then everyone will scatter, and we could rescue the hostages!¡±


    Treize stared incredulously.


    ¡°Lillia¡­ that¡¯s called terrorism.¡±


    And,


    ¡°Huh? Wait, that¡¯s not a bad idea.¡±


    ¡°What? What¡¯s not a bad idea?¡± Asked Lillia.


    ¡°I just thought of something. Can I say it?¡±


    ¡°Yeah.¡±


    ¡°Okay.¡±


    Treize put his hands on Lillia¡¯s shoulders and asked nonchntly, as though asking her out to tea.


    ¡°Lillia, how would you like to be a terrorist bomber?¡±


    -To be continued in Part 2-

 Volume 2 5 — The Treasure of Ikstova

    <h4>Volume 2 Chapter 5: The Treasure of Ikstova</h4>


    -----


    ¡°What is the treasure of Ikstova?¡± Asked Laurie.


    ¡°Pardon?¡± Fiona asked, her eyes widening. Laurie snorted.


    ¡°So you¡¯ve got the gall to y dumb, eh?¡±


    Fiona looked at Benedict¡ªfirst with just her eyes, then by turning. He sat about two meters away with his wrists taped. But when their eyes met, Benedict tilted his head.


    Fiona turned back to Laurie.


    ¡°The treasure of Ikstova? Hm¡­ there¡¯s a lot in this country I could call a treasure¡ªits beautifulndscape, its kind people, and its cutting-edge technology¡ªso I¡¯m not certain what precisely you mean.¡± Fiona replied, only half-joking.


    ¡°Heh. Not bad.¡±


    Laurieughed. Then she looked down at Fiona with a smile.


    ¡°You think I know nothing? Let me exin for you, Queen Francesca. I want to know about the treasure passed down the line of Ikstova¡¯s kings and queens. The treasure that you¡¯ve been keeping for the past four hundred years. It must be something incredible if the royal family adhered to the unnatural policy of producing only a single heir to the throne to prevent in-fighting for the treasure, even risking the end of the royal line.¡±


    Fiona said nothing. Benedict¡¯s eyes widened as he stared at his confused wife. Laurie continued.


    ¡°We will be taking the treasure.¡±


    Fiona was silent.


    ¡°Cat got your tongue, Queen Francesca?¡±


    ¡°What? ¡­Yes, that is rming.¡±


    ¡°Of course.¡± Laurie grinned triumphantly. ¡°Let¡¯s make this quick. Tell me everything you know about the treasure.¡±


    Laurie reached over and turned off the tape recorder. Then, she switched out the cassette¡ªwhich wasn¡¯t yet finished¡ªfor a new one. She started recording again.


    ¡°Year 3306 of the World Calendar. The royal family¡¯s vi. The answer to the four hundred-year mystery, from the mouth of the queen. Everything about the treasure of Ikstova.¡±


    Laurie condescendingly recorded the title.


    ¡°If you will, Your Majesty.¡±


    Fiona still said nothing. For three seconds she wondered what to do. Laurie smirked as she watched.


    ¡°Er¡­ well¡­¡±


    Fiona finally managed to open her mouth, but she trailed off.


    ¡°We havee this far. Perhaps you should tell the truth about the treasure at least?¡± Said Benedict.


    ¡°What?¡±


    Fiona stared, surprised. He smiled and winked.


    ¡°I thought I told you to hold your tongue. But I suppose I could let it pass this time.¡± Laurie said in an amused tone.


    ¡°I understand.¡±


    ¡°Thank you for finally giving in, Queen Francesca.¡±


    ¡°Then let me exin. The treasure that¡¯s been passed down through generations of kings and queens in our royal family¡­¡±


    Everyone held their breath. Laurie, sitting across the table. Benedict, sitting to the side. And the two men standing guard.


    Fiona continued.


    ¡°I have no idea what it is. The royal family had a treasure?¡±


    There was a moment of silence.


    ¡°AHAHAHAHAHA!¡± Laurie burst outughing. ¡°You do seem to enjoy your jokes, Queen Francesca.¡±


    Fiona, however, was as solemn as ever.


    ¡°You said yourself that I returned from the dead. You know my past.¡±


    ¡°Of course. Injured in the attack on the pce as a girl, and raised as a vige girl for ten years with no memories of the past. Then you remembered your identity and made a dramatic entrance at the political rally in Kunst, apanied by the Hero of the Mural who happened to be at your side.¡±


    ¡°Yes. So¡ª¡±


    ¡°So you want to say you don¡¯t know where the treasure is hidden? Funny. It seems to me like Her Majesty remembered many important things after her coronation. Any child could tell that you were using information exclusive to the royal family to rebuild the monarchy.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s¡ª¡±


    Fiona stopped herself.


    Fiona was not Francesca. The knowledge she received from Francesca actually amounted to nothing at all. All the information she needed to restore the monarchy hade from the people who had pretended to be vigers in the valley¡ªthe people who had worked in the old pce. They told her everything thete Princess Francesca would have known.


    ¡°Yes?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s nothing.¡± Fiona shook her head, unable to bring herself to tell the truth.


    ¡°So you forgot only information on the treasure? Convenient, that.¡±


    ¡°I was only ten years old. Mother would never have told me something so important then.¡± Fiona retorted firmly. But¡ª


    ¡°More excuses. Enough stalling, Queen Francesca.¡± Laurie replied with surprising confidence. ¡°I¡¯ve already confirmed that the heir to the throne is given the information on their tenth birthday.¡±


    ¡°What? Wh-what did you say?¡± Fiona cried.


    Benedict also nced at Laurie, sitting confidently in her chair.


    ¡°I¡¯m getting tired of your attempts at stalling.¡± Laurie spat, and repeated herself. ¡°¡®On their tenth birthday, the heir to the throne is taught about the existence of the treasure. And with the great weight of the secret in mind, the heir prepares with trepidation to rise to the throne¡¯. I¡¯ve done my research.¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t¡ª¡±


    Fiona caught herself before she could say the truth.


    Taking slow, deep breaths, she calmed herself. Then she spoke again.


    ¡°How did you know?¡± She said, honestly curious to know.


    ¡°You think we did this on a whim? No¡­ a couple of years wouldn¡¯t have been enough to prepare for this moment.¡± Laurie replied, convinced that Fiona knew about the treasure.


    Fiona was silent, not knowing what to say.


    ¡°Miss Laurie, let me ask you something. How much do you know?¡± Benedict said firmly, sounding incensed.


    Laurie ignored Fiona and red at Benedict.


    ¡°Looks like I¡¯ll have to take back what I told you, Hero of the Mural. I¡¯m d you¡¯re finally interested in what we have to say.¡±


    ¡°No prolonged introductions, please. Please just tell us how much you know.¡±


    ¡°¡®Prolonged¡¯, eh? Your Roxchean isn¡¯t half bad. All right¡ªlet me exin.¡±


    Laurie picked up a small bag that had been at her feet. It was a rough ck bag used more by men than women. From it she took out a leather file and a pair of white gloves.


    Putting on the gloves, Laurie unwrapped the string from the knob on the file and opened it.


    Inside were several documents and an old piece of discolored paper folded several times over. Laurie put aside the documents and carefully spread out the paper on the desk. It was veryrge, being about fifty centimeters long.


    ¡°If you can¡¯t see, stand up. But do not touch it.¡±


    ¡°Then if you¡¯ll excuse me.¡±


    Benedict slowly stood. Because his hands were wrapped in tape, he had to stand up close to the table and lean slightly down. The man behind him cautiously went up to his back.


    Fiona thought for a moment before doing the same. Laurie, Benedict, and Fiona formed a triangle with the table in the center.


    It was a map.


    ¡°This is a map of Ikstova.¡± Fiona muttered.


    The eastern part was near Fiona and Benedict, and the western part near Laurie. On the rightmost edge of the map was the long, narrow Lake Ras, which stretched for a hundred kilometers from north to south.


    Where Kunst should have been, at the southeastern tip of theke, was a light green border outlining a smaller vige. It was the same for Mushke in the northeast. But there were no words on theke or the settlements indicating their names.


    Around theke on the map, mountain peaks were indicated by pointed symbols rather than contour lines. As the country was surrounded by mountains in every direction, most of the map was filled with the symbols. And dotted between them were ubeled valleys.


    The eastern tip of the map went up to the two mountain paths that led to what was currently the Republic of Raputoa, and the western tip went to the heart of the Central Mountain Range.


    Fiona¡¯s gaze fell on the long string of words on the bottom right part of the map. It was written in cursive, but was neither Roxchean nor Bezelese.


    ¡°Can you read it, Queen Francesca?¡± Laurie asked without warning. Fiona looked up.


    ¡°What? Y-yes.¡±


    Fiona leaned forward with her hands on the desk and read out the words.


    ¡°¡®I look upon my belovednd of Ikstova from the sky¡¯.¡±


    ¡°I cannot read it myself, but I understand that this is written in Ikstovan.¡± Said Benedict. Fiona nodded.


    ¡°As you can see,¡± said Laurie, ¡°this is a map of Ikstova from before the founding of the Roxcheanuk Confederation, when Ikstovan was the officialnguage of this country. We don¡¯t have a specific date, but since Roxche was founded in 3122, we can say this map is at least a hundred and eighty years old¡ªand judging from the state of the paper, likely over two hundred.¡±


    ¡°It is a valuable treasure.¡± Benedict said reverently. Fiona nodded.


    ¡°Yes. It is. We had nothing of this sort left after the fire at the pce.¡±


    ¡°Naturally. You could not put a price on things like this.¡±


    Her eyes on the map, Fiona said quickly,


    ¡°And it¡¯s almost frightening how urate it is. Thekeshore is identical to those from modern maps, and all the nearby peaks are exactly where they should be. ¡­And this map also records the depths of the mountain range we still can¡¯t traverse with modern technology. How is this possible? An imaginedndscape is one thing, but if someone actually went out to survey thend like this¡­ I can¡¯t believe it.¡±


    ¡°Even in Sou Be-Il, it was only about a hundred years ago that we created detailed maps of thend. The Royal Army undertook the survey after modernization.¡±


    ¡°So you¡¯ve never seen the map, then? I¡¯m d you like it, then. Looks like this mission wasn¡¯t for naught after all.¡± Laurie mocked.


    ¡°I understand now!¡± Benedict yed along. ¡°Miss Laurie, you caused all this violence in order to give this map as a gift to the queen. You have my gratitude. We are very happy with this map. We will make this a national treasure. Let us give you a gift in return and show you out the door.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ll do well to know when to shut up.¡± Laurie threatened. Benedict shrugged lightly.


    Fiona was still staring at the map in wonder when Laurie turned back to her.


    ¡°Now let¡¯s hear it. Give me all the information you have.¡±


    Both Fiona and Benedict grew solemn again.


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ¡°Well¡­¡±


    While Fiona remained silent, Benedict spoke. He made a point of putting on a dubious face as he shot Laurie a re.


    ¡°If you have even brought this map, you must have done a great deal of research already.¡± He lied without missing a beat. Fiona cast him a nce and decided to say nothing, entrusting everything to her husband.


    ¡°Right here.¡±


    With her gloved hand Laurie pointed at a ce on the map, right in front of Fiona. Benedict had to lean in to see properly.


    Laurie¡¯s finger was on a spot in the mountain range, deep down a valley that began from royal property on the southern shore of Lake Ras. It was about two hundred kilometers away, past a sea of mountains. The spot was at about the halfway point of the Central Mountain Range, which was about three to four hundred kilometers wide.


    The valleys around Lake Ras were generally used for cattle farming. In the summer, people could enter areas up to 3000 meters above sea level. But that was only in ces a few kilometers from theke¡ªor a few dozen kilometers at most.


    The ce Laurie pointed at was a hintend at least 8000 meters above sea level. Even if there was a valley running through the area, it was an untraversednd unsuitable for habitation.


    ¡°The strip ofkeshore that leads to this valley is property of the royal family. Civilian ess is strictly restricted. The area could be easily stripped and used for cattle farming, but apparently it hasn¡¯t been touched in thest four hundred years. Now why would you need to go so far for a run-of-the-mill valley? There¡¯s something here. That¡¯s the only exnation for why the royal family restricted ess to the area.¡±


    ¡°My goodness. You¡¯ve done your research.¡± Benedict said dramatically.


    ¡°But we still don¡¯t know the most important part¡ªthe identity of the treasure. We couldn¡¯t just rush in with vague notions of greatness. In fact, the treasure might not even be an object and it might only be essible to those with the knowledge.¡±


    ¡°If you knew, you would have looked for it there before you came here.¡± Noted Benedict.


    ¡°Exactly. So¡ª¡±


    Laurie drew her revolver.


    And with her right hand she took aim, not at Fiona, but Benedict. Elvar behind him moved without a sound. With the help of Kirk, who had been standing behind Fiona, he grabbed her by the elbows and pulled her several meters to the side.


    Benedict faced the muzzle with a dubious face and took several steps away from the table.


    ¡°What are you doing?¡±


    ¡°Isn¡¯t it obvious, Queen Francesca? Tell us everything you know about the treasure.¡±


    ¡°And if I refuse?¡±


    ¡°I will shoot your husband where he stands.¡±


    Click. Laurie cocked the gun.


    ¡°You don¡¯t have much time, Queen. Either you tell us what the treasure is, or you watch your husband die.¡±


    Yet again Fiona hesitated, and Benedict spoke on her behalf. He stared down the gun aimed at his face.


    ¡°Ah, Fi.¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    Fiona knew Benedict would never call her by that nickname in the presence of those ignorant to her secret. She looked right at him. He met her gaze.


    ¡°Fi. I might be shot to death here. But there is nothing to be sad about¡ªthere¡¯s nothing we can do about this. But you must never tell these people about the treasure.¡±


    Fiona was silent.


    ¡°Do you understand? The treasure is worth much more than the life of one person. If it falls into the hands of these viins, the world will fall to ruin. You know that well because you are the queen, yes?¡±


    ¡°Y-yes¡­ Yes. I understand.¡± Fiona nodded firmly.


    ¡°Hm.¡± Laurie grunted.


    A gunshot.


    Gunfire echoed throughout the small room. Fiona flinched.


    The bullet instantly passed over the desk¡ª


    ¡ªand drove itself into the wooden wall.


    ¡°That was dangerous.¡± Benedict remarked. There was a long cut on his cheek and blood began to spill. The bullet had just grazed the side of his face.


    Raising his bound arms, Benedict wiped the blood with his left hand. He stared at the red blood on his fingertips and turned to the hole in the wall behind him.


    ¡°What marksmanship.¡±


    Laurie smirked, revolver at the ready.


    ¡°I was aiming for your eye, actually.¡±


    ¡°And an excellent sense of humor, too.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I don¡¯t intend to miss next time. You have five seconds, Queen Francesca. This is an order. Tell us everything you know about the treasure.¡± Laurie demanded.


    Fiona answered, still restrained by the two men.


    Fiona answered, still restrained by the two men.


    ¡°Shoot him.¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°Didn¡¯t you hear me? Shoot him.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re ordering me to shoot your husband?¡±


    ¡°Yes. So hurry up and do it. And shoot me after him.¡±


    Laurie was dumbstruck.


    ¡°We¡¯ll die together here. Along with all the knowledge you¡¯re so desperate for. I¡¯d rather bury the secret for good than let it fall into your hands.¡±


    ¡°¡­As you wish, Queen!¡± Laurie hissed, taking aim at Fiona¡¯s forehead. ¡°I¡¯ll wipe that calm look off your face!¡±


    ¡°Miss.¡± Elvar said quietly. Laurie reacted at once.


    ¡°Call me ¡®Leader¡¯!¡±


    ¡°Excuse me, Leader. Please, put the gun down. If you fall to her provocation now, all our nning will have been for nothing.¡±


    ¡°I know that!¡±


    Laurie lowered her revolver and motioned for the men to sit the hostages down. Elvar sat Benedict in his seat, and Kirk did the same for Fiona.


    Laurie also sat and holstered her revolver. Then,


    ¡°Elvar, contact the party hall.¡±


    ¡°Of course. What shall I tell them?¡±


    ¡°Pick out three or so of the hostages and drag them into the middle of the room, one by one. Shoot one in the head and put a few bullets in the other two¡¯s stomachs so they die writhing in pain. Make sure to inform them that we want to send the queen a message.¡±


    ¡°Understood.¡±


    Elvar ryed Laurie¡¯s orders over the radio.


    Laurie met Fiona¡¯s fierce re.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong, Queen Francesca?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t care what you do; I¡¯m not going to tell you the secret. I¡¯ve had more than enough of your foolishness.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not sure I care for your cheek, Queen Francesca. You¡¯ve got a talent for making people angry, don¡¯t you?¡±


    ¡°I could say the same for you. Although it¡¯s telling that one of us isn¡¯t armed.¡±


    ¡°Does it really bother you more for me to kill your servants than you or your husband? I¡¯ll never understand you.¡±


    After the volley of vitriol,


    ¡°Leader.¡±


    Elvar suddenly spoke.


    ¡°What is it?¡±


    ¡°Well¡­¡± Elvar trailed off uncharacteristically. ¡°We just got word from the party hall. When the men tried to pick three hostages, all of them stood up to volunteer.¡±


    ¡°¡­What?¡±


    ¡°It seemed they¡¯d rather die than hinder the queen as hostages. Everyst one of them asked to die. It seems we may have some difficulty carrying out your orders.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ¡°Leader?¡±


    ¡°Then kill them all!¡± Laurie demanded. But Elvar shook his head.


    ¡°That would be meaningless, Leader. It would only give the queen an advantage. I believe you should retract your orders for the time being.¡± Elvar said cooly.


    ¡°Fine. You¡¯re right¡­ Tell the men that I take back my order.¡± Laurie said.


    Elvar nodded and gave orders on the radio to hold off the execution.


    ¡°Those fanatics!¡± Laurie swore, mming a fist on the table. The edge of the map fluttered upwards.


    Fiona watched silently, breathing a long sigh of relief.


    ¡°We still have plenty of time, Leader. We can think of another way.¡±


    ¡°Right.¡± Laurie nodded, and nced at her watch.


    It was 2:30 in the morning.


    The building shook with a deafening noise.


    * * *


    A little earlier.


    ¡°You¡¯re sure about this, right? The building¡¯s not going to explode? We¡¯re not going to get caught in the st?¡±


    Lillia watched anxiously as Treize focused on his work. He was cutting a ragged piece of cloth with a knife.


    Treize sat on the basement floor. All kinds of things were strewn on the nket in front of him. Junk from the basement, a tin of gunpowder for rifles, candles, matches, metal wire, bottles of different sizes, andmp oil.


    ¡°It¡¯s going to be fine.¡±


    ¡°You sound confident.¡±


    Treize was making bombs.


    First, he got an empty liquor bottle 20 centimeters long and 8 centimeters wide and filled it with gunpowder. Then he stuck several fuses inside. And instead of a cork, he stuffed a thin, rolled-up piece of paper into the opening, and sealed it with candle wax.


    Afterwards, he prepared an empty fruit wine bottle about 15 centimeters wide. Rather than glue, he used candle wax to stick the gunpowder bottle to the center of this one. He poured oil into it and stopped the mouth with a rag soaked with oil.


    Finally, he capped it off with a lid with a hole punched through the top, and pulled out the rag that would be the fuse. And then he made another one.


    ¡°Done.¡±


    The moment Treize¡¯s hands came to a stop, Lillia butted in.


    ¡°So exin what you want me to do.¡±


    Still sitting on the floor, Treize looked up at Lillia.


    ¡°All right. These are handmade bombs. If you set this rag here on fire, it¡¯ll burn slowly until the oil inside the bottle catches fire. That¡¯s just burning oil, though. Afterwards, once the candle wax on the inner bottle melts and the piece of paper inside burns, the heat is going to send the fuse flying and the gunpowder inside will explode. Then it¡¯ll bounce against the outer bottle and send burning oil scattering everywhere.¡±


    ¡°That sounds so dangerous.¡± Lillia gasped, grimacing.


    ¡°I want you to put one in the kitchen, Lillia.¡±


    ¡°How? Don¡¯t tell me I have to toss it through the window.¡±


    ¡°No. There¡¯s a grate inside the stove used for cooking things over a fire. And there¡¯s an ash pit underneath that. Outside, by the foundation, you¡¯ll find a metal tray that opens from the outside. It¡¯s for shoveling out the ash and dumping it on the garden. It¡¯s been a long time since the kitchen was cleared, so the stove shouldn¡¯t be on right now. I want you to put one of the bombs in through the tray and set it on fire. Then run away as fast as you can and hide in the snow.¡±


    ¡°I think I could manage that much. What happens after that?¡±


    ¡°If we¡¯re lucky, the bomb¡¯ll go off a few minutester.¡±


    ¡°Is this¡­ really okay?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not that strong of a bomb.¡±


    ¡°Are you sure?¡±


    ¡°Probably. Although I¡¯ve never made one before.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re not giving me a lot of confidence here.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. All the force from the st will travel upward, so it won¡¯t affect you below. And the kitchen¡¯s going to be fine, too. The bricks around the stove might not survive, but the kitchen itself was built with brick to prevent a big fire from spreading. The st will lure the intruders to the kitchen. I¡¯ll use that moment to climb the gutters on the entrance side and get up to the third floor balcony.¡±


    ¡°I see. So the bomb¡¯s a distraction. But won¡¯t they notice that someone infiltrated the ce?¡± Asked Lillia. Treize¡¯s expression darkened.


    ¡°We¡¯ll have to trust our luck. They might just assume something was wrong with the stove, even if it does spew a bit of fire. We¡¯ll have to bank on that.¡±


    ¡°But even if you make it in¡­ what about me? What do I do afterwards?¡±


    Treize shook his head.


    ¡°That¡¯s all you have to do, Lillia. Nothing after that.¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°I want you to get back here, using the snow as cover. On the off-chance someone doese after you, set the other bomb on fire and drop it on the snow. Hopefully he gets caught in the st¡­ if not, I¡¯ll at least hear the explosion and know someone¡¯s after you.¡±


    ¡°Then you¡¯lle save me?¡±


    ¡°No¡­ I¡¯ll just know that the infiltrators are being dispersed¡­¡±


    Lillia frowned.


    ¡°If nothing happens, just wait in here. I¡¯ll do what I can to call for help on the radio and get back here. You know how to operate the railcar in case someone chases you here, right? Just hold the lever and pull the trigger. You go back to the other side and wait until morning. Once the snowplow gets to the cottage, exin what happened to them and contact the police outside.¡±


    ¡°¡­I wanted to keep an eye on you to make sure you didn¡¯t do anything stupid.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Lillia. But I can¡¯t take you after all. It¡¯s too dangerous.¡±


    ¡°¡­Fine. We¡¯ll go with your n.¡±


    ¡°Please.¡±


    With a nod, Treize wrapped up the two bombs in ragged pieces of cloth and put them into separate bags. Then he ced a box of matches in Lillia¡¯s hands, and put on his hat and gloves.


    ¡°Leave the rifle.¡±


    ¡°I know. It¡¯ll just get in the way.¡±


    Leaving the rifle, and without even shouldering his knapsack, Treize stood. And he slung the two bags with the bombs across either shoulder.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go. We¡¯re going to have to wade through the snow in the dark until we reach the vi.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, yeah. I think I¡¯m just about ready to take on anything at this point.¡±


    They climbed up the stairs.


    Inside the woods, it was snowing just as hard as before.


    The silence only broken by snow slipping off branches in clumps, Treize was practically swimming through the snow.


    ¡°Hah¡­ hah¡­¡±


    Wading through waist-high snow, he trod down a path for Lillia behind him as he moved forward. He could have walked over the snow with his snowshoes, but Lillia did not have a pair of her own and it was safer to have the snow as a cover anyway.


    It was pitch-ck, and they were moving uphill. Treize pressed on toward the faint lights from the vi in the distance.


    Both Treize and Lillia, who was 3 meters behind him, and their hats and coats werepletely covered with snow.


    ¡°Damn you, snow¡­¡± Lillia grumbled.


    ¡°Wee to Ikstova.¡± Treize said sarcastically. ¡°But the snowkes look lighter now. It¡¯s bound to stop pretty soon. That¡¯s how it¡¯s like here.¡±


    ¡°Really?¡±


    A clump of snow fell loudly from a nearby tree. That sound no longer scared Lillia and Treize, but they were oblivious to the fact that the sound had also masked the sound of a gunshot from the vi.


    They continued to wade for about 80 meters. By the time they reached the tall tree only 2 meters to the west side of the vi, they were both breathing heavily.


    ¡°Phew¡­ Let¡¯s take a break.¡±


    ¡°Yeah¡­¡±


    Treize and Lillia whispered.


    Lillia stuck out her head from behind the tree and scanned the area. Light spilled between the vi¡¯s curtains as the building loomed like a crouching mountain.


    Treize checked the rooms where the light was still on. He also made absolutely sure that the light in the kitchen was off.


    ¡°All right, Lillia. When you go back, just follow the tracks we made on the way. They won¡¯t disappear for a while yet.¡±


    ¡°O-okay.¡±


    ¡°The kitchen¡¯s this way. We¡¯ll go together for now. I¡¯ll give you the instructions once we get to the other side. And once I get away, count to a hundred and put the bomb inside, then light it. And then go back. Can you do that?¡±


    ¡°So I just count to a hundred? Okay.¡±


    ¡°Yeah. Let¡¯s go.¡±


    Treize bent down and moved forward, clearing the snow piled to his chin. Lillia stuck close to him this time as she followed.


    The snow dampened the noise they made, but they were still cautious to remain as quiet as possible as they moved forward. The snow piled on their hats and shoulders helped to camouge them in thendscape. Two masses of white seemed to squirm in the snow.


    Snow fallen from the west-side roof was piled on the ground. Lillia and Treize went around it and headed lower down the slope¡ªthe north side. Slowly and carefully, they climbed the steep stone steps that lined the base of the foundation under the eaves. The stairs were wet, but there was no snow on them. Eventually, they reached the kitchen wall.


    ¡°Here.¡± Treize whispered into Lillia¡¯s ear.


    There was a narrownding on the stairs by the foundation. Treize stood there, pointing at something. There was a metal gate in the wall at about chest-level. He had Lillia stand in front of the wall and began to pull the gate to the right.


    The gate opened smoothly without a sound. At about 120 degrees, it waspletely open. A thin puff of ash rose into the air.


    ¡°Put the bomb in here, light it, and shut the gate. And run back as fast as you can. Okay?¡± Treize whispered, handing Lillia one of the bags he had slung over his shoulders. Lillia received it and slung it over her own shoulder as Treize had. Treize took the other bag and ced it at her feet.


    ¡°Okay. I just count to a hundred now, right?¡±


    ¡°Yeah. Now.¡± Treize said, giving Lillia a light pat on the shoulder. Then he passed beside her and descended the stone steps.


    ¡°Take ca-¡±


    Before Lillia could finish, Treize had already walked off. Quickly, he disappeared round the foundation corner.


    ¡°¡­One. Two. Three. Four. Five. Six. Seven. Eight.¡±


    Lillia quietly began to count down.


    Treize was moving with his back pressed to the foundation wall. Quietly and smoothly, so as to not make a sound.


    ¡°¡ªtake me¡ª¡±


    ¡°¡ªus all¡ªat once¡ª¡±


    ¡°¡ªjust¡ªif you can!¡±


    He could hear raised voices from the party hall upstairs, but not clearly. Treize decided to quickly make his way while the second floor was preupied, and hurried. Soon he passed by the body of an old man buried in the snow.


    First, he looked up.


    He could see the jutting third-floor balcony and the light seeping from between the curtains of the second floor window. The yelling stopped and silence once again came over the vi.


    ¡°¡­¡±


    Treize looked ahead once more and continued. He passed the north side of the foundation and arrived at the opposite side of the building from Lillia.


    Treize looked ahead once more and continued. He passed the north side of the foundation and arrived at the opposite side of the building from Lillia.


    There was another mountain of snow on the east side of the building from the nted roof, but none of it was piled on the steep stone steps under the eaves. Still bending forward, he made his way with muffled steps.


    When he reached the corner, Treize moved with heightened caution. He crouched there and quietly peered around the foundation.


    ¡°¡­¡±


    On the south side of the vi, on the opposite side from theke, was a za about 20 meters square. One of the vi¡¯s double doors was wide open. The light from the lobby passed by the square and lit the party hall. Though the lights on the walls were off, it was not difficult to tell what was happening inside.


    In a corner of the za was a mid-sized bus half-buried in the snow, up to the base of the frame.


    There was no one there. However¡ª


    ¡°¡­¡±


    Treize looked at the area before the wide-open door. Fresh footprints were pressed on the thinyer of snow. Someone must have been walking there to keep watch on the area.


    Treize pulled himself back around the corner and sighed softly.


    Then he mumbled,


    ¡°I wonder if she¡¯s counted to a hundred yet?¡±


    ¡°One hundred.¡±


    Finishing her countdown, Lillia slowly squatted and opened the bag on thending.


    The bomb was wrapped up in ragged cloth. She pulled off the rag and wrapped her gloved hand around it. Though it was dark, she could feel the liquid and the second bottle inside therger one.


    ¡°Please¡­¡±


    Lillia took out the bottle and ced it on the stone steps.


    tter. The bottle made a clear noise the moment she put it down.


    ¡°¡­¡±


    Lillia froze. Not allowing herself to even breathe, she stood still for about three seconds before scanning her surroundings. She saw no one. She heard nothing.


    ¡°Phew¡­¡±


    Lillia wrapped up the empty bag in the rag and stuffed it into her other bag, then stood on thending with the bomb cradled in both hands.


    Then, she ced it inside the gate Treize had opened, on a thickyer of ash. Perhaps she was more carful this time, or perhaps the ash was cushioning the impact¡ªthis time, the bottle was silent.


    Lillia took out the box of matches from her coat pocket. She held the box in her left hand and pulled off her right glove with her teeth, letting it drop to the ground.


    And with her right hand, she took out two matches and lit them simultaneously.


    Hesitantly, Lillia reached out toward the rag sticking out of the bottle.


    ¡°¡­¡±


    The rag caught fire easily and began to burn¡ªweakly, but brightly.


    ¡°¡­¡±


    Lillia dropped the matches in the ash and looked inside the gate. The fire lit up the grey bricks. Soon, the me grewrger. It looked much brighter because Lillia¡¯s eyes were used to the dark.


    ¡°All right. Time to make my getaway¡­¡± She mumbled, sliding the box of matches into her pocket. But it slipped out of her hand and fell on the ground. Matches scattered all over the stone steps.


    ¡°Argh, why now?!¡±


    Lillia ignored the matches and shut the gate with her gloved left hand. She was very careful at the end to make sure it made no sound.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go¡­¡±


    She picked up the glove from the ground. Pulling it over her right hand, she hurried down the steps¡ª


    ¡°Ack!¡±


    But she slipped andnded on her rear.


    ¡°Agh! Urk! Gah! Whoa!¡±


    With a rather loud scream.


    After sliding down about five stone steps, Lillianded feet-first in a pile of snow at the northwestern corner of the building. The bag on her shoulder went flying andnded in the snow.


    ¡°Ow¡­¡±


    Lying spread-eagle on her back, she found herself looking up at the sky. The north wall of the vi was at the edge of her vision. Suddenly, the world grew brighter. The curtains opened at the second floor party hall and light spilled on the falling snow.


    ¡°Oh no!¡±


    Lillia hurried to her feet. And rather than head for the woods as she originally nned, she clung to the foundation. Just as Treize had done before, she pressed her back to the wall and stretched her hands out to the side.


    ¡°What was that?¡±


    She could hear a man¡¯s voice from upstairs. It was clearly not Treize. She could hear someone raise the window and lock it open.


    A shlight from the window shone on the spot Lillia had been lying in until three seconds earlier. The powerful beams illuminated the falling snow.


    ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡±


    She heard another male voice. It was calm and solemn.


    ¡°¡­¡±


    Lillia crept sideways like a crab, eager to get even a little further from the light.


    ¡°I thought I heard something.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    Silently, Lillia carried on. Holding back the urge to break into a run, she moved as slowly and as quietly as possible. She was almost in tears.


    ¡°Maybe it was snow falling from the roof?¡±


    ¡°Maybe¡­¡±


    ¡°Yeah! That¡¯s it!¡± Lillia cried in a whisper.


    ¡°Check where you can. It came from near the wall.¡±


    ¡°Right.¡±


    ¡°Eek!¡±


    The beam of light flew toward Lillia.


    Lillia crept sideways like she had never done before. Soon, her hand on the wall touched thin air. She had reached the corner of the building. Quickly, Lillia turned and headed to the east side of the wall.


    The second she crouched on the stone steps, the light from the shlight hit the building corner. It stopped just a few centimeters short of Lillia¡¯s feet, right before her eyes.


    ¡°¡­¡±


    And it soon disappeared.


    Almost crying, Lillia took several deep breaths. And she slowly looked behind her. She rose to her feet and silently crept forward, eventually spotting a familiar figure.


    ¡°Soon¡­ It¡¯s just about time¡­¡±


    As Treize waited for the bomb to go off, someone tapped him on the sounder.


    ¡°WHOA!¡±


    His scream was swallowed by the explosion.

 Volume 2 6 — The Bomb

    <h4>Volume 2 Chapter 6: The Bomb</h4>


    -----


    The bomb exploded exactly on schedule.


    Everything worked as Treize nned. The rag burned, the oil in the first bottle caught fire, the candle wax melted, the paper burned, the fuse burned, and the gunpowder exploded.


    But the bomb was much more powerful than Treize expected.


    The moment it went off, something terrifying happened in the deserted kitchen.


    The brick stove in the corner of the kitchen shattered with a deafening noise. The bricks flew everywhere, into the living room and the ceiling and the opposite wall, as they rebounded and disintegrated.


    A shockwave resounded through the building. All the utensils on the kitchen counter fell to the floor. The half-finished apple pie flew up, te and all, and did four and a half spins before scattering in midair.


    Oil that had not yet burned also sttered everywhere, scattering tiny sparks all over the kitchen. An apron someone had left behind caught fire. A cutting board and the window frames began to burn.


    Most of the kitchen¡¯s windows were shattered in the st. ck smoke rose out the windows.


    In the instant after the explosion.


    The floor shook and the windows rattled in the interrogation room.


    ¡°What was that?¡± Laurie gasped.


    ¡°Under us. It¡¯s the kitchen.¡± Elvar said calmly.


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ¡°Wh-what in the world¡­?¡±


    Fiona and Benedict were both rattled by the explosion, the former freezing up in surprise. Elvar sat them both down in their chairs and opened the door. He hollered at the man in the hall and the guard they stationed in the lobby.


    ¡°Check the kitchen! If there¡¯s a fire, put it out immediately!¡±


    ¡°Got it!¡±


    ¡°Right¡±


    He did not forget to give orders to the two men who came out of the party hall.


    ¡°It¡¯s the kitchen. One of you go. The others keep watching the hostages. Shoot anyone who resists.¡±


    Elvar turned his attention back to the interrogation room.


    ¡°What¡¯s going on, Elvar?¡±


    ¡°I think something exploded in the kitchen.¡± Elvar answered Laurie¡¯s question, and turned to Benedict.


    ¡°Do you use gas in this building?¡±


    ¡°No. Gas tanks are too bothersome to carry, so we use firewood and coal still.¡±


    ¡°Then this explosion could not have happened.¡± Elvar dered.


    ¡°Well, yes, but¡­¡±


    Benedict frowned.


    In the instant after the explosion.


    Not much of the shockwave affected Treize and the person who tapped on his shoulder, who were on the opposite side of the building.


    Once the sound subsided, Treize realized that Lillia was the one behind him and raised his voice.


    ¡°What are you doing here, Lillia?!¡±


    ¡°I couldn¡¯t help it, okay?!¡± Lillia retorted with equal indignation.


    Treize clicked his tongue. Then he made a decision.


    ¡°I¡¯m climbing up! You get away!¡±


    There was no one standing guard at the front doors. Treize leapt out from the corner and began to scramble up the gutter on the right side of the southern wall. The metal piping was secured in just the right ces that he could find footholds and handholds on the way.


    Even as he made a racket, Treize squeaked up the wall like an inchworm. Soon, he was beside the third floor balcony.


    ¡°Hah!¡±


    He threw himself toward the edge, about a meter away. And hended safely.


    Not a momentter,


    ¡°Move!¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    Treize was crushed under Lillia, who leapt over afterwards.


    She had climbed the gutter as well andnded atop him.


    ¡°Urgh!¡±


    Treizended chest-first on the balcony floor.


    ¡°Ow¡­ Lillia? What are you doing here? Why¡¯d you follow me? I told you to run!¡±


    ¡°Stupid Treize! They would have caught me for sure if I stayed down there! The searchlight! It¡¯s looking for us! You have any idea how scary it was? I thought I was going to die!¡±


    ¡°But still!¡±


    ¡°This is hide-and-seek, and our lives are on the line! I remembered something¡ªI¡¯m scared of hide-and-seek! A long time ago, I was ying with Mom when I hid in the closet, and she opened up the door with a shlight under her face and her hair all down and said, ¡®Found you!¡¯. I cried! I was scared of blond hair for ages after that!¡±


    Lillia was panicked out of her wits.


    ¡°Er¡­ I don¡¯t think your trauma there has anything to do with the situation.¡± Treize said calmly in spite of his awe.


    ¡°Shut up, stupid!¡± Lillia snapped,unching a physical attack. She smacked Treize with her hands as hard as she could.


    ¡°Ow! Hey! Stop that! Okay, okay! Please, stop¡­¡±


    Treize surrendered. Lillia finally lowered her hands after a good beating.


    ¡°A-anyway, let¡¯s hurry up and get inside!¡±


    ¡°Right. ¡­What did I do to deserve this¡­?¡±


    Treize stood and stepped forward, opening the door leading into the hallway. The door opened, beyond which was the dark third floor corridor.


    ¡°Take off your coat. We¡¯ll leave all the wet stuff on the balcony.¡±


    ¡°R-right.¡±


    Treize and Lillia quickly pulled off their coats. Their hats, gloves, and boots as well. Then they rolled them up in a ball, ced them in a corner of the balcony, and entered the vi.


    The kitchen.


    ¡°My word¡­¡±


    ¡°What a mess.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    The three men were lost for words.


    It looked like it would be faster to rebuild the kitchen from the ground up than to repair everything. Bricks, tableware, and food were scattered everywhere, and oil was burning and sttering. A thickyer of smoke clouded the room.


    One person went out to the lobby and called Elvar in the interrogation room. Elvar stuck out his head.


    ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡±


    ¡°The kitchen¡¯s a mess. Everything¡¯s on fire. We should put it out it immediately. Where is the fire extinguisher?¡±


    Elvar went back to the interrogation room and turned to Benedict.


    ¡°We need the fire extinguisher.¡±


    ¡°A fire extinguisher? For what? Has something happened?¡±


    ¡°No questions. Just tell me where it is.¡±


    Benedict informed him that it was in the cab under the stairs in the lobby. Elvar conveyed the message to the men on the first floor.


    ¡°Understood.¡±


    The men took out the fire extinguisher, arge metal bottle atop a wheeled base. They brought it to the kitchen and quickly activated it.


    Several minutester came a man inbat gear, covered in splotches of white solution.


    ¡°We¡¯ve extinguished the mes. It looks like something exploded in the stove and sent oil flying everywhere. We found bricks lodged on the other side of the kitchen.¡±


    Elvar said nothing, silently falling into thought.


    ¡°Hm? Were you baking an explosive pie for us, Queen Francesca?¡± Laurie wondered. Fiona ignored the question and asked another.


    ¡°Is anyone hurt?¡±


    ¡°No.¡± Replied the man.


    Fiona breathed a sigh of relief, to which Laurie hissed, ¡°Hypocrite¡±.


    ¡°Leader.¡± Elvar said, turning to Laurie.


    ¡°What is it?¡±


    ¡°I think we should have one more look around the vi exterior.¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°Just in case, Leader. Please. Your permission.¡±


    Laurie met Elvar¡¯s grim gaze.


    ¡°All right. Go with them. We¡¯ll halt the interrogation for now.¡±


    ¡°Understood.¡± Elvar replied, drawing a handgun.


    And with his gun, he disarmed the safety on the cocked gun. There was the red dot that signaled the gun was ready to fire.


    ¡°I-I think we managed¡­¡±


    ¡°Although we didn¡¯t need both of us here.¡±


    ¡°Hey! I was scared down there, okay?¡±


    ¡°All right, all right¡­ Ow!¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡±


    ¡°I hit my head on the doorknob. At least now I know where the door is. This way.¡±


    Treize and Lillia crawled on all fours down the dark hallway and stopped at one of the doors.


    Treize opened the door and entered. Lillia followed after him. Their footsteps were thankfully dampened by the thick carpet on the floor.


    In the dark room, where the curtain was closed, Treize began to look for something.


    ¡°There.¡±


    Soon, he turned on a red light. He was holding a small shlight with a red filter. Treize cast the light at his own feet, and Lillia came closer.


    If things weren¡¯t so dire, Lillia might have wondered how Treize managed to find the shlight in the dark in what was supposed to be the queen¡¯s husband¡¯s room, but she had a more important question on mind.


    ¡°All right. Now what about the radio?¡±


    The red light did not extend very far. Lillia had no way of seeing the room¡¯syout.


    Treize turned the light to a closet in a corner of the room. And he slowly opened the door, which went all the way up to the ceiling. The right half of the closet was a dresser,rge enough for a person to hide inside. Men¡¯s coats and leather jackets were hung up there.


    The rest of the closet was used as a bookshelf. That was where the radio was. A radio about 50 centimeters square sat on the shelf. There were rows upon rows of dials and frequency measures on the control panel, and a speaker was installed on top of it. Next to it hung a headset, and in front of it a microphone.


    The radio looked rather eerie in the red light.


    ¡°Wow.¡± Lillia breathed, overjoyed.


    Treize got on one knee before the radio. He pressed the power button. With a low, quiet hum, the little window on the radio began to glow a murky orange.


    ¡°Great! Now call for help. Those guys are finished.¡±


    ¡°Just a minute¡­ we have to give this a bit of time.¡± Treize muttered bitterly.


    They waited in silence.


    ¡°I knew it. The woman¡¯s body is gone.¡±


    ¡°Sheet!¡±


    Elvar stood with a gun in his right hand and a shlight in his left. Beside him was a skinny man with a name card that read ¡®Jake¡¯, holding a submachine gun in his right hand.


    Elvar stood with a gun in his right hand and a shlight in his left. Beside him was a skinny man with a name card that read ¡®Jake¡¯, holding a submachine gun in his right hand.


    They were both inbat gear and hats with ear ps, standing by the north side of the foundation. At their feet was the body of the old man wrapped in the curtain, which they had dragged out of the snow. But the woman¡¯s body was nowhere to be found.


    ¡°She did it on purpose. She provoked Leader so she would get shot near the window. Then she leaned over as she was hit, jumping out the window.¡±


    Jake scanned the area, astonished.


    ¡°So she twisted herself in midair to use the body to break her fall? Unbelievable¡­¡±


    ¡°Expect nothing less from a former member of the royal guard.¡± Elvar said, the faintest hint of a smile rising to his lips.


    ¡°Fanatics. The lot of them.¡± Jake hissed. ¡°They would die and suffer for their queen.¡±


    ¡°The best soldiers in the world.¡±


    ¡°Do you think she went to thekeshore to report this?¡± Jake asked nervously. Elvar was calm.


    ¡°Not in her condition, no.¡±


    ¡°Then what about the explosion?¡±


    ¡°Their purpose wasn¡¯t destruction or fire. It was a distraction. From the timer mechanism on the bomb, it¡¯s likely she¡¯s still nearby.¡±


    ¡°Is she armed, do you think?¡±


    ¡°Potentially. But she¡¯ll never rescue the queen alone.¡±


    ¡°True. Then did she infiltrate the vi when the bomb went off? The bus is still parked where they left it.¡±


    ¡°We had a guard posted at the doors. An injured woman isn¡¯t likely to have snuck inside. But¡­¡±


    Elvar trailed off, walking toward the northwestern corner of the vi. Lillia and Treize¡¯s footprints had been erasedpletely by the snow and the bricks that hade flying during the explosion.


    ¡°Hm¡­¡±


    But Elvar¡¯s keen eyes spotted something. The second bag Lillia had dropped when she fell was nearly buried in the snow, but the shoulder strap was slightly exposed.


    Elvar gingerly cleared the snow and pulled out the bag. Checking to make sure it was not a trap, he opened the bag and looked inside. He knew what the bottle was the moment heid eyes on it. When he showed it to Jake, thetter also understood what it was.


    ¡°She must have made this somewhere.¡± Said Elvar. Jake furrowed his brow.


    ¡°Where? I didn¡¯t see any of these things in the vi when we looked around earlier. I even checked the basement, and it was mostly foodstuffs there.¡±


    ¡°Who knows? But the construction is simple. And the fuse is short. Only a few minutes at most.¡±


    ¡°Then she must still be nearby.¡±


    ¡°Exactly.¡±


    ¡°She might even be watching us now.¡±


    Elvar did not respond. He handed the shlight to Jake, armed the safety on his gun, and stuck it into his belt. Then, in less than ten seconds, he dismantled Treize¡¯s bomb. He spilled the oil onto the snow and threw the bottle with the gunpowder into the snowy woods. The bottle flew off and hit a tree, shattering into pieces.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡±


    Elvar began to climb the stone steps on the west side of the building. Jake followed after him, alert. When they reached thending with the blown-up metal gate and the disfigured foundation, Jake wondered out loud,


    ¡°What now?¡±


    ¡°We proceed as nned. We interrogate the queen and wait for the snow to stop. Then we depart.¡±


    ¡°Understood.¡±


    ¡°But¡ª¡±


    ¡°Hm?¡±


    ¡°We can¡¯t have anyone get shot in the back before that. We¡¯re doing one more thorough search of the vi. Especially the third floor.¡±


    ¡°All right! It¡¯s working.¡± Treize cheered, putting on the headset. There weren¡¯t any extras for Lillia to use. Treize picked up the microphone and pressed the call button.


    <Kunst Airport air traffic control, do you copy?> He said, the microphone held up close to his mouth. Treize took his finger off the call button and waited for about three seconds for a response. If they sent an answer, he would hear it. But¡ª


    ¡°Is it not working?¡± Asked Lillia. Treize tried again.


    <Kunst Airport air traffic control, do you copy?>


    <Kunst Airport air traffic control, do you copy?>


    Treize¡¯s voice crackled from the speaker.


    On the winter-only airport on Lake Ras was a small but sturdy building. It was brought in by sled every winter to be used as an air traffic control center and a residence for whoever was manning the station.


    Inside the building was a messy room with tables, chairs, and arge radio. It was a little dim, but the light was on. But there was no one there. The curtains were closed and the coal stove filled the lonely room with heat.


    <Hey! Is anyone there?>


    Treize¡¯s voice once again filled the room. a secondter, the door opened. A man in his forties wearing a thick suit came inside. In his hand was a steaming mug.


    ¡°Damn it, can¡¯t a man get some tea in peace? Let the thing steep a bit¡­¡±


    The air traffic controller grumbled as he crossed the room and sat himself down by the radio.


    <Is anyone there?! Answer me!> Treize barked.


    ¡°Yes, yes. I¡¯m listening. You couldn¡¯tnd anything in this snow anyway. If you don¡¯t have the fuel to stand by, just give up on the party here andnd yourself in Elitesa or something.¡± The air traffic controller mumbled at a crawl, assuming the transmission was from an aerone preparing to descend. He pulled the microphone toward his mouth and pressed the call button.


    <Yes, this is Kunst airport. How can I help you?>


    <Great! Hey, listen up. This is important, all right?> Treize said over the speaker.


    ¡°Talk about arrogant¡­¡± The air traffic controller groaned.


    <The royal vi is un->


    The voice stopped there. Communication had been cut off.


    ¡°What the?¡± The air traffic controller frowned, and spoke again.


    <I¡¯m not sure what you¡¯re trying to say. Please try again.>


    There was no answer.


    <I repeat. Your previousmunication was unclear. Please try again.>


    No answer.


    The air traffic controller repeated himself three more times. But no one responded.


    ¡°What the heck¡­ don¡¯t tell me they crashed?¡±


    Still under the wrong impression, the man frowned.


    ¡°Not like I can do anything about it, but still¡­¡±


    He mumbled, taking a sip of tea. He looked into the cup.


    ¡°It¡¯s watery¡­¡±


    ¡®The royal vi is under attack. Armed intruders are holding the queen hostage. Contact the police and the royal guard immediately and head to the vi¡¯, Treize had tried to say. But¡ª


    <The royal vi is un->


    At that moment,


    ¡°Ugh!¡±


    He turned off the microphone and stopped.


    ¡°Eek!¡± Lillia screamed softly, also realizing what was happening.


    A light came on in the hallway. It shone faintly through the ss in the door, but it was blinding to Lillia and Treize because they had been in the dark. The light made clear that the room was small and humble, furnished with a bed, a desk, and a closet.


    ¡°S-s-s-s-s-s-someone¡¯sing¡­¡± Lillia stammered. Treize turned off the radio¡¯s main power. It hummed briefly and trembled before going silent. The light on it also went off.


    Thump. Thump. Thump. They could hear multiple sets of footsteps walking up the stairs. Then¡ª


    ¡°Search¡ª ¡ªthem¡ª¡±


    They heard a low male voice.


    ¡°¡ªstart¡ª ¡ªleft¡ª¡±


    ¡°Understood.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t let your guard down.¡±


    The voices became clearer and clearer.


    ¡°Not good¡­¡± Treize clicked his tongue. The first room to the left was the one they were in.


    ¡°H-h-h-here? They¡¯re going to¡ª¡±


    Treize turned to Lillia, who was pale as a sheet.


    ¡°Sorry!¡±


    And with a whispered apology, he picked her up and rushed into the closet.


    The door opened with a powerful kick.


    The door loudly mmed against the other side of the wall as it swung open.


    With guns at the ready, Elvar and Jake searched every corner of the room with the shlights they carried in their left hands.


    Powerful beams of light scanned the room. There was a bed, a desk, and arge closet with the doors firmly shut. There was no one in the room.


    ¡°Turn on the light.¡± Elvar ordered. Jake pressed the switch on the wall by the door.


    A fluorescent light lit up the rectangr room. Theyout was clear for the men to see. The bed was ahead of the door, about 3 meters away, and the closet beyond it. By the window to the left about 5 meters away was the desk. There were no other doors in the room.


    The men fixed their shlights to their belts and stepped inside, holding up their guns.


    The bed was made to perfection, almost like at a hotel. There was no sign that anyone hadin there. On the desk were several books and a small watch, along with a few writing utensils.


    Elvar¡¯s sharp gaze moved up and down the room along with the gun he held in his hands.


    ¡°¡­¡±


    And his eyes fell on the closet.


    Jake, who checked that there was no one under the bed, also turned to the closet.


    ¡°Did you check inside?¡±


    ¡°No.¡± Jake replied.


    Elvar ced his right arm against his body. Keeping the gun close, he slowly reached for the closet door with his left hand. Jake pointed his submachine gun at the center of the closet.


    Elvar pulled at the door.


    It did not open. The door rattled quietly.


    Elvar took his hand off the door and took a step back. Then he held the gun with both hands and took aim at the closet.


    ¡°If you¡¯re in there,e on out.¡±


    There was no answer. Five secondster, Elvar spoke again.


    ¡°Come out.¡±


    There was still no answer. A secondter, Elvar pulled the trigger.


    Three shots in session. The gunshots seemed to blend into one noise.


    Then three more. The three rounds were fired before even the first of the shell casings could reach the floor.


    And the third set of three. Even more holes were blown in the closet. Elvar fired off thest five shots in session. In less than three seconds since the first bullet was fired, fourteen holes were left in the closet.


    Elvar left one shot in the magazine and let it drop. Then he took out another magazine from the pouch at his waist and pushed it into the gun.


    With his left foot Elvar kicked the door. It slowly opened.


    ¡°¡­¡±


    There was no one there.


    Inside were bullet-riddled coats, jackets, books removed from their covers, and a radio that had short-circuited from the inside.


    ¡°Phew¡­¡± Jake breathed.


    ¡°We¡¯ll check the next room. Clear out every hiding ce there could possibly be.¡±


    ¡°Right.¡±


    ¡°No one should be on this floor. Pull the trigger as soon as you find something.¡±


    ¡°Understood.¡±


    The men left the room with the light still on.


    In the empty room, books riddled with holes fell in a heap.


    At the top of the closet, in the area previously upied by the books, was a slightly skewed piece of plywood. Peering out from behind it was a pair of eyes.


    ¡°Damn it¡­ can¡¯t believe they put holes in my jackets¡­¡± Treize grumbled. ¡°Bastards. They¡¯re gonna pay for this. We¡¯ll see who¡¯sughing at the end.¡±


    He was on top of the closet, in a dark crawlspace between the ceiling and the roof, surveying the room beyond.


    ¡°Are you all right, Lillia?¡± Treize asked as he turned on the red-tinted shlight and looked back.


    ¡°Please¡­ not the blond ghost¡­ not the blond one¡­¡± Lillia muttered nkly, her hands over her ears.


    ¡°We¡¯re all right, right¡­?¡±


    Treize decided to breathe a sigh of relief.


    Several minutes passed by that way. As Lillia and Treize silently sat frozen in the crawlspace, the men continued their violent search. At times they heard furniture toppling and gunfire.


    And eventually,


    ¡°That¡¯s enough. Let¡¯s go. Leave the lights on.¡±


    ¡°Right.¡±


    The men finally went down the stairs.


    ¡°Reporting in, Leader.¡±


    When Elvar returned to the interrogation room on the second floor, he gave Laurie a brief rundown of what he had found. About the bomb, about the missing woman, and about how the third floor seemed to be empty.


    ¡°That witch¡­¡± Laurie seethed. Fiona, though her wrists were bound, ced her fists on her own forehead and exhaled.


    Elvar continued.


    ¡°The remaining bomb, however, may simply be a nt. She may have intentionally left behind a bomb with a shorter fuse while she set up one with a longer fuse before making her getaway. To force us to waste time searching the house.¡±


    ¡°What a nuisance. I¡¯ll put a bullet in her forehead next time I see her.¡±


    ¡°We should continue as nned, Leader. Resume the interrogation and make preparations.¡±


    ¡°Of course.¡± Laurie nodded, and turned to Fiona and Benedict once more.


    ¡°Preparations? What for?¡± Asked Benedict.


    ¡°Isn¡¯t it obvious? Preparations to leave this ce.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re leaving?¡±


    ¡°Before dawn. We can¡¯t stay here forever. We¡¯re going as soon as the snow stops.¡±


    ¡°Please, feel free to move in. We have room for one more here. Would you like to file for an address change?¡± Benedict joked.


    ¡°No.¡± Laurie replied, unamused. Fiona spoke up.


    ¡°So you¡¯re finally leaving us? I¡¯m d to hear that.¡±


    Laurie looked Fiona in the eye.


    ¡°Don¡¯t rx just yet. We¡¯ll be taking you and your husband as hostages. We still don¡¯t have the answers we want.¡±


    ¡°And if we refuse?¡±


    ¡°We¡¯d prefer if you¡¯d follow us, but if you insist, we¡¯ll drug the both of you and drag you along the snow.¡±


    ¡°What will you do after taking us two? The snowplow from the pce wille in the morning. They will find out about you immediately and you¡¯ll be wanted by every police force on the continent.¡± Said Benedict.


    Laurie grinned as though she¡¯d been waiting for this question. She turned to Elvar.


    ¡°Can I answer, Elvar? I want to say this myself.¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡± Elvar said.


    Laurie met Fiona¡¯s gaze. And she smiled almost as though she were making a love confession.


    ¡°Let me tell you what we¡¯ll do, Queen Francesca. First we¡¯ll drug your servants and put them to sleep, then we¡¯ll take you and your husband as we leave. We¡¯ll go down the hill and onto theke, and go to the airport without passing through Kunst. It won¡¯t take us more than two hours. By the time we watch the sunrise on the aerone we rented under a fake name andnd on the Roxchean ins¡­¡± Laurie trailed off dramatically, awaiting Fiona¡¯s reaction. ¡°¡­this ce will be in ashes. We¡¯re leaving a timed device here to start a fire. ckened corpses in a burnt-out building are nigh-impossible to identify and count. People will believe the queen, her husband, and even us visitors lost our lives to an unfortunate ident.¡±


    Laurie was finished. But Fiona barely paled. She simply stared at the younger woman across the table with a calm look, rooted in an indecipherable mix of sympathy or pity.


    Several seconds of silence followed.


    ¡°I was expecting a better reaction. Or have you already given up? That would be a surprise.¡± Laurie said before Fiona spoke.


    Fiona finally opened her mouth.


    ¡°Miss.¡±


    It was a simple call.


    ¡°Hm? Me?¡±


    ¡°Yes. Miss.¡± Fiona said with a smile. Laurie smirked belligerently.


    ¡°I must have made you quite cross if you¡¯re going to the trouble of calling me that. I¡¯m ttered.¡±


    ¡°No, not at all. It just urred to me how pitiful you were.¡±


    ¡°Ha!¡± Laurie snorted. ¡°Please, my men and I don¡¯t need any hypocritical sympathy¡ª¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not it.¡± Fiona cut her off. As Laurie narrowed her eyes dubiously, Fiona dered, ¡°I¡¯m not talking about you and your men. I¡¯m talking about you and your father.¡±


    ¡°Wh-what¡­?¡± Laurie stammered. Elvar sighed quietly from behind Benedict.


    ¡°You and your father have the same eyes.¡±


    Laurie stared at Fiona, stunned.


    ¡°The eyes of a pitiful person who¡¯s convinced that they can do anything. That everything will go as they nned.¡±


    Meeting Laurie¡¯s chilling re, Fiona continued calmly. Benedict watched both her and Laurie, on either side of his line of sight.


    ¡°You will not insult my father!¡± Laurie cried as she stood, mming the table.


    Fiona also got to her feet, her hands still tied.


    With the map of Ikstova between them, they met eyes at the very same height.


    ¡°Enough of your foolishness, Miss.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ¡°¡­No. Let me call you by name, ire. ire Nichto.¡±

 Volume 2 7 — The Secret of Ikstova

    <h4>Volume 2 Chapter 7: The Secret of Ikstova</h4>


    -----


    ¡°Are you okay, Lillia?¡±


    ¡°Hm? Yeah, still alive.¡±


    ¡°Are you calm?¡±


    ¡°Yep¡­ The blond ghost is gone. Probably back to blondiend.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s good to hear.¡±


    ¡°Where are we? It¡¯s so dark I can¡¯t see a thing. And it¡¯s cold. Is this ce safe?¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re in the attic. Or maybe it¡¯s more like a crawlspace. There aren¡¯t any stairs thate up here, so they probably haven¡¯t noticed this ce.¡±


    ¡°You know a lot about this building, huh? I wouldn¡¯t be surprised if it turned out you built this house.¡±


    ¡°Thanks. But are you okay? It¡¯s pretty dark and cramped in here.¡±


    ¡°Yeah. All that gunfire snapped me out of it. Damn it¡­ I thought I was going to have a heart attack back there! We¡¯re not going to let them get away with this!¡±


    ¡°Yeah. That¡¯s the spirit.¡±


    ¡°But now what do we do?¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ¡°Well? Treize?¡±


    ¡°Yeah. What do we do?¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    ¡°The radio got hit. It¡¯s gone. Now we can¡¯t contact outside.¡±


    ¡°Then we¡¯ll just have toe up with a new n. We¡¯ll head to Kunst even if we have to wade through all the snow.¡±


    ¡°I guess that¡¯s our only option¡­ And if we¡¯re going to walk anyway, it might be faster to head for the airport. But¡­¡±


    ¡°But?¡±


    ¡°This time, we¡¯re stuck in here.¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s the opposite of what happened before. We can¡¯t leave this ce without getting caught.¡±


    ¡°¡­No way!¡±


    ¡°It feels like everything we¡¯ve done so far¡¯s been having the opposite effect. If I¡¯d known this would happen, I would have just dragged myself to the airport to begin with¡­¡±


    ¡°Get a hold of yourself, Treize. This is no time to be moping around.¡±


    ¡°But¡­¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t lose hope! The queen might be desperately fighting them alone!¡±


    ¡°How?¡±


    ¡°Er¡­ well¡­ on a psychological level? Yeah?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t ask me.¡±


    ¡°¡­No. Let me call you by name, ire. ire Nichto.¡±


    For ten seconds, silence enveloped the room. Fiona and Laurie red at one another.


    Elvar moved first.


    ¡°Sit her down.¡± He ordered Kirk, who stood behind Fiona. Kirk gently lifted the chair and put it down.


    Fiona slowly took a seat. As did Laurie.


    ¡°Don¡¯t let her provoke you, Leader.¡± Said Elvar. Laurie gave him a smile.


    ¡°I know. I¡¯m in control now.¡±


    Then she turned to Fiona.


    ¡°When did you notice, Queen Francesca? Surely not at the very beginning.¡±


    ¡°Just now. When you said so happily that you would raze this building.¡±


    ¡°I see.¡± Laurie said. ¡°I was going to tell you sooner orter, anyway. Let me introduce myself again. I am ire Nichto. The daughter of Owen Nichto, who killed your parents and put two bullets into your head.¡±


    ire Nichto spoke proudly. Then, she angrily raised her voice/


    ¡°And! I am the daughter of Owen Nichto, whom you murdered! Queen Francesca and Carr Benedict, Hero of the Mural! How I despised you these eighteen years!¡±


    ¡°I understand. Now I see why you do not like us.¡± Benedict said in a leisurely tone. ire suddenly grinned.


    ¡°You have no idea how hard it was to hold myself back from tearing out your throats the moment we first met.¡±


    ¡°My goodness.¡± Benedict said, for a second distracted by ire¡¯s beautiful smile. But Fiona¡¯s voice quickly brought him back to reality.


    ¡°So did your father tell you about the treasure? You were only six years old at the time.¡±


    ¡°Yes and no.¡± ire said inly, showing neither anger nor hatred. ¡°In the end, Father never fulfilled his dreams. He was always a lover of history. And as he learned from our forefathers and the people around him, he vaguely noticed the existence of a treasure. It was hearsay, told by someone who worked at the pce and passed down the family line.¡±


    ¡°So that is when he found this map.¡± Said Benedict.


    ¡°I suppose.¡± ire replied. ¡°Eventually, Father became a politician to live out his dream of serving the country. And when he had the once-in-a-lifetime chance to meet the previous queen, he brought it up. That was twenty-nine years ago. The Lestki Ind conflict was in full force at the time, and no one would have been surprised if a second Great War had taken ce. Though he did not know what the treasure was, Father implored for its revtion to the public for the sake of Roxche and Ikstova, if it would help in the war effort.¡±


    ¡°And what did my mother say?¡± Asked Fiona. ire¡¯s expression darkened.


    ¡°Your mother, Queen Calensia, denied the treasure¡¯s existence with augh and dered that she would pretend she did not hear what my father said. But the treasure does exist. Calensia deemed my father a dangerous element and worked behind the scenes to prevent him from dering candidacy in the next election. She also canceled his lumber export permit. Left without work, Father was essentially exiled from his beloved Ikstova.¡±


    Fiona was silent.


    ¡°Surprised, Queen Francesca? Your mother was an unbelievable woman. Heartbroken, Father managed to survive with the help of the Terreur Foundation in the Capital District. But he could have very well died far from his beloved home. You wouldn¡¯t have known that, though. You were only ten at the time.¡± ire said, her tone suddenly taking a turn for the sarcastic.


    ¡°But that does not mean it is right to attack the pce with an armed group and kill many people.¡± Benedict chimed in quickly. ire did not respond.


    ¡°Let me tell you what happened then. When Father attacked the pce to seek revenge, he held Calensia and her husband at gunpoint and demanded to know what the treasure was. But they did not confess. Not even when their own daughter was threatened with death. It must be one incredible treasure if they were willing to go so far. Do you remember that moment, Queen Francesca?¡±


    ¡°No. Luckily, I don¡¯t have any memories of the time.¡±


    ¡°I see¡­ lucky indeed. I do.¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°I remember the moment Father fell. I can still clearly hear the sound of his head breaking against the stone-paved street.¡±


    Fiona¡¯s breath caught in her throat. She then asked,


    ¡°You¡­ were there?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡± ire replied immediately. ¡°I was there, eighteen years ago. I was in the crowd. Being a six-year-old, I had to ride on someone¡¯s shoulders to see Father on the balcony.¡±


    ¡°Ah. Yes.¡± Elvar said from behind Benedict.


    Benedict leaned his head back. He saw Elvar¡¯s stern face upside-down.


    ¡°Though Father did not aplish his goals with the attack on the pce, the ipetent Ikstova police never suspected him. And once the fuss had died down, Father used the support of the Terreur Foundation to return to politics in Ikstova. And he dreamed of finding the treasure someday on his own. That was when some foolish politician began to rave about dering independence from Roxche. Father went out to strike down his arguments. I asked Elvar to sneak me to the rally so I could watch my father. How many times did I regret my decision?¡± ire said in one breath, before adding, ¡°Although that¡¯s all in the past now.¡±


    ¡°I see¡­¡± Fiona muttered. ire¡¯s tone became harsh.


    ¡°I don¡¯t need your sympathy! The dead don¡¯te back to life!¡±


    Then, her expression softened.


    ¡°But I would like to thank you, Queen Francesca. I¡¯ve wanted to thank you for a very long time.¡±


    ¡°What? You want to thank me?¡± Fiona repeated, bbergasted. ire nodded.


    ¡°Yes. Father asked two things of you that day.¡±


    ¡°He did.¡±


    ¡°One was to keep my mother and myself out of the mess. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for so foolishly adhering to that promise. Mother and I werepletely oblivious, then. But when you sent us to the Capital District, thewyer gave us this map and Father¡¯s notes, saying it was his will. There we learned everything. And we despised the royal family. Thank you for giving me this chance at revenge, Queen Francesca.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    Francesca stared silently at ire. ire narrowed her eyes and continued.


    ¡°But you never did do the second thing Father asked you for. But don¡¯t worry¡ªI¡¯ll make sure to fulfill it in his stead.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s all for the past.¡± Laurie said, getting to her feet. She walked around the table and stood by Elvar, who was behind Benedict.


    As Benedict and Fiona watched, ire held out a hand to Elvar.


    ¡°The 9mm, Elvar.¡±


    Elvar paused, but he soon pulled out the handgun and, with his fingers around the front, handed it to ire.


    ire cocked the gun.


    ¡°Originally¡­¡±


    And she took aim at the side of Benedict¡¯s head as he sat in the chair.


    ¡°¡­We were nning to take you both. But I suppose it would be fine to just take the queen.¡±


    Benedict looked up and made a point of blinking, his eyes on the muzzle and ire¡¯s face.


    ¡°Hm? It seems like I am in danger.¡±


    ¡°If you didn¡¯t poke your nose into this business, Hero of the Mural, the queen would have lived in obscurity all her life. Then none of us would have gone through this tragedy.¡±


    ¡°Are you going to shoot me? The queen will not tell you the truth then.¡±


    ¡°I can take my time grilling the queenter. We can use truth serum, torture, anything¡ªthe possibilities are endless. I¡¯m just doing this to make her suffer. I¡¯ll cover that calm face with your blood. Anyst words, Hero of the Mural?¡± Asked ire.


    ¡°Yes.¡± Fiona said.


    ¡°Hm?¡±


    ire turned.


    ¡°I wasn¡¯t asking you.¡±


    ¡°But I will tell you, ire Nichto. I¡¯ll tell you my secret.¡± Fiona smiled, tilting her head.


    ¡°Aha. Yes. I think you can say it now. They will be very surprised. Please say it.¡± Benedict nodded. ire made a dubious face.


    ¡°¡­Fine. I¡¯ll listen to this secret of yours. But I want something interesting, or your face won¡¯t look the same again.¡±


    ire armed the safety on her gun and handed it to Elvar, the barrel pointed upwards. Elvar took it without a word. ire passed by Benedict and stood before Fiona, who sat in the chair.


    Fiona looked up at ire. ire looked down at Fiona.


    ¡°Then let me tell you something interesting, ire. I¡¯m sure you¡¯ll enjoy this.¡± Said Fiona, and smiled. ¡°I know nothing. Absolutely nothing at all.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ire frowned.


    And several secondster, she asked irritatedly,


    ¡°What kind of secret is that?¡±


    ¡°A national secret. The biggest in Ikstova.¡±


    ¡°Are you mocking me?¡±


    ¡°No. I don¡¯t know a thing. Not about the treasure of Ikstova, and not much about the royal family, for that matter.¡±


    ¡°This is a waste of time. You¡¯re only extending your husband¡¯s life by a few minutes.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s true. Do you know why?¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s simple. I am not Francesca.¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ire gaped. Elvar cast a nce at Fiona. Kirk also looked curiously at her profiled face.


    ¡°I am Fiona. Did you hear my husband call me ¡®Fi¡¯ earlier?¡±


    ¡°¡­What does that have to do with anything? Who is Fiona?¡±


    ¡°Francesca¡¯s sister. Her twin sister.¡±


    ¡°Wha-¡±


    ire froze mid-word, her eyes widening. A shadow came over her face.


    ¡°My sister, Princess Francesca, narrowly escaped the burning pce and was rescued by Doctor Bain. But she passed away two dayster. As you know, the royal family allows the monarch to have only one child. So I was never formally recognized, instead raised as a normal girl in the vige. I only realized that your father was the culprit when I found his cufflink in her corpse and when I saw the advertisement for the political rally. Benedict came up with the idea to pass me off as Francesca, while we were on our way to Kunst.¡±


    ¡°What¡­ did you say¡­?¡±


    ¡°May I continue? I chose to deceive my people. With my sister¡¯s pendant around my neck. Everyone who lived in the vige where I grew up was a former member of the royal guard. They were gathered there for my sake. They told me everything I should know if I were to masquerade as Francesca so that I could rebuild the royal family.¡±


    No one reacted. Not ire, not Elvar, not Kirk. They simply listened, dazed.


    Only Benedict seemed to enjoy the astonishment on the back of Laurie¡¯s head and Kirk¡¯s profiled face. He recited a theatrical line in Bezelese.


    ¡°¡®s, the door of truth opens now¡¯.¡±


    Fiona continued.


    ¡°The royal family¡¯s treasure? The secret that¡¯s been passed down the lined for four hundred years? When you first told me about this, I wondered what you were talking about. I followed Benedict¡¯s lead and led you on to get more information, but it looks like you know more about the treasure than I ever did, ire.¡±


    ¡°Wh¡­ wha¡­?¡±


    ire stammered meaninglessly, stunned. Fionanded the final blow.


    ¡°Thank you for all the information.¡±


    ¡°Th-then¡­¡±


    ire finally mustered the strength for words. She looked down at Fiona in a daze.


    ¡°You¡¯re a fake¡­ And¡­ you fooled Father¡­¡±


    ¡°Yes, that¡¯s right. I¡¯m sorry.¡±


    ¡°And you even fooled me¡­¡±


    ¡°Ah, I am very sorry. I also feel responsible.¡± Benedict said cheerfully from behind her, not sounding apologetic in the least.


    ¡°I spoke briefly with Francesca before she passed. But she didn¡¯t say a thing about the treasure. She knew she didn¡¯t have much time left, but she said nothing. If my guess is right¡­¡± Fiona said, as nonchnt as though she were reflecting on a radio drama. ¡°¡­the treasure probably doesn¡¯t amount to anything at all.¡±


    ¡°Wha¡­ you¡­¡±


    Tears fell from ire¡¯s eyes. They slid down her cheeks and fell droplet by droplet onto the carpet.


    ¡°You¡­¡±


    Her tears scattered as she finally raised her voice.


    ¡°YOU FRAUD!¡±


    At the same time, she punched Fiona in the face.


    There was a dull thud as Fiona fell to the right, chair and all. Kirk grabbed her by the shoulders a second before she hit the carpet.


    Benedict, who had a worried look on his face, silently apuded Kirk with his fingertips.


    ¡°That wasn¡¯t necessary!¡±


    ¡°¡­We can¡¯t have her die on us, Leader.¡± Kirk said, helping Fiona up as she bled from a torn lip. He set the chair back upright and sat Fiona down. she quietly thanked him, but Kirk did not respond.


    ¡°Damned witch¡­ damn you¡­¡±


    ire¡¯s fists trembled as she stared Fiona down.


    Fiona looked up, meeting her gaze. Her left cheek was flushed and swollen, and the blood from her lip left red stains on her blouse.


    ¡°Did you find that interesting?¡± She said. ¡°Ow¡­¡±


    With her bound hands Fiona rubbed her cheek and lips.


    ¡°Is this true?¡± Elvar demanded, cing a hand on Benedict¡¯s shoulder. Benedict turned and nodded.


    ¡°Yes, it mostly is. Are you satisfied now? That is all for your important secret.¡±


    ¡°My word¡­ twins¡­¡± Elvar hissed.


    ¡°I¡¯ll kill you! I¡¯ll kill you where you stand!¡± ire cried, but Elvar turned to her.


    ¡°Leader.¡±


    ¡°I will tear you to pieces and¡ª¡±


    ¡°Miss!¡±


    ire finally came to her senses at Elvar¡¯s harsh voice and turned.


    ¡°It¡¯s ¡®Leader¡¯!¡±


    ¡°You mustn¡¯t kill her, Leader.¡±


    ¡°But¡ª¡±


    ¡°You must be calm, Leader. Even if you kill the queen and her husband here¡­¡±


    Fiona continued where Elvar left off.


    ¡°¡­then our child would go after you. That¡¯s all. I¡¯m sure you understand that well.¡±


    ¡°Indeed I do. I know! All! Too! Well!¡± ire cried. Elvar, however, remainedposed.


    ¡°If you kill them, Leader, Princess Meriel will be queen when she returns. And the outpouring of sympathy from the masses will only help her rebuild the royal family, restoring it as if nothing had ever happened. Then our efforts¡ªyour father¡¯sefforts¡ªwill have all been in vain.¡±


    ¡°Then what do you propose?!¡±


    ¡°We should change our strategy, Leader. Take these two out of Ikstova as we originally nned. And then we¡¯ll announce the queen¡¯s fraudulent status to the world. Tell the people that, though royalty, she was not legally allowed to have a im to the throne. That she should never have been given the crown. If we cover up the assassinations and y our cards right with the people of Roxche, ending the royal line will only be a matter of time. After all, Iks¡¯s newfound economic sess has made it quite a few enemies.¡±


    Elvar remained calcting to the end.


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ire said nothing. Five seconds passed.


    ¡°You¡¯re right. ¡­That¡¯s a great idea, Elvar.¡± She said finally, smiling. ¡°It¡¯s an amusing idea. We¡¯ll destroy everyst shred of the royal family.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t care if you announce the truth, as long as you don¡¯t take anyone¡¯s life. Can we please end this meaningless violence now?¡± Asked Fiona.


    ire stopped in her tracks for a moment.


    ¡°¡­No. This isn¡¯t even close to being finished.¡±


    She looked down at Fiona, shaking her head.


    ¡°You¡¯re still not broken. War doesn¡¯t end until one side acknowledges defeat or perishespletely.¡±


    * * *


    ¡°We can¡¯t just sit around here. We have to think of something.¡± Treize said in the crawlspace.


    ¡°Yeah. Let¡¯s think.¡± Lillia nodded.


    They sat cross-legged in the dark. The shlight cast a dim red light on them.


    ¡°Treize, you don¡¯t think those people are gonna sit on this vi and hold the ce for good?¡±


    ¡°No way. People are going to get here by morning, and these people are probably expecting that.¡±


    ¡°Then they¡¯re going to leave after all.¡±


    ¡°Yeah. They¡¯ll leave the vi, and Ikstova. Most likely¡ªactually, definitely¡ªby aerone.¡±


    ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°If they¡¯re taking a car or a bus, they¡¯d have to spend hours on the snowy road from Kunst to Elitesa. There¡¯s no way they¡¯d settle for that with a chase potentially on their hands. And even if they started walking now, they could reach the airport before dawn.¡±


    ¡°I see. Then we can move once they leave. They¡¯ll never expect to find us here, so we have to take them by surprise.¡±


    Treize nodded, though Lillia could barely see.


    ¡°Yeah¡­ we¡¯ll do that.¡± Treize mumbled. And he hung his head, falling silent.


    Twenty seconds passed, and just as Lillia was finally about to break the silence, Treize looked up.


    ¡°I thought of something.¡±


    ¡°Yeah?¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s a rifle with a scope in the queen¡¯s husband¡¯s room. It¡¯s the same model as mine. I¡¯ll use that and go after these people. I¡¯ll stand by on the balcony and wait for them toe outside. And once they¡¯re out, I¡¯ll tail them quietly. It won¡¯t be hard to go after them without them knowing because of all the snow.¡±


    ¡°And then?¡±


    ¡°Once they get about 300 meters out onto theke, where everything¡¯s t, I¡¯ll take cover in the woods and snipe them in the back from higher ground.¡±


    ¡°Will that really work?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know. But that¡¯s the only way I can put up a fight with all of them. There¡¯s nowhere to take cover on theke. The trees will keep me sheltered, and if I¡¯m on high ground, I can hit them even if they¡¯re lying t. They probably don¡¯t have any rifles on them. And even if we get into a shootout, my rifle¡¯s going to have longer range. I can say from deer hunting experience that I can make a 400-meter shot. With a handgun or a submachine gun, you¡¯ll only get urate shots from 50 meters or less.¡±


    ¡°I see. Then what about the queen? What if they take her with them?¡± Lillia asked the obvious question. Treize¡¯s tone grew heavy.


    ¡°They¡¯ll probably take her along as a hostage¡­ So all I can do is make sure I don¡¯t hit her. I just have to be calm and shoot one person at a time.¡±


    ¡°¡­So that¡¯s our only option, huh?¡± Lillia mumbled, then added that she was not opposed to it.


    ¡°You stay here, Lillia.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re splitting up again?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re only going to get in the way.¡± Treize said firmly.


    ¡°Tch. I guess you¡¯re right.¡± Lillia said, pushing back her indignation. She then asked Treize what he would do afterwards.


    ¡°They might set fire to the building. Actually, I guarantee they will.¡±


    ¡°Why? Oh. They want to get rid of evidence.¡±


    ¡°Yeah. So the moment I go after them, you search the building and help anyone who¡¯s tied up or locked somewhere. And if the fire spreads, try to extinguish as much of it as you can. The fire extinguisher¡¯s in the cab under the stairs in the lobby.¡±


    ¡°Right. Then what?¡±


    ¡°If you can¡¯t put out the fire, you just have to run for it. Tell the servants about how Auntie came to find us and tell them that Treize is going after the men. I told them my name when I rented the cottage, so they¡¯ll understand.¡±


    ¡°Got it. Is there anything else?¡±


    Treize thought for a moment before responding.


    ¡°That¡¯s all for the strategy meeting.¡±


    ¡°Okay.¡±


    Lillia nodded and recited her course of action to herself to internalize the strategy. Treize listened without interrupting her. She had the n memorizedpletely.


    ¡°Then I¡¯m just going to drop down and grab some things. Help me take them up.¡±


    With that, Treize pushed the plywood aside and climbed down into the closet.


    ¡°Yeah. Man, it¡¯s so cold in here.¡±


    Lillia grumbled as she waited for Treize in the dark. She wasn¡¯t scared in the least. It was dead quiet inside, time passing by in stillness.


    Soon, Treize returned and quietly called her name. The piece of plywood was pushed aside again and a faint light seeped into the crawlspace.


    Lillia grabbed the objects Treize passed her from the closet and ced them on the floor of the crawlspace.


    First came a hunting rifle equipped with a scope. It was identical to Treize¡¯s own rifle.


    ¡°I managed to find an extra rifle in the locker. The snow¡¯s easing up, too.¡± Treize said.


    Then followed a box of ammunition, a pair of binocrs, a small knapsack, and snow boots, a coat, and a hat to rece the ones they left on the balcony.


    ¡°These clothes belong to Princess Meriel, Lillia. You should be about the same size.¡±


    ¡°Can I really wear these? Not my fault if she gets mad.¡±


    ¡°This is an emergency. Just wear them.¡±


    Then Treize brought his own boots and coat from his own room, along with a clean white sheet from his bed.


    ¡°Is this a bedsheet?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll tell you what it¡¯s forter. And take these. We¡¯ll get some food in our bellies.¡±


    Thest things Treize passed along were bottles of water and tins of chocte.


