PROLOGUE 1
A Sky of Shrouded Stars
The continental railroad cut across the land. As the express train raced toward the Empire, the largest territory in the world, a girl with fair blond hair pressed her hand against the window while watching the scenery pass by.
“ ”
Her sweet, serene face appeared dignified when viewed from the side. Her hair fluttered in the evening winds coming in through the slightly ajar window.
It was a picturesque scene.
If an artist happened to pass by, without a doubt, they would have made a gallant display of producing a canvas to sketch the girl.
However…
It wasn’t as though a painter would happen upon her during a trip like this. Instead, an entirely different person appeared before her…
“Lady Alice, I have a report for you.” An elderly servant by the name of Shuvalts had walked to her from the next train car over. The man dressed in a suit whispered so only she could hear. “The Founder has appeared in the Empire.”
“…Just as we thought.”
“It seems likely the Empire’s seventh checkpoint was destroyed and that her battle against the Imperial forces has begun. The entire area is presently on high alert.”
“…Yes, of course they would be.”
She hadn’t made it in time.
Aliceliese Lou Nebulis IX gritted her back teeth, frustrated by the whole situation.
……This is like the dictionary definition of worst-case scenario.
……The Founder is wasting no time in burning down the Empire.
The Empire was supposed to be her enemy. In fact, as a princess of the Nebulis Sovereignty, Alice’s greatest wish was to overthrow the Empire. However, the Founder was taking it too far.
The Founder—a witch of antiquated beliefs—was likely to raze anything or anyone who got in her way along with the Empire, whether they were an Imperial or not. That would mean neutral cities in the vicinity would become casualties of her destruction as well. Untold harm would befall bystanders, which would never lead to the peace Alice wished for.
……And Rin and Sisbell are both in the Imperial capital right now.
……If the Founder lays siege to the capital, they will end up victims as well. This is no joking matter!
There was another person there as well—the swordsman Alice considered her rival was also in the capital.
“…If she touches a hair on Iska’s head, I won’t forgive her—even if she’s the Founder.”
“Excuse me?”
“Oh, it’s nothing,” she responded to the elderly servant and coughed to clear her throat. In any case, the Founder’s attack on the capital would pose enormous problems.
“Shuvalts.”
“Yes, Your Highness?”
“I know I’ve said this time and time again, but this will be the last: I will stop the Founder.”
“And the Zoa as well—I know.”
“Yes. I will command them in Her Majesty’s place. And if they do not listen, I shall bring them back by force—even if I must tie them up with a rope and drag them back to the Sovereignty.”
At that very moment, Alice was serving as the queen’s proxy. Second in command only to the queen, she had the right to issue orders, and it was within her jurisdiction to give compulsory orders even to the royal family.
……Though the Zoa surely will not comply.
……I am facing Lord Mask, after all.
The Zoa family had all but declared they would annihilate the Empire. Unlike Alice, who wished for the mere disposal of the Imperial regime, the Zoas sought to wipe the Empire from existence. They wished for a full-scale war that would annihilate the nation.
The Zoas, who had waited all this time for the Founder’s awakening, would never allow this opportunity to escape them. Even if Alice attempted to stop them, they would likely resort to any means to fulfill their plans.
“The situation seems like it will pose some difficulty…”
She released a soft sigh and raised her face to look out the window once more.
“ ”
“Lady Alice, you were looking outside earlier as well. Is something the matter?”
“It’s just the sky.”
To be more accurate, she was gazing at the blanket of clouds obscuring the night sky.
The disquieting sight of the black clouds…
The twinkling stars were obscured, which gave her a sense of foreboding. A sky of shrouded stars simply put her on edge. On this night, Alice’s heart pounded especially quickly.
……Is it from nerves?
……Because I need to fight against the Founder?
She didn’t know.
All she knew was that as she approached the Empire, her unease grew.
But what was it?
What was this anxiety?
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