Editing/Standardisation: Medicine Melancholy
Original Translation: Medicine Melancholy

Iris

Today began in a hectic manner.

It all started when I woke up and the realization of the mess I’d caused the night before hit me like a storm. My face turned pale at the thought, particularly at the prospect of facing Reiji-san. Unable to gather the courage to leave my room, I spent hours agonizing on my bed.

I caused trouble and worry for everyone around me, to the point that even Prince Julius had to call out to me in tears. My guilt finally outweighed my embarrassment, and with a certain someone asking for a favor, I decided to stop hiding.

“The sun is already so high… It’s past noon, isn’t it? I truly apologize for my tardiness.”
“It’s all right. The important thing is that you’ve come out now. Milady, are you feeling better?”
“Yes… I’m really sorry for all the trouble I’ve caused…”

I nodded to Lenny-san, who was peering at me with concern.

As if today couldn’t get any worse, I was greeted with a splitting, nauseating headache upon waking up… that’s how I learned firsthand that this body’s tolerance for alcohol was even worse than my old one.

“I’m never getting a drop of alcohol ever again…”

“You were fortunate that there was no one else but us around when that happened, milady.”

“Ugh… I really messed up this time around, didn’t I?”

I trudged forward with my shoulders slumped.

Behind me, Nii-sama and Reiji-san followed, but for now, I couldn’t bring myself to face either of them.

“Hey, Iris, about last night…”

“Please forget it.”

“Yeah… I was thinking about the same thing.”

“I beg of you, please forget it.”

I answered Reiji-san with the flattest tone I could muster.

Though I didn’t remember everything in detail, I had a faint recollection of crossing a line with my words. The specifics terrified me too much to ask about.

On the other hand… Nii-sama, for some reason, was in an incredibly foul mood.

Although he appeared to be smiling, he hardly spoke a word. I could feel the intense pressure he was radiating on my back. It was much more terrifying than when Ayame did it.

As we walked, Lenny-san, who had been following behind, broke the awkward silence.

“In any case, Scarlet-sama and that kid Hayato are scheduled to arrive here soon, right?”

Grateful for the change in topic, I recalled the schedule we’d planned.

“If I recall correctly… they were supposed to come here by boat this afternoon…”

“Is that the boat you’re looking for?”

Said Nii-sama, pointing to the port where a ship bearing the insignia of Count Roland and Ares Isles had just docked.

“That seems like it. Let’s hurry.”

I took Lenny-san’s hand as she offered it to me, and we hastened our pace.

The port was bustling with tourists who had arrived for the festival, but we had no problem meeting up, thanks to Hayato-kun spotting us right away… or rather, our group were quite noticeable to begin with.

Truth be told, I was rather nervous about slipping up in public, while we were attracting constant attention. With that in mind, I took another look at my appearance.

Today’s outfit was a classic-style off-shoulder dress with plenty of lace, and a thin shawl around my arms.

Not only me, but Nii-sama and Reiji-san’s outfits also exuded nobility, so we stood out a lot… especially the former, whose princely look caused squeals from the women in the onlookers.

In addition, we were accompanied by Lenny-san in her servant attire, holding a parasol for me, while escorting soldiers surrounded us. No matter how you looked at it, we were a group of aristocrats on a stroll, inevitably drawing attention anywhere we went.

Being subjected to so many gazes, I was doing my best to mask my inner tremors with a smile, though I was barely holding it together. Compared to when I first arrived in this world, I believe I’ve improved a lot… but it seems I still have a long way to go.

While I was mulling over these things, a small white shadow popped its head out from behind Hayato-kun. It kicked Hayato’s shoulder and jumped into my chest.

Even though it had only been a few days, the feel of fluffy fur felt very nostalgic.

“Sorry for leaving you behind, Snow. Thanks for taking care of her while I was gone, Hayato-kun.”

“It’s fine, I’m rather fond of animals, actually… Besides, Snow is a good girl, aren’t you Snow?”

Snow wagged her tail in response to Hayato-kun’s words. It’s nice to see them getting along so well over the past few days.

I let myself relax a little as I enjoyed the soothing touch of Snow snuggling at my chest.

“Well, well, well, there’s our Princess, looking splendid as always.”

Said Scar-san, who was weaving through the crowd behind Hayato-kun with great difficulty, thanks to the long package he was carrying on his back.

“By the way… Iris-chan, why are you dressed so elegantly today, with an escort and everything? I was sure you’d come in secret.”

“I thought you weren’t fond of being treated like a princess”, probably thought Scar-san as he tilted his head, looking puzzled, to which I could only return a wry smile.

“Well… a lot has happened, and I’m not allowed to go out in secret anymore.”

“…This isn’t something we should talk about in public. I’ll explain later when we’re in somewhere more private.”

Reiji-san, who was directly involved in the attack on the tournament participants, said as he took over the explanation.

“What I can tell you is… we’re here today on behalf of the Norglacier royal family.”

“Huh?”

“Um… it’s sort of a diplomatic matter. And it actually involves you, Scar-san… I’m so sorry, but I think you’ll understand in a few seconds!”

I bowed my head apologetically.

While Scar-san still didn’t understand what’s going on… a hand suddenly appeared from behind him and grabbed his shoulder, as if to stop him from getting away.

“…!?”

He instinctively tried to shake it off, but then froze at the sound of the voice that followed.

“Yo, long time no see, my foolish brother. It’s been years since we last met, hasn’t it?”

“Y-Yeah… What brings you here, dearest brother?”

With a stiff, forced smile and movements so strained they practically creaked, Scar-san turned around—

And there, standing behind him, was none other than Emperor Felix himself, in full incognito mode. Dressed in a breezy Hawaiian shirt with sunglasses, he looked every bit like a tourist on vacation. Beside him stood Big Sister Isc, wearing a blue floral-patterned summer dress and a white straw hat.

…That is to say, they were perfectly dressed for the occasion, which is enjoying the island in the height of summer. Scar-san was probably caught off guard by their choice of attire.

“Huh, why are you looking at me like that? Even an Emperor wants to relax sometimes, no?”

His Majesty the Emperor laughed as if expecting Scar-san’s reaction.

Scar-san let out a long, exasperated sigh after staring at him in disbelief.

“…Well, I’ll be damned. Iris-chan, you were in on this too?”

“Yes, I’m really sorry. We’re all here to escort the two of them…”

I bowed my head once again in apology.

But there was a reason I had agreed to help with this.

“And I think we can really use your help. You see, Big Sister Isc is…”

I leaned onto Scar-san’s ear and whispered to him about Big Sister Isc’s pregnancy.

Since she couldn’t use healing magic at the moment, I wanted someone trustworthy to be by her side in case anything happened.

“…So that’s how it is, huh. Guess it can’t be helped then.”

Scratching his head roughly, Scar-san reluctantly gave up on the idea of running away.

“Alright, big brother, you can count on me. But only until the festival ends!”

“Good enough! I’ll have a room prepared for you right away!”

Beaming, Emperor Felix immediately gestured to the attendants standing behind him, sending them off to make the necessary arrangements.

“…My deepest apologies for the trouble, Your Highness Scarlet.”

“No, no, no, don’t worry about it, you should take utmost care of yourself first, um… sister-in-law.”

Said Scar-san, somewhat bashfully, to his now-big sister who’s younger than him in age.

Her eyes widened in surprise at what Scar-san said… but then she immediately broke into a soft smile of delight.

“Mm… Thank you.”

Being thanked with such a radiant smile from my stunningly beautiful sister left Scar-san flustered… but it looked like he would be fine. As for Hayato-kun with him…

“I’m sorry to you too, Hayato-kun, but you’ll have to go separately from us…”

“Don’t sweat it. Someone has to take care of Snow, right?”

“Yes… It’s really unfortunate that I can’t bring Snow along with me here.”

Hearing this, Snow licked my cheek as if to reassure me.

If she were just a normal puppy, it wouldn’t be a problem to bring her along. But Snow is the cub of one of the most powerful Phantasmal Beasts in the world. Naturally, bringing her to a gathering of dignitaries from various countries was out of the question.

“Besides, the place you’re staying at is meant for VIPs, right? Honestly, I’m relieved I don’t have to stay somewhere that fancy.”

“…Thank you for your understanding, Hayato-kun.”

“Well, I guess I’ll have to find a place to stay… though, I wonder if there are any vacancies at this hour?”

“Oh, that’s already taken care of. I asked someone to help out.”

“Someone?”

“Yes. They should be arriving any minute now…”

As I glanced around, I spotted two familiar figures scanning the area. When I waved, they quickly noticed and hurried over.

“Kept you waiting, Princess.”

“Hi there, Iris-chan, Saul-san, Reiji-san.”

“Hello, and sorry for the sudden request while you’re busy.”

“It’s not a big deal.”

The helpers I was referring to were Ouka-san and Kirsche-san.

I figured I could ask them to arrange accommodation for Hayato-kun when he arrived at this island.

“So… you need us to house this kid, right?”

“Iris-neechan, who are those two?”

“Allow me to introduce you to Ouka-san and Kirsche-san. Like us, they’re former players. Ouka-san here is an armor craftswoman, so she might be able to help you with your equipment.”

“R-Really?!”

“Certainly. I’m sure Master will be happy to make something for you as well.”

Hayato-kun’s eyes were basically sparkling as he and Ouka-san immediately went off to discuss what sort of equipment he wanted. I guess boys just like that kind of stuff?

In fact, part of the reason I entrusted Hayato-kun to Ouka-san’s care was to strengthen his gear.

Meanwhile, Kirsche-san…

“Wow, this little one is so cute… You’re staying with us too, right? Nice to meet you!”

She was gently patting Snow’s head as she rested in my arms, wagging her tail contentedly.

…While I was happy that Snow’s friendly toward humans, I couldn’t help but worry a little. When the time came for us to part ways, would she really be able to return to the wilds?

“By the way, Princess, there’s something I’ve been meaning to ask.”

On the way to drop Hayato-kun off at her workshop, Ouka-san suddenly brought up the topic.

“Yes, what’s it?”

“The prince has Star of Eden, Reiji-san has Form is Emptiness… Do all people with unique class get to have such cool skills as they grow stronger?”

“I’m not sure… but that might be the case.”

“Heh… Do you have any skill like that, Princess?”

Her question made me freeze for a moment.

I glanced toward her, wondering if I could dodge the question somehow, but her eyes were filled with curiosity. And on the other side of Ouka-san, Kirsche-san was also watching with equal interest.

…It was clear that they wouldn’t let me off the hook until I answered. I sighed in resignation.

“Well… I do have one, but…”

“Really? That’s the first I’ve heard of it.”

“Same here. How come I never saw it?”

Since I had kept this skill a secret all along, I flinched at the voices from the two walking behind us. But now that the topic had come up, there was no avoiding it anymore.

It had been a little over a month since I acquired it, when knowledge about that skill flowed into my head.

Even without using it, I instinctively understood that it was an immensely powerful skill. However, I had never actually activated it before.

“It has really strict activating conditions…”

“…Strict?”

“Yes. The first is that the target must have the tertiary reincarnation class… no, to be exact, they must belong to the three higher humanoid races.”

“The higher races in the game lore? They’re Einherjar, Celestia and Nosferatu right?”

“That’s right. I believe everyone has the ‘Racial Traits Release’ skill, correct? Without it… I don’t think your body will be able to hold up.”

“Wow… that sounds incredible.”

Although they’re called “higher races”, they’re more akin to our ancestors rather than our evolution.

Long ago, during the height of ancient civilization, there were rare individuals within the three races who had exceptionally high magical aptitude. These people were the higher races Ouka-san just mentioned.

Even today, there are rare cases where individuals are born with latent traces of these ancestral traits. However, most of them never realize it in their lifetime and simply live as people with extraordinary talent.

But the others who, like me, had undergone reincarnation could partially awaken the power of these higher races. That was the essence of the trump card that the two of them had used several times—the “Racial Trait Release” skill.

And to use my skill, the target’s body needed to be capable of enduring it. That alone indicated how overpowered the skill must be.

“The second condition… is that I must trust the person I use it on with all my heart.”

“Heh… Those guys easily qualify, don’t they?”

I nodded at Ouka-san’s remark.

If it were Reiji-san and Saul-niisama, to whom I entrusted “Save the Queen”, this condition would be no issue.

However, the biggest problem wasn’t these two conditions.

“The real issue… is the final condition. In order to activate it… um… m-membrane… contact… and… fluid ex—…”

I trailed off, my voice shrinking from embarrassment.

“Huh? What’s the last one?”

“I-I mean, to activate it… m-mucous membrane contact… and fluid exchange… are required…”

I barely managed to get the words out.

—Complete silence followed soon after.

The silence was suffocating. I clasped my hands over my lower abdomen and looked down.

I couldn’t lift my head. My face felt like it was burning—I was probably as red as a tomato.

After a few seconds, I heard someone snort, then a few coughs trying to suppress laughter.

“Wait, hold on… does that mean…?”

“K-kissing! Kissing is enough, okay!?”

“O-oh, I see… That scared me for a second… In that case, why not test it out to confirm its effects? Like, maybe ask Reiji-san over there, who’s just standing there dumbfounded—”

“NO WAY! ABSOLUTELY NOT!!”

Before Ouka-san could finish, I cut her off with a desperate shout, frantically shaking my head.

Flashes of last night’s fragmented memories ran through my mind. If I did something like that now, I would die of embarrassment on the spot.

“Aah, okay, okay, I get it. Sorry about that. Yeah, I can see how that would be a really high hurdle for you, Princess.”

Ouka-san patted my shoulder sympathetically. I still couldn’t bring myself to lift my head, but I nodded in agreement.

—But deep down, I had a feeling that the day would come when I would have no choice but to use this skill.

That was the reason I had been given this power.

When that time came, I couldn’t afford to let embarrassment hold me back. I needed to be mentally prepared so I could use it without hesitation… That was what I told myself.

Editing/Standardisation: Medicine Melancholy
Original Translation: Medicine Melancholy

Saul

Two hours before midnight

People of this world typically went to sleep much earlier than back in Japan, but now, with the festival just around the corner, the streets were bustling with lights from the stalls and drunk people walking around.

Amidst all of this… I was wandering alone, aimlessly searching for someone.

“Tch… Still no sign of him.”

Just days ago, I had felt the gaze of that “Death Serpent” once more.

Since that encounter, I had been unable to rid myself of the compulsion to search for him. Yet despite venturing into the city’s lively streets, no trace of him could be found—not even a shadow.

Had the sensation from that day been nothing more than my imagination? A hopeful thought flickered in my mind.

Determined to call it a day, I turned on my heel.

It was pure coincidence that I noticed the voices.

Upon returning to the grand arena, I heard familiar tones from a secluded spot near the entrance. Turning toward the sound, I saw them—

“You’re…”

“Oh, my… What a coincidence to see you here, Your Highness.”

“No need to refer to me as ‘Your Highness’, just call me Saul. It’s more comfortable that way. You’re Folse-san, right? And Shin.”

The boy, Shin, bowed deeply, his nervous demeanor evident.

Seeing him here confirmed a suspicion—Folse, a former player, was connected to my earlier suspicions.

“Shin-kun here is my subordinate. Managing the merchant guild alone would be impossible, so I rely on him as my right-hand man. Though… he’s a bit too honest for his own good.”

“I-I’m sorry…”

Folse chuckled while Shin shrank back, their camaraderie clear.

But that’s not the issue.

“…Why are you in a place like this at such an hour?”

They were currently standing around a deserted spot next to the arena, with a view of the towers that were the VIP residential area.

“Simply scouting an evacuation route. As the Prime Minister’s aide, I must ensure his safety in case of emergency.”

“…Very well. I’ll take your word for it.”

Shin nodded, albeit stiffly, so I let the matter drop for now.

“Shall we move to another location? Lingering here might invite unwarranted suspicion.”

“Agreed.”

I didn’t have to follow them, but curiosity about their motives urged me forward.

As I walked, my hand briefly checked the hidden weight beneath my tunic.

They led me to a tavern on the main island across the bridge.

Inside, the festive crowd thrummed with activity. Folse spoke briefly to a staff member, slipping him something, and we were ushered to a private room in the back.

The room had a subdued interior, furnished with high-quality sofa and table.

“This is a soundproof room used for business discussion. Please, take a seat.”

I complied, settling onto one side of the sofa.

“Would you like a drink? Alcohol, perhaps?”

“No, tea will suffice. I’ve never been much of a drinker.”

“Alright.”

Folse placed the order, and the waitress who were serving us took her leave.

…The items he picked from the menu clearly took some time to prepare, so I guess he intends to hold a long discussion.

“First, let us celebrate this chance meeting between fellow players.”

“If you say so. But you aren’t the original guild master of Sea Breeze, are you? What happened to him?”

“He… didn’t make it here.”

Folse’s expression turned somber as he gripped his glass.

“He wasn’t much for level grinding, preferring to take things at his own pace. From what I’ve gathered, only those who achieved third-tier tertiary class were transported to this world. Would you agree?”

“Yes. I’ve yet to encounter a player who didn’t meet that criterion.”

Folse nodded knowingly, a truth he seemed resigned to accept.

“If that’s the case… then there’s no way he could have ended up here. Perhaps that’s for the best—he wouldn’t have thrived in a place like this.”

“Yeah… I have to agree.”

With a shrug of his shoulders, Folse dismissed the matter.

“So, I have something to ask you.”

