Chapter One: The Peaceful Life of the Top Knight of the Kingdom

The morning sun ascended into the sky as the sound of birdsong rang out. A gentle beam of sunlight flowed into the room through the gap in the curtains to hang over the sleeping man’s head. After a moment, he scrunched up his face and rose up in bed with a mighty stretch.

“Mgggh, aaah!”

The man scratched at his face, looking somewhat absent-minded, only for his eyes to suddenly burst wide open.

“Bwaaagh! This is bad! I can’t believe I overslept! It’s already time to open up the station! ...Wait a sec.”

He kicked the covers off in a frenzy, but the realization hit him as soon as he’d leaped out of bed.

“That’s right. I’m not a station worker anymore, am I?”

The man sank back onto the bed. He’d lived in Front-Edge City—the furthest frontier in the kingdom, where he’d worked as a station worker in the city’s central station—until six months ago. Since then, he’d changed careers and no longer needed to head to work at daybreak. Which was exactly why he wasted no time getting back into bed.

“All righty then, nighty night!”

“That’s unacceptable, father! It’s time you were up and going!”

“Mmgwuh?!”

The room’s door made noise as it swung open, leaving the man, Watt Sears, to leap out of bed once more. The heart of a man around forty was sensitive indeed—which was exactly why Watt hoped they wouldn’t startle him like that so carelessly. Attempting to calm his pounding heart, he started to voice his objections before a serious question rose to his mind.

“Um... Anna?” he asked apprehensively. “Would ya mind tellin’ me just what you’re doin’ here? I coulda sworn I was living here on my own.”

Brimming with confidence as she firmly stood beside the door was his daughter, Anna Ogdenn.

Indeed, ever since he’d left Front-Edge City behind and moved to his new home in Oldrock, the kingdom’s capital, Watt was supposed to have been living alone. While Anna was his real daughter, there were a slew of reasons they couldn’t live together.

As if to answer Watt’s question, the real culprit peeped out from behind her. “I brought her here, of course!”

“Caroooooo!”

In response to Watt’s outcry, the woman, Carome Aestolle, gave a satisfied smile. “With the way you lounge about and have to be pried out of bed every day, Her Majesty was worried about you.”

“That’s right, father,” Anna said. “Keeping a regular schedule is the first step to a healthy life!”

Looking deeply exhausted, Watt clutched his forehead before finally lifting both hands in surrender. “I’m ever so grateful for the concern. More importantly, you’re both in here? I had this place locked. How’d you get in?”

Watt remembered locking the door properly after he’d returned home the previous day. He certainly hadn’t left it open for anyone to just waltz right in. In response, a smile bloomed on Anna’s face as she produced the answer from her chest pocket.

“I have a spare key here!”

“...Yeah, guess you did, didn’t you?”

Watt had given her the key in case of an unexpected emergency, but it seemed like it was seeing near-daily use without a second thought. Watt sighed. He did have a tendency to oversleep, so he was in the wrong. He was, but he hoped they’d be a bit more selective with the means they took to correct that.

Now that I think about it, she mighta woken me up every day we were living in Front-Edge City too...

A brief span though it was, they had lived together in Front-Edge City, which was likely why Anna refused to allow him to oversleep. But based on his current position, having his daughter come to wake him up every day wasn’t a good thing—not at all.

Guess I’m really gonna have to get serious about wakin’ up early...

“By the way, do you mind telling me how long you’re planning on staying in bed?” Carome asked. “Breakfast is ready, so hurry up and come over.”

“I hear ya.”

With a heavy heart, Watt rose to his feet. Fare thee well, O lazy mornings. He’d finally left starting work alongside the sunrise as a station worker for a new career that would allow him to sleep in peace, but it seemed he’d been expecting too much.

“All righty! Might as well hit the road!”

Changing his mindset, Watt pepped himself up with an energizing smack on his cheeks before bursting into motion. He shaved in the bathroom, then washed his face. Looking up in the mirror, he was greeted by the sight of a boring, middle-aged man. He couldn’t shake the feeling that he was seeing a few more white hairs. Should he dye his hair? No, there still weren’t that many of them, so they wouldn’t stick out. He didn’t want to do anything that he didn’t need to—whether that was out of laziness or just desperation was the question.

“Well, this is what I’m workin’ with.”

Feeling refreshed, Watt opened up his closet to a row of tightly packed uniforms. Minutes ago, he’d been certain he was in high spirits, but now, he could feel them sinking more and more by the moment.

“Not that this is a bad gig, though,” he said to himself. “Still, I just wish I didn’t have to wear this getup...”

It was one thing when he’d been a snot-nosed brat in his late teens and twenties, but for an old man nearing forty, the flashy design of the uniform bordered on torture. If he’d continued to wear it since then it might’ve felt a bit more familiar, but since he’d only returned to his job just a few months ago, he found himself struggling to get used to the uniforms. If he had to wear one no matter what, he would’ve preferred something a bit more plain, but since it was “tradition,” there was hardly anything he could do.

Resigning himself, Watt put on his uniform and made his way to the dining hall. There, he found himself greeted by a perfectly prepared breakfast. His expression froze in a half-baked smile. Before him was a plate filled with slightly burnt bread, crunchy bacon, and a steaming omelet—with a soft-boiled center, no doubt.

“This...was all you, wasn’t it, Caro?”

It wasn’t a question. Watt was sure of it. It was different from the food his daughter had made for him when they were in Front-Edge City. What’s more, they were all foods he’d liked almost twenty years ago. The fact that she still remembered that even now made it apparent that he had vastly underestimated the extent of her meticulous nature.

“The bigger question is...just how long have you two been here?” Watt asked fearfully. The way things were going, it was sounding like they hadn’t just dropped by a few minutes ago—which meant that he’d been dead to the world, sawing logs, while the two of them were making breakfast. Okay, that’s just scary now.

“Hardly matters, don’t you think?” Carome answered. “Now hurry up and eat before it gets cold.”

“Carome’s an amazing cook!” Anna chimed in. “Show me how to make everything next time, okay?”

“Of course. As you wish, Your Majesty.”

With the two standing side by side like this, they almost looked like sisters with an age gap, or maybe even—

Flustered, Watt shook his head to rid himself of the terrible thought that had crossed his mind.

“Urk, that’s all I need to hear!” Watt said. “But still, ya didn’t have to go to all the trouble of makin’ breakfast! And you put a lotta work into this. It’s just breakfast—you coulda made something a whole lot simpler!”

“Still, a good breakfast gives you the energy you need for the day ahead, father,” Anna said. “Make sure you eat up, okay?”

“Will do...”

There wasn’t a father in the world who could win against his daughter. Rushing to take his seat, Watt dug into his meal. He heartily scarfed down his breakfast while both Anna and Carome watched on in satisfaction.

***

Oldrock, the capital of the kingdom of Ogdenn.

It was an old city centered around the palace, with enough history to go around, if nothing else. Halfway through the city, noticeably newer buildings began to appear before ultimately leading to the enormous Trail station, the culmination of the kingdom’s latest technology. The palace and the station: The two massive buildings were symbols of the old and the new, respectively, but they were both objects of pride to the people of the capital.

“Man, to think I’d see the day I’d be workin’ here at the palace again. Still can’t believe it...”

“Don’t you think it’s a little late for that kind of talk?”

Accompanied by Anna and Carome, Watt cut across the capital’s streets.

“Wow...” he said, sounding deeply moved.

There, standing before them, was the palace. Watt had once left the palace behind, and in the span it had taken him to step foot there once more, seventeen years had passed. And yet, as if the castle and its surroundings were eternally fixed, not a thing had changed.

Making their way through the side door at the rear of the palace, Watt greeted the gatekeeper he’d already grown completely familiar with.

Startled after seeing Watt’s companions, the gatekeeper rushed to salute. Watt knew how the gatekeeper had to feel. After calming the man’s nerves, Watt plodded up through the palace toward his workplace.

“I think the same thing every time, but this place really is just way too complicated,” he said.

“Isn’t that just how castles are?” Anna replied.

“That’s right, Your Majesty,” Carome answered. “While such would never happen, we always have to think about our preparations should anything ever go wrong.”

While Watt hadn’t been a fan of the layout when he’d worked at the palace in his younger years, at almost forty, making his way through a maze of stairs was nothing short of brutal. It didn’t help that his office was located on the uppermost story either.

Good thing I went ahead and ate breakfast beforehand! I couldn’t show my face around here if I got all winded on the way to work!

After a thoroughly exhausting workout first thing in the morning, Watt finally arrived at his destination. He already felt as if he’d completed a task, but in reality, he’d merely made it into work.

“Top of the morning to ya!”

The office was spacious, bearing just the right amount of sophisticated furniture. The window that had been left open on the opposite side of the door offered the perfect lookout on the capital below.

Pattering past Watt, Anna headed into the rear of the room, making her way to the extravagant—yet practical and well-made—work desk awaiting her there.

Anna straightened her posture. “Good morning to you, my Top Knight!”

“And a good day to you as well, my queen!”

After exchanging forced-sounding greetings, all three of them couldn’t help but laugh.

Indeed, Anna Ogdenn was Watt’s real daughter whom he’d met only a half a year ago...and now she was the queen of the Kingdom of Ogdenn.

It had been ages ago that Watt had put the outlaws who had attacked Front-Edge City in pursuit of Anna in their place. In the half-year span that followed, Anna had turned seventeen and had completely taken on all the behaviors befitting a queen. In stark contrast to Anna, however, Watt slovenly sank into a nearby seat. While it was arguably disrespectful to do so in the queen’s presence, when it was just them and their closest companions, behaving as father and daughter hardly posed a problem. While some might suggest that Watt was slovenly even in his capacity as her father, he decided to push such concerns to the side.

It was no surprise that the gentle smile on his daughter’s face quickly transformed into a stern expression when she looked outside.

“Look how far the sun’s come while I was out waking you up!”

Watt paused for a moment. “Look, it’s just, I might have a little bit of a tendency to oversleep. But at the end of the day, the Top Knight doesn’t have all that much to do when it’s peaceful! No point in me actin’ all stiff and formal!”

The Top Knight of the Kingdom: It was a terribly grandiose title, but it was indeed Watt’s occupation. It was the same position that he had once thrown away, but after his daughter had become queen, Watt had resolved to return to the job to keep her safe.

Even then, however, he didn’t have all that much to do under normal circumstances. The Royal Knights were tasked with the queen’s personal protection, and circumstances that would dictate the Top Knight go out of his way to make an appearance were few and far between.

Seeing the sight of her father like that, Anna nodded, as if she’d made some sort of decision. “Living with you really is the only way... At this rate, you’re bound to fall astray, father!”

“It’s far too absurd to have you spending your nights in the common quarters!”

While it had only been a week or so that Anna had spent in Front-Edge City, it seemed to be a veritable wellspring of memories for her. She seemed eager for any chance to live together with her father the way they had then.

But couldn’t Watt just live together with her in the palace? Unfortunately, matters weren’t quite so simple.

Cullinagemia, who’d once been Watt’s fiancée, had wed Lezamer Ogdenn, the first prince, when she was still pregnant with Anna. This meant Anna was a royal. Thus, while Watt was indeed her father, he himself wasn’t a noble and in turn wasn’t permitted to live in the palace.

To be honest, I’d just wind up gettin’ tense tryin’ to live in the palace, so that’s the last thing I’d want!

If Watt were to try and sleep in the palace, he was certain he’d collapse from all the stuffiness within the day, much less last a whole week—and that was exactly why he was living away from his daughter and renting a home in the city.

“But he’ll never get up unless I stay with him!” Anna objected.

“What’s the problem with me gettin’ a little bit of shut-eye, huh?” Watt replied. “Gettin’ up early’s hard on an old guy like me!”

“Father...”

“That’s not the sort of thing to be proud of, Watt.”

Unlike station workers, who were required to get up alongside the dawn of each day, the Top Knight of the Kingdom enjoyed looser stipulations on his time. At least in the sense that he was generally able to get plenty of sleep, his current job was unmatched. If you think I’m gonna give that up, you’ve got another thing coming! Watt thought, ready to put up a full-scale resistance, only for the sound of a knock at the door to ring out through the office.

“Forgive my intrusion. Her Majesty’s present... Hmm, and so is Watt.” The man who’d appeared in the doorway—Otto Socom—nodded.

“Well, if it isn’t Otto the boss! Morning!”

“It’s time you stopped calling me your boss, Sir Top Knight of the Kingdom,” Otto said. “Your standing is higher than my own, you know.”

“Don’t you think you’re the one who should be dropping all this stiff and formal business?” Watt replied. “It’s hard for me to just suddenly flip that switch after ten years.”

While Otto was a noble, he was also the president of Socom Co. and had been Watt’s employer while he’d lived in Front-Edge City. Otto had been his boss for over ten years—that wasn’t the sort of professional relationship that could just be shrugged off.

First and foremost, Watt’s position as the Top Knight of the Kingdom was a complicated one. In terms of his standing, he was considered the same as the Royal Knights, but he was in direct service to the queen and thus separate from the kingdom’s knights. Meanwhile, Otto was a baron in title but now stood as the uniting head of the group of nobles who were known as “Anna’s faction” or “the queen’s faction.” They both now served as allies supporting the queen, coming in at arguably equal standing.

“So what’s the matter this morning?” Anna asked, tilting her head to the side. Otto was extremely busy, but every now and again he would make an appearance in the office as he had now.

“There are several matters I would like your approval on,” Otto answered. “I’d also like to speak with you regarding the operations of your faction.”

“Of course,” Anna replied. “As always, I’m deeply grateful for your efforts, Baron Socom.”

“You’re the queen, Your Majesty,” Otto said. “I’m no more than a baron—there’s no need to show deference to the likes of me. Not only that, but in service of your image before your faction, we must have you carry yourself with greater dignity.”

“I know that I should, and yet...it just feels so off to me.”

“I’m sure you would feel that way, Your Majesty,” Otto said. “You can take it a bit at a time, but this is something you’ll have to get used to regardless.”

Anna too still had reservations about her position—in fact, hers might’ve been the greatest of anyone’s. She’d had next to no experience behaving as a noble to begin with. Even though she’d been fervently studying from the very moment she’d taken the throne as queen, it wasn’t the sort of thing that could be mastered over the course of a day.

As they were speaking, the sound of someone dashing down the hallway rang out closer and closer before the doors to the office were knocked wide open.

“Heya! Is Anna around? Oh, Pops—you’re here too!”

Otto let out a deep, deep sigh the moment his daughter’s lively greeting left her mouth. “Meddié. You two might be old friends, but you have to make the distinction between your personal connections and public roles! I’ve told you time and time and time again!”

“Heh heh, I hear ya! I’ll be careful, Pops!”

Watching his daughter shrug off his scolding with a smile, Otto gave another sigh. His only daughter, Meddié Socom, had taken on the role of deputy president of Socom Co. while her father was busy running the queen’s faction. While her title still included the word “deputy,” in all practical regards, she acted as the company’s representative.

“And of course, I’m working too!” Meddié said. “Here’s the list of the products I brought!”

“The same goes to you, Meddié! Thanks for everything!” Anna said.

“You just leave it all to me!” Meddié said. “There’s practically nothing Socom Co. can’t get in nowadays!”

Her confidence wasn’t unfounded either. With the queen’s hearty trust in the company, Socom Co. had been able to further expand its business, making full use of the transport capabilities of the Kingdom’s Trail as it welcomed a period of remarkable progress. The company was now transforming into an indispensable presence in the capital’s logistics.

“You’ve gone and turned into a full-fledged businesswoman, haven’t ya, Meddié?” Having known Meddié since she was a young girl, even Watt couldn’t help but feel proud.

She puffed out her chest with a broad grin. “Keep those compliments coming, master! And besides, you’re not really doing anything, right? Come train with me every now and then!”

“Hold on now, busy or not, I’m on the job! I can’t just go wanderin’ off where I please.”

Watt found himself forced to make a small judgment as to whether getting a late start to the morning or wandering around during working hours was worse. And furthermore...

“You’re more than welcome to come and go,” Anna said. “I believe the palace’s training grounds are available.”

“Awesome!” Meddié exclaimed. “Now all I need is a friend to train with!”

“Oh, guess you got the go-ahead, huh?”

The ultimate authority, the queen herself, was right there with them, meaning that whatever she said was right.

As they talked, more frenzied footsteps drew closer to the office. There was a knock, and the door swung open without even waiting for a response.

“Forgive me, but we have an emergency on our hands! There’s been a Mechsteel attack on the outskirts of the capital!”

“What?” Carome said, immediately rising to her feet. “It’d take a terribly brazen criminal to go on a rampage in the city! Is there any further report?”

Carome was the captain of the Royal Knights in direct service of the queen and was therefore sensitive to matters affecting the peace of the kingdom.

“Yes, ma’am! The Royal Knights immediately departed to respond to the situation, but the Mechsteel going on an onslaught... It’s a Diviner! So a request for the Top Knight of the Kingdom to join the mission has been issued!”

“Ah... That’s right. I can see it.” Watt scrunched up his face unhappily as he glared out the window. There, on the other side of the capital’s streets, was a massive figure raging about near the outer walls. It was an enormous mechanical suit of armor that had been made using materials from monsters—a Mechsteel. It was the culmination of all the technology at mankind’s disposal, but it had been turned into a tool for destruction by a heartless fiend.

“Hey, now that I’m lookin’ at it, that’s Bahamut Dominion there! I thought we sealed that thing away! The hell’s it doin’ trouncin’ around here?”

There were several categories of Mechsteels based on their capabilities and how they were made. Starting with the Livestock-class Mechsteels that weren’t meant for combat, there were also the Brute-class Mechsteels that were designed for battle and the Crusader-class Mechsteels that boasted more advanced capabilities. The highest—and strongest—category was Diviners.

Catching the signal in Anna’s eyes, Otto swiftly examined the vault in the office.

“...We’ve been had. Bahamut’s start-up key is gone. It appears to have been stolen,” he said.

“Which means that we already have a pretty good idea of who our criminal is,” Carome said. “We’ll fell the fiend right away, Your Majesty.”

Bahamut Dominion, the Mechsteel that was rampaging about now, had been defeated by Watt in Legalisbelm roughly a half year ago. The mech had been sealed away ever since. A Mechsteel like that wasn’t the sort of thing that could be taken out without the queen’s permission.

“I’m counting on you, Lady Carome,” Anna said.

“There’s no need to bid me do what is only my duty,” Carome answered. “Now, if you’ll excuse me. Come on, Watt—we’re leaving at once.”

“Heeey, look, I’m comin’, I’m comin’—ya don’t have to pull me so hard! See ya around, Anna!”

The two tumbled out of the room while their friends saw them off.

“Dang it,” Meddié said. “I was this close to getting master to train me!”

“We’ll find another opportunity,” Anna said. “Very well then, Otto. I’ll leave the cleanup afterward to you.”

“As you wish,” Otto said. “Leave all the details to me.”

With a nod, Otto swiftly set into motion; with both Watt and Carome on the scene, he was sure all the fuss would come to an end in no time at all.

***

Watt and Carome rushed off to the Royal Knights’ station. Inside the station was a storage bay containing the Mechsteels used by the Royal Knights. With Carome’s status as the captain, the storage bay naturally held not only her Mechsteel but others as well.

Bounding into the storage bay, Watt wasted no time making his way to one of the Mechsteels. It was called Lord Gryphon—a Crusader-class Mechsteel clad in dazzling and elegant red armor. It had been Watt’s partner for twenty years, even before he became the Top Knight of the Kingdom.

“We’ve got a job to do, buddy,” Watt said. “Man, all this Top Knight business is keepin’ me busier than I thought!”

Just as Watt was grumbling, one of the mechanics spoke up. “Sir Top Knight, your Mechsteel’s in tip-top shape! Feel free to run wild in it, sir!”

“Roger! Thanks for all the help. We’ll kick some ass and be back before ya know it!”

Watt leaped into the cockpit and inserted the start-up key. Harmonizing with his Mechsteel, Watt became one with the mech’s enormous iron frame.

Lord Gryphon let out a burst of steam as it stepped forward, and another Mechsteel appeared from behind it. While it resembled Lord Gryphon, its appearance was somewhat different: It was Carome’s Lord Gryphon Neo.

“It’s time for you to get down to work!” Carome said.

“I hear ya!” Watt replied. “You don’t have to worry about me doin’ my job!”

At Carome’s urging, Watt hurried outside the storehouse. “All righty, let’s take to the skies! Mode Shift!”

Lord Gryphon’s Mech-Heart pounded as the Mechsteel’s entire frame began to overflow with magical energy. It folded in its arms as it opened its legs and unfurled a pair of wings. Completing its transformation into a winged, four-legged beast, the Mechsteel gave a steam-whistle whinny as it flew off into the sky.

Brute-class and higher Mechsteels were able to make use of Magi-skills—inherent special abilities. Lord Gryphon’s Magi-skill was Mode Shift, which saw the mech gain powerful flight capabilities by transforming itself into the shape of a gryphon.

Lord Gryphon reached its top speed in the blink of an eye, but Carome’s Neo followed right behind it without so much as a delay—Lord Gryphon Neos also inherited the Mode Shift capabilities of their predecessor model.

Moments later, the two Mechsteels had arrived at the outskirts of the capital.

“Damn, they’re goin’ at it! That’s one helluva raid they’ve got on their hands!”

From their location high in the skies, they could see what was going on beneath them quite well. Right in the middle of the ring of Royal Knights was a gargantuan Mechsteel: Bahamut Dominion. Surrounding it was a team of Lord Gryphon Neos piloted by the Royal Knights. While the knights had the advantage in terms of numbers, it seemed the sheer strength of Bahamut Dominion was keeping them in check.

Taking the lead, Carome’s Lord Gryphon Neo swooped down, releasing its Mode Shift as it descended.

“Everyone, stand down! We’ll take care of this!”

“We’ll be outta yer hair in no time!”

After seeing that the next Mechsteel to descend was a standard Lord Gryphon rather than a Neo, the knights surged with excitement.

“See? We took too long, so now we’ve got the real star of the show here! End of the line for you, outlaw!”

“Captain! And Sir Top Knight! We’ll leave the rest to you!”

The Royal Knights’ Neos pulled back like the tide, as the two Mechsteels that had come forward in their place stood before the titanic figure of Bahamut Dominion.

Bahamut Dominion leaned its upper half forward, which was far smaller than the rest of its frame.

“So you’ve come, then... Watt Sears, you filthy traitor! How dare you show your face so brazenly before this Mechsteel!”

“Well, how ’bout that—you know my name!” Watt replied. “I can’t say I recognize your voice. You an acquaintance of mine? Y’see, I’ve kinda got this title of Top Knight in the Kingdom, so it’s not exactly strange for me to take care of rough types like you.”

The outlaw’s attention had been solely directed at Watt from the moment he’d arrived. The outlaw had nothing else around in his sights.

Now the question is, just when did I go and piss this guy off...?

Watt scratched his cheek instinctively. He had more people with grudges against him than he had fingers and toes—he could spend all day just trying to remember them all.

“Not that it matters!” Watt continued. “You stole a Mechsteel that had been sealed away, and as if that weren’t bad enough, you went and harmed the kingdom too. It’s time to pay up, pal. Ya can save the rest of your complainin’ for when yer behind bars!”

“If you think you can stop me, then just try! This Mechsteel carries Lord Lezamer’s protection—you’re a fool if you think it’ll be bested so easily!”

“Ahhh, I get it now!” Watt replied. “You’re in the former first prince’s faction, aren’tcha?”

“Former?! Such astounding insolence! His Highness the first prince is still alive and well, I’ll have you know!”

While Lezamer had indeed been defeated in Legalisbelm, he still lived. Yet, with his will completely broken, that was all that could be said of him. The outlaw before them now had likely been a member of the faction that had supported him. There were still those who followed Lezamer, despite the fact that he had lost everything.

“You beasts framed His Highness and baselessly claimed the throne! I shall bring fitting judgment down upon you! You know nothing of your station to disregard our master while a powerless wench sits in the ultimate seat of authority!”

No sooner had the outlaw spoken than Watt’s rather listless mood shifted all at once. He glared at Bahamut Dominion from the display in the cockpit before opening his mouth.

“...Y’know, I was wonderin’ what all this was about. ’Nuff’s enough! Open yer eyes already—Lezamer paid the price for his own crimes. The people chose Anna to take the throne. You might not like it, but I’ve had enough of dealin’ with you brats and your tantrums!”

“Shut up, shut up, shut up! I’ll never accept it!”

Bahamut Dominion raced forward before its pilot even finished speaking. The enormous broadsword in its grip was longer than the full height of a Mechsteel. A direct hit from the blade was sure to make scrap metal of any mech.

“Don’t think I’ve forgotten that attack, now!”

Neither flinching nor hesitating, Watt boldly entered within range of his foe’s broadsword. He dodged the blade and the swirling tempest it brought down with it by a hair before launching only a single attack in return. With piercing accuracy, Watt’s blade severed the Mechsteel’s hand off at the wrist.

“Gwhaaa?! My sword!”

Despite the fact that its whole body was covered in substantial armor, Bahamut Dominion was unable to fortify and protect its joints. No matter how strong a weapon a Mechsteel wielded, if the hand gripping it was destroyed, it was all over.

With its broadsword falling to the ground, Bahamut Dominion unleashed a wave of violent kicks. After making sure that Lord Gryphon had been pushed far enough back from dodging its attacks, the Mechsteel activated a new Magi-skill.

“Face the divine punishment you’re due! Hyper Magi-skill: Feather Sphere!”

The wings on Bahamut Dominion’s back opened up as buzzing feathers rose into the air. The feathers danced around it—a powerful attack beyond compare that served as offense and defense in one. A moment later, the feathers rushed through the air toward Lord Gryphon.

“Come on—don’t tell me you actually thought you were just fightin’ me?!” Watt exclaimed, sounding stunned.

The outlaw rushed to look around—

“Too late!”

That same moment, Carome’s Lord Gryphon Neo flew in from Bahamut Dominion’s blind spot and swung down its halberd with all its might. With both the mighty strength of the Gryphon series and the centrifugal force of the swing behind her blow, the halberd tore deep into Bahamut Dominion’s chest. Seeing the massive halberd tear past his side alongside a metallic screech, the outlaw began to tremble.

“Hya, aaagh! S-Stop...! D-Don’t kill me!”

“Stop makin’ a fuss and stand down,” Watt said. “Don’t worry, my blades won’t be doin’ the judgin’—I’ll leave that to the law.”

Watching Bahamut Dominion cease functioning and lose power, Watt wiped away the sweat on his forehead. “Whew! Dodgin’ the Steelrider like that and landin’ a blow right where it hurts, Caro? That’s some skill with a weapon that big! I’m gonna have to be extra careful not to accidentally piss you off now!”

While Carome had originally wielded a broadsword, following Legalisbelm half a year prior, it seemed she’d had a change of heart and taken to wielding a sturdy and strong halberd instead.

All the more reason I never wanna get on her bad side... Er, I mean, all the more reason I’m glad to have her around!

Carome’s Neo turned to face Watt—it seemed she’d heard his grumbling.

“Oh? I think I still have a long way to go before I catch up to you, mister Top Knight of the Kingdom!”

“When you’re an old man like me, over-the-top titles like that just wind up suffocatin’ ya!” Watt objected. “If I had to have a title, ‘Chief’ or ‘Manager’ would be more my speed.”

“That’s rich, considering how you wield those blades of yours,” Carome retorted. “And just who else do you think could fill the post but you?”

As the two bantered on, the Royal Knights dragged the pilot out of the cockpit and took him into custody. It seemed like they were having a bit of a hard time carrying Bahamut Dominion’s gargantuan frame, but the knights weren’t likely to mind if Watt and Carome left the rest to them.

“All righty, then! We’ll go report to Her Majesty. Thanks for takin’ care of things!”

With the other knights replying in acknowledgment as they turned their backs, Lord Gryphon and Lord Gryphon Neo launched into the sky. Making their way back to the storage bay, Watt left Lord Gryphon to the mechanics before hurrying through the castle to reach Anna as quickly as possible.

Clap clap clap.

Midway through, Watt froze in place as he found himself suddenly greeted by a round of applause in a deserted hallway.

“Oh, dear! How mean of him to go breaking our keepsake from father!”

“Oh, dear! Should’ve known better than to expect more out of a pawn!”

Turning around, Watt found himself greeted by a pair of shadows dancing at the far edge of the hallway. The duo—a young boy and a young girl—twirled around as they tapped their feet on the floor.

“Shoulda known it was you two.” Watt’s expression instantly soured. The belittling way they spoke as they spun and twirled about endlessly was enough to get on anyone’s nerves, not just his.

The two were Leonardo Ogdenn, or “Ledo,” and Leyhilda Ogdenn, or “Leda.” They were the legitimate children of the first prince, Lezamer Ogdenn, and the twin half-siblings of Queen Anna.

“Keepsake?!” Watt objected. “He’s just bedridden, that’s all. I told ya, Lezamer ain’t dead!”

Watt glanced off at another section of the palace—where Lezamer was. He had been defeated in Legalisbelm, his heart and soul crushed in battle. Afterward, he’d fallen bedridden, as if stricken by old age all at once. Cullinagemia Ogdenn, his wife even now, was sure to be at his side quietly attending to his needs. Everything had come to an end.

Shaking off the thoughts that darted around his mind, Watt glared at the two problem children. “Ya damn brats! This was all you again, wasn’t it?!”

“Certainly not! We haven’t said a thing!”

“Certainly not! We haven’t done a thing!”

Listen to them just rattle on... Not like we’re gonna find any proof to trace it back to them this time either.

Things always wound up turning out just like this. Every time something massive disrupted the kingdom, Ledo and Leda were always there. The two of them had to be involved in this, any way he looked at it. After all, they always showed up at the scene to stir up trouble every single time—but regardless of how fervently Watt investigated matters, he could never find a single piece of definitive evidence. He could think of plenty of incidents he believed to have been the twins’ doing, but in the end, it all went nowhere, leaving him unable to do anything more than dealing with the problems when they appeared.

The twins snickered on and on, their whispered laughter ringing in Watt’s ears. Just why on earth were they so talented when it came to making people angry?

“Don’t fool yourselves into thinking you can keep on gettin’ away with this.”

“Oh, no! Is a strong knight going to cut us down?”

“Nope,” Watt answered. “You don’t have to worry about that. Besides, I don’t even know what it is I should be cuttin’ down.”

“Well, then, I guess it’s time to go.”

“Well, then, give sister our greetings.”

The twins’ laughter echoed throughout the hallway. They had vanished in an instant, leaving Watt to let out a boundlessly long sigh.

“Dammit, why’d you have to get that from your old man, huh? You two are supposed to be Cullina’s kids too.”

Their father had also been the strategizing sort. Yet, whereas Lezamer had preferred to take action himself with the weight of his authority as a member of the royal family behind him, Ledo and Leda preferred to work from the shadows. Even then, the father and his children were alike when it came to their sly and cunning natures.

“But still, why do they all gotta be so rough with an old man like me?”

Turning around, Watt saw a staircase stretching up before him, only for his spirits to sink even more.

Wheezing his way up the stairs of the palace, he finally made his way to the office.

“Ahhh, that’s enough work for today!” he said, plopping down on the sofa. “I’m done working for the day!”

“Unfortunately, I’m afraid that won’t be possible,” Otto chided.

“Whaaa? You’ve gotta be kiddin’ me...”

Watt begrudgingly rose from the sofa, only for Anna to present him with something.

“It was just now, father,” Anna said. “We just received this letter.”

Watt glared at the letter only to groan a moment later, his head drooping low. It had been a request from the queen—as the Top Knight, there was no way Watt could say no. He reluctantly took the letter and inspected its contents.

“So it’s already time, huh?”

Watt’s eyes opened wide. The letter was simple.

“‘Corona Senatus, the congress of the crowns, is set to be held.’”

That was all and nothing more.

Chapter Two: A Kindred Soul on the Journey but Kindness None

North-Gate City, located at the northern gate of the kingdom of Ogdenn.

As another terminus of the Kingdom’s Trail, it bordered a neighboring nation. While the city’s streets were normally marked by the sight of merchants busily trading, Queen Anna Ogdenn and her party now stood there.

“Howd... Er, ahem! I bid you welcome, Your Majesty! All of us at Socom Co. have been eagerly awaiting your arrival!”

After showing up shortly before Anna and the group, Meddié now stood present to greet the queen. While she’d indeed amended her manner of speaking, the way she happily swung her hand back and forth through the air in greeting undermined all of her efforts. Watt gave a sigh in place of Otto, who’d been unable to join them.

“C’mon, we just got here, and you’re already at it?” Watt asked. “Otto mighta had to stay behind to run Anna’s faction, but don’t you think it woulda been better to hold down the fort with him?”

“Hey now!” Meddié objected. “Look, it’ll be fine, promise! I finally get to go on a trip with Anna—telling me to stay home’s just cruel!”

“Do you know what we’re doing in North-Gate City?” Watt asked back. “We’re here for a meeting, okay? Not just to have fun and sightsee, got it?”

“Of... Of course. I-I know that...”

“Hey, look me in the eyes and say that.”

“Hee hee, I’m sure she will be just fine,” Anna said. “You were saying there was something you wanted to see, Meddié What was it?”

“That’s right!” Meddié replied. “How kind of you to ask! C’mon, right over here! Follow me!”

As if to squeeze her way out of an uncomfortable position, Meddié took Anna’s hand before setting off in a half run. Meddié acted like they were both just students on a field trip, but did she actually remember it was Her Majesty the queen she was with? Growing more and more worried by the minute, Watt and Carome followed the two from behind.

“Ta-da! Feast your eyes on this! With this, even the longest journey’s nothing more than a walk in the park! We have a special-order carriage for Her Majesty!”

“Oh, my, look how adorable it is!”

The group made their way to a storehouse, only to find Meddié bouncing energetically before an object resting right in the middle of the floor. Their feelings from earlier long gone, Watt and the others looked on with eyes wide open.

“I’ll be damned! If it isn’t a Centaurio Runner!” Watt exclaimed, clutching his forehead. “Hold up—you tellin’ me you went to all the trouble of importin’ one of these?”

Before him was a single Mechsteel. With a humanoid upper body and the lower body of a horse from the waist down, the Mechsteel was made in the image of a centaur.

“Not quite, master!” Meddié said, wiggling her finger. “Actually, this is our latest creation at Socom Co., and we’ve got high hopes for this bad boy!”

“Ohhh, you made this in-house? Not too shabby if I say so myself!” Watt remarked.

“It’s astounding that you were able to make something like this outside of the kingdom’s workshop!” Anna said.

“Heh heh! Well, we already made Mechsteels for hunters, after all! A little bit of sweat and grease, and this is what you get!”

Even Carome couldn’t help but be impressed and cross her arms. Meddié rushed to puff out her own ample chest at their reactions—if she’d gone any further, she might have very well toppled over backward.

Watt took a close look at the stately Centaurio Runner before him. “Still, you coulda bought a beat-up Crusader-class Mechsteel with the money you paid for this, couldn’t ya? I get that this is for Anna and all, but dontcha think ya went a little bit overboard?”

“Ahh, well, uh, you see...” Meddié found herself at something of a loss, yet opened her mouth nonetheless. “We’re heading outside of the kingdom in this, right? If we were in a Mech-steed and something bad were to happen...the bad guys would go straight for the coachman.”

In general, the most common form of Mechsteel used for transportation was the Mech-steed. They resembled a horse from the chest down, with the coachman riding where the horse’s neck would’ve been. This presented no issues for transportation in towns and cities, but given that the coachman was exposed, they were sure to be quite helpless if the Mech-steed were to be caught up in a battle.

In that sense, given that the Centaurio Runner was a large Mechsteel covered in armor from head to hoof, it offered volumes more endurance and safety than a mere Mech-steed. Even in the unfortunate situation that the queen were to find herself in danger, there was no doubt that the Centaurio Runner would put its sturdy defenses to good use.

“Meddié, you did all this for me? Thank you so much!” Anna said, pressing her hands together in delight.

Almost as if she were embarrassed, Meddié seemed to blush before crossing her arms in self-satisfaction. “Heh heh, it’s for my friend, after all! And besides, I’m gonna be sellin’ mountains of these things soon! The cost is the last thing to worry about!”

“Oh?” Watt said. “You think these things are gonna sell like hotcakes right when you need ’em to?”

“Of course they will!” Meddié replied. “After all, the fact that Anna’ll be using this to journey outside the kingdom will mean it has the queen’s personal approval! I’m gonna market them to all those well-to-do noble types!”

“I gotcha. Gotta say, you’ve gotten better at all this business stuff,” Watt said. “Looks like even the baron himself isn’t above a nice kickback!”

“It’s hardly cushy compared to the deal the Top Knight himself got.”

Ignoring the oh-so-idiotic master-disciple duo and their needlessly loud laughter, Carome made her way back to the group after giving the Centaurio Runner a closer inspection and nodded. “If it’s as you say, then, we’ll take you up on your offer. We’ll entrust this to the Royal Knights. After all, the fact remains that Her Majesty is unaccustomed to long journeys. Your assistance is much appreciated, Meddié.”

“And I’ll give it my all promoting this while we’re traveling!” Anna said.

“Really? Thanks a ton, Anna!”

“I get it now,” Watt said. “This is what people mean when they talk about collusion, huh?”

It was astounding to think there were actually people who’d try to turn the queen into a walking advertisement. Still, considering how much aid Anna had received from Socom Co. when she’d taken the throne, showing them a bit of favor was hardly likely to be a problem. After all, the queen herself was all for it, so trying to stop her was bound to go nowhere.

“Okay, time to get ready for the road!”

Serving as the vehicle’s steed, the Centaurio Runner was linked to an enormous carriage—specially made, of course—behind it. While the carriage was more than spacious enough, it boasted high performance as well, with special attention given to its suspension to ensure that the cabin hardly moved at all. Considering that the vehicle was meant for a weeklong journey one way, a good deal of consideration had to be given to its comfort as well. While such features came at the expense of the Mechsteel’s construction costs, the price was arguably justified.

“Come to think of it, what’s the Kingdom of Emperimo like, anyway?” Meddié asked, coming over after finding herself free as preparations for their journey were made.

“I’d like to know myself,” Anna said, tilting her head to the side. “All I know is that it’s where Corona Senatus, the grand congress where all the nations of Vahylicard come together to meet, is held.”

The Kingdom of Emperimo was located almost exactly at the center of the land of Vahylicard, which was home to the Kingdom of Ogdenn among other nations. Those sorts of broad facts were the only things Anna knew about their destination.

Watt nodded back. “I’ve been there before, back in my first stint as a knight. The Kingdom of Emperimo’s a bit of an odd place—ya could say it was practically founded on tourism.”

“Really? Tourism, huh?” Meddié replied. “That’s pretty unusual! I mean, I could understand if it was founded on trade, though!”

“Look at you go, Meddié!” Anna said. “You’re really getting an eye for business.”

“Heh heh. Oh, it’s nothing, really!”

The girls and their playful comments aside, it was certainly true that tourism was far from a major industry in this day and age. The simple reason was that there weren’t enough customers to sustain it. Even in Ogdenn, with its mighty Kingdom’s Trail, the majority of passengers making use of it were merchants. It still remained too difficult for the average civilian to readily travel. In other words, sightseeing was a pastime enjoyed primarily by a select group of wealthy individuals; the general perception was that it was too unreliable to make it one of the kingdom’s main industries.

“Well, it goes without sayin’ there’s more than just that, though,” Watt explained. “Ya get crowds of people from all the countries ’round here comin’ together for Corona Senatus, after all. That means the Kingdom of Emperimo’ll be more than ready to give everybody a warm welcome.”

“It all just sounds like so much fun!” Anna said.

“That’s right!” Meddié said. “And I bet it’ll be a prime opportunity for inspecting the market. We’ve gotta go around and see it all!”

“For sure!”

Watching the girls, Watt gave a satisfied nod. While he was indeed traveling to participate in Corona Senatus, one of the deciding factors for him had been the chance to see some of the sights.

“It was a long time back, but the place was gorgeous and the food was great. We’re gonna have one helluva time!” Watt said.

“Of course!” Anna said.

“Yeah!” Meddié added.

Carome cast a warm gaze across the three of them as the father, his daughter, and his disciple all swung their arms in the air.

***

After completing their preparations, the Ogdenn delegation set out.

In the center of the group were two carriages pulled by Centaurio Runners. One of them was the queen’s royal carriage, while the other was packed full with consumables and goods to last the length of their journey. A team of Lord Gryphon Neos piloted by Royal Knights encircled the delegation as guards.

“Her Majesty the queen shall now depart!”

“Long live Her Majesty the queen!”

“Long live the Kingdom of Ogdenn!”

The people of North-Gate City saw off the lengthy processions surrounding the massive carriages with a stream of applause. The brilliant array of Mechsteels was sure to be the talk of the whole city.

After making their way out of town, the group proceeded to the border and past the checkpoint.

“The trees are different here than they are in Ogdenn,” Anna said. “We really are outside of the kingdom, aren’t we...?”

“I know, right?” Meddié replied. “Something about new scenery just gets you so excited!”

Anna and Meddié were in the highest of spirits on the journey, practically glued to the carriage’s window, which provided an excellent view of the scenery. Their seats were located in the upper section of the carriage, perfect for looking out across their surroundings.

“Look how carried away they’re gettin’... Seein’ ’em like this reminds ya that they really are just kids,” Watt said.

“I see what you mean,” Carome replied. “It’d be much better if they were able to travel without needing some reason, though.”

Watt and Carome were also there with them inside the carriage. They were responsible for the queen’s personal protection, while it fell to the members of the Royal Knights to keep the group safe while they traveled. To ensure that they could spring into action at a moment’s notice in the event of an emergency, they’d made sure to bring their Mechsteels along with them.

“That’s okay, Carome!” Anna said. “I’m having a wonderful time right now! It was only just recently that I left the capital for the first time...and now here I am, outside Ogdenn! Isn’t it just amazing to think about?”

Scenery she didn’t recognize and people she didn’t know who lived in towns she’d never been to... Ever since she’d left the capital during Legalisbelm, Anna’s life had been filled with both the unknown and surprises aplenty.

Seeing the sparkle in her eyes, Watt couldn’t help but grin. Everyone who’d bound the scope of her life was gone. Just how far would Anna’s world stretch? It would be Watt’s job as both her father and her Top Knight to lend her his strength for just that.

How could I not give my own daughter a helpin’ hand? I ain’t outta steam yet!

Watt had taken up his blade again, so all he could do was keep running the distance until the time came for him to lay it down once more. Their journey continued, carrying the girls’ excited voices and the middle-aged man’s newfound determination.

As they passed through other foreign countries, the enormous carriages led by the Centaurio Runners sparked rumors everywhere they went.

“My, I wonder what country that carriage is from? It’s so much fun to see all those grand groups come from all over when Corona Senatus draws near!”

First, the people would stare at the enormous frame of the Centaurio Runner before gasping in admiration at the grandeur of the carriage behind it. Finally, their eyes would land on the emblem of Ogdenn flying high from the carriage. While it was likely that Meddié hadn’t thought that much into it, the imposing presence of the massive carriage came to be seen as a reflection of Queen Anna’s authority, quietly spreading across both Ogdenn and its neighbors.

***

They passed through a number of countries as they went. After roughly a week, the group finally made their way into the Kingdom of Emperimo.

“So this is the Kingdom of Emperimo... It’s absolutely beautiful!” Anna said.

“This place is huge!” Meddié added.

Anna leaned forward, her gaze fixed on the scenery sprawling out across the other side of the glass window. The Kingdom of Emperimo was by and large relatively level, with neatly sectioned plots of farmland unfurling across the boundless plains stretching out before them as far as the eye could see. Even the main roads spanning the kingdom were of a quality she’d never seen before, so sturdy that the carriage didn’t shake in the slightest despite the heavy Centaurio Runner pulling it.

Every now and again, some of the Mechsteels used as work machines at the farms would wave at the group. While it was indeed the season for Corona Senatus, it was such a simple, straightforward welcome that Anna felt none of the caution that would normally be directed at those from another country. She felt a warm sensation well up within her heart.

“Such magnificent scenery... It’s a wonderfully peaceful kingdom, isn’t it?”

The towns they stopped at along the way were just as peaceful, welcoming Anna and the group with open arms. Just before they reached the city that was to be their final destination, they followed the recommendation they’d been given and stayed at an inn geared toward nobles and others of high standing.

“Whew! With that much farmland, I bet they have a bunch of food to go around! Wonder if they export any of it?” Meddié said.

“Hee hee, are you planning on selling some of it yourself, Meddié?” Anna asked back.

“Nah, it’s pretty far from Ogdenn, so it’d be too much of a stretch. But man, this inn’s super nice! Hard to put my finger on it, but there’s just something about this kingdom that makes it easy to settle into!”

“Agreed! And we had a wonderful journey!”

They’d had a warm welcome at the inn, and they’d even been served an elaborate meal for their dinner that evening. Feeling quite satisfied, Anna and the others chatted among themselves afterward.

“Still, this kinda service at a price like this? That’s pretty damn cheap,” Watt muttered, standing in the corner of the room as they talked. “An inn at the capital back in Ogdenn would cost you more than this.”

“Oh, dear!” Anna remarked. “Are they all right offering prices like that? Is it enough to make a living...?”

Anna’s experience working in Front-Edge City had instilled her with a commonsense understanding of money.

“Don’t you worry,” Watt said, nodding. “This kingdom’s makin’ money just fine. And besides...have you noticed? The cities here are lacking one very important element. And what do you think that is?”

“What?” Meddié asked. “They seem well-off wherever you go here. I didn’t get the sense that they were lacking anything at all!”

“I can’t think of anything myself...” Anna added.

“The answer’s walls,” Watt said. “There ain’t a wall to protect the cities anywhere in sight.”

Surprised, Anna and Meddié sank into thought. Now that Anna thought about it, there weren’t any walls around the city they were staying in that night either. The last barrier they’d seen had been when they were crossing the border. After they’d made their way inside Emperimo, they hadn’t seen any sort of obstruction or blocking at all.

“That must mean they’ve no need to protect themselves!” Anna said. “So that must prove what a peaceful kingdom they are, correct?”

“You’re half right and half wrong,” Watt answered. “It’s the safest kingdom in all of Vahylicard, no doubt about it. But that’s because it’s got some crazy strong guardians keepin’ it that way.”

Anna fell silent, tilting her head to the side in confusion at what Watt’s answer seemed to be hinting at.

“We’ve come all this way to participate in Corona Senatus, so you might as well study up a bit while you’re here,” he said. “I’m talkin’ about the price they pay for peace. You gotta take a real good look at things, see? And it ain’t just the scenery I’m talkin’ about—it’s the kingdom on the whole.”

With Anna now the queen of Ogdenn, Watt was sure that doing so would be a necessary experience for her.

He’s right... Anna thought. While we might be traveling now, I’m still in a foreign country. It’s home to a culture and lifestyles I don’t know. In fact, the whole kingdom is filled with things I know nothing about. I have to learn even more about all sorts of things...and even more so in order to grow as Ogdenn’s queen. I’ll give it nothing short of my very best!

Anna had always been the serious type, so it didn’t take much to kindle the fires of her motivation. She gave Watt a hearty nod back.

“Attagirl!” Watt said. “All righty, then! But for now, let’s just take advantage of this first-rate hospitality!”

“Of course!”

Later that evening, after the inn’s soft and downy beds led a certain master-disciple duo into an excited frenzy and a pillow fight in turn, Carome made sure to give them both the scolding of a lifetime.

***

The following day, the Ogdenn delegation arrived at their destination: Yantaggio, the city where Corona Senatus was to be held. As they approached the town, they found themselves greeted by kingdom officials. They were all clothed in matching, uniform-like outfits, forming a long line extending from the entrance to the city. Following the flag being waved to guide them forward, the group found an individual wearing even more refined garb waiting for them.

“The warmest of welcomes to you, O travelers from the kingdom of Ogdenn,” the man said. “We have naught but the utmost joy at being able to host Corona Senatus once more. We extend a sincere welcome to each and every nation in participation.”

“Are you perhaps the lord of this land?” Anna asked. “We’re hardly deserving of such a welcome, but your kindness is appreciated nonetheless.”

She stood, impressed by the welcome they’d received, only for Carome to quietly make her way over and whisper in her ear.

“The one greeting you now,” she said, “is none other than the king of Emperimo himself.”

“Wh-Whaaa?! How terribly improper of me to fail to properly introduce myself!” Anna exclaimed. “Erm, it’s wonderful to meet you. I’m Anna, queen of the Kingdom of Ogdenn!”

She leaped out of the carriage, offering her greetings in a rush. The king of Emperimo, however, simply nodded without missing a beat.

“My, what courteous words. But think nothing of it. After all, we’ve merely been entrusted with providing a location for the congress by those who sit at the crown of power. Our greatest joy lies in having all of our guests participate without incident.”

While his kingdom might’ve been lesser than Anna’s, the fact remained that he was still a member of the kingdom’s royal family—such behavior was hardly fitting for his standing. Far from even a lord, he could just as well have been the owner of an inn. Even Anna herself couldn’t help but begin to harbor doubts about the king’s behavior.

There’s no mistaking it... she thought. It seems this kingdom is beholden to some sort of special circumstances.

“Now then,” the king continued, “my men shall guide you to your accommodations. Please, relax to your hearts’ content until the congress begins. Should you have any requests at all, please do not hesitate to let us know.”

With no time to sit and think, the group found themselves led to their inn. And yet, the inn they arrived at would be better described as a palace.

“Is it just me, or did this place get even swankier than the last time I was here?” Watt said.

“There’s no doubt about it—they’ve spent more of their funds on this than Ogdenn has on its own palace,” Carome replied.

While Watt and Carome looked disgusted as they murmured back and forth to each other, Meddié and Anna seemed curious at their surroundings.

“Hey, master, does this mean it’s okay for us to go out into the city?”

“For better or worse, yeah,” he answered. “After all, there ain’t a thing for us to do till the meetin’ starts up. They said we’re free to do what we want, so let’s take ’em up on their offer.”

Watt then went off to check a handful of points with one of the servants before returning to the group.

“They said we can do whatever we’d like at just about any place in the city. Told us not to worry about payment since they’d wait to take care of all that later. And if we get bored hangin’ around nearby, we’re free to take a trip too. Apparently they’re doin’ falconry in the outskirts.”

“Couldn’t ask for anything better than that!” said Meddié.

“I see why too,” Watt said. “It usually takes a while for all the countries participating to make their way here, after all.”

A great number of nations participated in Corona Senatus. Delegations came from all over, which meant that it took them varying amounts of time to arrive. The group had everything they would need and then some while they waited.

“Let’s go out together, then!” Meddié said, wasting no time in rising to her feet and grabbing Anna’s hand.

“Okay! Is there anywhere you’d like to go?” Anna asked.

Meddié replied immediately with a dazzlingly bright smile. “We’re gonna eat our way through the city!”

***

Dropping off their luggage, the group immediately set out into Yantaggio. Carriages went to and fro on the well-maintained roads that ran across the city in all directions. They had plenty of width to spare even when walking beside the carriages in a large group. Something akin to a marketplace had been set up not too far from their palatial inn. It was “akin” to a marketplace because, rather than the sort of market that the city’s inhabitants would use, it seemed to be some sort of event set up for the city’s guests. Yantaggio had spared no detail in its preparations.

“Whoa, this is amazing! Hey, Anna—look at that fruit they’re selling over there! I’ve never seen that before in my life! Let’s try it! Oh, and that soup over there smells absolutely divine!”

“Calm down just a bit, Meddié,” Anna cautioned. “It’s not like all that food will sprout legs and run away...”

“How can I wait on food like that?!”

Anna ran this way and that, led on by Meddié as she bounded ahead. Maintaining a reasonable distance as the girls wandered about wherever they wished, their Royal Knight guards followed after them.

“It’s a good thing it’s easy to walk around here, but there’s so little cover it’s got me on pins and needles,” one of the knights remarked.

“I know, right?” another said. “I’m sure they made it like this to welcome everyone, but as a guard, it’s a little bit much.”

Watt noticed a hint of nervous tension from Carome and the other Royal Knights. A location that was easy to move around in was, put another way, a location that made it difficult to conceal oneself as well. While Emperimo’s safety was a part of its appeal, they were still in another country. Given that they were tasked with keeping Anna safe at all times, the overly open surroundings were mentally exhausting for the knights.

“Doesn’t help that there’s people from other countries around too,” Watt said, glancing around, only to find his remark was right on the money. A single glance was all it took to reveal groups from around three different countries, all bearing different outfits and skin tones. Invitations to Corona Senatus were extended to all nations within the land of Vahylicard, ultimately bringing people from over a hundred nations together. In turn, they were, quite literally, just a stone’s throw away from hitting someone from another country.

Bearing a mountain of fruits, baked treats, meats of unknown origin and more in their arms, the girls found themselves stopped when a voice addressed them from the side.

“That flag—I take it you’re from the Kingdom of Ogdenn. Am I wrong?”

Unable to sit back and watch as Anna came within a hair’s breadth of spilling the fruit in her arms in surprise, Watt rushed to the front. The one who’d addressed her was a man who looked right around thirty. He wore no noticeable emblem or crest on his clothes. Casting his gaze behind the man, Watt’s eyes landed on the emblem the knights around him—likely there as his guard—bore.

“You and your men... You’re from the Kingdom of Doré, are you not?”

There weren’t many rules that they were to uphold while they were in Emperimo. One of the few they did have to uphold, however, was that they had to display the flag of the nation they belonged to. The lower ranking the soldier, the more this rule became a necessity. It had been set in place due to the necessity of ascertaining the affiliations of the parties involved when a problem broke out. In that regard, having the capacity to look at the flags and quickly distinguish the countries involved was quite crucial.

I forgot just about every flag I learned back then... Watt thought to himself. Good thing I pushed myself to relearn them all not too long ago!

There were some flags that Watt still remembered from when he’d served as Top Knight of the Kingdom long ago. And yet, the flow of time was a cruel thing indeed. He had taken it on himself to once more fill his mind with all the knowledge that had seeped out from his memory over the last decade and more. It was quite the trying task for Watt’s middle-aged brain, but he’d been able to relearn it all in time somehow.

The man who’d addressed Anna gave a magnanimous nod.

“My name is Auvere Doré...and I am its current king. I was just trying to distract myself from the boredom leading up to the start of the meeting, so this is a fortuitous encounter indeed. What say you? Should you have time to spare, would you care to converse for a bit?”

After somehow readjusting her posture, Anna stepped forward and gave her answer. “I’m Anna. And I’m now...the queen of Ogdenn. If you’ll have me, I’d be happy to join you.”

There was no way that Anna could simply turn him down and say that eating their way through Yantaggio was more important. Behind her, Meddié desperately tried to conceal the food in her arms.

Who woulda thought we’d rub elbows with another country as soon as we get here... Watt thought. No time to relax, but... I recall Ogdenn was on pretty good terms with Doré. He might be just perfect for lettin’ Anna get some practice in.

Keeping his thoughts to himself, he followed after Anna.

***

The palatial inn was located in the middle of Yantaggio alongside the marketplace and even a garden. The garden was apparently used when leaders of different nations met over tea. After leading the way, the servants from Emperimo wasted no time lining up the seats for their guests. The group barely had to wait before the tea was prepared, and the servants stepped back with reverent bows.

“The people of this kingdom are as skilled as ever,” Auvere said, taking the lead and sipping from his tea.

Anna rushed to bring her own cup to her lips. While her host’s pride meant that there was almost certainly no poison or such in her tea, the question of her manners was another matter entirely.

“I’ve heard rumors on the wind,” Auvere said, “that there’d been a change of leadership in Ogdenn as of late. You’re a good deal younger than I’d heard, no less. It must be quite the struggle for you as queen, then, no?”

Anna was a greenhorn queen, nothing more than just a young girl. Even then, Auvere didn’t seem to be looking down on her at all, instead offering up his question with a bright smile.

“Yes, I suppose so. I’m still quite inexperienced,” Anna answered. “Yet I’m fortunate to have the support of the talented individuals around me...so I’m making it through day by day, somehow.”

Anna, for her part, still seemed nervous, visibly stiff by any standard. While that was proof in and of itself of her inexperience, Auvere merely nodded, completely unbothered.

“And that is indeed what counts,” he replied. “When it’s a country you’re dealing with, there’s only so much that just one person can do. It’s a true blessing to have those whom you can trust and work together with.”

“I shall not forget such valuable advice from a seasoned leader such as yourself.”

“You’re far too generous calling me a ‘seasoned’ leader,” Auvere said. “To speak the truth, it was quite recently that I took the throne myself. We’ve been fortunate to be on good terms with Ogdenn from the prior generation of rulers as well. Young though we may be, let us give it our very best as we strive together!”

“Well said!” Anna replied. “May both our kingdoms prosper!”

There ya go, Anna! Way to smooth talk ’im! That’s right, just like that! Now sock him with a real knockout answer to seal the deal!

While Watt had been standing behind Anna to keep guard, internally, he’d been rabidly cheering her on the whole time.

It was then that Watt’s gaze happened to land on the individual standing behind King Auvere. From the man’s appearance, he looked even younger than the king, yet he resembled Auvere a good deal. The fact that they resembled each other, however, likely meant that he was the king’s younger brother. That the words “the king’s younger brother” were all it took to leave Watt cautious, however, was proof that Legalisbelm had continued to have an impact on him—for the worse.

Actually, this dude’s kinda starin’ daggers at me, Watt thought to himself.

The intensity of the younger man’s glare was what had caused Watt to notice his presence. Despite the fact that Anna and King Auvere were having a pleasant conversation, the man’s gaze seemed charged with what could even be called outright hatred.

Watt turned his head to the side in confusion. With the conversation drawing to a close, King Auvere looked up.

“Oh, yes, that’s right. While we’re here, allow me to introduce my brother, Sonata. He’s my retainer and a general for our kingdom.”

“...I am Sonata Doré. A pleasure to meet you,” Sonata said, giving a bow alongside his brief introduction.

After having his older brother introduce him, it seemed Sonata had no intention of maintaining his stern gaze.

I see—a general, huh? Watt thought to himself. From the looks of it, he’s one tough customer too. But...I wonder why it feels like I’ve seen him somewhere before?

Sonata left no openings to be exploited in the way he carried himself. He seemed to be loyally attending to his post from behind King Auvere, constantly remaining in position so he could keep the king safe should something happen. And yet, at the same time, there was something about the man’s air that caught Watt’s attention. Before Watt could think things through to determine what exactly that “something” was, however, the rulers’ conversation came to a close.

“Many thanks for such a pleasant time today,” King Auvere said. “Let us see each other again at the meeting!”

“Certainly!” Anna replied.

With their first introduction ending amiably, Anna and the group saw off King Auvere and his retainers. No sooner had they made their way into the distance than Meddié let out a tremendous sigh.

“Wheeeeewie! Man, I was on pins and needles!”

“Anna was the one talkin’!” Watt objected. “What did you have to be nervous about, Meddié?”

“I mean, c’mon—I couldn’t go making a mess of things when I was behind her, now could I? I was worried my stomach’d start growling or something!”

“Nobody woulda noticed somethin’ like that!” Watt replied. “More importantly, how on earth could your stomach be growlin’ when you’re the only one who’s been eat—”

Grrrk! Meddié’s stomach growled with such perfect timing that she couldn’t help but blush and fall silent.

Anna, however, immediately burst out laughing. “Hee hee! Oh, Meddié!”

From the way Anna was chuckling, it seemed she’d shaken off her nerves just fine. All’s well that end’s well! Without a word, Watt flicked his thumb up in approval.

“His Majesty Auvere is older than I am, but...he’s still quite young for a king, isn’t he?” Anna said. “It’s quite the relief just knowing that I’m not the only new participant here.”

“Yup, that talk about how Doré and Ogdenn are on good terms wasn’t just fluff,” Watt said. “I mean, it’s not like you can count on him for everything under the sun, but he’ll be a good role model for how it’s done.”

Anna gave a sigh of relief. While their journey had halfway been a sightseeing trip, they were in a foreign country to participate in a meeting. The fact that she had been able to make an acquaintance was no small weight off her chest.

Afterward, the group looked around the city a bit more. Once they’d made their way back to the palatial inn, a messenger approached them as if he’d been expecting their arrival.

“We have received notice that all those who sit at the crown of power have arrived. With the Three Crowns now together, Corona Senatus shall be held on the morrow. We ask that you prepare for the congress as well, O valued guests from Ogdenn.”

“The message is most appreciated,” Anna replied. “Well noted. Please, give my regards to King Emperimo as well.”

The messenger bowed and took his leave. While the messenger was a soldier of Emperimo, at first glance he looked only like a servant at the inn. In each and every regard, Emperimo was specialized in hosting other countries.

“So many nations will be here at the meeting,” Anna said, putting a hand to her chest. “I wonder if I’m truly up to the task?”

“No need to get so wound up about it!” Watt said! “It’s a meeting—ya can let it all go in one ear and out the other! You’ll see some people rubbin’ elbows at the dinner afterward, but Ogdenn’s not exactly in the limelight. You just gotta take it easy and strut right in there. Ya hear me? Strut right in!”

