CHAPTER 2

An Unfamiliar Side of Him—Alice’s Lesson

1

Three days had passed since the raid.

Never had so many news outlets from other countries gathered in the Nebulis Sovereignty. An official statement had been issued that the royal family—the targets of this attack—would finally be making an announcement.

So the press had come.

The representative of the royal family stood on the platform in front of them—a burly man in his prime in a luxurious white suit. He looked like a model.

“I am Talisman, serving as the representative on this occasion. I look forward to speaking with you.”

“Please tell us about the state of the royal family,” called out one reporter.

“We are unified by our stance to protect the country,” Talisman answered. “We plan to maintain our composure as we face these barbarous acts.”

“Some people in other nations and neutral cities are worried the Sovereignty will strike back, launching them into a full-blown war.”

“Rest assured, I can tell you that there will be no retaliation or war,” said the head of the Hydra. His confidence seemed to reassure all the reporters. “What we must do is denounce the Imperial forces and call for justice. We wish for the entire world to join our cause.”

“Going off that, do you believe the current queen should take responsibility for the raid?”

“I believe it’s unfair to blame the wounded queen. We have unified around her, hoping for world peace.”

He spoke in as genial a tone as possible, stressing the words peace and justice.

“…Oh, please.” Alice gritted her teeth in the living area of her own room.

The bloody traitor.

He had colluded with the Imperial forces, bringing them to attack the palace. He had even abducted her sister!

“Justice? United around the queen? How can you lie through your teeth?!”

She could barely hold in her anger. Had Alice attended the broadcast, the reporters might have witnessed her launching herself at Talisman.

…It’s aggravating.

…I know he was the one behind betraying the Sovereignty, and I can’t do anything!

Behind his gentlemanly smile, Talisman was a sorcerer.

Alice’s only recourse was to rescue Sisbell.

“Ugh.” She held herself up by holding on to the edge of the table, suddenly light-headed and depleted of energy.

For the three days following the raid, Alice had not gotten a wink of sleep—instead she’d been issuing orders in place of the queen and desperately trying to conjure a method to deal with her abducted sister.

“Come on… I need to work for just a little longer.”

A glass bottle lay on the table.

She picked up the stimulants—caffeine pills—and chewed on several tabs. The bitter aftertaste and distinct smell that lingered in her nose were difficult for Alice to stomach.

She needed those pills—just for now.

“…I wonder what Rin is up to. She reported that she met with Iska at the safe house yesterday, but she hasn’t said anything since…”

Alice hadn’t received any messages since the day before.

The five servants should have been with them. As their employer, Alice was worried, wondering what had happened to Rin.

Bip. The communications device she had left on the sofa went off. An incoming call.

“Rin?! I was worried about you. Are you all right?”

“I’m sorry. All the servants are safe. I was hoping to update you on the status of their health and the news they have relayed to me.”

“I understand we’re in a difficult situation, but I did want to hear something from you…”

After all, the queen had been targeted. There was no telling whether Rin would be safe.

“……”

“Lady Alice?”

“…I’m glad. If something had happened to you, I have no idea what I would have done.”

The anxiety inflating in her chest subsided. Somehow, that seemed to dispel her drowsiness.

“And what about them?”

She didn’t name the Imperial unit on purpose. They didn’t know who might intercept the communication.

“I have transported them to a hotel in the city. I’m sure keeping them in the safe house would have caused issues of some sort.”

“You’re right. It would be a problem if they stayed there too long.”

The Zoa and Hydra knew nothing about the safe house. All floors were under heavy surveillance, so the Lou could review the footage.

…I don’t think Iska would do anything suspicious.

…If anything, the most difficult part will be reporting my findings to Mother.

She had a duty to report the use of the safe house to her mother. And Alice herself needed to check what had happened in that place with her own eyes.

“Oh right, Rin. About how to use this.”

Alice looked at a portable computer screen. The device was set up to capture the footage from the surveillance cameras at the safe house.

“Mother always reviewed the cameras; this is the first time I’m doing it myself.”

“It’s simple. The red power button starts it up, and the blue square button will allow you to see the footage from the beginning.”

“Oh, it’s started.”

The monitor showed the front entrance of the safe house, a black-haired boy heading into the building followed by the servants. Alice recognized his face.

“Oh, Iska is in frame! Ha-ha, he’s noticed the camera! Now, he’s on his guard.”

“Lady Alice, am I imagining the excitement in your voice…?”

“What excitement?! I—I take watching this footage very seriously, that’s all!” She fast-forwarded through the recording. “Rin, how do I change the angle on the camera?”

“Press the triangular button. It has other rooms recorded as well… Oh…” Rin stopped speaking. She had just realized something. “Oh, n-no, Lady Alice! You can’t press that button!”

“What? What’s gotten into you?”

“Th-there’s something…that should never have been recorded! You cannot look at it, Lady Alice—”

“Huh? What are you talking about? The cameras are here—to record the bad things that could happen.”

