After that, the two old men answered Brunhild’s questions quite honestly.
She found out about the evil crown, about how the regent called Warren had controlled the queens through the generations, how Kriemhild had also fallen into his hands, and also about what made up the Miracle of Life.
“…” Brunhild was speechless.
She realized now that this kingdom held a darkness far deeper than she had imagined—and that it was about to swallow Kriemhild whole.
As Brunhild was overcome with shock, in her place, the amber dragon said to the old men, <What cruel men!>
He said imperiously, <No matter what just cause one might tout, what you are doing is an act of blind obsession. If you ask me, having lived in the old times, illness and injury were only natural back then. Even if it is for the sake of the kingdom, that’s no reason for Brunhild’s family line to be sacrificed.>
The old men couldn’t hear the voice of the dragon, however. All they could do was tremble before the dragon’s zeal.
But Brunhild did hear it. <Thank you, Bernstein. That’s enough.>
<No, not yet. I believe we should kill these men. They are carrying out acts which they should not as human beings. There’s no value in such filth living.>
<I do share some of your feelings. But killing them won’t change anything. Let them go, for me.>
But still the amber dragon was not convinced. He even glared at Brunhild.
Since it seemed like she would absolutely not back down, he gave in.
After letting the two old men go, the amber dragon said to Brunhild, <You’re very kind.>
<I’m not kind.>
<You showed mercy to those pieces of trash. Isn’t that kindness?>
Brunhild pulled out a knife and a little bottle filled with golden liquid from her pocket. The little bottle was some Miracle of Life she had procured in the village.
<I planned to torture them if they didn’t answer our questions. I would hurt them with the knife and heal it with the Miracle. I was going to do that over and over. Would you still call me kind?>
The amber dragon shivered. It seemed she would do whatever it took for her sister’s sake.
<I’m glad I didn’t have to see you torture anyone. It might have cooled my long-held feelings.>
<Most certainly,> Brunhild said, and she put away the little bottle and the knife. <Now it’s clear what we must do.>
The crown was on Brunhild’s mind. <We’ll destroy Kriemhild’s crown. Let’s free my sister from her curse.>
Brunhild rode astride the amber dragon’s back.
They were headed for the party venue.
They had learned many things from hearing the two old men talk. They had more useful information than simply that about the Miracle and the crown.
It seemed that Brunhild was thought to have died.
They’d said that since Kriemhild had killed her, the knights had spent the past few days searching for her corpse.
This was their chance to launch a surprise attack.
Tonight a party would be held, inviting all the various influential aristocrats within the kingdom. The large private residence the old royal family had owned was the venue, and Queen Kriemhild would also be in attendance. Surprisingly, the queen’s guard was just a few knights, and aside from the knights, it was just the old retainer Warren attending her, they’d said. Once everyone returned to the royal castle, it would be difficult to attack. Now, when their defenses were thin, was the best chance.
However, they would have to hurry to carry out this surprise attack. If they wasted time, then the senior vassals they had let get away would report about having been attacked by Brunhild.
Brunhild was certain she and the amber dragon would be able to carry out this surprise attack.
Of course, it went without saying that the dragon was strong. Brunhild lacked endurance, but since she could use Thunder, she was far stronger than an ordinary soldier. It would be child’s play to send the guards at the party venue running. Brunhild felt luck was on their side.
The dragon arrived at the private residence, Brunhild on his back, right as the party was beginning.
They looked into the party venue from a window.
Brunhild could see Kriemhild, the crown atop her head.
“…”
She seemed to be dazed and stupefied. She was emotionally exhausted, believing that she had killed Brunhild. Now she was entirely a doll that would do whatever the crown—no, Warren—told her.
Seeing her sister in such a pitiful state, Brunhild felt a pang in her heart.
She wanted to save Kriemhild as quickly as possible.
<Go, Amber Dragon!>
At that order from Brunhild, the dragon replied with an easygoing <Aye.>
The dragon dramatically broke through the window glass and charged into the party venue.
The aristocrats shrieked out and ran about frantically trying to escape.
“A dragon!”
“Why is there a dragon?!”
“Princess Brunhild is on a dragon!”
“Why?!”
In an instant, the pleasant party turned into a scene of chaos.
Hearing the commotion, the knights came. But there really weren’t many guards at the party. Most likely, it had been decided that so many imposing guards would be unbefitting for such a splendid event.
A few of the knights boldly stood up against the dragon. But the amber dragon easily routed them. Brunhild also came down from the dragon and fought with her Thunder.
Even with this much confusion going on, Kriemhild didn’t even look toward the uproar. She was sitting on her chair with a hollow expression.
At this point, she had been so badly damaged that she couldn’t react to any stimulation around her at all.
“Kriemhild!”
Even her sister’s cry didn’t reach her deeply wounded heart.
But…
“Kriemhild!”
In Kriemhild’s field of view appeared her sister, racing toward her.
“Sis…ter…?” The light slowly returned to Kriemhild’s eyes.
“Sister…!” Kriemhild stood up.
“Oh, Sister! I’m so glad you’re alive…!” She tried to run up to Brunhild.
But she froze halfway. Pain ran through her head like a flash of light.
“Ngh…”
Offer yourself to the kingdom.
The voice made her body try to kill her sister, of its own accord—since the crown had recognized that her sister was alive.
She somehow controlled her right hand as it attempted to make the sword of Thunder.
It was an incredible act of will. It came out of her fervent desire to not hurt her sister any further.