“Half-assing things is your forte, I suppose,” Carome chimed in. “Always has been...”

“Urk! Hey, all’s well that ends well, right?” Watt said. “Besiiides, I handled it all pretty well, didn’t I?”

“Pretty well?” Anna said. “I see. I’ll make sure to watch you and learn everything I can!”

“Yeah...? Try not to learn too much from me, ya hear? No need to go overboard now.”

When confronted with the question of whether he’d be pleased to see his daughter imitate his own behavior, Watt, unfortunately, found it all too difficult to say yes.

Chapter Three: Those Who Sit at the Crown of Power

“This place is one helluva sight every time I see it.”

The Emperimo Central Congress Hall, the venue for Corona Senatus, was, quite simply, enormous. While their inn alone could’ve been mistaken for a palace, the hall was even larger in both scope and size. It was so large, in fact, that it occupied almost half of Yantaggio. Given the size of Emperimo, “excessive” was an understatement. What’s more, word had it that it was hardly used for domestic affairs.

“To think they’d prepare such a grand location just for the meeting,” Anna said. “The people of this land truly don’t spare any effort at all.”

“If ya said they’re puttin’ everything they’ve got into this, ya prolly wouldn’t be that far off.”

Participating in Corona Senatus was Anna as queen with Watt and Carome as her guards. Their only real option had been to leave Meddié back at the inn. Meddié herself wouldn’t have wanted to wander right into the middle of the congress anyway, with representatives from nations all over the land together under one roof.

The meeting room located in the center of the congress hall was surprisingly spacious. All together, the room was shaped like a gently sloping cone.

“Our designated seats are right this way, Your Majesty.”

Seats encircled the center of the room, with the designated seats for Ogdenn that Carome led them to located close to the furthest perimeter of the ring.

“Shoulda known we’d get pushed back into the corner like we always do,” Watt grumbled.

“I see what you mean,” Anna said. “But it’s just... Given how far away we are here, I can’t imagine I’ll be able to participate in the meeting.”

Anna tilted her neck to the side, looking puzzled. As the premise of Corona Senatus was a congress where all the nations gathered together, she’d been imagining that everyone would participate in the meeting and discuss matters together. In reality, however, that wasn’t the case.

“Not much we can do about that,” Watt explained. “Here in the meeting, we’re literally the outsiders—the ones sitting outside the curtains. The real leadin’ actors are the ones sittin’ right over there.”

Watt pointed to the lone round table in the center of the meeting room. Walkways stretched out from the table in three directions, splitting the meeting room into three clean sections.

“There in the center?” Anna asked. “Are you saying there are leaders in the meeting?”

“I mean, I could explain it to ya, but it’d be quicker if you saw this for yerself,” Watt said. “After all, they’ll be here any minute now.”

Anna gave an unconvinced nod as the seats around them began to fill sporadically. She happened to find a face she recognized in the mix.

“That’s King Auvere over there!”

It was the group from the kingdom of Doré. Prince Sonata was there as his guard as well. It seemed they’d noticed Anna in turn, however, as King Auvere gave a nod of greeting. Anna rushed to drop her head back in reply.

“Yup, Doré’s an outsider here, same as us,” Watt said. “Means they’re on the outskirts.”

“But I thought they’d be more affected by the results of Corona Senatus,” Carome said. “They can’t be as lighthearted about this as we are, can they?”

Letting Watt and the others’ conversations wash over her without particularly trying to listen, Anna squeezed her fists tight. She’d glanced at King Auvere, but he seemed neither nervous nor deeply attentive to what was going on, instead sitting there in perfect composure.

“Looking at the rulers of other kingdoms is a painful reminder of just how inexperienced I am,” Anna said. “I just can’t help but feel nervous no matter how I try.”

“You’re here right now to get that same sorta experience you’re talkin’ about,” Watt replied. “If there were ever a chance for ya to be as nervous as you want, now’s the time.”

More people made their way into the meeting room as they spoke. It was then that Anna noticed something strange—only the seats in the outer perimeter were being filled. The center of the room where the “leading actors” were set to make their appearance remained empty even now. Just as Anna was thinking how odd it was, a musical performance by a band suddenly began.

“Oh, looks like they’re giving everybody the heads-up! Now the real stars of the show are on their way!”

The sounds of lively chatter fell silent alongside the beginning of the musical performance. In turn, expectant tension filled the room as King Emperimo, the host of the meeting, made his appearance from an elevated location within the meeting room.

“Our sincere thanks to all of our esteemed guests for their patience. We count ourselves truly fortunate to be able to welcome the supreme figures from across the land and hold Corona Senatus here in Emperimo.”

As King Emperimo spoke, figures appeared from the three walkways. A steady stream of people entered the room in lines from each of the walkways as the open seats in the center of the room were filled one after another.

“What in the world...?” Anna murmured.

“They say that the purpose of Corona Senatus is coordinating the interests of each country, but when it gets right down to it, there are only three countries whose interests have to be coordinated in the first place,” Watt explained, noting her visible confusion.

As Anna sat there perplexed, the line of participants entering the room broke off, as each and every seat in the trisectioned area was filled. Finally, the last three individuals made their appearance, one on each walkway.

With the entire room watching them, they made their way forward. Arriving at the center of the room, they took their seats at the round table. As if bearing all the other nations on their shoulders, the three rulers sat facing each other.

“Take a look at the three rulers right there,” Watt said quietly. “They each rule over one of the three great kingdoms. They’re the Tres Coronas—the Three Crowns. They’re the ultimate rulers of Vahylicard and the leadin’ actors of this whole meeting.”

Anna gasped in surprise. The band’s performance reached its climax as King Emperimo’s words echoed out into every corner of the meeting room. One by one, he set about introducing each of the three figures encircling the round table.

“I present unto you one of the Tres Coronas. From the Menallazohortz Empire, we have His Imperial Majesty...Emperor Caesar.”

The man was relatively young compared to the other two, somewhere in his mid-thirties. He had long, tapering eyes that gave off a clever air as he cast a sharp glare across the room. He was fair-skinned and wore loose-hanging garments along with a number of accessories and embellishments that jingled each time he moved.

“I present unto you one of the Tres Coronas. From the Ancient Kingdom of Gemmaherve, we have His Royal Majesty...King Slattmer.”

The next man was the oldest of the group, in the waning years of his life. He bore wrinkles and a white beard, his long, white hair making it difficult to read the expression on his face. He had his staff propped up against his chair, remaining completely motionless after taking his seat.

“I present unto you one of the Tres Coronas. From the Kingdom of Aldavonga, we have His Royal Majesty...King Kysen.”

The remaining king was a man in his prime with a dark complexion and a build like a boulder. He sat with a confident, unconcerned poise, a hint of an amused smile at the edges of his lips as he looked out at the other two kings facing him.

After reading out the names of the three rulers, King Emperimo went on to deliver his remaining lines.

“The three peaks of power sit at the table,” he declared. “All are equal here. Peace and prosperity for Vahylicard, now and forevermore.”

“Now and forevermore.”

All those in attendance echoed King Emperimo’s words in chorus. With the opening remarks concluded, he stepped aside. The three supreme rulers encircling the table in the center wasted no time before launching into conversation.

“Hrmph! That’s some nerve you two have to keep me waiting every single time! You old codgers are so slow it makes my blood boil!” Caesar grumbled.

“You insolent brat!” King Slattmer spat back. “You still haven’t learned a thing about how to rein in that mouth of yours! It seems the king of a destitute nation is bound to be just as lacking!”

“Ha ha ha! Wonderful to see the two of you haven’t changed at all!” King Kysen said. “You’re just as loud as ever, Emperor Caesar! And King Slattmer, you’ve managed to avoid kicking the bucket yet again! The two of you are in good health, and that’s truly all that matters!”

“Kysen, what’s this I hear about you losing yet another vassal state?” Caesar demanded. “You can’t shut up about that dreadfully boring peace nonsense, so it was bound to happen. You’d do well to take a look at the might of my very own Menallazohortz! Even more nations now bend their knees before me!”

“Hmph, you’ve done a fine job picking up the litter, haven’t you?” King Slattmer retorted. “What you have in sheer numbers, you lack in quality. Now stay away before that beastly stench of yours makes its way over here!”

“Ha ha! Perhaps I’ll be forgiven for calling you on your bluff, King Slattmer!” King Kysen replied. “Even Emperor Caesar has his self-respect—as thin as it might be.”

“Self-respect?” Caesar said. “Oh, I see. It’s that very thing you seem to lack any trace of, you shameless wretch.”

“It’s a good century too soon for either of you to be speaking anything of pride, you snot-nosed brats!” King Slattmer said.

“You hear that? It’ll take a hundred years to learn about pride!” King Kysen said. “But if a hundred years is how long it takes to learn, it seems King Slattmer still hasn’t mastered it yet after a whole century!”

“A hundred years? More like ten and you’ll be sleeping somewhere—permanently!” Caesar scoffed.

“Hee hee, that’s more than enough!” the old king replied. “It won’t take me even a decade to wipe out the likes of you!”

“You only have a few years left to live and yet you intend to shorten it even further?” Caesar said. “Very well, then—I’ll show you the might of my empire firsthand!”

“Now there’s a brilliant idea,” King Kysen said. “By all means, have at it to your hearts’ content! Perhaps I’ll bring my kingdom’s finest spirits to enjoy as I watch!”

“So you’ll flee from him then, Kysen?” King Slattmer replied.

“A war between the two of you would make the perfect snack to enjoy with a good drink!”

Anna cast a suspicious look up at Watt. “U-Um, father? It’s just, erm, what I’m hearing is a bit...”

“Yeah,” Watt replied. “If you ask me, the size of the kingdoms and the dignity of their kings are two different matters altogether.”

As if to caution her from announcing it in front of everyone, Watt gave a subdued nod. Looking to Watt’s side, Anna saw even Carome shrugging her shoulders in powerless resignation. It seemed her ears hadn’t deceived her.

“Even then,” Anna said, “why in the world would they say such things in front of all the other nations?!”

Watt gave an understanding nod back to Anna, who still looked entirely at a loss. “That’s a fair question. I got nothin’ better to do, so I might as well explain a little bit.”

He spread out a piece of paper he had at hand in front of them and drew a roughly shaped diamond on it. He sectioned off the shape with an X, dividing it into four more diamonds.

“This here’s a sketch of our land, Vahylicard,” he explained. “And the Tres Coronas cover about three-fourths of it. The one spot that’s left is a collection of smaller nations—includin’ our very own Ogdenn.”

“All this time, Watt,” Carome said, peering from beside him before burying her face in her hands, “and you’re still as hopeless at drawing as ever. It’s a crying shame that the former captain of the Royal Knights can’t even draw a decent map. Spare yourself and everyone else the embarrassment.”

“I-I don’t recall askin’ you!” Watt replied. “As long as it makes sense, that’s all that counts! A map’s a map!”

“I think it’s fine!” Anna said. “It’s wonderfully simple and clear, father!”

Watt paused. “Never thought I’d see the day my own daughter’d have to try so hard to stick up for me, though...”

With a dumbfounded look still planted on his face, he continued on with his explanation nevertheless.

“So, ya see, those three big kingdoms account for just about all of Vahylicard. They’re so massive, in fact, that any of the other nations out there couldn’t match ’em if they tried—includin’ us. It ain’t just in name; they really are the rulers. That’s exactly why they’re called the Tres Coronas—the Three Crowns. They’re the nations that sit at the crown of power.”

Anna nodded, taking it all in. Meanwhile, jeers and insults—so harsh she couldn’t bear to listen to them—flew back and forth across the round table in the center of the room. As if to hold it all together, King Emperimo calmly tossed topics for discussion at the kings.

“And moreover,” Watt went on, “the Kingdom of Emperimo we’re in right now? It’s a neutral country. It tends to rely on all three of the Tres Coronas equally, while also keepin’ an equal distance from all three of ’em.”

Even geographically, the Kingdom of Emperimo sat almost exactly in the center of Vahylicard. Being caught in the middle of three tremendous kingdoms was a dilemma in and of itself, but their best efforts to avoid any sort of bias had likely led them to where they were today. While that was fascinating on its own, for whatever reason, Watt couldn’t find himself wanting to imitate their example.

“And what’s really important here,” he continued, “is what you just got to hear for yourself: The Tres Coronas couldn’t get along any worse. Then again, ‘getting along’ is a stretch for them—when it comes down to it, they’re enemies who’ve just barely managed to keep from slaughtering each other.”

“But if they were to face off, wouldn’t that cause a massive conflict?” Anna asked.

“It’d take a lot for something like that to happen,” Watt replied. “See, they’re all keepin’ each other in check, meanin’ their hands are tied. The long and short of it is, they’ve made a nice little three-way deadlock for themselves. If they weren’t careful and two of ’em started fighting, the third one would seize the opportunity to strike. None of ’em wanted that one bit—so much so that they made some ‘Vow against War.’ For the past fifty years or so, they’ve actually stopped fightin’, and they’ve been holdin’ Corona Senatus instead.”

Anna froze, suddenly at a loss for words. The peace they enjoyed rested atop the precarious balance of the three major kingdoms. Even now, one misplaced remark in the argument playing out in the center of the meeting room could very well be the spark that would engulf all of Vahylicard in the flames of war.

“The only other part to explain is the people you see lined up behind the Tres Coronas,” Watt said. “They’re the kings of the vassal states that belong to each of ’em.”

“Vassal...states?” Anna stopped in place, her eyes open wide.

“Each of the Tres Coronas expanded by annexin’ other countries,” Watt said. “But they realized that if they fought over any more land, their borders would just about touch, so they ran into the limit of how far they could go. That’s when they started competin’ with each other by conquerin’ other nations.”

“Trying to rule over other nations...” Anna said, stunned.

“Havin’ another country rulin’ over ya ain’t always a bad thing,” Watt explained. “To a small nation, there’s definitely a security that comes with bein’ under the protection of a powerful one. But! I just said the Tres Coronas made their Vow against War to not fight anymore, right? What they do instead is sic their vassal states on each other to have wars by proxy.”

“But if they do that, they’re still causing wars in the end!” Anna’s face contorted. The behavior of the major nations was gravely similar to that of her own uncle and stepfather who’d once fought against her. To her, it was an unpardonable offense.

“That’s what their strength lets ’em do,” Watt said. “There ain’t a soul out there who could take a stand against ’em head-on. What’s ‘right’ is whatever the hell they decide it is. And that’s why even the vassal states are fightin’ among themselves over their standin’ in the system—they’re tryin’ to make sure they don’t wind up gettin’ thrown to the wolves. Take a look at the seats here in the meeting room; the closer they are to the Tres Coronas, the more secure their position is.”

The meeting room was circular, divided into thirds based on the forces of each of the Tres Coronas. Each section had a fanlike shape, with fewer and fewer seats the closer to the vertex one went.

“It’s all done in the form of a meeting, but this is a quiet battlefield in its own right,” Watt concluded.

After thinking for a moment, Anna opened her mouth. “This isn’t right—I know it isn’t.”

“You’ve got a point,” he replied. “Even if you were wrong, there’s no way anybody could call this a proper state of affairs. I guarantee you that even those royal knuckle-draggers don’t think what they’re doin’ is proper. But you’re gonna be leadin’ Ogdenn as queen—you’ve gotta learn that there are just things that ain’t right at all out there in the world.”

“There’s always a lesson to be learned, isn’t there?” Anna said.

“If anything, I hope you’ll take their behavior as a model on what not to do as ruler,” Carome said quietly.

Anna gave a humble nod. In both ability and emotional capacity, acting the same way as the Tres Coronas was beyond her. “Come to think of it, you said we were outsiders just a bit ago.”

“Oh, that,” Watt replied. “Ogdenn isn’t a vassal state of some other nation or anything like that, right? Nations here in Vahylicard that are independent from the Tres Coronas are called ‘outsiders.’”

Anna took another look around the meeting room to discover that there were a fair number of countries that would be considered outsiders. Now that Watt mentioned it, she was sure that the Kingdom of Doré was an outsider as well. A wave of realization washed over her.

“Was the reason my stepfather and the others built up our military strength...to avoid being caught up in a battle among the Tres Coronas?”

“Nah, I don’t think it was anything shiny and noble like that,” Watt answered. “I get the feelin’ it was more of them just wantin’ to have their way like spoiled little brats.”

He stroked his chin with a sullen look on his face. Starting from the reign of the previous king, Ogdenn had been wholly focused on strengthening its might as a nation by opening up the Kingdom’s Trail and developing powerful Mechsteels. And yet, Watt couldn’t recall Ogdenn ever being threatened by any other nation. If anything, he suspected the former king’s actions had been driven by dreams of rising to the same heights as the Tres Coronas.

“But see, that’s where they didn’t think things through,” Watt said. “As long as the Tres Coronas are around, any nation that tries to stand on the same footin’ as them is gonna wind up gettin’ pulverized before they even know what happened.”

The Tres Coronas already sat at the top in a three-way deadlock—there was simply no way they’d permit someone else to rise to their same heights.

“Your explanation gave me a better idea of what this meeting’s for, father,” Anna said. “So...then just what are we supposed to do here?”

“Honestly? Nothin’.”

“Nothing...at all?”

Judging from the blank look on Anna’s face, it must’ve been quite the shock for her. Watt very nearly burst out laughing. Even then, he couldn’t draw that much attention to himself in the middle of the meeting, so he desperately rushed to stiffen his expression.

“Nah—sorry ’bout that. I wasn’t tryin’ to make fun of you. There’s just not really anything for those of us in the outsider seats here to do. That’s why we’re separated, see? And besides, when ya sit down and look at it, we’re the second most powerful nation after the Tres Coronas—or somewhere around there. We don’t have to worry about stayin’ in their good graces all that much, and we’ve got our neighborhood pals around, so all we’ve gotta do is say our howdy-dos—honestly!”

“In truth, Ogdenn hasn’t participated in the last few sessions due to the previous king’s failing health,” Carome explained. “And that posed no particular problem. The main event for us is the international party held after the meeting with attendees from each of the nations.”

Despite being told firsthand how terrifying the Tres Coronas were, to say that Anna was deflated after learning she had nothing to do at all was an understatement.

“Aside from that, all you gotta do is make sure you don’t fall asleep in the middle of the meeting!”

“I-I’ll do my very best!” Anna replied.

It seemed she had decided to pay attention and listen to the content of the meeting after weighing it in her mind. Nevertheless, the unsightly string of insults lobbed back and forth between the major nations continued on, with the rulers showing no signs of stopping.

***

“What an...astounding meeting.”

“To think they’d spend eighty percent of the time just nitpickin’ back and forth like that...” Watt said. “Didn’t think it was even possible to complain that much. I’m more impressed than anything.”

Anna was clutching her head, and Watt’s shoulders were painfully stiff. Why in the world did they have to sit there and watch the three rulers curse at each other for hours on end? Had it been anyone other than the Tres Coronas, everyone in attendance would’ve left.

“That concludes today’s meeting,” King Emperimo said, closing out the meeting. “May prosperity shine upon the land of Vahylicard.”

In exactly the opposite order as the meeting’s beginning, the Tres Coronas were the first to leave, while their vassal states streamed out afterward to exit. The outsider nations, however, had been left to leave as they pleased.

Popping his stiff neck to loosen it up, Watt pulled himself together and rose to his feet. “All righty, now it’s time for the main event for us: the party! I’d love to go around sayin’ hi to everybody, but there’s just way too many countries in attendance. There’ll be plenty of folks we don’t get to mingle with.”

“I’m sure it’ll be much more meaningful than that meeting,” Anna said. “I’ll give it my very best!”

There were few gatherings more meaningless than a glorified airing of grievances. Still, it was a good thing Anna was bursting with motivation. With Watt and Carome keeping guard over her, the queen left the meeting room behind.

A party was held after each Corona Senatus. It was meant to further friendship among the nations in attendance—that was the premise given, at least. Since the content of the meeting proper centered almost exclusively around the Tres Coronas, most of the countries shared the understanding that this party was the real chance for them to have discussions with other nations.

“There’s quite the crowd here, huh?” Watt said.

Stepping inside the party venue, the Ogdenn group took a look around them. A far cry from the meeting room, the party venue saw people engaged in pleasant discussions with others—and yet, they quickly noticed the other individuals deep in conversation here and there in the corners of the venue. Having newly ascended to the throne, Anna found herself without a single prior acquaintance at the party. One of her roles as queen, then, would be to change that.

Lacking a lead to start a conversation with anyone, Anna looked around the room before she finally found a familiar face in the crowd.

“Over there—it’s King Auvere.”

King Auvere of Doré was surrounded by people Anna didn’t recognize, talking with them about something or another. The people he was speaking to were likely royals of some country themselves. With glasses in hand, they cut a dignified sight as they pleasantly conversed.

“Didn’t take ya long at all to find a good role model, did it?” Watt said.

“So that’s how diplomatic relations are carried out,” Anna mused.

“He’s used to this sort of thing, but it’s the first time for you,” Watt added. “For now, just focus on gettin’ used to how things are done here.”

“Understood!”

With a buzz of voices ringing out around her, Anna set about slowly walking her way around the venue. As she went on, however, a figure suddenly appeared before her, as if to block her path forward. Looking up in surprise, Anna found a sharp-eyed man looking down at her.

“What’s this? You’re quite young to be in a place like this, aren’t you, girl?”

In a moment, Anna’s expression stiffened. The man wasn’t an acquaintance of hers, but she did recognize him—after all, she’d seen more than enough of him at the meeting that had just ended.

Bwhaaa? And just why the hell did we have to run into this guy outta everybody here?!

It was already too late for Watt to be flustered, however. Standing in front of Anna was one of the Tres Coronas, the young emperor of the Menallazohortz Empire: Emperor Caesar himself. Followed by a trail of the kings of his vassal states, Caesar had been strolling around the venue as if it were his very own backyard.

Frozen for a moment out of sheer shock, Anna remembered just who was in front of her and rushed to regain her composure.

“P-Please forgive my delay in introducing myself... My name is Anna Ogdenn. I’m the new queen of the Kingdom of Ogdenn.”

“Oh, Ogdenn, is it?” Caesar asked. “Now that you mention it, I hadn’t seen the previous king here for a while. The kingdom’s had a change in leadership, then?”

“Indeed,” Anna answered. “While I am still young and inexperienced...it is truly an honor to make your acquaintance.”

Attagirl, Anna! Hang in there! Give a nice safe answer to everything he says! Don’t go stretchin’ yourself, now!

Watt would’ve gladly taken her place if he could, but considering she was talking to one of the Tres Coronas, that was hardly an option. Anna was so faltering in her answers that Watt couldn’t help but watch from the sidelines with bated breath, but even then, Emperor Caesar merely gave her a magnanimous nod back, forgoing any criticism.

“The Kingdom of Ogdenn finds itself in trying times, then,” Caesar said, “with a new queen so young on the throne.”

Anna paused. “While I indeed have much to learn, I’ve managed to uphold my duties thanks to the support of my talented retainers.”

“I see,” Caesar replied. “Devote yourself to your duties, then.”

Surely Emperor Caesar’s curiosity should’ve been satisfied. Just as Watt prayed that the emperor would hurry up and leave, he did the exact opposite.

“Hmm? Now that you mention it, girl...just what will a young queen like yourself do for a partner? What of your consort?”

“WHAT?!”

While Anna was rendered speechless, Watt’s true feelings had stolen past his lips. Flustered, he rushed to seal his mouth shut.

“I-It’s just, you see,” Anna began, “it really hasn’t been that long at all since I took the throne. I haven’t been able to consider anything of the sort...”

Paying no heed to the bewildered look in Anna’s eyes, Emperor Caesar sank into thought without ever changing his expression. Waiting on an absolute ruler to pass down their judgment was a terribly nerve-racking affair. Anna’s face grew more and more pale, but all Watt and Carome could do was watch on in uneasy suspense.

“Oh... I see now. The Kingdom of Ogdenn, was it?” Emperor Caesar said. “I recall Ogdenn had some odd structure in place for determining its ruler... Legalisbelm, I believe. I suppose simply claiming a partner from the ranks of your kingdom’s nobility would be out of the question, then, wouldn’t it?”

“S-So you know of my kingdom’s systems?” Anna stuttered back. “I see you’re quite well-informed...”

“You’re only a novice, so allow me to teach you a lesson,” Emperor Caesar continued. “Those who sit on the throne must secure their foundation with each and every action they take. To have those who stand at your side be nothing more than worthless props is quite simply outrageous.”

A fervor resided in Emperor Caesar’s speech, as if he’d suddenly grown interested. Paying no heed to Anna’s shaken state, he thrust an offer at her.

“So what do you say, then? Why don’t I find you the perfect candidate for your consort from one of the nations beneath the Menallazohortz imperial banner? With my help, even an earthquake couldn’t shake your foundation of power!”

“Huh?” Anna gasped. “Um, ermmm... I-It’s just...!”

“What’s the matter?” Emperor Caesar went on. “I’ll even make sure to take your preferences into account! Just what sort of man would you like? Someone handsome? Someone brimming with life? Or perhaps a stalwart hero well-versed in the blade?”

Anna’s face had gone past pale, rapidly approaching a ghostly white. It was obvious she was at her limit. Bracing himself, Watt wasted no time inserting himself between the two of them.

“Apologies, Your Majesty!” Watt said. “Such thoughtful benevolence is truly a testament to your nation’s glory atop the crown of power! Yet it seems the weight of your generosity is still too much for our queen to bear. Might we ask your permission for the queen to take a brief respite?”

Emperor Caesar cast a sharp glare at Watt. While the emperor gave off an intimidating air fitting his station, Watt merely waited for his answer, completely unshaken. After a moment, the emperor furrowed his brow.

“I’ve seen you before...a long time ago. You’re quite the old-timer.”

“Indeed I am,” Watt answered. “What an honor it is to have you remember me. Over a decade later, I’ve returned to my old post.”

“Hmph, I see,” Emperor Caesar replied. “The young, frail queen...and her old, overly protective retainer. While that might suffice for now, any nation that cannot uphold its flag on its own is fated to fall sooner or later.”

“We shall take your mountain of gracious advice to heart,” Watt said.

“Then you would do well to ensure that you don’t coddle her too much—you’ll only harm the girl.”

Emperor Caesar gallantly turned on his heels as the trail of vassal kings followed behind him.

“Ngggh-aaaaaah...” After watching the emperor of Menallazohortz and his procession walk away, Watt let out a deep, deep sigh. He never imagined that it’d be one of the Tres Coronas approaching them. Normally, it’d take all Watt could muster to go and say his greetings while the Tres Coronas were arrogantly leaning back in their seats. Perhaps Caesar had acted on a whim, or perhaps the young emperor was a different type altogether. Whatever the case was, the emperor’s actions were nothing short of a bother.

“We’ve got one helluva nasty customer watchin’ us now...” Watt groaned.

“I-I...” Anna stuttered.

“It’s okay, Anna—don’t push yourself! I took care of things with the emperor. For now, we just need to get you back to the room. Caro, can I get a hand here?”

“Of course. Please excuse me, Your Majesty!” Carome said, wrapping her arms around Anna before quickly leaving the room. Following after them, Watt swiftly took note of what was going on around them. He saw the eyes—the stares—that followed Anna. One of the Tres Coronas had tried to directly arrange a marriage for her. That mere fact, however, carried heavy implications.

We just might have a happenin’ and a half on our hands here...!

Feeling a chill race down his back, Watt’s first priority for now was to leave as quickly as he could.

***

“Thank you. I’m feeling much better now,” Anna said.

After returning to their palatial inn and resting, Anna’s pale face had begun to regain its color. Meddié had been tending to her with a worried look on her face when Anna finally rose out of bed.

“Erm, I... I was terribly rude to one of the Tres Coronas. Do you think everything will be okay?”

“Well, ’bout that...” Watt muttered, looking just as exhausted as Anna. “To be honest, bein’ rude’s the least of our worries now.”

Anna tilted her head to the side in confusion, only for Carome to hesitatingly give her report. “The rumors were already beginning to circulate at the party... They claimed that the Kingdom of Ogdenn would fall under the control of the Menallazohortz Empire.”

Anna gasped, her eyes wide. “No... That’s outrageous!”

Watt placed a hand on her shoulder to calm her down. “No gettin’ round it—he got the better of us back there.”

“With talks of an arranged marriage with a country under the empire’s dominion, those watching on from the side might very well assume Ogdenn had fallen before the empire.”

Completely committed to just listening thus far, Meddié couldn’t help but shout. “That’s crazy! Where do they get off assuming something like that?!”

“That’s right!” Watt replied. “And they’ve got it all wrong, right from those same damn assumptions! Now why! The hell! Does Anna have to go and get married?! I’m her father and I won’t stand for it!”

“Oh, so that’s the problem for you, master.”

“Setting Watt’s jokes aside...” Carome said.

“We ain’t settin’ nothin’ aside! I’m serious, dammit!” Watt exclaimed, clenching his fists.

Pushing Watt out of the way, Carome turned to face Anna. “To be completely honest, I’ve no choice but to inform you that our kingdom now finds itself in an extremely dangerous position. If, by chance...your arranged marriage to one of his vassals were to come to pass, the balance of power in Vahylicard would be bound to shatter.”

“What...do you mean?” Anna asked.

“Do you remember, Your Majesty? The Tres Coronas fell into a tripartisan deadlock and made their Vow against War precisely because they matched each other in power.”

The moment Anna heard Carome’s explanation, the realization struck her and her face grew pale once more.

“The Kingdom of Ogdenn is roughly the second strongest nation in the land. Should it yield to one of the Tres Coronas...I suspect the scales of power would inevitably shift.”

“But that—” Anna started. “No... Are you saying a conflict could break out?”

They were speaking of possibilities, but nevertheless, Carome nodded, leaving Anna to squeeze her fists tight in anguish.

“Uh-oh,” Watt moaned. “I’m kinda startin’ to get one helluva nasty premonition about all this.”

“It’s certainly no premonition, Watt,” Carome replied. “After all, we’ve already received messengers from both the Ancient Kingdom of Gemmaherve and the Kingdom of Aldavonga each requesting a meeting with the queen.”

“All three of the Tres Coronas?! You’ve gotta be kiddin’ meeeeeeeee!”

The father’s scream vanished into the depths of Yantaggio’s night.

And so, with the peace of the world at stake, the worst race to the altar in all of history began.

Chapter Four: Sparks Where No Fires Blaze

The night is always followed by the dawn—no matter how disheartening a night it might have been. The morning sun that rose across the Kingdom of Emperimo was just as bright and warm as always. Despite being graced by such a pleasant morning, the carefree levity that the Ogdenn group had enjoyed until yesterday was gone without a trace.

“The meeting’ll go on for a while after this...” Watt said, muttering under his breath as he popped his neck. “I ain’t too happy about it, but we might as well show up today too.”

The others around him agreed, sounding less than enthused.

Meddié, who’d been set to remain at the inn yet again, raised a question out of concern. “Hey now, if it’s that big of a drag, what’s stopping us from going back to Ogdenn? There’s no real reason we have to be there, right?”

“If things were how they were until yesterday, then I’d agree with you,” Carome answered. “But at this point, leaving now is as good as suicide.”

“Is it really that bad?” Meddié asked, her face stiffening.

Even Carome herself couldn’t hide the pained look on her face as she answered. “So long as we reside in this land, the Tres Coronas will keep each other in a three-way deadlock, preventing any of them from making any reckless moves. However, once they’re back in their kingdoms...they won’t be there to watch each other. Without any chains to bind them, warding off their offensive will prove to be a most difficult task.”

“But that’s the absolute worst!” Meddié moaned.

Anna sat beside Carome and Meddié as they spoke, her fists balled up tight. Watt softly took her hand.

“Don’t let it eat at ya so much,” he said. “Sure, it’s turned into a tiny little pain in the ass, but we’re here with ya. You’ve got us—we’ll fix this one way or another.”

“Father...”

“So rest easy and keep your chin up, okay? Me and the other knights are here to keep our queen safe. But we can’t point you down the path you should take. That’s something you’ll have to decide for yourself, Anna.”

Carome nodded in agreement. “You can leave it to us, Your Majesty. We’ll keep all the throngs of riffraff far away from you.”

“But I’ll be damned if this ain’t an uphill battle and then some!” Watt lamented. “It’d be one thing if they were just some punks from who-knows-where, but here we are dealin’ with a buncha oh-so-noble blue bloods! I don’t like any part of this—not one damn bit!”

“But you’re going to do it anyway, aren’t you?” Carome asked.

“You bet your ass I’m gonna!!! Nobody makes a pass at my daughter!”

“Mm-hmm,” Carome replied. “So that’s your real problem. Still, if you’ll respond to it all the same, I’ll cast a blind eye.”

“You just leave it to me!” Watt said. “I’ll sort ’em all out! If my girl says that’s what she wants, then it’ll have to be somebody that passes my inspection first! And you better believe I’ll make mincemeat outta anybody that fails!”

“I told you to calm down, Watt,” Carome said with a deep sigh.

At this rate, Watt might very well stab someone and declare war—regardless of what the Tres Coronas had intended. The only one who’d be able to stop this middle-aged wrecking ball was likely Carome and her alone, and if she were to be brutally honest, she rather hoped he wouldn’t add any more to her already lofty mound of worries.

“It’ll be fine, Anna!” Meddié said. “You’ve got master and Carome with you!”

“That’s right...!” Anna gave her cheeks an invigorating smack to rouse herself to action. “I have all of you here supporting me...supporting the queen, and yet here I am staring down at the ground! I can’t let myself become the laughingstock of all the other nations!”

There was a hint of strain in Anna’s smile, but it was a strong smile nonetheless.

“All righty, now there’s a good grin!” Watt said, smiling back himself. “That’s more like it!”

And so, the Ogdenn group resolved themselves to head to the meeting room as if they were marching onto a battlefield. Remaining behind, Meddié couldn’t help but pray that the day would pass without issue.

***

The more one wishes that their predictions would be proven wrong, the more likely they are to be right on target. Sure enough, the moment the group took their seats in the meeting room, an uninvited guest made his way over.

“I take it you are Her Majesty Anna Ogdenn, queen of the Kingdom of Ogdenn! Do my eyes deceive me?”

Anna paused. “Indeed I am. Please forgive my asking, but who are you?”

“It’s wonderful to meet you, Your Majesty!” the man said. “I am Malluth Artehoth, first prince of the Kingdom of Artehoth. It is a true pleasure to make your acquaintance!”

“C-Certainly...”

Malluth gave a broad grin, revealing a row of shiny, white teeth. As if he were trying to show off his own physique, he struck some sort of pose each time he opened his mouth. Confronted by a tall man strapped in tight, audibly clenching muscles, Anna found herself leaning back just a little as she gave her answer. The fact that she’d only leaned back ever so slightly and no more was perhaps proof of how strong she’d become.

Whatever the case might have been, Watt made sure to glide in between the two of them before the conversation could advance any further.

“Ever so sorry there, Your Highness,” he said. “But while this is indeed a space for conversation, I do believe there is a certain attitude to be displayed, given you’re in the presence of our kingdom’s queen.”

Malluth’s expression turned visibly uncomfortable after realizing Watt was even taller than he was. “Excuse me? And what does a lowly knight like you think you’re doing butting in? Do you know who sent me here?!”

“My apologies again, but I’m afraid it doesn’t matter in the slightest who sent you here,” Watt replied. “The only one who can order myself and the other knights is our queen and our queen alone. We don’t have any reason at all to follow the orders of anyone from another country.”

“I see even logic is lost on thickskulled knaves like you! This is precisely the reason I can’t stand outsiders,” Mulluth muttered, looking annoyed.

After a moment, however, he flexed his arms once again. “Hmph! Then put a little life in those lazy ears of yours and listen well as I relay the order from His Imperial Majesty, Emperor Caesar! The order states that I am to be accepted as the consort of Anna Ogdenn! Bask in the honor granted to you! You have been given the tremendous glory of standing before His Majesty alongside the Kingdom of Artehoth from which I hail!”

Malluth struck another pose as he finished speaking, but he found the response from the Kingdom of Ogdenn to be rather muted.

“The Kingdom of Artehoth... They’re a vassal state of the Menallazohortz Empire and enjoy a rather high position at that.” Watt heard Carome whispering an explanation in Anna’s ear behind him.

He, however, had more pressing matters to attend to, the veins on his forehead pulsating with anger.

This is a load of imperial bullshit! If they’re gonna send a guy, the least they could do is send somebody a little bit better than this idiot! He gets a big, fat zero from me! There ain’t no way in hell I’m about to give this muscle-brained lunk a pass!

For better or for worse, Watt managed to just barely avoid letting the slew of insults brewing inside him escape his lips. If they’d been back in Ogdenn, he would’ve cut the fool down on the spot, but they were in another country’s court. As Top Knight, Watt couldn’t bring any shame upon his master. He tightened his abdomen, straining himself to answer in a level tone.

“I see—so it’s Emperor Caesar’s orders, then. We know of what he mentioned last night...but I’m afraid this is a different matter altogether. While we do indeed respect his mighty empire, we’re no vassal state of his. There’s simply no way he can expect us to accept this just because he sent you. Even more so considering he stands on the same footing as our queen! Her Majesty’s consort is not—and shall not be—decided solely based on the wishes of another nation’s emperor. And with that in mind...I’d like to ask you to leave now.”

In a testament to his stupidity, Malluth maintained his pose with a blank look plastered on his face. Before he even had time to get angry or anything else, the first thing that came over him was confusion. As he began to make sense of what had happened, his face flushed redder and redder with rage.

“Y-You would scorn...His Imperial Majesty’s words?! You’re mad! Outsider or not, such brazen arrogance is far too much!”

“I wonder if you wouldn’t mind passing off a message to His Imperial Majesty, then?” Watt replied. “Tell him we’ve heard his message loud and clear. Let him know we’ll be taking our sweet time mullin’ it over, and that we’ll be sure to give him our reply at a later date, yeah?”

Watt and Malluth both leaned forward, fiercely staring daggers at each other. It was obvious to anyone looking from the outside that they were arguing. Anna sat watching her father with bated breath, and that was saying nothing of Carome.

The stare-off lasted for only the briefest of moments. Malluth was the first to break his pose. His fists were clenched, but he at least had enough sense left to realize how foolish it would be to behave violently here.

“Very well, then. I’ll be sure to let His Imperial Majesty know all about your lack of respect! Tremble in fear while you wait for his judgment to fall upon you!”

“Yes, of course. We’ll be waiting ever so eagerly.”

With that, Malluth noisily stormed away. Debating throwing a vial or two of holy water at that demon of a man’s back to keep him away, Watt turned around, looking as if nothing had happened at all.

“That’s gonna be a no,” he said.

“I certainly understand how you feel,” Carome said, shrugging her shoulders in tired resignation, “but I’m afraid it won’t benefit Her Majesty at all if you’re the one to chase any suitors off.”

Anna tilted her head to the side, unsure if she should be nodding or not.

“Yeeeeeah, sorry ’bout that! He was just so much of a walkin’, talkin’ zero that I couldn’t help myself!”

“No, don’t apologize... I didn’t have any idea what I should’ve done,” Anna said.

“For the first one to come your way, he did make for a rather sour start, didn’t he?”

“And thanks to that idiot, I’m already drop-dead tired—and the morning’s just gettin’ started! More importantly, does he even know it’s a decision on who her consort’s gonna be? We sure he didn’t actually come over just to pick a fight with us?”

“While it’s rather questionable, I’m sure that’s not the case...for the most part.” Looking back on Malluth’s behavior, even Carome couldn’t rule out the possibility entirely.

“Who does he think he is, bossin’ us around like we’re some vassal state?” Watt said. “I can’t stand types like that, actin’ like that’s just how the world works! That’s what happens when ya get used to havin’ everything your way...”

No one in the land could stop the Tres Coronas. Even if a given nation weren’t a vassal state, the reality was that almost all countries had no choice but to kneel before the Tres Coronas in recognition of how outpowered they were. Looking around, Watt could see that there were still a number of nations in attendance. Some of them might very well leap into action after seeing that the empire had actually sent someone.

“Dammit... I can already tell today’s gonna be a pain in the ass,” he groaned.

Just as Watt and the others were bracing themselves for what was to come, they found themselves being called out to once again.

“Excuse me, are you Her Majesty Queen Anna Ogdenn?”

“Gettin’ some déjà vu over here...” Watt said, instinctively rising to his feet and standing imposingly in front of Anna. The bastard earlier had indeed been a bastard, so he was on high alert.

Anna suddenly peeked out from behind her father’s looming shadow. Standing there was a short and slender man, quite the opposite of Malluth. Where Malluth had carried a sultry air about him like someone had set fire to oozing tar, the man now before them was his polar opposite, clad in a nondescript air of cynicism.

“Hmm,” the man said, sweeping his long hair out of his face. “I am Scott Toinuyva, first prince of the Kingdom of Toinuyva. I visit you now at the order of His Majesty King Slattmer.”

“King Slattmer is the king of the Ancient Kingdom of Gemmaherve,” Carome said, wasting no time in whispering into Anna’s ear. “Out of all the vassal states under his control, Toinuyva is in a considerably high position.”

Watt sank into thought, putting on a stern expression. Because of course the empire ain’t gonna be the only one comin’ our way! So what about this one? Surely the king didn’t send us another untrained mutt like the one we just chased off!

Even though Watt couldn’t recall inviting anyone over, the suitors had done a fine job showing up one after another. Even then, as Top Knight, he couldn’t stand down, no matter who he found himself facing. And of course, as Anna’s father, he had to give his assessment of the suitors as well.

“So you wish to speak with Her Majesty as well, then,” Watt said. “Come to think of it, the prince of Artehoth was just here a moment ago himself. Perhaps you’re here on similar business?”

“Indeed,” Scott answered. “So Artehoth came first, did he? Heh heh, that must’ve been terribly uncomfortable for you. The sole reason his kingdom enjoys the high standing they do is entirely thanks to the efforts of the previous generation. In our current age, though, the kingdom’s bound to sink further and further down thanks to those foolish princes it’s burdened with.”

He gave a brief laugh as if amused before recomposing his expression. “If those are the finest pawns they can muster, then the sun’s already begun to set on the empire’s might. But rest at ease—you’ve no need to board a sinking ship such as theirs.”

Scott knelt down before reverently taking Anna’s hand. Watt had half a mind to strike the suitor down to the ground then and there, only barely managing to contain himself before stepping back to the rear.

“Toinuyva from which I hail—and in turn, Gemmaherve, the leader of our great alliance—needs you in all sincerity. Lowly though I am, I ask that you please take me as your consort.”

Anna paused for a moment. “And what would you desire, should you become my consort?”

“Dominion, of course,” Scott answered. “We’ll stave off this sluggish air that fills Vahylicard! Beneath Gemmaherve our leader, let us forge a new golden age for our land!”

Scott’s face shone, enthralled as he extolled his master’s vision. Anna clenched her fists shut, taking a breath before asking another question back.

“And, pray tell...just how do you intend to go about enacting such a golden age?”

“It goes without saying that this shall only be accomplished when our leader, the Ancient Kingdom of Gemmaherve, strikes down the lowly rabble and takes its place as the supreme ruler of the land!”

There was no stopping his intoxicated vision of glory—no doubt he was already picturing the sight of it in his mind’s eye.

“Queen Anna, you are fortunate in ways that few could ever hope to be! You can become the gear that sets the cogs of this historical undertaking in motion! Come now, lift up the glistening flag that rests in your grasp!”

Watt’s gut reaction to it all? The hell is this guy talkin’ about?!

Scott had failed in an entirely different vector than Malluth. Watt started to step forward to knock some sense into the prince himself, only for Anna to give her answer before he could.

“I’m afraid I must decline.”

No sooner had she made her declaration with a stern look on her face than Scott’s expression froze in turn. Only his eyes shook as he glared back at Anna.

“Oh... I’m certain my ears must’ve deceived me,” Scott said. “Surely you didn’t just say no, did you?”

“That I did,” Anna replied. “I have no love for conflict. I’d never dream of being the cause of a war fueled by ambition. There’s not a single benefit brought about by war—it only engulfs countless people and razes cities.”

Scott pulled his hand away and quietly rose to his feet. With a smile still plastered across his face, he stared down at Anna’s small frame, his eyes glistening with a strange light that had been absent before.

“I see. Yes, I see,” he replied. “It appears you are yet rather naive, Your Majesty. If my memory serves me, it was only just a short while ago that you took the throne, no?”

Scott strung his words together slowly and deliberately, as if trying to warn a naughty child in terms they would understand. “While I am but a prince myself...allow me to give you a piece of advice. You speak of war engulfing the people of the land, but that’s where you’ve gone amiss. The common folk are trivial and powerless, capable of naught without the guidance of their ruler. That is precisely why they long for the blissful rule of an absolute leader. They wish for nothing short of the reign of the king of the Ancient Kingdom of Gemmaherve, King Slattmer!”

Watt’s ears picked up the sound of Anna’s faint gasp.

“Aiding this mighty undertaking yourself is the only correct choice. What say you? Do you now see the light?”

Scott’s expression remained brimming with confidence, satisfied that he’d said what he had to say. Anna, however, was far away from any definition of “confident,” instead trying to find her words in a mire of bewilderment.

“I understand what you have told me,” she replied. “And yet...my answer remains unchanged. I’ll be declining your offer. Now, please, take your leave.”

Scott let out a long sigh, only to piece his expression back together a moment later. “Hmph! Noted. Forgive me for saying so, but it appears your understanding hasn’t yet caught up with reality, Your Majesty. Very well, then—I shall give you time to consider the matter. When you come to understand our master’s intent, I’m confident you’ll be able to venture down the correct path. I shall be waiting until then.”

With that, Scott took his leave.

Anna shakily sank into her seat. Her face was pale, her clenched fists faintly trembling.

“Great job hanging in there! You’ve really come a long way! You okay? Want me to go ahead and sock that buffoon?!” Watt said, before letting the latest suitor know just how he felt. “You’re just barely breakin’ double digits on your score, ya damn animal!”

“Yes, I’m fine...for the most part,” Anna answered. “It was just...a bit of a shock, that’s all.”

Watt looked around but saw no signs of anyone else coming their way. While they couldn’t rest entirely at ease, they at least had enough of a gap to take a breather.

“Dammit, those bastards just had to go and send the most stubborn blockheads they had, didn’t they? They tryin’ to put Anna in the hospital or somethin’?!”

“At the very least, we know now beyond a shadow of a doubt just how passionate the vassal states are about supporting the Tres Coronas,” Carome said.

“What we know is they’ve got a massive shortage of workin’ brains, that’s what!” Watt moaned. “I don’t like it one damn bit!”

Anna, who’d been blankly lost in thought, looked up. “Father, what Prince Scott spoke of... Is that truly what it means to be a ruler?”

In a display of her serious character, she had apparently been mulling over what she’d been told—despite the fact that Watt was already trying to scrub it from his memory.

Watt thought for a moment before shaking his head. “That’s one way you could think about things as a monarch. But still, that ain’t nothin’ more than arrogance on account of how bloated their kingdom is. You’ve already gotten a good look at it, haven’t you? How the sort of scum that see their people as pawns act.”

Anna paused. “I have. And something like that must never be permitted to happen again.”

“That’s right. You’re thinkin’ about it the right way, Anna,” Watt said. “To be honest, I think those two were even loonier than the rest of ’em. They both have a pretty high standin’ in the ranks of the vassal states. Ain’t no surprise they’re so devoted to their masters—maybe too devoted.”

Watt scratched his head. They’d had two basket cases come in a row. The danger that he’d been prepared for since the previous day was now shifting to something different. Watt had imagined himself keeping a throng of rank-and-file suitors from forming around Anna—so why was it only the dangerously fanatical types that were coming their way? It was then that he realized how pale Anna was.

“Uh-oh, you don’t look like you’re feelin’ too hot there.”

“I’m sorry, I just feel a bit...”

“This won’t do,” Carome cautioned. “There’s still a while until the meeting begins. Let’s go somewhere else. I’m sure it’ll subside a bit with some fresh air.”

Carome placed a hand on Anna’s shoulder to support her. If they stayed here, they were bound to be approached by yet another suitor. While Watt could act as a shield, situations that Anna herself would have to address as queen were bound to emerge.

Those damn dogs are just greedy to get in their masters’ good graces, but all it’s doing is hurtin’ Anna. Learning’s the last thing she’ll get to do at this rate!

After all, Corona Senatus was a clashing ground for the egos of the mighty nations in attendance. Watt knew that much full well, but their mistake had been making light of it and assuming they wouldn’t be dragged into it simply because Ogdenn was an outsider. If their time there would be spent caught in the Tres Coronas’ unconcealed lust for power, they would’ve been far better off if they’d stayed holed up back in Ogdenn.

But the die had already been cast—leaving the game now was hardly an option.

Worse comes to worst, we might have to think about goin’ back to Ogdenn and handlin’ this somehow. And if we do...

For only a single moment, Watt checked to make sure that his blade still rested at his waist.

***

The Emperimo Central Congress Hall was surrounded by a neatly arranged garden. The garden was used to ease the nerves of those in attendance and sometimes even as a location to have conversations in secret.

Surveying their surroundings, Watt and the others settled down in a gazebo at the corner of the garden, figuring that the hedge around them would block them from view.

“Right this way,” Carome ushered. “I expect you’ll be able to rest for a while here.”

“Thank you. I’ve calmed down a bit now.”

Resting beneath a tranquil patch of blue sky in the clouds, Watt felt some of his tension start to retreat now that they were outdoors. It was just then, when Watt and Carome had begun to ease up, that they heard a voice call out.

“Judging from the look of things, it seems you’ve had a visitor from either the Empire or the Ancient Kingdom...or perhaps both.”

Snapping to attention, Watt and Carome sprang to their feet as they positioned themselves on either side of Anna and searched for the source of the voice. With their backs to Anna—who’d been surprised herself—they lightly braced themselves so that they’d be ready to intercept any threat that came their way, no matter what it was.

“That’s a fine reaction—your retainers are well trained. But I bear no ill intent. I would appreciate it if you could have them lower their blades.”

“I don’t know who you are,” Watt said, “but why don’t you show yourself, for starters?”

“Of course. I’d be happy to.”

In response to Watt’s demand, a man appeared from behind the hedge. He was dashing, with well-balanced features and clad in loose-fitting garments.

“Apologies for the delayed introduction,” the man said. “I am Colth Aldavonga...or perhaps you might know me better as the crown prince of the Kingdom of Aldavonga.”

Watt gasped. No sooner had they heard his name than Watt and Carome both grew pale.

You’ve gotta be flippin’ kiddin’ me! You’re tellin’ me we’ve got the crown prince from one of the Tres Coronas showin’ up now?! This is nuts! He’s the heir to the kingdom! What in the hell’s he doin’ stickin’ his neck in the fight over who’s gonna marry into an outsider kingdom like us?!

Anna was the queen of Ogdenn, and that was precisely why the position of her partner—her consort—was valuable. In other words, that should’ve been the underlying concern in the question of who would marry into Ogdenn. Given that, there should’ve been no reason for someone who had a right to the throne in one of the Tres Coronas to get involved. Indeed, even the Menallazohortz Empire and the Ancient Kingdom of Gemmaherve had been sure to send someone from their respective vassal states instead.

Seeing Watt and Carome still stiffly on guard, Colth smiled softly. “You’ve no need to brace yourselves so. I’m here on business a tad different than your previous visitors.”

“I’d imagine so,” Watt replied after a moment. “It’s hardly the sort of matter for the crown prince to involve himself in.”

“It’s somewhat different in that sense as well,” Colth replied. “If I may?”

At Colth’s request, Watt had no choice but to prepare a seat for him. Walking past Watt as he took it, Colth stared at Anna head-on.

“I know your position full well, Anna Ogdenn,” he said, “just as I know you must be struggling to helm your kingdom. Given that, I came here in hopes of taking the time for us to speak. For better or worse, there are matters you must know of before you can make any judgment.”

Watt hesitated. Thinking of Anna’s interests, he’d do well to keep the prince away from her. At the same time, Colth was far too important of a figure, and they’d find themselves hard-pressed to actually try to remove him. The fact that he seemed to have no aggressive air about him at first glance was yet another worry.

Anna paused for a moment. “Very well. Could you please tell me what you would have me hear? In truth, I still lack the knowledge and experience required of me.”

Just as Watt was worrying, Anna had already taken action, sitting face-to-face with Colth. She did not know of the complex interplay of power among the nations that filled the land. Until only a mere half year prior, she had been a caged bird who knew nothing of any of it. She was entirely unprepared for the world that now expanded before her so rapidly. If Anna were shielded any further, she would only be left behind throughout her reign. The time to fight had come.

Colth nodded with the same soft grin. “That’s the right attitude. You don’t run away from hardship, nor do you allow it to sweep you away. I hope that our conversation proves helpful for you, Your Majesty.”

“Why do you seek to help me, Your Highness?” Anna asked. “Especially when all the other nations only sought to secure the position granted by being my consort.”

“Hardly surprising,” Colth replied. “I doubt there’s any need to explain why they desire your kingdom so.”

Anna nodded.

“In that case, my reason becomes all the simpler,” Colth said. “It is because my homeland, the Kingdom of Aldavonga, desires nothing less than peace for Vahylicard.”

Everyone in the group was visibly surprised at the prince’s remark. Colth gave a trace of a wry smile.

“Peace...” Anna replied. “Proclaimed by one of the Tres Coronas, no less. I have heard that your nation has continued to expand.”

“Indeed it has. And it is true that even now we count a great number of nations under our rule.”

Was that not just invasion in other terms? Anna’s expression was visibly riddled with doubts.

“While it’s no excuse, we had no choice,” Colth explained. “After all, we are but one of the Tres Coronas. There are two others—nations that endlessly consume others in their attempts to grow larger and stronger still. And in order to prevent ourselves from becoming fodder for their appetites...we had no choice but to become stronger ourselves. Would you take exception to even that, Your Majesty?”

Anna paused. “Far from it.” She was in no position to disagree. After all, she herself had taken the throne by fighting off her stepfather. Even though it had been within the bounds of Legalisbelm, she’d had no choice but to fight in order to protect herself.

“We granted as much stability and protection to the nations that came under our rule. And yet, even then, our efforts amounted to no more than looking after them. We have only ever hoped to plant the seeds of peace in Vahylicard. After a ceaseless stream of bloodshed, we could only wait for the day in which the Tres Coronas’ power would be brought to balance. Should you wish to deem the present state a merely passing peace, I could scarcely find fault in your argument. Yet peace is a prize not won without paying a fitting price in turn. After all, the establishment of this very meeting arose from the efforts of my grandfather in the prior generation. Considering how much bloodshed has been avoided like this, you could argue that we’ve grown rather refined.”

Colth’s words more or less aligned with the history that Anna had been taught. Aldavonga’s way of thinking was certainly not wrong—not in this land, at least. Despite understanding this, her expression remained troubled.

“I have no presumptions of haughty innocence myself,” Anna said. “Yet even then I wonder—I wonder if there was any way that I might’ve been able to lessen the harm that was inflicted.”

“You’re a kind soul, Your Majesty,” Colth replied. “Had you not been born in Ogdenn, you would’ve spent your life in peace.”

Anna glanced at Watt and then Carome. Her face pale, she faced Colth head-on nevertheless before making a resolute declaration.

“Even if hardship and conflict lie ahead...I do not regret becoming my nation’s queen.”

“Kind, and strong as well,” he replied. “Ask your own heart first—what it is that you truly desire—and listen well to the answer you are given. If you wish, I may be able to give you a modicum of assistance in making your way forward. Should that time come, I ask only that you lean on my support without refrain.”

“You would seek nothing from me?”

“I seek only for you to know me—the rest is exactly as I have explained. Anything beyond that shall surely come after you’ve first had time to think, Your Majesty.”

Colth rose to his feet. “Speaking more than necessary would only be a burden. I shall take my leave here, then. May this land enjoy never-ending peace.”

Leaving his remarks at that, Crown Prince Colth departed.

Visited by stillness once more, Anna seemed occupied somehow as she muttered beneath her breath. “I thought that all of the Tres Coronas loved conflict, but that’s not entirely the case either, is it?”

“Those other bastards were all zeroes and ten-pointers, so I can’t blame ya for thinkin’ that,” Watt replied with a groan. “But I mean, c’mon—the crown prince in the direct line of Aldavonga? He’s on a whole ’nother level!”

Both Artehoth and Toinuyva had been nothing more than high-ranking vassal states, in the end. They weren’t fit to be compared against the likes of a true ruling nation.

“From the sound of it, I don’t think he was lyin’ either, but somethin’ about that guy just doesn’t sit right with me.”

“Watt, are you sure that isn’t just you trying to keep all the suitors away because she’s your daughter?” Carome asked.

“C-C’mon, that ain’t it at all!” Watt objected. “It’s my gut feelin’ or whatever ya call it—practically whisperin’ in my ear!”

Carome’s gaze was far too harsh. It was an all too sad fact that fathers were never trusted at times like this, regardless of their efforts.

“All righty, anyway! At the very least, maybe we oughta be grateful for how things are gonna play out after this.”

“What do you mean?” Anna asked.

“After all, it’s one thing if it’s somebody from some vassal state, but the high-’n’-mighty crown prince of Aldavonga himself made a move! Rumors get around real quick. There ain’t a single fool here brave enough to stick their necks right in the middle of a den of ragin’ beasts!”

Watt made a point of shrugging. The only ones who could face off against the Tres Coronas were the Tres Coronas themselves. Trying to get in the middle or compete alongside them was out of the question. Regardless of whatever intentions the other rabble had held, the crown prince’s appearance was sure to scatter them to the wind.

“Hmm, you have a point,” Carome said. “It seems that much is behind us, then.”

It was just then that they heard a familiar voice, leaving Anna to hurriedly turn around.

“It’s you... King Auvere!”

The man who’d appeared from the shadows of the hedge was none other than King Auvere of Doré. Anna rushed to stand up and greet him, only for Auvere to softly stop her before taking a seat himself. Sure enough, lurking behind the king without any indication of his presence was Sonata, his younger brother.

“My brother happened to catch sight of you here,” Auvere explained. “We’d planned on lending you a hand if you found yourself in a trying spot, but I’m quite relieved it seems we had nothing to worry about.”

“Your concern is most appreciated,” Anna replied.

Auvere’s presence imbued her with confidence. The Kingdom of Doré had been their ally since before the Tres Coronas had begun their reckless rampage. Having him look out for them as an allied power left her feeling reassured.

“I heard what happened,” Auvere said. “It sounds like you were caught in quite the violent storm.”

“Indeed,” Anna replied. “And yet, I realize that this is a trial we must face.”

“Bracing yourself for trials is an important task—even more so for a monarch. Yet you must never forget that there is no shame at all in leaning on another.”

“Of course,” Anna answered. “All of my knights are working their hardest to support me.”

“Good to hear,” Auvere said. “After all, the last thing I want to do is lose a friend to trivial matters.” He nodded pleasantly. Suddenly, however, a shadow fell across his expression. “Still, to think that the crown prince of Aldavonga would make his appearance. Hard to imagine anything more troublesome.”

“You know about His Highness Prince Colth?”

“That I do. We’re rather close to Aldavonga on the map. For better or worse, we have plenty of ties to that kingdom.”

With a vague expression that bore neither a hint of a smile nor anger still on his face, Auvere continued. “While this is hardly enough to be considered a warning...there’s no mistaking that the prince’s words seem temperate enough at first glance—but you must never let your guard down. Aldavonga is still one of the Tres Coronas.”

“Well noted,” Anna said. “I’ll take your warning to heart.”

Crown Prince Colth had spoken of the hardships that came with being one of the Tres Coronas. Meanwhile, King Auvere spoke of the threat he saw from watching the Tres Coronas from the outside. Which one of them was correct? Or were they both to be believed? Anna made sure to transcribe both accounts onto the pages of her heart.

“Ah, it looks like I’ve held you longer than I should’ve,” Auvere said. “I’ll head to the meeting first. You all can take your time. I can hardly imagine it’ll be a valuable meeting for outsiders.”

With the time for the meeting to commence nigh, King Auvere left his seat. Just as he did so, Sonata, who’d been waiting the whole time in the rear, cast a silent stare at Anna.

“Is something the matter?” she asked.

He paused before responding. “Have you already made your decision?”

“No. There’s still...still just so much that I don’t know.”

Sonata merely nodded once before immediately following after the king. Just as Anna was seeing them off, she happened to notice that Watt was staring at the group from Doré the same way.

“Father? Is something wrong?” Anna asked.

“Hmm? Ah, nah... It’s nothin’. More importantly, what do ya wanna do? Wanna play hooky today?”

“No,” Anna replied, “we should be going. After all, it doesn’t look like we’ll have any other countries bothering us today.”

“Gotcha,” Watt said. “You’re not wrong.”

***

The day’s session of Corona Senatus ended so smoothly it was unsettling.

Even the expected war of words among the Tres Coronas had remained relatively muted, replaced with an odd sense of tension among the three rulers. The air was so suffocatingly tense that both the vassal states and the outsiders alike found it hard to breathe.

While there was another party after the meeting, the Ogdenn group declined with all the might they could muster, instead opting to immediately return to their palatial inn. With the Tres Coronas now clashing head-on, there wasn’t a single soul reckless enough to try and get in the way. Regardless, the knights didn’t let down their guard for a moment, making sure to protect Anna until arriving at the inn.

