“—N-no, you’re still young. Working hard at your job is important as well, isn’t it, Claude?!”

“Yes, Baal, exactly. Now, let’s get down to business. Keith, I trust the room is ready?”

“Of course, milord.”

The demon king and the holy king briskly head off to set about their work. Vica follows them, saying how happy he is that it seems their time here will be productive.

As she watches their husbands go, Roxane murmurs quietly to Aileen, “I had heard that Emperor Kilvas was a puppet…but I suppose he couldn’t have survived without cleverly using those around him. I’m also told that the empress of Kilvas is a Valkyrie, and that she was the leader of last year’s rebellion. And on top of that, his own elder sister was involved as well?”

“That’s a rumor. It’s between a man and a woman; there must have been some sort of disagreement.”

The fact that Ellmeyer knows about Kilvas’s internal situation will be a useful piece of information. Even to Roxane, Aileen can’t reveal it so easily.

“In that case, if there is no one special in his life, there is a woman in our kingdom whom I would love to recommend to him,” Roxane suggests casually, giving as good as she gets.

“Lady Aileen, Lady Roxane. Tea is waiting for you in the room over there.”

Aileen’s brilliant lady-in-waiting is telling them they shouldn’t have this particular discussion standing out in the hall. The empress nods, then shows Roxane into the other room with a smile.

Roxane isn’t fond of idle chatter, and she works quickly. As soon as she’s taken a sip of the tea Rachel has made for them, she gets right down to business. “Lady Aileen, how well are you acquainted with the other royal consorts who will be attending the conference?”

“You are the only one with whom I’ve had a proper conversation. I have met the empress of Kilvas, Lady Diana, but she won’t be in attendance. The others I greeted at Master Claude’s coronation, but that is all.”

Although Claude had been disinherited for many years, he was abruptly restored to the position of crown prince, then became emperor less than two years after that. It must have come as a great shock to the other nations. What’s more, Hausel had declared war on him, and on the whole, his time as crown prince was tumultuous. As a result, they’d had hardly any opportunities to properly socialize with other kings and queens before his ascension.

“I also found myself with child relatively soon after Master Claude’s coronation. That makes it sound as if I’ve been neglecting my official duties, which is rather embarrassing.”

“No, my situation is similar. Ashmael isolated itself for a long time, and harem consorts weren’t supposed to go out or even to show their faces.”

Over the past two years, Ashmael has changed its policy and dismantled its harem. Aileen was involved in the incident that precipitated the change, so she’s quite familiar with it.

“That said, you know what Master Baal is like. It seems he’s already paid his respects to everyone who’s arrived… Granted, I got the impression that his main motive was to show off our daughter. There’s a soiree tonight to give us an opportunity to meet one another. I may have to begin by apologizing to everyone…”

“…You have my condolences.”

Despite his appearance, Claude is actually shy in front of people. He can’t behave the way Baal does.

“I have heard something concerning, however,” Roxane continued. “No doubt the story will make its way to Emperor Claude as well. It’s about the royal candidate. I’m told she is staying at the United Kingdom of Olgen’s villa.”

“Olgen… That’s a new nation made from an assembly of several countries, isn’t it? It was founded after the fighting finally ended in the south twenty years ago.”

Roxane nods in agreement. Even though she lived in an isolationist kingdom for all those years, she didn’t neglect to absorb information about the outside world. “Ashmael’s only neighbor is Ellmeyer, and we’ve had no dealings with them. Have you?”

“There are several nations and a large mountain range between us, so I don’t know about their circumstances in detail. If I recall, we did have a trade relationship with them, though.” The subordinate she left her trading firm to would probably know more than she does. That said, Aileen has still had the bare essentials drummed into her. “They congratulated Master Claude on his coronation via their ambassador. But where did you hear that about the royal candidate?”

“I must not divulge my source. However, I’ve deemed the information trustworthy.”

Aileen considers Roxane a friend, but there are still things they can’t share with one another. They can’t ignore their various responsibilities.

“All right, I won’t insist. But there’s something else?”

“Yes. You are aware that an odd religious cult once gained traction in Ashmael. The one that espoused world unity. It’s very likely that they are involved with the royal candidate. They’ve been calling for the restoration of the queen of Hausel all along, so that isn’t strange at all, but…it was just as Prime Minister Cyril told us.”

What on earth is this about? I haven’t heard a word of it, Aileen thinks, but she stifles her confusion and assumes a grave expression. Her brother has stirred Ashmael to action, and she mustn’t waste his efforts. “So it was true, then? Have you learned the details?”

“We haven’t managed to trace the movements of radical believers who left for other nations to proselytize. In addition, all the believers who remained in the country vanished early this year.”

If they’ve lost track of every last one of them, that really is alarming.

“During the conference, we intend to ask other nations for their assistance in investigating believers who are staying within their borders. However, from what we’ve been able to confirm internally, the majority have disappeared, leaving word that they were going to Hausel.”

“Then isn’t it possible that they moved here? Hausel’s government is currently nonfunctional, so it wouldn’t have been difficult.”

“We are looking into it, but so far, we haven’t found them. We are also limited by the range we can investigate. Priestesses who are said to have worked at the palace still keep a close eye on the islands and monitor all ships that enter or leave the central island.”

Ashmael could probably just ignore them and barge in, but it would anger the Queendom’s remaining residents. Even if they infiltrated quietly, being caught doing so when there was no urgent need would make them a target of criticism. Other nations are always watching—particularly now, right before the conference. Getting the jump on everyone else or acting improperly could easily become a blot on a kingdom’s dignity.

“It seems rather late for this, but I’m impressed they managed to host this conference in Hausel. Who knows how Vica dealt with resistance from the residents…?”

“The priestesses also want to decide on a queen. Don’t you think their interests align?”

“Do you suspect that Kilvas is colluding with the priestesses, Lady Roxane?”

“I won’t deny it. At the very least, I believe some sort of exchange has already taken place between the royal candidate and the priestesses. However, we have no way to confirm whether the priestesses who are currently on the islands are really the ones who were in Hausel originally.”

Naturally, the people who would have known about the citizens of Hausel were the queen who ruled them and those around her. If the records had been kept in the floating palace, most of them would have been lost.

Putting a hand to her lips, Aileen thinks for a little while. “…We can only hope to learn something during tomorrow’s site inspection.”

“Have there been reports of an increase in missing people in Ellmeyer or anything of that nature? Or has a strange cult gained popularity there? Ellmeyer is the only country that shares a border with Ashmael. It would be the easiest place to reach both in terms of geography and available methods.”

“Not that we have been informed of. Any changes in our population are due to the immigrants coming by boat from Hausel.”

Surely Cyril would have mentioned something if such an ominous situation was unfolding.

“I see…,” replied Roxane. “For now, we should begin by investigating how far they traveled to spread their religion. They may even have crossed over to the northern continent.”

“If I come across any information, I shall send it to you as well. Provided it won’t put my nation at a disadvantage, at least.”

“Don’t let that concern you. I’ll do the same… I do hope this won’t become something truly unpleasant.”

“Let’s remain optimistic. This is a rare opportunity for us to confer with many other nations, so it will also be an efficient way to gather information.”

Since both Aileen and Roxane must prepare for the soiree, there’s no time to talk everything through. They exchange only a few tidbits of recent news—General Ares stayed behind in Ashmael, but Sahra came along as Roxane’s attendant; it seems Kyle’s fiancée, who is studying abroad in the kingdom, will manage to graduate from university without trouble—and then their time is up, and they part ways.

Even if the soiree is meant as an introduction before the conference, it’s still a formal function. In everything, beginnings are more vital than anything else. When Aileen encountered Empress Diana prior to her marriage in the Kilvas Empire, for example, her reflexive decision to conduct herself as “an empress who doesn’t understand difficult matters” allowed her to outwit the other woman.

That said, Roxane already knows her, and Aileen isn’t confident she can position herself advantageously with the eyes of multiple nations on her. The Ellmeyer Empire’s demon king and his demons are sensitive topics that could easily become diplomatic liabilities, and they’re an easy country to view with hostility. She has to stand tough. They may have expelled their mages and fallen behind in demon stone research, but she mustn’t let her nation be considered a former superpower. What’s more, now that they’ve cast aside the Maid of the Sacred Sword—a divine power acknowledged even by the Queendom of Hausel—they need international support more than ever.

Yet excessive threats will also create problems.

Rachel understands everything about this dilemma. Under her leadership, Aileen’s brilliant ladies-in-waiting have procured an elegant gown draped gracefully with lavender lace. In Ellmeyer, purple is a forbidden color, which only members of the imperial family are allowed to wear. When Aileen asked, she learned that Roxane also planned to attend in red, Ashmael’s forbidden color.

The dress and the behavior of each royal consort will serve as a symbol of their nation. The diplomacy has already begun.

Aileen’s accessories and the ornaments in her upswept hair are simple items that sparkle most luxuriously. Her makeup is refined, but in a way that will look its best under the light of the chandeliers. Her husband’s beauty will steal the eyes of those around them, whether anyone wants that or not; Aileen is a jewel meant to nestle close to him and calm those who see her.

“Once again, my wife is beautiful beyond reproach tonight.” Claude is wearing a magnificent cloak of deep purple as he takes Aileen’s hand and kisses it.

“How flattering of you. And after you were gushing that Claire is the cutest in the world just a moment ago.”

“I can’t compare you and our daughter, you know. You’re both the best in the world.”

“I suppose I have no other choice, then. I’ll forgive you for delaying our departure until the last minute because you were preoccupied with Claire.”

Claude reverently helps Aileen into the carriage.

They are bound for the assembly hall and adjacent ballroom. While the buildings existed previously, the Kilvas Empire renovated and expanded them, referring to the work as a donation. A grand addition was built to connect the conference hall, where the meeting will be held, with the ballroom for socializing. While Kilvas led the initiative, Ellmeyer supplied a certain amount of financial assistance, as did every participating nation to varying degrees, no doubt.

This evening, Aileen and Claude are headed to the ballroom.

They travel down a lane flanked by green lawns and regularly spaced gas lamps, then circle around a forecourt with a fountain. Eventually, the couple arrives in front of an entrance that looks as if it belongs to a temple.

As Aileen steps down from the carriage, an involuntary sigh of admiration escapes her. It’s partly due to the majestic architectural style, which impresses on a person the history of the place, but it’s also because this is where the ball in Regalia of Saints, Demons, and Maidens 4 was held.

Even though it was done as a donation, it seems Kilvas refrained from any dramatic remodeling. Tradition has been maintained in the building’s appearance, and it looks just as it did in the game.

“Even this building is as imposing as one would expect.”

“I hear the academy where royal candidates study is next door. It’s closed now…but if Mother and Father were here, do you think it would make them feel nostalgic?”

Claude isn’t referring to his human parents, but his demon ones.

Luciel, known as the god of demons, was the hero and final boss of Game 4, while Grace, the Maid of the Cursed Sword, was its villainess. Both had frequently come to visit the Queendom of Hausel about seven centuries ago.

“Mother’s just a soul now, so she probably shouldn’t be away from the demon realm for long.”

“She did grumble an awful lot when she heard we’d be taking Claire with us again this time.”

“I hope she’s staying home and behaving.”

There were already more crows than expected at the mansion. It wouldn’t be unusual for either of Claude’s parents to appear at any moment. The former demon king and his wife are both incredibly free-spirited characters.

“…Let’s not think about it.”

In order to spend even a little longer with his wife, who will disappear someday, the god of demons has decided he’ll only appear in the old castle in the demon king’s forest. Aileen wants to believe in his love, as it seems Claude does.

Since Kilvas is running the events leading up to the conference, Aileen and Claude are limited to the bare minimum number of guards and servants. They take Claude’s bodyguards, Walt and Kyle—who have recently been granted the title of Imperial Knight—and leave his adviser, Keith, and Aileen’s lady-in-waiting, Rachel, behind.

As soon as they enter the ballroom, the two guards take up positions a short distance away from them. Aileen heard that this would be a small soiree, but it’s still quite sizable. She also heard that women who were sent away from Hausel to be married and nobles from countries with ties to the Queendom were invited as well. If she’s not careful, no doubt time will pass in the blink of an eye.

Aileen releases Claude’s hand. Her husband seems to understand, because he doesn’t stop her. “Don’t push yourself too hard” is all he says.

“And you, Master Claude. Don’t cause too much trouble for Master Baal… I don’t see him here. Will you be all right on your own?”

“Why are you talking about me like that?” Claude grimaces, but he really isn’t a good conversationalist. Instead, he’s quiet and reticent. At home his needs are seen to even if he just stands around haughtily, but that won’t work here. Not only that, but his face overwhelms others at first sight.

“It’s a good opportunity to make friends,” Claude tells her. “I’ll see you in a bit.”

Apparently, he hasn’t given up on making friends besides Baal; Aileen will simply have to trust him. Claude briskly turns on his heel, and even his back seems to radiate determination.

…I do hope that determination won’t prove to be his undoing.

“Lady Aileen, over here.”

As she’s looking around, Roxane promptly beckons her over. The woman’s elegant, elaborate red gown is in the style of Ashmael, and its intricate design sets her apart from everyone else. She hasn’t chosen a dress from Hausel or a similar culture. When Aileen looks at the dresses of the group she’s being beckoned toward, they all similarly reflect their own nations’ styles.

“This is Empress Aileen of Imperial Ellmeyer. Lady Aileen, this is—”

“Wait, Lady Roxane. Do let me guess.”

While this may be an official event, its goal is merely to socialize. She should be forgiven for a diversion such as this. Roxane falls silent, letting her continue.

First, Aileen smiles at the youngest woman seated at the round table. “Duchess Nina of the Duchy of Hirikka, if I’m not mistaken.”

“Goodness. This is the first time we’ve met, isn’t it? If I recall, you were absent from Emperor Kilvas’s wedding…”

“I’ve heard you’re not yet twenty—though I’ve only just turned twenty myself. More than anything else, the Duchy of Hirikka is known for its gem working and fine horses. The color of your earrings seems to shift from purple to blue. Blue zoisite, aren’t they? I’ve never seen it before.”

Duchess Nina shyly touches her sparkling, color-shifting earrings. Perhaps it’s because the young duchess is wearing a cute dress in pale pink, but she reminds Aileen of a meadow of flowers after a rain.

“I’m impressed you noticed them when they’re so small. The cut of the jewels you’re wearing is magnificent, Empress Aileen.”

“Next, me. You know me?”

The woman seated beside Duchess Nina energetically raises her hand. Her hair is black, and her dress is striking, albeit in a different way from Roxane’s Ashmael gown. It’s embroidered with a pattern in deep green, brown, and white that seems to be floral in nature, but since the embroidery covers the entire dress, it gives the impression of snakeskin from a distance. When the woman rose out of her chair slightly, Aileen caught a glimpse of her thigh, revealed by a bold slit in her dress. The gold band that circles her waist at an angle is also unusual.

“But of course. You must be Princess Dana from the Island Republic of Gloss.”

“Correct! My pro-pronunciation is strange, no?” Dana asks Nina. They appear to be friends. Cyril’s reference materials didn’t mention that, so they may have hit it off after reaching the island. Like Kilvas, the Duchy of Hirikka and the Island Republic of Gloss are in the northeast, so perhaps they feel more at ease with each other than with anyone from the southwest continent.

“Not at all,” replies Aileen. “It’s very easy to understand. <It’s nice to…meet you.>”

She responds with a faltering Glossian greeting, and Dana’s face lights up. “You’re very good!”

“That’s actually all I can say. Lady Roxane taught me in secret.”

“Oh? You too, Lady Roxane? You can speak?”

“Not enough to hold a conversation, but I can manage greetings.”

Roxane’s face is expressionless, but Dana doesn’t seem to mind. She’s smiling cheerfully. “I’m happy. Sometimes the pronunciation…slips out. I am very glad to have meeted—met you.”

“Please teach me all about yourself,” Aileen says eagerly. “Of all the participating nations, Gloss is the farthest away from Ellmeyer, so I’d love to hear all sorts of stories.”

“You can count me!” Dana thumps her chest, and another noblewoman gives a little snort of laughter. Aileen’s eyes go to her. She immediately notices the empress’s gaze and gives the woman next to her an elegant smile. “How nice it must be to be so young and innocent.”

“From my perspective, you’re quite young yourself.”

“—Forgive me for interrupting, Queen Consort Audrey. Queen Consort Carol.”

The slim woman is Queen Audrey of the United Kingdom of Olgen. She has to be in her forties, but her beautiful, chiseled features could belong to a woman in her twenties.

Smiling gently beside her is Queen Carol of the neutral power of Maiz. She’s well into her fifties, with light brown hair liberally sprinkled with white. Her husband, the king of Maiz, is sixty-three, which makes him the oldest of the heads of state.

“I am Aileen Jean Ellmeyer. It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance.” Realizing that these two woman won’t enjoy being spoken to casually, Aileen swiftly changes gears and gives a graceful curtsy.

Audrey gives a faint smile. “My, my. Such a polite greeting from the empress of Ellmeyer, a nation with so much history, when my country is so new. I’m not quite sure how to react.” Her smile is reserved and her phrasing cunning. She seems rather formidable.

“Please, Queen Audrey, do call me Aileen. The recent technological advances in the United Kingdom of Olgen have been astonishing, and I was hoping to speak with you about them.”

“Thank you for your consideration. I have been looking forward to the opportunity to speak with you as well, Empress Aileen. I’ve heard the rumors, you see. Yes, all sorts of them.”

“Come, come. Talking can wait until we’re all settled at the table. There are lots of delectable sweets here,” Carol says, coming between them. Her voice is soft, but it carries clearly.

Despite the provocation in her previous remark, Audrey backs down easily. “Yes, you’re quite right.”

Before Aileen can seat herself, the grandfather clock in the ballroom chimes. It’s the signal for the ball to begin.

“Oh my.” Carol rises to her feet. “It seems there’s no time to rest. We have the first dance, you see. Lately, I fear my feet may tangle if the dance isn’t a slow one.”

“Don’t be so modest, Queen Carol. Aren’t waltzes your forte?” There’s a certain sarcasm to Audrey’s words, but a friendly note fills her voice.

“Heh-heh. I won’t lose to the youngsters. All right, I’ll return shortly.”

Carol starts toward the raised stage at the very back of the marble ballroom. A carpet is spread across it, atop which Vica and the king of Maiz wait. Prime Minister Ernst of Kilvas is with them as well, and they’re all chatting about something.

“I also am planned to dance. With father,” Dana says.

“Although we’ve only just exchanged greetings, it appears I should also go and grab my husband. No doubt it will set a bad example unless the guests of honor from every nation dance.” Audrey gives a brief nod, then walks away quickly.

“I go, too.” Dana stands up and leaves the table with Nina, who curtsies elegantly.

“Shall we go as well?” Roxane suggests.

Aileen nods. “I do hope Master Claude has managed to find Master Baal.”

Her husband’s face and presence are hard to miss, and she finds him almost straightaway when she looks for him. However, he seems to be alone.

Claude is wandering around, wineglass in hand. She has a bad feeling about this.

Aileen gulps. She’s standing as still as a statue when Roxane whispers in her ear, “Master Baal is over there, so I’ll… Ah, but Master Claude is nearby as well, isn’t he.”

Roxane’s eyes have gone to Baal, who’s smiling cheerfully at the center of a circle of men. Claude is standing a short distance away, probably close enough to hear their laughter. He’s looking at them, too.

Don’t tell me he wasn’t able to break into that circle and has been prowling around outside it all this time!

Next to Aileen, Roxane also seems to have picked up on what Claude is doing. She tilts her head. “I wonder what’s the matter with Master Claude. He’s all alone.”

“H-he must be resting! He isn’t fond of noise and commotion, you see… Oh.”

Baal’s glass seems to be empty, and when he turns to look for a server, he notices Claude. As their eyes meet, Aileen sees her husband freeze up.

A look of annoyance flickers across Baal’s face. He stalks up to Claude, grabs him firmly by the shoulders, and drags him back into the circle with him. All of this takes less than ten seconds.

However, in those ten seconds, Aileen’s palms have grown damp with sweat.

Thanks to the popular holy king, the outcast demon king has joined the circle.

“Thank you, Master Baal…!”

“Lady Aileen, there are tears in your eyes. Whatever’s the matter?”

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to… Please pretend you didn’t see.”

“Mm,” Roxane murmurs, rather apathetically.

“Honored guests…”

The emperor of Kilvas begins his opening remarks. It’ll be harder to move now, so it’s best for Aileen and Roxane to keep an eye on their husbands and wait for the right moment.

Vica’s speech is brief and punctuated with a few jokes, and before long, he yields the stage to the king and queen of Maiz. At his signal, wind and string instruments strike up a waltz. The eldest of the assembly’s royal couples begin to dance slowly yet elegantly. They appear unhurried and as if they are enjoying themselves, and Aileen finds herself smiling.

“They are the sort of couple one hopes to become, aren’t they.”

“Indeed,” replies Roxane. “Maiz isn’t a large country, and it’s surrounded by other nations, including the United Kingdom of Olgen. No doubt overcoming a variety of difficult issues and hardships is what has made them this way.”

The dance marks the beginning of the soiree and, therefore, the beginning of the intercontinental conference. Kilvas, the host nation, has yielded the first dance to another couple because Emperor Vica doesn’t have a suitable partner. His wife, Diana, launched a revolution in their country, then fled after trying to kill him, while Vica had used a proxy for their wedding. Aileen really can’t imagine a couple who wear such extravagant masks disarming the assembled guests this way.

Come to think of it, Master Vica hasn’t completed the divorce procedures yet, has he. He said there was a woman he fancied…so maybe he’s made some progress.

Aileen decides she’ll ask him if she manages to find an opportunity to speak with him alone.

It was a good decision to yield the floor to the Maiz royals. The assembly gazes at the dancing older couple. The queenship of Hausel is a difficult, complicated issue, but there’s a nice mood settling over the ballroom. Perhaps the royal candidate that unnamed nation has chosen won’t be so bad, either.

Aileen’s hopes and the gentle waltz are suddenly torn asunder by a violent noise. Female soldiers bearing lances enter through the ballroom’s great double doors, their footsteps loud and imposing.

“Stay behind me, Sweet Ailey.”

“And you, Lady Roxane. Please don’t move.”

Walt has dashed out in front of Aileen, moving so quickly that she didn’t even see him move. Kyle is standing in front of Roxane beside her. Claude must have given them orders in advance.

Bodyguards are also protecting the king and queen of Maiz, whose dance has been interrupted, as well as the other notable figures. The soldiers of Kilvas step forward to surround the intruders.

“What’s with all the gorgeous women?” Walt jokes, trying to break the heavy mood.

Kyle restrains the people around him with a sharp look. “Don’t get careless just because they’re women. Those are divine stones set in the spears, aren’t they.”

“They’re magic lances.”

Aileen’s answer seems to satisfy the guards.

“So these are Kilvas’s Valkyries?”

A slightly high-pitched voice rings out, punctuated by the click of heels against the floor. “You forced us Valkyries to fight your demons for you, and now you turn weapons against us. You seem to fancy yourselves full-fledged soldiers.” The woman’s cold gaze and sharp features seem just right for a game heroine whose background says she “lost her smile when her homeland was burned.”

Ernst is standing protectively in front of Vica, but the emperor of Kilvas frowns and steps out from behind him. “Diana… What are you doing here?”

Valkyrie of the Magic Lance has already diverged from its original storyline, and its heroine snorts at the confusion of the final boss she failed to defeat. “I’m guarding the royal candidate. Isn’t that right, Your Majesty, King of Olgen?”

“Ah, yes. I have good news for all of you!” the king says in a voice that carries all the way through the room. Compared to his slender wife, he’s got quite a sturdy build, and he strides to the center of the ballroom, medals jangling. Queen Audrey is standing silently a short distance away.

Wearing an affable smile, the king of Olgen raises his voice as if he’s giving a speech. “Simply put, the queen of Hausel is someone who can see the future. I trust we are all in agreement on that. As such, my kingdom has found a woman fit to be queen, and we have taken her under our protection as the royal candidate. Her name is Cattleya.”

Ernst turns pale. Beside him, Vica’s expression is grim. “Diana. What are you and my sister plotting this time?”

“Don’t misunderstand, Emperor Kilvas,” the king continues. “Neither of these women has anything to do with your nation. The fact that she and your missing elder sister share a name is merely coincidence. That is true of the Valkyrie there as well.”

As far as the Kilvas Empire is concerned, Diana and Cattleya masterminded a rebellion. However, Vica stops himself from reflexively arguing back, and Ernst only clenches his fists. They’re both cautious, knowing that responding emotionally before they understand the situation risks putting them in conflict with the United Kingdom of Olgen.

It’s clear to everyone that the Valkyries are being backed by Olgen.

“Now then, let me introduce you. This is our royal candidate, Cattleya.”

The king of Olgen glances at the Valkyries, giving them a signal with his eyes. A woman elegantly emerges from within the group, her long skirt swaying. She’s dressed like a priestess of Hausel. Did they go to the trouble of having the outfit made for her? The thin lace veil that covers her head and conceals her face is another Hauselian custom.

The dignified way she stands, unflinching even before the eyes of the assembly, is an eloquent testimony to her nobility.

However, that’s only to be expected. She was once a princess, the elder sister of the emperor. She was also brilliant enough in her own right to win fame as a Valkyrie.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you all. I am Cattleya.” Her voice is light and musical, unlike when she was a Valkyrie. “I have come to greet you as the one who will be the next queen of Hausel. Thank you in advance for your support.”

The villainess Cattleya gives a beautiful curtsy, then raises her head, looking in Aileen’s direction. It feels as if the smile on the woman’s rouged lips is ridiculing her.

“I’m told the royal candidate appeared in the United Kingdom of Olgen at the end of last year.”

Aileen’s lady-in-waiting, Rachel, didn’t say anything unnecessary until their return to the mansion, but now, helping Aileen prepare for bed, she finally broaches the subject. Naturally, the uproar at the ball reached the room where the servants were waiting, and Rachel has been gathering intelligence.

“They say she was traveling around impoverished districts proselytizing with an odd religious group. Rumors about her spread, saying that she can predict the future and foretold a spell of cold weather in distant Kilvas. She won the king’s trust by naming all the aristocrats who had been involved in counterfeiting Olgen’s currency, a troubling incident that seemed unsolvable until her intervention. Her maids and attendants were boasting about it.”

“I see. So that story’s already spreading.”

“Yes. They also said she has predicted an earthquake since coming here, and there was actually a small one yesterday. Earthquakes are rare in Hausel, so even the people who were suspicious aren’t able to deny her out of hand.”

“Who else didn’t get here until yesterday, besides us?”

“The Kingdom of Ashmael. They arrived yesterday afternoon, while the earthquake occurred in the morning. Both the chief and the princess of the Island Republic of Gloss were impressed. They think it must be magic. The neutral power of Maiz arrived before the United Kingdom of Olgen, partly to take advantage of the island’s properties as a health resort, so they must know as well. However, the Kilvas Empire doesn’t seem to have heard a word of it. The servants and soldiers were confused.”

One must not underestimate information from one’s servants. Rachel is outstanding at intelligence gathering. She is also the villainess of Regalia of Saints, Demons and Maidens 2, and Roxane is the villainess of its sequel. As a rule, villainesses tend to be brilliant people with high basic specs. After all, if they were not, there would be no thrill for the heroine in beating them.

This is particularly true of the villainess of Valkyrie of the Magic Lance, a game that compelled its fans to call it “high-minded” and “not just an otome game.”

“They must have arranged it quietly, so that Kilvas wouldn’t interfere. Then, once they managed to win over people’s trust, they announced it officially. They got one up on us. Whoever would have thought that she would reappear as a royal candidate…”

They won’t be able to apprehend the two women easily, under the protection of the United Kingdom of Olgen as they are.

The king of Olgen has united several small countries that were constantly at war with each other. His nation may be new, but it has managed to absorb many different cultures, and its strength is genuine. Olgen’s territory is also vast; it has had no major internal trouble during the past few years, and its population is growing. More than anything else, however, it was a war zone just a decade or two ago, meaning it has an abundance of well-trained soldiers and generals who survived the fighting.

Imperial Ellmeyer hasn’t experienced any major battles in the past several decades. It has fallen behind in the development of demon stone technology and is gradually becoming a “former” military power. Olgen isn’t an opponent they can carelessly start a war with. Kilvas would probably support Ellmeyer, but they are all the way across an ocean. Neighboring Ashmael may have excellent sacred stone technology, but holy power won’t work on humans. In geographic terms as well, Ellmeyer will be the front line.

