Chapter 156

Cattleya’s assumption is correct. They likely won’t be able to use the sacred sword while it’s the version from Valkyrie of the Magic Lance. However, if the Daughter of God—who’s capable of restoring the holy sword—repairs it, and if they borrow the blood of the Saint of Salvation, which amplifies the sacred sword’s power… Or if it’s in order to save their beloved husbands… In a ridiculously convenient game that allows people to come back from the dead, the logic will easily stretch to accommodate it. “…Don’t tell me—are you turning the fake one into the sacred sword?!” “There’s two of them?!” Aileen and Lilia both draw sacred swords from each other’s chests. They cross the shining twin blades, then turn to face Cattleya and Diana. “I did think I’d graduated from this, you know. But I’ll make an exception for you two.” “—We both will: the heroine and the villainess.” After all, a world with just the two of them is sure to have been lonely. A light that resembles life is reflected in Cattleya’s and Diana’s wide eyes. It’s time for the heroine and the villainess’s graduation ceremony. The smoke from the explosion blots out the world outside the window. At some point, all the men got to their feet and gathered there, riveted by the sight. Claude also rose from his chair around the time Aileen flew into the plaza. I knew she’d come, but still… He never dreamed his wife would challenge the Valkyries to a fair fight with the sacred sword. Cedric falls into his seat with a thump, covering his face with both hands and groaning. “Lilia… Has she not realized I’m here…?” “No, Cedric. I’m sure she’s noticed. Aileen as well.” An impact rocks the room. With every explosion and burst of light, the world beyond the window is veiled in smoke. He doesn’t want to imagine what’s being done—not even if it’s real and happening right in front of him. Vica looks around. “Is it really all right for us not to try to escape?” “Personally, I think we’d get pulled into that and die if we tried.” “If this is how things stand, let’s steel ourselves and maintain our position as the audience.” “They do say men mustn’t interfere in a battle between women!” They’re all saying whatever suits them, as if this isn’t their problem. Baal sits back down in the seat next to his, apparently deciding that defiance is the best approach. “Well…you know how it is. Popular men have it rough, don’t they, Claude.” “Switch with me.” “No.” Claude takes his seat as well, leaning against the armrest. At this point, watching is all he can do. What is going on here? Diana glares at the lunging Maid of the Sacred Sword. She feels like gnashing her teeth. When she first met the woman, Diana didn’t sense any real power in her, or the same sort of pressure the holy king gave off. The only thing that left any sort of impression were those violet eyes—proof of her sacred power. The woman was so mediocre that it seemed completely natural to think, Ah, so this is the heroine who failed to become the Maid of the Sacred Sword… So what is this pressure that’s making the very air vibrate? Lilia is easily jumping from the top of one column to another, deflecting and parrying the magic lance with her sword. It really isn’t something an amateur could do. The sacred sword shines steadily in her right hand. That’s why… That weapon is drawing extraordinary combat abilities out of her. “This is why I can’t stand games where everything just conveniently works out! You haven’t even trained at all!” “Oh, what’s wrong with ridiculously convenient plot developments? I love ’em.” “The fact that otome games tolerate heroines like you is why people make fun of them!” Diana swings her lance, putting the full force of her irritation behind it, and Lilia jumps back with a laugh. “I’m not sure I’d put it like that. I’ve had it rough, too, you know; remembering my targets’ interests, picking out presents, changing clothes, weighing the different choices, keeping an eye on my stats—completely different from children like you, who don’t have to change at all.” “Children?!” Diana can’t help but lose her temper. She believes it’s a good thing to stay true to who they are. However, there’s clear scorn in Lilia’s smile. “Look, Valkyrie of the Magic Lance was a standalone game. It didn’t even get a fan disc. It just wasn’t popular.” “…Oh, come on! What does that have to do with this?!” “A lot, actually. After all, your defining characteristic is that the world tends to hate you two, isn’t it?” Diana wants to argue back, but the words stick in her throat. “‘The noble heroine Diana is a woman of conviction who speaks plainly and has the strength of a natural leader, currying favor with no one.’ Wasn’t that it? Did you really take that seriously? Is that why you somehow managed to assume people liked you just the way you were? In real life, someone like that would be a self-absorbed cringefest! Everyone shuts up because they’re completely turned off by you, but you take it to mean you’ve won. You’re socially tone-deaf!” “You’re saying I’m like that?!” “Absolutely! You always get angry about how you’re a tragic heroine and you’ll never forgive them, and all you do is fight and sow more trouble! You just blame other people, and you never compromise or find solutions! Still, criticizing someone who thinks she’s trying hard would be mean, right? That’s why everybody keeps their distance. You see, unlike you, the rest of the world are grown-ups.” Don’t listen to her. She’s just trying to irritate you so you’ll make a mistake. Still, no one’s ever said anything like this to Diana before, and the words run her through even faster than the thrust of a sword. “That’s true of the game, too! ‘It’s not just an otome game; it sets itself apart from others. It’s high-minded and doesn’t pander to popular conventions…’ What else was there? Oh goodness, I’m sorry. Were you a fan? Did you not actually realize those were all just excuses? See, you two are saying exactly the same things now! You mustn’t do that. You have to face reality!” “We’re better than you, at least! The heroine of a generic, pointless game who does nothing but kiss up to men!” “Then would you quit being spoiled?” Lilia lowers her voice and drops into a crouch, then darts in to slash Diana at point-blank range. “Do you really think everything will all just work out if you start over?” “——!” Diana’s caught the attack on her lance, but it forces her down to the flagstones of the plaza. She hears a voice call out her name, but Cattleya is being blocked by Aileen. The sword closes in on her neck, and she shoves it back. Are the sparks scattering in front of her magic or sacred power? “Try to keep from disappointing me too badly, all right, heroine? I liked Valkyrie of the Magic Lance, too, you know.” “You don’t understand anything…!” “Of course I don’t. At the very least, however, no matter how wretched their situations got—even if they made mistakes or lost—none of the other heroines I’ve met ever said anything spoiled like, Let’s just make it so this never happened. Diana Nelasov, I’m going to ask you one more time.” Their eyes meet. Everyone puts on an insincere smile in front of Diana or avoids looking her in the eye, but this woman doesn’t run. She’s like Cattleya. Like Ernst, who’s always lecturing her. Like that fool Vica, who doesn’t even think about looking away. “Would the reset ending really make you happy?” Diana can’t answer, but that’s only because the sacred sword is bearing down on her and she’s trying to force it back. Not because she doesn’t know what to say. “What would the kind of person who ran at this point do with a second chance anyway? What do you think you could change if you lost your position, your Valkyrie abilities, and the companions who fight alongside you?” “Sh-shut—shut up shut up shut up shut up shut up! What am I supposed to do, then?!” Diana uses all her strength to push both the woman and her sacred sword away. “I was a Valkyrie before I knew what was happening! Everything I’d protected was a lie! I didn’t have the kind of enemies whose defeat would make me happy! No matter how I looked at it, it was clear that the only future we had was being told we weren’t wanted! What should I have done?!” Lilia has righted herself in midair, but Diana can’t see her expression. Her vision is blurring. Still, there’s no way she’ll miss. “Tell me that, Maid of the Sacred Sword!!” “You should have said, I’m weak, so help me.” The magic lance flies straight at Lilia, and she blocks it head-on with the sacred sword. The lance is reflected in Diana’s wide eyes as it’s knocked away. “You should have stopped always trying to put up a tough front. After all, you’re the Revolutionary Bride.” “…A thing like that… I never could have—” But if she had been able to…what would have happened then? Would she not be here, with this sacred sword bearing down on her? “Diana!” Magic shines right in front of her. Cattleya’s lance