Toaru Hikuushi e no Seiyaku:V7Part6
Part 6
Therma Kruman.
Even now, there are moments when I fail to respond to that name.
It feels like the name of a person completely unrelated to me, someone who grew up in a distant, unknown place...
“Therma, look! I made them! My donuts!”
Hearing the cheerful voice so close by, Illia blinked once and looked down beside her.
A local girl with dark skin was holding out a wooden plate with three donuts arranged on it, offering them to Illia.
“Try them, try them! They’re not as good as yours, Therma, but...”
“Oh, uh, sure.”
Illia picked one up and popped it into her mouth. The aroma of the fried wheat and eggs rose into her nose.
“They’re delicious. You did a great job, Latifa. These are good enough to sell.”
Latifa beamed proudly at the compliment.
“This is the new product for our shop! I hope lots of customers come!”
She was only twelve years old, but Latifa was the owner of her own street stall. She didn’t have a proper store, just a portable stove discarded by the military that she used to fry fish to make a living. They had met about three weeks ago when Illia was riding along the coast on her bike and had stumbled upon the market, drawn in by the delicious smell. Since then, on her days off, Illia had made it a habit to visit Latifa’s stall and buy some fried goods.
“I promise I’ll pay you back for the ingredients! When I make lots of money, I’ll give you a share too, so please lend me until then!”
“You don’t need to pay me back. Consider it a thank you for always giving me something delicious to eat.”
“No, no way, I have to pay you back! Nobody here’s ever tasted anything this good before, I’m sure they’ll sell!”
Latifa’s large eyes sparkled as she shoved one of her own donuts into her thick lips, grinning widely.
“I hope so. I wish you all the best, Latifa.”
Illia bent down and gently patted Latifa’s short, curly hair, smiling at her. The battles that seemed never-ending threatened to harden Illia’s spirit, but the simple, innocent interactions with this girl helped soften her heart.
November, Year 1350 of the Imperial Calendar, the Radat Territory in the Siondal Cooperative Alliance of the Vesterland Continent—
In the early afternoon, hundreds of locals gathered at the coastal wholesale market, busily choosing what to buy for dinner. A popular dish in this area was fried fish coated with a thick layer of spices, and the competing street vendors each used their own unique spice blends to tempt the noses of passing customers. Latifa, worried that just selling fried fish wouldn’t be enough, had been taught by Illia how to make donuts, and the girl had been so impressed by the taste that she decided to focus on selling them in the future.
Illia had planned to spend her day off helping Latifa make donuts. As she whisked together eggs, flour, sugar, and milk in a bowl, she could feel the pent-up emotions in her heart slowly being washed away, replaced by a sense of calm.
──Today, I’ll just focus on making donuts without thinking about anything else.
She repeated that to herself as she kneaded the dough.
──Empty my mind and just make donuts.
Using a bottle cap, she punched holes in the dough before dropping them into the oil. The delicious scent began to fill the air, attracting curious passers-by who paused to watch Illia work. She coated the freshly fried donuts with chocolate, sugar, or lemon cream, and the first two sold almost immediately after offering samples to the onlookers.
“See! I told you this would be a hit!”
“How about some delicious donuts?”
Sitting next to an excited Latifa, Illia joined in, trying to mimic the other vendors as they called out to attract customers. As a foreigner in a local market, Illia stood out, and the unfamiliar sweets quickly drew a crowd.
“One chocolate, please? Oh, thank you so much!”
Illia, awkward in her first attempt at being a vendor, handed over the handmade donut to a skeptical middle-aged woman, who, after taking a bite, widened her eyes in surprise and excitedly ordered more lemon cream donuts.
Soon, orders were pouring in.
“We’re getting swamped!”
Latifa, who hadn’t anticipated such a rush, scrambled to fry about ten more donuts, but they were sold the moment they hit the plate.
“Plain donuts, three of them, thank you! Therma, this is amazing, but we’re in trouble—we don’t have enough hands!”
“We also need to buy more ingredients...”
The crowd kept growing. People who had tried the donuts were spreading the word, and their reputation was spreading right before Illia’s eyes.
“I’m going to be rich...!”
Frying more donuts, Latifa couldn’t hide her excitement. She had already made more in this one day than she had in a week of selling fried fish. But they were running out of ingredients and manpower fast. As Illia searched the crowd for help, her eyes fell on an unexpected figure.
“Ah...”
It was the last person she wanted to see her like this.
“Illia...? Wh-what are you doing...?”
Kiyoaki’s head poked out from the crowd, his voice high-pitched in disbelief.
“Uh... well...”
Illia stammered, unsure how to respond. Of all people, she didn’t want Kiyoaki to know about her hobby of making donuts.
