CONTINUED
Dance of the Sun, Moon, and Stars
1
The Nebulis palace.
The Moon Spire stretched up as though to pierce the night sky. It served as the residence of the Zoa family, descendants of the Founder. Those serving in the palace were attendants who stood by their ideals.
The fourth floor of the Moon Spire.
Six men and women stood in the Moon Shadow: the secret room marked off by four layers of walls. Among those six humans was a beast lying on the ground.
The astral beast. Carbuncle.
Foxlike with a pomegranate pelt. It normally lived deep in the planet, never to appear on the surface. They couldn’t be domesticated.
Or so it was said.
“There, there. Aren’t you a little one? Good job catching the scent. I see…the blast in the queen’s room seems to undoubtedly have been caused by the Hydras.”
It seemed there was one exception to the rule. The House of Zoa. Beast tamers.
Not even Queen Nebulis IIX knew that an astral beast was being kept as a pet.
Carbuncle could track the scent of astral energy, like a police dog.
The astral beast had already sniffed out the culprit of the assassination plot several days ago.
“Boy, you’ve made an uncharacteristic blunder. To think you allowed yourself to become a suspect in the queen’s assassination attempt.”
“Hm, you’re being so harsh, grandmother.” Lord Mask leaned against the wall. “I thought it would have been even more entertaining to obediently let them collar me. That’s all it is. As long as we have the astral beast, we will be able to find the culprit immediately. Although, I did have my own guess.”
“Lord Talisman, how would you suggest we deal with the Zoa?”
“This is a serious affair. Allow me to manage it.”
The Hydra family’s head. Talisman, the Wave.
That fence-straddler always took a neutral position between the Lou and Zoa. Ever since he had been so forthright about that, Lord Mask had gotten a full picture of the story.
“The House of Hydra has made its move. The faction under the water’s surface for nearly a century has thrown their hat into ring.”
He started to address the elder who sat in a wheelchair at the center of the six people.
That was the Zoa family’s head: Growley, the Sin, someone who held astral powers of an incredibly specialized countering variety.
Over seventy, the woman could no longer move her legs due to an injury sustained by the Imperial forces. However, the glint in her eyes was filled with life.
“Do you believe they are challenging us?” she rasped “We rouse ourselves with rage and gain revenge with composure. We scorned those three sisters, our enemies in the conclave after the retirement of Mirabella Lou Nebulis IIX. We hadn’t considered the House of Hydra would make a bid.”
“Exactly,” Lord Mask continued. “The Hydra used a drastic measure. By putting suspicion of the assassination on us, they’re trying to force us out of the conclave. An intense and double-edged plan.”
They had to be confident. They believed they could still win even after failing at their scheme to assassinate the queen .
“There is no doubt that the next conclave will be the fiercest one to date. There is no doubt that the strongest candidate for queen in the House of Lou is the middle princess. However, with the Hydra, this has become a good opportunity for us.”
Lord Mask put out his hand to pat the black hair of a petite girl.
“Isn’t that right, Kissing?”
“……”
Kissing Zoa Nebulis. A purebred. Witch of Thorns.
She was dressed in doll-like clothing, and her eyes were covered just as when Iska had met her.
“It may almost be time for you to remove those blinders.”
“…Really?”
“Yes, of course. We’ll have you use your powers as much as you wish.” The masked man spoke in a soft voice. “Before we destroy the Empire. Out of necessity, we will eliminate the star and sun. It is time for the moon to shine.”
2
Then dawn began to break.
For forty years, the Sovereignty had looked the same. The central state was illuminated by the sunrise. Mirabella Lou Nebulis IIX kept watch of the streets.
The queen’s room felt chilly, though it wasn’t cold enough for her breath to turn white.
“…This never used to happen.”
Her skin formed goosebumps from the cold. She knew she was on the decline, though she had never imagined it would actually happen.
Back in her teens, she had feared nothing. As a girl, she had been at her peak as an astral mage, going to the battlefield only to fight for her homeland.
If there had been one exception…
“ Mira, you’re not fit to be queen.”
“Why, Salinger? Why…did you come all the way here to tell me that?!”
“You’re a fool. You’ve got to become crueler. Otherwise, you cannot become a witch.”
“…No. Let’s not do that.”
That had occurred thirty years ago. She was no longer a girl, but a mother. The queen.
On that day, in this room, she had exchanged those words with Salinger. She would stop recalling the battle of life and death that had transpired there.
Right now…she needed to focus on two matters.
First, the war with the Imperial forces. Her policy on that had not changed.
Second, making sure Aliceliese is coronated as queen in the conclave.
She had never told anyone of the latter goal, but she was adamant about it.
“I’m sorry, Elletear and Sisbell. I know you’re both excellent. But you aren’t fit for this role…”
The queen had to be powerful.
She required the power to defend herself when assassins from the Imperial forces approached. The only one of the three sisters who fulfilled that requirement was Aliceliese. Neither Elletear nor Sisbell had astral powers fit for battle.
In particular, Elletear’s astral powers were the weakest . Around the palace, it was rumored that they were worthless.
“But it is all right. You are fine ladies. I want you to support Alice as aides to the queen…”
For that purpose, she would eliminate whatever got in the way. She needed to root out the ones who had planned the coup and expel them from the royal family.
“……”
Clack…
Clack…
The sound of clinking pebbles came from every corner. This was nothing new. It echoed through the place all night.
The walls were getting patched up.
This castle was the “Planetary Stronghold,” created by their powers a century ago. Astral essences inhabited the walls, spontaneously mending any flaws when recharged with energy.
