1

A lengthy blackwood table stood in the middle of a wide, round terrace of stone. Over the table arced tall mahogany frames, whereupon vines of humulus lupulus crawled entangled and dense. Lanterns hung from the cross beams, holding the coming night at bay, while the eastern horizon still burned with streaks of royal purple and gold. A distance ahead of the table over the west side railing extended a dizzying view over the city of Bhastifal downhill, while the setting sun still touched the highest rooftops and all else had fallen in blue shadow.

On this terrace, once upon a time, the Princess of Langoria had dined with the man she believed to be the Emperor.

Tonight’s meeting was going to be even more unusual than said occasion.

A few days after Izumi’s arrival in the city, her majesty had sent out invitations for a private gathering of rather extraordinary individuals, with no mention of what was on the agenda.

Among the select few to be summoned, Izumi arrived early, none the wiser. She was her majesty’s knight now and had to keep her act together—although, the primary reason to her being early was that she had nothing to do while waiting. She didn’t look particularly knightly either. It may have been winter but still too warm to even think about putting on a many-layered uniform, or armor. She made do with only a long-sleeved shirt, half-length trousers, and sandals. She didn’t feel like dragging her sword with her either, and more than a knight, she looked like a standard housewife on the way to a bridge night with the neighborhood association. The invitation hadn’t mentioned a dress code. Besides, what would they do, even if she broke a rule or two? Fire her? The number one champion?

As early as she was, Izumi wasn’t the first one to get there.

In the hallway before the terrace, she ran into another familiar face, who stood admiring the scenery through the windows.

“Yo,” the bard Waramoti greeted the woman with a cheerful grin and a wave, not looking at all surprised to see her. “It’s been a while! How have you been, my friend?”

“So-so,” Izumi stopped to face him and replied. “You?”

“Oh, fairly good, even if I make the claim myself.”

“Well, too bad, kid. Your luck just took a nosedive and you’re stuck with me again. I promise it’s only going to be downhill from hereon.”

“Don’t say such things, even as a joke!” he cried with a grimace and a shudder. “Last time I came within a mile of you, I got nearly blown into the sea by a dragon! If it gets much worse than that, I might have to find someone else to pick up the story after me.”

“What? So you were there too?” Izumi asked with some surprise. “There were people like in Comiket. What a small world, huh?”

“Big or small, you’ve certainly left your mark on it. Well, here’s to our shared future, once again.”

The bard held out his fist with a smirk, and she knocked it with her knuckles, smiling in kind.

“Let’s get along!” she said. “By the way, do you have any money on you? I left all my coin in Mescala and have no idea when the payday’s going to be…”

“We only just met and you’re asking for a loan!? You haven’t changed one bit!”

They went on without a hurry, out to the terrace, where servants were setting up the scene, lighting candles, and folding napkins. Judging by the number of chairs, it wasn’t going to be a very big party. Izumi exhaled a discreet sigh of relief. Even if she had gotten over the worst of her social anxiety, big gatherings were never a pleasure.

They waited under the sunset sky, and bit by bit, the other guests began to appear. There were more old friends, present for predictable reasons, such as Miragrave and Carmelia. General Monterey was with the Marshal. There were also faces perhaps familiar but not half friendly. Along with her mentor, Master Laukan, came Margitte. As soon as the girl saw Izumi, she stopped in her tracks with an undisguised look of surprise and annoyance.

“Geh…!”

“My, if it isn’t the bomber girl,” Izumi greeted the magician. “Did you clean up the mess you made outside?”

“Hmph!” The young Court Wizard lifted her nose and marched haughtily past the woman without granting her a response.

“Why’s she so mad at me, anyway?” Izumi pondered. “Did I chop up a relative by accident?”

“Eh, can’t please everybody,” Waramoti mumbled evasively and looked away.

“Hmm?”

Soon after the officers and the Court Wizards came the host of the banquet and the rest of the guests. Yuliana arrived escorted by her maids. Millanueve and Arnwahl were with her as well.

Following her majesty, they all gathered at the table.

Nine guests, nine chairs. Nobody skipped, it seemed.

Following the officers’ example, they bowed to the Empress, and at her approving gesture took their seats under the warm light of the lanterns. It didn’t appear there was any special seating order, but those highest in rank occupied chairs close to the Empress at the southern end of the table as a matter of course, and the others could only choose from the leftovers. This put Izumi last among the east side seats.

