Hertrude Sara Fanoss would never admit it out loud to anyone else, but being away from her sister for so long had been making her rather anxious for her well-being. Being able to spend her days as simply Hertrude and not a Princess of Fanoss had been very enjoyable. She just wished that Rauda was here to experience it alongside her.

Gaining the trust and support of her savior had been laughably easy, Livia was such a darling like that. Likewise, she trusted her and her allies to make the correct decisions on how to approach the looming problem of the Principality. Scheming on her own had been troublesome and there was more than one instance when she felt that her paranoia was getting the better of her.

Thank goodness that she had found allies that she could implicitly trust.

"The military has started mustering their armies at staging points throughout the Principality." She demonstrated her reciprocation of trust by freely providing the latest covert reports that she received from her 'handlers' in the Principality. The fools still thought her a sleeper agent that they could use to unleash hordes of monsters in the Capital when the time came.

"Fanoss is finally making their move?" The Bringer of Doom, Leon Fou Bartfort, asked with narrowed eyes. His voice had an almost excited tin to it. It was one of the rare instances wherein they spoke without any of his lovers present. Livia was still visiting her home village, while Angelica and Clarice were busy assisting the Queen with the rot festering in Holfort's noble court. She had given them as much information about the Forest of Ladies as she had available, but most of the work had to be done by them.

With all of his women indisposed, he had no choice but to live up to the responsibility foisted upon him by Holfort's frankly disgusting King and keep her safe. To that end, she was picked up by Leon at the Capital and would remain at his Estate for the rest of the break with his guests from the Republic. Hertrude could not help but be impressed by his ship even as he served her tea in the Captain's quarters. Vandel would have quite the surprise when he came here.

His broken elven servant was also present in the room, as was the machine known as Control, but the two of them were the ones carrying the conversation.

"It will take time to be able to organize everything, but the orders have been sent out. It seems that Vandel and his ilk are almost ready for their invasion." She told him, more to manage expectations than anything else. "Are you?"

"If it's against D2, then we're pretty sure that we can take it down." Leon stated a nod and a smile. The way he said it made her raise an eyebrow.

"Such confidence. I'm intrigued as to the source of your certainty." To her surprise, it was Control who elaborated on the point.

Both Leon and Deirdre have been training in the combat simulator against a production class Getter Robo D2 that is being piloted by a simulated version of an incredibly skilled pilot.

"Simulator?" She repeated the strange word, it was not something she was familiar with at all.

Leon hummed and slowly answered her, as if he was trying to convey the information in the best way that she could understand. "It's basically something that lets us experience a pretend version of a scenario and have us deal with it to a shockingly realistic degree."

"And this has let you prepare for the fight against Vandel's Dragon God?" That got a nod from both Leon and Control, which was a strange thing to see as it was presently just a floating orb.

With both Black Getter F and Getter Roze in active combat, I cannot see a scenario where a refurbished Getter Robo D2 controlled by a lone pilot with no experience can win. The size difference between units will be irrelevant.

"I see." Hertrude halting said. With how they spoke, it was like the oncoming threat of the Dragon God was going to be nothing more than an inconvenience to them instead of the catastrophe she saw it as.

How fearsome.

Leon's next words surprised her even more. "The thing we're more worried about are you and your sister."

"How so?" Her heart clenched. What manner of trial did the world have in store for them now?

"Control and I agree that the moment that the Black Knight realizes that he doesn't stand a chance against us, he'll pressure you to summon a Hundred Demon Mechanized Beast to try and even the odds." Hertrude wasn't sure how to take how dismissive Leon was being regarding Vandel. Was he so certain of their victory against him? Were they truly that powerful?

She dared to hope that they were.

Based on your account of summoning and controlling one, it is highly likely that attempting to do so again by yourself will result in your death. There is also the circumstances surrounding Hertrauda Sara Fanoss' comatose state.

She grimaced at the memory of trying to control a Guardian Monster alongside Rauda. She wouldn't be surprised if Vandel ended up using her sister's safety as a threat for her to summon another one despite the risks.

"If your sister became that way trying to control the D2, then her consciousness might actually be trapped inside it." Leon posed the possibility, making her gasp.

"Are you certain?" The way that Leon and Control glanced at each other made her worry.

No. A Getter Robo D2 should not be capable of doing such a thing to anyone. We theorize that the usage of magic is the cause of the current complication, but we simply do not have enough information to be sure.

"It means that even if we can secure your sister's body, Livia might now be able to do much if her consciousness is actually trapped inside D2." Hertrude's hands tightened into fists at the news. Even with their Savior on hand, it might all still be for nothing then?

"Will destroying the Dragon God free her?" She proposed the obvious solution to the problem.

"Here is the hard part. We don't know either." Leon grimaced after she found herself slamming her fists on the table, rattling the tableware on top.

"Then what do you know then?!" She hissed at him. What use was everything she did if the whole purpose of her reaching out to them was so plagued with uncertainty?!

