“It really is. I hope the train ride will be just as pleasant, but…”

“It’ll take a full day to get from here to the capital, you said?”

“So we finally get out of the water, but we’re still not there?”

This is Aileen’s other minder: Isaac, whom Claude has directly ordered to accompany them. He’s basically being treated like he’s in charge, even though he holds no official position. Aileen heard he tried to refuse with all his might. Unfortunately, the one asking was the emperor. He still hasn’t been able to defy him.

I didn’t expect Master Claude to choose Isaac, though…

Isaac himself said, “He probably wants a reason to execute me,” but Aileen also preferred her right-hand man to an unfamiliar guard. In the end, compelled by both the emperor and the empress, Isaac reworked his schedule and accompanied them.

“This trip put all my work on hold, and frankly, I’m bored out of my skull.”

Isaac never seemed fond of traveling to begin with. He’s been complaining as if this whole thing is a chore.

“But it will be useful to see the Kilvas Empire with your own eyes, won’t it? When Master Claude took you to Ashmael, it became a good opportunity to expand your business,” Aileen reminded him.

“You could treat this as a substitute honeymoon with Rachel, you know.” Aileen mentions this while fully aware that Rachel is right behind her.

Isaac rejects the suggestion out of hand. “We’re both here for work. You think we’d have that kind of time?”

“Gracious, I’m not so gauche that I’d interrupt you two taking a leisurely stroll through town by yourselves. Am I, Rachel?”

“Master Claude has ordered us not to leave you alone under any circumstances, Lady Aileen. That is why he selected Isaac. Please don’t concern yourself with us.”

What a formidable couple.

“I’m genuinely not plotting anything. I’m only here to get to know Master Claude’s family.”

“Yes, Lady Aileen. Mind the step,” Luc warns her, smiling; he’s disembarked ahead of them. Claude has provisionally appointed him as Aileen’s physician. “When you do plot something, be sure to discuss it with me first, for the sake of your health.”

His smile contains a different sort of fortitude than Isaac’s or Rachel’s.

Aileen has known most of these people longer than she’s known Claude, but he seems to have very astutely assembled the members of her circle who are particularly adept at keeping her in check. Is that just her imagination?

Claude is waiting at the end of the pier, accompanied by Keith.

“How are you feeling, Aileen?”

““She’s fine.””

A woman is approaching the docks, accompanied by several soldiers. Her steps are gallant; a short cape flares around her shoulders, and she wears a sword. How unusual. A lady knight, Aileen thinks, and then realizes her error: All the soldiers she’s leading are women as well. Aileen whispers to Claude, who’s standing beside her: “Are they Valkyries, Master Claude? …Master Claude?”

He doesn’t respond. Puzzled, she looks up at his face. Claude, without blinking, is staring at the woman heading the group. The woman is gazing right back at him.

The measured sound of military boots stops a few paces in front of them.

“Welcome to the Kilvas Empire, Your Majesty. I have been assigned as your escort.”

“…You?” Claude asks.

“Yes. We will be taking the carriages over there. The train is already waiting at the station.”

Claude starts to say something, then stops. This isn’t like him. He seems hesitant.

“Is this Her Majesty the empress?” The woman turns her attention to Aileen, who’s been watching Claude’s behavior closely. Swiftly switching gears, Aileen flashes her an elegant smile.

“Yes, I’ll be in your care. Might you be a Valkyrie?”

“If anything, I feel safer with women. I’ll be relying on you.”

“Of course.”

The woman sets a hand over her heart, accepting the duty with all due gravity; she looks just right. The Kilvas Empire is also welcoming guests from other countries on the northern continent. No doubt she’s had this conversation multiple times by now.

“Master Claude, it’s cold here. Let’s get going. Think of our poor escorts,” Aileen prompts him.

“Oh yes… My apologies.” Claude nods stiffly, but that’s all.

“Oh, one last thing,” Aileen says, speaking with intentional brightness as she faces the woman again. “May I ask your name?”

“Ah, I should have introduced myself earlier. I am Cattleya.”

“Cattleya? Would you be Her Highness Princess Cattleya?”

Aileen acts a little startled, and Cattleya nods, smiling wryly. “I am called that as well.”

“I heard that you had become a Valkyrie, so I guessed, but…”

In truth, what Aileen remembered was the still image from the game. This is the first time they’ve met in real life. She should probably at least pretend to be surprised.

“I didn’t intend to deceive you,” Cattleya adds, as if she’s making excuses. “We’re shorthanded at the moment, so my options for greeting you were limited. Do forgive me.”

“Oh, no, I’m glad. I’d been looking forward to meeting Master Claude’s relations.”

“I’m terribly sorry, but until we reach the castle, I would like to conduct myself as a Valkyrie—what you would call a knight. It will set a bad example for the others if I do not.”

“You may count on me.”

Cattleya turns on her heel, and the others start after her. Aileen tucks in her chin, her lips curving.

Before coming here, she reluctantly compared notes with Lilia and reviewed what they knew. Naturally, the woman with the familiar face is one of the game’s major characters.

Villainess Cattleya Tsar Kilvas: Claude’s cousin and a princess of Kilvas. At this point, she’s the elder sister of the emperor.

Aileen guessed she would be here, although she didn’t want that guess to be correct.

Still, if Master Claude is going to stare at her like that, I can’t possibly ignore her.

Perhaps she should have expected no less from a villainess. Or is it due to her pride as the emperor’s sister or the fact that she’s trained as a Valkyrie?

Either way, coming here appears to have been the right answer. As Aileen walks along lightly, she hears Rachel’s quiet voice behind her. “Are you plotting something?”

“Goodness, has anything happened that would make me act that way?” Aileen laughs.

“…You’re quite right,” Rachel says, sounding completely resigned.

However, one even more noteworthy peculiarity of this nation is its wall.

A long, tall, defensive wall was built as a deterrent to the demons who descend from the north. Part of that wall is visible from the steam train as it races over the plain. The structure, which has been patched and reinforced over and over again, was also in the game. The explanation for tourists is that the Valkyries’ battleground lies on its other side; that also matches the story from the game.

It was referred to as the Warrior Maidens’ Great Wall, if I remember correctly.

They manage to reach the castle without incident, and at that point, Aileen steels herself. The moment Cattleya leads them into the great hall, which acts as the entrance of the imperial castle, a voice speaks above them.

“Sister, are you home—?”

The youth who’s appeared at the top of a spiral staircase stops partway down. When the group looks up, they all catch their breath, startled. Aileen had prepared herself to some extent, and even she is captivated for a moment.

His glossy black hair is simply tied back, and his red eyes are like jewels. That isn’t all: His face is as shapely as the most exquisite sculpture, and his proportions seem to perfectly match the golden ratio. In all these things, he bears a strong resemblance to Claude. The only clear differences are his height and the timbre of his voice. The main reason being that he isn’t yet twenty. If this youth and Claude stood side by side, only someone who was very familiar to one or the other could have told them apart at a glance.

“…No. I’ve heard we resemble each other…”

Did he now? Who exactly told Claude about this? Aileen’s brothers haven’t had an audience with Emperor Kilvas, so it can’t have been them. The thought tugs at Aileen, but she keeps her pleasant expression in place like a good wife and says nothing.

Beckoning Vica to her side, Cattleya flashes an awkward smile. “Did you think the resemblance couldn’t possibly be this close?”

“That’s true for me as well, Sister. You are Emperor Claude Jean Ellmeyer, aren’t you?”

The young man looks at him warmly. It’s almost as if Claude has turned on the charm, and a shock runs through the group behind Aileen. Brutally honest as always, Isaac quietly mutters, “Creepy!”

“Thank you very much for coming so far. I’m honored to meet you,” Claude says graciously.

“No, we were honored by your invitation.”

“Vica! How many times must I tell you not to wander around without— Oh.”

Spotting them, the man who’s peering down from the top of the spiral staircase falls silent. Calmly looking up at the newcomer, Vica presses an index finger to his lips. “They’re guests, Ernst. Can the lecture wait until later?”

When Aileen hears that name, she swiftly examines the face of the individual at the top of the stairs. If her memories are correct, Ernst is the name of the classic hero. His light hair has a loose wave to it, and there’s a nobility in his features. He looks exactly like the package illustration and the game art she once saw.

Aileen seats herself on a couch by the window and watches the servants as they inspect the room to make sure nothing is lacking, then begin to unpack.

I wonder if the Valkyries are treated as nobles who’ve been demoted…

In basic terms, the story of Valkyrie of the Magic Lance is as follows:

Kilvas is a northern country that is under assault by demons. The demons’ invasion is held at bay by a mysterious wall, but on the other side of that barrier is a constant battlefield. The ones who fight there are not men but the Valkyries, who have strong magical power. Since they’ve had divine stones surgically implanted in their bodies, the Valkyries are able to use magic lances to annihilate the demons. Serving as a Valkyrie is an honorable profession, and the empire pays them generously, but it is extraordinarily dangerous. Most spend their whole lives on the far side of the wall and die there.

To save their impoverished families or to defend their land from demons, soldiers, who range from young girls to grown women, spend long years fighting beyond the wall.

It is the heroine, Diana, who begins to change things. She is the daughter of a minor, rural lord who would have held the rank of baron in Imperial Ellmeyer. One day, a demon who slips through the wall attacks her tiny hometown, leaving it engulfed in flames. In the burning town, Diana spots a demon with red eyes. Swearing to take revenge on the creature, she volunteers to join the Valkyries.

As the fighting grows fiercer, more and more of her companions fall on the battlefield. One day, Diana is seriously wounded while shielding a fellow Valkyrie, and is taken to a country whose queen is said to have the ability to see the future. While there, she learns that the fighting is a scheme, with roots in the queen’s precognition. The Kilvas Empire is being used to run an experiment. Diana confides the truth to Ernst and Cattleya and begins to plot a revolution. In the process, she finds out that the red-eyed demon she’s sworn revenge on is actually Vica and that he is fated to awaken as king of the demons. When she learns that Vica is frightened of becoming a demon, and of Cattleya’s and Ernst’s agony as they attempt to save him, what choices will Diana make, and where will the revolution lead…?

The fan opinion could generally be summed up as “Don’t write this one off as ‘just an otome game.’”

There were two major reasons for this.

The first was that there was no salvation. With every playthrough, the player’s available choices increased, various mysteries and character backgrounds deepened, and there were several different endings. However, the route was very nearly a straight line, and none of the endings were completely happy. It was what many would call “a downer game.”

The second major reason fans said this wasn’t “just an otome game” was because there was an ending with Cattleya, the villainess.

On every route, in order to save Vica, she pretended to help Diana but tried to stall the revolution. She and Ernst even seemed to have feelings for each other. And yet in her very own ending, she cut off Vica and even Ernst, helped the revolution succeed, and destroyed the Kilvas Empire. Then, as coconspirators who’d destroyed each other’s homelands, she and Diana led the Valkyries, attempted to unite the continent under the banner of peace, and then threw themselves into an unending war to destroy the Queendom.

In other words, no matter what happens, the fighting doesn’t end. It actually gets worse!

The largest branch point was the upcoming ceremony: Diana and Vica’s wedding. In the game, it happened after Diana was badly injured and taken to Hausel. As a reward for her feats in battle as a Valkyrie—or possibly to keep her from talking—she was forced to marry Vica, the puppet emperor. Diana’s choices at this point will lock in the route she takes.

And on every route, at a wedding where a messenger from Hausel was among the guests, Diana declared her revolution.

But the Queendom of Hausel is gone. Naturally, they haven’t been invited to the wedding. The Valkyries’ current claims are nearly the same as they were in the game, so the event where Diana was injured and taken to Hausel may have happened in reality as well, but…

Either way, Diana no longer has a reason to launch her revolution. Now that Hausel is gone, the Valkyrie surgery can’t be performed. Both the Valkyries and the system surrounding them may die out soon.

That means the wedding should end without incident—and Aileen needs to confirm that it will.

“Aileen, I’m going to give my regards to everyone. You rest here.”

Claude, who’s removed his overcoat, returns in a more relaxed outfit. Rising to her feet, Aileen swiftly inspects him, then reaches for his tie pin and repositions it. He may have said “to give his regards,” but he and the people he’s greeting will be sounding one another out. He must take advantage of his appearance.

“Yes. I’ve asked Lady Cattleya to make the introductions and show us around. It sounds as if we’ll be able to visit the castle town as well.”

She steps back, examining Claude’s appearance. He’s perfect. “If you’re visiting the town, I’ll look forward to my souvenir.”

“…I doubt it will be easy to find one that will win your favor. I’ll be back.”

“Have a good time.”

Claude drops a light kiss on her cheek, then turns to go. Keith follows him. She makes eye contact with Cattleya, who’s been waiting a short distance away. Wearing a tranquil expression, the woman acknowledges her with a nod. As she turns to guide Claude and Keith, her back is perfectly straight. As expected of a soldier.

Once the door has closed behind them, Rachel approaches to set down a pitcher of water. “It’s unusual for you to coax Master Claude for a present, Lady Aileen.”

“There’s nothing strange about it. I’m not able to go outside.”

“Coaxing in the first place is unusual. In front of others, at that.” Rachel gazes at her steadily. She seems to suspect something.

Deflecting her doubt with a smile, Aileen turns to look out the window. “Tell me when Isaac and Jasper return, if you would.”

Jasper’s original reason for coming here was gathering information, so he’s staying in the castle town. Isaac has followed suit. Since Isaac and Jasper are being treated as servants, they’re free to do as they please.

Her brothers have given her a certain amount of information, and she’d like to compare it to the reality on the ground.

A knock at the door interrupts her. When Rachel answers it, the individual who peeks in is a servant wearing castle livery. They exchange a few words, and then Rachel returns. “You’ve received an invitation to tea from Lady Diana.”

Aileen frowns. Rachel looks perplexed as well. “Shall I decline it? We haven’t finished unpacking.”

“No, I’ll accept. I would imagine she’s far busier than we are.”

Diana’s wedding to Emperor Kilvas is approaching. Aileen has lived through a similar event herself. If Diana is asking people over for tea in the middle of all that, she must have an extremely good reason.

“Tell her I would love to. We must prepare, Rachel. This is an empress’s duty.”

“Of course.” Rachel bows, then searches Aileen’s opened luggage for a suitable outfit for the empress of Ellmeyer to wear for a meeting with the future empress of Kilvas.

Sunlight streams into the conservatory. Inside, a profusion of small vivid flowers bloom and songbirds twitter. The weather is reminiscent of the warm days at the beginning of autumn. Some sort of spell or device must be at work.

When Aileen steps inside, a woman rises to greet her on the other side of a white table. “I am Diana, Your Majesty.”

Responding by spreading her skirts and curtsying in the manner of Ellmeyer, Aileen offers a friendly greeting. “Thank you for your invitation, Lady Diana.”

“I thought you’d probably be bored.”

Aileen hesitates for a moment, then nods. “I do have outstanding servants accompanying me, so that is true. But you must be quite busy, Lady Diana. Are the wedding preparations going smoothly? It’s the day after tomorrow, isn’t it? I’m looking forward to it.”

“I just have to do predetermined things in the proper order. Even a monkey could manage it. Far too much of it is pointless. Oh, I know some women like that sort of thing. I didn’t want to get married in the first place, you see, and I have no dreams or expectations for it.”

Aileen decides to think of the other woman as being rather socially awkward.

She is supposed to have “forgotten how to smile,” so it makes sense, I guess.

Aileen wouldn’t claim that simply lacking in charm is a bad thing in general. Roxane, Aileen’s friend and the principal consort of neighboring Ashmael, is also far from charming. However, she’s able to socially support her diplomacy-loving husband magnificently with her meticulous consideration, insight that allows her to grasp what’s important, and flawless manners.

In addition, even if the other woman happens to be lacking in charm, consideration, insight, and manners, Aileen must not be rude to her. It would be a blot on her title as empress of Ellmeyer.

“Are you glad you married, Lady Aileen?”

“Yes, of course.”

“—I’d imagine so. It looks like you’re more suited to that sort of thing.”

Aileen tilts her head quizzically.

Diana sighs, touching the rim of her teacup. “I really wanted to speak with the demon king directly. I wasn’t allowed to, though, so I had to call you instead. Can you talk about the demons?”

“…I’m told that a discussion has been arranged between my husband and Emperor Kilvas.”

“You know men who have no clue what it’s like on the field won’t be able to have a decent discussion.” She snorts dismissively. “Oh, I’m not blaming you. One could hardly expect otherwise, after all. I’ll ask anyway, though: Is it true that demons and humans live side by side in Ellmeyer, in accordance with the demon king’s wishes?”

Under the table, Aileen shifts her feet so that her toes are even with each other. At times like these, things tend to fall apart beginning in places that can’t be seen. She must be careful. Even if she ignores the game’s scenario, the Kilvas Empire has been plagued by demons for long years. The wrong answer on her part could escalate into an international issue.

“Yes. Both humans and demons are searching for ways to get along with one another, and—”

“Actually, never mind. I see you’ll only give by-the-book answers. In that case, what is Lilia Reinoise doing?”

“……”

“Or did she avoid battle, even though she’s the Maid of the Sacred Sword? In that case, what’s become of the sword?”

Diplomacy is the art of negotiation. Sometimes a snap decision and being quick on your feet can carry the day. Her brother Michael has taught her as much. For that reason, here and now, Aileen sets her future policy. “I’m sorry, Lady Diana. You’re speaking of complicated things, and I’m afraid I don’t really understand. I’m sure Master Claude would know, but…” She feigns bewilderment.

At that, Diana stops attempting to hide her disgust. “It’s incredible that you can manage to be empress like that. Unbelievable… Leaving everything to a man.”

Carefully, Aileen returns her cup to its saucer. There’s a fragile sound of porcelain on porcelain. “I’m very sorry I can’t be of use to you. However…I would like to be friends with you. After all, you will be the empress of Kilvas. It is my duty to be friends with everyone.”

That is the job of an empress. Aileen smiles gently, and Diana sighs. “The way you think is enviably peaceful.”

“But Kilvas will also be peaceful now, won’t it? I was told that that is the purpose of this marriage.”

“A country where marriage solves everything must be nice. The women of this empire can’t afford to be so easygoing. Excuse me, it’s time I took my leave.”

Diana stands, her expression prim. She clearly has no use for Aileen.

“I don’t like tea, and I don’t have that kind of time… Oh, I’m sorry; I’m not implying that you have too much time on your hands. Dressing yourself up and ingratiating yourself to your husband must keep you very busy. I think it’s fine to have people like that around as well. That’s what it means to be at peace.”

“As one who’s spent time on the battlefield, Lady Diana, your perspective is very educational.” Diana’s eyes are apathetic, but Aileen tries to be as charming as she can. “I’m sure you are busy, but I do have delicious sweets. When you have time, please do speak with me again. Let’s see… I’d love to hear about life on the battlefield, for example.”

“……I really doubt you’d understand even if I told you.”

“Oh, but I’d feel awful taking up your time for nothing, Lady Diana. If only there was something I could do for you…” She assumes a thinking pose, evidently falling deep in thought.

Reluctantly, Diana makes a suggestion. “In that case, maybe you could tell me about the demon king next time—about Emperor Claude.”

“Gracious, Master Claude? I’m particularly good at that. I’m quite proud of my husband, you know.”

“…Cattleya was very preoccupied with him, you see.”

“In that case, I’d love to hear about Lady Cattleya as well. She was terribly dashing; I confess I was captivated by her,” Aileen says gaily.

Diana gives her a pitying look. That’s clinched it.

“Rachel, Lady Diana is a splendid person, isn’t she? I really must become her friend.”

Aileen and Rachel have reached the straight corridor that leads to their guest room. Rachel, who stood silently behind Aileen all through the tea, nods quietly. “Very well. I will see to it.”

“With Lady Cattleya as well. They’re both very practical, so I’m concerned I may make a careless blunder. Please make sure we don’t do anything rude. I so want to be friends with them.”

