Wha—
Welcome home, Master!
N-No way!
There was nothing on the thermal cam!
My apologies.
We lowered our body temperature using Dulock magic.
Wh-What are you saying?!
Eliminate them!
They came to assassinate Shinichi as we predicted!
But I bet they never imagined my personal maids would also be my elite guard.
I can't believe they would actually come to assassinate Master...
Under different circumstances, this might have been my job.
12. Shoot the Invaders!
I truly don't know what to say.
Something like this was never supposed to happen,
so please allow me to offer my deepest apologies.
You owe me an explanation before you apologize.
I may be forced to make a decision based on your response.
Your Imperial Majesty,
I'm afraid this incident was an unsanctioned attack by a group of radicals.
What?
We believe they viewed Kanou-kun as working against our national interests,
and decided to take him out of the picture.
This caught us by surprise, as well,
and we intend to conduct a thorough internal investigation
to prevent such a thing from ever happening again,
so we humbly ask for your mercy and forgiveness.
We ask the same of you, too, Kanou-kun.
You have my sincerest apologies.
We've already returned the instigators to Japan.
I'm sure their punishment will be swift.
We beg for your leniency.
The Japanese government still deeply wishes to strengthen
the ties between the Eldant Empire and our nation.
This can't really mean they won't
try anything again, can it?
The fact that the Japanese government sees you as a nuisance hasn't changed.
However, they'll be unable to take overt action now.
If they try to lay hands on Shinichi again,
that would spell the end of diplomatic relations.
Do you think everyone else believed that?
It's not about whether they believe it or not.
But now there won't be any more incidents, will there?
Of course.
We won't let it happen again.
Our days went by peacefully after that.
Why Comptiql's October issue is super-rare
Today we'll be discussing why Comptiql's October issue is super-rare.
They were truly peaceful.
Everything was so peaceful that the guards...
Oh...
It's time for you to return!
...had to go back.
Is that the new lesson material?
It's frightening how accurately they're meeting my requests now.
This magazine is pretty hard to get your hands on.
Comptiql October Issue
Well, I won't be accompanying you home today, so be careful.
Oh, your monthly report?
Yeah, though there isn't much to report.
It's kinda boring now.
As daily life should be.
You're right.
What's going on?!
Reporting.
There has been an attack on the northern wall.
What?!
We've recovered Bahailam crests from the site.
What?!
How did they attack us?!
With the exterminating flame!
What?!
Galius!
What did we do with the exterminating flame from the Bayduna incident?
We failed to recover it, and presumed that it had been destroyed.
Bring me an owl!
The castle's outer wall has been destroyed?
Are you all right over there?
Yes.
Ah! I see smoke!
Where?!
It's...
coming from the school!
What?!
Be careful!
The Japanese government might be involved in this.
Huh?!
Just wait there!
I'll send a squad over to you immediately!
Reporting!
This time, it's Central Square!
What?!
Your Majesty!
Master! Don't go!
I have to hurry!
That's... That's...
where Comptiql's October issue is!
I refuse to give up on it!
What's wrong, Myucel?
Please help me, both of you!
Huh?
I see.
The hawk has taken flight, then?
It saddens me,
but there's nothing we can do now to prevent an unfortunate accident.
Y-You two!
You were supposed to be heading to my room.
I hope you don't do anything uncalled for.
With no relatives, you're the same as him...
Someone who can disappear without being noticed.
That issue won't ever be reprinted!
It's priceless!
Master!
Master! Master!
At least I brought a weapon with me...
It doesn't look like the fire's reached the library yet.
October issue!
Thank goodness!
October... issue...
Don't blame me. This is for Japan.
Outbreak Company
Myucel Foalan
Favorite Manga: Mister Ajiko Favorite Character: Ajiou
Outbreak Company
Kanou Shinichi
Favorite Manga: Higantou Favorite Character: Maruta
Where could he be?
He must be in the second floor library!
We can't get through here!
Are you all right?
Yeah.
This way!
It doesn't look as fierce over here!
What's on the other side of this wall?
A hallway.
All right, stand back!
All right, let's go.
Mr. Brooke, please wait outside underneath the library window!
She's right! We know you can't stand heat!
Wha— What are you doing here?!
Go now!
Y-Yes!
W-Wait!
Master!
Master! Master!
I won't let you die! No matter what!
Master, Eldant needs you!
Master!
Master! Master!
Men, be vigilant, all of you!
Take care of Shinichi.
Everyone!
Master...
Please open your eyes...
Please smile like you always do.
Even though I'm half-elf...
and always timid, you brought light into my life.
Whenever I turned around, I was met with your kindness.
I...
I can't bear to lose that, Master!
My magic power's dropping?!
Wait!
Master! Master!
Lady Minori!
I'm an idiot, so here I am.
I will follow you... wherever you go...
Be it school... or Akiba...
or even Heaven!
Huh?
Master!
Myucel?
Thank goodness.
You guys rescued me?
The doorway's blocked!
Elbia! Break the window!
Leave it to me!
There's a move that I've been waiting to try!
Are you sure?
Um... Tsuuhaiken!
Use that when we're fighting!
We jumped out the window Miss Elbia opened for us,
and Mr. Brooke was waiting below to catch us.
I see.
The school... burned down, didn't it?
Yes, it did.
You've done it now, Koganuma-kun.
