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The Reibu Festival lasted for three days.
The general flow of the festival involved everyone spending those three days enjoying themselves, concluding on the final night with a ceremonial dance I would offer at the shrine on the Sacred Mountain.
...Under normal circumstances, a ritual to slay evil with a Cursed Katana would follow, but with neither the blades nor anyone capable of wielding them remaining, that part of the tradition had been lost.
With the festival set to begin tomorrow, I visited the street where the stalls were lined up.
"If it isn't Lady Nagisa! Thank you for going out of your way to visit such a place."
A man who had been barking orders to the workers noticed me, stopped what he was doing, and hurried over. The others nearby gave light bows as well.
Seeing their deference, a weight of guilt settled in my heart.
I didn't think there was any need for them to be so humble toward someone like me. However, my retainers insisted it was necessary for maintaining national order, so I suppressed my misgivings and addressed the man in charge.
"I’m sorry for interrupting your work. I simply couldn't help but be curious... From the looks of it, everything seems to be in order."
Hearing my words, the man grinned.
"Yes, Ma'am. We can't have Lady Nagisa losing face. We're going to liven things up with everything we’ve got starting tomorrow, so please show us your best dance on the final day."
"Thank you. I promise that I, too, will do my absolute best to live up to everyone's hard work."
After that, I made appearances and offered greetings at various locations.
By exchanging words with the people, I felt certain of one thing: the country was finally regaining its pulse.
In the immediate aftermath of the civil war—no, the insurrection—the nation had been in ruins. It was a horrific sight. However, after several years, the citizens were finally beginning to adapt to the new reality.
I didn't believe this was the "correct" state for our country, but I couldn't say that a life dominated by negative emotions was any better.
Even if, in the end, we had no choice but to submit to Philly and the Cult, I would never discard my pride as a member of the family that founded this nation. Even if it took years, I would see us break free from Philly’s grasp.
"Lady Nagisa, if you have finished your preparations, perhaps it would be wise to report to Lady Philly, just in case?"
As the flame of determination was being lit in my heart, Instructor Kiryuu, my ever-present guard, offered his counsel.
Ever since I was thrust into the role of the country's princess following the rebellion, Instructor Kiryuu had stayed by my side to protect me. It was thanks to him that the Cult members never treated me with violence. My ability to live with any degree of freedom was entirely his doing.
He was also Big Sis Fuuka’s mentor, and the only person I felt I could truly trust.
"You’re right."
Philly had not made any major moves since her return, just as she had promised. Thanks to that, I had been able to focus on the festival preparations, but I couldn't afford to be careless.
After all, there was no guarantee of what would happen once the festival ended. It was entirely possible she would begin her move the moment the celebrations were over.
She was not an opponent I could ever relax around.
Perhaps sensing my inner turmoil, Instructor Kiryuu smiled gently.
"It will be alright. I am here. I will cut down anyone who attempts to harm Lady Nagisa."
"Fufu. That's reassuring, but quite bloodthirsty. Please save the use of force as a last resort."
"...Understood."
Leaving that heartwarming exchange with Instructor Kiryuu behind, I headed toward the Shinonome House manor where Philly was staying.
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By the time I reached the Shinonome estate, the moon had already claimed the night sky. I headed straight for Philly’s room.
"Lady Philly, may I have a moment?"
"Oh, Nagisa. What is it?"
Philly looked up from a scroll she was reading.
This was Big Sis Fuuka’s home. Philly occupied it as if it were her own, even reading the records managed by the Shinonome House for generations as if she had every right to them.
Anger flared within me.
How frustrating...! Why don't I have the power to drive this person out of my country? Why am I so...
The anger was directed not only at Philly but at my own weakness.
No, if I act on my emotions here, the people will pay the price. I have to endure it...!
Suppressing my rage, I spoke.
"The preparations for the Reibu Festival have been completed without a hitch. I came to report our readiness."
"I see, so it's finished. Does that include the shrine on the Sacred Mountain?"
"...Yes. It has been purified so that the dance can be performed at any time."
"Thank you for going out of your way to report. Well then, stay right there and don't move."