    ¡°Where¡¯d you get these?¡±


    ¡°From the queen¡¯s room.¡±


    ¡°I oughta have you arrested. Let¡¯s eat.¡±


    Lillia received the water and the chocte. Treize climbed back into the crawlspace. They quenched their thirst and gobbled up the chocte out of the tins. Then they made preparations.


    First, they loaded up the knapsack. Then they cut off the four corners of the bedsheet, folded it in half, and cut a hole through the middle.


    ¡°What is this, anyway?¡± Lillia asked between bites of chocte, illuminating the sheet to help Treize.


    ¡°I¡¯m going to put this on like a poncho. It¡¯ll keep me hidden in the snow.¡± Treize replied. Lillia nodded.


    Treize put on his coat and the knapsack, then covered himself with the bedsheet and tied it around his waist. It was loose enough that his figure was obscured.


    Satisfied with the makeshift poncho, Treize took it off.


    ¡°We¡¯re ready, then. I¡¯m going to climb back down to the room and keep an eye on them from the balcony. I¡¯ll signal you once theye outside, so you take your time and¡ª¡±


    ¡°Yeah. I¡¯ll follow the n.¡± Lillia said, holding out her right hand in a fist.


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    Confused, Treize cast light on Lillia¡¯s face. In the red light she was solemn and clearly worried.


    ¡°Treize. I know we¡¯re in a tough spot and I know we should give it our all. But¡­¡±


    ¡°But?¡±


    ¡°Be careful, okay? Who the heck dies on the first day of the year, you know? It¡¯s terrible! Got that?¡±


    ¡°¡­Yeah.¡±


    Treize also curled his right hand into a fist and bumped it against Lillia¡¯s.


    Then he asked, as rxed as he could be,


    ¡°If the n works out, could you give me a prize?¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    Lillia gave him a quizzical look before bursting intoughter.


    ¡°C¡¯mon, what am I supposed to give you? This is a really big job; you should be asking the queen for a prize.¡±


    Treize smiled.


    ¡°I guess you¡¯re right. Yeah. I¡¯ll do that.¡±


    Coming to an understanding, he balled up his left hand into a fist and ced it over his chest. A momentter, he unbuttoned his shirt and reached inside.


    He pulled out a chain with a golden pendant hanging from it.


    ¡°Could you hold on to this for me?¡±


    ¡°Huh? Oh, the pendant. That reminds me, you still haven¡¯t kept the promise fromst summer. Where¡¯s mine?¡±


    ¡°Oh, right. I just remembered. I can¡¯t give you mine, but¡­¡±


    Treize held out the pendant.


    ¡°¡­Take care of it until things calm down. Keep it in your shirt pocket so you won¡¯t lose it.¡±


    ¡°Oh, you¡¯re not giving it to me.¡±


    Though disappointed, Lillia took off her gloves and took it in her right hand.


    ¡°It¡¯s pretty.¡±


    ¡°If anything happens to me, but the queen is safe, make sure to show this to her.¡± Said Treize.


    ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°Just do it.¡±


    ¡°Fine, but¡­ don¡¯t sound so ominous.¡±


    ¡°Just in case, you know. Please.¡±


    Treize stared as Lillia pouted.


    Even as she put the pendant in her pocket, Treize did not take his eyes off her. Soon, Lillia noticed his gaze.


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m actually the pr-¡± He said in one breath, but stopped.


    ¡°Pr¡­?¡± Lillia repeated.


    ¡°N-no¡­ it¡¯s nothing. Never mind.¡±


    ¡°N-no¡­ it¡¯s nothing. Never mind.¡±


    He could not bring himself to finish the sentence.


    ¡°Now¡¯s not the time. I¡¯ll tell youter.¡±


    Treize stood.


    ¡°See you.¡±


    And with that, he climbed back into the closet and held out his hand. Lillia passed him the knapsack, the rifle, his coat, and the makeshift poncho.


    Once he was ready to go, Treize looked up and held out a length of string. Lillia took it.


    ¡°Three tugs is the signal, right?¡±


    ¡°Yeah. I¡¯ll climb down the gutter from the balcony, so you take the stairs.¡±


    ¡°Yeah. I¡¯m not going to do anything dangerous, so you¡¯d better not be reckless, either. Okay?¡±


    ¡°Got it.¡±


    ¡°If you don¡¯te back, I¡¯m keeping the pendant.¡±


    ¡°That might be a problem.¡± Treize chuckled, and winked.


    Then he headed for the balcony.


    * * *


    ¡°It looks like the snow is letting up.¡±


    In the interrogation room, ire peered out the curtains.


    The snowkes were smaller and the clouds were notably thinner. The moonlight in the eastern sky pierced through the clouds and cast beams of light grey on the world.


    Fiona and Benedict were wearing winter gear. Wool jackets and pants over their indoor clothes, with coats, hats, gloves, and boots ready for them to wear. Their wrists were now free, but ropes were tied around their waists, each held like a leash by Elvar and Kirk.


    ¡°How is the party hall?¡± ire asked Elvar, turning away from the window. Elvar, who had an earpiece in one ear, answered.


    ¡°They¡¯re finished. The servants are asleep. They won¡¯t be getting up for a long time considering how much of the drugs we used. And they¡¯ll be finished setting up the fire in a few minutes.¡±


    ¡°Excellent.¡±


    ire nced at her wristwatch. It was just past four in the morning.


    When she lowered her left arm, she met Fiona¡¯s upward gaze.


    Fiona seemed a little tired. Her left cheek was swollen from being struck. But she stared defiantly. ire did not avert her gaze. Several seconds of silence followed.


    Fiona slowly spoke.


    ¡°There¡¯s no guarantee you¡¯ll seed.¡±


    But ire ignored her and turned to Elvar and Kirk.


    ¡°Anyway.¡± She said. ¡°The Roxchean police are a pack of idiots. We would have bought these weapons anyway, but it was a gamble buying so many.¡±


    Elvar did not say anything.


    ¡°Although I think they caught on to the film.¡± Kirk noted. Benedict¡¯s curiosity was piqued.


    ¡°You even bought the film in secret? Why?¡±


    ire answered with surprising ease.


    ¡°Manyrge productions want to film Ikstova. If we bought the film publicly and they found out, we¡¯d get every nameless production begging to join us.¡±


    ¡°My goodness. Howpetitive.¡± Benedict sighed, surprised.


    ¡°And they would have even followed us tonight. Nuisances.¡± ire spat.


    ¡°I would have liked that.¡± Benedict chimed in. A meaningful smile rose to ire¡¯s lips. Kirk spoke.


    ¡°Even if they noticed something amiss at the Capital District, it¡¯s toote. We¡¯re all going to ¡®die¡¯ here.¡±


    ire nodded firmly.


    ¡°Yes. It¡¯s toote.¡±


    * * *


    <Kunst air traffic control, do you copy?>


    The air traffic controller had finished his cup of tea and was reading all alone in the room when a voice called to him from the radio.


    Again, he reacted quickly. He turned off the nightstand, ced his book face-down on the desk, and pulled the microphone to his mouth as he pressed the call button.


    <This is Kunst air traffic control. Reception adequate. What can I do for you?>


    <We¡­ can¡¯t give you our name, but this is a rented aerone.>


    ¡°Another strange one.¡± The air traffic controller groaned, but he continued to do his job.


    <All right, then. What do you need?>


    <We¡¯re currently flying over the southern pass. We will reach the airport shortly. Requesting permission fornding.>


    The air traffic controller opened the curtains by the desk. It was still snowing, but the moonlight clearly lit up the rows of tent hangars and the wind sock, billowing towards the west.


    <Airspace and runway are clear. No crafts on standby for takeoff. Wind direction is east, about 3 meters. However, it¡¯s still snowing.>


    <We¡¯ll make that. We see the airport. Endmunications.>


    They cut off there without even a word of thanks.


    ¡°What¡¯s the rush, I wonder?¡±


    The air traffic controller picked up the telephone and informed the other workers about thending. Soon, he heard the roar of engines. Picking up a pair of binocrs, he peered out the main window at the runway.


    Two lines of orange lights shone on the ice. An aerone madending between them, scattering snow everywhere.


    It was a mid-sized twin-engine aircraft with a sleek frame. The model was originally a bomber, but it was also sometimes used to carry passengers.


    With a deafening noise the aerone slowly descended. It taxied quickly across the ice, pushed itself into arge, recently-cleared ramp, and came to a perfect stop in front of the hangar.


    ¡°A little violent, but that was excellent.¡± The air traffic controller mused as people disembarked from the ne.


    People dressed in grey began unloadingrge pieces of luggage from the back. Two of them walked over to the air traffic control center. One was a man, and the other¡ªfrom the height and slight build¡ªwas a woman.


    There was a knock. The air traffic controller opened the door.


    A bespectacled man in his mid-thirties and a ck-haired woman in herte twenties entered. They were both in grey coats and boots. Even after stepping into the warm room, they only removed their hats, not their coats.


    ¡°Wee to Ikstova. How can I help you? If you need a car to Kunst, I can call someone toe get you. You might even make it in time for the celebrations.¡± The air traffic controller said politely. Major Travas spoke.


    ¡°Thank you. I just wanted to check something here. Did you receive any reports of idents or incidents in the Kunst area, including on royal property?¡±


    ¡°Pardon?¡± The air traffic controller¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°No¡­ nothing. The Kunst police force contacts us whenever something happens to make sure criminals on the run don¡¯t take off with an aerone. But we didn¡¯t get any word today. Are you from the Confederation¡¯s civil services?¡±


    ¡°Not quite, but thank you.¡± Major Travas said. Axe bowed courteously as well.


    But just as they prepared to leave¡ª


    ¡°W-wait! Wait a second!¡± The air traffic controller said.


    Travas and Axe turned.


    ¡°Was it your group that sent the strange message about an hour ago?¡±


    Instead of saying ¡®no¡¯, Major Travas asked a question.


    ¡°What did the message say?¡±


    ¡°¡®The royal vi is un-¡¯ is as far as I heard. But the signal suddenly cut off, and they wouldn¡¯t reply no matter how much I called back. I hope they haven¡¯t crashed or anything. Did you see any mes by any chance?¡±


    Major Travas said that he didn¡¯t, his eyes narrowing.


    Then he asked,


    ¡°Did you say, ¡®royal vi¡¯?¡±


    * * *


    ¡°Finally¡­¡±


    Treize whispered, his voice scattering in a puff of white.


    He was on the southern balcony on the third floor.


    With the bedsheet poncho over him, hey on his stomach on the coat he had taken off earlier, rifle at the ready. With a corner of the bedsheet wrapped over his head and hat, he peered out at the door through the railings.


    He heard a voice from downstairs. It was a woman¡¯s voice.


    ¡°All right. Let¡¯s go.¡±


    Male voices responded to hers.


    ¡°Eight hostiles¡­ and Mother and Father. That should be ten in total.¡±


    Treize looked down at the doors, where light spilled outside. People exited the vi.


    They were all in coats, hats, and boots. First out were two men, guarded as they led the group. They were both armed with submachine guns.


    Following after them were two figures, watched by the men behind them.


    The two figures were also in coats and hats, but Treize instantly recognized them as his parents. Upon closer inspection, he noticed that they were tethered to the two men behind them.


    ¡°Hostages, huh¡­¡±


    Then followed a slender figure¡ªthe woman.


    ¡°So the productionpany president was a woman, huh. The leader. ¡­That¡¯s seven. Just three more¡­¡±


    Treize counted the people as they exited. The men who came out first left the beams of light from the doors and began walking east, their feet crunching over the snow in the murky moonlight. They were careful to stay in the middle of the road because there was a steep downward slope on the left side.


    Treize counted the people as they exited. The men who came out first left the beams of light from the doors and began walking east, their feet crunching over the snow in the murky moonlight. They were careful to stay in the middle of the road because there was a steep downward slope on the left side.


    ¡°Hurry.¡±


    The woman said, looking back.


    ¡°Right.¡±


    ¡°Right.¡±


    Two more people left the vi and followed after the others.


    ¡°Eight¡­ nine¡­ huh?¡±


    Treize froze mid-count.


    The two people were pulling a sled. There were ropes tied around their waists, and behind them was arge sled about 2 meters long, supported perhaps by skis or a crate lid. Secured with rope to the top of the sled were two ck sacks. Each was the size of a person.


    ¡°Are those bodies¡­?¡± Treize spected, watching the sled depart.


    ording to the servant who came to the cottage, only one of the hostage-takers had died. Treize waited and waited. But no one else emerged after the sled. The two men with the sled also disappeared past the za and onto the road, leaving tracks in their wake.


    Treize counted to himself again. Including the hostages, nine people were passing by. And two corpses.


    ¡°I guess another one ended up dead somehow¡­ then it all adds up. Great!¡±


    Treize stood. And without a sound, he tugged three times on the string that went through the slightly-ajar balcony door, the hallway, his bedroom door, and the closet.


    ¡°Please¡­¡±


    That was the signal.


    Shouldering his rifle, Treize moved over to the gutter from the edge of the balcony. He made almost no noise as he expertly made his way down and onto the ground at the doors.


    Treize held his rifle in front of him and disarmed the safety.


    And bending forward, he began to follow the fresh tracks in the snow. With muffled steps, like he was hunting foxes or rabbits.


    The snow had stopped.


    The clouds slowly passed by overhead.


    The clouds were much thinner now, and even more moonlight was seeping through. A mosaic of ck and white passed across the sky.


    ¡°It¡¯s so pretty¡­¡±


    In the crawlspace, Lillia was examining Treize¡¯s pendant. She had it on her left hand, strung from her right.


    The chain was gold, as well as the coin. On the coin was an intricate carving of a hawk.


    Lillia was just about to put it back in her pocket when it happened.


    ¡°Ah!¡±


    Treize tugged on the string three times. Lillia shifted suddenly, dropping the pendant onto the plywood floor.


    ¡°Oh no¡­ that was close.¡±


    She quickly scooped it up into her hands and brought it to her pocket, but stopped.


    ¡°What if I lose it?¡±


    Two seconds of thoughtter,


    ¡°This should be safer.¡±


    With a nod, she undid the sp and put the pendant around her own neck before tucking it into her shirt.


    She ced her left hand in a fist over her chest to check that the pendant was safely under her shirt.


    ¡°Yeah!¡±


    And with a short yell, she stepped down into the closet.


    With her hands on the plywood, Lillia slowly and quietly lowered herself into the closet.


    The light was on in the room, and the curtains were closed. The door was open by about 20 centimeters to let the string pass through.


    The moment Lillia made to step toward the door¡ª


    ¡°?¡±


    She spotted someone walking from the left to the right¡ªthat is, from the stairwell to the balcony.


    It was only for a moment, but the figure was a man wearing a coat and carrying a rifle. A secondter, Lillia heard the balcony door quietly open.


    ¡°Treize?¡± She whispered, and slowly crossed the room and opened the door. Then she peered out into the hallway in the direction of the balcony.


    The man left the door open as he stepped outside. The moment Lillia stuck out her head, his feet disappeared behind the wall.


    Lillia went to the balcony.


    And she stuck out her head from the doorway.


    ¡°Ah!¡±


    She gasped.


    The figure was not Treize.


    Elvar steadied a long, thin rifle from the edge of the balcony as he took aim at someone. The rifle belonged to Benedict.


    In his sights was a figure in white, about 50 meters away and walking beside the road.


    ¡°Treize!¡±


    When Lillia screamed, both Elvar and Treize reacted.


    Though rattled by the girl¡¯s sudden appearance not 3 meters beside him, Elvar focused on his task. He turned straight back and peered into the scope.


    Lining up the barrel under the lens with the figure in the distance, he immediately pulled the trigger.


    Treize looked back at the soft scream in the distance.


    He stood upright and turned, still holding his rifle.


    He saw the vi. And a sh of light at the very edge of the third floor balcony.


    And¡ª


    The bullet came faster than the gunshot.


    There was a loud noise on the field of snow.


    ¡°Eek!¡± Lillia trembled, shrinking back.


    And she saw the figure in the distance fall, blown away.


    Snow fell over the figure in white. The pile of snow at the bottom of the slope simultaneously swallowed him and became a small avnche, disappearing into the woods.


    ¡°Who?! Hey! I¡ª¡±


    Lillia¡¯s third word was cut off.


    Elvar had approached without a sound andnded a thrust to her sr plexus with the butt of the rifle.


    He held the unconscious Lillia in his right arm and leaned the rifle against the railings.


    ¡°Wh-who is this? How¡ª?¡±


    Confused, Elvarid Lillia down on the balcony. He scrutinized her face,pletely still as though asleep, and mumbled to himself again.


    ¡°Who could this be?¡±


    At that moment,


    ¡°Hm?¡±


    Something seemed to glint near her neck. Elvar reached over with his right pointer finger, which stuck out through his glove.


    The glint belonged to a golden chain. Elvar slowly tugged it. Soon, a golden coin emerged.


    ¡°I-impossible¡­¡±


    His eyes widened in shock.


    ¡°Princess Meriel!¡±


    <Leader, this is Elvar. Please respond.>


    <This is ire. I heard a gunshot in the distance. Was that you? Did you get her?>


    <Y-yes. Someone did appear to chase after you. But it doesn¡¯t seem to have been the woman. I shot him with the rifle, square in the chest. I can¡¯t say for certain because he was carried down the northern slope in the snow.>


    <Understood. Start the fire ande join us, Elvar. We¡¯re about to descend a slope. The rendezvous point will be 300 meters further. We¡¯ll meet at thekeshore.>


    <Yes, but¡­ Leader. I have something to report.>


    <What is it? Tell me.>


    <It¡¯s a little difficult to exin over the radio¡­ Could you return here with two or so men? Feel free to get rid of the fake corpse along with the sled.>


    <What about the fake queen?>


    <Have Palmer lead and take them to the aerone first. Pleasee back with Jake and Wayne, Leader.>


    <Is this a change of ns? Has something serious happened?>


    <Yes. That¡¯s correct.>


    <Understood. I¡¯ll be there shortly. We¡¯ll contact you by radio just before we arrive.>


    <Understood, Leader. I will be waiting. Endmunication.>

 Volume 2 8 — Major Travas’s Battle

    <h4>Volume 2 Chapter 8: Major Travas¡¯s Battle</h4>


    -----


    ¡°Unbelievable¡­ this is Princess Meriel?¡±


    ¡°Look at her pendant, Leader.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s true¡­ only a member of the royal family could have a pendant like this.¡±


    In the lobby, Elvar and ire¡ªthetter still in her coat¡ªlooked down from either side of Lillia under the gravely wrong impression.


    Lillia was in her coat, lying on another coat. Treize¡¯s pendant shone on her chest.


    Next to the door, and in the second floor hallway, Jake and Wayne stood on guard with machine guns at the ready.


    In a corner of the lobby was a wooden crate. Inside it was oil-soaked cloth, and rolled up next to it was a particrly long fuse. It was not yet lit.


    The other fuse sticking out of the crate ran up the stairs to the second floor, into the party hall where the servants slept.


    ire was outraged.


    ¡°That sly fox! She hid Meriel right under our noses all this time! Not bad¡­ not bad at all!¡±


    ¡°We didn¡¯t see her when we were searching the third floor earlier¡­ I¡¯m very sorry, Leader.¡±


    ¡°Not to worry, Elvar. It¡¯s thanks to your contingency n against the servant woman that we managed to get a hold of Meriel. It¡¯s a marvelous aplishment! Don¡¯t you agree? Now we have the entire royal family in our custody!¡±


    ¡°Then will we be taking the princess?¡± Asked Elvar. When ire replied, ¡®Of course¡¯, he seemed relieved. ire did not miss that sh of emotion.


    ¡°Worry not. I don¡¯t intend to kill a girl this young. We¡¯re simply going to use her to threaten the queen.¡±


    ¡°¡­Miss.¡±


    Elvar made a hesitant face. ire gave him a gentle pat on the arm.


    ¡°It¡¯s ¡®Leader¡¯.¡±


    ¡°Apologies, Leader.¡±


    ¡°All right. You carry the girl.¡± ire said, smiling.


    ¡°Understood. I injected her not long ago, so she shouldn¡¯t wake up for a while yet.¡±


    ¡°Excellent. We can¡¯t have her making a fuss while we¡¯re transporting her. Princesses are often loud and self-centered.¡± ire said, amused. She then left to speak to Jake, who was standing guard.


    ¡°Thank you, Miss.¡±


    Elvar thanked ire once she was gone, and squatted on the floor. He gingerly wrapped Lillia in the coat that was under her. Then he put a hat on her head and made sure to cover her ears to prevent frostbite. After that, he gently picked her up and carried her on hisrge back.


    Finally, Elvar tied her arms and legs in front of him so she wouldn¡¯t slide off, and stood.


    Casting a nce at Lillia¡¯s face beside his own, Elvar whispered under his breath.


    ¡°Children don¡¯t have to join their parents¡¯ wars¡­¡±


    Lillia said nothing.


    ¡°We¡¯re leaving! Start the fire!¡± ire ordered. Wayne came down the stairs and lit the fuse with a match.


    Slowly, little by little, the long fuse began to burn.


    Jake and Wayne walked out the door.


    ¡°We finally say goodbye! May the royal family rot and turn to ash!¡±


    With that, ire left the vi, her coat swirling.


    The fuse slowly burned in the silent vi.


    * * *


    The snow had stoppedpletely.


    They could see the sky between the flowing clouds. The moon in the eastern sky was only about thirty percent the size of the full moon, but it gave off enough light to see.


    Six people were walking across Lake Ras, frozen solid and covered in snow.


    It was a wide, snowy in. There was nothing in sight. It was like a t white desert.


    North of the group were tiny clusters of countless lights, just above the horizon. It was the airport at Kunst. To the northeast was the city of Kunst. And to the east was thest of the peaks that dropped down to the ins of Roxche, standing in arge ck mass.


    Behind them, thekeshore seemed to reach into the sky like a gigantic shadow.


    The group was walking in a straight line. The man at the head of the group was pushing aside, copsing, and patting down the waist-high snow underfoot as he walked.


    ¡°Could you please do a better job?¡±


    3 meters behind him walked Benedict, patting down the snow even more firmly. 2 meters behind him was the man holding the rope wrapped around Benedict¡¯s waist, carrying a submachine gun in the other hand.


    Behind that man walked Fiona and the man holding her rope, about 5 meters behind the others on the rtively steady path.


    Thest of the men was also holding a submachine gun, walking with the asional backwards nce. Tied to his waist was a length of rope connected to the sled carrying their dead friend.


    The wind was calm, and the air quiet.


    ¡°Things would be much easier if we went by skis.¡±


    Benedict¡¯s grumbling sounded unusually loud in the stillness.


    ¡°Shut up.¡± Said the man at the front. He was wearing a name card that read ¡®Mike¡¯. He was the youngest of the hostage-takers, around the same age as Benedict.


    Benedict was not cowed in the least.


    ¡°You, sir, in the front. If you are tired, why not switch with someone behind you?¡±


    Mike snorted.


    ¡°Yeah¡­ I almost want to trade jobs with you.¡±


    ¡°That sounds very good. I am used to this work. But I will be changing our destination to the Kunst police department.¡±


    Burress, the fifty-something man holding Benedict¡¯s rope, muttered bitterly.


    ¡°Expected no less from a hero, joking around at a time like this. If we didn¡¯t need you to be walking, I¡¯d give you a little taste of pain.¡±


    ¡°Thank you for your restraint.¡± Benedict said, and nced backwards. ¡°Fi, are you following us?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡± Her voice said. ¡°I¡¯m fine.¡±


    The one behind Fiona was Kirk, who had been standing behind her even in the interrogation room. He was silently keeping an eye on the queen.


    Palmer, who was walking at the very back, said inly to the hostages,


    ¡°You two.¡±


    He was the oldest of the group, well over the age of sixty from his looks.


    ¡°Once we get to the airport, we¡¯ll shut you up by force if necessary.¡±


    ¡°That makes sense.¡± Benedict said. ¡°There would be a very bigmotion if people found out you were holding the queen hostage.¡±


    ¡°And a fake, too¡­ Owen¡¯s not gonna rest in peace¡­¡± Palmer said bitterly.


    ¡°¡­¡±


    Fiona continued to walk without saying a word. But Benedict chattered in her stead.


    ¡°Except for the young person at the front, are you all from the old Terreur Foundation, Mr. Palmer?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s right, Hero of the Mural.¡±


    ¡°I see. Of course.¡±


    ¡°What do you want to know that for?¡± Asked Palmer. The other men turned their attention to Benedict curiously.


    ¡°If we are safely rescued and you escape, we will need information to go after you. I thought I should collect intelligence while I could.¡±


    ¡°Ha!¡± Palmer barked. ¡°We¡¯ve got an optimist here, I see. No wonder you came out and announced the treasure like that.¡±


    ¡°It was a wonderful treasure, don¡¯t you agree?¡±


    ¡°People lost jobs because of you.¡±


    ¡°Like you. You are all older people because you were in the Roxchean military at the time, correct?¡±


    Palmer nodded. The group pressed on, all ears on him.


    ¡°I took up the gun to protect my countrymen and kill you Westerners. But look at me now. You¡¯re standing right there, and I can¡¯t even shoot you.¡±


    ¡°But now you will not be shot by Westerners, either.¡±


    ¡°Hmph. Just say the word and I can cross the river and go wild. For my deadrades.¡±


    ¡°You must value your life more. You do not want to see your friends die again, do you?¡±


    Palmer did not answer.


    For a time, there was silence. Six people walked through the snow, their footsteps breaking the stillness. It was like a funeral march.


    Eventually, Palmer spoke again.


    ¡°That¡¯s what war is.¡±


    It was only a momentter¡ª


    Thud. They heard someone fall onto the snow from the very back, near where Palmer¡¯s voice hade from.


    ¡°Hm?¡±


    Kirk turned, not slowing his pace.


    He saw a moonlit field of snow, and a narrow path. And no people.


    ¡°Hmm¡­?¡±


    He looked down and found Palmer on the ground. Kirk quickly raised his voice.


    ¡°Mike! Halt!¡±


    As three people stopped and watched, Kirk went up to Palmer. Fiona had to follow because she was still tethered to him.


    ¡°Hey. Palmer. Everything all right?¡± He asked. Palmer was crouched forward on the snow. ¡°Get a hold of yourself. Did you wear yourself out?¡±


    Kirk grabbed Palmer by the shoulder and slowly flipped him over, keeping his head raised.


    ¡°Hm?¡±


    His thoughts came grinding to a halt.


    Before his eyes was Palmer¡¯s face, unmoving and covered in dark red blood.


    ¡°Argh!¡±


    Kirk reeled and fell onto the snow.


    ¡°Ah¡­¡±


    Fiona behind him also glimpsed the bloodied corpse.


    ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± Asked Mike, running over from the front. ¡°Move!¡±


    He passed by Benedict and Burress, shoving Fiona aside and approaching the body.


    ¡°Mr. Kirk?¡±


    ¡°Palmer¡­¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    Mike, having fought the snow to reach Palmer, got down and examined his friend¡¯s face.


    ¡°¡­¡±


    He was stunned into silence. Burress asked him what was wrong.


    ¡°H-he¡¯s dead! Mr. Palmer¡¯s¡ª¡±


    But Mike could not finish responding. His voice cut off unnaturally and his body leaned backwards. Kirk and Fiona, who were right next to him, clearly saw the blood spouting in a red fountain from his forehead.


    Mike fell to the snow, leaving a man-shaped hole in the in.


    ¡°Hey, what¡¯s¡ª¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a sniper! Get down!¡± Kirk cried, cutting off Burress.


    ¡°Ugh!¡±


    Burress and Kirk ducked simultaneously. The rope around Benedict was pulled taut.


    ¡°Whoa.¡±


    Benedict fell to the ground face-first. He tasted snow.


    And¡ª


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    Fiona, who failed to react, was left standing alone on theke. And she waspletely ignored.


    ¡°Where¡¯d thate from? I didn¡¯t hear any shots!¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know! Damn it!¡±


    Burress and Kirk shouted from the ground.


    ¡°¡­¡±


    Lost, Fiona scanned theke.


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    And she spotted a white figure.


    Only 20 meters away stood a man in white. It was as though he had risen out of the ground. He was dressed from head to toe in white, with goggles over his eyes, a white mask over his face, and something resembling a sawed-off rifle in his hands.


    He slowly raised his left hand and held up his pointer finger over his mouth. It was a universal gesture calling for silence.


    As Fiona stared, still standing, the man slowly walked forward. With the rifle in hand he quickly crossed the snow.


    ¡°Sheet! Run!¡± Burress cried, still crouching on the snow.


    ¡°Right! We¡¯ll drag the hostages if we have to¡ª¡± Kirk said, looking up at Fiona beside him. With his right arm he reached up to pull her over, and a hole was blown through it.


    ¡°Gah!¡±


    A bullet passed through his elbow, scattering blood in its wake.


    There was no gunshot this time, either. Kirk cradled his arm as he curled up.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± Asked Burress, crawling over.


    ¡°Damn it¡­ got shot¡­¡±


    Burress¡¯s face twisted in shock. When he looked up, he saw Fiona staring nkly at them.


    ¡°Damn you! You were hiding a gun?!¡±


    He took aim with his submachine gun.


    ¡°Hands in the air!¡±


    At that moment.


    ¡°Agh¡ª¡±


    Like a wind-up toying to a stop, Burress froze. The gun fell from his hands. And he fell face-first into the snow, never to move again.


    As Kirk writhed in pain, Burress died with blood spilling from his head. His hat was stained a bright red and steam rose faintly from the blood.


    Fiona realized that the man in white was standing behind her now. He was tall and well-built. All she could see of his face were the stern eyes under his goggles.


    The man operated the bolt on his gun. A cartridge too small to be used in a rifle was expelled from it.


    The gun was a modified bolt-action rifle, which used 45mm handgun rounds. It was an assassination-use gun with an integral suppressor. The man was opening fire in time with someone¡¯s voice.


    ¡°D-damn you¡­¡±


    Kirk raised his head, swearing.


    ¡°Hm¡­? Argh!¡±


    The man quickly ran over and swung the butt of the rifle at Kirk¡¯s temple.


    ¡°Gah!¡±


    Kirk lost consciousness and fell into the snow. The man who hit him looked at Fiona and asked tersely in Roxchean,


    ¡°Are you hurt?¡±


    Fiona shook her head.


    ¡°No. ¡­Hm?¡±


    About 10 meters behind the man, Fiona saw another figure in white. And two more next to that. She looked around. There was another one behind her. They were all gliding on skis toward her.


    Benedict raised his snow-covered head and sat up.


    ¡°Hm? What is this? Who are you?¡± He asked the white figure who stood next to his wife.


    But the figure in white answered with another question.


    ¡°Queen Francesca and Sir Benedict?¡±


    ¡°Oh. That¡¯s correct.¡±


    ¡°Yes. We are.¡±


    The man in white nodded satisfactorily.


    And as though ignoring them, he walked over to the unconscious Kirk and dragged him by the feet for about 3 meters.


    Benedict rose to his feet and shook off the snow, then went to Fiona¡¯s side. His eyes widened when he saw the five figures in white approaching them.


    The five people stopped just 2 meters from Fiona and Benedict. They were all wearing white winterbat coats. Their hats and gloves were white, and around their waists were white belts and pieces of gear, white pouches, and holstered guns. There were evenrge sheathed knives.


    ¡°Allies, you think?¡± Benedict asked Fiona in Bezelese.


    ¡°I hope so¡­ but who?¡± Fiona replied, also in Bezelese.


    Then, one of the five people responded to Fiona¡¯s question in Bezelese.


    ¡°It¡¯s a little embarrassing to say, but please call me the magician in white.¡±


    With that, the man pulled off his mask and hat.


    ¡°Ah!¡±


    ¡°Oho!¡±


    When they saw the face underneath, Fiona and Benedict raised their voices in unison.


    ¡°It¡¯s been a while.¡± Said Wilhelm Schultz, introducing himself. ¡°Do you remember me? Major Travas of the Royal Army.¡±


    It took about a minute for Fiona and Benedict to finally calm down.


    ¡°We¡¯ve been investigating Laurie Productions for some time.¡±


    Major Travas gave them a brief rundown of the situation. He exined that, when he found out about a revenge plot in Iks for something that urred eighteen years ago, he supposed it might have something to do with Owen Nichto. That he had visited the airport earlier and heard that something might have happened at the vi, and that he and his team were on their way when they ran into the group.


    ¡°An emergencymunication to the airport? Who could have done that?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not sure¡­ the servant?¡±


    ¡°The air traffic controller says it was a young man¡¯s voice.¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°Who could it be?¡±


    Setting aside a mystery they could never solve at this point, Major Travas continued his exnation.


    They had spotted the group walking from quite a distance, and had nned to ignore them¡ªuntil they heard Benedict talking and realized that something was amiss.


    ¡°All that yammering wasn¡¯t a waste of time after all. We really owe you. Thank you.¡± Benedict said in Bezelese. And he exined what had happened¡ªand what was happening¡ªto Major Travas. Because Axe was also with them, he neglected to mention Fiona¡¯s true identity and imed that the royal family had no idea what the hostage-takers meant by a treasure.


    In the meantime, the other four men had scattered. Equipped with a modified bolt-action rifle, a shotgun, an automatic rifle, and a rifle covered in white cloth that obscured its form, and surveyed the area.


    ¡°We were just going down the slope from the road when Nichto took two of her men and went back to the vi. I don¡¯t know why. She got a surprising message on the radio before she left, but I¡¯m not sure what it was.¡± Said Benedict.


    ¡°Then we¡¯ll ask one of her men.¡±


    On Major Travas¡¯s orders, the unconscious Kirk was dragged over. His arm was tightly bound to stop the bleeding and his wrists were tied together.


    After a few ps and some snow to the face, Kirk regained consciousness.


    A modified rifle and Axe¡¯s revolver were aimed at Kirk, who sat on the snow. Major Travas spoke.


    A modified rifle and Axe¡¯s revolver were aimed at Kirk, who sat on the snow. Major Travas spoke.


    ¡°Why did your leader return to the vi?¡±


    A hint of a smile rose to Kirk¡¯s snow-covered face.


    ¡°I can¡¯t say.¡±


    Without missing a beat, Major Travas spoke again.


    ¡°Hm. So you don¡¯t know the contents of the transmission after all.¡±


    Kirk¡¯s smile faded.


    ¡°¡­What makes you think that?¡±


    ¡°Because I saw relief flooding your face the moment you heard my question. You must have thought that you could withstand any interrogation because you didn¡¯t know the answer to begin with. That you could at least buy time for your friends.¡±


    Kirk was silent. Major Travas ignored him and turned to Benedict and Fiona, speaking in Bezelese.


    ¡°He doesn¡¯t know a thing. We¡¯ll head to the vi.¡±


    ¡°What will you do with him?¡± Fiona asked, making a point of speaking in Roxchean. The captured man flinched.


    ¡°He¡¯ll only get in the way if we take him¡­¡± Major Travas trailed off.


    Fiona shook her head. And she looked Major Travas in the eye, her swollen face prominent.


    ¡°Arrest him. We¡¯ll punish him by Ikstovanw.¡±


    Slowly, Major Travas raised his right hand in a salute.


    Fiona paused gravely and nodded.


    Kirk, however, raised his voice.


    ¡°You¡¯re not taking me that easily!¡±


    With his hands still bound, he drew a thin knife from his boot.


    ¡°This is for my friends!¡±


    He leapt in the blink of an eye and charged at Fiona, who stood 3 meters away.


    The man with the rifle quickly pulled the trigger. The bulletnded square in Kirk¡¯s side. But he did not slow.


    Major Travas moved in front of Fiona. Axe quickly took aim at Kirk.


    ¡°¡­¡±


    But she did not pull the trigger. She had a single second¡ªenough time to shoot him¡ªbut the revolver never roared.


    ¡°Argh!¡±


    Kirk passed by the line of fire and leapt toward Major Travas.


    ¡°Ugh!¡±


    Major Travas reached out and grabbed Kirk¡¯s shoulder. But that only slowed him for a moment. Travas fell backwards, unable to stand the force. As Kirk fell forward, he headbutted Major Travas in the chest.


    ¡°Grk!¡±


    And in the second Major Travas loosened his grip, Kirk used his weight to push the knife into his gut. The de pierced Travas¡¯s whitebat uniform and slowly drove itself into his skin.


    ¡°Die!¡± Kirk cried.


    ¡°I refuse!¡±


    Major Travasnded a sucker punch on his nose.


    ¡°Gah!¡±


    When Kirk reeled for a split second, Major Travas drew a 9mm automatic handgun. He pushed the muzzle into Kirk¡¯s gut, disarmed the safety, and pulled the trigger. Two muffled gunshots sounded between them.


    ¡°Urgh! Grk¡­¡±


    Kirk¡¯s upper body was thrown backwards. Major Travas pushed him aside with his left hand. Blood gushed from Kirk¡¯s stomach as hey on the floor, and stained his coat.


    ¡°Major!¡±


    ¡°Major!¡±


    Axe and a male subordinate cried in unison.


    ¡°I¡¯m all right¡­¡±


    Major Travas rose, holding his left hand over his stomach. He winced painfully and moved his hand up to his chest. And he pointed the gun in his right hand at Kirk.


    ¡°Kill me!¡± Kirk spat, vomiting blood.


    ¡°Yes. I¡¯ll end your pain.¡±


    Major Travas pulled the trigger. One shot to the chest, and another. This time, the gunshots resounded into the air. Fiona flinched at each shot.


    Two cartridges flew into the air and fell into the snow.


    ¡°Phew¡­¡±


    With a sigh, Major Travas fell to his knees.


    ¡°Are you all right, Major?¡± Asked the male subordinate, looking at Travas¡¯s face. Thetter replied, his face covered in sweat.


    ¡°It hurts a bit. Not so much the wound as my conscience.¡±


    ¡°Should we have a look at the wound?¡±


    ¡°No, we can do thatter. We should move.¡±


    The man nodded and looked up. Then.


    ¡°¡­¡±


    He turned to the young woman standing in a daze, holding a revolver and staring in his direction.


    ¡°Axe! You could have gotten that shot! Why did you hesitate?!¡±


    ¡°I-I¡­ I¡¯m¡­ sorry¡­¡±


    Her voice shook. Her one visible eye trembled unsteadily.


    ¡°Never mind. You can put away the revolver, Axe.¡± Major Travas said nonchntly, slowly getting up. He was steady on his feet. ¡°Hm. Yes. I¡¯m fine.¡± He added, smiling at the male subordinate.


    ¡°Axe has never shot a person before.¡± He exined. ¡°The first kill is tough for everyone.¡±


    ¡°But that could have hindered¡ª¡±


    ¡°This takes priority. Everyone, prepare to move.¡±


    ¡°¡­Yes, sir.¡± The man replied, and went over to convey the orders to the others.


    ¡°You all right, Major?¡± Benedict asked,ing up from behind. Major Travas turned.


    ¡°Yes. This is nothing.¡±


    ¡°Thank you for protecting my wife.¡±


    Fiona expressed her gratitude as well.


    ¡°Thank you. Make sure to get that injury looked at. Promise us.¡±


    Major Travas nodded, smiling.


    And,


    ¡°My apologies, Major¡­¡±


    He turned to the subordinate who stood hanging her head beside him.


    ¡°Forget about it, Axe. We¡¯re moving out.¡±


    ¡°Yes, sir.¡±


    Axe forwent the salute and walked off with a firm nod.


    Wading through the snow, she headed to get her skis, and whispered under her breath.


    ¡°The first kill is tough for everyone¡­ The first¡­ first kill¡­¡±


    And she exhaled angrily.


    Her eyes burned with outrage, locked on the deserted snowscape.


    ¡°And yet! You killed my father without a second thought!¡±


    No one heard the words out of Gratz Axentine¡¯s mouth.


    Watching the group in white prepare to move, Benedict spoke with Major Travas.


    ¡°The vi, eh? I¡¯ming with you.¡± He said, collecting the submachine guns and extra magazines from the bodies.


    ¡°I¡¯d prefer it if you were to head straight to the airport¡­ but I suppose I can¡¯t convince you otherwise.¡± Major Travas said. Benedict grinned.


    ¡°¡®Course I¡¯m going. It¡¯s my house.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ming too.¡± Fiona chimed in. ¡°It¡¯s just ire Nichto and three men left now. I¡¯m going after them and having them arrested before they can leave the country.¡±


    ¡°Great! Can we halt all bus service and flights out of the country?¡±


    ¡°Wait a moment, please. That might not be a good idea.¡± Major Travas cut in.


    ¡°Why not?¡±


    ¡°Why?¡±


    Fiona and Benedict asked. Major Travas exined himself.


    First, he told them that the team¡¯s priority was Fiona, Benedict, and the vi¡¯s well-being.


    Then he exined that, even if the remaining hostage-takers were to escape the country, their announcement of Fiona¡¯s deception would carry no weight without Fiona herself in their custody. That they could cause no harm for the moment.


    ¡°Even if they announce their discovery, it will obviously be taken as just another conspiracy theory like the snow monsters of Iks. They¡¯ll assume the recording is a detailed fake.¡±


    ¡°True¡­¡±


    ¡°I suppose you¡¯re right. ¡­I¡¯m about as believable as snow monsters to the public.¡±


    ¡°Ah, my apologies. And also¡ª¡±


    Major Travas finally added that the identities of ire Nichto and her team were clearly known, and that there was no hurry to go after them because the Confederation police would catch them eventually.


    ¡°I see¡­ so our priority¡¯s to get to the vi without running into them.¡± Said Benedict. Major Travas nodded.


    ¡°I see¡­ so our priority¡¯s to get to the vi without running into them.¡± Said Benedict. Major Travas nodded.


    ¡°Was there regrmunication from the vi?¡±


    ¡°No.¡±


    ¡°Then we should keep this situation a secret until we receive word. We have an extra pair of skis, Benedict, if you¡¯ll do the honors.¡±


    Benedict chuckled and nodded.


    ¡°Right. I¡¯ll carry Fi on my back. There¡¯s a faster route to the vi than the one these people took. Looks like they had no idea you could go around the back. Let¡¯s go.¡±


    * * *


    In the woods covered in moon-cast snow, the shadows of the branches shone in dark mosaics. It was still and silent.


    Half-buried next to a tree was a person.


    The tree was bent under the weight of snow on the steep 40-degree incline, its roots hanging down. And a person was caught sideways in the roots as though in their embrace.


    More than half of his right side was buried, and there was a faint sprinkle of snow on his face. His uncovered left side and arms did not even twitch.


    A clump of snow fell from the branches. It instantly covered the left side and arms of the person lying beside the tree.


    There were no more human figures in the woods.


    Silence filled the forest again. Three seconds passed.


    ¡°GAAAAH!¡±


    The person sat upright with a loud cry. He quickly dusted the snow off his upper body and rolled from the roots and down the slope.


    ¡°AAAAHHH!¡±


    Scattering snow everywhere, he rolled 10 meters downhill.


    ¡°Bwaughh!¡±


    With an iprehensible cry,


    ¡°Koff! Koff!¡±


    the person spat snow out of his mouth and coughed several times.


    ¡°Hah! Ah! Hah!¡±


    And he yelled three or so times.


    He pulled off his hat. A head of drenched ck hair emerged. He shook his head to get rid of the snow on his face. It was Treize.


    ¡°DAMN IT!¡± He roared. There was a vertical 3-centimeter cut on his forehead. Blood ran down the side of his nose and by his mouth.


    Treize licked it off. He tasted the blood between ragged breaths.


    ¡°Take that, damn it¡­¡±


    ring at the deserted snowscape, he raised a cry.


    ¡°I¡¯m still alive!¡±


    Treize began to climb up the slope.


    The backpack and the makeshift poncho had disappeared somewhere when he rolled down the hill. He stripped off his coat because it was weighed down by clumps of snow. Wearing only woolen pants and a jacket, and without even a hat, he scrambled up the hill.


    The snow gave away countless times and Treize was pushed back each time. He constantly looked for a decent tree to crawl to and use as a foundation to find the next.


    He was covered in sweat. A bead of sweat even ran down his cheek.


    It was below freezing outside. If his body cooled now, his sweat would freeze and kill him. So Treize did not stop for a moment as he worked up the hill. The blood from his cut stopped after he shut his eyes and wiped it off a few times.


    For over twenty minutes he crawled, until he finally reached the point where he fell¡ªthe path in the snow. He hade back to the ce where he had been shot.


    He looked to the left, then the right. He saw no one. About 50 meters to the right he saw a building.


    ¡°¡­¡±


    Shoulders heaving, Treize panted. And he slowly headed for the vi.


    Crunch. He felt something hard underfoot.


    Treize reached into the snow and grabbed it.


    ¡°Ah¡­¡±


    It was the rifle he had brought. Near the very center, where the rounds were neatly loaded, was arge hole. He could see the rounds and the metallic parts through the split wooden cover.


    ¡°I get it. The bullet hit this thing.¡±


    He finally understood.


    At the time, Treize had turned without thinking at Lillia¡¯s cry. At the same time, he saw a sh of lighting from the vi¡¯s balcony. Then he was seized by an impact near his head, and as his consciousness faded he heard a gunshot.


    Then he spun violently like he was thrown into a shaker, tossed more roughly than in any aerobatic maneuver, and finally lost consciousness.


    When Treize turned with the rifle still in front of his face, the bullet had hit the rifle and the butt of the rifle had struck him square on the forehead.


    ¡°You took the shot for me¡­ thank you.¡±


    Picking up his gun, Treize resumed walking. He was struck by a chill as his sweat began to cool. He sneezed again and again. His head spun and the world seemed to twist and turn.


    ¡°Damn it!¡±


    Treize broke into a run. He scattered snow in his wake as he sprinted down the path.


    Several bouts of curses and expletivester, he was finally at the za. Once he was standing under the light, a sigh escaped his lips.


    At that moment¡ª


    ¡°Freeze! Lower your weapon!¡±


    He heard a man¡¯s voice form next to him.


    ¡°What?¡±


    Irritated, he turned. A man in white emerged from behind the corner. He was holding a shotgun at Treize. Another man came out after him, holding a modified rifle.


    ¡°¡­¡±


    The broken rifle fell from Treize¡¯s hands.


    ¡°Hands in the air.¡±


    Another order. Drenched in sweat, Treize raised his hands into the air, took a deep breath, and¡ª


    ¡°DAMN IT! WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON HERE?!¡±


    He shouted more loudly than he had ever that day. Then his head began to shake.


    Thud.


    And he fell in the middle of the za.


    ¡°Treize! Wake up! Hey! Get up! Treize!¡±


    Someone was loudly calling his name. When Treize squinted, he saw the face of a bearded man.


    He had no idea what was going on.


    ¡°Ten more minutes¡­¡±


    ¡°Get up, you dolt!¡±


    ¡°WHOA!¡±


    When he realized that he was looking at his father, Treize sat up without warning. Benedict pulled away a second before Treize¡¯s head hit his chin.


    They were in the party hall in the second floor. Treize was lying right beside the firece, which was stuffed with firewood and filling the room with warmth.


    Treize had been stripped out of his wet clothes, left in just his underpants andyers of fluffy towels. When he touched his finger to his forehead, he felt ointment on his cut.


    He turned. The servants were lying in a row on the other side of the room, covered in nkets. Watching over them were two or so people in whitebat gear.


    ¡°You¡¯re finally awake.¡± Said the man beside him. Treize looked at him properly.


    ¡°Oh. Father.¡±


    Then he surveyed his surroundings.


    ¡°What about Mother?¡±


    ¡°Your mother¡¯s fine. She¡¯s in the lobby right now. Water?¡±


    Benedict held out a bottle of water. Treize snatched it without a word and gulped down its contents.


    ¡°What were you doing, anyway? Breaking my rifle, walking around in spring clothes and drenched in sweat, and shouting like a drunk at our front door?¡±


    Treize finally took his mouth away from the bottle and wiped his mouth.


    ¡°Who cares? It doesn¡¯t really matter at this point.¡±


    ¡°What do you mean it doesn¡¯t matter?¡±


    ¡°It doesn¡¯t okay? Never mind!¡±


    ¡°Is that any way to talk to your father? Give back that water!¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s mine now!¡±


    ¡°Where are your manners? Who taught you to behave?!¡±


    ¡°Go look in the mirror! And shave that beard, while you¡¯re at it!¡±


    As Treize and his father¡¯s argument escted,


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ire Nichto was looking down at her men¡¯s bodies.


    They had followed the clear footprints in the snow and gone out into theke when they found the four men in the moonlight. They had all been shot and were lying in piles of red snow. All four bodies were cold like meat in a freezer.


    The bodies all had their hands folded over their chests. Someone must have done that to them. Next to the four men was Mores¡¯s body, still in the sack.


    ¡°¡­¡±


    Through gritted teeth ire seethed. She stood for some time in silence.


    Through gritted teeth ire seethed. She stood for some time in silence.


    Jake and Wayne scanned the area with submachine guns at the ready.


    Elvar, who was standing behind ire, slowly lowered his rifle and the sleeping Lillia to the ground. There were signs that people had walked around the area. As he examined the footprints, Elvar found several cartridges. 45mm rounds and 9mm rounds.


    He picked them up and scrutinized them.


    ¡°¡­¡±


    Then Elvar clenched his fists. The sound of metal on metal punctuated the stillness.


    ¡°What in the world happened here¡­? What in the world?!¡± Laurie cried. Elvar went up to show her the cartridges.


    ¡°They must have been attacked. And not by normal people, like the Kunst police force. Look at these, Leader.¡±


    Elvar deposited the empty cartridges onto ire¡¯s open hand.


    ¡°We didn¡¯t use rounds this size. And look at the bottom of the cartridges. There¡¯s nothing there. No manufacturer initials, no size indicators, nothing. Civilians and police couldn¡¯t get their hands on equipment like this.¡±


    ¡°Then who?¡± ire demanded, throwing aside the empty cartridges. Elvar shook his head.


    ¡°I¡¯m not sure, Leader. But they¡¯re clearly a formidable and experienced group. No run-of-the-mill team could have taken out Palmer and the other before they could resist.¡±


    ¡°Damn it¡­¡± ire swore, gritting her teeth. A secondter¡ª


    ¡°Leader! I see ski tracks! There are six¡­ Seven of them.¡±


    Jake called out to them, having gone to scout the direction of the airport. Elvar acknowledged his discovery and asked,


    ¡°Are they headed to the airport, then?¡±


    ¡°Well¡­ it¡¯s strange, but they¡¯ve switched directions slightly and are pointing back to the vi.¡±


    Elvar thought for a moment before speaking.


    ¡°They must have rescued Benedict and the queen and gone back to the vi.¡±


    ¡°Damn it!¡±


    ire pulled out her revolver. And she went up to Lillia, whom Elvar hadid down in the snow.


    ¡°Stop this, Leader. She¡¯s a valuable hostage.¡±


    ire shot Elvar a re.


    ¡°Her leg! One little hole in her leg!¡±


    ¡°She could still die of blood loss.¡±


    ¡°But those bastards! Those bastards came out of nowhere and killed my men! Four of my men!¡±


    ¡°Yes. They did. And we will make sure to pay them back. Which is why our hostage is all the more valuable. You must be calm, Leader. In war, you must never lose your cool.¡±


    ¡°¡­Damn it! Yes! Yes, you¡¯re right! But what do we do now? We¡¯ve lost the queen!¡±


    ¡°We still have the princess. We still have a way.¡±


    ¡°Then tell me!¡±


    ¡°Of course. When the queen and her rescuers left this ce, they surely must have decided to let us escape Iks rather than chase us down.¡±


    ¡°But why?¡±


    ¡°If they wanted to capture us, they would have been lying in wait somewhere on the path here. They could have easily killed us, considering how our men died without putting up any resistance. But they didn¡¯t. Because they determined that they would lose nothing by letting us escape.¡±


    ¡°They think we¡¯re fools. But we have the queen¡¯s voice on tape, confessing to her deception.¡±


    ¡°They must be nning to hide the fact of our attack and im that the tape was fabricated. Then they would use the Confederation police force to arrest us.¡±


    ire finally understood the scope of Elvar¡¯s exnation. She was apoplectic.


    ¡°That vixen! Clever in all the worst ways!¡±


    Elvar remained calm, however, as he continued to advise her.


    ¡°But the queen doesn¡¯t realize that we have Princess Meriel in our custody. We can still negotiate.¡±


    ire turned to the girl lying in the snow. She grinned belligerently.


    ¡°Excellent. Then¡­ this war is not over yet.¡±


    Elvar nodded.


    * * *


    The vi lobby.


    Major Travas¡¯s men had taken apart the incendiary mechanism and were transporting the parts out the door.


    ¡°I¡¯m so sorry. I have no idea what Treize could be doing here.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s quite all right. We¡¯ll ask him once he¡¯s awake.¡±


    Fiona was speaking with Major Travas. Axe and the other subordinates were standing guard outside the front doors and behind the building.


    ¡°You should also get some rest, Fi.¡± Major Travas had just said, when a voice spoke from below.


    <Do you hear me, Queen?>


    It was ire¡¯s voice.


    Fiona and Major Travas slowly looked down. They knew what was there. They had collected the radios from the dead men, and because the headsets were unplugged the voice wasing from the tiny radio speakers.


    Fiona slowly sat on the floor and picked up the radio, which looked like arge telephone receiver.


    <You are listening, aren¡¯t you?>


    ire¡¯s voice again. Major Travas pointed Fiona to the call button.


    Fiona pressed firmly on the button and spoke with her mouth by the microphone.


    <Yes, I can hear you. Do you have any more business with me?>


    She took her finger off the switch.


    Several seconds passed in silence.


    <I¡¯m d to hear you¡¯re well, Queen. Are you at the vi now? Nice and toasty inside?>


    <Yes, and no. I¡¯m in the vi, but not by the fire. It¡¯s quite chilly here in the lobby. But we¡¯ve dismantled the dangerous device you left here.>


    <Oh? So much for our token of kindness.>


    <Benedict and I are safe now. There are watchful eyes on us.>


    Yet more time passed silently.


    <Did those people¡­ kill my men?>


    <Yes.>


    Fiona said, and waited for ire to respond. But there was silence yet again. So she pressed the call button.


    <You¡¯ll be leaving Ikstova now, correct?>


    This time, she got an answer.


    <No. Not yet. We can¡¯t just leave you behind.>


    Benedict hurried down the stairs, having heard the voice from the radio. ire continued.


    <You wille to us alone, Queen.>


    <And if I refuse?>


    <Confident as ever. Have you figured it out yet? If you refuse toply, you forfeit the hostage¡¯s life.>


    ¡°Hostage?¡± Fiona whispered. Benedict came up to her then, so she asked him how many servants were present. He replied immediately.


    ¡°Everyone¡¯s here, then.¡±


    Fiona returned to her conversation with ire.


    <Who exactly do you have with you?>


    <Let me be gracious and answer that obvious question. Your daughter. I have Princess Meriel.>


    The three people listening to ire¡¯s voice were left utterly baffled.


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    ¡°Hm?¡±


    Fiona exchanged nces with Major Travas and Benedict, all shaking their heads, and asked the question on all their minds.


    <Wh-what are you talking about?>


    <Yourcency never ceases to amuse me. I captured your daughter when I returned to the vi. And now she sleeps beside the bodies of my men. If you don¡¯t want her sleep to be just as eternal, you¡¯ll do as I say.>


    ¡°¡­¡±


    Fiona paused, not knowing what to say.


    <Think carefully, Queen. I¡¯ll contact you again once you¡¯ve gotten a hold of yourself.>


    ire cut off the conversation there. Fiona tried to call her back several times, to no reply.


    Fiona handed the heavy radio to Benedict and frowned.


    ¡°Meriel? But she should be in Sou Be-Il right now. In Sfrestus. What¡¯s happening here?¡±


    Benedict tapped his temple and replied.


    ¡°What is going on? Did thedy hit her head, you think?¡±


    A momentter.


    ¡°No!¡±


    Someone yelled from the top of the staircase.


    Three sets of eyes flew upwards. Standing on thending was Treize, a sorry sight in just his underpants. He looked like he had just stepped out of a sauna.


    Rushing down to the lobby, he yelled as loudly as he could.


    ¡°Lillia! She¡¯s talking about Lillia!¡±

 Volume 2 9 — Treize’s Battle

    <h4>Volume 2 Chapter 9: Treize¡¯s Battle</h4>


    -----


    Treize told his parents and Major Travas everything.


    That he heard what happened at the vi from the servant who managed to escape. That he came to the vi through the tunnel, alongside Lillia. That they caused a diversion with the bomb. And that he ended up sneaking to the third floor with Lillia.


    One of Major Travas¡¯s subordinates went up to Treize¡¯s room to get some clothes for him. Treize was soon given a shirt and a pair of pants simr to what he had been wearing earlier. He quickly pulled them over his underpants and continued to exin.


    How he had been interrupted while contacting the airport. How he had tried to tail the hostage-takers, only to be caught in an obvious trap and sniped from the vi.


    And how Lillia was likely captured by the man who had shot him, and that Lillia was probably the reason ire and two of her men returned.


    And finally, he exined that the hostage-takers must have confused Lillia for Meriel because he had given her his pendant.


    ¡°I see. So that¡¯s how it is.¡±


    Benedict nodded.


    ¡°¡­¡±


    Major Travas said nothing.


    ¡°My goodness¡­¡±


    Fiona shook her head again and again.


    She stood face-to-face with her son, who stood at about her own height, and put her hands on his shoulders.


    ¡°Treize. What you did was uneptable. It wasn¡¯t right. What if you¡¯d been caught and killed? And how could you let Lillia get involved? Why did you give her your pendant?¡±


    Treize did not respond. His arms hung limp at his sides as he sadly averted his gaze.


    ¡°But if His Highness hadn¡¯t done anything,¡± said Major Travas, ¡°this vi would be in mes by now. And the servants would be dead. The hostage-takers would have managed to escape to the airport and left with the queen and her husband, while my team floundered.¡±


    Major Travas remained calm and professional, even though his own daughter had been taken hostage.


    ¡°True, that. Good going, Treize. And Lillia, too, if she were here to hear me.¡± Benedict said. But Fiona cast them both a disapproving look.


    ¡°Now even the children are involved in their parents¡¯ war.¡±


    ¡°Now it is their war to fight.¡± Major Travas said.


    Treize looked up. He looked the queen straight in the eye.


    ¡°I¡¯m fighting for my country, Your Majesty.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ¡°And you¡¯re safe now, Mother.¡±


    With a soft sigh, Fiona lowered her hands to Treize¡¯s back. And she pulled him into an embrace.


    Only Treize could hear the words she whispered into his ear. He returned the embrace, wrapping his arms around his mother.


    ¡°He looks just like his mother.¡± Major Travas remarked. Fiona and Treize were about the same height and had simr hair; when they were embracing, their clothes were about the only way to tell them apart.


    ¡°Like twins, eh?¡± Benedict chuckled. ¡°But you know, if we just tell ire Nichto that they don¡¯t actually have the princess, do you think she¡¯s just going to give in?¡±


    Major Travas shook his head.


    ¡°Not likely.¡±


    ¡°Right. Sorry you had to get involved, too.¡±


    ¡°In this case, the best option is to keep ire Nichto in the dark. Let them assume Lillia is the princess. Princess Meriel¡¯s face is not known to the public; no matter how much Lillia ims otherwise, as long as we pretend she is, she will retain value to them as a hostage.¡±


    Benedict sighed, awed and astonished at Major Travas¡¯s utter calm.


    ¡°You¡¯re one hell of a guy, you know that?¡±


    ¡°¡®The more anxious you are, the less you must be¡¯, I was taught.¡±


    ¡°From the Aikashia school?¡±


    Major Travas nodded.


    ¡°You really ought toe stay in Ikstova for good. In case something like this happens again.¡± Said Benedict.


    ¡°I¡¯ll think about it.¡± Major Travas replied.


    Benedict scratched his head and returned to the matter at hand.


    ¡°They want the queen toe alone, right?¡±


    ¡°Yes. They¡¯ll likely demand an exchange¡ªthe queen for ¡®Princess Meriel¡¯¡ªand call the queen out to Lake Ras, where there is nothing to obstruct their vision, and take both women with them. They¡¯ll threaten via radio to kill one of them should we pursue them.¡±


    Benedict grunted.


    <How does it feel, Queen?> ire taunted from the radio.


    Fiona kissed Treize on the cheek and let him go. Benedict picked up the radio and handed it to Fiona with a reminder.


    ¡°Lillia is Meriel.¡±


    Fiona nodded and took the radio.


    And she immediately answered.


    <Not very good. Where are you?>


    <What is that to you?>


    <I¡¯d like toe pick up the hostage.>


    <So you finally listen to reason. The princess still sleeps by the bodies of my friends. she¡¯s been sleeping so long I¡¯ve been wondering what to do with her. Is she always this way?>


    <I¡¯m afraid so. Give her a warm cup of tea when she wakes up. With lots of honey. Otherwise she¡¯ll be cranky.>


    <Hahahaha! I¡¯ll keep that in mind, Queen. Shall we cut to the chase, then?>


    <Of course.> Fiona replied.


    <Our demands are the same. We do not need the princess. We simply want the woman who deceived the world. You, Fiona.>


    <Fine. What shall I do, then?>


    <I¡¯m waiting beside my sleeping friends. You wille here alone.>


    <The same ce as before, then? And on my own?>


    <That¡¯s right. It won¡¯t even take an hour on skis. It¡¯s almost daybreak. You wille to us by sunrise. With no one else. If we see anyone around you, we will open fire. The hostage won¡¯t be safe, either.>


    Benedict advised Fiona to wait without answering for the moment, and asked Major Travas what they should do. Major Travas narrowed his eyes and fell into thought.


    <All right. I¡¯ll be there alone before sunrise.> Fiona said suddenly.


    Benedict was taken aback; Major Travas, shocked. Treize watched in silence.


    <You will keep your word. We¡¯re waiting, ¡®Queen¡¯.>


    With that, ire cut offmunications.


    ¡°Fi! What are you¡ª¡± Benedict started, but Fiona cut him off and turned to Travas.


    ¡°I heard you exin things earlier. But we can¡¯t rescue Lillia unless I go. Isn¡¯t that right?¡±


    ¡°Perhaps.¡± Major Travas nodded.


    ¡°I¡¯ll go and exin to them. I¡¯ll tell them that Lillia has nothing to do with this.¡±


    ¡°If I were in their shoes, then I would kill the unrted party to silence her.¡±


    ¡°I won¡¯t let that happen. Even if we¡¯re both taken hostage, we should find a way for both of us toe out alive.¡±


    For a moment, Major Travas said nothing. Several seconds passed in silence. Soon, he opened his mouth again, as calm as ever.


    ¡°If we want to resolve this situation, the fewer hostages there are, the better.¡±


    ¡°How could you be so heartless, Wilhelm Schultz?! That girl is your daughter!¡± Fiona cried, ring. Major Travas gave a wry chuckle.


    ¡°If Allison had heard what I just said, she would have beaten me to a pulp. I¡¯m d she hasn¡¯t.¡±


    No oneughed.


    ¡°Now, if we y by the rules of hostage negotiation¡ªand that¡¯s an if¡ª¡± Benedict emphasized, ¡°we can¡¯tply with their demands. ying by the book, we have to gather skilled soldiers and kill the terrorists before they can relocate to a safer ce.¡±


    ¡°Is that possible?¡± Asked Fiona. Benedict shook his head. Major Travas agreed.


    ¡°Theke is too open for a sneak attack. Unless we crawl all the way from the shore, they¡¯ll spot our men from hundreds of meters away and open fire.¡±


    ¡°Then there¡¯s no alternative. If I¡¯m the only one who can make the approach, I¡¯ll do it. That¡¯s the only solution we have.¡± Fiona dered.


    The two men could not argue. Benedict groaned disapprovingly, and a dark look crossed Major Travas¡¯s face.


    But Treize, who had been silent all along, raised his voice.


    ¡°Yeah! That¡¯s it!¡±


    Fiona turned. Benedict and Major Travas also looked at him.


    ¡°What¡¯s with the outburst? Did you think of something?¡± Asked Benedict.


    ¡°You bet!¡± Treize replied immediately. ¡°We just have to do exactly what the woman said at the end!¡±


    ¡°Hm?¡± Fiona tilted her head.


    ¡°What are you talking about?¡± Benedict asked, astonished.


    Major Travas, who alone understood what Treize was trying to say, decided to confirm his determination.


    ¡°It¡¯s a very dangerous idea you¡¯re proposing. Do you understand that, Your Highness?¡±


    Treize nodded, staring back at the bespectacled man.


    ¡°This is my war.¡±


    * * *


    ¡°¡­Hm? Hwaa¡­¡±


    When Lillia opened her eyes, the first thing she saw was the moonlight and the brightening sky.


    A faded indigo sky filled her vision, without a single cloud in sight.


    She saw no stars. There was no wind.


    ¡°Oh¡­ must¡¯ve fallen asleep.¡± She mumbled, her eyes half-open.


    ¡°So you¡¯re finally awake.¡± Said a female voice from her left. Lillia sat up at once.


    She was in an empty field of snow. The pale blue desert of Lake Ras.


    Lillia looked to her left. There stood a smiling woman wearing a coat.


    ¡°Er¡­ who are you?¡± Asked Lillia. ire replied mockingly,


    ¡°One of your mother¡¯s long-suffering victims.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ire proudly leered down at Lillia.


    ¡°Oh. I see. ¡­I get it. Makes sense.¡± Lillia replied, still not fully awake.


    ¡°Hm? d to see you agree.¡± ire smirked. Lillia looked apologetic.


    ¡°So the blond ghost ims another victim.¡±


    ire frowned.


    ¡°What do you mean?¡±


    About three minutester.


    ¡°Are you awake now? Do you really understand who we are?¡±


    Lillia was sitting on some extra coats on the snow, which had been trampled to firmness. Around her, snow was piled up to her head-level¡ªwaist-level if she stood. She simply sat there in the hole in the snow.


    ire sat across from Lillia, scrutinizing her face.


    ¡°Er¡­ you¡¯re the ones who attacked the vi, right?¡±


    ¡°Correct.¡± ire smiled.


    ¡°A prettydy like you?¡±


    ¡°What do you mean by that? I¡¯m the one asking questions here.¡±


    ¡°Huh¡­? Hmm¡­ Wait¡­ Oh! Ohhhhh!¡± Lillia gesticted, her head finally back to working state. ¡°Y-y-you captured me!¡±


    ire nodded briefly, her eyes locked on Lillia.


    ¡°I¡¯m afraid we don¡¯t have any tea or honey for you, but try not to make a fuss.¡±


    Confused, Lillia propped herself up and looked around.


    At first nce, there was no one on theke. But upon closer examination she spotted men surrounding her in a triangr formation. They had dug trenches in the snow to conceal themselves.


    Lillia pointed at one of the men in particr¡ªwho was holding a rifle with a scope¡ªand raised her voice.


    ¡°I-it¡¯s you!¡±


    Elvar turned when he heard themotion.


    ¡°Yes. He¡¯s the one who captured you.¡±


    But Lillia half-ignored ire, crunching through the snow to reach Elvar.


    ¡°Wh-what happened?! What happened to the person you shot from the balcony?¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    Elvar remained seated, silently looking up at Lillia. ire was bewildered.


    ¡°D-do you even understand your position?¡±


    Lillia ignored her again.


    ¡°Answer me! What happened to him?!¡±


    ¡°Just answer her so she¡¯ll quiet down.¡± ire sighed. Elvar finally broke his silence.


    ¡°I shot the person who was going after my allies.¡±


    ¡°And? And then?¡±


    ¡°He rolled down the slope when I shot him. That was all I could see. I didn¡¯t check if he was dead, or if he was injured.¡± Elvar said.


    ¡°My, how kind of you.¡± ire said with a shrug.


    For the moment, Lillia breathed a sigh of relief.


    ¡°I see¡­ Thank you.¡±


    Elvar again turned his gaze to the south, keeping watch on their surroundings. Theke was bing bluer and brighter now. His gaze was fixed on the south side, where he could see gently-slopingnd covered with trees.


    ¡°There¡¯s still some time left. Come over here.¡± Said ire.


    Lillia did as she was told without making a fuss. That was when she spotted men lying in the snow. Four in total.


    ¡°Huh¡­?¡±


    At first, she assumed that they were asleep. So she looked at them.


    ¡°Ack!¡±


    Blood had frozen solid on their faces. There were gaping holes in their heads. Lillia fell on her backside, terrified.


    ¡°Th-they¡¯re¡­ they¡¯re dead¡­¡±


    ¡°Yes. They are.¡± ire said, walking over to her. ¡°These men were my friends, who left first with the queen in their custody. They were attacked by a mysterious group and none made it back alive.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    Lillia silently looked up at ire.


    ire looked from the bodies of her men to Lillia and added,


    ¡°This is war, littledy.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    Lillia slowly stood and took several steps toward the feet of the bodies. Then she sped her gloved hands over her chest and slowly closed her eyes. It was her second moment of silence that year.


    The men watched her without a word. Elvar, Jake, and Wayne all watched the girl praying for their friends.


    ¡°What are you doing?¡± ire spat, displeased.


    Lillia opened her eyes and lowered her hands. Then the turned to ire to reply.


    ¡°What does it look like I¡¯m doing? Praying for them.¡±


    ¡°They¡¯re my men. They don¡¯t need your prayers.¡± ire said ufortably. Lillia shook her head.


    ¡°Mom once told me that we should show respect to anyone who¡¯s died in battle, even if they¡¯re our enemies.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ¡°Dead people aren¡¯t enemies anymore.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    For some time, ire stared coldly at Lillia. And finally, she managed to say,


    ¡°Sit down.¡±


    Lilliaplied, sitting in the same ces as earlier. ire also took a seat across from her again.


    ¡°Listen up. While you were sleeping, I sessfully called the queen to this ce.¡±


    Lillia blinked, astonished.


    ¡°Wait, what? What does that mean?¡±


    ¡°The queen will soon be here to save you.¡±


    ¡°Wh-why?¡±


    ¡°She must care for you that much.¡± ire said sarcastically. But Lillia was simply confused.


    ¡°The queen? Care for me? Why?¡±


    ¡°¡­Ask her yourself. You¡¯ll see each other soon enough.¡±


    ¡°W-wow¡­ er¡­ What? What do I do?!¡±


    Lillia was confused and lost. She could not calm down.


    ¡°Hysterical, aren¡¯t we?¡±


    ¡°Well, anyone would be panicking if they heard they were going to meet a queen! I¡¯ve never met someone that important in my life!¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ire frowned. Something had been wrong in their conversation so far. The men also listened carefully to their exchange, though their eyes were still scanning theke.


    ¡°What are you talking about? Did you hit your head? The queen is your mother.¡± ire said. Lillie gaped. Then she tilted her head.


    ¡°What are you talking about? My mom¡¯s a normal person. A run-of-the-millmoner.¡±


    ire froze. Lillia continued.


    ¡°You know, the kind of person who skips back home after getting a discount at the butcher shop a minute before it closes for the day.¡±


    ¡°Wait. Wait!¡± ire said. And she gave Lillia an order. ¡°Tell me your name.¡±


    Lillia did not miss a beat.


    ¡°Lillia.¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°Or did you want my official name?¡±


    ¡°Oh. Yes. Tell me your official name.¡±


    ¡°Lillianne Aikashia Coraz¨°n Whittington Schultz.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    A cold breeze blew over the field of snow.


    Morning came.


    Though the sun had not yet rise, the world was full of light. The snowyke shone brilliantly, reflecting the glow.


    ire was wearing a pair of lightly-tinted sunsses, and the men ck goggles.


    Lillia had her hood pressed over her head as a temporary measure. But once the sun rose, she could easily be blinded by the brightness of the high-altitude snows.


    ire, still sitting across from her, continued to ask questions.


    ¡°So you really aren¡¯t Princess Meriel?¡±


    Lillia was growing sick of the interrogation.


    ¡°How many times do I have to tell you? I¡¯m Lillianne Aikashi-¡±


    ¡°Never mind. What a ridiculous name!¡± ire said condescendingly.


    ¡°Hey! Don¡¯t make fun of people¡¯s names!¡± Lillia snapped back.


    ¡°If you¡¯re going to lie to me, try something more usible! I¡¯m surprised you managed to memorize something that long in the first ce!¡±


    ¡°I told you, I¡¯m not lying! I had it down perfectly by the time I was three!¡±


    They were both in a full-on argument now, but ire did not reach for her revolver, and the men did not interfere. Elvar even smiled at times as he listened to ire growing flustered at Lillia¡¯s replies.


    ¡°Why in the world did you think I was the princess?¡±


    ¡°We still think you are. Your pendant is the key.¡±


    ¡°Pendant?¡±


    Lillia thought over the word for a moment, then remembered. She reached into her shirt and produced the pendant Treize had given her.


    ¡°This thing?¡±


    ¡°Yes. Only a member of the royal family could possess a pendant like this. Where did you get your hands on it?¡± ire said threateningly.


    Lillia didn¡¯t even need to blink.


    ¡°Royal family? As if. I borrowed this from a friend.¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°My friend is from Iks. Apparently this pendant¡¯s really important and I shouldn¡¯t lose it.¡±


    ¡°¡­Would this friend of yours be a girl around your age?¡±


    ¡°A boy around my age.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ire was rendered silent. Then,


    ¡°I¡¯m getting a headache.¡± She mumbled.


    ¡°Do you know where that boy got his hands on the pendant?¡± Elvar asked from his position. Lillia turned to him and replied inly.


    ¡°No.¡±


    Then she added,


    ¡°But when I told him I wanted a pendant like this one, he promised me he¡¯d get me one. I¡¯m not sure, but aren¡¯t Iks¡¯s goldsmiths really famous? Maybe they sell these everywhere?¡±


    ¡°Ludicrous!¡± ire burst out. Elvar tried to calm her.


    ¡°Leader. We can¡¯tpletely rule out the possibility that someone created a detailed fake.¡±


    ¡°You mean to say that the royal family and the police would overlook such a thing?!¡±


    ¡°Potentially, yes.¡±


    ¡°Damn you! What a ridiculous country!¡±


    ¡°Leader, I have something to say.¡± Wayne said suddenly.


    ire asked him to speak.


    ¡°I just recalled, but I¡¯ve seen Princess Meriel¡¯s crest on the newspaper before. It was a flower. I¡¯m not sure exactly what kind, but it was definitely a flower.¡±


    ire grabbed Lillia by the cor.


    ¡°Ah!¡±


    ¡°Let me see that!¡±


    With her right hand she grabbed the pendant and scrutinized it front-to-back. Carved on the coin was Treize¡¯s crest, the hawk. ire was beside herself.


    ¡°It¡¯s a bird! There¡¯s no flower on this pendant!¡±


    ¡°My word¡­ so she was telling the truth after all.¡± Elvar said, despondent.


    ¡°Damn it!¡±


    ire let go of Lillia and the pendant, swearing yet again. And she fell to her knees in the snow.


    ¡°But the queen epted our demands nheless. She agreed toe to us.¡± Jake noted. Elvar agreed.


    ¡°Yes, Leader. We don¡¯t know what the queen is plotting, but things are going ording to n for us, if nothing else.¡±


    ¡°Yes. Yes. You¡¯re right. Once the queen arrives, I will strike this girl in the face and demonstrate my fury!¡±


    ¡°Exactly.¡± Said Wayne. Lillia tentatively spoke up.


    ¡°Er¡­ can I ask you something?¡±


    ¡°What,moner girl?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not the princess, so can I go home now?¡±


    ¡°No.¡± ire replied immediately.


    ¡°Man¡­ why are you people doing this? Do you hate the royal family that much?¡±


    ¡°None of your business.¡±


    ¡°Why? You¡¯re from Iks, too.¡± Lillia mumbled.


    Stunned, ire looked Lillia in the eye.


    ¡°H-how did you know I was from Ikstova? I never mentioned that.¡±


    ¡°Well, because you call this ce ¡®Ikstova¡¯. Not many people in the Capital District know this country¡¯s official name. Everyone just calls it ¡®Iks¡¯ or the ¡®Kingdom of Iks¡¯.¡±


    ire raised an eyebrow, impressed.


    ¡°So you weren¡¯t just an imbecile after all.¡±


    ¡°Is that supposed to be apliment or an insult? For your information, my dad was so smart that he finished university in two years.¡±


    ire smiled at the word ¡®dad¡¯. She asked Elvar and the others if anyone was approaching yet, and was told that theke was empty.


    ¡°Thirty minutes to dawn.¡± Elvar added.


    ¡°Your name was Lillia, you said. I can¡¯t tell you the details, but I¡¯ll answer your question. My father was murdered by the queen.¡±


    ¡°Huh? What?¡±


    ¡°He was killed because of her selfish actions. I am nning to avenge him. Do you understand now? How would you feel if someone murdered your father?¡±


    ¡°¡­I don¡¯t know. He¡¯s already gone. Before I even knew my own name.¡± Lillia replied.


    ¡°I see¡­ then you wouldn¡¯t understand. Pretend I didn¡¯t ask, then.¡±


    ¡°All right.¡±


    Jake went up to Elvar, asking, ¡°What has gotten into Miss ire?¡±. Elvar replied that he did not know.


    Lillia looked at ire.


    ¡°What will you do once the queen gets here? You¡¯re not¡ª¡±


    ¡°No, we won¡¯t kill her. We¡¯re taking her prisoner. We still have unfinished business.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s a relief to hear. But can¡¯t you solve this peacefully? With words?¡±


    ¡°Probably not.¡± ire said firmly.


    ¡°Why not?¡± Asked Lillia.


    A light smile rose to ire¡¯s face.


    ¡°Because we¡¯ve already killed too many of each other¡¯s loved ones for that.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ¡°This is war. It doesn¡¯t end until one side acknowledges defeat or perishespletely. And I have no intention of admitting defeat.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s all fine and good now, but that might get you killed.¡± Lillia said, concerned. But ire did not respond.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry.¡± Elvar said. Lillia turned. Elvar continued, his back still turned to her.


    ¡°I won¡¯t let you die, Miss.¡±


    ¡°How many times do I have to remind you today? Call me ¡®Leader¡¯.¡± ire said cheerfully. Elvar apologized, and continued.


    ¡°We are about to do something quite underhanded¡ªtake a girl hostage to capture the queen. All for victory. This is how war is fought. Your name was Lillia, correct? Remember this well.¡±


    ¡°What happens if you lose?¡± Lillia asked, looking at Elvar, and then to ire. ¡°What happens if you lose and die?¡±


    ¡°Then it¡¯s over.¡± ire said, sounding almost amused.


    ¡°But¡­ if you die, you¡¯ll never get to hear the radio again! They¡¯re starting that new season of the drama soon!¡±


    ¡°Oh¡­ I¡¯ve heard about the sequel.¡±


    ¡°Exactly! You can¡¯t just die without listening to it!¡±


    ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter. If all goes well, I¡¯ll be able to listen to it with the queen in the Capital District.¡± ire said, slowly rising to look at the bright eastern sky. Then she pulled back her sleeve to check her watch.


    ¡°It¡¯s almost dawn. Do you see the queen?¡±


    Jake and Wayne replied that they did not.


    Then,


    ¡°She¡¯sing into sight, Leader.¡± Said Elvar, peering through the scope with his rifle at the ready. ¡°Almost due south. She¡¯s alone. All I see is her head at this point, but she¡¯sing to us. She¡¯s on skis, so she¡¯ll be here soon.¡±


    ¡°Excellent!¡± ire pped her hands together. ¡°Yes! Capture the queen!¡±


    ¡°Understood!¡± Replied the men, putting a smile on ire¡¯s face.


    Then, she cast a sharp nce down at Lillia.


    ¡°Lillia, your name was? Stand. I want to tell you something.¡±


    ¡°Wh-what is it?¡±


    Lillia hesitantly rose to her feet. ire smiled. Her obscured eyes curved behind her sunsses.


    ¡°Your mother is a good person. Thank you for praying for my men.¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    Out of nowhere, ire shoved Lillia.


    Lillia fell back-first on the snow.


    ¡°Man, that¡¯s cold¡­¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry. It¡¯s dangerous, so stay where you are for now. Once this battle ends and we have a chance to catch our breath, I¡¯ll treat you to warm tea and honey!¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t really like honey¡­¡±


    Naturally, Lillia¡¯s mumble wentpletely ignored.


    ire picked up the radio from atop the firm snow and spoke into it.


