Kimi to Boku no Saigo no Senjo, Aruiha Sekai ga Hajimaru Seisen - Volume 6 - Chapter 1

CHAPTER 1 

Where Did We Go Wrong? 

1 

Nebulis Sovereignty. Liesbaden. The eighth state. 

Its urban landscape on the Sovereign border could almost be mistaken for a neutral city. It had flourished under trade with neighboring countries back when it had been an independent state. 

Not even the tiniest speck of litter could be found on the stone paving, over which girls and boys hurried to school. Commuting cars passed by on the roadway next to them. 

However…from the window of the hotel room, one could see the severe expressions of the military police marching down the streets. 

“Hey, Iska? They’re even in the hotel lobby. I think they’re checking to see if any suspicious characters are staying here.” 

“Did they seem suspicious of you, Nene?” 

“Nope. Plus, I slipped upstairs right away.” 

“…If they’d caught you, that’d make you seem like the guiltiest one around,” Iska said, surveying the living room. 

Nene had just returned, now sitting at a chair positioned next to the table. Her bright-red hair had been swept up in a ponytail. Next to her, the silver-haired sharpshooter was adjusting his personal gun. 

…Commander Mismis is out buying lunch. 

…Unit 907 is somehow managing since we entered the Sovereignty a few days ago. 

Two superpowers—the mechanical utopia, the Empire, and the witches’ paradise, the Nebulis Sovereignty—had been locked in a war stretching over a century. 

If it got out that Imperial soldiers had sneaked into Sovereign land, all hell would break loose. It would be only a matter of time until they were rounded up by the military police. 

“Don’t worry too much about it. Their police officers aren’t on the lookout for Imperial units anyway.” Jhin sounded like he was whispering to himself as he wrapped up his inspection of his gun. 

“They don’t have the time to even think about the Empire right now. It’s been four days since the queen was almost assassinated in their palace. And even as the nation remains on high alert, another explosion went off in the eighth state the day before yesterday. Its target? The queen’s associate.” 

That very target was the girl sitting next to Iska. It was more like she was sitting on him. Her slender shoulders pressed against his as her head draped down. 

“Sisbell.” 

“…” The strawberry blonde did not stir. 

She must not have had the energy to muster an answer. 

Sisbell Lou Nebulis IX. 

Unit 907 knew her as “the queen’s associate,” but Iska was the only one privy to the fact that she was the youngest princess of Nebulis. One of their duties as her guards was hiding out in this luxury hotel. 

“I know this weighs heavy on your mind, but you haven’t eaten since yesterday. Try to have a piece of bread,” Iska urged. 

“…I’m not hungry,” she rasped. “I’m entirely fine. I’m calm. Skipping a meal or two is no big deal.” 

“Okay. Let’s forget about yesterday. Just promise me something. Promise me that you’ll eat something when Commander Mismis comes back with lunch.” 

“…” 

“You wanted the Imperial unit as your guards, and we’ve been doing our jobs to the best of our abilities. I need you to show us that you’re trying, too.” 

Sisbell silently nodded. 

Immediately after, she went back to hanging her head, leaning against Iska. 

…Figures. After all, her mother’s life was just in grave danger, and hers was in jeopardy, too. 

…Plus, it’s been radio silence from her attendant. 

Her aide was an older man named Shuvalts. He was the only person other than the queen whom Sisbell allowed in her inner circle. He had left her a message upon reaching the central state four days ago…but nothing since then. 

Had things gone as planned, he should have contacted the queen and communicated a safe route home to Sisbell by now. 

“Anyway, it’s time. We can rethink our strategy when the boss returns,” Jhin muttered under his breath. 

This time, his words were clearly directed at someone. 

“Your attendant must have failed to get an audience with the queen. He was probably stopped right after he got into the central state—before ever making it to the palace.” 

“Are you saying Shuvalts fell into the hands of the enemy?!” Sisbell shot up from her seat. 

