[User] "Just write it off as my chagrin at having drifted apart from my precious sister.”

[Assistant] “I wouldn’t say we’ve drifted apart, though? I still wish for you to dote on me, Sister.”

[User] “Oh, how happy I’d be if that were true.”

[Assistant] “It is true, though.” That was when a servant urged us to move forward.

[User] “Shall we continue our conversation as we walk?” I asked, offering her my arm.

[Assistant] “Yes, let’s.” Claire took my arm, and together we walked. “Regarding the three-nation alliance… I feel I must apologize for what happened to Bauer." I said. The alliance between Sousse, the Alps, and Bauer ultimately had not come to fruition. Far from it. The Nur Empire had narrowed its sights on Bauer alone, leading Claire, her family, and her students to be sent as what might as well have been hostages.

[User] “You have nothing to apologize for." She said. "You have a responsibility to place your country first. As a former noble, I understand.”

[Assistant] “Thank you, Claire.” Claire was better at seeing the bigger picture now. She had once seen things solely in her own terms—which had been cute in its own way—but she had matured. It pained me a bit to think the one that changed her wasn’t me.

[User] “Was Rae angry about it?”

[Assistant] “At first, yes. But once she saw I was determined, she immediately shifted to planning with me. I’m sure she doesn’t blame you either.”

[User] “I’d hope so.” Rae Taylor—the second love of my life. She loved Claire beyond all else and was the one who had changed the look in Claire’s eyes. Despite what Claire said, I was certain Rae resented me. Perhaps she indeed understood that I was bound by duty, as Claire said, but she would surely still criticize me for doing nothing as Claire was sent into harm’s way.

[Assistant] “Don’t worry, Sister. Rae thinks dearly of you as well.” Claire smiled in an attempt to comfort me. She really had grown. It was a shame I’d never fallen for her. She’d grown into a spectacular woman. I didn’t think I could ever bring myself to love her in that way, though. She was too similar to a certain other girl, both in appearance and personality. My first love—one mired in pain and regret.

[User] “Where’s Rae?” I asked. “It’s not often you two are apart.”

[Assistant] “His Majesty Thane asked the same thing earlier. Goodness, I’ll have you know, the two of us aren’t always together!”

[User] “Bet you wish you were.” I teased.

[Assistant] “I do not!” Her reaction was perfect. This part of Claire reminded me of that girl as well.

[User] “Rae’s busy compiling information with some other Bauer exchange students.”

[Assistant] “Is that right? I bet Rae gets along well with her students.”

[User] “You’d be surprised. She’s well liked by most of her students, but one girl in particular seems to have something against her.”

[Assistant] “Oh, really? What kind of girl is she?” I found myself a little curious.


[User] Just what kind of person could hate the girl I loved?

[Assistant] "She’s a bit withdrawn, doesn’t speak much, and has a rather sharp tongue. Oh, and she also wears glasses—a rather uncommon feature."

[User] “Oh?” How curious. That description matched the certain someone I’d been reminiscing about just moments prior.

[Assistant] "What a strange girl. She sounds like someone I know. What’s her name?"

[User] "Eve, I recall. Eve Nuhn."

[Assistant] "Huh?" That name sent a shock through me. "W-wait, you said Eve? Eve Nuhn?"

[User] "I did. Is something the matter, Sister?"

[Assistant] "That…that can’t be…" A mistake that could never be undone… I’d hurt her, the one so dear to me. And she’d disappeared from my life like a phantom.

[User] "Sister?"

[Assistant] "Claire, take me to her! Right this instant!"

[User] "Wh-what?! Calm yourself! What do you need to see Eve for?" Claire was flustered, but not as flustered as I, for—

[Assistant] "That girl was once my maid—and my first love!"


[User] "Lady Manaria? Really?"

[Assistant] "You still have the gall to feign ignorance after seducing her?"

[User] "I’ve done no such thing, though."

[Assistant] Eve was Manaria’s lover?

[User] "Manaria loved me. I left her for her sake, but I will never forget her love."

[Assistant] Eve stared me down, perhaps madly so. Something was wrong here—I could feel it in my gut, but I couldn’t place the source. "And yet, you…you! How could you?!"

[User] "You misunderstand, Eve. There’s nothing between Manaria and me."

[Assistant] "Liar!" Eve swung at me. I hurriedly twisted my body to dodge, then distanced myself as she stumbled. Regrettably, she was between me and the door, and the reference room lacked windows to prevent the books from deteriorating.

[User] "Eve… Where exactly did you know Lady Manaria?"

[Assistant] "What’s it matter?"

[User] "I just want to make sure of something."

[Assistant] "Like what? That she loves you more than me?"

[User] "Like I said, you misunderstand!"

[Assistant] Eve ignored me as she withdrew a small knife hidden in an inner pocket of her shirt. "Lady Manaria belongs to me… I devoted my body and soul to serving her!"

[User] Serving her? Oh. Eve had to be the maid Manaria had mentioned. The one who’d left the Sousse Royal Palace, leaving Manaria distraught. There seemed to be quite an age gap between them, but I recalled Eve mentioning she was older than she looked around the time I’d chased Joel into the red-light district, which meant the age gap couldn’t be the source of unease I felt. What was it, then?

[Assistant] "You took Lady Manaria from me! Give her back! Give her back to me!" Eve lunged forward with the knife, which I dodged by a hair’s breadth. Her close-combat skills were poor, but the same was true for me. Claire had tried teaching me a number of times, but it still hadn’t really stuck. If I used magic, I would win hands down. I remembered Eve being much better at magic than close combat, but I was still leagues ahead of her.


[User] The problem was that I likely couldn’t use my magic without harming her, and I wanted to avoid that if at all possible. I was reminded of my fight against Louie long ago. Wait a minute.

[Assistant] "Wait, Eve. You said you were from the same hometown as Lana, right?"

[User] "Is now really the best time for this?"

[Assistant] "Just answer me. Are you or are you not from the same hometown as Lana?"

[User] "I am."

[Assistant] Right… So something was strange after all.

[User] "Then how could you have met Lady Manaria? Did you really work in the Sousse Royal Palace if you were born in Euclid?"

[Assistant] "H-huh?" Eve’s eyes shot wide. Sousse wasn’t a complete meritocracy, unlike the empire. I could understand somebody with status like Claire having crossed Manaria’s path, but a commoner like Eve couldn’t even visit the Royal Palace, much less serve royalty. In peacetime, it might have been possible. But even then, as Manaria had been vying for the throne, she likely wouldn’t have risked hiring an unknown foreign commoner as a maid.

[User] "Think carefully, Eve. Were you really Lady Manaria’s maid? Or were you born in Euclid? Which is it?"

[Assistant] "Ngh, I…" Eve grimaced, as though fearful of what was to come. She grabbed her head and writhed in pain, breaking into a scream. "Ah…aah…aaaagh!"

[User] "Eve!" I drew close, knocking the knife out of her hand and grabbing her. The light was gone from her eyes, her face overtaken by a dangerous look. I had seen something similar to this before, and very recently at that. Suggestion magic! I didn’t know how, but Eve was under the effect of Salas’s hypnotic suggestions, meaning she wasn’t in control of herself. That being the case, I drew the you-know-what from my inner pocket.

[Assistant] "O moonlight, drive out the evil dwelling in this body!" I chanted the Tears of the Moon’s activation phrase, causing the ring to glow. A soft light began to shine on Eve.

[User] "Ah…ngh…" The pain gradually faded from Eve’s face. It had been a gamble, but it seemed Salas’s hypnosis was indeed considered a status ailment. Eventually, Eve stopped struggling and collapsed. I hurriedly caught her.

[Assistant] "Eve! Eve! Pull yourself together!" I gently slapped her cheek. Thankfully, she had only lost consciousness, and she soon woke up.

[User] "Ms. Rae…? Where am I?"

[Assistant] "You’re in a reference room in the Nur Empire. Do you remember what happened?" Eve was still disoriented. She turned side to side, scanning the room.

[User] "I was…working on something with you and Lana…then…"

[Assistant] "Go on," I urged.

[User] "Then…I…ah!" Eve shot up to her feet, wide-eyed. "No, how could I have…"

[Assistant] "Calm down… None of it was your fault," I soothed.

[User] "But—"

[Assistant] "It’s fine. Calm down. Let’s take some deep breaths, okay? In…out…" Eve did as I said, taking deep breaths. Her piercing, hateful stare was gone. I could surmise that whatever had been affecting her—likely Salas’s power—was dispelled.

[User] "Okay, let’s clarify some things," I said.


[User] “You are, without a doubt, Manaria’s ex-lover and maid?”

[Assistant] “Yes.”

[User] “And because of that, you hate me?”

[Assistant] “I thought I did, but now I’m not so sure. I don’t know why I felt that way…”

[User] “Right, so…it looks like you had a form of hypnosis cast on you. Don’t worry, none of what you did is your fault.” Rae hugged Eve tightly and felt her sag in Rae's arms with her head facing down.

[Assistant] “I…don’t belong by Lady Manaria’s side anymore. My presence was a problem, so I left her…”

[User] “I know.”

[Assistant] “I left Sousse and worked as a maid in various places. Then…then…” Eve looked up suddenly, as though remembering something important.

[User] “Ms. Rae, you need to go back to the dorm now!”

[Assistant] “Huh?”

[User] “May and Aleah are in danger!”

[Assistant] "Wh-what?!" Her sudden urgency bewildered Rae. But her next words quickly pulled Rae back to reality.

[User] “The one who put the suggestion on me was Lana!”


[Assistant] “Rae!” Claire burst into the room.

[User] “Miss Claire…” Rae could only let out a weak murmur as Claire burst into the room. Rae moved to hug her, and she reciprocated, squeezing Rae tight once before looking Rae in the face.

[Assistant] “Is it true May and Aleah were kidnapped?” she asked.

[User] “Yes… I let my guard down. I’m so sorry…” Crying wouldn’t achieve anything; now was the time to think and formulate a plan. But Rae just couldn’t. Her emotions were like a tempest, and her mind wouldn’t work. Just the thought of what May and Aleah might be going through left Rae paralyzed. If something were to happen to them, Rae—

[Assistant] “Calm down, Rae. You’re not the only one at fault,” Claire consoled Rae.

[User] “But…but…” Rae should’ve been more careful. How could Rae have left them home alone? How could Rae have put off dealing with Eve until now? How could Rae have let this happen?

[Assistant] “Rae, look at me.”

[User] “Miss Claire?” As Rae lost herself to panic, she looked Rae square in the eye with her powerful gaze. She had to be as worried for May and Aleah as Rae was, if not more, yet her eyes had lost neither her determination nor the light of reason.

[Assistant] “Rae, if we’re to get our children back, I need you. Come back to me. Show me the strong Rae I know and love.” She spoke slowly, choosing each word with great care. Rae could feel her trust in her reflected in those words. She didn’t blame Rae in the slightest. The only thing she felt was a sincere desire to rescue their children, together. That realization washed over Rae, calming Rae down.

[User] “Forgive me. I’m okay now,” Rae said.

[Assistant] “Thank you, Rae.”

[User] “No, thank you, Miss Claire.” Rae wiped her tears with a handkerchief, then gently slapped her cheeks with her hands to motivate herself. Let’s do this!

[Assistant] “Let’s confirm what we know first,” Dole said, stroking his moustache.

[User] “Are we certain May and Aleah were kidnapped?”

[Assistant] “Almost one hundred percent certain."


[User] "According to Eve, Lana is definitely involved with Salas in some way."

