บท 39: Freefall of Fearlessness
In the soft light of dawn, Vermilion lay sleeping by the window, her peaceful form basking in the serenity of the morning. The tantalizing aroma of freshly baked bread, prepared by Carmella, wafted through the house, gently stirring everyone from their slumber. All, that is, except for Vermilion, who remained deeply lost in the realm of dreams.
The plump little kitten, eager for a morning treat, scurried over to Carmella with hopes of indulging in a morsel of the delectable bread. Carmella obliged and fed a piece to her furry friend. Then, she approached Vermilion, placing a slice of bread directly in front of her nose, hoping to rouse her from her dreams.
Carmella then playfully scooped up the plump kitten, gently placing it atop Vermilion's head. Vermilion stirred, her eyes barely opening, and she mumbled, "Hmmm...? Why does my head feel so heavy all of a sudden?"
"Because there's a mushroom growing on top of your head," Carmella playfully teased.
"Mushroom?! Wait, what…" Vermilion reached up to touch her head and realized it was the kitten perched there.
"Meoww!"
"Oh, it's you, little chubby one. For a moment, I thought there really was a mushroom growing on my head…"
"Oh dear, there's no way a mushroom would grow on a human... You know, after spending some time with you, I get the feeling that you have some real common-sense issues. I hope you're just joking."
"You're not wrong! When I first talked to her, I could tell she's just like an innocent child." Ayukawa chimed in and said.
"I'm kind of disappointed in you two, always making fun of me. Little one, what do you think of me?"
"Meow!" The kitten nodded.
"See! Even she agrees with us! Hahaha!"
"But honestly, you're only around fifteen years old and haven't attended any school at all. I think you should at least start learning at home." Ayukawa suggested.
"I agree with Ayukawa. Vermilion, it's time for you to start studying, and I'll be your mentor. Don't worry."
"That sounds good to me! But before we begin, can I have some more of that mouth-watering bread?"
"Of course, help yourself."
They all reached for a piece of freshly sliced bread, savoring the delightful flavors as Vermilion's expression shifted from sleepy contentment to pure satisfaction. Carmella switched on the television to catch the morning news, and Vermilion couldn't help but ponder about the fate of Nisaeria.
"I wonder what will happen to Nisaeria..." she mused.
News Channel 07: "Dear audience, good morning. Thanks for joining the Morning Times of Kothern with us. Let's move to the headlines first. Last night, the President made a significant announcement regarding the status of Nisaeria. According to the President, as of today, Nisaeria will no longer be recognized as an independent nation and will become an integral part of Kothern. Furthermore, the President has also issued an order for the exile of Nisaerian soldiers and their families, permanently barring them from entering any Kothern territories.
As for the Nisaerian citizens, the President has not provided a final decision and has stated that the matter is currently under government review. A formal announcement regarding their status is expected later today.
In other news, our neighboring country, Jervalae, has taken notable measures to bolster its defenses. Reports indicate an increase in military drills within Jervalae's borders in recent days. However, the Jervalae government has refuted any connection between these actions and the dissolution of Nisaeria, denying any heightened threat from Kothern.
We will continue to provide updates on these developing stories as more information becomes available throughout the day. Stay tuned for our morning broadcast for further details and analysis."
"Even a kid can tell they were lying. It's so obvious, isn't it? Otherwise, why would Jervalae be willing to spend more on the military? Their people are already struggling to survive from starvation..."
"Carmella, can you tell me more about Jervalae? I've heard about it a few times, but I'm not quite familiar with it."
"Sure, Jervalae is located to the north east of us, while Nisaeria used to be situated to the north west. Both countries shared borders with each other."
"I see... So, if I understand correctly, we're in Luthernza, which is the second-largest city in Kothern, located in the mid-south. There are two countries bordering us, Jervalae to the north east and Nisaeria to the north west..."
"Actually, Vermilion, Nisaeria is no longer a recognized country. It has disappeared from the world map. Now, only Jervalae shares our northern border."
"Right, I almost forgot what the news just said... How about the capital city of Kothern?"
"Located in the western south, quite a distance from here."
"So, that's probably where Lyon is getting his training..."
"Most likely. I'm not sure if he'll be assigned to another military site afterward."
"Then, what about..."
"Stop, stop! There's no way I can keep answering your geography questions. I think it's better for you to familiarize yourself with this world before diving into other subjects. I still have all my textbooks on the bookshelf; I can show them to you later."
"Thanks, Carmella! Ayukawa, would you like to join me..."
"No! Count me out," Ayukawa immediately rejected the offer before Vermilion could finish her sentence.
"Okay..."
"I need some exercise; give me the rooftop key! Otherwise, I might end up running into too many patrolling soldiers and kill them on the streets just to get my morning workout."
"Please don't... Here's the key," Vermilion handed the rooftop key to Ayukawa, who promptly left the house.
"Carmella, her leg seems to have fully recovered already..."
"To be honest, I was very surprised at how quickly she recovered. I've been checking on her every day, and even Dr. Apgar said it would take at least a few months for her leg to fully heal..."
"By the way, how is her leg now?"
"It seems almost fully recovered. Her healing speed is truly remarkable. Since you arrived, I've encountered quite a few unusual individuals. You're one of them as well."
"Really!? I didn't realize my presence would cause you so much trouble..." Vermilion's expression shifted from happiness to guilt.
"Hey, hey! Don't take my words so seriously! I'm just teasing you."
"But after you mentioned it, I actually started to feel the same way... I've brought so much trouble to you..."
"No, that's because you don't know what life was like for me before you arrived. Once you do, you'll understand how grateful I am to have you here."
