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“Ufufufu. I can sense a vixen circling around brother Revan!”

Amid Revan’s audience with Hiyuki, a Rakshasa silhouette raced from the Lion Tribe’s settlement, darting through the untamed wilderness with her sights set on the closest transfer point. Despite the journey typically taking four hours even for a swift Lionkin, she was confident her love for her brother would enable her to halve that time.

“Just wait, dear brother. Your devoted sister is coming to chase away all the pests!”

◆◇◆◇

“——!?”

A sudden chill made Revan’s spine tingle.

“What’s wrong?”
“Sorry, it felt as though a cold streak ran down my back…”

Seeing Revan’s reaction, Teeny-Weeny Hiyuki looked on with intrigue.

“It might just be your mind playing tricks. But with the evolving circumstances, May Bell wants a meeting about our next steps.”
“And I’m expected to attend?”
Hiyuki’s expression became gloomy, “Well, yes…”
Seeing her disheartened face, Revan inquired, “Do you not wish to attend?”

“No, I understand the urgency, especially considering their ability to multiply endlessly. Ignoring them will only escalate the problem. However,” she paused, sighing deeply, “I’d rather not get involved.”

“Is our adversary that formidable?”

“Well, when it comes to one-on-one combat, I believe I’m his equal. But if we measure in terms of overall leadership and power, he’d be defeated in an instant. The issue is, he’s unsettlingly perverse, which makes me want to avoid any dealings with him.”

Revan noted Hiyuki’s unusual hesitation. As he pondered the mastermind of the recent vampire disturbances, a figure he hadn’t yet encountered, he couldn’t help but feel apprehensive.

“Couldn’t we just decline the invitation this time?”

“In that case, it would lead to a confrontation between that group and the united forces of the Empire and Holy Kingdom. Moreover, should our side suffer a defeat, it would only serve to strengthen our enemy. We must avoid such an outcome at any cost. I believe the obvious strategy would be to wait for the enemy to weaken as they consume the population of the Duchy. Yet, against such logic, May Bell has chosen to organize an unofficial ‘Conference of the Continent’s Three Great Powers,’ dragging both myself and the Grand Pope of the Holy Kingdom into it.”

Revan almost lost his footing in shock when Hiyuki mentioned the conference.

“The Grand Pope of the Holy Kingdom? Appearing before Your Majesty? I’d sooner expect the sun to rise in the west!”

“Surprisingly, he didn’t kick up a fuss and accepted the invitation quietly, which even astonished May Bell. Though he did express his desire to ‘avoid meeting that heretic,’ which sounds very much like him.”

“But he’s the highest authority in the church! I thought the two of you were natural adversaries?”
“He can hold whatever opinion he wishes. My concern is their reaction.”
“Has Your Highness decided on participation?”
“I might attend just to observe. Cooperation isn’t set in stone yet.”
“To be frank, the thought of allying with church officials turns my stomach. But, as always, I’ll follow Your Majesty’s lead.”

“Thank you. Honestly, I’m not keen on fraternizing with them either. But the situation seems more complex than I initially thought. If they come seeking our help, having them owe us might not be a bad idea.”

“Is this all for our protection?” Revan sought clarity.

Steadying himself, he resolved that if Hiyuki was taking such measures for their well-being, he’d support her wholeheartedly, pride notwithstanding.

“On a different note, have you heard that King Collard and Chloe have grown quite close?”

Hiyuki shifted the topic abruptly after a moment of reflection.

“This is news to me. So, Big Sis and King Collard are bonding?”

An unexpected pairing, to say the least.

“It might be surprising, but King Collard is pursuing her ardently. Chloe doesn’t seem opposed, and honestly, it sparks a bit of jealousy in me.”

“Isn’t that cause for celebration?”

It was rare for a Beastkin to ascend to the role of a nation’s queen. With King Collard’s upstanding reputation and no concerning rumors about him, Revan felt they should genuinely wish the couple a bright future.

“We might be receiving wedding invitations soon.”
“Understood. The entire Beastkin tribe will be there to celebrate.”
“With the diminishing influence of sacred teachings in the Amitia Republic and considering Chloe’s Beastkin heritage, there might be changes to the wedding traditions.”
“As long as they’re content, any ceremony will do.”
“True. I feel a proper ceremony would be fitting, even if it’s just for show. That led me to contemplate meeting with the church’s head.”

Hiyuki offered a casual shrug.

“But if they were to decline, then they can simply fade into obscurity for all I care.”
“All this effort for a ceremony?”
“Exactly that.”

Revan couldn’t discern if Hiyuki was feigning indifference, hiding her true feelings, or genuinely acting out of simple curiosity. But it was evident that she was making efforts for the sake of King Collard and their people. Revan couldn’t help but smile at Hiyuki’s ‘take it or leave it’ attitude.

◆◇◆◇

On the day of the ‘Conference of the Continent’s Three Great Powers,’ Hiyuki, accompanied by Tengai, Izumo, and Suki, soared over the Yuz Grand Duchy’s skies. As she surveyed the scene below, she caught sight of a colossal, skin-colored monstrosity, a bizarre amalgamation of a dragon, a slug, and a sea cucumber. The creature was so massive it seemed to stretch beyond the horizon.

“What the hell is that?” Hiyuki murmured in shock.