"Now then. Let us begin anew."
After Katia and Liliana's introduction had concluded.
Having rejoined Sara, the Trackia household party and Liliana moved to the Duke's conference room.
During that time, introductions between Liliana and Sara had also taken place.
Unlike the situation with Katia, it went extremely smoothly — in fact, Sara took a liking to Liliana at first sight and treated her with her characteristic warmth, causing Liliana to warm up to her almost immediately. Katia wore a rather complicated, though gently watchful, expression.
It was probably due to Sara's personal charisma, but above all, Liliana's original personality was the kind that naturally gravitated toward people, appropriate for her age. She simply hadn't been able to show it before meeting Ermes due to various factors.
In any case, each of the three had completed their audience with the Princess in their own way.
Once preparations were in order, Yurugen opened his mouth to speak about what lay ahead.
"From here on, we will be fully throwing ourselves into the succession war... but before that, let us once again clarify Your Highness's position."
The gazes of the other four turned toward Liliana.
"As you already know, Princess Liliana has until now been considered the person furthest from the throne. That is because she possessed no Bloodline Magic — she was an 'Incompatibility.'"
"But—"
"Indeed. As Ermes's example makes clear, lacking Bloodline Magic is in fact a blessing. With him serving as her tutor, there is no doubt that in the future, Princess Liliana will become the strongest candidate for the throne, even in a magical nation."
Understanding settled over the group. Then, Sara spoke up.
"Then... does that mean Lady Lili will be seriously aiming for the throne, unlike before...?"
Receiving this question, Liliana searched for words in silence for a moment.
Then, with a serious expression, she opened her mouth.
"...No."
After this denial, she nonetheless wove her words together with sincerity.
"To think that after all you have done to support me, I would say something like this — I do apologize. However..."
"However?"
"My master showed me the path, and I found a means to gain the power of magic.
—And so, saying I want to become the King... somehow feels wrong."
—That was...
Indeed, a story one could accept.
Rather, if she were to declare, "I aim for the throne because I've gained power," she would be doing exactly the same thing as those who had championed Bloodline Magic supremacy all along.
In that respect as well... her words were certainly appropriate for the cause they were pursuing.
Hadn't Liliana said it from the very beginning, after all? "Fighting with family is ridiculous."
Liliana continued to speak.
"I am... unlike my brother and sisters, I have not yet found what I am looking for. In terms of becoming King... I haven't found 'what I would do once I become King.'"
"..."
"Perhaps I will find it someday. But for now..."
Knowing she was being somewhat unfair, Liliana's voice trailed off.
Watching over her gently, Ermes spoke.
"I don't think you need to worry about that."
"...Master?"
"A purpose is not something you force yourself to find. And besides, Your Highness is still young."
Pausing his words and offering a gentle smile, he continued.
"If anything, I believe that searching for it together is also part of a home tutor's job."
"...!"
Those words must have been enormously reassuring to her.
Liliana's eyes glistened as she clung to Ermes's arm.
Seeing this, Katia wore a complicated yet gently watchful expression, while Sara's eyes widened in contrast. Come to think of it, he hadn't told Sara about the initial exchange with Liliana on the first day. No wonder she reacted that way.
In any case, they now understood Liliana's thoughts.
—At the same time, new questions arose. Perhaps sensing this from Ermes's gaze, Yurugen nodded and resumed the discussion.
"I understand what you mean, Ermes. You're thinking, 'Then isn't there also the option of not participating in the succession war at all,' correct?"
"Yes."
"...But there are circumstances that prevent us from doing that."
This was likely the crux of the matter.
Facing the group as they steeled themselves, Yurugen began slowly.
"First... do you remember? The incident that recently occurred at the academy you attend. The person who instigated the principal culprit, Clyde von Helmuth..."
"!"
So that name was coming up here.
"...Of course I remember, Father."
Katia answered on behalf of the group.
"The individual Ermes encountered was... according to you, Father, one of those in an organization that has lurked in the shadows of the kingdom for years, threatening it and standing against the current state of the kingdom... correct?"
"Yes. To add, based on Ermes's information, they are most likely an executive-class individual."
He must have known about the organization's existence for some time. With that much evident in his tone, Yurugen continued.
"The problem is that a person of that caliber, who should have remained hidden, has now come out into the open. I had my own people investigate out of concern... and uncovered a troublesome fact. It ties into this succession war as well."
"...Surely not."
Reaching this far, Ermes's intuition sharpened.
Just as he expected, Yurugen opened his mouth and said—
"—They have already infiltrated both the First Prince's and the Second Princess's camps."
Katia and Sara showed expressions of shock.
As expected, Ermes also nodded gravely.
