[User] "The three countries’ religions were all different sects of the Spiritual Church, so their doctrines and interpretations differ." Claire explained. It was similar to Buddhism in my old world, in that there were various sects with the same foundation that had at some point in time branched off from each other. The oldest and most influential sect was the one based in the Bauer Church, but many other sects were influential enough to claim a whole country for their own. I hadn’t invited Yu and Misha because this was a bit of a touchy subject, considering their religious ties to the Bauer Cathedral, heart of Bauer’s sect. I intended to ask for their approval later, once things were underway. For now, it was better to keep this discreet.

[Assistant] "The three groups originally acted independently." Claire continued. "But they’ve lately started pooling their efforts—probably because of the proposed three-nation alliance between Sousse, the Alpes, and Bauer."

[User] "We think they’re taking advantage of this opportunity to strike against the empire." I said. These particular nuggets of information had been gathered by Dole, who had his own information network even here in the empire.

[Assistant] "The group taking the lead seems to be the most influential one, the one from Melica. The congregations from Kiko and Dana seem to have yielded authority to them." Claire said. Rather than squabble amongst themselves, they’d decided to cooperate to strike back against the empire together. Perhaps they believed the opportunity created by the alliance was their last chance to avenge their homelands.

[User] "So we just need to meet with the Melica people and gain their support?" Philine asked.

[Assistant] "I wish it were that easy, but I doubt it will be." Claire said.

[User] "Why is that?"

[Assistant] "They’re concealing their backgrounds and are fully prepared to commit suicide on the spot if they’re outed as part of the brewing rebellion."

[User] "Th-they would go that far?" Philine whimpered. The things that faith compelled people to do were sometimes incomprehensible to those who lacked it. It was hard for me to understand, as someone who was raised in an irreligious country, but some people valued their faith over their own lives. Back when a certain viral disease ran rampant in my old world, quite a few priests risked their lives to give proper funerals to people who couldn’t be with their family in their last moments. Those who lived by faith sometimes valued it over their own lives.

[Assistant] "Is it impossible, then?" Hilda asked, looking about ready to give up.

[User] "There’s a way, but it’ll be difficult." I said.

[Assistant] "What is it?" Hilda pressed.

[User] "We need to find someone from Melica who’s in no position to commit suicide. Like…former royalty, for example." I answered, pausing for dramatic effect. Some readers might already have an idea of who I had in mind. But to Hilda, my words likely sounded like grasping at straws.

[Assistant] "Yes, that might work. But such a person would undoubtedly be careful to remain hidden.


[User] "How would you find them?” she asked.

[Assistant] “There’s no need to find anyone. I already know where they are.”

[User] “I’ve been wondering this since the Box of the Forbidden incident, but exactly where are you getting your information?”

[Assistant] “I could tell you, but then I’d have to kill you,” I joked. I mean, I couldn’t just up and tell her that her reality was a game I’d once played.

[User] “Enough putting on airs, Rae. Who is this person?” Philine asked impatiently.

[Assistant] Hey, I wasn’t putting on airs! I glanced at her. “It’s someone you know very well, Lady Philine.”

[User] “Huh?”

[Assistant] “Frieda.”

[User] “Ohh, Frieda… I see.” Philine froze up.

[Assistant] “Whaaaat? !” The shocked look on her face told me just exactly what kind of person she’d taken Frieda for.


[User] “You wanted to talk with moi?” Frieda placed a tray of five teacups on the table. A slight hint of confusion crossed her otherwise jovial face. We were at Frieda’s place, a room in a boarding house. My first impression of her room was that it was too normal, as though it had been deliberately modeled to resemble the idea of an average citizen’s room. It lacked any religious designs, altars, or ceremonial objects, which only made it feel more artificial, as the Spiritual Faith was practically universal in this world.

[Assistant] “I sincerely apologize for dropping by unannounced. We are in great need of your assistance,” Claire said.

[User] “Non, non,” Frieda said. “Beautiful dames like yourselves are always welcome! Claire, Rae, Philine, I thank you for coming! And of all people, Lilly as well!”

[Assistant] “Th-thank you for having me,” Lilly said. Indeed—Claire, Philine, and I had been joined by none other than Lilly. You might think bringing someone from another religious sect along could only be a recipe for disaster, and I was inclined to agree, but this was necessary. Why? You’ll see soon enough.

[User] “Please, drink some tea. It’s from my homeland. I hope you like it,” Frieda said, passing out the teacups. The tea had a curious hue and gave off a sugary fragrance. It looked to be black tea, but I knew of no black tea with this particular smell. Perhaps it was flavored?

[Assistant] “Oh, it’s delicious,” Claire remarked.

[User] “Indeed. Quite a unique flavor,” Philine said.

[Assistant] “I-It’s delicious,” Lilly stammered. The three of them seemed to enjoy the tea. I cast some detoxifying magic on mine, only then taking a sip. Mmm. It really was good.

[User] “I’m glad you are enjoying it. Would you like sweets?” Frieda offered.

[Assistant] “That’s quite all right. We’ve already overindulged in your hospitality as is,” Claire said.

[User] “Oh, that’s too bad.” Frieda seemed genuinely disappointed. I wondered just how much of her was a facade.

[Assistant] “Allow us to cut to the chase. Lady Philine, if you would, please.” Claire, having led the conversation to this point, passed the baton to Philine.

[User] “Thank you, Claire.” Philine seemed a bit nervous as she stood up and took a deep breath.


[User] "Frieda, please lend us your assistance!"

[Assistant] "Of course, my dear Philine! Why, I’d do maybe anything for a belle fille like yourself!" Frieda met Philine’s earnest request with her usual carefree delight. From how brightly she smiled, you’d never think she had a darker side to her. And yet—

[User] "We want to use your connections to the citizens of Melica to—" The sound of metal striking metal rang out. A beat later, Philine froze, having just then noticed the blade mere inches from her neck, stopped by another blade.

[Assistant] Frieda, the same bright smile still plastered on her face, had swung at Philine—only for her blade to be met by Lilly’s.

[User] I had predicted some violence, but the suddenness almost gave me a heart attack.

[Assistant] "F-Frieda, please listen to what I have to say first."

[User] "Non. I refuse." Frieda twisted her short sword, parrying Lilly’s own away and swinging again toward Philine’s neck.

[Assistant] Lilly lost her balance for a brief moment, but she instantly stepped forward to recover her balance and blocked the incoming blade with her other short sword. She then shoved Frieda’s blade away, creating some distance between Frieda and Philine. That said, we were indoors, and in a fairly narrow room at that. Frieda could easily strike again. Claire and I were already up and ready to fight.

[User] "How did you know?" Frieda asked, bracing her short sword with the same smile still on her face. The disconnect between her actions and expression was a little unnerving… No, it was downright terrifying. "Ah, punaise! Did someone betray me? Tell me now, who was it? !" Her sword gleamed as she leapt forward. She’d once boasted that she was skilled at close-quarter combat, and it seemed she wasn’t lying. I would have been sliced to ribbons in seconds if I were her opponent, and I had a feeling Claire wouldn’t have fared much better. It was a good thing we’d brought Lilly, who proved strong enough to stave off Frieda.

[Assistant] "Frieda, please hear us out! We want to help you!" Philine pleaded, causing Frieda to stop. Seeing this, Philine smiled, but that smile soon slipped away.

[User] "Help…me?" Frieda’s smile was gone—no, that wasn’t quite right. Her face was still shaped into a smile, but the chills running down my back told me it was anything but. "The saleté de princesse of the country that destroyed my homeland says she wants to help me? What joke is this?" Frieda’s face was filled with rancor that had built up over the years, which now seeped through the mask that was her smile.

[Assistant] "F-Frieda…"

[User] "Now that you know my secret, you all must die." Frieda readied her sword once again.

[Assistant] "Are you really going to let anger steal a chance to revive your country?"

[User] Frieda’s face twisted. "Explain."

[Assistant] "Lady Philine aims to change the foreign policy of the empire."


[User] Frieda didn’t lower her sword, but an ounce of reason returned to her face. “In exchange for your help, she can also pursue the restoration of your country.”

[Assistant] “You think those lies will trick moi?”

[User] “It’s not a lie,” Claire said. “Lady Philine intends to change the empire.”

[Assistant] “If it’s not a lie, then I question her sanity. Dorothea is Philine’s mother, no?”

[User] “Please, hear me out, Frieda…no, Friedelinde Ur Melica!”

[Assistant] “What?! How do you know that name? !” Frieda stared, shocked. Her true identity was a secret kept from even most of her allies.

[User] “Sacrebleu… Who betrayed me? !”

[Assistant] “Nobody did,” Philine insisted. “I’m sure you’ve heard the rumors about the heroes of the revolution? Well, Claire and Rae have the power to foresee the future.”

[User] “Impossible…”

[Assistant] “I ask you then, do you believe there are any among your comrades who would betray you?”

[User] Frieda said nothing, her eyes still hesitant. Philine pressed on. “I plan to challenge Mother for the throne. I’ll make her abdicate, and then I’ll change the empire itself. No longer will it be a force of torment. I’ll make it a gentle place, where no one need cry again.”

[Assistant] “You truly think you can do that?” Frieda scoffed.

[User] I thought I heard a tinge of self-derision in her voice, but it could just as easily have been regret for how she and her allies had achieved nothing of note, even after all this time.

[Assistant] “Not alone. But I know I can do it with your help, Frieda.”

[User] Frieda went silent again.

[Assistant] “Please. I need your help.” Philine pleaded from her heart. But it wasn’t enough.

[User] “I can’t trust your words alone,” Frieda said.

[Assistant] “I had a feeling you might say something like that. Lilly?” Claire cut in.

[User] “Y-yes!” Lilly brought out what looked to be a letter and placed it on the floor.

[Assistant] “What’s this?”

[User] “I-It’s a secret message from the Spiritual Church. Pl-please, read it.”

[Assistant] Frieda looked uncertain for a moment, but she cautiously approached and picked up the letter. “This is…a cardinal’s seal of authenticity!” The secret message within contained the Church’s assurance that Philine’s words were genuine. As I touched on before, to swear by God in this world carried significant meaning. A verbal promise between common folk was binding enough, but the word of a cardinal of the Spiritual Church was even more so. Naturally, the cardinal who had issued this message was Yu. Once it was certain we were going to seek alliance with the rebel forces, we had gone and asked Yu for help. She had been shocked, of course. She and Misha initially objected but eventually relented. They were citizens of Bauer before they were members of the Church.

[User] “Frieda, won’t you at least hear us out?” Philine met Frieda’s eyes head-on.

[Assistant] Frieda studied Philine’s expression for a while, but at length, she let out a deep sigh. “Okay. I will listen some. But it better be worthwhile.” Finally, she lowered her weapon.


[User] “You may have the Church’s backing, but that doesn’t mean my people and I will help you.” We’d finally made Frieda listen, but we were still a long way from getting her support.

[Assistant] “But why? What more could your people want than the revival of your country?” Philine naively asked. It was an ignorant question that didn’t take Frieda’s feelings into account.

