Chapter 4: Tangled Schemes

“How’s that!? My pressure was something else, wasn’t it!?”

In a dimly lit, deserted alleyway of the free city of Milano.

Luna puffed out her chest, boasting proudly to her partner, Chase.

“With that kind of dominance, those soft, money-grubbing Imperials won’t dare underestimate us, right!? So, how was it!? Come on, tell me, how was it!?”

Her innocent demeanor was a stark contrast to the cold, ruthless zealot she’d been just moments before.

“Well, I’ve got plenty to say, but I’ll admit it was a necessary move. Still…”

Chase, his sharp features twisted in displeasure, spoke up.

“Why did you pick such a bizarre fight with Glenn Radars? He’s got nothing to do with this matter, does he?”

At that, Luna fell silent, and Chase continued in his calm, matter-of-fact tone.

“Could it be… you’re still hung up on that? Feeling guilty? There’s no point in that. Your decision was noble. He’s himself, and you’re you. What’s the use in burning with rivalry toward him?”

“I’m not burning with anything! I just… personally can’t stand that guy, that’s all!”

“You’re way too conscious of him…”

With a wry expression, Chase shot Luna a sidelong glance.

“And who’s this ‘pervert who loves slicing up girls and drinking their blood’? That’s harsh, even for you.”

“…W-Well… it’s kinda true, in a way…”

“Haahhh, what are you even talking about?”

As if he couldn’t be bothered to keep up, Chase let out a heavy sigh.

“By the way… do you think they’ll back out? What’s your take, Chase?”

“Not a chance.”

Chase answered Luna’s question with his usual detached tone.

“This Magic Festival only came together through immense effort. No matter the reason, if the Imperial team were to withdraw now, it’d leave a terrible impression on the other nations. It’d even affect the summit between the Kingdom and the Empire. For the sake of national pride, they won’t back down. They have no choice but to keep participating, even if it means casualties.”

“…Yeah, I figured…”

Luna’s face twisted with anguish as she spoke.

“If that’s the case… then I’ll really have to… those kids in the Imperial team… those innocent kids who’ve done nothing wrong…”

“Hey, Luna. Are you really okay with this?”

Chase quietly posed the question to her.

“What you’re planning goes against the sacred decree of His Holiness, Pope Funeral. If this comes to light, you could face the Inquisition. Not even His Holiness or Fais-sama could protect you then. It’s obvious Cardinal Archibald plans to pin all the blame on you and discard you like a pawn. …Are you really okay with that?”

Luna fell silent for a moment before murmuring softly.

“I don’t have a choice. Even if I’m branded a heretic… even if it leads to an irreversible war… I can’t… I can’t abandon you.”

“…”

“It’s just that Cardinal Archibald outmaneuvered both His Holiness and Fais-sama… that’s all. I’m just a foolish butterfly caught in a spider’s web. Nothing more.”

Faced with Luna’s grim resolve, Chase could only remain silent.

“Why…? Why does it always end up like this…? I gained this power so things wouldn’t turn out this way…!”

For a while, Luna was lost in torment…

“…You don’t have to force yourself to stick with me, Chase.”

Eventually, she gave a weak, resigned smile as she spoke to him.

“Deep down… you want to stop me, don’t you?”

“…”

“You’re a truly strong person. If you were in my position, I’m sure you’d do the right thing…”

“Don’t say such cold things. I’m with you… to the very end.”

Chase responded as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

“It’s true, I can’t stop you now. I’m bound to obey your orders… that’s the kind of existence I am. And if you die, I’m finished too. So, I’ll stay by your side until the end.”

“…”

“What we’re doing will likely cause many deaths. The whole world will probably condemn you. So, at the very least, I’ll be the one to stay by your side… and fall into hell with you.”

“…Chase… thank you…”

Luna’s voice began to tremble with emotion.

Somewhere on the night sea, known to no one, the two exchanged these words.

The next morning, as dawn broke.

With the excitement of the opening ceremony still lingering, the Magic Festival’s matches finally began.

The tournament followed a special format.

For each round, matchups were decided by a lottery, and the winning team advanced to the next round.

With a total of eight countries and eight teams participating, a team needed to win three rounds—first, second, and the finals—to claim victory.

The basic structure involved one Main Wizard and nine Sub-Wizards, forming a team of ten. Sub-Wizards could be eliminated without issue, but the Main Wizard’s participation was mandatory.

Thus, the moment the Main Wizard was defeated, the team automatically lost.

The match content and rules were randomly determined for each game, making preparation nearly impossible.

At best, teams could only analyze trends from past tournaments to make predictions.

No one called it unfair. Battles between mages were rarely fought on equal terms to begin with.

For example—the first match of the opening day.

