CHAPTER 2
Call Me Elletear
1
Nebulis Sovereignty. Central state.
The terminal station, Sacraris Nebulica.
The passengers aboard the train could catch a glimpse of its ice-white dome.
Sisbell stared out the window, perched in the middle seat of a three-seater. To disguise her identity, she was in glasses, with her hair swept up into a ponytail like Nene’s.
…Guess you can’t disguise cute.
…She’s already been hit on three times during this train ride.
Across from her, Iska was hiding behind nonprescription glasses. He wore a shirt he’d bought in the Sovereignty, and his astral swords were in arm’s reach, stored in a golf bag.
“Iska ,” Nene said. “All clear in the fourth car. Jhin? How’s it looking on your end? ”
“All good in the second car. Only issue is this kid, who’s been wailing in my ear, but I haven’t seen anyone suspicious. How’s the front, boss?”
“… Nom nom… Uh-huh. This barbecue sandwich is delicious.”
“I’m not asking about your lunch.”
“Th-that was obviously just a joke! Everything is fine. The operator has kept his composure, and there hasn’t been anything weird going on.”
“Keep your head in the game. This is the final day. If we wrap this up quick, our mission will be over in a few hours. Then we can get the hell out of this country.” Jhin’s voice came over the earphone.
Iska and Sisbell were in the third car. Jhin and Nene were in the cars sandwiching them. Commander Mismis was on standby in the front.
…Plus Rin.
…She should be somewhere on this train under Alice’s orders.
“We will be arriving shortly,” announced the strawberry blonde, turning toward him slowly, as if she could read his mind. “The queen’s envoy should be waiting at the fourth gate. Arrangements have been made for me to ride in her car back to the royal palace.”
“Can you trust this envoy?”
“Yes.” She nodded before lowering her voice. “She’s Shuvalts’s cousin—an older woman named Swan.”
“…Sure.”
“Shuvalts’s family has served us for generations. But such a thing has never happened in our care. How could I even begin to apologize about Shuvalts to Swan…?”
They still had not received word back from Sisbell’s attendant. They had confirmed through the queen’s message—received via Rin—that he had not yet arrived at the palace.
…I’m certain something happened to him.
…I suspect Vichyssoise from the Hydra. Or Lord Mask of the Zoa.
There were three Nebulis bloodlines.
Before he had come to serve as Sisbell’s guard, Iska hadn’t imagined there was such a bloody feud for the throne.
…I’m sure Sisbell will continue to fight for it even after she gets back to the palace.
…Not that it should concern an Imperial soldier like me.
In a few more hours, Iska and Sisbell would become enemies once again, returning to their relationship as an Imperial soldier and a witch princess. Just like Iska and Alice.
“Just to confirm, we only need to bring you close enough to the royal palace to see it.”
“Yes, but I’ll give this to you now.”
“?”
“Half of the promised reward.”
Sisbell produced a paper package from her handbag. It was about small enough to hide within Iska’s two hands.
“Adhesives made of Nebula, which blocks astral energy. As long as it doesn’t naturally loosen from your skin, it’ll be effective. I’d recommend switching it out once a week, however. I only have twenty on hand, so that’s all I can give you.”
“…”
“I have the remaining half of your reward. I will give this to you once we reach the palace.”
It was a handwritten note that detailed how to acquire Nebula, which was required to make the adhesive, and a list of merchants who would undertake requests to make the product. Both were required for Commander Mismis to continue life in the Empire.
“…Are you sure?” Iska asked.
“It isn’t a problem if you know this information. In fact, I wouldn’t mind giving this to you now.” There was the hint of a smile on her face. “I know you’re not the type to betray me as soon as you’re granted your reward. Your friends, too.”
“…I don’t know what to say.”
“Iska.” Her eyes—speckled gold—stared into his soul. Her glossy lips were about to part to say something…
“We will arrive at the terminal shortly.”