[User] Fried still wore her hollow smile. “The empire itself destroyed my country. How arrogant you are, to demand my help in return for undoing what you wrought yourself.”

[Assistant] “I apologize. I lacked understanding.”

[User] Frieda was in the right here. Asking her to treat Philine as her savior was the same as expecting a reward for putting out a fire you’d started. "That said, I am willing to turn a blind eye to some things for the sake of my country.”

[Assistant] “Really?! Then—”

[User] “Be quiet. I’m not finished speaking.” Frieda cut Philine’s words short. “I take it you know who I really am if you know my true name?”

[Assistant] “Indeed. You are Friedelinde Ur Melica, supreme leader and living god of the conquered nation of Melica.”

[User] “We also know the former people of Melica are joining hands with those of Kiko and Dana to amass rebel forces.” I added. I mentioned Melica’s state religion was a sect of the Spiritual Church before, but I have yet to explain how it differed from the most widespread sect, the one based out of the Bauer Cathedral. In Melica’s religion, a single person was worshipped as the incarnation of the Spirit God itself. Currently, that person was Frieda.

[Assistant] “Just how do you know that, I wonder…? But yes, I am Melica’s ruler. The citizens will do almost anything I say.”

[User] “In that case—”

[Assistant] “But that only goes for the citizens of Melica. And right now, our three-sect alliance has a problem, one that threatens to collapse our coalition.”

[User] “Hm?” Her words caught me by surprise. There’d been no mention of the three-sect alliance having such problems in Revo-Lily. Sure, there was some friction between the sects but not to the degree where the whole alliance was at risk of falling apart.

[Assistant] “A follower of Melica was murdered, and the culprit hasn’t been found. It’s likely not a coincidence either, as the one killed was an important person.”

[User] “Please, continue.” Claire urged.

[Assistant] “Many people of Kiko and Dana are unhappy with Melica’s leading role, and they therefore might have had reason to do it. Of course, they deny this, but I don’t believe them.”

[User] “What do you want us to do?” I asked, seeing where this was leading.

[Assistant] “Find the killer for me. If it’s a misunderstanding, then all is well. The alliance will be reaffirmed, and if I have my way, Kiko and Dana will help you too.”

[User] “W-wait! B-but what if the killer is actually from Kiko or Dana? Won’t the alliance fall apart?”


[User] “If so?” Frieda shrugged.

[Assistant] “That’s…not fair.”

[User] “But as things are, the alliance will fall apart. That will be a problem for you too, no? What choice do you have?”

[Assistant] “I understand. We’ll search for your killer.” Philine answered.

[User] “But, Lady Philine…” Claire said.

[Assistant] “Regardless of whether it ends in earning their support, a murder in the empire is something I cannot ignore.”

[User] “Oh? You pity even those who oppose the empire?” Frieda asked.

[Assistant] “It’s the empire’s own actions that made them oppose us. Besides, as a member of the imperial family, I have a duty to secure the well-being of every citizen, even those who plot against us.”

[User] Frieda made a face at Philine’s words, caught between respect and doubt.

[Assistant] “Do you have any leads we can use?” I asked Frieda.

[User] “The victim’s name is Arnaud Jannsen, an ordinary citizen of the empire. He was once a merchant of Melica.”

[Assistant] “We have narrowed it down to three suspects. We haven’t questioned them directly yet, but they are the only ones with motive.” Frieda explained. She reached into her desk and pulled out a paper, likely an investigation report.

[User] “The first suspect is Achim Baltzer, a prominent merchant in the capital.”

[Assistant] “The second suspect is Ilsa Gröllmann, an administrative official.” Frieda said.

[User] “The third suspect is someone you all know well. Anna Gesner, a student of the Imperial Academy.” Frieda said.

[Assistant] “Anna’s a suspect? !” Philine exclaimed.

[User] “That’s all the information I can provide. The rest is up to you.”

[Assistant] “Understood.”

[User] “Any other questions?” Frieda asked.


[User] “Frieda, you’re a living god. In other words, the most important figure in Melica’s religion, correct?”

[Assistant] “Oui.”

[User] “Is it really acceptable for such an important person to live alone in a place like this? No security or anything?” I wondered why there weren’t at least one or two security personnel living here under the guise of roommates. Of course, it was that same lack of security that had allowed us to even get to this point.

[Assistant] “Oh, that. Well, you know…I am very strong.”

[User] “You are indeed superb at close-quarter combat, but is it not a bit careless?”

[Assistant] “I do not wish to say. Leave it at that.” Frieda seemed uneasy and even less open to discussion than when she had been swinging her sword around earlier. I was curious as to why, but I doubted she would talk.

[User] “Good luck on your investigation. Au revoir.”

[Assistant] With a lingering sense of unfinished business, we left Frieda’s place.


[User] “You needed something? Please make it quick. I may not look like it, but I’m quite a busy man.” So we were greeted by Achim Baltzer, our first suspect. We had been invited into the drawing room of Baltzer Trading. Finely made chairs accompanied a finely made table, paintings decorated the walls, and vases stood tall in the corners. Everything looked antique. The firm was clearly doing well. Achim was an elderly man with a proud beard. According to Frieda, he was sixty, but he definitely seemed younger.

[Assistant] “We’re sorry to trouble you during your busy day.”

[User] “We wanted to ask you about Arnaud.”

[Assistant] “Arnaud? What about him?”

[User] “He’s dead.”

[Assistant] “Wh-what? Truly, Princess?” Achime seemed to be in disbelief.

[User] “That can’t be… Since when?”

[Assistant] “A mere three days ago.”

[User] “Were you not made aware? I was under the impression he worked for you.”

[Assistant] “Arnaud was supposed to be out of the capital, purchasing more product. He was to return next week. I can’t believe he’s gone…”

[User] “Do you have any idea why someone might want to kill him?”

[Assistant] “Somebody killed him? Unbelievable… I knew the man well. While he vexed me occasionally, he was by far my best employee. But he never let that get to his head, and he always worked well with others. I can’t think of a reason anyone would want to kill him.”

[User] “I heard you two had your disagreements regarding inheriting the business. Care to explain?” This difficult question earned a frown from him.

[Assistant] “For a brief while, yes. But he made clear he had no interest in taking over the business. My son Bruno will be assuming control instead. The preparations are already complete.” Achim looked uncomfortable, but he answered calmly.

[User] “Y-you look a bit young for retirement, sir.”

[Assistant] “You flatter me. I am already an old man.


[User] "My memory’s been spotty as of late, a disastrous thing for a merchant." he answered calmly yet again. It seemed he wanted to pass things to the next generation while he was still well enough to do so competently.

[Assistant] "May I ask what you were doing at the time of his death?"

[User] "Wha—do you suspect me?!" he asked, now not so calm.

[Assistant] A normal reaction, I supposed. Nobody enjoyed being under suspicion of murder.

[User] "We simply wish to clear your good name, sir. Please."

[Assistant] "Very well. When was he killed?"

[User] "Oh? Have you already forgotten? We said he was killed three days ago." I purposefully teased.

[Assistant] He sneered. "And I told you, I’m a busy man. I meet a number of people and visit many places every day. Do you want me to recount everything I did three days ago?"

[User] Clocks hadn’t been invented in this world yet, so we could only tell time roughly by the hour instead of minutes. Hopefully, that would be enough.

[Assistant] "Arnaud was killed three days ago, sometime in the early morning between five and six o’clock."

[User] "At that time, I was out of the capital for a meeting."

[Assistant] "A merchant I’ve been in contact with for a while. I needed their assistance for something concerning the succession." As though rewinding his memory, he looked to the upper-right.

[User] "Might we have a name?"

[Assistant] "Skeptical girl, aren’t you? His name was Kato. That should be enough, right? Please leave." With that, we left the firm behind.


[User] "Yes, there were some slight complications between us." Our second suspect, Ilsa Gröllmann, readily admitted to having had trouble with Arnaud. We were in the lounge of one of the empire’s municipal offices. The furnishings were modest, with nothing that really stood out save for a thoughtfully placed vase of flowers. The four of us sat on a sofa across from Ilsa, who was tall and slender, with her long hair bundled up in a professional style.

[Assistant] "What was this complication?"

[User] "Nothing, really."

[Assistant] "I thought there was an error on his tax payment form and inquired about it. It turned out to be a misunderstanding on my part, and I apologized, but he never forgave me for it. Such things are common in this line of work, I suppose." She sighed deeply.

[User] "Was it really a misunderstanding?"

[Assistant] "I’m sorry?"

[User] "Perhaps he was committing tax evasion and you overlooked it for a bribe?"

[Assistant] "Absolutely not. We municipal workers have been entrusted with this work by Her Majesty Dorothea herself. We would never commit such injustices."

[User] I should mention that asking these tough questions was my role as the bad cop. You see, police did this thing in interrogations called “good cop/bad cop,” where one officer sympathized with the suspect while the other antagonized them. Or at least, they did in the mystery novels I’d read.


[User] "Were you aware Arnaud was murdered?"

[Assistant] "Yes. I heard from a coworker. It’s truly regrettable." Contrary to Ilsa’s words, I saw a tinge of relief on her face.

[User] "Can you think of a reason why anyone would want to kill him?"

[Assistant] "As big a firm as Baltzer Trading is, I’m sure he had his fair share of enemies. Maybe one of them did something? I really don’t know." The vagueness of the answer spoke to her indifference.

[User] "What were you doing at his time of death, three days ago, between five and six in the morning?"

[Assistant] "I would have been asleep then. Unfortunately, I have no way to prove it. But I swear, I am not the culprit." Ilsa asserted, her face expressionless.


[User] "A-Arnaud’s…dead?" Anna covered her mouth in shock as we broke the news. We were at her home, the inside of which was decorated with small, cutesy trinkets—exactly what one would expect from a young girl’s place. We had moved into the living room to sit down and talk. She began to cry, and Claire, sitting next to her, gently rubbed her back.

[Assistant] "Were you and Arnaud in a relationship?" Claire asked after Anna had calmed down a bit.

[User] "Yes. We were childhood friends. There was an age gap between us, but we were raised like siblings… I had loved him for the longest time, so I confessed to him, and we started seeing each other. But lately, he’d been acting a bit strange…"

[Assistant] "How so?" Philine pressed.

[User] "He didn’t make time for me anymore. He said it was because he was having some problems at work, but…I started thinking that maybe he had fallen in love with someone else. Arnaud said it was a misunderstanding, that he still wanted to be with me, but I was confused and…suggested we take a break… If I’d known this would’ve happened, I wouldn’t have bottled everything up inside! There’s still so much I want to say to him, to do with him, I, I…" Anna began crying again, and Claire hugged her to comfort her.

[Assistant] "Anna, have you any idea why someone might want to kill him?"

[User] "No…that’s impossible. Arnaud was so kind. Everyone loved him. Why would anybody ever want to kill him…?" she said with teary eyes.

[Assistant] "I’m only asking because it’s part of our procedure, but can you tell me what you were doing three days ago between five and six in the morning?"

[User] "You need an alibi, right? I would’ve been running around the neighborhood then. I run daily, you see. Somebody might have seen me, but I’m not sure. I’m sorry I can’t be of more help." she said weakly.

