A stir rippled through the imperial nobles in the audience chamber.
If I remember correctly, that was Prince Aslan… or was it? Since he’s actually Ron’s uncle, they don’t look much alike. Ron had told me he wasn’t an ambitious person, but…
Elena’s eyes narrowed slightly at his statement. It wasn’t something you’d normally say in a place like this, and the words “take as a wife” could be heard as looking down on the Kingdom of Claydale.
Just as His Imperial Majesty was about to open his mouth to dissuade him, a man stepped forward from among the lined-up nobles.
“That is wonderful! If the beautiful and talented Princess Elena-sama, known throughout the Kingdom of Claydale, were to become the Crown Princess, the Empire would surely achieve even greater development and a glorious future!”
The noble began to speak as if it were a matter of course, regardless of whether he had any authority to do so.
Sera glared at the man, who seemed to be the chancellor, and he panicked. Then, His Imperial Majesty raised his voice.
“Lord Demil, this is not the place for such talk. Elena-dono, allow me to apologize for the words of the Prince and my subject. Aslan, restrain yourself. You already have a candidate for betrothal. Do not say such rude things to Elena-dono.”
“I apologize, Your Majesty, Elena-dono.”
Prince Aslan-dono bowed to the Emperor and Elena, his face not showing any remorse. The man called Lord Demil followed suit, bowing silently and returning to his place in the line.
If he could obtain Elena, he could also obtain Ron’s achievements. Even if he isn’t ambitious, does Prince Aslan-dono himself desire the Emperor’s position? Whether it’s his own will or the machinations of his relatives, I felt that Aslan himself looked down on His Imperial Majesty, his adoptive father and older brother.
“I appreciate your consideration.”
Elena said, bowing lightly to His Imperial Majesty. Only lightly. This isn’t my scene. Just as I have my own battlefield, this place is Elena’s battlefield.
Seeing Elena’s lips curve into a smile that only I could notice, I knew she must think of Prince Aslan-dono’s statement as nothing more than a weakness to be used in negotiations with the Empire.
But… if they lay a hand on Elena directly, I’ll dispose of them without leaving a trace.
Perhaps a bit of my emotion leaked out, as Dolton and Sera’s presence beside me stiffened slightly, and Elena gave a small, wry smile.
In that atmosphere, the audience ended, and just before we left, I was a little concerned about the expression on Ron’s face, who had remained silent next to the Second Prince.
“How is it?”
“…No, that’s impossible. Dolton-dono and Lady Leighton are also not easy to deal with, but from the moment I sensed that little girl’s ‘presence,’ I haven’t been able to stop getting goosebumps.”
“That much, huh…”
In the office of Demil, the Minister of Finance, a knight sighed in a rough manner at Demil’s words.
Lord Demil is the younger brother of the concubine who is the Crown Prince’s mother, and also the younger brother of the current Marquis Demil. He holds his current position due to that power, but if the Crown Prince or the Second Prince ascends to the throne, his faction will be able to monopolize important positions within the Empire.
Even though they are children of the same concubine, the Second Prince has a gentle personality and is more likely to be absorbed into the Empress’s faction than his birth mother’s faction. From now on, we must be conscious of supporting Aslan.
I was taken aback by that Crown Prince’s statement about the Crown Princess, which could be taken as thoughtless, but if Princess Elena were actually welcomed as the Crown Princess, the position of the next Emperor would be rock solid.
The knight in front of me was also an informant on the Crown Prince’s side, brought in through connections. He was originally from the Underworld and is now serving as a warrior under a certain person.
His skill is comparable to a Rank 4 Assassin, but the Baron’s daughter who gave him goosebumps is, unbelievably, even more skilled.
“I can’t beat her. …But hurting her is another story.”
“Do you have a plan? Elam.”
“Leave it to me. No matter how strong she is, I’ll teach that inexperienced little girl the ugliness of adults.”
As Elam said this and was about to leave the room, Demil sensed where he was going and called out to his back.
“Please give my regards to Radwan-dono.”
“Understood.”
Elam bowed in an exaggerated manner and left, heading not to the knights’ barracks but out of the castle.
Some time after the audience with His Imperial Majesty, the old butler who visited the guest house told me about the key figures he had been investigating.
Lord Demil, who had followed the Crown Prince at that time, was indeed a relative of the Crown Prince and a member of the Crown Prince’s faction who had attained his current position through power… or rather, a member of the concubine faction.
The Empress Dowager had already passed away, and the Imperial Palace was divided into two factions, with Ron’s birth mother, the Empress, holding one side.
