Chivalry of a Dark Knight [Batman x Rakudai Kishi no Cavalry]

CH3: Judgment and Punishment (prt 2)

Needless to say, it surprised Ikki and Nagi when they first found the knocked out guards in the parking level. They didn't know what to make of it and briefly wondered if this meant that the police had managed to get in. But Nagi immediately shot down that idea, explaining that he has a good idea how the police or the special forces operates and that this didn't look anything like that.

To be on the safe side, they had scoured the area to be sure there no other active guards before Shadow Walking to the West wing where they found two unconscious bodies on the second floor, another two on the first and three on the ground floor.

And when they arrived at the East wing, they were greeted with the same kind of scene that they came across before. Some unconscious bodies were on the floor, others were hidden in the corners and some were held with some kind of cable.

By then the two boys figured that there was probably a third party involved but they couldn't be sure if the person(s) in question was friend or foe. Ikki personally felt relieved that the guards were taken down because that meant they could go straight to where Stella was but he also felt very curious about what happened.

Arisuin appeared to feel the same but Ikki noticed that he seemed slightly agitated for some reason, which seemed uncharacteristic for someone like him.

"Well, well. It looks like our mystery person managed to beat us to the punch here as well. Honestly, at this point I'm beginning to feel insulted." he muttered.

Ikki knelt in front of Nogami and inspected the makeshift bandage on his leg.

"Still, who could've done this? Do you think maybe there's another student from the Academy who managed to sneak inside?"

The tall effeminate boy shook his head at Ikki's theory.

"Perhaps but I doubt it. The guards in the parking area were incapacitated before you and I started. So if he was from Hagun, Director Shinguuji would've mentioned something."

Ikki noticed that although Nogami was unconscious, the man was murmuring something as if he was having a dream. Ikki put his ear closer to the man to make out what he was saying.

"...nobu-...nobusuma..."

"What?"

But before Ikki could even process what the man said, Nagi interrupted with a "Shh". With a finger to his lips and his other palm open, Arisuin signaled Ikki to remain still while he strained his hearing. With a nod of confirmation, he turned towards Ikki and whispered.

"We're about to have company."

There was nothing more that needed to be said. The two boys quickly found a spot within the corridors to hide themselves from the incoming group. They held still as the voice grew near.

"...still, I don't get why we had to be roped in just because of your stupid mistakes, Yakin."

"Yeah, yeah. Get off my ass already! At least I lured that Vermillion princess out."

Ikki's eyes grew wide and his pulse began to quicken at the mention of the certain princess.

"Stella?"

He held his breath as the group of four terrorists walked past him and Nagi, continuing their conversation.

"Heh, it was pretty sweet watching Bishou-san put that bitch in her place."

"Yeah but it's not fair that we don't get to see her strip naked! I mean, did you see the size of those boobs? I gonna be so pissed if the other guys aren't taking pictures!"