Chapter 81: Unleash All Desires - (2)

.......

...Raise. I will double Caira's bet and challenge her!

Puhahaha! You play like there's no tomorrow, Eli!

Then I can't back down either! Call!

.......

Why have you been staring at me? Are you trying to make a move on me if our eyes meet?

I am merely reading my opponent's mind. After all, the eyes never lie.

Besides, "making a move"... Even as a joke, please refrain from saying such things.

I have always approached every match with chivalry.

Mmm! Chivalry is great! I love that kind of romantic ideal too!

But did you know? The heroic tales of Ygritte are a bit more realistic.

I am the Queen of Britannia, not Ygritte.

And in the end, even the ideal of chivalry is merely a guidepost, not the answer to reality.

To become a beacon for all those who follow in my footsteps, that is the ideal I strive to reach.

Ooh, that's so cool!

Can I use that line later?! I'll be sure to credit it as Elizabeth's wise words!

Huh? Oh... Yes, of course!

I-It's not really a wise quote, though... Ahaha.......

(Whispering) Hehehe... Perfect, I'll just slip this in while she's distracted.......

Pardon? What did you just say?

Huh? I didn't say anything.

.......

.......

You can feel it too, can't you, Elizabeth? Where we stand right now.

A tightrope, proverbially speaking. A point of no return, if this were a battlefield.

If I back down now, I die... My gambler's instinct is screaming it!

Mmm! No matter how much meaning you attach to a card game, it's just amusement in the end.

And since it's amusement, we shouldn't miss the moment when the excitement reaches its peak.

An Endgame in chess. Or perhaps a climax in a novel?

It is time to show the ultimate excitement to both my opponent and the audience.

I am ready. Shall we see how it ends right now?

All-in! Needless to say, there is no next time!

Yes, I am all-in as well!

.......

It is my defeat. I lost the momentum at the very last second.

Heh, I don't know how long it has been since I've had such a heart-pounding match.

Mmm! A protagonist needs a worthy adversary to match them!

Though sometimes, even the protagonist loses!

Yes, but I will absolutely not lose next time.

I've figured out almost all of Caira's habits in this match!

Huh?! W-What habits...?

I can't show you my entire hand just yet.

But for the audience... and for Caira, I will share just a few.

...Like subtly touching your sleeve every time you check your cards!

......!!

Or staring intently at the back of my cards before betting!

......!!!

I-I had habits like that? P-Pfft... Puhahaha!

Fufu, anyone can spot that if they know what to look for.

But a real match is indeed a different story... Ahaha.......

N-Next time might be different! M-Matches aren't decided by skill alone!

O-Of course, I'll have to fix the habits Eli mentioned, though!

What habits? Is there anything worse than being a thick-skinned natural disaster of a nuisance?

Oho, she'd make a great rival for the incompetent, bluffing nuisance queen I know.

You must have misspoken, you mediocre perverted pig.

Ahaha... You two made it as well.

I'm sorry. I acted so confident... but I ended up losing.

Hey, that's just how matches go. You win some, you lose some.

So that makes it 1-1, huh? This is turning into quite an exciting development.

Huh? 1-1?

Hehehe... The price for daring to challenge the Fairy Queen is always harsh.

Now, now! Will the loser who lost everything please enter!

With the most humiliated and miserable face possible!

Hauuu... I'm so sorry, Princess.

I got completely cleaned out...!

Puhahaha! Even better! I was actually sad to see it end like this anyway!

And who says a story can only have one climax!

Yeah, yeah. Let's not waste time and get this over with.

Since the momentum seems to be on our side... I'll finish you off with this momentum.

Hmm? Who do you think you're talking about momentum to?!

This Princess here just took everything from Britannia, you know?!

Hehehe... Then this time, the Fairy Queen

will take everything from Ygritte!!

Don't say things that could be misunderstood. There are a lot of eyes and ears here.

Anyway, the match is set. Poker is fine, right?

Mmm! And the stakes are no-limit, of course!

