Silvia and I walked at a brisk pace through the Royal Capital, which was now fully shrouded in the cloak of night.
The sunlight had long since vanished, but as expected of the nation's economic heart, streetlights illuminated the darkness and crowds of people continued to come and go. Our immediate goal was the Arcana Academy dormitory. We were already past curfew, but the passage itself wouldn’t be an issue for a student. Conversely, an outsider like Katerina would face significant restrictions if she tried to trespass.
As for Katerina herself...
"Do you sense her?" I asked.
"It’s okay. She isn't nearby," Silvia replied, keeping a sharp eye on our surroundings.
It was unclear if she was even pursuing us at this point. There was a chance she might just try to reset and come at us normally the following day. I was exhausted from the day's events, so I certainly hoped she’d decided to call it a night.
"Um, Albert-kun... I’m sorry," Silvia muttered softly as she walked beside me.
"About getting me involved in this mess? If so, wait until we’ve settled everything to apologize."
In other words, 'once the danger has passed, the pain is forgotten.' If we made it through this safely, I’d be able to tell her I didn't care and actually mean it.
"No, that’s not it. It’s..." Silvia paused for a moment before continuing. "You were going to kiss me, weren't you?"
Having her dig that up again now was more than a little embarrassing.
"In that situation, I didn't have much of a choice."
"I know. What I want to say is... I’m sorry for pushing you away."
"I’m not worried about it. It’s perfectly normal to decide you just can’t go through with it at the last second."
"That’s not it! I... it actually made me really happy. Because I knew you were forcing yourself to do it for my sake. But I realized I hated the idea of doing it like that. I didn't think it was the right time, and I just reacted." Silvia took a breath and continued. "If I were the person I used to be, I would have been able to play the part to the end... I suppose it’s only natural that Mother is angry with me."
"Hurling you through the air and trying to beat you into submission is a bit beyond the level of being 'angry.'"
By the standards of my previous life, that was more than just old-fashioned discipline; it was archaic. If she was willing to go as far as stripping away your free will, then even the Dark Ages would look enlightened by comparison.
"Why couldn't you play the part?"
"That’s... that’s your fault, Albert-kun. You told me to value myself, remember?"
As she spoke, she reached up and touched the bird brooch pinned to her chest.
"Those words stayed in my heart. That’s why I felt like 'now' was wrong. I was happy, but it just wasn't right..."
"So 'now' is wrong, huh? That’s quite suggestive."
"Eh? You’re going to tease me about that? You’re so mean! All I’m saying is that I want you to know more about me, and I want to know more about you. That’s all. I’m a romanticist, you see!"
Silvia slapped her reddening cheeks with both hands.
"Ah, geez! This is embarrassing, so we’re done! Subject closed!"
And that was that. Still, the fact that she could now reject an order—even from her mother—that went against her own will was a good sign.
"Actually, I have something to apologize for as well."
"Eh...?"
"I doubted you. I thought you and your mother were in league, and that you were acting like my lover just to get close to me for some ulterior motive."
"Ah... I see."
"But if your mother is willing to snap like that, then I was clearly mistaken. I’m sorry for doubting you."
"Ahaha! It’s fine. Both Mother and I are suspicious liars, after all!"
As we talked, Arcana Academy gradually drew closer. We turned onto the tree-lined path leading to the main gate. Since we were far from the center of the capital, the area was dim and deserted. If we could just make it through here...
However, it seemed our game of tag wasn't over yet.
"Albert-kun, stop."
Silvia grabbed my arm, her voice tight with tension.
The sharp clack of a heel echoed from the shadows of the trees ahead. A woman in a black dress and a wide-brimmed hat stepped into view.
"Silvia, you’re far too slow. I’ve been tracking you this entire time. Did you really not notice?"
"Ugh... Albert-kun, I’m sorry."
"I could have struck at any time, but I thought this would be the best spot," Katerina said. "No one will interfere here. It’s quite ideal."
In her right hand, she gripped a sharp dagger. The blade was coated in a thick, dark liquid.
What was that? Poison?
"Albert-san, this is your final warning. Leave. This is a matter between a mother and her child—or rather, a matter for the Duchy of Osterreich. It has nothing to do with you."
"I told you, didn't I? For today, we’re 'lovers.' You should have waited until midnight."
