"Since the prince is moving to the Royal Capital ahead of schedule, it looks like the princess’s security detail is going to be thinner than usual."
Inside a conference room at Nobless Academy, Duke spoke while pointing his finger at a handmade map spread across a large table.
These classrooms operated on a reservation basis, but they were available to anyone who filled out the paperwork. Cynthia had mentioned once that she’d used this room for a "girls' night" before.
Gathered here now were Cecil, Duke, Allen, Shari, Cynthia, Lilith, and me. Using the intel Duke had secured in advance, we were currently trying to calculate the most likely route for the princess’s carriage.
"I hate to poke holes in the plan, but can I say something?"
Shari raised her hand. She was sitting next to Allen, while Cynthia and Lilith were flanking me.
"Go ahead. I want to hear it."
"The Attendant Knights are supposed to be the best of the best, right? I have a feeling they’re way stronger than us. Is it really necessary for us to draw them away?"
Our plan was to "kidnap" the princess from her carriage or some other point along the route. Shari’s concern was perfectly valid. The problem was, I knew her logic didn't apply here.
In the Original Story, those Guard Knights are about as useful as a screen door on a submarine.
Of course, I was the only one who knew that.
"On paper, sure, they’re strong. But they aren't expecting a direct assault from the Demon Race. A battle that starts with a lapse in judgment effectively cuts your combat power in half—actually, probably more than that."
"Shari, I honestly think we're stronger than those knights anyway," Allen added, radiating confidence.
Spoken like a true protagonist. He had that "I can do anything" aura down to a science.
"Well, I’m with you there," Duke chimed in. "Knights are a mixed bag. But even so, are we really dealing with a member of the Demon Race capable of slipping past the Attendant Knights' notice?"
"Weiss, do you have any idea what kind of scale we're looking at?" Cynthia asked.
"…No, I don't. It could be just the Demon Race, or they might bring monsters along for the ride."
"If we’re worried about civilians, we should probably try to expand our defensive perimeter…"
Allen was already fretting over the potential collateral damage to commoners. I really didn't have an answer for him. The events were recorded like historical facts in my head, but the nitty-gritty details were fuzzy.
I was grateful for Allen's help, but it also made me incredibly nervous. The guy was just too good a person. If things went south and civilians started getting hurt, I had no idea how he’d react.
…Wait, no, it’ll be fine.
Allen's actions were the actions of a Hero. Even if things looked grim, they wouldn't necessarily backfire. If anything, leaving things to him might be the safest bet. Lilith had achieved her awakening while she was with him, after all. "Protagonist Miracles" were a staple of the genre.
Cecil added a final note. "I understand Allen-san’s concerns, but for now, let’s focus on how to divert the knights' attention."
We went back and forth for a while, but it was tough. It was starting to look like a brute-force breakthrough was our only option. However, we still needed someone inside the castle to track the princess's movements before she even reached the carriage. We had to confirm she was actually in the castle.
That was when Lilith spoke up.
"I’ll sneak in and relay information to Cecil-san until the last possible second."
It was a vital role. It was also suicide.
Lilith, however, refused to budge.
"I can do it. No—I’m the only one who can. I have the confidence to see it through. Please, leave it to me."
If anyone could pull it off, it was the Silent Murderous Intent (Silent Witch).
I hesitated, but Lilith’s eyes were filled with absolute resolve. The only thing I could do was offer my thanks.
"I'm sorry for putting this on you, Lilith."
"Please, do not apologize. For your sake, Weiss-sama, I would go anywhere."
She seemed even more self-assured than before.
"Lilith, don't push yourself too hard, okay?" Cynthia added softly.
"Thank you, Cynthia-san."
Our strategy session dragged on deep into the night.
City Area B.
After our usual classes ended, the team gathered to train for the mission. We ran through every conceivable attack, trap, and monster encounter we could think of.
But the problems were piling up faster than we could solve them. And one issue overshadowed everything else.
We were hopelessly short-handed.
The Royal Capital has four main gates: North, South, East, and West. We wouldn't know which one the carriage would use until the moment it departed. The Ball was closest to the South Gate, but there were rumors they might take a long detour just to be safe.
Lilith would be busy infiltrating the castle, so she was out. Duke would be leaking info while tied up with his own guard duties. That left Cecil to provide a bird's-eye view from the highest clock tower.
That meant the actual interceptors were just me, Cynthia, Shari, and Allen. One person per gate.
If we split up like that, we’d each have to fight the knights alone.
This is beyond dangerous.
Even if a member of the Demon Race showed up, we’d have to fend them off while simultaneously protecting the princess. To be honest, the odds were terrifying.
But then—
"Weiss-dono, we are late. My apologies."
"I’m late too—!"
"Sorry to keep you waiting. Oh, looks like everyone’s already here."
Tura, Olynn, and Carta walked into the training area.
I stared at them, my jaw practically hitting the floor. Cynthia and the others ran over as if they’d been expecting them, offering their thanks.
Why are they here?
Carta took a step forward.
"What are you guys doing here—?" I started.
"Weiss-kun, do you remember? The first time you ever spoke to me?"
"…Yeah."
"Back then, you told me that you could find a use for me. You told me to make sure I used you just as well."
"…I did."
"I survived because of you, Weiss-kun. I don't feel like I've even come close to paying that debt back yet."
The voice, the stance… the spineless coward I’d first met was nowhere to be found.
Still, I had to protest. "Do you realize what you’re saying? If this goes wrong, you’ll be expelled from Nobless Academy. You might even end up as a wanted fugitive."
"I don't care. Being part of this… it makes me happy."
Are you kidding me? Why is everyone so dramatic?
"Me too," Olynn chimed in. "When you came to save me in the Forest of the Undead, Weiss-kun… I was so happy."
"I feel the same," Tura added. "I would have died in that fight against the Pseudo-Demon. I still owe you my life."
Both of them looked at me with unwavering gazes. Duke reached out and slapped a hand on my shoulder.
"Man, you sure are popular, Weiss. Well, this solves our problem. Now we can put two people at every gate. Wait… one, two, three… are we still one short?"
"I’ll be fine on my own," I said. "Actually, let me handle one. I need to do at least that much. …Thanks, everyone."
I had managed to find some truly incredible allies. There was no doubt about that. And with my current strength, I should be able to hold a gate solo.
"Hearing Weiss say 'thank you'?" Shari whispered. "I’m expecting members of the Demon Race to start falling from the sky any minute now."
"Shari, that’s a bit much, even for a joke," Allen laughed. "Though I agree, it’s definitely a shock."
With that, the general plan was set.
Lilith would track the princess inside the castle. Duke would feed us info while on guard duty. Cecil would take the high ground for reconnaissance. Allen and Shari would take the South Gate. Since that was the most likely route, we decided Shari’s traps made her the best fit. Tura and Olynn would take the East Gate. Carta and Cynthia would take the West Gate. Since the odds were lowest there, I’d take the North Gate alone.
We had about one week until the Day of the Great Full Moon. We’d hammer out the finer details as we went.
I was going to win. I’d crush the Demon Race, and I’d crush this "Noblesse Oblige" script once and for all.