Outbreak Company Vol 1 Chapter 4.2

Volume 1 Chapter 4 Part 2

Chapter 4: Thy Name is ‘Invader’

 

This is about twenty days after the last observation.

Our ‘otaku training school’——the school, in other words, has been completed.

It’s not like I actually took part in the construction work, but when I gaze upon the finished project, I somehow feel a sense of accomplishment welling up.

After which——

“Ohh......”

“This is the place that, from tomorrow onwards, will become our——”

While admiring the brand new school building, I hear my students raising voices filled with marvel and wonder. By the way, there wasn’t supposed to be a study session today. These guys are just gathering here on their own accord.

To take a look at their new place of learning.

For some reason, although the concept of ‘private in-house schools’ exists, the concept of ‘schools’ doesn’t. In other words, study groups are basically held by borrowing a room from somewhere—there isn’t a place built for the express purpose of serving as a school facility. For them, the thing called a ‘school building’ is an extremely novel idea.

On top of which——

“Hey guys, those are n.o.ble-samas......”

“Is this really fine......”

A bit of a distance away from where we are, standing separately from the usual students, there is a group of young boys and girls gathered together staring at the newly finished building—and also at ourselves.

And also, within their number, a certain percentage are non-humans.

Those elf children that I met at the military training ground are also among them.

(What a relief. It looks like the notice did properly reach the commoners.)

Indeed. My purpose in creating a school is, above anything else, for the sake of this.

To cause otaku culture to become widespread enough to cause a social phenomenon, only interacting with the n.o.bles is not enough. If it doesn’t permeate through the commoners—in other words, this country’s large majority—then there’s no point.

Therefore, I did not establish any requirements for matriculation into this school.

The tuition is also basically all covered by the Eldant Empire and the j.a.panese government.

With this, anyone can enter this school to become a student, be they a commoner or anything else.

This school is for the sake of spreading the ‘fundamental education required in order to enjoy otaku culture’ to as many people as possible. It can be thought of as a capital investment, so to speak.

“As expected, seeing it all completed does fill one with emotion, doesn’t it.”

“It sure does.”

The person who nodded with a wry smile in response to my comment while walking through the interior of the school building is my current colleague Minori-san, the JSDF member who had joined in with the construction workers.

Of course, the other students are currently following along behind us. Leaving a significant time window and distance from us, the commoner kids and non-human kids are also entering the school building, albeit in a very timid manner.

The interior of this school is fundamentally the same as the schools in j.a.pan.

The Eldant Empire being in charge of the exterior and the j.a.panese government being in charge of the interior was how things went down. In actuality though, there are crossovers here and there. I spot many things that I’m used to seeing at a school, such as blackboards, clocks, desks, chairs, fire extinguishers in the hallways, and a variety of other things.

That’s probably why the students are curiously staring here and there and everywhere.

And then——

“Danna-sama.”

Suddenly called by a voice, I turn back.

As I do so, I see a Miusel wearing street clothes holding a package and coming towards me from the direction of the entrance.

“Miusel? Is something the matter?”

“You’ve forgotten to bring your lunchbox......”

So said Miusel while smiling.

“Eh? Ah, now that you mention it——”

It had slipped my mind. When I told Miusel that I was going to check out the new school building today in the afternoon, she had said “I’ll make you a lunchbox.” Although I always eat her cooking at the mansion, for some reason she considers lunchboxes something different, and was working on it last night with an unusual amount of enthusiasm.

“You even went to the trouble of coming all the way here to deliver it?!”

“Yes I did. Umm, am I being a bother?”

She has abruptly adopted an anxious expression.

“No, no, no!!”

I vigorously shake my head.

“I’m extremely happy about it, yes!”

More like, to think that the day would come when I would get to enjoy the golden setup of ‘forgetting my lunchbox, and having the girl that I’m living together with bringing it to me’!!

While I’m thoroughly basking in this sense of bliss——

“............”

The surrounding atmosphere suddenly changes.

The students, as well as the other onlookers, become astir all at the same time, and the entire hallway is enveloped in silence. Wondering what had happened, I turn around and see——

“Ah. Petrarca......I mean, Your Majesty.”

“——Umu.”

Looking all self-important while standing smack dab in the middle of the hallway is Petrarca. On top of which, there are two Imperial guards wearing swords following along behind her.

Right behind that brief moment of silence—the people become abuzz with murmurs.

“Her Majesty has arrived......!”

Leaving aside the n.o.ble children who have been studying together with her everyday at the study group——for the commoners and non-humans, Petrarca is an existence higher than the clouds. When she shows up out of the blue like this, of course they would be beside themselves.

Almost everyone quickly opened a path for her. Retreating to the walls of the hallway, the humans get down on one knee and bow their heads, while the elves and dwarves get down on both knees and express their respect.