“Maiz is a neutral nation; I would imagine they’ll be neither friend nor foe to us. I’ve heard that the citizens of the Island Republic of Gloss are all members of the country’s navy…”

It will be far too troublesome if they make an enemy of them as well as Olgen. Not only that, but Princess Dana of Gloss seems friendly with Duchess Nina of Hirikka. They could easily have arranged to form some sort of united front already.

“At any rate, we mustn’t act before we know what each nation is thinking and who they have ties to.”

“Emperor Claude and the others will be attending the first conference tomorrow, won’t they. Do you suppose that will be all right?”

“I will also be inspecting the former site of Hausel’s royal palace with other noblewomen.” It’s likely to be the same group of women Aileen greeted before the first dance. “First and foremost, we need information. Particularly about those predictions. They’ll be a problem. After all, it’s an ability that befits the queen of Hausel…provided it’s genuine.”

“I also heard she’s predicted that we’ll have bad weather two days from now, and that whirlpools will form, making it impossible for ships to leave port. She keeps proposing to cancel the second site inspection. Do you think there’s some sort of trick involved?”

“I think I might have some idea.”

In the game, when Diana and the others attempt to attack Hausel, several great whirlpools form at sea and prevent their ships from approaching. The mechanism that activates them is inside a facility on the ocean floor. If she recalls correctly, there’s an event in which one of the members of Diana’s group blows herself up to break it, leaving the rest of them in tears when they mount their assault.

It’s likely that some facilities are still there on the ocean floor…!

The place she found in Kilvas has already been destroyed along with its gate, but there could very well be others. Diana’s group may already have control of them.

That will be more troublesome than the prophecy business.

“I’m not certain yet. At any rate, what we need is information.”

“Understood. The people of Olgen will be able to tell us all manner of things about the royal candidate, since we are woefully ignorant, so I’ll instruct everyone else to collect information as well.”

“…Have people been unpleasant to you?”

The hierarchy of the nations regarding the queenship of Hausel is beginning to fall into place. Naturally, the servants will be at the mercy of their master’s position in it.

Rachel responds to Aileen’s concern with a perfect lady-in-waiting smile. “Compared to Lady Serena’s exacting criticism, it was rather endearing.”

Aileen smiles wryly, remembering the scathing words of the female bureaucrat who’s positively sprinting up the ladder to success. “I suppose there’s no need for me to worry.”

“None at all. Master Keith can speak ill of Master Claude for days on end, while we are constantly helpless in the face of your outlandish behavior.”

“Wait, now I’m concerned for other reasons. Are you actively trying to undermine the dignity of your lord and lady?”

“We were ordered to do so in the Kilvas Empire.”

Oh, that’s right. During their visit to Kilvas, the pregnant Aileen decided that it would be easier to acquire information if she was underestimated. In the presence of Cattleya and Diana, she played the part of a consort who didn’t understand complicated matters and was merely under Claude’s protection.

“It would be a great help for you to let us know if you intend to act as the shadow commander in chief this time as well.”

“…Let’s see. Since other nations are also watching, we mustn’t let ourselves be the object of too much disdain… What about a consort who’s reflected on her behavior and is overreaching in an attempt to seem more mature?”

“I don’t think you’ll be able to deceive Lady Roxane.”

“She’s prudent, so she’ll keep silent and watch. In fact, we will need to make sure she doesn’t take advantage of it. Lady Roxane has her own kingdom to protect, after all.”

“I’ll let the others know, then.”

Now that that’s settled, Rachel finishes helping Aileen ready herself for bed, then leaves the room. She really is a reliable lady-in-waiting.

As if to take her place, Claude enters. He goes straight to Claire, who’s fast asleep.

“…I’ll wake her if I pick her up, won’t I.”

“Content yourself with watching her sleep. She drifted off just a little while ago.”

“Did you hear about prophecy and whatnot?”

Aileen assumed her husband intended to kill time by talking about how adorable his daughter is, but he’s brought up the subject of work straightaway. Apparently, he understands that, given the circumstances, he can’t afford to simply dote on his daughter.

“Yes, from Rachel. I imagine the substance of it is the same as what you heard from Master Keith.”

“I see… This has gotten complicated.”

“Did Master Vica say anything?”

After all, it was the Kilvas Empire that Cattleya and Diana betrayed.

“He’s going to gather information for now. He said he’d never heard anything about prophetic abilities before, though. No doubt the United Kingdom of Olgen intends to maintain the stance that their candidate isn’t Emperor Kilvas’s elder sister. The Valkyries are also apparently registered as Olgen soldiers, so we won’t be able to touch them.”

“If we aren’t careful, we’ll have an international issue on our hands.”

“There’s something else that concerns me. When I proposed a military alliance to Baal, he dodged the question.”

Seating herself on the bed, Aileen frowns. “By that, you mean he didn’t turn you down or say he’d think about it?”

“Right. He told me we’d discuss it later. It wasn’t like him. I also suggested cooperating, providing security for his mansion during the conference and sharing information, things like that. Holy power doesn’t work on humans, so I thought he’d need my magic if he wanted a barrier. But he turned that down as well.”

Considering their relationship with Baal and the Kingdom of Ashmael up until now, that’s an unexpected answer.

“He said it would make the other nations wary, so I backed down, but he also told me to worry about myself first. That may have been a warning, come to think of it. There are places protected by holy power all over Hausel, so magic has difficulty working here.”

“Now that you mention it, Elefas said that he’s always impeded when he tries to teleport in the vicinity of Hausel. Apparently, teleporting over long distances within Hausel is difficult as well.”

“That’s not true for Baal, though. In that sense, having the holy king as an ally would mean a lot.”

And this is coming from Claude, the demon king. No doubt the holy king would be valuable to other nations as well.

Lady Roxane wouldn’t reveal the source of her information, either… There’s nothing unnatural about that, though.

Ashmael probably already has ties to another nation. Could they be hesitating over whether to ally with that nation or Ellmeyer?

“Baal has agreed to select the queen by a vote, but Ashmael has nothing to do with demons in the first place. Frankly, they’d ordinarily be opposed to us. He’s probably quite sought after. He’s also more sociable than I am, and he’s got a lot of friends…”

“Th-that’s…only because your face is too overwhelming, Master Claude!”

“You don’t have to console me. He’s a man who treasures his country, his wife, and his daughter. Just like me.” Claude’s fingertips skim over Claire’s cheek, just barely touching it, then he turns around. He doesn’t seem as dejected as she feared. “You’re close to the principal consort, so I thought it would be better to let you know.”

“Goodness, there’s no need to worry. I am always prepared to exchange blows with Lady Roxane. She’s a worthy opponent.”

“You’re always so dependable—though I wonder if I should really call you ‘dependable’ for that.” Claude sits down beside her.

“Leave tomorrow’s inspection to me as well,” Aileen says.

“I’d rather you didn’t overdo it, though. We aren’t trying to antagonize them out of hand.”

“Oh? Master Claude, you can’t genuinely be telling me to be considerate toward that royal candidate, whose ties to you run so deep. Are you really saying that to me, your wife?” She smiles at him, the corners of her lips curving.

Claude has reached out to take a lock of her hair, but his hand freezes for a second. The next moment, he takes the lock and kisses it. “I meant in general.”

“‘In general.’ That really doesn’t sound like the sort of thing a demon king would say. Don’t tell me there’s a situation that plagues your conscience so badly that you truly can’t explain it to your wife. Is it the sort of thing that would make me take Claire and run away from home?”

Claude can’t argue properly whenever she brings their daughter into it. Aileen crosses her legs and gives a thin smile, certain of her victory. This is a golden opportunity to torment her husband, and she won’t let it escape her.

However, her formidable husband gives her a warning filled with pathos. “Don’t make trouble for me, all right? I’ll start wanting to keep you locked up.”

“……”

“Right. If I did that now, I’d be able to wait without worrying about tomorrow’s inspection.”

“Yes, tomorrow will be busy, won’t it. Let us get some sleep!” Hastily uncrossing her legs, Aileen gracefully relocates to the center of the bed.

Claude sighs, clearly disappointed. “I thought it was a good idea…”

It’s cruel that he says that seriously. In an attempt to change the subject, Aileen clears her throat. “Have no fear. I intend to act perfectly reserved.”

“Reserved? You?” Claude says with a tilt of the head.

Aileen entertains the idea of needling him again but calms herself before answering. “No doubt the royal candidate and the Valkyries believe I am.”

“Oh. Come to think of it, you were the shadow commander in chief in Kilvas, weren’t you.” Claude folds back the sheets on the bed and gets in. “Well, as long as you behave yourself, I have no complaints. We have Claire now, too. I’d prefer not to stand out in unfortunate ways and provoke hostility.” He snaps his fingers, dimming the lights. “That said, I do think the demons would make protecting Claire their top priority. I’ve shared what we know with Cyril and the others. What options are available to us will depend on how our opponents move, but he’ll do whatever he can.”

Claude rests his head on the large pillow, gazing up at the ceiling, and Aileen nestles closer to him.

“We’ll be working separately tomorrow, but it is a good opportunity to glean more information. Let’s both do our best.”

“Yes. I’d like to work hard at making friends, too,” Claude replies with a straight face, and Aileen’s cheeks almost spasm. However, she won’t say anything boorish.

If it comes to that, perhaps I could have him play with Claire and take care of the diplomacy myself.

Reassured by the fact that they have a daughter who can keep the demon king pinned down, Aileen closes her eyes. Her conscientious husband doesn’t forget to leave a goodnight kiss on her forehead.

While some of the islands are linked by bridges, traveling by water is faster. Apparently, there are teleportation devices somewhere as well, but most of them can’t even be activated without the queen’s permission.

Audrey is the one to explain this, after Princess Dana’s constant stream of “What’s that?” over everything she sees wears her down.

“That’s a…mazing. Lady Audrey, you know all the things!”

“It’s common knowledge. Although perhaps that isn’t true on the northern continent.”

There’s a note of scorn in the woman’s annoyed voice, but it completely fails to discourage Dana.

“In the north, only Kilvas was permissioned to have exchange with Hausel; that is why!”

“…As long as you understand that, as a rule, your position wouldn’t allow you to visit casually.”

“Yes, I study, since I’m here now!”

If they’re genuinely understanding each other, this conversation is more frightening to listen to than be part of. A strained, polite smile on her face, Nina timidly breaks in. “D-do you suppose Lady Carol is all right? Her seasickness…”

Aileen and the others are currently on a boat bound for the central island, on which Hausel’s royal palace once stood. The sky is clear, and the waves are gentle, but Carol complained that she was feeling dizzy and is resting in a cabin at the aft of the boat. Roxane is staying with her, so the tea party on deck has only four participants: Audrey, Nina, Dana, and Aileen.

“I gave her our…moving sickness medicine! It works very well!”

“There’s no knowing how far we can trust that. It may be what’s left Lady Carol unable to get up.”

“It could be. The taste…is outrageous!”

So she admits it?

While Nina is flustered, Audrey’s eyes widen in anger. “Are you truly aware that you are a princess?! Lady Carol is kind; that’s why she accepted it from you. If anything happens, your country will have to take responsibility, you know!”

“But if we get boat-sick, we can’t live…on the sea. Man or woman.” Dana gazes back at her, confused, the color of her eyes deep and dark. “Moving sickness medicine…is valuable. Kindness. Not drop into ocean.”

“You’re saying you planned to drop Lady Carol in the ocean?! You antiquated barbarian!”

“Y-you see, fishing is very important to the Island Republic of Gloss…! Someone who suffers from seasickness can’t become a fisherman. In other words, they can never be a full-fledged adult. That’s what Lady Dana meant; she certainly wasn’t thinking of pushing Lady Carol into the ocean!”

“It’s a cultural difference, then,” Aileen summarizes, and Nina hurriedly nods.

“Yes,” Dana says, holding her head high. “I hear Maiz…only land. Cultural difference!”

Audrey turns a cold gaze on them. “A convenient term, ‘cultural difference.’ In that case, why don’t you take some of that motion sickness medicine as well, Lady Aileen? You’ve been quiet all this time. Is it because you’re feeling ill?”

“…N-no. The thought that we’re headed toward Hausel makes me nervous.”

“You, the empress of the nation that destroyed the Queendom?” Audrey says pointedly, and the women all sharpen their gazes. They’re determined not to miss a move Aileen makes, so she acts shy for them.

“I know there’s no danger. After all, my husband will protect me no matter what.”

“Yesterday…I checked him out. Very handsome! He has…demon king’s face!”

It’s hard to tell whether Dana’s complimenting him or not. Nina’s perplexed look is open to interpretation, but Audrey is clearly still annoyed.

Aileen gazes at them all with sparkling eyes. “I’m proud of my husband. Still, when I remember the chaos after the declaration of war, I can’t help but feel frightened. Why, even sweets didn’t taste good to me at the time.”

“I would imagine not. When I saw the footage of the bombardments from that palace in the sky, I couldn’t stop trembling. I was shocked to see something like that in the latter years of my life.” Carol has appeared on the deck, accompanied by Roxane. Audrey rises, yielding her seat to the older woman, then orders the Olgen servants to add more chairs to the table, and they quickly comply.

“Are you feeling better, Lady Carol?”

“I feel right as rain, thanks to that medicine. Even if she does have a court lady with knowledge of medicine with her, I simply can’t have Lady Roxane take care of me. I’m sorry for making you listen to an old woman’s tales. I had heard you were compiling a history book, so I couldn’t resist telling you my stories.”

“There’s no reason to apologize; hearing about events from one who had actually lived through them was very informative.” Roxane seats herself beside Carol, as if to take care of her. She must have registered Aileen’s gaze, but she doesn’t even glance in her direction. This sense of distance reminds Aileen of when they first met.

“We should reach the central island soon. Olgen’s state-of-the-art boats are as swift as one would expect.”

As Carol says, the island—which was previously the size of a little fingernail—is nearly upon them. All eyes naturally turn toward it. The ship makes a long detour around the island’s edge, maneuvering to enter the mouth of the port.

“The palace…really gone, isn’t it.”

Dana’s observation is quiet, but Audrey doesn’t miss it. “Yes, because Ellmeyer and Ashmael shot it out of the sky. May we hear your thoughts on that, Lady Roxane?”

“I merely heard about it from my husband, so I don’t have any particular thoughts on the matter.”

“…First Lady Aileen, and now you. The consorts of the nations that created this situation apparently have nothing but irresponsible answers. Ladies, allow me to make a proposal.” Audrey looks around the group. “You are participating in this inspection as representatives of your countries—however, this is Hausel. There’s no knowing what consequences imprudent actions may have. Therefore, I insist that you obey the instructions of my own nation.”

“Are you ordering us not to go anywhere without Olgen’s permission?” Roxane asks bluntly.

Audrey smiles at her. “My suggestion is based in kindness. I simply wish to ensure your safety. Let me ask you this: Is there a place that Ashmael wishes to investigate without informing the rest of us?”

“That isn’t what I meant.” Roxane falls silent. Apparently, her relationship with Audrey, who has information about the royal candidate, is tenuous. However, Audrey respects Carol.

The news about the royal candidate must have traveled from Lady Audrey to Lady Carol, and then to Lady Roxane, in that order.

Audrey looks around at the now quiet group. “Our nation’s Valkyries are already on the island.”

“This is the first I’m hearing of that,” Nina replies promptly, showing surprisingly good reflexes.

“Because this is the first time I’ve mentioned it.” Audrey isn’t the least bit flustered, and Nina goes quiet. “As I’m sure you’re all aware, there are mechanisms in Hausel that are beyond human understanding. The royal candidate, who is currently staying in Olgen, is capable of working those mechanisms.”

Even Aileen looks shocked. In the same moment, a realization hits her. That’s it. That’s the real reason Olgen is backing Cattleya and Diana.

Even if they don’t fully believe in her prophetic abilities, if she’s able to work the teleportation devices in Hausel, that’s more than enough reason to support her as the royal candidate.

“I’ve not heard anything about this, either,” Carol responds nonchalantly.

“I myself only learned of it upon arriving here,” Audrey says. “No one has any right to say I’ve got the upper hand, however; in terms of investigating Hausel, both Ellmeyer and Ashmael began earlier than the rest of us. No doubt they discovered nothing because they did not have the royal candidate.” Audrey slowly drinks the last of her tea, as if flaunting her composure to the silent group. “You’ll also be able to receive the Valkyries’ protection. I believe it will be more efficient for you all to accept Olgen’s guidance.”

Aileen exhales a held breath in relief and smiles. “Well, that would be wonderful! Honestly, I had no idea what to do when they told me about the inspection. Though if they’d asked me to host a tea party or a dance, I would’ve had no such problems.” Dubious stares fix on her from every direction. Roxane has frozen up as if she’s had a shock. “I mean, there’s nothing there, correct? Master Claude told me there isn’t, so I would only have to go and look… I did think it would probably be dull.”

She notices that the bewildered looks have taken on a scornful edge. This is a unique kind of delightful. Roxane has gone so still that Aileen is concerned she may not be breathing. She’s not even blinking.

Aileen softly puts her hands to her cheeks, feigning embarrassment. “Oh—no, I shouldn’t say that. Everyone told me over and over that this wouldn’t all be sightseeing, but I just thought…”

“Did you not have…nervousness before?”

“When I thought that I could leave this to the rest of you, it was just such a relief.” Evading Dana’s oddly astute observation, Aileen smiles at Audrey. “I will accept your generous offer, Lady Audrey. I believe I shall be able to make a proper report to Master Claude now.”

“I shall also accept, Lady Audrey. Walking for long stretches isn’t easy at my age, you know,” Carol also agrees in her ever-calm tone.

Nina hesitantly raises her hand. “In that case, then so will I… While there are several inspections scheduled, I believe it best to grasp the whole picture from the outset.”

“Me too! I don’t wish…to be leaved out!”

“What will you do, Lady Roxane?”

Aileen smiles brightly at her, and the other woman blinks, startled. “Oh, um. I…I will…”

“Won’t you come with us? If you don’t, they’ll only keep comparing me to you, Lady Roxane. Please?” Aileen puts both hands to her cheeks and tilts her head. The gesture seems to strike the finishing blow. Roxane nods awkwardly, her face stiff and drawn with fear.

However, this is only the beginning.

She can operate Hausel’s facilities. As I suspected, it isn’t just Diana, but Cattleya as well…

When the group temporarily splits up to prepare to disembark, Aileen has Rachel fix her makeup in their small cabin. The boat Olgen has provided for the inspection is a midsize ship, allowing for good maneuverability, but being a state-of-the-art vessel, it also has individual cabins.

“It sounds as if the royal candidate and the Valkyries are on the island already,” Aileen says between freshly rouged lips, speaking partly to get her thoughts in order. “I’m beginning to suspect that the priestesses of Hausel, who monitor people coming and going here, may not be genuine. Granted, if she can work Hausel’s facilities, I doubt there would be any complaints anyway.”

“Hausel’s facilities… You mean the ones on the ocean floor you spoke of? Do you suppose there’s a way in somewhere?”

“We’ll check them all one by one. Prepare yourself, Rachel; I need you to play the part of the harried maid who’s burdened by a spoiled princess unfit to be empress.”

“Leave it to me. The bag we’ll take with us contains a picnic blanket and sweets.”

That’s Aileen’s most trusted lady-in-waiting for you. She’s always prepared.

Twirling her parasol, Aileen walks down the gangway to find she’s the last to disembark. The others are waiting in a little knot; they’ve each brought a couple of guards or maids. Valkyries guard the perimeter.

Naturally, that means they must be here as well.

“Apologies for the delay! I just remembered I’d brought sweets for everyone… Oh!” Aileen falters and stops partway down the ramp, acting as if her giddiness about the picnic has made her late in noticing.

The royal candidate steps forward smoothly. “I am the royal candidate Cattleya.” The woman bows, her face still hidden.

“Umm…” Aileen displays exaggerated confusion. “You’re…Emperor Kilvas’s—?”

“It is a pleasure to meet you.”

Aileen looks bewildered, as if she isn’t sure how to respond. Sure enough, Diana snorts from where she stands beside Cattleya. “Don’t you understand the situation? You’re as stupid as ever, I see.”

“Diana, you’re being rude to the empress of Ellmeyer. I’m very sorry, Lady Aileen. This is my guard and the leader of the Valkyries. Please treat her kindly.”

At this point, Aileen gives them one more push, just to be on the safe side. “But…isn’t Lady Diana Kilvas’s…?”

“She is a soldier of the United Kingdom of Olgen, Lady Aileen. Please don’t make any strange accusations,” Audrey says, coldly shutting her down.

“Lady Aileen,” Rachel admonishes her.

Aileen pouts and averts her eyes, sulking.

She quite enjoys the completely appalled looks from those around her. Roxane’s gaze is distant, while Sahra—the one who Aileen needs to pay attention to—stands beside her blinking rapidly. They only passed by each other on the boat, but Sahra knows Aileen’s personality well. Since she’s being treated like Roxane’s court attendant, they won’t have many opportunities to speak directly. She’s so innocent that she can’t read the room, though, so there’s no telling what she’ll say.

Not only that, but Sahra is the Daughter of God, a position which originated in Hausel. Ashmael must have wanted her to come along on the inspection…

Magic isn’t useful in the Queendom, but sacred power is a different story—or at least, that had been the storyline in Regalia of Saints, Demons, and Maidens. The Daughter of God, in particular, has the power to break seals and heal the holy sword. It’s very likely that she could repair the facilities and items connected to Hausel that appear in Valkyrie of the Magic Lance.

Cattleya looks around slowly, then raises her voice slightly. “Everyone seems to be present. Now then, let us show you to the former site of the royal palace. We’ve provided a large carriage for transport. Please, right this way.”

“My, that’s helpful. I’m impressed there are still roads for carriages to run on,” Carol says.

Cattleya smiles in a way that doesn’t go past her lips. “The palace was all that vanished. That said, the ground is unstable, and the roads are unmaintained. There are also places where construction was rushed for the inspection. In order to keep you safe, I ask that you abide by our instructions. I trust that is fine with everyone?”

They all nod.

At Diana’s direction, the women climb into a box-shaped carriage with a canopied roof.

However, for some reason, Aileen is told to board a different carriage. It’s a shabby one meant for servants; it isn’t even enclosed. The only similarity is that both are guarded by Valkyries.

Rachel grimaces, but before she can cross-examine the Valkyries, Aileen does it herself. “What is the meaning of this? Why must I be the only one to ride in such a wretched carriage?”

“It’s for your own safety. You are the empress of Ellmeyer, the nation that conquered Hausel. There’s no telling who may target you, or from where. Lady Cattleya and Lady Diana have ordered the Valkyries to keep a close watch on you.”

“But…that’s so mean. You’re saying I’m different from everybody else? And this carriage…”

“You did agree to obey our instructions, don’t forget,” Diana calls out carelessly from a distance, apparently having heard the commotion. Cattleya has been greeting the other nations’ consorts and princesses, but she turns toward Aileen as well. “I promise you will be safe. Or would you rather return to Ellmeyer?”

“Lady Aileen, we should do as they say,” Rachel chides her. Aileen turns on her heel, not even attempting to hide her dissatisfaction.

Rachel climbs into the carriage after Aileen and takes a seat next to her. “Calm yourself, Lady Aileen,” she whispers softly.

Her brilliant lady-in-waiting pays attention to the tiniest of details. She’s even aware of the watchful eyes of the Valkyries.

“I am calm,” Aileen says with a huff, averting her gaze. Now she’ll be able to avoid saying anything she shouldn’t. They’ve given her the perfect excuse, overtly excluding her from the group right from the start. However, the Valkyries’ attitude likely isn’t because they’re wary of Aileen.

If they’re being this obvious about it, I suspect something’s also going on with Master Claude…

She can think of so many reasons the Valkyries might be hostile to them that it’s a genuine problem.

Now then, I wonder what they’re planning.

In Kilvas, Diana once let a game spoiler slip. Although Vica never transformed before, she called him the “red-eyed demon”—the final boss. Aileen has had a certain vague inkling ever since, and this is a good opportunity to test her hunch.

Do Diana and Cattleya have knowledge of the game…from their past lives?

If so, is it only knowledge of Valkyrie of the Magic Lance?

She will unmask them while simultaneously ensuring that they don’t learn her secret.

“…Just you wait.” Aileen intentionally mutters a remark that’s a mixture of acting and what she really feels.

The carriage rattles and rocks, heading toward what’s no longer there. However, the corners of Aileen’s lips curve up into a smile—just as they did when she faced down that palace floating in the sky.

The grandfather clock chimes, announcing the beginning of the conference. However, only the tick of the second hand echoes quietly in the spacious, recently renovated conference room.

“…Nobody’s coming?” Claude asks.

His cousin responds dutifully from his seat at the very back of the round table. “Doesn’t seem like it.”

“Do you think they all slept in?”

“They could be lost.”

“You’re very calm, Vica. Even though you’re the host.”

“Ha-ha-ha.” Vica gives an easygoing laugh. “Last night, I resigned myself to the fact that anything could happen. I’d imagine Ernst is angry, though.”

“Vica! Emperor Claude!” Ernst dashes into the conference room, forgetting to use his own emperor’s title. He was bright red with anger when he left, but now he’s dead white. “This is bad. The others haven’t gotten the time or location wrong, nor does it seem like something’s happened—”

“That figures.”

“How can you be so calm?! They’re holding the conference in another room at this very moment! Olgen, Maiz, Hirikka, Gloss—even Ashmael is participating—and they’re discussing the next queen! Do you understand what this means?!”

“They’re bullying us.”

Hearing Claude’s conclusion, Ernst bangs his fists on the table.

“Why are you so laid-back?!”

“Easy, easy,” Keith says to him. He’s heard the ruckus and come to investigate. “Demon kings are often bullied, you see. Shall I make some tea?”

“Still! Even if that’s true…he’s shouldering the weight of an empire…!”

“Vica, these cookies are from Ellmeyer. You should try one. Though if you do, you may get bullied as well.”

“It’s all right as long as I’m with you, Big Brother Claude. That said, getting bullied sure is a different experience from being treated as a puppet, isn’t it.”

“Oh-ho? How so?”

“When I’m a puppet, everyone attends my meetings and flatters me; it’s just that no one actually listens. I’ve never been ignored this completely before. Oh, these are really good.”

“You’re so…carefree…!” Ernst has slumped face-down on the table.

Keith offers him a cup of tea, perhaps because he feels bad for the prime minister. “I’m sorry. Milord has been a bad influence on Emperor Vica.”

“Don’t be rude, Keith. So? What’s their story?”

There’s no way they’re just shoving the fact that they’re having fun without Claude and Vica in their faces.

Ernst gasps, then straightens up and gives his report. “They are all in agreement about making Cattleya the next queen of Hausel. If we agree as well, they’ll hold the conference according to schedule beginning with the next session. If we do not, they said the matter would be determined by vote at the final meeting.”

Claude intended to propose a vote at today’s meeting. He gives a little laugh. “Baal’s as good at maneuvering as ever. He’s arranged it so he’ll be able to go either way.”

“Is Ashmael still our ally, then?”

“It would be better not to get our hopes up. We both have our own nations to think of.”

At the sight of Claude’s thin smile, Ernst’s expression grows tenser. “I never dreamed our empire’s first major diplomatic endeavor would turn out this way.”

“It’s a good chance to take an objective look at the situation. Now that Kilvas has lost its Valkyries’ military power, it doesn’t scare anyone. The Valkyries must know that the demons of Kilvas can’t fly, even if Vica’s able to control them.”

The countries in the southwest won’t sense any looming danger in the situation, and they only have to tell the countries in the northeast that they’ll protect them.

“It’s the same for us. If we can get the holy king on our side, we won’t have to fear the demons.”

“Hmm. It seems as if we’re fairly well checkmated, doesn’t it.”

“The demon king has a country under his thumb and is getting involved with the human world. We were checkmated already.”

Claude laughs with Vica, and Ernst clutches his head again. Understandably, Keith glares at him. “Master Claude. Enough jesting. You as well, Emperor Vica. You’ll make Sir Ernst collapse from anxiety.”

“It’s all right, Ernst. It’ll work out somehow.”

“You’re just saying that! I’m well aware that’s the sort of person you are…!”

“But Diana hasn’t divorced me,” Vica says, and Ernst raises his head quizzically. The emperor gives him a kind smile. “That means my sister wants you to do something about this, Ernst.”

“Me? What am I supposed to do with Cattleya? She’s even denying that she’s a princess of Kilvas.”

“If you can’t, then leave it to my brother, Claude.”

“Do your best, Ernst,” Claude chimes in. “I’ll be cheering you with everything I have.” Vica’s lovable cousin’s way of casually pushing troublesome things off onto others means he can’t let his guard down around him.

“All right, milord, what next? Your guards seem bored.”

“I’ll table the matter of the royal candidate for the moment, but tell them I agree to the vote. They’ll probably accept that. After all, as things currently stand, they’ll win five to two.”