Her soft features hardened into a scowl as she glared at Jhin. 

“Y-you swine! That’s impossible! Shuvalts is an excellent spy. He is simply taking his time getting to the palace and—” 

“Our enemy is a monster.” 

“…Gh!” 

“Vichyssoise was her name, right? Your assailant was an inhuman beast. I’m not saying the geezer isn’t some genius or that he’s a failure. Our enemy just sucks . I mean, these people tried to assassinate the queen, and they’re still at large.” 

Sisbell bit her lip. 

The silver-haired sniper continued. “I don’t know the details of the Queen’s Space, but the culprits managed to escape after pulling off a coup in the middle of the royal palace. Which means they must be intimately familiar with the palace. As you said, it’s someone close to the royal family.” 

“…Exactly.” 

“They were going to figure out your plans, one way or the other. I assume they calculated the geezer’s route to the palace.” 

“…” Sisbell didn’t refute him. 

She looked up at the ceiling before sinking into the sofa as though she’d been drained of all power. “…For argument’s sake, what would changing strategies mean in practical terms?” 

“We got two possibilities,” Jhin said immediately. “We can be in the Sovereignty for twenty more days. We could use that time to wait to hear from the old guy. Or we could operate on our own.” 

“Two more days. Today and tomorrow.” 

“Hmm?” Jhin asked. 

Sisbell seemed certain about her choice. 

“We’ll wait two more days. If we don’t hear from Shuvalts by then, we’ll head to the central state on our own. Doesn’t that work for you, Iska?” 

“…That was quick.” 

“We’d agreed to this from the start.” Sisbell offered a bitter smile. “Even if he wasn’t captured by the enemy, we knew he could be dragged into something unexpected. Which is why we had an arrangement—that he had seven days to get back to me.” 

“If I cannot get a hold of you for a week, then—” 

“My lady, do not worry about me, and make your way to the palace. Exercise discretion and be very careful.” 

It had been seven days since Shuvalts’s departure. Even without Jhin’s prompting, the princess would have made the decision on her own. 

“We’ll head out the day after tomorrow. I’ll make arrangements for us to board a train heading to the central state tomorrow, so make plans accordingly.” 

Sisbell glanced at the clock on the wall. It was eleven thirty in the morning. 

“I’m going to take a stroll down the hallway until Commander Mismis returns. Iska, will you accompany me?” 

The two of them headed to the corridor, making their way to the elevator at the end of the hall. Waiting for them two floors up was a familiar brunette. 

“I’ve been waiting for you, Lady Sisbell.” 

“Rin…” 

Alice’s attendant. 

Sisbell’s face immediately clouded over. As Shuvalts was for Sisbell, Rin was a soldier who acted as both guard and intelligence agent for Alice. 

…So Sisbell still doesn’t trust Alice. 

…She must believe Alice might have had something to do with the coup. 

If she still considered her own sister a threat, Sisbell obviously couldn’t let her guard down around her sister’s attendant either. 

“Rin. Don’t you think this is enough? I hate that I must see you twice a day. I might put up with you surveilling me, but I would like to head back to the queen as soon as possible.” 

“Lady Sisbell. I don’t want to offend you, but I’m not surveilling you. I’m guarding you.” 

“As ordered by my sister Alice.” 

“Yes.” 

“Who I don’t fully trust yet.” 

“…” Rin looked uneasy. “…I’ve been entrusted with a message from Her Majesty.” 

“Really? I’ll have you know I won’t tolerate you lying to me. I can reproduce any of your conversations with my astral power.” 

“The message concerns your powers.” Rin lowered her voice to a whisper. 

They were in a hotel corridor. Iska could sense no sign of other people, but someone could pass by without a moment’s notice. 

“Her Majesty said, ‘To persuade our retainers, we need proof that Vichyssoise can transform into a monster.’” 

“And?” 