All at once, the school hallway has become wrapped in a solemn and majesty air.

Actually, although I had discourteously almost forgotten it, but she really is the supreme ruler over an entire country.

With that, Petrarca walks among the kneeled ma.s.ses without getting worked up. Stopping in front of Miusel and myself, she nods with her usual c.o.c.ky att.i.tude.

“Looks like all’s well.”

“All thanks to you.”

I responded while smiling wryly.

Petrarca’s eyes quickly slide over towards Miusel.

“Miusel.”

“Y-, yes, Your Majesty.”

“How far have your studies come?”

“Eh? Ah, that’s——”

“I’ve already finished ‘Kanji Drill 2’ in its entirety! There’s no way you can catch up! However much you get to serve s.h.i.+nichi by his side and receive his personal tutoring, be not full of yourself!”

“Ah, yes, o-, of course......”

Miusel is bobbing her head up and down.

Petrarca frequently picks fights with Miusel on j.a.panese proficiency. Although the feeling of disdain and contempt from before is gone—above all, she’s willing to call Miusel by name now—how do I put this, she now displays a strangely antagonistic att.i.tude, to the point where I get nervous just watching it. Which is why......I cut in between the two of them, and attempt to placate Her Imperial Majesty.

“Come, come. Miusel has to take care of me, so her time for studying is quite limited. Even today, she’s been preparing since yesterday to make a lunchbox for me——”

I unconsciously loosened my expression while showing off the box that Miusel has just handed to me.

“In any event, Miusel is working very hard, which is why I——”

Right after that, I was about to say “I’m not teaching her j.a.panese because I’m showing her favoritism.”

“............”

But Petrarca is drawing her lips together and has gone quiet.

Both of her hands have been balled into fists and, for some reason, are slightly trembling. As if some sort of gauge is being filled up, it looks to me like something dangerous is being charged, causing my expression to stiffen up.

“You—You’re always taking her side!!”

Right after that, as if she’s crossed some sort of limit—she starts shouting with the force of an explosion.

Ehhhhhhhhhhh?! Who, me?!

Well, between Petrarca and Miusel, it’s true that I’m the only one who’d cover for the latter. But Petrarca is always being protected by everyone because she’s the Imperial Empress, so the difference in their circ.u.mstances are——

(——Ah.)

After my train of thought went that far, I finally understood.

It is precisely because she is the Imperial Majesty that everyone makes a fuss over her.

In actuality, she had enjoyed it that much while sitting on my knees and giving voice to her honne.

(T/N: Honne is something like 'true inner voice.' It's a j.a.panese concept of keeping up a socially acceptable facade, called the tatemae, while hiding one's true inner voice. There's a whole Wikipedia article about it.)

“I’ve built this ‘school’ for you! I’ve also lent you soldiers to build this place! Despite all that, why do you continue to slight me and only care for her?!”

“No, I’ve never slighted—”

“Silence! Have you been seduced by her?!”

“‘Seduc—How did you get to that conclusion?!”

“Eei, Miusel you peon, get out of s.h.i.+nichi’s mansion this instant!”

Petrarca suddenly said that.

On the other side, Miusel’s face has turned pale as a sheet, and her body has become stiff.

“That’s......!”

Should I call this too abrupt or too high-handed?

But how do I put it, is this possibly a scene where I’m getting girls fighting over me?

Oou. Never in my wildest dreams have I ever——

“This is bad.”

——As I lost myself in rapture, Minori-san whispers in my ear.

“s.h.i.+nichi-kun. You have to stop this immediately.”

“Eh? Nah, it’s not really——”

That big of a problem, is it?

Even though ‘leaving the mansion’ was mentioned——’leaving the mansion’?

“Don’t be silly. That mansion is only something that is being lent to us by the Eldant Empire. Miusel calls you ‘Danna-sama’ for convenience’s sake, but her true employer is the Eldant Empire. In other words, Her Majesty.”

“No but, even so, she’s only being dismissed as a maid.”

I mean, if that’s really the case, then I can just hire Miusel at the school.

She can already handle conversation at a beginner cla.s.s level, so having her as a teacher——

“It will be a dismissal with a direct ‘I am displeased with you’ from the Eldant Majesty, you know? What kind of treatment do you think she will get from everyone around her?”

“............Ah.”

Finally comprehending, I turn pale.

Exactly. This country does not have a const.i.tutional government like j.a.pan does. Here, a single word from the person of absolute authority is akin to a proclamation from a G.o.d—at least, it is so for the subjects.

