“…What if I told you the shortfall would be covered by Ellmeyer and Hausel in the form of reparations?” In response to Ernst’s abrupt question, Isaac smacks a hand to his forehead and looks up at the ceiling. “No, no.” Jasper waves his hands in denial. “Hausel doesn’t exist anymore. Besides, an amount like this? Ellmeyer couldn’t… Could we afford that, Demon King?” “If we sold off most of the imperial family’s assets and doubled taxes, and if the interest rate on the reparations was zero, we could manage it in about a decade. Five years, if we used the demons.” “Don’t just calculate it like it makes sense! Paying reparations at all would be insane!” Claude shrugs at Isaac, but this has made several things clear. That isn’t the part that’s giving Isaac a headache, though. “Why is Diana being so sloppy about this?! Both her document management and her procedures… I can’t believe she thought of using the demon king as a substitute when she was plotting something like this. She’s underestimating us so hard, it’s actually scary.” “I couldn’t have said it better myself. In fact, though, she and her faction control the military. It probably kept Vica from taking action. His position seems weak,” Claude says. No longer hesitant, Isaac returns the paper to the approved-documents box—then shoves a hand into the box of scrapped proposals. “Is this Emperor Vica’s writing?” “…Yes,” Ernst confirms. “Hmm…” Most of the documents written in that hand are in the “scrapped” box. After Isaac has skimmed several of them, Claude speaks up, sounding entertained. He’s clasped his hands on the desk. “How does my cousin look to you?” 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. That really would be a different demon king. “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 hear a divine stone from the Valkyries’ weapons was found at the scene; that sounds implausibly convenient. Still, since they didn’t do it, turning clear suspicion on Cattleya and Diana would do a better job of keeping them pinned down. Wasn’t that what you people calculated?” “…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.” “—I was against it, technically.” Ernst sighs, resigned; his voice sounds thin and reluctant. “If we weren’t careful, we’d end up with Ellmeyer interfering in our domestic affairs. However, Vica insisted it would be fine; he wouldn’t listen to me. It’s true that Vica’s a good judge of people. If he hadn’t been, he’d never have survived. He’s good at gambling on risky propositions as well—no, it was our only real option, so he had no choice. But even so… My stomach hurts.” “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?” “That’s right. There is a spell built into the wall itself. It’s made so that demons too strong for even the Valkyries to cope with can never get through.” 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?” Claude blinks. He looks at the ground again, then looks up, tilting his head. “You’re right. I can’t. The magic vanishes as soon as I try to use it.” 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.” Claude subtly averts his eyes. For the first time, Ernst smiles a little. “I’ll do the same. When he gets back, for starters, I’ll give him a good kick in the stomach. After all, the only explanation he gave me was ‘I’m going to have the demon king substitute for me, and I’ll grab the chance to get this and that.’” “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? Ernst gives him a fearless smile. “By all means, check them over. That is your job, Your Majesty. So is attending the banquet.” He’s telling Claude that it’s fine to act in Vica’s place and that he’ll cooperate. “However, please abandon the idea of leaving the capital or going to observe the demons… I’d prefer not to imagine it, but depending on the situation, Cattleya and Diana may give permission for that. They would be taking advantage of the fact that you don’t know anything.” 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.” “Are you against it, Isaac?” “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… If she behaves and leaves the Kilvas Empire, she’ll be welcomed back by retainers who are the very definition of sensible. After that, I hope she just leaves everything to us, Isaac wishes with heartfelt sincerity. 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. That’s only in the game, though. This man is just someone she glimpsed in passing when she arrived at the imperial castle. She’s heard that people consider him a puppet emperor, but she hasn’t managed to discern if that’s true. “…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. Claude’s spell hasn’t activated, and the door’s been sealed. Biting her lip, she turns around. “What do you want? Is there any room for negotiation?” “…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.” “If you wanted to leave the capital, then that attack was self-orchestrated after all. Did we fall into your trap?” “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.” “Very well. Don’t forget to lock the door.” 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.” “Yes, I know. If he’d wanted to, he could have led the demons and subjugated the whole country as the demon king, and yet he acted quite nobly. My sister told me about it often. She said I should become an emperor who puts my people first, as he did. Will you tell me the same thing, adviser to the demon king? You’ve watched the man himself closely all this time. I’d like to hear your opinion.” 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. “As an aside, I do think Ellmeyer was involved as well. After all, it was Ellmeyer who brought Hausel down. My sister and the other Valkyries had a method of communicating with Hausel. I only heard the gist of it from them, but the situation was highly abnormal to begin with. The Queendom tried to destroy the demon king and ended up being destroyed instead. If this were a story, readers would find that turn of events hard to swallow.” “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.” “…You mean the demons of Kilvas, who won’t respond to Master Claude. But what do you mean? Do you wish to become a demon king?” “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. True, if Hausel’s spell is active, there may be something somewhere… Aileen falls to thinking. 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.” “In that case, do you have a solid reason for thinking that going to Hausel will allow you to control the demons? Or is that another gamble?” she says, getting the conversation back on track. 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. “And that brings us back to the beginning. My wish is simple, really. This train will travel close enough to the wall to see it. I’d like you to hide me until then. I’ve never been able to use my magic freely before, and I’d like to keep it in reserve for as long as possible.” “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?” “Thank you for your concern, but I am the demon king’s wife, and this is his child. Do you understand why those around us have allowed that? Because Master Claude is Ellmeyer’s splendid emperor.” 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.
Chapter 137
32 min read