I'm not recklessly rich like you, you know.

But hey, since the opportunity is here, we might as well get fully into it.

Since this match and the stakes... are all someone else's anyway!

.......

.......

Hehehehehe.......

Wow... You both are truly amazing!

To show us such an unpredictable and tense match!

How can you pull off such a bluff with a hand like that at a moment like this?!

It's as if you both are absolutely certain of your own victory!

Hehehe... That is, of course, thanks to the magical blessing of the Fairy Queen!

No matter what tricks they try over there, if I just set my mind to it... Mmph-mmph!!

Ahem...! Sorry, but could everyone quiet down a bit?

In a match between "real pros" like us... a single mistake leads to death.

Ah... Yes! I-I'm sorry!

Mmm! Concentration is key! Just like when a mage casts magic.

Especially in a place filled with such powerful magic barriers.

Am I right, Tina? Casting magic here is super hard, isn't it?

Huh? Oh, yes... I suppose so?

.......

...For one of the Empire's strongest mages, an honorary professor of the Pharos Magic Academy,

and the leading authority of the Nature Magic School to say that...

casting magic here, right now, without anyone noticing... is practically impossible, right?

Unless a mage of your caliber happens to be right here?!

Hehehehehe.......

.......

...I-I suppose so?!

(Whispering) Ugh, you dummy! It's obvious that chihuahua over there is using magic!

(Whispering) You're the only one here who can expose her tricks!

(Whispering) W-Well... That is true, but...

Hauuu.......

Hey, don't tell me you...?!

She fell for the temptation of being given story material again, no doubt.

After all, some stories are far too valuable to be measured by any price.

I knew it! You traitor!!

To betray your lord over such a petty temptation! And you call yourself my right hand...

.......

C-Call yourself...

..........

...Y-You totally can! Sometimes you have to make small sacrifices for the greater good...!

Now, let's start the game again... Ack!!

Ow! Oouch, ouch, ouch!

Three cards hidden in your left sleeve, and another five in your right.

Didn't I tell you? Don't rely so much on such cheap tricks.

O-Okay, I get it, so untie these threads! It really hurts!!

.......

I-I'll just go get some fresh air... Hic!!

I-I won't run away! I won't run, so please go easy... Ow!!

First, two down.

And next?

.......

.......

I-It was all this pig's idea! I'm innocent... Aaagh!!

D-Do you have any idea who you're touching?! I am the Fairy Queen of Avalon... Aaaagh!!

Ow! Ouch, ouch, ouch!!

That makes three.

What about you? Do you still have a hand you haven't shown me?

.......

No, I'm sorry. I have no excuse.

I'll never do it again. Please forgive me just this once.

Well, that's a decent enough answer.

However.

Aaaaargh!!

It's not the answer I wanted. Because you can't take responsibility for anything.

No one and nothing can, unless I permit it.

......!!

...It is an honor to meet you.

You are Consul Crassa Hellenes of the Hellas region... correct?

That's right. I can speak casually, can't I?

Yes, you are in a position to do so, Crassa.

Positions don't matter. At least not to me, and not in this place.

It matters to me, at least. For I am the Queen of Britannia.

No matter who you are, or where this is.......

...I can never lay down this responsibility!

.......

...Hmm, is that so? Then answer me this.

As the Queen of Britannia, how do you plan to take responsibility for this situation?

Before that... I have a question I would like you to answer first.

Did you expect things to turn out like this from the very beginning?

That if you threw out the bait of a match, one of us would cheat.

*Flinch*

.......

…Sigh.

Why are you looking at me like that as if you did nothing wrong?! You're an accomplice too!

.......

...Sigh.

This ungrateful pig, seriously...!!

It seems you already know the answer.

But if you really need my answer.......

...I can give it to you, just this once, without a price.

No, thank you. If that is the case, then it is indeed my responsibility.

Because I failed to be someone reliable, those two felt forced to resort to such measures.

N-No, wait... Anyone can see we're the ones completely in the wrong here!

