I Kidnapped the Hero’s Women

Chapter 84 - I’ll Take That Mask Off

“We’ve received a request from the Imperial Family.”

“Oh...!?”

Sylvia’s blunt announcement caused a stir throughout the Vermont Security training grounds.

They had only gone through a few training sessions and participated in one real mission—the evacuation operation in the Ariente Territory.

And now, not only had they received a request, but it was from none other than the Imperial Family?

The staff felt their hearts race with excitement and anticipation.

“It’s a small-scale escort mission. The participants will be Charlotte and Julia. I assume everyone knows who they are?”

“Yes!”

There was no way they wouldn’t know.

In that dire situation, just before the walls of Ariente Castle were breached, they had appeared like heroes and turned the tide.

Initially, there had been complaints that they were only listed as employees of Vermont Security and didn’t attend training. But after witnessing their prowess that day, all the complaints had vanished.

If one possesses the talents of a necromancer and a dark knight, it’s better to hone those skills than to waste time building stamina through crude training…

So, this mission would be another stage for those two to shine alone.

As the heated excitement began to die down and the employees calmed themselves, Sylvia continued.

“And I will also be away on this mission. During that time, the second-ranked trainee will take over.”

“Why the second-ranked trainee? Shouldn’t the first-ranked trainee be in charge?”

“That’s a good question. The first-ranked trainee will also be deployed on this mission, so they won’t be able to perform those duties.”

“...!”

The subdued atmosphere quickly reignited with excitement.

Finally, a chance to participate in a mission!

Although they still received their salaries even without field experience, everyone had a burning desire to showcase the skills they had honed.

“Then, who is the first-ranked trainee, ma’am?”

“As most of you may have guessed, it’s Yuria.”

Ah, of course.

When the expected name was announced, everyone nodded in agreement.

Although young, there was no denying that he was the most skilled among them.

It was said he was from an orphanage.

While maintaining top-tier grades at the Imperial Magic Academy, he was also excelling in training.

Everyone was in awe of his relentless effort and dedication.

“Ah…”

Clink.

Yuri, who had been frozen in thought, finally reacted, dropping his spoon.

Soon, applause and cheers of congratulations for Yuri filled the hall.

‘I can finally meet Charlotte and Julia…?’

Thump, thump.

His heart pounded uncontrollably.

He would finally see them.

Not from afar.

This time, he would really be right beside them.

They would look each other in the eyes and talk.

He would finally reunite with his long-lost friends.

Just thinking about it brought tears to Yuri’s eyes.

Ah! I want to see them soon!

Even after leaving the training grounds and returning to the academy dormitory…

Even after putting on the pretty frilled pajamas he had bought with the allowance given by that Dark Mister and lying down to sleep…

He was too excited to sleep, unable to calm down.

“I have to tell the Dark Mister about this good news.”

This was the perfect opportunity.

Yuri kicked off the blanket and got up, lighting a candle.

He decided to quickly write a letter before going to bed.

He wrote about what had happened that week, how he did on his exams, and how he had been selected for the mission, all while a smile lingered on his lips.

“Wait, I can’t let him know that I’m acquainted with Charlotte and Julia…”

Suddenly, he remembered something crucial, and his pen stopped.

He had been too excited about the thought of reuniting with Charlotte and Julia and hadn’t thought it through.

The moment they recognized each other, Aslan Vermont would certainly realize his identity.

He would then strengthen his defenses and make it nearly impossible to rescue Charlotte and Julia.

All the efforts he had made to infiltrate Vermont Security while hiding his identity would be in vain.

“No, no, no…!”

Yuri groaned in distress.

It was a chance to see his friends again.

If he wanted to, he could reunite with Charlotte and Julia right now.

But if he gave in to that desire, that moment of reunion would also be their last.

After that day, he would never be able to see them again.

As Yuri sobbed, a series of angry footsteps echoed in the hallway.

“Who’s making such a ruckus at this hour?”

“Oh, I’m sorry. It was me.”

“Oh, Yuri, I see. My apologies. I’m sure you had your reasons.”

When he poked his head down from the attic, he saw the senior quickly retreating.

Sniffling, Yuri returned to his desk with a determined look on his face, as if he had made a big decision.