    <Queen! Do you see me?>


    * * *


    <Yes, I see you. You¡¯re a little far, but I can make you out. I have good eyesight because I grew up in the mountains.> Fiona¡¯s voice said from ire¡¯s radio.


    ¡°Excellent.¡±


    ire stood up on the firmly-trodden snow.


    In the trench ahead, Elvar held a rifle at the same level as the top of the snow. Jake and Wayne, armed with submachine guns, slowly crawled forward at about 30 meters to either side of Elvar.


    ¡°Tell the queen to continue this way, then stop and raise her hands when she¡¯s about 100 meters from us. Jake and Wayne will approach from either side and secure the queen, and I will cover us. Keep giving us orders, Leader, and please keep an eye on our sides and nk, just in case.¡± Said Elvar.


    ¡°Understood.¡± ire nodded. And she added, ¡°I haveplete faith in your ns, Elvar.¡±


    A ck dot appeared on the glowingke. Slowly but surely, it grewrger andrger in the distance.


    <Continue this way, Queen.> Said ire. she received a reply several secondster.


    <Can you prove to me that the hostage is safe?>


    <Come and see for yourself.>


    Several more seconds passed before Fiona¡¯s answer.


    <Fine. I¡¯d like to give you a p, too.>


    ¡°Hah!¡± ire snorted.


    Elvar peered through the scope as he reported in.


    ¡°I can see her quite clearly now. She¡¯s wearing a ck coat and a hat. And goggles as well.¡±


    ¡°Give it here.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t shoot her, Leader.¡±


    ¡°I know.¡±


    ire received the rifle and peered into the scope.


    Just before dawn, the snowyke shone so brightly that it seemed to be glowing.


    Through the scope, she could see a person approaching, wearing skis. A pair of ski poles moved busily on her either side.


    She was wearing a navy, knee-length women¡¯s coat. On her head was a winter hat with ear ps, and a pair of slightly tinted goggles were over her eyes. Each time she exhaled, a puff of air escaped her mouth. ire spotted the red swelling on her left cheek and smiled.


    ire gave Elvar back the rifle and spoke into the radio.


    <Tired yet? You¡¯re almost here.>


    About five secondster.


    <¡­I¡¯m doing my best¡­ please don¡¯t talk to me¡­> Fiona panted, gasping for breath.


    Jake and Wayne looked up at points as they continued to crawl through the snow, checking one another¡¯s locations and the queen¡¯s.


    What once looked like a dot to the naked eye eventually took on human form. Eventually, they could see the color of her coat and her arms and legs moving busily.


    <Can you see the anger in my face, Queen?> Asked ire.


    She received no answer.


    <Fine. Come to a stop once you¡¯re 100 meters from where we are. We¡¯ll instruct you again if you¡¯re not certain.>


    This time, she received an answer several secondster.


    <I understand¡­ but I don¡¯t see the hostage¡­?>


    <She¡¯s lying in the snow. She¡¯s dying to meet you.>


    There were now only 200 meters between ire and the queen. Jake and Wayne had covered about 50 meters from their starting points as well.


    ¡°Enough! Stop there!¡± Elvar ordered the men. Theyplied, raising their hands to indicate that they heard him.


    ¡°Enough! Stop there!¡± Elvar ordered the men. Theyplied, raising their hands to indicate that they heard him.


    ¡°Er¡­¡± Lillia said tentatively, still lying in the snow, ¡°my back is freezing. Can I stand now?¡±


    ire grinned.


    ¡°No.¡±


    There were 150 meters between the queen and ire.


    <That¡¯s enough. Stop right there.> ire ordered through the radio.


    There was no answer, but the queen stopped. Her shoulders heaved several times as she tried to catch her breath.


    Then, she crouched on the snow and began to take off her skis. Two minutes of strugglingter, the queen finally managed to get them off and stood on the snow. Her feet sank, instantly lowering her.


    ¡°Now!¡± Elvarmanded.


    Jake and Wayne stood. Holding their submachine guns at just below shoulder-height, pointed at the figure standing as still as a statue before them, they slowly approached.


    As ire silently watched the scene, Fiona¡¯s voice came over the radio.


    <ire¡­ I have onest request. Will you listen?>


    <What is it?>


    <Won¡¯t you surrender? Tell your men to put down their weapons. Let the hostage go and turn yourself in. I promise you that you will not be harmed, and that you will receive a fair trial. I don¡¯t care if you tell the world that I¡¯m a fake.>


    Quietly and quickly, ire replied.


    <I refuse.>


    There were about twenty seconds of silence.


    Fiona¡¯s voice finally returned to the radio.


    <I see. I¡¯m sorry to hear that. ¡­You may begin.>


    ire did not understand.


    At that moment, the queen disappeared.


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    To ire,


    ¡°Hm?¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    And to Jake and Wayne, the queen really seemed to have vanished.


    Like a magic trick involving a massive device, the queen had disappeared in an instant.


    ¡°Urgh!¡±


    Elvar alone, looking through the scope, saw through the trick. He saw the queen quickly cast away her navy coat.


    Before the coat fell to the snow, the queen got down in the snow and disappeared from sight.


    Jake turned to Wayne, on his right.


    ¡°Wh-what¡¯s this? The queen¡¯s gone!¡±


    Wayne replied with a confused look of his own. A momentter, his face¡ªand the head connected to it¡ªwas partly blown away.


    Jake¡¯s goggles reflected a man falling backward, chunks of red falling from his head. Scattering brain and blood everywhere, the body was buried in the snow.


    A long gunshot echoed like a wave across theke.


    ¡°That¡¯s one.¡± Treize muttered under his breath.


    He was dressed from head to toe in white.


    Everything on his body was white. He had borrowed a winter-use camougebat suit from Major Travas¡¯s team. Even his gloves and shoes were white. A white cloth was wrapped around his head like a turban, and another covered his face.


    There were radios covered in white cloth strapped to the utility belt around his waist. One on either side of him. One was to listen in on ire and Fiona¡¯s conversation, and the other to speak with Fiona.


    Treize was holding a white pole. It was about 120 centimeters long, and he had hidden it behind his back inside his coat until just earlier. Like a mummy out of a horror movie, it was wrapped in bandages.


    The object wasn¡¯t simply a pole¡ªit was made of metal, and could fire bullets. A rifle. At the end of it was a small hole, ck as an abyss.


    Treize was crouching. Only piles of snow were round him. And after several kneeling steps forward,


    ¡°Next.¡±


    Treize cautiously peered over the snow, exposing both his face and the rifle. Then, he took aim at the man 100 meters away, who was armed with a submachine gun and panicking over his friend¡¯s death.


    The rifle roared.


    The first gunshot hade out of nowhere. Her friend fell into the snow.


    ¡°What¡¯s going on here?¡±


    ire waspletely lost.


    That was when the second gunshot hit, and the other man fell on his side.


    ¡°Duck!¡± Elvar cried. ire tossed aside her gun and fell on her stomach on the ground. Then she leapt into an alcove in the snow.


    ¡°Wh-what¡¯s happening?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not her! That¡¯s not the queen!¡±


    No sooner had Elvar finished speaking than did a sharp noise zoom past over the trenches.


    ¡°That¡¯s gunfire! He¡¯s shooting at us!¡± Elvar warned.


    There was another noise overhead. It was the shockwave from the bullet, traveling faster than the speed of sound. The snow muffled the gunshots, but the sound of the bullets were unhindered.


    ¡°That¡¯s four¡­¡± Elvar muttered under his breath, lying on his stomach. In front of him was a rifle loaded with five rounds. Through wrinkled eyes he checked that the safety was off.


    ¡°I¡¯ll take care of this! Cover me, Elvar!¡± ire cried. Elvar stopped her immediately.


    ¡°No! He¡¯s using a rifle, just like me! Do not stand! He will shoot you the moment you raise your head!¡±


    ¡°Damn it!¡±


    ire punched the ground, swearing. And several meters away,


    ¡°Wh-wh-wh-what¡¯s happening¡­?¡±


    Lillia stammered to herself, looking up at the blue sky. Then she heard Elvar¡¯s voice.


    ¡°Leader!¡±


    ¡°Yes?¡± ire replied. Elvar responded.


    ¡°One more shot, and he¡¯ll be out of ammo! Can you crawl over to Kirk?¡±


    ¡°To Kirk?¡± ire repeated, but she quickly understood what he meant. ¡°Yes! I can!¡±


    Treize was one with the snow.


    The long, thin barrel of his rifle was fixed just several centimeters above the surface of the snow. The tip of the bandages wrapped around it were almost touching the snow.


    Covered all in white, Treize remained on one knee as he took aim from his hiding ce in the snow.


    His gun was pointed at where ire had been standing until just a moment earlier.


    In the world beyond his scope, blown up to four times the usual size, something stirred. A dark object rose from the snow.


    Treize immediately adjusted his aim. He saw a head. The head of an older man.


    Once he was certain that this was not Lillia, Treize brought the crosshairs over the man¡¯s head.


    And he pulled the trigger.


    The tiny bullet scattered snow around it as though unfurlingyers of white wings, instantly crossing a distance of 150 meters and driving itself into the man¡¯s head.


    The top of his head¡ªthe scalp, the skull, and the brain¡ªwas blown clean away. But that did not kill the man. He was already dead to begin with.


    ¡°That¡¯s five!¡± Elvar cried, raising his rifle.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡± ire whispered an apology, letting go of Kirk¡¯s body.


    Finally high enough that he had a shot at the enemy lying in the snow, Elvar looked through the scope to first find the navy coat. Thankfully it was not difficult to spot.


    He then followed the tracks in the snow to locate the shooter. Again, he was not difficult to spot. About 3 meters to the side was a figure in white, on one knee in the snow.


    The figure should have been desperately reloading his rifle.


    But he was not.


    He was taking aim.


    The rifle was wrapped in white cloth and impossible to see distinctly, but the lens on the scope was clear in all its circr glory. In other words¡ª


    The enemy had the scope and the barrel pointed precisely in Elvar¡¯s direction.


    The figure¡ªTreize¡ªpulled the trigger three times.


    Three shes of light emerged from the muzzle, and three cartridges were ejected through the side.


    The first bullet blew away half the flesh and bone from Elvar¡¯s left shoulder. The second pierced his stomach, whipping through his innards to the point that they were beyond healing. The third knocked the rifle out of Elvar¡¯s hands.


    ¡°Grk¡­!¡±


    Quietly, Elvar fell.


    ¡°Elvar!¡±


    ire crawled across the snow to reach the trench where Elvary. And there she saw¡ª


    ¡°Ah¡­¡±


    A bloodied man, trembling weakly on the ground. His lips were blue and his teeth chattered as he shook.


    Elvar noticed ire and feebly opened his mouth.


    ¡°L-Leader¡­¡±


    ¡°Hold on! I¡¯ll stop the bleeding!¡± ire cried, sitting to his left and quickly pulling his coat open. She tried to tear open the buttons, but it wasn¡¯t as easy as she expected, forcing her to unbutton them from bottom to top, one by one.


    ¡°He¡¯s using¡­ an automatic rifle¡­ I¡¯m sorry.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t speak.¡±


    ire opened up the coat and examined Elvar¡¯s stomach.


    ¡°Ah¡­¡±


    And for a moment, she was stunned into silence. The body wrapped inbat gear was covered in blood.


    She looked to Elvar¡¯s left shoulder, almost as if averting her gaze. The arm was nearly severed, and she could see white bone sticky with red.


    ¡°Leader¡­ I know my body better than anyone. I¡¯m finished.¡±


    ¡°You will not die without my permission! You will not!¡±


    ¡°You must survive¡­ use the hostage¡­ negotiate with him¡­¡±


    ¡°I told you not to speak!¡±


    With gloved hands, she pressed down on Elvar¡¯s bleeding shoulder.


    ¡°Gah!¡±


    Elvar writhed in pain, but ire did not stop.


    ¡°That¡¯s enough, Leader! ¡­Stop. You must¡­ escape¡­¡±


    ¡°Shut up!¡±


    Her gloves stained deep red, ire continued to press Elvar¡¯s shoulder. Her tears wet the inside of her sunsses.


    ¡°Damn it! Stop! Why won¡¯t it stop?!¡±


    The bleeding did not stop. The moment ire rxed her arms, blood spilled again in time with Elvar¡¯s pulse.


    The bleeding did not stop. The moment ire rxed her arms, blood spilled again in time with Elvar¡¯s pulse.


    Elvar moved his right hand. Weakly, he drew a handgun from his holster and disarmed the safety. ire did not notice.


    Slowly, Elvar brought the gun to his own head.


    ¡°AAAAAARGH!¡±


    He raised his voice out of nowhere, pulling his right side upward. ire fell back in surprise. Elvar¡¯s right hand was stretched out before he eyes. The handgun was pointed at the figure in white, who had appeared without warning.


    Treize was faster to pull the trigger.


    There was less than 10 meters between them. Elvar¡¯s gun shattered to pieces when the gunshot sounded, and the fingers and wrist holding up the gun were left syed out in odd directions.


    ¡°Urgh!¡±


    ire turned at Elvar¡¯s scream and the gunshot, finally noticing the enemy behind her. He was wearing whitebat gear, and armed with a white rifle. A white cloth was wrapped over his head and face. The only spot of ck, the goggles on his face, looked for all the world like a cavern.


    His feet crunching over the snow, Treize slowly approached his foes. The blood-covered man on the ground heaving for breath, and the woman sitting at his side. The barrel of the long rifle Treize had over his shoulder was already trained on the woman¡¯s forehead.


    The automatic sniper rifle was one of the weapons brought in by Major Travas¡¯s team. It was a new model that could fire up to ten consecutive shots. The barrel was long and narrow, and the stock was designed to be as thin as possible to reduce the weight. A scope with crosshairs was attached to the rifle.


    ¡°Damn you¡­¡±


    Treize came to a stop just 2 meters from ire and Elvar. Underfoot was firm, trodden snow. With the rifle still aimed at ire, Treize shifted it from his shoulder to his side. There was even less distance now between the gun and the hostage-takers. A gloved index finger touched the trigger.


    In a low voice, Treize asked,


    ¡°Where is the hostage?¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ire silently glowered.


    ¡°Where is she?!¡± Treize cried. At that very moment,


    ¡°Here!¡± Lillia cried from the snow.


    Treize did not even turn. He kept his rifle trained on ire as he called back.


    ¡°Lillia! Are you okay?¡±


    ¡°Yeah!¡±


    ¡°Are you hurt?¡±


    ¡°No! Oh, what about you?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m fine! Just stay there for a second!¡±


    ¡°Why? What¡¯s going on here?¡±


    Treize did not answer.


    As he stared at ire through his goggles, the rifle still pointed at her head, Lillia stood. She dusted the snow off her coat and squinted, scanning the snowyke.


    Then, she spotted Treize¡ªdressed in white¡ªabout 10 meters ahead. Lillia strode over the rough snow towards him.


    ¡°What? Aren¡¯t you going to shoot?¡± ire taunted. At the same time, her right hand¡ªhidden from Treize¡¯s view¡ªslowly moved to her waist. There was a hole in her coat pocket, letting her reach her clothes inside. And the revolver she had holstered.


    ¡°L-Leader¡­¡± Elvar breathed. ire had her eyes locked on Treize.


    ¡°What is it?¡±


    ¡°Leader¡­ that¡¯s enough. You must surrender¡­ we have lost¡­¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ire looked at Elvar, lying before her. His face was deathly pale. She pulled his goggles off his face, and then his hat.


    Elvar¡¯s wrinkled face and his eyes were reflected on her sunsses.


    ¡°Surrender, Leader¡­ and¡­ survive¡­¡± Elvar said.


    Lillia trudged over and stopped behind Treize, to his right.


    ¡°Ah¡ª¡±


    The moment she spotted the rifle in Treize¡¯s hands, and Elvar, lying on the ground, she gasped softly.


    Elvar continued, his eyes on ire.


    ¡°As long as you survive¡­ you have another chance at revenge¡­¡±


    ¡°Is that¡­ your n?¡± ire asked, calmly and cooly. Tears ran down her face.


    ¡°Yes, Miss¡­ it is.¡±


    ¡°I understand.¡±


    Gently, ire nodded. Elvar smiled peacefully.


    ¡°Hm? You won¡¯t ask me, to call, you, ¡®Leader¡¯? I was, honestly, hoping¡­¡±


    His lips finally came to a stop, unable to finish.


    Elvar died with his eyes wide open. ire¡¯s hands drew over his face.


    The sun emerged from the slopes in the east. It was the first dawn of the year 3306.


    The blinding light enveloped the woman crying over the corpse.


    ¡°Oh¡­¡±


    To Lillia, whose eyes were not covered, their silhouettes seemed to be melding into their surroundings.


    ¡°Lillia. Here.¡±


    With the rifle still in his right hand, Treize reached with his left and took out a pair of sunsses wrapped in cloth. He tossed it to Lillia.


    Lillia managed to catch it and quickly put it over her eyes.


    The two were still there. The dead man and the woman holding his head.


    Lillia took a deep breath, ready to say something to ire.


    ¡°¡­¡±


    But she could not bring herself to do it. She exhaled. Her breath rose in a sparkling puff in the morning light.


    Treize pulled off the cloth wrapped around his face. And with his makeshift turban and his goggles still on, he spoke to the woman.


    ¡°You¡¯re¡­ ire Nichto?¡±


    ire did not respond. But Treize continued.


    ¡°I am Treize. Treize of Ikstova. And I love my country and its royal family. Queen Francesca has ordered me to subdue you all and rescue the hostage.¡±


    Lillia looked at Treize. Then she looked at ire, who seemed to be frozen.


    ¡°Surrender without resistance, and I will hand you to the queen unharmed.¡±


    ire slowly raised her head. And she looked to her left. For a second, Lillia and Treize could see the burning hatred in her eyes.


    ¡°I¡­¡± ire said, ¡°I will never stop¡­¡±


    Lillia and Treize silently listened to ire.


    ¡°I will never stop¡­ So long as I breathe, so long as the royal family of Ikstova exists¡­ I will despise the bloodline and be its enemy. I curse the royal family. The line of demons. And the foolish country that serves the bloodline as its monarch.¡±


    ¡°Is that all?¡± Treize asked coldly.


    Lillia looked at Treize.


    ¡°I will never stop!¡±


    And she looked at ire.


    ¡°Stand back, Lillia.¡± Treize said, slowly bringing his rifle up to his shoulder.


    ¡°Hey? What are you doing?¡± Asked Lillia. Treize decided to answer honestly.


    ¡°Nothing good wille of letting her live. It¡¯s best to get rid of her now, for Ikstova¡¯s sake.¡±


    ¡°What¡ª but¡ª No! We¡¯re finished now! Just hand her over to the police!¡±


    With a nce at the flustered Lillia,


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ire stared down into the muzzle.


    ¡°I am Treize of Ikstova. ire Nichto¡ªenemy of the kingdom¡ªyou will repent through death!¡±


    Treize put pressure on his trigger finger.


    There was a gunshot.


    The bullet drove itself deep into the snow.


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    Treize was stunned.


    The moment he pulled the trigger, the rifle was pushed to the left. The bullet meant for ire hit a mound of snow and sent it sprinkling everywhere.


    The cause of the push was clear. Lillia had rushed in and shoulder-tackled the rifle, pushing his aim aside.


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    For a moment, Treize lost his bnce. ire saw her chance and quickly drew her revolver.


    ¡°Die!¡±


    In one smooth motion, she took aim at Treize¡ª


    ¡°Lillia Kick!¡±


    A hard sole struck ire in the head. Lillia had kicked her on the left temple.


    ¡°Ugh!¡±


    ire¡¯s sunsses went flying. She copsed to her right, losing consciousness over Elvar¡¯s body. The revolver fell out of her hands and lodged itself halfway in the snow.


    ¡°What are you¡ª¡±


    Lillia cut Treize off.


    ¡°Enough messing around, both of you!¡± She chastised them.


    * * *


    It had been about ten minutes since Fiona gave themand to begin the mission, which Treize had nned and carried out with gear from Major Travas.


    Fiona was standing still outside the vi doors, holding the radio.


    ¡°I told you. Don¡¯t worry.¡± Benedict said, but Fiona did not respond. Benedict turned to Major Travas beside them and shrugged.


    Treize¡¯s voice came over the radio.


    <This is Treize. HQ, please respond. Do you copy?>


    Fiona closed her eyes and looked up with a sigh. Then she replied,


    <Yes¡­ Are both of you safe?>


    <Yes. The n was a sess. I¡¯ve taken ire Nichto into custody.>


    Upon hearing the report, Benedict held out a fist at Major Travas. Major Travas held out his own fist and bumped it against Benedict¡¯s.


    <Good work¡­ I¡¯m proud of you. We¡¯lle get you, so could you wait there a little longer?>


    <Of course. But¡ª>


    Treize paused, then.


    <But what? What is it?> Asked Fiona. Several seconds passed before Treize answered.


    <Lillia¡¯s mad. She¡¯s very mad.>

 Volume 2 10 — The Worthless Treasure

    <h4>Volume 2 Chapter 10: The Worthless Treasure</h4>


    -----


    The first day of the year 3306 of the World Calendar. Morning.


    The sun rose into the blue sky, casting light on the city of Kunst.


    Piles of snow slid in satisfying clumps from the steep roofs in the city, revealing the blue paint underneath.


    After the night of festivities, partygoers exchanged new year¡¯s greetings and parted ways, returning to their homes or hotels.


    It was in that midst that several groups of people entered the Kunst police department building. Not through the main doors, crowded with civilians reporting lost belongings, but through the back door, which criminals were brought through. Members of the royal guard, wearing suits and sunsses, were on alert as they kept watch at the doors.


    In the basement of the building, in a section off-limits to most officers, was a waiting room. The group of people entered therge room, which was furnished with sofas. At the same time, the suit-d men on standby stood up straight.


    Stepping inside was the queen, her husband, and several members of their security detail.


    The only people in the room who did not stand were Lillia and Treize.


    Lillia was sitting on the sofa, holding a mug of tea. And she was ring at Treize, who sat across from her with a very apologetic look.


    ¡°There was no other choice, Lillia. I exined why they attacked the vi, and if that treasure they¡¯re looking for really exists¡­¡± Treize tried to exin, still wearing his whitebat gear.


    ¡°But how could you try to kill someone who wasn¡¯t even resisting?! And what was all that about revenge? I don¡¯t get any of this! You¡¯re both idiots, for all I care!¡±


    ¡°No, well¡­¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know what that treasure is. But¡­¡±


    ¡°But?¡±


    ¡°If I¡¯m the first one to find it, I am going to destroy it!¡± Lillia dered.


    ¡°Yes. I decided on the way here that that might be the best option.¡± Said a female voice.


    ¡°Yeah! d you agree!¡± Lillia cheered, turning around.


    There stood a woman in a white blouse with a slightly swollen cheek.


    ¡°Er¡­ who are you?¡±


    Not realizing that the men behind the woman were all tense and looking particrly reverent, Lillia rudely remained seated.


    Fiona smiled gently and let Treize answer.


    ¡°Er¡­ well¡­¡±


    He trailed off. Lillia shot him a fierce re.


    ¡°This is¡­¡±


    ¡®This is my mother¡¯, Treize could have said to close off his avenues of escape¡ªin fact, it was the perfect opportunity. But¡­


    ¡°This is?¡±


    Cowed by Lillia¡¯s rage, Treize answered,


    ¡°This is Queen Francesca!¡±


    At that moment, the new year finally arrived in Sfrestus.


    ¡°It¡¯s 3306! Happy new year, Elder Sister!¡±


    ¡°Happy new year, Meriel! And happy new year, ¡®Treize the Numbskull¡¯!¡±


    Fireworks whistled in the distance.


    ¡°What?¡± Lillia gaped. Treize jumped to his feet as though he¡¯d just realized the queen¡¯s presence.


    ¡°Er¡­ this is! This is Queen Francesca!¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    Lillia looked up at Treize. Then she looked at Fiona.


    ¡°I-is that true?¡±


    It was a foolish question. Lillia was the only person in the room still seated.


    Fiona smiled and nodded. And she introduced herself.


    ¡°It¡¯s nice to meet you, Miss Lillianne Schultz. I am Francesca of Ikstova.¡±


    ¡°So, the queen?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°Er¡­¡±


    ¡°Yes?¡±


    Lillia leapt to her feet, standing stiff. Then she did a 90-degree bow.


    ¡°I-I-I-I-I¡¯m sorry I¡¯m very very sorry!¡±


    ¡°Please, don¡¯t worry about it.¡±


    ¡°I-I-I¡¯m Lillianne Aikashia Coraz¨°n Whittington Schultz and I am a simplemoner and I don¡¯t really know what to tell you about this and what I¡¯m trying to say is¡ª¡±


    ¡°Please, raise your head.¡± Fiona said kindly, and Lillia finally did so. But she kept her gaze low, unable to look the queen in the eye.


    At that moment,


    ¡°Oh! Here you are!¡±


    They heard a familiar,id-back voice.


    ¡°Hey there, Lillia! Treize! I was going to go back to the cottage when I heard from the police. You had a rough night, didn¡¯t you?¡±


    Allison entered¡ªcoat in hand¡ªand strode across the room, past Treize, and to Lillia¡¯s side.


    ¡°¡­¡±


    Lillia stared incredulously at her mother.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong, sweetheart?¡±


    ¡°D-do you have any idea who this is¡­?¡± Lillia gasped, trembling. Allison ignored her daughter¡¯s fretting and turned to the queen. She waved lightly.


    ¡°Happy new year!¡±


    ¡°Thank you. Happy new year.¡± Fiona replied with a smile.


    ¡°MOM!¡±


    Lillia exploded.


    When Lillia pressed her head down multiple times in a forced apology, exining her mother¡¯s rudeness in tears, Allison finally understood.


    ¡°I¡¯m very sorry ma¡¯am please forgive my mother¡¯s insolence we¡¯re so very sorry!¡±


    Allison nced at her daughter. Then she nced at Treize.


    ¡®I¡¯m sorry I am an idiot I¡¯m sorry I haven¡¯t told her yet¡¯ Treize mouthed silently.


    For a time, the children apologized to one another¡¯s parents.


    After a while, Lillia finally calmed down, and they were able to sit down and have a conversation.


    Lillia and Allison sat side-by-side, as did Fiona and Benedict. Treize sat on a chair on the side.


    Benedict introduced himself to Lillia. Lillia jumped to her feet again and greeted him, then forced her mother to her feet and made her greet Benedict as well.


    And once Lillia was calm again,


    ¡°We heard about what happened from Treize.¡± Benedict said in Roxchean. ¡°I am ashamed to say that this incident was due to our poor security. But thanks to the courageous actions of Treize and Lillianne, we were able to minimize our losses and put an end to the incident.¡±


    Fiona continued.


    ¡°I would like to thank the two of you on behalf of Ikstova¡¯s royal family and its people. Thank you so much.¡±


    ¡°Please we didn¡¯t do anything at all.¡± Lillia said quickly.


    ¡°Expect no less from my daughter.¡± Allison grinned.


    ¡°Ack! MOM!¡± Lillia cried, about to explode again, so Benedict intervened.


    ¡°Anyway! Lillia, do you remember what you and Francesca agreed on earlier?¡±


    ¡°Hm? Pardon? Er¡­ no, sir. I¡¯m very sorry.¡±


    ¡°You said you¡¯d destroy the treasure if you found it.¡± Treize said. Lillia, who misread Benedict¡¯s intention, apologized profusely again.


    ¡°I¡¯m so sorry sir I did say that didn¡¯t I I¡¯m very sorry how could I even think about destroying something so valuable?¡±


    ¡°Please, don¡¯t worry about it. I agreed with your idea. Raise your head.¡±


    ¡°Ohh¡­¡±


    Suddenly, Benedict raised an odd question.


    ¡°Are the two of you feeling sleepy?¡±


    Treize shook his head, saying he was fine. Lillia also shook her head.


    ¡°I¡¯m fine. I¡­ actually woke up justst night.¡±


    ¡°Excellent!¡± Benedict pped his hands together. ¡°Would you like to go see the treasure together?¡±


    ¡°Pardon?¡± Lillia gasped.


    ¡°What¡­? What did you just say?¡±


    In a basement holding cell, ire looked up from her seat with her hands cuffed behind her back. She was still in herbat uniform, its sleeves stained with blood, and was surrounded by police officers.


    Standing before ire was Benedict.


    ¡°We will now go to the valley.¡±


    ¡°Ha! And how would you do that?¡± ire spat incredulously.


    ¡°We will go by aerone. We will only survey the area from above, but if possible we willnd and walk around. It is not impossible, is it?¡± Said Benedict.


    ire groaned and said nothing.


    ¡°Don¡¯t you want to see, too? The treasure your father never got to find?¡± Fiona said, stepping into the cell. And as her bodyguards watched worriedly, she stood before ire. ire smiled.


    ¡°Hello, Queen. Don¡¯t think I¡¯ve given up. Now I need to avenge my men, as well.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve heard about that n of yours. And you can go ahead and try. But¡ª¡±


    ¡°But?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t you think it¡¯s a better idea to solidify your ns after you¡¯ve seen the treasure?¡±


    * * *


    ¡°Oho. So you were a pilot as well. One must never judge a book by its cover. We are very fortunate.¡±


    ¡°Not at all. I should be thanking you for letting me take part in such a fun expedition. I hope my daughter will make some friends in the royal family through this opportunity.¡±


    Inside a moving van, Benedict in the driver¡¯s seat and Allison next to him were lying through their teeth.


    ¡°Er¡­ my mother is a little strange, isn¡¯t she? I¡¯m terribly sorry, ma¡¯am.¡±


    ¡°Not at all. She¡¯s very funny.¡±


    Lillia sat rigidly in the second row, next to Fiona.


    And in the very back was Treize the Numbskull, sitting all alone. He had taken off his whitebat gear and was in his usual clothes and a coat.


    Guarded by a ck security vehicle both ahead and behind, the van traveled down the road by the pce. Soon, the pce building came into view. The road sloped down toward theke. And ahead, past the road cleared of snow, was a hangar. It was arge, semicircr building covered in snow. Several snowmobiles were crisscrossing theke and preparing the runway.


    The van drove onto the frozenke and stopped in front of the hangar shutters. The upants of the van put on coats and sunsses, then disembarked onto the blinding snow.


    Lillia scurried from Fiona¡¯s side to Allison¡¯s.


    From the car following them emerged ire, still in handcuffs. She was in a coat and sunsses as well. The royal guards were keeping a watchful eye on her, never for a second letting her out of sight.


    ¡°This is the aerone you will be on.¡±


    Benedict waved his hand and ordered for the shutters to be opened. Loudly, the shutters slid to either side. The bright morning sun shone on the aerones inside.


    They were small green crafts. The sturdy wheels on the fixednding gear were equipped with skis that seemed to cover the tires. At the nose were the engine and the propellers. The seats were arranged in a row, and a third seat was situated at the very back, surrounded by ss like a birdcage.


    The wing atop the fusge was very long and thin. The aerone was about 15 meters wide altogether. Although it was a bine, the lower wing was attacked to the back of the rtively short 8-meter fusge.


    ¡°Huh. Funny design.¡± Lillia remarked. Allison nodded.


    ¡°It really is an unusual design. People sometimes call this a tandem wing aircraft because one wing is at the front and the other is at the back. Though I¡¯ve never actually seen one in person before. ¡­Excuse me, where did you get this aerone?¡± Allison asked Benedict, who was to her left.


    ¡°Mom! He¡¯s royalty!¡± Lillia hissed under her breath. Not offended in the least, Benedict replied in Bezelese.


    ¡°This is a modified craft prototyped at an aeronepany in Sou Be-Il. They added an extra wing to a pre-existing design. The specs aren¡¯t too shabby, but supposedly the design was so unusual they were forced to halt production. I received two of these crafts from a certain someone. I think the gunner¡¯s seat at the back might be perfect for tourism and observation.¡±


    ¡°Ah. I see.¡± Allison replied, also in Bezelese. Benedict lowered his voice.


    ¡°I¡¯ll exin properlyter, but¡­ that certain someone was here until not long ago.¡±


    ¡°Oh? Why?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s the amazing thing about him. He sniffed out something while tracking weapon smuggling in the Capital District and made it here. He was a great help. Unfortunately, he had to leave a short while ago.¡±


    ¡°He didn¡¯t say anything?¡±


    ¡°Ah. ¡®It¡¯s a shame I came all the way to Iks and still didn¡¯t get to catch a snow monster¡¯, he said.¡±


    ¡°Oh my.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll give you the detailster.¡±


    Lillia tilted her head quizzically.


    The royal guard brought ire forward and had her stand before the group. Fiona went up to her.


    ¡°Unfortunately, I won¡¯t be joining you.¡±


    ¡°Are you making fun of me?¡± ire glowered. Fiona shook her head.


    ¡°No. So you¡¯ll have to find the treasure in my stead.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ¡°Please, ire.¡±


    ¡°I have no intention of honoring your request.¡± ire said immediately, then added, ¡°but¡­ I will find what my father had longed to see.¡±


    * * *


    The roar of engines resounded over theke.


    Two unusually-shaped crafts spun their propellers under the clear blue sky and the morning sun. Snow blew everywhere like a blizzard on theke, about 5 meters from the hangar.


    The two aerones werebeled with numbers on the fins. In the pilot¡¯s seat of craft #1 was Benedict, behind whom sat the handcuffed ire. And in the gunner¡¯s seat at the very back was a member of the royal guard¡ªa man still in his twenties who had a muscr frame and a stern face.


    Allison sat in the pilot¡¯s seat of craft #2. Behind her was Lillia, and in the back was Treize. All six bound to fly were decked out in heated clothes, one-piece flying suits, leather jackets, aviator hats, goggles, and parachutes.


    Both aerones were fueled. They were also stocked with rations, water, and tents in case of an emergencynding.


    <This is Benedict. My aerone will be #1. #2, are you ready?> Benedict asked in Bezelese. His voice was audible to all six people, but ire alone did not understand thenguage.


    Allison fiddled with the controls in her seat as she pressed the call button and spoke into the microphone.


    <This is #2, all clear to go. If there¡¯s anything else you need, ask me anytime during the flight.>


    <I¡¯m d we have apetent pilot flying with us today.>


    On Benedict¡¯sp was a copy of the map ire had brought. He skimmed it and switched to Roxchean.


    <Now, everyone. I will confirm our schedule once more. It will be approximately one hour from takeoff to arrival at our destination airspace. This will not be a safe flight, as we must fly through narrow valleys. The weather is clear now but we will abort the mission should it worsen. Then let¡¯s be off.>


    No sooner had he finished than #1 roared and began to taxi down the runway. It quickly gained lift and rose into the air. Slower than a car on a highway, it flew with ease toward the sky.


    <Our turn.>


    Allison said to Lillia and Treize over the internal radio and elerated. The aerone scattered snow in its wake as it took off. Fiona watched silently as they departed.


    In the hollow surrounded by snow-capped mountains, two tiny specks began to move.


    The specks banked and passed over the pce, heading into the mountains. Then they slowly ascended as they turned into a valley on the southwestern part of royal property.


    <Wow. It really is beautiful.> Lillia gasped as they flew over the still-wide valley. Allison and Treize heard her over the internal radio.


    <It definitely is. But flying through the mountains is always dangerous. I should be careful.>


    <I trust you, Mom.>


    <Thank you, honey. And I trust our lead.> Allison said with a nce at Benedict¡¯s craft ahead. The two aerones continued as though rushing at the massive slopes of the Central Mountain Range.


    <You¡¯re being awfully quiet, Treize. Are you sure you¡¯re with us?>


    <¡­Oh. Yes.>


    Treize was slower to react that usual.


    <I wonder what the treasure could be?> He wondered.


    <Who knows?>


    <Who knows?>


    Mother and daughter thought for a moment before arriving at the same conclusion. Treize continued as though to himself.


    <I¡¯m sure the previous queen must have known. But she didn¡¯t reveal the treasure even when her own daughter was taken hostage. It must mean the treasure is something very important, right? Even more than the life of her own child¡­ what could it be?>


    <Who knows?>


    <Who knows?>


    <We might find out if we get there, and that¡¯d make me happy. But I don¡¯t want to end up thinking, ¡®this wasn¡¯t worth it after all!¡¯.> Treize said sadly. And no one spoke after that. Only the sound of the engine filled the ne.


    <We are almost at the valley. Take care.> Benedict said over the radio.


    * * *


    The two aerones maintained a reasonable distance as they flew through the vast valley.


    The valley was hundreds of meters wide, and it continued at length at a gentle slope and curve. Trees dotted the valley with green on theyer of white. On either side were stone mountains capped with snow. Their peaks were far above the aerones. Wispy clouds floated in the sky overhead.


    They were about an hour into the flight. Because they were slow, they had only covered a hundred and several dozen kilometers. There were still 30 kilometers to go.


    <Hm. This is strange.> Said Benedict.


    <It certainly is.>


    <Yes.>


    Allison and Treize agreed.


    Confused, Lillia asked for an exnation. Allison spoke for herself, Benedict, and Treize.


    <We¡¯ve been flying for quite a while now, haven¡¯t we?>


    <Uh-huh. And?>


    <Now, we should be at the heart of the Central Mountain Range. But this valley isn¡¯t getting any higher. I¡¯d guess we¡¯re at about 3500 meters above sea level. The valley floor is at about 3200. The Central Mountain Range should be much higher than that. There shouldn¡¯t be any t valleys so far in.>


    Lillia finally understood.


    <This is uncharted territory, so nothing would surprise me here¡­ but this is strange indeed.> Benedict said. Afterwards, he and Allison checked their fuel supply and double-checked the amount of flying time they had left.


    Leaving out the fuel they needed to return, they could still fly for over an hour.


    The two aerones continued without incident. They maintained about the same altitude and distance from the valley walls. But the mountains on either side grew higher and higher. The valley was already sandwiched between a pair of sheer cliffs hundreds of meters high.


    <This is incredible. What was it called again? That big cliff?>


    nkns, Benedict answered Allison.


    <Yes. That. I think this ce just might be a match for it.>


    <You¡¯re right¡­ you could even walk here if you wanted to.> Benedict agreed.


    At the same time, the valley suddenly veered sharply to the left. It was the first sharp turn in the valley¡ªso sharp that they could not see behind the corner until they banked. Benedict cautioned Allison.


    <As you can see, the valley curves to the left.>


    <Yes. Confirmed.>


    <We will stick as far to the right as possible before banking toward the middle of the valley. If by chance there happens to be a wall behind the corner, quickly bank right and turn back.>


    <Yes. This craft could make a turn like that.>


    <ording to the map, we are not far from the treasure¡­ but this is only a vague mark, so we cannot know the specifics. We are now making the turn.>


    The two nes had been flying side-by-side, but they switched to a linear formation. Benedict took the lead as he slowly stuck close to the right side of the valley. A wall of stone and snow flowed past, only 30 meters from the tip of the wing.


    The craft banked to the left again. The world behind the corner slowly came into view. The valley continued on into the distance. Benedict continued to bank.


    <The valley seems to continue. We will keep flying for now.>


    <Understood.>


    <We can continue until¡ªhm?>


    Benedict interrupted himself in shock.


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡±


    Curiously, Allison and Lillia looked forward. The valley continued ahead, past Benedict¡¯s craft. Mother and daughter spotted it at the same time.


    ¡°Oh!¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    Behind the corner, the valley continued. But it was now brown.


    The valley, covered in snow just behind them, was suddenly covered with soil like on the ins of Roxche, stretching on for kilometers.


    <My word¡­ do you see that?> Benedict gasped. ire also seemed surprised.


    <I see it¡­ It¡¯s incredible.>


    <How?>


    Neither Allison nor Lillia could hide their shock, either.


    ¡°C¡¯mon¡­ what are you looking at?¡± Treize mumbled. He knew that something was going on, but all he could see from his birdcage was the world behind the aerone.


    The others oohed and ahhed, raising Treize¡¯s expectations. And after what seemed to be a long wait, it finally came into his view.


    ¡°Whoa! What is this? Wh-what in the world?¡± He finally gasped, thest one in the party to see.


    <This is Treize. What¡¯s going on here?>


    Benedict replied over the radio.


    <I am not certain why, but the snow is gone¡­ which is impossible for this area in winter.>


    The two aerones slowed and descended further as they flew over the earth-covered valley. Their altitude was at under 50 meters, and they were traveling at about the same speed as an express train. The world passedzily by them.


    ¡°I don¡¯t believe it¡­¡± Treize whispered.


    Below the window he could see the soil on the ground. The cliffs on either side of the valley were covered in snow, but there wasn¡¯t a spot of white to be seen on the ground. He spotted small streams at points along the way.


    From his open vantage point, Treize looked around and enjoyed the view. But¡ª


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    When he spotted the incongruity, he was struck dumb. He stopped blinking.


    The two aerones covered about 3 kilometers as they flew close to the ground. Then,


    <This is the end. There is more snow overhead. We will elerate and climb.> Said Benedict.


    The brown of the valley came to an end, giving way to snow again. Benedict pushed the throttle with his left hand and pulled the control stick with his right. The aerone buzzed as it sped up and climbed. Allison followed behind him.


    <That was fun. It looks like we¡¯ll have something to report once we return.>


    <Yes.>


    Allison and Benedict chatted in Bezelese. Suddenly¡ª


    <Hey! Did you see that?! Over there!> Treize cried in Roxchean.


    ¡°Hm?¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    Benedict, Allison, and Lillia furrowed their brows.


    <Did no one else see that? Anyone?> Treize asked anxiously. Only ire, sitting beside Benedict, reached for her call button.


    <Boy. Did you see, too?>


    <Yes. Then you noticed?>


    <I don¡¯t believe it, but¡­>


    <So I¡¯m not going crazy, right?>


    <Not to worry. I thought I was losing my mind, too.>


    <What are you two talking about?> Benedict asked in Roxchean.


    <I don¡¯t believe it, but just now¡­ on the side of the valley¡­> Treize trailed off. Lillia spoke.


    <What? Come out and say it already.>


    Treize finally answered.


    <A person¡­ with his arms in the air.>


    Exmations of disbelief filled the aerones.


    <No¡­ that is not possible. This is the middle of the Central Mountain Range. You must have seen a bear.> Benedict said, incredulous.


    <No! I know what I saw. He was dressed in ck¡ªit was a person, I just know it!>


    <I saw him as well. But who am I to say anything? Hmph.>


    The two witnesses did not back down.


    <Maybe we should check it out.> Allison said. <The ground looks firm, so these crafts could stick thending. I¡¯ll try first and contact you if it works out. If not, get us help.>


    Benedict thought for a moment.


    <I understand. Even if we continued to fly, the valley would soon rise and we will not be able to maintain this altitude. It is indeed strange that there was no snow there, so we will investigate it.>


    Then he signaled for a turn. The two aerones slowly banked in the valley, changing directions.


    Soon, they were back to facing the brown valley. Benedict¡¯s craft climbed, and Allison¡¯s slowed and descended to prepare fornding. Benedict, flying ahead, checked the state of the ground and informed Allison that it seemed to be all right tond on.


    Allison warned Lillia and Treize of the imminentnding and touched down near the center of the valley. Very slowly, the aerone made contact with the ground. The sturdy tires dug into the soil. The aerone shook along for dozens of kilometers before finallying to a stop.


    Then, Allison started the engine again. The aerone taxied forward. Over the radio Allison informed Benedict thatnding was possible.


    The engine stopped, and a sudden silence fell over the aerone.


    ¡°Can we get off, Mom?¡±


    ¡°Sure. But make sure to stick with Treize.¡±


    ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°It could be dangerous. We have no idea what¡¯s out there.¡±


    ¡°Tch.¡±


    Pouting, Lillia pushed the windshield open and stood. She felt the valley air on her skin.


    ¡°Hm. It¡¯s not that cold.¡±


    ¡°Maybe there¡¯s no wind because it¡¯s a valley?¡±


    Allison stepped out of the pilot¡¯s seat. Treize also left the birdcage. Soon, there was a deafening roar as Benedict¡¯s craftnded. It taxied across the ground before stopping about 30 meters behind Allison¡¯s craft.


    Allison and Lillia, Treize, Benedict, ire, and the young royal guard.


    The six people were gathered together. They took off their parachutes and put them down in a pile. They took off ire¡¯s handcuffs, but tied a cord around her waist and had the guard hold it.


    ¡°This ce is marvelous. There is no snow here at all.¡± Benedict said, scanning their surroundings. There was no wind or sound in the valley. Though it was hundreds of meters wide, the cliffs on either side¡ªalso hundreds of meters tall¡ªgave the ce a ustrophobic air.


    They saw no moving objects. Everyone took off their goggles and sunsses, as there was no re here.


    ¡°If this is center of that patch of brown, we should head a little further.¡± Said Treize.


    ¡°I see. Then we will head that way.¡± Said Benedict as he led the way.


    Dirt got on everyone¡¯s shoes, but it was not difficult to walk. Benedict was at the head of the party, armed with a handgun in case of a bear attack. Following him was Allison, then Lillia and Treize. Bringing up the rear was ire and the royal guard.


    The party walked in single file along the valley. They walked down a slope. The ground was covered almost entirely in dirt. There were norge rocks or boulders, which were characteristic markers of valleys formed by ciers.


    ¡°It almost looks like a farmer¡¯s field. Perhaps the person you saw made it.¡± Said Benedict.


    At that point, he suddenly froze. Allison, who was looking to the side, quickly stopped before she walked into his back.


    ¡°Ah¡ª¡±


    Lillia bumped into her mother. Treize stopped behind them, and ire and the royal guard came to a stop at a slight distance.


    ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± Allison asked, looking up at Benedict. She walked to his right side and followed his gaze.


    ¡°¡­¡±


    Her blue eyes turned to dinner tes as she also froze.


    ¡°What?¡± Lillia asked, peering out from behind her. ¡°AAHHH!¡±


    And with a shout, she took cover behind her mother again.


    Treize and ire slowly peered out from behind Benedict. And¡ª


    ¡°See? I told you.¡±


    ¡°I knew it¡­¡±


    They nodded simultaneously. The guard behind ire gaped.


    People were walking toward the party from the base of the valley.


    There were about a dozen of them walking side-by-side. They were all dressed in ck. At first sighting they were about 300 meters away, but they soon closed that distance.


    All the people were well-built men, and what seemed to be ck clothing from a distance turned out to be bear pelts. The men were heavily bearded and had long hair, making it seem like they were covered in ck. They were not carrying anything.


    ¡°Impossible¡­ how could there be people here¡­?¡± Benedict mumbled in Bezelese, finally breaking his silence.


    ¡°Wh-wh-wh-wh-what¡¯s going on here? How? Why?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not sure¡­¡±


    Lillia and Allison stared, clinging tightly to each other.


    Treize silently walked up to Benedict. Benedict whispered to his son.


    ¡°Sorry for doubting you earlier, Treize. But who do you think these people are? What¡¯s going on here?¡±


    ¡°How should I know?¡±


    ¡°You think we canmunicate with ¡®em?¡±


    ¡°Dunno¡­¡±


    ire walked up to the rest of the party and looked at the men, mumbling under her breath.


    ¡°Would that be the treasure?¡±


    Treize and Benedict replied almost in unison.


    ¡°Who knows?¡±


    ¡°Who knows?¡±


    ¡°Who knows?¡±


    The men were getting closer and closer.


    Then, about 20 meters from the group, they stopped. They were a line of ck fur clothes and bearded faces. The men were all at least middle-aged, ranging from their forties to their sixties. Some were grimacing.


    Dozens of tense seconds passed by the time the oldest of the men finally stepped forward. He stopped about 5 meters from the party.


    ¡°¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª.¡±


    And with a deep breath, he said something in a t but pleasant tone. Everyone in the party could hear him. But¡ª


    ¡°Wh-what¡¯s he saying?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not sure. Did you understand, Lillia?¡±


    ¡°As if.¡±


    Benedict, Allison, and Lillia did not get a word. The man was speaking neither Bezelese nor Roxchean.


    But Treize raised his voice.


    ¡°¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª! ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª. ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª.¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    ¡°Hm?¡±


    Everyone but ire turned to Treize, dumbfounded. The man responded to Treize.


    ¡°¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª. ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª. ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª. ¡ª¡ª.¡±


    Treize then replied.


    Lillia watched everything in horror.


    ¡°No way¡­ Treize is speaking moontongue¡­¡±


    The conversation continued. Treize easily went up to the older man. With just a few meters between them, they spoke in what Lillia called moontongue. The man was stoic, and Treize excited.


    ¡°What do you think they¡¯re saying?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not sure.¡± Benedict replied to Lillia¡¯s question. ire sighed.


    ¡°So you don¡¯t know, then. I suppose it¡¯s not surprising.¡±


    ¡°Hm? Miss Nichto, you mean to say that you understand thatnguage?¡± Benedict asked, surprised. Allison and Lillia simultaneously looked at ire.


    ¡°Notpletely, but I can understand most of it. They just exchanged greetings. The boy¡¯s apologizing for frightening them and exining that we intend to do no harm.¡±


    ¡°Incredible. If you do not mind me asking, what is thatnguage?¡± Asked Benedict. ire was incredulous.


    ¡°Thenguage of this country.¡±


    ¡°Pardon?¡±


    ¡°Our old mother tongue. Ikstovan.¡±


    Lillia remembered something.


    ¡°Oh! Treize said before that he knew Ikstovan!¡±


    Treize was engaged in discussion with the older man. The man stood as still as a statue as he mechanically responded to Treize¡¯s questions. About three minutester, Treize paused the conversation and returned to the party.


    All eyes were on Treize as he exined in Roxchean.


    ¡°Hmm¡­ Well¡­ where do I start?¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t have to exin. We¡¯ll just ask you questions. Who are those people?¡± Asked Lillia.


    ¡°Er¡­ apparently they¡¯re the guardians of the valley. The old man told me over and over again, ¡®we are the guardians of the valley¡¯.¡±


    ¡°So why are they living in a ce like this? How? Since when? Where exactly? And why?¡± Benedict asked all at once.


    ¡°H-hold on!¡± Treize said, ¡°I haven¡¯t heard that much yet.¡±


    ¡°What? Then what were you talking about all that time?¡± Lillia sighed.


    ¡°About aerones, actually. He asked me how they could fly. And what those spinning things at the front were. The phrase ¡®dynamic lift¡¯ doesn¡¯t exist in Ikstovan, so I had a hard time trying to exin.¡±


    ¡°Idiot! So you just spent all that time answering their questions? Isn¡¯t it supposed to be the other way around?!¡± Lillia snapped.


    ¡°Er¡­ sorry. I¡¯ll go ask them again. I¡¯ll interpret as best I can, so don¡¯t worry.¡± Treize apologized.


    ¡°¡­¡±


    The men watched Lillia and Treize without a word.


    The party went up to the old man who spoke with Treize and greeted him in Roxchean, lightly bowing their heads.


    Benedict exined that all six people were part of their group, and that ire had been arrested for her misdeeds.


    ¡°Hmph.¡±


    Treize ignored ire and interpreted Benedict¡¯s words into Ikstovan. The older man responded.


    ¡°He says he understands. And he says he can¡¯t permit us to live here.¡±


    ¡°Please tell him that we do not intend to.¡± Benedict said, and asked Treize to ask the men who they were.


    Treize did as Benedict asked. When the older man replied, Treize said something again. They had a brief exchange.


    ¡°What? What¡¯s going on?¡± Lillia whispered. Treize responded.


    ¡°No luck. He says it¡¯s a secret and he can¡¯t say a thing. And that they¡¯re not going to harm us, so we should leave. They¡¯re willing to see us off.¡±


    ¡°What the heck¡­¡± Lillia said, crestfallen, but quickly recalled something. ¡°Say, maybe these people are the treasure?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not sure.¡± Allison frowned. Benedict shook his head as well.


    ¡°These men? The treasure? Not a chance.¡± ire was the only one to outright deny the possibility. ¡°No one would sacrifice so much to protect these scruffy hermits.¡±


    ¡°You have a point¡­¡± Lillia nodded.


    ¡°But there¡¯s a good chance they know where the treasure is.¡±


    ¡°Yeah¡­¡± Lillia nodded again. ire grinned viciously.


    ¡°If only I had the means, I would torture them all to get information on the treasure.¡±


    ¡°Please don¡¯t.¡±


    That was when Treize wrapped up the conversation.


    ¡°No good. He won¡¯t tell me. And he says we have to leave this valley immediately.¡±


    ire snorted again. Benedict and Lillia did not try to hide their disappointment.


    ¡°Psst. Treize.¡± Allison hissed, gesturing Treize over. He went up to her curiously, when she whispered something into his ear.


    Treize was dumbfounded.


    ¡°What? ¡­I suppose¡­¡±


    ¡°Just give it a shot. Discreetly.¡± Allison said with a wink. Treize went back to the older man.


    ¡°What did you tell him, Mom?¡± Asked Lillia.


    ¡°It¡¯s a secret. Let¡¯s just watch.¡± Allison replied.


    Walking up to the man, Treize reached inside his shirt. And he stood face-to-face with the man, leaning in and whispering something so ire couldn¡¯t hear.


    For the first time, the man¡¯s expression changed. His eyes widened in shock as he held out his hands toward Treize. Treize silently took them in his.


    For a time, they stared at one another. Eventually Treize slipped his pendant back under his shirt.


    The man brought Treize to the others. The ten or so men stood around him, holding out their hands. Treize took them all in turn.


    Surrounded, Treize spoke quietly with the men. And at times during the conversation, shock spread over his face.


    Left with nothing to do, Benedict and the others waited for the exchange to end.


    About ten minutester, Treize returned to the others.


    ¡°Now you can exin to us, right?¡± Asked Lillia. Treize nodded.


    ¡°It¡¯s incredible. Really.¡±


    ¡°Get on with it.¡±


    ¡°Okay, okay¡­¡±


    Treize exined everything the men told him.


    As their choice ofnguage made clear, the men were of the traditional Ikstovan ways. They had walked to this valley from Ikstova to live here.


    ¡°They live in these conditions? How?¡± Asked Benedict.


    ¡°Well¡­ apparently it¡¯s not impossible.¡± Treize replied.


    Because the valley was not too high above sea level, nts grew in the area from spring to summer. And wild sheep woulde to the valley to feed on the nts. The men could butcher the sheep for meat or raise them for milk, making survival possible.


    ¡°But what about winter? Isn¡¯t it going to get colder from now on?¡± Asked Lillia.


    Treize exined that theck of snow underfoot exined everything. There was supposedly a great deal of heat in the earth around the valley. Not only that, the men lived in the caverns in the cliffs. Deep inside were groundwater streams that provided them with hot water all year round.


    ¡°Hot springs¡­ I see! They beat the cold with the hot water, and subsist on the food they stored during the year.¡± Allison nodded. ¡°But are there no women around here? I don¡¯t know how long they¡¯ve been living this way, but they can¡¯t have any children like this. Why are these people living here, anyway?¡±


    ¡°Yeah. It¡¯s just one question after another.¡± Lillia agreed.


    ¡°I heard the reason as well,¡± said Treize, ¡°I can hardly believe it, but it doesn¡¯t seem like they¡¯re lying.¡±


    ¡°Tell us.¡±


    ¡°Right. Apparently they¡¯ve been living this way for four hundred years.¡±


    ¡°Four hundred years?¡± Lillia squawked. Allison chimed in.


    ¡°So when the current royal dynasty began.¡±


    ¡°Yes. Apparently that was when this strange valley was discovered. Afterwards, the royal family recruited people to protect the valley at all costs. ¡­And about the progeny issue¡­¡±


    ¡°Mhm?¡±


    ¡°They said that they live here for years before walking all the way back to Ikstova in secret. They would only go in the winter to avoid being witnessed. They would have children in Ikstova, and if they had a son, the son would take on the role from his father¡­ They say that several families have been carrying on the tradition.¡±


    ¡°I see. That makes sense.¡± Said Benedict.


    ¡°Oh! I just realized something!¡± Allison pped her hands together. ¡°Those snow monster sightings in Ikstova must have been¡ª¡±


    ¡°¡ªYes. People must have glimpsed these men and assumed they were monsters.¡±


    ¡°Aww,¡± Allison sighed, ¡°I feel bad for people who were excited to find out about a mysterious new species in the mountains.¡± She said, not revealing which person she had in mind.


    ¡°And these men received support behind the scenes from¡ª¡±


    ¡°And these men received support behind the scenes from¡ª¡±


    ¡°The royal family.¡± ire finished Treize¡¯s sentence.


    Lillia turned in shock. Treize nodded. ire continued.


    ¡°That exins everything. When the royal family found the treasure here, they gathered these men to live here and protect it. Then the royal family designated thekeshore that leads into this valley their own personal property, making it off-limits and burying everything in secrecy. They didn¡¯t even inform the royal guard. And for generations, they passed on the secret to their one offspring. The map my father found must have been left in the home of one of these ¡®guardians¡¯.¡±


    ¡°I see. Hmm.¡± Benedict nodded again and again. ire gestured at the men.


    ¡°Look at them. They¡¯re all old. When the previous queen died, they must have been left without a sponsor and lost whatever they had established in Ikstova. So they must have remained here for nearly thirty years. Or perhaps they simply couldn¡¯t petition ¡®Francesca¡¯, even if they returned. Am I wrong?¡±


    Treize looked ire in the eye.


    ¡°No. You¡¯re correct.¡±


    Benedict praised ire.


    ¡°Shut up. It doesn¡¯t matter anymore.¡± ire turned down hispliments. Then she asked very loudly, ¡°so what did they say? What is the treasure in this valley? The treasure that my father sought, and drained the blood of countless people?¡±


    Treize shook his head.


    ¡°Well¡­ I¡­¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°When I asked about the treasure, they told me that they had no idea what I was talking about.¡±


    ¡°What? Why would they go so far to protect the valley, then?! Are these cliffs that important? Or perhaps the hot springs that run even in the dead of winter?!¡± ire demanded, approaching Treize. The royal guard pulled on her cord. Treize snapped back.


    ¡°Don¡¯t you think I asked?! But they wouldn¡¯t say anything else! They¡¯re just protecting the valley!¡±


    ¡°Maybe they¡¯ve forgotten about the treasure over all the generations?¡± Lillia wondered.


    ¡°I thought it might be a little offensive, but I asked anyway. I asked if there was any sort of treasure ever hidden in the valley. They said, ¡®no. We simply lived here to protect the valley¡¯.¡±


    ¡°Then what is the treasure?¡±


    No one could answer Lillia¡¯s question.


    Everyone was silent. Dozens of seconds passed more slowly than usual.


    ¡°What shall we do?¡± Benedict broke the silence, ¡°we could inform these people about the new queen and have them return to Ikstova for the time being¡­ and perhaps we should postpone the treasure hunt?¡±


    ¡°Maybe. I think it¡¯s about time we went back. But this is a great discovery in and of itself.¡± Allison said.


    Lillia and Treize had no particr objections, so they said nothing.


    ire alone seemed unsatisfied.


    ¡°Don¡¯t joke around! The treasure exists! I will ask them myself!¡±


    ¡°They will not tell you simply because you speak theirnguage.¡± Said Benedict.


    ire, unwilling to acknowledge that, tried to walk over to the men as they stared from a distance. But the royal guard pulled on her cord and left her struggling in ce.


    ¡°Damn it!¡±


    ¡°Yeah¡­ maybe we should just go back for now.¡± Treize mumbled, ¡°this valley is interesting, but we can save the exploring forter¡­¡±


    ¡°Yeah. I think I might fall asleep soon.¡± Lillia agreed.


    Treize yawned loudly. ¡°Yeah. I¡¯m really getting tired. The men said we can fly all the way to Sou Be-Il through here, but I guess we can test that outter.¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    Allison and Benedict reacted at once. Their expressions changed dramatically.


    ¡°Wait! What did you just say?¡±


    ¡°Treize, say that again?¡±


    bbergasted, they demanded the exact same answer from Treize at once.


    ¡°Huh?¡± Treize frowned. ¡°I¡¯m getting tired?¡±


    ¡°No! The next part!¡± Allison cried. Lillia had rarely seen her mother so agitated.


    ¡°You can get to Sou Be-Il through here, you said?¡± Said Benedict, ¡°that¡¯s what you said, right?¡±


    ¡°Right?¡±


    Treize nodded.


    ¡°Yeah. Apparently they sometimes pack a lot of food and walk all the way to Sou Be-Il. To Iltoa. But you know how people in Iltoa don¡¯t live in the mountains like we do? These men can go over ande back unseen as long as they don¡¯t go all the way to the foot of the mountains.¡± He exined nonchntly. Benedict nearly fainted.


    ¡°My word¡­¡±


    Allison¡¯s eyes were wide with shock.


    ¡°No way¡­ I don¡¯t believe it¡­¡±


    Treize, Lillia, ire, and the young royal guard stared in confusion.


    Finally, Treize broke the silence.


    ¡°Could you tell us what you¡¯re so surprised¡ª¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s the treasure!¡± Benedict cried.


    ¡°Huh?¡± Lillia raised an eyebrow. ire frowned.


    ¡°This really is a treasure!¡±


    ¡°Yes! This valley was the treasure!¡±


    Lillia tugged on her excited mother¡¯s sleeve.


    ¡°I don¡¯t get what you¡¯re saying, Mom. Could you please exin?¡±


    ¡°Oh, right¡­ You wouldn¡¯t know, since you all grew up after the war¡­¡±


    ¡°Nope.¡± Lillia shook her head.


    ¡°Let me exin. I will exin.¡± Benedict stammered, finally regaining some semnce of calm. ¡°From the valley¡¯s discovery four hundred years ago to approximately twenty years ago, East and West¡ªRoxche and Sou Be-Il¡ªwere at war. You must remember that. Because of the Lutoni River, it was not easy for one side to attack the other. So no real progress was ever made in the war. And¡ª¡±


    ¡°Oh!¡±


    ¡°Ah!¡±


    Treize and ire understood simultaneously. As did the royal guard.


    Benedict turned to Lillia, who was still lost, and continued to exin.


    ¡°And the other obstacle between the sides is the Central Mountain Range here. The peaks are over ten thousand meters high, and you can never cross it on foot.¡±


    ¡°But you can.¡± Lillia said absently. ¡°Treize said these people can cross over on foot through the valley, right?¡±


    ¡°Precisely! That is why this valley is a treasure! You can walk to Sou Be-Il through this valley. And in a way that the other side will never notice. Do you understand what this means?¡±


    Still dumbfounded, Treize continued where Benedict left off.


    ¡°If Roxchean forces were assembled in Ikstova¡­ they could lead the forces through the valley and take the Iltoa regionpletely by surprise. And even a baby could tell you that Roxche would have the upper hand then¡­¡±


    ¡°Ah! I see now!¡± Lillia cried, finally understanding. ¡°That¡¯s why this is a treasure!¡±


    Treize nodded.


    ¡°Yeah! That¡¯s why the royal family was so desperate to hide this valley¡ªto prevent it from being used in a war. Four hundred years ago, before Roxche was founded, knights were fighting over the Lutoni with spears and bows and swords. And if the valley were to be discovered then¡ªor eventer, when the Confederation was founded¡ªthe hostilities would have worsened dramatically. The royal family had to keep this route a secret!¡±


    ¡°So back then, the valley was important enough topletely change the course of history.¡± Lillia said, and tilted her head. ¡°Hm? Wait a sec. What about now?¡±


    ¡°Yeah.¡± Treize said.


    Next to him stood ire, white as a sheet, already knowing the answer. Treize continued.


    ¡°During the war, this valley was definitely a valuable treasure. It was worth the lives of many people. I understandpletely why the royal family decided to hide it at all costs.¡±


    ¡°Yeah. But what about now?¡± Lillia asked again.


    ¡°Er¡­ well¡­¡± Treize trailed off.


    ¡°It has practically no value anymore.¡± Allison said firmly.


    Benedict nodded. Allison continued.


    ¡°We¡¯re not going to have an all-out war between East and West anymore. There are bridges over the Lutoni now, and we can cross over freely. And in five or so years, aerones are going to have pressurization devices that let them just fly clear over the Central Mountain Range. This valley¡¯s going to end up like nkns. An interesting but peaceful and quiet sight that draws in tourists and geologists from around the world.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    Silently, Lillia¡¯s gaze slowly went from Allison¡¯s blue eyes to the ck-haired woman standing a few meters off to the side.


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ire was sobbing quietly. Tears ran down her pale cheeks.


    ¡°No¡­ no¡­ this can¡¯t be¡­¡± She gasped between sobs, ¡°this is the treasure Father sought all those years? This¡­ the treasure he wanted to find for Roxche and Ikstova¡­? The treasure he gave his life to pass on to me¡­? So by the time he lost his life, it was already worthless¡­?¡±


    Treize, Benedict, Allison, and the royal guard said nothing as they watched the weeping ire.


    ¡°¡­¡±


    Lillia as well.


    ¡°Elvar¡­ Mores¡­ Jake¡­ Mike¡­ Wayne¡­ Palmer¡­ Kirk¡­ Burress¡­ they all died¡­ forthis?¡±


    Feebly, she fell to her knees and hung her head.


    ¡°Ah¡­¡±


    ire¡¯s tears fell to the ground and soaked the earth.


    As everyone stood silently, Lillia walked up to her.


    Standing beside the sobbing ire, she ced a hand on her shoulder and said,


    ¡°¡®Weep not, Mdy. Life and suffering are one and the same; you must ovee this pain¡¯.¡±


    * * *


    The two aerones took off in the narrow valley.


    With a deafening roar, the strangely-designed crafts flew side-by-side overhead. They moved their ps as they descended the valley, toward Iks.


    The men watched until the aerones were out of sight.


    ¡°A prince, eh? Such honest and clear eyes. And gentle, too.¡±


    The oldest of the men who spoke to Treize remarked in perfect Roxchean. The others nodded.


    From under the fur, the man drew a knife he had hidden on his back. It was a terrifying weapon with a wide, 30-centimeter-long de. He nced down at the knife.


    ¡°It¡¯s a good thing he told us quickly. Almost ended up killing a member of the royal family.¡±


    -----

 Volume 2 Epilogue

    <h4>Volume 2 Epilogue</h4>


    -----


    The 14th day of the first month of the year 3306 of the World Calendar.


    The Schultz family kitchen.


    ¡°So you really went through all that, Lillia? ¡­That¡¯s incredible.¡±


    Strauski Megmica,


    ¡°It was a real once-in-a-lifetime experience¡­¡±


    And Lillianne Aikashia Coraz¨°n Whittington Schultz were talking over the table, several newspapers open before them.


    It was afternoon, and the weather was cloudy. Both had returned from the start-of-sses ceremony ande straight to Lillia¡¯s house, and were still in their uniforms.


    On the newspapers from the 3rd of the month were headlines like ¡®Treasure of Ikstova¡ªFound¡¯, ¡®Never-Before-Seen East-West Corridor Discovered¡¯, apanied by articles on the rediscovery of the valley.


    The articles summarized the following. That the current queen of Iks made the decision to announce the discovery of the valley, which had been kept a secret in the royal family for centuries. It exined that the royal family had desperately kept the valley¡¯s existence hidden for fear of further conflict.


    But the militaristic value of the valley had dropped when the queen¡¯s husband, Carr Benedict, discovered the mural and ended the war. And when Benedict learned of the treasure twenty years hence, he convinced the queen to announce it and made yet another mark in the pages of history.


    The reactions from around the world, printed the next day, were generally positive. The royal family of Iltoa officially announced, ¡®The royal family of Iks saved the world from war by concealing the valley¡¯s existence¡¯. The Presidential Office in Roxche released a statement saying, ¡®the royal family of Iks prevented bloodshed by hiding the valley from the public eye¡¯.


    Some in Roxche argued that the East could have been victorious had the valley been used, and that Iks had betrayed them, but they were very few in number and were soon buried in the voice of the majority.


    ¡°There must have been such a bigmotion.¡± Said Meg.


    Lillia nodded. She quickly nced through the paper, and found a tiny news article about a documentary crew from the Capital District shooting a film in Iks being killed in an avnche.


    ¡°¡­¡±


    For a time, Lillia stared silently at the article. She and Allison had been asked by the queen to abide by a gag order. Lillia could not tell Meg the truth, either.


    She sighed. Meg gave her a quizzical look.


    She sighed. Meg gave her a quizzical look.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong, Lillia?¡±


    ¡°Hm? N-nothing. I¡¯m fine.¡±


    ¡°Did something happen? Is something bothering you?¡±


    ¡°Huh? Er¡­ it was just a lot of confusion.¡± Lillia said vaguely.


    ¡°Mhm.¡± Meg nodded, ¡°say, about that boy who came here before¡ªTreize¡ªhe¡¯s from Iks, right? Did you meet him there?¡±


    ¡°Huh? Y-yeah. I did.¡±


    ¡°Lillia. Did you talk about anything important with him?¡± Meg asked, looking into Lillia¡¯s eyes.


    ¡°No. I didn¡¯t. Things were so hectic that I barely got to say hello.¡±


    ¡°Is that all?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s all.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s all.¡±


    ¡°Did you make ns to meet next time?¡±


    ¡°Actually, no. We just didn¡¯t have the time to n that stuff.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s so sad.¡±


    ¡°Huh? For who?¡±


    ¡°Both of you.¡±


    * * *


    ¡°Thank you for everything, Elder Sister. It was so kind of you to grant Meriel of Ikstova such a marvelous holiday.¡±


    ¡°Not at all. Please send my greetings to Queen Francesca and Sir Benedict when you return.¡±


    ¡°Of course!¡±


    ¡°Of course!¡±


    ¡°To tell you the truth, Meriel, I hope dearly to soon be your real sister.¡±


    ¡°My real sister?¡±


    ¡°Yes. I have already sent word to Treize, with permission from Queen Francesca and Sir Benedict.¡±


    ¡°What¡­ might you be saying, Elder Sister?¡±


    ¡°When Treize is twenty years old, I¡­¡±


    ¡°Yes?¡±


    ¡°¡­I want to bring him into the royal family of Bezel, as my husband.¡±


    ¡°¡­Pardon?¡±


    -The Longest Day in Ikstova: End-

 Volume 2 Extra — Meriel and Treize

    <h4>Volume 2 Extra: Meriel and Treize</h4>


    -----


    Quite a while ago, in Ikstova.


    It was one winter, when Treize and Meriel were living in the valley.


    They were in a warm room with a roaring firece. Because they were twins, they were both four years old. But¡ª


    ¡°You¡¯re s¡¯pposed to listen to your big sister, stupid!¡±


    Little Meriel,


    ¡°Stupid Meriel! I¡¯m the big brother!¡±


    And little Treize were embroiled in a fierce debate.


    They were both still little, but upon closer inspection Meriel was very slightly taller than Treize.


    ¡°But you¡¯re shorter than me! That¡¯s really suspicious!¡±


    Looks like little Meriel has quite the vocabry.


    ¡°What did you say?¡±


    Looks like little Treize is upset he can¡¯t keep up with Meriel¡¯s vocabry.


    ¡°I¡¯m the big sister, so you¡¯re s¡¯pposed to do what I say!¡±


    ¡°Nuh-uh, I¡¯m the li-big brother!¡±


    ¡°Oh! You said it! You were gonna say ¡®little brother¡¯!¡± Meriel cried triumphantly, allowing no room for argument. It was a ruthless attack.


    Little Treize flushed a deep red, unable to respond. His lips trembling, he desperately racked his brains¡ª


    ¡°Stupid Meriel!¡±


    Little Meriel snorted and replied instantly.


    ¡°Right back at you!¡±


    ¡°Stupid stupid stupid!¡±


    ¡°Stupid stupid stupid stupid stupid! Times a hundred!¡±


    Cornered, little Treize groaned unintelligibly andshed out with both hands at little Meriel.


    Little Meriel evaded and struck back, seeing through his feeble attack. She punched him.


    ¡°Ow! Hey!¡±


    ¡°You started it!¡±


    Punch. Smack. Thud. Ah, the argument¡¯s finally turned into a fight.


    ¡°Stupid Meriel!¡±


    ¡°Hey! Poopiehead!¡±


    Punch. Smack. Thud. Brother and sister pped and shouted and punched.


    ¡°Hm. Excellent right hook. Expected no less from my daughter.¡± Said a heavily bearded man lounging on a chair at the side of the room.


    p. Kick. Pow.


    The battle to the death was reaching its climax.


    CRASH!


    That was when the queen herself rushed into the room.


    ¡°Both of you, enough! Do you want me to feed you to the snow monsters?!¡±


    Little Treize froze, with a double-barrel nosebleed and tears welling in his eyes.


    Little Meriel froze, with her right fist on Treize¡¯s forehead and her left prepared to throw a punch.


    ¡°Hm.¡± Benedict nodded as he stood. ¡°The winner is! Meriel!¡±


    Afterwards, Benedict was badly scolded by the queen¡ª¡±What were you doing just watching and letting them fight like that I don¡¯t believe this siblings shouldn¡¯t be hitting each other h h h¡±¡ªand little Meriel punched the air with a cheer.


    ¡°¡­¡±


    Little Treize opened the door and ran as though escaping. He put on his jacket, his boots, and rushed out into the snow to the home of the old man, who was the best hunter in the vige.


    ¡°Grandfather!¡±


    ¡°Ah, Your Highness. What¡¯s the matter, now? Why the tears?¡±


    An elderly man stepped into the living room.


    ¡°Meriel¡¯s picking on me!¡±


    ¡°Dear me. What shall we do?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m gonna beat her!¡±


    ¡°Of course.¡±


    ¡°Teach me to shoot! You¡¯re good at shooting, Grandfather!¡± Little Treize said between breaths. The old man nodded thoughtfully.


    ¡°Your Highness, a gun can make anyone stronger. Would you be happy to win that way?¡±


    ¡°But¡­¡±


    ¡°But?¡±


    ¡°But¡­¡±


    Waaaaaaaah! Little Treize finally burst into tears. As the old man¡ªand his wife, bringing in tea¡ªwatched, Treize sobbed out loud for several minutes.


    Little Treize huped as he gasped and cried and cried. Eventually, the old woman brought a not-so-clean piece of cloth and gently wiped Treize¡¯s face.


    ¡°I understand, Your Highness. I must follow your orders. I shall teach you to use a gun.¡± Said the old man, lightly tapping his knee.


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    When little Treize raised his head, the old man grabbed a rifle equipped with a scope from the wall and lifted it with ease. And he brought it over to Treize, who looked up at him with puffy eyes.


    The old man checked to see that the rifle wasn¡¯t loaded, and said,


    ¡°Your Highness, hold out your left hand.¡±


    Little Treize nodded bravely and held out his left hand. The old man ced the rifle on it.


    ¡°Ah!¡±


    Unable to bear the weight of the rifle, little Treize fell over and hit his shoulder on the floor.


    The old man sighed.


    ¡°My, my. If you can¡¯t lift a gun with one hand, Your Highness, I¡¯m afraid I can¡¯t teach you to use it.¡±


    Little Treize struggled to pull out his left hand from under the rifle and asked,


    ¡°Th-then what do I hafta do?¡±


    The old man was quick to answer.


    ¡°You must train your body until you are able to lift a gun.¡±


    ¡°Train? How?¡±


    ¡°Surely you can lift something like this, Your Highness?¡±


    The old man handed him a small shovel for clearing snow.


    Little Treize took the shovel in his hands. It was small, but for little Treize it was almost 70% of his height.


    ¡°Clear the snow from the front porch, Your Highness. You will be stronger and more muscr that way. And you will be able to lift a rifle with ease.¡±


    ¡°Okay!¡±


    Little Treize nodded enthusiastically.


    ¡°And you know what else, Your Highness? Everyone will be so pleased when you finish shoveling. It¡¯s like killing two birds with one stone.¡±


    ¡°Okay! I will! I¡¯ll shovel! I¡¯ll train!¡±


    So for some time after that,


    ¡°Training!¡±


    Little Treize passionately cleared snow from houses in the valley.


    The local women wouldment,


    ¡°Oh my. The queen¡¯s son is growing up to be such a sweet boy.¡±


    They heaped praises on him.


    That didn¡¯t mean, though, that Treize was immediately strong enough to beat Meriel.


    ¡°Stupid Treize!¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    Afterwards, whenever he lost to Meriel, Treize would visit the old man and ask him to teach him marksmanship.


    ¡°You must be stronger if you wish to use a gun, Your Highness. The best exercise in the springtime would be to re-pot the nts and move the soil.¡±


    ¡°You must have sharp eyes if you with to learn marksmanship. And summer is the perfect season¡ªcount the cattle in the distance and train your vision.¡±


    ¡°You must have stamina if you wish to maintain proper aim. I suggest going for a run in he mountains every day this autumn. From the forest with the orchard trees to¡­ about here, I believe. And pick some fruits on the way back.¡±


    ¡°You must have fine control if you wish to pull the trigger. Here, give me a shoulder massage.¡±


    Simple Treize was always excited for the next stage of training.


    And he became the present-day Treize.


    Of course, at some point he hadpletely forgotten about beating Meriel in a fight with a gun.


    Present day. The year 3305.


    ¡°So in other words, it¡¯s all thanks to me that you¡¯ve gotten so strong. Where is your gratitude, little brother?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re the younger one, Meriel!¡±


    ¡°Is that any way to speak to the princess of this country? I should sue you for your insolence.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s fine by me! I¡¯ve been itching to finally settle things between us!¡±


    ¡°Good. But I suppose mother might be sad to hear about us in court.¡±


    ¡°Ah. ¡­Fine. Let¡¯s not.¡±


    ¡°Then I win again.¡±


    ¡°Why?!¡±


    ¡°Because you acknowledged defeat and backed down first.¡±


    ¡°But¡ª¡±


    ¡°It looks like you¡¯ve still got a long way to go, little brother. Mwahahahaha.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ¡°Grandfather, I need your help.¡±


    ¡°What might be the matter, Your Highness? You¡¯re already a strong young man. I have nothing more to teach you.¡±


    ¡°No, you do. Please tell me. How can I defeat Meriel in an argument?¡±


    The prince hung his head. The old man narrowed his eyes and lowered his voice.


    ¡°Hmm¡­ I¡¯ve known the answer to that question for a very long time, Your Highness, but I suppose I have no other choice if it still escapes you. At my age, you never know how much time you have left.¡±


    ¡°¡­Please! How can I defeat her?¡±


    The old man replied without missing a beat,


    ¡°I¡¯m afraid that is impossible.¡±


    -Meriel and Treize: End-

 Volume 2 Side Story

    <h4>Volume 2 Side Story</h4>


    Note: Have another side story. This one involves spoilers for the end of Allison, but does not spoil Lillia and Treize.


    Long, long ago.


    Specifically, the year 3277 of the World Calendar. Around the time Roxche(the Roxcheanuk Confederation) and Sou Be-Il(the Allied Kingdoms of Bezel-Iltoa), the nations on either side of the¡¯s only continent, began a hellish war over a tiny ind on the Lutoni River.


    Leaves were falling and the wind was growing chilly that autumn, when a soldier visited the house.


    The building, about the size of a small schoolhouse, was much toorge to just call a house. It was a red-roofed building standing quietly among trees dyed in yellows and reds. Stuck on the door beside the road was a grubby piece of plywood. The words ¡®Wee to the Future House!¡¯ were written on it twice. Once in Roxchean and once in Bezelese.


    ¡°Please wait here until I¡¯ve finished with my business.¡± The soldier said to the driver, and stepped through the door.


    He was a fat man in a green Roxchean uniform, and from his badge of rank he seemed to be a high-ranking officer. He was in his mid-thirties. Blue eyes and short blond hair peered out from under his hat. There was a long mustache over his lips, but it was a poor match for his looks. The tie around his thick neck seemed tight on him, and a handgun weighed on the belt around his bulging waistline.


    The soldier¡¯s feet crunched over the leaves as he walked down the narrow tree-lined path to the house. Wisps of clouds floated overhead thatte afternoon. There was a chatter in the air, perhaps from children ying behind the building.


    ¡°Nowhere near the hustle and bustle of the city, and surrounded by nature. What a beautiful ce.¡± The soldier said to himself with a smile. When he finished, he found himself at the door. There was a small bell on the door. He pulled a string and rang it.


    ¡°Hello.¡± An apron-d woman in her thirties stepped out with a confused look. The soldier introduced himself, and exined that he was no one suspicious and that he was very interested in the war orphans being cared for at the facility.