“Please, Saul-san, ask away.”

“I’ve heard words about a mutual aid organization for former WGO players. Am I correct in assuming it’s the same as your Sea Breeze Company?”

It wasn’t so much a question as a confirmation.

After all, Shin, who was nervously listening to our conversation nearby, already made it a certainty.

“Yes, that’s correct. I’ve also heard about yesterday’s events from Shin-kun. It seems we caused you some trouble… My apologies.”

He bowed his head surprisingly sincerely, catching me off guard. Internally, I smiled wryly at my earlier assumption that their organization would behave more arrogantly.

“Um! Things may seem problematic now, but originally, the reason we reorganized Sea Breeze into a mutual aid group was simply because it was necessary!”

Shin burst out, unable to contain himself.

” Yes, just as he says. On the western continent where we were based, many players were stranded and unable to return to their home regions. Three months ago, when we were first sent here, the situation was truly chaotic.”

“I see… It must have been quite the ordeal.”

The former players, thrown into a new and unfamiliar world, were caught in a maelstrom of confusion.

Particularly on the western continent, which, compared to the other three major continents, had a notably smaller number of players. In the in-game population surveys, the western continent lagged far behind the northern, southern, and even eastern continents in terms of player presence.

Even so, a large number of players made their way to the western continent because it was home to many merchant guilds, making it an ideal place for trade and searching for items.

As such, when we were sent to this world, many of them found themselves separated from their original homes and isolated.

The players on the western continent, having lost their support systems, were plunged into turmoil. To manage this chaos, an organization was urgently needed to serve as a unifying force, even if it was hastily assembled and fraught with imperfections.

And it was the Sea Breeze, reorganized and renamed the Sea Breeze Trading Company, that managed to achieve this.

“…However, entering the market proved was more challenging for us upstarts than we anticipated.”

Folse said bitterly. He explained that while they had managed to grow by leveraging knowledge from the original world that was profitable in this one and by gradually turning the fringes of existing powers over to their side, they were reaching their limits. A toxic atmosphere was starting to permeate their organization.

“Nowadays, I’ve secured the Prime Minister’s support and gained some advantages, but even so, we’ve hit a ceiling. Soon, it’ll be our turn to fall apart.”

It seemed that several recruitment offers had already been extended to Folse and other talented individuals within the group.

Though no one had left yet, the day would come when someone would accept an offer, and once one or two departed, the rest of the organization would collapse like a house of cards.

“When that happens, those who aren’t valuable enough to receive offers will inevitably be left adrift again. The Western Trade Confederation is a meritocracy, for better or worse. It’s a land where no one will take care of the weak or useless.”

With that, Folse placed his hands on his knees and bowed deeply.

“I know it’s a lot to ask, but I beg you. Saul-san, won’t you lend us your support?”

—It was about what I expected from this meeting.

Hearing rumors of their recruitment attempts, I had suspected that the offer would eventually come our way.

Folse’s demeanor thus far had been nothing but sincere.

And yet…

“To unite everyone, we need a symbol. Someone with strong, centralizing influence.”

“Why don’t you do it yourself? You’re the leader, aren’t you?”

“Unlike the guild master, I’m not fit for such a role. I’m well aware of my limitations. I’m much more suited for working behind the scene.”

Though he spoke humbly, I could sense otherwise.

“Let me ask you something. Is it really my cooperation that you want?”

The tension between the two of them was palpable as they noticed the shift in my demeanor.

It was true that I currently am the Prince of Norglacier.

Both Reiji and I had honed our skills through combat experience. Among the players sent to this world, I was confident that we were among the strongest.

Yet, even so, I doubted our influence was significant enough to serve as the unifying force they sought.

And… within our group, there was another—someone who held immense sway among both the players and the people of this world.

“As expected, you’re quick to understand. Yes, what I truly want is… the cooperation of Miss Iris.”

“……And?”

“Among the players sent to this world, she is the only one worthy of holding such a position as the symbol to unite everyone.”

“Is that position a puppet for you people to manipulate?”

“Don’t say such harsh words. I believe that Miss Iris, with her boundless charisma… she’s…”

At that moment, his words faltered.    

“…Folse-san?”

Folse suddenly fell silent, mumbling incoherently with a vacant expression. Alarmed by his odd behavior, Shin tugged at his sleeve, calling out to him.

Folse shook his head and took a sip of water from his glass, seemingly regaining his composure.

“…My apologies. Would you consider our request?”

“Sorry, but not a chance.”

I cut him off decisively, my answer having been decided long before I came here.

“You mentioned earlier that you preferred working behind the scenes. Cut the crap. Someone with eyes like yours could never be content with such a role.”

I had realized this the first time we met, during that gathering.

From the moment Iris, who sat next to me, showed the faintest hint of fear, I had been suspicious, and that suspicion had grown.

The gentle demeanor he wore was merely a mask. His eyes betrayed a buried pride and vanity.

“What exactly do you plan to have Iris do? Do you think people will simply accept it if a princess from Norglacier suddenly becomes the head of a western trading company?”

“That’s…”

“What you need to climb higher are achievements, wealth… and status, isn’t it? A rising merchant marrying a princess from the northern continent would be quite the story, wouldn’t it? Enough to garner popular support—and even a bid for next year’s prime minister election, don’t you think?”

My relentless words left both of them silent.

“No matter what you’re playing at, your real aim is to bind Iris to your organization and slowly claim her for yourself. If that’s the case, from this moment forward, you are my enemy.”

“…It seems negotiations have broken down. In that case, I’ll have no choice but to speak with her directly—!”

I didn’t let him finish.

Perhaps he couldn’t react in time—or perhaps he chose not to. Either way, my blade, Artorius, was already pressed against his neck.

“Silence.”

I spoke only that single word, pouring all my fury into it.

It was true that if he approached Iris directly, she wouldn’t be able to ignore him.

Iris bore heavy sense of guilt—the belief that the events leading to our arrival in this world, and her existence as a Lightwing race, were all orchestrated for her. If he emphasized helping other former players, she might just be persuaded. In the worst case, she might even agree to such a plan out of sheer desperation.

This was, after all—whether intentionally or not—a calculated move to exploit Iris’ most critical weakness.

There would be no happiness for Iris if she was led down this path.

“I couldn’t care less if all of you were kicked out on the streets. To me, only Iris’ happiness matters. And there’s no happiness for her within your organization.”

Only one person could bring her that happiness now. And if anyone stands in our way… I will surely eliminate them.

“Saul-san, that’s going too far…!”

“Calm down, Shin. He just hasn’t given this matter some proper thought… Well, not yet.”

Said Folse, his face pale and beads of sweat forming on his brow as he tried to reassure the boy with him.

“Yeah, not yet.”

Should my mood shift, I could slit his throat and paint this room red with his blood in an instant. I whispered those thoughts, laced with murderous intent, and Folse raised his hands in surrender.

“I see now… It seems I’ve misjudged you. I thought you were a rational and composed person. But it appears you’re more of a hothead than anyone else.”

Folse shrugged in resignation.

He could say whatever he wanted. Keeping my blade against his neck, I closed the distance and sneered.

“Folse-san, are you an only child?”

“Yes, I am. Why?”

“Then let me enlighten you. Throughout history, big brothers have always been very protective of their little sisters.”

“I… don’t quite understand what you mean.”

“It’s simple, really…”

Suppressing the black, raging flames threatening to erupt from Artorius’ blade, I leaned closely and whispered into his ear.

“This is what I mean: I will never entrust my precious little sister to the likes of you.”

“…I’ll keep that in mind.”

Satisfied for now with his strained response, I withdrew Artorius from his neck and slid it back into its sheath at my side.

“Please do. Unlike us, who were too preoccupied with our own survival, you’ve worked tirelessly for the other players in this world, and for that, you are worthy of respect. That’s why I’d rather not seriously have to take your head.”

I smiled faintly, subtly implying that I might do it if necessary, and stepped back.

“My apologies for my sudden rudeness. I hope we can still build a positive relationship moving forward.”

“…You are a terrifying individual. Far more than I anticipated.”

“That makes two of us, doesn’t it?”

I had made my point clear.

However, I suspected he understood that the proposal he’d made could still appeal to Iris.

In other words, this was a draw.

As I left the private room, his faint, bitter laughter lingered in the air behind me.

Making my way across the bridge that connected to the bustling grand arena, packed with throngs of people, I walked with purpose. Yet, for some reason, not a single person collided with me as I strode swiftly through the crowd.

Editing/Standardisation: Medicine Melancholy
Original Translation: Medicine Melancholy

a woman

Iris

Afterwards, I was introduced to a steady stream of visiting dignitaries from other countries. By the time I was finally released in the late afternoon, it felt like the smile plastered on my face had become permanent.

With no appetite left, I settled for a light dinner before heading to the bath. There, I prepared to bathe with the other woman accompanying me on this trip.

“Good work today, Iris-chan. Your first social gathering must have been quite exhausting, wasn’t it?”

“It really… wore me out…”

“I understand how you feel. I’m not very good at those myself…”

The woman accompanying me, Her Majesty Empress Iscuol, nodded empathetically as she let her attendant help her undress. It was as though she was glad to have found someone who could share in the struggle.

“But honestly, if it hadn’t been for you and Emperor Felix staying right by my side, I don’t think I could have managed at all. Thank you so much, Big Sister Isc.”

“Well… as your elder sister and a senior in navigating social events, it’s my duty, after all…”

At that tea party, the most influential figure due to the nation’s power was Emperor Felix, followed by His Majesty Alfgard. Since the Emperor and his wife had been watching over us closely, the introductions went smoothly without anyone trying to cause trouble.

When I expressed my gratitude with a smile, my big sister turned bright red. Watching her, I couldn’t help but think how adorable she was, even as Lenny-san, my attendant, helped me undress.

Now, why was she, who had married into the Flamberge royal family, here in the Norglacier guest bathhouse?

It was His Highness Julius’ earnest wish to spend time with his elder sister after so long, so she would be staying here for the night. It was a sort of homecoming for her. His Highness Julius was thrilled about spending the night with her, though, of course, bathing together was out of the question. Thus, by Big Sister Iscuol request, the task of accompanying her to the bath fell to me.

It’s just…

“Please don’t stare at me so intently… It’s a bit embarrassing.”

“Oh… I’m sorry. I didn’t realize…”

I quickly averted my gaze, realizing only then that I had been staring.

Her attendant had already undressed her, leaving her in pure white lace undergarments. Big Sister Iscuol’s figure was breathtakingly beautiful—slender and perfectly proportioned, as though she embodied the golden ratio of feminine beauty.

There was, however, one small detail that couldn’t be seen when she was clothed: her abdomen was slightly rounded.

After undressing, we let our attendants cleanse us, removing our makeup and purifying our bodies. Then, we eased into the moderately warm bath, letting out a collective sigh of relief.

“So, Big Sister Isc… You’re expecting a child, aren’t you? Congratulations on your pregnancy.”

“Yes, thank you. It seems I’m about one season along.”

Her cheeks turned red as she answered shyly, revealing she was about three to four months pregnant.

“That’s why you declined both alcohol and healing magic earlier.”

“Yes… my apologies. I simply can’t accept healing magic…”

“I understand. It’s said to potentially have adverse effects on early-stage pregnancy, correct?”

Later in pregnancy, once the placenta is fully formed and the pregnancy enters a stable period, healing magic is apparently safe. However, during the early stages, its rapid cell-division stimulation might cause unforeseen issues, so it’s strictly avoided.

In hindsight, I should have noticed during the tea party. She had worn a loose-fitting dress that concealed her figure.

“I probably should have stayed behind in my country, but when I heard you were back, I just couldn’t resist coming to see you.”

“Big Sister Isc…”

“So, I pushed for this one indulgence. But after I return home, the pregnancy will be officially announced, and I’ll begin preparations for confinement and childbirth. This is my last bit of freedom for now.”

She stroked my head as she spoke, her expression tinged with a faint sadness.

“I wasn’t able to see you before, but I’m so glad you’re safe. Meeting you like this truly makes me happy.”

Her gentle smile made me shy, and I averted my eyes, fidgeting with my fingers.

“Um… Have you told His Majesty Alfgard and the others about this?”

“Yes, I informed them after dinner. I imagine the two of them are celebrating together now.”

“Ah… It’s their first grandchild, after all.”

“Indeed. Though that means Julius will become an uncle at the age of seven.”

She chuckled softly, but her laughter stirred a question within me.

“Big Sister Isc… Are you happy about this?”

“Well…”

The question escaped my lips without thought, and she paused to reflect for a moment before replying.

“If you’re asking whether I’m afraid… then yes, I am.”

“Afraid? That’s surprising, considering how close you and the Emperor seem.”

“I’m sorry for showing such embarrassing behavior earlier… But yes, I am afraid. I worry about whether I can truly become a good mother, whether I can raise a child who will bear the future of the nation. And…”

She sighed wistfully, her hand resting gently on her slightly rounded abdomen.

“…I’m afraid of whether I can safely bring this life into the world. Knowing that even a small mistake on my part could end this child’s life… it’s terrifying.”

She invited me to touch her belly, and I hesitantly complied, handling it as if it were a delicate treasure.

It was hard to tell if there was a baby inside just by touching, but the slight swelling was proof of a new life growing within.

“…Still, you’re resolved to give birth to this child, aren’t you Big Sister Isc?”

 “Yes, I am.”

“Is that… because of our duty as royal princesses…?”

No matter how much we are revered, our ultimate role as royal princesses is to marry for the nation’s benefit and pass on the lineage.

Big Sister Iscuol, fortunate enough to marry someone she loved, was truly lucky in this regard.

As for me, though there are no such plans for now, as long as I remain “Irisria” and tied to my country, it’s only a matter of time—perhaps a few years—before I’m asked to marry and bear children for political reasons.

Considering my appearance, lineage, and even my race, it’s unlikely I’ll ever lack suitors.

Today alone, the gazes from foreign dignitaries during the introductions carried a mixture of greed and desire that clung to me unpleasantly.

Even so, Uncle Alfgard reassured me that with current human affairs being relatively stable, politically motivated marriages are not as emphasized these days. I found some solace in his words.

Even so, marriage and childbirth are naturally expected from women like us. That’s why I said those words, thinking it was something we couldn’t avoid even if it scared us. However…

“…That’s not it at all.”

A soft touch landed on my head, and I felt fingers gently combing through my damp hair.

“I don’t think of it as a duty, even in the slightest. When I told him I might be pregnant, he started crying, thanking me over and over as he wept…”

“Sorry, but I just can’t imagine him doing something like that.”

“Right? I was quite shocked at the time as well.”

As if reminiscing, her expression softened, and she gazed off into the distance.

“But at that moment, I think I had already made up my mind. I decided, no matter what, I will give birth to this child. Because this is a life that someone I love so deeply has longed for and blessed me with.”

Her face, as she stroked her swollen belly, was filled with maternal love. Seeing her like that, I couldn’t help but admire how radiant she looked, becoming a mother loved and cherished by her partner.

“…Is something wrong?”

“Eh?”

“You seem unwell.”

“N-no! I was just lost in thought for a bit!”

It was at this moment when I realized I had been unconsciously touching my lower abdomen.

I had grown so accustomed to this body that I no longer thought about it. But now, I was intensely aware of the organ beneath the soft layer of fat, something that hadn’t been there just a few months ago.

I, too… can bear a new life here as well.

Until now, I had taken it for granted, but the reality of it had never hit me. Now it shook me to my core.

Iscuol, my elder sister in this world, was in fact, younger than me when I was still “Yanagi” in my old world. She was younger than even Ayame.

During the seven years when I vanished from this world, she had surpassed me in age, becoming five years my senior.

And now, she was about to become a mother.

It was undeniable proof of reality—a stark contrast to the vague, far-off idea of “having children” I had always harbored, even after being assaulted, even after acknowledging myself as a girl, and even after starting my cycles.

Later that night

Even after everyone else had gone to bed, I couldn’t sleep. My mind was too awake. I happened to run into Reiji-san while he was patrolling and begged him to keep me company. Together, we went to the now-deserted lounge.

Nii-sama wasn’t in his room for some reason, and Lenny-san, who was aware of the circumstances, stayed in the neighboring room, keeping watch to ensure nothing went wrong. Feeling guilty, I sat curled up on the sofa.

“So, it’s not one of your usual nightmares today, huh? What’s on your mind?”

“…Sorry, I just couldn’t sleep. I kept thinking about… stuff.”

“What stuff?”

I watched Reiji-san arrange glasses and drinks on the table, preparing for a late-night chat, and then, without really intending to, I blurted out:

“Reiji-san… Do you want kids someday?”

“…?! Wha, wha, wha?!”

Reiji-san nearly dropped the glass in his hand but managed to catch it just in time. He turned to me, opening and closing his mouth in shock.

It took me a moment to realize the implications of what I’d just said.

Oh no… It sounds like I’m asking him if I want kids with him!

“N-no! That’s not what I meant!”

I grabbed the front of his shirt and shook him desperately to clear the misunderstanding.

“Whoa, careful! I’m gonna drop the glass! Stop shaking me!”

“I wasn’t thinking anything improper! I just wanted your opinion, that’s all!”

“Alright, alright! Calm down!”

It took a while for me to compose myself. By the time I did, I noticed Lenny-san peeking into the room, shaking her head in dismay before closing the door again. My face burned with embarrassment.

