Seirei Gensouki's
Chapter 97: The Interstice of Ethics

Elegant music is played in the hall that houses the evening party.

There were many men and women who formed a couple to dance in the dancing hall.

With the exception of Satsuki and Rio or, Hiroaki and Liselotte, there were the figures of Charlotte and Christhardt, the Galwark royal family, among them.

Perhaps because everyone should pay attention, quite a number of people watch the dance.

Rio and Satsuki were overlapping each other and tenderly their hands, and then leaning closer until they could feel each other's breath.

「That reminds me, I have not confirmed Satsuki-san's determination, right. You want to meet Miharu-san and co as well. Am I not wrong？ 」

Rio muttered those words lightly, all while performing elegant dance steps on it.

「…………. . Correct . I'd like to meet them if I can 」

Satsuki's replying with a slightly gloomy expression.

「If that's the case, then the conversation couldn't be simpler. Let's talk about plans for it 」

Rio's mouth said those words lightly.

After which, Satsuki squinted her eyes.

「It is very easy for me to say it but, with my current standing, you should have understood it correctly?」

「Yes, you have stayed in the royal palace as a hero. While your freedom of choice may be respected as much as possible, you are definitely being monitored if you are trying to do something. This is your situation, right？ 」

Rio shrugged his shoulders lightly while answering that.

"………… . Then, may I hear what plan you have in mind？ 」

「Good. If you say that you want to meet with Miharu-san and colleagues, the country will definitely give permission for your reunion but ............

After saying that Rio stopped talking, and a color of disappointment floated onto Satsuki's face.

Rio smiled gently and,

「But, it seems that somehow Satsuki-san hates the idea right？ Actually, I don't agree with that either. You should feel anxious about the fact that Miharu-san and her partner will become a political bargaining tool, right？ 」

So, he asked as if he could look into Satsuki's heart.

His expression was calm in some ways.

「Indeed right, right. That's why, I wonder why you did this by planning to make contact with me alone？ But ………………. If you have understood that far, you should understand that it is very difficult for me and Miharu-chan and her comrades to meet properly？ 」

Satsuki's showing an expression mixed between suspicion and confusion.

At that moment, Rio felt that he was negotiating Satsuki with Miharu and co as a bargain.

For example, when it comes to protection for Miharu and co in Galwark kingdom, Rio will be the benefactor protecting Satsuki's friends who are heroes.

If that was the case, Rio might be able to climb the social status ladder using those achievements.

Perhaps Rio's hidden agenda is to climb the ladder of social status using Miharu and co.

Although it was only for a moment, Satsuki had such suspicions but, as expected, Rio also rejected the idea of getting Miharu and co involved in a political dispute in the country.

It was based on indirect evidence of their conversation but, whether he would obey or not follow his plan was another story.

Satsuki can't read all of Rio's thoughts and there is no joke to fully trust him and then be fooled *. [TL*: In favor of kittenbitten-san of NU]

But it was also true that if Satsuki did not take the first step herself, she would not be able to get any information about Miharu and the others *. [TL*: In favor of kittenbitten-san of NU]

Section 2

"Yes of course . Since there is not much time left, I will say it briefly. When you say that you want to avoid meeting them in advance, it means there is nothing left but the 」 method

Saying so, Rio wrapped his right hand around Satsuki's back, and lightly pulled that slender waist.

And then, whispered close to his ear.

「Come hide from country and do it in secret」

Satsuki's eyes were wide open.

Rio's words echoed many times within his brain.

「Confidential meeting ………. Did you really go that far？ Even as a joke, I am currently living in the royal palace you know？ Even so, it was something similar to keeping an eye on me in the castle, so something like a secret meeting could not be 」

Satsuki's refusing while slightly raising her voice.

「I have no plans to let you meet at the castle. I was thinking of helping Satsuki-san get out of the palace 」

「Exit from the castle, you said ………………. How are you gonna do that?"

「It depends on the current monitoring system against Satsuki-san. I'll ask you this, but, is Satsuki-san being monitored inside your room till sleep？ 」

Satsuki showed a pensive expression towards Rio question.

「........................ I haven't thought of it that way but, it's not. There were times when even I woke up late without sleeping a few times but, at least no one came to visit me while I was sleeping. I'm sure they don't look into 」

Satsuki's retaliating after a bit of hatred.

「In this case, the right time is in the middle of the night, not」

Rio answered quickly.

「That is, it might be late at night if it comes time to get out but …………. That's not possible you know. Of course, no one would come to monitor someone sleeping if it was in the middle of the night but, there were guards outside the room, he said, and then there are the security soldiers crowding around the inside of the castle you know？ 」

Satsuki told him that half by reflex.

"Of course . That's something I'm fully aware of, you know 」

Satsuki said the risk that Rio would also share, was never in any way she took issue with him.