“Um… Th-that’s not what it is…!”

“If you won’t spit it out, I’ll check it for myself.”

Alice switched cameras, landing on the small room in the back of the safe house. Displayed there was—

“…I was taking a shower…”

Iska, fresh out of the shower. Before he had put on clothes.

His wet, naked form displayed right before her.

His body was different from hers. A boy’s body—strong and seemingly vying for her attention. Alice couldn’t look away from Iska, someone she had thought she knew, someone who was in the nude in front of her for the first time. At the same time, it was far too much for her innocent side.

“Coo…” She let out a sound that was indecipherable, even to her.

The young maiden turned bright red and fainted.

“Lady Alice?! Lady Alice, please respond! Please keep it together! …See? That’s why I told you not to look!”

2

The central state. A hotel room near the palace.

“Rin, are you sure you don’t have somewhere to be?” Iska asked. “Shouldn’t you go out to greet Alice?”

“Lady Alice needs an hour of rest.”

“What?”

“I’m afraid she has passed out. She has never educated herself on a certain subject, as someone from a sheltered background. It seems it was too much for her.”

“…What was too much for her?” Iska was confused by Rin’s response.

They had moved from the safe house to a hotel in the capital, supposedly to meet with Alice and devise a plan to save Sisbell. Alice, however, was seemingly out of commission for an hour.

“It sounds like a big deal if Alice is fainting.”

“It’s your fault, Iska. Because you’re so dirty.”

“What are you talking about?!”

“Your thing and other parts… You know what? Let’s not get into this. Just thinking about it makes me embarrassed.”

Rin turned away from him. Did Iska see her blushing, or was he just imagining things? He had no clue why.

“So what should we do?” Iska asked. “Everyone’s waiting in the other room. Should we bring them back here?”

“Let them wait.”

Rin had arranged three hotel rooms: one for the Imperial unit, one for the servants, and a meeting room. Everyone other than Rin and Iska were on standby in the last room.

“Lady Alice is still coming. I must prepare the tea.”

“Well, supposing she is…”

Iska absentmindedly observed Rin as she continued to work. There were bags under her eyes. Her face was pale. Now and then, she would take a deep breath.

“Rin, you haven’t…”

“Had sleep or rest for three days? Obviously. The queen has gone down, and Lady Alice has been up to her eyeballs with work. It is my duty to support her.”

She was obviously exhausted.

Iska had washed off in the shower at the safe house and gotten rest the night before in the hotel room.

But Rin hadn’t. She had no time to rest since she was supporting Alice and serving as the primary point of contact with the Imperial unit.

…Rin might be the most overworked one here.

…I haven’t seen her take a break or eat since yesterday.

“Maybe I’m overstepping bounds, but what if you took a break until Alice gets here?”

“Hmm?” Rin glared at him. “Rude. Do I look tired to you?”

“You certainly don’t look like you’re doing well.”

“Even if I were, Lady Alice is fighting without any rest. As her attendant, I can’t rest… But I won’t deny that my eyes feel a little heavy…”

Rin staggered forward. If she hadn’t caught herself on the table, she would have pitched to the floor.

“See? You’re even struggling to stand.”

“Ngh…! Th-this is nothing! If I make coffee with sugar, my mind will clear up!”

“Didn’t you drink seven cups yesterday?”

“Ugh, shut up, Imperial swordsman! I don’t take orders from you!”

She produced a high-grade coffee grinder. It was clear she was the attendant to a royal family. She was intending to grind the beans for a proper cup. Rin fed them into the opening.

Or so Iska had thought.

Except she had brought out an apple and banana. Iska watched her in horror as she tried to stuff those into the coffee grinder.

“…Perfect.”

“Perfect?! W-wait, Rin! What’s gotten into you?! Weren’t you making coffee?!”

“Nonsense, Imperial swordsman.” Rin pointed at the fruits sticking out the top of the grinder. “Are you saying this isn’t coffee?”

“That’s an apple and a banana!”

Rin wasn’t her usual self. The lack of sleep and fatigue must have addled her brain.

“Hmm?” She started up the grinder and made some apple juice. After pouring that into a cup, Rin stared at it quizzically. “…This coffee is a different color from usual.”

“That’s because it’s apple juice.”

“Don’t be ridiculous. How would I mix up coffee beans and apples?”

“You just did! If you still haven’t noticed, you must be half asleep!”

“…That’s…most certainly not the case. Meow.”

“And now you sound like an entirely different person!”

“Shh, Imperial swordsman, you’re making my head hurt…” Rin picked up the cup, polishing off the juice in one gulp. “……”

“So? Have you gone back to your—?”

“Peeeeew.”

“Don’t faint on me! Hey! Rin? Ugh, I knew you were at your limit. How are we supposed to strategize in this state? Alice is going to be here any minute.”

Iska sighed, holding up Rin, whose eyes had rolled around to the back of her head.