She looked at the people around and still had no idea what the meeting was for.

A late night tea party with friends? Surely not.

“Good evening, everyone!” Yuliana opened the meeting with a friendly smile, giving everyone a brief look. “Have you exchanged greetings yet? The people at this table are those I call my confidants; people I consider my friends and trust with my life. As far as I’m concerned, we’re all allies and equals here, and I hope we may treat one another as such. So speak plainly and fairly, to myself, and to your neighbor! Let there be no walls or secrets between us. I have called this meeting tonight for a reason of dire importance and urgency, and all counsel shall be dearly welcome.”

Everyone made approving nods and murmurs. Izumi glanced at Arnwahl, seated opposite of her on the west side. Did Yuliana really know what kind of people she called her friends?

As if reading her mind, her majesty shortly continued,

“Perhaps a quick round of introductions would be in order first, before we get to the main business? Since not everyone knows everyone yet. Following the sun’s course, could you begin the round, Marshal?”

“Very well.” Miragrave, seated in the corner on Yuliana’s left, complied with a smile and stood. “I am Grand Marshal Miragrave Estheria Marafel, the high commander of the Imperial Army. I helm the operation we’re about to discuss in this meeting, so address any suggestions and questions regarding the technicalities of it either to myself, or to General Monterey next to me. That is all, thank you.”

Curt and to the point, as expected.

Miragrave sat down and the large General next to her stood in turn.

“Ladies and gentlemen, your majesty,” the man began in his deep voice, a boyish smile on his beard-framed face. “I am General Martin Serif Monterey! I serve as the commander of the Imperial Guard, and my main concern is the safety and well-being of her majesty. My hobbies are darts and tea! A true pleasure to meet you all! Thank you.”

He bowed and sat back down, and everyone felt a good deal easier for his performance. If Miragrave was like a sharp sword, the General was surely a shield, great and dependable.

Next from Monterey, a rather less confident young maiden got up, her milky cheeks flushed pink. She stood upright and closed her eyes, which was perhaps to be seen as an expression of calmness and composure. More likely, it was her way to escape the others’ intent stares and keep her courage from failing. She cleared her throat with a faint cough and said,

“I am...Millanueve De Guillon. From the Barony of Ludegwert. I’m...um, her majesty’s personal guard. Though I’m still working to earn the honor. My hobbies are, er, riding and hiking, mostly. And...That is all, I suppose. For now.”

Wavering a little, she sat back down. Or more like, fell back down.

Most of the guests were probably wondering what explained her transfer from the distant province to Bhastifal and the incredible career path that followed, but no more details appeared to be coming. Moreover, she had adopted the General’s joking remark about hobbies. Did she think it was a mandatory part of the introduction form? Was everyone going to stick to the pattern now?

Next from Millanueve, the young male knight in a formal coat stood up, a composed—or just condescending—smile on his lips.

“Your majesty, ladies and gentlemen,” he started steadily with a bow. “I am Arnwahl of Louiseux, the eighth hero of the Guild of Champions, and the bearer of the magic sword Kettergaum. No matter the mission, I shall see it through with my all, on my honor as a knight. My hobbies are—well, I suppose I am a bit of a collector. Thank you.”

Arnwahl sat back down. It seemed the hobby thing really stuck.

“Oh?” Seeing as there were no more people seated on the west side, the turn crossed over the table to Izumi. Though it was only the others’ expectant gazes that made her realize the fact.

“Uh, hi,” the woman said, stood up and scratched her neck. “How do you do? I’m Izumi, Itaka Izumi. A member of the, uh…Well, you know…The group.”

After the already hesitant start, her introduction trailed off altogether.

“…Damn, I can’t say it, it’s too embarrassing—I’m already a grown adult, calling myself a ‘knight’ or some such with a straight face is a little...Eh, different cultures, I suppose. At any rate, I’m the one who solves all the problems at the end of the day, so let’s just leave it at that. My hobbies are manga and video games. Let’s get along! Okay. Yes. Thank you.”

The woman sat quietly back down and one could’ve cut the following silence with a sword. In the end, despite breaking so many conventions already, she wasn’t brave enough to break the hobby-pattern.

Fortunately, it was Waramoti who stood up next.

