I headed for the exit, bringing along Lord Eyens and his men, as well as Prince Min and Princess Shiyun.
"Taikyoku Nation soldiers are converging on our previous path. The subway is still the better bet."
Their bloodlust was through the roof.
"What about the Latarnia soldiers?"
"They're clashing outside. If we emerge now, it might trigger an all-out war."
I wouldn't particularly mind if the Taikyoku Nation and Latarnia entered an all-out war in their current state, but... if the Galactic Empire was the one to pull the trigger, it would be like dragging my wifey's name through the mud.
Wifey would probably forgive me with a "It can't be helped~," but I didn't want that.
A truly capable Grand Duke shouldn't engage in combat that way.
"We'll leave via the subway. Lead the way!"
"Roger."
As for the people who had been thrashed by the Beast Race, they were left roughly bound with whatever materials were lying around.
They were unconscious, but they'd wake up eventually.
A quick check showed they were Ghoul-negative.
In other words, the infection hadn't trickled down to the lower ranks yet.
I suspected that once they'd finished off Min and Shiyun, these soldiers were intended to be framed as the Imperial Family Murderers and executed.
Or perhaps they'd claim to have executed them while actually taking over their bodies for reuse?
If I were a Ghoul who had infiltrated the Taikyoku Nation, that's almost certainly what I would do.
I'd probably lead the way toward a total clan massacre while ensuring my own safety.
The more usable bodies they acquired, the more an advantage the Ghouls held.
I had to think about it like a game.
Reading the opponent's cards—that kind of game-like intuition was truly vital.
Though I'd likely get a scolding if I ever said that out loud.
Thinking along those lines, was there a specific reason they hadn't taken over the lower ranks yet?
Or were they just low-productivity parasites?
That wasn't for me to worry about.
I'd just put it in the Incident Report. Division of labor was important.
We stepped out onto the subway tracks.
The drainage ditch for groundwater was packed with a massive amount of discarded cigarettes, causing a backup.
Filthy water was overflowing everywhere.
The quality of the maintenance crew here seemed abysmal.
The subway's High-voltage Lines appeared to be severed, meaning no electricity was flowing.
It was clear that the Taikyoku Nation's primary energy source was electricity.
There was no compatibility with our galaxy, but the technological framework was similar.
The power generation methods differed slightly, but in the end, everything ran on electricity.
I suppose that's the standard if you haven't acquired convenient future technology.
The lighting was dead.
It was total darkness.
I toggled my night vision device and pressed forward.
Technically, flashlights offered better visibility, but when dealing with humanoids, it was better to launch a preemptive strike from the shadows.
Besides, we were capable of silent close-quarters takedowns.
We moved along at a brisk pace.
Soon, we spotted the enemy. Four of them.
We confirmed the plan via Hand Signs.
[Charge]
[Roger]
And so it went.
Eddie and I charged.
We used rear naked chokes to take them down silently.
I really wanted to be able to pull off a proper Neck Chop.
When I'd tried to practice the Neck Chop before, the neck of the practice mannequin had snapped clean off... even though it was made of metal.
Eddie finished his choke too.
We roughly bound the two victims and left them behind.
As for the other two, Eddie and I lunged and took them out with standard punches.
I was quite good at stripping away consciousness with a single blow.
We finally located the service exit used by workers.
I'd contact the Latarnia army and have them pick us up.
I deactivated the night vision and stepped outside.
The sensation of the dazzling natural light was a relief.
"Phew."
Shiyun, who had been carried by Melissa, approached me.
"Want to hold hands?"
"Yes."
Shiyun looked down as she spoke.
She was being shy; it was adorable.
I'd always wanted a younger sister like this... my Junior Sisters back home are way too energetic... I'd never encountered such an orthodox, sweet girl before!
Prince Min watched the scene and smiled.
There was something about Prince Min... he seemed far too mature for his age.
When I was that age, the only thing I ever thought about was food.
Well, I'd have to teach him some bad habits later.
Like soccer, baseball, manga, and video games.
The Latarnia transport ship came into view.
Alright, mission complete... or so I thought.
Suddenly, I felt bloodlust radiating from all directions.
