The Lilienthal empire was first established by August.
Uniquely bearing the surname 'von Lilienthal,' August was undoubtedly the founder of this powerhouse. That much was unquestionable, yet some failed to realize that the country wasn't built only from her effort.
Besides the Sword Empress, there were numerous vassals she recruited from the kingdoms she conquered and, perhaps most importantly, the companions she made along her journey.
Kierra Scarlett Aspenova.
Her name would come up first whenever someone mentioned August's helpers, and the second name...
Valentine von Bismarck.
It was said that the stubborn knight was once vanquished by August and had since become her closest vassal. Tales of Valentine roaming the battlefield, fluttering her violet hair and wielding a magnificent claymore as she tore her enemies to shreds have made it into historical textbooks.
After the empire's establishment, Valentine took on the role of a knight commander and loyally helped August expand her country's influence. Through decades of training newcomers, she eventually picked apart the most talented ones and created a specialized squad of combatants, which was still famed across Linoel.
''That is basically their story.''
Swallowing a yawn, Kierra leaned back in her seat, letting the listeners form their thoughts on the matter. As she stared at the ceiling, memories of her interactions with Valentine emerged.
''...''
It always struck Kierra as strange how August was so scared of Valentine. Sure, every meeting with her for the Sword Empress would end up in work, work, and work, but was there a reason to be this frightened?
Even now, August could be seen massaging her temples—an act Kierra hadn't seen for at least ten years.
''Au...''
''Hm?''
''Did you abandon your work...?''
''...!''
Kierra nearly face-palmed when the Sword Empress diverted her eyes.
'So that was the reason...'
When Kierra parted ways with Linoel, she had at least organized the tower's work so that the people behind could handle it, but from the looks of it, August probably just ran away at some point.
''No, look. I only tried to follow you, darling. I didn't know it would actually work when I slashed the sky above the palace—''
''Wait, you slashed the sky??''
''...I did.''
''This is bad.''
''Arara...☆''
Even Diamante was almost horrified, covering her mouth in shock.
Meanwhile, the others:
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(；・∀・)?(；・∀・)?(；・∀・)?
Excuse me?
Kierra didn't even show a meaningful reaction when she had to face a Heavenly Venerate, so how come someone like her could utter such ominous words?
In truth, Valentine was normally a straightforward, serious servant. However, once she was mad...
Even at this point, Kierra still remembered the night when Valentine broke into their bedroom in the midst of their intimate moment and scolded August for not finishing her paperwork.
It was quite awkward for the archwizard, being naked under the quilt as she watched her spouse getting reprimanded for almost three hours.
That was for not finishing paperwork, and now, August had essentially created a mess and dumped it onto her vassals. Suddenly, she felt sorry for the ministers who would have to overwork themselves.
''Well... I don't think she will do something outrageous.'' Kierra said, trying to console August.
''Miss Valentine is exceptionally angry, Your Majesty. I suggest you find a solution before she gets here.'' Angelica chimed in.
''...''
Suddenly, droplets of cold sweat appeared on the Sword Empress's forehead, and everyone marveled as she, an empress of a nation and the strongest sword user ever to exist, cowered behind Kierra.
''Nyahahah~! You deserve it!''
Even when Diamante poked at her, August could only respond with hostile gazes.
''Come on, don't pick on her like that.''
Caressing Diamante's head, Kierra's mouth curled into a smile. How long has it been since she had the opportunity to pet her like this?
At that moment, the archwizard vowed never to let her go again. Never.
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Since it wouldn't be known when the fiends would attack again, and since Kierra needed a few moments to replenish her mana, the crew promptly returned to White Lotus.
Of course, Kierra wasn't the only one exhausted, so most opted for a well-deserved rest right after they came back. As for the more energetic Angelica, she got a martial sister to walk her through the world of cultivation.
''Whoa...! It's been so long since I last stepped in here!''
''...''
When Kierra invited Diamante to her pocket dimension, the phoenix princess immediately nodded. After having a simple dessert time, they went to the balcony.
Here, the wind gently blew their hair amidst the ever-so-slowly twirling galaxy above, and a solemn hue seemed to have descended the atmosphere.
The two people looked at each other for a while.
Diamante's orange eyes shook quite nervously, and despite her big smile, she was reluctant to speak what was on her mind. On the other hand, Kierra's eyes were surprisingly calm. The archwizard had decidedly sorted out her feelings, and it was only a matter of expressing them.
''Kierra, I—''
''Shh.''
A pair of orange eyes widened.
In half a moment, Kierra took Diamante's body into her embrace whole. Monopolizing this warmth was what Kierra wanted, so she greedily circled her arms around the woman's torso.
Burying her head into Diamante's shoulder, Kierra parted her lips, ''I'm sorry, Dia.''
''Huh? What are you talking about? Ah, if it's about when I took the hit, you don't have to worry! I won't die from something like that!''
''...Are you still willing to throw your life away for me like that?''
Kierra backed up a little, then cupped Diamante's cheeks once she realized the princess wouldn't run away. Rather, not appreciating the distance, Diamante actually hugged Kierra back—almost too desperately.
''I do! I always do!'' She chirped. ''I-I love you—''
Before she could finish her sentence, her lips were stolen. Even if her body had registered the infinitely soft sensation and the fuzzy heat transmitting through skin contact, her mind couldn't keep up with it.
After years without Kierra's incredible touches, even someone as pure as Diamante would crave sexual stimulation.
So, without really snapping out of her trance, she dived straight into it.
''I'm sorry, Dia,'' Kierra whispered. ''I'll never let you go again, so... can we return to what we were before?''
''...''
''...''
Even through layers of soft flesh, Kierra's heartbeats were apparent. As if resonating with them, Diamante's immortal heart also began to race wildly.
Not even a second later, the princess let out a meek yet determined—
''Um.''
So, under the starry sky, the two finally smiled at each other and, after decades of separation, were able to make their promises true again.
''This time... can you promise me an eternity?''
Unlike her usual jesty tone, Diamante sounded earnest. It was a testament to how precious Kierra was in her heart, and the archwizard certainly noticed it.
Holding the pink diamond on her chest, Kierra uttered, ''Of course.''
''This time... for certain.''
As the two rightfully began to make out after so long, a sigh escaped somewhere nearby.
''Another one, huh.''
August quickly shook her head and walked inside.
It seemed tonight would be a cold one for her. Rather than worrying about her position, which was practically guaranteed, it would be more wise to worry about her life when Valentine came.