Please understand that we are operating with the goal being your sister's survival and wellbeing. This is why we are being so cautious about all aspects. To that end, both Leon and Deirdre have been training in disabling a Getter Robo D2 instead of outright destroying it.

"Which, believe me, is a hundred times harder in practice." The hollow tone that Leon used as he spoke conveyed the difficulty of the task. Knowing what they were aiming for made her feel a little better about the unknowns. "If we can immobilize it, then Control can study it to see what the best way of getting your sister out of it is."

Fundamentally, it is still Getter technology. Even with the interweaving of magic, it should not be beyond comprehension.

"Very well, I understand. However, there is also the challenge of securing Rauda's body in the first place." She finally brought up the other complication in their situation.

Leon nodded as if he had already anticipated that, something Hertrude honestly wouldn't put past him. "Mylene might be able to help that with her agents, though it would make things easier if you have anyone loyal to you and your sister over on that end that can help."

She was still amazed at how casually he refers to the Queen.

She shook her head and got back on topic. "We do, in fact. The challenge was always finding a safe place to keep her once she is out of the Principality. I shall see how we can coordinate our efforts then."

Hopefully, all this preparation and planning would also give her the opportunity to kill Vandel herself.

The rest of their journey was rather quiet, time that Hertrude spent luxuriating in her room's wonderful bathtub. Control was a darling for suggesting that she experienced a warm scented bubble bath. She could have stayed there forever. Sadly, she was warned by the very same Control not to stay in the bath for too long in order to avoid getting sick.

When they arrived at Leon's lands, they did not disembark at the local harbor. Instead, she followed Leon to a much smaller ship that flew out and deposited them right in front of his estate. It was like having a small ferry hidden inside a larger vessel, quite novel.

"Welcome back! This the person you went to pick up?" A man greeted them when they stepped off the tiny ship, Leon's maid quietly walking off directly to the manor without prompting. Hertrude paid her no mind as she found attention taken by the man that Leon was happily shaking hands with. He was tall, with brown hair slicked back, his sharp eyes were even more striking due to his tanned skin. He was wearing adventuring equipment and looked as if he had just returned from a dungeon expedition.

Hertrude found herself quite intrigued by this man and the casual confidence he exuded. It wasn't like the confidence that Leon sometimes displayed either. She was also used to people desperately projecting bravado, such was the sad reality of being surrounded by warmongers.

But this was different. Very different.

"Greetings," She smoothly inserted herself into the conversation, making sure to sway her hips just a bit more than normal. Her smile widened a bit when she caught his gaze flicking down for a moment to appreciate it. "I am Hertrude Sara Fanoss, Princess of the Principality of Fanoss. Who might you be, sir?"

He blinked at her a few times and turned to Leon, who just shrugged at him. "Uhh, Serge Sara Rault. Nice to meet you."

So this was the man Deridre said that Louise and Noelle were competing for? She was starting to see why. This was quite intriguing indeed!

"Rault? The ruling house of the Republic?" She sweetly asked, a little lean forward and an upward turn of her eyes making him swallow. How cute! She obviously already knew about the details, but it was a good way to open a rapport between the two of them.

"Well, more or less. Don't let the other five houses hear that though, they'll probably start complaining." He tried to regain his footing with levity. She giggled along with him, with poor Leon looking like he had no idea what was happening.

"Fascinating," She wrapped her arm around his and felt him shiver when she pushed her chest against him. "I'd love to learn more about the Republic."

An unexpected interruption suddenly made themselves known from the direction of the manor. "I would be more than happy to discuss the finer points of how ladies of the Republic are supposed to conduct themselves, Miss Hertrude."

They all turned to the voice and Hertrude was surprised when Serge suddenly freed himself from her grasp. Both Noelle and Louise didn't look very happy with her, though it seemed that Serge interpreted their expressions to be directed at him instead.

"It's so nice to see you again, Miss Hertrude." Louise's perfect smile belied the venom in her voice as she greeted her. The reason why was obvious. Truly? The Republic really condones such relationships between siblings, even adopted ones?

"A pleasure to see you again as well Miss Louise." She returned the greeting, the other woman not looking the least bit intimidated despite knowing that she was a princess. Noelle quickly attracted attention by very unsubtly placing herself between Hertrude and Serge.

"Hi there! Great to see you again, Hertrude! Are you visiting?" A rather forced introduction, but Hertrude chose not to comment on it.

"Good to see you too, Noelle." She returned the greeting with a nod, her eyes lighting up in mischief as she answered the blonde's question. "And no, I shall actually be staying here with all of you for the remainder of the summer break."

She was never a meek girl, and decided to demonstrate it by clearly making her intentions known.

"And thank you for the offer earlier, Miss Louise. However, I would very much enjoy a different perspective on the Republic. I have a feeling that conversing with Serge about it would be rather delightful." Louise's smile became much more brittle at her words. Noelle's lips also started twitching at her declaration. She then turned and winked at the man in question, who just helplessly turned to Leon.

