This time, the task Roger had assigned to Hades as an undercover agent was simply to “blend in with the Liberation Army disguised as the Rave Empire’s forces and observe.”  Not giving an important role to a new member was only natural, but it was honestly still surprising to Hades.  Roger seemed to have recognized his strength, yet he instructed him only to watch.

I can move freely thanks to that… but something feels off.

Hades surveyed the surroundings from within the crowd of evacuees.  The academy building had been wrecked beyond recognition, dragons soared through the sky, and terrified spectators and residents were being guided to safety by officers of the military academy.  Those same officers were declaring, “We are the Liberation Army!” as they took control of the evacuation.

He had heard that the Liberation Army’s plan was to ride the momentum of the Golden Dragon Class’ preliminary victory, infiltrate the military academy disguised as Rave Empire soldiers, and use the opportunity to declare an uprising against the Empire.  Roger had also been extremely cautious, suspecting that radical factions might try to capture Prime Minister Mainard.

Yet, when the day in question arrived, the real target in the midst of all the chaos turned out to be Lutiya.  Even if the victory being taken by the Blue Dragon Class had disrupted the plan, “the Rave Empire Military attacking the students” and “the Liberation Army rising up to protect the students and spectators” weren’t going to conveniently stop.

Their plan had always been to disguise themselves as Rave soldiers and attack the students so they’d have a reason to revolt.  In other words, Roger was given false information.

Their infiltration had most likely been exposed to Gunter.

More than that, however, was that incessant, grating, ringing.  It kept the dragons from hearing Rave’s voice, let alone Rho’s.  It also brought a tingling discomfort to his skin despite being fully under Rave’s protection.  If he were to move too far away from each other, they wouldn’t be able to communicate with either.

It felt as if that accursed goddess were singing right into his ears.

Are they using Kratos’ magic? Disgusting.

“Hades, over here! I think they finally found it, the dragon controlling flute!”  Rave, who had been following Roger, came down from the sky upon spotting Hades and landed on his shoulder.  “Although it looks like Gunter anticipated our infiltration.  There’s fighting.”

That was only to be expected.  With a sigh, Hades teleported in the direction Rave was pointing, the highest floor of the military academy, an unmistakable display of authority. 

The corridor was lined with red carpet, resembling the interior of a noble’s mansion.

“It’s quiet.”

Muttering to himself, Hades lifted his gaze as magic streaking through the air like lightning passed by.  Rave slipped into his body without delay.

Then, as if responding to Hades raising his vigilance, the door to the headmaster’s office exploded from the inside.  Along with smoke, a familiar man from the tavern was blown out into the hallway and tumbled across the floor.

“Why don’t you understand, Roger!?  With the dragon controlling flute—”
“Research into the dragon controlling flute wasn’t started for something so foolish!”

Smoke filled the corridor.  With it came the sound of clashing blades and sharp, precise bursts of magical power.  Hades narrowed his eyes as his hand rested on the hilt of the sword at his waist.

The man, perhaps judging he couldn’t win, clicked his tongue and dashed past Hades. His face was also one he remembered from the tavern.

Roger, keeping his posture low, kicked off the corridor floor and slashed down the fleeing man’s back.

“Oh, you were here too, Hades?  Well, I guess that figures.”

Roger turned around with his usual easygoing attitude.  Except, red could be seen here and there.  As Roger smiled, blood, it was unclear whether it was his own or another’s, dripped from his cheek like sweat.

“Seriously, what a mess.  Turns out every undercover agent was after the dragon controlling flute.  Looks like they were all connected to Gunter.”

Glancing past the half-destroyed door, Hades saw several people collapsed inside.  All of them were faces he had seen at the tavern.

“So, they were all traitors?”
“Looks like it. There were signs, but still… it’s my bad habit.”
“So, were you able to get that so-called dragon controlling flute?”
“…Are you one of them too, Hades? A rebel sympathizer who wants to destroy the Rave Empire?” 

Roger thrusted the bloodstained tip of his sword towards him, as if testing him.  Hades responded with a question of his own.

“And what if I said I was?”

Even though Roger was the one who asked, his eyes went wide.

“…No, I just meant it as a joke.”
“I want to destroy the Rave Empire. The Rave Royal Family is wrong. What if I said that?”

Roger, who had tried laugh his earlier words off, now had his lips pressed into a firm line. Within the depths of his usually calm eyes now glinted a flicker of distrust and suspicion.

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