Of course!
This was their final chance, after all!!!
They were coming!!!
The bloodlust was directed at me... no!
I scooped up Shiyun and dodged.
"Captain!"
A beam grazed past.
This was bad! Prince Min!
But the source of the bloodlust was concentrated entirely on Shiyun.
I moved to protect her.
Dammit! With beam weapons, I couldn't even catch a bullet to intimidate them!
"W-What?! What is that monster!"
"He's dodging the beams!!!"
"The beams aren't hitting his comrades, either!"
Ah, so it did have an effect.
Then, the Latarnia ship arriving for the rescue broadcasted a warning.
"These individuals are employees of the Latarnia Bank!!! Cease your fire at once!"
No, that was a massive stretch, no matter how you looked at it.
Because regardless of Shiyun, Prince Min was clearly wearing traditional royal attire.
...Wait, is that it?
"Shiyun... are you actually the Third Prince?"
No, there was no way I could mistake the skeletal structure of a girl.
No matter how I looked at her, she was a girl!
While I was caught in my confusion, the Taikyoku Nation side shouted a warning back at us.
"You are suspected of harboring Terrorists! Surrender immediately!!!"
Lies.
You opened fire without warning.
That excuse won't fly.
Are they morons?
"Ha... Hahahaha! So I've been caught! This Unprecedented Great Villain, the Pirate Eyens, shall neither run nor hide! If you wish to recover the Taikyoku Nation Third Prince Min, then try and defeat me!!!"
For some reason, Old Man Eyens shouted in a grand, theatrical voice.
He drew his sword.
"Leo-sama. Please, I entrust Shiyun-sama to you."
The pirates charged toward the Taikyoku Nation soldiers.
"Come! Let us settle the grudge of my clan right here and now!!!"
Without fully grasping the situation, I carried Shiyun and began to retreat.
Eddie grabbed Prince Min and ran alongside me.
I didn't understand what was happening at all!
What was the meaning of this?!
"Grand Duke Leo! Head straight for the Operation Point! Latarnia will extract you!"
We hurried toward the Operation Point designated by the Latarnia forces.
I didn't understand any of it!!!
But Lord Eyens and his pirates had staked their lives on this.
If they were willing to go that far, I had to live up to their expectations.
The sound of gunfire erupted behind us.
This would likely be the last time I'd ever see Lord Eyens.
Shiyun was trembling in my arms.
"I... I never wanted this."
"Please, cherish Lord Eyens's resolve."
The Latarnia ship loomed ahead.
Suddenly, Prince Min leaped out of Eddie's arms.
H-Hey!!!
"Prince Min!!!"
"Do not mind me!!! I... I was born to die here!!!"
"N-No! Min! I forgive you! So please, live!!!"
Shiyun screamed.
Prince Min turned and offered a small smile.
"Sister... it was only for a week, but I was happy."
We were out of time.
The Latarnia transport ship's hatch was open.
Even then, we might not make it.
Eddie sprinted with everything he had to go back for him.
But it was mathematically impossible...
"Eddie, it's no use!!!"
Isono grabbed Eddie, stopping him.
Eddie's face contorted in agony as he was forced to run into the transport ship.
We scrambled aboard.
The Taikyoku Nation had deployed Armored Vehicles.
This was a blatant treaty violation, and beyond that, it was an absurd display of excessive force.
Stop it, you idiots!
My ability couldn't reach him.
That was the limit of the Jester's Ability.
It failed when the target themselves truly desired death.
Despair, the Zork Mother, even the Proone...
When the individual or the entire species sought their own end, there was nothing I could do.
As long as they didn't desire death, a Reconciliation Route was always possible.
That was why only the children of the Proone had survived.
For Min, who desired his own death from the very depths of his soul, I had no means of salvation.
"Dammit! Isono, you bastard!!!"
Eddie lunged at Isono.
"Stop it, Eddie... My ability didn't trigger. I couldn't save him... not from the very start..."
Claire rubbed my back in silence.
Melissa was punching the floor of the transport ship, tears streaming down her face.
"Shiyun... tell me the truth."
Shiyun nodded slowly.