"Oh, Your Highness! What a welcome sight!"
Inside the northern base—in a separate conference room.
The group was led in, and a kindly voice greeted Liliana, who stood at their head.
A man of medium build, appearing to be roughly Yurugen's age. Rather unremarkable overall, but well-dressed, with a warm and approachable smile gracing his mature features—such was his appearance.
He must be the noble who governed this entire territory—Count Harvist.
From what they had heard in passing along the way, he was famous for commanding the largest military force in the north despite being merely a count. His house had grown in power through the command of its soldiers, which was precisely why they had endured the tyranny of the Northern Union until now.
The count in question received the somewhat tense Liliana with elaborate courtesy—bowing more than necessary—and once the remaining five were seated as well, he began to speak once more.
"I have heard the full account of what has transpired. To think that His Highness the First Prince would suddenly lose his reason, and that an organization of unknown origins would target your person! When I considered the dire straits Your Highness faced while making such a magnificent escape from the Royal Capital, my heart nearly burst! And to think you have overcome it all safely—truly, the blood of royalty flows in your veins!"
"...I merely had the good fortune of capable people around me."
An overwhelming torrent of lavish praise. Liliana, somewhat overwhelmed by the sheer volume and weight of his dreadfully courteous and meticulous words, offered only that brief reply in return.
The count, not to be outdone, repeated yet another round of standard flattery about how humble and virtuous her character must be, and only then—at last—
"Yes, so. From here on, we shall rally behind Your Highness Liliana and bring down that detestable Church of the Stars! I would very much like to do exactly that! Please allow me to pledge the loyalty of every elite soldier of House Harvist to Your Highness!"
He entered the heart of the matter, showing his eager willingness to cooperate.
Liliana let out a breath—so they would cooperate after all—
"So then,"
That was his very next word.
"—naturally,
all command authority
will belong to me."
"Entrust them to me."
"If you would."
"Be so kind."
"?"
The room froze.
Count Harvist's intentions were perfectly clear to Liliana — and to Ermes and the others standing behind her as well.
And yet, Liliana pressed him for confirmation.
"...So you mean that the five people currently at my back would also fall under the Count's command?"
"Of course they would!"
The Count showed not the slightest hint of shame.
"Ah, naturally I guarantee them appropriate treatment. They are loyal retainers who protected Her Highness all the way from the Royal Capital. ...However,"
He laid out his reasoning with supreme confidence.
"This is my territory. I am well aware that a duke's daughter and a house head stand over there, but even so, you cannot expect my soldiers to accept outsiders strutting about with authority over them. I believe the fastest path to victory is for everyone to unite as one under my command."
"...One moment."
This time, it was Katia who raised an objection to the Count's manner of speaking.
"Count. We, too, wish to take your intentions into consideration. You're right that we have no intention of barging in and demanding command of the entire army out of nowhere. ...However, that..."
"To state upfront that 'you will comply with everything we say' seems rather excessive."
After setting out her premise, Katia hesitated, choosing her words carefully. Understanding her intent, Ermes picked up where she left off.
"Count Harvist. What you're saying amounts to a guarantee — that you can mobilize these soldiers and us better than anyone else here, and that if you do, we can win."
The reason she had stumbled was simple: what she wanted to say would have amounted to a direct, unambiguous criticism of the Count.
If it's difficult for you to say such things given your current position, then allow Ermes to say it instead.
......Besides.
There was something off about this Count. Thinking so, Ermes fixed him with his emerald eyes.
"We have with us powerful Bloodline Magic users, including one said to possess Dual aptitude among the Duke's Bloodline Magic users. Furthermore, the Duke has extensive experience commanding large armies and has gathered considerable intelligence on the enemy.
......To set all of that aside and unilaterally demand sole authority for yourself — isn't that the very definition of tyranny? At the very least, granting us some measure of rights would be more efficient in defeating the Star Church, I would think."
"Herm..."
Katia murmured. For him, it might have been measured — but that didn't change the fact that the words still cut deep.
But before her, who couldn't say a thing because she understood his intent, the Count furrowed his brows slightly.
"......Hmm. Judging by your getup, I'd say you're some manner of butler to the Duke's household? A rather arrogant way of speaking for one who ought to stay in a servant's place, but I'll grant you license for this occasion. ......Besides..."