Nebulis Sovereignty. Star Spire.

Alice followed an attendant, exiting through a small door at the back of the spire and heading to the courtyard. The area was swarming with news reporters trying to get in and guards standing attention, but none of them seemed to notice her.

“This way. Don’t let go of my hand.”

A tall woman with close-cropped hair in a suit held Alice’s hand. The astral crest on the back of her hand glowed gently.

“I’m sorry, Kisasage,” Alice told the woman. “…For, um, abruptly delaying things for an hour.”

“Do you feel better?”

“Um…y-yes. Thank you…”

For a moment, she worried she might conjure up a memory of a certain boy, so she shook her head as hard as she could to clear away the thought.

…N-not now!

…This isn’t the time to remember what Iska looked like!

She nodded, trying to convince herself. “I need to forget… Oh no. I can’t forget it. He’s seen me naked, too. Th-that’s right. This is an intel war! We hold no secrets from each other!”

“Lady Alice?”

“I-it’s nothing!” Alice cleared her throat. “Are we going straight to the carport?”

“No. There is a normal car outside of the palace. The Zoa and Hydra might notice if we use one from the palace grounds.”

“Thank you. That was an excellent decision.”

This was why Kisasage was part of the queen’s royal guard. More specifically, she was a member of the Planetary Domiciles, which exclusively served the royal family. To exit the palace under heavy surveillance, Alice had asked the guard to accompany her for a day.

Kisasage’s astral power was a clandestine one; it was better in stealth than the best active camouflage used by the Imperial forces. As long as Alice was touching the guard, she was invisible, both audibly and visually.

They got into the car outside the palace.

“Rin should be there already,” Alice said. “She’s taken the five servants from the villa and evacuated them to the Kamilish Hotel in Central District Seven.”

“We should arrive within an hour. We’ll need to take the long way to prevent anyone from tailing us.”

“I’m counting on you.”

The car jerked forward once Alice was situated inside. They didn’t pass by many cars on the road, because the citizens were refraining from going outside.

“About Lady Sisbell’s rescue—,” called out the guard from the driver’s seat. “I have a question, if you’ll allow it. I understand the Hydra are behind the coup that targeted the queen, and they’re behind the Imperial raid. I know rescuing Lady Sisbell is the key to turning that all on its head, but…”

“Are you asking who will rescue her?”

“Yes. Not only are we unsure of her location, but it will be dangerous to sneak into the Hydra’s base of operations.”

So who would they dispatch to complete this mission?

They needed people who were capable and whom they could trust. The only problem was that they couldn’t be directly associated with the Lou; otherwise, if things went awry, the Lou would be caught in a tough position.

“Kisasage, what would you do?”

“I think I would have the highest chance of success. But I’m the queen’s guard. If I were captured, the Lou would face public scrutiny. My second choice would be to bring in Noman.”

“…I didn’t expect that.”

“It won’t be cheap. You’ll be asking them to pick a fight with one of the royal bloodlines, so it’ll come at the cost of something illegal, I’m sure.”

“No, I meant to say—”

An organization that existed outside international law—Noman, also known as the Witching Hour.

The witching hour was the time between day and night, when one would be met with witches and disaster.

A cliché nickname. Alice kind of doubted they secretly undertook covert operations worldwide, but she had heard of them.

“I’ve heard it’s a den of international criminals,” Alice offered.

“Poison has its uses,” Kisasage told her. “As long as you’re able to pay the price, they’re the type who will enter unexplored regions inaccessible to even a research team—all to discover new species of organisms. I guess you could call them an agency that exists outside the law…though we can’t publicly ask for their help, based on their reputation.”

If they succeeded, they would be able to get Sisbell back. If they failed, they would leave their client’s name out of it. Alice was reluctant to rely on them, but they were the most suitable people for the job.

“Kisasage, I want you to leave this to me and Rin.”

“…Do you know someone who would be better suited than Noman?”

“Someone who’s more skilled and earned my trust. My Iska is… Oops…”

“Iska?”

“…Nothing. He’s the guard I will be relying on; there’s no other meaning behind it.”

Now she had done it. Their conversation had been flowing so naturally, she had let his name slip. A bad habit she’d picked up recently. She felt it was getting worse day by day.

…This is not good. I’ve only ever let his name slip around Rin.

…Now I’m starting to talk about him with other people.

She let out a silent sigh.

Of course, the five servants of the villa knew Iska was from the Imperial forces. She needed to prepare for the eventuality of them reporting this to the queen. When that came out, Sisbell would be in the toughest spot for using Unit 907 as her personal guard.

“Can you trust them, Lady Alice?”

“Yes. I heard they are mercenaries from an independent state. Sisbell hired them there. One of them is particularly skilled.”

“Is that this ‘Iska’ character, Lady Alice?”

“…Yes. I suppose that is the case.”

Was Kisasage’s hearing sharp or intuition strong? Alice was desperate to act in a way that wouldn’t invite further questioning from the trained guard.

