“Somehow I’m not fully satisfied.” (Wendelin)
“With what?”
Eleven days after the death of Wilhelm the 14th, the enthronement ceremony of the new emperor was carried out.
Therese-sama, once again, didn’t return to the guest house the previous day due to being very busy with the preparations, but it seems that the arrangements were completed in time.
We were also invited and a stately ceremony took place.
The congress members and influential people of the church participated too, and the new emperor, Urquhart the 17th was enthroned.
With the emperor's seat returning to the central’s imperial family after three generations, the citizens of Bardiche were also very delighted.
Since there was a parade after the ceremony, many people showed up along the roads.
That doesn’t mean that the reign of the previous emperor was bad, but the awareness of ((the new emperor)) being a local of this city is probably the same in any world and country.
“No, it’s about Duke Nürnberg…” (Wendelin)
The other contender for the throne, Duke Nürnberg, cornered the new emperor into a close contest going as far as a third voting round, might be the expression of a wish for some change in the empire’s state which has some kind of hopeless feeling, although its government is stable.
That’s why it probably ended up becoming an unexpectedly close competition once there were only two candidates left.
“The emperor’s election has such rules. Thus he has no other option but to aim for the next time.” (Burkhart)
It’s likely just as Burkhart-san says.
Given that it’s possible for the emperor of this country to retire, it might barely be possible for Duke Nürnberg to run for becoming the next emperor.
However, since there’s also the possibility of ((the next emperor selection)) being too late, he should bear quite strong feelings of frustration.
However he swore allegiance and cooperation to the new emperor without hesitation and as confidently as usual.
As there were opinions that he is hiding ulterior motives in his heart, I also sensed that there are some parts which I’m not fully satisfied with.
He should have wanted to become emperor.
In addition, he had more supporters than expected.
Just as speculated the emperor had been chosen from among the members of the Archduke household and I felt in reverse a doubt about him pretending that it is not a reason for him to not be mortified.
“Well, since he isn’t a child, it would be wrong of him to throw a tantrum.” (Burkhart)
“However, in the case of normal people, you can expect them to reveal those emotions through their expressions and behaviour, even if only just a bit.” (Wendelin)
“I guess he has an outstanding talent enabling him to hide that.” (Burkhart)
I unintentionally reveal my true opinion to Burkhart-san.
This bad premonition comes from no more than my own intuition and might be a wild delusion.
And yet I think I would be able to feel relieved if he showed a bit of a bad obstinacy or his frustration.
“At any rate, the new emperor has been decided. The Friendship Visit Group will likely be assembled next year once again. Though it’s unknown whether we will be invited to it.”
Since the magic exhibition has already ended, it seems that there’s actually no necessity to invite us.
Nevertheless, we might be invited once again since we have left in a flashy manner.
“We have to stay patient for three more days. Once the enthronement ceremony finishes, the stores related to entertainment will resume business. Let’s return home after buying some decent souvenirs.”
Three days after the ceremony finished, we spent our time with buying souvenirs and going sightseeing in Bardiche since we don’t have anything particular to do. At last we will set out to return to Helmut Kingdom tomorrow.
『Wendelin, can thou mate with me early?』 (Therese)
『Wendelin-sama will be busy inseminating us!』 (Elise)
Therese-sama’s solicitation was as usual, however Elise and the others dodged it skilfully.
Especially last night’s words, which were filled with Elise’s anger, were something I couldn’t imagine from the usual her.
Even Ina and the others at least understood that 『It’s scary if Elise gets really angry』.
On the night of the last day in the empire we slept normally in our rooms since it’s the day before returning home, but I end up opening my eyes due to suddenly hearing a sound I’m not used to hear.
As the time’s still in the dead of night it was pitch black outside, but I can hear a sound similar to some metal being scraped with a clattering from outside the window.
Once I look outside after getting up from the bed, I was able to confirm a large number of soldiers rushing into the imperial palace.
At the same time it seems that this guest house is also surrounded by soldiers and knights who wore metal armour.
“What’s this about?” (Wendelin)
No way, is it a declaration of war by erasing the Friendship Visit Group?
No, rather than that, I can also predict one more possibility.
