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

===Part 6===

"&mdash;With this, we will cross the border to seek refuge in the Dragon Duchy of Dracunia."

Rubia spoke after taking her seat.

Everyone nodded silently. Since they had already heard about this before infiltrating the imperial capital, there were no questions raised.

"Will it really be okay? I don't want to be shot down as soon as we cross the border."

"Nothing of that sort will happen. We have already reached an agreement with the other side."

"Why Dracunia in particular?"

Fianna asked.

"There are two reasons. First of all, Dracunia's interests are aligned with ours&mdash;once the Ordesia Empire becomes the Holy Kingdom's puppet state, the balance of power between the various nations on the continent will be broken. The Dragon Nation is very concerned about that. Secondly, the Dragon Nation has the military might to deter the Empire from making a move. Otherwise, there would be no point in asking them to back us."

So that was the situation. Dracunia was not the only nation opposing the Holy Kingdom. There were others such as the Principality of Rossvale, but without the necessary military power to support them, those countries would not be able to protect the Legitimate Ordesia that existed in name only.

On that level, Dracunia the military state was definitely a reliable choice. Although the nation's overall resources were inferior to Ordesia, the strength of its military power was enough to intimidate its neighboring countries. With internal strife unresolved, even Ordesia would not dare to invade the Dragon Nation recklessly.

"By the way, I can't believe you even had contacts in Dracunia..."

Kamito commented.

"Aren't you backed by the Theocracy and the Demon King Cult?"

"The Theocracy intended from the start to exploit all the value they can extract before disposing of me. Hence, I consider them merely my previous insurance. After all, I know that Dracunia's Dragon King is interested in the plan to assassinate the Elemental Lords."

"What do you mean?"

Hearing that, Kamito frowned.

The plan to assassinate the Elemental Lords&mdash;This was Rubia's plan intending to bring about Kamito's awakening as the reincarnation of the Darkness Elemental Lord's power so that he could assassinate the Elemental Lords while entering an audience with them as a Blade Dance victor.

Dracunia's Dragon King had expressed interest in that plan, in other words&mdash;

"...The Dragon King is opposed to the Five Great Elemental Lords?"

"Dragon King Bahamut used to command forces on the Darkness Elemental Lord's side during the Spirit War between the Five Great Elemental Lords and the Darkness Elemental Lord. Hence, that king continues to regard the Elemental Lords as enemies."

"The Dragon King is a spirit on the Darkness Elemental Lord's side..."

Looking at the Water Elemental Lord's seal on her left hand from Iseria, Rinslet whispered quietly.

"I see now. It must be for the same reason that Dracunia is opposed to the Holy Kingdom which now holds the Fire Elemental Lord, right?"

"Probably yes... However, the Dragon King apparently has other designs&mdash;"

"Other designs?"

"I am not too sure on the veracity of that."

Rubia said.

"However, there is no need to be concerned with that. Regardless, our interests are aligned. So long as we share the Holy Kingdom as a common enemy, we will be able to keep using this nation of Dracunia."

To exploit everything available in order to achieve a goal. Orphans from the Instructional School, militarized spirits, Murders, the Alphas Theocracy, the power of the Darkness Elemental Lord, Restia, Velsaria, and now Dracunia&mdash;That was probably her resolve as an avenger.

"Next, I shall issue the declaration of Legitimate Ordesia under Dracunia's protection, is that right?"

When Fianna asked, Rubia nodded calmly.

"Indeed. At the same time, expose and condemn the relationship between Arneus the foolish ruler and the Holy Kingdom. Although the neighboring nations will likely choose to observe for the time being, within the Empire itself, the anti-Arneus faction and some of the neutral nobles will probably respond to us. Ordesia will then become divided into two. We will make use of that chaos and use Dracunia's military power for support to seize the imperial capital back from Arneus' control."

"This will develop into a large-scale civil war..."

"Yes, but you should have prepared yourself already."

"Yes, I know very well..."

Fianna nodded with determination.

"However, with that, it would seem especially regrettable that we were unable to rescue Headmistress Greyworth at the imperial capital..."

Ellis murmured quietly.

Hearing that, Kamito and Fianna looked at each other.

"Yes, if only we could get Areishia Spirit Academy on our side."

"Oh, about that..."

Kamito spoke up. After all, the issue could not stay secret forever.

"What is it, Kamito?"

Ellis asked with a surprised look.

"Greyworth has fallen into the hands of the Holy Kingdom. She's hostile to us now... I think."

"What did you say!?" "What happened!?"

Ellis and Claire widened their eyes. Even Rubia could not help but frown.

"Kamito, what is going on?"

"I don't really know what happened either. It's just that those Holy Kingdom people seem to have done something to Greyworth."

Kamito recounted everything he had seen and heard at the time. Currently, Greyworth looked like a young girl and had recovered the power from her peak condition. The one controlling her was the Holy Kingdom cardinal, Millennia Sanctus, who was there with her.

"No way... The headmistress, I can't believe she became our enemy..."

Claire lamented in surprise.

Ellis and Rinslet were equally shocked, unable to speak.

"Is there any method to undo the headmistress' brainwashing?"

"...None at the moment, but I will absolutely find one."

"However, in the event that you cannot&mdash;"

Rubia spoke this time.

"Are you able to kill that Dusk Witch?"

"Well&mdash;"

Kamito was rendered speechless. At that very moment...

A loud siren started blaring in the ship.