Alhambra also seems to be in charge of soldiering for the corps.
There are four executives in the Terror Circus.
Spade Ace, Diamond King, Heart Queen, and Club Jack. The four who were able to guess the Game Card’s suite are the ones most suited to be soldiers among the survivors of the Garcia Parra Circus.
Alhambra was waiting for the return of the Heart Queen. She was on a covert mission in a distant location.
When the chaos of the Bulk Maul offensive and defensive battle subsided, and preparations were underway to move to the next operation site, the Queen returned to the Magician.
At the captain’s cabin of the Land Battleship Mad Clown, Alhambra welcomed the Queen and offered words of encouragement.
“Queen, although it was a mission, you traveled a long distance. How did it go?”
The woman called Queen peeled off her disguise from below her chin. The bare face that appeared had a heart mark tattoo on her cheek, the proof of the Heart Company Captain of the Third Unit (Terror Circus).
Showing her bare face, the Queen smiled at the Magician and reported.
“Alhambra-sama, the Hazel fruit has ripened. We can harvest it at any time.”
Being called “sama” by a former comrade saddened the Magician.
However, the surviving members swore oaths by drinking each other’s blood. Led by Magician (Alhambra), they would achieve revenge. For that, ironclad unity was necessary; top-down command would be thoroughly enforced, allowing them to function as a single system. Calling the Magician “sama” was part of that.
There was no way the Magician could object to such sentiments. While he discarded his sentimentality, his achievements also increased. Thanks to the stringent top-down command by the veteran executives, the Terror Circus had grown to the point of being recruited by the Last Legion.
And the Magician Alhambra had become what could be called the confidant of Setsuna of Purgatory.
The Magician, considering the success of the covert operation he had instructed the Queen to perform, pondered.
“The Hazel fruit has ripened.” That means the period after the war will be important.
After finishing his consideration of several possible scenarios, the Magician proceeded to the leader, who was not the Ringmaster.
“The operation was a success! You did well, Alhambra! As expected of the corps’ top Magician, no, manipulator!”
In the cabin of the Last Legion flagship “Gekka,” Setsuna Oborozuki praised the Magician with an excited expression and tone.
This was unusual for him, who was usually calm and collected. It spoke volumes about the success of the Magician’s operation.
“Even if we were to strike, it would be foolish to do so after the war has ended, but what are your thoughts, Director?”
“Ah. Of course, it will be that way.”
After replying, Setsuna Oborozuki folded his arms and began to formulate his thoughts. The Magician watched silently.
“I want to finish this meaningless war quickly. The Mechanist Army will lose, and the Alliance Army cannot win decisively. It will only escalate into a quagmire. Both enemies and allies are incredibly incompetent.”
“We cannot win this war. Even though you, Director, defeated Jed Marlous, the brave general of the Alliance Army.”
“Does taking the Rook and Bishop in Shogi mean victory? No, you cannot win without taking the King. Zarazov must be having a headache after losing his confidant (Jed Marlous).”
“Heh, causing the Marshal a headache is not our objective, is it?”
“Ah. But thanks to Alhambra, we can secure a bridgehead to the new century. After the war ends, we will have the Sword and Shield render their final service.”
“Are you going to sacrifice Ashes and Quester as pawns?! Princess Rose, no, Marshal Gothart will not stand by and watch!”
Setsuna Oborozuki shook his head with a wry smile.
“I wouldn’t dream of it. Those two are useful talents for the new century I am creating. We would not treat them like Murdoch or Zart. With Toma as staff officer, the Rose Cross is achieving remarkable results. What do you think will happen after the war ends?”
The Magician understood. It would likely be as the Director said.
“They will probably request that command be returned to the Rose Cross, won’t they?”
“Can you refuse that request?”
“Impossible. Originally, the corps borrowed knights from the Ringvolt Empire. Moreover, Ashes and Quester’s true liege is Princess Rose, so there is no way to stop them legally or emotionally.”
“Exactly? However, Princess Rose will likely want to cooperate with the corps. Therefore, conditions can be set.”
“I see. In exchange for the success of the operation, command will be returned to the Rose Cross, is that it? It is indeed their final service to the corps. However, if the Sword and Shield are removed, the corps’ fighting strength will decrease.”
“It was foreseen that the Sword and Shield would withdraw upon the establishment of the Rose Cross. I have a plan… Alhambra, there is no endless night. I’m thinking of shining a little light on those wriggling in the darkness?”
“…You mean you will bring the Midnight Knights into the spotlight?… B-but, he alone…”
“Ah, he alone is impossible. He must remain in the shadows.”
The Magician felt relieved. The Midnight Knights were a group of strong and eccentric individuals, no less than the corps, but he was still too dangerous.
If brought into the spotlight, he might break the chains binding him and turn his fangs against the corps.
“Then I will take my leave. Please inform me when the next battlefield is decided.”
“It has already been decided. We will advance to Dormudan.”
“Dormudan? It’s a city that doesn’t have much impact on this war. What strategic significance does it have?”
“There is no strategic significance. Alhambra, it is a reward for your dedication. Lieutenant Colonel Moran is in Dormudan.”
The Magician’s blood began to boil. The warm blood he thought he had lost that day, but the ferocity of his blood had not diminished.
“That man!… But Director, you are dispatching the corps to a city with no strategic significance for my personal vendetta… Is that alright?”
“It’s fine. It’s just a detour before striking the strategic objective indicated by the Marshal. We can use it as a diversion. Besides, this war will not be significantly affected even if we gain a few more victories. Do you disagree?”