[Assistant] Eve had told me of her first meeting with Lana in Euclid. Eve had been working at a pub when Lana came by. The two hit it off surprisingly well, and Eve ended up telling Lana about her past.

[User] "Wow. That’s, like, rough. I know some magic that can help with painful memories, though… Wanna try it?" Lana said.

[Assistant] Eve refused at first, but she eventually gave in to Lana’s persistence under the condition that the magic not go too far. The one who ultimately cast the spell on her was a silver-haired, red-eyed person with a handsome face. Her memories after that were a jumbled mess. Eve had been used. Salas had likely taken advantage of her feelings for Manaria to control her, making her believe she was both from Euclid and Lana’s friend.

[User] "The neighbors say they saw Lana take the girls outside, but the gatekeeper was knocked unconscious…"

[Assistant] "Hmm…" Dole continued to stroke his moustache.

[User] "There was also this letter left in their room." I said. The sender of the letter was one Salas Lilium.

[Assistant] "Have you read it?" he asked.

[User] "Not yet, I wanted to wait for Miss Claire."

[Assistant] "Go ahead and open it." Claire urged.

[User] We looked inside to see: Rae Taylor, Claire François, you have until sundown to come to the specified location. Bring no one else, or the lives of your children will be forfeit. The specified location was a slum on the outskirts of the imperial capital—outside the range of the anti-demon barrier.

[Assistant] "This is most certainly a trap." Dole furrowed his brows.

[User] "But what choice do we have? They have May and Aleah hostage."

[Assistant] "I understand, but it’s too reckless to go without a plan."

[User] "There’s no time to plan anything; it’ll be evening soon." Claire said, a bit more impatiently.

[Assistant] "Don’t rush this, either of you. You know how twisted Salas is. There’s no guarantee May and Aleah will be safe even if we do what he says."

[User] "Still—"

[Assistant] "I know. Even I wish for nothing more than May and Aleah’s safety. But it’s precisely because we wish for their safety that we need to do everything we can before we act." Dole was our voice of reason, calming us both. It helped to have someone with many more years of experience at times like this.

[User] "We can assume you two have no choice but to go alone, as they’ll likely be watching our movements. That means you will have to manage without backup." He continued.

[Assistant] "Right."

[User] "We don’t know what he’ll demand, but it likely won’t be good. The most important thing is to not give in to his demands until you can negotiate May and Aleah’s safety."

[Assistant] "What if he threatens them?"

[User] "You mustn’t give in, even then.


[User] "I know it sounds harsh, but if you let him hold all the cards, all four of you will be beyond saving. We have to avoid that at all costs." Dole said firmly. "I’ll teach you how to counter some of the things he might demand. There’s not much time, but do your best to memorize these ploys."

[Assistant] "Please do, Father."

[User] "Please do." With that, Dole taught us his negotiation techniques, making full use of our remaining time.


[Assistant] "Rae, I have a request to make of you." Claire said out of the blue. Having received Dole’s instruction, the two of us were hurrying to the location Salas specified.

[User] "I refuse."

[Assistant] "You haven’t even heard what I have to say yet."

[User] "I can guess what it is, and I refuse."

[Assistant] "Rae…" Claire frowned.

[User] "If you sacrifice yourself, I’ll follow you shortly after."

[Assistant] "You mustn’t!"

[User] "That’s…what I might have said in the past."

[Assistant] "Rae?"

[User] "But that’s not an option anymore. Let’s make sure the four of us make it home together, Miss Claire."

[Assistant] "Yes, let’s."

[User] "We’re almost there, Miss Claire."

[Assistant] "Yes."


[User] I opened the door to the smell of dust and the sound of a voice. "I’ll enter first."

[Assistant] "Be careful."

[User] "Took you long enough, Ms. Rae." The one waiting for us in that place was Lana Lahna.


[User] “I DON’T THINK you should be doing this, Lana.”

[Assistant] “Indeed. This won’t end well for you.”

[User] I studied their familiar faces and found I couldn’t find any trace of despair or worry in them. Something about that irritated me. “Hahhh, aren’t you two rather calm right now? Or do you not realize what’s happening to you? You’ve been kidnapped,” I said threateningly.

[Assistant] “We’ll be okay, right, Aleah?”

[User] “Right!” The twins looked at each other.

[Assistant] “And what makes you think that?” I asked.

[User] “Mama Rae and Mama Claire will definitely save us!”

[Assistant] “Yeah! So we’re not scared!” The twins smiled.

[User] It pissed me off. “How do you know that for sure? They might not come, you know?”

[Assistant] “No, they’ll come!”

[User] “They’ll absolutely come!”

[Assistant] Their faith in their mothers was unshakable. “How can you trust them so blindly? Disgusting.”

[User] “Huh? But wouldn’t your mommy and daddy do the same for you?”

[Assistant] “If Lana were in trouble, they would come, right?” Their innocent question made my blood boil.

[User] Why couldn’t I just kill them now?

[Assistant] “Lana. You mustn’t.” A quiet voice admonished me, and I loosened my grip on the knife in my hand. Papa—Salas Lilium—continued, smiling. “These children are the bait with which we will lure out Rae Taylor and Claire François. You mustn’t kill them.”

[User] “Okay. I’m sorry.” His calming voice reverberated in the back of my mind. Oh, what was I thinking? How could I imagine doing something that went against Papa’s orders?

[Assistant] “Lana…my dear Lana. Listen carefully. I’ll explain what you need to do from here.”

[User] “Okay.” Papa’s voice was music to my ears. Listening to him intoxicated me like drinking alcohol. I wanted to listen to him forever. I wanted to obey him forever.

[Assistant] “Is that person really your papa, Lana?”

[User] “Why is your father making you do bad things?”

[Assistant] But two noises obscured Papa’s voice. These twins were getting on my nerves. “You two wouldn’t understand. A parent’s orders are absolute to a child. There is no room for right or wrong.”

[User] Yes, exactly. All I needed to do was follow Papa’s orders.

[Assistant] “Huh? Really?


[User] “But Mama Rae is always making mistakes, right, Aleah?”

[Assistant] “Indeed. Mother Claire has to scold Mother Rae daily.” The twins disagreed. They were annoying little things.

[User] “Papa, let these children hear your voice too. Shut them up for me.”

[Assistant] Papa shook his head sadly. “These children have a special disposition that doesn’t allow my voice to reach them… But even if they didn’t—” Papa put his hand to my cheek. “You’re the only one I need to hear me.”

[User] “Papa…”

[Assistant] “My dear Lana… I know you will succeed, for you are my masterpiece, my cute little doll.”

[User] Masterpiece. I couldn’t help but get hung up on that word. “Wasn’t Lilly your masterpiece, Papa?” What a terrible daughter I was to doubt Papa’s words.

[Assistant] And yet he smiled at this terrible daughter of his. “Lilly was a failed creation. You are far, far, greater than she ever was, Lana.”

[User] “Really?” I was happy. No longer was I beneath Lilly. Papa only had eyes for me now. If I succeeded here, then surely… I gently brushed the headband on my head. This headband was precious to me, a gift from Papa. I couldn’t take it off or else I wouldn’t be able to hear Papa’s voice. “Who might you be talking to, Lana?”

[Assistant] “I’m talking to Papa, of course.”

[User] “Who’s ‘Papa’? It’s only the three of us here.”

[Assistant] “What do you mean? Papa’s right here.” The twins looked back at me, confused. Poor things. It appeared they couldn’t perceive Papa. “Papa’s always here, right by my side. I hear him, only me, just me…”

[User] “It’s okay, Lana. Our mamas will help you too!”

[Assistant] “Indeed. I’m certain Mother Rae and Mother Claire will figure out some way to help you.”

[User] “Shut up.” I didn’t want to hear it. The only thing I needed to hear was Papa’s voice. He was all I had, and a child who couldn’t do what their Papa said was abandoned. “Papa…it’ll only be a little longer. Watch me. I’ll do it… I’ll show you I can do it!” I was no longer an unwanted child. I was better than Lilly now. Papa said so. He said I was his favorite. So I had to show him that I was worthy of being his favorite. Then I heard footsteps approach the building.

[Assistant] “Mama Rae! Mama Claire!”

[User] “See? I told you they would come.”

[Assistant] “And I told you to shut up.” Their blind trust in their mothers irritated me to no end. Why, though? I wondered. Why does it irritate me?

[User] “Huh… Are you jealous, Lana?”

[Assistant] “Is that why you look so sad?”

[User] Krk. I heard something crack. But I ignored it. “Don’t be stupid. Who would be jea—”

[Assistant] “But I feel sorry for you, Lana.”


[User] "I don’t know hard adult things, but you look like you’re really sad.”

[Assistant] "Having no one to scold you after you do bad things isn’t good, Lana."

[User] Krik—the crack widened.

[Assistant] "Lana… They’re here. Do as I said.”

[User] “Yes, Papa.” The door swung open with a creak.

[Assistant] The first to step forward was Ms. Rae.

[User] “Took you long enough, Ms. Rae.” Lana says. It was time. Lana had to do things right so Papa would praise her… But why did Lana already feel like things wouldn’t go well?


[Assistant] Lana looked no different than she always did as she greeted us, a bright smile on her face. A lamp, caked in dust, barely lit the room. The ceiling was in shambles and even revealed a glimpse of the overcast sky in one spot. Lana stood at the back of the room in front of May and Aleah, who were tied up.

[User] “May! Aleah!”

[Assistant] “Mama Rae!”

[User] “You came!” The twins were unharmed, at least for the time being. Ms. Rae discreetly looked over them to see they were in their outdoor clothes and were properly wearing their shoes. Most importantly, however, May held her usual pouch. Good.

[Assistant] “Wait for me, dears. We’ll save you soon.”

[User] “Okay!”

[Assistant] “Yes, Mother!”

[User] Claire also looked somewhat relieved to see them safe and sound.

[Assistant] “Hahhh, what a heartfelt reunion.” Lana held a knife in her hand, pointed at May and Aleah.

[User] Ms. Rae was about to take a step forward. "I wouldn’t do that if I were you. One more step forward and one of these girls is losing an ear.”

[Assistant] “Don’t!” Ms. Rae yelled, hurriedly stopping her foot. Her plan to get in leaping range to knock the knife out of her hand had failed.

[User] “No magic either, or one of these girls is losing an eye.”

[Assistant] “We understand, so please don’t hurt them.” Claire says. Their safety came first, above all else.

[User] “Hmm? You two seem worried. Are these children really that important?”

[Assistant] “Of course they are. They’re our daughters.” Claire answered.

[User] “Even though you’re not related by blood?”

[Assistant] “Even then.”

[User] “Hmm.” Lana’s bubbly smile disappeared for a brief moment as her eyes darted between Claire and the children. “I seriously just don’t get it. Children are just pawns for their parents. Aren’t you two idiots for coming here knowing the danger?”

[Assistant] “That’s…” Claire began, but she stopped. Lana didn’t seem to understand our affection for our daughters. Perhaps it was something that could only be understood once one became a parent themselves.

[User] “Well, whatever. Let’s finish this. You two want to save these children, right?” Lana asked.

[Assistant] “Of course.”

[User] “Yes.”

[Assistant] A cruel smile rose to Lana’s face. “Then, Ms. Rae…kill Ms. Claire.”

[User] “What?”

[Assistant] “Didn’t you hear me? I said kill Ms. Claire. Do that, and I’ll free these children. Chop-chop now.”

[User] “Lana, quit being stupid and let the children go.”


