After leaving Shizuku Kurogane's dorm, Charles and Stella headed to see Kurono Shinguuji.
There was no way such crude and despicable actions could escape that woman's notice, but even she couldn't stop the Alliance's branch operations.
Later, when Shizuku returned to school, Charles and the others learned the full situation regarding Ikki Kurogane.
Although they called it "questioning," Ikki was, in practice, being held in confinement. No visitors were allowed.
What's more, the Ethics Committee subjected him to high-intensity interrogations every day. Short of physical torture, it was indistinguishable from outright abuse.
Kurono had filed multiple protests with the Alliance, but none had received a response. The only thing she could do now was ensure that Ikki wouldn't be unfairly defeated or sabotaged during the selection matches.
Thanks to her efforts, it was agreed that Ikki's opponents could be sent to the branch office for the match, accompanied by a teacher to act as referee.
The one who took on that task was none other than their homeroom teacher, Yuri Oriki.
But when Oriki returned, Charles immediately noticed that something was wrong with her expression.
Sensing that something was off, he asked urgently, "Ms. Oriki, don't tell me… did Ikki lose?"
Oriki was clearly preoccupied and didn't even react to Charles dropping the "Miss Yuri" nickname she usually insisted on.
"Huh? Ah… No, he won the match. It's just…"
Charles cut her off, dead serious. "There's something wrong with Ikki's condition, isn't there? What did they do to him?"
Oriki hesitated, then said, "Ikki's condition is very bad. His complexion is awful, and he's been coughing constantly… He looked like he was in a lot of pain."
"Did he catch a cold? If he still managed to win like that, that's impressive," Stella said, recalling her own recent illness.
But Charles frowned. "Ms. Oriki, I'm his friend. I need to know the truth—please tell me."
As someone who'd practically lived in hospitals, Oriki knew more about illness than anyone. Her hesitation had been too suspicious, and Charles saw through it immediately.
This time, Oriki hesitated even longer. But perhaps weighed down by something, she eventually said, "I… I have to report to the chairwoman. Let's talk about this later, okay?"
Though he didn't get a direct answer, Charles already understood what Oriki had been about to say.
His clenched fists cracked audibly, his fury bubbling so intensely that he struggled to keep his power in check.
But then a warm hand grasped his.
Looking up, Charles met Stella's worried eyes.
Releasing his fists, Charles muttered, "Thanks, Stella. I've calmed down now."
Stella sighed in relief. "So what do we do next? It doesn't feel like there's anything we can do to help Ikki…"
Charles began to think. There really wasn't a good solution to this.
It was clearly a frame-up, so any defense Ikki gave would be ignored. All they had to do was stall and keep tormenting him until he broke.
Eventually, even if he was released, he might be too shattered to live a normal life. Or worse, they might deliberately push him to the brink, then use that breakdown to brand him a real traitor.
Considering how vile their methods had been so far, such a possibility couldn't be ruled out.
The masterminds behind this were the Japan branch of the Mage Knight Alliance. Legal channels and negotiations wouldn't get them to release Ikki.
And violence wasn't an option either—Ikki had endured everything so far for the sake of becoming a Mage Knight. For him to abandon all that now and join Rebellion would be unacceptable.
While struggling with this dilemma, Charles's student handbook received a message from Kurono Shinguuji. She summoned him to the principal's office immediately.
Charles suspected a breakthrough had come and went straight there with Stella.
Sure enough, Kurono had good news.
"You little brat—looks like you're really cherished by your mentors, huh?" she said with a smirk.
"I don't understand, Principal. What do you mean?"
Kurono replied, "Just today, Shenlong Temple submitted a protest to the Alliance about you being slandered as a spy. They're demanding an official apology from the Japan branch for the trouble caused.
If they refuse, Shenlong Temple has stated it will ban all Japanese Blazers from participating in the Doushin Cup on grounds of espionage risk."
Charles felt a warm surge in his chest—nothing felt better than receiving support from home when facing adversity.
He silently thanked the Grand Elder once again and began thinking about how this might shift the situation.
One thing was certain—Shenlong Temple's threat would be taken seriously. The Japan branch would have to respond.
If Charles was officially cleared of espionage charges, then Ikki's supposed "collusion with a spy" would no longer be valid. At that point, Kurono would be able to get him released.
But Charles had no intention of just sitting around and waiting. He had no faith in the Japan branch's integrity. He needed to get Ikki out as soon as possible.
Shenlong Temple's actions had not only protected him—they'd opened a crack in the blockade. Charles's mind was already racing.
"Stella, where's Kagami? I need her help with something."
…
Akaishi Mamoru stepped down from his private car, sweat already rolling down his forehead. Summer in Japan was no friend to someone of his size, and the moment he left the air-conditioned vehicle, the heat hit him like a wall.
Dabbing his forehead with a handkerchief, he muttered complaints about why the parking lot had to be so far from the branch office entrance.
But thoughts of the merit he was about to earn quickly lifted his spirits. Soon, he'd be free of the Ethics Committee and on his way to greater authority and power.
Just then, a boy in a sunhat dashed out from the side and collided into him.
The boy immediately bowed and apologized profusely, clearly flustered.
Akaishi wanted to scold the little brat, but he was in a good mood today and decided to demonstrate the magnanimity of a soon-to-be big shot.
After a short lecture, he waved the kid off and headed into the building, having already forgotten the incident.
The boy, once far enough away, removed his sunhat and revealed his face—it was Alice Arisuin.
Opening his student handbook, he contacted Charles.
"It's done. The item's been planted on the target."
"You're amazing, Alice. I really owe you for this," Charles said sincerely. There truly wasn't anyone on their side who could've pulled this off but Alice.
"It's nothing. I did it for Shizuku, after all."
Alice added, "I don't know what you're planning, but make sure you get Ikki out of there."
"I will," Charles replied firmly, without hesitation.
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