“As a move that would make me the Valkyries’ equal fast, it’s not a terrible idea, is it? It’s presumptuous of me to say it while my esteemed big brother, Claude, exists, but we also have a legend that black hair and red eyes are the mark of the demon king. As a result, people have said a whole lot of things about me. I’d like to collect on my due.”

  Vica smiles. His personality seems to be even more audacious than it was in the game. “First, I’d like to go to the Queendom of Hausel. I think whatever’s made the demons quiet down is there. Once I know what it is, I’ll be able to control them.”

  “There’s nothing there now. The floating palace has gone missing as well.”

  The royal castle originally sat at the center of the island, and when it rose into the air, it left a gaping hole where it once stood. The ground itself is gradually crumbling, and there have been reports that the large island, which served as the heart of the Queendom, is actively sinking. Of course, several of its higher points will probably remain, but experts in Ellmeyer predict that the majority will be underwater sooner than later.

  “The spells Hausel left in Kilvas are still active, though. The one in the capital that maintains the wall, for example. It’s what keeps the demons from getting out. I acted as the source for its magic, but the spell itself was made by Hausel.”

  In the game, the wall—the Warrior Maidens’ Great Wall—had a spell on it that monitored the Valkyries and prevented them from deserting. The magic circle that controlled it was supposed to be in the capital. It was said to block the demons as well, so this is probably the same thing.

  True, if Hausel’s spell is active, there may be something somewhere… Aileen falls to thinking.

  Beside her, Keith turns pale. “Wait a moment. You supplied it with magic? How?”

  “I don’t know. I only heard that it worked by automatically siphoning the magic of the men of Kilvas’s imperial family for generations.”

  “You set Master Claude up, didn’t you?”

  Vica only smiles in response. Belatedly, Aileen catches on as well. A moment ago, Vica said, “I can use magic freely now.” “Wait—is Master Claude the new source of magic?”

  “He is my cousin, you see. Apparently, it recognized him as a member of Kilvas’s imperial family. Don’t worry; it isn’t the sort of thing that can kill him. It only means he won’t be able to use his magic properly.”

  “But that means the wall’s maintenance depends on Master Claude. What did you intend to do if he refused? I’m impressed you took such a dangerous gamble.”

  “Just in case, I waited in the capital until the wedding ended without incident. Besides, my luck with gambling isn’t bad, and I’m a good judge of people. I’m sure Claude will accept the responsibility. Ernst is probably explaining the situation to him right about now.”

  Aileen sets her cup in its saucer. She lets her shoulders slump. “So Ernst was only pretending to be against the substitution; he was actually leading us on. He’s quite the crafty old fox.”

  “From my perspective, you’re craftier than he is. Women are scary.”

  “In that case, do you have a solid reason for thinking that going to Hausel will allow you to control the demons? Or is that another gamble?” she says, getting the conversation back on track.

  Vica nods amiably. “I have a reason. It’s where the Valkyries’ surgeries were performed. It wouldn’t be odd for there to be something about the demons there.”

  The blue country managed everything related to the Valkyries. The game explained as much, and it was where Diana was taken when she was injured, so the guess isn’t totally unfounded.

  “But…that would have been the floating palace, wouldn’t it?”

  “No. To Kilvas, the wisdom of Hausel isn’t found in the sky. It’s underground.”

  Aileen’s eyes widen. In that case, something might very well still be there.

  “That said, I can’t simply board a ship and go there directly. There won’t be signs pointing the way, either. Still, I know there’s a facility on the other side of the wall that was used to communicate with and travel to Hausel. I suspect I may be able to teleport from there.”

  “Is that speculation?”

  “Well, if I go, I’m sure it’ll work out somehow.”

  What an incredibly vague strategy.

  Sounding almost impressed, Keith murmurs, “Even your haphazard methods are identical to milord’s.”

  “Besides, I’d like to see the demons, too. I’ve never seen one,” Vica says with an innocent smile.

  Aileen makes eye contact with Keith. She’s sure they’re remembering the same thing: how Claude looks when he’s peacefully spending time with demons.

  “And that brings us back to the beginning. My wish is simple, really. This train will travel close enough to the wall to see it. I’d like you to hide me until then. I’ve never been able to use my magic freely before, and I’d like to keep it in reserve for as long as possible.”

  “I suppose I have no choice, then. I’ll accompany you.”

  “Excuse me?” Vica’s eyes widen. In the seat across from him, Aileen folds her arms and boldly crosses her legs.

  Vica looks at Keith, who hides his own gaze behind his glasses and says, “…You would say that, Lady Aileen. I do have one condition, though.”

  “Take you along as well, you mean? I know. I won’t act carelessly, either. I’ll have Rachel and the rest return to Ellmeyer, but I’ll send word with them and have them make various arrangements. After all, if we vanish, the Valkyries will suspect us. Will that do?”

  “If you understand that much, it should be sufficient. I shall accompany you. If this is how things stand, milord won’t be able to leave the capital, and there’s no telling what he may get up to.”

  “Huh? No, wait, you aren’t going to stop her? She’s expecting, isn’t she? Not only that, but we’ll be going to the wall, very near where the demons dwell. Anything could happen.”