Alice only knew a snippet of Iska’s battle history, but it was enough to leave her impressed.

—From their standoff in the Nelka forest.

—And him resealing the Founder.

—Crushing the Zoa’s darling, Kissing.

—Apprehending the transcendental sorcerer, Salinger (who later escaped).

—Counterattacking Vichyssoise, who had been after Sisbell.

And the ultimate event that had happened three days ago.

When Alice had abandoned emotion and fought him with all her powers as a witch, she hadn’t been able to stop him. Alice did not doubt a thing anymore. His abilities were real, and he wasn’t the type to go back on his word to save her sister.

“In any case,” Alice said, “I’ll make sure to handle this situation.”

“As you wish, Lady Alice. I do hope you’ll consult me for even the smallest details, seeing that Lady Sisbell’s rescue is an urgent matter—for the Lou and for the nation. Oh, we’ve arrived at the hotel.”

Central District Seven.

The top floor would let them see out to the spires in the palace, making it the ideal location to devise a plan to save Sisbell.

“I’ll accompany you to the hotel room.”

“Thank you. But you should stay by my mother’s side. She just had surgery; please stop her if she tries to do anything before she’s ready.”

After dismissing Kisasage with a tiny nod, Alice walked to the entrance. Part of her disguise was tinted glasses. After crossing through the hotel lobby, she headed to the elevator. Rin had already given her the card key, which was stowed securely in Alice’s bag.

The forty-first floor. Alice headed to the room number Rin had relayed to her.

“…You know, the last time I saw Iska was our most recent battle…”

If she were being honest, she had mixed feelings about reuniting with someone after a death match. She would have preferred to meet him elsewhere, but now wasn’t time to be choosy.

“Phew… I’m sorry I kept you waiting, Iska and Rin! Let’s start strategiz— Huh?”

There were no signs of life inside the suite, despite Alice’s energetic opening. In the corner, bags were stacked high—likely belonging to the Imperial unit. Used teacups, abandoned on the table.

“Oh, right. She said she got three rooms.”

So this was the meeting room. The other two were for the Imperial unit and the servants. Iska and Rin must have been resting in their respective rooms.

“I did tell them when I would be coming; I wonder if I should just wait for them here.”

She sank into the sofa, imagining they would be there in no time at all.

Except they never showed.

“…Ugh. I wonder what they’re doing. I can’t believe they would make me wait…! If I keep doing nothing, I’m going to get drowsy…”

She hadn’t slept for more than forty hours.

Her flight-or-fight response had kept her grounded. But now that she was sequestered in a hotel, there were no soldiers to see or ministers to meet. She didn’t have to do anything. All she had to do was wait.

Her mind started to relax, letting go of the stress…

“Ugh! A-Alice! You can’t sleep! Not in a place like this!”

She struggled to get off the sofa, but her butt was glued in place.

Just for a moment… Just for a few minutes until Rin comes. Why don’t you rest your eyes? whispered the devil on her shoulder.

“I—I can’t sleep! …U-until Rin comes, I’ll…just lie down a little… I don’t think anyone would mind that…”

Yeah. All she was doing was lying down on the sofa.

The sunlight was blinding. That was why she was closing her eyes.

“……Zzz.”

Seconds passed. Alice reclined, her breathing rhythmic and sweet.

Several minutes later. Outside the silent suite…

“Commander, it’s time for the meeting.”

“Got it! Could you get the room ready ahead of us, Iska? I’ll fetch Nene and Jhin.”

“Be quick.” Iska opened the door of the meeting room.

In his left hand were documents. Rin had hurriedly prepared them for Sisbell’s rescue.

“Alice is late. She did say she needed an extra hour. I hope the Hydra didn’t try to stop her…”

He opened the door and headed to the living area. Iska doubted his eyes when he saw a certain girl with golden hair collapsed on the sofa.

“Alice?!”

The witch princess was limp. Iska was more surprised to see her in this state than when he’d engaged with her in a death match twice.

He couldn’t believe it. What had happened to Alice, the all-powerful witch?

And…Iska refused to think she’d dozed off, after seeing her viciously attack him three days prior.

“Alice, pull yourself together! What in the world happened…? Who did this to you?!”

Was it an assassin? Had someone snuck into the room?

He looked around just in case, but he didn’t sense anyone else. Iska couldn’t spot any signs of a struggle.

“…It doesn’t look like there’s anything wrong with her.”

He didn’t have a responsibility to take care of her; he was an Imperial swordsman, and she was a witch. In this situation, however, he felt guilty looking down at Alice, not doing anything.

“It looks like she’s breathing. I don’t see any wounds… Well, I can’t just assume she’s okay.”

She might have been injured somewhere. He had to check her back—someone might have stabbed her and left her there to die.

“…I’m going to move you around, just a little.”

