"He was a brilliant man," said Lady Melissa, with a solemn frown, "The House of Melromarc can count on my aid to bring his murderers to justice."

Jessica carefully smiled at the woman who had nothing useful to offer. Melissa was from an ancient house. That age and the service her father had provided Mirellia had ensured that she had a place in court, but that father was dead. Melissa herself was worth nothing. 22 years old, married to a wealthy but nearly powerless young merchant. Her words were empty.

It wasn't a surprise.

Not even six hours since Aultcray's death and the nobles were scurrying out of the woodwork. Their words hollow. Actions meaningless. Malty had held nothing more than disdain for most of them. That disdain was born out of arrogance rather than knowledge, but Jessica could see them for what they were.

Parasites, hell-bent on maintaining their favourable position in court, determined to gain favour with the only member of the Royal Family in Melromarc.

"Thank you," said Malty, "You honour him. I'll be glad to accept your aid in these trying times."

Melissa smiled widely and drained Malty's patience with small talk.

It took Jessica nearly a minute to drag herself out of the conversation.

The Princess gained no respite. A couple, Lord and Lady Pratchett were approaching. Malty forged her solemn expression nodded at them respectfully and observed the formalities.

The minutes passed. Only the Cane, held in her hand in it's grandest form, permitted her to find some measure of peace. Allowing some of the rarer forms to reach mastery pacified her. This wasn't a waste of time. She needed allies. Holding this little lunch for the nobles of the city so soon was needed.

It wasn't about the food. Or her father's death. It was about power and showing that House Melromarc still had it.

The Cane in her hand was proof of that. Her demonstration of power over it was one of the reasons why the nobles had been so docile.

It was also why she needed to leash the three Heroes and imprison or kill Naofumi. Jessica felt a little bad for being so cruel to him but Malty had already soured any potential alliance. There was no real point in letting him gain strength...but imprisoning had its risks. Not the least of which was Fitoria deciding that having the Hero imprisoned was unacceptable.

Jessica offered her time to the nobles during the luncheon for another hour before leaving. Her guards followed her but she stopped them before entering the room where Motoyasu was feasting.

Malty would have been furious with the guilty look the man was sending her. She also would have executed the maid he was flirting with. Jessica found it hard to imagine that this pest was a pillar needed to protect this entire world. Whatever system was used to select the Hero of the Spear didn't consider personality as a priority.

"Leave," she commanded the maid, before glancing at all the servants scattered around the room.

They fled after a deep bow and stammered apologies.

Motoyasu looked like a child who had been caught stealing. Jessica carefully held back her smile.

"Is this the best I can expect from you?" she said, voice as cold as she could make it. Not sitting down and looking down on the boy. She didn't have to falsify her disdain. Malty's memories of his ridiculous gullibility, overconfidence and stupidity combined with Jessica's memories of her husband was more than enough to fuel distaste.

"Mein," he said, standing up his tone sympathetic, yet whiny, "Sorry, I just wasn't-"

"Thinking," she said flatly, deciding then and there that flirting with this imbecile was not an option. Malty had kept him under control using some pretty simple tricks but she would not betray her husband for controlling this fool, "You rarely seem to bother. Sir Motoyasu, let me make things clear. The situation has changed for the worse. This is an attack on the nation and I have several critical responsibilities now. As the only member of the Royal Family, I must ensure that my people don't fall to the scum who killed my father in such a cowardly way. I would appreciate your help but if you take things lightly…"

Motoyasu's face shrank with each word she said. It was pathetic how dependent he had become on Malty after just 1 week.

"I'll help," he promised, twirling his spear around dramatically, "The King will be avenged!"

She smiled at him, wondering for the second time in as many minutes why he would be chosen to wield a magical superweapon, "Thanks," she said, "but it's more important that Melromarc is defended well. Would you be willing to help level up some of my knights? It could save a lot of lives."

"Of course," he said, walking closer to her, "I'll help in any way I can. There isn't anything that I can't do! I know the best places to train them up."

"Good," she said, gripping his hand that reached to give her an unsolicited hug tightly enough that he winced, "I'll send the Knights to you soon. Please make sure to gather as much material as possible and bring them back using your Spear."

"Got it," he said after she let his wrist go, careful to try and hide his pain.

Jessica turned, deciding to leave before her temptation to immolate him multiplied. She was almost out the door when he spoke up.

"Malty," he said, tone somber, "Sorry about your Dad. Should have figured that you wouldn't have been okay."

Jessica blinked at the sudden regard. Was he truly just an idiot? A quick scan of her memories verified her suspicion. He truly lacked malice. Malty had encouraged physical contact. A simple trick to show trust and attraction without any investment.

Jessica said nothing but a nod from her had him lighting up.

The Princess left the room and placed the Hero out of her mind. Her Knights followed as she made her way to Mirellia's study.

Motoyasu's support was secure. For now.

It was time to deal with the Church and Mirellia's supporters. Then, she would need to get access to the other two heroes who were currently on quests for the guild.

If she failed to bring them together, Siltvelt would slaughter them all.

The clanking of armour had her knights reach for their weapons. Malty pulled on her mana and prepared a firestorm using her Cane. A chant for a spell on her lips. The Cane changed form to enhance speed and fire affinity.

Captain Anderson turned the corner and only stopped moving when directly in front of her. He went down on one knee and spoke without meeting her eyes, "Princess," he said, "There is no trace of the Shield Hero. My squad is conducting a detailed search as we speak but his watchers report that he met two demi-humans in a bar before vanishing."

Anderson was trembling by the time he finished.

Jessica sighed. Frustrated, but unsurprised.

"Muster the City Guards," she commanded after a moment, "Lockdown the city and send out search parties. Expect the Church to coordinate with you soon...and get me the watchers on him. I don't care whose orders they were following."

Malty pushed her red hair away and contemplated sending Motoyasu after him before dismissing the worthless thought. The Spear Hero was weak. Giving Siltvelt a chance to kill or capture him was beyond stupid. She had to get her hands on the other two before kill squads were sent after them now that Naofumi wasn't in their hands to act as a deterrent.

Anderson looked stunned by a raised eyebrow from Jessica had him scrambling.

The Cane Hero reassessed her situation. Siltvelt was a very likely culprit now. She'd need the Church as allies. Hope that Mirellia played her cards as a diplomat well and get the other three heroes and her armies powered up and loyal to her personally.

She didn't want to imagine a vengeful Shield Hero, backed by a nation that worshipped him as a God, coming to hunt her down. Jessica remembered reading about the Rage Shield. The sheer power that Naofumi gained by the end of the books.

Siltvelt would feed Naofumi with all he needed to get stronger. Her only hope was to exceed his power and capture him.

Jessica started to walk abruptly. Her knights struggled to keep him.

An idea had struck without warning.

There was one nation that had a counter to Heroes. A nation that could nullify their powers almost completely. It wouldn't matter how many power-up methods Siltvelt could offer Naofumi. Or how fast he levelled up if she gained their support.

Q'ten Lo could be exactly what she needed.

And Jessica knew exactly who to use to gather their support.