“Very well. You’re certain you want to go with the ballot system?”

“Either way, there’s only one big problem at the moment: my wife, who’s away on that inspection.”

A soft “Oh!” escapes Vica, and Ernst’s face stiffens.

“If they’re acting this blatantly here, then they’re probably doing the same over there.”

Keith promptly crosses himself. The man gives up very fast.

Claude doesn’t want to resign himself, though. “I want her to come home safely, without causing any problems.”

That’s probably not going to happen.

However, perhaps it’s because they’re being considerate, but no one tells him so.

The streets she can see from the carriage are in decline. The palace took up more than half of the space on the island, so there isn’t much usable land. There are buildings, but the shops aren’t open. Even when she does spot people, many of them are Valkyries. She sees peddlers here and there, but they seem to be doing business with the lady knights and the artisans who are working to repair the crumbling buildings.

As things stand, the island belongs to the Valkyries.

Letting ruffians do as they please with the central island now that there’s no queen would also be problematic, though…

A wall on the verge of collapse catches her eye. Although they’ve faded until they’re nearly illegible, there are words written on it:

Give Hausel her next queen.

The carriage passes through a large gate, then comes to a stop just inside it. None of the Valkyries give her a hand, so Aileen disembarks from the carriage with Rachel’s help.

“There don’t seem to be any residents,” she hears Carol say in the open space a little ways ahead.

“There are issues with the ground, so they were told to evacuate. Most ordinary civilians will have done so.”

“Weren’t the ones who stayed here fanatics who believed the queen of Hausel would return? I’m surprised they left.”

“It seems they trusted me.”

“In Hausel, many people hope that Lady Cattleya will become queen,” Audrey says.

Dana claps. “Wonderful! Popularity…matters much! Right, Lady Roxane?”

“Yes. I also feel that, first and foremost, being accepted by the citizens of Hausel is important.”

“Um… Lady Aileen is…,” Nina says anxiously.

“Oh!” Dana waves dramatically. “Lady Aileen, over here!”

“How cruel you all are. Making me ride in a shoddy carriage like that all by myself.”

Three of the women—Roxane, Nina, and Audrey—immediately look wary. Dana lowers her hand, seeming troubled. Everyone present knows that if Aileen starts shrieking and carrying on, it could easily become an international incident… Although Roxane likely differs.

Cattleya and Diana are the ones who set this up, so naturally, they’re calm. Carol isn’t perturbed, either, perhaps because of her age. After she’s registered all their reactions, Aileen lets her shoulders slump dejectedly. “I brought sweets and everything. I thought we could eat them together…”

The air goes slack with relief. Upon hearing the word sweets, Dana gets excited. “I eat some!”

“Here, without our food tasters checking for poison? Don’t be absurd. This isn’t a picnic,” Audrey says, appalled.

Roxane subtly averts her eyes from Aileen. “The palace ruins are a bit farther ahead, then? Even if we’re merely talking, wouldn’t that be a better place for it?”

“Quite true. There are many things I’d like to explain as well. It’s just a short walk.”

“What did you all talk about in your carriage?” Aileen asks bluntly, acting innocent, but the other women walk off without her and pretend not to hear. Not everyone, though; Dana looks distressed, and Nina is apologetic.

They’ve put some idea or other into their heads, then.

This development is far too entertaining.

“Lady Aileen, you’ll ruin your makeup,” Rachel cautions her.

This won’t do, Aileen thinks. She’s too eager.

Aileen looks toward them, and although they’re all avoiding her eyes, Sahra is stealing glances at her. When Aileen smiles at her, the girl blanches and flees. The Daughter of God is pathetic.

They pass through one thick defensive wall, then another, and the view abruptly opens up.

They’re on the brink of an enormous pit.

Audrey steps forward, murmuring gravely, “So this is where Hausel’s palace stood…”

“Don’t go too close to the edge, please. The ground crumbles easily.” Even as Cattleya warns her, small rocks are dislodged and fall away. Aileen doesn’t hear them hit the bottom. The base of the pit is visible, but if one of them were to slip and fall in, they’d be very lucky to escape with just a sprain. Rubble also protrudes from the hole in places.

“So this hole is all that remains within the wall? Nothing else?” Nina asks, looking around at the crumbling wall and the forest.

“The treasure house, chapel, and other buildings that were somewhat removed from the palace are still here,” Cattleya tells her. “Many of them are falling to pieces, though, so please refrain from carelessly approaching them. The rose garden and gazebo over there have been repaired, so you may rest there as you like.”

“Hausel really is gone, then. It was such a lovely palace,” Carol murmurs, sounding as if she genuinely means it.

Dana bends low, peering into the deep hole. “The palace…clearly big. What sort of person was queen?”

“She was a very intellectual, just woman. I never had the privilege of meeting her, though.”

“You met her, Lady Carol?” Roxane asks.

Carol nods calmly. “Yes. It’s been thirty years or so, but I attended her coronation. She even spoke to me. ‘I will be neither your friend nor your foe,’ she said. I’d come seeking Hausel’s support, or their counsel, at least, but it was as if she saw right through me, and she admonished me for it.”

“Thirty years ago… That would have been before the United Kingdom of Olgen was founded. The time when the south was at its most violent,” Roxane says, a little pensively.

“Yes, even though we were neutral, the situation wouldn’t allow us to stay out of it. To be honest, I thought the queen was cold for telling me what she had; however, the knowledge that we couldn’t rely on her helped me finally steel myself. After all, that is what it means to be neutral. And yet here I was, being lectured on the proper way to run a nation by a young queen who’d just been crowned… I was deeply moved by her dignity and deep insight, even more so than if she had given me a prophecy.”

Aileen looks down into the great pit.

Amelia, the queen of Hausel, deceived the world for centuries and was out for revenge. She couldn’t have reigned for hundreds of years on the strength of that alone, though. Even with the ability to see the future and Hausel’s technology, there were limits.

Amelia was a great queen. This enormous pit might very well be the hole her absence left in the world.

I must tell Lady Grace about this once I’m home.

Her mother-in-law had adored her little sister, so Aileen is sure she’ll be happy to hear that. Her father-in-law will be, too.

“And you, Lady Aileen? What are your thoughts?” Cattleya quietly comes to stand beside her. Apparently, there’s no time to indulge in sentimentality.

“What do I think…? It’s a big hole, and it frightens me.”

“I see. A little while ago, Lady Roxane informed me that you are known as the Maid of the Cursed Sword. It wasn’t a term I was familiar with, so it interested me. I’m told you had the sacred sword for a time?”

“Hmm? Yes… It was entrusted to the d’Autriche duchy. Since we have strong ties to Ellmeyer’s imperial family and inherited the blood of the Maid of the Sacred Sword, Master Claude left it to me.”

Cattleya is watching her closely, and at the mention of Claude’s name, her eyes narrow slightly.

Well, well.

Could this possibly, just perhaps, be…?

“I see,” Cattleya continues. “Now I understand why a coined term like ‘Maid of the Cursed Sword’ would have come into it… May I ask one more question? Would you tell me the name of your lady-in-waiting?”

“Her name is Rachel. Has she done something unfortunate?”

“No, I simply thought there might have been a mistake in the register of names. Just to confirm, could I ask her family name as well?”

“Rachel Lombard.”

Cattleya frowns, thinking hard.

The fact that she’s concerned about that means…

In all likelihood, Cattleya knows the face and name of Rachel Danis, the villainess of Regalia of Saints, Demons, and Maidens 2.

Only allowing herself to chuckle internally, Aileen cocks her head, a puzzled look on her face.

“Hmm…?”

“No, I see. It was a misunderstanding on my part, then. I’m sorry. However, Lady Aileen, let me give you a word of warning: Everyone knows what you did to Diana in Kilvas.” Cattleya lowers her voice and whispers in Aileen’s ear, possibly in an attempt to be kind.

I was wondering what they put into the women’s heads inside the carriage, but was that all?

It isn’t a bad move, though. Groups are wary of people who try to manipulate things covertly.

“Wh-whatever do you mean? I left Kilvas right away.”

“Yes, of course. No doubt you’ll tell me it was something your retainer and the journalist you’re close with did of their own accord. That’s how these things are. I don’t intend to pressure you to reveal the truth.”

It was Claude who used the journalist and her retainer to throw the Kilvas Empire into chaos. He set a trap for them at the end by leaking information to the effect that it had all been Aileen’s doing, and apparently, Cattleya is still operating under that misunderstanding. Even so, that was a pretty strong warning.

The gaze that intersects with hers at close range tells her the reason behind it.

“As Emperor Claude’s wife, please refrain from doing anything to embarrass yourself. It’s unsightly.”

Her lips may be smiling, but she’s close enough now that Aileen can see her eyes through the lace veil. There’s no smile there.

“Y-you really are Lady Cattleya of Kilvas, aren’t you! I certainly don’t mind telling everyone about that!”

“There, that’s exactly what I mean. Queen Audrey will be angry with you again.”

Aileen recoils and averts her gaze, feigning fright, then takes off running. “Lady Aileen,” Rachel calls after her.

“Where are you going? You were told not to act imprudently!”

“Please don’t follow me!”

Hearing that won’t keep anyone from following. After all, Aileen is the empress of Ellmeyer.

Is she making for the stairs that descend into the pit? —No. As Cattleya explained, like the wall, some structures remain.

It’s this way, I’m sure of it!

Aileen is bound for the chapel. Instead of taking the path, she goes into the underbrush.

“Diana, the chapel is that way! Lady Aileen may be in trouble!”

Cattleya seems to be preoccupied with her long skirt and what’s behind her, because she isn’t chasing after her as quickly as she could. Still, since she’s in a panic, Aileen hears her warning clearly.

Diana clicks her tongue in irritation. “Valkyries, stop her!” she yells. “Hit her if you have to; just don’t let her near it!”

As if she’d let them hit her! Those words make it clear, though; both women know about the mechanism in the chapel. The one that activates when a person who is qualified to become the Maid of the Sacred Sword attempts to enter the locked chapel—a warning event that triggers in Regalia of Saints, Demons and Maidens 4 if the heroine chooses not to slip into the queen’s private chambers from the treasure house.

“That’s far enough, Empress of Ellmeyer! Come back!”

As one would imagine, the Valkyries’ physical abilities are formidable. One catches Aileen by the waist and drags her back.

However, her fingertips have skimmed the door of the chapel, and it’s enough.

An alarm wails across the sky. She can’t tell where it’s coming from. It’s a demonstration of Hausel’s transcendent knowledge.

“You— I swear…! This is why I can’t stand thoughtless, spoiled little princesses!”

“Diana, calm down. Let’s hurry back. The Valkyries have been told how to handle this. As long as we stay here, nothing will happen.”

“But the defensive wall has closed up, hasn’t it? We’ll be locked in for a while.”

“It will open in three hours. Listen, for now—”

Cattleya cuts herself off and gives Diana a look. She’s concerned about Princess Dana, who’s caught up to them. Seeing Aileen in the custody of the Valkyries, she tilts her head. “Lady Aileen, they catch you? Were you the noise?”

“Lady Dana, let’s rejoin the others,” Cattleya says. “I’ll explain later. It was just a minor accident.”

“Um…d-did I…do something…?” Aileen asks timidly. Diana turns cold eyes on her and takes a step forward. Cattleya catches her shoulder and shakes her head.

Then she turns a kind smile on Aileen.

“Lady Aileen, you’ll come back with us quietly, won’t you?”

“B-but…did I do…something dangerous…?”

“Have you forgotten the warning I just gave you? You’re blessed with luck and a good pedigree, nothing more. Don’t do anything else unsightly— I can tell you didn’t mean to.” Cattleya’s words are gentle, but there’s contempt in her voice. She can’t completely conceal the emotion that burns darkly in her eyes. Does she have an unexpectedly impulsive personality?

Or is Aileen’s husband simply too sinful?

This is getting entertaining.

Aileen keeps her head down as she bites back a smile. Only Dana gazes at her, looking puzzled.

When the inspection boat returns to the mainland significantly later than scheduled, people from each of the nations are waiting for them on the wharf.

“Master Claude!” As soon as Aileen disembarks, she trots over and flings herself into Claude’s arms. He freezes up. “I was so frightened. They all said it was my fault…!”

“So you did do something.” Claude’s eyes have gone distant.

In his arms, Aileen shakes her head. “I didn’t. Not a thing. I just tried to rest in the chapel, promise.”

“She abruptly ran off, triggered the chapel mechanism, and set off the alarm. It prevented us from leaving the ruins of the palace; that’s why we were late. Of all the thoughtless—”

“Please, Lady Audrey, let that be enough. I’m also to blame for having failed to watch Lady Aileen properly. I should have told the Valkyries more firmly.” Cattleya quietly walks toward them from behind Audrey, who’s staring daggers at Aileen.

Diana frowns. “We warned her, yet she ignored us and acted without permission. Why would that be our fault? A blind man could see that she was responsible.”

“I’m terribly sorry, Master Claude,” Cattleya says. “I’ll explain what happened to the groups from the other nations as well.”

Everyone saw Aileen act on her own, but Cattleya is trying to demonstrate her own maturity by taking responsibility and apologizing anyway. Diana looks dissatisfied, but Cattleya is the older sister of an emperor, so she’s probably used to this sort of a maneuver.

“My apologies,” Claude replies. “We’ve made unnecessary work for you. I’ll give my wife a stern lecture.”

“Even you’re saying it was my fault, Master Claude?! You’re awful…!” Covering her face with her hands, Aileen begins to fake cry. Nina, Dana, and Carol all exchange looks, and Audrey watches her as if she’s eyeing a caterpillar. For some reason, Roxane is gazing at the setting sun as it sinks into the ocean, even though it must be very bright.

Claude heaves a long, deep sigh. “At any rate, I’m glad all of you are safe. I’m sorry, but it looks as if our apology will have to wait.”

“My kingdom doesn’t need one. I don’t want any more noise,” Audrey says curtly. She turns to the servants who’ve come to meet her. “Where is His Majesty?”

“Since he heard that you are safe, he’s waiting for you back at the mansion. Tonight’s soiree has been canceled.”

“I would imagine so. I’ll return to the mansion, then. Everyone, please allow Olgen’s carriages to transport you to your villas. After a fiasco like this, not seeing you safely to your doors would only add to my shame. That said, since Lady Ellmeyer’s kind husband has come to meet her, I doubt she’ll need any assistance.” Audrey’s tone is frosty.

Claude nods to her. “Yes, you’ve certainly returned my wife to me safely.” He’s let the sarcasm roll right off him, and Audrey’s brow furrows. However, the queen isn’t foolish enough to publicly bait the emperor of another nation.

“Well then, ladies, after you.”

She’s provided two four-horse carriages that bear the crest of the United Kingdom of Olgen. The other nations’ noblewomen climb into them. No one speaks to Aileen.

Gloating quietly, Aileen calls out to them apologetically, “Um, I’m very—”

“Enough, Aileen,” Claude rebukes her, hugging her shoulders tightly, and she makes a noise in her throat. In the sunset, the demon king’s eyes shine red. “I want you to behave and come home with me, or I’ll never be able to let you out again.”

She wanted to cement their impression of her a bit more firmly, but her husband’s eyes are serious. Aileen has no other choice but to stay silent, and only once she’s surrounded solely by people from Ellmeyer does she complain. “I had hoped to have a public falling-out with you, Master Claude.”

“Why? What for? What did you do anyway?”

“Hmm? It’s just as you heard. I quite foolishly went against orders from Lady Cattleya and the Valkyries, activated the alarm of the chapel in the former site of Hausel’s palace, and got the entire group locked in. After all, they shunned and bullied me!” Aileen tells him, smiling.

Claude covers his face with a hand. “I did think…that would probably happen, but…”

“I’ve never seen anyone so positively giddy over being bullied before,” Keith says. He approaches with Walt and Kyle, having so far been watching his master and mistress from a distance.

“Sweet Ailey, you’re seriously scary when you’re getting bullied. Is this a joke or something?”

“Are you sure you don’t mean you bullied them?”

“My, how rude. I found out all sorts of things as a result, you know. First, Hausel’s facilities are still operational. However, the Valkyries don’t have a complete grasp of them, nor can they freely control them.”

If they really knew everything about Hausel, they could have released the security system Aileen activated, but Cattleya and the others weren’t able to.

She already knows why: It’s because the chapel mechanism moves according to the scenario in Regalia of Saints, Demons, and Maidens. Only someone who is qualified to become the Maid of the Sacred Sword—in other words, a woman of the Maid’s bloodline—can operate it.

In short, Aileen had been the only person there who could have stopped the alarm. If she had touched the device inside the chapel that was modeled on the sacred sword, the barricade would have been released. She couldn’t afford to tell the others that, though, so she’d waited for it to release naturally.

Kyle cocks his head. “Didn’t they win over the other countries by saying they could do that?”

“It might be that they just know how to get it working,” Walt chimes in. “Oh! Could we use this? That claim of theirs is a big part of why they have the upper hand. If we hit back with ‘Look, you obviously don’t know how to use it,’ the other nations might change their tune.”

“Possibly. However, some members of the other nations may have caught on already,” says Aileen. “Why don’t we wait to see how they react, Master Claude?”

Walt scratches the back of his neck. “You think they’ll pick up on it? The Valkyries will probably gloss it over nicely.”

“After all, just knowing how to get them working is technically enough of a threat,” Kyle says.

“But if they aren’t all on the same page, this may cause some internal discord.”

And what’s more, Aileen has a trump card.

This uproar has confirmed that either Cattleya or Diana—or both—has knowledge, not only of Valkyrie of the Magic Lance, but of the Regalia of Saints, Maidens, and Demons games.

However, they haven’t realized that the same is also true of Aileen. If they underestimate her, it’s bound to create a vulnerability she can exploit.

What’s more important, though, is that Lady Cattleya…

Aileen glances up at Claude, who notices her gaze and blinks. “What is it?”

It must be nice, being oblivious to the anxieties of a wife married to a popular man, she thinks, feeling jaded. On the other hand, it is rather adorable of him. She smiles at her husband. “Oh, it’s nothing.”

“You were definitely looking at me as if you blamed me just now.”

“Oh my, is something on your conscience?”

“No.”

He knows when to back down, too.

“At any rate, the conference is still on its first day. There’s no need to be impatient. If the soiree’s been canceled, let us return to the mansion and have a quiet evening,” Aileen says.

“In that case, I’ll take Claire for a walk on the beach tomorrow.”

“Would you mind if I accompanied you?”

“That was the plan all along.”

Tomorrow sounds as if it will be a nice, restful day. Claude holds his hand out to Aileen, and she takes it with a smile.

Even though it may not actually be the case, it is the duty of the emperor and the empress to appear completely composed to those around them.

While there were no major problems, it has still been a frustrating day.

“I swear, every single thing that Aileen woman does annoys me.”

“Diana.”

“Oh, sorry. I’m going too fast.”

Cattleya’s long train compels her to walk more slowly than usual, and Diana has passed her in the long corridor. She stops and waits for her to catch up.

While her friend’s movements are slower than usual, she carries herself gracefully. Diana loathes princesses and queen consorts, women who dress themselves up to curry favor with men, but Cattleya doesn’t look anything like that.

She looks as if she was born to be queen.

“Being late for the dinner party would be a problem as well. Let’s hurry.”

“…You’re not tired?”

“This is my job now,” Cattleya says firmly. Diana knows she means it, so her words sound dashing. Cattleya isn’t like those women who eat sweets and wear extravagant gowns and have pointless conversations. She’s also not like the men who say it’s “for work” as they gorge themselves on wealth and power like fat pigs.

“This is a crucial moment,” Cattleya continues. “Lady Audrey says she would like me to explain the uproar in the chapel to the assembled guests.”

“It was clearly that Aileen woman’s fault. What other explanation does she need?”

“She must have noticed that we weren’t able to release the security system. There’s also one other thing: She wants to ask about my successor.”

Her successor—in other words, producing an heir. Diana breaks out in goose bumps. “Oh, gross. I hate women who jump straight to that sort of thing. As if they think you’re not a grown-up until you’ve had a child. I bet she’ll try to match you with a husband to control you or something.”

“Probably. Still, there’s no changing the fact that we physically can’t bear children.”

Sterility is a side effect of the Valkyrie surgery. The fact that Cattleya has gone to the trouble of pointing this out makes Diana uneasy. “What’s the matter? Are you saying you want to get married and have kids once you’re queen?”

“No, not that. If I’m going to be queen, someone will have to take over the position eventually. A queen who’ll inherit the country and protect it.”

Diana never considered that.

“It will be more convenient if the queen has the blood of the Maid of the Sacred Sword, too. Don’t you think so?”

“You’re not saying we should let Lilia Reinoise in on our plans this late in the game, are you? That won’t work. We can’t use a heroine who ditched the role of Maid of the Sacred Sword.”

“No, not her. I’m told Lady Aileen successfully carried her pregnancy to term. The demon king has a daughter. Don’t you remember? Even in ValLance, there were a few people who tried to run Hausel in the queen’s place.”

“But she’s our enemy—”

“The child hasn’t even turned one yet. If we start educating her now, we can make her our ally.”

Diana blinks, then thinks about it. “…Yes, that could work. That’s a really good idea. We just have to raise her from the time she’s small.”

“It has other merits as well. Eliminating Ellmeyer from the ground up would be dangerous and a whole lot of work. Everyone besides the United Kingdom of Olgen is still vacillating.”

Each nation seems prepared to cooperate with Cattleya, but they aren’t entirely certain.

“It isn’t as if we want to conquer the world. There’s no benefit in having them be excessively wary of us. We’ll have to show them how magnanimous we can be.”

“I see. If you raise Ellmeyer’s princess to be the next queen, then Ellmeyer will fall in line behind you, and we’ll have a solution that leaves everyone happy. In which case…”

Couldn’t the demon king and Cattleya have a second chance together?

Diana can’t just blurt that out, of course, but now that her friend has shouldered the responsibility of being queen, she thinks it might be a really wonderful thing to hope for.

He’s indifferent and irritating, but he has a nice face… Oh, his face is the same as Vica’s.

He got in their way all over the place in Kilvas, but he never seemed to be mocking Cattleya. Although Diana doesn’t think he’s a good man, she doesn’t feel like he’s a bad one.

Still, will this be all right? She doesn’t even want to think about it, but would Cattleya actually marry the demon king? Like one of those stupid, hollow women who do nothing but cling to a man…?

“I’m sure we’ll be able to raise a magnificent future queen.”

Cattleya’s remark blows away all her unease, though. I’m sure we will.

“All right. In that case, it might be good to establish a rule that each nation’s princesses must be sent to study in Hausel on exchange, as apprentice Valkyries.”

“Eventually, yes. Voting for the queen means our side won’t need to fight, either, which is a great help, but there’s also a chance that they’ll turn the tables on us.”

“It should be fine. It’s five against two now. Even if one country betrays us, we’ll still be ahead, and we’re the ones who know Hausel best. Most of all, no one would generally think of cooperating with the demon king.”

“Just to be sure, we’ll also hint at the existence of the sacred sword. They won’t even consider betraying us after that.”

Their recent loss has made Cattleya cautious. Diana nods gravely. “…Good idea. Having them know about it won’t do us any harm. Even Lilia Reinoise hasn’t vanquished the demon king. She’s no threat to us, and the other Maids of the Sacred Sword are in different eras…”

“In the first place, ValLance’s and RegaMaid’s sacred swords are different.”

Exactly. Although the name is the same, the sacred sword they’ve acquired isn’t the one that belongs to the Maid. It’s the key to saving a ruined world.

“That’s settled, then.”

Perhaps it’s because they’re walking slowly, but the door to the dinner party isn’t yet in sight.

“Still, why are all the dinner guests women? Why won’t the holy king or the king of Olgen come in person? That doesn’t sit right with me. And earlier today, you went on the inspection, Cattleya, and only men attended the conference.”

“They were probably trying to be considerate, assuming women would have more fun talking with each other. In fact, it wouldn’t have been possible to attend both the inspection and the conference. We mustn’t damage the king of Olgen’s reputation, either.”

“I hope they at least understand what you’re saying.”

The women attending tonight’s dinner will all have been born and raised in high society. In other words, they’ll have been sheltered by the patriarchy since birth.

“I suspect this is going to be a waste of time.”

“Still, they’ve invited you, too, Diana. They must want to hear tales of the Valkyries. Princess Dana is aggressive, so she may understand us better than you think. Duchess Nina is good friends with her, and you’ve seen what her husband is like. It wouldn’t be odd for her to idolize women who fight.”

“Oh, that incredibly annoying, nagging man? Yes, it does look like he’d cause her trouble. I’m impressed she’s still married to someone like that. What about Queen Audrey, though? We’re just using her, but she keeps talking as if she’s important or something…though you said she’s being made to raise a mistress’s child?”

“It sounds as if Queen Carol has had it rough as well. Rumor has it that it’s largely her achievement that the Kingdom of Maiz has managed to stay neutral so far.”

“So she got old giving her all for her husband. What a wretched life,” Diana says with a snort.

“Consort Roxane must have had trouble in the harem, too. And now, Ashmael has begun dismantling that very same harem, which probably means they don’t have the money to maintain it.”

“The holy king does look as if he’s quite the womanizer. I suppose that does make me feel a bit sorry for her.”

“If I’m going to be queen, I’d like to help other women with their troubles.”

Diana nods in heartfelt agreement. Once they’ve climbed a flight of stairs and turned a corner, the door to the dinner party finally appears at the very end of a corridor.

“All right. In that case, I’ll also think of it as work… Oh.”

A second hallway cuts across the one they’re walking down, and Diana stops in the very middle of the intersection. Cattleya does the same.

“…Vica.”

“Go on ahead.”

The emperor has noticed them, too; he’s coming straight toward them. Vica is Cattleya’s younger brother. It isn’t as if Cattleya hates him, and Diana doesn’t want to cause her any unneeded stress.

“Sorry.” With a quiet apology, Cattleya makes for the door. Vica’s eyes follow her, but he doesn’t call after her.

He simply stops in front of Diana.

“What do you need?” she asks him, raising her chin.

Vica smiles as if he’s entertained. He’s not taking her seriously, and it irritates her. “I heard there was going to be a dinner party that was all women. I know it’s rude of me, but I thought I’d stop by for a bit myself. I am the host of the conference, you know.”

As things currently stand, there isn’t a woman from Kilvas whose rank is high enough to attend the dinner party.

Diana snorts. “Get over yourself. ‘The host.’ You really need to wake up a bit. Why do you think you even managed to host this conference?”

“What do you mean?”

“We pulled strings so we could have this conference. We’re why both the United Kingdom of Olgen and the Kingdom of Maiz decided to attend. They said they’d come if we allied with them.”

Vica looks at Diana blankly. Up until that very moment, he must have been positive that these had been his own achievements.

“It wasn’t for long, but you did manage to look like an emperor. Good for you. Well done.”

“…Oh, right. So you’re claiming you helped me host it.”

“Huhn?”

“Because you’re still the empress of Kilvas.”

Diana hadn’t been expecting that, and she isn’t sure what to say to it.

“Will you be attending the dinner party?” he asks.

“…Y-yes. I was invited, after all.” The implication—unlike you—is clear in her words, but Vica just nods.

“I guess that’s all right, then. Very well; I’ll go relax for the evening.”

He could at least look a little frustrated. Maybe it’s because he’s used to being a puppet, but Vica doesn’t offer any resistance. Cattleya’s spoiled him too much, Diana thinks, inwardly clicking her tongue in disgust, so she gives him a firm reminder.

“Just so you’re aware, there’s no point in trying to win Cattleya over. That goes for the other nations, too.”

“This has all been very educational.” From what he says, Vica could be admitting defeat, but he’s smiling. The words didn’t sound like sour grapes, either. “So I’d like you to grow up already as well.” With that parting shot she doesn’t really understand, Vica turns on his heel.

“Y-you’re the one who needs to grow up…”

He’s an incompetent emperor who’s always been protected by Cattleya and couldn’t even leave the capital, yet he’s begun to cling to power. Somewhere along the way, he started defying Cattleya. He’s still emperor only because he was lucky. In the game, he’s a final boss who dies without achieving anything.

Why do her thoughts feel so muddled? She doesn’t know. Shaking her head, Diana tears her eyes from Vica’s back and hurries to the dinner party.

It’s fine. Everything’s going well.

When she opens the door, Cattleya is the center of attention, boldly speaking to the assembly. Still, Diana isn’t happy that the ones she’s speaking to aren’t the rulers themselves, but their lower-ranking wives and daughters.

“Is that also a prophecy?”

“Yes. It’s necessary in order to save Ellmeyer, which has fallen under the demon king’s control, just as it is for expelling Emperor Vica of Kilvas. Without it, the fires of war will inevitably envelop the world.”

