Middle game

“Did we fail?”

The Prince muttered while gazing at the pillar of light piercing through the sky.

None of the knights he brought possessed such absurd divine power.

Therefore, by rational judgment, that must be an attack from his Sister’s companion – the Watcher.

“Communications?”

“Still jammed. Presumed to have been disrupted by divine power before being destroyed.”

“Hmm…”

The Prince stroked his chin in thought.

Though unclear how they knew, he strongly suspected they had prepared countermeasures in advance.

If they were at their previous level, this much would have been sufficient.

It seemed his Sister had changed far more than expected in the mere half-year since being exiled to the Academy.

“Too many variables. Not good…”

“What are your orders?”

“…Split into halves. We’ve only lost four. Six should suffice to handle any incidents.”

Under the pretense of showing mercy, the Prince had given his Sister three days.

But it would be a grave mistake to think he’d remained idle during that time.

To ascend the throne, one must be willing to commit any dirty deed without hesitation.

The Prince had investigated everyone around his Sister in preparation for contingencies.

“Half remain here on standby. The other half moves to where the first signal stopped.”

“…The signal’s stopping point? Why?”

“Though destroyed now, the signal was active until recently before being attacked. Someone became bait.”

Impossible to determine when they noticed the tracker or who carried it.

With the monitoring device destroyed, precise information was unavailable.

…But logical deduction remained possible.

“Eliminate the possibility the Watcher planted it. They’re not fools who’d fail to interfere while gathering that much divine power.”

“Understood.”

“My Sister wouldn’t volunteer as bait – exclude her. …And exclude the Academy Teacher too.”

“…Why?”

“They’re practically a civilian. Non-combatant who came to help.”

The Teacher his Sister brought lived up to their title – possessing virtually no combat ability.

Often seen panting after minimal exertion, reportedly unable to use magic either.

No reason to use such a frail person as bait.

The bait must be one of three: the Demon Possessor, the Former Prodigy, or the unknown commoner.

Though their exact movements remained unclear, one certainty existed…

They’ve split their forces.

“No civilian could traverse that distance so quickly. Leaving one mystery bait and excluding one Watcher – four remain.”

His Sister wouldn’t leave her helper unguarded.

At minimum one, maximum three guards would accompany her.

Excluding the Teacher, actual combatants numbered three at most.

Even assuming no further division, with their most threatening member (the Pope) absent, only three opponents remained.

Double their number would leave them helpless.

Fewer guards mattered not – fewer meant less ability to respond.

“They’re throwing bait to shake us. …Then we’ll throw bait too.”

A strategy to create chaos and reduce numbers at once.

The optimal choice when disadvantaged, yet easily predicted.

Seeing her stubbornly adhere to such tactics despite some changes proved she remained fundamentally his Sister.

No wonder she kept losing daily.

“When the six here encounter the bait, hold them at all costs. The other six will suppress expected forces at the starting point and return.”

“Understood.”

“Ah, one more. Aggressively target that Teacher. Kill if necessary. Attack with lethal intent.”

“…”

“Answer.”

“…Yes.”

Though unclear about their exact relationship, he could guess it wasn’t ordinary.

A partnership where she joined despite veiled threats about dire consequences.

Thus, targeting the non-combatant Teacher first would create protective openings.

Exploiting those gaps would drastically reduce variables.

Carrying dead weight always rapidly diminishes combat effectiveness.

“…If they survive?”

“Even better. If the Teacher miraculously lives after subduing others, take them hostage.”

“…”

“Move out. Time’s short.”

“Yes.”

Following the Prince’s orders, half the knights formed teams entering the forest.

Losing merely four meant little.

Learning attack locations and methods from their defeat made those four losses worthwhile.

Now just await the mystery bait’s appearance.

The day of becoming Emperor nears.

“Look out!”

“…?!”

Just as he relaxed to sit down.

A knight guarding nearby deflected a small stone slicing through the wind.

“Interesting talk, you bastard.”

“…You heard everything?”

“Yeah, heard it all. Disgustingly accurate.”

Who threw the stone?

As if answering, a familiar voice echoed in the Prince’s ears.

“…Surprising. You became the bait?”

“Why? Can’t I?”

The Prince momentarily panicked at his Sister volunteering as bait, then burst into laughter.

Though unexpected, the enemy force still split as predicted.

Resolving even easier than anticipated.

“…Wow, that laugh’s truly unpleasant. Do all royals laugh like that?”

“How rude, Orca. Daring to equate me with that brother of mine.”

“Ah, sorry.”

“Hahaha! Three baits! Within expected parameters!”

The Demon Possessor. Sister. And the Watcher hiding nearby.

Splitting forces proved bolder than imagined.

And simultaneously idiotic.

Though regrettable dividing forces unnecessarily due to not anticipating her as bait…

No matter. Current numbers sufficed for suppression.

“So all my moves were within my brother’s predictions?”

“You’re too predictable, Sister. Bringing such simplistic strategies.”

“I see. I’ll be more careful.”

“No need. You’ll die today.”

“Is that so? No future?… Then I must defy my brother’s expectations today.”

That instant.

The Prince saw his Sister’s eerie smile and felt ominous foreboding.

“Think I’d fall for the same tricks repeatedly? Of course I expected you’d see through this rushed strategy.”

“…What?”

“I thought that scheming brother would surely try something. Thanks for not disappointing.”

His Sister declared with an unseen-before smile.

That she’d anticipated his plans.

“I already predicted you’d try taking the non-combatant Teacher hostage by splitting forces.”

“…Ho? And? You misunderstand – this duel exists to kill you. Others are mere pawns. Like chess’s King. Becoming bait ends the game.”

True, her unexpected action surprised him.

But only because it defied normal expectations.

Did she not understand sacrificing herself meant checkmate?

“No, I’m the Queen. Not the King.”

…Had she finally gone mad?

The Prince incredulously questioned her declaration.

“Oh? Then who’s the King?”

“Guess? Hint – dear brother. The King has one escape when endangered.”

“What are you…”

“Still don’t understand? Let me explain. My magic is chess-based. …Who might the King be?”

“…Ho?”

“Seems you finally understand.”

Though familiar with her magic, he’d never seen her designate anyone as King before.

Overlooking chess’s special rule.

“We’re not the bait. They are.”

***

“…Don’t move. Move and this woman dies.”

“Wow, that cliché line almost made me yawn.”

“Same.”

Despite assassins materializing sword-at-my-throat as if always present, we remained unshaken.

Having anticipated this.

Perhaps sensing danger from our calm, I murmured while ignoring their movements.

“Castling.”

“?!”

“Hello, friend. Pleasure meeting you.”

Slick.

With cheerful greeting, the knight’s sword-hand holding my throat got severed.

“And goodbye.”

…Huh? She seems slightly angry?

Must be imagining it.