Thanks to you, everything's finished now.
Once the truth gets out,
Eldant will sever all diplomatic ties.
No way!
Then, Master and I... won't...
It's not over yet, Myucel.
Huh?
I won't let that happen, Matoba-san.
Let me speak to your superiors.
Tell them I want to continue AmuTec's activities.
So you actually were able to communicate...
Now then, if you please...
It's nice to meet you.
I am Kanou Shinichi, the person placed in charge of AmuTec.
Though, I suppose I should tag "for now" on the end of that.
You seem to be aware of your situation.
That will speed things up.
Your reckless actions have given us great cause for concern,
and we wish only for your peaceful return.
Peaceful return, huh?
You politicians certainly are skilled at choosing your words.
It appears you wish to continue your duties as general manager,
but many have come to suspect that the unfamiliar environment
you've been exposed to has rendered your mind unsound.
We would like you to return home
for treatment and mental care from a trained professional.
And on the way to the hospital, I'll fall victim to an unfortunate accident?
You still doubt us?
I'm a bit of a coward.
Very well.
That proves you truly understand the position you're in here.
Thanks.
If you wish to continue acting as the general manager, we can allow it.
But first, you'll have to reconsider and revise your current conduct.
So you snap when someone hits the nail on the head.
You're definitely a government official.
What did you say?
We are capable of eliminating you
at any time using means similar to what you saw today.
You're the one who stands to lose if you overstep your boundaries.
You heard him.
So you've finally shown your true colors?
You Japanese officials remind me of the evil magistrates of old.
Wh-Who is that?!
Who do you think it is?
Mr. Matoba?!
You are speaking to Her Imperial Majesty,
Petralka Anne Eldant the Third, Empress of the Holy Eldant Empire.
Impossible!
That Japanese was as fluent as a native's!
My apologies.
I forgot to mention it in my reports,
but the Empress's Japanese has already surpassed high-school level.
What?!
You forgot to mention?!
A lot has happened recently,
so I allowed Her Majesty to listen in on the entire conversation we just had.
Wha— Mr. Matoba!
You have my sincerest apologies.
Wh-What?!
Lord Matoba has already explained who I am.
I am the Empress of the Holy Eldant Empire.
Y-Your Imperial Majesty, I am grateful for an audience.
Let's gloss over the civilities and cut to the chase.
This recent threat to Shinichi's life was Bahailam's responsibility,
but know that if you ever try to remove Shinichi from Eldant,
I will end all diplomatic relations immediately!
K-Kanou Shinichi-kun is truly a talented general manager.
We have absolutely no reason to ask for his return from the Eldant Empire.
You heard him!
I hope we're able to start again soon.
Yeah.
Master...
May I ask you something?
Hm?
When you made that proposal to Her Imperial Majesty,
were you already prepared for all this?
Being targeted, I mean?
Well, I thought it might be the worst case scenario.
Weren't you afraid?
It might sound cool to say I wasn't,
but I thought I was going to cave under the fear.
Then, why?
Because of love.
Huh?!
I love Japan's anime, manga, and games,
so I couldn't forgive the way our government was trying to use them.
Do you regret it?
Not one bit.
After all...
I...
Myucel, I—
Lord Shinichi!
It's time to head to the castle!
Yeah, I'm coming.
Huh?
Matoba-san, didn't they demote you?
Don't say such an awful thing.
I only returned to Japan for a while to deliver a full report on the situation.
With one of them at each side,
you look like an old man who's been tempted into a maid café.
They're just my guards.
They don't do anything nice for me.
So as for the Japanese government's intentions...
Yes.
They've decided that they still cannot ignore the possibility
that your activities may bear rich fruit for Japan in the future.
Then, I can continue doing my work without fearing for my safety?
Yes, though there's no telling when our hardlining prime minister might change his mind.
It's quite an irregular compromise for a national government to make for one person.
Of course, you have the right to refuse,
but if you do, your requests for funding won't go through,
so you won't be able to import any new anime, manga, or games.
So they've played their ace.
Seizing the reigns by tightening the budget is a fundamental move in politics.
Good grief.
By the way, Kanou-kun...
Yes?
By chance, had you predicted that I hadn't reported
Her Imperial Majesty's knowledge of Japanese?
I just figured you'd be keeping an ace up your own sleeve.
And I believed you'd rather take action to preserve yourself
than go down with me and suffer.
You're one hikikomori who shouldn't be underestimated.
Hey, you're here, Shinichi!
I'm truly grateful for all of your help.
Don't act all stiff just because we're in the throne room.
You're the only one I'm allowing to speak to me on a first-name basis, you know.
Well, yes, but still...
I see!
This is a warning for Matoba-san.
She's trying to show off how much she likes me to warn him:
"I'll get real mad if you try to do anything to Shinichi."
She looks like a little girl, but she's not to be underestimated!
I should follow her example!
Then, let's read lots of manga by ourselves next time, Petralka.
Huh?
Huh?!
A little while later, the school reopened.
The students returned, the same as ever.
Today, we'll be discussing why Sphinx wasabi lost.
Why Sphinx wasabi lost
A lot has happened...
But I'll continue to teach them all about Japan's culture.
Teacher!
Yes, Romilda-kun.
You wrote the kanji for wasabi wrong!
Correct
Oh, sorry.