AN: I have no idea how I've been so productive with writing lately. Don't expect this to last.

This chapter takes place on the same day as the previous one.


Vermut was speaking to Luciana, in the barracks of the Order of the Holy Knights, when her liege finally returned.

"Lady Wilmarina!" Luciana said, standing up from her chair. "You're back!"

"It's good to see you again, Lady Wilmarina," Vermut said formally, also standing up. "You look to be in much better condition than before."

It was certainly true. While she hadn't fully recovered, the leader of the Order of the Holy Ice Flower looked like she'd just slept for an entire day, without any disturbances. The light of hope was in her eyes again.

"But… I'm afraid we have little in the way of good news for you," Vermut admitted. "The Senate has sent out an army of mostly regular soldiers, and even hired foreign mercenaries to throw at the monsters."

"And they've even said that we don't need to get involved," Luciana added. "Really, what are they thinking!? Anyone in Lescatie can tell it's a horrible idea!"

"I'm aware of all of that," Wilmarina said. "And I'm calling a meeting of everyone in the Order to Salvarision. I have an idea for what we should do next."

Vermut swallowed. She, Luciana and everyone else had been useless, unable to make any headway against the scheming of corrupt politicians and priests. Yet she would continue to trust the lady she served.

It was Lady Wilmarina who had the courage to speak out against the tide of corruption… the rest of us merely followed in her footsteps. And some might say her efforts were a failure, yet many of those corrupt individuals remain imprisoned. If we just continue persevering…

Vermut and Luciana followed Wilmarina out of the room, exchanging small talk but not mentioning anything important. Recent events showed that even in locations of apparent safety, they couldn't always trust their words to remain private.

ooo-

The rest of the morning was spent looking for the other Holy Ice Flower members. They were scattered around Lescatie on various duties, so it was quite a chore to track them down.

By early afternoon, a group of heroes was running across the countryside from the capital to Salvarision.

Yet there were some conspicuous absences. Alameria was obviously in prison and Paula in house arrest. However, Olivie was also absent, as was Marion, the knight who was Alameria's partner. Vermut knew why these two would be absent… yet Kirsch was still missing, something that didn't go without comment.

"Seriously, where has that quiet weirdo gone to?" Parshe said. Even though she had the shortest legs of the group, she still maintained the same superhuman running speed as the others.

"She will not be joining us, but I know where she is," Wilmarina said, also running. "While there is no one out here to eavesdrop on us, I'll leave that story for when we've all gathered at Salvarision."

There was an unexpected harshness in Wilmarina's tone. Vermut wasn't sure of the reason behind it, but she still decided to trust her lady.

"On that note, I'm surprised you're still with us, Parshe," Lucas said. "Your family is being quite open about looking for a new faction to join."

"What the hell do you take me for?" Parshe shot back. "Sure, House Lufarshe might be desperate for any chance to gain power, but I'm still a hero who fights monsters. I have my priorities in order."

The group continued running in silence for a while. It was clear that they all had their issues.

"...It's obvious that certain individuals among our group are trying to rescue Alameria," Wilmarina said. "Does anyone know their plans?"

"N-No," Luciana admitted. "I'm sorry for lying to you, Lady Wilmarina… Still, the truth is, I don't know anything apart from Olivie and Marion planning something."

"Olivie has always been craftier than she looks…" Lucas mused. "She must have come up with some kind of alibi so others don't suspect them for freeing Alameria. At this stage, all we can do is hope those two succeed."

Vermut certainly hoped for that. She and Alameria might be different in many ways—bloodline, personality, fighting style and fashion sense being just a few examples—but she did not want a comrade-in-arms to be unjustly executed.

This is not something I can solve with a knight's strength… It can only be solved by those willing to work in the shadows...

"By the way, Lady Wilmarina, what were you doing last night?" Vermut asked. "Is that something you can reveal to us?"

"...It is," Wilmarina said, blushing slightly. "I was meeting with my childhood friend… and the man that I love."

That caused everyone else to skid to a stop. Luciana wasn't able to stop properly, so she ran face-first into a tree.

"W-W-WHAT!?" Luciana exclaimed, not even caring about the bark pieces now clinging to her hair and clothes. "Lady Wilmarina, you—you never said anything about that!"

"Because if I had, he would have been in danger," Wilmarina said, having stopped running as well. "And… because I didn't have the courage for it, until now."

"To think… all this time, I was worried you might steal Bennett away!" Luciana said. Then she blushed to the tips of her ears.

