Part 1: Boutique's Room (Evening)
Seraphina's perspective
"Already gone, huh?" I muse, looking out the window in the boutique's room, standing. The manor seems oddly quiet after their departure.
Media, a bit worried, seeks confirmation, "Should we be worried?"
Sipping tea and relaxing, I assure Media, "Shouldn't be worried, really. Most of them could overtake the whole country if they wanted."
Trying to steer the conversation away from the main issue, I ask, "By the way, Miss Media, how's Master Julian?"
Media, while seemingly complaining, acknowledges, "As always, she gave me a hard time. This is one of the assignments she handed to me."
"If anything, say hello for me," I suggest, "She really detests reading letters."
Media nods in acknowledgment.
Lyra, one of the maids, enters the room, gracefully serving tea and cake to us.
Even now, I'm hesitant to ask why Princess Lady Tatiana has an Arachnid's Child doing servant work. Controlling Chaos Monsters is no easy feat, and there's always a risk of betrayal.
"Lyra, not joining us?" I ask, thankful for the tea.
Shrugging, Lyra replies, "Master told me to watch the manor for intruders."
After a brief chat, Media brings up a job from Lady Blanc to restore the magic energy of a dagger. Lady Blanc is vague about her intentions, but she insists on results. With Miss Aya gathering the ingredients, Media processes the broken core, and I infuse it with mana to restore its energy.
Lady Blanc rewards us generously, showing a grim smile a few days later. Curious, Media asks, "What do you think Lady Blanc does with that dagger?"
"I have my curiosity, but I don't want to delve too much into it," I respond, avoiding prying too deep into Lady Blanc's affairs. Afraid of her formidable power, I add, "It's just another job."
Not eager to get involved in political issues, I think about keeping a low profile. As a student, Media's involvement could complicate things. I hope nothing bad comes out of it, especially with Lady Blanc's intimidating strength.
Part 2: Fields outside Town (Evening)
Lily's perspective
As the scene unfolds in the fields outside the town, tension hangs thick in the air. The soldiers on one side prepare for invasion, while our small group, led by Lady Lady Tatiana, stands as an unlikely barrier. The numbers are overwhelming, but there's an air of confidence among us, fueled by the unexpected resurrection of Lady Lady Tatiana.
Ignoring the lifeless form of Lady Tatiana on the ground, Sakuya and Blanc stand unperturbed. The two adoptive children, Lumina and Aeris, can't help but show their grief. Lumina's tears flow as she looks down at her fallen mother, and Aeris, usually composed, seems genuinely terrified at the abrupt turn of events.
After a brief silence, a dark mist rises from Lady Tatiana's body, and with an almost casual complaint, she rises from the ground. Her nonchalant attitude, even in the face of her own demise, adds a layer of surrealism to the already bizarre scene.
"Sigh... and here I thought I had friends who cared for me," Lady Tatiana grumbles. "Can't you do this on my bed or something? This sucks, and the ground is a bit hard."
With minimal effort, she stands up, treating the whole ordeal like a minor inconvenience. The surprise on everyone's faces, including mine, is palpable.
"Are you... Lady Lady Tatiana?" I ask, cautiously.
"Well, if I'm right, this is the first time we meet, Lily," Lady Tatiana says, smiling in a way that doesn't quite match the gravity of the situation. "Good to see you again, Lady Tatiana," she adds, addressing me with familiarity.
Sakuya, however, isn't as thrilled about this unexpected reunion. Her smile is wry, and it's evident she'd prefer not to be in this situation.
"If it isn't the Tyrant Queen herself," Lady Tatiana remarks, looking at Lady Sakuya without a trace of respect. The audacity to challenge even the formidable Tyrant Queen speaks volumes about Lady Tatiana's confidence.
Ignoring Sakuya's lack of response, Lady Tatiana continues, "Hmph, never in my mind to have another backstabbing in this world. Leaving me no choice but to come out." She crosses her arms, revealing a truth we weren't prepared for - this is not the Lady Tatiana we once knew.
"I think nobody really expected backstabbing, Lady Lady Tatiana," I interject, trying to bring some levity to the situation.
"You're right, Lily, hohoho," Lady Tatiana bursts into laughter, as if reveling in the unpredictability of the moment.
