“They should’ve just handed those black ledgers over sooner,” I muttered.
My wife replied, “It was likely insurance to prevent a massacre of their people. If they were hoarding evidence like that, even Hashimoto’s own retainers must have turned on him long ago.”
“I'll have to be careful myself.”
“You're a soldier, Lord Groom. No one expects much from you in the way of domestic administration, so you'll be fine.”
How cruel. I can do internal governance, too! Believe in me! I probably can!!!
The next day, we headed to the Zork War Memorial Service.
It was a massive event for the Empire and the military. Attendance was mandatory for everyone at the Imperial Officer Academy, except for Melissa, who was currently in the Viscount Territory.
Initially, Walter had made the idiotic proposal that all Imperial nobles must participate, but it was rejected on the grounds that “the current Imperial spaceports do not have that much capacity!”
Apparently, it would have been impossible even if they mobilized every single spaceport, including military facilities. Besides, nobles whose territories were currently being invaded had no time for ceremonies. There were still many systems in the middle of active combat! He has no heart at all.
Honestly, Walter is such a socially oblivious brat. It’s things like this that erode loyalty.
In that sense, Veronica—who was raised in the Inner Palace where the constant reading of hidden motives is a way of life—was much better at this. I was fine since I had my ceremonial military uniform, but she had carefully chosen an outfit that perfectly complemented mine.
The ceremony was held in a large park containing an event space owned by the Empire. I spotted Nina and Ren attending as representatives for their territory; I could see them sitting in the lords' seating area.
Veronica and I were seated in the section filled with military bigwigs. Man, I felt totally out of place. But not a single person sneered or looked down on me. Rather, the atmosphere suggested that it was perfectly natural for me to be sitting there.
The ceremony began.
A monk offered up prayers. Perhaps because it was too much trouble for the creators to invent something new, the Empire’s religion was a bizarre blend of Buddhism and various other faiths found in old Japan. It felt very much like a ‘space opera’ religion. The clerical robes were even glowing in vibrant, gaming-peripheral colors. Then again, I don’t know much about real Buddhism anyway, so that was about the only thing I could nitpick.
After the chanting finished, Prince Thomas began his speech. For some reason, these kinds of speeches always seem to go in one ear and out the other. I didn’t absorb a word of it. At any rate, I gathered the gist was: “We won thanks to their sacrifice! Glory to the Empire!”
Once the ceremony ended, a social gathering was scheduled at a hotel. Since the military top brass were gathered, we were planning to discuss future operations. Unlike Walter’s little social club, this was a serious conference.
I made to leave the venue to move to the hotel. On the way out, I spotted Alexia next to Walter. The two of them were wearing outfits that were merely black—hardly mourning attire—showing a total lack of regard for the occasion. They stood out in the worst way possible.
However, it was more the fault of the people around them who failed to stop them than their own responsibility. Perhaps the Civil Official Faction has no decent talent left. In that respect, the military faction is much easier. You can't be fashionable, but as long as you wear the military ceremonial uniform, you’re in the clear.
While glancing at the strange pair, Veronica and I moved through the crowd. For a single heartbeat, my eyes met Alexia’s.
A chill ran down my spine.
I instantly shoved Veronica’s head down and shielded her with my own body.
The first attack was a simple bullet. Its muzzle velocity was slower than a military-grade rifle. Was it handmade? Without me even needing to dodge, it buried itself in the plywood floor near where we had been sitting.
But the second attack was the problem.
There was no sound, only pure malice. At that moment, the rest of the crowd finally noticed the sound of the first gunshot.
“Lord Groom!”
“Keep your head down!”
An instant later, something pierced me.
Damn it!
It was a spine. A projectile carved from a hardened Zork shell had buried itself in my shoulder.
“Captain!”
The veteran Brigadier General standing beside me reacted. As expected of a high-ranking officer, he tackled me to the ground and covered us both.
A dull thud echoed. A spine was now stuck in the Brigadier General's back.
The Secret Service was a fraction of a second too late. They arrived just after the Brigadier General had shielded us. I had a terrible premonition.
“D-Don't come any closer!” I managed to shout.
But my warning didn’t reach them. The four Secret Service members were instantly shredded. I couldn't even see the trajectory of the attacks. Screams erupted from every direction, and I saw a large number of police rushing toward us.
Where is it? Where the hell is it hiding?
It’s not Alexia! There’s another attacker!
I activated my shield just as Huma had instructed. Even so, that alone might not be enough to save me. I needed a better move.
That was it!
I cast Slow on the immediate area. It was an ESP ability that decelerated everything in my vicinity. I used it for defense, and it was the right call. The attacker's spines slowed to a crawl the moment they entered my range.
I flung them back with Psychokinesis. The spines struck something. A humanoid figure shimmered into view as its optical camouflage failed.
I would’ve been dead if I hadn't awakened as a Sage. I yanked the spine from my own shoulder and hurled it with telekinetic force. A direct hit! It buried itself in the enemy’s chest.
I held out my hand toward one of the fallen Secret Service agents. “Come!”
The agent's handgun flew into my grip. I squeezed the trigger. A live round took the attacker in the head, and they collapsed into silence.
“Wifey, are you safe?”
“Yes... I am unharmed...”
The arriving police approached the fallen attacker with their guns drawn.
“I-It's a woman! Call a medic!” a policeman shouted.
“The Brigadier General is down!” I bellowed, and we were immediately surrounded by police and military officers.
“Hey, stop the bleeding, Scott! Don't you dare die on me! I won't forgive you if you die!” a high-ranking officer—likely a Major General—roared.
Another veteran shouted at me, “Leo! Get Her Highness to safety! Leave this to us! You’re the trump card of this war. Don't you dare die!”
In the heat of the emergency, their language was rough, but I didn’t mind.
“Let's go!”
I pulled Veronica along, heading for the exit. We soon regrouped with Piggett and the rest of the Imperial Guard who had come to reinforce us. They looked at me and recoiled in shock.
I must have looked like a demon.
I definitely won't forgive them this time. They’ve really crossed the line.