"Bennett?" Wilmarina said. "Is that the man you love, Luciana?"

"Y-Yes…" Luciana admitted, staring at the grass beneath their feet. "He told me that he thinks of you as the ultimate hero, and… and I kept worrying he might try to court you, and…" her voice became even quieter, "I started dressing like this, just to keep him looking at me…"

The atmosphere became unbearably awkward. Several people, including Vermut herself, averted their eyes.

"W-Well, rest assured that I would never accept any man save for one," Wilmarina said, sounding just as embarrassed. "And if you are honest with your feelings, Luciana, I'm sure Bennett will respond to you."

Luciana wrung her hands nervously. "I hope so..."

Vermut decided to try and break the awkwardness. "I will help you bring about a better Lescatie, Lady Wilmarina, so that you can be with your love," she pledged. "Though who is he? Some minor noble or knight, who the current society would not accept as your partner?"

"Elt was once the son of my family's servants," Wilmarina replied. "Then orphaned… another thing I can never forgive my father for… and now he is one of those regular soldiers heading out against the monsters."

Vermut's jaw dropped. Most of the others had similarly shocked reactions, with Parshe even falling down.

"Parshe?" Wilmarina asked. "I'm sorry if that came as a surprise to you, but—"

Parshe shook her head, causing her long blue locks to flutter around. "No, it's nothing! I-I-I just lost my balance, that's all!"

"Parshe…" Eva said. "Could it be… that you also have a family servant who you—"

"NO!" Parshe shouted, causing Eva to jump back. "Joshua is nothing like that! He's just an idiot… who keeps forgetting his place…"

Parshe covered her face with her hands in a vain attempt to hide her red cheeks.

"…As interesting as this topic may be, we shouldn't tarry for too long," Lucas said. "We'd best get to Salvarision as soon as possible."

While his words were blunt, Vermut could see the kindness in Lucas drawing attention away from the mortified Parshe.

"Yes, we must not delay," Vermut said.

The group of heroes resumed travelling towards Salvarision in silence. But each of them was undoubtedly thinking about the recent conversation.

I had no inkling of this until now… Vermut thought. This man, Elt, just what about him has so captivated my lady?

But for the moment, it does not matter. Until we have defeated the monsters, none of us will have any time for romance.

-ooo-

When they arrived at Salvarision, Wilmarina didn't meet with her knight order in a dedicated room warded against spies. She met with them in the entrance hall of the castle, together with over three hundred of the castle's staff and residents of the outlying city. Naturally, this meant the entrance hall was filled with curious whispering.

Now, I wonder how they'll react to the true plan...

When everyone was gathered, Wilmarina began speaking in a clear voice that filled the entrance hall.

"Members of the Holy Ice Flower, residents of Salvarision, thank you for coming here today. I've called you here because I have information you all need to know. When this is finished, I'd like you to pass this information on to your friends and families."

Wilmarina looked out at the veritable sea of uncertain faces. They were all worried about the monsters from outside and the political strife inside Lescatie—or at least appeared to. There was always the possibility that some spies had managed to infiltrate Salvarision.

"This is a story that begins eight years ago… when I was still together with my childhood friend."

Her heart raced. There'd be no turning back, her words could never be taken back once said. But she did not falter.

I just revealed one of my secrets to a few, to test the waters… it's time for me to take the plunge.

So she told them of her father's first known crime, the first she'd ever discovered. The crime that most in Lescatie wouldn't care about, yet it had meant the destruction of a family. She revealed details she'd omitted in that earlier conversation with her colleagues.

When she was done, there were many different reactions.

Surprise was the most common one, both at her past and her willingness to reveal said past.

Then there was a good deal of sympathy. It seemed that many other people had suffered because of the machinations of Lescatie's aristocracy.

Three people—two soldiers and one maid—attempted to look like the others, but there was something false in their expressions. These were likely to be spies from rival factions. But they were barely relevant by this point.

"L-Lady Wilmarina…" Luciana said, tears streaming down her cheeks. "I-I can't believe your father basically tried to get them all killed…"

"You've… shown great courage in confessing this," Lucas said. Unstated, but obvious from the look in his eyes, was the question, "So why would you do in front of so many?"

"It took less courage than you might expect," Wilmarina replied. Also unstated was the fact that Elt was currently out on campaign, beyond the reach of Lescatie's darkness. "More importantly, that is not the end of the story."

Wilmarina talked about how she'd met with Elt within this very castle. It had been a tearful reunion… especially due to her fears after Elt revealed what he'd just experienced.