Y-Yeah! Elizabeth did absolutely nothing wrong!

No, it is entirely my fault and my responsibility.

Regardless of the circumstances... at this very moment, in this very place.

Because the Queen of Britannia has decreed it so!

.......

.......

...And since I have decreed it, you two had better be prepared.

For you have disobeyed the Queen's command to refrain from any cheating.

This is no different from violating martial law during War and bringing about defeat.

By all rights, this is an offense punishable by death!

Ah... Yes... I-I'm sorry.......

I will accept whatever punishment you give... Yes.......

And the same goes for you, Caira!

H-Huh...?! M-Me too?!

Even if poker is merely a pastime, to think you would cheat in a game carrying the name of your nation!

...At least don't get caught!!!

S-Sorry.......

Yes, that is the correct answer.

The essence of authority is bluffing. It is about designing a bluff that others want to fall for.

But empty bravado is just empty bravado in the end. You cannot take back a bet, nor can you change the hand you hold.

There is no need to beat around the bush. I have already guessed your intentions, Crassa.

You need useful chess pieces, don't you? That is why you tested us under the guise of a match.

And if I do?

Then I shall simply prove my worth.

Depending on what kind of label is attached to the name "Elizabeth Pendragon"...

...the responsibilities that Britannia and I can bear will also change.

.......

..........

Ah... Ahahaha!!

To think you would tempt me like this... Quite impressive.

You might have actually excited me a little for the first time in a while.

.......

Y-Y-Y-Yes... What?!

T-T-T-Tempting you... What?!

Geez, here she goes again.

Ahaha... You don't need to pay it too much mind.

Crassa often makes mischievous jokes like that.

...Though sometimes, they aren't jokes.

...And sometimes you wish they were just jokes.

...Other times, the jokes turn into reality.

...Or she does something terrible and insists it was just a joke.

...She has even told us to guess which was a joke and which was for real.

...And very often, at that.

Y-Yeah... You guys have it rough.

I'd bet the Fairy Queen's honor that ninety-nine percent of it is their own fault.

Heh... True, life is ultimately a continuous series of choices and consequences.

...So, for the finale, that game would be perfect.

Huh? T-That game...?

......Gasp!

Don't tremble so much, Caira.

Whether the opponent is the Queen of Britannia or the Princess of the Ygritte Empire.

The god of dice is merciless to everyone.

.......

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...*Yawn*.

H-Huh...?! W-W-What did you just do?!

Oh, my apologies. I didn't sleep very well last night.

Please don't mind me, and keep focusing.

To the very, very end... so you have no regrets.

Urgh... Urgh......!

W-Which one is it...? Right... or left?

B-But... O-One of them is definitely the Joker, right?!

Of course it is, it's Old Maid.

We'll be here all night at this rate. It's a fifty-fifty chance anyway, just pick one.

U-Urgh...!

But... But...!! If I lose here...!!!

Hehehe.......

There's no telling what she'll do to me!!

A-And... if things go wrong, even my Tina!

...I-I'm fine!

Even if we fall to the depths of hell, I will stay by your side until the end, Princess!

So please face your destiny with courage!

Just like the many heroes you admire!!

......!!! Y-Yeah...! How can I call myself an aspiring hero if I hesitate in a place like this?!

H-Here I go! I'm going...!

I'm really going!!

.......

...Heh.

......!!!

......!!!

...W-Wait, Caira! J-Just... let's think about this a little more!!

Since magic and sleight of hand are banned this time, you can surely win through fair play!

Y-Yeah... In the end, it's just left or right...!

I shouldn't overthink... I just need to watch out for her pretending to offer the left to make me pick the right...!

.......

...Heh.

......!! ...Wait, no, could she be pretending to offer the right to make me pick the left...?!

This is driving me crazy... Just pick one already!!

Even the audience got bored and left!!!

Why don't we just flip a coin at this point? The process and result would be exactly the same anyway.

Ha, you don't know what you're talking about.