Some of the women are shaken, and some look troubled. Others are deeply intrigued or expressionless. Cattleya looks around at all of them, then raises her voice. “However, to be perfectly frank, Empress Aileen isn’t capable of raising a queen. Surely you know this.”

There are no objections. The trouble during the inspection is working in their favor.

“Therefore, we will be the ones to bring up Princess Claire Jean Ellmeyer.”

“So you’ll install a new ruling empress in Kilvas, and although you’ll leave Ellmeyer’s emperor on the throne, it will become a vassal state of the Queendom of Hausel? No doubt it’s better than Hausel becoming Ellmeyer’s puppet…but does Imperial Ellmeyer not allow women to inherit the throne?”

“I can’t imagine Lady Aileen will accept this.”

“True. The child is her daughter, after all, and she must still be at the peak of her cuteness.”

“She only gave birth to her; it isn’t as if the empress is taking care of her daughter herself. If the child’s going to be made queen, I bet she’ll hand her over gladly. Princesses and princes are born to be pawns for their nations anyway.”

Diana’s opinion makes some of the women frown, but they’re probably just making a show of it. These princesses like keeping up appearances and hiding things with pretty words. They just don’t want to admit that what she’s said is true.

“Sorry, but I won’t sugarcoat things. I’m sure your husbands won’t object. In that case, is there any point in you objecting?”

These women can do nothing but accept the decisions of the men in their lives. That’s what queen consorts and princesses are like. Even if there’s fighting, they only have to shriek that they’re scared and run indoors.

Cattleya clears her throat, pulling the group’s attention back from Diana. “The question is how her family, the d’Autriche, will react. As you may already know, they seem to have significant influence over the current emperor as well.”

“A little while ago, the third son came to Hirikka to pay his respects, though…”

“Gloss, too. They gived—gave us lots of presents! Son Two was strong!”

“Prime Minister Cyril is the oldest son, isn’t he? I met him when he was quite young.”

“So the d’Autriche family runs Ellmeyer’s internal affairs, diplomacy, and military affairs?” Audrey asks.

“That’s right.” Cattleya nods. “I would imagine even the emperor isn’t able to take a firm line with them. Members of the empress’s inner circle and her subordinates throw their weight around considerably as well. The person who wrote those articles to fan the flames of internal strife in Kilvas also held the empress’s favor. If they don’t hesitate to cause trouble abroad, it must be even worse within Ellmeyer.”

Diana is positive that, if they’re clever and they think about it, these women will see that the two of them are right.

“So you feel the empress of Ellmeyer is dangerous, Lady Cattleya.”

“I do. The empress is the reason she came to us for help as well.” All eyes turn to follow Cattleya’s gaze. The woman doesn’t raise her head; she just sits very still in the farthest seat away, trembling.

It really isn’t an attitude one would expect from the protagonist of Regalia of Saints, Demons, and Maidens. In a way, her figure is an inspiration to Diana.

I won’t become like that.

She’s all that remains of a female character who didn’t fight, fell in love with a male character, and became irrelevant.

They aren’t hoping for anything from their homeland. That said, they aren’t merciless enough to arbitrarily decide that the rest of the world is that way as well. They’re giving it a chance to wake up and see the truth.

“The next queen…after Lady Cattleya. Isn’t suggestion premiu…premature?”

“I’m incapable of having children. Resolving the issue now should reassure everyone. If we don’t, we’ll have this same debate again in a few years.”

“I do think that this may be premature, considering the fact that she isn’t even a year old yet… It may be one thing now, when there is no queen, but shouldn’t we follow Hausel’s custom and determine future queens through a royal exam?”

“If we register Princess Claire as a royal candidate, it won’t be a problem later.”

It’s possible for Diana and Cattleya to do something like that. Everyone else falls silent.

“If the emperor of Ellmeyer allows us to raise the child as the one and only royal candidate, the future queen, we will let him keep his position. After all, he has held the throne for two years, and unlike the emperor of Kilvas, he certainly hasn’t been a fool.”

“…I see. So you’ll try to resolve this through discussion first.”

“Yes, we will. Let us make our proposal at the conference’s second session, then have him hand over Princess Claire before the final session. Once he votes for me, that will conclude our deal.”

If Claude demonstrates that he understands their vision for the future, there will be no major conflicts, and everything will end peacefully.

If he doesn’t, they simply need to reset everything, just as the game does. They’ll end the game—along with Regalia of Saints, Demons, and Maidens—in a single stroke.

Claude opens the door of the conference room appointed for the meeting, and he cocks his head.

It’s time for the second conference session, but he assumed Vica would be the only one here again today. He thought they’d relax and enjoy some snacks—in fact, he even brought a book he’d been meaning to recommend to his younger cousin… And yet Vica isn’t here.

His other cousin, Vica’s sister, is there instead. She’s sitting in a chair at the very back, all by herself. When he glances over his shoulder at his adviser, the man shakes his head slightly. He hasn’t gotten the time or the place wrong. He hasn’t been informed of any changes, either. His guards are keeping silent, carefully watching the surroundings.

“It’s been a long time, Master Claude.” Cattleya’s expression is gentle, and her tone is friendly.

“You’re sure that shouldn’t be ‘Nice to meet you’?”

“Surely you wouldn’t kick up a fuss claiming that I’m a princess of Kilvas.”

Although Kilvas suffered, they aren’t in a situation where they’re allowed to tell their story. The same goes for Ellmeyer.

“True, that would be pointless. Where’s Vica?”

“There’s something I’d like to talk with you about privately, so I had him go to another conference room. The one where everyone else is. He’s probably being told the same thing we’re about to discuss.”

“You’re being very careful with this. What’s the point of splitting up Kilvas and Ellmeyer now?”

The only point both sides agree on is choosing the queen by vote. Even if Kilvas and Ellmeyer vote against Cattleya, that’s only two nations. As things stand, she is certain to be Hausel’s queen. Unless Hausel’s residents rebel against the decision, it won’t be overturned, and the majority of Hausel’s residents have been replaced by Valkyries.

“It’s only natural that I would be on my guard. You completely turned the tables on us last time, Master Claude.”

“You give me too much credit.”

Claude might have been the one who stopped Vica when he turned into a demon and threatened to go on a rampage, but his wife, Aileen, was the one who set everything up for him.

“Don’t be so modest. I’ve reflected on my mistakes, which is why, this time, I want to keep our negotiations direct and to the point.”

“Let’s hear it.”

“Have your retainers come in, too, please.”

“You’re sure?”

“Yes. Your guards are Nameless Priests, aren’t they. I don’t know how they came to be your retainers, but they must be quite skilled. I can’t have people like them returning to the Ellmeyer villa now.”

“Walt, Kyle, don’t move.”

But Claude’s observant guards are stopped before they can act. The door is already closed. Only Cattleya is in the room, but there must be Valkyries outside. His brilliant guards and adviser might be able to break through them, but it will be pointless if the mansion is attacked. That’s where his daughter is.

“There’s no need to worry; we don’t intend to harm anyone. At least, not yet. I don’t wish to fight if we can avoid it.”

Cattleya, who’s boldly facing Claude’s group, is a seasoned Valkyrie. The room hasn’t been tampered with, so she must be here alone because she’s confident she can handle herself in a fight.

Claude wants to return to the mansion as soon as he possibly can, but teleporting is difficult in Hausel. There are talismans with holy power everywhere, and they can divert him to a completely different location. If he’s not careful, teleportation could end up being the long way back.

“My, that rain’s getting harder. I wonder if Lady Aileen will be able to go on the inspection.” Keith breaks the tense mood in a tone that’s no different from normal.

Cattleya gives a wry smile. “The inspection will probably be canceled.”

“As you prophesied, hmm? Well, well. I’d expect no less from a royal candidate of Hausel.”

Aileen is still in the mansion. The message Keith has slipped into the conversation makes Claude shoot him a sidelong glance. Wearing the same smile as always, Keith thumps Claude lightly on the back, then steps forward. “It looks as if this may be a long talk. Would you mind if I made some tea?”

“Be my guest. There’s a tea trolley over there with a pot, hot water, and leaves.”

“I appreciate how well prepared you are.”

“Please have a seat, Master Claude. There’s no need to answer me right away. For now, just listen to what I have to say. Someone should be on their way to fetch Lady Aileen. Even if it is just a formality, I thought you would probably need to talk it over it as a couple.”

Aileen no longer has the sacred sword, and she’s never had magic or holy power. All she has is the magic Claude cast on her shadow.

However, she’s more than capable of using her wits to protect their daughter. Claude believes the same is true of the mansion’s servants, whom Aileen handpicked and trained. In fact, he’s afraid she may take advantage of the opportunity to go a bit wild.

I’ll just have to let Aileen do as she likes to the woman.

He lets out a resigned sigh.

“Milord. It’s bad manners to just stand there.” At Keith’s prompting, Claude lowers his eyes to the ground for a moment, then lifts them and raises his head. He strides up to Cattleya and gracefully seats himself in the chair Walt has pulled out for him.

“Now then, let’s hear what you have to say.”

Flanked by his guards, he crosses his legs, resting his elbow on the armrest and his chin in his hand.

Cattleya narrows her eyes as if she’s gazing at something dazzling, then adjusts in her seat, sitting up straighter. “You don’t need to steel yourself like that. This is a good thing for Ellmeyer. Really, it makes me think I may still have a soft spot for you.”

“That’s good to hear.”

“Please give Princess Claire to us.”

His fingers twitch on the armrest. Claude rides out a wave of emotion that seems liable to smash all the glass in the windows, then widens his smile. “As a hostage?”

“No, perish the thought. I did say it was a good thing. I’m thinking of taking her as my successor, the next queen.” Apparently, she’s serious. Cattleya doesn’t flinch under Claude’s gaze. “As proof that she isn’t a hostage, I will register her as a royal candidate. It isn’t possible to hold a royal exam without a queen, but she can be registered now. That’s something only we can do.”

The woman hides her smile behind the veil. A cup of tea is quietly set down in front of her, and the breath she exhales causes the steam to shift. “In exchange, we will raise Princess Claire. If you accept these terms, I promise you Hausel will not view Ellmeyer as an enemy.”

The empire or his daughter. In front of him, Claude’s untouched cup of black tea sends up an unsteady column of steam.

Aileen’s beloved daughter has polished off the solid food they’ve started introducing into her diet, and Aileen picks her up again. Having given orders for the maids to wipe the child’s mouth and quickly tidy away her spoon and saucer, Rachel seems impressed. “It’s just as her nurse says: Princess Claire really isn’t any trouble, is she. I’ve never raised an infant, and even I can tell.”

“It’s a great help. Though it’s a shock when something happens that she doesn’t like…”

“Do you suppose it’s magic?”

“It may be. However, under normal circumstances, she shouldn’t have any magic whatsoever. Her eyes look purple as well.”

Violet eyes are proof that their owner has sacred power. Many of those who possess magic have eyes that are nearly red.

“Elefas says it will become clear once she’s a little older. Apparently, it isn’t unusual for magic to disappear during childhood.”

It’s hard to believe that the demon king’s daughter could be an ordinary human, but Aileen isn’t very concerned. Whether Claire has magic, sacred power, or nothing at all, Aileen’s duty will be to raise her into a fine princess of Ellmeyer.

Aileen would rather relax and enjoy being with her daughter than worry about odd things. She spent time with Claire both during the voyage and yesterday, but Aileen has work to do as the empress. It’s frustrating, but it’s also more efficient to leave Claire’s care to her veteran nurse and maids. Even now, there’s spilled food on Aileen’s clothes. Since Rachel anticipated this and gave the empress an apron, there’s no need for Aileen to change, but it does make her consider the fact that when she takes care of her daughter, she ends up causing more work for those around her.

Still, her daughter is satisfied now that her tummy is full, and the mere sight of Claire’s face makes Aileen smile. No matter how often she touches her plump, smooth cheeks, it’s never enough.

“Lady Aileen, it’s nearly time for the inspection.”

“Oh, already? I’m sure it’s fine to stay a little longer.”

“I’m not certain you should say that after you forced Master Claude to go to work when he said the same thing.” Rachel sure is strict. “It looks as if the rain is going to get worse. You should hurry… That prophecy was accurate.”

Small drops of rain drum against the windowpanes.

“As well as bad weather, there will be whirlpools, so the second inspection should be canceled.”

The servants at the soiree on the first night were gossiping about Cattleya’s prophecy, and now it has come true.

“Aren’t there whirlpools, too, then? Have they sent word that the inspection is canceled?”

“We haven’t received any.”

“I suppose I’ll simply have to go, then. Even if no one else comes.”

Claude has also departed for a conference where he may end up being the only participant. Aileen can’t choose to stay home.

She kisses Claire’s cheek, then pokes it gently. “Father and Mother will do their best, Claire, and they won’t let bullies get the better of them. Your father will give you your bath again tonight— Stop that, don’t grab my hair. Why must you insist on putting everything in your mouth?”

“Lady Aileen, Lady Aileen!” a maid cries, rushing in.

Rachel swiftly turns to face her. “What is the meaning of this? Lower your voice; Princess Claire is here as well.”

“I—I beg your pardon. However, guests have arrived without warning, and we don’t know what to do.”

“Guests? There were no visits scheduled. Who on earth is it?”

“Everyone who’s attending the inspection.”

The consorts and princesses of five other nations have barged in on them all at once. No wonder the maids are flustered.

“We tried to show them into the parlor, but they insisted on waiting in the entrance hall. It looks as if they’re planning to leave immediately for somewhere else. There are carriages waiting outside.”

“Have they come to fetch me? Or has the inspection been canceled due to the rain?”

“Neither. They say they would like to meet Princess Claire.”

Rachel’s eyes flit over to her. Claude isn’t here, so Aileen will have to decide.

She knocks on the shadow at her feet, which has Claude’s magic cast on it. “Almond, you can hear me, can’t you? Relay a message to the others: I don’t know what’s about to happen, but protect Claire. Don’t take your eyes off her. No matter what, you mustn’t strike a human unless Master Claude gives the order. Rachel, the same goes for you and the others. No matter what happens to me, Claire is your top priority.” Rachel has gone pale. She starts to say something, but Aileen stops her with a look. “That’s an order.”

“—As you wish, Your Majesty.”

Looking as if she’s holding back everything she wants to say, Rachel bows her head, and everyone else in the room follows suit.

Since she was prepared for the inspection, Aileen doesn’t need to fix her makeup or change her dress. Conducting herself as if her friends have purposely come to visit to see her daughter, she peeks into the hall, carrying Claire.

“You’ve all come to meet the baby? Isn’t that wonderful, Claire!”

As Aileen steps into view, smiling, all eyes focus on her. Roxane gives her an expressionless nod, Nina gives a polite yet slightly troubled-looking smile, and Carol greets her calmly. Dana seems to have lost all her usual energy; she murmurs an inarticulate greeting before a worried expression settles across her face. Audrey greets her very properly, just like always.

Aileen has been pretending not to notice the awkward atmosphere, but when she’s partway to the group, she pauses rather dramatically. “Lady Diana is with you…”

It isn’t unnatural for her to be frightened of Diana. It seems like the other woman doesn’t suspect anything, because she strides up to Aileen as boldly as ever. “This is your daughter? Her eyes are…purple.”

The woman rudely reaches toward her daughter, and Aileen draws back reflexively.

Diana looks irked. “I’m not going to eat her; I only checked to see whether she has inherited the blood of the Maid of the Sacred Sword. She doesn’t have magic, though… How strange. You’re sure she’s really the demon king’s child?”

Apparently, people become speechless when they get too angry. The other woman looks disappointed when Aileen says nothing. “What’s that face for? I was joking. Don’t tell me that struck a nerve.”

“Lady Diana, we’ll run out of time if we stay too long,” Roxane says, looking at the grandfather clock in the hall.

“Oh, that’s right. Let’s go. We’re done with the baby, so come with us.” Without waiting for her response, Diana turns on her heel.

Audrey looks Aileen up and down. “You’re all ready?”

“Y-yes, but…is something the matter?”

“Your baby, very cute… Um…”

“Lady Dana, let us go.”

“But, Nina…”

“It’s all right, Lady Dana, Lady Nina.” Carol stops the two of them. “Lady Aileen, your daughter is precious. I’m sure it’s difficult to part from her, but do hurry.” Without waiting for her response, Carol gently pushes Dana and Nina on their backs, and the three of them follow Diana and Audrey.

Roxane steps smoothly in front of Aileen, blocking her view. “It was Lady Nina who suggested we all come to meet you. Lady Audrey provided the carriage.”

“…Was she being considerate of me?”

“Some have caught on to the way you do things, Lady Aileen. It may be time you prepared yourself for what’s to come.” Speaking only of others and making no excuses whatsoever for herself, Roxane turns away from her.

Smiling wryly, Aileen turns to Rachel, who’s waiting behind her. “Stay with Claire.” She pauses for a moment, then adds, “…Please. I’m counting on you.”

Rachel presses her lips together firmly, then gives a nod. “Rest assured. My husband is your ally, Lady Aileen. He’s sure to do something.”

Rachel and everyone else in the mansion can be trusted. So can Rachel’s husband, of course. Even with that knowledge, Aileen feels conflicted about letting go of her daughter.

“…Claire.” She calls out softly, and Claire looks straight at her. Aileen moves her face closer, as if those round, clear eyes are drawing her in.

Claire’s small hand lightly smacks her mother’s cheek.

Aileen looks back at her, wide-eyed. The sound must have been entertaining, because the young girl smiles and hits her face again. It almost feels like she’s telling her mother to show some spirit.

Aileen chuckles deep in her throat. Then she looks at her own dauntless smile reflected in the innocent, laughing eyes of her daughter. “Just leave it to Mother. I’ll be back soon.”

Aileen plants a kiss on her daughter’s head, then smartly turns on her heel. Everyone in the hall bows their head and wishes her a pleasant journey.

When she steps outside, a two-horse carriage is waiting in the drizzling rain. They’ve put her in a separate one again.

“You’re alone?” a Valkyrie asks dubiously when she sees Aileen emerge by herself.

Aileen gives her a ladylike smile. “You’ll protect me, won’t you?”

The woman averts her eyes and gives a vague response. Is there something eating away at her conscience?

It’s only when Aileen climbs into the carriage that the reality that she is genuinely alone sinks in. Come to think of it, between one thing and another, she hasn’t had this sort of opportunity recently. And it’s been a long time since she marched alone into a place surrounded by enemies.

…Was the last time when Prince Cedric dissolved our engagement?

The weather was changeable then, too, and it made her uneasy. However, she felt that it was her duty to keep going forward instead of running away, so that was what she did.

The carriage took her directly to the building where the ball was being held.

Aileen has no escort whatsoever, but she descends from the carriage elegantly, bracing herself all the way to the toes of her shoes. The group in the other carriage has gone on ahead, and the Valkyrie points down a corridor. “That way, please. Everyone is waiting.”

“Thank you. Would you guide me?”

The Valkyrie blinks at her, then does as she asks. She must have decided that it would be more troublesome to have Aileen run off at this point.

Keeping her unease from her expression, Aileen advances boldly down the hall. They are moving toward the assembly hall, away from the ballroom. Is their destination a meeting room? She finally finds Diana and the others waiting at the top of a flight of stairs, in front of a set of grand double doors at the end of a corridor.

“Listen up. They wouldn’t shut up about how we should explain this directly to you, so we went out of our way to summon you.” Diana doesn’t look at her but instead stares at whatever’s beyond the door. “Just so you’re aware, the matter’s already settled. Don’t go bursting into tears or wailing or anything.”

The woman glances at a Valkyrie, who opens the door, and the noblewomen from the other nations flow into the room. Each of them quietly goes to sit near their husband or father.

Entering last, Aileen silently looks up.

The room seems spacious enough to serve as the venue for a dinner party. In the center, several sofas have been set up to form a ring. The king and principal consort of Ashmael are at the very back, and next to them sits Emperor Vica of Kilvas. Across from Vica, the king and queen of Olgen have boldly taken up a position on the largest sofa. The duke and duchess of Hirikka sit to one side of them, the chief and princess of Gloss on the other, while the king and queen of Maiz are at the very front in the place with the easiest access to the door.

“Ah, you’re here. Perfect timing.” The king of Olgen, who’s apparently been talking with Vica, turns toward her with a theatrical gesture.

Aileen tilts her head. “Good afternoon, all… My husband doesn’t appear to be here. Has something happened?”

“No, no. Emperor Claude is in another room conversing with the royal candidate, Lady Cattleya. There’s no need for you to worry.”

The corners of Aileen’s lips threaten to rise, but she keeps a straight face and gives them a gentle smile. “Gracious… And what might they be discussing?”

“Something good. For Ellmeyer, that is. We’ve given Kilvas an even better proposal. Emperor Vica is young, and we feel the burden of ruling may be too much for him.”

When she glances at Vica, he gives her an ambiguous, rather tired-looking smile. He seems to have had a hard time as well.

“On a separate note, isn’t it time we departed for the inspection?” she asks.

“Haven’t you heard, Empress Aileen? The prophecy came true. Whirlpools have made the ocean impassable. The inspection has been canceled. In a way, it’s all according to schedule.” The ruler of the Duchy of Hirikka—Grand Duke Hirikka, Nina’s husband—answers in a thin, neurotic-sounding voice. Pushing his round glasses up his nose, he looks outside, where the rain is letting up. “Who’d have thought it would actually come true? I wonder what sort of trick they used.”

“Prophecies are incredible, aren’t they. I wish she’d tell us things like the best places to fish,” the chief of the Island Republic of Gloss—Dana’s father—says with a hearty laugh.

“Empress Aileen, there’s no need to remain standing. Why don’t you take a seat?” The king of Maiz—Carol’s husband—politely gestures toward a chair.

Aileen shakes her head. “I’m fine, thank you. Why did you summon me?”

“We shall explain,” Baal says. “Aileen, stay calm and listen. This is just a proposal, but—”

“‘Just a proposal’? I don’t think you should phrase it as if there’s any room for choice, King Baal. I’d hate to give her the wrong idea, poor thing. Lady Cattleya left this to me; let me explain,” the king of Olgen interrupts, stopping Baal with a smirk. He seems to be in charge here.

Baal tsks in irritation. “Do as you please, then. Whatever happens, don’t come crying to us.”

“You needn’t sulk just because Lady Cattleya didn’t place her confidence in you. Now then, Empress Aileen. I have wonderful news for you. Lady Cattleya says she intends to make Princess Claire her successor! She plans to register her as the one and only royal candidate. It’s a tremendous honor.”

He says all of this brazenly, a huge smile across his face. It takes Aileen a little time to process it. However, it’s likely that the king of Olgen never intended to genuinely explain anything to her, because he goes on without waiting for a response. “Emperor Claude is being told the same thing directly by Lady Cattleya. There is one problem, however; naturally, the future queen of Hausel will require an advanced education. To that end, we’ll have you hand Princess Claire over to Lady Cattleya and the Valkyries. We would feel uneasy if you raised her, you see.”

“Dear, you’re being extremely rude.”

“Hmph! It’s not as if she understands. As long as the demon king gives his consent, the matter will be settled.”

“…In other words, Your Majesty, you intend to take my daughter hostage?” Aileen says, almost as if she’s talking to herself. King Olgen pauses in the act of reaching for his drink. The delegates from other nations look at her as well.

The first to respond is Diana. “H-hostage?! Excuse me?! Don’t you dare put it like that! We… Cattleya would never do anything so cowardly! Take that back!”

“Well…forgive me, but that’s simply how it sounded to me. I suppose it was rude, wasn’t it. I sincerely apologize to you all.” Aileen apologizes as sweetly as possible, causing Baal to shrink back and Vica to lower his head.

“It only sounded that way to you because your family does that sort of thing without blushing. Don’t lump us in with you,” Diana says. Aileen looks in her direction and sees the woman pulling a sour face. “You d’Autriches do all sorts of unscrupulous things, don’t you.”

“Oh, no, that’s not true. Both I and my elder brothers serve Master Claude every single day with the country’s best interests at heart.”

“Even if you know nothing, being empress makes you just as guilty. Your daughter hasn’t done anything yet, though. That’s why we’re giving her a chance. Don’t you get it?” Diana folds her arms and stands up straight. “Leave your daughter to us and step down as empress.”

“Are you telling me to divorce Master Claude?”

“Yes, I am. If you do, we won’t attack Ellmeyer. Is that too complicated for you? Do you understand?” Diana says boldly. She doesn’t seem to feel any guilt whatsoever. It’s actually refreshing.

“You can’t mean—so Lady Cattleya can marry Master Claude…?!”

This is getting more and more entertaining, so she blanches for them.

“Give me a break! You’ve got romance on the brain. That isn’t it. We know the two of you are doing awful things, so all we want is to make you stop!”

“That’s right, Lady Aileen.”

The voice that abruptly cuts into the conversation blows all thought of amusement out of Aileen’s mind. Her face stiffens.

Diana is flustered as well. “I told you not to move around without permission. What are you doing here?!”

“I’m sorry, Lady Diana. I just couldn’t sit still. After all, my daughter’s and husband’s lives are on the line.” The woman’s eyes sparkle as she pleads her case. She’s the spitting image of the heroine of an otome game. Even though she already has a husband and child, it’s audacious. Aileen actually respects her for it— No, now isn’t the time.

“Y-you… Why…? How are you here…?!”

“You’ve gone pale.”

Aileen’s confusion seems to have helped Diana regain her momentum. She smiles. “The Maid of the Sacred Sword came to the Valkyries for help. Could there be any better proof that you two are twisting the empire out of shape?”

“I have no intention of blaming Lady Aileen or anyone else. I simply want to free Cedric and Aria from Prime Minister Cyril…!”

I see. So this was my brother’s doing? The confusion threw her mind into high gear, but she calms down all at once. Wait. For her to be here now, she must have left port at nearly the same time we did. Was this discussed with Master Claude…?

No. There was no way Cyril would’ve done that.

Aileen feels as if she might fade away into nothingness. The strength has gone out of her body, and Lilia softly squeezes her limp hand. “Lady Aileen. The Valkyries are strong. They haven’t publicly announced it yet, but they say they’ve found the sacred sword, too.”

She looks at Lilia, startled. The woman’s head droops sorrowfully, and her fingertip brushes the back of Aileen’s hand. She’s rapidly tracing letters on it.

“Even Master Claude wants to divorce you. Surely you have some idea of the reason.”

Go. Wharf.

“You lose. At least admit it yourself.”

Even so, hearing these things from this woman is infuriating.

“Aileen!” Claude dashes into the room, uncharacteristically out of breath. Lilia releases her hand, as if to say, I know you know the rest.

Aileen draws a deep breath. If Cattleya has let Claude come here, her guard is still down. Lilia hasn’t told the Valkyries anything. In that case, first things first: Aileen needs to get out of here, and she needs to do it in a way that Claude can’t stop her— Of course. Diana just gave her the perfect excuse.

“You’re safe? You haven’t done anything. They haven’t told you anything yet, then?”

“Master Claude…”

Claude seems to have picked up on something from Aileen’s sorrowful gaze. He comes closer. “No, wait, Aileen. Don’t be rash. Claire is our precious daughter. I—”

“Enough! I understand. That’s enough… You suspect me, too, don’t you, Master Claude. You think Claire isn’t your child!”

Aileen’s made-up reason sends something like an electric shock through everyone in the room. Diana’s frozen up as well, even though she said something similar. Lilia, who fanned the flames, manages not to burst out laughing, but Aileen really can’t work up any gratitude toward her.

Poor Claude. His face has gone completely blank. Considering the ideas Cattleya may have put into his head, though, she probably doesn’t need to hold back.

She’ll likely never get this opportunity again, so she decides to try a line she’s always wanted to say:

“I’m going back to my parents!”

Aileen bursts into tears and runs off. No one follows her. The sudden turn of events seems to have stunned them all. Claude, the most problematic one, stands stock-still. The light in his eyes has vanished.

Now’s her chance.

“…Lady Aileen?”

However, as she flies out of the room, she’s spotted by Cattleya. No doubt the woman was following Claude. As soon as she sees Aileen’s face, she gives an exasperated sigh.

“Don’t tell me you’re running away. Emperor Claude went to explain the situation to you. It certainly wasn’t a bad offer. Just how much embarrassment must you heap on him before— Wait!”

Aileen has no time to deal with this woman, so she tries to run again, but Cattleya catches her arm. Cattleya is taller than her, and Aileen is currently wearing low-heeled shoes. The other woman looks down on her coldly. “If you’re going to be this defiant, then I won’t be able to hold back, either. I can be a surprisingly jealous woman, you see.”

“Fine by me.”

Cattleya’s grip loosens; maybe she wasn’t expecting a response, and Aileen smacks her hand away sharply and makes a run for it. It doesn’t seem like Cattleya is following her.

