Chapter 54

About a month ago, in the evening, Makedo and Zofira were having a secret discussion in the office as usual.

"Isn't it strange that the total defense budget is decreasing? I understand that the 'Optimization Project' you promoted has been successful, but that doesn't mean we need to reduce the budget. Ponsonia is in danger right now."

"The budget... I wanted to increase it, but there are no people..."

"What do you mean?"

"The Federation of Forestia has had too long a period of happiness. Everyone thinks the skirmishes between Ponsonia and Quinbrand are someone else's problem. Therefore, when we call for recruits, no one comes."

"So, the budget shortfall is due to a lack of personnel?"

"51% of the defense budget goes to personnel and food expenses. Even if we allocate the budget, there aren't enough people to use it."

"Should we change from voluntary recruitment to a temporary conscription system... What do you think?"

"—I want to make it the last resort, but we should consider it."

"Understood. Let's establish a deliberation committee. I'll be the chair, and Zofira will be the executive director, and you will assist."

"Sure, sure. I have more work to do, which is a joy."

"Don't say that. I can add as many assistants as you need—"

"Are you Zofira von Hortensia?"

"—What are you saying... Huh?"

Makedo and Zofira turned their faces toward the direction of the voice.

Standing there was a boy—probably a boy—wearing a black cloak with a hood and a mask of the Sun God.

"How did you get in!?"

Zofira stood up as if she had been startled and positioned herself in front of Makedo to protect him.

No weapons were allowed in this room, so Zofira was unarmed. However, she had to protect the Spirit Elf king with her body.

"—Don't shout. If I wanted to, I could easily kill both of you before anyone arrives."

The boy preempted Zofira's attempt to call for soldiers. He extended his arm from under the cloak, holding a short knife.

"What's your purpose..."

Zofira was prepared to die. Given how he had infiltrated, it wouldn't be surprising if many people had already been killed.

The top priority was to get the king to safety. The future of the federation they had built together would be wasted if both of them died.

"You won't answer my questions before I ask mine."

The boy, who seemed slightly annoyed, said this as Zofira stepped aside, and Makedo stepped forward.

"This is my office. I won't tolerate your insolence. Answer—Whose agent are you? Ludansha? Or... Ponsonia?"

Zofira was surprised. If this boy was an assassin from Ludansha, it would make sense. Ludansha is one of the seven small countries that make up Forestia, and it has a bitter relationship with Kiriharu, Makedo's hometown.

But Ponsonia?

Moreover, the boy reacted to the word "Ponsonia." It might be a bullseye.

"...You know, I was just asked to deliver a message to Zofira von Hortensia."

"Message? Sneaking into my office to deliver a message is laughable. If you have something to say to Zofira, you should send a formal notification."

"Ha... Are you stupid?"

"What!"

Being called "stupid" to her face was rare—Zofira aside—Makedo's face turned red.

"Are you mocking me!"

"That's why I said don't shout. You know, this is the king's office, right? But there's a peephole in the ceiling, and our conversation was being recorded."

"...What?"

"It's not a guard in the ceiling. From what I saw, they looked like amateurs. I knocked them out, so make sure to retrieve them properly."

Zofira and Makedo looked up at the ceiling.

Was someone hiding up there? They hadn't noticed.

No—Agraea would have noticed if she were here. But she was with Gafrausti. They hadn't seen each other in five years.

If someone could enter the ceiling regularly, it must be an insider.

Zofira's spine turned cold. They had spoken in whispers, knowing that important conversations could be overheard through the door, but how much had been heard—.

"So, formal notification, right? Will the busy minister over there meet with a young man from another country? And if I do, I don't want to talk in a place where I'm being monitored and eavesdropped on."

"..."

The boy's words couldn't be verified without checking the ceiling. If they were true, it would be a serious problem.

"Anyway, to the main point."

Ignoring their shock, the boy threw a fine handkerchief onto the table.

"This is a message from Gafrausti Nui Valbus: 'I have obtained what I desired. A dawn will come to the current dynasty.'"

Zofira and Makedo exchanged glances, startled.

The meaning of the message was clear. He had obtained something related to the ancient Pauronsia dynasty or something equivalent. He would claim that the current dynasty lacks legitimacy.

That would explain why the boy reacted when Makedo mentioned "Ponsonia." He had come from Gafrausti.

"...Why doesn't Lord Valbus contact us in the usual way?"

"He said there's no time, and it's urgent. The woman with blue-gray hair was worried about the same thing."

Agraea.

This boy knew Agraea.

"Well, you can believe it or not. I just did the job I was asked to do."

"Wait a moment. You haven't answered my first question. How did you get in? Neither I nor His Majesty noticed anyone entering."

"..."

Behind the mask, there was a faint smile.

The unknown nature of it made Zofira shudder slightly.

"Such security is like a sieve. —But I have a question for you. Will you answer it as payment for the message?"

"...What is it?"

This boy was a formidable opponent. He wasn't hostile now, but he seemed indifferent to the fate of the federation.

He couldn't be trusted.

But it wouldn't be wise to make an enemy of him. If his words were true, he could assassinate the king at any time.

"What does 'dawn' mean?"

"...What?"

Caught off guard by the unexpected question, Zofira repeated it.

"You know it's a word from a poem about the fall of the Pauronsia dynasty. But I don't understand the meaning of 'dawn.' If it means 'dawn' as in 'morning,' why add 'day' to it if it happened at dawn?"

"That... is true."

The boy stared at her intently.

But Zofira had no particular answer. This boy, like Gafrausti, seemed to know a lot about the ancient Pauronsia dynasty, but it was unclear why he was interested in such a "word."

"...I only know what I heard from Lord Valbus."

"That's fine. Tell me."

Zofira tilted her head in confusion.

If he came here at Gafrausti's request, did he not hear the story from Gafrausti?

"Did you know that the ancient Pauronsia dynasty had a super-civilization far beyond our time?"

"I know."

"The central figure who developed these technologies was called the 'Magician of Dawn.' This person is shrouded in mystery, but those who admire him or her have a tradition of doing something on the anniversary of his or her death. They offer their most precious possession on the altar at dawn on the anniversary..."

"That's quite detailed information."

"There are still places where this tradition is practiced. I only know that much."

The boy seemed intrigued.

"Where? The place where this tradition is practiced."

Reluctant to say, but with a nod from Makedo, Zofira spoke.

"...Sclarazzard. The academic city where our federation's 'National Academic Research Institute' is located."

"Hmm."

As expected, he sounded very interested.

However, the boy cleared his throat slightly and said,

"That's all. I have no more questions."

"Hey, what's your name—"

Zofira tried to call out, but he opened the office door and walked out.

She hurriedly followed him outside.

"Milady Zofira, what happened!?"

Startled by her urgency, two guards quickly ran over.

Zofira looked around—but there was only the usual corridor.

"A boy in a black cloak just passed by!"

"...? No, we didn't see anyone..."

"What—"

Stunned, Zofira was joined by Makedo.

The guards hurriedly saluted.

"It feels like I just had a nightmare."

"Yes... Are you unharmed?"

"Yes. There's no sign of any magic being used."

Makedo checked her magic bracelet.

She said,

"Anyway, we should expect official information from Agraea. If the information we received is true, we should take action. —But"

Makedo turned to the guards.

"There's an intruder in the ceiling of my office! Capture him immediately!!"

The intruder hiding in the ceiling—firmly unconscious—was captured. Additionally, there were four other locations being monitored, and the monitors in all of them were also knocked out.

Subsequently, a high-ranking military official who had planted spies was arrested, and the internal atmosphere of the federation improved somewhat.