The setting was a vast jungle, created by the arena’s environmental control magic. Teams fought against golems endlessly spawning from the marsh, competing to rack up the most kills.

Naturally, this brutal match allowed players to attack each other as well. Deciding whether to focus on defeating golems or eliminating rival players to gain a numerical advantage required exceptional situational judgment.

The matchup pitted the shamanic university team from the southeastern jungle nation of Armanes against the Imperial Onmyou Bureau team from the eastern Land of the Rising Sun.

Given the jungle terrain, everyone initially predicted Armanes would have the advantage.

Indeed, their strategy of using sensory-based shamanic traps worked brilliantly, allowing Armanes to dominate the Rising Sun team throughout much of the match.

However, Sakuya Konoha, the Main Wizard of the Rising Sun team, used her onmyo arts to deploy shikigami and detection spells, skillfully countering Armanes’ onslaught. Eventually, her shikigami manipulation began to dominate even the field’s golems.

Having the endlessly spawning golems turned against them was catastrophic for Armanes—especially since the golems were supposedly protected against third-party control.

In the end, the Land of the Rising Sun claimed a splendid victory.

Then came the second match.

The matchup featured the Farnelia Unified Theological Academy team from the Rezalia Kingdom against the elementary team from the Great Magic Guild of the Seria Alliance.

The format was a territory-capture battle. Set in a simulated urban environment created by the environmental control magic, the two teams competed to seize numerous outposts scattered across the field and raise their flags. Each outpost was guarded by small golems, and naturally, teams could steal outposts from each other or engage in direct combat.

Should a team focus on capturing high-value, hard-to-conquer outposts, or prioritize seizing numerous low-value, easier ones? This match, too, demanded sharp situational judgment and strategic planning.

The battle seemed poised to descend into chaos… but when it ended, the audience was left stunned by the unexpected outcome.

The result was an overwhelming victory for the Farnelia Unified Theological Academy team.

While the Farnelia team was impressive overall, their Main Wizard, Markov Dragunov, was in a league of his own.

Wielding sacred magic known as the Law Arts, a secret tradition of the St. Elizares Old Church, he crushed the entire Seria Alliance team head-on, capturing nearly every outpost single-handedly.

The audience at the Celica-Elliot Grand Arena was electrified, witnessing the world’s myriad mystical arts unleashed without restraint. The unpredictable, fantastical matches and their jaw-dropping conclusions kept their excitement at a fever pitch.

Thus, the matches scheduled for the first day concluded, enveloped in a whirlwind of fervor…

In a corner of the grand arena’s spectator stands, still buzzing with post-match excitement.

“That was incredible… everyone was just so incredible…”

This area was occupied by the members of the Alzano Empire’s representative team.

Sistine, who had been watching the matches, murmured with sparkling eyes, her voice tinged with joy and excitement.

“This is the world stage… these are the people my grandfather competed against…”

“Indeed, their skill surpasses even the rumors… heh, I can’t help but feel a rare thrill. I’m truly looking forward to our first match tomorrow afternoon.”

Rize responded coolly to Sistine’s warrior-like enthusiasm.

“A-A-Ah… could we… could we possibly…?”

“W-We’re totally out of place here, aren’t we…? I’m sorry for being born…”

Francine and Colette, pale and trembling with teary eyes, were, as usual, being soothed by Ginny’s sarcastic tone.

“Eh, come on, it’s fine. If you ojou-samas can bring out your full potential, you’ll hold your own just fine. Have a little faith in all the effort you’ve put in, geez, you’re such a hassle.”

“Tch… damn, every world’s got its share of freaks, huh…”

“Absolutely, no kidding.”

Gibul grumbled irritably, while Levin responded with a cheerful grin.

“Markov… hmph, if we ever face him, that’d be one hell of a fight.”

“I think Sakuya Konoha’s a bigger problem than Markov. That situational awareness and adaptability… how do we even deal with her?”

“Hmph. Bunch of noisy punks. Just crush whoever comes at us. That’s all there is to it, right?”

Jaill dismissed Levin and Gibul’s analysis with a scoff.

“Don’t worry, everyone! We’ve got Sistie on our side! She’s way more dependable, stronger, cuter, and cooler than that smug, show-off Levin!”

“Ellen… have you, like, changed your personality lately or something…?”

Ellen clung to Sistine’s arm, boasting proudly, while her cousin Levin twitched with an awkward smile.

From there, Sistine and the others continued their lively discussion about the day’s matches, chatting with camaraderie.

Though the group had always been a collection of strong personalities, the training camp and the sight of formidable global rivals seemed to have gradually forged them into a cohesive team.

“By the way! Where the heck is Sensei!?”

Finally noticing Glenn’s absence, Sistine raised her voice in frustration.

“The head coach not watching the other teams’ matches is unthinkable! As expected, he’s got no awareness as a coach! Just where is he wandering off to—!?”