“Aaaaaah! I can actually ease up a little bit here!” Watt said.

“Welcome back, Anna!” Meddié said. “You okay? You didn’t run into any sickos, did you?”

Anna paused for a moment. “I’m fine. I am a little tired, though.” She locked hands with Meddié and took a momentary respite.

“It wasn’t even worth the breath it’d take to tell ya!” Watt said. “They were all the worst of the worst! Every single one of ’em gets a big fat F from me!”

“Yikes!” Meddié said, scowling.

Beside her, Carome’s expression was no less sour. “I’ve no choice but to say that our situation is incredibly dire,” she said with a groan, “and we have far too few cards in our hand to combat this. If Anna had a fiancé within Ogdenn, that would’ve been grounds to refuse them, but...”

“I don’t like it one bit, but Emperor Caesar was right on the money,” Watt said. “Even those nobles in the queen’s faction are a ragin’ mob! They’d get in the way of her reign the moment she chose somebody—I can see it comin’ from a mile away!”

“Normally,” Carome said, “an important figure within the faction would be the prime choice for consort, but...”

And the most important figure in Anna’s faction?

“Huh? Wait, would that be pops?!” Meddié shrieked. “No way! That’s way out of the question!”

Of course Anna’s consort couldn’t be Otto. Unfortunately, however, there was no noble in the whole faction that she could trust more than Baron Otto Socom.

Eyes fixed in place, Watt wrapped his hand around the hilt of his blade.

“I owe Mister Otto a lot and I think of him as a friend too, but...if he gets close to my daughter—I’m sorry, but I won’t have a choice!”

“Hold on, master! Calm down! There’s no way he’d do that! Put your sword back. That look in your eyes is seriously freaking me out!”

Watt suddenly fell silent, his gaze narrowing. With his hand still on his blade, he slowly turned around.

“Huh? What? Master, you can’t actually be serious...”

“That’s not it,” he replied. “Watch out, Meddié! There’s an intruder here!”

At practically that very same moment, Carome leaped forward to stand beside Anna.

“And just who the hell are you?!” Watt demanded, maintaining his offensive stance that would let him attack any foe without delay.

While it was uncertain when he’d snuck his way in, sure enough, there at the window was a lone, suspicious man.

Chapter Five: Clutching a Heartless Bouquet

The magicyte-fueled lamp illuminated the room. The man stood at the window, like darkness encroaching into it.

“You ain’t gonna introduce yourself or nothin’?” Watt barked. “Ya could stand to learn some damn manners!”

He’d never seen the man before. Even assuming that it was a man was no more than Watt’s estimation, but based on the figure’s build, that was almost certainly the case. The reason he could only guess, however, was because the figure’s face was concealed behind a strange mask. He was clad entirely in black from the mask down.

Don’t you look just like a good ol’-fashioned assassin! Watt quipped to himself.

“Well, it doesn’t matter who you are—I can’t turn a blind eye to suspicious types like you!”

Just as he moved forward to close the distance between them without dropping his guard, the assassin suddenly spoke.

“I take it you are Her Majesty Queen Anna of the Kingdom of Ogdenn.”

The man’s voice was oddly hoarse—he’d likely changed it with some sort of potion. What’s more, he’d asked the very same question that the group had heard countless times that day.

Before he even realized it, an uncontrollable sigh stole past Watt’s lips. “Hey now, I’m the one that asked you a question first! If you know where you’re at, then that’s even more reason to speak up and at least give us a name before your head goes flying!”

Watt carefully inspected his surroundings. His honed senses picked up on no other presence than the assassin’s. Had he broken in on his own? Regardless, Watt knew he couldn’t afford to let his guard down. After making sure that Carome was standing fast at Anna’s side, Watt braced himself from head to toe for any attack that might come his way.

“I came here with a request for Her Majesty,” the assassin said, “I ask that you decline all of the arranged marriage invitations stemming from the Tres Coronas. Doing so would shake the balance of the world far too much.”

Before he knew it, Watt found himself on the verge of launching at the assassin, only for his hand to stop in place. His grip tightened around the hilt of his blade before shouting back, unable to contain himself. “Like hell if that’s somethin’ an assassin that snuck into our inn gets to say! I couldn’t care less whether it’s right or wrong—that’s somethin’ she gets to decide for herself! There ain’t one damn reason she should get forced into decidin’ one way or another! You’ve got one helluva wake-up call comin’ if you think we’re gonna listen to what some poor-mannered punk of an assassin has to say!”

Seeming to pick up on Watt’s swelling anger, the assassin smoothly pulled out his own black blade. “I’ve given you my warning,” he said. “I ask that you make a wise decision.”

“Wise?! Did I hear you right?!” Watt demanded. “You wanna talk about bein’ wise, why don’t you show some wisdom yourself first?!”

Watt had heard the assassin’s request; he had no further reason to let him go uncaptured. He bounded forward, kicking off against the floor.

Watt closed within a step of his foe, but his blade was stopped by the assassin’s own. He blocked my attack! He wasted no time pulling his sword back before trying to send his opponent’s flying—only for the assassin to draw his own blade back just as Watt had. The exchange ended with the arc of their weapons colliding and nothing more.

“Dammit! I ain’t done yet!”

The assassin gasped in surprise.

One failed attempt wasn’t enough to make Watt pull back the offensive, however—he immediately stepped forward again. The assassin swung his blade up again in turn, as their swords clashed once more. Sure enough, with both of them making the same move, their attempts to parry ended in a draw.

“You’re pretty good for a greasy bastard, aren’tcha?”

“Impossible. You’re—!”

Seeing his prior strategy hadn’t worked, Watt instead unleashed a kick, only for the assassin to launch a kick himself, as if to perfectly mirror Watt’s motions. The two hit each other once more, leaving Watt with no choice but to pull back from the assassin and glare.

“So I was right, then,” the assassin muttered in a spine-chilling tone as he himself went on the offensive. Watt immediately parried his blade and moved forward to counterattack. He swung his weight behind the arc of his sword, only for the assassin to block his attack by swinging his own weapon upward in a scooping motion. Unable to pursue his opponent any farther, Watt leaped back once more.

More so than rage, his expression was marked by utter bewilderment. “Ya gotta be damn well kiddin’ me! Those moves, that swordplay... That’s a whole lot more than just familiar! Who the hell are you?!”

The assassin clad in black paused for a brief moment before turning the question back to Watt. “Tell me... Is the name ‘Iqall’ familiar to you?”

Watt gasped. “I shoulda known! You’re tellin’ me you know that no-good, sadistic, sly snake of an old bastard?!”

No sooner had the assassin heard Watt’s groan of a reply than he gave a coarse laugh. “Heh... Heh heh heh... Bwa ha ha ha! I see! So that’s it! You— You’re one of his disciples just like me...and my senior under his instruction! What a chance encounter...and such an unexpected turn of fate! With this, I shall finally complete the trial my master left behind!”

“What’d you just say?”

Paying no heed to Watt’s piercing stare, the assassin continued to laugh on and on. It wasn’t hard to imagine his face twisted with mirth beneath the mask.

After laughing for a while, the assassin gave a grandiose bow. “Oh, yes, that’s right, my senior disciple! I am most sorry for my delayed introduction!” he said. “It’s a pleasure to meet you. I am the last disciple of my master, Iqall...and the one who will one day claim your life. Heh heh—I truly wasn’t expecting such a turn this evening! What a delightful encounter!”

“Hold yer damn horses!” Watt spat back. “I try to shut up and listen to ya, and all ya can do is blabber on like it’s nobody’s business! You said you’re his disciple?! You tellin’ me that sleazy old dog’s still alive?!”

“He’s dead now,” the assassin replied. “Now, while this is a wonderful encounter, I’m afraid that this is far too poor of a location. Let us meet again!”

As soon as the assassin spoke, he launched himself through the window without a trace of hesitation.

“The hell do you think you’re—?! Hey, hold on...!”

Watt dashed over to the window, only for a powerful blast of wind to push him back. The piercing howl of steam being released tore through the silence of the night. There, rising to its feet against a backdrop of stars in the darkness was a humanoid shadow—a Mechsteel! It was black all over, making even its shape difficult to discern in the darkness.

“Farewell, my senior disciple! Look forward to the day our blades shall cross again!”

Immediately thereafter, the black Mechsteel spread the wings on its back. The glow of magic energy filled them as the mech’s massive frame floated into the air. Its propulsion system ignited as a thunderous echo rang out across the night sky, and the black Mechsteel flew off into the distance and disappeared.

“You gotta be jokin’...”

Watt watched his foe leave with dumb amazement only for Carome to make her way to his side. “Just what in the world was that thing?”

“That’s what I wanna know!”

Scratching his head all over, he sighed for the umpteenth time that day. The whole situation was already a headache, and now they had even more troubles to deal with. Was he being haunted by some malevolent force? Was he in need of an exorcism?

“And to cap it all off, we’ve got a Mechsteel that can fly on our hands!” Watt said. “Doesn’t matter how low you try to estimate the costs for somethin’ like that—the thing’s way too much to be on the same level as a Brute! We’ve gotta be in some hellscape for an assassin to be toutin’ around a Mechsteel like that!”

To make matters worse, the black Mechsteel from earlier was likely a Crusader-class mech, if not higher. It was sure to be a rare model due to the grand sum of its construction costs. Under normal circumstances, a Mechsteel like that would be given to a knight captain or someone of similar standing—it wasn’t the sort of mech for the lowly likes of an assassin to pilot.

After making sure that was the end of it, Watt trudged his way back to his daughter. “Sorry—the bastard slipped through my fingers.”

“I’m just glad you’re okay, father,” Anna said. “More importantly, all this talk about your master... Just what was that all about?”

“Does that mean...that master’s got his own master?!” Meddié asked.

With his head hung low, Watt found himself greeted not by worries or criticism, but a storm of questions. While Anna was at least still somewhat concerned for her father, Meddié leaned forward to ask him questions, fueled by almost nothing more than curiosity. Remaining silent, he gave her a swift flick to the forehead with his finger.

“Yowch! That’s not nice, master!”

“Save all that for later,” Watt chided. “Our first priority is keepin’ the queen safe.”

By that point, hints of a stir had emerged from all over the inn, its inhabitants startled by the thunderous roar the black Mechsteel had left in its wake. It was hard to imagine anything more inconsiderate in the middle of the night.

“For now, the Royal Knights will keep watch tonight,” Carome said. “We’ll need to think of what we’ll do after tomorrow, though.”

Seeing Carome off after she swiftly issued her orders, Watt made a sour face and muttered beneath his breath. “It was already plenty dealin’ with all this stir over Anna’s marriage, and now you’re tellin’ me some junior disciple that I’ve never even met just pops up?! Today’s right on track to be the worst damn day of my life!”

When it rained, it poured—troubles never came alone. Even then, enough is enough! Watt thought, his shoulders slumping out of sheer exhaustion.

And so, the second day of Corona Senatus—a day of great upheaval for the Kingdom of Ogdenn—finally came to an end.

***

Regardless of what the reason might have been, the fact that an assassin targeting royals had appeared in the city was a considerable failure on the part of the Kingdom of Emperimo as host.

Emperimo couldn’t permit any malcontents to run around at the feet of the Tres Coronas. Yantaggio was put on high alert right away, and it would only be a matter of time before a search for the criminal would be launched with Emperimo’s dignity on the line. Watt and the others were visited by a throng of soldiers who interviewed them on what had happened before taking their leave. By the time things had finally settled down again, it was already deep into the night.

Even then, they couldn’t just claim everything was over and lighten their efforts to keep the queen safe. It was decided that the Royal Knights would alternate keeping watch that night. Naturally, Watt was also in the rotation, and he had been chosen for the first post of the night.

Beneath the dim light of the magicyte lamp, Watt had taken his place outside the queen’s room, lazily leaning back in a chair. While it looked like he’d let his guard down, he was actually deeply focused on his surroundings. While he would love to say he was confident that he’d notice anything amiss, he also recognized that he’d failed to notice the assassin’s presence until he’d made his way to the room.

I would say I’m gettin’ rusty in my old age, but since that bastard learned from the same source I did, that means he knows how to conceal his presence too.

He knew how to hide himself when needed and how to go on a rampage to defeat any foe he encountered. Watt had had those same skills drilled into him—the skills to triumph over any and every foe, be they man, machine, beast, or monster.

Iqall... Just how many decades has it been since I’ve heard that low-down scummy excuse for a master’s name?

Watt had studied under him back when he was only a child, before he ever joined the kingdom’s army. He carefully retrieved the memories from the recesses of his mind—memories he hadn’t even thought to look back on for so long.

That assassin was sayin’ I was his ‘senior disciple,’ so he musta come after me... Which means I didn’t put that old bastard in the ground back then after all.

Breaking off his thoughts there, Watt lifted his head, only for the door to the room he was supposed to be guarding to immediately open without a sound. Sure enough, the one who appeared in the doorway happened to be none other than the queen herself.

Sensing Anna’s presence, Watt tilted his head to the side and addressed her. “What’s wrong? Can’t sleep?”

Anna paused. “No... My mind just wouldn’t stop racing. Would it be okay if we talked for a bit?”

“No surprise after everything that went down today,” Watt replied. “If ya don’t mind talkin’ with me, I’m all ears.”

He exhaled and pulled out a chair for Anna before pouring her a cup of the tea he’d prepared for his shift. While Watt’s attitude was far too careless for interacting with the queen, it was more than enough for a father to have a conversion with his daughter.

“Make sure ya don’t stay up too late now,” he warned, only for Anna to giggle back at him.

“We talked in the middle of the night just like this when we were together in Front-Edge City too. With you living away from me as of late, it’s certainly been a while since we’ve had the chance.”

“Guess ya got a point, huh?”

In the brief span of time she’d been in Front-Edge City, Anna had lived together with Watt. They’d talked about all sorts of trifling things almost every day, from work to what was for dinner that night. Considering that she had hardly been treated as a human being before that, it had been her first time experiencing what it was like to live as a human.

“But back in Ogdenn, I had Carome and Otto too. Even Meddié would come over to talk all the time.”

“Carome and Otto are one thing,” Watt replied. “Meddié was probably just coming to hang out with you while she still could...”

Anna laughed back in response. “But thanks to them, even though it’s been difficult since I took the throne, I never found it to be a burden.”

She cast her eyes downward. “With everyone at my side, I could do what I had to as queen... That’s what it felt like, at least. Perhaps it was because it was just matters within Ogdenn I was dealing with that I felt that way.”

“That ain’t it at all,” Watt replied. “Even when it comes to dealin’ with other nations, nobody coulda ever seen a big mess like this comin’.”

Perhaps the issue of Anna’s consort would’ve come up eventually. Even then, it certainly wouldn’t have come so suddenly and with this much of a threat alongside it. Even if it might have been necessary from a diplomatic standpoint, Anna’s encounter at the party that night had spiraled into a veritable nightmare.

“I’ve been thinking the whole time ever since all this happened...about who would be a good choice if I were to welcome someone to stand alongside me.”

“Y-Yeah...?”

Dammit... Everybody’s acting like it’s already set in stone that Anna’s gonna choose somebody!

Watt’s face twitched and went stiff. He knew full well in his mind that that was the heart of the issue, but his emotions were another story altogether.

Look, I’m sure she’ll find somebody someday! But still, why in the hell does she have to get in this big of a rush?! She’s still just seventeen, and she’s only just taken the throne as queen!

While Watt sat there, fuming internally, Anna slowly began to talk.

“I’m the queen of Ogdenn...so the good of the kingdom must come first. While there would be benefits in choosing someone from the Tres Coronas...I think the risk that would come with it is just as large. That’s why I was thinking it would be a wise idea to choose someone from within Ogdenn to strengthen my foundation.”

“Uh-huh...” Watt paused. “Huh? Um, ’bout that...”

Watt’s head slowly tilted further and further to the side in doubt as he listened. He hesitated for a moment before making up his mind. “Hey now, Anna. Just cuz you’re the queen doesn’t mean you have to live for the kingdom—ya know that, right?”

While Anna had spoken of finding a consort herself, her words lacked any consideration of her own wishes. What had been asked of her was far too twisted.

Anna’s own expression went blank for a moment before her eyebrows drooped down sadly shortly after. “I’d never even thought about a future alongside someone else until now. That’s why I don’t even know where to start when someone asks me.”

It had been only a half year or so ago that she’d been freed from her cage. Up until only recently, she hadn’t even thought of wanting something from someone else.

I wouldn’t call it a happy accident, but maybe it was a good thing that let me learn more about Anna.

“It’s just me askin’ here,” Watt said, slowly turning the question back to Anna. “Doesn’t matter if it’s your ideal type or just some fantasy. I’m just happy to hear what ya really think.”

Anna appeared troubled, her gaze busily wandering through the air before she finally managed to string together her words. “W-Well, in that case...they’d be someone who’d eat together with me...and talk about silly things that don’t really matter...”

“Uh-huh? Sounds nice.”

“And they’d always come to save me when things were dangerous...”

“Yeah? Ah, okay...”

“They’d be someone that would keep me safe...” Anna said. “Someone like you, father.”

Watt paused. “Is that...so...?”

He could see why. There was no mistaking that everything that had transpired with Legalisbelm had been a truly vivid experience that had left a deep impression on Anna’s life. While Watt was glad to hear that as her father, it was still a complicated matter. After all, what had gone down with Legalisbelm was hardly a common occurrence. Perhaps she’d set the hurdle too high for what she’d expect from her future partner. Another sort of anxiety different from what he’d grappled with so far now sprang up from within Watt as he wondered if Anna would actually be able to find a suitable partner for herself.

Watt sat drinking his tea as they chatted, only for Anna to present him with a question now.

“Would it be all right if I asked you something too?”

“Yeah, o’ course. Ask me anything.”

“What was that master of yours like, father?”

Watt froze in place. He only barely managed to contain the scowl that threatened to spill across his face. “Ah, well...it ain’t the funnest story out there. You sure you wanna hear?”

“I am curious, though!” Anna replied. “If he was your master, father, he must’ve been a remarkable swordsman.”

Despite Watt’s best efforts to search his memory, every single episode that came to mind was anything but pleasant, and certainly not the sort of thing he could go telling his daughter. After more than his fair share of worry, he finally managed to squeeze out his words.

“He wasn’t some shinin’ example of a human bein’ to say the least,” Watt said. “Far from it, that dirty bastard was the sleaziest lump of sludge the world ever knew...”

His gaze drifted faintly downward, looking back on his memories of those days long gone as he slowly began to speak.

It was back when Watt had been just a young child and had lost his hometown—the place he’d been born—to an onslaught of rogue monsters. It was indeed a tragedy, but such happenings were all too commonplace. Left all alone, he’d wandered about from place to place for a time before encountering a man—Iqall, who would go on to become his master and teach him the blade.

“All I knew about the guy was his name—no idea about his family or house. At the time, Master Iqall was collectin’ kids just like me one after another and makin’ ’em his disciples.”

With tragedies unfolding left and right, there was an abundance of victims left in their wake. After collecting masses of children with nowhere else to go, Iqall took them far away from any settlement and began to train them as his disciples.

“I was even grateful to the bastard at first,” Watt said. “The trainin’ was anything but easy, but I had food to eat—and even more importantly, I could get stronger. I had the chance to beat down all the trouble that had come rainin’ down on me—I was over the moon, y’know?”

However, the joy that he had tasted was nothing more than honey-coated bait. Master Iqall’s training grew more and more intense out of nowhere, leading to the first round of dropouts soon thereafter. Master Iqall struck down all of his disciples who had fled with his own blade before casting them aside.

“I can still remember what he said clear as day,” Watt went on. “That rotten old cur lined up their corpses and told us... ‘These weaklings died while they were still nothing more than trash. If you want to make your way back to being human from the garbage you are, then grow stronger and slash down all in your path. That is the only way back.’”

There was no joy to be found anywhere after that. With only terror pushing them forward, Iqall’s disciples threw themselves into their training, while the master watched on in satisfaction.

Whether it was a stroke of good fortune or not, Watt was talented with the blade. In an ironic twist, surviving Iqall’s merciless training had made his skills blossom, and he wasted no time using his power to protect his junior disciples—from monsters, or from the training itself. He kept them safe to ensure that no one else would die a senseless death. As he went about doing just that, he found himself becoming something of a leader among the disciples.

It was shortly after Watt had turned thirteen that the last of the junior disciples died.

He paused. “I was right there, holding his body as he went cold—that’s when Iqall told me: ‘All the garbage has been washed away now, leaving your radiant talent in its wake. I shall now confer full mastership upon you. Use your power to cut down your foes far and wide wherever your battles may take you!’”

He fell silent for a moment again. “That’s what he told me. So I cut him down—just like he asked for.”

There had been no compulsion nor surge of emotion behind it. In the most natural sequence of events, Watt had run his blade through his master’s back.

“There he was, sinkin’ into a pool of his own blood, and that damn bastard told me I’d done a fine job of it,” Watt said. “The scumbag was rotten to the core... That was who our master was.”

After listening to Watt calmly conclude his tale, Anna sat at a loss for words, her head hanging low.

“But hey! I really did think I’d finished him off back then!” Watt said, trying to lighten the mood in an attempt to reassure her. “That assassin was goin’ off about how he was Iqall’s last disciple, which means that I didn’t finish the job after all! Callin’ it the biggest failure of my life’d be an understatement!”

Anna finally lifted up her head, hesitating before timidly asking a question back. “Father...what did you do after you, erm, left your master behind?”

“Hmm? Well, I mean, my master was as rotten as they come, but what I learned was useful. I applied to the army to put my skills to use, and...well, I think you’ve already got a pretty good idea of what happened from there, Anna.”

She nodded back, looking convinced. With that settled, the next issue of concern was the assassin.

“If that assassin learned from the same master as you...then does that mean he’s as strong as you, father?” she asked quietly, looking somehow uneasy.

Watt groaned and thought back on their earlier battle. “Based on when I fought ’im, I figured he’d definitely learned the same moves I know. His little habits were so similar to mine it was scary. But even then, I’m sure he wasn’t givin’ it his all either, so I can’t really say how strong he is.”

Now that I think about it, he said somethin’ interestin’ too—somethin’ about a trial or task... That rotten old bastard didn’t even have the decency to die! Just what sorta nonsense did he put in that guy’s head, anyway?

At the very least, Watt was certain that, whatever Iqall had charged the assassin with, it was sure to be something terrible—just as what he and his now-deceased senior disciples before him had been told.

“To think you’d encounter your junior disciple here of all places, especially when there shouldn’t be any in the first place...” Anna said.

“Now that ya mention it, I was so surprised when I heard him call himself my junior disciple that I forgot all about it, but it sounded like he was also against all of your proposed marriages.”

After all, the only ones here were those who had some sort of connection with Corona Senatus—so did that mean that the assassin was a royal from some kingdom?

Somewhere that wouldn’t want Anna choosin’ somebody—a place that’d be happy to see all this talk of an arranged marriage get scrapped, huh? Where could that even be? I’m sure there’s prolly a lot of places that would fit the bill.

If that were the case, then wouldn’t the first suspect be someone from Ogdenn? If that was supposed to be someone’s idea of a bad joke, Watt certainly didn’t want to hear it.

Gulping down the rest of his tea that had gone all the way cold, he scratched away at the side of his head.

“Talkin’ on and on about stuff like this is a good way to keep yourself from gettin’ any shut-eye,” Watt said. “That’ll hit ya hard tomorrow—you’d better get some sleep soon.”

“Yes, you’re right,” Anna replied. “Okay, then. Goodnight, father.”

“Night,” Watt replied.

After watching Anna follow his suggestion and make her way back to her room, Watt took his place back on watch.

First it was my daughter’s future, and now it’s a headache from my younger days to deal with... Got a new brand of trouble showin’ up at every turn on this trip.

Watt never could’ve imagined that he’d be confronted with explosive marriage talks from Vahylicard’s superpowers and come under attack from an assassin who’d trained beneath the same master—all at the same time, no less. It seemed that, for the time being, this father’s nights would be anything but restful.

***

From smaller countries to mighty superpowers, a whole array of nations were in attendance at Corona Senatus. Naturally, the scope of the inn that each country was assigned to aligned directly with their might.

It was inevitable, then, that when it came to accommodations for one of the Tres Coronas, an inn was far from enough—it was only fitting that an entire post town would be created for the purpose.

The Menallazohortz Post Town—with the castle housing Emperor Menallazohortz’s chambers at its center, the town was filled with the emperor’s followers and those who would attend to him. Incidentally, outside of the Corona Senatus season, these sorts of places became total ghost towns.

The castle towered over its surroundings at the center of the settlement. It was a lavish, extravagant affair. It even boasted a throne inside, just like a proper audience chamber.

“...So the lass from Ogdenn talked back to you, and you just scampered away with your tail between your legs, is that it?” whispered Caesar, the emperor of the Menallazohortz Empire, his elbows resting on the throne. The exasperation plastered on his well-shaped face was readily apparent.

Prostrating himself to the ground before the emperor was a single man, locked in place without moving so much as an inch. The man was Malluth, first prince of Artehoth, one of the empire’s vassal states.

“Y-Yes, my liege! No sooner had I conveyed Your Majesty’s order than they did the unthinkable and failed to comply! Their foolishness truly knows no limits! Outsiders though they may be, to think they would lack the understanding of Your Majesty’s power! While I exhausted what little might I had trying to right this wrong, unfortunately, those fools would have nothing of it...”

As a natural matter of consequence, Emperor Caesar’s gaze grew more and more icy as he listened, but Malluth showed no signs of noticing. When his tone began to turn critical, however, the emperor shook his hand to stop him.

“Enough of your prattle,” Caesar said. “Do you remember what you told me about accepting this role?”

A shudder tore through Malluth as the color rapidly drained from his face. “W-Well, I...”

“If my memory serves me correctly, I believe your very words were... ‘By all means, entrust me with this role,’” Caesar said. “You also said that such a task was a simple one, but promised that you would fulfill your role ‘as fitting for a vassal of Menallazohortz throughout the generations,’ did you not?”

A stream of cold sweat stole down Malluth’s forehead before falling to the ground. Emperor Caesar’s memory indeed served him well. Malluth had boastfully accepted the role—and now he’d come back to report his own failure.

“And that’s not all either,” Caesar continued. “The two other Crowns have already realized how valuable Ogdenn is, and I’ve received word that they’ve already sprung into action. In such a situation, it would only be natural for me to be in an advantageous position for taking action so soon, would it not?”

“I-It’s...just as you say, Your Majesty.”

The cold sweat running down Malluth’s brow had transformed into a veritable waterfall, drops of sweat trickling down from his lowered head before spilling out into a blot on the floor. He racked his mind for a way to talk his way out of things, as if trying to scrape together the intellect he lacked.

“Th-That’s right!” Malluth stammered. “What do you say, Your Majesty? Rather than take the sluggish option of trying to become her consort, wouldn’t it be better just to level the whole kingdom instead?! Needless to say, if you but charge me, I shall be at the front of the vanguard!”

“Ohhh? I see...”

Emperor Caesar reluctantly dragged himself to his feet before walking straight over to Malluth. With Malluth’s face still toward the ground, Caesar took the scepter in his hands and drove it straight into his cheek.

“Gwa— Agh!” Malluth gasped. “Wh-What... Argh!”

Without a moment’s delay, Caesar planted his foot into the back of Malluth’s skull to silence him.

“It seems that head of yours is filled with rotten dog meat,” he said. “You don’t have the slightest idea why I gave you this role. The problem isn’t how powerful Ogdenn is—if we tried to conquer them by force, we’d only give the other two Crowns a justification to take action! This cannot be enacted by the empire itself! It must be the work of a vassal state—and that is precisely why we’ve taken such a roundabout approach.”

For anyone serving the Tres Coronas, the logic was only natural. It was no surprise, then, that Emperor Caesar found himself stricken with a growing headache at Malluth’s failure followed by his complete and total lack of understanding.

Caught beneath the emperor’s boot, Malluth lay bleeding, his face pale. “Y-Yes, Your Majesty!” he shouted as he still groveled on the ground. “Your mighty words are now planted in the very depths of my mind!”

“Now they are? What a disgrace,” Caesar said. “Vassal state for generations or not, I’ve no need of pawns I cannot use!”

Emperor Caesar put his hand not on his scepter, but on the hilt of his blade. Stricken with a terror that overpowered his anger, Malluth shuddered. The Tres Coronas were indeed bound by the Vow against War, containing one another through their closely matched strength. Yet it was another matter entirely if a conflict was between vassal states that made up their respective forces. In the past, there had even been some nations that had been wiped off the map after suffering the wrath of the Tres Coronas, instead of being granted to the rule of another country.

N-No! I can’t— I can’t let this happen! Malluth thought, his mind racing with desperation. It’s not about bettering my standing anymore! At this rate, my country’s very existence is in danger! Why? Why must this happen to me?!

If he were able to secure the Kingdom of Ogdenn as a gift for the emperor, the Kingdom of Artehoth would be able to ascend to an even higher position. It could very well become the empire’s top vassal state. And yet, on the other hand, if he were to fail, he would lose everything. It was the gamble of a lifetime—he was putting it all on the line.

It all comes back to her... Anna Ogdenn! It’s her fault for failing to follow His Majesty’s orders as she was told! And now the wench has gone and made a fool out of me!

Grinding his teeth, Malluth mentally lashed out in misdirected anger. Despite the fact that Emperor Caesar was his most present threat, Malluth lacked the bravery and the backbone to direct his anger at the emperor. Instead, as if such a contradiction were the most natural thing in the world, his anger was directed at someone weaker than he was. No matter the cost, he had to clear himself of this dishonor.

“Y-Your Majesty, I just had a wonderful idea!”

“Very well, then... I’ll at least pity you and listen,” Emperor Caesar said, sinking back onto the throne. His gaze made it clear that he wasn’t getting his hopes up very much.

“Yes, sire!” Malluth said. “The fact remains that it’s only been a brief time since Anna Ogdenn took the throne as queen—she’s nothing more than a young little brat! Rather than taking the long road of trying to win her over, if we simply capture her here—by force if needed—then we can—”

The emperor rose up without a word again, only to slam his scepter right down on Malluth’s head. He squirmed in place, blood pouring from his brow.

“Allow me to commend you,” Emperor Caesar said, “for your boundless stupidity that defies the limits of my very imagination. It appears hitting you once or twice wasn’t enough to remedy that.”

He stomped the butt of his scepter onto the floor. “Are you listening? Carve this into that pathetic skull of yours once more: Our strategy is meant to place us above the other two Crowns. To that end, we have to win over Ogdenn and its military might as our ally, no matter what it takes. How in the world do you think we could ever enact our plan through such outrageous means?! You fool... Surely you don’t presume to bring dishonor upon me, now do you?”

“I-I would nebber dweam of it!” Malluth stuttered, the punishment he’d received now slurring his words. “I sought onwy of pweasing you, Your Majesty...!”

“I told you to use that head of yours,” Emperor Caesar replied. “But the more lacking you are in brains, the better off you’d be without a head altogether. Hmm... It might take a while, but perhaps I have no choice but to summon a replacement from your homeland.”

“M-My deepest apologies, Your Majesty!” Malluth pleaded. “I shall make a fresh start and pour myself into the task before me with all my body and soul...! S-So please, a-allow me to complete the task you have given me...”

Malluth trembled, his eyes wide in fear. Caesar’s gaze, however, made it clear that he no longer saw a person before him.

Hmph, that damned Artehoth. I gave him the role in light of his nation’s history of service, but this fool’s altogether useless to me!

It was indeed true that Caesar himself had underestimated the situation in believing that winning over a young girl like Anna would be an easy enough task for anyone. And yet, now that they’d given it a shot, she’d rejected them and he’d suffered a delayed start. If he were to call in a replacement for Malluth now, one of the other two Crowns might very well win Ogdenn over first.

Damn those other two Crowns! They always get in my way at every turn!

While all of the Tres Coronas got in each other’s way, that was beside the point.

I’ve no choice—this requires a change of course. I’ll use this fool to buy time until I get someone far more capable here.

Emperor Caesar had changed his mind. Simply waiting around and doing nothing while he waited for Malluth’s replacement to journey from home was too much of a risk. He decided to use Malluth as a distraction to buy time instead.

“Very well, then—I shall give you one more chance. Strive so that you are not outdone by the other two Crowns.”

“Y-Yes, Your Majesty...! Thank you for your endless graciousness!”

Malluth crawled back before dashing away as soon as he’d risen to his feet. In his wake, only Emperor Caesar’s sighs filled the spacious audience chamber.

“First, I have to call in reinforcements—immediately.”

Pulling himself together, the emperor wasted no time calling for his messenger.

***

After hastily fleeing from the emperor’s presence, Malluth was now lumbering along. His drooped head still bleeding, he muttered on and on under his breath—it was clear he wasn’t in his right mind. Perhaps it was fortunate, then, that there was no one around to see or criticize him.

“His Majesty...told me to strive... I’m not done yet—I’m going to carry out my mission! I’ll claim the Kingdom of Ogdenn...and then my very own Artehoth will be the top vassal of the empire... And that’s why that girl has to...! Results are what I need... This is no time to be mulling over the method... Yes! Make no mistake about it—I, Malluth Artehoth, shall offer up Ogdenn before His Majesty!” His ramblings turned to a shout as he looked up to the heavens. His eyes were wide open but bore none of the spark of sanity, with saliva dribbling down the corners of his lips.

Malluth sprang into action to clasp the impossible star of success that shimmered atop his self-centered delusions. Anna, however, had no way of knowing that he was stealthily making his way to her with wicked intent.

Chapter Six: Banquet of the Insincere

Anna pulled the curtains apart in one swift movement as the morning sun came pouring into the room. Narrowing her eyes happily, she put her hands on her hips and bathed in the sunlight. Watt, however, still seemed a tad sleepy, rubbing his eyes as he made his way over to her.

“Mornin’,” he said. “You rest well last night?”

“I sure did!” Anna replied. “I’m just fine now!”

The fact that she had been able to rest well was all the reward Watt and the other Royal Knights who’d kept watch needed. He gave a satisfied nod, only for her to suddenly grow fidgety over something.

“Um, I have a request I’d, er, like to make of you and the other Royal Knights, father,” Anna said.

“Oh? And what’s that?” Watt asked back. “I’m all ears.”

While one might think that Anna normally made requests of them, it was actually rather rare.

Watt and Carome nodded in response, prompting Anna to lift her head after a moment, despite still seeming a bit hesitant. “I took my time...thinking about what we talked about last night. Those marriage talks that have come my way...I’m planning on turning them all down.”

“Well, how ’bout that!” Watt said. “Now there’s a good idea! Give their asses the boot!”

“Hold up, Watt!” Carome chided. “Would it kill you to keep your cool?”

Watt leaned forward, his fists clenched with excitement, only for Carome to swiftly put him in his place.

“Furthermore, I intend to look for a better suited partner for Ogdenn...and for myself. And that’s exactly why I’d like to speak. Yet making my decision will almost certainly mean defying the will of the Tres Coronas.” Anna looked around at everyone before her. “We’re up against the mightiest people in Vahylicard. I’m certain that going against them...will prove rather trying. Will you all still aid me regardless?”

“No need for ya to get so stiff and formal on us now, Anna!” Watt said. “The queen herself thought it out and gave us her answer—how in the world could we have any problems with that? All ya gotta now is just hold yer head high as queen and order us knights to do whatcha want us to!”

Watt smirked and knelt before Anna, with Carome taking her place beside him. In turn, the Royal Knights waiting in the rear snapped to attention.

“Everyone...” Anna said. “I’m counting on your help, then!”

“As you wish, Your Majesty!” Watt said before rising to his feet and turning around. The knights were filled with resolve—despite facing the mighty Crowns of Vahylicard’s power, they showed not so much as a hint of hesitation.

“All righty then, everybody! Time we went on the offensive! Let’s show those high-’n’-mighty Crowns that outsiders like us got more than enough guts to go around!”

“Hear, hear!”

“That’s more like it, everybody!” Meddié exclaimed, waving her arm through the air. “Good luck out there!”

Smiling back at her, the group stepped out of the inn with Anna at the front...

***

“Bwa ha ha! Your Majesty...Anna Ogdenn! I’ve been waiting for you!”

He was standing there, planted right in the middle of the entrance to the inn. He flashed his teeth in a broad grin as he posed—as if to show off his own physique. It was none other than Malluth, first prince of the Kingdom of Artehoth—now before them once more.

Watt clutched his head. Anybody in the world, and it had to be Mr. Big Fat Zero?! Sure, I mighta gotten all fired up and whatnot, but at least spare me havin’ to deal with the stubborn greaseball himself first thing in the mornin’!

Dealing with nothing but grease when he was already short on sleep was anything but gentle on Watt’s middle-aged system. Trying to conceal the veins on his forehead pulsating with anger, he casually started to take a step forward—

“Prince Malluth. What business do you have at such an early hour?”

Anna had beaten Watt to the punch, confronting Malluth herself.

Watt’s eyes widened ever so slightly in surprise. That’s what you were gonna do, wasn’t it? Do exactly what you feel like doin’, Anna!

He drew near to Anna to support the fountain of resolve emanating from her small frame. Positioning himself so he could cover her at any time should something go awry, Watt swiftly scanned his surroundings.

Still, that’s a helluva lotta soldiers he’s got with him. That damn musclehead’s got some nasty idea in that head of his.

Given Malluth was a VIP, it was only natural for him to be escorted by guards, but even then, the number of men in tow with him was outrageous. Assuming he was walking around with so many soldiers not to protect himself, but rather to use them, then...

Watt’s nose caught a whiff of a shady scent he’d encountered before. If the prince had any semblance of a decent head on his shoulders, surely he wouldn’t be foolish enough to go on a rampage right in the middle of Corona Senatus. Unfortunately, expecting such sense out of Malluth was a lost cause.

Well, if the knucklehead wants to tango, then we’ll just dance!

While their respective guards stared each other down, Malluth’s and Anna’s gazes were locked straight ahead on each other. Even with Malluth peering down upon her, Anna wasn’t about to be intimidated.

“When I told Emperor Caesar of your nation’s response yesterday,” Malluth barked, “His Majesty expressed that it was truly regrettable! You’re suuuuuure to sully his mood at this rate—and that would be a truuuuuly unfortunate outcome for your kingdom! But there’s still time! Why don’t I put in a good word on your behalf? Come with me now to plead before His Majesty!”

For cryin’ out loud, can’t this guy think for himself?!

Listening to Malluth’s wholly self-interested tirade, even more angry veins appeared on Watt’s brow. It wasn’t just him either—Carome couldn’t conceal her discomfort, her gaze growing increasingly stern.

Before her guards could explode in anger, Anna quietly posed a question to Malluth. “Prince Malluth... You speak only of Emperor Caesar’s orders. Those aside, would you be so kind as to tell me what you think?”

“Whaaa...?”

Malluth looked stunned, as if he’d been caught off guard.

“Even if your original reason was because you’d been ordered to do so, that should’ve spurred your own thoughts on the matter. You desired to be consort to the Kingdom of Ogdenn. If that is so, then allow me to hear the proper reason behind it.”

Anna’s expression was nothing but sincere. Her expression was entirely absent of ridicule or anger. With her gaze locked squarely upon him, it was enough to throw Malluth into a fluster. It was a strange sight indeed: The tall, well-built man had been pushed back by a small-statured, young girl.

“I-I... I...”

Malluth sank into thought, but ultimately, there was never any hope that he’d be able to produce an answer. He had been ordered by one of the Tres Coronas—to him, that was everything. He needed no further reason than that. The best he could come up with was his thirst for attention and nothing more.

Soon thereafter, Anna slowly shook her head. “If you’d had a proper reason, then perhaps I could’ve considered your offer. But if your reason will always be because you were ordered...then I cannot welcome you into my kingdom. As Ogdenn’s queen, this is the conclusion I have reached.”

Malluth remained silent.

She’d said it. After hearing Anna’s definitive rejection of his offer, he didn’t respond at all. All shreds of emotion had fallen from his face as he turned his gaze on her, his eyes like two dark craters.

“...I see. So you call me a fool for my loyalty to His Majesty.”

Malluth’s fists creaked as he clenched them even tighter. Without a word, Watt and Carome changed position into an arrangement that would make it easier to protect Anna.

“Then we’ve no choice but to start by educating you!” he howled. “You’ll find out what happens to any foolish enough to defy the Crowns! And you can learn firsthand...what happens to those who make a fool out of me!”

There wasn’t so much as a trace of hesitation or doubt left in him now. Malluth swung a hand into the air to signal his soldiers as they braced in turn.

“Well, how ’bout that!” Watt remarked. “Not even tryin’ to hide how rotten ya are now, huh? Guess brats like you need a spanking to straighten ya out!”

Watt wasted no time stepping forward to shield Anna. There was no more respect to be shown to Malluth because he was a royal from another nation—the man standing before them now was just another foe.

Watt put his hand on the hilt of his blade and flashed a dazzling grin. “It’s a whole lot easier for me to let this guy do the talkin’!”

“Watt, is this really the wisest choice here?” Carome said wearily, readying herself for battle as she faced him.

As he glared at the knights protecting Anna, a sinister grin spread across Malluth’s face. “You blasted fools! You won’t be acting so tough once you see this!”

Just as the soldiers were bristling for battle before them, it appeared. The light of the sun was suddenly blocked off. A massive humanoid figure rose to its feet from behind the shadow of a building. It was well shaped like a statue yet also shared the features of a monster. It was humanity’s ultimate weapon: a Mechsteel.

“Prince Malluth?!” Anna gasped.

“This is all your fault, Anna Ogdenn!” he replied. “You really should’ve listened to me!”

“Dammit... Are you tryin’ to win the award for world’s biggest idiot?!” Watt said, his face stiffening. “Do ya honestly think you can just haul out a Mechsteel in a place like this and get off scot-free?!”

The city of Yantaggio in Emperimo was normally a barren ghost town, but that wasn’t the case while Corona Senatus was going on. Royals, nobles, and important figures from all over the world came together in the city, transforming it into the most important location in all of Vahylicard. It was only natural, then, that acts of destruction in the city were especially grave. It wasn’t a simple matter of penalties either. The rules against it were stern and unforgiving, so much so that even a royal could hardly protest if they were to be executed on the spot for violating them.

And yet, in spite of this, Malluth climbed into the Mechsteel himself before bursting into a round of rapturous laughter. “Gwa ha ha! What’s the issue? I’m just following His Majesty’s will! All I’m doing is taking the necessary measures to deliver Ogdenn to His Majesty! I’ll scatter any fool in my way! Now, men—capture Anna Ogdenn!”

Malluth’s Mechsteel drew its blade threateningly as the Artehothean soldiers edged closer.

Watt glared back at the soldiers and sighed. “Y’all really picked a fight with the wrong guy. You actually think we’ll go down this easy?”

He wasn’t a fan of waiting around to see what his opponents might do. Instead, he decided to strike first and tear into the soldiers. They hadn’t expected that Watt would go on the offensive, delaying their reaction. That was all the gap he needed. Drawing his blade, he struck one soldier and then two more that hadn’t braced themselves. When the soldiers finally began to act, Watt easily dodged their counterattacks before landing a vicious slash. In only a matter of moments, half of the soldiers had been soundly defeated. No sooner had he done so than he immediately went after the remaining soldiers.

By that point, the other soldiers had ruled Watt too difficult to engage with and instead charged after Anna. Naturally, however, they found their path blocked by none other than the captain of the Royal Knights, Carome Aestolle. Swinging around a blade even larger than Watt’s as if it hardly weighed anything at all, she set about cutting her way through the soldiers without hesitation.

After finishing off the remaining soldiers in the meantime, Watt patted the dust off his blade. “Well, guess that’s that!”

“The ones you didn’t get made their way over here, you know?” Carome said.

“Nah, with you back in the rear, I knew we’d be right as rain,” Watt replied. “Besides, I can’t hog all the fun for myself, now can I?”

“Honestly, is there ever a time when you’re not a thorn in my side...?”

Even after completely decimating over ten soldiers, neither of the two seemed winded at all.

“What in blazes?” Malluth barked, leaning forward from the Mechsteel’s cockpit. “Why in the world would you resist?!”

“What kinda fool wouldn’t fight back?” Watt asked back. “Y’know, I’m gettin’ more and more worried ’bout that head of yours by the minute.”

Paying no heed to Watt’s exasperation, Malluth squeezed his hand tight around the Mechsteel’s control stick.

“If you’d just come along quietly, you never would’ve gotten hurt... I’m done holding back!”

With that, his Mechsteel stepped forward in an especially aggressive manner. As its massive weight collided with the ground, Watt could feel the vibration of the impact through his feet.

“Father...” Anna said, looking worried.

Watt put on an intrepid smile to reassure her. “Dontcha worry ’bout a thing. It’s just one li’l ole Mechsteel...and we can get away from it!”

Immediately thereafter, he swung around and lifted Anna up onto his shoulders before running off as fast as his legs would carry him. Knowing full well where things were going, Carome followed after them without a trace of indecision.

“I should’ve known this would happen!”

“Hey, even I can’t go mano a mano with a Mechsteel!”

I mean, if it were just me, then maybe I could do somethin’, but it’s a little bit of a stretch when I’ve gotta keep Anna safe too! Watt thought.

Either way, a knight’s body was their most fundamental resource. It was only natural, then, that Watt’s legs were well trained as well. If he actually tried, even carrying his daughter in his arms wouldn’t have been a strain.

“We’re gonna duck back into the inn for starters!”

“I think not!” Malluth barked back, steering his Mechsteel to swing down its massive blade. It collided directly with the inn’s entrance, leaving a wall of rubble to block their way.

“Gimme a damn break here!” Watt moaned. “Don’t blame me when Emperimo gets pissed! If we can’t go this way, then let’s go that way!”

He immediately changed directions and dashed off.

“I told you I wouldn’t let you get away!” Malluth said. “Enough with your pointless resistance!”

“And I told you to stop bein’ such a damn idiot!”

Watt and the others scurried away while the heavy thud of the Mechsteel’s footsteps echoed out as he began to close in on them. It didn’t matter how hard a human might try to run—there was simply far too much of a difference in the ground a man and a Mechsteel could cover in a single step. Soon, it had caught up, and a massive hand stretched out toward them.

“That’s quite enough out of you, you violent ruffian!”

Just when it seemed certain that Watt and the others would be captured, a sword thrust in from the side and struck the Mechsteel’s arm. Malluth’s Mechsteel sank back in surprise, while another one forced its way in instead. Watt had never seen this mech before, but he had heard the voice that echoed from it.

“That voice... Prince Scott?!”

“That’s right! I, Scott Toinuyva, first prince of the Kingdom of Toinuyva, have raced to the scene to rescue Her Majesty Queen Anna!”

Scott’s Mechsteel positioned itself in front of Anna and the others as if to keep them safely behind it, a narrow rapier at the ready in its grip. The group’s gaze grew even colder when they realized that he was trying to protect them.

“I mean, like...yeah, he saved us, but still!” Watt said. “There’s such a thing as bein’ too on the money with your timing! Doesn’t help that this bastard’s score is just barely in the double digits! I sure as hell hope he wasn’t followin’ after us and just waitin’ for this to happen!”

“I’m afraid that’s a very real possibility,” Carome agreed, sounding exhausted. “We’d be better off considering both of them our enemies.”

After all, it had only been just a few moments ago that Malluth had started his rampage. Even assuming Scott had run onto the scene after noticing the disturbance, his appearance was still still too quick—not to mention he seemed entirely too prepared. Considering that, all the signs pointed to a setup on Scott’s side.

Ignoring the Ogdenn group, who’d gone icily cold with disdain, the two princes’ shouting match continued to heat up more and more.

“Toinuyvaaaaaa! How do you get in my way?!” Malluth said.

“Heh heh, you always were lacking in the brains department, weren’t you, Artehoth?” Scott replied. “A fool like you is hardly fitting for Queen Anna! I’ll be taking her instead!”

“She belongs to me!” Malluth barked back. “It’s my glory to gain! And I’m not about to hand it over!”

“Hmph! All the glory belongs to my master, King Slattmer!” Scott replied.

“Long live His Majesty Emperor Caesar!” Malluth said.

“Defeat’s the only thing fitting for a dog like you!”

The heavy sound of the Mechsteels’ blades colliding rang through the air. From the look of it, neither of them would be able to move for the time being.

“Y’know what? This is fine,” Watt said. “Let’s just hurry up and get our asses outta here! We gotta run over to Gryphon first—and that’s when we fight back!”

“Okay!” Anna replied.

And yet, the very moment Watt turned around, he heard a new rumble from the ground—only to be greeted by an enormous titan, its neck peeking out from behind the shadow of a building. There were a number of newly appeared Mechsteels, all perfectly decorated with the emblem of Artehoth.

“Look, I’ve had enough seconds to do me in...!” Watt groaned. “I’m gonna wind up with indigestion at this rate!”

“Men, make sure that you capture Anna Ogdenn alive, no matter what!” Malluth shouted. “I don’t care what happens to the rest of them!”

“Well, ain’t that nice of ya!” Watt shot back.

Following Malluth’s angry roar of an order, Scott’s frantic voice echoed back. “Artehoth! Bringing out such firepower... Do you have even a scrap of sanity left to you?!”

“Heh heh, if you’re going to do something, do it all the way!” Malluth replied. “I don’t waste time tiptoeing around like you!”

“Nah, you’re takin’ one hell of a risk settin’ yer men loose here, y’know!” Watt said.

Had Malluth been capable of such assessments, he never would’ve resorted to violence in the first place.

Grinding his teeth, Watt glared at Artehoth’s squad of Mechsteels. “What was all that bullshit about how the Tres Coronas keep each other in check so no one can make a move, huh? Seems to me they’re all doin’ whatever the hell they want!”

Watt found himself swearing before he realized it. What was terribly strange, however, was that despite the fact they’d brought out their Mechsteels for a scuffle in the city’s streets, Emperimo hadn’t responded at all. Watt didn’t see a single soldier, much less a Mechsteel.

Dammit! From the look of it, I’d say those high-’n’-mighty Crowns have a hand in this! So now I can’t even count on backup?!

Now, Watt would have no choice but to push them aside himself. And yet, in order to do so, he’d have to break through the forces surrounding them and make his way to his own Mechsteel. It was a dilemma with no way out.

Artehoth’s Mechsteel squadron casually closed in on the group. With nowhere else to go, Watt and the others found themselves with their backs against the wall, and—

The sound of jets pierced through the air.

A black shadow blocked off the light of the sun. As if chasing after the shadow, a figure descended from the sky. The Mechsteel was as black as the night, the particulars of its shape unclear despite being illuminated by the dazzling morning sun. Folding in its wings, the Mechsteel faced Artehoth’s men, who were now in a flustered panic.

“The likes of you aren’t fit to lay a finger on her,” a voice from the black Mechsteel said slowly.

Needless to say, Watt and the others recognized the black-winged Mechsteel now before them.

“You’re that damn junior disciple guy, aren’tcha?!” Watt demanded. “D’ya have to go and butt in here too?!”

The black Mechsteel let out a burst of steam in place of a reply. In the rear, Malluth’s and Scott’s Mechsteels continued to fight, while the junior disciple and Artehoth’s men stared each other down in the front. It was a full-blown mess.

“Father... Do you think we can run away now?” Anna asked.

“Even I ain’t brave enough to go runnin’ around Mechsteels’ feet when they’re fightin’,” Watt answered. “Agh, just when I thought this whole thing couldn’t be any more of a pain in the ass...”

After thinking for a brief moment, Watt pointed straight at the black Mechsteel as if all of his hesitation had vanished.

“All righty then, Mr. Junior Disciple!” Watt said. “Your goal was to make sure we didn’t hand over Anna, wasn’t it? Well, that makes you our ally for the time bein’! You keep these bastards off our tail while we skedaddle outta here!”

“What?”

Completely ignoring the disciple’s dumbfounded reply, Watt gave him an enthusiastic thumbs-up. “Aight, we’ve got ourselves a wall now. Everybody run!”

“Are you sure this will work?” Carome asked.

Regardless, they didn’t have time to hesitate. Seeing Watt and the others break into a run, the Artehothean soldiers sprang into action after them.

“Curse you, senior disciple! Don’t think I’ll forget this!”

Despite the irritation evident in his words, the black Mechsteel dutifully acted as a wall. Unsheathing a single longsword, it pushed away one of the charging Artehothean soldier’s attacks with its blade before slaying him with a single swing. As if stricken with fear, the other Artehothean soldiers retreated a few steps back.

“So that black Mechsteel really is strong after all,” Anna said.

“’Course he is!” Watt huffed back. “He might be a rotten good for nothin’, but he’s my junior disciple!”

And yet, the Artehothean soldiers weren’t to be taken lightly either. After witnessing the black Mechsteel’s capabilities firsthand, the Artehothean soldiers split up their forces. While the majority of them were stopped in their tracks, a handful began to chase after Watt’s group.

“Actually, scratch that! Ya gotta do better than that, junior! Ya didn’t stop ’em—that’s gonna knock down your grade!”

“We don’t have time for your jokes, Watt!” Carome said.

Watt and the others ran for dear life with the enormous Mechsteels chasing after them. One of the mechs tried to cut in front of them to block their path—only for a massive object to come barreling in toward its side. It showed no signs of slowing down as it charged full bore and slammed the Artehothean soldier’s Mechsteel into the air.

The gigantic object slammed on its brakes, kicking up a cloud of dust—it was a strangely shaped Mechsteel in the form of a centaur: a Centaurio Runner. Ogdenn’s emblem proudly shone on its chest.

“Master! Looks like I made it just in time!” Meddié said.

“Meddié, that you?!” Watt exclaimed. “Aha ha! You’re an angel from on high, ya know that?”

A wave of excitement washed over Watt and the others when they heard Meddié’s voice echoing out from the Centaurio Runner. She quickly pulled her Mechsteel to the side before pointing to the cart the mech was pulling behind it.

“It’s back there, master! I hauled Gryphon over here!”

“Way to go! Now that’s my disciple!” Watt cheered. “All righty, Anna, I’ll be right back!”

Jumping for joy, Watt leaped into the cart to find Lord Gryphon lying wordlessly in wait on its side.

“It’s your time to shine, partner!”

He hurried to stick the key in and turn it. Lord Gryphon’s Mech-Heart roared as magic energy flowed throughout the Mechsteel. It had been well maintained, smoothly gliding into motion despite the sudden start-up.

“Anna’s all yours, then, Caro!” Watt said. “Pull back with Meddié! Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m gonna go knock the livin’ daylights outta every last one of these idiots!”

As Lord Gryphon began to rise, Carome fled toward the cart with Anna in tow. Giving them a quick wave, Lord Gryphon practically leaped out of the cart and onto its feet.

“We’re counting on you, master!”

“Show them how you do it, Watt!”

“Best of luck in the battle, father!”

“You just leave it to me!”

With everyone’s words of support behind him, Watt turned around to his foes. While the Artehothean soldiers were shaken at the appearance of the newcomer, the black Mechsteel merely stood in place as Malluth’s and Scott’s machines were locked in a bitter struggle to the side. Watt took a deep breath, filling his lungs to the brim, before angrily shouting at everyone there.

“I’m Watt Sears, Top Knight of the Kingdom of Ogdenn! I ain’t about to let a single one of ya damn insurgents off the hook for targetin’ Queen Anna! I sure as hell hope yer ready to face the consequences!”

The air trembled with an electric energy. The Artehothean soldiers had grown completely timid—the black Mechsteel alone was already too much to deal with, and now a new, mighty, Crusader-class Mechsteel had made its appearance. What good would having the advantage in numbers do them now?

Instead, it was Malluth who lost his temper, riding the violent wave of his emotions as he shouted back. “Damn you all! What in the blazes are you soldiers doing?! Why are you just standing around and letting the target get away?!”

“Hmm? So Ogdenn’s already sent out its knight, then, has it?” Scott said. “And a rather skillful one at that, it seems. While I’d hoped to secure Queen Anna myself...I suppose that’s fine enough. After all, I was able to get in your way at least!”

“Dammit, dammit... Damn every last one of you roaches! I’ll kill you!” Malluth said.

His bloodlust showed no signs of settling, regardless of who or what appeared. Far from it, his Mechsteel had even begun to increase its magic energy output to match the surge in its Steelrider’s emotions. A burst of steam shot out from every part of Malluth’s Mechsteel, only for Scott’s mech to cast a fed-up gaze at its foe.

“I don’t see much need to fight you anymore,” Scott said. “Why don’t you just go ahead and give up so we can be done?”

“You Gemmahervean mutt!” Malluth shouted. “I’ll take your mangy head for a trophy!”

“You’re a terribly sore loser,” Scott replied. “How unbecoming, Artehoth!”

Undeterred, the two were just about to resume their fight when Lord Gryphon leaped in between them.

“Pardon me!”

It drew its dual blades, blocking both attacks at once before using the momentum to knock them back.

“A lowly knight, facing me?!” Malluth said.

“Hold on now, knight of Ogdenn!” Scott said. “I came here to help you. Don’t you think it’s a bit unreasonable to be turning your blade on me?”

“Much appreciated,” Watt replied. “But defeating this bastard that turned his blade on Queen Anna is our job! Care to do me a favor and step down?”

Scott paused. “Hmph, very well. If you insist, then I’ll sit back and see your skills for myself!”

His Mechsteel retreated from the battlefield, leaving Malluth’s trembling with anger.

“Men of Artehoth, gather!” he said. “And crush this impudent pest!”

The Artehothean soldiers joined up together. Watt looked behind him only to find that his suspicions had been confirmed as the black Mechsteel had already abandoned the battle, leisurely stretching out its wings.

“You’re a dimwit, senior disciple,” the junior disciple said. “You can clean up the rest of this mess.”

The black Mechsteel’s wings were faintly glowing, filled with magic energy. With a flap of its wings, it soared into the heavens, leaving behind the high-pitched howl of its jets. Before Watt’s very eyes, it shrank away farther and farther into the distance until it was no more than a dot in the midday sky.

“Man, ya really know how to make an ass outta yerself, dontcha, junior?” Watt muttered, despite the fact that he had no hopes of being heard. “Still, I gotta give credit where it’s due—ya did save our hides, after all.”

Watt turned Lord Gryphon around to face his foes. “All righty then, I’ve kept ya waiting long enough! I can’t go havin’ ya think I’m weaker than junior back there... So bring it, all of ya!”

With the Artehothean soldiers now together, Watt flicked the tip of his blade at them, as if to challenge them.

“The nerve!” Malluth shouted back without blinking an eye. “Crusader or not, what can a single Mechsteel do?! Crush the fool!”

Malluth himself charged ahead first, with the soldiers following behind him. The ground shook as the group of enormous titans drew closer. Completely unintimidated, Lord Gryphon dashed toward its foes. Watt’s Lord Gryphon—the original model of the series—was especially superior in terms of mobility and operability. It closed the distance between them in the blink of an eye.

“Hand over Anna Ogdenn!” Malluth demanded.

“Can it, punk!” Watt barked back. “That’s my daughter you’re talkin’ about! Ya have another thing comin’ if you think I’m about to give her to somebody like you!”

Watt’s blade was almost too good for this fool. Angrily leaping into the air, he slammed Malluth with a weighty kick. Malluth took the blow straight on, and his Mechsteel collapsed, leaving a cloud of dust in its wake.

After putting Malluth in his place, Watt immediately landed and cut down one of the incoming Artehothean soldiers with a single slash. As the foot soldier’s Mechsteel fell to the ground, Watt moved on to the next enemy. Most of the enemies he faced hardly qualified as foes. Watt cut them down one by one, offering them no chance to resist. In hardly any time at all, the Artehothean forces had been wiped out.

“Now then,” Watt said, taking a breath. “That musclehead of a prince should still be alive, so I’ll drag him straight outta the cockpit, give him a piece of my mind and— Huh? Uh-oh!”

Out of nowhere, Watt’s senses sounded off, alerting him to terrible danger incoming. Without an ounce of hesitation, he followed those senses, springing out of the way as fast he could. Pale light poured down from the sky right where he’d been. Radiant spears like moonlight—the glimmer of the night that denounced the day—pierced the earth and exploded, one after the other.

“Gwaaagh!”

While Lord Gryphon had escaped with only inches to spare, Malluth had been completely caught up in the attack, as he hadn’t gotten back up after Watt’s last blow. He let out a high-pitched scream like a frog caught underfoot, only for his screams to vanish amid the explosions.

“It’s a Magi-skill! A damn overpowered one too...and it came from above?” Watt said.

He looked up, only to find a gargantuan shadow in the skies above. The unidentified figure was leisurely sailing through the sky. It boasted a frame double the size of average Mechsteels, its wings unfurled and filled with magic energy. Folding in the multiple arms it had likely used to unleash the previous light attack, it slowly made its descent.

“Hey, hold on a sec...! This thing’s gotta be a Diviner! Why in the world would they bring a Diviner here?!”

The Mechsteel’s presence and overwhelming firepower made it clear that it was a Diviner. While Watt’s expression stiffened, Malluth rose to his feet with a moan, before looking up at the sky and screaming again.

“Eeek! I-Impossible... Surely he wouldn’t come here!”

