Chapter 17: Agnas, the Sacred Flame Emperor

“The third branch exists within the Duchy of Levian.”

That single piece of information, wrung from Baron Nacht’s own mouth, had propelled their mission forward by a decisive step.

No one could yet tell how far the Dragon God Cult’s plans had progressed. Precisely because of that uncertainty, it was better to strike sooner rather than later. Every branch destroyed was a future calamity prevented.

And yet, instead of heading straight for the ducal lands, Al and Estella first returned to the Imperial Capital.

By a twist of fate—or perhaps inevitability—Al had deep ties to the Duchy of Levian. Connections like those were not meant to be left unused.

Several days later, the two stood within the Imperial Palace.

Their first objective was, of course, to share the intelligence they had obtained. Their second was to secure Seles’s cooperation. For that, they would need the approval of the Sacred Flame Emperor, Agnas Ill-Luxion himself.

Al and Estella sat upon a lavish sofa, while across the table, the Sacred Flame Emperor occupied his seat, his presence alone filling the room.

After hearing their report, the emperor stroked his magnificent beard and spoke.

“Hmmm… To think Baron Nacht was a follower of the Dragon God—nay, even a candidate for their leadership…”

His reaction was measured, but the weight in his voice betrayed a simmering anger beneath the surface.

“His judgment can wait for later. First, we must destroy the cult’s branch and crush their schemes. …Had this been mere reporting, a letter would have sufficed. You did not come here only for that. You wish to negotiate something directly with me, do you not?”

“Yes. To be blunt, we came today to borrow Selestaria. The Duchy of Levian is her homeland—she knows the land well, and her presence will allow us to coordinate smoothly during the assault.”

“…Do you have any objections, Leon?”

The emperor cast a brief glance toward the knight standing behind him.

He was the captain of the Imperial Guard. His lion-like bearing alone made it clear why he was fit to command the elite.

“None whatsoever. On the contrary, fighting alongside a court mage would be excellent training. I believe she should go.”

“…So he says.”

It seemed they would be allowed to “borrow” Seles.

Al inclined his head toward the knight-captain.

“You have my thanks, Captain of the Imperial Guard.”

“Think nothing of it. If you like, you can take a few more guards along as well.”

“I’ll pass. This time, a small, elite force will suffice.”

“Hahaha. Understood.”

The Sacred Flame Emperor allowed a faint smile to touch his lips.

“This is good news for you, Estella. Your efforts over these past years are finally bearing fruit.”

“It’s all thanks to this little brat here. I can only thank Your Majesty for introducing me to Al. Truly, I’m grateful.”

“Think nothing of it. Your medicines have saved us more times than I can count.”

“Kah, kah, kah‼ For an apothecary, there is no greater joy than that.”

Estella’s potions supported the sick and wounded throughout the castle without fail. She was no mere mad scientist of a loli elf—far from it.

After conveying the finer details of their upcoming operation, the two took their leave.

Estella headed straight for her private chambers within the castle, while Al made his way toward the rear gardens.

◇◇◇

The Imperial Guard’s training grounds lay within the palace grounds.

That afternoon, the area had been reserved exclusively for the Orise Squad.

Squad Captain Orise was locked in a fierce exchange of blades with a newly enlisted recruit.

“Not bad at all, Selestaria! I like that sword of yours—always have!”

“I’m honored! I still can’t compare to you yet, Captain!”

“Hahaha! I’d be in trouble if you surpassed me that easily!”

Several minutes later, Selestaria lay sprawled on her back, arms and legs spread wide. As the echoes of clashing steel faded, she gazed up at the crystal-clear sky.

“Phew… training is the best…”

(I’m really glad I became an Imperial Guard.)

To cool Seles’s overheated body, the captain gently placed a canteen against her forehead.

“Drink, Selestaria. During training, the inside of your armor turns into a steam bath. Regular hydration is essential.”

“Th-thank you very much.”

Selestaria pushed herself upright and quenched her parched throat.

Orise spoke to her softly as she did so.

“Have you gotten used to the squad yet?”

“Yes. Thanks to you. Since everyone here is the same gender, I became close with my comrades right away.”

“I see. A smooth start, then.”

Including the captain, the entire squad was composed solely of women. This wasn’t by design—just a coincidence of assignments. Until two or three years ago, male knights had served here as well.

It seemed like the sort of thing that might cause trouble, yet surprisingly, it hadn’t. In fact, the squad had grown so capable that they were now entrusted exclusively with guarding the Empress and the Imperial Princess.

Seles murmured quietly.

“I can never thank you enough for taking me in, Orise-sama.”

