Editing Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume15 Chapter3 (section)

===Part 1===

Dawn&mdash;

Under the rising sun's rays, the modified military ship, the Revenant, landed in the Forest of Ice Blossoms near Winter Gulf Castle.

The ship's armor was flaking off severely with signs of damage all over.

It must have had an intense battle against Ordesia's Aerial Combat Knights in the imperial capital's outskirts.

Kamito and his team hastily got prepared and met up in front of the flying ship.

"Natalia, I am leaving the rest to you."

"Affirmative, we of the Wolf Ritters will do everything we can to protect Mireille-sama."

The captain of the knights, Natalia, saluted with a straight posture. Behind her, everyone also saluted at the same time. Not just the Wolf Ritters but all the soldiers in the castle had come to see them off. This showed how much Rinslet was loved by the people of the castle.

"Mireille, you have to listen to Natalia and Milla properly."

"Don't worry, Onee-sama. Until you return, I will definitely complete Laurenfrost's restoration."

Mireille nodded in an exaggerated manner.

"Mireille-sama, you can count on me."

Milla Bassett whispered softly.

"As a Laurenfrost daughter, I will do everything in my power too."

"Judia..."

Rinslet hugged her other sister tightly who was sitting in a wheelchair.

"Somehow, it feels like the land of Laurenfrost will be fine."

"Yes, with such excellent retainers, I feel there is no need to worry."

Claire nodded in agreement.

Soon, the military ship's hatch opened and a metal gangway descended.

Next to appear was Rubia Elstein in military uniform.

Gazing at Kamito's group below, she said:

"Fianna Ray Ordesia's extraction has evidently succeeded."

"Yeah, except that the Murders merchant arranged by you betrayed us."

Kamito answered her sarcastically.

Back then, had Virrey the special operative knight not assisted them, Kamito and company might still be wandering underground at the imperial capital right now.

"So the Bald Rat betrayed us... The money paid to him should have been more than enough."

"He took the Holy Kingdom's side very readily. Don't put too much trust in people who can be bought."

"&mdash;I shall bear that in mind."

Saying that, she turned to Fianna.

"Have you made your decision? Second Princess of the Empire, Fianna Ray Ordesia."

"Yes, I shall serve as your pawn, Rubia-sama&mdash;no, Rubia Elstein."

Fianna looked squarely into Rubia's eyes and replied fearlessly.

The Calamity Queen and the Lost Queen&mdash;previous best friends at the Divine Ritual Institute in the past, their gazes crossed&mdash;

"Very well. A meeting will be held in half an hour. Rest in the ship first."

With a flip of her military jacket, Rubia returned inside the military ship.

"Oh, Nee-sama..."

Just as Claire called out to her... She closed her mouth again rapidly.

"What is it?"

"I still haven't had a chance to talk with you properly, Nee-sama..."

Claire said sadly.

Indeed, despite meeting again at last, the two of them had not had a conversation as sisters.

Although Rubia gave a cold impression as though a single touch could set off her anger, Kamito wondered if that was because he did not know what she was like in the past. Perhaps back when Claire was small, she had been very different from now.

Perhaps a decisive change had occurred to her past self that was familiar to Claire.

...On that day when the insane Fire Elemental Lord had destroyed a town on earth.

"Oh well, no need to be anxious. Before we reach Dracunia, there should be plenty of chances to talk."

Kamito placed his hand on Claire's shoulder.

"Hmm, I have not had a proper chat recently with my esteemed sister either."

"...Y-You're right. I'll try."

Claire nodded and bit her lip hard.