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On the day Lucella visited the city of Rohwein, former peers from the juvenile dormitory gathered there, and a welcome party was held.

After all, it was a national project. The fastest carriage was arranged at the state’s expense, and everyone abandoned their work and responsibilities, converging from all over the empire.

However, the guest of honor did not appear at the party venue.

“Missing a meeting appointment is probably the first time in my life… or close to it.”
“Are you sure you won’t go?”
“Maybe I’ll show my face if they’re still at it when we’ll be returning.”

Swiftly gliding over the night breeze on the vast land, the high-speed carriage moved forward. The wind gradually became moist, the moon hid behind clouds, and a light drizzle began.

“I’m curious about what everyone is doing right now, but… this is our priority. I think tonight is the night they might let their guard down a bit.”
“There must be a lot of boys waiting in disappointment. You’re a sinful woman.”
“Did Viola make you read some naughty books?”

In the carriage were Lucella, Monica, Kafal’s puppet body, and a black-clad coachman whose origin and circumstances remained unknown. If it were only Lucella and Kafal, they wouldn’t need a vehicle to race through the highway at midnight. This was for Monica’s sake.

Even in complete darkness, Lucella’s eyes could see if she willed it. Inside the carriage sinking into the darkness, Lucella was reading a travel guide for the eastern region of the empire that she had purchased today at the city’s bookstore.

Pages 113 and onward had been replaced with entirely different content, accompanied by illustrations of traditional chicken dishes. It covered the movements of surrounding vassals, strange events occurring on the eastern battlefield, and even a list of participants and brief profiles for tonight’s party.

She was accustomed to memorizing information. After finishing reading a page, Lucella tore it out and incinerated it in her hand.

Later, she planned to take the incomplete book to the bookstore as a defective copy and exchange it for a regular one.

“I know it’s a bit late to ask, are you really fine with coming along, Monica?”
“I’ll say it again, I’d hate you if you left me behind.”
“…Got it.”

Monica remained composed. She, too, was participating in the Regalia recovery operation. Even though she might have to kill someone or might die herself, she chose to be here.

Monica’s determination was unwavering. Since Monica didn’t share much about her emotions, Lucella could only imagine the depth of her feelings…

In that case, Lucella decided to protect Monica. She wouldn’t do anything that would force her away.

Kafal observed the two of them with a seemingly amused expression. While Lucella and Monica were talking, Kafal silently observed their interaction. It made Lucella feel somewhat embarrassed.

Before long, raindrops pounding against the carriage window grew stronger and larger. Despite the darkness of the night, with the moon concealed by thick clouds, the constant flashes of lightning illuminated the ground, making the darkness almost imperceptible.

The rugged terrain, shaped like wind-carved forms, harbored several small cliff-like features. Among them was an unnatural cave – its walls unnaturally smooth and conveniently sized for hiding, clearly crafted by magic, not nature.

The carriage carrying Lucella and others slid seamlessly into it and came to a halt. Travelers or adventurers, dressed in a manner suggesting such roles, were gathered around a quiet campfire.

“The codeword…”
“No, this way is more definite.”

Lucella handed Giselle’s ring to the man who stepped forward. The recipient seemed well aware of both the ring’s significance and Lucella’s intentions. He put on the ring and spoke in the language of dragons.

“We are operatives from the Setulev Kingdom. We have come to assist you.”
“Thank you for your efforts.”

In the language of dragons, one could not lie. At least, it appeared that these individuals
were not enemies disguised as allies.

The Setulev Royal Palace had assembled a unit of individuals particularly skilled in covert outdoor operations to track down the rampaging Wisdom Eye Vortex. Their mission: to support Lucella. For this purpose, they had infiltrated the heart of the empire, risking their lives.

“Tonight is the night, correct?”
“Yes. I believe the force of the rampage has dropped enough to allow retrieval.”

They hadn’t been in constant communication. However, above all, Lucella stood out. Observing her movements, they synchronized their actions with hers.

“The Empire has also organized units, and neighboring lords have formed troops, all moving to track the Regalia. It seems they’ve detected Lady Lucella’s movements and are directing forces in our direction.”

The covert knight reaffirmed the situation, acknowledging that Lucella likely knew this information already from the travel guide.

Deploying a military force took time. It wasn’t feasible to gather them only when needed, and organizing a large group for movement was much slower than smaller units. Therefore, the Empire had kept a unit in a constant state of readiness for this battle.