“The one who should be grateful is me. To think such a promising recruit would join my squad—what a blessing. The other captains must be drowning in regret by now. At tomorrow’s captains’ meeting, I’ll be attending with my head held high. Hahaha!”

She looked up at her boisterous superior with eyes full of respect.

As though she were gazing at a benefactor who had changed her life.

◇◇◇

—Let us turn back the clock a little.

Several days after passing the entrance exam, Seles had come to the Imperial Palace to sign her contract.

As she followed a clerk’s instructions and guided a quill across the parchment, the captain of the Imperial Guard entered the room.

“K-Knight-Captain?!”

“Apologies for interrupting during your paperwork.”

At first, it felt like a surprise visit, but on closer inspection, the captain’s expression held a trace of apology.

…After hearing him out.

“My assignment hasn’t been decided yet…?”

“Yes. I’m truly sorry, but your posting has not yet been determined.”

Seles had a rough idea why.

First, she was the future head of one of the Empire’s Four Great Ducal Houses—one that could silence even crying children. Should she be injured, backlash would come from every direction.

Second, her swordsmanship deviated from orthodox Imperial style. She practiced her own school, something generally regarded as heretical and far from praised.

No matter how much of a prodigy she was—even having defeated Barnes—the risks involved in accepting her were simply too great to ignore.

In other words—

“I’m… what you’d call ‘problematic,’ aren’t I?”

“…If I were a squad captain, I would have raised my hand immediately. The captains these days lack guts. Guts, I tell you.”

“Ah… ahaha…”

Seles could only offer a strained smile.

Just then, someone knocked on the door.

“This is Orise.”

“Permission to enter granted.”

The visitor was none other than Squad Captain Orise.

Seles recognized her at once.

(She was one of the captains overseeing the entrance exam.)

The knight-captain asked,

“What brings you here?”

“I heard a rumor that the new recruit everyone’s talking about was here.”

In the awkward silence, Seles raised her hand timidly.

“Um… that would be me.”

“So you’re Selestaria. I hear you still haven’t been assigned to a squad?”

“Yes… embarrassingly so.”

Then Orise delivered a shocking proposal.

“Then why not join my squad?”

“Eh?”

The knight-captain immediately cut in.

“Didn’t you refuse to take in new recruits before? Why do you want her now?”

“I served as an examiner alongside the great criminal Barnes. I thought she might despise me for that, so I withdrew my application with great reluctance.”

“I see. That explains it.”

Unable to forgive herself for failing to notice her colleague’s descent—and wracked with guilt toward Seles—Orise had withdrawn early.

Then, upon hearing that Seles still had no assignment, she must have rushed here without a second thought.

Orise once again extended her offer.

“Well? If you don’t hate me, I’d love for you to join my squad.”

Seles answered before the words had fully left Orise’s mouth.

“Really?! I’d be honored!”

“Hahaha. Of course. Recruits as promising as you are are always welcome.”

…That was how Seles came to join the Orise Squad.

◇◇◇

The Orise Squad had entered yet another break—how many it was, no one could say.

Everyone slumped over in exhaustion, except for Orise, who didn’t seem to have broken a sweat.

“Come on now. If you’re this pathetic, none of you will ever get married~”

Because it was an all-female squad, the captain could get away with teasing like that—and the complaints came instantly.

“Captain Orise!”

“That’s something we agreed you wouldn’t say!”

“And you’re still single yourself, Captain!”

“Hahaha. I’m fine, I’m fine. Any day now, a prince on a white horse will come to sweep me away.”

At that painfully maidenly fantasy, the squad collectively sighed.

Then the captain cast a sideways glance at Seles.

“Come to think of it… there’s one among us who’s already engaged, isn’t there?”

“Eh—m-me?!”

All eyes turned toward Seles, brimming with curiosity.

Starved for romance, the she-wolves closed in on her inch by inch.

“Selestaria-chan, why don’t you tell your big sisters all about your sweeeet fiancé?”

“So it’s true you’re seeing that court mage, huh?”

“And they say he’s tall and handsome?”

“Sneaking ahead all by yourself isn’t fair, you know~”

The squad’s rowdy excitement reached its peak.

Orise issued a merciless command.

“Capture Selestaria‼”

““““UOOOOOO‼””””

“Kyaaaaa! Why meeeee?!”

—and just then.

“I heard Seles was here, so I came to see—”

Al arrived with impeccable timing.

Everyone froze, mouths hanging open as they stared at him.

“…Was this a bad time? My apologies. I’ll take my leave, then.”

As he turned on his heel—

A puff-cheeked Seles came charging at him at full speed.

“Don’t abandon your fiancée, you heartless jerk‼”

“Eh? Wasn’t that just training?”

“What kind of training do you think that was?!”

The idiot couple, it seemed, was operating as usual.