Eventually, I promised to keep everything confidential and told Reiji-san about the conversation in the bath. Finally, the misunderstanding cleared up.

“So… she’s pregnant. That explains why you’ve been so preoccupied.”

“Yes… It hit me that I have the kind of body that could create life too, and… it scared me.”

It’s well-known that the burden of childbirth on women far exceeds what men experience—it’s a truth no one can deny.

The physical toll is enormous, from the pregnancy itself to delivery and beyond, where complications or lasting consequences can arise. Some women, tragically, don’t survive the ordeal.

While those fears were present, what scared me even more was the thought of becoming a mother.

I… simply don’t know what it means to be a good mother.

Having lost my parents at a young age, and only recently even considering motherhood, I couldn’t envision myself stepping into that role.

“…Well, yeah. For someone to go from being a guy to a woman capable of giving birth—that’s not exactly normal.”

Reiji-san’s words cut through my thoughts, and I nodded in agreement.

…In reality, such a possibility was already under research.

In the era on Earth when we lived, advancements in technology over the past decade had made what was previously considered impossible—like artificial wombs—closer to reality. Until then, the best that could be done was to sustain premature infants to a viable stage of life. However, clinical trials of in vitro fertilization using pluripotent stem cells had just begun.

These trials aimed to give hope to people who previously had to give up on having children—infertile individuals or those who had undergone gender reassignment surgery. The trials targeted selected applicants who wished to have children.

But that was specifically for cases where individuals desired children and opted for surrogacy through artificial means.

In my case, I had no such intentions, yet I had been transformed into an ordinary woman who could bear children naturally with my own womb and eggs. It was an entirely different matter altogether.

That realization forced me to confront a fear I hadn’t fully understood. I lacked the resolve to live as a woman at such a profound level.

“But Big Sister Isc said she would give birth to her child no matter what because it was conceived by the person she loves. So I thought… maybe I wanted to hear a man’s perspective on it. Because I’ve never felt that kind of emotion myself.”

“Ah, that’s true. Back when you were Yanagi…”

Reiji-san murmured awkwardly, and I nodded. At the time, I had already given up on the possibility of those kinds of feelings ever being relevant to me.

“Kids, huh… Hang on a moment. I’ve never really thought about it either. Let me sort my thoughts.”

As Reiji-san sank into contemplation, I absentmindedly picked up a bottle nearby. It was filled with a golden, fizzy liquid. Curious, I poured it into a glass and took a sip.

“…?”

I tilted my head. The liquid tasted like apple juice but with a bitter undertone and a peculiar aftertaste. Though I couldn’t place what it was, it was delicious, so I downed the entire glass in one go.

While I occupied myself, Reiji-san scratched his head furiously, groaning in frustration, until he finally looked at me with a serious expression.

“”Alright, I’ve got an answer. Ready?”

“Y-Yes!”

Startled by his intensity, I hastily set the half-emptied glass back on the table and straightened up to listen carefully.

“…First off, I’m sorry. Seeing you this troubled makes me realize how selfish men’s desires can be. But if I’m honest… here’s what I think.”

Reiji-san hesitated, then took a deep breath before speaking.

“Someday, yeah, I think I’d want kids. If someone I cared about were willing to have my child, I’d be thrilled. That’s just how men are, I guess.”

“I see…”

“But, that’s only because the person accepting it has thought it through and still chooses to go forward. That’s why it’s meaningful and precious. At least, that’s how I see it. Rushing into it wouldn’t lead to anything good.”

His words reminded me of something Auntie Miranda had said to me before we left the first village: decisions like these come naturally when the time is right.

Hearing it from another person helped me feel lighter, and I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I’d been holding.

“…Then, is it okay to stay undecided for now?”

“Of course. Things like resolve… they’ll come naturally when you meet someone who makes you think, ‘I wouldn’t mind having their child.’ Or, well, that’s my guess.”

“That would be nice… I hope it works out that way.”

Could I ever love someone deeply enough to wear the same gentle, maternal expression Big Sister Isc had? I didn’t know yet and had no confidence in the answer.

But being told I didn’t need to rush made me feel a little more at ease.

That relief, however, didn’t last long.

As I calmed down, a question suddenly lingered in my mind.

“Reiji-san, so… do you already have someone like that in mind? someone you hope will bear your child in the future?”

“Uh…… I do.”

After a long pause, Reiji glanced away from me and muttered under his breath.

Hearing that, I couldn’t help but feel an unexpected surge of emotion: I don’t like this.

I was shocked at myself for harboring such a petty, ugly feeling. Flustered, I picked up my glass and drained the remaining golden liquid.

Why did I think that? Why do I dislike the idea?

Reiji-san, after all, was popular among the maids at Roland Castle. I’d seen firsthand the crowd of off-duty admirers watching him train with Nii-sama at the practice grounds.

It wouldn’t be surprising if he were developing closer relationships with one of them without my knowledge…

“…Tch.”

That black, suffocating feeling surfaced again. The more I thought about it, the more tangled my emotions became.

Perhaps that’s why I found myself leaning against Reiji-san’s shoulder—something I would never normally do.

“…Iris? What are you doing?”

“Am I… not good enough for you?”

This feels weird.

My body felt unnaturally warm.

My vision was blurring.

My eyes brimmed with tears, for no reason.

My head was fuzzy, and I couldn’t think clearly.

Right now, I felt weightless and detached from my thoughts, like I wasn’t in control of my own words.

All I could do is lean my weight onto Reiji-san’s body beside me, and move my mouth as if it’s no longer my own.

“That person… the one you want to have children with… Could it… not be me?”

“I—wait, hold on! Think carefully about what you’re saying!”

Following his advice, I reflexively placed a hand over my chest and…

“Yeah… About that, I’m sorry. I know I don’t match the women in the books you hide under your bed, with their grown-up bodies and all, but…”

“That’s not what I meant by thinking carefully before speaking! Actually, I just heard you said something really disturbing! Back up a second, I’m begging you!”

“…Still, in a few years, I might grow a little more. Then maybe… would that work?”

“No, no, no, that’s not an issue at all… wait, what the hell was I saying?! Just get off me, Iris!”

Clearly panicking, Reiji-san pulled away from me. But…

“Kyah?!”

“W-Watch out!”

Entangled in the blanket, we tumbled onto the couch together.

Reiji-san was now practically draping over me.

“S-Sorry! I’ll move—ah!”

“Mm…!”

As he tried to back off, the tangled blanket dragged him back toward me. Our faces were so close that I could feel his breath.

“Ah…”

“…!”

My gaze remained fixed on him, hazy and distant.

Though my exposed skin felt chilly, my face burned as though on fire. My ragged breathing filled the silence as my body refused to move.

Reiji-san’s breath came unevenly as his face drew closer, his hesitation fading.

I shut my eyes, ready for whatever might come next—

“UOOOOOOOOOOOOGH!!”

…But nothing came after.

“Oh god… that was close! That was seriously bad, but I held it together! Way to go, me!”

Reiji-san, now at a distance, was breathing heavily.

As the warmth near me faded, I felt an inexplicable sadness. I reached out, but there was nothing to grasp. My eyes filled with tears that began to spill over uncontrollably.

“You, too—please, stop messing around and end this! This time, it really wasn’t funny—”

From both eyes, tears began to cascade down, one after another, dripping down my cheeks. I couldn’t stop them no matter how I tried.

Reiji, looking at me, froze in place. Something about it irritated me so much that—

“Why… Why did you stop?! Reiji-san you absolute idiot!!”

I couldn’t suppress the urge to loudly pound on the sofa as I sat up, just like when I used to throw tantrums as a child.

“I’m super serious right now! Why do you keep backing away?!”

I pounded the sofa repeatedly in frustration as I chased Reiji-san, who seemed to retreat further across the sofa as if trying to escape me.

But the sofa was small. It wasn’t long before he had nowhere else to go, and I threw myself into Reiji’s strong chest, wrapping my arms tightly around him.

The anger dissipated immediately. Instead, a warm sense of relief filled me, along with an inexplicable giddiness that I couldn’t help but laugh at.

“P-please, just let go! This much is seriously not okay…”

“Hehehe, no waaay~! I’m not letting go! You can’t escape, so just give up! Ahaha!”

Reiji-san’s body, so taut and firm, was stiff as a board in my arms. Finding this strangely amusing, I wrapped my legs around his sturdy thighs to keep myself from being shaken off and pressed my body against his as I laughed uncontrollably.

“…Wait a second. Something’s really off about you right now. What exactly did you drink?”

“Mm? Just the apple juice on the table, what’s the big deal?”

“What…?!”

“Though, now that I think about it, it tasted kinda funny… Ahaha.”

“Dammit, so it was that?! I swear, you’re so freaky when drunk no matter your gender!”

Reiji-san’s sudden panic struck me as odd. Before I could think further, the next moment I found myself gently laid on the sofa, the warmth of his body suddenly gone.

Only belatedly did I realize that he had easily pried me off with just a little extra effort. Pouting, I puffed out my cheeks.

“Don’t give me that face—it’s not gonna work this time! You just stay here and rest quietly, got it? Promise me!”

“…Huh? Okay…”

Following his instructions, I let my body sink back into the soft sofa and closed my eyes.

Why… couldn’t I fall asleep earlier?

As the moment I closed my eyes, drowsiness engulfed me, I found myself vaguely pondering that thought as my consciousness began to fade…

“Lenny-san, get over here! Iris accidentally drank some alcohol!”

“Alcohol?! How on earth did that even happen?”

“Sorry! It’s my fault. I had some leftover fruit wine from lunch, kept it for myself, and she must’ve accidentally drunk it!”

From somewhere far away, I heard voices arguing back and forth.

Reaching up, I lightly touched my lips—the same ones that had felt Reiji-san’s breath earlier but had been denied the kiss.

Why do I feel so… disheartened?

A sense of loneliness gripped my chest, and I tightly clutched at my nightclothes. As the overwhelming drowsiness became unbearable, I finally gave in and let it take over.

“Reiji-san… idiot…”

For some reason, I murmured those words softly as my consciousness drifted off into a warm, fuzzy darkness.

The next morning—

A high-pitched scream, utterly unsuited to the delicate voice of a girl, pierced through the crisp summer morning air.

One of the dignitaries barricaded herself in their room for half a day after a certain incident.

But that is a story for another time.

(Author’s Note)

As for what Reiji hid under his bed, after Reiji saw Iris’ avatar and fell in love at first sight, there was a period when he was drawn to big-breasted gravure models in order to convince himself that he wasn’t a lolicon.

Editing/Standardisation: Medicine Melancholy
Original Translation: Medicine Melancholy

Iris

“Have you calmed down?”

“Yes… I’m terribly sorry for showing you such an unsightly side of me. And… my apologies, even though you meant well.”

Still seeming to feel the pain in her tongue, Empress Iscuol swirled cold herbal tea in her mouth.

As for her apology… it was likely about earlier when I tried to heal her tongue with magic, but she had adamantly refused for some reason.

“Not at all; it’s nothing to worry about. By the way… would it be all right if I called you Sister Isc, like His Highness Julius does?”

“…! Oh, yes, yes! And may I call you Iris-chan?”

“Of course, I’d be delighted.”

When I nodded with a smile, her face lit up—though her expression didn’t change much, her mood radiated happiness.

“Prince Saulquez too… Can I call you Saul-kun?”

“Yes… Sister Isc.”

Nii-sama, uncharacteristically hesitant, called her by the nickname. She softened her expression ever so slightly, giving a faint smile.

Her usual lack of expression made the contrast striking, and for a moment, I found my heart skip a beat. While I initially thought her strikingly beautiful, now I saw her as adorable.

This event, though called a tea party, was more of a standing buffet due to the number of attendees.

However, afraid of staining the white dress I wore, I limited myself to tea. Nii-sama graciously kept me company, but for some reason, Emperor Felix and Sister Isc also refrained from indulging in much beyond light nibbles and tea.

In fact, the attendants had been handing out fruit wines regularly, but now no one had come to offer us any alcoholic drinks. Perhaps it is because of what just happened.

“I’m sorry, but I don’t drink alcohol…”

Sister Isc had said this apologetically to one of the attendants offering wine. In response, the Emperor whispered something into the attendant’s ear, causing him to quickly apologize and leave. From then on, no one serving alcohol came near us.

Meanwhile, His Highness Julius and Angelica-chan, the two children, were entirely focused on their appetites. They had wandered off to a table laden with sweets and were happily indulging.

Kikyou-san, glancing in their direction, appeared concerned. Despite her… quirks, she was generally fond of children and good at looking after them. She had taken to carefully portioning pudding for them and helping them out, which was reassuring.

As for the Emperor…

“Reiji-kun, was it? That hair of yours—it’s the same shade we often see in the Flamberge imperial family. Are you sure you’re unrelated?”

“N-no, I’m not! This is just… how I designed it… um, it’s hard to explain…”

Reiji-san, caught off guard by the emperor’s unexpectedly casual demeanor, struggled to respond.

Apparently, the Emperor’s vibrant crimson hair was a common trait among the Flamberge imperial lineage, and he found Reiji-san’s bright red hair intriguing. However, since Reiji-san hadn’t considered such details when creating his game avatar, he was at a loss for words.

“Ah, my apologies. I didn’t mean to trouble you. It’s just… well, our late Emperor had a taste for colorful escapades, you see. Forgive my suspicion.”

“N-Not at all! Really, it’s fine…”

Reiji-san, flustered as the emperor bowed his head, could only stammer a reply.

“He was… passionate, to put it nicely. But thanks to his escapades, who knows how many illegitimate members of the imperial bloodline are out there…?”

Meanwhile, the Emperor sighed, pinching his brow as if recalling a headache-inducing memory. As someone who’s kind of in the same situation, I silently sympathized with his struggle.

“However! My heart’s devoted solely for Isc!”

“Eek!? Y-Your Majesty, please! This is hardly the place for such jests!”

Suddenly, the Emperor swept Sister Isc into his arms, unabashedly showing affection.

…And here lies my short-lived sympathy. Our situations couldn’t be more different.

“Your words make me happy, but… as a member of royalty, I understand the necessity of taking concubines for the sake of an heir…”

“But if we have lots of children together, there’ll be no need for that, right?”

“…Ah… um… I’ll do my best…”

…What even is happening right now.

Unconcerned about onlookers, Emperor Felix kissed her exposed neck and shoulder, turning Sister Isc’s face scarlet to the point I was worried that she’d pass out.

Though Sister Isc looked troubled, she didn’t seem entirely displeased… I was starting to see why people said that this couple never seemed to lose their newlywed mood.

Despite the attention of the entire gathering being focused on them, the two of them were completely off in their own separate dimension.

A little distance away, Angelica-chan was covering His Highness Julius’ ears, her face bright red as she looked down.

…You two know there’re children in here right?

Just as I was debating whether to intervene…

“Oh, how splendid… Two of Norglacier most beautiful ladies together—what a dazzling sight.”

A new voice came from beside me.

…Nice save, sir!

With those thoughts, I turned around.

The voice’s owner was a middle-aged man with blond hair, a kindly face, and a robust build. Recognizing him as someone I’d been instructed to remember, I straightened up.

“Your Highness Saulquez, Your Highness Irisria, it is an honor to meet you. I am Friedrich Urzaiz, Prime Minister and representative of the Trade Confederate. A pleasure to make your acquaintance.”

After greeting my brother with a handshake, he took my hand gently, kissing the back of my lace-covered glove.

“Prime Minister Friedrich, it’s an honor to meet you. As you may know, I am Saulquez Norgracier.”

“And I am Irisria Norglacier. Though inexperienced, I hope for your continued guidance.”

With our introductions, the Prime Minister smiled warmly and offered a somewhat exaggerated bow.

“Such grace from both Your Highnesses, especially for your first time in a formal event. Truly admirable.”

His words put us at ease, and we both let out a quiet sigh of relief, knowing we had navigated the introductions successfully.

“And… who might this gentleman be?”

I gestured subtly toward the man who had been standing silently behind Prime Minister Friedrich, head bowed.

“Oh, I almost forgot. Let me introduce him. This promising young man has been making remarkable progress in our Chamber of Commerce. I thought bringing him here would be a good learning experience. His name is Folse.”

As the Prime Minister introduced him, the man straightened and offered a polite bow.

He had a lean physique and was slightly tall. His platinum-blonde hair was loosely tied to one side and flowed over his shoulder, and he wore a pair of square silver-framed glasses.

“…? You’re…”

A sudden sense of familiarity struck me.

Something about his appearance tugged at my memory—like I had met someone like him before, perhaps introduced to him in a similar manner.

“Ah…”

“Is something the matter?”

“I remember now…! When we sought help from the trade guild to gather material for the Ars Ray, you were the one who assisted us!”

That was back when this was still a game.

To craft the Ars Ray, we needed an enormous quantity of rare materials—far more than we could gather on our own.

Rare materials like those were usually monopolized by raid guilds for their use and rarely found on the market.

So, we turned to a guild of merchant players known as Sea Breeze, the largest guild of its kind. Its guild leader, a kind and accommodating man, had introduced him as their most capable operative.

Thanks to his resourcefulness and connections, we were able to obtain what we needed much faster than anticipated. That event had left a strong impression on me.

….In short, he was another former player.

“You… remember that?”

“Of course. You were an incredible help back then. But what are you doing here now?”

He seemed surprised, as if not expecting me to recall our brief encounter, and cleared his throat before bowing again.

