Volume 2 Chapter 25 Invasion Of The Imperial Capital
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
”This is harder than I thought,” Klock said, narrowing his eyes at the distant city walls.
”Yes. Their defenses are stronger than expected,” Suzette replied, her voice low.
Bathed in the soft glow of the setting sun, the Imperial Capital Alvenia rested quietly at the foot of a snowy mountain to the east. Even as fresh snowflakes began to blanket the town, the open gates remained busy, welcoming a steady flow of people and carriages.
Soldiers patrolled in every direction, forming a protective net around the city. Their numbers were overwhelming—far beyond anything seen in the royal capital or the port town of Shinnit. If these troops were to suddenly turn hostile, there would be no escape.
”The Imperial Capital doesn’t have thick walls like most cities,” Suzette murmured, scanning the outer defenses. “They rely on soldiers instead… but there’s clearly more now than when I visited last.”
”Replacing stone with flesh. A wall made of people,” Klock added with a quiet nod.
Indeed, the city lacked towering fortifications, even with a major power like the Theocracy nearby. The vulnerability was surprising.
”This place was designed more for function than defense,” Suzette explained. “As long as the port was secured, it was considered safe. But a few years ago, a town in the Dinos Desert switched to the Theocracy’s side. That might’ve changed everything.”
He had only vague details, but it seemed the town had once belonged to the Empire. The shift in allegiance likely stirred up trouble—maybe something to do with religion. Whatever the reason, it probably made the Imperial Capital feel exposed. From a strategic standpoint, that alone could justify war.
”I came here about three years ago,” she continued. “There’s at least triple the number of soldiers now. Maybe… your companions are here.”
Suzette’s words took him by surprise.
”Huh? What makes you think that?” Klock asked, glancing her way.
”One of them had an unusually strong magical presence. When Princess Hermine spoke, it sounded like she knew them—or at least thought they were allies. Maybe they’re members of the hero party… or students of someone in it.”
”……”
Not a bad guess.
Judging by how that earlier conversation wasn’t openly hostile, it wasn’t strange for her to connect the dots.
”In that case,” Suzette said, her tone calm, “you’re connected to them too. Something happened—you parted ways. Maybe they were taken during that sudden teleportation spell, right?”
”And even if that’s true… why would they be here?”
”If someone like that was captured, they’d be held in a secure place. Somewhere with heavy defenses. It makes sense that this city would hold them—and that these soldiers are here to make sure they don’t escape.”
She was sharper than expected. Tiet’s situation was almost certain now. Adelina, taken at the same time, might be getting mistaken as her ally. Klock and Suzette were probably just considered bystanders. For now, that worked in their favor.
If Tiet was really here, locked away, then this city’s headquarters would be the best guess. Her strength made her hard to contain. Surrounding her with soldiers would be the only way to keep her still—or to react the moment anything happened.
”So, depending on what we find, we might be able to reunite with them,” Klock said, half to himself.
”…I wouldn’t count on it,” Suzette replied, a shadow crossing her face. “They don’t seem to be in danger, but you… that’s a different matter.”
”I know. I’m just saying if the opportunity comes up.”
It was clear she’d noticed something. From the way Elna and Lona acted, maybe she had guessed that only one person—Klock—was being treated with hostility.
”…So, what now? Do we skip the capital?”
”No. That’d be hard,” Suzette said, glancing at the snowy sky. “We don’t have supplies. Unless we rob a merchant, we’ll freeze or starve.”
That much was true. The next village might be far. Even a single night outdoors would be dangerous in this cold.
”Hey… do spies ever use their bodies or something?” Klock said jokingly. “You know, like selling themselves to the merchants—”
”I’ll kill you,” Suzette snapped, her eyes flashing.
The look she gave him wasn’t just sharp—it was filled with intent to kill.
”…Right. Guess we’re heading into the capital then,” he muttered, shrinking back.
She was clearly serious. Better not test her further. Dying at Suzette’s hands before facing the princess would be too tragic.
