When she woke up, everything had changed.

Even though it was a continuation of yesterday, it was as if everything that had happened until then wasn’t real.

Or did I simply return to reality?

Everything that happened up until now felt like a dream.

“We’ve confirmed that Princess Natalie is in the Southern King’s palace. Hopefully, the Southern King will release her after an audience with Prince Geraldo, which is scheduled for today. …What is the current status of the princess and her whereabouts?”

“Rick said he’ll be able to figure it out soon.”

“I see. Then, let’s clarify. This is the most current floor plan of the inner palace.”

Lawrence spread out the drawing across a large desk. A bead of sweat trickled down his neck.

They were at the Southernmost part of Kratos, where the daylight hours were long. Not only was the place really hot, it was in the middle of summer. The magical cold air device ended up being a mere distraction. Going to a more luxurious inn with better facilities would have probably been cooler, but Jill and the others were infiltrators. They had more important matters than comfort.

“Our movements will change depending on the information Prince Geraldo obtains. Regardless, I want you to memorize both the infiltration and the escape routes as fast as possible. And last but not least, the location of the National Seal.”

Lawrence pointed at the open-air garden in the middle of the inner palace. Over the place without a ceiling, a large magic circle had been spread as though it were a roof.

Andy frowned.

“I’ve asked Rick for confirmation, but what if this is a trap? I mean, who would use such flashy magic?”

“According to Prince Geraldo, that’s just how the Southern King prefers to do things. Also, I heard that it’s a formidable magic circle.”

“…After all, the Goddess’ Sword of Protection is the core.”

The fake heavenly blade—was what it was called in the Rave Empire, but it was apparently called, ‘the Sword of Protection’ in Kratos. Who’d have guessed? As it wasn’t used in rituals and barely even made appearances, it was probably overshadowed by the Holy Spear of the Goddess. It was also seldom mentioned, even in Kratos. It was similar to the sacred treasure of the Dragon Princess, an existence that was hidden in obscurity.

However, even though it was a replica of the heavenly blade, it had been forged from the Holy Spear of the Goddess. Jill was well aware that its power and origin made it worthy of being called the Sword of Protection.

“If not even Prince Geraldo can defeat it—”

“—It can be broken using the Dragon Princess’ Sacred Treasure.”

At the mention of that, Lawrence and Andy turned to look at her. Sitting on a chair, Jill went on while resting her chin on the armrest.

“His Majesty owns the Heavenly Blade. In other words, only His Majesty and I can destroy it.”

Her gaze landed on the golden ring on her left hand.

“I don’t know when I’ll lose this. I best act while I can still use the Dragon Princess’ Sacred Treasure.”

“…Sister Jill.”

Uncharacteristically, Andy was at a loss for words. Jill smirked.

“I’m sorry, that was a nasty way to say it, but it’s the truth…”

With the blessing of the Dragon God Rave, Jill became the Dragon Princess. It was a one-sided arrangement that didn’t require Jill’s consent. As such, the opposite being true wouldn’t be strange either. The arrangement could be broken unilaterally, at any given time.

“…I don’t know if I’m still a Dragon Princess or not. After all, it’s up to His Majesty.”

“The Dragon Emperor hasn’t been found yet. There have been no signs of movement from the army of the Rave Empire, either. If you can talk to the Dragon Emperor again before the army deploys, you may be able to proceed with the engagement as originally planned and return to the Rave Empire. Perhaps it’d be better to plan around that.”

Lawrence explained calmly, eliciting a laugh from Jill.

“So, you’re telling me to procrastinate? …You’re not very good at comforting people.”

“Don’t ruin my kindness like that.”

“I don’t think His Majesty will be found. He’s extremely good at escaping. And hiding.”

Andy and Lawrence stared at Jill with doubt.

…Did I say something strange?

Currently, Jill and the others were divided into two groups. Her parents were looking for Hades, who vanished from the Saber’s family villa, while her eldest brother and sister continued to monitor the border, keeping an eye out for any signs of movement. In the meantime, Geraldo, Jill, and Lawrence would deal with the Southern King, using Andy and Rick as relays.

If they could recover the National Seal and ensure Natalie’s safety before Hades started the war, Jill and the others would win. Afterwards, they could proceed with the engagement as intended and everything would go back to normal.

…Really?

“…Hey, Sister Jill. Leaving aside the issues of the Southern King and the outbreak of war, are you really going to marry the Dragon Emperor?”