Aileen retraces her path through the corridor and dashes outside. A boy in a raincoat and long boots waves as if he’s been waiting for her. He’s grown taller.

“Lady Aileen, you actually came! This way! Over here!”

She climbs into the horse-drawn cart the boy gestures toward. While the Valkyries are still bewildered about whether they should chase the empress who’s run out into the rain, the cart sets off.

It’s still raining. The cart has no roof, so it won’t be long before she’s soaked all the way through. The driver tosses her a raincoat from the driver’s seat, and as Aileen hastily pulls it on, she shouts to him, being careful not to bite her tongue as the cart bounces and sways. “Make for the wharf, and don’t let the Valkyries catch on! Can you do that?!”

“You can count on me. I had everything ready before you showed up!”

“I had hoped to let your group focus on trading. You’re still working, aren’t you, Denis?”

“Huh? Isaac assumed there’d be trouble, so he started prepping for it before we left Ellmeyer.”

For a moment, Aileen feels irked, but the tension drains from her shoulders. Part of it probably was her elder brother’s doing, but efficiency on this level is possible only because plans were laid in advance.

They take a slightly circuitous route, then Aileen transfers to a roofed carriage, parting ways with Denis. He’s apparently working at one of Hausel’s construction sites. When she asked him where, he dodged with, “It’s a secret!” Incidentally, Luc and Quartz have infiltrated as part of a medical detail. Their location is also a secret. Jasper is certainly here, as well, gathering information.

…True, I did give Isaac permission to explore the possibility of doing business in Hausel, but still…

Aileen has left the Oberon Trading Firm to Isaac. Although she’s no longer involved in how it’s run, she does think he could have discussed this with her a little more. If this is how things stand, she can’t laugh at Claude for getting left behind when Cyril takes it upon himself to move the situation along.

The carriage pulls up beside a large warehouse a little distance from the wharf. The rain is gradually letting up, but since it isn’t possible to sail today, the area is deserted. Still wearing the raincoat, Aileen quietly disembarks in the shadows of the warehouse. The door is open, and someone beckons to her from inside.

“Isaac.”

“Over here.”

There’s no unnecessary small talk, and as soon as she’s through the door, he shuts it behind her. Inside, stacks of crates form walls; this must be a storehouse the Oberon Trading Firm is using.

She follows Isaac, who’s carrying an oil lamp. As they walk, he tosses her a towel, and Aileen pushes back the hood of the raincoat and dries her face. Wordlessly, Isaac makes his way through the mazelike paths between the crates.

Aileen knows there must be something here, so she follows him in silence.

Her eyes widen when she sees the individual who’s seated on a crate in a cleared space deep inside the warehouse.

Depending on how things went down, she imagined that Lilia might barge in on them, but she really didn’t expect him. Or, no, him being here must be why Lilia acted in the first place.

“Prince Cedric…”

Claude’s younger half brother, who’s supposed to be living in Ellmeyer under house arrest, raises his head. “Your brother sent me over here out of nowhere. He said I was an additional weapon.”

“A weapon…? I understand that applying to Lady Lilia; they already know her as the Maid of the Sacred Sword, both from her name and her appearance. Having her infiltrate the Valkyries before they could use her was probably optimal. But…why you?”

Although he holds the position of “hero” in the game, Cedric is a prince who can’t do anything. Even in reality, he bears the title of crown prince simply to ward off internal rifts. He’s just a figurehead to display to other nations.

“I suggested that your brother use us as a trump card.” Cedric exhales, causing the flame of the candle on top of the wooden crate to flicker. “The Valkyries made contact with Lilia right after you and my brother set sail. Our story is that the prime minister found out about it, and Lilia ran off alone to seek help from the Valkyries.”

“What about Princess Aria?”

“I’ve left her with someone I can trust. Your brother said the Valkyries were bound to search Ellmeyer, so it would be safer if she was in Hausel. This way, we’ll be able to react as the situation demands.”

His quiet voice is calm, but there’s a pain in it that prickles her skin.

“Now is the time to use me. I know it’ll cause trouble for Lilia and Aria, but if I don’t do this, my brother won’t ever utilize me. He’ll try to keep me in that cage and protect me, to atone for leaving me behind.”

Aileen can’t see Cedric’s expression clearly in the gloom of the warehouse.

“Unfortunately, I won’t ever forgive him—just as you won’t ever forgive me.” Clasping his hands in his lap, Cedric looks up at Aileen, a trace of irony in his expression. “I’ll be sacrificed to the demon king again. Serves him right. Do you need more of a reason or an explanation than that?”

“…Lady Lilia’s consented to it. Most of all, the real responsibility will fall on your daughter, Aria, not you.”

“There’s no reason for you to be concerned for my wife and daughter.”

Cedric rebuffs her with a pride that leaves her slightly awestruck.

“But Master Claude may not allow—”

“He’ll allow it,” Cedric says, cutting Aileen off. “He’s soft on me; he always has been.” He crosses his legs carelessly, and his smile looks triumphant for some reason. “You’d better keep a sharp eye on us, or I’ll have him under my thumb.”

Irritated, Aileen’s expression stiffens, and she raises her chin. “I don’t need you to tell me that. If your plot fails and the Valkyries strike off your head, I’ll put it on display and laugh at it.”

“They’ll behead you before me. I hear everyone around here hates you, as usual. It’s not as if you have anywhere to go now, either.”

“I don’t want to hear that from you!”

“So you’re saying you have someone you can count on?”

“I do,” Aileen tells him, holding her head high.

The thought frustrates her, but thanks to Cedric, she has all the ingredients she needs to win. Now it’s just a question of how to prepare them.

“It seems I won’t be returning to my husband tonight.”

“So why the hell did you come to us…?!”

“I thought it would start at least a few rumors that you and I are romantically involved.” Aileen’s lips curve into a smile. She’s reclining elegantly on a fine couch that’s covered with lovely fabrics and cushions in all the colors of the rainbow.

Baal, the room’s owner, turns white. “Don’t even joke about that! What if you start a war?”

“Now, now. The war’s already begun, hasn’t it? Don’t pretend you don’t know.” Aileen picks up a piece of dried fruit from the platter in the middle of the low round table and pops it into her mouth. “You’ll never convince me that you weren’t aware you were picking a fight with me.”

“…You have every right to be angry. But listen—”

“By the way, tomorrow I intend to make sure all the other nations learn that you once kidnapped me, Master Baal. I can’t wait to see their reactions!”

“Woman—”

“Shall I also add that our relationship has, in fact, remained intimate ever since? I wonder whose child Claire will turn out to be…and as things stand, the same could be said of Princess Estella…”

“All right, all right! We’ll hear what you have to say.”

Crossing her legs and lounging against the armrest, Aileen gives him an exaggerated scowl. “I can’t believe you’d make a lady say it. You’re as cold as ever, Master Baal.”

“Would you quit that?! You’ll make us break out in goose bumps! Look, if you don’t stop this, we’ll tell Claude on you!”

“Oh, but Master Baal, all I need is to be at your side…”

“We’re begging you—let us help you return to Ellmeyer as quickly as possible. Will that do?!”

He should have simply said that in the first place.

“How did the conference go?”

“Thanks to you, it dragged on. Who even knows what’s happening? Claude was stunned for a while, then he said it was time to go play with his daughter, and he left. We bet he just gave up on thinking. He’s probably planning to leave everything in your hands— What?”

Aileen’s smiling, having sensed a certain understanding of Claude in Baal’s exasperated expression. “It’s nothing. I simply thought your anxieties seemed endless as well, Master Baal.”

“Then leave right this minute.”

“I’ll rid you of one of those anxieties. Won’t I, Lady Roxane?”

Roxane has been standing quietly in the doorway for the past several minutes. With a start, Baal turns to look, then rakes his fingers through his hair.

“Master Baal, would you tuck Estella in, please?” Roxane asks.

“…You will be all right?”

“This is my job. I’d simply like to borrow the room, if you don’t mind.”

Even in her nightgown, Roxane’s gestures are perfect and beautiful. As his principal consort points toward the door, the holy king folds his arms and gazes coldly at Aileen. “Should we contact Claude?”

“Please don’t trouble yourself. My subordinates are skillfully handling the situation.”

Baal draws in a deep breath, then exhales. He turns toward the door. “We leave this to you.”

“I shall report the details later.”

The fact that a few brief words in passing are all they need to share is proof that they trust each other. After Baal has left, Roxane shuts the door. Aileen straightens up, sitting primly with her knees together, and smiles. “Thank you very much. It was you who told the servants to let me into the mansion if I came, wasn’t it, Lady Roxane?”

“I would like to avoid making an enemy of you, Lady Aileen. That said, I never dreamed you would brazenly march into Master Baal’s private chambers.”

The woman’s chilly gaze is proof that she loves her husband. Aileen laughs in spite of herself. “I do apologize for that. Threatening Master Baal seemed to be the best way to get you on my side. More than anything, Ashmael is in the same position as Ellmeyer, so I wanted to come up with a countermeasure as soon as possible.”

“Our kingdom is guarded by Holy King Baal’s barrier, and it has the divine protection of the Holy Dragon Consort’s water. We have nothing to do with demons.”

“Ashmael’s royal family belongs to the bloodline of the Daughter of God. She came from Hausel, just like the Maid of the Sacred Sword.”

Aileen rises to her feet and leans in to look her friend in the face. Although Roxane must know, her expression doesn’t so much as waver. “Lady Roxane, you’ve realized what drew the royal candidate’s eye to my daughter, haven’t you.”

“…The bloodline of the Maid of the Sacred Sword.”

Ashmael’s royal family has inherited the blood of the Daughter of God, a woman who was sent from Hausel. That makes it very likely that they’ve inherited the blood of Hausel’s queen, as has Ellmeyer’s imperial family. Their nations’ origins are so similar that they once severed diplomatic relations due to an argument over which claim was genuine.

If Ashmael’s royal family are blood relatives of Queen Amelia, then they also belong to the Maid of the Sacred Sword’s bloodline. Since the holy king’s daughter, Estella, has sacred power, she should be a more suitable queen of Hausel than Claire, the demon king’s daughter.

“Don’t you think we should forestall that before the Valkyries notice?” Aileen asks. “Although, of course, I wouldn’t mind making sure they do notice.”

“That is unrelated. The topic of this conference is who to crown as Hausel’s queen.”

“And I am speaking of how it will impact Ashmael if Lady Cattleya becomes queen. It’s entirely related to the topic at hand.”

“The nations are in agreement that she should be the next queen. Do you think you can derail that?”

“I am being serious, Lady Roxane. Or should I impose on someone else’s mansion?”

Even this provocation doesn’t fluster Roxane. Her gaze is still cold; she holds four fingers up right in front of Aileen’s face.

“Preventing Lady Cattleya from becoming queen will require four votes. Between Ellmeyer and Kilvas, you have two. Since the United Kingdom of Olgen is already backing Lady Cattleya, it won’t be possible to persuade them. If Ashmael refuses to help you, you’ll need to make allies of Maiz and Gloss. The vote will take place at the conference session in two days’ time. What makes you think you can win when you’re only starting now?”

“That’s where you’re wrong, Lady Roxane. I intend to unite all seven nations in denying Lady Cattleya her crown.” Roxane’s eyes are sharp, but Aileen laughs, undaunted. “Don’t misunderstand me. I am asking you if Ashmael wishes to sink along with the Valkyries.”

“—Ashmael has Holy King Baal. We won’t lose to Ellmeyer.”

“Oh, was that the wind? I didn’t quite catch what you said. Come to think of it, what is it that provides Ashmael with water…?” Aileen pretends to think hard, deliberately winding a lock of hair around her fingertip.

Silence falls. It’s a quiet, windless night. The rain stopped long ago.

“…Yes, the wind is strong. I couldn’t hear you clearly, either, Lady Aileen.”

“Of course you couldn’t.”

“Let us go somewhere else. Glaring at each other endlessly in Master Baal’s room will invite unnecessary misunderstandings.”

“Yes, and I would like to continue to be friends with you, Lady Roxane.”

Aileen stands up, while Roxane turns away from her and opens the door. Her maids are waiting just outside. Roxane instructs them to provide Aileen with a warm welcome, and they quickly scatter.

As Roxane leads the way down the corridor, she gives a weary sigh. “Master Claude is kind, so I thought we might have a slim margin to negotiate, but there was no chance of that once you came into it. You don’t hesitate to threaten us.”

Her daughter alone would have been one thing, but bringing up their treatment of Mana, the Holy Dragon Consort, seems to have hurt. The usual friendliness has crept back into the woman’s voice, so Aileen changes her tone as well. “Did you intend to force Master Claude to accept that Mana belonged to Ashmael, since she is a consort?”

“Either that, or abolish the position of Holy Dragon Consort and rely on Hausel’s technology, which the Valkyries now possess. Master Baal dotes on Lady Mana, so he wasn’t happy about the idea, but I’ve been quietly negotiating with Lady Audrey. I said Ashmael wouldn’t side with Olgen without that.”

“I’d expect no less of you, Lady Roxane. And what did Lady Audrey say?”

“She suggested I ask Lady Cattleya to predict whether or not we will have a good source of water. It was a clever way to evade the question. She hasn’t come through years of war for nothing.”

“And did Lady Cattleya predict it for you?”

“She said she’d give us unstinting use of Hausel’s technology if we were in need. She must be sounding out the other nations in a similar fashion and securing their cooperation. The benefits of Hausel’s technology are vast.”

Roxane stops in front of a door, then opens it to reveal a spacious room. As befits a villa belonging to Ashmael’s royal family, the floor is thickly covered with bright carpets, and floor chairs and armrests have been set out for them.

“This is my private chamber. Please stay here.”

“Goodness, you don’t mind?”

“There’s no time. Tomorrow will be crucial; we must work out all the details tonight. We can leave Estella to take care of Master Baal.”

She isn’t leaving the father to take care of his daughter, but the daughter to her father? Aileen bursts out laughing. “I must thank Princess Estella later. What is she fond of?”

“…Demons, apparently.” When Aileen blinks, Roxane opens the curtains a crack. “They’re here in Hausel, aren’t they. The crow demons.”

“Yes… Have they visited you as well?”

“No. We can see them flying if we go to the beach, however. She reaches out and tries to call to them. She’s ordinarily the sort of child who quietly looks at picture books, and while she is sometimes wary of animals, it’s unusual for her to be interested in them… Perhaps in that alone, she takes after Master Baal. It may be that those with strong holy power find demons an object of curiosity instead of fear.”

“…If we have a son, I wonder if she might come to marry him.”

Claire has only just been born, but naturally, Aileen plans to keep trying. Establishing ties of marriage to Ashmael so that this sort of thing never happens again would be a sound move politically. Not only that, but if the girl has holy power and—most important of all—likes demons, marrying into Ellmeyer would allow her abilities to shine.

However, Roxane’s reply is brusque. “In Ashmael, having sacred power means she can be queen. Of course, if you’re suggesting she take a husband from Ellmeyer as her prince consort, we’ll consider it. No doubt Lady Mana will like him if he is Master Claude’s son.”

In other words, they both want the same thing, but neither can give in so easily.

They quell each other with steady gazes, then burst out laughing.

“I suppose this conversation is a bit premature.”

“Indeed. Master Baal will start breathing fire if I start discussing who to marry Estella to now. No doubt we’ll need to take her feelings on the matter into account as well. We’ll take our time, prepare, and think about it. To that end as well, we must do something about the present.”

Aileen has absolutely no objections.

“All seven nations, unanimously? Are you serious?”

“Yes. Just leave it to me.”

“Who shall I invite to tea tomorrow, then?”

“Everyone except for Lady Audrey, one at a time.” Aileen smiles brightly.

Roxane nods and doesn’t ask any more questions.

The Kilvas Empire will take Diana as its new reigning empress. Imperial Ellmeyer will offer Princess Claire as a royal candidate to become Hausel’s next queen. In doing so, the Queendom of Hausel will eliminate both nations that harbor demons.

They have only this one day to think about it. They’ll be required to give their answers tomorrow.

Now that Cattleya and Diana have confronted the nations with this proposal, all they have to do is wait.

The rulers’ discussion—from which Ellmeyer and Kilvas have been excluded—is peaceful and friendly. They don’t even share information, merely make small talk about what game can be caught this season. Cattleya spends the whole time smiling and nodding, thinking that all of this would only irritate Diana if she were here.

The important thing is that Cattleya has been invited before the conference tomorrow. That is everything.

In gathering and talking even though it isn’t necessary, the rulers are sounding out each other one final time in regard to crowning her queen. Using roundabout methods to confirm how other people are thinking is a technique frequently used by high-ranking men and women. As a former princess, Cattleya knows that she mustn’t neglect these occasions, no matter what her private feelings on the matter are.

She’s also reflected on the debacle in Kilvas. It wasn’t wise to leave discussions like these in Diana’s hands when Cattleya knew she was bad with them. At the time, she hoped that having the fearless Diana participate in conferences as the empress would act as a stimulus to bring about some sort of internal change. However, all she did was repel obstinate people and public opinion, and she ended up being exiled from the empire. It’s ironic that public opinion of Vica, the former puppet, rose by comparison.

They may have Hausel’s wisdom and the Valkyries’ military might, but it will be tiresome if other nations begin to view them with hostility. Cattleya and the others are hoping for a peaceful resolution, nothing more.

Their objective is to get Hausel under their control, then rebuild it. She’ll endure a little wasted time. Their last resort is exactly that—a last resort.

“Things seem to be wrapping up here, don’t they. Lady Cattleya, that long-awaited vote is tomorrow. Is there anything you’d like to say?” The group has been discussing liquor brands, but the king of Olgen redirects the conversation to her, perhaps out of consideration.

“No. Simply being able to chat with you like this has set my mind at ease.”

“Being in this stuffy place full of men must be wearing for you. I wonder if we should have brought our wives after all.”

If Diana had heard that particular solicitous remark, she likely would have been livid. Cattleya, however, puts on a smile. It’s convenient that the veil hides half her face. “I’m sure your consorts are tired from the inspections. I mustn’t take up any more of their time than necessary. There’s another soiree after the conference tomorrow; no doubt they’ll need to prepare for that. Are you certain all of you aren’t busy as well?”

“Ah, come to think of it, I’ll need to buy a present for my wife before I leave,” the chief of Gloss says. “Lady Cattleya, do you know of any souvenirs from Hausel that would make her happy?”

“Wouldn’t it be better to ask Princess Dana?”

“No, no, Dana’s still a child. Since I have this opportunity, I definitely want to hear your opinion.”

Chief Gloss always speaks loudly, and he never stands on ceremony. Cattleya forces a smile. “What about a Hausel-made dress of the finest quality, then? They’re quite glamorous, so I think most women would be delighted. You could purchase shoes and hair ornaments as well and gift them to her as a set.”

“Hmm. You see, my wife isn’t actually interested in dolling herself up. I’m not sure whether that would go over well or poorly…”

That’s not my problem. Even though she feels fed up, Cattleya smiles and reassures him with a note of finality: “I’m sure she’ll love it.”

“What are your plans for today, Lady Cattleya?” Grand Duke Hirikka asks abruptly. He always looks out of sorts, and he speaks impatiently. Duchess Nina seems mild-mannered, so his attitude must make her feel quite ashamed.

“I’m scheduled to visit Ellmeyer’s mansion and meet with Princess Claire. I’m also concerned about the welfare of Empress Aileen, so I’ll check on her while I’m there.”

“Emperor Claude has it rough, too. Or rather, perhaps he’s relieved because you’ve set your sights on Princess Claire. I don’t have a daughter, so I’m terribly jealous.” There’s a hint of cynicism in the king of Olgen’s smile. She sees right through him; he must have been planning to insert a queen under his own influence as Cattleya’s successor. She’ll have to cut him off here.

“This, too, is fate.”

“I wonder what Emperor Claude is doing now.”

“He’s in his mansion; on top of everything else, there’s the matter of Empress Aileen. I’ve posted Valkyries there, so there’s no cause for concern.”

“He’s practically under house arrest,” the holy king of Ashmael murmurs shortly. He doesn’t show Cattleya much reverence, likely because the holy king prides himself on his title. She can at least pretend she hasn’t heard, though.

“I’d like to discuss border security in more detail. Where is Lady Diana?” Grand Duke Hirikka asserts himself again, sounding irritated.

“Oh,” Cattleya responds mildly. “I’m sorry. She’s been working with no time off, so I’ve told her to rest today. It will be all right; once the Valkyries return to Kilvas, the mountain bandits should subside.”

“…She’s resting, hmm?”

“Please don’t misunderstand. The Valkyries are prepared to move at any moment, and the wisdom of Hausel is everywhere and ever-present.”

It isn’t possible to remind them too often. That way, they won’t try to meddle in what she does. Grand Duke Hirikka falls silent, looking cross, and tension runs through the others. The king of Olgen looks satisfied, which irritates her a little, but she tells herself it’s a necessary price to pay.

“Now then, if you’ll excuse me. If possible, I would like Emperor Claude to vote for me as well, instead of abstaining.”

“Shall I escort you?”

“There’s no need. The Valkyries will see me there.”

Before they can insist on talking to her any longer, Cattleya smoothly rises to her feet. She isn’t like one of their consorts, who need a retinue of guards and ladies-in-waiting to go for a stroll… Not that she would ever say that out loud, of course.

No one tries to stop her as she leaves the room, possibly because they’re afraid of incurring her displeasure.

However, when she steps into the hall, Cattleya encounters someone she wasn’t expecting: Ernst.

“…What are you doing here?”

“I heard all the participating heads of state had assembled. I’m waiting in the wings, so to speak.”

She looks at the Valkyries who are guarding the door, and they return her gaze, appearing troubled. He can’t have been standing here the whole time, can he?

“There’s no point in that. None of the nations will deal with you two now. You won’t be the emperor and prime minister of Kilvas for much longer anyway.”

After Cattleya becomes queen, she’s arranged to deliver a prophecy of Hausel, which will require Vica to abdicate in favor of Diana. She’s already secured the agreement of the other countries, so they know there’s no point in listening to Vica or Ernst this late in the game.

“If you and Vica voluntarily agree to become Diana’s subjects, I don’t mind mediating for you.”

“Vica is the emperor of Kilvas. We can’t leave the country to you two.”

“You’ve both changed, haven’t you. I never thought you would cling to power like this—”

Cattleya looks in Ernst’s direction, a smile about to form on her lips, but the sharp light in his eyes makes her gulp. She’s seen those eyes on the battlefield.

“We have a duty to protect the empire.”

It’s the gaze of a man who’s staring down the enemy to protect what’s behind him and refuses to yield even a single step. His eyes pierce right through her, veil and all.

“You won’t be able to do it,” Ernst continues. “…Emperor Claude isn’t a kind man. Right now, you’re trying to take the place of a mother in order to win public approval. He may pity you, but he’ll never acknowledge you.”

“Wh-what…are you saying…? I’m…” Cattleya almost slips and says something uncalled for, but she hurriedly bites her lip and clenches her fists.

Ernst looks away, leans back against the corridor wall, and continues waiting. Completely still, he stares at the door to the room where the rulers are gathered, as if to say that Cattleya no longer interests him.

This, when he’s relied on her and the Valkyries from start to finish. When he doesn’t have the strength to fight on his own. When he was a boy who kept shoving the fact that he was brilliant in her face. When he’s pursued her all the way inside the wall.

When he’s the sort of man who’d switch to Diana without a blush because of a single choice.

“……!”

Aggravated by the emotions that threaten to overwhelm her, Cattleya turns on her heel. It may look as if she’s lost an argument with Ernst, but that’s not it: She’s avoided a pointless debate. At least, that’s what she tells herself.

The train of this dress just keeps getting in the way.

All the unnecessary things that follow her around and cling to her are a nuisance. Back when she knew nothing, she didn’t have as much to weigh her down. She resolved to protect her little brother, to defend her country, to be like that noble individual and stay forever unbroken. And yet…

“Lady Cattleya, are you going out?”

Before she can climb into the carriage, someone calls out to her. It’s Audrey. Of all the nations participating in the conference, the United Kingdom of Olgen tends to be particularly competitive with Ellmeyer; hence why she decided they would make a perfect ally. She’s been in their care for half a year, yet Audrey is overly serious and difficult to approach, so she can’t claim they’re close. Diana openly detests the woman’s sanctimonious side.

“Where are you going?”

That probably doesn’t make it okay to ignore her, though.

“Did you need me for something? His Majesty is still inside.”

Ernst’s words are still smarting, and she conceals her destination by responding with a question of her own.

Audrey nods once, then looks at the carriage Cattleya is about to enter. “You see, it appears Lady Roxane is hosting tea at her mansion. She’s inviting each of the women who went on the inspections with her, one by one. She hasn’t called me, however, which I find concerning.”

Is that all? Cattleya feels a mixture of disgust and relief. “No doubt it’s a simple oversight. I wouldn’t let it trouble you. If it really bothers you that much, why not call on her uninvited?”

“Would that be all right?”

“It isn’t a question of whether it’s ‘all right’ or not. You are a queen consort, Lady Audrey. Surely you can decide something like that for yourself.”

She’s the only one who hasn’t been invited to a tea party? The woman isn’t a child, and she really can’t expect Cattleya to sympathize.

The rejection in her words has come through rather too clearly, but Audrey is older than Cattleya, and she doesn’t let her displeasure show. “…In that case, I will go once I’ve discussed it with my husband.”

Apparently, she can’t decide for herself. Technically, that is quite like a queen consort, but Cattleya nearly tsks in irritation.

“Lady Cattleya,” Audrey says. “As I believe you are aware, I have no children. I’m told I am physically incapable of bearing a child. I’ve adopted the son of my husband’s mistress, and am raising him as the heir.”

The woman has abruptly started going on about herself. Cattleya feels the veil may not be enough to hide her dubious expression for much longer.

“At this point, I do think of him as my own son, and I have a good relationship with his birth mother. However, getting to that stage was far from easy. I made so very many pathetic requests for advice from Lady Carol, the queen of Maiz. I had all sorts of twisted thoughts: ‘Why is this happening to me?’ ‘I haven’t done anything wrong.’ I am the queen of a nation, but I was also a child. I couldn’t show understanding toward others, all the while lamenting over the fact that no one understood me.”

“…What are you trying to say?”

“That maturing means learning how to come to terms with the world and other people when things don’t go your way.”

That’s an excuse. It’s a compromise. Things Diana would probably say surface in Cattleya’s mind, one after another. Ordinarily, it’s her job to calm Diana down.

“A person can’t have everything,” Audrey continues. “Not even if that person is the queen of Hausel.”

“I’ll be sure to remember that,” Cattleya replies with a smile, but the other woman says nothing.

First Ernst, now Audrey. What’s wrong with them? Things are going well for Cattleya and Diana. No matter how many trite words the others may prattle on about, Cattleya controls Hausel’s undersea facility. They can’t defy her.

So why are they admonishing her?

Oh, I see.

Once she’s sitting in the carriage, head bowed and fists clenched, it occurs to her.

The others are accepting their demands because they fear Hausel’s knowledge.

It isn’t because they understand us.

…That’s fine. She simply has to make a country populated only by people who do understand, like Diana and the Valkyries. Then they’ll get more people to understand.

Tomorrow, she will become the queen of Hausel. She’ll finally take the first step toward the future they desire. There are no dark clouds in sight; even the carriage is headed toward a perfectly clear sky.

I will hand over my daughter.

Claude’s job today was telling the royal candidate that when she came to see how things stood. He didn’t try to hide his frustration about it. That probably made it seem more believable when he told her he wanted to be alone with his daughter until he surrendered her before the conference tomorrow.

Since then, he’s done nothing but wait for news. The Valkyries would probably catch on if he used the demons, so he’s relying on the mansion’s servants, whom Cattleya’s group won’t pay any attention to. His wife has trained them, and they have close ties to the members of a certain trading firm. Unruffled, they let Claude know that he doesn’t need to do a thing.

In all likelihood, everything is proceeding smoothly.

However, when he looks at the spacious bed, he sighs. Keith has straightened the sheets until there isn’t a single wrinkle in them, and he turns to look at Claude. “How many times have you sighed since yesterday? Claire may not like you anymore if those wrinkles between your eyebrows become permanent.”

“Can’t you just let that go for the moment…?”

“Oh my, even Claire can’t get you back on your feet?”

“What on earth is there about this situation that would warrant me ‘getting back on my feet’?”

Even with Claude giving him a cold glare, Keith doesn’t stop talking or preparing for bedtime. “Princess Claire and Lady Aileen will return very soon.”

“I know that. Claire and Aileen are my treasures. I’ll protect them at all costs. But that isn’t the only important thing.”

Stepping away from the bed, Claude approaches the cradle. The child in it is sleeping peacefully; she must have gotten her mother’s courage.