“It’s a coup d'etat, isn’t it?” (Elise)
“With this timing?” (Wendelin)
“Yes.” (Elise)
Elise, who entered inside after opening the door, mentions the worst-case scenario which I anticipated as well.
The emperor is chosen by election in this country, therefore the other candidates, who harbour dissatisfaction towards the result, will regularly cause a coup d'etat, won’t they?
I don’t particularly care about them doing as they like, but I’d like them to hold back on that during the time of the Friendship Visit Group’s visit, I end up thinking.
“Get ready.” (Wendelin)
“Yes.” (Elise)
The enemy soldiers might come rushing in at any time.
Once I swiftly changed my clothes, I tossed all our luggage into my magic bag.
Elise also already changed into her combat outfit for when she’s active as an adventurer and tightly grasped her specialized mace.
“Is outside full of enemy soldiers?” (Ina)
“Rather than enemies, it’s the forces of the coup d'etat. Will they become our enemies?” (Luise)
“We will counter-attack if they tell us that they will capture us.” (Wilma)
Next Ina, Luise and Wilma got ready as well, but as expected, they were used to it or rather they were already completely armed.
“Wendelin-san, if one considers that they are strangely skilled, the imperial army must be in cohort with them as well.” (Katharina)
“So, who’s the ringleader?” (Wendelin)
“That’s likely obvious.” (Burkhart)
Continuing, Katharina, in her usual dress-styled equipment, and Burkhart-san, wearing a robe, enter the room as well.
“Duke Nürnberg after all?” (Wendelin)
“There’s no one else who has a motive.” (Burkhart)
The young, ambitious household which advocates military expansion and an expedition towards the south, Duke Nürnberg.
He, who had piercing eyes like a falcon, set his sight on me.
It seems that I’m a hindrance for his southern expedition policy.
Under normal circumstances, they probably wouldn’t commit such foolishness like sending soldiers to us who are from another country.
“We can’t hope for decent treatment if we are caught.”
“It’s quite likely that we will be used as hostages for the sake of recognizing the political power of the coup d'etat party.”
That’s the same for Earl Schultz’s group as well, but as we have to currently care about our own situation with all our might, we don’t have the leeway to worry about others.
“Let’s escape after gathering our luggage.” (Wendelin)
“I agree!” (Armstrong)
Lastly Doushi made an appearance, but once we left the room in order to gather everyone, there were several knights and soldiers lying unconscious in the corridor.
It seems they were knocked down by doushi, who fought with a flowerpot, as they tried to secure us.
His strength was powerful as usual, but suppressing us with these numbers would have likely been impossible to begin with.
“Which reminds me, what about Earl Schultz’s group?”
“It looks like soldiers also entered the neighbouring inn. Since Earl Schultz’s group consists of civil officials, they have been captured, I suppose.”
They have guards, but it’s probably unreasonable for those to oppose several enemies per person.
In that case, they were either caught or killed.
“Certainly you are not planning to rescue them, right?” (Armstrong)
“No, that would be unreasonable.” (Wendelin)
I deny Doushi’s question right away.
It’s obvious if one looks at the number of soldiers surrounding the guest house and the imperial palace.
Besides, at the time they joined the Friendship Visit Group, any kind of noble must have the resolve that this might happen.
It’s wrong of me to not have rescued them is a completely absurd opinion.
“Well, we can escape with 『Teleportation』 right away though. Ack!” (Wendelin)
“What’s wrong, Earl-sama?” (Burkhart)
Once I try to use the 『Teleportation』 spell on the spot since everyone finished preparing, a sudden pain hits my head.
“Magic is being obstructed?”
I used the 『Teleportation』 spell once more, but it just caused another stab of pain in my head.
When I chant silently in order to invoke the spell, I receive another stab of pain that cuts it off completely inside my head.
“No way! We can’t use magic?”
“Is it really the magic? I can use it though.” (Armstrong)
Doushi, who defeated the soldiers who stormed in, was able to normally charge his fist with mana.
“What does that mean?”
“There’s Earl Baumeister!”
“I’ve become a target after all…” (Wendelin)
It’s probably because their comrades, who charged in first, haven’t come back.
Next several knights and soldiers draw their swords and approach our direction.
“It’s legitimate self-defence, thus…”
“Uguuu…”
I steal their consciousness by mercilessly releasing an 『Electric Shock』 spell and not 『Area Stun』 at them.