“But the traces of the explosion will disappear.”
The culprit knew that. Because the room would spontaneously recover, they could no longer identity the type of attack that had been launched.
…Alice’s report says Vichyssoise was the one who targeted Sisbell… In that case, the Hydra are after me.
It wouldn’t take long for the evidence to disappear completely with the room’s full restoration.
“Sisbell, that’s exactly why I need you. Please come home safe.”
The queen needed Alice to win. That was her condition for victory.
“And the next conclave will be—”
3
“The Lou. The queen thinks they’ll win.”
“If that girl just comes home?”
“Yes. That is what I wanted to discuss. You arrived at exactly the right time.”
He settled deep into a seat. Holding up a porcelain coffee cup as though to give a toast, the burly man cheerfully raised his voice.
He was the head of the Hydra household, Talisman.
In a terrace under the blinding sun, he wore a formal white suit. With his chiseled features, sharp looks, and immaculate gray hair, he exuded charm.
However…it paled in comparison to that of the woman who had appeared in the Solar Spire’s balcony.
“Good morning, Elletear, my dear.”
“Good morning to you, Lord Talisman. It is an honor to be invited to morning tea.”
The eldest princess Elletear smiled.
Showered by morning sunlight, her emerald hair glittered more than any jewel.
Her skin was pearlescent. Her cleavage generously peeked out from her wide neckline.
“Care for some black tea? Or do you still only drink water?”
“I will ask for hot water.”
“All right then. Prepare the best water. Ice thawed from the sacred Diana mountain… You there.”
An attendant waiting behind Talisman bowed.
“—Come to think of it…” Elletear sat down elegantly, facing the gentleman in the suit. “I heard there was a festival last night in Liesbaden, Lord Talisman. Was it the thing in question?”
“It seems she has failed.” The head of the family sipped from his coffee cup.
He was not taking that action to hide his anxiety or rage. His composed tone communicated this was nothing more than an enjoyable after-meal coffee.
“It seems your sister has excellent guards. I never would have imagined they would be able to turn the tables on Vichyssoise. It’s hard to swallow.”
“She does? Oh, that is the first I have heard of it.” Accepting the cup served to her, Elletear blinked at him.
Her surprise was a rare reaction, as the princess was known for being exceptionally perceptive.
“What to do? How should we deal with Vichyssoise? If they inspect her body, I’m sure many things will be exposed.”
“I suggest feigning ignorance.”
“Oh?”
“They will not be able to conclude she is Imperial Test Subject Vi from observing her flesh. And if you try to protect her, you will be suspected by the queen. Oh, and the Zoa.”
She sipped the boiled water. She blew on her cup.
“The Zoa are a spiteful bunch,” she said. “Lord Mask may even suspect me. Ooh. Scary.”
“It is your way of doing things. That was bound to happen.”
He placed his coffee cup on a saucer, crossing his besuited legs. Then, he leaned forward ever so slightly.
“You heard of the phrase ‘a beauty at every angle’? By pleasing everyone, they become trusted by no one.”
“I know.”
“How many angles do you have?”
“Three.” The beauty placed her teacup onto the table. “The Empire, the Zoa, and the Hydra. If I were to give a breakdown in percentages, it would be forty, ten, and fifty percent.”
“……”
“Is something the matter?”
“Always the bold one.” Talisman let a snicker escape from his lips. “Also, the House of Lou seems to be—”
“Oh, please, my Lord. I only speak the truth,” she said delightedly, as though this was amusing to her.
The devilish beauty put her hands to her blushing cheeks and broke into a smile.
“But, my lord, about the matter you were concerned about—about Sisbell.”
Elletear continued to smile as she uttered her sister’s name.
“It would be bad for both of us if Sisbell returned, Lord Talisman.”
“Ah yes. Especially after what occurred in the queen’s room—”
“I am thinking of reining in Sisbell. Would you allow me to handle this?”
“You?” Talisman narrowed his eyes.
This came as a surprise. The eldest princess was trying to step out from behind the scenes.
“Because I know her the best.” She put her hand to her plush chest.
Her eyes were gentle and elicited affection from anyone who looked into them.
“Now, my lord. That girl has formidable guards. Guards that defeated Vichyssoise. Do you know the best way to make her feel despair?”
“To deal with those guards first? Don’t you think that’s cliché?”
“Indeed.”
“And?”
“We will steal those guards from her.”
She lowered her voice. Even Talisman could not hear her though he was right in front of her.
“Iska…the former Saint Disciple, huh? I would like to meet him.”
“Iska?”
“Oh nothing, just talking to myself. I have a habit of doing that when I’m enjoying things.”
“How can we steal her guards? With money?”
“I will determine the method. Something delightful. If I am able to make them mine, I think that would be so splendid… Did I say too much?”
She smiled bashfully as though she were embarrassed. That little grin would make any man hers. It even worked on young maidens. It spoke volumes of her beauty.
“I mean, it’s unfair. My mother and Alice have strong astral powers. Even Sisbell was blessed with something good and acquired powerful guards. But I am the only one with nothing. ”
“Oh? I suppose it’s a little sibling rivalry.”
“It’s the secret to enjoying this world. I would like to live with envy, rage, longing, and every kind of emotion in my chest. I would like to enjoy myself.”
Talisman was composed. The girl with emerald hair observed him. The corners of her lips curled up.
“Isn’t that what a witch is?”
No Comments Yet
Post a new comment
Register or Login