Super-dreadnought Villainess – Chapter 19

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Chapter 19 – The Vow of Farewell

　

Sorry for the delay…!

　

What happened the other day… I suppose you could call it a reversal disguised as condemnation.

Well, perhaps it would be more accurate to call it a condemnation drama.

Saint Manna’s futile condemnation drama was neatly concluded with a promise that the Crown Prince’s education would be redone, that she would fulfill her role as a Saint, and that Manna and Dale would not be allowed to break up. No, I set things right as they should be.

Manna’s parents were admonished for failing to properly educate their daughter, but since she alone holds the title of ‘Saint’, and her parents were proven to have no connection to Sacred Power, the credit must go to her own character.

The Viscount and his wife bowed their heads, apologizing for the trouble caused. But when I gently reassured them that it was not their fault, however, they wept with gratitude.

The reports on the commotion at home and at the academy had piled up, but I neatly finished compiling them and stretched my arms wide.

　

“Hmm……”

　

After that (attempted) condemnation drama was over, we had a modest party at the Duke of Solfege’s residence.

I had escaped the death flag in the condemnation play.

I would like to think that Lunaria had nothing else to fear, but the Royal Family probably hasn’t given up on Lunaria yet.

　

“Well, I did declare on the spot that I would not become a secondary consort, so I won’t marry into the Royal Family, but… better safe than sorry, I suppose.”

　

With a crack of my neck, I reached for the documents to tackle the next task when a knock sounded at the office door.

　

“Yes, come in.”

“Excuse me.”

“… Cain?”

　

The butler entered the room with a sour look on his face, and when I looked at him curiously, he handed me the letter he was holding.

　

“What is that?”

“……… It’s a letter from His Highness the Crown Prince.”

“Huh?”

　

“Are you stupid?” I almost yelled, but managed to hold it back.

Despite having been warned so emphatically, how could he have been so brazen as to send a letter?

　

“I truly, from the bottom of my heart, cannot understand it… Huh!”

“… I sympathize with your feelings…”

“Cain… prepare to contact all the heads of the four families.”

“Certainly.”

“Oh that’s right. For the Astoria House, it should be addressed to Mithos. Don’t get it wrong, okay?”

“Master Mithos, could it be…”

“After the graduation ceremony, apparently he wrested the position of family head.”

“Well now…”

　

“Oh dear,” Cain said with a wry chuckle, and I laughed too.

　

“I thought it would take a while longer, but he proclaimed, ‘I’ll bring in a new wind!’ and challenged his father to a duel.”

　

The succession ceremony varies depending on the family.

For the Solfege family, precisely because they are ‘Mages’, it is to ring that bell using one’s own power.

For the Mitzegard family, it is to pass the trial set by the previous head, fulfilling all conditions. In Alicia’s case, it was to “find a new trading partner, within limits that wouldn’t overly impact the nation, and secure the route.”. However, this was the task given to Alicia’s parents.

But, as it happened, the young Alicia was present and cleared it with astonishing ease. Thus, she inherited the position, bypassing her parents. Her grandfather was wide-eyed, but the fact remained that she had succeeded. So, he handed over the ‘Blue Rose‘, which was her proof of success.

For the Astoria family, their method is simple and straightforward.

Precisely because they are a house of the martial path, they must seize it through ‘Martial Arts’. So, on the day of the graduation ceremony, Mithos challenged his father to a duel. Though he’d never won a single match before, his fighting spirit that day was said to be entirely different.

And so, though battered and bruised, Mithos took possession of the proof, the ‘Black Rose’.

　

“He did mention that the succession was approaching… I see… Finally.”

　

The butler, who had served since my mother’s generation, understood without needing many words.

“Fufu,” I let out a small chuckle before placing the letter from the Crown Prince, unopened, on the desk.

　

“Cain. Inform him that a letter from His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has reached me, then continue thus—.”

　

　

　

　

“The heads of the Four Houses, together, pay their respects to our King.”

　

I prepared myself as usual.

As always, I channeled mana into my magical attire.

Then, as usual, we passed through the gate toward the Royal Palace.

Each of the four families wears the robe that symbolizes their position as head of the family. On the back of their hands, a rose mark shines, symbolizing the family’s color and meaning.

　

Blue rose.

Impossible.

Yet, possessing the vessel to overcome it, transform all hardship and impossibility into possibility with everything you have.

　

Scarlet Rose.

Use magic to repel magic.

Without drowning in your own power, hold unwavering, fiery resolve and demonstrate your noble self.