They might have died since I didn’t adjust its power output, but I didn’t have the flexibility to care about it to such an extent.
“Huh? I can use magic.” (Wendelin)
“It seems to be limited to a part of magic.” (Burkhart)
“Only a part?” (Wendelin)
As his head apparently suffered pain, Burkhart-san held his head with his hand.
“As a test I tried to float with 『Flight』, but…” (Burkhart)
It appears that all movement magic gets obstructed.
The magic won’t invoke and a stab of pain would hit the caster’s head.
“Hm~~~mm. We can’t use magic tools for communication either.”
Since it’s a state of emergency, Doushi tried to get in touch with His Majesty by using a magic hand-held communication device, but this didn't connect either.
As test I tried to use my own magic hand-held communication device, but it was completely in vain.
“Magic tools which have restricted types of magic get obstructed but not all magic?”
“They have increased the range of the effect to some extent in exchange for restricting it to a few types of magic?” Burkhart-san predicted.
I have a feeling that it’s a frightening OOPArt, but there’s a great number of the Ancient Magic Civilization heritages sleeping in Helmut Kingdom as well.
It was unthinkable that something similar doesn’t exist in Holy Empire Urquhart.
“That means, in other words…”
Movement and communication spells and magic tools don’t work at all right in the middle of Holy Empire Urquhart’s capital.
It would probably be best to expect that even the magic airship, we used before, won’t be able to take flight with this.
“Before that, have the coup d'etat forces already seized full control then?” (Elise)
It’s probably as Elise says.
I guess it’s almost a fact, but the elite Duke Nürnberg feudal army and quite a few forces of the imperial army are suppressing important bases and people of Bardiche by obstructing communication.
As it seems that even soldiers of the imperial army have joined, the whereabouts as well as life and death of the new emperor Urquhart the 17th is uncertain.
I’m not very knowledgeable about things like the political and military circumstances of other countries, but such total coup d'etats are things that happened often in the past as well.
Probably, they secretly prepared and made sure they were ready at the time they lost the emperor election.
“Earl-sama, we are foreigners after all.” (Burkhart)
As Burkhart-san says, we are from another country.
Rather than their safety, our own safety takes priority.
“There’s no other option but to escape.”
It’s a painful fact that we have no means of transportation, but at any rate, we have to run away.
Since the ringleader will harbour wariness towards me if we are caught like this, there’s no doubt that he should make me suffer needlessly.
“I don’t want to mention it, but there are women here.”
I think it’s pointless to demand reason from Duke Nürnberg who has become the mastermind of a coup d'etat just because he couldn’t become emperor.
There’s the possibility that he won’t think anything but sacrificing us for the sake of building a new nation.
Even if Duke Nürnberg was rational, there’s no guarantee that he will transmit his thinking down to all his soldiers.
“Anyway, let’s escape to a place where this strange jamming magic doesn’t exist.”
I take out bags which were filled with a large amount of a certain something from my magic bag.
I collected it at the time of clearing the Savage Lands. It was something copying a bullet which uses tungsten.
Guns don’t exist in this world.
In the case of bows, large ballistae existed, but those evolved in the direction of changing them into magic tools as a means to raise their power.
They have been deployed in battles as magic tools which fire large, special arrows with mana, but the thinking hasn’t reached guns yet.
There was no gunpowder either. In that case I think it’s a better idea to exchange gunpowder with mana.
“(It will be dangerous if Elise’s group gets caught. Besides, I’m a person from Helmut Kingdom.)” (Wendelin)
There were many good-for-nothing nobles there, but the place I belong to is over there. I have to protect my family.
To begin with, the ones who attacked me first is the other side.
If they receive such retaliation, it probably won’t fit with their predictions.
“Did you get it as well, Elise-jou-chan and the others? Kill them.” (Burkhart)
“Elise’s healing is the most important component of our escape. Protecting her takes maximum priority. At worst it can’t be helped if others have to be sacrificed for her.” (Armstrong)
Burkhart-san’s and doushi’s expressions became sharp.
Both might have experience in killing people from their time as active adventurers.
“Erw, will you be alright?” (Wendelin)
“Wend, will you be alright?” (Erwin)
“Who knows.” (Wendelin)
As a matter of fact I have already killed close to 100 people, but since I didn’t see their corpses at that time, I didn’t feel something like remorse.