“She would like a photograph… Imperial swordsman.” 

Rin took out a brand-new video camera that she must have purchased at an electronics shop. She chucked it at Iska. 

“You photograph it. Lady Sisbell can re-create Vichyssoise’s form using her astral power. Document it with the camera.” 

“So you can take it to the palace?” Iska confirmed. 

“Correct. We need a considerable amount of evidence to banish the Hydra—I’ve said too much already. This has nothing to do with you, so there is no need to concern yourself over it.” 

Alice’s attendant stuck her nose in the air, but Sisbell refused to permit such an attitude. 

“Rin. Iska works for me now. I will not allow you to treat him like that.” 

“I technically don’t work for you,” Iska piped up. “I’m just your guard.” 

“Iska pledged to serve me forever. Any slight toward him is a slight to me.” 

“In your dreams!” he shouted. 

“Don’t play me for a fool, Rin. You might be my sister’s attendant, but you’re nothing compared to me.” 

“Humph.” Rin’s eyebrow twitched. 

That must have hit a nerve—since Sisbell had just slighted Alice, albeit indirectly. 

“I do not wish to offend you, Lady Sisbell, but that sounded like you were insulting my lady. And I cannot let that slide.” 

“Rin.” The youngest princess took the video camera from Iska. “Let me take a guess: I bet you’re insecure about your bust size!” 

“Hnghhhh?!” Rin’s whole body jolted as if she’d been electrocuted. 

“It’s been a whole year of the same cup size, even though you’re on the cusp of seventeen. And that makes you anxious. Right?” 

“Wh-wh-wha—?! …Based on what evidence?!” 

“Heh-heh. You can’t hide anything from my astral power—including your late-night activities from the day before.” Sisbell’s face broke out into a victorious smile. 

Rin looked like she was hiding her small chest with her hands. “Y-you nasty little…! Lady Sisbell, I never would have guessed you’re a voyeur—” 

“Your dinner consisted of a mound of shredded lettuce, nuts, and a glass of hot milk. All foods said to make boobs bigger.” 

“…Ugh…uhhh?!” Rin’s face flushed bright red. 

Sisbell pointed the video camera at the attendant. 

“And even later into the night, I was unfortunate enough to witness you engaging in bath-time stretches designed to boost your cup size!” 

“Enooooough!” Rin’s wail echoed down the hotel corridor. 

“It was shocking. I cannot believe you would engage in such behaviors every night.” 

“N-no! You’ve got it wrong! All wrong! I-I was…testing out something I read in a magazine… I was just a little curious…!” 

“I can re-create everything right now. And I even have a camera to record it.” 

“Hraaaaaagh?!” She couldn’t even form words anymore. 

Rin’s face was pushing past red. In fact, she was turning blue. 

Iska was starting to feel sorry for her as he watched from the sidelines. 

…Content aside, this is just plain brutal. What a bone-chilling threat. 

…I get why even their retainers are scared of Sisbell’s astral power. 

She would immediately be able to uncover the culprit of the coup as soon as she entered palace grounds. After all, she was a descendant of the Founder—a force to be reckoned with. 

“Y-you win… P-please keep that to yourself!” 

“As long as you understand. Iska, let’s go,” Sisbell ordered, crossing her arms. 

She turned her back on Rin, who had been sapped of life, then marched toward the elevator. 

“Damn you, Imperial swordsman!” Rin snarled. 

“Ow! H-hey! What do you think you’re doing with that knife?!” 

He’d been stabbed! 

As soon as Sisbell’s gaze had turned elsewhere, Rin had prodded him with a concealed blade. 

“You…you have brought such shame onto me…” 

“This wasn’t my fault!” 

“Shut up! Shut up! Now that you’ve learned my little secret, I’ll make you pay! You better be ready!” 

“What the hell am I paying for?!” 

Iska ran for his life from the teary-eyed attendant. 