With the announcement, the train clacked, dropping speed and chugging into the looming dome.
“Iska,” Nene called out. “We’re here.”
“We’re heading out, boss.”
“W-wait! Wait! Where’d I put my ticket?”
Nene, Jhin, and Commander Mismis were making their way to the third car. Sisbell got to her feet when she saw them, and Iska followed her, carrying her suitcase and his own astral swords in the golf bag.
The first floor of the terminal was lined with luxury stores, like the inside of a palatial department store. With its travelers and businessmen, it could almost be mistaken for a station in the Empire.
“Iska, this way, please.” Sisbell strolled straight through the sprawling station. It seemed all too easy to get lost in here. “The fourth gate is that way. It’s closest to the palace, so there are reserved spaces for the royal family’s private cars.”
“And the envoy’s supposed to be there?”
“Yes, and—eek?!” Sisbell shrieked quietly.
When she’d turned to face Iska, she’d failed to notice the woman walking in front of her.
“I-I’m sorry. I wasn’t look… Huh…?” Sisbell turned to face forward again, looking up at the tall woman standing in front of her.
She froze in place.
“Oh my.”
“…Ah… Wha…? Wha…?”
“Look where you’re walking, Sisbell. See? Your disguise is slipping now that you’ve bumped into me. Here.” The woman righted Sisbell’s glasses.
From farther behind, Nene and Mismis gasped involuntarily.
“Whoa. Look, Nene! She’s so pretty!”
“Holy… She’s got even bigger boobs than you, Commander. Well, I guess you win if it’s a height-to-boobs ratio.”
“Don’t be mean!”
No one was as beautiful as the young lady standing in front of Sisbell. Even fellow women gasped in awe.
“Call me Elletear.” The woman smiled warmly.
Her big, loose emerald curls had a golden sheen. Her features were perfectly proportional, and she seemed to be capable of capturing anyone’s soul with one look. She was even taller than Alice—whose height Iska was very familiar with—and her bodice seemed to strain against her chest, which threatened to tear through the fabric at any moment.
“…S-Sis…?!”
“Welcome home, Sisbell. I was very worried.” The woman named Elletear fondly stroked the head of the petite princess.
When she finally regained her senses, Sisbell immediately scrambled back to where she’d come from, mouth slack in shock. She turned away from crowding passersby.
“Sisbell?!”
“This way. Hurry!” Sisbell had jumped into the third car. It was the one they’d been riding in before, but it was empty. The other passengers had already disembarked.
Out of breath, Sisbell finally turned around.
“Hey, what’s going on here? Is that your sister?” Jhin asked.
“What…?” Nene gasped. “Th-that supermodel is your sister? Is she here to pick you up?”
“W-wait! Wait. What’s happening?!”
Iska fled into the car, followed by Jhin, Nene, and Commander Mismis.
“Good thinking. The station is full of prying eyes. I suppose confidential matters would best be addressed in the train. Prudent judgment, Sisbell.” The tall woman came into the train car, emerald hair blowing behind her. She looked straight at the princess. “I heard your attendant disappeared. You have had your share of troubles, Sisbell.”
“—Gh!” Sisbell’s shoulders violently shook before she screamed as if her mental dam had burst. “What do you mean, Elletear?!”
She did not sound happy. Sisbell sounded like a guard dog barking at a stranger.
“I was informed the queen’s envoy would come to receive me at the terminal. Why are you here?!”
“Why?” Elletear’s smile remained plastered on her face. “It’s only natural to worry about one’s baby sister.”
“…Is that the only reason?”
“There is one other reason. I wished to thank all the escorts who guarded you while you were attendant-less.”
Her beautiful eyes swept from Iska to the sniper, the mechanic, and the commander.
“Call me Elletear. I’m her older sister. I would like to welcome you to our country from your distant nation.”
“…Are you part of the royal family’s envoy, too?” Jhin asked.