[User] “I don’t really like repeating myself… Perhaps I should cut off a nose to help you understand?” Lana wore the same easygoing smile she always did as she said those disquieting words. She moved the knife closer to May’s face, making the girl stiffen.

[Assistant] “Well? What’ll it be?” She said, pushing me to make a decision as she flaunted the knife.

[User] I had to kill Claire to save May and Aleah. If I didn’t kill Claire, I couldn’t save May and Aleah. Claire or my children. An impossible choice. The worst-case scenario I had envisioned shortly after the pope’s attempted assassination had come to life.

[Assistant] “I refuse.”

[User] “What?”

[Assistant] “I said I refuse, Lana.” A resounding no.

[User] “H-hah! Figures your lover’s life would be more precious! Of course! That’s all children amount to for parents!”

[Assistant] “You’re wrong, Lana. We’re saving the twins, no matter what. But sacrificing ourselves isn’t the way.”

[User] “There will be no negotiations until our children’s safety is guaranteed.”

[Assistant] We stood our ground, following Dole’s teaching. The first thing we had to do was ensure that Lana wasn’t the one in control. I had long racked my brain about this impossible choice and concluded the best option was neither of the two options presented, but a third: To be greedy and protect both Claire and my children. Who said I had only two choices in the first place?

[User] “Oh, really?” Lana asked threateningly, dissatisfied with our answer and expression becoming villainous. “I guess you don’t care if I—”

[Assistant] “If you so much as scratch the twins, I’ll turn you to ash right where you stand.” Claire interrupted coldly.

[User] “Ngh.”

[Assistant] Of course, we didn’t want our daughters to be hurt, but we could at least hold Lana in check by threatening her life. I couldn’t be sure, but I suspected she hadn’t realized our trump card was already on site. We’d had the upper hand in this negotiation from the start.

[User] “Well, I don’t really value my life, so—whatever!”

[Assistant] “If it’s for Papa’s sake, I don’t—”

[User] “By Papa, do you mean Salas?”

[Assistant] “That’s right! Papa said if I dispose of you, he’ll love me and me alone!”

[User] “Lana…” She smiled, but something about it felt hollow. Even her gaze, full of joy, was somehow empty and vacant.

[Assistant] “Mama Rae, Mama Claire, please help Lana."

[User] “She has something bad in her.”

[Assistant] The twins showed concern for Lana even after what she’d done to them. They believed she wasn’t herself and that the nice girl who occasionally played with them was the real Lana.

[User] “Of course we will, dears.”

[Assistant] “Leave it to us.”

[User] “Shut up!” Lana suddenly shrieked. She had been acting strange for a while now. I was worried she might hurt the twins in her agitation; perhaps it would be best to tread lightly from here on out.


[User] "I’m…I’m fine… As long as I have Papa… As…as long as I obey Papa’s voice…" Lana mumbled. She appeared to be under Salas’s hypnosis as well. "Papa, tell me…what do I do?"

[Assistant] In an instant, her face went expressionless, and she spoke in a flat, toneless voice that was not quite her own. "Kill one of the twins. They will reconsider things then."

[User] "Okay, Papa!" With a look of glee, Lana gripped her knife and swung down at May’s neck. Claire and I sprang forward immediately.

[Assistant] "Agh, what is this? !" Something soft and translucent intercepted her knife before it could reach May’s neck. It was Ralaire, who had been hiding in May’s pouch up until that moment. She was always by the twins’ side, both as a bodyguard and to neutralize the curse in their blood.

[User] "Absolute Zero!" I cast the fastest spell I knew at the knife in Lana’s hand.

[Assistant] "Ngh? !" The entirety of the knife and her hand froze. Now without a usable weapon, Lana fell into panic. Claire and I took the opening to continue our onslaught.

[User] "Flame!"

[Assistant] "Uplift!" Claire made an opening in the already half-crumbled ceiling, which I then lifted May and Aleah through. The spell I used was one of my own creation, far faster to cast than the spell I’d based it off of.

[User] "Wh-what?" Lana was bewildered. Claire took advantage of Lana’s bewilderment to close in and put Lana’s frozen hand into an armlock on the ground.

[Assistant] "Surrender yourself."

[User] "Ngh… Let me go!"

[Assistant] "Rae, use the Tears of the Moon!"

[User] "Right. O moonlight, drive out the evil dwelling in this body!" A soft light began to shine on Lana, but…

[Assistant] "Let me go! Papa! Papa!" Lana was unaffected and continued to thrash underneath Claire.

[User] "Mama Rae, it’s the headband!" May said from above.

[Assistant] "Lana said she got it from her father," Aleah explained.

[User] "No! Don’t!" Lana began to thrash even more furiously at the mention of the headband.

[Assistant] "You can’t take this from me! It’s the only thing Papa’s ever given me!"

[User] "Lana," Claire said, "I sympathize with your plight. But it is time you were freed from Salas’s binding. Do it, Rae." With Claire’s hands occupied with restraining Lana, I removed the headband in her stead.

[Assistant] "No! Stop it—" The moment I removed the headband, Lana’s eyes rolled back as she lost consciousness—likely the effects of being freed from the magical tool’s power. Her thrashing came to a stop as well.

[User] "Whew… I suppose that’s it, then?" Claire asked.

[Assistant] "It would seem so." Lana was neutralized, and May and Aleah were both safe. So why did I feel such a sense of unease? Would that schemer really be satisfied with such a simple plan?


[User] "Mama Rae, there’s something in the sky." May said.

[Assistant] "A lot of scary black things are flying this way," Aleah said.


[User] I felt a chill run down my spine. “May, Aleah, get dow—” Before I could finish, a torrent of dark beams struck the abandoned house.

[Assistant] “Ngh.” I returned to my senses to find my surroundings changed. The half-crumbled house had been fully destroyed, a crater carved into the earth where it had stood. The moment my mind registered that we had been attacked, I began looking around and calling for my family. “May?! Aleah?! Miss Claire? !”

[User] "I’m here, Rae.”

[Assistant] “Miss Claire! Thank goodness.”

[User] “More importantly, where are May and Aleah?” Having been caught off guard, I hadn’t had time to put up defensive magic. It was a miracle we’d come out unscathed.

[Assistant] “We’re okay!” I heard May’s lively voice from above the pillar I’d made with Uplift.

[User] “May and Ralaire protected me!” Aleah said.

[Assistant] I peered, and saw a magic barrier was spread above them, created by May and Ralaire. I later learned that the magical tool sealing May’s magic had been destroyed by a piece of rubble when I cast Uplift. I let out a sigh of relief knowing that the twins were safe. “I’ll let you down now,” I said, lowering the pillar until it was level with the earth.

[User] The twins ran up to us.

[Assistant] “Are you two okay?! Any injuries? !” Claire worriedly asked.

[User] “We’re okay, but—”

[Assistant] "Mother, more of those black lights are coming!”

[User] I looked in the direction Aleah pointed to see black beams fast approaching. I hurriedly put up a barrier with my earth magic.

[Assistant] Just then, a figure creeped out from the safety of my barrier. “Lana! What are you doing? Get behind the barrier!” I yelled.

[User] “I can’t… I…betrayed everyone…” she muttered, the color drained from her face.

[Assistant] “That wasn’t your fault! You were being controlled!”

[User] “Even so… Life’s not worth living if Papa’s abandoned me.”

[Assistant] So that was how it was. The barrage of black beams were targeting not only us but Lana as well. Salas intended to kill us all, her included. She was despairing, having realized she’d lost the only thing she clung to. “Just…let me die.”

[User] “No!” Maintaining the barrier with one hand, I pulled Lana back with my other. It was difficult, on account of my exhaustion and her heavier body, but I managed to pull her back just as what I presumed was demon magic impacted the barrier. It’s a longer barrage this time!

[Assistant] “Just let me die, Ms. Rae…”

[User] “I refuse!” I stopped Lana as she tried to leave the safety of the barrier again.

[Assistant] “Why…? Why are you doing this for me?”

[User] “Something like that should be obvious! You’re my student, Lana! I won’t abandon you, not as long as you call me ‘Ms. Rae’!” Mustering all my strength, I pulled her back.

[Assistant] She fell toward me just as the barrage of magic ended.

[User] “You…you idiot,” she mumbled.

[Assistant] “I get that a lot.”

[User] “Why won’t you let me die?"


[User] "And you’ll be chastised for that dearly later."

[Assistant] Lana began to cry, even as she smiled faintly.

[User] "Lana, you did something bad." The twins rushed over to her.

[Assistant] "You’re supposed to be scolded after you do bad things, you know?"

[User] They put their hands on Lana’s back and pushed, saying, “One, two, I’m sorry,” as they lowered their heads with her.

[Assistant] "Hick…guh…waah! I’m sorry… I’m sorry!" The dam finally burst, and Lana sobbed, bowing profusely all the while. May and Aleah comforted her as she did so.

[User] "Don’t cry, Lana…"

[Assistant] "If you cry, then we’ll start to cry too…" The twins began sniffling, the terror of being kidnapped perhaps only now finally catching up to them.

[User] "Mama!" "It was so scary!" The two girls threw themselves into Claire’s embrace.

[Assistant] Claire began to sob as she held them tight. "It’s all right, dears… Everything’s all right now…" She wore a look of relief as she tearfully hugged them.


[User] It felt like our ordeal was finally over. No more barrages of black beams came after that, and we were able to return to the capital. And so came an end to the kidnapping incident. Afterward, Lana was privately questioned by people from Bauer. Kidnapping was a crime, of course, but Claire and I didn’t want to file a report with the empire’s authorities.

[Assistant] According to her, she had been one of Salas’s human subjects, like Lilly—just as I thought. She and the other subjects had been made to compete with each other and raised to be dependent on Salas. After his success with Lilly, Salas abandoned Lana and the others…until a year ago, when someone calling themselves a representative of Salas approached her.

[User] "I was so happy. I thought I was needed again."

[Assistant] Salas took advantage of her loneliness to control her. She had long come to dearly treasure her only gift from Salas, a white headband. Of course, it was actually a magical tool he used to manipulate her, but Lana had only known it as proof of his trust in her.

[User] Like with Joel, Lana and Eve were both to be sent back to Bauer. The two would receive more thorough questioning there and assist with Salas’s capture. We spoke a bit before they departed.


[User] "Thank you for being my teacher, Ms. Rae."

[Assistant] "It was a pleasure to have you as a student, Lana."

[User] "Papa ordered me to say I liked you, but…I think I’ve come to really like you now.”

[Assistant] "I can’t return those feelings, you know?"

[User] “Ha ha, I know!” Lana smiled. "Ms. Rae, Ms. Claire, I’m really sorry about what I did. I don’t deserve to be forgiven, but I’ll at least try to make it up to you one day. If I can ever help you with anything, please, let me know.”

[Assistant] “Those words alone are enough.”

[User] “Indeed. Rather, please focus on capturing Salas for now.”

[Assistant] “Right. It’s time I overcame my Papa.” While I could tell Lana felt guilt and regret for what she had done, part of her sounded as though she’d been freed from something holding her back. “C’mon, Eve. You say something too.”

[User] “I don’t even know how I can begin to apologize,” Eve said uneasily. She was to return to Bauer temporarily, and from there she would go to Sousse—at Manaria’s request.

[Assistant] “You’re not at fault either, Eve. The only one to blame here is Salas.”

[User] “But had I been stronger-willed, I—”

[Assistant] “No, Eve,” Claire interrupted Eve’s self-disparaging comment. “Magic is a powerful force. It isn’t something one can resist by will alone. None of this was your fault.”

