Editing Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume13 Chapter5 (section)

===Part 7===

The Ordesia Empire's capital&mdash;Ostdakia.

Commonly referred to as the "imperial capital," the city was formerly the town that the army led by Sacred Maiden Areishia had used as their stronghold during the Demon King War a thousand years earlier.

This town was merely a rural municipality back when the Demon King War ended, but thereafter, it began to flourish as the Ordesia Empire's military center, then gradually developed into its political center.

Moving the capital from Nebrasia in present-day Fahrengart territory happened roughly six centuries ago. From then on, it became one of the continent's most prosperous cities along with the Quina Empire's "realm capital" and the Holy Kingdom of Lugia's Alexandria.

This imperial capital was where factions from the continent's various nations had gathered for the upcoming All Nations Conference.

"...It's completely different from the Academy that's surrounded by the Spirit Forest."

The current location was a room in the Nefescal Palace in the city center.

Looking out into the streets from a window in the room, Fianna sighed.

"...The air here seems frozen solid."

"Princess, please try to keep still."

"Yes, yes..."

The handmaiden's chattering while tying the corset was making Fianna impatient. Fianna was currently putting on a glamorous white dress, a fitting match for her lustrous black hair and silver-white tiara.

Looking at the giant mirror hanging on the wall in the room, Fianna sighed again.

"Excuse me? Must I wear this no matter what?"

"Yes. There are rules prescribing the attire of princesses when summoned for an audience."

The handmaiden replied indifferently without changing her expression.

(...So boring.)

The handmaidens of the palace only treated Fianna as the Empire's second princess. They only served her for her status as an imperial princess, that was all. Back when Fianna was known as the Lost Queen and locked away in the palace, like those hated nobles, everyone was mocking her behind her back.

...Unlike her friends at the Academy who had fought alongside one another during the Blade Dance tournament.

With dusk-colored eyes a little gloomy, Fianna looked into the mirror again.

(...No matter what, I really miss Kamito-kun.)

That was what Fianna was thinking about.

As soon as she finished putting on her dress, there was a knock at the door.

"&mdash;It is almost time, Second Princess. Preparations are due for welcoming the various nations' representatives&mdash;"

Appearing at the door was a silver-haired spirit knight dressed in formal knight attire.

Fourth of the Numbers&mdash;Dunei Lampert, a spirit knight who had contracted with a spirit of the earth.

Fianna was not good at dealing with someone with an forthright and straitlaced personality like hers.

"...Understood."

Fianna sighed again, rising from her chair.

Walking along the corridor of the magnificent hanging gardens, they made their way to the great hall where the All Nations Conference was to be held.

"Aren't they making too big a deal out of things by asking you, a member of the Numbers to serve as my bodyguard?"

"It would be best if you would understand your own position better. You are currently the Empire's second princess. The most important person after His Highness Arneus and Her Highness Linnea&mdash;"

Dunei spoke without looking back while leading the way.

"Is there anyone in this imperial capital who would dare to target my life?"

"Last night, Balsas Prison was attacked by persons unknown."

"...Impossible!?"

Balsas Prison was a fortress located on the north side of the imperial capital. Originally built as a garrison post for the Anti-Demon King army, it was later converted to be used as the Empire's most secure prison. To think someone would attack this prison that was protected by powerful guardian spirits and numerous spirit knights, it was completely unbelievable.

"The perpetrators broke into the prison using a militarized spirit. Several of the prisoners in the lowest level escaped. Jio Inzagi, the merchant woman from Murders and the Fahrengart daughter&mdash;"

"Velsaria Eva?"

Fianna asked without thinking. The other two aside, Velsaria was supposed to be staying voluntarily in the deepest and harshest level of the prison to atone for her sins. To think she would do something like escaping from prison&mdash;

"And the perpetrators' identities?"

"Umbra is currently investigating. The perpetrators' objectives are still unclear but we cannot rule out the possibility of them targeting you, Princess. Hence, it is necessary to place a trustworthy bodyguard by your side."

"You're saying that the Numbers are trustworthy?"

Fianna's words brought awkwardness to Dunei's face.

The miraculous hands of healing&mdash;Lurie Lizaldia's betrayal had only occurred recently.

Succeeding in cracking that poker face, Fianna shrugged with slight satisfaction.

"But back to the subject, what meaning is there behind asking me to attend the All Nations Conference?"

"Your Highness Fianna, you are the elementalist approved by the imperial family's guardian spirit, Georgios. Right now, there is probably no one in the palace who would dare underestimate you anymore."

"How fickle. I thought I clearly abandoned the title of the second princess a long time ago."

"It is not something that can be abandoned so easily. This is the responsibility of royalty."

"...Yes, I understand."

Fianna bit her lip hard.

"There is also a sizable number of supporters who wish to nominate you as the successor to the throne instead of His Highness Arneus."

"You say that even as a member of Numbers?"

"I am simply reporting objective facts."

"..."

Among all the nations on the continent, there were virtually no cases of princess maidens ruling countries as sovereigns.

That was because princess maidens possessing the power of spirit contracts were all gathered at the Divine Ritual Institute where they were isolated from the mundane world. It was common belief that princess maidens' responsibilities lay with administering various rites and there was no need for them to care about political matters.

Hence, the Ordesia Empire had a custom of prioritizing male succession to the throne. Once the emperor abdicated, Fianna's elder brother, two years her senior, was supposed to succeed to the throne.