”We can’t prove our identity, so we’ll have to sneak in. Best to do it after dark,” she said firmly.
Alvenia was strict about order. From what they’d heard, inspections were ongoing, and Klock’s name wouldn’t help anymore. Stealth was their only option.
”By the way,” Klock asked, “why did we teleport here of all places?”
”…Emergency route. I placed a portal in a hidden area with multiple escape paths. The scroll directed us there.”
So that was it. The scroll didn’t send them anywhere they wanted—it just led to a fixed portal location. He had wondered if the magic was too convenient. Now it made sense. Preparation was everything.
”Princess Hermine’s teleportation is different,” Suzette added. “Much more accurate, more refined. She can probably travel anywhere she’s been before, as long as she has the mana.”
”…That’s insane.”
”She’s part of the hero’s party. If the hero joins up with them, it’ll become a real crisis. We should leave as soon as we can.”
”…Yeah. From here on, it’s a race against time.”
The hero’s involvement. Tiet had mentioned the hero was busy with something else. He couldn’t remember if she ever said what it was… but eventually, she’d show up. She had to. After all, this entire mess started because of Hero Anna. Thinking she wouldn’t appear again would be naïve.
”……”
”Hm? What is it?” Klock asked, raising an eyebrow.
She had been staring at Klock, eyes slightly narrowed, as if measuring something.
”I thought you were connected to the hero,” she said, “but you don’t seem to know about the princess’s magic. Your position’s unclear. Who exactly are you?”
Apparently, she was trying to piece things together. Maybe her earlier talk about Hermine’s power was also a subtle way to draw him out.
”It’s nothing. Just… a bit of a grudge,” Klock muttered, turning away.
”I see,” she said simply.
She didn’t press. Perhaps she sensed he wouldn’t explain.
If he told her the truth—that a girl he had once carelessly abandoned came back as a hero for revenge—what would she think? She’d probably laugh, call him a fool, or worse. No point in saying it out loud.
”…Ready?” Suzette asked.
The sky was clouded, hiding the stars. Evening had deepened.
They crouched near the snowy mountains, observing the capital. The pale moonlight barely lit the path ahead. Torches and bonfires flickered below, marking the soldiers’ positions along the outer perimeter.
The guard numbers hadn’t changed much since daytime. If anything, the tension had grown. But it was still possible—if they timed it well.
”Let’s go over the plan one more time,” Suzette said. “We sneak in, and tomorrow we board a ship to the Federation. If we’re spotted, we hide and avoid combat. We’re outnumbered. Only fight if we have no choice.”
She had abandoned her maid outfit, having burned it earlier. Underneath, she wore black light armor, crossing her arms as if drawing strength from it.
Klock tilted his head slightly. Why was she wearing that under her maid clothes to begin with? Maybe she was always prepared for a situation like this.
”Alright,” he said. “But if we do get in without being caught… then what?”
”Maybe we should just rent a room openly at an inn,” Suzette said with a mischievous smirk.
It was such a silly remark that he couldn’t help but smile too, the corner of his mouth lifting in amusement.
”I’ll go first,” she added, taking the lead with light steps.
Letting her go ahead might seem wrong, but Suzette was stronger. She also knew the area. Whether the man led or followed didn’t matter—what mattered was surviving.
And so, their silent infiltration of the Imperial Capital began.
”There really are a lot of them,” Suzette whispered, keeping her voice low. “Let’s move quietly. If they spot us, just run with everything you’ve got.”
Klock hesitated. Are we seriously going to push through this? The thought crossed his mind, but Suzette had already begun to move.
Up close, the number of soldiers was overwhelming—no gaps, no blind spots. It felt reckless to go in now. Maybe waiting for an opening would’ve been better. But once water starts flowing, it doesn’t stop.
”This way,” Suzette murmured, gently tugging at his sleeve as she led him forward.
They crouched beside a low rock near a bonfire and lay flat against the cold ground. A soldier yawned, resting a spear lazily over his shoulder as he walked by. They held their breath, waiting for him to pass.