[User] “Still…”

[Assistant] “If there’s anything you need to reflect on, it’s leaving my sister without saying a word to her. Make sure you have a nice, long talk with her when you return to Sousse.”

[User] "I’ll think about it." Eve grinned wryly. She still had some reservations, it seemed. Her relationship with Manaria was none of my business, but I really wanted to help somehow.

[Assistant] “We’ll be departing soon,” the coachman called.

[User] It was time.

[Assistant] “So…until we meet again, Ms. Rae. Later.”

[User] “Thank you for everything.”

[Assistant] “Be well.”

[User] “Stay safe, you two.” We shook hands before they left. The moment before she boarded the coach, Lana turned as though she’d just remembered something.

[Assistant] “Hey, Ms. Rae? Can you tell the twins something for me?”

[User] “Of course.”

[Assistant] “Can you tell them…I’m glad I got scolded in the end.”

[User] “I’ll tell them.” I nodded, which made Lana smile broadly. Claire and I watched as the coach faded into the distance.

[Assistant] “Miss Claire?”

[User] “Yes?”

[Assistant] “Salas is a monster.”

[User] “He is indeed.”

[Assistant] “I despised him before, but this incident was the final straw.”

[User] “I couldn’t agree more.” Claire nodded deeply. “We’ll capture him—won’t we, Miss Claire?”

[Assistant] “Absolutely.” The two of us wordlessly—yet resolutely—nodded at one another. We would bring that man to justice no matter what.

[User] “Shall we return?”

[Assistant] “Yes. To where our beloved daughters await us.” Having learned from this incident, the security around the Bauer dorm was strengthened. May and Aleah were also never left unattended again. At that moment, Dole was watching them.


[User] "AND WITH THAT, our plan to change the empire is back to square one."

[Assistant] "I see." Claire and Rae were visiting Thane in the lodging provided to visiting Bauer delegates. They told him everything that had happened, from how the empire reacted to their scheming to the incidents with their students, and they even described the kidnapping incident. May and Aleah were with them as well, though they were off playing in another room. Thane’s accommodations were far neater and tidier than their own, with a bluish hue to the furnishings that gave it an oceanic feel. They were meeting in the study. Once they were done with their report, he nodded.

[User] "I understand. Thank you for your report. There’s something I must apologize to you both for, however."

[Assistant] "Apologize? What for?" Claire asked.

[User] Thane frowned, looking uncomfortable. "I apologize for sending you to the Nur Empire as exchange students."

[Assistant] "You needn’t worry about that, Your Majesty. We both understand Bauer had no other choice."

[User] "Besides, it’s not your fault." Rae added. "If anything, the blame lies with Lady Manaria for stirring the pot, or the empire for being the cause of all the pot stirring in the first place."

[Assistant] "I wonder…" Thane grinned wryly, not wholly convinced. "Regardless, I am the highest authority in the Bauer government, and as such, I bear responsibility for what happened. Forgive me." He slowly rose from his chair and bowed his head.

[User] "Wha—Your Majesty, you mustn’t!" Claire exclaimed.

[Assistant] "Just let him, Miss Claire." Rae said. "I’m sure His Majesty wants to make amends."

[User] "It’s as Rae says. Please accept my apology, Claire."

[Assistant] "Very well, then." Claire reluctantly said.

[User] "Why don’t we leave it at that and turn our attention to what lies ahead?" Dole spoke up.

[Assistant] "Anything to report on the empire?" Thane addressed Dole François, Rae's father-in-law. Assisting with political matters per request of the current Bauer government, Dole had tagged along to report to Thane, too.


[User] "The empire is as uncompromising as ever. Dorothea is being stubborn to the end." Dole nonchalantly said.

[Assistant] "It’s merely a rumor, but I’ve heard word that the recently exiled Princess Philine, of the reconciliation faction, has been assassinated." Dole continued.

[User] "Father, is that true?!"

[Assistant] "It’s unconfirmed, but a lock of her hair was sent to the imperial family. The blood was confirmed to be hers by magical tools."

[User] "That can’t be…" Claire was dismayed.

[Assistant] "Miss Claire, I’m sure Philine is all right." I tried to comfort her.

[User] "B-but…"

[Assistant] "Trust me."

[User] "This is a significant blow to reconciliation efforts with the empire."

[Assistant] "That being the case, how likely do you believe the empire is to accept our demands at the summit?"

[User] "At best, around thirty percent. Queen Manaria is capable, but she sorely lacks experience. The same can be said for Irvine. Dorothea is much shrewder than both of them."

[Assistant] "Hmm…"

[User] "Bill should be able to perform, however. We should let him take the lead at the summit."

[Assistant] "Who is this Bill, Father?"

[User] "Oh dear, I seem to have used his nickname by accident. I meant William. You’ve met William before, Claire. The king of the Alpes."

[Assistant] "Ahh, His Majesty William."

[User] "But before we continue, I think it would be best for you two to head home."

[Assistant] "Huh? Why, Father? How are we supposed to prepare if we don’t know what’s going on?"

[User] "There’s nothing to prepare for. You won’t be attending the summit."

[Assistant] "Huh?"

[User] "Bauer has relied on your help far too much. As your father, I can no longer turn a blind eye." He went on to explain. "You’ve both been far too involved in our political affairs. You were even before the revolution.


[User] “Not only is it not in Bauer’s best interests for you to be such lynchpins, but as a father, I can’t stand to see my daughter—and daughter-in-law—exploited any further.”

[Assistant] “I agree with Dole. You two have done enough. We couldn’t possibly ask you two to do anything else.”

[User] “But we came to the empire of our own volition! To create a better future for May and Aleah! We can’t just stop now!” Claire protested.

[Assistant] “I understand how you feel. But practically speaking, there is no need for either of you to be at the summit. Leave this to the political experts.”

[User] “But…” Claire frowned.

[Assistant] “Claire, you’ve done enough. You can live your own lives now. No—in fact, I’m sorry. You should have been living your own lives long before now.” Dole said with sincerity.

[User] “Let’s do as Master Dole asks, Miss Claire.”

[Assistant] “Rae…”

[User] “There are ways for us to help outside the political realm.”

[Assistant] “Indeed. You are both intelligent and adept at magic, and you can study at school and raise your daughters. Isn’t that a good enough life already?”

[User] When he said it like that, it sounded like archaic gender roles of the variety that society forced on women…but perhaps that was the life Dole himself wished he could have led.

[Assistant] “I shall take my leave!” Claire declared.

[User] “Ah, wait, Miss Claire! I shall take my leave here as well.” Rae chased after Claire, who stormed off, feelings clearly hurt.

[Assistant] “Forgive me.” Dole murmured as I left.

[User] “Even if the world were to need you both, I would still wish for your safety instead.” Dole's words were probably what he truly wanted to say to her.


[Assistant] “Thank you for taking the time to come.” the middle-aged man said as he prepared us tea.

[User] “Not at all, Mr. Torrid. Rather, I’m sorry we didn’t visit earlier.” Claire said.


[User] "I see… So you’ve opened it, then." He said, a pained but somewhat resigned look on his face.

[Assistant] "I cannot apologize enough for what we did. Even if we believed it to be necessary, we still went against your wishes."

[User] "Thank you. But perhaps this was simply meant to be. Human curiosity knows no bounds. I’m sure someone would eventually have discovered the same things I did, even if you hadn’t opened the box." He smiled weakly. "I’ve returned to the empire to set things right. I doubt they’ll extend me a warm welcome, but that research is simply too dangerous. I must warn them."

[Assistant] "Warn them?"

[User] "Come to think of it, didn’t the letter you sent us contain a warning? Something about being watched." Rae remembered the missive she'd received after asking him how to open the box.

[Assistant] "I cannot go into detail. I don’t want to see you two dragged into this."

[User] "Can’t you, please? Right now, we need all the power we can get."

[Assistant] "Ms. Claire, you are more than powerful enough. I doubt there are many in this world who can best you or Ms. Rae when it comes to magic." He addressed them in that way because he insisted on treating them as fellow teachers of the Royal Academy.

[User] "But the demons remain leagues above us. Miss Claire and I have been made painfully aware of this fact many times already."

[Assistant] "I don’t mean to be unreasonable, but we simply cannot remain as we are if we are to protect those dear to us…like May and Aleah."

[User] "Please, Mr. Torrid, can’t you teach us something that will allow us to become stronger? Anything that can help will do, even that so-called forbidden whatnot you fear so much."

[Assistant] He pondered quietly for a while. Minutes passed before he finally said, "Have you two ever wondered just what magic is?"

[User] "I’m sorry?" Rae asked, caught off guard.

[Assistant] "The ability to cause phenomena through the usage of magical power to activate magic stones…perhaps?"

[User] "An exemplary answer, Ms. Claire.


[User] "Then for you, Ms. Rae. What is this magical power?” he asked.

[Assistant] “Um…a power each person has that corresponds with their magic aptitude?” I asked, unsure.

[User] “Precisely,” he said, to my surprise. “Then to go one step further, where does this power come from?”

[Assistant] “Huh? Well, it comes from the body, does it not?” Claire asked.

[User] “That answer isn’t wrong, but it is hardly the whole story. There exists a step just before it forms in the human body.”

[Assistant] “And that is…?” I pressed.

[User] His expression stiffened suddenly. “To continue the discussion beyond this point will take us into heretical territory. To know is to live being watched by the Church.”

[Assistant] “Huh? The Church?” I asked. What did the Church have to do with this? And what did he mean by watching?

[User] “This world has secrets,” he said. “I learned but one of those secrets, and I have been monitored by the Church ever since. I fear they might be watching us at this very moment.”

[Assistant] I hadn’t a clue what he was talking about. But it didn’t matter.

[User] “I don’t care. If it gives us the strength to protect our daughters, I will do anything,” Claire said.

[Assistant] “I feel the same way,” I said. Claire and I had the resolve. How could we protect those we loved if we weren’t prepared to brave a few dangers?

[User] “You two remind me of my daughter,” Mr. Torrid sighed.

[Assistant] “The one who died during your research?”

[User] “Rae!” Claire rebuked.

[Assistant] “So you knew,” he said. “Yes, my research killed my very own daughter. She couldn’t bring herself to abandon the pursuit of truth, believing what lay beyond would bring happiness to many.” He looked at us with pained eyes, as though the image of his daughter were overlaid upon us. “I’m sorry. I’m afraid I cannot tell you after all. I just know you would follow the same path she took, and I do not wish to see any more victims.”

[User] “Mr. Torrid, please!” Claire begged.

[Assistant] “Forgive me. This conversation ends here,” he said with finality—when suddenly there was a knock at the door. “Hm? Who is it?”


[User] “My name is Lilly Lilium. Do you mind if we talk a bit?”

[Assistant] Lilly? Why would she be visiting Mr. Torrid? I wondered. Claire seemed to be wondering the same thing. But Mr. Torrid’s reaction was far more severe.

[User] “Th-the Church? !” he exclaimed. The color drained from his face, and sweat beaded his brow. He regarded the door with an air of great vigilance. “What does the Church want with me?”

[Assistant] “Mmm…how about you let me in first?” Lilly asked.

[User] “State your business!”

[Assistant] “Right… How about…I came because I heard Rae and Miss Claire were here?”

[User] I was about to reflexively respond when Mr. Torrid stopped me.

[Assistant] “You must have misheard. They are not,” he said.

[User] “I know they are."