"A-A-A lilim!?" Parshe cried out. "They say no human can even look at one without being corrupted!"

"Lady Wilmarina, I mean this with absolute respect," Vermut said, "but it is possible that he was... mistaken? Could he have been approached by some other monster pretending to be a lilim?"

"I had my own doubts, of course," Wilmarina replied. "As for how I resolved those doubts… first, I should explain what happened next."

Wilmarina recounted her decision to rise up against Lescatie's corruption, then the suspected assassination of the king, the farce of a trial Alameria had received. These were all things that her colleagues already knew, but the general populace of Salvarision wasn't as well-informed. It was something she felt they deserved to know… and it also helped sway their thoughts and emotions in the direction she wanted.

"I can't believe those bastards told such lies!" shouted one of the castle chefs.

"Alameria's no monster!" shouted one of the knights. "She's got more good in her than all of those idiots put together!"

"Lady Wilmarina!" shouted a blacksmith from the city. "There's no point listening to them anymore! You and the other heroes should go out to slay the monsters yourselves!"

"Yeah, they can't complain if you do that!" added a merchant.

Wilmarina raised a hand to silence the crowd. "It's perfectly understandable that you feel that way… but I must tell you the rest first. After Alameria's trial, I went to see Elt again and—ah, there's one thing I haven't mentioned until now. A few days earlier, after the mass arrests in the Senate, I received a letter from Elt saying that Sasha Fullmoon had been turned into a monster, yet was still 'herself'."

That sent the crowd into an uproar. People argued about whether this meant Druella was responsible or not, whether Elt had been corrupted or not, and other such issues.

"Enough!" Wilmarina commanded, silencing the crowd again. "I had my doubts, again, and that was one reason I went there!"

Wilmarina took a deep breath, then began explaining what she'd seen at the Fullmoon Church.

"K-K-Kirsch tried to kill him!?" Luciana exclaimed. "That's why she was gone all this time!?"

"Come to think of it… she was sometimes a little late to meetings," Eva said nervously. "I thought it was strange, she was normally dutiful… but if that was because of her secret duty, then…"

"That… vile… traitor!" Vermut cursed.

Even recounting that incident stirred up Wilmarina's anger again. She'd trusted Kirsch, having gone through several battles together, yet had been betrayed in the most terrible of ways. And that wasn't even getting into the fifteen poor souls who Kirsch had previously targeted, who hadn't had multiple heroes to protect them…

I must focus. I have to tell them the rest...

"Currently, Kirsch is in captivity and no longer a threat," Wilmarina said. "I also observed Sasha Fullmoon there. And, while I had little knowledge of her before, I… didn't see any signs that becoming a monster had changed her morality."

The entrance hall was filled with muttering as loud as it was confused.

"Wilmarina, you yourself confirmed that she'd become a monster," Lucas said. "What you are saying is impossible—"

"Lucas, I have literally every incentive to see the worst in her," Wilmarina said. "I would never leave any potential threats around Elt… even ones who weren't monsters. The fact I have left her there should be all the proof you, or anyone else, need."

Lucas flinched ever so slightly from the force of those words.

Then Wilmarina recounted Druella's appearance and the duel—insofar as a four-on-one battle could be called that. For this, she took out the three eye-shaped gemstones—a set of magical artefacts that recorded light as well as sound. She activated these, showing the battle at that crater from three different points of view. These recordings were slowed down at key points—presumably Druella's work—to let non-heroes actually follow the battle.

"Th-That's what a lilim actually looks like!?"

"It's like a battle from the legends!"

"B-But if Lady Wilmarina is back here… does that mean you beat the lilim!?"

Then, in the recordings, Wilmarina was slammed into the ground by one of Druella's shadow tentacles. This elicited gasps of shock from the audience.

It's awkward to watch this myself, along with so many others...

The recorded Wilmarina staggered to her feet, using her sword as a crutch. This was a moment the present Wilmarina remembered very well.

"Enough of this, Druella… you've proven your point."

One by one, the other heroes in the recordings stopped fighting.

"...N-No…" Vermut said, cradling her head in her hands. "Lady Wilmarina… if only we'd fought at your side, this would never have—"

"We couldn't have done anything…" Eva said in his quiet voice. "Even if our entire order had been there, the outcome wouldn't have changed…"

"Wait… but you managed to come back here," Parshe said, knotting her eyebrows in confusion. "And you don't seem like you were turned into a monster or anything…"

"Yes… that's something I still wonder about now," Wilmarina admitted. "But it seems that Druella has kept her word…"

Wilmarina finished her story off with Druella's plan to make Lescatie accept monsters… up to and including the part where Wilmarina explained this to others, to secure their support. Though explaining it to so many was Wilmarina's own decision.