“Well met, ladies and gentlemen!” the youth cheerfully exclaimed as he bounced up. “Your esteemed majesty! I am Waramoti, the bard. No, not the same Waramoti some of you once knew, he’s dead. I’m a completely different guy—I won’t mind if you think that. My role is to record the deeds of those who shape history, and that is the reason I’m here; for never before has as much history gathered in the same place at the same time. May your endeavors find success, my friends, wherever it is that the miracle of life chooses to take you! Oh yes, my hobbies include enjoying good food and drink! Thank you.”

He bowed and sat back down and the awkward mood was at once mended.

“How do you do that?” Izumi leaned over to whisper to the bard.

“You need to be born with it,” he replied with a shrug.

Elsewhere at the table, both the Empress and Millanueve were making pressured faces, feeling the champion was being unnecessarily close to the minstrel.

On from Waramoti, it became the youngest guest’s turn.

“Your majesty, honored guests,” the girl stood and began in her proud voice that rang in the night with the clarity of a copper bell. “My name is Margitte-Sophie Beuhler. I am a magitehnical engineer graduated from the College of Warlhov, as well as the fifth Court Wizard of Tratovia. It is a pleasure to meet you. Thank you.”

“Oh, that’s amazing, So-chan!” Izumi commented from the side, earnestly impressed, and lightly clapped her hands. “An engineer too? You’ve gone so far, even though you’re so young! I thought you were only a mid-tier minion at best!”

“WHAT DID YOU CALL ME!?” Margitte snapped back by reflex.

“—Keep it down in her majesty’s presence!” Miragrave growled from the opposing corner, silencing the two. Margitte sat down, deeply embarrassed. She didn’t tell anyone about her hobbies. Not that she had any.

Next from Margitte, a tall, older man in a forest-green cloak stood.

“Greetings, everyone,” he spoke with a friendly smile on his narrow, pale face and made a short bow. His voice flowed like a gentle spring brook and his presence had a very calming quality to it. “I am called Laukan, and I have the honor and privilege of serving as the second Court Wizard of Tratovia. It is a true pleasure to meet you all. Margitte here is my disciple, and as you may gather, she is still very young and has a lot to learn about the ways of the world, so I would like to ask for everyone’s patience and forgiveness towards her conduct. After all, not one of us is born ready in this world, and I can freely admit that I also have ways to go, despite all my age, as both a man and a magician.…”

The teacher ended up only making excuses for his pupil.

“I didn’t even do anything wrong…” Margitte lamented, her face red out of shame.

After Laukan had finished, the next to rise was Carmelia’s tall figure, commanding everyone’s silent attention.

“I am Caalan Litha Nid Vi Vaniphelia, the first Court Wizard of Tratovia,” she spoke, her calm voice like a warm, nightly shower on roof plates. “You may call me Carmelia. I hail from the cirelo colony in the province of Ledarnia, and beyond serving as her majesty’s arcane counselor, my chief commitment lies in seeking ways to counter the enemy of life you refer to as ‘daemons’. My hobbies include alchemy and tailoring. If you have any concerns you would consider ‘occult’, hesitate not to consult me. Knowing is half the battle, as your people sometimes say.”

As she spoke the word “daemon”, several among the listeners instinctively tensed. By now, even Izumi had learned to dread that word. But most astonishingly of all, the sorceress had revived the broken hobby-sharing chain.

The round of introductions was thus completed, the turn returned to her majesty.

“Thank you,” Yuliana told everyone. “I am Ashwelia, the Empress of Tratovia. You already knew that. But among my friends, I am better known by the name my father gave me in the Kingdom of my birth: Yuliana. I would like you to suspend with the etiquette and call me so. Because I have called you all here not to command you as a ruler, but to ask you as a friend, to journey with me back to my distant homeland—to Langoria.”

2

Save for the army leadership, most of the guests were no more familiar with the situation than Izumi was, and the primary purpose of this gathering was to enlighten them. After servants had delivered tea to warm up the audience on the nightly terrace, Yuliana began the debriefing with a summary of recent history.

“Less than two months have passed since our people and the people of Luctretz faced off with the pirate confederacy on the waves of the Numénn. It was not a campaign any of us desired, and neither did any part of it go as we wanted, but the result should be considered a resounding success nonetheless. The criminal syndicate controlling much of the seas was defeated and our ties to Luctretz and Melghier greatly reinforced. Where once were only enemies, we found new allies to share our burden. Alas, every action is followed by a reaction. The Kingdom of Langoria alone remains opposed to Tratovia on this side of continent, and they now perceive their standing as greatly endangered.”

