Book 3: Chapter 51 (2/2)

「H-Hey, what’s that…?」

After the “Queen of the Night” passed by, I heard the voice of a confused citizen.

As I glanced in his direction–

I was greatly startled…

「Seriously? Right at this time?」

A single ray of light beamed into the night sky.

One of the labyrinth capture teams that went to capture the “Labyrinths of 9 Emotion” had successfully captured a labyrinth, as a pillar of light rose from a labyrinth.

** Lev Magic Empire Emperor **

Reports on the capture status of the “Labyrinth of 9 Emotions” were delivered to the Emperor every day. The central figures of the Empire, who were elated by the unexpected capture of the Labyrinth of Fear, were even more excited by the news that the Capture Division 1 had passed through numerous traps and reached the final ordeal-like place.

The capture might be completed by midnight, so many cabinet ministers were enjoying light meals and a small amount of alcohol in the conference room with even the Emperor present.

「Oho, I wonder when Capture Division 1 will complete the capture?」

「Since there are two successful captures, this project will be a great success.」

「Although, the success of Division 1 is within expectations.」

Originally, it was planned to proceed with the capture of the Labyrinth of Hatred by Capture Division 1. However, the big incident where the “Queen of the Night” was stolen occurred, and in order to recover from that, it became a capture of 4 labyrinths at once.

It is almost certain that many sacrifices will be made by the time one capture is completed, so even the Emperor couldn’t readily order for the full capture of the “Labyrinth of 9 Emotions”.

Capture Division 1 consisted of ace-class personnels for both combat and magic tool research, so the capture of the Labyrinth of Hatred was certain–but the ministers, even now, couldn’t believe that the Labyrinth of Fear was captured first.

Amidst that, the “Queen of the Night” appeared over the Empire, so the conference room was improvised to become the operational headquarters.

「I want all our airships in the sky! Absolutely don’t let them get away! But don’t shoot inside the city airspace!」

The Commander-in-Chief of the Empire’s army took charge of the scene and gave orders.

The “Queen of the Night” was already about to escape from the Empire’s territory. So the state of the matter now was the army pursuing it with all their airships.

「Why don’t we have the fast airships of private companies to pursue it too?」

「Will the companies accept it?」

「Just force them to do it.」

「No, if we say it’s their chance to recapture “Queen of the Night” and bathe in the entailing glory, they will happily oblige.」

「Would “glory” be effective for companies? Wouldn’t “gold” speak louder?」

As the ministers were exchanging as such back and forward–

「Transmit that, when we succeed in recapturing “Queen of the Night”, the most active company will be granted an airship. Ignore the companies that don’t move.」

「Yes, sir!」

When the Emperor decided so, the Commander-in-Chief rewrote it into an order, and it was handed down throughout the Empire.

Large companies that have an airship have a magic tool for communication, so as soon as they saw the order with the Emperor’s name signed on it, a number of airships belonging to various companies appeared in the sky.

The sky of the Empire was jumbled with wide-reach searchlights and flying vessels.

「OOOH! That light!!」

At that time, one person shouted, pointing out the window.

The light signifying the capture of the Labyrinth of Hatred rose like a pillar. As everyone stood up and was fixed at it–

「Your Majesty.」

A messenger rushed in, out of breath. Despite the excitement of the ministers, the messenger approached the Emperor, and whispered the report.

「It seems that a shell has fallen into the mansion of Her Highness Anastasia.」

「What?」

「Her Highness is safe, but together with that, there are reports that thieves had sneaked in… perhaps the servants of the mansion were just confused.」

The Emperor stroked his beard, with a “hmm”.

「Bring Anastasia here. Now that two auspicious ceremonies have occured, the recapture of “Queen of the Night” and the successful capture of the Labyrinth of Hatred, it would make sense to have it stand by my side.」

In the Emperor’s mind, the successful recapture of the “Queen of the Night” is already certain.

Nodding deeply, the messenger left the conference room.