2 

Iska’s crew was staying on the ninth floor of the hotel. 

“Curtains are closed. Now nobody can see us from outside. That good enough?” 

“That’ll do.” 

They were crowded near the wall of the living room. Jhin had drawn the window curtains shut. Nene was acting as the cameraman, stabilizing the video camera by the table. 

Commander Mismis was at Sisbell’s side, wearing an expression both immensely curious and incredibly panicked. 

Commander Mismis Klass. 

She stood a full head shorter than Iska, and her face had youthful charm. Anyone would have mistaken her for a teenager… but she was actually twenty-two. 

“You’re not doing anything. Stop fidgeting, boss,” Jhin said. 

“B-but…,” Commander Mismis whined softly. 

Her naivete usually worked to her advantage, but she was acting as defenseless as a kitten in an unfamiliar location right now. 

“Wh-what should I do?” 

“What do you mean? You can’t be oblivious to your astral power forever—or it’ll spell trouble. For me in particular,” Sisbell clarified from next to her. “Not really for you.” 

Though Sisbell was the one in her teens, Mismis’s petite physique made her seem younger between the two. 

“In two days, we will get on a train… Even without the issue with my attendant, the central state is on a whole other level in terms of security. It wouldn’t surprise me if they immediately asked for your identification upon arrival.” 

As Imperial subjects, Iska and the rest of the unit had no way to assert their residency in the Sovereignty. The only loophole was using Mismis, a newly minted witch. 

This had all happened because Mismis had plunged into a vortex, imbuing her with an unknown power called astral energy. 

“The astral crest is our best form of identification. You might be able to skip any questioning, Commander, by showing them your left shoulder.” 

“…Uh-huh.” 

“But there’s one problem! We’ll invite unwanted questions if said astral mage knows nothing of her powers or how to use it.” 

Unit 907 wouldn’t be the only ones in trouble if that happened. It would put Sisbell in a tough spot as the one who had hired them. Had her attendant been around, she might have been able to work around such issues with some clever negotiation techniques, but he was absent at the moment. 

“Just to be clear, I’m a terrible communicator,” Sisbell admitted. 

“Why do you sound like you’re bragging?” 

“W-watch your mouth! Anyway, I’m not very good at talking my way out of situations for other people, so I need you to fend for yourself!” 

Sisbell was going to teach Mismis the basics of astral power so the commander could pretend to be from the Sovereignty. This had been her final request before they boarded the train. 

“…I know I made it sound intense, but I imagine Imperial soldiers know a decent amount about astral power…for better or for worse.” 

In the century-long war, the astral corps and the Human Defense Force had shown each other their hands. 

“You already know what my astral power can do. I guess the best thing I can do is show you a quick demonstration, Commander Mismis.” 

In the middle of the living room, Sisbell’s hand hovered over the buttons of her shirt near her chest. With practiced movements, she undid her topmost one and the one under it. 

“The astral crest can be in any location. Arms and legs are pretty common spots, but it isn’t rare to have one that’s a little more…concealed.” 

The witch princess was loosening the clothes over her chest. Her face started to flush, perhaps because Jhin and Iska were watching. 

In the space just between her collarbone and the top of her chest…glowed a faint crest in the darkened room. 

“Have you heard the voice of your astral power before, Commander?” 

“Huh?” 

“I’m guessing not. It isn’t as loud as a human voice, but I imagine you must hear something when your mind wanders. That’s when you’re awakening as an astral mage.” 

“…” Mismis seemed alarmed. 

“Is there a problem? Do you hate being a witch like me?” Sisbell pressed, tone hardening. “I will not stoop so low as to empathize with an Imperial subject. After all, we aren’t friends. But…” 

The princess gazed at Jhin and Nene before peeking at Iska out of the corner of her eye. 

“If Unit 907 would like to join the Sovereignty, I would be willing to entertain that upon my return to the palace. Just keep that in mind.” 

