[User] "I’ll admit," the guide continued, "there are a lot of unsettling tales about Her Majesty Dorothea. But everyone who meets her only has good to say. She’s charming. You’ll understand once you see her in person." He spoke as if she were a close friend. I assumed he had been granted audience with her before. "You see, I come from a country to the south called Xixi. Back when it was annexed, I participated in protests against the empire. But those protests soon died down when it became apparent that life under Empress Dorothea’s rule was far better than life under the Xixi aristocracy."

[Assistant] "I take it you don’t resent the empire?" Claire delicately asked.

[User] "Of course not. If anything, I’m thankful." The guide smiled at Claire. I didn’t think most people agreed with his point of view, but it still spoke to how much trust the people had in Dorothea. "We’ve about arrived at the castle." We looked in the direction the guide pointed and found ourselves faced with an enormous building.

[Assistant] "That’s…a castle?" Claire voiced the same thoughts I had. It resembled a fortress more than anything. Bauer’s royal palace was regal and imposing, but the imperial castle of Nur was completely utilitarian in design. Clearly, its only apparent function was to resist invaders. Its forbidding facade was perhaps a reflection of the empress who lived within.

[User] "Oh, I forgot to say one thing," The guide came to a halt before turning to face us. "Welcome to the Nur Empire."


[Assistant] In contrast to its spartan exterior, the inside of the castle was well furbished. Not in terms of fancy fixtures or artwork—I saw none of either—but it had evidently been constructed of the highest-quality materials, making it regal in a different way from the royal palace or Bauer Cathedral in the kingdom’s capital. After arriving at the castle, we were seated in a waiting room until we could be granted an audience. Obviously, the entire group of fifty wasn’t going to be allowed to see the empress. Only the representatives—Yu, Misha, Claire, and I—would be permitted. The four of us had changed into formal attire and double-checked our gifts. All that remained was to wait.

[User] "We’re finally going to see the empress. I wonder if she’ll live up to the rumors?" Lady Yu sat snugly on a sofa, which was positioned at the head of the table. With her hair grown out, wearing makeup that Misha had carefully applied, it was hard to believe people had once thought she was a boy. She moved with dainty grace, tilting her head slightly to the side as she mused. She’d always been rather androgynous, but finally being able to live openly and freely as a woman had brought her natural beauty shining forth. "Lady Yu, I trust I needn’t remind you that we are not here for fun?"


[User] “Don’t neglect your duty as a representative of the kingdom.” Misha, wearing a habit and warning Yu for the umpteenth time to take her role seriously, was situated by Yu’s side.

[Assistant] “Me? A representative? Don’t you mean sacrifice?” Yu joked.

[User] “Please don’t say such things. We’re here on legitimate diplomatic business. If anything were to happen to you, hostilities would resume immediately.”

[Assistant] “I know, but I feel like you only care about the politics. Aren’t you at all worried about me?”

[User] “Please consider the time and place before making such remarks, Lady Yu.”

[Assistant] “So cold.” Yu shrugged at Misha’s curt reply.

[User] Get a room, you two, I thought. Yu turned to us.

[Assistant] “Anyhow, it’s been a while since we last met, Rae and Claire. How have May and Aleah been?”

[User] “They’ve been well. Thank you for your help last time.” Claire bowed her head.

[Assistant] “Not at all. I’m sorry we couldn’t be of more help. How’s their curse been?”

[User] “We’ve tried many things, but to no avail.” I replied, to which Yu knit her brows.

[Assistant] “What manner of curse is this? Most curses would be dispelled with half a year’s worth of moonlight.”

[User] “I don’t know, but we must find a way to dispel it. I don’t want those girls to suffer any more than they already have.” Claire’s expression was grim but determined.

[Assistant] Of course, I felt the same way.

[User] “Misha’s doing her best to find some information that can help. She’s been poring through the old tomes stored in the church archives.”

[Assistant] “Thank you for all your help, Misha.”

[User] “Not at all. I’m sorry I can’t do more.”

[Assistant] “We’ll let you know if we find anything once we’re allowed to review the specific use history of the Tears of the Moon.”

[User] “Please do.” Claire bowed.

[Assistant] I followed suit.

[User] “Still, I’m surprised how much you two have changed.


[User] "It feels like just yesterday you two were bickering with each other at the Academy, and now you’re together with kids.” Yu giggled as Claire blushed beet red.

[Assistant] “There’s no one more surprised than me, you know?” Claire sighed.

[User] “I feel like I haven’t had a moment’s rest since I met this girl.”

[Assistant] “Do you hate it?” Yu asked teasingly.

[User] “Th-that’s, well…” Claire wavered.

[Assistant] “Lucky you, Rae. Your efforts paid off.”

[User] “It’s an honor! I’m the luckiest girl in the world!” I proudly declared.

[Assistant] “Rae!” Claire stepped on my foot. It hurt, but pain was a reward in itself when you were in as deep as me. Claire sighed heavily.

[User] “We both have it rough, don’t we, Misha?”

[Assistant] “We do indeed, Miss Claire.”

[User] Backtracking a bit: “How much do you two know about the empress?”

[Assistant] “I only know the bare minimum,” answered Claire.

[User] “I’ve only heard that she’s a dictator, but also a strong, fair, charismatic leader,” I said.

[Assistant] “I see. That’s about all I know, too. The problem is that everyone who meets her says the same thing. ‘She’s charming,’ ad infinitum.”

[User] “I have a feeling there’s some magic at work.” Yu continued.

[Assistant] Claire frowned. “You’re suggesting she maintains her rule through mind control?”

[User] “It’s not improbable. This is the same woman who usurped the throne at the age of seven. Even if we assume she was an early bloomer, there’s no way she could secure that many supporters at so young an age.”

[Assistant] “H-hold on, aren’t we in for it, then?” I said.

[User] “If you’re right, we’ll be brainwashed as soon as we meet her. And if they control all four of us, they’ll control the entire exchange student group.”

[Assistant] “Ah…” Claire’s eyes widened in understanding.

[User] “Indeed,” said Yu.

[Assistant] “That’s why I brought this. Misha?”

[User] “Yes.” Misha extended her right hand. Her palm cradled a small ring.

[Assistant] “What is this?” Claire asked.

[User] “The Tears of the Moon,” Yu replied.

[Assistant] “What? !” Claire stared, astonished.

[User] “But…the relic used on May and Aleah was quite a bit larger…”

[Assistant] “That’s a decoy. This small ring is the real deal.”

[User] “Then…the reason May and Aleah weren’t cured was because—”

[Assistant] “The church didn’t trick us, Claire,” I cut in to pacify her; she’d begun eyeing Yu and Misha with distrust.

[User] “So you noticed, Rae?” Yu asked.

[Assistant] “Yes."


[User] "I saw the real ring on your finger when the decoy was brought out."

[Assistant] "I take it you don’t want us to ask how you know the true form of the Tears of the Moon?"

[User] "That would be nice."

[Assistant] "Very well, then." Yu smiled bitterly. She was likely dying to know.

[User] "Moving along—this ring can keep at least one of us from being brainwashed. I think our strongest fighter, Rae, should wear it."

[Assistant] "I’m fine with that, but are you sure you want to put your faith in me?"

[User] "I know very well what kind of person you are. Just don’t tell the church or the kingdom. They wanted me to wear it." Yu gave Rae a wink.

[Assistant] "Misha, aren’t you going to stop her?"

[User] "Considering my position, I should. But I think Lady Yu is right this time. In terms of raw combat strength, Miss Claire would also be a wise choice, but she can’t use water magic to potentially dispel mind control effects. You’re our best option." Misha said with a sigh.

[Assistant] There was a knock at the door.

[User] "Thank you for waiting. Her Majesty Dorothea is ready to see you."

[Assistant] It was time. Yu stood.

[User] "Now then, shall we go meet Her Majesty?"


[Assistant] A woman with long hair of deep crimson and eyes red as flame sat silently atop her throne. Her body was clad in pitch-black armor, draped in an equally black mantle. By her hip hung two swords. Her elbows listlessly rested on her armrests as her idle gaze trained on us.

[User] "You have done well to come all this way. I am Dorothea, the Empress of Nur." A surprisingly deep alto rang out. Her husky voice and masculine manner of speech were still simultaneously, unmistakably those of a woman. It was a voice of profound and regal power; one that compelled you to unconditionally obey.

[Assistant] "It is an honor to meet you. I am the representative of Bauer Kingdom’s exchange student group, Yu Bauer. Thank you f-"

[User] "Enough. I have no interest in greetings smothered in meaningless diplomatic courtesy." Dorothea looked annoyed as she cut off Yu, someone who always kept her true feelings hidden behind many veils.

[Assistant] Yu faltered, taken by surprise.

[User] "You’ve seen the Imperial Capital. Give me your thoughts." Dorothea continued, undaunted.

[Assistant] "The capital is marvelous. Its people are spirited, and-"

[User] "I have no use for your empty flattery. That’s twice I’ve had to warn you, Yu Bauer. I won’t forgive you for wasting my time again." Dorothea rested her head on one hand as her other hand tapped her armrest in irritation.

[Assistant] "I’m getting nowhere with you. You, Rae Taylor, answer instead."

[User] "Huh?"

[Assistant] "Don’t dally. I asked for your impression of the capital."

[User] I was dumbstruck.

[Assistant] "I don’t have much to say about the capital when we only just got here, Your Majesty." I couldn’t just say nothing, so I simply said what was truly on my mind.


[User] "If you’re really going to squeeze me for an answer, then I guess ‘lively’ sounds about right?”

[Assistant] "Rae!” Claire scolded, even though I was tailoring my tone based on my knowledge of Dorothea’s personality from Revo-Lily.

[User] “Do you mean to say my city was not enough to impress you?”

[Assistant] “It wasn’t too different from the Bauer Kingdom.”

[User] “What of the myriad races my people represent? Surely that can’t be found in your kingdom.”

[Assistant] “Oh, yeah. That was a little impressive. Like, ‘Oh, wowzers, it’s really a meritocracy,’ you know?”

[User] Claire stared at me, mouth agape. I was speaking to the monarch of a massive empire with an unimaginable degree of rudeness. But I had a feeling this was the correct way to proceed.

[Assistant] “Hmm…I see. So my empire was not enough to impress you. The Bauer Kingdom must be a more noteworthy nation than I first thought.”

[User] “Oh, but I was impressed by how much the citizens adored Your Majesty. I figured they’d fear you.”

[Assistant] “There is logic to ruling through fear, but it can’t compare to adoration and respect. And I’m a devout believer in rationality.”

[User] “You don’t say? I think it’s a pretty good way of going about things. By the way, can Your Majesty use mind control magic?”

[Assistant] “Rae? !”

[User] “Wha—Rae!” This time, it was Yu and Misha’s turn to be appalled. Maybe that was a little too direct? I thought as I waited for Dorothea’s answer.

[Assistant] “Pfft… Ha ha…” Dorothea’s shoulders trembled as she hung her head.

[User] “Ha ha ha ha! You seem to have full knowledge of my nature, Rae Taylor! You’re as mysterious as they say.”

[Assistant] “Sure.”

[User] “Brainwashing, you said? Did you bring that trinket from your house of worship because you suspected such a thing?” Dorothea scoffed.

[Assistant] Yu’s eyes went wide in shock. Dorothea knew. And about the true form of the Tears of the Moon at that! Yu quickly lowered her head.

[User] “Forgive our rudeness… We…”

[Assistant] “Enough. Your actions are logically sound. Well then, I sit before you now. Do you feel some sort of artificial adoration for me?”

[User] “No, not particularly. What about you, Miss Claire? Are you head over heels for Her Majesty yet?”

