I Want to Live a Normal Life - Episode 11: [Taa-ma-ya!]

Episode 11: [Taa-ma-ya!]

“Wow, just look at this.”

“I never imagined there’d be so much…”

After taking down the cardinal, we found a huge stash of documents in a nearby room related to their activities here. There were neatly signed papers by the king and the prince, lists of sponsors, and even lists of nobles and their associates marked for elimination. Did they really not consider the possibility of being raided? But this kind of detail was in the original story too, if I recall correctly.

What really surprised me, though, was finding evidence of involvement from the Commercial Guild. In the original story, they were supposed to be on our side. Good thing the evidence didn’t get destroyed.

“Is this all we can carry out?”

“Yes, it is. Now let’s evacuate everyone and blow this place up.”

We decided to destroy anything like experimental data that could be misused. Using most of my remaining magic, I set explosive spells all over the underground area. I’m good at blasting things since I’m an explosion-type mage. The royal castle is right above us, so a bit of a grand display shouldn’t be a problem. I’ll set off a big fireworks show.

Sasha and the captured nobles and adventurers will secure our escape route. Others will help transport the evidence, so let’s make a quick exit.

“Is this plan okay?”

“Yes, leave the moderates to me.”

“We’ll handle the guild.”

After fighting our way past the guards from the Aldina Company and ‘Wings of the Night,’ we decided with Sasha, the captured nobleman, and adventurers to spread the evidence to influential nobles and the Adventurers’ Guild in the royal capital before blowing up the underground. If the commotion starts first, there’s a risk the evidence won’t reach its destination. The underground passage’s earth wall is still intact, so we need to move quickly. They’re probably struggling with the explosive traps.

The nobleman turned out to be the head of a moderate faction viscount family. He ran to his patron, Count Brome, with the evidence. The victim list included other children of Count Brome’s vassals, so they’ll surely take action. They must, for their honor. Count Brome will pass the information to other moderate nobles.

Meanwhile, the Adventurers’ Guild will handle the Commercial Guild. According to the adventurers, cases of adventurers and their escorts disappearing during missions through the Commercial Guild had been increasing. One of them had been investigating this. This wasn’t in the original story either.

“So, we need you to distribute this evidence to the moderate and neutral nobles.”

“Understood. Torres, send this to Zelfine and Belgard immediately. Also, prepare our men. War is coming.”

“Understood.”

“Will it really come to war?”

“Almost certainly. The current head of Zelfine is a hot-headed man. He might gather the moderates to attack the royal castle or the temple.”

“Moderates, huh…”

“Hmph, we only oppose reckless territorial expansion. If they provoke us, we won’t hold back. Nobles can’t afford to be underestimated. And this time, they’ve made a grave mistake. So, there’s only one thing to do.”

“Retaliate with everything we have.”

“Exactly. Many nobles are already in the royal capital. It won’t take long.”

I had come to the capital’s border count residence to deliver a letter and to delegate the task of spreading the evidence and reporting. Despite the late hour, a meeting with former count Hale Obraine was arranged quickly. Hale was huge, burly, and had a scary face. Completely different from the handsome, slim count. But they shared similar eyes and hair color.

According to Hale, it’s going to be a war. I thought it would just be a small skirmish. Nobles are terrifying.

Apparently, Duke Zelfine is the leader of the moderates, and Marquis Belgard is the leader of the neutral faction. Many leading nobles are in or near the royal capital because the Royal Academy entrance exams are approaching.

“As for the rescued people, I’m sorry, but we can’t do anything for them immediately. If war breaks out, there will be chaos here too. We won’t have the resources to send men.”

“Understood. Over there—”

“Wait a minute. Did you say the slums? Could we use those guys?”

“…Those guys?”

“The ones who used to run the slums. They’re being overshadowed by some group called ‘Wings of the Night’ now, but they owe me a favor. I’ll send them a message. If they don’t act, they’re useless to us and should be eliminated.”

When I told him that Sasha had temporarily sheltered the rescued people in the slums, he introduced me to a group of bodyguards. They used to be the leaders of the slums before ‘Wings of the Night’ took over. They’re weakened now, but if they don’t move, they’ll be crushed. Nobles are indeed scary.

“Torres is back. They say they can move at any time. When do we go?”

“We can go whenever.”

“Hmm, in that case, let’s—”

“Oh? Am I being left out?”