“Lady Aileen, frolicking like that is unseemly.”

“Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to.”

The work of unpacking isn’t yet finished, and Aileen’s ladies-in-waiting are still bustling around the room. Once she’s heard the door shut behind her, Aileen breaks into a grin. “After all, it’s been a long time since I dealt with such an easy woman.” Diana has underestimated Aileen as someone who’s foolish and easily used. “Becoming empress doesn’t seem likely to make her give up on her revolution. She’s hostile toward Ellmeyer as well. She was good enough to blab away honestly; it’s saved me a lot of trouble. Having people make light of you really is a valuable thing.”

Between her position and her pregnancy, Aileen isn’t able to move too freely or stand out too much. By using that to her advantage, she’s managed to gather some good information.

“Would you like your clothes and makeup to reflect this?”

“Yes, please. Can you procure something?”

The tools Rachel has to work with right now must be limited. However, her brilliant lady-in-waiting nods with no hesitation. “I can’t do anything as elaborate as I normally would, but leave it to me.”

“Master Claude hasn’t returned yet, has he? Heh-heh. Perhaps I’ll go to greet him. After all, I’m lonely.”

“Lady Aileen, your expression doesn’t match what you’re saying in the slightest. I would prefer it if you behaved yourself and rested. Is there a reason you would like to go to meet him?”

“Goodness, Rachel. You must have noticed it yourself. Master Claude is hiding something from me. Lady Cattleya must be on his mind in some way. As more than a cousin, I mean.”

When Cattleya had greeted them, he’d reacted strangely. He can’t have imagined his wife would miss that, can he? And the crowning blow was how Diana pitied Aileen, implying Aileen knew nothing.

Aileen gives Rachel a sidelong glance, but Rachel isn’t surprised. She keeps a careful eye on Aileen’s reactions and, through Aileen, the reactions of those around them. Something must already have struck her as odd.

“I believe they haven’t spoken in years. Will you question him about it?”

“I wouldn’t do anything so vulgar. It’s only natural for spouses to have a secret or two. However, a good wife makes sure to know everything while pretending she does not.”

“It’s a pity, really. I quite like this lip rouge.”

Putting a hand to her lips, Aileen’s reflection smiles in the mirror. The pad of her index finger picks up a smear of lip rouge too lustrous for one who intends to play the part of some sweet young thing. It looks an awful lot like blood.

A chill seems to crawl up from Claude’s feet, and he stops in his tracks. Cattleya, who’s been walking ahead as their guide, blinks. Almost immediately, her expression softens.

“Let’s stop and rest soon. The room over there is empty; I’ll go and get permission to use it. I’ll have tea prepared as well. I’m very sorry to drag you around when you’ve just arrived.”

“I’m the one who asked you to. I apologize for making you work without rest.”

“No, it’s a place I’m used to. Come, this way—”

Cattleya is about to show them through a door, but Claude catches the handle first, and their hands nearly touch. She withdraws hers at the last moment.

“You rest, too. Keith, can you prepare the tea?” Claude asks.

“Leave it to me.”

Keith promptly calls to a servant who’s walking down the corridor. Thinking that although Keith may be from another country, he’ll probably handle this well, Claude opens the door. “…This is the imperial castle. Is it all right to call you Princess Cattleya now?”

Cattleya broods for a little while, then breaks into a smile. “If you’ll be kind enough to do so again.”

Laughing, Cattleya steps through the door.

The room she’s chosen for their recess is small but tidy. The flowers in the vase by the window appear a bit wilted, but that’s probably because evening is near. Based on their colors, the chairs that face each other across the round, cat-footed table are a set. When he pulls out one of the amber-colored chairs with bright red upholstery, Cattleya slowly lowers herself into it. She may be dressed like a knight, but she’s conducting herself like a perfect lady.

“I didn’t think you’d be coming to meet us. That startled me,” Claude began.

“I am the only one in this nation who’s ever met you. I don’t think the fact that I was selected is so surprising.” Her voice is a bit gentler than it was before. She may be switching tones to match her role.

“It’s been more than a decade since we met in person, though. I didn’t think you’d remember me.”

“Your beauty isn’t so easily forgotten, Master Claude. It was branded onto my heart as a child. I wondered whether my brother would grow up to be that lovely as well.”

“…It’s odd for me to say it, but your brother seems to be growing up splendidly. I was relieved to see it.”

In front of Claude, Cattleya smiles. It isn’t the gallant one she showed him as a girl. There’s a hint of resignation in it; it’s the smile of a grown woman. “Yes, he’s already old enough to marry. I was surprised as well, though. I didn’t expect you to have become emperor or that you’d be married…”

“All sorts of things happened. I believe that’s true of you as well… Let’s get down to business.”

Save me from this place.

“…This was sent to you?” Cattleya frowns.

Watching her reaction carefully, Claude checks with her. “The sender didn’t give their name. It wasn’t you?”

“No, not me.”

“But you’re the only acquaintance I have in Kilvas,” he tells her, echoing the excuse she’d given him a moment earlier.

Even so, Cattleya shakes her head. “As I said, it wasn’t me. On the contrary, I think it may be a trap.” Claude gives her a questioning look, and she raises her head, facing him squarely. “You’re aware that this nation came to the brink of revolution. What do you think that would mean if, in the middle of all that, I sought the help of the demon king?”

“I see. So people would think the imperial family of Kilvas really was inviting demons into the country.” Claude strokes the card with an index finger, and it fades, then vanishes. “In that case, we’ll say I never saw this. You don’t have to worry: The only ones who know of this card are myself and Keith—the adviser who was just here.”

“…Your wife doesn’t know? You mustn’t do that. She’ll suspect you.”

“My wife is more jealous than one might assume. Not only that, but as you know, she’s pregnant. I can’t have her finding out something unnecessary that will make her embark on some sort of scheme.”

“That’s right. She was kind enough to switch over to me.” He chuckles quietly.

Cattleya looks rather appalled. “Don’t tell me you deceived her. You bad man; she’s such a sweet woman.”

“I am the demon king. Obviously, I’m a bad man. I’m also arrogant enough to think that if you’re really in trouble, I want to help you.” Leaning back in his chair, Claude smiles. “If something’s wrong, tell me. I’d like to do all I can. That includes handling the demons.”

“…Why would you go that far…?”

“When I was disinherited, you tried to extend a helping hand and invite me to your country, remember? It’s thanks for that.” That isn’t actually all it is, but he genuinely does want to help her. “I’ve heard that the demons’ offensive has slackened. I intend to do my best to ensure that you never have to set foot on the battlefield as a Valkyrie again.”

Cattleya looks down at her feet. This is when Keith enters, carrying a tea tray he accepted in the corridor. The sounds of the tea service being set out and of hot water being poured, along with the light fragrance of black tea, soften the stark silence into a simple hush.

“…Master Claude, where do you suppose the demons came from?” Perhaps she’s feeling wary; Cattleya doesn’t touch her tea.

“You aren’t saying that they didn’t come from Ellmeyer or Hausel, then.”

Claude picks up his teacup and drinks first. He’s acting as her poison taster. “I can assure you that I didn’t send them. However, if it happened before I was born, I can’t speak with any confidence. Frankly, the Queendom of Hausel was shrouded in mystery until the end. The remaining relics vanished before we managed to secure them, to say nothing of the floating palace.”

“The floating palace did vanish as well, didn’t it…? I’ve heard rumors that it’s actually still in the sky and that the Queendom is thriving.”

“With all that lost wisdom, conspiracy theories will inevitably run rampant.”

To be completely accurate, the floating palace has vanished from this world and is currently in the demon realm. A palace that constantly repairs itself is too much for humans to handle. As a result, his father—Luciel, the god of demons—and his father’s wife, Grace, have agreed to be its caretakers until the time is right. It’s a very vague matter, but Baal, the holy king of Ashmael, has given his consent, too.

This means their two nations are concealing the floating palace, but it certainly isn’t the sort of thing that could be allowed to stay out in the open. It would definitely spark an unnecessary war. Conspiracy theories are preferable.

“Hausel has definitely fallen, though. People still live on those islands, but the majority have begun to emigrate to other lands. Most of them seem to have headed to Ashmael, but geographically speaking, it’s Ellmeyer’s issue as well. That’s probably true of Kilvas, too,” Claude says.

“Sometimes you’ll be targeted precisely because your situation is unstable. I’ll have to discuss that with your brother.”

“Diana would probably be a better choice than Vica. I’ll mention it to her, too. She’s fought beyond the wall as a Valkyrie, so she knows what the demons are like.”

Cattleya must be very close to Diana; she’s even recommended her as a bride for her precious little brother. Claude nods. “I want to hear opinions from those with experience in the field, of course. I’d like to see the wall itself, if possible, and the demons on its other side; could I ask you to show me?”

“Let’s see. I’ll discuss it with Diana first—”

A light knock at the door interrupts them. Keith swiftly glances in that direction, but before he can ask who it is, the door opens. When Claude sees the individual who enters, it makes sense to him.

It’s Vica. Prime Minister Ernst is there as well. Vica nods to them. “Excuse me; I heard you were here. Cattleya, Diana’s calling. She says she needs to talk to you.”

“She does? You haven’t made her angry again, have you?”

“Not that I’m aware of, but…”

It feels strange to Claude to see such a tranquil expression on a face that’s identical to his. Especially when his eyes meet those red ones. Does the other man feel the same way?

“I’m currently showing Emperor Claude around, though,” Cattleya protests.

“No, I should be returning to my room,” Claude says diplomatically.

“I can get back if you’ll send a guide with me. Can I trouble you to clean up here?”

“Of course. Please ask the guard outside to show you the way. Ernst.” Vica glances at Ernst, who promptly steps out of the room. He’s probably calling servants to tidy away their tea things. Even though he’s the prime minster, he’s capable of being meticulously considerate.

“…I’ll take you up on that, then. Master Claude, I’ll contact you later about the matter we were speaking of.” Cattleya rises to her feet, bows, and leaves, carrying herself briskly to the last.

“Have you made some sort of promise with my sister?” Settling in the chair Cattleya has just vacated, Vica crosses his legs.

“Yes.” Claude nods. “I told her I wanted to tour the other side of the wall.”

“And if I refuse to allow it?”

Claude blinks.

However, as Vica rests his elbows on the table, he’s smiling.

It’s as if there’s a mirror in front of him that isn’t copying his movements. Feeling very strange, Claude chooses his words carefully. “If you do, then of course I’ll refrain. However, I have been requested to do something about the demons as the demon king, and it will mean I’ll be unable to.”

“…I was joking. I just wanted to see how it felt to say it. I don’t have much of a voice in matters of policy anyway. I’ve been a puppet emperor since I was a child.”

Vica’s smile vanishes, and his expression goes blank. For the first time, Claude feels as if he’s facing himself.

He’s technically received official information regarding Vica, emperor of Kilvas, from his brothers-in-law; mostly from Michael. The previous emperor passed away suddenly, and this boy became emperor at the tender age of ten. His sister, Cattleya, was already a Valkyrie, away on the battlefield. Surrounded by treacherous courtiers, the child became a puppet emperor.

He has black hair and red eyes, and he wields magic, but he can’t control the demons, and unlike his sister, he doesn’t race across battlefields. Claude heard he’s often thought of as a terribly ominous, albeit physically attractive doll.

However, he really can’t think of the identical face that’s seated across from him as being like a doll’s now.

“…You and Ernst may be the only ones who will say that to my face, Big Brother Claude.”

Claude nearly fumbles his teacup. The indescribable emotion that wells up inside him becomes a blast of wind that rattles the windows. “…‘Big brother’?”

“If we’re cousins, that isn’t the strangest thing to say, is it?”

“I see…!”

How can this be?

What an unexpected blind spot. The feeling it provokes in Claude is complex in a different way from what he feels when Cedric calls him that.

“Feel free to call me Brother, Vica.”

“…Apparently that made you happy. I’m glad,” Vica murmurs, gazing at the abruptly glossy flowers by the window. He seems to know about Claude’s nature. That boosts his score as well.

“You’re kind, aren’t you, Brother Claude. However, instead of me, can I ask you to save my sister?”

Claude studies him intently. The boy gazes back. He seems to be implying that Claude already knows the answer. Being similar may not always be a good thing. Before Claude can respond, Vica gets to his feet. “I’ll take my leave, then. Ernst.”

As if he’s been waiting for this, the prime minister peeks into the room from the hall. Vica walks away, signaling that the conversation is over. Claude calls after him: “So it isn’t your wife you want me to save?”

They aren’t technically married yet, but the other man will know what he means. Vica turns back. “Yes, that’s correct,” he responds briefly. The expression on his face is one Claude has seen in the mirror. Then he leaves, taking Ernst with him. In exchange, the servants who’ve been sent to tidy up enter, as does the guard who’s been waiting to show Claude back to his room.

“Those two are quite the rogues, aren’t they?” Keith asks the moment Claude steps out into the hall.

Claude shrugs. “It would be disturbing if he acted spineless with my face, wouldn’t it?”

There’s no telling what about that is funny, but Keith bursts out laughing. Claude finds it quite rude.

However, Kilvas doesn’t seem to operate in the fashion to which she is accustomed.

Music plays beneath the crystal chandeliers, and the dance forms are also quite similar, but the women’s costumes are divided equally between splendid dresses and knights’ uniforms. Considering the fact that some of the women in ball gowns are from other countries, it almost appears as if more women in Kilvas are Valkyries than not.

She may have chosen the right approach. Behind her open fan, Aileen narrows her eyes. Her husband, who’s holding her hand, murmurs quietly, “How are you feeling?”

“I’m fine.” She smiles back at him.

Claude looks Aileen over once from head to toe, then offers his opinion. “…You aren’t your usual self tonight. It’s quite novel. Have you had some sort of change of heart?”

She expected no less of him: His choice of words is extremely skillful.

“You don’t like it?”

“No, that isn’t what I meant. It’s just… I have a terribly bad feeling about it.”

Once again, this is Claude all over: His instincts are extremely good as well.

“It’s simply a change of pace.”

She hasn’t worn anything this cute in a long time. Naturally, she’s matching her behavior and every little gesture to her outfit. She’s rather uneasy about it, but Rachel has given it her stamp of approval, confidently declaring, “As long as you don’t revert to your usual self, you’ll be fine.”

“I thought I’d wear the sort of thing I have very little occasion to wear in Ellmeyer, since I had the chance. It’s less constricting than the usual. And yes, I’ve dressed with my condition in mind.”

“…You thought up that excuse just now, didn’t you?”

“Lord Claude, Lady Aileen, are you enjoying yourselves?”

Although Claude has drawn his handsome eyebrows down to their limit, he swiftly reverts to his usual expression. Nestling modestly into his side, Aileen smiles. “Yes, Lady Cattleya. It’s a lovely soiree. And Lady Diana as well; how do you do?”

“Lady Diana, what a splendid dress.”

In terms of displaying the sacredness of the Valkyries, it’s a fine costume. Aileen’s compliment is genuine.

Diana gazes back at her. “You are adorable as well. Those clothes suit you.”

“Thank you very much, Lady Diana. Lady Cattleya, you haven’t changed yet?”

There are more braids on her shoulders and more tassels on her cape, but she’s dressed as a knight. Cattleya sets a hand on her chest. “I am Diana and Vica’s guard, so I will stay like this.”

“That’s a pity. I’d been looking forward to seeing your gown…”

“You do like dresses, don’t you, Lady Aileen.” Diana says pointedly.

“Yes, I love makeup and dresses both. I can’t wait for the wedding, either.”

Diana shrugs, and Cattleya forces a smile. “I’m planning to wear a dress for the ceremony. I’m not sure whether it will be to your liking, but…”

“My, we’ll certainly be looking forward to that. Won’t we, Master Claude.”

“Y-yes… We will.” Claude nods back awkwardly while Aileen clings to his arm.

Cattleya’s gaze shifts, and her eyebrows draw together. “Master Claude, is something the matter? Your expression seems stiff.”

“No… Being surrounded by beautiful women is simply making me nervous.”

Ernst bustles into view from the direction Claude just happens to be looking. He’s alone, though.

“…Come to think of it, Lady Diana, has Emperor Vica not arrived yet?” Aileen asks.

“I imagine he’ll be here soon.”

The brisk answer causes Aileen to fall silent.

Vica is the host of this soiree, and he technically should have escorted Diana to it. It isn’t an absolute must, though, and this isn’t considered a breach of etiquette; it’s simply an issue of appearances. Vica may have sent her on ahead. Every situation has its exceptions and reasons.

What tugs at Aileen is that neither Diana nor Cattleya seems concerned.

Of course, if Claude is late to a soiree he is hosting, Aileen will enter first and take charge. However, that is because Claude is not present, and Aileen is the empress.

If Vica is here, then unless he and Diana perform the first dance, the soiree cannot begin. Or does Kilvas consider it natural for Princess Cattleya and Diana, who isn’t yet queen, to take charge?

“On that note, we’ll take our leave,” Aileen says in parting.

Ernst gives them an apologetic nod. Looking as if she’s heard nothing, Aileen sets off with Claude.

As soon as they’ve put some distance between themselves and the others, Claude sighs, long and bitterly. “What on earth are you plotting? This is hard on the heart.”

“My, how awful. Are you certain you aren’t tired from the journey?”

“…No doubt there isn’t another woman in the world who could rattle me as much as you have with only a dress and some makeup.”

That evaluation isn’t bad. Spotting one of Kilvas’s influential aristocrats nearby, Aileen nods in response to Claude’s questioning look, sending him off in high spirits. Now then, what about me? As she scans the venue, Ernst steps into the center of the hall, accompanied by Cattleya and Diana.

“Assembled guests, I regret to inform you that His Imperial Majesty is feeling unwell and, as a precaution, will not be attending tonight. Please accept my deepest apologies. However, he has told me that he wishes for all of you to enjoy yourselves this evening, so Her Highness Princess Cattleya will deliver the opening remarks—”

The wedding is tomorrow. Will he be all right, if he’s feeling unwell now?

In terms of the game, Vica being absent from the wedding is an impossible development…

Aileen has a bad feeling about this. When she glances around, the Valkyries are leaving the venue in a hurry.

Aileen narrows her eyes. Both Cattleya’s and Diana’s expressions are tense, confirming her apprehensions.

“The situation’s pretty much what your brothers said.”

The next morning, Isaac stops by just after Luc has finished her morning exam. Jasper agrees with him. “The fight between the demons and Valkyries on the other side of the wall was definitely a case of human experimentation by the Queendom of Hausel. Kilvas’s imperial family tolerated it because they wanted support, and they kept mass-producing Valkyries like they were told. Rumor has it that the demons were imported from Ellmeyer through the Queendom.”

“It’s remained a mere rumor?”

The chances of a civil war erupting are affected by the number of people who believe in it.

Isaac picks up on Aileen’s concern accurately. “I’d say about fifty-fifty. The Valkyries and the people close to them believe it; everyone else knows about the fight beyond the wall but thinks it’s not their problem. Right, guy?”

Jasper sits down at Luc’s desk, since Luc is recording Aileen’s condition in her file. “Yeah. Even if they wanted to suspect the imperial family, the princess is a Valkyrie, and the emperor’s a notorious puppet. There’s no clear bad guy to blame. Some folks are using the fact that the demons’ invasion stopped when Hausel fell as circumstantial evidence, but as long as it’s settled down, most people don’t care why.”

“Then there’s the wedding. Having a Valkyrie with a phenomenal war record marry the emperor seems like a reconciliation.”

“Yeah, because the current stance is to simply set aside suspicions for now. If the empire stays peaceful, then that’s fine; if it doesn’t, it’s more than possible that the country will focus that hostility outside its borders. It’s an old trick by those who hold the reins of power. Anyway, what’s with the new look? What are you fighting?” Isaac asks.

Rachel has been with Aileen since last night, and Isaac stayed at an inn in town with Jasper to help him gather information, so he doesn’t know about the business with Diana. Even so, he’s picked up on the fact that the change in Aileen’s makeup isn’t a mere whimsy; it’s preparation for battle.