　

Black rose.

Sometimes imposing authority, sometimes courteous.

Use martial prowess to repel threats, use martial prowess to protect the people, the nation, and yourself.

Uphold your convictions steadfastly, with unwavering resolve.

　

White rose.

An untainted will and noble ideals.

Guard your convictions with intellect, become a guiding light that illuminates the path.

　

The convictions passed down through each house shall not be bent. Shall not be allowed to bend.

As the head of your house, protect these convictions and remain faithful to the sovereign you serve.

The four families serve only the “current” King and the “current” Royal Family. They do not serve the Crown Prince.

That is precisely why the letter delivered to Lunaria must be reported. Despite being so coldly rebuffed at that party (and I doubt its contents are something one needs to verify), he sent a letter to a woman other than his betrothed.

The Crown Prince may have believed that Lunaria would aid him to the very end, but not a shred of compassion remains.

　

“Foolish… beyond measure.”

　

Muttering coldly, I passed through the gate. Before entering the Throne Room, the heads of the four families exchanged glances.

Facing Alicia, seething with rage, Falitus, looking utterly dumbfounded, and Mithos, wearing an expression impossible to describe, I drew the unopened letter from my pocket.

　

“Sister, let’s kill him. Yes, we absolutely must.”

“Alicia… such words are unbecoming.”

“After committing such foolish acts, and still—still relying on you, Sister? He should be discarded and disposed of immediately!”

“She has a point.”

“Lord Falitus…”

“No, it’s true, isn’t it?”

“Even you, Mithos…”

“I’ve heard the reports. The decision to start the Crown Prince’s education anew, given everything he’s done, is also drawing disapproval.”

　

When they heard that the Crown Prince’s education would be redone, some nobles probably thought, “Oh, so they’re going to correct him.” But it was a restart. How wasteful it is to redo everything they’d already spent so much time on.

The costs would come from the people’s hard-earned taxes. And among those people, of course, were the nobles themselves.

As someone involved in politics at the Royal Palace, it seems that even Falitus was troubled by this.

　

“It would have been simple enough to just replace him. But our King didn’t do that.”

　

Hah~, he sighed and continued.

　

“There are other princes in this kingdom… including Miss Alicia’s fiancé, so to speak, the so-called eligible princes, or rather, candidates to become Crown Prince.”

“Ah, you are referring to His Highness the Third Prince. I find him most agreeable, I must say.”

“That’s wonderful. You two should remain as you are.”

　

“Good, good,” Falitus said, patting Alicia on the head. He then used magic to project portraits of the princes of the current Royal Family into the air.

　

“By uniting Miss Alicia with His Royal Highness, the Third Prince, and Miss Lunaria with His Highness Dale, the current Royal Family will solidify their position.”

“Hmm.”

“His Majesty the King is an exceptionally capable ruler, but… he couldn’t abandon his parental affection for Prince Dale. After that party, the Crown Prince’s education was indeed restarted… well… yes. The details haven’t been made public, though…”

“Ah…”

　

Seeing him be so vague, which would normally be unthinkable, the three of us, excluding Falitus, sensed something and collectively clutched our heads.

　

“Even though you say harsh things, you are still a parent…”

“He is the firstborn child of his Beloved Queen, after all. Were it not for that, our King would be a truly magnificent ruler.”

“He must abandon that sentimentality. Even if it is his own child, you see. It sets a poor example for the people.”

　

The three nodded at my cold tone.

They could not forgive this.

It would be troubling if the leading Duke House and the Duke Families following it were underestimated.

They are, in a sense, the pinnacle of nobility, leading by example and accomplishing their mission.

　

“Now, shall we go in? After reporting on the letter… I must once again convey my intentions.”

“I must also inform His Majesty the King. After all, His Royal Highness the Third Prince, my fiancé, is to be adopted into our house as a son-in-law.”

“I shall provide covering fire.”

“And by the way, if Lunaria isn’t marrying into the royal house, we’ll need to handle the adoption procedures, right? Astoria will become a guarantor noble and help out.”

“Thank you, everyone.”

　

A faint smile touched my lips.

A cold, icy smile.

　

Knocking on the door to the Throne Room, the familiar, authoritative voice from within echoed as it had in days past.

　

The four heads of the noble houses, as if by mutual agreement, were drawn into the opening doorway.

The four of us walked in perfect unison, as if someone had led the way. The overwhelming sense of pressure, the sheer dignity and force radiating from us, caused the palace guards waiting in the throne room to naturally stand even straighter than usual.

　

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