“Melrose…”
At the words someone in the venue let slip, the attendees began to understand the situation.
Everyone thought the new fiancée was ‘Saint Alicia.’ If Clara Dandole, chosen by Crown Prince Elvan, was guilty, she couldn’t be considered suitable as queen consort, and the fame of a Saint recognized by the Holy Church was fitting to be proclaimed not only domestically but also to foreign countries.
If there was a problem, it would be that she was a viscount’s daughter and lacked the family status for a Crown Princess. The current queen consort being a former viscount’s daughter did not set a good precedent under the current circumstances, and the old noble families, who lamented the decline in national power because of it, were sure to show disapproval.
However, that problem seemed to have been resolved with surprise when Saint Alicia Melsis herself revealed she was of the ‘Melrose Family’ bloodline—but.
“…What are you saying!?”
Saintess Licia’s voice echoed through the hushed venue.
At the end of her glaring gaze was a Pink-Haired Girl clad in a black dress. That girl had declared herself to be ‘Alicia Melrose’ and had been called that by the Margrave of Melrose himself.
The girl she had once recognized as an “enemy” to be eliminated had appeared as a troublesome foe at the most inconvenient moment.
“That person is the princess’s guard, isn’t she! Why is someone like that doing something so dangerous!?”
At Licia’s shouting words, the surrounding nobles also recalled the rumor that she had died. Why had that girl returned, claiming the name Melrose? Amidst the gazes gathering in search of that answer, Belt, Margrave of Melrose, snorted at Licia.
“That is because my granddaughter, ‘Alicia,’ went missing due to a Monster attack. You should know that well yourself.”
Licia, too, had lost her parents in a Monster attack that struck a town and had spent her childhood in an orphanage.
Since the life or death of Belt’s daughter and son-in-law was unknown, it took a considerable amount of time to arrive at the possibility that their orphaned child, his granddaughter, was alive. As a result, by the time they reached the orphanage where Licia had been, the real ‘Alicia’ had disappeared from it.
Licia also knew from her “game knowledge” that the real Alicia had been in the orphanage, but she didn’t remain in Licia’s memory, as Licia had no interest in other girls.
Was the “real one” who had been there the girl standing before her now? The reason Licia couldn’t recognize her as the “heroine” even when looking at her Pink Hair was her extraordinary “strength.”
“A noble lady couldn’t possibly become that strong!”
The gentle impression from her game knowledge interfered, preventing her from thinking of the girl as the heroine. Licia couldn’t understand how an orphan with the same background as herself could become so strong.
“Most royal guards are of noble birth. The Knight Commander and the Court Magicians are all nobles, and there are skilled women among them too.”
Towards such a Licia, Belt calmly cornered her.
Originally, nobles were descendants of the “strongest individuals” who had unified their regions by military force in the distant past. The higher a noble’s current rank, the more it was proof that their ancestors had accumulated such victories.
“…Hk.”
But Licia didn’t understand that. For Licia, who only knew nobles through her game knowledge, “nobles” were symbols of “happiness” dancing in a glittering world.
The Kingdom of Claydale, the largest nation on this Searth Continent. The position of “Crown Princess,” envied by all the women who had oppressed Licia.
Until now, she had worked to obtain it. For that, she had acquired everything and discarded things as necessary sacrifices. How could she give it up so easily?
“…But even so, how can you say that person is the real one? You can’t even say that ring is hers.”
On the Pink-Haired Girl’s hand, there was a ring very similar to the one on Licia’s finger. If that one was truly genuine and compared to Licia’s ring, it would be troublesome, but she still couldn’t stop her words.
Hearing that remark, Belt responded with composure, though a hint of anger seeped through.
“Indeed, there may be some who think so. However, it wasn’t just because of the ring that I considered this child my granddaughter. —’Alicia.'”
“Yes.”
At Belt’s voice, the Pink-Haired Girl stepped forward, and the curious gazes of the people focused on her.
The crowd let out sighs of admiration at her dignified demeanor, clad in a lustrous black dress. The higher-ranking nobles, in particular, understood the “meaning” of Belt’s words from the girl’s appearance.
“…Cheryl-sama?”
The one who murmured that was a lady who seemed to be from the parents’ generation.
That name belonged to a woman of the Melrose Family who had gone missing. Those who heard the name found the image of the Pink-Haired Girl before them overlapping with the visages of the Melrose “princesses” they had once admired.
Rose of the Moon… The characteristic “pinkish-gold hair” of the Melrose matrilineal line evoked nostalgic memories of being captivated by it in the past.