[Assistant] "Please find Arnaud’s killer." She saw us off with grief-stricken eyes. With that, we’d met with each of the suspects. But which of them was the culprit?


[User] Their eyes darted about, paranoid, as a figure slipped out of the imperial capital to go visit a particular merchant in the dead of night. “How can this be?” The figure seemed to mumble something fearfully.

[Assistant] “Why…Mr. Achim…” A voice reached his ears.

[User] “N-no, no, that can’t be…” The figure, Achim Baltzer, heard a voice no longer of this world.

[Assistant] “A-Arnaud, you should be dead!”

[User] “Yes…you killed me.”

[Assistant] “I-I had no choice! If I didn’t, my son would have been… Agh!” Achim covered his ears to escape the voice, shaking his head in denial.

[User] “Why did you kill me…after all I did for Baltzer Trading…?” But the voice wouldn’t stop.

[Assistant] “I did what I had to! I—I…”

[User] “Murderer… Murderer…”

[Assistant] “No… Please, no more…!” Achim fled from the voice, leaving the capital farther behind. He ran straight toward a building a short distance away, but before he could reach it—


[User] "Would you care to explain yourself?” A sharp voice pierced the darkness, belonging to none other than my beloved Claire. The voice Achim had been hearing had been projected via wind magic by Misha, also present.

[Assistant] “Wh-why are you here?” he stammered.

[User] “We’re here to arrest you for the murder of Arnaud Jannsen.”

[Assistant] “Princess Philine…” Achim muttered. His eyes went wide as he realized what had just transpired.

[User] “Your words earlier will be taken as a confession. Do you plead guilty?”

[Assistant] “How did you know it was me?”

[User] “Your own words gave you away. You claimed to be a busy merchant with a tight schedule.”

[Assistant] “Yes, and what’s wrong with that?” he asked, confused.

[User] “When we asked you for your alibi, you answered immediately, without needing to check.”

[Assistant] “That’s all? But wouldn’t it be more natural to believe I had a strong memory? I am a merchant, after all.”

[User] “You said yourself that your memory had been failing you of late. I also have a hard time believing that you wouldn’t double-check the accuracy of your alibi in a murder investigation, especially as a merchant.”

[Assistant] “The man you claimed to meet, Kato, also confessed. You bribed him into lying.” Claire followed up.

[User] “I see. You two weren’t called the heroes of the revolution for nothing, then. Perhaps I can entrust this matter to you…” he said cryptically.

[Assistant] “What do you mean?”

[User] “I—”

[Assistant] “Oh? Mr. Achim?” Someone emerged from within the building. It was Kato, the man who had confessed to being bribed to fake Achim’s alibi. “What brings you all the way out here?”

[User] “Kato! Save me!” Achim—who had been calm up to this point—did an about-face and shamelessly clung to Kato, begging for help.


[User] "I see what’s going on. Do not touch me, lowly human."

[Assistant] "Ah! Be careful, everyone!" Claire braced for a fight upon noticing the change in Kato’s tone. At her warning, we did the same.

[User] "I see my plans have failed, then." Kato’s form began to shift before our eyes. His skin melted into a smooth, liquid, metallic substance, a single large eye formed on his face, and bat wings sprouted from his back.

[Assistant] "Demon!"

[User] "Call me Kato, human."

[Assistant] "Foul humans, I shall kill you where you stand. Achim! How long do you intend to cling to me, you failure?!" Kato sneered at Achim as though he were filth, raising an arm that had at some point morphed into a longsword.

[User] I hurriedly prepared to fire an ice arrow, even knowing I wouldn’t make it in time.

[Assistant] "All according to plan."

[User] "What?"

[Assistant] "Kato, you’re the mastermind behind this all!" As soon as those words left Achim’s mouth, his body began to burn.

[User] "Graaah! You fool!"

[Assistant] "Heroes of the revolution! I left a letter in my desk! The rest is up to you!" Achim yelled as he clung to Kato, burning all the while. It was clearly no ordinary flame, as his body was entirely consumed in moments.

[User] "Miss Claire, let’s take this guy down!"

[Assistant] "Yes! Lilly, take the front. Misha, Rae, get behind! I’ll take the middle!"

[User] "Y-yes!"

[Assistant] "On it."

[User] "Lowly humans… Don’t underestimate me!" His wings had been left in tatters by Achim’s fire.

[Assistant] "Injuries of this level won’t stop me from killing all of you!" Kato’s arm stretched out. The tip tapered to a sharp point like a lance, aimed at Claire and Lilly.

[User] "N-no you don’t!" Lilly dodged and parried the arm-lance before closing the distance to him with blinding speed.

[Assistant] "Oh, but I think I do, Saint!" Kato’s outstretched arm went limp as Lilly passed it, then turned to attack her from behind.

[User] "A-ah!"

[Assistant] "Not on my watch!" Claire let loose a flame spear, striking and melting Kato’s arm.

[User] "Gaaah?!"

[Assistant] "Now, Lilly!"

[User] "R-right!" Lilly moved just before him and swung down her right short sword.

[Assistant] "As if!" Kato’s face twisted with delight as a lance-like shape erupted from his chest, aiming for Lilly.

[User] "What?!"

[Assistant] I had lifted him a full head off the ground with my spell, Uplift. "It’s over."

[User] In the blink of an eye, Lilly was behind him with her short sword flashing crossways.


[User] An instant later, Kato was sliced into four pieces, his heart at the center of the X. “Foolish humans… Why do you not accept your fated ruin?” he spat, reduced to a head on the ground.

[Assistant] "What kind of question is that?” I asked, still guarded. “I don’t know, maybe I’m just not suicidal?”

[User] “Rae Taylor… One day, you shall know.”

[Assistant] “Know what, pray tell?”

[User] “What it means to desire an end.” Leaving behind those foreboding words, he withered to dust.

[Assistant] What did that mean? I shook my head. “Any injuries, Miss Claire, Miss Lilly?”

[User] “None, Rae.”

[Assistant] “N-none here too.”

[User] We’d killed a demon without a single injury this time around. It seemed that regular demons were nothing compared to the Three Great Archdemons.

[Assistant] “It seems I wasn’t needed much in the end,” Misha remarked.

[User] “That’s not true. If you hadn’t been here, we wouldn’t have been able to back Achim into a corner in the first place,” I said. “About Achim… He said something strange, didn’t he?”

[Assistant] “Y-yeah, something about leaving the rest to us…?” Claire asked.

[User] Lilly asked.

[Assistant] We all looked at each other, puzzled. “Anyway, let’s head back to the capital for now,” I said. Mysteries remained, but all we could do for now was return.


[User] There was a letter in Achim’s desk, as he had claimed there would be. In it was an explanation for everything that had transpired, along with a confession. As I likely needn’t remind you, demons were powerful beings. If they ever attacked cities in full force, there wouldn’t be much humans could do to fight back. Yet human cities endured—even the empire’s, with their close proximity to demon territory. This was all thanks to the barriers.

[Assistant] “Th-the Church provides powerful barriers to all major cities. No demons can pass through them, no matter how strong they are.” According to Lilly’s explanation, the barriers were formed by concealed magical tools installed around cities. Demons had no hope of getting in without finding the magical tools and breaking them. Socrat’s attempted assassination of the pope was an exception, as teleportation magic cast from within the barrier had been used to bring him in. In other words, we were safe as long as we stayed within Ruhm. No wonder Dorothea could afford to be so careless.

[User] “We’re merchants, you see,” Achim wrote. “We can’t just hole up within the city walls at all times but must brave the dangers outside to venture out.” On one such occasion, Achim’s son was taken hostage by a demon. “Kato took my son and threatened me into poisoning the Bauer dorm’s food.” This was news to me, but apparently the Bauer dorm’s food was provided by Baltzer Trading. Wary of being poisoned by the empire, we’d been casting detoxification magic on everything we ate, but Achim had found a way around that by gradually mixing nutmeg into our food—a spice that causes organ failure when consumed in large quantities.


[User] Being an ordinary spice, nutmeg wasn’t affected by detoxification magic. This method served the dual purpose of tricking Kato. "It will take time, but eventually, the toxins will build up and cause their organs to stop.” Those were the words he used to buy time from Kato. During that bought time, we’d arrived to interrogate him. As it turned out, his slip of the tongue had been intentional. He’d meant to lead us to Kato without breaking the curse placed on him. “Do not cross me, Achim. If you so much as speak a word of who I am or strike against me, your body will be engulfed in flames.” Despite being bound with this geas, Achim hadn’t feared death. He’d simply wanted to save his son. Though he had suspected, deep down, that his son was already dead, he had clung to hope, continuing to poison the dorm. Arnaud had caught him in the act and, after a quarrel, had been murdered by Achim.

[Assistant] “I’ve…killed the man who was like a second son to me.” Despite the conflict over who would inherit the business, Achim had thought of Arnaud like his own son. He deeply regretted his death. "That demon said he took my son, but he never said a word about keeping him alive, nor of returning him. In hindsight, it’s so obvious… My dear sons, my beloved wife, forgive me. I will be joining you soon…” Achim had been unwilling to remain dancing in the palm of the demon’s hand. He had the resolve and fury to strike back. “…but not without bringing him with me.”

[User] And the rest was history. Achim had used his life to weaken Kato and left the rest to us. His crime was unforgivable, but I could sympathize somewhat, considering the situation. In the aftermath, it came to light that his son had indeed already been killed. Yet another victim of the demons. We informed the newspapers that the demon had been looking for ways to harm the capital without passing the barrier. Of course, we said nothing about the rebel forces. In the end, we’d proved the murder had nothing to do with the internal tensions between the rebel forces. Our investigation was at an end.


[Assistant] “Well done. We will support you as promised."

[User] Afterward, Frieda arranged for us to meet with the higher-ups of the Melica, Dana, and Kiko sects. Philine debated them with dignity, having clearly honed her arguments, and she even promised that the late Arnaud would receive proper funereal rites. He was apparently being considered for canonization by the sects. With this, Philine had succeeded in gaining the support of both the Department of Magic Technology and the rebel forces.


[Assistant] “Welcome, Rae Taylor, Claire François." Days after the incident, Dorothea summoned Claire, Philine, and me. This was the first time this particular lineup had been called before her. Why the three of us, I wondered?

[User] “I-I’m here too, Mother!” Philine asserted her presence.

[Assistant] “Mm-hmm, indeed."


[User] "Welcome, Philine." Dorothea addressed her daughter flatly.

[Assistant] Philine smiled. "I shall give you a reward for stopping the demon. Name it."

[User] "I have nothing in particular to request. I would appreciate it if you continued training Aleah in the art of the sword, however.”

[Assistant] “Ah, yes, Aleah. That girl has talent. She might even be the one to inherit my blades. There is meaning in teaching her; I would continue even if you didn’t ask. I would go so far as to say her training has become a pastime.”

[User] Claire smiled.

[Assistant] "I don’t need anything either. Let’s just say you owe me one.”

[User] “The prospect of owing you is an intimidating one, Rae Taylor. But very well… I’ll overlook what you’ve done this time.”