  Aileen points her index finger right at Vica’s flustered face. “That is precisely why. What if I let you go alone, and you fail to gain control of the demons? Or what if they kill you? There’s a very good chance Ellmeyer would be blamed. After all, Master Claude is currently impersonating you.”

  It wouldn’t be at all strange if others interpreted this as Claude’s plot to get rid of Vica. That would give the Valkyries a perfect pretext for declaring war on them.

  “…But shouldn’t you be worried about the child you’re carrying?”

  “Thank you for your concern, but I am the demon king’s wife, and this is his child. Do you understand why those around us have allowed that? Because Master Claude is Ellmeyer’s splendid emperor.”

  He may be the demon king, but he is a fine, human emperor. The fact that he is defending that fragile position is what guarantees Aileen’s own position. The same is true of their child. If people begin to see Claude as harmful to humans, they’ll promptly be expelled from human society.

  “For both my sake and the sake of this child, we must protect Master Claude’s reputation. That is the same as protecting our child. That means I can’t ignore your plight, either. Don’t worry; I assure you I’ll back away when I must.”

  “…But I know Claude wouldn’t want you to go with me.”

  Aileen smiles dauntlessly. “Gracious. What do you think, Master Keith? He claims Master Claude—who sent both of us away and who is conveniently unable to leave the capital—will object.”

  “He can’t seriously think we’d listen. Ha-ha-ha.”

  The two beam at each other. Vica stares at them, then scratches his cheek. “…I see,” he finally says in resignation.

  Fourth Act

  The Common Sense of the Villainess and the Final Boss

  Diana brings her fist down on the end of the conference room’s long table with a bang. “Never mind that—just pass this budget.”

  The people around her exchange looks. Their hesitation makes Diana strike the table again. “Why won’t you pass it? State your reasons. Is it because I’m a woman? Because I’m a Valkyrie? Quit mocking me.”

  One of the officials finally speaks up. “Er, the distinguished guests from other countries are still here. It’s a rare opportunity to mingle with those from other nations. As the empress, why don’t you attend tea parties instead of council meetings?”

  “Huh? I did enough mingling during the soirees. Or is there a reason it’s inconvenient to have the empress attend meetings? Are you telling me this is a man’s world and I should butt out?”

  “N-no, nothing like that… However, groundwork for the second continental conference must be laid, and tea parties are a worthwhile—”

  “Enough of that. Answer me. Why will you not pass this budget?”

  “Because they can’t. The figures are wrong.”

  Claude’s explanation makes Diana grimace.

  This girl is always cross; it must make her life incredibly unpleasant.

  “I’d appreciate it if you didn’t make fun of me. Do you think I know nothing? You people do corrupt things like this all the time, but I can’t? The double standard is galling.”

  “If the figures don’t match up, the budget won’t make it through the council.”

  Appearances must be maintained, even if some sort of deal is struck under the table and the reality is different. That rules and regulations seem to be observed at a glance is what makes corruption so troublesome. Not even trying to observe those protocols isn’t corruption—it’s just a mistake.

  Apparently, this empress doesn’t know the difference. She snorts contemptuously. “Oh, I see. Then tinker with the numbers so they look right and pass that.”

  “Who do you mean?” Claude asks.

  Diana frowns. “I don’t care who does it. The amount of funding the Valkyries receive must match this figure, no matter what.”

  “Your Majesty, in that case, the rest won’t balance out…”

  “Don’t give me excuses. Just do something about it. All you have to do is fudge some numbers.”

  “In that case, allow me to tackle this. Will that do, Your Majesty?” Ernst raises his hand as if he’s been waiting for this exact moment.

  Claude nods. “Please do. Will you be able to make it before the end of the council?”

  “Yes, if you’ll look it over during the recess and if some time can be reserved during the second session for discussion.”

  Diana seems unconvinced that any of this is necessary. “…All you need to do is fix some wrong numbers. This seems like overkill.”

  “If I change some of the figures, the rest of the budget will have to be readjusted. It will be faster if I settle this. Will that do, Diana—I mean, Your Highness?” Correcting himself to use her title is probably either a reproach or his own brand of sarcasm.

  Diana responds to the prime minister’s mediation with an irritated tsk. “It has to be easier than physical combat. Don’t talk about the job as if it’s rough. You really are a prime minister through and through, aren’t you?”

  “—I believe I did the same thing on the battlefield. Managing military logistics, keeping track of equipment and supplies. In particular, determining the distribution of war funds is a senior officer’s job. If we’re negligent here, we’ll leave those in the field in dire straits.”

  “Don’t lecture me when you succeeded on our backs.”

  “In order to repay even a small portion of that debt, I must make this empire as prosperous and peaceful as it can be. I consider that my current job and my responsibility.”

  Ernst had originally been one of the Valkyries’ senior officers. Vica had wanted him to serve as prime minister because he acknowledged the man’s military achievements. From Claude’s perspective, he still had shortcomings, but that was only in comparison to his own prime minister, a genius who’d been educated by his family as the latest in a long line of prime ministers. Ernst’s sincerity would probably hold him back in certain situations, but it would eventually earn him solid popular support.