“Oh, Dahlia, you’re up. Want to join us? It’s not every day you get to see the castle burst into flames!”

“Oh! That sounds fun!”

“No, it won’t actually burst into flames—”

“Let’s wake everyone up!”

“Yes, let’s do that.”

“Uh…”

A lady with pale green hair appeared as we finished our meeting. Must be Hale’s wife. This couple looks like they’re having a blast. And they plan to increase the audience. Uh… I don’t think there will actually be flames.

(Note: After reading this far, I don’t even know which one is the villain (￣ー￣).)

I placed my hands on the ground and connected my magic to the explosion spells set underground. Luckily, the distance to the underground passage wasn’t too far. Preparations complete. Now I just need to utter the activation phrase and release the magic.

“Ready to go?”

“Yes!”

“Make it flashy!”

“Brace for impact.”

I called out to the former count and his wife on the roof of the mansion. They’re way too excited. The soldiers and servants are watching from the garden. So many people. Do they love festivals? Well, whatever. Let’s do this.

“Alright, here we go! [Taa-ma-ya]!”

(Note: “Taa-ma-ya” (たーまやー) is a traditional Japanese exclamation shouted during fireworks displays. The phrase originates from the names of two famous Edo-period (17th-19th century) fireworks manufacturers, Tamaya (玉屋) and Kagiya (鍵屋). Spectators would shout “Tamaya!” or “Kagiya!” to praise particularly beautiful fireworks created by these companies.

In modern times, “taa-ma-ya” is still used as a cheer during fireworks shows to express enjoyment and appreciation of the display)

“What kind of phrase is tha—whoooaa!?”

“Ahhh!”

“Whoaaaaa!”

“Wait, seriously!?”

In the early hours of that day, a sudden quake hit the royal capital Hartelion and flames erupted from the royal castle and the temple, accompanied by black smoke. The unexpected event filled the capital with screams and shouts, throwing many into panic.

However, some were quick to act. First, the moderate faction nobles. Somehow getting the information, they gathered under Duke Zelfine, the moderate faction leader. They issued a statement condemning the royal family, the war faction nobles, and the Miltia Church for their atrocities, and surrounded the royal castle. They demanded the heads of those involved, including the king and several princes, and severance from the Miltia Church, threatening to use force if refused.

Despite being called moderates, they retained the noble instinct to retaliate when attacked. Realizing they were under assault, they bared their fangs at their enemies.

Almost simultaneously, the neutral faction nobles moved. Marquis Belgard, their leader, acted swiftly, leading his men to storm the temple and detain several church officials, including bishops. The neutral faction nobles who arrived later supported the moderates, countering the war faction nobles.

Meanwhile, the Adventurers’ Guild sprang into action in the city. Right after the explosion, they summoned all adventurers in the capital to calm the populace. They also surrounded the Commercial Guild with high-ranking adventurers, accusing them of selling adventurers and clients to the Miltia Church under the guise of contracts. Despite the guild master’s denials, the mounting evidence forced him to concede.

The war faction nobles were the ones who lagged behind. Initially gathering at the mansion of Duke Actos, who leads their faction, they were greatly shaken by the moderates’ declaration. Nobles who were unaware of the situation questioned Duke Actos for the truth, but he couldn’t provide a clear answer. As a result, many of them left the duke’s mansion, either joining the moderates or neutrals, or barricading themselves in their own estates.

Lastly, there were the royal family and the Miltia Church. Both detected the underground disturbance and deployed their forces, but they were halted by the exploding floors and blocked passages. While they struggled to break through, another large explosion occurred, killing the executives in charge on the scene, throwing them into utter chaos.

The temple, amidst the confusion, was raided by Marquis Belgard and fought back but surrendered after the bishops and other executives were captured.

At the royal castle, surrounded by the moderates, King Fint Sol Hartelia and others strongly insisted on a siege defense, but they were detained by knights and soldiers from the moderate and neutral factions, and the castle was opened. The strategy of sending war faction members underground for secrecy backfired.

Hearing about the temple’s surrender and the king’s capture, Duke Actos offered his head in exchange for sparing and preserving the status of war faction nobles not involved in this matter. This plea was accepted by Duke Zelfine and Marquis Belgard, bringing the upheaval to an end in just one day.

“…This turned into something huge. …Wait, is this my fault?”

I want someone to tell me it’s not.