[Assistant] “Philine."

[User] “Yes, Mother. I humbly request that you—”

[Assistant] “No. I have no reward for you.”

[User] “Huh?”

[Assistant] “Philine Nur," Dorothea’s face remained expressionless as she spoke her daughter’s name, her dignified voice echoing throughout the audience chamber. "You are hereby exiled for high treason.”


[User] "E-EXILED…?" Philine’s voice trembled in disbelief.

[Assistant] "Please wait, Your Majesty! For what—"

[User] "Silence, Claire François. It is not your place to speak in matters of the empire."

[Assistant] "B-but…" Claire refused to back down.

[User] Dorothea wore a sadistic smile. "Or what? Would your plans go awry if Philine were to disappear?" She knew. She knew we were turning Philine against her.

[Assistant] "Did you really think I wouldn’t notice? Even if she’s useless, Philine’s still a princess. She is always under protection, her every action monitored."

[User] We’d been careless. Philine hadn’t realized she was being watched. I’d thought we were careful to not be seen, but it seemed Dorothea was just leagues ahead of us.

[Assistant] "I could overlook the connections you made with my researchers. I even wanted to commend you for taking action on your own, for once."

[User] Dorothea glared at Philine. "But I can’t overlook conspiring with rebel forces. They dare to rebel against me, and by association, so have you."

[Assistant] She made a beckoning gesture, and the audience hall doors opened to admit armed imperial guards. I rose to my feet, taking a position in front of Claire, and prepared for a fight.

[User] "At ease, Rae Taylor," Dorothea said. "I’ll excuse your actions on account of how you handled the demon incident, as well as my prior debt to you. But don’t think I’ll show such kindness twice." The guards restrained Philine as Dorothea spoke. Philine didn’t attempt to resist.

[Assistant] But just when I thought she had resigned herself, she raised her voice. "Mother! Please, hear me out! At this rate, the empire will fall!" A fierce light shone in Philine’s eyes. She hadn’t given up yet.

[User] "Oh? Interesting. Let’s hear it, then." Dorothea grinned as though expecting a show.

[Assistant] "The empire has made far too many enemies! Soon, there will be too many of us to resist!"

[User] "If our foes stand in our way, we trample them. That’s what we’ve always done, and that’s what we will continue to do." Dorothea’s words reminded me of what Hilda had once said.

[Assistant] "That might work so long as you’re alive, but what happens when you’re gone?! The empire has grown dependent on your presence! That can’t last!"

[User] "I’m not about to die just yet, and what happens after my death is a concern for those that come after me."

[Assistant] "That’s absurd!" How irresponsible. I didn’t expect those in power to always be paragons of virtue, but it wasn’t unreasonable to expect them to at least strive toward a better future for their country. Philine was right—the empire’s future seemed dark. How could Dorothea openly admit she only cared what happened during her rule?

[User] "Mother, just what do you think it means to wear the crown? !" Philine cried.

[Assistant] "The crown? It means nothing to me. I simply do as I like. If you want to change my mind, do so through force." Dorothea just kept spouting nonsense.


[User] "You have your own sense of justice. That much is a given. But you’re naive to think politics is about justice opposing evil. Politics is always a conflict of justice against justice. If you want to enforce your vision of justice, you need the power to back it up."

[Assistant] "Mother…"

[User] "If you wish to change something, you must do it yourself. Those without power have no voice."

[Assistant] Nonsense. Everything she said was illogical nonsense…and yet, there was truth within it. No matter how lofty your ideals, they meant nothing if you didn’t have the power to put them into practice. No wonder they called politics a struggle for power. Even so—

[User] "Mother… Acquiring power in itself is adding zeros."

[Assistant] "What are you saying?"

[User] Philine wouldn’t bend. In the face of Dorothea’s overwhelming authority, she continued, unfaltering. "No matter how many zeros you add up together, their value remains null. Only when you put something before those zeros, like justice, does the number have value. But if that justice were twisted, the number would only equate to the degree of violence you’d incite."

[Assistant] What Philine was trying to say was this: No matter how many zeros you had, they would always equal zero. But the moment you put an integer in front of them, the zeros transformed into a mighty number. But if that integer was something negative, then the more power—in other words, the more zeros—you had, the more terrible the end result. "If your notion of justice is flawed, all the power in the world can’t right it. I accept that power is important, Mother, but being just is even more so. Your way of thinking is wrong." Philine, still restrained by the guards, declared this with resolve. The once weak-willed girl now debated her mother on an equal footing.

[User] "You would say I’m wrong?"

[Assistant] "Yes."

[User] "I’m impressed. You’re the first to speak out against me like this. I’m sure you know what this means?"

[Assistant] "I do." Philine’s face was as tranquil as a martyr’s. No. This isn’t the way, Philine. She was betting her life to try to appeal to her mother, but that wasn’t going to work for her. If one wanted to preach their justice, their ideals, they had to live long enough to see them through. Dying achieved nothing. Claire had thought to do the same during the revolution, but there was nothing noble about dying for your ideals. I wasn’t about to let her go like this. But just as I was about to beg Dorothea to spare Philine, a voice interrupted.

[User] "Please wait, Your Majesty." It was Josef.

[Assistant] "Stay out of this, old man."

[User] "I’m afraid I cannot do that. Lady Philine is an extraordinarily brilliant individual. I believe she is more suited to rule than your other children, who don’t have the heart to speak against you." He spoke calmly, as though trying to pacify her.

[Assistant] "But she has defied me."

[User] "Lady Philine is still young."


[User] “Children make errors. Once she sees more of the world and learns the reality of governance, she’ll come to understand the truth in Your Majesty’s words.”

[Assistant] “I—”

[User] Josef cut her short. “Lady Philine, I implore you, hold your tongue.”

[Assistant] Philine reluctantly stayed silent.

[User] Studying him closely, I saw sweat lining his brow. It seemed to me that he had foreseen where this conversation would lead if he stepped in—not exile but execution. He didn’t want to lose Philine, who was perhaps the empire’s sole chance for reform.

[Assistant] "Humph… So you’ll go that far, old man?” Dorothea snorted. “Very well. Philine’s sentence will remain as it was. Exile.”

[User] “Thank you very much, Your Majesty.”

[Assistant] “Take her away.”

[User] Philine looked like she still had something to say but kept quiet, obediently allowing herself to be removed from the premises.

[Assistant] “Rae Taylor, Claire François. I originally intended to exile you two as well, but I will dismiss your transgressions on account of my debt to you. However, there will be no such clemency in the future.” With those words, Dorothea stood. Claire and I could do nothing but bow as she left.


[User] “It’s over.” A few days had passed since Philine had been sentenced to exile, and Claire, Hilda, Josef, and I had come to see her off before she left the country. Frieda wasn’t with us, as Dorothea had caught wind of the rebel forces and thereby sent most of them into hiding. We were seeing her off from Ruhm’s eastern gate. I was reminded of the time we said our goodbyes to Lene after she was banished from Bauer, but the imperial gate was far grander in terms of size, security, and traffic. The number of inspections was higher as well. I couldn’t help but think Philine, the truth of her departure a secret, looked small and insignificant in the long line of others awaiting their inspections.

[Assistant] “I’m so sorry. After all the trouble everyone went through to help me, I couldn’t achieve a single thing…” Philine looked deeply apologetic.

[User] Officially speaking, she was visiting a neighboring country. But the period of her visit was indefinite, meaning she was effectively banished. She had been given five attendants who were allowed to carry the absolute minimum of luggage—far from a leisurely vacation an imperial princess might take.

[Assistant] “We’re the sorry ones—sorry we couldn’t help more.”

[User] “We desperately underestimated Her Majesty Dorothea.”

[Assistant] Philine demurred, dismissing Claire’s words of comfort. “No, it’s all my fault. I should’ve been more aware of my security detail.”

[User] “Hey, things might not have worked out, but at least you avoided the death penalty.”

[Assistant] “It looked like you were going to be executed on the spot for a moment back there.” My comrades might have disagreed, but I truly believed that as long as you were alive, there were always things that could be done.


[User] "I may have survived, but what can I do now that I’ve been exiled?" "Oh, Lady Philine…" All this doom and gloom…you’d think they were at a wake. "You can do whatever you want now."

[Assistant] "Being exiled just means you’re no longer tied down by your country. The world’s your oyster."

[User] "Ha ha. You always were the optimistic one, Rae." Philine laughed.

[Assistant] "No, she’s simply too simple-minded to take things seriously."

[User] "That’s not true."

[Assistant] "I understand the sadness you might feel at times like these, but you’ll always eventually need to move forward. Once you’ve hit rock bottom, you can only go up." So I said, but it really depended on the person.

[User] "That being said."

[Assistant] "I must confess I’m terribly disappointed in Her Majesty."

[User] "With Mother?"

[Assistant] "Yes." Claire frowned.

[User] "I knew she was a tyrant, but I thought it was for her country’s sake. I may not agree with her methods, but she is undeniably talented. I wanted to believe her rule was worthy, in its own way."

[Assistant] "Ah, I get it."

[User] "You don’t like that she said she doesn’t care what happens after she’s dead."

[Assistant] "Yes. No ruler should ever say such a thing." Claire declared with a huff.

[User] "Aha ha… I’m sorry about my mother." Philine apologized weakly.

[Assistant] "Remember when we discussed our impressions of Her Majesty after our first audience with her?" Claire asked.

[User] "Your assessment of her was the most accurate, Rae. She’s a child. A child with too much power."

[Assistant] I think Claire felt betrayed. She might not have liked Dorothea personally, but she had at least respected her as a ruler. But that respect had been betrayed, which infuriated Claire.

[User] "You misunderstand Her Majesty." A calm voice gently rebuked us. It was Josef.

[Assistant] "Her Majesty is not as quick-tempered as she appears. Her declaration that what comes after her death falls to others to decide, it…does invite misunderstanding, but she has given the matter proper thought."

[User] "She has?" Philine asked curiously. Even after being exiled by her, she held a deep fascination and respect for her mother.

[Assistant] "Her Majesty is aware the empire is too dependent on her presence, as you all stated." Josef said.

[User] "But then why would she say such an awful thing?" Philine asked.

[Assistant] "Her Majesty once let slip that she regretted undertaking so much herself, and she wished that those who came after her passing would work together to govern the empire. …Her Majesty, you see, isn’t very good at explaining herself." Josef muttered the last words sadly.

[User] "You misunderstand how she feels about you as well, Lady Philine."

[Assistant] "Huh? Me?"

[User] "Yes. Her Majesty has always wished for your well-being."

[Assistant] "But…no, that can’t be true."

[User] "It is. Her Majesty didn’t wish for you to be involved in political struggles, and so she arranged for you to be moved to another country."

[Assistant] Philine wore a complicated expression. She couldn’t so easily believe his words, yet she wanted to.


[User] "Lady Philine,” Josef continued. “Your actions were not wrong. I believe it’s time for the empire to reconcile with other countries as well. But please understand that Her Majesty does not uphold the current policy by choice.”

[Assistant] "Then why?"

[User] “That, I do not know. I only know Her Majesty has suffered for a horribly long time and that she was never the type to spill blood needlessly.”