As an extreme example, if Petrarca felt like it, she could kill every single person here, for no particular reason whatsoever, and have no one blame her. Having been told ‘I dislike you, so you’re fired’ in front of a whole crowd, n.o.bles and wealthy merchants would all be too afraid of Petrarca to hire Miusel. If that happens, most likely the same fate would befall us, who are spearheading the j.a.panese government’s efforts to deepen ties with the Eldant Empire.

“Your Majesty, please have mercy——”

Miusel is staggering like she has just received a death sentence.

However, it seems like this sight is only making Petrarca more and more irate, until she stamps her foot and shouts.

“Make the best of that body of yours that seduced s.h.i.+nichi and go be a prost.i.tute or something!”

“Wai—Wait a moment, Petrarca, I mean, Your Majesty!!”

Whatever the circ.u.mstances, that’s definitely going too far.

“You be silent!”

Petrarca glares at me with her face all crimson.

It seems that the brunt of her anger has s.h.i.+fted over to me. I unconsciously put myself on guard. But if this could mitigate some of the anger against Miusel and make Petrarca change her mind about the dismissal, then——

“............Gugah?!”

Abruptly.

Without any relevance whatsoever, that voice barged into the distance separating us.

It was clearly a cry of pain, and it had come from behind Petrarca.

When we turn around, wondering what had happened, the sight that greets our eyes is that of one of the knights accompanying Petrarca falling to his knees. Wait, no. He’s continuing the motion and, oh, he’s fallen facedown.

And from his back, from a crack in his light armor, there is something that appears to be the handle of a knife sprouting upwards——

“——?!”

I am so stunned that I can’t even scream.

From underneath the body of the knight that had fallen over, a dark red liquid is slowly oozing out.

“......Blood?”

With my mind unable to catch up with this sudden happening, I give voice to a befuddled mutter.

When I turn my eyes toward the other Royal Guard who is still standing, I see a curved, thin piece of something twinkling silver as it is sprouts from his chest.

It is a large, curved——sword.

In a moment that feels like time has stopped, a single drop of the red liquid coating the sword blade slowly detaches itself and falls towards the ground.

The Royal Guard is looking down at the sword growing from his own chest with an expression like he isn’t comprehending what has just happened. He had most likely been distracted by Petrarca’s tantrum. When he finally realizes the current situation, his hand reaches towards the sword hanging down at his waist——but at that moment, he loses all strength and his knees gave way.

“Wha-......wha-......”

Standing there behind where the Royal Guard used to be——is a group of three men who had approached before anyone noticed.

They are all wearing a robe with so many layers that it conceals their body contour. It is the native dress of traveling merchants from the West. In the Eldant Empire, this outfit is not rare at all.

In contrast to that, what they are holding in their hands are curved swords 50cm long with blades shaped like croissants. These weapons are small enough to be easily concealable within those heavy robes.

“Hi-......”

Someone comes back to their senses and lets out a choked-up voice.

“Hiyaaaahhhhh?!”

Immediately——just like a broken dam, screams erupt from all around. The students and children present in the hallway fall into panic and scramble towards the exit.

However, the men who had surrept.i.tiously entered the place are now standing in the way, almost as if intending to hold back the rush. One after another, they draw out swords that they had hidden on their bodies.

“Don’t move! We will cut down anyone who defies us!”

The threatening command caused more screams to go up.

What on earth. What on earth is going on?!

Instead of screaming, I’m just standing in place, dazed. Beside me though, as expected of her true profession, Minori-san responds promptly. Unholstering the 9mm handgun usually hanging from behind her waist, she holds it in both hands and raises it up to point straight at the closest intruder.

However——

“We told you not to move!”

Moving at exactly the same moment as Minori-san, one of the men wearing the native dress reaches one hand out, wraps it around Petrarca’s waist, and roughly draws her body to his. Leaving aside whether this man knows about guns or not, judging from Minori-san’s movements and facial exprssion, he was apparently able to understand that what she’s holding is a weapon.

“Oh no......!”

Along with a frustrated mutter, Minori-san averts her gun downwards.

In her line of fire, Petrarca’s and the man’s body are overlapping. If she shoots now, there’s a chance that she might hit Petrarca.

“Wha-......What do you think you are doing, you insolent fellow?!”

Having finally come back to her senses, Petrarca begins clamoring and struggling.

“If we see any sign of resistance, then Her Majesty will die!”

The man presses his blade to the young Empress’s white nape of the neck and raves.

Petrarca immediately snaps her mouth shut and becomes docile at this immediate danger to her life.

Before we knew it, we have become sandwiched by the hoodlums in both our front and back. With our escape route cut off, we are all standing in place, dumbfounded. The man who took Petrarca hostage now makes a declaration in a loud voice.

“We are——the patriotic order Baydona!!”

Everyone present gasps with fear.

In their midst——I’m the only one whose mind has yet to catch up to what is happening, and I let slip a stupefied exclamation.