“Therma, do you know him?”
When Latifa asked, Illia nodded, and the girl’s face lit up.
“Your friend! You, come help us! I’ll pay you!”
“Uh, o-okay.”
Not giving him a chance to refuse, Latifa handed the bewildered Kiyoaki an apron and had him sit next to Illia. Illia whispered,
“...Why are you here?”
“I had the day off, so I went for a ride... I saw this huge crowd and thought, "what’s going on?" And then I saw you...”
“...Remember, you have to call me Therma outside.”
Illia tried to steady her racing heart, masking her nervousness with an indifferent expression. The embarrassment of being seen in this situation, coupled with the confusion of her feelings, welled up from deep within.
It’s happening again.
Illia felt overwhelmed by her emotions, unsure how to manage the tumult inside her.
They saw each other all the time at the airfield. They were both assigned to Akmed's squadron. They often clashed during post-mission meetings, and after those, they practiced fencing together. There was no reason to feel flustered just because they ran into each other in town.
But, for some reason──her heart pounded faster.
“Stop chatting! Let your friend handle the customers, Therma, and you go buy more ingredients! We can’t afford to miss this opportunity!”
Urged on by Latifa, Illia quickly stood up, grabbing two shopping bags.
“Okay, I’ll be right back!”
Leaving the stall in Latifa and Kiyoaki’s hands, Illia hurriedly jogged into the market, hoping that the act of shopping would help her regain her composure. She didn’t want anyone to see how flustered she was.
As she bought milk, sugar, flour, and chocolate, her thoughts remained filled with Kiyoaki.
──I promised myself I wouldn’t think about anything today...
She was frustrated with her inability to control her feelings, but the flood of emotions rising from within wouldn’t stop.
──What am I even thinking about...?
As she absentmindedly browsed the market’s food stands, she caught herself thinking like any other girl—wondering what kind of food Kiyoaki liked, imagining how happy he might be if she made something for him—and blushing at her own thoughts.
──How foolish...
Her whole life had been dedicated to mastering the art of aerial combat. She had focused solely on defeating enemies in the sky, never questioning that path.
And yet.
Now, she found herself enjoying the idea of running a donut stand with Kiyoaki. She couldn’t wait for him to try her homemade donuts and hoped he would complement her. If he was happy, she knew it would make her even happier. These were the thoughts racing through her mind.
──I’m no different from any girl in the city...
She sighed inwardly.
No matter how much she tried to suppress her feelings with logic, her deepest desires surged up from within, filling her heart.
──What’s wrong with me?
Her thoughts and emotions were at odds. The disciplined fighter pilot in her clashed with the young girl yearning for something more. Two completely different personas warred within her.
And she knew exactly why.
Since that duel, Illia had fully understood her feelings.
The words that had echoed in the high-altitude sky between the two of them said it all.
“I love you.”
“I love you.”
Of course, it wasn’t possible that she had actually heard Kiyoaki’s voice say that. Those words had likely been her own delusion. But the words she had spoken had been real, undeniably.
They were the true feelings that had filled her heart without her even realizing it.
──I want to be with Kiyoaki. Always...
No matter how much her rational mind tried to deny it, something deep inside her yearned to be by Kiyoaki’s side.
She wanted to fly alongside him, with their wings parallel in the sky. Her soul cried out for it, an unrelenting desire.
And before she knew it, that desire had led her here.
She had abandoned her homeland.
Abandoned the Voltec Air Squadron.
She hadn’t even let her father know she was safe, though he was surely worried.
Yet here she was, on the remote Vesterland continent, working as a mercenary, finding joy in flying through the same skies as Kiyoaki.
Just reflecting on her situation made her feel pathetic.
──I’m a terrible person. A coward.
──I’m a traitor to my country, ungrateful to those who helped me, and I abandoned my comrades...
──I’ve been entirely self-centred...
Even knowing all of this, Illia couldn’t bring herself to leave. In fact, she couldn’t help but feel like this was the happiest she had ever been in her entire life.
Flying alongside Kiyoaki as part of Akmed’s squadron...
“Ah...”
Lost in thought, Illia suddenly realized that her shopping bags were overflowing with ingredients—many of which had nothing to do with donuts. She had somehow ended up buying sardines, mackerel, and even fish cakes. Was she planning to make a stew? Clearly, she wasn’t in control of herself. Returning to the stall with her chaotic haul, she showed Latifa, who burst out laughing.
“We don’t need fish! We’re a donut shop now!”
“Y-Yeah, it’s just a habit…”
“Enough of that! Therma, start making the dough! And Sakagami, you handle the customers! We’re going to make a fortune!”