[Assistant] It was hard to believe his words. It was an undeniable fact that Dorothea had put the empire on a militaristic path and invaded countless nations. Even if she had her reasons, that was small comfort to those who’d suffered at her hand.

[User] “We must be off soon, Lady Philine.” The coachman called.

[Assistant] It was time. Philine looked crestfallen as she boarded. We didn’t even have time to exchange words of parting before the coach moved forward. Suddenly, Philine stuck her head out of the coach window.

[User] “Claire, Rae, Hilda, Josef. I’ve made up my mind!”

[Assistant] “Lady Philine?!” we exclaimed in unison.

[User] “I’m going to believe in Mother! And because I believe in her, I won’t give up on the empire’s future! I swear, I’ll be back one day!” A powerful conviction burned in her eyes. The shy, powerless girl she’d been when we first met was gone. The next time we met, she would surely have grown even more. The coach gradually faded from view. We stood there and watched as it left.

[Assistant] “She’s really gone.”

[User] “Indeed…”

[Assistant] “Are you okay leaving things like this, Hilda?”

[User] “You didn’t say a word to her in the end.”

[Assistant] “Yes, well… I didn’t have anything in particular to say. Actually, I think she ignored me entirely throughout.”

[User] “Ah. Must be revenge for the ball.” I bet Philine had things she wanted to say to Hilda, though.

[Assistant] “It looks like our plan to change the empire is back to square one, Miss Claire.”

[User] “Indeed, Rae.”

[Assistant] “Ahem… I ask that you not discuss such things in my presence.” Josef looked visibly uncomfortable.

[User] “Oh? Don’t you also oppose the current empire?”

[Assistant] “I do, but first and foremost, I support Her Majesty Dorothea.”

[User] “Ohh, I see.” Such a worldly-wise man, I thought, impressed. That was when a young man in a uniform approached us.

[Assistant] “So this is where you were, Sir Josef.”

[User] “Is something the matter?”

[Assistant] “A letter has arrived from Sousse. Her Majesty has already seen it, but you should as well.”

[User] “Hm?” Josef took the letter and swiftly looked over it. His expression stiffened.

[Assistant] “Did something happen?”

[User] “Rae, stop."

[Assistant] "It’s a correspondence between two nations; he isn’t going to tell us what it says.”

[User] “Actually, I can, as I’m sure the Bauer party has already received a similar letter.” Josef passed us the letter, which read:

[Assistant] "I request a summit between Sousse, the Alpes, Bauer, and Nur. —Manaria Sousse"


[User] "Welcome home." Dole welcomed us as we returned to the Bauer dorm, which seemed more hectic than usual, with people and objects racing back and forth.

[Assistant] "I take it the dorm has already been informed, then."

[User] "You mean that Sousse proposed a summit? Yes." Dole suggested we talk inside, so we followed him to our lodging.


[Assistant] Once there, May and Aleah immediately rushed to Claire.

[User] "Welcome home, Mama Claire!"

[Assistant] "Welcome home, Mother Claire!"

[User] "Thank you, dears. I'm home." Claire smiled happily and kissed their foreheads.

[Assistant] "Um, I'm here too, you know?"

[User] "Welcome home, Mama Rae."

[Assistant] "Welcome home."

[User] "So cold." I sighed. It's fine… I'm not sad, not one bit.

[Assistant] "The two of us have to talk with Father. Can you girls go play in your room?"

[User] "Is it something bad?"

[Assistant] "I wish to talk with Grandfather as well!" Hmm? Is Master Dole more popular with the kids than me? I'm not jealous… No, definitely not.

[User] "I'm sorry, May, Aleah. But we need to talk about grown-up things. I'll come play with you later, so please let it slide this once."

[Assistant] "Okaaay, but you need to pinky promise!"

[User] "Pinky promise, Grandfather!" May and Aleah made pinky promises with Dole before going to their room. It was a minor detail but still odd to see someone make a pinky promise in this medieval Europe-based world. Just another strange, out-of-place touch of Japanese culture rearing its head.

[Assistant] "Will the living room do, Father? Rae, can you serve some tea?"

[User] "Yes, ma'am."

[Assistant] "Thank you."

[User] I started to prepare some black tea as they sat at the table.

[Assistant] "Is it true Sousse is proposing a summit?" Claire asked, too eager to wait for the tea—which was fine, as I was still in earshot.

[User] "Yes. The notice arrived a short while ago. It seems Queen Manaria is the one who proposed it." Manaria was putting everything she had into being a diplomat. She was even the one who'd suggested the three-nation alliance.

[Assistant] "I don't understand why she wants this now, of all times. Shouldn't the establishment of the three-nation alliance take precedence?"

[User] I brought over the tea, passed it to the other two, and sat down myself.

[Assistant] "This is just my theory, but I think Queen Manaria is worried that establishing the alliance will create a clear divide between the Nur Empire and the three nations." Dole sipped the tea, then complimented it, much to my delight.

[User] "But hasn't that always been the case? I thought the three-nation alliance was meant to prepare for the coming war with the empire?"

[Assistant] "Not quite. The goal of the alliance was to prevent the empire from taking further aggressive action—in other words, to achieve a peaceful victory by amassing more force than the empire."

[User] "So that's no longer possible, then."

[Assistant] "Indeed." Dole grimaced. "The peace treaty the empire sent Bauer before the alliance could be formed bought them time."


[User] They’ve spent the last few months expanding their forces. Of course, the other three nations haven’t been idle either, but the empire has overtaken us nonetheless.” It appeared Dorothea had far more diplomatic savvy than we gave her credit for. I hadn’t thought she could be so crafty, but the results spoke for themselves. Maybe she just had talented people working under her. “Regardless, doing nothing will only put us back where we started. That’s why Queen Manaria is hoping to add the empire to the alliance to create a new, unified international front. This summit is to lay the groundwork for that."

[Assistant] Rather than create a three-nation alliance to fight the empire, it would be better to wrangle the empire by including them in the alliance—or so Manaria believed.

[User] "Now wait just a moment. Is this really viable? The empire’s the most powerful state at present. Wouldn’t they just exploit a unified international power however they saw fit?" Claire’s concern was warranted. Even in my old world, the United Nations had often been at the beck and call of the world’s superpowers.

[Assistant] "That will depend on how well Queen Manaria and the rest can maneuver. Besides, if it does go that way, the other three nations can reverse course to face the empire as their own united front."

[User] "So all this is being done under the assumption of possible failure?"

[Assistant] "To put it bluntly, yes. But that’s just politics—excessively roundabout." Dole shook his head and sighed. "Claire, Rae, what are your thoughts on the empire? How do you think Empress Dorothea will respond?"

[User] Claire thought for a moment. "I cannot see Dorothea’s aggression relenting."

[Assistant] "Why is that?"

[User] "Only moments prior, we saw off Princess Philine as she went into exile. I believe Dorothea wouldn’t have exiled her daughter if she had even the slightest inclination toward reconciliation, as her daughter was heavily in favor of it."

[Assistant] "Hmm… I see. And you, Rae?"

[User] "I agree with Miss Claire. But it seems Dorothea has some reason for her aggressive stance. We might be able to sway her if we discover those reasons." Josef had said Dorothea wasn’t upholding her current policy by choice. Of course, I didn’t think I could forgive her, no matter her reasons…but now that I really thought about it, she had never once tried to justify any of her actions. When we’d had our first audience with her, she hadn’t protested Claire’s condemnation of the empire’s actions—in fact, she’d said Claire’s words were logical. I was starting to think she viewed whatever she was doing as a necessary evil.

[Assistant] "Do you have any idea what that reason might be?"

[User] "Unfortunately, I haven’t a clue. In fact, not even the person closest to Dorothea, her manservant, seems to know. I suspect only she could explain herself."

[Assistant] "It seems there’s nothing we can do there, then."


[User] "Yeah…" Although, I did recall that during our initial audience, Dorothea had said she would explain herself…if we agreed to serve her.

[Assistant] "Rae, what about that…what was it again, a book of prophecies?" asked Dole. "Was there any information in it about Empress Dorothea’s motive?" He was referring to my Revo-Lily knowledge. I had given him the same explanation I’d given Claire, way back during my interview to become Claire’s maid.

[User] "Not a single thing. Her true motivations remained a mystery in each and every possible scenario."

[Assistant] In the Dorothea route, where the mother and daughter pair became lovers, Philine and Dorothea teamed up and ventured forth to conquer the world. In the revolution route, Philine began a revolution in the Nur Empire and fought against Dorothea to the bitter end. The other routes featured Dorothea less but still shared one common feature: they never revealed Dorothea’s true motives.

[User] "Perhaps this summit Queen Manaria proposes will be a chance to learn Dorothea’s true motives, then."

[Assistant] "If there’s a reason she can’t curb her state’s aggressions, like Rae thinks, then perhaps we can hear what it is and try to change her mind from there."

[User] Her reason, huh? You know, I’d really thought there was a good chance Dorothea was just a warmonger… But then again, perhaps the world of politics was just a dog-eat-dog world and her actions were par for the course. But I wasn’t a politician, nor did I care to view the world in such a way.

[Assistant] "Whatever the future may hold, we’re bound to be busy. I’ll have even less time to play with May and Aleah now, I suppose." Dole grumbled.

[User] "I thought you withdrew from political matters?" I asked, refilling his cup.

[Assistant] "That was the idea, but I was badgered into assisting with this whole affair. I insisted I wouldn’t, but they forced my hand by saying they’d go to you two if I didn’t."

[User] It seemed Arla and Irvine had had no choice but to basically strongarm Dole back onto the political stage. Bauer seemed to still be struggling to get back on its feet.

[Assistant] "I wouldn’t mind if you left it to us, Father." Claire said.

[User] "Yeah. You’ve done enough already." I said.

[Assistant] "Ha ha ha, thank you. But you overestimate yourselves. You still don’t have what it takes to stand at the forefront of the political world."

[User] "I can’t argue otherwise." Claire sighed.

[Assistant] "Indeed." I said.

[User] Claire and I often insisted the revolution hadn’t been achieved by our efforts alone—despite being heralded as the heroes of the revolution—because, well…it was true! Dole had assisted my every action from the shadows, and he’d even been the one to initially set the stage for commoners to overthrow the nobility. You could even say that Claire and I had been nothing more than pawns in his game, although that might be stretching it. I could guarantee Dole would insist otherwise.


[User] “Bah, if my efforts mean a better future for May and Aleah, then I suppose I can give it a shot.”

[Assistant] “If you need any help, please let us know.”

[User] “Yes, anything.”

[Assistant] “Ha ha, thank you, you two.”

[User] There was a frenzied knock at the door. Claire and Dole looked at each other, wondering who it could be, while I left my seat to open the door. "Yes? …Oh, it’s you, Lana. What’s up?”

[Assistant] “I-It’s Joel! Th-they—” Lana’s face was pale, and she fought to catch her breath.

[User] “Whoa. Okay, calm down and breathe. What happened?”

[Assistant] “The imperial soldiers took Joel away!”