He picked up the girl, momentarily disarmed by how thin she was. Her skin under his fingertips was supple and smooth.

For some reason… For whatever reason, holding her made his face hot.

“Not now, nerves! I’ve carried girls during first-aid training.”

“…Mm?” Alice—unconscious still—let out a sensual sigh.

“Alice?”

“…Ngh. Oh, Rin? Did you come to wake me up? Give me five more minutes…”

She sounded so innocent. Even with her eyes closed, she looked so sweet, smiling.

“Alice, are you awake?!”

“……”

“Alice?”

Never in a million years would he think she was sleep-talking. He didn’t know what to do.

Alice wrapped her arms around his neck. “Just five more minutes… Okay, Rin? Do you want to take a nap, too?”

“Hey!”

“Oh c’mon! Don’t resist. Ha-ha, you never know when to give up.”

The witch princess had flung her arms around him and nuzzled her face into his chest.

From her skin was an indescribably sweet scent. The sensation of her silky hair tickled him.

This was not good.

He couldn’t express in words what was so bad about it, but his instincts were screaming at him.

“…Wow, Rin. You’re so warm. I might get burned.”

“What are you saying?! Anyway, Alice, if you’re awake, you have to get off me!”

Ka-chak. The door opened behind Iska.

“Whew, I managed to get the documents in time. Lady Alice is about to come. I need to clean the room and prepare the tea.”

It was Rin, balancing stacks of paper. Her eyes went wide when she saw Iska holding Alice.

“…Lady Alice?”

Fwoosht. The papers fell from Rin’s arms. Her unconscious mistress was being held by an Imperial subject.

The light went out of the attendant’s eyes. “Iska, did you…?”

“N-no! Wait a sec, Rin. I didn’t do anything to Alice. She was collapsed here!”

“I see.” Rin sighed. “You don’t have to explain yourself, Imperial swordsman. I understand.”

“G-great…”

“In other words, you’ve taken Lady Alice hostage. And if we want her back, we must pay a price.”

“No!”

“Am I wrong?” Rin looked puzzled. At least, Iska thought so until her expression turned dark. “Then…did you catch her by surprise and have your way with her, unable to control your carnal desire? You’re sick!”

“You’re making it even worse!”

“Give Lady Alice back!”

“I just told you: It’s not like that! …Just go get everyone. We’re supposed to start our meeting!”

3

In the middle of the living area, Alice nodded, looking grave, perched on the sofa. She appeared to be a different person—no traces of her adorably sleepy self. Her eyes housed a regal air Iska knew well.

“I’d like to formally ask you to rescue my sister…”

“We’ve already agreed to it—ever since we took the job as her guards and came to the Sovereignty,” Jhin replied. He sat in a chair beside the table and leaned forward. “But we’re not volunteers. We decided to be a witch’s escort for our own reasons. We won’t back out till you pay us.”

“Because of your commander. Is that right?”

“We told you at the villa,” Jhin continued. “We can’t go home empty-handed after coming this far.”

“…Um, Jhin. I—” Mismis started to say.

“Shut it, boss,” Jhin stopped Commander Mismis.

As Sisbell’s guards, they had been prepared for ups and downs, but Iska had never expected they would be pulled into an actual war in the Sovereignty.

“Commander Mismis, let me take a guess: You weren’t born with the astral crest on your shoulder, right?”

“To thank you for being my guards, I will give you information on how to properly conceal an astral crest.”

With Mismis’s personality, it meant she would feel guilty for pulling her subordinates into this mess because she’d become a witch.

…That’s why Jhin told her to not say anything.

…He was telling her to not feel bad—that we’ve already decided on this.

She didn’t need to feel guilty. This was Jhin’s way of respecting his commander. Nene nodded next to Iska, expressing the same sentiment.

“Plus, it was our fault that Sisbell was taken away—even if it was beyond our wildest expectations. We can’t do our job half-assed…” Jhin shrugged. “But we’re Imperial subjects—which means we have no clue where she could have been taken. So tell us if you have any leads.”

“As far as that’s concerned, I spoke to my moth…to Her Majesty.”

“The queen?” Jhin switched from aloof to actively listening.

Nene and Commander Mismis widened their eyes. Even Iska couldn’t stop himself from holding his breath. This was a big deal.

…The current queen.

…Alice’s mother. Now the queen herself is involved.

She was the sworn enemy—the greatest and most powerful one—of the Imperial army.

That being said…Sisbell Lou Nebulis IX was a princess. It was natural for the queen to act in the interest of her daughter.

“I’ll speak in concrete terms. Rin—and Yumilecia, Ashe, Noel, Sistia, and Nami. Please listen closely. I would like to hear your thoughts.” Alice looked at the family servants. “I do not think Sisbell is in the palace. At the top of my list is the Solar Spire, but I believe that Lord Talisman would move her to a different location, seeing how he can be so cunning.”

“…Because it’s a public location?”

“Yes. There will be guests from other nations and the press. If someone witnesses my sister, it would be bad for them.”