"Really? You're not teasing me again, are you?"
"It's the truth. You have no idea what it's like to live with two goofballs in this house."
"I'm so touched... But I can't help but feel sorry for Lyon and Alex..."
"You don't have to."
"Heh heh... Hmm, I wonder what she's doing up there... I'll go take a peek."
"Just be careful not to let her notice you."
"No worries! I can perform a little magic to make myself unnoticeable!"
"...Is your power really meant for situations like this?" Carmella couldn't help but feel bemused by Vermilion's actions.
Vermilion quietly left the house, descending the stairs with utmost care to avoid making any noise that might alert Ayukawa. When she reached the door to the rooftop, she gently placed her hand on the handle, slowly turning it to open the door, and then peeked through the tiny gap.
From her vantage point, she saw Ayukawa gracefully walking along the edge of the rooftop, brandishing a table knife as if it were a prop in some elaborate dance. Ayukawa's eyes were closed, lost in her own world. Each step she took carried an entrancing sense of rhythm, and her movements were so elegant that Vermilion couldn't tear her eyes away, even though she was simultaneously filled with worry.
Suddenly, Ayukawa came to a halt, her knife still in hand. She opened her eyes and gazed down at the street below from the rooftop, her expression devoid of emotion. A faint smile tugged at her lips, and she seemed strangely exhilarated. In a matter of seconds, she made a daring leap from the rooftop.
Vermilion witnessed this heart-stopping scene and couldn't contain her shock, screaming out Ayukawa's name in sheer panic.
"Ayukawa!!!"
Ayukawa, with deliberate intent, leaped from the rooftop, relishing the thrill of plummeting from such a great height. She missed the sensation of free fall since her leg was wounded by the assassin. Not only did she display no signs of fear, but her eyes also remained wide open as she descended to embrace the moment.
'Ah... It's been too long since I've experienced this incredible feeling... There are no words to describe how exquisite it is...' Ayukawa mused as she descended from the rooftop.
As she descended through the open air, she felt the gentle caress of the wind enveloping her, creating a sensation of disconnection from the world. Her surroundings faded away, leaving only the rush of the wind in her ears. For a fleeting moment, it was difficult to discern whether she was actually falling or floating, as if gravity had ceased to exist.
This was the moment Ayukawa cherished the most. Her mind entered an empty state, offering her a sense of tranquility and perhaps a touch of serenity. It was akin to an escape from the harsh realities of the world.
Witnessing Ayukawa's audacious leap, Vermilion was initially shocked, her mind going momentarily blank. However, she soon recollected her memory where Ayukawa jumping from the train and surviving, allowing her to respond. Meanwhile, Carmella sat in the living room, engrossed in watching television, until she suddenly noticed a silhouette descending from above through the window.
"What the hell!? Did someone just fall down?!" Carmella exclaimed in shock, rushing to the window to investigate.
Aware that her life hung in the balance, Ayukawa understood that her only path to survival lay in taking action. As she neared the ground, she acted swiftly, employing her jacket as an improvised rope. She twined it around one of the streetlamps and clung to it with unwavering determination. Only then did she avert the possibility of a fatal fall. With a casual air, she released her grip and calmly walked back to the building, her expression betraying no hint of the dramatic ordeal.
Vermilion and Carmella, having witnessed Ayukawa's daring feat, found themselves drenched in cold sweat. Shocked and bewildered by her seemingly unbelievable actions, they wore expressions of utter disbelief. Ayukawa returned to the house and decided to take a shower, but she couldn't help but notice that both Vermilion and Carmella appeared as if they had seen a ghost, their faces tinged with fear.
"Hmm?! Why are both of you trembling like that and staring at me?!" Ayukawa questioned, her gaze suspicious.
"N-Nothing at all! Don't mind us! Just go ahead and take your shower!" Carmella replied with a trembling voice.
"Y-Yeah! We're perfectly fine..." Vermilion stammered.
"Weirdos," Ayukawa remarked, eying them curiously.
On another front, three of Rosseaulyn's skilled soldiers had arrived at the west military campsite of Kothern. Proficient in disguise and information gathering, their intention was to infiltrate the camp unnoticed. However, they were met with an unusual and heavy deployment of soldiers guarding the camp. Numerous patrols crisscrossed the area, making any infiltration nearly impossible.
Recognizing the danger of the situation, the operatives opted to withdraw and returned swiftly to report to Rosseaulyn.
"Unbelievable! You're back so soon. Did you manage to locate them?" Rosseaulyn inquired.
"We regret to report, Ma'am, that we didn't find them. However, one thing is certain… They must be held within that camp."
"What do you mean?"
"The camp is being heavily guarded by an excessive number of soldiers for no apparent reason. Our disguises weren't sufficient to gain entry or even sneak into it."
"I see... Very well, excellent work. At least we can reasonably conclude they are being held there. Now, our challenge is devising a strategy to rescue them, considering the heavy guard presence by Dialla's forces."
"Should we gather all our troops and launch a surprise attack? They wouldn't have time to react, and we could extract them amidst the chaos!" one soldier suggested.
"Please, be serious. Do you wish to incite civil unrest in Kothern? That's the riskiest approach, and it's absolutely not an option."
"But we can't think of any other viable alternatives..."
"No need to worry. If Dialla's men are still guarding the site, as you've seen, it indicates that they are still alive. We have time to deliberate on a strategy for their rescue."
"You're right, Ma'am."
"Could someone fetch me a detailed layout of the west military campsite? I need to examine it closely to determine how we can infiltrate."
"We'll search for it immediately!"
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