[User] “I didn’t do a thing.” That was the first thing out of Joel’s mouth. We were underground in a section of the Department of Public Safety—the equivalent of a police department in my old world. Joel sat in a cell with his hands bound behind his back and a surly look on his face, which was bruised.

[Assistant] “Why did the imperial soldiers cart you off then?” Claire asked, partially out of doubt but mainly out of worry.

[User] “I don’t know. But there was this woman stalking me. Maybe she had something to do with it.”

[Assistant] “Is this a lovers’ spat?”

[User] “Of course not. I didn’t even know her name before I was arrested. She just kept one-sidedly pestering me.” Joel’s face was weary, and he looked genuinely fed up with the whole ordeal. But was he telling the truth?

[Assistant] “I’ll go ask what happened upstairs. Can you stay here and hear what Joel has to say for me, Miss Claire?”

[User] “Of course.”

[Assistant] I left them behind and moved to the aboveground portion of the building to find the soldier in charge. “Excuse me, I’m here about Joel Santana.”

[User] “Are you family?” the soldier at the reception desk asked.

[Assistant] “No, but I am something like his guardian. He’s my student back in our homeland.”

[User] “Oh, I see. Right this way then.” The soldier manning the reception desk led me to the soldier handling Joel’s case—a woman, to my surprise.

[Assistant] “On what charge was Joel arrested on?”

[User] “The bastard assaulted an upstanding citizen of the empire.” The soldier made no effort to hide her disdain.

[Assistant] “Just to make sure: Is the one pressing charges a woman?”

[User] “What kind of question is that? Of course, obviously!”

[Assistant] It might be obvious to you, lady, but that’s not always the case… "Is there evidence?”

[User] “Yes. Her body is covered in bruises. She’ll likely have lasting scars.” The soldier grimaced as though remembering the state the woman had been in.

[Assistant] “I understand there’s no doubt the victim was assaulted, but is there any proof the assailant was Joel?”

[User] “The victim herself testified as much, and it was daytime, so there’s no doubt she got a clear look.” The soldier spoke as though it were a cut-and-dried case, but the only evidence was the victim’s testimony.


[User] "Isn’t there a chance she might be lying?" I asked.

[Assistant] "What reason would she have to lie? The one hiding the truth is your student. He won’t say where he was at the time of the crime or what he was doing."

[User] Oh, really? I thought. "Might I be able to meet with the victim?"

[Assistant] "You’re joking! The poor girl is frightened out of her mind right now. And I’m not so foolish as to let an acquaintance of the assailant meet the victim!"

[User] "I see…" This was a problem. Both science and the judicial system were underdeveloped in this world, meaning criminal investigations relied heavily on testimonies and eyewitness accounts. As someone with 21st-century sensibilities, this kind of investigation felt shallow and spotty, but it was likely the best they could do with what they had available. Furthermore, I couldn’t rule out the possibility Joel had committed the crime. He was my student, and I believed in his integrity as a person, but I couldn’t let preconceptions sway me. If, by some chance, he had indeed committed the crime, I wanted him to atone for it. That being said, nothing was set in stone at this point. Seeing how the soldiers appeared convinced that Joel was the culprit, I wanted to make sure he got a fair shot at proving his innocence. In any case—

[Assistant] "I need to meet up with Miss Claire first."

[User] "First off, the woman’s name is Berta."


[Assistant] Claire summarized the information she had received from Joel. He had first met Berta while drinking alone at a pub in the shopping district. Berta, who worked there, had incessantly tried to talk to him, but Joel, completely disinterested, had ignored her. That apparently hurt her pride, as she was well known as a beauty, causing her to pester him even more, which in turn caused him to pay and leave the establishment. Their second meeting was the day of the incident. Joel went out to the shopping district on some business and met Berta in a certain store. As for the rest, Joel refused to say. He wouldn’t say what store he’d gone to or even what business took him there. It was no wonder the soldiers had thought him guilty. "It’s hard to deny the possibility that he might well have done it."

[User] "Indeed. Still, I can’t imagine him ever doing such a thing."

[Assistant] "Neither can I. But I don’t intend to let my opinion of him obscure the truth."

[User] In other words, we couldn’t let our biases cloud our judgment. Now, what to do? "Miss Claire, let’s trust in Joel while fully doubting him."

[Assistant] "You…realize that’s contradictory, Rae?"

[User] "I believe in Joel’s innocence. But that doesn’t change the fact that someone was assaulted here."

[Assistant] "I suppose… Wait, are you sticking your nose where it doesn’t belong again?"

[User] "You bet I am."

[Assistant] "By the look on your face, it doesn’t seem I can stop you." Claire sighed.


[User] "Stop me? If anything, you’re going to help!"

[Assistant] "Goodness. All right. What are you planning then?"

[User] "We’ll begin by asking around for information, starting with where Joel was and what he was doing at the time of the crime."

[Assistant] "Haven’t the imperial soldiers done that already?"

[User] "They likely have, so we might as well ask them too, but I really want to get first-hand information."

[Assistant] "So you really believe Joel’s innocent then? I’m surprised."

[User] "Hm? Did you think I hated Joel or something?"

[Assistant] "Not at all. I just had you pegged as the type to unconditionally take the woman’s side."

[User] "Ohh… I certainly do tend to, I’ll admit it. But I don’t despise guys or anything, you know? Men have their own good qualities. I won’t deny that. I just don’t believe I could ever love a man romantically. Nothing more, nothing less."

[Assistant] "I see. I’m a little relieved to hear that."

[User] "We’re still discovering new things about each other even after marriage! This relationship isn’t cooling off anytime soon, it seems!"

[Assistant] "E-enough fooling around. This is important, Rae. Shall we split up and investigate?"

[User] "No, we should ask around together."

[Assistant] "Why is that?"

[User] "Even if it’s just for a little longer, I want to be together with you."

[Assistant] "Oh, do I adore that cold stare of yours!" Rae exclaimed. "But all jokes aside, I think we should play it safe after what happened with Philine, even if Dorothea says we’re off the hook."

[User] "Oh, now that you mention it…"

[Assistant] "We’ll start tomorrow then." Claire said.

[User] "I look forward to our special little date."

[Assistant] "It is very much not a date!"


[User] Because of this, the defendant tended to be at a disadvantage, compared to the prosecution. This world could really choose weird ways in which to be antiquated. The presiding judge was a clergyman sent from the Spiritual Church, as the Church handled the administration of justice in this world. There were other spectators too, all standing, as there were no audience seats.

[Assistant] “The prosecution may begin their opening statement.”

[User] “Thank you, Your Honor.” The man sitting opposite us, who had to be the attorney, stood up. He was incredibly average in terms of build and height, but he had sharp eyes, giving him a shrewd look. He said something to the woman by his side—Berta, I presumed—who then went to the witness stand. “My client, Berta Bahlke, was assaulted by the defendant, Joel Santana. The crime in question occurred on Imperial Date…” Standing at the prosecution’s table, the attorney outlined Berta’s account of the events in a clear, sonorous voice.

[Assistant] I was impressed by the confidence he exuded in his tone and body language, but then again, he was an expert who had likely done this dozens of times before. He had prepared his client beforehand too, as she shed tears the moment he recounted the violence that had occurred.

[User] “From these facts, the defendant’s guilt is clear.”

[Assistant] “Hmm…” The presiding judge nodded thoughtfully.

[User] Things weren’t looking great for us.

[Assistant] “The defendant may begin their opening statement.”

[User] “Thank you, Your Honor,” our side’s attorney replied as Joel took the witness stand. “The prosecution’s case rests entirely on circumstantial evidence. Even more concerning, there is no evidence outside of the plaintiff’s testimony.”

[Assistant] “Objection, Your Honor,” Berta’s attorney interrupted. “The plaintiff’s body is covered in injuries, amongst which are some of the most severe and terrible wounds a woman may suffer. My client has no reason to lie.”

[User] “Objection sustained. The prosecution makes a fair point.”

[Assistant] Oh dear. This wasn’t going well at all.

[User] “B-but, Your Honor! There were no witnesses at the location where the crime allegedly took place! It would be illogical to let a single person’s testimony deem a man guilty!”

[Assistant] Our side’s attorney was the equivalent of a public defender in my world—in other words, an attorney appointed by the country for those who couldn’t procure their own. I didn’t think he was incapable, but he was definitely less skilled than an expensive attorney.

[User] “I shall give the defendant a chance to rebut the claims, then. Where were you and what were you doing at the time of the incident?” the presiding judge asked Joel.

[Assistant] “I decline to answer,” Joel replied curtly from the witness stand.

[User] As he did so, I saw a smile rise to the face of Berta’s attorney.

[Assistant] “Did I hear that correctly? You decline your right to rebut?” the presiding judge asked. “If that’s the case, then I’m left with no choice but to deem you guilty.”

[User] “I am innocent of any crime,” Joel said.


[User] "But I cannot answer the question you’ve asked me."

[Assistant] "I see." The fact that the presiding judge didn’t deem Joel guilty on the spot showed that he did possess patience. I dread to think what would have happened if he’d been a more quick-tempered man.

[User] I raised my hand. "Your Honor, I request the right to speak."

[Assistant] "What is your relationship with the defendant?" he asked.

[User] "We come from the same country, and I am his teacher."

[Assistant] "Hmm… Very well. You may speak."

[User] "Thank you very much, Your Honor." I stood and looked at Joel. He regarded me coldly. "Joel, I looked into where you were and what you were doing at the time of the crime. You were at Berta’s house, were you not?" The spectators began to murmur.

[Assistant] "Hold on, you’re here to defend Joel Santana, correct?" the presiding judge asked.

[User] "Yes, without a doubt," I answered. He didn’t look wholly satisfied.

[Assistant] "Very well then. You may continue."

[User] "Thank you, Your Honor." I turned my gaze from Joel to Berta. "While Berta works at the pub, she has another job, a secret one."

[Assistant] "Objection, Your Honor. She has no evidence," Berta’s attorney said.

[User] "But I do have evidence. If you would, Miss Claire." Claire brought the documents to the presiding judge. "These are testimonies of Berta’s side job," I explained. "I would like to submit them as evidence."

[Assistant] "These are from stage actors and actresses who commissioned…makeup?" the presiding judge asked.

[User] "Yes," I answered. "Berta worked as a makeup artist on the side." Berta’s face contorted with shame. As I touched on a bit when discussing the empire’s food situation, the empire looked down on occupations that were considered nonessential. Anyone would be hesitant to say they worked as a makeup artist, even if makeup was considered normal for women, so it came as no surprise that Berta hid this fact. "Berta is well known for being a talented makeup artist. Joel visited her for that reason, not knowing her identity. Am I right?" I asked Joel, who didn’t reply.

[Assistant] "I don’t understand," the presiding judge said. "What does that have to do with this trial? You’ve proved Joel went to meet Berta, which only serves to further incriminate him. What point do you intend to make here?" He was confused, and understandably so. I only hoped that what followed wouldn’t confuse him even further, as not many people understood the subject.