The purebred planted her hand to her chest. 

“Oh planet, show me your past.” 

The astral light illuminated the space in front of her and converged into one beam. Like a projector, it displayed the image of the witch from the day before yesterday. 

“Didn’t the monster in the palace look a little something like this?” 

The Mutant Star, “Test Subject Vi.” 

The witch’s beguiling cackle echoed through the living room. Violent flames roared, engulfing the redheaded witch before their eyes. 

“Eek!” Mismis yipped, nearly jumping out of her skin. 

Jhin knitted his eyebrows together as Nene opened her eyes wide, holding the camera still. A monster was standing there. 

And this was no human. 

Its red hair had been calcified like a gem. The skin on its entire body was transparent like jellyfish. The night sky could be seen straight through it. 

Vichyssoise. The witch. 

The assassin after Sisbell. A formidable foe whom Iska had narrowly repelled in a vicious battle. 

“Huh? I-is this really just an image?!” 

“More like a three-dimensional reproduction. I’m also mimicking the sounds. Nene, make sure the camera is rolling.” 

“…Uh-huh.” Nene agreed with a sharp nod, hands trembling. 

Beside her, the silver-haired sniper was smiling wanly. 

“This is ridiculously real. Even though you told us exactly what it could do, I can’t believe this is your astral power… Our hologram technology totally pales in comparison.” 

“I was surprised the first time I saw it, too.” 

This was Iska’s second time witnessing this phenomenon. 

Back in the independent state of Alsamira, he had seen it when she’d activated her power against the Object, “summoning” a massive sandstorm of unbelievable scale. It had managed to completely deceive the optical scopes of the autonomous soldier. 

“This is why they’re after me.” Sisbell’s eyes seemed to cloud over. “If I return to the palace, I will be able to expose the culprit in front of everyone. Which must be why they dispatched that witch to stop me.” 

“…I get it now. I mean, it’s amazing.” Nene inhaled deeply, pausing the camera. She had been so enraptured that she had forgotten to breathe. 

“This is the end of the demonstration, Commander.” 

“…Uh, right…” 

“Whether you like it or not, you will eventually hear your astral power. When that happens, you will need to accept or reject it. You should really reflect on what you want to do.” 

Sisbell buttoned up her shirt. Then she walked to the window and threw open the shades. 

“There isn’t much time left for you to consider it.” 

3 

Nebulis Sovereignty. Star Spire. 

The Stardust Skyscraper housed the private chambers of the queen—a century’s worth of queens, in fact, starting with their great ancestor, Nebulis I. 

The ceiling had been crafted from a unique type of glass, and when night fell, one could see the entire sky of stars like a planetarium. 

“I know I said I was relieved to have you back, Alice. After all, we don’t know when they’ll strike next. However…” 

Perched on a luxe bed—much too big for one person—in a thin negligee, the queen let out a loud sigh. 

“…I do not recall asking you to spend the night with me…” 

“Yes, Mother, but I want to do this. We must show the culprit that the Lou are a united front!” 

Alice was sprawled in the bed, also in a negligee. Her cleavage was peeking out as she lay on her back, but the only one there was her mother—nothing to be embarrassed about. 

“Until Sisbell returns, I will stay by your side. Just mother and daughter—no one else!” 

“…Well. I suppose you’re just trying to be helpful, so I’ll allow it.” 

“That’s right. It’s been too long since I’ve spent time in your room. Even lying in your bed like this is a good time.” 

In the corner of the bedroom was a bookshelf stacked with history books and reports on topics concerning the Sovereignty. All of them would have given Alice an instant migraine if she’d tried to read them as a child. 

The other things on the shelves were photo books. 

“…” Alice nonchalantly picked up one of them. 

It wasn’t as though she wanted to look through it. It was kind of just on reflex. She even considered putting it right back on the shelf. 

