138: Operation Full Moon, the Big Day

High noon in the Kingdom of Carlos.

The ball wasn't scheduled to start until tonight, but "we" had already slipped into the country.

Since Nobless Academy was on holiday, the timing worked out perfectly; there had been no need to go through the headache of applying for leave.

It had been a short window of time, but we had spent every second of it crammed with intensive training.

In the process, I’d finally managed to steel my own resolve.

And as for these guys...

"Duke, that’s my meat, you thief!"

"Shut it! You can just order another one!"

"Honestly, you two, cut it out already!"

Allen, Duke, and Shari.

"Food always tastes so much better when you're eating with friends! Carta-san, pass the salad!"

"Y-yes. It’s certainly... lively, isn't it?"

"I think this sweet sauce is the absolute best."

Tura, Carta, and Olynn.

"Weiss, you have a little sauce on your mouth. Wipe-wipe."

"Cynthia-san, you’re actually saying the sound effects out loud again."

Cynthia, Lilith, and me.

And finally—

"Well, things usually go better when you’re relaxed, so maybe this is for the best."

Cecil met my eyes and offered a small, knowing smile.

If this operation failed, expulsion would be the least of our worries. Not only would we be stripped of our nobility, but we’d likely be hunted down as high-profile criminals.

Yet, looking at them, you’d think they hadn't given that possibility a single thought.

I mean, I was grateful, I really was, but...

Seriously, do these guys have any sense of tension at all...?

I didn't know if I should be impressed by the caliber of Nobless Academy students, or if this was just the reality of being around the main cast of Noblesse Oblige.

Just then, Allen called out my name.

"It’s okay, Weiss. We all understand what’s at stake. I mean, I’m just a commoner, so my resolve is probably a bit different from yours... but I think our hearts are in the same place. We believe in you. Besides, even if everything goes south, I feel like as long as we’re all together, it’ll still be fun."

The bastard actually said it. With a straight face. Immediately, everyone else chimed in, nodding along and agreeing that "going down together" didn't sound so bad.

Good grief. You pathologically positive, reckless protagonist bastard.

Always trying to look so cool.

Still, I had to admit, his words probably hit me harder than anything else could have.

However, the linchpin of this whole plan was Lilith.

Infiltrating the castle was a capital offense in its own right. No matter the reason, there would be no forgiveness if she were caught.

"Lilith, I’m counting on you."

"Yes, please leave it to me."

That day, Lilith looked more dependable than I had ever seen her.

---

The full moon of Noblesse Oblige was red and massive.

It loomed over the night as if it were the very symbol of this otherworldly realm.

Duke had already taken up his guard post near the castle.

Cecil was stationed on a high vantage point overlooking the entire capital, with Carta positioned a bit early atop a designated gate to provide support.

Lilith was already in the middle of her infiltration, but since the area around the castle was crawling with mana-sensitive mages, we couldn't risk contacting her unnecessarily.

When the scheduled time arrived, we each moved to our respective gates.

Ironically, the night sky was gorgeous. The stars were stunning.

"Well then, Weiss, I shall see you again later."

"Yeah. Stay safe, Cynthia."

Allen and Shari were at the most likely exit. They had already set their traps.

Even a seasoned Guard Knight would have a hard time sniffing them out.

【 Operation start. I received word from Lilith-san that the princess's carriage has departed. Six Guard Knights. Now then... let's go be the bad guys. 】

Cecil’s Internal Announcement echoed in my head.

I couldn't help but let a smirk slip.

I was currently hunkered down behind a roof near the North Gate.

【 Allen, Shari. South Gate: all clear. 】

【 Tura, Olynn. East Gate: all clear. 】

【 Cynthia, Carta. West Gate: all clear. 】

I could communicate with Cecil, but the rest of us couldn't hold a two-way conversation with each other.

However, I could hear their reports being relayed.

The carriage hadn't reached me yet, so I was about to report that everything was clear on my end—but then, I spotted a white-horse carriage that stood out like a sore thumb.

The North Gate was supposed to be the least likely route, but that was undoubtedly the princess’s carriage.

It’s the North! Everyone, get over here!

I just needed to wait for backup and we could snag the princess together.

But then, to my horror, more voices came through.

【 South Gate! Carriage spotted! 】 【 Confirmed at the East Gate! 】 【 One has arrived at the West Gate as well! 】

...What the hell was going on?

Dammit, this wasn't part of the plan. I see—the Princess must have had her life targeted several times before, so they were using decoys.

The Original Story hadn't mentioned a single word about this!

Don't panic. Deep breaths. The objective is still the same.

I immediately sent a message to Cecil.

Change of plans! We have to get as close as possible and use Mana Sense to find the real princess. Unlike the Guard Knights, the princess’s mana pool is tiny. We should be able to tell the difference instantly. Cecil, any other ideas? Duke, Lilith, anything?

【 ...Relayed. No word from those two yet. No objections to the change. It’s a bit of a gamble, but let’s go with Fansent-kun’s plan. It’s fine. We can do this. 】

But the problems didn't stop there.

If they had exited straight through the North Gate, I could have intercepted them on the bridge. I had planned to investigate while pretending to be a passerby, but the carriage suddenly veered off the main path.

They were planning to take a massive detour. I wouldn't be able to just "pass" them at this rate.

"...Guess I have no choice."

I hurried ahead of them, pulling a black hood over my face. I had already changed my clothes for the occasion.

Then, I stepped out and stood directly in the carriage's path.

Six Guard Knights. I could feel a staggering amount of mana from each of them. They spotted me and drew their swords in an instant.

"Who goes there?! State your business!"

"Hey! Get back!"

"Draw your steel! Everyone, ready your mana!"

In 그 moment, I flared my Mana Sense to its limit. I had to know.

If she wasn't inside, I’d retreat immediately.

But then, I felt it—a faint, delicate mana signature coming from inside the carriage. The Original Story had mentioned the princess possessed the Light element.

This signature felt just like Sierra’s light.

I tried to contact Cecil immediately, but perhaps because I had chased them further than I realized, there was no response.

Six knights. Every one of them was likely a competent mage.

I couldn't injure them, and I certainly couldn't let them find out who I was.

I was out of time.

"—Blessing of Healing and Impulse of Destruction."

I deployed a magic circle beneath my feet.

Despite the absolute insanity of the situation, I realized I was smiling.

Ah. I got it now.

I could feel it more clearly than ever before.

Weiss... you bastard, you're actually enjoying this, aren't you?

How I moved, how I fought—it was all clicking.

But thanks to that, I was certain of one thing.

The Demon Race was definitely coming.

If that was the case, then snatching the princess here was the only thing that mattered.

If I had to become a grand criminal to do it, then so be it.