has knocked the sacred sword away, and Lilia puts some distance between them. “Excuse me! Lady Aileen?! Keep yours pinned down properly over there. You’re causing problems for me.” “I should be the one saying that to you! Master Claude and the others are trapped; we have to save them!” “Surely that can wait.” “Your husband is there, too, you know!” “Hmm? He is?” “At least notice him! Please! I don’t want to feel sympathy for Prince Cedric…!” “Are you all right, Diana?” Cattleya takes a close look at her face, and Diana nods stiffly. The light of Cattleya’s magic lance is always so lovely that it makes her want to cry. “I’m sorry; my knowledge was lacking. These two are strong. We’ll be fine if we use our full power, though.” Their full power… To a Valkyrie, that means raising the power of a magic lance to the point where it burns through their life. Naturally, there’s a heavy price to pay. Theirs is a sad, beautiful story, so things like this happen in it. However, Cattleya thinks it’s all right if she dies here. She knows she’ll get a second chance. Diana gives a stifled groan, then forces her trembling lips to move. “Cattleya.” “You prioritize protecting yourself. You mustn’t get dragged into this. I’ll take them on.” “Cattleya, wait.” “And then get that fresh start. I know you can do it.” “I can’t!” Diana screams, and Cattleya’s smile vanishes. “I can’t. Cattleya, I can’t do it! Not alone… Even if I go back to the beginning all alone, I won’t be able to do a thing.” “Diana, calm down—” “The same thing’s just going to happen all over again!” No matter how she pleads, no one will listen to a word she says, and in the end, she’ll just have to beat her opponents into submission. That’s the only method Diana knows—just like her game character, who suffered because she couldn’t do anything but fight. “L-let’s think it through, Cattleya. Together. R-right now, while we’re still both here! We might make it in time, so…so—” There might be someone, just like Lilia and Aileen, who are waiting at a distance for the two of them to finish. If they take a proper look around, maybe there’ll actually be someone. “Diana.” Cattleya catches her shoulders. “You’re confused. It’s all right. If you just do everything over, I’ll be saved.” “Why?! You might not remember anything.” “Getting a chance is enough.” Then Diana notices that Cattleya’s eyes rise ever so slightly, looking past her. The wall of the room where the kings are imprisoned is behind her, and she understands who Cattleya is looking at. She can’t do this. Diana sinks limply to her knees. Cattleya thumps her lightly on the shoulder, then stands up. She levels her lance, and Aileen steps forward, as if in response. “Don’t interfere, Lady Lilia. Your opponent is Lady Diana.” “Mm. That’s fine.” “You don’t seem concerned, Lady Aileen.” “No, I am. This sacred sword doesn’t have as much power as the real one. Ugh, though I’m not yet old enough to blame it on age…” “Well, it is an All Ages game, so there’s no use complaining about that. Rather, aren’t you in your prime?” So this is her power in her prime? Diana shudders, but at the same time, the idea makes hope bloom inside her. She may be able to stop Cattleya. After all, just like Cattleya, Aileen Lauren d’Autriche is a villainess. “Whatever stage of life you’re at is always your prime,” Cattleya says. “That’s a wonderful mindset. However, I won’t hold back. I intend this as my own particular form of thanks.” The villainess smiles, raising the sacred sword. “After all, you’re a bad woman who’s fallen for my husband, aren’t you?” Cattleya doesn’t answer, but the corners of her lips twitch as she lunges. Far out of Diana’s reach, the magic lance and sacred sword clash. Cattleya decides that her opponent moves like an amateur. Considering the game’s specs, she could hardly expect otherwise. Characters in Regalia of Saints, Demons, and Maidens do have stats, but they’re the standard otome game type, while the battles are mere events where victory is determined by whether or not one’s stats are high enough. There is no concept of making characters stronger, and levels simply don’t exist. In contrast, Valkyrie of the Magic Lance was designed to be quite similar to a strategy RPG, with levels, maps, and battles. That training has made Cattleya and Diana stronger. They’d never lose in terms of simple strength. However, those sacred swords are incredible. They enhance their users’ physical abilities. It’s possible that