No matter how simple the rules are, the essence of Old Maid is no different from poker.

Your opponent's breathing, gaze, gestures, pulse, tactics, strategy, hunger level, personality, philosophy, relationships, past... and even the faint fluctuation of mana.

Seizing that single moment when all kinds of information and context converge into a bet.

That is <the true way of showdowns>.

Urgh...! T-That's impossible!

You've kept a poker face for so long... and you still have this much fight left?!

C-Calm down, Princess...! W-We still have plenty of time...!!

Hehehe... Yes, struggle until the very end.

Though the result won't change anyway.

.......

.......

...Should we just go look for Bedivere?

Come to think of it, she did go to play the slot machines earlier.

No doubt she's huddled in some corner, sniffing.

Sigh... If I knew it would be like this, I should've just played the slot machines too.

......!

(Whispering) ...Or should we take this chance to analyze the magic around the slot machines?

(Whispering) Even if not right now, we might have to come back later...

M.O.R.G.A.N.A?

...T-This pig is the one scheming! I'm innocent!!

.......

...Sigh.

.......

.......

Alright, is it really over now?!

No need for rule reviews, cheating checks, or undos, right?!

Are we all mentally prepared now?!!

Y-Yeah... It's really over.

Without a doubt... it is my defeat.

Urgh...! I'm sorry, Tina!

Because I was weak... you had to suffer too!!

...It's alright, Princess. ...To be honest, I gave up a long time ago.

...Just as not everyone could be the hero of a story, ...not every story can end with a happy ending.

...As always, it is simply time to wake up from the sweet dream of hope.

But... But...! You cheered for me so hard...!!

Huh? What is this scrap of paper?

...It's the <Joint Guarantee Agreement> Crassa gave us earlier.

...It mainly details the compensation for the various "accidents" we've caused so far.

...And as always, it includes a binding clause to prevent either of us from running away.

...I've read through it carefully too, ...so you just need to sign at the bottom, Princess.

........

T-Then what is that stack of paper you're holding......?

...Oh, this is just my last will and testament.

...The title is <Portrait of an Earthworm Sprawled Under the Scorching Sun>.

...The subtitle is <A Meaningless and Worthless Struggle to Escape Predestined Doom>.

.......

...Would you like me to write a version starring you, Princess?

...Actually, never mind. It would be the exact same for both of us, if I just changed the main character of the story.

...Since we are already bound by the <Joint Guarantee Agreement>.

It's like a funeral over there. I'm actually starting to feel guilty.

Every single bit of it! From start to finish, they brought it on themselves!

Not only did they dare to treat the Fairy Queen like a pet, but they also committed the sin of touching my meat first.

So it is only natural that divine justice is served!!

Are you still going on about that meat? What a righteous grudge you hold.

Phew...!!

I-Is it really over now?! I was so nervous, I thought my heart was going to explode!

Did you all wait long? It felt like half a day had passed.

It felt the same to us. And it seems everyone else felt that way too.

Even that huge crowd is gone. If I knew this would happen, I should have just taken a nap.

But you WERE sleeping earlier, and you were even snoring.

I have no memory of doing that.

That's because you were asleep.

If I say I didn't sleep, then I didn't sleep!

Regardless of the circumstances... at this very moment, in this very place...

the Fairy Queen of Avalon has decreed it so...

Huh? What is that scrap of paper?

...It's the <Joint Guarantee Agreement> Crassa gave us earlier.

...I've read through this one carefully too, ...so you all just need to sign at the bottom.

.......

...What?!

Whoa, whoa, whoa! Wait, wait, wait!

Where is this coming from out of the blue?! We never borrowed any money in the first place!!

And a joint guarantee... Do you really think we'd sign such an atrocious contract?!

Huh? Don't tell me you can pay the fine without taking out a loan?!

Puhahaha! As expected of the Hero's party that saved the world, you guys are on another level!!

Phew! Well, that's a relief then!

