Editing Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume15 Chapter2 (section)

===Part 3===

"My, truly what a surprise..."

Within Margrave Laurenfrost's territory, at Winter Gulf Castle...

Taken to a great hall in the castle, Kamito and company sat down at a table, drinking black tea specially brewed by Milla Bassett with honey added to warm themselves up from the cold.

"No wonder I found it familiar..."

Setting his teacup down on the table, Kamito muttered quietly.

Indeed, the cave covered with cold ice was precisely where Rinslet's sister Judia had been imprisoned in ''cursed ice'' by the Water Elemental Lord.

Rinslet had apparently shown up there with Mireille to carry out a spirit contract ceremony.

The ceremony was held successfully after Kamito and company left the cave. Currently, Mireille's new contracted spirit was sitting on her shoulder, a small ''snow weasel''. Although lacking Fenrir's intimidating appearance, it looked like a very smart and wise spirit, quite similar to Mireille in that regard. The spirit had already gotten very close to Mireille and was affectionately rubbing its warm fur against her cheek.

"Miss Mireille, uh, may I touch its tail?"

Ellis, who loved cute animals, asked somewhat excitedly.

"Sure, go ahead."

Mireille held onto Ellis' shoulder and immediately, the snow weasel spirit skipped across to Ellis' shoulder and wrapped itself around her neck like a scarf.

"Wow... I-It is quite adorable."

Relaxing her normally serious expression, Ellis beamed nonstop.

(...No, Ellis, you're the one who's adorable.)

&mdash;Thinking that such a comment would most likely upset her, Kamito kept his thoughts to himself.

"But thank goodness that the teleportation completed successfully without incident. It would be problematic had we gone to Kelzanos or Fahrengart instead of Laurenfrost."

Fianna whispered quietly.

The temple's teleportation device with Gates connected to the territories of the Four Great Houses&mdash;Elstein, Fahrengart, Laurenfrost and Kelzanos.

Among them, the Gate leading to the confiscated Elstein territory no longer existed while the House of Kelzanos was the leader of the pro-Arneus faction of nobles. Although the House of Fahrengart maintained neutrality, if Arneus were to become the official designated successor, they probably would not proactively protect Fianna either. Even having Ellis with them would not help. Given the current situation, the only place within the Ordesia Empire for them to seek asylum was Rinslet's location, Margrave Laurenfrost's territory.

"...In any case, it is wonderful that you are safe and sound, Your Highness."

After Rinslet said that&mdash;

Fianna bit her lip hard and looked at Kamito and the others in sequence.

"...Yes, truly, I am... extremely grateful. If you had not come, I would have..."

She spoke in a trembling voice.

Although she had maintained her mental fortitude the whole time, Fianna's tensed mind probably relaxed after coming to a safe place at last. There was sobbing in her voice.

"That goes without saying. You're a member of Team Scarlet."

Hearing Claire's remark that sounded like she was hiding embarrassment, Kamito nodded in agreement.

After wiping her tears away with her fingers, Fianna restored her expression of fortitude and said:

"However, Kamito-kun, how did all of you infiltrate the imperial capital? Especially the nobles district, for which it is probably impossible to enter through ordinary methods."

"Oh, that's a long story..."

Kamito paused for a moment then continued.

"Actually, Rubia's the one who planned out the operation to rescue you, Fianna."

"Rubia-sama?"

Fianna widened her dusk-colored eyes.

Kamito told her everything about the discussion with Rubia on the flying ship.

The Holy Kingdom's conspiracy to undermine the Ordesia Empire. The Fire Elemental Lord who had been reborn somewhere in the human realm. Also, there was Rubia's intention to issue a declaration as Legitimate Ordesia in opposition to the current Ordesia imperial family&mdash;

"Legitimate Ordesia?"

"Yes, Nee-sama plans to raise a banner in your name to oppose the Empire that has turned into the Holy Kingdom's puppet state."

"If the declaration of Legitimate Ordesia is issued, Your Highness, it would be tantamount to overt rebellion against the Ordesia imperial family."

"Is that so...? Indeed you are right."

Fianna lowered her head and entered deep thought with a solemn expression.

"I think there's no need for you to give an immediate answer."

Kamito commented. The choice meant betraying the home country that had nurtured her and even her own family, to make enemies of them.

This answer would not be easy to decide. Even if Fianna decided to reject Rubia's plan, Kamito would still respect her wish. Claire, Ellis and Rinslet presumably felt the same.

However, Fianna soon raised her head and looked at Kamito and the others in turn&mdash;

"No. I shall become the empress of Legitimate Ordesia."

She declared decisively.

"Fianna, are you sure?"

"Yes, I shall become the empress, to fight the Holy Kingdom&mdash;"

Confronted with Kamito's question, Fianna nodded resolutely.

Witnessing Fianna's facial expression of resolve, Kamito and the others looked at one another.

Next&mdash;

The first to extend her hand was Claire.

"...Great. I will support your resolve, Fianna."

"Yes, for the sake of my homeland, I am willing to fight on your side, Your Highness."

Ellis stacked her hand on top of Claire's. Kamito silently placed his hand on top next.

"...Understood. I too shall join you."

Finally, Rinslet also showed an expression of resolve and stacked her hand on top.

"Rinslet, don't you need to govern Laurenfrost?"

"This castle will be governed by Mireille for the time being."

Faced with the frowning Claire, Rinslet asserted with confidence.

"Letting Mireille handle it... Will it really be okay?"

"She has already reached an age capable of employing a contracted spirit. Furthermore, the Wolf Ritters are at Winter Gulf Castle."

"Yes, it'll be okay. While Onee-sama is away, I will complete the job of administration splendidly. Besides, I still have Milla too."

After Mireille nodded, Milla Bassett, who was on standby in the back, nodded as well.

"Indeed, Arneus would not want to make enemies of the Laurenfrost Wolf Ritters until he has all the nobles in the nation under his control..."

Claire analyzed calmly. As long as they obeyed the Empire on the surface, he probably would not recklessly make a move on a border province that was tasked with the core of the Empire's national defense.

With hands stacked, the four of them focused their gaze on Fianna.

In response, Fianna&mdash;

"...Thank you, everyone."

With tears appearing in the corners of her eyes again, she nodded and placed her hand on top at last.

"Then how do we proceed?"

Rinslet asked.

"First, we need to meet up with Rubia's flying ship... Velsaria and the others are supposed to have acted as a diversion for the imperial capital's forces."

"Use my Simorgh. It will be the fastest and most reliable means of communications."

Ellis chanted words of summoning and the demon wind spirit immediately appeared out of thin air with wings spread. After, Ellis spoke a few words of instructions into his ear, Simorgh flapped his wings forcefully and flew away into the sky&mdash;

"Before the Captain's bird returns, you should all take a rest at Winter Gulf Castle. As it so happens, Mireille's banquet is about to start."

"Sorry, Rinslet, for making so much trouble for you."

"No need to be formal. Kamito-san, you are the benefactor who had saved Laurenfrost. We are heavily indebted to you."

"A banquet would be nice, but I'd like to take a bath and cleanse myself first."

Claire looked down at her uniform and said.

"Yes... I have not gone through purification for at least three days."

After glancing at Kamito, Fianna blushed shyly.

She had been imprisoned ever since the day of the abortive attempted assassination on the emperor. Although the princess maidens tasked with keeping watch would regularly wipe her body, her holiness still decreased substantially. The reason why she had still been able to summon Georgios while in that state was probably thanks to her unusually strong bond with her contracted spirit.

"Prepare a bath immediately."

Rinslet nodded and swiftly issued orders to the maids in the castle.