She’d expect no less from her right-hand man. Crossing her legs, Aileen smiles. “That should be obvious. It’s a battle between women.”

“Fine. I won’t butt in. Just gimme intel. I don’t need to hear the rest of it,” Isaac says, raising his hands in mock surrender. Still facing the desk, Luc chuckles quietly. Rachel, Isaac’s wife, is serving tea to Luc and Jasper.

“Lady Diana is hostile toward us. It doesn’t look as if she respects Emperor Vica, either. However…even Lady Cattleya seems to be making light of Emperor Vica. I find that concerning.”

“The word on the street is that the siblings are supposed to be close. Do they actually not get along or something?” Jasper wonders.

“No, they do. It’s subtle, but she dotes on her little brother. She just doesn’t seem to respect him as an emperor. She is close to Lady Diana, though.”

Folding her arms, Aileen thinks. “It really wouldn’t be… For the moment, hold off on making a decision. I’m still investigating.”

“Don’t tell me that’s why you’re dressed like that. C’mon, somebody stop her.” Isaac shoots a glance at Rachel.

Smiling, she simply offers him tea. “Thank you for all your hard work.”

Isaac accepts the tea silently. The fact that his wife hasn’t broken character as a lady-in-waiting seems to have made him realize that Aileen can’t be stopped.

“And?” Jasper asks. “What’s the emperor actually like? Does he seem pretty unreliable? Young Master Isaac told me he’s the spitting image of the demon king.”

“I’ve barely seen Emperor Vica at all. I’m no different from Isaac there.”

“I’m gonna bet he’s not incompetent. Having the demon king’s face and being incompetent would just be a horror story.” Isaac sips his tea, looking glum.

The sight makes Luc burst out laughing. Then he turns to Aileen. “At any rate, do put your health first, Lady Aileen.”

“Don’t worry. At this point, doing nothing would be more in line with what they expect from me, no?”

“If anything happens, I’ll have you sent home by force. I won’t fail to keep the demon king updated on this matter.” The fact that Luc beams while he says that makes it even scarier. “Please don’t make that face. I will permit you to attend the wedding.”

“Come to think of it, I wonder how Master Vica is feeling.”

Like Jasper, Isaac has also noticed something might be up. “Yeah, the emperor wasn’t at the soiree last night, was he? Things at the castle seem sort of panicky, too.”

If this wedding ceremony falls apart, the danger of civil war will rear its head again.

“At any rate, we must prevent that hostility from turning on Ellmeyer at all costs. Please continue your investigation, you two. No discovery is too small,” Aileen concludes.

Jasper nods. “Understood. I hope we find something that’ll work up into a good article.”

“Actually, where’s the demon king? Working?” Isaac asks Aileen.

“Sir Ernst summoned him a little before you arrived, and he went out with Master Keith. I believe they may be talking about the demons.”

“That seems sort of sketchy… I hope this isn’t about demon snuff again.”

“It’s time to get ready, Lady Aileen,” Rachel says, glancing at the clock. When Aileen nods, Isaac and the rest set their cups on the tray and leave the room, and Aileen promptly begins to get dressed.

Rachel curls the tips of Aileen’s hair loosely. It is Aileen’s cherished view that when attempting to appear adorable, no effort should be spared.

“I wonder if Master Claude will be ready in time. He hasn’t returned yet, has he?”

“I’m sure it will be all right. Master Keith is with him, so they must have an accurate grasp of the hour.”

“Lady Aileen, are you there?”

“Lady Aileen, I’m very sorry. Would you come with me?”

“What’s the matter? There’s still time before the wedding.”

“Milord is in trouble. It seems like a job for you, so I came to get you.”

Aileen turns to look at him, and Keith flashes her a bright smile.

Keith simply starts down the corridor, without explaining a thing. Aileen follows him, breaking her own rule just this once and walking as quickly as possible.

The castle’s velvet-carpeted halls are bustling with servants, but as soon as they cut through the garden gallery and enter the inner palace, everything is quiet. Apparently, everyone has been sent away.

As a result, once they’ve walked a short distance down the corridor, they can clearly hear the quarrel from the inner room.

“Please, Master Claude.”

“Cattleya, this is reckless. I object!”

“But it’s the only way, Ernst. You understand, don’t you, Diana?”

“…If you say so, Cattleya, I’m fine with it.”

When Aileen glances at Keith, he retreats a step, taking up a position beside the door. Seems like she’s supposed to look and decide for herself.

Aileen sets a hand on the door, which is standing slightly ajar. Then she grimaces. The door hasn’t been left open; it can’t be closed. It’s broken.

At the double shock of the words she’s heard and the horrible state of the room beyond the door, Aileen’s eyes fly open. Startled, Ernst and Cattleya turn. A little belatedly, so does Diana, but any greetings will have to wait. Aileen pushes her way in, looking around.

Broken windows, slashed curtains. Overturned chairs and cupboards, scattered documents and books. Even the water from the broken vase hasn’t been cleaned up.

It looks as if the room’s been ransacked.

“…What happened here?”

“Keith, I wondered where you’d disappeared to. Why have you brought Aileen?” Claude asks.

“Because a discussion of standing in for the emperor isn’t the sort of thing you can exclude Lady Aileen from.”

Before Claude can say anything, Cattleya steps in front of her. “Lady Aileen… Now that you’ve seen this, we have no choice. Please help us. I want Master Claude to become Vica.”

Aileen cocks her head, genuinely perplexed. Cattleya speaks rapidly—she’s clearly anxious. “This is Vica’s room. It appears he was attacked by someone last night. By the time Ernst called us, the room was as you see it now. Look over there.”

When she looks where Cattleya is pointing, she sees a fine trail of bloodstains on the floor leading to the window. It appears as if someone was dragged.

“…It can’t be. Is it Emperor Vica’s?”

“We don’t know. We’re searching for him all over, but we have no clues…”

“We do have a clue.”

“If you seriously mean to send in a substitute, you shouldn’t hide this from her, Cattleya.”

Ernst has brought a small bundle over, and he opens it to reveal what looks like a shattered crystal. A few fragments are stained with blood.

Aileen recognizes those shards. During the war with the Queendom of Hausel, she struck down several dozen holy swords set with similar objects. “Is this…a divine stone?”

“You knew? Impressive. Yes, that’s right. It was lying in the bloodstains by the window. In Kilvas, they’re used in the Valkyries’ magic lances.”

When she looks up, Ernst is gazing at her steadily. He’s clearly trying to turn her thoughts in a certain direction. Gratefully, Aileen clasps her hands in front of her chest, venturing a question in a tiny voice. “Then… Um, do you mean to say that the Valkyries were behind this?”

“Don’t be stupid. You know nothing,” Diana cuts in sharply. “And you, Ernst. Dispose of that at once. If a Valkyrie were the culprit, she wouldn’t leave a thing like that at the scene. Use your head a little. Or what, do you doubt the warriors who’ve given everything for their country?”

She’s speaking far too quickly. Despite appearances, she may actually be rattled.

Pretending to be bewildered, Aileen listens carefully to Ernst, Diana, and Cattleya.

“That isn’t what I meant. However, it’s a fact that there is a shattered divine stone here. It’s also true that only the Valkyries are capable of attacking Vica.”

“Stop it, you two; that isn’t the problem. The problem is that Vica isn’t here. The wedding will begin soon. We need to make a decision, and fast.”

For the moment, Aileen has gotten a handle on the situation.

This is why Vica was absent last night. They’ve been searching for him quietly and keeping things under wraps to avoid causing chaos, but they still haven’t been able to find him, and the ceremony is drawing near. They’re being forced to decide whether to reveal that Vica is missing.

Cattleya turns back to Aileen. “Lady Aileen, please allow Master Claude to serve as Vica’s body double. For the moment, if we don’t at least conduct the ceremony, the people will grow uneasy.”

She understands Cattleya’s desperation. The peace of the nation is riding on this wedding.

Ernst pulls a sour face. “If we go on with the ceremony anyway, there’s no telling what may happen to Vica.”

“Considering the timing, this was clearly intended to obstruct the wedding. If we cancel it, we’ll be playing right into the culprit’s hands.”

“They’re trying to cast suspicion on the Valkyries, too. I’m also in favor of holding the wedding.”

…Well then, what should Aileen do in this situation?

This is a golden opportunity.

Right now, Vica and these three are the ones who are steering the Kilvas Empire. No matter who the culprit is, simply lending them Claude as Vica’s replacement will put them deeply in Ellmeyer’s debt. In addition, the most effective time to indebt someone is when they are most desperate.

Only a handful of people are able to interact with the groom at a wedding, and Claude could pass as Vica’s twin. It would take far more than a passing glance to see through the ruse. The emperor’s behavior is sure to be beyond reproach. It will mean learning the ritual formalities at the last minute, but Claude can do it.

The problem is how to get him to consent to it.

Although he is practically indecency incarnate, Claude tends to take a romantic view of things like marriage and love. If Aileen told him to take another wife, Ellmeyer would be engulfed by a furious blizzard even at the height of summer. She can’t visualize her simple, honest husband agreeing to secretly pose as someone else at a wedding. Not only that, but if she takes the initiative and tries to sell him off, things will get extremely complicated. In spite of herself, Aileen steals a glance at her husband…

…and makes eye contact.

His red eyes narrow, but a moment later, his blank expression is replaced by a smile. The transformation makes her groan.

Oh no!

He’s realized she’s trying to find a way to loan him out at a high price, and he’s come up with a countermeasure in the blink of an eye. Claude is brilliant. If he moves first, she’ll lose.

“Um, everyone—”

Diana’s eyebrows knit together in a frown. Aileen feels like groaning: He’s good. He’s shown that he’s aware of the suspicions surrounding Ellmeyer and, in the same breath, declared that he will help Kilvas. The message is clear: I’ll cooperate with you, so don’t even think about threatening my empire.

“We can extend our stay here. In the meantime, we’ll help search for Vica and think of what to do. Even if something has happened to him, it would be better for it to ‘happen’ after the wedding.”

“What do you mean?” Diana’s voice is practically dripping with suspicion, but Claude doesn’t falter.

“At this point, there is no crown prince and no one appropriate who can take charge. However, how will things stand after the wedding?”

“…Oh, I see. Because I will be empress then…”

“Exactly.”

“In that case, we really should conduct the ceremony,” Diana concludes.

Cattleya nods.

Ernst sighs bitterly. “…We’ll only be buying time.”

“On the battlefield, we buy time to find a way out, Ernst.”

“Master Claude, I’m terribly sorry, but may we ask for your cooperation…?!” Cattleya pleads.

“Of course. It’s for the peace of both our nations.”

The group quickly reaches a consensus. Aileen stares at them, her face drawn and tense.

That natural demon king demeanor of his…!

“However, Aileen, the greatest problem is you,” Claude declares.

“E-excuse me?!”

When Claude gently catches her by the shoulders and turns his smile on her, Aileen remembers: She was the one who was trying to loan Claude to Kilvas and put them in their debt. She was planning to say something along the lines of, They’re in trouble, after all, and it’s only a wedding ceremony. I’ll endure it. I’m capable of conducting myself like an empress. I won’t hold Master Claude back. She would have played the part of an adorable woman whose head is positively bursting with flowers and butterflies, who’s a sandwich or two short of a picnic.

Thanks to Claude, though, that act is no longer necessary. He picked up on the fact that she was about to sell him off and immediately took the initiative.

“You must return to Ellmeyer at once. We’ll say you’re feeling unwell.”

“Wha…? B-but why? I’m in perfect health.”

“It would be strange if you were here and I was not at your side, wouldn’t it?”

If Claude acts as a stand-in for Vica, naturally, there will be no Claude. The emperor of Ellmeyer is expected to be in attendance, and they’ll need a reason for his absence.

He’s planning to say we’ve returned to Ellmeyer because I’m unwell?!

“U-um, Master Claude… No matter how you look at it, won’t that be a little too, er, abrupt…?”

“I beg you, Aileen. If you leave, it won’t seem suspicious that I’m gone.”

His earnest expression is very pained. However, as Aileen looks around uncertainly, she notices that an oddly ominous wind has begun to blow, making the shredded curtains billow and flap.

“Please understand, Aileen. This is for the good of the country. More than anything, even if it’s something I must do, I don’t want you to see me exchanging vows with another woman.”

Claude intends to send Aileen back to the safety of her own country in a way that will seem beyond reproach.

“Well, yes, that would probably be for the best. It would be more tiresome to have you here,” Diana says, as if she feels sorry for her.

“I apologize, but, Lady Aileen… Just for now…”

Since Aileen is acting the part of a sheltered woman who has nothing to offer but her rank, she has no grounds to argue with Diana or Cattleya. If she lets them unmask her here, it will prevent her from moving freely in Kilvas, even if she stays. On the contrary, Diana and the others will be all the more wary of her, and she may end up holding Claude back.

With complete knowledge of all this, Claude and his red eyes are laughing right in her face. “Make preparations to leave Kilvas immediately.”

“I-immediately? You say that so easily, but…”

“…Because whoever attacked Vica will realize that Emperor Claude has taken his place,” Ernst mutters bitterly.

As things stand, there’s truly nothing more she can do.

Perhaps her defeat was assured the moment Claude took the initiative. At this point, all Aileen can do is stamp on his toes, hiding the motion under her skirts. Naturally, he doesn’t even twitch.

“Very well… I shall do as you say.”

This isn’t all bad. Taken the other way around, it means she’ll be able to evade Claude’s watchful eye. Just as she’s starting to consider leaving the imperial castle to hunt for Vica, Claude takes her cheeks in his hands—gently, but with enough strength that she can’t break free—and smiles. “I’m glad you understand. I know; let me send Keith with you.”

“What?!”

“I’m worried about you. Besides, it would be odd if I returned but Keith stayed, wouldn’t it? You don’t need to worry about a thing. Just leave it to me; I’ll make sure everything comes out all right.”

“I-in that case, Master Claude…” She refuses to let herself be swept along like this. In an attempt to keep Claude’s scheme from washing her away like a muddy torrent, she stamps on his toes harder. “…at least let me leave my attendants as liaisons.”

Diana and the others swiftly exchange glances, but they don’t object. They probably think she means her ladies-in-waiting or something. However, Claude will understand who she’s referring to.

“I—I can’t go home and leave you here by yourself, Master Claude.”

“You are the only woman who’d say a thing like that to the demon king.

“And also the only one who would try to sell him off, of course.”

The words he whispers just before dropping a kiss on her cheek draw a tiny, stifled shriek from her. “Oh no, don’t look like that. Smiles always suit you best.”

Uttering more sweet nothings to her with irritating magnificence, Claude offers her a beautiful smile, even though she’s still stamping on his toes.

It wouldn’t do for watchful eyes to notice that Master Claude isn’t here.

They’ll be traveling back to the port town by train, then returning home on the ship from Ellmeyer, which is still moored there.

“I’m sure you’re unhappy about it, Lady Aileen, but I’m personally in favor of going home,” Luc tells her while taking her pulse in the waiting room. Although the bench is made of wood, it’s padded with water-resistant cushions. No doubt each country can obtain different materials, but the infrastructure in Kilvas is more advanced than it is in Ellmeyer.

“I would imagine so. Isaac probably shares your opinion.”

“He did agree to babysit the demon king, after all. Jasper turned pale, though.”

“Doesn’t he think it’s unfair to Rachel?”

“Master Isaac? I doubt it. After the wedding, the demon king will keep an eye on the situation for a time, then come home as if nothing’s happened. His greatest objective is keeping you away from danger, Lady Aileen.”

“I’m not so certain,” Aileen says wryly.

Luc looks up. “Should I get the details on that? I am your physician; confidentiality is part of my job.”

“It’s nothing important. The truth is quite simple, really. There’s something Master Claude doesn’t want me to see.”

“An affair, you mean?”

Luc has finished his exam and is putting his instruments back into his bag. She leans down to peek at his face. He’s frowning. There’s her answer.

“Unfortunately, I have the most freedom when Master Claude isn’t keeping an eye on me.”

“…When you put it that way, I have to admit you’re right…”

“And Master Claude has intentionally stopped watching me. It’s almost as if he’s telling me to do as I please.”

“I’m positive that isn’t what he meant.”

“Since he has, in fact, taken his eyes off me, that is how I choose to interpret it. In any case, Master Claude is plotting something. Isn’t he, Master Keith?”

Apparently having finished checking the luggage, Keith has stepped into the waiting room. Behind his glasses, his eyes are twinkling. “Oh, that can’t possibly be true. I’m simply a minder, Lady Aileen.”

“A minder meant to stop me or adjust my path if I do anything that diverges from Master Claude’s intentions, correct? In the first place, it was you who called me to the room where they were debating whether to use Master Claude as a substitute… Doesn’t that mean it was really Master Claude who summoned me?”

Claude must have already decided to take Vica’s place by then. He might have been angry that Aileen had been willing to sell him off, but only a little; he had her witness that scene for a reason.

“If there’s something behind this, I would be very glad if you’d tell me about it soon.”

“Please rest assured, I truly know nothing. I can guess at certain things, though.”

“Presumptuous as it may be of me, that’s correct. As a result, I believe I know milord’s intentions. —He sold me off to Lady Aileen, blast him. Does he hate being scolded that much?” Apparently, Keith has been sent to her against his will. Pushing up his glasses, he smiles. “What does he think a man who can’t even change clothes by himself can do? He should just drink bad tea and reflect on his actions.”

As Claude’s adviser curses him, Aileen begins to feel concerned about her husband’s life in Kilvas.

Well, Lady Cattleya will probably help him.

There’s a small, rough sensation in the depths of her heart, but there’s no helping that now. Emotions are what they are. More than that, though, Aileen has her pride as Claude’s wife.

“Now then, Lady Aileen, it’s time for the train to depart,” Keith says; he’s heard the whistle.

She looks up at him through her lashes. “Aren’t you worried about Master Claude?”

“Unfortunately, not in the slightest. I think a little pain would be good for him.”

“Why don’t we stealthily watch from somewhere nearby to see whether he meets with unpleasantness?”

“Now there’s a delightful suggestion.”

“Isn’t it? On top of that, if we could find Emperor Vica, I imagine it would frustrate Master Claude to no end.”

“Shall I tell you the answer in a way that’s easy to understand? You mustn’t.”

That smile of his is quite clear. Resigning herself, Aileen rises to her feet. When she looks, Rachel is standing outside the waiting room. There’s no escape.

“Now that I’ve come this far, I’ll behave. Is there somewhere I could rest by myself?”

“The car to your right is divided into private compartments. There are seats that unfold into a bed as well. Rachel, is everything ready?”

“Yes, Master Keith. Your room is waiting for you, Lady Aileen. It is a little cramped; you won’t mind?”

When Aileen confirms that she won’t, Keith sets off in the lead. Rachel falls in behind Aileen, and Luc walks beside her. She’s completely surrounded.

They’re this wary? As she thinks that in exasperation, there’s a clatter, and the train begins to sway. They’ve set off. Outside the window, the station platform streams past.

“This way, Lady Aileen.”

“I’ll be fine on my own, Rachel. There isn’t much room in here, you know.”

Aileen’s response makes Keith, Rachel, and Luc grimace openly. She points out the window. “Even I can’t escape now. I wouldn’t leap from a moving train, not without the sacred sword.”

“So if you had the sword, you’d jump,” Luc interprets, and Keith’s and Rachel’s eyes gleam.

Aileen presses a finger to the spot between her eyebrows. “I don’t have it, so I can’t. There’s something I’d like to think about alone. If I need anything, I’ll call right away.”

“But, Lady Aileen—”

Due to their professions, it isn’t unusual for either Keith or Luc to see women’s bare legs. However, generally speaking, most people would consider that outrageous. What’s more, since Aileen is married to Claude…

“I’ll bring you tea later, Lady Aileen. You may sleep if you wish. Just leave the door unlocked.”