    ¡°Is Madam Coraz¨°n Mut home? It would be an honor to speak to her in person.¡±


    The soldier was led into the director¡¯s office. It was at the very front of the long hallway just through the front door.


    In the office, the soldier took off his hat and waited on a wooden chair. There was a simple work desk by the window. Next to it was a shelf filled with books and photo albums, and in the middle of the room were chairs for guests and a table. A teacup and a hat sat side-by-side on the surface. The clock on the wall ticked and tocked.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry to have kept you waiting. I am Coraz¨°n Mut.¡±


    Stepping through the door was a short, chubby, and elderly woman whose slightly long grey hair was tied up in a neat bun. Her rxed tone was a perfect match for her pleasant bearing. The woman was wearing an apron over her one-piece dress.


    The soldier stood, ced his hat over his chest, and greeted the woman. The woman smiled and, meeting the soldier¡¯s blue eyes, asked him to rx. They sat on either side of the table.


    The soldier introduced himself once more. He then exined that he lived and worked in the Capital District.


    Then, he exined that he was very interested in the fact that the facility was founded by Coraz¨°n Mut¡ªwho had defected from Sou Be-Il twenty years prior¡ªand that she was looking after children orphaned by the conflicts between East and West.


    He also exined that he was not visiting as part of a mission¡ªthat he happened to be in the area for work, and that he was using his own time to visit. He did not neglect to apologize to the woman for visiting out of the blue, and to thank her for agreeing to meet him.


    Mut¡¯s smile never left her face as she nodded along to the soldier¡¯s words.


    ¡°Actually, I¡ª¡°


    But just as the soldier cut to the heart of the matter, someone knocked.


    Mut excused herself and stood to open the door. There was a brown-haired boy there. He was quite short and wore a light sweater and a pair of shorts. He seemed to be rather soft-spoken.


    ¡°Grandma! Ms. Le told me to tell you as fast as I could.¡±


    The boy¡¯s words surprised the soldier. But because the soldier was very good at hiding his shock, he didn¡¯t seem any different except for how his blinking very slightly slowed.


    ¡°That¡¯s very sweet of you, Wil. Whatever is the matter?¡± Mut kindly asked the boy, also speaking in Bezelese¡ªthenguage of Sou Be-Il. Of course, Mut¡¯s mother tongue was Bezelese to begin with.


    The boy went up to Mut and told her what Ms. Le wanted her to say. He told her that Mut could take her time speaking with the visitor and that the other teachers would take over her duties for the moment.


    ¡°Thank you, Wil. Could I ask you a favor? Could you go to Ms. Le and tell her ¡®Thank you¡¯ for me?¡±


    ¡°Umm, okay. I¡¯ll tell Ms. Le that you said thank you to her.¡± The boy named Wil replied, checking the message he was supposed to convey. Then he walked to the door, stepped into the hall, took hold of the doorknob, and stopped.


    He met the soldier¡¯s gaze.


    The soldier shed him a smile. The boy nodded shyly and left the room. The door thudded.


    The soldier and Mut once more faced each other. Their eyes met.


    ¡°Today is Bezelese Day.¡± She exined. In Roxchean this time, of course. The soldier was a little surprised, but he soon nodded.


    ¡°I suppose that boy just now has also lost his parents to war.¡± The soldier said gravely.


    ¡°Actually, Wil is not a war orphan.¡± Mut replied with a smile. ¡°Wil is a special case. The Future House houses war orphans, but he is an exception. He was left on our doorstep.¡± Mut said inly.


    Silent, the soldier waited for her to continue.


    ¡°Five years ago, when Wil was about three years old, the butcher came to make a delivery in the morning and found him all alone at the door. ¡®Here¡¯s your usual delivery of ham. And here¡¯s a boy I found at the door. And no, you can¡¯t eat him.¡¯, he¡¯d said. I ended up asking, ¡®Er¡­ which one is the boy again?¡¯.¡±


    Something seemed to ur to the soldier, but he did not let it show. Mut continued.


    ¡°So we decided to make an exception for him. It must be fate¡ªnothing like that happened since then.¡±


    ¡°Er¡­ did you ever find out who his parents were?¡± Asked the soldier. Mut shook her head and replied that she did not.


    ¡°But if he was three at the time¡ª¡°


    ¡°At the time, Wil could not speak.¡±


    The soldier could not reply.


    ¡°But now, he¡¯s more fluent in bothnguages than anyone. He¡¯s a sweet, clever boy with an excellent memory. I¡¯m very grateful to the parents who gave birth to such a wonderful child.¡±


    ¡°I see.¡± The soldier agreed, his tone low.


    ¡°Well, now.¡±


    Suddenly, Mut stood. The soldier looked up in surprise. He did not want her to end the conversation there.


    ¡°Why don¡¯t we take a walk?¡±


    But what she meant was that they should speak where no one could overhear them.


    ¡°That sounds wonderful.¡±


    The soldier took his hat from the table and stood.


    The small, elderly woman and the tall, fat soldier.


    The odd couple walked down a narrow path in the woods, carpeted by leaves. They waved at the children ying in the backyard and walked toward the forest behind the house.


    The gentle breeze sometimes became gusts and sent leaves flying. And each time, leaves rained from the sky to form anotheryer of the carpet.


    Mut was wearing a cream-colored cardigan. A little behind her to her right walked the soldier, wearing his hat.


    For over 200 meters they walked quietly, with no real conversation between them. The voices of the children no longer reached them, and there was no one around to hear them speak.


    Suddenly, Mut stopped and turned. Her eyes met the soldier¡¯s.


    ¡°I thought you¡¯de to kill me at first.¡± Mutughed.


    ¡°What? You don¡¯t mean¡ª¡°


    Very naturally, and very honestly, the soldier expressed his shock.


    ¡°Not at all. Perhaps in the past, but no one in Roxche thinks badly of you now, Madam Mut.¡± He said firmly. But Mut lightly shook her head.


    ¡°No, that¡¯s not it.¡± She said, in Roxchean up to that point. Then, ¡°I¡¯d thought that if I was ever visited by one of His Majesty¡¯s men, that would be the end of my life.¡± She said in Bezelese.


    Leaves danced in the gust, and the soldier looked as if he¡¯d been bludgeoned in the back of the head. As though he might keel over any moment.


    The soldier¡¯s blue eyes stared, unable to even blink. He managed a gape but could not speak.


    He stared at the small woman before him¡ªthe woman with the ever-present smile¡ªas though looking up at a legendary dragon about to devour him alive. Unable to flee from her gentle gaze, he stood as though rooted to the spot.


    Ten seconds passed. The leaves began to flutter to the ground.


    ¡°H-how¡­¡± The soldier managed to muster a word in Roxchean. But he was questioning himself more than the woman. Mut smiled and waited for him to finish thinking.


    ¡°How¡­ how¡­?¡±


    Ten more seconds. Eventually, the soldier lightly shook his head. His shoulders drooped as he sighed.


    He had lost.


    ¡°Perhaps the air around you¡­ or your scent, should I say? You remind me of autumn in Sfrestus. The scent of that nostalgic altitude.¡± Mut said softly. Sfrestus was the capital of Sou Be-Il.


    Having heard her speaking Bezelese, the soldier replied in Bezelese himself¡ªwithout so much as a hint of an ent or dialect.


    ¡°It has been eleven years since I left our homnd, but¡­ I see. A scent, is it?¡±


    A smile rose to his face.


    The fat man in Roxchean uniform looked Mut in the eye.


    ¡°I suppose there¡¯s no reason to hide now. You are correct, Madam Mut. I am in the service of His Majesty the King. As you can see from my uniform¡ª¡°


    Mut nodded.


    ¡°You are His Majesty¡¯s eyes and ears.¡±


    ¡°I am. But my mission is not to kill you. There is no such mission.¡±


    ¡°I wonder?¡± Mut said, turning away. As the soldier wondered what she intended, Mut spoke from atop the colorful carpet.


    ¡°After all, I came to this country with the help of people like you.¡±


    Countless thoughts shed by the soldier¡¯s mind.


    Mut had received the help of spies when she defected to Roxche. In other words, her crossing was a ruse approved by the government. But after her ¡®defection¡¯, Mut did nothing of use to Sou Be-Il.


    ¡°You invented a false mission to serve your true purpose of starting an orphanage. You even fooled the intelligence department.¡± The soldier concluded, and then added with a smile, ¡°Incredible.¡±.


    ¡°It is true that I betrayed His Majesty.¡± Mut said, finally turning back. She was smiling gently just as she did before.


    The soldier replied in Roxchean.


    ¡°I have never heard of a mission to assassinate you. And as I said earlier, I am not here on business¡ªI came for personal reasons.¡±


    Mut also spoke in Roxchean.


    ¡°Then let me hear it. Although I do have an inkling of what you are about to say.¡±


    The soldier smiled and nodded.


    ¡°Of course. You see¡­ I am going to die very soon.¡±


    ¡°Have you ever heard of punisher cannons? They are railroad guns used by the Roxchean army, manufactured mostly by Terreur Steel. They have the longest range of any weapon to ever exist. And in terms of artillery, Roxche¡¯s technology is a good decade ahead of Sou Be-Il¡¯s. That is why I have several times been asked for information on the subject from others in my line of work. And I did pass them the information.¡± The soldier said.


    They were neither walking nor sitting, just standing on the narrow path. They were just looking at each other, not even checking to see if someone was approaching. There was another gust of wind, and the leaves were again rearranged.


    ¡°The conflict on Lestki Ind is at a stalemate, with both sides losing and reiming the same few trenches over and over again. All fatalities are military personnel, and neither side wishes to escte the conflict. They do not want to deploy men to match the Great War¡¯s scale or sh head-on across the entire Lutoni. This is what analysts have concluded. No¡­ I suppose this was what analysts concluded.¡±


    ¡°I assume something must have happened?¡±


    ¡°Yes. Last month, Terreur Steel sessfully manufactured a trial version of a new model of railroad guns and ammunition. The new models have greatly increased range, and depending on conditions they could double the current range¡ªin other words, reach distances up to 100 kilometers. If these weapons were to be ced en masse by the Lutoni River, allowing Roxche tounch a one-sided attack from a further distance than before, Sou Be-Il will be left at a massive disadvantage. And those who have the upper hand are bound to be more ambitious. Ambition is like a me. Once it ignites, even the one who started it will be unable to control it.¡±


    ¡°Please, continue.¡±


    ¡°I n to take that information and cross the Lutoni again. I will soon obtain the detailed blueprints and potential positioning of the weapons. I will bring them with me to Lestki Ind and die in these very clothes. It is a risky gamble, but if my n is sessful, Sou Be-Il will be able to develop railroad guns of simr specifications shortly. Then we would intentionally leak that information to Roxche. Once that happens, even in the worst-case scenario the deaths will be restricted to the ind alone.¡±


    Another gust of wind scattered the leaves. The soldier¡¯s expression darkened.


    ¡°I have a daughter who lives with me in the Capital District. My wife passed away of an illness.¡±


    ¡°Of course.¡± Mut did not need to hear the rest before she nodded firmly. ¡°Of course. I¡ªwe¡ªwill raise her here. Please, follow your beliefs. Do what you must.¡±


    The man knelt before the woman, so much shorter and smaller than he. Dirt and leaves soiled the sleeves and knees of his uniform, but he could not care less. The man took off his hat. And he bowed his head.


    ¡°Thank you. Now I am free of thest of my worries.¡±


    Surprised and taken aback, Mut stared at the soldier.


    ¡°Please, rise. I no longer have the right to give my blessings to a knight in His Majesty¡¯s service.¡±


    The soldier looked up. ¡°I am no knight.¡± He smiled, his eyes narrowing sadly.


    ¡°Then¡­ allow me to give you my blessings.¡± Mut replied. She rifled through the pockets of her dress and her cardigan and drew a long pencil with a broken tip. ¡°I picked this up earlier. I don¡¯t have a sword, so this will have to do.¡±


    Taking the blunt end of the pencil, she quietlyid its broken tip on the man¡¯s right shoulder. Then on his left.


    ¡°May the divine protection of the God of War and the God of Fortune be upon you forevermore.¡±


    In the swirling leaves, they were walking toward the house.


    ¡°Is she clever and calm, just like you?¡± Mut asked.


    The soldier shook his head.


    ¡°Not at all. She is single-minded, clumsy, and passionate about everything. Sometimes to the point of being rambunctious. Please don¡¯t let her hurt the other children.¡±


    Mut chuckled.


    ¡°Oh my. I¡¯m looking forward to meeting this daughter of yours. What is her name?¡±


    ¡°Allison.¡±


    The soldier replied. He looked so very happy when he said her name. Then he exined that histe wife had given their daughter that name, and that Allison looked just like her mother but had none of her character.


    ¡°She is my treasure¡ªis what I¡¯d like to say, but that isn¡¯t entirely true. Allison is no possession of mine. She is a person. Please, let her walk the path she chooses for her future. I will make sure that that path will not be ended. I will do all I can to prepare a future for her.¡±


    Mut saw off the soldier at the door.


    The fat soldier slowly disappeared along the tree-lined path.


    ¡°Grandma.¡±


    The boy from earlier opened the door and came outside. He clung to Mut¡¯s right side. She ced a gentle hand on his shoulder.


    ¡°Grandma, what did he want?¡± Asked the boy. Mut answered:


    ¡°To find out.¡±


    ¡°To find out? What?¡±


    ¡°If he could do it.¡±


    ¡°If he could do what? What¡¯s he going to do?¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s going to make a very important¡ªvery heavy¡ªdecision. One day, Wil, you might end up having to do something simr. But if you¡¯ve chosen that path for yourself, follow your beliefs. I hope that, when that timees, someone will be next to you to approve of that decision with a smile and a nod.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t understand.¡±


    ¡°I suppose it might be a little difficult to understand right now. Just remember¡ªdon¡¯t try to put on a brave front, and don¡¯t make excuses. Be true to yourself, just like you are now. There¡¯s no nobler way to live.¡±


    ¡°Huh¡­¡±


    As they spoke, the soldier grew more and more distant. He would soon step past the gate and into the road, where his car waited.


    ¡°Look, Wil. A departing knight.¡± Mut said out of the blue.


    ¡°A knight? Like with a ¡®k¡¯? What does a knight do?¡±


    ¡°A knight swears loyalty to people, does things for people, and never betrays them. A knight is someone very noble.¡±


    ¡°Is that man a knight?¡±


    ¡°Yes, Wil. Look. He is a departing knight.¡±


    ¡°Who does he trust? Who doesn¡¯t he betray? What does he do? For who?¡±


    ¡°For almost everyone in this world.¡±


    ¡°Huh. Someone who does things for people and never betrays them. Someone very noble.¡± The boy repeated the words like a spell. Then he broke away from Mut, and facing forward, took three hopping steps back.


    ¡°What is it, Wil?¡± Mut asked, turning. Wil asked her to look forward.


    ¡°Oh, I see. Let¡¯s watch him until the end.¡±


    Mut turned back to the soldier. He was just passing through the gate.


    Watching therge soldier, tiny in the distance, and the small Mut,rge before him, Wil whispered to himself.


    ¡°There are two of them. Two knights.¡±

 Volume 3 Carlo’s Excellent Adventure — Prelude

    <h4>Volume 3 Carlo¡¯s Excellent Adventure - Prelude</h4>


    This story took ce in the summer of the year 3305 of the World Calendar.


    It was around the time Lillia was plowing through her homework in her house at the Capital District, because she had nothing else to do after returning early from the crazy trip to Lartika.


    It was also around the time Treize was half-meditating on the swimming manual he¡¯d bought as he ate his food next to his mud-covered motorcycle, somewhere smack-dab in the middle of Roxche.


    This story took ce in Healer Vige in Tolcasia.


    Healer Vige was a small town on the shores of the Kurz Sea, where Lillia and Treize were caught in a plot and ended up crashing a massive seane into theke.


    ¡°A farewell ceremony?¡±


    ¡°Yeah. For the Master. It¡¯s gonna be in the afternoon.¡±


    ¡°Huh.¡±


    A group of children were talking amongst themselves in the backyard of a small building on the edge of the vige.


    This was an orphanage set up by Ein Morseau¡ªknown as ¡®Master¡¯ to the locals¡ªbefore his passing. It would be another month before the orphanage was renamed ¡®Ein Morseau Children¡¯s Home¡¯ in the wake of his sudden death.


    It was around dusk. The cloud-dotted sky was dyed red, and a gentle wind caressed theke.


    Among the children, who ranged in age from five to ten, was a redhead who stood with crossed arms, leaning against a tree. The child wore a brown shirt and long ck pants.


    This was the child who had just said, ¡®Huh¡¯.


    ¡°Once you¡¯re dead, it¡¯s over.¡±


    This particr child was not like the others, who were all quite downcast. Though there was a shadow over her face, she did not show much sympathy. The others red.


    The redhead red back, and the children looked away. She must have been quite high on the totem pole in the orphanage.


    ¡°So what¡¯s a farewell ceremony? Is it different from a funeral?¡± Asked the redhead. Another child replied, reciting word-for-word what the adults had said.


    That the Master had written a will, where he asked that no money be spent on his funeral. So to honor his wish, the orphanage had decided to hold a simple memorial service for him.


    ¡°Huh. That¡¯s it? That¡¯s kind of sad.¡±


    ¡°What else can you do? That was hisst will. And we don¡¯t have the money for a funeral.¡±


    ¡°Not even for flowers?¡±


    ¡°Nope.¡±


    ¡°Huh.¡±


    The redhead looked up at the sky for a moment, before looking back down.


    ¡°Guys, huddle ¡®round.¡±


    Two adults were watching quietly from behind the curtains in a room on the second floor.


    ¡°That¡¯s Carlo, Miss Ang. She¡¯s actually a girl, but she gets angry if you call her ¡®Ca¡¯.¡± A middle-aged woman in an apron said to a woman in her thirties who stood on the other side of the window.


    ¡°The redhead?¡± Said Miss Ang. She was in a blue business suit. Miss Ang was tall and slender, with semi-long ck hair. Herrge eyes glinted amidst her sun-scorched skin, giving her an air of energy and confidence.


    Miss Ang was not one of the orphanage staff. She was a teacher at the vige primary school.


    Carlo was the center of attention, confidently discussing something with the others.


    ¡°I see. She won¡¯t be easy.¡± Miss Ang smiled half-belligerently.


    The middle-aged woman, on the other hand, was fretting.


    ¡°She¡¯s certainly quite the handful. But she was always sweet as amb with the Master. I don¡¯t know how we¡¯ll cope with her, now that the Master¡¯s passed. And of all things, she became a leader of sorts among the children after the seane crash. I worry for how she¡¯ll influence the others.¡±


    ¡°I see.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re most afraid that she might try to run away from the facility. The Master was the one who convinced her to stay, but now¡­ We¡¯re also afraid that if she leaves, the other children may follow.¡±


    ¡°But you¡¯re not seeing any evidence of that yet?¡±


    ¡°Not yet¡­¡±


    ¡°Maybe you¡¯re worrying too much?¡±


    ¡°No! We must do our best now in the Master¡¯s absence¡ªwe couldn¡¯t face him in heaven if we didn¡¯t do right by him and the children! We couldn¡¯t live with ourselves if Carlo were to run away. We need your help, Miss Ang!¡±


    ¡°Yes, yes. I¡¯ll keep an eye on her specifically until the day after tomorrow.¡±


    ¡°Please do. I¡¯m sure Carlo will change her mind if we alle together as a family at the farewell ceremony.¡±


    ¡°That would be wonderful.¡± Miss Ang replied with a wry smile. Then she changed the subject. ¡°In any case, are you sure you wouldn¡¯t like the school to send something for the ceremony? The headmaster wanted to at least send some flowers.¡±


    ¡°We appreciate the sentiment¡ªwe truly do. But the headmaster¡¯s condolences are all we will ept. The orphanage should be preparing all these things¡ªand we just don¡¯t have the funds. Thank you. And we¡¯re terribly sorry.¡± The middle-aged woman apologized.


    ¡°I see¡­ I understand.¡± Miss Ang said. She did not bring up the flowers again.


    On a side note, it was a little further down the line that rich people from the Capital District who retired in unusually quick session began to donate frequently to the orphanage.


    The dinner bell began ringing throughout the orphanage. The children rushed inside.


    ¡°Then I¡¯ll be staying at the facility tomorrow. I¡¯ll keep my eyes locked on Carlo.¡± Miss Ang said, looking out the window. Shadows were growing long on the ground, and Carlo happened to look up.


    Could she see Miss Ang? Or not? Their eyes seemed to meet for a moment.


    ¡°I ept your challenge.¡±


    Carlo disappeared from her sight.


    That night.


    The children¡¯s beds were lined up in therge room. A young female staff member walked around the room with antern in hand to check that all the children were there, and left.


    The door opened soon after, and a small figure slipped inside.


    ¡°I¡¯m back.¡±


    The voice belonged to Carlo.


    ¡°Hey.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re here.¡±


    ¡°Wee back.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ve been waiting.¡±


    Some of the children responded. Carlo stood at the center of the children, who had slipped out of their beds and gathered around her.


    ¡°All right. Lemme go through the n again. Tomorrow¡¯s the big day.¡± Carlo said, taking something out of her pocket.


    It was money. Two coins engraved with leaf designs. She had received the money from Lillia earlier, as proper payment for her service. It was not a small amount.


    A smallmotion erupted.


    ¡°It¡¯s finally time to use these.¡± Carlo smirked. ¡°I¡¯m leaving town tomorrow. Don¡¯t¡ª¡±


    The next day.


    It was early in the morning, before the children were awake.


    ¡°There.¡±


    Miss Ang, decked out in sweats, rode her bicycle to the orphanage and joined the staff.


    Carlo and the children woke up and had breakfast together. Miss Ang kept a keen lookout from outside the window.


    After breakfast, everyone helped clean up and wash the dishes. There were no sses that day. So the thirty or so children at the orphanage spent the day ying to their heart¡¯s content. Of course, the only ygrounds they had were the orphanage building, the yard, the nearby park, and the endlessly vast Kurz Sea.


    Carlo was talking with the children in the yard.


    ¡°No suspicious activity yet.¡±


    Miss Ang watched from beside a door, a little ways away. Next to her was her trusty bicycle. She was ready to ride at a moment¡¯s notice.


    ¡°Not yet, Carlo? At this rate, the bus is gonna leave.¡± Said one of the children.


    Carlo had climbed arge tree and waszily watching theke from atop a thick branch. Theke glittered as peacefully as it always did.


    ¡°Not yet.¡± Carlo said quietly.


    ¡°Why not? Yesterday you said we¡¯d start early¡ª¡±


    ¡°Someone¡¯s on to us.¡± Carlo said.


    She then told the others to take turns looking at the door.


    ¡°The door?¡±


    The children did as they were told. One at a time, they nced at the door, looking as natural as they could be.


    There they spotted Miss Ang. And her menacing bicycle.


    ¡°She¡¯s been looking at me all morning.¡±


    ¡°No way¡­ you think she¡¯s on to us?¡±


    ¡°I dunno. But she¡¯s definitely keeping watch on me.¡±


    ¡°Wh-what do we do?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll wait for the afternoon bus instead. All of you, make sure you¡¯re ready to go at a moment¡¯s notice.¡± Carlo said with a glint in her eye.


    At that moment, the bus to the next vige¡ªone of two that stopped every day¡ªpassed by the door where Miss Ang was hiding.


    The bus would wait at the stop, about a hundred meters away, and then head to the next vige.


    ¡°How is she?¡± Asked the middle-aged woman. Miss Ang responded honestly.


    ¡°I don¡¯t think she¡¯s nning an escape.¡±


    They were whispering from a distance as the children dug into their lunches in the cafeteria.


    Carlo and her followers were dipping bread into bowls of stew, downing them voraciously.


    ¡°She was ying in theke with the other children all morning.¡±


    ¡°I see¡­¡± The middle-aged woman said, and feared that perhaps she had worried too much.


    ¡°But¡­¡±


    ¡°But?¡±


    The middle-aged woman looked at Miss Ang. Miss Ang crossed her arms.


    ¡°I could see it in her eyes. Carlo is up to something.¡±


    ¡°Oh my¡­ could you really tell?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s incredible. I¡¯m sure your long years of experience¡ª¡±


    Miss Ang cut off the middle-aged woman, smiling.


    ¡°No. I can tell because I was just like her when I was her age.¡±


    Lunch and clean-up went smoothly. It was nap time for most of the children.


    Carlo and her friends napped. Just like the others.


    ¡°¡­¡±


    The middle-aged woman went around the room, making sure the children were covered properly in their nkets. Miss Ang followed, scrutinizing the children. In Carlo¡¯s case, she took a very long look at her face. She was making sure that Carlo really was asleep.


    Eventually, the children woke up one after another. Carlo and her friends did as well.


    And as they made to leave the room,


    ¡°Wh-where are you going to y in the afternoon?¡± The middle-aged woman asked awkwardly.


    ¡°On the second floor.¡± Carlo replied. The middle-aged woman smiled, saying that was a great idea.


    Though, as soon as she left the room, Carlo added quietly¡ª


    ¡°We¡¯re ying tag, though.¡±


    Carlo and friends went up the stairs in the middle of the building, which were the only stairs in the orphanage.


    ¡°¡­¡±


    Miss Ang watched with a smile from the doors. Her bicycle stood threateningly outside.


    ¡°She¡¯s serious, huh. But she¡¯s not gonna stop me.¡± Carlo mumbled.


    ¡°She¡¯s serious, huh. But she¡¯s not getting away.¡± Miss Ang mumbled.


    There was arge yroom on the second floor.


    In the room were toy blocks and rides straight out of a storybook. There were about twenty children in the room.


    Carlo and her friends were gathered in a circle by the window in the corner.


    ¡°This is cool!¡±


    ¡°Ahaha!¡±


    ¡°Check this out!¡±


    They chattered very loudly at times as they read storybooks.


    But between the shrieks¡ª


    ¡°Got it?¡±


    ¡°Yeah.¡±


    ¡°Trust me.¡±


    ¡°We need to work together. Timing is key.¡±


    ¡ªsuspicious conversations were taking ce.


    It was afternoon.


    The bus would be here soon.


    ¡°¡­¡±


    Ever since Carlo disappeared upstairs, Miss Ang had been sitting at the doors.


    At times, the children begged her to y with them. But¡ª


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, kids. I¡¯m waiting for a guest.¡± She would say, sending the children away.


    Sometimes children woulde downstairs and go outside, but Carlo naturally was not one of them.


    Miss Ang asked a staff member who had gone upstairs what Carlo was doing.


    ¡°She¡¯s reading with the other children. Oh, and she told me she wanted learn how to y cat¡¯s cradle, and asked me if I could get her some string sometime. She¡¯s surprisingly adorable sometimes.¡±


    Afternoon was halfway over.


    ¡°I know she¡¯s after the bus. And she must have the fare on hand. But I¡¯m not letting her get through. Now¡­ how will you respond?¡± Miss Ang muttered to herself.


    ¡°Eek! What do you think you¡¯re doing?! Get down this instant!¡± Cried a female staff member upstairs.


    ¡°So you¡¯ve started!¡±


    Miss Ang rose from her seat. But she did not go.


    ¡°Please check the second floor.¡± She said to another woman who had rushed out of the staff room. Miss Ang remained at the doorway, checking outside. She did not see any children running for the door yet.


    The woman rushed back down the stairs, her face pale.


    ¡°Two of the children tried to climb down the gutter!¡±


    But Miss Ang replied instantly,


    ¡°But they didn¡¯t go too far, did they? They stuck close to the window.¡±


    ¡°Y-yes! How did you¡­¡±


    ¡°That was a diversion. It¡¯s a simple trick. Children aren¡¯t brave enough to climb down a gutter. I was too, when I was their age.¡±


    ¡°I see¡­¡±


    Then,


    ¡°Ow¡­¡±


    ¡°Sorry.¡±


    An angry woman came down the stairs, holding two children by the backs of their shirts. Neither of them were Carlo.


    ¡°Carlo is still upstairs, yes?¡± Miss Ang confirmed. The woman nodded. And she dragged the children into the staff room to lecture them as usual.


    At that moment, they heard loud footsteps at the staircase.


    A child rushed down, sprinting for the wide-open front doors. The child was not wearing the same clothes as Carlo, but wore a hat that hid their face.


    ¡°Tch!¡±


    Miss Ang had no choice. She went to stop the child. She stood boldly in the child¡¯s way and raised her voice.


    ¡°Stop!¡±


    The child flinched and slowed down.


    ¡°No running in the halls!¡±


    Miss Ang grabbed the child by the cor.


    She took off the child¡¯s hat. It wasn¡¯t Carlo after all.


    ¡°Another diversion¡­¡±


    It was a boy about the same size as Carlo, who often hung out with her.


    ¡°Lecture this one, too.¡± Miss Ang said, turning to the woman standing at the staff room door with two children ready for a scolding.


    At that moment¡ª


    ¡°EEK!¡±


    A girl screamed from upstairs.


    ¡°Oh!¡±


    Miss Ang and the two women looked up.


    ¡°Carlo fell out the window!¡±


    At the same time,


    ¡°That idiot!¡±


    ¡°Carlo! You said this was gonna work!¡±


    ¡°What happened?!¡±


    The children were in an uproar.


    ¡°Tch!¡±


    Miss Ang ran. Not upstairs, but toward the front door.


    ¡°If Carloes down the stairs, stop her at all costs!¡± Shemanded one of the staff as she sprinted.


    Once she was out, Miss Ang scrambled around to the back of the building. The children in the yard had heard the screams, and were looking up at the yroom.


    And lying in a heap in the backyard was¡ª


    ¡°I knew it!¡±


    No one.


    There was no one there. When Miss Ang looked up, she saw the children staring curiously.


    ¡°I¡¯m not falling for this one!¡±


    Miss Ang doubled back as fast as her legs could carry her, rushing into the building through the front door. And she turned to the staff members, who were standing nkly.


    ¡°Where¡¯s Carlo?¡±


    ¡°She didn¡¯t pass this way. Didn¡¯t she fall out the window?¡±


    ¡°That was a trick! And now we¡¯ve got reason to give her a detention!¡±


    With a fiendish grin, Miss Ang walked up the stairs. Her target: the yroom. She now had justification for keeping Carlo in detention until dinnertime.


    She walked down the hall and opened the yroom door.


    ¡°Had enough yet, Carlo?!¡±


    Click. Bang.


    The moment she threw open the door¡ª


    ¡°As if!¡±


    She spotted Carlo, leaning nearly all the way out the window with a confident grin.


    ¡°Wha-¡±


    So shocked was Miss Ang that she could not finish her sentence.


    ¡°I¡¯m surprised you made it this far. ¡ªBye!¡±


    Carlo disappeared.


    Miss Ang rushed toward the window, almost fast enough to knock the other children to the ground.


    By the time she opened the window and looked outside, Carlo had already climbed down the gutter andnded safely on the ground.


    Carlo looked up and smiled.


    ¡°Ha!¡±


    She held out her arm toward Miss Ang and gave her a thumbs-up. And then she ran straight for the gates.


    ¡°¡­Why, you little¡ª!¡±


    Miss Ang spun around, sprinted past the children driven to tears by her terrifying determination, and ran down the stairs again.


    When she thundered downstairs, she saw the staff standing around helplessly. Miss Ang sped past them and once again rushed out the door.


    Then she saw Carlo. Carlo turned into the road, to the right. In the direction of the bus stop. As if on cue, the bus appeared.


    ¡°Not bad! But you¡¯re not beating a bicycle for speed!¡±


    There were still a hundred meters to the bus stop. She could catch up by bike.


    Miss Ang reached for her bicycle by the door. She grabbed it and turned¡ª


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    The bicycle wouldn¡¯t move.


    It was only then that she realized the wheels were tightly secured to the tree in the yard by countless strings.


    ¡°¡­¡±


    The strings were the kind the children used to y cat¡¯s cradle. The children who hade out earlier must have done this.


    ¡°Damn it! Don¡¯t underestimate me!¡±


    Miss Ang didn¡¯t bother trying to untie the strings. She forcibly heaved the bicycle forward.


    ¡°HAH!¡±


    With a spirited cry, she broke the strings and freed her trusty steed. Miss Ang climbed on and began pedaling furiously.


    The bicycle squeaked out the gates and turned toward the bus stop.


    The bus was ahead. It was justing to a stop. The brake lights came on.


    ¡°What?¡±


    But she did not see Carlo.


    There was no one at the stop. There were no other roads in the area. Curious, Miss Ang scanned the road and her surroundings, but Carlo was nowhere to be found. On the right were the formidable orphanage walls that Carlo could not possibly climb, and the vacant lot on the left waspletely empty.


    Miss Ang continued to look around as she pedaled. And she braked hard at the bus stop.


    The door of the bus was still open. Miss Ang turned to the middle-aged driver.


    ¡°Did someone board here? A little girl?¡±


    ¡°No.¡± The driver said. ¡°I didn¡¯t get any passengers today.¡±


    ¡°Let me take a look inside!¡±


    ¡°Sure, but I¡¯m telling you¡­¡±


    Miss Ang abandoned her bicycle and stepped onto the bus. The bus had only one door.


    ¡°¡­¡±


    All she saw inside were empty seats.


    ¡°How¡­?¡±


    No one could answer her question.


    Panting, Miss Ang stood in a daze.


    ¡°Is everything all right?¡± Asked the driver.


    ¡°Yes. I¡¯m terribly sorry¡­ One of the children ran off from the orphanage¡­¡±


    Miss Ang apologized to the driver as she stepped off the bus. The drivernded a decisive blow.


    ¡°Look here, ma¡¯am. Even if a child had money, I wouldn¡¯t let her on the bus alone.¡±


    ¡°I see¡­ I¡¯m terribly sorry.¡±


    Miss Ang stepped outside with a sigh.


    ¡°I¡¯m off!¡±


    The driver closed the door and slowly started the empty bus.


    Miss Ang stood nkly by her fallen bicycle, watching the bus leave.


    The bus seemed to sh by her. The rear windshield, the spare tire, the taillights, the bumper¡ª


    ¡ªand Carlo, hanging onto the bus.


    ¡°Gah?¡±


    Miss Ang squawked.


    ¡°Not bad,dy!¡± Carlo grinned, waving. Her feet were on the bumper, and her left hand was clinging to the pipe from which the spare tire hung. She was getting a free ride.


    ¡°Ah¡­¡±


    Miss Ang finally understood.


    That when Carlo arrived at the stop, she hadn¡¯t boarded the bus¡ªshe had quickly crossed the front of the bus to hide herself.


    Miss Ang had asked the driver if anyone had boarded, not if he had seen anyone. Carlo must have ducked and gone around the bus while Miss Ang was busy looking inside, and jumped onto the bus the moment it started.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry!¡± Carlo said as the bus sped away.


    The driver could not possibly see Carlo. The bus grew smaller and smaller in the distance.


    The next vige over, which was a little bigger than this one, was about 30 kilometers away. Miss Ang could not chase down the bus. And even if she got in touch with the other vige, they would not find Carlo if she decided to jump off earlier and disappear into the crowd.


    ¡°¡­She got me¡­¡±


    Enveloped in exhaust, Miss Ang fell to her knees at the empty bus stop.


    The bus grew smaller and smaller, until it disappearedpletely beyond the fields and ins.


    -----


    Carlo¡¯s Excellent Adventure


    -----


    Actually, that wasn¡¯t the end of Carlo¡¯s story.


    There was an uproar at the orphanage in the wake of Carlo¡¯s escape.


    Miss Ang waspletely burnt out. The staff were in a frenzy.


    ¡°She¡¯s just gone out for a bit.¡±


    No amount of questioning would pry the answers out of Carlo¡¯s friends.


    The staff contacted the police at the next vige, but they received no news about her.


    Eventually, the summer sun finally set and dinner without Carlo had ended¡ª


    ¡°I¡¯m back!¡±


    ¡ªwhen Carlo returned.


    The staff frantically sat Carlo in a chair in the staff room. They surrounded her and showered her with questions and lectures.


    Carlo replied matter-of-factly.


    ¡°I just wanted to drop by the vige.¡±


    Miss Ang sobbed like a ghoul as she stood before Carlo.


    ¡°Sorry, Miss Ang.¡±


    ¡°Hic¡­ never mind that now. ¡­How did you get back? There shouldn¡¯t be any more buses today¡­¡±


    ¡°I hitched a ride with a truck. I heard the driver say before that he was going to drop by the next vige over today. So I met him on the way back and asked for a ride.¡±


    ¡°I see¡­ so you thought that far. ¡­I lose, Carlo. You win this round.¡±


    ¡°C¡¯mon, don¡¯t feel too bad. You were pretty good.¡±


    ¡°Heh. Not bad¡­ I must be getting old.¡±


    The middle-aged staff member sent Miss Ang away and stood before Carlo, fuming.


    ¡°Carlo! I mean, Ca! We won¡¯t let you off the hook this time!¡±


    ¡°I know.¡±


    ¡°You are grounded for the next twenty days! No ytime for you. Other than mealtimes, bedtimes, and study hours, you will help out at the staff room or study. Someone will have their eye on you at all times. And if you try to y hooky or run, your sentence will get even longer.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s it? I expected worse.¡±


    Carlo remained as nonchnt as ever.


    ¡°But¡ª¡± She suddenly said, sounding serious. ¡°¡ªI can still go to the Master¡¯s farewell ceremony tomorrow, right?¡±


    The middle-aged woman was silent for a moment. But¡ª


    ¡°All right. You may attend the ceremony, Ca. But you must not leave our supervision at any time.¡±


    The next day.


    After breakfast, Carlo and the others gathered in the ssroom, which was the biggest room in the orphanage.


    Chairs were lined up in the room. Before the ckboard at the front of the room was a long table. On the table was a framed picture.


    It was a picture of Master Ein Morseau, scribbled in crayon on the back of a calendar.


    The Master hated getting his photo taken, and had died without leaving a single photograph behind. So the orphanage had to use a picture drawn by a girl who had lived there fifteen years ago.


    The girl, who had been five years old at the time, was adopted by someone from the Capital District not long after she drew the picture.


    She had said goodbye to the Master with a kiss and a smile. She never contacted the orphanage again.


    The children were gathered in the room.


    So were the staff. Along with Miss Ang, who looked quite tired. The vigers were also there. The ssroom was full of people.


    ¡°Let¡¯s begin.¡± The middle-aged woman said loudly to the people. Behind her was the humble picture of the Master.


    ¡°It is painful for us as well to send off the Master without even a single flower. But¡ª¡±


    ¡°Wait!¡±


    Carlo interrupted the ceremony.


    The adults stood, surprised, and red at her.


    ¡°Hey, can we pause the ceremony for a bit?¡±


    ¡°Wh-what?!¡± The middle-aged woman said, aghast.


    ¡°Just a little bit. Let¡¯s just put it on hold for a little while.¡±


    ¡°Carlo! Haven¡¯t you learned your lesson from yesterday?!¡± The middle-aged woman snapped. But¡ª


    ¡°C¡¯mon!¡±


    ¡°Just for a bit!¡±


    ¡°Please!¡±


    ¡°Can we please wait?¡±


    The other children spoke in Carlo¡¯s defense. They stood from their seats, asking to put the ceremony on hold.


    ¡°Wh-what is going on here¡­?¡± The middle-aged woman gasped.


    The staff and the vigers looked around in confusion. But at that moment¡ª


    ¡°Good morning! Sorry we¡¯rete. We¡¯re at the right ce, yes?¡±


    A young man suddenly broke the silence.


    ¡°Hm?¡± The staff furrowed their brows.


    ¡°Yes!¡±


    ¡°Yeah!¡±


    ¡°They¡¯re here!¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re at the right ce!¡±


    The children cheered.


    ¡°Sorry we¡¯rete. It was such a big load.¡±


    The young man was wearing an apron. And his hands were full.


    ¡°Just in time! Could you decorate the table at the front of the room?¡± Carlo grinned, instructing the young man¡ª


    ¡°¡­You win, kid.¡± Miss Ang nodded, instantly recovering from her daze as something fragrant passed by her¡ª


    ¡ªarge bouquet.


    ¡°Got it! Can¡¯t have a memorial service without some flowers.¡±


    The young man was a florist,pletely oblivious to the situation. He simply did as he was told and ced colorful bouquets around the Master¡¯s picture.


    ¡°There¡¯s more in the truck outside. Could I get a hand?¡± He asked.


    ¡°All right! I¡¯ll¡ª¡±


    Carlo stopped mid-sentence. She met Miss Ang¡¯s gaze.


    ¡°Oh, right. I was grounded¡­¡± She mumbled awkwardly.


    ¡°Never mind that and go help the man, you little rascal. I¡¯ll help too.¡± Miss Ang snickered.


    ¡°Haha! Ahaha!¡±


    ¡°Yeah! Hahahaha!¡±


    And they ran outside,ughing.


    ¡°Can we help too? We wanted to give flowers to the Master. Carlo spent all the money she had to do this for us. She ced an order at the next vige over since we don¡¯t have a florist here.¡± Asked a little girl, looking up at the middle-aged woman.


    The middle-aged woman squatted, hanging her head. And¡ª


    ¡°Of course¡­ let¡¯s all¡­ get those flowers¡ª¡±


    After that, it was hard to make out what she said between her sobs. The woman picked up the girl in her arms and followed Carlo out of the room.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go! The guests, too!¡± The boy who had acted as Carlo¡¯s diversion cried. The entire room cheered.


    And so began an endless parade of flowers.


    Carlo carried a flowerpot almost as big as she was.


    ¡°See? Not bad at all, huh.¡± She said to the woman walking next to her.


    ¡°Heh. You win this round, but don¡¯t think for a second you¡¯ll take the next one.¡± Miss Ang said to the girl walking next to her. She was carrying an armful of flowers.


    The flower-filled farewell ceremony went off without a hitch.


    The staff used some of the flowers to decorate the orphanage, nted some in the yard, and gave some out to the guests.


    ¡°Huh. So that¡¯s how it¡¯s gonna be?¡±


    ¡°Of course. Rules are rules. You should be d we shortened your punishment to five days.¡±


    ¡°Man¡­¡±


    And Carlo spent a very long time in the staff room, surrounded by flowers.


    -Carlo¡¯s Excellent Adventure: End-

 Volume 3 Prologue

    <h4>Volume 3 Prologue</h4>


    -----


    The beginning of the year 3304 of the World Calendar. A home in a certain valley in Ikstova(the Kingdom of Iks).


    ¡°Anyway, Treize, it looks like you¡¯ve made it safely to your fifteenth birthday. Congrats. On that note, Her Majesty the Queen shall grace you with her voice. Are your ears ready? Is your heart ready?¡±


    ¡°Huh? What the heck, Father? ¡ªWhat is it, Mother? ¡­Oh, she might not hear us ¡®cause she¡¯s in the kitchen.¡±


    ¡°Hey, get serious. The queen¡¯s going to speak to you.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t think you¡¯re in any position to be saying that, Father. Lounging in front of the firece, munching on an apple.¡±


    ¡°You know what? What the heck. Fi! Treize is listening!¡±


    ¡°One minute! Let me just finish wiping this te!¡±


    ¡°Thank you.¡±


    ¡°I should be asking you to be more serious. And is this really the best time? Meriel¡¯s not around.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s fine. Actually, we wanted to tell you when she wasn¡¯t around.¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    ¡°Sorry to keep you waiting. Here, I brewed some tea. With lots of jam.¡±


    ¡°Thanks, Fi.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, Mother. What did you want to talk about? If it¡¯s an increased allowance, I have no arguments.¡±


    ¡°We can talk about thatter. There was something I wanted to speak with you about when you turned fifteen.¡±


    ¡°Yes?¡±


    ¡°You know about Princess Matilda of Bezel, right?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve heard about her. She¡¯s in line to the Bezelese throne, right? About three years older than me?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s right. She¡¯s the king¡¯s only child and heir.¡±


    ¡°Huh.¡±


    ¡°C¡¯mon, at least act a little impressed. She¡¯s going to be Sou Be-Il¡¯s head of state someday. Sovereign over and of 300 million people.¡±


    ¡°You shouldn¡¯t expect me to understand that scale when I¡¯ve never lived in Sou Be-Il like you, Father.¡±


    ¡°I suppose you¡¯re right. Please continue, Fi.¡±


    ¡°Anyway, Princess Matilda¡ªI mean, the royal family of Bezel¡ªsent me¡ªI mean, the royal family of Ikstova¡ªa proposition.¡±


    ¡°Yeah?¡±


    ¡°They would like for you to marry Princess Matilda.¡±


    ¡°What? Wait. Mother, what do you¡ª¡±


    ¡°They would like for you to marry Princess Matilda.¡±


    ¡°Wha¡­ what?¡±


    ¡°You may not know this, Treize, but the royal family of Bezel is having a very difficult time right now trying to find a potential husband for the princess. It¡¯s a very popr issue in Sou Be-Il. There aren¡¯t any suitable men around her age among the high-ranking aristocrats or the royal family of Iltoa. His Majesty the King has many siblings and nephews and nieces, so the line of session isn¡¯t in any danger even if the princess never marries¡ªbut Princess Matilda has always been very popr with the people, ever since she was young. Most people in the West are adamant that she seeds her father.¡±


    ¡°And they picked me? Me? No way. Do they even know about me? The royal family of Bezel, I mean?¡±


    ¡°I sent them an official notice when you were born. Just like I did with Roxche¡¯s Presidential Office.¡±


    ¡°I sent them an official notice when you were born. Just like I did with Roxche¡¯s Presidential Office.¡±


    ¡°Oh.¡±


    ¡°And half a year ago, they sent a message saying, ¡®His Highness Prince Treize¡ªson of Roxche¡¯s only royal family, and a child of the Hero of the Mural¡ªis the perfect match for the princess and the royal family of Bezel¡¯, along with an official envoy. I only spoke with them at the pce, though.¡±


    ¡°Mother! You didn¡¯t!¡±


    ¡°No. I discussed this with your father, and we agreed that it¡¯s not right for parents to decide who their children should marry. No matter what the circumstance or background.¡±


    ¡°Phew¡­¡±


    ¡°But¡­ I couldn¡¯t turn down the offer, either.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ¡°They asked me then, ¡®Has His Highness already pledged his future to someone?¡¯.¡±


    ¡°¡­And what did you tell them?¡±


    ¡°I wasn¡¯t sure how to answer, so I replied, ¡®not yet, I don¡¯t think¡ªhe¡¯s still a little young to have decided¡¯.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s a relief¡­¡±


    ¡°But Treize¡­ if I were to ignore your perspective and weigh the benefits¡ªas queen¡ªas the head of state¡ªI don¡¯t think this engagement is such a bad idea.¡±


    ¡°But Treize¡­ if I were to ignore your perspective and weigh the benefits¡ªas queen¡ªas the head of state¡ªI don¡¯t think this engagement is such a bad idea.¡±


    ¡°I understand that.¡±


    ¡°Really, son?¡±


    ¡°¡®Course, Father. A tiny country like Ikstova, forging blood ties with the Allied Kingdoms of Bezel-Iltoa? If I weren¡¯t the prince in question, I¡¯d have signed the petition already. There¡¯s nothing but benefits for Ikstova here.¡±


    ¡°Well said, Treize. I¡¯m proud of you, son! But be honest with us. Your mother and I don¡¯t want to force you into anything. It¡¯s not like the old days, when countries invaded one another over rejected proposals.¡±


    ¡°I¡­ right now¡­ I don¡¯t really know¡­¡±


    ¡°Of course. Not many people think about marriage at fifteen. Why, when I was your age, I was more interested in the hot older girl¡ªer¡­ sorry. Let¡¯s stay on track. Please continue, Fi.¡±


    ¡°Thank you. Now, Treize. Whatever your choice, you have to make the decision someday. So let me suggest something. Will you listen?¡±


    ¡°Yes. What do you have in mind?¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ll make your twentieth birthday a checkpoint of sorts. If youe to us with a girl you¡¯ve pledged your future to before then, I will officially turn down the proposal from Bezel. If not¡ª¡±


    ¡°I understand, Your Majesty. Should that happen, I will marry into the royal family of Bezel.¡±

 Volume 3 1 — The Many Things That Led Up to That Day

    <h4>Volume 3 Chapter 1: The Many Things That Led Up to That Day</h4>


    -----


    The beginning of the year 3306 of the World Calendar. The royal vi outside the city of Kunst.


    ¡°Ah! There you are, Treize! We need to talk!¡±


    ¡°Huh? ¡­Oh, Meriel. When¡¯d you get back from Sou Be-Il?¡±


    ¡°Just now!¡±


    ¡°You wouldn¡¯t believe what happened on new year¡¯s day. We¡¯re still cleaning up here.¡±


    ¡°I got the report! And good going, serving your country! But that¡¯s not the issue here. You. Me. My room. Now!¡±


    ¡°What the heck, Meriel? Why do you sound so angry?¡±


    ¡°Now!¡±


    ¡°Good. You¡¯re here. Take a seat, Treize!¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m already sitting. They cleaned up your room really quick, huh? It got off easypared to mine. There were holes in the radio and everything in my closet¡ª¡±


    ¡°When you turn twenty. Is it true?¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°Answer the question!¡±


    ¡°I, er¡­ I didn¡¯t hear a question.¡±


    ¡°Ugh! I¡¯m talking about that engagement. How you¡¯re marrying into the royal family of Bezel once you turn twenty. Is it true that you¡¯re going to marry Elder Sister¡ªI mean, Princess Matilda, the future queen¡ªand you¡¯re going to have children who seed to the throne after her?¡±


    ¡°Where¡¯d you hear that? Oh. So she told you in person.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s true, then? Is it true? ¡­Oh¡­ so it is¡­¡±


    ¡°Why do you look so disappointed? It¡¯s not set in stone yet.¡±


    ¡°¡­What did you just say?¡±


    ¡°¡®It¡¯s not set in stone yet¡¯.¡±


    ¡°Why not?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re missing something important. I¡¯m not automatically marrying her when I turn twenty. That¡¯s only going to happen if I can¡¯t find someone else to marry before that.¡±


    ¡°Wha¡­ what¡­?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s the grace period Mother gave for Ikstova¡¯s and my future. I considered both my position and the country¡¯s and epted those terms. That was two years ago, when we turned fifteen.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ¡°Is that all? My future¡¯s going to be decided in the next three years. But I guess everyone has to struggle when they¡¯re still young¡ª¡±


    ¡°Marry her!¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°Marry Elder Sister! You have to, Treize!¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    ¡°You might not be smart enough to understand, or even imagine! But you know what? She¡¯s waiting for you! She¡¯s waiting for you, Treize! She¡¯s longing for the day you turn twenty, like the next three years are a thousand!¡±


    ¡°¡­I don¡¯t know what they told you cross-mountain, but¡ª¡±


    ¡°Marry her! Do it! Marry Elder Sister and make her happy! Are you listening to me, you imbecile? Do you understand the words that areing out of my mouth?!¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m listening. And I understand that you¡¯re madly in love with Princess Matilda.¡±


    ¡°This is a serious conversation, Treize! What are you waiting for exactly? For someone to marry you? As if anyone would understand your position and pledge her future to you!¡±


    ¡°Is that a guarantee? You never know until you try¡­¡±


    ¡°Oh? So you¡¯ve got your eye on someone? Wait¡­ no way¡­ are you after that Lillianne Schultz girl?¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ¡°I knew it! It¡¯s not like you know any other girls.¡±


    ¡°None of your business.¡±


    ¡°So that¡¯s how it¡¯s gonna be, eh? Then let me butt in a little further! No girl would ever agree to marry a pessimistic and reserved guy like you! Imagine you¡¯re on the receiving end! ¡®I want to escape an arranged marriage by pledging my future to you before I turn twenty. Will you marry me?¡¯. You think anyone on this continent would say yes? And do you think Lillia will treat you the same once she finds out you¡¯re a prince? What¡¯ll you do when your childhood friend suddenly starts calling you ¡®Your Highness¡¯?¡±


    ¡°You have nothing good to say about this, do you? Look. I don¡¯t care. I know you¡¯re on Princess Matilda¡¯s side. And maybe you¡¯re right. But I won¡¯t know how Lillia feels until I¡¯ve asked her. I haven¡¯t told her anything yet. There¡¯s still a chance. The new year¡¯s party didn¡¯t work out, but I am going to settle things properly before I turn twenty. So¡­ don¡¯t worry.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m impressed you¡¯re finally holding your own in an argument, little brother.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m the older brother! ¡­Anyway, are you all right with this?¡±


    ¡°With what?¡±


    ¡°Say I somehow end up marrying Princess Matilda like you want. Then I¡¯d be the husband of your ¡®Elder Sister¡¯. Then you¡¯d have to defer to me. Do you think you will be capable of that, Your Highness?¡±


    ¡°Ugh. Stop talking like that, you dunce!¡±


    ¡°Wow. Is that any way for a princess to be talking?¡±


    ¡°But you know¡­ if you do marry her, I¡¯ll admit you¡¯re the older brother.¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    ¡°But¡­ but¡­ in exchange¡­¡±


    ¡°Yeah?¡±


    ¡°Make her happy, Treize.¡±


    ¡°¡­Are you crying?¡±


    ¡°Shut up, you idiot! You go to Sfrestus and see how much is riding on her shoulders! Our cozy little monarchy might as well be a toypared to theirs! Damn it! If only I were a man! Then I could help her bear that burden!¡±


    ¡°¡­Hey, Meriel. I¡ª¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll pray for you!¡±


    ¡°Huh? For what?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll pray that things don¡¯t work out with you and the girl you propose to!¡±


    ¡°I think the word you¡¯re looking for is ¡®curse¡¯.¡±


    ¡°Shut up. Conversation¡¯s over. Get out of my room!¡±


    ¡°All right. Urgh¡­¡±


    ¡°Wait.¡±


    ¡°What now?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m gonna ask you onest thing, Treize. Do you really love Lillia?¡±


    * * *


    The 4th day of the fourth month of the year 3306.


    A thinyer of clouds floated across the sky. Buildings covered the tnd below.


    High-rise condos stood in the distance in the Capital District. Laundry fluttered on the roofs of some of the buildings.


    In some time, when the winds began to blow in from the west, spring would arrive upon thend in full force.


    A girl sat on the budding grass with the stone school building behind her.


    She had long brown hair and light brown eyes. She was wearing a grey jacket and a checkered skirt, which were part of her winter uniform. The little badge on herpel identified her as a fourth-year student at the 4th Capital Secondary School.


    Fluidly, she rose to her feet¡ª


    And began to dance.


    With her hair aflutter, she traced thirty steps in session to a brisk waltz rhythm.


    And she stopped.


    ¡°That is great! Just as expected of Lillia!¡± Someone called from behind.


    The brte called ¡®Lillia¡¯ turned, her long hair dancing. A wry grin came over her attractive features.


    ¡°But it¡¯s not like I have a partner.¡±


    On the eastern half of the only continent on the was the massive Roxcheanuk Confederation, also known as Roxche.


    The 4th Capital Secondary school was in Roxche¡¯s capital, the Special Capital District.


    The Special Capital District was a circr area about 30 kilometers in diameter, and had been built when Roxche was formed. The city center was home to the presidential residence, the Confederation Assembly Hall, civic offices, and courthouses. Outside the center was a business district crowded with department stores and hotels. Further outside was a residential district full of apartment buildings.


    And on the outskirts of the Capital District, in the 9:30 direction, was the 4th Capital Secondary School.


    There had been a vige there for over three hundred years, since before the founding of Roxche, and when the Capital District began to expand the vige became part of it as well. It skirted the very edge of the city.


    The campus was surrounded by rows of apartment buildings recently built to keep up with demand from the rapidly-increasing poption. Limited to five stories, the apartment buildings made for a cold, grey backdrop.


    The campus itself was quiterge. It was situated in a 3600-square-meter property gaping like a hole through the apartmentplexes.


    Because the school was built where the old vige¡¯s chapel and assembly hall had been, many old, majestic buildings were preserved on campus. They were being used by the school alongside the newer buildings. That was why the campusyout wasplicated and there were many courtyards andwns.


    Though the leaves had fallen,rge trees lined the grounds. The grassy field was wide enough for two separate ser games. But there was no one there now, under the grey sky.


    Lillia stood by a three-story school building at the end of the field with a bitter grin.


    ¡°But it¡¯s not like I have a partner.¡±


    She looked at a ck-haired girl in the same uniform, who had walked out through a sliding door.


    ¡°Well¡­ something may happen soon.¡±


    The pigtailed girl said apologetically. She had fair skin and dark eyes, and was slightly taller than Lillia.


    ¡°Oh well. ¡­Don¡¯t worry about me, Meg. You make sure to have fun with Seron. You came a long way to get that far.¡± Lillia said, lightly tapping Meg¡¯s arm. ¡°Is everyone still practicing?¡±


    Meg nodded and turned to the building she had just left. Through the wide-open doors just 5 meters away, they could see the inside of a ssroom.


    The desks and chairs had been put away to make room for dance practice. About twenty girls were practicing their footwork. Heat seemed to billow outside.


    ¡°Everyone¡¯s busy, huh. Since they have dates and all.¡± Lillia said, defeated. Meg tried to encourage her.


    In Lillia¡¯s gaze were her friend and therge notice behind her head. A sign had been posted on the message board next to the door.


    The font seemed to glide as it described the spring dance party that was to take ce on the 13th of the following month.


    The spring dance party was an annual event steeped in tradition in the Capital District area. It went hand-in-hand with a ss that helped young people learn ballroom dances in preparation for their future social lives.


    Participants had to be in their fourth year or higher. Because the party was hosted by the school, students did not have to worry about their parents as they put on dresses and tuxedos and socialized, ate, and dancedte into the night with their friends, boyfriends, and girlfriends.


    But written in a hard, merciless font at the bottom of the notice was a message:


    ¡®Students who have not registered with a date by the 3rd of the fourth month may not attend. NO EXCEPTIONS.¡¯


    It was an unbreakable rule steeped in tradition.


    Lillia had yet to find a male student to go as her date. Meg, on the other hand, had long since found a date.


    There was only one month before the deadline.


    To make matters worse, spring break began on the 12th and ended on the 1st of the fourth month. The deadline to register was the second day of the new term. It was generally agreed that those who did not find a partner before spring break would not find one in time.


    Lillia and Meg sighed in unison.


    Afterwards, they sat side-by-side on the grass.


    With their gaze on the grey sky and their ears listening to the excited chatter of their ssmates, they spoke.


    ¡°Spring break. I decided go to a trip on the Casna Coast with my family. And you, Lillia?¡±


    ¡°Well¡­ nothing set in stone so far.¡± Lillia said in Bezelese for Meg¡¯s convenience.


    ¡°¡®Nothing set in stone so far¡¯¡­ That¡¯s a new Bezelese phrase for the day.¡± Meg smiled. Then she looked at Lillia. ¡°What about Iks? Not this time?¡±


    Lillia shrugged.


    ¡°Nope. I don¡¯t normally go for spring break¡ªit¡¯s a lot of time and money. And there was that big mess at the new year¡¯s party.¡±


    ¡°I see¡­ You know, it would be so nice if your friend Treize was a student here. Just a thought.¡± Meg said solemnly, trying to sound as natural as possible to hide the fact that she had thought hard before saying this.


    But,


    ¡°What? Treize? You¡¯re right. I could just drag him along if he were at this school.¡± Lillia replied nonchntly. ¡°But that won¡¯t happen. Treize has a lot of love for Iks. He¡¯s patriotic. Anyway, he¡¯s not leaving the ce.¡±


    ¡°I see¡­ that¡¯s too bad.¡± Meg replied, falling into thought. Lillia was entirely,pletely oblivious to her intention.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about it!¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    ¡°Meg, you¡¯re considerate of others to the point that you get depressed for them. You have to try and enjoy your own happiness. I bet your primary school teachers wrote that stuff on your report card too, right?¡± Lillia said, frowning.


    ¡°You¡¯re right. I¡¯m sorry, Lillia. I¡¯ll try to fix that. I swear!¡± Meg replied brightly.


    ¡°All right! ¡­Spring break, huh. Mom¡¯s schedule isn¡¯t set yet. So we might end up going somece in Roxche the moment she gets her schedule. Mom likes traveling too, so she likes going ces with work as an excuse. She¡¯s evene home sometimes saying, ¡®We¡¯re leaving for this ce tomorrow!¡¯.¡±


    ¡°It would be really nice if you got to travel. Bring back some souvenirs.¡±


    ¡°Yeah. You too.¡±


    Staring out at the grassy field, they bumped fists as a symbol of a promise.


    ¡°Hey, you two? We¡¯re done practicing.¡±


    A ssmate called from behind. Lillia thanked her, then spoke quietly, still sitting on the grass.


    ¡°I wish Mom would just go ahead and do it.¡±


    Meg looked at Lillia again. Lillia looked into the sky.


    ¡°I wish she¡¯d just marry the major.¡±


    ¡°¡­The man from the embassy, you mean.¡±


    ¡°Yeah. She went out with him recently, and she sounded so happy when she told me about it. Mom¡¯s always young at heart, but she¡¯s even more lively when she¡¯s talking about the major.¡±


    ¡°Lillia, how would you feel if she remarried? Would it bother you because of your father?¡±


    Lillia shook her head firmly.


    ¡°Not at all. It¡¯s always been just me and Mom, as far as I can remember. In primary school, one of the teachers was really nice to me because she assumed I was lonely, but it doesn¡¯t feel strange at all ¡®cause he was never around. You know how you have two little brothers, but no older siblings? But that doesn¡¯t make you lonely, right?¡±


    ¡°Yeah¡­ I feel like I could understand, or maybe not.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m all grown up now¡ªmostly, I guess, but still grown up¡ªso I want Mom to find her own happiness. And you know, I think I could move into the dorms now. It sounds like fun, living with other students.¡±


    ¡°I see.¡± Meg looked at Lillia¡¯s smiling face, and mumbled softly. Then she quickly rose to her feet and held out her hand.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡±


    ¡°Yeah.¡±


    Lillia took Meg¡¯s hand and pulled her along. It looked like they were dancing toward the doors, but the steps were simply glorified pulling.


    * * *


    While Lillia danced with Meg,


    Lillia¡¯s mother, Allison Whittington Schultz, was taking a phone call in her apartment.


    <Schultz residence.>


    <Hi Allison. It¡¯s Treize. It¡¯s been a while.>


    <Oh my. Hello, Treize.>


    <Are you all right to talk? I know it¡¯s daytime, but I was hoping you might have a moment.>


    <Yes, I¡¯m fine.>


    <That¡¯s good to hear. It¡¯s about what we talked about before¡ªLillia¡¯s spring break¡ªand I¡¯m really sorry to say this, but I don¡¯t think I could see you even if you came to Ikstova.>


    <Oh dear.>


    <I¡¯m really sorry. We¡¯re having a guest over¡­>


    <Hm. Just out of curiosity, is this guest of yours a VIP? We got word at work yesterday¡ªnothing concrete¡ªbut it said, ¡®VIP visiting. All flights over the Capital District grounded¡¯.>


    <Yes. You¡¯re probably on the right track.>


    <That¡¯s too bad. I was just about to make ns. I was thinking about going to Iks this time, too. After the mess that happened this winter¡­>


    <I¡¯m so sorry. I¡¯m an idiot.>


    <You got that right. C¡¯mon, Treize! Step up your game!>


    <Yes, ma¡¯am! On that note, how about the mouth of the Lutoni River? The North Sea¡¯s famous for prawn and scallops. The crab¡¯s great, too.>


    <I¡¯ve never been there myself, but it sounds nice. But can you make it?>


    <If I take the train from Elitesa for work¡ªif I do¡ªI¡¯ll disembark at the North Sea. I can¡¯t tell you the details, but after my job¡¯s done we could¡ª>


    <I see. You can¡¯t talk about it now. I¡¯ll call you on a safe line at the baseter. How about around this time tomorrow? Is that all right with you? I have tomorrow off, but I¡¯ll be at the base.>


    <That sounds fine. I¡¯ll be here all day tomorrow.>


    <Then give me the details then.>


    <Of course. We¡¯ll talk more tomorrow. ¡­Actually, I wanted to ask you something. But I¡¯m not sure it¡¯s all right for me to ask.>


    <What is it?>


    <Well¡­ I understand the situation, but¡­ what is it like? Being separated from your husband in ¡®heaven¡¯?>


    <Hm¡­ I don¡¯t think it was the best choice for everyone involved, but it¡¯s not painful.>


    <I see. ¡­Isn¡¯t it lonely?>


    <No. We stuck together enough for a lifetime back when he was in university. I¡¯m not sure I could talk about it right now, though. It¡¯s a long story. Wanna hear it?>


    <No thank you.>


    <Right now, he¡¯s doing what he really wants to do. And if living like this is my way of supporting him as his wife, I¡¯m happy.>


    <¡­What is it exactly that he wants to do?>


    <I guess you could say¡­ he wants to protect the world.>


    <To protect the world¡­>


    <Yeah. Since he made a choice that changed the world, he feels responsible. So he¡¯s doing what he can to guide the world in a better direction. With the power he gained for that goal.>


    <I see¡­ I¡¯ve always been wondering what I could do for Ikstova, Allison. Do you think I should cherish that above all?>


    <I can¡¯t answer that question, Treize. Nor could he. The answer always depends on the person.>


    <I see. I¡¯m sorry.>


    <All I can say is¡­ When the person next to you nods with a smile when you make that decision, you¡¯ll be the happiest man in the world. I guarantee it.>


    <¡­>


    <Don¡¯t worry. You¡¯ve still got three years.>


    <Yes. Thank you, Allison.>


    <Then I¡¯ll call you tomorrow about ¡®spring break¡¯.>


    <Yes. Thank you. ¡­Will you speak to Mother and Father, then?>


    <Oh, yes please. Give them my regards. See you!>


    * * *


    The moment Allison put down the receiver, gunfire resounded in a ce about 100 kilometers from the Capital District.


    It was a very unusual location. Roxche was a tnd famous for itsck of mountains, but in the middle of one barley fieldmon to the East was a deep depression.


    The depression was about a square kilometer wide and 2 meters deep. The base was almostpletely t. The edges were lined with sandbags piled up in a 45-degree angle to prevent the pit from copsing in heavy rain. There was also a 3-meter-high wall of dirt all around the boundary.


    It was not a natural formation by any definition¡ªonce a reservoir built by human hands about 400 years ago, it had stored water irrigated from a nearby river to use for farming.


    But eighty years ago, a new canal was built and the flow of the river was altered. The reservoir lost its source and ended up a dried-out pit.


    The Roxchean government considered ways to make use of the reservoir, eventually deciding to make it into a military shooting range. The dirt walls prevented rounds from escaping outside and kept prototype weapons safe from prying eyes.


    The pit was divided east and west. The western side was an outdoor range with the ground exposed to the air. Built on the eastern side was a training center lined with portable buildings for indoor practice. There was also a close-range shooting range built under a roof.


    Metal guard towers had been erected at the four corners of the pit, and tiny house-like buildings were under each. Beside them were lines upon lines of armories that looked more like barns.


    It was cloudy that day. Out in the open air, at the southern end of the outdoor range, stood three men.


    ¡°Loading!¡±


    A suit-d man in histe twenties cried in Bezelese, and knelt on the damp ground. He did not mind that his pants got dirty. The man began to switch magazines on his gun.


    Gunshots roared from either side of the man. Two men, both in their forties, were about 5 meters to his left and right, shooting at a target ahead. One of the men was tall and well-built. The other was rather slight. Both were dressed like businessmen, and both were wearing small earmuffs.


    Two 90-centimeter-long rifles were smoking. They were of identical models, with a long, curving magazine sticking out of the bottom, a stock that looked like a bent lead pipe, and a pistol-like grip.


    The rifles had both single-shot and automatic fire functions toggled with a selector. They were called assault rifles and were different from machine guns.


    Each of the men fired one bullet at a time, but in rapid session.


    The rounds were driven straight into the human-shaped targets about 40 meters ahead. The targets fell loudly as sparks flew.


    By the time the man in the middle was back on the ground, over 30 targets fell one after the other.


    The man in his twenties quickly locked the curved magazine into the rifle, operated the lever on the bolt with his left hand to load, and raised his voice.


    ¡°Locked and loaded!¡±


    He got down on one knee and took aim. That was when he realized that there wasn¡¯t a single target left.


    ¡°Huh? Is it over?¡± He asked, his tone dropping.


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    The men on his either side replied in unison. Smoke rose in wisps of white from the heated barrels of their guns, still pointed at the targets.


    ¡°Tch. Sessionplete.¡±


    ¡°Tch. Sessionplete.¡±


    With no targets to shoot down, the man armed the safety and stood.


    About 2 meters behind the three men was a table. It was about 5 meters from the southern edge of the pit.


    Benches were on either side of the table, and atop it were many ammunition cases and extra magazines, along with two more assault rifles of the same models with their stocks folded. There were also several water bottles and a small portable radio.


    Two men stood behind the table.


    They were also wearing suits, unusually for the setting. Both men were in their mid-thirties. One was a sharp-eyed man with the bearing of a hardened veteran, with his hair cropped short. In contrast, the other was a bespectacled man who looked very much like a schr.


    ¡°It looks good, Major.¡±


    The sharp-eyed man spoke to the bespectacled man in Bezelese, holding out a stopwatch.


    The man addressed as ¡®major¡¯ nodded warmly.


    Major Travas of the Royal Army of Sou Be-Il, who worked at the embassy in Roxche, looked at the three men returning with their magazine-less guns slung over their shoulders.


    ¡°It¡¯s great. The automatic function is a plus, too.¡±


    ¡°I expected nothing less from Roxche. If nothing else, they¡¯ve got us beat on firearms and cannons.¡±


    Major Travas nodded in agreement as the three men put down their rifles and magazines on the table.


    ¡°It¡¯s an excellent model.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯lle in handy and boost firepower. Although it¡¯s going to take some time for me to get used to working without a magazine catch.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯d almost like to take three or so home as souvenirs. I want to let my cousin have a try¡ªthe one who taught me to use guns, you know? Could I get them gift-wrapped?¡±


    Then, the man who spokest¡ªthe youngest of the men¡ªcheerfully asked the major to join them on the range.


    ¡°All right.¡±


    Major Travas picked up the radio and brought it to his mouth, then pressed the call button.


    <All six of us will be shooting this time. Please raise one hundred targets at random, with maximum distance at 400 meters. I will raise and lower my left hand as a signal. Over.>


    About three seconds after the request, which Major Travas made in Roxchean, a male voice replied, <Understood>. Major Travas spoke into the radio again.


    <Did you hear that, Axe? Everything 200 and further are yours. Over.>


    A secondter came the voice of a woman. She spoke Bezelese.


    <Yes, sir. Preparationsplete on this end. I¡¯m ready anytime. Endmunication.>


    ¡°Good. Get ready.¡± Major Travas said.


    The five men picked up the heavy, loaded magazines and put them into the pockets of their jackets and pants. Each took five magazines in total, then picked up a rifle and unfolded the stock. The men stood shoulder-to-shoulder, then spread about 5 meters apart and walked forward. When they reached a point littered with dark green shell casings, they came to a stop.


    ¡°Load.¡±


    The moment Major Travas gave themand, the men loaded the magazines into their guns. They disarmed the safety and operated the lever, loading the first round into the cartridge chamber at the very back of the gun. All that was left was to pull the trigger.


    ¡°Leave some for me this time.¡± Said the man in his twenties.


    ¡°Then don¡¯t shoot like an imbecile.¡± Someone replied.


    There was nothing but soggy dirt before them. The empty field stretched on for a kilometer.


    ¡°We¡¯re good to go. The targets, please.¡±


    On the southeastern guard tower was a soldier behind a pane of bulletproof ss, watching Major Travas and the others through a pair of binocrs.


    He was wearing a green Roxchean uniform. Behind him were four men dressed like him.


    Two of the men¡ªwho were younger and of lower ranks¡ªwere seated and staring at the machine before them. The other two, who were middle-aged officers, watched Major Travas¡¯s team through binocrs.


    The two young soldiers reached over to the switches littering the machine before them.


    The machine was reminiscent of a piano with a control panel. They were arranged in a 10x10 formation with a hundred switches to each operator. In front of each switch was a smallmp.


    When the switches were toggled, the targets on the range stood upright and the greenmps turned on. And once the targets were shot down, the green lights turned red and the operators could count how many targets had been shot down.


    It was up to the operators to decide which targets at which distances to raise. The vertical axis corresponded to distance and could go up to 800 meters. The numbers on the left side indicated that the switches were currently calibrated to 20 to 400 meters, as they were instructed.


    There was a dial on the upper side of the switchboard, set to 100. It prevented the soldiers from identally raising any more targets once they had reached that number.


    Ahead of Roxche¡¯s newest target machine, through the round frame of the binocrs, Major Travas slowly raised his left hand.


    Someone else was watching through a lens the sight of Major Travas raising his hand.


    There was a crosshairs running through the middle of the lens, with three pointy shapes at the center.


    It was a telescopic sight. The shooter would line up the target with one of the shapes at the center of the lens, depending on the distance. On the bottom left was a measure for gauging distance ording to human height.


    The owner of that scope was dozens of meters behind Major Travas and the others, on anding a little ways up the southern slope.


    She was lying on her stomach on a sheet about the size of a double bed, taking aim with a sniper rifle. A woman in her twenties with ck hair, who was also wearing a suit.


    The long, thin rifle that had in the past roared in the snowscapes of Iks was set securely on a mound of dirt in front of her. The woman¡¯s right eye was pressed hard against the scope. Her left eye, which revealed she had dark irises, was also locked straight ahead.


    Next to the rifle was a loaded magazine and a small radio. The cables sticking out of it were connected to her neck and her ears.


    The crosshairs lined up on Major Travas¡¯s back. She disarmed the safety with her right thumb, and in one smooth motion she moved her index finger to the trigger. She felt cold metal on her fingertip.


    ¡°Don¡¯t forget.¡± She said under her breath.


    Neen years ago.


    ¡°Be a good girl now, Axe. I¡¯ll be back once I finish a very important mission. Do you remember what I said before?¡±


    ¡°True to your mission to the very end!¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s a good girl! Now, I have a very, very important mission for you toplete.¡±


    ¡°I know what it is! When youe back, I say ¡®Wee home!¡¯ to you with Mom!¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s my darling soldier girl!¡±


    ¡°Hee hee!¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll be back soon, Axe. By the time you wake up tomorrow, I¡¯ll be flying east on an aerone.¡±


    ¡°Come home safe, Daddy.¡±


    ¡°I will, Axe. Sweet dreams.¡±


    ¡°Sweet dreams, Daddy. From tomorrow, I¡¯m gonna say good morning and good night to your picture! Don¡¯t forget!¡±


    ¡°You have no idea how happy I am to hear that, Axe. I can¡¯t carry around any photos of you when I¡¯m on a mission, but don¡¯t worry¡ªI can always remember your beautiful face perfectly. I¡¯ll wish you sweet dreams every night.¡±


    ¡°We regret to announce that Captain Gratz Ansgar passed away in an aerone crash while carrying out a mission¡ª¡±


    Five years ago.


    <That was no ident.>


    <What? Who is this? Answer, or I¡¯m hanging up.>


    <Gratz Ansgar¡¯s death was no ident.>


    <¡­Who are you.>


    <That is of no importance. But know that Gratz Ansgar was murdered. His death was covered up to conceal the truth.>


    <¡­Why?>


    <Ask the one who killed him.>


    <Who?>


    <Travas. He will be your direct superior next month.>


    <¡­>


    <Beware. And ask yourself¡ªis it always right to be true to your mission to the very end?>


    ¡°Don¡¯t forget.¡±


    She could see Major Travas lower his hand and quickly pick up his rifle.


    ¡°Targets!¡± The soldier watching the process ordered.


    The two operators flicked the toggle switches at random.


    Human-shaped tes of metal flipped up from the ground.


    The men lined up before them took aim at the targets and mercilessly opened fire.


    Gunfire resounded through the pit, followed by the piercing noise of metal being punctured.


    Two targets rose almost simultaneously before Major Travas, one 40 meters away and the other 80. He shot down both in half a second.


    The two targets went down nearly at once. Major Travas did not spare them a nce as he turned his sights to another target. A tiny ck dot rose in the distance, about 400 meters away. It was too far for an assault rifle.


    A momentter, the air seemed to tear overhead. Then the dot in the distance fell.


    Dozens of meters behind Major Travas, a shell casing leapt into the air from the woman¡¯s sniper rifle. She fired the next shot before the casing fell to the ground. Another target went down.


    A target stood just 2 meters in front of therge man in his forties. In the blink of an eye he switched to automatic mode and used the recoil as momentum to open continuous fire from the lower left to the target. The rounds seemed to mow down the target, even breaking the wooden mechanism that raised and lowered it.


    ¡°Loading!¡±


    There was still one round left in his magazine, but the man quickly removed it and loaded another new one. The men to his either side covered for him, shooting down the targets in hisne as well.


    Soon, the man resumed fire. The man in his twenties next to him noted that fact and said flippantly,


    ¡°Man, I really wish I could give my cousin a taste.¡±


    Three targets rose in session in front of him. He shot them down to a waltz rhythm.


    In the guard tower, the gunfire was muffled by the bulletproof ss. Themps on the target machine turned red in quick session.


    ¡°It¡¯s almost disgusting how good they are at this.¡± One of the Roxchean officers muttered. The two operators flicked switches as quickly as they could, but they had nary a moment to turn green before going red.


    ¡°They¡¯re incredible. I¡¯d almost like to ask for lessons.¡±


    Soon, the gunfire ended.


    The officer nced at the target machine.


    Every singlemp had turned red.


    ¡°Those monsters.¡±


    * * *


    ¡°Thank you for your support. If you¡¯ll excuse us.¡± Major Travas said to the Roxchean officer who called his team monsters, and boarded a small 12-seater bus.


    The smaller 40-something man drove the bus out of the pit. The bus moved down a road between the fields, spewing ck smoke into the air.


    Major Travas and his subordinates were scatteredfortably around the seats.


    They took sips from water bottles, chewed gum, or stared out the windows as they rxed.


    ¡°I suppose it¡¯s about time.¡± Major Travas mumbled, just loud enough that Axe could hear him from two rows behind, and stood. ¡°Everyone, attention please.¡±


    He took hold of a handle and spoke loudly, overpowering the sound of the engine. All eyes were on him. The driver slowed down slightly.


    ¡°We¡¯ll being up with codenames for this mission.¡± Major Travas said.


    The man in his twenties, who sat at the very back, cheered.


    ¡°I¡¯ve been waiting for this!¡±


    When they were on missions, the team made it a rule to address one another by codenames they decided on in advance.


    ¡°The usual, then? I¡¯ll assign the names.¡±


    Everyone nodded.


    Major Travas nodded and pointed at Axe, who sat nearest to him.


    ¡°Ann.¡±


    ¡°Sir.¡± Axe nodded.


    Major Travas then pointed at the man in his twenties. He was the one who had announced the return of the Capital Crisp Retrieval Squad the previous winter.


    ¡°Yzma.¡±


    ¡°All right! I¡¯m Yzma now, everyone. Pleased to meet you.¡±


    Then, Major Travas pointed at the sharp-eyed man in his thirties, who had earlier been timing the session.


    ¡°Uno.¡±


    ¡°Understood.¡±


    Then, therge man in his forties who had wielded the shotgun in the mission to rescue Morseau.


    ¡°Ed.¡±


    ¡°Yes, sir.¡±


    Finally, the small man driving the bus, who showed no hint of weakness.


    ¡°Ozette.¡±


    ¡°Yes, sir. Let¡¯s do this, everyone.¡±


    ¡°As usual, I¡¯ll be ¡®Leader¡¯. That is all.¡±


    Yzma raised his hand, then.


    ¡°Major Leader! I have a question. Where did you get these names?¡±


    Major Travas smiled.


    ¡°They were characters in anguage textbook I read before. From the vowel pronunciation chapter, I think?¡±


    ¡°I see. So is Yzma the young and handsome one?¡±


    Major Travas looked very serious as he replied,


    ¡°The gossipy crone.¡±


    ¡°Perfect.¡± Ozette and Ed said in unison.


    * * *


    As the bus traveled leisurely down the field¡ª


    Dawn was breaking somewhere in the distant west, in the Allied Kingdoms of Bezel-Iltoa. But strong wind and rain covered the sun. The world was dark and noisy.


    A building stood in the storm.