Illia, now hurried, tossed the ingredients she’d bought into the bowl. The crowd had only grown larger, and Kiyoaki was busy directing them into lines while handling the sales.
──He must think this is weird... definitely...
She had never wanted him to see her making donuts, but now there was no choice. Illia tried to calm her racing heart and, doing her best not to glance at Kiyoaki, focused entirely on whisking the batter in the bowl.
“Thank you, Therma, Sakagami! With your help, the shop did so well today! Please come back on your day off!”
As the sun set and they closed up the stall, Latifa, overjoyed by the staggering amount of money she’d made, generously handed out wages to both Kiyoaki and Illia before waving them off with a smile.
“It was fun, Latifa. Take care of your shop, alright?”
“I will! You two have to come back again! Promise!”
With Latifa’s cheerful send-off behind them, Illia and Kiyoaki walked away, exchanging real words for the first time that day as they stepped through the now sparsely populated market.
“...Your bike?”
“...Yeah, it’s parked over there.”
They walked together toward the pier, adjacent to the market. The sun had already set, and the faint light in the western sky was being overtaken by night.
It was an old, rundown market with barely any lighting. Most of the people had already headed home, and a quiet stillness was beginning to settle in. Along the eastern edge, a few diners catering to fishermen had turned on their lights.
“Want to grab some dinner?”
Kiyoaki’s invitation made Illia’s heart leap. Her mouth opened slightly before she hastily closed it again.
“Ah... no. I’m not really hungry.”
“Oh... I see. That’s... too bad.”
For some reason, Kiyoaki also seemed a bit awkward.
Both of them were aware that the other was conscious of them, which created this awkwardness. Normally, they avoided being too familiar with each other due to the watchful eyes of the Valkyrie squad members, but right now, they were alone—just the two of them.
It was only about a two-minute walk to where the bikes were parked.
──I wish this walk were longer.
The thought crossed Illia’s mind, and she felt embarrassed by it. She wanted to smack herself for being so helpless with her thoughts.
She wanted to talk more.
But she didn’t know what to talk about.
What do ordinary people talk about in situations like this? Having focused only on aerial combat, Illia had no idea how to engage in small talk.
──I’d love to just have a normal conversation...
──And if we could laugh together, I’d be so happy...
Such a simple, silly wish came from deep within her. It was such a trivial desire that she felt ridiculous even thinking it, yet she didn’t know how to make it come true.
Before she knew it, her bike was right in front of her.
“My bike’s parked over there…”
Kiyoaki pointed in the opposite direction of where they had come.
“Oh, right... I guess...”
She swallowed the words that almost came out, the ones that would’ve asked him to let her ride with him.
Both of them had bikes, so it made sense that they would head back to the camp together.
They were always flying in formation together, so it wouldn’t be strange to ride alongside each other on the ground.
But...
“Well... see you tomorrow.”
That was all she could manage to say. Kiyoaki hesitated for a moment, then nodded.
“...Yeah. See you tomorrow.”
Illia nodded in return, like a drinking bird, before both of them fell silent again.
Kiyoaki gave a small wave and turned his back to her.
──I don’t want him to go.
That was what Illia thought.
──Because... we might die tomorrow.
With back-to-back air battles, there was no telling when one might lose their life. A friend who was brushing their teeth next to you this morning might be gone tomorrow, with only their toothbrush left behind. It could just as easily be Kiyoaki’s toothbrush sitting alone in the bathroom in a couple of days, or perhaps hers right next to his, forever waiting for their owners to return.
So.
──I have to cherish the present.
Just as she was about to call out to stop Kiyoaki from leaving, he turned back.
“Hey.”
Her heart skipped a beat.
“What is it?”
She forced herself to speak with a tough, nonchalant tone, trying to hide her nervousness.
“Today was... really fun.”
His tone revealed that he, too, was grappling with complicated emotions.
“I’m glad to hear that.”
Illia threw back a blunt reply, though she was struggling to contain her own feelings.
“...Your donuts were really good.”
With just those few words, Illia’s chest tightened. She could feel her pulse quicken. Afraid that Kiyoaki would hear the pounding of her heart, she tried her hardest to maintain a calm, stoic expression.
“...It’s nothing. I just learned the recipe from Cecil, that’s all.”
That was a meaningless lie. Cecil didn’t even know that Illia made donuts.
“...I see... well... they suited you.”
Illia barely managed to keep herself from smiling.
She didn’t want Kiyoaki to see the genuine, tender emotions that were swelling inside her. She didn’t want him to think she was like some shallow girl from the city.
“Are you teasing me? You probably thought it was weird, right?”
She shot back with a hint of hostility. Kiyoaki quickly shook his head.
“N-No! I really mean it, it was... you know, just a different side of you. Different from when you’re in the cockpit, I mean...”
