Naruhito (13)
Bang!!
A tremendous noise rang out, and the door was kicked open.
With a fever and a hazy head, I couldn’t quite grasp the situation. Since I was lying face down, I couldn’t move my head much either.
Ikumatsu, who had been carefully wiping my sweat, flinched and then stood up in front of the bed. Five military-clad individuals entered, handling their guns noisily and still wearing their shoes.
“So, that’s the Combat Doll.”
The man who entered after the five spoke in a commanding tone. His military uniform had various decorations.
“Move.”
Ikumatsu quickly dropped to both knees, adopting a kneeling position, placing his right hand on top of his left fist and raising his head.
“Kujou Ikumatsu reporting. This child here is bedridden due to an injury, which has led to the current fever. Please pardon his discourtesy of being unable to rise.”
“Move.”
The man uttered just one word, and Ikumatsu did not budge.
“Master Hiiro is absent today. I ask that you wait until his return.”
“This is the last warning. Move.”
They’re probably going to shoot now. I lifted my weary body. The five gun barrels moved in sync with my motion.
“Ikumatsu.”
“Naruhito, you have a high fever. Please stay in bed.”
Staggering to my feet, I stepped in front of Ikumatsu. My footing was unsteady.
“You’re quite damaged.”
The man sneered, looking me up and down before spitting out the words.
“Well, whatever. Kujou, take his clothes.”
“Prince Sekitora, he has a fever and is injured. Please, please, have mercy.”
I desperately regulated my rough breath and started taking off my clothes with my right hand. I won’t let Ikumatsu be killed. I dropped the long-sleeved T-shirt for sleeping and the comfortable long pants from my body. I also took off my underwear without hesitation. I struggled to stand my swaying body.
“How boring. Does the Research Club really want something like this?”
Prince Sekitora said so and waved his hand. The men with guns approached fearfully. They wound me around with the rope they had and lifted me up.
“Let’s go.”
As Ikumatsu was about to say something, Otoha rushed in.
She was aimed at with a gun, and just like Ikumatsu earlier, she kneeled on both knees, raised her right hand on top of her left fist, and bowed her head.
“I, Senmonin Otoha, reports. Please wait for the return of Master Hiiro, Prince Sekitora. At the moment, the master is absent, so I will take care of things in his absence.”
“Silence, Otoha. I have no ears to hear the words of the Senmonin. If it’s Hiiro, I summoned him to the castle. There’s no reason to wait for his return.”
“Why are you taking Naruhito with you?”
“Hiiro has been ignoring the order to hand over the Combat Doll. He’s surrounded by the strongest old and youngest soldiers, a Combat Doll, a precious licensed doctor, and even people from the Empire. What is he plotting?”
I was carried away down the corridor. I’m glad Otoha and Ikumatsu didn’t try to force things.
In my swaying field of vision, I could see Gramps and Hitachimaru being pointed at by the military uniformed man. One person each was following them. It’s impossible to restrain those two with just that, so they must be observing the situation.
Seeing that they were safe, I closed my eyes in relief.