[Assistant] “Rae!”

[User] “It’s fine. Speak your mind, Claire François. You’re Rae’s lover, are you not? Do you find yourself mesmerized by me?” Dorothea seemed to be enjoying herself now. So she even knew about our relationship?

[Assistant] “I think Her Majesty is a very interesting person, but I feel no artificial attraction toward you.”

[User] “Of course not. Miss Claire is smitten with me, after all,”

[Assistant] “Rae!”

[User] “Ha ha ha ha! I see, I see! So I’m not even a threat? I find that slightly vexing.” Dorothea stood up and walked toward us, her mantle billowing, before stopping in front of Claire and me. Her intensity from up close was searing. She was beautiful. I’d heard she was in her late thirties, but she didn’t look a day older than her mid-twenties.


[User] “You two were doubtlessly the heart of the Bauer revolution.” Dorothea smiled confidently.

[Assistant] “Not at all, Your Majesty,” Claire replied. “The revolution was brought about through the power of the people. Rae and I played a very small role.”

[User] “I don’t need your modesty. I regard you two quite highly. You managed to crush the plan I spent years preparing.”

[Assistant] Wait—had she just openly admitted she’d been plotting against the Bauer Kingdom? Here, on our first step toward peace?

[User] “Won’t you two be mine?”

[Assistant] “Huh…?”

[User] “Don’t make me repeat myself. Come serve me as my subjects. You’ve proven your capabilities. I can assure you you’ll be well compensated. How about it?”

[Assistant] Claire looked bewildered, and understandably so. We’d come here on a formal diplomatic mission, and now suddenly, we were being headhunted? “Do you jest?”

[User] “Claire’s already spoken for, so I’d appreciate it if you didn’t try to woo her,” I stated.

[Assistant] “R-Rae!”

[User] “Ha ha ha! The rumors were true—you really do like to play the fool, Rae Taylor. I’ll allow your transgressions to slide, so long as you continue to entertain me.”

[Assistant] “I didn’t come here for Your Majesty’s entertainment,” I said, which prompted Dorothea to clap.

[User] “Oh! That’s right. This meeting was part of the plan to placate the Bauer Kingdom.”

[Assistant] “Your true thoughts are leaking through. This meeting was to formally greet the exchange students, Your Majesty.”

[User] “Oh, I do remember something like that. Forgive me, I don’t see any merit in remembering such dull falsehoods.”

[Assistant] Was it really okay for the empress to say such things?

[User] “Your Majesty!” A man beside the throne who looked like an advisor was growing panicked.

[Assistant] “Silence, old man. I’ll entertain your grumblings later.”

[User] The advisor, who looked older than Dole, held his tongue. I felt for him, having to advise an empress like this.

[Assistant] “Well, this should be good enough for greetings. Do you have any further business?”

[User] Yu returned to formalities. “We’ve come bearing gifts from our kingdom. Please accept them.”

[Assistant] Dorothea waved her hand disinterestedly. “Just leave those wherever. I’ll send something suitable to your country in return. Anything else?”

[User] “That’ll be—”

[Assistant] “May I ask something?” Claire abruptly cut Yu off. “Does Her Majesty have no intention of ceasing her invasion of other countries?”

[User] “Claire? !” Yu said, alarmed.

[Assistant] Even I, who never really felt perturbed, was a little taken aback by the frankness of Claire’s question.

[User] “Hmph… You’re bold to ask such a thing, Claire François.”

[Assistant] “I apologize for my rudeness. May I have your answer?”

[User] I was certain we had crossed the line, but the empress just stood there, thinking.

[Assistant] “Invasion… I suppose that’s how it must seem to your people.”

[User] “Are we wrong?”

[Assistant] “No, not at all. No matter my true intent, from your perspective, it is but invasion. I think that logical.”

[User] “Then what is your true intent?”

[Assistant] “I cannot tell you that yet. Unless you’d be willing to serve me.”

[User] “Then it seems we have nothing further to discuss.”

[Assistant] “I see.


[User] "That’s too bad.” Dorothea looked somewhat dejected. She was acting…right?

[Assistant] “Any further business?”

[User] “That’ll be all from us.” This time, nobody interrupted her.

[Assistant] “Very well. Enjoy your stay in my empire. You may leave.” And so our first audience with Dorothea came to an end.


[User] "So that was Empress Dorothea. She’s a tyrant, all right,” Yu reflected as Misha helped her change. We were currently inside a dormitory assigned to the Bauer exchange students. Well, I say dormitory, but it was actually an inn that had been remodeled to accommodate us. Each room was bigger than those in the Royal Academy’s dorms, a show of the empire’s wealth. The four of us had gathered in the lounge after our audience with Dorothea. We wanted to reflect on what happened as we shed our formal outer layers.

[Assistant] “I didn’t expect her to entirely eschew diplomatic courtesy.”

[User] “That’s probably what seems logical to her. She’s the worst kind of opponent for someone like me, who uses words as weapons.” Yu sighed as Misha removed her coat. Dorothea had largely ignored her even as we left.

[Assistant] “Rae is a better match for Dorothea. I’ll let you handle things next time we meet.”

[User] “Don’t say that, Yu. Rae was only able to act without restraint because you showed the bare minimum of required formalities.” Misha was trying to cheer her up. They really were a good match.

[Assistant] “Miss Claire, cheer me up, too!”

[User] “Why? You seem chipper enough to me.” Claire curtly denied my request, much to my dismay.

[Assistant] “Let’s hear everyone’s impression of Dorothea, starting with Misha.”

[User] Misha fell into thought for a moment. “She seemed to act without consideration of others. But…perhaps that’s more a quality of a ruler in itself.”

[Assistant] “What do you mean?”

[User] “She doesn’t seem the type of person to let herself be swayed by those beneath her. That kind of single-minded focus might be necessary to unite people in pursuit of your goals.” Misha seemed to think Dorothea was the polar opposite of a less strident leader like the late King l’Ausseil or Thane.

[Assistant] “I see. She doesn’t have to weigh the opinions of her retainers, which would otherwise force her to perform an impossible juggling act. She can act without hesitation.”

[User] “That’s it,” Misha affirmed. “She’s a tyrant, no doubt. But she isn’t conceited, and she doesn’t ignore the needs of her people. Misha’s right—that’s leadership in its own way. What do you think, Claire?”

[Assistant] Claire frowned. “I don’t think I can ever see eye to eye with her.”

[User] “Why is that?”

[Assistant] “Our values are too different. I don’t see any respect in the way Dorothea treats others, and I simply don’t like those who so thoroughly disregard decorum.” I thought back to when Claire had taught May and Aleah the basics of etiquette. “To be without etiquette is to be unclothed,” she’d said. Claire valued the traditions of the bygone noble world.


[User] “But I do understand why one might say she’s charismatic. She seems the type of person people want to follow, the type to never lose sight of her goal.”

[Assistant] “Yeah. To tell the truth, as someone who lacks that strength of purpose, I can’t help but admire people like her. Of my siblings, I’d say she’s most like my brother Rod."

[User] “How about you, Rae?”

[Assistant] “I think…she’s childish.”

[User] “Hmm?” Yu looked confused.

[Assistant] “She does whatever she wants and doesn’t listen to what other people say, but despite that, she still needs other people to help her. She’s basically a child.”

[User] “I…hadn’t considered that.” Yu smiled as she nodded, realizing the truth of my words.

[Assistant] “Well, even if she is a little eccentric, she’s still the ruler of this empire. She’s clearly incomparable to a normal child. Just like my children.”

[User] “Is that parental bias I hear?” Yu said teasingly.

[Assistant] “Seems there was no mind control involved in the end either.”

[User] “Yes. It was just her natural charisma at work. That charisma wasn’t enough to win over Rae, though.” Yu fiddled with the box containing the Tears of the Moon. “I guess we brought this ring with us for nothing.”

[Assistant] “No, this is still an enemy country. You never know when we might need it.”

[User] “Anyway, good work, everyone. We’ll be starting at the Imperial Academy tomorrow, so make sure to rest well tonight.” Yu’s words signaled the end of our meeting.

[Assistant] “Are you feeling tired, Miss Claire?” I worriedly asked as we walked back to our room.

[User] “I’m all right. Thank you.”

[Assistant] “Are you sure? You’re not just putting on a brave front?”

[User] “And what would that do for me? I’m fine, really. More importantly, I wonder if our luggage has been delivered to our room yet.”

[Assistant] “It should have been."


[User] "I hope May and Aleah haven’t been up to any mischief.” Rae opened the door to a wide room. Our luggage was there, but Rae saw no sign of the girls. The four of us were to lodge together—Yu had considerately traded rooms with us so we could have the largest one. It wasn’t the same as our beloved home in the kingdom, but for now, it would have to do.

[Assistant] "May? Aleah?”

[User] “Mama!”

[Assistant] “We’re here!”

[User] I called for the twins and immediately saw two small figures run toward us from the back of the room and straight into Claire’s arms.

[Assistant] “Boom!”

[User] “Welcome back!”

[Assistant] “Thank you, May, Aleah. Were you two good girls?”

[User] “Uh-huh!”

[Assistant] “Yes, Mother!”

[User] We had kept them waiting alone for quite a long time, but the twins didn’t seem particularly put off. Come to think of it, back in Bauer, Claire and I had had to leave them home alone a lot. Maybe this wasn’t out of the ordinary for them.

[Assistant] “Shall we eat, then? Rae, could you prepare something for us?”

[User] “Leave it to me.” That overly formal, pain-in-the-neck audience with the empress was finally done. Claire, and even the children for that matter, had to be tired. I’ll whip up something special, Rae thought as I headed to the attached kitchenette.


[Assistant] “Y-you’d dare oppose the empire? !”

[User] “Oh, dear, whatever are you saying? Are we not both merely students? Your name wouldn’t happen to be ‘Empire’ now, would it?” Claire asked—a bold provocation. She smirked wickedly, the very image of a villainess. The man she spoke to seemed at a loss for words. This clash unfolded at the educational institute run by the empire, the Imperial Academy.

[Assistant] Behind Claire, who stood with her arms folded, a small girl trembled on the ground—Philine.

[User] “U-um…”

[Assistant] “It’s okay. Let Miss Claire handle this,” I whispered into Philine’s ear as I took her hand and helped her stand. She seemed confused but nodded for the time being.

[User] “Do you know who I am? !”

[Assistant] “I beg your pardon, but I’ve only just transferred here today. I haven’t the slightest idea.”

[User] “You…you won’t get away with this!” The man stammered words befitting a henchman as he glared daggers at us.


[User] "Class dismissed." The teacher left the classroom.

[Assistant] Who in the world could possibly keep up with these classes?! the transfer students unanimously thought.

[User] At that point, a crowd formed around us. The teacher was cold, but the students didn’t seem much different from Bauer’s.

[Assistant] “Hey, hey, you guys are from the Bauer Kingdom, right?"

[User] “Is it true you had a revolution?”

[Assistant] “What are your names?”

[User] “Please, allow us to introduce ourselves."

[Assistant] “My name is Claire François. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance.” Claire introduced herself first.

[User] The moment she said her name, the entire classroom stirred.

[Assistant] “Aren’t you the hero of the revolution? !”

[User] “Is it true you outsmarted and beat a thousand royal soldiers? !”

[Assistant] It seemed Claire’s fame had reached the empire, although the tale had clearly grown in the telling.

[User] “I’m not that remarkable. The power of the people brought revolution.”

[Assistant] “But you’re, like, super strong, right?”

[User] “Not even I could defeat a thousand people. That part is exaggeration.”