“…I’m making Cedric clean up after me again.”

He can sense that Keith has stopped moving.

Cyril had suggested three plans: Vote for a queen with the other nations, conquer the world, or put a queen on the throne himself and prepare to make sacrifices.

“You shouldn’t feel guilty about something like that. There, that will do.” Keith claps his hands together. Drawn by the noise, Claude looks back at him, and his adviser gives him a rather theatrical smile. “Instead, you should be saying, ‘Thank you. I’d expect nothing less from my little brother.’”

“…Do you think so?”

“I was impressed. It’s going to be a brilliant takeover. He certainly is the younger brother of the demon king.”

It makes Claude fairly happy to hear his adviser compliment his precious half brother. I see, he repeats to himself silently, savoring the words. He looks into the cradle one more time. “…Your uncle thinks you’re precious as well.”

It must have been fate that his niece and his daughter were born on the same day. He wants both girls to be happy.

If that’s what it’ll take to make that happen, he’ll tough it out for a day or two. After all, even though Cedric is always rebellious, he’s left his daughter with Claude, saying he’s “someone I can trust.”

Claude is the demon king, emperor, husband, father, and elder brother.

Since he’s acquired more titles, he has that much more trust to live up to.

The demon king appears in the conference room with his daughter at exactly the appointed time before the final session of the intercontinental conference.

As stipulated, he hasn’t brought her nurse or any servants—only his guards and his adviser. Nor does he have a single piece of luggage that he could claim his daughter would need. The girl has been dressed in an outfit that looks as if it’s easy to put on and take off, and that’s it.

To show that they have no hostile intentions, Cattleya’s party is also small. There are only four of them: Cattleya, Diana, Lilia—who insisted on being present—and one Valkyrie guard.

“Who should I give her to?” Claude asks directly, without even greeting them. He really doesn’t seem happy. So even the demon king has a human side, not wanting anyone to take his daughter, Diana thinks to herself. The man holding the baby doesn’t match the image of the demon king in the game.

Either way, it’s obvious who should take her.

“Cattleya,” Diana prompts.

“R-right.” Cattleya steps forward stiffly. She seems nervous. When she takes the baby from the demon king, she looks like a young mother who isn’t yet used to handling an infant.

The moment the child is in Cattleya’s arms, she starts wailing loudly. Since there aren’t many people in the large room, her voice echoes all around them. Cattleya finds herself flustered, and Diana grimaces. The baby looked as if she was sleeping, but apparently, she was awake.

“Oh, you mustn’t hold her like that. Here, Lady Cattleya, allow me.” Darting forward, Lilia whisks the baby out of Cattleya’s arms, then shifts her into another position. “There, there. What’s the matter? Are you sleepy? Or maybe you’re hungry?”

She moves in a way that’s clearly maternal, as if she’s used to soothing a child. Diana has heard that Lilia also has a daughter, born on the same day as the demon king’s child. That must seem very ironic to the defeated Maid of the Sacred Sword. The game hinted at an ending where Lilia Reinoise became the queen of Hausel. If she’d defeated the demon king and stayed on the proper route, her daughter could have become Hausel’s future queen.

However, she’s not about to sympathize with the sort of heroine who’d lose in an easy game like that, which is all flowers and butterflies.

Even so, as the child’s crying grows softer, her opinion of the woman improves a little.

“Shall I carry her?” Lilia asks. “You two have a conference to go to, don’t you, Lady Cattleya?”

It’s irritating that the woman is making such an arrogant suggestion when all she’s done is quiet a crying baby, but it would be a problem if the child were handed to her, so Diana doesn’t complain. More than anything, Cattleya seems relieved.

“…Yes, please do. Take her straight to the registration, if you would.”

“Is that all right?” the demon king says to no one in particular. He’s been watching the crying baby silently and steadily.

“It’s fine. After all, the child is innocent,” Lilia responds with a smile.

Diana glares at her. It seems a bit late to realize this, but as far as Lilia’s concerned, that baby is the child of the enemy who defeated her in war. She can’t have come here with them because she means to do something bad to the demon king’s daughter, can she?

If she does, the child will be an actual hostage.

The same thought seems to have occurred to Cattleya, who signals Diana with a glance. Diana nods. “Since she is a royal candidate, the Valkyries will guard her. We’ll get her registered before the conference.”

“Please do. That’s all right with you as well, isn’t it, Emperor Claude?”

“…Yeah,” the demon king murmurs in agreement.

Lilia leaves, carrying the infant. The Valkyries waiting outside quickly form up around her, and they all set off as a group. She won’t be able to do anything to the baby surrounded like that.

“All right. Please wait here, Emperor Claude. I’ll go call the others. Diana, I leave this in your hands.”

Diana nods, and Cattleya promptly follows Lilia out of the room. There are all sorts of things to do, but of course there would be. After all, today is the day they wrap all this up.

Rebuilt under Kilvas’s leadership, the new conference room is quiet and more spacious than any of the others. Claude passes in front of its many windows, then seats himself at the very back of the room.

Isn’t the chair farthest from the door where the most important person sits? Diana isn’t sure whether that knowledge is from this world or her previous life, but when she looks at the demon king—whose expression makes it seem as if he’s just finished a task—she finds herself speaking to him.

“Don’t you have anything to say?”

“By that, you mean…?”

“To Cattleya.”

Cattleya didn’t choose to crush either Ellmeyer or Kilvas; she’s purposefully trying to resolve things through compromise. The demon king must know how much hardship she has been through and how kind she is. If he doesn’t, Cattleya won’t get the reward she deserves.

However, the demon king tilts his head slightly to the side, giving her a mischievous smile. “No, nothing.”

“…Listen, you. It isn’t too late for us to pull out of this deal—”

“Why are you here, by the way? I don’t need a guard.”

“I’m not just a guard. Haven’t you heard? After Cattleya becomes queen, I’m going to be empress of Kilvas.”

“That’s the first I’ve heard of it. What of Vica? Will you exile him?”

“Yes. It’s not as if we could leave things in his hands. He’s spineless; he just smiles like a fool no matter what anybody says to him, and he never answers back. Who knows what he’s thinking— What?”

The demon king is watching her steadily, and Diana glares back. She recognizes that gaze. It’s the impressed yet somewhat mystified look men give her when she says something. She’s sick of it.

“…You aren’t afraid of Vica?” Claude asks.

“Huhn? What about him is scary? Oh, because he’s the demon king? He’s just a self-absorbed poser who acts like he’s this solitary loner: ‘Nobody understands meeeee.’ Most demon kings are like that.”

The two guards behind Claude choke with laughter. For just a moment, his gaze sharpens, but it softens almost immediately. “I thought Vica had strange tastes, but now I see. That makes sense,” he murmurs to himself. Apparently, that’s satisfied Claude, because he doesn’t say another word to her.

Cattleya returns before the silence becomes too heavy, and the delegates from the other nations follow her into the conference room. The group also allows Vica and Ernst to enter without comment. Even if Kilvas votes against Cattleya, it’s only one vote. It won’t change the outcome. Not letting them vote in the first place would have made the rest of them look bad.

Keeping procedures fair is what persuades people of the results.

“By the way, Holy King, I hear my daughter imposed on your wife yesterday. She cheerfully went off to another tea party today, as well. A wild child like her…”

“In the gazebo, isn’t it? Although today’s tea party isn’t being held by us, but by King Olgen’s wife.”

“They must have too much time on their hands, since the inspection was canceled.”

“Well, there’s nothing wrong with that, Grand Duke Hirikka. Nice, warm weather like this practically demands outdoor tea parties.”

“I imagine we’ll get an earful if we keep them waiting too long.”

All the heads of state except for Kilvas and Ellmeyer make a bit of small talk, but as soon as they’re seated, the room becomes quiet.

It’s rather a majestic sight, seeing all seven of them sitting together. An uncharacteristic surge of emotion wells up inside Diana at the thought that she and the other Valkyries are the ones who are in control.

“There are paper and pens for you to use to cast your votes. The ballot box is here. It’s empty, as you can see.” She shows them the interior of the box on the table. Naturally, they wouldn’t do anything dishonest, but this is all necessary protocol. “The only thing we have left to discuss is the specific voting method. Does anyone have any suggestions?”

“What about using circles and crosses?” the holy king asks, as if he doesn’t really care.

The neurotic Grand Duke Hirikka frowns. “That would let people make excuses afterward, saying things like, ‘I misunderstood’ or ‘That wasn’t what I meant.’ Not being able to abstain is another problem. Why don’t we write the name of the person we feel should be queen?”

“I’m not sure on the spelling. I only know how the name sounds.” Although the chief of Gloss speaks the language fluently, apparently, he’s uneasy about his writing skills.

The king of Maiz agrees. “I don’t know how to spell it, either. It would be helpful to have a note with the royal candidate’s name on it. That would prevent any written errors.”

“This is how it’s spelled, isn’t it, Lady Cattleya.” Grand Duke Hirikka takes a small notebook and fountain pen out of his breast pocket. He must carry them with him wherever he goes. He writes something down, then shows it to Cattleya.

Cattleya nods. “Yes, that’s correct.”

“In that case, let me write it out a little larger so it’s easier to see… Here you are, King Maiz. And Chief Gloss, the shapes of our letters are the same, so I don’t think you’ll have any trouble.”

“Thank you.”

“Much obliged.”

After waiting for Grand Duke Hirikka to hand notes to the king of Maiz and the chief of Gloss, the king of Olgen scans the assembly. “In that case, we’ll write down the name of the royal candidate we feel is suited to be queen. To abstain, leave your ballot slip blank. With so few people, true anonymity won’t be an option, but let’s make it that we aren’t required to sign our ballots. Then we’ll fold them in half and put them into the ballot box ourselves. How does that sound?”

No one objects.

Internally, Diana is feeling a little fed up by this farce, even if it is necessary. Paper and pens are distributed to each person.

With only seven people, cheating won’t be possible, and it’s obvious what the answer will be.

After all, there’s no name for them to write other than Cattleya’s.

“Lady Diana, the registration is complete.” A Valkyrie she’s familiar with enters quietly and whispers in her ear.

“You’re sure?”

“Yes.”

“Cattleya.”

Cattleya glances in her direction, and Diana gives the okay sign, forming a circle with her thumb and index finger.

It’s finally time. Cattleya draws a deep breath. “It looks as if everyone is prepared to cast their votes.”

The demon king raises his head slightly but quickly looks down.

“Does anyone have anything they want to say before we begin?”

No one says a word.

“In that case,” Cattleya says, and signals for them to start.

As she speaks, the bell in the tower tolls noon.

At the sound of the bell from the conference building, Roxane lifts her head.

“…Will they be voting soon?”

“If it happens on time, yes. Goodness, these sweets are divine.”

The meticulously designed gazebo in the garden is spacious, yet difficult to spot from the outside. At night, it would probably be the perfect place for a clandestine meeting. It’s also a fitting location for their “homemade” tea party, to which all the noblewomen have brought cookies and pastries they baked themselves. The gentle breeze and liberating shade of the trees give a certain excitement to the secrets they can’t tell their husbands.

The Valkyries are currently busy with the conference. The fact that they’ve managed to slip away without being challenged and are drinking their tea out in the open is proof that no one is even listening in.

“Yesterday was surprise. Lady Roxane’s invite…ation.”

“…What were you thinking, negotiating with her first? She might not even have understood you.”

“Lady Audrey, you understimating—underestimate me!”

“Still, I was a little surprised when I heard you’d already given your consent, Dana. If you wouldn’t mind, Lady Aileen, could you explain?”

All eyes are on her as Aileen returns her cup to her saucer.

Then, slowly, she begins to fill them in.

I probably shouldn’t be the one to count the votes, Cattleya thinks, before handing the box with everyone’s votes in it to Diana. Then she waits, standing very straight.

She realizes that they still have a long way to go, but Cattleya can’t suppress the thought that she’s finally made it this far. Now she and the others will be freed from the game’s ending, which is inevitably grim no matter what they do or how they do it.

When they were players, that was a good thing. Even if she was never saved, Diana the protagonist lived with a desperate pride. In order to protect her little brother, the villainess Cattleya soiled her hands with evil deeds. Their hopelessness struck a chord with them, moving them to tears. They even felt that their lives would have had no meaning if they’d never encountered this game.

Now, however, they feel something akin to resentment toward the production team, even though they practically worshipped them before.

They actually wish they’d reincarnated into Regalia of Saints, Demons, and Maidens—a game they’d ridiculed as being all flowers and rainbows. Of course, everything isn’t wonderful there, either. The Maid of the Sacred Sword has lost to the demon king, and for some reason, lots of villainesses are throwing their weight around.

I could have done it well, though.

That frustration ends today. Hausel’s queen holds the highest rank in both Valkyrie of the Magic Lance and Regalia of Saints, Demons, and Maidens.

Once Cattleya becomes the queen of Hausel, she’ll practically have the world under her thumb. Since she has knowledge of both games, she’ll be able to succeed where others failed. She won’t fall from grace like Lilia Reinoise has or lose to the demon king the way Amelia Dark did.

She won’t be run out like Aileen Lauren d’Autriche, either…

“Hey! What’s going on here?!” Diana’s shrill voice pulls Cattleya’s attention back to the present.

The ballot box has been opened, and seven ballots—complete with fold marks—have been removed. Her name is written on them…or so she thought.

“Who is Aria?!” Diana yells. “‘Aria Jean Ellmeyer’…?!”

Cattleya’s eyes immediately go to Claude. He isn’t looking at her anymore.

“I thought Lady Dana had caught on, you see. She realized I set off the chapel’s mechanism intentionally.”

“Yes, she heading—headed straight for it! It was like she know!”

“Then, after the confusion with the alarm, it must have been clear to the rest of you that Lady Cattleya and the Valkyries didn’t truly have control over Hausel. Not in the way the queen once did.”

“Yes, indeed. There may have been no danger, but they didn’t even turn off the alarm. However, that isn’t definitive proof.” Carol’s voice is gentle, but her smile seems to be testing Aileen. It isn’t wise to be careless around a woman who’s managed to remain neutral.

Aileen returns her smile, undaunted. “I am aware of that. However, you must have begun to suspect that someone with the blood of the Maid of the Sacred Sword is required to make Hausel move. That means the worst-case scenario for all of you would have been for Lady Cattleya and the Valkyries to win over Ellmeyer.”

No one responds, but the silence tells Aileen she’s correct.

“Even if every nation wants control over Hausel’s knowledge, you must have sensed great danger in it. If not, you would never have responded to the call for a conference to decide on a new queen. After all, there was no need to wait for a conference: You could simply have occupied Hausel’s territory.”

There were countless opportunities for that before now.

“You can’t ignore suspicious movement in Hausel. You’d also like to deal with the refugee issue. That said, it would be problematic if Hausel returned with that sort of power at this point. If a queen were to be chosen, you’d want it to be someone who would benefit you, even in a modest way, or at the very least not disadvantage you. No doubt you all shared that feeling. Although I’m not certain about the king of Olgen, who was the first to ally himself with the Valkyries…”

Aileen glances at Audrey, who primly sips her tea.

“Everyone was carefully watching Lady Cattleya and the Valkyries. Would it truly be all right to make Lady Cattleya queen? Would it harm your nations in any way? They certainly did move things along skillfully, shielding themselves with the wisdom of Hausel, but they played a poor endgame.”

Each misstep was trivial. They likely never even notice they had made any.

Dana chuckles innocently. “We often get mocking—mocked. Lady Aileen, I understand…you study language. But they do not. I know…they have contempt. A present for Mother, who does not care for dresses. They don’t know, don’t even try. They not interested in Island Republic of Gloss.”

For one, they clearly lacked respect for other cultures.

“I wasn’t pleased at having the first dance interrupted, you know… The young may see it as outdated—a dull, useless custom, but those who don’t learn from tradition or the past are bound to repeat old mistakes.”

They had also shown a lack of understanding about old customs.

“It’s less complicated than that, isn’t it? We are queens and princesses—women in positions that differ from their own. They underestimated us, considering us mere decorations controlled by our men. Even now, they don’t care what we’re doing.”

And they had open disdain for their roles.

“I am the queen consort of a new country. They’re welcome to belittle us as a small, weak nation with no traditions. However, it is for that very reason that we are very cautious about how we treat those who extend a helping hand to us from on high.”

Their attitude during negotiations was also quite questionable.

“Most of all, the tragic lack of observational skills they displayed in deciding that Lady Aileen was inconsequential defied belief.”

“Thank you very much, Lady Audrey.”

“That wasn’t a compliment. This is why you can never afford to let your guard down around Ellmeyer for even a moment.” Audrey scowls, making her look like a strict private tutor. However, if she hadn’t persuaded her husband, it would have been impossible for the seven nations to reach a unanimous decision.

“And you, Nina? Why you decided?”

“…When I visited Kilvas for the wedding, I invited Empress Diana to tea, saying that I wished to discuss border defense. She didn’t come. Later on, a polite letter addressed to my husband and me arrived from Emperor Vica. Even with his country in turmoil, he’d gone out of his way to apologize for the fact that he was only able to institute temporary measures and that he hadn’t been able to attend the discussion. The idea that Diana is more suited to rule than someone like him is simply ridiculous.” The duchess gently returns her cup to the saucer, then gives a soft smile. “Isn’t that the answer to everything?”

Since Nina always comes off as flighty, a faint smile from her is a powerful thing. If Aileen ever needs someone to underestimate her again, she’s sure she’ll want to model her behavior on the duchess.

“—May I request an explanation?”

Cattleya has been careful to keep from trembling, but the end of her sentence still sounds unsteady.

“An explanation?” The king of Maiz cocks his head in a deliberate way. “We wrote the name of a royal candidate and voted. Is there some sort of mistake?”

“Don’t play dumb!” Diana roars. Cattleya hasn’t regained enough composure to stop her. “You senile old fart! Why didn’t you vote for Cattleya?! Who’s Aria anyway?!”

“That’s the sort of thing I mean, young lady. What do you think a neutral power is?” The force behind the man’s wrinkled smile startles Diana, and she shuts her mouth. “You threatened us and said we should think about what would happen if I didn’t vote for Miss Cattleya, didn’t you. That is the sort of opponent neutral powers must crush first and foremost.”

“W-we didn’t threaten you. We just said she’s suited to be queen…”

“And that’s another thing: You’re far too oblivious of how your actions appear to others. It’s just scary; how are we supposed to go along with that?” the holy king says, sounding disgusted.

Grand Duke Hirikka pushes his glasses up with a sigh. “In the first place, how could someone who doesn’t even take border issues seriously govern a nation?”

“Border issues…? Wait, you can’t mean that business about the bandits, can you? Something trivial like that can wait. We were about to decide on a new queen for Hausel. That’s clearly more important!”

“In that case, you’re bound to neglect our nation as ‘something trivial’ as well once you’re queen.”

I didn’t mean it like that, Cattleya thinks. But she can’t get the words out.

“There’s no comparison between you and Vica. Even if he postponed the issue, he still sent his prime minister to us with various proposals that would allow us to pursue the bandits. Vica and his right-hand man are still young, which makes me uneasy, but I’d much rather trust them than let you rule.”

Up until this very moment, Cattleya has been careful to avoid looking at her younger brother, but now she does. He isn’t looking in her direction; instead, he’s smiling at Grand Duke Hirikka. “I may be inexperienced, but I shall spare no effort.”

“It’s both unsettling and terrifying for the emperor of Kilvas to be so humble. And I, on the other hand, will take care to remember that you could crush a buffer country like mine without trouble. Also, I’d appreciate it if you didn’t go near my wife with that face.”

“I have heard what a devoted husband you are, Duke. I really don’t think a slim, mild-mannered man like me would capture your wife’s interest.”

“Of course not.”

The duke is a doting husband? Even though he speaks and acts as if he’s making fun of his wife…? Diana is completely flummoxed. More than anything, the casual way these two are speaking to each other means this isn’t their first conversation.

Come to think of it, Cattleya’s brother hasn’t tried to speak to her even once. Which of them is avoiding the other?

“What about you, Gloss?!” Diana turns the conversation toward the rough-looking ruler of the ocean nation, who folds his arms and cocks his head. “We’ve never had much interference from either Hausel or Kilvas, so it wasn’t an easy decision for us to make. But Duchess Nina’s made friends with my daughter…”

“Th-that’s your reason?!”

“It’s very important, I’ll have you know. If a country has someone we can talk to in it, that means we can negotiate with them.”

The king of Olgen is nodding along in agreement. Diana scowls at him, and even Cattleya clenches her fists.

“You…you’re the one I understand the least. Why?”

“It’s that side to you, as my fellow delegates have all been saying.”

This from the man who’d smiled and told them, “How reassuring. How marvelous. I’d be honored to cooperate with you.” She’d never believed him. Diana had also never thought he wholeheartedly supported or understood them. There was no trust there; they were simply using each other. That’s something she’s sure about.

However, even so, this turn of events has come as no small shock. That’s the part that doesn’t make sense to her.

“Reflect on your behavior. What sort of attitude did you take with us?”

“We could have attacked you! Is this any way to repay our kindness?!”

“Simply put, no one likes you. That’s why you’ve been excluded, just as you tried to do to others.”

Diana is left utterly speechless. As is Cattleya.

“King Olgen, that’s taking it too far.”

The quiet voice draws Cattleya’s attention.

“There are other major reasons. You’ve been craftily recruiting Valkyries from every nation and taking their women away. It’s a problem too serious to overlook.”

“They’ll probably just refuse to understand and say that the women who’ve volunteered to become Valkyries do so at their own risk.”

“Possibly, but we shouldn’t veer too heavily into emotional argument.”

“Such composure… I’d expect no less from a nation that’s been a great power for centuries. I, on the other hand, find myself in trouble because my wife’s always in a bad mood.”

“Mine has run away from home. We all have our troubles.” Claude gives an elegant smile, everyone’s eyes fixed on him. “However, let me express my gratitude to you for your cooperation and understanding. Would you convey my thanks to your ladies as well, since they were the ones who listened? I’ll be sure to visit and pay my respects properly later.”

““Don’t you dare,”” Grand Duke Hirikka and the king of Olgen reply without missing a beat.

They’re all so comfortable with one another. That opening ball had to have been the first time they’d spoken properly, so why? Do they understand each other just because they’re men? Is this another mocking, patriarchal gesture toward women? It’s absurd.

But Diana can’t even bring herself to laugh.

“…Did you…lay the groundwork…for this?” Cattleya asks, finally managing to calm her breathing. She keeps her eyes fixed on Claude. A moment later, she realizes he didn’t have the opportunity. She’s been determined not to let things play out the way they did last time, so she’s had guards keeping an eye on him ever since she proposed that he give her his daughter.

However, if Claude’s pulled one over on her, then there’s still…still—what?

“…All right. We’ve listened to your answers.” Diana seems calmer now; her voice is hard. “But who’s Aria? Don’t tell me you made up an imaginary candidate. You’re saying she can compete with Cattleya? Even though she doesn’t have the power of a Valkyrie and can’t use Hausel’s facilities? That’s right, Demon King. Making your own daughter a royal candidate, then driving her into a corner—is that really something a parent would do?”

“Excuse me. I’ve brought him, milord.” The demon king’s adviser enters the room, cutting off Diana’s lecture. Apparently, he slipped out at some point. In the uproar over the results of the vote, she didn’t even notice. The blond individual who appears next leaves her speechless.

Diana lets out a mutter that’s almost a groan. “Cedric Jean Ellmeyer…”

The name of the classic hero of Regalia of Saints, Demons, and Maidens.

“Excellent timing, Keith. Cedric, you should probably thank the assembly,” Claude prompts.

“Right. Gentlemen, you have my deepest gratitude for selecting my daughter, Aria, as the next queen of Hausel,” Cedric begins eloquently.

How…? I thought he was imprisoned in Ellmeyer, since Lilia lost.

Ignoring Cattleya’s confusion, he bows deeply in Diana’s direction. “And the Valkyries as well. Thank you for accepting Aria as a royal candidate.”

“Huh—huhn?! What’s… What are you—?”

“I hear the candidate registration was completed without issue.”

Diana is speechless.

Then that baby wasn’t Claude’s daughter, but…

She feels the urge to burst out laughing rising within her. What on earth was she looking at all this time?

“Now that Aria has been approved by both the Valkyries and the intercontinental conference, I am certain that the people of Hausel will accept her as well. With everyone’s guidance, my wife and I will raise her into a magnificent woman. May Hausel and the world be blessed with peace.”

I’m so sorry. Forgive me.

Lilia has resigned herself to the day when she’ll say those pitiful words to her daughter. That is her responsibility, after all. The fact that she no longer has the power to protect her child and her husband, and that the Valkyries have taken advantage of the Queendom of Hausel, is all because she failed—both as the heroine and as a player.

She won’t be the one who pays for it. Her daughter and those around her will pay that price. Could anything be more wretched than that?

I tell you what, though, Aria: Your father is pretty incredible.

He chose a future that had even the slightest glint of hope and freedom over a life of constantly being protected and having things handed to him. The hero who was merely a prince has firmly decided to become a husband and the father of a queen. He didn’t run from his duty but is trying to take responsibility. In which case, Lilia can’t do any less.

She’ll teach her daughter that even a life that doesn’t go the way you want is entertaining.

She’ll raise her into the sort of child who laughs and says that inconvenience is true freedom.

Lilia softly kisses the cheek of her daughter, the new royal candidate. Then, before anyone notices, she hands the child over. At this point, no one will suspect a thing.

“Please take care of her.”

The brilliant official from Ellmeyer who’s infiltrated as an apprentice Valkyrie returns her nod without a word. Letting go of her daughter is as scary as she expected. She can trust this woman, though.

After all, they’re friends. Probably.

Still, “the League of Heroines” just fits better…

She feels a little sad at the thought that, one day, it won’t be around anymore.

“All right, Lady Lilia. This way,” a Valkyrie calls out as she watches her daughter being taken away. Lilia follows, but she’ll have to cleverly slip away at some point.

This may be Hausel’s undersea facility, but they’re in an extremely shallow area. The stairway that led them underground was near the academy where the royal candidates once gathered, so it’s probably more of a school facility than anything.

However, the academy has a teleportation device to allow the queen to secretly come from the palace chapel to check on her daughter. It’s likely that it’s also connected to this place, where the royal candidates are registered. She’ll search for a door to the chapel, then get herself a weapon capable of fighting a magic lance. Then, finally, she’ll make her way to the ruins of the palace. In Valkyrie of the Magic Lance, that’s the site of the event where the sacred sword shows up.

Faced with a sword that swallows up any power—both holy and demonic—and all life, Diana the heroine makes her decision.

Will she move forward with the person she’s chosen or start everything over?

Come to think of it, I wonder if Amelia foresaw this future.

The futures Amelia knew about were the so-called “standard routes” in Regalia of Saints, Demons, and Maidens. As Lilia is still thinking about that, she stops in her tracks. She’s spotted a heroine through the corridor window.

It’s Sahra. Her startled eyes stare right back at her. Lilia wonders briefly whether she’s been captured by the Valkyries, but she’s wearing a white lab coat. She’s in the medical room. Either she infiltrated with Serena, or Serena put her up to this. Lilia can’t help but laugh.

Of course; that’s how it would go. In the game, the Maid of the Sacred Sword can get help from the Saint of Salvation and the Daughter of God—Serena and Sahra. There’s no way she could lose to the heroines of another game.

That’s why Amelia had left them alone. It’s a simple observation to make.

“Yow-ow-ow-ow, owwwwww!”

“L-Lady Lilia? What’s the matter?”

“My stomach hurts really, really bad! I need medicine! A doctor—! Owwwww!”

Lilia crouches down in the corridor, hugging her stomach. A little flustered, the Valkyrie calls into the medical room. Foolish, good-natured Sahra comes out immediately, looking pale. “A-are you all right?! Where does it hurt? Hold on…!”

“I’m going to take out everybody who’s here. Help me,” she whispers to Sahra. The other woman lets out a rude little shriek, but then nods timidly in response. That’s reassuring. Serena will likely catch up with them as soon as she’s taken Aria somewhere safe.

The League of Heroines is back. This is why she can’t stop playing, even now that she’s a mother.

“All right, now for the next item on the agenda.”

Baal impatiently changes the subject, and nobody objects. He seems to be implying that this is the main reason they’re here.

“This concerns the questionable group that’s been specifically recruiting women and taking them out of their countries. They began as a cult with roots in Ashmael, but their philosophy’s changed recently.”

“The same thing is happening in Olgen. We ignored it at first, but when the disappearances are this frequent and always women, there’s a good possibility of organized kidnapping. What’s the situation in Maiz?”