At that moment, as Sistine fumed,

“Glenn’s currently meeting with someone.”

Eve, seated deeply in the stands with her arms crossed, spoke calmly.

“There’s been a bit of trouble, actually. He’s working with our manager, Rumia, to resolve it.”

“Eve-san?”

“So don’t make a big deal out of it. It’s not like he’s slacking off or anything. Have a little faith in your beloved mentor, Sistine.”

To everyone’s surprise, Eve was defending Glenn, leaving Sistine so shocked that she could only nod in confusion.

“W-Wha!? H-He’s not my beloved or anything! B-But… if that’s the case… fine, I understand…”

Sistine nodded reluctantly, her cheeks flushing.

“But what kind of trouble…? Is everything okay?”

“…”

Eve paused for a moment before responding.

“…Well, depending on the situation, I’ll explain everything properly and might even ask for your help. But for now, don’t worry about it. Focus on what you need to do, Sistine.”

“Y-Yes…”

Coming from Eve, her second mentor, Sistine could only nod.

“Alright, everyone! The matches are over! Let’s do some light practice so we’re ready for tomorrow! Come on, get up!”

Sistine urged the students, who were still lazily debating the matches and rival teams. It seemed she’d fully embraced her role as the team’s leader.

“Ellen, can you get permission to use the arena?”

“Got it, Sistie!”

“Also, Maria, I noticed something during today’s matches. Since you’re skilled in White Magic, I wanted to discuss…”

At that moment, Sistine realized something else.

“Huh? Where’s Maria? She was definitely watching the matches with us earlier…”

“To put it simply—”

The woman rose from her seat, declaring with resolute determination.

“—no matter the threats, I, Alicia VII, Queen of the Alzano Empire, will not permit the Imperial representative team to withdraw from the Magic Festival.”

“…”

“M-Mother…”

At the words of the woman—Alicia VII—Glenn and Rumia fell silent.

They were in the Alzano Empire’s consulate, established in the free city of Milano.

Glenn was currently in a clandestine audience with Queen Alicia VII.

“The summit I’m attending between the Empire and the Kingdom is a critical opportunity to resolve centuries of animosity and lay the foundation for peace. We’ve invested vast budgets and time for this moment. Failure is not an option, not even remotely.”

“…”

“However, there are many on both sides who oppose this reconciliation. Whether the summit succeeds remains uncertain. In fact, the opposition factions on both sides are eagerly waiting for any chance to sabotage it. In such a precarious situation, if the Empire were to withdraw its team from this festival of peace, or if it were suggested that we lack commitment… such trivial matters could derail everything.”

“…”

Glenn glanced at Alicia VII’s hand as she spoke with cold pragmatism.

Her delicate hand was clenched tightly, pale and trembling faintly.

“If this summit succeeds, I can promise my people at least a decade of complete peace without war. Therefore, as Queen of the Alzano Empire, I order you, the Imperial representative team: ‘Participate, no matter the dangers.’”

Up until that point, Alicia VII had worn the mask of a cold, resolute ruler. But suddenly, her face twisted with anguish, and she let out a heavy sigh, collapsing into her chair.

“…I’m surely bound for hell…”

“T-That’s not true…!”

Rumia hurriedly tried to protest, but Alicia VII shook her head weakly.

“…No, I know. As a mother… as a person, I’m a failure. But… I have no choice. Even if it’s wrong, I have to do this…”

“You’re not wrong at all as a queen protecting her nation.”

Glenn, who had been silently listening to Alicia VII, spoke firmly.

That’s right. Glenn was reminded once again.

The ordinary days they took for granted, the peaceful times free of war they enjoyed so casually—these were all built on the blood, sweat, and soul-crushing efforts of Her Majesty.

For years, Queen Alicia had carved out these moments of peace bit by bit, in a world where war could erupt at any moment, pouring her heart and soul into the task.

“I really think we’re lucky to have you as our queen.”

“That’s right, Mother…”

“Glenn… Ermiana… I’m sorry… and thank you…”

At Glenn and Rumia’s words, Alicia offered a faint smile. Then, in the next moment, she stood tall with renewed resolve and declared,

“I’ll divert a portion of my personal guard to protect the representative team. Glenn, please ensure the team’s safety at all costs.”

To Alicia’s words,

“That’s not exactly advisable, Alicia-chan.”

A boisterous, burly old man spoke up playfully.

“With all due respect, Your Majesty, the opposition’s surest way to sabotage the summit is to assassinate you. We’ve already limited our escort forces to avoid provoking the Rezalia Kingdom.”

A slender, almost girlishly delicate young man chimed in.

“Any further reduction in our forces would be… well, a bit…”

The old man scratched his head, looking troubled.