Malluth wasn’t the only one who was tremendously shaken—even from a distance, Scott’s reaction was just the same. While he’d taken it for granted that he’d merely watch on, he’d been stripped of any such levity as he half groaned the Mechsteel’s name beneath his breath.

“It’s the Knight of the Imperial Crown... Magnus Menallazohort!”

It was one of the Tres Coronas. The gargantuan god descended from the heavens.

Chapter Seven: It’s My Job, After All

The sounds of faint vibrations came together to form a shrill symphony that filled the air.

“The Knight of the Imperial Crown?” Watt asked. “Looks like we’ve got another fancy-ass Mechsteel buttin’ in, don’t we?”

Spreading its narrow wings which were illuminated with magic energy, Magnus Menallazohort, the Diviner-class Knight of the Imperial Crown, slowly made its descent.

As if trying to push away from their surroundings, a number of titans came down from the heavens one after the other. They were Mechsteels clad in beetle-like armor, with two mighty horns stretching from their heads. Their tautly shaped frames bore a certain imposing presence shared by all Mechsteels of high class, with the emblem of the Menallazohortz Empire shining on their chests.

Witnessing the sight for himself, Malluth couldn’t help but moan, his voice riddled with despair. “E-Even the Imperial Guard’s here...”

I gotcha... These guys must be the empire’s finest, huh? Watt thought.

No sooner had they touched down than the Drome Beetle Mechsteels that made up the Menallazohortz Imperial Guard sprang into action.

“You stand before His Imperial Majesty,” one said. “You hold your head too high—kneel.”

“Hgwaaah?”

Despite having unsteadily stumbled to its feet, Malluth’s Mechsteel sank into the ground after having its legs cut down at that very same moment.

Man, now that’s one helluva quick attack! The Imperial Guard, huh... Guess they earned the title. These guys might be even more skilled than our own Royal Knights.

Wisely enough, Scott’s Mechsteel had already knelt down before it could be cut down. While the Imperial Guard seemed cautious of Watt and Lord Gryphon, it seemed they had no intention of actually attacking them. And yet, even a finger out of place was surely all it would take for them to mercilessly spring onto the offensive.

“Oh, man! You guys are seriously scarin’ me here!” Watt said. “Look, I promise we’re not gonna do a thing!”

He shrugged and obediently released the control stick from his grip.

As he did, the Knight of the Imperial Crown finally made its way to the ground after its slow descent. The Mechsteel opened its arms that had been crossed as if in prayer as a voice bellowed out from its virile, carved face.

“What is the meaning of this?”

There was no way that Watt could mistake that voice now. It belonged to the emperor of the Menallazohortz Empire, one of the crowns of Vahylicard—Emperor Caesar himself.

The gaze of the Knight of the Imperial Crown fell upon the battered frame of Malluth’s Mechsteel and its slashed legs. Malluth’s half-shrieked excuses echoed out from within. “Good day to you, O great emperor...! I-I only, you see... I merely...sought to loyally follow your orders, and so—!”

“Loyally?” Caesar asked back. “Do you claim that I ordered you to make such an unsightly mess?”

Cutting down Malluth with a single word, Magnus Menallazohort glared at the piteous scrap of metal before him. “You wretched fool... I gave you instructions myself, yet you’ve only made an even more shameful sight of yourself. To call you a disgrace to my vassal states would be too kind! Do not presume that I shall allow this to go unpunished!”

“Eeek...!” Malluth squealed.

“Your Majesty Caesar!”

While Malluth squirmed, now incapable of doing anything more than letting out odd cries that could scarcely be called words, Scott butted in just when it was least expected. While he belonged to a vassal state himself, he boldly stood before one of the crowns of power in the Tres Coronas.

“The Tres Coronas made the Vow against War here in Yantaggio for the duration of Corona Senatus! Though you sit at the crown of power, this is a clear violation of the vow! In light of this, my master, the Ancient Kingdom of Gemmaherve, shall protest most sternly!”

“Hrmm? And what are you? One of Gemmaherve’s hounds?” Magnus Menallazohort looked down on Scott’s Mechsteel indifferently. “What sort of foolish misunderstanding have you made of the situation? I merely came here to clean up after my follower’s failure, nothing more. It is the responsibility of the master to discipline his dogs when they fail to listen. You have no grounds to object.”

“But... Ngh!” Scott scowled. While Emperor Caesar’s claims were sophistry of a sort, the real trouble lay in the fact that he wasn’t entirely wrong. Indeed, he’d directed his might at the Artehothean forces. While conflict among the Tres Coronas had been prohibited, there had never been any sort of external law regulating quarrels within one’s own camp. To make matters worse, in light of Artehoth’s foolish conduct, there was even validity to the idea that the Menallazohortz Empire should be the one to judge them.

Grinding his teeth, Scott sank into thought. Naturally, I could easily take fault with Artehoth’s violent behavior...but still! Such insinuations carry as much weight as a greeting to the Tres Coronas! To Emperor Caesar, this is no more than a trifle, hardly even fit to be called a failure!

Had there been someone from the Ancient Kingdom of Gemmaherve present, he might’ve been able to put up a more tenacious resistance, but hailing from a vassal state as he was, Scott found himself tremendously lacking in power.

Damn it! Damn it all! I came here to put a stop to Artehoth, but I never even dreamed that the emperor himself would make an appearance!

After finding out that Artehoth might make a reckless move in order to make up for its failure, Scott had devised a plan. He would use Artehoth’s attack to place Anna in his debt and work the developments from there to his advantage. Even if he’d failed to some degree, he would still be able to crush one of his foes most soundly. After all, only the Tres Coronas were bound by the agreement against war. Conflicts between vassal states could be excused any number of ways. Furthermore, Scott’s justification for it all was that it was to help Anna—no matter how things transpired, that never should’ve harmed him. At least, it never would’ve if the emperor himself hadn’t poked his nose into things.

“...Hmm?”

Just then, Magnus Menallazohort turned its head around. The sound of hoofsteps drawing close rang out. Upon closer inspection, an enormous centaur Mechsteel was making its way toward them. The Imperial Guard reacted right away; it didn’t matter who it was—none would be allowed to approach the Knight of the Imperial Crown.

“Stand down. Let them pass,” the emperor said, keeping his men in check. He’d noticed Ogdenn’s emblem on the centaur Mechsteel sooner than any of them.

When the Centaurio Runner had made its way in front of Magnus Menallazohort, the cockpit in its chest opened up to reveal Anna’s small frame.

“If it isn’t Anna Ogdenn,” the emperor said, his Mechsteel’s gaze falling upon the queen. “So you were here too, were you?”

“Indeed I was, Emperor Caesar,” Anna answered. “Forgive me for speaking from atop my Mechsteel.”

“I shall make an exception and allow it.”

Watt and Lord Gryphon quietly moved over to the Centaurio Runner’s side. Despite the intimidating aura the Imperial Guard put out, Watt thought nothing of it. The Top Knight of the Kingdom was there to protect his queen.

Magnus Menallazohort moved its hand and pointed to Malluth’s Mechsteel, which was now reduced to no more than scrap metal. “You have come at a most opportune time, Anna Ogdenn. It appears that this rubbish...from one of my vassal states has caused you trouble. Yet, you can put your mind at ease. As the master responsible for these fools, I shall express my apologies on their behalf most generously. And afterward, I shall choose a new candidate for your consort.”

Watt was completely taken aback at the emperor’s larger-than-life attitude. He didn’t know if the emperor was apologizing or just lording himself over them.

And where the hell d’ya get off bein’ so high and mighty when you’re just pinnin’ the blame on him?! Watt thought. This is why I can’t stand a single one of you Tres Coronas! All righty now, Anna, don’t hold back! Squeeze that sucker for all he’s got!

While Watt was silently fuming, he saw Anna slowly shake her head from atop the Centaurio Runner.

“If it is financial compensation that you speak of, then no,” Anna said after a moment. “We have no need of it.”

Nghwhaaa?! C’mon Anna, what’re you even sayin’?! Watt thought, wordlessly growing flustered from within the cockpit. His saving grace lay in the fact that no one could see him from outside Lord Gryphon, no matter how worked up he got.

“Ohhh? Surely a queen can hardly be qualified to lead if she wants for naught,” Emperor Caesar said. “If it’s not coin you need, then what is it you do need? Speak it.”

The emperor’s gaze narrowed. If she had tried to ask for more compensation money, then he could’ve understood it. After all, exploiting the other party’s weakness was only basic negotiation. But to hear her say that she had no need of it was most strange. So just what was it that this greenhorn queen wanted instead? And so the emperor asked her back, half out of his own curiosity.

Lifting her unprotected face, Anna stared straight into the eyes of the Knight of the Imperial Crown. “Prince Scott, since you are here too, I ask that you listen to my words as well. I, Anna Ogdenn...hereby reject all the offers of marriage that have been brought before me here—and naturally that from the Kingdom of Artehoth as well. And moving forward...no matter which faction may offer, I shall accept none of them.”

Emperor Caesar remained silent, only for Scott to burst out instead, unable to contain himself. “Wha... You intend to scorn the offers from the Tres Coronas?! Do you plan to turn all of Vahylicard against you?! Even for an outsider, this is too much!”

Scott’s Mechsteel started to spring up, only to hurriedly return to its prior stance after the Imperial Guard held him back.

It was only then that Emperor Caesar finally growled out his words. “Then just what is it you’re after? You need neither money nor ties with us. What do you hope to gain from that?”

“Peace.”

“What?”

Emperor Caesar couldn’t keep himself from speaking this time, his voice filled with exasperation. With the Knight of the Imperial Crown harmonized with him, the Mechsteel unintentionally took on an almost comical stance in disbelief.

“I know full well that all of you seek my hand in marriage for motives all your own,” Anna said. “And yet...I myself have only one desire: peace and stability for Vahylicard. I could never wish for something equivalent to kindling the flames of war. And that’s exactly why I shall side with no one and maintain an equal distance from all the Crowns. That...is what I desire.”

“Peace is nothing more than a jest devised by the feeble,” Caesar said. “You would make such a statement for that peace of yours even at the risk of making foes of the Tres Coronas?”

“I...don’t have a single thing I hope to gain from conflict,” Anna answered. “Far from it, I took the throne to put an end to such conflicts—and that is exactly the sort of queen I aim to be.”

“You’re nothing more than a hatchling, and you presume to tell me how I ought to reign?”

“Should the need arise.”

Silence filled the air once more, before being shattered by the burst of laughter that escaped from the Knight of the Imperial Crown. “Ha... Hah... Bwa... Ha ha ha! Aha ha, ha ha ha! Ha ha haaah!”

The emperor’s attempts to contain his laughter failed right away as he broke into a broad grin. After clutching his stomach in laughter for a time, he finally settled down.

“Hee hee... Bwa ha ha! Well said, Anna Ogdenn—well said indeed! Yet it is indeed as you say. Those who sit at the peak of power are tasked with being a guide for their domains. Their success therein depends wholly on the strength of their wills. What you’re doing is a stone’s throw away from sheer recklessness...but I respect your courage, O new queen of Ogdenn! And therefore, I, Caesar Menallazohortz, shall recognize your wishes. From this point forward, neither the Menallazohortz Empire, nor any of my vassal states shall make proposals of marriage to you. I swear it on my name.”

Caesar turned to face Scott. “And you! You’re one of Gemmaherve’s dogs, so make sure you tell your master exactly what you’ve heard here!”

“Ngh...!”

Still kneeling, Scott shook as he realized the emperor’s true intention. Damn you, Emperor Caesar! I know what you’re playing at—you’re trying to wipe the slate clean under the pretext of Anna Ogdenn’s wishes, aren’t you?

Now, Scott’s presence there had completely backfired. Considering he could hardly put up an argument against Caesar, it might very well be construed as Gemmaherve’s ranks indirectly agreeing with the emperor. Even if Gemmaherve attempted to protest after the fact, Caesar would likely hear nothing of it. Instead, it would be just another source of tensions between the Menallazohortz Empire and the Ancient Kingdom of Gemmaherve, and not a thing would change.

And now my attempts to secure my place as Ogdenn’s consort have been rendered meaningless... If so, then the situation demands a change of plans! That just means that we never needed some timid queen’s help to rule!

Scott calmly set about transitioning to his next strategy, the fire in his eyes no less intense.

After his fierce burst of laughter, Caesar pointed to the remains of Malluth’s Mechsteel one more time as he prepared to leave. “That aside, I shall have them send an apology to you. Think nothing of it—consider it your reward for this most entertaining display. You have certainly earned it!”

After the emperor said his part, Magnus Menallazohort launched into the sky, looking self-satisfied. The Imperial Guard set about retrieving the wreckage of the Artehothean forces before following after the Knight of the Imperial Crown like a shadow, pulling up the scrapped Mechsteels with them. By the time Watt realized it, Scott was nowhere to be seen. All that was left here now was Lord Gryphon, the Centaurio Runner, and the broken streets and buildings.

“Dammit! Who does he think he is, pickin’ a fight and then just up and turnin’ tail when he’s heard all he needs to hear?!” Watt groaned as Lord Gryphon finally sheathed its blades.

He sighed and rolled his shoulders. At that very moment, he heard a bracing cry of relief from the Centaurio Runner behind him.

“Aaaaaaahhhh! I was on pins and needles!” Meddié exclaimed.

“Oh, Meddié! Good job hangin’ in there—nice work!”

“But man, was that scary!” she said. “Anna, you were amazing! It was crazy the way you stood up to him like that!”

“You’ve got a point,” Watt said. “You’ve started to get some mettle as queen, Anna.”

“No, it was all I could muster back there,” Anna said. “I can’t afford to let everyone’s efforts go to waste, after all. I figured I had no choice but to speak up.”

Her nerves had caught up with her after the fact. Anna sank down atop the Centaurio Runner.

“That was a spectacular performance, Your Majesty,” Carome said in high spirits. “The way you were able to persuade Emperor Caesar was a most miraculous victory. While we’ve been on the back foot thus far, this means we’ve finally been able to arm ourselves!”

Anna cast a smile back at Carome as she sat slumped atop the Centaurio Runner.

It was then—after all that—that King Emperimo and his men finally made their appearance. The men quietly set about tidying up the surroundings while the king made his way to Anna.

“One of the Crowns informed me of what happened,” he declared. “And he instructed me to guide you to new accommodations in place of your damaged inn. I ask that everyone from the Kingdom of Ogdenn follow me this way.”

Now that the king mentioned it, Malluth had indeed destroyed the entrance to the inn. Watt and the others exchanged looks; they had no reason in particular to turn down the offer, and so they followed after him.

***

A gaze followed the Ogdenn group as they took their leave.

“My, my, to think they’d be able to convince Emperor Caesar. He’s the last one I’d ever expect to lend his ear to another. It seems he’s taken quite the liking to her.”

Casting a side glance at the soldiers frantically rushing about, the shadowy figure looked out across the scars from the battle.

“Still, I never thought she’d have the pluck to stand her ground against the Tres Coronas. She’s far stronger than I ever imagined. I thought it would be just as boring as it always is, but...it seems there’s plenty of fun to be had as well. I’ve high hopes for you now, Anna Ogdenn!”

Blending into the surroundings, the shadow figure took its leave.

***

The day’s session of Corona Senatus began far later than scheduled.

Naturally, there wasn’t a single soul in attendance who didn’t know the reason for the delay. Not only had Malluth started a fight in the middle of town in broad daylight, even Magnus Menallazohort, the Knight of the Imperial Crown, had flown through the sky, making it rather impossible not to notice. And yet, it was one of the Tres Coronas, Emperor Caesar, who had been involved. There were none brave enough to confront the emperor and ask him about the details to his face. All sorts of rumors based on conjecture circulated throughout the meeting venue, filling the air with an odd tension.

“And what’s the matter with you, Emperor Caesar? It’s almost...as if you’re in a better mood than you’ve ever been, no?”

No sooner had the day’s proceedings been announced than King Kysen sprang the question upon Caesar, tilting his head to the side.

It was hardly surprising. As he sat at the round table with the others, Caesar’s typical surly expression had seemingly vanished, replaced with an odd levity. It was such an unusual sight, in fact, that Kysen—who’d been interacting with the emperor for quite a while now—figured it might’ve been the first time he’d seen the emperor in such a good mood, enemies though they were.

“Oh, is that how it looks to you?” Caesar asked back. “It’s true. At least for today, I’m in such a fine mood that I might actually be able to put up with your depressing mugs.”

A stir washed across the room. What in the world had happened? Was it a premonition of some earth-shattering cataclysm yet to come? As a number of the nations present grew more and more suspicious, rumor had it that Menallazohortz’s vassal states—which had a rough idea of what had happened—sat trembling with fear. Incidentally, the Kingdom of Artehoth was entirely absent from the meeting room. It was only natural, after all.

Everyone’s even more worked up than the reports suggested. Then again, that son of mine was saying something about what a fascinating person she was too... Kysen thought.

At any rate, Kysen was one of the Tres Coronas and the ruler of the Kingdom of Aldavonga. Thanks to his network of information, he had a general understanding of what had transpired that morning. Even then, he couldn’t peer inside the young emperor’s heart.

“Hmph, you pathetic whelp! You failed miserably, nothing more than that. What do you have to be so overjoyed at?”

There was one other member at the roundtable: King Slattmer of the Ancient Kingdom of Gemmaherve. Cutting a stark contrast with Caesar, Slattmer was visibly unhappy. While his expression was hard to make out due to his wrinkles and beard, it was easy enough to sense the air of anger emanating from him.

Feeling oddly at a loss for what to do, Kysen shrugged and assured himself that it hardly mattered. “And you too, King Slattmer? This isn’t like you at all!” he said. “That tried-and-true sharp tongue of yours has gone dull, you know!”

“Indeed it has!” Caesar added. “And that was your one saving grace too! Aren’t you going to blabber more for us, you old bird?”

“Let that mouth of yours run!” Slattmer replied. “Who do you think you are, forcing us into your foolish little game, brat?!”

“Ah, I get it now,” Caesar replied, smacking his hand in realization. “This is because that hound of yours was there, isn’t it?”

It had hardly mattered, so he’d already started to forget it, but one of Gemmaherve’s vassal states had been on the scene this morning. In that case, it was easy enough to take a stab at why Slattmer would be in such a sour mood.

“You can scamper away if you want to, whelp! But why in the world should I have to go along with you?!” Slattmer demanded. “Not only did you shamelessly fail, but the girl cajoled you into standing down, no less! It’s pathetic! If that’s what you were going to do, you would’ve done better to stand by twiddling your thumbs while I did the job!”

Oof, now you’re really gonna piss him off! Kysen thought to himself, completely unbothered as he decided to watch the sparks fly. In a most surprising twist, however, Caesar merely gave an easygoing nod with a faint grin on his face.

“Very well then. You try.”

Slattmer paused. “What did you say?”

“You can try and chase after her all you like, but it’ll end just the same,” Caesar said. “Any talk of that will just get turned down. She’d just rattle on about how that’s not the path she’s chosen and stand her ground out of that foolish pride of hers—yet another thing she’d count as her duty as monarch.”

King Slattmer’s eyes widened the tiniest bit. What had he just heard? Had Caesar praised an outsider ruler that wasn’t even a vassal state? Naturally, he’d also received a report detailing the event from the prince of Toinuyva, one of his vassal states. Based on the account he’d heard, Caesar’s assessment seemed mostly accurate. And yet—

“She fancies herself a real monarch, does she?” Slattmer said. “She’s nothing more than an outsider—I can’t imagine anything more brazen than to try and stand alongside the Tres Coronas! It would be all too easy to crush her!”

What made Slattmer’s blood boil even more, however, was the fact that Caesar seemed absolutely certain that he would fail as well. Simply put, it would mean only one thing: a lowly outsider like the Kingdom of Ogdenn rejecting the will of the Ancient Kingdom of Gemmaherve, one of the Tres Coronas.

“Oh, now you can’t let that slide, can you?” Caesar said, peeling back his jovial mask to glare back. The air grew suffocatingly tense with the sensation that a battle could break out any moment.

“If you want to duke it out, I certainly won’t stop you!” Kysen said nonchalantly with a clap. “You’re more than welcome to fight to the death! No need to worry about who’ll rein in your stead. The Kingdom of Aldavonga will do a fine job taking care of things—a far better job than either of you ever did.”

“Hmph, that’s enough nonsense from you,” Caesar retorted. “I could never hand over my empire to a cowardly schemer like you!”

“Is that so?” Kysen said. “What a shame.”

Ignoring the other two members of the Tres Coronas who’d gone back to barking at each other like always, Slattmer stayed silent, grinding his teeth from behind the cover of his white mustache. Yet even his clenched jaw began to imperceptibly loosen up. The Ancient Kingdom of Gemmaherve had already made its next move. He’d be able to witness the fear run across their vexingly confident faces soon enough—the thought of that was enough for his frustration to subside.

“Out of the question,” Slattmer said. “The mere thought of letting a knave like you be the only one to profit is enough to make me sick!”

“Oooooh, those old bones of yours feeling a bit better now?” Kysen seemed happy for some reason, as if relieved to see things returning to their usual state.

With the stir going on in the center of the room, the Ogdenn group found themselves surrounded by distant onlookers in the seats for outsiders on the perimeter.

“Just when I thought this couldn’t get any worse...” Watt groaned. “We’re the real victims here, any way ya slice it!”

“Emperor Caesar’s far too happy to listen to any of that, though...” Carome said.

They both sat clutching their heads. Caesar’s mood aside, the fact that Anna had directly refused an invitation from two of the Crowns reigning over Vahylicard had brought a considerable shock to those around them. It was all they could do to try and contain it. Even before Corona Senatus had been established, the common understanding had always been that it was the Tres Coronas who were able to push through their wishes...and that anyone else was just common rabble.

A web of whispers darted back and forth between nations, both vassal states and outsiders alike.

The queen of Ogdenn’s quite the heroine, isn’t she? That’s how outsiders should be!

Heroine? You’d be better off calling her a femme fatale, the way she pushed off two Crowns with her own bare hands!

If anything, I just want to know how she managed to avoid angering the emperor when all he can think about is himself!

“Dammit, they don’t even know the first thing about Anna,” Watt muttered despairingly. “But there they are, chirpin’ away like it’s nobody’s business!”

Even just the rumors that they had overheard were terrible enough. Making matters even worse was the fact that Anna’s status as a new queen—and a relatively unknown one at that—had seemingly come together to push some sort of outlandish depiction of her. There were as many variations on the rumors as there were embellishments, leaving Anna herself in utter confusion.

“For better or for worse,” Carome said, “I think we’re fine to leave the rumors be for now. There’s no harm in your name getting around, Your Majesty. All we have to do is show them the truth moving forward.”

“You’ve got a point,” Anna replied. “That’s what diplomacy’s all about, isn’t it? I’ll do my best to talk to all sorts of nations at the party today!”

“Attagirl,” Watt said. “You sure have grown a lot, Anna.”

While Anna surged with resolve, on the other side of her, the emperor’s impassioned voice continued to ring out from the center of the room.

***

Before long, the day’s meeting came to an end, and the time for the party that evening was at hand.

The Ogdenn group went into the party with a different sort of determination that they had the first day. While their goal wasn’t to befriend a hundred different nations, they at least hoped to find a few more countries they could be on good terms with.

And yet, motivation alone wasn’t enough. They merely found themselves kept at a safe distance by nations that hadn’t decided their position. Anna hadn’t been able to speak with a single soul since the party began.

“My, my, if it isn’t Her Majesty the Queen at the height of her popularity.”

Just when Anna found herself without anyone to talk to, Auvere, King of Doré, took the lead in addressing her.

“I’d really appreciate it if you didn’t mock me too, King Auvere,” Anna said. “We’re doing all that we can, and it’s still not enough.”

Her expression softened. Even though she’d resolved herself to speak with people from other nations, she herself had been rather nervous. Auvere was one of the few established acquaintances she had whom she could speak with at ease.

“Of course you’re having a hard time,” Auvere replied. “I heard all about the details. To be quite honest, I think that’s the sort of decision that most people wouldn’t be able to go through with. You’re more suited for the throne than I gave you credit for.”

“Far from it,” Anna replied. “If anything, I’m painfully reminded of just how inexperienced I am with every passing day.”

“Ha ha! Well, you may very well be just a bit lacking in experience, but that hardly matters. You’re doing a fine job as queen.”

Anna breathed a sigh of relief. If Auvere would vouch for her, then perhaps she could be just a bit more confident.

“Regardless of my own ability,” she said, “I have no choice but to confront troubles head-on. And what’s more, having Emperor Caesar’s agreement made quite the difference.”

“That’s just it,” Auvere replied. “He’s an especially bullish one, that emperor. He’s well-known for being rather forceful. The fact that you were able to get him to admit his mistake so readily is a surprise indeed. In fact, I couldn’t be more surprised if lances started raining down from on high.”

Anna tilted her head to the side, wondering if there was something strange about what had happened. After all, she’d had next to no interactions with the emperor.

“Either way, I’m just glad to see my friend at ease,” he continued. “And of course, I’m glad you managed to do it without disrupting the balance of the Tres Coronas as well.”

Anna nodded in agreement with a stern look on her face. The balance of the Tres Coronas was a fickle thing indeed—there was no telling what might cause it to crumble. While there had been countless moments when it had seemed poised to do so in the past, the sparks of war had practically danced before their eyes this time. Thinking about it in that light, Anna could almost feel her shuddering come back after the fact.

“You can leave the Tres Coronas all alone, and they’ll still fight among each other,” Auvere said. “Still, there’s no point in going out of your way to throw lit matches at them either.”

Prince Sonata, who’d quietly been keeping guard behind Auvere as he always did, opened his mouth to speak. “Should the foundations of Vahylicard’s stability crumble, it will affect far more than just the Tres Coronas. I am grateful that you made the choice—that you choose to seek stability.”

Despite being a bit taken aback, Anna gave an uncertain nod. Given that the Kingdom of Doré bordered the Kingdom of Aldavonga—one of the Tres Coronas—should a conflict break out, their position meant that they would be dragged into the fight whether they wanted to or not. With Sonata’s standing in the kingdom’s military, the reality of their situation was also a likely factor behind his statement.

“From here on out,” he continued, “a single decision of yours could mean more conflict in our land. I ask that you keep that fact in the forefront of your mind—especially when you face the Tres Coronas. Should I be permitted to state my own request, I think you would do well to keep your distance.”

Rather than interjecting, it seemed Auvere had decided to watch on in silence. After thinking a moment, Anna cast a firm gaze back at Sonata.

“I agree,” she said. “I believe that a good deal of caution is needed when dealing with them as well.”

It was indeed terrifying. While it was the last thing she had asked for, she was now a veritable fuse on a powder keg.

“And yet, I’ve learned many a lesson since coming here,” Anna went on. “And one of those lessons was that fear ties your hands and keeps you from doing anything.”

She had no intention of remaining a bird in a cage forever. She was in the process of equipping herself with the power needed to fly away into the heavens. Her eyes were fixed on the future.

“This disturbance spiraled into a conflict because of my own lack of action. Had I conveyed my feelings earlier, perhaps all of this could’ve been avoided,” Anna said.

“I wonder?” Sonata asked back. “Considering how stubborn the Tres Coronas are, even that might’ve been in vain.”

“But merely keeping my distance in fear of their might isn’t enough to solve everything,” she replied. “And that’s why I think I have to talk with them.”

“Even knowing full well the risk that carries?”

“I may very well be exposed to conflict,” Anna said. “While it’s a sad state of affairs, I know that should that happen...my knight will save me.”

She glanced behind her. She could feel her ever reliable father nodding with a broad grin, even without looking directly at him.

Sonata, however, showed no signs of being convinced, his gaze resting behind Anna.

“And are you prepared to do just that, Sir Knight?” he asked, his face expressionless like a calm across the water as he scanned Watt from head to toe.

“It doesn’t matter what sorta challenge I’m up against,” Watt replied. “I’m the Top Knight of the Kingdom of Ogdenn, and I’m not about to back down.”

An oddly contorted look spread across Sonata’s face. His expression was far too harsh to be directed at a knight from another kingdom. Watt, however, was perfectly calm on the receiving end of the look, merely shrugging like he always did.

“So that’s how you’re using that power,” Sonata said after a pause.

“You aid King Auvere the same way as his general, Prince Sonata,” Watt replied. “I’d say that’s the same thing.”

“I see,” Sonata replied. “The same, hmm?”

The two had come to an understanding, albeit a somewhat strange one. Anna tilted her head slightly to the side and continued. “And besides, even when you talk about them together as the Tres Coronas, they all think about things quite differently. While one of them fervently seeks complete supremacy, there is yet another that seeks peace instead...”

“I suppose you might be referring to Aldavonga,” Auvere said, suddenly interjecting. “If you are, while he might speak one way, what he wants is far from peace. It doesn’t matter how eloquently he might talk—what he does in the shadows isn’t all that different from the other Crowns.”

“Well, now. That’s a rather harsh assessment, isn’t it?”

A voice responding to the criticism came echoing out from a completely different direction. Auvere whipped around, only for his expression to harden when he saw the figure standing there with a troubled smile on his face.

“If it isn’t Prince Colth,” he said.

Sure enough, standing there was none other than the very one who’d come up in the conversation just now: Prince Colth of the Kingdom of Aldavonga. He gave a charming smile and took a glass from the waiter before entering the circle of conversation.

“Pardon me,” Colth said, “and good day to you, King Auvere. I believe this is the first time I’ve seen you since the ceasefire negotiations.”

“I suppose you’re referring to when you took one of your neighbors as your vassal state,” Auvere replied. “They’d been our ally for many years. While I won’t butt in on the results after the fact...if you extend your reach any further, be prepared for the consequences. I’m afraid we can’t have you underestimating us just because we’re outsiders.”

“But of course,” Colth answered. “That’s what the ceasefire negotiations were for.”

While Colth remained jovial, Auvere’s expression had gone sour. And yet, it was Sonata standing behind him who reacted even more vehemently. Wedging himself in between his brother and the prince, he glared at Colth with eyes filled with enmity.

“Why are you here?” Sonata demanded. “What sort of nerve do you have to stand here before us?”

“Well, now, so you’ve brought Doré’s valiant general with you to the meeting this time, then,” Colth replied. “It’s an honor to meet you outside the battlefield, Prince Sonata the Fellblade.”

“My blade serves Doré,” Sonata said. “I have nothing to say to a foe of our kingdom.”

“You’re the naked sword that you’ve always been, aren’t you?” Colth said. “So much so that you’re hardly fit for pleasant discussions like this.”

Sensing the danger in the air, Watt sluggishly squeezed his way in. “I’m sure each of you have your reasons. But might I ask that you put that to rest for now? We’re here to connect with others. And besides, that puts our very own queen in a bind as well.”

Anna, who’d been waiting for the right timing to rein in the conversation, nodded so vigorously one could almost hear the swish of her head going up and down. The tension that had started to fill the air loosened up once more.

Colth was the first one to stand down. “I’m terribly sorry for such an unseemly display.”

“Forgive my brother for his lack of decorum,” Auvere said, the venom retreating from his voice.

Sonata followed his brother’s lead quite reluctantly before sinking into sullen silence and taking his usual position in the rear. Even then, the fire in his eyes raged on, making his anger readily visible.

“But still,” Auvere said. “What brings the prince of Aldavonga, one of the Tres Coronas, to us here?”

He’d changed the topic right away. He knew where they were. He himself didn’t want to take the conversation in a nasty direction either.

“To be honest, I didn’t actually have business with you, King Auvere,” Colth said with a troubled sigh. “I merely reacted when I heard my name called.”

Noticing Colth’s gaze fall across her, Anna jolted in surprise and straightened up. “Then, d-did you have business with me?”

“I did,” Colth answered. “I heard that you stood up to Emperor Caesar himself and made a rather interesting declaration. I thought I’d hear the details straight from the source.”

“It’s anything but interesting,” Anna replied. “I’m almost certain the rumors you heard had all sorts of embellishments thrown in.”

“I wonder?” Colth said back. “The content of the rumors is one thing, but the mere fact that you went against Emperor Caesar is so shocking that the story would hardly need any embellishment at all!”

“All I did was tell him the conclusion I’d reached,” Anna replied. “I believe Emperor Caesar just so happened to like it...”

“Ha ha ha, when it comes to dealing with the Tres Coronas, there’s no ‘happened to’ about any of it! That just means you displayed an unmistakable radiance to the emperor. A strong new queen has appeared on the stage of Vahylicard—it’s worth celebrating.”

Colth gave a formal bow. “Allow me to thank you for your decision. I’m just as delighted to see a powerful monarch endorse the preservation of peace in Vahylicard. Those who seek peace in our land are few and far between. And what’s more, their attitudes stem from self-preservation in most cases. Compared to you...they’re hardly even worth mentioning.”

“I seek to protect myself and my kingdom first and foremost,” Anna replied. “I only chose the best option to accomplish that, nothing more.”

“I see. You’re strong indeed,” Colth said. “Rather than readily aligning your goals with another’s, you’re true to your own feelings. At this point, there’s not a thing I could say to a woman who could make even Emperor Caesar stand down. And might I add...that if I were to fight alongside you, a battle for the sake of peace doesn’t seem all that bad.”

Colth’s gaze remained fixed on Anna. Feeling that she was on the verge of being overwhelmed, she scolded herself and stood up straight. “I don’t know whether that’s the same thing that you have in mind, Prince Colth, but I intend to follow my own heart and make my aspirations a reality.”

“Well said,” Colth replied. “I look forward to walking the same path when the time comes someday.”

He took his leave with a bright smile. Anna watched him as he went, only to hear Auvere sigh.

“He seems pleasant if you look only at his words and attitude,” he said. “And that’s exactly why you mustn’t let your guard down. My kingdom’s been reminded time and time again that he’s still the direct descendant of one of the Tres Coronas, after all.”

His words carried a heaviness that only those with certain experience knew. It would hardly be surprising for the Kingdom of Doré to have a deeper understanding of Aldavonga, given their long history.

Anna thought back on Colth’s words. Were his feelings toward the peace he spoke of nothing more than a sham? It wasn’t out of the question, but with Colth himself absent, there was no way to know the truth for sure. At the end of the day, everything she knew was based on her brief experience talking with him.

After casting a bitterly hateful glare in the direction Colth went, Sonata turned around. “Talk with the Tres Coronas and you’ll find yourself swallowed up. Avoiding it entirely is for the best.”

“You certainly have a point,” Anna replied. “It would be quite difficult to continue engaging with them. Still, if I hope to make a better choice, then I’ll never be able to see it through by just avoiding them.”

Sonata furrowed his brow ever so slightly. Seeing that Anna’s determination was unwavering, however, he shook his head. “You’re right. Those who rule must never take other’s words at face value. Seeing through that is yet another talent required by the throne.”

“I appreciate your advice,” Anna said, bowing her head respectfully.

Sonata, however, seemed a tad surprised. “It doesn’t take much for you to bow your head to another, does it?”

“I’m sure Doré has motives of its own,” she replied. “But even then, the fact remains that you’ve tried to aid me.”

“You’re too softhearted for your own good as well,” he went on. “I should say such traits are ill-suited for the throne.”

“Perhaps... Perhaps you’re right,” Anna said. “But everyone chose me to take it. I have no intentions of casting off my duties now. And that’s exactly why I intend to get stronger.”

Auvere nodded. “That’s a fine goal too. After all, rulers become stronger when they overcome trials. Besides, at this point, your kingdom’s future concerns Doré as well. Two nations are better than one. I hope to cooperate and assist as much as possible.”

“You have my deepest gratitude,” Anna replied.

Seeing off Auvere after he gave his goodbyes, Anna let out a small sigh. Turning around, she realized that Watt had been fixedly glaring at Auvere and Sonata from his spot behind her.

“Father? What’s wrong?”

“Hmm? See, the way he moves...it’s just way too familiar,” Watt said. “Don’t sweat it—I just got hung up on it for a bit, that’s all. Nothin’ to worry about.”

Even as he spoke, his gaze remained unchangingly stern.

After King Auvere and Prince Colth, both well-known figures in the context of Corona Senatus, took their leave, individuals from other nations took the chance to take their place and descend upon Anna. In actuality, there had been a number of people who’d hoped to make a face-to-face connection with the infamous Ogdenn. No sooner had she spoken with one person than another came up. Once she’d gotten into the flow, it went on without interruption for a good while. After she’d spoken with who-knew-how-many nations, Watt bided his time until there was a gap in the partygoers.

“You hangin’ in there okay, Anna?” he asked. “You’ve been talkin’ this whole time without a moment’s rest today.”

“Admittedly, I am a bit tired,” she replied. “But since I’ve stopped getting as nervous as I did at first, I’ll be just fine!”

“Whoa, you’ve really grown up. Talk about mixed emotions—I’m happy on one hand and blue on the other!”

Reaching the point that she could boldly vie with the Tres Coronas might’ve been a little too much growing up. Watt silently wiped away a tear with his sleeve.

As they went on like that, the next thing they knew, it was already well into the night.

“It doesn’t matter how hard ya say you’re gonna give it your all, there ain’t no point pushin’ yourself too much,” Watt cautioned. “That’s a good way to wind up collapsin’ before you know it.”

“You’ll still have plenty of opportunities,” Carome added. “For now, I think this is a good time for us to take our leave.”

The party had long since passed its peak, and many of its attendees had already departed. The venue was considerably emptier than it had been at the start. Just as they were about to leave as well, Anna suddenly spoke up, sounding hesitant.

“Um... Before we head back, I’d like to...pick a few flowers.”

“Very well, then. Let’s be on our way,” Carome said. “Right this way, Your Majesty.”

Watt silently pulled back as Carome stepped forward instead. Even as Anna’s father, there were plenty of situations where a male guard couldn’t accompany her. After seeing the two off, Watt remained there for a while, passing his time like an unobtrusive wallflower.

...Until Carome came back alone, her face pale.

“Watt... It’s terrible! Her Majesty...is missing!”

“Wait, what? What do you mean?!”

Carome had come back in a terrible state. Her breathing was ragged, and her face was deathly white—she must’ve been in quite the state. Carome was still deeply shaken. Trying to console her somehow, Watt decided to ask her what had happened.

“There wasn’t anything off as we were heading over,” she explained. “There weren’t even any suspicious sounds while I was waiting for her! But she just never came out of her room. It was taking too long, so I called out to her, but didn’t get a reply. I knew something was off and stepped inside...and Her Majesty was gone!”

“I’ve got the gist of what happened,” Watt replied, confirming the details as he raced off to the scene. “But you’ve gotta calm down! Was there another entrance? Or did she go out to the garden or something like that?”

“No, none of that! And besides, there’s just no way she would try and sneak out on her own! So in that case...someone must’ve—!”

“We just wrapped up that mess with the Tres Coronas!” Watt said. “Who in the world would be goin’ after Anna?!”

Just as Carome had said, even after inspecting the site, he couldn’t find any suspicious clues or evidence that’d been left behind—and that in and of itself was unbelievably suspicious.

Even then, it was hard to imagine that Anna would just disappear of her own volition. They had to first assume that she’d been abducted. If that were the case, then that would mean the perpetrator would be roaming around the area somewhere, carrying a person—albeit a small one—in their arms. With a large number of important figures staying in Yantaggio, Emperimo soldiers had been stationed all throughout in various locations. It certainly wouldn’t be easy for the offender to hide.

And I’d tack on that I sure as hell hope it doesn’t have anything to do with the Tres Coronas either!

The incident with the Kingdom of Artehoth had made it painfully clear that in this city, those tied to the Tres Coronas were able to exercise a considerable degree of freedom and recklessness. Watt couldn’t contain the feeling of dread swelling up within him.

“Either way, we’ve gotta look for her,” he said. “We can start by contacting Emperimo and borrowing some of their guards! From there, call all of our own Royal Knights right away. We’re gonna have all hands on deck lookin’ for her!”

“R-Roger that!” Carome said.

After watching her dash away, Watt sank into thought as he ran off himself.

Dammit, just when she turned Emperor Caesar down and put a stop to all these marriage talks! They were on talkin’ terms today, so why would they target her now?!

The whole reason that walking zero from Artehoth had tried to capture Anna was because he’d been after the position of her consort, and in turn, Ogdenn itself. And yet, with the marriage talks that informed that off the table, that should’ve been the end of it.

So are you tellin’ me they kidnapped her for money? Can’t be—if they did, they’d make an enemy out of Emperimo and the Tres Coronas head-on! Ain’t no way it’d be worth it!

An important piece of the puzzle had to be missing. And if they didn’t find that piece quickly... He couldn’t shake the feeling that they might not find Anna.

Just as Watt was speaking with Emperimo’s men, Carome came over with the other Royal Knights in tow. Just when they were about to begin their search, one of the knights presented him with a letter.

“Sir Top Knight! It’s an urgent message from back home in Ogdenn...”

“From back home?” Watt asked back. “Don’t they know we’re busy here?!”

“Watt,” Carome said. “Just hurry up and read it, please.”

Her expression was stiff—she’d likely read it. It must’ve been a rather important message. Suspicious, Watt took the letter in hand.

He couldn’t help but scream. “What in the hell is this?! You’re tellin’ me the ones who nabbed Anna—”

“Yes... It’s almost certainly them,” Carome answered.

Watt’s expression was every bit as sour as Carome’s. The source of his dismay lay in the names written in the letter.

“Ledo and Leda... Those damn demon twins! You’re tellin’ me they had to pop up while we were gone?!”

Watt crumpled up the letter before throwing it to the ground.

Chapter Eight: Jump into Our World!

It was right when Corona Senatus was set to begin off in Emperimo. In Queen Anna’s absence, the Kingdom of Ogdenn seemed the very picture of peace. And yet, beneath the surface, that wasn’t quite the case...

A man walked the hallways of the royal castle in Ogdenn’s proud capital in Oldrock—none other than Baron Otto Socom, Top Noble of the Queen’s Faction. Making no attempts to conceal the weary sigh that escaped his lips, he arrived at his destination before making sure the individuals he sought were present.

“Excuse me, Your Highnesses,” Otto said.

“What’s this? How odd. There goes sister’s shadow moving around on its own!”

“What’s this? What a terrible bore! We’re not interested in the likes of you!”

Otto found himself greeted by a round of high-pitched complaints. Standing before him were the twins Leonardo and Leyhilda Ogdenn, or Ledo and Leda, as they were known. Merely hearing their reply was enough to fill Otto’s heart with laborious dread. Drawing on his inborn self-restraint, however, he contained his frustrations and restored his perfectly cool attitude.

“Good day to both of you, Your Highnesses. I merely came to ensure that you were not inconvenienced in any way during Her Majesty the queen’s absence.”

“And that’s a lie! We know you’re just monitoring us anyway!”

“Ugh, that’s gross! That wrinkled old face of yours is the last thing we want to see!”

They’d wasted no time butting in with their teasing.

I suppose they can see right through my pretenses, then... Otto thought.

Anything and everything that the twins did made for a headache, but he knew full well that their exacting calculations and schemes were at work. He merely hoped that he’d be spared some unscrupulous mischief as a result.

“I wonder,” Otto replied. “After all, Her Majesty the queen isn’t around. It simply wouldn’t do to have some alarming plot play out back here in her absence.”

There was no point in speaking in roundabout terms to the twins. Boldly basking in the full light of Otto’s distrustful gaze, they broke into a spell of cackling laughter.

“Aha hah! Are you saying you think we might do something naughty?”

“Hee hee hee! It’s fine—we won’t do a thing!”

“It is most reassuring to hear that,” Otto replied. “And yet, there is but one point left unaddressed... Just why should I trust the two of you?”

Confronted with what was a most rational question, Ledo and Leda looked up at Otto and bent their lips into demeaning smiles as if to mock his ignorance.

“I mean, it wouldn’t be any fun, would it? Our big sister would play with us, but now she’s gone!”

“I mean, now it’s nothing but weaklings left, right? If we were going to really have fun, we’d at least have to play with that old Top Knight!”

“Neither Her Majesty the queen nor the Top Knight are playmates of yours,” Otto replied, looking daunted. It all made sense now—it seemed the plots that had brought all sorts of harm to the kingdom were nothing more than a mere game to them. While he sincerely wished the twins would spare him such foolishness, what made them even nastier to deal with was the fact that even if he were to try and chide them, he lacked the evidence to back it up, and the twins would only feign innocence regardless.

“At the very least, both of you bear claim to this kingdom’s throne,” Otto said. “The queen’s absence should prove the perfect opportunity for you to equip yourselves with behavior fitting your status.”

“What? That sounds like a real pain in the butt!”

“No way! I wanna play more instead!”

These two imps... They’ve taken right after their father in their affinity for tormenting others.

After all, their father, Lezamer Ogdenn, was a master at plotting downfalls. It was all too obvious that they were indeed their father’s children.

“But really, you don’t have to worry! We’ll keep nice and quiet just for you!”

“But seriously! It’s not like we have anyone fun to play with either!”

Was there even a single soul in the whole kingdom who could rest easy hearing that? Otto had no expectations that the twins would turn over a new leaf with just a few remarks. Even his current visit had been meant to serve as a warning more than anything.

While I can’t let my guard down...the best outcome would be if nothing actually wound up happening.

In his heart, though, Otto was mostly certain that would never happen. Rotten as they were, the twins were still royals, and keeping them in check once they’d started to take action was a most difficult task indeed.

And yet, if the twins were to disappear, that would be plenty of trouble in and of itself too...

The fact that the twins went free despite causing a plethora of problems was because they were rather valuable—the largest factor being their influence on the former first prince’s faction.

Many of the nobles that had once supported Lezamer had reformed themselves completely following his defeat, as he’d served as the banner of their cause. An extremely small portion of them, however, had yet to change their minds and were instead dissatisfied with Queen Anna’s rule. Still, regardless of how much hostility they might have borne toward the queen, they couldn’t blindly revolt either. To such nobles, Ledo and Leda made a fitting replacement as Lezamer’s direct heirs. It was a fact that, by rallying together beneath the twins, such opposition factions’ aimless rampages could be contained to a certain degree.

Still, though, I could hardly imagine a worse foe to prop up than these twins. That’s why I don’t have the tiniest drop of sympathy for them.

After all, they were devilishly fond of mischief, didn’t listen to a word people told them, and hardly had any real interest in politics at all. Far from it—in some regards, they had even turned the first prince’s faction into their own toy through shadowy plots they’d labelled nothing more than play. Otto could only thank the heavens that his master, Her Majesty the queen, was a girl of character.

“Regardless, I do ask that you behave yourselves until Her Majesty’s return.” Otto then returned to his daily tasks. He couldn’t spend all his time dealing with the twins; he had a mountain of other things to do to keep the kingdom safe in the queen’s absence.

After Otto had taken his leave, the twins pressed their heads together with a thump.

“Awww, man! They’re all just so stupid! Wanna smash something now?”

“Naaah, the old guy we could sic the idiots on isn’t around. It’d just be a bore!”

Even Otto, who’d been telling them off only moments ago, was fittingly serious as the top of the queen’s faction. In that light, he was worth playing with. Still, he didn’t quite have the abilities that Ledo and Leda were after. In terms of how great their reactions were when the twins sprang some mischief on them, both their older sister and the Top Knight made for more appetizing targets.

“On second thought, you wanna just go for it?”

“Yeah, let’s just go for it.”

The twins looked at each other and exchanged satisfied smiles. While it always seemed like Ledo and Leda were just playing, they were indeed the legitimate children of the former first prince Lezamer. They’d been given a thorough education as nobles, so it was only natural they knew more than enough about Corona Senatus as well. The twins had a clear understanding of where Anna had been invited and what she was doing there. The reason they hadn’t tried to do anything so far was simple enough: They knew full well that if they barged into Corona Senatus and went on a rampage, it would be far more of a risk to them than it had ever been back in Ogdenn.

“But the risky part’s what makes it fun!”

“That’s right! Playing with fire’s always the funnest when you almost get burned!”

The twins had received a more than proper education, and this was still how they’d turned out. Even Lezamer himself had been unable to do anything about the rotten nature they’d been born with. Their thirst for destruction grew larger and larger by the day—and if they were going to be bored day in and day out, then that was all the more reason...

For better or worse, the opportunity came to them before the seeds of their destructive yearnings could blossom into some dreadful flower.

“It is an honor to meet you, Your Highnesses... Leonardo Ogdenn and Leyhilda Ogdenn.”

A messenger from “one who sits at the crown of power”—that was how the messenger who’d appeared before the twins introduced himself. Ledo and Leda knew exactly where he’d come from.

“Oh, wow! Those high-and-mighty types must really be in a bind! Who would’ve thought they’d come butting in here instead of the meeting?”

“Oh, wow! Don’t those high-and-mighty types have anything better to do?”

“To one who gazes across Vahylicard from the peak of power, events both far and wide rest under his control,” the messenger said. “To think that Prince Lezamer’s heirs would be spending their days so wastefully... My master is dreadfully concerned.”

Ledo and Leda smooshed their faces together, having a conversation with their eyes alone before suddenly breaking off to stare at the messenger.

“Ohhh? And just what can you do?”

“Ohhh? And just what are you going to do for us?”

“My master is prepared to supply you with a way to solve the problems your kingdom faces,” he replied. “I am certain it will align with your own intentions as well, Your Highnesses.”

“Hee hee! I don’t see a problem with that! Works for me! It’ll be fun!”

“Hee hee! And just when I’d gotten tired of waiting around!”

As he watched the twins spring to their feet, a smile appeared on the messenger’s face. “I should expect nothing less—such decisiveness reflects the caliber of true rulers. My master shall be most pleased as well.”

“Look, we don’t care about all that. But that meeting place is pretty far away, right?”

“Well, let’s just use that, then. It’ll be a hop and a skip through the sky!”

The twins set about rummaging their way around the room before retrieving something from the rear. It was a Mechsteel’s start-up key, carved into the shape of a dragon.

“Heh heh heh! I figured this might come in handy!”

“Tee hee hee! They were fools to think they could hide it from us!”

Thinking up a sinister new brand of mischief, the twins locked hands, delighted grins plastered across their faces.

***

There were soldiers standing guard outside of Leonardo and Leyhilda’s room. The “guard” part was nothing more than pretext—in truth, the soldiers were Otto’s men who’d been put there to monitor the twins. It was a measure to prevent any harm from their scheming and mischief.

Suddenly, something came rolling out of the room and landed at the soldiers’ feet. Were the twins playing some sort of game? With their fair share of doubts, the soldiers tried to pick up the object. A small popping sound rang out as their surroundings were enveloped in a cloud of white smoke.

“What the—?! Is this a smoke screen?!”

Behind the veil of smoke blocking their sight, the soldiers only heard the sounds of someone scurrying away. That was more than enough for them to take a guess as to what was happening.

“Your Highnesses, stop right there!” one of the soldiers shouted. “This isn’t good—the twins ran away!”

Ledo and Leda sped off, leaving the soldiers’ frenzied shouts behind them. Even cutting through the smoke screen, there wasn’t a hint of hesitation in their movements. What’s more, considering the twins were going on a spree tossing smoke bombs as they ran, walls of smoke spread all over the castle and threw the surroundings into an uproar.

“What in the world’s going on?! Is that smoke? ...Wait, is something burning?!”

Otto, who’d been carrying out his duties, rushed out of the room only to find a group of soldiers dash over to him in a fit of wheezing.

“I’m terribly sorry, sir...” one of the soldiers said. “The twins unleashed a smoke screen and escaped!”

“What?”

The very moment the color started to drain from Otto’s face, a mighty tower of smoke burst into the air from a corner of the castle. With a deafening howl, a massive shadow broke through the outer stone walls—Bahamut Dominion, a Diviner-class Mechsteel.

Otto spun around, his eyes growing wide as he inspected the titan.

“Again?! Those royal brats, when did they manage to grab that key?!”

Bahamut Dominion gave a small shake, brushing off the debris that had fallen on it. Noticing that Otto had come dashing over, Bahamut Dominion turned around.

“Oh, it’s that annoying old geezer again!”

“We’re going out on a little stroll! See you around!”

“What in the blazes do you think you’re doing?!” Otto barked. “You’ve broken the seal on Bahamut not once but twice now! Royalty or not, you won’t be getting out of this!”

As if Otto’s shouts were of no more concern than the passing breeze, Bahamut Dominion spread the two pairs of wings planted on its back.

“None of your beeswax!”

“And besides, this mech belongs to father!”

“Which means it also belongs to us!”

“You all can just stay here and clean up this mess!”

“Catch ya later!”

“See ya!”

“Buh-byyyyyye!” the twins chanted in unison.

The Mechsteel’s wings filled with a tremendous amount of magic energy as the titan began to float into the air. Paying no heed to the turmoil below, Bahamut launched into the heavens as if gliding through the sky. The Diviner’s tremendous power output allowed it to fly. While it wasn’t all that fast, it was still able to move far faster than any Mechsteel traveling on foot.

Otto scratched at his head. Ogdenn lacked the capacity to go after the Mechsteel now. All he could do was watch the massive machine vanish into the distance.

His fists shook in frustration for a moment before he immediately snapped back to his senses and spoke up. “Get me the fastest messenger we have! We have to warn Her Majesty of the impending danger immediately!”

After watching his subordinate leave the room in a flustered hurry, Otto cast his gaze upward, far into the distance. “I’m sorry, Watt. It looks like I have no choice but to count on you,” he said, entrusting his friend—sure to be at the queen’s side—with his plea.

***

Back in Yantaggio, in the midst of Corona Senatus, the Ogdenn group had all sunk into a depressive slump.

“We’ve got a halfway decent idea of who the perp is,” Watt said in an annoyed tone as he waved the letter around. “But when it comes to clues, we’ve got next to nothin’...”

A whole night had passed since the disappearance of their liege, Queen Anna.

In the end, despite spending the night searching, they’d been unable to locate her. The Kingdom of Emperimo had little in the way of significant information, leaving almost nothing that could be considered a clue. The only information that Watt and the others had on hand was the message that the twins had rushed out of Ogdenn.

“Just when we finally resolved the problem with the Tres Coronas, this has to go and happen!” Carome groaned, shaking her sleep-deprived head back and forth. “It’s certainly a stretch to imagine that the twins’ appearance doesn’t have something to do with this as well. But I have questions of my own too. Royals or not, it’s not like those two have ties to any foreign nation.”

If it had been Lezamer, then he’d always had connections with a number of nations. But the twins were still rather young, and given that they’d been stomping about back in Ogdenn, there shouldn’t have been any foreign power aiding them.

“I dunno who in the hell they are, but somebody had to have gone outta their way to call those damn imps over here. If Anna got captured, that’s where she’s bound to be.”

They had to search for Anna, and yet their random searching had reached its limit. They were shorthanded to begin with, and with the mix of countries coming together in the city at the moment, there were a surprisingly high number of places they couldn’t enter.

When the group found themselves with no path forward, however, a certain someone paid them a visit. It was King Auvere from the Kingdom of Doré.

“Have you made any progress confirming Queen Anna’s whereabouts?” Auvere asked.

Watt gave the king a bow and shook his head. “We’re currently gathering information. Unfortunately, however, we’ve still got a helluva long way to go before we get to the bottom of all this.”

Auvere groaned, and after thinking for a moment, turned to face his brother waiting behind him.

“Very well, then. Sonata, I’ll have you leave my side for a time. Would you mind going with them to assist?”

Sonata nearly gasped. “But brother! Who will protect you while I’m gone?!”

“How unlike you,” Auvere remarked. “I have the soldiers you’ve trained day in and day out, don’t I? Still, I can’t imagine anyone else capable enough to aid Ogdenn other than you.” He stared directly at Sonata, who was taken aback at the sudden order. “I need you to do this. My friends are in a dangerous situation—lend them your strength. And besides, keeping Queen Anna safe will lead to peace for Vahylicard and stability for our own kingdom in turn. We wouldn’t be lending them our strength just out of the kindness of our hearts, you understand?”

Sonata moved his mouth as if trying to say something before giving up his attempts at a counterargument entirely.

“If that’s what you wish, then I’ll do as you’ve bidden me, brother,” he replied with a sigh.

It was readily clear that he was anything but convinced, but he nodded nonetheless. While the two kingdoms might have been on good terms, he had no desire to serve another. Yet if it were for the sake of both his kingdom and his older brother, then he could hardly refuse.

“That settles that,” Auvere said. “Even outside of my own partiality as his brother, you’ll find he’s rather useful. Put his skills to use.”

Watt paused for a moment. “We will. Thank you for aiding us, King Auvere.”

With Watt’s head lowered in thanks, Sonata stepped forward. He stood right in front of Watt’s full height, glaring up at him with a stern look in his eyes. After a brief moment, their gazes collided with one another.

Oh, man! Dude’s glarin’ daggers at me! It’s just how he was lookin’ at Prince Colth yesterday—same way he’d stare down his enemy. But that’s just par for the course, ain’t it, Prince Sonata?

Still, they couldn’t just stand there glaring at each other. Sonata was the first to look away.

“They’re my brother’s orders, so I don’t have much choice,” Sonata said. “It’ll be just for a brief span, but I’ll lend you my aid.”

“Music to my ears!” Watt said. “We’re seriously shorthanded at the moment, after all! Welcome aboard!”

Despite Watt’s broad grin, however, the stern look on Sonata’s face didn’t budge at all.

“I’ll leave it to you then, Sonata,” Auvere said. “You don’t need to worry about me.”

With that, Auvere departed, leaving his younger brother behind. After watching him go for a moment, Sonata waited until he’d finally lost sight of him before finally turning around with a scornful smile on his face.

“Hmph. Your queen’s supposed to be more important than your own life—the knights of Ogdenn must not be anything remarkable to have her snatched away from right beneath your noses.”

Carome gasped. “We never—!”

“All righty, time out! Calm down there, Caro! Yup, that’s right—deep breaths!” Watt said with a bitter laugh. “Nah, you really know how to hit where it hurts, huh? There ain’t a thing we can say to that!”

The ridicule on Sonata’s face only worsened. “If it’d been me, I wouldn’t have let a soul lay a single finger on my brother. Friendly nation or not, I would’ve loved to turn down aiding you and stay at my brother’s side, but...nevertheless, I can’t go besmirching his image either. I’ll find Queen Anna in no time at all.”

“Now that’s what I like to hear!” Watt replied. “All righty, then, let’s pick the search back up!”

At Watt’s command, Carome followed off after him wearing a stiff expression on her face.

“So, when you say search,” Sonata asked as they walked, “you have to have some sort of idea of where she might be, right?”

“See that’s the kicker—we don’t anymore,” Watt answered. “We searched every nook, cranny, and hole of everywhere we could think to look last night.”

Sonata merely snorted at Watt’s immediate answer. “What a headache. And how do you intend to find her in the middle of a mess like that? Are you planning on just adding more and more people into the search until someone finally finds her?”

“Neither one of our kingdoms has the people for that sorta strategy,” Watt answered. “Even if we were to try that, we can’t do a thing in other nations’ territories, so it wouldn’t do much good.”

“You’re short on men and you’re short on clues,” Sonata said. “But running around blindly just because of that is nothing more than a fool’s errand.”

Watt shrugged in agreement. “Nah, there is one way, at least. It’s a helluva last-ditch effort, but we don’t have the time to be grumblin’ now.”

“You still have something in mind, right? Are you planning on sneaking into another nation’s quarters?” Carome asked, spinning around.

With Carome now at her wit’s end, she might very well do just that.

Watt rushed to shake his head. “We ain’t gonna do anything that risky! ...I mean, it’s real simple, actually. We don’t know, so we’re just gonna go to somebody that does.”

“What?” Sonata demanded. “Why didn’t you go to them first, then? And how can you be so positive they know where she is in the first place?”

“I’m sure he knows all about it. After all, he’s got a pretty good view of everything goin’ on down here from that high-’n’-mighty peak he sits on.”

“Watt, you have to be joking,” Carome said with a gasp. Her expression immediately turned sour. Sonata understood as well but seemed less than enthusiastic as he scowled.

“Ya hit the nail on the head,” Watt answered. “I told ya it was a last-ditch effort! All righty, then, everybody... Let’s go and make ourselves a little appeal!”

With Watt at the lead, the Ogdenn knights and Doré’s general went trodding off.

***

The scene was set: the Menallazohortz Post Town.

Lying adjacent to the tranquil Yantaggio, which lacked any sort of defensive fortifications, the post town boasted fortresslike walls, wrapping the perfectly defended city in a strange air. Still, having walls was the norm in most cases. It was enough to confuse anyone and make them wonder if they were really in Yantaggio.

This whole town really is swanky, huh?

Not only had Menallazohortz built a town inside another kingdom’s territory, but it was clearly more luxurious than even Yantaggio. It could be argued that the post town’s very existence was a perfect reflection of the Tres Coronas’ desire to pour attention on themselves.

Either way, now was no time to just stand around in shock. After all, Watt and the others were just about to go plead for aid from the embodiment of stuffy superiority who resided here.

“You can say you’re just going to ask him, but even meeting him is no easy task,” Carome cautioned. “Do you have some sort of plan, Watt?”

“Sure do,” he replied. “I’m just gonna smash my way through! So we’re gonna march in and tell ’em we’d like an audience with His Imperial Majesty!”

“There’s no way a plan like that could stir the Tres Coronas to action,” Sonata said, casting an icy gaze at Watt and his efforts to launch a full frontal assault. “What sort of idiot are you?”