She already knew its contents by heart, even without flipping through the pages. The book featured photos of Alice when she was a child, as well as with her two sisters, playing with each other and getting along. 

…Am I ten here? Or younger? 

…We were so close back then… 

Had their relationship been ruined by the conclave, which would select the next queen? Alice had a feeling that if they hadn’t had to fight among themselves, they could have remained friendly with each other. 

“There’s nothing interesting in there.” 

“Huh?” Alice hadn’t been expecting to hear such force from her mother, especially when the princess was visibly distressed. 

What could the queen mean? Her comment made Alice flip through the book out of curiosity. She gasped quietly. 

“…What’s this?” 

It didn’t contain photographs of the three sisters…but an old, faded image of a short-haired girl who looked like Alice but less emotive. 

“That’s me. Back when I belonged to the astral corps…over thirty years ago.” 

“Back from those days…” 

This wasn’t a photo book of her and her sisters. That explained her mother’s cryptic comment from earlier, though Alice found its contents now extremely interesting. 

…I have never seen these photos before. 

…I wonder if they’re from the battlefield? 

On the rocky ruins, her mother stood next to a man with white hair. His chiseled features were turned away from the camera, and he appeared visibly annoyed, as if he hadn’t wanted his picture taken. 

He wasn’t part of the astral corps. 

The one thing over his muscular chest was a coat. There was only one man who dressed like this. 

“…Salinger?!” 

Alice still remembered his face, down to the details. 

It was all because Iska and Rin had been locked in a brutal fight against this exact transcendental sorcerer, who had managed to break out of prison in Alcatroz. 

She was shocked to find he hadn’t changed in thirty years. More shocking was the fact that her mother was pictured next to him. 

…Why? 

…This sorcerer is the rotten criminal who attacked Nebulis VII thirty years ago. 

Why was he pictured with the current queen? They looked almost as though they were military buddies. 

“Mother?” 

“As I said, there’s nothing interesting in there.” The queen heaved out a heavy sigh from the bed, glancing at the photo book. “We used to be close. That’s all—though it may seem laughable to you now.” 

Used to be close…? It didn’t seem as if they were in a rocky relationship in the picture. It was impossible to tell what events had transpired after the photo was taken. 

“We were sparring partners.” 

“Hmm?” Alice said. 

“That man, as you know, can steal astral powers. He used to come after mine, and I would block him—for many a time.” 

“…Uh-huh?” 

It hadn’t been just once? Why hadn’t she tried to capture the sorcerer after the first time? 

“At the time, I convinced myself that it would be a waste to apprehend him.” 

“…Meaning…?” 

“I wanted someone I could really go up against.” 

“Ngh!” 

“Someone who I could show my uninhibited strength and take it . In my youth, I was blindly focused on building my strength to bring carnage down on the Imperial forces. He was the worst kind of beast, making him the perfect challenger and rival.” 

“? ” The hand holding the photo book started to tremble. 

…I— 

…Mother…I feel… 

Alice wished she could scream. 

I feel the same way. 

“A ruffian who doesn’t treat me like I’m special. That’s the way you should be.” 

“You considered me a rival, too.” 

In the endless war with the Empire…in the claustrophobic construct of the conclave…mother and daughter were seeking someone to chase away their dull days. 

In that way, they were the same. 

Alice wanted to bellow out the swordsman’s name from the pits of her heart. 

“But that was my mistake .” 

Her mother’s words stung. Her thorny confession fettered the name that had nearly escaped Alice’s mouth and made her feel like it shot her in the chest. 

“You know what happened, Alice.” 

“…” 

Thirty years ago, Salinger had infiltrated the palace to become a presence “greater than the queen herself” and struck Nebulis VII. The one who had repelled his assault and caged him in prison was none other than Nebulis IIX. 

In other words, the queen in front of Alice—Mirabella. 

“The final fight was brutal. Even among our duels, it was the most banal and debased of them all.” 

“…But I thought he was your perfect rival?” 