“What? How do you even know what I look like when I’m in the cockpit? It’s a single-seater. You can’t have seen that.”
Embarrassed by her reddening face, she tried to hide it by lashing out childishly. Kiyoaki, looking flustered, hurried to apologize.
“Sorry, no, I’ve never seen it, of course, it’s a single-seater. I-I’ll see you tomorrow.”
With that hasty apology, Kiyoaki turned away, waving awkwardly once before disappearing into the darkness of the night.
──What am I even doing...?
Illia watched him vanish into the night, biting her lip and chewing on her own sense of helplessness.
By now, she was old enough to handle things better, yet whenever she was alone with Kiyoaki, she ended up saying things she didn’t mean and getting angry for no reason.
──I’m such an idiot...
Carrying the weight of her own regrets and frustrations, Illia mounted her bike and kicked the starter.
As she rode through the sandy path illuminated by her headlights, she replayed the events of the day in her mind. The more she thought about how she had acted toward Kiyoaki, the more she felt crushed by regret, guilt, and self-criticism.
──What am I doing...?
──Everyone else in Eriadore is working hard in their own way.
──Why am I such a worthless person...?
She felt disgusted with herself. As she rode, she wanted nothing more than to hit her head in frustration.
──Get rid of these worthless feelings.
She scolded herself.
But they wouldn’t go away.
If it were that easy, she wouldn’t be struggling like this. She had berated herself like this countless times before, and yet...
The harder she tried to cast her feelings aside, the more Kiyoaki’s presence became entangled in the core of her being.
──I’m acting like a silly, lovesick girl.
For some reason, she felt like crying.
──Kiyoaki isn’t thinking about me at all.
She tried to convince herself. Ever since they first met, she had always felt there was an invisible wall of glass between them. From the beginning until now, that thick sheet of glass had always stood between Illia and Kiyoaki.
And Illia knew the name of that glass wall.
──Mio.
Nearly two years ago, Mio had been labelled a "traitor" for leaking information about Air Hunt Island to the Urano forces, resulting in the destruction of their alma mater and the new fleet. At the final farewell at Cross Cape, Mio had cruelly told Kiyoaki, “It was fun fooling you,” before leaving, claiming she was returning to Pleiades.
But Illia knew that was a lie.
Back when they had been roommates at the officer’s academy, Illia had heard Mio cry out Kiyoaki’s name in her sleep, tears running down her face. Illia had shared this with Kiyoaki to comfort him when he had been hurt by Mio’s harsh words.
Since then, Kiyoaki had become even more determined to defeat Urano. He had resolved to lead an air force to attack Pleiades and bring Mio back. That was why he left the Akitsu Federation to join the Valkyrie squad and why he trained so desperately to master Akmed’s techniques—it was all to reclaim Mio.
Kiyoaki didn’t fight for his country. He fought for Mio.
They were childhood friends.
When their hometown of Messus Island was destroyed by Urano, the two had made a vow to take down the empire together.
──Kiyoaki still cares about Mio.
──There’s no way I can fit into that.
Illia mocked herself.
She felt pathetic, self-absorbed, and foolish.
──Mio is much more of a woman than I’ll ever be.
──It’s absurd to even compare myself to her.
Even though she knew it was a petty thought, Illia’s self-deprecating thoughts wouldn’t stop.
Even from a woman’s perspective, Mio was captivating.
She was kind, sweet, and fun to talk to. Back in school, she was always surrounded by classmates. Illia, who had been raised like a boy and didn’t even know how to hold a casual conversation, could never compete.
──Kiyoaki only gets along with me because of my aerial combat skills.
──He talks to me because I’m good at killing enemies in the sky, not because he sees me as a woman.
Illia tried to convince herself of this. Her rational mind accepted it, but the painful emotions that surged from deep within her heart wouldn’t go away.
She knew what this pain was called, too.
Jealousy.
The deep-seated jealousy of someone who feels inferior to another.
Right now, Illia was jealous of Mio.
No matter how hard she tried, Mio had things Illia would never have. That was why Kiyoaki could never forget Mio. Illia knew it was petty to feel this way, but she couldn’t help it.
──It hurts so much to know that Kiyoaki is still thinking about Mio...
──I’m such a terrible person...
Enduring the pain, Illia twisted the throttle. Even though she recognized the source of her emotions, she couldn’t form a coherent thought, trapped in a whirlwind of feelings.
She was angry at her own immaturity.
The night’s darkness was torn apart by her speed.
The poorly paved road threatened to grab her tires at any moment with its bumps and cracks, but Illia didn’t care. She kicked the gears up.
──Drive it away with speed.
Her eyes locked on the dark road illuminated by her headlight.