“However, Lord Demil is merely a pawn. Originally, I would have kept this hidden as it is not related to you from other countries, but there is another person who is thought to be the mastermind.”
The person backing the Crown Prince and the concubine faction is said to be not a noble, but one of the merchants in the city.
You might think of them as just merchants, but the Radwan Company is an old merchant family with a history of over a dozen generations in the Empire. They have lent money to multiple noble families, sending their relatives as wives and concubines, and have come to have influence even in upper-class noble families.
One of those noble families is the Marquis Demil family, which sent the concubine who is the Crown Prince’s mother, and the concubine faction seems to be increasing its influence with that money.
Regardless of the Crown Prince’s own intentions, if he is surrounded by nobles under the influence of the Radwan Company, it will be easy to change his opinion.
But I don’t intend to interfere with that. Elena can probably fulfill Ron’s wishes to some extent from a political perspective, but Ron doesn’t want that.
I don’t intend to interfere.
Unless Elena or my companions are attacked…
Two days after the audience with His Imperial Majesty, the Soirée was held as planned.
Originally, we were scheduled to set sail tomorrow, so we all had a mountain of things to do, but maintaining relations with the Empire is also an important task.
The members of the Rainbow Sword were also participating in formal wear, but mainly it was Dolton, surrounded by knights, who was conversing with the nobles. Feld and Viro were scattered around the venue, guarding Elena’s surroundings.
Viro was truly blending into the background with his scouting skills. However, Feld, who had changed from his usual attire into formal wear and shaved his stubble, was blending in as a proper noble.
…If I remember correctly, I once heard that Feld was related to a noble family, so that might be Feld’s true form.
Mira, being a Forest Elf, which is rare at such Soirées, was using her conspicuous and beautiful appearance to eliminate male nobles who seemed likely to bother us.
I heard that the main nobles would be gathering, but those participating were probably only the upper-class nobles in the Imperial City and their relatives, not even a hundred people. I thought that was probably the Emperor’s consideration for us, who were guarding Elena.
The Soirée began with a greeting from His Imperial Majesty, and then members of the Grand Duke family and the Duke family came to greet Elena. The Second Prince, who had been silent during the audience, also came to greet her, but he was not ambitious as Ron had said, and he was not even interested in the Imperial throne, which was a bit anticlimactic.
“If either His Highness the Crown Prince or those people become the next Emperor, my generation will have an easy time.”
“…That’s right.”
Elena whispered to me and laughed cheerfully. I’m glad she seems to be enjoying herself in her own way.
The person regarded as the concubine greeted Elena only at the beginning, and then disappeared into a circle of people who seemed to be her relatives.
Prince Aslan-dono, who had made that statement, was still trying to attract Elena’s attention, but was called by the concubine and disappeared in that direction.
“Unnatural.”
“Yeah.”
I nodded slightly in response to Elena’s murmur next to me.
The concubine faction is distancing themselves from us in an unnatural way. As if to avoid being suspected if something happens.
Just as Elena and Ron tried to avoid the false charges that would be brought against me if I were targeted and retaliated, they avoided being at a disadvantage by being suspected.
The unnaturalness of not seeing Lord Demil, who I thought would be plotting something at the Soirée, made me think so even more.
Because of that, other nobles also had an atmosphere that made it difficult to approach, and the area around Elena, who should have been the main character of tonight, was a no-man’s land. I think the Empress would notice that, but she is in a position to receive greetings, so she hasn’t been able to come here yet.
If this were just a Soirée, it would be easy… but I think they’re going to make a move.
And that concern came surprisingly quickly.
“Princess (Your Highness). I have come to inform you that the Third Prince (His Highness) requests your presence on the west terrace.”
At the young maid’s words, Elena (she) narrowed her eyes slightly, glancing at me for a moment.
“…Yes, please guide us. Aria (she), would you come with me?”
“Understood.”
Ron (he) is calling for her. It’s not impossible, but it’s unreasonable to not suspect it in this situation. But if we refuse, the concubine faction will start making a fuss about how the story of her being close to the Third Prince is a lie.
Guided by the maid, we proceeded through the venue, and on the other terraces, we saw men sobering up and couples enjoying secret trysts. However, the terrace we were led to faced the inside of the castle, so the view was poor, and perhaps because of that, there was no one there.
The maid didn’t seem to be plotting anything; she had simply been told by one of the civil officials to convey Ron’s (he) message, and after guiding us, she returned to the venue.
