I was a man born hated by the gods.
A noble without magic aptitude — the most worthless trash in noble society.
That was my standing in the Andrews family.
Father and Mother never met my eyes.
That I received an education at all was because no other child was born after me.
Reluctant to entrust the future of House Andrews to an outsider, Father grudgingly named me his successor.
I’d hated my family forever — but at that moment, I cheered Father’s outdated bloodline-purist convictions.
But even after I rose to the top, days of Father interfering continued.
Mocked as a puppet government.
Ahh — I wasn’t even permitted to live by my own will.
Despairing of the world, hoping to die, I volunteered for the battlefield. There — I met a god.
That god had everything I lacked.
A violent talent that trampled all like trash.
An overwhelming charisma that ruled and fascinated.
She shone enough to burn out the eyes.
Before I knew it, I was serving her, living to please her.
Then came the turning point.
The god gave me a reward for my daily service.
I’ll never forget a single word of what she said that day.
“It isn’t that you have no magic aptitude.”
“You were judged magic-aptitude-less because you possess affinity for a forbidden element.”
“Its name — dark-element magic. The same as mine. That’s how I knew.”
“Let me teach you how to use this power. And devour all you can.”
“If you, too, want to step into the new world I’m aiming for.”
I acted as she said.
I killed Father and Mother — who were in the way — and seized power.
I built strength for the god.
The country doesn’t matter.
No obligation to those who never reached a hand to me, and who erased the wonderful existence of dark-element magic from this world.
So I dedicate everything to her.
This time, I’ll do it right.
To never fail again, I’ve polished my skill.
Not like when I manipulated that cursed female knight and shook society.
Aah…… aah……! That time was disrupted, but this time……!
Even if the road leads to hell — if my god, Lady Floné, will be pleased.
I — Juke Andrews — gladly leap.
◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇
My morning is early. To maintain and strengthen this robust body, the training variety is large.
“Whew…… 199, 200……”
The handstand one-arm push-up with weights — routine now.
The reps have doubled since enrollment.
Considering bodily fatigue, increasing load wouldn’t be a problem.
“Alice. Add another weight……”
Mid-sentence, I remembered — the one who always supports me wasn’t here.
No helping it. I lowered my legs and ended.
”…… Why didn’t you tell me anything, Alice.”
A night had passed since Alice vanished.
We’d waited together yesterday, but she didn’t return.
To spend time as if she were still here, I’d come to the training room…… but the emptiness only grew.
Why did she leave?
The only clue — the line “I hereby take my leave” on her letter.
That was her answer to my letter-exchange question.
She refused to be my blade.
That fact, alone, is carved into my heart.
“Ouga-kun.”
I looked up — Reina stood at the entrance, breath rough.
What happened?
For her to be this winded is unusual.
“Father is calling for us.”
“Father? He should be in the Royal Capital.”
“Juke Andrews made contact, and he rushed back……!”
”…… Got it. Going now.”
Without wiping sweat, I walked with Reina toward Father’s office.
Normally I’d never do this, but every second matters now.
Father doesn’t know Alice is gone. But the timing of his return. The reason we’re summoned.
…… The unease wouldn’t subside; my pace quickened.
“Father, excuse us.”
Without waiting permission, I entered. Father wore a grave face.
“Ouga. Read this.”
Without preamble, he handed me an invitation.
The wax seal — I recognized it.
“Sir Gordon Veret
The party detailed in the previous invitation has been upgraded to a special format.
If you wish to bring goods to sell, please inform reception.
If you wish to enjoy the shopping, please come prepared with ample funds.
Additionally, House Andrews has newly acquired a swordswoman to be the highlight of our party.
We promise a most enjoyable time.
Juke Andrews”
“This was hand-delivered. ……Most likely, the special format refers to a slave auction. My first invitation, but no doubt.”
Rumors of human trafficking by Andrews have circulated forever.