the sword even makes the woman who wields it move in whatever way she wishes. They’re thought made real—hence why their movements are hard to predict. Once you get used to them, though… “—!” Aileen has gone right where Cattleya anticipated she would, and she falls back, finding her path blocked by the magic lance. She’s still within range, though, and the lance rips the hem of her skirt. It’s probably instinct that lets her evade at the last second, but that’s not bad. Neither is the way she goes on the offensive instead of defending. “You seem to have some experience. Good; I’d feel bad if it was all one-sided.” “You say that, but it looks as if you’re enjoying yourself. Is that because you’ll get to beat me to a pulp in front of Master Claude?” “Oh, you understand. I’m impressed.” Cattleya laughs. There’s no need to hide it anymore. “I imagine you also felt I was always getting in the way.” “Goodness, no, not at all. The fact that Master Claude is attractive is nothing new. It’s arrogant to presume that you’re some sort of exception.” “—You’re one to talk.” Cattleya blocks the sacred sword with her lance, and the blade slides along the shaft with an unpleasant noise. She instantly pushes it down, and the force she’s redirected carves out a round furrow in the plaza. There’s an explosive roar, smoke rises, and an updraft whips her hair up around her face. “I deeply regret not being wary of you right from the start. I rue the fact that I let jealousy blind me,” Cattleya admits. “Goodness, I don’t think you should have thrown your life away for something like that.” “Don’t be ridiculous!” This woman’s position, her title, what she was born into—how often has Cattleya wished it could all be hers? She lets her anger overtake her, putting more force behind her lance. The tip of the sacred sword sinks into the ground, cracking the floor of the plaza. “If you were in my position, you would never be able to say a thing like that.” “—If I were in your position…” Even with the flagstones cracking loudly around them, that “what if” scenario carries clearly. “At the very least, I wouldn’t attempt to force everything onto Lady Diana.” Cattleya’s eyes widen. That fleeting vulnerability doesn’t escape her opponent, and the sacred sword leaps up. Unable to parry the blow, she’s thrown into the air. “We are villainesses, after all. I understand that you couldn’t trust a heroine.” “I’ve never once thought of Diana like that!” “However, I really can’t condone a villainess using a heroine and then abandoning her. Isn’t that more despicable than a hero who awakens to true love and discards the villainess?” When Cattleya rights herself in midair, she sees Aileen ready and waiting for her below. “You’re a clever woman,” Aileen says. “So clever that Master Claude respects you for it. Can it be that someone like you genuinely doesn’t know how to deal with a situation like this?” “…Shut your mouth.” “The truth is that you’ve grown desperate; that’s all. Nothing is going as you’d like it to. Master Claude won’t look your way. ‘Starting over’ doesn’t genuinely matter to you at all, does it?” Cattleya’s best friend must be staring up at her as well, but she can’t bring herself to look. “You’re planning to force everything onto Lady Diana and escape by yourself.” “Shut up.” “And all because you don’t want Master Claude to see how pathetic you look.” “Shut up!!” Her lance radiates magic responding to the divine stone implanted in her chest. If life had light to it, no doubt it would shine like this. Getting a better grip on her magic lance, she swings it down, putting all her strength behind it. It connects with the sacred sword just as her opponent is bringing it up, and a shock wave erupts. There’s a crunching noise, and a crack develops in the sword. Cattleya laughs. No matter what words the other woman hurls at her, victory is everything. You can’t do a thing unless you win. “That’s our sacred sword, and you’re going to give it back! Even if this is a game, it won’t become yours so easily!” “True; this isn’t the sacred sword from our game. However, love makes our sacred swords even stronger.” “What are you—?!” Cattleya starts to say, but an explosion from a different direction drowns her out. She looks over, moving nothing but her eyes, and the strength instantly drains from her hands. The wall that had imprisoned Claude and the others has just broken. It was extremely strong, even by Hausel’s standards, sturdy enough to imprison