If only she could shake off these ridiculous thoughts at this speed.
──The world’s situation is growing more chaotic by the day.
Forcing her mind in a different direction, she thought about world events.
She had read last month that the Harmonia Empire had declared war on the St Vault Empire. Fighting had apparently begun near the Kukuana Line. The information she had came only from St Vault’s newspapers, which claimed that the empire had everything under control and that there was no cause for concern. Yet they still suggested evacuating children as a precaution, hinting that things weren’t going as well as reported.
According to unverified rumours, the Kukuana Line had already been breached, and fighting was now happening in the city of Kristo. If the line had truly fallen, it meant the empire’s lifeblood was cut off, though such news was tightly controlled to avoid inciting panic or rebellion. However, if the Harmonia Empire gained the upper hand in Mitterland, it would have implications for the islands in the Archipelago, affecting Cecil’s plan to restore the Sylvanian royal family.
──Cecil is fighting too.
──Everyone is doing their best, giving their all in their roles.
──I won’t lose, either.
Illia urged herself onward, pushing aside distractions as she raced beneath the stars.
──I swore to become the ruler of the sky. That’s why I’ve lived this way.
She reflected on the training she had endured, the countless aerial battles she had fought, and the enemies she had shot down. She thought about the pilots who had been inside those planes.
──I’ve killed over a hundred pilots. There’s no turning back now.
──For the ones I’ve defeated, I must become the ruler of the sky...!
She forced that resolve deep into her core.
There was no room for personal feelings anymore—only a concentrated, unbreakable focus, so strong that it would never be torn away from her.
──Think only of aerial combat.
──Live solely to defeat Karnasion…!
Karnasion, who had shot her down over Air Hunt Island.
As Illia had parachuted to the ground, Karnasion had flown around her with twisted glee, his ugly face poking out of the cockpit, his lecherous eyes roaming over her vulnerable body, savouring her humiliation from head to toe. She had never forgotten that disgrace.
──I’ll take you down, Karnasion...!
Nearly forcing her feelings for Kiyoaki aside, Illia painted over them with hatred for her nemesis as she tore through the darkness.
Ahead, the beam of her headlight was swallowed by the night, revealing nothing. There could be hidden dips or sharp turns in the road, or even a sudden drop off a cliff.
But.
──Don’t hesitate. Don’t stop. Don’t look back.
Suppressing the storm of emotions deep inside her, she focused on the invisible path ahead.
──Fly to bring down Karnasion.
She etched that singular goal into her mind, over and over, thousands, tens of thousands, millions of times. If she could burn away her trivial feelings for Kiyoaki and be left with only hatred for Karnasion, surely life would be easier.
If hatred for her enemy became her only guiding light, she would no longer be troubled by the confusion and pain that love and affection had brought into her life. In the vastness of the sky, only that cold, burning resolve would remain.
"Yes, it was definitely a good outcome."
On the return flight from the Vestelant continent, Colette, with her usual stern expression, stated this inside the royal family's exclusive airship.
Sitting beside her, Elisabeth Sylvania, also nodded once while looking out over the sea below.
"Indeed, we achieved results."
Reflecting on the twelve days of hard work, it felt almost like she was encouraging herself.
November, Imperial Year 1350, Northern Archipelago, Over the Great Waterfall
Beyond the window lay the vast expanse of the Great Waterfall. On the other side of the cascading seawater was the Southern Archipelago, known as the Hydrabard Islands. After the Second Archipelago War, the Hydrabard Confederation had surrendered to the St Vault Empire, and the leader of the dictatorial Olg Party, Dizzy Osborne, had committed suicide in November of the previous year. By April of this year, the Hydrabard Confederation had signed a peace treaty and become a mandate of the empire. Imperial troops were now stationed in its capital, Isrion.
However, just as peace seemed to return to the archipelago, trouble had resumed.
Imperial forces stationed in Hydrabard were now being steadily withdrawn to the Mitterland continent. Since the declaration of war with the Harmonia Empire last month, Elisabeth had struggled to gather clear details about the situation, but it seemed undeniable that the empire was facing severe difficulties.
"If the empire’s hold weakens and the Hydrabard Islands regain their spirit for independence, the Sylvania royal family will be expected to lead the charge."
Elisabeth nodded in agreement with Colette’s statement. Ever since Uranos had manipulated the Olg Party, everything had changed, but now that the party was defeated and even St Vault was starting to withdraw, it was the perfect opportunity for the Sylvania family to regain its influence, which once ruled over Hydrabard.
That was why Elisabeth cherished every single moment, every second of her days like precious jewels.