“......Hah?”

The name that just screams ‘We are terrorists!’ feels so much like something out of a Z-grade movie that there’s no sense of realism at all. Actually appearing in front of me was so unexpected that it’s not quite striking home.

However——

“............”

The bodies of the dead Royal Guard lying on the floor before my eyes are, without a doubt, very real.

 

 

♥♦♣♠

 

 

 

 

 

To be honest, I don’t really remember much of what happened in the next half hour or so.

Most likely, my mind had become half-paralyzed by this shocking development. The fact that I haven’t been this dazed ever since coming to this parallel world must mean that being suddenly forced to witness someone’s death up close is that much of a shock to me.

Actually, no. That’s not exactly true. Even I have had prior knowledge of death.

When my grandfather and grandmother died, I also did partic.i.p.ate in the funeral.

However——this time is a bit different from that.

For the sake of self-profit or self-advocacy, someone has killed someone else. That is the difference.

That is, in other words—the horror instigated by the fact that the man standing there is someone capable of saying “if it’s for the sake of my own satisfaction, I don’t care who I kill.” The horror instigated by having the exact ant.i.thetical value system shoved in front of me, who has always been taught again and again that “life is weightier than the earth.” The horror instigated by this demonstration that seems to say that everything I’ve ever believed in can be easily refuted with a single stab of a blade.

“s.h.i.+nichi-kun......s.h.i.+nichi-kun?”

I finally come back to my senses at Minori-san’s insistent calling.

“Ah......ughh.”

“Are you alright? You’ve been out of it for quite a while.”

“Ah......y-, yes. I’m fine.”

I nod. There’s naught else I can do but to nod.

“This place is......”

I furtively examine our surroundings.

We are in the school’s library, which also serves as a self-study room.

To be exact, that is the intended use for this room. All of the bookshelves have already been set up, but they’ve only been filled up around half way. The plan is to gradually bring more over from my mansion and from j.a.pan. Due to that, there are empty spots here and there, emanating a strange sense of vacancy.

The view from the window is stained with orange, signifying that the day is nearly over.

And right beside that window are the ruffians wearing native dress.

Indeed. That so-called ‘patriotic order’ is currently in the same room as us.

According to Minori-san, the school grounds have become occupied by the patriotic order Baydona.

With that said, though——the grounds being as large as it is, there’s no way the order has the entire place under watch.

The group which named themselves as a patriotic order have a total of 9 people. Apparently, they are all humans.

It is physically impossible for such a small number of people to manage the entire facility, which is why they’ve gathered all the hostages in one place—the library—and bound everyone’s hands behind their back with rope.

Aside from ourselves, there are five other students and children who could not escape in time.

Opinions may differ on whether this is a lot or this is not many, but most likely, this is more than enough for the patriotic order. After all, the students are all children from n.o.ble families, and the country’s most important person, the Imperial Majesty, is within the number.

Incidentally, all of the hostages, including myself, Miusel, Petrarca, and Minori-san, are all lined up on the wall opposite the patriotic order members. If we were all grouped together, it would be like a crowd, making it hard to see what we might be doing, so this setup is for easier guarding.

“Ie, aress.h.i.+o.”

One of the patriotic order members opened their mouth in a bewildered tone of voice.

“Odo, eu, tsuppu, rereppume, teiu, re-to, seno? s.h.i.+, s.h.i.+su, retebbu, odo, tsuppu,ni, re-to, egarupu, teiu, e-to, re-chau?”

If anyone is wondering, yes, Minori-san’s and my magical rings have both been taken away.

Due to this, we can’t really tell what those guys are saying. I do recognize a few words here and there though——for example, ‘rereppume’ means ‘Majesty,’ so that’s Petrarca.

“Majesty and, other people, together, should?”

Miusel starts whispering to us.

So she’s going to translate into j.a.panese for us.

“Watching people together, another place, should?”

Ahh. In other words, that person is questioning the propriety of keeping her Majesty under watch together with all the other hostages. The value of the hostage that is Her Majesty is on a completely different level from all the others. Thus the man is asking whether she should be handled with preferential treatment.

“Eu, era, o-to, etaru, oto, ini-to, guni-teirebe, on, eu, evua-, on, ratoguse,rekurou, rofu, uin, narupu! Ti, s.h.i.+, retebbu, oto, e-tagu, rua, egatoso-, ni, eno,ekarupu, rufu, gini-kau.”

The one who answered in an annoyed voice was the blond-haired, blue-eyed man who originally took Petrarca hostage.

The man who is being called ‘Aless.h.i.+o’ by his comrades is apparently the leader.