even the holy king and the demon king. Breaking it should have been nearly impossible. …For everything except the magic lance Diana has wielded in earnest, as she had in the game. As the wind begins to carry the black smoke away, Cattleya sees Diana’s back. There’s no mistaking it. It’s the back of the courageous heroine who was always the first to confront the demons. Of the friend she’s trusted to watch her own back countless times. “Diana?! Why?” “I won’t give you Master Claude. Nor will I leave you with even a fragment of regret.” A voice speaks right next to her, yanking her attention back. She can’t take on the demon king and the holy king here as well. I’m going to lose. Just as those words skim through her mind, a crack runs down her magic lance. The sacred sword, which shines more brightly now, is reflected in her wide eyes. “I can be a surprisingly jealous woman, you see.” Aileen smiles, her gaze firm. Golden hair streaming, skirt flaring, she digs her high-heeled shoes into the ground and sends Cattleya flying. Master…Claude… Is he watching? As the question occurs to her, Cattleya looks over toward him, but Aileen steps into her line of sight, blocking her view. Cattleya laughs in spite of herself. She’d probably do the same thing. I won’t even let you see him. It almost seems like something to be proud of. Aileen attacks again, this time hitting Cattleya squarely. Her lance disintegrates and vanishes. She thinks she hears Diana scream. I want to apologize, at least. I want to tell her. She’s truly glad that Diana was there. That alone isn’t a lie. Her back slams into a column, and she coughs up blood. Almost immediately, she sees a shadow raise a sword to strike at her. Is she going to have to get back on her feet yet again? No… Things may actually be all right this way. It’s the villainess’s job to be condemned. If Cattleya thinks of this as her finally being able to carry out her role, she won’t have any regrets. She closes her eyes. There’s a high-pitched sound. A clear, awakening sort of sound. Cattleya opens her eyes, startled. She blinks, unable to believe what she’s seeing. The sacred sword has been blocked above Cattleya’s head, and not even by a magic lance. It’s just a regular spear—one that’s held by a man. “Ernst…” “What is the meaning of this?” Aileen narrows her eyes, not moving the sword. She isn’t pressing the attack right now, but she’s likely not holding back, either. Even so, Ernst’s spear doesn’t move. “Empress Aileen, let our empire deal with her.” “She was the mastermind behind this whole affair. Are you saying that Kilvas will take responsibility for her?” “Of course,” Ernst says without any hesitation. He hasn’t looked at Cattleya, but he’s standing in front of her, shielding her from the sacred sword. “This is Cattleya Tsar Kilvas, elder sister of Emperor Vica and a Valkyrie produced by our nation. Kilvas has never claimed otherwise.” He must understand how terrible that sword is, but he doesn’t retreat a single step. He’s almost like the hero in a game. “…I see. Very well. It looks as though the sacred sword is at its limit in any case.” As if it has fulfilled its duty, the sword in Aileen’s hands dissolves into light and disappears. “However, I have one condition: You are never to let her approach Master Claude again.” “Naturally. You have my thanks, shadow commander in chief.” “It seemed like a wise decision having you in my debt,” Aileen says with a laugh. She waves, turns on her heel, and leaves. Even after she’s gone, Ernst doesn’t look at Cattleya. Of course he doesn’t. After all this, she doesn’t know what to say, either. As she’s still feeling bewildered, Ernst suddenly crouches down, presenting his back to her. “Get on.” “…Why?” “Because you fought until your lance shattered! There’s no way you’re able to move properly now. And after I warned you time and time again to be careful on the battlefield!” His angry shout is nearly a roar. An incredible jolt of pain runs through her, even though all he’s done is take her arm. Cattleya doesn’t have the strength to physically refuse him, and the words won’t come. “I thought you were smarter than this.” Without explaining where he’s going, Ernst sets off, carrying her on his back. “I was wrong. You’re dumb. A total imbecile.” “…Why did you save me, Ernst?” “I told you I’d stop you. I’m not letting you die.” Is that why he’d chased her all the way out here? She suddenly understands, and her eyes well with