“How about you, Ina?” (Wendelin)
“There’s no other choice but to do it! We don’t know what might happen if we get caught.” (Ina)
“Luise?” (Wendelin)
“The magic combat style is originally a martial art to be used on the battlefield. There’s no reason for me to hesitate.” (Luise)
“Wilma.” (Wendelin)
“The reason why I became your wife, Wend-sama, is for a time like this. I will do it.” (Wilma)
“How about you, Katharina?” (Wendelin)
“If I ended up dying here, the long-awaited revival of the Waigel household will vanish like a bubble. There’s no other way but to get it done.” (Katharina)
Everyone seems to have resolved themselves.
At the end I try to ask Elise.
“Currently time is precious. Let’s move quickly.” (Elise)
“Got it.” (Wendelin)
———————————————- End of Part 1 ————————————————–
While being cautious of the vicinity, we decide to take refuge in the urban area of Bardiche by leaving through the back-door of the guest house.
Once we went down to the lower floor, the other corridors were already occupied by enemy soldiers.
Several servants and maids had collapsed. They were apparently slain at the time of resisting.
“Taurus! Did you fail?”
“Well then, let’s get to it. Those numbers are insufficient as our opponents.” (Burkhart)
No sooner than saying that, Burkhart-san casts several small wind cutters.
The soldiers, which were targeted, got cleaved and beheaded. They fell down while raising fountains of blood.
“It’s a horrible scene.”
The lower floor was annihilated.
I try to peek into the rooms for just a bit, but several of the magicians, who came from the Sorcery Guild headquarters and such, were dead.
No matter what powerful magic they can use, they will end up dead unexpectedly quickly if they are taken by surprise.
“Duke Nürnberg may be a serious ○chigai*.” (T/N: ○チガイ – No idea about the reference here, doesn’t appear in the LN though)
Normally they would arrest or restrict the movements of the people from Helmut Kingdom, but it would be common sense to not make a move on them.
However, he killed several of our country’s precious magicians.
“It’s probably because they will become strong game pieces once it turns into a war.” (Burkhart)
“Even if he succeeds in the coup d'etat, a sudden war will be impossible…”
It might mostly follow Doushi’s thinking, but time is too valuable to go along with such ○chigai.
Giving up on the rescue of our allies, we decide to go outside right away.
“It’s Earl Baumeister!”
“It’s the prized head.”
“I’m very popular, am I not?” (Wendelin)
“Viscount Armstrong is there as well! Kill them!”
“Doushi, you are popular, too.”
“I’m a man who is popular among women and children!” (Armstrong)
Is that a joke? Or the truth?
At the same time of saying that, he defeats the soldiers one by one with his fists which were clad in mana.
Once I looked properly, the heads of every soldier was crushed with one blow. They collapsed while having their faces turned in a weird direction away from him.
“Hiii~~~~!”
A soldier, who was scared by Doushi’s strength, swings his sword recklessly, but that sword ends up completely broken in one blow by Doushi’s fist.
Having lost his sword, the soldier tries to run away, but the instant he turned his back on us, Doushi grabs his head and crushes his neck.
“I have family as well. I won’t let you off.” (Armstrong)
The corpse of the soldier, which was still held by Doushi, dangled down loosely like a marionette since the neck has been broken, but he immediately throws it away to the side of the corridor.
“We have to hurry.” (Armstrong)
After that the soldiers get eliminated by Burkhart-san’s wind cutter, Doushi’s mancharged fists and my tungsten-made bullets which I send flying with mana.
The bullets, which have a tip similar to dum-dum ammunition and the shape of a chinquapin seed, smash the faces of soldiers, if they hit there, and tear the intestines into pieces if they hit the stomach.
A splatter-like scenery unfolds, but as this is for the sake of survival, I advance while averting my sight.
[Sniper's note: Dum-dum is another term for bullet designed to expand on impact with a target, either a hollow point or soft point]
“Their numbers are unexpectedly high.”
“It’s probably because we are next to their main target, the imperial palace.”
Even the specialised weapons of Ina and Erw, who wielded spear and sword respectively together, are already dyed with the colour of blood.