[Assistant] “Hey, hey, who’s stronger, you or Her Majesty Dorothea?”

[User] Yet she turned to me.

[Assistant] “How about we finish our introductions first? Rae?”

[User] Rae stood from my chair at Claire’s prompt. “My name is Rae Taylor, and I’m Miss Claire’s wife. Don’t try to take her from me or I’ll bite.” Rae bared my teeth and growled a bit.

[Assistant] “Wha—Rae? !” Claire became flustered.

[User] Sorry, Miss Claire. I have to do this to make sure everyone knows who belongs to whom!

[Assistant] “Huh? Is she with Claire?”

[User] “She called her Miss Claire, though.”

[Assistant] “Ooh, Rae’s pretty funny!”

[User] “N-next, then. Lana?”

[Assistant] “Heeey! Name’s Lana Lahna! I’m a wicked girl trying to snatch Miss Rae from Miss Claire. Nice to meet you!” Lana stood and winked.

[User] “Huh? A love triangle?”

[Assistant] “Oh, man, that’s gonna be a bloodbath…”

[User] “Just like Soap Opera.”

[Assistant] “Um, did you say ‘soap opera’?”

[User] “Yeah, you know, the novel series, Soap and Opera? It’s a masterpiece about messy relationships. I’ll lend it to you sometime.”

[Assistant] “Huh? Um, yeah. Thank you.”

[User] So misleading!

[Assistant] “All right, next. Eve?”

[User] “My name’s Eve Nuhn. Nice to meet you.” Eve introduced herself in her trademark blunt way.

[Assistant] “This time it’s a harsh, cold girl!”

[User] “Hey, hey, want some candy?”

[Assistant] “Please step on me, Mommy.”

[User] Eve’s introduction was also well received. Actually, were my ears playing tricks on me, or had there been something weird in the mix just there?

[Assistant] “Lastly, Joel?”

[User] “I’m Joel Santana. I’m confident in my physical strength."


[User] "Nice to meet you.” Joel gave a passable introduction, although I thought it could be a little warmer.

[Assistant] “And now we have a level-headed cool guy.”

[User] “That bluntness ain’t bad.”

[Assistant] “Please step on me, Daddy.” Joel’s introduction was also well received. But also, come on, there was definitely one weirdo in this class. Regardless, the students seemed welcoming enough. I’d been prepared for them to be more guarded, even for them to give us the cold shoulder, but they received us strangers amicably enough—perhaps because Nur prided itself in its diversity. As long as we put in the effort to get along, they would do the same.

[User] “How about we introduce ourselves, too?”

[Assistant] “I’m Johann!”

[User] “Wha—hey, I was going first!” The students clamored as they introduced themselves one by one. I noticed that one person among them remained silent.

[Assistant] “Hey, Philine, it’s your turn!”

[User] “Ah, y-yes…” Claire glanced at me upon hearing Philine’s name. I nodded back. “M-my name is Ph-Philine. N-nice to meet you…” I couldn’t help thinking Philine looked like a small, timid animal as she shyly introduced herself. She sat down immediately afterward and hid her face behind a book.

[Assistant] “Philine’s actually Her Majesty Dorothea’s daughter—can you believe it? They’re nothing alike.”

[User] “Is that so,”

[Assistant] No doubt about it, Philine was the girl we were after. I needed to think of how to engage her—

[User] “Shut up!” A loud voice surprised us. I looked toward its source to see a rough-looking boy with his feet on his desk. “You guys are too noisy…”

[Assistant] “O-Otto…so you were here. Why don’t you introduce your—”

[User] “And why the heck do I gotta do that?”

[Assistant] “N-never mind, then…” The classroom fell silent. It seemed Otto was something of a problem child.

[User] “Hey, that ringlet blonde and the rest are all enemies of the empire, right? Why the heck are you getting all chummy with them?” Otto’s chair creaked as he got up and lumbered toward us. A tall boy, nearly six feet already, he also sported impressive musculature. He was basically a walking boulder.

[Assistant] “Otto, was it? I’m Claire François. Pleased to meet you.”

[User] “Don’t even try. I bet you’re just some sheltered rich lady like Philine over there.” Otto drew close to Claire, looking down on her from above. I itched to blast him with my magic, but Claire signaled me not to with her eyes.

[Assistant] “Me, a sheltered rich lady? Well, you’re not entirely wrong.”

[User] “Heh, I knew it.”

[Assistant] “But I’d rather be a sheltered rich lady than a boy so poor in the head.”

[User] Otto looked shocked for a moment before he fumed. “You tryin’ to get killed? !”

[Assistant] “Oh, my, you really are in want of a brain. Don’t you understand you’ll cause a diplomatic incident if you lay a hand on me?”

[User] “Like I care!” Otto swung his arm at Claire, but she nimbly evaded it while hooking his foot with hers, sending him to the ground.


[User] "Y-you!"

[Assistant] "Oh, dear, I beg your pardon."

[User] "You’re dead meat!" Enraged, Otto swung repeatedly at Claire, but—

[Assistant] "Haah…haah…I’ll…kill…" Each swing missed without so much as grazing her. A few seconds in and the result couldn’t be clearer. Otto had lost.

[User] "Is that it?" Claire asked, brushing off her shoulders. "I suppose you make a poor delinquent, too."

[Assistant] Otto seemed to be trying to deploy some sort of martial art against Claire, but he was completely out of her league. Claire had trained in the art of self-defense from a young age, and she had real combat experience from the events leading up to the revolution.

[User] "Ugh… Fine, I’ll use this!" Otto reached into his breast pocket and pulled out a long cylindrical object. A magic wand!

[Assistant] "Miss Claire, look out—" I lurched forward but was beaten to the punch.

[User] "Stop!" A figure stepped in front of Claire and shielded her. Philine.

[Assistant] "Huh?! What are ya doin’? Get outta the way, Philine!"

[User] "Using magic is going too far!"

[Assistant] "I said get outta the way!"

[User] "Eek!" Otto shoved Philine aside. I saw his lips move for a moment but couldn’t hear what he said.

[Assistant] Claire walked in front of Philine, who had fallen on her bottom, and shielded her.

[User] "Magic? Sure, why not. Give it a shot, see what happens." Claire goaded.

[Assistant] "D-don’t you look down on me…" That about brings us up to the present.

[User] "Eat this!" Otto waved his magic wand, and flame arrows burst forth from the tip toward Claire.

[Assistant] Claire lunged straight at them.

[User] "Look out!" Philine’s shriek echoed throughout the room. But Claire quickly cast flame arrows of her own to extinguish Otto’s before running forward and kicking him in the chest.

[Assistant] "Guh!"

[User] "Now then, time for your punishment." Claire smiled down on the collapsed Otto.

[Assistant] Ah, she’s furious, I thought. She’s smiling, but she’s absolutely furious. Pushing Philine aside had been the last straw.

[User] "W-wait! Y-you’ll cause an international incident, remember?!"

[Assistant] "No, I won’t. This is just a quarrel between students. Isn’t that right, everyone?" Claire smiled gracefully as she cracked her knuckles. Nobody dared say anything. Go get ’em, tiger! I thought.

[User] "B-but you said so yourself!"

[Assistant] "Obviously a bluff. You really are a boy of little brain." Claire drew her own magic wand and touched its tip to Otto’s forehead.

[User] She’d said she was bluffing, but no matter how you looked at it, this was the real bluff. Killing someone would definitely have repercussions, even if both victim and aggressor were “just” students.

[Assistant] "Incidentally, I’m not just any sheltered rich lady. I’m a sheltered rich lady with high aptitude in fire magic. Would you like a demonstration?"

[User] "W-wait, d-don’t!" Otto trembled in fear as he pleaded.

[Assistant] "St-stop!" Philine grabbed Claire’s arm right before she could wave her wand.

[User] "What is it?"

[Assistant] "I-Isn’t this far enough?"

[User] "Is it? Don’t you bear him a grudge?"

[Assistant] "Otto is…violent sometimes, but deep down, he’s a good person.


[User] "He just happened to be in a foul mood today…" Philine earnestly pleaded with Claire. Tears welled in her eyes, undoubtedly from fear.

[Assistant] Myself, I loved seeing Claire blow a gasket, but I could understand why someone else might think it frightening. Even the other Nur students had backed away.

[User] "Very well. I’ll respect your wishes and yield. Let’s end our self-introductions here. I bid you all a good day." Leaving those words behind, Claire took her bag and left the classroom.

[Assistant] "Damn it…" Otto growled.

[User] "O-Otto, wait, let me heal you…"

[Assistant] "Leave me alone!" Otto shook Philine off as she tried to cast healing magic on him and stormed out of the classroom. It seemed the brawl had come to an end.

[User] "H-hey, Miss Rae? Was Miss Claire always that scary?" Lana asked.

[Assistant] "Huh? Scary how?"

[User] "Whaddya mean, ‘how’?" Lana looked at a loss.

[Assistant] Hmph. Personally, I considered getting to see Claire’s fury a rare treat. "Miss Claire can be scary when angry, sure, but she’s usually pretty nice. If anything, she’s absolutely charming."

[User] "Charming?"

[Assistant] "Yes. Observe." I pointed toward the entrance of the classroom.

[User] As if on cue, Claire reappeared, looking visibly flustered. "I-Is something the matter, Claire?"

[Assistant] "Um, did Otto do something again?" The Nur students asked gingerly—they couldn’t imagine what else would have brought her back to the classroom.

[User] "...I seem to have forgotten we still have classes left."

[Assistant] How embarrassing. Oh, how I adored her.


[User] Things settled down after that hectic first day, and our life at the Imperial Academy began in earnest. Classes remained fast-paced and difficult, but Claire, with her natural smarts, and I, with my knowledge of the original game, managed to keep up. The same couldn’t be said for the other transfer students, though. The Imperial Academy wasn’t a boarding school like the Royal Academy. Students commuted from their own homes or, if they hailed from a different country, lived in lodging paid for by the empire. Roll call began at nine in the morning, meaning we had more time to get ready than at the Royal Academy. At least, that was the case for most students.

[Assistant] "May, Aleah! Hurry up and get changed. It’s time for elementary school."

[User] "They have music class today, Miss Claire. Here, take this instrument."

[Assistant] "I’m still hungry, Mama…"

[User] "I’m sleepy…"

[Assistant] Every morning, we fought to get the kids ready for school. We had to make breakfast, brush their teeth, get them changed, and see them off, leaving barely any time to eat breakfast ourselves. This led to us cutting attendance close every morning, usually arriving between eight-thirty and nine on the dot. Our other classmates were almost always all seated whenever we arrived.

[User] "Oh my gosh, Miss Rae’s sooo slow. Miss Claire, too."

[Assistant] "Morning, Lana."

[User] "Good morning, Lana. But you don’t need to add Miss to our names anymore—we’re your classmates now, not your teachers."

[Assistant] "That’s right. We’re not that far apart in age either."


[User] "Aww." Lana looked displeased. "But I, like, totally respect you two, so I’m gonna keep at it, ’kay?”

[Assistant] Claire looks at Lana.

[User] "Suit yourself…" I said. Something about her words struck me as odd, but I decided it wasn’t worth following up on. "Morning, Eve."

[Assistant] "Good morning." Eve returned my greeting but immediately averted her eyes. It seemed she still wasn’t a fan of mine.

[User] "Excuse me, Eve?" Claire chided, ever the stickler for etiquette. "I won’t tell you to respect us as much as Lana does, but you should at least show some manners.”

[Assistant] "Sorry," Eve said, but she didn’t look apologetic in the slightest.

[User] "It’s fine, Miss Claire," I said. “Eve and I just have something of a misunderstanding between us.”