But right now Father’s words passed in one ear and out the other.
One part I couldn’t overlook.
“Ouga-kun! This swordswoman to be the highlight — !”
”…… Yes, no question. It’s Alice……!”
”…… There’s information I’m not aware of. Explain to me.”
”…… Yes, actually——”
I told him about Alice vanishing while he was away.
”…… I see. Then, as you both suspect, this line indicates Alice.”
“The party-format change at this timing…… high probability.”
So Alice was, by some method, captured by Juke Andrews……?
A wild thought, but considering her identity, it isn’t hard to bait her.
Andrews and Alice have deep history.
And Floné might well have seen through Alice’s identity as Chris Lagnica during the ship battle.
I hadn’t thought that far.
Alice doesn’t act independently without my permission.
Alice is stronger than anyone, no need to worry.
That unconditional trust became carelessness, an opening — and they exploited it.
If true, the letter she left makes sense.
Then my course is decided.
”…… Father.”
“Wait. I know what you’ll say. But this is, without question, a trap to draw you out, Ouga.”
“Trap or not, I’m going.”
Andrews really wants to meet me, evidently.
I don’t know how he caught Alice, but if I miss this chance, Alice will be [Brainwashed] by Floné’s dark-element magic.
To begin with, Alice being targeted was due to my own carelessness.
“As Alice’s master, I have to.”
”…… No matter what?”
“Yes. Even if stopped, I’ll go.”
Father and I locked eyes. An instant; he sighed deeply, sensing my resolve.
”…… All right. I’ll allow you to accompany me.”
“Thank you, Father. The party schedule?”
”…… Tonight. Andrews must’ve shifted his plan the moment he knew you wouldn’t attend — targeting Alice to lure you out.”
“Quite thorough……”
“He wants you that badly. But how? Frontal assault is too dangerous.”
Father’s right.
Juke Andrews must have prepared to meet me.
And he must know my abilities from Floné. He won’t be unarmed.
A naive shootout could harm other nobles.
That Father continues infiltration without yet punishing Andrews means he’s cunning, slippery.
A botched frontal assault could earn nobles’ resentment and erode Father’s trust among them.
Some good method……
“How about becoming a slave?”
Reina’s clear voice.
She traced the second line of the invitation with her finger.
“Bringing goods — this must mean slaves. Slaves wouldn’t be paraded in the open, so we could likely sneak through the rear entrance.”
“I see…… that’s a way.”
Her plan lets us enter relatively safely.
There’s a risk of harsh treatment, but as Andrews hosts, a House Veret-brought slave wouldn’t be mishandled.
Any damage drops the price.
The handlers wouldn’t dare with a Veret commodity.
“I’ll prepare slave-appropriate clothing immediately. Hair styling, too.”
“Thank you, Father.”
“Women’s clothing too, please, Father.”
“No. Reina, wait here.”
“No, I will follow Ouga-kun wherever he goes. If you won’t listen…… I might tell Mashiro-san and the others that you’re heading in alone.”
I’m stuck. That’s a forbidden card.
“I have battle experience and ability, I’d say. Or am I a burden?”
”…… Got it. In exchange, never sacrifice yourself. Promise me that one thing.”
“Of course. This life you gave me…… I won’t throw away.”
If it were Mashiro or Karen I’d refuse, but Reina I can have escape at worst.
Mashiro and Karen offered to stand beside me too, but they aren’t ready when even self-defense is difficult.
This time, two-man cell: me and Reina.
It’s fine. I’ll end it before Mashiro and the others wake, and reclaim our daily life.
“All settled then?”
We nodded back to Father’s question.
“Unfortunately, no national support. The moment Holy Knights move, the party would cancel.”
Then we can’t save Alice.
Tch…… a powerful opponent makes everything harder.
“Just the two of us in the real sense.”
“Therefore, we prepare as much as possible. To maximize success.”
Decision: night. Until then, the three of us refined the plan.