“I looked into it after hearing about this from the rest of you. Several of our missing persons seem to fit the profile. They each disappeared with a large sum of money. I suspected human trafficking…but we managed to trace the women’s movements part of the way to Ellmeyer’s port, where we lost them.”

“Nothing like that has happened in our country, of course. However, we heard that a ship bringing refugees from Hausel to Ellmeyer was taking on women in Ellmeyer for its return voyage to Hausel. Three days ago, we captured the refugee ship and questioned the passengers. They said they were going to become Valkyries and get a second chance at life.”

“Oh, come on! The women consent to it. Nobody’s forcing them,” Diana argues, and several people sigh.

“It’s not happening in Gloss.”

“Likewise, I’ve heard nothing about it in Hirikka. I’d imagine it’s because they know about the Valkyries and that surgery. Is it the same in Kilvas?”

“Yes. There are still Valkyries in my country, but they’re all opposed to making more of their kind through the conventional method. More importantly, only Hausel can perform the required surgery. It seems obvious who’s behind this.”

“Kilvas has always made Valkyries, and now you’re criticizing us for trying to build up our forces?! You must realize there’s something wrong with that—”

“Diana, enough.” Cattleya’s voice is cold, and all eyes in the conference room turn to her. “It’s over. Let’s go.”

“There are grounds to sympathize with the Valkyries.”

Still seated, Claude gazes at Cattleya. She looks back at him.

Baal and the others cast reproachful looks his way, but Claude can’t resist throwing her a lifeline.

Will his wife be angry? —No, she’ll probably laugh and say it couldn’t be helped.

“If the Valkyries say they will become a new people of Hausel who will protect it and serve its new queen, I’d like to consider that option.”

“You’re always so kind, Emperor Claude.” Cattleya catches the veil she’s wearing and pulls it aside. The rouged lips she never had as a Valkyrie curve into a smile. “I wish we could have struck you down with the sacred sword.”

“Everyone get back!”

Baal jumps to his feet, knocking his chair over, and casts a barrier. At almost the exact same moment, Diana’s chest flashes, and a magic lance is protruding out of the floor.

The conference room is blown away. Baal blocks the actual blast, but the floor crumbles out from under them. Everyone is tossed up into the air, and Claude’s magic catches them, holding them suspended. Keith, Walt, Kyle, and Vica help support those who aren’t used to magic. No one is hurt.

“This is your final chance, Emperor Claude. Where is Princess Claire?”

“Unfortunately, I don’t know where my daughter’s gone.”

It’s true, but Cattleya snorts contemptuously in the half-demolished conference room. She doesn’t believe him. “I see. In that case, negotiations have broken down.”

Baal comes up beside Claude. “You’re taking on the holy king and the demon king at once? You’ve got guts; we’ll give you that.”

“Be careful. My sister and Diana really are strong—!” Vica says, but his warning is cut off by an extraordinarily bright light. It’s blue—the light of a magic lance.

“It really would take too much time and effort to kill the holy king and the demon king. However, if all the heads of state vanish, there will be no one left to stop us, hated though we may be.”

Cattleya picks up the source of the blue light and raises her unveiled face. “None of you will ever leave this island again… Diana!”

“Yes. All of you, become nourishment for the sacred sword.”

The pair cross the tips of their magic lances, and the blue light grows brighter, turning transparent. Claude recognizes that light.

It’s the sacred sword.

It looks extremely similar to the light of the sacred maiden, which saves the world from demonic darkness.

The earth rumbles. The whole island is moving. The weather shifts as though someone’s fast-forwarding through it. All he knows is that the women have done something.

The overwhelming light blows away both magic and holy power, then takes the shape of a whip and lashes out at them. The instant it catches Claude’s leg, he loses altitude. His magic is being siphoned away at a terrifying rate. The same is true of Baal’s power.

The thing is feeding on both sacred power and magic.

“Brother…!”

He sees Cedric’s hand, reaching out in an attempt to help him.

In that moment, Claude comes to a decision.

He has to leave pawns for his wife.

“Wh—?! Master Claude?!” his reliable guards shout, but there’s no time to explain. He sends both of them flying, along with Keith. He watches Ernst go flying as well; Vica’s the one who’s done that. Apparently, he’s had the same idea.

Send them somewhere far away, beyond the Valkyries’ reach. The crows have sensed combat and turned their attention in his direction, but Claude orders them not to approach under any circumstances. He and the other rulers are a separate matter, but Cattleya won’t bother dealing with the crows or any of the smaller demons.

That’ll be their shot at victory.

“I’m sorry, Cedric. I can’t send you away. We’re decoys.”

Cedric has grabbed Claude’s hand, and his eyes widen in astonishment. Claude glances to the side.

“Sorry, but I’ll have you keep me company, too, Baal.”

“Listen to yourself. You’re not the least bit sorry about it.”

Baal gives a fearless smile. He’s noticed it, too: They’re about to be caught.

As if to confirm that premonition, a net of light falls from the sky, blotting out their vision and shutting off their minds.

There’s a noise like an explosion, and then the earthquake hits. However, both the noise and the tremor happen only once, and then they subside. Aileen holds her breath, watching to see what happens. She slips quietly out of the gazebo and can’t believe her eyes.

Although the sky was clear just a moment ago, the color has changed. It’s red, as if the sun were setting.

“…Is it evening? At this time, in this season?”

“No, I don’t think…it’s the right time of year…”

Dana has stepped out of the gazebo, and Nina stays close to her, uneasily gazing up at the sky. Carol is doing the same, having been lent a hand outside by Audrey.

“That was the sound of an explosion, wasn’t it? Did something happen at the confe—?”

“Don’t move!”

Several sets of rapid footsteps approach and surround them. It’s the Valkyries. Roxane reflexively steps in front of Aileen to hide her, but the Valkyries don’t seem to care about her.

“Surrender yourselves to be bound.”

“On whose authority? I am queen of the United Kingdom of—” Audrey quickly shuts her mouth as the tip of a lance is pointed straight at her.

The Valkyrie sneers. “Silence. You’re a princess who’s only ever known a comfortable life, never a battlefield.”

That’s no way to talk to the queen of the nation that’s been their patron. Aileen looks down at the shadow beneath her feet. “Almond,” she says quietly.

“If you don’t want to be stripped naked and thrown into the ocean, don’t answer back. Tie them up!”

“Come forth, demon king’s army!”

“Aye, aye, sir!”

With a loud cry, a huge flock of crows bursts out of the shadow at Aileen’s feet. It looks like a magic trick, and everyone shrinks back, startled. Only Roxane is unruffled. She raises her voice. “Ladies, please run!”

“I carry!” Dana, the most agile, pulls Carol over her shoulder without giving her a chance to object. She must be quite athletic, because it doesn’t slow her down at all.

Nina runs at Dana’s side, watching her flank. “But where shall we run to?” she shouts.

“For now, we’ll steal a nearby wagon— Lady Audrey!”

A lone Valkyrie has emerged from Almond’s swarm. Her hand reaches for Audrey, who’s bringing up the rear, but Audrey turns and thrusts a dagger into the Valkyrie’s leg. She does it in one smooth, flowing motion without the slightest hesitation, and Aileen’s eyes widen.

Dana whistles. “Good moving. Very nice!”

“As if anyone could serve as the queen of a conflict-ridden country without being able to defend herself.”

“This way! Hurry, bring Lady Carol!” Roxane calls out. She’s found a wagon that still has horses hitched to it. Roxane climbs in first, then pulls Carol up onto the bed, followed by Aileen, who lends a hand to Audrey. After Dana leaps in, Nina clambers up into the driver’s seat as if it’s second nature to her. She picks up the reins, swings the whip, and the cart hurtles ahead.

“Come to think of it, the Duchy of Hirikka was founded by a nomadic people, wasn’t it. Their specialties are jewels and horses,” Audrey murmurs to herself, sounding exasperated.

“Lady Nina, make for the wharf! My retainer is there!”

“All right! I’m going to take the back roads, so everyone hold tight!”

The wagon they’ve found themselves in is for transporting cargo, so it pitches and jolts ferociously as Nina turns away from the back garden and heads into the forest that leads to town.

“The vote…must have gone well. I expect this uproar is the result.” Roxane glares at the receding assembly hall, stern-faced.

“I would imagine so,” Carol agrees, having settled herself in the bed of the wagon. “Princess Aria has been successfully voted in as queen. No doubt that’s why the Valkyries have decided we’re enemies… I wonder if my husband is all right. I do hope he isn’t getting in the way of the young men.”

“Aileen, Aileen!” Almond and the others have been keeping the Valkyries pinned down, but now they catch up and keep pace with the wagon.

“Has something happened to Master Claude and the others?”

“Demon king, holy king, everyone caught! They say not to come…” Almond’s eyes grow moist, but he promptly shakes his head hard, assuming a sharp expression. “The demon king…is a decoy! What’s our strategy?!”

That’s the leader of the demon king’s army, all right. He hasn’t been through all those hellish battles for nothing.

The spell on Aileen’s shadow is still active, so she knows Claude is safe. “Did anyone manage to escape from the conference?!”

“Keith, two guards, and the prime minister of Kilvas all flew off!”

“Tell that to Isaac, then. Tell him everything you’ve seen and heard, as usual. You got that?”

“Understood!”

Almond and the rest of the crows form up into neat ranks, then soar away from the wagon.

Carol lets out a sigh of relief. “The demons are quite charming, aren’t they.”

“…The Valkyries not give chase. Town, not many people…?” Dana murmurs, staring at the streets they’re catching occasional glimpses of. Many people in this town were involved with the Valkyries. They’re probably gathering their forces somewhere.

Hausel’s undersea facility, perhaps? No, but the final battle with Hausel in Valkyrie of the Magic Lance occurred aboveground…

The horse’s ears suddenly prick up, and it whinnies loudly. A moment later, the earth rumbles. This time, it’s a loud, drawn-out sound.

The women all stiffen and look around warily.

At last the rumbling subsides, as if it were only a figment of their imagination, and a harsh noise echoes around them.

“—Be…beginning…now…”

“What is that?! Where is that voice coming from?!”

“Over there.” Aileen has jumped down from the wagon, and she points toward the island where the royal palace once stood. There are buildings in the way, and normally you wouldn’t be able to see anything. However, Aileen is pointing at a wall that stretches into the sky. It’s a long, thick wall, like the one that enclosed the Valkyries and the demons. It’s likely that the undersea facility has emerged, rising aboveground from the former site of the palace.

In the game, the Valkyries blew the flying palace away, and the queen of Hausel summoned this walled fortress as a last resort. It’s an ark of an island, capable of withstanding the tsunami that swept the world away.

“Beginning…now…we will conduct…the coronation…of the new queen.”

With every burst of audio, the wall flashes. Is that the work of divine stones? They may function like loudspeakers, so the queen’s voice can reach them from belowground, or the sky, or some untraceable source.

“Those who glorify…Queen Cattleya…come to the site…of the palace.

“Those who object…will become debris…on the shore.

“In three hours—we will submerge everything except the central island.”

Is Cattleya herself speaking? The quality of the voice has changed. The pause was just long enough to take a breath.

“I no longer wish for you to understand.”

“The demon king sure is popular, huh,” Aileen’s right-hand man says the moment they reach the storehouse.

“Of course he is. He’s the man I chose.”

“That was sarcasm, all right? And he’s never around when you really need him… I’m getting reports that the tide’s pulling back.”

Aileen closes her eyes, compressing her lips into a thin line.

She thinks about the queen of Hausel’s counterattack—a woman who’s been backed into a corner by Diana and the others. The queen has activated the walled fortress and intends to cause a tsunami, sinking her own country after realizing there’s no way out. Except for Diana and whoever she chooses, the ocean will engulf all of the Valkyries. Gazing at that ocean as it swallows her comrades, holding the sacred sword the queen didn’t let go of until the very end, Diana makes her choice.

Will she trust in the future and live on, or start over again?

Cattleya and Diana must intend to start over. The voice that declared it wouldn’t ask for understanding sounded as if it had given up on the world. As far as they’re concerned, the tsunami will be no more than a reset—either that, or one final way to torment her.

But perhaps…

Someone who’d genuinely given up on being understood wouldn’t go out of her way to say so.

Aileen lets out a long breath, then breathes in. “For the moment, it’s safe to assume that Lady Cattleya and the others intend to cause a tsunami and submerge us along with the islands.”

“Using Hausel’s undersea facility, I assume?” Audrey says, seating herself on a crate.

“Yes. She predicted whirlpools and the earthquake, remember? It’s part of the same thing.”

“So prophecies…are lies?” Dana’s shoulders slump dejectedly.

Sitting down beside her, Nina thinks hard. “First, we need to prepare for an evacuation by ship, don’t you think? Hirikka came in a single vessel, so I would say the most we could carry is five hundred, including the crew and the servants we brought with us.”

“Ashmael is roughly the same. And just the island on which we’re staying has more than ten thousand residents.”

“Olgen came in two ships. Not only that, but one of them was a large vessel specifically for the Valkyries. Between the two, we should be able to carry two thousand.”

“We aren’t on the ocean, so our ship is only small… Three hundred is about the most we could manage.”

“Oh, we came on much—many boats! I wanted to show you them. If we pack tight…maybe a thousand people fit.”

“Ellmeyer can manage a thousand as well. Considering there will also be fishing boats and private vessels, we may just barely make it. Besides, half of those ten thousand are Valkyries… What do you think, Isaac?”

“It’s no use. The kings are the ones who’d have to give the orders, and they’re all missing. That’ll be a problem.” Standing a little ways away from their group, Isaac waves his hand dismissively.

Carol laughs. “Oh-ho-ho. If there are no kings, then we’ll simply have to do it ourselves. That won’t be a problem for Maiz.”

“Nor for Ashmael. I won’t let Master Baal complain.”

“Th-the Duchy of Hirikka will also be fine. In fact, I think my husband would be angry with me if I didn’t do this properly…”

“It isn’t unusual for Olgen to wake up in the morning and find our king is dead, so it won’t be an issue here.”

“Lady Audrey, don’t you think that’s rather a bit too ominous…?”

“I knooow! If Father dies, the next chief is me! No problems!” Dana says, nostrils flaring. Her idea is the scariest of them all.

“Uh…” Isaac seems to shake off the awkwardness he feels. “So searching for the kings…”

“—can wait. Yes?” When Carol asks for agreement, the only one who shows any hesitation at all is Nina.

Aileen is relieved. “You’re all so reliable… I’m in favor as well.”

“No, not reliable—you’re all terrifying!” exclaims Isaac. “I can’t help but feel bad for all of them!”

“By the way, everyone. I wish to go and stop the tsunami,” Aileen says.

“Is there a way to do that? What would that entail?” Audrey asks, quickly closing in on her.

Aileen gives her a wry smile. “Unfortunately, there’s no way I could tell you. You’re all quite cunning, and there’s no knowing what you might do after this.”

“After this…?” Nina asks in confirmation, and Aileen nods.

“Yes, after this. I would like to ask a favor of you. I am determined to stop this, but just in case, it will be necessary to evacuate the islands’ residents and secure their safety. May I ask you to aid the civilians regardless of nationality? My daughter is here, along with my lady-in-waiting. Princess Aria is scheduled to join us as well.”

“You’re going to abandon your nation and your daughter? That’s what it means when you say you’re leaving them to us.” Audrey’s tone is critical—understandably so.

Regardless, Aileen holds her head high. “I believe that you will protect them, as those who shoulder their own nations.”

Audrey falls silent, her expression sour. Beside her, Carol smiles. “Go ahead and do what you must. We should make any moves we have left to us.”

“Lady Carol, making rash promises won’t benefit Ellmeyer.”

“If the older cohort don’t let the young ones run, then what are we doing? It won’t change what we need to do. Still, since we have no rulers as things stand, let us select someone to be in charge. Lady Roxane, I think it should be you.”

“Me?” Roxane asks, bewildered, but Carol nods calmly. She also checks Audrey when the other woman begins to say something.

“There’s no one from Kilvas here at the moment, but we mustn’t abandon them. Fortunately, you have a long-standing relationship with Ellmeyer. No doubt Lady Aileen will find this greatly reassuring. Please use your connections with Ellmeyer to save Kilvas as well. It will be all right; you can do it. You may be young, but you are the holy king’s principal consort. Many people will heed the words of Ashmael, the kingdom under his leadership—more than they would nations that have no divine authority, at any rate.”

Roxane tightly squeezes her hands together in her lap.

“Now then, let us send out all the ships that our seven nations have,” Carol continues. “We’ll put as many people on board as possible, no matter what nation they happen to be from. Even if the worst happens and Hausel sinks, as long as its people survive, things will work out somehow. Ellmeyer’s port is the nearest to Hausel, so if anything happens, we’ll head there. There won’t be any need to worry about entry permits, seeing as we’ll have their princess in our care. And Prime Minister Cyril knows how to behave like a good boy. Since we have the opportunity, let’s help people and earn ourselves a lot of favors and debts in the process. It’s times like these when queens show what they can do.”

No one objects as Carol lays out their course of action. The woman has lived more than a decade longer than the rest of them, and they don’t want her to think they aren’t capable. Isaac is also watching this play out, resting his chin in his hand.

“…I’ve remembered, Lady Carol,” Aileen says. “I traveled with my brother Cyril to Maiz once, didn’t I?”

“Yes. I recall it clearly. Your brother was still only about this tall.” Carol smiles, holding her hand level with her shoulder. “He walked in boldly, introducing himself as the eldest son of Duke d’Autriche. He said his father had kicked him out and told him to get himself and his little sister back to their residence in Ellmeyer all on his own.”

“That’s right… What did Cyril say to you when he asked for your help?”

Her brother had managed to get them an escort home from the neutral power of Maiz.

“He said, ‘It wouldn’t be good for a disturbance to arise in a neutral country, would it? So would you care to arrange for safe passage back to Ellmeyer for my sister and me? You’ll be putting Ellmeyer’s future prime minister deeply in your debt as well. What do you say? It’s quite the bargain, don’t you think?’”

Every word sounds like something her brother would say.

“I recommend you follow his example, Lady Aileen.”

At that, Aileen stands up straighter. She still has much to learn. “I assume none of you wish to be indebted to us when Ellmeyer stops the tsunami?”

Both Dana and Nina let out short bursts of laughter. Audrey looks appalled, while Carol seems satisfied. Roxane answers, as their representative. “In that case, let us say that protecting Ellmeyer’s people and princess in your place will make us even.”

They exchange firm glances. This is a woman’s battlefield.

Realizing that he shouldn’t get in the way, Isaac signals Aileen with a glance, then sets off. Before Aileen follows him, she whispers in Roxane’s ear, “Lady Roxane. I would be delighted if you’d allow me to borrow Lady Sahra.”

“Sahra saw an apprentice Valkyrie from Ellmeyer and went off somewhere.”

Aileen hadn’t been expecting that. She gazes back at Roxane. “An apprentice Valkyrie from our nation? It can’t be…”

“She hasn’t yet returned, so I couldn’t say. The girl is a problem. I don’t know how the Valkyrie won her over, but she was saying that if magic lances can be made, then it might be possible to make holy swords and even sacred swords. She was quite enthusiastic about the idea.”

Silence falls for the space of a breath.

“You hoped to get a hand up on us, didn’t you?” Aileen asks.

“Of course. After all, with the sacred sword, Ellmeyer would be a threat. It’s too bad it didn’t go according to plan. May I borrow Ellmeyer’s demons?”

“What? Yes…you may, but I don’t know whether they’ll listen to you.”

“I’ll try negotiating with them by saying Estella may marry into your family. If I decide whom to marry our daughter to while Master Baal is missing, it will no doubt be a good lesson for him.”

Aileen suspects the holy king would likely vent his resentment on Ellmeyer. However, for now, relying on Roxane is the wisest move. Smiling, she gives her consent.

Still, all the heroines are assembling? It may be a standard development for the final act of a game, but perhaps she should give up on the weapon she’d considered using against those magic lances. No doubt Lilia’s thought of the same thing; she should let her have it. Fortunately, Aileen still has many pawns at her disposal.

Pawns Claude has left her.

We’ll just have to charge through head-on.

Isaac beckons to her silently, and Aileen follows him. They emerge at a stairway to the second floor of the storehouse. At the top of the stairs, there’s a room at the back. As soon as Aileen enters, she cries out.

“—Rachel! Claire…!”

“Lady Aileen!”

Rachel rises to her feet with Claire in her arms and hands the infant to her mother. When Aileen nuzzles the baby with her cheek, Claire’s lips move as if she’s just waking up, and her eyes open sleepily.

“You were napping, weren’t you. I’m sorry I woke you up. You’re okay. Good girl…”

“Serena also brought Princess Aria a moment ago.”

Aileen peeks into a large wooden cradle to see her niece looking up at her, dressed in an identical outfit. She’s woken the other girl as well.

“Princess Aria was registered as a royal candidate. Have you noticed anything strange about her?”

“Nothing,” Rachel replies. “There are no marks or bruises on her anywhere. To be perfectly honest, I have no idea what was done to her.”

“That’s good, I suppose… Won’t it be difficult caring for the two of them?”

“Not at all. They were playing together happily until just a moment ago. Anyone would think they were twins.”

“Don’t even joke. But I see… That’s good.”

Aileen hugs her darling daughter tightly, then puts her to bed beside Aria. Her cousin seems happy Claire’s returned and gives her a droopy smile.

“Mother’s going to be away for a little while longer. Rachel, make sure you take good care of them. Claire, of course, but also Aria.”

Otherwise she’ll end up deeply in debt to Lilia.

Rachel bows her head low without a word. Isaac, who’s been watching them from the door, sighs. “So you’re still gonna go stop the tsunami?”

“Oh? Did you think showing me Claire would give me second thoughts? Unfortunately, it’s made it impossible for me to lose.”

“It backfired, huh?”

With a wry smile, Isaac leaves the room and shuts the door. The fact that he hasn’t even greeted his wife, since they’re both on the job, is very like him.

“So? Destination and objective?”

“The central island—the former site of Hausel’s royal palace. The objective is for either myself or Lady Lilia to touch their sacred sword, which is on the other side of that wall. It will be right in the middle of the false queen’s coronation, so we will have to slip through the Valkyries’ lines. We’ll have no sacred or holy sword with which to oppose their magic lances. In addition to all of that, we have only two hours. Can it be done?”

“We’ve got two whole hours,” Isaac says briefly. He takes out his pocket watch. “First we’ll meet up with the demon king’s adviser and guards, as well as Kilvas’s prime minister. We’ll take the Oberon Trading Firm’s ship. Have the demons scope out the situation on the island. Then we’ll call Denis, the mage, and the others and use every blasted thing we can. It’s just business as usual.”

That’s her right-hand man all over. Even the way he flatly declares that he refuses to save the demon king is the same as always.

Serena Gilbert is a bureaucrat in Imperial Ellmeyer. However, because of an empress she seriously dislikes, she’s frequently, inexplicably dragged into situations like this one. The job never has anything to do with her actual work.

I always mean to tell her I’m not taking any more of these jobs, and yet…

She’s gotten married, she’s earning a stable income, and she has a plan for her future. Yet even so, having a reputation of being in the empress’s good graces is terribly useful when it comes to succeeding in life, and she’d like to put the woman as deeply in her debt as she can. Not only that, but since her husband’s superior is the empress’s second oldest brother, his success is riding on this as well.

As a result, Serena can’t let Ellmeyer’s current emperor and empress be deposed. Not only that, but if she gets through this, they’ll owe her for saving the queen of Hausel as well. She knows that.

That’s why, when she received a suspicious invitation while serving as a member of the inspection team before the intercontinental conference, she accepted it. In what ended up being a total land mine of an offer, she volunteered to become an apprentice Valkyrie. Of course, while she was waiting to learn whether they’d accepted her, she swiftly reported it to her superior and waited for instructions. If she hadn’t, it wouldn’t have won her any approval. Annoyingly, she ended up receiving a written order to continue her investigation. It had been signed by Cyril, the prime minister of Ellmeyer. That was ten days ago.

If it hadn’t been for that order, she’d planned to weasel out of this on a technicality. By rights, she should have been back in Ellmeyer long before now. Her luck really couldn’t be worse, getting caught up in this mess.

“And on top of everything else, you’re here?! …Why?!”

“Huh?! Oh—I’m sorry!”

A single glare from Serena unsettles the Daughter of God, or doctor, or whatever she is. The woman’s ready to burst into tears. However, Sahra is the secret favorite of the principal consort of Ashmael. She can’t send her flying with a kick just because she feels like it.

“Goodness, Serena, don’t talk like that,” Lilia chastises her. “Sahra’s the reason I managed to come this far unscathed. She gets into rooms by claiming to be with the medical team, then hands out potions to everyone.”

Apparently, that’s why the corridor to the chapel is littered with sleeping Valkyries. When Serena glances over, there are several Valkyries collapsed behind pews and in doorways as well.

“Eh-heh-heh. I only came because you told me to, though, Lady Lilia…”

“That’s clearly the worst possible reason,” Serena says. “Would you learn already? I didn’t drag you into this so that woman could use you.”

“Huh?! But she told me she was counting on me…”

Sahra’s extremely suggestible attitude is a problem, but capitalizing on it is a bigger one. Serena gives Lilia a cold glare, but the woman who’s to become the mother of the queen smiles back innocently.

“It’s the League of Heroines!”

“I don’t recall ever agreeing to be involved in that. So what do you make of that thing? They said it was a copy of the sacred sword…”

Can they use it to fight against the Valkyries’ magic lances?

A sword is displayed ostentatiously on a pedestal at the back of a worn-out altar. It doesn’t shine like the sacred sword, but instead looks like a simple cold blade made of stone. It’s even cracking in places.

The chapel itself is also pretty run-down. It’s dusty, and there are puddles on the floor from where yesterday’s rain leaked in. Serena had thought that the altar and such were only decorative and that this place was just used as the gateway for people traveling between the island with the conference hall and the central island where the royal palace had been. That’s probably what the Valkyries think, too.

“This really is just a model of the sacred sword. It does function the same way, though; it can tell whether someone belongs to the Maid of the Sacred Sword’s bloodline.”

“What’s the point of that? What we need is a weapon that can fight magic lances.”

“The point is that it’s working in combination with the actual sacred sword. It has to be somewhere. It’s probably the Valkyries’ one, though.”

That’s the first Serena’s heard of this, but she’s well aware that saying so would be a waste of time.

Lilia circles around behind the altar and touches the inorganic sword that’s stuck into the pedestal. Small patches of light bloom where her fingertips touch it. The light is like moth scales; however, it quickly fades away.

“I bet recognition is really all it does.”

“But don’t you think the material is the same as the holy sword?”

“Oh!” Sahra says. “I-in that case, I could fix it.”

“But if the magic lances have as much power as the sacred sword, it’ll end up breaking when we use it and we’ll just have to fix it again. That seems pretty inefficient. And we only have the one.”

“One is enough. It just needs to function as a weapon until we get close to their sacred sword.”

“—You there! How did you get in here?! Who are you?!”

Serena gasps and turns to look at the chapel door. They blocked the one that leads underground, but they didn’t do anything about the main door. Before the Valkyrie guard can call for backup, Serena’s jumped her and pinned her down. Lilia squeals and claps her hands in glee; clearly, she won’t be any help.

“Hurry and repair it!” Serena shouts at Sahra, who’s turned pale.

“O-okaaay, I’ll do it right awaaay!”

“Once Sahra’s done, you do the same, Serena. We’ll need your power.”

“Huhn?! Why?! If you’ve got a sacred sword, you’re practically invincible!”

“Well, they’re picking a fight with us, you know—with the villainess and the heroine. We have to take them up on it.”

This is hardly the first time this woman has said things that don’t made sense. Yet Serena has the feeling that her tone has never held this sort of bitterness.

“I mean, I understand that reality and the game are different things. I’m satisfied with the decision Cedric and I made, too. But even in a different series, I do think games should show respect for previous installments. After all, the present is built on the past.”

The glint in Lilia’s eyes vanishes. The corners of her lips rise, and she spreads her arms wide. “And so, as the heroines, let’s band together and make them see just how far we outrank them!”

Serena wants to return home to her husband alive, so she shuts her mouth. She feels just a little sympathy for their Valkyrie enemies.

Claude hears the sound of a bell. It’s a low, long, echoing noise that seems to carry the hesitation of a farewell. It sounds dull, likely because it’s muffled by the thick wall.

“Hey, Claude. Claude! Wake up already!”

The sound of Baal’s voice makes Claude’s eyebrows draw together. He groans. “I’m bad with mornings, as I’m always telling you—”

There’s a sharp, ringing smack, and the impact runs through the back of his head.

“Did that wake you up?”

“…Yes. Thanks to the sheer violence of it, I’m wide-awake. I’ve never been awakened like that before… Naturally. No one could possibly smack the demon king upside the head and simply walk away…”

“Be grateful that we can.” Baal jerks his chin, gesturing. “Take a look.”