With that smile, an unmistakable color of mockery playing across it.
"......'Powerful Bloodline Magic user'? That's a good one.
──The thing is, you lot...
against Lord Lucius...
couldn't do a thing...
at all...
could you?"
"——"
......I see. So that's the angle he's going for.
"Understand this? The role of Bloodline Magic users in battle is simple: 'defeat the enemy's Bloodline Magic users.' That's all there is to it. To demand a seat at the table when you can't even manage that — if that isn't the height of arrogance, I don't know what is."
"Certainly, I can't argue with that. We did suffer a crushing defeat, after all.
……But isn't that the same for you, my lord? Permitting the Star Church to infiltrate this deeply — it's rather hard to claim you've been managing your territory without incident."
"…Hmph. I haven't lost. It's true things have been more troublesome than expected, but I've deliberately concentrated our forces in this one area. If I deploy them as a unified force, we can achieve victory on our own — even if the enemy is an alliance of the Six Houses."
"Oh my, even with Lord Lucius on their side? How reassuring."
At Ermes's remark, the Earl's brow twitched even harder. The reaction itself was as good as admitting the barb had hit home, but apparently deciding that a servant had no right to speak his mind, he ignored Ermes and turned a smile toward Liliana.
"Your Highness, your subordinate certainly has skill, but her remarks are a touch too inflammatory. As I've said, you're the one I can reason with most easily — how about this, for future meetings, the two of us could—"
"…Please do not speak ill of my master."
Liliana retorted, her tone laced with a hint of distrust.
"Furthermore… if you intend to rally behind me as your figurehead, would you not entrust matters of personnel appointments and decision-making to my judgment as well?"
"Absolutely not!"
The Earl of Harvist shrugged as if to say, *What an absurd notion.*
And then, as though it were the most natural thing in the world, he declared:
"—Your Highness, are you not a royal with no aptitude — an Incompatibility — who possesses no Bloodline Magic!"
"!"
"Such a person has no legitimacy to command, and more importantly, no one would follow! Your Highness need only be revered by all, serving as a pillar for people to place their trust in!
I know these may be harsh words, but I say this solely for Your Highness's sake. Please — will you not trust what I have to say?"
And there, before Liliana — who had been rendered speechless by the wound-probing pointedness and the torrent of words—
On a stage that had become his solo performance, the Earl of Harvist proceeded to pile demand after demand under the guise of wise counsel.
First, that full authority to counter the Northern Alliance this time be entrusted to him.
Then, that the subsequent marshaling of forces — and even the march on the Royal Capital — likewise be left entirely to him.
And finally, that once the throne was safely reclaimed, he be given a position of great weight. He claimed this was no selfish ambition, but simply what was proper from the standpoint of rewarding merit, and necessary for the nation to function. The Earl's tone as he spoke was, quite literally, that of an adult explaining reason to a small child.
After that, the earl completely dismissed Ermes and the others when it came to personnel matters, and to top it all off, he even had the nerve to suggest that Liliana's future royal consort be his own son.
......Around that point, everyone—Liliana included—had caught on.
Ah—we
were being
looked down on.
That was the realization.
A princess who, without Bloodline Magic, was fit only to be used as a puppet. A tiny force that couldn't even hope to defeat their Bloodline Magic users.
Then there was no choice but to do as he said. If anything, he could even put them to good use. Having made that assumption, he kept piling on one unilateral demand after another.
......In the end, she was left enduring the earl's ramblings for the rest of the meeting.
Finally, Liliana managed to force out the words, "I shall have an answer for you today—please grant me that time," and excused herself from the room.
◆
"......Come to think of it, it was only natural."
And so, having returned to the first room, the group gathered once more.
Yurugen, his voice heavy with self-reproach, summarized the outcome of their negotiations with the earl.
"Of course, I know that all of you are tremendously powerful. I know that it's purely a matter of terrible compatibility with their forces. And—I know that Princess Liliana holds more potential than anyone."
"But—"
"the people of the"
"North"
"didn't see"
"any of that."
"don't know"
"anything about it."
Liliana's evaluation was, ultimately, nothing more than the opinion of those within their own circle.
