“This wasn’t what I imagined when you said you would be taking over the duchy, Lady Castellia.”

“Likewise, but the situation has changed. Besides, isn’t this what you and Baron Dietrich wanted anyway?” Viviane spread her hands apart in a casual gesture as she replied to Marilyn.

Around two days had passed after the successful capture of the duchy’s capital. Within that span of time, Sakura and Riku had ridden back to Higashi in an attempt to inform their country of the developments in the empire. Meanwhile, Viviane wasted no time ensuring that their victory rang loud and clear across the whole of the territory. After gathering the duchy’s marquis together and removing all the strange changes Bastiche had implemented, Viviane began taking measures to get the duchy back on its feet.

Unfortunately, a rather concerning report had just come in around thirty minutes ago. The courier was drenched in sweat and his exhausted face made it obvious that he hadn’t been out of the saddle for even a second during his excruciatingly hurried ride from the duchy’s border gates. Though Viviane wished to question him, the man clearly had no business remaining awake, much less answering questions.

Luckily, the courier carried a letter with him. After the man was secured a warm bed in a secluded area of the castle, Viviane gathered the nobles of her newly assembled ducal council, sequestering themselves within the war room as they went over the alarming news contained within the missive. It was not simply a local lord or a marquis rebelling against Viviane’s rule, nor had it been something as easily remedied as a request for food or supplies from some of the outer regions in the duchy.

Had it been something as elementary as that, there would have been no need for Viviane to even make her latest suggestion.

“It... It was. But not anymore, Lady Castellia. You’ve shown yourself a fine and capable ruler despite your extremely brief tenure here. I’m sure your parents would be proud once they hear of your exploits after the war’s conclusion. You need only send a group of knights out to deal with this situation while you remain here.”

Viviane shook her head. “No. This is something only Medrauta and I can do. Besides, passing control over to you and a trusted group was always part of the plan. I told you when we first spoke on the matter, didn’t I? I needed to return to the academy sooner rather than later, and this is the perfect opportunity for me to pass my duties on to you. The duchy itself is rather stable, but its borders are slowly beginning to crumble. There is no group of knights who can weather the dark storm that besets us, Dame Marilyn.”

Medrauta crossed her arms, nodding in assent. “My lady is right, Dame Marilyn. These are not your average monsters. Even the beasts of the Mana Wastes cannot compare to the terrors that damn witch has unleashed upon the empire. I worry for my friends in the capital, but more than that, I worry for the forces fighting in the north. We must destroy the source of those terrible creatures as soon as possible, and that means reaching the spire.”

“...But... I don’t get it. If you were this willing to dive back into the fray, then why did you try so hard to bring this duchy under your control, Lady Castellia? Were you not hoping to establish a stronghold and a safe haven in the midst of this nation’s great turmoil?” Dame Marilyn frowned, not understanding the noblewoman’s intentions at all.

“No, of course not. As you said, this country’s balance hangs upon the existence of four ducal families keeping one another in a friendly state of check. With House Revelo now vanquished, there is nothing stopping a noble with any large measure of troops from attempting to seize power. However, even the most foolhardy and power-hungry noble would not dare to realize such a brazen ambition when they risk raising their swords against House Castellia.”

“...It seems we’ve been outplayed yet again,” Baron Dietrich shook his head in amazement. “I truly fear the day that you become a fully-fledged duchess, Lady Castellia.”

Even Medrauta had to agree with the baron there. She knew Viviane had some sort of plan for the duchy, but never did she imagine her lady thinking ahead so many steps. Not only did she successfully secure additional compensation for the brave soldiers who were forced to fight against overwhelming odds, but she also secured the promised pardons for the criminals who fought under her banner, earning their undying loyalty.

Those feats alone were impressive, but managing to get the duchy back on its feet after only a single day simply spoke unfathomable volumes of her sheer ability. Of course, Viviane always attributed her statesmanship to the exchanges she had with Lady Scarlet, but anyone with eyes could see how much Viviane had grown. Not only that, but she had also considered the duchy’s safety and its future, seizing control of the territory not for her own sake, but as a measure to prevent further infighting.

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The nobles and knights in the room all shook their heads slowly, marveling at Viviane’s incredible insight. Of course, they might’ve had a far more muted reaction had she been older and wiser, but the moves she made to ensure the duchy’s safety while pursuing her own agenda were impressive nevertheless.