"............Eh?"
Philly gave the command as she stood up. She walked right past me, heading for the exit.
I could only stand there and watch her.
Wait. Why am I just standing here? Why am I letting her leave?
By the time I realized something was wrong with my body's reactions, the sliding door had been closed, leaving me alone in the room.
"!? Wh-where do you plan on going, Lady Philly!? —It won't open...?"
I rushed to the door to chase after her, but no matter how much strength I used, it wouldn't budge.
"Why should I have to tell you such a thing?" her voice drifted from the other side.
I immediately prepared an attack spell to blast the door open.
Big Sis, I'm sorry for damaging the house—!
"Kyaah!?"
The moment my spell struck the door, the force bounced back and slammed into me instead.
"Fufufu. It's useless. This room is a space that even the Great Hero would struggle to escape. Well, I won't be enveloping it in scorching heat until I've finished what I need to do here, so you won't die immediately. Just stay there quietly for now."
Even the Great Hero couldn't...? Then with my power, I...
"Wh-what do you plan to do, locking me up like this...!?"
"Isn't it obvious? Something that you would definitely want to interfere with."
Philly answered in a mocking tone. Even through the door, I could envision her wearing a dark, cruel smile.
"Don't tell me... you're going to do something to the people..."
"I won't be laying a hand on them directly, but as a result, every single person in this country will likely die."
"! I won't let you! Let me out right now! If you don't, I will no longer cooperate with you! Do you hear me?! You need my power to keep the demons anchored in this world, don't you!?"
Realizing I couldn't escape on my own, I desperately tried to leverage my worth.
The demons who served as the Cult's greatest assets—The Incinerator, the Thunder Emperor, and Rasetsu—were anchored to human bodies through my Ability. Rasetsu had been slain by the Demon King, but the others remained.
Philly needed my Ability to bring more of them over and to keep the current ones from fading. I didn't want to help her anymore, but that didn't matter right now. Getting out was the only priority.
If Philly still needed me, she would have to listen—
"—Ah, that. It's not necessary anymore."
"...Wh-why? To oppose the Demon King, Orun Doura, you should need all the strength you can get."
"Because it would be a nuisance if you used it as a bargaining chip like this. Your Ability was already reproduced by the Doctor before he died."
"The Doctor...? Reproduced...?"
"That man managed to replicate a few Abilities I didn't even ask for, like Self-Healing, but the real prize was the analysis and reproduction of your Soul Manipulation. In other words, you have already outlived your usefulness."
No... way... Philly never saw any value in me to begin with? Then, all this time, I’ve been...
A crushing sense of helplessness washed over me, making my knees weak.
But—there was still one hope!
"Then...! Instructor Kiryuu! Restrain her right now!"
I came here with Instructor Kiryuu. He is right outside with her—the strongest swordsman in the country! He can stop her!
"Now, why would I do that?"
Instructor Kiryuu’s voice, cold and questioning, shattered my last hope.
"Why...? Because... because she's... she's trying to do... something evil!"
Faced with a reality I refused to accept, I forced the words out through my trembling lips, betting everything on that single sliver of hope.
"You say strange things, Lady Nagisa. Indeed, you may be the 'leader' of this country on the surface. However, you are not the princess. Is the true authority not Lady Philly? Commanding me to 'point a blade at the Princess' is the same as ordering me to commit seppuku, is it not?"
"No... way..."
"Fufufu, what a shame, Nagisa. Kiryuu is on this side as well. There isn't a single person left to help you. My condolences."
"............Why............"
The foundation of my world vanished, and I finally collapsed to the floor.
Two sets of footsteps receded from the room. My vision blurred as tears began to fall, one after another, splashing against the wood.
"Why... why can’t I do anything this time either...!"
I struck the floor feebly. Frustration choked my throat, and wordless sobs escaped me.
"If only I... were stronger...!"
My clenched fists shook. The tears wouldn't stop. It felt as if the very center of my chest was being hollowed out.
"I'm sorry... I'm so sorry...!"
Alone in the silence, there was nothing I could do but weep.