Light falls from the sky to the ground. The two have torn up the earth in their fall, and their huge bodies send up a great cloud of dust. The figure who rises to his feet in the center of that cloud is human. “You’d hate that, wouldn’t you? If some other man saved her. If she were happy.” If Vica doesn’t go back to being human, it won’t just mean letting her go. He’ll end up giving her to someone else. It’s a perfectly natural fact, and it must have occurred to him. Vica has regained his human shape. You tried to end things cleanly, and that’s exactly how they ended up so messy and half-finished. If the other option is allowing her to find happiness with someone else, then you don’t mind if you’re a monster. You know that’s where it really starts. “Hurry and grow up.” As he tries to help Vica up, Claude notices a major problem. This happens every time. Claude is stark naked. Almond and the others are used to it, though, and they promptly bring blankets and clothing. Something’s not right. Diana looks at the clock. The appointed time is long past, and yet not a glimpse of the demon horde is visible from the capital’s ramparts. Has something gone awry? The first report reached the capital without issue. The Valkyries who abandoned Irena’s unit have also returned safely. Demon snuff has been stocked at all strategic points. She’s checked multiple times. And yet the demons haven’t appeared. Even if Irena’s unit fought desperately and valiantly, there’s no chance they could have held out for this long. Gradually, bewilderment spreads among the Valkyries up on the ramparts. It isn’t possible to stay tense forever. They’re beginning to suspect that, if the demons aren’t coming, the report that they broke through the wall may be wrong. That’s not possible. Diana broke the wall’s spell in the capital. She left Vica beyond that wall. He still had his human form, barely, but it would have been only a matter of time. The demons who began to gather as if they were trying to protect him confirmed it. They saved her the trouble of figuring out where to sow demon snuff on that side of the wall. “…Diana, let’s send out another scouting party,” Cattleya suggests. Diana nods. At first, Cattleya calmly suggested waiting a while, but even her expression has turned grim. “Lady Diana, look! Aren’t those Valkyries…?” One of the Valkyries who’s been keeping watch nearby points out the dim shapes of horses and riders. Cattleya leans over the rampart slightly to look, and then the color drains from her face. Diana goes to stand beside her. The Valkyries’ physical abilities have been enhanced, and when she strains her eyes, she can make out the mounted figure at the head of the group… She can’t believe what she’s seeing, though. Stunned, Diana murmurs, “…Irena.” Confusion races through the Valkyries who know what’s really going on. Diana and Cattleya are no exception. They didn’t even have magic lances, so how…? What about the demons?! They can’t have stopped them, can they?! “We’ve returned victorious! Open the gates!” While Diana and her Valkyries stand there petrified, Irena’s unit comes close enough that their shouts are audible. In response to the bold demand, Diana steps forward. “Don’t be ridiculous. The demons are coming!” “Oh, are they? From where, hmm? We came all the way back here from the wall, but we saw nothing of the sort. Are you sure the report wasn’t wrong? Still, looks like you’re heavily geared up there. Have you been armed to the teeth all this time, waiting for imaginary demons? That seems like a lot of trouble.” She’s laughed at them, and the Valkyries exchange glances. If they’ve mobilized their forces and stood guard on top of the ramparts, declaring loudly that they’re going to defend the imperial capital, and then the demons never show up, they’ll look completely ridiculous. But that can’t possibly happen. “…Irena, I’m glad you’re safe,” Cattleya begins. Her tone is calm, but her expression isn’t as tranquil as usual. “The wall has been breached by rampaging demons. We’ve confirmed as much.” “Yes, that’s right. And as I said, we’ve returned victorious.” Cattleya falls silent. Irena is alive, and she’s talking about having “returned victorious.” Putting those two facts together, Diana screams, “That’s nonsense. It can’t possibly be true!” “It’s true.” Another unexpected figure appears. Ernst. Before she can shout, Why?!, his loud, carrying voice echoes over the ramparts. “Valkyries! Through the efforts of His Majesty, with the aid of the emperor of Ellmeyer, the demons have been driven back! Have no fear: The demons of Kilvas are now under His Majesty’s command!” “Huh—excuse me?! He turned into