No matter how he did with Rio, the attack to the royal palace was not something he wanted to do just because of a simple decision.

There is a need to be very alert to the environment when infiltrating.

And, from the fact that even among humans, there are people who have a high perception of magical power, the, there was a fear that those people would detect an unusual phenomenon due to the remnants of magical power floating in the air when he used spirit arts for a secret business.

If they noticed an unusual phenomenon, it would definitely turn into an uproar.

Although escaping might not be difficult even when it turned into a commotion, instead, the plan to meet Satsuki would be even more difficult.

「But let me handle that. Here's what you call “entering a tiger's nest” correct 」

「S-Entah how to handle it you say ........」

Section 3

Satsuki wished she could hold her head.

While he said something like that easily, he also lost his desire to offer further opinions.

Or rather, the development of their conversation was too fast, the speed of its processing could not catch up with it.

「The time is also limited, can you tell me the position of your room? Because I'll come visit you tonight when the full moon hangs in the sky south」

Satsuki was a little resentful due to the paralysis in her thinking towards the question thrown at her.

Although there were a lot of things he wanted to ask regarding the specific invasion plan in Rio's mind, let alone regarding Miharu and co.

All he wanted to ask was too much to answer knowing the rest of the time he had left.

After the dance is over, she won't be able to have such a long conversation alone with Rio.

Because it would arouse the displeasure of the environment if he did.

「………. . If you go that far, then there are four towers in the four directions of the royal castle, right？ My room is on the top floor east of 」

At the end of her internal strife, Satsuki decided to tell Rio the location of her own room.

Although he had no knowledge of what methods he would use to attack the castle, it was difficult to fight the enchantment of getting information about Miharu and the others.

Satsuki was in a situation where she had no knowledge of Rio's identity yet, although no one could make her believe her words in this short period of time, at least from the conversation so far, he could see that Rio was an intellectual person.

It might be better to trust him when weighing the risks and coming back.

But, perhaps because she was too engrossed in the matter of regaining information about Miharu and co, and the feasibility of the place could also be clearly seen, Satsuki ignored one thing.

The issue about the act of invasion of the royal palace was a grave criminal offense that would be sentenced to death if confirmed to be true.

In short, the action that Rio was about to take was an unlawful act.

It would make him become reluctant if it was a normal Satsuki in time of peace.

But, the pattern he encountered this time was something that could not make him oppose it.

In short, he was swayed by how much influence the conversation had.

「I'm glad this conversation is over quickly. Just in case, I will tell you about this before, secret meetings are not a method to meet them multiple times. Until the last one this means emergency. If you want to meet them again after this, please check your mutual intention by discussing it 」

"You are right . Should we live together, or separately, perhaps it is of no use and not something you can give me the solution for ……. . 」

Satsuki sighed lightly while saying that.

"……Yes . I'm useless and can't give you a 」 solution

Rio muttered in a low voice.

「EH? 」

Satsuki was panting heavily due to her cold voice, and suddenly raised her face.

But, for some reason Rio smiled amiably.

He could not feel the remains of the suspicious person, the smile was akin to a priest hiding their emotions.

Looking at that smile, he thought that somehow he could place his trust in this person.

But, somehow the matter about the person called Rio was something that he could not understand very well.

At the same time, he felt that he was a mysterious person.

Perhaps it was because he really could not sense any risk assessment from her.

This kind of feeling was something he did not have if it was a human being who had his own self-interest behind his actions.

It was anti or should he say, he felt it was a bit unsuitable.

Then Satsuki sighed lightly inside,

「…………. . I can't trust you yet, but please thank you. Thank you"

Section 4

She thanked him while looking into Rio's eyes.

Perhaps, it might be because he wanted to peer into Rio's heart.

He did not improve himself, because something like peeping at your opponent's heart was not an easy matter.

「Nothing, I'm just doing this for myself」

Rio smiled as if troubled as he replied to her.

"Yes, that"

After a short answer, Satsuki stepped in as if entrusting her body to Rio, gently putting her left hand to Rio cheek.

And then, after smiling as if enjoying the action, she peeked at Rio face from close range even more.

「OOH!」

Although it was unexpected and fiery, it was a pleasant attitude.

The audience looks on them.

While circling around as they did the rotation, they continued carving out elegant yet rhythmic steps.

「You seem to enjoy this instead of」

Rio asked her.

He noticed a slight change in Satsuki's atmosphere that continued to cling to him until a moment ago.

"I saw . Because this is a rare opportunity to dance with someone who understands my feelings, so I try to give you a passionate dance so as not to make myself mobbed by proposals for a dance after this 」

Satsuki showed her naughty smile.

Rio smiled wryly.

"Religion . It's troublesome when you receive a dance invitation right after returning exactly 」

Replying to that, Satsuki blushed lightly and then shifted her gaze away from Rio.