Aileen nods, accepting Rachel’s compromise. After opening the door on her own, she lowers herself into the compartment’s seat. It’s softer and more comfortable than she expected. This train is even better than the one they arrived in. Kicking out her legs as she claimed she would do, she sinks into the backrest and exhales.

Thinking is all she can do right now anyway.

At present, she’s confirmed that reality isn’t progressing in accordance with the game’s plot. Revolution has not been declared. However, the attack on Vica doesn’t sit right with her. Of course, skillful maneuvering on Claude’s part should quell any latent hostility toward Ellmeyer, but is it really going to be so easy?

What will happen next? Are there any hints? …Even in the game?

At the very least, the four principal characters look exactly as they did in the game’s art. Although she’s extremely reluctant to do so, as a thought experiment, Aileen decides to compare what’s currently happening in the Kilvas Empire to the events of the otome game. Of the game’s developments, the one that’s most likely to trouble Ellmeyer is Vica’s transformation into the red-eyed demon.

Come to think of it, why does Vica become a demon?

The biggest issue is that we don’t know how to reverse the transformation.

In the game, Vica believed the legend that he would become a demon if he left the imperial capital. However, once he was a demon, he ultimately attacked the capital. This meant that even if there was some sort of mechanism in the city, it wasn’t directly preventing his transformation. Naturally, it wouldn’t be able to reverse the transformation, either.

In any case, there is no ending in the game where Vica reverts from the red-eyed demon to his human form.

If I had the sacred sword, at least…

Aileen is still lying down when a light wind from behind her stirs her disheveled hair.

With a start, she sits up. The window was closed, but now it’s open. The clackety-clack of the train’s wheels on the rails has grown louder.

More than anything, there’s a shadow on the floor that is not hers.

Before she can fill her lungs with air to scream, a dagger gleams at her throat.

“Don’t shout. I mean you no harm. I just want you to hide me for a while.”

“Y-you’re…”

“…Master Vica.”

Meeting Aileen’s eyes in the mirror, the young man offers a troubled smile on a face that looks just like her husband’s.

“Emperor Vica has been attacked, and Master Claude is going to act as his body double, so I’d like the two of you to stay here. Thank you in advance for your help.”

That bare-bones explanation was all Aileen had given Isaac and Jasper before foisting all the troublesome work onto them. Was that trust or just laziness? Scratching the back of his neck, Isaac heaves a deep sigh. Some say that every sigh lets a little happiness escape, but he doesn’t care.

“This sucks…”

“Did you say something?” The woman with good posture who’s walking ahead of him looks back.

The demon king turns his way, too. His black hair is done up for a change, and he’s wearing a grand white Kilvas-style cloak. “You aren’t used to the cold yet, are you? I’m sure you’d prefer to hurry back to Ellmeyer, but put up with it for a little while.”

The dangerous red eyes that are focusing a mountain of hostility on Isaac are exactly the same, though. Shut up and obey me. That order comes through loud and clear.

“Your palace is warm, Master Clau— Er, Vica.” The woman leading the way quickly corrects herself. “Divine stones are used to adjust the temperature inside. This way, please.”

This is a waiting room for attendants; this is a reception room; this is the bedroom. As they’re shown around, Isaac rapidly memorizes the layout. While Jasper isn’t allowed to take notes or photos, he’s still taking this chance to stroll around the rooms, acting as if he’s admiring art objects and things.

It doesn’t look as if there are any listening devices or what have you.

The defense industry is a high priority in Kilvas, and their technology is very advanced. People call Ellmeyer a military power as well, but since the previous emperor got rid of magic and demon-stone technology after Demon King Claude was born, they’ve stagnated for twenty years or so. At this point, Claude and Aileen are scrambling to do something about it before they run through all their banked technology.

On top of that, Kilvas once enjoyed support from Hausel. The fact that they’ve incorporated something as sophisticated as the Valkyrie system in their defense policy shows the progress they’ve made.

Well, there are pros and cons, I guess. Overreliance on another country for technology and resources can destabilize your nation.

This was what made diplomacy such a pain. Commerce was better.

“This is the office.”

The room is the last stop on their tour, and Isaac guesses it’s probably the one Claude wanted to see.

The office of Emperor Vica of Kilvas—a room completely filled with the emperor’s work.

The woman who guided them here looks surprised. “…Why are you here? What about the preparations for the banquet?”

“The court ladies like soirees; I can leave it to them. Governing is more important. Cattleya, these are the documents I’ve approved.”

“You used the state seal? Without the emperor’s permission?” Claude asks Diana, looking at the tray of documents.

Diana gives him a weary look. “The emperor isn’t here, is he? I’m supposed to do it. That’s why I got married. It’s my job.”

“I see. However, isn’t the upcoming banquet also your job as empress?”

“I’m not the sort of woman who can get by with just smiling at soirees, like your wife.”

I’ll pretend I didn’t hear that. Isaac averts his eyes, and then a man with light hair hurries in. When Isaac glances at Jasper again, Jasper gives him the answer.

Ernst Helken Dolf, prime minister of Kilvas.

“Diana and Cattleya, what are you doing?! There’s practically no time left until the banquet. Hurry and get ready. It’s right after the wedding. Not attending isn’t an option!”

“…In that case, pass those documents at tomorrow’s council, Ernst.” In response to the man’s threatening look, Diana reluctantly rises to her feet.

“Make sure to take Cattleya wherever you go, please. Empresses don’t wander around on their own. I’ll take charge of Master Claude.”

That comment from Diana shuts Ernst up. The guy’s stupidly honest, Isaac thinks. Cattleya sighs and pushes Diana’s back, steering her through the door.

Ernst turns to face Claude. “I’m very sorry. We asked you to substitute for Vica, and yet we’re being so careless.”

“You’re the one who’s been making all the arrangements, right? You’ve been a great help.”

Ernst blinks, then smiles. “I really should be saying that to you. You’ve even handled our various blunders so calmly… Your retainers in Ellmeyer are fortunate. I would imagine their lives are quite untroubled.”

There’s a moment’s pause, and then Claude assumes a competent, serious expression. “I do my best to ensure that is the case.”

When lies are that bold, commenting on them doesn’t even feel worth it. Beside Isaac, Jasper wears a faint smile.

“Now then, I was supposed to prepare for the banquet, wasn’t I? Leave the clothes over there. I’ll be changing with magic. Do we need anything else, Isaac?”

Claude has called on him out of nowhere, and Isaac frowns. “I’m just a liaison. So’s Jasper.”

“You can’t mean you don’t want to go back to Ellmeyer, can you?” Claude pulls a deliberately startled expression, and Isaac’s face tenses. “Let me introduce you again, Ernst. These are Isaac and Jasper. They’re my wife’s subordinates, but they’re very reliable. However, please refrain from informing others about this.”

“Y-yes, Your Majesty. That’s fine, but why…? It will restrict their movements in the castle.”

Ernst’s expression turns sober. The speed with which Claude responds betrays his brilliance. Claude is saying he won’t let that nasty woman do as she pleases with the empire.

Even before the prime minister answers, Claude seats himself at the ebony work desk. Then he bends down. Apparently, he’s discovered a wastebasket. He unfolds a wrinkled document, then gives a smile that doesn’t go past his lips. He glances at Isaac, and an ugly premonition races down Isaac’s spine.

“What do you think of this?”

Ernst makes no move to stop him. There’s an appraising look in Claude’s eyes. For crying out loud… Feeling a little desperate, Isaac looks at the document Claude is holding out to him. Jasper leans in from the side to peek.

“A budget, huh? From the past few years? Tax revenue… I-is it okay for us to look at this?!” Jasper can’t believe what he’s seeing.

“It’s fine; it was just tossed carelessly in the trash. And here we have the document the empress approved.” Taking a piece of paper out of the box, Claude sets it on the desk.

The sight of the figures on it makes Isaac feel like tearing out his hair. “Hide it a little better, wouldja?! Increasing the military budget like this is just asking to be investigated! Fudge the numbers a little or, you know, at least try to make it look right…!”

“Ohhh, even your uncle Jasper can tell this is funny… Haven’t the demons’ attacks settled down?”

“Diana doesn’t think she’s doing anything bad, so she probably never intended to hide it.”

He’s having fun. Isaac puts all the documents back. “Do you need my call on this? Why not just give orders?”

“So you’ll serve me and not Aileen? That’s a shock. However, in order to protect your life, I wouldn’t recommend it. Being Aileen’s subordinate is what’s keeping you alive.”

“What kind of threat is that? …Before you answer, let me check on something: How strong is Emperor Vica? In combat.”

“His stores of magical energy are vast, but he doesn’t seem able to use it. He may be under restrictions of some sort.”

“Hmm.” Isaac frowns in response to Claude’s clarification. His hypothesis won’t hold together if that’s true. “Then if the Valkyries attacked him, would he get carried off?”

“I’m not sure about that. He’s about as strong as thirty Elefases.”

“I dunno what that unit of measurement means!”

“You say that, but I can’t grasp the Valkyries’ strength with any accuracy in the first place… Let me rephrase: That boy is me, if I were unable to use magic without limits.”

Jasper cocks his head. “If he can’t use magic much, I get the feeling that already disqualifies him from being the demon king.”

“No, that’s not true. Being the demon king means the demons obey me. Vast magic power is just a bonus,” Claude says cheerfully. “The fact that the demons here don’t respond when I call to them has always concerned me. However, if Vica is the demon king, that makes sense. When I saw him in person, it seemed more than possible.”

The king who rules over demons who aren’t affected by orders from Claude.

“I don’t want to make an enemy of him. He’d be more trouble than the Valkyries,” Claude says.

“That’s our bottom line, then,” Isaac agrees. “Okay, no complaints about that. In that case, it would be best if we have Vica take charge of this country.”

“…Why do you say that?” Ernst has been listening to the entire conversation without moving, but at that point, he speaks up. Isaac looks at Claude, but Claude is acting as if he doesn’t know what the man’s talking about. Apparently, he wants Isaac to answer. He’s probably going to take it as Isaac’s assessment of his cousin. Jasper also flashes him a thumbs-up, shoving the question onto him.

With no other options, Isaac faces Ernst. “Because the guy’s brilliant. He’s better suited to running a country than that woman’s group, at least.”

“……!”

Ernst’s eyes fly open; he is startled. That’s enough to show Isaac what the people around Vica think of him. They’ve been looking down on him as a puppet emperor and a doll, and the prime minister must have heard it. If he has always believed that’s not true and hung in there through all of that, his patience is impressive.

“If nothing changes, though, he’ll stay a puppet emperor forever. Up until now, he’s been too young to have a foundation to build on. From now on, it will be because his Valkyrie empress controls the military. That said, he couldn’t choose not to marry. If a civil war broke out now, he’d lose. Am I wrong?”

Ernst doesn’t nod, but he also doesn’t take his eyes off Isaac.

“…I don’t know what you’re getting at. As you said, Vica and Diana’s marriage was vital for the nation. And now it’s come to this…”

“That’s the demon king’s fault for sauntering over here.”

Ernst, who’s replying to Isaac in a rather contrived way, looks startled again.

Claude tilts his head. “What do you mean? You make it sound as if I’m to blame.”

“I mean this whole ‘substitute’ business. You people saw the demon king and thought you could use him. That’s why you took that gamble. Am I wrong?”

Claude seems confused. “Hmm… Hmm? Wait, you’re saying Emperor Kilvas’s disappearance was—?”

“Self-orchestrated. By this guy and the emperor himself.”

Although the Valkyries were probably the strongest military force in the empire, Vica wasn’t so weak that they could carry him off. What’s more, Ernst was the one who’d found convenient proof suggesting the Valkyries were behind the kidnapping.

The answer was pretty easy to spot.

“Haaah… What for, though?” Claude asks.

“Who knows. Still, it’s clear it was designed to drag Ellmeyer into this mess. When you can’t deal with something internally, asking someone tough on the outside for help is a standard move. So is dragging them in if they won’t help.”

“So you and my cousin decided I measured up?” That’s Claude’s only question for the man. He apparently doesn’t intend to get mad because they tested him or deceived him. Vica must have predicted he wouldn’t before acting.

Man, that’s scary. A proactive demon king who’s good at gambling…

Just imagining it gives Isaac chills. If the retainers back in Ellmeyer heard about this, they’d faint.

“You may think this is presumptuous, after we dragged you into this, but please allow me to apologize. I’m terribly sorry I didn’t explain anything. I wasn’t certain how much I should tell you.”

“Just out of curiosity, what would have happened if I hadn’t agreed to this? You were against it in the first place; you must have had a different plan in mind.”

“We would have used the emperor’s disappearance to reduce the Valkyries’ power and influence, of course. If that put the matter to bed, that would suit us just fine. If it didn’t, we would have distracted the people by using Ellmeyer as a scapegoat. At present, I believe the latter was more practical,” Ernst says nonchalantly. He’s either foolishly honest or brilliant, but he’s crafty either way. “There is another reason Vica turned to you for help. As a rule, in order to maintain the wall that protects the empire, he isn’t able to leave the imperial capital.”

“The wall… You mean the one that keeps the demons from invading?”

He’s talking about the endless thing they’d seen from the train. Isaac had thought it was impressive technology, but hearing this changes things. “…Are you maybe telling us that Hausel built that wall?”

“Yes. The spell that maintains it is in the capital. I’m told the city was built to form an enormous magic circle, with the imperial castle at its center. Vica is the one who supplies it with power. Apparently, it’s made to siphon his magic automatically as long as he’s in the capital.”

“Hmm.” Isaac looks at the ground.

Claude looks down, too, murmuring, “Vica’s not in the capital now… So it’s currently being supplied by…”

“Yes.” Ernst nods solemnly.

After a moment’s hesitation, Isaac asks, “…It’s the demon king?”

“Yes.”

“Don’t give me that! Doesn’t that mean it’s gonna be bad news if he leaves the capital?!”

“Yes, the wall’s magic may vanish, letting in demons too strong for the Valkyries to defeat,” Ernst tells them honestly. Crafty doesn’t even begin to cover his machinations; this man is positively Machiavellian.

Claude blinks at Ernst. “…I really hadn’t anticipated that. No wonder I sensed Vica had vast magic but couldn’t use it. It’s being used to maintain the wall’s spell.”

“Look, this isn’t the time to get all impressed. Doesn’t that mean you can’t teleport or contact the demons right now?”

The demon king is far too strong and unexpectedly dumb. Isaac groans. “Realize this kinda stuff sooner, wouldja?! Don’t tell me you’re weaker than Elefas all of a sudden!”

“Hang on. I can use a sword. I’m better than Elefas…”

“That’s peanuts compared to whether you’ve got magic or not! What are we gonna do? We’re not gonna be able to make a break for it in an emergency!”

“I’d like you to steel yourselves for that as well,” Ernst says firmly; he seems to have decided he’s done apologizing. “No doubt abandoning Kilvas is something you could do. In fact, I was concerned that you would. However, you won’t. The demons are on your mind, and most of all, you have a good opinion of Vica. You must know it would be better to cooperate with him.”

“Vica pushed everything onto me, and now he’s free. You don’t think he’ll just run?”

“No, I don’t,” Ernst assures Claude. “I would not serve a master like that.”

Claude smiles wryly; he probably finds the obvious loyalty in Ernst’s eyes very familiar. “And what is Vica doing now, then?”

“He’s gone in search of a way to control the demons. He didn’t seem certain, but…”

“He didn’t, huh? So it’s just a shot in the dark?” Isaac asks.

“I’m also the type who acts on impulse, so I can’t blame him too harshly.”

“Yikes.” Jasper physically recoils.

Isaac sounds fed up with the demon king. “Yeah, and after you do, your adviser and your guards rip you several new ones.”

“Then planting that divine stone was your call?” Isaac asks.

“Vica left it behind. His intent was quite obvious, so I merely used it. Doing so would turn both Diana and Cattleya toward the substitute plan. If I made them think I was eager to release the information, they were bound to be wary and push back.”

“Uh, let me derail the conversation for a sec. Do you and those two Valkyries not get along?” Jasper asks bluntly.

Ernst looks down. “I’m…not sure. We used to. And yet somewhere along the way…”

“It happens,” Claude says, lightly tidying the matter away.

Ernst closes his eyes briefly, discarding sentimentality. “Vica…or rather, His Imperial Majesty has left any decisions that must be made here entirely in my hands.”

That’s proof of the trust Vica places in him, and at the same time, it’s a concession to Ellmeyer. It means Vica doesn’t intend to use them and leave them with nothing to show for it.

“I see. Let me ask you one more time, then: What should I do with these approved documents?”

If Claude is going to go along with this farce, how far should he go, and what should he pass along?

That could happen, Isaac thinks. This country has no decent military force besides the Valkyries, and it would be the best way to boost their value.

“If that happens, base your decision on what I’ve just told you.”

“The situation seems complicated in several directions… By the way, I consider myself kind, but my subordinates are always telling me I use them too roughly.” Claude stares at Ernst, as if he’s testing him.

Throwing his shoulders back, Ernst nods. “If you feel Vica is a suitable emperor for this nation, then command me as you like.”

No one will be unilaterally used here. They’re all in the same boat.

Not bad. It’s much better than abandoning Kilvas, then finding the Valkyrie’s warships closing in on Ellmeyer’s coast.

“I suppose I must. I’ll give it my best. After all, I am Vica’s big brother.”

Isaac doesn’t delve into that remark. That isn’t his job anyway. “Okay, we’ll say we’re comrades for as long as our interests line up. How far are we going here?”

Jasper and Ernst blink at him, but the demon king seems to understand what he means.

“Let’s see. Maintaining the status quo, deadlocks—that would be boring. I won’t do anything as unsightly as make a run for it, of course, but not being able to go home is irritating. Ideally, I’d like to make them beg me to leave.”

“Man, you’ve got a nasty personality.”

“Nah, it’s the best move. Getting this over with fast would be great. Okay, old man Jasper, we’re narrowing the scope of information we’re gathering.”

Jasper is still there to collect information for Aileen. Under the circumstances, he’ll have guessed what his role is. “Scandals about the Valkyries, the empress’s reputation, and intel about corruption among the aristocrats who’ll fight us next. Is that about right?”

“Got it in one. I’ll tell you which ones to work up into articles. I doubt it’ll be a decisive blow, but it’ll annoy them.”

Anxious, irritated people make mistakes. That should be particularly true of those women, who aren’t used to politics and who probably think being correct will inevitably yield results.

“As you wish, I’ll make them beg you to get lost. While I’m at it, I’ll make sure they never get the urge to fight us again.”

“…If possible, um…go easy on us.” Ernst seems to have mixed feelings about this, but that’s not Isaac’s problem.

Heaving a long sigh, Jasper tugs his beret back onto his head. “Without Miss Aileen and the adviser around, I can’t expect this crew to act sensibly, can I…?”

“I’m really glad I sent Aileen home.”

Isaac’s with the demon king on that. If anything happens to Aileen, Rachel is bound to get pulled into it. Besides, the demon king’s reliable, sensible adviser is with them now, he thinks sarcastically, and then gets the feeling something’s wrong.

Do Aileen and Keith actually have the sort of common sense that would put his heart at ease?

Well, there can’t be too much Aileen can do without the sacred sword… Plus she’s pregnant…

She breathes deeply to calm herself.

Vica Tsar Kilvas. The final boss of Valkyrie of the Magic Lance was a child who’d lost his parents young, relied completely on his elder sister, and stayed holed up in the capital. Frightened by the legend that he would become a demon if he left the city, he could neither carry out his role as emperor nor become the demon king. In fact, he was a red-eyed demon. However, he gained courage from the heroine, Diana, and having become aware of his form and his situation, as the emperor and demon king, he ultimately gained the resolve to fall along with his empire and the demons.

Although, in the end, the demons still attack.

He died on every route, and yet the demons attacking the Kilvas Empire didn’t disappear. He was attended by the demons of Kilvas, but Hausel and Ellmeyer were the reason for the demons’ attack, so they were the ones who had to be defeated to save the empire—or that was the answer in the game anyway.