    Five long, narrow buildings of dark stone stood in a row, and in the middle stood onerge building. Sturdy bars were set in every window. Guard towers stood at every corner of the roof. Watching the area with searchlights were men carrying shotguns and rifles.


    Theplex was encircled by ck, 2-meter-high walls. Beyond that was an endless in dotted with thin patches of grass, with no artificial light in sight. Arge paved road led in a straight line down the in.


    This was a high-security prison somewhere in Sou Be-Il, the location of which was not public knowledge.


    Because there was no death penalty in the West, criminals were given lengthier sentences depending on their crimes.


    Those with over a hundred years of prison term to their names were brought here to live out their lifespans.


    ¡°Prisoner 42. Step outside.¡±


    The door of a solitary confinement cell squeaked open.


    Four shotguns were pointed at the cell from beyond the bars since before the door was opened. The prison guards were holding at gunpoint a figure lying on the bed just 2 meters ahead. Their fingers were on the triggers.


    The small but powerfulmps attached to the sides of the guns illuminated the stone bed.


    Therey a man wrapped in a brown nket.


    He was sleeping quietly, his messy hair covering the side of his face. The bright lightsnded over his eyes. Ten seconds passed.


    ¡°Hm¡­?¡±


    The man narrowed his eyes in the blinding light and covered his face. Though it was an innocuous series of actions, the guards tensed. The muzzles of the guns touched the metal bars, ttering quietly.


    ¡°Prisoner 42. Stand.¡±


    The guard opening the door spoke again. Instead of a truncheon, he held a 50-centimeter knife in his hand and was standing at the ready.


    Prisoner 42 slowly stood.


    ¡°What is it? It shouldn¡¯t be time for breakfast yet.¡±


    The man shielding his eyes was softspoken and polite. He sat on the edge of his bed. He was dressed in a prison uniform with blue and white stripes. Over his right breast was the number 42.


    ¡°Transfer. Put these on.¡±


    The guard tossed him a pair of handcuffs. The handcuffs ttered to the floor. They were connected by a chain to a pair of shackles.


    ¡°That¡¯s news to me. Although I suppose no one would ever tell me these things anyway.¡±


    Prisoner 42 put up no resistance. He did as he was told in the light of themp, putting the shackles¡ªwhich were just long enough for him to walk¡ªon his ankles and one side of the handcuffs on his left wrist. He did it all with an expert hand.


    With his knife at the ready, the guard approached Prisoner 42. His face was stiff and dotted with sweat.


    The guard finally secured the other end of the handcuff on Prisoner 42¡¯s right wrist. He made the prisoner hold out his hands, then pulled the chain from the cuffs behind the man¡¯s back and locked it. Only then did the guard sheathe his knife.


    The shotguns pulled out of the cell. Prisoner 42 left the cell before the guard. Then he walked down the hall, still held at gunpoint.


    ¡°Another psychoanalysis session? I think we¡¯ve all had enough of those.¡±


    ¡°Shut up.¡±


    ¡°Well, I suppose it¡¯ll help me pass the time.¡±


    ¡°I told you to shut up.¡±


    ¡°All right.¡±


    ttering, Prisoner 42 walked out the doors and into an indoor parking lot. The guard shoved him into the back of a small prison van.


    A chair was secured to the center of the cubicalpartment. The guards sat the prisoner in the chair, then secured his fetters to the chair with locks.


    The police officers who were handed the prisoner sat in each corner of thepartment, facing him.


    The rain battered the van as it left the walls, led and nked by police cars.


    ¡°Where are we going?¡± Asked Prisoner 42.


    None of the police officers answered.


    ¡°I¡¯m still a little drowsy.¡±


    ¡°Then sleep.¡±


    This time, he got an answer. As if on cue, the officers each took out something from the sacks under their feet and put them on their face.


    ¡°Hm?¡±


    Prisoner 42 furrowed his brow. The police officers had put on gas masks with rubber covers and ss windows, with filter canisters near the mouth.


    Once all the police officers were ready, one of them took out arge spray can and sprayed it on Prisoner 42.


    ¡°Oh¡­ I¡­ recognize this¡­ this smell¡ª¡±


    Prisoner 42¡¯s eyes closed and his head fell limp before he had the chance to say what he had realized.


    Several hourster.


    ¡°Mm¡­ Hm¡­¡±


    ¡°So you¡¯re awake, Prisoner 42.¡±


    ¡°Oh¡­ yes. I had a terrible nightmare. I dreamed that I was taken somewhere and sprayed with bitter sleeping gas.¡±


    ¡°On my orders.¡±


    ¡°Hm? ¡­Ah! I see. So I¡¯m still asleep.¡±


    ¡°No. Get a hold of yourself. I have something to discuss with you.¡±


    ¡°Before that, could you do something about these handcuffs and fetters? They¡¯re awfully painful.¡±


    ¡°The discussiones first. Look at me.¡±


    ¡°Right. Yes. ¡­Hm? What? This is a surprise. I know you. I¡¯ve never met you, but I do know you.¡±


    ¡°Is that so? I also know you very well, Prisoner 42.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sure. But what do you want with me? Why would someone in your position have the police bring me here? Surely not for breakfast?¡±


    ¡°Of course not. It sickens me to merely speak to an insect like you.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s a little cruel of you. Please don¡¯t worry. I wouldn¡¯t kill you, even if I weren¡¯t bound. The elderly are fated to die soon even if you leave them alone.¡±


    ¡°I have a task for you.¡±


    ¡°I refuse. I am not interested. Please send me back to thefort of the prison immediately. I would be having a pleasant breakfast by now if you hadn¡¯t brought me here. I am very happy to spend my life there, with the memories of those I loved. I will not do any work. Do you understand? I will not work. Never. I will never work again. Do you understand me?¡±


    ¡°Your task is to kill someone.¡±


    ¡°I suppose I¡¯ll have a listen. As you know, I¡ª¡±


    ¡°I know. That is why I am giving you this task. I need you to kill someone of noble birth.¡±


    ¡°Oh?¡±


    ¡°Here. A Photo of your target.¡±


    ¡°¡­Beautiful¡­ Ah¡­ a work of art¡­¡±


    ¡°Stop dribbling. Your target is in Roxche. You will infiltrate the East as a tourist. You are free to do as you like once the job isplete. I will not question your methods as long as the target dies in Roxche. You will receive a budget. If you remain undetected by the Roxchean police, you are free to live as you like in the East. I do not care what you do, so long as you never again cross the Lutoni, mother of this earth, and return to our beautiful homnd.¡±


    ¡°All the way in Roxche? This is a surprise. But setting me free and taking me all the way across the border surely could not be easy¡ª¡±


    ¡°I have the power to make that happen.¡±


    ¡°I suppose you do. Someone in your position could do many things. Like bringing me here. You are disgusting. A true viin. It seems like I¡¯m speaking with the devil. I almost want to call the police.¡±


    ¡°Many people would love to take your life, Prisoner 42. I¡¯m almost loath to admit that, in spite of my position, I regret the absence of the death penalty in ournd. But now things are different.¡±


    ¡°Very selfish of you.¡±


    ¡°Indeed. Now you must choose. ept this task, or die here.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s a pointless question.¡±


    ¡°I suppose it is.¡±


    ¡°I suppose it is.¡±


    ¡°Now, what about breakfast? I prefer raspberry jam in my tea and potatoes roasted whole.¡±


    ¡°Enough.¡±


    The man called ¡®Prisoner 42¡¯ left the extravagant room, surrounded by guards.


    When therge, heavy doors closed, the old man was left alone in the room with a butler. It was still raining heavily outside.


    The old man gave an order to the butler, who was younger than he was.


    ¡°The telephone.¡±


    Night. The Sou Be-Il embassy in Roxche¡¯s Capital District.


    The break room was small, furnished with a single bed. Major Travas, who was asleep in his uniform shirt, opened his eyes to the internal telephone ringing. The call was from Axe, known currently as ¡®Ann¡¯.


    <Sorry to wake you, sir. We just received word from Headmaster Aikashia. Thedy will be moving as scheduled. Her itinerary will be disclosed today and revealed on the morning news.>


    <Understood. We¡¯ve got busy days ahead.>


    <Yes, sir. But all of us are honored to be taking on this mission.>


    <And so am I. We¡¯ll do our best to make sure things go smoothly. I¡¯ll be down shortly.>


    Major Travas sat up and reached for his brown uniform jacket.


    * * *


    The next morning. It was the 5th of the third month, and a holiday. It was cloudy.


    A certain piece of news was announced to Roxche, emphasized most heavily in the Capital District.


    Princess Matilda of Sou Be-Il would make an official visit to the Capital district from the 15th to the 19th.


    This was the first time in twelve years that the king¡¯s family would visit Roxche¡ªthest time was at Natalia Ind in the North Sea, where the then-president held the first East-West summit in history¡ªand it was the first time in history that a member of the West¡¯s royal family would visit the Capital District.


    Princess Matilda would fly across the continent on a private aerone escorted by a unit from the Roxchean Air Force, enjoying the sights of the East. The day after she arrived in the Capital District, she would meet Roxche¡¯s president and visit the presidential residence for dinner.


    After that, she was scheduled to take a tour of the modern-day city center and the historical quarter, as well as visit art galleries and watch ys at the Grand Capital Theater. But the specifics of her itinerary were top secret. During her visit, the Capital District would be ced under martialw and travel by rail and road would be restricted.


    The princess was scheduled to leave the Capital District on the afternoon of the 19th, taking a special express train to Port Watts in the North Sea; then she would join the joint rescue operation training session on the 20th. Afterwards, she would board the massive Sou Be-Il Navy battleship Ildesta, which would be on standby at the harbor from two days earlier. Finally, the princess would return to Sfrestus via the North Sea Passage, apanied by an escort fleet.


    In an ordinary kitchen in an ordinary apartmentbeled ¡®Schultz¡¯.


    Depending on the weather, Allison could end up being called to work even on holidays. So her daughter Lillia was eating breakfast alone.


    There were spots of blue in the sky, but it was mostly cloudy. A gentle westerly wind blew outside.


    On the table in the middle of the dining room was a hot sandwich fresh from an electric toaster, with ham and cheese inside. There was also a cup of tea with milk.


    Lillia listened to the news on the radio and mumbled absently.


    ¡°Huh. So that princess who needs a husband ising to Roxche¡­¡±


    She reached for her second sandwich.


    In arge, luxurious living room in an expensive apartmentbeled ¡®Strauski¡¯.


    The family¡¯s daughter and second son were going mad in front of the television.


    Meg, who had her hair down, practically clung to the ck-and-white TV on the shiny, expensive TV stand.


    ¡°I can¡¯t believe it! Princess Matilda¡¯sing to Roxche! Why? Why am I not in the Capital District then?! Why?!¡±


    Next to Meg, her primary school-aged brother, ten years younger than her, was also in a frenzy.


    ¡°Wow! The Ildesta! 270 meters long with a max speed of 33 knots! It¡¯s got nine 40-centimeter cannons! It¡¯s the Royal Navy¡¯s newest and fastest and strongest battleship and the gship of the North Sea fleet! I can¡¯t believe it¡¯sing to Roxche! Wow! I wanna go see it! Can we please?!¡±


    A plump, middle-aged woman with long dark hair tied up in a bun stared from her seat on the sofa behind them.


    ¡°Obsessed with royalty and the military¡­ I¡¯m sorry, Meg. Johan. But we¡¯ll be on the east coast by that point. I heard the halibut meunier¡¯s to die for.¡±


    ¡°Cancel it!¡±


    ¡°Dy it!¡±


    Brother and sister cried in unison as they turned. Their mother took a leisurely sip of tea.


    ¡°We can¡¯t do that. What about the fried dorado? You two were looking forward to it, too.¡±


    ¡°But Mom! Princess Matilda¡¯s going to be in Roxche! This might be the only chance I get to see her before she gets married! We can¡¯t be on a rxing family vacation now!¡±


    ¡°Yeah! I don¡¯t care about the princess, but the Ildesta¡¯sing to Roxche! This never happens, you know?¡±


    Meg turned to her brother.


    ¡°Who cares about your battleships, Johan?¡±


    ¡°Whaddaya mean ¡®who cares¡¯?¡±


    Meg retorted loudly, from her very soul.


    ¡°You¡ªyou can join the navyter and board the ship whenever you want! They¡¯ll treat you really well since you speak Roxchean! But¡­ I could never go to the pce and make friends with the princess!¡±


    ¡°Yeah, but¡­¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll never get to help her, and I¡¯ll never get to protect her beautiful smile!¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    Slowly, Johan backed away from his sister. She had her hands sped over her chest, her heart already elsewhere. He went over to the sofa where his mother sat.


    Meg dramatically faced west, her hair aflutter.


    ¡°Oh, Princess Matilda! I pray your days in Roxche will be peaceful and pleasant! Strauski Megmica shall wish for your happiness in the easternnds!¡±


    Meg¡¯s mother watched incredulously.


    ¡°Honey. I hope you don¡¯t act like that at school.¡±


    The Kingdom of Iks.


    In the living room of a house in a snowy valley.


    ¡°So they¡¯ve made the announcement.¡±


    ¡°Only the official schedule, though.¡±


    Fiona¡ªwho was taking time off from work¡ªand her husband Benedict were sitting on the floor before a small firece. They were speaking in Bezelese.


    Both were wearing quilted pajamas. Benedict was even wearing a nightcap, which shed with his beard. A kettle with water for their morning tea was atop the firece.


    On the mantelpiece was an old radio, which announced Princess Matilda¡¯s itinerary in Roxche. The speaker crackled with age. Next to it was a sparkling-new radio for emergency use, currently turned off.


    When the news moved on to another topic, Benedict reached over and turned off the radio.


    ¡°Come to think of it, what¡¯s Treize up to? I haven¡¯t seen him in a few days now. Or was it more?¡± Benedict wondered. He had little interest in his son¡¯s actions.


    ¡°He¡¯s at the apartment in Kunst. He said he wanted to practice his marksmanship andbat skills so he can fight off bad guys.¡± Fiona replied, warming her hands by the fire.


    ¡°Hard at work, then.¡± Benedict mumbled. Still seated, he moved over to Fi and reached out towards the fire. Fiona softly leaned against him.


    Two shadows became one in the dark living room. The kettle had yet to whistle. For some time, there was silence.


    Benedict finally spoke in Roxchean.


    ¡°Anyway, Fi, I have something to say.¡±


    ¡°Yes?¡±


    ¡°I see you have bought a new camera.¡±


    Fiona¡¯s expression stiffened. Two seconds of silenceter, she blinked several times and sat upright.


    ¡°¡­Er¡­ how? How did you find out?¡±


    ¡°I received a telegram from the department store in Elitesa¡ªnot to the royal family, but to ¡®Ms. Fiona¡¯¡ªsaying, ¡®Thank you for your patronage. Your item will be shipped shortly¡¯. Warren¡¯s grandson rushed over with this messagetest night.¡±


    ¡°¡­Oh. ¡­Of all the useless efforts¡­¡± Fiona groaned, looking up. Benedict gave her a look.


    ¡°Fi?¡±


    ¡°N-no, er¡­ yes. It was very good of him to bring it all this way.¡±


    ¡°Hm¡­ so how many cameras does this make?¡±


    ¡°W-wait! Let me exin. This camera is different. It¡¯s so much better than the others!¡±


    ¡°You do not need to exin. My word¡­¡± Benedict sighed. Fiona sat up and looked her husband in the eye. Then she said firmly.


    ¡°Well, you see! I bought the camera for Treize. Yes!¡±


    ¡°Oh?¡±


    ¡°Treize will need one if he¡¯s going to travel. So I bought him one. A half-size .35mm model. It¡¯s perfect for taking pictures on the move!¡±


    ¡°I see. Then when the camera arrives, I will send it directly to Treize.¡±


    ¡°What? ¡­Yes, of course!¡±


    ¡°And he will not need to return it after his trip, yes?¡±


    ¡°¡­No. He won¡¯t.¡±


    ¡°Very good. We have forgotten to buy him anything recently. We were so busy early this year that we passed his birthday by. This will be the perfect birthday gift.¡±


    ¡°O-of course. It¡¯s perfect. But¡­ could I maybe borrow it from him sometime?¡±


    Benedict looked at Fiona.


    ¡°¡­¡±


    Fiona pulled back.


    ¡°All right. But remember, Fi. A parent should not take their children¡¯s toys.¡±


    ¡°Right. Understood.¡± Fiona nodded firmly. Benedict smiled.


    ¡°Now that the discussion is done, I have one more thing to say. I always say this, but still.¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°I love you, Fi.¡±


    Without a word, Fiona closed her eyes. The kettle began to whistle as the two kissed.


    As Fiona and Benedict exchange passionate kisses¡ª


    ¡°Actually¡­ I¡¯m a prince¡­¡±


    Treize was sleeptalking in Bezelese.


    He was in his apartment in Kunst, the capital of Iks.


    The tiny room was furnished with a bed, a desk, and a dresser. There was no more room for anything else. There was no bathroom in his apartment¡ªthe entire building shared those facilities.


    Treize was curled up in his green nkets like a cat.


    He squirmed, flipping over, and mumbled again.


    This time, in Roxchean.


    ¡°Really, I¡¯m serious.¡±

 Volume 3 2 — After Spring Break Began…

    <h4>Volume 3 Chapter 2: After Spring Break Began¡­</h4>


    -----


    The 15th of the fourth month.


    It was the third day of spring break, and the skies over the Capital District were clear.


    Scenes from the city before Princess Matilda¡¯s arrival, the moment of her arrival, and after her arrival were ying on television.


    ¡°Geez. It¡¯s like they have nothing else to talk about. I wanna watch something else.¡± Lillia grumbled.


    It was afternoon. Lillia was sitting alone in the living room, wearing her mother¡¯s old sweatsbeled ¡®Confederation Air Force¡¯¡ªin lieu of pajamas.


    Though sheined, Lillia had nothing else to do. She stared at the screen until the TV yed footage of Princess Matilda¡¯s press conference.


    Cameras shed everywhere as the princess spoke.


    As reporters showered her with questions, she responded with practiced calm¡ª¡°I sincerely hope that East and West will maintain a rtionship forged through friendship and camaraderie¡±, and ¡°I am truly grateful for the Roxcheanuk Confederation¡¯s generous hospitality¡±, she said in perfect standard Bezelese, before disappearing from the screen.


    When the scene switched back to the newscaster, Lillia stretched and turned off the TV.


    ¡°Man¡­¡± She sighed, resting her chin on the table.


    As if on cue, the telephone began to ring. Lilliazily slid over and picked up the receiver.


    ¡°Schultz residence.¡±


    She heard her mother¡¯s cheerful voice.


    <It¡¯s decided!>


    <Oh. Hey Mom. I haven¡¯t talked to you in two days, huh. So what¡¯s decided?> Lillia asked. She did not even need to ask how Allison was doing.


    <Our trip! I finally got my schedule set. You¡¯re pretty free this spring break, right? You don¡¯t even need to practice for the dance.> Allison said energetically.


    Lillia hung her head. In the end, she had not found herself a date.


    <Thanks for the reminder, Mom. ¡­But going on a trip sounds good. Where? When? How?>


    <We¡¯re going to the North Sea! We¡¯ll go see the Lutoni Delta area in Lor. Apparently we can see a tidal bore! And the seafood is really good, I hear.>


    Lillia held the receiver between her face and her shoulder as she took out a map from under the end table with the phone. She opened up therge map of the world and set her sights on the mouth of the Lutoni, where the river flowed into the North Sea.


    The massive delta where the Lutoni and several tributaries flowed into was part of Lor. The region was known for its spectacr tidal bores, where massive waves ran into the river from the sea. Lor¡¯s vast coastline and forests, along with its plentiful seafood, was famous as well.


    <That sounds great. I¡¯ve never been to Lor, and I¡¯ve never seen the mouth of the Lutoni. But isn¡¯t it really far? It¡¯s going to be expensive to get there. What are we taking?> Lillia asked, worried. Going to Lor from the Capital District was essentially crossing half the continent. It involved about as much travel time as going to Iks.


    <No worries! We¡¯re crossing the continent for free, at least on the way there.>


    <Really?! How?>


    <I¡¯ll tell youter, sweetheart. It¡¯s going to be great! We¡¯ll be gone from the 20th to the 30th. You¡¯re free, right?>


    <So we¡¯re leaving in eight days? That¡¯s fine with me.>


    <Great! I¡¯ll be back home in four days or so. Could you put the trunk in the shade to dry, please?>


    <Sure.> Lillia said, and hung up. She nced at the calendar on the wall, then at the board hanging in the kitchen.


    [Allison: Stuck at the Air Force base for test flights for a while.


    Lillia: Spring break. I¡¯m bored, dammit.]


    Lillia went over and wrote, ¡®23rd to 30th: Trip to the North Sea! Yes!¡¯.


    ¡°Awesome! I¡¯ll get all my homework done before then!¡±


    With a determined cry, Lillia headed to her room.


    She realized then that she was waltzing.


    ¡°Urgh!¡±


    With a soft groan, she stopped herself and strode down the hall.


    * * *


    The 19th of the third month.


    Four days after the telephone call.


    Just as Lillia rushed through the rest of her homework and packed her bags for the trip¡ª


    Just as Allison was returning home after being freed from nearly ten straight days of flying¡ª


    Just as footage of Princess Matilda leaving the Capital District by train was broadcast¡ª


    Major Travas was at a Confederation Air Force base on the outskirts of the Capital District.


    The sky was as clear as could be. The wind was calm.


    ¡°It¡¯s a perfect day for traveling. Don¡¯t you agree, Miss?¡±


    ¡°It certainly is. The sky is so beautiful today. It reminds me of autumn in Sfrestus. Roxche¡¯s Capital District is a wonderful ce indeed if I can see the autumn sky in the middle of spring.¡±


    Major Travas and a woman were speaking on a wide, t space, with a long airstrip before them.


    Major Travas was in a ck suit with a ck tie. The woman was in beige pants and a beige jacket over a white V-neck sweater with a modest cut. It was a simple outfit perfect for traveling.


    The woman¡¯s beautiful blond hair was tied up in a neat bun. She had fair skin and a soft countenance. Her emerald green eyes exuded a gentle aura.


    Before them was a runway, and to their right was a small, streamlined aerone capable of high-speed cruising. A vehicle mounted with a power generator was parked alongside it. To their left were four men and a woman, all dressed in ck suits, standing with their backs to the hangar and the control tower.


    They were Major Travas¡¯s subordinates. Each of the men was carrying tworge trunks, which could fit a person inside. The trunks were stamped with the logo of a famous brand, and had four wheels on the bottom for ease of transport. The woman was carrying a brown, 2-meter-long leather golf bag with a cap. The golf bag also had wheels.


    ¡°It¡¯s time to board, Miss. People are waiting for us on the snow.¡± Major Travas said to the woman, who was staring at the sky. She turned with a smile.


    ¡°Of course. Let¡¯s be off.¡±


    Major Travas led the group, followed by the woman. The subordinates trailed behind as they silently carried her luggage. The wheels on the trunks seemed to growl against the pavement.


    Once all the trunks had been loaded and the passengers were inside, the aerone¡¯s two engines roared to life. The propellers began to spin.


    The aerone taxied into the runway in the otherwise silent airport. And with a loud hum, it took to the clear skies.


    Almost immediately, four fighter crafts closed in. The fighters, branded with the emblem of the Roxchean Air Force, escorted the aerone.


    Once the five crafts disappeared to the west-southwest, silence returned to the airport.


    * * *


    Four dayster. The 23rd.


    A spring storm swept the base.


    A strong westerly wind was howling endlessly across the ins, and heavy clouds rushed past overhead.


    Lillia stood in that midst, astonished.


    She was wearing a grey Roxchean Air Force flight suit, an aviator hat, and a pair of goggles. She was even wearing a parachute on her back like a knapsack¡ªthe very image of a trainee pilot.


    To her right stood sixrge men, dressed just like her. Behind the seven of then was a massive bomber.


    The craft had four engines and four propellers. It had a wingspan of 31 meters and was 22 meters long from nose to tail. There was norger aircraft, with the exception of some seanes.


    The bomber had no coat of paint¡ªits naked metal frame glinted in the light. The only identification on the body was a barely-visible serial number.


    ¡°Men! We are nowmencing a trans-Roxche long-distance test flight! We will be covering an unprecedented distance, but I have faith in your abilities and mine!¡±


    Making confident derations before Lillia was the captain of the aerone. Her mother, 35-year-old Captain Allison Whittington Schultz, who was about a head shorter than the first officer next to her.


    Allison was listing off all the details they needed to test out on the flight, but Lillia barely paid attention.


    ¡°Crossing the continent for free, huh.¡± She groaned quietly.


    So Lillia had to fly for a very long time at the back of the bomber, sitting on a shelf that was originally used for stowing guns.


    At times the craft ascended to and cruised at 5000 meters above sea level, which was the highest possible point they could go before needing oxygen masks. Temperatures there were about 30 degrees below zero, in celsius. As the aerone had no heating system, everyone onboard had to endure the cold in their heated suits.


    Along the way, the other crew members were quite considerate of Lillia. Some expressed their shock or sympathy at her mother¡¯s recklessness.


    They suffered through bad weather and overheated engines while stopping to rest or sleep at bases on the way. And a day and a halfter, the crew made it to the Roxchean Air Force base in the Republic of Niasham.


    Niasham was a member state of the Roxcheanuk Confederation, and was situated directly north of the Republic of Raputoa, where Lillia¡¯s father Wilhelm Schultz had attended secondary school. Niasham bordered the Lutoni river and was just south of Lor, a day¡¯s train ride away.


    Once they were free from the base, Allison and Lillia went to a hotel in the city of Karen by car.


    Lillia changed into her pajamas the moment she entered the room and copsed in her bed. Allison hung up her uniform.


    ¡°It¡¯ll be a normal train trip from tomorrow on. We have to catch the morning train tomorrow, so I¡¯ll be waking you up early, sweetheart.¡±


    ¡°Uh huh. Whatever. I¡¯m beat¡­¡±


    And Lillia fell right asleep.


    It was the night of the 24th.


    At the same time¡ª


    A tearjerking farewell was taking ce in a darkened station hundreds of kilometers to the south.


    This was Elitesa Station, in the city of Elitesa at the southern tip of the Republic of Raputoa. The Kingdom of Iks was not essible by rail; this was the nearest station where long-distance trains stopped.


    Snowkes whipped into the tform from the side of the massive dome. A train was stopped amidst glowing orange lights.


    At the front of the train was a yellow diesel engine lotive. Behind it were seven passenger cars painted green with white lines, followed by two freight cars.


    And in the middle of the tform,


    ¡°I wille to visit, I promise! I will let nothing stop me! Farewell, Elder Sister! Be well! I will send mother¡¯s photographs to you as soon as they are developed!¡±


    Meriel was choking back sobs. She was a seventeen-year-old girl with back-length hair, dressed in simple green winter clothes and a wool hat.


    The woman standing before herforted her in Bezelese.


    ¡°Of course. Come visit me anytime, Meriel. I am looking forward to the photographs. And I am truly grateful for Ikstova¡¯s hospitality. Take care.¡±


    She was a blond woman wearing an expensive-looking navy wool coat.


    Around them were five people dressed in ck suits and coats, all cautiously securing the area. There was no one else on the tform save for the conductor, who was ncing at his wristwatch. The blond woman¡¯s group had bought all the tickets for this train and would be the only passengers onboard.


    Yet the team of five never once let down their guard. With each gust of wind, the coats of the two tallest men billowed, revealing bulging masses under their arms. They were carrying assault rifles with folded stocks in lieu of handguns.


    There were also several men dressed in winter clothes like Meriel¡¯s standing by at the edge of the tform. They were members of Ikstova¡¯s royal guard.


    ¡°It¡¯s time, Miss.¡±


    The door of the train opened, and Major Travas¡ªalso wearing a suit¡ªcame down the stairs. The woman embraced Meriel, who also wrapped her arms around her.


    Once they broke away,


    ¡°You¡¯d better do your job right!¡± Meriel ordered Treize, who wore a leather jacket with a hood. He had stepped outside after Major Travas. ¡°You can¡¯t be a numbskull anymore, okay?¡±


    Treize nodded with a wry look.


    ¡°Here.¡± He said, holding out his hand as the woman went to the steps.


    ¡°Thank you.¡±


    The woman replied in Roxchean, reaching over and cing her slender fingers on Treize¡¯s hand. She allowed herself to be helped up the steps. When the woman turned, she saw Meriel waving lightly from the tform. The woman seemed sad to see Meriel, who gave a tearful smile, but stepped inside.


    Once the woman and his subordinates were in the car, Major Travas lightly bowed to Meriel.


    ¡°Please take care of Elder Sister, Mr. Hero.¡±


    ¡°Of course, Your Highness. My team and I will protect her with our lives.¡± Travas replied, looking round at the royal guard walking over to escort Meriel.


    ¡°And also¡­ give my foolish younger brother a good kick in the pants for me. Show him no mercy!¡± Meriel said viciously. Major Travas¡¯s eyes narrowed.


    ¡°If I get the chance, Your Highness. But please remember¡ªthis is his decision to make.¡±


    ¡°Yes¡­ you¡¯re right.¡±


    Meriel offered Travas a handshake. He took it.


    ¡°I respect you so much, Mr. Hero. I would follow in your footsteps, if only I could.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, Your Highness. But you have a nobler, heavier responsibility ahead of you.¡±


    They withdrew their hands, smiling. Then, Major Travas stepped into the passenger car and closed the door.


    Leaving Meriel on the tform, surrounded by the royal guard, the train whistled to a start. The lotive slowly pulled the cars forward and the wheels began to creak over the rails.


    The curtains on the cars were all closed. Like arge ck mass the train left Elitesa Station.


    An icy gust swept through the tform. Meriel watched the train depart, until the tiny red taillight was swallowed up by the darkness.


    * * *


    The 25th of the third month.


    Morning came to Karen East Station.


    Sunlight seeped through the clouds and into the arch-shaped station through its ss roofs, casting light on the patterned tiles on the floor.


    From early in the morning, the station was packed with passengersmuting to school and work. The Schultz family was also among that throng.


    Lillia wore a bright green sweater and a red tartan skirt, along with brown tights and short boots. She had her hair down.


    Allison was in a dull brown turtleneck. It was a favorite of hers, actually supplied by the Air Force. She also wore cotton pants andfortable leather pumps. As usual, Allison had her hair tied up in a bun. Mother and daughter both carried travel bags with their jackets hung over them.


    ¡°Feeling rested, honey?¡±


    ¡°Yeah. I got plenty of sleep. What about you, Mom?¡±


    ¡°All good here. It was just a day and a half of flying.¡±


    ¡°Just a day and a half? You¡¯re tough.¡±


    ¡°Just a day and a half? You¡¯re tough.¡±


    ¡°The weather forecast says it¡¯ll clear up over time today. It¡¯s perfect for a train trip. Let me go get the tickets.¡±


    Allison went to the ticket booth and purchased the long-distance train tickets she had reserved. The Schultz family was to take a train from Karen East Station to Lor Central Station in Lor, at the mouth of the Lutoni river. They had tickets to a first-ss sleeper cabin. The train would leave that morning and travel north all day, finally arriving at Lor Central Station the next morning, on the 26th.


    For a short time Allison and Lillia waited in the dome, warm with the presence of people. But eventually, they put on their jackets and stepped out onto the tform. They gave their bags to an employee with a metal cart and handed him a tip. Then they left the dome and followed the cart across the tracks.


    The tforms were all bustling withmuting students. tform 6 was opposite tform 1. Mother and daughter waited under a recently-built roof for their train.


    The station was surroundedpletely by a residential district. Beyond the roundabout in front of the station was a veritable jungle of apartment buildings. Patches of snow remained on the roofs.


    ¡°Things sure have changed. I came here once before¡ªyears ago¡ªand there was absolutely nothing here then.¡± Allison said, her eyes rxing.


    Lillia nodded indifferently. She did not ask when her mother hade here, or with who.


    ¡°Things sure have changed.¡± Allison said again.


    Soon, an announcement filled the tform.


    The long-distance sleeper train from Elitesa Station bound for Lor Central Station, the announcement said, was due to arrive soon¡ªexactly on schedule.


    ¡°Trains never used toe on time. Times have changed.¡± Allison noted.


    There were three other people on the tform boarding the same train. Two middle-aged businessmen wearing suits, and a middle-aged woman carrying arge piece of luggage wrapped in cloth¡ªperhaps she was a saleswoman.


    The crosswalk rm began to ring, and headlights drew near. Soon, the train approached. It was a ten-car train with a yellow diesel engine in the lead.


    There was one VIP car in the train, just behind the lotive. It consisted of two cabins.


    Then there was one first-ss sleeper car, with five 2-passenger rooms.


    After that was a dining car withrge windows, with a small kitchen in the back left corner.


    Following that were two second-ss cars, each with ten partitioned 4-passenger cabins where the seats could be converted into beds. All cars with cabins had the corridor on the left side of the car.


    Then came two second-ss cars, each with partitioned 4-passenger seats. That was all for the passenger cars. They were all colored green with the windows highlighted white.


    Thest two cars were covered freight cars. They were used to transport post and regr shipments of products, not passenger luggage.


    The train slowly wound into the station tform,ing to a stop on the left side of the one where Lillia and Allison stood.


    They could see passengers here and there through the open curtains. Some were having breakfast in the dining car.


    ¡°You know what to do, Lillia.¡±


    ¡°Right.¡±


    Lillia stepped inside alone and went into their cabin. Then she opened the window.


    ¡°Over here, Mom.¡±


    They pushed and pulled their luggage into the cabin through the window. It was amon practice in Roxche. Sometimes little children climbed in through the windows as well.


    Once all their things were inside, Allison joined Lillia in the cabin.


    The train whistled at almost exactly the scheduled time and began to move. It left the station, going past the apartment buildings, and headed north.


    There was something Lillia never noticed.


    ¡°Just in time¡­¡±


    The man muttered to himself, ncing at the ¡®Karen East Station¡¯ sign flowing past and the watch on his wrist.


    He was sitting alone in the dining car filled with passengers.


    As the car began to shake and rattle again, the man finished his te and downed his ss of orange juice in one go.


    He wiped his mouth with a napkin.


    ¡°Roxchean cuisine is incredible.¡±


    The man who, across the Lutoni, had been called ¡®Prisoner 42¡¯ said with a smile under his breath, almost silently in his native tongue of Bezelese.


    Then,


    ¡°Excuse me, more tea please?¡± He said to a passing waitress.


    He spoke in perfect Roxchean.


    The Raputoa City Confederation Rail Operations Office, in the Republic of Raputoa.


    The room was the size of a chapel. Inside were chairs and desks lined with radios and telephones. There were about ten employees on duty.


    The desks all faced a massive wall 10 meters high and 30 meters long. On the wall was a magnified map of the eastern bank of the Lutoni River¡ªthe western edge of Roxche¡ªturned on its side, with the north side pointing to the right. As the region consisted of only a single timezone running in a vertical strip, this office was in charge of the entire area.


    The map wasbeled with simplified borders, major roads, and important routes. Each set of railway tracks was indicated by a line of lightbulbs and parallel tracks were indicated by two parallel lines of lights.


    Stations werebeled by name and junctions were clearlybeled as well. Even sidings¡ªshort strips of rail where slower trains could wait for faster ones to pass ahead of them¡ªwere indicated in detail.


    Blinking green lights on the lines indicated a moving train. The map was designed to show at a nce where each train was and where each was headed.


    Junctions also showed which way the turnouts were set, and stretches with traffic signals showed what color the signals were disying.


    Suddenly, the blinking dot on Karen East Station disappeared and moved to the right¡ªthat is, further north.


    One of the supervisors, wearing a navy Confederation Rail uniform, pointed at the light.


    ¡°On schedule. All clear.¡±


    On the desk before him was a timetable crisscrossed by countless lines.


    About ten lights were shing along the map on the wall, withrge gaps between them. This meant that ten trains were traveling down the tracks.


    One of the lights on the same set of tracks was heading for Karen East Station. It followed Lillia and Allison¡¯s train from about 40 kilometers behind.


    Treize and the blond woman sat facing one another in the train following Lillia and Allison¡¯s.


    They were in the VIP car, in a room equal to the size of the bedroom further in the cabin. There was arge sofa in the room, wide enough tofortably seat four, and an exquisitely-crafted folding table.


    The interior wasvishly decorated. The polished wooden moldings, the silkce curtains, and the pearl lights lent the room the air of a luxury hotel.


    Treize and the woman both sat by the window. She sat facing the front of the train, and Treize the back. To Treize¡¯s left the clearing sky and the still-bare trees dotted with snow passed quickly by.


    The woman was wearing a white blouse and a navy skirt. Treize was in brown cotton pants and a ck sweater. His ever-present belt pack was left unsped by the sofa.


    They sat in silence as they watched the world pass by outside. Treize was a little bored. The woman was positively tranquil.


    The wheels of the train ttered in triple-time, resounding throughout the room.


    Outside the cabin.


    In the corridor stood two men in ck suits. Yzma the man in his twenties, and Ozette the slight man in his forties.


    Neither of them wore their jackets, but they still wore ties with their button-up shirts. They both had holsters and small pouches on their belts. They were armed with 9mm automatic handguns and spare magazines.


    ¡°Relief¡¯s here. You two go have breakfast.¡±


    Ed therge man in his forties, and Uno the man in his thirties stepped into the corridor. They were there to take over for Yzma and Ozette and guard the cabin.


    Walking down the empty corridor, Yzma whispered to the coworker moving ahead of him.


    ¡°The prince has been acting like that this whole time. Is this really all right, do you think? Princess Meriel tells me those two barely spoke at all back in Ikstova, too.¡±


    ¡°Huh.¡± Ozette grunted. Then¡ªunusually for him¡ªhe continued. ¡°If thedy isn¡¯t ufortable even when they¡¯re alone in silence, it probably means they¡¯re a good match. That¡¯s the most important thing when you¡¯re living together.¡±


    ¡°So you think they¡¯ll really¡­¡±


    ¡°Hm. Who knows?¡±


    ¡°Aren¡¯t you curious? Those two might be the couple of the century.¡±


    ¡°In thirty years I might look back on this mission with pride. But that¡¯s then. For now, we simply focus on the job.¡±


    ¡°Right. Then we¡¯ll have to survive another thirty years. That means it¡¯s time for a hearty meal in case something breaks out.¡±


    They opened the coupling door and stepped into the dining car.


    As the two men enjoyed ate breakfast¡ª


    40 kilometers to the north, Lillia and Allison were cing their things on the shelves above and hanging up their jackets.


    Two armchairs stood facing one another in the first ss cabin. At night, the chairs were pushed aside and passengers could unfold beds installed on the walls. The car was heated and very cozy.


    ¡°We¡¯ve got a long trip ahead, Lillia. Should we get some tea and rx?¡±


    ¡°Sure. Can we get some sweets, too?¡±


    Allison and Lillia left the room, bringing their wallets in their purses.


    They walked down the shaking train and stepped into the dining car. The seats were nearly all taken. Most passengers had been onboard since the previous day¡ªmany had finished breakfast, enjoying tea with white ceramic teapots on their tables.


    The passengers included¡ª


    A slight, skinny man in his forties who seemed to be a businessman of some sort. He wore a navy suit and silver-rimmed sses. His brown hair was cut short. The man was adding generous amounts of sugar to his tea.


    At another table was a ck-haired man in a ck suit, who seemed to be in his twenties. He was reading a newspaper published in Raputoa.


    Then there was a couple in their thirties, dressedfortably for travel. The husband had short brown hair and the wife short ck hair. In the wicker basket beside the woman slept a baby, who could not have been more than two or three months old.


    There was an old man with a shock of white hair, well past his seventies. He looked unsociable and fastidious, but he sat perfectly upright. He was wearing a silk shirt and jacket, both of which looked very expensive. With him was a red-haired woman in her thirties, likely a secretary. She wore a blue business suit with a skirt.


    A well-built soldier about twenty years of age, wearing the Roxchean Army uniform with a badge of rank indicating he was a private first ss. Perhaps he was on leave or returning home. His blond hair was cropped short.


    A man in his thirties, wearing a grey suit. By his feet was a leather medical bag. Then there was a faint-looking man with a delicate build, who wore small sses with farsighted lenses. His hair was short and curly.


    A man in his forties, wearing a checkered red-and-brown outdoor jacket. His long brown hair was tied back. He was reading a pamphlet in his hand entitled ¡®A Tourist¡¯s Guide to Roxche¡¯ in Bezelese.


    There was a man in his twenties¡ªlikely a university student¡ªwith a pair of crutches leaning beside his table. He wore a cream-colored sweater and a pair of jeans. A white cast was wrapped around his right leg. In his hands was a formidable physics textbook.


    Lillia and Allison briefly greeted the other passengers as they walked down the aisle, finally grabbing the corner table¡ªthe only one left. Once the waiter came, they ordered two cups of tea along with scones with jam and whipped cream.


    Their order soon arrived. As Lillia and Allison ate, the other passengers finished their tea and left the dining car for their cabins. The injured man did not so much as stagger as he expertly wielded his crutches.


    The man once called ¡®Prisoner 42¡¯ cast a nce at Allison and Lillia as he left the dining car. They were enjoying their scones,pletely oblivious to his frightening gaze.


    ¡°Will they be useful? Or not?¡± He wondered under his breath, disappearing behind the door.


    And as Lillia and Allison finished their scones and enjoyed the dining car, where no one else was around¡ª


    The train carrying Treize and the others arrived at Karen East Station.


    Major Travas¡¯s subordinates stepped onto the tform with their jackets back on. They did not let their guard down. They checked the foods and materials being loaded onto the train, and one of the men was constantly keeping an eye on the security guard who checked the cars.


    The clouds had cleared quite a bit. Major Travas stood alone on the tform, the spring sun spilling onto him.


    ¡°¡­¡±


    Silently, he stood before the signbeled ¡®Karen East Station¡¯ as he stared at the apartment buildings crowded in the distance. The blue sky was reflected on his sses and narrowed eyes.


    Treize went to the car door alone to get some air. He had his belt pack around his waist.


    The door was open. And outside stood Major Travas. He turned when he noticed Treize.


    ¡°¡­Oh!¡±


    Treize, who had only seen the photograph once, noticed it¡ªwhat Lillia had never noticed.


    Treize was standing precisely where his mother had been eighteen years ago, when she pointed a camera at the very subject he was looking at now.


    From the rtive darkness of the train, the subject was brilliant as he stood in the light.


    ¡°Ah. You¡¯ve noticed.¡± Major Travas said. He sounded happy.


    Treize nodded and reached for his belt pack. Inside was his favorite handgun and something else¡ªa heavy metallic object.


    He drew from the pack a camera.


    In the middle of the frame was a small lens, and a pair of dials stuck out from the top like a pair of antennae. On the upper right was the viewfinder. And on the top of the camera was a fan-shaped protrusion equipped with a rotating shutter. It was a rather unusual design for a camera.


    The camera was a bted birthday gift, his mother had imed. But¡ª


    ¡°You have to lend it to me once youe back. So don¡¯t lose it, Treize. And do notbreak it. This is a royal order.¡±


    ¡ªshe had practically forced the camera onto him.


    Treize made to bring the camera to his eye.


    ¡°¡­¡±


    But he stopped it over his chest. And he looked the smiling Major Travas in the eye.


    ¡°Sorry. No photographs, right?¡±


    ¡°Unfortunately.¡±


    Treize put his camera back in his belt pack. Then he stepped down onto the tform and stood next to the major in the sun.


    Noting that no one else was around, Treize lowered his voice.


    ¡°I heard about what happened eighteen years ago from Father. What happened on the train that left this station. He said it was quite the ordeal.¡±


    ¡°Has it been that long already? I suppose I¡¯m getting old.¡±


    ¡°I heard Lillia¡¯s grandfather was an incredible man.¡±


    ¡°Indeed. Without his efforts, the conflict on Lestki Ind may not have ended where it did. We would have faced an all-out war. Who knows what would have happened then? He made a very big decision.¡±


    ¡°So you did the same?¡±


    ¡°¡­I suppose you could say that.¡±


    ¡°Even by throwing away your own happiness? Is that the responsibility of those ¡®in the know¡¯?¡±


    ¡°¡­Your Highness.¡±


    ¡°Yes?¡±


    ¡°No one can make your decisions for you. And you still have time; there¡¯s no rush.¡±


    At that moment, there was a loud whistle.


    Major Travas lightly bowed his head and passed by Treize, walking up the steps. At the darkened doorway he turned and gestured.


    ¡°Your Highness?¡±


    ¡°Your Highness?¡±


    Treize was smiling. Major Travas smiled as well.


    Treize jumped over three steps in one bound and leapt into the car.


    The folding door closed from the inside. No one stood on the sunlit Karen East Station tform now.


    The train started quietly, soon elerating and leaving the station.


    ¡°Your Highness. I¡¯ve put your change of clothes on the bed.¡±


    Inside the room without Treize was the blond woman and the only woman in her service, Ann.


    ¡°Thank you. But please, there¡¯s no need to be so formal with me. ¡®Miss¡¯ will do as long as we are on this journey.¡± The blond woman replied in Roxchean, smiling. But Ann remained as cool as ever.


    ¡°I understand the Major¡¯s orders, but I ask that I be allowed to maintain formality at times like this, at the very least.¡±


    ¡°All right. I understand, Ann. But please, there¡¯s no need to be so stiff. I¡¯m delighted that everyone speaks to me in casual Roxchean.¡± The blond woman smiled.


    ¡°I understand, Your Highness. ¡­If I may be so emboldened by your words, this mission is truly an honor. The Gratz family once had the privilege of presenting a gift of ice to the royal family.¡±


    ¡°Oh my! From Grandmother¡¯s father¡¯s generation, then?¡±


    ¡°Yes, Your Highness. Times have changed, and our family took the way of the military starting in my grandfather¡¯s generation. My grandfather, my father, my mother, and myself as well.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s very noble of you. The royal family is always grateful for the loyalty of our soldiers. I thank you for your devotion to king and country, in my father¡¯s stead.¡±


    ¡°You honor me, Your Highness. ¡­After this mission, I n to go on leave, back to the West. I will report to Father¡ªhe sleeps in the Cemetery of Heroes¡ªthat I had the privilege of acting as your guard, Your Highness.¡±


    ¡°I see. So your father¡ª¡±


    ¡°Please, not to worry. It was a very long time ago, when I was still young. It feels as though I¡¯ve simply been chasing his footsteps all this time. And now I am here, carrying out the most honorable of missions. ¡®True to your mission to the very end¡¯, my father used to say. I have never so keenly felt these words weighing on my shoulders as I do now.¡±


    ¡°How admirable.¡± Said the blond woman. Then,


    ¡°And the major has a very admirable subordinate in hismand.¡±


    * * *


    The train carrying Lillia and Allison was traveling under the blue sky.


    All around them were forests devoid of green, and fields that had yet to be worked. The green train cut across the barely-greennd.


    Lillia lounged on her chair, nkly gazing out the window to her right.


    Allison nced through a thick pile of documents in a folder, on asion marking things out with a fountain pen.


    It was a little before noon.


    There was a short chime, and the conductor made an announcement over the speakers. The train was soon to reach Norn Station, and the dining car had begun to serve lunch, he said.


    ¡°Lunch, Lillia?¡±


    ¡°Mm¡­ I¡¯m not really hungry yet. Before that¡ª¡±


    She yawned. The warmth of the cabin and the gentle shaking of the car was putting her to sleep.


    ¡°I¡¯m getting sleepy. Can we go after lunchtime, since there won¡¯t be as many people around?¡±


    ¡°Sure. I¡¯m not that hungry right now, either.¡±


    ¡°Wake me up then.¡±


    ¡°All right, sweetheart.¡±


    Lillia lowered her head, closing her eyes¡ª


    The train shook violently.


    It felt like someone had hit the brakes. Not only that, the train was even shaking side-to-side.


    ¡°Whoa! Wh-what? Earthquake?¡± Lillia cried, looking up. The shaking stopped in an instant. Then¡ª


    ¡°Ack!¡±


    The train shook again. Allison closed her folder and ced it on the table.


    ¡°That¡¯s strange.¡±


    The train was still moving. But the shaking continued at intervals of two or three seconds. And eventually, the train seemed to brake to a slow.


    ¡°Whoa¡­¡±


    Allison held down her folder before it fell off the table. Lillia,pletely awake, tightly gripped her armrests.


    ¡°Are we falling? Oh. Wait.¡±


    With dull creaks the train quickly slowed and finally came to a rocky stop in the middle of the woods.


    Silence came over the cabin.


    ¡°Was it a signal error? That first round of shaking bugs me, though.¡± Allison wondered.


    ¡°This had better not be a breakdown!¡± Lillia hissed, her imagination running wild.


    The Raputoa City Confederation Rail Operations Office.


    The light that was soon due at Norn Station stopped. The middle-aged supervisor quickly took notice and ordered his subordinates to take care of the signals and establishmunications with the train.


    The conductor responded to the radio, and reported that the engineer reported engine trouble and strange vibrations, which led him to stop the train.


    The supervisor ordered him to head for Norn Station¡ªwhich had an avable siding¡ªif possible. The conductor said he would.


    Even as the supervisor waited nervously, the following train was approaching. Naturally at a certain point a signal would go out and prevent the trains from crashing, but each time the light moved one more point the supervisor¡¯s lip twitched.


    Eventually, they received word from the stopped train. The engineer managed to get the lotive going, said the conductor, and they would probably make it to Norn Station. One light moved forward. Sighs of relief flooded the office.


    ¡°We¡¯re finally moving.¡±


    ¡°But I don¡¯t think we¡¯ll make it past the next station.¡±


    Lillia and Allison were chatting in their cabin. After several minutes stopped on the tracks, the train had finally begin to move and the scenery finally changed.


    ¡°Then what?¡±


    ¡°Who knows? Maybe we¡¯ll have to take the next train.¡±


    Slowly, the train continued. Eventually they saw several houses and narrow streets outside. Soon, the train made its way into a small station in a small town surrounded by small fields.


    The tracks split into two, one on either side of the tform. The train moved into the right set of tracks and stopped with the tform to its left.


    It was just before noon. The train was about fifteen minutes behind schedule.


    The man once called ¡®Prisoner 42¡¯ nced at the station sign and his wristwatch.


    ¡°Right on schedule. Perfect!¡±


    He apuded.

 Volume 3 3 — And so They Met

    <h4>Volume 3 Chapter 3: And so They Met</h4>


    -----


    On that clear spring day, a smallmotion was unfolding on the tform of Norn Station.


    There was no roof over the tform. The sun shone from the top of the sky as the businessman, the middle-aged woman who boarded at Karen East, the soldier, and other passengers crowded around the conductor and the station employees.


    ¡°Then when will you get the train moving?¡± Asked a suit-d man in his thirties.


    ¡°Yeah!¡±


    ¡°When?¡±


    ¡°You have to do something soon.¡±


    The other passengersined as well. The conductor, whose nametag identified him as ¡®Bettner¡¯, desperately exined the situation.


    ¡°I¡¯m afraid the engine¡¯s died on us. We only just managed to get the train to the station. It seems like there¡¯s a problem with the fueling system or the engine itself, which isn¡¯t an easy fix. I¡¯m terribly sorry to say that this train will be stopping here.¡±


    The passengers hounded him for answers.


    Lillia watched it all from the tform.


    ¡°I can¡¯t believe we actually have engine trouble. ¡­Come to think of it, something like this happened at the end ofst year, huh. Although that ended up turning into an ident.¡±


    Allison shrugged.


    ¡°Even I can¡¯t do a thing about this one.¡±


    They were sitting side-by-side on a bench on the tform.


    Most of the passengers hade out to the tform to join the angry mob, or to watch. Themotion happened to be taking ce in front of the second ss car, so even people like the couple in their thirties or the man with the broken leg watched through the window.


    ¡°What do you think¡¯s going to happen?¡± The man asked the couple.


    ¡°Hm¡­ who knows?¡± The husband said brusquely.


    ¡°What are you going to do now?¡±


    Bettner continued to reiterate that there was nothing he could do now. The passengers angrily asked him why they would leave the passengers in such an out-of-the-way station. The conversation went nowhere. Then¡ª


    ¡°Can¡¯t we just take the next train?¡±


    Speaking up was a suit-d man in histe twenties. All eyes turned to him. The man shrank for a moment, clearly not expecting the attention, but quickly cleared his throat.


    ¡°Well, er¡­ isn¡¯t there another train headed north? I remember checking the timetables and wondering if I should take this train or the next one. As I recall, there¡¯s only a half-hour difference between the trains. Couldn¡¯t we simply take the next train when ites?¡±


    Everyone seemed to agree with the suggestion, but Bettner shook his head.


    ¡°Naturally, that was the first thing I¡¯d considered. But¡ª¡±


    ¡°But?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m afraid the next train¡¯s been bookedpletely¡­¡±


    ¡°Every seat? But it¡¯s not even the holidays. Even second ss?¡± Asked the man who had made the suggestion.


    ¡°I¡¯m afraid so. The entire train was booked the moment reservations were opened. Even second ss.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t believe this¡­ this train has less than twenty passengers. And somehow the next one is full?¡±


    ¡°I believe it might be a group reservation. So they won¡¯t be able to amodate any more passengers. We can¡¯t exactly have first ss passengers standing in the halls all the way to Lor.¡±


    Everyone was disheartened.


    ¡°Ugh! Why now?!¡± The middle-aged womanined, but no one answered her.


    ¡°Hey, I¡¯ve got it! Why don¡¯t we have the next train tow our cars behind it? Problem solved!¡± The soldier proposed confidently.


    All eyes were on Bettner again. He exined that the idea went against regtions, that even if they received permission none of the stations ahead of them had enough tforms to amodate a train of such length, and that even if the tforms were long enough there would be such a strain on the lotive that the train would move at a snail¡¯s pace.


    Then,


    ¡°All trains after that are local trains; none of them are bound for Lor. Everyone will have to stay the night here today. So I¡¯d like to ask everyone to remain in the cars until a recement lotive arrives.¡±


    Naturally, the passengers asked how long that would take.


    ¡°At this point, we have no way of knowing. In the worst-case scenario we¡¯ll have to use the next train that departs from Elitesa tonight.¡±


    Bettner was honest almost to the point of idiocy.


    The passengers were furious. For some time they nodded at one another¡¯s plights and cursed the railroadpany, loudly proiming that they would travel by bus or aerone next time.


    Meanwhile, Lillia and Allison remained the very picture of calm.


    ¡°This is getting crazy.¡±


    ¡°One night¡¯s dy isn¡¯t so bad¡ªwe¡¯re not in any rush, anyway.¡±


    ¡°I guess. ¡­Say, aren¡¯t there any Air Force bases around here, Mom? We could borrow a ne and take off¡­¡±


    ¡°We can¡¯t do that, honey. There are a few bases in the area, but I don¡¯t have any excuse to borrow a ne.¡±


    At that moment, the railway crossing bell at the end of the tform began to chime.


    The Norn Station stationmaster blew his whistle.


    ¡°The next train is arriving. Please step back, everyone.¡±


    Far down the tracks in the distance shone a train¡¯s headlights. The people standing on the left side of the tform watched in disgust as they stepped back.


    ¡°Hell. Who rents an entire train? I¡¯m going to get a good look at their faces.¡± The soldier said, speaking for all the passengers.


    With a whistle, the train slid into the station.


    Naturally, no one at the station would be boarding this train. Many sets of eyes red daggers at the new arrival. And¡ª


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°Hm?¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°No way!¡±


    ¡°Ah!¡±


    ¡°This is outrageous!¡±


    The passengers were shocked, appalled, and furious.


    ¡°Huh? ¡­Wait, what is this?¡±


    Lillia also rose to her feet, joining the other passengers in their incredulity. Allison alone reacted differently.


    ¡°Shucks. So this was the one, huh.¡± She mumbled to herself, putting her hand to her forehead.


    The train was empty.


    The yellow lotive passed by them, and the VIP car¡ªwith curtains drawn over the windows¡ªpassed as well.


    Then followed the first ss and second ss sleeper cars, then the dining car and the second ss car, but no one was onboard. There wasn¡¯t a single passenger in sight. The station building was clearly visible past the windows.


    ¡°There¡¯s no one here!¡±


    ¡°Are you ying games with us?!¡±


    ¡°This is fraud!¡±


    Understandably, the people on the tform were furious. Even Bettner was bbergasted at the sight of the empty train rolling into the station.


    ¡°Impossible¡­ they clearly said it was full¡­¡±


    ¡°This is ridiculous!¡± Lillia burst out, finally reaching her limit. She stomped over to the hapless conductor.


    ¡°Mr. Conductor! Since there¡¯s no one on that train, you should just let us ride!¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s right!¡±


    ¡°Show him who¡¯s boss, youngdy!¡±


    ¡°Yeah!¡±


    As voices of agreement filled the tform, the train came to a full stop.


    ¡°L-let me inquire about the situation first. Please wait a moment and refrain from entering the train. Please.¡± Bettner said nervously, turning his back on the angry passengers and taking off toward the first car.


    ¡°Let¡¯s follow him.¡± Someone suggested.


    The other passengers agreed. Naturally, Lillia followed as well. But she stopped partway and turned. She saw Allison standing by the bench, looking quite displeased. Lillia tilted her head.


    ¡°Mom?¡±


    ¡°Ah. I¡¯ming, honey.¡±


    Bettner and about twenty passengers has walked down the tform to the VIP car behind the lotive, when the back door of the VIP car opened and the conductor stepped outside. He was a tall man in his forties, also wearing a uniform.


    ¡°Ah! Excuse me, Mr. Cohen!¡±


    The tall conductor called Cohen turned at Bettner¡¯s voice.


    ¡°Yes? ¡­Hm?¡±


    He flinched, then, as he spotted the angry passengers at Bettner¡¯s heels. Lillia was among the passengers. Allison was a little ways away, catching up to the group.


    Cohen was alone to face his colleague and the passengers. The passengers allowed Bettner to speak first.


    ¡°What¡¯s going on here, Mr. Cohen?¡±


    ¡°Is something the matter?¡±


    ¡°Wasn¡¯t this train supposed to be booked solid?¡±


    ¡°Well, yes.¡±


    ¡°But there¡¯s no one onboard.¡±


    ¡°Oh. Well¡­¡±


    Just as Cohen began,


    ¡°We bought all the tickets.¡±


    Another man spoke from behind him. Lillia and the passengers all turned to the VIP car door, where the voice hade from.


    A suit-d man stepped onto the tform.


    Most people had no idea who he was.


    ¡°What?¡±


    Lillia, however, was picking up her jaw off the floor.


    ¡°How?¡±


    The man emerging from the car was a familiar one, though he was not in uniform this time.


    He was in his mid-thirties and had ck hair and sses. There was a calm, schrly air to him. He was Major Travas, Allison¡¯s boyfriend and a soldier working at the Sou Be-Il embassy in the Capital District.


    Lillia was standing behind the tall soldier, so she was hidden from Travas¡¯s view. Allison had stopped approaching and looked away, which kept her from his sight as well. Major Travas exined the situation to the conductors in polite Roxchean.


    ¡°My colleagues and I bought all the tickets to this train. That is why the train is empty but booked solid.¡±


    ¡°Oh? And why is that?¡± Asked Bettner.


    ¡°We¡¯re currently transporting some important cargo. We cannot disclose any more information.¡± Major Travas said emphatically.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know the details myself.¡± Cohen added before anyone could ask. Major Travas looked apologetically at the passengers.


    ¡°We¡¯ve just heard from the conductor about your train, but I¡¯m afraid we cannot let anyone board.¡±


    The passengers were, naturally, upset.


    Ann watched the confusion through a scope.


    ¡°If you clearly spot a firearm, pull the trigger. No hesitation.¡± Said the man behind her.


    They were at the very end of the train. The sliding door of the freight car was slightly open, with the barrel of her rifle sticking out discreetly. Because most people on the tform were crowded around the front, no one noticed the sniper.


    Just behind Ann was Ozette, watching the tform through a pair of binocrs. He had a folded assault rifle slung over his shoulder.


    ¡°¡­¡±


    Ann breathed, tense. The people were close enough that she could see their faces through the scope.


    ¡°I know you¡¯ve never shot a person before, but don¡¯t worry too much. Just pull the trigger like you always do. You¡¯ve never missed a shot in training. Imagine the target is someone you hate and blow their head off.¡± Ozette said inly¡ªwas he trying to help her rx, or keep her on her toes?


    ¡°¡­¡±


    Ann saw Major Travas in the distance, exining things to the crowd while refusing to budge. As the two conductors and the stationmaster stood between them, it did not seem like a fight would break out.


    A voice came over the radio on Ozette¡¯s belt.


    <This is Yzma from the dining car. Quick look says no one on the tform is armed.>


    Ozette pressed the call button on the microphone he wore on his neck.


    <Roger that. Keep an eye out, and make sure the doors are securely locked. And keep the windows shut.>


    <Right. But just to warn you, they could break the locks easily if they wanted to.>


    <I know that. Over.>


    ¡°What is happening? I hope there aren¡¯t any problems out there.¡± The blond woman said, concerned.


    She was sitting on a sofa, and so was Treize. Uno and Ed were by the window, holding 9mm automatic handguns with their fingers on the safety. There were wireless earpieces in their ears.


    <¡ªthey could break the locks easily if they wanted to.>


    <I know that. Over.>


    ¡ªthat was the conversation ying over the earpieces.


    Uno stuck close to the window and peered out through the curtains.


    ¡°How are things?¡± Treize asked in Roxchean. Uno replied in Roxchean as well.


    ¡°How are things?¡± Treize asked in Roxchean. Uno replied in Roxchean as well.


    ¡°Not good. The passengers from the other train are demanding to board this one. It¡¯s not going to be easy convincing them. The leader¡¯s going to emphasize that we bought all the tickets and that they can¡¯t board, but if the passengers decide to charge inside anyway we won¡¯t be able to stop them.¡±


    ¡°Then we¡¯re going to let them on?¡± Asked Treize.


    ¡°Maybe. If we let them in on the condition that they use only the cars behind the dining car, we¡¯ll be able to keep thedy secure. The leader knows that well.¡±


    Treize went quiet, nodding. The woman¡¯s emerald-green eyes stared into his face, but he did not notice.


    A momentter, they received anothermunication.


    The two men asked the other party to wait, then turned to the woman.


    ¡°Miss. We have a report from the leader.¡±


    ¡°Yes?¡±


    ¡°¡®Though this is not the perfect solution, I will choose the best solution avable and allow the passengers to board¡¯, he says. He would also like to apologize.¡±


    ¡°I understand. I cannot impose any further on the people of the Roxcheanuk Confederation. Please inform the leader that I will trust his judgement.¡±


    ¡°Yes, ma¡¯am!¡±


    The men returned to theirmunications. Treize looked at the woman sitting across from him. The hint of concern in her face seemed to have disappeared.


    ¡°¡­¡±


    He almost felt himself shrinking in face of her elegant smile.


    ¡°I¡¯m all right. The leader and the team are here. And so are you.¡±


    ¡°¡­Oh, er¡­¡±


    Treize tried to say something, but he stopped partway and ended up going silent.


    On the tform, the passengers cheered.


    The midday sun shone brightly upon the tform.


    ¡°Everyone! They¡¯ll let us board the cars behind the dining car! And they¡¯re giving us full refunds for the tickets! We¡¯re riding for free!¡± Someone announced.


    The passengers outside cheered. Lillia, who had hidden herself back in the car, rushed to her mother as soon as thetter came after her.


    ¡°What¡¯s going on? What¡¯s he doing here?¡±


    ¡°Well, you see¡­ we were supposed to meet after he was done with work. But I can¡¯t believe he was on the train right after ours¡­¡± Allison said, disconcerted.


    ¡°Give me the detailster.¡± Lillia demanded, then smiled. ¡°But I¡¯m d they¡¯re letting us on.¡±


    Once Ann and Ozette smuggled back their sniper rifle and assault rifle in a sack, the doors of the cars behind the dining car were opened and passengers were allowed to board.


    Although the passengers would be given a free ride, there were some restrictions.


    Those who were originally in the second ss seats would use the second ss seats in this train as well. Everyone who used a sleeper car would go to the second ss sleeper cars. However, there was still room left over even if everyone boarded, so those from the VIP car and the first ss car(like Lillia and Allison) were allowed to share 4-passenger cabins between only two people.


    The dining car would be open, but the first ss and VIP cars beyond were strictly off-limits. There would be a guard stationed at the door at all times, and any intruders would be subdued with force.


    The suit-d man in his twenties and the soldier, who had struck up a friendship during themotion, nced at the original upants of the train.


    ¡°Who d¡¯you think they might be?¡±


    ¡°Private security guards, maybe. Or the mafia. Either way, I hate their guts.¡±


    ¡°Agreed.¡±


    ¡°And I sure as hell don¡¯t want to get involved in their business.¡±


    ¡°Agreed.¡±


    They muttered to each other as they helped the other passengers carry their luggage over.


    The man with the broken leg thanked the two of them for bringing over his things, and went over to the second ss sleeper car. A man in his thirties who was carrying over a medical bag and arge suitcase put down everything he had when he saw the scene.


    ¡°Here. Let me help.¡±


    He went over and helped the younger man climb aboard.


    ¡°Thank you. I¡¯m really grateful.¡±


    ¡°A fracture? A broken leg can be a pain.¡±


    ¡°Yes. It still hurts a little. Are you a physician by any chance?¡±


    ¡°Pediatrician, actually.¡±


    The long-haired man in his forties, who had been walking in confusion on the tform for some time, came over to the train.


    ¡°Switch? Here? Is it okay? I am not mistaken?¡± He asked Bettner in broken Roxchean.


    The stoic old man and his secretary quietly went from the VIP car to the second ss sleeper car. They were both carrying heavy-looking trunks.


    As for the couple, the husband brought their luggage and the wife gently carried the basket with their baby as they headed for the second ss sleeper car.


    ¡°Would you like a hand?¡± Asked a middle-aged woman, smiling as she stroked the face of the sleeping baby.


    Lillia and Allison took their things and crossed the tform. They opened the door to an empty cabin and tossed their luggage inside.


    Bettner made sure everyone was aboard, then took off his hat and nodded to Cohen.


    Cohen returned the nod and blew his whistle.


    The lotive roared back to life, ck smoke spewing. The energy ran down the train, slowly propelling the cars forward.


    About an hour past noon, the long-distance train headed north departed Norn Station half an hourte.


    Bettner watched as the freight car at the end of the train passed him by. The red taillight grew smaller and smaller. And once the light disappearedpletely in the distance, where the tracks ran into the horizon¡ª


    ¡°Phew. I¡¯ve had enough of this.¡±


    He scratched his head.


    * * *


    Once the train had started again, the blond woman sat back in her sofa.


    ¡°I¡¯m d there wasn¡¯t any trouble.¡± She said, almost naively.


    Treize, sitting opposite her¡ª


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ¡ªwaspletely silent, not knowing what to say.


    Major Travas was outside, in the corridor.


    ¡°Do not let your guard down for even an instant. No one is permitted past the dining car. Keep an eye out on the roof as well. Ann and I will go patrol the train now. Ann, bring the 9mm. Yzma, you¡¯re on lunch break. Everyone else, resume guard duty.¡±


    He was giving his subordinates orders, his expression grave.


    Lillia was sitting on a reddish-brown moquette seat in a second ss sleeper cabin.


    Lillia was sitting on a reddish-brown moquette seat in a second ss sleeper cabin.


    ¡°Our room¡¯s smaller now, but that¡¯s besides the point. I want an exnation, Mom.¡± She demanded.


    Allison sat across from her daughter.


    ¡°I was actually going to tell you once we got there, but I suppose there¡¯s nothing I can do now.¡± She surrendered.


    And¡ª


    The man once called ¡®Prisoner 42¡¯ sat alone.


    ¡°Perfect. Everything is going perfectly.¡±


    He was chuckling, praising himself.


    ¡°It¡¯s so perfect it¡¯s almost boring.¡± He muttered.


    * * *


    ¡°Every passenger?¡±


    ¡°Yes. They will have to show their faces if they want to get their tickets checked.¡±


    As soon as the train reached a steady pace, Major Travas and Ann went to Cohen in the dining car and got to work.


    ¡°We¡¯d like to get a good look at every face on this train. We need to go down the cars as soon as we can.¡± Major Travas said, looking almost threatening.


    Cohenplied reluctantly and allowed Major Travas and Ann to apany him. Behind the dining car were two second ss sleeper cars, two second ss cars, and two freight cars.


    ¡°Then let¡¯s be off. But I do not want any more trouble on this trip.¡±


    The three set off, beginning with the second ss sleeper cars.


    ¡°This is the conductor. Your tickets, please.¡±


    Once the conductor asked for the ticket, the passenger was bound to open the door without hesitation.


    Standing behind Cohen, Major Travas found himself red at by the stoic man in the first cabin, thanked by the couple in the second cabin, and given a funny look by the injured man in the third cabin. Then¡ª


    ¡°Hey there.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s been a while. Could I ask a few questions?¡±


    ¡ªhe was greeted by Allison and Lillia in the fourth cabin.


    ¡°¡­¡±


    Major Travas was stunned into silence for several seconds.


    ¡°Leader?¡± Ann asked, surprised by his reaction. Major Travas regained his senses and greeted Allison and Lillia.


    ¡°Er, Mr. Leader. Do you know these passengers?¡± Asked Cohen.


    ¡°Yes. This here is a friend of mine from work. And her daughter. What a coincidence, running into you two here.¡±


    Lillia said nothing. Allison grinned.


    ¡°Sure is a surprise.¡± She replied. ¡°And it¡¯s nice to see you again, Miss. We met once beforest summer, right?¡±


    Before Ann could even wonder if she should reply, Allison continued.


    ¡°I¡¯m really sorry to say, but I just can¡¯t seem to remember your name right now.¡±


    Ann quickly understood Allison¡¯s intent and smiled.


    ¡°It¡¯s Ann. I only use my first name for business purposes.¡±


    ¡°Ah! Yes. It¡¯s been a while, Ann. This here is my daughter Lillia. She¡¯s on spring break right now so we¡¯re off on a trip together.¡±


    Lillia greeted Ann and lightly bowed her head. Ann returned the greeting.


    Major Travas waited for Cohen to finish checking the tickets, then addressed Allison and Lillia.


    ¡°I¡¯m afraid I can¡¯t talk yet¡ªI¡¯m still on duty. I¡¯lle byter when I have time to answer your questions.¡±


    Then Travas, Ann, and Cohen left the cabin.


    The door closed.


    ¡°So where was I?¡±


    ¡°You said you were going to go on a date with Major Travas in Lor. I understand that much very well.¡±


    ¡°And, well, so I used all the means at my disposal to make this trip a reality.¡±


    ¡°So it was a purely selfish motive.¡±


    ¡°You caught me! Yes. I¡¯m sorry, honey.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t really mind¡­ actually, I don¡¯t mind at all. I want you to enjoy your life. Heh. What are the chances? Us running into the guy on duty on the train right after ours¡­ I don¡¯t know if we¡¯re lucky or unlucky.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s more unlucky, I¡¯d say.¡±


    ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°From the looks of things he¡¯s definitely on security detail for something¡ªor someone. And if the conductor¡¯s calling him ¡®leader¡¯ and not by name¡­¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s hiding his identity. I¡¯m so d I didn¡¯t end up blurting it out¡­¡±


    ¡°Yeah. Don¡¯t use his name, okay? And on that note, we¡¯re better off not interacting with him too much on the train.¡±


    ¡°Is he on a dangerous mission, do you think?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know that much. And I have no way of knowing. But it¡¯s clear that we¡¯re better off not knowing. We should just take it easy until we reach Lor tomorrow. Everything will be fine.¡±


    ¡°Okay. I don¡¯t want to get caught up in another crazy mess. Last year was more than enough.¡±


    ¡°True.¡±


    ¡°¡­I¡¯m thirsty. I think I¡¯ll get some tea from the dining car¡ªdo you want me to pick up something for you, Mom?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m all right, honey. You can have your tea in the dining car if you want, but make sure you don¡¯t go any further.¡±


    ¡°I know. I¡¯ll stay the heck away from the front of the train.¡±


    Just as Lillia left her cabin, Treize broke the silence in the VIP cabin.


    ¡°¡­Er¡­ h-how about some tea? I suppose we could brew some here, but the stove here isn¡¯t great, is it. I¡¯ll go get some from the dining car instead!¡±


    He wanted to get away from the cabin.


    The blond woman agreed with a smile. Treize practically escaped into the corridor.


    ¡°I can bring the tea. Please, enjoy yourselves.¡± Yzma offered, but Treize declined and headed for the dining car.


    Lillia stepped into the dining car. She passed through the corridor that forked into the kitchen and opened another door, which led into a room furnished with tables covered in white tablecloths.


    ¡°Huh? This is weird.¡±


    ¡°Huh? This is weird.¡±


    It was the middle of the day, but no one was around.


    The waiter, a man in his mid-twenties, was lounging around the servers¡¯ table. He looked up.


    ¡°It¡¯s the suits, Miss. They bought boxed lunches at Norn Station and now they¡¯re handing them out to the passengers, starting from the back of the train.¡±


    ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°Who knows? Hope they¡¯re not poisoned or anything.¡±


    Lilliaughed awkwardly, unsure if the waiter was joking or not. ording to him, the cooks and the other waiters had gone out to serve tea and hand towels.


    ¡°The train carries ingredients based on the number of passengers it can carry at full load. So we¡¯re definitely capable of serving the passengers. Wonder why the suits¡¯re so keen on keeping them out of the dining car. Although I can¡¯tin, myself. I¡¯ve been watching sincest night¡ªand dunno if they¡¯re guarding someone or transporting something, but these people are some shady folks. You¡¯d better stay away from them.¡± He whispered, and started on Lillia¡¯s tea.


    He put tea leaves into a white ceramic teapot big enough for three or four cups, then slowly poured in water that had been heated on an electric stove by the counter.


    Lillia paid for the tea in change, then looked at the door. She saw arge silhouette beyond the ss.


    ¡°I¡¯m not touching that ce with a ten-foot pole.¡± She said, turning back to the waiter.


    The door opened loudly.


    Lillia flinched. And, a little upset at the noise, she turned again.


    And the moment she saw the neer¡ª


    ¡°AH!¡±


    She cried out, loud enough to startle the waiter. Hot water sloshed out of the pot.


    As Ed stood rooted in front of the door¡ª


    ¡°It¡¯s all right. I¡¯m just going to get some tea.¡±


    Treize had said, opening the door and entering the dining car.


    ¡°AH!¡±


    He was more startled by the familiar cry than the waiter was. He looked at the counter.


    ¡°Whoa!¡±


    And he cried out, loud enough to startle Ed.


    When Major Travas returned to the dining car with Ann and Cohen in tow, he witnessed an outrageous scene.


    ¡°Why? How? What are you doing here? I want an exnation! Do you hear me? Say something!¡±


    His own daughter was interrogating Prince Treize of Ikstova, grabbing him by the cor.


    Lillia had crossed her hands and was holding Treize¡¯s shirt tight enough for it to tear. His face grew pale.


    Ed and the waiter stared nkly.


    ¡°¡­¡±


    Major Travas watched, incredulous. Ann spoke up.


    ¡°Shall I stop her?¡±


    Major Travas nodded, then¡ª


    ¡°I retract my earlier orders. Take these two to first ss before any other passengerse to the dining car.¡± He added.


    Even after escaping to the privacy of the first ss car, Lillia¡¯s anger did not abate. In the narrow corridor she stood with her back to the window, ring daggers at the babbling Treize.


    ¡°Exin! This! Now!¡±


    ¡°Hold on¡­ I¡­ I was just getting tea¡­¡± Treize stuttered in confusion.


    ¡°Tea¡¯s over there.¡± Lillia pointed at Major Travas, who stood baffled in the corridor. He was carrying the pot of tea that Lillia had ordered.


    Major Travas went up to Lillia.


    ¡°Please calm down, Lillianne.¡±


    ¡°Hm.¡±


    Like a hunter distracted by another prey, Lillia turned to the smiling major and red. His smile did not falter.


    ¡°I will exin the situation. Would that satisfy you?¡±


    ¡°I suppose.¡± Lillia said with a sigh. Then she turned back to Treize.


    Treize could only smile awkwardly. Ann took the moment to whisper to Major Travas.


    ¡°What will you do, sir?¡±


    Major Travas replied under his breath.


    ¡°We¡¯ll tell her that we¡¯re transporting arge quantity of gold jewelry from Iks. For our purposes, His Highness will be a guide. We say nothing about thedy.¡±


    ¡°Understood. Situation 3.¡±


    They quietly worked out a story.


    ¡°Actually¡ª¡± Major Travas began with a lie he had prepared earlier. But¡ª


    ¡°Oh my! Has something happened? Is everything all right, Treize? And who might this be?¡±


    ¡ªa blond woman with a gentle countenance stepped into the corridor.


    ¡°I tried to stop her¡­¡± Yzma said apologetically from behind her.


    ¡°Who¡¯s this?¡± Lillia wondered, tilting her head.


    ¡°Er¡­ she¡¯s¡­ I¡­ well¡­¡± Treize stammered, panicking.


    Major Travas sighed with the teapot still in hand.


    Just as things gotplicated in the first ss sleeper car¡ª


    The man once called ¡®Prisoner 42¡¯ grinned.


    ¡°Delicious. This is positively lovely.¡±


    In the boxed lunch the men had handed out were sandwiches with cheese and chicken cooked to perfection, garnished with mayonnaise and mustard.


    ¡°Roxche is a wonderful ce. It really is.¡±


    He was savoring his meal.


    Allison stared at the two boxed lunches in her cabin.


    ¡°She¡¯ste¡­¡±


    She mumbled to herself.


    ¡°This is too long to be just a tea break. ¡­They couldn¡¯t have run into one another there, could they?¡±


    Allison¡¯s prediction was right on the mark.

 Volume 3 4 — Hilda and Lillia

    <h4>Volume 3 Chapter 4: Hilda and Lillia</h4>


    -----


    In the luxurious cabin in the VIP car were the blond woman, Treize, and a neer¡ªLillia.


    The blond woman sat by the window, facing forward like before. Lillia sat across from her. Treize sat beside Lillia, as far as he possibly could.


    On the folding table between them was a teapot and three cups.


    Major Travas and Ann checked the tea for poison and left the room. Yzma alone remained, standing straight before the door with his hands behind his back. His eyes were pointed upwards, but he was focusing his vision below, where the three passengers were.


    ¡°Why don¡¯t we have some tea before it gets cold?¡± The blond woman said in Roxchean.


    ¡°Sure. Here, let me¡ª¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s all right. Allow me.¡±


    Lillia reached over to pour the tea, but the woman stopped her and did it herself. She moved with grace, not faltering in spite of the shaking of the car. Lillia was speechless.


    Once she was finished, the woman put down the teapot without a sound.


    ¡°Enjoy.¡±


    ¡°Thank you very much.¡± Lillia bowed lightly. She waited for the woman to pick up her cup, then took her own.


    They brought the cups to their mouths in unison.


    ¡°It¡¯s marvelous.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s great.¡±


    They gave their opinions simultaneously, and exchanged smiles.


    After they put down their cups,


    ¡°It¡¯s nice to meet you. My name¡¯s Lillia¡ªLillianne Schultz.¡± Lillia introduced herself first.


    ¡°It¡¯s a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Lillia. I am Hilda. I¡¯m from the Kingdom of Iltoa in the West.¡±


    The blond woman introduced herself by a fake name and background that had been invented for her in advance, just in case.


    ¡°You have a wonderful name, Lillianne. Did you know? That name once belonged to a queen who ruled my homnd of Iltoa. She was strong, beautiful, and a beloved ruler. It suits you.¡±


    ¡°Thank you.¡±


    The girls werepletely at ease, but Treize was far from rxed. He had not taken even a single sip of his tea, which was still in his hand. Yzma watched, masking his annoyance behind a nk facade.


    ¡°Treize.¡± Hilda turned with a smile.


    ¡°Oh! Yes?¡± Treize replied, his tea sloshing onto his hand. He tried to ignore the pain and spoke.


    ¡°Ahem. Let me introduce you. I¡¯ll exin. Lillia here is my childhood friend. My parents and hers are old friends. Lillia lives in the Capital District, but she¡¯s visited Ikstova many times over breaks. Oh, and Lillia¡¯s mother is a soldier, but she knows the leader¡ªMajor Travas¡ªthrough work. Coincidentally, I¡¯ve met the major before, as well. What a coincidence, running into Lillia here.¡±


    Treize¡¯s exnation was quite haphazard. He even ended up using the word ¡®coincidence¡¯ twice.