According to Miusel’s halting interpretation——Petrarca’s visit was beyond even their expectations, so they were troubled with how to handle her presence and finally decided to lump her together with the rest of the hostages. Although having the Imperial Majesty as a hostage is extremely advantageous for them, looking at things from another point of view, this could cause the Empire side to react in a way different from their own expectations.

As an extreme example——for the sake of rescuing Her Imperial Majesty, the Empire side might employ the battle strategy of completely killing off everyone else. In that case, splitting up the hostages would work against them instead.

It seems like Aless.h.i.+o is saying something along the lines of “Stop thinking about unnecessary things at this point in time, as we don’t even have the room to split up the hostages and guard them separately.”

From what I gather, the 9 people here comprise the entirety of this ‘patriotic order,’ but——

“Ta, ina, eu, evua-, ta-to!”

So saying, Aless.h.i.+o points towards the center of the self-study room.

Lying there is a strange clump of metal that seems to give off a ‘den!’ SFX.

To be more exact, it is a metallic sphere with a roughly shoulder-width wide diameter, held in place by a wooden stand. Furthermore, there are several layers of overlapping rings around the sphere.

All it looks to me is an old-fas.h.i.+oned model of the death, but from the expression of the patriotic order members, this is apparently a very important device.

“s.h.i.+nichi, -sama......”

“Rego-bu......”

What was uttered in almost a groan came from Petrarca, who has been made to sit next to me.

Miusel also translates her words for us.

Following that, Petrarca says this.

That “They’ve brought in something unbelievable.”

“Do you know what that is, Petrarca?”

Miusel translated my question for Petrarca.

With an aggravated expression on her face, Petrarca nods.

“〈Imarufue Bisurupeguse〉.”

It is apparently a flame-type magical weapon with a name that means ‘flame of annihilation.’

A fuller explanation requires the usage of some technical jargon, so Miusel couldn’t fully translate everything, but the gist is that it is something used by armies, and in our words, is akin to a ‘bomb.’ To put it broadly, it releases a large number of extremely aggressive fire sprites, and is more than enough to blow away the entire school building.

“......For something like this, can’t magic easily take care of it?”

I asked in a low voice as a last thread of hope, but—Petrarca immediately shook her head.

“Ku-ru, ta-to.”

Petrarca jerked her chin towards Aless.h.i.+o.

According to her——the azul crystal amulet hanging from Aless.h.i.+o’s waist is what makes things tricky. When it senses magic in the surrounding area, the speckled patterns deep within would move around. In other words, no matter how quietly the chant is uttered, it would still be noticed by him immediately.

Naturally, if our side uses magic, he will interrupt it before the chant is finished——or in the worst case, he will just cut down whoever is doing the chanting.

No matter how excellent magic is, when there isn’t the time needed to use it, there’s no meaning at all. Even guns are mere lumps of metal when they cannot be fired. Incidentally, Minori-san’s 9mm handgun was seized long ago. With the way she was posing with it earlier, anyone could tell that it is some sort of weapon.

“Ahh......”

I sigh.

A mere half day earlier, everything was going so smoothly. How did things come to this?

“Doh, s.h.i.+, ta-to......”

“However, it’s strange” is what Petrarca said.

This patriotic order Baydona is a minor party even among all other anti-Empire organizations, and has no economic nor political clout to speak of. Despite that, they were able to get their hands on a ‘flame of annihilation,’ a weapon that even the Empire’s army cannot easily procure. Something is not adding up.

“......In other words, you’re saying that there must be a third party that possesses the financial ability, or the manufacturing expertise, or the weapon itself, or even all of the above, who offered the weapon to them?”

“Supa-reppu......”

After Miusel translated Minori-san’s words, Petrarca nods.

This is something that even I understand.

“...........”

The side of Petrarca’s face that I can see is looking extremely austere.

This is most likely her original face——the face of an ‘Imperial Majesty.’

How do I put this......it feels like the Petrarca who happily enjoys manga from above my knees and sulks every now and then has suddenly become a terribly far away existence. I thought I had been fully aware of the fact that she is the Imperial Majesty, but now I realize that I had never been conscious of what that specifically entails.

Unlike me, Petrarca is speaking about these terrorists so naturally that it seems almost like this is a common thing. For her, manga, or perhaps otaku culture and the chats with us, are maybe something to help her forget the savage world that she lives in, if for only a brief moment.

“——Ie.”

Suddenly, Aless.h.i.+o turns his face towards our direction.

He has eyes filled with so much hostility that I can feel it stabbing into my skin. I stiffen my facial expression with a gulp.

“E-, s.h.i.+, donimuretosamu. Gunirubu, mi-, donuora, emu.”

Aless.h.i.+o is speaking while pointing straight at me.

“Eh? What, what?!”

“s.h.i.+nichi, -sama......”

