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The carriage carrying Lucila, the first princess of the Nohitant Kingdom, rolled through the gates of the capital.
News of the sudden, widespread labyrinth stampedes had swept across the nation like wildfire. While the public had no way of knowing how other countries were faring, the Nohitant Kingdom had managed to keep its casualties relatively low by comparison.
This was because, amidst the nationwide chaos, the lords of fortified cities like the Royal Capital and Tsutrail had acted swiftly, taking in refugees from the surrounding countryside to consolidate their defensive forces within their walls.
This rapid response was largely due to the prevailing theory that the Empire—their enemy in the ongoing war—possessed the means to trigger stampedes. Consequently, regional leaders had already drawn up contingency plans for such a disaster.
Furthermore, an unidentified group had been appearing across the land, swiftly subjugating the magic beasts before they could cause further harm.
The panicked cries of the capital’s citizens reached Lucila’s ears inside the carriage.
"Lore, will you trust me enough to follow me?"
Lucila turned to her guard, Loretta Waver, her expression deathly serious. Hearing the question, Loretta’s face softened into a smile.
"Of course. I am your shield and your sword, after all."
Relief finally flickered across Lucila’s face.
"Thank you. Then, Loretta Waver, I am giving you an order. No matter what happens, you must see my command through to the end."
"I understand, Lady Lucila."
Placing a hand over her heart, Loretta bowed deeply to the princess.
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The carriage arrived at the Royal Castle, where a small welcoming party had already gathered. Loretta stepped out first and scanned the crowd. Once she confirmed that every person present was one of Lucila’s trusted aides or attendants, she reached back into the carriage to assist the princess.
Lucila stepped onto the pavement, guided by Loretta’s hand.
"Welcome back, Princess Lucila. I am relieved to see you are well," said Duke Azar, a man in his late fifties, stepping forward to speak on behalf of the group.
"Duke Azar, I have only just returned. My thanks to all of you for coming to meet me."
Lucila offered them a warm smile—but a moment later, everyone present save for the princess was blown backward by a sudden force, as if being torn away from her side.
"Everyone, stay where you are. Do not even open your mouths. If you ignore this warning, I’ll take her head without hesitation."
Felix Roots Kreuzer—the Crown Prince of the Empire and the fabled Hero—had landed beside Lucila. He held his blade firmly against the princess’s throat.
"That’s quite a greeting, Prince Felix."
Lucila glared at him, her dignified composure never wavering despite the cold steel pressed against her skin.
"Pardon the lack of etiquette. However, it is for the sake of ending this war quickly."
"War, is it? Do you even know what is happening to the rest of the world right now?"
"The labyrinth stampedes? Unfortunately, those have little to do with us in the Empire."
"Is that because the Empire is in league with the Cult?"
"No, that’s hardly the reason. It’s simply because the labyrinths within our borders were nearly all conquered over the last year. There aren't many left to stampede."
The original catalyst for the Saubel Empire’s invasion of the Nohitant Kingdom was the fact that someone had been systematically clearing the Empire's labyrinths since the previous year. This had caused their supply of magic stones to plummet. Facing a critical shortage, the Empire had set its sights on the Kingdom, which was home to the Great Labyrinth and numerous other dungeons.
"Surrender, Princess Lucila. If the Kingdom bows to the Empire, I’ll deploy my troops to end this stampede chaos immediately. I’ll even join the front lines myself."
"...That is a very attractive proposal," Lucila admitted.
Felix led the only party in human history to have ever conquered a Great Labyrinth. Between that and the legends of him single-handedly defending the Imperial Capital from an unprecedented stampede, his fame was global. Despite being the prince of an invading nation, his status as the world's strongest gave him the potential to be a savior to a populace paralyzed by fear.
"There is no need to hesitate. Which is more important: the lives of your citizens or the continuation of the Royal Family?"
"Indeed. There is no need to hesitate at all. I decline."
Lucila’s priority had always been the peace of the people. Because of that, her choice was already made. She would stand with Orun—with Amunzaas.
In response to her earlier request, Orun had long since dispatched his unidentified units to the Kingdom. If not for them, the casualties would have already been far worse. A Hero’s presence might offer courage in the moment, but there was no telling how the Empire would treat a conquered kingdom once the dust settled.
Looking toward the future beyond the crisis, she had placed her bets on Orun.
"I see. In that case, it cannot be helped. There is no choice but to destroy the Kingdom as planned."
Felix showed no mercy, swinging his blade toward her neck. Yet, even as death closed in, there was not a hint of fear in Lucila’s eyes. It was as if she knew, with absolute certainty, that her time had not yet come.
"——!?"
Felix gasped as his blade was halted by a mana barrier that manifested out of thin air.
"Resorting to violence just because you got dumped isn't a very good look, you know."
"Who’s there!?"
Felix snapped his head toward the voice. Standing there was a woman with translucent silver hair and amber eyes—Shion Nasturtium.
"Long time no see, 'Hero.' It’s been about a year since we met in the Regrif Territory, but you’ve completely changed."
"The White Demon...? Why are you here...?"
"Now, I wonder why," Shion replied nonchalantly.
She blinked through a series of consecutive Shifts. The first took her to Lucila’s side; the second carried both her and the princess safely away from Felix.
"Are you the 'help' Orun promised to deal with the Hero?" Lucila asked, her voice tight with relief now that they were in the clear.
"Yeah, that’s me. Just to confirm—are you really okay with this?"
Shion looked to the princess for final verification. During their time in Daluane, Lucila had formed a pact with Orun. He had told her exactly what was coming and what he intended to do. One of those things was turning the capital itself into a battlefield.
Orun had promised to do everything in his power to keep civilians out of the crossfire, but much like the situation in Tsutrail, he could not guarantee the city would remain standing.
"Yes," Lucila replied. Her voice was low, so as not to be overheard by the others, but it was heavy with resolve. "The responsibility is entirely mine. So please, I beg of you—protect the people."
"I see. No wonder Orun took a liking to you," Shion said, nodding in satisfaction. She exhaled slowly, her casual demeanor sharpening into something far more dangerous. "Well, it’s time for me to cut loose. Better keep your distance."
"I am grateful for your assistance. I leave the rest to you!"
Lucila offered a final word of thanks before retreating with her guards and aides. Once she was certain the princess was safe, Shion turned her full attention back to Felix.