Usually, even emptying your entire fortune isn't enough, leaving you kept on a leash by Crassa for the rest of your life!

E-Entire fortune?! Just how much is the fine for it to.......

...Oh, no.

Y-You're joking, right?! A simple casino fine has this many zeros on it?!

Yes, it's a joke.

For me, and for you all. A joke we can easily laugh off.

...This doesn't seem like something we should sign as a joke, though.

Why? Would you prefer I torment you in earnest?

In the first place, there's no way someone like you would need money, Crassa.

Yet, to go out of your way to humiliate us in such a public place.......

...means you planned to toy with us from the very beginning.

.......

Hmm, I guess you've decided to stop acting like a sheltered Queen?

But you still don't have a crown.

Let alone a Knight Order, you don't even have the personal guard who was always by your side with you right now.

......!!!

I knew you were good at bluffing. But every bluff requires certain conditions.

Either the hand you hold must be a threat to your opponent, or at least remain unknown.

.......

Fufu, don't worry too much.

As I said earlier, this is just a light joke.

Of course, that doesn't mean your "debt" disappears...

...Huh?

E-Everyone! I did it!!

Ygritte... Ro-Ro-Royal... Qua-Qua-Quatra... Jackpot......?! A-Anyway, it seems I've hit an absolute jackpot!

This should be enough, right?! We won, didn't we?!

B-Bedi?! W-What is all of that...?

Don't tell me... you won all those chips by yourself?!

Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes!!

They say it's a miracle that has only happened a few times in the history of the Bacchanalia Casino!

Could it be... the 'Royal Ygritte Emperor Quatra Millennium Jackpot'?!

That actually exists?! I totally thought it was just an urban legend!

No, just once... A few years ago, the exact same miracle happened.

Just once... a few years ago...? Ah!

Yes, it was when Crassa in her younger years hit the jackpot herself.

The casino went bankrupt overnight because of that, and it eventually fell into Crassa's hands!

Geez, talk about a convenient 'miracle.'

Wait, so after doing that herself, she went on and on to us about cheating and fines?!

Huh? F-Fines...? And what do you mean, cheating...?

......!!! I, I-I-I didn't do anything bad! Really!!

I swear on Elizabeth, Britannia, the Goddess of the World Tree... and... and...!!

A-Anyway, I swear on everything!!!

.......

...Ahahahahaha!!

Honestly, this is why I can never give up the casino business.

Even a perfectly designed inevitability can crumble from a single coincidence like this.

I like you. So, I'll let you have the win today.

Of course, that doesn't mean your 'debt' is gone.

......!

......!!

......!!!

......?

...Um, why is everyone looking at me like that?

......!!! D-D-D-Don't tell me!!

Every heroic epic is completed through noble self-sacrifice.

Bedivere 'The Slime Slayer'... giving up her entire fortune to save her companions!!

Yes, it's an absolutely perfect ending.

Hmm... I guess this is a happy ending in its own way, right?

I'll remember it! The noble sacrifice of Bedivere, Knight of the World Tree...!!

The heroic tale of how she swept up all those casino chips alone...!!

Fufu, don't be so scared.

At least when it comes to money... I never 'play around.'

.......

Huh? Wh-What...?! Wh-Wh-What!?

Wh-Wh-Wh-What!?!

.......

...W-Will this be enough?

Oh my, this is far less than I expected.

Well, you did keep me entertained, though.

I'll let the rest of the fine slide.

Yes, thank you...

.......

..........

Sigh...

.......

..........

Sigh...

C-Cheer up, Bedivere!

It was a truly heroic end... Ah, no! A truly heroic effort!!

Y-Yeah! I'm actually kind of jealous!!

Saving your friends from the brink of ruin with a chance opportunity... Isn't that so cool?!

.......

Hehehe... I guess so, right?

Since I'm a hero today... it's only natural to sacrifice myself for everyone, right?

But if I'm moping around like this over some casino chips...

...I guess that's not very heroic of me, is it?

Hehe...! Hehehe...