“I was only assisting you for a short time back then, so I didn’t expect you’d remember.”

“It’s nothing! You left quite an impression.”

“Is that so? Well, I must say I’m surprised myself.”

Prime Minister Friedrich interjected, curiosity evident.

“So, you already knew each other, it seems?”

“Yes… you could say we were acquainted. Although I didn’t know that at the time, nor did I expect to meet her in a setting like this.”

Folse-san deflected the inquiry with a wry smile, his tone carefully neutral. Taking the cue, I also responded with a vague smile to avoid unnecessary details.

“Just so you know, I’m still running the Sea Breeze Firm here, so if you ever require our services, please don’t hesitate to reach out.”

“Oh, thank you! I’ll keep that in mind.”

Seemingly satisfied, he offered a small, enigmatic smile before stepping back.

“…?!”

“Iris, what’s wrong?”

“I… It’s nothing.”

When he smiled, something in his gaze had sent a chill down my spine. Was it my imagination?

“Excuse me… There’s something I’ve been curious about.”

To dispel my lingering unease, I cautiously raised my hand and addressed the group. Everyone’s attention shifted toward me.

“We’ve had the pleasure of meeting representatives from all four major continents here today, but… what about the guests staying in the last tower?”

Attached to this Grand Arena are five guest towers for the visiting dignitaries. However, the representatives of the final tower—those from Acropolis—were nowhere to be seen.

In response to my question, Kikyou-san, who was also a former player, nodded along as if she had been thinking about the same thing.

“Ah… Those folks, huh.”

It was Emperor Felix who spoke in an irritated tone.

“Those folks? They won’t show up. Not just today, but every year. Apparently, they’re too busy for something as ‘trivial’ as this.”

“As a matter of tradition, accommodations are always prepared for them as a courtesy to the world’s arbitrators. But for decades now, they’ve never set foot here.”

“They find no interest in the so-called affairs of the ‘common realm,’ as I’ve heard. Frankly, I find their indifference incomprehensible.”

The dissatisfaction was evident, voiced plainly by those present. It seemed their absence was nothing out of the ordinary.

“That said… I’ve heard whispers through the merchant network that something unusual has been stirring within Acropolis lately. Tensions seem to be rising.”

“Is that true?”

Emperor Felix’s expression grew severe at Prime Minister Friedrich’s words.

“Yes, from reliable sources. People who were once missing are being discovered in quick succession. Who knows what’s going to unfold?”

Prime Minister Friedrich’s observation brought an ominous air to the room. Emperor Felix gritted his teeth, his displeasure evident. Nii-sama and I, along with Kikyou-san, exchanged silent glances, unwilling to comment.

Stay away from Acropolis.

Those words, whispered by the Death Serpent in the haze of my fading consciousness, resurfaced vividly in my mind.

Acropolis, which had been silent, began to stir. And so, whether I liked it or not, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of unease…

Editing/Standardisation: Medicine Melancholy
Original Translation: Medicine Melancholy

Iris

Three days until the Great Harvest Festival starts.

“…sria-sama… Irisria-sama.”

A light tap on my shoulder brought my drifting consciousness back to the surface.

I was momentarily disoriented, unsure of what I had been doing. Then I glanced at the numerous small bottles spread across the vanity and remembered—I had been getting my makeup done by a court lady.

“…Sorry, did I fall asleep?”

“No, it was just a few minutes. Here, your makeup’s all finished.”

She held up a mirror before me as she spoke.

She wasn’t Lenny-san, the handmaid who had always been by my side back then, but one of the court ladies His Majesty had assigned to help with makeup and attire.

“With a natural beauty like Your Highness Irisria, I’ve kept it minimal, as you requested. What do you think?”

At her words, I gazed into the mirror and let out a soft sigh of admiration.

The makeup was subtle: brown shadow around the eyes, a hint of blush on the cheeks, and a touch of pale pink on the lips.

Even with such a light application, the makeup gave my face—still carrying much of its youthful innocence—a slightly more mature and sophisticated air.

To be honest, I don’t know much about makeup.

For one, cosmetics in this world are luxury items, not widely used by the general public. Secondly, I was never the type to wear makeup in my previous life and felt a certain resistance to the idea. Lastly—and this might sound enviable to many women—I never felt the need for it.

As a result, I’d only ever applied makeup myself to conceal dark circles under my eyes. But seeing how much a simple touch-up could transform my appearance, I idly wondered if I should at least learn the basics while staring at my reflection.

My current hairstyle was a half-up braid, with two sections of hair braided on either side and tied together in the back.

The dress I had been made to wear after much deliberation this morning was a party gown in white. The bodice was boldly designed, exposing the shoulders and back. To offset the potential provocativeness of the design, a matching bolero and an exceptionally thin shawl were draped over my arms. The skirt, with its flowing drapes, grew longer toward the back, and intricate lace embroidery adorned its edges.

The gown was undoubtedly beautiful, but as someone who’s a commoner at heart, I couldn’t help but wonder how much it had cost. The thought made my head spin.

Though I was inwardly nervous about wearing such a formal dress for the first time, I had the sinking feeling this was just the beginning.

I could only imagine what outfits I would be required to wear during the main festival, and the thought filled me with trepidation.

The reason I was dressed up like this, even down to the makeup, lay in an announcement from last night:

“A tea party for the visiting guests will be held tomorrow afternoon in the second-floor hall.”

Participation was optional, but as first-timers, we were advised to at least make an appearance. And so, here we were.

Having finished dressing, we made our way to the tea party venue.

Our group consisted of His Majesty Alfgard, High Highness Julius, Nii-sama, myself, and our escorts, Reiji-san and Angelica-chan.

The Queen was absent, busy with preparations for the main festival. Lenny-san was similarly occupied, and Leonhardt-sama had stayed behind as her bodyguard.

As we descended the spiral staircase toward the venue…

“Big Sister Irisria, you look absolutely amazing!”

So exclaimed His Highness Julius, with sparkling eyes as he turned to me.

Last night, after dinner, we had a leisurely chat at his request until he fell asleep, and it made me smile at how well we had gotten along.

“Thank you for your compliment, His Highness Julius. You look every bit the dashing young gentleman yourself.”

“I-Is that so? I’m glad…”

Blushing slightly, His Highness Julius beamed with a delighted smile.

Even when dressed in formal attire for the occasion, he looked utterly adorable. I resisted the urge to hug him and hid my thoughts behind a polite smile.

“Ugh, it’s frustrating, but I have to admit Your Highness Irisria looks beautiful… Not that I’m jealous of your gorgeous dress or anything!”

“Ahahaha… Thank you, Angelica-san.”

Her words carried a hint of envy, and as she averted her gaze with a huff, I offered a polite smile.

It was no secret that the ‘Saints’ like her were restricted to wearing their usual ceremonial robes for public appearances, leaving them little opportunity to dress up.

“Well, there’s no need to bother yourself with that. My wife went to great lengths to prepare a dress for you, Miss Angelica. Be sure to try it on later.”

“Oh… Th-thank you, Your Majesty…”

“Haha, no need for thanks. It’ll please her as well.”

Watching the heartwarming exchange between His Highness Julius and the others, I felt hesitant to join in, so I slowed down and matching my pace with Reiji-san and Nii-sama, who were walking slightly behind the group.

“Uh… Iris… That dress, kinda… suits you well, I guess.”

“Same goes for you too, Reiji-san.”

Reiji-san’s awkward compliment made me smile softly as I returned the sentiment.

Dressed in a formal suit prepared by Leonhardt-sama, Reiji-san fidgeted with his cravat, clearly uncomfortable with the attire.

It was at this moment that Nii-sama chimed in.

“Reiji, you should address her properly as ‘Your Highness Irisria.’ And Iris, use ‘-sama’ instead of ‘-san.’”

“Oh… Sorry, I didn’t mean to…”

“Y-yeah… My apologies.”

We both hastily corrected our forms of address, having been reminded repeatedly that informality between us was no longer appropriate given our current positions.

Incidentally, Nii-sama, being who he was, could still call both of us by our first names without issue. I couldn’t help but feel it was a little unfair.

As we continued walking, we finally arrived at the hall located in the shared space on the second floor. This large room, connected to a terrace, was filled with tables laden with light refreshments. A number of people were already gathered in small groups, engaging in lively conversations. These were undoubtedly key figures from various nations and their attendants.

The moment we stepped into the room, countless eyes turned toward us.

It was likely that the guest list had been communicated in advance, and our attendance should have been expected.

As expected of high-ranking individuals, their reactions were restrained, with only mild murmurs breaking the decorum. Nevertheless, the curious and scrutinizing gazes made me falter for a moment, my steps instinctively halting.

“I’ll be stepping away for a while to prepare for tomorrow’s discussions. During that time, I’ll leave Julius in your care. Julius, listen carefully to your older siblings and Miss Angelica and be a good boy, alright?”

“”Yes, have a safe trip, Father.”

With that, His Majesty took his leave, waving to Prince Julius, who cheerfully saw him off.

At the same time, several individuals, likely involved in the upcoming discussions, also headed toward the terrace. The slight reduction in attention allowed me to exhale a sigh of relief.

“Well then, shall we grab something to eat?”

Angelica-chan suggested as she tightly held His Highness Julius’ hand and led him toward a table piled with fruit dishes. We followed after the two of them.

…However, as we moved, curious and piercing gazes continued to prickle at us from all directions.

Yet, it seemed that either out of restraint or caution, no one approached us directly. Occasionally, I caught whispers like, “How elegant…” which only made me feel embarrassed. My face grew hot from the attention, making the situation increasingly uncomfortable—

“I-R-I-S-CHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAN!!”

“…Fugyu?!”

As if someone just kicked down a door, the tense atmosphere was shattered in an instant as a sultry voice rang out.

The next moment, I was enveloped by something soft, and my vision went dark.

Startled, I quickly pried away the soft object clinging to me… When I took a look at it, standing there was someone I recognized from when this world was still just a game.

“…L-Long time no see, Kikyou-san. Please, stop suddenly hugging me like that!”

The person clinging to me was a young woman who appeared to be in her late teens or early twenties.

She had long, jet-black hair and wore an outfit reminiscent of a Japanese shrine maiden. Her appearance was that of a demure, elegant priestess. However, the generous swell of her chest beneath her attire was anything but subtle.

…Another person with an amazing figure to add to the group!

Suppressing a pang of envy, I shoved the feeling into the depths of my heart and forced a smile.

“This is the first time we’ve met face-to-face since the discovery of unique classes, isn’t it?”

“Yes! I heard you were also transported here, and it got me so worried! I’m so glad to see you’re doing well!”

Kikyou-san smiled warmly, exuding a relaxed, laid-back aura that seemed to dissolve any tension around her.

Much like Nii-sama and I, she was a player awarded with a semi-canon position in the game by the developers for her achievement in a contest.

Specifically, she was one of the “Shrine Maidens” in charge of hosting important events in the Eastern Islands Union… Back in the game, she was one of the top players representing that region.

“Judging by your attire, your role from the game seems to have carried over into this world as well?”

“Exactly! Oh, it was such a hassle. When I woke up, I was drowning in the sacred spring where I’d been taking a screenshot before logging out. Everyone was calling me ‘Shrine Maiden-sama!’—it was utter chaos!”

She sighed dramatically, placing a hand to her cheek in a gesture that might have seemed pensive if it weren’t for the exaggerated flair.

“…But you seem to have adapted quite well to your current role, haven’t you, Kikyou-san?”

After all, before spotting us, she’d been chatting casually with other Shrine Maidens. She seemed entirely at ease.

“Do I? Well, it was confusing at first, but I’ve come to enjoy the respect and prestige this life brings. Though the work is demanding!”

Being a Shrine Maiden in the Eastern Islands Union is equivalent to being a noblewoman from a dukedom in another continent.

The Eastern Islands Union was a country made up of small tribes where rituals and prayers still held important political significance. The revered Shrine Maidens performed said duties in grand shrines managed by the state.

Moreover, as the elders of the major tribes acting as the Union’s head never leave the country, it’s also the Shrine Maidens’ duty to act as the representatives and the face of the Union.

Just as I was thinking about how challenging it must be to suddenly be thrust into such a role—

“But! The worst thing is that there are no opportunities for romance in this job! No joy, no thrill! They’re always going on about modesty and decorum—ugh, it’s driving me mad with frustration!”

…Well, so much for worrying about her.

As I gave her an unimpressed look, she clenched her fist dramatically and started grumbling about her woes. Despite her striking appearance as a serene Japanese beauty, the disparity between her appearance and personality was jarring.

“…His Highness Saulquez here doesn’t have a partner decided yet, does he? If it were a marriage proposal from a prince of another country, even the esteemed elders wouldn’t have grounds for complaint. So, what about someone like me? Perhaps I could serve as a bridge between our two nations… don’t you think?”

“My apologies. It’s an exceptionally charming proposal, but as I am still uncertain about my own future standing, I fear accepting such an offer at this time might cause unnecessary inconvenience. For now, may I suggest that we approach this matter positively and revisit it at an appropriate time?”

“Aww, you’re always no fun, Saul-san…”

Kikyou-san grimaced as Nii-sama politely rejected her while smiling and putting his hand on his chest.

“Then… How about you, Your Highness Julius?”

Suddenly, she shifted her attention to His Highness Julius, who had been happily eating fruit punch between Angelica-chan and me. Sensing the predatory glint in her eyes, the young prince flinched and quickly hid behind me.

Adorable. Wait, no, that’s not the point.

As his older sister—cousin, technically—it was my duty to protect him from suspicious people like this.

“Such a cutie! How about it, Prince Julius? Would you like to do something fun with your big sis—ack!”

Before she could finish her sentence, Nii-sama and I flashed polite smiles that firmly conveyed: Not happening. Behind us, Angelica-chan glared at Kikyou-san intimidatingly while shielding His Highness Julius.

“If you try anything inappropriate with His Highness Julius, I’ll use every means at my disposal to ensure you’re removed from this place.”

“Oh my, I’m glad that we’re on the same page, Big Sister Irisria. As His Highness’ fiancée, I wouldn’t hesitate to approach the Church and suggest some sort of sanctions against this woman.”

“I-I was just joking… Sorry…”

“Alright, let’s leave it at that then.”

Seeing Kikyou-san pale and apologetic, I softened my expression. 

“You should stop. She—er, Her Highness Irisria—is completely smitten with her new younger family member.”,

“I see… Thanks for the heads-up.”

Kikyou-san replied, shoulders slumping in resignation when Reiji-san quipped in from the side. But did Reiji-san really have to say the last part?

“Oh, you’re always welcome too, Iris-chan. Same-sex marriage is recognized in the Union, after all.”

“Yes, yes…”

At this point I was already so done with her antics, so I simply let that one go.

Somehow, Kikyou-san was bi, a lolicon, a shotacon and a fujoshi at the same time. She didn’t say it aloud this time, but earlier she looked a little too suspiciously at Reiji-san and Nii-sama as they stood together… Anyway, it seems she’s still the same hopeless romantic she’s been, and I couldn’t help but let out a sigh.

“Now then, it’s all well and good for the young ones to enjoy themselves, but how about letting us join in too?”

A new voice called out from behind.

The casual tone belonged to a Demon man with fiery crimson hair that seemed ablaze.

At the sight of him, I quickly composed myself, shaking off the relaxed atmosphere from my earlier interaction with Kikyou-san.

“”First things first… I hear my foolish little brother owes you a debt. Let me thank you for looking after him.”

“Not at all. It is we who should be grateful to Hika… His Highness Scarlet for saving us in a dangerous moment. We could never consider it a burden.”

“Oh, really? That’s good to hear…”

Muttering something under his breath about how his brother had disappeared the very same day after showing up for the first time in years, he scratched his head in exasperation.

“Allow me to formally apologize for the delay in greeting you. I am Irisria Norglacier, niece of His Majesty Alfgard of Norglacier. It’s an honor to meet you… Your Majesty the Emperor Felix.”

With that, I lifted the hem of my dress, curtsying lightly and offering a polite smile.

“Ah, no need for that. We only just arrived ourselves, and besides, let’s keep things informal while we’re here. And hey, since you’re my adorable wife’s cousin, that makes you practically family, doesn’t it?”

With a playful wink, he brushed off the formality.

His name was Felix Flamberge.

In this world, he was Hikami-san, or rather Scar-san’s older brother… Even though he came across as a friendly older brother type at the moment, he was the Emperor of the Flamberge Empire, a gigantic country that unifies the entirety of the southern continent.

“Now then… someone else wants to say hello, right?”

“Y-yes…”

At the Emperor’s urging, a Highborn woman with white wings stepped hesitantly from behind him.

She appeared to be in her late teens, likely not yet twenty. Her silk-like silver hair was cut in a precise length, framing skin as pale as porcelain and a beauty so striking it took my breath away.

At first glance, her expressionless face gave an impression of coldness. Indeed, her exceptional ice magic and aloof demeanor had earned her the title Ice Queen.

“Prince Saulquez… Princess Irisria… It’s an honor to meeep…”

She… stuttered. No, more than that—she outright bit her tongue.

The resounding sound of teeth clashing made everyone freeze as she clutched her mouth, her eyes welling up with tears. Her composure cracked entirely, and the room was enveloped in awkward silence.

“Honestly, what are you so nervous about? Look, ‘Northern Princess’ or not, she’s clearly a gentle girl.”