“Not at all. When the objective of the Terror Circus can be achieved… I cannot help but feel overjoyed. Thank you, Director.”
“Save your thanks until after you’ve taken Moran’s head. We have also requisitioned the necessary units from the Reizenheimer Division for the time being. Alhambra, you may lead the Dormudan conquest operation.”
“Yes, leave it to me!”
With a flourish of his cloak, the Magician returned to the circus.
…The time for revenge has come, and thus the causal ties weave.
In less than half a day, the city of Dormudan fell. It was only natural that a secondary city with no strategic importance would be ambushed by the sudden appearance of the Last Legion. It was akin to a cat being ambushed by a lion.
The Dormudan military headquarters was completely surrounded by the corps, leaving no room for even an ant to crawl through.
No surrender ultimatum was issued, and astonishingly, even surrender communications from the Alliance side were ignored. At Alhambra’s strong insistence…
After destroying the military headquarters’ defensive facilities with naval bombardment, Alhambra, leading only the Terror Circus, launched an assault.
In a situation where only the strength of the soldiers mattered, the defenders became spectators of a deadly performance one after another, paying the admission fee of their lives.
Lieutenant Colonel Moran, the commander of the defense force, sent telegrams requesting reinforcements multiple times, but there was no response from nearby cities.
There was no one foolish enough to attempt a rescue of Lieutenant Colonel Moran by fighting the corps.
Once the corps infiltrated the city, Lieutenant Colonel Moran considered escaping by helicopter, but the helicopter had already been destroyed by operatives Alhambra had sent in beforehand.
Even attempting to escape by land, the corridors leading out of the city were quickly sealed off, leaving no escape route.
Resigned to his fate, Lieutenant Colonel Moran sent a surrender telegram, but it too was ignored, and his desperation flowed down his face like sweat.
“Why!! Why is the corps attacking this godforsaken rural town!!”
The deputy’s adjutant shivered at Lieutenant Colonel Moran’s scream that echoed in the command room. …Does this man not remember what he did several years ago?
“Colonel, have you forgotten about Alhambra Garcia Parra?”
“There was someone like that in the corps, but so what! Can’t you see this is not the time! Thinking of how to get me to escape, or rather, redeploy, is your job as adjutant, isn’t it!”
He was still clinging to the euphemism of “redeployment.” I thought he was an idiot, but I never imagined he was this foolish.
I can’t afford to be dragged down with such a man. It was because you caused trouble in Ligrit that I was sent to this backwater in the first place. If I had stayed in the capital, even the corps couldn’t have laid a hand on me!
“Lieutenant Colonel Moran, there is a way to redeploy. …Only one, though.”
“S-speak quickly! What way is it!”
The adjutant drew his pistol from its holster and aimed it at his superior’s brow.
“It is to retreat to heaven, or rather, hell. Then even the corps cannot follow.”
“W-wait!! Stop! What are you thinking…”
“If I surrender with your corpse, my life might be saved. Don’t you understand that, you idiot!”
The adjutant finally uttered the words he had wanted to say for years. …As a last will, though.
The moment he finished speaking the desired words, a bloodstained cane emerged from his chest.
“That won’t work. All those involved in that incident will die. I can’t distinguish between guilty and innocent, so a massacre is fine, right?”
Whispering to the silent corpse, the Magician and the four Game Cards surrounded Lieutenant Colonel Moran.
“It was fortunate that your unit was sent here. The teacher would say, ‘Heaven’s net is wide, but it misses nothing.’ Long time no see, Captain Moran.”
Finally, Lieutenant Colonel Moran seemed to recall his memory. He backed away, but his back immediately hit the wall.
“…The one from… that time…”
“The show was interrupted, wasn’t it? Show him. Show him your act.”
“Club Jack, I’ll show you! My act!”
Club Jack, a large man, grabbed the pathetic Colonel and shattered his right leg with his incredible strength, then threw him aside.
“Ahhh!! My leg, my leg!!”
“Diamond King. Motorcycle stunts are his specialty. Since he can’t perform them here, please make do with this act.”
As he said this, he fired a large pistol he had taken out, leaving clover-shaped bullet marks on his left leg.
“It hurts! It hurts! Someone! Is anyone there!”
As the Colonel continued to scream, a woman with a whip stood before him as he tried to crawl away on his arms.
“That’s not much of a show. Heart Queen. I’m a beast tamer. Though a beast like you is outside my specialty!”
Tears of despair welled up, and his right arm, which he tried to draw a pistol with, was entangled by a vengeful whip. It broke with a cracking sound.
“Gyaah!! …S-stop… please stop…”
“Will you stay until the end of the show, our customer? Spade Ace. My act is juggling. Enjoy it!”
A chakram thrown at him severed his left arm, but the Colonel no longer had the strength to scream.
Having finished the opening acts, the four Game Cards made way for the Magician. Holding his cane, the Magician approached Lieutenant Colonel Moran, whose limbs were broken and who lay like a caterpillar.
“Now, for the finale, I shall show you the magic of human disappearance. Are you ready?”
“…Please… save me… I’ll do… anything…”
After hearing his plea for his life, the Magician snapped his fingers, and flames engulfed Lieutenant Colonel Moran, cremating him alive.
Watching the burning corpse, Club Jack asked the Magician.
“Alhambra-sama, I don’t think that’s human disappearance magic…”
Heart Queen wiped away the tears of joy from her completed revenge and winked, replying.
“Jack, it’s a pun, a pun on ‘human bonfire’.”