“…”

A young man with sharp, hawk-like eyes stood silently in the corner, observing the proceedings.

The three men, dressed in the ceremonial robes of mages, were Bernard《The Hermit》, Christoph《The Hierophant》, and Albert《The Star》from the Imperial Court Mage Corps’ Special Missions Annex.

They were currently serving as Alicia’s personal guard.

Given the highly confidential nature of this meeting between Glenn, Rumia, and the queen, only these six were present in the room.

“…I’m asking children to risk their lives. How can I not do the same?”

Undeterred by Bernard and the others’ cautions, Alicia spoke with unwavering resolve.

“Besides… I trust you all.”

At Alicia’s gentle smile,

“Yare yare, no helping it then. We’ll protect you with everything we’ve got, Alicia-chan.”

“Your words honor me, Your Majesty. I’ll protect you with my life.”

“…Without fail.”

Bernard, Christoph, and Albert each responded in their own way.

“Still, Glenn, you’ve gotten tangled up with some seriously troublesome folks this time.”

Albert fixed Glenn with a sharp gaze as he spoke.

“The Thirteenth Holy Execution Squad… if you end up facing them, there’s no worse enemy you could have.”

Even Albert’s words shocked Rumia, prompting her to speak up.

“Um, Albert-san… are those people really that formidable?”

“Yes, precisely, Princess Ermiana.”

In place of Albert, Christoph began explaining with a respectful tone.

“The Thirteenth Holy Execution Squad, also known as the Last Crusaders… they’re the most elite execution unit within the St. Elizares Church’s Temple Knights, despite consisting of only two members.”

“Just… two people…?”

“Yes. A mere two-person unit, yet they’ve earned that title over countless other units with hundreds or thousands of knights. Their power speaks for itself.”

“Tch, what a load of nonsense… let’s file a complaint with the Papal Office!”

Glenn, visibly irritated, voiced a perfectly reasonable suggestion.

“Their lunatic squad’s picking a fight on this huge stage… this is 100% their fault, no matter how you look at it—”

“That won’t work.”

Albert coldly shot down Glenn’s idea.

“If it were that easy, we wouldn’t be in this mess. To begin with, the Temple Knights of the Papal Office have no such thing as the Thirteenth Holy Execution Squad.”

“Huh!? What’s that supposed to mean—!? They’re literally—”

“Haven’t you figured it out? ‘Thirteen’… the number of the traitor, the Thirteenth Apostle Judas, who sent the Son of God to the cross. In the teachings of the St. Elizares Church, it’s the ultimate taboo number. There’s no way the Temple Knights, embodiment of justice, would have a unit bearing the cursed ‘thirteen.’ Therefore—it doesn’t exist. The Invisible Thirteen.”

“The non-existent squad… the Last Crusaders, huh…”

Glenn groaned, his face contorted as if he’d bitten into something bitter.

“Exactly. Even if you lodge a complaint, they’ll just deny any knowledge of it. Unless you capture them and secure undeniable evidence… it’s pointless.”

“That’s way too impossible!”

Glenn could only clutch his head in frustration.

“Hey, Christoph… do you know anything about the members of the Thirteenth Holy Execution Squad? Luna and Chase—their backgrounds, abilities, anything?”

“No good, huh?”

Christoph said this while intently staring at a magical array formed in the air, crafted from gemstones.

It was a simple magical computation device created through magic.

“I tried accessing the Imperial Capital’s Intelligence Bureau urgently through the ley line network. Indeed, I confirmed the names Luna Flare and Chase Foster in the records of the St. Elizares Church’s Papal Knights… but, well…”

“But what?”

“According to the records, both of them died in battle… four years ago.”

“Four years ago… around the time the current Pope Funeral achieved a miraculous victory in the conclave, right?”

“That’s beside the point, but died in battle!? What’s that supposed to mean!? Those guys were alive and kicking, weren’t they!?”

“Moreover, there’s another concerning detail. Chase Foster was indeed a renowned ace among the Papal Knights—a top-tier master.”

“Yeah, figured as much. He had the aura of a real powerhouse. Honestly, I wouldn’t want to cross him.”

“But… according to the information, Luna Flare was, to put it bluntly, a third-rate knight. In plain terms, a dropout.”

“…Hey, no matter how you slice it, the data’s gotta be messed up. The Intelligence Bureau’s no help either. How could a weakling like that be leading the Thirteenth Holy Crusade Execution Squad? I mean, Luna, weak? Face her yourself! The pressure alone nearly killed me!”

“…I’m sorry. For now, it seems there’s no further information available.”

To the group now steeped in a heavy atmosphere, Alicia spoke.