Maybe he was a bit embarrassed by their situation, glued to each other.

「I think there are a lot of people who want to dance with Satsuki-san lho」

「I'm reluctant to do it, you know. I hate the idea of having to dance with someone I don't know 」

Satsuki's letting out a light breath.

「I'm someone you don't know」

"You are…………… . . Yes, I was surprised in various ways by you, right. I mean, it was really surprising when I suddenly heard a voice echoing inside my head. Perhaps, I can say that after all you are someone who will not cause trouble. Don't you think that this compensation is fine to make up for？ 」

Satsuki's looking at Rio with a pleasant smile floating on her face while saying that.

「It was rough, you saw」

Section 5

Their eyes met and then, they started laughing together.

Soon after, the musical performance for the dance will be over soon.

The most applause came from the audience not for Christhardt and Charlotte, or Hiroaki and Liselotte, it was meant for Rio and Satsuki's couple.

Although one part of the audience did not find it funny, the evening party went well from then on and it ended the first day of the evening party.

☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★

After the party that night closed the curtains, Rio returned to the Duke Kretia's house where he had previously lived with Liselotte.

Although Liselotte seemed to want to ask something when they were on their way home, Rio ignored that from the start.

Liselotte would also not inquire in such a rude manner, so time flowed towards bedtime.

And then, the night party in the capital continued to take place in the silent night.

The time of the full moon to hang in the southern sky was about to come, Rio decided to sneak out of the mansion when most of the people in the Duke Kretia mansion were already in their dreams.

The defense of the Duke Kretia palace was extremely strict.

Whether it was robbing or sneaking out of the house, the biggest barrier was Liselotte treasurer, Aria Governess.

He has confirmed that Aria is sensitive to sign.

He had already made preparations to sneak out of the house last night, although Rio tried to secretly go to the park in the name of "training" while sunbathing with the night breeze, even though Rio tried to quietly go to the park in the name of "training" while sunbathing with the night breeze, Aria also casually came to the park and greeted Rio.

Aria looked at the figure of Rio swinging his mock sword with an expression as if admiring it for some reason.

But as expected, that doesn't mean that Aria also sleeps all night.

If it was for work related to Liselotte's personal care, Aria's sleep time was also quite early.

Of course, the sleep time of humans living in this world is quite early compared to the Japanese living in modern times.

The cost of light also cannot be considered trivial, that's why many people prepare to work early in the morning.

Now back to the main topic.

Rio was dressed formally in black and then headed to the royal palace under the cover of the night.

The moonlight shone on the royal castle, the faint glow of magic tools that had lit up at every turn of the royal castle.

Although time had been hasty until midnight long ago, to welcome foreign guests from foreign countries, the current defense in the royal castle was even stricter than usual.

Although the interior of the castle had been quiet, a large number of soldiers were being deployed in the castle and on the sturdy castle wall that towered high with its enormous size, they had been very careful to not even allow a single mouse to attack the royal palace.

The thing about an outsider creeping into the castle without being discovered by someone was an impossible task even if that person was not a mediocre person.

But, it was a different story if that person could fly in the sky without making a sound.

Although the soldiers sharpened their eyes and ears while keeping their vigilance against the living beings or demons flying in the night sky, as expected, it was a difficult matter for them to find an invisible object that flew without making a sound.

Satsuki said that her room was on the top floor of the towering tower in the royal palace.

Therefore, something like creeping inside was not so difficult for Rio who was flying in the sky with spirit arts.

☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★

Satsuki was wearing one-piece pajamas and sitting on top of the bed hugging her knees, she stared at the full moon peeking out from the southern balcony.

Section 6

（……………. Will he really come?）

Rio had said that he would come to meet her when the full moon floated in the southern sky.

Right now the full moon is hanging right in the southern sky.

When he tried to calmly think about it after the evening party ended, Satsuki reached the conclusion that attacking the royal palace was impossible but, if it was a declaration, Rio would come at any time.

（I think the students who roam in and out of the men's and women's rooms during sightseeing trips might feel this way？ Somehow, maybe I currently understand their feelings a little bit ………. ）

A smile peeked at Satsuki's lips.

I don't know why his chest is beating so hard.

Since he can't go anywhere with a confined status, this might lead to a release of adrenaline.

Although this is the first time breaking the law for her being hailed as the right and diligent girl in her neighborhood in high school, Satsuki feels excitement in herself for this reason.

（The wrong thing to do, yes. Sure oes. Even though he crawled in, it would be very bad if he leaked his position, right. If he is unlucky, it will be a death sentence .....）.

It was the so-called invasion of the castle where the nobles lived.

And in the end, he seeks to defeat Satsuki, the hero.

Although not by accident, it was definitely considered a criminal act by the laws of Galwark kingdom.