.......

.......

...Hey, Bedivere? Do you want to go to the night market with us?

I heard the night streets of Serranople are absolutely beautiful...!

Y-Yeah! They say the best cure for a broken heart is delicious food!

If we go out, get some fresh night air, and look at the ocean...

...No, I'm okay.

Ever since I was little... I've always liked sitting in corners like this.

Shady, quiet, and cozy...

In Bedivere's own little castle... Hehehe!

.......

.......

.......

...Ethan, and Morgana.

This is a royal decree. Find a way to cheer up Bedivere before dawn.

Right now, immediately, by any means necessary.

Y-Yes, Your Majesty! Right away!!

I shall obey with my life!!

.......

Look at this, Bedivere! It's a first edition copy of <The Cotton Candy Expedition>!!

It even has the author's signature!!!

Hah?! The author herself is standing right here, so what good is a silly signature!

Here, Bedivere! I have cookies shaped like casino chips!

It's a very, very, very special dessert that only imperial-level VIPs get to eat!

.......

...Casino chip... cookies...

My... casino chips... *sob*!!

Huh...? Wh-Why!?

Of course giving her that would bring back bad memories!

Move aside! I still have my trump card up my sleeve!!

Um, everyone? I appreciate you trying so hard to cheer up Bedi, but...

...We should find Crassa first...

Whoaaaa!!

Kyaaaa!!

Caira? Tina?! I-Is everyone okay?!

*Pant... pant... pant...*

H-Hello... *pant*...

Ah... you guys are here too?

...Well, I'm doing much better than I look.

It's just this stupid weight... makes it a bit hard to move... Whoaaaa!!

Hey! I'm in the middle of talking... Whoa!!

Fufu, your stamina has improved quite a bit since I last saw you.

I think I'll have to double the weight next time.

D-Double it again from here...? *Hic*!!

Oh, come on! Why don't you just ask me to fight while carrying a bull instead!!

But teasing a bull isn't any fun, is it?

You're already as strong as us even without this junk?!

Using training as an excuse gets old... Whoa!!

Y-You jerk... doing it again while I'm speaking?!

I'd appreciate it if you didn't misunderstand. This isn't training; it's a fitting 'punishment.'

And as a bonus, I'm just having a little fun.

Hah?! You literally said before that this was all for my training!

Well, that was because you were still young and weak back then.

Even without weights, I could easily overpower you.

.......

...So, your goal from the very beginning was just to toy with us?

And fighting fair and square just isn't your style?!

Fufu... you know my personality perfectly well, yet you still ask?

.......

...Fine, let's settle this once and for all, you sadist!!

Bring it on!! In the name of Ygritte, I will strike you down!!!

U-Um... *pant*... Could you at least... *pant*...

Let us rest a little?! *pant*...

I-I'm really... *pant*...

E-Even walking is my limit... Kyaaaa!!

Tina, your stamina has improved a lot too.

Great, you're starting to get my blood pumping.

If this were a multi-course meal, would it be time for the main course?

.......

.......

Um, Crassa? The reason you called us... Mmph!

Sorry, Elizabeth. My survival instincts are screaming at me.

If we catch that crazy woman's eye right now, we're in for a world of trouble.

B-But they're struggling so much... Mmph!

Sorry, Bedivere. This is all for your own good.

If we catch that pervert's eye, there will definitely be blood.

Whoaaaa!!

Kyaaaa!!

.......

....... (Nods)

....... (Nods)

Uggghhhhh...

Aaaauuughhh...

Oh dear, broken already?

If this were a multi-course meal, we haven't even had dessert yet.

.......

Fufu... well, any port in a storm, as they say.

It wouldn't be bad to have a taste of Britannia's heroes while I'm at it.

.......

Ahaha... I guess we're next.

Ugh, I knew it would turn out like this!!

That's because you made eye contact with her, Ethan!

I told you we should have just run... Aaah!

E-Everyone, watch out! If you get caught in those threads, it hurts like... Aaauuugh!!