a demon—,” Diana tries to retort, but Ernst raises his voice, drowning her out. “Citizens of the empire, listen to me! Within our borders, Hausel abused the Valkyrie surgery. In their foolishness, they were researching how to change humans into demons! Some who would continue that practice for their own ends still lurk among us!” The citizens of the capital, who have been hiding in fear of the approaching demons, begin coming out to see what’s going on. Diana had them gather near the wall in the first place so they’d be sure to witness the Valkyries’ valor in combat, and it’s backfired on her. “We must not allow the Valkyries’ inhumane surgery, or the technology that would make humans and demons fight each other, to exist in this world!” Inhumane surgery. Those words make Diana want to shout another retort at him, but before she can, Cattleya turns on her heel. “In the name of Vica Tsar Kilvas, I, Prime Minister Ernst Helken Dolf, hereby make a declaration. From this day on, Kilvas has no ties to the Queendom of Hausel. We will not let this tragedy be repeated. We will bring true independence and peace to our empire!” Diana and her Valkyries were supposed to be the ones to say those words. At this point, though, it doesn’t matter. Cattleya. Turning her back on the citizens’ cheers, Diana sets off running in pursuit of her one supporter and friend. Is it a farewell, or is this their true reunion? There are some things even the demon king doesn’t know. It’s evening. In a situation that’s the inverse of their first meeting, intense, bloodred light from the setting sun streams into the emperor’s private chambers when Cattleya enters by herself. “…Splendid work, Master Claude. That was your doing, wasn’t it?” “You give me too much credit. I only stood in for Vica.” Claude seats himself in a chair, receiving Cattleya as if he’s granting an audience. Perhaps she ran here. Her hair is uncharacteristically disheveled, and it gleams in the evening light. “Vica is alive?” “I hear he was discovered in Hausel. He doesn’t seem to be quite himself yet, so I recommended he convalesce in Ellmeyer. As it happens, my wife had just reached Hausel by ship. We considered having him return in triumph with us, but I had qualms about dropping my battered, bruised cousin into a political situation like this one. In another month or two, he’ll be fully healed and able to switch with me. Why don’t we say that’s how we intended it all along?” Cattleya has listened to Claude’s made-up story in silence, but when he issues a very familiar-sounding invitation, she frowns. “You can’t mean… You’re going to show us mercy?” “Not me. Vica asked me to save his sister.” She just needs to take the hand her brother has extended to her. Claude hopes she will. “…What will you do about the fact that we broke the wall?” “Hausel fell only recently. It’s only natural various problems will crop up. Besides, if Vica is here, the demons of Kilvas won’t rampage anymore. They’ll obey him. From now on, the wall will probably mark the boundary between the areas where demons and humans live.” “Many Valkyries were involved in this, and yet you won’t conduct a purge or silence them?” “If you and the empress help us, it won’t be impossible. Vica should agree to it as well.” “But the empire will consider the Valkyries useless now.” On the other hand, she’s resigned herself to it. Cattleya gazes quietly back at Claude. “Has something you believed was right ever been abruptly turned upside down? Have you ever felt the futility and anger of realizing all your efforts and your choices up to that point were mistaken? If, on top of that, you managed to discern the correct answer, the one you must choose, what would you do?” “…Is having the Valkyries continue on as they’ve always done your ‘right answer’?” Cattleya’s only response is a smile. Claude no longer knows whether that smile is real or fake. “Master Claude, I never underestimated you. The fact that this is the result anyway is probably because I am soft. I can no longer laugh at Vica and Ernst for being naive and knowing nothing. However, please remember this will not happen again.” “I would like you to be happy.” The words slip out unintentionally. It’s what he genuinely thinks. She just lets them lie there, though. The woman’s cold eyes drill into Claude, memories and all. “…You were the last person I wanted to hear that from. That irresponsible male excuse. ‘I want you to be happy.’” If it isn’t Let’s both be happy or I’ll make you happy, it’s better not to say anything at all. He should just let it stay a lovely memory. After all, Claude hasn’t chosen her. He’s spoken carelessly. Her criticism