Heavenly Castle

Translator: “Pink Tea” Editor: ”Ryunakama”

In a certain part of the capital, roaring blasts and loud shouts resounded, which could make one wonder if a war has started.

Supposedly sturdy two-story buildings were crumbling and soldiers thrown out of the alleyway rolled on the ground. 𝒇r𝙚𝙚𝓌𝙚𝑏𝗻𝑜𝘷𝗲𝘭.c૦𝑚

The inhabitants of that neighborhood run out of there, screaming.

In just a few moments all hell broke loose, turning the whole place into a scene of pandemonium. People nearby run for their lives, screaming, while those at a distance who had more guts, like mercenaries and their likes, observed the development.

What at first was perceived by everyone as a purge of nobles, moved into the backstreets, and dragging people of low birth out of there, seemingly could only end in their execution, but soon, the knights realized that things aren’t going the way they expected.

No, far from that, the opponents clearly weren’t just simple thugs or ex-mercenaries and threatened to completely crush them with overwhelming force.

However, it was all too late for them, due to charging all at once, the majority of the knights already were scattered by someone, with some being buried under the rubble of the collapsed houses.

This is bad.

Far from failing the mission, our own lives might be in danger.

Feeling so, the knights raised their voices to ridiculously high volumes and turning around, ran.

Citizens and merchants surely and certainly saw that sight of knights running as fast as their legs can carry them. Due to the troops bearing the banner embroidered with the emblem of a certain marquis running away along with the captain of those knights, it was obvious to everyone which order made such a shameful display.

This order had no war experience and always fought against clearly weaker opponents like bandits or monsters.

Their actual ability was even worse than rumors would suggest.

Later, mercenaries present at that scene would pass this story around as an anecdote, spreading the infamy of the Karluk Kingdom’s knights to neighboring kingdoms.

However, at that moment, no one knew that this, in turn, would also boost Heavenly Country’s reputation.

☆

In order to check the situation, a young man poked out of the abandoned building, used as their base, and witnessing that sight gaped his eyes.

「The-the knights are being scattered?!」

「Idiot! Hurry up and run away!」

Though his comrades shouted at him, he couldn’t take his eyes away from the spectacle outside.

「It, it’s fine! At this rate, the knights will......!」

As he tried to refute, Grey, who stood on watch outside, gave him a sharp glare.

「This fight is not to annihilate the knights. As regrettable as it may be, this fight is only to gain time for the escape. Hurry up and evacuate. The destination is outside the Capital.」

Being told off in a strong tone, the man pouted dissatisfied. But, perhaps due to accepting Grey’s explanation, this time he turned away without saying anything.

Confirming that the last person ran away, Grey glanced at the two of Taiki’s robots that were pulverizing the knights at the terrifying speed and then began evacuating as well.

Meanwhile, Catherine was in the leading group that was guiding the evacuation. 𝙛𝔯𝒆e𝔀e𝗯𝓷𝗼𝘃e𝚕.𝒄𝗼𝗺

While running behind one of elderly leaders, Catherine checked the situation in the back.

Taiki’s robots were following them on their flanks, while everyone, though bewildered by the whole situation, kept running.

No pursuit from the knights.

「......I guess there is no chance that Karluk Kingdom’s knights would follow us after seeing those golems.」

She muttered to herself, then added a quiet「But」and continued.

「They surely would suspect that Heavenly Country had a hand in this. Then, even the slave store would have to evacuate, and after that......」

What bothered Catherine was a part of the agreement between Taiki and Karluk’s King about 『Not stealing Karluk Kingdom’s slaves.』.

「If by Karluk Kingdom’s slaves are meant those that weren’t procured by Heavenly Country through legitimate means, then we......」

Would be categorized as Karluk Kingom’s slaves and handed over.

It is what Catherine was about to say, but she held her tongue. Around her were Grey’s comrades, who knew nothing and simply were trying to escape outside the Capital.

She couldn’t allow herself to say something that might scare them.

「......If appealing to this agreement Karluk Kingdom would claim to have a just cause over this, what would Heavenly Country do......? 」

She muttered almost inaudibly and faced forward.

「Wa-wait! The way is blocked!」

That instant, a man that was running ahead shouted in panic.

When Catherine looked there, she noticed signs of recent maintenance on the castle walls.

「Damn! How unlucky! In this case, we would’ve been better escaping to the south......! Now we have no choice but to go around, but the time......」

The man yelled, scratching his head so hard that the sound could be heard over here. Paying only a fleeting gaze to that, Catherine looked at Taiki’s robot.

「Golem! That wall......!」

Catherine tried to give an order, but frowned, seeing how the robot already took to action.

The robot immediately approached the castle wall and pointed at it with one hand.

The next moment, its hand shone and a thin ray of light traced along the castle wall’s surface. And cutting through it like a hot knife through butter it soon created a rectangular hole.

While men looked at it dumbfounded, Catherine stared sharply at the robot from behind.

「......So after all, there is someone nearby...... Certainly, it couldn’t be controlled from far above......? But if it is actually so......」

Catherine whispered, but seeing everyone escape through the hole opened in the castle walls, shook her head, and hurried to follow after them.