The rulers who comprised the Tres Coronas were, so to speak, the “peak” of the monarchs ruling over Vahylicard. While the meeting proper and the parties were one thing, under normal circumstances, they weren’t figures that one could just visit because they wanted to.

And yet, after waiting not all that long, Watt and the others were ushered farther inside.

“See? Anything’s worth a shot, right?” Watt said.

“I’ve never heard such nonsense in my life,” Sonata said.

Ignoring the stiff look on Sonata’s face, Watt marched farther inside with his head held high. They would soon be taken before the emperor.

“Well? What do you want? I shall grant you permission to reply. Speak.”

And so, the group found their request for an audience with Emperor Caesar, the ruler of Menallazohortz, granted so easily that it was almost shocking. While the emperor leaned back on the throne, they took a knee before him as Watt began to explain the situation.

“While I believe you’ve heard about this already,” Watt began, “our master, Queen Anna, has been missing since last night. There’s not a single reason as to why the queen would leave of her own volition...so we believe this to be someone else’s doing.”

The edges of Caesar’s lips curled up into a grin as he relaxed and rested his elbows on the throne. “Oh? I see. So you came marching in here thinking it was my doing, did you?”

“Surely you jest, Your Majesty,” Watt answered. “There is hardly any reason one as mighty as you would adopt such an underhanded strategy. And yet, as one who sits at the peak, I am certain you must hear a great deal, hence our visit here today.”

The emperor fell silent for a moment. “What disappointing nonsense.”

Caesor leaned back into his throne as if he’d immediately lost interest. Looking at Watt, then Carome, and finally even Sonata all kneeling before him, the emperor scowled.

“How monstrously tiresome! It’s even worse than your impertinence in treating me like a carrier pigeon. But the most dreadful part about it is that your brains failed you into thinking that I would help Anna Ogdenn!”

Uh-oh, lookin’ like he’s gonna be even more of a pain in the ass than I figured, Watt thought to himself.

Hidden out of sight with his head still lowered, his expression stiffened.

“You’ve likely come because of that incident the other day,” Caesar said. “Indeed, I did praise Anna Ogdenn for her stance—but that’s where it stops. If she is weak enough to be abducted and meet her end here, then that’s all there is to it. You could say I’ve lost interest in her.”

Unflinching despite the emperor’s cold stare falling upon them, Watt gave his answer, still kneeling down. “We have no intention of using you for our ends, Your Imperial Majesty. And yet, while it has been a night since our queen vanished, there’s far too little reaction. The fact that they were able to pull off such a feat without leaving any particular evidence likely means that there is indeed some connection to the Tres Coronas.”

“Hmph,” Caesar answered. “It may very well be the work of one of the Tres Coronas. And what of it?”

“Let us assume that one of the Tres Coronas was able to capture our queen. Their next target would be Ogdenn itself... Their goal would be clear as day. Sooner or later, the balance of the Tres Coronas would be shattered, and one would proclaim dominion.”

The Tres Coronas’ feud with each other was a well-known fact—as was the fact that they’d reached a balance by keeping each other in check and not permitting themselves to fall behind. Watt’s warning had come out of consideration of this fact, and yet, upon hearing his words, the young emperor leading the Menallazohortz Empire bore his teeth in a fierce grin, leaning forward as he spoke.

“Let them try, then! If any seek to challenge the Menallazohortz Empire, I’ll gladly take them up! It doesn’t matter who they are—should they defy me, I’ll crush them all the same! When the time for the Tres Coronas has come to settle this among ourselves, the lowly likes of you will know nothing of it!”

“This couldn’t get any worse...” Sonata muttered quietly. The young emperor was well-known for his aggressive nature; haphazard attempts to keep him in check wouldn’t work.

Immediately after, however, Caesar regained his composure and cast a piercing gaze at Watt, his eyes shining. “So just what will Ogdenn do, then?” he asked. “Will you continue to run around and invite war upon Vahylicard? The same war that your queen, Anna Ogdenn, detested so?”

Watt showed no signs of disturbance at the emperor’s question, however, instead responding just as he always did. “Unfortunately, it would be the same thing as you, Your Majesty. Nor will I hesitate if it’s necessary. Whether someone seeks to harm Her Majesty, steal away our kingdom, or tread upon us, Her Majesty wouldn’t decry fighting to resist any who threaten us. And yet...”

Watt lifted his head. With his undaunted smile still on his face, he met the emperor’s gaze head-on. “What Her Majesty would decry is a war fought only to further one’s own self-interests. And that’s exactly why the other knights and I have mirrored her example as we search for her.”

Caesar’s and Watt’s gazes clashed wordlessly for a moment. Soon enough, however, he gave a sigh of boredom. “Hmph, knights after their own queen’s foolish heart, hmm? Very well—hurry up and take your leave, then. And try to bring a topic that’s a bit more entertaining with you next time.”

“As you wish,” Watt answered. “Forgive us for taking so much of your valuable time.”

Watt dropped his head down once more before leaving, as Carome and Sonata followed behind him without a word. Even after the group had gone, Caesar remained there for a time, lost in thought with his elbows resting on the throne.

***

As the group trudged their way out of the Menallazohortz Post Town, Sonata gave a snort of derision.

“That accomplished absolutely nothing—it was purely a waste of time! No, it’s even worse than that. Instead of a clue, the only thing you managed to find was a way to anger the emperor! Do you intend to put all of Queen Anna’s hard work to waste?”

Despite Sonata’s fuming accusations, Watt’s reply was completely unbothered. “It wasn’t that much of a waste, lemme tell ya. And it ain’t like we pissed him off all that bad either. At the very least, we figured out that Emperor Caesar—or rather, the whole Menallazohortz camp—weren’t the criminals behind this.”

“What?” Sonata asked back, dubiously furrowing his brow. “And how can you be so sure?” Sonata had no idea what part of the previous conversation had convinced him of that.

“Ya saw it, didn’t ya?” Watt said. “That smile on Emperor Caesar’s face. And he didn’t sound one bit concerned either—that’s the sort of face someone who’s got a pretty good idea of who the crook is would make. He knows who did it, and that’s exactly why he’s makin’ a point to try us.”

Sonata paused. “Emperor Caesar may very well be the criminal who abducted Queen Anna, you know.”

“Nah, no way!” Watt replied. “He’d just wind up makin’ the same stupid mistake as Artehoth if he did. The imperial bastard would make love to his own reflection—he wouldn’t dare drag himself through the mud to do somethin’ like that.”

Watt had a point. Considering what they’d heard about Caesar’s personality, it indeed made sense. Sonata decided to stay silent for the time being and stand down.

“So assumin’ Menallazohortz is innocent,” Watt went on, “then that means our only choice is to try and check out the other two Crowns.”

“Hmph,” Sonata snorted. “I just hope Queen Anna is safe while you take your sweet time with the search.”

“Gh!”

Sure enough, it was Carome who reacted the most to Sonata’s cynical remark. The fact that Anna had been stolen away from right under her nose while she was supposed to be protecting the queen weighed heavily upon her.

Before Carome could give Sonata a piece of her mind, Watt inserted himself between them.

“Hey, enough o’ that!” he said. “We’ve gotta find Anna now—and fightin’ among ourselves ain’t gonna find her any quicker!”

After all, the host of Corona Senatus, the Kingdom of Emperimo, was of little help during times like this. While they excelled in welcoming guests, they would never stand in the way of the Tres Coronas’ actions. If they were going to find Anna, they’d have no choice but to get on the ground themselves.

“You’ve...got a point. Come on, Watt—let’s hurry up and find her.”

The group set out once more. Walking beside Watt, Sonata looked up at him for a moment, as if monitoring him.

“You must not be concerned at all, with that silly grin plastered on your face,” Sonata said. “I thought she was your precious little queen, wasn’t she?”

“Yeah...” Watt began, turning around without ever once breaking his smile before picking up Sonata by the collar. “She’s my daughter, and she couldn’t be any more precious to me. So if you’ve got time to worry about how concerned I am, then you can put all that energy into doin’ something to find her. Don’t go gettin’ that mixed around now.”

“Why you...!”

Watt immediately released Sonata’s collar, dropping him down. In the blink of an eye, he had returned to his taped-on smile.

“Uh-oh, sorry ’bout that! Your kingdom was goin’ outta its way to help us, wasn’t it?” Watt said. “Still, yer older brother the king asked you to do it, didn’t he, Prince Sonata? Let’s get a move on and hit up the next one. We don’t have any time to be wastin’.”

Watt set off at a brisk pace as Carome followed behind him. Sonata rubbed his neck cautiously for a moment before walking after them in silence, with a stern look still locked on his face.

And yet, they stopped in their tracks almost immediately thereafter when they saw a figure standing in their path.

“Greetings, knights of Ogdenn! You’re in something of a bind, aren’t you?”

“Well, if it isn’t...Prince Colth,” Watt replied, raising an eyebrow. “What’re you doing in a place like this?”

It was Prince Colth of the Kingdom of Aldavonga—he was far too important of a figure to just happen to bump into on the side of the road. There was no way it could’ve been mere coincidence.

“It’s you...” Sonata growled. It was only natural that his expression had grown more harsh. While there was nothing to be done about the sour relationship between the Kingdom of Aldavonga and the Kingdom of Doré, it would’ve been nice if they could’ve put aside their differences in light of the situation at hand.

Watt wasted no time positioning himself in front of Sonata and giving a calm response. “Oh, we’re terribly sorry, Your Highness. See, Her Majesty’s got a few things going on at the moment, so I’m afraid we won’t be able to give any proper greetings.”

“Worry not, I’ve heard about what happened,” Colth said. “About the queen’s disappearance, I mean. I’d wager she was almost certainly abducted.”

All Watt could do was sigh. “You’ve seen right through us. No point in trying to pull the wool over your eyes, then, eh? In that case, I’m sure you understand that we’re quite busy ourselves. If you wouldn’t mind cutting to the chase and letting us know why you’re here, that’d be wonderful.”

“It’s nothing unpleasant like that!” Colth objected. “I thought to assist with the search for Queen Anna myself and made my way here.”

“Excuse me? You’ll be helping out, Prince Colth?” Watt asked back.

Watt and Carome instinctively looked at each other. Despite Sonata’s expression contorting into even more of a vicious snarl, he managed to content himself with merely keeping his silence.

“While that’s a terribly generous offer...” Watt replied. “Why would you help us? Pardon me for being so blunt, but Ogdenn’s an outsider—this is our problem to grapple with, through and through. I can hardly imagine this would be a concern for the Tres Coronas.”

“It’s rather simple, actually,” Colth said. “I simply don’t wish to lose a kindred soul who desires peace in Vahylicard. A ruler who’s strong enough to maintain their own path forward even against the Tres Coronas is most valuable indeed.”

It was rather strange to hear this coming from none other than the crown prince of one of the Tres Coronas. Whatever his reason might be, his cooperation would indeed be reassuring to have. After all, with a royal and direct descendant of one of the Tres Coronas with them, there was no doubt that their ability to act freely in the city would skyrocket. And yet, even putting Sonata aside, Watt still found himself unable to fully trust Colth.

Picking up on Watt’s hesitation, Colth nodded back with a soft grin on his face. “Not to worry, the search itself is ultimately Ogdenn’s role to carry out. I’ll merely be making things a tad easier from the rear, that’s all. My name carries enough weight to accomplish that much. Oh, don’t think anything of it—I’m not seeking to place you in my debt.”

“I suppose...you have a point,” Watt said. “Then allow me to thank you for your assistance. If you insist, then we can hardly object.”

While Watt had hesitated somewhat, in the end he’d agreed. He had made up his mind that he’d use anything and everything at his disposal for Anna, and if that caused any sort of trouble, then he’d just sort it out afterward. Securing the Kingdom of Aldavonga’s assistance, however, had brought new revelations in turn.

“But wait a sec,” Watt said. “If Menallazohortz ain’t the perp, and Aldavonga’s tryin’ to help, then that means there’s just one other suspect it could be!”

“The Ancient Kingdom of Gemmaherve,” Carome said after some thought.

It was a terribly simple matter of following the process of elimination.

“Gemmaherve’s my least favorite outta the whole bunch, though,” Watt replied.

“Is there something different about them?” she asked back, tilting her head to the side.

“They’re the one we have the fewest connections with,” he said, a solemn look on his face.

The Kingdom of Ogdenn had hardly had any connections with the Tres Coronas in the first place. Yet they’d made a number of acquaintances in a short span of time as of late. Out of all of them, however, the Ancient Kingdom of Gemmaherve was the one they’d had the least contact with.

“But there’s Prince Scott, isn’t there?” Carome said.

“Ugh... I really don’t wanna lean on that guy, but I guess it’s true he’s the only one we know, huh?”

Their sole point of contact with Gemmaherve had been Prince Scott from the Kingdom of Toinuyva, but placing themselves in his debt was hardly ideal—not to mention that Watt was hardly a fan of Scott’s on a personal level. Still, the fact remained that they weren’t going to make any progress moaning and groaning about it. With their next destination set, the group moved out on foot.

“Assuming it was Gemmaherve that abducted Anna,” Watt said. “How do you think we can get her back without smashin’ everything up?”

“Give up on that idea and just charge straight in to look for her,” Sonata answered. “You’re good at that sort of thing, aren’t you?”

Watt’s attempts to ask were only met with rash suggestions from Sonata. Still, there was a part of him that couldn’t deny that the prince was at least half right.

***

As one of the Tres Coronas, it was only natural that the Ancient Kingdom of Gemmaherve also had a post town all its own: the Gemmaherve Post Town.

Watt and the others made their way to the walls surrounding it. They were just about to address the gatekeepers and have their arrival announced when they saw it.

“Hey, look over there. What the hell is that thing?” Sonata asked, pointing suspiciously.

Following the direction Sonata was pointing with their gazes, Watt’s and Carome’s eyes widened and then froze.

A dull sound rang out that very same moment. The doors to what appeared to be a warehouse went hurling through the air, revealing a titan they were all too familiar with.

“Huh? The hell? Tha— Is that Bahamut Dominion?!” Watt gasped. “What in the world’s a Mechsteel from Ogdenn doin’ here... Wait, is it those damn twins?!”

That was the only possibility he could imagine. The dots connected themselves as they grimly joined together to form a twisted line. Either way, now was no time to be standing around in a daze.

Watt snapped back to his senses and shouted, “Yup, we’ve found our perp all right! Hell, then again, the battle’s already started! We’ve gotta go... Go to... Wait, will they let us in?”

Watt looked at the walls surrounding the Gemmaherve Post Town before him. A few moments ago, it might’ve been a different story, but it was a stretch and a half to imagine that they’d simply beckon the group through the gates with Bahamut Dominion stomping around.

“I’ve gotta grab Gryphon, Caro...” Watt said. “I’m gonna run and grab him as fast as I can! Sorry, but this is just what it’s gotta be—you two do whatever you feel like!”

The plan didn’t matter a damn at this point. Even after finding himself on the receiving end of such brusque treatment, Colth merely nodded, entirely unfazed. “Hmm, it seems I was a step too late. It would be much more complicated if I joined you in battle. My apologies for being unable to assist you.”

Sonata thought for a moment with a strained look on his face before shaking his head. “My brother told me to help you, but he didn’t order me to fight. I’m sorry, but I’m afraid I can’t involve our kingdom in your quarrel with Gemmaherve.”

“That’s fine!” Watt said. “All right, we’re off!”

“Quickly!”

Watt and Carome dashed off as fast as they could, leaving Doré’s brave general and the crown prince of Aldavonga behind. Without a reason to stay there any longer, Sonata immediately turned to leave.

“So you’re just going to go back without doing anything, then, Sonata the Fellblade?”

Colth’s voice echoed out from behind him, stopping him in his tracks.

“What are you trying to say?” Sonata asked, turning around. “Would you like me to cut you down here and now? I’d be more than happy to oblige.” The expression on his face hardly seemed like he was joking.

“That Mechsteel going on a rampage over there,” Colth replied. “From what I’ve heard, it has ties to Queen Anna. Aren’t you going to go help them?”

Sonata paused for a moment. “While I wouldn’t mind helping them personally, that’s not enough reason to involve my kingdom in this. My decision’s the same.”

“I see,” Colth said. “Just as wise as ever.”

With that, he took his leave in turn.

“Don’t tell me you intend to go?” Sonata asked from behind him, a dubious look on his face.

Colth, however, gave no response. Sonata stood glaring at him for a while before messing up his hair in frustration.

“I can’t cause any problems for my brother,” Sonata muttered beneath his breath before suddenly running off.

Chapter Nine: The Big Brawl: Let’s Go Wild!

When Anna Ogdenn awoke, she found herself in an unfamiliar room. The drowsiness left her immediately as she bounced out of bed. Calming her heart rapidly pounding in her ears, she looked around the room from left to right.

“Oh! She’s up! Morning, sis!”

“Ah! You slept like a log, sis!”

Noticing that a pair of familiar faces were peering at her from either side of the bed, Anna’s expression went stiff.

“Ledo...and Leda?! What are you two doing here? No, where am I in the first place...and just what did you do?!”

Leonardo and Leyhilda—Ledo and Leda—were Anna’s half-siblings. They’d lived together in the castle in Ogdenn, and while they’d seen each other countless times, it was the first time they’d ever been there to greet her when she awoke. She’d once lived away on her own for a time, and since taking the throne as queen, others had been forbidden from coming and going out of her bedroom.

“Whoa, that’s a lotta questions!”

“Bleh, it’s too much of a drag to answer them!”

The twins jumped on top of the bed with delighted grins on their faces. Anna immediately realized how pointless it had been to get so carried away and ask them anything. After all, every word that came out of their mouths was meant to enrage the listener. There wasn’t a worse source to try to gain information from.

“That’s right!” Anna exclaimed. “Back there, just when I was about to rejoin everyone...I heard a voice. That was you two, wasn’t it? And then someone came all of a sudden and...” She paused. “So was I kidnapped, then?”

“That’s right! Good job remembering, sis!”

“That’s impressive! Good job realizing it was us, sis!”

Snickering and cackling, the twins clasped hands and continued to dance around. Holding a conversation with them required a tremendous amount of patience and will. Anna was the rare sort of person who possessed both.

“But you were back in Ogdenn, weren’t you?” Anna said. “So why are you here...? No, that aside, just what do you intend to accomplish by kidnapping me? This isn’t Ogdenn. Doing something like this won’t accomplish a thing.”

“Huh? That’s what you want to know? What a bore!”

“But sis is the biggest bore there is!”

“Guess you’re right. Not much we can do there!”

“That’s right. Can’t do a thing there!”

Family or not, it was a preposterous thing for them to say after snatching her away. She wasn’t getting anywhere trying to talk with them, even with her remarkable patience. Just when Anna began to think of another approach, the twins smacked their hands together.

“Oh, yeah! Those guys told us to bring you here!”

“Uh-huh! They said it’d be really fun if we did!”

“Those guys?” Anna asked back, a nasty premonition welling up from within her.

“Come on, sis! Right this way!”

“Hurry up, sis—or else we’re gonna leave you behind!”

Without answering any of Anna’s questions, the twins ran away spouting off their typical boundlessly haphazard nonsense with their usual pretenses of innocence. Anna sighed for what had to be the umpteenth time since waking up. She certainly didn’t feel like going, but she had no choice but to go after the twins. After quickly making sure that there was nothing amiss with her clothing, she followed after them.

So there’s someone...pulling the strings behind all this, then.

The more Anna thought about it, the stranger it seemed. No matter how destructively mischievous the twins were, they certainly weren’t foolish enough to leave Ogdenn behind and set off some nasty surprise in Emperimo during Corona Senatus—and that was exactly why she was convinced that there was someone pulling the strings behind her abduction. What’s more, the number of people in the entire city that would think to abduct a kingdom’s queen—much less carry out said abduction—were few and far between.

Anna shuddered as a chill ran down her spine. She was all alone here. She’d found herself in many dangerous predicaments, but for the most part, she’d had others she could rely on—like Watt or Carome—there with her. There weren’t that many situations that she’d had to face on her own.

No...that’s not right. There was one time I was on my own too.

It had been when she and her stepfather had headed for the coronation. Her father had been the one orchestrating everything behind the curtain—watching him from the back there that day, Anna had resolved herself to fight.

I can’t go losing heart over something this small! And besides, I just know father will look for me! But I can’t stand around and do nothing while I wait for him to come!

There was no doubt that Watt was searching for her. And yet, at the same time, Anna understood that it would likely be a while before he was able to find her—and in that case, she’d have no choice but to protect herself until then.

Anna let out a single long breath and lifted her head. There was no fretful girl at a loss for what to do to be found—only a dignified queen standing tall.

“Ledo, Leda, please hold on a moment,” Anna said. “Let’s go together. They’ve gone to the trouble of inviting me, so it would be improper not to greet them.”

She straightened her back and walked forward with an unfaltering gait.

***

Surprisingly, there was no one keeping guard outside of the room. The twins bounced about as if they knew the abandoned manor inside and out while Anna followed behind them.

This manor... I’ve never seen an architectural style like this before. Is there a chance we might not be in Yantaggio?

Given the differences in the style of the architecture, it didn’t take much thought to imagine that they were in a different town entirely. And yet, Anna arrived at the answer right away—there were towns close to Yantaggio made in the styles of other nations.

Then in that case, the one who kidnapped me really was...

As Anna went on, lost in thought, they’d reached a dead end in the hall before she even realized it. Bouncing up and down in front of the door lying at the end of the hallway, the twins called out to her.

“Here it is! This is the spot, sis!”

“You sure are slow, sis!”

“I see...” Anna replied. “So the time’s come, then.”

She was about to face off with the puppeteer who’d been pulling the strings. Gulping down her nerves, Anna passed through the door.

“Look here! We brought our big sis back!”

“My, my. Welcome.”

A fair share of people were there together in the room—they must’ve been in the middle of some meeting. Anna didn’t recognize the vast majority, but there were familiar faces as well.

“...Prince Scott,” Anna said.

“So you’re awake, Queen Anna,” Scott replied. “It’s a shame we had to be reunited under such circumstances. For now, please give your regards to our leader.”

Despite being one of the few faces Anna recognized, Scott’s attitude hardly changed even after seeing her. She found herself being led to the figure sitting at the rearmost part of the room. Sitting there was a willowy old man, his long, white hair smoothed down neatly on his head. Buried beneath his wrinkles and beard, his expression was impossible to make out. And yet, there wasn’t a single soul among those attending Corona Senatus who didn’t know who he was.

“I take it that you are King Slattmer of the Ancient Kingdom of Gemmaherve,” Anna said. “It is truly an honor to meet you. I am Anna Ogdenn, queen of the Kingdom of Ogdenn.”

“I am indeed the one of which you speak: the king of Gemmaherve,” Slattmer answered.

He was one of the Tres Coronas and none other than Gemmaherve’s own king. Anna fought back the urge to grind her teeth in frustration at just how accurate her premonition had been. Not only had she been proven right—she’d been right in the worst way possible.

To think that it’s not just a vassal state...but the ruler of one of the Tres Coronas that was behind this! How in the world can I put a stop to this?

When they’d faced off against Artehoth—one of the Menallazohortz Empire’s vassal states—the other day, Anna had been able to contain the situation by convincing Artehoth’s leader, Emperor Caesar. This time, however, the Ancient Kingdom of Gemmaherve itself had been the one to make a move. The only ones able to contain one of the Tres Coronas were the other two Crowns of equal standing. Naturally, neither of them were to be found in the room. It also didn’t help that another factor had left Anna feeling uneasy.

Then in that case, this must be the Gemmaherve Post Town. Will father...really be able to make his way here?

There wasn’t a doubt in Anna’s mind that Watt was desperately searching for her. And yet, she found herself in the Gemmaherve Post Town, the base for one of the Tres Coronas. Even assuming Watt was able to correctly identify the town as the location she was being held, it wasn’t the sort of place they could just walk into. Depending on how things went, Anna would have to think about escaping on her own.

“Howdy! You told us to come, so here we are!”

“Doody! We didn’t feel like explaining things, so take care of all that later!”

Ignoring the horror-struck Anna, each of the twins plopped into an empty chair without bothering to read the room in the slightest. It seemed Ledo and Leda still acted like that even before a king of kings. Anna felt her disgust at the twins flare up stronger than her own uneasiness.

Left in even more of an uproar, however, were the servants surrounding the aged king and attending to his needs. Scott’s expression immediately soured as he glared at the twins.

“You have another thing coming if you think your age excuses such impudence, you rotten brats!” he barked. “Do you have even the slightest idea just who it is that sits before you—?!”

“That’s quite enough,” Slattmer said. “That is proof that they’re as full of life as children their age should be.”

Surprisingly enough, the old king Slattmer himself held back his subordinate. With a kind, grandfatherly grin, he gave a hearty nod. “If that’s how badly you wish to know, then allow me to answer.”

Finally, the aged king’s gaze turned to Anna. And yet, the look he cast at her was far colder than how he’d looked at the twins. She had seen it before—it was quite close to the way her stepfather had looked at her. It was the sort of gaze that saw her as only a tool to be used, not even a person.

That wasn’t enough to intimidate Anna, however. Having made her way through a mountain of battles, she now found herself with the strength to prove it.

“Very well—allow me to ask you then, King Slattmer. Do forgive me, but I don’t quite recall receiving an invitation from you. If I vanished from the party, then my knights are sure to be worried. I’d quite like to take my leave now.”

With an especially courteous bow, Anna faced Slattmer head-on. A faint change came across Scott’s expression; he’d been expecting her to wither and shrink before the king.

“You are no guest, and you would do well to remember that,” Slattmer said. “You’re our prisoner... No, it would be better to liken you to trash that’s fallen by the wayside.”

The old king paid no attention to Anna’s resolute attitude. His remark was striking, to say the least. Anna couldn’t help but scowl in response, only to catch a glimpse of a crack-like wrinkle contorting behind the king’s white hair.

“What, pray tell, is the meaning of this? We are outsiders—our nation bears no tether to your own. What reason could there be for us to suffer such unjust treatment?!”

“You know the answer to that full well!” the king retorted. “You’re the one who blemished the rules first!”

A look of confusion spread across Anna’s face. The rules? What in the world was the king talking about? Had she committed some error out of her own ignorance?

Just as Anna was lost in serious contemplation of what she could’ve done, the king declared, “It was a game among us Tres Coronas to see which of us could claim you and inch closer to supremacy. And yet, out of all your options, you gave preference to that whelp under Menallazohortz, and if that wasn’t enough, you went around blathering about all this ‘peace’ drivel just like Aldavonga! Your complete and utter foolishness...is nigh unforgivable!”

“That’s nothing more than self-serving...”

Anna felt like she might pass out. The words the old king spoke were entirely to satisfy his own ego, lacking even the slightest trace of logic. It was enough to make Artehoth’s desperate rush for achievement seem reasonable in comparison. And yet, the fact that she was hearing such self-serving nonsense from one of the Tres Coronas—who could pass that very same nonsense as the order of the world—showed the depths of his depravity.

I thought Emperor Caesar was self-centered too, but at least he was proper enough to listen to logic...

Just as Anna was fighting to conceal the disgust she felt on the inside, the twins leaned forward.

“Enough of all that boring stuff! Didn’t you have something for us to do, old man?”

“Enough with the boring stuff! Weren’t you going to tell us something interesting?”

“If you just wanted us to bring our big sis here, can we go now?”

“Yeah, I wanna go play!”

“Oho! Don’t be so hasty—youngsters nowadays are far too impatient. Your turn is yet to come.”

Despite Ledo and Leda’s disparaging attitude, the king accepted their behavior without so much as a hint of anger. What was the meaning behind such a preposterous difference in how they were treated? Even Anna couldn’t help but wonder.

“Leonardo, Leyhilda,” King Slattmer said. “I have invited you here for no reason other than to set the Kingdom of Ogdenn on the right path. And for that, you must demonstrate that you have the capacity to rule your kingdom as its monarchs.”

“Capacity? Like how much you can stuff inside something?”

“By capacity, I mean your caliber as leaders. Monarchs stand at the top of their people and nations. They are the ones crowned at the peak of power. Such titles are not to be given to those who mistakenly prattle on about foolishness like peace. A kingdom that’s been burdened with the wrong monarch is a tragic thing indeed. Don’t you think such a kingdom needs to be made right?”

“I couldn’t care one bit about all this ‘right’ stuff. We just do what we feel like!”

“Heh heh, so you’ll live as you please, then?” Slattmer said. “I knew the two of you would be far more fit for the throne!”

“You sure? Is being on the throne really that much fun?”

“As fun as it is exhilarating,” he answered. “There’s nothing more fun the whole world over.” The king gave a wheezy laugh before fixing his sights on the twins. “And in order to do that, Leonardo, Leyhilda,” he said, the proclamation practically leaping from the old king’s mouth, “you are to kill your sister, Queen Anna.”

“Whoa, talk about scary! Our sis is going away!”

“Whoa, talk about sad! It’s been nice knowing you, sis!”

And yet, after hearing Slattmer’s charge, the twins had burst into sniffling tears—forced crocodile tears. Far more than the shocking words she’d just heard, Anna found herself more concerned with the twins’ attitude. Even if it were a performance, it would’ve been nice if they could’ve grieved with a bit more gravity.

Before Anna realized it, she found herself glaring back at the twins, only for them to immediately stop their crying and tilt their heads to the side in unison.

“But I don’t really feel like doing that... Why do we have to do it?”

“You should be the one to do that, Mr. Old Guy! You’re good at it, aren’t you?”

“Of course I won’t,” Slattmer replied. “This is your own kingdom’s matter through and through. It only makes sense that you deal with it yourselves.”

It all made sense now. It seemed Slattmer intended to handle it all under the pretext of an internal struggle within Ogdenn, making the king’s methods all the more cowardly. And yet, despite what they’d been tasked with, the twins merely sat there gazing off into the distance like it was someone else’s problem to deal with. Had the king chosen the wrong duo for the job? Despite being the victim in the situation, Anna couldn’t help but wonder.

“And with the throne of Ogdenn vacant,” Slattmer continued, “you, Leyhilda, are to take the seat as queen.”

“Huh? Me?” Leda said.

The twins seemed visibly confused. Leda hesitatingly pointed to herself after hearing her name, only for the old king to nod back. Leda looked at Ledo before they turned around together.

“No way! I wanna stick with Ledo! We’ll be the monarchs! It’ll be really cool that way, right?”

“Good idea! I wanna stick with Leda! The two of us have always been together!”

The king gave a breathy laugh, but the gaze he cast from behind the wall of wrinkles surrounding his eyes remained stern. “That’s quite unacceptable. Only one can sit at the highest seat—such has been the way of the world from the very beginning. Leyhilda, you are to become the new queen...and then you shall take the prince of Toinuyva there as your consort.”

“Whaaa...?”

Anna scowled as she came to understand his plot. Merely replacing Ogdenn’s ruler wasn’t enough for the old king—he was trying to take over the kingdom itself. His methodology was nearly the exact same as it had been during the stir over Anna’s hand in marriage, except now it was Leyhilda who’d taken Anna’s place.

This time, it wasn’t just Anna who had fallen silent. The twins remained quiet right alongside her. Before they could reply, a voice spoke up.

“O great King Slattmer, I hold nothing but admiration for the foresight behind your wise and careful plot...and yet, for the monarch of Ogdenn, the key to it all, to be her?! Calling her a brat would be far too generous, Your Majesty! Why, she’s even younger than Anna! And with how grating she is, it’s simply far too much to bear...!”

It was none other than the very one who’d been named as the consort, Prince Scott of Toinuyva. The displeasure in his expression seemed quite genuine. Perhaps he’d been swallowing his true feelings when he’d tried to win Anna over.

His objections, however, were merely met with a scoff from Slattmer. “Oho ho! This is all to further my rule—you can stomach such trifling details. In the end, the little she-imp is nothing more than a decoration. Once you have taken your place as consort, you will quickly take command of the nation and join my forces.”

“So be it,” Scott answered. “If you order it, Your Majesty, then there’s nothing more to be said.”

“Indeed,” Slattmer said. “Endeavor well. And when our purpose has been accomplished, I shall permit you to stand at the forefront of my ranks.”

“O-Oh, my... You are far too kind, Your Majesty!”

Scott’s attitude changed in an instant, now brimming with motivation as he turned to look at the twins who’d fallen into sullen silence.

“It’s just as you’ve heard, you rotten brats,” Scott said. “While we’ll place Leda on the throne, we’ll be doing everything from there, so just stay quiet and watch.”

Without warning, Leda broke out into a broad grin. It was a charming smile; her well-balanced features—though still childlike now—were sure to blossom brilliantly in a few years’ time.

“Not. A. Chance!”

A shadow immediately fell across her face, her grin contorting into a wicked sneer as she made her declaration.

“What...did you just say?” Scott said. He was so taken aback by her response, far beyond anything he ever could’ve imagined, that he couldn’t help but give a completely unfiltered reply.

Looking up at Scott’s dumbstruck face, Leda began to cackle even more joyfully. “There’s no way I’d say yes! And I don’t wanna be on the throne all on my own either! But there’s just no way I’d ever wanna be with someone as yucky as you! So that’s gonna be a big, fat no from me!”

It took only a moment for Scott’s blank expression to rapidly shift to rage. And yet, he seemed hesitant to shout in front of the aged king, instead stifling the urge with his face bright red.

“You must be joking—we’ve come this far, and you actually think you’re in the position to spout off such nonsense? I’d thought to turn a blind eye to some of your misbehavior if you did as you were told, but...”

The twins’ response to Scott’s icy glare? Their tongues stuck out of their mouths, with an eyelid pulled down for added effect. And to add insult to injury, they pulled their cheeks apart with their fingers and wiggled their tongues from left to right.

The red in Scott’s face drained, with emptiness taking its place.

“...It seems you’ll need to learn a thing or two first,” he continued. “Hammer this much into that mush you call brains: We’re not asking you to do this. We’re ordering you.”

“I couldn’t care one eensy bit less!”

Boiling with rage, Scott’s hand wrapped around the blade at his side before he even realized what he was doing, only for Anna to stand up and position herself in front of the twins. Still poised to strike at any moment, Scott narrowed his gaze.

“Huh? What’re you doing, sis?” Seeing Anna stand in front of them as if she were trying to protect them, it was the twins who seemed puzzled, tilting their heads to the side as if they’d seen something terribly strange.

“Please, have a seat, Queen Anna,” Scott said. “This doesn’t concern you anymore.”

“It doesn’t concern me?!” Anna said back. “They’re my siblings...and my cherished family! I won’t allow you to do with them as you please!”

Scott furrowed his brow, as if he’d seen an odd sight. Anna had been told she’d be eliminated before she protected the twins—wasn’t she angry for the wrong reason?

“And look at you, Prince Scott!” Anna went on. “You simply follow orders because they’re orders, even when they’re for atrocities like that! Can you truly call yourself a prince with such despicable behavior?!”

“I see now,” Scott replied, “that all of you Ogdenn royals are a noisy lot! If you seek to lay the blame anywhere, put it on your own foolishness! Those who would defy our leader have no need to live another day!”

With Anna and Scott glaring at each other, Ledo leaped out and took his older sister by the arm. “Man, this sucks! It’s a real bore listening to you blabber on! And besides...”

He twirled back to face Leda. “If Leda doesn’t like it, I don’t like it either! Right, Leda? The two of us are always together!”

In turn, Leda gave a broad grin and leaped forward to grab Anna’s other arm. “That’s right, Ledo! And we don’t do anything boring!”

The twins looked at each other from either side of Anna before bursting out into laughter as they chanted together. “And that’s why we don’t need you anymore! See you around, Mr. Old Man!”

After having watched the events play out before him in silence, the old king gave a deep sigh. “Fools. You’re nothing but fools. Spoiled brats like you are even worse than dogs. A dreamer and a pair of hellish imps... None of you are fit to rule! I knew I should’ve just obliterated every last outsider...but those other spineless Crowns always get in my way!”

The king shook his head in lament before finally speaking up in a terribly bored tone. “Clean up that garbage over there. Don’t let another word of their foolishness reach my ears.”

“Understood! As you wish, sire.” Scott said, seeming all too delighted to draw his blade. With the same ease with which he might sweep away trash in the road, Scott pointed his sword at Anna and the twins. Glaring back at him, Anna shielded the twins behind her.

The air grew more and more tense. Immediately after, however, a pair of objects were thrown out from either side of Anna. The objects rolled to Scott’s feet before exploding with a muffled sound and unleashing a wall of smoke on the area.

“What?! What in the world...?!”

“A smoke screen? I can’t see!”

“Huh...?” Anna stood there, taken aback for a moment, before a pair of hands came from behind to tug her away.

“All right, sis! We need to hurry up and get outta here!”

“What?” Anna said.

“Get with the program, sis. We just made enemies out of everyone in the room. Now hurry up and run!”

The twins dashed off, forcefully pulling Anna—who was having a bit of a hard time making sense of what was going on—with them.

“Hee hee! There’s more where that came from! There’s enough for everybody to enjoy!”

As if to add insult to injury, the twins produced more and more smoke bombs from their pockets, adding them to the mix behind them. Surrounded by thick billows of smoke, the band of Gemmaherve’s leaders fell into utter confusion. The three seized the opportunity to leap out of the room.

“Brats or not, they’ll pay for this!” one of the Gemmahervans spat out between coughs.

“Agh, dammit! What’s going on?! I don’t see the fools anywhere!”

“...Ack! Dammit, I’ll kill those wretched little imps!”

Someone opened a window in an attempt to let the smoke out. When their field of vision had finally begun to clear, both the twins and Anna had disappeared.

“Chase them to the very end of the world and crush them,” King Slattmer ordered in a hoarse, quiet voice, not moving so much as a muscle even while enveloped in the smoke.

Sensing the pyre of rage burning within the king, Scott and the others leaped up and stood tall.

“Yes, sire! Right away!”

Watching his followers rush out in a fluster, the old king let out a sigh, a boiling hot glimmer of anger shining from within his eyes.

“How dreadfully vexing. Every last one of them tries to defy me! Any dog that would stand against my will deserves to be wiped out...”

With that, the aged king slowly rose to his feet before walking off somewhere.

***

“If we just run around blindly, we’re bound to get caught!”

Anna ran and ran. She didn’t have even the slightest idea of her surroundings, so she had no way of guessing where they were headed. All she could do was run with the twins pulling her along by the hand. For whatever reason, it seemed they had a grasp on the manor’s layout—there wasn’t so much as an ounce of hesitation to be found in their gait.

“We’re fine! We memorized the way since we saw it when we came here, you know!”

“Since you saw it...?”

The twins had almost certainly not been given anything like an in-depth tour, and yet they’d been able to get a rough understanding of the manor’s layout just by seeing it once? They truly possessed remarkable talents, but they didn’t put them toward anything resembling a respectable use.

“And besides, you made an alliance with Gemmaherve, didn’t you?” Anna said. “Why would you betray them out of nowhere like that?”

“Huh? That’s what you’re going to complain about? We saved you, so it’s fine!”

“Huh? They said mean things to us, didn’t they? And it really got under my skin!”

“That’s why we’re not going to listen to a word they say!”

“That’s why we’re going to smash it all up!”

“Th-That’s why you betrayed them...?!”

Anna’s head felt like it might very well split in half. The twins sought only their own pleasure and did exactly as they pleased—promises didn’t mean much to them at all. And yet, the mere thought that they’d change their attitude like that against one of the Tres Coronas was preposterous. Even the old king Slattmer could never have imagined such a turn of events, much less Anna herself.

Either way, it wasn’t hard to see that Ledo and Leda’s provocation had left them in a fuming rage. While it had seemed they’d made their way out of the crisis for a moment, in truth, Anna couldn’t help but feel like the situation had spiraled in an even worse direction.

“But still, you didn’t have to go and betray them here!” Anna said.

“Man, you’re really annoying, sis! You’re deadweight, so just stay quiet!”

“If you keep on talking about all that boring stuff, we’ll leave you behind!”

The last thing Anna wanted was to be left alone in a dangerous place like this. She reluctantly closed her mouth and focused on running.

“Hee hee! We made it!”

“Ha ha! There it is!”

The three of them ran for a while before making their way out of the hallway, only to find a Mechsteel hangar waiting before them. The hangar was filled with Mechsteels used by Gemmaherve’s forces that Anna had never seen before. In the mix, however, she found a single mech that she was all too familiar with.

“Is that...Bahamut Dominion?!” Anna couldn’t help but gasp. “You two! You took it out again?!”

They’d only just resealed the Mechsteel after the twins had caused the incident the other day, and now they’d brought out Bahamut Dominion again without a single lesson learned. Considering the chaos they had to have wrought on Ogdenn when they took out the Mechsteel, a spanking was well in order, but with how the situation had played out, it was now a welcome source of firepower.

“I just can’t believe you two!” Anna paused for a moment. “Actually, we can sort all that out later. For now, let’s just get out of here!”

The mechanics working in the storage hangar who didn’t have a clue what had happened cast suspicious glances at the group as they practically jumped into Bahamut Dominion. As a Diviner, the Mechsteel boasted a spacious cockpit, but with three people inside, even that felt cramped.

After getting in first, Ledo took his place in the middle seat while Leda attached herself at his side. As a result, Anna naturally found herself sitting behind the twins.

“Okay, here we go!”

“Okay, let’s do it!”

The twins took out the Mechsteel’s key, which was carved into an exaggerated dragon-like shape, and inserted it. Bahamut Dominion came to life alongside their squeals of delight. It cut its way through the panicked mechanics scrambling to escape before forcibly kicking the door to the hangar open. Their surroundings grew even more noisy—their pursuers would soon be launching after them.

I’m sorry, father... Things have taken a terribly dangerous turn! But please, come quickly and save us!

With the situation only worsening and no way to stop it, all Anna could do was pray.

And yet, the twins’ rampage had had its benefits as well. By making Bahamut Dominion visible to all around, Watt was sure to come flying after it. Anna firmly believed that they had a path to survival if they could but join up with Watt. The Top Knight of the Kingdom of Ogdenn—her very own father—was sure to put a stop to their troubles somehow. Please, you must do something!

That was as far as they made it unhindered, however. A number of shadowy figures came running toward them after Bahamut Dominion had made its way out of the storage hangar.

Mechsteels clad in heavy, roundish armor appeared one after another and surrounded Bahamut Dominion. Piloting one himself, Scott spoke up to address Anna. “That’s quite enough nonsense from you! Queen Anna...it is unspeakably regrettable that things had to turn out like this. For your crime of defying our leader, I shall execute you here and now. Men of Gemmaherve’s First Order! These miscreants have defied our mighty leader—they are not to escape!”

“The First Order!” Anna moaned. “Our enemies are likely to be Gemmaherve’s finest! Ledo, can you actually fight?”

Ledo was the one gripping Bahamut Dominion’s control stick. Whether or not they’d be able to make it out of such a perilous situation hinged on his skills. Naturally, he merely replied with his same old mischievous grin, brimming with reckless confidence.

“It’s fine, it’s fiiiine!” Ledo said. “I know how to fight. I peeked at my father piloting it once!”

“You peeked...?”

If learning to pilot a Mechsteel was as simple as watching someone else, no would struggle with it in the slightest. Anna knew better than anyone how much effort Ogdenn’s knights had put in—even Watt, the Top Knight himself, tasked himself with unflagging training. Ledo and Leda possessed tremendous talent, but they couldn’t care less about putting it to any proper use. Anna couldn’t help but think it was a terrible waste—a fact that was in and of itself a reflection of just what a fine queen she’d become.

“Ha ha! Do it, Ledo!”

“Hee hee! Let’s do it, Leda!”

Bahamut Dominion grabbed the two pairs of wings on its back as they immediately separated and transformed into massive broadswords.

“What’s the Diviner doing?!” one of the knights yelled. “Surround it and strike it down!”

The knights gave a rallying war cry as they charged at Bahamut Dominion in their Shelled Mollusks, the Mechsteels used by the Gemmaherve First Order. They were heavily equipped Mechsteels wrapped in rounded armor that wielded maces alongside massive shields. The way they moved, however, was anything but weighty. They were either upper-ranking Brute-class mechs or perhaps even powerful enough to be Crusaders.

“Aaand there!” the twins chanted disarmingly as Bahamut Dominion swung its massive broadswords. The blades landed squarely on the Shelled Mollusks’ shields, knocking their foes back far to the rear. For their part, the Gemmaherve First Order all seemed as skilled as would be expected. Yet despite being able to withstand the attack, they weren’t able to approach Bahamut Dominion either.

“Don’t let up! Keep putting pressure on them!” Scott yelled.

“Heh heh! Yeah, yeah, yeah!” Ledo chanted. He’d already realized that the knights of the First Order were trying to close the gap. Stepping forward, Bahamut Dominion swung its massive blades. Not only was its attack plenty powerful enough, but it took advantage of the distance between itself and its foes to attack unharmed.

“Ledo, you’re really strong, aren’t you?” Anna found herself muttering beneath her breath as she watched from the rear. While she herself could pilot a Mechsteel, when it came to combat, things didn’t go anywhere near as well as this.

“Fighting’s a piece of cake!” Ledo answered. “You just have to keep doing things that your opponent can’t stand!”

“R-Really now...?”

Thinking about it that way, it did seem like that would fall squarely in Ledo and Leda’s speciality. Anna truly wished the twins would use that talent of theirs for something other than trouble. Still, there was no mistaking that it was a welcome feature while they were fighting.

“Okay, time for us to skedaddle!”

“Okay, time for us to fly off!”

The Mechsteel’s wings filled with magical energy, as Bahamut Dominion’s enormous frame rose into the air. With the Shelled Mollusks incapable of flight, Bahamut Dominion was now out of reach, leaving the mechs to only watch it fly off. And yet, that was exactly why Anna felt something was wrong.

They’re supposed to be the Ancient Kingdom of Gemmaherve’s finest... Would they truly let us get away so easily?

If, perhaps, their goal had been to halt Bahamut Dominion in its tracks, then...

“Ledo! Guard yourself!”

“What’re you blabbing about, sis? Put a sock in it and—”

Before Ledo could even finish complaining, a raging swirl of water sprang up from a section of the Gemmaherve Post Town. The water immediately transformed into viciously sharp spears, brutally tearing into Bahamut Dominion.

“Bwaaah?!”

“Eeeeeek!”

Even the enormous Bahamut Dominion was knocked backward, kicking up a cloud of dust as it was pummeled into the ground. The Shelled Mollusks formed a loose circle around it as a gargantuan object floated up behind them.

With the thin, finlike wings sprouting from its frame unfurled behind it, the Mechsteel was protected by layer after layer of armor arranged in a shellfish-like fan shape. The mech’s armor opened up as it poked its head out from within.

“You fools... How dare you try and rise to the same heights of glory before one of my kingdom’s greatest treasures: the Crown Knight, Gemmahertburg! Such outrageous acts cannot go unpunished!”

There was no mistaking the voice they’d heard: It was none other than old King Slattmer himself, piloting the pride of the Ancient Kingdom of Gemmaherve—the Crown Knight, Gemmahertburg. Having transformed into a blocklike mass with its layers of armor, the Mechsteel fluttered its finlike wings and swam through the air toward them.

“Uh-oh! They brought a Diviner too!”

“Uh-oh! Wonder what we should do?”

Seeing that Bahamut Dominion had risen to its feet, Gemmahertburg used its magic energy to produce a burst of water and shoot it from the gap in its armor. The water swirled around the mech’s surroundings, floating in the air.

“You’re still moving, you insolent fools? You would do well to hang your heads in silence like the filthy rubbish you are! Now take this... Hyper Magi-Skill: Serpent Supreme!”

“Oh, man, this really looks serious! Feather Sphere!”

A mass of feathers launched from Bahamut Dominion’s wings to form a shield. Immediately after, however, Gemmahertburg’s water spears viciously slammed into the wall of feathers. The attack was not to be taken as lightly as a mere splash of water, however. It was a devastating Hyper Magi-skill that boasted both the destructive force of a battering ram and the piercing sharpness of an ice pick.

The feathers were knocked away before their eyes until a spear finally pierced through their defenses.

“Waaaaaah!”

The current of water hit them head-on, shaking Bahamut Dominion’s massive frame. While the attack had just barely missed their center, the current tore through one of their arms.

“Oh, wowzers! Wonder if our goose is cooked?”

“Whoaaa! Wonder how we can make our getaway?”

Bahamut Dominion and Gemmahertburg were both Diviner-class Mechsteels, but there was a considerable gap in their capabilities. In short, it was the difference between a Mechsteel built by Ogdenn’s royals—an outsider nation—and the Crown Knight, a creation forged with the entire accumulated might of Gemmaherve.

“You don’t know when to quit,” Slattmer said. “But I’ll finish this here and now!”

Water appeared around Gemmahertburg once more and began to swirl around. The number of feathers defending Bahamut Dominion had halved—far too few to protect it. Gemmahertburg mercilessly unleashed another round of Serpent Stream—

“Yaaaaaa-hooooo!”

That very same moment, a single shooting star came flying in from the distance. Wrapped in a burning glimmer of magic energy, it came straight from the side to pierce through the watery spears encroaching on Bahamut Dominion, scattering them as it went. With the spears now stripped of their tips, Feather Sphere was able to contain the attack.

“...Ah, he’s here!”

Pressing her hands together and looking up into the sky, Anna watched as the shooting star at the end of her gaze twirled around. It began to change shape as it soared through the sky. It folded in its outstretched legs, then its wings. It extended its arms and pulled out the dual blades that had become one with it. Soon, the shooting star completed its transformation into a humanlike form, landing in front of Bahamut Dominion.

“Nrgh! Who dares get in my way?!” Slattmer demanded.

The figure’s red armor glistened in the light of the sun. The Mechsteel that had appeared was Lord Gryphon, the Mechsteel for the exclusive use of the Royal Knights of Ogdenn. And the Steelrider piloting it?

“I am Watt Sears, Top Knight of the Kingdom of Ogdenn!” Watt roared, pointing the tips of his twin blades at the Crown Knight. “And now I’m here to beat the livin’ hell outta you for threatenin’ Her Majesty, ya slimy bastard!”

Chapter Ten: We Who Shall Coexist Together

“Your Majestyyy! Is that you in there?! Are you all right?!”

Bahamut Dominion lifted its head with a creak. In its view, it saw a flurry of shooting stars raining down. The shooting stars transformed into humanoid figures one after another and landed around it. The band of Lord Gryphon Neos piloted by the Royal Knights took their places around Bahamut Dominion to keep it safe.

“Father! And Carome and the others too! I’m fine, see?” Anna said.

“What a relief... I’m just so happy you’re safe!” Carome replied.

Carome’s Mechsteel drew close to Bahamut Dominion and leaned in, its head dropped down. Her relief lasted for only the briefest of moments, though.

“Man, took you long enough! Would it kill you to get here a little quicker?”

“Yeah, it really took you long enough! Father’s mech was just about to break!”

Hearing the next voices that spoke up after Anna, Lord Gryphon jerked in shock. “I’d recognize that infuriatin’ chanting anywhere! You tellin’ me you two imps are in there?!”

“Thaaaaaat’s right! Good job, old man!”

“Wait, don’t me the one pilotin’ this thing is—” Watt started.

“It’s Ledo...” Anna answered.

Lord Gryphon’s shoulders sank defeatedly. Immediately after, however, Watt pulled himself together and faced his foe once more.

“Just what’s goin’ on here?” he asked. “I mean, just look at this! Why in the world are you brats on their bad side too?! Weren’t you two the ones who up and kidnapped Anna in the first place?!”

“While they did kidnap me,” Anna began, “all this is probably because the twins betrayed them.”

“You little devils really have a knack for makin’ the worst kinda trouble, you know that?”

“Oh, we’re not all that!”

“That wasn’t a compliment!”

Watt couldn’t help but clutch his head. While he had a general idea of the situation, he wondered from the bottom of his heart just what sort of hellacious mess those damn twins had made of things. As he sat there at the end of his rope, Carome got out of her Neo and clung to the outside of Bahamut Dominion’s cockpit.

“Your Highnesses, you are to get out of that Mechsteel at once,” she said. “We’ll be taking you under custody here. Not only did you kidnap Her Majesty the queen, but you committed the crime of endangering her as well. Royal or not, I cannot turn a blind eye to such actions!”

While Carome’s words were polite enough, the air of rage peeking through here and there made her feelings clear. Even the fact that she’d purposefully gotten out of the Mechsteel might’ve been a measure to keep her from punching them out of anger.

“Huh? No way! I don’t feel like it!”

“Huh? No way! I’m scared!”

“Your Highnesses!”

Of course the twins weren’t going to do what they were told. Carome’s smile grew even more forceful. At this rate, she might rip the cockpit straight off the mech before their foe ever did. Anna rushed to intercede.

“Carome, wait, please! While I certainly was kidnapped, it was thanks to the twins that I was able to make my way out of a terribly dangerous situation! So could you please save them alongside me for now?!”

“But Your Majesty!” Carome objected. “The twins tried selling you off to another nation of all things. They clearly committed treason!”

Carome seemed like she might climb into the cockpit herself at any moment. Just then, a Mechsteel’s outstretched hand came between them, palm up. Looking up in surprise, Carome met the gaze of Watt’s Lord Gryphon.

“Leave it at that,” Watt said. “I’m gonna teach those little hell spawn a real lesson later, but we’ve gotta make it through this first.”

“Watt! Don’t tell me you’re sticking up for them!” Carome exclaimed. “This is far different than all the little schemes they’ve played at till now!”

“That’s right, old man! We’re the low-down, no-good villains that snatched away your preeeeeecious little daughter, aren’t we?”

“That’s enough of you tryin’ to egg things on whenever you get a chance!” Watt replied. “You two really did get all the worst parts of your old man, huh...”

Watt had a headache and a half. Still holding his temples, he pulled himself together and lifted his head.

“I don’t plan on lettin’ ya off the hook that easily, but I ain’t gonna abandon ya either. After all, there’s no gettin’ around...that you’re Cullina’s kids too.”

Looking stunned, Carome fell silent. Leonardo and Leyhilda Ogdenn were Lezamer and Cullinagemia’s children, making them Anna’s half-siblings by a different father. Even to Carome, the twins were the children of her greatest friend.

“Ledo and Leda are dear to me—they’re my family,” Anna said. “They might play a few pranks on me, but that’s nothing at all. I’m their older sister! I can handle that much!”

Carome stood in silence for a moment before dropping her shoulders with a long sigh. “While I think this is far more than just a prank...if that’s how you feel, Your Majesty, then there’s nothing more to be said. For now, I’ll accompany you.”

“Thank you!” Anna replied. “The twins aren’t all bad. They can be charming in their own way too. And besides...” She breathed a sigh of relief. “I took the throne to prevent just that—the sort of situation that would see even siblings fight each other. If killing someone because they’re in the way is just how the world works...then the foe I truly have to take on is that very idea.”

“Your Majesty... I drew my conclusions too quickly,” Carome replied. “Please, follow your heart where it leads.”

She straightened up and bowed before quickly returning to her Lord Gryphon Neo. From Bahamut Dominion’s cockpit, the twins watched Carome and Watt, who’d been plastered right across the Mechsteel’s display.

“Hmph! Okay, okay! They saved us, so I guess we’ll cut back on the mischief just a little!”

“Hmph! Okay, okay! You really should thank us, sis!”

“Of course! Thank you both very much!”

Anna smiled and pulled the twins in for an embrace. It was the only time they had ever been at her mercy.

“Yup, somethin’ about this just pisses me off,” Watt said. “Might as well get in a slug while I can.”

“You and I both know now’s not the time for that, Watt,” Carome said.

“Ahhh, guess you’re right.”

After all, the Gemmaherve First Order was now stretching out in an effort to encircle the Ogdenn Royal Knights. What’s more, another Mechsteel was floating in the air behind the First Order.

“Hey, Anna—that thing over there’s the Crown Knight, isn’t it?” Watt asked.

“That’s right,” Anna replied. “That’s the Crown Knight, piloted by King Slattmer himself... Gemmahertburg.”

The currents of water swirling around Gemmahertburg began to rage about. They all knew full well just how much destructive power the attack held.

“It doesn’t matter how much garbage gathers together—it’s still nothing more than garbage,” Slattmer said. “My Gemmahertburg shall wash it all away!”

Watt glared at the Gemmahertburg’s dignified form for a moment before muttering beneath his breath. “Anna. I’m gonna fight those bastards.”

“Father...”

Fight. He was going to fight against the Ancient Kingdom of Gemmaherve, one of the Tres Coronas, head-on—but wouldn’t that go against the queen’s wishes for peace?

“All this nonsense about insects and garbage—he’s just blabberin’ on,” Watt said. “In other words, the bastard’s insultin’ us. He’s actin’ like we’re so beneath him we’re not even worth talkin’ to.”

Would a gnat’s words persuade a person to change their mind? Would they make such efforts on behalf of an ant? It was out of the question. To exchange words with another meant first recognizing that they were an equal being. It was only then that negotiations could be had.

“I’m just gonna wallop ’im and wake ’im up a little,” Watt said. “Show him that he doesn’t get to just go around belittlin’ us like that.”

That was why he’d do it. Watt turned Lord Gryphon’s head, staring at Bahamut Dominion and Anna inside.

“Then can I leave all the negotiations after this to you, Anna?” he asked. “’Cause you’d better believe I’m draggin’ his ass to the table!”

“Of course!” she replied. “You can leave all that to me! You’ll open up our path ahead, father...and I’ll make sure it goes somewhere!”

“Attagirl! You said it!”

Lord Gryphon gave a thumbs-up and turned around. Watt wasn’t worried about the kids anymore. All he had to do now was take Slattmer’s towering arrogance as one of the Tres Coronas and snap it like a twig.

“You heard it, Royal Knights!” Watt exclaimed. “That decrepit scumbag of a king thinks he can just lord over us from on high...and we’re gonna give him a beatin’ he’ll never forget! Who gives a damn if they’re one of the Tres Coronas?! It’s time to show him how valiant, how loyal, the knights of Ogdenn really are—with our blades!”

“Aye! Aye! Aye!” the Lord Gryphon Neos roared as they slammed their blades against their shields in a thunderous accord. Carome gave an angry grunt from her Neo as she swung her halberd around and slammed the butt end against the ground. The Royal Knights’ rage had reached a fever pitch since their queen had been kidnapped. Even without fanning the flames of his own anger, Watt’s fighting spirit soared at its zenith.

Gemmahertburg merely shook its head from its place floating in the sky.

“Look at you filthy maggots swarming together! How completely and utterly disgusting.” Slattmer yelled. “First Knights, hurry and remove them from my sight!”

“Yes, m’lord!”

The Gemmaherve First Order advanced forward. The heavily armored Shelled Mollusks lifted their shields and lined up together. The First Order and the Royal Knights glared at each other, their fighting spirits vying against each other. The air grew so tense that it even seemed to grow hotter as well.

Breaking through the tension was Scott, standing at the front of the Gemmaherve First Order. He slammed his shield against the ground and howled, “First Knights! Crush these wretched criminals!”

Standing in Scott’s place among the Royal Knights, Carome lifted her halberd into the air and turned its point toward her foe. “Royal Knights! Keep them away from Her Majesty!”

By chance, each side’s rallying cry became the signal for the battle to begin.

“Oooooogdenn! You couldn’t be any more foolish standing against our leader!” Scott yelled, racing at the front. “And such folly comes at a steep cost!”

“You speak about the glory of the Tres Coronas, when in truth your master slovenly slumps on his throne, driven by only the beastly instinct to lust for more!” Carome roared back. “Your wicked acts have brought harm to our queen—and for that, your kingdom shall pay the price!”

The Shelled Mollusks came together as they charged ahead in close formation before overlapping their shields.

“First Order, fortify yourselves! Multi-activate—Magi-skill: Rampart Wall!”

The glimmering shine of magic energy began to cover the Mechsteels’ interlocked shields. The effects of each knight’s Magi-skill resonated together, transforming into a dazzlingly radiant light that enveloped the entire First Order.

“And what’s that supposed to be?” one of the Royal Knights said. “Are these guys like Fortress Bisons or something?”

“They’re really tryin’ to show off with their fancy little light show!” Watt said. “Bet that’s a pretty tough wall they’ve made!”

“It doesn’t matter how sturdy their defenses might be!” Carome answered. “We have to break through!”

The Royal Knights at the vanguard collided with the wall of shields. Despite the Lord Gryphon Neos’ remarkable power, the wall easily withstood the attack.

“These things...are hard as a rock!”

There wasn’t a single gap in the Shelled Mollusks’ defenses. Despite trying their tried-and-true tactic of targeting their opponent’s weak points, the Royal Knights couldn’t find a single one to exploit.

“Why dontcha come outta your shells and play a bit, ya damn yellow-bellied turtles?!” Watt yelled. “You that scared of us?”

“I can’t have you assuming that our fortress is a reflection of timidity!” Scott said. “Watch well, scum! Forward! Forward! Forward!”

The tides turned as the Shelled Mollusks pressed ahead, sending tremors running through the ground as they went.

“Gwaaah!”

“Ngh! Didn’t count on this being such a nasty attack!”

