One day, I was Called by Tsugumi.
Tsugumi was the president of the Glaus Republic—and her word was absolute. If I resisted, the girl soldiers under her command would drag me away by force.
The soldiers' abilities varied. Thanks to their equipped bracelets, they could use magic, though they were far inferior to Kazusa, who delved into dungeons. Even I was slightly stronger than them.
Their swordsmanship wasn't honed in war, so they weren't much of a threat.
But that was only if I fought them one-on-one.
If they came at me as a group, no amount of resistance would matter. At that point, I'd have no choice but to give up.
Last time, I got thoroughly wrecked.
But I'd learned my lesson—this time, I prepared a countermeasure.
That's right. My SSR-class Guardian Sacred Beast, Kazusa—pulled from the Friendship 10x Gacha.
"I'm counting on you, SSR. Protect me."
"What's with the 'SSR' thing?"
"Don't worry about it."
I tried to lighten the mood with some banter, hoping to shake off the tension.
---
The Glaus Republic Government Office – Presidential Office.
Kazusa and I entered the room.
The moment Tsugumi saw Kazusa standing beside me, her eyebrow twitched.
Heh. The SSR effect is working.
What now? Can't lay a hand on me, can you?
Hahahaha!
"Kazusa."
Tsugumi let out a deep sigh.
"Fine. You might as well hear this too. It's about the former royal family."
So, Kazusa's presence didn't mean the conversation was over.
The royal family? Why was I being called in for that?
"Most of the former royals were exiled by us revolutionaries. You know full well the crimes they committed—especially against women."
Well, yeah, those guys were scum. I had no complaints about them being exiled. But what did that have to do with me?
Kazusa, apparently thinking the same thing, tilted her head.
"I get that. I kicked that bald bastard myself. But what does Takumi have to do with this?"
"There are reports that he's conspiring with the nobles to stage a rebellion."
"Huh?!"
I'm planning a rebellion?!
"Kazusa, tell him for me. Tell him to stop this foolishness."
So, Tsugumi thought Duke Felix and I were plotting something.
"Hold on a second!"
I couldn't help but Takumit.
"Yeah, I don't like you. And sure, I've talked with Duke Felix a few times. But accusing me of rebellion is going too far!"
"Playing the weak, obedient one while hiding your fangs, are you? Pathetic."
"You took my weapons! I've been working here this whole time, not even diving into dungeons. My magic level hasn't even gone up much. What more do you want from me?! Do you want me to just die?!"
Seriously, what was this girl thinking? Was she still drunk on revolutionary fervor?
"I'm trying to survive here. If you're seriously talking about execution… I won't go down without a fight."
I rested my hand on the sword at my waist, my gaze sharp. With Kazusa here, even against these numbers, we stood a chance.
Seeing my stance, Tsugumi pointed at me as if to say, See?!
"You see it now, Kazusa? This man is clearly rebellious. If we don't crush this insurrection now, he'll become a threat to the nation. Execution Takumild be considered."
"…What?!"
As expected, no matter how much we talked, we were getting nowhere.
The tension in the air was palpable.
Kazusa stepped forward, shielding me. I kept my hand on my sword while checking my surroundings.
Tsugumi, unfazed, raised her hand to signal her subordinates.
But then—
"Madam President."
One of Tsugumi's girl soldiers spoke up.
"What is it? Hurry up and arrest him. We'll deal with Kazusa later. Move."
"Isn't this… going too far?"
Huh?
Were they… defying Tsugumi?
"Y-You… Are you seriously saying that? Defending him—what are you thinking?!"
"B-But execution is too severe. Please consider a more lenient punishment."
This time, another minister backed me up.
"Y-You… We just discussed this! Why are you saying this now?!"
Tsugumi hysterically ran a hand through her red hair.
"It's you, isn't it?!"
"Huh?"
"You're the one who brainwashed my comrades!"
What the hell is she talking about?
"Calm down. Do you really think I have the charisma or speech skills to pull that off? They're just resisting your heavy-handedness. Even by Japanese standards, you're acting insane."
"I know! You have that unique skill—〈Mind Control〉! You and that duke conspired for this moment! Release my comrades from your brainwashing! Now!"
…Ah, I see.
So Tsugumi knew about my skill. That's why she was so paranoid—she thought anyone who opposed her was under my control.
This was troublesome. Proving I wasn't controlling anyone would be near impossible.
"I can't even use that skill properly. Trust me."
"Shut up! Men are all liars and filth! If only we'd exiled you back then… Someone—anyone—throw this man out of the country!"
At Tsugumi's command, some of the girl soldiers moved. Kazusa and I braced ourselves—but then, a third party intervened.
"Halt!"
"D-Duke Felix?!"
The one who stopped us was none other than the mustachioed Duke Felix.
Why is he here?
After most of the nobility was exiled, he had never once stepped foot in the government office—likely to avoid conflict with Tsugumi.
So why now?
"I've been listening to this entire conversation."
The duke's commanding voice echoed through the silent office.
"And now you blame your own heavy-handedness and shortsightedness on Takumi?"
"I—I never—!"
"Look around you."
Duke Felix swept his gaze across the room—at me, Kazusa, and even Tsugumi's own ministers and soldiers.
"A not-insignificant number of people oppose you. You wanted to create a nation led by women, supported by the people. So why betray your own comrades?!"
"Opinions warped by his skill aren't worth listening to! We swore to save the women trampled underfoot in this land—with our grand ideals!"
"Enough of this!"
The duke's roar struck like a shockwave.
"I heard you burned down the hero's mansion! Did you ever stop to think about Nao's feelings? Or how Takumi feels, being accused of rebellion by his own classmate without proof?! If you can't understand that, then you are the true criminal here! You are the one at fault!"
"Wha—Wha—!"
"Takumi told me. In your homeland, those who commit grave sins atone by cutting open their own stomachs, do they not?"
"What are you talking about?"
"Then cut your stomach open and atone! That's what this calls for!"
The duke's declaration silenced the room.
No one dared oppose him—not even Tsugumi's own soldiers.
"Y-You… How dare you…"
Tsugumi staggered back from her desk, visibly shaken.
"Shimojou Takumi… and you, former duke! Get out! I won't forget this humiliation—or your foolishness! And you!"
She glared at her ministers and soldiers.
"After all I've said, you still don't understand?! It seems you all need another discussion! Everyone, stay here! We're starting now!"
Apparently, they were going to have a talk.
Maybe her inner circle could talk some sense into her?
With that thought, Kazusa and I left the government office.
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