Claude shuts his mouth and sits up. The room they’re in is a strange shape: long, thin, and curved. It’s as if someone has cut off a section of a winding corridor. There are no furnishings, nor even any lamps, just a long row of chairs by the window. There aren’t any guards, either; the only occupants of the room are the people taken captive. There are eight of them in all: the kings of Olgen and Maiz, Grand Duke Hirikka, Chief Gloss, Vica, Cedric, Baal, and himself.

Apparently, Claude was the last to wake up. Everyone else is over by the chairs, looking out the large, long window that takes up half the wall. Baal starts toward it as well.

Claude gets to his feet, frowning. They must be fairly high up; most of what he can see out the window is sky, which is bright red. It’s an ominous hue that Claude can’t picture belonging to a normal sunset. It seems like the color the sky in hell would be.

“Where are we?”

“We were at the bottom of the ocean just a short while ago. And now, it’s as you can see.”

Prompted by the king of Olgen, Claude moves to stand at the window. When he looks down, he sees an enormous hole, large enough to engulf an entire castle. That’s probably the former site of Hausel’s palace. However, although the reports had said the hole was all that was there, a stairway stretches toward the center of the site, and a plaza towers high in the air. The plaza is a little lower than the room where Claude and the others are, and it’s surrounded by columns. It has no walls, and there’s a pedestal at its center.

Under the red sky, only that pedestal is shining. It’s eerie. Something seems to be protruding from it, although the light blurs the object’s shape.

“A plaza and a shining pedestal, hm? Perhaps they’re about to hold the queen’s coronation. Hmph. I gather we’re spectators, then,” Grand Duke Hirikka says, pushing up his glasses irritably as he watches the Valkyries who have gathered around the edges of the plaza. Chief Gloss bangs on the glass with his fists a few times, but it doesn’t even vibrate.

“This is a sturdy structure. And the window’s the only way in or out. Escape seems impossible, eh? What do you make of it, Kilvas?”

“They took all my magic earlier, and it’s still being siphoned off. What about you, Claude?”

“The same. It must be like the mechanism in Kilvas’s capital. Since you’re still here behaving yourself, I assume it’s the same for you, Baal?”

“Yes, it doesn’t seem to care what sort of power it takes… That’s probably what’s drawing it away.” Baal nods at the pedestal, which glows immaculately beneath the red sky.

“Is that a magic lance? Or perhaps the sacred sword? Olgen, do you know anything about it?”

“I had heard there was a sacred sword. I just assumed it was a weapon meant to be used against the demon king.”

“…Either way, it must be my sister and Diana’s trump card.”

“Debating back and forth will only wear us out. We’ve been invited as spectators, so let’s watch.” With a laid-back “Down we go,” the king of Maiz seats himself in one of the chairs.

Grand Duke Hirikka scowls at him. “You’re not going to try to think up a way to escape? Did you not hear the broadcast a little while ago? They played it several times. The Valkyries intend to sink the islands into the ocean.”

That’s the first Claude’s heard of it. He looks at Baal, who gives a shrug. Apparently, it’s true.

“While they’re holding us captive, we can’t mobilize our armies or do anything else. Who knows how much confusion has broken out…?”

“Oh dear, that is a problem. Can Duchess Hirikka not even issue an evacuation order?” The king of Maiz gives a smile full of meaning, and Grand Duke Hirikka clams up. “Well, I wouldn’t worry about it. My consort will handle things well. It’s the wisdom of age, you see.”

“I’ll thank you not to mock my wife! In a crisis, Nina has more courage than I do. I just thought she was probably worried about me… I hope she doesn’t do anything reckless…”

“I envy how close the two of you are. My wife is likely thinking, Okay, on to the next one.”

“Hey, Olgen, don’t cry. It has to be better than having your daughter constantly checking with you to make sure she’ll be chief after you’re dead.”

The king of Olgen and the chief of Gloss console each other.

Baal staggers on his feet. “E-Estella’s going to say things like that…?”

“Stop that. Just imagining it makes me want to destroy the world, too!”

“Calm down, both of you. Ernst will probably handle this situation somehow…”

“Um,” Cedric says, raising his voice. “No matter what else happens, we’ll have to get out of this situation on our own, won’t we. We can’t just relax and take it easy. We need to find a way to make contact with the outside, or—”

“If we’re going to spot an opportunity to return safely, we will need to closely watch what’s about to happen. That goes especially for you, the father of Hausel’s queen. This is happening in your daughter’s nation.”

The king of Maiz’s reprimand startles Cedric, and his eyes widen. He presses his lips into a thin line and takes a seat.

“And you, Emperor of Kilvas. You have a duty to watch what your sister and empress are about to do. After all, this uproar is the result of your country’s carelessness.”

“…It’s just as you say. I have no excuse.” Vica sits down, too.

Still gazing out the window, the king of Maiz nods. “It’s good that the young listen so well. Do the rest of you have anything to say?”

“The wisdom of age, indeed. Very well; it isn’t as if we can move anyway. We’re curious about what they intend to show us.” Baal also seats himself, and the others follow suit. It doesn’t mean they’ve given up, though.

“Come to think of it…do you suppose we might still have a chance to negotiate if we offered them Kilvas and Ellmeyer?”

“Oh, quite possibly! That’s a good idea.”

“Shall we use them as negotiation material in an emergency?”

“You heard them. It’s for the sake of world peace. Are you prepared to become the queen’s chair, Claude, Vica?”

“I think I’ve wanted to try that at least once.”

“Same. If it comes to that, I think I’d try it out.”

“Are you serious, Brother?!”

“However, I suspect my wife will come rushing in before that happens.”

Some of the men fall silent.

When Claude sits down, his chair is surprisingly spacious and comfortable. It even has cushions on it. As he leans against the armrest, he glances over at Cedric’s profile. “Cedric, I’m sorry. I wasn’t able to save you.”

“…No. I was happy you couldn’t.”

Claude doesn’t understand what he means. As he’s puzzling over it, Cedric glances at him briefly and smiles. “I always wanted to stand beside you, as an equal. This is that sort of place, isn’t it.”

Claude’s eyes widen slowly, and then he smiles.

Even if Cedric has become the father of the queen of Hausel, he’s still Claude’s brother, and imagining the hardships that lie in store make his heart ache. There may come a day when they are forced to oppose each other again. However, for now, they look out the window, gazing at the same view.

The final bell tolls, announcing the beginning of the coronation ceremony.

In the sky, a bell is tolling.

“Are you sure you don’t need to wear the priestess outfit?”

“Yes. In the Valkyries’ full-dress uniform, I’ll be able to move if something happens.”

Cattleya has removed her veil, and she’s smiling the way she always does. For some reason, the sight relieves Diana. “What do you mean? Nothing’s going to happen; we’ve shown the kings to the spectator seats, and they can’t mobilize their armies.”

“Still, we haven’t seen as much confusion as we were expecting. One of the countries may try something.”

“I doubt it. The only thing…is that it looks like the nations are working together to deploy ships, fill them with ordinary citizens from Hausel, and escape.”

“All the nations are working together?”

Having lost their leaders, Cattleya assumed the countries would scramble to flee, and the people of Hausel would cling to them. There was no way any one country would be able to transport all the citizens. It would have made things easier for them if the nations had simply put themselves first, gotten mired in an ugly conflict, and destroyed one another.

“Do you know who Roxane is? Ashmael’s principal consort? It sounds as if she’s called for cooperation, and the other noblewomen have agreed. I’ve only received a report myself, however, so I haven’t seen it personally…”

“…I see. She was the villainess in RegaMaid 3, if I’m not mistaken. Even though we’re both villainesses, I’m detested, while it looks as if things played out differently for her.”

“‘Differently’? Cattleya, you’re about to become the queen of Hausel…”

“You understand, don’t you, Diana. I wasn’t able to. I’m sor—”

“Stop that!” Sensing an impending apology, Diana hastily shuts it down. “Just stop. We knew all along that the reset ending was the best option. After all, we were practically done for as soon as we became Valkyries! But then Hausel fell, so we thought just maybe…”

Since things are unfolding in ways that never happened in the game, they were hoping there might be “something good” in store for them for a change. But, of course, there wasn’t. That was all.

“…We decided on this together. Don’t apologize like it’s all on you. We can just redo everything, starting now.”

“You’re right. I’m sorry.” Cattleya thumps Diana on the shoulder. When she looks up, the other woman is smiling. “I’m glad we recovered our memories together. We weren’t all alone. That was really the only saving grace here.”

“Don’t say things like that, either. It sounds like you’re saying your final goodbyes.”

“Shall we go, then? Let’s get that fresh start of ours.”

Diana returns her nod, then sets off to protect Cattleya, walking behind her.

That’s right: They’re going to make a fresh start. They’ll throw away this world, which has done nothing but deny them.

They activated the undersea facility by pouring the vast amount of magic and holy power they stole from the holy king and the two demon kings into it. In the end, the wall that appears aboveground near the end of Valkyrie of the Magic Lance absorbs the life force of everyone on the island and becomes a device that turns back time, with the sacred sword being the trigger.

The “coronation ceremony” that Cattleya is going to perform is a ritual to rotate the sacred sword—which will have appeared in the pedestal—and turn back time.

And then the world will be reborn.

When they reach the foot of the stairs that climb to the plaza and its pedestal, they’re met by a roar of cheers.

All they know from the cryptic text and the few images that are shown during the game’s ending is that Diana returns to a time before her hometown was attacked by the red-eyed demon—a time immediately before the game begins, or perhaps the day before. However, there are hints that she’s traveled through time with her memories intact: She’s shown finding Vica before he becomes the red-eyed demon and running off with him, and there’s also a line that says Cattleya and Ernst have gotten separated from Vica and that they plan to go look for them.

In reality, Diana became a Valkyrie without ever seeing the red-eyed demon who attacked her hometown, likely due to interference from Regalia of Saints, Demons, and Maidens. She suspects that bit will be “corrected” as well.

That means it’s going to be all right. Next time around, she’ll be able to live a life where she never becomes a Valkyrie. And if she meets Cattleya before her surgery, she can also keep her friend from suffering the same fate. This time it will all go well, except—will she be able to manage it alone, when Cattleya probably won’t have her memories?

Diana stops partway up the stairs. Cattleya, however, doesn’t seem to have noticed due to restless murmurs surrounding them that replaced the cheers and applause. Luckily, Diana is used to battlefields, so she immediately anticipates an enemy attack and braces herself.

The island is surrounded by a wall. It’s the same sort of magic wall that imprisoned them in Kilvas. It should let them know if there’s an intruder, but the alarm doesn’t seem to be going off.

“—Up there! Huh? Demons are carrying people…”

Diana is slightly higher up than the rest of the Valkyries, so she manages to make them out clearly.

Humans are flying over the wall, carried in the talons of crow demons. The spell on this wall won’t allow demons to leave, but it doesn’t stop them from entering.

Still, mere humans shouldn’t be able to get in…

The crow demons release the people in their talons. They’re all men. Diana gets the feeling they look familiar, and she cries out in surprise.

They’re the men who were turned into demons through the Valkyrie surgery.

Humans able to turn into demons—the demonborn of Kilvas.

They change into their demon forms in midair and land on the wall, crushing it. The wall isn’t as sturdy as the one in Kilvas, and the sheer weight of the demons makes it crumble.

Now, humans can enter. Soldiers from all the participating nations flood in, as if they were waiting just outside.

“I’ll stop you, Cattleya!”

“Ernst…!”

Cattleya groans, seeing the man who’s landed on the edge of the wall. On impulse, Diana turns to look behind her. She threw Vica into the spectator seats, wanting to make him watch and let the fact that he’s helpless really sink in, but she immediately makes eye contact with him. It’s as if he’s been watching her the entire time.

Vica smiles in a way that makes his eyes narrow. It isn’t his usual foolish smile, but the smile of a demon king who’s looking down on her, trying to control her. The eyes of a man hunting his prey. She breaks out in goose bumps, but it isn’t from fear. It’s exhilaration.

“Cattleya, you go on ahead!”

“I’m leaving this to you, Diana!”

“As if I’d let you go!” Ernst shouts. The familiar demons almost seem to take that as an order, because they stamp their feet, making the earth shake.

They can’t use the Valkyries anymore, so now they’re using demons as soldiers? It’s a selfish solution, but for some reason, the emotion that wells up inside Diana isn’t anger. Her lips curve into a smile.

She sets a hand against her chest. The divine stone implanted in her responds, and her magic lance appears in her hand. “Valkyries, this is a fight like any other! Kill the demons!”

She didn’t want to become a Valkyrie. She and those like her are victims—victims of the men who don’t go to war. Of people in power who sit around doing nothing. Being a Valkyrie is proof that they’ve lost.

“Don’t forgive a world that does nothing but use and exploit us!!”

However, the magic lance she gained from it has never broken.

As expected, the demons don’t approach the sacred sword. They descend from the sky to the area at the base of the wall, and no closer.

Cattleya is glad she changed out of her dress. She runs up the stairs, making for the pedestal that’s usually located in the depths of the undersea facility. Angry shouts and screams echo around her as something plows into her from the side. Cattleya staggers on the shaking stairs and glares at the culprit.

“Irena…!”

It’s the woman who’d already been a Valkyrie when Cattleya joined up, accompanied by some of the Valkyries who broke away from Cattleya and Diana’s faction. The divine stones were removed from their magic lances, rendering them useless, but apparently, they managed to repair them somehow. She’s just been attacked with a magic lance from the wall.

“It’s been ages, huh, Cattleya? And Diana’s here, too.”

“I didn’t think you were here. We would have recognized you on sight.”

“Well, I was back home until just a few minutes ago. We can’t leave Kilvas unguarded, you see. I raced over here with only a few people. I tell you, teleportation sure is handy.”

“Only the demon king or the holy king can use tele—!”

A hooded man abruptly appears in front of Cattleya, and she leaps away. Magic explodes where she was a moment before. Part of the stairway is gouged away and collapses.

Cattleya has produced her magic lance on reflex, and no sooner does she land than bullets come flying at her from either side. She cuts them down, but two kicks speed toward her with enough force to clear away the smoke from the explosion. Catching them on the shaft of her lance, she narrows her eyes. “…Nameless Priests, hmm?”

“We’re the demon king’s guards now. It’s Walt Lizanis. Don’t you think you could remember something other than Master Claude one of these days? Oh, and this is Kyle Elford.”

“You’re going to return Master Claude to us.”

“I’ve found him; he’s in that room in the wall, on the other side of that pedestal. It would take an enormous amount of power to break it, though. We’ll only wear ourselves down if we try to release him without a plan.” Above them, the hooded man is looking down at the room where Claude and the others are imprisoned. She feels as if she’s seen him before, too…but where?

The three of them quickly turn and scatter. Diana has leaped over the crumbling patch in the stairs and landed by Cattleya’s side.

“Huh? Isn’t that the final boss of the RegaMaid 1 fan disc? Elefas Levi?”

Cattleya only recognizes the name.

“That’s Master Claude for you. It wasn’t just the characters from Game 1; he also made the love interest characters from Game 2 and the final boss from the fan disc his subordinates. I hear he’s friends with the final boss of Game 3, too.”

“…Cattleya, something’s clearly strange here. Sure, it’s a game world, but would this many game characters really just show up together?” Diana is unusually wary, and Cattleya’s expression turns grave. “It isn’t just the love interests, but the heroines and even the villainesses. Don’t they have too many acquaintances?”

“If the heroine failed, it isn’t unnatural for the empress and the principal consort to be acquainted.”

“But the empress has the villainess of Game 2 as her servant. Is this really all a coincidence?”

“…If it’s not a coincidence, then what is it?”

“I don’t know. I’m not sure, but maybe…!”

The demon king’s subordinates have regrouped and attacked again. Diana tsks and counters them, while Cattleya strikes a magic bullet down with her lance. In the next moment, they hear wingbeats from above.

A flock of crows—demons, making for the sacred sword. It’s inconceivable unless the demon king has ordered them to.

Not only that, but a woman is riding that flock of crows, her golden hair streaming.

“…Aileen Lauren d’Autriche?!”

She doesn’t know why, but Cattleya is convinced she can’t leave the woman to her own devices. She shifts her grip on her lance, then hurls it through the air.

She’s attacked in earnest. Elefas hastily casts a barrier, but it pierces that as well. The demons disperse, and Aileen falls. The lance streaks through the sky straight toward her.

“Honestly, Lady Aileen! You owe me!”

In a flash, a figure strikes the lance down from high in the sky. The sword she’s holding is evaporating, unable to withstand the impact. However, a serious attack from that magic lance could pin down a demon king, and she’s managed to block it. As Cattleya stares in astonishment, the violet-eyed woman smiles back at her.

“Lilia Reinoise…!”

Both her voice and her astonishment are swallowed up in the blinding glow from the plaza.

Cattleya runs toward that searing light. So does Diana.

The sacred sword is in the pedestal. It’s the key to their salvation that will let them start over again.

“…Oh goodness, Lady Cattleya. Lady Diana.”

By the time they step into the plaza, the light is gone. Claude is behind the wall at the back, along with the others. Cattleya had been looking forward to seeing what sort of expression he was wearing as he watched her climb the stairs to the plaza.

However, she can’t even look at Claude anymore.

“Whatever shall I do? I thought it was pretty, so I touched it, and the light vanished…”

“You…!”

Diana has caught up, and she looks furious.

A dry wind blows. The woman who’s insolently touched the sacred sword turns around.

“Dear me, have I done something again?”

There’s a dauntless smile on her red-rouged lips.

It’s a devil’s smile, the sort that befits a villainess.

Isaac’s plan had been simple. First, they would gather all the forces they could. He hypothesized that the wall around the island was either the same as the one in Kilvas or an inferior version of it, then made sure the demons could get in. After that, everything happened fast.

Almond and the crow demons would carry the demonborn soldiers brought by Ernst, who would break down the wall. Then they’d send in the soldiers they’d borrowed from the other nations, throwing the entire area into chaos. Ernst would take command on the ground.

While the demon king’s guards were keeping Diana and Cattleya pinned down, Almond and the crows would then carry Aileen to where she could touch the sacred sword.

“You really are hopeless without me around to save you, Lady Aileen.”

Cattleya and Diana glare at the speaker, but Lilia pays them no mind and comes up to stand beside Aileen. Aileen’s eyebrows twitch, and Lilia tries to cling to her arm, but she shakes her off.

“Why, Lady Lilia, good afternoon,” Aileen greets her. “Did you decide not to seek aid from the Valkyries after all?”

“Who, me? The Valkyries? Why would I need to do that…?”

“You’ve genuinely forgotten, haven’t you…! I think you should apologize to Lady Cattleya.”

“Huh? But you played innocent and tricked them as well, Lady Aileen. Are you sure you don’t need to apologize?”

“I merely failed to rectify a misunderstanding. I didn’t actively lie, as you did.”

“You’re splitting hairs.”

“Hearing that from you is thoroughly irritating!”

“All right. If you insist, Lady Aileen, I’ll apologize. I’m sooorry. Tee-hee.☆”

“…In other words, you two were conspiring together all along,” Cattleya says quietly.

Aileen sighs, turning back to her. The demon king’s subordinates are behind Cattleya, but she signals them with a glance, and they back away. Naturally, the demons have strict orders not to get close to her.

“It’s over, Lady Cattleya. Lady Diana. You can’t go back and try again.”

“Not once the sacred sword has turned into the one from Regalia of Saints, Demons, and Maidens.”

“Then the two of you also remember…?”

Lilia laughs, and Diana retreats into frustrated silence. In exchange, Cattleya raises her head. “Is that your true nature, Aileen Lauren d’Autriche?” The corners of her lips curve strangely into what could be either amusement or hatred.

Aileen elegantly smiles back at her. “I am Aileen Jean Ellmeyer. Master Claude’s empress and the demon king’s wife.”

“I see. It looks as if I really did have the wrong idea. No wonder things didn’t go according to plan. Even in Kilvas… Was it you who was with Vica when he disappeared?”

“I suppose something like that may have happened.”

“I thought our world was the only one where the heroine and the villainess laughed together companionably,” Cattleya remarks.

“Please don’t get the wrong idea.” Aileen folds her arms and glares at Lilia, who’s standing next to her. “I have no recollection of ever being companionable with Lady Lilia.”

“Nor do I,” Lilia chimes in. “If Lady Aileen told me, We’re such good friends, aren’t we…, I’d be so grossed out, I’d barf.”

“Excuse me?! That’s quite rude! We’re technically family now, you know!”

“…So characters born in an easygoing game end up being similarly easygoing. Must be nice,” Diana mutters.

Lilia promptly smiles back at her. “It must be nice to be born into a downer game: When you lose, you can blame it on the writers.”

It seems a different fight might have just begun. Aileen is finding it hard to keep from chuckling.

“We haven’t lost yet. We just have to retake the sacred sword.” Cattleya straightens up, having regained her composure. “I admit that we underestimated you. However, you didn’t defeat the demon king or fulfill your role as the Maid of the Sacred Sword, and you’ve lived in comfort, while we have been fighting the entire time. We’re fundamentally different.” Cattleya twirls her magic lance and points its tip at Aileen. “Our sacred sword is a mass of energy that turns time backward. While that may be the base for the sacred sword, it isn’t the sword itself. The sacred sword is born from the Maid of the Sacred Sword. If I remember correctly, Lady Aileen, you have inherited the blood of the Maid, but you are not the Maid of the Sacred Sword. You don’t have the ability to produce it. The same is true of Lady Lilia, who failed to carry out her role.”

It’s a persuasive line of reasoning. Even Lilia is listening without interrupting.

“This magic lance is linked to that sacred sword. That means all I need to do is draw it up into the lance, and it will return to normal. With our numbers equal, we’ll have the advantage.”

“We won’t hold back, just so you know,” adds Diana. “I saw that fake sacred sword break back there. Why don’t you surrender before you get hurt?”

“Oh…” Lilia gazes at the hilt she’s holding. It’s all that’s left of her weapon. “Oh crud. That’s right. Whatever will I do?”

“Enough with the bad line reading,” Aileen says to Lilia, then addresses the other women. “I’m afraid you’re wrong, Lady Cattleya. Don’t you understand yet? I haven’t underestimated you at all.” She takes a step forward, her heels clicking against the ground, then gently reaches for the hilt in Lilia’s hand. “That’s true of you as well, isn’t it, Lady Lilia? Otherwise, you wouldn’t have gone out of your way to bring a weapon that’s drunk the blood of the Saint of Salvation and has the Daughter of God’s ability to repair itself.”

“Of course not. The only battles I want to fight are the ones I can win.”

Aileen slowly lets the “base material” of the sacred sword flow from her fingertips and into the hilt, which instantly begins to change into particles of light.

Cattleya frowns. “The Saint of Salvation? The Daughter of God…? Don’t tell me…”

“It does seem strange that Amelia Dark would leave another sacred sword, doesn’t it?” Lilia says. “However, it makes sense if you think about it this way: If I—the real Maid of the Sacred Sword—can use it, then in the end, there won’t be any inconsistencies in her futures.”

The two women look hopelessly bewildered hearing Amelia’s name.

They don’t know about Aileen and Lilia’s pasts.

“Either that, or maybe it really isn’t genuine,” she continues. “Still, if the heroine and the villainess of Valkyrie of the Magic Lance come at us, it’s only polite to strike back with everything we have. After all, their game is trying to crush Regalia of Saints, Demons, and Maidens. So—Lady Aileen. This is a special case. Just this once.”

“Don’t be patronizing.”

Aileen and Lilia stand face-to-face, each extending a hand toward the other.

Cattleya’s assumption is correct. They likely won’t be able to use the sacred sword while it’s the version from Valkyrie of the Magic Lance.

However, if the Daughter of God—who’s capable of restoring the holy sword—repairs it, and if they borrow the blood of the Saint of Salvation, which amplifies the sacred sword’s power…

Or if it’s in order to save their beloved husbands…

In a ridiculously convenient game that allows people to come back from the dead, the logic will easily stretch to accommodate it.

“…Don’t tell me—are you turning the fake one into the sacred sword?!”

“There’s two of them?!”

Aileen and Lilia both draw sacred swords from each other’s chests. They cross the shining twin blades, then turn to face Cattleya and Diana.

“I did think I’d graduated from this, you know. But I’ll make an exception for you two.”

“—We both will: the heroine and the villainess.”

After all, a world with just the two of them is sure to have been lonely.

A light that resembles life is reflected in Cattleya’s and Diana’s wide eyes.

It’s time for the heroine and the villainess’s graduation ceremony.

The smoke from the explosion blots out the world outside the window.

At some point, all the men got to their feet and gathered there, riveted by the sight. Claude also rose from his chair around the time Aileen flew into the plaza.

I knew she’d come, but still…

He never dreamed his wife would challenge the Valkyries to a fair fight with the sacred sword.

Cedric falls into his seat with a thump, covering his face with both hands and groaning. “Lilia… Has she not realized I’m here…?”

“No, Cedric. I’m sure she’s noticed. Aileen as well.”

An impact rocks the room. With every explosion and burst of light, the world beyond the window is veiled in smoke. He doesn’t want to imagine what’s being done—not even if it’s real and happening right in front of him.

Vica looks around. “Is it really all right for us not to try to escape?”

“Personally, I think we’d get pulled into that and die if we tried.”

“If this is how things stand, let’s steel ourselves and maintain our position as the audience.”

“They do say men mustn’t interfere in a battle between women!”

They’re all saying whatever suits them, as if this isn’t their problem.

Baal sits back down in the seat next to his, apparently deciding that defiance is the best approach. “Well…you know how it is. Popular men have it rough, don’t they, Claude.”

“Switch with me.”

“No.”

Claude takes his seat as well, leaning against the armrest. At this point, watching is all he can do.

What is going on here? Diana glares at the lunging Maid of the Sacred Sword. She feels like gnashing her teeth.

When she first met the woman, Diana didn’t sense any real power in her, or the same sort of pressure the holy king gave off. The only thing that left any sort of impression were those violet eyes—proof of her sacred power.

The woman was so mediocre that it seemed completely natural to think, Ah, so this is the heroine who failed to become the Maid of the Sacred Sword… So what is this pressure that’s making the very air vibrate?

Lilia is easily jumping from the top of one column to another, deflecting and parrying the magic lance with her sword. It really isn’t something an amateur could do. The sacred sword shines steadily in her right hand. That’s why… That weapon is drawing extraordinary combat abilities out of her.

“This is why I can’t stand games where everything just conveniently works out! You haven’t even trained at all!”

“Oh, what’s wrong with ridiculously convenient plot developments? I love ’em.”

“The fact that otome games tolerate heroines like you is why people make fun of them!”

Diana swings her lance, putting the full force of her irritation behind it, and Lilia jumps back with a laugh. “I’m not sure I’d put it like that. I’ve had it rough, too, you know; remembering my targets’ interests, picking out presents, changing clothes, weighing the different choices, keeping an eye on my stats—completely different from children like you, who don’t have to change at all.”

“Children?!” Diana can’t help but lose her temper. She believes it’s a good thing to stay true to who they are.

However, there’s clear scorn in Lilia’s smile. “Look, Valkyrie of the Magic Lance was a standalone game. It didn’t even get a fan disc. It just wasn’t popular.”

“…Oh, come on! What does that have to do with this?!”

“A lot, actually. After all, your defining characteristic is that the world tends to hate you two, isn’t it?”

Diana wants to argue back, but the words stick in her throat.

“‘The noble heroine Diana is a woman of conviction who speaks plainly and has the strength of a natural leader, currying favor with no one.’ Wasn’t that it? Did you really take that seriously? Is that why you somehow managed to assume people liked you just the way you were? In real life, someone like that would be a self-absorbed cringefest! Everyone shuts up because they’re completely turned off by you, but you take it to mean you’ve won. You’re socially tone-deaf!”

“You’re saying I’m like that?!”

“Absolutely! You always get angry about how you’re a tragic heroine and you’ll never forgive them, and all you do is fight and sow more trouble! You just blame other people, and you never compromise or find solutions! Still, criticizing someone who thinks she’s trying hard would be mean, right? That’s why everybody keeps their distance. You see, unlike you, the rest of the world are grown-ups.”

Don’t listen to her. She’s just trying to irritate you so you’ll make a mistake.

Still, no one’s ever said anything like this to Diana before, and the words run her through even faster than the thrust of a sword.

“That’s true of the game, too! ‘It’s not just an otome game; it sets itself apart from others. It’s high-minded and doesn’t pander to popular conventions…’ What else was there? Oh goodness, I’m sorry. Were you a fan? Did you not actually realize those were all just excuses? See, you two are saying exactly the same things now! You mustn’t do that. You have to face reality!”