“The only question is who we should leave behind,” Al said to himself while scratching his head.
He was in his office along with the three Divas, Jamka, Brusch, Luna, and Saaya. Luna was definitely the odd one out, but since she had been inevitably caught up in the situation, Al invited her to the meeting to discuss her immediate return to her country. It was a real shame, but it had to be done. Al considered inviting her to have some fun as reconciliation once things settled down.
“Is there really anyone we can leave behind? Based on the plan you proposed, I’ll be necessary to command our troops.”
“Me too! I’m your future bride, and you totally need an expert reconnaissance network, right!?”
Ignoring Brusch’s comments about being his bride, she was right. Both her and Jamka were absolutely necessary on the battlefield, along with Cecilia, Feena, and Kanon to boost their military strength.
“Haah... Y’know, I’m starting to realize that we may not have enough staff.”
“Oh my, but you have me! I’d massacre an army of ten thousand for you!” Cecilia said boastfully.
Al heard that when Feena was making her escape, Cecilia single-handedly dispatched two thousand soldiers, which was an incredible feat and would definitely come in handy in the upcoming battle. However, he had also heard that she’d collapsed from exhaustion.
I don’t want to push her any further, he thought, but he knew deep down that her help was invaluable.
“I’d love to have you with us, but don’t you dare push yourself past your limits!”
“Oh my, to think that the heavens blessed me with such a kind little brother! It must be the overwhelming love speaking that we’ve crossed the boundaries between siblings! Just hearing your kind words gives me strength enough to face a million—”
“My love didn’t cross any boundaries, and I told you not to push yourself! Hm, Feena? Is everything okay?”
Feena had been silently staring at them for a while now. Interestingly, she was sitting between Cecilia and Kanon despite always taking Al’s side when possible.
“Hmph!”
“Huh? What? Did I do something wrong?”
“No. You didn’t do anything.”
He was starting to feel relieved, but Feena’s mood didn’t improve one bit.
“Ahaha! She’s just jealous! Luna and Lady Cecilia have been hogging you all for—Nghh!”
“Can it, Boing-Boing!” Feena elbowed Kanon’s side.
“Whyyy!? Don’t bring that name back!”
It seemed like Kanon’s feelings were more hurt than her body.
“Right, sorry,” Al said. “You were the first ones to dive into eight thousand soldiers to save me, so showing some gratitude is the least I can do. So tell me, is there anything I can—”
“Hug,” Feena responded immediately, looking at Al with puppy-dog eyes.
“Huh? No, I mean, that’s—”
“Mm♡”
Cutting Al off, Feena jumped at him, over the desk that separated them.
“Nghhh! Why so sudden—”
“Ooh! Me too, I want one too! Give me a... Ah! A piggyback ride!”
She changed her mind after taking Feena’s death stare.
“Why now!? Do you really want a piggyback ride in the middle of our strategy meeting!?” Al, still holding Feena, stood up to further illustrate his complaint, but that was a grave mistake.
“Ooh! I’m being carried like a princess!”
While Feena reveled in joy, Kanon quickly circled around Al, and...
“There!”
...hopped on his back.
“Wait, you’re... actually not heavy at all, but...”
Even during such a surreal experience, he could appreciate Feena’s sweet scent and the soft feeling of Kanon’s chest pushing against his back. As a man, he couldn’t bring himself to shake them off, so he accepted his fate and sat back down.
“Well, I’m glad we could settle this with some hugs, but couldn’t we have done this at a later time?”
“No.” An instant, unanimous response. Al was still dumbfounded by the situation.
“Haah... Normally, I would condemn you for letting women use you as a hug pillow, but I can’t bring myself to do so for some reason.” Luna’s eyes were filled with pity for Al.
“You look like a father whose children are clinging to him after running away from your wife!” Brusch said sympathetically, not bothering to filter herself. Al identified with her description surprisingly well.
The conversation had derailed so far that he didn’t think there was any way out of their deadlock.
“Umm, we were talking about who should stay behind, am I correct?” Luna came to his rescue. Al silently nodded. “What if I stayed here?” she added.
“Wait, you? Here, in this castle?”
Al hadn’t expected such a development.
“Yes! I came here in hopes of forming an alliance with Althos, so helping in your time of need would only be natural.” He realized he’d never asked Luna about the reason for her sudden visit. “With me looking over the castle, no one has to stay behind!”