Miusel translates with a look of despair on her face.

“‘That guy, person in charge. Bring to me.’ is what he is saying.”

“Ehhhh?!”

What?! Eh? I’m——the person in charge?

Well I mean, it’s true that I’m the company president of AmuTec, but still!

Without being enlightened as to what is going on, I am seized by the collar by the men, and forcibly made to walk over.

“s.h.i.+nichi-sama!!”

Worried about me, Miusel raises her voice in a grievous tone.

But of course, the men pay her no attention whatsoever. As for me, I am violently thrown, as if I am a mere piece of baggage, before Aless.h.i.+o, who is standing with his back towards the flame-type magical weapon.

“Wai-......”

When I look up, I see that I am surrounded by the terrorists.

A fresh sense of danger crawls up my back. Any moment now, I can be stabbed through with a sword. Unlike guns, naked blades are very easily to understand, and give off a great feeling of oppression.

One of Aless.h.i.+o’s underlings begins doing something with one of my fingers.

Wait, no. It’s not ‘something,’ it’s actually——

“You b.a.s.t.a.r.d, so you’re the ringleader?”

——the magical ring.

I can understand Aless.h.i.+o’s words.

However——I might have been better off not understanding.

“‘Ringleader’?!”

That word sounds even more belligerent than just ‘person in charge.’

Almost as if I am someone who is spearheading some particularly insidious plot——

“I’m the ringleader? What——”

“After all this time, you intend to feign ignorance?”

Aless.h.i.+o raises one eyebrow in a displeased manner.

“We don’t have s.h.i.+t for eyes. This abominable facility is itself the very symbol of your sin!”

“Heh......?”

Completely not following, I knit my eyebrows together.

I don’t know how he took that, but he is now twisting his face.

“Teaching letters without distinguis.h.i.+ng between races, and furthermore forcibly having impressionable youngsters wors.h.i.+p a foreign country’s culture! Not only that, you put demi-humans and human n.o.bles in the same room and have them line up in the same line?! Inexcusable——this is an invasion of our hearts!”

“......Eh?”

For an instant, I couldn’t comprehend Aless.h.i.+o’s words.

“Indeed! For what reason do you think the distinction between races exists? Every single race has designated roles, and these designations are decisions handed down by the G.o.ds. Elves have strong magical power, but to prevent them from overpopulating, they have been given low fertility. Dwarves have frightening physical strength, enough to easily wave those gigantic battleaxes with a single hand despite their child-like height. To prevent them from establis.h.i.+ng a rule based upon pure violence, the G.o.ds have given them their short stature as a handicap in battle. And finally, although the humans are inferior in both magical power and physical strength, we excel in the power to rule. The purpose for our race is to unify and provide supervision over all other races!”

Aless.h.i.+o clenched a fist while saying all that.

Uwah~................

Rather than fear, what I’m feeling right now is more astonishment.

Never in my wildest imaginations did I expect to get a front-row seat listening to such a stereotypical and easy-to-understand speech on racial discrimination.

Actually, that’s not quite right. These are arguments that I’ve seen many times on the internet, but it’s just that they were all in a place of anonymity, posted carelessly and without any sense of responsibility whatsoever. Pretty much the same level as graffiti in toilet stalls. These are comments that can be uttered only because of the high anonymity of the internet. There are probably very few among that number who would be willing to shout out those views in the middle of town, standing among an unspecified large number of people.

The reason why he returned the magical ring to me is, in all likelihood, because he wanted to blame and disparage me for the crime of being a ‘destroyer of correct cultural values’ to my face. Naturally, he has no intention of holding a debate with me. It’s just that if the other side (me) doesn’t even understand what is being said and is just sitting in place with a blank look, the pleasure of ‘performing’ this speech would be halved.

…...I think I accidentally let those thoughts show on my face.

Aless.h.i.+o narrows his eyes and glares at me.

“What is with that face? You got something to say?”

Ah, ummm, it’s nothing.

That’s what I should have said. For self-protection’s sake.

But I, Kanou s.h.i.+nichi, who has been persecuted before for being an otaku, apparently have a switch that causes me to say the most unnecessary things at the most unnecessary moments.

“What a stereotypical spiel of ‘superior race’ ideology.”

I actually blurted those words out loud.

Uwah, what on earth am I saying?!

“What did you say?”

“Justifying things afterwards is something that even children can do. In short, what you guys want to say is ‘I’m great, because I am me,’ right? Sure, elves and dwarves aren’t humans. But based on that single point, you belittle them. Have you given any thought at all to how much you’re being blessed by their hands?”

Because I’m a guy. Because I’m a girl.

Because I’m j.a.panese. Because I’m a foreigner.

Because I’m from this certain place.

Because I’m from this certain university.