I drew my own self-defense dagger.
"Sorry, but I can't just hand a child over to a violent parent."
"It seems we have nothing more to say to each other."
As the words left her mouth, Katerina lunged.
"Get back, Silvia!"
I activated Frenzy and met the blow. As expected, she was highly skilled, but compared to the overwhelming pressure Milia exerted, she was manageable.
I wouldn't lose this fight.
However, the difficulty lay in how to win. She was Silvia’s mother and a high-ranking figure of the Duchy of Osterreich. Killing her was out of the question. The best result would be capturing her unharmed—not that I was looking forward to another kidnapping situation! But she wasn't an easy opponent to take alive.
Furthermore, she was a nightmare to track. While Klaus, Leon, and Milia all used direct, linear attacks to try and take me down, Katerina moved with a shimmering, deceptive grace that made it impossible to predict her next move. Even if I wanted to overwhelm her with a Highly Concentrated Frenzy 2-Second Version, it would be useless if she simply slipped away.
"You’re strong, aren't you, Albert-kun?"
"If you want my strength on your side, you should probably stop trying to kill me. Back off."
"If this were only about this specific incident, I might agree. But this is a decision made for the sake of Osterreich’s past and its future. Even if I must make an enemy of you, I will resolutely correct her path as a member of the royal family."
"You stubborn blockhead!"
We were locked in a battle of attrition, but I wasn't panicked. I knew that if the status quo held, I would eventually win.
But my opponent knew that, too.
Katerina was an elite intelligence agent—a "Panther" who had survived on the front lines for over a quarter of a century. There was no way she would simply let a losing situation continue. Even as we exchanged blows, she was skillfully herding me.
Before I realized it, we had moved a significant distance away from Silvia.
"Spell: Heavy Veil."
At Katerina’s command, a dark, unnatural mist spread rapidly. My vision was swallowed by a pitch-black shroud even darker than the night itself. I’d never heard of this magic; it was likely her own original spell. But that didn't matter right now!
"Spell: Gust!"
The standard response to a mist spell is to blow it away with wind magic. However, the mist barely moved, drifting at a sluggish, snail-like pace against the gale.
What...?
"Did you not hear me? Heavy Veil... this mist possesses its own mass."
Katerina’s voice sounded like it was moving away. She was repositioning? Her target was Silvia!
Then, a loud voice rang out from a distance.
"Silvia, over here! Come!"
...!? I hadn't said a word, yet that was my voice.
I see! She’s an agent; she’s mimicking my voice to lure her in!
"No, Silvia! That’s a fake! I’m over here!" I shouted back, desperate to drown her out.
Dammit, why won't this mist clear?
"Two Albert-kuns?! I don't know! Which one is real?!" Silvia’s voice echoed back.
And then—
"Albert-kun, that’s not me! It’s Mother!"
Now there were two Silvias?!
Which was which? No, wait... this was the trap.
Neither I nor Silvia could tell the real person from the fake, but Katerina—the one doing the mimicking—knew exactly who was who. Meanwhile, the real versions of us would naturally shout out to prove our identity.
It was the logical reaction, but it had one fatal flaw.
By shouting, we had revealed our exact locations.
Katerina now knew exactly where Silvia was standing.
"Get out of there, Silvia! She’s coming for you!"
At that moment, the mist finally dissipated. Katerina was already bearing down on Silvia.
"Ufufu... how unfortunate."
"Kh!"
Silvia drew her dagger to parry, but the gap in their skill was insurmountable.
"Uah!"
Katerina’s blade, slick with that black liquid, slashed across the back of Silvia’s hand. Silvia’s dagger went flying, clattering across the cobblestones.
"Educational Guidance!"
Katerina followed up with a kick that sent Silvia flying, tumbling across the ground.
That woman... she’s really doing whatever the hell she wants!
I extended my index and middle fingers like the barrel of a gun, pointing them straight at Katerina. I was done holding back. She was going to have to live with a few injuries!
"You've had your fun! Spell: Lightning Bolt!"
In reality, it was the Thunder Emperor's Flash. However, after extensive practice, I had learned to heavily suppress its output. This should be just enough to knock her unconscious.
Since I was firing at the moment she was most vulnerable—right after her own attack—there was no way she could dodge.
The golden flash erupted from my fingertips, striking Katerina directly.