In short, Vica dies for nothing. The unfairness of it all is what earned the game its reputation as a real downer. For the man in question, it’s an intolerable fate. It’s as awful as the villainess Aileen’s incredibly pointless death. If anything, it’s worse. On that point, she can sympathize with him.

“…So you’re all right.”

She sees Vica’s reflection blink, then force a smile. “I apologize for worrying you.”

“Did you orchestrate that attack yourself? Or was the attack itself genuine, and some sort of situation has prevented you from returning?”

Vica shifts his grip on his dagger. She’s made him wary. “That’s a shock. From what my sister and Diana said, it sounded as if you were just an adorable little consort. Was that all an act?”

“I do believe I am adorable, thank you very much. I’m so precious that after you’ve threatened me like this, I won’t know what to do unless you tell me your story.”

“That really isn’t the attitude of a woman who’s worried for her life. Although it’s also odd for your assailant to say so.”

“You don’t appear to be a mere puppet emperor, either.”

Aileen glances down and to the side. A shaft of sunlight is coming through the window. She has a shadow.

In order to keep an eye on—or rather, protect—Aileen, Claude cast a spell on her shadow that allows the demons to come and go through it. Vica has been watching her in the mirror, and his gaze follows hers.

In that moment, she wrenches free of his arm and starts for the door. “Almond, come out!”

“—Oh, there’s some sort of magic cast on this?”

Vica’s foot stomps on Aileen’s shadow. At the same time, she touches the unlocked door, but her hand is knocked back. Silence fills through the room.

“…I thought just threatening you a bit would be enough… That’s a problem. And the attendant who’s trying to sneak in through the window there… Is he really human?”

So he noticed that, hmm? Keith must have heard the commotion from the next compartment over. Hooking his leg over the frame of the open window, he slides into the narrow room. “I’m just a human. One who’s able to manage as the demon king’s adviser anyway… I’ve arranged to have the Valkyries summoned if I don’t return within one minute. What would you like to do?”

“I can use magic freely now, so it won’t be a problem. Maybe I’ll jump off the train and run for it.”

“It won’t work. Although I’m just a human, the demon king places particular trust in me. When he is unable to act, I can use his power. It’s what’s known as the demon king’s proxy authority.”

“Proxy… So you can use the demon king’s power?”

“Yes, I can issue orders to the demons on his behalf… Milord’s spell just failed to activate. Even if that was your plan all along, it isn’t such an easy thing to do. Something must have happened to Master Claude, and you’re involved. You’re going to tell me about it.”

Vica doesn’t move; he seems to be thinking. “If something’s happened to Master Claude, the demons of Ellmeyer won’t sit idly by,” Aileen adds. “I’ll mobilize all the forces at my disposal as well. It wouldn’t be wise to make us your enemies.”

In response to her warning, Vica raises both hands. “…All right, I’ll explain. I see simply asking you to hide me was rude to both of you. Good grief. I only chose this train because it would get me out of the capital unnoticed. What a blunder.”

“I’m not sure. It seems as though Big Brother Claude has seen through it.”

Big Brother Claude. The name makes Aileen sigh deeply. “So that’s why Master Claude is kind to you… He’s a pushover when it comes to little brothers.”

“You’re the reason I changed my mind, though, Empress Aileen. You’re incredibly quick-witted. No wonder my sister and Diana were so wrong when they thought they could get information out of you. You wouldn’t sell out Claude.”

“A wife who would sell out her husband is outrageous.”

“In that case, I may have acquired an outrageous wife. Not that I was at our wedding.” Lowering his hands, Vica sits down. They’ve only just left the capital. There’s probably still time. Aileen touches the door behind her; there’s no resistance, so she calls through the door. “Rachel, are you there? Is the tea ready? I’m quite thirsty, so bring more than usual, please.”

A voice promptly responds. Rachel must have been standing by on orders from Keith. “I’ll bring it right in. May I open the door?”

“I’ll open it in a moment. What will you do, Master Keith?”

“This appears to be about milord, so I’ll stay here, of course.”

He has no intention of leaving, and Aileen sighs. The train car is going to be cramped, but these are extraordinary circumstances.

She opens the door for Rachel. When the other woman gives her a look, silently asking if she’s all right, she responds with a nod. “Leave the tray there, if you would. I don’t want to disturb the Valkyries. I’ll be resting in here for a while. Wake me when it’s time for dinner.”

Don’t let the Valkyries notice this. Having picked up on what Aileen really means, Rachel says the exact opposite of what she said earlier. Seeing this, Vica laughs. “You really do betray expectations, don’t you? So you understand that I don’t want the Valkyries to find me?”

“Aren’t you the one who said Lady Diana was an outrageous wife? You may dispense with the flattery. Get on with your story, won’t you? Does Lady Diana have designs on your life?”

“She hasn’t made an attempt yet. However, she and the Valkyries may attack me someday.”

So simply holding the wedding hasn’t ensured a happy ending. The vague, bad premonition Aileen sensed after seeing Diana’s attitude was apparently right on the mark.

Still smiling, Vica continues, “As I think you’ve realized, there’s a movement to depose me and install Diana in my place—in other words, to give the empire to the Valkyries. This marriage was a preliminary step. She even had my sister’s introduction. If I behave and stay a puppet emperor, we can get by without a war.”

“But you don’t intend to play along. Why not?” Keith asks. Even in the cramped compartment, he’s skillfully preparing tea on the tray Rachel brought in.

“Why not? You ask some funny questions. I am the emperor, you know.”

“In order to keep from dividing his nation, milord once voluntarily withdrew from the line of succession.”

Keith dexterously divides the generous serving of tea between the teacup from the tray for Aileen and the compartment’s mug for Vica. “Milord withdrew because he thought the empire would be better off that way. The talent needed to run the nation was all there, the house of d’Autriche’s chief among them. Prince Cedric was also far from incompetent. You have the same face as milord, so perhaps that’s why I see it this way—if you refuse to withdraw, it’s because there’s a good reason.”

Accepting the mug from Keith, Vica hesitates for the space of a breath, then begins his story. “When Hausel fell, the demon attacks on Kilvas abruptly stopped. The reason wasn’t clear, but in a way, it reinforced the Valkyries’ claim that the Kilvas Empire was used by Hausel. I think there’s truth in that claim myself. Whether the imperial family of Kilvas was an active accomplice or whether Hausel just used them, some sort of bargain must have been struck.”

“In other words, you know nothing?”

“Unfortunately, it’s all I can do to survive as a puppet emperor. I did look for information but found nothing. After all, I couldn’t even leave the imperial capital.”

Does that mean Vica has never become the red-eyed demon?

Or perhaps he simply isn’t aware of it…

If that hasn’t happened, Aileen is no longer certain how Diana became a Valkyrie.

However, even in the game, Diana discovered the experiment surrounding the demons and Valkyries in the Queendom of Hausel. It wouldn’t be odd if no evidence remained in Kilvas.

“Yes, on the face of it, that nation was on the side of justice. You must have seen the way they acted, though. Rising into the sky and threatening the entire world to bring it to its knees,” Aileen says.

That Ellmeyer has not been the target of international censure even after Hausel’s fall is due to the presence of neighboring Ashmael and the fear that the Queendom’s attitude had sneaked into other nations. It’s also key that Ellmeyer has not attempted to assume Hausel’s position of power.

“It’s strange, isn’t it? The Queendom very nearly controlled the world already. Why would they act that way? Was the demon king so great a threat? I really can’t believe it.”

Since Vica is brilliant, though, he’s the type of person to have doubts. Aileen nods to show her sincerity, telling him his suspicions are entirely appropriate. “The underlying situation is complex. However, it will make for a long conversation, and neither of us has much time. May I ask you to get straight to the heart of the matter? As a fugitive, your choices must be limited.”

“You really are skilled at drawing information out of people. Having a wife like you would have made my life a lot easier.” He’s grumbling, but there’s no pessimism in it. “I’ll be brief: I want to control the demons.”

“As a move that would make me the Valkyries’ equal fast, it’s not a terrible idea, is it? It’s presumptuous of me to say it while my esteemed big brother, Claude, exists, but we also have a legend that black hair and red eyes are the mark of the demon king. As a result, people have said a whole lot of things about me. I’d like to collect on my due.”

Vica smiles. His personality seems to be even more audacious than it was in the game. “First, I’d like to go to the Queendom of Hausel. I think whatever’s made the demons quiet down is there. Once I know what it is, I’ll be able to control them.”

“There’s nothing there now. The floating palace has gone missing as well.”

The royal castle originally sat at the center of the island, and when it rose into the air, it left a gaping hole where it once stood. The ground itself is gradually crumbling, and there have been reports that the large island, which served as the heart of the Queendom, is actively sinking. Of course, several of its higher points will probably remain, but experts in Ellmeyer predict that the majority will be underwater sooner than later.

“The spells Hausel left in Kilvas are still active, though. The one in the capital that maintains the wall, for example. It’s what keeps the demons from getting out. I acted as the source for its magic, but the spell itself was made by Hausel.”

In the game, the wall—the Warrior Maidens’ Great Wall—had a spell on it that monitored the Valkyries and prevented them from deserting. The magic circle that controlled it was supposed to be in the capital. It was said to block the demons as well, so this is probably the same thing.

Beside her, Keith turns pale. “Wait a moment. You supplied it with magic? How?”

“I don’t know. I only heard that it worked by automatically siphoning the magic of the men of Kilvas’s imperial family for generations.”

“You set Master Claude up, didn’t you?”

Vica only smiles in response. Belatedly, Aileen catches on as well. A moment ago, Vica said, “I can use magic freely now.” “Wait—is Master Claude the new source of magic?”

“He is my cousin, you see. Apparently, it recognized him as a member of Kilvas’s imperial family. Don’t worry; it isn’t the sort of thing that can kill him. It only means he won’t be able to use his magic properly.”

“But that means the wall’s maintenance depends on Master Claude. What did you intend to do if he refused? I’m impressed you took such a dangerous gamble.”

“Just in case, I waited in the capital until the wedding ended without incident. Besides, my luck with gambling isn’t bad, and I’m a good judge of people. I’m sure Claude will accept the responsibility. Ernst is probably explaining the situation to him right about now.”

Aileen sets her cup in its saucer. She lets her shoulders slump. “So Ernst was only pretending to be against the substitution; he was actually leading us on. He’s quite the crafty old fox.”

“From my perspective, you’re craftier than he is. Women are scary.”

Vica nods amiably. “I have a reason. It’s where the Valkyries’ surgeries were performed. It wouldn’t be odd for there to be something about the demons there.”

The blue country managed everything related to the Valkyries. The game explained as much, and it was where Diana was taken when she was injured, so the guess isn’t totally unfounded.

“But…that would have been the floating palace, wouldn’t it?”

“No. To Kilvas, the wisdom of Hausel isn’t found in the sky. It’s underground.”

Aileen’s eyes widen. In that case, something might very well still be there.

“That said, I can’t simply board a ship and go there directly. There won’t be signs pointing the way, either. Still, I know there’s a facility on the other side of the wall that was used to communicate with and travel to Hausel. I suspect I may be able to teleport from there.”

“Is that speculation?”

“Well, if I go, I’m sure it’ll work out somehow.”

What an incredibly vague strategy.

Sounding almost impressed, Keith murmurs, “Even your haphazard methods are identical to milord’s.”

“Besides, I’d like to see the demons, too. I’ve never seen one,” Vica says with an innocent smile.

Aileen makes eye contact with Keith. She’s sure they’re remembering the same thing: how Claude looks when he’s peacefully spending time with demons.

“I suppose I have no choice, then. I’ll accompany you.”

“Excuse me?” Vica’s eyes widen. In the seat across from him, Aileen folds her arms and boldly crosses her legs.

Vica looks at Keith, who hides his own gaze behind his glasses and says, “…You would say that, Lady Aileen. I do have one condition, though.”

“Take you along as well, you mean? I know. I won’t act carelessly, either. I’ll have Rachel and the rest return to Ellmeyer, but I’ll send word with them and have them make various arrangements. After all, if we vanish, the Valkyries will suspect us. Will that do?”

“If you understand that much, it should be sufficient. I shall accompany you. If this is how things stand, milord won’t be able to leave the capital, and there’s no telling what he may get up to.”

“Huh? No, wait, you aren’t going to stop her? She’s expecting, isn’t she? Not only that, but we’ll be going to the wall, very near where the demons dwell. Anything could happen.”

Aileen points her index finger right at Vica’s flustered face. “That is precisely why. What if I let you go alone, and you fail to gain control of the demons? Or what if they kill you? There’s a very good chance Ellmeyer would be blamed. After all, Master Claude is currently impersonating you.”

It wouldn’t be at all strange if others interpreted this as Claude’s plot to get rid of Vica. That would give the Valkyries a perfect pretext for declaring war on them.

“…But shouldn’t you be worried about the child you’re carrying?”

He may be the demon king, but he is a fine, human emperor. The fact that he is defending that fragile position is what guarantees Aileen’s own position. The same is true of their child. If people begin to see Claude as harmful to humans, they’ll promptly be expelled from human society.

“For both my sake and the sake of this child, we must protect Master Claude’s reputation. That is the same as protecting our child. That means I can’t ignore your plight, either. Don’t worry; I assure you I’ll back away when I must.”

“…But I know Claude wouldn’t want you to go with me.”

Aileen smiles dauntlessly. “Gracious. What do you think, Master Keith? He claims Master Claude—who sent both of us away and who is conveniently unable to leave the capital—will object.”

“He can’t seriously think we’d listen. Ha-ha-ha.”

The two beam at each other. Vica stares at them, then scratches his cheek. “…I see,” he finally says in resignation.

“If the figures don’t match up, the budget won’t make it through the council.”

Appearances must be maintained, even if some sort of deal is struck under the table and the reality is different. That rules and regulations seem to be observed at a glance is what makes corruption so troublesome. Not even trying to observe those protocols isn’t corruption—it’s just a mistake.

Apparently, this empress doesn’t know the difference. She snorts contemptuously. “Oh, I see. Then tinker with the numbers so they look right and pass that.”

“Who do you mean?” Claude asks.

Diana frowns. “I don’t care who does it. The amount of funding the Valkyries receive must match this figure, no matter what.”

“Your Majesty, in that case, the rest won’t balance out…”

“Don’t give me excuses. Just do something about it. All you have to do is fudge some numbers.”

“In that case, allow me to tackle this. Will that do, Your Majesty?” Ernst raises his hand as if he’s been waiting for this exact moment.

Claude nods. “Please do. Will you be able to make it before the end of the council?”

“Yes, if you’ll look it over during the recess and if some time can be reserved during the second session for discussion.”

Diana seems unconvinced that any of this is necessary. “…All you need to do is fix some wrong numbers. This seems like overkill.”

Diana responds to the prime minister’s mediation with an irritated tsk. “It has to be easier than physical combat. Don’t talk about the job as if it’s rough. You really are a prime minister through and through, aren’t you?”

“—I believe I did the same thing on the battlefield. Managing military logistics, keeping track of equipment and supplies. In particular, determining the distribution of war funds is a senior officer’s job. If we’re negligent here, we’ll leave those in the field in dire straits.”

“Don’t lecture me when you succeeded on our backs.”

“In order to repay even a small portion of that debt, I must make this empire as prosperous and peaceful as it can be. I consider that my current job and my responsibility.”

Ernst had originally been one of the Valkyries’ senior officers. Vica had wanted him to serve as prime minister because he acknowledged the man’s military achievements. From Claude’s perspective, he still had shortcomings, but that was only in comparison to his own prime minister, a genius who’d been educated by his family as the latest in a long line of prime ministers. Ernst’s sincerity would probably hold him back in certain situations, but it would eventually earn him solid popular support.

“Do your best to repay it, then. After all, you worked us hard enough.”

“Her Highness has granted permission. Let us proceed to the next topic, Your Majesty.” Taking her sarcasm as consent, Ernst quickly changes the topic.

Before he’s finished speaking, Diana rises and turns to leave. Ernst calls to her: “Where are you going? The council is still in progress.”

“Handle the rest by yourselves. I have weapons to inspect. I’m busy.”

“Wait. The current matter involves you as well. The queen of the neighboring country has made a request to have tea with you, the empress. You must understand that this is laying the groundwork.”

“‘Lay groundwork, lay groundwork’; what is it with you people and groundwork? This is infuriating. Couldn’t you just have her attend a council and state her opinion?”

“We can’t treat another country’s queen like that.”

“Even if she’s a woman, as long as she has a working brain, she’ll be capable of giving her opinion. Or is this queen only able to write invitations and greeting cards? She only has that privilege because the Valkyries are protecting the empire from demons, right? If the Warrior Maidens’ Great Wall came down, demons would flood our neighbors as well. I swear, it must be nice to be so carefree. Oh, right, your daughter.”

Turning abruptly, Diana points at a middle-aged man who’s seated near the middle of the conference table. If Claude recalls, the man’s a count from an old family line in Kilvas.

The count’s face goes blank. As someone whose social standing is high enough to attend the council, he doesn’t shoot back, but the new tension in his cheeks shows what he’s feeling. Silently grateful for his mature response, Claude speaks to him. “The empress has made her nomination. Can we ask your family to handle it? Your daughter is certain to be a splendid conversation partner, even for a queen. Ernst, take this opportunity to turn down all requests for tea for the empress. I’d hate to cause trouble with each one.”

Claude has intentionally refrained from clarifying whose trouble it would be, and the count gives him a questioning look. Claude responds with a small nod, letting him know he understands his grievance.

“…Very well. No doubt my daughter will be delighted to serve as a bridge between two nations.”

Only Diana doesn’t understand. She sighs, muttering, “Just do that in the first place. All right, I’m keeping Cattleya waiting. Oh, and she’ll be attending the next council with me, so don’t fail to pass resolutions at that one. Prepare properly in advance.”

Having made no apologies from start to finish, Diana leaves. Once she’s gone, the mood in the conference room relaxes. Claude doesn’t overlook this. He scans the assembly. “Thank you for your consideration. She isn’t yet used to court etiquette. That must be how Valkyries fight.”

A sensation like a startled, mocking chortle of laughter fills the air.

“She has her achievements as a Valkyrie, so I feel like I can’t lose.”

Right now, everyone is thinking: She may control our military, but with that personality, we can’t expect much from the empress. We shouldn’t give her any more power. And that attitude of hers… We can’t have her souring our diplomatic relationships, either.

Compared to her, the emperor is much more reasonable.

“However, it’s true that she and others like her have protected our empire for long years. In light of that, I would like to propose a reorganization of the military. Specifically, a review of the Valkyrie system.”

He glances at Ernst. As if he understands completely, the other man begins passing out documents. It’s Vica’s measure, the one Claude had found in the trash. Vica must have left it there on purpose, trusting that if Claude saw it, he’d handle it cleverly. His cousin is quite cunning.

“The empress has just told us to increase military expenditures. The timing is perfect.”

The quicker-witted members of the assembly burst out laughing but try to disguise it as throat-clearing.

In order to make things happen, certain procedures must be followed. It takes effort, money, and connections. Laying the groundwork, coordinating the efforts—if screaming that one’s demands should go through without doing any of these things were enough, being a Valkyrie would have to be an extremely easy, magical, all-powerful position… But saying so would be unrefined, so Claude doesn’t.

That gamble is about to pay off.

“—Moving on, then. Let’s hash out the details of what the second continental conference will discuss.”

As a first move, it’s going well. To ensure the Valkyries will beg him to leave the empire, Claude tries to make his smile as sociable as his cousin’s.

The wall that keeps the demons confined in the far north of Kilvas is very thick and so high that the closer visitors get, the less of the top they can see.

“Lady Aileen, we’ll need to go on foot from this point on.”

“All right.”