"...So, that is the truth of Lescatie and the monsters who now approach it," Wilmarina concluded. "I understand if this is a lot to take in at once. I understand if you have doubts—I still do, even at this point. But… after so many lies in this country, I though you deserved the truth. That is why I gathered all of you to hear my story together."

There was silence for an agonisingly long while. Wilmarina couldn't help but feel nervous to her core. She'd taken a huge risk by baring her heart to so many, instead of to a trusted few. Even facing down Druella hadn't been so stressful.

What if their faith, or their greed, is stronger than their sense of justice? What if they just can't turn away from the path they've been walking for so long?

Eventually, Luciana approached. She was quite obviously nervous due to all the gazes on her.

"L-Lady Wilmarina… would you mind if I… touched your hand?"

Of the many things Wilmarina had been expecting, that wasn't one of them. Still, she nodded uncertainly.

Luciana grasped one of Wilmarina's hands. Everyone else in the room, Wilmarina included, had to be wondering about her motivation for this.

"Lady Wilmarina… do you swear that you're still a hero of Lescatie, and will do what's best for its people?"

"Yes," Wilmarina replied. "I am, and I will."

Luciana nodded and let go of her hand. "In that case… I swear I will keep following you, Lady Wilmarina, just like I did when we revealed all of those crimes in the Senate. I can't keep going along with Lescatie as it is know, not when it would frame its own heroes for…" she blinked, "being… monsters."

Vermut stepped forward as well, her face resolute. "Then I, Vermut of House Rosnair, swear that I will continue devoting my sword to you. The… cretins in charge of Lescatie will only lead it to ruin at this rate. If you believe this is the best path forward for Lescatie, Lady Wilmarina, then I too shall remain at your side. And I will do my utmost to convince my family that this is the best path."

Parshe strutted forward. "This definitely isn't what I was expecting when I woke up today… but if you of all people say we can negotiate with the monsters, we might as well try." A slight tinge of pink entered her cheeks. "I-It's not because we've got something in common, or anything!"

Then Eva stepped forward, looking like he might faint from all the attention. "U-Um, Lady Wilmarina, this is a major change in our… policy… towards monsters… But, at the same time, what Lescatie's authorities are doing now…" his voice became more firm. "It's unforgivable. And you've shown evidence that there might be room for negotiation. So, Lady Wilmarina, I choose to walk down the same path that you've chosen."

One by one, then in entire groups at a time, the crowd of people began announcing they would follow Wilmarina. Seeing this outpouring of support filled her heart with warmth.

This isn't just because of how they feel towards me… it's because of how dreadful Lescatie's leadership is now. Other Order nations could not be convinced to join monsters, not so easily.

And I mustn't forget Luciana's bravery. By being the first to agree, she made it possible for others to do the same.

But the atmosphere was broken by a single dissenting voice.

"I can't agree with that, Wilmarina."

Lucas met Wilmarina's gaze head-on. He did not draw the sword sheathed at his hip, but he seemed ready to do so at the slightest provocation. And even though he was surrounded by people with the opposite opinion, he remained steadfast.

"I am fully aware that Lescatie is run by idiots," Lucas said. "And I'm certainly not suggesting that we leave Alameria to her fate. But there must be better options than siding with the monsters, who could be putting on a detailed act. We could head out to fight the monsters ourselves, without waiting for orders. I'm certain that other heroes would follow our example if we did so. We could even actively rebel against the current leadership… we might still have a lot of support then. In either case, even if we cannot defeat all the monsters ourselves, we could defeat enough for heroes from other countries to finish the task."

Without taking her eyes away from Lucas, Wilmarina examined the crowd. At least a few dozen of them looked like they agreed with Lucas, they just weren't willing to voice it publicly. The three spies, on the other hand, looked alarmed by his suggestion of rebellion.

"How dare you!?" Vermut said, reaching for her sword. "Lady Wilmarina is—"

"Thank you for your concern, Vermut," Wilmarina said. "And, Lucas, I understand your concerns. If our positions were reversed, I would feel exactly the same way. Your ideas have merit. However…"

Reaching into a pocket, Wilmarina pulled out a sheet of paper and handed it to a wary Lucas.