    ¡°Oh my. I see. So you know that Treize is heir to the inn in northern Ikstova, Lillia?¡±


    ¡°She does! She knows very well.¡± Treize said firmly. Hilda had asked the question to confirm that Lillia did not know Treize¡¯s true identity, but Lillia did not know that.


    ¡°Treize and I have been friends for years. We¡¯re pretty close. We used to y together all the time in Iks.¡± Said Lillia.


    ¡°I suppose I should introduce my family as well.¡± Hilda said. ¡°My father is a gold merchant in Iltoa. Although I¡¯m sad to say that I cannot divulge any more details.¡±


    ¡°Er¡­ is this supposed to be a secret¡ª¡± Lillia began, worried, but Hilda cut her off.


    ¡°It¡¯s all right. I visited Iks to examine and bring back gold jewelry from Iks in my father¡¯s stead. I n to pass through Lor and return to Iltoa by ship.¡±


    ¡°Oh. So that¡¯s why there¡¯s so much security here.¡±


    ¡°Yes. My father went to great lengths to ask Major Travas for help through an acquaintance. He couldn¡¯t leave my security in the hands of anyone less.¡±


    ¡°So that¡¯s why you have people from the embassy protecting you.¡±


    ¡°Yes. My father can be quite protective. After that, Major Travas introduced Treize to me. He¡¯s an excellent guide, and he¡¯s even around my own age, so I asked him toe with me to Lor. I¡¯m very grateful for hispany.¡±


    ¡°I see. I understand now.¡± Lillia said apologetically. ¡°But¡­ and I know it¡¯s a littlete to be saying this, but is it really all right for me to be here just because I know the major?¡±


    Hilda beamed.


    ¡°Absolutely! I was always so busy helping my father that I rarely ever attended school. I have very few friends of my own age. I¡¯m very d that I have the chance to speak with you, Lillia. The train ride will feel a lot shorter with another friend by my side.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s good to hear.¡± Lillia smiled, and took a sip of tea. Hilda did as well. They finished their cups almost in unison.


    ¡°How about another cup?¡±


    ¡°Sure.¡±


    Hilda and Lillia turned to Treize simultaneously.


    ¡°¡­¡±


    Treize¡¯s hesitant sips quickly turned into chugging as he drained his cup in one go.


    ¡°Right! I¡¯ll be right back. And since Lillia¡¯s the one who bought this tea, I¡¯ll go buy some myself this time.¡±


    And so, Prince Treize of Ikstova left for an errand.


    Yzma cast him a lukewarm nce as he left the cabin.


    In the corridor, Treize ran into Ozette, who asked him how the others were getting along.


    ¡°They¡¯re getting along well, yes.¡±


    Just past the coupling door, Treize ran into Major Travas and Allison, who hade to find her daughter.


    ¡°They¡¯re getting along very well, yes.¡± He said to Allison, and stepped into the dining car with the teapot in his hands.


    ¡°Things are getting messy.¡± Allisonmented.


    ¡°Yeah.¡±


    Allison and Major Travas were speaking alone in the coupling. There was no one else around.


    ¡°Is this really all right?¡± Allison asked, with more than one meaning behind her question.


    ¡°Not exactly¡­ but what can we do now? Besides¡­¡±


    ¡°Yes?¡±


    ¡°¡­To be honest, thedy is a very lonely person. I¡¯d like for Lillia to give her somepany, at least while we¡¯re on the train.¡± Major Travas said gravely. Allison stifled augh.


    ¡°You¡¯re too nice, you know that? Although that¡¯s what¡¯s so great about you.¡± She said, opening the door to the dining car. Treize emerged with a full teapot in hand, surprised that the door had opened seemingly automatically.


    ¡°Thank you.¡± Treize said, and walked past them.


    ¡°It was the perfect chance, too.¡± Allison mumbled as she closed the door behind Treize. ¡°Then could I leave her to you until nighttime?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s up to thedy, but I think so.¡± Travas replied.


    ¡°It won¡¯t interfere with security?¡±


    ¡°If her presence in the VIP car is an interference, our security¡¯s as good as a failure.¡±


    ¡°Then I¡¯m counting on you. See youter.¡±


    Allison gave his shoulders a pat and disappeared into the dining car.


    Major Travas watched the door close, then went in the opposite direction. Then he asked Uno and Ann¡ªwho were in the corridor so as not to disturb Hilda¡ªto resume their watch.


    ¡°Is your daughter all right? She¡¯s been in there for quite a while.¡± The waiter asked Allison from the counter.


    Allison drew a Roxchean Air Force ID from her pocket¡ªsecured with anyard¡ªand shed it at the waiter.


    ¡°It¡¯s fine. Although I can¡¯t say why. And this ID is a secret too, all right?¡±


    ¡°Oh. Right.¡± The waiter nodded, clearly not wanting to get involved.


    ¡°Could I have some tea, too?¡± Asked Allison, cing a coin on the counter.


    Yzma opened the door for Treize when he reached the cabin. Treize stepped inside.


    ¡°I know, right? He¡¯s not bad, but he¡¯s, you know, kinda soft.¡±


    ¡°Oh, yes. I understand what you mean.¡±


    Lillia and Hilda were chattering about him.


    Lillia and Hilda were chattering about him.


    ¡°Are you talking about me?¡± Treize asked, already aware of the answer. The girls turned.


    ¡°Uh huh.¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    They replied in unison, though in different registers. Then they exchanged nces and giggled.


    Treize chuckled along without thinking and expertly poured three cups of tea.


    ¡°I¡¯ll be stepping outside, Miss. Ask for me if you need any assistance¡ªI¡¯ll be just in the corridor. We¡¯ll be preparing your lunches soon. If you¡¯ll excuse me.¡± Yzma said, leaving the cabin.


    Three people were left in the VIP cabin.


    ¡°That¡¯s right. Everything in Iks is scrumptious, but the cheese is to die for. You couldn¡¯t find cheese that good even in the Capital District. I¡¯ve always thought, if I lived in Iks, I¡¯d gain so much weight!¡±


    ¡°I ate cheese every day during my stay in Iks, as well. My favorite was the dish where therge wheel of cheese is cut in half and melted over charcoal to spread over vegetables. I also loved the pasta with the bowl made of cheese.¡±


    ¡°I know, right? With the pasta you have to take your time and mix up the noodles slowly. Then you top it off with powdered cheese. It¡¯s really good!¡±


    ¡°Yes. I¡¯d like to have them made at home once I return to Iltoa. Though the pasta might not be a challenge, I¡¯m not certain we could procure the same kind of cheese.¡±


    ¡°You can have it sent by mail. Just ce an order with a store in Kunst, and they¡¯ll send you an entire wheel. My mom and I thought about ordering one, but the wheels are so big we gave up on it. But you can share the cheese with your whole family, right?¡±


    ¡°That would be wonderful. But would they ship to Sou Be-Il, do you think?¡±


    ¡°Oh¡­ I¡¯m not sure. Why not ask Treize and start a cheese trade?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s a wonderful idea. I¡¯m sure people in Iltoa and Bezel will both love Ikstovan cheese and cuisine.¡±


    ¡°Looks like you¡¯ve got another job on your te, Treize. ¡ªHilda, did you try the tiny fried fish served with vinegar? It¡¯s got loads of diced onions¡ª¡±


    The amount of conversation in the cabin had increased exponentially with Lillia¡¯s presence.


    Naturally, Lillia and Hilda were the only ones talking. All Treize did was answer their asional questions.


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°Yes, we do sell those.¡±


    ¡°Summer, three years ago.¡±


    ¡°Diamonds.¡±


    ¡°Not yet.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t think that¡¯s feasible.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not sure¡­¡±


    ¡°They use ck vinegar.¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°About 80 centimeters.¡±


    ¡°No.¡±


    That was the extent of his involvement.


    Lillia and Hilda, having struck up a friendship, continued to chat endlessly.


    The topic of the conversation changed easily and frequently. From food to Roxchean TV, to films, music, clothes, jewelry, hats, napping, the weather, sports, and¡ªfor some reason¡ªghost stories.


    Hilda was especially captivated by stories about student life at the Capital District. Lillia enthusiastically chattered about school.


    Treize, cowed by the sheer amount of discussion taking ce, grumbled under his breath.


    ¡°Women¡­¡±


    Lillia red.


    ¡°Did you say something, Treize?¡±


    ¡°No, nothing¡­¡±


    The moment Treize shook his head, lunch was served to the two participants in the conversation and the lone bystander.


    Ann knocked on the door and entered when she received permission. In her hands were four boxed lunches from Norn Station. Yzma followed behind her with tea.


    Ann knocked on the door and entered when she received permission. In her hands were four boxed lunches from Norn Station. Yzma followed behind her with tea.


    Once Ann and Yzma were gone again, the three partook in a slightlyte lunch.


    Lillia and Hilda enjoyed their meal, makingments about the same sandwiches Prisoner 42 so praised.


    ¡°¡­¡±


    Treize quietly¡ªand at about double the speed¡ªate two portions.


    Even after lunch, Lillia and Hilda¡¯s chatter knew no end. Treize slowly took sips of tea as he watched the girls¡¯ smiles and the passing scenery.


    After his final cup of tea,


    ¡°Excuse me. Let me take the cups.¡± Treize said, putting the empty cups and teapot onto a tray. He folded the table as well.


    When Treize came out of the cabin, Yzma spoke to him.


    ¡°I can take those. ¡ªWhere are you headed?¡±


    ¡°Oh. The bathroom. I¡¯m using the one in the next cabin.¡±


    ¡°I see. It seems very lively in there.¡±


    ¡°For them, yeah. But I don¡¯t really mind being left out.¡±


    ¡°No?¡±


    ¡°I mean, thedy would get bored if it were just me and her not saying anything all throughout the trip.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t think that¡¯s necessarily the case¡­ but I suppose a fun chat¡¯s not so bad, either.¡±


    Treize went into the next cabin over, which was where he slept at night.


    Yzma watched him leave and muttered under his breath.


    ¡°You¡¯re soft, Prince. Too soft.¡±


    Once Treize was gone, Lillia and Hilda began talking about Major Travas.


    ¡°Do you see Major Travas often, Lillia?¡± Hilda asked, naturally curious.


    Lillia tilted her head at times as she responded.


    ¡°No. Only once in a while.¡±


    ¡°I see. He is a busy man, I suppose.¡± Hilda said sadly.


    ¡°But I think he sees Mom pretty often.¡±


    ¡°Oh my.¡± Hilda replied, this time with a smile. But that did notst long.


    ¡°I guess it¡¯s nice to have a boyfriend, even if you¡¯re an adult.¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    Hilda blinked, furrowing her brow.


    Lillia did not notice Hilda¡¯s confusion. She simply stared out the window and repeated something she¡¯d once said to Meg.


    ¡°Mom always looks so happy on days she goes out with the major. When I see that, I think, oh. It must be nice, having a boyfriend. At the same time, I want Mom to be even happier. I want her to be happy forever. I¡¯m all grown up now, and Major Travas is single, I think, so I wish they¡¯d get married.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    Hilda stared, wide-eyed. Several secondster, Lillia looked straight at her.


    ¡°Hilda?¡±


    ¡°Oh, yes! Er¡­ I¡¯m sorry, Lillia. I was just a little surprised. You hadn¡¯t said a thing about your father.¡±


    ¡°Oh, don¡¯t worry about it. My parents got married when my dad was in university, but he passed away in an ident before I was born. On a train to Sou Be-Il.¡±


    ¡°I see¡­¡± Hilda nodded.


    ¡®I understand now¡ª in order to serve my homnd and our kingdom, he¡ª¡¯


    Hilda stood from her seat, and unconcerned that her skirt would get dirty, knelt.


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    She approached the surprised Lillia and gently embraced her, lightly kissing her forehead.


    She approached the surprised Lillia and gently embraced her, lightly kissing her forehead.


    ¡°I would like to express my gratitude, on behalf of my homnd. May the blessings of the angels of happiness be with you always.¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    With a smile, Hilda returned to her seat.


    ¡°Er¡­ thanks.¡± Lillia chuckled abashedly, not understanding what was going on.


    At that point, Treize walked into the cabin with a knock.


    ¡°¡­?¡±


    He sensed the strange air in the cabin and raised an eyebrow.


    ¡°Did something happen?¡±


    ¡°Nothing.¡±


    ¡°Nothing at all.¡±


    The girls replied in unison.


    Treize was unconvinced, but he shrugged it off. Then,


    ¡°Oh, right! Would you like me to take a picture of you two?¡±


    At that point,


    ¡°Ah¡ª¡±


    He realized his mistake.


    ¡°Actually, maybe¡ª¡±


    ¡°Yes, please!¡± Hilda cut him off. She sped her hands together ecstatically. ¡°Please, do take a picture of me and Lillia.¡±


    ¡°I-is that all right?¡± Treize asked again for confirmation.


    ¡°But of course. Over here, Lillia.¡± Hilda said, gesturing Lillia to her side.


    ¡°Yeah!¡±


    Lillia crossed over to Hilda¡¯s side and smiled, meeting her gaze.


    ¡°Well then¡­¡±


    Treize took out his camera¡ªwith which he was unable to photograph Major Travas¡ªfrom his belt pack. Holding it in both hands, he sat where Lillia had just been sitting.


    Treize held the camera vertically and captured the girls in the lens. He looked away from the viewfinder for a moment to gauge the distance between himself and the subjects, then adjusted the settings.


    He turned the dial on the left side of the camera to wind the film. Then,


    ¡°This should do.¡±


    He reached over to the dial on the right side to adjust the shutter speed.


    ¡°I¡¯m not as good of a photographer as the person who taught me. I think I might get the exposure wrong, so I¡¯ll be taking a few separate shots. All right¡ª¡±


    Hilda and Lillia leaned toward each other.


    Click.


    After one shot, the shutter speed dial rotated.


    ¡°A few more.¡±


    Treize wound the film and changed the exposure each time, until he had taken about five shots.


    ¡°There. That should be enough. I¡¯ve run out of film, too.¡± Treize said, once again turning the film dial on the upper left part of the camera.


    ¡°Thank you, Treize.¡±


    ¡°Thanks. Send me a copy, okay?¡±


    ¡°Of course. I¡¯ll send copies to you both once I get it developed. By mail to Hilda.¡±


    ¡°Thank you.¡±


    ¡°Thanks.¡±


    Treize nodded, checked that the film waspletely wound back, and opened the casing. Then he took out the cartridge and went over to his knapsack in the corner of the cabin¡ªinstead of his belt pack¡ªand put it in a small box he kept in one of the pouches.

 Volume 3 5 — The Motive

    <h4>Volume 3 Chapter 5: The Motive</h4>


    -----


    It had been about two hours since the train departed Norn Station.


    The sun was shining from 45 degrees to the west. Under the blinding blue sky, the train continued down the tracks headed due north.


    Around the tracks were not forests, but ins. There wasn¡¯t a spot of green to be seen on the ins. The brown earth was instead dotted with dirty patches of snow, and tiny sprouts beginning to poke out of the soil.


    A group of men were ying cards to pass the time in the second ss passenger car.


    In the box seat in the front of the car and near the doorway sat the suit-d man in his twenties, the soldier (who was about the same age) and the doctor in his thirties.


    The men yed their cards one after another on the small table by the windowsill.


    ¡°Damn¡­ lost again.¡± The soldier said, ying a King from his overflowing hand.


    ¡°Don¡¯t me me too much.¡± Said the man in his twenties, who yed an Ace out of his nearly-finished hand.


    It was the doctor¡¯s turn. Of the two cards he had left, he yed the second one.


    ¡°Whoa!¡± The suit-d man shouted.


    ¡°¡­¡±


    The soldier wordlessly gathered up the pile of cards and ced them atop another pile on the empty seat.


    ¡°Terribly sorry.¡± The doctor said, flipping over his final card. It was a Three. He looked at the others. ¡°Anyst words?¡±


    ¡°Damn you.¡±


    ¡°Go to hell.¡±


    The men replied at once. The doctor grinned.


    ¡°If you¡¯ll excuse me, then.¡±


    He held up the card, ready to grasp victory¡ª


    ¡°Someone!¡±


    The door mmed open with a shout, and the owner of the panicked voice leapt into the second ss passenger car.


    ¡°Whoops!¡± The doctor flinched, dropping his card.


    The soldier turned to the neer.


    The suit-d man stood and looked up.


    ¡°Someonee quick! It¡¯s an emergency!¡±


    The neer was the husband of the couple who had been traveling in the second ss sleeper car.


    The three card yers, the saleswoman, and the other passengers stared in confusion.


    ¡°What happened?¡± Asked the soldier.


    ¡°Th-the student! He¡¯s foaming at the mouth! It sounds like he¡¯s in a lot of pain!¡±


    ¡°What?!¡±


    ¡°Anyway! Hurry, everyone!¡±


    The soldier, though confused, leapt from his seat and asked where they were headed.


    ¡°The second ss sleeper car! Car 4, two cars ahead!¡±


    The man and the soldier took off. The suit-d man and the doctor tossed their cards aside and followed.


    The four men crossed the doorway and the coupling and headed into the second ss sleeper car.


    They ran clear through the first of the sleeper cars they passed. Several passengers heard themotion and peered outside.


    Then, they opened the the door to the car 4 corridor.


    And¡ª


    ¡°What the¡­?¡±


    ¡°My god¡­¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    The suit-d man, the soldier, and the doctor reacted simultaneously.


    The student with the bad leg was lying near the middle of the corridor.


    Heypletely still, diagonally blocking the corridor. His head was pointed at the men and his feet at the front of the train.


    His face was ashen and white foam spewed from his mouth. His eyes were shut.


    At the student¡¯s feet was the woman in her thirties¡ªthe wife of the couple¡ªhaving fallen to her knees.


    ¡°Hey! What happened here?!¡± The soldier demanded in a resounding voice. The woman flinched.


    And the following happened.


    The doctor squeezed past the people and approached the student.


    Two of the cabin doors opened.


    From behind one door peered out the old man¡¯s secretary.


    From the other door peered Allison¡¯s blue eyes and blond hair.


    ¡°EEEEEEK!¡±


    The wife shrieked loudly enough to shake the car.


    ¡°Hey! Can you hear me?!¡±


    The doctor knelt by the student¡¯s head and looked into his face.


    ¡°Doc! What¡¯s happened here? Do something!¡± Said the suit-d man.


    ¡°Young man! Can you hear me?¡± The doctor asked, checking for a response.


    ¡°¡­¡±


    Then, he felt the student¡¯s neck with his pointer and middle fingers. His expression darkened.


    ¡°Well?¡± The soldier urged, kneeling next to him.


    ¡°No consciousness. No pulse. No breathing.¡± The doctor replied mechanically. Then he began to wipe the foam from the student¡¯s mouth with his own handkerchief.


    ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± Allison asked as she stepped outside and knelt at the student¡¯s feet. The soldier turned to the man who had first alerted the car.


    ¡°What happened?¡±


    ¡°H-h-h-he was l-lying here by the time I g-got out here¡­ f-foaming at the mouth¡­¡± The man stammered.


    ¡°Did you hear any raised voices?¡± Asked Allison.


    ¡°N-no. I didn¡¯t hear a thing. Y-you were in the car too. You didn¡¯t hear anything, right?¡±


    ¡°No. I¡¯m not surprised. Trains aren¡¯t the most quiet of ces.¡±


    Allison examined the student¡¯s face. The doctor was doing the same, even after he had wiped away the foam.


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ¡°Well, doc?¡± Asked the suit-d man.


    ¡°Can you save him?¡± Allison asked.


    Four seconds of silenceter,


    ¡°¡­I¡¯m afraid it¡¯s toote. He¡¯s gone. There¡¯s nothing we can do now.¡± The doctor said definitively, folding the student¡¯s spread arms over his chest.


    No one spoke for some time. All they could hear was the sound of the train¡¯s wheels rolling over the tracks.


    Twenty secondster.


    ¡°Ugh!¡±


    The wife choked back a sob.


    ¡°Ahem. Just let me step over the body here!¡±


    The husband excused himself and jumped over the corpse, running to his wife. She was still sitting by the window in the corridor, hanging her head.


    ¡°L-let¡¯s go inside, honey.¡±


    He held her by the shoulders and took her into their cabin.


    ¡°What is this, doctor? What¡¯s happened?¡± The soldier asked, getting to his feet.


    ¡°I¡¯m not sure. If this is a case of poisoning, it¡¯s not like any I¡¯ve ever seen. I¡¯m sorry. I just don¡¯t have enough to go on at the moment¡­¡± The doctor replied.


    The suit-d man, Allison, the secretary, and the doctor all fell into silence for a time.


    ¡°Hey, wait!¡± The soldier suddenly cried.


    The suit-d man flinched and asked him what was wrong. The soldier began fuming as he raised his voice again.


    ¡°It¡¯s them! Those men in ck! They must¡¯ve poisoned his lunch!¡±


    ¡°N-no way¡­¡±


    ¡°What else could it be?¡± The soldier demanded confidently. Allison sighed.


    ¡°B-but¡­¡± The suit-d man tried to respond, furrowing his brow.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go!¡± The soldier ignored him and broke into a run. Not to the front of the train, where Major Travas was, but toward the back.


    ¡°Huh?¡± The suit-d man breathed, confused.


    But soon his questions were answered. The soldier returned, and not alone.


    Behind him were most of the passengers on board the train. The saleswoman, the tourist, the two businessmen from the second ss sleeper car, and even Cohen the conductor were there. Several of them came over through the narrow corridor.


    The other passengers were bbergasted when they saw the fallen student.


    ¡°Let¡¯s all head to the dining car! We¡¯re going to get some answers!¡± The soldier rallied them. The passengers nodded.


    ¡°¡­¡±


    Ed was standing guard, cramped in the narrow doorway. All he could hear was the sound of the wheels under him.


    Suddenly, he heard muted voices from the dining car.


    He reacted immediately.


    <Dining car. Requesting support.> Ed said into his microphone, and opened the door into the dining car.


    He saw the passengers pushing toward him, incensed.


    ¡°¡­¡±


    Without a word, Ed pulled out a handgun.


    ¡°Bang!¡± He threatened loudly. But he did not put his finger on the trigger.


    The passengers, led by the soldier, froze.


    ¡°Hold it right there.¡± Ed said quietly, once the passengers had stopped near the middle of the car.


    Lillia and Hilda were chattering about parasols withrge holes. Treize was nodding along.


    ¡°Excuse me!¡± Yzma interrupted, stepping into the cabin. ¡°We¡¯ve got a bit of a situation.¡±


    ¡°Is there some trouble with the passengers?¡± Treize wondered, reading the look on Yzma¡¯s face.


    ¡°Yes, actually. They¡¯vee all the way up to the dining car. I don¡¯t know what¡¯s happening, but I can tell you it¡¯s nothing good. So on that note¡­ Lillia?¡±


    Lillia stood.


    ¡°Yes?¡±


    ¡°It might not be a good idea for you to stay here. Come with me to the dining car¡ªplease go back to your cabin, and if the passengers ask questions just tell them that we wanted to talk to you about something. And Miss? Please stay here.¡±


    ¡°O-okay. Sorry if I caused you any trouble.¡± Lillia said, and turned to Hilda. ¡°It was great getting a chance to talk to you, Hilda. I¡¯ll get going now¡ªit might be a little troublesome if I stayed. So I guess this is goodbye.¡±


    Hilda offered Lillia a handshake. Lillia took it.


    ¡°I had so much fun, Lillia. I pray we¡¯ll meet again someday.¡±


    ¡°Yeah.¡±


    Lillia nodded, let go of Hilda¡¯s hand, and walked over to the door. Treize watched silently.


    ¡°Go with her, Treize.¡± Hilda said, gently but firmly.


    ¡°What?¡± Treize asked, turning.


    ¡°It¡¯s only right to escort ady as she departs.¡± Hilda said sternly.


    ¡°Er¡­ right. You¡¯re right. I¡¯ll go.¡±


    Treize stood from his seat.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go, Lillia.¡±


    Yzma cast him a disapproving look.


    The tension in the dining car had not abated in the least.


    The ins outside either side of the car seemed to go on forever. It was calm and peaceful. But the dining car interior was anything but.


    ¡°Your people poisoned his food!¡± The soldier said usingly from the head of the crowd.


    ¡°We did nothing of the sort. What reason would we have to poison a passenger?¡± Major Travas retorted calmly from the head of the other party.


    ¡°Then why¡¯d the student die?!¡±


    ¡°We do not know. We would love to examine him ourselves, but you and the other passengers are the ones refusing to allow us the chance.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t make meugh! The student died foaming at the mouth! He was obviously poisoned by one of your lunches!¡±


    Gathered behind the soldier was the suit-d man, the saleswoman, the doctor, the secretary, and the other passengers.


    Everyone was livid, but they did not necessarily have a good grasp of the situation. They simply listened to the angry soldier, not knowing what to add.


    Allison, meanwhile, sat back in a chair to the side.


    ¡°Well, this is quite the pickle.¡±


    She had her elbows on the table.


    ¡°Worst batch of passengers I¡¯ve ever had.¡± The waiter groaned, taking shelter in the kitchen.


    Right behind Major Travas stood Ed and Uno, two veryrge men. Both were holding their handguns. The guns were pointed at the ceiling, but their thumbs were ready to disarm the safety at a moment¡¯s notice.


    <I¡¯m in thedy¡¯s room. Maintaining security.>


    Ann reported through the radio, which fed directly into the men¡¯s earpieces. Then,


    <Lillia and Prince Treize have just returned to the dining car. I¡¯ll have them go past the doorway. I¡¯ll also keep an eye on the roof.> Ozette added.


    Soon the dining car door opened and Yzma, Treize, and Lillia emerged.


    Allison noticed them first and slowly stood.


    ¡°You people killed¡ª¡­ Wh-what?¡±


    The angry soldier stopped mid-rant when he spotted Lillia and Treize, and turned to the suit-d man behind him.


    ¡°Who¡¯re they?¡±


    The suit-d man shrugged.


    Major Travas looked at the three, including Lillia, and said in a deliberately cold voice.


    ¡°If you¡¯ll head over that way, please. We have a bit of a problem on our hands.¡±


    Though Lillia almost got angry, she did as she was told. She passed by Major Travas as every eye in the car watched, and walked past the tables and toward the soldier. Treize followed her.


    ¡°How¡­ what were you doing over there?¡± Asked the soldier.


    ¡°I had my reasons. Anyway, what¡¯s going on here?¡± Lillia said confidently, ignoring the question.


    The husband of the couple, who was the first to discover the student, briefly exined the situation.


    The other passengers and Major Travas listened quietly as well. But the man¡¯s exnation assumed entirely that the student had been poisoned by the people who distributed the lunches.


    ¡°What? That¡¯s impossible.¡±


    ¡°How can you be so sure?¡±


    Lillia answered the soldier¡¯s question with ease.


    ¡°Because I know this man here. He has no reason to poison anyone.¡±


    ¡°So you¡¯re with them! You¡¯re in cahoots, aren¡¯t you?¡±


    ¡°In cahoots?! We met by coincidence!¡±


    ¡°As if anyone would believe that.¡±


    ¡°Urgh! I¡¯m telling the truth! Why else would I cross back over to this side? Well?¡±


    ¡°¡­Fine. Then what about your friend here?¡±


    ¡°Someone I know.¡±


    ¡°Your boyfriend?¡±


    ¡°¡­No.¡±


    Treize finally managed a brief hello. Lillia ignored him and turned to the soldier again.


    ¡°More importantly, we have to focus on the guy who died! Calm down!¡±


    The soldier blinked.


    ¡°I suppose¡­ you¡¯re acting awfully calm, missy. Aren¡¯t you shocked that someone¡¯s died?¡±


    Lillia snorted.


    ¡°I¡¯ve seen way too many dead bodies over the past year to get scared now.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    The soldier went silent. Major Travas spoke.


    ¡°Someone is dead, and we must take this fact very seriously. But I would like to speak on my team¡¯s behalf¡ªwe provided those lunches to keep you out of the dining car, for security purposes. But we did not poison those lunches or do anything of the sort. Even if we wanted to, we did not have the time. If we¡¯d poisoned all the lunches, everyone would be dead by now. And we have no reason to kill someone randomly by slipping poison in just one of the lunches. We are the ones most troubled by thismotion.¡±


    Five seconds of silence passed. A passenger conceded his point.


    ¡°Then what¡¯s happening here?¡± Asked the saleswoman.


    ¡°No one here can answer that question. All I can say is that you have no reason to be angry with us, or to be afraid. We must think of a n of action. I ask that you set aside your hostility. Anger will only serve to worsen the situation at hand. Please, remain calm.¡±


    Major Travas remained unfailinglyposed. The two men standing with behind him with guns in hand made him quite convincing.


    ¡°Then¡ª¡± The soldier began, but¡ª


    ¡°Wait!¡±


    Major Travas cut him off. He pressed the earpiece in his right ear and focused.


    Four seconds passed.


    <Understood. We¡¯ll take care of it.> He said into his microphone, and turned to the short-haired man beside him.


    ¡°Uno. Go.¡±


    ¡°Yessir.¡±


    Uno holstered his gun.


    As the passengers looked on in trepidation, Major Travas exined.


    ¡°One of my subordinates has just reported that someone is walking along the roof of the train, toward the dining car.¡±


    ¡°Hm?¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    ¡°What the heck?¡±


    The passengers could not hide their shock.


    ¡°What now?¡± Lillia groaned, looking at Treize.


    ¡°I¡¯m not sure.¡± Treize replied honestly.


    ¡°Impossible. Who could it be?¡± Asked the suit-d man.


    ¡°We¡¯re not sure. It¡¯s not one of my team. The figure is dressed in grey, and ording to my subordinate is wearing something to conceal their face.¡±


    The suit-d man went quiet.


    ¡°I believe this character may be trying to cross the dining car. I¡¯ll be sending my subordinate to investigate. ¡ªUno. Capture them alive.¡±


    ¡°Yes, sir.¡±


    Once Uno had left,


    ¡°Wh-what are you nning to do?¡± Asked the soldier.


    ¡°Uno will lie in wait at the coupling and capture this person the moment they try to jump to the next car.¡±


    ¡°But¡ª¡±


    The soldier was cut off.


    A dull thud sounded suddenly from the ceiling. The suit-d man, the doctor, and the saleswoman looked up simultaneously.


    The sounds mingled with the rhythmic shaking of the train, filling the dining car. Major Travas raised a finger to his lips. Ed had his gun trained on the spot where the strange figure was, ready to open fire at a moment¡¯s notice.


    As everyone, including Lillia and Treize, watched dubiously¡ª


    Thunk. Thunk. Thunk.


    The sound passed over the passengers.


    Thunk. Thunk. Thunk.


    The sound passed over Lillia and Treize.


    Thunk. Thunk. Thunk.


    The sound passed over Major Travas and Ed. Then¡ª


    Ba-dum ba-dum ba-dum¡ª


    A set of fric footsteps. They could hear someone rushing on the rooftop. The sound became even more frenzied. The people in the dining car could clearly make out two sets of footsteps.


    ¡°They must¡¯ve noticed Uno. Should we back him up, sir?¡± Asked Yzma.


    ¡°No, it¡¯s all right.¡± Major Travas replied.


    Thud. Bang. Thud. Bang.


    The footsteps turned to struggles.


    It sounded like a gigantic rat was floundering on the roof. Everyone listened intently.


    Then¡ª


    The noises seemed to grow louder, before giving way to the sound of something sliding. Thud. Something hit a frame on the right side of the car, and the window pane began to tremble.


    The impact urred right next to Treize. He turned.


    ¡°WHOA!¡±


    He flinched.


    Before his eyes was a person in grey, wearing a bva that obscured their face, hanging upside-down against the window. Their eyes met for a moment.


    ¡°Wh-what the?!¡± Lillia gasped, stepping away. Treize did as well, but because Lillia was blocking the way between the tables, he had to move over beside the next table.


    ¡°Pull him in, Ed.¡± Major Travas ordered.


    ¡°Yes, sir.¡±


    Ed soon clung to the frame and opened the window. A rush of wind and noise filled the car. He grabbed the person by their grey clothes.


    <Ed¡¯s got him. You may let go, Uno.> Major Travas ordered over the radio.


    ¡°Ha!¡±


    With a spirited cry, Ed pulled the suspicious figure into the dining car. Though the figure wasn¡¯t veryrge, it was still no easy feat to drag them bodily¡ªwhich only spoke for Ed¡¯s incredible strength.


    The person¡¯s knees were caught on the windowsill, but Ed pulled anyway. The figure¡¯s feet dragged against the table and pulled off the tablecloth. The menu and the tiny bowl of sugar on the table fell.


    ¡°EYAAAAGH!¡±


    The strange figure, who had fallen to the floor back-first with a shriek, iled wildly. Ed smacked them on the forehead.


    ¡°Agh!¡±


    The person was concussed by the impact.


    ¡°Urgh¡­¡±


    And with a moan, they stopped moving.


    As the passengers watched in stunned silence, Uno slid inside through the wide-open window. He moved like an acrobat as he used the windowsill as a step into the car.


    Once he was inside, Uno closed the window. The howling of the wind stopped. The car was quiet again.


    There was some dirt on Uno¡¯s back, but his jacket wasn¡¯t torn or messy. Calmly, he nced at the passengers.


    ¡°What the hell are these people¡­?¡± The soldier hissed.


    As the passengers watched, Major Travas and Uno approached the fallen figure on the floor, who was wearing grey coveralls.


    ¡°¡­¡±


    Without a word, Ed reached for the bva. Every eye on the car was on the figure¡¯s face.


    ¡°Ah!¡±


    ¡°Oh!¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    ¡°How?¡±


    A smallmotion arose the moment the figure was unmasked.


    ¡°¡­¡±


    Major Travas silently looked down at her face.


    ¡°Th-this is¡­¡± Lillia stammered, standing with her back to the window. ¡°The woman with the baby!¡±


    Lying unconscious on the floor was one of the passengers¡ªthe wife of the couple. She was the woman with short ck hair who had boarded with a baby.


    ¡°What¡¯s going on here?¡± The soldier demanded, turning around.


    The suit-d man, the doctor, the saleswoman, and the other passengers all turned to the husband, who stood shoulder-to-shoulder among them.


    ¡°No! Impossible!¡± The husband cried, squeezing past the passengers.


    He rushed down the aisle, past the soldier. He tried to reach his fallen wife, but just 3 meters before her Ed silently held out his arms to stop him.


    ¡°Hey! What is this?!¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re not sure ourselves. But we¡¯d like to hear your side of the story.¡± Said Major Travas.


    ¡°This has got to be a trap!¡± The man cried. ¡°My wife wouldn¡¯t do something like this! You¡¯re trying to frame us! My wife is supposed to be watching our baby in the cabin! Our baby girl! She¡¯s only five months old!¡± He demanded. ¡°I get it now! One of your men crossed the roof while we were all busy here and dragged my wife over! Have you got any proof that she walked all the way here? All we had to go by was the sound! You bastards are trying to make her out to be the culprit!¡±


    No one said anything.


    Major Travas¡¯s team were coldly staring at the husband.


    The passengers, on the other hand, were confused. Not knowing what to do or say, all they could do was stand there.


    The husband retorted loudly.


    ¡°Don¡¯t let these goons fool you! They¡¯re behind this! They poisoned the student and now they¡¯re trying to frame my wife!¡±


    ¡°Er¡­ well. I don¡¯t¡­¡± The soldier, who had until just earlier been leading the angry charge, tried to speak.


    ¡°We¡¯ll take ¡®em all on! We¡¯ve got numbers on our side!¡±


    ¡°C-calm down there. These people have guns, and from the way they act they¡¯re definitely not civilians¡­¡±


    The soldier¡¯s earlier fervor was gone. The suit-d man and the doctor were also standing back.


    Lillia and Treize said nothing. Their eyes met over the table.


    Lillia tilted her head, as if asking Treize what was happening.


    Treize lightly shook his head. He didn¡¯t know a thing.


    Allison was also watching the angry man amidst the passengers.


    Major Travas spoke.


    ¡°I have a few questions for you. If you and your wife coulde with us to the next car, we will hear you out¡ªyou haven¡¯t done anything yet, unlike your wife.¡±


    ¡°R-right¡­¡± The man nodded, and slowly approached Major Travas. Then¡ª


    Without warning, he rushed Treize, who stood beside him.


    ¡°Huh? Whoa!¡±


    Treize, who was looking at Major Travas, was unable to react in time. The man punched him in the chest.


    ¡°Koff!¡±


    Treize hit his back against the windowsill. He fell helplessly to the floor.


    Not a momentter, the man leapt over an entire table andnded before Lillia.


    By the time hended, he was holding a knife that he had drawn from his left sleeve. It was a thin, double-edged de about 10 centimeters in length. The handle was colored a matte ck.


    ¡°Eek!¡±


    He quickly grabbed Lillia as she tried to run. He wrapped his left arm around her and waved the knife before her face.


    ¡°Nobody move!¡± He cried. ¡°Everyone stay where you are, or the girl gets it!¡±


    The man and Lillia were standing near the center of the dining car. He stood with the left-side windows at his back, with Lillia before him as a shield.


    To the man¡¯s left¡ªthe front of the car¡ªwere the fallen woman and Major Travas¡¯s team, about 3 meters away.


    To his right were the confused passengers with the soldier in the lead, about 5 meters away.


    And at a table to his right, about two meters away¡ª


    ¡°Koff! Ugh¡­ that hurt¡­¡±


    Treize staggered to his feet, coughing. He looked at Lillia¡ªwho was clearly angry about her situation¡ªand the man¡ªclearly ready to kill¡ªand swore.


    ¡°Damn it!¡±


    ¡°Kid! Get over to the other passengers now! Or else¡­¡± The man threatened, holding the knife near Lillia.


    Treize red. He nced at Major Travas¡¯s team behind the man, and noticed Major Travas nod. Treize did as he was told and backed away.


    From the back of the crowd, Allison quietly reached into her jacket.


    Uno and Ed took low stances, legs spread and aiming their guns with the safety disarmed. They were naturally pointing at the man, but Lillia was in the line of fire.


    ¡°So who¡¯re you gonna believe?!¡± The man cried suddenly. ¡°Me, or these suspicious freaks? Well, soldier?!¡±


    ¡°I¡ªyou can¡¯t expect me to¡ª¡± The soldier said, giving away his hesitation. The suit-d man spoke up.


    ¡°This is going too far, don¡¯t you think? Even if these men are in the wrong, you shouldn¡¯t be taking a young girl hostage¡­¡±


    ¡°Shut up! How is anybody supposed to believe these people?! If I let them take me and my wife, they¡¯re going to use truth serum, torture, and whatever else they¡¯ve got up their sleeve! We fell for their trap! We¡¯re better off fighting back! We can¡¯t just surrender to them!¡± The man roared, spit flying.


    Lillia grimaced as he yelled right next to her ear. But she did not put up a fight, quietly waiting with a weary look that spoke for how sick of hostage situations she was.


    ¡°What are you nning to do?¡± Asked the soldier.


    He was looking at the men on the other side of the car, their guns trained on the hostage-taker, and at the even colder bespectacled manmanding them.


    ¡°Look. You can¡¯t beat these people.¡± Said the soldier. ¡°If you¡¯re so worried, I¡¯ll go in when they¡¯re interro- I mean, questioning your wife to make sure they don¡¯t do anything funny. It¡¯s all fine as long as they¡¯re not trying to frame anyone, right?¡±


    ¡°Shut your mouth! You¡¯re not helping!¡±


    ¡°¡­Well, no, but¡­¡±


    The soldier went silent unable to deny the usation.


    ¡°Stop this train! I¡¯m getting off here. Somebody pull the emergency brake!¡± The man demanded. But none of the passengers reacted. Nor did Major Travas¡¯s team.


    ¡°Wait a minute.¡± Someone said. It was aposed, female voice.


    ¡°Wh-who said that?¡±


    ¡°Over here. Excuse me,ing through.¡±


    Allison squeezed past the passengers and went over to Treize. Then, she walked even further, down the aisle between the tables.


    ¡°S-stay back, or I¡ª¡±


    ¡°Right, right. We¡¯ll talk. Should I step back?¡±


    Calmly, Allison took a slow step back. The man had his back to the left-side windows. Allison stood with the right-side windows behind her. They were about 3 meters apart.


    At the center point of the line between Major Travas¡¯s team and the passengers was drawn another line, this time with Allison and the man holding Lillia hostage.


    ¡°Wh-who¡¯re you?¡±


    ¡°Me? I¡¯m the girl¡¯s mother. We¡¯re traveling together.¡± Allison said calmly.


    ¡°So what?! I¡¯m not letting the kid go. I¡®m not going to die here! Those suits are notgoing to take me!¡±


    ¡°Calm down. That¡¯s not what I want to say.¡±


    ¡°Hah! Then what? You¡¯re volunteering to take her ce or something?¡± The man snorted, moving his left arm with Lillia still wrapped in it, and waving his knife.


    ¡°Oh my. Actually, yes.¡± Allison said nonchntly.


    ¡°What?¡±


    The man froze.


    ¡°Yes. My dear Lillia is very timid and easy to scare. You won¡¯t have an easy time taking her along as a hostage.¡± Allison said amicably.


    Lillia frowned, but the man did not notice.


    ¡°I¡¯ll be your hostage in my poor daughter¡¯s ce. So let her go!¡± Allison said, taking several steps towards the man. She made a point of raising her own voice.


    As the passengers looked on in silence and Major Travas¡¯s team held their positions¡ª


    ¡°¡­¡±


    Lillia stared at her mother as though thetter had been reced by an alien.


    ¡°And if I refuse¡­?¡± The man said. Allison smiled.


    ¡°That wouldn¡¯t be a very good idea. I¡¯d ask you to reconsider.¡± She said, taking another step forward.


    ¡°Agh¡­¡±


    Lillia noticed Allison reach into the right-side pocket on her jacket, which the passengers couldn¡¯t see.


    ¡°S-stay back! I¡¯m warning you!¡±


    The man pointed his knife at Allison. But he could not finish his sentence.


    Allison withdrew her right hand. And she pointed a certain object at the man¡¯s face.


    Bang.


    There was a gunshot.


    A tiny shell casing leapt into the air, then hit the table and bounced against the windowsill before falling to the floor.


    ¡°¡­¡±


    A smoking dent was left on the wooden frame, only 30 centimeters from the dazed man¡¯s face.


    In Allison¡¯s right hand was a small automatic handgun. It gave off a dull glint, heldpletely out of the knife¡¯s range.


    ¡°Wh-what the hell are you¡­?¡±


    ¡°Like I said, I¡¯m the girl¡¯s mother.¡±


    ¡°D-don¡¯t you care if I stab your girl?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s toote for that. It¡¯ll be faster for me to pull the trigger than it will be for you to move. I missed on purpose, you know. You should be thanking me.¡±


    ¡°Y-you seriously think you can shoot a man?¡±


    ¡°Oh my. I¡¯ll have you know that I once personally shot a man to death on a moving train. Don¡¯t underestimate me.¡±


    Allison was smiling. There were beads of sweat on the man¡¯s face.


    Major Travas¡¯s face stiffened. He was anxious¡ªit was a face he had never shown his subordinates. Thankfully, both Uno and Ed were too distracted by the hostage situation to notice.


    ¡°Let me make a suggestion. If you drop that knife, I¡¯ll spare your life. And as soon as we reach the next station, we¡¯ll hand you over to the police and not these suspicious people. Your wife, too.¡±


    The man was silent.


    ¡°But if you don¡¯t¡­ Well, I¡¯m giving you five seconds. Five four three two¡ª¡± Allison began counting down very quickly.


    ¡°A-all right all right! Fine!¡±


    The man let go of the knife. It fell to the floor.


    ¡°There.¡±


    The moment the man¡¯s arm rxed, Lillia pulled herself out and escaped, as casual as though she were on her way to get the mail.


    ¡°Thanks, Mom.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re wee, honey.¡±


    Lillia moved out of Allison¡¯s line of fire and stepped away from the man. And she joined the dazed passengers in the back of the car.


    ¡°Phew¡­¡±


    Major Travas breathed a sigh of relief.


    Treize did as well. He withdrew his right hand, which had been in his belt pack since before Allison had drawn. He was not holding anything.


    ¡°¡­¡±


    The man once called ¡®Prisoner 42¡¯ was watching it all, from the moment Treize had reached into his belt pack to the moment he withdrew his hand after themotion.


    ¡°Thank you. I won¡¯t open fire without warning now. And I won¡¯t hand you over to those people.¡± Allison said, her gun still trained on the man. Major Travas¡¯s men lowered their weapons. And they quietly stepped behind him.


    ¡°I-I didn¡¯t want to do this! Please, you have to believe me! I was just scared¡­¡± The man pleaded, leaning against the window. Allison nodded.


    ¡°I understand, but I have a few questions for you. May I?¡±


    ¡°Wh-what? What do you want to know?¡±


    ¡°Well¡­¡± Allison said. ¡°You killed the student, didn¡¯t you?¡±


    The man nched. A hushedmotion erupted among the passengers.


    ¡°Hm?¡± Major Travas furrowed his brow. His men nced at him.


    ¡°Wh-what are you talking about? Why would I¡ª¡±


    ¡°You did, right?¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    Allison was confident. The man was silent.


    ¡°What should we do?¡± Uno whispered to Major Travas.


    ¡°It might be easier to let things y out. We still have time until we reach the next station. We¡¯ll leave things in her hands. But make sure she ends her involvement quickly.¡±


    ¡°Yes, sir.¡±


    With her gun still trained on the man, Allison dealt the final blow.


    ¡°It looks like I should exin myself. You there! Private First ss!¡±


    ¡°Ma¡¯am!¡± The soldier responded almost reflexively, standing up straight and saluting. The other passengers flinched.


    ¡°This man went to the second ss passenger car to tell you about the student, right? Then you all rushed over.¡±


    ¡°Yes, ma¡¯am. We were ying cards together at the time.¡± The soldier nodded. Allison turned to the man.


    ¡°But you didn¡¯t have to go all the way back there. There were other passengers in the same car, including me. You could have just called for help in that car. So why didn¡¯t you do that?¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    The man said nothing. The suit-d man nodded in vague agreement.


    ¡°It¡¯s easy to see why you didn¡¯t. You wanted to convince asrge a crowd as possible that the student was poisoned. There were simply more people in the second ss passenger car.¡±


    ¡°I get it!¡± Lillia said, pping her hands together.


    ¡°I want someone¡ªany two people here¡ªto go to the second ss sleeper car where this man and his wife were.¡±


    ¡°Why? There shouldn¡¯t be anyone there. ¡ªExcept for the quiet old man, I suppose.¡± Said the saleswoman.


    ¡°First, check if the student¡¯s body is still in the corridor. And bring back the baby¡ªwe can¡¯t leave her alone in that cabin.¡±


    ¡°All right. Someonee with me. ¡­You there.¡±


    The saleswoman left the dining car with the suit-d man in tow.


    ¡°I¡¯ll go, too.¡± Treize volunteered. Allison nodded, and he followed.


    The soldier, the secretary, and the doctor watched them leave.


    ¡°Is the wife awake?¡±


    ¡°No.¡± Ed replied to Allison¡¯s question.


    Time passed in silence.


    About three minutester, they heard loud footsteps heading for the dining car.


    ¡°Th-this is bad!¡± Cried the suit-d man as he rushed back. Treize was hot on his heels.


    They both looked like they¡¯d seen a ghost. The saleswoman followed after, panting heavily.


    ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± Asked the soldier. The suit-d man replied.


    ¡°Th-they¡¯re gone!¡±


    ¡°Who?¡± Asked a passenger.


    ¡°I knew it.¡± ¡°I knew it.¡±


    Allison and Major Travas whispered under their breaths simultaneously.


    ¡°The student¡ªI mean, the body¡¯s gone! It¡¯s not in the corridor where we left it! And it¡¯s not in the couple¡¯s cabin, either!¡±


    He paused and took a deep breath. Then he continued, to the shock of everyone but Allison, Major Travas, and the husband.


    ¡°And the baby¡¯s gone, too! So is the basket!¡±


    ¡°I checked, too. We didn¡¯t find anything. We checked all the cabins in the car, but the only one there was the quiet old man.¡± Treize continued. The saleswoman, red with anger, demanded to know where the baby was.


    Allison looked at the husband, who hung his head.


    ¡°You threw them away.¡±


    ¡°Wh-what do you mean, ma¡¯am?¡± Asked the soldier. But a secondter, he seemed to realize¡ª ¡°No. They didn¡¯t¡­¡±


    He could not continue.


    ¡°She¡¯s not your baby, is she?¡± Asked Allison. The husband did not reply. ¡°This woman isn¡¯t your wife, either. You two used the baby as a cover to feign being a couple. No one would suspect a couple with a baby. It¡¯s the perfect disguise. You must have either kidnapped the girl or adopted her from a facility under false pretenses.¡±


    The man did not respond.


    ¡°You sabotaged the other train to have us transfer to this one, then poisoned the student and stirred up amotion. And while we were distracted in the dining car, the woman would have crossed the roof to head to the cars beyond. It¡¯s not the best n I¡¯ve seen, but it partly worked.¡±


    ¡°Then what about the baby?¡± The saleswoman asked, pale. Allison continued inly.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know how you were nning to escape, but the woman probably threw the student¡¯s body onto the other tracks or the grass to get rid of evidence. No one would have witnessed it, since all the second ss passengers would be here. You must have done the same with the baby.¡±


    ¡°My goodness¡­¡± The saleswoman gasped, putting a hand to her mouth. Allison added that she was just hypothesizing, and turned to the man.


    ¡°Am I right?¡±


    He did not reply.


    ¡°What is your goal?¡±


    ¡°What is your goal?¡±


    He said nothing.


    ¡°If you don¡¯t want to talk, that¡¯s fine. I¡¯m keeping my promise¡ªI won¡¯t turn you over to those men. We¡¯ll hear the rest at the police station at the next stop. Taking my daughter hostage is reason enough to have you arrested.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ¡°And we¡¯re done here. Is everyone happy?¡± Allison asked, looking at the passengers and at Major Travas¡¯s team. No one objected.


    Allison took a step forward and picked up the fallen knife by the de, and then took two steps back.


    Only when she had ced the knife on the table did she finally arm the safety on her gun again and lower it.


    ¡°I swear, every time I decide to go somewhere¡­¡± Lillia groaned, sighing.


    ¡°It was him¡­¡± The man muttered. All eyes turned to him.


    The man leaned weakly against the window and whispered.


    ¡°He¡¯s the one who convinced us to do this¡­¡±


    ¡°What are you talking about? Who?¡± Allison asked gently. The man hung his head, pale, and continued.


    ¡°I¡­ I was released from prison recently. Didn¡¯t have a job. And about ten days ago¡­ a man called me. And told me some strange things.¡±


    ¡°Like what?¡±


    ¡°He said we could make easy money on this train¡­ That these suits are working for a big jewelrypany cross-river, and they¡¯re smuggling a load of jewels from Iks to Iltoa¡­¡±


    Allison shrugged. The soldier asked Major Travas if what the man said was true.


    ¡°We can¡¯t tell you the details, but that im is absolutely untrue. This man has been fooled.¡± Major Travas said firmly.


    But Major Travas still found himself grimacing at the fact that there had been an information leak, even if the details were wrong. Uno cast him a nce¡ªhe must have thought the same.


    ¡°What about your pretend-wife?¡± Asked Allison.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know who she is. Not even her name. I just know she¡¯s like me. An ex-con. She says she heard the same thing from the guy on the phone¡­ I followed instructions and met with her. We thought this might work, so we decided to cooperate.¡±


    ¡°So you weren¡¯t the masterminds.¡±


    ¡°No. It was all him. He gave us the train number and got us money and clothes. And a massive deposit. He said he¡¯d sabotage the train so we could board the next one¡ªthe target. And that¡¯s what happened. He said he¡¯d cause amotion when the time came, and that we could get the jewels then. That happened, too. We were convinced things were going well for us until then¡­ it was so easy¡­ but who knew she¡¯d walk so loudly over the roof?¡±


    ¡°I have to say, that¡¯s incredible. Not you, the mastermind. Where did you get the baby?¡±


    ¡°He gave her to us. We found her in a coin locker in Elitesa Stationst night¡­ Along with a note. Said we should use her as a cover. We were nning to get rid of her from the beginning.¡± The man admitted.


    ¡°You¡¯re inhuman! You deserve hell! I¡¯ll send you there myself!¡± The saleswoman howled, stepping forward. The other passengers stopped her.


    ¡°That¡¯s another charge, then. Have you met the man in person?¡±


    ¡°No. He sent me the money by mail, and his voice on the phone always sounded distorted. Like a broken radio.¡±


    ¡°I see. How did you poison the student?¡± Allison asked. But this time, the man grew desperate.


    ¡°No! We didn¡¯t! We didn¡¯t poison him! It wasn¡¯t us!¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    ¡°I never poisoned him! I¡ª koff!¡±


    Out of nowhere, the man began vomiting blood.


    ¡°Grah!¡±


    With a chilling scream, he jerked upwards.


    Blood spewed from his mouth like a fountain, staining the window and the white tablecloths.


    As everyone watched, the man twitched as he coughed up blood. His head and back hit the window before he fell helplessly forward.


    One he hit the carpet, he did not move an inch. His eyes rolled into the back of his head as he threw up blood. He was dead in seconds.


    Allison looked down at his body bitterly.


    ¡°Oh¡­¡±


    With a sigh, Lillia held a moment of silence.


    ¡°Induce vomiting. Now!¡± Major Travas said, just as the man died.


    Ed and Uno sat the woman upright, and made her lean forward¡ª


    ¡°Koff!¡±


    The woman jerked.


    ¡°Sheet¡­¡±


    As Uno watched, the woman began to cough up blood.


    Ed shook his head. Unoid her on the floor again. Blood spilled from her mouth. Air escaped her lungs at times, creating red foam on her lips.


    ¡°They¡¯ve both passed. I believe poison capsules may have dissolved in their stomachs.¡±


    In the middle of the dining cary the body of the man and woman who had pretended to be husband and wife. There were red stains on the white tablecloths over their faces.


    ¡°It¡¯s not likely suicide. They probably ingested the poison without knowing.¡± Uno concluded his report, returning to Major Travas¡¯s side.


    ¡°What in the world is going on here¡­?¡± The soldier wondered, speaking for the other passengers behind him.


    Allison, standing near the middle of the car, sighed.


    ¡°So now we¡¯re out of leads again.¡±


    ¡°Geez. And I was having such a good time making a cool friend in first ss, too. I must be cursed. That must be it. It¡¯s a curse.¡± Lillia grumbled.


    Treize watched things unfold silently, standing amidst the passengers.


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ¡°They got what they deserved.¡± The saleswoman spat coldly behind him.


    ¡°Are you there, Mr. Cohen?¡± Major Travas asked, and nced at his wristwatch.


    ¡°Oh. Yes. Just one moment, sir.¡± Cohen replied, stepping forward. He was pale as a sheet. He crept past the bodies and the bloodstains in the carpet and went to Major Travas.


    ¡°How much longer to the next station?¡±


    ¡°Oh! Yes¡­ er¡­¡±


    Cohen took out a timetable and a pocket watch.


    ¡°Not for a while, sir. At least two more hours.¡±


    ¡°Is there anywhere on the way where we can stop the train? Somewhere that won¡¯t affect the next train on the line?¡±


    ¡°Hm? Let me see¡­ There is a ce about ten or twenty minutes ahead. It¡¯s an emergency line that doubles as a freight depot. But¡­¡±


    ¡°Perfect. Please stop the train there and separate the train.¡± Major Travas ordered.


    ¡°Yes¡ª what?¡± Cohen squawked. ¡°Wh-what did you say?¡±


    ¡°I want you to separate the train. Have the lotive run with just the VIP car and first ss sleeper car in tow, leaving the rest behind. We cannot continue with the passengers so long as there is a threat to our security. But we cannot leave the passengers in the open, so we will leave their cars behind.¡±


    ¡°¡­I¡¯m afraid that¡¯s¡ª¡±


    ¡°Please make it possible.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    Cohen the conductor went silent.


    ¡°Maybe that¡¯s not a bad idea. Frankly, I don¡¯t want to travel with those people anymore. I shouldn¡¯t have gotten on this train.¡± Said the suit-d man.


    ¡°Yeah¡­¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ve got nothing to do with this.¡±


    ¡°Get ¡®em away.¡±


    Voices of consent followed.


    ¡°You can¡¯t just leave us! At least take us to the next station!¡± The doctor said defiantly. Another passenger agreed.


    At that moment¡ª


    ¡°I¡­ I suppose it wouldn¡¯t be impossible.¡± Cohen said, after a long moment¡¯s thought.


    ¡°What do you mean?¡± Asked Allison. Cohen responded.


    ¡°They always have a few lotives stationed at the depot. If we can just get permission from the operations office in Raputoa, we might be able to use one to get the rear cars to the next station¡ªbut no further.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s good enough. We need to go to the police, anyway.¡±


    ¡°So that¡¯s the end of the line, huh.¡±


    Allison nodded in understanding. Lillia groaned.


    Major Travas asked for the passengers¡¯ permission. No one objected.


    * * *


    About twenty minutes before they would reach the depot.


    Cohen contacted the office by radio and exined the situation. When he asked to split the train, the supervisor gave him his begrudging permission.


    <I suppose if it¡¯s an emergency¡­> The supervisor said, annoyed.


    Hilda alone had known nothing about the goings-on in the train, but Major Travas gave her an exnation and added that they would be splitting the train.


    ¡°I understand. I give you my permission.¡± Hilda said with a smile. ¡°It¡¯s a shame that I won¡¯t be able to speak with Lillia on this trip anymore. But will you give us the chance to meet again sometime? Even if it¡¯s in Sfrestus?¡±


    With aplicated look, Major Travas replied that he would try.


    Allison and Lillia were gathered with the other passengers in the second ss passenger car.


    The passengers had all the cheer of a group of funeral guests. But when Major Travas and Ed dropped off Treize¡ªcarrying a backpack¡ªamong the passengers, everyone grew curious.


    ¡°Aren¡¯t you with them, kid? Who are you?¡± The soldier asked the question on everyone¡¯s mind. Treize replied without even blinking.


    ¡°I¡¯m a guide from Ikstova. I was helping them along from my homnd, but they kicked me out just now. I don¡¯t really mind¡ªI didn¡¯t want to stay with them anymore, anyway.¡±


    ¡°I see. Sorry to hear that.¡±


    Treize took a seat a little ways away from Allison and Lillia, and watched the world quickly pass by outside the window. The monotonous springndscape sped past his eyes.


    * * *


    In the middle of a vast in untouched by buildings or fields was a lone depot. Next to the tiny lodgings were several diesel lotives and water and fuel tank cars.


    A tiny light shone in the southern horizon. It was a train¡¯s headlights.


    The train approached, slowing as it left the main line. And it finally came to a full stop on a set of tracks parallel to the main one.


    The man once called ¡®Prisoner 42¡¯ watched the scenery and nced at his wristwatch, whispering to himself.


    ¡°Right on schedule. Perfect.¡±


    -Continued in Part 2-

 Volume 3 6 — We are Not Murderers

    <h4>Volume 3 Chapter 6: We are Not Murderers</h4>


    -----


    The sun had traveled more than halfway across the sky. Work on separating the cars continued.


    The engineer and the driver separated the train between the first ss passenger car and the dining car. The two middle-aged railroad workers had no idea about the earliermotion because they had been busy running the train from the lotive.


    They exchanged shocked nces when they heard the news, but they followed Cohen¡¯s directions and got to work, confused.


    First, they peeled off the connecting cover around the coupling and pulled back the footboard. Then they separated the electric cables and the pneumatic tubes. Finally, they unscrewed the connector and unhooked the ring.


    In the meantime, Major Travas¡¯s team was standing warily on the tracks. The passengers, forbidden to leave the cars, remained inside.


    Once the train was divided,


    ¡°Finished. Now we can continue.¡±


    ¡°Excellent. Keep your radio turned on; we¡¯ll contact you if we need anything.¡±


    The engineer and the driver spoke with Cohen for a moment, before returning to the lotive.


    Major Travas personally checked that the trains had been separated, before turning to Cohen.


    ¡°I¡¯d like for you to remain on the other train. Thank you for your cooperation, Mr. Cohen. We¡¯ll contact you by radio.¡±


    Cohen made no attempt to hide his anger.


    ¡°This is outrageous! I don¡¯t care who you are or what you¡¯re doing¡ªthis is uneptable!¡±


    Major Travas simply replied,


    ¡°We don¡¯t care.¡±


    In the second ss passenger car, filled with partitioned seats.


    ¡°Hey, it looks like they¡¯re gone.¡± The soldier, who had been leaning out the window, reported. The three-car train in his sights slowly departed.


    Most of the train¡¯s passengers were gathered in this car.


    They weren¡¯t particrly obligated to, but the passengers seemed to be in silent agreement that they would stay away from the second ss sleeper cars.


    They had left their suitcases and trunks in the cabins, and were sitting in the ufortable seats. In a corner sat two waiters and a cook, all three of them with nothing to do.


    Only the stern old man and his secretary remained in their cabin, two cars ahead.


    The bodies of the couple had been ced in the cabin where they had stayed.


    ¡°What is going on here?¡± The saleswoman groaned from near the middle of the car.


    ¡°What¡¯s going to happen to us now?¡± The suit-d man wondered, as if to himself. The doctor¡ªwith his medical bag at his feet¡ªreplied.


    ¡°I suppose we¡¯ll all be investigated by the police once we reach the next station¡­ in any event, this really is a bother. When will we be free to go?¡±


    ¡°Argh¡­ I have an important meeting in Lor tomorrow afternoon. I should have taken an aerone¡­ what do I do¡­?¡± The suit-d man agonized, holding his head in his hands.


    No one answered. No one knew what to say.


    ¡°Right¡­ it¡¯s all right as long as we don¡¯t have any more killers or suspicious suits in this train¡­ count my blessings¡­¡± The man finally concluded, perhaps having given up.


    Ten minutes passed with nothing being done.


    The train shook. Some flinched, but someone quickly exined that a lotive had been connected to their train.


    Soon, three men in Confederation Rail uniforms boarded the car.


    One was Cohen the conductor. Of the others, one was young and the other was middle-aged.


    Both the neers seemed confused by the unforeseen circumstances, but their expressions worsened when they saw the upset passengers.


    ¡°We¡¯ve contacted the police at Azay Station. Passengers, please bear with us until we reach the station. We¡¯ve also ordered the maintenance crew to search for the student and the baby. This train will soon be departing. We will arrive at Azay Station in less than three hours, before sunset.¡± Said Cohen.


    ¡°Right¡­¡±


    ¡°I see.¡±


    The passengers were unenthusiastic.


    Several minutes after Cohen and the men left, the train began to move. With two corpses and many tired passengers onboard, the train missing two cars left the depot.


    It twisted across several junctions before moving into the main line.


    And it once more headed north.


    * * *


    Inside the first train ahead, Major Travas¡¯s team were holding a strategy meeting.


    Everyone but Ann¡ªwho was in Hilda¡¯s cabin¡ªwas in the first ss sleeper car corridor and the adjoining cabins, which were now part of thest car of the train. They focused their sights outside, keeping a close eye on their surroundings.


    All of them had assault rifles slung over their shoulders. In their suit pockets were spare magazines. They were ready for a shootout.


    The conversation took ce over radio, so Ann could also participate. And it all took ce in Bezelese.


    ¡°We have a leak.¡± Said Major Travas.


    The four men in the corridor and the cabins nodded gravely.


    ¡°We did not inform Roxche about this train. Which unfortunately means the leak is from our side. I will suspend judgement for the time being.¡± Major Travas said. ¡°But what we can be sure of now is that someone is attempting to harm thedy. And that this someone somehow knows about us.¡±


    ¡°Sounds serious.¡± Said Uno.


    ¡°Seriously. It¡¯s more than the major¡¯s head on the line here.¡± Yzma joked. No oneughed or got angry. And though Yzma had called him ¡®major¡¯ and not ¡®leader¡¯, no one scolded him.


    <Seriously. It¡¯s more than the major¡¯s head on the line here. >


    When Gratz Axentine heard Yzma¡¯s joke, she silently looked outside. She saw nothing but a vast brown field, the monotony sometimes broken by clumps of trees.


    ¡°Now that we¡¯re no longer incognito, there¡¯s no advantage in working as a small team.¡± Ozette said from the hallway. Major Travas agreed.


    ¡°What about the fake couple? What¡¯s your take on them, Major?¡± Asked Yzma.


    ¡°They were throwaway pawns from the beginning. They likely had no idea about thedy.¡±


    ¡°Then is the mastermind really the one who poisoned them? Why would the couple even trust the mastermind and take those unknown drugs? They had no idea who the mastermind was.¡±


    ¡°The poison was in capsules. The mastermind probably told them that the capsules were antidotes to the poison, in case the couple identally had one of the poisoned lunches. He could tell them to take the capsules at a designated time.¡± Major Travas theorized without missing a beat.


    ¡°So¡­ the other train breaking down, the angry passengers demanding to board this one, the death of the student, and themotion in the dining car were all his doing?¡± Said Yzma.


    ¡°If¡­¡± Uno began, unconsciously scratching his short-cropped hair. ¡°If Ms. Schultz hadn¡¯t stopped the man while he was panicking, the passengers would have turned against us the moment the couple died. Everyone who ate the lunches would have lost their minds. We would have been powerless to bring the situation under control.¡±


    ¡°So we¡¯re dealing with a smart fellow here. He even expected us to hand out lunches.¡± Said Ozette.


    ¡°He thinks like us.¡± Ed muttered. Major Travas agreed.


    ¡°This mastermind¡ªor someone under his control¡ªis among the passengers. And we have no way of knowing who he is until he makes a move. He¡¯s surely prepared a n B, C, or more, and depending on the way things go he will set the backups into motion.¡±


    ¡°In that case, everyone is looking pretty suspicious right about now.¡± Said Yzma. ¡°Oh. Except for the Schultz family, of course.¡±


    ¡°The trains have been separated, and we¡¯re not likely to face any more obstacles. But don¡¯t let your guard down. Azay Station is close to the Lutoni. There¡¯s a highway across the river from there. We will procure a vehicle and cross via the bridge.¡± Major Travas exined their n.


    ¡°Then it looks like Prince Treize won¡¯t be joining us, being Roxchean. Too bad.¡± Uno noted.


    ¡°Yes. But¡­¡± Major Travas trailed off, after voicing his agreement.


    ¡°Is something bothering you, leader?¡± Asked Ozette. Major Travas sounded uncharacteristically uncertain.


    ¡°Yes. Something¡¯s been bugging me. Is this really the right course of action? I get the feeling that I¡¯m overlooking something.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not a good attitude for the leader to have.¡± Uno pointed out.


    Major Travas apologized, then ordered,


    ¡°All right, men. Remain vignt until we reach the next station. Destroy all obstacles with force.¡±


    At that point, the train was headed for a certain junction.


    The tracks leading north forked, branching off into a set of tracks heading northwest. The train moved at 80 kilometers an hour towards that point.


    Naturally, the train passed the junction in the blink of an eye, continuing north.


    The train headed into the horizon, shrank into a speck in the distance, and disappeared. At that moment¡ª


    ¡°It¡¯s gone!¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s get started.¡±


    Two people appeared from next to the still-rumbling tracks.


    They were wearing brown camouge clothes with hoods over their heads, and cloth of a simr color wrapped around their faces. They were also covered in leaves. Because they had been lying on their stomachs in the grass until the train had passed, they werepletely indistinguishable from the scenery. From their voices and builds they were clearly men.


    The men climbed onto the gravel-covered rails and approached the junction. One of them swung an axe at the cable connected to the mechanism.


    ¡°Hah!¡±


    He cut off the train¡¯s means ofmunicating with the operations office. The other man pushed the massive junction lever.


    Clunk. There was a loud metallic noise as the junction was switched, so the next train from the south would be railroaded toward the northwest.


    ¡°Perfect. Let¡¯s go!¡±


    ¡°Right!¡±


    The men then sprinted for the woods, about 150 meters away.


    Behind the grove, hidden from sight, was a car.


    It was a small four-wheel drive car used both by civilians and the military. The canvas roof was open. The antenna was broken, secured to the frame of the windshield.


    The men stepped inside. The man on the left-side seat¡ªthe driver¡¯s seat¡ªstarted the car.


    The car drove into a dirt road. The road ran parallel with the tracks for about 100 meters.


    The car sped north, just as the train had earlier.


    The man in the passenger seat spoke into the radio installed in the car.


    <This is the junction team. Main crew, respond. >


    <Main crew. Well?> A man replied. They were all speaking Roxchean.


    The man in the passenger seat could scarcely hide his excitement.


    <Sess! The train¡¯s passed, just as scheduled! It¡¯s all moving along splendidly! We¡¯ve switched the junction. Even if the operations office doesn¡¯t notice, the next train won¡¯t crash into this one. >


    <Excellent. We willmence the operation. See you soon. >


    The car sped up even more after themunications. A bolt-action sniper rifle equipped with a scope, wrapped in a sleeping bag, shook in the trunk.


    * * *


    Inside the train about thirty minutes behind the one carrying Major Travas.


    In the second ss passenger car, where the passengers satnguidly.


    ¡°We need to talk.¡± Lillia said, gesturing to Treize.


    She was standing in front of the door to the doorway. Treize got up and followed her. They stepped out into the doorway together.


    From her seat, Allison watched them leave. She yawned.


    Making sure no one was around, Lillia pushed Treize towards the door.


    ¡°Whoa¡­¡±


    He felt the door against his back.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± Treize asked. Lillia was serious.


    ¡°Are you kidding? The date.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± Treize blurted, a hint of excitement in his voice.


    ¡°Mom and Major Travas¡¯s date.¡±


    ¡°¡­Oh.¡± Treize nodded, quickly brought back to reality. Lillia continued without a care for his disappointment.


    ¡°They were nning to go on a date in Lor after this job, weren¡¯t they? Mom never would have decided toe this far otherwise.¡±


    ¡°I guess so. I don¡¯t know the details, but the major¡¯s escort mission is supposed to end once he sees off Hilda at Lor¡­¡±


    ¡°But that¡¯s not happening now, is it?!¡±


    ¡°Huh? Oh. Right. Since we¡¯ll have to spend the night at the next station.¡± Treize nodded. Lillia red at him.


    ¡°Can¡¯t you do something about this? I don¡¯t care if it¡¯s a dayte. Mom and I are gonna be in Lor until the 29th.¡±


    ¡°How am I supposed to help¡­?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re the their guide, right? Don¡¯t you have their contact information? They¡¯re supposed to pay you, so you should know how to get in touch, right?¡±


    Treize shook his head.


    ¡°Are you sure?¡±


    ¡°Yeah. Even if I knew how to contact them, they¡¯re going to¡ª¡±


    They would get a car at the next station and immediately cross the Lutoni, Treize was about to say. But he stopped.


    At that moment, the door into the car opened and someone entered the doorway. Lillia turned cautiously.


    ¡°Sorry. Didn¡¯t mean to disturb you.¡± The man said reflexively in Bezelese. But he quickly realized his mistake and switched to Roxchean. ¡°I will not bother.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s all right.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about it.¡±


    Treize and Lillia replied in Bezelese. The man¡¯s eyes turned to dinner tes.


    ¡°Well, who would¡¯ve guessed? You two speak Bezelese!¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s part of the job description.¡±


    ¡°Yeah.¡±


    Treize and Lillia replied.


    ¡°Marvelous! I¡¯m a traveler; you have no idea how hard it was getting around Roxche, since no one speaks any Bezelese around here. Just wanted to know¡ªwhat in the world is going on here? First the train breaks down and we switch trains, and then these people die coughing up blood¡­ is thismon in Roxche?¡± The man asked, almost sounding enthusiastic.


    Lillia red. Treize responded.


    ¡°Not at all. This whole situation is veryplicated. I¡¯m sure the police will exin everythingter.¡±


    ¡°I see. ¡­You were with the other group, weren¡¯t you? Is it all right for you to be here?¡±


    ¡°I was kicked out. I¡¯m just a guide from Ikstova¡ªI have nothing to do with their actual business.¡±


    ¡°I see. I¡¯m sorry to hear that.¡± The man said, and moved away. ¡°By the way, do you know where I could find the bathroom? Isn¡¯t it supposed to be in the doorway?¡±


    It was in thest car, Lillia replied.


    ¡°I see. Excuse me. I suppose I must¡¯ve gotten my Roxchean mixed up.¡±


    With that, the long-haired man winked and disappeared back into the car.


    * * *


    The train carrying Major Travas was traveling parallel to a canal.


    The canal was on the left side of the train¡ªthe western side¡ªand was about 20 meters in width.


    The tracks had beenid along the old canal. The only other thing of note was that the ins seemed to continue to the ends of the earth.


    The area was once used for farming, but during the Great War half a century earlier, the locals were disced and the fields became ins.


    After the armistice, the area was dered a high-risk zone, upied only by the military outposts dotting the region. Even now, when there was little chance of another war, thesepletely undevelopednds remained unupied.


    Inside the VIP cabin, Hilda was dozing off on the sofa. A gentle light shone from beyond the thin curtains, setting her golden hair aglow. Ann stood to the side of the room, keeping an eye on her.


    Yzma was outside the cabin, guarding the corridor. Major Travas stood at the front end of the corridor.


    Uno, Ozette, and Ed were keeping watch on the train¡¯s surroundings from the first ss car. They all made sure to keep up regrmunications.


    The sun had fallen quite far, but there was still over an hour left until dusk. Sunlight glittered off the surface of the canal by the tracks.


    <All clear here. Business as usual. Hope nothing else happens now. ¡­Actually, if this was a film something¡¯s bound to happen right about now. End transmission. >


    Yzma had just given aid-back report.


    <Th-this is the lotive¡ª>


    The driver¡¯s frantic voice spoke from Major Travas¡¯s earpiece and the radios next to every team member.


    <What¡¯s going on?> Said Major Travas.


    <A truck¡ªthere¡¯s a truck stopped on the tracks! I¡¯m pulling the emergency brake!>


    ¡°Figures.¡± Yzma cringed, regretting what he had just said.


    ¡°¡­¡±


    Ann grimaced as she watched the sleeping Hilda.


    <I¡¯m afraid we can¡¯t stop. > Major Travas replied quickly. <Slow down the train slightly and continue onward. This train is more than strong enough enough to clear it from the tracks. >


    <Right, sir. > The driver replied.


    <Right, sir. >


    The driver in the lotive replied quickly, before exchanging nces with the engineer.


    They were both smiling.


    ¡°Heh.¡±


    ¡°Hah hah hah.¡±


    Outside the windshield, about 500 meters ahead on the tracks, was a mid-sized truck with a canvassed bed.


    ¡°We¡¯re gonna be rich. We¡¯ll be filthy, stinkin¡¯ rich!¡±


    The driver howled with bloodshot eyes as he reached for the brake handle. And he pulled it without a second thought.


    Major Travas felt the emergency brake kick in and contacted the lotive again.


    <Do not stop the train. >


    The driver replied in a mocking voice.


    <Too bad, sucker! We don¡¯t take orders from you now!>


    ¡°So they were in on this¡­ I should¡¯ve known.¡± Major Travas hissed, having understood his position.


    The wheels screeched as the train slowed down.


    Hilda opened her eyes. Ann caught her before she could fall forward.


    <Looks like they pulled one over on us. > Yzma snickered.


    <Hm. Looks like we¡¯ll be getting quite a bit of mileage from our training. Ed. Do you see anything on the canal side?> Said Ozette.


    <No. > Ed replied.


    The train grew slower and slower. And it finally came to a stop with a loud thunk.


    There were about 50 meters to the truck.


    <Ann, protect thedy. Yzma, remain in the cabin and check the canal. Everyone else, keep your eyes on the right side of the train. > Major Travas ordered, and entered the VIP room beside him¡ªthe one Treize had used.


    <Multiple persons sighted on the right. Vehicles, too. > Uno reported.


    ¡°I knew it.¡±


    Major Travas peered out between the curtains.


    On the ins¡ªdotted with snow and still without a spot of green¡ªstood human figures.


    People were scattered on the ground about 7 or 8 kilometers from the tracks. There were about 20 of them.


    About 100 meters behind the men were the two small four-wheel-drive cars they hade by. One of them was upied by two people.


    All of this was clearly visible under the sunlight.


    <Confirmed. > Major Travas said. The next report came in.


    <Two men running from the lotive. Running toward the group. >


    Major Travas nced to his left.


    Just as Ed exined, the engineer and the driver had abandoned the train and their careers and were sshing across the muddy ground.


    Major Travas picked up the assault rifle he had left in the cabin. He loaded the magazine and loaded the first round.


    <Hold fire. >


    The unfolded rifle was in his right hand. With his left he pressed the call button for his microphone.


    <If they approach us, you may fire at will. But that doesn¡¯t seem too likely. >


    Once the escaped engineer and the driver had joined the men on the field, the right side of the train waspletely still. The people lying on their stomachs on the ground remained where they were, showing no sign of movement.


    ¡°Good for us, then.¡±


    Inside a first ss cabin, Uno had moved the sofa from beside the window. He pushed his suitcase against the window frame.


    Then he opened the suitcase. He propped up the lid with a pair of metal pipes.


    The suitcase wasrge and looked no different from ordinary models. But inside were not changes of clothes or souvenirs.


    Fastened to the inside of the lid with a leather band was a folded assault rifle. It was a backup in case something happened to the first.


    Organized neatly inside the suitcase were over thirty magazines. Ammunition glinted from the ends of the magazines.


    Next to the magazines was a wooden box containing a dozen grenades¡ªpins secured with tape¡ªarranged delicately like a box of eggs.


    Finally, there was a Sou Be-Il military-issue helmet,plete with ear ps.


    ¡°¡®Be ready for anything¡¯. It was worth dragging this thing around.¡±


    Uno pulled the helmet over his head and quickly but gingerly began to peel the tapes off the grenades.


    Inside the VIP cabin, Axe opened up the two suitcases she had dragged over from the corner. She propped up the lids just as Uno had in the other cabin.


    Inside the suitcases were small helmets and several military-issue bulletproof vests. It was a chilling sight.


    ¡°Excuse me, Your Highness.¡± Ann said, quickly putting a vest and a helmet on Hilda. ¡°We¡¯re terribly sorry. Please, don¡¯t move.¡±


    ¡°I see something unfortunate must be happening.¡± Hilda said calmly, ducking as Ann instructed. Ann responded as calmly as she could, though she could notpletely hide the shaking of her voice.


    ¡°Yes, ma¡¯am.¡±


    She then used the spare vests to cover Hilda¡¯s legs.


    <You, the group on the train. We want to talk to your leader. I repeat. We want to talk to your leader. Do you hear me? Respond immediately. > An unfamiliar voice said through the earpieces.


    ¡°Hm? Aha. Nice of ¡®em to go to the trouble of contacting us.¡± Yzma muttered, scanning the canal side of the train with his assault rifle at the ready.


    Major Travas replied to the message through the same channel that they had earlier used with the lotive.


    <I¡¯m the leader. I will listen to what you have to say. Who are you?>


    <Heh. Let¡¯s just say I¡¯m the representative of the team that¡¯s surrounding you. >


    The man replied condescendingly. His voice did not sound very old. He was probably not yet middle-aged. He continued.


    <We have your train surrounded. >


    <We have your train surrounded. >


    Yzma burst outughing.


    ¡°Whoa! Which third-rate y did he get that line from?¡±


    Amidst his ownughter, however, Yzma made sure that no one was on the canal side¡ªthat the surface of the water remained entirely undisturbed.


    <We will give you a chance to surrender. Drop your weapons and step out of the train, and we will spare your lives. >


    <What is your purpose? Why did you target us?> Asked Major Travas.


    <We want the load of gold bars you¡¯re transporting. > The man replied confidently. Major Travas sighed, exasperated.


    <First it¡¯s jewels, and now it¡¯s bars of gold. We¡¯re dealing with a bunch of idiots here. > Yzmamented. Uno followed up.


    <But they¡¯re surprisingly well-prepared. The mastermind got them hook, line, and sinker, just like the couple earlier. >


    <Imbeciles. They probably think they¡¯ll get rich if they pull this off. > Ozette added.