Yuliana paused and looked around, unable to hide the sadness in her eyes.

“I followed my father’s descent from up close. He was a wise King once, well loved, compassionate, and righteous. But like so many others, disappointments in life and the building weight of years became heavy on him. The more we people love something, the more we grow afraid of losing it. The King began to see enemies everywhere, foreign spies conspiring to undermine the nation he had worked so hard to better. And up until very recently, he was perhaps justified in his fears. The threat of an armed invasion which he dreaded may have passed, but the King doesn’t know it. He sees our progress in Luctretz as a token of the Empire’s sinister intentions. The Langorians aren’t the sort to stand and wait for matters to get worse. Our intelligence operatives tell us the King has mobilized the royal army, and means to launch a preemptive campaign against the Principality, all to block our advance. The King’s paranoia has become a self-fulfilling prophecy. Either Luctretz will be occupied, their centuries of autonomy broken—or else, thousands will die to repel the offensive. Neither of those outcomes is acceptable. We need to act first. The day after tomorrow, I will personally depart to Langoria, to appeal to my father and share him our side of the story. It is for this purpose that I require all of your aid, dear friends.”

Her majesty paused with a somewhat apologetic look.

“As I told you, this is not an order,” she stressed. “My father is sadly not a very good listener. I dare say I know this better than anyone. It is a very real possibility that there will be no peace despite our best efforts, and we are riding to an ill fate in a hostile land. I cannot command you, or anyone, to die for me. There will be no punishment, should you refuse my request. But if you have faith in me and yourselves, any sympathy for the countless innocents about to be left on the path of war, I implore you, nonetheless: please, for the sake of those destined to burn for the madness of one man—will you lend me your strength, to overturn this fate?”

Yuliana concluded her speech, rose from her seat with a stern face and bowed her head.

Lowering her head to mere servants, some of which weren’t even nobles—it was not a gesture a Sovereign would or should do. Unheard of, if not outright scandalous. But it was awfully like her. There was no chance anyone could easily dismiss her request like this. No one could be left indifferent. They had to take a moment to consider their answer.

After a moment of sustained silence, Miragrave stood also.

“All those of you, who would refuse this assignment,” she spoke quietly but clearly, “please leave this place now, and speak not a word of what you have heard here. You are bound by a non-disclosure agreement, and whoever breaks it will be treated according to wartime laws.”

A moment longer was then given for the listeners to make their choice.

“So that’s how it’s going to be…?” Izumi mumbled, drinking her tea.

Of course, there was no choice for her. She had already sworn to do anything asked of her, and had no intention to change her mind. Yet, at the same time, she couldn’t help but steal a glance at the girl on the other side.

What are you doing? Hurry up and get going while you still can…

But Millanueve, oblivious to the unvoiced concerns, remained seated.

As did everyone else.

For the military officers and Court Wizards, the idea of abandoning a mission was simply beyond consideration. Any word from the Empress was law, and they weren’t going to change their views so casually. Arnwahl likewise sat peacefully drinking his tea, as if he hadn’t been listening at all. Despite being a civilian, Waramoti made no move towards the exit either, but only sketched portraits of the guests in his notebook.

It might well be that they didn’t make their decision that night. The choice had already been made for them by the stars, on the day they were born.

Then, the escape window closed. Fate was sealed.

Yuliana raised her head and looked around. Seeing no one exhibit any intentions to leave, a relieved if not a bit remorseful smile appeared on her lips.

“Thank you,” she said and sat back down.

Miragrave picked up the conversation.

“On behalf of her majesty, I will now explain the mission to you. No matter how our goal is peace, we must also be prepared for the worst. You are all versatile specialists, most of you already proven in hard combat, known for your ability to handle tricky situations. You form the core of the 200-man force we have readied to escort her majesty to Langoria. Most of it will be cavalry, lightly equipped, armed for ranged combat. Should anything go wrong, we will make use of our mobility and firepower to withdraw back to allied territory by the swiftest route available. General Monterey has command of the cavalry, the Court Wizards will coordinate the mages. Izumi and De Guillon are responsible for the Empress’s protection. Arnwahl will be our striker and move where needed, depending on the situation. Of course, I myself will also come along, to see that her majesty doesn’t get abducted yet again.”

Yuliana made a pouty face at the remark, but the Marshal ignored it and sat back down, yielding the stage to General Monterey.