  “Do your best to repay it, then. After all, you worked us hard enough.”

  “Her Highness has granted permission. Let us proceed to the next topic, Your Majesty.” Taking her sarcasm as consent, Ernst quickly changes the topic.

  Claude laces his fingers together on the tabletop. “Moving on, then. Briefly, the next matter involves the allotment of defense spending near our border with a neighboring country. Bandits have been appearing in locations on both sides of the border, and our neighbors have proposed a joint effort to combat them. That said, at this point, their queen has only made a gentle suggestion to that effect, and—”

  Before he’s finished speaking, Diana rises and turns to leave. Ernst calls to her: “Where are you going? The council is still in progress.”

  “Handle the rest by yourselves. I have weapons to inspect. I’m busy.”

  “Wait. The current matter involves you as well. The queen of the neighboring country has made a request to have tea with you, the empress. You must understand that this is laying the groundwork.”

  “‘Lay groundwork, lay groundwork’; what is it with you people and groundwork? This is infuriating. Couldn’t you just have her attend a council and state her opinion?”

  “We can’t treat another country’s queen like that.”

  “Even if she’s a woman, as long as she has a working brain, she’ll be capable of giving her opinion. Or is this queen only able to write invitations and greeting cards? She only has that privilege because the Valkyries are protecting the empire from demons, right? If the Warrior Maidens’ Great Wall came down, demons would flood our neighbors as well. I swear, it must be nice to be so carefree. Oh, right, your daughter.”

  Turning abruptly, Diana points at a middle-aged man who’s seated near the middle of the conference table. If Claude recalls, the man’s a count from an old family line in Kilvas.

  “She’s very popular in fashionable society, isn’t she? I saw men making a fuss over her at the soiree; she looked very happy about it. She’s perfect. Have her entertain the queen. If she’s stringing along that many men, she must be good at doing favors that benefit her more than the other person.”

  The count’s face goes blank. As someone whose social standing is high enough to attend the council, he doesn’t shoot back, but the new tension in his cheeks shows what he’s feeling. Silently grateful for his mature response, Claude speaks to him. “The empress has made her nomination. Can we ask your family to handle it? Your daughter is certain to be a splendid conversation partner, even for a queen. Ernst, take this opportunity to turn down all requests for tea for the empress. I’d hate to cause trouble with each one.”

  Claude has intentionally refrained from clarifying whose trouble it would be, and the count gives him a questioning look. Claude responds with a small nod, letting him know he understands his grievance.

  “…Very well. No doubt my daughter will be delighted to serve as a bridge between two nations.”

  Only Diana doesn’t understand. She sighs, muttering, “Just do that in the first place. All right, I’m keeping Cattleya waiting. Oh, and she’ll be attending the next council with me, so don’t fail to pass resolutions at that one. Prepare properly in advance.”

  Having made no apologies from start to finish, Diana leaves. Once she’s gone, the mood in the conference room relaxes. Claude doesn’t overlook this. He scans the assembly. “Thank you for your consideration. She isn’t yet used to court etiquette. That must be how Valkyries fight.”

  A sensation like a startled, mocking chortle of laughter fills the air.

  “I’m not sure how to put this… You seem quite reliable today, Emperor Vica. Marriage really must foster a strong sense of responsibility.”

  “She has her achievements as a Valkyrie, so I feel like I can’t lose.”

  Right now, everyone is thinking: She may control our military, but with that personality, we can’t expect much from the empress. We shouldn’t give her any more power. And that attitude of hers… We can’t have her souring our diplomatic relationships, either.

  Compared to her, the emperor is much more reasonable.

  “However, it’s true that she and others like her have protected our empire for long years. In light of that, I would like to propose a reorganization of the military. Specifically, a review of the Valkyrie system.”

  He glances at Ernst. As if he understands completely, the other man begins passing out documents. It’s Vica’s measure, the one Claude had found in the trash. Vica must have left it there on purpose, trusting that if Claude saw it, he’d handle it cleverly. His cousin is quite cunning.

  “The empress has just told us to increase military expenditures. The timing is perfect.”

  The quicker-witted members of the assembly burst out laughing but try to disguise it as throat-clearing.

  In order to make things happen, certain procedures must be followed. It takes effort, money, and connections. Laying the groundwork, coordinating the efforts—if screaming that one’s demands should go through without doing any of these things were enough, being a Valkyrie would have to be an extremely easy, magical, all-powerful position… But saying so would be unrefined, so Claude doesn’t.

  The members of this council are the ones who made Vica a puppet. However, that does prove they’re cunning enough to manage that sort of thing. That’s probably why Vica has kept them around. He’d determined that, if he made a common enemy for them, they would become his allies.

  That gamble is about to pay off.

  “—Moving on, then. Let’s hash out the details of what the second continental conference will discuss.”

  As a first move, it’s going well. To ensure the Valkyries will beg him to leave the empire, Claude tries to make his smile as sociable as his cousin’s.

  The wall that keeps the demons confined in the far north of Kilvas is very thick and so high that the closer visitors get, the less of the top they can see.