“Let’s get back on track. We still don’t know why the Thirteenth Holy Crusade Execution Squad demanded the withdrawal of the Imperial team. It’s possible that the peace-opposing faction in the Kingdom has gone rogue, trying to tarnish the Empire’s reputation at the summit by forcing our team to withdraw… that’s the straightforward interpretation, but it feels a bit weak as a motive.”

“Indeed… if that were the only goal, there’d surely be more effective methods available… Hmm…”

“Also, the Papal Knights… for that infamous heretic-slaying organization to settle for just a warning is odd. Their doctrine, unchanged for a millennium, is to kill enemies on sight, no exceptions.”

“Um… isn’t it strange that they’re troubled by our participation? Could it be that there’s someone among us they don’t want at this magic festival…?”

“If that’s the case, who? The most likely suspect would be you, Rumia, but you’re not even a competitor. And besides, those guys seemed completely uninterested in you.”

Alicia, Bernard, Christoph, Rumia, and Glenn tossed around theories, but none rose above mere speculation, lacking any decisive evidence.

“In any case, we’re in the dark for now. The priority is to protect the Imperial team until the summit between the Empire and the Kingdom concludes safely. That’s what matters most.”

Then, addressing Glenn directly, Alicia summed up the situation.

“Glenn, I know it’s truly unfair to ask this of you, a retired soldier, and I’m fully aware I have no right to make such a request… but please, protect the students, the young people who will carry the Empire’s future. I’m begging you.”

And so, Alicia, the renowned leader of a great nation, bowed deeply to a mere commoner instructor.

“W-Whoa!? I told you, Your Majesty, you can’t bow to trash like me!”

Glenn frantically waved his hands, shaking his head.

“It’s fine, I get it! You fight on your battlefield, Your Majesty, and I’ll fight on mine! No worries!”

“Glenn…”

“Besides, from a bigger perspective, your victory on your battlefield will protect my students’ future! We’re surely aiming for the same thing! Trouble’s just par for the course for me—I’m used to it! Haha!”

“…Thank you… I’m truly glad you’re here…”

At Glenn’s words,

Alicia smiled gently, her expression warm and serene.

“…Ermiana, come here.”

“Yes? What is it, Mother?”

Alicia drew Rumia close and whispered in her ear.

“Take care of him… of Glenn.”

“!”

“Your ability could be a great asset when he faces formidable enemies. I know I’m a failure as a mother, cutting ties and now asking this of my own daughter… but please, be his strength. I’m begging you.”

“Y-Yes! Understood! Leave it to me, Your Majesty!”

Rumia replied energetically, brimming with determination.

“Ermiana… I’m proud to have been your mother.”

Gazing at Rumia with affection, Alicia then added mischievously,

“…By the way, Ermiana, how far have you gotten with Glenn?”

“Huh?”

“Hehe, he’s clueless about girls’ feelings, so… you might need to be bold and take the lead. Seduce him, pin him down—that’s the way to go. Once you’ve sealed the deal, victory is yours.”

Alicia grinned, spouting something utterly outrageous.

“M-M-M-Mother!? W-W-What are you saying!?”

Instantly, Rumia’s face boiled red, and she began to fluster.

“…Hm? What’s up, Rumia? What did Her Majesty say?”

“N-N-Nothing! It’s nothing at all! Aha, ahahaha!”

This heartwarming scene

was watched over by Bernard, Christoph, and Albert with calm, gentle expressions.

Thus, the clandestine meeting with Her Majesty concluded.

Glenn and Rumia, led by Albert, headed outside the consulate, walking through its halls.

“By the way, how’s Re=L doing?”

Glenn suddenly asked about his younger sister-figure, whom he hadn’t seen recently.

“The military’s been in chaos with reorganizations and all. It’s been a while since Re=L was called back to duty…”

“She’s fine. She’ll likely return to her duties guarding the princess soon… very soon.”

Glenn made casual small talk, and Albert responded in his usual curt, businesslike manner.

It was the same old dynamic between the two.

“Man, if only you could join us… You and I could show those crazed zealots a thing or two.”

“Glenn, I’m sorry, but…”

“Yeah, yeah, I know, you’ve got your own mission. We’ll manage somehow. Well, that spinster hysteric’s been somewhat reliable lately, I guess…”

Glenn shrugged with a sigh.

“Seriously, though, you guys are working your butts off. Guarding Her Majesty… I mean, you’re the best for the job, but it feels like you’re the only ones being run ragged. What’s up with the rest of the Special Missions Annex?”

“…”

Albert fell silent for a moment, then lowered his voice.

“Lately, Her Majesty has many enemies among the Empire’s upper echelons.”

“…Enemies?”

Glenn furrowed his brow at Albert’s ominous words.

“Yes. As I’ve said before, we’re not a monolith. It’s unclear who’s friend or foe… Her Majesty can only fully trust a handful of people.”

“That’s insane. Enemies? Against her? What’s going on in the Empire’s upper ranks? Who are these enemies—!?”

