Chapter 69

Chapter 69: Declaration of War by the Shinigami

When Shu suddenly began to write something, Luto and the others tilted their heads in confusion.

Afterward, the small folded note was handed to Luto. As Luto attempted to read it, Shu stopped her.

"It would be good to give it to a subordinate who is mentally troubled."

"Should I not read it?"

"If it's the second option, you can read it."

"I see..."

A mysterious note received from an unfamiliar man.

Luto, Misla, and Sadina couldn't help but be curious. They wondered if something strange was written on it or if it contained a dramatic solution to the situation.

"Why shouldn't I look at it?"

Misla couldn't help but ask. In response, Shu closed his right eye and tilted his head slightly, indicating he didn't intend to explain the reasons. Understanding his response, Misla quieted down.

While touching the folded note, Luto sensed for traces of magic or enchantment.

(There are no traces of magic or enchantment... Could this really just be an ordinary note? It doesn't seem to be cursed...)

Suddenly handing them a note was akin to telling them to be suspicious. To be honest, Luto wanted to check the contents. However, being told not to immediately open it made her conscience hesitant.

Considering her position where she needed to be cautious about assassinations, she planned to check it later. But for now, she refrained from opening the note.

"Shu-san, I'm finished eating!"

"I see. Then, let's go."

While lost in thought, Shu and Iris stood up.

Grateful Sadina stood up as well and thanked them.

"Um! Thank you very much!"

If one is of noble birth, they should maintain elegance no matter who they're interacting with, when, or where. That was the image of nobility that Sadina had been taught. While she was of noble origin, she had the flexibility to offer respectful gratitude as a military person to civilians.

"Thank you."

"I also express my gratitude."

Following suit, Luto and Misla conveyed their thanks.

Shu, Iris, and the unknown citizens of the imperial capital departed from the trio.

***

"Hey, Captain."

"I understand, Misla."

A while later, Luto, Misla, and Sadina left the shop and walked along the main street. However, in a crowded place like this, opening and reading the note would be inconvenient.

"Let's head to the Ravane Squad's strategy room once. We'll read it there. If it contains valuable information, we'll show it to Ike."

"I'm curious."

"Be patient, Misla-san."

"Mm... I'm not a child."

Sadina scolded Misla while patting her head, to which Misla retorted.

From Sadina's perspective, Misla's attitude was more like that of a younger sister than a child, leading her to react this way.

Anyway, the three of them were on their way to the strategy room to find out the contents of the intriguing note. Their steps naturally quickened.

Passing the main street, they walked toward the vicinity of the castle where the Emperor resided and entered a nearby base. They followed the familiar path and entered a familiar room. With only the note on their minds, they hadn't really taken in the scenery along the way.

Reaching this point was almost like a habit.

"Captain, hurry up."

"Don't rush."

As Misla rushed her, Luto walked to her desk.

Sitting on her usual chair, she opened the note. Misla and Sadina, eager to know its contents, gathered around the desk.

The three of them peered into the note.

---

Ten days later, awaiting at Glen Cliff

From the "Shinigami" to the "Flame Dragon"

---

The three of them involuntarily gasped.

Thinking that there might be a mistake, they read it again. However, the written words remained unchanged.

"Huh..."

"Huh..."

"Huh!?"

Their surprised voices overlapped.

While they initially considered it a prank or a joke, Luto quickly changed her mind.

"I didn't mention anything about the 'Shinigami.' How did they know that our concern was related to the 'Shinigami'?"

"Ah! You're right!"

Sadina voiced her agreement.

As it was a confidential matter, Luto hadn't specifically spoken about either the Ravane Squad or the "Shinigami." Nevertheless, the note had pinpointed the exact source of their concern.

One thing was clear from this.

"That man is the 'Shinigami.' Can we conclude that?"

"But, Captain, there's also the possibility that the man, Shu-san, is just an acquaintance of the 'Shinigami.'"

"No, that's impossible. I can't believe that a mere acquaintance would have the authority to make such a promise."

Luto said, shaking the note slightly.

The fact that an assassin like the "Shinigami" was openly declaring a frontal attack was a problem in itself. Moreover, the time for the confrontation was precisely set. An assassin going to such lengths to disadvantage themselves was abnormal. Furthermore, someone other than the actual "Shinigami" promising such an event was highly unlikely.

From this, they arrived at the equation Shu = "Shinigami."

"Hey, then what about that girl, Iris?"

"That's true..."

Misla's question was valid.

However, their current knowledge couldn't lead them to an answer. At most, they could speculate that she might be the "Shinigami's" girlfriend. Regardless, the most important thing was that they had uncovered the identity of the "Shinigami."

It was eerie beyond words.

"I'm torn about whether to accept this note at face value."

"What should we do, Captain?"

"Is it about believing this note or not? Or about showing it to Ike?"

"Both."

"I see..."

Luto contemplated.

If this were true, it was a chance to defeat the "Shinigami." After all, the Ravane Squad was formed to eliminate the "Shinigami," and this was the perfect opportunity to confront a target they could barely even lay a finger on.

The main issue was whether to show this note to Ike or not.

But in the end, there was no need to agonize over that.

"We have no choice but to show it, right?"

