Chapter 28: Royal Blood

One of the old, dilapidated buildings within the Arius Branch School.

Inside, a white-haired girl stood facing a red-skinned aberration.

“Assassinating Yurizono Seia without being detected by the Justice Realization Committee is impossible. Face Kenzaki Tsurugi instead. Hasumi Hanekawa can be handled by the squad leader. The other members are expendable.”

“…A diversion, then. But Trinity’s forces aren’t limited to the Justice Realization Committee. Misono Mika and Mine Aomori—both will require special caution. Utazumi Sakurako, too, isn’t someone ordinary soldiers can handle. And beyond them, there are other armed groups, vigilante factions… especially Misono Mika. If this turns into a prolonged fight, won’t that put us at a disadvantage?”

“Of course, I understand. Still, Misono Mika can be delayed long enough by two squad leaders or more, correct? Either the 6th or 8th Squad Leader should be able to hold her off alone.”

Delay tactics.

In other words, they already planned to use her as a disposable pawn.

Kirihana Suou made no effort to hide her displeasure as she casually reviewed the operation documents.

Even if the role was expendable, the information held value. If executed correctly, it might even be possible to assassinate Yurizono Seia without suffering any casualties at all.

Yet naturally, she had no intention of following the operation as written.

She would twist the plan—and personally eliminate Yurizono Seia.

In that case, someone would have to hold off Kenzaki Tsurugi in her place once Seia’s location was discovered. Gritting her teeth at the thought of involving her own sister, she mentally rewrote the plan while reviewing the documents.

“Azusa Shirazu should already have received the ‘Halo-Destruction Bomb’ from the faculty. The operation begins at midnight tomorrow. Prepare accordingly.”

“…Understood.”

Unaware of Kirihana Suou’s private thoughts, Beatrice continued speaking.

The briefing concluded, and Kirihana Suou prepared to leave.

However—

“…Ah, one more thing. Take this.”

“…?”

It was the first time Beatrice had ever stopped her like that.

Kirihana accepted the item Beatrice handed over and examined it—a simple mask, black with white accents.

“A mask…?”

“Yes. It’s for identifying the squad leader and others. Your face must not be seen during combat. Always wear it.”

“…I am sincerely grateful.”

After expressing her thanks and leaving, Beatrice watched Kirihana Suou go and pondered.

That mask carried the same effect as the one worn by Atsuko Hakari. Once—just a single time—it could allow the wearer to escape a fatal destiny. It was based on the anonymous priests’ technology provided by the Black-clad faction.

Additionally, it contained both a transmitter and a listening device. They would likely be destroyed after a single battle, but they were still better than nothing.

Beatrice suspected that Kirihana might find this suspicious, but the operation involved the ‘Halo-Destruction Bomb.’ Losing Kirihana Suou—this invaluable piece—was absolutely unacceptable.

Naturally, prioritizing Kirihana Suou’s survival over everything else required no deliberation.

Of course, simply wearing that mask wouldn’t make someone part of Royal Blood.

Still, she had grown into a truly remarkable piece. Not only did she show no hesitation to kill—she even proposed it herself. Completely unexpected.

“Fufufu…”

Unable to suppress the delight welling up inside her, a soft laugh escaped Beatrice’s lips.

Ten years ago—the civil war she had supported. Back then, she had been forced to manipulate and misrepresent the effect of the ‘Halo-Destruction Bomb.’

Yet that patience had paid off. It had produced a highly useful asset for today.

“…”

Beatrice paused, her thoughts drifting back to that war ten years ago—and to the keyword ‘Halo-Destruction Bomb.’

During that conflict, the moderates had suddenly strengthened their forces at a startling rate.

She had sensed someone pulling strings behind them—and that someone…

───The one, still unused, ‘Halo-Destruction Bomb,’ whose whereabouts remained unknown.

According to the radicals’ investigators, that individual might still possess the bomb—and could now be hiding among the Arius faculty.

Originally, a child destined to become a student at Arius’s training school had escaped, cutting off her own retreat.

The emerging profile suggested high intelligence, combat ability, and a self-sacrificial sense of justice. Beatrice found it difficult to believe that one person could escape Arius alone.

Although she had eliminated several former moderates since then, the ‘Halo-Destruction Bomb’ had still not been found.

“…Countermeasures will be necessary.”

That elusive ‘someone’ from ten years ago… Unable to trace them even now, Beatrice’s expression hardened as she sank deeper into thought.

I got something from Beatrice.

Well… to be honest, I already had an idea.

I’d taken it apart earlier.

No bugs or hidden cameras—just a number of inexplicable devices packed inside.

Yes—devices had been packed inside.

I’d studied some basic mechanics before. Enough to remove ankle transmitters or forcibly tap into Shio’s communications. But still… many of the components inside were unlike anything I’d ever seen.

So this mask—though the design is different—it’s probably the same type that Atsuko has, right…?

A faint sense of unease stirred in me. Something I might have ignored if I didn’t already know the original story.

Sure, my old gas mask was worn out, but Beatrice wasn’t the kind of person to give gifts out of kindness. I knew that much.

Most of the gear we used—masks for Saori and Misaki included—came from Beatrice. We could never steal enough to fully equip ourselves otherwise.

So the uniforms and equipment of everyone at Arius weren’t exactly Beatrice’s taste—they simply wore whatever worked from what she provided.

I’d received plenty of equipment before without noticing anything strange… but this? This felt different.

And when I disassembled it, this is what I found.

Then one question remained:

“Why me…?”

The mask Atsuko had in the original story could prevent death caused by the ‘Halo-Destruction Bomb.’ That was because Atsuko was the only member of Royal Blood at Arius… right?

“…?”

Royal… Blood…?

“Wait a second—let me check…”

I pulled out my notebook and flipped to the page about Royal Blood.