[Assistant] "Is that so?"

[User] "Do you have time to talk right now, Eve? I think we got off on the wrong foot somehow.” I’d never had the chance to clear things up back in the kingdom. Maybe now was a good time.

[Assistant] "There’s no misunderstanding here," Eve curtly declared before turning her head away. Negotiations had already broken down. This girl’s so stubborn! She could hate me all she liked, but I still wanted to correct the misunderstanding. Was there a way I could force her to talk to me?

[User] "Morning," a voice listlessly greeted us.

[Assistant] "Oh, Joel. Good morning." For a tough-looking guy, he was pretty friendly. He’d stopped addressing Claire and I as formally as he had when we were his teachers, which was just how we wanted it.

[User] "Mornings must be busy for you two, with your kids and all," Lana said.

[Assistant] "I suppose it is, but that also means there’s never a dull moment," I replied.

[User] "Wow, I don’t think I could handle that." Children weren’t for everybody.


[Assistant] "Let’s see… Otto, could you answer this question?" The teacher asked.

[User] "Huh? Make someone else do it."

[Assistant] "Do you want your evaluation to suffer?"

[User] Otto mumbled something under his breath before standing up and walking toward the blackboard. He took a glance at the math problem before effortlessly writing out the answer. "Done. You happy?"

[Assistant] "Very good. You have a good head on your shoulders, Otto. You just need to work on your attitude a bit."

[User] "Oh, lay off." Otto walked back to his seat with his hands in his pockets. Despite being a problem student, he was by no means dumb. His attitude remained terrible, but he listened in class and always answered the questions correctly. I’d had a bad impression of him because of the first day, but he seemed to be a truly gifted student.


[User] Morning classes tended to end around noon. The characters are at the academy. The academy had a cafeteria, but it wasn’t too popular; most students brought their own lunch instead. Rea and Claire brought their own lunches. Rea also made lunches for May and Aleah.

[Assistant] "Lady Philine, may we join you for lunch?"

[User] "Oh, um…" Philine was something of a loner and usually ate lunch by herself, which was perfect for us. Unfortunately…

[Assistant] "I-I, um… Excuse me!" Frightened, Philine ran away—leaving her lunch box behind.

[User] "I know you said she was shy, but this shy?"

[Assistant] "Hmm… She’s worse than I remember."

[User] "You think it’s because of what happened on the first day?"

[Assistant] "Come again?"

[User] "You know, your fight with Otto."

[Assistant] "Oh… But I helped Philine then, so it couldn’t be that." Claire frowned. "I’m sure she knows that, but you were so dazzling—er, I mean—frightening then."

[User] "Shouldn’t you be correcting that the other way around?"

[Assistant] "But, supposing you’re correct, isn’t that a problem? That will make it harder to get close to her."

[User] "Yeah. Well, nothing we can do about it now. We’ll just have to take our time wooing Philine."

[Assistant] "Like I said, please stop using ‘wooing’ in that way…"


[User] The chapter skips to nighttime as Rea speaks to Claire after having picked up May and Aleah at the elementary school. After two more hour-and-a-half classes, putting them at four o’clock, they finished with classes for the day and went to pick up May and Aleah at the elementary school. The characters are at the Bauer student dorm before beginning to cook dinner. They spent the rest of their evening the same way they did back in Bauer: playing, bathing, and then finally going to bed.

[Assistant] "We’ve grown accustomed to life in the empire."

[User] "Yes, but we haven’t made much progress with Philine."

[Assistant] "Baby steps. Hey, Miss Claire?"

[User] "Yes?" Claire sensed Claire turning to face, even with the bedroom light extinguished.

[Assistant] "It’s been a while… Can we…?"

[User] "Oh, jeez… What am I going to do with you… Come here, Rae."


[Assistant] *** Rea was eating lunch alone for a change when someone approached.

[User] "Excuse me… Would you mind if I joined you for lunch?"


[User] To my surprise, I raised my head to find a trembling Philine.

[Assistant] “Not at all—please do.”

[User] “Thank you.” Philine took the next desk and pushed it up against mine before bringing out her lunch box. It was jam-packed with various ingredients, likely prepared by a palace chef. “Your lunch looks wonderful, Lady Philine.”

[Assistant] “Huh…? O-oh, really? Um… Thank you…?” Philine looked bewildered, like she wasn’t used to conversing with others.

[User] “Those meatballs look nice. Can I have one?”

[Assistant] “Uh, yes… It’s really nothing special, but here…”

[User] “Thank you very much.” I took a quail-egg-sized meatball from Philine’s lunch and gave it a taste. Ah, not great. It seemed the empire’s cuisine wasn’t up to snuff. But that wasn’t my problem. “Delicious!”

[Assistant] “Really? Th-that’s good.”

[User] “Then how about as thanks, I answer any one question you have?”

[Assistant] “Huh…?” Philine’s mouth went wide, like I had just read her mind. “I’m assuming there’s something you want to ask, since you made the effort to come eat with me.”

[User] “Um, well, that’s…yes.” Philine was flustered. She wore a look of shame, like she had been caught stealing cookies from a jar. “I want you to teach me about Claire.”

[Assistant] “Oh?” Claire was currently in the neighboring classroom with Lene. She dearly wanted to rekindle their bond, but Lene had her own diplomatic duties as a representative of the Alpes to consider. Their schedules had just so happened to align today, so they were taking the chance to catch up without being disturbed. “I’ll answer what I can, but wouldn’t it be better to ask her directly?”

[User] “Um, Claire is…still too scary for me…” Ah, figured. Seemed I was right.

[Assistant] “What do you want to know?”

[User] “Um, well, I was wondering what led Claire to start a revolution,” Philine nervously asked. Just as I predicted—despite her fear of Claire, Philine was interested enough in the revolution to bite.

[Assistant] “Oh, that? That’s actually a misunderstanding. The one who started the revolution wasn’t Miss Claire.”

[User] “Huh? Then why is she called ‘the hero of the revolution’?”

[Assistant] “Miss Claire played an important role in the revolution, but make no mistake—the ones who started the revolution were the people of Bauer Kingdom.”

[User] “O-oh, okay…” Philine looked conflicted. “Then let me rephrase the question. Why did Miss Claire support the revolution? Wasn’t she part of the establishment, and a high-ranking noble, no less?”

[Assistant] “That’s a difficult question to answer, but to put it simply, it’s precisely because she was a noble.”

[User] “I’m afraid I don’t understand.” Philine tilted her head. Mmm… Cute.

[Assistant] “Miss Claire didn’t support the revolution from the start.


[User] "In fact, she initially rejected the very notion of it.”

[Assistant] “Why did she change her mind?”

[User] “A certain incident led her to question the system where nobles lorded it over commoners.” I began telling her about the ghost ship incident that had occurred on our visit to Euclid, my hometown, going into detail about my childhood friend Louie and how he had attacked us to save his kidnapped family.

[Assistant] “That’s terrible…”

[User] “That was when Miss Claire truly learned what it meant to be poor. She examined her life and power as a noble, and she wondered how she could allow such things to happen.” I went on to explain how Claire had begun to think about ways to address poverty and wealth disparity, and how that, in turn, had led her to realize the deep-rooted problems with the aristocracy. “She wanted to help the people, so she strove to find a way to bridge the gap between commoners and nobles.”

[Assistant] “Something she could do…” Those words seemed to resonate with Philine.

[User] “And the rest is history. Claire gained the support of the populace by exposing the corrupt nobles and then by siding with the commoners against the provisional government after the Mt. Sassal eruption.” I’d left out some details and mixed in some half-truths, but I finished my mostly true recounting of events leading to the revolution.

[Assistant] “Claire is so…strong.”

[User] “I wholeheartedly agree, but she couldn’t do it alone.”

[Assistant] “What do you mean?”

[User] “Miss Claire is gifted, but even she can’t do everything herself. She only managed to come this far because she had the help of many people.” If she were alone, she would have been executed that terrible day as a symbol of the corrupt nobility—leaving her name forever besmirched in the annals of history. “To achieve something, you need allies.”

[Assistant] “Allies…”

[User] “If you have any doubts about the current empire, Claire and I would be happy to lend our aid.”

[Assistant] “Huh? !” Philine went stiff as a board.

[User] Maybe I’d gone too far?

[Assistant] “M-my stomach hurts—I’ll be taking my leave!”

[User] “Um, Lady Philine?”

[Assistant] “Pardon me!” And off she went. Aw, shoot… It had been going so well, too. Why did I have to rush things? But her already knowing about Claire was a godsend. And now that her impression of Claire was more than just “that scary person,” we could move on to the next step—putting them in direct contact.


[User] “Did something happen? Philine just ran by in a hurry.” Claire said, finally returning.

[Assistant] “We were eating lunch together. She asked about you. Things are looking up." I said before filling Claire in on what had transpired. “Philine appears to have doubts about the empire. I think we should try to raise her awareness on certain issues.”

[User] “Sounds good. Although I still feel kind of guilty, given our ulterior motives.”

[Assistant] “Nothing else we can do. Diplomacy was never pretty.”

[User] “Did you eat lunch, Miss Claire?” I did, with Lene.


[User] "She treated me to Frater’s latest item."

[Assistant] “Oh, really? What was it?”

[User] “She told me to keep it a secret from you, saying she’d kick herself if you were to happen to already know it.”

[Assistant] “Ah ha ha…” Maybe I teased Lene too much?

[User] “You should eat, Rae. Before the bell rings.”

[Assistant] “Oh, right.” I ravenously dug into my lunch. The way I ate was impolite, but you know what they say—can’t eat your omelets without breaking some eggs.

[User] “But I wonder,” I said through bites, “is Philine already on anyone’s route right now?”


[Assistant] Revo-Lily had three romanceable characters. One was Dorothea, with whom we’d had an audience the other day. That might come as a shock, considering Dorothea was Philine’s mother, but that forbidden love was the selling point of the route. After seeing Dorothea in person, I couldn’t help but think she would be a terrible romance partner. Yet she was somehow a popular choice with the game’s players. Being a devotee to the church of Claire, I’d initially thought I might be attracted to Dorothea too, since their personalities had some similarities. But no matter how many times I replayed Revo-Lily, I remained indifferent toward her. In my heart, Dorothea could never hold a candle to Claire. Another romanceable character was Hildegard Eichrodt, a government official who got close to Philine to further her own career. Her relationship with Philine started for selfish reasons but slowly turned into true love. I thought it was a decent story. I hadn’t met her in person yet, but it was likely just a matter of time. The final romanceable character was a student of the Imperial Academy by the name of Friedelinde Eimer. She had chestnut-brown hair and reddish-brown eyes, and she was currently standing in front of me.

[User] “Salut, Rae.”

[Assistant] “Good morning, Friedelinde.”

[User] “Non, non, please call me Frieda.”

[Assistant] “Very well, then. Frieda it is.”

[User] This girl, with her peculiar way of speaking, was Friedelinde, nicknamed Frieda. She had an archetypal Empire-sounding name, but she was from another country, like us. Today, we’d arrived early to the classroom this morning, thanks to May and Aleah getting ready quicker than usual.

[Assistant] “You two look oh-so-lovely today. Like apples to my eyes.”

[User] “Thank you very much. I have my mother to thank for that.” Claire responded, unfazed.

[Assistant] “Um, thank you…?” I wasn’t quite as cool. Frieda’s words always put me on edge. Claire magnanimously let it slide, but I just couldn’t stand it. Like, what kind of person started commenting on another’s appearance as soon as they met? As was likely already evident, Frieda was a bit of a smooth talker. She had nothing but girls on her brain, and she spent every free moment trying to talk them up. Her eccentric behavior was borderline tolerable in the game, but actually dealing with her in person was rough.


