of events she'd anticipated. Eventually, Elisabeth spoke. "Now hold on a minute... What are you two doing here?" "One thing led to another, you see!" "And we ended up tailing you!" Choosing to omit some details, the two of them proudly puffed out their chests. Elisabeth scratched her cheek as though unsure of what to say or do. And Hina and the Butcher both knewâ€”even considering how slow he was moving, she could have easily countered the young man's attack. However, whether or not she had actually needed help was beside the point. Hina simply refused to leave the Torture Princess alone. Hina and Kaito had promised to stay by Elisabeth's side, and it was their duty to follow through on that. She silently addressed her eternal lover. Isn't that right, Master Kaito?! She then cleared her throat, her chest puffed out all the while. The carriage rattled along the dark night road. Beside Hina sat Elisabeth, who'd been making a tense expression for some time. The only thing that broke the silence was the Butcher's occasional cheers of "Heigh-ho!" Eventually, though, Elisabeth spoke in a quiet, stiff tone. "...You've no objections, Hina?" "About what, might I ask?" "You saw the atrocities I committed back in that room. You ordered the man not to call me a monster, but...your master is Kaito, not I. There's no need for you to flatter me. I'm appreciate your diligent service, don't get me wrong, but you needn't pretend to hold me in such regard." "I'm sorry, Lady Elisabeth, but please don't misunderstand me." Hina immediately rejected Elisabeth's premise, and Elisabeth turned back toward her so fast, it was like she'd been slapped in the face. Hina returned her master's master's gaze and returned her stare. Her emerald eyes gleamed. "I might not have a sense of morals the way humans do, but I am aware of how your past deeds and cruel nature have drawn hatred and criticism from many. I can't refute what they say...but at the same time, it's my right to choose who I want to protect, and who I want to hold dear." My heart is mine and mine alone. Not even my beloved master can deny me that. That was what Hina was saying. That was the one thing she refused to waver on. In fact, not even Kaito had the power to change her heart. Whenever he made a big decision, Hina would always think things over on her own first before making her choice. That was the mark of her dignity. That was the mark of her pride. And that was the mark of her love. Elisabeth had no answer for that. Instead, she just stared off into space and, eventually, curiously posed a question. "...How utterly puzzling. What about me do you find so worthy of your admiration?" "Hmhm, there are oh-so-many things... But the specifics are a secret. That's something you'll have to figure out for yourself someday, Lady Elisabeth. It wouldn't mean anything if I just told you." Hina playfully raised a finger in front of her lips. She and Kaito both adored Elisabeth. However, it was important that Elisabeth figure out for herself why that was. It was important for her to realize there were people who willingly stood alongside the Torture Princess in the hellish wasteland she'd created. There was something the two of them had changed. A truth that had seemed unshakable. "Heigh-ho!" the Butcher cheered once more. Elisabeth let out a little murmur. "You're a strict one, aren't you?" "Oh yes! I may dote on Master Kaito, but even I know when it's time for some tough love!" Hina puffed up her chest with pride. It wasn't good to spoil people, so at times, even love required a strict hand. Elisabeth shook her head as though to admit defeat. At long last, the first genuine smile she'd worn that day spread across her face. Hina loved it dearly when Elisabeth made that expression. She thought it was very becoming. Then Elisabeth whispered to her. "You know, in the interest of avoiding a large hassle, what say weâ€”?" "Keep this all a secret from Master Kaito? Oh, of course." They exchanged a glance, and with that, their girls' promise was official. A moment later, they both broke out into laughter. Another strange "Heigh-ho!" echoed through the air as the carriage rattled beneath the dawn sky. And back at the castle, Hina's favorite person in the whole world was still sleeping soundly. A Message from Someone (5) To begin with. To begin with, to begin with, to begin with. Let's begin with basic premises. What am "I"? To begin with? Even if I asked you, I doubt you would have a good answer. I'm not even sure I do, so there's no good reason for you to. Or wait, do I have it all backward? Do you understand what "I" am better than I do? It's certainly possible. After all, the world is full of stories about "me," every one of them dressed up with pomp and flair. It's as though my own life were a fairy tale. A beautiful myth, adorned with a gorgeous bouquet of lies. How utterly absurd. How completely obnoxious. I don't want to be glorified, I have no desire to be revered or worshipped, and I certainly don't think you should put your faith in me. After all, what good will your prayers do? I have no way to reply and wouldn't have anything to say even if I did. In short, what I'm trying to say is this. Fuck off. Why should you people get to erase the fact that I was myself? Why should I let the sin I shouldered get stolen and painted over with pretty words? But you see, this is where I stop being so sure of myself. Are these thoughts simply the product of madness? Or would someone of sound mind have arrived at them as well? In truth, I don't much care either way. There's just... There's