There are mountains of people who bring up a single point to make themselves seem better in comparison to deride others. And we otakus happen to be a minority who is particularly easy for such people to pick on.

That is why I absolutely hate people like that.

“It’s because you are a foreigner.”

The displeasure in Aless.h.i.+o’s eyes deepens.

“I have no idea where you people come from, but……It is indeed true that today’s prosperity may have been due in part to the presence of demi-human races. However……it is the humans who, after so many years, formed the organization called a ‘country.’ This is a great enterprise that no other race has achieved. While receiving the benefits of this blessing, is it not only natural that they should show humans respect in return?”

“.………..”

The words that Miusel said a while ago resurface in my mind.

Demi-human races with low fertility are lacking in the ability to manage and maintain large groups, and are susceptible to sudden onslaughts of famine and natural calamities.

In contrast, humans, having a far larger absolute number, store up surplus food from agricultural harvests, can maintain standing armies to fend off external enemies, and possess a strong resistance against extinction.

In other words, by entrusting their lives to the human-created organization called a ‘country,’ demi-humans can live much safer lives. That is why demi-humans obey humans, and put up with their position as inferiors. This is the current state of the Eldant Empire.

“The culture that you people are bringing in is, from the very root up, denying the history that our ancestors have built up, as well as the prosperity and privilege that naturally follows from that! You foreigners are destroying our value systems, which are based on our history. You people are invaders!”

“.………..”

Even I am dumbstruck for a moment, with my words stuck in my throat.

Indeed. Previously, Minori-san has also warned me about this.

This is a 100% feudal society.

What would happen if concepts like ‘freedom’ and ‘equality’ are suddenly introduced……

He is correct in that the otaku culture that I am trying to introduce is, by definition, a complete denial of feudalistic values. Another way of putting things is that characters like him that spout discriminatory views and support stratification of society are very nearly always the antagonist in animanga. Except for gag or satire works, no series would have a protagonist saying something like “if the commoners would just work diligently under my thumb, then all will be well.”

What otaku culture promotes is a rejection, or a rebellion, if you will, of the very fundamentals upon which feudalism stands on. If there is an outbreak of otaku works, then the people’s minds would naturally be overwritten by concepts such as ‘freedom’ and ‘equality.’

For a portion of people, this can indeed look like a ‘destruction of the existent moral system.’

Moral hazard.

No. If this is being carried out on purpose, then it is not even a ‘calamity’ anymore——

“We have to protect our ancestors’ culture and system of government from the hands of the demonic invaders.”

Aless.h.i.+o draws the sword at his waist.

My body unconsciously stiffens from the chill of the blade suddenly touching my neck.

“Before it is too late, our patriotic order will send a warning towards the Eldant Empire that allowed you people entry of the foolishness of doing so!”

“.………..”

“And for starters, I’ll begin by killing you!!”

“Danna-sama——s.h.i.+nichi-sama!!”

I hear Miusel’s scream from the direction of the group of hostages.

At this moment, right before my throat is about to be sliced open……

“Will you stop it.”

The half incredulous and half pitying voice that saved me belonged to Petrarca.

“I am amazed. Did you fools do all this just to kill s.h.i.+nichi? If so, then it was a complete fool’s errand. That one is a mere ‘accessory.’”

Those words proved even more effective than any entreaty or verbal abuse at shaking the men.

“.…..What do you mean?”

Aless.h.i.+o and his men turn toward Petrarca.

She displays a wry smile while continuing to speak.

“That one is a hire from the country j.a.pan. A gopher, if you will. Of course, so is that woman.”

Petrarca jerks her chin in Minori-san’s direction as indication.

“These two are neither j.a.pan’s ruling authority nor even n.o.bles. As such, the country j.a.pan would feel absolutely nothing even if you kill them. All they would do is merely send a new person in. Actually, no——if it was up to me, I would raise up the killed man as a ‘martyr’ to rile up the citizens. ‘These diabolic people murdered, in cold blood, a peaceful envoy who brought over mountains of entertainment. Let us never forgive these unscrupulous patriotic order b.a.s.t.a.r.ds!’—or something like that.”

“.………..!”

The men exchange looks.

After a brief hesitation, Aless.h.i.+o clicks his tongue with a very annoyed look on his face and removes the blade from my neck. He releases me roughly and shoves me back towards Miusel’s side.

“Are you alright, Danna-sama……Any injuries?!”

When I see Miusel’s face, which looks like it is about to break into tears at any moment now, it finally registers that I’d just escaped a life-threatening situation, causing all strength to leave my body. I turn around to survey the terrorists, and see them all grouped up and whispering furiously to each other. They’re most likely having a conversation about their plans from now on.