“…Wait.”
“What’s wrong?”
I noticed a small object covered in Mana Particles in the darkness of the terrace.
That is… a knife (Knife) for suicide? That woman also had a used one, but why is it dropped in a place like this?
“Elena (she)?”
“Prince Lawrence (he)…”
When we turned around at the voice from the venue, Ron (he) really appeared.
“What’s wrong? I really suspected it was a trap, being summoned to a place like this by you two.”
“…Eh?”
Elena’s (she) murmur leaked out at Ron’s (he) words.
At that moment, I lightly swung my arm, grabbed it (・・), and turned to Elena (she).
“Aria (she), Prince Lawrence (he) is here.”
“Understood. Ron (he), please take care of Elena (she) for a while. …I’ll go check around a bit, so will you wait for me?”
“I understand, but…”
“No, Aria (she). If you’re alone…”
“It’s okay. I’ll be right back (・・).”
Leaving Elena (she) and Ron (he), who were slightly perplexed, I headed into the darkness of the terrace and picked up the fallen knife (Knife), wrapping it in a handkerchief. There’s no poison on it. But instead, the blade (Blade) inside the sheath was smeared with blood.
Is this your plan…? But there’s no need for further consideration.
You laid your hands on Elena (she).
“—Iron Rose (【鉄の薔薇(アイアンローズ)】)… Real Breaker (【拒絶世界(リアルブレイカー)】) —”
At that moment—my figure disappeared from the world, and a gust of wind chased after something running in the Darkness (暗闇).
Aria (she) said she would check the surroundings and headed into the darkness, and Ron (he), seeing Elena (she) looking worriedly at that Darkness (暗闇), spoke to her as if he had made up his mind.
“…I don’t really understand, but can I assume that you two were also summoned?”
“Yes.”
When Lawrence (he) confirmed that, Elena (she) nodded slightly.
“Let’s return to the venue as soon as Aria (she) comes back. …Before that, can we talk for a bit?”
“I don’t mind, but…”
Elena (she) tilted her head slightly at Lawrence (he) starting to say such a thing in this situation.
However, Lawrence (he) had been waiting for a situation where he could be alone with her. Even before Aria (she) returned, Sera (she) and the imperial maids were by Elena’s (she) side, and now that Sera (she) had entrusted her protection to Aria (she) and was negotiating with the Prime Minister, there was no other opportunity.
Even if the trigger was the Crown Prince’s (he) statement, that feeling had always been in Lawrence’s (he) heart.
“Prince Lawrence (he)…?”
Elena (she) let out a voice in confusion at Lawrence (he) suddenly kneeling before her, and Lawrence (he) gently extended his hand to her.
“Elena (she)… would you please become my wife?”
“—Tch.”
Elam (he) failed his Snipe Shot (狙撃) and immediately left the scene.
His plan was simply to leave a blood-stained knife (Knife) hidden with Dark Magic (闇魔術) on a terrace where no one would visit, and then Snipe Shot (狙撃) with an arrow made of Dark Magic (闇魔術).
Elam’s (he) 【Dark Arrow (闇矢(ダークアロー))] is his original Magic (魔術), but unlike other attributes, even if you turn the particles of Darkness (暗闇) into an arrow and fire it, it won’t cause much damage.
However, it is difficult to detect a Dark Arrow (闇矢(ダークアロー)) fired at night, and even if someone among the three people there was injured, the goal should have been achieved.
It is said that a Rank 4 (ランク４) warrior can evade a shot arrow, and a Rank 5 (ランク５) warrior can grab a fired arrow. But even a Rank 5 (ランク５) cannot evade a Dark Arrow (闇矢(ダークアロー)) fired in the Darkness (暗闇).
But—that girl easily grabbed the fired arrow.
Elam (he) couldn’t believe it even with his own eyes. The moment that girl’s gaze was directed at Elam (he) for just a moment, he lost all composure and started running away with all his might.
Elam (he) is a former Assassin (暗殺者). He wasn’t a member of the Assassin Guild (暗殺者ギルド), but an Assassin (暗殺者) under the patronage of a certain noble, but due to circumstances, he killed that noble and was running away when he was picked up by the Radwan Company (ラドワーン商会).
First of all, I need to tell Radwan (he) about this. I don’t think they can chase Elam (he) in that situation, but in the worst case, I need to pretend to be dead and escape abroad.
While running through the night of the Imperial Capital, Elam (he) remembered hearing a bard’s song faintly flowing from a distant tavern.