Blanc, however, can't contain her anger. She stands up, looking ready to confront Lady Tatiana. The atmosphere is charged with uncertainty.
"What's the matter, Blanc? Wanting to taste another power of mine that you're forcing yourselves into me?" Lady Tatiana taunts, showing no regard for Lady Blanc or the formidable Lady Sakuya.
"Big Sister!" Lady Blanc calls out, embracing Lady Tatiana, much to everyone's surprise.
"Huh!?" Lady Tatiana seems genuinely shocked by Blanc's sudden display of affection.
"Why did Lady Blanc happily jump in to cling to Lady Lady Tatiana?" I wonder, puzzled by the unexpected turn of events.
"I'm not your big sister, nor am I Aurelia," Lady Tatiana says, frustrated by Blanc's persistent embrace.
"Who cares? I want my new big sister to spoil me… can't I?" Blanc pleads, holding onto Lady Tatiana as if seeking comfort.
"Sure, why not? I also wanted a little sister as cute as you, Blanc," Lady Tatiana says, caressing Blanc's cheeks and smiling. The scene shifts from tension to an odd sort of familial warmth.
"Yeah, Big sister has to take the responsibility," Lady Blanc responds happily, hugging Lady Tatiana more.
"Can't you put it not hinting to misunderstanding," Lady Tatiana mutters, attempting to clarify the situation, though the absurdity remains.
This bizarre, almost surreal, family reunion takes a darker turn as the enemies prepare to attack.
"Archer!! SHOOT!!" commands an enemy archer, firing arrows from a distance toward us.
*Swoosh*
"Aeris!" Lady Tatiana orders, prompting Aeris to respond swiftly.
"Yes, mother, casting 'Wind Turbulence'," Aeris says without hesitation, displaying a mastery of high-level magic. The urgency in Lady Tatiana's voice reflects the impending danger.
In seconds, Aeris's magic deflects the arrows, creating a strong gust of wind that shields us from harm. The relief is short-lived as Lady Tatiana, still recovering from her recent demise, expresses her annoyance at having to deal with the situation herself.
"I just woke up, now I have to deal with this? Can't you deal with this, Sakuya?" Lady Tatiana complains, asking Sakuya to handle the approaching threat.
"Not feeling like it..." Sakuya gently refuses, making it clear she's not interested in taking charge.
*Pout* "I don't have a choice, do I?" Lady Tatiana pouts, realizing she has to handle the impending conflict personally.
Using her own magic to project her voice clearly, Lady Tatiana warns the approaching enemy, "Hey, foolish humans! I'm going to give another warning, and I'll count to three. Heed this warning, or all of you will die."
"What is she saying!? Is she the same as the person before?" questions an enemy soldier.
"It's probably another bluff," suggests another, not fully comprehending the supernatural events unfolding before them.
"One! Now, Aeris," Lady Tatiana calls out, and Aeris responds with practiced precision.
"Tornado!" Aeris casts another spell, creating a massive tornado that hurtles toward the approaching enemy.
*Swoosh*
"What is that large area magic? Quickly, put up a barrier!" orders the enemy general, rallying their magic users.
A sense of urgency fills the air as the enemy mages create a large magic barrier, attempting to shield themselves from the impending tornado.
"Two! Jiggly! Hydro Burst!" Lady Tatiana calls out to Jiggly, the seemingly innocent Slime that now reveals its destructive potential.
*Whop* The Slime casts a colossal spell of Hydro Burst toward the enemy, and the attack is devastating.
*Shing*
"ARRGHHH!!"
With just one significant water attack, the magic barrier is crushed, and the straight line of the army is decimated. The enemy's formation breaks, and sheer terror grips their ranks.
"Three! Lumina, Homing Light!" Lady Tatiana orders Lumina, who seems to have gained newfound abilities.
"Very well, Mother," Lumina responds, her voice now audible, a result of Lady Tatiana's empowering influence.
The light flickers and blinds each person, rendering them unable to see. Panic ensues as some run away from the battlefield, while others, disoriented, run toward the tornado and are flung away like ragdolls. The carnage is both chaotic and overwhelming.
"Good job, my child. Unfortunately, we're left with only the general," Lady Tatiana praises her children, the eerie calm in her voice juxtaposed against the chaos that surrounds us.