is entirely correct. “I’m sorry I couldn’t join your side.” Cattleya smiles gently, then bows and turns to go. She doesn’t look back. Feeling that he’s become a terribly pathetic man, Claude heaves a long, deep sigh. “My, are you depressed?” With a start, he jumps to his feet and turns around. His wife is standing there, beaming. Elefas is behind her. They clearly teleported. “Um… I thought we should wait until things had settled down a bit more, but Lady Aileen said it had to be now and wouldn’t back down, so yes. She is the shadow commander in chief, after all, as you yourself acknowledged…” Eyes averted, his mage immediately makes excuses. He falls silent when Claude glares at him, though. “She probably told you you’d be able to learn my weakness.” “I’m impressed you knew. That’s just like you, Master Claude.” “Look forward to a salary revision when I return to Ellmeyer.” “No, please wait. It’s all a misunderstanding!” “That’s right, Master Claude. What weakness are you referring to? I’d assumed you were viciously using that face of yours to deceive women, and yet… What a pity.” As one would expect, it takes Claude a little courage to look his wife in the eye. He mustn’t run, though. His wife giggles triumphantly, her fingertips pressed to her lips. It’s a first-rate villainous smile, the sort that makes even the demon king feel like fleeing. “You overlooked her misdeeds, didn’t you? You’re so kind to your cousin.” She absolutely knows. The sarcasm is horrendous, almost like she’s been waiting for this exact moment. He doesn’t ask foolish questions like Why? or Where? or How long? Women are frightening. The only thing he needs to understand is that he can no longer criticize his wife’s way of doing things with regard to Cattleya. “Poor Master Claude. I’ll avenge you next time.” “…In moderation, please.” He never dreamed he would end up granting Vica’s wish here. “Goodness, I really don’t know… It all depends on your attitude, Master Claude.” She chuckles, staring at her husband in a way that makes her eyes narrow. She’s absolutely enjoying herself. This is bad. His wife manipulated everything from behind the scenes. In order to make sure she doesn’t manipulate him, he reaches out to touch her cheek. “Please forgive me, Aileen. You’re the only one who does.” Then he flashes a smile that would make the entire world swoon. His face is power. However, abruptly, his wife looks as if she’s awakened from a dream. Inconceivable, Claude thinks, stunned. Ignoring him, Aileen looks down. “I think…I felt the baby kick just now.” Feeling as if he’s been slapped across the face, Claude follows Aileen’s gaze. After that, the two of them get very excited, and he doesn’t remember much about it. That’s a good way for a first love to end, though. “Cattleya.” As she steps out into the hall, someone calls to her. Cattleya forces a smile. “Your face is a picture, Diana.” “Well, I mean…” “It’s fine… Kilvas was never more than a stop on the way. Isn’t that right?” When they launched their operation, they didn’t mind if the empire fell. Outside, energized by Ernst’s speech, the citizens of the empire are welcoming Irena and the rest of her unit. There’s no longer any place for the two of them here. There never was, really. “All right: Next is Hausel, our main objective. No doubt Emperor Claude will refuse to acknowledge us, though. He’ll be a formidable foe.” “…Yes, it looks as if we should find the sacred sword. We’ll work cautiously next time.” “Right.” “But…you loved him?” Diana’s gaze and the things she says are always straightforward. She’s sure to see through any lie Cattleya tells. “…It’s just a memory. Even now that I know everything, it’s still a lovely memory when I look back. That dream is over now, though.” She thumps her friend on the shoulder, and they leave the country together. And so, as the ending of her first love goes, it isn’t a bad one. On the day when the wall in the Kilvas Empire fell, Empress Diana and Princess Cattleya vanished, taking the majority of the Valkyries with them. Emperor Vica launched a search and even called on other countries for help. However, the group’s ties to Hausel ran deep, and their whereabouts remained unknown. A year had already passed since the fall of the Holy Queendom of Hausel. Even ruined, the Queendom continued to influence the world, and the young emperor of Kilvas suggested convening the second continental conference to discuss what should be done about the country and its relics. The conference would be held in autumn of the following year. It was the first great achievement of Vica Tsar Kilvas, long belittled as a puppet emperor.
Chapter 143
13 min read