It was a story about a girl defeating the Assassin Guild (暗殺者ギルド) and the Thieves’ Guild (盗賊ギルド), and it was a nonsensical story told by a foreign merchant, but it was a popular song among Adventurers (冒険者) and mercenaries.
What was the name of the song…? While searching for that memory, Elam (he) remembered what a Thief (盗賊) from a foreign country who had worked with him had said.
—Don’t get involved with the Ash-Covered Princess (灰かぶり姫) —
“Boss, something bad has happened!”
That place was in a prime location in the Imperial Capital, near the castle. It was the largest mansion in the area, and Elam’s (he) appearance, bursting in on the Crown Prince’s (he) relatives who couldn’t attend the Soirée (夜会) and were holding a meeting, made the old man in the back glare at him.
“…You’re being noisy, Elam (he). What happened?”
The old man, the chairman of the Radwan Company (ラドワーン商会) and the one who supported the concubine faction from behind, frowned at the state of the Assassin (暗殺者) Elam (he), whom he had given many jobs to.
The people of the concubine faction here know about Elam (he), but it is not explicitly indicated that he is in an employment relationship with Radwan (he).
He has been valued because he is a Rank 4 (ランク４) warrior who can also use Dark Magic (闇魔術) and is good at playing dumb, but if he causes problems at work, it is necessary to get rid of this man before the connection with the Radwan Company (ラドワーン商会) is discovered.
“Explain in detail.”
A Rank 4 (ランク４) warrior is valuable, but it’s not like there are no replacements. But before that, in order to determine what kind of situation he is in, he urged Elam (he) to speak, and just as Elam (he) was about to catch his breath and start talking—
“—Gah…!”
Everyone there couldn’t understand what had happened. Even the person himself probably didn’t.
But, the black eyes that Elam (he) was staring at, the black eyes staring at Elam (he), saw the “Ash-Covered (灰かぶり) girl” who had pierced his neck with a knife (Knife) from behind, and Elam’s (he) consciousness sank into a Darkness (暗闇) from which it would never emerge again.
No one noticed.
Even Elam (he), who was a Rank 4 (ランク４) and had worked as an Assassin (暗殺者), couldn’t notice that the girl was there until the moment he was stabbed.
It was as if—she had just appeared in the world—
That girl, who destroyed their common sense (Real Breaker (リアル)), threw away the collapsing Elam (he) and gently held a black blade (Blade) in both hands.
“You don’t need a will, right?”
“—Prince Lawrence (he)… I will become the Queen (she). If you aim to be the Emperor for the sake of your promise with Camille (he), I cannot be by your side.”
“…Certainly, I intend to do what I can for the sake of my promise with Camille (he). He also aimed for his own path. But it was you who taught me that there is more than one path.”
“Ron (he)…”
“I’m still searching for a path. I’m not sure if I’ll ever get there. But… if that path intersects with yours, would you listen to my offer one more time then?”
“…………”
Elena (she) smiled as if exhaling, and then looked into Ron’s (he) eyes again.
“Three years… I will only wait that long. Is that alright with you?”
“Ah, of course.”
Lawrence (he), who had been kneeling, stood up and hurriedly returned to the venue as if to hide his embarrassment. He was supposed to return with Aria (she), but Lawrence (he) didn’t even think about that, and Elena (she) smiled wryly as if looking at an awkward younger brother.
“…Is it over?”
“Aria (she)… were you watching?”
“From where Ron (he) ran away.”
Elena (she) approached her side with a sense of relief to Aria (she) who had returned without a sound, as if nothing had happened during the investigation.
“Did you do something?”
“…Nothing.”
“…By the way, I wonder if the academy’s ball will be canceled? Do you remember our promise?”
“Of course.”
When Aria headed off to subjugate Grave, the traitor of the Shadow Unit, she promised Elena that she would return by the ball.
After that, there was an attack by the Evil Race, and being blown to this place meant the ball was canceled, but Elena, remembering Aria’s promise, quietly offered her hand. Aria, who had only been improving in the male part of dancing, took it with a perfect gesture.
“Let’s go home. To Claydale.”
“Yeah.”
And so, the two of them, listening to the faint music flowing from the venue, began their own private ball on the empty night terrace.
This concludes Part 2, Chapter 3.
The next chapter will be Chapter 4.
Regarding the Real Breaker’s abilities, the dragon battle was “Light,” and this time it’s “Darkness.”
I think Aria will explain the details in Chapter 4!
Volume 2 will also be released this year, so please continue to support the series.
We might have some good news for you.