Three days ago, Lucella had shown signs of heading towards the recovery of the Regalia, disappearing suddenly in the midst of her journey. The extent of its effectiveness was uncertain, but even if the enemy had suspected it was most certainly a feint, they still needed to prepare for the unlikely battle. The more troops involved, the more the enemy would be worn out.

This tactic served to slow down the opponent’s movements when the actual battle occurred.

“At present, Lady Lucella is a tourist. However, when she acquires the Wisdom Eye Vortex, the Empire will no longer care about appearances… and above all, they will gain a justifiable reason to launch an attack. Our job is to help all of you and the Regalia escape.”
“Oh, looks like we have suicidal fellows here too,” Monica interjected, lounging in her seat with her legs crossed in an uncouth manner.

The knight seemed taken aback by Monica’s spiteful words. They were ready to risk their lives for the country, and Monica mocked their dedication.

Lucella, understanding Monica’s background and observing her behavior, grasped her intentions. Even if it was in human language and not dragon speech, Lucella could read Monica’s thoughts.

“Let’s all return safely. I… believe we can do it.”
“Thank you for your words…”

Upon Lucella’s translation, the knight nodded with a greatly obliged expression. Monica, on the other hand, simply snorted in exasperation.

The rampaging Wisdom Eye Vortex had cut a path of destruction across the Empire, causing incessant rainfall that washed away villages, towns, and even lifting livestock into the air.

However, its power gradually waned.

As Lucella traveled through the Empire, she managed to slowly suppress its strength. And now…

A water tornado, for lack of a better term, wreaked havoc in the heart of the grasslands. Multiple layers of flowing water, centered around the suspended Regalia, created irregular patterns in the air.

The path the water tornado had traversed had turned into a dug-up trench, filled with rainwater due to the pressure.

All around, the rain poured heavily. Umbrellas would likely break immediately, and raincoats might not offer much protection. Yet, in the immediate vicinity of Lucella and her companions, the rain seemed to avoid falling.

Settle down.

A different current collided with the water surrounding the Regalia, a flow created by Lucella. The final move required delicate maneuvers—reading the flow, creating an opposing current, and neutralizing it.

Settled down!

With each clash of water currents, Lucella felt a peculiar resistance, as if the water itself possessed a purposeful, stubborn resistance. It felt like a resistance for the sake of resistance, akin to a child’s tantrum.

Settle down!!

Yet, Lucella couldn’t back down either. The water currents collided, large and small, intertwining…

Suddenly, everything exploded like a burst, and it all vanished. An explosion of spray occurred, resembling a meteor crashing to the ground. The water tornado, the rainfall, and the thick rainclouds in the sky all disappeared.

What remained was a slightly damp breeze, a moon hanging in the sky, and… the exposed azure staff suspended in the air.

“Monica!”
“Got it!”

Monica reached out towards the Wisdom Eye Vortex.

Due to the havoc wreaked by the rampaging Wisdom Eye Vortex, similar to what happened to Mount Kuguse where Kafal lived, the surroundings were in a state of imperceptible chaos. Of course, the heavy rain also obscured visibility.

Now that it had cleared, Lucella could clearly see the presence of an army lurking in the darkness of the night. Shadows concealed in the hills and likely in unseen locations as well.

Lucella tensed.

The moment Monica reclaimed the Regalia – that marked the beginning of the battle.

—WRONG—

A voice was heard.

““…Huh?””

Lucella and Monica simultaneously expressed their surprise.

The mysterious voice was audible to Monica as well.

It was a strange voice that seemed to resonate directly with their souls. It was something distinct from any language, yet if forced to describe, it felt like being bombarded with the “nuance” found in Dragonian conversations.

It was… rejection.

“Kyah!?”

Descending as if drawn towards Monica, the Wisdom Eye Vortex slipped from her hand, recoiling like a magnet repelling another. The force caused Monica to fall backward.

Plop.

Raindrops, which should have ceased, started again. Raindrops grazed Lucella’s nose. The moon dimmed, and the ground trembled. As if seeping from everything in the world, a subtle, water-filled atmosphere permeated.

“What… what is this…”

Looking up at the dark sky, Monica was left speechless. No, not at the sky, but at something towering into the heavens. Resembling an enormously large slime, a mass of water took shape.

It appeared to be a giant with body parts combined from humans and dragons of the same size, creating a grotesque figure. It seemed like an upright dragon, but parts like the chest, left bicep, right hand, left leg, right side, and waist were sporadically human-like in appearance.

Inside the chest of the water giant, illuminated by lightning, the Wisdom Eye Vortex floated like the only organ within its transparent body.

The water giant slowly swept its hand.

And once again, destruction began.