As Glenn raised his voice, stepping toward Albert,

“—!?”

Glenn noticed.

From the other end of the corridor, a red-haired man approached with a leisurely stride.

He was a rugged man in his forties or fifties, clad in a military uniform. His poised demeanor, the scar etched across his face, and the countless medals adorning his chest radiated the aura of a seasoned veteran.

(That guy… he’s—)

A memory from Glenn’s military days clicked into place.

Lord Azel le Ignite, Minister of the Queen’s Military Affairs and Chief of the General Staff of the Imperial Army.

The top of the Imperial military… and Eve’s father.

(…This guy’s here too…?)

Glenn, along with Albert and Rumia, stepped to the wall, offering a courteous bow as they passed Lord Ignite.

In that moment—Glenn’s ears caught it clearly.

“Hmph, who do we have here… the fool who ran away for the sake of a mere woman.”

“…!?”

Glenn froze mid-bow.

Lord Ignite walked on without so much as glancing at him.

“S-Sensei…?”

Rumia peered at Glenn with concern, but he only trembled, his face pale.

Grit… Glenn ground his teeth.

“…Don’t mind him. Let’s go.”

Pat.

Albert tapped Glenn’s shoulder.

That seemed to break Glenn’s paralysis.

“…Y-Yeah… right…”

The tense air relaxed, and Glenn followed Albert, resuming their walk.

Outside the consulate.

“…Alright, you guys take care, Albert.”

“Yeah.”

Glenn and Rumia parted ways with Albert.

“We’ll prepare as much as we can to respond quickly. You stay sharp too. This isn’t Imperial territory… anything could happen.”

“…I’ll keep that in mind. See ya.”

“Thank you, Albert-san.”

As Glenn and Rumia turned to leave,

“…Glenn.”

Surprisingly, Albert called out to him.

“What?”

Glenn looked back. Albert hesitated, choosing his words carefully—a rare sight—before speaking.

“…There’s something about Her Majesty I need to discuss with you.”

“Her Majesty…? What’s this all of a sudden?”

“It concerns the Imperial royal family… and the very foundation of the Alzano Empire. Honestly, it’s a dubious story, but I’d like your perspective.”

“Huh? What are you talking about…?”

Glenn eyed Albert suspiciously at his uncharacteristically vague words.

“But we don’t have time to discuss it now. Once this matter is resolved, I’ll talk to you properly.”

“Well… fine, I guess… but what’s this about?”

Albert didn’t answer.

He simply walked away.

“Still, the foundation of the Empire? Sounds a bit overblown, doesn’t it?”

On the way to the hotel, Glenn chatted idly with Rumia as they walked.

“Did that guy get suckered by some occult gossip rag? He’s not exactly the type to take jokes lightly…”

“Um… I don’t think Albert-san would fall for something like that…”

“Nah, you’d be surprised how plausible it is! He’s so straight-laced it’s almost stupid! Back in my military days, that idiot got conned by old man Bernard and—”

Glenn started recounting an old story with a wry grin… when it happened.

“Huh?”

Rumia blinked and stopped in her tracks.

“Hm? What’s up, Rumia?”

“Uh, um… over there…”

Where Rumia pointed…

“Geh!? Maria!?”

Maria was weaving through the crowd, glancing around as she walked down the street.

“That idiot, what’s she doing alone!? I told her to stick with the others…!”

“Sensei, let’s follow her!”

And so, Glenn and Rumia hurriedly chased after Maria, who for some reason was acting on her own.

Tracking Maria proved incredibly difficult.

The free city of Milano was already a bustling place, and with the magic festival in full swing, the number of tourists was unprecedented.

Blocked by the surging crowds, Glenn and Rumia couldn’t close the distance to Maria as easily as they’d hoped.

Meanwhile, Maria, petite and agile, slipped through the throngs with ease, moving steadily forward. She seemed to have a clear destination in mind, her steps unwavering.

Calling out her name was futile; the clamor of the crowd drowned out their voices, never reaching her.

“What do we do, Sensei?”

“Tch… For now, we just keep following so we don’t lose her.”

And so,

Glenn and Rumia desperately trailed Maria, determined not to let her slip away.

…Eventually, their efforts paid off.

Glenn and Rumia spotted Maria entering a certain cathedral.

“Uh… that’s…”

“Saint Paulis Cathedral, right?”

“Oh, now that you mention it, Maria did say she wanted to visit cathedrals…”

But Glenn tilted his head, a question nagging at him.

“…That’s odd. There were at least two or three other cathedrals on the way here.”

After all, Milano was a city where you could hardly walk without stumbling across a cathedral or temple, large or small.

“So why specifically Saint Paulis Cathedral? That place is…”

Well, no use overthinking it.