When she didn’t answer, Andy glanced at Lawrence from the side.

“If Sister Jill returns to Kratos right now, she won’t be branded a traitor, right?”

Lawrence nodded.

“Of course not. I don’t think Prince Geraldo has any intention of doing that, either. If I’m being honest with you, you’re more than welcome to cease being the Dragon Princess. I’d enjoy working with you under Prince Geraldo.”

Jill stared at the gold ring once again.

“Even if I wanted to stop, there’s nothing I could do about it. Perhaps, the same goes for His Majesty.”

That hypothesis seemed to fit. After all, the ring would supposedly never come off.

“It’s a covenant with the Dragon God… The God of Reason. But he doesn’t strike me as someone who’d admit if there were a violation.” (Jill)

“…Jill, what if there’s a way to remove that ring?” (Lawrence)

Jill, who was talking vaguely as if through a thick film of glass, blinked.

If there were a way to quit being a Dragon Princess. If there were a way to remove the gold ring.

—If there were such a way…

“Do you mean… The Goddess of Kratos?”

“More precisely, the power of the Goddess. Considering the situation at hand, it works in our favor. The Holy Spear and the Sword of Protection of the Goddess. With those, we might be able to abolish the contract of reason.”

At present, the National Seal was being secured by the fake heavenly blade.

“When you obtained the Sacred Treasure, I researched a lot about the Dragon Empress. That’s how I learned about the precedent from 300 years ago…About how the Dragon Empresses died in the past.”

“I guess the Goddess was really concerned about the Dragon Empress.”

“—Sister Jill, please stop changing the topic. It’s just sad.”

I see, Jill smiled at her brother.

“Do I look like I’m in pain? I’m sorry. I’m not used to things like this…”

“…Sister Jill, you’re just tired. You should get some rest. I’ll wake you up when Prince Geraldo returns.”

“I’ll prepare something delicious. This is probably the only time we’ll be able relax for a while.”

Lawrence spoke cheerfully. Jill nodded, accepting his concern.

“I’d appreciate if you would do that, I guess.”

“It’s a tropical country. The fruits should be tasty. Is there something you’d like to eat too, Andy?”

“Anything is fine. Honestly, the crops that the Saber family produce aren’t very good, so I’m looking forward to it.”

“I see. The area around the Rakia Mountains wasn’t originally suitable for farming, especially because of the magnetic field.”

“…Is that so? I didn’t know.”

Andy scowled at Jill’s remark.

“You didn’t know? Someone didn’t pay attention to her lectures, it seems. Sister Jill, the reason our territory is lush and green is because of the Goddess’ blessing. You should have easily understood the climate of the Rakia Mountains.”

“…In the Rave Empire, things are different because of His Majesty…”

“Are you talking about Noitral? Probably because it’s at the foot of the mountain and the season was good.”

“I see.” Jill murmured.

“There are a lot of things I don’t understand properly. I need to study more…”

“…Sister Jill, are you sure you are okay? I can’t believe you are interested in studying.”

“How rude. I’ve reflected on this, too. I became a Dragon Princess without knowing anything.”

Immediately, the two of them looked as if they had misspoken.

“I wasn’t prepared enough. Only now did I realize that.”

“Well… This is kind of a strange thing for me to say, but Sister Jill, you are only 11 years old. Isn’t that natural? I think it’d be unreasonable to demand that of you. I’m sure everyone else thinks the same as well.”

“You are right… I can go back. I thought I had everything figured out. Turns out I hadn’t.”

She suddenly looked outside the window, at the sky where dragons didn’t fly.

She averted her gaze as if to avoid the sight, lifted her legs onto the chair, and hugged her knees.

“How terrible of you, Your Majesty. You deceived me. How annoying.”

“Sister Jill, then—…”

“Either way, our objective remains the same. In order to retrieve the National Seal, I’ll break through the magic circle of the Sword of Protection. I’ll also protect Her Highness Natalie. In both cases, I’ll do it before His Majesty comes.”

Even though she was hugging her knees, she didn’t lose sight of what she had to do.

“Even I have my own resolve… What happens after that, happens.”

Until then, I wouldn’t think about anything unnecessary.

Both of them nodded in relief.

Somehow, I can still smile. Even if it’s a smile of a heartbroken girl who has fallen out of love.

She thought as if it were someone else’s problem.

---

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