Sunset by Yoshiki Tanaka

Author:Yoshiki Tanaka [Tanaka, Yoshiki]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, Science Fiction, Light Novel
Publisher: Haikasoru
Published: 2019-11-19T06:00:00+00:00

Composite battalions formed of smoke and flame rose from countless corners of Stechpalme Schloß, soaring into the darkening sky. As Kessler arrived in the front garden and looked up at the structure, worry flickered in his stoic gaze. The fire had further reduced the effectiveness of the heat-detection system, making it difficult to determine how best to enter.

Regardless, His Majesty’s wife and sister were trapped somewhere inside. Kessler sent in an initial wave of military police, but blaster bolts from upstairs mowed them down. Only two men escaped with their lives. Out of respect for the privacy of the imperial couple, the residence had not been equipped with any sort of internal monitoring systems, but now that lack was causing problems. Because it had originally been a private residence, only the basic floor plans remained, and it was impossible to tell what was happening inside.

“Let me through! Let me through!”

A figure suddenly slipped through the line of soldiers, nimble as a squirrel, but before it could get past Kessler, the commissioner reached out quickly and seized the passing collar. He found that he had caught a girl of about seventeen. She had dark hair and eyes, and a sensitive-looking face.

“Don’t you realize how dangerous this is? Get back and stay clear.”

“But Hilda—I mean, the kaiserin and the archduchess are still on the second floor. Let go of me!”

“You’re her handmaiden?”

“Yes. Oh, if only I hadn’t gone to buy chocolate ice cream, none of this would have happened.”

I’m not so sure of that, Kessler thought, but remained silent. The girl turned toward him with a serious expression.

“Please, Captain, please get the kaiserin and the archduchess out safely. I’m begging you.”

Suppressing a smile at being addressed as someone five ranks below his actual position, Kessler asked the girl if she knew which room Hilda and Annerose were in. She thought for a few moments, then seized the “captain” by the hand and dragged him around to the rear garden. She pointed directly at a corner room from which white smoke was beginning to escape.

“That’s the south window in the library,” she said. “There’s a sofa right under it, and that’s where the kaiserin will be. I’m sure of it.”

Kessler nodded and ordered his men to bring him a light alloy ladder designed for field combat. He checked his blaster’s energy capsule, then called three officers over and gave them new orders. Next, Kessler leaned the ladder against the wall, confirmed that it was stable, and put his hand on a rung. He had decided to go in himself.

“Hox pox physibus, hox pox physibus!”

The girl was reciting a peculiar chant as she clasped her hands together, fingers intertwined. Noticing Kessler looking at her curiously, she began to smile, then remembered that this was not the time or place and straightened her face again.

“It’s a charm my grandfather taught me,” she said. “He said it means ‘Misfortune, begone from here!’ ”

“Does it work?”

“If you repeat it enough times.”

“Keep going, then.”

Kessler scaled the ladder, blaster between his teeth.

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