She’s already wearing clothing made from thick fabric, designed specifically for regions that get heavy snow. Over that, she puts on a cold-weather cap and thick-soled boots, and on top of everything else, she’s bundled up in a thick fur coat. When she peeks out from under the cart’s canopy, her breath mists white. It seems there really is no autumn in Kilvas. Aileen, Keith, and Vica have come a long way north. They’d made preparations for their flight, then leaped from the train in the dead of night. After resting until morning in a nearby village, they borrowed a cart and continued their journey. It’s been only half a day since their escape, but this is another world. Could some of that be due to the demons’ influence?

The light snow that’s begun to fall is making the ground muddy.

To make it look as though Aileen has returned to Ellmeyer, Rachel and Luc have remained on the train. Rachel is pretending to be Aileen, who is feeling unwell, while Luc is looking after her.

“They should have reached the port by now. I do hope they manage to set sail without incident.”

The Valkyries will be guarding Aileen’s group only until they board the ship, but there’s no telling what they’ll do if they discover that Aileen vanished en route. There’s danger there as well.

Keith, the only one who’s accompanied Aileen, looks around warily. “Worry about yourself first, please. I feel it’s entirely milord’s fault that you’re in this situation, but we can’t have anything happening to you… I wish we could have made contact with the demons, at least. We’ll just have to leave that in Rachel’s hands.”

“It would be a great help if we could communicate with the local demons, but if they won’t respond to Master Claude…”

“Then our prospects are slim. If these demons have a king of their own, though, that will change things.”

“Lady Aileen, Keith, thank you for your patience.” Vica jogs back to them. He changed into shabby clothes on the way, to keep himself from standing out, but Aileen suspects it’s making him stand out more. After all, he has the same face as Claude. The sight of his mud-spattered leather boots makes her squirm a bit. Keith’s lips are pursed in an odd way, so he probably shares her feelings.

However, they aren’t in any position to scold him for getting dirty.

“But there must be guards.”

“Freezing to death outside is much scarier. I managed to teleport the Valkyrie who was guarding the gate, so I’ll deal with them that way. I should be able to put them to sleep, too, if I try. Oh, let me return this cart to the village.”

Vica snaps his fingers, and the entire cart vanishes, horse and all.

She’s heard that he used hardly any magic in the capital and that this is all new to him, but just as children learn to breathe without being taught, he’s using magic quite easily. When they leaped from the train, he used magic like an expert and carried them to safety. The only reasons he can’t teleport them to the other side of the wall are his wariness about the spell that’s cast on it and the fact that he isn’t familiar with the world outside the capital.

If he keeps this up, no doubt they’ll return to the capital in a twinkling as well. How reliable.

“Where did you teleport the Valkyrie to? We can’t afford to have her raise the alarm.”

“Oh… Come to think of it, where did I send her? I just thought ‘somewhere far away,’ so… From here, the farthest place I know would be the capital, probably.”

Aileen takes her earlier assessment back. He’s still quite shaky. He’s made her remember how Elefas is always lamenting that the way Claude uses magic is careless.

“All right.” Vica nods obediently, then sets off, taking the lead. They have to press on before the snow covers the muddy ground.

However, the gate Vica leads them to already has several Valkyries gathered in front of it.

“She vanished when I went to fetch our cold-weather gear. It’s past time for the shift change, too.”

“It’s beginning to snow. She wouldn’t have gone on patrol before you came back with the gear.”

In the patch of shadow where they’ve taken cover, Vica folds his arms. “A shift change, hmm? Luck was against us. This is a problem.”

Keith sighs. “It isn’t ‘a problem’; this is why I’m constantly telling you to think a little before you act—no, I’m sorry. I gave you the same scolding as I would to milord on reflex.”

“For now, shall I put them all to sleep?”

“I think that would leave us in greater trouble later on.”

One might be fine, but there are three of them. It isn’t likely to end up as a story where the Valkyries laugh about how they all happened to nod off by accident. They’re bound to suspect an enemy attack, and security will get tighter.

However, Vica smiles lightly. “Oh, it’ll work out somehow.”

“That carelessness of yours really is just like him! We’ll think of another way. At the very least, I don’t want to be seen before we’re even inside. Our objective isn’t breaking through; it’s investigating the other side.”

Setting a finger to his chin, Vica looks up, then looks at them. Then suddenly, he’s gone.

“Can you see me now?”

Aileen can only hear his voice, although it’s coming from the same spot.

Keith answers calmly, “We can’t see you. We can hear you, though. Is it a spell to trick the eyes, or a barrier that cuts off the outside world?”

“I visualized surrounding myself in a transparent membrane, so probably the latter. I’m impressed you knew.”

“Milord used that one quite often when he stole into the castle town to amuse himself behind my back, long ago.”

“I see, so that’s how it’s used. That’s informative.”

“No, you mustn’t learn that.”

Keith scolds him sharply, but Vica’s probably learned it already. For the sake of their future, Aileen quietly vows not to tell him about any more of the uncalled-for things Claude has done.

“A barrier might be safer than trying to trick the Valkyries’ eyes. Keith, Lady Aileen, take my hands. I think that will render you invisible. Since you can still hear me, be careful of the sounds you make.”

Aileen takes his right hand, Keith takes his left, and Vica starts forward. As they do, a guard says, “For now, let’s search inside the wall. Report this to the captain as well.”

“I’ll stand guard here, as scheduled. If you find her safe and sound, let me know.”

“Understood. If she comes back on her own, report it to us as well.”

“The alarm would have sounded if a demon came through, so it should be all right, but we can’t let our guard dow—”

Abruptly, a loud, shrill alarm goes off. Both Aileen’s group and the Valkyries stiffen, but the soldiers promptly start scanning the area, looking grim.

“What is it, a demon?!”

“I see. If I use magic, that’s how the warning system reacts.”

Aileen claps a hand over Vica’s mouth, but it’s too late.

“Who is it?! Who’s there?!”

“It doesn’t matter. Raise the alarm! We’re under attack!”

As one of the Valkyries starts to run for it, Keith leaps out from the barrier and strikes her, knocking her out.

Letting go of Vica’s hand has made Keith appear out of nowhere, and the remaining two Valkyries recoil in shock. Taking advantage of this, Vica knocks them both out.

The alarm is still sounding, though, and footsteps are rapidly approaching from both sides. Keith scoops Aileen into his arms, then shouts to Vica: “Emperor Vica, run before they can trap us between them!”

“Oh yes. There should be a gate leading out of the wall over there. I remember the layout.”

“Lady Aileen, I beg your pardon, but bear with me for a little while!”

However, an invisible wall springs up to block their way.

“Now’s our chance,” Vica says.

“A barrier?! What impudence!”

One of the Valkyries thrusts with her lance. It’s a magic lance, and as it strikes the barrier, the divine stone set in its hilt glows. The barrier bursts with a bang. Still running, Vica glances back and casts the same thing again as more Valkyries cry out.

“Dammit, who is that?!”

“Hey, raise the alarm! It’s an intruder. If it comes down to it, we’ll use the—”

Aileen, who has been watching the Valkyries from Keith’s arms, thinks of the words that might have been drowned out by the noise of the bursting barrier. She frowns.

“This is it; the gate to the other side of the wall, Vica says. “Let’s slip through here and hide for now.”

“Wait. I hear footsteps.”

Just outside the gate, Keith stops suddenly. Vica stops, too, several steps ahead of him. A third figure has just stumbled and fallen.

It’s a human, barefoot in this cold, clothed in threadbare rags. Vica runs up to the unfortunate person before Aileen can stop him. “Are you all right? A human, here? Why…?”

“Y-y-you… What’s a m-man doing here?”

The human who looks up, trembling so hard that his teeth chatter, is also a man. When he sees Aileen in Keith’s arms, he shrieks. “V-Val— Valkyrie…!”

“Liar! Y-you people won’t fool me again! You tr-tricked me!” the man screams, sending spittle flying. Keith is wary; his arms tighten around Aileen.

Vica offers the man his hand. “We’ll talk later. The Valkyries are pursuing us. For now, you should get away from here, too.”

“…Wh-what are you? If she’s not a Valkyrie, then why is she here…? Don’t tell me—did you volunteer because you wanted to help the Valkyries, too?!”

“No, I’m—”

“There they are!”

A Valkyrie shouts from the gate they’ve just come through. The Valkyries have caught up.

“Hey, there’s a fugitive as well!”

With another shriek, the man scrambles back, scuttling like a crab. Vica catches his hand and pulls him to his feet. “I don’t understand what’s going on, but come with us. I’m pretty strong. I’ll protect you even if we run into any demons.”

“No, it’s no good. Get away from me!”

The man shoves Vica hard. In the same moment, one of the Valkyries throws an object of some sort. The sweet, pungent smell makes Aileen’s eyes widen. “…Master Keith, Master Vica, don’t breathe it! It’s demon snuff!” she yells.

The substance makes demons lose their reason, and it’s nothing but harmful to humans. Vica, who’s picked up the same scent, grimaces. “What’s that?”

Has demon snuff never made its way to the Kilvas Empire?

As Aileen looks back, though, a large shadow falls over her.

There’s a series of heavy cracking noises. It’s the sound of a skeleton changing, of an entire body being broken and regenerated. Vica stands in front of it, stunned. “Y-you…”

“Emperor…Vica…?”

The voice that slips through the man’s gritted teeth is still his own. However, his whole body is covered in gray scales, and his face is no longer visible. With tense, crackling sounds, his jaw and neck lengthen and thicken. A tail sprouts from his bent body. Four taloned feet trample the ground, and the demon howls. Just for a moment, his eyes flash, and there’s murder in them.

So this is a demon of Kilvas…!

Aileen can see what her brother meant when he said they weren’t like Ellmeyer’s. This demon’s form resembles a wingless dragon.

The demon launches into a sprint. Vica is still standing in his path, and the demon swings his claws at him as if he’s in the way. Still holding Aileen, Keith grabs Vica’s arm and yanks him out of the way. “Pull yourself together, please! I have Lady Aileen to look out for!”

Vica nods, but he doesn’t take his eyes off the demon. “What…is this? A human just…transformed into a demon…?”

The demon charges straight at the wall, but the Valkyries have already closed the gate. They must have assumed that if they leave Aileen and the others here, the demon will finish them off.

“At any rate, we have to find a way back into the wall, or we’ll be in danger—”

Suddenly there’s a shrill howl. It’s the demon’s scream. He keeps ramming the wall with his head, knocking himself back in the process. It’s probably the spell on the wall that’s responsible. Even so, the demon promptly gets up and flings himself against the wall again—shoulder first this time. When he fails again, he screams.

Automatically, Aileen and Keith pause in their flight and look at him. They are the demon king’s wife and his adviser, after all.

“…He just wants to get out.” Vica’s still gazing at the demon. He doesn’t move. “Why are they doing this? It can’t be… My sister and Diana can’t have…”

“Master Vica?” He’s acting strange. Keith grabs his shoulder. “Calm yourself, Master Vica! You mustn’t lose your composure. You are—”

“…Me too?” Beneath his bangs, Vica’s wavering eyes are glowing red. “Will I be like that someday, too?”

Jumping out of Keith’s arms, Aileen steps in front of Vica and raises a hand. “I beg your pardon.” A dry sound echoes as the slap connects with his cheek, and she gives him an elegant smile.

Vica’s unblinking eyes close, then open again. The red light is gone.

“Have you regained your senses?”

“Y…yes.”

Aileen’s lips are curved in a smile. Vica blinks at her repeatedly, and then his expression turns grave. “You knew about that? About the aberration in Kilvas’s imperial bloodline—the fact that some of us become demons?”

“What? …Well, er, yes. After all, I am the demon king’s wife.”

Without thinking, she blurted out something she knew only from the game. Covering for herself with a cough, Aileen turns on her heel. “Now then, lead us to a different gate. Have you forgotten my condition?”

“No. Oh, I’m sorry. I did, just a little.” Vica looks back at the demon one more time. He’s still hurling himself against the wall. “Stop that. You’ll hurt yourself.” His words are as soft as a prayer. The demon can’t possibly have heard him. He’s too busy growling at the wall.

“…So it’s no good. Could Big Brother Claude have done it…?” Shoulders slumping, Vica turns to her again. He bites his lip, then smiles as if he’s intentionally shaking it off. “I’m sorry to keep you waiting. It’s this way. Let’s hurry.”

Vica sets off without looking back. Taking Keith’s hand, Aileen follows him, walking on her own two feet this time. However, she does look back just once.

The demon has stopped flinging himself against the wall and is gazing at them steadily. Then he whirls around, bolting toward the far horizon over ground that’s thinly dusted with snow, until he’s finally out of sight.

“Didn’t you hear me? I said to pass this budget at the council the other day!”

“Diana, calm down.”

Diana has stormed into his office, yelling. Behind her, a troubled-looking Cattleya is trying to restrain her. Feigning ignorance, Ernst is making tea, acting like Claude’s adviser even though he’s the prime minister. As Claude waits for tea that’s delicious in a different way from Keith’s, he pauses in his work. “I believe the budget was passed, as you wished.”

“Then why haven’t the military funds come through? Not only that, but they tell me the budget’s all been used on other things, so there isn’t any to spare!”

“If you use money, it goes away. That seems logical.”

He nods, satisfied, and Ernst clears his throat rather unnaturally. He almost burst out laughing and has to cover for himself.

Veins standing out on her temples, Diana shouts across the desk at him. “Take it back! You can demand it from Ellmeyer, even.”

“Your tea, Your Majesty. Also, here is the report regarding the undertaking the other day.”

“Thanks. That’s a big help.”

“Wait just a minute. What is that report? I said to call off that business, didn’t I? This guy’s subcontracting work illegally.”

“Then we should deal with the illegal subcontracting but continue the project,” Claude says without missing a beat. “Providing free lunches to schoolchildren isn’t something we should stop doing.”

“Diana, let’s discuss this calmly. Emperor Claude is only a substitute, you know,” Cattleya says in an attempt to calm her down.

“That’s right, I wanted to hear your opinions as well. It’s in regard to retirement for the Valkyries.”

“What?” Even as she holds Diana back, Cattleya’s eyes widen.

Settling back in his chair, Claude holds out some documents. “I’ve reviewed all the Valkyries’ records. Many have left the front lines, and many more have reached their limit in terms of service age. However, from what I can see, this nation has no system by which Valkyries may retire.”

“…That’s right. The men of this country just use us up,” Diana says cautiously.

“On that point, I thought those who wished to could become instructors for the military, which we are going to organize.”

Diana goes very quiet, her face blank. Cattleya’s expression is grave, too.

“The biggest reason is the collapse of Hausel. We won’t be able to make any more Valkyries now. From this point on, Kilvas will need an army in which men and women fight the demons. We should act now, while there are still many Valkyries left.”

“Men and women fighting?” Diana asks incredulously. “You’re saying the men should start fighting now, this late in the game?”

“There simply weren’t many departments they were eligible to join. Besides, there have been male soldiers before, including Ernst.”

“That’s…”

Cattleya promptly steps forward, making Diana retreat slightly. “Emperor Claude, after asking you to be a substitute, I have no right to say this, but interfering with the military is really going too far. We can’t have this, especially not while Vica isn’t here.”

“The proposal is Vica’s. It was in the garbage for some reason. I found it in his office. I’ve checked with Ernst and confirmed that it’s definitely Vica’s suggestion. Isn’t that right?”

“Yes. We’d discussed it just the other day, so I’m certain of it. I believe it was thrown away by mistake.”

“…You heard him. In that case, as Vica’s substitute, what problem could there be with my advancing the proposal?”

Cattleya frowns, tucking her chin.

Behind her, Diana glares at Ernst. “Ernst, shouldn’t this be considered interfering in domestic affairs? You’re not going to stop him?”

“We’re in no position to argue after our scheme to use him as a substitute. On the contrary, I don’t know why you’d be against this. Now that Hausel is gone, the Valkyries will inevitably disappear. Since it’s possible that demons will continue to pop up, preparing our military for the future is an issue we need to address.”

“We put out a call for recruits, offering salaries similar to what the Valkyries receive. We already have more than five hundred applicants. I don’t think the men of this country are completely without merit.”

“True, the surgery allowed the Valkyries to be battle-ready immediately, while the men will need to undergo strict training. However, in order for the Valkyries to feel secure about retiring, I think this treatment is necessary.”

“…Says a mere substitute who knows nothing about reality.” Diana’s tone is contemptuous.

Cattleya thumps her on the shoulder, soothing her. “We were the ones who asked him to act as a substitute, Diana. However, Ernst, this proposal really will offend the Valkyries. Give us time to make adjustments.”

“I appreciate your suggestion, but I will make the adjustments. That is what the prime minister is for.”

“Don’t get full of yourself,” Diana says with an obvious edge in her voice.

“More importantly, how is the search for Vica going? You said to leave it to the Valkyries, but is it really all right to do that?” Smiling as if he knows nothing, Ernst changes the subject.

Diana’s eyebrows come down. “Don’t tell me you still doubt us.”

“I’m simply confirming the facts. Even on the battlefield, I frequently reminded you to stay in close communication.”

“Word has been sent to all the Valkyries, Captain Ernst, and they’re searching diligently. If we consider the timing, it’s conceivable that another nation may have interfered, so we’ve expanded our search to the borders.”

In a tone that could be taken as either sarcasm or moderation, Cattleya makes her report to Ernst. The bottom line is that Vica hasn’t been found yet.

“Yes, we received a report confirming that yesterday. Lady Aileen began to feel unwell during the journey, so their departure was quite rushed, but they were sent off safely.”

Feeling unwell. Claude hadn’t heard about this, and he frowns.

However, if they’ve set sail, there are demons in the ocean, and they can use the demons’ network to make contact with Ellmeyer. In any case, their outstanding retainers will do something about it. Keith is with her, too. Claude is sure there won’t be any blunders. If he acts now, no doubt it will only raise the potential for trouble in Ellmeyer.

Having brilliant followers is important.

He knows he’s lucky, and that reminds him of how difficult life must be for Vica. As neighbors with a troublemaking heavyweight like Hausel between them, he’d really like to get along.

“In order to set you free as soon as we possibly can, Emperor Claude, I’ll do everything I can to find Vica… It’s been more than three days since his disappearance, but he’s safe, I’m sure,” Cattleya informs him, serious to a fault.

Claude smiles at her as kindly as he can. “I know. I’ll do my best as a substitute as well.”

“Just behave and stick to passing the proposals we want you to pass.”

“Diana, let’s leave this to him,” Cattleya says firmly. That’s unexpected. Diana is clearly unhappy with it, but she quiets down.

Cattleya bows, then starts to leave the room, taking Diana with her. Ernst calls after her: “Cattleya…if anything happens, report it.”

Ernst has been about to say something, but he changes his mind, throwing his shoulders back as if he’s shaking it off. “Rescue Vica as soon as possible. He is this nation’s emperor.”

Cattleya gives a wry smile, then nods firmly. “Of course. He’s also my precious little brother and the husband of my best friend.”

“I see… Yes, that’s true.”

After bowing again, Cattleya leaves with Diana, and then the room is quiet.

“What was that about?” Claude asks.

“…Cattleya can look you in the eye and lie.” Still watching the door she disappeared through, Ernst breaks into a grin. “Diana’s bad at lying, and her gaze wanders. As a result, I don’t know whether what she just said was true.”

“Are you saying it isn’t only Diana? Cattleya is distancing herself from Vica as well?”

“No. But…to Cattleya, Vica is more her little brother than her emperor.”

That isn’t necessarily a bad thing. On the other hand, Ernst wants to support Vica the emperor, and Claude understands what he’s trying to say. There’s quite a gulf between the positions of “little brother” and “emperor.”

“Just out of curiosity, let me ask: Weren’t you close to them?”

“…My mother was Vica’s wet nurse, and Cattleya is my childhood friend. When she went to see you, she told me about it. She said you were an intelligent, calm, splendid person. I know you corresponded by letter. You were her ideal in everything, so I hated you with a passion.”