[User] "Joel, is it all right if I continue?" I asked. "If you’d rather keep this to yourself and accept these false charges, I’ll respect your wishes and back down here." Joel didn’t respond. "If I do continue, you probably won’t be able to stay in the empire, no matter the verdict," I continued. "So I won’t force you to do anything. But even so—” I looked him squarely in the eyes, "—allow me to say one thing.


[User] “I don’t want to see you accept these false charges, and I’m ready to accept you for who you are. Let me help you, Joel.”

[Assistant] Joel’s face twisted with agony. He had to be conflicted. How could he not be with such a burden? At last, he said, “Do it.”

[User] “Okay.” He had made his decision. All that remained was for me to clear his good name. “As I said earlier, Joel went to Berta’s house to avail himself of her services as a makeup artist.”

[Assistant] “I don’t understand. Joel is not a stage actor. What reason would he have to visit her?” the presiding judge asked.

[User] “Nothing special, really. She just wanted her makeup done.” As looks of confusion rose to everyone’s faces, I said, “Joel is a woman.”

[Assistant] “P-pardon? Joel Santana is a man. It even says so on his immigration form.”

[User] “Yes, Your Honor. Biologically speaking, Joel is indeed a male.”

[Assistant] “I haven’t a clue what you’re trying to say here.” The presiding judge looked perplexed, which, again, was understandable. This perspective was fairly uncommon in this world—and it wasn’t even fully accepted in mine.

[User] “Besides the gender of the body, there also exists a gender of the mind, Your Honor."

[Assistant] “A gender of the mind?”

[User] “Yes. For most people, the two correspond. But for some people, they don’t—which causes them great hardship.”

[Assistant] “And you’re saying Joel Santana is one of these people?”

[User] “Yes, Your Honor.”

[Assistant] The presiding judge looked unblinkingly at Joel, whose build and facial features could only be described as masculine. “Certainly,” he said, “I’ve heard of plays in which men look like women or women look like men, but I can’t see Joel here as anything but a man.”

[User] “It’s not a matter of appearance. It’s a matter of which gender they understand themselves to be.” Joel had gender dysphoria, something I’ve previously explained in regard to Yu’s plight. “Joel, can you explain a bit of what you’ve gone through and how you feel?”

[Assistant] She pursed her lips in hesitation, but eventually, she began to speak. “I was born the eldest son to a family of soldiers,” she said in her baritone. “I was raised as a boy, and I was taught I needed to be a strong man to become a soldier.” It broke my heart to hear her sound so indifferent. “But I always wondered to myself: Why was I trapped in this body that wasn’t mine?” Such a question was common amongst those with gender dysphoria. “The more I trained, the burlier my body became, and the more I grew, the greater the sense of unease inside me. At some point, the revulsion I felt toward my own body became unbearable.” Joel spoke flatly, as though she were doing everything she could to prevent any emotion from surfacing. “Sometimes, I would secretly put on my mother’s makeup.


[User] "Of course, it looked terrible on a face like mine, but it was the only time I ever felt at ease.” Some might call this sort of thing compensatory behavior, or tricking oneself, or even dancing around the problem with symptomatic treatment. But I believe there are times when people need alleviation from their pain, even if the thing they do does nothing to change their circumstances. "While at Bauer, I heard a rumor about a talented makeup artist in the Nur Empire known to be a miracle worker. So I looked for them when I got here, thinking maybe…they could change me, even with a face like this.” That would explain why we had spotted Joel in the red-light district. She hadn’t been looking to play with girls but been hunting down the rumored makeup artist. "That was when I met Berta. I heard she was a skilled artist, so I went to her home. I didn’t realize we had met before, but she remembered me, and when she asked me why I wanted my makeup done, I answered honestly. But…” Joel grimaced. "She told me to pay her or else she would expose my secret. She demanded an exorbitant amount, far higher than her standard fee. I refused, after which she said she would tell everyone. I left fully prepared for her to do so. The rest is as Rae said.” Joel’s voice remained devoid of emotion the whole time. But she hadn’t clarified one important element of this story.

[Assistant] "Joel, I know this is a tough question to answer, but there’s just one more thing. Romantically speaking, do you like men or women?”

[User] “Men.”

[Assistant] A murmur ran through the spectators.

[User] "Your Honor, as established, Joel had no reason to assault Berta.”

[Assistant] "Hmm… But then where did her wounds come from?”

[User] "I believe I can answer that, Your Honor. Permission to speak?” Claire cut in.

[Assistant] “Granted.”

[User] Claire stood.

[Assistant] "Berta and a man named Damian Carossa have been…involved for quite some time. According to testimony from one of her coworkers at the pub, Damian seems to be blackmailing the plaintiff and often extorts money from her. I have Damian’s own testimony attesting to this.”

[User] “What do you mean?”

[Assistant] "Damian has been using unlawful narcotics and is currently not of sound mind. This is only conjecture, but I believe the one who truly assaulted Berta was Damian. Am I right, Berta?”

[User] Berta said nothing, simply hanging her head.

[Assistant] "Objection, Your Honor! Her claims are baseless!” Berta’s attorney exclaimed.

[User] "Objection overruled. Berta Bahlke, I ask you to swear to God and tell the truth: Was Damian Carossa the one who assaulted you?”

[Assistant] Berta remained silent. She’d likely been instructed by her attorney to say nothing that would worsen their position.

[User] "You may choose to remain silent."


[User] "However, I must dismiss your accusation against Joel Santana then. Is that what you wish?” the presiding judge asked.

[Assistant] "Please wait, Your Honor!” Berta’s attorney exclaimed.

[User] "Please dismiss the complaint." Berta said in a feeble voice.

[Assistant] "Berta, no! We can still win!”

[User] "No, it’s all right. It’s…all right." Her voice was a barely audible whisper as she sat down at her stand. Why she’d covered for Damian and pinned the crime on Joel was a mystery only she could solve. In my past life, I’d read many novels and seen many anime wherein malicious women pressed false charges of sexual assault against men—but such things rarely occurred in reality. I didn’t mean to say it never happened, but these cases were few and far between. Even a woman like me could understand men’s fear of false accusations. But one had to remember that most women had no reason to do such a thing. Of course, that didn’t mean women were always telling the truth when they accused someone. I’d be the first to admit that trials in Japan were sometimes guilty of condemning people on testimony alone—but we must examine each case on its own merits. In the end, I didn’t know Berta’s circumstances. Perhaps Damian was the one to blame for all this, or perhaps Berta had acted entirely of her own accord. We could only speculate.

[Assistant] "One more thing. Joel Santana, I have a separate sentence for you. Your right to remain in the Nur Empire as an exchange student is hereby revoked.”

[User] I wasn’t surprised. I’d had a feeling this would happen.

[Assistant] "I understand your circumstances, but your body is a gift from God. To deny it is a sin, and I cannot allow a sinner to remain in the empire."

[User] Joel showed no surprise either, as though she had expected this and had already resolved herself to her fate. Her circumstances were decidedly different from Yu’s. Yu—despite what the upper crust of Bauer might insist—had reverted back to her original body, whereas Joel was denying the body she had been born with. The two cases were worlds apart as far as the Spiritual Church’s doctrine was concerned. In modern Japan, such a verdict would never occur. But this world was far, far behind mine in some of its values.

[Assistant] "Joel Santana, you are to be deported to the Bauer Kingdom. You will have one month to depart. Court adjourned.” And with that, the trial ended—with no victors to be found.


[User] "Where are you taking me, Rae?”

[Assistant] "Don’t worry about it!”

[User] "Yes, don’t worry. We’re not taking you anywhere bad.” Two weeks had passed since the trial. Having received a certain notice we had been waiting for, Claire and I were now taking Joel to a certain place.

[Assistant] "All right, I might as well. I do owe you two, after all." Joel smiled weakly. She had to be referring to the trial.

[User] "That’s not true." I said sadly.


[User] “It’s our fault you’re being exiled.”

[Assistant] “Even if it was to clear your name, we still brought you great shame." Claire added just as sadly. It hurt not being able to help your own pupil.

[User] “Don’t say that. I actually feel better now, like a weight’s been lifted off my shoulders.” Joel smiled weakly again.

[Assistant] “Anyway, don’t you think it’s about time you told me where you’re taking me?”

[User] “Right here.” Rae said. We had arrived at a Spiritual Church clinic.

[Assistant] “Why here?” she asked.

[User] “Let’s head in first.” Rae took Joel’s hand and pulled her inside. The clinic was bigger than the one at the Royal Academy, and a few people were in the waiting room, awaiting their medical exams. The interior was immaculate and spotlessly clean.

[Assistant] “Hey, you came.”

[User] “You’re late.” Yu and Misha greeted the three of us. They volunteered here as members of the Church, despite their busy schedule as students. We were meeting up because I’d asked for their help on something.

[Assistant] “Where’s Julia?” Rae asked.

[User] “This way.” Yu answered before leading us farther into the clinic. She stopped before a door.

[Assistant] “Julia, can we come in?”

[User] “Yes.”

[Assistant] We all entered the room to see a familiar person lying on the bed.

[User] “How are you feeling, Julia?” Claire asked.

[Assistant] “I’m okay, Miss Claire.” The patient was Julia, one of the children we occasionally visited at the convent. She didn’t seem to like me much, but she had completely opened up to Claire—as well as to the pope, apparently, for the duration we had switched places.

[User] “Um…?” Joel seemed confused by why she had been brought here.

[Assistant] “This girl’s being treated for a particular curse.”

[User] “One that Rae asked me to alert her to, if I came across it. The Crosswise Curse.”

[Assistant] Joel’s eyes went wide with realization. For her sake, I had been searching for someone with the Crosswise Curse. If this were modern-day Japan, leaking a patient’s private information would have been a problem, but such things were more lax in this world. Still, I’d never expected Julia to have the curse.

[User] “Rae, you didn’t…”

[Assistant] “I did. How would you like to try contracting the Crosswise Curse?” I asked. A quick explanation for those who forgot: The Crosswise Curse was communicable, and it effectively transformed one’s body into that of the opposite gender’s. For most people, having your gender suddenly swapped was an unwelcome experience, but it was a gleaming opportunity for someone who desired that change, like Joel.

[User] “Just to temper your expectations a bit, there’s no guarantee the Crosswise Curse will give you the ideal body you desire, especially with how masculine your current body is.” I explained. Yu’s case had gone as well as could be hoped, but she’d had a feminine face to start with—and had been born female in the first place.


[User] "If you’re still okay with that, I can transfer Julia’s Crosswise Curse to you."

[Assistant] "Is such a thing…possible?" she asked.

[User] "I find myself yet again curious as to how you know these things, Rae," said Yu. "But I suppose you’d rather I not ask?"

[Assistant] "I would rather. Sorry, Yu."

[User] "So, what will it be, Joel?" Claire asked.

[Assistant] Joel thought for a moment. "Do it. No, I mean… Please do it, Ms. Rae." Joel straightened herself before bowing deeply.

[User] "Got it. Let’s do it right away."


[Assistant] "Wow… I can’t believe you became so beautiful," I said.

[User] "Truly," Claire agreed.

[Assistant] "Quit it," Joel replied sheepishly. We had left the clinic, and we were walking back to the Bauer dorm together.