Even with so many soldiers, Tiet would probably just smash through them without a second thought. But from Hermine’s perspective, soldiers were only meant to be eyes, not an actual wall.
”Let’s go,” Suzette said, springing up suddenly. Keeping low, she darted into the town with nimble steps.
Klock followed, mirroring her movements as best he could. The lack of cover made it difficult to stay hidden, but if they could just make it inside, no one would think intruders had slipped past the perimeter.
The soldiers weren’t paying attention. It was now or never.
Suzette stepped over the boundary into the town, and he followed. One step. Another. They were in.
As he slowly straightened his back, blending into the darkness of the unlit streets—
”Hey! What are you doing?!”
It was going so well. That was all he had time to think before a soldier’s voice rang out behind them.
He turned quickly. One soldier was pointing their way, and now others had started to look. Just as expected—too few hiding places, too many eyes.
”Well, guess it can’t be helped,” Klock muttered.
”Let’s run,” Suzette said as she grabbed his hand and matched his pace.
”Accelerate,” she whispered, the words soft but firm.
She crouched low, then kicked off the ground with explosive force, shooting forward like an arrow loosed from a bow.
Her speed was unbelievable—easily twice that of a magic beast.
For a moment, Klock thought she was leaving him behind. But when he sprinted with all his strength to catch up, he realized something strange—he was fast. Really fast.
He was running almost shoulder-to-shoulder with her. The distance between them didn’t widen at all.
Was that magic? The moment she touched him—it must’ve activated.
If they’d used it earlier, infiltration might’ve gone smoother. Still, at this pace, no soldier in armor could possibly catch up. Unless they had horses, they’d be fine.
”This way,” Suzette called out, turning onto a stone-lined street before slipping into a narrow gap between two buildings.
Then, without slowing, she leapt and kicked off the walls one after the other, climbing upward with agility that didn’t seem human. With one final flip, she landed cleanly on the rooftop.
”What?! You want me to do that too?” Klock muttered.
Kicking up walls to reach a roof wasn’t normal. That was the kind of thing only maniacs with endless stamina could pull off. But if the magic was still active… maybe it wasn’t impossible.
Suzette glanced back at him, as if urging him on.
Tch. Guess I’ll give it a shot.
He dashed into the narrow space, arms pumping, feet pounding. At full speed, he kicked upward—first the right wall, then the left—climbing higher with each bound.
The roof was getting close. He never imagined he could do something like this. Magic really was insane.
Thinking about how Tiet would probably just laugh and vault up in one go, Klock reached out, planted a hand on the edge, and twisted his body upward.
”Not bad,” Suzette said as he landed beside her. “Have you used acceleration magic before?”
”Huh?! Of course not! I’m losing my mind over here,” Klock snapped. “You could’ve explained it first.”
”I see,” Suzette replied coolly. “Well, I believed even an idiot could manage it.”
Liar. You just didn’t want to show your hand, he thought bitterly.
He wanted to complain. What if he had failed? But now wasn’t the time.
”Where are we going? Can you guide me?”
”Honestly? I came here once years ago, and I barely remember. It’s dark too, so I don’t recognize anything.”
She couldn’t help them navigate. But he didn’t blame her.
”Alright. Let’s just find a safe place for now. If we see a decent building, we’ll hide there and stay until morning.”
”Got it. Let’s stay calm,” she said, starting to run again.
She seemed to take the lead naturally. Maybe she was ordered to. He didn’t mind, but if something happened to her, that would be trouble.
”Hey, Suzette. Don’t go too far ahead,” he called out.
”What? You’ll miss me if I’m gone?” she teased, smirking without concern.
She might’ve been feeling overconfident now that things were going her way.
”Hah? If you get too far, I can’t use cover. Stop messing around.”
”Ohhh, right. I forgot someone like you could even use magic.”
Apparently, she could sense his magic power. And yes—his was trash. But being mocked like that still stung.