[User] "My dear mademoiselles, could I interest you in dinner this evening?"

[Assistant] "I appreciate the offer, but unfortunately, Rae and I have our children to look after."

[User] "Quoi?! You two are married with children?! At such a young age?!"

[Assistant] "Yep. Through adoption," I replied. Come to think of it, we hadn’t told our classmates about May and Aleah yet.

[User] "Magnifique! They must surely be beautiful children, like their mothers!"

[Assistant] "Ugh. Like I just said, they’re adopted."

[User] "Non, non, children take after their parents regardless of blood. How about you bring the children to dinner?"

[Assistant] "I humbly decline." I wasn’t letting her anywhere near my daughters. Frieda’s route stood out from the others because it got pretty stalkery in the worst kind of way—you know, the full yandere experience. Despite her happy-go-lucky attitude, Frieda’s life was turbulent and full of strife. She was royalty from Melica, a country the empire invaded that had resisted to the bitter end, only to wind up not annexed but utterly destroyed. Frieda harbored a deep grudge against the empire, which conflicted with her love for Philine. Not everyone who came to the empire had been as fortunate as the man who’d been our guide when we first arrived. Frieda’s route had numerous game-over sequences and was infamously scary. I wasn’t letting a person like that anywhere near my daughters.

[User] "C’est la vie. We’ll have to rain-check, then. Anyway, have you two grown used to life in the empire?" She didn’t back off, but at least she showed some concern for us. Despite being a total yandere, she could be nice. At least on the surface level.

[Assistant] "Yes, the empire is much more comfortable than I expected."

[User] For the briefest of moments, Frieda’s face went dark before returning to her smiling facade. Claire didn’t seem to notice, but I definitely did. Maybe we did need a bit of distance from her after all.

[Assistant] "Oui, the empire is very comfortable! And I hear the Bauer Kingdom is very comfortable as well!" Frieda smiled as she gave Claire a friendly pat on the shoulder.

[User] "Claire belongs to me, Frieda. Please don’t touch her so carelessly."

[Assistant] "Oh! Sorry, sorry. But this much is just right between friends, is it not?"

[User] "She’s right, Rae. You’re worrying too much." Claire chimed in.

[Assistant] "Being too clingy is no good, you know?" You’re the last person I want to hear that from, Yandere Stalkersdottir!

[User] "Oh, Philine! Salut!"

[Assistant] "G-good morning…" Philine arrived later than us, a rare occurrence. She seemed a bit down. If memory served me right, she wasn’t much of a morning person and was often easily overwhelmed by Frieda.

[User] "You look oh-so-lovely today. Like apples to my eyes."

[Assistant] I guess she was using that line with every girl she met today.

[User] "Th-thank you…" Philine cowered.

[Assistant] My condolences. I finally had a moment of respite now that Frieda found a new target.


[User] "Whether it be Dorothea or Frieda, all the individuals in your Revo-Lily prophecy seem a bit…odd."

[Assistant] "Yeah. I suppose the devs tried to make them memorable characters." That said, I did think the game designers had gone a bit too far. In fact, so did the fanbase. A lot of people had complained they could have toned it down a bit, or that there should have been at least one morally righteous character. The fact that Revo-Lily was still widely regarded as a masterpiece was thanks to its brilliant writing and perfectly executed revolution route.

[User] "Just making sure—we’re aiming for the revolution route, correct?"

[Assistant] "Definitely." Several conditions had to be met to trigger the revolution route, the most basic of which was to not be romancing any of the love interests. It was currently the fifth month, so we were some ways from the point where the routes diverged. Even so, I wanted to verify the state of Philine’s affection for the romanceable characters.

[User] "How can we check what route we’re in?"

[Assistant] "We can ask her. Hey, Anna? Can we talk to you for a moment?" I called out to a red-haired girl sitting behind Philine.

[User] "Morning, Rae."

[Assistant] "Morning. I was wondering if we could ask you some questions about Philine."

[User] Anna frowned at me, puzzled. "Well, sure, I guess?"

[Assistant] "Does she have anyone she likes right now?"

[User] "Oh, are we gossiping?" Anna leaned forward with interest.

[Assistant] "Hmm, let me think… I don’t think she has feelings for anyone in particular right now."

[User] "I see. Then, who do you think she’s closest to right now?"

[Assistant] "I’m thinking she’s closest with Frieda. Despite Frieda’s one-sided pestering, she is one of the few people I’ve seen Philine talk to."

[User] Hmm. So Philine was closest to the Frieda route, then? "How is she with Lady Dorothea?"

[Assistant] "You mean Her Majesty? They don’t get along very well. Something happened between them, I think."

[User] So things weren’t moving along with Dorothea. "Is that right. What about Hildegard?"

[Assistant] "Hm? Have you met Hildegard before, Rae?"

[User] "No, but I heard she was hitting on Philine."

[Assistant] "Oh, I see. Philine’s relationship with Hildegard is…normal, I suppose? She tries to hit on her just like Frieda does, but Philine seems more guarded around Hildegard."

[User] "You don’t say?" In other words, Philine had the most affection for Frieda, then Hildegard, and lastly, Dorothea. "Oh, but there is someone else she seems to have a good impression of."

[Assistant] "Oh? Who might that be?"

[User] "Claire."

[Assistant] "Wha…what? !"

[User] Hold the phone! "I thought she was terrified of Miss Claire? !"

[Assistant] "She is, somewhat, but she’s also interested in her. It’s one of those things…y’know, where the soft-spoken introvert looks up to the outspoken extrovert?


[User] "Hildegard may have Claire’s confidence, but she comes off as cold and calculating, unlike Claire.” This threw a wrench in things. Who would have thought the protagonist might actually fall for the villainess? …Not that I was one to talk.

[Assistant] “But I’m sure she knows Claire’s already with you, and the two of you aren’t from the empire either. She’s probably just interested in Claire as a friend.”

[User] “Right…”

[Assistant] So she said, but it was better to play it safe than sorry. I was absolutely prepared to fight Philine to the last breath in the unlikely event she stepped onto the Claire route. Not that I actually believed things would escalate to that point, but you never knew.

[User] “Good grief. Things just got complicated…”


[Assistant] “Excuse me, Lady Philine? Do you have time to—”

[User] “S-sorry! I’ve gotta go do something!” Claire cordially called out to Philine, but the latter dashed off.

[Assistant] “How many times does that make? Are you sure Philine likes me?”

[User] “She should, but she certainly doesn’t act like it.” We’d tried to approach Philine countless times since discovering her interest in Claire, only for her to flee each time. I had to find a way to counteract her fear. Naturally, this didn’t involve letting her have Claire.

[Assistant] “If only there were a way…” Claire pondered.

[User] “Yeah…” We looked at each other when suddenly—

[Assistant] “Salut, Claire, Rae! Oh dear, why the sad faces? You waste those beautiful looks of yours!” The annoying one showed up.

[User] “Oh, hello, Frieda. Rae and I were just wondering how to get closer to Philine.”

[Assistant] “What’s this? Is Claire trying to rendezvous with Philine now? Are you through with Rae?”

[User] “Like hell. Are you trying to get hit?” I snapped.

[Assistant] “P-pardon.” Shoot. I’d spoken my mind without thinking.

[User] “Oh, dear me, I seem to have used some vulgar words just now.”

[Assistant] “Oh, yes. I feel like they were directed at me, but that must have been my imagination!” Thank goodness Frieda was a simpleminded girl. Or rather, thank goodness she pretended to be.

[User] “Putting the jokes aside, I think I have a way you two can get closer to Philine!”

[Assistant] “Really? Please do tell.” Claire urged her.

[User] “What is it?” We were grasping at straws. We’d accept help from anyone at this point.

[Assistant] “It’s very simple! Bait her with food!”


[User] “Excuse me, Lady Philine, is now a good time?”

[Assistant] “U-um, I have to go do something today as well!” Claire tried to call out to Philine again after school, but this time—as Philine turned away to flee—I pulled something out from my bag.

[User] “Are you leaving already, Philine? And here I was thinking you might like to try this.”

[Assistant] Philine’s feet stopped as her gaze turned back toward my hand.

[User] “Th-that’s Broumet chocolate!”

[Assistant] “Indeed, it is.” In my hand, I held chocolate brought from the Bauer Kingdom. Broumet only did business in Bauer and the Alpes, so chocolate was largely unknown in the Nur Empire.


[User] But being the imperial princess, Philine had caught a whiff of the latest trend in the world of sweets. “A-are you giving that to me?”

[Assistant] “We will, as long as you don’t mind joining us for tea.”

[User] “The cafeteria should be pretty empty this time of evening. Can we count on you to join us?”

[Assistant] “Um… Well, I…” Philine hemmed and hawed.

[User] “I also have this.” I reached into my bag and pulled out one more object.

[Assistant] “Um, what is that?”

[User] “This is a new confectionary called rakugan. It was announced by Broumet just last month.”

[Assistant] “Rakugan? I can’t say I’ve heard of it…”

[User] Philine stared at the rakugan with deep interest.

[Assistant] “How about we talk for a while, Lady Philine?”

[User] “S-sure…”


[Assistant] “Haaanhnnn…” Philine sounded like she was melting as she bit into the chocolate.

[User] “This rakugan is so good, too… Such refined sweetness.”

[Assistant] I’d been worried about how well the rakugan would go over, but to my relief, she adored it.

[User] “Was it to your liking, Lady Philine?” Claire inquired.

[Assistant] “Yes! I had no idea such delicious sweets existed.” Her eyes shone with excitement.


[User] One would think being the imperial princess meant she could have all the sweets she wanted, but Dorothea disliked sweet foods, leaving Philine few opportunities to try them. I’d never imagined sweets would be the breakthrough we needed. I needed to thank Frieda later.

[Assistant] “I’m glad to hear it. I’m actually fond of chocolates myself. It’s good we have something in common.”

[User] “You are? Sweets are the best, aren’t they?”

[Assistant] “Indeed.”

[User] We’d also succeeded in getting Claire and Philine to talk to each other.

[Assistant] “I’m glad we could talk like this. You seemed to be afraid of me until just now.”

[User] “Th-that’s…”

[Assistant] “Am I wrong?”

[User] “I’m sorry. I was afraid.”

[Assistant] “It’s all right. It happens quite often. I seem to invite misunderstandings.”

[User] “Rae, please be quiet.”

[Assistant] Yes, ma’am.

[User] “I really did want to talk to you, though. You remind me of my mother in some ways.”

[Assistant] “Her Majesty Dorothea? Really?” Claire seemed perplexed. It was true, they did share some traits. They were both confident, arrogant, and strict, but I thought Claire was far and away more mature than Dorothea. Claire had respect, kindness, and virtue, none of which Dorothea possessed in any amount. In other words, Claire was a far more dazzling gem than Dorothea.

[User] “I’m honored to be compared to Her Majesty. On the other hand, you don’t take after her much, do you?”

[Assistant] “I get that a lot.” Philine laughed derisively. “I’m nothing like my mother. I’m nothing even compared to my siblings.”

[User] “Lady Philine…” Claire seemed hurt by Philine’s self-deprecating words. “How can I be more confident—like you, Claire?” Philine put on her bravest face as she asked.

[Assistant] “Well… It isn’t easy, but you should focus on making small steps first. Try doing something you’re good at, or something you enjoy. You might fail, but as long as you keep trying, you’ll eventually improve and succeed.”

[User] “I see…”

[Assistant] “If you keep doing that, then eventually you’ll be confident enough to walk with your head held high.”

[User] Philine appeared to slowly absorb Claire’s words.