“Exactly. This girl is indeed the granddaughter left behind by my child, Cheryl.”
At those words, the nobles understood that, in every sense, the ‘Rose of the Moon (Melrose)’ had returned.
But—
“It doesn’t matter who that person is! The one most suitable to be Crown Princess here is me, the ‘Saint’!”
Licia stopped the tipping scales of fate.
“Surely, all of you understand! Who is it that this country truly needs!”
To tip the scales of fate back in her favor, Licia used the ‘Allure’ she possessed.
The decrease in magic points, the cost of ‘Allure,’ varied depending on the target’s favorability towards Licia. Although even simple magic had become difficult for Licia, she now had the fame of a “Saint.” Aside from Belt and the royalty on the dais, it didn’t require much of a cost to draw the believers and neutral parties in the venue to her side.
Unlike the magical ability ‘Charm,’ ‘Allure’ could not be defended against. Noticing that the crowd’s thoughts were being guided by the power of ‘Allure’ and the tide was beginning to turn in Licia’s favor, the “black-haired girl” gave a scornful smile, which the “Pink-Haired Girl” stopped with a glance.
But—
“…Licia, stop it already.”
The one who stopped that flow was Elvan, one of the people at the center of the turmoil.
“El-sama!?”
Licia turned to him, her eyes wide, while Elvan, still holding Clara’s shoulder, looked at Licia with pity.
While realizing that ‘Allure’ truly no longer worked on Elvan, Licia tried to sway Elvan with the “words” she naturally possessed.
“What are you saying, El-sama? Besides me, the Saint, who else could become the Crown Princess? Is it the sinner whose shoulder you’re holding? Or is it that Pink-Haired girl who suddenly appeared? The current Queen Consort is also a former viscount’s daughter, so there’s no way I can’t become one!”
Because the current king had made a viscount’s daughter his queen consort, the country fell into disarray, and it became necessary to select a queen consort from a high-ranking noble family to rectify this.
The precedent did not become a good one, and for that reason, Licia, a viscount’s daughter, had falsely claimed to be of Melrose blood. Now that this was no longer possible, she cried out that since there was still a “precedent,” there was no way she couldn’t become queen consort.
Even with disrespectful words that disparaged the Queen Consort and an incoherent logic that repeatedly overturned premises, Licia’s ‘Allure’ could turn those around her to her side and push through her opinion as the majority’s.
Even if the final decision rested with the King, the King, who desired connections with the nobility to consolidate the chaotic domestic situation, could not ignore the majority opinion.
However, the one to stop that was also “him.”
“Licia, I never told you about my [Gift (Divine Protection)], did I…”
Elvan had discussed things with Clara until they reached an understanding, and with Clara’s ‘Foresight,’ they had decided what needed to be done.
Elvan and Clara looked at each other and nodded, then stood up close together, turning strong eyes towards Licia.
“My ability is ‘Complete Appraisal.’ It’s the same ability as my late uncle, the Second Prince, and I can see everything about a person. I know that Clara possesses special memories, that the Pink-Haired woman over there is the real one, and Licia, that you… are a Commoner orphan who pretended to be a noble.”
“El-sama… What are you…”
At Elvan’s sudden words, Licia was at a loss.
“Licia… you cannot become the Crown Princess. Because I will cede the position of Crown Prince to Elena.”
“!?”
At Elvan’s words, Licia’s eyes widened, and Clara tightly gripped Elvan’s hand.
“That is my atonement for the terrible things I’ve done with you, Nasanitar-san, and Uncle Amor. Clara-san is aware of this too. So…”
Elvan-sama closed his eyes for a few seconds, and when he opened them again, his tearful eyes reflected a stunned Licia.
“I want you to stop distorting people’s hearts with your Divine Protection… ‘Allure’.”
“–!”
Those around them couldn’t immediately grasp the meaning of his words, and in the momentary silence that filled the place, someone began to move as if they had timed it perfectly.
“We have investigated and found that you have been deceiving people using that ability.”
“…P-Princess-sama?”
Princess Elena, accompanied by the Pink-Haired Girl, ascended the stage.
“Originally, a Saint refers to someone who can use sacred magic, which is different from Light Magic. The reason you, who lack that power, could become a Saint is because you used your Allure ability to manipulate the hearts of those in the Holy Church. We have testimony to this from Hiram-dono of the Fandora Theocracy and from my elder brother.”
“What did you say…”
As Licia’s gaze swept over the knights, she saw Hiram-dono, who had come from the Fandora Theocracy for the Saint’s certification, behind them.