“I’m of the same standing as Sisbell.” Elletear smiled at him.
It was the perfect answer. From Jhin’s simple question, Elletear instantly realized Sisbell hadn’t revealed that she was a princess, so Elletear answered in a way that would work under any circumstance.
It was all too natural for her.
If she had faltered even in the slightest, Jhin would have picked up on it. Iska was the only person who knew Sisbell’s true identity.
…Sisbell’s sister. That must mean she’s also a princess.
…There were three of them all along!
He could tell Sisbell was the younger sister based on their conversations. In other words, either Elletear or Alice had to be the eldest sibling.
…My bet is on Elletear.
…Her appearance and attitude seem more adult.
Even Iska could tell Princess Alice was beautiful in a cute way, and there was something graceful about her appearance. However, this Elletear seemed more mature in body and mind. Her face practically radiated maturity.
Alice was still too inexperienced to be a match for Sisbell, but Elletear… She could smooth over Sisbell’s aggressive threats. Her patience seemed to know no bounds.
“…My dear sister, I’m in a hurry.” The little sister fixed her older sibling with a glare. At some point, Sisbell had started to speak snippily, possibly from bewilderment or agitation. “I must meet with Her Majesty’s envoy and immediately make my way to the palace.”
“Oh, right,” Elletear chirped, touching her cheek as if in surprise. “It won’t be long until this train will need to make its way to the depot. We should wrap up our discussion before the conductor comes to check the cars.”
“…We still have things to discuss?”
“Obviously. Didn’t I say I wanted to talk to everyone here?”
Sisbell refused to lower her guard. The princess with emerald hair focused her gaze once more on the soldiers.
“Well then, I received a report at the palace. I heard you are mercenaries from the independent state of Alsamira. And that Sisbell has hired you.”
There was a moment of silence.
Jhin was the one to nod, talking for all of them. “That’s right. We took her request there.”
“Oh, then I may have been mistaken, I suppose.”
“?”
“I was convinced you were an Imperial unit . I thought you were the unit formed with Saint Disciple Iska, the one who freed Sisbell from captivity a year ago.”
“Huh?!”
It was impossible not to show visible signs of distress. Nene and Commander Mismis audibly gulped, Jhin narrowed his eyes, and Iska couldn’t hold back a shudder.
They wanted to believe they had misheard her, but they were certain she had just said “Saint Disciple Iska.”
“Um…?” Sisbell seemed unstable on her feet. The blood had drained from her face, and her lips turned blue. “Wh-what are you saying…? These people are—”
“There was a time when I was close with the Imperial army. But let’s keep that between us.” She folded her arms, pushing her breasts together, before the purebred let out a little chuckle. “Obviously, my mind and body are loyal to the Sovereignty. I was a double agent who pretended to be a traitor for the Empire.”
“You did what…?”
“Alas, Imperial headquarters saw through my little scheme. I have long since split from the Imperial forces, but it’s granted me some intel on their forces. Plus, all my channels to send information to the Empire are still active.”
So why don’t you drop the charade? The witch seemed to hint she knew who they were.
“Wouldn’t it be horrible if this got out to the queen, Sisbell?”
“What?!”
“A few hundred people in the terminal must have watched you working in concert with these people. We won’t even need Lord Mask’s eyewitness testimony. Don’t you see the reputation of the Lou would be burned to the ground if these people came forward?”
“…” Sisbell had no response. Her lips were pale, and her slender shoulders were quivering.
“I have a single request for all of you,” Elletear continued to say to Unit 907. “It’s not a difficult one. If you humored my sister, I think you’ll consider hearing me out. Otherwise—”
“You’ll tattle on us to Imperial headquarters, huh?” Jhin muttered.
“I’ll leave that to your imagination. I assume that would pose some problems for you. An Imperial unit guarding a witch? Just think of the commotion it would cause if headquarters were to know.” Elletear winked at him, sounding thrilled, as if she was relishing in playing mind games.