    Ten secondster, Major Travas pressed the call button.


    <H-how did you know? Who are you?> He said, making a point of sounding shocked.


    <I see no point of answering that question. We¡¯re simply patriots of Lor. > The man replied, letting the answer slip. Perhaps the surprise in Travas¡¯s tone had led him to drop his guard.


    ¡°Correction. We¡¯re dealing with a bunch of first-ss idiots.¡± Yzma said snidely.


    <We will give you ten minutes. We will spare you if you alle out of the train with your hands in the air. >


    With that, the man ended the transmission.


    But he quickly connected back and added,


    <Don¡¯t worry. We are not murderers. >


    Once the men outside had stopped, Major Travas and his team resumedmunication.


    <Reporting in. Twenty-three hostiles on standby about 7 kilometers on the right side of the train. No camouge, no face coverings. Mostly armed with handguns and submachine guns. Fewer than five rifles between them. No individual radios. No one in the vicinity of the truck on the tracks. >


    Yzma followed.


    <Reporting in. No sign of an ambush on the canal side. It¡¯s all clear. Probably to make sure they don¡¯t shoot one another in the crossfire. Or maybe it¡¯s just to corner us. >


    Finally, Ed, in the doorway of thest car.


    <No hostiles behind the train. >


    Ozette said that he had nothing to add. Ann reported that Hilda was calm and following instructions.


    Major Travas nced at his wristwatch. It had been one minute since the ultimatum.


    <The Lor Patriots¡¯ Front. A group of ouws who engage in kidnappings, bombings, and terrorism for the supposed purpose of narrowing the gap between rich and poor. And they seem to seriously believe we¡¯re carrying a load of gold ingots on this train. > Uno said. Yzma chimed in.


    <It¡¯s almost baffling how stupid these people are. Looks like our mastermind has a knack for manipting imbeciles into doing his bidding. >


    Major Travas finally spoke, stating a horrifying fact.


    <From theirck of face coverings, I suppose they have no intention of letting us live. >


    Uno agreed.


    <Yes. They¡¯re likely nning to load the ¡®gold ingots¡¯ onto a truck. After that, they¡¯ll probably have the engineer derail the train into the canal. Or burn the train with the bodies. They probably offered us a chance to surrender because they¡¯re rather not risk a shootout or because they¡¯re waiting for reinforcements. >


    Major Travas agreed. Then,


    <We¡¯ll send a respond five minutes before the deadline. Prepare for battle. >


    With that he ended the transmission. He didn¡¯t have to say what he nned to tell the Lor Patriots¡¯ Front.


    ¡°No word from the driver. What should I do?¡±


    ¡°Keep trying. But don¡¯t stop the next train until it starts getting dangerous.¡±


    One of the employees at the operations office in Raputoa was beginning to panic. The supervisor responded with an annoyed look.


    And,


    ¡°If you¡¯ll excuse me, I have a stomachache.¡±


    The supervisor left as the other employees watched, confused. The supervisor quickly walked down the hall and entered a deserted bathroom.


    ¡°Heh heh heh¡­¡±


    The moment he locked the door, he began to chuckle.


    He mmed the flush handle ecstatically.


    ¡°Now he¡¯ll erase my wife! I can finally start over!¡± He whispered to himself.


    When Major Travas reached the door to Hilda¡¯s room, he armed the safety on his assault rifle andid it on the floor. Then he knocked and stepped inside.


    There was Hilda, sitting on the carpet in her bulletproof vest and helmet. She no longer had to lie against the floor.


    Major Travas sat on bended knee and bowed his head.


    ¡°Your Highness. We will now proceed to forcibly eliminate these threats. There will be amotion outside.¡±


    Hilda fixed her tilted helmet and looked him in the eye.


    ¡°You¡¯re going to kill the people out there to protect me?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡± Major Travas said without a moment¡¯s hesitation, his head still bowed.


    ¡°And will that also be an act of protecting yourself and your subordinates?¡±


    ¡°Yes, Your Highness.¡±


    ¡°In that case¡­ you have my blessings.¡± Hilda said firmly, and ordered Major Travas to raise his head. He did.


    Hilda looked him straight in the eye.


    ¡°After all, I would like to meet Lillianne again someday.¡±


    They had about five minutes left.


    <Let¡¯s get started. > Major Travas said from the VIP cabin, as casual as if he were having a barbecue with his friends.


    Ann protected Hilda in the VIP cabin with a handgun.


    Ozette and Unoy on their stomachs behind their suitcases in the first ss cabins, with assault rifles at the ready.


    Ed was in the doorway of thest car with a suitcase, two rifles, and a sniper rifle.


    Finally, Yzma was in the VIP car doorway, keeping an eye on both sides of the train.


    Each subordinate casually voiced their readiness.


    <You may begin. > Major Travas said, endingmunication.


    But he quickly added one more point.


    <Show them that we are murderers. >


    <This is the train. Can you hear me?>


    <Yes. You¡¯ve still got five minutes, but I¡¯m willing to listen if you have your answer. >


    <Of course. We¡¯ve made our decision. >


    In the doorway of the VIP car, Yzma disarmed the safety on his assault rifle. He moved the selector that doubled as the safety lever to the semi-automatic function at the very bottom.


    ¡°Give ¡®em a good one, Major.¡±


    Major Travas did.


    <We don¡¯t have an ounce of gold to hand over to fools like you. Move the truck out of our way in the next five seconds. Can you hear me? If you do not move the truck, we will kill you all. Prepare yourselves. >


    ¡°Whoo!¡± Yzma cheered, checking that his gun was loaded.


    The line was silent for about twenty seconds following Major Travas¡¯s ultimatum.


    Then came a scathing response.


    <You all die here. >


    ¡°They have refused our terms! Kill them all! But don¡¯t burn the train unless you want all the gold to melt!¡± The man cried from beside the car.


    He was the one who had earliermunicated through the radio with the junction crew. He had a slender frame and a schrly bearing. The man was wearing greenbat gear and had a holster at his side. Fittingly for a leader, around his neck was a pair of binocrs.


    Sitting in the driver¡¯s seat was a man of a simr age and build.


    Twenty-three sets of ears heard themand.


    ¡°Let¡¯s get ¡®em! Take no prisoners¡ªshow them what we can do, for the glory of Lor!¡± Someone dered.


    ¡°YEAH!¡±


    Twenty-three men ducked close to the ground as they moved forward.


    The men ranged in age from their twenties to their fifties, and were not in any sort of uniform. Some worebat gear, while others were in simple work wear.


    They were armed mostly with several varieties of handguns and submachine guns with magazines jutting out the left side and pipes around the barrel. The men also had four or so powerful bolt-action rifles between them.


    ¡°Er¡­ what about us?¡± Asked the driver and the engineer from behind the car. The leader replied without looking back.


    ¡°There¡¯s nothing for you to do right now. Step back about 10 meters until this is over. Keep your head down so you don¡¯t get hit by stray bullets.¡±


    The driver and the engineer nodded and stepped away. They hid themselves behind the cars so they were not visible from the train. Then they both sat down on the moist ground.


    ¡°Hey.¡±


    The leader called to the man in the driver¡¯s seat and gestured briefly.


    ¡°¡­¡±


    The man in the driver¡¯s seat said nothing as he drew a suppressed submachine gun from the back seat. He loaded it and disarmed the safety.


    ¡°Hm?¡±


    By the time one of the men on the ground realized what was happening, it was toote.


    Psh. Psh. Psh. Psh.


    There was a series of quiet gunshots. Shell casings leapt into the air and fell to the ground. The two train employees died bleeding everywhere.


    ¡°We¡¯ve got nothing for you pieces of trash. The gold exists solely for our noble purposes.¡± The leader said.


    At that moment, he spotted a car driving up to them from the left.


    The car grew bigger and bigger in his sights¡ªit was the one carrying the junction crew. When the leader looked ahead again, he saw his men about 5 meters from the train. There was no sign of a counterattack.


    ¡°Excellent.¡± The leader smiled.


    <Begin. >


    That was all Major Travas said.


    ¡°Excellent.¡± The leader smiled.


    His head broke.


    The 7. 62 caliber round pierced his skin and drove itself into his left temple, instantly expanding its momentum.


    The man¡¯s skull copsed under the pressure and was shattered instantly. The force of the impact escaped out the other side of his head, scattering blood and brains everywhere.


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    The man in the driver¡¯s seat, covered in blood and brains at the moment of the gunshot, also copsed in the same way.


    <¡®Beheading¡¯plete. > Ed reported, holding a sniper rifle. He was lying in the doorway and opening fire through the gap in the door. Two shell casings had fallen next to him.


    <Good. Open fire. > Major Travas ordered.


    ¡°Finally.¡± Yzma said, taking aim at a man approaching the train.


    ¡°Sheet! They¡¯ve started!¡±


    The man in camo gear who had switched the junction swore, watching the team slowly approach the train.


    He ordered the man in the driver¡¯s seat to drive up next to the leader¡¯s car¡ª


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    And saw the leader fall. A secondter, a ssh of red filled the driver¡¯s seat of the leader¡¯s car. That was followed by two gunshots.


    ¡°No¡­¡±


    And he saw shes of light from the train.


    Gunfire began drumming on the once-quiet in. The men approaching the train fell with almostughable ease.


    ¡°Stop! Stop the car!¡± The man cried.


    The driver hit the brakes. The car skidded to a halt about 200 meters before reaching its destination. The man quickly leapt out the right side of the car. A secondter, a storm of bullets ravaged it.


    Metal punctured metal, ringing like a set of bells.


    ¡°Urgh!¡± The driver gasped, dying with blood spewing from his face and chest.


    Before the man who had leapt out of the car could hit the ground, a bullet pierced his left arm. He slipped on impact, copsing on the ground.


    ¡°Damn it¡­¡± He muttered, covered in mud. Tracer shots flew over his head like arcs of light.


    Inside the first ss cabin.


    Ozette finished firing on the approaching car and looked ahead again, changing magazines. Thest three rounds in the magazine were tracer shots that signaled the magazine was running out.


    The cabin window was already wide open. Ozette peered out from behind the suitcase and took aim at a figure 40 meters ahead. The figure was desperately trying to flee.


    Ozette pulled the trigger.


    A shell casing leapt into the air before hitting the wall and falling.


    The fleeing man was hit. His heart stopped instantly. He fell forward and never moved again.


    The gun turned to its next prey.


    One by one, the men on the muddy in fell to bullets from the train before them.


    The leaders were already dead. Without any clearmands, the men were ughtered without even a chance to shelter themselves.


    ¡°Return fire! The lights! Look for shes of light when they fire and shoot back!¡± One lucky middle-aged man said to a man next to him, who was holding a submachine gun. Both men were practically clinging to the earth.


    ¡°Sheet!¡±


    The man with the submachine gun raised his gun with his stomach still t against the dirt. The frame of the first ss cabin window was visible in the backlight of the shes. He took aim.


    And opened fire.


    The 9mm handgun rounds flew directly at the window.


    ¡°Yeah. That should do it.¡± He grinned.


    Thest thing he saw was the light from a single shot returning from the window he had shot.


    He died bleeding on his submachine gun.


    ¡°That was close.¡± Uno said, quickly switching out magazines with his stomach t on the floor. Though there were five rounds still left, he exchanged it for one loaded with thirty.


    There were holes in the leather cover of the suitcase he was using as a shield. But none of the bullets made it past the lid.


    ¡°¡®Be ready for anything¡¯¡­¡±


    With his left hand, Uno tapped the suitcase lid.


    The metal te on the inside of the lid ttered.


    ¡°This is just like practice¡­¡±


    Yzma seemed bored. He fired off two more shots from the doorway. They took the lives of two men.


    Then, Yzma stepped back and checked the canal side of the train. There was no one there.


    ¡°I¡¯m almost disappointed.¡±


    He ducked back into the doorway andy on his stomach behind his suitcase. A secondter, the suitcase shook.


    ¡°Whoa!¡±


    The suitcase sacrificed itself to a rifle shot, protecting Yzma. But the edge of the lid hit Yzma square on the forehead, leaving an injury that would end up a very longsting bruise.


    ¡°Ow¡­ Okay. Focus.¡±


    With a renewed sense of professionalism Yzma got down and took aim at the man who had just fired at him, who was operating the bolt on his rifle.


    But before Yzma could even pull the trigger, Major Travas¡¯s barrage shattered the rifle and turned the man into a body.


    In Treize¡¯s VIP cabin at the very front of the train, Major Travas was half-leaning against a suitcase by the left side of the window.


    <Continue fire. >


    He ordered over the radio as he assessed the situation through the open window. Then he let go of the call button and switched his assault rifle magazine with his left hand. The old magazine was empty. Once he had locked in the new one, he covered the top and right side of the rifle and pulled the lever.


    He listened to the dull sound of metal on metal.


    ¡°I solemnly swear to use guns responsibly¡ª¡±


    He whispered under his breath.


    ¡°I solemnly swear to use guns responsibly. I swear to use guns only to shoot our enemies, save our countrymen, and protect our homnd.¡±


    Neen years ago, Wilhelm Schultz had held up his right hand before his ssmates and friends as he made a vow.


    It was at the Lowe Sneum Memorial Secondary School in the Neit region of the Republic of Raputoa. Snow was scattered on the grounds and roofed walkways connected the school buildings.


    Before the row of secondary school students were desks. On each desk was a military-issue bolt-action rifle. Fixed to the cartridge chamber was a mechanism for changing the caliber. On the sight was a mirror by which the instructor could check the student¡¯s aim. And printed on the stock inrge font were the words ¡®FOR RECRUIT TRAINING¡¯.


    Beyond the desks stood a staff sergeant in his fifties wearing a Confederation Army uniform. His right leg was a stick-shaped prosthetic from the knee down. Though there was a stern look on his face, the staff sergeant bellowed with a strangely warm smile.


    ¡°Good! I have heard your vows. Now I will instruct you to properly use a gun. Though this is a credit course, marksmanship is also a technique you need to protect your homnd! Take your vows to heart! I am here to raise protectors of the weak, champions of good! I am not here to raise murderers!¡±


    ¡°I solemnly swear¡­¡±


    Whispering, Major Travas raised the assault rifle to shoulder-level and saw a man about 20 meters away, pulling out a molotov cocktail from his bag and lighting it.


    The moment the man stood upright to throw, Major Travas opened automatic fire. The bullets hit the man¡¯s arm. The bottle shattered and his body was engulfed in mes.


    As the man screamed and burned, Major Travas fired one shot into the man¡¯s head. He died instantly. The corpse quietly burned.


    <Shoot the cars. >


    When Ed¡ªstill in the doorway of thest car¡ªheard Major Travas¡¯s order, he turned his gaze to the distance.


    There was the four-wheel-drive car where the leader and the driver had been before they were shot. One man had managed to avoid the gunfire to return to the cars. He climbed into the remaining car and started it.


    <I¡¯ll get it. > Ed replied, putting down his steaming assault rifle and picking up a backup.


    He removed the curved magazine, which held 30 rounds, and pulled out a drum-shaped magazine containing 75 rounds from the suitcase. He attached it to the assault rifle.


    ¡°Sheet! He said they¡¯d only have handguns! He said this would be a piece of cake! Damn it! They¡¯re practically an army!¡±


    The man swore as he quickly started the car. He turned and began heading south without sparing a thought for hisrades. He did not even blink as he ran over the bodies of the two railroad employees.


    When Ed saw the car turn, he stopped firing. He turned to his right and leapt from the coupling and onto the tracks. He quickly went behind the train to avoid being shot and took aim with his assault rifle, using the train itself as a shield.


    He took a deep breath.


    Ed took aim at the car as it fled south and opened fire on automatic.


    Suppressing the powerful recoil with raw strength and adjusting his aim with the tracer shots that fired every four rounds, Ed showered the car with nearly 50 bullets. Shell casings flew into the air and scattered around him.


    The car continued, sparks flying as the bullets hit. And out of nowhere, it was engulfed in mes.


    The fuel tank at the back of the car had exploded. The car spun. The man in the driver¡¯s seat flew into the air, covered in mes.


    <Done. > Ed reported.


    <Excellent. Not many left now. Focus on eliminating the rest. > Major Travas ordered.


    Ed carefully peered out from behind the train as he scanned the area for enemies.


    About 50 meters ahead he spotted a young man about twenty years of age, frozen in terror. He was sitting on the ground with his head in his hands, crying.


    Ed opened fire on automatic. Using the recoil, he swept the target from left to right.


    Countless bullets pierced the young man. He no longer had to tremble in fear.


    Gunfire punctuated the air.


    Sometimes, one at a time. Sometimes rhythmically like the sound of drumming.


    Inside the VIP cabin, Hilda was lying on her stomach on the floor. Ann stuck by the suitcase and peered outside through the gap in the curtains. Though it was not a very long time, it seemed for all the world like an eternity.


    Each time there was a gunshot, and each time a bullet hit the train¡ª


    ¡°Ah!¡±


    ¡ªHilda would flinch.


    Ann turned.


    ¡°It¡¯s going to be fine, Your Highness. No one¡¯s gotten near the train. We won¡¯t let them.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m all right.¡± Hilda replied resolutely. ¡°I¡¯m not going to die like this. Nor will you and the team, or Major Travas.¡±


    ¡°Of course.¡± Ann said. But what Hilda said next shook her to the core.


    ¡°Major Travas chose me over his own daughter. So neither of us can die here.¡± She said with a smile.


    ¡°His¡ªdaughter¡­? Wh-what do you mean, Your Highness?¡± Ann repeated. Hilda struggled to look up under the weight of her helmet. She seemed to be surprised by Ann¡¯s shock.


    ¡°His daughter. Lillianne. Lillia¡¯s mother is the major¡¯s wife.¡±


    ¡°¡­Your Highness¡­ what do you mean by that?¡±


    ¡°Didn¡¯t you know? I could tell the moment I saw Lillia¡¯s eyes. She¡¯s Major Travas¡¯s daughter.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s¡­ not possible. ¡­The major should have been in Sfrestus¡­¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know all the details, but¡ª¡±


    At that moment, the gunfire ended. Ann heard Major Travas¡¯s voice through her earpiece.


    <Hold fire. Report all injuries. > Said Major Travas. No one said a thing for three seconds.


    <Good. Ed, Ozette,e with me. We¡¯ll be checking the bodies. Yzma, take over Ann¡¯s post. Uno, Ann, to the roof with the sniper rifle. You¡¯ll be covering us. >


    Everyone responded in acknowledgement.


    <Yes, sir. I¡¯ll head to the roof. > Ann replied into the radio. Then,


    ¡°Please stay where you are, Your Highness, and don¡¯t take off the vests or the helmet. And please pretend I haven¡¯t yet heard what you just told me. Please.¡±


    Hilda nodded silently.


    ¡°Sorry to keep you waiting. I¡¯ll take over.¡± Yzma said brightly, entering the cabin.


    The muddy fields were covered in blood.


    Some were missing half their heads. Some had gaping holes in their chests. Somey on the ground with their arms blown off. Most of the men who had tried to approach the train were corpses.


    Ed, Ozette, and Major Travas examined the fallen men, one after another.


    Ozette approached the bodies first with a handgun at the ready, and Ed covered him with an assault rifle. Major Travas followed, also holding a rifle and keeping a close eye on their surroundings.


    When they encountered a body lying face-down, Ozette slowly flipped it over. Once he was sure the corpse was a corpse, he would ce the corpse¡¯s hands over its eyes.


    When they encountered a body lying face-down, Ozette slowly flipped it over. Once he was sure the corpse was a corpse, he would ce the corpse¡¯s hands over its eyes.


    When they discovered someone ying dead, moaning, or with limbs still twitching, Ed immediately opened fire.


    Ann and Uno were on the roof of the first ss sleeper car.


    Along the center of the car was a meter-wide walkway used for maintenance.


    Ann sat in that walkway with her legs forward. Her elbows were on her knees, and she was aiming a very long sniper rifle.


    A soft but chilly northerly wind shook her ck hair.


    ¡°¡­¡±


    With her right eye on the scope, Ann looked to see if anyone was still moving. Major Travas came in and out of her sight at times.


    Uno stood at her left with an assault rifle, keeping an eye on the area.


    The canal was as calm as it could be. The surface of the water was still. ck smoke wafted from the car that had exploded in the distance. No one but their team moved.


    Several bursts of gunfireter.


    <Exterminationplete. You may lower your guard. >


    Ann breathed a sigh of relief. She took her eye off the scope and stretched out her legs, before bending them again.


    Major Travas was on the in, checking corpses for potential evidence.


    ¡°Could I ask you something, sir? Something¡¯s been bothering me.¡± Ann said, still holding the sniper rifle.


    ¡°What is it?¡± Uno replied. He was unconsciously fiddling with his cropped hair.


    ¡°It¡¯s about Major Travas. I was told that he and Ms. Schultz, the Roxchean pilot¡ª¡±


    ¡°¡ªare dating? I thought that was obvious.¡± Uno said nonchntly. Ann corrected him.


    ¡°No, sir. I was told that Lillianne Schultz was their daughter. Is this true?¡± She asked with a glint in her eye.


    ¡°Hm. Can¡¯t say I know for certain.¡± Uno replied, again as nonchnt as ever. Ann was nearly convinced by his attitude.


    ¡°So it¡¯s notplete nonsense, then. ¡­But I don¡¯t understand. The major should have been attending the Royal Officer Academy. All students are mandated to live in the dorms. It¡¯s impossible¡­ Isn¡¯t it?¡±


    ¡°Who knows? It¡¯s not that important, anyway.¡± Uno replied. Ann was not satisfied with the answer.


    ¡°But sir, it is important. How could we trust amanding officer with a dubious past¡ª¡±


    ¡°Why are you so curious?¡± Uno said, cutting her off.


    Both Uno and Ann were looking at the in. Major Travas and the others were still examining corpses.


    ¡°A-as I said, if we want to carry out important missions, ourmanding officer¡ª¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s ¡®cause he killed your father, right?¡±


    The sniper rifle in Ann¡¯s grip trembled.


    ¡°How¡­ did you¡­?¡±


    Slowly, she turned.


    Uno was still looking over the ins, as calm as he could be.


    ¡°Heh. Your first day on the team, you were practically radiating bloodlust. So I decided to air out the ce and ask the major. And he told me. Didn¡¯t try to hide a thing.¡±


    ¡°Wh-what did he say?¡±


    ¡°That he killed Captain Gratz when he was young. Your father passed away the year the mural was found, so it¡¯s hard to see the major having killed someone when he was so young¡­ Well, I don¡¯t know all the details, either.¡±


    ¡°Did the major really say so in person?¡±


    ¡°Yep. Headmaster Aikashia said something simrter. And this is what the major told me: ¡®Gratz Axentine has every reason to avenge her father. If it seems to you that she will take action¡ª¡¯.¡±


    ¡°¡®Stop her¡¯?¡±


    ¡°¡®Don¡¯t try to stop her¡¯. He said it would be meaningful in its own way if he were your first kill. He also said, ¡®and so, the cycle of revenge will end¡¯.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ¡°Well, we all have our own lives to live. No one can make your decisions for you. And you take responsibility for the consequences of your decisions.¡±


    ¡°¡­Captain Berkins.¡±


    ¡°Hm?¡±


    Ann continued, almost jokingly.


    ¡°You know a great deal, don¡¯t you?¡±


    The man called Captain Berkins¡ªUno¡ªgrinned.


    ¡°This might be my only chance, so I¡¯ll tell you now.¡±


    ¡°Your ¡®only¡¯ chance?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not going to repeat myself, so listen well, Gratz Axentine. ¡­My original mission was to keep an eye on the major. A spy for a spy, you could say. I was ordered to give detailed reports to the military on the major¡¯s actions. To contact the military immediately if he showed any sign of treachery, and to kill him if necessary. But as you can see, the major is a true patriot. He loves our homnd and he loves Roxche¡ªhe loves the world.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ¡°This might sound cowardly of me, but I don¡¯t think the major would have killed Captain Gratz without a reason.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ¡°On that note, the major is nning on going on a long vacation after this mission. He¡¯s already received permission. Seems to me like he¡¯s going to have a chat with Ms. Schultz about their future.¡±


    ¡°You mean¡­ he¡¯s going to retire?¡±


    ¡°Who knows? Let¡¯s just say it¡¯s possible. And if he retires, I¡¯m done too.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ¡°You might not see him for a while. So make sure you don¡¯t have any regrets.¡± Uno said, and quickly added one morement. ¡°Also, pretend you didn¡¯t hear any of this.¡±


    Ann, staring into the scope, looked up at Uno with a smile.


    ¡°Hear what?¡±


    ¡°Excellent.¡±


    Immediately afterwards,


    <Come over here, Uno. Ann, remain at your post. > Major Travas said through the radio, almost as if he had been waiting for the conversation to end.


    After responding, Uno stepped down using the railings on the side of the coupling.


    Alone on the roof, Ann absently cast a southward nce.


    ¡°¡­¡±


    The long, straight tracks they had traveled along continued all the way to the horizon.


    Uno crossed the bloodstained ins and joined the others.


    Major Travas, Ed, and Ozette were searching the car that the leader had been in, which was now upied by a corpse with half a head.


    On the hood of the car were documents they had found in a bag soaked with blood and brains, weighed down under a handgun and a magazine.


    ¡°Strange. What a conundrum.¡± Major Travas said.


    ¡°Yeah. From the informant documents here, this group was also yed by the mastermind. But¡ª¡±


    ¡°But they were too poorly equipped. They didn¡¯t get any clear information.¡±


    Ozette and Edmented. Uno nodded.


    ¡°If the mastermind¡¯s goal was to eliminate thedy, and he knew about us, he obviously would have known about our equipment. He would have known that we had enough gear to practically wage a war. Then why didn¡¯t he tell these people about our security when he told them about the gold?¡± Major Travas wondered. Ozettemented.


    ¡°They would have prepared a lot more sniper rifles. They could have easily bought models smuggled out of the military. And the way these people attacked bothers me, too. Crawling in slowly in an open area like this is practically suicide. The mastermind could have instructed them better.¡±


    ¡°If I were the mastermind, I would have set up bombs on the tracks. Then I could derail the train and take the gold. That way the passengers wouldn¡¯t leave unscathed, either.¡± Ed noted.


    ¡°Hm. That would have been an option as well. They could have torched the train with the passengers afterwards. But the mastermind neglected to use even such a simple n. Why is that?¡± Major Travas asked himself. ¡°Why? Why did someone so clever let these peopleunch what amounted to an ineffective suicide attack?¡±


    Narrowing his eyes, Major Travas looked down and stared into the distance. No one spoke.


    Five secondster.


    ¡°I see¡­ He didn¡¯t let themunch such a foolish attack¡­¡±


    Major Travas raised his head.


    ¡°I¡¯ve got it! I understand what he¡¯s after now.¡±


    All eyes were on Major Travas.


    Including one unknown set of eyes.


    ¡°Sheet¡­¡±


    It was the man in camouged clothes, who had switched the tracks at the junction.


    After being shot in the arm, he had curled up in the mud and grass. A bandage was wrapped tightly around his upper arm to stop his bleeding.


    He had been listening to the painful deaths of his dying friends, clenching his teeth.


    The moment he thought to catch a ride on an approaching car, the car exploded. The friend who was thrown into the air screamed as he writhed in pain before finally dying.


    As he listened to the gunshots from the murderers who took care to shoot those still left alive, he had slowly reached into the trunk and grabbed a sniper rifle.


    He pulled out the rifle and ced the stock on his bloody left arm. He operated the bolt with his right hand. Although his enemies couldn¡¯t possibly hear from that distance, he still took care to be as silent as possible.


    Once he had loaded a round, he slowly crept forward¡ªfighting the burning agony¡ªandy on his stomach beside the car.


    About 200 meters away was a car of the same model. The murderers were standing there.


    At the center of the group was a man wearing sses.


    The man on the ground concluded that the bespectacled one must be the leader.


    ¡°Damn you¡­ if nothing else, I¡¯ll get you¡­¡±


    The crosshairs in his scope aligned with the man¡¯s sses. He looked into his eyes.


    The murderer looked up and said something. Naturally, the man could not hear him.


    ¡°Yes¡­ those will be¡­ yourst words.¡±


    A bloodied finger touched the trigger.


    The sniper smiled, slowly pulling the trigger.


    All that practice had paid off. The rifle did not budge at the moment of fire.


    The bullet flew faster¡ªand more urately¡ªthan the speed of sound and blew off half the man¡¯s head.


    A shell casing leapt into the air, glinting in the sunlight as it fell onto the tracks.


    Havingmitted her first murder, Gratz Axentine slowly reached for her own neck.


    <I¡¯ve taken care of the sniper aiming for the major. Exterminationplete. >


    The man whosest words were st words¡¯ was thest of his group to die.


    * * *


    <Excellent work, First Lieutenant Gratz. ¡­And thank you. >


    At that moment, inside a train traveling dozens of kilometers away¡ª


    ¡°Hm.¡±


    A man nced at his wristwatch.


    ¡°Have they exterminated them by now?¡± Wondered the man once called ¡®Prisoner 42¡¯ .

 Volume 3 7 — From the Culprit, With Love

    <h4>Volume 3 Chapter 7: From the Culprit, With Love</h4>


    -----


    <Attention, team.> Major Travas said through the radio. <I¡¯ve reasoned out the mastermind¡¯s true target.>


    Major Travas was standing next to the cars, facing the train Hilda was on. Uno was wiping the blood off the seats and the steering wheel.


    Their sniper was still on guard, keeping an eye on the area from the roof of the train.


    Ed and Ozette were heading to the tracks to get the truck out of the way.


    <The mastermind¡¯s target is not thedy. He is after Prince Treize. I repeat. His target has been Prince Treize from the very beginning. Every obstacle he set for us has been easy to ovee. It was all designed for us to ovee. The mastermind was plotting to send us ahead to separate us from Prince Treize.>


    All ears were on the radio.


    Yzma, who was in the VIP cabin, blurted without thinking¡ª


    ¡°Aha! So he was after him!¡±


    Hilda had taken off her helmet and bulletproof vests and was fixing her hair, when she heard Yzma¡¯s exmation.


    Her emerald-green eyes narrowed and she red at him, more intensely than ever before. But Yzma did not notice.


    <The mastermind is from Sou Be-Il. And he remains respectful of the royal family. He nned for thedy to be unharmed. But the mastermind is adamant that Roxchean blood does not enter Sfrestus.>


    <Makes sense. So what now, Major?> Asked Yzma. Through the window he could see two people returning to the train by car.


    <We abandon the train. We¡¯ll switch to the truck and the car. We head to the town of Azay to report to the authorities before we cross the Lutoni as nned.>


    <I see. So we can leave the rest to Roxche¡¯s poliiiiiii¡ª Ack! Ow! Whoa! Wait! Please! Stop! No!>


    Yzma¡¯s screams filled the radio, then cut off. The reason soon became clear.


    <Major Travas, can you hear me? Do you hear my voice?>


    Hilda¡¯s voice came over the radio.


    Major Travas ordered Uno to stop the car. He replied over the radio as he walked the 10 or so meters left to the train.


    <Yes, I hear you loud and clear. What is it?>


    Hilda¡¯s reply was immediate.


    <I¡¯m not the target, am I? It¡¯s Treize.>


    Ed and Ozette were searching the truck for traps or explosives. That was when they heard Hilda¡¯s voice.


    ¡°Yzma, that imbecile¡­¡±


    ¡°Figures.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s an aristocrat for you. Full of openings.¡±


    ¡°Agreed.¡±


    Yzma, meanwhile, was standing embarrassedly beside Hilda.


    His earpiece and the microphone he had strapped to his neck were now in Hilda¡¯s possession. Major Travas¡¯s voice escaped the radio strapped to his waist.


    <That¡¯s correct, Miss.> Travas paused. <Yes. The mastermind¡¯s target is Prince Treize. The threats against you were all a ploy to distract us and separate us from him. We are no longer in any danger.>


    <I understand. What course of action do you propose, Major?>


    This time, Travas answered without missing a beat.


    <We have a car and a truck in our possession. We will head directly to Azay before crossing the Lutoni.>


    <I take it that you do not n to go back for Treize and the passengers on the other train? We have no idea who is hiding among them, or what he will do.> Hilda asked angrily.


    <That¡¯s correct, Miss. That is not part of our mission.> Major Travas said calmly.


    <Let me ask again. Do you have no intention of going back to protect Treize or Lillianne? Do you mean to say that you cannot take on that task?>


    <Yes. That is not part of our mission.>


    Hilda seemed be calm, then.


    <I understand. Your sole mission is to protect me. You spend tax money and sometimes even take human lives to ensure my well-being. That¡¯s perfectly natural. I understand. I understand very clearly.>


    Hilda¡¯s voice grew smaller and smaller until it seemed to fade away at the end. Yzma stared awkwardly.


    Then.


    ¡°Hm?¡±


    Hilda smiled and met Yzma¡¯s gaze. He was taken aback.


    <Can you drive?> She asked, holding down the call button.


    As Major Travas and the team cringed in unison, Yzma responded¡ªquiet in volume but clearly audible.


    <Y-yes, of course. But¡ª>


    <Then I shall name you my personal driver.>


    <I shall now set out to rescue the passengers on the other train. This shouldn¡¯t be a problem so long as I am not the target, correct?>


    Yzma gaped for several seconds before bursting intoughter.


    With hisughter in the background, Hilda spoke into the microphone.


    <Did you hear that, everyone?>


    <Miss¡ªI mean, Your Highness. Please listen to me. Even if the mastermind is not targeting you¡ª>


    The heir to the throne of Bezel cut off the major with a solemn voice.


    <O Knight of House Travas¡ªblood of the courageous heroes at the head of battle¡ªyou shall apany the princess wherever she goes if you wish to carry out your mission. But you are free to turn tail and run.>


    Major Travas stopped before the train, stunned into silence.


    ¡°You lose, Major.¡± Uno snickered, giving him a pat on the shoulder as he passed by.


    Next to the train was a truck and a car.


    The men transported their suitcases from the train to the truck with practiced ease. The train was emptied in the blink of an eye.


    Major Travas sat in the passenger seat of the car, and Uno in the driver¡¯s seat. In the back was Ann, holding the sniper rifle and scope.


    Ed sat in the bed of the truck with an assault rifle in hand. Ozette was in the driver¡¯s seat, and Yzma sat in the passenger seat with Hilda sitting in between them.


    Hilda, equipped with a spare radio, pressed the call button.


    <Matilda of Bezel shall now depart to rescue Treize of Ikstova and everyone on the train, save for the culprit. My protectors¡ª>


    Hilda paused, then.


    ¡°Yes, ma¡¯am?¡± Ozette asked quietly.


    <¡ªthank you.>


    The truck and the car began traveling south at almost the limits of their speed.


    Inside the truck, which was by no meansfortable¡ª


    ¡°I¡¯m terribly sorry about earlier.¡± Hilda said, looking over the scratches on Yzma¡¯s face and neck.


    ¡°Not at all, Your Highness. It¡¯s practically a mark of honor! It¡¯ll be the talk of the family for generations.¡± Yzma snickered.


    ¡°Your great-aunt, Madam Berstein, is my flower-arranging instructor. Next time we have tea together, I¡¯ll tell her that I made her nephew scream.¡± Hilda smiled.


    ¡°¡­¡±


    Yzma¡¯s jaw dropped.


    ¡°Wait, did I¡ªdid I tell you? The major would never have¡­ Did you know about me, Your Highness?¡±


    ¡°No. But I can see it in your eyes. The Berstein blood is quite clear in your appearance.¡±


    ¡°¡­Incredible! I suppose I should¡¯ve expected no less from a princess.¡± Yzma said with a grin, as though he were chatting with a friend.


    The man in the driver¡¯s seat chimed in gravely.


    ¡°If I may, Miss. This might be the perfect opportunity to give this fearless young aristocrat a lesson in real etiquette.¡±


    * * *


    A little earlier.


    ¡°I see. Excuse me. I suppose I must¡¯ve gotten my Roxchean mixed up.¡±


    With that, the long-haired man winked and came back into the car.


    Allison nced up at him, then looked back.


    The man walked down the aisle, between the weary passengers. He went out the door on the opposite end and went into the bathroom.


    As he stepped out after washing his hands, he nearly ran into the man once called ¡®Prisoner 42¡¯. Both men managed to step back before impact.


    ¡°Ah, excuse me.¡±


    ¡°Pardon me. ¡­I¡¯m terribly sorry, but could you lend me a hand?¡± ¡®Prisoner 42¡¯ said in Roxchean. He quickly switched to Bezelese.


    ¡°Excuse me. You¡¯re from Sou Be-Il, yes? If it¡¯s not too much trouble, I¡¯d like some help. I¡¯m looking for something¡ªwould youe with me?¡±


    The long-haired man was taken aback.


    ¡°Hm¡­ I¡¯m surprised to see so many Bezelese speakers in Roxche. What are you looking for?¡±


    ¡°My pet weasel. The pesky little thing ran off on me.¡±


    ¡°¡­I understand. Let¡¯s go.¡±


    ¡°Thank you.¡±


    The men headed into thest car of the train.


    They walked quickly past the second of the second ss cars¡ªwhich waspletely empty¡ªand entered the conductor¡¯s cabin at the end of the train.


    Once they were both in the cabin, which was furnished with a small desk and a bed, Prisoner 42 locked the door.


    The long-haired man produced a note from his pocket and addressed him.


    ¡°So it was you. ¡­What should I call you?¡±


    Written in Bezelese on the note were the words, ¡®Check to see if the brte is the target¡¯s girlfriend¡¯. Prisoner 42 thought for a moment before responding.


    ¡°Well, I suppose you could call me ¡®Weasel¡¯.¡±


    ¡°Weasel, then. What¡¯s my next job? Just say the word.¡±


    Weasel smiled and reached over to the shelf over the bed. He pulled down a basket.


    ¡°Take care of this.¡±


    When the long-haired man looked inside, he found a sleeping baby.


    ¡°Wait, didn¡¯t the woman toss her?¡±


    ¡°That was the n, but things didn¡¯t quite turn out the way I expected. I managed to tell the woman to hide her instead of throwing her away.¡±


    ¡°Why? Was there a problem?¡± Asked the man. Weasel replied abashedly.


    ¡°I spent a lot of money adopting her from a facility in Raputoa, but I didn¡¯t have a lot of time to spare. So she was the only one I could get.¡±


    ¡°And?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a girl. Her name¡¯s Esther.¡±


    ¡°¡­Oh. I see. So the rumors were true. ¡­Then what about the woman on the roof?¡±


    ¡°Nothing to do with this.¡±


    ¡°Hah hah hah. I see. I¡¯ll take her, then. Once the job¡¯s done, I¡¯ll pretend I found her by chance and hand her to the police.¡±


    ¡°Yeah. She¡¯ll be sleeping like, well, a baby. So, what about the task I gave you?¡± Weasel asked.


    ¡°Ah, right. That Lillia girl doesn¡¯t seem to be his girlfriend, but it doesn¡¯t lookpletely tonic, either. It looked like the guy was trying to protect her. And the girl isn¡¯t just cute¡ªshe also speaks Bezelese. Proper as a textbook.¡±


    ¡°Even better. I don¡¯t know who she is, but I¡¯ll be asking her for help. This is getting interesting.¡±


    ¡°What do you want me to do now?¡± The long-haired man asked expectantly. Weasel replied without a moment¡¯s hesitation.


    ¡°Your job¡¯s done.¡±


    ¡°Whoa, wait a second. I¡¯vee this far helping you out¡ªI might as well go all the way. You got me out of jail and even put up my poor mother in a decent hospital. I can¡¯t¡ª¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re done. I needed your help and I hired you for that, that¡¯s all. Don¡¯t feel obliged¡ªthat¡¯s just going to get in my way. Don¡¯t do anything else now. Keep traveling. The money¡¯s under the baby, so take a look at that. Half the money¡¯s yours. The other half¡¯s the baby¡¯s.¡±


    ¡°¡­But¡­¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ll do as I say. If not¡ª¡±


    Weasel pulled the sheets off the bed.


    ¡°¡­¡±


    The long-haired man went silent.


    Coheny dead on the bed, his eyes wide open. In his mouth was a note written in Roxchean¡ª¡®Good work. Here¡¯s the rest of your pay¡¯.


    By his head were four bundles of cash. Each bundle was about a year¡¯s worth of a conductor¡¯s sry.


    ¡°All right¡­ I¡¯m done.¡± The long-haired man said.


    Weasel pulled the nket over the bed again. Then he pulled out another note from his inside pocket. It had been folded in half and folded in the corner again.


    ¡°Onest note. It¡¯s not an order¡ªthink of it as an extra. Once I disappear from the train and the suitse back, read the note. If they nevere back, don¡¯t read it¡ªburn it.¡±


    The man received the note.


    ¡°All right. You¡¯re full of surprises, so I¡¯m expecting nothing less from this note.¡±


    ¡°All right. You¡¯re full of surprises, so I¡¯m expecting nothing less from this note.¡±


    ¡°I won¡¯t let you down. Just you wait¡ªall the answers are in there.¡±


    Once Weasel left the conductor¡¯s cabin alone, the man stroked the sleeping baby¡¯s face.


    ¡°You should thank the gods you were born a girl. ¡­That man is a terrifying monster.¡±


    The baby seemed to be smiling in her sleep. The man smiled, looking into her face.


    ¡°I hope you live a long, happy life, Esther.¡±


    Weasel passed through the second ss cars.


    Among the tired passengers was Lillia, who was staring nkly out the window. Across the aisle was Treize, who had been stealing sidelong nces at Lillia until he noticed Weasel¡¯s presence.


    Weasel wordlessly passed between them and stepped out into the doorway. He nced at his wristwatch before entering the sleeper car ahead.


    He passed through one empty car and entered the one where the old man and the secretary remained.


    Once he was at the cabin, he knocked on the door.


    ¡°¡­Who is it?¡± The secretary asked suspiciously. Weasel responded in Roxchean.


    ¡°I was told the elder in this cabin was feeling unwell. I thought I should check up on him.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s just fine, thank you. Please leave us.¡±


    Weasel spoke again in front of the locked door.


    ¡°I see. I¡¯ll return to the passenger car, then. ¡ªAlso, Miss Cathy is safe and sound.¡±


    This time, the door opened. Loudly.


    ¡°¡­¡±


    And there stood a red-haired woman, ring daggers at Weasel with tears in her eyes.


    ¡°Excuse me.¡±


    Weasel easily pushed her aside and entered the cabin. He closed and securely locked the door behind him.


    The old man sat facing the back of the train. The secretary took a seat across from him.


    The white-haired old man slowly looked up at Weasel.


    ¡°So it was you. You¡¯re the bastard who took my granddaughter hostage. You¡¯re the mastermind behind this foolishmotion.¡±


    Weasel lightly bowed his head.


    ¡°Yes. It¡¯s a pleasure to meet you¡ªI am the culprit.¡±


    The old man red.


    ¡°If anything happens to my granddaughter, my men will tear you to pieces and feed you to the dogs. Mark my words.¡±


    ¡°Hah. How terrifying. That is exactly why I didn¡¯t touch a hair on Cathy¡¯s head.¡±


    With that, Weasel pulled out a photograph from his inside pocket and held it out to the old man. Though the old man was still, the secretary received the photo.


    Her expression changed. She handed the photo to the old man.


    ¡°¡­¡±


    Finally, the old man¡¯s eyes widened. Then they narrowed again.


    In the color photograph were two people. One was the man who had given them the photograph. The other was an eight-year-old girl, the old man¡¯s only grandchild.


    The man and the girl were sitting on a bench, beaming at the camera like they were having the time of their lives.


    The adorably freckled girl named Cathy held a balloon twisted into the shape of a poodle in her hand, and was wearing a toy crown. In the hazy background was a carousel.


    ¡°This was at the Elitesa fair three days ago. We had a wonderful time. Cathy and I tired ourselves out ying all day. I felt like I was a little boy again.¡±


    ¡°You bastard¡­¡±


    A vein bulged on the old man¡¯s head. Weasel continued as though chastising him.


    ¡°Your subordinates were hopeless. The moment they heard she was abducted, they rushed straight for the hotels, airports, and highways. Cathy and I were right there, enjoying our day in the sun. It was almost sad to watch. Aren¡¯t you ashamed, as their boss?¡±


    ¡°Where is my granddaughter?¡±


    ¡°Ignoring my question? All right. I suppose Cathy must be back at your vi in the Capital District, where her parents are worried sick.¡±


    ¡°What?!¡±


    ¡°I sent her away on a long-distance train for the Capital District two days ago. I saw her off at the tform myself.¡±


    ¡°You sent her alone?¡±


    ¡°Of course not. I hired a woman from a civilian securitypany. I told her that we had our reasons, and assigned her to protect Cathy. I covered the hefty costs and their train tickets. Don¡¯t worry¡ªI instructed the bodyguard to escort Cathy safely to the vi. Cathy thinks she¡¯s on a secret trip to surprise her family, so she probably hasn¡¯t done anything to stand out. I was so happy to see how clever she was.¡±


    The old man and the secretary gaped. Weasel shrugged.


    ¡°When I saw her off, she said, ¡®Thanks for ying with me, mister¡¯. And she gave me a kiss on the cheek.¡±


    Then, he nced at his wristwatch.


    ¡°Have they exterminated them by now?¡± He wondered excitably.


    The old man breathed a tired sigh.


    ¡°Enough¡­ there¡¯s something wrong with your head. You¡¯re insane¡­¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not sure I want to hear something like that from a mob boss who killed countless rivals to reach his current standing. I heard your kills were quite messy. What a viin.¡±


    ¡°Enough of this. I brought the package, just as you demanded. ¡ªHere.¡±


    The secretary nodded and pulled out arge suitcase from under her seat. She struggled to lift it onto the seat, before pulling out another suitcase from under the old man¡¯s feet and doing the same.


    ¡°Please, open them.¡± She said to Weasel. Weasel opened the suitcases and pulled off the cloth covers.


    Inside each trunk were three in cardboard boxesbeled ¡®MILITARY-GRADE EXPLOSIVES, HANDLE WITH CARE¡¯. Each box was the size of a dictionary.


    ¡°Excellent. Not many people can get their hands on things like this. I owe you so much. Thank you¡ªboth of you. I couldn¡¯t have done it without your cooperation. If anything should happen¡ª¡±


    ¡°Shut your mouth, you miserable dog. What are you nning next?¡± The old man growled.


    ¡°I¡¯m afraid I can¡¯t say. Please don¡¯t get in my way.¡±


    ¡°I could reveal your identity right here and now. I could even murder you myself.¡±


    ¡°You can¡¯t do that. You wouldn¡¯t want the police on your heels, would you? And you have no way of confirming that Cathy really is alive and well. Although you¡¯ll know once you reach Azay and make a phone call. She¡¯s safe and sound.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ¡°I¡¯d like you to go to the second ss passenger car and kill time with the other passengers. Act like one of the poor bystanders who were inconvenienced by the dys. If you take an aerone tomorrow, you¡¯ll see your darling Cathy again in three or four days. As a matter of fact, I have your tickets right here.¡±


    Weasel reached into his inside pocket again and drew an airline envelope. This time, the old man took it without a second thought. When he looked inside, he found two tickets from Azay to the Capital District.


    The old man pocketed the envelope.


    ¡°That¡¯s all for business. Are you feeling better now, sir? I¡¯m going to have you vacate the cabin now. Quickly, please.¡± Weasel said, pping his hands.


    ¡°Go to hell.¡± The old man hissed as he and his secretary left.


    ¡°Oh, wait.¡± Weasel stopped the secretary. ¡°Not you. I need you to do something for me.¡±


    ¡°Oh, wait.¡± Weasel stopped the secretary. ¡°Not you. I need you to do something for me.¡±


    After the old man passed by her, looking exhausted¡ª


    ¡°Hm?¡±


    Lillia, who sat in the aisle-side seat, spotted the red-haired secretary quietly gesturing to her.


    The secretary looked devastated as she waved Lillia over from behind the half-open door. Lillia furrowed her brow and got up, approaching the door to the doorway.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± Treize asked, getting up and following her.


    ¡°Dunno.¡±


    Lillia and Treize stepped out into the doorway. The woman made a troubled face when she saw Treize, and whispered something into Lillia¡¯s ear.


    ¡°Oh¡­ okay.¡± Lillia nodded easily.


    Treize asked her what was happening.


    ¡°I¡¯m just gonna go to the sleeper car with her for a bit. We need to grab something.¡±


    ¡°What? I¡¯ll go with¡ª¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s fine! We¡¯ll be back.¡±


    Treize was taken aback by Lillia¡¯s re and the woman¡¯s apologetic expression.


    ¡°I¡¯m really sorry to bother you. Thank you.¡±


    ¡°Not at all. It¡¯s only right to help people in need.¡±


    Lillia and the secretary chatted as they crossed the coupling and disappeared into the next car.


    ¡°¡­¡±


    Treize wondered if he should follow her, or if he should do as Lillia said.


    ¡°¡­¡±


    And in the end, he returned to the second ss passenger car.


    Allison, who was sitting alone on the left-side seat, spoke to him.


    ¡°What happened?¡±


    ¡°Oh. Lillia went to help the secretary get something from her cabin. ¡­Should I go after them?¡±


    ¡°Nah, she¡¯s not going alone.¡± Allison said.


    The brakes kicked in. The wheels screeched as the car lurched forward.


    ¡°Whoa.¡±


    Treize quickly grabbed the back of a seat.


    The train slowed to half its original speed, then swung to the right.


    ¡°Ah!¡±


    ¡°What the?¡±


    ¡°Whoa!¡±


    The passengers began to murmur. Treize desperately tried not to lose his bnce. Allison¡¯s head lightly hit the window frame.


    ¡°What¡¯s happening?¡±


    ¡°We passed through a junction.¡± Allison said, pointing at the window on the right side of the train. They could see the tracks heading due north. That was the line they were supposed to be taking. It grew smaller and smaller in the distance.


    ¡°We just turned left at the junction.¡±


    Treize paled.


    ¡°What? That means¡ª¡±


    ¡°Yeah.¡±


    The brakes continued screaming all the while. The train slowed more and more.


    ¡°D¡¯you think the driver¡¯s noticed?¡± Asked Treize. Allison nodded.


    Soon the train came to aplete stop. In the distance, they could still see the tracks they were originally supposed to take.


    ¡°Thank goodness we stopped. But what is this line? I don¡¯t think there was a junction on the Lor line.¡±


    Allison soon answered Treize¡¯s question. It was almost the exact reply Wilhelm Schultz had given Treize¡¯s mother in the past.


    ¡°This is a military-exclusive line. Almost all the rails that go west from the main north-south line are for military use. Although you won¡¯t find them on the map.¡±


    ¡°I see.¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s a Confederation Air Force base nearby, and ahead of that is a whole mess of junctions branching off all the way to the border. They were built to transport personnel and supplies or railroad guns. Although they¡¯re barely in use these days.¡±


    ¡°So we ended up on one of those branches by mistake.¡±


    ¡°The operations office might have confused us for a military train because we¡¯re runningte. Or maybe it¡¯s just a silly mistake. Either way, it¡¯s the operations office¡¯s fault. Looks like it¡¯s just one dy after another.¡±


    All the passengers, save for the long-haired man who remained in the conductor¡¯s cabin, were furious.


    ¡°I¡¯ve had it up to here with Confederation Rail!¡±


    ¡°Hurry up and move this train!¡±


    ¡°I want to see the conductor!¡±


    There was nothing surprising about their anger.


    The door at the back of the car opened, and the long-haired man returned as if nothing had ever happened.


    He noticed the old man¡ªwho had not been there earlier¡ªsitting alone in a partitioned seat.


    The old man¡¯s hands were clenched together. He was holding back his rage.


    ¡°Poor guy.¡± The long-haired man mumbled in Bezelese.


    A little earlier.


    Around the time the train passed the junction, Lillia was copsed in the corridor of the second ss sleeper car.


    Her long hair covered her face. Standing over her was Weasel.


    The secretary was trembling before him.


    ¡°Good work.¡± He said, putting something resembling an oxygen mask over her mouth.


    In three seconds, the secretary fell unconscious. With his left arm Weasel held her up, and tossed the mask he had used out the window.


    With the secretary in his arms, Weasel stepped into the doorway. He waited for the train to stop before opening the door and stepping onto the tracks.


    There were nothing but t ins on either side of the straight military-use line. He quicklyid the woman on the grass-spotted dirt.


    ¡°Onest message.¡±


    He drew an envelope out of his pocket and ced it on the secretary¡¯s chest, before folding her hands over the envelope.


    ¡°It finally begins. Please let this work¡­¡±


    ¡°It finally begins. Please let this work¡­¡±


    Weasel leapt back into the doorway and broke into a run. He sprinted at full speed through the empty second ss sleeper car and all the way to the coupling at the very back.


    Then he expertly began to decouple the cars.


    He peeled off the connecting cover around the coupling and pulled back the footboard. Then he separated the electric cables and the pneumatic tubes. Finally, he unscrewed the connector and unhooked the ring.


    By the time he was finished, Weasel was sweating, his hands covered in grease.


    He jumped back into the doorway and reached for the garbage bin installed there. With his grease-covered hands he pulled out a radio, one simr to the model Major Travas¡¯s team used.


    <Start the lotive.> He said quickly.


    <Right.> Someone replied. Several secondster, the car began to shake.


    The lotive linked only to the dining car and the two second ss sleeper cars slowly began moving down the military-use line.


    When the cars came uncoupled, there was arge tter. That was followed by the sound of the train moving.


    The sound carried to the stopped passenger car.


    ¡°Huh?¡± Treize frowned.


    ¡°Damn it!¡±


    Allison leapt to her feet. She shoved Treize aside as he tried to stand and rushed into the doorway.


    ¡°Whoa!¡±


    Treize quickly regained his footing and hurried after her. Once he was in the doorway, he stared at the same direction Allison was staring at.


    ¡°¡­What the¡­?¡±


    Beyond Allison¡¯s head of golden hair Treize could see the train disappearing into the distance.


    ¡°Hey! Lillia¡¯s¡ª¡±


    Treize finally understood.


    Allison jumped onto the tracks. Treize followed. The train was already too far. They had no hope of catching up on foot.


    ¡°He got us¡­¡± Allison breathed, he voice mingling with the sound of the train departing.


    The sky was as spotless as ever. The sun had set further, now halfway between noon and dusk. It shone upon the four abandoned cars and the two people standing ahead of them.


    ¡°How? What in the world is going on here?¡± Treize wondered.


    Allison thought in silence, her hand on her chin and her eyes narrowed.


    ¡°Hey! What¡­ what just happened here?!¡± A man cried from behind them.


    It was the suit-d man. He jumped onto the ground. He was followed by the soldier and the saleswoman.


    Treize turned to the passengers.


    ¡°The lotive, the dining car, and the two sleeper cars have gone without us.¡±


    ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not sure.¡±


    Allison turned.


    ¡°Mechanical failure and driver error, along with my daughter being called to the other side. It¡¯s an unfortunate ident¡ªif this really is a coincidence.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s going on, ma¡¯am? What happened here? If there¡¯s anything I can do¡ª¡± The soldier began, stepping forward, but Allison raised an arm to stop him.


    ¡°Hey! What¡¯s that over there! By the tracks! It¡¯s a person!¡±


    The voice belonged to the long-haired man, who waste to step into the doorway. Because he was speaking Bezelese, only Allison and Treize responded.


    They spotted the fallen secretary simultaneously.


    ¡°That¡¯s the woman who called Lillia away!¡± Treize said, just as Allison broke into a run.


    When the passengers asked what was happening, Treize briefly exined the situation in Roxchean and followed Allison.


    The soldier and the suit-d man joined him.


    ¡°Hey! Can you hear me?¡± Allison cried, looking at the secretary.


    There was no answer. Allison pped her several times, but she did not move. Allison put her fingers on the secretary¡¯s neck and over her mouth to check her pulse and breathing.


    ¡°How is she?¡± Asked Treize, running over. Allison turned.


    ¡°I think someone knocked her out with some sort of drug.¡±


    ¡°Thank goodness she¡¯s still alive. What about Lillia?¡±


    Allison shook her head.


    Treize red at the tracks the train had departed down and gritted his teeth.


    ¡°So it wasn¡¯t an ident after all¡­¡±


    The rest of the passengers followed, asking Treize what was happening. Treize had no idea how to respond.


    ¡°¡­Hm?¡±


    At that point, Allison noticed the envelope on the woman¡¯s chest. When she picked it up, she saw the words on the envelope. One simple line in Roxchean. ¡®To the noble of Ikstova¡¯.


    Allison quickly slipped the envelope into her pocket. Then she turned to the passengers.


    ¡°I need some men to carry her into the cars!¡± She ordered.


    Several men nodded and lifted the secretary off the ground. For a few seconds there was a small argument about who got to lift her slender legs.


    Watching the men carry away the secretary, Allison checked to see that no one was around and went to Treize. She showed him the envelope.


    ¡°This was on the secretary. It¡¯s for the prince.¡±


    Treize took the envelope without a word. When he saw the words on the envelope, his expression became grave. Treize checked that the envelope was unsealed and opened it. Inside was a letter. He unfolded it.


    The letter was written in Bezelse, with excellent handwriting to boot. Treize read the letter aloud.


    ¡°To the young, noble, and beautiful prince of Ikstova,


    ¡°By the time you read this letter, the brte will be with me. Are you surprised? I suppose that¡¯s only natural.


    ¡°If you wish to take back the girl you cherish,e after me by car. Follow the tracks. Make sure to bring a radio with you¡ªI¡¯ve included the frequency below.


    ¡°There¡¯s no need to rush. The train is cruising slowly, so you¡¯ll catch up in no time.


    ¡°I¡¯m waiting with bated breath.


    ¡°From the culprit, with love.¡±


    ¡°What the heck?¡± Treize gaped.


    As the men carried the secretary into the train, the soldier suddenly wondered,


    ¡°Hm? Where¡¯d the doctor go?¡±

 Volume 3 8 — Rail Tracer

    <h4>Volume 3 Chapter 8: Rail Tracer</h4>


    -----


    ¡°Look.¡±


    Treize handed thetter to Allison to prove he was not lying¡ªto prove that such an absurd message truly existed on that piece of paper. He checked the back of the page as he did so, but it was nk.


    Allison read the letter. There was a frequency listed at the bottom, but otherwise it was exactly as Treize had read out loud.


    ¡°This was the only letter, right?¡± Allison said doubtfully, even though she was the one who had found it.


    ¡°Anyway, now we know Lillia¡¯s been kidnapped! And that, for some reason, the culprit¡¯s after me! That coward!¡± Treize spat, ignoring the letter.


    Allison read the letter again.


    ¡°¡®Prince¡¯¡­ I see. So that¡¯s what¡¯s happening¡­¡±


    ¡°What do you mean?¡±


    ¡°This mastermind of ours knows who you are, Treize. He¡¯s definitely not a run-of-the-mill civilian.¡±


    ¡°Oh¡­¡±


    It was only then that Treize understood.


    ¡°First, calm down.¡± Allison said, handing back the letter. Prince Treize of Ikstova took it with a quiet ¡°Yes¡±.


    ¡°So he¡¯s after you¡­ I get it now. That¡¯s what it was all leading up to. The mastermind boarded your train and caused amotion to separate you from the guards. Since the team¡¯s going to cross the border soon, they can¡¯t bring any Roxcheans along, right? They would obviously leave you behind. We¡¯re dealing with a smart man here. And a Westerner, too.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s why he took Lillia hostage? He thought it out that far?¡±


    ¡°No, I think kidnapping Lillia must have been a spur-of-the-moment decision. He must have decided to use her when he saw that you two were friends. I think he might have originally been trying to carry out his ns after switching the train to this line. He could assassinate you alone, or he could destroy the trainpletely. That might be the best way to get rid of evidence. In other words, Lillia saved the lives of me and everyone else on the train.¡± Allison said matter-of-factly.


    Treize made a face.


    ¡°Oh. Sorry, Treize. I¡¯ve been thinking like a certain someone a lot these days.¡±


    ¡°I-it¡¯s all right. ¡­So what should I do? He said I shoulde after the train by car¡­ but how? And where would I get a radio?¡± Treize asked.


    Not even Allison could answer that question. There was nothing on the ins around them.


    ¡°This guy¡¯s out of his mind! If he could n things so far in advance, the least he could have done was prepare a car!¡± Treize cried angrily. A car honked in the distance.


    A car and a truck crossed the northbound tracks, which the train was originally supposed to take.


    ¡°N-no way!¡± Treize gasped.


    ¡°Incredible.¡± Allisonmented.


    As the car and the truck drew near, the faces of the people inside became visible. It was Major Travas and his team. Even Hilda was there, sitting in the truck.


    The men who had carried away the secretary hade outside again. The cars stopped in front of them. The team, armed with guns, stepped outside.


    ¡°Whoa, they¡¯re back.¡± The passengers muttered, stepping away, but Treize ran over to them.


    ¡°I¡¯m d to see you¡¯re safe, Your Highness.¡± Said Major Travas. ¡°We¡¯ve figured out that the culprit is after¡ª¡±


    ¡°Me! And he took Lillia hostage!¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ¡°Here!¡±


    Major Travas received the letter and read through it with a grave expression.


    ¡°Hm. So he took off on the separated train. By any chance, do you know who the culprit is?¡±


    ¡°No. But once we do a head count of the passengers we¡¯ll figure out who¡¯s missing¡ª¡±


    ¡°Wonder what they¡¯re talking about.¡±


    ¡°Who knows?¡±


    The passengers listened to the conversation from about 20 meters away.


    Suddenly, Treize turned. So did Major Travas. Two sets of eyes were suddenly on the passengers.


    Behind Treize and Major Travas stood the team in ck, armed with guns. And beside them was a woman with golden hair, who seemed to havee from another world altogether.


    ¡°Who is that woman? Did you see her on the train?¡±


    ¡°No. Wonder who she is¡­¡±


    Hearing the exchange between the suit-d man and the soldier,


    ¡°¡­Oh.¡±


    The long-haired man remembered something and took out the note he had received from Weasel. He hid it in the palm of his hand and read the ¡®answer¡¯.


    ¡°¡­¡±


    His hand trembled. The note fell to the ground. A middle-aged man in a suit noticed and reached for it.


    ¡°Sir, you dropped¡ª¡±


    The long-haired man squeezed past the passengers and broke into a run.


    Uno and Yzma reacted quickly to the sudden movement. Uno fired one round from his assault rifle, held at waist-level. Yzma stood protectively in front of Hilda.


    Treize, who was about to point out how to find the culprit, flinched when he heard the gunshot and spotted the rushing man. Major Travas quickly stepped in front of him.


    At the same time, the long-haired man stopped. With several meters between himself and Hilda, the man knelt and touched his forehead to the muddy ground respectfully.


    ¡°What the heck?¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s he doing?¡±


    The passengers were confused.


    The long-haired man remained bowing on the ground, trembling in admiration as he dered loudly enough to beat even the gunfire¡ª


    ¡°Princess Matilda! To think I would have the honor of gazing upon your beautiful countenance in a ce like this! As a citizen of Bezel, it is truly an honor. Truly! I am humbled to be in your presence!¡±


    The passengers didn¡¯t understand a word, as the man was speaking Bezelese.


    ¡°What¡¯s he saying?¡±


    ¡°Dunno.¡±


    The man who picked up the note tried to read what was on it, but he gave up as soon as he saw it was in Bezelese.


    Weasel¡¯s final note said,


    ¡®The men in ck are members of the Royal Army¡¯s Special Forces who are working at the embassy in Roxche¡¯s Capital District. They are guarding Princess Matilda, who is heading incognito to Lor. They wille to the train by car if things go as nned. Should you have the chance to see the princess in person, make certain you do not offend her.¡¯


    Watching one man¡¯s patriotism on full disy,


    ¡°Simple. We can just ask him.¡± Major Travas said inly.


    ¡°Yes!¡±


    Treize went up to the man and pulled back his head by his long hair.


    ¡°Ow¡ª Ah!¡±


    When the long-haired man looked up, he saw Treize¡¯s re and a gun pointed at his face.


    ¡°Come with us.¡± Ed said quietly, looming like a mountain over him.


    The long-haired man was taken behind the truck.


    ¡°It looks like he was in cahoots with the culprit. Those people are going to interrogate him now.¡± Allison said to the passengers, reading the note he had dropped.


    ¡°Is this even allowed? They¡¯re not even police.¡±


    ¡°Yeah!¡±


    ¡°Isn¡¯t this a vition of human rights?¡±


    The passengers grumbled, dissatisfied.


    ¡°It sure is. Why don¡¯t you go take it up with them?¡± Allison replied.


    No one said a word.


    The man was dragged behind the truck and sat next to the tires, his hands bound. For a time he looked up at the sky aglow with dusk, as though averting his gaze from the gun pointed at him.


    But when Hilda stepped towards him, he broke into an almost foolish grin. Tears fell from his eyes.


    ¡°We would like to ask you some questions.¡±


    ¡°Ohh¡­ I am not worthy, Your Highness! I am but a criminal¡ª¡±


    ¡°Enough!¡± Treize growled. ¡°Who is the mastermind? The one who kidnapped Lillia! Who is he?¡±


    Major Travas lightly pulled the slide of his handgun to make sure it was loaded.


    ¡°Will you tell us everything you know?¡±


    His tone alone was as gentle as ever.


    Beads of sweat formed on the man¡¯s forehead. Finally, Hilda smiled at him. The man was euphoric.


    ¡°Ahh¡­ this must be paradise¡­¡±


    ¡°Please. Tell us.¡± Hilda said.


    ¡°Yes. Of course, Your Highness.¡± The man replied, bowing again.


    ¡°The mastermind is called ¡®Prisoner 42¡¯.¡± Said the man.


    Major Travas grimaced. His subordinates began whispering amongst themselves.


    ¡°Him?¡±


    ¡°Of all people¡­¡±


    ¡°I guess he¡¯s the right man for the job. In a really sick way.¡±


    ¡°How revolting.¡±


    Uno, Ozette, Yzma, and Ann eachmented on the revtion.


    Treize and Hilda, meanwhile, were oblivious.


    ¡°Prisoner 42? Who is that?¡± Treize asked Major Travas.


    ¡°Prisoner 42¡­¡± Major Travas trailed off. But one look from the prince and the princess was enough to spur him to continue. ¡°¡­Prisoner 42 is one of the most heinous criminals in the history of Sou Be-Il. He was arrested four years ago and was sentenced to 420 years in prison. ¡®Prisoner 42¡¯ has been his moniker since then.¡±


    ¡°What was his crime?¡± Treize asked the obvious question. Major Travas¡¯s reply was mechanical and emotionless.


    ¡°Serial murder. In the span of ten years, he took the lives of more than sixty people and desecrated and disposed of their bodies.¡±


    ¡°Sixty people¡­?¡±


    Treize was stunned.


    ¡°And also¡­¡± Major Travas trailed off again.


    As the major hesitated, the long-haired man chimed in.


    ¡°Prisoner 42 is the perfect man for this job.¡±


    Treize turned. He looked down to find the long-haired man smiling coldly.


    ¡°What do you mean by that?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯d be happy to answer. But don¡¯t say I didn¡¯t warn you, boy.¡±


    ¡°I won¡¯t have time for that. Spill everything you know about him.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ve got guts. But before that¡ªYour Highness. This will only disgust you. If you could step away while I exin¡ª¡±


    The man remained considerate of Hilda, no matter the circumstance.


    ¡°Please say it now. There¡¯s no time.¡± Hilda replied cooly.


    The man looked downcast, but he soon met Treize¡¯s re.


    ¡°Listen up, boy. Prisoner 42 is a deviant. He prefers people like you.¡±


    ¡°What? What do you mean by that?¡± Treize frowned. The man smirked.


    ¡°Each and every one of his five-dozen victims was a pretty little boy.¡±


    Treize cringed. The man continued, almost enjoying and taking pride in the telling.


    ¡°He doesn¡¯t kill innocent women. And he has no interest in grown men. His targets have always been young, pretty boys¡ªas young as one and as old as eighteen. Sometimes he lured them into his home with words. Sometimes he targeted hitchhikers. Other times, he resorted to kidnapping.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ¡°When he was arrested, they found detailed records of his crimes. He toyed with his victims until they died. He loved them in his own way¡ªhe was only ever aroused by young boys.¡±


    ¡°Ugh¡­¡±


    ¡°Ugh¡­¡±


    Treize was disgusted. Hilda listened with a grave look on her face.


    ¡°Supposedly, the police couldn¡¯t bring themselves to announce the state of the bodies they found. He stuffed them, experimented on them, chewed off their flesh, turned them inside-out¡­ I heard stories in prison. Would you like me to tell you the rest? Once I¡¯m done, you wouldn¡¯t want to get within a thousand-kilometer radius of him.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s not just a crazed lunatic. He was hailed as a child prodigy. He mastered Roxchean at 12, entered university at 14, and earned his medical license at 18. When he was conscripted, he served as a medic. And until he was arrested, he worked as a physician at a famous hospital. No one suspected a thing, even when children around him were going missing one after another. When he was arrested, one patient even imed it was a police conspiracy. Said someone like him could never do such a thing. If a demented old man hadn¡¯t gotten into a traffic ident with the sick bastard with a body still in the trunk of his car, he would never have been caught.¡±


    ¡°¡­Thanks.¡±


    ¡°Oh? For what? I¡¯m curious to know.¡± The man said provocatively.


    ¡°Now I know he wouldn¡¯t kill Lillia. I¡¯m feeling a lot better now. Now I can go after him without worries. I¡¯ll ept his challenge.¡± Treize said with a smile. Hilda and the man stared.


    Treize ignored their gazes and turned to Major Travas.


    ¡°Major Travas of the Royal Army!¡±


    ¡°Yes, Your Highness!¡± Major Travas replied, standing up straight.


    ¡°I¡¯ll be borrowing that car of yours. Along with a sniper rifle and one of your radios. Put it on Queen Francesca¡¯s tab. I¡¯ll go grab my jacket!¡± Treize said in Roxchean and ran back to the train, without even waiting for an answer.


    ¡°¡­¡±


    Hilda watched Treize run toward the train. The long-haired man addressed her.


    ¡°Please, don¡¯t look so upset, Princess Matilda! You look most beautiful when you smile like¡ªmph!¡±


    ¡°Shut up.¡± Yzma growled, gagging him.


    ¡°Mmph!¡±


    ¡°Thank you for the information.¡± Hilda said.


    The man began writhing, tears streaming down his face.


    ¡°Mmph! Mmmmph!¡±


    ¡°Is that supposed to be a ¡®you¡¯re wee¡¯?¡± Yzma said snidely, gently pushing Hilda away from the long-haired man.


    Major Travas¡¯s team and Hilda gathered together. Uno spoke first.


    ¡°I find it hard to believe Prisoner 42 managed to escape by himself. He has no savings, and his parents alreadymitted suicide.¡±


    Major Travas nodded.


    ¡°Clearly there is someone pulling the strings behind the scenes. Someone arranged the escape, is financing this plot, and is feeding our culprit information.¡±


    ¡°But there¡¯s only one person I can think of who could legally pull him out of prison¡ªthe minister of justice.¡± Said Ozette.


    ¡°Then he must be the one.¡± Yzma said energetically. Ozette stared at him in disbelief. But¡ª


    ¡°I believe so.¡± Major Travas agreed. ¡°The current minister of justice is Duke Besser. He¡¯s certainly in a position to know about Prince Treize¡¯s existence. Duke Besser has a son from his second wife. The boy is only ten, but everyone agrees that he will be a strong contender for Princess Matilda¡¯s hand in marriage.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    Hilda gasped first. Then followed the rest, save for Yzma.


    Yzma treated it as someone else¡¯s problem¡ªwhich it technically was¡ªand nodded enthusiastically.


    ¡°I see. So that¡¯s why he¡¯s trying to eliminate Prince Treize. The duke wants his own son to marry the future queen. Simple and clear!¡±


    ¡°I see¡­ I had an inkling that this might be the case, but to think that this truly was the answer¡­¡± Hilda trailed off, averting her gaze. Yzma spoke up brightly.


    ¡°Aww, no need to get down, Miss Hilda.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m just about ready to arrest you for lese-majesty¡­¡± Ozette remarked scathingly. Ann asked him what was wrong. Ozette brushed it off.


    ¡°May I?¡± Allison spoke up, as casual as though she were inviting herself to a dinner.


    Major Travas allowed her to join the conversation. None of the subordinates said anything. When Hilda met her eyes, Allison greeted her with a smile. Hilda returned the greeting.


    Major Travas briefly exined the situation to Allison.


    ¡°Oh dear. So the sweet-looking doctor was the culprit. He didn¡¯t look it at all.¡±


    ¡°So it was the doctor. Sou Be-Il should really start publicizing photographs of criminals¡­¡± Major Travas sighed.


    That was when Treize leapt out of the train. He was wearing a leather jacket over his sweater. Around his waist was his usual belt pack.


    ¡°I¡¯ll be right back!¡± He cried, running straight for the car. Major Travas held out his arms to stop him, responding in Roxchean.


    ¡°It¡¯s too dangerous, Your Highness. We won¡¯t be able to protect you directly.¡±


    ¡°I know.¡± Treize replied immediately.


    Major Travas lowered his arms and ordered his team to prepare the car, two radios, a sniper rifle, and extra magazines.


    ¡°Thank you.¡± Treize said. That was when Hilda came up to him.


    ¡°Treize.¡±


    He turned.


    ¡°Please. Don¡¯t try to stop me.¡± He said firmly.


    ¡°I won¡¯t.¡± Hilda replied without missing a beat. ¡°Go. Save Lillia. Rescue your princess. That is the duty of a prince. There¡¯s no time to lose.¡±


    Treize¡¯s eyes widened. Hilda slowly walked up to him and put her hands on his shoulders.


    ¡°I wish you luck.¡±


    She gave him a soft kiss on the forehead.


    Treize turned his belt pack to the side and strapped a small radio to his stomach. He tuned the radio to the right frequency, wrapped the microphone around his neck, and put an earpiece into his right ear.


    ¡°We will do whatever we can to support you so long as we can continue tomunicate.¡± Said Major Travas. ¡°If the train is still moving, activate the emergency brake at the coupling. And once you¡¯re finished, head to the driver¡¯s seat¡ªthere should be a more powerful radio there.¡±


    ¡°Right. Thank you.¡± Treize replied.


    Finally, Treize received a long automatic sniper rifle. He checked that it was loaded before arming the safety. Then he slipped two extra magazines into his jacket.


    Treize stepped into the car. He ced the rifle in the passenger seat, secured it, and started the car.


    He stepped on the clutch with his left foot and changed gears with his right hand. The moment he stepped onto the gas pedal, he violently let go of the clutch.


    The car began to race across the in, scattering mud in its wake.


    It climbed onto the gravel under the tracks, with the left side of the car between the rails.


    ¡°Here I go!¡±


    Treize began to chase the train.


    Treize began to chase the train.


    A pair of emerald-green eyes watched the car until it was too far to see.


    Meanwhile, the woman with blue eyes¡ª


    ¡°Let¡¯s head out, too. We can take the truck. Thedy shoulde along¡ªthere¡¯s going to be sufficient protection there. And I¡¯m sure we can just leave the passengers here.¡± She said out of nowhere. Major Travas furrowed his brow.


    ¡°Where are you suggesting we go?¡±


    ¡°Somece nearby.¡± Allison replied.


    * * *


    ¡°¡­Huh?¡±


    Slowly, Lillia opened her eyes. The first thing she saw was the ceiling of the corridor.


    The sunlight filtered through the window on her right, casting a yellow light on the walls and ceiling.


    The train was moving slowly.


    She could feel the dampened roar and the rhythm of the wheels against the tracks on her back.


    ¡°Ah, you¡¯re awake.¡± Said a gentle voice, in Bezelese.


    ¡°Oh!¡±


    Lillia quickly looked up at the corridor. There stood a ck-haired man in his thirties¡ªthe man who, on the train, had been carrying a medical bag.


    He was still in the same grey suit, but his sses were gone. There was a radio strapped to his waist and a microphone was wrapped around his neck.


    ¡®It¡¯s you!¡¯ Lillia tried to say, but¡ª


    ¡°Mmph! Mmm!¡±


    That was all she could manage.


    It was only then that Lillia realized she was gagged and that her hands were bound.


    ¡°Mm! MMPH!¡±


    ¡®¡®Hey! Let me go!¡¯, right?¡± The man guessed, amused.


    Then he did as Lillia demanded and released her. He pulled away the gag and gently sat her up by her shoulders.


    ¡°There. Better?¡±


    ¡°Hey, you!¡±


    Lillia tried to rise to her feet, but she realized that her ankles were also bound. She squirmed around and looked the man in the eye.


    The man looked down at her and introduced himself.


    ¡°Just call me ¡®Weasel¡¯. I am the one behind today¡¯smotion.¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°You are my hostage.¡±


    ¡°Wha¡ª you¡¯d better not be mistaking me for a princess!¡± Lillia cried, the events of new year¡¯s day still fresh in her mind.


    ¡°No, nothing like that. But I must say I¡¯m surprised to see how much you know, Lillia.¡± Weasel replied, assuming that Lillia was talking about Hilda.


    ¡°You¡¯re the one who knocked me, out, aren¡¯t you?¡±


    ¡°Yes, I am. But don¡¯t worry¡ªI took care to use drugs that wouldn¡¯t leave any side effects. Doesn¡¯t that make you feel a lot better?¡±


    ¡°Ugh! What are you nning?¡±


    ¡°Right now, this train is slowly cruising northwest along a barely-used military line. Other than the bodies, the two of us are the only people onboard.¡±


    ¡°Answer my question.¡±


    ¡°Calm down. I¡¯m only just beginning. I left Treize a message telling him to follow us if he wants to rescue you. I don¡¯t see him yet, but I¡¯m sure he¡¯ll being sooner orter.¡±


    ¡°Treize? You took me hostage to get Treize? Why? Why are you after Treize?¡±


    Weasel shrugged.


    ¡°Hmm¡­ Yes. Yes. That¡¯s a secret. And that¡¯s a secret too.¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°I just answered your questions. I am trying to kill Treize, but I can¡¯t tell you why. Call it professionalism. Although I will tell you once it¡¯s toote. I may enjoy dramatic pauses, but I¡¯m not really one to keep secrets.¡±


    Lillia said nothing. So Weasel went silent.


    Three secondster.


    Unable to stand the silence, Lillia burst out,


    ¡°Say something!¡±


    ¡°Say something?¡± Weasel repeated, falling into thought. ¡°Then let me tell you about myself.¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°You know, I wasn¡¯t abused as a child or left brain-damaged by an illness or ident.¡± Weasel said, as though delivering a soliloquy.


    Lillia didn¡¯t know what to say. She listened quietly.


    ¡°When I was arrested, countless psychiatrists came to me, day after day. They wanted to write papers about me¡ªasked me all kinds of trivial questions. ¡®What did you listen to on the radio as a child?¡¯, ¡®Did you ever collect insects as a hobby?¡¯, ¡®What kind of food did you eat every day?¡¯. But I didn¡¯t have a very remarkable upbringing. I was just an ordinary boy who loved to study, though a little more clever than most.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ¡°I know that murder is bad. I know that it is illegal. But I enjoyed it. I enjoyed it so much. It made me feel alive. I didn¡¯t understand¡ªwhy didn¡¯t other people try to break free from the chains of thew? Why didn¡¯t they do everything in their power tomit murder while avoiding discovery? Even now, I wonder why.¡±


    Weasel seemed to be seriously considering the conundrum. Lillia was stunned.


    ¡°All I know is that you¡¯re a killer from Sou Be-Il. But why do you want me to know all this? What are you trying to tell me?¡±


    ¡°Right! It¡¯s almost time for my fight with Treize! The whole point of this trip! This is why I¡¯ve been working toward! Yes!¡±


    Weasel¡¯s musing turned to sudden enthusiasm. Lillia frowned.


    ¡°¡­Are you listening to me?¡±


    ¡°Hm? Did you say something?¡±


    ¡°Never mind¡­¡±


    As Lillia stared incredulously,


    As Lillia stared incredulously,


    ¡°Wait for me, Lillia!¡±


    Treize was shouting in the driver¡¯s seat.


    The gravel and railroad ties underneath resulted in quite a bumpy ride.


    The tracks stretched into the horizon. The train was still out of sight. The sun was tilting west, slowly growing dim. It would be sunset soon¡ªthen woulde a spring evening.