Claude blinks; he hadn’t been expecting this.

“…Well, well. It appears I’ve unwittingly incurred resentment. I’m devoted to my wife now, though. I hope you’ll overlook my transgressions.”

When Claude responds with a joke of his own, Ernst laughs. “Overlook what? There’s nothing between Cattleya and myself. She was becoming a Valkyrie, and I wanted to help her, that’s all. That’s why I attended the military academy even though I was a man, then stood on the battlefield as a commanding officer.”

“…As answers go, isn’t that more than enough?”

Ernst is the third son of a marquis. If these things work the way they do in Ellmeyer, he won’t have the right to inherit, but he’s definitely an aristocrat by both birth and upbringing. Not only that, but he has an exceptional record. He won the position of prime minister due to his military achievements. He must be a genius with both sword and pen… And yet he went out of his way to choose the danger of the battlefield. If he’d simply wanted to demonstrate his loyalty to the princess, there must have been other ways.

“She is brilliant, and I wanted to prove to her that I was as well. It was childish pride. If I’d merely sent her and the other Valkyries to the front line and let them protect me, I would have had no right to speak. And so perhaps ‘comrades in arms’ is the best way to describe my relationship with those two. It is what I wanted us to be… Although after the Queendom’s fall, our respective positions have changed substantially.”

“Hausel’s fall has had a marked effect on everything, hasn’t it?”

“That wasn’t due to my power alone.”

“Oh, that’s very good. I’d like to make this nation the same way.” Ernst narrows his eyes as if he’s jealous, but promptly looks down. His wits are sharp. He’s well aware that the gears have already begun to slip.

“…If anything inconvenient happens later, you and Vica should both come to Ellmeyer. We have quite a lot of territories that are surprisingly difficult to govern, and good help is hard to find.”

Claude says this on a whim, but once he’s said it, he thinks it’s a pretty good idea.

However, Ernst laughs off the suggestion, then fixes Claude with a stare. “Kilvas won’t become your client state. Don’t underestimate us, Emperor of Ellmeyer.”

That wasn’t what he meant, but from the way he phrased it, he can’t blame Ernst for interpreting it that way. His good friend’s advice comes back to him: “You make conversation like the demon king. Fix that.”

“I misspoke. My apologies.”

“No, I’ve been complaining unnecessarily. Now then, let’s start with these jobs—”

Just as it looks as though another heavy armful of documents will join the pile already sitting on the desk, there’s a knock at the office door. Ernst responds promptly. He makes sure to drop off those documents first, of course.

“Got a minute? It’s urgent.”

“The emperor might be beyond the wall,” Isaac reports quietly.

Ernst turns back sharply. Isaac glances at Jasper, who’s leaning against the door to block it. Jasper continues the report for Isaac, keeping his voice low. “We were staking out the Valkyries’ station in the castle town when a Valkyrie came along, all confused. She said she’d been on guard duty at the wall, and the next thing she knew, she was standing in the middle of the capital.”

“…She was teleported?” Claude asks.

“There aren’t too many people who can do that. What do you think?”

Isaac is asking if Vica could do it. Ernst shakes his head slowly. “I don’t know. Vica couldn’t use his magic properly in the capital.”

“In that case, it seems even more likely that it’s him. Maybe that’s why he ended up teleporting her to the capital. There’s a good chance he doesn’t really know how to use his powers.”

Vica can’t be used to casting magic yet. No one who was would have sent a Valkyrie on guard duty to the capital. Clearing his throat, Jasper says, “The Valkyrie didn’t seem to know what was going on, either. The outpost managed to check with the wall and confirm that, at the very least, something had happened over there. The Valkyries have a way to communicate with the security detail posted at the wall.”

“Was that something invented by Hausel?” This is news to Claude as well.

“Not a word,” Ernst responds briefly. If he’s shaken, he doesn’t show it. He must have been prepared for this back when he asked Cattleya to report if anything happened.

Claude puts in a tentative word for them. “Maybe it’s because the Valkyries don’t know the details yet. You two didn’t report this to me immediately, either.”

“We didn’t know how the situation was gonna develop, so I prioritized the stakeout,” Isaac replies.

“E-easy, easy. We don’t know for sure it’s the emperor, but… The thing is, it sounds like the ‘somebody’ who’s invaded the wall is actually several somebodies, and…uh…” Jasper falters, glancing at Isaac.

Isaac gives it to them straight. “There are three of them. It’s probably the emperor, Aileen, and your adviser.”

Ernst blinks.

There’s a pause. Then Claude claps his hands on the desk. His usual adviser isn’t here. On top of that, he’s acting as Vica’s substitute right now. He has to stay calm. He pulls on the sort of smile one would give a child. “You know there’s no way something that ridiculous could happen. I’ve been told they already set sail for home. Aileen wasn’t feeling well, so they departed hastily…………”

“…But Keith wouldn’t allow…”

“If they’ve made contact with the emperor, they’ll know you’re weaker than Elefas right now.”

Claude would really love to refute that claim, but that isn’t the most pressing issue right now. The question is what Aileen and Keith would think and do once they made that discovery.

It isn’t hard to imagine. “Gracious, how awful—we simply must save Master Claude.” “Yes, after all, milord is surprisingly foolish.” He can practically hear their voices and the accompanying laughter. Is he hallucinating?

Bracing his elbows on the desk, he laces his fingers together near his lips. “I understand the situation. My wife is as reckless as ever. As befits the adviser of the demon king, my adviser’s methods are crafty. Your theory is quite plausible… It’s my fault. I should never have trusted them.”

“W-we don’t know any of this for sure yet, do we? Besides, a personage such as your empress would never—”

“That woman would absolutely do it.”

For some reason, Isaac’s answer seems to make Ernst anxious. “But surely the people around her wouldn’t permit such a thing…!”

“My wife would,” Isaac tells him, sounding exasperated. Claude knows exactly how he feels. “I thought the demon king’s adviser might hold the line, but I read him wrong. If it’s for your sake, that adviser of yours would even use Aileen. Dammit, I’m never trusting any of your people again.”

He’s kept his focus on buying time as Vica’s substitute, but he can’t be that laid-back now. If Aileen is taken hostage, war will break out on the spot.

“We can’t conduct a review of military personnel immediately, though,” Ernst says.

“There’s a good method that won’t take much time. Isn’t there, Isaac?”

“I’ve already set that up. The Valkyrie-bashing should hit like a ton of bricks tomorrow.”

“…Valkyrie-bashing?” Ernst doesn’t seem to understand.

Jasper tugs his beret back onto his head. “Well, you know, this and that. Yeah. I may not look it, but I’m a journalist, so…”

“On its own, that won’t be enough. Since we’ve got the chance, why don’t we try using my face?” Claude’s breezy proposal makes Jasper plaster his back against the door. Apparently, Claude has surprised him.

When Claude looks at Isaac, though, the other man’s eyes are gleaming. “That’s okay?”

“Of course it’s not. I’m extremely reluctant, and this is humiliating besides. However, I’m sure you’ll be able to use my face with peerless efficiency. Go ahead and ignore both my honor and my pride.”

“Leave it to me.”

“What exactly do you intend to do? I’ll do all I can as well, but…” Ernst still doesn’t seem to get it; he’s the only one in the room who’s bewildered.

Isaac glances at him. “The demon king yanked up the standard, but you’ll work, too.”

“Uh, I hear you had a fan club in the Valkyries before you became prime minister. Until Diana came along, it sounds like you and Princess Cattleya split the popularity pretty evenly between you.”

As Jasper says that while flipping through a notebook, Ernst frowns. “A f-fan club? What is that?”

“So becoming prime minister made him less popular, huh? That actually works better.”

“We’ve got a good excuse as well. An imperial visit regarding the Valkyries’ retirement system. We’ll start with the capital. We won’t even need to leave the city. And for some reason, Her Highness’s faction is opposed to the retirement system,” Claude puts in.

Isaac smirks. “Oh yeah? This’ll really be worth doing.”

“Won’t it?”

“U-um, if you don’t tell me what you intend to do, you’ll make me uneasy.”

Ernst seems worried, so Isaac says, “Don’t worry about it; it’s just a job. We’ll set it all up for you. Plus, if we’ve got the demon king’s face, we’ve basically won already.”

“No, um, that’s why I’m asking… Why his face?”

Ignoring Ernst, Claude comes to a decision. “All right. It’s a race: We’ll see who can bring down the Valkyries first, us or Aileen. Don’t worry; no matter what happens, it isn’t our fault.”

“Everything that’s about to happen is my wife’s fault, for leaving my face all by its lonesome,” Claude says firmly.

Jasper claps his hands together as if he’s praying.

Ernst is still perplexed, but they’ll just have to make him grow up a bit more.

Military power isn’t the only weapon in the world.

It’s quite a long way from the district Aileen and the others have infiltrated to the district that’s related to Hausel. That means it’s safer to travel on the outside, away from the wall, where security will definitely have been tightened. Whether they run into demons is a matter of luck—encountering demons will give them more chances to gather information.

With that in mind, Aileen’s group presses on until just before sunset, keeping an eye on the wall in the distance. In the end, though, that first demon is the only one they encounter. There’s no sign of pursuit by the Valkyries, either. It’s probably because, while Aileen’s group is on this side of the wall, they might as well be locked in. The Valkyries may also be planning to weaken them before they get rid of them.

However, with Vica’s magic, it’s easy for them to rest in the hut they find under the wintry sky. They quickly start a fire and camouflage the entire hut with a barrier. Not only that, but the hut has clearly been used by others. They find water and preserved food inside. Keith uses these to make dinner, and Vica magically removes the dirt from their clothes in the blink of an eye.

“We’ll sleep on the benches. You take the bed, Lady Aileen,” Keith tells her. He’s spreading out their coats and cloaks and hanging them in front of the bed to form a makeshift privacy screen. “How are you feeling? Any strain or discomfort?”

“No, none… I’m more concerned about that.” She glances past a hanging fur coat at Vica. Illuminated by the red glow of the fireplace, Vica is gazing absently out the window. It’s true that Aileen and Keith are conversing in low voices, but he doesn’t even seem to have registered that they’re talking.

“I don’t think we need to worry about him using too much magic, but… Watching him makes me rather nervous.”

“He’s more levelheaded than Master Claude was during his rebellious phase, though.” When she looks up, Keith smiles at her. “Milord had those things as well: adolescence and a rebellious phase.”

“…I can’t even imagine it.”

“No doubt. However, even I can only speculate about Master Vica’s relationship with the demons. Not everything about him will be the same as milord… And after what happened earlier, well…”

Keith also thinks that Vica’s preoccupied because of the demon they saw that afternoon.

A human transformed into a demon. The demon snuff was probably nothing more than a trigger. Demon snuff can grant humans demon-like powers, but they remain human; they won’t physically turn into a demon. The only ones who do that are those with special constitutions, like Claude and James.

“That’s probably the primary reason they won’t respond to milord. It isn’t about who’s demon king.”

Since they were originally human, they won’t obey the demon king. That does make sense.

“Either way, we still know practically nothing. Not even whether we should consider the man who became a demon the rule or an exception.”

“…True. We mustn’t jump to conclusions.”

“I’ll go get more kindling. I leave Master Vica to you.” Aileen frowns, and Keith winks at her. “You’re the one who’s best suited to it. You’re particularly good at taking those who are at risk of losing their humanity and drawing them back to the human side of things.”

“You mean you are. You’re the one who kept Master Claude human.”

“You overestimate me. I’m a human who falls in with his own kind at the very end.”

Before she can think up an argument against that, Keith puts his cold-weather clothes back on and leaves the hut.

Left behind and with no other options, Aileen steps out from behind the screen of fur coats and approaches the table where Vica is sitting. The cup of plain, once-hot water he’s holding has gone completely cold.

“Are you feeling unwell?”

“…No. That’s not it. Just… I thought I might be able to hear the demons’ voices.”

So that’s why he’s been gazing out the window all this time? Aileen seats herself in the chair across from Vica.

“You seem disappointed… Do you mean resisting the Valkyries wasn’t your reason for wanting to control the demons? Did you genuinely want to be the demon king?”

“I…really don’t know. I’ve never had many allies, and to put it bluntly, the Valkyries are my enemies. As a result, I may have gotten the feeling that the demons were my companions.”

The eyes of one who’s searching for companions. If she thinks of it that way, the loneliness in Vica’s expression makes sense. She can’t have him going to that side, though.

“Aren’t you concerned about your sister or Ernst, or the empire?”

“Ernst is brilliant, so I’m not worried about him. My sister… I think she’d prefer to have Claude at her side than me.”

“Goodness, dropping hints like that right in front of me? How bold of you.”

“You must have noticed.”

“I really don’t know what you’re talking about. I’m delighted that Lady Cattleya and Master Claude are such great friends. After all, Master Claude has also had some rotten luck when it comes to his relationships with humans. If he can connect with his relatives, I welcome it.”

Vica glances at her, moving only his eyes, as if she’s caught his interest. However, he promptly looks out the window again. “…At this point, I think I’ve done my sister a disservice. I did think she’d win against you by a mile, though. Even for Ernst, I may only have reopened an old wound…”

“You keep speaking of others. What about you? Wasn’t there a woman you were fond of?”

“I’m…not certain. I’m still not very conscious of… I’m not confident in my own feelings.”

There’s something strangely innocent about the way he broods; it makes him look like a normal young man. This may be the real thing. Intensely curious, Aileen leans forward. “We’re alone here. I won’t give you any boorish lectures about how you’ve just married. Go on.”

Besides, at this rate, his relationship with Diana is very likely to fail. Vica doesn’t mention this, either. Instead, he laughs as if he’s genuinely entertained. “She doesn’t like me, though.”

His face is nice, and he’s obviously a man of means. He’s clever, dynamic, and decisive. He’s friendlier and better with people than Claude is. If she were to sum him up carelessly, he’d be “a younger, mischievous Claude who seems kind.” Was there anyone who wouldn’t fall for such an agreeable young man if he put his mind to it? That doesn’t seem possible.

“That’s quite hard to believe. You’re certain you simply haven’t told her how you feel?”

“Well, perhaps I haven’t…”

“There, you see? It’s that indecisive attitude.” If he isn’t clearly aware of his feelings, he can’t pursue her properly. “It isn’t confidence you lack—it’s courage. Why not make full use of that precious face of yours?”

“You say that so easily, but there are some things even this face can’t do.”

“No, if I had to say, I’d like to make her cry.”

Aileen breaks off, studying Vica closely. He’s serious.

“If possible, I’d like to see her face twisted in humiliation.”

Aileen thumps the table hard with both fists and groans. “Why must it turn out this way? Is it fate…?!”

“Exactly. I knew it wasn’t love. If I didn’t know better, I might even say I hate her.”

“No, that’s love! I’ve heard all this before!” Aileen laments, covering her face with her hands. Then she takes Vica’s hand. He looks mystified. “Listen—come to me for advice whenever you wish. If you don’t, I’ll feel far too sorry for this woman!”

“Th-thank you very much. Unfortunately, though, I make a point of hunting my own prey.”

“I—I see…”

Vica’s wearing a bashful smile. Feeling hopeless, Aileen puts some distance between them.

Claude is an adult. The fact that he consciously uses his charms makes them harder to deal with, but he’s capable of moderation. If Vica puts his mind to it, though, he may attack with everything he has, regardless of the woman’s situation. The thought terrifies Aileen.

“…That’s a relief. As long as that woman is here, you’ll choose humans, won’t you?”

Vica tilts his head, giving her a smile with no feeling behind it. “Even though she hates me? My love is unrequited, you know.”

“Take a look at your face.”

There’s no mirror, so she points at the surface of the water in his cup. Vica looks down.

“I pity any woman who falls prey to that face,” she mutters, turning away.

Vica laughs, finally taking a sip of his water.

A chill shoots through Claude from his feet to his head. Beside him, Ernst considerately offers hot tea from a travel flask. The flask’s lid can be used as a cup, and the tea he pours into it steams gently. It’s a metal thermos with demon stones worked into it. Technology in Kilvas really is more advanced.

If we go to war, I get the feeling we’ll have a hard time winning. If I mobilize all the demons, we may manage a draw…

If he drags Ashmael into it, they might win, but the holy king is sure to be furious. I know what to do. Next time we meet, I’ll propose a military alliance. It’ll be easier to get Ashmael involved that way.

He drinks the hot tea, then sighs in relief. The chill recedes.

“Thank you. Don’t worry; I only shivered just now because someone is speaking ill of me.”

“Don’t be modest. You mean ‘everybody.’ There’s no way it’s just one person,” Isaac says, mouthing off.

“……”

“The Valkyries’ outpost is over there.” Not the least bit flustered by Claude’s withering gaze, Isaac checks the map, then points ahead.

A guard is properly stationed at the gate, though. Ernst frowns. “That article was just published. They’re bound to be wary. I don’t have any acquaintances in that unit… As a rule, Valkyrie outposts are off-limits to everyone who doesn’t have permission to enter, and the Valkyries are particularly wary of men. I suspect they’ll turn us away at the gate.”

“I showed you how to keep that from happening. Just follow the process,” Isaac says reassuringly.

“You say ‘process,’ but I don’t think much of strategies that take advantage of others’ goodwill. We really should follow proper protocol and visit as the emperor and the prime minister.”

“Like I said, that would take time, and they’d suspect you even more. This works because we’ll catch them off guard. Quit griping and go. Come on, Demon King, you too.”

“Wait, please. I need to steel myself for this. I’m not magically immune to the nerve-racking idea of dealing with multiple women at once.”

“No one needs to hear any of your false modesty. You’re at the top of your game, and you’re obviously not really nervous. Go on. Just get over there ASAP.” Isaac gives Claude a good, solid kick in the rear.

It’s so unexpected that Claude can’t even brace for it. He tumbles out of the building’s shadow and sprawls on the flagstones. He manages to avoid landing on his face, but that isn’t his most immediate concern.

Am I really weaker than Elefas right now?!

That can’t be. That was— Yes, he’d only gotten careless. However, it’s undeniably true that he fell. He planted his hands on the flagstones to catch himself, and he squeezes them into fists. As he’s trembling from shock and humiliation, Ernst hastily runs up to him, asking, “A-are you all right?!”

“What’s the matter? Are you hurt? Or are you feeling unwell?”

The Valkyrie guard seems concerned about Claude, who hasn’t yet managed to get up. She comes over to them. This is exactly what Isaac was aiming for.

When the Valkyrie’s hand is right in front of him, Claude raises his head. “I’m sorry… It’s really nothing…”

The kind Valkyrie freezes. As does Ernst, for some reason.

Slowly getting to his knees, Claude gives her a fragile smile. “It was just a little vertigo. I’m sorry, I must seem pathetic.”

“I—I see… C-can you stand? Are you hurt?”

“Thank you, you’re very kind. I mustn’t cause you trouble, though.”

“I am a Valkyrie. Protecting others is my job. You’re— Oh!”

She finally seems to have matched Claude’s face with her memories of the emperor. Gently, Claude puts a finger to her lips. “I’m sorry. I don’t want people to make a fuss.”

“—O-of…course you don’t!” Her voice cracks.

She’s shaken; now’s their chance. Claude darts a glance at Ernst, and the man gasps, straightening. “I…I’m sorry to ask, but do you suppose he could rest at the outpost?”

“Th-that’s, um…not really… We can’t admit members of the public without permission.”

“When you want to get your way, look straight into the other person’s eyes, act earnest and anguished, and keep telling yourself they’re the only one you can turn to.”

Ernst has followed Isaac’s instructions faithfully. He probably doesn’t understand why, but the red in the Valkyrie’s cheeks deepens. The combination of a handsome young man in distress and being relied on is thrilling.

In other words, this is a fiendish method that takes advantage of others’ goodwill, and it only works for people with pretty faces.

“I-if you’re going to go that far, then…!”

“I see. That’s incredibly helpful. Come, Master Vica.”