[User] "I have some business with them, so—oh, just open the damned door already.” Lilly’s voice turned cold and harsh, a far cry from her usual bouts of involuntary swearing.

[Assistant] “Ngh… Forgive me, Ms. Rae, Ms. Claire. It would appear I was too late.”

[User] “Wh-what do you mean?”

[Assistant] We couldn’t hide our confusion as to what was going on. Mr. Torrid reluctantly walked over and unlocked the door.

[User] “Good afternoon, Rae, Miss Claire.” The one who walked in was unmistakably Lilly…but something was off about her.

[Assistant] “You need to quit being so stubborn, Torrid. We’re always watching you. There’s no point in trying to trick us.”

[User] "I beg you, leave them out of this!”

[Assistant] “Oh, stop it… You’re making me look like the bad guy here. Far from it, I’m here to help these two.” Lilly smiled coldly.

[User] The sense of unease I felt heightened.

[Assistant] “You’re not Lilly, are you?” Claire asked, her magic wand already at the ready.

[User] “Very astute, Miss Claire. I figured you’d be the first to realize. You’re correct, I am not Lilly. But that doesn’t matter right now. I’ll free her once we’re done.”

[Assistant] “It couldn’t be—Salas? !” I exclaimed, thinking he had used his hypnosis magic on Lilly.

[User] “No, that man has nothing to do with this.”

[Assistant] “She…is an apostle.”

[User] Lilly—rather, the apostle—smiled broadly at Mr. Torrid’s words.


[Assistant] “Apostle?” Claire said, puzzled. Even I, with my knowledge from having played Revolution, didn’t know what Mr. Torrid meant.

[User] “Why don’t we sit down and talk? Oh, no tea for me, thank you." the apostle with Lilly’s face said.

[Assistant] Mr. Torrid, Claire, and I looked warily at each other, but we ultimately concluded it would be best to do as this entity said. We sat around the four sides of the table, with the apostle sitting nearest the entrance and Mr. Torrid sitting furthest. Claire and I took the remaining sides.

[User] “Why don’t I start by introducing myself? Oh, I already know all about you three, so don’t worry about introducing yourselves,” the apostle teased.

[Assistant] I nodded, seeing no reason to object. The apostle smiled, satisfied, before continuing.

[User] “We are known as the apostles. We carry out the will of the Spiritual Church by intervening behind the scenes to maintain the balance of the world.”

[Assistant] “What’s your connection to Lilly? Are you her split personality?” There were a lot of questions dying to be asked, but this seemed the most pressing. No matter how you looked at it, Lilly wasn’t herself right now. I hoped she was all right.

[User] “Lilly Lilium is indeed asleep at the moment, but I am not some split personality of hers. That personality is a product of Salas Lilium’s meddling, and he is already a part of her,” the apostle answered. What did she mean by that? Had Lilly’s split personality already been synthesized into her or something? But there were more pressing questions.


[User] “Just what in the world are you, then?”

[Assistant] “Like I said, an apostle. An individual who borrows the bodies of Spiritual Church members to maintain the balance of the world. We’re the fixers, if you will.”

[User] I felt out of my depth all of a sudden. What was she talking about?

[Assistant] “You mentioned you intervene with the world, but what exactly does that entail?”

[User] “I can’t quite tell you our secrets, but it involves warning and monitoring any humans who come too close to learning the inner workings of the world.”

[Assistant] Essentially what had happened to Mr. Torrid, then. Did that mean the inner workings of the world had something to do with magic?

[User] “So you’re here to issue us a warning?”

[Assistant] The apostle shook her head. “No. I’m here today to make sure you get the strength you seek.”

[User] “Huh?” I murmured, perplexed. Why would a group focused on manipulating the world behind the scenes want to help us?

[Assistant] “You are both too weak to fight the demons. I thought granting you blessed weapons would be enough, but apparently not.”

[User] “Wait…were you Lilly at that time?”

[Assistant] “No, that was the true Lilly Lilium. However, the one who granted her the weapons to offer was us, the will of the Church.” So she claimed.

[User] She was the spitting image of Lilly, though. If the apostle had been imitating her speech and conduct, I would have had no way to tell them apart.

[Assistant] “Let’s get back on topic. I want Torrid Magic to teach the two of you the basics of true magic.”

[User] “Enough! Don’t involve them any further!” Mr. Torrid exclaimed.

[Assistant] The apostle smiled thinly. “You misunderstand, Torrid Magic.”

[User] “How so?”

[Assistant] “These two aren’t involved in anything due to your actions. The Spiritual Church simply needs them alive, and you just so happen to be useful for that purpose.”

[User] I took a quick glance at Claire. She looked back at me and nodded, having arrived at the same conclusion as me: The apostle’s manner of speaking resembled that of the demons we’d met. We didn’t yet know the significance of that, but it was clear they both regarded Claire and me as special in some way.

[Assistant] “What do you mean?”

[User] “That is not for you to know, Torrid Magic. Rae Taylor and Claire François, on the other hand, will be told when the time comes.” The apostle coldly brushed off Mr. Torrid’s question before turning to Claire and me. “You must increase your proficiency in magic at least to the point where you can do tandem casting.”

[Assistant] “Tandem casting?”

[User] The apostle nodded. “Common spells are performed by a single individual, and these fall under the category of solo casting.


[User] "The opposite, tandem casting, involves multiple casters performing one spell.”

[Assistant] “Is such a thing even possible?” Claire asked.

[User] “It is. You can ask Torrid Magic for the details. He’s already figured out the underlying theory.”

[Assistant] “Wait!” Mr. Torrid cried. “Tandem casting is too risky! The conditions are exceptionally difficult, and if you fail—”

[User] “Right, right. The casters will experience backlash,” the apostle said nonchalantly.

[Assistant] “There’s no need to worry, though,” the apostle said. “I guarantee these two girls won’t experience any backlash.”

[User] “How can you be so sure?”

[Assistant] “Again, that is not for you to know, Torrid Magic. All you need to do is teach these two how to perform tandem casting.”

[User] Mr. Torrid wore a vexed look.

[Assistant] “How rude!” Claire exclaimed. “If you’re going to ask someone for something, the least you can do is show some courtesy!”

[User] The apostle looked bewildered for a moment, before bursting into laughter. “Hee hee…aha ha ha ha!”

[Assistant] “Wh-what’s so funny?” Claire asked.

[User] “Oh, forgive me. I couldn’t help but laugh at the absurdity of your statement. It’s as though you think we apostles are human.”

[Assistant] “Huh?! Are you not? !”

[User] “No, we are not.”

[Assistant] I felt like the more I heard, the less I understood. The ones controlling this world from the wings weren’t even human? Then just what were they? And what was this world?

[User] “We… Yes, for now, you can think of us as someone with ties to the Spirit God.”

[Assistant] “Huh?” Claire frowned.

[User] “There’s a more fitting term, but I doubt you would be familiar with it, Claire François. Although…” The apostle paused and looked toward me. “I suppose Rae Taylor might be.”

[Assistant] I hadn’t a clue what the apostle could be alluding to—or much else of what she had been saying, for that matter.

[User] “Anyway. Rae Taylor, Claire François, please learn the basics of tandem casting from Torrid Magic and master it as best you can.”

[Assistant] “And if we refuse?” Claire asked.

[User] “You won’t.”

[Assistant] “What makes you say that?”

[User] “I know you won’t pass up the opportunity to obtain the strength needed to defend your family.”

[Assistant] “Humph.” Claire huffed.

[User] Claire and I would do anything to better protect our family.

[Assistant] “I shall take my leave, then. This girl’s about to wake up soon, anyway.” The apostle vacated her seat. She moved toward the door, then stopped and turned. “Oh, right, one last thing. Keep this a secret…or something just might happen to May and Aleah.”

[User] Claire shot the apostle a fierce stare, but she simply left, showing no indication of caring. That was our first contact with the apostle—no, the truth of the world.


[User] “I’ll teach you everything I know.” As soon as the apostle left, Mr. Torrid agreed to teach us the basics of a new form of magic. We moved to a vacant lot to the rear of the Bauer dorm.

[Assistant] I thought it was a little narrow for practicing magic, but he said it would do fine. Claire and I withdrew our wands and waited for his instruction. “The apostle already said as much, but I’ll reiterate just in case: I’ll be teaching you a technique called tandem casting. Think of it as multiple people working together to cast a single spell.”

[User] “Is such a thing even possible?”

[Assistant] “Yes. Well, in theory it is.” It sounded like it was tricky to put the theory into practice. “Are you familiar with the fact that there are different types of human blood?”

[User] “I’ve heard of it. Something about certain types not being compatible with others.”

[Assistant] They were talking about blood types. This world lacked my world’s level of medical knowledge, but it seemed they had still somehow managed to work out blood had a variety of compositions. “It’s as you say, Ms. Claire. Magic, like blood, can be compatible or incompatible as well. Tandem casting requires the casters to mix their magic, but if their magic is not compatible, there will be a rejection. At worst, this can lead to death.” He paused for a moment. “Using this theory as a basis, I made that ring I sealed away in the Box of the Forbidden. The ring amplifies a certain type of magic but causes those incompatible with it to go berserk. I’ve…sacrificed countless people, including my own daughter. And yet my research has accomplished next to nothing.” He said, voice laden with self-derision.

[User] “Oh, Mr. Torrid…” Claire tried to comfort him.

[Assistant] “Ah, forgive me. Now’s not the time for me to wallow in self-pity, is it? Let’s continue. The mixing of magic is a requirement for tandem casting. Let’s start by having you two practice overlapping your power.” I was suddenly reminded of my time as a student at the Royal Academy. Claire and I had received our first lesson with Mr. Torrid in a moment quite like this, not long before I encountered Ralaire. It hadn’t been more than two years, but it felt like an eternity ago—perhaps a testament to just how fulfilling my time with Claire had been. “Please start by holding hands.”

[User] “Like this?” Claire asked as she held my hand. If this were the old Claire, she would have complained about having to touch a filthy commoner’s fingers. Oh, how she had changed…

[Assistant] “Tighter, please. Interlace your fingers one by one.”

[User] “Oh, like lovers?”

[Assistant] “L-L-L-L-Lo-Lovers? !” Despite her shock, she obeyed his instruction. We’d long been close enough to share nights in each other’s embrace, yet there were still times when she acted like a child experiencing her first love.


[User] "I understand your hesitation, Ms. Claire, but this is a necessary step. Now, please focus on each other’s presence."

[Assistant] "Rae makes her presence known enough already…" Claire muttered.

[User] "Ahh, Miss Claire’s hand is sooo soft."

[Assistant] "Eeek! Cease stroking my palm at once!"

[User] C’mon, it’s not every day we hold hands like lovers. I’d be remiss not to enjoy it as much as I can!

[Assistant] "Next, try channeling a small amount of pure, attribute-less magic through your hand."

[User] "Right-o."

[Assistant] "Wait just a moment, Rae! What are you thinking, Mr. Torrid?!" Claire said, incredulously.

[User] "Is something the matter?"

[Assistant] "Yes, of course! Sending pure magic into another person is extremely harmful. This is elementary magic theory!"

[User] "Ohh, really?"

[Assistant] "You didn’t know?!" she exclaimed.

[User] Such a fact hadn’t been anywhere in Revolution. I suspected it was such common sense in this world that it wasn’t even worth mentioning.