“B-but… meeting my cousin for the first time… What if I mess up and she dislikes me? I don’t think I could recover from that…”

Contrary to her regal appearance, she was shy and nervous, like a kitten encountering strangers.

Though her tall stature made it less obvious, she always positioned herself slightly behind the Emperor as if using him as a shield.

She was… how should I put it, very timid and shy.

In the game, there was an event where she, who was in love with the Emperor but was running away, demonstrating her shyness to the fullest, and there was a reconciliation event between her and the Emperor who was pursuing her… That was how most players came to know her.

She was Iscuol, eldest daughter of His Majesty Alfgard and now Empress Consort of the Flamberge Empire.

“Big Sister Iscuol!”

“Julius?”

“Yes, it’s me! It’s been so long!”

“You’ve grown so much in just over a year, Julius…”

As she embraced her younger brother warmly, her icy reputation melted away entirely, leaving behind only the image of a loving elder sister.

Editing/Standardisation: Medicine Melancholy
Original Translation: Medicine Melancholy

Iris

While chatting with His Highness Julius about past events over tea, the sound of several footsteps ascending the stone staircase could be heard from downstairs.

“Sorry to keep you waiting, but Julius… Ah, I see, he arrived here first after all.”

“You’re welcome, Uncle and…”

Following His Majesty, led up the stairs by the hand was a Highborn woman, pale golden hair gathered neatly in an updo, wearing a refined, high-quality dress that was tasteful yet not overly extravagant.

She was rather tall for a woman and didn’t look out of place when standing next to the somewhat physically imposing His Majesty… and though her features were beautiful, her soft, droopy eyes and gentle smile gave off a more youthful impression.

Although she must have been in her mid-thirties, she hardly looked it.

We had been briefed about her beforehand. She was Anneliese Norglacier, His Majesty Alfgard’s wife and the queen of our country.

“Father, Mother, I’m really sorry… I just couldn’t wait to see Big Sister.”

“Although it’s not right to go ahead without permission… I can understand how you feel.”

As His Majesty Alfgard smiled at His Highness Julius, the Queen approached us slowly. When she reached us, she looked at Nii-sama and me in turn, then extended her hand toward us.

“…Truly, you two look just as you did seven years ago… no, perhaps you’ve grown a little?”

With that, she gently stroked our cheeks, as if confirming our presence. Then, in the next moment, she wrapped both of us in her arms.

“I’m so glad for your safe return. Welcome back, Irisria, Saulquez.”

Her heartfelt words left Nii-sama and me a little flustered, and we replied quietly.

Yes, we’re back.

“Is it all right to interrupt now, Your Majesty Alfgard, Your Highness Queen Anneliese?”

A girl’s voice suddenly called from the direction of the stairs.

Following His Majesty and Queen came a young girl with a somewhat assertive expression, but adorable nonetheless.

She had bright blonde hair, long enough to reach her waist when let down, tied into twintails on either side of her head.

Her outfit was a white robe adorned with frills, lace, and golden embroidery. It also bore a symbol resembling a combination of a cross and a circle—the mark of the Eirene Church.

“Ange! You’ve come too!”

“Um, I… Ahem. You seem to be in a good mood, His Highness Julius.”

His Highness Julius innocently and happily beamed at her. She blushed and looked a bit flustered, but she quickly regained her composure and bowed with a composed look on her face.

“And you must be Her Highness Irisria? I’ve heard much about you. They say you possess extraordinary healing abilities.”

With that, the girl in the pure white robe curtsied, holding the hem of her skirt.

“No… I’m painfully aware of my shortcomings every day. And you’re?”

“I’m Angelica, a devotee of Eirene-sama’s faith, and I’ve been honored with the title of ‘Saint’.”

“…Eh?!”

My eyes widened in surprise when Angelica-chan said that with a soft smile on her face.

The Saints are girls highly talented in healing magic, the pride of the Eirene Church.

I heard that those chosen to become Saints were taken from their families and lived a life of training and service at the Church’s headquarters… but I never imagined that someone so young could be among their ranks.

“Miss Angelica here is also Julius’ fiancée. Please, be kind to her.”

“Y-Yes…”

Fiancée.

That’s a word I was unfamiliar with back when I lived in Japan. But, of course, with royalty, even someone so young could already be engaged.

She looked to be around His Highness Julius’ age, perhaps a little older, but definitely not over ten. Despite her youth, her composed demeanor and the confidence in her role were evident.

Children in this world are truly remarkable. I can’t afford to fall behind.

I straightened myself, determined not to be embarrassed as the older one here.

“…I definitely won’t lose to you.”

“…Pardon?”

She muttered something under her breath.

When I looked at Angelica-chan, she was looking straight at me with a gaze that was filled with hostility.

…Of course. For someone who has been training since so young, it must be hard for her to accept someone who had just appeared out of nowhere like me.

I gulped as she scowled at me. It’s not going to be easy to befriend her, is it?

“Hey, Ange, you’re going to be busy with work soon, right?”

A helping hand came from nearby.

When His Highness Julius spoke to Angelica-chan, her cheeks quickly turned red, and her gaze started to wander.

…I can’t take it anymore, she’s just as cute as His Highness Julius.

I took back what I said earlier. She and I would be good friends in no time.

As I smiled softly at their interaction, she glared at me, as if asking what I was laughing at. Oops, sorry!

“Yes… The day after tomorrow, I’m going to have a meeting for my duties at the festival.”

“Then, why don’t we go explore a bit while we still have time?”

“W-Well… um…”

Angelica-chan looked around uncertainly, and her eyes landed on His Majesty and Queen, who were watching them from the side.

Her gaze… was filled with both hesitation and a flicker of anticipation.

His Majesty and the Queen seemed to understand her feelings, as the former smiled and nodded gently.

Seeing that, Angelica-chan briefly flashed a radiant smile, but quickly composed herself and returned to a more formal expression.

“Ahem… if His Highness insists, I supposed I could join you…”

“Really? Great! Father, may I take Angelica and go explore for a bit?”

“Yes, go ahead.”

“Just be sure to return before dark. Angelica, please take care of Julius.”

With both His Majesty and the Queen’s approval, His Highness Julius happily took Angelica’s hand and escorted her down the stairs.

“Leonhardt, can I leave escorting those two to you?”

“Understood. Reiji-kun, you come with me.”

“Okay… See you later, Saul.”

Following His Majesty’s orders, Leonhardt-sama and Reiji-san also stood up, and before we realized it, it was just me, Nii-sama, His Majesty and the Queen left in the room.

After seeing off the two young children, the four of us resumed our tea around the table.

“Hehe, those two make such an adorable pair, don’t they?”

“I agree. That Angelica girl can’t be honest with herself, but against His Highness pushing her around so innocently, she doesn’t stand a chance.”

Nii-sama and I chatted, remembering the innocent exchange between His Highness Julius and Angelica-chan.

Just remembering about it brought a smile to my face.

His Majesty nodded at us, seemingly in agreement.

“Indeed… I’m glad to see that the two betrothed are getting along well. I have to be grateful for Miss Angelica for accepting my proposal even though she’s so young.”

“From the looks of it, their future seems to be secure, isn’t that reassuring?”

I said this casually, but…

“Right…”

His Majesty’s expression suddenly clouded over, and he began to speak gravely.

“I… I don’t wish that strongly for my child to inherit the throne.”

“…Uncle? What do you mean by that…?”

I had always assumed that His Majesty, who doted on His Highness Julius so much, wanted him to inherit the throne. But now, His Majesty’s face was tinged with anguish.

“…Of course, if Julius wishes to pursue it, I wouldn’t hesitate to support him with all my might. I’d teach him everything I know. But if he doesn’t, I want him to choose his own path, to live as he wishes.”

His Majesty smiled wryly, adding, “Still, with so few royal children in this generation, it’s not like that will be possible.”

“If that happens, the burden will likely fall upon you two. I apologize if you think I’m being selfish.”

“Please don’t worry about us. But may I ask why you feel this way?”

Curious about his hesitation, I tilted my head and asked. After a moment of deliberation, His Majesty began to speak.

“You know my background, don’t you?”

“Y-Yes… after your brother, the previous king Aureolus, ascended the throne, you became the commander of the Light Regiment, our elite unit of magic knights.”

The Light Regiment were the finest of Norglacier’s magic knights, chosen not only for their strength but also for their high level of education, manners, and even physical appearance. They were the face of the royal guard, an elite group dedicated to protecting the capital.

It was also said that His Majesty Alfgard, having yielded the throne to his brother Aureolus, fully dedicated himself to supporting his reign.

“And I would have been content with that. If my brother hadn’t gone missing, I would have dedicated my life to supporting him.”

With a heavy sigh, he continued.

“I’m just… not fit to become king.”

“No, I don’t think that’s true at all! Your Majesty is known as a just ruler, and the people hold you in high regard…”

“Yes, it’s a blessing that the people think so. But in their minds… I can never be as good as my brother once was.”

“That’s…”

I found myself at a loss for words.

He was correct. While studying the history of this country, I had frequently come across praises of the previous king’s achievements.

His Majesty Aureolus’ achievements were vast, even though his reign, starting at the age of eighteen, lasted only about fifteen years.

Among his greatest achievements was the completion of the transcontinental railway, which connected the royal capital with the Central Business District, the closest city to Acropolis. This project had been abandoned during the reign of his immediate predecessor—my grandfather—leaving it in limbo.

Despite his youth, His Majesty Aureolus’s talents were already drawing significant expectations from those around him.

However, his predecessor, jealous of the young prince’s reputation, assigned him the challenging and stalled railway project, sending him far from the capital.

Everyone pitied the young prince, believing the task impossible.

After all, standing in the way between the capital and the Central Business District was the “Forest of Snow Crystals”, a dangerous “Forbidden Zone” caused by the influence of the Wound of the World, the largest of its kind on the northern continent. Everything in the forest, including the falling snow, was made of sharp crystals, making it one of the most perilous areas. The original railway plan couldn’t avoid passing near this treacherous land.

Yet, after being appointed to the task, Aurelius succeeded against all odds. He made various revisions to the plan and even secured the cooperation of the Cyclops, a notoriously difficult race, to which Master Nephilim belonged.

His Majesty Aureolus’s work on the railway was completed before the transcontinental line was finished, as he ascended to the throne with overwhelming support after the previous king fell ill.

However, the project was already so thoroughly planned that construction continued smoothly without him, and soon the long-awaited railway for the people of the capital was completed.

The removal of a major bottleneck in transportation led to easier access in and out of the capital, thus a boom in tourism. In anticipation of this, urban development had been progressing in parallel, resulting in significant economic benefits, increased employment, and more fluid distribution of goods.

In addition to this, His Majesty Aureolus also initiated the development of the national counterintelligence agency, promoted the advancement of magical technology, and revised the military’s standardization of magical equipment. His contributions were diverse, and their impact is still felt today.

He was revered as the “Sorcerer King”, wielding magical power so great that it was said he could even sever dimensions.

During the battle against the Death Serpent, he led the frontlines and was the key figure in his defeat, earning overwhelming support as the most powerful ruler.

“The day when I surpass my brother would never come… I understood that better than anyone, and fairly early on. That’s why I decided to take up military duties and support him as his aide. But in the end, with my brother’s disappearance, I became king in his place. Fate is rarely so accommodating.”

“My dear…”

“At that time, Anne, I truly caused you so much trouble. When I proposed marriage to you while you were still a young princess, you had no plans of becoming queen. Yet, you’ve handled the sudden responsibility of being my queen so well, and I am truly grateful.”

“No, from the moment I decided to be your partner, I resolved to follow you wherever you went. It was never a burden to me.”

His Majesty and the Queen, a couple who have been together for many years, gazed at each other, lost in their own world.

Nii-sama and I sip our fragrant tea, feeling as if we’ve added too much sugar.

“…Ahem, please pardon us.”

His Majesty, having finally returned to the present, took a sip of his tea and continued, somewhat embarrassed.

“In the end, I am a king who can only ‘protect what already exists.’ Unlike my brother, I can’t foresee the future of the kingdom or move things forward with new ideas.”

That was His Majesty’s assessment of himself. It was probable that he was underestimating his abilities, but pointing that out wouldn’t likely reach him.

“No… From now on, anyone who inherits this kingdom will face the same inevitable comparisons. My brother… your father, Irisria, was just that kind of person.”

“Your Majesty…”

To have had such an exceptionally talented predecessor meant enduring relentless comparisons from those around him.

His Majesty Alfgard must have always been subject to such comparisons as he ruled the country. The weight of that burden is something we can hardly imagine. And now, knowing this all too well, perhaps he was reluctant to let his young child walk down such a thorny path.

“My dear, you mustn’t always take such a pessimistic view.”

“Hmm? Oh, yes, you’re right. I didn’t mean to sound like I was putting pressure on anyone.”

In the suddenly heavy atmosphere, the Queen gently chastised her husband and placed her hand softly on mine.

“You too, Irisria, may often feel negative because of your lineage… but that’s only one side of the story. It also means your father was a remarkable man, worthy of great respect.”

“Your Majesty… Thank you for your kind words.”

Her words were a reminder that it’s okay to take pride in the blood that runs through me.

I nodded to show her my understanding.

“I may be young and it’s presumptuous of me to say this to Your Majesty, but… I think protecting what already exists is a difficult task in itself. So, I consider Your Majesty, who strives to protect the entire kingdom and maintains its stability, to be a king worthy of great respect yourself.”

“Yes, indeed… While His Majesty Aureolus might have been an exceptional ruler, I feel that you’re the person who I should aspire to be like, Uncle.”

Following Nii-sama’s earnest words, I too expressed my admiration for His Majesty Alfgard.

A benevolent king who, despite the heavy responsibilities, continued to strive for the people.

And yet, he was still someone who deeply cared for his family’s future.

Even if he wasn’t gifted with extraordinary talent, he is undoubtedly a great king deserving of praise.

“Is that so… Is that really how you two feel…? Thank you. I’m sorry for burdening you youngsters with such complaints.”

His Majesty Alfgard, seemed relieved, his shoulders loosening as he bowed his head. When he raised it again, there were faint tears at the corners of his eyes, but the smile on his face was one of true peace, as if a great weight had finally been lifted from him.

Editing/Standardisation: Medicine Melancholy
Original Translation: Medicine Melancholy

Iris

To participate in the tournament, we thoroughly prepared for it by gathering all the necessary equipment.

Ouka-san and Kirsche-san, fearing they might get caught up in more trouble if they stayed in their own workshop, discreetly collected their essential belongings and tools from there and decided to stay at Master Nephlim’s workshop.

“Well, we’ve got a big job ahead, so things are going to get busy. Kirsche, will you help me out?”

“Sure, Onee-chan! Just let me know if there’s anything I can do.”

With such a friendly exchange, the two returned to their work, looking like they had nothing more to worry about.

After bidding the three farewell, we returned to the accommodations at the Grand Arena――

“Today’s lecture… was so long again…”

“The fact that you said ‘again’ makes it sound like you’re used to being scolded. What’s up with that?”

“It’s not my fault that trouble keeps heading our way…”

The three of us slumped into chairs, exhausted.

Waiting for us as we returned to the Grand Arena was Leonhardt-sama, who wore a half-resigned expression as he gave us another lecture about “getting involved in danger again.”

In the end, he acknowledged that we had no choice but to help our friends, but lately, it does feel like we’ve gotten quite used to these lecture.

After the lecture was over, we changed into relatively simple dresses meant for private use to meet the queen and her entourage, who were expected to arrive soon. By the time we could finally catch our breath, it was already evening—though still quite bright, as it was midsummer.

The heat had eased compared to the daytime as the sun began to set, and the sea breeze cooled our minds, which were still a bit heated from the lecture.

At the back of the Grand Arena, on the side opposite the main entrance, there were five towers built along the cliffs facing the sea, inside the outer walls. These served as accommodations for us guests.

Each tower had five floors and was assigned to a different continent, including Acropolis.

The towers were connected to the VIP seating area of the arena from the second floor and to the outside through common areas on the first floor, but other than that, you couldn’t move freely between the towers. However, it seemed that with prior arrangements, it was possible to visit other towers.

As of now, we were in the second tower from the east, which had been assigned to the Kingdom of Norglacier, and in a gazebo (a Western-style pavilion) set in the rooftop garden.

“…At first, he didn’t look so happy about it, but after hearing our circumstances, the Count gave me permission to participate in the tournament.”

Said Reiji-san, sipping his cup of tea with a tired look on his face.

Since it was a last-minute entry to fill a vacancy, the paperwork would take a few days, and the formal registration wouldn’t take place until right before the tournament started.

And during that time, he had to attend a few formalities, which meant he couldn’t leave the Grand Arena often.

“Uncle was also reluctant about it, but there’s no problem on my side either. Though starting tomorrow, I’ll be dealing with even more procedures than you, Reiji.”

“The prince of a country suddenly demanding to participate in a tournament, it’s bound to cause quite a stir, I suppose.”

“Well, let them think it’s just the whim of a wayward prince. If they let their guard down because of that, all the better.”

When I pointed out the inevitable struggles the organizing committee must already be facing, Nii-sama merely sighed and shrugged his shoulders, and I smiled wryly at him in return.

“Still, I’m a bit surprised… I thought persuading him would be more difficult.”

His Majesty Alfgard was understandably unhappy when his long-lost nephew, who had just returned, decided to go into battle. While I was glad that we have relatives who are concerned about our safety, I thought he would be more against that idea.