“Haa… It can’t be helped. I have to hold back. For Charlotte and Julia’s sake, I have to endure…”

Gripping the pen tightly, Yuri’s tears dripped onto the paper.

He really, desperately wanted to see them.

Je wanted to cry, hug them, and tell them how much he had missed them, sharing all the stories he had stored up.

But he couldn’t.

And it was all because of Aslan Vermont.

That cruel noble…

It would be great if Aslan Vermont was actually taking good care of Charlotte and Julia, and if he found out that they knew each other, he would happily allow them to reunite, rather than trying to keep them apart.

But that’s impossible...

Just looking at how Charlotte and Julia had turned into a necromancer and dark knight after joining Vermont showed how clear things were.

Even if they did reunite, there was no guarantee Charlotte and Julia were still in their right minds.

They might not even recognize him, already brainwashed.

Yes, this is the right decision—to hide my identity and get close to them.

Until I gain the strength to take Charlotte and Julia away and escape, I must endure and endure again.

Wiping away his tears, Yuri made up his mind.

“I can endure… I can do this…”

Click.

His hand reached toward his cabinet.

He took out the mask he had made as part of his art project for the magic class, his hand trembling.

There was only one way.

***

“Uuuuh…”

The letter in my hand was crumpled up.

I couldn’t help but grip it tightly.

Reading its absurd contents made me feel like I was going to explode with frustration.

-To the Dark Mister,

-Mister, I’ve been selected for Vermont Security’s first mission! I was chosen because I’m the top trainee. I really want to hear your praise. By the time you get this letter, I’ll already be on my way.

-And this is a secret just for you… Please don’t tell Instructor Sylvia or Count Vermont. Actually, Count Vermont’s two slaves are my friends from the orphanage. But after I escaped, we were separated, and now I’m meeting them for the first time… If Count Vermont finds out, he’ll probably try to make me a slave too or prevent me from seeing my friends. So I’m planning to wear a mask and hide my identity during this mission.

Wow. Wow. Wow. You little…!

I couldn’t even find the words.

I was so frustrated I felt like I was going to die of a stroke, my head bursting from sheer stress.

I set the stage so you could have a touching reunion, and what?

You’re going to hide your identity because you don’t want Aslan Vermont to find out you’re connected to Charlotte and Julia?

Is this kid out of his mind?

“...!”

As I read through the rest of the letter, grinding my teeth, Yuri flinched and looked at me.

He looked as if he were terrified.

“...Ugh.”

I moved quickly to grab his mask, but he let out a shriek like a startled girl and recoiled.

What incredible reflexes.

I guess I can’t just forcefully take it off.

“What’s with the mask? No one instructed you to hide your face.”

“I chose to wear it of my own accord. The ones who should stand out on this mission are, of course, the necromancer and the dark knight. Therefore, I thought it best to stay in the background and allow them to shine, which is why I decided to cover my face.”

“Who told you that? I expect to see the top trainee of Vermont Security perform as well.”

“You flatter me. My skills are still insignificant compared to theirs. I will continue to work hard to improve quickly and live up to your expectations in the future.”

This little…

He’s making up strange excuses and slipping away.

As I barely managed to swallow my anger, Yuri trembled again and froze in place.

“Even so, isn’t there no need to wear the mask now? Take it off. It must be cumbersome.”

“It’s fine. I’m on this mission as a tool to accomplish the objective, not as an individual. Therefore, I intend to suppress any emotions.”

“...Are you planning to wear that mask throughout the entire mission?”

“Yes, I am.”

“It bothers me. Take it off. That’s an order.”

“I cannot comply.”

“You won’t participate in the mission if you don’t take it off.”

“That’s fine.”

“...”

This insolent brat. How dare he.

He doesn’t even listen when an adult is talking.

I felt a sudden throbbing in my neck as I turned away.

He’s more stubborn than I thought.

“My lord, where are you going?”

“Delay our departure by thirty minutes. I have something to do.”

Ah, this frustrating kid.

I guess I’ll have to write a letter.

Clenching my teeth, I headed to my office.

So, this is how you want to play it.

Fine. Let’s see how you like it.

I’ll find a way to take that mask off.

[TL/N: By now, it’s almost clear that “Yuri” is a girl that pretends to be a boy…]