tears. Cattleya presses her forehead against Ernst’s broad back and grits her teeth. She has no idea what to say right now. Ernst doesn’t say anything, either. They have time to find the words, though. Where they’re going, there’ll be time to make a fresh start. “You were really cool.” Someone thumps Diana on the back. Her magic lance disappears as if it’s absorbed into her numb hands, and she falls to her knees. She can’t believe what she’s just seen. Cattleya losing, Ernst blocking the sacred sword… It all feels like a dream. But it’s real. All Diana did was agree when Lilia asked if she wanted to save Cattleya, then swing her magic lance with all her might when told that, in that case, she should help her rescue the kings. The Maid of the Sacred Sword had told her that she was the only one who could break that wall. Maybe the demon king will emerge, and he’ll say a few kind words to Cattleya. That had been why she’d done it. It’s not like she did anything out of the ordinary. However, the sense of achievement and relief she feels is great enough to drain all her strength. “…I’m…so glad…” “Right?” Lilia agrees, crouching down beside her. What an odd woman; she’s the enemy, and yet she saved Diana. No—maybe that’s not what happened. She probably just cleverly manipulated her. She’s no longer holding the sacred sword. If Diana had been the only way to break that wall… Even if that were the case, it would be all right. The trapped heads of state emerge from inside. It isn’t as if this will change anything or wipe the slate clean for the past or present. That wasn’t even what she wanted to do. They’re still detested heretics, just like before. They’ll be told they aren’t needed. But at least Cattleya is alive. She hears the click of high-heeled shoes, and the footsteps stop right in front of her. Even without looking, she knows who it is. “Lady Lilia. Why are you fraternizing with the enemy? I certainly hope you haven’t put her up to something else.” “How rude. I was just thinking, Wouldn’t it be entertaining if Master Claude showed up now? But good gracious, Lady Aileen, you defeated her so fast. Read the room a bit, would you?” “Honestly…” “Thank…you…,” Diana says, gazing down at the figure’s shadow. It had seemed like something she needed to say. “…Do you actually have a soft spot for this sort of thing?” “Heh-heh. I have no idea what you’re talking about. It’s a new League of Heroines! Besides, I want to talk about the game.” “She is a criminal, just so you are aware. As is Lady Cattleya. You won’t be able to meet with them easily.” She’s right. Diana probably won’t be able to see Cattleya again, either. All the other Valkyries have been caught, too. It’s over. But even so, she doesn’t feel any anger welling up inside her. It’s frustrating. She wants to cry. She can’t completely quit wondering, Why…? Still, this was for the best. Now it won’t all be erased. “—Well, we aren’t the ones who’ll decide that.” “Oh, Lady Aileen, wait for me.” Aileen walks past Diana, and Lilia runs after her. Diana’s been left all alone, but she doesn’t have the physical or the emotional energy to attempt to escape. Ernst climbed all the way up here. Somebody will come arrest her at some point. She can just look at the sky and wait. The sky, which is now blue, not red. “Did you get all that out of your system?” Just as she’s feeling a sense of relief gazing at the sky, a shadow leans over her, blocking it. “Vica…you of all people don’t have to be the one to come and arrest me. You’re the emperor.” “I think it might be my job, though. Capturing my empress, I mean.” “How long are you going to keep talking like that?” Diana says, understandably exasperated. However, Vica’s as laid-back as ever. “You’re all bloodied and bruised. Hmm. That didn’t look like as much fun as I thought it would be…” “What do you mean, ‘fun’? Do you have weird, fetishy interests like that? You’ll have no luck finding a wife at that rate.” “I’m not worried about that. I’ve already got you.” “What?” She looks up. Vica’s smiling cheerfully. “…Wait. We’re clearly getting a divorce, right?” “Why?” “Why…? Why on earth wouldn’t we?! Do you really need me to explain it?!” “But you’re the perfect person to silence the Valkyries. I’ve tried all sorts of different solutions, but there are definitely still some of them who are unhappy with the situation. In any case, I wouldn’t have taken my sister’s suggestion in the first place if I was going to throw in the towel