“Pack warm clothes, ladies and gentlemen,” the man told the guests, rubbing his wide palms together. “The winter has come and we have a long road ahead of us. It’s a ride of close to three weeks to the border of Luctretz from where we are. Over a week from there to the border of Langoria, where we are to rendezvous with the Prince of Luctretz, prior to our entry into the Kingdom. A measly 400 miles more, and we will reach Walhollem, the capital of our host, where our true test will then begin. That is, should all proceed according to the modest numbers our analysts have crunched. The company will make do with only the minimum necessary stops on the way. We go in, see that her majesty is able to conclude her business with the King undisturbed, and then leave the way we went in. Simple and clean. What follows, we shall see once we are again returned to friendly land. At this point, does anyone have any pressing questions? I’ll be happy to answer any.”

Arnwahl raised his hand.

“Yes, young man, what is it?”

“Pardon me if I’m overstepping my boundaries,” the champion said without any sign of genuine care, “but how, in precise terms, does her majesty intend to convince the King of Langoria? By her words, his majesty seems a man difficult to reason with, and liable to refuse us. I’d like to hear the particulars, if you don’t mind. Is there any meaning at all in attempting such a laborious journey, for a purpose we cannot be sure of?”

His somewhat disrespectful query earned the man a sharp scowl from Miragrave. Questioning the Sovereign was not a soldier’s place, but he did have a rather good point, Izumi felt. The General glanced at Yuliana, unsure of if it was a question that should even be answered, but her majesty appeared to find no problem with it.

“You are correct that embarking on such a mission would have little meaning, if we had no reasonable hope of success,” she said. “But I’m afraid a detailed answer is not possible at this juncture. The particulars of how I intend to convince the King will depend heavily on the circumstances of our meeting, and are thus difficult to foretell. But I have various ideas on how to go about this, and I have faith he is not so far gone that reason couldn’t reach him. The main foundation of my argument is in proving to him that Tratovia is not what it used to be and conquest is no longer our goal. Things have changed. In the Empire and in the world at large. My own role and your presence there—our journey itself—are all in support of our message. He couldn’t possibly think we took a path so dangerous and disadvantageous for us only for the sake of deception, or that his own child could be part of it.”

“What if he does?”

“Huh…?”

Arnwahl gazed steadily at Yuliana and while the smile on his face remained unclouded, his eyes developed a slightly darker quality.

“What I’m asking is, if his majesty chooses to perceive you as a threat, regardless of your kinship, or the other conditions, are you prepared to respond in kind and take him down by force? If it means preventing the war and saving the common people’s lives, would you have the resolve to murder your own parent—that is the core of my query.”

“—That’s quite enough of you, Arnwahl,” Miragrave told the knight and her tone turned threatening.

“My, I apologize if I have offended you,” the knight stood and bowed. “But her majesty asked us to be direct with her in the beginning. I am merely honoring her request, as a servant and a comrade.”

“…No, Arnwahl is right,” Yuliana spoke but not without effort. “There is nothing wrong with your question. It is a question I have been asked once before, and one I should be prepared to answer, given the nature of our mission. But, to my disgrace, I still remain ill-equipped to do so. When I accepted the Throne, I swore never to give the order to kill, under any circumstances. I came to this land to save lives, to better them, not to take them. Yet, the fact is that my father’s life and the lives of all those people likely to perish in an open war cannot be considered equal in value. Could I give the order to kill my own parent, or attempt it myself, to keep the worst from coming to pass—I cannot answer that yet. It will depend on how he receives us. But I can promise you that I will do absolutely everything in my power to prevent it from coming to that. Only after all else has failed will I consider it an option. Can you be content with such a noncommittal answer, Arnwahl?”

“Of course,” the man said and bowed again. “Your majesty is the one I have vowed to follow. I did not mean to suggest I would abandon my duty, if the answer were not what pleased me. Only, I believe full awareness of what we are risking ourselves for will serve us all better in the end.”

“You would be correct in thinking so. Thank you.”

But as outward cordial and smiling as the champion was, there was no positive vibe or emotion to be seen in his voice or expression. He was like steel himself, cold and unflinching. It was only when the talk turned to violence that he appeared to develop a semblance of passion.

“This guy’s a piece of work…” Izumi murmured to herself, wondering if no one else noticed the same.

“Are there any other questions, regarding the road or the objective?” General Monterey asked and looked around.

No one appeared to have any. It was a fairly straightforward job, after all. Or else, the guests were simply shy and reluctant to mix the mood even more.