“Could she be in a nearby hotel or a warehouse? Just like us?”

“” Alice shook her head in silence. “Possibilities are low. The buildings in the central state can be searched under the queen’s command. She’s already started sweeping the hotels, warehouses, and normal residences.”

“Just give it to us straight,” Jhin urged.

“What?”

“You’re not trying to find Sisbell. You’re looking for Imperial soldiers still hiding out in the central state after the raid. Tell me I’m wrong.”

“……”

“This is the perfect time to redefine how we stand as Imperial soldiers.” Jhin looked at Rin and Alice—the two astral mages, normally enemies. “Like I said, we came to your country as Sisbell’s guards. We promised to protect her. You do want us to keep her safe, don’t you?”

“Let me explain,” Rin said in a hushed tone. “You should know you’re in a precarious place as Imperial soldiers. And you’re right: We’re looking for your troops in hiding.”

“I knew it.”

“Many were injured in the raid. And since the Queen’s Palace was under attack, any Imperial soldiers will pay for their crimes with their life. Naturally, that includes you.”

This was why Alice had cried during her fight with Iska. Regardless if the Hydra were planning this or not, the Empire had sent an assassin to harm the queen, and members of the royal family had gone missing. It was no longer an option for the two superpowers to just glare at each other across the globe.

“I cannot forgive a single Imperial soldier. Even ones appointed by Lady Sisbell as guards.”

“In the public eye.”

“In the name of justice. But…I guess you’re right. We can’t just be focused on justice.” Rin sighed, dissatisfied, tone hesitant. “This is an exception. We need to apprehend and execute any and all Imperial soldiers, but we grant you immunity in exchange for Lady Sisbell’s search.”

“Until we get past the border.”

“Of course. Would you be fine with that, Lady Alice?” Rin asked.

“Yes. We’ll keep our promise.” Alice nodded and looked at Commander Mismis. “And are you fine, Commander?”

“…Yes. That’s what we’d expected. Right, Iska?”

“Of course.” He didn’t turn to the commander, but instead made eye contact with Alice, who had turned toward him. “Talisman got us, too. We want to exact our revenge if we can.”

The Nebulis palace. Great hall.

Gathering here were the most powerful members of the Sovereignty—the current queen, her guards, and cabinet, as well as representatives of the Zoa and Hydra. They sat around a circular table. The cabinet members were behind the queen, including former members of the cabinet. Roughly thirty of them in total. Fifty, including the guards on standby in a corner of the hall.

“Your Majesty, I apologize if this comes off the wrong way, but it must be said that you have made a grave blunder.”

Bouncing off the walls was a man’s voice—sharp and resonant.

All eyes were on the temporary representative of the Zoa—a tall man clothed in black and wearing a metal mask to conceal his face.

“You allowed the Imperial forces to invade the palace. We’ve never seen anything like this since the founding of this nation. I don’t think I have to tell you that our brethren paid the price for it.”

“……” The queen pressed her lips together and remained silent. Bandages were wrapped around her arm, but seeing her in visible pain wasn’t enough to convince Lord Mask to go easy on her.

“We’ve lost all contact with our head of household, Growley, for over seventy-two hours. The Empire hasn’t announced anything, but they must have taken him.”

“……”

“Those gifted with exceptional astral powers are our national treasures. It is a great tragedy that one of them was abducted—to be used for human experiments.”

The queen was silent. There was nothing to refute. If she couldn’t prove the Hydra were involved, no one would believe the queen ever again.

“Please wait, Lord On!” said one of the secretaries working for the Lou, unable to stand the tension in the air. “Her Majesty is just as upset as anyone. Two of her daughters, Lady Elletear and Lady Sisbell, are missing. It’s pointless to assign blame when we should be trying to rescue the—”

“It’s simple,” Lord Mask interrupted. “We must launch an attack on Imperial territory. We must reduce their city to ash—just like we did a century ago. That is the best way to save the hostages.”

“…What?!”

“You think a civil conversation will give us Lord Growley back? …No need to answer. To the Empire, the purebreds aren’t hostages, but guinea pigs.”

The captured purebreds were fated to something worse than death. And these inhumane experiments would never see the public eye. They would keep close tabs on the results, so other countries would not fall out of their favor.

“I’m sure the Empire will feign ignorance, claiming nothing inhumane has been done. So, how do you plan to negotiate with them?”

“We… We can…”

“See? That’s why I want to attack them.” Lord Mask spread his arms toward the queen before posing a question to ministers and military officers behind her. “If anyone has a method of recovering our brethren, by all means, please raise your hand.”

“Lord Mask.”

The queen had spoken.

“As the queen, I cannot approve any proposals that would result in more casualties.”

“I’m sure we could manage without those—if we have a strong leader.”

The room stirred. The people were alarmed. A strong leader? This seemed to imply that the Zoa was unsatisfied with the queen.