“Not in our last battle. It wasn’t what I wanted.” The queen stretched out her hand, plucking the book from Alice’s hands and storing it back on the shelf as if to say, That’s enough . “Our duels were something beyond our respective social standings. Our astral powers were at our peak. We were stubborn. That’s what I liked.” 

“? ” 

“In the end, he became a felon by assailing the seventh queen. And I had to purge him as the princess. It became good against evil. Convict versus the police. I regret that our relationship became something that was so…normal.” 

The queen lay facedown on the bed. She buried her head in a pillow. 

“Alice.” 

“Yes?” 

“You stopped that man in the thirteenth state. Did he say anything to you?” 

“…Uh… Hmm.” Alice sorted through her memories in a fluster. 

The transcendental sorcerer had been apprehended by Princess Aliceliese, according to the public report. In actuality, the one who had engaged in battle with him was the former Saint Disciple Iska. 

…I didn’t get a chance to talk to Iska then. 

…What did Rin tell me again? 

Rin had reported her full conversation with the sorcerer. If there was a part that raised brows… 

“She isn’t the one to fear in the Nebulis line. You haven’t even noticed the true monster created by the Founder’s bloodline. How pitiful.” 

“Huh?!” 

“What’s wrong?” 

“N-nothing…!” Alice lied, but she didn’t think the pounding in her chest would calm anytime soon. 

It hadn’t even registered back then, but now she knew. Now that she’d heard the firsthand account of Vichyssoise, Alice knew what it was. 

…A true monster created by the Founder’s bloodline? 

…Is that Vichyssoise from the Hydra? 

Rin had told her the witch had turned into a beast, something inhuman. 

A fiend born from the Hydra, coming from the bloodline of the Founder. That was exactly what Salinger had said. 

…It was like…a prophecy. 

…Why would an imprisoned sorcerer be able to foretell the appearance of Vichyssoise? 

Sweat beaded on her face. 

This was all part of a scheme undetected by the Lou. 

Somewhere without the queen and Alice, there was a secret plot in motion. That had just cemented in Alice’s mind. 

Where could the prisoner at large be right now? With what goal in mind had he escaped from behind bars? 

“…” 

Something beeped on the table next to the bed, indicating an incoming call. 

“…It’s not mine. Alice, it’s for you.” 

“Rin?” 

An emergency call at this time of night? What could have happened? 

“Rin, what’s wrong?” 

“My apologies for disturbing you at this hour. I wanted to report that Lady Sisbell has just retired to her quarters. And one other matter: She intends to head to the central state tomorrow as planned.” 

The queen nodded from beside Alice. The princess placed the device on the bed so they could both listen to it. 

“Her train number and seat are just as I reported to you this afternoon. I will travel with them in hiding, and she will also have her guards.” 

“…All four of them, right?” 

“Yes. Mercenaries she hired in the independent state of Alsamira.” 

Well, an Imperial unit, but they were trying to keep that detail from the queen. This whole thing did not sit right with Alice, but she could trust Iska to act as Sisbell’s guard while they traveled. 

…I don’t like that Sisbell is clinging onto him. 

…But it’ll all be over tomorrow. 

They could finally put an end to this when Sisbell arrived in the central state. All outstanding issues would be resolved. The culprit of the coup and the mystery of Vichyssoise would be instantly confirmed with her powers. 

“Rin,” said the queen. 

“Yes, Your Majesty?” 

“Thank you for the report. I will put my direct reports on standby at the terminal tomorrow, so please tell Sisbell to leave from the fourth gate.” 

“Yes, Your Majesty. If that is all—” 

The communication cut off. Placing the silent device back on the table, Alice let out a soft sigh. 

…There are so many things on my mind—from the coup to Salinger’s cryptic comment. 

…But we need to wait until tomorrow. 

She needed to be patient until her sister returned. 

Come tomorrow, these mysteries would be solved.