The fearsome Bringer of Doom, the man so confident that he could prevail against a Dragon God, seemed like a lost child as he looked between all of them. The juxtaposition was astounding.

Hertrude Sara Fanoss found that she was inserting herself into a love rivalry that was already underway.

That was fine, she didn't mind the competition.

She was planning to overthrow the ruling factions of the Principality and deal with a Dragon God for the sake of what is effectively her sister's soul.

What are two ordinary girls compared to that?

…

Noelle paced around her room, an irritated expression on her face as she thought about what happened earlier that day.

"Ugh! Another one just had to show up! Thanks a lot, Leon!" She complained to herself once she fully understood the implications of Hertrude's words and actions. "It was bad enough with just Louise, now a literal princess has to be interested in him too?!"

Louise's change in demeanor towards Serge was as sudden as it was shocking. But the underlying emotions behind it was something she couldn't deny. Even though she was still weirded out that Louise could develop such feelings for her own brother, regardless of their actual blood relation.

Weird or not, she was still competition.

And wasn't that something she never would have thought a year ago about Louise!

Noelle already knew that what she was feeling for Serge was going beyond that of just friendship.

She was woman enough to admit that she was attracted to him.

Spending time with him and getting to know what he was really like was wonderful! Him not even commenting about the way she styled herself or how she acted was just a big plus! He just saw her as she was and acknowledged it all! No weird looks, no questions as to why she behaved that way, so asking her to act more like a proper lady! He took in everything about her and accepted that it was all Noelle!

Add to that how he stood up for her against Loic, how he declared that she was now under his protection, how he did right by that promise so far, how could she not develop feelings for him?

Was she maybe going too fast? Probably? But the cost of taking things slow might be Louise, and now Hertrude, swooping in and snapping him up instead. Like hell she was going to let that happen without a fight!

Noelle couldn't deny that her rivals were mighty, so she badly needed advice on how to proceed. Who else better to ask than the girl who has five men head over heels in love with her?

"It's open." Marie called out from inside her room. Noelle opened it and couldn't help but take a look around. It wasn't the first time she had been in there, but she couldn't help but feel how much more mature Marie's room felt. Which was so weird considering how short she was, not that she would tell the girl that out loud. "Noelle? What's wrong?"

"I need advice." Comprehension immediately formed in Marie's face and she nodded to a chair for Noelle to sit on.

"I heard about Hertrude, definitely wasn't expecting her to be attracted to Serge." Noelle snapped her gaze back to Marie. She already knew? The other girl just shrugged at her. "I heard from Leon."

"How am I not surprised that you already know about my feelings for Serge?" She asked with a helpless chuckle. She just couldn't get anything past Marie.

"You and Louise don't hide it well. I think denial is the only reason why Serge is still acting dumb about it." She even knew about Louise?! Wait, what was that about Serge? "Give him time."

Noelle blinked and nodded. So things just haven't really sunk in for Serge yet? "Okay, but what should I do? I'm up against the daughter of the ruling house of Alzer and a literal princess!"

"Just be yourself, that's all you really need to do in order to make Serge fall in love with you." Noelle could feel her face heat up at the certainty in Marie's voice. Really, already going with the L-word there?!

"Are you sure?" She squeaked out.

"You're a lot more special than you give yourself credit for. Just remember, have more confidence and be yourself." Marie's assertions made Noelle think about something she put out of her mind for so long.

Be herself? Who was she really anymore anyway?

"Sometimes, I'm not even sure what that means anymore." She muttered to herself while looking at the floor.

"What do you mean?" She sighed at Marie's question but decided not to look up.

"Serge told me about the Sacred Tree Sapling." The lack of reaction from Marie just confirmed that she already knew all about it as well. Then she probably already knew about her lovers being the guardians. That made this next part much more awkward for her. "I am also aware that I could become the Priestess."

"Since when did you know?" Noelle couldn't help but laugh at that.

"Since I was a little girl." She finally looked up and gave Marie a sad smile.

It was a long running belief in her family, her real family, that the Sacred Tree would choose its Priestess. The Priestess would then find the man that she loved and, if he reciprocated her feelings, he would gain the Guardian crest as proof of their mutual feelings for each other.

A story of True Love.

"Hey, Marie." She spoke up in a whisper as the girl she was talking to walked up to the window and looked outside. "If it really chooses me as its priestess, and your lovers remain its guardians, what will happen then?"

It was something she didn't want to think about, but it was like a sword dangling over their heads. It would have to be addressed one day.

Marie was completely silent for several moments, to the point where Noelle was about to call out to her and ask if she was okay. Before she could, the other girl turned around to face her and Noelle couldn't help but feel frozen and terrified at the look that Marie gave her.

Noelle decided to give Marie space for a few days.