[Assistant] “Nobody is confident right off the bat. And if they are, it’s an empty confidence.”

[User] “That’s true…” Philine nodded. “Don’t be afraid to make mistakes and take that next step, that next leap. You can worry about what comes next afterward.”

[Assistant] “I think I understand now.” Philine nodded deeply. “I may be shy, but I’ve been using that as an excuse for inaction. But if I don’t try, I’ll be like this forever.”

[User] “That’s right.”

[Assistant] “I think I get it now. Thank you, Claire.”

[User] “I’m glad I could help.” Claire took it and held it tight.

[Assistant] “Would it be okay if we talked again sometime?”

[User] “Of course. Let’s be friends, Lady Philine.”

[Assistant] “Yes!”

[User] And with that, we’d made a connection with Philine.


[User] Philine returns to the Imperial Castle after parting with Claire and Rae. She entrusts her bag to a servant and began the walk back to her own room, in a good mood. Claire’s words had struck a chord with her and still rang fresh in her mind. She felt like there was something even someone like her could do. She felt like real change could come.

[Assistant] "Well, if it isn’t the princess. How do you do?"

[User] "Hello, Hilda."

[Assistant] Hildegard Eichrodt was a government official. She had silver hair and red eyes, and she wore a monocle, something seldom seen on a woman. Though she seemed cold and unfriendly at first, she was actually quite kind. In fact, they’d first gotten to know each other when she helped her find her lost cat.

[User] "Home from the academy?"

[Assistant] "Yes."

[User] "Welcome back. Did something good happen today?"

[Assistant] "Huh? Y-you can tell?" Philine's hands flew to her cheeks. She had been smiling this entire time without realizing.

[User] "It’s not your face as much as it’s the entire way you carry yourself. I’m often watching you, so I can tell when you’re in a good mood."

[Assistant] "R-really? How embarrassing…" How silly of me, Philine thought. But still, she held on to the spark Claire had given her.

[User] "What happened? Would you mind telling me?"

[Assistant] "The truth is…" Philine told Hilda of today’s events: the novel confectionaries she received, the wonderful conversation she’d had with Claire, and even how she felt like they might be friends now. Philine was surprised to hear the passion in her own voice—she must really have wanted to tell someone about all this. "And that’s what happened today. Do you think there’s something even someone like me can do?"

[User] "Lady Philine, may I say one thing?" Hilda’s voice was firm.

[Assistant] "Um, yes?"

[User] "I think it’s best if you don’t make contact with that person anymore."

[Assistant] "Wh-what? Why?" Philine was confused.

[User] "That girl is from the Bauer Kingdom. It could cause problems if you spent too much time with her."

[Assistant] "Problems? Claire isn’t a bad person."

[User] "That may be true, but she’s still the hero of a revolution, and you’re the princess. You can’t be certain she didn’t approach you with an ulterior motive in mind."

[Assistant] Her words surprised Philine. She was prone to forgetting she was, in fact, the imperial princess. She’d lost count of how many times people had approached her with hidden intentions, to the point that she dreaded dealing with people altogether.

[User] "Claire is different. She actually listens to what I have to say."

[Assistant] "That could just be what she wants you to think. What if she’s taking advantage of your weakness?"

[User] "I…" Philine could say nothing to that. She knew well enough how weak-willed she could be.


[User] "Princess, I’ll always be there for you if you need someone to talk to. There’s no risk in talking to me, unlike those two." Hilda’s eyes softened as her cold expression warmed into a smile. She cared about me.

[Assistant] "Yes… Thank you, Hilda. But I think I still want to be friends with Claire."

[User] "Making friends is a good thing. It’s sometimes even necessary in politics. But be careful not to cross a line. For your sake, and for our country’s."

[Assistant] For our country’s sake. I had no defense against those words. I had a responsibility as an imperial princess, even if I could never live up to the title. The spark Claire had given me flickered away. "I’m terribly sorry, Princess, I didn’t mean to ruin your mood. I just wouldn’t be able to stand seeing your kind heart be hurt in any way."

[User] "It’s okay, Hilda. Thank you."

[Assistant] "Thank you for your understanding. Now then, may I walk you to your room? I’d love to hear about your day at the academy."

[User] "That’s quite all right, Hilda. I’ve taken enough of your time already."

[Assistant] "Not at all, I’d be more than happy to walk you there."

[User] "Please, I would like some time to think alone. Excuse me." I turned down Hilda’s kind offer and briskly took myself to my room. I cleared my servants out before collapsing onto my bed, still in my uniform.


[User] I wasn’t resourceful like Hilda. I wasn’t outgoing like Frieda. But that didn’t mean I should just sit and watch it happen. I won’t let that happen again.

[Assistant] Claire… I wanted to talk to her again. I wanted to lay bare all these worries plaguing my heart.

[User] Oh… What’s wrong with me? My chest hurt. It felt tight whenever I remembered Claire’s face.

[Assistant] I wish tomorrow would come soon. If I went to the academy, I could see Claire again.

[User] “I’ll do what I can. Small victories, little by little.” While reflecting on Claire’s words, I started to stand.


[Assistant] “Morning, Claire.”

[User] “Good morning, Lady Philine.”

[Assistant] “Good morn—”

[User] “Morning, Rae. Hey, Claire, I—” Philine cut my greeting short with a smile before diving into a conversation with Claire.

[Assistant] “See you.” Claire smiled as Philine reluctantly departed. The moment Philine was out of sight, she relaxed, allowing herself a look of exhaustion.

[User] “Good work, Miss Claire.”

[Assistant] “Thank you, Rae. Philine’s not a bad girl, but she’s just so earnest. She can be hard to deal with.”

[User] “That’s a princess for you. Sheltered upbringing and all.”

[Assistant] “I still feel guilty. It’s like we’re tricking her.”

[User] “We’re not tricking her, Claire. We’re just not telling her the entire truth.”

[Assistant] “What’s the difference?” Claire sighed. “But that doesn’t mean I’m giving up. Our family’s future is on the line.”

[User] “That’s right. On another note, do you think Philine is cute at all?”

[Assistant] “Huh? Well, I suppose she’s cute?”

[User] “Guh!”

[Assistant] “Ah, not in that way! Objectively speaking! Objectively speaking, she’s cute!”

[User] “My wife’s cheating on me…”

[Assistant] “Stop!”


[User] “People are going to misunderstand!” The Imperial Academy didn’t have anything resembling a homeroom. Instead, the teachers made announcements before class if they had anything important to convey to us. Today, they did. “The pope will be visiting our academy next month. We’ll be assigning duties to everyone in preparation.”

[Assistant] The pope led the Spiritual Church. They usually stayed at the Bauer Cathedral, but as the Spiritual Church had followers all over the world, the pope had to travel every so often to visit different locales.

[User] According to the teacher, the pope was coming to the capital for a conference with Dorothea. I hadn’t thought Dorothea particularly devout, considering how she dismissively referred to the church as a “house of worship” during our audience. I wondered what they could possibly have to discuss.

[Assistant] “What kind of duties will we have?”

[User] “You’ll be clearing monsters from the pope’s planned route. The military will handle the more dangerous areas, while we’ll take care of the less fraught ones.”

[Assistant] Monster extermination. Just as with Bauer’s Amour Festival, the military often lacked the personnel to tackle all the beasts alone, relying instead on support from local militias and other citizen volunteers. The Nur Empire actually had it worse than the Bauer Kingdom, being closer to demon territory. Demons sat at the peak of monster hierarchy, making monsters far stronger and more numerous in the empire’s vicinity.

[User] “Form teams of four and report your members to me after school. Now, with that out of the way, let’s begin class.”

[Assistant] Class began like normal. As always, the teacher hated wasting time on things not pertaining to our studies. The same couldn’t be said for the students.

[User] Psst! Rae, Claire! Would you like to party with moi?

[Assistant] Um, I-I’m here, too…

[User] I heard two voices in my head. Had to be telepathy. The first was Frieda—using her wind-attribute magic—and the second, Philine.

[Assistant] Will it be the four of us, then?

[User] Oui! The four of us are very strong, no?

[Assistant] Sure, but are you allowed to team up with us? We’re from the Bauer Kingdom, you know?

[User] What’s the problem?

[Assistant] Philine is a princess of the Nur Empire, Claire explained.

[User] Is it really all right for her to work with people who were so recently the empire’s enemies?

[Assistant] It was a good opportunity for us to strengthen our rapport with Philine, but we had to consider her circumstances.

[User] W-we’re friends now. It should be okay!

[Assistant] Yes! A-okay!

[User] Color me unconvinced. I had a feeling the teacher would say no. But to my surprise, the teacher didn’t object in the least when we reported our group after school. Really, Nur Empire? While we were reporting to the teacher, I tried to negotiate exchanging monster extermination for a different task. I hadn’t ruled out the possibility of an assassination attempt on the Nur Empire’s part under the pretense of an incident out on the hunt.


[User] “Let’s go over what we’re each capable of."

[Assistant] "I have high-aptitude fire magic and am somewhat proficient at close-quarters combat.”

[User] “I have ultra-high aptitude earth and water magic and am terrible at close-quarters combat.”

[Assistant] "What?! Rae is a dual-caster? !"

[User] "A-amazing…"

[Assistant] “I only have medium aptitude in wind. But I am good at close-quarters combat!”

[User] “I have medium-aptitude water magic. I’m no good at close-quarters combat.”

[Assistant] “What type of magic are you two most skilled at? I specialize in attack magic, and Rae is an all-rounder who can do just about anything.”

[User] “I am skilled in body-reinforcement magic."

[Assistant] "But I cannot use it on other people well.”

[User] “I can use healing magic.”

[Assistant] “In that case, Frieda and I will fight on the front line while Rae and Philine provide support from behind.”

[User] “Sounds perfect.”

[Assistant] “No complaints from me.”

[User] “Me too.”

[Assistant] “We start tomorrow, correct?”

[User] “I believe that’s what the teacher said.”

[Assistant] “Did you have something in mind?”

[User] “I was thinking we could do some practice beforehand.”

[Assistant] “Oh? Why practice?” All eyes turned to Claire as she continued.

[User] “We ought to coordinate our teamwork before the real thing. For safety reasons.”


[Assistant] “Sounds good.”

[User] “Sounds fun!”

[Assistant] “No problem here.” With that, we moved to the field.


[User] I should have her teach me later, I thought. Incidentally, both our magics paled in comparison to the effects of the Tears of the Moon.

[Assistant] “This seems a good place to stop,” Claire said, after we’d sorted out a few basic tactics. “We should be able to operate with these parameters. Let’s give it our best tomorrow, everyone.”

[User] “I’ll protect you, Claire!” I declared.

[Assistant] “Rae? You’ll protect us too, no?” Frieda asked.

[User] “Ah ha ha…” I mean, sure, yeah, but a lady’s gotta have priorities, you know? We called it a day just as the sun started to set. I woke up with muscle soreness the next day, having not exercised so hard in a long time—though let the record show that my night with Claire had absolutely no involvement in said soreness.


[Assistant] The afternoon of the next day, we began clearing monsters from the path the pope would travel. We planned to work at it for about an hour and a half each day, and our efforts earned us a credit in practical magic.

[User] “Frieda! Look out!” Claire exclaimed.

[Assistant] “Leave it to me!” A monster resembling a bear attacked Frieda, swinging its sharp claws at her chestnut-brown hair. “Non, non, not so easy.” Frieda dexterously parried the claws with her sword—throwing the monster off balance.

[User] “Now, Claire!”

[Assistant] “Got it!” Claire sent a flame spear directly through the monster’s now exposed side. The monster let out a cry before collapsing and fading into nothing, leaving only a magic stone behind.