“He must have had his reason for doing so.”

“Reason?”

“Mm-hmm. It seems when he eventually has to decide on who’s succeeding him as king, he wants me in particular to leave a legacy and improve my public image.”

“I wasn’t told anything like that though…”

“That’s because your lineage and qualities are without doubt, Iris. But in my case…”

Just as Nii-sama began to speak, we suddenly felt eyes on us from behind.

Not wanting to discuss such matters in front of others, I motioned for Nii-sama to stop, and at almost the same time, he and Reiji-san noticed it too.

The gaze was coming from behind Reiji-san, near the stairs leading down to the lower floor.

“Is that…”

“…A kid?”

The two of them looked cautiously at the figure.

The reason they hadn’t noticed earlier was probably because there was no hint of hostility or malice in the gaze.

When I turned around, I saw a small figure peeking out from behind a fence along the stairs.

They seemed to be trying to hide, but their small, white wings were sticking out, and the sight brought a smile to my face.

Sensing that we had noticed them, the little figure hastily pulled their head back.

“It’s alright, you can come over here. Would you like to join us for tea?”

It seemed Nii-sama had left this to me, choosing to observe.

Reiji-san, sensing something, took on the posture of a servant and stood behind us.

So, I stood up from my seat, trying to sound as gentle as possible, and smiled warmly as I invited the figure over.

Slowly, a small, well-dressed Highborn boy emerged from behind the stairs.

From the look of it, he seemed to be around seven or eight years old.

When I smiled at him again, his face lit up, and he trotted over to us. His manner was reminiscent of a chick chasing after its mother.

Isn’t this kid… incredibly cute?

Given the circumstances, it was easy to guess who this child was. I recalled how His Majesty Alfgard had frequently boasted about his son’s cuteness during the journey, and now it all made sense.

“N-Nice to meet you, Big Sister Irisria, Big Brother Saulquez!”

The boy, slightly out of breath, approached us and, despite his nervousness, bowed with a level of maturity that belied his age, though his voice still had the lisp of a young child.

Though his movements were dignified, the small white wings on his back fluttered adorably as he moved.

Just as I thought… this kid’s so cute!

With soft, fluffy silver curls and a perfectly symmetrical face, he was delicate and slender, in contrast to His Majesty Alfgard’s more muscular build from his military background.

His inherent beauty, along with his graceful demeanor and intelligent manner, was a clear sign of his noble upbringing and the love he had received.

His somewhat formal greeting tugged at my heart, filling me with warmth, and I barely managed to suppress the urge to hug him tightly and nuzzle his cheek. Instead, I kept a gentle smile on my face, doing my best to appear like the kind older sister I wanted to be.

…Yes, I can do this. I’m a kind older sister, after all.

I calmed my inner thoughts, which were dangerously close to acting on my maternal instincts, and opened my mouth. This young boy had greeted us so politely, so I had to make sure I set a good example in return.

“Nice to meet you as well. My name’s Irisria Norglacier.”

I lightly pinched the hem of my skirt, bending my knees slightly in a curtsy, and tried to smile as gently as possible to avoid making him nervous. Nii-sama, standing behind me, also introduced himself and bowed politely to our small guest.

“And… you must be His Majesty King Alfgard’s son, correct? May I ask your name?”

“Y-Yes! My name is Julius Norglacier. I haven’t received my magic name yet, but… Father told me I would get to meet you both, and I’ve been looking forward to it all the way here!”

He spoke, still a bit nervous, but flashed an innocent angelic smile—Prince Julius.

This was our first meeting with His Majesty Alfgard’s son, who, as our cousin, was also the Crown Prince of the Kingdom of Norglacier.

Editing/Standardisation: Medicine Melancholy
Original Translation: Medicine Melancholy

Iris

“The Jet-Black Inferno, Artorius… I hereby entrust it to Saulques Norglacier.”

“…Yes, I gladly accept this honor.”

As I made the declaration, holding up the Artorius with both hands, the red line running along its sheath flickered with light, and I felt a sensation as though a missing piece within me had clicked into place.

The sword’s ownership had now officially transferred to Nii-sama. With a nod of acknowledgment, he swiftly drew the blade from my hands.

The single-edged blade, with its subtle curve, was as dark and clear as the night sky, just like its hilt.

“…How does it feel?”

I asked, watching as Nii-sama toyed with the sword, switching between forward and reverse grips, testing its balance.

After adjusting his hold several times, Nii-sama focused his energy into the sword. Suddenly, a dark flame, befitting its name, erupted from the blade with a whoosh.

“…Not bad at all. It’ll take some practice to wield both swords simultaneously, and since I usually carry a shield, I probably won’t use this often. But when I need extra firepower, I’ll be sure to put it to good use.”

“I see…”

I let out a sigh of relief and smiled, and Nii-sama returned me a smile of his own. With that, this matter seemed to be settled.

“Well then… That leaves the issue with this one.”

Saying so, Master Nephilim pointed to the Ars Ray on the table.

“This Ars Ray utilizes an energy field blade thanks to the Dragon Core embedded within it, which allows it to mimic the magic of dragons. Did I ever explain that to you?”

“No, first time I’ve heard of it…”

“That means I need to explain dragon energy… no, Dragon Core from the start.”

When Master Nephilim posed this question, I timidly raised my hand.

“Um… If you don’t mind, I can explain in your stead…”

Thankfully, I had done some research out of personal interest, so I felt confident enough—hopefully.

Master Nephilim nodded, gesturing for me to go ahead. After organizing my thoughts, I began to speak.

“First, what exactly is ‘dragon energy’? No, more importantly, what is the role of Dragon Core?”

I prefaced my explanation and continued.

“High-level dragons with Dragon Cores in their bodies possess two unique abilities. Any Worldgate Online player would know those well.”

“Yeah, one is their signature move, the dragon breath.”

“And the other is their Mystic Eyes… the ability to cancel magic, right?”

Reiji-san and Nii-sama immediately replied to my words.

The three of us already had experience battling dragon raid bosses… mainly to farm materials to craft the Ars Ray for Reiji-san… so we were familiar with their characteristics.

Dragons don’t use magic the same way humans do… their source of power was provisionally known among humans as “dragon energy”.

Their most common ability is dragon’s breath, which unleashes dragon energy stored in their internal organs from their mouths… But those possessing Dragon Cores are also capable of using Mystic Eyes, which can dispel magic in a so-called “freezing wave”.

“I think that most people probably think that dragons’ Mystic Eyes have the ability to dispel magic…”

Everyone who knew even a little about the dragon species nodded.

“However, during my own research, I stumbled upon a theory in a document that piqued my interest. The author was… His Majesty Aureolus Norglacier, the previous king of Norglacier.”

I put aside the complicated feelings in my heart as I spoke his name.

His Majesty Aureolus, who had been bestowed the magic name of “World”.

He was said to be one of the most skilled users of spatial magic in history.

In his research on dragon energy, he had written a particularly intriguing line.

It read: “Those eyes do not simply erase magic. They alter the space they see.”

In essence, from a “world with magic”, they transform that space into a “world without magic”.

The magic that once existed is converted into non-existence, and the difference is collected as energy within the dragon.

This process requires no additional techniques or complex rituals. All of the magic is efficiently converted into energy, which the dragon can use for its breath attack.

“Essentially, the Dragon Core’s power is to induce a phase shift in the magic within a designated space, and the energy extracted from this process becomes dragon energy. Does that sound correct?”

“…Yes. That’s spot on, Lady Iris! You did your homework really well! I’m impressed!”

Master Nephilim affirmed my answer, though he seemed to break into a nervous sweat and avoid my gaze for some reason.

“Thank goodness… I was worried I might’ve made a mistake after putting on such a confident act.”

“I mean… You’re even more knowledgeable about this than I am, Lady Iris…”

Master Nephilim muttered to himself before clearing his throat and continuing.

“In any case, the Dragon Core’s power is exactly as Lady Iris said. When embedded in a sword, the Core absorbs the wielder’s life force or magical power, converting it into dragon energy and forming the blade.”

“Does that mean the wielder experiences excessive strain because…?”

“Exactly. The Ars Ray uses the core of an Elder Dragon, which is too powerful for Reiji here to handle. It continuously drains his energy, eventually causing him to collapse. Are we all on the same page so far?”

The three of us nodded in unison.

“So, how do we solve this problem? The solution is simple. Replace the core with one from a smaller dragon—perhaps a Greater-class one.”

“Hold on a second! Wouldn’t that…?!”

Reiji-san hastily interrupted, clearly distressed by Master Nephilim’s suggestion.

This wasn’t an acceptable solution for him, for obvious reasons. If he uses a weaker Dragon Core…

“Exactly. The weapon’s performance would drop. I imagine that would be an issue for you, wouldn’t it?”

“Yeah… that would defeat the purpose of carrying the sword around.”

Reiji-san wanted the Ars Ray to remain a trump card for emergencies, and if its performance dropped, his other weapon, Arventia, would suffice.

While I understood the logic behind this, I couldn’t help but feel uneasy.

“Don’t make such a face. This is the part where I come in, after all.”

Master Nephilim threw a confident look my way, as if telling me he got it all covered.

And with that, he pulled out a huge stack of papers from beside him.

Depicted on it was the blueprints for a sword that seems to be the Ars Ray, surrounded by countless annotations.

However…

“…This part is shaped differently.”

Reiji-san pointed at where the Dragon Core was embedded, specifically the hilt.

“Is that… an additional slot?”

Hearing those words, Master Nephilim chuckled proudly and explained.

“Indeed it is. I’m planning to incorporate another Dragon Core as an auxiliary power source, and make it so that you can switch the circuit to the original core at will.”

“…Is that even possible?!”

“Of course. This modification will allow it to activate with much less strain during normal use, and theoretically, the energy stored in the smaller core should significantly reduce the burden for a short period when the weapon is at full power.”

“Seriously?!”

“That’s… that’s amazing, Nephilim-sama!”

“Hahaha, praise me more! …is what I would have said in this situation.”

Master Nephilim laughed, clearly pleased with our admiration, but quickly returned to a serious expression and continued.

“The modifications themselves will take a few days. I should have it finished by the day before the Grand Harvest Festival’s finals, around the time of the pre-finals celebration… however.”

Master Nephilim, who had been speaking cheerfully, suddenly became somber.

“There’s a problem. I don’t have the Dragon Core needed for the modification on hand right now.”

“………You’ve got to be kidding.”

Everyone in the room felt the mood deflate as we all let out a collective sigh of disappointment.

“…Could it be that you want us to obtain the Dragon Core ourselves?”

“Yes, it’s the Dragon Core.”

“And where exactly are we supposed to find something like that?”

Greater dragons aren’t exactly easy to come by, and with the world currently at peace with the dragon race, there’s no reason to hunt one, nor would it be appropriate to provoke them without cause.

“It’s not like the only way to obtain one is by defeating a dragon. You just need to get your hands on an existing one.”

“You have a lead on that…?”

“Indeed. In fact, one of the rewards offered to the top contestants in the Grand Harvest Festival allows them to choose from various prizes.”

Master Nephilim explained that, through records of past hunts, there are some Dragon Cores up to Greater-class in circulation. While rare, they’re not unheard of, and one of the rewards, in addition to the prize money, for placing in the top ranks of the tournament includes rare materials, among which is a Dragon Core.

However, there was a catch. According to Master Nephilim, to be eligible to choose such a prize, we’d need to place at least in the top four of the Freshman Division.

“And that… is my actual request.”

“…Your actual request?”

That was a statement we couldn’t ignore. I turned my gaze toward Master Nephilim’s large single eye, squinting at him accusingly.

“…Sorry. I wanted to say something, but the two of you were so caught up in your discussion that it didn’t seem like the right moment. So, could you stop glaring at me like that?”

Seeing his embarrassed expression as he averted his gaze, I decided to let it go for now.

“Although I may be a demi-human, I’m a long-standing resident of this city and have quite a bit of influence. I even contributed a few pieces of my work to the prize pool for this tournament.”

Apparently, Master Nephilim was also a member of the Grand Harvest Festival’s organizing committee.

“…Recently, several participants have been attacked, forcing some to withdraw from the tournament.”

“Oh… that’s yesterday’s incident.”

“Hmm? You know about that already?”

“Yeah, I caught the culprits and handed them over to the guards.”

“I see… small world, isn’t it? The reason is unclear, but considering that the victims were strong contenders, it’s hard not to suspect some kind of conspiracy by those aiming for the top.”

“We did consider that angle, but… doesn’t it seem too risky just for the sake of gaining fame?”

The city was currently under strict surveillance. Considering the risks involved if they’re caught, it wouldn’t be worth it for anyone to cheat.

“…If we consider the worst-case scenario, it’s possible that someone is planning to infiltrate the festivities either the night before the finals or after the tournament concludes. The top finalists are traditionally expected to attend these events, which will also be attended by important guests from various countries.”

“That would be…”

“It would be the perfect opportunity to cause trouble, wouldn’t it? Moreover, the culprit you captured yesterday is suspected to be part of a criminal organization from the western continent, isn’t that right?”

At this, Reiji-san, who had been directly involved in the incident, fell silent.

However, given that these events are prestigious and have been held for years, it’s difficult to exclude anyone based on mere suspicion or for us to decline participation without concrete evidence.

Of course, if something were to happen at such a venue, it would be a matter of great importance, so security will be as tight as possible. It’s unlikely that anyone would dare to cause trouble there.

“…Still, there must be a compelling reason to risk such an act.”

I could feel everyone’s gaze shift towards me as Nii-sama spoke.

“…Mm. It’s a real possibility. If someone know about your existence… they might want to take you into custody.”

Despite saying “might”, Master Nephilim, along with Reiji-san and Nii-sama, who knew the situation well, seemed half-convinced that this is the case.

Yes… my existence alone was enough for me to become a target.

Moreover, according to Reiji-san, this wasn’t the first time something like this has happened.

“What I’m asking of you, is that someone among you who’s confident in their skills should substitute for the attacked contestants. In case anyone is up to something, this will be to remove them from the tournament.”

Master Nephilim then explained that he initially planned to hire somebody else for this job and didn’t intend to involve us.

However, it would be pointless if the hired person also fell victim to the attacks. If someone’s going to do it, they have to be really powerful.

“There are hardly any prominent candidates left in this city who are eligible to compete in the Freshman Division and whose identities are fully verified, but haven’t already committed to participating.”

After all, this is the greatest martial arts festival in the world, held once every four years. Every martial artist who dreams of competing on this stage has already gathered in this city.

“And then, you all showed up—highly skilled, with no issues regarding your status or credibility.”

After saying this, he let out a deep sigh. His expression was solemn and serious.

“This city accepted me, even though I’m not human. I’m attached to this place, and as its resident, I want to see this grand festival end safely. For that purpose, I won’t hesitate to offer my help… Please, lend me your strength.”

With those words, Master Nephilim bowed his head.

“…Well, I’m going for sure.”

As expected, it was Reiji-san who spoke up first.

“Of course, I’ll crush whatever schemes they have. But, honestly, I’ve always wanted to test myself, to see how far I can go.”

Though Reiji-san had accompanied us as a bodyguard for Leonhardt-sama, it had been clear for some time that he was eager to compete. Now that participating could help protect us, it seemed likely he would ask for permission to join.

“Are you guys okay with this, by the way? I kind of went and decided on my own…”

“Don’t worry, I won’t stop you. Just do as you please, Reiji-san.”

“You sure?”

“Well, I’m a bit worried, but…”

Even though it’s supposed to be a contest, and healers are always on standby in case of accidents, the tournament is still serious business where the use of weapon is allowed.

I couldn’t help but feel worried about the possibility of him getting injured. However, even more than that… as soon as the possibility of participating in the tournament arose, I could immediately tell that Reiji-san was getting restless with excitement.

“Your eyes are gleaming with excitement, Reiji-san… so go ahead and give it your all. I’ll be cheering for you.”

“…Yeah!”

Reiji-san nodded vigorously.

He looked as enthusiastic as a boy ready to go to a carnival, and I couldn’t help but smile.

Soon, another hand went up.

“Then I’m coming too.”

“…Nii-sama?”

Unlike with Reiji-san, I didn’t see this coming at all.

Nii-sama… or rather, Ayame, had never been one for PvP back when it was still a game.

“…It’s not like I’m a battle maniac like Reiji, but when I hear all this, I can’t keep quiet, you see.”

He smiled, placing his hand on my head and playfully ruffling my hair.

“Besides… the final celebration will include the two fighters competing for first place and the top three at the after-party, right? If Seiten-san is also participating, we can ask for his help too. If the three of us take on the challenge, we won’t miss anything important.”

“Right, I forgot about him. I’m not thrilled about it, but…”

“But he’s a reliable guy, isn’t he?”

“…Sure, let’s go with that.”

Reiji-san scratched his head but reluctantly agreed. It seemed like the plan was coming together.

“Moreover…”

“…Nii-sama?”

“…Nevermind. I’d like to get my own Dragon Core while I’m at it, just saying.”

“I see… Nii-sama, good luck to you too.”

“Leave it to me. It’ll be fun if the three of us can dominate the podium.”

“You know, there are fighters from all over the world here. Be careful, or you might be caught off guard.”

When I teased him with a fake scolding, Nii-sama smiled wryly and shrugged.        

“Very well then, I must finish the preparations posthaste.”

Master Nephilim added.