Although in the case of Japan, the crime of attacking one's house was a petty crime, never did he think that the act of attacking the place where nobles live was considered a light crime in this world.

This is clearly a grave crime.

The worst possible punishment is the death penalty.

Satsuki was suddenly pondering over such things.

「……」

He made clear the situation because his consciousness was stolen by the information of Miharu and her comrades, despite ignoring his intuition, Satsuki felt uneasy as if a bucket of cold water was being poured on her.

(Will she…………… . Really come？ Or is he just kidding？ That or does she have full confidence in her skills ......）.

Satsuki recalled her heart beat which was clearly different from the one up until now.

He has never broken the law until now.

She was taught to pay attention to the eyes of those around her in her daily life as the daughter of a company president.

He came to persuade himself without example around him as the student council president in high school.

That is how he lived and grew up in Japan.

Although everyone had their own moral standards, Satsuki could not help but feel a stronger reluctance than normal people from breaking the law or doing something taboo.

Especially to say if it was an act worthy of death.

（There are dozens of defense soldiers patrolling inside the tower. There were also some soldiers in the other room. I wonder how he plans to come？ Is there an achievement？ But, someone who can guide him with a free ticket until this room …………. ）

He was pondering the way Rio would use to head towards his room.

But, he could not get an answer when thinking about it in the usual way.

It's impossible, right.

He would be found by the soldiers who were always patrolling while trying to move into the tower.

The soldier in front of the room would not give permission to enter the room to someone without a justified reason.

When it comes to night time, justifying reason is also very limited.

Section 7

（Can't he heat up and surprise the soldiers who are inside the top of the tower？ It would be very chaotic if it really turned out that way ........ But, besides, the way to enter this room is ...............!）.

When his imagination reached that far, Satsuki was suddenly startled.

And then turned his eyes to the southern balcony that he had opened.

（There is no way he intends to climb the tower wall exactly right）

The height of the top of the tower is several dozen meters.

Surely, although he wanted to believe that he would not do something like climb the wall of the tower――,

（……………. What I want in the end）

The inside of his head became jumbled with various things, Satsuki was somehow somewhat lost in thought.

He refused to break the law.

But, he wants to meet Miharu and co.

There were two ways to meet them, whether they came to see him, or he went to see them.

For example, even if he summoned them to this castle, he wanted to have a discussion regarding that risk beforehand.

Since perhaps he would bring discomfort to Miharu and co if he called them, if they were to come, he wanted them to know the danger it would cause them.

And then, he wanted to convey this danger from his own mouth. Because he thinks that not doing it is cowardice.

Even so, what is the best way to have such a discussion.

Should she meet Miharu and her partner with breaking the law as Rio suggested, if it was the so-called invasion, even if she wrote the letter, would she receive the letter delivered by Rio *. [TLC *: e ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ suggested suggested suggested suggested suggested suggested suggested suggested suggested suggested suggested suggested suggested suggested suggested suggested suggested suggested suggested suggested suggested suggested suggested suggested suggested bested suggested suggested bested offered bested suggested suggested suggested suggested suggested suggested suggested suggested suggested suggested suggested suggested suggested suggested bested offered bested offered bested offered bested offered bested offered bested offered bested offered bested offered bested offered bested offered bested offered bested offered bested offered the suggested suggested suggested suggested suggested suggested suggested suggested suggested suggested suggested suggested suggested suggested suggested suggested bested suggested suggested bested suggested bested suggested inspired invasion, Satsuki didn't want to do that, and thought that,, just think that, Satsuki did not want to, even if he were to write a letter, would Rio bring an answer that Miharu would write. ]

「Haa ....」

He sighed lightly as he could not get an answer.

In the end, it was annoying to the point that he had no choice but to rely on Rio.

After which, the figure of a person quietly appeared on the southern balcony without showing where they came from.

The next moment, a gentle breeze blew into the room while letting out a "Hyuu" sound".

A light breeze spread to the corner of the room and then back to the balcony.

「...... Eh?」

Satsuki who was bewildered by the mysterious movement of the wind that was blowing into her room.

Although there was a slight illumination by the moonlight, he did not know the identity of the figure wrapped in total darkness.

What he barely understood was just the fact that he was wearing a veil and dark clothes.

"Excuse me . I'll use detection ………. Miraculous. There seems to be a guard soldier outside but, there is no supervision inside your room. I'm coming to see you 」

After which, the small voice of a young man echoed within the room.

The owner of the voice quickly entered the room.

「…………. You, Haruto-kun right？ 」

Satsuki put up her protector while timidly asking him.

"Yes nih . Right"

It was a familiar voice he had heard before.

Satsuki breathed a sigh of relief.

But, a feeling of excitement immediately flowed into his chest.

「You really ...................... Attacking the castle, not ....................」.