[Assistant] "You are correct, Ms. Claire. Under normal circumstances, it isn’t safe. I lost my daughter in just such a way. But the apostle insisted you two would be fine, so…"

[User] "So we have no choice but to try it. Fine. In the event something goes wrong, I’m trusting you to heal us, Mr. Torrid."

[Assistant] "Don’t worry, I will."

[User] What we had to do was similar to what May had done when she opened the Box of the Forbidden. Attribute-less magic dispersed rather easily, so controlling it proved somewhat difficult. Taking extreme care, I slowly sent my magic into Claire’s hand. "How is it? Do you feel sick in any way?"

[Assistant] "No, not particularly. In fact, I feel something warm flowing from your hand. It’s comforting."

[User] "Well, your magic makes me feel all hot and tingly inside."

[Assistant] "Phrasing, Rae."

[User] What? It’s true.

[Assistant] "Hmm… It would seem the apostle was telling the truth. Your magics must be compatible—they’re melding together very well. Tandem casting shouldn’t be a problem, then. Let’s give it a go. You should be able to jointly cast any magic either of you have an attribute for."

[User] "Meaning, between Rae and me, we can cast earth, water, or fire magic?"

[Assistant] "Indeed. It’ll likely be a bit hard to control at first, so start by casting an extremely simple fire bullet."

[User] "Understood. Are you ready, Rae?"

[Assistant] "Yes." Fire magic was uncharted territory for me. I wasn’t certain how well I could do.

[User] "Extend your connected hands forward."

[Assistant] "Like this?"

[User] "Good. Now imagine a fire bullet forming in front of your hands. Let’s have Ms. Claire focus on controlling the magic while Ms. Rae focuses on supporting." Positioned as though we were about to begin ballroom dancing, Claire and I focused as hard as we could. We held our wand hands forward as we kept our other hands joined together by our opposite sides. But nothing happened.


[User] "Take your time," Mr. Torrid said. "Tandem casting is an incredibly difficult technique. It can take upward of months or years of study to—"

[Assistant] "Oh," we chorused in unison. A fire bullet shot from our outstretched wands, turning the tree we were aiming at to ash. The size of the projectile surprised me, as I had been limiting the strength of my magic as best I could.

[User] "Or…I suppose not?" Mr. Torrid was at a loss for words.

[Assistant] "I…guess we did it."

[User] "It would seem so."

[Assistant] "Er, right, I suppose congratulations are in order. Well done, both of you.” Mr. Torrid smiled kindly, despite being so outdone.

[User] "Thank you very much, Mr. Torrid."

[Assistant] "Thank you very much."

[User] "As you’ve experienced just now, tandem casting can create tremendously powerful magic. That was just a simple fire bullet, but imagine how devastating it would be if it were Ms. Claire’s Magic Ray or Ms. Rae’s Absolute Zero instead. Just remember to be careful where you use this technique—and to not to lose control."

[Assistant] "I see… Thank you."

[User] "I recall you could use compound spells, Ms. Rae?" he asked.

[Assistant] "Yes, a few."

[User] "You should have the fire attribute available to you now, through tandem casting. If you have time, I recommend devising some compound spells with Ms. Claire."

[Assistant] "Thank you, we will."

[User] "We have lots to practice, Miss Claire."

[Assistant] "Indeed…but do we have to hold hands every time?" She blushed.

[User] "What? You don’t like it?"

[Assistant] "It’s not that I don’t like it. It’s just…embarrassing."

[User] "Bit late for that. We’ve done far more embarrassing things than this, you know?"

[Assistant] "Rae!"

[User] "Ha ha ha!"

[Assistant] "It’s good you two are getting along, but aren’t you forgetting my presence?"

[User] "Oops. Forgive me."

[Assistant] "Rae, look what you’ve done now!"

[User] Sorry, but I saw a chance to tease and had to take it. Everything’s been so serious lately, I just want my flirting time with you.

[Assistant] "That’s all I can teach you about tandem casting itself. Let’s end by discussing a few practical applications of the technique." Mr. Torrid said. He proceeded to instruct us until late into the evening.


[User] Lana was being questioned in Bauer regarding Salas. Eve was being questioned as well, but she should soon be sent to Sousse. Joel had been deported to Bauer on grounds of blaspheming against the Spiritual Church’s doctrine. Philine was exiled and rumored to be assassinated, which of course I didn’t believe. And lastly, Frieda had disappeared around the time of Philine’s exile. The classroom felt empty with so many people gone.

[Assistant] “Rae, you’ll be reprimanded if you’re not paying attention.” Noticing I had my head in the clouds, Claire poked my hand with her pen.

[User] “Sorry. I was just thinking about how everyone’s really gone, you know?”

[Assistant] “I understand what you mean, but please focus on class right now.”

[User] “Right.” I picked up the pen sitting on my notebook and turned my attention forward.

[Assistant] “Let’s see… Otto, can you come up and answer this question?”

[User] Otto silently stood and walked over to the blackboard, a disgruntled look on his face. He quickly answered the problem.

[Assistant] “Very good. You may sit back down.”

[User] As silently as he stood, Otto returned to his seat.

[Assistant] Something was up. As I mentioned before, Otto was a bit of a problem child and would always, without fail, complain when asked to do something by the teacher. Yet he seemed meek today, not offering the slightest complaint—although his face still betrayed his irritation.

[User] “Something’s different about Otto today.”

[Assistant] “Yeah.” We’re on the same wavelength, Miss Claire!—is what I would have exclaimed if class weren’t in session.

[User] “I wonder if something happened.”

[Assistant] “Are you worried for him?”

[User] “Of course. He’s my classmate.”

[Assistant] The fact that she could have genuine concern for someone just because they were her classmate spoke to her virtue. I, on the other hand, didn’t quite share the same goodwill, having only mild curiosity to spur me on. “Why don’t we try talking to him after class?”

[User] “Yes, let’s do just that.”


[Assistant] Yup, I knew it, I thought. It was actually kind of refreshing to see Otto’s regular rudeness return. We had tried inviting Otto to lunch, but he rejected us flatly.

[User] “Huh? Why the hell would I eat lunch with you two? Get lost.”

[Assistant] Of course, Claire wasn’t the type to give up so easily. “There’s something bothering you, isn’t there, Otto? Please, let us be of some help.” Claire stubbornly persisted. She was the type to go out of her way to help someone once they got on her good side. Of course, she was also liable to torment those who got on her bad side…but I digress.

[User] “There’s nothin’ bothering me! Now leave me alone.” Otto spat, but there was no real harshness to his voice, as though his mind were preoccupied with other things.

[Assistant] Oh, my. Could it be that one rumored sickness? I thought. “Psst, Otto…” I whispered.

[User] “What? Not you too now.” Otto groaned.

[Assistant] “You seem a bit…distracted.”

[User] “You’re imagining things.”

[Assistant] “Am I?"


[User] “Or are you…” I paused for suspense. “Lovesick?”

[Assistant] “Like hell I am. I’m not some nutjob with nothing but love on their mind—like you.” He sighed.

[User] Oh. I guess not. And I was so certain of it too… “Well, whatever. Why don’t we eat lunch here, Miss Claire?”

[Assistant] “Great idea, Rae.”

[User] “Wha—hey! You can’t just sit where you like!”

[Assistant] We ignored his complaints and spread out our lunch. “Lunch looks as delicious as ever. Thank you, Rae.”

[User] “You’re welcome, Miss Claire.”

[Assistant] “Oh, do what you want!” Otto said, fed up. He pulled out a lunch of his own and began eating.

[User] “Did you make your lunch yourself?”

[Assistant] “Yeah. Got a problem with that?”

[User] “Not at all. I just thought it looked well made.”

[Assistant] “Not really. This stuff’s pretty whatever,” he said as he thrust a fork into a rolled omelet and took a bite.

[User] “I’m not so sure I’d call making rolled omelets ‘whatever’…”

[Assistant] “Huh? Omelets are as whatever as it gets. You just add seasoning and heat it.”

[User] “But my omelets always turn out strangely crunchy even before I season them…”

[Assistant] “What are you—wait, do you not even know how to crack eggs right? !” he exclaimed.

[User] Nice retort, Otto! “I heard you come from a family of soldiers.”

[Assistant] “Does that include your parents, Otto?”

[User] “Huh? Why do you care?”

[Assistant] “I was just wondering if that’s why you make lunch yourself.”

[User] “Yeah, I guess. No one else has the time to make it.”

[Assistant] This was an unexpected side of Otto. Our first impression of him had been terrible, but maybe we could actually get along. “Is your family just your parents? No siblings?”

[User] I continued.

[Assistant] “Why’re you pelting me with all these questions? !”

[User] “Nobody said you couldn’t ask me questions back. Ask away!”

[Assistant] “Ugh.” Otto scratched his head. “I have an older sister, I guess.”

[User] “Really? What’s she like?”

[Assistant] “Does she attend the Academy as well?”

[User] “Nah, she’s already graduated. She’s…training to join the Imperial Army now.” His tone dropped at the end.

[Assistant] Was something up with his sister?

[User] “So your older sister’s going to become a soldier as well?”

[Assistant] “I guess. Mom and Dad were against it, but she ignored them. Wouldn’t listen to me either…”

[User] “You don’t want her to become a soldier?”

[Assistant] “Well, duh. It’s dangerous.”

[User] “Indeed.”

[Assistant] “The empire is always at war with some country or another. She’ll be sent to the battlefield one day—”

[User] “One day, my ass!” he suddenly yelled.

[Assistant] Confused, Claire and I looked at each other.

[User] “She hasn’t even been assigned anywhere yet, but she still—”

[Assistant] “She what?” Claire asked, but Otto seemed to have come to his senses and stopped.

[User] “Nothing. Forget about it,” he said.

[Assistant] “Otto, please, let us help you.”

[User] “I said forget about it!” Otto stood, slamming his hands on his desk.

[Assistant] The classroom went silent. “Hm? What’s this?”


[User] Something had fluttered out of his desk when he slammed it. With no particular ill will, I picked it up.

[Assistant] “Give that back!” Otto shouted as he snatched the paper out of my hand.

[User] “Did you see it?”

[Assistant] “Yeah. Sorry.”

[User] “Rae?” Claire asked, confused.

[Assistant] His eyes turned bloodshot. This wasn’t good.

[User] “Let’s move to a different location.”

[Assistant] “We need to have a nice, long talk.”

[User] “Tch.”

[Assistant] “What in the world is going on with you two?” Claire said.

[User] “You should come along too, Miss Claire. You okay with that, Otto?”

[Assistant] “Whatever.”

[User] The three of us put away our half-eaten lunches and relocated to the ever-unpopular courtyard. I sat down on a bench.

[Assistant] “All right, start explaining, Otto. What made you plan such a thing?”

[User] “What thing? Don’t leave me in the dark here,” Claire said, confused.

[Assistant] Otto remained silent, so I answered in his stead.

[User] “Otto is planning to assassinate Dorothea.”


[Assistant] “There’s…a group of those who support Philine within the army.” After persistent badgering from Claire and me, Otto gradually began to talk.

[User] “Like a faction?” Claire asked.

[Assistant] “Nothing that grand. Just a small number of people at the military training camp who idolize her.”

[User] “Huh? Idolize?” she said.

[Assistant] “Isn’t this that one thing Philine mentioned, Miss Claire?” I cut in.

[User] “You know, about how some people in the army respect her for helping them?”

[Assistant] “Ohh, yes. She did say something like that.”

[User] “Yeah, that sounds about right,” Otto confirmed.