…She was a double agent for the Imperial forces?
…I find that unbelievable. Her confession makes me more suspicious.
Elletear was the queen’s daughter.
If the princess was in contact with the Imperial forces, she would be stripped of her title if Sisbell went behind her back and reported it to the queen.
…Elletear knew immediately who I was.
…So she must be in some kind of communication with the Imperial forces.
That was exactly why they couldn’t turn down her request.
If they so much as offended her, Elletear could immediately report Unit 907 to the Imperial headquarters. Then they would really have no place to return to.
“Well, Sisbell, I’m very sorry,” Elletear soothed, planting a hand on her sister’s dainty shoulder. “They cannot disobey me. Your guards are mine now.”
Sisbell’s saving grace had instantly been seized by her older sister. Was there anyone other than a witch who could conjure something so devious?
Most shocking of all was that this woman was Alice’s older sister.
…They’re nothing like each other.
…Elletear is completely different from Alice and Sisbell.
The other two sisters had come to Iska with emotional appeals, even if it meant being brutally honest.
As for the eldest sibling…Iska was reminded of the Eight Great Apostles , who served as the ultimate authorities of the Empire and bent the will of others using any possible type of coercion.
“…Sister,” Sisbell managed to say in a strangled voice thick with emotion. “…Don’t you know what would happen if I were to tell the queen about your statements?”
“What are you trying to say?”
“I may have done something unbefitting of my standing, but I was confident this was the right choice! Meanwhile, you’re out there, conspiring with the Empire! Isn’t that an unforgivable offense?!”
Verbal sword tips were leveled at each other’s throats. If either of them exposed the other person’s secret, they would meet the same fate.
“Hee-hee. Don’t look at me that way, Sisbell. I have your best interests at heart. After all, leading an Imperial unit into the palace is something that’s unpardonable. I, naturally, would have to stop you from following through with your plan.” The eldest daughter softly slapped Sisbell on the shoulder. “I’m proposing this for your sake.”
“…Wh-what are you talking about?!”
“Just listen to my request.”
They had no option but to hear her out.
Elletear had realized they were an Imperial unit. If they resisted her, they would instantly be surrounded by the astral corps. Even if they were able to escape, she would disclose their actions to Imperial headquarters, and they would lose their only home.
…We’re in no position to refuse.
…What’s she planning, now that she knows we’re Imperial soldiers?
Did she want them to betray the Empire? Or would she simply arrest them here?
“This is going to be fun.” Under suffocating tension, the eldest princess had on a devilish smile. “I would like you all to vacation at the Lou family villa.”
“—?”
What was that? Nene and Mismis blinked blankly back at her.
Jhin openly scowled at Elletear as she continued.
“I’d like to thank you for bringing my little sister to safety by extending this invitation to you. You will neither be restrained nor interrogated.”
“…E-excuse me?” Commander Mismis seemed hesitant. “Uh, um…s-so you’re saying…”
“That’s right. I’ll have you spend ten days living the high life at our luxurious villa. After that, I will return all of you to the Empire.”
“—That’s enough!” cried out the youngest princess. Her voice was amplified by the empty train car. “I don’t understand what you could possibly be thinking. You want to take them to the family villa, knowing they’re part of an Imperial unit?!”
“Indeed. I want to accommodate the team as thanks for protecting my dear sister.”
“Then we should do that at the royal palace.”
“Are you suggesting we welcome them to the blown-up remains of the Queen’s Space?”
“…Gah?!”
“It would be dangerous to have guests at the palace when revolution could break out at any moment. Besides, inviting an Imperial unit might put our state secrets in danger of being exposed.”
“…” Sisbell was rendered silent.
Elletear had a point. Any princess had to admit they couldn’t let an enemy unit approach the palace.
“…You’re right.”
“I’m happy you’ve being reasonable, Sisbell. You’ve always been smart.”