This memo is equivalent to a potent drug.

It holds the potential to be a miracle cure for Ike, who is mentally suffering, yet it also carries the danger of succumbing to the madness of further revenge. However, rather than falling all the way down this abyss, it's best to administer this potent drug.

Lut, Misla, and Sadina had made up their minds.

"Let's call for Ike. It would be wise to report to His Majesty the Emperor as well."

Lut opened a drawer on the desk and picked up a golden lion emblem that was kept there. It was proof of being a General of the Subarokia Empire Army, bestowed by Emperor Gias.

Having this in hand meant having a responsibility towards their duties.

The Leivan Squad, which was conceived with the idea of the "Grim Reaper," had not been able to fulfill the given tasks so far. Now, a glimmer of hope to accomplish the mission had emerged. Reporting this to the Emperor was a natural obligation.

"In that case, should we seek an audience immediately?"

"Wait, Misla. Let's make preparations first. Remember the appearances of the man named Shu and the woman named Iris, have them drawn by a court artist. Then issue a wanted order."

"But, Captain, what if it's just a prank?"

"We can charge them with the crime of causing confusion within the military, so it's not a problem."

They intended to do what they could.

Lut wasn't patient enough to wait until the promised day, ten days later. They also considered the option of apprehending Ike beforehand, using their authority.

"First, we'll strategize here. Then report to His Majesty. We can't start without a budget, after all."

The military wasn't moved solely by power.

The most crucial aspect in the initial stages was... money.

***

In the end, on that very day, Emperor Gias made a decision.

The facial features of the man believed to be the "Grim Reaper," Shu, were described in a wanted poster and numerous copies were to be spread throughout the imperial capital, Aldaal.

Furthermore, in case the "Grim Reaper" couldn't be found, preparations were made to subdue him ten days later. This required a considerable force, including multiple magic knights, court-affiliated magicians, 200 regular soldiers, and numerous magical tools...

A force more than capable of definitively eliminating an assassin.

Of course, the Leivan Squad was also scheduled to march.

"You're late."

In the Leivan Squad's strategy room, Lut and the others were waiting. Naturally, they were waiting for Ike.

They had decided to show Ike the note from the "Grim Reaper."

Tension ran between the three of them.

"Ike-san, I hope you won't lose control after reading this..."

"I'm an idiot, so I'll definitely go charging out. Without a doubt."

"Don't worry, you two. If that happens, I'll use my magic to stop him. Hehe."

Lut was an area-type magic knight who controlled gravity. And she was an awakened magic knight.

Naturally, she was stronger than Ike.

If the need arose, restraining him would be effortless.

"He's here."

Approaching footsteps accompanied by a powerful surge of magic. It was clear that Ike wasn't hiding his immense magical power.

Without knocking, the door swung open.

Lut thought he might be summoned abruptly on his day off and be in a bad mood, but something seemed different. He was wearing training clothes, and seeing the dirt here and there, it was evident he had been training even today. Signs of weariness were visible on his face.

"What business do you have today, Captain Lut?"

"Really... so unfriendly."

"I was training. If that's all, can I go back?"

"Oh, but I have some interesting information. It's about the whereabouts of the 'Grim Reaper.'"

"I see... you're not as composed as you seem. I was thinking that if you bothered me too much, I'd have to use gravity to hold you down."

"I'm not that foolish. Deciding to kill someone isn't simple."

"If you can think that far, then I can comfortably tell you about the location. It's regarding the 'Grim Reaper,' isn't it?"

Ike's intent to kill was genuine. The air around him became so intense that even Lut, who was conversing nearby, could feel it. However, contrary to Lut's expectations, Ike remained composed.

"...Where is it?"

"You seem less calm than I thought. Were you planning to pin me down with gravity if I annoyed you too much?"

"I'm not that foolish. Deciding to kill someone isn't simple."

"If you can think that far, then I can comfortably tell you about the location."

Ike's intention to kill was genuine. The atmosphere around him changed dramatically, as if an aggressive flame, slicing through rock, took over. However, contrary to the Leivan Squad's expectations, Ike remained composed.

"...Where is it?"

"Once again, I'm off to the training grounds."

"Sure. I thought maybe you'd take a break today."

"I don't have that luxury. I must polish my magic to kill him..."

Ike wasn't solely focused on eradicating the Revolutionary Army Rebellion. Whenever he had free time, he went to the military's data room to research the Dark Syndicate Black Cat and the "Grim Reaper."

The abilities like turning people into corpses or freezing the surroundings in an instant had been elucidated, and he thought that either of them might be magic. Alternatively, both could be magical abilities, one belonging to the "Grim Reaper" and the other to one of his allies.

Understanding these abilities and devising countermeasures were crucial.

Only then could he develop a foolproof method to kill the "Grim Reaper."

"I'll go too."

"Then I shall help as well!"

"...Do as you like."

Perhaps inspired by Ike's intense presence, Misla and Sadina seemed enthusiastic too.

For them, the "Grim Reaper" was the enemy who had taken the lives of their companions, Erina and Yuri. It was only natural that they felt this way.

(Heh, thanks to the "Grim Reaper," the Leivan Squad is finally coming together.)

Lut thought of this ironic twist and smiled.