She raised both her hands to her mouth and chuckled, appreciating her own idea. Having Distania’s princess, Luna, and their Diva, Saaya, watching over the castle would certainly be reassuring. Al crossed his arms and glanced at Jamka for advice.
“Don’t even think about it. We’re not officially allied with Distania yet, not to mention that Luna is a guest. If anything were to happen to her, it’d become an international crisis.”
“I’m also technically a foreign guest.” Unexpected help came to Al from his lap. Feena voiced her opinion while staring at Luna with a smug look, as if she’d gotten revenge on her.
“Plus, an alliance was in place with Freiya and look what happened.” Naturally, Kanon also took Feena’s side. Now, all eyes were on Cecilia.
“Oh my, I really don’t care what happens as long as I can go with Al.”
Now it was all up to Jamka and—
“Thanks for staying!” Brusch bowed to Luna, which meant it was all up to Jamka.
“Then, umm... I’m terribly sorry, Lady Luna and Lady Saaya, but, well, could we possibly, umm...”
Jamka’s hesitation wasn’t uncalled for in the slightest. Luna and Al might have been engaged in the past, but that was years ago. Jamka didn’t want to ask why Luna would offer an alliance and direct help, but not knowing their real intentions frightened him.
“Okay, then what if I let Saaya take part in the battle? That’d prove our alliance to you, wouldn’t it?”
“What!? No! Then who’s gonna be here to protect the castle!?”
Al realized that leaving her here would technically have her participating in the battle as the last bastion of defense.
“I would join you, but I can’t leave Saaya alone...”
“But you have no problem sending her out to the battlefield!?”
It was a bizarre situation. They had been locked in a stalemate just moments ago, but now they were heading toward complete chaos. Cecilia decided to add another option into the mix.
“Oh my, then how about this! I’ll cast a super basic Bind on Luna!”
“What’s with that satisfied look? obviously, we can’t do—”
“Let’s do it!” Luna interrupted Al. “Let’s do it! If stringing me up naked is what it takes for you to trust me, then so be it!”
“Not that kind of bind!” Al reflexively shut down Luna’s delusions, but her foundation didn’t shake at all.
“Why not? It should work for both Jamka and Luna.” Kanon joined the conversation.
“You know, I’m pretty new here too, so I kind of understand how she feels. I have Feena for myself, so I don’t feel like as much of an outcast as she probably does, but I also want to get to know all of you better.”
Al was completely awestruck.
Did something possess you? I never thought the happy-go-lucky girl who always fooled around with Feena would have such deep thoughts.
“Al, I understand your reaction, but don’t you think ‘happy-go-lucky’ is a bit too demeaning?”
Hey, who taught you how to read my mind!?
“Cut it out, Al, or I’ll get mad,” Kanon whispered into his ear in an upbeat tone, but her eyes were colder than the darkest winter night. Al was absolutely certain that she could read minds.
“Anyway! We don’t have time to argue about this! Cast Bind or Discharge or whatever else you want at me! I’m ready!”
“Why are you so excited about becoming a target for spells!?”
Al wanted to plant his face into his hands, but since both of them were occupied by Feena, he had to settle for a sigh.
“Jamka, would you be okay with that?” Al glanced at Jamka to finally settle this issue and move on.
“All right, let’s go with that. Lady Luna, please promise us one thing.” Jamka returned Al’s gaze, urging him to take over. Al nodded in agreement and looked at Luna.
“Luna. If even for a second you feel like you’re in trouble, run. I said the same thing to our citizens and the castle guards. Even if we lose the castle, we can recapture this lump of stone at any time.”
“Hey! What king refers to their castle as a ‘lump of stone’!?” Jamka got caught up on the semantics, but everyone in the room understood the meaning behind Al’s words. Human life was more important than the country or the castle. That principle was the foundation of Althos, after all.
“Oh my, allow me to cast a simple Bind, then.”
For some reason, Cecilia’s eyes lit up when she uttered the word ‘Bind’.
“Thou shall submit to my beloved, adorable brother’s words, protect thy brethren, stay by their side. Should thou break this oath, let—” Cecilia’s divine words filled the room, but based on their previous experiences, most of the people in it plugged their ears. Luna bravely endured Cecilia’s entire speech despite obvious discomfort planting itself on her face.
The next morning, Al left the castle alongside his four thousand soldiers.