    Treize put even more weight into the gas pedal. He sped up to the limit and held down the steering wheel as it threatened to spin. His ck hair shook in the wind.


    And¡ª


    ¡°There!¡±


    A small speck appeared in the distance. It was just on the horizon.


    Treize slowed down slightly and took one hand off the steering wheel. He pressed the call button on his neck.


    ¡°Ah! Such passion! Such drive! I¡¯m not sure I can take much more of this!¡±


    Out of nowhere, the man began to squirm and raise his voice.


    ¡°Eek!¡±


    Lillia desperately looked away, having never felt so disturbed in all her life.


    Weasel squirmed for a short time, but soon his expression became serious and he pressed the call button.


    <Yes! I hear you, Treize! I hear your lovely voice!>


    <Enough! I¡¯ve almost caught up to you!> Treize quickly replied. But Lillia didn¡¯t hear him. All she heard was¡ª


    ¡°Ahh! Come faster! Quickly! Let me see your face!¡± Weasel cried ecstatically.


    <You got it! So stop the train!> Treize cried, one hand on the steering wheel.


    The train was about 200 meters ahead, traveling at about 30 kilometers per hour. Treize could clearly see thest car of the separated train.


    <I can¡¯t do that.>


    <What?! What¡¯s your game?>


    <It¡¯s not a game. The driver¡¯s dead. I bribed him with arge sum, but he could have panicked if things had gone wrong. So I killed him before he could. His body¡¯s weighing down the lever right now. It was tough to position it just right to maintain this speed, but I managed with some wisdom and effort. Isn¡¯t that incredible of me?>


    Though astounded, Treize continued to close the distance. There were 40 meters left.


    <So hurry ande over to the train. I¡¯ll be waiting. End transmission.>


    Weasel did not even ask for Treize¡¯s opinion before cutting offmunications.


    ¡°Sheet! All right, fine!¡±


    Treize mmed the gas pedal. The car shook even more and sped up, and the train was closer than ever.


    A second before the car could hit the train, Treize operated the gas pedal just right to match the train¡¯s speed.


    Treize lightly bumped into the shock absorbers at the back of thest car. At the same time, he took his foot off the gas pedal to stand¡ª


    ¡°Whoa!¡±


    The engine brake kicked in, instantly slowing the car and widening the gap. If he had climbed onto the hood and tried to jump, he would have fallen.


    ¡°Right¡­ calm down¡­¡±


    Treize stepped down on the gas pedal again and red at the train for a few seconds. The gaping door seemed to beckon to him.


    ¡°I have to do this¡­¡±


    Face set in grim determination, Treize took his foot slightly off the gas pedal. The train quickly moved further away.


    Then he sped up again. The car began to close the gap. This time, fast enough to crash.


    There were several meters to go.


    Stepping down on the clutch, Treize shifted gears to neutral. The car moved towards the train with inertia alone.


    Treize stood from his seat. He gave up the sniper rifle in the passenger seat and jumped over the windshield,nding on the hood of the car.


    ¡°Ha!¡±


    With a spirited cry, he leapt off the hood and into the door of the train.


    Treize was still in midair when the car crashed into the train. Behind him he heard the crunch of metal against metal.


    Slowly, he was sucked into the door. His feet hit the doorway floor. And hended. But he had jumped with such force that he lost his bnce.


    ¡°Whoa!¡±


    Treize crashed straight into the door, squealing like a crushed frog.


    ¡°Ugh¡­¡±


    He hit his head, nose, stomach, and hands and feet on the door as he fell into the doorway.


    That was when he heard something behind him. Treize turned slightly.


    The driverless car had left the tracks and was flipping onto its side. The sniper rifle in the passenger seat slipped out of the seatbelt and flew into the air. Both the car and the rifle disappeared at 30 kilometers an hour.


    ¡°No turning back¡­¡± Treize said, spitting out the contents of his mouth. Blood scattered on the floor. ¡°Just you wait¡­¡±


    Slowly, he stood. He checked to see that his limbs and neck were still functional.


    ¡°All right¡­¡±


    His only injury was a torn lip. Once he had confirmed his own well-being, Treize took a deep breath.


    Then he used the radio.


    <I¡¯m here!>


    <I¡¯m here!>


    When Weasel heard Treize¡¯s voice, he cast a euphoric gaze into the air.


    <I¡¯m here!>


    When Lillia heard Treize¡¯s voice, she urged him under her breath to hurry.

 Volume 3 9 — My Prince

    <h4>Volume 3 Chapter 9: My Prince</h4>


    -----


    At the coupling, Treize found the emergency brake.


    The yellow lever was high up on the wall of the car. Treize grabbed it and pulled.


    ¡°¡­¡±


    Nothing happened.


    He raised it and pulled it down again. Yet again, it did nothing. The train continued to slowly cruise down the tracks.


    ¡°He¡¯s really gone all-out here¡­¡±


    Treize gave up on the emergency brake and clung to the wall the door into the corridor.


    ¡°Where are you hiding¡­?¡± He whispered.


    <Excellent! This is so exciting!>


    Weasel¡¯s voice came over the radio. Treize pressed the call button.


    <I¡¯m here! Where are you? Show yourself!>


    <Aah! I¡¯m almost feeling faint from all this emotion! I¡¯m at the dining car at the front of the train¡ªalong with the girl.>


    <I want to hear her voice.>


    <Of course. ¡­Could you say something, Miss?>


    Then,


    <It¡¯s me! I¡¯m here! I¡¯m not hurt!>


    Lillia sounded as spunky as ever. Treize smiled, for a moment.


    <I¡¯ll be waiting.> The man said. And he ended the transmission.


    ¡°What to do¡­ what am I supposed to do?¡± Treize wondered to himself at the coupling. ¡°Am I all right to go?¡±


    He spat out blood again.


    Slowly, Treize opened the door and stepped into the corridor. The corridor followed the left wall of the train.


    Treize took a low stance and gazed down the hall. There was no one there. The dining car was two cars ahead.


    He made up his mind and stepped forward¡ª


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    For a second, he spotted something glinting in the corridor. It was about 3 meters ahead.


    Something was floating across the corridor, glinting in the setting sun. Upon closer examination, Treize realized that it was a very thin wire tied at shin-level.


    ¡°¡­¡±


    Treize stepped back out into the coupling.


    He looked around and spotted a fire extinguisher.


    Removing the stic band securing the fire extinguisher, Treize picked it up and stepped into the corridor.


    ¡°Take this!¡±


    He hurled it down the corridor.


    The fire extinguisher bounced on the carpet once, then rolled down the hall. It tripped the wire.


    A secondter, an arrow came shooting from the right.


    With an audible whoosh, the arrow drove itself deep into the corridor wall.


    ¡°Sheet!¡± Treize swore. If he hadn¡¯t noticed the trap, he would have taken an arrow to the shin.


    ¡°So he¡¯s not trying to kill me. Sick bastard¡­¡±


    Treize looked up at the ceiling.


    There was a firing mechanism in the cabin the arrow hade from.


    The wire in the corridor had been connected to the trigger of a miniature crossbow set up under the seat.


    Next to the crossbow was a mechanism made up of a long match, a small wine bottle, and a piece of cloth. It was set up to catch fire when the arrow was shot.


    The firing mechanism began to burn.


    A thin wisp of smoke rose to the ceiling. Smoke quickly filled the cabin.


    Treize exited the train.


    From the coupling at the very back of the train, Treize climbed up the railings and footholds and onto the roof.


    ¡°¡­¡±


    He peered over the edge of the roof. His bangs shook in the wind. Once he was sure no one was on the roof of the train, Treize climbed all the way to the rooftop.


    The maintenance walkway on the roof was slightly sloped at the edges. And because the train was shaking, one misstep could lead to a slip and a very fatal fall.


    Treize bent down and began to creep down the middle of the walkway. He moved cautiously, so that he would make no noise and be steady even against the wind.


    In the dining car.


    ¡°That should be enough time.¡± Weasel said.


    ¡°Enough for what?¡± Asked Lillia.


    She was seated in a chair. Although Weasel had untied the ropes around her ankles, her wrists were still bound.


    ¡°I¡¯m terribly sorry about all this.¡± Weasel said, freeing her hands.


    ¡°¡­¡±


    Lillia stared.


    ¡°Now, let¡¯s be off. Let¡¯s go meet our prince.¡± Said Weasel.


    ¡®What, the prince of idiocy?¡¯ Lillia wondered, but she said nothing as she walked in the direction Weasel pointed her toward¡ªthe front of the dining car.


    After crossing thest car in the train, Treize leapt over the coupling to the next.


    ¡°Hah!¡±


    Out of nowhere, he heard a male voice.


    <Splendid! You¡¯ve done well to make it this far, hero!>


    Treize looked up.


    On the roof of the next car¡ªthe dining car¡ªwas Lillia.


    Just like Treize, she had climbed onto the roof at the coupling between the dining car and the lotive.


    When she saw Treize, Lillia waved her arms. She gathered her hair as it billowed uncontrobly in the wind, and began to creep towards him as though afraid. She had gone about 3 meters when the man who had introduced himself as a doctor suddenly peered over the roof.


    <That¡¯s right! I¡¯m here!>


    Slowly, Treize resumed walking across the car.


    The beautiful spring sunset dyed thendscape red.


    The train continued straight down the tracks.


    At the head was a roaring diesel lotive. Behind it were three cars.


    Atop the first car was a man and a girl.


    Atop the second car was a boy.


    And at the windows of the third car were faint plumes of white smoke.


    Treize pulled a gun out of his belt pack.


    It was his favorite, a mid-sized handgun. He disarmed the safety, and pressed the call button with his left hand.


    <I¡¯m here!>


    The man replied.


    <Ah! How exciting. How exhrating!>


    Treize pressed forward.


    Each car was about 25 meters long. He slowly closed the 40-meter gap between himself and the man.


    Weasel addressed Lillia gently.


    ¡°Now, walk. Mind your feet¡ªwouldn¡¯t want you to slip, now.¡±


    Lillia gathered her long hair in one bunch and brought it over her shoulder, then tucked the ponytail into her jacket. And she cautiously moved forward.


    ¡°Bastard¡­¡± Treize swore as he crossed the roof. He could not shoot Weasel because Lillia was in the way.


    Soon, he was at the front of the second ss sleeper car. Lillia was near the middle of the dining car. Weasel, about 3 meters behind her.


    ¡°Lillia! Get down!¡± Treize yelled. Lillia slowly did. So did Weasel.


    Treize grimaced and pointed his gun at the air.


    <Now, now. We can¡¯t have you using such an unrefined tool like that here.> Weasel said through the radio, still crouching.


    ¡°Shut up, you coward!¡± Treize roared. They were close enough that the radio was no longer necessary, but Weasel made a point of using it.


    <Let¡¯s keep using the radio. I don¡¯t really want to raise my voice.> Weasel said softly. <Now drop the gun. Toss it aside. Just like that. We don¡¯t need anything like that between the two of us. I don¡¯t like guns, you know. With a bullet, you can¡¯t feel the sensation of taking a life. The greatest weapon in the world is your body, I think. Including your hands. So I want you to throw that gun away.>


    ¡°If I refuse¡­¡±


    <I would prefer not to go against my personal policies. I¡¯m sure you understand?>


    ¡°Damn it!¡±


    Treize armed the safety on his gun.


    ¡°I¡¯lle back for you¡­¡± He whispered, tossing the gun.


    The gun spun slowly as it fell to the ins. Itnded in the mud and grew distant.


    <You¡¯re spunkier than I thought. I can scarcely hold myself back!> Weasel said with a glint in his eye, standing up again. Treize could hear the end of his sentence even without the radio.


    ¡°Er¡­ I have a question.¡± Lillia said from her crouching stance, raising her right hand.


    ¡°Yes?¡±


    ¡°I can ask, right? So¡­ can I go now?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡± Weasel replied without a second thought.


    ¡°Huh¡­? Seriously? I can?¡±


    ¡°Yes. Thank you for taking on the job of a hostage. I apologize for involving you. I¡¯m terribly sorry.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ¡°Now it¡¯s time for me to be alone with my prince. You are free to go.¡±


    ¡°Really? ¡­How?¡± Lillia asked, looking around.


    ¡°You¡¯ll have to figure something out.¡± Weasel said firmly.


    ¡°What?! What the heck? You want me to jump off?¡±


    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t rmend it. This may be a muddy in, but you won¡¯t get off unscathed. I suggest you give up.¡±


    ¡°Hey!¡± Lillia bellowed. But realizing that anger would get her nowhere, she quickly turned her rage on Treize.


    ¡°Treize! Please do something about this guy!¡±


    ¡°I know! But you can¡¯t stay there¡ªyou¡¯re going to get in the way!¡±


    Lillia looked around, front and back.


    ¡°What do you want me to do?!¡±


    Weasel ignored herpletely and pressed the call button.


    <Treize. I could have killed you any time I wanted back on that train. But I didn¡¯t. Part of the reason was that I didn¡¯t want to get caught and that it would have been hard to get away. But I could have ovee that if I wanted to. I could just have killed all the passengers. And even if this hostage plot doesn¡¯t work out, I can snipe you in Ikster with ease. But I would prefer not to do that. Do you know why?>


    ¡°¡­No!¡± Treize lied.


    <Then let me tell you. ¡­Before I kill you, I want to love you.>


    ¡°Huh?¡± Lillia frowned. As for Treize¡ª


    ¡°Urgh¡­¡±


    He had expected the answer, but he averted his gaze in disgust anyway.


    Weasel held down the call button with his left hand and spread his right arm. It was trembling in ecstasy.


    <The moment I saw a photo of you, my heart shot through the stratosphere and into the heavens! This was love at first sight! Ah, I thought! Ah, I want to love this boy at all costs! I want to hold him in my arms¡­ and kill him in my embrace! I want to cover myself in the scent of his blood! I want to feel his warm flesh grow cold against me! That pure desire moved me to cross the Lutoni, mother of life!>


    ¡°¡­¡±


    Lillia, still crouching, did everything in her power to get away from the man without looking back at him.


    ¡°¡­¡±


    Treize didn¡¯t know what to say. All he could do was listen to Weasel¡¯s voice and the voiceing from the earpiece connected to the radio.


    <Now! Aaaah¡­ Come to me! Take off your clothes ande to me! Together, we will dance a romantic waltz!>


    Twenty seconds of silence followed.


    In that period of time¡ª


    ¡°Ah¡­ The sunset¡¯s beautiful today.¡±


    ¡ªTreize whispered to himself, trying to escape reality.


    Eventually, he brought himself to finally press the call button. He did his very best to not look at the man.


    <And¡­ if I¡­ er¡­ refuse? You¡¯re not going to harm Lillia, are you?>


    Lillia, meanwhile, was still creeping across the middle of the car.


    <No! I don¡¯t kill innocent women. But I will set off a bomb!>


    ¡°What?!¡±


    Treize looked at Weasel. Thetter was holding a small device in his right hand. It was about the size of a gun, and had a small antenna sticking out of it. There was a ck button near the thumb. Underneath it ran a red wire.


    Lillia also turned at the mention of a bomb.


    Weasel brandished the object as Lillia and Treize watched.


    <This is a detonator. I¡¯ve loaded an extremely powerful explosive¡ªtwo truckloads¡¯ worth¡ªin thest car. That¡¯s enough to blow this entire train to smithereens! All thanks to a certain grandfather and his secretary! Now, take off your clothes ande into my arms! If not, I will press this button. Then the bomb will go off in 90 seconds. What is your answer?>


    While Weasel was talking, Lillia had crept as quickly as she could. She finally crossed the dining car and arrived at the coupling.


    Treize leapt over the coupling andnded on the dining car roof. He stood with his legs spread wide and let Lillia crawl through under.


    <You heard me. What do you say?>


    The man asked again. Treize had no choice but to respond.


    ¡°If I refuse¡­?¡±


    <Then¡ªI just pressed the button.> Weasel replied, looking at the detonator.


    ¡°What?¡±


    <I pressed the button. Now what will you do?>


    Treize looked at Weasel¡¯s right hand. A red lightbulb on the detonator was shing.


    ¡°Stop! You bastard!¡±


    <That hurts! This is a negotiation, Treize. Take off your clothes ande to me, and I will stop the bomb.>


    ¡°You really are an idiot¡­¡±


    <Hah! I do this all in the name of love!>


    ¡°You are the biggest idiot on this continent.¡±


    <You know what? Never mind. I won¡¯t hold that against you. You have seventy-five seconds left. You can try and stop the bomb if you want. You might be able to, if you climb back down and push the suitcases off the train. Although it won¡¯t be easy, since the car should be on fire now. Go on, try and y the hero. ¡­No. Never mind. Don¡¯t. If you¡¯re going to die, I want you to die before my eyes. Nowe here. I¡¯ll stop the bomb, and we¡¯ll all be happy.> Weasel grinned.


    ¡°Please do something, Treize.¡± Lillia pleaded desperately.


    ¡°Look, Lillia¡­ I¡¯ve trained myself as much as I could. But¡­ no one ever taught me what I should do against someone as crazy as him.¡± Treize confessed.


    ¡°No¡­¡± Lillia breathed.


    But at that moment, the roar of an engine began to overpower the diesel lotive.


    The noise came from the direction of the setting sun.


    ¡°Hm?¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    Weasel, Treize, and Lillia all turned their gazes to the glowing sun. They spotted a small speck in the distance.


    The speck turned into a line and quickly expanded. And soon it became arge avian silhouette and flew clear over them at about 30 meters. The noise crossed the air from the left to the right.


    It was an aerone. Its wings shone in the light of dusk, banking to the left.


    The frame was painted in muted greens and browns. At the end of its pointed nose was a propeller. The cockpit stuck out like a birdcage. And though it was a 2-seater, the aerone was only carrying one person¡ªthe pilot.


    It was a reverse gull wing craft with a wingspan of 14 meters. A gull wing was a type of wing that was curved like a boomerang, like the wings of a gull. In the case of a reverse gull wing craft, the wings were inverted.


    Under the bends of the wings were cylindrical pods, from which protruded two pipes. The pipe and the inside of the pod was a modified 37mm anti-aircraft machine gun. The barrels were nearly 2 meters long.


    The aerone slowly continued to bank left, eventually crossing the tracks ahead of the train.


    <Listen up, Treize. I¡¯m going to do something about that car with the bomb.> Said a female voice.


    ¡°Hm?¡±


    Weasel frowned.


    ¡°Allison!¡± Treize cheered. And¡ª


    ¡°Huh? Is Mom on that ne?¡± Lillia asked from behind him. Treize nodded.


    <I¡¯ve been listening to the conversation for a while now. I¡¯m going to separate thest car from the train.>


    <Wait a moment, please. How?> Weasel asked over the radio.


    <You¡¯ll see. You aside, I can¡¯t let those two die.> Allison replied pleasantly.


    The aerone broke out of the swerve and approached the left side of the train. The nose and the guns were pointed at the cars.


    <All of you, please duck. You have 20 seconds.>


    <All of you, please duck. You have 20 seconds.>


    Treize turned to Lillia.


    ¡°Allison¡¯s going to do something. Duck.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s she going to do?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know. But let¡¯s trust her.¡±


    They crouched at the end of the dining car.


    ¡°I wonder what she¡¯ll do?¡± Weasel mused, taking a seat at the opposite end of the car.


    ¡°All right.¡±


    Allison lined up her crosshairs with the train, which was getting closer and closer to her craft. Her target: the coupling between the third and fourth cars. Because the train was moving to Allison¡¯s left, she adjusted for the movement with pedal control.


    Only a few dozen meters between the train and the aerone.


    ¡°There.¡±


    Allison opened fire.


    The machine guns under her wings roared twice.


    Rings of light wereunched from the barrels, and were followed by a deafening noise. First from the left, then the right.


    The first shot hit the coupling mechanism and shattered the metal link in an instant.


    The second shotnded on the base of thest car, near the front. It pierced through a wheel and exploded underneath, half-destroying three of the axles.


    ¡°Now why can¡¯t I pull that off when I¡¯m shooting by hand?¡±


    With the pilot¡¯s mumbling in its cage, the aerone crossed over the train¡ªalmost low enough for thending gear to touch the roof.


    ¡°¡­¡±


    The aerone responsible for the gunfire crossed Treize¡¯s sights from right to left. A secondter, thest car in the train began to disappear into the distance.


    Just like the car Treize had driven to the train, thest car moved away at 30 kilometers an hour. The broken base skidded against the tracks, and sparks flew into the air.


    <Ten seconds left. Keep your head down.>


    When Treize heard Allison¡¯s instruction,


    ¡°Get down.¡±


    He shielded the crouching Lillia and got down on the roof.


    ¡°Gah.¡± Lillia squawked when hey over her.


    Weasel also followed Allison¡¯s instructions and got down on his stomach on the roof.


    <Six¡­ five¡­ four¡­ three¡­ two¡­>


    They could hear Allison¡¯s countdown.


    The separated, smoking second-ss sleeper car was about 70 meters behind them.


    <Now.>


    It exploded.


    For a split second the car seemed to balloon from the center.


    The front and back of the car rose into the air, but a secondter each end twisted from the inside out and exploded. Fragments of ss glittered in the air like droplets of champagne.


    There was almost no fire. A shockwave spread like a white dome around the impact, but the dome quickly dissipated. The shockwave spread across the grass and finally crashed past the three on the roof.


    ¡°Whoa!¡±


    ¡°Eek!¡±


    ¡°Ugh!¡±


    Treize, Lillia, and Weasel all screamed as the noise and the impact passed over and around them.


    ¡°Incredible¡­¡±


    The shockwave even reached the aerone, which had departed at full throttle immediately after opening fire. The frame rose upwards slightly and shook.


    ¡°¡­¡±


    Treize sat up.


    The car behind them was in pieces. All he could see were fragmented metal bits from the base. The in was already littered with chunks of scrap metal.


    ¡°That was close. If that went off while it was still part of the train, we¡¯d all be finished.¡± Treize mumbled.


    They could hear small impacts around them. Small, light pieces from thest car were flying at them and hitting the roof.


    ¡°I get it. Move.¡± Lillia grumbled from under him.


    ¡°Oh! Right. Sorry.¡± Treize said, quickly moving aside and letting Lillia go free.


    <Splendid! That was fantastic!> Weasel cried, jumping to his feet and pping his thigh in lieu of apuse.


    A piece of shrapnel hit him in the head, but Weasel paid it no mind as he began to walk.


    ¡°Still, I don¡¯t feel like going out in such a bombastic ze of glory.¡±


    ¡°Wait, Lillia.¡± Treize said.


    He had noticed Weasel¡¯s movements¡ªhe knew what Weasel was nning next.


    ¡°I¡¯m gonna go over and do something about that guy.¡± He said to Lillia, and began to walk across the roof.


    ¡°Be careful!¡± Lillia managed to yell. Instead of giving a reply, Treize lightly waved his hand.


    Watching the two get closer,


    ¡°I can¡¯t shoot him like this¡­¡±


    Allison gave up on shooting down Weasel.


    ¡°It¡¯s all on you now, Your Highness.¡±


    * * *


    The middle of the roof of the dining car.


    Weasel and Treize were standing a mere 3 meters apart.


    Treize was making no attempt to hide his scornful re.


    Weasel was making no attempt to hide his excited gaze.


    Lillia crossed over to the remaining second ss sleeper car and moved back. She sat in the middle of the car and stared at Treize¡¯s back.


    She could hear an engine roaring overhead.


    ¡°I¡¯m d you¡¯re finally here, though it¡¯s a shame you¡¯re still clothed.¡±


    That was the first thing Weasel said.


    ¡°I have no intention of letting you do anything to me.¡± Treize replied, scowling.


    ¡°Then what?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m going to fight you¡ªand win.¡±


    ¡°Scary. But you know, I¡¯m both obligated to and interested in killing you. So at least let me enjoy you until the inevitable.¡±


    Lillia could hear everything.


    ¡°Hey! Why¡¯re you after Treize? You still haven¡¯t told me!¡± She demanded from the second ss sleeper car.


    ¡°Ah, right.¡± Weasel nodded. ¡°It¡¯s because Treize is a prince of Ikstova!¡± He cried nonchntly.


    ¡°¡­Wait, what? Are you out of your mind?¡± Lillia croaked. ¡°That¡¯s ridiculous! You¡¯re trying to kill someone because of a stupid misunderstanding! You¡¯re an idiot! How could anybody think¡­ that¡­¡±


    Lillia trailed off.


    Treize, who had turned, was looking at her with an expression both sad and sheepish.


    ¡°Treize? Tell him. We¡¯re listening. If you have something to say, say it.¡±


    ¡°Er¡­ well¡­¡±


    ¡°Well? What?¡±


    ¡°I¡­ err¡­¡±


    ¡°You what?¡±


    ¡°That is to say¡­ umm¡­¡±


    Treize could not find the words. But Weasel could.


    ¡°Miss! He is a prince! A prince of Ikstova! The son of Queen Francesca and Carr Benedict!¡± He dered, hands cupped around his mouth.


    ¡°Hold it! Queen Francesca only has one child, and that¡¯s Princess Meriel!¡± Lillia replied.


    ¡°There¡¯s aplicated reason for that, Miss! There is an old rule in the royal family that allows the monarch to have only one child! Though the rule is meaningless now that the Ikstova Pass¡ªthe Treasure of Ikstova¡ªis public knowledge, Prince Treize was born the twin brother of Princess Meriel and could not reveal his royal status!¡±


    Lillia frowned.


    Lillia frowned.


    ¡°What the heck? That sounds like a story out of a cheap novel. Treize, are you gonna stand there and let this guy make up stuff¡­ about¡­ you¡­?¡±


    There was, again, a troubled expression on Treize¡¯s face.


    ¡°No way¡­ is that for real?¡± Lillia said slowly.


    Treize finally broke his silence.


    ¡°It is¡­¡±


    He was acknowledging everything.


    Lillia rose to her feet. Her long hair fell out of her jacket and tumbled in the wind.


    Her hair aflutter, Lillia stood on her feet on the second ss sleeper car and pointed an using finger at Treize.


    ¡°Wait! You¡¯d better not say something like, ¡®I wasn¡¯t trying to hide this from you¡¯!¡±


    Treize¡¯s answer was loud and clear. And immediate.


    ¡°No! I was going to hide it forever!¡±


    ¡°Agh!¡± Lillia moaned, and added, ¡°Then never mind!¡±


    ¡°Really?¡±


    ¡°Really?¡±


    Treize and Weasel replied in unison.


    ¡°Treize! I¡¯ve got a boatload of things I wanna interrogate you about, but we can save that forter! Do something about that creep over there!¡±


    ¡°All right¡­ Thanks, Lillia.¡±


    Treize slowly turned. Thest Lillia saw of his face was his profiled smile.


    ¡°Prince Treize.¡± Weasel said. ¡°It¡¯s very brave of you to risk your lifeing all this way, although it¡¯s a little predictable. Do you love her that much?¡±


    It was an unexpected question. Treize thought for a moment before answering.


    ¡°My sister asked me the same question once before.¡±


    ¡°Oh? And how did you answer?¡±


    Slowly, Treize held his right hand in a fist over his chest.


    ¡°I¡¯ve been thinking. Ever since Mother told me about the engagement on my fifteenth birthday¡­¡±


    ¡°W-wait a second¡ª¡±


    Not even realizing that Lillia¡¯s face behind him was red for a reason other than the sunset¡ª


    ¡°I¡­¡±


    Treize made up his mind.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know!¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    The two people around him furrowed their brows.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know. I just don¡¯t. We¡¯ve been friends since we were little, and we had so much fun together. But if you asked me if I really liked her¡ªloved her¡ªif I wanted to spend the rest of my life with her¡­ not because I was running away from an arranged marriage, but because I truly loved her with all my heart¡­ I couldn¡¯t say for sure. I¡¯ve been thinking about this ever since I visited the Capital District. But I just don¡¯t know. How do I feel? Is this really what it means to be in love?¡± Treize wondered, lost.


    ¡°¡­Now I¡¯ve got even more to ask you¡­ but that¡¯s after I give you a good beating.¡± Lillia growled, teeth bared and hands balled into fists.


    Weasel, on the other hand, was astounded.


    ¡°My Prince, you¡¯re more dense than I thought.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not your prince!¡± Treize cried. Weasel scolded him almost as though he were a reliable older brother giving him life advice.


    ¡°But it¡¯s true! Why else would you risk life and limb for a girl you might not even love?! I prepared contingency ns in case you didn¡¯t follow this train, you know. In case the girl was nothing special to you. But here you are! And with no regrets, you¡¯re risking your life for her! Isn¡¯t that what it means to be in love?!¡±


    ¡°I-is that how it works?¡± Treize wondered.


    ¡°Of course! There¡¯s no need to brood about your emotions! Love means being honest to yourself! Convey your honest emotions, and the person responds with their honest emotions. That¡¯s what romance is! When two hearts be one and give birth to bliss!¡± Weasel pontificated.


    ¡°¡­¡±


    Treize could not say a word.


    ¡°That¡¯s pretty good.¡± Lillia admitted. Weasel continued.


    ¡°And I love you, Prince Treize! I am madly in love with you! From the bottom of my heart! Soe to me! And die in my arms!¡±


    ¡°I refuse!¡±


    This time, Treize answered immediately. He clenched his fists, pulled back his right foot, and took a low stance.


    ¡°So you¡¯re going to y hard-to-get.¡±


    Weasel also swung his arms, holding his hands in fists at eye-level and taking a fighting stance.


    ¡°I¡¯ll knock you off this train!¡± Treize cried.


    ¡°I¡¯ll love you to the end!¡± Weasel replied.


    Treize took a step forward.


    Weasel stayed put. He scrutinized Treize¡¯s eyes with a strangely peaceful gaze.


    ¡°¡­¡±


    Treize met his look with a re and took a slow half-step forward.


    ¡°Beautiful¡­¡± Weasel muttered, entranced.


    ¡°Hah!¡± Treize lunged. He swung his right fist at Weasel¡¯s chin, as Weasel was taller.


    ¡°Not bad!¡± Weasel grinned. He narrowly butnguidly avoided the attack.


    Treize swung with his left for a consecutive attack¡ª


    ¡°Ah!¡±


    But he noticed Weasel duck, and quickly leapt back.


    Weasel¡¯s left leg narrowly cut across where Treize had been trying to go.


    ¡°That was close.¡±


    Weasel spun from below Treize, who had leapt back, and attempted a roundhouse kick with his right leg.


    Treize leapt back again. This time, as far as he could. Weasel¡¯s kick passed right under where Treize¡¯s feet had been a moment ago.


    ¡°He¡¯s really good¡­¡±


    Treize ended up making no progress, instead being forced backwards. Weasel slowly stood up.


    ¡°You¡¯re not bad at all, Prince Treize. And I was so ready to love you to death¡­ It¡¯s been a long time since I had the chance toy eyes on a cute boy like you.¡± Weasel said sadly. Treize shuddered.


    ¡°Whoa¡­ I¡¯d rather you killed me quickly.¡±


    Weasel beamed.


    ¡°Then leave it to me! Now is the time!¡±


    ¡°Not now!¡±


    ¡°Such a tease.¡±


    At that moment, something flew violently at Treize.


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    Treize was caught off-guard. The object struck him square in the chest.


    There was a dull thud.


    ¡°Grk!¡±


    Treize gasped as he fell to his knees, curling forward.


    What struck him¡ªand was now falling off the side of the train¡ªwas the radio Weasel had been wearing around his waist.


    ¡°Treize!¡±


    Lillia, who had no idea what had just happened, called his name. There was no response.


    ¡°Oh. I suppose your ribs must be fractured now. Or maybe even broken. It must be painful.¡± Weasel said in a very sympathetic voice.


    ¡°Damn it¡­ bastard¡­¡±


    Looking down at Treize, who raised his head, Weasel put on a look of utter ecstasy.


    ¡°Aah¡­ even when you¡¯re angry, you¡¯re beautiful¡­¡±


    ¡°Ha!¡±


    With a cry, Treize lobbed his own radio.


    The radio flew about 3 meters before hitting and bouncing off Weasel¡¯s foot. He had quickly and effortlessly kicked it aside. The radio fell into the mud of the ins.


    ¡°Damn it¡­¡± Treize grimaced.


    Weasel lowered his foot, and for seemingly no reason, cast off his jacket. It flew off in the wind.


    He undid his necktie. Then he violently tore off his shirt, buttons and all. Then came his undershirt, which he slowly pulled off over his head.


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    As Treize and Lillia watched in silence, Weasel revealed his upper body.


    Though he was slender in build, he had the muscture of a trained gymnast¡ªnot a single ounce of fat to be seen.


    ¡°I had so much time on my hands in prison. And I also had to deal with brutes who thought they could kill me for fame. So I found myself spending quite a lot of time training.¡± Weasel exined, though no one had asked.


    Then, he sped his hands over his chest, as though in solemn prayer.


    ¡°Now, my prince. Leave your body to me, if only in your final moments. I shall be a gentle cushion and hold you with love. Let me take you on a final journey to the wonderful world of death.¡±


    ¡°I refuse! ¡ªOw¡­¡±


    Treize had called out reflexively, but he clutched at his chest in pain. He lost his bnce.


    ¡°Eek!¡±


    Lillia screamed softly. Treize managed to avoid falling, grasping the rooftop with his left hand.


    ¡°You can¡¯t fight me in that state. You don¡¯t even have a weapon. Now¡­ let us love.¡±


    ¡°Damn it¡­¡±


    Treize plunked down on the roof. He clutched his stomach with his hands.


    ¡°Is this really it? ¡­Is there nothing else I can do?¡± He wondered weakly.


    ¡°Wha¡ª No! Don¡¯t give up, Treize!¡± Lillia cried. But Treize did not respond.


    ¡°Ah! So you finally see reason!¡± Weasel smiled. He spread his arms wide and approached to embrace Treize. ¡°Not to worry! As long as you do everything I say, the youngdy will be unharmed! Now,e and be one with me! I promise, it¡¯ll feel very good!¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Mother¡­ I have no other choice¡­¡± Treize muttered, hanging his head.


    ¡°Ah. I understand you must be scared. But don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll be gentle.¡±


    Weasel¡¯s smile was hanging right over him.


    ¡°Now¡­e here.¡±


    Like a knight greeting a king, Weasel knelt before Treize.


    Treize raised his head.


    His eyes were clearly visible between his bangs.


    ¡°Hm¡­?¡±


    At that moment, Weasel realized¡ªthese were not the eyes of a defeated dove, but the sharpened gaze of a hawk.


    ¡°I refuse.¡± Treize said. ¡°Take this!¡±


    Sitting upright, Treize swung his right arm at Weasel¡¯s face. As though drawing a sword, he moved his right hand from his left side to the upper right.


    ¡°Ah.¡±


    Weasel stepped back, quickly getting out of punching range.


    There was a heavy, metallic thud.


    ¡°Agh¡ª¡±


    Weasel let out a cry.


    The edge of Treize¡¯s belt pack had struck his right temple.


    Inside was the camera Treize had received as a gift from the queen. It was a piece of metal weighing several hundred grams.


    Treize¡¯s right hand was clutching the belt end of the pack.


    The belt pack dropped from the side of Weasel¡¯s head. Blood began flowing from the torn skin.


    Treize, sitting on one knee with the makeshift sword in his grip, muttered quietly,


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Mother¡­ I think I probably broke it.¡±


    ¡°Ugh¡­ Ahh¡­¡±


    Scattering blood over his chiseled body and the roof of the train, Weasel moaned.


    And the moment he fell to his knees¡ª


    ¡°Don¡¯t me me too much!¡± Treize cried,shing out again. He rose to his feet and swung his belt pack again from right to left.


    This time, the camera struck Weasel on the left temple. There was another heavy thud.


    Weasel staggered and fell forward on the roof. Blood from his head flowed down the car lit red by the sunset.


    Treize pulled away the belt pack to strike Weasel in the back. And he swung¡ª


    ¡°Ahh¡­¡±


    Weasel groaned. Treize froze.


    ¡°Yes¡­ yes¡­ more¡­ Everyone¡­ they all died and left me behind¡­ I¡¯m sick of being left behind¡­¡±


    Treize wasted no time in retorting,


    ¡°Because you killed them all!¡±


    Weasel¡ªbleeding from both sides of the head¡ªlooked up at him.


    ¡°I suppose¡­ you could say that¡­ But it really is painful¡­ You understand, don¡¯t you?¡±


    ¡°No, I don¡¯t!¡± Treize replied, making to strike¡ª


    ¡°Hah!¡±


    Scattering blood in his wake, Weasel lunged.


    ¡°Whoa!¡±


    The belt pack fell out of Treize¡¯s grip. Treize and Weasel slid across the roof, skidding all the way to the edge of the dining car. And they fell between the cars.


    ¡°Treize!¡± Lillia rushed over to the coupling.


    ¡°Damn it¡­¡±


    There she found Treize, holding on for dear life to the railings.


    ¡°Ahaha!¡±


    And there was Weasel, his face covered in blood and his arms clinging to Treize¡¯s legs. His body was dangling in the air.


    ¡°Hahahaha! I¡¯ve killed so many people, and I¡¯ve watched them die with my own eyes¡ªbut now that I think about it, this is the first time that I¡¯ll be dying! This is going to be interesting!¡±


    Treize tried to pull his legs away. But Weasel was too strong. He would not let go.


    ¡°Urgh¡­ You sick bastard! I¡¯ll be d to watch, so go die by yourself!¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s not be so cruel! We¡¯vee this far; we may as well die together, my beloved prince!¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not your prince!¡±


    Lillia leapt over the coupling andnded on the roof of the dining car.


    She crouched at the edge and held out a hand to Treize.


    ¡°Treize! Grab my hand!¡±


    ¡°No, Lillia! You¡¯re going to fall too! Get back!¡± Treize replied without a moment¡¯s hesitation.


    And behind him¡ª


    ¡°Let¡¯s go¡­ together¡­ together¡­¡±


    The man covered in blood mumbled under his breath.


    Treize looked up.


    When his eyes met Lillia¡¯s, he smiled.


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    ¡°Sorry, Lillia. We can talkter.¡±


    Then, Treize turned to the man clinging to his legs.


    ¡°Hey! You said before that I could leave my body to you, right?¡±


    ¡°I did!¡± Weasel cried in ecstasy.


    ¡°And you meant it, right?¡±


    ¡°Of course!¡±


    Then¡ª


    ¡°Then I¡¯m counting on you!¡±


    Treize let go.


    ¡°Ah¡ª¡±


    As Lillia watched, Treize and Weasel disappeared into the shadow of the train.


    Their figures tangled in midair and fell into the shadow, almost impossible to distinguish from the ground. They fell in the mud of the ins and quickly grew distant.


    ¡°TREIZE!¡± Lillia cried, rushing back to the other car.


    She sprinted at full speed along the roof, quickly reaching the end of thest car. Lillia crouched at the edge and let her gaze fall to the tracks.


    ¡°No¡­¡±


    All she could see were the lonely ins and the rails the train had traveled along.


    -----

 Volume 3 10 — Lillia and Treize

    <h4>Volume 3 Chapter 10: Lillia and Treize</h4>


    -----


    The 2nd day of the fourth month of the year 3306 of the World Calendar.


    It was the first day of the new term, and Lillia was at school.


    It was time for first period. She sat at a desk in a ssroom with about twenty other students.


    ¡°It¡¯s been a while, everyone. I see you¡¯re all doing well. I¡¯m already excited to start this new term; it feels like the perfect time to try something new.¡±


    The middle-aged teacher was rambling at length.


    ¡°¡­¡±


    Lillia was not listening.


    With her eyes narrowed, she looked up at the overcast sky.


    There was a gentle breeze in the air, and the clouds moved at a crawl.


    On that day¡ª


    When Allison¡ªwho was circling the air overhead¡ªsaw the two figures fall and her daughter waving desperately from the roof of thest car, she flew into a descent.


    She tried tomunicate via radio, but there was no response. So she opened fire on the still-running lotive. This was what she had brought the aerone for in the first ce.


    Allison continued to attack the sturdy diesel engine until it was finally destroyed. By the time the train was released from inertia, they were quite far from where the two had fallen.


    ¡°Mom! Treize fell off the train! We have to go find him!¡±


    ¡°I know, honey. Calm down. I hate to say it, but finding him¡¯s beyond me right now.¡±


    Lillia clung desperately to her mother, who hadnded on the ins. But darkness had already fallen upon them and the stars were all they had to see by.


    Allison sat Lillia in the back seat of the fighter ne. The back seat was the gunner¡¯s seat, which faced the back of the ne. Allison returned to the cockpit andmunicated over the radio with someone. Then¡ª


    ¡°Some of the airmen are going toe by car to search the area. Let¡¯s go back for now, sweetheart.¡±


    Lillia nodded. Allison started the engines and taxied over the ins to take off.


    In the darkened sky,


    <Mom¡­ did you know?> Lillia asked over the internal line.


    Allison, who sat back-to-back with her daughter, answered.


    <I did. I¡¯ve known Queen Francesca since before she was crowned. But I didn¡¯t want to say anything until Treize did.>


    <¡­I see. I still have a lot of questions, but I¡¯ll wait until I can ask Treize.>


    <Yes. Let¡¯s do that, sweetheart.>


    After that short conversation, silence fell over them.


    The aeronended at a brightly-lit airstrip.


    In the same airspace was an aerone that had just taken off, but it was not visible to Lillia.


    The aerone carrying Major Travas, his subordinates, and Princess Matilda of Bezel flew north, towards the port where the Bezelese battleship was stationed.


    The teacher continued speaking to the ss.


    ¡°Now, let¡¯s go over a few housekeeping issues. They¡¯ve started arge-scale renovation project at the apartmentplex east of the campus. We¡¯ll be seeing a lot of heavy machinery in the area for some time. Take care when you¡¯re passing through¡ª¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    Lillia gazed nkly out the window.


    Several days earlier¡ª


    Lillia was back home in the Capital District when she received a phone call saying that the body of the man named Weasel¡ªonce known as ¡®Prisoner 42¡¯¡ªhad been found. The call was from an Air Force officer who was a subordinate of Allison¡¯s. Allison, meanwhile, was away from home for days on end for work.


    <What about Treize? They didn¡¯t find anyone else?!> Lillia asked.


    <The Air Force didn¡¯t find anyone else. But¡ª>


    <But?>


    <We didn¡¯t find any other bodies on the scene.> The officer said mechanically, and hung up with a word of goodbye.


    ¡°As you all know, tomorrow is thest day to register with a date for the spring dance party. I¡¯m sure you all kept in touch by telephone and mail over the break, but¡ª¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    As smiles and sighs filled the ssroom, Lillia continued to gaze nkly out the window.


    Meg, who was taking the same ss, was looking at her worriedly.


    Earlier that morning¡ª


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong, Lillia? You look down.¡±


    ¡°Meg¡­ It¡¯s just¡­ Treize from Iks is missing right now¡­¡±


    ¡°Missing? How?¡±


    ¡°A lot of things happened¡­ and we¡¯re waiting for them to finish investigating. Heh.¡±


    ¡°My goodness¡­¡±


    Meg cast Lillia a concerned look.


    At the same time¡ª


    The moon in the eastern sky lit up Sfrestus, the capital of Sou Be-Il.


    The luxurious parlor overlooked a garden cloaked in pale blue light. A man in his early sixties stepped inside.


    He was dressed in a brown Royal Army uniform, with a badge of rank indicating that he was a major general. Embroidered on the name tag on his breast was the name ¡®Aikashia¡¯.


    Greeting him was a man in a nightgown, who was holding a ss of wine. He was the man who had hired ¡®Prisoner 42¡¯.


    The man said arrogantly that he did not normally allow visitors at this time of night.


    ¡°My sincerest apologies, Your Grace. I have important news that calls for your immediate attention.¡± The bespectacled major general said.


    The owner of the parlor demanded an exnation.


    ¡°Yes, Your Grace. The intelligence department acquired an unfortunate piece of information. We thought it would be best to report as quickly as possible.¡±


    The owner of the parlor waved off the preamble and ordered the soldier to get to the point.


    ¡°Yes, sir. We¡¯ve received reports that Prisoner 42, who ¡®escaped¡¯ from prisonst month, was sighted in Roxche. It sounds unbelievable, but we¡¯ve confirmed the information. He is wanted by the Eastern police after a string of murders in Western Roxche.¡±


    What of it, asked the owner of the parlor. It was delightful to hear that the monster had left their homnd, he said with a sip of his wine.


    Now they could leave the work to the Roxchean police, he said. Princess Matilda had returned safely and international rtions had improved¡ªperhaps they should, in that same spirit, have some faith in the East, the man said, pouring more wine into his ss.


    ¡°It grieves me to say, Your Grace, that we¡¯ve received an update on the situation. My subordinates inform me that Prisoner 42 has crossed the Lutoni again and returned to Sfrestus.¡±


    The wine spilled. Loudly.


    ¡°We aren¡¯t sure why he took the trouble of crossing the Lutoni again. But we know that he is a stubborn and obsessive man. We fear the possibility that he might go after you and your son, Your Grace, as you were the one who ¡®sentenced him to imprisonment¡¯. For the time being¡ª¡±


    ¡°He won¡¯t be getting much sleep for the time being.¡± Major General Aikashia said as he boarded a ck car.


    ¡°That¡¯s good to hear. Gave us a lot of trouble, that one.¡±


    The driver, a man in a military uniform, chuckled. He was the young man who was called ¡®Yzma¡¯ during the mission in Roxche. He started the car and chattered as he always did.


    ¡°Now that the royal family knows what really went on, the duke¡¯s son will never marry the princess. And now a certain someone can officially make an appearance.¡±


    ¡°Of course.¡±


    ¡°Apparently he twisted in midair and used the bastard¡¯s body to break his fall. Not bad at all. I was impressed, actually. He really can get things done if he puts his mind to it.¡±


    ¡°Indeed. ¡ªBy the way, Young Master Berstein.¡±


    ¡°Hm? Yes, Headmaster? Do you have a new mission for me? I¡¯m ready anytime!¡± Yzma¡ªthe future head of the Berstein family¡ªcheered, putting his hands on the steering wheel.


    ¡°Excellent. His Majesty the King was quite impressed by your performance in thisst mission. He requests that youe to work for the royal family.¡±


    ¡°What? Paper-pushing at the capital? You can¡¯t do this to me, Headmaster! You¡¯ve got to save me! What did I do to deserve this?¡±


    ¡°So many things.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s all for housekeeping.¡±


    Lillia gazed nkly out the window.


    ¡°Now, I¡¯d like to introduce a transfer student who¡¯ll be starting at our school this term.¡±


    The teacher opened the door and someone stepped inside¡ª


    The other students¡ªespecially the girls¡ªbegan whispering excitedly¡ª


    ¡°¡­¡±


    But Lillia continued gazing nkly out the window.


    ¡°He came all the way to the Capital District to attend school here. I¡¯m sure dormitory students have met him already, as he moved in yesterday. We¡¯ll be doing introductions now, since this will be his first ss at our school.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    Lillia gazed nkly out the window. The breeze had nearly stopped. The clouds, as well.


    ¡°If you¡¯ll introduce yourself to the ss.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    Lillia gazed nkly out the window.


    ¡°Er¡­ My name is Treize. Treize Bain.¡±


    Lillia turned.


    She stared at Treize, who was wearing a school uniform.


    Lillia practically leapt to her feet, pushing aside her chair and rushing to the front like a gust of wind. Her eyes were full of tears.


    ¡°Hey, Lillia. It¡¯s been¡ª¡±


    She threw a punch at the prince of Ikstova.


    At the same time¡ª


    ¡°Hmm¡­ it¡¯s like my paperwork is multiplying¡­¡±


    Allison Whittington Schultz was battling a mound of documents at her messy desk in an Air Force base outside the Capital District.


    ¡°Sorry you have to do all that work, Captain Schultz. But I suppose you¡¯ve got to pay off the long vacation, the unauthorized use of a fighter ne, and the costs of the search party somehow.¡± Her superior joked, but Allison ignored the jab.


    ¡°I wonder if they¡¯ve met by now?¡± She wondered.


    Meanwhile, Lillianne Aikashia Coraz¨°n Whittington Schultz¡ª


    ¡°Gah!¡±


    ¡ªgrabbed Treize by the cor as he hit the chalkboard behind him and bounced forward.


    ¡°Ow¡ªow¡ªow¡ªmy ribs aren¡¯t¡ªthat hurts Lillia please stop shaking me¡ª¡±


    ¡°Shut up!¡±


    As the teacher and all the students besides Meg watched in shock,


    ¡°You¡¯ve got a lot of exining to do!¡±


    Lillia demanded loudly, ferocious as an angry beast.


    ¡°I-I¡¯ve got a lot of things to say, too¡­¡± Treize stammered, caught helplessly in her grip.


    Strauski Megmica stood with a smile on her face and began apuding loudly.


    ¡°Yes! Go get him, Lillia! Dance!¡±


    The male student sitting next to her flinched in surprise.


    As she had spoken in Bezelese, only three people in the ssroom had understood.


    At the same time¡ª


    ¡°Is this all right, Sister?¡±


    ¡°Yes, Ca. You¡¯re a very quick learner, I see.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s Carlo!¡±


    ¡°Oh, right. I¡¯m sorry, Carlo.¡±


    ¡°Please don¡¯t forget.¡±


    Her slightly long red hair fluttering, Carlo pouted.


    Under a clear blue sky was a glittering blueke, next to which was a grassy field. On the benches and tables set up there were about twenty children from the Ein Morseau Children¡¯s Home, practicing their writing in their new notebooks.


    Carlo urged the nun who was teaching them for more words.


    ¡°C¡¯mon, teach me how to write ¡®numbskull¡¯! ¡®Wimp¡¯ is fine too. And teach me how to write ¡®top secret¡¯.¡±


    The nun blinked.


    ¡°¡­Maybe we should start off with some nicer words.¡±


    Carlo tightened her grip on her pencil.


    ¡°C¡¯mon, I want to write to someone!¡±


    ¡°Oh my. To whom?¡± The nun asked with a smile. Carlo put on an annoyed look.


    ¡°To a numbskull prince and a princess with long, pretty hair. So teach me!¡±


    At the same time¡ª


    Gratz Axentine was at her hometown in the Kingdom of Iltoa. Shey on her own bed in her own room for the first time in years, looking up at a familiar ceiling.


    ¡°¡­¡±


    She pulled her right hand out of the nkets and grabbed a picture frame from her nightstand. She brought it to her face.


    Under the pale blue light from the window, a Royal Army captain and a young girl smiled together in the photograph.


    Written on the photo in the captain¡¯s handwriting were the words,


    ¡®True to your mission to the very end.¡¯


    ¡°Yes. It¡¯s finished¡­¡±


    The woman clutched the frame to her chest and slowly closed her eyes.


    ¡°Good night, Father.¡±


    At the same time¡ª


    ¡°Cheers!¡±


    ¡°Mm.¡±


    ¡°¡­Cheers.¡±


    The men who were once called Uno, Ozette, and Ed were in their office in the Sou Be-Il embassy in Roxche¡¯s Capital District. Though it was only morning, they were drinking in their former workce.


    The men, who were all in suits, had spread newspaper over the floor and were using a cardboard box full of documents as a makeshift table for their little party.


    The office had been cleaned outpletely. There were no more chairs or tables. Only a few lonely cardboard boxes scattered about.


    In the next room over was nothing but their superior¡¯s old desk.


    The men muttered between sips from their mugs.


    ¡°It¡¯s gonna get pretty lonely now.¡±


    ¡°Hm.¡±


    ¡°Well, it¡¯s not like this is thest we¡¯ll see of each other.¡±


    The men reminisced nostalgically.


    ¡°And it looks like we¡¯ll be saying goodbye to these babies for a while.¡±


    Munching on the Capital District¡¯s famous crisps, the men clinked sses.


    At the same time¡ª


    Near the Lutoni River, at the edge of a forest, was a vige.


    It was a small settlement with only about twenty newly-built houses. At the vige entrance was a sign that read, ¡®Future Vige¡¯.


    A light fog was upon the area, and dawn was beginning to glow beyond the eastern horizon.


    Near the center of the vige was a home that looked older than the others. In the middle of the old wooden house was a red brick chimney.


    Four maids were working near the house. They were cleaning the yard and drawing water with expert hands.


    Among them was an elderly woman. She had white hair and a wrinkled face. She seemed to be over seventy years of age, but she stood tall as she moved about vigorously, issuing orders to the servants.


    Among them was an elderly woman. She had white hair and a wrinkled face. She seemed to be over seventy years of age, but she stood tall as she moved about vigorously, issuing orders to the servants.


    A small truck approached the house.


    The truck pulled over in front of the yard. A man disembarked. He greeted everyone as he unloaded bottles of milk from the bed of the truck.


    ¡°Good morning. Thank you for the milk, as always.¡± The old woman said to him.


    ¡°Good morning, Chief. I see you¡¯re as healthy as ever. ¡ªAh, I have a letter for you today. It¡¯s from your son.¡±


    ¡°Oh my.¡±


    The woman received the postcard with a smile and sent off the truck. Then she looked down at the postcard.


    ¡®Dearest Mother,


    ¡®How are you? I¡¯m doing very well.


    ¡®I¡¯ve just finished an important mission and am probably going to receive a long vacation.


    ¡®I¡¯ll send you a telegram soon. I¡¯d like to see you at the vige¡ªI have something important to discuss. I¡¯d like my potatoes sliced and stir-fried, please.


    ¡®Your loving son.¡¯


    Travas Ladia smiled.


    ¡°Of course.¡±


    She raised her right hand in a salute.


    At the same time¡ª


    ¡°Which is why I¡¯m saying we have to attract tourists during the winter, too! And downhill skiing is the key! Downhill skiing! It¡¯s all about cross-country skiing down in the ins, but we have to advertise the fact that you can enjoy downhill skiing in Iks with the help of chairlifts!¡±


    In the Kingdom of Iks, which was still covered in snow, the princess passionately lectured her family over breakfast.


    ¡°Hm. That might not be such a bad idea.¡± Said her father¡ªstill sporting a full beard¡ªas he took a sip of tea mixed with jam.


    ¡°Maybe we should save the governing for after breakfast, Meriel?¡± Said her mother¡ªthe Queen of Ikstova¡ªas she spread melted cheese on a piece of toast.


    ¡°No! The sooner we n, the better! Luckily, there¡¯s still a gentle slope left next to Pamil Vige. We¡¯llpensate the citizens who¡¯re using thend for grazing and have them clear the area. Then we can build an affordable hotel on thekeshore and start a ski resort! We¡¯ll have to build a small rail system between the hill and Kunst. We can hire the same manufacturers who¡¯ll be working on the chairlifts! They¡¯ll give us a discount for the second job. The problem is the visitors who¡¯ll want toe by aerone when theke isn¡¯t avable. We¡¯ll have to consider building an airport in the pass, too!¡± Meriel raved, mming her fists on the table.


    ¡°Mm. This tea is great. Just the right amount of jam.¡± Benedictmented. Fiona held out a piece of toast for him.


    ¡°Here you are.¡±


    ¡°Ah, thank you, Fi. I¡¯m afraid this is the only way I can repay you¡­¡± Benedict trailed off, kissing her. The kisssted quite some time.


    ¡°Both of you! I¡¯m discussing the country¡¯s future here!¡±


    The princess¡¯s voice resounded through the kingdom of silver and white.


    * * *


    Several days after the new term began.


    On the school grounds, Lillia took out a photograph from her pocket.


    ¡°Check this out, Meg.¡±


    ¡°What is it, Lillia? A photo?¡±


    ¡°I met this person on the train a few weeks ago. Apparently she¡¯s an heiress from Sou Be-Il. We ended up chatting for a long time and became friends. So we took a picture together.¡±


    ¡°Wow! Can I see?¡±


    Strauski Megmica looked at the photograph¡ªand fainted three secondster.


    ¡°Eek! Meg, wake up!¡±


    A thinyer of clouds floated across the sky. Buildings covered the tnd below.


    High-rise condos stood in the distance in the Capital District. Laundry fluttered on the roofs of some of the buildings.


    The winds from the west came to a stop¡ª


    And spring was upon thend in full force.


    -My Prince: End-

 Volume 3 Chronicling the Prince

    <h4>Volume 3 Chronicling the Prince</h4>


    -----


    The year 3289 of the World Calendar.


    A certain day, the beginning of the year.


    Today is a blessed day.


    I find myself dusting off my pen and paper today to write, in spite of myck of talent.


    I wish to leave a record¡ªhumble as it may be¡ªfor those who will live here in the future, and for the vige. This journal is a record concerning the kingdom¡¯s prince and princess.


    It was a short time ago that Queen Francesca¡ªLady Fiona, or just Fi¡ªthis is quiteplicated, so I will refer to her as Fi.


    Footnote: Fi is the younger twin sister of Princess Francesca. She was raised in this vige as a normal girl, apart from the royal family. Years after the terrorist attack that left the entire royal family dead, Fi discovered the culprit and revealed herself before the people as Princess Francesca, so as to bring the criminal¡¯s actions to light.


    Very few people know this truth. Although I personally do not believe it will matter if we revealed it to the public now.


    It was a short time ago that Fi gave birth to twins.


    An adorable baby boy and a feisty baby girl.


    Mother and children are all healthy and well. The entire vige is in a festive mood.


    But to think twins would be born into the royal family again¡­ The rule that made Fi who she was¡ªthe mysterious rule in the family that allows the monarch to have only one child¡ªremains. One of the twins will be officially announced as the prince or princess, and the other will be raised in the vige as Fi had been.


    A certain day, a certain month.


    Their names are decided. Fi, who had realized that she was carrying twins, had consulted with Sir Benedict ande up with two names.


    The girl is named Meriel.


    Fi did not tell us the reason behind her name. Perhaps she had something meaningful in mind. In any case, no one was opposed to such a lovely name.


    The boy is named Treize.


    Everyone understood this choice instantly. We were moved.


    The doctor whom Fi had called ¡®Grandfather¡¯, a physician named Treze Bain.


    He was once a doctor here in this vige, and the one charged with raising Fi. He had rescued Princess Francesca from the mes and done everything in his power to try and save her from her wounds.


    Fi exined that the boy¡¯s name was Treize¡ªwith an ¡®i¡¯¡ªto make it easier to pronounce in Bezelese, the officialnguage of Sou Be-Il.


    It is a wonderful name.


    I pray we will be able to watch them grow as long as we can.


    Spring. A certain day, a certain month.


    The promation has been made.


    Fi announced Princess Meriel to the public. Ikstova¡¯s next ruler will be a queen as well.


    Prince Treize does not officially exist. Though his birth was registered, he will have both royal andmoner status.


    I was also informed that the President of Roxche and the King of Bezel have been informed about his existence.


    Summer. A certain day, a certain month.


    It has been a long time since Fi left Kunst and came to the vige. We had a chance to see the princess and prince as well.


    Princess Meriel cries loudly enough to shake the floorboards. Prince Treize is impably quiet. They could not be any more different.


    Princess Meriel received the edelweiss crest, and Prince Treize the hawk.


    The golden pendants, proof of their royal lineage, shone on their breasts. Everyone panicked when Princess Meriel tried to eat her pendant.


    The Year 3290 of the World Calendar.


    Spring.


    A certain day, a certain month.


    Construction on the new pce and the vi have finally finished, and the queen¡¯s family has moved out of the vige.


    But Fi has decided to keep her children at her side for the time being.


    She says that she will have Treize live in the vigeter. She also ns to have the royal family live in the vige as much as their public duties allow.


    The prince and the princess learned to walk at almost the same time. Sir Benedict could scarcely hide his excitement. Some of the vige women moved to the royal pce and the vi to serve the family.


    The year 3291 of the World Calendar.


    Winter.


    A certain day, a certain month.


    Princess Meriel and Prince Treize turned two today. Time seems to pass in the blink of an eye.


    They can now both say simple words. Fi and Sir Benedict are doing their best to speak to them in both Roxchean and Bezelese.


    Fi has begun to stay more at the pce for her duties. But the prince and princess do not seem to mind, as the entire vige adores them. Even now, they are giggling and waddling about the room.


    The year 3292 of the World Calendar.


    Winter.


    A certain day, a certain month.


    On their third birthday, Princess Meriel and Prince Treize had a big argument.


    When I heard that they were ying in the vige hall, I went to see them. And there I found the little ones swinging their tiny fists at each other. It ended with Princess Meriel¡¯s overwhelming victory.


    Prince Treize was wailing, and Princess Meriel was sitting atop him proudly, a trickle of blood running from her nose.


    The cause of the fight, it seemed, was about who was the older of the twins.


    Fi did not say, so I could not answer. But the prince and princess seemed dissatisfied with my response. I hope they won¡¯t squabble over this issue for years toe.


    Summer.


    A certain day, a certain month.


    Prince Treize is bedridden with a cold.


    We had Princess Meriel sleep in another room so she would not catch his cold, but she insisted on personally nursing him to health. In the end, both of the twins were left bedridden.


    Autumn.


    A certain day, a certain month.


    The puppy at Benny¡¯s house was spooked by lightning and ran into the house¡ªand, of all times, when Sir Benedict was asleep.


    Princess Meriel and Prince Treize ran circles in their room trying to escape. In the end, Princess Meriel struck the puppy on the nose to drive it off.


    Thankfully, they were not hurt. But Prince Treize cried in terror all day long until Fi returned in the evening.


    Everyone is worried that Prince Treize might be even more reserved than he already is.


    The year 3293 of the World Calendar.


    Winter.


    A certain day, a certain month.


    Princess Meriel and Prince Treize had their first argument in a very long time.


    Like before, they fought over who was the older sibling and ended up getting into a fistfight in front of Sir Benedict.


    Prince Treize, who suffered a clean defeat, escaped to my house and asked me to teach him how to use a gun.


    I told him to train by shoveling snow so he could lift something as heavy as a gun. Innocently enough, he did exactly what he was told with enthusiasm.


    I don¡¯t approve of his wanting to win with strength, but Prince Treize does need to someday learn to fight in order to protect the kingdom and her people. He must be strong. I n to use this opportunity to slowly train him.


    Although no amount of training, of course, will help him triumph over Princess Meriel.


    Spring.


    A certain day, a certain month.


    Fi took Princess Meriel to the pce in Kunst to begin teaching her about the work of a queen.


    Even Sir Benedict is away from the vige at times now. But Prince Treize bravely told me,


    ¡°I¡¯m not lonely! Because everyone else is here!¡±


    Perhaps he was lying, then. The entire vige fell in love with the unrecognized prince all over again.


    Summer.


    A certain day, a certain month.


    Ms. Allison Schultz from the Capital District visited the vige with her three-year-old daughter, Miss Lillianne.


    I don¡¯t know the details, but apparently Ms. Schultz and her daughter visited Kunst once, when Miss Lillianne was still an infant. I was told that a photograph Fi had taken at the time still hangs in her office at the pce.


    Ms. Schultz and her husband Wilhelm Schultz are heroes who saved this country several years ago. It pains me that we cannot publicize their incredible actions.


    Ms. Schultz told me that this year, she finally achieved her dream of bing a test pilot with the Confederation Air Force.


    Miss Lillianne, born a year after the prince, is a sweet girl with brown hair. She¡¯s incredibly clever and energetic.


    Miss Lillianne met Prince Treize at the vige and yed with him.


    There are no other children in the vige. This was the first time Prince Treize yed with someone of his own age, other than his sister.


    I was worried at first that the quiet, introverted Prince Treize might end up running away.


    But the prince seemed to get over his reservations. Miss Lillianne led him outside and they yed together. In the afternoon, they were both tired out from their games and fell asleep together under a tree.


    The vigers gathered to have a look at the heartwarming sight. Sir Benedict took a picture. He says he will show it to Fiter.


    We instructed Prince Treize to not tell Miss Lillianne about his true heritage.


    We worried that, in his youthful recklessness, he might tell her anyway; but Prince Treize was true to his word.


    A certain day, a certain month.


    Today, Miss Lillianne and Ms. Schultz left for the Capital District.


    Prince Treize was teary-eyed by the time they said their goodbyes. He must have been sad to see her go, after they had be such close friends. He began crying when the bus finally left.


    The entire vige stepped in to bring a smile back to his face, but no amount of coaxing¡ªin Roxchean or Bezelese¡ªwould stop his tears. The prince cried himself to sleep.


    The year 3294 of the World Calendar.


    Winter.


    A certain day, a certain month.


    The day Prince Treize and Princess Meriel turned five, my wife passed away.


    She was more than I could have ever asked for¡ªnot once since we moved to this valley did she utter a word ofint.


    Though Prince Treize and Princess Meriel should have had a wonderful day of celebration, they wept for my wife instead.


    Summer.


    A certain day, a certain month.


    Prince Treize is finally strong enough to hold up a small handgun.


    I taught him how to use it, taking extra precautions for safety¡¯s sake.


    The prince is quite talented¡ªperhaps it¡¯s his quiet and withdrawn nature. I can¡¯t wait to see how much I can teach him before I pass away.


    Autumn.


    A certain day, a certain month.


    Ms. Allison Schultz and Miss Lillianne visited Kunst.


    They were only there for a day, as Ms. Schultz was there on business. But when Prince Treize returned to the vige, he told me that he had a wonderful time with Miss Lillianne in Kunst.


    He happily told me that, unlike Princess Meriel, even if Miss Lillianne got angry, in the end she became kind again.


    ¡°I¡¯m gonna grow up to be a cool guy so she can protect me!¡±


    I thought he might have something confused, but I did not correct him.


    The year 3295 of the World Calendar.


    Spring.


    A certain day, a certain month.


    After discussing the matter with Sir Benedict, we decided to teach Prince Treize hand-to-handbat.


    Prince Treize would stay at the home of a member of the royal guard in Kunst, and take lessons at the police station. I considered that this might be too difficult for him¡ªhe is only six, after all¡ªbut Prince Treize was thrilled.


    A certain day, a certain month.


    Prince Treize returned to the vige after his training, covered in bruises.


    ¡°That was fun! I wanna go again!¡± He said. It warmed my heart to see him be so confident. But¡ª


    ¡°Your face looks stupid!¡±


    When Princess Meriel made fun of his bruises, Prince Treize began to cry.


    Summer.


    A certain day, a certain month.


    Ms. Schultz and Miss Lillianne came to visit over the summer holidays.


    Prince Treize was delighted to see Miss Lillianne again. They yed together and lost their way in the woods.


    It seems they assumed that they had gotten lost, and walked around in circles in the forest.


    The other vigers weren¡¯t worried¡ªPrince Treize and Miss Lillianne were just by the mushroom farm, and their voices were clearly audible all the while.


    When the vigers went to get them in the evening, they were both asleep, exhausted.


    I asked Prince Treize what happened.


    He exined that Miss Lillianne had stubbornly led him around, taking them both in circles.


    ¡°Next time, if I think I¡¯m right, I¡¯m going to say so loudly.¡±


    It seems the prince has learned a lesson.


    The year 3296 of the World Calendar.


    Winter.


    A certain day, a certain month.


    Prince Treize and Princess Meriel turned seven today.


    Rather than attend school, they began private studies at the vige and at the pce respectively. Prince Treize was quicker to learn to read, but Princess Meriel was faster at maths and sciences.


    Prince Treize also asked to learn Ikstovan, a dyingnguage. The oldest of the vigers are teaching him now, but I wonder if he could learn such aplicatednguage. I have my doubts.


    Summer.


    A certain day, a certain month.


    Sir Benedict has begun to give Prince Treize flying lessons.


    At first, he says, he sat the prince in hisp and taught him the basics. Prince Treize was moved when he got to move the aerone on his own for the first time.


    Meanwhile, Princess Meriel¡¯s interest was piqued by the roaring engines. She proudly dered that the mechanic taught her to unscrew a bolt.


    I cannot say I know how the prince and princess will mature.


    So I pray with all my heart that I will live to see them age as much as I can.


    The year 3297 of the World Calendar.


    Summer.


    A certain day, a certain month.


    Miss Lillianne and Ms. Schultz came to visit.


    Miss Lillianne is seven years old now and attending primary school in the Capital District. So she naturally asked Prince Treize about his school life.


    When Prince Treize replied that he was being homeschooled by the vigers, Miss Lillianne decided that she wanted to be homeschooled as well.


    Prince Treize seemed to feel responsible. He did everything he could to exin how wonderful it was that she was able to attend school, but Miss Lillianne would have none of it.


    Ms. Schultz stepped in, then.


    ¡°But Lillia, if you were homeschooled, you wouldn¡¯t be able to eat school lunches. Wouldn¡¯t you miss eating carrots?¡±


    Miss Lillianne was convinced.


    ¡°I¡¯m still no good¡­¡±


    That evening, Prince Treize was still downcast.


    Autumn.


    A certain day, a certain month.


    I began to officially teach the eight-year-old prince how to hunt and use a rifle.


    I was around his age when my uncle taught me to use a gun. I began by teaching Prince Treize how to shoot a small-caliber rifle. Today, I had him shoot a chicken tethered to a post.


    We thanked the dead chicken and ate it together.


    ¡°People can¡¯t survive unless they kill and eat other living things.¡± Prince Treize muttered gravely before emptying his te.


    Winter.


    A certain day, a certain month.


    Prince Treize asked to spend the night alone in a snow shelter. He must have heard somewhere about using bivouacs in snowy mountains.


    No one could change his mind. So wepromised and asked him to use the mound of snow by the vige hall so that we could keep an eye on him. The prince would dig a hole in the snow and poke holes in the wall for air, and sleep with a nket rolled up around him.


    We watched him all night long, assuming that he would give up. But Prince Treize triumphed over the loneliness and the cold and enjoyed his breakfast the next morning.


    Heter told me that he had made a bet with Princess Meriel over this matter.


    ¡°I won!¡±


    Everyone smiled when they saw the grin on his face.


    A certain day, a certain month.


    Two days after the bivouac attempt, Prince Treize was bedridden with a high fever.


    This time, we had to watch him all night long to nurse him back to health.


    The year 3298 of the World Calendar.


    Winter.


    A certain day, a certain month.


    Prince Treize and Princess Meriel turned nine today.


    They were in such fiercepetition with each other that the entire vige was astounded by their academic prowess.


    Prince Treize is not only fluent in Roxchean and Bezelese, he is also proficient at Ikstovan. It is truly remarkable.


    Princess Meriel stated that her dream was to work with machinery, and asked for a toolkit for her birthday.


    They still argue over who is the older twin, but they no longer resort to fistfights. On that note, Princess Meriel never loses an argument.


    Spring.


    A certain day, a certain month.


    Sir Benedict proudly dered that Prince Treize managed both a takeoff andnding on his own.


    Naturally, Sir Benedict was in the instructor¡¯s seat¡ªbut it is still quite a feat for a nine-year-old boy.


    For some reason, Princess Meriel shows no interest in flying. But shemented that she wanted to take apart arge aerone engine. Sir Benedict had no choice but to give her a small engine from an old generator.


    Summer.


    A certain day, a certain month.


    Miss Lillianne and Ms. Schultz came to visit. Miss Lillianne had a wonderful time with Prince Treize and left for the Capital District today.


    Miss Lillianne was growing out her hair. When Prince Treizemented that he liked it, Princess Meriel raised her voice.


    ¡°Then I¡¯m gonna grow out my hair too!¡±


    The year 3299 of the World Calendar.


    Winter.


    A certain day, a certain month.


    I fell ill and almost lost my life.


    I was fortunate enough to survive, but I caused Prince Treize much worry.


    ¡°Don¡¯t die, Grandfather. You need to teach me a lot more about marksmanship.¡±


    When the prince told me this, looking me in the eye, I was so overjoyed that I could have died a happy man then and there. But I suppose that can wait.


    Summer.


    A certain day, a certain month.


    I took Prince Treize hunting. He huntedrge game for the first time.


    All he had to do was hold his rifle atop a pile of sandbags and pull the trigger, but Prince Treize endured the long wait and seeded with gusto. I was the same age when I hunted my first big game. I was moved.


    We made stew with the deer we caught. Prince Treize proudly handed out the venison to the vigers. He only had one piece left for himself at the end, but his smile never left his face.


    The year 3300 of the World Calendar.


    Winter.


    A certain day, a certain month.


    The prince and princess celebrated their eleventh birthday and the end of a century.


    I never imagined that I would live to this age, but these days I hope to live as long as I can.


    Summer.


    A certain day, a certain month.


    Miss Lillianne and Ms. Schultz came to visit.


    They stayed for ten full days this time, longer than ever before.


    Prince Treize was overjoyed. He showed Miss Lillianne around everywhere in the valley. They went fishing and went out on walks together.


    Miss Lillianne¡¯s energy and Prince Treize¡¯sposure was a wonderful match. Theirughter filled the vige.


    The women naivelymented that it would be wonderful if the two of them were to marry.


    I agreed with them, but stayed silent.


    The year 3301 of the World Calendar.


    Winter.


    A certain day, a certain month.


    Several days ago, on Prince Treize¡¯s twelfth birthday, I gave him a gift¡ªthe rifle he had been too small to lift all those years ago.


    Prince Treize thoughtfully considered the weight in his hands.


    ¡°Thank you, Grandfather. I¡¯ll use this responsibly.¡± He said.


    When Prince Treize begins something new, he has the habit of practicing it constantly and persistently. There have been no end of gunshots from the vige firing range since I gave him the rifle. It is almost entertaining to watch his shooting distance increase.


    Summer.


    A certain day, a certain month.


    Prince Treize sessfully flew an aerone alone today. He took off, flew, andnded without any assistance.


    He is probably one of the youngest to do so in history. Sir Benedict was also thrilled, and became even more enthusiastic about the flying lessons.


    Princess Meriel lost interest in flyingpletely and is now focused on tinkering with machinery.


    Autumn.


    A certain day, a certain month.


    Unusually enough, Miss Lillianne and Ms. Schultz came to visit in the autumn.


    Prince Treize took a wee break from his training to rx with Miss Lillianne, going fishing and taking walks with her.


    The year 3302 of the World Calendar.


    Winter.


    A certain day, a certain month.


    Prince Treize turned thirteen today.


    This time, Princess Meriel had to be in Kunst for the celebration of the twelfth anniversary of the rebuilding of the pce. So the vigers got together to throw the prince a party.


    Although he was the birthday boy, Prince Treize cooked alongside the women. He is skilled at brewing tea and cooking.


    The women wanted to cut down the amount of time he spent hunting and shooting so they could teach him to cook. But I could not bring myself to agree.


    Summer.


    A certain month, a certain day.


    The Schultz family did not join us this year, as Miss Lillianne is busy studying for exams. Prince Treize dedicated himself to training.


    Whether it was marksmanship, flying, or his studies, he pushed himself to the very limit.


    When Princess Meriel had the chance to see him recently, shemented,


    ¡°I¡¯m not gonna lose to you.¡±


    Princess Meriel is also dedicated to self-improvement. The prince and the princess are still in fiercepetition, each iming that he or she is the older twin.


    The year 3303 of the World Calendar.


    Summer.


    A certain day, a certain month.


    Miss Lillianne and Ms. Schultz came to visit.


    Miss Lillianne proudly dered over lunch at the vige hall that she knew how to fly an aerone. Prince Treize replied that he could as well.


    Miss Lillianne didn¡¯t seem to believe him, so Prince Treize brought over an aerone and showed her.


    He must have simply wanted to clear her misgivings, but it had the opposite effect. Miss Lillianne sulked when she saw that Prince Treize could do what she could, but better. I don¡¯t believe Prince Treize has noticed.


    Addendum: The scene repeated itselfter, when they discussed their fluency in Bezelese. Miss Lillianne continued to sulk.


    The year 3304 of the World Calendar.


    Winter.


    A certain day, a certain month.


    The vigers got together to celebrate Prince Treize and Princess Meriel¡¯s fifteenth birthday.


    I joined the festivities as well. We had a rowdy, lively party.


    Prince Treize received some important news from Fi and Sir Benedict afterwards when Princess Meriel was away, but no one knows what they discussed.


    May the gods bless Fi, Sir Benedict, and the prince and princess.


    Summer.


    A certain day, a certain month.


    Prince Treize joined a search party that went out to look for a child who disappeared from a nearby vige. He personally led the way into the woods where the bear was rumored to be, and safely found the child in the torrential rain.


    The prince received a hero¡¯s wee at the vige. He was asked to stay and attend school there, but Prince Treize turned down the offer.


    It might have been an attractive offer to him. But he said,


    ¡°If I¡¯m at the other vige, it¡¯ll be hard for me to rush straight over when something happens.¡± He smiled.


    Winter.


    A certain day, a certain month.


    Prince Treize has grown so much. Now he can stand shoulder-to-shoulder with any of the vige men.


    Today, we all went out to hunt and worked together to take down the beast. I have nothing left to teach him.


    Sir Benedict gave the prince a present. A motorcycle with a sidecar.


    Prince Treize was so ecstatic that he rode the motorcycle on the icy roads.


    Princess Meriel is in charge of maintenance. They squabbled as they got their hands covered in grease. Fi captured them on camera with a smile on her face.


    The year 3305 of the World Calendar.


    Winter.


    A certain day, a certain month.


    Prince Treize and Princess Meriel are sixteen years old.


    My health has worsened, and I am confined to my home on many asions. Prince Treize oftenes to visit.


    He told me that he lost an argument to Princess Meriel today before he left the house. When he asked me how he could defeat her, I gave an honest answer.


    Prince Treize does not need to defeat Princess Meriel. I hope he will simply grow up to be a kind and considerate man.


    Summer.


    A certain day, a certain month.


    Prince Treize is heading to the Capital District on his motorcycle. He will be staying with the Schultz family there.


    The women whispered amongst themselves, ¡°Is he going to propose to her?¡±. I am of the same mind¡ªI want to see the two of them happy together.


    Before that, Prince Treize must reveal his true heritage to her. But if he does, Miss Lillianne may end up distancing herself from him.


    This situation calls for utmost delicacy. I do not believe the prince will have an easy time of it.


    A certain day, a certain month.


    Prince Treize has begun preparations. He loaded the sidecar with camping gear, repair tools, extra parts, and an extra fuel tank. It will be a long, 20-day journey to the Capital District.


    Fi fretted about the fact that he was leaving alone. Sir Benedict looked a little envious.


    Because the prince would not be apanied by security, we received special permission from the Roxchean government to allow him to carry a firearm. The prince decided to take his favorite mid-sized handgun. He has been keeping up with his hand-to-handbat training, so I do not think there is cause for worry.


    A certain day, a certain month.


    Prince Treize returned from his long trip.


    The motorcycle was a mess from the journey, but Prince Treize looked healthier than ever.


    But we were all shocked when, the moment he set foot in the vige, he grabbed the first person he saw and asked for swimming lessons. Not many men in Ikstova swim. We managed to find a member of the royal guard who could, but Lake Ras was too cold for swimming. So the prince is now regrly visiting Elitesa¡¯s heated swimming pool.


    Winter.


    A certain day, a certain month.


    Princess Meriel has been invited by the royal family of Bezel for a month-long visit over the new year.


    Meanwhile, Prince Treize has invited the Schultz family to the royal family¡¯s cottage.


    A certain day, a certain month.


    There are only a few days left in the year.


    Prince Treize ns to enjoy the new year with Miss Lillianne at the cottage near Kunst. The entire vige hopes that things will work out for him this time.


    We are making preparations now, but the prince took the chicken I was going to butcher for the dinner. He says he will use it as bait to lure out the wandering wolf. I wonder how it will go?


    My health has improved, and I believe I will be able to attend the new year¡¯s celebrations at the vi. This year, Fi invited a film crew that has been shooting thendscapes of Ikstova.


    After the party, I will ask Prince Treize how his ns worked out. I will take this journal to Kunst as well.


    Will Prince Treize be smiling in the first entry of 3306?


    It has already been sixteen years since his birth.


    It is truly an honor to have been able to spend all this time with him.


    * * *


    The year 3306 of the World Calendar.


    The second day of the new year, in the basement of the pce.


    ¡°¡­¡±


    Treize slowly slipped the yellowed journal into his bag and held a moment of silence for the owner of the note, who now slept in a casket.


    Treize closed his eyes and quietly spoke.


    ¡°Grandfather¡­ we took out all but one of the terrorists. The mastermind is still alive, but I¡¯m going to leave that to mother. I¡¯ve avenged you. ¡­Thank you for everything, Grandfather.¡±


    Then, the Prince of Ikstova raised his arms to his face and wiped his tears as he did in his childhood.


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