I walked through the bustling streets of the capital. All manner of services, goods, and people ended up here in Ausgrid’s central city. Business had died down for a bit after the coronation, but as time passed, the capital slowly regained its former glory; now its streets buzzed with activity once more.
“Ahh, how wonderful,” I said as I took in the view. This was only the second time I’d walked the city. The last was when I went to save Alicia. Having visited on so few occasions, I didn’t know the capital’s layout all too well.
“Is something the matter, Queen Luxeria?” Tommy asked me.
“A town with nobody walking through it is a bad omen,” I said. “To see so many people out and about in my city fills me with joy. It’s magnificent.”
Tommy grinned. “Gotcha.”
“Oh! What sort of shop is this?!” I exclaimed. “Or that?!”
The reality of how sheltered my life had been dawned on me. Until now, the world outside the palace was only something I’d read about. Those stories told tales of people living life to the fullest. However, the people who lived here were no work of fiction. A nostalgic warmth filled my heart. It felt as if I was peering into the world I’d left behind on the day I lost everything.
“It’s time, Your Majesty,” Tommy said, his smile now forced.
It seemed I’d spent more time gawking at the outside world than I’d realized. I apologized to Tommy for my overexcitement as we made our way to the show. My mood tempered the closer we got to the tent. It was big and loud and vibrant, exactly as you’d expect from a circus.
“Tommy, station two men at each exit. Do not allow any guilty party to escape. The rest of the men will join me inside.”
Tommy confirmed my orders before we made our move. Even if our ten soldiers were in plain clothes, I couldn’t walk around with them and escape everyone’s notice. I had them stand in wait in a few nearby locations, and Tommy relayed my orders to them using Oscillation. His magic could practically send his voice from one end of the nation to the other. After his men set about their tasks, we entered the enormous tent.
A large stage stood in the center of the tent, circular in design and surrounded by wooden benches. We picked ordinary seats in the audience, sat down, and waited. Eventually, a bell rang, signaling the start of the show.
As I’d anticipated, the show was wondrous. One act that particularly caught my eye was a girl walking a tightrope. The sight of her walking among the stars was marvelous, even if it was bolstered by magic. The other acts—such as the sword dance performed by a beautiful young woman or the comedic skit put on by a troupe of clowns—employed a perfect blend of practical techniques and magical illusions. The tent began to empty out as the show ended, the customers satisfied with their time spent at the circus. The soldiers accompanying me blended in with the crowds excusing themselves from the tent, locking down the exits.
A man who looked to be part of Étoile approached me. “Excuse me, dear customer. I’m sorry, but today’s show is over.”
“Ahh, sorry. The show was so wonderful, and I was so moved.”
“An honor to hear,” the man said.
“Might I request an audience with the cast? I’d love to communicate my appreciation directly.”
“Unfortunately, everyone’s busy wrapping things up in the back.”
“Oh, what a shame. But I’m not going to give in, so listen carefully,” I told him. “Bring all members of Étoile to the stage.”
The man’s eyes went hollow at my magic command, but only for an instant. His friendly smile sprang back immediately after.
“Right, you want to see everyone?” he asked.
“Yes, please.” I smiled at him as he turned to bring out the cast of the circus.
As he left, a voice rang in my ears: “Quite the handy power you’ve got, my queen.” It was Tommy, who stood some distance away. He had used his Oscillation magic to project his voice to me.
“As is yours, Tommy,” I murmured under my breath. “Is the whole tent under your spell?”
“Yeah. Nobody outside will hear a thing,” he promised. He could hear me just fine, given his prompt response.
“Good work. Stay where you are,” I instructed.
“Yes, my queen.”
As my conversation with Tommy ended, the members of Étoile gathered onstage. The man I’d compelled to drag them out here was rather forceful, and the performers were very unhappy about it.
“Mind telling me what the hell we’re doing out here? What do you need everyone in one spot for, anyway?” one performer asked.
The man in charge did not answer. He was wholly focused on the command I’d given him with Heart Realm.
“Queen Luxeria, that’s all of them,” I heard Tommy say.
“Right.”
Using Tommy’s words as a signal, I clapped. It was a shocking display, given their confusion. One by one, they turned toward me.
“I’m sorry, miss, but our show is over for the day.”
“Oh, I’m aware. It was a grand performance, and I wished to convey my admiration.”