W-Wait a minute...! I'm not ready yet... Ouch!

Ow... Ow ow ow!!

H-Here she comes! Everyone, get ready!

Whoaaaa!!

I told you we should have just run... Aaauuugh!!

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.......

.......

.......

.......

.......

...I'm bored. Anyone want to play Old Maid with me?

Wh-What!? D-Did I do something wrong again?!

...No, never mind.

.......

...Sigh.

Alright, I admit defeat. You guys are pretty good.

You're far from being a main course, but you're quite a delicious dessert.

Fufu... I'm already looking forward to our next meeting.

.......

.......

.......

...First, I have a question before we get to the main point.

Why did you beat us up out of nowhere, only to show up so late?

Ooh! Let me guess!

You took a relaxing bubble bath in the grand bathhouse and got an aroma massage, didn't you?

With a sip of Aquitaine's finest wine and a bite of Serranople's court pastries, no doubt.

No, I just took a shower and had a nap.

Either way, you're so selfish! Do you have any idea how many hours we've been waiting here?!

Huh? I never told you to wait.

You said you were going to rest for a 'moment'!

Like I said, I never told you to wait.

Grrrrrr!!

Sigh, if we knew, we should've just gone and relaxed too.

A bubble bath in the grand bathhouse of Serranople... Just thinking about it makes me melt.

Ugggh... where I was tied up with those threads still stings...

Ahaha... Looking back, maybe we were just in too much of a hurry.

We'll be staying in Serranople for the next few days anyway, so when else would we get to relax?

Ooh! Leave the Serranople tour guide duties to Tina and me!

We can show you Serranople under the sun, and even Serranople under the moonlight!

Th-The latter might be a bit too stimulating, though... Ahaha...

No, unfortunately, you won't have time for sightseeing.

While you were leisurely roasting spiders, Lucius took control of the legion in the Hispania region.

Well, technically, he crushed them using the power of the Holy Fire Knight Order.

H-His... pania... What?!

Simply put, it means Lucius's forces have doubled.

We knew it would happen eventually... but the situation is more serious than I thought.

So what are you trying to say?

It seems like you already know exactly why we came to find you.

Summarize the core points and try to move this Fairy Queen's heart!

And don't forget to offer tributes like last time!

Correct, I already know all about you.

And since it's obvious what 'questions' you want to ask, I'll give you my 'answers' in advance.

.......

...Do you understand?

...Yes!

I'll assume the rest of you understand too. First of all...

...Answer number one: I have no reason to fight Lucius.

To be precise, it's not cost-effective. If I step in directly, it will trigger a civil war in Ygritte.

What...?! Ah, no... wait a minute...!

Y-You don't have to jump to conclusions so quickly...!

Enough pleasantries. The rule here is 'transaction,' not persuasion.

If you want me to start a war to stop the invasion of Britannia...

You simply have to ask me to do so.

Though, of course, you'll have to pay a fitting price.

.......

Answer number two: I hate war.

An inefficient, irrational vortex of chaos filled with unpredictable variables.

What cannot be calculated cannot be valued, and what has no value is worthless.

That's why I hate worthless wars.

So, no matter what price you offer, this answer will never change.

...Yes, I understand.

.......

...Answer number three: there is one scenario to stop Lucius without war.

And to complete that scenario, I need the right cast... no, chess pieces.

Ch-Chess pieces...?

She means the right people to carry out her plan.

In short, she's saying everyone here is nothing more than her chess pieces.

Ah, yes... I-I see...

Fufu, you don't have to look so offended.

Looking back from a broader perspective, I'm ultimately just one of many pieces myself.

Every piece can be replaced, and even discarded.

Except for one person... you, the disciple of the first Fairy Queen, Oberon.

.......

...What?!

W-Wait a minute! How do you know her name?!

I do hope you enjoy the journey I've prepared for you.

Whether the memories etched into that soul are a blessing or a curse.

Because you... will never be able to escape your role.