[User] “Phew. This area seems clear.” Claire wiped the sweat off her brow. The weather wasn’t that hot yet, but all the moving had made us work up a sweat.

[Assistant] “Good work, Miss Claire, Frieda. Any injuries?”

[User] “I’m all right, Rae. Thank you,” Claire reassured me.

[Assistant] “I’m okay, too!” Frieda said.

[User] “The two of you are so strong,” Philine remarked, astonished. Claire was one thing, being used to actual combat, but Frieda truly shone out on the field. Neither of them had yet suffered more than light abrasions. The area assigned to us that day was populated by larger and stronger monsters, but in fewer numbers. So far, we’d taken down water slimes, grand wasps, and grizzlies, all of which proved easy to beat when fought individually.

[Assistant] “I wonder how the other students are doing,” Claire said. Scanning the area, we caught sight of other teams of students fighting monsters some ways away. Students of the Imperial Academy received excellent combat training, and, as far as we could tell, they handled their areas just fine.

[User] “I hope Lana’s group is okay,” I said.

[Assistant] “I’m sure they’ll be fine. I could see Lana having problems, but Eve and Joel are with her,” Claire reassured me. From what I remembered while teaching at the Royal Academy, Lana was a complete beginner at magic. On the other hand, Eve and Joel were true adepts, particularly Joel, being the son of a soldier who’d had some martial training.


[User] "I’m worried about their fourth group member."

[Assistant] "Oh, right… Otto."

[User] Lana invited Otto to join their group. He hadn’t seemed too enthusiastic about joining, but Lana—being Lana—cajoled him into it. The delinquent and the gyaru—now that was an amusing tag team if I had ever seen one.

[Assistant] “Isn’t it fine? I hear Otto is actually quite strong.”

[User] Like her, I’d heard that Otto, despite being a problem child, was as gifted a fighter as he was a student. His father apparently served as a soldier in the military. I recalled Joel’s ears pricking up in interest at that little tidbit.

[Assistant] “They should be fine. There are other teams around anyway.”

[User] If worse came to worst, they could run for it and get help. But I still couldn’t shake this nagging bad feeling.

[Assistant] “Hey, girls, worrying about your countrymen is okay, but maybe focusing on the task at hand is more important?” Frieda’s words brought me back to reality.

[User] "This one’s strong. Everyone, be careful!" Philine warned.


[Assistant] Cerberuses were monsters with bodies as thick and solid as cows. Their sharp claws and fangs posed a problem, but even a body slam would do a number on someone. I eyed the creature before us with due caution.

[User] “It’s coming!” Claire shouted.

[Assistant] Philine.

[User] “Oh, no you don’t!” Frieda cried as she leapt into its path. But the cerberus showed no sign of stopping, ready to send them both flying.

[Assistant] I cast earth magic on the ground before the cerberus, causing the hard earth to instantly turn to boggy mud.

[User] The monster’s legs disappeared into the ground.

[Assistant] “Got you!” Frieda swung her sword. I was certain it was over but…

[User] “What? !” Frieda’s sword was blocked by the cerberus’s snapping fangs.

[Assistant] I yelled.

[User] “Frieda, move!”

[Assistant] Frieda left her sword behind as she jumped away. The cerberus spat flame at her, missing by a hair’s breadth.

[User] “That was close.” Frieda breathed a sigh of relief. Her sword was gone, caught by one of the cerberus’s heads.

[Assistant] “Hey, give it back! That sword’s special!”

[User] "Stand back, Frieda. Let me handle it."

[Assistant] “Oh, pardon. Go get her, Claire.”

[User] Claire confronted the cerberus with her wand at the ready. The cerberus eyed her, growling, waiting to see her next move.

[Assistant] “How about…this!” Claire instantly summoned five flame spears and shot them at the cerberus. Each one traced a different arc as they careened toward the beast.

[User] The cerberus snarled as it took a massive leap to the side, dodging all the spears. It was nimbler than its form suggested. But that wouldn’t be enough to stop Claire—or me.

[Assistant] "I’ll stop its movements—be ready!"

[User] “Yes!”

[Assistant] I created a pitfall where the cerberus would land, and it fell straight in.


[User] No matter how nimble it was, it would take some time to clamber out. Claire looked down on the struggling monster as the François family crests appeared above her head—her signature spell, Magic Ray.

[Assistant] “You’re done!” A blazing beam shot from the crests, directly piercing the cerberus. The monster, now horribly charred, ceased to move. It faded away soon after, leaving behind a magic stone.

[User] “Phew.” Claire exhaled. “That took some effort.”

[Assistant] “You were wonderful, Miss Claire!” I showered Claire in praise as she retrieved the magic stone alongside Frieda’s sword.

[User] “Here, Frieda. Let’s be careful next time.”

[Assistant] “Merci, Claire. Will do.” Frieda returned her sword to its scabbard.

[User] “You were wonderful, Claire! It was like you were on the same wavelength as Rae.” Philine lagged behind before catching up to us. Her expression seemed a bit muddled, perhaps from jealousy?

[Assistant] “Well, Rae and I have been a team for a long time now.”

[User] “Together forever!” I said.

[Assistant] “Um… Yes.”

[User] “Wife for life!”

[Assistant] “Okay, enough with the joking, Rae." Claire spat. I feel your love even when you berate me, Claire!

[User] “Oh… How nice…” Philine grumbled enviously.

[Assistant] “Lady Philine.”

[User] “Hm? Um, yes?”

[Assistant] “She’s mine.”

[User] “Ngh—y-yes…” Philine sagged her head dejectedly. I felt a bit bad, but Claire was where I drew the line.

[Assistant] “Shall we head back?” Claire said. “We may have handled today’s combat well, but we still need to rest up and restore our magic.”

[User] “Sounds good.”

[Assistant] “No objection!” Frieda said.

[User] “Let’s go home.” Philine agreed.


[Assistant] “Impressive. You managed to defeat the cerberus.” Startled, the four of us spun around toward the source of the voice. I hadn’t noticed their presence at all. “To boast this much power before reaching maturity… Quite impressive for humans.” The figure sat, watching us from a boulder a short distance away. He wore what appeared to be a black frock coat, and he could easily be mistaken for a human if not for the bat-like wings protruding from his back. His eyes, full of intelligence, had vertically slit pupils.

[User] “A demon!” Frieda exclaimed. Demon—a higher order of being that ruled over monsters. This was my first meeting with one.


[Assistant] “Who are you?” Claire glared at the demon.

[User] “Oh? And here I was, thinking you were a noble. Did no one teach you to give your own name before asking another’s?” The demon frowned as he ridiculed Claire, unmoving from his perch on the boulder.

[Assistant] “How rude of me.” Claire smiled thinly, still guarded. “I am Claire François, former nobility of the Bauer Kingdom, as you say.”

[User] “Mmm… I see. So it was you. I am known simply as Aristo. Unlike you humans, we demons bear no surnames. I serve as one of the Three Great Archdemons.” Everyone froze upon hearing Aristo’s words.


[User] The demon slowly stood from the boulder and stroked his chin, upon which he had something not quite resembling a beard. He watched us with an air of utter composure.

[Assistant] "Thank you for introducing yourself, Aristo. Do you have business with us?"

[User] "Mmm… No, not quite. I was in the area on some unrelated orders when I saw you humans around. I figured I might as well fulfill another task while I was here." Aristo nonchalantly strolled toward us.

[Assistant] "And what is this task, pray tell?"

[User] "Nothing serious, Claire François. It just involves you doing one thing for me."

[Assistant] "And what might that be?"

[User] "Mmm… To put it simply," Aristo sneered. "I need you to die."

[Assistant] "Miss Claire!" I caved in the ground at Claire’s feet, causing her to plummet to safety just as a black flash of light streaked across where she had stood moments prior.

[User] "Oh, ho. You dodged."

[Assistant] "Why, you fiend!" Claire’s scowling visage slowly rose back into view as I returned the ground under her feet to normal.

[User] Aristo simply stood there, unfazed.

[Assistant] "Madame Claire, let’s run!"

[User] "We can’t fight a demon with our numbers!"

[Assistant] "I’d very much like to run right now, but I get the impression our friend here isn’t so willing to look the other way as we do."

[User] "You’re all free to try and run regardless. I believe humans have the right to choose how they end their fleeting mortal lives."

[Assistant] "And I choose to stand my ground!" Claire called up ten flame spears, twice the amount she’d summoned against the cerberus earlier, and fired them at Aristo.

[User] "Is that it?" Aristo made no attempt to dodge, taking the full impact of the barrage.

[Assistant] "Impossible…" Claire’s eyes widened.

[User] The demon stood there, untouched.

[Assistant] "Such low-level magic cannot possibly harm me. Now, cease your struggle and die." Aristo waved his hand horizontally, sending bullets of concentrated darkness at Claire.

[User] "No!" I created a wall of earth before Claire.

[Assistant] "Meaningless." The black bullets pierced the wall with ease, continuing toward Claire.


[User] "Hiyah!" Frieda lunged forward and knocked them away with her sword.

[Assistant] “Oh, you could repel that? I must reevaluate you, then. You’re stronger than I thought.”

[User] “Merci!” Frieda summoned her magic to empower her legs and instantly closed the gap between her and the demon, slashing down with her magic-veiled sword.

[Assistant] “Mmm… I’d prefer not to be hit by that.” Aristo took a step back, dodging the blade.

[User] Seeing this, I readied a medium-level earth attack spell. “Earth Fang!” The ground rose to ensnare Aristo’s feet, stopping his movements.

[Assistant] “Got you!” Frieda swung her lowered blade back in reverse.

[User] “What? !”

[Assistant] “You were close. But not close enough.” Frieda’s sword was blocked by nails that had rapidly grown from Aristo’s hand.

[User] “A blessed sword as well as medium-level magic… I’d best get a little serious, then.” Aristo effortlessly pulled himself free of my foot bindings.

[Assistant] So medium-level magic only amounted to that much…

[User] “I’ll be striking from above. Block it if you can.” Aristo drew back his right arm as Frieda moved to block with her sword.

[Assistant] I felt a sickening lurch in my gut. “No, Frieda! Dodge!”

[User] At the last second, Frieda abandoned her attempt to block and did as I said. The blow barely missed her body but clipped her sword, snapping it clean in two.

[Assistant] Those nails were stronger than her magic-empowered blade.

[User] “Oh, non! I can’t believe it…”

[Assistant] “Frieda, get back!” Frieda jumped back at the sound of Claire’s high-pitched voice.

[User] “Light!” Claire unleashed Magic Ray at Aristo.

[Assistant] “Hmph.” Aristo expelled a dark beam of his own.

[User] Light and darkness briefly clashed before canceling each other out. “Not even Magic Ray could best him?” Claire bit her lip in frustration.

[Assistant] Aristo was strong. We were already exhausted from our work slaying monsters, but I had a feeling we would have been no match for him in top form either. “Everyone!” I began. “Retreat while I stop his—”

[User] “I won’t let you.” He cut me off before raising his hand to the air. Darkness began to swell around him… And exploded forth to surround us.


[Assistant] I regained consciousness moments later. The ground around us was carved into a massive crater, as if a bomb had gone off. Frieda and Philine lay gravely wounded on the ground, trying to stand and failing to.

[User] “Miss Claire!”

[Assistant] “Ngh…” Claire was on her knees before Aristo. She glared up at him in defiance, but he remained impassive.

[User] “It’s over, Claire François. Perish, for what you have wrought.”