now.” Diana is beginning to realize that she’s misunderstood quite a few things. The shiver that hits her now tells her that this man may be the biggest of them all. “E-even after I caused such a major incident…?” “Other countries will likely be wary, yes—but that’s better than having them underestimating you. Besides, both the Duchy of Hirikka and the Island Republic of Gloss are eagerly waiting for us to be weakened.” “Th-that’s…um…but there’s no possible way Kilvas would accept me now!” “Just work hard to do something about that.” As if it could be that easy. “You’ll need to be trained as an imperial consort, though. You, wearing the dresses you hate so much, smiling brightly, learning things like etiquette, dancing, and embroidery? Then having tea parties with those royal consorts you made fun of left and right? Ha-ha. That sounds extremely entertaining.” “It’s not the slightest bit entertaining! Y-you… Don’t tell me you’re seriously planning to k-keep me as your wife…” Oh no, oh no, oh no. Diana’s head is spinning, and those words circle around and around in her brain like an alarm. “—Oh! I—I can’t have children, so I’m not suited to be empress! Right?!” Diana had never thought the day would come when she’d use those words as a shield. She’d always told the others, “So what? People who talk like that are the lowest of the low. Just ignore them.” “We’ll figure something out. We could adopt, like Olgen; I know that can be done now. Besides, it would probably be best if my bloodline ended here.” That startles Diana, and both her confusion and her anger abate. Vica looks into her eyes, smiling as if it’s no big deal. “You know about the blood of Kilvas’s imperial family as well as I do. There’s no denying we were Hausel’s guinea pigs. In which case, it would be better I didn’t leave any descendants.” She wants to argue somehow, but the words won’t come. The flimsy things she’s screamed before won’t even reach him. “You shouldn’t…say it like that…” “Let me put it another way, then: What happens to my sister depends on you.” Diana lets out a gasp. He’s right; if she becomes a fine empress and manages to recover the honor of the Valkyries who seceded from the empire, there’s a good chance that’ll also save Cattleya. Vica holds out his hand. “It would be a big help if you’d behave and let yourself be captured. It’s much less work that way.” She thinks he’s threatening her, but his eyes are too kind for her to be sure. This man isn’t as weak as she thought, yet he didn’t even try to stop Cattleya, let alone her. Of course, Hausel was probably a big part of the reason. He’s an incredible strategist if he was waiting for Diana to get the stuffing knocked out of her like this all along. He may be deceiving her. Or, no, it may be too early to make that call. Her thoughts just spin, scattered, going nowhere. However, as much as she wishes she hadn’t, she’s realized he’s the type of man who can smile even when he says something very sad. “It’s all right: I’m confident that I’m a good judge of people. I’m positive you’ll be a good empress. You just have to change a tiny bit.” Diana wasn’t expecting those words, and she looks up. Vica smiles mischievously. “Why don’t we go ahead and bet on it? I’m a good gambler, too.” She’ll start by taking the hand he’s extended out to her. Pressing her lips together tightly, Diana resolutely reaches for it. It seems Claude’s magic hasn’t come back yet, because he descends to the plaza on the head of one of Kilvas’s demons. The rulers of the other countries follow suit. As they’re rescued by demons, their expressions are a mixture of curiosity and wariness. Kyle, Walt, and the Valkyries who sided with Vica guard the perimeter, while Almond and the other crow demons have joined the soldiers from other nations in racing around capturing Valkyries. “Emperor Vica certainly is skilled at scoring points, isn’t he.” “Yes. And then there’s us…” Standing next to his wife, Claude looks around at the half-demolished plaza and heaves a long sigh. “Ellmeyer’s empress and crown princess got up to as much trouble as they possibly could, which I suspect only put everyone more on guard.” “And aren’t you glad that none of them will ever try to meddle with us?!” “I suppose I could try to see it that way.” “We couldn’t have said it better ourselves,” Baal chimes in, coming up alongside them. “Well, everyone should be in agreement now. Besides, that ferocious battle of yours has left the undersea