“Hmm. You have a point.”

Only a single man spoke up, smiling. The leader of the Hydra, Talisman.

“Then we must hold the conclave early and choose a new queen. I’m not opposed to it. It makes perfect sense for us to select a new ruler when the country is in a state of turmoil.”

And if they were to select a new queen now?

The Lou would be in last place, seeing how no one had a favorable opinion of the queen.

The Zoa had been influential, but with Growley’s absence, they had a headwind to work against.

The Hydra had the biggest advantage.

“Isn’t that right?” Talisman asked.

“No, no,” Lord Mask corrected him.

“…Hmm?”

“Lord Talisman, you misunderstand. I know I said we need a strong leader, but I wasn’t asking for a conclave.” The leader of the Zoa grinned under his cold, hard mask.

“I would like to awaken our Revered Founder.”

“What?”

“Excuse me?!”

Talisman and the queen realized they were shouting at him. Several of the ministers jumped to their feet without thinking, and the royal guards standing by the walls exchanged shocked looks.

The Founder Nebulis.

Isolated deep underground in the Sovereignty, she continued to slumber.

“I didn’t even think of that. I’m sure the Revered Founder could…!” excitedly murmured a middle-aged minister. Those around him seemed surprised, but none disagreed.

“What do you say? What about you, Minister Brutal?” Lord Mask asked.

“I—I…believe it’s worth considering.”

“And former minister, Sir Veistro?”

“I’m in agreement. She’s a leader and the necessary firepower, as you’ve said.”

A century ago, the Founder had turned the Imperial capital to ash. If they were to awaken the oldest astral mage—

“Please, wait.”

The hall stirred when the queen spoke.

“We cannot make this decision now. We do not have a method of awakening the Revered Founder. And doing so would be dangerous. I am sure you remember the damage that befell the neutral city Ain.”

Of those in attendance, only the queen had been an eyewitness. The Founder had not shown a shred of mercy to Alice, a distant relative. There was a fundamental dissonance between the Zoa’s proposal to lay waste to the Empire and save the hostages. The Founder would be willing to sacrifice her brethren to destroy the Empire. She was on another level—as far as her astral powers were concerned.

Most importantly, Alice had said the Founder’s hatred of the Empire did not even compare to that of the present-day people.

“If the Revered Founder attacks others outside the Empire, the Sovereignty would be hated by the world.”

“A great opportunity to show off your abilities as the queen. Oh, it’s time.” Lord Mask stood up. “During the next meeting, I’d like you all to present some methods to wake up the Revered Founder. Now, if you’ll excuse me.”

He bowed before taking the others from the Zoa with him, leaving the hall.

The palace. Midair corridor, Sun Path.

A man and a woman walked down the glass corridor that connected the Queen’s Palace to the Solar Spire. Both of them were as tall and beautiful as models.

“Oh my. I’m at a loss.” Talisman stopped and looked up at the heavens through the glass ceiling. “I guess I should have expected this from Lord Mask. He’s played the best card.”

“You mean the thing with the Revered Founder?”

“Yes. I’m interested in hearing your opinion, Mizy.”

“…Oh? That’s rare, Uncle.” She tittered. The mature-looking girl paused, turning behind her to meet his gaze with her beautiful eyes.

Mizerhyby Hydra Nebulis IX. A girl with chiseled features and hair the color of lapis lazuli—a shocking hue. Her hair used to be the same color gold as Talisman, but when her powers activated, it had deepened it blue.

“It makes me nervous when you ask for my opinion, Uncle.”

“No need to hold back. Please speak—as the next head of household.”

“In that case…it’ll mess with our plans if the Revered Founder wakes up.”

Talisman’s niece—the princess promised to be the next head of the Hydra—was the candidate for the throne, receiving the backing of her family.

“If we hold the conclave now, the Hydra would win. Considering the queen is in an indisposed state and the head of the Zoa is missing, neither of them can focus on the conclave right now. Neither of them would be able to prepare for the election, I’m sure.”

The House of Hydra wanted to host the conclave.

The House of Zoa preferred to avoid it while they were missing their head of household.

The House of Lou wanted to postpone it to maintain their current administration.

It was perfect.

If they held the conclave right now, the new queen would be from the House of Hydra. However…

“I’m afraid awakening the Revered Founder would change all of that.”

“Hmm. In what way?” Talisman asked.

“The Founder’s shoes are far too great. Even if I won the conclave, the country would cease caring about the queen—if the Revered Founder is back in the game. Obviously, they would obey her.”

The Founder was above the queen. It would mean nothing, even if they did snatch the throne, if she was in the picture.

“And we don’t know what she’ll do when she’s awake. After all, we still do not understand her astral powers.”

“You’re right. All signs point to her having multiple powers.”

Each person only had one astral power—except the Founder, who didn’t follow such conventions.

“What’s the worst-case scenario?” Talisman asked.

