Published: September 10, 2025
September 13, 2016 – Typo corrections made.
September 22, 2016 – Partial corrections made.
This is Satou. They say bad news travels fast, but it seems the real evil is hidden away, quietly and deeply progressing out of sight.
◇
“Master—Lord Kuro, the city is coming into view.”
At Liza’s report, I leaned forward to look out the window.
As Kuro, I was heading to Lethe City in the Weasel Empire, accompanied only by Liza, Ms. Zena, and a girl who was a candidate for an executive position at the Echigoya Trading Company.
Both Liza and Ms. Zena wore the Echigoya Trading Company uniforms and wore Mirror Glasses, the emperor’s countermeasure against Geass.
The reason the executive candidate was with us was to handle a certain dangerous mission.
Originally, I was supposed to take on that role, but due to strong opposition from the Echigoya executives and our companions at the Isolated Island Palace, the girl who first volunteered got the assignment.
Though ample safety measures were prepared, absolute safety couldn’t be guaranteed, so upon successful completion of the mission, I planned to grant her one wish.
“That’s quite a large city.”
“Hmph. You from the Shiga Kingdom might not believe it, but that isn’t the Imperial Capital. All our cities in the Empire hold as many people as the Shiga Kingdom’s Royal Capital.”
Quick to pick up on my words and boast, Lady Ritdilt, the palace knight (Templar Knight) of the Weasel Empire and owner of this airship, spoke up.
Due to the king’s younger brother’s scheming, until recently she had no knowledge of the demon king subjugation and apparently had been wandering since rushing into the labyrinth after treatment.
Thanks to that, she gained a level, and although the number of her escort knights slightly decreased, they also leveled up considerably.
Currently, I was heading to the Imperial Capital as her charge under the guise of delivering a letter from the king’s younger brother to the emperor.
“Is the altitude decreasing?”
“We’ll change vehicles at Lethe City.”
Feeling the sensation of floating, I murmured, and Lady Ritdilt kindly explained.
She was probably bored during the air journey.
◇
“You’re late!”
“Sorry, I got held up a bit with preparations.”
When we finished preparations and left the waiting room in Lethe City, Lady Ritdilt, who had been waiting impatiently, looked displeased.
“The immigration inspection room is this way.”
“It’s less crowded than I expected.”
“Our country is closed off. Usually, only a few people per day, rarely more than ten.”
Following Lady Ritdilt, we found a purple-haired girl surrounded by many guards waiting.
Between her and us was a transparent magic power barrier that could easily block ordinary mid-level attack magic.
Her name was Louise, a reincarnator. The name is rare for a Japanese person, but reincarnators aren’t necessarily Japanese—it might be her parents were light novel fans.
Her skills were hidden. Level 34, of the cat ear tribe.
Her twitching ears were cute.
“Please take a seat over there.”
She looked down and said so, then looked up with wide eyes.
‘Is that... actor Alex? But with white hair, maybe not?’
She whispered softly and stared intently to appraise me.
I didn’t know anyone named Alex, but it was probably a foreign talent resembling Kuro.
“If it’s official business, fine, but appraising others out of curiosity is against etiquette.”
I said, putting myself aside, and she shrank her shoulders and murmured “Sorry” as if scolded.
Apparently, she was honest.
“Anyway, complete the immigration inspection.”
“Y-yes!”
Though my tone was a bit bossy, her guards frowned in displeasure, but I ignored it.
“Listen carefully and if you have no objections, say ‘I pledge’.”
She said, then was enveloped in purple phosphorescence.
She likely activated a unique skill.
“From the moment you enter this room in Lethe City until you leave the Weasel Empire, your memories will be separated from previous ones and lost upon exit.”