“Oh, right, armor! Though I haven’t finished what you requested, I can help you pick something good from the stock in the workshop. Kirsche, help me!”

“Yes, Onee-chan!”

Ouka-san, who had remembered something important after hearing Master Nephilim, hurried out of the room and headed for the equipment storage room, with Kirsche-san, who happily following behind her.

And so, our once peaceful days in Ares Isles began to grow more hectic.

Saul

What if that was really “him” that I saw, then…

I quietly whispered to myself, unheard by anyone.

Editing/Standardisation: Medicine Melancholy
Original Translation: Medicine Melancholy

Iris

For the sake of Reiji-san and others, who’d always saved me, I’ll do anything within my power.

The determination I had earlier was genuine, and I thought my resolve could help me overcome this ordeal, but…

“…I shouldn’t have accepted that request.”

“Again with that, nya…”

Milly-san, who had been helping me change, sighed in response to what felt like the umpteenth time today I’d whined.

As I tried to stall in vain, we reached the door where everyone was waiting, and my fate was sealed.

There was no retreat now. I braced myself and opened the door.

“Um, I’ve changed now… Eek?!”

The moment I stepped out after finishing changing and opened the door, I felt all the gazes from everyone inside pierce right through me. My body flinched, and I involuntarily took a step back.

“Heh… Doesn’t that look nice? Miriam, did you pick that for her?”

“Nya-ah, it was actually that old cyclops who prepared it while anticipating Iris-chan’s arrival, nya.”

The first to speak was Nii-sama, who had just come back from outside. Milly-san answered his question right after.

What had been prepared for me, quite thoroughly, was a cute swimsuit decorated with blue ribbons and babydoll-style decorations.

Yes, it was definitely cute. I had no complaints about that; I even got a bit excited in front of the mirror myself.

But the problem was the amount of exposed skin. The swimsuit, a bikini-type, barely covered my chest and waist, leaving my now slightly budding chest, my belly button that’s never exposed to the air, and even the tops of my thighs completely bare. Compared to my usual clothing, this felt shockingly vulnerable.

The fabric over the essential areas was firm and secure. However, it still felt barely different from being in my underwear. And now, everyone was looking at me in this outfit…

“Ugh… I want to jump inside a hole and hide…”

Especially recently, I’d been receiving training to act like a princess and had been repeatedly told not to expose my bare skin in public, so I felt even more averse toward having to wear such an outfit.

“It’s okay, it’s okay. You look super cute, really!”

Milly-san, who was behind me, pushed me forward toward the center of the room.

“Come on, isn’t there someone you want to show off to, nya?”

“Someone… I want to show off to…”

It wasn’t for any specific reason connected to what she had just said, but my gaze wandered.

…Huh?

Someone who should have been there wasn’t. As I wondered where he was, I looked around the room.

Reiji

My thinking had been too naive.

Seeing her in a swimsuit? Lucky. I silently cursed the version of myself from a few minutes ago who had let his guard down so much.

For as long as I’d lived, I’ve lived without a trace of female companionship. I’ve been nursing a one-sided crush for seven years now, and lately, the girl who I’d been crushing on had been getting increasingly touchy-feely. Every time she made contact, I was forced to push down the overwhelming emotions stirred by the softness I feel.

…When I think about it, I’ve been holding up pretty well. I deserve some credit, don’t I?

But seeing that girl in an actual swimsuit was too much for me to handle.

You might think I’m overreacting like some stereotypical virgin, but hear me out.

Iris doesn’t normally show her skin to the opposite sex.

Since we came to this island, I’d had the occasional rare chance to see her in lighter summer clothing, but even then, I’d only caught brief glimpses of her thighs, as her guard is usually ironclad.

And now, this girl was baring her pale skin without hesitation. Her small, delicate frame was lightly blushing all over from embarrassment, and she was shrinking into herself, trying to hide from everyone’s stares. Her eyes were tearing up, and she looked like she doesn’t know where to place herself… She might not realize it, but this whole situation feels incredibly forbidden and sensual.

To begin with… Iris often criticizes her own body as being too thin and underdeveloped, but is that really the case?

Like sure, her overall appearance could be considered youthful.

But her chest, though small, has a gentle, soft curve that’s clearly there.

Her slim waist forms a delicate, feminine curve, and her pelvis is slightly wider than a man’s, giving her hips a subtle roundness. It’s a healthy, alluring figure, far more so than she probably thinks.

This is the body of a girl in the middle of adolescence, transitioning into womanhood, with the youthful and mature sides forming a delicate balance.

It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to call this a living work of art, shaped with the finest detail to depict a “young girl”, whose cuteness is worthy of the nickname “Northern Princess” she’d been known for in the game.

Moreover, I’d gazed upon that body several times… and once, even though it was an accident when it was dubious whether Iris was conscious, I directly stared at her, at very close range, with absolutely nothing blocking my view.

For a virgin who had just finished puberty and had no experience with women like me, it was practically impossible to forget that image that had been vividly burned into my mind.

And now, as I saw her nearly bare body before me, the thin fabric barely covering her chest and hips, I couldn’t stop myself from flashing back to the sight of those soft pinks at the peak of her gentle white hills, or the innocent place no one was ever supposed to see… No, I couldn’t stop the flashbacks any longer.

The desire to push her down onto the bed—no, the sofa right over there, was overwhelming.

To remove the delicate straps holding up her small outfit, to strip her down and expose her completely, to turn her trembling embarrassment into something even deeper… the dark urge is boiling up inside me, threatening to overtake my reason.

All of this flashed through my mind in about ten seconds.

Now, what I needed to do…

I made the decision in less than a second, and without hesitation, I acted—.

Iris

“UUUUUUUooooooooOOOOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHH!!”

THUD!

Suddenly, a roar echoed through the room, followed by a dull thud as the room shook.

“What on earth are you doing, Reiji-san!?”

I looked toward the source of the sound to find Reiji-san, gasping for breath and with his head covered in blood. Pieces of plaster from the wall were crumbling to the floor, suggesting that the sound had come from Reiji-san headbutting the wall.

…Wait a minute! The amount of blood on his head is seriously bad!

“…I’m fine. I just needed to cool off my head.”

“What part of your head is cool right now?! You’re going to pass out!”

Reiji-san, with vacant eyes, calmly replied.

The steady stream of red blood pouring down was alarming, even considering that head injuries tend to bleed more.

“No need to worry about me, I’ve never felt such clarity in a long time.”

“Now’s not the time for that nonsense! Argh, please stay still, I’m going to heal you, okay?!”

I hurriedly made him bend down so his head was at chest level, then examined the wound, purifying it with Purification before covering the injury with my hands to heal it.

“…The gap… the cleavage… No, I must not look, I must stay cool… I can do it…!”

He was muttering something nonsensical again. He must have hit his head harder than I thought.

Despite my panic, I finished healing him, cleaned away the blood with another Purification, and finally, I could relax a bit and sit down.

I’m so exhausted…

“Seriously… What were you thinking?!”

“S-Sorry…”

Now that he had calmed down, Reiji-san refused to look my way, keeping his face turned stubbornly to the side.

I shrugged at his behavior and stood up. When I lifted my head, I noticed everyone watching us with strangely warm smiles, which puzzled me.

“W-What’s the matter…?”

“Nothing, it’s just… You’re such a sinful girl, Princess.”

“…??”

Ouka-san said with an exasperated smile, while Kirsche-san, standing beside her, nodded in agreement.

After that commotion, I was bombarded with compliments like “So cute,” and I…

“…I can’t do this anymore…”

Unable to bear the embarrassment, I crossed my arms over my chest and crouched down behind the back of the sofa to hide from everyone’s stares. If I could, I’d shrink into a ball and disappear right there.

When I used to be “Yanagi”, I never minded being shirtless. Yet now, despite having my chest covered, which meant technically showing less skin than a male swimsuit, I felt incredibly embarrassed just from being seen.

“It can’t be helped, nya… Here, put this on, nya.”

“Thank you very much…”

Milly-san handed me a hoodie, which I gratefully accepted.

I quickly put it on while hiding behind the sofa. For the sake of the photo session, I zipped it up just above my navel, making sure the bottom of my swimsuit was mostly hidden under the hoodie.

Finally feeling comfortable, I stepped out from behind the sofa.

“…Now the fact that the swimsuit is only peeking out from under the hoodie makes it even more… nevermind, she probably hasn’t noticed…”

“For the love of… Reiji, keep that observation to yourself.”

I tilted my head when Nii-sama and Reiji-san were whispering something I couldn’t make out to each other.

One way or another, after a while, I got somewhat used to the situation.

I occasionally struck a pose when asked, sipped tea that the others kindly prepared, and let time flow in a relaxed manner for about half an hour.

“Hmm…”

“Milly-san, what’s wrong?”

Milly-san had a serious expression as she looked into the camera, staring at the image displayed. Curious about what she was so focused on, I peeked over at the screen.

It was a picture taken just as I was about to drink tea from a glass, about to put my lips to the straw when someone called my name from behind, and I turned around.

“…Something feels off, nya…”

Milly-san cocked her head in confusion, but from my perspective, it was a cute picture. My expression was blank as I turned around, making me look younger and more adorable. But…

“…Is it because of the background?”

The swimsuit gave off a light and free feeling, but the dark, indoor cave setting clashed badly with it.

“That’s it, nya! Iris-chan, how about we go outside and take some photos?!”

“W-wait, I don’t think that’s a good idea…”

“There are still onlookers outside from this morning’s commotion. It’s better not to,” Nii-sama, who had recently returned from outside, offered helpfully.

“Oh… right… In that case, I guess we can’t,” Milly-san said reluctantly, backing down.

“If I’m not wrong… you lot are staying in the VIP area at the grand arena, right?”

Master Nephilim suddenly asked.

“Yes. Why do you ask?”

“I heard there’s a private beach for guests. Why not use that for your photos? You can keep that swimsuit too.”

“T-That’s just what I need to hear, nya! Let’s go there as soon as we get back, Iris-chan!”

“Eeeeeeeh?”

“About that… Can you give me some of the photos when it’s done?”

Everyone turned to glare at Master Nephilim, whose soft and pleading expression completely betrayed his rough demeanor.

“Nephilim, my man, just leave it to me! I’ll get the best shot for you, nya!”

…Correction. Everyone except Milly-san.

“Well… much as I’d love to keep having fun, we’re running short on time. Let’s get down to business.”

“……You mean you’re finally serious at long last?”

“Let’s get down to business.”

Completely ignoring my comment, Master Nephilim continued in a dignified voice.

If he always acted this composed, I would respect him so much more.

“First up… Lady Iris’ request. This one’s a past work of mine. Since you have an abundance of magical power, it would be better to prioritize sturdiness and lightness to a certain degree.”

Master Nephilim placed a package on the nearby table as he explained.

“That reminds me… Iris-chan, are you feeling alright? You gave me a fair amount of magical power earlier…”

“Yes, I’m perfectly fine. This much isn’t an issue at all.”

I gave Kirsche-san, who was concerned about me, a reassuring smile.

…In fact, my magical power had grown surprisingly much in the past month. Kirsche-san was a reincarnated player in the rearguard like me, who by all means should possess considerable magical power, and even so, I still had plenty of magical power left after restoring her mana from its near-depleted state.

Soon enough, the package was unwrapped, revealing a staff that was taller than I was, with a ring and cross design at the top.

“Is it heavy? Can you wield it?”

“Yes, there’s no problem… It’s lighter than my previous one, actually.”

I gave it a few light swings and shared my honest impression.

“Wait, this isn’t just an ordinary staff, is it?”

I noticed some strange features, like the emitter attached to the cross-shaped part and small wings on the ring’s side, with slits underneath that resembled exhaust ports.

“Ah, well, I tend to make things like that out of habit as a weapon smith. If it bothers you, I can make a more normal one.”

“No, it’s fine. It’s reassuring to have something like this in case of emergencies…”

“Good. But don’t get overconfident. Ideally, you should never need to swing something like that on the front lines.”

Hearing his words, I calmed down the excitement that was building up from getting my hands on a new staff and nodded.

“Next… Saul, I’ve kept you waiting. Take these, they’re yours.”

Saying so, Master Nephilim placed two packages on the table. The larger one was unwrapped, revealing a sleek, black-sheathed longsword.

“Huh? This shape…”

Nii-sama let out a puzzled sound as he examined the sword.

Looking closely, I noticed something—there was a slot in the guard that seemed designed to hold a spherical object. It… looked familiar to us.

“This… Could it be the same as Reiji’s Ars Ray or Walter-san’s Ars Nova?”

“No, it’s an improved model. After realizing those two were a bit over the top, I changed the way the energy field is deployed for this prototype. The output is lower, but it works as a normal sword even without a Dragon’s Core powering it.”

“A normal sword… No, isn’t it already incredible as is?”

Nii-sama was stunned by what he saw, and I nodded in agreement.

A superior sword has an air that can be sensed even to the untrained eye, but this sword exuded a presence that was far superior to any I had seen so far.

“But of course. This sword was made to slay even dragon, after all. You need something powerful enough to withstand such power.”

When Master Nephilim said so casually… I couldn’t help but feel that he’s truly one of the finest craftsmen in the world.

“The name is Ars Lada. Go ahead and take it. There’s no Dragon Core in it yet, but it’ll serve you well. Of course, if you find one later, bring it to me, and I’ll install it.”

“…Thank you. I’ll use it with care.”

Nii-sama respectfully accepted the sword… Ars Lada, and gently removed it from its sheath.

He examined the blade closely and gently ran his finger along its edge. Then he took out a piece of thin paper and placed it over the blade.

“Wow…”

He murmured in admiration.

The next moment, the white paper fluttered to the floor, cleanly sliced in two.

Unlike Reiji-san’s Ars Ray, this sword had a slender, shining blade with a razor-sharp edge. Nii-sama tested its balance with a few swings, then executed a few rapid thrusts too fast for my eyes to follow. Satisfied, he nodded and smiled.

 “Both the length and weight are perfect. You have my utmost thanks. And this other package is…”

“Open it and you’ll see.”

“…Hmm?”

Master Nephilim said with a playful glint in his eyes.

Although he was suspicious, Nii-sama opened the package.

Inside it was…

“Woah?!”

“No way…”

Reiji-san and I both let out cries of shock. Meanwhile, Nii-sama, who opened the package, was frozen speechless.

Inside was a short, curved sword about the length of my arm from wrist to elbow, with a knuckle guard like a small shield.

The entire blade, from hilt to tip, appeared to be carved from a single piece of black obsidian, without any seams.

“Could it be…?”

“Oh, so you recognized it too, Lady Iris? It’s thanks to this being passed down to me and the research I did on it that I knew how to repair that white sword earlier. Yes, its name is…”

Before Master Nephilim could finish, I already realized the sword’s true identity.

A memory that wasn’t entirely mine whispered the answer.

“The Jet-Black Inferno… Artorius…?!”

This was no ordinary sword. It was the same as Reiji’s Arventia. Undoubtedly, it was one of the Save the Queen series of blades…

Editing/Standardisation: Medicine Melancholy
Original Translation: Medicine Melancholy

Iris

We finished checking the surroundings for damage after the battle with Thanatos.

In the end, the only real damage was the charred garden of Ouka-san’s workshop, and there was nothing else significant. Except for Shin-san, who took his leave after the incident was solved, and Nii-sama, who said he’d patrol the area and flew off… we quickly took refuge in Master Nephilim’s workshop.

Master Nephilim, understanding our situation, kindly lent us his reception room. After finishing today’s cosplay session at his request, we finally had a moment to catch our breath, and that brought us to the present.

Of the two sofas in the reception room, one was used by me and Titilia-san for the photoshoot.

As for the other one…

“Onee-chan, ehehe…”

“Would you look at that… She’s being spoiled rotten.”

“It’s fine, no? They’re making up for the time they lost.”

“Yes, yes…”

Ouka-san and Kirsche-san, who had completely shed their tense atmosphere from yesterday, were sitting closely together and frolicking like a scene straight out of a yuri manga.

Ouka-san, despite looking exasperated, didn’t seem entirely displeased as she patted her little sister’s head.

Each time her hand moved, Kirsche-san’s cat ears, covered in fur the same pale pink as her hair, twitched slightly.

…Yes, cat ears.

Those cat ears weren’t metaphorical, but actual pair of ears sprouting not only from her head, but also from mine, Titilia-san, and lastly Ouka-san, who was reluctantly convinced by her sister.

Moreover, these cat ears adjust their fur color to match the hair and even move in sync with emotions.

…In case you’re wondering, those are magical devices made by Master Nephilim. What a waste of technology if you ask me.

I kept the thought to myself as I slowly developed diabetes watching the cat-eared sisters playing around.

“Besides, wearing those help me get into the mood to maintain the summoning. Just play along with it please, Onee-chan?”

Kirsche-san said this with a bright smile.

Around her, a group of fancy cat folks wearing boots and holding trumpets and drums were cheerfully marching and playing their instruments. They were Spirit Beasts of the “Joy” and “Motion” attributes summoned by Kirsche-san.

After moving into Master Nephilim’s workshop, I resuscitated Kirsche-san  by sharing some of my magic power with her.

Upon waking up and understanding the situation, Kirsche-san…

“I’m truly sorry for causing you all that trouble! Please, at least let me treat you…!”

She was so apologetic that she almost prostrated before us. Thinking that it might ease her guilt, we accepted her treatment.