For now, they needed to catch Maria, so Glenn and Rumia stepped into Saint Paulis Cathedral.

In stark contrast to the lively bustle outside,

the cathedral’s interior was filled with a serene, pristine silence.

Surrounded by sacred paintings and stained glass, even Glenn, with his shallow faith, felt a sense of solemnity walking through the dimly lit halls.

Guided by the flickering light of golden candelabras spaced evenly along the walls, Glenn and Rumia proceeded straight down the red-carpeted nave.

Passing the crossing of the side aisles, they moved deeper toward the chancel.

They soon reached the chapel.

There, before the altar bearing the holy seal, stood the person they sought.

“—Our God in heaven, may Your name be hallowed, Your mercy envelop us, and Your kingdom come—”

For a fleeting moment, Glenn forgot who stood before him.

It was Maria. There was no mistaking that girl for anyone else.

“O Lord, O Lord, send forth Your radiant glory. May Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Illuminate us with Your unending light. Guide us to live this day with joy and health…”

Yet, kneeling with hands clasped, head bowed, and praying fervently, she bore no resemblance to the usual bright, playful, mischievous girl.

“O Lord, have mercy. O mighty and steadfast Lord, have mercy upon us. Forgive us our sins. Grant us not only to do what we desire but to fulfill Your will, and to find joy in living for our neighbors…”

Soft light streamed through the stained glass ceiling, bathing the praying Maria.

Overwhelmed by the sight of her, as if she were a saint who had devoted her entire life to faith, Glenn and Rumia could only watch her prayer in silence.

“And so, I beseech You… hear my prayer… Fua Lan.”

Soon, Maria’s prayer concluded, and she made the sign of the cross twice at her chest.

For a moment, she lingered in silent reverence.

“…Phew.”

Finally, she exhaled with satisfaction, stood, and turned to leave.

“…”

Naturally, her eyes locked perfectly with Glenn’s and Rumia’s.

“H-H-Hauuuuuu!?”

In an instant, her pious demeanor vanished, and Maria let out a comically shrill yelp, practically leaping into the air.

“S-S-S-Sensei!? Rumia-senpai!? Why are you here!?”

“That’s our line.”

“D-D-D-Did you see!? You saw, didn’t you!?”

“Yeah, we saw. Clear as day. Maria… you’re actually—”

“I-It’s a joke! Just a joke! I thought playing a devout nun might get a rise out of you, Sensei! So, how was it? Did it hit the mark? Aha, ahaha!”

“Saint Paulis Cathedral is a stronghold of the Old Faith… the Canon faction of the Elizares Church.”

“W-W-W-What!? Really!? I had no idea! All cathedrals look the same to meeee!”

“Unlike the Imperial National Church, where a weekly prayer’s enough, the Old Faith demands twice-daily worship without fail. No wonder you’ve been sneaking off alone.”

“N-No, I-I mean, I’m—”

“The intonation of Fua Lan, the double cross after the prayer… there’s no room for doubt. You’re a follower of the Old Faith… and a pretty devout one at that.”

“U-Ugh… Uuuu…”

Realizing there was no escaping it,

Maria covered her face and slumped in defeat.

“…Jeez, it’s not like you need to hide it. Sure, they’re a minority, but there are Old Faith believers in the Alzano Empire too. The Imperial National Church is pretty tolerant of other sects.”

Glenn, Maria, and Rumia sat side by side on a pew in the chapel, listening to Maria’s story.

“Ugh… it’s just… it’s not exactly cute, you know? I’ve been trying so hard to be a stylish, sophisticated city girl… but being a devout follower of a sect that’s not exactly popular in the Empire? It’s so… provincial. You must be disappointed in me, Sensei…”

“Not really.”

Glenn brushed off Maria’s worries without a second thought.

“Your prayers to God were more important than your image of a cute city girl, right? No need to abandon that. Why betray your own heart? You are who you are. Hold your head high.”

Fully aware he had no right to say such things, Glenn spoke anyway.

“S-Sensei…”

“There was this guy who used to say, ‘Words are tools, and the Bible is a toolbox’… The point is, whether it’s the New Church or the Old Church, there are good people and bad people. So, it’s not the religion or the Bible that’s the problem—it’s the people who follow them. That’s how it works, right?”

“Ugh, thank you, Sensei… I just… I can’t bring myself to abandon the prayers and faith I’ve held onto since I was a child…”

“…Still, I’d appreciate it if you didn’t go off on your own like that.”

“I’m so sorry! I was afraid you’d scold me, so I didn’t say anything!”

Maria’s usual cheerfulness finally began to resurface.

“By the way… you said since you were a child, so does that mean your whole family follows the Canon faction, Maria-san?”

To Rumia’s question…

“…No, actually… I was abandoned as a child.”