The shining wall sent the Neos flying through the air. The Mollusks’ overwhelming defensive capabilities were just like castle walls. The Magi-skill was defense and offense in one, deflecting any and all attacks as the Mechsteels charged ahead. No matter how many times the Lord Gryphon Neos tried to attack, the Shelled Mollusks didn’t even flinch, leaving the Royal Knights at a loss on how to attack.

“Knights, pull back for now! I’ll handle this!” Carome said.

Taking the other knights’ place, her Lord Gryphon Neo leaped ahead. Jumping high into the air, she put her mech’s full weight behind it as she spiraled downward. With the force of the spinning driving her own full-bodied twist, Carome let out a cry as she brought her halberd slamming down.

A heavy, dull sound roared through the air. While the Shelled Mollusks on the receiving end of the attack weren’t destroyed, they were forced back a great deal. Rampart Wall’s glistening aura flickered.

“Wha... She knocked our shields aside?!”

A low voice slipped out from Carome’s Lord Gryphon Neo. “Did you actually think your shields could stop my anger?”

Carome was incredibly angry—at her own humiliating failure in having Anna snatched away from under her nose. With her foe now clearly in her sights, the flames of her rage burned all the higher. Lord Gryphon Neo’s power output spiked in response to its Steelrider’s emotions. Her Neo’s Mech-Heart blazed at full strength as a violent wave of magic energy surged throughout the mech.

“The captain really showed them!”

“Keep going, keep going! Time to show them what the Royal Knights are all about!”

After witnessing Carome’s actions firsthand, the Royal Knights’ morale had reached its peak. With a gap opened up in their foe’s wall, the other knights rushed in to launch attacks one after the other. Their attacks were so overwhelming that even Gemmaherve’s First Order couldn’t withstand them, forcing them to release their interlocked shields.

“Ngh! Our leader is watching... We cannot suffer a shameful loss before him! Push those criminals back!”

“You’re far too shameless, even for a thief!” Carome yelled. “Scum like you is only fit to whet my halberd!”

Their formations long forgotten, the forces collided as the battle spiraled into an all-out melee.

The ground shook as the throng of Mechsteels clashed. Chaos had covered the battlefield, making it impossible to tell which side held the advantage at a glance.

“How terribly, terribly vexing! Rubbish like you has no place getting so carried away!” Slattmer yelled from Gemmahertburg. Its Hyper Magi-skill, the raging currents of water surrounding the mech, began to swirl around it.

“Wash all these damned fools away!” Slattmer went on. “Waste no time in wiping away every last trace of this worthless rabble from the face of the... Ngh?!”

Just when the Crown Knight was about to mow down everything in its surroundings with the currents, Slattmer noticed a shadow rapidly drawing in on him. He took on a defensive posture, rushing to block the attack.

“Not so fast! It’s me you’re up against!”

It was the red Mechsteel that had blocked Gemmahertburg’s attack earlier. With a superb level of mobility reserved for Crusader-class or greater Mechsteels, Lord Gryphon leaped into the air, tearing its dual blades across in a deadly slice. Gemmahertburg, however, couldn’t move nimbly due to its size. Wrapping itself in the currents of water, it deflected the attacks as it moved backward.

“Damn you! A lowly backwoods knight like you, trying to challenge the all-powerful Crown Knight? Raaaaargh! There’s no fixing a worm that doesn’t know his place!”

“There ya are, ridin’ in yer fancy-ass mech, and all ya can do is try ’n’ throw around yer own royal weight? I ain’t got a thing to worry about up against the likes of you!”

“Enough of your prattle! Hold that blasted tongue of yours!”

The water floating around Gemmahertburg shot out like arrows going after the red Mechsteel—after Lord Gryphon. Slashing his dual blades, Watt sent all of the arrows scattering.

“How dare you block my attack?!” Slattmer howled. “You would defy my orders?! Fool, you haven’t the slightest idea what you’ve done!”

“Like hell I’m gonna listen to you!” Watt replied. “There’s only one person in the whole world that gets to order me around—and that’s my queen!”

“Then perish alongside that dear queen of yours! Serpent Supreme, swallow this knave!”

The water swirling around Gemmahertburg suddenly began to rage even more. It transformed into whirling spears, rolling like a wave as it darted toward Lord Gryphon. Watt tried to dodge the attack when he noticed Bahamut Dominion kneeling on the ground behind him.

“Ah, yer not that nasty after all, are ya? All right, you twins! Give this idiot a taste of your Feather Sphere!”

“Bleh! Fiiine, guess we’ll listen!” Ledo said.

A mass of feathers immediately launched up from Bahamut Dominion. Feather Sphere was a Hyper Magi-Skill, a combination of offense and defense in one attack, capable of both piercing its foes on one occasion and forming a protective shield around Bahamut Dominion on another. Shining with magic energy, the feathers stabbed through the water spears and sent them scattering.

With the water spears weakened, Lord Gryphon ripped through them with all its might. They collapsed into mere water and fell to the ground—all while the tip of Watt’s blade remained pointed at Gemmahertburg standing in place before him.

“That’s enough outta you!”

Lord Gryphon bent itself before immediately launching forward in a burst of explosive speed. Kicking off against the ground to soar through the air, it closed in on the Crown Knight in the blink of an eye.

“That Royal Knight Diviner of yours is strong, I’ll give ya that,” Watt said. “But can ya catch up to my Lord Gryphon when you have to be a bit more quick on your feet?”

“You knaaave!” Slattmer howled. “Who permitted you to stand before me?! You filthy, disrespectful gnat! Hyper Magi-skill: Vortex Edge!”

Gemmahertburg summoned the currents of water back, and they began to swirl around and fill the mech’s surroundings. The water raged more and more before transforming into a deadly vortex. It wasn’t just whirling around; filled with magic energy, it was as sharp as a blade, set to tear through all who approached.

“Gotta stay sharp! These Diviners are always a headache and a half—they’ve got enough firepower to just bulldoze their way through anything!”

Lord Gryphon slammed on its brakes, retreating as it drove off the encroaching blades of water with its twin swords. The vortex showed no signs of stopping, however. Watching Lord Gryphon’s unsuccessful offensive from the corner of its eye, Gemmahertburg was the one to approach this time.

“Gwa ha ha! Where did that brazen spirit of yours disappear to? You can’t even get close to me! And now, why don’t you have a taste of this?! Hyper Magi-skill: Dragnet Cage!”

The currents of water began to twist sharply as they whirled around, splitting into several ropelike jets. The threads of water approached Lord Gryphon and interlocked to take on the form of a woven cage.

“Ugh, the hell’s that supposed to be?” Watt said. “That’s one helluva creepy Magi-skill you’ve got there.”

Lord Gryphon tried to step outside, only to be pushed back in by the currents of water. Watt tried to cut his way out from the inside instead, only to find he couldn’t sever the currents due to the tremendous amount of magic energy that had been poured into the water.

“Gweh heh heh! It doesn’t matter how much an insect scurries about—if you trap it in a cage, it’s yours to do with as you please! And are you aware of what happens to insects that get caught, you insolent whelp?”

“Hell if I know,” Watt replied. “Maybe they’d just up and bite your arm clean off?”

“Only one thing awaits them,” Slattmer replied, “and that’s dying in a watery grave!”

Gemmahertburg unleashed an overwhelming burst of magic energy. The energy was then transformed into water, flowing out to weave a cage trapping Lord Gryphon in place.

“Would ya look at that? Now there’s an attack that’s just as slippery and underhanded as you are!”

Lord Gryphon was surrounded by nothing but water. It seemed Slattmer had no intention of giving him a way out, instead opting to drown Watt right there. It was a vile attack launched where Watt had least expected it. Even when he saw the gurgling currents of water close in, however, he remained unbothered. Watt gave a long breath before plunging Lord Gryphon into the water and preparing to leap.

“All righty, then, let’s have a match to find out just what’s stronger: that water cage you’re so damn proud of...or my sword!”

Lord Gryphon’s Mech-Heart throbbed as power surged throughout it. Just before Watt could launch his attack, however, something unusual emerged on the battlefield.

“...The hell?”

The sound rang down from above. It was a piercing blast entirely different from the currents of water: the sound of propellers. The moment Watt heard the sound echoing out in the distance, Lord Gryphon’s head sprang up.

There, he found a single white, straight line stretching across the sky. Just when the line had made its way above their heads, it changed paths, dropping straight down at a ninety-degree angle. The source of the white line descending from on high came straight down, its sights set on the two Mechsteels.

“Huh?!” Watt gasped.

Lord Gryphon only barely managed to leap back before a pitch-black blade tore past and cut through the watery cage, rending it cleanly in two. The black shadow that had appeared from the sky—a Mechsteel, painted black from head to toe—reversed its engines at full throttle right before it hit the ground. With Gemmahertburg no longer in control, the watery cage was knocked away, turning into drops of water that fell on the surroundings below.

Soaked in the downpour from above, the black Mechsteel landed on the ground.

“What a humiliating performance, senior disciple.”

Similarly drenched, Lord Gryphon wiped the drops of water from its blade and stood beside the black Mechsteel.

“Nice to see you too, junior!” Watt said back sarcastically. “What, did you come here to help me?”

He waved at the Mechsteel, but the only response he received was a sword slashing at him. Lord Gryphon rushed to bend backward and dodge the attack.

“And what the hell was that for?! What d’ya think you’re doin’?! That’s dangerous, ya know!”

“Don’t get ahead of yourself,” the junior disciple said. “Don’t think that I’ve forgotten...the task our master left to me. You’re my foe as well.”

For a moment, the red and black Mechsteels glared at each other.

“That so?” Watt said. “Look, I can tango if you wanna dance, but unfortunately I’m in the middle of somethin’ here. Think we could try it from the top tomorrow instead?”

“Out of the question,” the disciple answered. “The reason being...”

The black Mechsteel slid the tip of its blade away and pointed it at the floating mass in the sky that was Gemmahertburg.

“I cannot turn a blind eye to Gemmaherve’s plot—not when it would beckon a disturbance across all of Vahylicard. I have inherited this blade from my master, and its edge shall now judge you for your crimes!”

“Raaagh! First it was the worms, and now it’s you infuriating flies swarming about! Disgusting! Completely and utterly disgusting!”

Looking down on the two from the sky, Gemmahertburg unleashed a new round of water around it.

Watt looked at the black Mechsteel and then Gemmahertburg for a moment before giving a weary sigh.

“I’m the one who’s got business with this royal creep!” he said. “He went after our queen, and now he’s gotta pay up!”

Lord Gryphon lifted its dual blades, pointing one at Gemmahertburg and one at the black Mechsteel. “So I’m gonna need you to leave this one to me come hell or high water, junior...no, Sonata Doré!”

The moment Watt spoke, the black Mechsteel froze in place, only for a low laugh to escape from within. “Heh heh. Ha ha! Bwa ha ha! So you noticed, then, did you?! When did you realize?”

“Right away,” Watt answered. “It wasn’t all that hard findin’ you when I tried looking under the assumption my junior disciple was runnin’ around town. All the little particulars with the way you’ve trained yourself to move... That ain’t the sort of thing you can hide.”

Even though they hadn’t fought, there was something oozing out of each and every move he made. When Watt watched carefully, it wasn’t all that hard to notice. After all, he had been familiar with those movements for decades.

“But it still doesn’t add up,” Watt went on. “What d’ya think you’re gonna do, stickin’ your neck right in the middle of our fight with one of the Tres Coronas?”

“It’s all for my country and my brother,” Sonata answered. “I’ll cut down anything and everything that threatens the peace we enjoy. That is what my master taught me! He took me when I could do nothing and gave me a way to live...as a blade!”

“That sounds exactly like somethin’ the old bastard would say— Whoa!”

The red Mechsteel and the black Mechsteel leaped back in opposite directions at the very same moment. A devastating spear of water pierced the spot the two Mechsteels had been only an instant before.

“Whoops, sorry ’bout that!” Watt said. “I was right in the middle of facin’ off against you, wasn’t I?”

“You’re both bound for the afterlife; you can talk as much as you want there!” Slattmer said. “And I shall send you both there myself...with this!”

Magic energy spurted out from Gemmahertburg all while the straight spear of water began to surge. Before their eyes, the tip of the spear opened up like a jaw, transforming into a watery serpent and springing upon its prey. Without a moment’s delay, the black Mechsteel fled into the sky.

“You just stay there and play, senior disciple,” Sonata said. “I’ll settle the rest of this...alongside Jet Pegasus!”

“Agh, dammit, Sonata!”

Swiftly pushing the watery serpent toward Lord Gryphon, Jet Pegasus closed in on Gemmahertburg all on its own.

“The Crown Knight...” Sonata said. “I’ve only heard rumors—I don’t know how powerful it actually is...so I’ll find out for myself!”

“Enough of your buzzing, gnat!” Slattmer shouted back. “The mere thought of an insect like you challenging me is absurd!”

Activating Vortex Edge, Gemmahertburg created a swirl of water around itself. With the water currents now razor-sharp blades, the attack barred anyone from approaching.

“I’ve seen that attack of yours already,” Sonata said. “Don’t think that Jet Pegasus and I will be stopped so easily! Take a good look! Magi-skill, activate... Beast Shift!”

Jet Pegasus sheathed its sword before immediately beginning to change shape, shifting from an upright humanoid form to that of a four-legged beast. Its helmet morphed to take on the form of a horse’s head. It spread its wings, a steed soaring through the heavens—it had taken on the unmistakable form of a pegasus. Finally, a magical blue flame lit its four hooves as the black pegasus galloped through the sky.

“Take this!”

With a trail of flame stretching out from its propellers, the black pegasus slammed straight into the devastating vortex, its flaming hooves colliding with the watery blades. It was the water blades, however, that ended up crushed.

“There’s more where that came from!”

Jet Pegasus sprinted through the sky, its blue flames flashing. With each collision, the blue flames surrounding the mech’s hooves shattered the blades into nothing more than drops of water, glistening in the sunlight to form a rainbow.

“Charge!”

With the majority of the watery blades shattered, Jet Pegasus unleashed a mighty kick with its back legs to finish the job and smashed the swirling Vortex Edge in two. Unable to whirl around any further, the attack reverted to mere water before scattering and falling.

“You wretched fool!” Slattmer shouted. “How dare you break my currents?! Learn your place, knave!”

“You’re the one who’s going to learn your place...and it’s right there on the ground beneath us!”

Its hooves still lit with the blue flame, Jet Pegasus continued to charge ahead. The whinny of its propellers rang clear as the mech tried to launch a powerful tackle—only for an enormous mass to strike it on the side of its face.

“Agh!”

Jet Pegasus went flying before turning head over hooves and colliding with the ground. Gemmahertburg remained unharmed from its place in the sky. On closer inspection, a massive pair of arms now stretched from the Mechsteel.

“Raaagh! You’ve underestimated me...and the Royal Knight, Gemmahertburg! Ne’er have I seen such deplorably foolish, overblown confidence!”

Gemmahertburg’s shape began to change, its shell-like armor opening up as it stretched out the remaining limbs it had folded up inside. The Mechsteel transformed, going from a clod-like shape into a squat and stocky humanoid form.

Its armor shifted as well, covering every inch of its body. The Mechsteel didn’t appear to be carrying any sort of weapon, but its heavily armored, lumpish limbs could easily become powerful bludgeons—just as it had struck Jet Pegasus moments ago.

“I shall crush you myself!” Slattmer said. “Consider this an honor, worm!”

“Ngh... You’ll have to do better than that!”

Releasing its Beast Shift, Jet Pegasus returned to its humanoid form and rose to its feet with a creak. The Mechsteel’s movements had clearly lost some of their life, however—it’d likely suffered lingering damage from the previous attack. Just then, Gemmahertburg descended to the ground, the earth beneath it shaking as it approached Jet Pegasus. Swinging its metallic, clod-like fist into the air, it prepared to crush the black Mechsteel once and for all—

“Nope, not so fast!”

Having shaken off the watery serpent, Lord Gryphon dashed over, launching a slash at Gemmahertburg’s upheld arm. Watt’s attack, however, was merely deflected, sounding out with a dull echo.

“Whoa, this armor’s hard as a rock!”

Lord Gryphon jumped away. Gemmahertburg shifted targets, swinging in its arm from the side. The devastating blow skimmed past Lord Gryphon, forcing it to take a considerable leap back.

“You’ve got pretty good reflexes, dontcha?”

“Gwa ha ha! I have decades more experience than you pathetic greenhorns!” Slattmer replied.

“Can’t really argue with those old bones of yours, can I?” Watt said.

After leaping back, Lord Gryphon made its way over to Jet Pegasus. Finally managing to straighten himself up, Sonata howled with rage when he saw Lord Gryphon. “Did you think you’d place me in your debt by helping me?!”

“Now that’s a twisted way to think about things,” Watt replied. “Would it kill ya to just say thanks?”

“I owe my foe no gratitude!”

Jet Pegasus lifted its blade. Its tip, however, wasn’t pointed at Gemmahertburg—it was pointed at Lord Gryphon.

“My master...gave me a blade when I could do nothing! The training was indeed harsh, but he made me into who I am today! He said I was his greatest disciple!”

Its blade drooping down, Lord Gryphon merely stood and listened.

“You pushed his outstretched hand aside! And you’re nothing more than a coward who cut him down when his back was turned! I’ll never forgive you for what you’ve done!”

“If what yer sayin’ is true,” Watt replied, “then that fella is a whole different person than the Iqall I knew. He treated his disciples like they were somethin’ he could just burn through—hell, if he didn’t like ’em, the rotten bastard would just cut ’em down on the spot.”

The old memories, now weathered with time, flashed through Watt’s mind. He remembered his other junior disciples—their faces were blurry in his memory now, but he knew they’d been there. All he could remember of them now was their final moments.

“But still, we can save all that for later,” he went on. “Don’t worry—I’ll make sure to settle things between you and me.”

It was only the briefest of moments that Watt had sunken into his memories. Lord Gryphon turned around to glare at the Diviner-class Mechsteel towering over them.

“We’ll talk after we take care of this guy,” he said. “Let’s hurry up and finish this, junior!”

“Don’t order me around!” Sonata replied. “You don’t have to tell me to strike this fool down!”

The red and black Mechsteels broke into a dash at the same time as Gemmahertbug stretched its arms open wide, as if to welcome them.

“Very well—come, then! It’s time you tasted my Crown Knight’s true worth!”

The titan let out a roar as a tremendous amount of magic energy surged throughout its body.

Chapter Eleven: There Was Once a Man I Called Master

“What? His Majesty’s coming down to the ground?!”

A wave of tumult washed over the Gemmaherve First Order. Gemmahertburg was the Crown Knight, the pride of Gemmaherve, their leader. The mech was one of the three supreme Mechsteels that radiantly shone atop the land of Vahylicard—and now, it had descended to the ground to fight. It had left its usual place in the skies to take on its humanoid form for combat, its arms now lifted into the air. Scott could only look up at the sight in blank amazement.

“It’s him... The Top Knight of Ogdenn, was it?” Scott said. “To bring such trouble to His Majesty is unforgivable! First Order, exterminate these insolent knaves and—”

“Did you actually think we were just going to stay quiet and let you go?”

Scott’s words were cut off by the Lord Gryphon Neo that rushed in with halberd in hand. It was none other than the Mechsteel of the captain of the Ogdenn Royal Knights, Carome herself.

“Rgh! Must you constantly get in our way?!” Scott snarled back.

The First Order’s Shelled Mollusks blocked the attack with their shields, but it was too powerful to push back, forcing them off-balance. They found themselves struggling to address Carome’s outstandingly powerful blows.

“It all comes down to this, Royal Knights!” Carome shouted. “We have to contain them here until the Top Knight’s defeated the Crown Knight!”

“We’re counting on you, Top Knight!” one of the knights said.

“He’s the Dragonslayer! A big baddie to deal with isn’t anything new to him!” said another.

“Was that guy calling Ogdenn backwater?! Well, we’ll just show you what these backwater knights can do!”

“I’m sure it’d be just as fine if we defeat his men here and now!” Carome roared, swinging her halberd around. A wave of voices crying out in agreement rose up from across the battlefield. The Royal Knights’ morale showed no signs of stopping as their offensive grew all the stronger. While the Gemmaherve First Order boasted staunch defensive capabilities, they were getting closer and closer to being unable to stave off the Royal Knights’ attacks.

“Stand firm, First Order! We cannot afford to bring shame upon ourselves before His Majesty! Strike them down!”

“The only ones to fall today will be you!” Carome bit back.

The clash between the two sides only grew ever more intense.

***

With the two bands of knights fighting to their side, both the black and the red Mechsteel faced off against the Crown Knight.

“Worms like you are only fit to be squashed underfoot!” Slattmer roared. “And I shan’t allow you to forget it!”

Gemmahertburg brought its fists swinging down with a growl, creating a watery current with Vortex Edge around them. Surrounded by swirling blades of water, its arms grew even more deadly.

“Man, I do not wanna be on the wrong side of that!” Watt said.

Lord Gryphon continued to nimbly dodge Gemmahertburg’s attacks, but each time its fists missed its target and crashed into the ground instead, the attack scraped off the surface like a turbid surge of muddy water. It wasn’t just the ground being affected either—even the nearby buildings had been caught up in the attacks, sending debris flying through the air. Gemmahertburg’s reckless rampage had made veritable ruins out of the center of the post town. In an even nastier twist, Slattmer, the town’s own king, couldn’t care one smidgen less about its state.

“Wrappin’ up your own town in all this mess and you don’t even blink an eye?” Watt asked. “And you call yourself a king?!”

“What an odd thing to say,” Slattmer replied. “Every inch of this town belongs to me. Its people, its buildings, and even the very ground it rests on. And as its owner, I may do with it as I please!”

“All I can do is thank my lucky stars you aren’t our king!” Watt said.

Stepping past Lord Gryphon, Jet Pegasus burst into the skies, flying in an arc before cutting in on its foe and launching an attack from the rear.

“You’ll make fine feed for my serpent!” Slattmer yelled.

The currents surrounding Gemmahertburg’s arms changed shape before launching off in the form of Serpent Supreme. With Jet Pegasus forced to suddenly change direction, the watery serpent chased after it with its enormous jaw opened wide. Refusing to allow the two Mechsteels to even draw close to him, the old king gave a piercing sneer.

“Hee hee! Your numbers won’t do you any good, no matter how many of you worms spring up! My, it’s been so long since I’ve gotten to run about in the Crown Knight! It’s like I can feel the life flowing back into these old bones!”

“Ugh, this old bastard’s really feelin’ his oats!” Watt groaned.

Complaining wouldn’t help a thing, though. Equipped with both strong armor and overwhelming power, as well as boasting multiple Magi-skills that excelled at both offense and defense, there was no doubting the Crown Knight’s true power.

And from the way the old guy talks, he’s no stranger to the battlefield himself. Bastard knows how to fight.

The king was a more troublesome contender than Watt had imagined. While there were still a few gaps for the time being, it was only a matter of time until Slatter fully regained his ingrained instincts.

Guess I can’t let the fight drag on for too long, huh? That’s all the more reason I wish we could just work together and put the bag of bones down now, but...

Watt glanced over at the black Mechsteel that had now made its way back after shaking off Serpent Supreme. Sonata Doré was Watt’s junior disciple, who’d studied under the very same master. While Watt held nothing but disgust for his master, he had no objections about Sonata using the skills he’d learned. If the two disciples were to combine their power, they had more than a fair shot at winning, and yet—

“Hey, junior! We ain’t gettin’ anywhere like this! We’ve gotta line up our timin’ and attack together!”

“I don’t need to cooperate with the likes of you!” Sonata snarled. “It doesn’t matter how strong the Crown Knight might be, I must strike down the fiend with my own hand! All I need is to force my way through!”

Watt found himself met with only Sonata’s unyielding retorts. Fighting back the urge to sigh, he raised his voice, dodging Gemmahertburg’s fists as he went. “You know it just as well as I do! Tryin’ to beat this guy all on your own is one helluva task!”

“I can do it!” Sonata snapped back. “My master said I was his greatest masterpiece! He said I was even more skilled than you, my senior disciple! You might not be able to, but I can!”

Sure enough, as if to cut their conversation off at that, Jet Pegasus set off launching an attack from the air.

Pulling Lord Gryphon back for a moment, Watt sank into thought as he watched the battle play out. So that’s what this is all about, huh? I’m startin’ to get a pretty good idea of what that old scumbag was playin’ at. The bastard raised Sonata to be my rival!

Even when Watt had trained underneath him, Master Iqall’s objective had been to produce strong warriors. The same words that Watt had heard time and time again came back to life from the recesses of his memory.

“It’s strength that you need—the strength to slay your foe, no matter the battle! This world is filled with battle, and it’s strength that will reign supreme therein! I have no need of those who cannot rise to those heights... Such failures are better off rotting like the deadwood they are!”

Iqall followed the depraved path that drove him to cut down anything other than strength as meaningless and treat lives as nothing more than tools to be burned through. That was the man Master Iqall had been.

“Hah hah... Splendid! You did a fine job concealing your presence... To think you’d be able to strike me from behind! Watt! You’ve now completed your transformation...into my greatest masterpiece...”

It was all bullshit—and that was exactly why Watt had cut down his master and fled from his reach. And yet, it seemed his master hadn’t died after all. He’d continued to live on in secret, and before too long, he’d decided to take on another disciple, unfazed by what had befallen him.

But if he did things the way he had up until then, he’d just wind up with another sword in his back. That’s why the old bastard changed up his strategy...

He’d bound his new disciple to his will with kindness alongside his harsh training. Not only that, but he’d entrusted his disciple with a task with his dying breath.

All that to make him face off against me... The bastard’s just as rotten to the core as he was the day I met him! I’ve had enough of your “greatest creation” nonsense—we ain’t yer damn toys to play with!

Jet Pegasus continued its foolhardy slew of attacks against Gemmahertburg. Meanwhile, Watt could see Slattmer growing more and more confident in his movements with each passing moment.

If that’s how it is, then...I’ve gotta cut those chains keepin’ him all bound up. As someone who came before him...and as his senior disciple...that’s what I’m here for!

Watt steeled his resolve as Lord Gryphon broke out into a dash. Speed was what he needed. Speeding up while so low to the ground it seemed he might scrape it off, Watt let his momentum carry him as he launched an attack.

“Ngh?!”

Even the Crown Knight hadn’t been able to catch Watt’s incredibly swift movement. Gemmahertburg’s fist swung blankly through the air as Watt cut at the mech’s leg in passing. Lord Gryphon had been unable to slice through Gemmahertburg’s heavy armor, however, leaving the attack to end only in scattered sparks.

“Junior!” Watt called out. “Just what do you plan on doin’ when you go off and beat the Crown Knight all on your own, huh?!”

“What did you say...?!”

Lord Gryphon turned around after slipping past Gemmahertburg. Unleashing another round of attacks, Watt called out to Jet Pegasus.

“So it’s all fine and dandy just as long as you’re strong?!” he went on. “How’s that any different than what the Tres Coronas are doin’? You’ve seen it just as well as I have—they throw around their own strength, smash things up, and treat tons of people like dirt!”

“Wha...” Sonata stammered. “No, that’s not it. I—!”

Watt didn’t fail to notice the bolt of unease that sparked through Jet Pegasus’s movements. Where Lord Gryphon launched a slew of attacks with even greater intensity, Jet Pegasus’s attacks gradually began to lose their spirit.

“That old bastard we had for a master never thought of anything other than strength!” Watt said. “I was the same way once...but there was nothin’ I could use it for! I was just swingin’ my sword all over the place day in and day out! That’s why I entered the army—I wanted a reason to fight.”

“Enough scurrying around, you pathetic insects!”

Finding himself on the receiving end of a slew of slashes, Slattmer had lost his temper, unleashing Vortex Edge around Gemmahertburg’s feet. Undeterred, Watt merely shifted to another target, jumping this time to slash away at the mech’s arm.

“Havin’ strength and nothin’ more doesn’t mean a damn thing!” he continued. “What matters is your goal... What you’re tryin’ to protect with that strength of yours!”

“I have something to protect!” Sonata shot back. “I’m protecting them! My brother and my Doré!”

Also known as “the Fellblade,” Sonata Doré was a mighty general who struck fear into the hearts of Doré’s foes. His might could indeed be considered a force helping keep his nation safe...and yet—

“So yer tellin’ me sneakin’ into another kingdom’s inn in the middle of the night and goin’ on a rampage in that pitch black Mechsteel of yours is to protect them too?” Watt demanded. “How in the hell do ya think you’re ever gonna protect ’em when yer just swingin’ yer sword around like a goddamn spoiled brat?!”

“That’s not...!”

Watt’s attacks grew all the more intense. Pushing Lord Gryphon’s mobility to its limits, he attacked every inch of his foe. Had it not been for the Crown Knight’s defensive capabilities, Watt would’ve successfully cut it down ages ago. Jet Pegasus, on the other hand, had clearly lost momentum, hesitatingly staring at its sword.

It forcefully shook its head. “No, no... No! If you can’t protect everyone with your blade...then that just means you were too weak, nothing more! I’m not like you!”

“That’s right, I am weak!” Watt said back. “And I know it! That’s why I know what it means to fight together!”

“You know what?!”

In response to Watt’s high spirits, Lord Gryphon surged with even more power. With a sharp burst of steam trailing behind it, the red Mechsteel shot ahead like an arrow. Lord Gryphon’s obstinate onslaught of attacks pierced its foe’s armor, finally succeeding in wounding one of the giant’s legs.

Gemmahertburg’s enormous frame swayed and slanted to the side. The weight that came with its heavy armor working against it, the mech sank to one knee, unable to uphold itself.

“It’s only a single leg of mine you’ve struck!” Slattmer said. “My Gemmahertburg is still hale and hearty!”

Gemmahertburg surged with magic energy, summoning a bubbling stream of water. Even with its movements dulled, its Magi-skill defenses were still alive and well.

Not pressed in the slightest, however, Watt merely called out. “No reason we have to beat this guy with just one attack. And it doesn’t even have to be me that finishes him off, see? I’ll leave the rest to you!”

That same moment, Bahamut Dominion—which had been crouched down until then—rose to its feet.

***

With Bahamut Dominion still crouched over after the attack it had suffered, Anna, who’d been watching her father fight, stood up within the cockpit and clenched her fists.

Watt was fighting against the gigantic foe responsible for kidnapping her. And yet, in her time watching, she’d come to see what their true enemy was. Each and every word her father had said had shown her what she had to do.

“Father... I see now. I’ll be there...alongside you. Ledo, may I take your place?” Anna was certain it was just what they needed right now.

“You want to take my place, sis? And what’re you gonna do?”

Ledo bent backward to look up at his older sister, only for Anna to give him a gentle grin back. “Good question... I suppose you could call this your magnum opus of mischief!”

“Psssh! That sounds kinda fun! Go ahead!”

Leda leaned forward, a nasty grin on her face to match her brother’s.

Anna slid into the cockpit in his place and took a breath. She knew how to operate a Mechsteel—surely there couldn’t be that much of a difference just because this was a Diviner.

“Bahamut...lend me your strength, just for a bit!”

The Mechsteel had belonged to her stepfather, a hostile force that had once been used to capture her. Now, however, the Mechsteel responded to the will of its Steelrider, letting out a burst of steam as it increased its magic power output.

Anna quickly assessed its condition. While it had lost one of its arms, the other was unharmed. There was no end to the areas where it had suffered minor damage, but there’d be no harm in moving it once. It was more than enough.

Calming her breathing, Anna peered into the cockpit’s display. The moment came soon enough.

Lord Gryphon’s string of attacks destroyed Gemmahertburg’s leg. Watching the titan be knocked off-balance in turn, Anna pushed the control stick forward as far as it would go.

“I’m coming right now!”

That same moment, Bahamut Dominion ferociously leaped forward.

“What?!” the old king shouted, realizing what they were doing. “It’s you knaves!”

Gemmahertburg, however, was unable to run away due to its injuries.

“Bwa ha ha ha! Did we surprise you? We can still move, you know!”

“Bwa ha ha ha! Mr. Old Guy, you’ve gotta play with us too!”

The twins were making a stir, going wild on either side of the cockpit. Desperately trying to pilot the Mechsteel, however, Anna didn’t hear a word of it.

“Stop thiiiiiiiis!”

Paying no heed to the aged king’s screams, Bahamut Dominion swung the massive broadsword it held in its remaining arm into the air.

“Hyper Magi-skill...”

“Time for a taste of Tidal Severance!” the twins chanted.

The Mechsteel’s magic energy ran wild as a ruinous gale enveloped the broadsword. Tidal Severance was a Hyper Magi-skill taking full advantage of the Diviner-class Mechsteel’s overwhelming power output. Nothing could stand before the force of the attack, nor could anything guard against it. The attack was every bit as destructive as even the Crown Knight’s skills.

“I won’t allow it!” Slattmer yelled.

Struggling, Gemmahertburg swung its fist into the air to meet the attack, viciously slamming into Bahamut Dominion’s Tidal Severance. The moment saw the Crown Knight’s defenses vie against the destructive power of the Hyper Magi-skill. The struggle lasted no longer than the blink of an eye, however.

The massive broadsword creaked as a crack ran through it, while Gemmahertburg’s fist shattered with a piercing noise. With the gale winds still surrounding it, the enormous broadsword cut through Gemmahertburg’s arm and crashed into the ground.

“Waaaaagh!”

As the gale winds raged about, the fragments of Gemmahertburg’s shattered arm scattered in a cloud of dust. Blustered by the wind after losing its arm, the Crown Knight’s frame finally tilted to the side before collapsing into the wreckage of the town’s buildings with a thunderous crash.

“You did a wonderful job, Bahamut,” Anna said.

“Uh-oh, wonder if it can still move?” the twins asked.

After launching the attack, Bahamut Dominion had taken a knee. It seemed the Mechsteel had been pushed too far while it was still damaged. And yet, as far as Anna was concerned, the fact that she’d been able to firmly land the blow was more than enough—she had no room to worry about the condition of the Mechsteel.

With Gemmahertburg collapsed on its back, Lord Gryphon flew over and smacked its sword against Gemmahertburg beneath it.

“Looks like we’ve settled this now,” Watt declared. “’Bout time you gave up, O Crowned One.”

“What, give up?!” Slattmer howled back. “I am one of the Tres Coronas! Why in the world should I have to flatter worms like you?! That would be the true mistake!”

“What, did you think I’d take it easy on you just ’cause you said you were one of the Crowns?” Watt asked. “How stupid do you think I am, honestly?”

As the two bickered back and forth, Bahamut Dominion’s cockpit opened up to reveal Anna.

“King Slattmer,” she began. “What do you say? Would you be so kind as to take a seat at the negotiating table?”

“What did you say...?” Slattmer said. “You ask me to sit at the same table as outsiders like you?!”

“As you can see, we are neither rubbish nor insects,” Anna replied. “There’s no mistaking that we are people who live in this land. Even if I had never been crowned at my kingdom’s peak...I’m just the same as you. I am a queen bearing her kingdom upon her shoulders.”

“Ngh, grh, nnnnnngh...!”

The sound of Slattmer grinding his teeth echoed out. From within the cockpit of the defeated Gemmahertburg, the old king was desperately racking his brain for solutions.

This can’t be... he thought. No, this mustn’t be! I am one of the Tres Coronas! How could I be defeated...?!

And yet, Gemmahertburg was in truth on the verge of ruin, and the First Order found themselves stopped in place, unable to overpower the Royal Knights of Ogdenn. The Crown Knight was now being kicked around and even struck with a sword. It was the sort of defeat one couldn’t even begin to make excuses for.

The old king suppressed his rage as he spoke. “Negotiate? And just what do you hope to gain in defeating us? Do you seek to level all of Vahylicard in the Tres Coronas’ place?!”

“Far from it,” Anna replied. “We seek only peace and harmony. Yet, if any seek to threaten that peace, then we shall stand against them. We have the power we wield not merely to seek it, but to unmistakably follow that same path.”

“Heh heh, what nonsense,” Slattmer replied. “You’ll learn soon enough—you’ll learn the duty that falls on those with power! You must lead the common rabble and crush any who would stand against you! Should you fail to do so, there will be no end to the foes who arise to challenge you! All that lies at the end of such trying exhaustion is weariness and destruction!”

“So then you would use such power to reign over them?!” Anna demanded.

“There is no other choice!”

“If that is the case,” Anna went on, “then resisting that temptation is yet another role of power. So long as there are those who’ve given me power supporting me, then I shall triumph over that same temptation!”

“A monarch can only count on their own power to stand tall!” Slattmer replied. “The mere thought of relying on the dregs of society is nothing short of absurd... Ungh!”

Lord Gryphon gave Gemmahertburg a sound smack with its blade, cutting the king off mid-shout.

“Damn, you really are somethin’, talkin’ so high-and-mighty when yer ass is on the ground,” Watt said. “Guess I shouldn’t expect anything less of one of the Tres Coronas, huh?”

“King Slattmer has been on the throne the longest out of the current generation of Tres Coronas,” Sonata answered from within Jet Pegasus. “All that time’s made him persistent, if nothing else.”

“So he’s the most stubborn outta the Tres Coronas too, then,” Watt replied.

Watt had had more than his fair share of the king’s behavior. Even after showing him how strong they were, the king was still grumbling—he couldn’t imagine a worse loser. How in the world were they ever supposed to get him to the negotiating table? Watt seriously began debating just ripping him straight out of the cockpit.

“Why are you even trying to talk with the fool in the first place?” Sonata muttered. “You should go ahead and kill that royal refugee here and now.”

Jet Pegasus’s grip around the sword in its hand tightened. One of the Tres Coronas who reigned over Vahylicard was now stuck in a humiliating position before their very eyes. If they were going to kill him, there’d be no better time than now.

“You...won,” Sonata went on. “You were very nearly killed, and now you’d just forgive him? How in the world could you forgive that?!”

“We didn’t beat him to kill him, y’know,” Watt answered. “Winnin’ was just a way to get ourselves some options. But when it comes to what options we choose...that’s where real strength comes in.”

The black and the red Mechsteel glared at each other.

“So you’d just let someone off the hook when it works for you, and kill ’em when it doesn’t?” Watt said. “How in the hell is that anything close to peace? She fought and chose to talk! That’s my queen—my own daughter I couldn’t be any more proud of! I found out what to use my strength for...and that’s supporting her and keeping her safe.”

With Sonata at a loss for words, Jet Pegasus dropped its sword down a moment later. Watt exhaled. He’d told his junior disciple what he needed to tell him. Now all Sonata needed was time to think.

Just then, a calm laugh descended from on high.

“Heh heh, ha ha ha, ha ha ha! Splendid! What a splendid resolution!”

Looking up into the sky, Watt found a single white Mechsteel flapping its wings. Seeing the emblem of Aldavonga engraved onto the mech, he gave an ambiguous groan.

“I heard everything! I’d expect nothing less of you, Queen Anna. You show your power, yet uphold peace all the same! Such is a feat out of the reach of the masses! Power alone isn’t enough, nor will wishes alone work! I knew it... You are a rare breed indeed! A backcountry nation like Ogdenn is no place for a person like you.”

Just as the white Mechsteel touched down, a shadow bolted across the ground. With a whirring slash of black thrown upon it, the white Mechsteel skillfully blocked.

“Damn you, Colth Aldavongaaaaaa!” Sonata roared. “What did you show up for?!”

“My, my,” Colth said. “From the look of things, I’d wager it’s the Fellblade himself in there!”

Lord Gryphon cut in between the Mechsteels’ neck-and-neck clash.

“Junior, would it kill ya to not go off bitin’ at the drop of a hat?!” Watt groaned. “What sort of mangy, untrained mutt are you?!”

“This wretch is my kingdom’s mortal foe!” Sonata replied. “How can you fault me for attacking my foe when they appear on the battlefield?!”

“Ya got a point there,” Watt said. “But ya don’t make a lotta friends that way either.”

Lord Gryphon pushed Jet Pegasus aside, creating distance between the two. Despite turning to face the white Mechsteel again, there was something suspicious in Watt’s tone.

“While I can’t speak for my junior disciple here, I had it pegged that you wouldn’t be showin’ up, Prince Colth.”

“There’s no doubt that if I’d interfered, things would’ve only gotten even more complicated,” Colth answered. “But the king is a tenacious old man—I thought it best to intercede here to push the negotiations forward in the right direction.”

“Do you intend to take credit for our victory?” Watt asked back after a moment.

“Heavens, no!” Colth replied. “My Aldavonga is merely lending its aid to your victory, nothing more. I hope only to fill in what is lacking in the spirit of cooperation.”

Watt couldn’t accept the prince’s words at face value. And yet, the fact remained that he’d more than had his fill of Slattmer’s dogged tenacity. Having the cooperation of Aldavonga, one of the Tres Coronas, would indeed be beneficial for Ogdenn. What’s more, the effects of Colth’s appearance were immediately visible. Despite having raised such a fuss earlier, the old king had now grown completely quiet.

“What are you doing here...spawn of Aldavonga?”

“My, what an honor to have you remember me, King Slattmer. I came here to fulfill my promise with the Top Knight of Ogdenn standing here—I promised that I’d assist with saving Queen Anna.”

“You foolish scoundrel!” Slattmer said. “Have those outsider dogs tempted you into breaking the Vow against War?!”

“That’s quite enough pointless struggling out of you,” Colth replied. “Gemmaherve’s strategy was to bring the Kingdom of Ogdenn under its own rule—if anything, you’re the one who violated the vow first. And with that in mind, it falls on the Kingdom of Aldavonga to make you pay the price for that violation. It seems you’ve just suffered a rather painful counterattack... Prepare yourself.”

King Slattmer clenched his fists to keep from shaking. Damn you, Aldavonga... You were waiting for this!

It was a commonplace affair for the Tres Coronas to try and get in the way of their mutual plots to get the better of each other. This time, however, was a grave situation indeed. Gemmaherve had lost the Crown Knight, and the First Order was exhausted. Had the tables been turned, Slattmer would’ve gleefully gone off to crush his foe when they were down on their luck. “Going easy” on each other wasn’t a part of the Tres Coronas’ vocabulary.

More than anything, Slattmer needed firepower to shrug off the pressure upon him, and what he’d need to rebuild his forces—and repair the Crown Knight with—was time. The king would have to buy time, no matter how unsightly of a form that might take.

Everything about that damned Ogdenn is infuriating! Slattmer cursed. To think those knaves would be able to inflict such damage on the Crown Knight...

He couldn’t deny that he’d written off his foes as no more than mere outsiders. In truth, there hadn’t been a single force capable of resisting the Tres Coronas until now. The old king’s arrogance hadn’t been entirely unfounded.

I haven’t bent the knee to an outsider like Ogdenn! This is merely to stop Aldavonga, nothing more! It’s a strategic retreat!

“...Very well. Let us strike a bargain, then!”

Stringing together excuse after excuse in his mind, the old king forced out his words reluctantly.

“Now that’s somethin’!” Watt said. “Sounded a whole lot like he doesn’t regret a damn thing. Can I give him another wallopin’ just to be safe?”

“I think that’s enough, father,” Anna replied. “You can leave the rest to me.”

“Okaaay.”

Thus chided by his daughter, the Top Knight dejectedly stepped down.

***

Anna took a look at her surroundings. All of the knights had borne all manner of wounds, and even her own Bahamut Dominion had been half destroyed. It was far from the sort of situation they could talk in.

“Still, the fact remains that we couldn’t hope for any sort of constructive conversation with both sides exhausted so,” Anna replied. “We would like to negotiate at another time and place.”

“Oh, I see! What a brilliant idea! Quite impressive for an outsider like you!” Slattmer said, springing to life at once. Time was just what the king had wanted. With time, he could patch up his forces. Then, they would trounce those insolent newcomers like they were nothing—

“Should we negotiate at another point, needless to say the Kingdom of Aldavonga shall be in attendance as well,” Colth said.

Slattmer’s expression grew serious. “We’ve no need of the likes of you!”

“Ha ha ha! Don’t think we’re about to let you make your escape,” Colth replied.

“Hee hee hee! Why, I wouldn’t dream of running away!” Slattmer said.

Anna nodded as Colth and the old king feuded away. “That’s worth mentioning. Having Gemmaherve fail to attend as promised is the last thing we want as well. We would welcome the Kingdom of Aldavonga to attend the negotiations with us. And...” She put on a lovely, beaming smile. “I’ll also speak with Emperor Caesar.”

“Y-You... You mustn’t! No...!” The king found himself gasping for breath, so much so it seemed he might very well breathe his last.

Slattmer wished the fools could see what it was they were suggesting. Finding himself at reparation talks after an unseemly loss to an outsider was humiliating already. The premise of it was terrible enough just with Aldavonga in attendance—should Menallazohortz join in as well, there was no doubt that the Tres Coronas’ Royal Bashing of Gemmaherve wouldn’t be far behind. No doubt about it—Emperor Caesar would be there, grinning from ear to ear. Even if Slattmer were successful in rebuilding his forces, finding himself in such hellacious straits was the last thing he wanted.

“...But why should Menallazohortz be there as well? We should be plenty, shouldn’t we?”

Surprisingly enough, even Colth voiced his displeasure alongside Slattmer.

“We are deeply grateful for your assistance, Prince Colth,” Anna said, softly holding him back as he leaned forward at the suggestion. “And yet, disrupting the balance of the Tres Coronas would bring only harm. You needn’t worry either, King Slattmer. So long as you come to the table fairly, we’ll take no violent action. Upon my own name, you have my word.”

“...You are the victor here, Queen Anna,” Colth replied. “If that is what you wish, then I have no objections.” Despite still seeming somewhat unconvinced, he stepped back after thinking for a moment.

While the old king continued to put up a pointless struggle, it was the very moment in which the battle’s true victor had been decided.

“My little girl’s gotten pretty tough, huh?” Watt merely crossed his arms and nodded as he watched.

***

And so, the battle came to an end as the Ogdenn army left the Gemmaherve Post Town behind.

Anna carefully trudged along in the damaged Bahamut Dominion, doing all she could to keep the mech moving. The Royal Knights’ Lord Gryphon Neos all kept guard around her. Despite being riddled with battle damage from head to toe, the Royal Knights seemed proud of the wounds they bore.

Once the group had gone a fair distance from the Gemmaherve Post Town, Watt and Lord Gryphon turned around.

“All righty, then,” he said quietly. “I kept ya waiting a long time, junior. Sorry to drag you into all of our business like that. Now...let’s do this, Sonata.”

Chapter Twelve: Flowers for the Lady

The group headed out for the suburbs of Yantaggio in the Kingdom of Emperimo. There, in a field with hardly even any trees, the two Steelriders’ Mechsteels faced each other.

One of them was red: Lord Gryphon. The other was black: Jet Pegasus. They’d both just managed to come through a vicious battle, and the damage they’d suffered remained unaddressed.

“Watt, do you really have to do this right now?” Carome said with a sigh.

Watt, who’d descended from Lord Gryphon and was staring at his surroundings for no reason in particular, instinctively scratched at his head when he heard the exasperated tone in Carome’s voice. “Yeah, sorry ’bout that. But ya gotta strike the iron while it’s still hot, y’know?”

“You’ve always been like that,” Carome said. “And I’ve always thought you were acting just like a little kid who couldn’t stand to wait.”

“Oh...”

Unable to come up with a single thing to say back, Watt merely stood there, only for Anna to come along.

“Father, we’ve finished the preparations. You can do as you please from here.”

“Gotcha... Thanks, Anna. I’m sure you’ve gotta be plenty tuckered out yourself, though.”

“I’m fine!” she replied. “And besides, your...problem with your junior disciple is important to me too.” Anna huffed and stuck out her chest as she nodded. “It’s for our relationship with Doré as well. I want to be able to engage with Prince Sonata without anything hindering that!”

“You just leave all that to me,” Watt said. “I’m gonna sort all that out.”

Waving to the two of them, he took his leave. Sonata Doré was waiting quietly, his gaze cast down to the ground his sword was plunged into. Sensing that Watt had come, he opened his eyes.

“All righty, then,” Watt said, “I’m makin’ sure one last time. This is a duel—a battle between just the two of us. And what’s on the line is...”

“Avenging my master and overcoming the final trial he left for me.”

“Well, then, I guess I’ll just put an end to my ties with that rotten old bastard once and for all,” Watt replied.

Watt and Sonata glared at each other. Their gazes weren’t accompanied by any words at all, but they spoke their feelings eloquently nonetheless. They merely nodded at each other and headed off toward their respective partners.

The Mechsteels bristled and each let out a burst of hot steam. With the will of their Steelriders now driving them, the steel titans came to life and took their blades in hand.

“And as a third party, I shall serve as witness to this duel.”

A white Mechsteel stood between the two—it was Colth’s exclusive unit, the Crusader-class Austere Shrike. Naturally, of course, Jet Pegasus turned its head to glare at the white Mechsteel.

“Why in the world did you have to ask him of all people?” Sonata demanded. “If it’s a witness you need, your knights of Ogdenn are right over there!”

“It’s because I would be the most evenhanded figure as a third party,” Colth said. “And I find this quite interesting as well, I might add. Doré’s famed Fellblade against the Top Knight of Ogdenn who walked the same path... A fight like that’s surely worth a fortune in its own right.”

While Sonata’s sour expression came as no surprise, he had no choice but to accept it in light of the situation. What’s more, despite Carome and the others’ exhaustion from their battle, they had to prioritize keeping Anna safe. With Bahamut Dominion substantially damaged as well, they found themselves short on alternatives.

That was exactly why neither Watt nor Sonata had even the slightest thought of arranging for another time and place. If they weren’t going to settle things here and now, when would they?

“Now, let the duel begin!”

Colth announced the start of the duel from within Austere Shrike before pulling back. Even then, however, neither of the two moved at all, instead merely glaring at each other without readying themselves for battle.

“What’s wrong?” Watt asked. “We can get started any time, y’know?”

Sonata stood there in silence for a moment before finally readying his blade.

“It’s not a matter of who’s right and who’s wrong,” Sonata said slowly. “This is my sword—the blade I’ve inherited from my master. It doesn’t matter what I protect... I’m here now as nothing more than a single blade!”

“Works for me!” Watt said. “C’mon, then! I’ll take yer challenge head-on, fair and square!”

The Mechsteels sprang into action at the very same moment. The red Mechsteel broke into a dash while the black spread its wings. Watching Jet Pegasus soar into the sky alongside the roar of its propellers, Watt gave an intrepid grin.

“You ain’t got a monopoly on this flyin’ around business!” he said. “I can do just the same! Mode Shift!”

Immediately, Lord Gryphon took on the form of a winged, four-legged beast: a gryphon. With a shrill howl, Lord Gryphon flew into the sky after Jet Pegasus and its black wings.

“Bring it!” Sonata yelled.

Jet Pegasus shifted into a dive, bringing its blade down after Lord Gryphon. Lord Gryphon, however, was wrapped from head to talon in the shimmering glow of magic energy. Mode Shift didn’t just change the Mechsteel’s shape—it was a Magi-skill at its core. Forcefully repelling Jet Pegasus’s sword strike, Lord Gryphon proceeded to launch a tackle.

“Have a taste of this!” Watt cried.

“Come at me!”

Jet Pegasus twisted itself to dodge the attack...but Gryphon’s speed won out. As the two Mechsteels passed each other, Lord Gryphon pierced Jet Pegasus’s wing, destroying its propeller.

“Ngh?! I can’t fly!”

With one of its wings damaged, Jet Pegasus began to fall. Despite being thrown tremendously off-balance, it shifted its weight to straighten itself, avoiding a painful collision with the ground as it managed to safely descend somehow. Jet Pegasus folded in its remaining wing as Lord Gryphon released Mode Shift and returned to the ground.

“We’ll be able to lock blades as much as we want this way!” Watt said.

“You landed the first blow, nothing more!” Sonata shouted back.

This time, the two dashed toward each other with blades in hand. Repelling each other’s strikes, they dodged the other’s reversals before each launching their own follow-up attacks. It was just the same as it had been that night. It was a clash between fellow disciples; given that their attacks shared the same basics, it was only to be expected that they would fight the same way. And yet, a trace of anxiety had begun to emerge in Sonata’s expression.

What’s going on? he thought. We both know each other’s skills, so why is he able to dodge my attacks so easily?!

Sonata had launched more attacks than Watt had in terms of sheer numbers. And yet, his attacks were slowly starting to be parried away more and more. He’d landed no decisive blows—it was like pelting a willow tree with a gust of wind. Watt should’ve been expecting Sonata’s reversals to meet them with his own, but for some incomprehensible reason, their timing didn’t match up. And yet, every now and again, the counterattacks that Watt squeezed in would find their mark and land a sound blow against Jet Pegasus.

Each of his attacks missed by just a hair—Sonata felt his frustration pile up from within him. Yet the gap between them was a vital one, with Sonata unable to find a way to catch up.

Yeah, you really are well trained, junior, Watt thought. Those moves of yours are sharp as a razor. The old bastard wasn’t all wrong when he called you his greatest disciple.

But that was exactly why Watt couldn’t help but feel frustrated. “What a damn pity. Every last drop of your strength...goes right into defeatin’ your opponent. And that’s why I can tell where you’re aimin’ clear as day!”

The swordplay that Master Iqall had drilled into Sonata... The particulars of movement were so deeply embedded within him that his body moved before he even had time to think... One look at them revealed Sonata’s longstanding devotion to his craft. His blade boasted a truly refined sharpness. But it was bitterly disappointing that the one who’d whetted his blade was Master Iqall—only one man.

“There’s no doubt you were his strongest disciple...but that’s as far it goes!” Watt said.

Watt Sears had tasted defeat on countless occasions. Since striking down Iqall, he’d crossed paths with many people and made his way through all sorts of battlefields. The passage of time hadn’t just equipped him with a refined technique—it had given him a strong yet supple flexibility. It was the blade of the man who’d made his brilliant return to his old post as Top Knight of the Kingdom of Ogdenn.

Sonata clenched his teeth. “I’ll surpass all that with my own blade!”

He put all his might behind his sword as he gave a mighty war cry. It was his most piercing attack yet, forcing Lord Gryphon to respond with everything it had. Their blades collided with a flurry of sparks before being knocked away. Foreseeing Watt’s reversal, Sonata raced to follow up with another attack—only for Lord Gryphon to rush in even closer in the blink of an eye, past the reach of Sonata’s blade. With Jet Pegasus’s sword in the air about to swing, Lord Gryphon pinned down the base of the blade and knocked it away. The weapon danced through the air, out of Jet Pegasus’s grip, before plunging into the ground.

Sonata stood blankly, with the tip of Lord Gryphon’s blade now pointed at his throat. A moment later, he gave a heavy sigh, as if to push out all the air in his lungs.

“...You truly are strong.”

“I’ve been doin’ this for a while longer than you—I can’t go losin’ that easily now, y’know,” Watt said back.

A light laugh escaped Sonata’s lips. It was as if he’d suddenly been convinced all at once. Far more than with his words, his own blade understood full well what had happened: that he had lost.

“That’s it. I’ve lost.”

Now that he’d actually been defeated, the blow wasn’t as painful as he’d imagined. He still recognized Watt as the foe that had struck down his master, and yet, even more than that, he recognized Watt’s strength as another swordsman.

“So you’ve beaten me in strength and will alike, then...” Sonata said. “Perhaps I wasn’t his greatest creation after all.”

Lord Gryphon twirled its sword around and rested it on its shoulder. Watt let out a grandiose cry of surprise. “The hell are you talkin’ about? If that’s how it is, then what’s stoppin’ ya from just trainin’ more? That’s what you’ve always done, ain’t it?”

Sonata’s expression went blank at Watt’s offhanded remark.

“I hate that old shitstain from the bottom of my heart!” Watt exclaimed. “But I don’t think everything he taught me was wrong. Even when we couldn’t handle our swords well, and even when we lost, we never fell down flat on our faces!”

They’d always swung their swords. Whether it was because it’d been forced on them or because they were driven by necessity was unclear, but even while each of them bore their own feelings, they swung their swords the same. They’d poured themselves into their blades.

“Ya can’t just be stiff—ya gotta be more flexible than that,” Watt said. “The moment you stop honin’ that blade of yours is the moment it starts to get brittle.” That was almost certainly the secret to his own strength.

“You’re right, my senior disciple,” Sonata said, nodding. “No, excuse me... Sir Watt Sears.”

I’m glad to have you as my senior disciple. He was about to say the words, but in the end, they never left his lips.

“...Magi-skill: Lightning Arrow.”

The roar of thunder and the blinding flash of lightning broke out before Sonata could even speak. An eye-burningly bright arrow of lightning flashed through the sky. That very moment, right when Watt realized that Jet Pegasus was right in the arrow’s path—he reflexively sent Lord Gryphon springing into action.

“Outta the way, Sonata!”

“Wha—?!”

Pushing Jet Pegasus out of the way, Lord Gryphon leaped right in the middle of the arrow’s path. Without so much as a moment to protect itself, the arrow of lightning tore through its core and burst in a violent explosion. It was a tremendously powerful impact that sent Lord Gryphon’s extremities flying off. Even Jet Pegasus, which should’ve been safely pushed out of the way, found itself caught up in the blast and sent flying.

“Gwagh!”

After collapsing and sliding across the surface of the ground, Jet Pegasus just barely managed to catch Lord Gryphon. Seeing the terrible state the Mechsteel had been left in, Sonata let out a shout.

“But...why?! Why did you protect me?!”

“Ngh... Guess I ain’t...as young as I used to be... By the time I noticed, it was already too...”

Mechsteels’ cockpits were made to be especially sturdy, yet even then, they had their limits. The pain in Watt’s voice made it clear that he’d suffered substantial injuries.

Anna, who’d been watching everything unfold from a distance, screamed and set out in a dash. “F-Father... Father! Are you ok—?!”

A shadow fell upon Anna from above before overtaking her stride. She looked up, only to lock eyes with the icy stare of Austere Shrike staring down upon her.

“Prince Colth! You—!”

Her question was met with no answer. The Mechsteel thrust out its hand forcefully, grabbing Anna and violently lifting her into the air. At a loss for breath, she felt her consciousness slip away.

“...Hmm, to think you’d protect the Fellblade, Top Knight. I realized you’d be my greatest obstacle, but I never imagined it would go quite so smoothly. What a serendipitous stroke of fortune.”

Hearing Colth’s cold, indifferent remarks, Jet Pegasus’s head sprang up.

“You bastard... What is this?! What the hell are you doing?!”

“Exactly what it looks like,” Colth replied. “I simply thought to take Queen Anna for myself. The greatest obstacle in the way of that goal was standing defenseless before me. I’d be foolish to let such an opportunity escape, wouldn’t I?”

Colth’s casual answer was met by a beast-like roar. “H... How dare youuuuuuuu! Let Her Majesty gooooo!”

Carome’s Lord Gryphon Neo leaped forward at full speed. The other Royal Knights followed behind her, rushing for Colth’s Austere Shrike.

“That’s our toy you’re taking!”

“You can’t just run off with it!”

Even the twins sprang into action with Bahamut Dominion, racing after Colth as if to slam the mech’s massive frame into him.

Even when surrounded by fiery, rage-filled glares on all sides, Colth didn’t seem to fret at all. Instead, Austere Shrike spread its wings and merely pointed a finger upward to the heavens.

“Sky Palace Knights, bring down thunderous light upon this place.”

The moment he spoke, a storm of lightning arrows rained down from on high. Each of them were Magi-skills with all the deadly might of a finishing blow. The Royal Knights had been so solely focused on recovering the queen that they had no energy left to dodge the attack. Indeed, they were exhausted after their grueling battle. The electric arrows mercilessly pierced the Lord Gryphon Neos, grounding the knights before they could fulfill their goal.

“Uh-oh, this looks a little messy! Ruuun!”

It was the same for Bahamut Dominion. After being driven so relentlessly, the mech was now at its limits, unable to flee or even defend itself properly. Realizing this, Ledo and Leda didn’t hesitate to leap out of the cockpit, only for a rain of electric arrows to strike and shatter the mech. Using the Mechsteel for cover, the twins were able to withstand the attack unharmed.

By the time Austere Shrike lowered its hand, the knights of Ogdenn had been wiped out. Scowling down at the hellacious scene of destroyed Mechsteels piled on top of each other, Colth merely muttered beneath his breath, speaking to no one in particular. “You were careless. I am the crown prince of Aldavonga, you know. It would be unthinkable for me to wander about without a single guard.”

A moment later, he was greeted by the flapping of a multitude of wings descending to the ground. The enormous wings belonged to the Alert Sparrows, the Mechsteels reserved for the exclusive use of the Aldavonga Sky Palace Knights. They had been built from bird monsters, and as their wings suggested, they excelled in flight. They’d been hiding high in the skies to keep guard over Colth this entire time.

“Oh, but don’t worry. So long as you don’t get in our way, we won’t be attacking you any further. It’s not as if we’re hoping to kill you all. And besides...I’d like to see you in attendance for the ceremony.”

With that, Austere Shrike carefully placed Anna’s limp body in the palm of its hand. “Please, don’t worry about Her Majesty. I shall take full responsibility and see that she is treated well. And with that, my friends, I bid you adieu.”

The white Mechsteel spread its wings and rose up into the sky. Having successfully captured the queen, Colth was now about to calmly take his leave. Watt couldn’t let that happen.

“W...ait, dammit!”