this acute feeling I have in the bottom of my heart. Why was it me? Why wasn't it you? Hina's Daily Routine (Front Side) "So Hina left these diary entries behind before she vanished, huh?" "What even is a 'daily routine'?" It all happened one evening, a short while after the Grand Governor was trounced; Hina and Elisabeth swapped outfits and roles to kill some time, and the group got wrapped up in an incident involving a curse. All the chaos had died down, and life at the castle was peaceful once more. Or so they thought, until a new incident reared its ugly head. Kaito Sena and Elisabeth sat facing each other, their expressions clouded with worry. Sitting them between was a single book with the words Hina's Diary written on its cover. Things had all begun a few hours prior, just after dinner. "Hiiinaaa." "Oi, Hina, where are you?" At the time, Kaito and Elisabeth were both looking for Hina, albeit for different reasons. Kaito's motive was that he needed to confirm the number of spare bottles of wine they had in stock. Elisabeth, on the other hand, just wanted to cajole Hina into making her a midnight snack. However, Kaito couldn't find her in her room, nor could Elisabeth find her in the kitchen. At that point, though, both of them had yet to realize just how serious the situation really was. The two of them each casually wandered about and checked the places they thought she might be. The route she patrolled at the night, the pantries she might be reorganizing, even the spirit-filled reservoir. But no matter where they looked, Hina was nowhere to be found. "Huh? Where'd she go? Hiiinaaa, where aaare you?" "Hmm. Not here, either? Hina, where did you wander off to?" As the two of them called out to her, they bumped into each other. And the moment they did, they realized something. Something had probably happened. That mutual hunch of theirs was soon proven. No matter how long the night waned on, Hina never showed up. They exchanged a glance. Not only could they not find her, but Hina also had automaton-level hearing. The fact that she hadn't come bounding over like a loyal hound the moment Kaito started calling for her was strange in and of itself. They crossed their arms and headed for the throne room. Elisabeth plopped herself down on the throne. After crossing her fair legs up high, she gave her final verdict with a grim expression on her face. "'Twould seem we've no choice but to consider the chance that she's gotten herself wrapped up in some sort of trouble." "Don't tell me a demon broke in..." Kaito's expression froze. There was precedent for that, as Elisabeth's castle had once found itself under attack by the Knight's beast. He didn't want to consider the possibility, but he couldn't deny that it existed. However, Elisabeth shook her head no. "'Tis too early to make assumptions. Remember that curse that befell us the other day? Not every foe that makes its way into this castle is a demon." "Y'know...I really do feel like you should do something about this place's defenses." "'Tis intentional, you fool. I leave the defenses shoddy to lure in demons. I will admit that it's the mark of a third-rate master to expose her servants to undue danger, but...spiriting Hina away without a trace is a task that would daunt even the Grand King, highest ranked of the remaining demons. Even if demons were to attack, I imagine we'd lose you at worst." "I mean, I'd appreciate it if you put a little effort into keeping me alive. Anyway, if this isn't a demon attack, then what is it?" "I haven't the faintest... The worst-case scenario is that she was subjected to some manner of curse or suggestion and left on her own. But if that's the case, then any technique that could control her with such precision would have required some time to take hold. We'll need to examine the actions she took over the past few days." "Yeah... I really hope that isn't what happened, though." "All we can do is believe. At present, we have but one fact we know for certain." Elisabeth rested her chin on her finger. Her crimson eyes gleamed as she made her quiet declaration. "Trouble's fell scent is in the air." And with that, the story wrapped back around to the start. Currently, Kaito and Elisabeth were in Hina's room. The two of them were sitting cross-legged on the floor and going through Hina's diary. After reading the entry from the day prior, Elisabeth snapped the book shut. She crossed her arms with a guilty expression on her face. "Hmm, nothing that particularly strikes me as odd." "So you're the reason the meat keeps going missing at night." "Let's not dwell on that. It's not important right now." "Huh, and when did she have a chance to hear me sleep-talking?" Kaito cocked his head to the side in confusion as he thought back over the passage in question. According to Hina, he had said, "I'm stuffedâ€”I can't eat another bite," but he had no idea when that might have been. Elisabeth blinked. "Hmm? When she was pressing her ear against your bedroom door that morning, as she does every day. When else?" "Wait, hold up." A piece of information he would have been happier not knowing had just been mercilessly added to his brain. Kaito squeezed his temples. Elisabeth tilted her head with a quizzical expression on her face. "Hmm? Oh, did you not know? She presses herself against it so firmly, and you never once complained, so I'd just assumed it was all consensual." "That makes it sound like some sorta weird kink thing! I'm telling you, I had no idea! Eugh..." Kaito looked up at the ceiling in lament. He crossed his arms and sank