For the sake of recovering the sharpness of their specialized weapons, both quickly wiped them with the clothes worn by the soldiers they defeated.
Surprisingly they aren’t disturbed or rather you can say that they are too busy to be disturbed about it.
“We got rid of most of the enemies. Let’s go outside.”
Once we enter the back yard from the back-door which is used for the sake of carrying in goods and food, there was a person whom we didn’t see until now.
Therese-sama alongside five retainers continued a skirmish with enemy soldiers while trying to get away.
Two victims had already appeared on Therese-sama’s side and four enemies had been defeated on the enemy’s side.
It seems to be a hard fight, but as there are many soldiers on the enemy’s side, Therese-sama’s side is unable to get outside.
“We will assist them.”
All the soldiers, who had gathered at the centre of the back gate, are defeated by Burkhart-san’s wind cutters and my 『Bullet』 spell.
Getting beheaded and having holes drilled into their faces and bodies, there wasn’t even one survivor.
“Sorry for having to help us.” (Therese)
Therese-sama in her nightgown appearance thanks us while still holding a sword drenched in blood.
“Did you kill soldiers yourself?”
“Originally that’s something I won’t do, but it would have been a harsh situation if I wasn’t included in the numbers. I have received the minimum of swordsmanship practice since my childhood.” (Therese)
As there’s blood attached to her sword, she should have killed at least one enemy. It seems that I can’t win against Therese-sama in sword skills.
“Sorry for troubling thee as well, Elise-dono.” (Therese)
“No, I think they will survive.” (Elise)
Elise cast healing magic on the retainers of Therese-sama who had collapsed.
“You saved us.”
“Therese-sama, I’m sorry for having made an unexpected blunder.”
“It’s fine. Thou became a shield in order to protect me. That’s honourable.” (Therese)
After they got up safely, they thank Elise.
They apologized to Therese-sama for getting defeated, but she praised them for being honourable in reverse.
She possesses ability and charisma, one can’t take lightly, as a noble after all.
“Well then, shall we try to escape? Wendelin, won’t thee escape via magic?” (Therese)
“Therese-sama, actually…” (Wendelin)
Once I tell her that communication and movement magic is sealed off, her expression gets gloomy for just an instant.
For it to be only for an instant is probably because she will cause her retainers to get uneasy if she, who is currently the most distinguished person, shows an anxious expression.
“That’s strange… Then we can’t count on reinforcement from our allies.” (Therese)
At the time when we were isolated due to it being impossible to send messages, the coup d'etat forces have started a surprise attack.
Thanks to this attack, the important military bases, which are located in Bardiche, have been probably completely taken over, Therese-sama predicted.
“Then they distributed soldiers in the many important bases. They have known about the impossibility to communicate in advance. Duke Nürnberg’s feudal army has a lot of elites. They are probably flawless in communication through messengers, but…” (Therese)
It’s unlikely that they have gained control over all of Bardiche.
If we escape to the northern Philip Dukedom after skilfully taking refuge inside the city, there’s a chance for success, Therese-sama stated.
“Well then, we will go to the south.”
“Regrettably Nürnberg Dukedom lies in the south. The southern nobles are suspicious as well.” (Therese)
There’s the possibility that they are participating in this time’s coup d'etat. Escaping on foot or by horse will likely be difficult, she explained.
“It will be safe if thee take refuge in my Philip Dukedom. Let’s escape after stealing a stagecoach?” (Therese)
A northern highway, that continues from here in Bardiche to Philip Dukedom, has been established. Moreover, as there seem to be large stagecoaches as well, it will probably be possible to run away by using that, she says.
“There’s no other choice, huh…?”
“Well, let’s go then.”
Once we leave the guest house after having decided on the plan, Therese-sama led us to the sewer system.
“Rather than in the city, it will be probably safer in the sewers?”
“You are well acquainted with it.”
“Since I’m a noble, I have prepared for the worst-case situation, too.” (Therese)
She had likely made the retainer, who is leading us, investigate it regularly.
She is a far more excellent noble than me.
“We have nearly arrived at the stagecoach stop.”
It was smelly, but as expected even the coup d'etat forces didn’t have the leeway to send soldiers into the sewers.
We return to the surface without encountering a single soldier, but above ground enemy soldiers lied in wait after all.