Maria said this with a slightly lonely smile.

“Abandoned?”

“Yes, well… to be precise, I’m not originally from the Alzano Empire. I’m from the Rezalia Kingdom. Though I’ve changed my citizenship.”

Surprisingly, Maria was a Rezalian.

“When I was very young… something happened, and I was cast out from my home. I was sent to a far-off foreign land—the Alzano Empire—and raised in an Old Church convent ever since…”

“…I’m so sorry, Maria-san. I didn’t mean to…”

“It’s okay. It’s in the past, and I’ve already moved on.”

Maria gave a strong smile to Rumia, who looked down apologetically.

“My family back in the Rezalia Kingdom was part of the church… I used to pray like that with my father all the time. He was kind… I can’t even remember his face anymore… and in the end, he abandoned me. But I can’t believe—no, I don’t want to believe—that his kindness was a lie.”

“…”

“So… this prayer is something precious that lets me feel connected to my father. It’s the one thing I can’t let go of… Haha, it’s strange, isn’t it? To hold onto it even after being abandoned.”

“Maria-san… do you know where your family’s home was…?”

“Sadly, it was so long ago… I can’t remember where it was, and I don’t have any leads. Besides, it’s in the Rezalia Kingdom. With the current political situation between the Empire and the Kingdom, I can’t exactly go there easily. I’ve… actually given up on returning to my homeland.”

Who could have imagined that this bright, carefree girl had such a past?

Glenn could only listen to Maria’s story in silence.

But then—

“That’s why! I worked so hard at this Magic Tournament!”

—Maria stood up, bursting with energy.

“The Magic Tournament draws people from all over the world! Even from the Rezalia Kingdom! So… maybe, just maybe, my father might come to watch!”

“Maria-san…”

“If I shine on the stage of the Magic Tournament, maybe my father will see me… maybe… just maybe… I could see him again… maybe…”

Then, with a playful grin, Maria said,

“Haha, I keep saying ‘maybe,’ don’t I? It’s so childish, right? But still, I…”

“It’s not childish at all!”

Rumia’s firm words echoed through the chapel.

Taking Maria’s hands, who blinked in surprise, Rumia spoke earnestly.

“I’m sure… I’m sure your father is watching you, Maria.”

“Rumia-senpai…”

“Because if he saw you, he’d know. Your father… he must have loved you so much. Whatever reason he had to let you go… it must have been something unavoidable. So, your prayers are surely reaching him. He’s definitely watching over you from somewhere.”

Rumia’s words carried an unshakable conviction.

(…Rumia. That’s right, isn’t it… you…)

Listening to Rumia’s passionate words, Glenn fell into thought.

Yes, they were alike. These two.

For a moment, Maria stood stunned, but then…

“Thank you… thank you, Rumia-san…”

She smiled—overjoyed, as if saved.

“Hearing you say that, Rumia-san… Alright! I’m going to give it my all in tomorrow’s matches! Just watch me, Rumia-san! Sensei!”

“Yeah, do your best, Maria. I’m rooting for you.”

“Though, to be honest, you’re the most likely to drag the team down, aren’t you?”

“That’s harsh!? Can’t you read the mood a little, Sensei!?”

Tearfully, Maria playfully smacked Glenn’s shoulder.

Watching her, Glenn gave a wry smile and renewed his resolve.

(That’s right… White Cat, Her Majesty, Maria… no, it’s not just them. Everyone involved in this Magic Tournament is facing it with their own unyielding dreams and desires…)

Some fought for peace, others for their shining dreams, or to chase after loved ones—each person’s reasons were as varied as the stars.

But they were all—surely—precious.

They were like pure prayers to the divine, sacred things that must not be defiled.

(…I have to make sure this all ends in success. I can’t let some idiots’ pathetic schemes or conspiracies taint their dreams…)

Clenching his fist tightly, Glenn stared at the holy symbol on the altar.

Though an atheist, in that moment, he offered a prayer to the divine.

(I’m not just here to protect their lives… I want to protect their dreams themselves. That’s what I, as a teacher, should do right now…)

As Glenn looked up at the holy symbol, solidifying his resolve,

Rumia stood close by his side, as if in support.

“…I’ll help you, Sensei.”

She said softly, for Glenn’s ears alone.

“Thanks.”

Glenn replied with just a single word.

Soon, Glenn and Rumia were pulled along by the ever-energetic Maria, leaving the chapel behind.

With newfound resolve and determination burning in their hearts—

—By the way.

For her unauthorized solo actions, Maria was later thoroughly scolded by Eve and Sistine, and as punishment, she was subjected to grueling training so intense it was hard to believe it was before a match.

“Help me, I’m gonna die, I wanna go home, I’m done with this Magic Tournament~!”

She wailed and cried, but…

That’s a story for another time.