[Assistant] “They keep passing down the story of what she did over at the military training camp. That place is mentally and physically grueling, and it’s kind of the only thing giving them hope. Eventually, a group formed with the intent of supporting her. One of the non-commissioned officers Philine directly helped was a senior member whom my sister respected. Before long, she too became a devotee of Philine.”

[User] “I see…but what does any of that have to do with wanting to assassinate Her Majesty Dorothea?” Claire asked.

[Assistant] He said, “You know how Philine got exiled? Well, that sent her supporters at the military training camp nuts. And then there was that rumor of her being assassinated. I’m sure you heard it.”

[User] “We did. But it’s just a rumor, isn’t it?” Claire asked.

[Assistant] “Dunno, but her supporters sure don’t think so. They blame Her Majesty Dorothea for Philine’s death, saying it wouldn’t have happened if she hadn’t exiled her. There’s also the fact that she overlooked you two foreigners, which is a whole ’nother can of worms.”

[User] “Ah, right…” I muttered.

[Assistant] As far as those soldiers devoted to Philine were concerned, Dorothea might as well have ordered Philine’s death herself.


[User] “Because of all that, the group’s thinking of starting a coup d’état.”

[Assistant] “A c-coup d’état? !” Vaughn exclaims.

[User] “That’s reckless!”

[Assistant] “It’s reckless, all right, and they know it. They don’t plan to succeed.”

[User] "Then why?"

[Assistant] “Y’know why people become soldiers?”

[User] “Huh?” Claire says, surprised by the sudden change in topic. "Um…because they want to protect their country?”

[Assistant] “Yeah. There’s also some who do it just ’cause their family’s been doing it for years, or for the money, or whatever. But deep down, everybody’s doing it because they want to defend their country. Nobody’d put up with the grueling training for that.”

[User] “I imagined as much.”

[Assistant] “But what do you do when that same country goes to hell, and the elites at the top don’t have the slightest inclination of fixing it? Or worse, they kill those that try?”

[User] Claire could say nothing to this.

[Assistant] “This coup is their message. An appeal from a bunch of guys wanting to change the sorry state of this country.”

[User] “I doubt Her Majesty Dorothea would care. Their deaths will be meaningless.”

[Assistant] “Honestly, I think so too.”

[User] “Then tell your sister that, Otto. Don’t waste your life on this coup,” Claire insists.

[Assistant] “The heck? I ain’t a part of the coup.”

[User] “Huh?” That was unexpected.

[Assistant] “Then why did you have a rough blueprint of the Imperial Castle with guard shifts in your desk? You even had arrows pointing out an infiltration route.”

[User] “How’d you figure out that much?”

[Assistant] “The two of us worked security for the pope’s visit.”

[User] “Just from that? Man, what a mess this turned out to be…” Otto scratched his head. “I found a suicide note my sister wrote for the family.”

[Assistant] “O-oh…” Claire said.

[User] “I noticed she was being weird when she stopped by home a week ago. Like, acting all nice even though she usually ignored me. So I sneaked into her room after she went back to the military training camp and found the note in her desk.”

[Assistant] Vaughn couldn’t imagine how distressed he must have been. It had to have been horrifying to find a family member’s suicide note.


[User] “She wrote, ‘There’s something important I gotta do. I’ll be crossing over first, but you gotta live on, Otto.’ Can you believe the nerve?” He clenched his fists and hung his head. Maybe he was crying; I couldn’t tell. He’d done nothing but complain about her so far, but from what I could tell—

[Assistant] “You love your sister, don’t you, Otto?”

[User] “Wh-what?! Oh, shut up."

[Assistant] “Oh, yeah. One hundred percent.”

[User] My bad habit of joking around when things turned serious had reared its ugly head again, but I earnestly believed Otto cared deeply for his sister. Whether he had feelings for her romantically or as family was lost on me, but he had said he wasn’t a ‘nutjob with nothing but love on their mind’ like me, so it was probably just familial love.

[Assistant] “So essentially, you’re planning to kill Her Majesty Dorothea before your sister tries to?”

[User] “Got a problem with that?”

[Assistant] “I do. It’s suicide.”

[User] “I know that already! I don’t need you to tell me!” And yet he had planned it. He probably couldn’t bring himself to do nothing.

[Assistant] “We should consult with Father.”

[User] “Yes,” I replied after a moment’s hesitation. "Master Dole might come up with a good plan.”

[Assistant] “You’re going to help me?” Otto said, nonplussed.

[User] I understood his surprise. We stood to gain nothing from this. But even so—

[Assistant] “We won’t assist with any assassination plots, but we can’t very well do nothing while a classmate needs our help.”

[User] “I…tried to punch you before, though.”

[Assistant] “Did you? I only recall you making a fool of yourself.”

[User] “Sh-shut up!” He blushed like an abashed child. I had been older in my past life, so part of me saw Otto as a young, immature boy.

[Assistant] “Do you know when the coup is meant to take place?”

[User] “You know that summit coming soon? It’ll be the same day.”

[Assistant] “That doesn’t leave us a lot of time. Rae, let’s take a half-day to return to the dorm and form a plan.”

[User] “Good idea.”

[Assistant] “Should I do anything?” Otto asked enthusiastically.

[User] “Nothing, for the time being. Take particular care not to do anything rash, unless you want to ruin everything.”

[Assistant] “Ngh…”

[User] “Just leave things to us and wait. We’ll make sure your sister stays safe."

[Assistant] “All right. I’m counting on you.” We’d succeeded in preventing Otto from doing anything reckless. Now we just had to deal with Philine’s supporters. The bell signaling the end of lunchtime rang.

[User] “Can you tell the teacher we left early?” Claire asked Otto.

[Assistant] “Yeah.”

[User] “Let’s hurry home, Rae.”

[Assistant] “Let’s.” Jeez, Claire was truly too sweet-natured for her own good. But that was exactly what I loved about her.


[User] His apartment was slightly smaller than ours, with only a kitchen, a living and dining room, and a bedroom. The furniture was plain, valuing function over form—especially the sort of form an ex-noble would be used to. The three of us sat around a table with full teacups in front of us.

[Assistant] Dole was wide-eyed with shock at first, but he gradually grew despondent. “More young lives will be lost at this rate.”

[User] “Can you lend us any wisdom, Master Dole?”

[Assistant] “Please, call me Father-in-Law, Rae.”

[User] “You’re quite particular over something so trivial, Father-in-Law.”

[Assistant] “There’s nothing trivial about it.” The two of us bantered, but I could tell his smile didn’t reach his eyes. Dole made me uncomfortable when he acted like this. It meant he was thinking up something grim—something I wouldn’t like. It didn’t help that he was often justified too. “Where are May and Aleah?”

[User] “They’re playing in their room. Don’t worry, the guards you hired are with them.”

[Assistant] “Good. Any price for my granddaughters.” After the kidnapping incident, Dole had hired guards for the twins. Both were women, former bodyguards of Dole’s from back when he was a noble, so he could attest to their skill. They looked like nothing more than shrewd career women to me, but apparently, they were both experts in hand-to-hand combat as well as magic. Of course, that meant their services cost a pretty penny, but Dole generously paid for it all out of the salary he had come to earn after returning to the political scene. I actually knew one of the women, but that’s a topic best saved for later.

[User] “They truly are a big help.”

[Assistant] I couldn’t help but wonder why he was so interested in confirming May and Aleah’s whereabouts all of a sudden. Was he about to say something he didn’t want them to hear? I had a bad feeling about this… “Claire, Rae.”

[User] “Yes, Father?”

[Assistant] “Did you come up with a good idea?” The two of us urged him on hopefully. But those hopes were soon dashed. “Give up on Otto’s sister and the rest.”

[User] “Give…up? What do you mean? !” Claire exclaimed.

[Assistant] “Just that. Don’t try to save them. Let them attempt their coup.”

[User] “How could you say such a thing? !” Claire looked at her father with disbelief, as though she were regarding a stranger. “You want us to do nothing as they die? !”

[Assistant] “That’s not how I’d phrase it. I’m saying we should respect their wishes.”

[User] “That’s the same thing! I won’t accept such a reason! Explain yourself!” Claire pressed him, raising her voice.

[Assistant] I felt the same way she did…but I’d also had a feeling it would end this way from the very moment she suggested asking Dole for help. “The coup d’état is the empire’s problem. It’s not something we should concern ourselves with."


[User] "Surely you understand it’s not our place to intervene in another country’s politics?”

[Assistant] “But—”

[User] “Most importantly, Claire, the coup will be beneficial to Bauer.” Dole stroked his moustache. His usual gentle expression was gone, replaced by the impersonal one he reserved for work.

[Assistant] A chill ran down my spine. “Wha—do you realize people will die, Father? !” Enraged, Claire stood—slamming her hands on the table as she did so.

[User] “Please calm down, Miss Claire,”

[Assistant] “Not you too, Rae! How can I be calm when—”

[User] “Please, Miss Claire. I sympathize with you so much, it hurts. But let’s hear him out. We’re the ones who came to him, remember?”

[Assistant] “Gah!” Claire, with a fierce look of indignation, relented and sat down. Her anger still raged, but she couldn’t forgo civility. She scowled at Dole as the discussion resumed.

[User] “By beneficial, I assume you mean politically?” I asked Dole.

[Assistant] “Exactly.” He nodded, then took a sip of his tea. Perhaps hoping to calm Claire, he took ample pause before continuing. “We don’t know the scale of the coup, nor how it will affect Dorothea, but it is a coup nonetheless. It will be a blow to the empire, and an opening for us.” He spoke in a frighteningly matter-of-fact tone. I was reminded of the time he’d insistently defended the nobility to Claire. “Think about it: The coup will happen on the day of the summit. With so many foreign leaders present, the empire will have to take responsibility, no matter how easily the attempt is suppressed. That is a powerful diplomatic advantage to have.” A faint smile rose to his face. His explanation was clear: Bauer’s prosperity came first, even at the cost of lives.

[User] “You would use the lives of those youths as political bargaining chips? !” Claire asked, incredulously.

[Assistant] “They are not my people. And if we do not strike the empire while we can, it will be the lives of our people instead.”

[User] “That’s…that’s…!” Claire couldn’t accept it. She knew, however, that if she were to weigh the lives of Bauer’s youths against the empire’s, the scales would not be even. But that didn’t excuse doing nothing as people died. Not to Claire.

[Assistant] Seeing his daughter so worked up, Dole sighed understandingly and looked her in the eyes. “Claire, you’re too arrogant.”

[User] “I am? Are you sure you don’t mean yourself, who sees human beings as mere pawns?” she seethed.

[Assistant] “Since when have you been mighty enough to save everyone?” he asked.

[User] “Wh-what… I…” That was all it took to leave Claire at a loss for words. She hadn’t intended to think so highly of her own ability, but that only made it all the more painful a realization.

[Assistant] Dole didn’t relent. “Man is not God. We must choose the few we can save. I won’t disavow having ideals, but you must realize they are nothing more than that, ideals. You cannot escape reality.”

[User] Claire could say nothing in return. “Or what?


[User] "Did being called the hero of the revolution make you think you actually were one?” he asked, a clear malice in his mocking tone.

[Assistant] Claire snapped. Her face twisted with rage as she raised her hand.

[User] Dole didn’t so much as blink, calmly watching his daughter move. “All right, that’s enough.”

[Assistant] A hand caught Claire’s before it could strike Dole. A hand that wasn’t mine. “Bill…”

[User] “Master William? !”

[Assistant] “Hey, Dole. Hey, Claire. It’s been a while.” That casual voice felt entirely out of place in this tense situation. The speaker was a man in the prime of his life who had seemingly appeared out of thin air.