Thus, she summoned this marching band of cat people. Despite their cartoonish appearance, they were incredible supports back in the game, capable of wide-area healing magic.

At the moment, the warm energy flowing with the music they played was slowly healing our fatigue.

“But to be able to summon Spirit Beasts at will so easily… I’m astonished. Is it the ability of your class?”

“Well… that certainly plays a part in it. Her unique class, Diva, is particularly specialized in summoning Spirit Beasts.”

Kirsche-san’s unique class of the Bard grouping was called Diva.

Meanwhile, Ouka-san’s unique class was called Divine Lance.

However… both of them hadn’t developed their power much since their reincarnation, so they weren’t entirely sure about their abilities.

“But if you ask me, there’s probably nobody as good as this girl when it comes to summoning Spirit Beasts, unique class or not.”

As Ouka-san explained, she continued to stroke Kirsche-san’s head. Kirsche-san, perhaps happy to be praised, turned red up to her ears and lowered her gaze, but a shy smile appeared on her lips.

…It seemed that those sisters have finally made up, thank goodness for that.

Seeing the two of them getting along so well, I felt relieved.

Today’s theme was Lolita fashion.

I was wearing a classic black goth-loli dress, while Titilia-san, sitting beside me, was in a contrasting white one.

Kirsche-san, on the other hand, wore a different style of Lolita, more akin to a kimono.

Like before, we’d picked something on the tamer side.

“Um, Titilia-san… You seem pretty okay with it despite being suddenly dragged into this…”

That’s right. Titilia-san, who was visiting here for the first time today and was roped into Master Nephilim’s hobby, was initially overwhelmed by the mountain of outfits aimed at young girls…

“Tia-chan, could you move closer to Iris-chan? Maybe even get so close that you two are basically touching, nya?”

“…Like this?”

“Yes, perfect, nya! And if you could wrap your arm around Iris-chan a little more sensationally…”

“Got it~ Sorry Iris-chan, I’m going to touch you a bit…”

Just like that, she responded to Milly-san, who was running around taking on the role of photographer in place of Master Nephilim, who was currently busy.

“Me? Look, I was a streamer, I did this kind of stuff on a daily basis.”

“Oh right, you used to be a VR content creator, didn’t you?”

“Yes. This kind of reminds me of that time, so I’m actually having a lot of fun.”

She smiled cheerfully as she said this.

Indeed, Titilia-san was acting like a professional when it comes to cosplay.

If that’s the case, she probably wouldn’t be upset about me keeping quiet in order to drag her into this kind of thing without warning.

“Okay, Iris-chan, Tia-chan, next, let’s try lying on the sofa and striking a pose!”

Milly-san, the photographer, gave another instruction. The next thing I knew, Titilia-san had taken my hand, pushed me gently by the shoulder, and laid me down softly on the sofa.

As I blinked in surprise at the sudden view of the ceiling, Titilia-san, with a somewhat teasing expression, leaned over me and looked into my eyes.

“Um… Titilia-san?”

I was perplexed as her slender, pale fingers traced my cheeks and lips.

“Still… we’ll have to talk later about how you hid all this from me… Iris-chan?”

“…Yes.”

She was totally, really angry. I’m really sorry.

“Good lord, nya… You two are adorbs, nya…”

Said Milly-san as she clicked the shutter of the magic camera Master Nephilim had given her in a frenzy. Everyone’s gaze was focusing on her.

Why is the girl  adding “nya” after all of her sentences the only one spared from wearing cat ears?

That was probably the question on everyone’s mind right now.

After the photoshoot session ended, I was quenching my thirst with some tea that Reiji-san brewed when…

“…Hey, Iris. I, uh… have something to ask.”

“Yes, what is it?”

I tilted my head as for some reason, Reiji-san awkwardly averted his gaze, seeming a bit hesitant as he started to speak.

“…Well, I get the ears. There’s probably some mechanism in the headband for that. But… how exactly is that moving tail attached?”

As he said this, he pointed at the fluffy, long-haired cat tail poking out from under my skirt.

“Oh, this is stuck on with a kind of adhesive around my waist.”

It was like the kind of electrode stickers you’d see in a hospital, with a small magic stone in the center. Apparently, it detects the wearer’s mana and moves in response to their emotions.

…Truly, a waste of technology.

I sighed as the fluffy cat tail swayed, sometimes moving of its own accord, sometimes responding to my will.

“I see… What a relief.”

“…Huh?”

Reiji-san, still red-faced, spoke in an oddly stiff tone, once again looking away from me. I was really confused.

“Oh my oh myyyy? Reiji-san, were you perhaps imagining something naughty about Iris-chan?”

“Wha—! N-no, I wasn’t!”

“Or maybe… you have a secret desire to do that kind of thing with the girl you like? Kya, Iris-chan, stay away from him!”

“Hey, listen to me!”

“…Come on, there’s no way it’s not going to hurt if we had something that big inside us without any preparation. That’s just common sense.”

“D-don’t say that with such a straight face! Are you getting back at me for leaving you on the roof, asshole!? And how do you even know all this!?”

For some reason, Titilia-san wrapped her arms around me, as if shielding me from Reiji-san, and mischievously teased him. Reiji-san, flustered, yelled at her.

“…What do you mean by ‘naughty’?”

“Well, Reiji-san was probably thinking that the tail went into your b-“

“Aaaaaargh!! Stop it, don’t say that!!”

Reiji-san, clearly panicking, covered my ears and scooped me up, pulling me away from Titilia-san.

…Even though Tityria-san seemed to have gotten over her fear of men, these two still argued like this all the time.

“Um, what are you talking about…?”

“You don’t need to know! It’s not something you need to understand!!”

Breathing heavily and looking dead serious, Reiji-san told me this, so I decided not to press any further.

“…Reiji-san, didn’t you say that she used to be your age? Why are you treating her like a little girl?”

“She is a little girl…!”

“Wow, you said that without any hesitation… but I couldn’t really deny it, though…”

The two of them continued bickering for a while, but with Reiji-san still covering my ears, I couldn’t hear any of it.

However, somehow, I got the sense they were saying something terrible about me, and I couldn’t help but pout…

“Good grief… Anyway, can’t they use this technology for your legs?”

“Ah, I was curious about that too, so I asked Master Nephilim when he was explaining how it works…”

I had hoped that maybe this accessory technology could help solve my disability. So I asked right away when the topic came up, but…

“Long story short, this technology is used to add externally controlled parts via pseudo-nerves, so it’s difficult to apply it to internal issues like mine.”

“I see… I thought it might be possible for you to walk without the help of magic or equipment, but I guess it’s not that simple.”

“Exactly… If we could make something like tights that cover the entire leg like an exoskeleton, it might be possible someday. But for now, due to the effort and cost involved, it’s not feasible. However…”

I explained that such a device would require terminals to cover the whole leg and artificial muscles to support the body, which is why it’s not realistic at the moment.

…That was the conclusion I reached.

“He said he’ll give that idea some thought when he has the time. But it’s not something that’ll happen in a year or two, so it won’t be ready while we’re here.”

“I see… Well, I guess it can’t be helped.”

As the two of us sighed together…

“Sorry to keep you waiting. I’ve finally finished the preparations.”

Master Nephilim, the owner of this workshop, approached us with a small, white-wrapped package balanced on his fingertips.

…It felt like we’d taken a long detour since this morning, but it seemed we were finally about to get to the main purpose of today’s visit.

“Firstly… the weapon you asked me to repair.”

Master Nephilim gently placed a large, white sword wrapped in cloth onto the table… It was the Arventia.

Reiji-san, who had seemed uncomfortable without his sword by his side, quickly reached for it, but Master Nephilim hurriedly stopped him.

“Wait, don’t remove that cloth yet. The repair isn’t complete.”

“Huh? I thought you already fixed it?”

“I did. But the final finishing touches still aren’t done.”

We all tilted our heads in confusion.

“Um… if I’m not mistaken, that cloth is made of a material that blocks magic, right? Like the kind used in processing magic stones…”

“Ah, so you did your homework.”

Master Nephilim nodded at Milly-san’s comment.

Magic stones had been mentioned several times already. They’re essentially gemstones with a high affinity for magic. In addition to being crushed and used as catalysts, they can also be specially processed to imbue specific magic.

Once a magic stone has been imbued, it can activate the recorded magic repeatedly until it deteriorates and breaks, which is why they’re often used as the core of magical devices.

However, a pure magic stone with no enchantments yet can sometimes absorb ambient magic, making it unusable. That’s why they’re wrapped in special cloth for storage—something I’d learned here.

“So Arventia is wrapped in that cloth because…?”

“Indeed. In its current state, it’s highly unstable and susceptible to external magic. I can’t let it be exposed to any stray mana.”

Master Nephilim cleared his throat and continued.

“This sword is made from a special liquid metal created by the Lightwing race. If it were just sharpening the blade, this workshop’s whetstone would suffice. But for repairs…”

“Is it difficult?”

“Very. The techniques used to make this metal were kept secret, and there are only a handful of people in the world who still know how to work with it.”

“So… does that mean we’ll need to find one of those people and track them down?”

The idea of searching the world for one of the few remaining people with this knowledge seemed daunting.

“…Heh, you’re lucky to have brought it to me first.”

“Wait, does that mean…?”

“That’s right. I’m one of those few.”

Master Nephilim proudly puffed out his chest.

“Now, I have a small favor to ask in exchange for the repair…”

Here it comes.

“…You’ll change outfits one more time today, right? If possible, could you wear something a bit more daring? Perhaps something like a swim…”

“Understood, I’ll do it.”

“…suit… Wait, really?!”

Master Nephilim, who made the suggestion, looked astonished for some reason.

But I’d already made up my mind about this kind of thing since yesterday.

—If there was something I could do for Reiji-san or Saul-niisama, then I would do it, no matter how embarrassing.

Of course, I only agreed because I could trust Master Nephilim, despite his somewhat questionable tastes.

“Yes… If it will help repair Reiji-san’s sword, I’ll wear a swimsuit or whatever else, no matter how embarrassing, and have my photos taken too…”

“N-no, that’s not what I actually wanted to ask…”

“Hey, Iris, you don’t have to force yourself. I know you’re not comfortable with this.”

“No, Reiji-san always puts his body on the line to help us. If this is what I can do for him, then a little embarrassment is nothing.”

“Iris… I appreciate that.”

Reiji-san smiled at me as he thanked me, and I smiled back.

“Hnnngh… I only meant it as a little joke, that if she hesitated, I’d reveal the real request… How did it end up like this?”

“Nyahaha, those guys are just a bit too straightforward. And Saul who’s supposed to keep them in check isn’t here at the moment, nya.”

“Ugh… It’s not like I can say it was a joke now…”

“Well, well, she’s on board with it, so you should consider yourself lucky. Hehe, ehehe…”

“You… are something else…”

Milly-san and Master Nephilim were engrossed in their conversation over there, and it’s making me a little uneasy… but I’m sure it’s fine. Probably.

“Alright, then. I’ll remove the cloth now. Please, whatever you do, don’t use any magic in the vicinity.”

With that final warning, Master Nephlim slowly removed the cloth covering the blade, while everyone watched intently.

What appears is a pristine, mirror-like white blade of Arventia, seemingly repaired without a flaw.

“It looks perfectly fixed…”

“In appearance only. In reality, the reinforced parts haven’t fully bonded with the blade. Its strength is about that of plaster. The slightest shock could cause it to crumble.”

Upon hearing that, I quickly retract my hand, which I had almost reached out to touch the blade out of curiosity.

“This material is called ‘Luminatrope,’ a substance typically found in liquid form. It’s difficult to work with because the Lightwing race solidified its form into a shape through prayer… in this case, a sword.”

“…So this Arventia, from the hilt to the guard then to the tip of the blade, is a single solid piece of material?”

“Correct. So… if you just want to repair the damage, you can just replenish the lost Luminatrope and then sharpen it again… but that’s not the case.”

“What do you mean?”

“…I’ve patched this Arventia up as much as I could, but it’s in a very unstable state, with the parts that have been fixed into place by the existence of a sword and the pure Luminatrope mixed together. If it continues like this, the sword will no longer be able to hold its form, and it will disintegrate and crumble away.”

“Um… so it’s like I was trying to make mayonnaise, but if it continues like this, the oil and eggs will separate and turn into an unidentifiable liquid, is that how it works?”

“…………You aren’t wrong.”

Ah, I must have made him uncomfortable. I’m really sorry.

“But, there is a way to fully restore the blade.”

“And that is?”

“It’s simple. You need to imbue it with a new prayer, binding the sword to a new existence. Think of the person you want to entrust it to, pour your magic into the blade, and pray.”

“Think of Reiji…”

“It might become stronger, or weaker, depending on your feelings. Will you do it?”

“Yes, I’ll do it.”

This time, I gently touched the blade and closed my eyes…

…and somehow, I realized what I needed to do.

As I focus deeply, images of Reiji-san flash before me—him standing beside me ever since we arrived in this world. Always by my side, always taking the brunt of the fight, even as his body became scarred and worn.

Every time those images flash in my mind, I feel a deep, aching pain in my chest.

Please, protect Reiji-san.

This sword may be called “Save the Queen,” meant to protect me, but more than that, I want it to protect its wielder, Reiji, and help him return safely.

I pour all my prayers into the blade, without stopping, without faltering…

　……

　…………

　………………

“…gh! That’s enough prayer, please stop!”

Master Nephilim’s sudden shout pulled me back to reality. I looked around, realizing that I’d been lost in my thoughts.

Everyone was watching me with concerned expressions.

“I can’t believe how much emotion you poured into it. I was worried it might overload and break.”

“Did I… go too far?”

“Yes, but that just shows how much you care for that young man, doesn’t it? Hahaha!”

Master Nephilim laughed heartily, while I couldn’t bring myself to look up, my face burning with embarrassment.

“T-then, the sword—how is it?!”

I turned to look at Arventia on the table.

Its once pure white blade now has a faint, rainbow-like shimmer, similar to the color of my hair.

“…Mm, its form is completely stable now.”

“So it’s safe to wield?”

Reiji eagerly asked, clearly itching to get his hands on his sword again.

I silently prayed that he won’t be disappointed as he picks it up.

The moment he gripped the handle, his eyes widened. Did it fail? I start to panic.

But then, still silent, he swung the sword in a wide arc. As he did, a rainbow-colored trail of light followed the blade, creating a beautiful, ethereal glow around us.

“Amazing. Just holding it, I can feel the power flowing through me… and it feels…”

He swung the sword a few more times, testing it out.

As he did, his face lit up with joy, and I finally let out a sigh of relief.

“It feels light. Despite being stronger than before, it feels like it was made for me. Like it’s a part of me.”

“Hmm, so that’s how it is…”

Master Nephilim, who was watching the whole thing, threw an amused look toward me.

“Ah, young love. It’s almost too sweet for these old bones.”

His teasing words made my face flush even more, and I couldn’t lift my head.

As I stared down at the floor, completely embarrassed, I felt a large hand gently rest on top of my head.

“Thank you. Now, I can fight again… even if my opponent is him.”

“Please… don’t overdo it.”

“Don’t worry, I understand. I can feel how much you put into this sword, how much you care… Thank you.”

“…Yes, please use it well.”

I smiled at him, letting my feelings show as I entrust the sword to him once again.

Please, let my prayers protect him.

That’s all I can hope for.

Saul

I said I was going to patrol the surrounding area to check for damage… and split off on my own. Now, I was tailing that boy from the player support organization called Shin from above.

At first, I thought I might figure out where their group was staying, but as I followed him, he began heading towards a location that was all too familiar to me. His destination was…

“…The Grand Arena?”

He was walking with confidence toward the Grand Arena, where we were staying. The area was currently off-limits to anyone but staff and special guests due to preparations for the main event. Yet, the boy continued without hesitation.

Finally, he reached the entrance. After showing what seemed to be a pass, he slipped inside without any issue.

There’s no one in our group from Norglacier who wears such a distinctive mask or looks like that handsome boy.

Which means… he’s probably not one of the event staff either. Could he be a representative from another country?

In any case…

“Following him further is impossible, huh.”

I couldn’t just trespass into another nation’s private area without permission. If I wanted to, I’d need to go through the proper channels later. For now, there was nothing more I could do.

Making that decision, I prepared to return to the others. Just as I flapped my wings to gain altitude—

“…Huh?”

The first thing I sensed was a gaze.

But I was floating at a fairly high altitude right now. People tend to be less aware of threats coming from above. Especially during peaceful times. Perhaps someone had spotted me by chance…? Just as that thought crossed my mind—

“?!!”

In the next instant, an overwhelming sense of dread shot through me, as if my heart had been gripped.

Cold sweat broke out, my limbs trembled uncontrollably, and my breathing became difficult, even though I hadn’t done anything.

The pressure I felt lasted only for a moment, but I’d never forget it. It was the same sensation I had felt just under two months ago…

The same feeling when we encountered “him” while trying to return the cub Sirius.

But…

“…He’s gone.”

I murmured, feeling relieved… but also frustrated with myself for being relieved.

No matter how much I scanned my surroundings, I couldn’t see a trace of “him” anymore…

(Author’s Notes)

Arventia Mk.II

In addition to improving the performance of the original Arventia, it now features relaxed equipment restrictions, Auto Regen, Auto Protect, and Auto Shell… something like that. There are other restored functions as well, but those will be revealed later.