But there was a huge problem.

(...Arneus doesn't have what it takes to be emperor. All the citizens of the Empire know that.)

Fianna recalled images of his cruel visage, that of a person whom she had despised since childhood. In actual fact, there were people in the imperial council who had suggested bringing back First Princess Linnea who had entered the Divine Ritual Institute like Fianna, so that she could be wed to an influential noble.

But compared to the elder sister who had entered the Divine Ritual Institute, support for Fianna had also grown louder after she regained her power of the spirit contract. Ironically, her performance at the Blade Dance was precisely why she had gained the support of so many people.

(...What a pain.)

Fianna sighed. Unwilling to get caught up in the games of power struggles, she had never entertained the thought of marriage with influential nobles.

(...In my heart, I already have someone I love.)

Walking downstairs, they came to a great hall on the first floor.

Standing there was the person she wished to see the least.

"Hmph, well isn't this the useless Lost Queen eh? To think you'd be shameless enough to come sauntering back."

Dressed in grand imperial attire was a black-haired young man. Although quite good-looking in facial features, the cold light in his eyes rendered his handsome face a total waste.

Arneus Ray Ordesia&mdash;Fianna's elder brother.

"&mdash;Greetings to you, dear esteemed brother."

Fianna greeted politely without any emotion at all.

Just as she was about to enter the great hall directly&mdash;

"&mdash;Not so fast."

He yelled with agitation, stepping on the hem of her dress.

"How else may I help you?"

"...Cut the pretense. By this point, what are your intentions in returning to the palace?"

"I only returned because I was summoned by His Majesty the Emperor."

"Hmph, who knows. In the imperial council, there seems to be people recommending you as the successor to the throne."

Arneus look at Fianna with eyes of suspicion.

"I&mdash;"

Just as Fianna was about to refute him...

"Excuse me, Your Highness Arneus&mdash;"

Dunei interrupted.

"...What now?"

"Please set aside your conversation with your sister for now. The princess is currently required to greet our guests from various nations."

Staring at Dunei, the color of fear flashed across Arneus's eyes for an instant.

"...Tsk, a knight huh."

Arneus clicked his tongue and departed. Adjusting the hem of her dress, Fianna lamented.

"...Still hasn't changed the slightest, that person."

Leaving Dunei at the door, Fianna entered the great hall.

A giant table was prepared in the center of the hall. Furthest at the back was the seat of the Ordesian Emperor, Ugust Ray Ordesia.

Next to him were Prime Minister Conrad, Duke Cygnus Fahrengart, Margrave Gryas Laurenfrost and other top nobles of the Empire.

At the same time, Greyworth was present, dressed in formal knight attire. Formerly known as the continent's strongest spirit knight, the Dusk Witch still carried a powerful presence about her despite having retired.

Fianna greeted the emperor then sat down next to Greyworth.

"Wow, you look good in a dress too. Why don't you show it to the lad?"

"Well, no matter how I dress up to seduce him, Kamito-kun is always... Hey, now is not the time for jokes, Headmistress."

Fianna pouted and asked quietly:

"...Umm, how is Kamito-kun right now?"

"The lad should be on a journey to Laurenfrost right now."

"...Huh?"

Hearing an unexpected answer, Fianna could not help but exclaim.

"Why would he go to Laurenfrost?"

"...I'll tell you the details later. In any case, it's related to the darkness spirit."

Greyworth whispered quietly in her ear. Fianna nodded lightly.

"I heard that the Kyria Mountain Range is under rare heavy snowfall at the moment..."

"Well, he'll always find a way. Margrave Laurenfrost's daughter also went along."

"...Rinslet is with him as well?"

Fianna pouted.

"...Could it be that, a private trip for t-two? Is that what's going on!?"

"Fufu? Worried about the lad?"

"...Yes. In another sense."

Fianna sighed again.

"&mdash;Let us welcome the arrival of the representatives of all nations."

The voice of a guard was heard from outside the hall.

Entering the hall one after another were representatives from the continent's handful of major powers&mdash;the Quina Empire, the Dragon Duchy of Dracunia, the Kingdom of Balstan and the Holy Kingdom of Lugia.

Dracunia's diplomatic delegation included the Dragon Princess, Leonora Lancaster, whom Fianna's team had fought in the Blade Dance. This time, she was wearing a gorgeous formal dress rather than the military uniform of the Knights of the Dragon Emperor. Of course, that Dragon Slayer sword was not by her side either.

The Alphas Theocracy's delegation had not arrived yet. The most pressing matter on the agenda at this All Nations Conference was Sjora Kahn's coup d'etat. One of the reasons why Fianna was asked to join this conference was because she had directly interacted with Sjora during the Blade Dance.

"&mdash;Fianna, pay close attention to what the Holy Kingdom's representative says."

Greyworth whispered in her ear.

"The Holy Kingdom, huh?"

"A witch's intuition. Lately, the Holy Kingdom's movements have been quite unusual. According to my judgment, those people were also involved in the Theocracy's internal strife."

The piercing stare of Greyworth's gray eyes were directed at the cardinals dressed in vestments of pure white.

"...I have no intention of getting involved with politics."

"Whether it is your wish or not, destiny will always descend. The lad never wished for the Demon King's destiny either&mdash;"

Staring off into the distance, Greyworth murmured softly to herself.

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