“I’m glad you think so highly of me, Baron Dietrich. Alas, it is now time for my knight and I to depart. I don’t know what awaits me at the spire, but I know it is something that only I can face.” Viviane said solemnly.

Marilyn pursed her lips before releasing a sigh. “Very well, Lady Castellia. But you need not face it alone. We shall send with you a company of soldiers to march on the spire.”

Medrauta shook her head. “No. That would take too long, Dame Marilyn. We can’t risk a six-day march just to reach the duchy’s borders. The garrison there would be overwhelmed by the time we arrive, and based on the contents of this letter, I daresay they’re only managing to hold on by a thread right now.”

“My knight speaks the truth, Dame Marilyn. I mean no disrespect to you or the brave soldiers of this realm, but I do not wish to send more of them to their death so soon after our latest victory. Let them rest upon their laurels for a little longer. These battles are not for the common man to fight.” Viviane said.

“...Understood, Lady Castellia. Will you be departing tomorrow morning then?”

Viviane shook her head. “No. We leave immediately, and I shall nominate both you and Baron Dietrich to manage the duchy’s affairs in my absence unless another worthy candidate makes their appearance. Please work together and ensure the people’s safety.”

Marilyn bowed her head, touching a hand to her chest. Of course, she already knew Viviane would opt to leave as soon as she could. The senior knight’s question had been nothing more than a formality and hopeful wish. After all, Viviane was still a child in her eyes despite the noblewoman’s talent for statesmanship, and a senior knight like her could not rest easy when she knew mere children were placing their lives on the line against foul beasts manifested by dark magic.

“You may rest assured that we shall do everything in our power to protect this duchy and its people, Lady Castellia.” Baron Dietrich bowed.

“Excellent. I’ll be counting on all of you.” With an elegant curtsy and smile, Viviane looped her arm around Medrauta’s, leading her knight out of the room and toward the castle’s exit. A few sections of the structure had collapsed during the earthquake, but most of it remained intact thanks to its sturdy construction.

Instead of navigating the halls and exiting through the building’s front door, the pair chose to take a rather unusual and normally dangerous shortcut. Arriving at a large hole in the side of the castle formed by the collapse of several support beams, Viviane and Medrauta peered down at the stables below. It was a convenient exit for their purposes, the knight sweeping Viviane off her feet and carrying her snugly before jumping down.

“Hup!” Medrauta landed lightly on the ground, her steel boots leaving deep impressions in the dirt. She set Viviane down shortly after before heading to their horses. Of course, they could have taken the carriage they rode here, but the pair knew they weren’t simply traveling to another area of the empire anymore. Once they arrived at the duchy border, they would no doubt be assailed by foul creatures as they attempted to push through and reach the capital.

“What do you think the capital looks like right now?” Viviane asked. Despite her best attempts at keeping her voice even, its slight shakiness betrayed her worry.

“...Honestly, I’m not too sure, Vivi.” Medrauta sighed. “But I know Dame Eirlys is there, and Sir Bradley too. I’m sure everyone’s fine.”

“...Aren’t you worried about your friends though?”

“Of course I am,” Medrauta said as she mounted her steed. “But Melindra’s the best rider I know. I’ve never beaten her in a joust even once, and she even gives me a run for my money when we’re fighting on horseback. Nearly lost a duel to her once too.”

“...Melindra?” Viviane raised her eyebrows in surprise. She certainly wasn’t expecting Medrauta to compliment Melindra so greatly when the lavender-haired knight was incredibly scatterbrained.

“Yeah, Melindra. Don’t underestimate her. She looks and sounds like an idiot, but when the chips are down, there’s no one else you’d want at your side. Same goes for Esme. She’s got a real thick skull, but she’s stronger than I am if we’re talking about pure strength.”

“I mean, isn’t that a given? She’s practically twice your size,” Viviane grinned.

“Exactly. They’ll be fine, Vivi... Let’s believe in their strength, and our own too.”

Viviane nodded. “Yeah... You’re right, Medrauta. We’ll reach the capital and put an end to this once and for all!”

“Damn straight,” Medrauta grinned.

With that, the pair urged their horses forward, anxious to face the trials that awaited them.