With the referendum on Santos Island and the royal family's restoration declaration coming next month, the last six months had been packed with official visits to over 300 small states scattered throughout the archipelago, endless administrative tasks, and meetings with former ministers and imperial officials. There had been no time to even see Kiyoaki or Illia, who she had barely met once before diving back into her work. Now, after a gruelling twelve-day negotiation, she was finally returning to Santos Island’s Sierra Greed from Vesterlant on the Lindblum family's airship.
Was there any benefit to such a lengthy negotiation on a foreign continent during a time when every moment felt precious?
Yes, there had been. Elisabeth could confidently say so.
It had been a negotiation of great, indeed enormous, significance.
Elisabeth had made every concession possible, using the strategic value of Santos Island and the "legacy" left by the Sylvania kings as bargaining chips to secure cooperation from foreign powers. Still, she couldn’t rest easy just yet.
"I hope they honour their promises."
That was the concern. Colette reassured her:
"Their need for the royal family’s support is just as vital. We also share a common enemy in Uranos. More importantly, the royal family needs military strength now. Relying on foreign forces comes with its risks, but I'll handle the negotiations that follow."
Colette was exceptionally skilled at these negotiations. Even in private, she indulged in such games of strategy as a personal hobby, and to Elisabeth, her aunt had become an invaluable ally. Moreover, Colette’s husband was the Foreign Minister of St Vault, providing further leverage and connections with key figures in various nations, making her a negotiator who could not easily be brushed aside.
"If they move as we hope, there’s nothing better. Let’s hope for a long-term partnership."
As Elisabeth finished her words, the airship soared past the Great Waterfall.
A vertical drop of 1,200 meters, where the sea split and fell far below, creating a stunning mist illuminated by the setting sun. At the base of the waterfall, thousands of rainbows formed amidst the red-tinted waters of the southern archipelago, where shadows of islands large and small dotted the horizon.
The currents of history pressed heavily, even on such peaceful scenery.
If Elisabeth made even one wrong move from here on out, this peaceful sight could turn into a hellish landscape. With the royal family’s restoration declaration scheduled for the following month, she was well aware of the enormous responsibility weighing on her shoulders.
But she had already made the decision to bear that burden.
She wasn’t sitting here for fun.
──She had to fulfill her destiny.
The word "destiny," so often used by her beloved mentor, Kagura, now resonated more deeply with Elisabeth than ever before. When she was younger, she had resented being born into royalty, but now, things were different.
──I’m also one of the Seven of Eriadore.
As the image of her irreplaceable comrades from Eriadore came to mind, they overlapped with the evening view of the Southern Archipelago. Although they were now scattered, and some faces might never be seen again, they would forever remain the pillars of her heart.
──I’ll work hard, just like everyone else...
Looking out over the red-tinged shadows of the islands, Elisabeth repeated this to herself, rallying her courage.
The Next Month – Santos Island, Sierra Greed
On the afternoon following the referendum on the royal family’s restoration on Santos Island, under a clear sky, Elisabeth’s declaration of the restoration was held within the old royal assembly hall.
Inside the hall, nearly 200 kings, dignitaries, and ambassadors from across the Hydrabard Islands had gathered to witness the rebirth of the noble royal family that once ruled the archipelago.
The new queen’s speech would be broadcast across not only the archipelago but also the Akitsu continent and the St Vault Empire. The fact that Elisabeth, thought dead for the past eight years, had survived was already drawing significant public attention. Broadcast equipment had been set up in the hall, and now all that remained was for Elisabeth to take the stage. The hum of anticipation filled the air as the crowd awaited the appearance of the "lost princess," sensing the dawn of a new era for the archipelago.
"There seem to be fewer journalists than I expected, though."
Returning from the hall, Colette relayed what she had seen to Elisabeth.
Dressed in a traditional royal gown, Elisabeth nodded with a tense expression.
"It seems the empire has more pressing matters than our declaration. The situation on the mainland must be dire. Eighty percent of the attendees are from Hydrabard."
Elisabeth nodded again but kept her eyes on the speech she was preparing to deliver.
Her nervousness was palpable. Colette let out a small breath through her nose and smiled gently.
"Relax. Just do as you practiced."
"Yes. I will."
Though Elisabeth answered firmly, her voice was still tight.
Colette gestured to a maid standing nearby.
"Bring in the special guests."
The maid, understanding the request, exited the room. Elisabeth tilted her head curiously.
"…Special guests?"
"I wanted to wait until after the speech, so your makeup wouldn’t smudge. But I think you could use this now."
"……?"
"Just relax, my dear."
As Elisabeth raised a confused eyebrow, the door to the room opened again.
Standing in the doorway were the two people she most needed by her side at this moment.
"Illia! Aki!"
