Time moved on; it was night.
Mashiro and I were walking around the second floor of Lichberg’s lodgings.
“I hope today ends without incident.”
“Yeah. Hopefully.”
After much discussion, the academy side had decided to use the lodgings as-is.
A plan to use inns in the kingdom was floated, but with students as the target, spreading them out posed defensive risk. There was also a chance of involving citizens. So lodgings — where students could be concentrated — were chosen.
The students had been firmly instructed not to leave their rooms regardless of anything.
Lodgings: five stories total. Each floor patrolled by a pair.
There’d been objections to us participating, but with too few faculty members, Floné’s word made the Council members an exception.
Reina and the headmasters waited in the central HQ as a trump card. If a disturbance arose, they’d head to the scene.
Hearing the situation, Alice had been twitching to participate, but a maid couldn’t be added to the patrol roster…… so she’s been told to wait somewhere.
“Tonight is the deciding match. If we get through this, we sail.”
In case missing students return, departure was set for tomorrow.
If they were kidnapped and we caught the perpetrator, everyone could go home safely.
The missing students are, naturally, noble children.
For the magic academy’s prestige, this can’t end as-is.
“Yeah. But, hmm……”
“What is it?”
“I was wondering about the perpetrator’s motive. If it’s ransom, they’d have made a demand by now.”
”…… You’re right. They should already have enough hostages.”
Once you start, more questions arise.
“The reason for targeting representatives is also strange. If money’s the goal, there are easier targets on this island.”
Like Karen, plenty of students came to the island on their own dime to support.
So the reason for targeting representatives……
”……’Strong magic ability’ is the criterion……?”
If so — who in Lichberg would be targeted then……!
—— And the moment came with no warning.
”……! Mashiro, you there!?”
“Yeah, I’m fine!”
I instinctively reached toward where Mashiro had been. Touching her, relieved, I pulled her close.
These boobs are no mistake. It’s Mashiro.
“Mashiro. Turn on the magic light?”
“M-mn, hold on.”
She pulled the magic light from her pocket and pressed the switch.
The light illuminated us both, and I realized we were standing absurdly close.
“S-sorry, Ouga, you can’t walk like this. I’ll move——”
“——No, stay as you are. Hold on tight.”
“Eh, wah, aaaaaa!?”
I scooped Mashiro up and ran for the first floor where she’d been.
If my read is correct, the two top target candidates are——
The one was Mashiro — safe. Which means——
“Guwaaaa!?”
“Ouga! That voice!”
“Yeah! Below!”
Damn it, why didn’t I notice something this simple.
Converting my self-frustration into fuel, I pressed the accelerator.
The moment I reached the first floor, Mashiro lit the area.
There, near the entrance, lay two familiar male teachers I recognized.
“Oi! Are you all right!?”
“Sensei!”
We rushed to them and checked for wounds.
A few scrapes, but nothing life-threatening.
”……! Y-you two……”
One opened his eyes in response.
Thank god…… he’s conscious.
“In the dark…… we were ambushed……”
“Got it. Don’t talk. Rest.”
“Sorry…… they went…… that way……”
So saying, he pointed in the opposite direction from where we’d come.
He’s telling us the direction the attacker fled.
And in that direction is the HQ with Reina.
”——! Mashiro! Again!”
“Whuh!? Y-yeah!”
Since Mashiro is also a target, I can’t leave her.
I scooped her up again and dashed for the HQ.
It’s fine…… that place has battle-hardened veterans. They’ve surely caught the attacker by now.
Telling myself this, I sprinted the corridor, kicked the door, and burst in.
“Reina! Are you all——”
The scene the light revealed left me speechless.
The room, smashed apart, scarred all over.
Floné Milfonti included — everyone was collapsed.
“Ouga, the Council President isn’t here!”
”……!? What……!?”
“Kyaaaaa!?”
The moment I gasped at Mashiro’s observation, a scream came from the lodgings.
The voice — student or teacher, unclear. But the person trying to abduct Reina is in the lodgings.
That much is certain.
“Damn it, running from here won’t make it……!”
“Ouga! Use the move from the magic combat division!”
”……! Right! Do it!”
Understanding her plan, I summoned the battle-coat and draped it over her to protect her skin.
“[Wind Upper]!”
The next instant, we were launched with intense force toward the lodgings, reaching the top floor.
“Tt!”
Using the principle of the jump-kick, we broke through a window and entered.
I cut my arms covering my face and throat, but those wounds are nothing.
The moment I raised my face, my eyes met those of a masked figure in a black robe, hand on a room’s doorknob.
This is the perpetrator of the kidnappings……!
“Where did you take Reina!?”
”…………”
No response from the black robe to my question. Not even a flicker of movement.
He wasn’t carrying Reina.
…… Then beyond the door he was touching. That’s suspicious.
”…… I’ll take you too.”
In a low, muffled voice, the black robe designated Mashiro.
Not satisfied with just Reina, he’s planning to take Mashiro too.
“That’s too greedy. I’m not giving you either.”
”…… Ouga. This is the……”
“Yeah. We’re catching him.”
He took down the Headmasters. He’ll be tremendously strong.
The fact that nothing seems to be coming from below tells me reinforcements aren’t expected. Everyone is probably down to here.
”…………”
We have to take him on alone.
A genuinely hopeless situation.
…… Heh heh heh. Interesting.
“You ready, Mashiro?”
“Of course. I’m not letting you get away.”
”…………”
All three of us took stances; silence dominated the space.
◇ Announcement ◇
Starting 9/8, the manga adaptation of [The Misunderstood Holy Life of a Villainous Young Master] begins! 👏
Art by Senjou Maiko-sensei, drawing Ouga and the others beautifully.
Serialization in Dengeki Regulus, please look forward to it!
Dengeki Regulus↓