But there was an exception.

“If there are no further queries, I shall offer some counsel of my own,” Carmelia unexpectedly said and stood. With the attentiveness of a grade school class, everyone turned to listen to the sorceress, who had so far remained silent and still as a statue.

“A word of caution,” she told them. “As most of you already know, earlier this year, through an unfortunate instance of oversight on my people’s part, a solitary daemon was able to cross the sea to Noertia.”

“A daemon?” Millanueve reacted spontaneously, having heard little of such beings before.

“Yes. Ever since then, operatives of the Intelligence Bureau and agents of the Circle of Pale Ashes have been scouring the lands near and far in search of the creature—with regrettably thin results, alas. Our only major lead is a possibly related fatality in the town of Grelden, near Langoria’s border. Though we have no proof of this as of yet, it is possible the creature is hiding somewhere in the Kingdom’s territory, which is one of the few regions left on the continent that we have been unable to extensively search due to the political climate. Daemons are by nature drawn to aggression and conflict, and a nation actively preparing for war makes for an ideal hunting ground. We cannot exclude the possibility of encountering the beast on the way. In fact, the probability is high. Some among our party have met it before, and these beings are known to return to targets they have previously contacted. Therefore, I advise each of you to study with care the written mission briefing that will later be delivered to you. The documents attached contain the basics of what we know about the enemy.”

“Geez and that doesn’t sound bad at all,” Izumi sighed. “Hope you’re at least packing enough firepower this time.”

“As I said, every knight in the entourage is trained for ranged combat,” Miragrave answered her. “It was not only Langorians we thought about. We have eight hundred new type Yodith arrows, manufactured of imported dharvic dimeritium, courtesy to the new mass production line opened at the Alchemical Laboratory. We spared no expense! The troops will be given experimental armoring of unprecedented durability. They’ve undergone extensive field training to bring out the best of them over the summer. We are as ready as ready can be. Moreover, Aury is presently following a promising lead in western Luctretz. We can call her if need be. It is only a matter of time before our pest problem is wrapped up for good.”

“Plus, we have you,” Waramoti elbowed Izumi. “Are you saying we need more?”

“And whoever needs a suspicious person like you?” Margitte haughtily interjected. “With three Court Wizards and a champion of the Guild in the company, not even a dragon could pose a threat to us. Better yet, we have my invention. One daemon is not a problem at all.”

“Your invention?” Izumi asked, raising her brow. “What’s that?”

“I’m talking about my shadowmeter, of course,” the magician said and took out the device from her pocket. “Daemons are all about stealth and subterfuge. Take the element of surprise away, and all that is left is an average monster.”

Margitte held up the device on her palm. With open wonder, Izumi leaned forward to examine the gyrating little bronze rings and the needle between them, as they went each their own way, round and round, following no discernible logic. The arrowhead came to point at Izumi’s nose, the three rings aligned—and stopped there. No, it soon continued to revolve again. But each time the needle turned in the woman’s general direction, the motion of the rings appeared to grow distinctly slower, only to resume with effort.

Watching the anomalous movement, Margitte’s jaw dropped and she turned a horrified look at the woman.

“Aah, it’s not malfunctioning, is it...?” Izumi asked, forcing a nervous laughter.

“You—”

“—That person is not a daemon,” Carmelia told the young mage. “Daemons do not perspire, or emit emotional energy, nor do they have a characteristic body odor. At close range, there are many ways for an informed adept to identify one. Do not let tools become a crutch, but remember what you have learned. Keep your mind open and senses sharp, at all times.”

“…Yes, your grace,” Margitte muttered, hung her head in shame and stuffed the device back in her robe pocket. Had she received anything but scoldings tonight, all thanks to the weird woman?

“Hey, aren’t you glad, Izumi?” Waramoti told the woman. “You’re not a daemon. That was news to me.”

“Read the room!” Izumi replied, feeling her neck, just to check if she still had a pulse. The gadget had given her quite a scare.

Carmelia sat back down. It seemed the lecture had ended.

“Whether we encounter the monster or not, we shall cross that bridge when the time comes,” Yuliana summed up the topic. “We have the best possible people to respond to any conceivable threat, mortal and otherwise. We’ve done all we can to prepare, using everything we’ve learned about the enemy. The rest is up to Providence.”

Then, assuming a lighter disposition, her majesty hit her palm together and said,

“Well then! Who’s hungry?”