For now, I’ve been saved. That thought is strong in me, but——

“How are you holding up, s.h.i.+nichi-kun?”

Minori-san calls out to me.

But I——I am unable to look her straight in the face.

It is because I’ve realized something from Aless.h.i.+o’s and Petrarca’s words.

Could it be true that I——

“s.h.i.+nichi-kun? Are you alright?”

“.…..I’m fine, thank you.”

No, this is not the right place to bring up such questions.

For now, I shelve away my budding misgivings and ask about something else.

“Umm……Can you not request a mobilization of the special forces?”

I don’t know how it is in Eldant, but I know for a fact that the j.a.panese government side definitely has professionals of that nature. However, Minori-san expression turns sour as she answers me.

“It’s a problem of authority.”

According to Minori-san, j.a.pan’s JSDF, being as highly trained and well equipped as they are, are bound all the more by laws and red tape and what not, such that their mobilization responsiveness is extremely low.

Furthermore, this parallel world exchange is not a public affair.

Even if the special forces are to be deployed, they very likely will not arrive in time.

“Which is why we have no choice but to do something about this by ourselves.”

So said Minori-san right before saying something ridiculous.

“s.h.i.+nichi-kun. Would you bury your face in my b.r.e.a.s.t.s for a bit?”

“.…..Hah?!”

I involuntarily began doubting her sanity.

What is she saying in this situation! I’m really happy about it, though!

“Li-, like this?!”

“Yes, yes——oh, show some self-restraint, won’t you?!”

“I’m sorry.”

While apologizing, I realize that one of my cheeks is touching something really hard.

This is——

“Nnn……”

“Na hya fua fua hii fuo fue fuo fua fuan fue fu fua fuai (please don’t let out erotic moans).”

I was trying to speak with the object in question inside my mouth.

“s.h.i.+nichi?! You peon, exactly what are you doing in this time of emergency?!”

“Danna-sama……?!”

It seems like Petrarca and Miusel are having some kind of misunderstanding, but for now, there is no time to vindicate myself. I keep my head down with ‘that item’ in my mouth, and slowly drag myself behind Minori-san—uwah, doesn’t this totally look like I’m trying to bury my face in her a.s.s right after her b.r.e.a.s.t.s?!—before opening my lips after feeling my cheek touch her fingers.

“Thank you.”

Minori-san smiles.

What I had just transferred from my mouth to her hands is……a fountain pen.

However, there’s no way that what she hid inside her cleavage was a normal fountain pen.

My own body is blocking the way, so I don’t think Aless.h.i.+o and his gang can see it, but Minori-san’s fingers are now working the fountain pen——when she takes off the cap, the part of the pen that was supposed to hold ink turns out to actually be hiding a small blade slightly under 10cm long.

It is a so-called pen knife. I can’t imagine this being a JSDF-issued item, so it’s most likely her own.

“Where did you……such a thing……”

“Fufu. In preparation for circ.u.mstances like this, I took a page from Fujiko-chan and hid it between my b.r.e.a.s.t.s.”

“‘Page from Fujiko-chan’……”

I think this is a reference that the younger generation, even if they are otakus, wouldn’t get.

(T/N: Reference here is to Fujiko Mine, a professional criminal and burglar (with large b.r.e.a.s.t.s, coincidentally) from Lupin III. Her character debuted in 1967, thus s.h.i.+nichi’s comment here.)

In the first place, having already taken measures to disguise the knife, going so far as to even hide it——it’s gone past practicality into being more of a personal hobby.

“.…..Quite, um, tasteful, yes.”

“What do you mean by that?”

While continuing this banter, Minori-san uses the knife to cut a deep notch into the ropes tying my hands together. Rather than completely cutting through them, she’s only making a notch so that Aless.h.i.+o and co wouldn’t find out.

“.………..”

Petrarca’s and Miusel’s eyes are round with surprise while looking on, but of course they do not raise their voices and draw the patriotic order’s attention.

“What do you intend? Even if you get the ropes off, you’ve got nothing else.”

Petrarca lowered her voice and spoke quietly.

“.…..You’re not wrong, but……”

We are unarmed. The other side is armed.

They even have a bomb.

Furthermore, I’m not even a normal citizen; I’m only a former hikikomori. I’m not proud of it, but my hand-to-hand combat skills are nonexistent, and I don’t think I have any special powers that would conveniently activate at this time. Minori-san is a member of the JSDF, but one person against nine opponents at once might be a bit impossible……if only we had something, anything, that could be used as a weapon.

(T/N: Anyone here watched Ip Man? :P)

“——Ah. Which reminds me.”

Abruptly, something comes to mind.

“There is a way of fighting that can only be utilized in this kind of situation, isn’t there?”

“.…..What?”

Petrarca frowns in puzzlement.