A/N: Like the new story cover image?

Slowly but surely, they managed to make progress dealing with the paperwork, even with the chronic manpower deficits. Maria soon managed to get used to the new normal of ratio of schoolwork, councilwork, training, and not having to work to avoid Katarina Claes cornering her in some lonely corner to have her way with her.

The school was, of course, filled with rumors regarding Lady Claes sudden infirmity. She had been poisoned by a political rival, a foreign state was trying to destabilize the kingdom, some foolish hopeful was angling to be betrothed to the Third Prince, Lady Claes was secretly pregnant and this whole thing was a cover-up to conceal the fact that she was even now giving birth to her secret lovechild who had been sired on her by… well, there were many to pick from. One permutation of the rumor had said that Lady Hunt was the father and that she had secretly been a man all this time, a claim so outrageous Maria had to pause to consider it.

As time went on, life fell into an easy rhythm, helped by number of fools whose arm Maria had to break or defenestrate finally dropping to nothing. It was the sort of peaceful life she'd gotten used to in her town, absent only all the visitors seeking to adopt, hire, sponsor or stare at her like some sort of Pthumerian artifact on display to the masses.

For the first time in a long, long time, the girl who called herself Maria was… content. She had needful work, constructive pursuits, relative freedom and there was no blood to call her to her undoing. She let herself breathe free.

Wouldn't it be great if I could continue living these carefree days? For some reason, this thought floated into Maria's mind…

A Katarina Dream Sequence

"Hey, Acchan, Acchan, wanna know how my playthrough of Fortune Lover is going?"

"You're frustrated, lost, confused by the layout, wondering why they don't include a map, found three more reasons to think Miyazaki-sensei is a sadist, wondering why you're still playing this game, wondering if all this self-abuse means you have some sort of psychological condition, managed to achieve something that made you forget all that, but still basically made no progress on your chosen route because the game is so damned hard?"

"… Acchan, were you spying on me?!"

"Tae-chan, it's called the stages of Soulslover grief, we all go through it. Like farming for souls, or in your case Heart Echoes, it's a natural part of life."

"Oh, thank god, I thought I was going crazy!"

"Well, you are insisting on staying in a dream world trying to relive your playthrough of Fortune Lover to try and work out all the lore you can about the student council president, so maybe just a little bit?"

"…"

"…"

"Acchan?"

"You're always such a silly, aren't you, always having to do things the hard way. As expected of the legendary Yamada Tae!"

"…"

"But you have to wake up. There are so many people waiting for you, crying for you. Listen. Can you hear them? They're calling out for you…"

"Katarina... wake up! I cannot imagine a life without you."

"Wake up, please... Big Sister! Did you not promise that we would be together forever?"

"Lady Katarina! Wake up, please wake up! If you aren't here... how could I continue working hard, as I have until now?"

"Wake up! How long are you going to keep sleeping, you idiot?!"

"Katarina... open your eyes. Please."

"I beg of you, Lady Katarina... please. Please open your eyes...!"

"You can hear them, can't you?"

"N-no, I don't hear anything. D-do you mean the wind?"

"That's so mean, Tae-chan. We've been calling you for so long. Trying to send you our love so that you'd be free. Why have you been ignoring us?"

"…"

"Even Maria-san wishes you would wake…"

"NANI?! She does?!"

"Yes, she and the president can't handle all the paperwork everyone is dumping on them."

"…"

"Katarina?"

"I can't wake up yet Acchan. I'm not ready! If I try to do anything the way I am, I'll…I'll screw it up!"

"I know it seems hard, Katarina. I know it probably looks like a big, scary asshole boss with a Fume Ultra Greatsword who keeps oneshotting you back to the bonfire you no matter what your build, even if it seems like you're rolling right because it has a bullshit hitbox, but you don't have to be afraid. I know it's scary. I know it's tempting to hide behind your shield hoping you have enough stamina and poise to not die, that you can deal enough damage in the little windows that open up, but you don't have to play like that. Forget shields, dualwield powerstance two weapons you think are cool, and let dashing and rolling be your defense! You have friends who'll come to help if you leave your summon sign, who're willing to stand around being tanks while you try to hit it from behind, who have miracle builds to help you keep going and who are willing to stand by your side as many time as it takes until that FUCKING ASSHOLE RAIME FINALLY BITES THE ASH LIKE A BITCH AND THAT CROWN IS YOURS! Because we are all part of the Katarina Claes Covenant, and that means we help Katarina Claes!"

"Acchan, I didn't understand a word you just said. Were you even speaking Japanese?"

"Katarina, what makes you think you have to do anything alone? As if we'd let you, you silly monkey. So wake up, and whatever it is, you won't have to do it by yourself."

"I… don't have to save the president alone? I don't have to help Maria alone?

"Of course not, you silly Bakarina. Really, is that what you were spending all your time in here trying to remember, even though you never actually finished the route? I was right here, you could have asked me."

"Eh heh he… I thought remembering the lore would be enough…"

"(sigh)"

"Then please, tell me… how do I save the president?! How do I help Maria so she stops being so lonely?"

"I… don't know what Maria's damage is. But if anyone can do something about it, you can. Katarina Claes is a good enough girl to save the president AND some wannabe edgelord… just as you saved us. His real name is… if he disappears, you can find him at…"

Somewhere, there was a growl like a monstrous demon rousing from the depths of the earth, its cry echoing across the land and threatening to plunge the world in fog.

"Eh heh he, sorry. I guess I'm hungry."

"Finally, you're waking up."

"A... Acchan! It's been a long time... but I'm glad I met you again! Goodbye, Acchan! Thank you for everything up until now!"

"I'm glad too, to have met you again. This time... I will stay by your side, as □□□□□□."

"Eh? What did you say Acchan, I couldn't hear you! Ah, Acchan! Acchan, why are you getting dusted? You're getting dusted Acchan, ah, this is so traumatizing! Acchan! Acc–!"

"Goodbye and thank you, my dear, dear friend... May you find your worth in the waking world…"

Nightmare Slain

Two weeks and four days after falling into a sleep from which she could not wake. Katarina Claes woke, opening her eyes to a familiar ceiling.

Ah... I have finally returned to my own world.

Her stomach immediately rumbled.

"Lady Katarina! Finally, you've woken up!"

The feeling of déjà vu was quickly washed in relief and hugs.