[User] I was about to pull out my wand when a woman next to him stopped me. “Hey, Rae. It’s been, what, how long since the cook-off?”

[Assistant] “Lene? Then this must be…”  "Yup." Lene, now a citizen of the Alpes, appeared to be attending to this man.

[User] I connected the dots and realized who he was. "You must be Rae Taylor,"

[Assistant] “I’ve heard a lot about you… Though you look more normal than I thought you would.”

[User] “O-oh, really?”

[Assistant] “Oh, sorry. I forgot to introduce myself. Well, you can probably already guess.” With that, the man gracefully put his hand over his chest and nonchalantly said, “I’m William. I may not look it, but I’m actually the King of the Alpes. Feel free to call me Bill.”


[User] “This isn’t your place to interfere, Bill,” Dole said sternly.

[Assistant] William countered with a tactful smile, playing with what I assumed to be naturally curly hair as his olive-brown eyes calmly surveyed Dole. His build and height were similar to Dole’s, but he had a different air. Dole’s was that of a shrewd politician, while William had the loose aura of a pick-up artist or a swindler. “You’re too serious, Dole, and too clever for your own good. You’re so clever, you’ve gone full circle back to foolish,”

[User] “Don’t patronize me. We’re discussing something serious here,”

[Assistant] “Hey, I know. I can be serious too, although nobody ever believes me for some reason. Aha ha ha!” he laughed.

[User] “How do the two know each other?” I asked Lene.

[Assistant] “Master Dole studied abroad in the Alpes when he was younger,” she said. According to her, the two had hit it off right away. They’d both been gifted students looking for someone they could debate with as an equal and quickly recognized each other as a once in a lifetime rival. Their bond had lasted for almost twenty years now.

[User] “You’re trying to play the villain for Claire’s ideals, aren’t you, Dole?” William asked teasingly.

[Assistant] Dole glared at him.

[User] “What do you mean, Master Bill?” Claire inquired, surprised.

[Assistant] “He’s trying to protect you and your lofty ideals. He knows you can’t succeed based on ideals alone, so he’s trying to be kind by shooting you down instead.”

[User] "Father…?” Claire looked over, but Dole awkwardly averted his eyes.


[User] "Why, Father? You could have told me from the start. You didn’t need to insult me. I would have listened."

[Assistant] "What difference does it make? I still believe we should allow the coup to occur." Dole crossed his arms and shut his eyes.

[User] "Oh, you needn’t be so obstinate, Dole."

[Assistant] "Humph. Let’s hear it then. What’s your opinion on the matter?"

[User] "A coup d’état would be unseemly. I say we prevent it."

[Assistant] "Master Bill!" Claire smiled, overjoyed to finally have a supporter.

[User] "You’re going to allow this opportunity to slip by?"

[Assistant] "This isn’t an opportunity, Dole. If anything, it’s a risk."

[User] "How so?"

[Assistant] "The coup will be on the day of the summit, right?"

[User] "Yes."

[Assistant] "It’s perfect. The empire will be at fault for endangering everyone."

[User] "Who’s to say the empire won’t blame us for inciting the coup?"

[Assistant] "That’s a baseless fear."

[User] "Is it though?" William tilted his head. "The truth is, you see, we’ve known about the planned coup for a while now. And yet we haven’t done a single thing about it."

[Assistant] "Knowing and inciting are completely different things."

[User] "Sure. But do you really think Dorothea will care about that if she suspects us?"

[Assistant] "Humph."

[User] "They could even, say, torture those involved with the coup until someone ‘confesses’ that they were supported by Bauer."

[Assistant] "Oh, don’t be ridiculous." Dole protested.

[User] "Right. But is it any more ridiculous than thinking a coup would be purely beneficial to us?"

[Assistant] "That’s…" Dole hemmed and hawed. "And did you forget who we’re dealing with here? Dorothea’s the kind to declare war with the same composure with which one pours milk into their tea. No matter what path we take here, the end result is going to be messy. So we might as well take the path where we stand to lose the least."

[User] "So that’s it then? You’d stop the coup just to defend Claire’s naive ideals?" Dole scoffed.

[Assistant] "Don’t be an idiot. What matters here are real human lives." William paused. "Look…being able to view things through a political lens is good and all, but once you forget the value of life, you’re nothing but a monster."

[User] "Sophistry." Dole dismissed him out of hand.

[Assistant] "I still haven’t forgiven you for what you did during the Bauer Revolution."

[User] "Without even consulting me, your friend, you tried to kill yourself, and you were even ready to let Claire die."


[User] "You’re too willing to sacrifice lives for the greater good."

[Assistant] "And what’s wrong with that?" Dole challenged.

[User] "Everything. Is that the kind of world you want your grandchildren to live in?"

[Assistant] "Ngh…" Dole was at a loss for words, unable to refute such a statement.

[User] One more push should be enough. "Master Dole, may I speak?" I asked.

[Assistant] "You needn’t ask permission from your father-in-law. Speak."

[User] "Thank you. Even supposing allowing the coup to happen were the diplomatically practical option, don’t you think it would leave a bad taste in your mouth? At best, those involved with the coup would be given the death penalty. At worst, their families would also be executed as a preventive measure."

[Assistant] "That is true."

[User] "It’s also a fact that the citizens adore Dorothea and are more likely to believe her than foreigners. She could easily turn the coup into an opportunity to rile the citizens against Bauer. If anything, this coup might strengthen the empire’s unity."

[Assistant] Dole said nothing, thinking.

[User] I continued. "If the coup truly was nothing but advantageous for Bauer, then it would be best to make use of it as you say. But as it stands, I don’t believe that to be the case."

[Assistant] "Hmm…" Dole thought quietly for a moment. "Claire, let me hear your thoughts."

[User] "I…" Claire cast her eyes down once before looking up and firmly meeting Dole’s gaze. "I want to help those people. I think they will be the key to changing the empire."

[Assistant] "Go on."

[User] "Princess Philine planted the seed of hope within them. That hope is still only a bud, but if we stand by doing nothing, it will be nipped before it blooms."

[Assistant] "Is that a decision based purely on emotion?"

[User] "No," she resolutely declared. "If Dorothea’s dictatorship is to end, it needs to be at the hands of the empire’s own citizens. If the people learn to think for themselves and come to question the status quo, the dictatorship will naturally be undone."

[Assistant] "In other words, the survival of those planning the coup is beneficial to Bauer?"

[User] "Yes. We mustn’t allow them to die if we’re to change the empire."

[Assistant] Dole carefully considered Claire’s words. No doubt, countless profit-loss calculations, strategies, and numbers were flitting about in his head. Eventually, he said, "Very well. We’ll try to stop the coup."

[User] "Oh, thank you, Father!" Claire said, overjoyed.

[Assistant] "It’s still too early to rejoice, Claire," William warned. "We still haven’t any idea how to stop the coup in question."

[User] "Then…what if Rae and I tried to convi—"

[Assistant] "I don’t think that’s a very good idea. The two of you are partially responsible for Princess Philine’s exile, right? I doubt they would be so inclined to listen to you," William said.

[User] "That’s…true…" Claire began to brood.

[Assistant] "Um, I have an idea," I said.

[User] "Oh? What is it?" William asked.

[Assistant] "If they won’t listen to us, why don’t we bring a third party to our side and send them over?"

[User] "That could work.


[User] “You got anyone in mind?”

[Assistant] “In fact, I do. Josef Gesner, Dorothea’s manservant and a sympathizer of Princess Philine’s. I think we have a good shot at convincing him to join our cause.”


[User] We had come to the barracks adjoining Nur’s military training camp. After saying we were there to meet with Otto’s older sister, we were taken to a reception room. Outsiders wouldn’t usually have been admitted, but thanks to a certain person’s influence, we were allowed. Being merely a place for non-commissioned officers and soldiers-in-training to live, the barracks were practical without so much as a hint of elegance. Even the reception room was no different, which really drove home that this only functioned as a place for people to sleep and eat.

[Assistant] “Adelina Reiner, reporting!” Adelina’s booming voice could be heard before she opened the door. She was a tall woman with a short, masculine haircut and a well-built body. I could certainly see a bit of Otto in her. She wore a brown uniform tailored with practicality in mind. I assumed this was the uniform provided to all soldiers-in-training. Noticing Claire and me, she glared and bellowed. “What are these Bauer dogs doing here? !”

[User] “That’s quite the greeting. Are all imperial soldiers so crass?”

[Assistant] “There’s no need to shout like that.”

[User] Adelina’s eyes widened in surprise as she noticed the speaker. “M-Master Josef? !”

[Assistant] “Yes. I apologize for our sudden visit.” Accompanying Claire and me was none other than Dorothea’s manservant, Josef. It was thanks to him that we’d even been allowed into the barracks.

[User] “Why are you with the enemy? !” Adelina asks, glancing back at our faces.

[Assistant] “They are not our enemy. We have an armistice with Bauer.”

[User] “Only on the surface. Besides, it’s because of them that Lady Philine…”

[Assistant] “We’re here today to talk about that very Philine. Please sit down first.”

[User] You wouldn’t think it, what with how easily Dorothea blew him off, but Josef conducted himself with the skill expected of one who served an empress. He was able to talk Adelina down—and although she still wore a look of protest, she obeyed, sitting down.

[Assistant] “We know what you’re plotting and have come in hopes of stopping you.” Josef skirted around the truth, but his meaning was clear.

[User] Adelina’s face whitened. Still, she attempted ignorance. “I haven’t a clue what you’re talking about.” She was probably trying to protect the others involved in the coup.

[Assistant] “Then allow me to be more direct.”


[User] "We know you’re planning a coup d’état on the day of the summit and have come to stop you." Josef states, with no ambiguity in his words.

[Assistant] Adelina goes pale as a ghost.

[User] "You can still turn back. Her Majesty Dorothea is unforgiving to those who defy her but tolerant of those who repent. I implore you to make the right choice."

[Assistant] "The right choice?" Adelina muttered. "Then I ask you, was exiling Lady Philine, Dorothea’s own daughter, who so cared for the future of this country, the right choice? It’s because of her that Lady Philine is…is…" Adelina couldn’t bring herself to say those last words. Tears welled in the corners of her eyes as she clenched her fists.

[User] "While a soldier such as yourself would normally not be privy to such details, Her Majesty’s decision was made with Lady Philine’s best interests in mind."

[Assistant] "But Lady Philine died because of her!" Adelina yelled, cutting him off. She made no attempts to hide the tears spilling forth as emotion overtook her. "Lady Philine wasn’t meant to die in vain! She was meant to build a new future for this country, together with us! So why…why? !"

[User] Josef allowed her to agonize uninterrupted for a while before solemnly stating, "You are a soldier. It is not a soldier’s role to think about the empire’s future. Your role is simply to obey the orders that come from above. Were you not taught that?"

[Assistant] "I’m well aware of what I’m meant to do! But do you really believe the empire is well?! Are we not slipping further and further from our ideals with every passing day? !"

[User] "Know your place, Adelina Reiner." The gravity with which Josef said those words caused not just Adelina, but Claire and me to straighten in our seats as well. "Do you know why you soldiers are allowed to carry weapons? Because the empire grants them to you." His words were cold and blunt. "Do not misunderstand. The power you have is not your own. it is the empire’s. The money used to train you comes from the empire. The army exists to serve the empire and nothing else." Every word he uttered had been drilled repeatedly into the minds of every soldier here.