As Ernst turns to him, Claude deducts a few points. The man’s relief has made him break into a natural, brilliant smile. What’s the point of turning it on Claude? He should show it to the Valkyrie and make her like him more.

That said, they’re off to a good start.

As the Valkyrie leads the way, Claude stealthily looks back. In the shadow of the building, he sees Isaac scowl and make a shooing motion with his hand. The man has no intention of recognizing Claude’s efforts. His wife’s lackeys really are careless about their personal safety.

However, Isaac is scheduled to make contact with Jasper and start working on another angle next. Claude can’t dispose of him yet. Channeling his disappointment to make his acting even more convincing, he walks into the outpost.

At first, the Valkyries stealthily slip more wood onto the fire, and when he thanks them, they bring him a blanket. Then comes hot herbal tea, a cushion, cookies and fruit-infused water, and white bread soaked in stew, all in the blink of an eye.

“So this…is the power of a beautiful face…”

“What are you saying? The Valkyries are being kind, that’s all.”

“Yes… True… Very educational.”

Ernst averts his eyes, completely at a loss. This gesture elicits a fresh wave of sympathy from their hosts, and it isn’t long before they offer him sweets as well. Ordinarily, he would have stubbornly refused them, but Isaac has given him strict orders to graciously accept, say thank you, and invite them to spoil him even more if possible.

After stiffly sharing his painfully serious thoughts, Ernst clumsily asks for tea. Once the Valkyries recover from their surprise, they burst into laughter. The man has plenty of his own assets to work with, and Claude wishes he’d learn to weaponize them already.

However, the Valkyries aren’t the sort of women who’d let a pretty face fool them completely.

“I’m impressed that the emperor fell ill with such impeccable timing… While accompanied by the prime minister to boot.”

A tall woman emerges from the depths of the outpost; the Valkyries must have summoned her. Startled, Ernst gets to his feet. “Irena! What are you doing in the capital, way out here?”

“…Friend of yours?” Claude asks.

Ernst nods. “She looked after me when I was just starting out. I outrank her, but… People call her a hero. She’s one of the top five Valkyries.”

“I’ve just been in the service a long time. Take yourselves elsewhere as soon as he’s feeling better, all right? We’re busy.” She’s smiling, but she clearly finds their visit suspicious.

Ernst lowers his voice. “Is it because of that article this morning?”

There’s a sharp intake of breath from the Valkyries around them. Hearing this, Irena plops down on a stool in front of Claude. “Yes. That article was a nasty piece of work. Some girls had rocks thrown at them while they were patrolling the capital.”

The article that set the capital abuzz this morning expressed doubts about the nature of the new empress. It exposed Diana’s autocratic behavior toward guests of state from other nations, the arrogant way she speaks, the fact that she’s neglecting the work of her station—including producing an heir—and the suspicion that she’s been misappropriating military funds.

In addition, her preferential treatment of some of the Valkyries was also criticized. Many citizens of the empire endure austerity and even poverty for the sake of the fight against the demons, yet there are some Valkyries who live in the lap of luxury.

“That sort of thing will settle down if we just leave it be for a while.” Irena doesn’t seem too concerned.

“I see…,” Claude says quietly, adding, “The empress is hastily taking steps to address it as well.”

As expected, Diana is furious, and she promptly started visiting all the papers to protest. Cattleya has been accompanying her, leaving Claude and the others free to move as they wish. Given Diana’s personality, Claude has little doubt she’ll probably go on a rampage and give the evening papers plenty to write about. And there’s a good chance Irena is imagining the same thing.

The woman seems like a reasonable type, and Claude sits up. “If you don’t mind, we’d like to hear your side of this.”

“Ernst, we don’t want trouble. Just take that boy and go home already.”

“We’d particularly like to hear how you are being treated, and the realities of your rank.”

This time, clear agitation runs through the listening Valkyries. Irena shifts her gaze from Ernst to Claude. “Those who are competent are promoted. That’s all.”

“In other words, you were all sent here because of your incompetence?” Claude scans the group around them. One of them starts to loom threateningly, only for Irena to throw out an arm to stop her.

Diana claims that the Valkyries have been sacrificed for the sake of the nation, so they should be rewarded. However, there are a great many Valkyries, and the group’s interpersonal relationships are every bit as complicated as they are anywhere else in human society. What’s more, rank is ostensibly tied to achievements in battle, which also determine treatment and pay. Inevitably, there are always winners and losers in such a system. This is what Isaac and Jasper have chosen to focus on and exploit.

“…That’s right. What about it?”

“The empress feels that Valkyries are victims. From her perspective, the volunteers who chose to protect the empire are inconvenient. She needs them to claim they never volunteered, that they were forced to become Valkyries. Those who refuse to comply are labeled incompetent. Isn’t that how you’re currently being treated?”

Diana has been favoring Valkyries who agree with her assertion and show her complete loyalty.

The Valkyries stationed at this lonely outpost are those who failed to side with the winner. These are the ones Diana has deemed unusable.

“…If she wants to change the Valkyries’ treatment, that type of posturing is probably necessary. Besides, we fight to defend the empire. We’re proud of that.” Irena is calm. She doesn’t take the bait.

That’s not true of everyone else present, though.

Personal pride and dignity are important, but the exposé in the paper had revealed quite a lot of details, including salaries. What do the Valkyries think now that they’ve seen that difference spelled out in such concrete terms?

Numbers are violence. I swear, Aileen’s subordinates fight dirty.

“I understand. But that article made me think. There will be fewer and fewer Valkyries from this point on, and I’d like to make another path for them. I want to set up a retirement system.”

Claude seems to have caught Irena by surprise. She blinks in confusion. A stir runs through the group around them.

“…Sure. They won’t be like us. We’re able to wield magic lances the moment we undergo that surgery.”

“That’s where the Valkyries’ retirement system will come in. Some of you can no longer fight on the front lines due to age, while others cannot because of wounds they’ve suffered. I’d like to let those individuals retire from front-line duties and devote themselves to training those who will follow in their footsteps.”

“So you’re saying to side with you and not Diana, boy?” Irena cuts right to the chase. “Just so you know, we understand Diana better than the imperial family. We just don’t hold a grudge against the imperial family and the nation and men as much as she and her faction do, that’s all. We were also a bit disappointed in Ernst when he became prime minister. We thought, ‘So in the end, even he thinks like an aristocrat. Like a man.’”

“No need to say it twice. Ernst, let’s move on to the next place.” Uncrossing his legs, Claude stands up.

Ernst rises as well. “Y-Your Majesty, are you sure?”

“You give up real easy… Wait, the next place? Are you planning to bring this up with the other groups, too?”

“It wouldn’t be fair if I didn’t. Besides, the empress is undoubtedly busy.” Irena’s eyes widen, and Claude burns his smile onto her retinas. “If you don’t need the lifeline I’ve thrown you, that’s your business. I offered it to you, and that’s all that matters.”

“I see. So you didn’t come to make us your allies, hmm?”

“You’re wrong, Irena. I want to cooperate with you.” Clenching his fists, Ernst sits back down. Claude gives him a reproachful look, but Ernst keeps his eyes fixed on Irena. “I don’t expect you to pretend like nothing ever happened, but I’d like you to think of the future as well. Someday, the Valkyries will be gone… I don’t want you and yours to meet your end as traitors.”

“You say that, but if the Valkyries rise up, your side won’t stand a chance. I wager it will be remembered as a revolution, not treason. And it’ll serve you people right.”

“Then let’s say your revolution succeeds. What will you do about other nations? This matter won’t end at our borders. Diana views Hausel and Ellmeyer as enemies.”

“…If she plans to invade Ellmeyer and spread devastation, then obviously we’ll stop her.”

“So the Valkyries will eventually fight among themselves? In that case, you’ll end up as traitors either way.”

Irena falls silent. Ernst goes on without giving her any time to think. “Even if you manage to stop her, what if Ellmeyer invades us? Vica’s already on friendly terms with Ellmeyer’s emperor. That was what the marriage was for.”

“You can’t mean… Did he invite him to the wedding so he’d come to view Diana’s faction—or even all the Valkyries—as threats? …Did the emperor really think it through that far?”

“I was ordered to drag Ellmeyer into this,” Ernst declares, before Irena can turn suspicious eyes on Claude.

“Vica—His Majesty isn’t the sort of ruler who only exists to be protected, as Cattleya says he is.”

Grimacing, Irena rakes her fingers through her hair and sinks into thought. This seems like a good time to back Ernst up. “Ernst, that’s enough. I respect the Valkyries who protect this nation, but I have no respect for those who would mock you.”

Irena’s head comes up. Once Claude is sure she’s registered his cold smile, he turns on his heel. It’s like watching a wave recede.

“Wait, boy—I mean, Your Majesty.” His hand is on the door when she calls to him. “All right. I understand… You’re right. You had us in checkmate the moment you came here. Neither Diana nor Cattleya will overlook this. They’ll suspect us. On top of that, if you end up planning to crush the Valkyries instead of winning us over, we’ll really have nowhere to run.”

When he turns back, Irena is on her feet, watching him.

“Having that article published was part of your plot all along, wasn’t it?”

“Perish the thought. I’d never do such a thing,” he tells her, straight-faced, and she bursts out laughing.

“Aaah-ha-ha-ha-ha! Well, you’ve got me beat. I thought I’d catch you off guard, and you didn’t even blink. You’re quite the actor. I must be losing my touch… I underestimated you. Sorry about that. You’ve chosen a good master, Ernst. Let me apologize.”

Ernst’s eyes light up.

Irena nods. “I’m very much in favor of that retirement system. Would a handshake be disrespectful, Your Majesty?”

“It takes a good man to understand that. If we learn anything, I’ll let you know. Oh, and if you need someone to be your shield, make it me. That burden’s too heavy for the other girls to bear. It’s a common story, you know? Middle-aged women getting jealous of younger girls and becoming jaded and conservative.”

This heroic woman speaks resolutely, with perfect nonchalance, and Claude shifts his grip on her hand. “I’m honored to have earned the support of such a woman.” With gratitude and respect, he lightly kisses the back of her hand. An excited murmur goes up.

Irena blinks. Then she sighs deeply. “Handsome men have it good, eh? I might end up placing my trust in you. That’s nasty stuff.”

“I intended it as a demonstration of my sincerity. Didn’t I, Ernst?”

“No, that was simply the power of good looks,” Ernst says seriously. Stabbed in the back by his ally, Claude grimaces. Planting her hands on her hips, Irena bursts out laughing again, and so do the rest of the Valkyries.

Well, never mind. Things should go as planned now. This provocation is bound to make the backlash worse, but it will draw attention away from his wife’s group. Catching himself, Claude blinks. As things stand, it would appear he’s volunteered to be a decoy. He can’t tell if he wants to get the better of his wife or rescue her.

Good grief. What could my wife be up to, and who is she attempting to get the better of?

Irena responds to Claude’s quiet smile with a wry one. “I was joking. Don’t make that diabolical expression.”

“Yes. You’re the spitting image of the demon king, plotting evil.”

It must be because I’m trying to pass myself off as Vica, Claude concludes privately. Smiling, he promises to do his best.

Having learned from their experiences the day before, Vica cast a spell on the Valkyries so that even if he, Keith, and Aileen triggered alarms and could no longer hide, the Valkyries wouldn’t be able to see them properly. However, during their escape into the elevator, Vica’s face had been spotted. Aileen bitterly regrets their slipup.

Keith speaks up cheerfully. “Assuming we have been found out, what should we do, Lady Aileen? That’s the important part.”

Drawing a deep breath, Aileen quickly switches gears. “That’s obvious: We claim dastardly Master Vica threatened us and forced us to accompany him. If they catch us, we’ll testify that we know nothing.”

“What…? I mean, it’s fine, but that’s not the least bit persuasive.”

“Gracious, it should do quite well. Master Claude spoils me, and I’m a useless girl who knows nothing of the world. That’s the image they have of me, at any rate.” Aileen gives a charming smile.

Keith returns her nod, beaming. “That’s the demon king’s wife, all right. You have no qualms about deceiving others or tossing them aside like yesterday’s garbage.”

“I shall take that as a compliment.”

“Are you sure that’s what it was…? It seems to me as i-if…”

Vica’s voice wavers unnaturally. The elevator is slowing down. They’re nearing their destination.

Keith pushes up his glasses, then glances her way. “Come to think of it, Lady Aileen. Why did you suggest making for this elevator?”

She remembered that in the game, you always used an elevator whenever traveling to a place connected to Hausel for the Valkyrie surgery or for medical treatment. Despite needing to come up with an alternate reason on the spot, she’s made a rather persuasive case. Vica nods. “The elevator wasn’t included in the building’s plans. I also think something must be hidden here. Your eyes are as sharp as a vulture’s, Lady Aileen.”

“Y-yes, I— Wait, was that really a compliment?”

“I also consider your keen vision worthy of constant admiration, Lady Aileen,” Keith agrees.

She gets the feeling they’ve said something rude to her, but arguing would just come back to bite her, so she holds her tongue. What’s more important is the destination of this elevator; it doesn’t even have a display that shows floor numbers.

A sound signals that they’ve arrived, and the door opens.

A black floor and ceiling stretch away from the door in a straight line. Lights gleam at regular intervals in both surfaces, seemingly showing the way. This is most definitely a corridor that goes somewhere important. Steeling herself, Aileen steps out of the white box—and when she sees what opens up around her, her next words slip out involuntarily. “The queen’s blue country…”

“Is this…? Are we at the bottom of the ocean?” Cautiously, Keith touches the transparent wall. It seems to be made of very thick glass. On the other side, the world is a deep blue. Higher up, small schools of fish swim past, and white diaphanous jellyfish drift by.

“That elevator may be a transfer device,” Aileen says. “We might be on the outskirts of Hausel.”

Hausel is an island nation. In those lands, the ocean is never far. Vica exhales in what could be either wonder or fear. “So this…is the Queendom of Hausel…”

“Don’t be scared. It’s time to get moving. We aren’t here on a pleasure trip.”

With those words of reassurance, Aileen sets off. Vica and Keith quickly follow after her.

Without warning, the lights in the ceiling wink out. The underwater corridor is ending. As she takes a careful step into the space beyond it, bright light glares down from an even higher ceiling.

The room is large and circular. An ornamented pillar stands in the center, encircled by a round table and haphazardly placed chairs. The walls are still glass, but the view beyond them is no longer the ocean. It’s a spacious room with gray walls.

Several people come into view.

They’re all dressed in simple clothing, and they all seem dazed. They’re standing up or hugging their knees, and their eyes are hollow and unfocused. They don’t seem to have noticed Aileen’s group. Even when she calls to them, there’s no response. Perhaps they can’t see through the glass.

Vica murmurs quietly, “It doesn’t appear to be a jail for prisoners. The location’s too inconvenient.”

“I’d imagine not… I think those are all men,” Keith says.

At that, the same thought occurs to all of them.

The man who became a demon before their eyes. The really concerning thing is the surgical table in the inner room.

However, there are no women in that vast room. The abrupt crash of something breaking yanks Aileen back to the present. “Wh-what was that?! Have they caught up to us?!”

“Oh, I’m sorry. I broke this, and— Whoa! Aggghhh!”

Vica tried to pull out something that had been stored beneath the round table in the center, and it’s spilled everywhere. There’s shelving under the table, and what Aileen thought were ornaments on the pillar are demon stones.

“Warn us before you act, please. You startled me,” she says. Then she notices something. “Master Vica?”

Vica has been flipping through the booklet he pulled off the shelf, and he stiffens. When Aileen approaches, wondering what’s happened, the sight of the book he’s holding makes her freeze as well.

“The Demon King Creation Project…?!” Aileen can’t believe her eyes.

“Huh? What did you just say?”

“Look at this, Master Keith. This is a backup project; its objective is to artificially create a demon king by performing the Valkyrie surgery on men—”

As is common with the Queendom’s documents, it’s written in the old tongue.

Vica seems able to read it. He turns the pages rapidly, his eyes hungrily drinking in the words. Aileen explains to Keith the parts she’s managed to make out. “It says that incompatible subjects become demons—they transform.”

Keith takes another look around, his eyebrows drawing together. “Then are these men test subjects? It’s likely they’ve been operated on alread— Master Vica?”

Suddenly flinging the book aside, Vica starts toward the glass, behind which the men are trapped.

“W-wait, Master Vica. I understand how you feel, but if we do that—”

“It’s all right. It looks as though I can use magic here. I’ll be able to teleport them all out.” As Vica reaches for the glass, there’s a crackling noise, and his hand is repelled. Some sort of spell has been cast on the glass. It’s magic, not sacred power. Sacred power isn’t suited to imprisoning people.

Vica reaches out again, and there’s a series of audible cracks as his magic and the spell repel each other. Wind rages around them.

Aileen raises her voice. “Even so! We don’t know what sort of state those men are in. It isn’t safe!”

“Then are you saying we should just leave them like this? When it’s my fault—” Vica’s turned around, but then he covers his mouth with a hand and staggers.

“Master Vica?”

“Stay away!” he yells sharply. Leaning against the glass, he raises his hands to his face.

Those hands are covered in black scales, and they’ve begun to sprout sharp claws.

His red eyes waver—a premonition of mounting resignation and despair. An omen that he is becoming a demon.

Why now?!

Is it because he’s been using magic when he wasn’t used to it? At any rate, Aileen moves closer. “Master Vica, calm yourself. If you lose yourself in a place like this—”

“Be…quiet. Someone’s coming…!”

“Master Vica! What’s—?”

“You don’t seem to be feeling well. It’s because you got carried away and used magic.” A mocking voice echoes from the corridor on the opposite side. They’ve been found. Not only that, but the woman at the head of the group isn’t just a Valkyrie.

What is she doing here? —No, thinking like that isn’t productive. The wall that was linked to this facility was built by Hausel. It wouldn’t be odd if there was a device or two that could transport her here from the capital in a flash.

Raising his glaring red eyes, Vica sighs. “…Hi there…Di…ana.”

“I never thought I’d find you here. Where are the other intruders?” Diana scans the room. She has to have seen Aileen and Keith, but her eyes move on as if she hadn’t.

A cloaking barrier…

Vica’s hiding them. If they stay quiet and still, they’re very unlikely to be discovered.

“Well, it doesn’t matter. Not compared to the fact that you faked the attack on yourself.”

Diana lifts a hand, and the Valkyries raise their weapons. The tips of their lances are all pointed at the emperor of their own country.

“I thought it was odd, but it all makes sense now. So Ernst was in on it, too. Was this a plot to gain power over the Valkyries? How unfortunate for you. Oh, I won’t kill you. You’re still useful.”

“I wouldn’t have needed you once the wedding was over anyway. If you’d behaved yourself, though, you could have lived a little longer. By making a break for it, you’ve shortened your own life. You’ve really done something nobody needed. Thanks to you, we’ve been saddled with a substitute emperor, and on top of that, Cattleya… Whatever, it’s fine. She’s probably given up on the substitute emperor by now.”

“…Did Emperor Claude…do something?”

“He’s done plenty. That womanizer.”

The word doesn’t fit the tense atmosphere. Aileen frowns. What has that husband of hers been doing?

“Still, it’s about time for Cattleya to make her move. The narrative’s changed, but now we have a reason to invade Ellmeyer. We’ll make this empire understand it needs the Valkyries. I won’t let anyone treat us as useless.”

Diana spins the magic lance in her hands, then raises it high.

“You’re going to transform. Then you’ll lead the demons and destroy Kilvas. That is the destiny of the red-eyed demon.”

Aileen catches Keith’s arm to stop herself from leaping out at them. Keith hugs her shoulders, as if he’s holding himself back as well.

“If you have any last words, I’ll hear them.”

“I have scores of them, but…I wonder if my sister will be sad.”

“Cattleya is kind. There’s no other option, though. She’s steeled herself for this. No doubt she doesn’t want her life to be this constrained.”

“…And you? Won’t you be sad?” Vica looks up at Diana. He’s wearing his usual gentle smile.