And…
“Oh my, Earl Baumeister-dono is with them as well? Are you imitating a rat?” (Eins)
Eins, the eldest brother of the four magic brothers in his red robe, was waiting for us there.
“Do you approve of the coup d'etat?” (Therese)
Therese-sama revealed an expression full of disgust.
“Duke Nürnberg-sama will make me Head Magician! In that case it’s only natural that I turn traitor.” (Eins)
Eins’ tone changes all of a sudden.
No, probably that’s his actual tone.
In spite of living at the imperial palace since his childhood, he has apparently been raised into quite the boorish fellow.
“I believe that Blattson-san is suitable as Head Magician though.” (Wendelin)
Eins is probably a bit superior in regards to mana, but if it’s knowledge, experience and personality, Blattson-san is superior to an extent that it’s pointless to even compare.
In order to provoke him on purpose, I address Eins.
Being told that Blattson-san is more suitable as Head Magician than himself, anger appeared on Eins’ face for an instant.
“That’s true. Blattson might be suitable. However you can’t appoint a dead person to a post any more, right?” (Eins)
While laughing frivolously, Eins throws something in front of us.
“Hii!”
“No way…”
A short scream is raised by Elise’s group.
The thing Eins threw was Blattson’s head.
“Did you defeat him?”
“Yea, I killed him! If the number of magicians decreases, our value will rise by that degree! This means that I’m* the Head Magician-sama!” (Eins) (T/N: Eins uses ore-sama here, sometimes I wish you could add a Hifumi to another series’ scene.)
“If it’s Blattson, for you to overtake him…” (Burkhart)
Burkhart-san asks Eins a question while having a pale face to a degree I haven’t seen until now.
“I had more mana than him, though only a bit. It’s not like there was this much difference between us. That’s why I used a little scheme.” (Eins)
“Yes, we went to report to him with the four of us. We told him that Duke Nürnberg rose in rebellion.”
“While he was surprised, I stabbed him with a knife from a blind spot.” (Eins)
“If he can’t use magic, he’s just an old geezer. He isn’t an enemy for us. Unless the old geezer retires, he will be plenty of hindrance for us who have a promising future.”
Zwei, Drei and Vier, wearing blue, yellow and green robes, show up from behind Eins.
Image-wise they looked like a certain hero squadron, but their words and deeds are no more than that of villains.
Nothing but unpleasant feeling emerged within me in regards to them.
“You bastards!” (Burkhart)
“Geezer, if you get too angry, you will collapse after a cerebral stroke.”
“That old geezer was killed because he was weak.”
“At any rate, be relieved since you will follow that geezer in death.”
“Sip tea in hell together, as fellow geezers.”
Vier mocks the enraged Burkhart-san with a slightly ridiculing tone. The other three raised a vulgar laughter in agreement with that.
“Burkhart-san, calm down.” (Wendelin)
I call out to Burkhart-san quietly.
“Sorry, I lost myself for a moment there.” (Burkhart)
Burkhart-san, who came to his senses after being called by me, returned to a composed expression right away.
“Besides, those are the words of fellows who will be dead soon anyway. Let’s at least listen to them while considering it as their last request.” (Wendelin)
“Did you say anything, Earl Baumeister?”
“I did. Are you deaf despite still being young? You guys will have an unsightly death very soon.” (Wendelin)
They are excellent magicians, that’s why even the emotion of it being regrettable to kill them wells up within me.
At any rate, they are magicians of another country and their character is the worst.
If I don’t kill them here, I have a premonition that they will become a hindrance in my future life.
Even before that, cutting corners and making them incapable of fighting would be difficult, or rather, I have no other choice but to kill them since it’s not unlikely that I suffer an embarrassing defeat otherwise.
“That’s a funny joke!”
“You fucker will die!”
“Flirting while being accompanied by women.”
“Die with peace of mind since we will rape all the women until they die once you bastard are dead.”
“Good grief, did you really receive proper education at the imperial palace?” (Wendelin)
Going beyond anger, I’m just disgusted.
Is it because they have talent? They were probably pampered quite a lot.
“Well, it doesn’t really matter. Even if I kill lowlifes, I will have little feelings of guilt.”
“Hah! Do you think that you can win against the four of us?”
————————————- End of Part 2 ————————————-