In addition... it was hard to say that rumors of Ermes had spread all the way to the north, far from the Royal Capital. The same was true of the prestige of House Trachia.
On top of that, there was the fact that they had faced Lucius, Niina, and Johan and returned in retreat with nothing to show for it. Factoring all of that in—it was clear that the people of the north would not readily accept Ermes and his group.
...Well, even so. That they would not merely be unwelcoming but would look down on them with perfect disdain was something no one had anticipated.
With all of that taken into account, Yurugen posed his question.
"Well then, as things stand, our only option is to fight under Count Harvist's command. I don't think the count is weak, but considering—as Ermes has pointed out—that we've been backed into this kind of corner, it's unlikely we can put much hope in the count's leadership. So... what do we do?"
In response to that... the first to speak was Liliana.
"I-I will... take care of it."
"...Your Highness?"
Yurugen raised his voice in surprise. In response, Liliana trembled as she spoke—
"Because I... have done the least of anyone out of all of you.
This whole affair—it all comes down to the fact that I lack dignity. That's why I was treated with such arrogance. ...This sort of thing is what those in a position of power are supposed to handle."
Then, in a voice that sounded as though she had steeled herself with some grim resolve—
"I-it will be fine. I understand perfectly well that the count desires power and influence. So instead of letting everyone else be trampled on, I alone will give the count whatever he asks for. His appointment as well as... the matter of a future royal consort. If I alone have to be the sacrifice—"
"—Lady Lili."
That voice carried something almost like despair. But the one who interrupted her was—
"...Sara?"
"Lady Lili, I understand how you feel. But... always thinking 'those kinds of things'... always only repeating acts that neglect yourself—that's not okay."
And so, Sara moved closer to Liliana and gently placed her hand beside her.
Her words were vague, abstract.
Yet they carried immense weight — an undeniable conviction. There was something in them that could only be born from lived experience.
"You're right. And besides — the Count would never grant us any rights, no matter what."
"Master...?"
Ermes spoke up next.
"The Count seeks power and influence. And he likely understands that our abilities could be useful — and might even threaten his own position. That's precisely why he'll cling to maintaining a rank above ours, no matter what. Even if it's a strategically poor move."
"That's right. In other words —"
And Katia took over to deliver the conclusion.
"For that Count —
the northern rebellion
and winning it
compared to
raising
his own
position —
the latter
matters more.
That's what it comes down to, right?"
The air in the room grew taut.
Everyone instinctively straightened their posture. Such was the pressure of that lovely young girl—the future head of the ducal house—that it enveloped the room.
"...Allow me to add something personal."
And then, as if answering her words,
Ermes also rose to her feet, her voice eerily calm.
"Count Harvist's words showed Lady Lily respect, but he never once bowed or knelt. He never even came to us of his own accord.
Through his manner, through his gaze—from beginning to end, he never regarded Lady Lily as anything more than a 'puppet.'"
Everyone present had seen it at least once before: sub-zero fury burning in those jade-green eyes.
"I thought some degree of courtesy was necessary, since we'd be borrowing the count's soldiers... but if he won't prioritize his duty to repel the invaders above all else, then there's no reason to show him any leniency."
"Besides, his abnormally aggressive attitude is suspicious. If our suspicions prove correct, he won't cooperate no matter what we do."
"Exactly. That's why—"
...They couldn't say they didn't understand Earl Harvist's feelings.
He commanded the greatest military force in the north, yet was content with the mere title of earl. That resentment, combined with his innate ambition, had been smoldering for years—and then the upheaval and a cause had come rolling into his lap.
It was only natural that his long-suppressed hunger for power had finally erupted.
But his miscalculation was—
For Katia, he was a noble who shirked his duties.
For Ermes, he was someone who had mistreated a person dear to her.
The two people in this room whom he should least have provoked.
Those landmines—and could you believe it,
he had stepped on both at once.
He had stepped right through
them.
And then, with terrifyingly perfect coordination, they unified their will.
"—
Please vacate
the premises.
My apologies to the Count, though."
"Would you grant us permission, Lady Lily?"
Before the stunned Liliana, the Boss and her servant delivered their verdict.
Seeing this, Sara, Albert, and Yurugen all reached the same conclusion at once.
"Ah... we're done for."
Next time: Don't Die, Count. Stay tuned!