”Remember this. Someday, you’re going to cry and beg me to forgive you.”
”…That’s hilarious. And gross. I think I’ll just snap your neck first. Well, in your dreams, feel free to win however you like,” Suzette said with a mocking laugh, skipping across rooftops.
She was irritating beyond belief. She definitely thought she was stronger than him.
…Well. She’s probably right, Klock admitted bitterly. If they fought head-on, a single magic shot might end it.
Even so, letting her stay smug forever would damage the pride of the legendary thief, Sir Klock.
Just like she allowed, he imagined a scene in his mind where Suzette cried and apologized, bowing her head in defeat. He knew, in reality, they’d likely set sail without him ever getting the last word—but he could dream.
”Oi. How far are we going like this?” he said, eyeing the rooftops ahead. “Sure, it’s safe up here, but we won’t find a hiding spot unless we head down soon.”
No soldiers in sight. He was subtly suggesting they descend. Maybe sneak into an abandoned house, if they were lucky.
”I’m heading toward the center,” Suzette replied, keeping her pace steady. “I figure they’ll expect us to escape outwards, so going deeper is safer.”
They’d already been spotted. The soldiers would report it. In that case, the search would begin soon.
It was a sound strategy. If they stayed hidden until morning, they could board the ship and leave. He nodded.
”Alright. How far exactly?”
”Close to—but not too close to—the fortress,” she explained. “See that church steeple over there? Around that area should work—”
She didn’t get to finish.
They were mid-run, moving swiftly over rooftops, when her voice suddenly cut off.
From the northern direction, something glowing shot through the dark air.
A moment later, Suzette’s left arm and leg were pierced.
”—Gghh?!”
”What the hell?!”
Her body crumpled, tilting off the roof. Klock lunged and caught her before she could fall, carrying her weight as he leapt to the next rooftop.
The moment he touched her, a strange tingling ran through his hand.
”Was that… lightning magic?!” he gasped.
Notes:
• Suzette – The older maid from Viscount Fennec. The head maid at the Viscount Fennec’s villa. She is confident, clear-spoken, and professional.
• Alvenia – The imperial capital of the Dusselhelm Empire, located at the northernmost point of the continent. A flourishing city known for its many magic research institutes. It is a central hub but considered dangerous for Tiet and his companions due to Hermine’s influence.
• Shinnit – Located south of the royal capital of the Kingdom of Crotopone, separated by mountains. A bustling trading town and the nation’s largest economic hub, controlling the Four Islands. It is a port city with gray outer walls, known for its strategic importance and military presence.
• Dinos Desert – A vast desert located west of the Dusselhelm Empire, near the border with the Theocracy. It is a dangerous route requiring significant preparation to cross, with a town on the other side closer than the imperial capital.
• Hermine – A companion and friend of Anna. She is pragmatic and encourages Anna to focus on her duties as a hero rather than her personal revenge.
• Adelina – The slave girl.
• Tiet – A companion and friend of Anna. A holy knight from the royal capital. She wears light armor and carries a shield adorned with a dragon holding a sword, indicating her affiliation with the National Military Police. She is concerned about Anna’s well-being and tries to support her emotionally.
• Elna – Female. A young apprentice mage. Her appearance is that of a child with white hair reaching her shoulders. She wears a black hooded mantle with strange patterns. Her relationship is as an apprentice to Hermine, the Great Mage. Her power involves advanced magic, including spatial teleportation. Her combat style is magical, and she is described as childish and easily provoked.
• Lona – Female. A young apprentice mage. Her appearance is that of a child with black hair reaching her shoulders. She wears a black hooded mantle with strange patterns. Her relationship is as an apprentice to Hermine, the Great Mage. Her power involves advanced magic, including spatial teleportation. Her combat style is magical, and she is described as childish and easily provoked.
• Anna – The legendary Hero, chosen to defeat the Demon Lord. Her past life is Sylvia Croce. She is described as a heavenly being with overwhelming skill and a merciless attitude.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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