"These are the things Druella suggested I do," Wilmarina explained. "She also added, near the bottom, lines written by others, to show to certain individuals 'in case of emergency'."

Lucas read something, and his silver eyebrows shot up so high that they practically touched his hair. He ran out of the entrance hall—dropping Druella's notes in the process—and pushed through the front doors so hard they creaked on their hinges.

"What… What was on that paper?" Eva asked.

Wilmarina quickly snatched up the paper before anyone else could read it. The information at the end was something that should remain secret, unless those involved were willing to reveal it.

Still… I was surprised to read that his friend used to call him "little geezer", for the colour of his hair…

-ooo-

Lucas ran through the streets of Salvarision faster than he ever had before. He eventually found the designated building with a red roof and an open window on the second floor. He jumped in through said window.

This room… it has a spell to prevent eavesdropping, Lucas thought, noting the flow of magic.

There were two people inside the room. One was the fourth-born of the lilim, the same one who Wilmarina had described—Druella. The other was someone Lucas had never been able to forget, no matter how much his mother wanted him to.

"Mi… rri…?"

The girl with curly brown hair—now a grown woman—jumped up from her seat.

"Lucas…" her voice was naturally different from before, yet Lucas still felt something familiar from it. "Lucas!"

Lucas drew his sword and pointed it at the lilim. "What is the meaning of this, Druella!?"

"Wait, Lucas!" Mirri said, running up to him and trying to pull down his sword-arm. "Druella's been helping me! She's not your enemy!"

Lucas knew there was a good possibility this was a trick. Perhaps Druella had discovered this aspect of his past, then conjured up an illusion or recruited a monster capable of impersonating others.

And yet… he couldn't help but lower his sword.

"Where… Where have you been, Mirri?" Lucas asked weakly.

Almost a decade ago, Lucas used to train alone in the rear garden of his family's mansion. It was during this that he'd noticed a girl in ragged clothing tiptoeing around, trying to find something to steal. Naturally, he'd captured her, thinking himself a brave hero already… only to be horrified by her sick and emaciated figure.

Lucas had secretly brought her food and medicine, both at the time and during her later visits. From Mirri, he'd learned about the grim lives of those in the slums. And in turn, he'd shared his worries about not living up to his family's expectations.

Of course, this eccentric relationship couldn't last. His family, in particular his mother, had found out and forbidden him from associating with commoners again. The hidden crack in the mansion's outer wall, which Mirri had used to sneak in, was sealed up. And from that point on...

"When I grew up, I used everything I could to try and find you," Lucas said, his sword slipping from his hands. "And, when I took my mother's position as family head… I spent more time on those investigations than keeping Lescatie in order!" he shouted. "I interrogated old servants, I looked into family records, but there was nothing! I THOUGHT YOU WERE DEAD, AND THEY'D BURIED YOU IN AN UNMARKED GRAVE!"

Mirri trembled. She opened her mouth to reply, but no words came out.

"...It's clear your leader didn't tell you," Druella said softly. "With everyone else around, that makes sense." She looked at Mirri. "Do you want to tell him, or should I do it?"

"Tell… Tell me what?"

Lucas had fought monsters without a trace of fear. He'd opposed the rot of Lescatie even while knowing full well how dreadful it would be. Yet at this moment, terror gripped his heart.

Mirri shook her head. "No… I'll… I'll tell him."

Then Mirri explained what had happened to her. And, were it not for Druella's spell, Lucas' scream of fury would have been heard all throughout Salvarision.

-ooo-

Within the entrance hall of Castle Salvarision, Wilmarina was now deep in discussion about what to do next.

Then Lucas returned, arcs of electricity crackling around his body. The crowd rapidly parted to create a path for him. Out of the corner of her eye, Wilmarina saw Vermut grip the hilt of her sword.

"What are your thoughts now, Lucas?" Wilmarina asked calmly.

"You have my allegiance now," Lucas replied. He glared at the three spies hidden in the crowd. "Though perhaps you'd want me away from the action… I might just kill more people than necessary…"

A shudder ran through the crowd. Lucas had never shown much emotion before, but his conversation with his childhood friend—even if few people knew that part—made him now seem like a thunderstorm brewing on the horizon.

Wilmarina dipped her head in acknowledgement. And she wondered what might have happened if, as said earlier, their positions were reversed.

There's no need to wonder, I have only to remember how I behaved towards Kirsch. I'd be making Lucas look like the very picture of control…