I Was Reincarnated as a Duke as a Matter of Course, So I Bought a Slave on a Whim and Now There’s No Turning Back - 45

Chapter 45: The Burning Kingdom

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That day, the morning in the royal capital was quiet. Snow that had been falling since last night blanketed the city in white, piling softly on rooftops and stone streets. The academy courtyard was no exception, and even the voices of the usually noisy students echoed with a certain calmness. While gazing out the window, I found myself muttering absentmindedly.

“…It’s still snowing.”

That strange pattern I found yesterday crossed my mind for a moment. That thing was like a magic circle, buried beneath the snow. I wanted to believe it was just chuunibyou or the remnants of magical research, but there was that bizarre something I had felt. But in an academy, it wasn’t anything particularly rare. I came to that conclusion and drifted off in thought again.

…But why is it bothering me this much?

That was when it happened.

BOOM!!!

A heavy impact echoed in the distance. For a moment, the ground trembled.

“…?”

A stir spread. Footsteps running through the hallway. Students rushing to the windows. I also looked outside without thinking. From one corner of the royal capital, black smoke was rising from the distant cityscape.

“An explosion…?”

Someone muttered that, and the next moment… From another direction, the sound of clashing magic echoed.

Crack!!

It sounded like glass shattering. And then, one after another, smoke began rising from other districts in the distance.

“…Hey.”

“W-what’s happening…?”

The calm vanished from the students’ faces. Abnormalities were breaking out all over the royal capital. It was as if the entire city were burning. Not long after that, the academy gates were violently smashed open. Not even understanding what was happening, we were herded together in a large group.

With a roaring crash, the gates were blown away, snow scattering into the air. Through the window, I saw the source of the sound. Standing there was a group in black robes. They felt somewhat like the ones I had seen back in the lower division, yet different.

…Even if I’m wrong, this is still bad, isn’t it? Yuka… I’m worried about home. Of all days, I shouldn’t have left them.

Their robes bore an emblem like gray flames and masks covered half their faces. And even I could sense how abnormal they were. That clinging, eerie magic power.

“Wha—”

Someone gasped. The next moment—

“Don’t move.”

A low voice echoed through the room. At the same time, magic power was released.

Boom!!

They’re already inside!?

A threatening strike fired into the wall threw the students into chaos.

“Aaah!”

“Run!”

Screams and confusion spread. However…. When one of the black-robed figures raised a hand, a magic circle that had somehow been carved into the ground lit up. A faint gray light. The air grew heavy.

“…I said don’t move.”

There was no emotion in that voice. Magic burst at the feet of a student who tried to flee. Part of the floor shattered. By that point, we were completely surrounded.

“Damn it…!”

I clenched my teeth. This wasn’t something I could handle, and I couldn’t keep up with what was happening. Even the teachers couldn’t move. There were probably just too many enemies. And more than anything, the panicked students were in the way.

They’re practically losing their minds… Come on, calm down a little.

A heavy, clinging presence. Fear started to lock my legs in place. 

Looks like I’m not one to talk either.

Fia and Yuka crossed my mind. Those explosions in the city… What if they were caught up in that? Were Elysia and Rine safe? Allen… He was there. A bit far, but it looked like he was herded along just like me.

“Take them all.”

A robed man said quietly. The others surrounded the students and forced them to move. Resistance wasn’t allowed. Those who lashed out, those who tried to assert authority… in extreme situations, the worst sides of people really came out. Of course, I was made to walk along with the others.

Where we were taken was the academy plaza. A large number of people had already been gathered there. Not just students. Teachers as well.

I’ve been thinking this for a while, but isn’t security way too lax? Teachers who can actually fight… Gaius! Where the hell did that guy go!?

In the plaza were nobles at a glance. Men and women in extravagant clothing were being forced to kneel on the snow. A chill ran down my spine.

…That’s probably their target.

The nobles of the royal capital. Especially those with strong bloodlines. I recognized many of them from social gatherings. At that moment…

“Hey, that’s enough.”

A voice rang out. Stepping forward was a young man. Blond hair, well-defined features. And that voice…

“Cedric…!”

I let out a voice without thinking.

 Is he serious!? This is dangerous, just stay quiet!

Cedric looked over the apostles around him and scoffed.

“You caused this much chaos in the royal capital and think you’ll get away with it?”

The black-robed figures said nothing. They simply watched him silently. Cedric drew his sword. The silver blade reflected the light of the snow.

“Sorry, but—”

His magic power swelled.

This is really bad! Someone stop him!

“It ends here.”

“Cedric, wai—”

He stepped in, snow scattering. In an instant, he slipped into one of the black robes’ guard and struck.

Slash!!

The robe tore, and the man fell. The surroundings stirred.

“Whoa…!”

But Cedric didn’t stop. His blade flashed toward the next target. A second. A third. It was brilliant swordsmanship. However—

“…It’s over.”

The moment that voice echoed, the air changed.

“So there were still more of you. The weaker ones really do love to gather—”

From behind the approaching figures, a man stepped forward. Unlike the others, he wore a gray robe. There was this overwhelming presence about him. Cedric frowned.

“…Are you their leader?”

The man didn’t answer. He simply slowly raised his hand toward Cedric. In that instant—

BOOM!!

Magic power like pitch-black flames blew Cedric away.

“—!?”

He tumbled across the snow. His sword stabbed into the ground. The plaza fell completely silent in an instant. Cedric tried to push himself up, but… The man was already standing right in front of him.

“…Weak. Far too weak.”

A quiet voice. And then—

THUD!!

A fist slammed into him. Cedric’s body sank into the ground.

“…Damn it.”

Complete silence. No one could move. Well, of course. A hero who appeared out of nowhere getting crushed by a villain who also appeared out of nowhere.

…It really made you want to look away.

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“…It seems things are proceeding smoothly.”

“Yes. Of the ducal houses, Noctire, Gladio, and Berelmoria appear to still require time.”

Among all the structures in the royal capital, the tallest and most symbolic was the clock tower. At its top, a long-haired man holding a thick book with great care looked down over the capital.

“What about the academy? It should be the easiest place to gather fuel.”

“…That’s the issue. Resistance is stronger than expected, and suppression seems difficult.”

“…The hero candidates, huh. How detestable.”

The man frowned. He tightened his grip on the book he held.

“…Calm down, calm down… just a little longer.”

He muttered as if telling himself.

“It will all end. This kingdom will be wrapped in those flames!”

With trembling fingers, he stroked the cover of the book. The engraved pattern on the cover pulsed red.

“Fuha… hahahahahahahahaha!”

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