[Assistant] Time moved with excruciating slowness as his nails swung down. I was such a fool. Why had I assumed we’d never encounter a demon just because they weren’t in the game? Despite the very real in-world history of demons invading human territory since time immemorial? The promise I’d made to protect my family—had that just been empty words?


[User] In desperation, I tried to cast Cocytus, but my magic was too far drained. Just when I thought it was all over, something struck Aristo’s nails away.

[Assistant] “I-I won’t let you!” Standing between Aristo and Claire was a small figure. “You’re…”

[User] “L-Long time no see, Miss Claire.” The figure, clad in a nun’s habit, held two short swords that glistened in the light. Beneath her fluttering wimple were silver hair and red eyes. We knew her well. “Miss Lilly!” Former cardinal Lilly Lilium had arrived just in the nick of time.

[Assistant] “I-I made it!”

[User] “Hmph. So you’ve appeared again, Saint." Aristo sneered.

[Assistant] “Pl-please stop calling me that.”

[User] “You always seem to find the perfect timing. What’s the secret?”

[Assistant] “Wh-who knows? Love, perhaps?” Despite her usual shy stutter, Lilly gallantly stood her ground before the demon.

[User] “Miss Lilly…” I tried to stand but couldn’t due to exhaustion. I couldn’t even call on my healing magic while so tapped.

[Assistant] “I-It’s okay, Rae. I can handle him.” Lilly flashed me a smile before turning back toward Aristo and readying her two shining swords. “Why don’t you turn back now, Aristo? Reinforcements are coming. I’m sure you’d rather not die here.”

[User] “You mock me. Do you think I can be defeated by some humans banding together?”

[Assistant] “W-with me here, I do.”

[User] “Mmm… I’ll admit, you are a formidable opponent, Saint.” Aristo raised an eyebrow. He seemed wary of Lilly. “But not even you could fight me unscathed.”

[Assistant] “True… How about we agree to a draw then…?”

[User] “Hah. Don’t be like that. Let’s enjoy ourselves some.” Apparently not in the least inclined to back down, he sent another salvo of black bullets at Lilly.

[Assistant] “Y-you know, despite what you might think, I’m actually quite busy!” Lilly wove through the bullets, occasionally blocking with her swords, as she closed the gap to Aristo. Once in range, she swung down with her right.

[User] “Mmm… A blessed shortsword—and a real one, unlike that imitation. I’d rather not be hit by this either.” Aristo leapt back, opting not to block with his nails as he did with Frieda’s sword.

[Assistant] “Rae, use this!” Lilly reached into her pocket and threw something toward me. Four objects resembling vials rolled closer. “They’re high-grade potions. Drink one and help the others.”

[User] “Thank you, Lilly." I uncapped and downed a potion, and magic power surged up within me. I scrambled up and beelined toward Claire. “Miss Claire, I’ve got you.”

[Assistant] “Leave me for later, heal the others—”

[User] “Oh, don’t even. Be quiet and drink.” I helped Claire swallow a potion and watched with relief as her wounds faded.

[Assistant] “Thank you, Rae.”

[User] “You should thank Miss Lilly instead.”

[Assistant] “You’re right.” Claire staggered up and nodded toward Lilly. “I’ll go back her up.”

[User] “Got it. I’ll help Frieda and Philine.” I parted with Claire and headed toward Philine. I held her upright as I administered her a potion. “I’m okay now. Thank you, Rae.”

[Assistant] "I’m okay now. Thank you, Rae.”

[User] “Don’t worry about it."


[User] “Of course.” Philine nodded.

[Assistant] I passed her the final potion and dashed off toward the fight.

[User] “I-I’ll hold him off! Support me with magic!” Lilly commanded.

[Assistant] “Understood!”

[User] “Roger that!”

[Assistant] This was our first time fighting all three together. Lilly advanced on Aristo with her swords. Wary of the blades, Aristo continued to dodge, still not using his nails to block. Lilly’s skill surprised me. I had seen her fight before, but that had been in the grips of an alternate personality. The real Lilly was just as strong, if not stronger.

[User] “Insolent!” Aristo fired black bullets at her from close range.

[Assistant] I was certain Lilly couldn’t dodge, but she did—reacting in the blink of an eye, moving with unbelievable speed. It was incredible, even considering the fact her physical abilities were boosted by magic.

[User] “Stand still!” the demon snarled.

[Assistant] But dodging had left Lilly off balance. Seeing an opportunity, Aristo swung with his nails.

[User] “Don’t you dare!” Claire fired her Magic Ray, forcing Aristo to stop mid-swing and counter with a black ray of his own.

[Assistant] “Earth Spike!” I formed an earth spear to try to pierce Aristo, but he effortlessly avoided it by flying into the air with his enormous wings.

[User] “Mmm… So you were all simply exhausted earlier. Your magic is leagues stronger now. It seems I’m at a disadvantage.”

[Assistant] “Come back down here so I can burn you to ash!” Claire demanded.

[User] “I think I’ll decline. It’s best I flee, especially with that Saint here.”

[Assistant] “I won’t let you!”

[User] “W-wait, Miss Claire! Let him go. You’ll want to hear what I have to say before you fight him again,” Lilly said.

[Assistant] “Ngh…” Claire grimaced. She was undoubtedly frustrated, considering her pride. She had never been so thoroughly thrashed by an opponent.

[User] “Fine.”

[Assistant] “Thank you, Miss Lilly,” I said.

[User] “Allow me to express my thanks as well. Things would have turned dire if you hadn’t come.” Claire added.

[Assistant] I’d been so sure it was all over for a moment. I couldn’t thank Lilly enough. Lilly smiled bashfully.

[User] “N-not at all! I’m deeply indebted to you two, so something like—”

[Assistant] “Merveilleux!”

[User] “Eek!” Frieda suddenly crashed into Lilly’s side, nearly taking her to the ground.

[Assistant] “Who is this jolie lady? She must be an angel to save us in our time of need, no?” she prattled excitedly.

[User] “U-um, hello?” Lilly looked bewildered. She looked to me for help, but frankly, this tickled me pink.

[Assistant] “What is your name, little angel?”

[User] “L-Lilly Lilium.”

[Assistant] “Oh, even your name is so charmant! My name is Friedelinde Eimer, but please, call me Frieda!”

[User] “Um, sure… Miss Frieda.”

[Assistant] “Non, non! Just Frieda! We are good friends, no?”

[User] “B-but it’s our first meeting? !”

[Assistant] Frieda was laying it on a little thick even for her. Was Lilly now on the Frieda route? She had cut a pretty gallant figure just then.


[User] “Frieda, how about we move from this place for now?”

[Assistant] “I think the danger has passed for the moment, but we still need to report this to the empire…and the Bauer Kingdom, for that matter.”

[User] “Oh, pardon. I was too mesmerized by Lilly’s beauty. Let’s go back.”

[Assistant] “Lady Philine, are you okay with that?”

[User] “Yes, let’s return.” Philine nodded.

[Assistant] All in agreement, we hastily made our way back to the relative safety of more people. Demons… It was hard to believe they were so strong. They were far more powerful than the monsters we had fought before. They seemed likely to surpass any opponent we’d ever fought. I need to rethink my countermeasures… I spent the journey home thinking of nothing but how I could protect Claire from this new threat.


[User] “I-It’s good to see you two again, Rae, Miss Claire.” Lilly bowed deeply.

[Assistant] We’d returned to the Bauer student dormitory to talk after reporting the incident to the academy. I’d thought the Nur Empire would be more concerned about the appearance of demons, but it seemed to be a fairly common occurrence around here. The person receiving our report didn’t react much at all to the news.

[User] “Let’s leave the pleasantries at that and get down to business. What are you doing here in the empire, Lilly?” Claire said, asking what was on everyone’s mind.

[Assistant] Currently gathered were the core constituents of the Bauer Kingdom exchange group: Claire, Yu, Misha, and me.

[User] “R-right. I’ve resumed my duties at the cathedral. I traveled ahead to the empire to prepare for the pope’s visit.”

[Assistant] “Oh, I see.”

[User] Oh, yeah. We’d been slaying monsters to prepare for the pope’s visit in the first place, and it wasn’t like the head of a global religion could suddenly pop in unprepared. They’d send someone ahead to handle negotiations, preparations, and the like, and Lilly was apparently that person.

[Assistant] “So I take it you’re a cardinal again?”

[User] “Ah, no. I’m acting as an ordinary nun now. The pope was kind enough to forgive me, but I couldn’t take advantage of her kindness more than I already have.” Lilly forced a smile as she spoke.

[Assistant] She still hadn’t forgiven herself for her crimes. How very like her.

[User] “Um, b-back on topic. My main task is to plan countermeasures for the high-ranking monsters and demons in the empire. As you likely know, the empire shares a border with demon territory, so encounters with demons are more frequent here than in the kingdom.”

[Assistant] I’d realized intellectually that the chances of demon contact were higher here, but I’d never imagined they could be so powerful. The four of us, albeit already exhausted, had been powerless against Aristo. We would have been massacred if Lilly hadn’t arrived. A flash of memory came to me—Aristo’s claws swinging down on Claire—and I shuddered.


[User] “Are all demons that strong?” I asked.

[Assistant] “N-no, Aristo is special. He’s part of a powerful group called the Three Great Archdemons. Meeting him was a spot of bad luck.”

[User] I felt some relief on hearing Aristo was a rare exception. I didn’t know what I would do if all demons were that strong. “Th-the Three Great Demons—no, all demons—generally don’t leave their lands. Demons usually dispatch monsters on their behalf when they wish to fight humans.”

[Assistant] “So why would a powerful demon turn up then?” Yu mused.

[User] “I-It’s likely because of the pope’s visit. The church and the demons have been mortal enemies throughout history.” Lilly bowed profusely in apology.

[Assistant] Was that really it? I’d witnessed the demon targeting Claire…though Aristo’s words had made it seem like he was in the middle of another mission when he spotted us and chose to attack. I had my doubts, but I listened as Lilly continued. “The church cannot tolerate the existence of demons. W-we believe they can’t be reasoned with and must be destroyed on sight, for their goal is to bring about the end of the world.”

[User] That sounded excessively hostile of the Spiritual Church, a religion that extolled the virtues of impartiality and benevolence. What would demons even gain from ending the world? Claire met my eyes with a dubious look of her own. It seemed she harbored the same concerns.

[Assistant] “By end of the world, do you by chance mean the end of human society?” Claire asked.

[User] “No. The end of the world the demons seek is a literal one that includes their own ruin.” Misha answered. As a nun, she presumably knew a few things about demons herself.

[Assistant] "Their own destruction as well?” Claire asked, confused.

[User] “Y-yes. The values of demons are beyond human understanding. That’s why they can’t be reasoned with.”

[Assistant] That made a certain amount of sense. There could be no negotiating with a race that wanted to destroy the world in its entirety, themselves included. “B-because of the empire’s proximity to their lands, people here sometimes encounter demons. We’re unlikely to meet any big-name demons again as long as we remain far from their borders, but let’s stay cautious, everyone.”

[User] “So we just cross our fingers and pray we don’t meet a demon again?” Claire grumbled.

[Assistant] “Well, the church has some measures to combat demons. This being one of them.” Lilly unsheathed a sword. “Th-this sword is a magic tool enchanted by a water spell called Blessing. Weapons with Blessing are able to wound demons more grievously. Perhaps you’re aware Frieda’s sword was enchanted with a weak blessing?”

[User] Frieda had said something about her sword being special. Aristo had still broken it in two. He really was something else. “Th-the cathedral has ordered me to loan everyone Blessed magic tools for the sake of this mission. Since everyone here is a magic user, I’ll be supplying you with wands.”

[Assistant] A member of the church stepped forward with a bag for each of us.