He summoned all his energy to desperately force Lord Gryphon up. With its hands and feet destroyed, however, even moving was nigh impossible. The mech’s coolant made a muddled sound as it continued to spout out of the large, gaping hole in its stomach. If he pushed the Mechsteel to move any further, it would overheat—and potentially even explode.

“Dammit... I said...wait!”

“I’ll go!”

Lowering Lord Gryphon to the ground, Jet Pegasus stood to its feet. Sonata realized right away: Its wings were still damaged from his battle with Watt, preventing it from flying into the sky. Running across the ground to no effect, Jet Pegasus stretched out its hand. Sonata’s eyes were wide in shock.

How unspeakably powerless could he be? His blade couldn’t even find its mark at the very moment when it counted the most. Merely stampeding ahead wouldn’t put him any closer to his foe flying through the sky. Sonata halted, dumbfounded, only for Colth and his men to disappear into the clouds.

“Im...possible... I...couldn’t do anything...”

Sonata spun Jet Pegasus around to see the ravaged Lord Gryphon Neos and Bahamut Dominion. Now, there wasn’t so much of a trace to be found of the formidable warriors who’d made their way through a grueling battle with the Ancient Kingdom of Gemmaherve.

Overcome by powerlessness, Jet Pegasus fell to its knees. It was then that Sonata noticed the flag approaching them from the distance.

“Is that...you, brother?” Sonata muttered to himself in a daze.

There, emblazoned on the fluttering flag before him, was the emblem of the Kingdom of Doré.

***

With a small groan, Anna Ogdenn began to rise from the pit of unconsciousness before springing up in bed. She clutched at her pounding heart and tried to calm her breathing only to hear a voice echo out from beside her.

“Did you rest well?”

Anna reflexively turned around, only for her expression to immediately stiffen. Her gaze was met by the sight of Colth Aldavonga. He was sitting in a chair at her bedside with a smile on his face, almost as if he’d been watching over her. His grin was pleasant enough at first sight, but then Anna remembered right away—how his white Mechsteel had shot down her father and captured her. That, however, was the last thing she remembered.

The sight of the red Mechsteel being ravaged by the arrow of lightning flashed back to life before Anna’s eyes. Forcing down the pitch-black anger surging up from within her, she addressed Colth in a tone far lower than her usual register.

“...Prince Colth. Why in the world would you do something like this?”

“Because I needed to in order to capture you, that’s why,” he answered.

His response was so plain that there was no mistaking his words. Despite having committed such unspeakable acts, Colth now smiled almost as if he were worried about her—it was enough to fill Anna with terror more than anything. She clenched her hand over her chest even harder as she struggled to contain these feelings that almost certainly exceeded anything she’d ever felt toward her stepfather.

“So what do you intend to do now that you’ve captured me?” Anna demanded. “Both the Empire and the Ancient Kingdom alike have given up, and now you would follow in their footsteps? But why...? I thought you sought peace, Prince Colth!”

“I do indeed,” he answered. “My feelings toward peace remain the same they’ve always been.”

“I don’t understand. I don’t understand any of this! What are you even talking about?!” Anna shouted, tears springing to her eyes alongside her plea.

Colth’s words were simply too contradictory. He called for peace with his words, but his actions didn’t show that in the slightest. No matter how she tried to call out his actions, he merely nodded, his gaze unfaltering.

“You made quite the impression on me. You stood your ground even at the risk of making an enemy of the Tres Coronas, all for the sake of ensuring peace. And that is exactly why I decided that I will offer you true peace.”

“You’ll offer me...true peace?” Anna asked. “What are you—?”

“I shall take you as my bride.”

She froze, forgetting to even respond.

“And in doing so, I shall bring your kingdom into Aldavonga’s fold and rise to the top of the Tres Coronas,” Colth continued. “And after that...I shall topple all of the other Crowns.”

Anna’s brain couldn’t comprehend it. What was he even saying? It was as if she were listening to some wild, fanciful delusion. And yet, Colth himself remained completely calm without even the slightest hint of doubt.

“Once we’ve defeated the Tres Coronas, we’ll set about leveling all of the nations of Vahylicard. And on the eve when all the land over comes to serve my kingdom, we shall welcome an eternal peace void of all conflict.”

“You’re... You’re insane.”

Despite the sheer terror emerging in Anna’s words, Colth merely accepted her remark with a warm grin.

“Indeed I am,” he said. “And it was surely the sight of you that drove me to it.”

“What in the world are you talking about?!” Anna exclaimed. “I don’t get it! How is that any different than an invasion?! There’s no way I could ever wish for an atrocity like that!”

“Why, but of course,” Colth answered. “With that gentle heart of yours, such a path was one you could never take, though you might wish to. And that’s exactly why I shall be the one to do it. Worry not—I shall bear all of the disgrace on my shoulders. You are the one who ought to blossom in pride at the dawn of the peace that awaits!”

“I could never rejoice over that!” Anna said. “You must reconsider!”

Despite her terror-ridden shouts, Colth’s smile remained unshaken. Anna, on the other hand, was doing all she could to contain the trembling that had overcome her from head to toe—had she not been leaning back against the bed, she might’ve very well collapsed.

Colth nodded and rose to his feet. “I don’t expect you to understand right away. And yet, when that fated time comes, I’m sure you shall see it as well—the wondrous beauty of a land at peace.”

“What self-serving madness! How?! How in the world can you imagine something so horrible?!”

Shrugging off Anna’s words, Colth rang the calling bell at his side.

“For now, you’d do well to rest for a while,” he said. “I’m terribly sorry to go, but I’m a busy man. I’ve a whole mountain of tasks awaiting me, you see.”

“Wait!”

Colth took his leave without bothering to turn around, only for a group of servants to take his place as they entered the room and stood in Anna’s way.

“Right this way, Queen Anna. We’ll be taking care of you from now on, Your Majesty.”

“Y-You’re his retainers, aren’t you? Then why?! Why don’t you stop your master from committing such violence?!”

“The crown prince’s orders are absolute,” one answered after a pause. “Our sole charge is to take care of you, Queen Anna...and to ensure that you are not allowed to escape from this room under any circumstances.”

The servants stared back at her with eyes completely void of emotion. Anna gritted her teeth against the wave of terror bubbling up from within her. It was then that she realized she was wholly and completely in enemy territory.

“Now, please, take your rest,” the servant went on. “Should you require anything, you need only call us.”

“Could you perhaps...allow me to go outside?”

“I’m afraid that’s the one thing we are firmly barred from doing.”

It looked like they were talking with her, but in reality, they were only creatures announcing what they had to. Anna remembered the days she’d spent as a bird locked away in her stepfather’s cage. To think it was such a sickening feeling! The freedom Anna had experienced had only cemented just how bitter its loss was.

After saying what they were tasked to, the servants left the room. Left all alone, Anna collapsed onto the bed as if the string upholding her had been snapped in two.

“Haa... Agh!”

Clenching her teeth against the nausea welling up from within her, Anna tried to calm her breathing. The tears stole down her cheek, one after another. Far too much had happened in far too short a time. She had reached her limit.

“H-How...? How can you have such a terrifying vision, Prince Colth?!”

He had claimed that he would destroy everything for the sake of peace. Anna sank into thought, wondering if the way she’d stood against him had truly been the cause. If that was what had awakened that horrific monster inside the prince...then just whose fault was it?

“Father... O father, please... Help me!”

Anna was left with no one else to turn to. And yet, despite pleading for her father’s help, all she saw when she closed her eyes was the corpse-like sight of Lord Gryphon and the gaping hole that had been torn through its stomach.

***

A message arrived at the Kingdom of Ogdenn that day.

Baron Otto Socom—who’d accepted the message in the queen’s place while she was away—scowled when he saw the emblem decorating the envelope.

“...From the Kingdom of Aldavonga, you say?” he said. “But they’re one of the Tres Coronas. What sort of business could they have with our kingdom?”

At any rate, there was only one way to find out. Otto had been given the authority to act as the queen’s proxy. He carefully pulled out the contents of the envelope and began to read. Soon thereafter, however, he let out a furious scream.

“N... Nonsense! What sort of absolute nonsense is this?! They intend to welcome Queen Anna as their crown princess?!”

Fighting back the urge to crumple up the letter, Otto read through it one more time. And yet, his hopes that it might be some sort of mistake were immediately shattered. No matter how he read it, the only thing written was that Colth would be taking Queen Anna as his bride. In fact, the letter even included instructions for the nobles of Ogdenn to attend their wedding ceremony.

“What is the meaning of this?! I shall not allow such crass jokes to go unpunished!” Even Otto was unable to contain himself, forcing himself to circle the room several times over out of sheer rage. The very thought of taking a nation’s queen and welcoming her as another nation’s crown princess was unprecedented to the point of absurdity. It was an act that made far too light of the Kingdom of Ogdenn itself.

Despite considering tearing the letter to shreds and throwing it away several times, the moment he saw the emblem on the letter, his hand stopped.

“It was one of the Tres Coronas that sent this... The Kingdom of Aldavonga. I can’t imagine any so reckless as to falsely use one of their emblems.”

It went without saying that Aldavonga was one of the great nations reigning over Vahylicard. Otto had heard plenty of stories about how they entertained themselves by vying for more and more power...and now Ogdenn was about to be swallowed up in the mix?

Despite the anxiety eating away at him, he worked to think as calmly as he could.

What reason would the Kingdom of Aldavonga have to deceive us? And more importantly, what’s happened to Her Majesty? And what about Watt and the others with her?! No... There’s simply too much that we’re missing.

Soon thereafter, Otto lifted his head, his mind made up. No matter how hard he tried to think here, it was impossible for him to see the full scope of what was going on. Far from it—staying here might mean casting a blind eye to the dangerous forces encroaching on the queen.

Otto raised his voice and called all the messengers he had. “Deliver this message to all the nobles of the kingdom! Tell them they are to depart for the Kingdom of Emperimo at once!”

All he could do now was see the truth with his own two eyes. If worse came to worst, they might very well need to cross blades with one of the Tres Coronas.

With a grim resolution, the Kingdom of Ogdenn set into action. Their destination was the land where Corona Senatus was held: the Kingdom of Emperimo.

***

Around the same time, anonymous documents nearly the same as what had been sent to Ogdenn were delivered to the other Tres Coronas.

In the Gemmaherve Post Town, Slattmer, the king of the Ancient Kingdom of Gemmaherve, opened his wrinkle-buried eyes wide before crumpling the notice in his hands.

“You... How dare you! Ogdenn, you wretched dogs! And damn you and your shamelessness, Aldavonga! What sort of brazen nonsense is this?! Especially after you put me through such a bitter defeat!”

The old king rose to his feet. He was so sickeningly angry that he could hardly speak. And yet, he’d still been unable to fully mend the damages he’d suffered in the battle with Ogdenn. Slattmer roared out his orders as he checked the status of the repairs being made on Gemmahertburg.

“Gemmaherve First Order...prepare yourselves! As soon as the Crown Knight is repaired, we’ll annihilate those fools!”

The knights waiting behind the king all saluted at once.

“I’m not about to allow this. I’ll crush Aldavonga no matter what it takes...and those Ogdenn dogs with them!”

Slattmer’s rage blazed on. Glaring at the letter he’d stomped underfoot, Slattmer immediately ordered his servants to dispose of it.

***

In the same way, Emperor Caesar of the Menallazohortz Empire also received notice in the Menallazohortz Post Town.

The emperor read through the letter before sinking down onto the throne and propping his face up with his hand.

“What sort of base drivel is this?” Caesar muttered. “How utterly revolting!”

He pinched the letter between his fingers as if it were something foul and pushed it away before immediately discarding it. Leaning back into the throne, he scowled sourly.

“So this is what outsiders like you amount to in the end then...Ogdenn.”

He never expected the kingdom’s young queen and the middle-aged Top Knight chasing after her to buckle so easily. That was the exact reason he’d thought Ogdenn showed promise, and yet...

“Very well, then,” Caesar said. “I’ll see it for myself.”

He sat deep in thought for a moment, only for his eyes to snap open immediately thereafter. “We must give those fools a fitting end for their folly. We shall depart at once! Come with me!”

“Understood!” the knights kneeling before him replied.

The Menallazohortz Empire’s mightiest force, the Imperial Guard, sprang to action.

***

As the location where Corona Senatus was held, the Kingdom of Emperimo had once been heralded as the very image of peace, but now it was where the balance of the Tres Coronas had crumbled far too easily.

From that day forward, Corona Senatus would be held no more. In its place, invitations were sent out to all the nations throughout the land of Vahylicard...like a premonition announcing the world’s collapse. Despite fearfully sensing the ruin awaiting them, not a soul had any way to avoid it.

The day of the wedding ceremony between the crown prince of Aldavonga and the queen of Ogdenn grew closer and closer.

***

“Please, you must rest for now.”

“Thank you... I appreciate it.”

Covered in bandages, Watt lowered his head in thanks to the soldier who had given him first aid. He was left on his own. The sound of his sigh echoed throughout the small tent.

After the battle, the Doré army had made their appearance and come to the rescue of Watt and Ogdenn’s knights. The Doré army had set up simple tents for them to rest in and were now in the process of collecting the Mechsteels that had been devastated in the battle. Watt was sure the other Royal Knights were off being treated in their own tents as well.

He flexed his hands, checking the feeling in each of his fingers, only to see figures pass through the tent’s entrance: King Auvere and Sonata behind him. Watt tried to rise to his feet to greet them, only for Auvere to gently stop him.

“There’s no need for that,” he said. “You’ll only make your injuries worse.”

“They’re hardly anything to worry about,” Watt replied. “The other knights and I lived to see another day thanks to you, Your Majesty. You have my deepest gratitude.”

“If anything, I just feel terribly sorry. At the end of the day, we were too late. And what’s more...I owe you an apology, Watt.”

Watt tilted his head to the side out of curiosity, only for Auvere and Sonata to both straighten up and drop their heads.

“My fool of a brother caused you a great deal of trouble. He was supposed to be aiding you, but he ended up hindering you, of all things. The blame for this rests entirely with me.”

“Please, lift your head, Your Majesty,” Watt said. “You don’t have a thing to apologize for. While I did have a bit of a disagreement with...Prince Sonata, more importantly, he fought alongside us.”

Auvere glanced over at his younger brother. The thorny edge that used to be in his attitude was now completely gone.

“Not only did he cause trouble for you, you ended up saving him no less...” Auvere went on. “I couldn’t begin to thank you enough.”

“Well, I’m Sonata’s senior disciple, so that makes him like a little brother to me too,” Watt replied. “I can put up with a little bit of rowdiness!”

“Ha ha ha! A reassuring answer if I’ve ever heard one! Foolish though he is, my brother is blessed with good connections—I couldn’t be more jealous!”

King Auvere and Watt exchanged small grins, but their smiles were soon clouded.

“And yet, the fact remains that Queen Anna was abducted as a result of it,” Auvere said.

“The only one to blame here is that slimy bastard Colth,” Watt said, his gaze fixed. He forced his anger down—he knew that if he wasn’t careful, he’d be overcome with rage and go on a rampage.

“I heard what happened,” Auvere said. “He’s our kingdom’s mightiest foe as well. While that snake doesn’t make an appearance on the battlefield all that often...the squadron he commands is impeccably strong and always in perfect order. I’ve suffered many a bitter defeat at their hands. I never would’ve imagined that wretch of a prince would be after Queen Anna, though.”

“I let my guard down as well,” Watt replied. “I let myself get too comfortable just because he helped us a bit. You’d think I would’ve remembered he was one of the Tres Coronas all the same.”

Perhaps the fact that they’d found themselves up against a mighty foe in the form of the Ancient Kingdom of Gemmaherve had cloaked any doubts Watt might’ve had. He could rue his mistake all day long, but fretting over it would accomplish nothing at all.

“Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to go save Anna... Ngh!”

Watt let out a small groan as he tried to rise to his feet. While they’d fortunately not found any broken bones when they’d examined him, he’d suffered a number of strong impacts across his body. Beneath the bandages was a whole swath of bruises.

“You’ll just make your injuries worse. You need to rest for now,” Auvere cautioned.

“I’m afraid that won’t do,” Watt replied. “That filthy bastard is even more rotten than Gemmaherve... I have to go get her back, no matter what it takes.”

“Even if you were able to, your Mechsteel is another matter entirely.”

Watt couldn’t help but scowl as the three men exited the tent together. There, awaiting them outside, was Lord Gryphon after it had been collected from the battlefield.

It was in a visibly terrible state. One of its arms and one of its legs had been blown off, while its remaining limbs were in tatters. But its most strikingly fatal damage was the large hole in its stomach. Not only had its Mech-Heart been damaged, but its coolant system was no use either. In all honesty, the damage was so extreme that one might wonder if it would be faster to build a new Mechsteel than to try and repair it.

“...He’s like a part of me,” Watt said. “If I’m gonna save Anna, then at the end of the day, it’s gonna have to be an all-out battle against Colth and Aldavonga both—and that’s something I can hardly do without my partner.”

Lord Gryphon—the first model and now the older variant—was a Mechsteel that had been made to match Watt. It was his greatest partner that had been with him through all the ups and downs since he’d taken it with him after leaving his life as a knight behind. A replacement for a partner like that couldn’t be found so easily.

“...I’ll fight, then.” Just then, Sonata lifted his head. With a resolute expression on his face, he stared straight at Watt. “I’ll go off to save Queen Anna in the place of my senior disciple. I swear to give it every last drop of strength I have.”

“Look, I told ya it’s not your responsibility to shoulder all alone,” Watt replied.

“Then consider this my own determination,” Sonata said back. “I wish to save Queen Anna. I wish to wield my blade not to strike someone down now...but to save someone!”

Watt and Sonata glared at each other in silence for a moment, before Watt finally thrust out his fist, covered in a mass of bandages. “Then swear to me. Not to your master or your kingdom, but on your own name and blade! All the skills that rotten old bastard taught you aren’t just for killin’. Get out there and save her. That’ll be your real final trial.”

“Very well... I’ll swear it on my name as Sonata Doré! And on my blade! I shall exhaust all the skills I have to save her!”

Sonata knocked his fist against Watt’s. Watt bumped their fists away before pointing back at himself.

“Now that that’s outta the way...yer a real idiot if you think I ain’t comin’ with you, hell or high water.”

“But just how do you intend to fight, my senior disciple?”

Watt’s Mechsteel partner was one thing, but even the Royal Knights’ squadron of Lord Gryphon Neos had been annihilated, meaning he didn’t even have the option to borrow one of the Neos. Watt put his hands on his hips and stretched out his chest, forcing a stiff smile to stretch across his face.

“We’ll figure it out one way or another,” he replied. “I’d feel a lot better if I had my partner with me, but I’ll do what I’ve gotta do unarmed, if I have to! That’s how we’ve always fought, isn’t it?”

What Master Iqall had once taught them was how to survive on the battlefield and how to fight their way through with any weapon. So long as they didn’t specify their exact means, there was bound to be some way for them to do it. Just when Watt was reminding himself of that, King Auvere spoke up.

“About that, Sir Watt,” he said. “Could you perhaps leave your partner in our care?”

Watt blinked several times at the sudden proposal, only for the king to extend his hand.

“While I can hardly call this a way of making up for my brother’s foolish behavior, I would like to repay the debt I owe you, even if only a bit. I don’t know if you’ll be satisfied with the outcome, but you have my word we’ll do our very best.”

Watt paused. “I’m grateful for such consideration, Your Majesty. I’ll certainly take you up on that then!”

He took King Auvere’s hand. It was then that he happened to notice the titan lying behind the king—Bahamut Dominion, battered just as badly as Lord Gryphon. Watt looked back and forth at the two Mechsteels for a moment before an idea happened to strike him.

“Then in that case, while you’re at it...can I make just one more little crazy request?”

The edges of Auvere’s lips shifted into a grin at Watt’s proposal. “I don’t mind at all,” he said with a nod. “Allow me to show you just what the Kingdom of Doré is capable of.”

While Auvere had been heartily shaking Watt’s hand, Auvere found himself staring at it. “I can’t help but feel a bit jealous. I’d like nothing more than to help my friend myself...and yet, as king, I’m afraid I have little choice. I’ve come to avoid drawing close to any sort of recklessness.”

“I think that’s just fine, Your Majesty,” Watt replied. “Battles are meant for knights like us.”

The two nodded at each other, king and knight. Though their nations and standings differed, there was an undeniable, common understanding between them. It was just then when the two nations, Doré and Ogdenn, unmistakably joined hands—

“Huh? What are you talking about? Are you doing something fun?”

“Huh? What are you doing? Are you going to go on a rampage somewhere?”

Watt found himself greeted by the devilish twins’ unexpected appearance on either side of him. Now that he thought about it, the twins had been with them too. Their world-class nose for trouble had almost certainly led them here. They looked up at him, broad smiles plastered on their faces.

“You two, huh? I dunno if it’ll be ‘fun’ or not, but...I’m plannin’ on goin’ out and givin’ that low-down, rotten swindler who pulled the wool over our eyes a big ole knuckle sandwich, right to the face.”

Ledo and Leda looked at each other for a moment before latching onto Watt’s arms.

“That sounds fun! We’ll help too!”

“That’s right! We wanna wallop him too!”

“Fine by me, but just don’t get in our way, hear?”

“Uh-huh!”

The twins broke into a twirling dance, draining the venom from Watt’s gaze. He lifted his head, a ferocious grin on his face.

“I ain’t about to let that double-dealin’, self-centered, swindlin’ little prick take my one and only daughter!”

Watt turned around, only to lock gazes with Lord Gryphon’s eyes from the gaps in its tattered helmet. He couldn’t help but get the feeling that no matter how badly it might’ve been smashed up, his partner still hadn’t lost its power.

“All righty, then—let’s do this, partner. We’re gonna send that piece of shit packin’ and get Anna back safe and sound. I’m gonna do it all! That’s what a father’s supposed to do!”

With an unquenchable fire burning in their eyes, the knights set out to reclaim the captured queen once and for all.

Chapter Thirteen: Deck That Groom!

Under normal circumstances, the city of Yantaggio in the Kingdom of Emperimo should have been abuzz with the activity surrounding Corona Senatus, but now the city found itself wrapped in a strange silence.

Everyone’s expectation was that Corona Senatus should’ve been going on, but it wasn’t being held that day. In spite of this, each nation’s royals had assembled in the Emperimo Central Congress Hall the same as usual. They had all gathered together here to attend a totally different ceremony.

“I never would’ve imagined that rotten prince of Aldavonga would take Ogdenn’s queen for his bride.”

“The Empire gave up, and the Ancient Kingdom fumbled their chance—that was all the opportunity Aldavonga needed. This has to be a calamity for Ogdenn just as much.”

Secretive whispers darted back and forth between the attendees. It had all started with the document that had been delivered to the monarchs of each nation a few days ago. It had announced the wedding of Colth, the crown prince of Aldavonga—one of the Tres Coronas—and Anna, queen of Ogdenn. Every one of the rulers had doubted their eyes at first. And yet, the ceremony was indeed set to be held, prompting them all to gather together as they had.

Perhaps it was only natural, then, that the remaining two Crowns of the Tres Coronas—the Menallazohortz Empire and the Ancient Kingdom of Gemmaherve—were absent from the ceremony. Each and every nation understood full well that neither would recognize the wedding. The Tres Coronas were mutually hostile to each other and formed a three-way deadlock since they each held the power to vie with the remaining two. If Aldavonga were to take the Kingdom of Ogdenn for its own, however, that would mean another nation’s worth of might for Aldavonga. It was clear that it would then pressure the remaining two Crowns.

“The other two Crowns are bound to show sooner or later...to crash this wedding, that is.”

“No doubt about it. The question is when they’ll make their appearance and just how we can survive.”

The rulers of each nation awaited the start of the ceremony with an air of unease. If Aldavonga were to emerge triumphant from this, that would be all the more reason they would absolutely have to attend the ceremony. Refusing to attend after having been invited would have been equivalent to showing hostility to Aldavonga. And yet, they found their lives in a boundlessly perilous situation with the realization that they could very well be caught up in an onslaught from the remaining two Crowns. When would it be best to flee? To them, the ceremony was a trying dilemma—a game of chicken to see how long they could last.

Had even a single ruler in attendance known that Colth hoped to topple all of the nations of Vahylicard after the other two Crowns, perhaps they might’ve progressed toward a different future. And yet, it was only natural that none knew his true intent.

Restlessness and caution. The calculations for winding up in the best position possible. And most of all, the premonition that history would soon take a grand turn. The hall was filled with a mixture of all of those elements together, strung into a one of a kind tension that filled the air.

***

“...Just our luck. It’s far worse than I even imagined.”

One group of the participants who had gathered for the ceremony was cut from a different cloth than the others. The majority of those in attendance were royals and their guards, but the members of this group were a collection of nobles. They were also affiliated with one of the parties to be wed at the ceremony—they were nobles from the Kingdom of Ogdenn.

The group’s leader, Baron Otto Socom, put all the air filling his lungs into a heavy sigh as he muttered beneath his breath. “I’d prayed that this was some sort of misunderstanding when I received notice back in Ogdenn, but...now that I’m here, it’s hard to imagine how it could get much worse. It’s been half a year since I’ve attended such a headache-inducing ceremony.”

Otto’s daughter, Meddié Socom, groaned beside him as well and crossed her arms. “You’ve got that right! While I was holding down the fort, Anna got kidnapped for the second time in a row! Not to mention master and the others haven’t come back either!”

“Watt and the others, hmm?” Otto said. “Where are they now?”

Meddié slowly shook her head. “Beats me. I got word that they were safe, but apparently they’re not planning on meeting up with us.”

“Hmm... Watt and the others aren’t on board with the wedding, from the sound of it,” Otto groaned, looking ahead.

“Of course they aren’t! I mean, Anna said herself that she wasn’t going to marry anybody in the middle of all this fuss! And she said that if she was, it’d be after she really got to know them! There’s no way she’d get hitched so suddenly like this!”

Otto nodded back. The queen he knew—the girl marked by her kindness and sense of responsibility—would never push ahead with marriage talks while keeping her own kingdom in the dark.

“Then in that case...I’d wager Watt and the others are planning on fighting all on their own to recapture Queen Anna.”

Meddié turned around, looking shocked. “But why? If they’re going to fight, then why not let me?! More importantly, wouldn’t it just make more sense to fight together?!”

“They avoided dragging Ogdenn itself into the conflict that way. Although there’s always the chance that Watt’s tendency to go wild and smash things may have gotten the better of him.”

“Yup, calling it now—that’s exactly what it is,” Meddié huffed angrily, stringing together a list of complaints toward her master. “And they’ve got Caro with them too! Why in the world couldn’t they stop him?!”

“Given that Her Majesty’s been kidnapped, I can hardly imagine the Royal Knights would stop him.”

In fact, if anything, perhaps they’d even realized that was their chance and followed right after Watt. Otto could practically see the scene play out in his mind as he quietly put a hand to his forehead.

“Well, in that case, do we get to just stand around taking it easy here, pops?” Meddié demanded. “We’ve gotta help master!”

“It’s not ideal. Anything but, in fact. But until it begins, we mustn’t make a move here.” Seeing the dubious look on his daughter’s face, Otto nodded. “Think about it, Meddié. Aldavonga’s ability to rule over the other Crowns hinges on bringing Ogdenn’s might under its control... And yet, they wouldn’t be able to accomplish that merely by wedding Queen Anna.”

“Huh,” Meddié replied. “Well, then we never shoulda come to this ceremony at all! We’ve gotta go steal Anna and master back!”

“While I’d love nothing more than to do just that,” Otto said, “Queen Anna is in their possession, and if we were to refuse an official invitation, we’d all be considered hostile parties, not just Watt. In light of that, there’d be no guarantee that they would keep Her Majesty alive.”

Meddié closed her mouth with a stiff expression. Between a queen and her kingdom, it was no question that the kingdom itself was more valuable. Just what sort of value could a queen separated from her kingdom even hold? And yet, on the other hand, a nation that lost its queen—and cornerstone in turn—was bound to be perilously embrittled.

“What sort of nonsense is that?” she asked. “That makes Anna sound just like a hostage!”

“That’s because she is a hostage. That’s what she’s been right from the start. And that’s why we’re here. We’ve come here to protect Her Majesty.”

“Okay,” Meddié said after a pause. “Then I’ll keep Anna safe right here with you, Pops!”

She breathed a sigh of relief before clenching her fists in a display of motivation. While it was too early to rest easy yet, Otto opted against chiding her for that.

Meddié paused for a moment once more. “Master is bound to come, isn’t he?”

“You’ve nothing to worry about there,” Otto answered. “It’s practically written in the stars: Whenever there’s some sort of extravagant ceremony, Watt just can’t help but charge straight in.”

Once, following the conclusion of Legalisbelm, Watt had made his appearance at the coronation of the first prince, prepared to turn the entire kingdom against himself in order to save his daughter. Otto knew full well that Watt wasn’t the sort of man who’d sell himself out just because he was up against the Tres Coronas.

“More importantly, if he intends to steal Her Majesty back, he has little choice besides this very day,” Otto said.

Since Anna had been taken away, security had been tightened to an extreme in the Aldavonga Post Town. They’d seen the Ancient Kingdom of Gemmaherve’s defeat—Aldavonga had sized up Watt and the others well, and that was exactly why they now kept such a strict watch.

That was the reason they hadn’t taken action until today—until the very day of the ceremony when Anna was sure to appear.

Regardless of Aldavonga’s status, it was impossible to imagine that they would invite royals from each nation to the wedding without having Anna make an appearance. If they failed to show her, their credit was as good as gone.

“You’re right,” Meddié said. “Makes sense for them to be on guard, then.”

“They have those bird Mechsteels they’re so skilled with waiting in the sky, and several groups of knights on the ground as well,” Otto explained. “I’d expect nothing less of one of the Tres Coronas.”

It wasn’t just the Emperimo Central Congress Hall that had been chosen as the wedding venue; all of Yantaggio had fallen under close watch. In the skies, Aldavonga’s Sky Palace Knights had formed a tight-knit defensive formation, while a great number of Mechsteels was stationed on the ground.

“Even assuming they were able to slip past the guard and make their way here,” he went on, “then that would spring to action.”

Otto turned his gaze toward the center of the venue and the enormous shape standing therein. With its massive wings folded in several layers around itself, the titan had taken on a cocoon-like shape: It was Aldavonga’s very own Crown Knight, Aldavonis Messiah. The Mechsteel’s presence conveyed the message most eloquently that Aldavonga was prepared to annihilate any and all who dared oppose it.

They had closely armed themselves not only against Watt, but against the other two opposing Crowns as well. Were a battle to break out among the Tres Coronas, no amount of precaution would be enough.

“To think they’d force the ceremony when they have as many enemies as they do... Just how confident did they have to be for this? The most distressing part is that we find ourselves captives to any chaos that breaks out.”

Otto and their group were no mere attendees. They had gathered their forces from Ogdenn and in turn had been entrusted to uphold a portion of the venue’s guard.

“We must protect Her Majesty, no matter the cost,” Otto said. “And yet, that means that we ourselves are hostages in turn.”

Meddié looked up at her father, an uneasy expression on her face. “So what’re we gonna do, pops? When master gets here, I mean?”

“We’re going to fight, of course.” Otto’s response came so quickly that it was almost jarring. “They seek to wed Queen Anna by force, and we won’t stand for any of it. Had the queen herself said something, that would’ve been one thing, but merely receiving word from another nation is nowhere near enough for us to accept.”

Even after hearing her father’s words, however, the unease on Meddié’s face remained.

“To tell the truth,” Otto began, “there were some among Ogdenn’s nobles who thought it would be best to side with the winner—foolish though I think it is.” He paused to sigh. An angry pyre shone unmistakably within his eyes. “And just what would happen were we to side with Aldavonga? It’s out of the question that Ogdenn’s nobles would be appointed to positions of power. All that would await us is being burned through as firepower, nothing more. Such could hardly be considered winning.”

“Then in that case, there’s only one option for us to bet on,” Otto went on, spitting out his words as he whispered beneath his breath. “And that is nothing other than the blade of the Top Knight himself!”

“You know it!” Meddié exclaimed. “It’s master we’re talking about! I just know he’ll do something to fix this!”

“And yet, with the Tres Coronas all glaring at each other as they are here, navigating our way across these waves will be anything but easy,” he said. “Meddié, you must listen, and listen well. When the time comes, you must flee at once. At present, I’ve secured five potential paths you could use to escape.”

“You came in here just raring to go, didn’t you, pops?”

Baron Otto Socom had both established a trading company and risen to the rank of baron in the course of his lifetime. What’s more, he’d made his way through the fires of Legalisbelm and taken his position as the representative of the queen’s faction. Otto had nothing if not mettle.

Noticing the volatile scent filling the air, he eagerly awaited his chance.

***

A separate location from the meeting room used for Corona Senatus within the Emperimo Central Congress Hall had been selected as the wedding’s venue. It was now outfitted with dazzling decorations for the ceremony.

Watching the monarchs of each nation fill the venue from the waiting room, King Kysen Aldavonga glanced to his side at the man sitting quietly in the middle of the room—his son, the crown prince, Colth Aldavonga.

“The reports have it that none of the Empire or Ancient Kingdom’s supporters are in attendance,” Kysen said. “That must mean they’re bound to come pouncing on us.”

The king spoke with the same ease he might speak of the weather that day, without so much as a hint of surprise in his voice. It was a simple fact that the other two Crowns were their foes. In that sense, it was a given that they’d find an attack sprung upon them. They couldn’t do anything at all if they weren’t prepared for that much.

“Heh heh, but it truly is fascinating, I must say!” Kysen continued. “Your claim that you must topple all the Crowns and kings to bring peace to Vahylicard, I mean. Why, it’s nothing short of a masterpiece! To be quite frank, you’re not the first in our line to come up with such a thought. But they had no choice but to table such aspirations due to a lack of firepower, Colth.”

“When Anna... When Ogdenn is mine, it’s no impossible feat,” Colth said in his usual tone, despite the trying gaze resting upon him. “Even if we were to find ourselves up against both Crowns at the same time, they’re both each other’s foes as well, so their steps should hardly fall in line.”

Seeing that his son’s mind was completely made up, King Kysen stroked his chin. “And that’s just it, Colth. That was even more of a surprise than going up against the other two Crowns. When you told me that you’d take the queen of Ogdenn for your wife, I couldn’t help but wonder what sort of illness had taken hold over you.”

“I can hardly deny it’s an illness myself, though.”

For the first time, something other than confidence surfaced on Colth’s expression—a hint of confusion mixed with joy.

Kysen stood before him. “You were always correct in your path as crown prince. You lived for your cause and were plenty talented. But most of all, you were calm and collected.”

As one of the Tres Coronas, one of the massive kingdoms ruling over Vahylicard, those were essential qualities. In Kysen’s eyes, his son could very well serve as the very model of a crown prince, and yet...

“Still...” The edges of his lips twisted into a smile. “What objection could I raise? With such weighty crowns upon our heads, we’ve little room to live ourselves. You should be true to your own heart, if nothing else.”

Kysen gave an entertained grin before his expression suddenly went taut. “Yet it’s an inescapable truth that you’ll need power to do that.”

“A fact I know full well,” Colth answered.

“Oh, think nothing of it. You can leave a little of the heavy lifting to your father. If it’s for my son’s future, then I’ll clear as many obstacles out of the way as I need to!”

Colth nodded before rising to his feet to stand alongside his father.

“Now, let us march forward with our heads held high, my son! It’s for a peace we’ll forge with our own hands. More than anything else, I’m sure it will be a grand and wonderful thing!”

“Indeed it will be, father.”

King Kysen set out walking in high spirits, only for Colth to follow after him with the slightest delay before confidently pushing forward himself.

“Just watch me...claim all of it!” Colth said.

And so, the curtain rose on the fated wedding as the first notes to the prelude to Vahylicard’s destruction began to ring out...

***

Cheers rained down across the hall.

The Emperimo Central Congress Hall was located in the middle of Yantaggio. There, in the ceremony hall located inside—second in size only to the meeting room for Corona Senatus—were the monarchs of all the nations of Vahylicard.

Bathed in the thunderous rounds of their applause, Colth Aldavonga made his appearance. To his side was the bride, clad in dazzlingly white attire—Anna Ogdenn. As the duo slowly made their way forward, those in attendance generously gave the two their blessing. Regardless of how they might’ve actually felt, given that they were there, it fell upon them to do so. And yet, a sense that something was wrong slowly began to swell up from among them.

There was no issue to be found with Colth the groom, who met the occasion with a bold attitude and his head held high. It was the bride that something was off with. Her gaze held no point of focus, and her face not only lacked joy, but any semblance of an expression at all. She walked forward like a puppet as Colth led her by the hand.

It was unthinkable. While Anna Ogdenn may have been reserved, her heart held an unshakable core—she’d boldly taken her stand against the other nations, hadn’t she? While she had been next to unknown at the start of Corona Senatus given her status as a new queen, after making her way through all manner of trials here, knowledge of her character had spread far and wide. It was impossible to imagine that she was in her right mind at present, tethered to her partner’s will. She’d likely been made to take some sort of drug. That was more than enough for them to realize what this ceremony was all about.

“Wha...?! What in the world did that scoundrel do to Anna?!”

Needless to say, the delegation from Ogdenn reacted the most intensely. Meddié started to rise to her feet, eyes open wide, only for Otto to immediately hold her back.

Otto sharply turned around. “We wait...for now.”

His eyes were brimming with anger, yet his expression was completely flat. Meddié tried to calm herself between deep breaths before casting a fixed gaze at the bride alongside her father. Her stare held one unbending message: You’d better believe you’re due to get decked!

Awash in the various emotions swirling around the venue, Colth and Anna made their way to the very front. Awaiting them there was King Emperimo as the ceremony’s officiator.

With the utmost solemnity, King Emperimo spoke up. “On this fine day, a new joy is found in the land of Vahylicard. On this day, Crown Prince Colth of Aldavonga, one of the Crowns, shall wed Her Majesty Queen Anna, and...”

His voice echoed out across the venue.

It was that very moment. A stir erupted from some of the attendees. At once, they all pointed past the window to the gap in the clouds hanging in the distance. Instinctively, everyone’s eyes turned toward the window.

There, between the clouds trailing through the blue skies outside, several sparks of lights shone out alongside flashes of lightning. Soon thereafter, a bright red pyre shot up, clearly revealing the fragments of something caught in its wake scattering across for all to see.

Not a soul failed to realize what was happening outside. With the ceremony’s attendees instinctively starting to rise from their seats, Colth’s quiet voice kept them in place.

“Calm yourselves,” he said. “It seems we have some uninvited guests causing a bit of a stir. But worry not—our Sky Palace Knights will make short work of them.”

The attendees who had started to rise to their feet slowly sank back into their seats. The devastation that was soon to come was terrifying indeed, but they hoped to avoid angering the man now standing before them. The game of chicken had begun in earnest.

“Please, do continue,” Colth said. “Allow us to exchange our eternal vows now before you.”

He turned around, his face masklike and expressionless. King Emperimo was visibly tense as he swallowed uneasily. The sound seemed to echo clearly throughout the room.

***

The Alert Sparrows, the Mechsteels of the Sky Palace Knights, flew around above Yantaggio, surrounding the city below. They’d formed a defensive net to prevent anyone from approaching the city, so tightly woven that even a single bird couldn’t fly past them. Against such a defense with the knights’ full might behind it, even one of the Tres Coronas wouldn’t be able to break through easily.

With confidence and pride behind their wings, the Alert Sparrows closely monitored the skies and the ground below. While it was indeed calm at first, the disturbance they knew would come finally made its appearance.

“Abnormality discovered, sir!”

At first, it was small—as if a speck of dust were flying through the air. It was a black dot floating in the vast blue expanse of the sky. The object grew larger and larger before finally reaching a size that made its true form readily apparent.

“That’s...the black Mechsteel!” one of the knights shouted. “It’s just as His Highness predicted—it’s here to disrupt the ceremony!”

One of the figures they’d been on the watch for was the black Mechsteel: Sonata Doré’s Jet Pegasus. The flock of Alert Sparrows wasted no time responding. Breaking their evenly spaced circle, a portion of the knights set into action to meet it.

“Hmph! He’s a fool to try and challenge the Sky Palace Knights all on his own!”

“That’s right,” one of the other knights answered. “Wait! He’s not the only one!”

The knights noticed right away that it wasn’t just one black dot that had appeared in the sky. More shadows made their appearance, pulling past the black Mechsteel from the rear. They were enormous, four-legged, winged beasts darting through the skies. Were they monsters? For only the briefest moment, the question darted through the Sky Palace Knights’ minds. Immediately thereafter, however, they realized that wasn’t the case. Studying the beasts from a distance, they saw that they clearly boasted frames of metal. There was no mistaking it: They were Mechsteels.

“Dammit, I didn’t hear anything about Doré’s Fellblade coming with company!”

“Company or not, any fool who dares get in our master’s way is our foe. Sky Palace Knights, strike them down!”

The Alert Sparrows flapped their wings and flew off.

Flying at the front, Jet Pegasus unsheathed its sword before Aldavonga’s onslaught.

“We’ll reclaim Queen Anna!” Sonata shouted. “Everyone, break through their lines!”

“Understood! We’ll be right behind you—you just do your thing!”

This exchange was the signal that marked the beginning of the battle. Gathering together behind Jet Pegasus as the vanguard, the group of four-legged beasts—the Gryphons—took on an arrowhead formation with Jet Pegasus. As if to envelop them, however, a wave of Alert Sparrows came rushing in.

“If you won’t let us get to Her Majesty, then we’ll just force our way through!” one of the Royal Knights shouted.

“We’re not about to let that happen!” one of the opposing knights shouted back. “We won’t let a single mech of yours get anywhere near His Highness!”

The Alert Sparrows lifted their arms into the air to unleash a rain of lightning arrows, a devastating technique meant to be the first—and last—attack. With their propellers letting out a high-pitched roar, Jet Pegasus and the Gryphons accelerated even more. Slipping through the onslaught of electrified arrows, the black Mechsteel surged ahead and collided with one of the Alert Sparrows, sword in hand.

It was just then—a dazzling current of light from far in the distance shot through the battlefield.

On the ground, the ceremony’s attendees were straining their necks to look up at the sky. They themselves were desperately watching to find their chance.

Each time a light shone out from between the clouds, an explosion would blossom in the skies, throwing the surroundings into chaos. It wasn’t long, however, before the wreckage of what had once been Mechsteels went scattering off in all directions.

Pulling past the wreckage plummeting to the ground, a single black line cut through the clouds to make its descent. Cries of astonishment rushed through the crowd. There, descending straight down toward the ground, was a jet-black pegasus. The reason behind the people’s cries was simple enough: There was no Mechsteel like that in Aldavonga’s guard.

“So you made your way through the Sky Palace Knights?!” Paying no heed to the stir around him, Colth simply glared straight at the black pegasus. “Fellblade... You’re a more challenging foe than I’d thought. You’ve gotten in my way time and time again, but let’s sever those ties today, shall we?”

The black line finally made its way to the ground.

“Beast Release!”

The pegasus whinnied as it began to transform with a mighty reversal of its engines. The position of its limbs changed as it shifted from the shape of a four-legged creature into a humanoid form. The black Mechsteel, Jet Pegasus, stomped its way through the roof of the ceremony hall and made its way down inside the building.

In a moment, the sacred venue had transformed into a battlefield. The attendees vied against each other as they desperately scrambled to escape. They could have a whole mountain of lives to burn through, but if they were to find themselves caught up in a battle among Mechsteels, even that wouldn’t be enough.

Jet Pegasus lifted its head and stared down its sworn foe who still hadn’t even tried to move.

“Colth... Get away from Queen Anna,” Sonata said.

“Heh, and just when I thought you’d be bringing up some grudge,” he answered. “I must say, considering you’re Doré’s very own Fellblade, you’re rather attached to the queen of another kingdom.”

Colth cast a glance down at Anna, slumped over lifelessly in his arms.

“You’re the one out of your right mind,” Sonata replied. “Why did you steal Queen Anna away?”

“Because she belongs to me,” Colth said. “And I’m not about to hand her over the likes of you! And just what do you think you can even accomplish all on your own?!”

The moment Colth spoke, the reason he was so unconcerned became apparent as it broke through the walls of the ceremony hall. Aldavonga’s Mechsteel squadron encircled Jet Pegasus. Even surrounded by foes at every side, however, Sonata didn’t flinch.

“I’m not alone at all. I’m here with my comrades—and friends!”

The gryphons that had followed after Jet Pegasus tore through the clouds and descended, releasing their Mode Shifts one by one to take on humanoid shapes and land on the ground. The Lord Gryphon Neos lined up around Jet Pegasus, as if to protect it.

“You’ll be returning Her Majesty now.” Carome’s Neo slowly lifted its head. Even though Carome was only in its cockpit, the Mechsteel’s whole frame seemed ready to erupt with its Steelrider’s anger.

Hearing the flames of rage swaying in her voice, Colth merely held Anna even tighter. He slowly pulled his finger across her cheek, a twisted grin on his face. “How utterly strange! Here is your queen, resting in my arms. It’s truly regrettable to think that Her Majesty’s own knights would brandish their blades on such a joyous day for her!”

“Enough of your nonsense!” Carome snapped. “Did Her Majesty ever agree with your words at all?! Did she ever tell us so herself?! The answer to both is a resounding no! There is only one soul in all of Vahylicard who can order the Royal Knights! There’s no reason at all for you to be standing there beside her!”

“Ahhh, how typical for an outsider,” Colth moaned. “You’re all so stubborn that I hardly know what to do with you. Such obstinance would be better off stripped from you by force—and your lives with it!”

The air began to pulse with power. An overwhelming rampage of magic energy began to spout out, unleashing so much pressure that they could hardly breathe. The titan behind Colth began to twitch. Its cocoon—formed from its wings wrapping around itself countless times—began to unravel.

Aldavonga’s Crown Knight and pride, Aldavonis Messiah, began to awaken. Piloting the Mechsteel was King Kysen.

“Such a terrible shame,” he said, scowling at the intruding Mechsteels. “To think we’d be burdened by such boorish guests on my son’s most special day! If you’ll give him your blessing, then hang your heads. If not...”

The pair of wings now stretching from the Mechsteel had a truly odd shape. While the wings were narrow from top to bottom, their length stretched far enough to wrap around it several times. Each time the wings unfurled, they grew stronger and stronger, as supple as a whip.

“...I’ll be relieving you of your heads.”

Growing ever stronger still, the wings slammed out, reducing the ceremony hall’s walls to rubble.

At nearly the very same moment, a light appeared in the heavens. It took the form of a dazzling current of light stretching down to the ground. There, on the other end of its approach, was Aldavonis Messiah.

“A Magi-skill, hmm? I’m afraid that won’t be enough to work on the Crown Knight, though! Hyper Magi-skill: Speculum Fracti!”

The Mechsteel’s narrow wings rapidly began to break apart. Just when it seemed they’d broken off into small fragments, they changed their shape and set about joining together to form a single gargantuan mirror above Aldavonis Messiah’s head. The current hadn’t overshot its mark, however, and continued straight toward the Mechsteel. Just before the light made a direct hit, the mirror caught it and sent it refracting off in another direction.

“So there were more, then,” Kysen said. “You seem a rather formidable foe. And just who are you?”

As if following after the trail of light that had tapered off in the wake of the attack, a massive Mechsteel descended from on high. Otto, who’d been right in the middle of making his escape from the ceremony hall, distinctly caught sight of it from the corner of his vision.

“Is that Bahamut Dominion?! Don’t tell me the twins— No, what is that?! That’s far different from the Bahamut Dominion I know!”

The gargantuan Mechsteel that had newly arrived should’ve been Bahamut Dominion. And yet, at the same time, it looked unmistakably different. Despite having originally lacked red elements, they were now mixed in on the Mechsteel, and its upper body boasted an especially different appearance. It was almost like...

“Is that...Lord Gryphon?”

As Otto and Meddié stood there in blank shock, the strange, enormous Mechsteel made its descent down to the ground.

“As Anna’s father, there’s no way I can recognize this marriage!” a voice declared. “I object, Colth Aldavonga!”

Otto let out a sigh of relief as a wave of joy washed over Meddié’s face. They couldn’t mistake that voice. Realizing just who it was, Colth cast a fixed glare back at his foe.

“My, my. If it isn’t the Top Knight himself,” he said. “So even you would defy Her Majesty the Queen and my kingdom. I suppose there are some fathers too cruel to recognize their own daughter’s happiness after all.”

From within the gargantuan Mechsteel, Watt glared down at Colth on the ground. When he caught the sight of his daughter in Colth’s arms, the flames of his anger flared even higher.

“Shut yer damn trap,” he growled. “You don’t have any right to talk about Anna’s happiness—not when you fooled her with that same double-dealin’ mouth of yours!”

“Fooled her? I wouldn’t dream of it,” Colth said. “Peace is my single-hearted goal, you know? I’m simply pursuing it in my own way.”

Colth broke into a sneering grin. Watt’s heart burned with rage, only to grow deathly icy that very same moment. “If’n someone’s gonna take Anna to be his wife, then the absolute minimum is somebody who’d do anything and everything to support her. And let me tell you that you don’t make the cut anywhere that it counts!”

The enormous Mechsteel stomped its foot down, grabbing the wings on its back to transform them into massive broadswords. It pointed its blade at Aldavonis Messiah, the Crown Knight of one of the Tres Coronas.

“I’ll take care of this big lunk myself,” Watt said. “Junior, can I leave this guy to you?”

“Understood.” Sonata took a step forward. “I have to aid my senior disciple to atone for my own wretched failure. Colth, you are to return the queen at once!”

“And did you honestly think I was just going to invite you to take her back?” Colth asked. “I must have Anna walk alongside me. If you intend to get in our way, then the only option is to eliminate you!”

Still holding Anna in his arms, Colth made his way toward the white Mechsteel behind him—his very own Austere Shrike.

“Knight Captain! Crush these miscreants!” he shouted, giving his orders as if they were an afterthought as he ran toward his Mechsteel.

“Yes, Your Highness!”

Aldavonga’s Mechsteel squadron sprang to action all at once, only for Carome’s Neo to swing its halberd into the air in a show of opposition. The Royal Knights’ Lord Gryphon Neos all leaped to stand against their foes, who were now advancing upon them.

Practically ignoring the Mechsteel clash that had broken out at its feet, Aldavonis Messiah set into motion. “Oh, what a waste!” Kysen cried. “A sanctimonious ceremony ruined! It’s about time we asked our uncouth guests to take their leave!”

Just then, a massive figure came to stand before the Crown Knight, as if to block its path.

Studying his foe’s appearance in detail, King Kysen tilted his head to the side. “Oh? Now that’s a rather run-down hodgepodge of a Mechsteel. Did you hope to compete with my Crown Knight on grounds of size alone?”

“We were in a hurry, see?” Watt said. “We stitched together what we had. This Mechsteel here’s called Gryphonis Bahamut, and don’t you forget it! That’s the name of the blade that’s gonna knock you offa that high-and-mighty throne of yours!”

Watt—and Gryphonis Bahamut in turn—heaved the massive broadswords into the air. “I am Watt Sears, Top Knight of the Kingdom of Ogdenn! To bring peace to the queen I’ve sworn my sword to, and to protect my kingdom’s future... Here and now, I make my stand as an unbending blade!”

Watt dropped the broadswords down before pointing the tip of one straight at the Crown Knight. “If anyone stands in my way, I’ll rend them apart, from the heavens to the earth!” he snarled. “Prepare yourself!”

“Very well, then,” Kysen answered. “If you wish to know, then allow me to teach you the true power of the Crown Knight!”

Aldavonis Messiah rose into the air in a shimmer of magic energy. The face-off between two Diviner-class Mechsteels was just about to begin.

Chapter Fourteen: Battle for All

Spreading its unblemished, pure-white wings, Austere Shrike rose into the air. Jet Pegasus spread its black wings and surged off after its foe.

On the ground, the two Diviner-class Mechsteels clashed, unable to pay any heed to their surroundings. The Emperimo Central Congress Hall was reduced to a mountain of rubble in the blink of an eye by the power of the Diviners. Fleeing from the violence raging beneath them, the black and white Mechsteels faced off against each other in the sky.

“We must protect His Highness! Defeat those wretched scoundrels!”

One of Aldavonga’s Mechsteels set their aim for the skies in hopes of supporting Colth in Austere Shrike. Just then, however, Carome’s Lord Gryphon Neo unleashed an explosive kick from the mech’s side, sending it and the surrounding soldiers tumbling through the air.

“Don’t you dare get in their way!” Carome barked. “Junior disciple, we’ll leave the skies to you! Be sure to give the fool a thrashing and a half for Watt’s sake too!”

“But of course!” Sonata replied.

Now fully repaired, Jet Pegasus was in perfect form. Sonata stared down at his tightly clenched fists.

As he looked at the white Mechsteel, not even braced as it floated before him, he couldn’t help but see Colth within it. He was a mortal foe to both Sonata and the Kingdom of Doré. Not only that, but he’d also betrayed his senior disciple’s trust and stolen the queen away. Sonata wasn’t about to let him get away this time.

“Colth Aldavonga... You’ve given me all manner of trouble, but now that I think about it, this is the first time we’ve crossed swords ourselves.”

“Naturally so,” Colth answered. “I am the crown prince—the very one who shall someday inherit the crown of Aldavonga and our place among the Tres Coronas with it. I’m far too valuable to be waltzing my way across a battlefield, you see.”

“Odd, considering you’ve been pushing ahead right at the forefront as of late,” Sonata replied.

“Heh heh, I suppose you have a point. I was just as surprised myself! I never dreamed of taking such action on my own—but it seems like that wasn’t such a bad idea at all!”

Austere Shrike drew its blade as Colth spoke before closing in. Jet Pegasus met the attack with its own sword, and the two were closely matched as they pushed against each other, leaving only the roar of their propellers to grow stronger and stronger.

“I know just how you feel!” Colth said. “To strike down your foe with your own hands! To overpower them! I know how marvelous it feels!”

“You’re the last person I want sympathizing with me!” Sonata snapped back.

“And just what’s the difference, Sonata Doré? They call you the Fellblade, of all things! You must’ve enjoyed yourself so far, haven’t you?”

A bitter look crossed Sonata’s face as he twisted his lips into a sullen expression. “I thought you were doing lip service to peace if nothing else, but you’ve had a rather sudden change of heart, haven’t you, Colth?”

“Heh heh, Aldavonga’s goal from the days of old hasn’t changed at all, you know,” Colth said. “Our methodology’s just changed—that’s all!”

“Just your method?!” Sonata spat back, his expression contorted with disgust. “You struck down my senior disciple and stole away Queen Anna! What can be right about any of that?!”

Jet Pegasus and Austere Shrike knocked each other away and distanced themselves.

“I speak of the road that ends in peace,” Colth said, completely calm. “And the one who’s brought the means to open that path forward is none other than Anna herself.”

Even now, Sonata had no way of knowing what sort of interactions Anna and Colth had shared. Even then, he knew full well—he knew that Queen Anna would never choose a method like this.

Colth paid no heed to Sonata as he continued. “Peace is upheld by power! It demands an unbending will and might to match! She has given all of that to me!” Austere Shrike lifted its blade to the heavens. “We shall welcome Ogdenn into our fold and Aldavonga shall rise even higher than the Tres Coronas...before demolishing it all. That is the path to complete and utter peace!”

Sonata was at a loss for words for a moment before immediately regaining his senses. “Don’t tell me you actually expect that to work out! Do you honestly think we’d allow that?!”

“I’ve never been after your permission,” Colth replied. “I shall be the one to do it. And that is why...it’s about time to have any formidable hindrance vanish.”

Sonata had come to realize that, from the outside at least, Colth’s way of thinking might be similar to Anna’s. And yet, the method by which he would enact his plan was hopelessly different—their very foundations were completely separate.

“There is a significant difference between you and Queen Anna,” Sonata said. “And that’s the fact that your actions...leave no place for forgiveness!” Throughout her numerous clashes with the Tres Coronas, Anna Ogdenn had always had the heart to forgive her foes. Despite having the power necessary to correct wrongdoing, she never permitted the reckless exercise of such power. Sonata was certain that she would never be compatible with the likes of Colth.

Even then, however, Colth himself merely tilted his head to the side with a strange look on his face. “Forgiveness? And why in the world would I ever need anything like that? Cutting all the weeds down would leave the fields far more fair!”

No matter how much Colth claimed that Anna had deeply impressed him, such a violent change in such a short span of time was unimaginable. Sonata found it far easier to assume that Colth had always been like that and had simply never shown it until now.

I’ve always known what a filthy bastard he is, so why should I be surprised now? Yes, there’s no doubt about it... My senior disciple was truly, unmistakably strong.

Watt knew—he knew what it meant to be strong. He knew what it truly meant to use his strength to protect others. Most of all, he possessed the strength not to turn someone else into his driving motivation.

“Then I’ll stop you,” Sonata said. “That’s the path of justice that I’m set to inherit!”

Sonata had said what he had to. Jet Pegasus braced itself before flapping its wings.

Feeling the roar of his Mechsteel’s thrusters on his back, Colth responded in turn. “Very well, then—we’re enemies, after all, you and I. Try and stop me if you can. That is, if you can cut down this Mechsteel with Anna inside as well!”

“You bastard! Just when I thought you couldn’t sink any lower!”

Jet Pegasus stopped in place. Austere Shrike, however, brandished its blade with confident disregard, thrusting toward Jet Pegasus without a hint of hesitation.

“Say what you will,” Colth replied. “I know full well that you’re a better swordsman than I. I’d hardly be able to hold my own against you...but that just means I have to find a way to keep you from attacking me!”

With Jet Pegasus’s movements now dulled, Austere Shrike continued with its persistent flurry of blows. “So what will you do, then, Fellblade? Will you cut Anna down with me?! Or will you give up now?! Come, speak up!”

Elated to see Sonata wasn’t counterattacking, Colth’s strikes grew even more intense.

“What will I do...?”

Weathering the veritable storm of attacks raining down upon him, Sonata found himself weighed down by hesitation from within Jet Pegasus’s cockpit.

***

The stone wall crumbled with a mighty groan. Aldavonis Messiah, the Crown Knight, continued to level the Emperimo Central Congress Hall with its long and narrow whiplike wings.

“Hmm, would you mind not evading my attacks so much?” Kysen said. “At this rate, the Congress Hall will be nothing more than a vacant lot.”

“Little too late for that!” Watt said back.

Even the hall—no doubt built with no expense spared, with the help of funds from the Tres Coronas—was as good as sandstone before the Crown Knight’s destructive capabilities. Despite this, however, Aldavonis Messiah seemed to show little hesitation as it continued its onslaught.

“What seems to be the matter, Top Knight of Ogdenn? Where did all that fury and might you showed at the beginning go?”

“Ya really don’t mince yer words, do ya?!”

Gryphonis Bahamut used its massive broadswords to push off the whiplike attacks from Aldavonis Messiah’s wings. The wings let out sparks as they slid past the broad side of the blade before slipping past to the rear.

Gryphonis Bahamut stepped forward to counterattack, only for its foe to immediately launch a wing whip follow-up blow. Aldavonis Messiah used its wings to launch alternating attacks on either side. Watt found himself struggling with Kysen’s consecutive attacks and their broad sweeping range.

“Hey, c’mon now, old guy! What’re you doing?!”

“Hey, c’mon now, old guy! You’ve gotta do better than that!”

Making the situation even more unbearable were the twins in the cockpit with him, shouting in his ears.

“There! Right there! Attaaaaaack!”

“And slash! And dodge! That’s right—slash!”

“Can it! How am I supposed to focus like this? The two of you need to pipe down!” Watt barked.

“Fiiiiiiiine.”

Ledo and Leda were still royals, so he couldn’t leave them in Doré’s care. That was why Watt had let the twins ride inside the Mechsteel with him, but he was growing to regret that choice more and more with each passing moment.

But now was no time for him to be distracted. Aldavonis Messiah used its two wing whips to unleash simultaneous attacks while Gryphonis Bahamut crossed its blades to contain the strikes. Watt was forced backward, carving trails into the ground as his Mechsteel went due to the sheer force of the attack.

“Well, now, Top Knight,” Kysen said, “from what I hear, you’re Queen Anna’s father, aren’t you?”

Aldavonis Messiah took a broad look around its surroundings, only to see the mountain of rubble that had been the Emperimo Central Congress Hall.

“And now our children’s joyous day is ruined,” he continued. “How utterly shameful. If you’re a father, you should be giving your daughter your blessing. Are you one of those sorts that doesn’t want to see their daughter married off to anyone? It’s so unseemly that I can hardly bear it!”

“You rotten-ass bastard... Where the hell do you get off playin’ the victim when you’re the ones who snatched my girl?!”

King Kysen simply brushed off Watt’s indignation like it was nothing. As one of the Tres Coronas, he boasted the thickest skin in all of Vahylicard.

“That comes down to a difference in opinion. You see, I’ve heard that Anna Ogdenn knows just how precious peace truly is. If so, her aspirations would be best matched with Aldavonga’s. Don’t you think that would be the most desirable outcome here?”

“I ain’t about to let you go off spinnin’ Anna’s good heart—and her resolve—to suit yourselves!”