"According to Maestro: the bloodline that guards the doctrine. Related to Chairwoman Justina. Within the original depiction, the only confirmed individual is Hakari Atsuko."

That was basically what I remembered. I’d written this note back when my memory was still fresh—probably accurate.

But… within the original depiction, huh.

What was I—Kirihana Suou—doing in the original story?

With my odd-colored eyes and above-average physical ability, maybe I could have become a squad leader.

…But more likely, even before that—without Hiro ever noticing me—I would have died, wouldn’t I?

I only managed to call for help because I knew how to move my body, how to keep my balance. Without that knowledge, Kirihana Suou would have had no choice but to die.

Then… was I simply abandoned?

“…Sorry. I’m sorry…”

A faint sound echoed in my ears—a memory.

The light of the Halo fading. The red blood that must have spilled from that person. Repeated apologies, over and over… and then, being deliberately left somewhere Arius could easily find me.

I wasn’t abandoned by my parents… I was let go?

For what purpose? How did they know a place Arius could find me so easily?

───Because they were inside Arius?

Then why try to let me escape? What were they trying to protect me from?

The blood… did that mean I was caught in a conflict—or was I the target?

Now I understand. Only Arius students live around that area.

So why would someone from Arius try to eliminate another from Arius?

…A power struggle?

───Because I’m Royal Blood, they tried to keep me out of it—by turning me into an ordinary student?

“Ha… hahaha… what kind of speculation is that? That’s way too far-fetched.”

Hopeful conjecture has its limits. The truth is, I would’ve died if Hiro hadn’t found me.

“……”

Still… it’s clear I wasn’t abandoned for no reason. There must’ve been some circumstance behind it.

“…hahaha.”

I put on the mask Beatrice had given me.

It was surprisingly comfortable, and the texture wasn’t bad either.

Not as suffocating as I expected, with decent visibility.

I could probably fight while wearing it.

…Honestly, I can’t say I fully understand its internal structure, so pretending I’m not uneasy would be a lie.

There could still be a bug or a hidden camera—zero chance that’s impossible.

I’ve been careful with my words and actions, but maybe I should borrow Atsuko’s mask later and compare the two.

“Anyway… first, let’s share the operation.”

To report the mission details and the modifications, I headed toward everyone else.

And so, the day of the operation arrived. The hour: deep into the night.

The mask I had been given the other day—predictably—was almost identical to Atsuko’s.

…Which probably means I am… Royal Blood.

The plan could be adjusted slightly to account for that. Greater freedom meant the operation could proceed without involving everyone unnecessarily.

Why “almost identical”? Of course, it had those components: transmitters, eavesdropping devices, and some unknown mechanisms.

Damn it… still doubting me, huh.

…Well, considering I’ll eventually have to fight and kill, that caution was understandable.

Even so, given my combat methods, those things would probably get destroyed anyway.

Beatrice probably knew that much too.

“Everyone, ready?”

"Y-yes! The 4th Squad is in position!"

“Thank you, Rey. Fili, what about the bomb?”

“…Yeah… no problem… The vigilantes… we can handle them… Mika will deal with it along with the rest of the 8th Squad outside our own.”

This time, Saori and the others would operate as the squad.

Thus, command of the remaining five in the 8th Squad was entrusted to Fili.

“Thank you. Wait a moment. Yako, Tou, what’s the situation in the cathedral?”

“There are many Sisterhood members present. They’re cautious, but only within the bounds of normal security. I don’t believe our plan has been exposed.”

“Still… the numbers are high. I can handle Utazumi Sakurako alone, but there’s little room for error. Yako, I’ll also entrust you with commanding the 3rd Squad to suppress the other troops.”

“Understood.”

Okay, no apparent problems.

“Saori, how’s the Arius Squad?”

“No issues. We’ll have Azusa guide us, and we’ll eliminate enemies around us.”

“Good. I know the Trinity terrain, so leave it to us.”

“If Misono Mika spots us, we’ll handle it.”

“…I-I honestly don’t feel like we can win…!”

“….”

“E-even so…!”

“W-we’ll leave it to you…!”

“Don’t worry. Despite all your doubts, Hiyori always delivers when it counts.”

This mission is a race against time.

For that reason, the elite Arius Squad, capable of sprinting at top speed, is critical.

After I’ve fought Tsurugi to a certain extent, I’ll regroup with them.

Why fight Tsurugi? To naturally destroy any transmitters or eavesdropping devices.

“Shio, overall support is on you. The 7th Squad will be the only ones free to move if anything happens.”

“L-leave it to me…!”

“Sau, Yose. Our opponent is the Justice Realization Committee. Ready?”

“Yes, leave it to me!”

“…So I’m supporting this one? You can’t command anyone, right?”

“…Sau, please lead our squad…!”

“Hey…!”

“Hahaha…”

It’s fine. Yose can hold off Tsurugi if needed.

Hanekawa is sufficient for a one-on-one against Sau, but the Justice Realization Committee has skilled members like Mashiro and Ichika. Hanekawa being enough only applies to one-on-one scenarios.

In Yose’s case, she can hold Mashiro and Ichika simultaneously and buy time.

“…Then… activate…?”

“Please.”

“Understood… boom…”

At Fili’s signal, explosions rippled through Trinity.

It was flashy, but effective: the enemy forces dispersed.

Each of us then engaged enemies in different locations.

Afterward, I would reunite with the squad, speak with Yurizono Seia, and finally inform Misono Mika that Seia had survived. That should be enough to stop her.

It’s fine. I won’t allow failure.

No one will die.

“…Operation, start!!!”

Unnamed Priests

—Worship gods without names.
—In the present day, only traces of them are believed to remain.
—Responsible for creating many out-of-place artifacts (OOPArts).