“Wouldn’t it be better to banish these Imperial soldiers?!” Sisbell asked. “Why invite them to the villa, knowing they’re our enemy?!”
“You think I’m being irrational?”
“Obviously!”
“Hee-hee. You’re so funny.” Elletear covered her smile with her hand. “You’re the one who’s being irrational—by hiring an Imperial unit.”
“…Th-that was because…!” Sisbell gritted her teeth.
“Fret not, for I am your ally,” Elletear assured. “You must have had your reasons. That said, I can’t just let them wander our country. It poses a national security concern.”
“…”
“So I am inviting them to the villa. I will justify it by saying we are keeping an Imperial unit away from the palace . And I’ll be listening in on you at the villa for ten days.”
The witch turned around, gazing into the faces of Iska, Jhin, Nene, and Commander Mismis.
“Imperial soldiers or not, you protected my precious sister. That is a fact. I just want to ask you some simple questions, and then I’ll release you if I see no problems.”
“So you’re taking us to a ‘villa’—basically a glorified prison—for a ‘vacation,’ which is your way of saying an interrogation,” Jhin said sarcastically.
“Not at all. I’ve already invited the best chefs in the nation to entertain us,” she coolly replied. “Oh, yes, and, Sisbell, you must also come.”
“…Huh?”
“I imagine you’re worried I’ll be treating them poorly. You should come along.”
“B-but I need to go…to the palace…”
“Absolutely not. Gotcha!” Elletear captured Sisbell in a big hug before she could resist. Elletear didn’t seem to mind that her sister’s face was totally buried in her chest.
“…S-Sister?! What are you—?!”
“Sisbell, you need some rest. If you return to the palace, I’m positive you’ll collapse from exhaustion. You may return once you have taken a break.”
“…B-but…”
“Your assailant, Vichyssoise, is in custody. Activities by Zoa and Hydra have been suspended, so Her Majesty is safe. Especially with Alice there.”
“…”
The older sister genially cradled Sisbell against her chest.
Iska swore she looked like a boa snake constricting her prey for the briefest of seconds. Or was he just imagining things?
“We will all go to the villa. We haven’t had uninterrupted family time in so long. Aren’t you excited?”
In the shadows of the deserted fourth car, which was the railway carriage behind Iska’s group…
“…Lady Elletear?!”
Rin had been eavesdropping on their conversation from the other side of the door.
She couldn’t use the communications device on hand for fear that Elletear might overhear the conversation.
“Why the family villa?”
Apparently to keep the soldiers away from the royal palace.
Rin could see Elletear’s reasoning. In fact, the attendant had been planning to stop them before they could get too close to the palace grounds. But why go out of her way to invite them to a villa?
Elletear was taking things too far.
…We’re basically giving the enemy a seat at our family table!
…Even Lady Alice put Iska up in a hotel room when she captured him!
There were several bits of classified intelligence even in the family villa. Elletear was practically saying she would lay that bare for the Imperial forces.
“Lady Elletear, I knew you were acting strange…!”
The eldest princess had already been acting suspicious as it was. She had allegedly disclosed Sisbell’s whereabouts to the Zoa when Sisbell had made her way to the independent state of Alsamira.
“Lord Mask?! Wh-why are you here…?”
“Just on a holiday. I wanted to forget all about what’s happening in the country. There shouldn’t be anything strange about that.”
That trip had been a personal request from the queen. The only ones privy to it were the few who had been told directly by her—Rin, Alice, and the queen’s close associates, who had all remained in her line of sight.
All except for the eldest princess.
…The traitor disclosed Lady Sisbell’s location to the Zoa and the Empire.
…Lady Sisbell will be able to uncover their identity with her astral power.
In other words, Elletear was obstructing any investigation into the truth.
On the outside, she was inviting the soldiers to the villa for a simple interrogation.
“But her true target is Lady Sisbell! This must be an excuse to keep her from ever reaching the palace!”