“I think there’s a possibility that the Revered Founder may have a power similar to Sisbell’s—something like mind reading or hypnosis, possibly even reviving the past.”

Then, the Hydra’s scheme would be exposed.

If the Founder were to reveal they had ushered in the Imperial forces—the enemy she’d once turned to ash—the Hydra would become the target of her wrath. They needed to avoid that scenario.

“An accurate breakdown.” Talisman clapped like this was all a joke. “Oh, Mizy. You figured it out just minutes after the conference. I would have no objections to you becoming queen immediately.”

“You’re too kind.”

“Upon further reflection, that means Lord Mask’s plan was perfectly on point. In fact, he chose the best countermeasure against us. Lord Growley might be missing, but we must be cautious of the Zoa.”

If the Founder awakened, that would give her more authority and power than the queen. She might be the only one who could make the Sovereignty more powerful than ever.

“Elletear may have left from the country because she realized what the Zoa had planned. In which case…”

“Uncle?”

“Nothing.” Talisman smiled and shook his head when his niece looked up at him. “In any case, the Founder symbolizes the past. There’s no place for her in the modern era.”

Clack. Talisman started down the glass corridor again, accompanied by the beautiful girl.

“We cannot wake the Founder. Mizy, prepare to be busy—as a candidate vying for the throne and as an astral mage.”

“I’m looking forward to it.”

“I suppose that leaves Vichyssoise.” He looked out the glass wall.

Talisman murmured, as though to himself. “I do not know if it was caused by her transformation into a witch, but it seems she has become somewhat unstable. I hope she is not roughing up the princess from the Lou.”

4

A white room. A doorless space. Even the floor and ceiling were the same color.

Sisbell gulped as a door materialized.

“Yo, Sisbell.”

“…Eek?!”

“Oh, don’t be scared. Besides, I’ve been ordered to be nice to you.”

Vichyssoise.

The little witch toyed with her dark red hair, chuckling in a low voice. She wore a stud on her right ear and a hoop on her left. Her feral eyes said she was trouble. This girl was not human.

“…You.”

“Hmm? Oh, well, this is the Solar Spire. Can’t really wander around in that form.”

The Solar Spire? Sisbell was still within the palace grounds.

“Ah-ha-ha. You look relieved. You feel better ’cause you think you know where you are?”

“……”

“Whatever. So, Sisbell…” Vichyssoise sidled up toward her.

She pushed like she wouldn’t take no for an answer, which made Sisbell bite her lip and shrink back. Anyone would fear Vichyssoise after seeing her as a monster.

Sisbell felt the wall press against her back. She had been pursued into a corner of the room.

“D-don’t come any closer!”

“Oh, don’t be so mean.” Vichyssoise stretched out an arm, grazing Sisbell’s cheek as she leaned against the wall. Made-up in purple lipstick, her lips came close to Sisbell. “There’s something I’d like to ask you.”

“And you think I’ll talk?”

“It’s nothing serious. Just something I was a little curious about. How’d you get that guy to work for you?”

“…What guy?”

“The former Saint Disciple, Iska.” Vichyssoise drew closer, as though trying to look into her soul. She was close enough Sisbell could feel her breath.

“I know I’m not human, but that swordsman seems inhuman in a different sense. Seems like all the rumors about him having a draw with your sister in the Nelka forest are true.”

“What?” Sisbell couldn’t help but let that slip out.

What did that mean? She hadn’t seen that in their past.

…My sister fought Iska in the battlefield?

…But she never spoke a word of that to me.

Of course, she’d had her suspicions. When Sisbell had tried to hire Iska as her guard, Alice had been reserved.

“Why would you know this Imperial soldier when you are a Sovereign princess? Didn’t you just call him ‘Iska’?”

“I heard you call him by his name.”

Even using her power, Sisbell had not been able to determine the past that linked the two of them together.

…So that’s how it is, huh?

…They met in the Nelka forest?

Illumination could only work within a three-thousand-yard radius. Her astral powers couldn’t unlock these memories since the forest was so far from the Nebulis Sovereignty.

“Alice fought against Iska? …What do you mean?” Sisbell asked.

Have they always been enemies who had fought each other on the battlefield?

That meant they were sworn enemies. They must have attempted to fight to the death. There was no way they could have opened up to each other in the independent state or the villa.

“Oh? You didn’t notice from the way they were acting?”

“O-of course not!”

If anything, I’d like to know more, Sisbell wanted to shout. She couldn’t say it. If she showed any weakness, the witch was sure to take advantage of it.

“…More importantly, is my attendant Shuvalts safe?”

“Of course,” Vichyssoise said and nodded so readily, it was anticlimactic. “I’ll guarantee he’ll live as long as you obey me. Your astral power is useful, after all.”

“…What do you intend on making me do?”

“You’ll find out once you wake up.”

“Ngh.”

The witch reached her hand out, covering her vision.

“Night-night, little princess.”

And then, Sisbell lost consciousness.