“Indeed, I swear that Her Highness the Princess’s words are true.”
Sacred magic is a single-syllable magic similar to a 【Battle Art】, and unlike Light Magic, its effects manifest over a wide area. It is said that only those who have gained the favor of spirits can use it, but a political Saint doesn’t necessarily need to be able to use sacred magic.
However, if a “demon” is involved, even with a political Saint, the story changes. Although no clear evidence has emerged that Licia was involved with a demon, Elena presented multiple pieces of circumstantial evidence and, through political maneuvering, convinced Hiram-dono to side with her by suggesting that even rumors of this would become a scandal for the Holy Church.
“Furthermore, we have confirmed here and now that you falsely claimed to be of the bloodline of the high-ranking noble Melrose Family, and have made remarks disparaging the royal family. We have already received a report from the Mercis family, who took you in, that your adoption has been annulled.”
The preparations beneath the surface were already complete. Elena had ignored Licia’s one-woman-show-like attitude to allow her charges to accumulate. The problem was the black-haired girl, whose movements were unpredictable, but the Pink-Haired Girl was keeping a sharp eye on her.
As soon as Elena’s words ended, Royal Guards who had taken ‘Allure countermeasures’ appeared. Among them were knights from the Shadow Unit, including Theo, preparing for any unforeseen circumstances.
“–Gohh. …Huh?”
In that tense atmosphere, Licia let out a sound as she coughed up blood, wetting her lips.
Not understanding what had happened to her, Licia wiped her mouth, looked at her bloodstained hand, and then glanced around, noticing that the eyes of those watching her were beginning to change.
Suspicion, anger, pity… Elvan-sama’s statement, which he had been determined to convey even at the cost of renouncing his position as Crown Prince—that Licia distorted minds—had tipped the scales of the nobles’ previously neutral hearts. The cost of her activated ‘Allure’ had surged, completely draining Licia’s magical power.
All living beings in this world, filled with Magical Element, possess magical power. Even if they couldn’t use magic, it was an indispensable element for life, like salt in blood.
Although Elena had not intended it, by the time she began speaking, Licia’s ‘Allure’ had already lost most of its effectiveness.
“Why… Why!?”
As those who had been her allies turned into enemies, as she was condemned, and as she felt her life force dwindling, Licia cried out pleadingly.
“Everyone said I would become queen! You all praised me for being a Saint! What’s happening!? Chigau (It’s not me)!”
Even though the effect of Allure had faded, at the anguished cry of the young-looking Licia, those who had previously revered the Saint awkwardly averted their gaze.
She had been prepared to risk her life. For the sake of ultimate happiness, she had been willing to sell her soul even to a demon. It didn’t matter if no one understood her. For Licia, born in the lowest dregs among commoners, if she could obtain the greatest happiness even for a moment, it was worth risking her life.
But she couldn’t accept an ending like this.
However, that final cry was not directed at the audience, nor at Elvan-sama, but towards the heavens.
“–Get back!”
The real Alicia—Aria, sensing an unusual magical power around Licia, stepped forward protectively in front of Elena. Just then, a white, mist-like substance gathered around Licia, and a maid with pure white hair materialized.
“…Collette?”
The adventurer girl she had met in the small town where the demon was. Aria let out a sound upon seeing her, and the white maid… Collette, smiled sweetly at Aria as she stood beside Licia.
“You! You said there wouldn’t be any problems! Didn’t you even realize Elvan-sama’s ability!? Both you and ‘That Woman in the Magic Stone’ are nothing but liars!”
As Licia screamed as if vomiting blood and lunged at the white maid, Collette smiled gently and took a small Magic Stone from her pocket.
“Yes, there are no problems at all.”
“You–gh!”
In that instant, Collette’s hand plunged into Licia’s chest.
“…W-Why–”
Why would the demon attack her, its contractor?
The moment Collette’s hand was withdrawn, Licia’s eyes rolled back, and the wound was covered and sealed by nematode-like Worms.
Seeing this, Collette took a step back and bowed respectfully to Licia, who stood there with her eyes rolled back.
“Welcome, my ‘Contractor’-dono.”
The next moment–
“—-Kyahahahahahahahahahaha!”
The girl who had been Licia suddenly burst into shrill laughter, looked around, found Aria, and gave a smile twisted with Madness.
“Alicia… I fooound yooouuuu.”
She’s here…
The demon’s true contractor has finally appeared! No more complicated talk!
It’s battle time!
Next time, the threat of That Woman approaches. I can’t think of a two-character title!
We’ll be back to Aria’s perspective from next time!