Trailing behind Sisbell and the Imperial unit, whom Elletear was leading to the sixth gate, Rin gritted her back teeth.
2
The Queen’s Space.
Alice listened carefully to Rin’s report in a hall flooded with the light of the evening sun. She had just been waiting for her sister’s arrival with the queen.
“So you’re saying…Sisbell was taken to the family villa?”
“Yes. Forgive me for drawing my own conclusions, but my intuition is telling me it was with the intent to keep Lady Sisbell from returning to the palace.”
“…”
The family villa was on the outskirts of the central state. Though it was accessible within two hours by car, which allowed the family to rush back to the palace in a pinch, it was certainly in a remote district.
…But it’s enough of a distance between Sisbell and the palace.
…And it’s close enough for Elletear to return home at a moment’s notice.
It was an intermediary distance—neither too far nor too close. Alice never would have thought to use the villa to confine anyone.
“Mother, what shall we do…?”
“Alice, give me the communications device.”
She handed it to the queen.
“Rin, are you certain Elletear has not seen you?”
“Yes. I conducted myself so she would not.”
“Only you could pull that off. Please return to the palace for the time being. I will send an envoy for Elletear and tell her to return to the palace immediately.”
“Of course. However, Your Majesty, are you certain Lady Elletear will listen to an envoy…?”
Elletear was the eldest princess. There was a possibility she would scoff if one of the queen’s workers told her to return.
“I will have Alice deliver the message. She is a princess, too, so she cannot be dismissed so easily.”
“…Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Alice, you heard us. I’ll leave Elletear to you.” The queen returned the communications device. “Elletear and Sisbell are at the villa with the four guards—mercenaries from another land. Be courteous to them.”
“…Oh.”
“? Is something the matter?”
“N-no! It’s nothing!” Alice violently shook her head.
She had forgotten something incredibly important, because she’d been preoccupied by Elletear. The Imperial unit was here.
…Which means Iska is here, too!
…Wait… The family villa? I have a bedroom there!
The room, naturally, contained her clothes and underwear. What if Iska was invited to use her room? He might even open her closet without thinking twice!
And then he would see everything.
There was no place safe from his prying eyes…including her hidden stash of more scandalous lingerie that she’d bought out of curiosity.
“This is a serious matter, Mother! A grave state of affairs! I swear to put a stop to Elletear!”
“Yes, Alice. There is something off about her behavior.”
“…My underwear.”
“Pardon me?”
“Nothing, Mother.” Alice feigned ignorance.
Even her underwear took a back seat to Elletear’s weird behavior. Alice might even have a chance to speak with her sister alone at the villa.
It really didn’t seem right to leave the palace, but she was the only one who could pull this off.
“Okay, Mother, I will—”
“Alice.”
“Yes? What is it?”
“I imagine you will be the proprietor of this place around this time next year.”
“…What?!” Alice felt unstable on her feet, crumpling to her knees.
She didn’t need to ask her mother to repeat herself. What she was hinting at was obvious.
If Alice were the master of the Queen’s Space…
…That means she thinks I will be queen!
…But I’m still too young! I’m only seventeen, and I’ll turn eighteen later this year.
The first condition for the throne was power.
To win in the war against the Empire, the queen had to be young and impossibly strong. Several candidates in the royal family fulfilled that criteria.
…Plus, the conclave hasn’t even begun!
…The Zoa and Hydra will have their own representatives competing for the throne.
Of course, Alice intended to become queen. It was her greatest wish to bring down the Empire and create a world without discrimination against the astral mages.
But wasn’t this a little premature?
“…Mother—I mean, Your Majesty…”
“I’m saying you should act accordingly. Just keep that in mind,” stated the queen. “I leave Elletear to you. I trust you to use the appropriate methods. Make sure to bring her back to the palace.”
“…Yes.”
Alice bowed once before leaving the Queen’s Space.
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