Most of them were perturbed, but there was one who thought I was genuine, at least. “Why, thank you.”
“Please, I want to know—what kind of training do you usually do?” I asked.
Panic began to show on the faces of the circus troupe.
“What must one practice to skillfully kidnap innocent children?” I demanded.
Those words were the last straw. They held their breath and stepped into formation. The first to make a move was the sword dancer, who swung her hand over her head and sent several blades flying at me. She must have been a mage.
“Anita!” someone yelled.
“Get out of here, now!” the sword dancer screamed. She sounded so serious, so desperate.
I couldn’t help but laugh. “Ahh, what a pity.”
The girl named Anita stared directly at me, shock plain on her face. Understandable, considering I hadn’t received a single scratch from her onslaught. The soldiers accompanying me had deflected every last blade.
“Everyone onstage, stay still. You will remain cognizant as I speak.”
“Wh-what the hell?! Why can’t I move?!”
I made sure they kept their awareness so they could further suffer the effects of my magic. The light in their eyes never vanished, but they were frozen all the same.
“Now, tell me: What are talented performers like you doing abducting children?” Step by step, I approached the stage. “Without my mercy, there is no escape for any of you. So tell me the truth, or suffer the consequences.”
They all remained silent. Some sort of immense willpower allayed their fear. I summoned one of the Sacred Swords, grabbed a nearby man, and held the blade to his neck.
“You, girl. Answer me, or I will kill this man.”
“Ignore her, Eumith! Don’t worry about me!” the man yelled, attempting to choose valor over his own life. The girl he’d called Eumith looked at us both, torn between her fury and fear. I tightened my grip on the hilt to dispel her doubts.
“Eek!”
Many of them screamed, but none of them would speak. Quite the determination they have, I thought with a sigh. I withdrew my blade and gave up on scaring them into divulging the truth.
“Did you all truly need the money that badly?” I asked. They glared at me as I coldly accused them of having been bested by their greed. “Is it not money? I see no other reason a successful entertainment venture such as this would feel the need to kidnap innocents.”
“You don’t know what you’re talking about!” Anita snapped.
“Of course I don’t. Why else would I be asking?” I said. “Honestly, the reasoning behind your crimes is not that important to me. No amount of strikes from my sword would calm the rage I feel when I think of those suffering children.”
I glowered at them as I vented my anger. The venomous lashings made them flinch.
“Despite that, I still wish to know: Why have you captured children born with magic? What reason could you possibly have to sell them as lab rats to the Celden Republic? Are you not a band of mages yourselves?”
“Th-the Celden Republic?” one man echoed, visibly confused.
His response surprised me. This was a possibility that I had considered but desperately wished wasn’t the case. Don’t tell me…
“You can’t seriously claim you didn’t know. The children you captured have all been sent to the Celden Republic, stripped of their rights, and tortured in cruel experiments!”
“You’re lying!”
My response was as frigid as ever: “I have not told a single lie.”
“You’re lying! You have to be lying! Master Karl said we were saving those kids!”
Karl was the right-hand man of Lord Beckford. Tommy’s reports painted him as the de facto leader of the house. I licked my lips upon hearing such an important name connected with the crime. He must have deceived these people as part of his scheme. What a horrible man!
“I do not know what Karl is thinking, but surely he understands how vile this trade is.”
“Don’t let her fool you, Ben! She’s probably lying!”
“Do not make me repeat myself. I do not speak falsehoods.”
All five Sacred Swords materialized around me, floating in midair. Time seemed to stop for a moment as their eyes went wide in disbelief. The sight of them trembling made me pause, and their thoughts crept into my mind:
“No way!”
“Just how much magic is in those swords?!”
“Could those five swords be…?”
I mustered a dry laugh. It was time to push them even further.
“I am Luxeria von Ausgrid, queen of the Federal Kingdom of Ausgrid. As proof, I present the Sacred Swords.”
They gaped in awe, quaking in fear.
“Were I to use the Sacred Swords, I could compel you all to answer me whether you want to or not. The reason I haven’t forced you is that I wish to hear it in your own words. I swear upon the Sacred Swords that I have not told a single lie to any of you.” I held the Sacred Sword of Sincerity in hand and kissed the hilt. “Now, tell me, please: Why do you support the harming of my citizens?”
Still, none of them answered me. The horrible reality I’d thrust upon them caused them to despair and avert their eyes.