facility in shambles as well.” The next words, he whispers in Aileen’s ear. “How is Roxane? …Was she angry?” “She was considering Princess Estella’s engagement.” Baal staggers, looking stunned and clutching at his heart. He exhales a pained breath. “No…that—that can’t be… She’s only eighteen months old…! And all because we didn’t offer up Claude as a chair!” “Master Claude…a chair?” “Hurry up and go, Baal. Before she exchanges a written pledge.” “Y-yes, you’re right, we’re going. Estella, we’re on our way! It’s too soon for you to get married!” It seems Baal can’t teleport yet, either, because he sets off running at full speed. He’s faster than Aileen had expected, but what will he do about the ocean? Swim, perhaps? Even just imagining it is funny. “What was that business about a chair?” “Please don’t ask; it was a conversation between men. We were locked up, you know. It was dull.” “Oh? And while you were putting your wife through all this trouble? How very carefree of you.” “…By the way, Aileen. Those two women. What’s going to—?” “We already agreed that Lady Cattleya would be left entirely in my hands, remember?” She gives him a forceful smile, and Claude falls silent. “Or shall I also consider Claire’s engagement?” Aileen asks, raising the pitch of her voice slightly. “Please, not that. I know Diana freed us, but I wasn’t able to see what happened to the other one, so I was just curious.” “Sir Ernst carried her off.” Claude blinks. Then he smiles. “Oh… That’s good.” “It isn’t the slightest bit good.” There’s nothing amusing about it at all. Aileen averts her gaze and walks off in a huff, leaving Claude behind. “Aileen, wait.” “I shan’t. You may stay there and bask in your memories, Master Claude.” “I wasn’t doing anything of the sort.” Claude’s magic isn’t back yet. Since he can’t teleport her away as he usually does, she can say anything she likes and leave him in the dust. “I am busy, you see. I’d appreciate it if you didn’t follow me.” Aileen imagines him getting anxious and impatient, and the thought seems to make her footsteps grow lighter—until her feet actually rise into the air. “You always bluff in the most amusing ways.” Claude strides up behind her and picks her up. “Wh-what are you doing?! Please, put me down!” “You sprained your leg. Why are you hiding it?” How did he know? Before she can come up with a response, he’s shifted her into a bridal carry. “I-it isn’t a bad injury.” “The influence of the sacred sword is still masking the pain. If you push yourself, you won’t be able to walk on it. You know that. Why are you being so stubborn? There’s no way you could fight a veteran Valkyrie and emerge unscathed—” “Under no circumstances did Lady Cattleya best me!” Aileen promptly asserts. It’s the one thing she can’t let him get the wrong idea about. “It’s just that, at the very, very end, I did feel a sort of ‘krik.’ Even now, it doesn’t hurt in the least. Lady Cattleya took far more of a beating. It’s her you should be worried about. So let me dow— Wh-what?” Claude is gazing at her, round-eyed. His lips move, as if he’s finally remembered to breathe. “You’re…,” he murmurs, then starts to chuckle. “Wh-what is it?!” “N-nothing… I see. Yes, you didn’t lose. You didn’t lose… Wh-who’d have thought…it was that kind of a contest…” Something seems to have struck him as particularly funny, because Claude laughs out loud. For a moment, Aileen is taken aback by the unusual sight, but then her expression stiffens. “Y-you’re being quite rude! Do you have any idea how much trouble I went to?” “I-I’m…I’m sorry. You’re just…too adorable…” “Wh-what?!” “I never imagined you’d spoil me in such a way.” She’s angry with him, so how on earth has he reached that conclusion? She has a bad feeling about what might happen if she stays angry, though. One could think of it as a warning system which she possesses as his wife. “True, I would have liked to be the savior if I could,” Claude says. “I’ll admit that. I don’t mean just for her, but…it’s really no use.” More than anything else, the demon king’s bewitching smile sweeps away Aileen’s anger and everything else. “You’re the only one I always want to make cry.” Hearing something like that doesn’t make Aileen happy. In the greatest gesture of protest she can manage, Aileen sharply averts her face. She is the only one reflected in Claude’s eyes now. She knows this, so she allows him to carry her, as he wishes. This is another important duty of the demon king’s wife.