"Moreover, not at the margins. Most likely someone close to the center of both camps. There were unnatural camp behaviors scattered throughout that could only be explained that way."
"...I see."
"You understand, don't you? After their long period of dormancy, they have begun in earnest to seize the kingdom."
Their objectives were only vaguely understood.
But—they were an organization that condoned using Clyde to unleash that level of destruction. If such a force were to rise to power... there was no way a proper outcome could be expected.
Stopping them was inevitable.
At the same time, considering this, the purpose of entering the conflict became clear.
"It seems you understand. Yes, our primary goal is to root out and crush the organization's people lurking within each camp. For that purpose... having a position where we can openly oppose them is advantageous in many ways."
They understood.
The fact that the organization had infiltrated both the First Prince's and Second Princess's camps meant — at the very least, if they continued watching the succession war passively, a king under the organization's control would be born.
In that sense as well, stepping forward as a third faction held meaning in itself. ...Even if their candidate currently had no intention of seeking the throne.
"...That is correct."
Seeing that Yurugen had finished a section of his remarks, Liliana spoke.
She must have been briefed on this beforehand.
"I have no intention of actively becoming King. ...If my brother and sisters each wish to become King of their own accord, I have no right to stop them."
After lowering her gaze, she looked up again.
"However... if there are those who would exploit that ambition with foul intentions. If there are those who would use those ambitions to manipulate and harm my brother and sisters.
As a member of the royal family, as a member of this family... I cannot let that go unchallenged. Even if it means... fighting against family."
She declared this with unwavering resolve. ...Understanding the weight of her words, the others trembled slightly.
They were overwhelmed. By the tremendous burden placed upon this small Princess, and by her determination to fight despite it.
—To fight against family in order to protect family. The will of the girl who had made that decision.
"...!"
There was undoubtedly fear. As evidence, her trembling showed no sign of subsiding.
Perhaps seeing this, or perhaps moved by her words, Sara embraced Liliana from behind. Firmly, as if to support her. Gently, as if to show respect.
"What... what are you doing?"
Despite her verbal protest, Liliana accepted Sara's embrace, clinging to it for comfort. Ermes and Katia watched as she took the offered arms and buried her face.
They understood. This Princess's will and determination — all of it.
And with that, what needed to be done became clear. Yurugen summarized.
"So it is. As for our immediate policy — first and foremost, we will strengthen Princess Liliana's capabilities. If we are to fight, the more we have, the better.
And second — reinforcing our faction."
"That's... certainly true."
"Yes. I won't say we're weak, but just a single family is unsettling. We still want more in terms of political influence — so first, a family. There is a powerful Duke House that has maintained neutrality until now. Let us extend an invitation to them at some point."
And then, Yurugen continued.
"Next comes... strengthening our combat forces."
"...Are the three of us not enough?"
"If I'm being greedy, I'd want one more person. ...No, I have absolutely no complaints about your abilities. But—your magic is too specialized, for better or worse."
After surveying the three and reaching that conclusion, he deepened his smile.
"So, to fill that gap. Someone whose individual power may be inferior, but who excels in versatility, understands our ideals — and ideally, possesses a perspective that the three of you lack. I thought that might be asking too much, though..."
He then shifted to a wry smile, telling them with a hint of amusement.
"As it happens, I found someone who fits perfectly. ...I must say, sending Ermes to the academy was an excellent decision after all. ...Speak of the devil, as they say. Come in."
Calling out to the presence he sensed beyond the room, the door opened simultaneously, and led in by a bowing maid, Leila—
"?"
"!"
"Oh...!"
"...I see."
Liliana tilted her head, Katia's eyes widened, Sara's face lit up with joy, and Ermes nodded with calm understanding.
The person who elicited these four different reactions was—
"...I am grateful for the invitation, Your Grace the Trackia Duke. And it is my first time making your acquaintance, Your Royal Highness the Princess Liliana."
With his characteristically earnest manner, he bowed to Yurugen and then knelt before Liliana.
Straightening up, he declared—
"Albert von Yerk, eldest son of the Yerk Viscount family. I have come at Your Grace's summons. ...Though I am of limited ability and talent, I would be honored to be of service."
In a sense, this was the most correct attitude one could have toward royalty... and precisely because of that, it was a peculiar first meeting — a manner the other three had never displayed.
Liliana accepted him somewhat timidly, while the three classmates showed surprise but also welcomed him.
And so the five children assembled. Yurugen gazed at them with something like dazzlement as he drew things to a close.
"Ermes, Albert, Sara, Katia, and Princess Liliana. The finest children in this kingdom, as I have seen them. ...You will be at the center of what is to come."
With all the weight of his feelings.
The Duke, who had been running toward this purpose all along, made his declaration.
"Now — let us begin the battle to change the kingdom."