“My, my, every time you open that mouth of yours, it’s nothing but complaints. I just can’t seem to get along with outsiders like you.”

Kysen put on a forced show of sadness, all without any intention of letting Watt get away.

Watt clenched his teeth as Aldavonis Messiah lifted its wing whips into the air. “It’s just like King Auvere said. You’re the same as the rest of the Tres Coronas—you can’t do anything besides look down on everybody else from your spot up high!”

Gryphonis Bahamut lifted its massive broadswords. No matter how unfavorable the situation, Watt’s fighting spirit didn’t show so much as a hint of decline.

Seeing that for himself, Kysen let out an exaggerated sigh. “I see now. So that’s why you’ve challenged the Crown Knight with that worn-out, patched-up excuse for a Mechsteel, then. And worse yet, you actually plan on winning—is that it?”

“You bet your royal ass it is,” Watt replied. “There ain’t a father out there who can go off losing in front of his daughter!”

“Yes, yes, I see!” Kysen said. “So you’ll die for your own pride, then! I think that’s quite all right! Far, far better than dying without a reason!”

No sooner had Kysen finished speaking than Aldavonis Messiah lashed out with its whiplike wings, as if to signal the end of the conversation. The whips snapped out, striking up a gust of wind as they thrashed Gryphonis Bahamut.

“Then in that case, I’ll put an end to this, just as you wish! Hyper Magi-skill...Cumulo Nimbus!”

The wings on Aldavonis Messiah’s back snapped out before folding over several times and expanding. They took on the shape of a bowstring, producing an array of lightning arrows all at once.

“Feast your eyes as these thunderous bolts descend upon you!”

The lightning arrows launched into the sky in one volley. The arrows, which had been launched directly upward, spun around before raining down on Gryphonis Bahamut.

“Uh-oh! That’s one nasty attack!”

“I hear ya, I hear ya!” Watt replied to the twins. “We talked about this—I made sure to ask that they included that one too!”

“All righty! Here goes! Feather Sphere!”

After the twins performed the necessary operations from within the cockpit, feathers rose into the air from Gryphonis Bahamut’s wings. They were wrapped in the glow of magic energy, blocking the rain of lightning arrows.

“All right, get back here, Feather Sphere! We’re gonna go pay him a visit ourselves!”

While Watt was recalling the feathers in the wake of the lightning arrows, the dragons’ jaws on either of Gryphonis Bahamut’s shoulders opened up.

“It’s payback time! Hyper Magi-skill: Dragon’s Roar!”

A light shone from within the dragons’ jaws, only for a blinding stream of light to come pouring out a moment later. Even when confronted with the devastating power of the Hyper Magi-skill, however, Kysen seemed only exasperated.

“That again? You just don’t learn, do you? Or perhaps your memory’s not the best. That attack won’t work on me! Hyper Magi-skill: Speculum Fracti!”

Aldavonis Messiah’s wings broke apart, floating in the air before gathering together in one place. They set about forming an enormous mirror that proceeded to absorb the shimmering light of Dragon’s Roar head-on. The mirror refracted the light, sending it off in another direction before it disappeared.

“Oh, I know, all right! I’ve seen that one before!” Watt replied. “And that’s exactly why you can’t use those whips of yours right now!”

The mirror formed from Speculum Fracti was made by piecing together the Mechsteel’s wing whips. It would take time in order to attack with the wings again. Gryphonis Bahamut wasn’t about to let that gap go to waste, however, as it rushed to close the distance.

“Heh heh, how shortsighted,” Kysen replied. “You continue to underestimate the Crown Knight’s power, it seems. Then allow me to show you that Speculum Fracti can be used like this as well!”

At Kysen’s command, Speculum Fracti broke apart into fragments, fluttering in the air. The fragments transformed into a shimmering prison surrounding Gryphonis Bahamut.

“Hey, that ain’t fair, ya damn cheat!”

“It’s time for Cumulo Nimbus! Now, taste the wrath of limitless lightning!”

Immediately thereafter, Aldavonis Messiah launched a volley of lightning arrows. The arrows were promptly reflected against the mirror’s fragments, sending them darting off in a different direction. The arrows rapidly bounced off the mirror fragments surrounding Gryphonis Bahamut, bolting from fragment to fragment before finally launching on their target from every direction.

“Hey, twins! Can you keep us safe here?!” Watt asked.

“Ack, no way! Which way are they gonna come from?! ...Ngh!”

Despite Gryphonis Bahamut’s attempts to protect itself with Feather Sphere, it was impossible for it to fully catch sight of the rain of the lightning arrows rapidly rebounding toward it. While they were able to knock off some of the bolts by chance, a direct attack finally made its way through.

“Agh!”

The lightning arrow exploded, knocking Gryphonis Bahamut off-balance.

Watching his foe sink down to its knee from above, Kysen let out a satisfied laugh. “Heh heh! So what do you think of my prison’s devastating might?”

“It’s...one helluva pain in the ass, I’ll say that.”

A bead of sweat stole down Watt’s forehead as an unpleasant creaking sound echoed out across the cockpit. They’d collected the unharmed parts from Lord Gryphon and Bahamut Dominion and forcibly stitched them together in order to shorten the time that would be needed for repairs, and now they were paying the price. While Doré had been able to polish the results to ensure the Mechsteel could run well, it seemed they hadn’t been able to perfect its performance completely. The damage it had suffered was making those strains more and more apparent.

They were cornered. Yet that was exactly why Watt put on a bold smile. “But don’t get ahead of yourself. I can still move, see?”

“Oh, but of course,” Kysen answered. “So shall we continue, then? It’ll be fascinating to see just how long you can last!”

The fragments of Speculum Fracti stirred as Aldavonis Messiah launched another volley of lightning arrows from its wings. They darted about the mirror prison, their aim set on only one target: Gryphonis Bahamut.

“Then keep your eyes wide open and make sure you don’t miss it...when my sword goes straight through you!”

The feathers from Feather Sphere launched into the air, blocking the incoming rain of lightning arrows. The battle between the titans grew ever more intense.

***

A white trail carved through the sky. Jet Pegasus slashed away the flurry of attacks as it flapped its wings, yet launched no counterattacks of its own.

“What happened to your drive from earlier?!” Colth asked. “Or perhaps you mean to tell me that the Fellblade himself intends to just die after I’ve had all my fun?!”

His scornful laughter echoed through the air. While Colth was skilled enough with a blade for one in his position, Sonata Doré was on another level. He’d inherited his techniques from his master, and Iqall had even called him his greatest disciple. Sonata’s title as the Fellblade—and the fierce strength behind the title—was well-known among many nations. Under normal circumstances, Colth would have had no hopes of winning. The reality of the situation now, however, was different.

“We’re enemies, you and I!” Colth said. “We don’t need a reason to cross swords! But now your goal is saving the queen. That was all the reason I needed to put a stop to your blade!”

Colth wasn’t alone in Austere Shrike’s cockpit—Anna was inside too. Sonata had no way of knowing how she was faring, but given that there were no signs of her raging about beside Colth, it wasn’t hard to imagine that she’d either lost consciousness or was unable to move for some reason.

“That’s some confidence just for taking her hostage!” Sonata said back.

“Oh, you flatter me!”

Sonata scowled. ...No, not here!

He’d already seen it—he’d seen the move he’d have to make to defeat Colth, the part he’d need to cut. His body would prepare to swing his blade on its own, following the techniques deeply engraved in his muscles. Sonata would parry away Colth’s attack and aim for the gap that he’d created—it was there that he would always snap back to his senses. With Anna as a hostage inside, he couldn’t attack the cockpit.

Stop... I have to save her!

Sonata’s techniques didn’t mesh with what he was thinking. It was the first time he could ever remember not being able to wield his blade the right way. He’d cut down each and every foe that had stood in his way until now without the slightest hint of hesitation, so much so that he’d earned himself the second name of the Fellblade.

They won’t be able to hold out at this rate, though!

Sonata found himself wrestling against his temptations, but even then, he knew that he couldn’t afford to let himself slow down. At this very moment, Watt was there on the ground, challenging the supremely powerful Crown Knight with a tattered Mechsteel. Carome and the other Royal Knights were boldly standing against Aldavonga’s squadron and keeping them in check. Sonata could clearly see that, while they were equally matched for now, they would be forced to their knees before Aldavonga’s sheer numbers eventually.

All while I have the way to carve a path through right here!

If Sonata could defeat Austere Shrike and save Anna, the tides would turn sharply in their favor. And yet, his frustrations only mounted higher and higher, as the irritation led the temptation to graze past his mind time and time again.

What in the world am I supposed to do at a time like this? Master never taught me anything like that!

Sonata looked back on the days of training he’d once spent, only now feeling that something had been wrong. Every swing and slash of the sword he’d learned had been nothing short of death blows, all accompanied by the unchanging charge his master had given him: Be strong. Defeat your foe first. All that you need on the battlefield is to be the last man standing.

“What am I gonna do with you, junior?”

At that very moment, it was almost as if he heard a familiar voice interrupting. The figure who’d been the reason the master he revered had perished—the one he should’ve detested.

“Every last drop of your strength goes right into defeatin’ your opponent. And that’s why I can tell where you’re aimin’, clear as day!”

Is that what he meant? Sonata thought to himself.

His senior disciple’s words finally sank in. This whole time, he’d been wielding his sword by following after the motions of his master. Now, he felt like he’d been given another option.

“That’s not where ya should be aimin’ for...”

Watt’s words sparked a small change within his own movements. “A blade that’s needed...to keep others safe!”

Following the path his heart willed, Sonata swung Jet Pegasus’s blade. His attack avoided the best location for killing, veering off to the side instead. It was all fine now—the hesitation had vanished from his sword.

“Wha—?!”

It was a beautiful attack, sharp and piercing, without so much as a hint of waste in its motion. Colth gasped as he watched the white Mechsteel’s arm spiral through the air from his cockpit display. He hadn’t noticed at all, nor had he felt any impact in the slightest. And yet, there was his Mechsteel’s arm—and its sword with it—cut off and flying through the air!

“I’d expect nothing less of Doré’s own Fellblade! So you couldn’t care less if I have a hostage or not, then?!”

All Colth could assume was that Jet Pegasus’s counterattack meant that he’d aim for Austere Shrike’s weaknesses, hostage and all. Staying within his foe’s reach would be a danger, meaning he’d do well to create distance between them. The white Mechsteel started to retreat with a mighty flap of its wings—

“I figured you’d run.”

Sonata had read Colth’s reaction like a book. Watt would’ve launched a counterattack without blinking. Colth, on the other hand, lacked both the finesse and the mettle for that.

Jet Pegasus surged ahead before the prince could even begin his escape, thrusting its sword forward as far as it would reach. Before they’d begun to fight, Sonata had ascertained the cockpit’s location when Colth had gotten in his Mechsteel. Sonata turned the tip of his blade away, instead aiming for its stomach. With all Jet Pegasus’s might behind it, the sword pierced straight through the white Mechsteel.

“You basta— Ngh?!”

The impact of the collision ran through the cockpit. Paying no heed to Colth’s squirming, Sonata continued with his offensive.

“It’s time. Beast Shift!”

With the white Mechsteel still impaled on its blade, Jet Pegasus began its transformation into a four-legged beast. The pegasus flapped its wings, giving a mighty whinny as it pushed its propellers to their max. With the thunderous clack of its burning hooves, the pegasus galloped into the sky, carrying the white Mechsteel with it.

“High in the sky is the last place you belong!”

Jet Pegasus changed directions and set its path for the ground. The ground grew closer and closer before Colth’s eyes.

“Being bound to the ground suits you far more!” Sonata shouted, slamming Austere Shrike into the earth. Sparks flew as the Mechsteel slid across the ground. Austere Shrike’s pure-white wings were practically sanded away as it went before finally shattering to pieces. The Mechsteel wouldn’t fly again after that. As it finally came to a halt, the black pegasus looked down at the white Mechsteel collapsed beneath it.

“Your Mechsteel was made just for you as the crown prince,” Sonata said. “It’s bound to be durable.”

With its wings gone and its limbs crushed, Austere Shrike was in terrible condition, but its trunk had still maintained its shape through it all—fitting enough for the crown prince’s own Mechsteel.

Jet Pegasus kicked open the armor on Austere Shrike’s chest with its hoof.

“It’s over, Colth Aldavonga,” Sonata said mercilessly. “You’ve lost.”

***

A flash of lightning surged across the battlefield. Despite enduring Aldavonis Messiah’s Hyper Magi-skill several times, Gryphonis Bahamut remained in good condition.

“You certainly are a persistent one, aren’t you?” Kysen said. “All of your endless struggling is turning into a bore, don’t you think?”

“Oh? You already had your fill?” Watt asked back. “You Tres Coronas really don’t have a lick of patience, do ya?”

Gryphonis Bahamut was veritably covered in damage from head to toe, but Aldavonis Messiah hadn’t been able to defeat it. Its Cumulo Nimbus attack was either blocked by Feather Sphere or cleared away by Gryphonis Bahamut’s massive broadswords. Even if Aldavonis Messiah used Speculum Fracti at the same time, the results were still the same. If anything, Gryphonis Bahamut was sustaining less and less damage each time, as if it were getting more and more used to Aldavonis Messiah with each passing attack.

Despite having sustained almost no damage at all while piloting Aldavonga Messiah, King Kysen held no sense of superiority as if he were overwhelming his foe. Far from it—he was met with the restless sensation that Watt was steadily gaining ground on him. Shaking his head in an attempt to dispel his own faintheartedness, he put on an even more confident grin.

“You’re more formidable than I credited you for. Yes, you’ve given me a good deal of trouble. It’s about time for the other two Crowns to make their appearance. I’m afraid I can’t keep on playing this little game of ours. What do you say—why don’t we go ahead and wrap this up?”

“Hey now, don’t be such a downer!” Watt replied. “And here I was just about to start launchin’ some attacks on my end!”

Kysen gasped as the battered Gryphonis Bahamut took a step forward. Why was the mere sight of that enough to put such a tremor in his heart?

What? I sit crowned at the peak of power—am I actually quivering here before the likes of some backwater knight?! But if I am...then it’s just a matter of attacking with everything I have and putting this fool down!

Aldavonis Messiah increased its power output even further. A destructive magic energy filled its wings all the way up to the tip as they began to radiate a faint light.

“I wonder if that walking corpse of a Mechsteel will be able to withstand this?”

Aldavonis Messiah called back the fragments floating in the air to reform its whip wings and notch another volley of lightning arrows on its wings shaped into a bow. The Mechsteel combined all of the attacks it was capable of as it tried to attack Gyphonis Bahamut.

Then, at that very moment...

Two shooting stars—one black and one white—cut across the edges of Kysen’s vision. He opened his eyes wide. There was no way he could mistake what he saw. There was Colth’s white Mechsteel being slammed against the ground by a black pegasus!

“What?! Colth?!” Kysen gasped. “You lowly mutt! Get away from my son!”

His attention fell away from Gyphonis Bahamut. Watt immediately dashed ahead at full speed, pouring out all his Mechsteel’s remaining power. The mech’s massive frame surged ahead all at once as it tried to leap straight for Aldavonis Messiah’s chest.

Aldavonis Messiah’s gaze had remained fixed on Gryphonis the entire time, however, never budging away for even a moment.

“Did you think you’d found an opening?” Kysen asked. “Unfortunately, that was just an act to draw you in!”

Aldavonis Messiah sprang into action. Its wing whips thrust out and wrapped around Gryphonis Bahamut, completely barring it from moving.

“You won’t be moving anymore now,” he went on. “Face your end with dignity.”

The wing whips grew tighter as Gryphonis Bahamut let out a creak. From within the cockpit, however, Watt had an intrepid grin plastered on his face.

“That’s right. I don’t need to move any more than this. I’m in the best spot I can be in right here!”

“...What did you say?”

“All righty then, Yer Highness!” Watt said. “Now’d be a pretty good time to clench that jaw of yours! This next one’s gonna be just a little bit...bumpy!”

Even as the wing whips were wrapping tightly around Gryphonis Bahamut, the dragons’ jaws on both of its shoulders burst open. Seeing the light gathering from deep within their maws, Kysen found himself in a panic for the first time in the battle.

“You bastard! Stop!”

Kysen had already notched another volley of lightning arrows on Aldavonis Messiah’s bowstring wing. He wasted no time launching all of the electrified bolts into the sky. The arrows rained down on Gyphonis Bahamut, ahead of its attack.

“Tee hee! Too bad! You want us to stop?”

“Hee hee! No way we’re gonna stop! Bleh!” the twins taunted, sticking out their tongues.

The feathers from Feather Sphere rose into the air. It should’ve been impossible—two Hyper Magi-skills were being used at the same time. Bahamut Dominion, serving as the base for Gyphonis Bahamut, had had a flaw with its power output, preventing it from using two Hyper Magi-skills at once. And yet, that only applied when the attacks were being unleashed at full power.

Only two feathers from Feather Sphere were protecting Gryphonis Bahamut, guarding only its shoulders as it prepared to unleash Dragon’s Roar. It had used the surplus magic energy to contrive the bare minimum of a defense. Even when a few of the lightning arrows pierced through it, Gryphonis Bahamut didn’t seem to mind at all. With Lord Gryphon’s head sitting atop Gryphonis Bahamut, the Mechsteel glared straight at Aldavonis Messiah.

“Have a taste of this, you sonnuva bitch!”

The light reached its peak as Gryphonis Bahamut unleashed its Hyper Magi-skill from the dragons’ jaws. The current of light collided with the wing whips still wrapped around Gryphonis Bahamut. The light bounced off several of the mirror fragments before stretching forward, obliterating the wing whips as it went.

“S-Stay away from meeeeee!”

In an ironic twist, by connecting itself to Gryphonis Bahamut with its wing whips, Aldavonis Messiah was now unable to even flee. The stream of light pushed forward, devouring the wings in its wake, before finally making its way to the Crown Knight itself. The light hammered straight into its shoulders before moving out to consume its wings and annihilate them in the span of a moment.

Gryphonis Bahamut was at its limits. Finally, both its Feather Sphere and Dragon’s Roar attacks broke off. With the light gone, Gryphonis Bahamut’s gargantuan frame left a trail of smoke as it collapsed, now freed from its fetters.

There, after the ruinous light had passed by, stood Aldavonis Messiah’s trunk, completely stripped of its arms and wings. Before long, the Mechsteel tilted and sank down on its knees. The fighting came to an end as silence fell.

Splitting through the towering pillars of smoke, an enormous titan stood up. It was Gryphonis Bahamut. Its whole body had been pierced by arrows, and it had lost the capability to unleash Dragon’s Roar. The Mechsteel dragged along the arm that it could no longer use, but its core—Lord Gryphon—still stood strong. Jerking its remaining arm around, Gryphonis Bahamut picked up the massive broadsword at its feet.

“Do you...realize...just what...you’re doing?!” Kysen’s moans echoed out from within Aldavonis Messiah, still stuck in place. “If you strike me down here... Should one of the Tres Coronas fall... Ungh, the balance will be shattered! All of Vahylicard will be swallowed up in the ravages of war!”

“You’re right,” Watt replied, “It’ll be a whole damn mess...”

Gryphonis Bahamut tottered along as it brandished its blade.

“What part about any of this is peace?!” Kysen shouted, his words finally beginning to turn into screams. “Ogdenn... You’ll be the demon that brings the downfall of all of Vahylicard!”

“Not quite,” Watt replied. “There’s still another way to keep a fight from breakin’ out.”

“What did you say?” Kysen’s expression was inexplicably stiff.

“I just have to cut them all down,” Watt said quietly. “Gemmaherve and Menallazohortz too. I do that, and everybody’ll settle down.”

“Don’t tell me you actually mean that?!”

“Yup, ’fraid so,” Watt answered. “Now, you can be the first to sleep.”

Summoning all the power it had left, Gryphonis Bahamut’s blade flashed—and cut off Aldavonis Messiah’s head.

It cut an arc as it sailed through the sky.

For whatever reason, the sight seemed to play out in slow motion. Everyone on the battlefield saw it clear as day. The Mechsteel’s head made a strangely light sound as it fell to the ground.

“Th-The Crown Knight... Our king...was...defeated?” someone muttered, their voice trembling.

That was the trigger that led each and every person there to realize the reality of the situation. The crown prince’s Mechsteel had fallen. Even the Crown Knight had fallen. There wasn’t a soul left to lead Aldavonga now.

“It’s over,” Watt said from within Gryphonis Bahamut. “You bastards lost.”

The soldiers sank to their knees.

***

With the fighting over, a squadron made its way through the now lifeless town. Its members all bore the same emblem. They were the Mechsteel unit comprising Ogdenn’s nobles.

Having made their escape from the clash between the two titans, they’d now headed back under the assumption that things had been settled. Cautiously making their way through the city—though it was now more a mountain of rubble than a city—they set off toward the motionless Gryphonis Bahamut.

“What a dreadful state,” Otto muttered as he looked around at his surroundings from the Centaurio Runner. It was difficult for him to give any other reaction than a sigh.

At the helm of the mech, Meddié looked around from side to side. “More importantly, where’s Anna?! She’s okay, right?”

“There’s no doubt she’s over there,” Otto replied.

The group made its way over to Gryphonis Bahamut. Standing there were Watt and Carome, as well as the other Royal Knights. While there were others in uniforms they didn’t recognize—likely from another nation—the group put them aside for the time being.

“Anna, are you okay?!”

Anna Ogdenn was right there, resting limply in Watt’s arms. She made no response to Meddié’s calls. Her face went pale as the possibility that Anna might’ve been injured crossed her mind.

Watt gave a slow nod to reassure her. “She’s fine. She’s just been knocked out with some drug, that’s all. We already gave her an antidote, so she should be waking up soon...isn’t that right?”

Watt directed his question to the two individuals tied up before him—King Kysen of Aldavonga and his son, Colth. They’d both been defeated in the Mechsteel battle, but neither had been killed. Instead, they’d both been captured.

“You’ve nothing to worry about,” Colth said. “What we said is no lie. We put her to sleep only because there was an antidote to remedy it. She’ll be waking up soon enough.”

“You scum. How dare you treat Her Majesty like that!” Carome glared at Colth, her gaze completely unmoving. She began to unsheathe her sword, only for the others to rush to stop her.

“The ruler of one of the Tres Coronas is a rather valuable bargaining chip for negotiations,” Otto explained. “I’m afraid corpses don’t carry that same value.”

“Very well. If it will aid Her Majesty, then...” Carome said after a moment, reluctantly pulling away her blade.

“Oh, dear, we wound up losing, Colth,” Kysen said. “And just how are we going to make amends for this loss?”

“It sounds like they’ll be taking care of all the cleanup,” Colth replied. “Let’s just watch, father.”

“I like the sound of that.”

Even though the two captives were tied up, they were chatting away with hardly a care, so there was no hint of bloodthirsty intent to be found in their surroundings. Otto couldn’t help but admire the sheer shamelessness of the Tres Coronas.

“Would you mind keepin’ it down a little?” Watt said. “We don’t plan on killin’ you, but I can’t stop a certain somebody from explodin’ on you either.”

At Watt’s urging, the two finally closed their mouths. He briefly looked up into the sky before leaving Anna to Meddié’s care.

“Sorry ’bout the hassle, but I’ll leave Anna with you, then.”

“It’s fine, master,” Meddié answered. “But is there still more you’re planning on doing?”

“Sure is. I’m just gonna take care of the last few chores on my list.”

With that, Watt rose to his feet and glared off into the distance. There was something fluttering in the horizon. The object soon grew close enough for everyone to make out what it was.

“That’s the emblem of the Ancient Kingdom of Gemmaherve...”

There wasn’t a soul in the land who didn’t recognize that emblem. The forces flying the flag advanced toward them like a wave. They were the main unit of Gemmaherve’s army. Charging ahead at the very front was a Mechsteel Watt recognized.

“Gwa ha ha ha! You fools! You wretched, shortsighted fools! This is what happens when you try to hoard all the gain for yourselves, you Aldavongan dogs! It serves you right—it all belongs to me! I alone shall be the victor! Hee hee hee!”

It was Gemmahertburg, the Crown Knight. The damage it had sustained earlier had been repaired, with the Mechsteel now running around full of life.

That was already more than enough to make the scene a veritable nightmare, but their trials weren’t over yet. The group saw another flag rise up from a separate direction. It was no surprise that the flag bore the emblem of the Menallazohortz Empire.

“Shoulda known the empire’d show up too,” Watt moaned. “His Imperial Highness doesn’t know the first thing about mercy, does he?”

He made his way inside Gryphonis Bahamut and awakened the mech while the Royal Knights wasted no time rushing over to their own Mechsteels.

Otto peered out at the sight from his telescope, the edges of his lips trembling. “So the Tres Coronas are all gathering together here... If only the occasion had been Corona Senatus instead.”

Lamenting the situation would do no good, however. It had been none other than Ogdenn who had defeated Aldavonga. As everyone rushed to leap into action, Ledo and Leda merely danced together, completely unbothered.

“La-di-dah, not our problem anymore!”

“La-di-dee, it’ll all work out!”

Gryphonis Bahamut took a heavy step forward, creaking as it went. It had lost access to Dragon’s Roar, had its wings broken off, and was now unable to even fly, but even then, the Mechsteel showed no hesitation as it marched straight ahead. It marched straight for the ground-shaking forces of the Gemmaherve army—straight for the elites of the Menallazohortz Empire, which were drawing in on them in perfectly ordered ranks. Watt set off against them, all on his own.

“All righty, then... ’Bout time we settled the score.”

A group of shadows ran up to Gryphonis Bahamut from behind as it walked ahead. The band of Lord Gryphon Neos arrived one after another.

“Don’t tell me you’re planning on leaving me behind again!” Carome demanded.

“Hey, c’mon now! I’m really gonna have to sit and think on this whole havin’ a way-too-loyal pal business. You don’t need to go out and get the short end of the stick yourself!”

“We don’t have any hope of escaping anyway,” Carome replied. “And besides, just sitting around and waiting’s never been my cup of tea.”

“Heh heh, you’re not wrong there.”

The Royal Knights weren’t the only ones; Jet Pegasus came flying over alongside the roar of its propellers. It followed Gryphonis Bahamut, floating in the air above it.

“While it may not be much, allow me to join you, my senior disciple,” Sonata said.

“Even you, junior? I really appreciate Doré’s help, but there ain’t any reason for you to stick around with us any longer. Don’t you need to get back to your brother?”

“If I went back like a coward now, I’d only anger him,” Sonata replied. “He’d demand to know why I abandoned my friend.”

“...That so?” Watt asked back.

He didn’t waste any more time trying to convince them. With the knights now resolutely standing in rank, there wasn’t a thing left for him to ask. The most pressing concern was the fact that both Gemmaherve’s and Menallazohortz’s forces had now drawn so close that the group didn’t need a telescope to see their emblems clearly. Even if they were to try to flee now, it was already too late.

“Phew, all this father business is no walk in the park, lemme tell ya!”

Gryphonis Bahamut heaved its massive broadsword over its shoulder again. The Mechsteel gave a creak as it did, but Watt ignored all that.

“You don’t have any intentions of quitting though, do you?” Carome asked.

“’Course I don’t,” Watt replied. “All righty then, everybody! Let’s give these bastards a real show!”

“Yeah!”

With Gryphonis Bahamut at the center, the Royal Knights took their formations around it while Jet Pegasus flew through the skies above.

As if in response, Gemmahertburg leaped forward ahead of its allies. “You wretches, what do you think you’re playing at? You’ve half a foot in the grave already! What sort of foolish vanity led you to believe you could stand in my way in such a ragged state?!”

“I know we’ve got our work cut out for us, plain ’n’ simple,” Watt replied. “But stubborn or not, we’re not about to stand down and let you have yer way!”

The Lord Gryphon Neos’ formation split in two as Gryphonis Bahamut raced ahead. With his Mechsteel already in shambles, Watt didn’t know how much of a fight he’d be able to put up, but he had no choice.

Watt brandished his massive broadsword, his mind made up. On the other side, Slattmer swung his Mechsteel’s heavily armored fist into the air, howling with laughter. The two titans finally clashed—

That very same moment, a spear of moonlight drove straight through the side of Gemmahertburg’s face.

“What do you think you’re— Urgh!”

With its eyes fixed only on its quarry before it, Gemmahertburg had been unable to avoid the attack, instead taking the blow head-on. It was heavily equipped with sturdy armor, however, protecting it from serious damage. Even then, the attack sent it slamming into the ground.

“You...damn...wretch! How dare you get in my way?!”

Gryphonis Bahamut instinctively stopped in place and looked up at the sky. Floating there was another titan, its arm now back in place after throwing the spear.

“And now we’ve got the Knight of the Imperial Crown, Magnus Menallazohort...and Emperor Caesar buttin’ in?!”

Magnus Menallazohort ignored Gryphonis Bahamut completely, instead descending down from the skies and landing its foot right on Gemmahertburg’s face as it started to get up.

“How dare you step on me again, knave!”

“Heh heh, I figured you’d hear me a lot more clearly this way, with how hard of hearing you are!” Caesar said. “This doesn’t concern you. Stay there and stay quiet.”

Magnus Menallazohort lifted its leg up before stomping it down forcefully on the Mechsteel’s head again. Gemmahertburg fell silent after that.

It was the Gemmaherve army that scrambled. As soon as the Crown Knight had gone ahead, it had been defeated and now found itself being stomped on. The foe that had accomplished that was none other than the Knight of the Imperial Crown, however. Just as the Gemmahervan forces found themselves at a loss for how to respond, the Imperial Army brandished its arms, having made their approach in the meantime.

“There. That’s far enough.”

Magnus Menallazohort swiftly raised its hand, prompting the Imperial Army to immediately stop in place. The army was under Caesar’s terrifyingly perfect control.

But why had he halted his attack when he had such a prime opportunity? Clearly at a loss, Watt busily looked back and forth between the Crown Knight and the Knight of the Imperial Crown. This time, however, Magnus Menallazohort turned toward Gryphonis Bahamut.

“You there. You’re a knight of Ogdenn, aren’t you?”

“Indeed I am, Your Imperial Majesty,” Watt answered.

“That voice... So it’s you, then,” Caesar said. “Hmph, you’ve put up quite a fight against the Tres Coronas. You’re a damn hopeless fool, but you’ve earned my compliments.”

“So, I’m really sorry to do this right after you went to all the trouble of complimentin’ me, but...”

Making up his mind, Watt guided Gryphonis Bahamut to brandish its blade. Staring at the massive blade now pointing at him, Caesar narrowed his eyes. “Ohhh? Pointing your sword at me? You do understand what that means, don’t you?”

“I know plenty well. But I’m Ogdenn’s... I’m Queen Anna’s Top Knight. My mission is to weed out all the sprouts that could blossom into a conflict, see?”

With Gryphonis Bahamut as battered as it was, Watt didn’t know how much of a chance at winning he had left. Even then, however, retreating was never an option.

Magnus Menallazohort moved its head up and down, examining the worn-out Mechsteel from head to toe before immediately bursting into uncontrollable laughter.

“Heh heh... Bwa ha ha! Such big talk when you’re halfway to the junkyard! Your queen’s one thing, but I see you knights are just as special! Ha ha ha ha!”

Magnus Menallazohort stood straight up, as if Caesar were clutching his stomach in laughter from inside. The emperor gave such a howl of laughter that even Watt couldn’t help but feel a bit uneasy.

There, right in the middle of the chaos marked by Caesar’s roaring laughter and Watt’s confusion, the echo of horse hooves rang out on top of the mix. Making its appearance from the rear, the Centaurio Runner dashed right into the middle of the battlefield. Seeing the girl who appeared as the Mechsteel’s cockpit opened, Watt let out a nondescript sigh.

“I’m terribly sorry for the delay, everyone.”

Making her declaration, the girl—Anna Ogdenn—immediately looked up at Gryphonis Bahamut’s ragged frame.

“Father! You left me out and headed off to the battlefield on your own... How could you?”

“Hey now, it ain’t like that!” he replied. “Those bastards drugged you unconscious, so what was I supposed to do? More importantly, this ain’t the sort of battlefield I could go haulin’ you off to!”

Even Watt couldn’t bring himself to say that he’d hoped she’d stay asleep until everything was settled.

“Still, it looks like I made it in time for the conclusion,” Anna said.

With that, she turned around to face Magnus Menallazohort, which was seemingly fascinated as it watched them.

“I’m so sorry to keep you waiting, Emperor Caesar. If you might be so kind, I’d like you to listen to what I have to say regarding who won this battle.”

“Hmph, it’s clear as day who won!” Caesar snorted. “And it’s none other than my very own Menallazohortz Empire! See for yourself! All of the fools have bowed before me!”

Gemmahertburg was still there, caught beneath Magnus Menallazohort’s foot. With the old king now hostage, Gemmaherve’s forces couldn’t make any move at all. Aldavonis Messiah had already sustained massive damage—not to mention losing its head. Ogdenn was already unimaginably smaller in scale than its opponents, and to make matters worse, its forces were now at the extreme limits of exhaustion after making their way through such a bitter battle. It was readily apparent to any and all that the sole victor would be the Imperial Army, the only party on the battlefield that was completely unharmed.

There wasn’t a soul in the land who could put a stop to Emperor Caesar or to Magnus Menallazohort.

Anna squeezed her fists tight. Refusing to give up, she looked up and locked eyes with Magnus Menallazohort.

“Under normal circumstances, it would only be fitting for my empire to go on and level all of Vahylicard!” Caesar exclaimed. “And yet... What a terrible shame it is...that I owe a debt to Anna Ogdenn.”

“Huh?”

With the Knight of the Imperial Crown’s rugged finger pointing straight at her, Anna bent backward, clearly confused.

“And as emperor, I truly hate nothing—nothing—more than being in someone’s debt. Which is why...I shall play along with this joke of yours this once, and never again!”

Magnus Menallazohort’s cockpit opened up to reveal Caesar, his eyes fixed on Anna.

“Now, let the announcement be made...that Corona Senatus is to be held! That is what this place is for, is it not?” he said in the highest of spirits, looking around at the ruins that were now no longer even identifiable as the remnants of the Emperimo Central Congress Hall. “And besides—heh heh—I think it’d be a fine idea to hold it out here, where we can get a little fresh air every now and again!”

Epilogue: When the Sun Sets

A piercingly blue sky stretched out above them as an icy gust of wind that blotted out the sun’s warmth blew past.

As a result of the vicious battle that had seen masses of Mechsteels throw themselves into an all-out melee, the city of Yantaggio had been destroyed, even marvelously so. Here and there, scars of destruction had been carved into the city, with the damage near the Emperimo Central Congress Hall especially prominent. The magnificently grand building that had represented the nation was now nothing more than a mountain of rubble, rendered incapable of its function as a meeting venue.

Regardless of that, however, there was a group of individuals who’d made a point to gather together atop that same mountain.

“Hmph! My, the view’s certainly gotten a good deal better, hasn’t it?”

One of them was one of the Tres Coronas, Emperor Caesar of the Menallazohortz Empire. Each time he looked out across the debris surrounding him, he couldn’t help but cackle like a gleeful child for some reason.

“The nerve to force me to sit on the ground! You insolent brats have lost all respect for your elders!”

Another was King Slattmer of the Ancient Kingdom of Gemmaherve, another of the Tres Coronas. While he was seated atop a piece of wreckage, it seemed the seat wasn’t doing his old body any favors, prompting the king to unleash a fervent stream of complaints.

“Oh, dear, this really is just the worst. Can we just go home now? You two can clean up this mess.”

Another yet was King Kysen of the Kingdom of Aldavonga, the last of the Tres Coronas. He seemed like he couldn’t care less either way at this point, having slovenly thrown himself down atop a large chunk of debris.

Despite the appearance it took, there was no mistake that Corona Senatus was about to be held.

There wasn’t so much as a trace left of the roundtable—far from it, there wasn’t so much as a single seat, and there were hardly a reasonable number of participants. And yet, all three of the Tres Coronas were gathered there. While lacking in practically all shimmer and stir, they were about to hold the crucial talks that would decide the fate of Vahylicard.

Unsurprisingly enough, King Emperimo, who’d been acting as the moderator for Corona Senatus, was nowhere to be seen. It was unclear whether he’d been caught up in the battle or if he’d merely made his escape, but that hardly mattered at all to those in attendance now. In his place stood a single girl: Anna Ogdenn, queen of the Kingdom of Ogdenn. And of course, standing right behind her was Watt Sears, the Top Knight of the Kingdom.

“I’m afraid King Emperimo is nowhere to be seen,” Anna began. “Thus I shall take the liberty to act as moderator.”

Kysen gave a bitter laugh as he cast his gaze aside, far off into the distance. Meanwhile, Slattmer’s gaze seemed poised to burst into flames any moment. Only Caesar seemed to be having a swell time as he looked on at the losing parties before him.

If only I had a stout drink, this moment would be absolutely perfect! he thought to himself. At the very least, he’d have plenty of appetizing gossip to savor alongside his spirits now.

“You wretches! If you only knew how my old back ached!” Slattmer groaned. “I’ve no reason to be detained in a place like this! I shall return to Gemmaherve at once!”

“I’m afraid that won’t be happening, you decrepit graybeard,” Caesar replied. “You helped make this bloody mess, and I’m not about to let you just walk away.”

His veins pulsing with anger on his forehead, the old king slowly sat back down. He was practically erupting with indignation, but the threat of the massive Mechsteel standing behind the emperor—Magnus Menallazohort—robbed him of any option to flee.

“How upsetting!” Kysen remarked. “Can’t we handle this a bit more calmly?”

“How rich, coming from a sham like you,” Caesar retorted. “You always prattled on and on about peace, but in the end, you wound up pulling something like this?”

Kysen heaved himself up from the spot where he’d been lying down. “You’re the one who’s hardly been acting like yourself, Emperor Caesar. You, of all people, suddenly awakening to the wonders of peace? Surely you wouldn’t try to subject me to such a pitiful attempt at a joke.”

“Memory’s not your strong suit, is it?” Caesar replied. “It’s just as I said earlier. I’m repaying my debt, nothing more.”

“But it’s just so strange,” Kysen said. “Normally, you’d kick any debt you owed straight to the curb. The mere fact that you’re trying to repay it so honestly is absolutely baffling.”

“What are you trying to say?” Caesar asked with a glare.

Not to be outdone, Kysen matched Caesar’s glare. “The more I look back on it, the more unnatural it all was. You spoke out about the marriage stir and then pulled back with hardly any resistance at all. But when she defied you, you merely laughed it off and forgave her... It’s hardly like you to go showing such favor to anyone.”

“Oho! Yes, quite right!” Slattmer interjected. “You two colluded to make a fool out of me, didn’t you?! Do you knaves know no shame?!”

“Still, I’m going to have to repay you for making light of me,” Kysen said. “We may have taken damage, Emperor Caesar...but do you honestly think you can win against two of the Crowns?”

As if they’d been awaiting their chance, Slattmer and Kysen cast a disdainful stare at Caesar.

After a moment, Caesar merely sighed. “Have it as you will, you hopeless fools. If you intend to challenge my empire, I have no objections to raise.”

Slattmer and Kysen leaned forward. While the two of them didn’t get along well in the slightest, in light of the situation at hand, it behooved them to first get rid of the blot before them.

Up against the other two Crowns, who were now smoldering with rage, Caesar merely addressed Anna beside him as if it were the most natural thing in the world. “They’ve said their part...but what say you, queen of Ogdenn? These miscreants are to face their punishments. Wouldn’t you care for a say in it as well? After all, they’re the very ones who suggested it.”

The other two Crowns pulled back. Since her first remarks, Anna had remained silent during the entire exchange.

“First and foremost, we never asked Emperor Caesar for anything at all,” Anna said. “Everything has been a result of his own decision. With that in mind...”

She lifted her head with a resolute expression as she looked at the remaining two Crowns. “If you truly have no intention to end this fighting... If you seek to invite the ravages of war into the land of Vahylicard more than you already have... My kingdom shall stand against you. And to do so, we shall lend our meager forces to Emperor Caesar.”

“You just leave all of that to me, Your Majesty. Even if my blade wound up snapping in two, I’d still make sure to beat them within an inch of their lives.” Standing behind Anna, Watt cast an especially imposing glare around him.

Slattmer’s and Kysen’s expressions couldn’t be any more bitter. They already knew just how troublesome, threatening, and unrelenting the Top Knight of the Kingdom of Ogdenn was.

All of the Tres Coronas sank into silence—Caesar, the old king Slattmer, and Kysen. Inscrutable and complicated calculations bounded through each of their minds, interwoven with both their political interests and personal emotions. It didn’t take all that long for them to reach a conclusion, however.

“That’s what I thought I’d do, but I’ve changed my mind. Oh ho ho, you do have to treat the elderly well, you know!”

“Why, that’s not the way I thought this would play out at all! Peace really doesn’t come overnight, does it? I suppose I may as well give things a second thought, ha ha ha!”

And with that, the other two Crowns yielded.

Had it been just the Menallazohortz Empire they were up against, an attack by both Crowns should’ve been enough to do the job. If Ogdenn allied itself with the empire, however, then it was a different story. Until now, even if they’d been somewhat larger in scale, an outsider would still have just been an outsider and been ignored in turn. Now, however, both of the other Crowns had just suffered a painful blow after meddling with Ogdenn. No matter how arrogant they might have been, they were unable to minimize what had transpired.

Caesar knew what they were thinking like the back of his own hand. “Hmph. You fools wind up in unpleasant situations like this because you allow yourselves to get carried away, all without ever thinking of your standing... Hmm? Is that not so, queen of Ogdenn? These cretins treated you cruelly, did they not?”

Caesar’s expression twisted into a grin as he spoke, his eyes sparkling. It was the grin of a carnivore that had found its prey. By that point, Slattmer and Kysen wanted nothing more than to run away.

“Yes, that’s right,” Anna replied. “We had originally planned to discuss reparations with the Ancient Kingdom of Gemmaherve, but... Oh, now I remember! Apologies, Emperor Caesar. There were some difficulties afterward that prevented me from getting your answer...but I hoped to have you there during the reparation talks as well.”

Sure enough, Anna agreed with Caesar with a beaming grin.

Why in the world does that wench have to bring that up again now?! Slattmer found himself on the verge of shouting out just that, only to sink into sullen silence when he found himself on the receiving end of Caesar’s harsh glare.

“Heh heh, and of course, Aldavonga will be there as well!” Caesar laughed. “I can hardly imagine a grander sight! In that case then, queen of Ogdenn, why don’t you let me collect their reparations?”

“Urk... N-No, you fiend!” Slattmer howled. “Anything but that!”

“N-Now that’s a terrifying idea!” Kysen added.

Slattmer and Kysen were both trembling, and yet, tragically enough, neither of the Crowns had any way at all to prevent the outcome. Nothing they could do—including their threats masked as fair arguments—would work against either the Empire or the Kingdom of Ogdenn.

“These two scoundrels are Crowns through and through,” Caesar said. “Even if you were to demand compensation, they’d merely shrug it off and do all they could to dodge you to no end. With my support, however, I’m sure they’ll handle matters a good deal more smoothly. Think nothing of it—I had to make reparations for that fool Artehoth’s failures anyway, so I’ll just handle this as well while I’m at it.”

The remaining two Crowns’ natural reaction was that there was no way in hell they were about to just sit there and let the emperor of Menallazohortz attack them “while he was at it,” but the situation had shifted against them—terrifyingly so. The Crowns’ gazes drifted off to the side, their faces so pale that one might think they’d just suffered intense stomachaches. Waiting there to greet their gazes was Anna, her most charming smile so far spread across her face.

“I think that’s a wonderful idea,” she said. “I’d feel ever so much better knowing I can count on your assistance, Emperor Caesar.”

“Very well, then,” Caesar replied. “So that means I’m justified to do just that.”

Caesar’s expression contorted into the very pinnacle of delight. If his spirits were to rise any higher, he might very well have called for celebratory drinks himself. The other two Crowns had lost. Without a word to say back, they merely hung their heads in silence.

***

And so, the time when the land of Vahylicard seemed poised to be engulfed by the flames of war came to an end.

The aged King Slattmer and King Kysen nearly ran away as they took their leave, clutching their heads in exasperation at the reparations they’d been burdened with, but most of all at the fact that Emperor Caesar would be the one to collect those funds.

“That brings this iteration of Corona Senatus to a close,” Caesar said, rising to his feet with a grand air. “I should think we have nothing more to discuss. More importantly, I’ve had my fill of sitting outside.”

Standing before him, both Anna and Watt dropped their heads low. “Thank you ever so much for your assistance earlier. Thanks to your support, we were able to keep the conflict from spreading any further,” Anna said.

In truth, they had been at a perilous risk. Even with the damages they’d sustained, had the two Crowns opted to resist, the Kingdom of Ogdenn would’ve had no choice but to fight the battle through to the end. Had that been the case, the land of Vahylicard was sure to have been swept up in the vicious winds of war. That was the very last thing that Anna wanted.

“Don’t make me repeat myself,” Caesar replied, driving home his point. “I merely settled the debt I owed, nothing more. Don’t fool yourselves into thinking that something like this will ever happen again.”

Anna nodded back at him in acknowledgment.

Seeing this, Caesar set off walking, looking rather pleased. He soon suddenly turned around. “Your kingdom took the just path in showing the determination to bravely risk your lives, all the way till the very end. But heed my words: Should you sink down to join the trifling ranks of those other nations...my empire will topple it all in turn. Remember this, and remember it well!”

Caesar gave a roaring laugh, taking his leave without looking back. Watt and Anna dropped their heads low one last time as the emperor walked away.

Not a soul was left in the city of Yantaggio. The dreams of glory that had once filled the hearts of the mighty were all that remained.

In time, each of the Tres Coronas would recover from their losses and resume their bargaining. The Kingdom of Emperimo would rebuild its ruined city and invite every nation once more. And yet, it would not be until long in the future before any of that happened.

“All righty, then, guess we’d better make our way back too,” Watt said.

Anna stood there for a moment, looking out across the wreckage-filled city, before finally turning around at Watt’s call.

“Agreed, father. We were able to prevent a larger war from breaking out. But even then...we can’t prevent every tragedy.”

“Yeah,” Watt said. “Doesn’t matter if you’re in a Mechsteel—or even if it’s a Diviner—there’s no way you can put a stop to every conflict out there. The more power you bring, the more your opponent comes against you with that same power.”

He scratched his head before breaking into a broad grin. “But we ain’t about to give up, are we? A conflict startin’ up always comes down to somebody’s decision. But that’s why we keep on decidin’ to stop it.”

Anna paused for a moment. “You’re right!”

Committing the remnants of the destruction into her mind’s eye one last time, she set out walking. Just then, a voice called out from behind her.

“Are you leaving already, Queen Anna?”

She spun around, only to see a young man with a crisp smile on his face. It was none other than Colth Aldavonga. The moment she saw him, she backed away a bit, only for Watt to step forward as if to shield her. His hand had already made its way to the hilt of his blade.

Colth rushed to lift both hands in the air. “You’ve nothing to worry about. I wouldn’t dream of trying to harm either of you any further. While much has transpired between us...I thought it fitting to at least say farewell.”

He tilted his head slightly to the side. Anna, however, made no attempts to hide her caution.

“Don’t get any closer, please.”

“But of course,” Colth replied. “I understand full well. Just speaking here is plenty enough.”

Studying the prince before him, Watt sank into thought with a stern look on his face. It’d sure be a whole lot easier to cut him in two if he got a little closer, though...

While it was unclear if Colth knew what Watt was thinking, he showed no signs of approaching any further, with a smile still on his face and his hands still lifted into the air.

But still, this bastard goes and pulls a whole slew of bullshit like that and then comes here to say his goodbyes? He’s off his damn rocker!

He now greeted the girl he’d abducted—and even drugged—with a smile to say farewell. He was far past the point of having nerves of steel; all Watt could imagine was that he wasn’t in his right mind at all.

“I do regret what I’ve done, you know!” Colth responded. “I regret just how impatient I was. I should’ve taken my time going step by step.”

Yup, think I’ll just put a blade in his back.

There were some evils in the world that simply couldn’t be forgiven—just as he’d once cut down his own master. Alertly picking up on the danger in Watt’s gaze, Colth stepped back.

“Hey, you—Colth Aldavonga!”

A voice suddenly rang out from behind. Colth instinctively turned around, only for a clenched fist to slam into his cheek.

“That’s the only sort of goodbye you’re worth!” barked the owner of said fist—Sonata Doré.

Colth went flying through the air from the impact. The entire scene seemed to play out in strangely slow motion before Watt’s eyes. The very moment he noticed Colth had been sent flying toward him, he instinctively squatted...before springing straight up to deliver the strongest uppercut he could muster right as Colth flew close.

“Bwagh!”

Letting out a sound like a frog being trampled underfoot, Colth went sailing in a different direction, spinning head over heels before he face-planted into the ground.

“I-It’s...a pleasure seeing you too...Sir Fellblade,” Colth said, groveling.

As if to suggest he’d had his own fair share of training, Colth rose to his feet in spite of the beating he’d received. Shaking his head to still his weaving vision, he managed to look up, only to see a small figure standing right before his eyes. The moment he recognized it was Anna, his swollen face broke into the widest smile he could muster.

“M-My...if it isn’t...Queen Anna. And how do you fare on this fine daaaaaagh?!”

No sooner had Colth started to open his mouth than Anna gave him a slap straight across the face with all her might. The palm of her hand made a dry sound as it slammed into him, spinning him around once more before he finally collapsed on the ground.

Anna gave a deep exhale before looking down at Colth, who was now spasming on the ground face down before her.

“You’re the very worst type of person,” she said. “But I won’t make any more direct retaliation than that. Feelings between nations are only to be sorted out through negotiations. And with that, I bid you well.”

After saying her piece in a single breath, she promptly turned around. Behind her was Colth, groaning as he rolled about on the ground and rubbing his swollen cheeks.

“You really are...quite strong, aren’t you? It truly was such a mistake...letting you get away.”

“You just don’t know when to shut yer trap, do ya?!” Watt cried, bristling with anger.

Colth, however, didn’t even have the energy to get up, instead opting to limply lift his hands in the air.

“I swear that I’ll do no more. Heh heh, after all, etiquette dictates that a man...mustn’t persist in pointless struggling...when he’s been turned down.”

While it was completely unclear what was so funny, Colth continued to let out a string of low-pitched laughs.

Without any further reply, Anna quickly walked away from the site with Watt behind her.

Following after them, Sonata tilted his head to the side, an unconvinced look on his face. “Do you honestly think he’s learned his lesson? Senior disciple, don’t you think we’d be better off finishing him off now?”

“Anna said she’s good, so that’s that,” Watt replied. “And that’s fine by me.”

Sonata glanced back to see Colth rubbing his poor, swollen cheeks. Was that truly the crown prince of Aldavonga, one of the Tres Coronas that was crowned atop Vahylicard? Feeling somewhat worried, Sonata swiftly looked away and decided to forget all about it.

“More importantly, Queen Anna,” Sonata said. “My brother asked me to tell you that he’d like to say goodbye.”

“Oh, King Auvere?” Anna said. “Of course! I’d be glad to go see him.”

Now that Sonata had stated his reason for coming, Anna put on a smile that was sure to remain carefree this time.

The group followed Sonata’s directions to find King Auvere of the Kingdom of Doré waiting for them.

“From the look of it, I suppose this means Corona Senatus has ended without any issues, then?”

“Correct,” Anna said. “With the aid of Emperor Caesar, we were able to conclude Corona Senatus without making the conflict any larger.”

Auvere nodded before sighing and breaking into a smile. “My eyes didn’t deceive me at all. I knew you were a queen worthy of respect.”

“No, I merely...” Anna paused for a moment. “It was entirely due to everyone’s assistance.”

Suddenly growing formal, Auvere dropped his head. “And what’s more, your kingdom took action that I must thank you for. Thanks to the damage they sustained here, Aldavonga’s actions have slowed considerably. They are bound to exert less pressure on the nations around them—which means that Doré shall be safe for a while.”

Even if it didn’t guarantee the kingdom’s safety far into the future, Auvere was sure to act well and use the time to the fullest.

He extended his hand. “My encounter with you was far more invaluable than anything else at this boring excuse of a meeting.”

“I feel the same,” Anna replied. “I felt far better with you kindly sharing your wisdom as a seasoned ruler, and that was precisely what allowed me to engage with so many different nations during my time here.”

Auvere gave Anna a firm handshake before standing in front of Watt. “Sir Top Knight...my fool of a brother may come to rely on you from time to time moving forward. Might I ask that of you?”

Watt patted his chest. “Of course, Your Majesty. You can rest assured—as his senior disciple, I’ll make sure he’s trained to top form.”

“Now there’s a reassuring answer if I’ve ever heard one.”

With a cheerful smile, they exchanged their goodbyes. The group from Doré set out on their way back home with Sonata waving for the last time over and over again.

Watt let out a long, long sigh.

After seeing off their allies—their friends—who had helped them quell the conflict, there was now nothing more for them to do here.

“A lot really did go down here, but I think it’s time we went back home to Ogdenn!”

“Of course!”

And with that, the long session of Corona Senatus came to an end.

***

Several days afterward, the reparation talks with Emperor Caesar interceding began, and true to his word, the emperor made sure to collect the reparations that were due. It was hard to imagine him any happier as he put the pressure on Aldavonga and the Ancient Kingdom of Gemmaherve and squeezed the money out of them. According to the emperor’s retainers, it was incredibly rare to see him look so thrilled.

And so, swiftly thereafter, an eye-poppingly large sum of money was delivered to Ogdenn as reparations. Despite having sustained some minor damages in the events that had transpired, the funds were enough to cover the damages with plenty to spare—so much so that they were able to rebuild both Bahamut Dominion and Lord Gryphon without even denting the money. Needless to say, the reparations sparked a small economic boom within the kingdom.

Afterward, Anna used the funds to spring into action and was successful in forming an official alliance between the kingdoms of Ogdenn and Doré. The alliance was said to be second only to the Tres Coronas in all of Vahylicard, but its scale was on par with even that of the Crowns. In doing so, the alliance sprung onto the stage as the fourth mighty power of Vahylicard.

Furthermore, neither Queen Anna nor King Auvere had any intention of invading their neighbors like the Tres Coronas. Far from it—the two declared that the alliance was meant to serve as a shield for the smaller nations who refused to submit to the Tres Coronas, and indeed, they acted accordingly.

While the nations of Vahylicard had been left worried by the selfish whims of the Tres Coronas, the presence of the Ogdenn-Doréan Alliance drastically changed the situation at hand. A new balance of power in the land of Vahylicard was about to be born.

***

After Corona Senatus, there actually weren’t all that many changes in Ogdenn.

When Anna and the others made their return, their normal day-to-day lives were there waiting for them. Just as Anna cleared away her pile of tasks, Otto would come along to discuss matters with new documents in hand. Meddié took nearly every chance she could get to come spend time with Anna while giving her report and would even go wake up Watt—who still hadn’t been able to conquer his habit of oversleeping—every now and again.

Perhaps one small change was the fact that the twins, Ledo and Leda, had started frequently coming to the office to play—though there was no mistaking they were in the way of Anna’s work. Even then, it was far more welcome than having them launch borderline schemes under the pretext of mischief. In the twins’ own words...

“Your sense of mischief’s still way too tame, big sis! We’ll show you how to really do it!”

That was their take on it, at least. While Watt watched on with a sour look on his face, Anna herself seemed delighted that she’d been able to grow closer to her family, so in the end, he ended up giving it his tacit approval.

The largest change was that Sonata Doré began paying visits to the Kingdom of Ogdenn. He’d put Jet Pegasus’s mobility to use to fly over and request sparring matches with Watt. As a result, Watt could no longer take his sweet time napping up a storm—a fact that he was somewhat unhappy about.

“Flyin’ all the way here in your Mechsteel?! Now if that ain’t a stretch! I’m sure all that magicyte you burn through is anything but cheap!” Watt exclaimed.

“If it allows me to meet with you, then I find it quite affordable, my senior disciple,” Sonata answered.

According to Sonata, with Aldavonga’s machinations now slowed considerably, the Kingdom of Doré had been able to actively invest domestically, leading to an uptick in its economy. Needless to say, the reparations played a part in helping as well.

“I’ll be winning today!” Sonata said. “And then I’ll have you recognize that I’ve become a full master myself!”

Casting aside Watt’s complaints, he gleefully grabbed a training sword and threw it at Watt.

“Ya just don’t learn, do ya, junior?” Watt replied. “Fine, I’ll put ya through the wringer a bit!”

He gave the sword he’d taken a swing to get used to the feel of it before brandishing it with a smile. The two gave a spirited cry and launched into their match.

***

There were eyes watching them train there in the courtyard.

“Man, I’m just so jealoooooous! Look at him hogging up all that training with master!”

Once again, Meddié was at the office’s window, groaning and looking like she might bite a hole through the glass. That was sure to leave an imprint, so it was a habit she’d be better off without. Meddié was always like this on days when Sonata showed up.

“If you’re so jealous, then why don’t you join in yourself?” Anna asked, looking troubled as she tidied up her work.

“But see, that Sonata guy is master’s junior disciple, and I’m just his regular disciple! He’s got me outranked, so I can’t butt in!”

Apparently it was more complicated than it seemed. Swiftly finishing up her work, Anna called for someone and began preparing for tea. The girls smiled as they watched the fight.

“Father looks like he’s having a splendid time,” Anna said.

“Yeah, you’ve got that right!” Meddié replied. “And that just makes me even more jealous!”

She began scarfing down tea treats to distract herself while Anna set about calming her down in turn.

***

“Dammit! So it still wasn’t good enough!”

After several rounds of sparring, Sonata’s blade was sent flying out of his hand, with Watt declared the victor. Calming down his ragged breathing, Watt pieced his expression back together into something a bit more presentable.

“Your aim’s gettin’ better and better, junior,” he said. “Looks like you’ve been keepin’ up with the training.”

He’d been able to show Sonata just why he was the senior disciple yet again, but internally, Watt was in a cold sweat.

Yeah, I might really be in for it now...

After discarding his rigid shell in the battle, Sonata had continued to grow more and more. Just how long could Watt continue to win?

Even if I do lose some day, that’ll have to be after I train him up just a little bit more. But I’ve sure as hell gotta be on my A game till then...

In truth, Watt had begun retraining himself when Sonata wasn’t around. While it certainly didn’t go as smoothly as it had when he was younger, it was far better than doing nothing at all.

And besides, how lame would it look if the Top Knight himself was a pushover?

He would have to go on protecting Queen Anna as Top Knight of the Kingdom. Even if it wouldn’t always be that way, at the very least, he was prepared to continue as Top Knight until a proper suitor showed up.

“This old man ain’t givin’ up yet!”

Deeply savoring the value of the peace now before him—the same peace that was enjoyed so effortlessly—the Top Knight of the Kingdom wielded his blade yet another day. And so, Watt set about renewing his determination as both a father and a knight.

Afterword

It’s nice to meet you. Or perhaps, I should say “it’s been a while.” I’m Hisago Amazake-no.

First, I would like to thank those readers who’ve been reading since volume 1, as well as those who leaped right in starting with volume 2, for picking up this book.

It was thanks to all of you that I was able to deliver the second volume in the series. I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to all of my readers.

In volume 1, Watt, the protagonist, had a dramatic encounter with his daughter, Anna. With the story continuing, what sort of trials would await them? When I thought about this, the first thing that came to mind was his daughter’s marriage. While it might be stereotypical in some regards, it’s the sudden and large-scale type of event that would push a father and daughter who’ve just met to come together, and there’s something fascinating that comes with that.

What was important after that was the question of Anna’s partner. Any common sort wouldn’t be suitable for our heroine. With that in mind, the overall framework of having Anna receive proposals from three immensely powerful nations took form right away. Needless to say, I arranged the situation so that Anna wouldn’t be able to choose easily or readily.

And yet, the truly difficult part came after this. I had to weave the story together in a way where I could explain this unique setting in full, bring about the key turn of events, all while keeping the characters in action (not to mention the fact that the number of characters had surged all at once with the appearance of six or so nations and their surroundings). Why in the world didn’t I realize how difficult that would be before I started writing? It’s a mystery to me. Needless to say, the more I wrote, the more mechs showed up too.

And so I found myself writing the novel all while I was engaged in a sweat-stained staring battle against the page count that went higher and higher with no signs of stopping. Somehow I managed to stitch it all together to complete volume 2. I truly hope you’ve enjoyed it.

Akemi Mikoto was kind enough to produce yet even more wonderful designs this time. What deserves special attention out of all of them, however, is Jet Pegasus, one of the new mechs. While I’d originally designed it to be evenly matched with Lord Gryphon...to be honest, I initially had no plans to have it transform. And yet, once I saw the finished design, she’d also included what it would look like after it transformed! I decided then and there that I’d have it transform in the main story. It made the scenes it appeared in symbolic, so I think that was the right choice.

Finally, I wanted to extend my thanks to all those in the editorial department who assisted with the publication of this book, as well as “F,” the manager over this project.

I caused a great number of issues around scheduling with this project, so I’m deeply sorry for the trouble. With utmost respect, I’d like to offer my apologies as well as my gratitude.

And with that, I humbly ask for everyone’s continued support.