"Blanc, I'll be back," Lady Tatiana informs Blanc, who seems oddly content despite the looming battle.
"Take care, big sister!" Blanc responds, waving cheerfully toward Lady Tatiana.
"Will you be coming as well, Sakuya?" Lady Tatiana asks, seemingly inviting her for a stroll rather than a battlefield confrontation.
*Nod* Sakuya nods, and the three of us walk toward the remaining enemy general's campsite. Lady Tatiana moves with an air of regality, as if the scene of destruction around us is but a minor inconvenience. The thorns of human destruction, the smell of blood, all ignored as we proceed.
Part 3: Lord Vicker Camp (Evening)
"Isn't this a custom on your world, Sakuya? Taking the head of the army?" Lady Tatiana suggests, playing with the idea while acknowledging Sakuya's cultural background.
"Really, I lost count of how many times I've done that," Sakuya responds, not particularly interested but intrigued by the cultural reference.
"We surely are forgettable sometimes," Lady Tatiana chuckles, finding the situation rather amusing.
Inside Lord Vicker's camp, the blinding lights from Lumina's magic affect everyone, including Lord Vicker himself, who cowers in a corner.
"Ahh… don't come to me," Lord Vicker pleads, seeking forgiveness as the chaos ensues outside, leaving the battlefield painted red.
"Really, this guy is the one causing all the trouble for us?" Lady Tatiana expresses disappointment, observing Lord Vicker cowering in fear.
Still blind, Lord Vicker pleads, "Princess Lady Tatiana! Please spare me… I'll give you anything you want," desperate to save his life.
*Step step* Lady Tatiana pushes her heels onto the back of Lord Vicker's head, devoid of the kindness she displayed before.
"Are you saying something? Come on, put your head closer to the ground," Lady Tatiana enjoys ridiculing Lord Vicker, the former Minister of Military.
"Ughh…" Lord Vicker reluctantly complies, not wanting to be further humiliated.
"Say Lily, do we need another pet?" Lady Tatiana asks, seeking Lily's opinion.
"Lady Lady Tatiana, if I may, we do have to purchase some livestock for the upcoming winter," I responds, humoring Lady Tatiana.
"Well, I don't want this pig eating my grass. Hohoho," Lady Tatiana laughs, savoring the act of crushing someone's pride.
"You! Now you've done it, I will use this and summon a Chaos Monster!!" Lord Vicker threatens Lady Tatiana, presenting a ball of energy in his hand.
"That interesting thing falls into the hands of a pig," Lady Tatiana remarks, unfazed, curious to see what will happen.
*Swing* A sudden sound of a slash.
"AGH?!" Lord Vicker's head is suddenly on the ground, cleanly decapitated.
*Shrugshs*
"Not elegant at all," Lady Tatiana expresses disappointment at the less-than-graceful execution.
*Grab* A woman in a cloak picks up the crystal dropped by Lord Vicker.
*Swing* Another swing, this time toward Lady Tatiana's head, the woman in the cloak wielding a rapier.
"You tried to take Lady Lady Tatiana's life? Who are you?" I demands, blocking the attack with her dagger but not without a bit of the blade getting cut.
The mysterious woman backs off.
*Swosh* The fight continues, both women exchanging intense gazes.
"Lady Lady Tatiana? Where are you touching!?" I suddenly notices Lady Tatiana's wandering hands, caressing me all over.
"Such a good job, Lily. I've got to reward my slave properly, don't I?" Lady Tatiana whispers to Lily, who feels a mixture of shock and weakness.
Slave…? No one had called me that before.
"…Please, not here…" I pleads, feeling Lady Tatiana's touch and weakening at my knees.
"Did I just hear a complaint from you? As I thought, punishment should be in order when we get back," Lady Tatiana warns, expressing her dissatisfaction.
"Yes… mistress," I responds, feeling a shock that forces me down to my knees.
"Uwah, that woman already gone," Lady Tatiana observes the girl who has fled.
"Let's head back, Tatiana," Lady Sakuya suggests.
"That woman makes this whole thing much more interesting," Lady Tatiana remarks, intrigued by the unexpected turn of events. "At least something happened."
Chapter 54 End