[User] Yu grinned. "She became a beauty, just like me. A different type, though."

[Assistant] "It’s shameless to call yourself a beauty, Lady Yu," Misha chastised.

[User] "What do you think, Joel? How’s the body you wanted?" I asked.

[Assistant] "I still can’t believe it. It feels like a dream.” Joel stared at her now-slender fingers as though uncertain they were real, but when I saw her smile, I knew I was glad that this was a world of magic and curses.


[User] All the theories and support in the world didn’t mean a thing if they didn’t bring the change people needed to live with themselves. This world I was in now wasn’t always perfect, but it had shown Joel kindness. Wherever Misaki was now, I hoped it was a world like this. Joel grabbed my attention again.

[Assistant] “Thank you, Ms. Rae. I’ll never forget this debt.”

[User] “Oh, please. It’s nothing, really. More importantly, things are going to be tough for you from here on out. I wish you luck.”

[Assistant] “Yeah… I dread the talk I’ll have to have with my parents, but I think I can do it.” Her smile seemed softer than before. Perhaps it was because her heart now matched her body.

[User] “Oh, right. Here, take this, Rae.” Yu handed me something. “A lot of unexpected things can happen after transitioning. Use this on her body to temporarily undo the Crosswise Curse if needed.”

[Assistant] I looked in my hand to see the Tears of the Moon. “Is it really all right for me to take this?”

[User] “Of course. I know just how painful gender can be at times. Let me help, if even just a bit.” Yu smiled radiantly.

[Assistant] “Thank you very much. I’ll take great care of it.” The sun had already set by the time we reached the dorm. I like to think the beauty of that evening glow wasn’t my imagination.


[User] “And that’s everything.”

[Assistant] “Whaaat, no fair! I wanna see what Joel looks like now!”

[User] “I don’t particularly care.”

[Assistant] I was regaling Lana and Eve with the latest news while we went to the imperial government offices on some business.

[User] “He’s—er, she’s already back in Bauer by now, right?” Lana asked.

[Assistant] “Yup.” I answered. Nothing of concern had occurred with Joel’s body since, and she had grown accustomed to it. Eventually, with the deportation deadline looming, she had left for Bauer. I’d never needed to use the Tears of the Moon, which currently sat in my pocket. I’d best return it to Yu soon. “She was too shy to say goodbye in person, but she wanted me to give everyone her regards.”

[User] “Awwww, why’s she gotta be such a stranger?” Lana expressed regret at not getting a chance to say goodbye.

[Assistant] Eve seemed to genuinely not care.

[User] "Was she pretty?"

[Assistant] “Yup. You’ll definitely be surprised if you ever meet her again in Bauer.”

[User] “For real? I’m totes looking forward to that!” Lana bounced with excitement.

[Assistant] “Whatever,” Eve said, indifferent to the end. She sighed. “Look, I won’t tell you not to talk, but if you keep stopping, we’ll never get this done.”

[User] “Ah, sorry, Eve.”

[Assistant] “Sooorry!” Lana said. We were drafting documents for the imminent four-nation summit—more specifically, compiling information on the Nur Empire for the bigwigs of Bauer. Of course, this government office was an imperial facility, so foreigners like us couldn’t access all its records, but what we could access was plentiful enough.


[User] The information we were compiling concerned public records and statistics about the empire, among other things. This world didn’t have the internet, so such information was usually communicated to other countries by way of letters and, as such, was always slightly out of date. Our purpose was to supplement the information Bauer already had with more accurate, updated statistics. “Oh, but I’m basically done.”

[Assistant] “That was quick, Lana. I shouldn’t be long, either. How about you, Eve?”

[User] “Just a bit more.”

[Assistant] Surprisingly, Lana was a fast worker. Her grades in school were far from flattering, but it seemed she was in her element with clerical-type work. “Oh, hey, you’re not with Ms. Claire today.” Lana says, only now noticing.

[User] “Miss Claire went to welcome some political VIPs. Master Dole is with her as well.”

[Assistant] “Huh? Then who’s watching May and Aleah?”

[User] “They’re at home by themselves right now. They’re at an age where they can manage that.” That said, I still worried. They went to elementary school most days and had Dole with them on days off when Claire and I were too busy, meaning this was their first time home alone in a long while.

[Assistant] “Is that really safe?”

[User] “I can’t say I’m not worried, but I think it’ll be all right. They’re surprisingly reliable.”

[Assistant] “They’d have to be, with a mother like you.” Eve says coldly. Things hadn’t improved between us.

[User] “Why don’t I head back to the dorm first and check on them?”

[Assistant] “Huh?” I blinked.

[User] “I mean, I’m about done here, and I’m sure you’re still worried, even though you say they can take care of themselves.” My two girls knew Lana. She came over to our room to play with them every now and then—really just an excuse to hit on me—so they weren’t shy around her. “Come on, let me help out. Our relationship’s at that level at least, right?” Lana teased.

[Assistant] “What relationship?” I grinned at her joke.

[User] “Disgusting.” Eve stared at me coldly. How was that my fault? I shrugged it off.

[Assistant] “Please do then, Lana. I’ll head over as soon as I finish too.”

[User] “Right-o. Oooh, why don’t you two take this time to clear up the bad blood between you?” She clearly meant the way Eve had it out for me.

[Assistant] “Mind your own business, Lana.”

[User] “Oh, good idea.”

[Assistant] “This is my own business.” Lana insisted. “My teacher and my best friend have been at odds with each other for months. It’s honestly hard to watch.”

[User] “Well, I don’t particularly dislike Eve or anything.”

[Assistant] Eve stopped working and glared at me. “Tsk…that’s exactly what—”

[User] “Okaaay, gonna cut you short there, Eve,” Lana interrupted. It was strange to see her mediate. I’d had her pegged as the frivolous, airheaded type, but she was acting pretty mature right now. Perhaps her usual personality was more of an act? “Look, Eve… You gotta tell her what’s botherin’ you, or nothing will change.


[User] "It’s probably just a misunderstanding, like she says."

[Assistant] "It’s not a mis—"

[User] "All the more reason to tell her what’s got you riled. It’s no fair to be so crabby without telling her why." Eve said nothing more. She probably understood her actions were logically wrong but couldn’t help it, emotionally. "Anyway, I’m done now, so I’ll be heading over to your place. Catch ya later!"

[Assistant] "Thank you, Lana." I called.

[User] "It’s nothing. Oh, but you could give me a kiss as a reward."

[Assistant] "Unfortunately, these lips are reserved for Miss Claire."

[User] "Darn, you’re a tough nut to crack. But that’s exactly what I love about you!" Lana wiggled with delight. I wondered for a moment if this side of her was an act too, but I concluded it had to be her true nature.

[Assistant] "Just hurry up and leave."

[User] "I’m going, I’m going. You two make sure you talk things out, all right?"

[Assistant] "We will. Take care, Lana."

[User] "Humph."

[Assistant] "Leave May and Aleah to me! I just know today’s the day I get them to call me Big Sister!" Lana waved us goodbye and left.

[User] "That girl’s like a storm."

[Assistant] "You’re one to talk."

[User] "Am I like that to you?"

[Assistant] "Basically. You both do what you like without caring who you trouble. Lana does it because she’s an airhead, but you do it intentionally."

[User] "Whaaat, that’s definitely a misunderstanding…" Why was her impression of me so negative? "Hey, don’t you think it’s about time you told me what’s up? I heard from Lana that it had something to do with a lover, but I seriously haven’t a clue who that could be."

[Assistant] "Really now? The fact that you don’t even realize it, that’s what I hate most about you. Just what is it about you that other people find so…?" Eve’s hand stopped writing. "'I’ll only ever love you’—even though I got to hear those words…"

[User] "Is this the person Lana mentioned? Are they from Euclid?" I asked, a possibility occurring to me. "Was it Louie?" In the original Revolution, Louie had been in love with the main character—in other words, me. If he’d given Eve the cold shoulder as a result, then her frustration made sense. But it appeared I was wrong.

[Assistant] "Huh? Who in the world is that?" Eve gave me a puzzled look.

[User] "Er, that’s a no then?"

[Assistant] "What do you think? Besides, that’s a guy’s name, right? In the first place, I have no interest in guys."

[User] "Then who is it?" I asked.

[Assistant] "You still haven’t figured it out?" Eve stared at me resentfully. "The one you took from me was Lady Manaria Sousse."


[User] "SISTER!"

[Assistant] "Hey, Claire. It’s been a while." After a long carriage ride, I arrived in Ruhm to find my dear “little sister” waiting for me.

[User] “You’re as cute as ever, Claire. Is it just me, or have you grown even more beautiful in the time we’ve been apart?”

[Assistant] “Hee hee, oh, you flatter me.” The way she giggled was simply lovely. She had once been thorny and guarded, but she had mellowed these days.

[User] “I mean it, though. You really are just so cute. Perhaps I should thank Rae for that?”

[Assistant] “O-oh, stop it! You sound like Rae, Sister!” she complained, cheeks flushed red, but she certainly didn’t seem wholly displeased.

[User] “I take it I’ve hit the mark then, seeing as you won’t deny it. I’m sad, you know? It feels like my little sister was swept away from me.”

[Assistant] “What are you saying? I’ll always be a little sister to you.” Claire hugged me. There was a time when she had viewed me as an object of affection, but no longer. I hadn’t returned her feelings at the time, and now and again, I wondered if that was for the best. Perhaps it was only human to regret.

[User] “Heh, that’s good to hear. You look well, Claire.”

[Assistant] “I am well. You look the same as ever, Sister… Oh. Should I be calling you Your Majesty now?”

[User] “Don’t. Being called that gives me goosebumps, even now. I put up with it in formal settings, but I’d rather we be as we always were, otherwise.”

[Assistant] “Hee hee, most certainly.” Claire looked at me teasingly. She really had changed. If this were the old Claire, I would have seen mischievousness in her eyes, but at present, I only saw warm tenderness.

[User] “How’s Rae been?”

[Assistant] “Well enough to cause me trouble.”

[User] “Figures. I’m sorry I couldn’t attend the wedding.”

[Assistant] “Nonsense. You’re the ruler of a country now, and we’re but ordinary citizens. You couldn’t help it.”

[User] “Thank you, Claire.” It had hurt to not attend my dear little sister’s special day, but this was the path I had chosen to take.

[Assistant] “I saw Mr. Torrid earlier, but have His Majesty Thane and the others arrived yet?”

[User] “Yes, they arrived just moments ago. I showed them the way before coming to welcome you.”

[Assistant] “I see. Thanks, Claire.” I shot her a smile.

[User] “You’re so very welcome.” She returned my smile.

[Assistant] “How’s life in the empire?”

[User] “It was quite a shock when I heard Bauer was sending you. I was so angry, I even considered cutting off support to the kingdom.”

[Assistant] “Jeez, you fret too much, Sister. Life here is surprisingly comfortable. I will admit that I was apprehensive at first, but the empire’s been good.”

[User] “Because you’re with Rae?”

[Assistant] “Cease your teasing at once.” Claire turned away with a huff. It was terribly cute.

[User] “Aha ha, sorry, sorry."