An Isekai-Style Valentine

Alexia lay back on her pristine bed, looking up at her sister’s perpetually serious face.

"I think I’ve got the gist of it," Iris said, seated firmly by the bedside. "The Slasher Incident wasn't the work of Shadow Garden, but some other group masquerading as them."

"That’s what Shadow told me."

"Shadow, huh... In the end, we’re still no closer to figuring out who they really are." Iris looked down, her expression clouded with thought. "During that Royal Capital Simultaneous Attack Incident, I confirmed the presence of an incredibly powerful Spellsword who seemed to be a member of Shadow Garden."

"She called herself Alpha, right?"

Iris nodded. "Other reports confirm the same: this organization possesses terrifying combat potential. Thanks to your report, we finally have a name for the man—Shadow—and the group—Shadow Garden. But that’s where the trail goes cold. Everything else is a complete mystery. We don't even know what they’re after."

"Shadow was fighting the Cult of Diabolos. Isn't it likely their goal involves the Cult?"

"The Cult of Diabolos is our only lead, then..." Iris let out a weary sigh.

"Sister...?"

"I used to think they were just some fringe religious group that worshipped Demon Diabolos, but their roots go much deeper than I ever imagined."

"Is this about the Arson Incident?"

"That’s part of it. But the reality is that the Crimson Order’s budget proposal was just rejected. It looks like I’ll be funding our operations out of my own pocket for the foreseeable future."

Alexia’s brow furrowed. "Does that mean the Cult has people in the civil government as well as the Knight Order?"

"I can't say for sure. They could be Cult members, or they might just be puppets bought with the Cult's gold. My methods for establishing the Order were... aggressive, let’s say, so I’m not in much of a position to complain."

"I can help with the money."

Iris offered a dry, thin smile. "I appreciate the thought, but you know how many people are actually in the Crimson Order, right?"

"Eight."

"Exactly. Just eight. My personal assets can keep us afloat for a decade without breaking a sweat."

"But you won't be able to grow the Order like that."

"There’s no point in expanding right now anyway. We still can't tell our allies from our enemies."

"Sister, um..." Alexia looked up at Iris, biting back her hesitation. "Who is the real enemy of the Crimson Order? Shadow Garden, or the Cult of Diabolos?"

Iris’s answer was immediate and accompanied by a sharp smile. "Both. As long as they're in this kingdom, I won't allow either to run rampant."

"Sister... you mustn't fight Shadow." Alexia’s hands tightened around her bedsheets.

"Alexia, are you still on about that...?"

"You only say that because you haven't seen him! You saw that strike that dyed the night sky of the Royal Capital! You must have!"

"The official conclusion was that it was a runaway Artifact."

"That’s wrong! I saw it! I saw Shadow release that power with my own eyes!"

Iris leaned in, her gaze locking onto Alexia’s crimson eyes. "Alexia, that wasn't the kind of power a human being can produce. You were in captivity for days; your memory was hazy, and you were likely hallucinating from whatever drugs they pumped into you. I’m not saying you’re a liar. I’m saying you were exhausted."

"Sister!"

Iris took Alexia’s hands in hers. "And even if a man named Shadow really did do that, I can't just run away. If I turn tail, who's left to protect this country?"

"Sister..."

Iris patted Alexia’s hair and stood up. "Just get some rest and let your wounds heal."

"...I’ll help you as soon as I’m better."

"That won't be necessary."

"Eh?"

"I forgot to mention: you’re on suspension for the time being."

"What?!"

"Theft of evidence." Iris produced a Red Pill, leaving Alexia gaping like a fish. "Take this time to reflect on what you've done."

The door clicked shut with a definitive thud.

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CID

I’m being watched.

The moment I stepped into class, I felt the weight of a dozen stares. Everyone was huddled in groups, whispering about me.

"Look, that’s him."

"The guy who let it rip while he was running..."

"I heard he did it right in the middle of the street to show off."

I cut a glare toward Hyoro and Jaga, both of whom suddenly found the floor very interesting.

"Y-Yo. Sorry about your... disaster yesterday."

"G-Good morning. Yesterday sure was rough, wasn't it?"

"Yeah, morning. Though I have a feeling today is going to be the real trial."

The two of them gave me synchronized, twitchy smiles. I let out a massive sigh.

"Anyway, did you bring the chocolates from yesterday?"

Hyoro pulled out a wrapped bundle. "Got 'em right here."

"I brought mine too," Jaga added.

"I've got mine... just in case," I said.

"Alright. Lunch break is when we launch Operation Present!"

"Hehe, I can't wait."

"Right."

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Lunchtime rolled around.

Hyoro insisted on "showing us how a pro does it," so we tagged along. We ended up at a second-year classroom. Hyoro took his position in the hallway while we hung back to watch the master at work.

"Going for an upperclassman, huh? Hyoro’s got guts."

"He sure does."

A few moments later, a cute-looking girl walked out.

"U-Um, excuse me. This is for you—"

Just as Hyoro held out the chocolate, a massive hand clamped onto his shoulder. A hulking, muscle-bound upperclassman was looming over him like a thunderstorm.

"Hey. You got business with my fiancée?"

"Ah... no, I, uh..."

"Why don't we go somewhere quiet so you can tell me all about it?"

We ignored Hyoro’s desperate, pleading eyes and did a synchronized 180-degree turn.

"Time to go."

"Agreed."

Hyoro’s muffled screams echoed down the hall behind us.

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Jaga’s destination was the library. The facility is shared with the Academy for Arts and Sciences, so it’s pretty massive. Naturally, the meatheads from the Academy for Spellswords never set foot in here. Neither do I, usually.

"So, you’re targeting a student from the other academy?"

"Precisely. I won't make the same mistake as Hyoro. I’ve done my homework. I know her social circle, her favorite foods, her Dormitory room number, which stall she uses in the restroom, her shoe size, her scent, her underwear color, her three sizes, and I even have a collection of her used paper cups—"

"I’ve heard enough. Just go."

I shoved Jaga into the library and walked away without bothering to wait for the inevitable.

"KYAAAAAA!! STALKER! THERE’S A STALKER!!"

The scream erupted almost instantly.

I strolled along, swinging my bag of chocolate. I never come around the library, so the scenery felt fresh. I spotted a girl from the Academy for Arts and Sciences walking toward me and decided to get this over with.

"Here, have some chocolate."

"Huh?"

She was a total knockout with pink hair. I shoved the bag into her hands and made a break for it before things could get weird.

"Wait? What? Huh?"

I heard her confused voice fading into the distance. I feel like I’ve seen her face somewhere before... oh well, probably just a background character.