In an instant, the public figure of Elisabeth transformed into the private Cecil, and she rushed into the arms of her dear friends, Illia and Kiyoaki.
"Don’t cry, Cecil. You’ll ruin your makeup."
"Yes, remember the makeup, Cecil…"
Kiyoaki and Illia both held her gently, repeating the reminders Colette had drilled into them.
"Thank you. You came all the way from Vestelant. It’s so far, but I’m so happy you’re here. Thank you."
Holding back her tears, Cecil buried her head in Kiyoaki’s chest and tightly gripped Illia’s hand with her left.
"This is such an important task. It must be nerve-wracking, but I know you can do it, Cecil. We’re all cheering for you."
Kiyoaki stroked her back, comforting her. Feeling Cecil’s warmth, Kiyoaki was reminded once again of how glad he was to have joined the Valkyries. Flying not for a nation, but for his irreplaceable friends, filled him with a deep sense of joy.
"We’re right here supporting you. Just share your feelings with everyone. That’s all you need to do."
Illia gently wrapped her arms around Cecil’s back and offered comforting words. The two had been as close as sisters for as long as they could remember. When Illia first discovered that Cecil was actually Elisabeth, she had been left speechless, but she quickly resolved to always fly for her dear friend. Meeting Cecil was one of the greatest treasures in Illia’s life.
"Yes, I’ll do my best. I’ll keep trying…"
Though Cecil had spent months learning how to conduct herself as a queen, it was impossible to maintain that composure in front of her two closest friends. But that was okay. When she was with her friends from Eriadore, she just wanted to be the little sister Cecil, not the queen. She wanted to be an ordinary girl for a while longer.
“Aki, you’ve become so handsome.”
“R-really?”
“And you too, Illia. That hairstyle suits you. You look so beautiful.”
“Do you think so? I hadn’t noticed.”
“Yeah, both of you have grown so much.”
“You’re the one who’s grown, Cecil. You’ve become so dignified. You’re so much more mature than before.”
Clinging to her two dear friends, sharing simple, heartfelt words, Cecil couldn’t help but think:
──Across borders, we remain friends.
The Hydrabard Archipelago, the Akitsu Federation, and the St Vault Empire.
Cecil, Kiyoaki, and Illia were all born into three different powers that were now at odds with each other, but here they were, standing in the same place, helping each other as friends.
──If only nations could be friends like this, just like people.
She couldn’t help but entertain such a sweet, idealistic notion. It was a bit too dreamy for someone who was about to lead a nation, but it was, after all, the ultimate goal of diplomacy.
──It’s a long road ahead.
──But today, I’ll take that first step.
With the warmth of her two friends around her, Cecil steeled her resolve.
"Illia, Aki, thank you. I’ve realized what I need to say to everyone."
She raised her face to them, holding back tears, and smiled innocently.
“?”
Kiyoaki and Illia both looked at her, puzzled but smiling at her pure expression.
"It’s time. Let’s go."
Colette’s quiet voice interrupted, and Cecil lifted her head, giving her friends one last smile.
"I’m going."
Two reassuring smiles were returned to her.
"You're going to do great, Cecil. You’ve got this."
"Stay calm, and you’ll be fine. I know you can do it."
With their encouragement, Cecil nodded and regained her composure as Elisabeth, the queen.
Colette handed her the Sceptre of the Sacred, a symbol of the Sylvania royal family passed down through generations. Holding it firmly, Elisabeth stood tall, her expression determined. She thought of the subjects who would soon follow her and the two million inhabitants of Santos Island.
In the grand scheme of world events, this was but a small step.
But it was her first step toward making ripples in the world.
No one knew what awaited her.
But she mustered her courage.
──Let’s go.
Without looking back, Elisabeth left the waiting room.
As she walked through the towering corridors and entered the assembly hall, a thunderous round of applause greeted her.
Blinding flashes of cameras fired repeatedly, and her subjects, dressed in ceremonial coats with medieval-style adornments, bowed deeply and guided Elisabeth to the stage.
Colette, who had been leading the way, came to a stop, turning back one step to bow deeply and extend her left hand to signal Elisabeth to proceed.
Passing Colette, Elisabeth ascended the U-shaped podium. Five microphones for the radio broadcast extended toward her.
She took a steadying breath and addressed the world with her first words.
"First, I give thanks to Saint Aldista. To all of you gathered here, and to those listening to the broadcast, greetings. I am Elisabeth Sylvania, and today, I declare the restoration of the Sylvania royal family."
Another wave of applause surged through the hall, and camera flashes blazed like a storm of light.
