Flying Objects

A mysterious flying object had suddenly streaked across the sky of the Kingdom of Inraku.

Word of the event spread like wildfire, and naturally, it wasn't long before the news reached my ears in my capacity as the country's Chancellor.

"What happened? Is this an invasion?"

I set my wine glass down on the table and stood, crossing my private study to look out the window.

The first object had already vanished beyond the horizon, but then I saw it—another one. And then another. This wasn't a solitary incident; multiple objects were screaming through the air in succession. The only logical explanation was an attack from a foreign power.

"Tch. A strike from such an extreme distance? Could the Empire’s Ninth be the only ones capable of this?"

I had deployed spies not only within our borders but throughout neighboring nations as well. Not a single one of them had reported that another country was mobilizing for war.

Are they hiding it from me? No, that should be impossible. And yet, the fact remains that we are under fire. Where is it coming from...? No, I need to gather intelligence first.

I didn't give a damn about the potential casualties; my mind was focused entirely on the nature of the enemy.

"Knot! Get in here!"

The door swung open immediately, and Knot stepped into the room.

"You called, Father?"

"Investigate those flying objects from a moment ago."

"Understood. I'll head out at once."

Knot wore his usual flippant expression, but he nodded obediently to my command.

"Take Marco with you. I want to know exactly what those things are and exactly where they were launched from."

"I’m more than enough on my own, you know. But fine. I’m going."

As soon as Knot stepped out, I turned toward the empty air and spoke.

"You heard the boy. Go and investigate for yourselves."

"Are you sure about that?" a voice drifted from the darkness.

"There is a possibility they are behind this. As are you, for that matter."

"Suspicious as always, I see."

"Just get moving and find out what's happening."

"I have already looked into it. A Mysterious Tower has appeared a short distance from the Royal Capital."

The Shadow’s report was so nonsensical that I reflexively questioned him.

"What do you mean? Give me the details."

"The specifics are still unclear, but it appears to be a tower of unusual construction—perhaps the site of some strange ritual."

"An unusual construction?"

"Yes. Perhaps because it was launched in separate segments, the tower is currently leaning at a precarious angle. It is swaying so violently it looks as though it might collapse at any moment."

"I see. So it’s a mere facade. In that case, the tower itself is of little concern. Focus your investigation on why they chose to erect it in that specific location."

"Understood. I shall go at once."

The presence of the Shadow vanished, and I turned my gaze back to the window.

A ritual involving a tower... there should be several precedents for that. Perhaps it's time I did some research of my own.

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[Comicalization Information]

The series has launched in "Wednesday Sirius." The comicalization is currently being published on Nico Nico Manga and Comic DAYS. Please come and take a look.