"In this age of war, our island of Santos has endured many acts of violence. The old royal family, tragically, was crushed by senseless brutality, and the king and queen met a terrible end. Fortunately, I was rescued along with the Sacred Sceptre, and I have waited in the shadows for the right time to act…"
With solemnity, she began to read the prepared speech, detailing the events that led to this moment. The speech had been carefully crafted over the years by a group of loyal subjects, blending complex terms with the central message that the Sylvania family had the rightful claim to govern Santos Island. She declared the results of the referendum that confirmed the royal family’s restoration, the endorsement of the St Vault emperor, and the recognition of the Hydrabard Archipelago Council. As she read aloud the names of the 35 prominent political figures who had signed the declaration, the speech was expected to conclude.
But she wasn’t done.
Though she knew Colette and her advisors might be furious, Elisabeth felt the need to share her true feelings with the world. As she approached the final two names, she made up her mind.
After reading the 35th name, instead of ending the speech, Elisabeth continued.
“And lastly, as I ascend the throne, I have a message for Queen Nina Viento of Uranos.”
A murmur rippled through the gathered officials, who exchanged bewildered glances and whispered behind their hands. The crowd could sense that these words weren’t part of the planned speech, but Elisabeth pressed on, addressing the "Queen of Calamity," who continued to sow the seeds of conflict around the world.
“Queen Nina, though we have not yet met, I feel that now, more than ever, world leaders must come together and speak with one another. If we can meet face-to-face, learn about each other’s circumstances, and set aside our preconceptions about different nations, perhaps the world can begin to move toward a better future.”
Her voice echoed in the now-silent hall.
“I’ve heard that we are of a similar age, that we are both women, and that we took our respective thrones around the same time. I believe that if we were to meet, we would find much to share and understand. I’m sure it would be a meaningful, fruitful time for the world.”
Pausing briefly, Elisabeth spoke about the time she spent in hiding.
“I once attended Air Hunt Officer Academy as Cecil Hauer. Many of you in St Vault might know me as one of "The Seven of Eriadore." Though we are now scattered and have lost contact, our bonds of friendship still remain. No borders or conflicts could ever tear our friendship apart because we shared the same experiences, trusted each other with our lives, and forged unbreakable ties. I believe that one day, friendships between nations can be just like those between individuals.”
Elisabeth knew her words could be dismissed as naive, but she didn’t care. Idealism was meant to be bold and innocent. She proudly shared this vision with the world.
If no one dared to speak these truths, the war would never end.
“Queen Nina, in Uranos, you have my dear friends, Mio Syira and Reiner Beck. I ask you to find them and take the time to listen to what they have to say. I believe that if you come to know them, we can understand each other and perhaps become friends. I think the current suffering in the world stems from the fact that we do not know each other well enough.”
Her impromptu speech continued with rising passion, culminating in a heartfelt plea:
“Let us identify the obstacles that divide us and discuss what we can do to remove them. Then, perhaps we can sit together, surrounded by many friends, and talk about the world over tea. Let’s end this meaningless war and cover the world with love and friendship. I look forward to hearing from you in whatever form your response takes, Queen Nina. Thank you all for listening. Let us believe in the future of friendship. Queen Elisabeth Sylvania of the Kingdom of Sylvania.”
Elisabeth concluded with a graceful bow, clutching the hem of her dress, as formal applause followed after a few seconds. But the expressions of the gathered dignitaries were filled more with confusion than approval. When she glanced back, her advisors looked pale, and Colette seemed ready to burst with disapproval.
She expected a storm of reprimands. If that was all, it would be a relief, but she anticipated that the ambassadors from St Vault and other key figures would likely press her for explanations. After all, she had just bypassed them and made a direct, unscheduled appeal to their enemy’s supreme leader over the radio. Worse, she had even mentioned Mio and Reiner, names forbidden in the empire as traitors. The new queen would now be suspected of siding with outlaws, and she would have to defend her actions.
But Elisabeth had no regrets.
She had voiced what had been lodged in her heart for a long time, and she believed her message was just. Though idealistic, it might just nudge the world in a better direction.
Without a glance at the reproachful looks from her advisors, Elisabeth left the hall and walked swiftly back to the waiting room.
The faces she most wanted to see now weren’t those of the politicians or her worried advisors. It was her dear friends.
“Cecil.”
As soon as she entered the room, Illia rushed to hug her.
“Thank you, Cecil. That was amazing. I’m so proud of you.”
Tears mixed in Illia’s voice as she spoke. Kiyoaki, standing beside her, once again placed a hand on Cecil’s back.
“Mio and Reiner will hear your message for sure. They’ll be happy. Thank you. One day, I’m sure we’ll all meet again.”
Cecil smiled warmly and let herself be enveloped by their embrace. With the tension released, she felt the tears coming. There was no need to hold back anymore. She had already delivered her speech. Now, she could allow herself to cry.
