The Empty Throne
The empty throne. Sisilia turned around before it.
The countless nobles filling the audience chamber. Sisilia felt a twinge of sadness. What she was about to do was very, very bad.
"I am the proxy of Her Majesty the Empress, granted full authority to come here."
The reason for postponing even the emperor's funeral and gathering all the nobles in the audience chamber to declare her authority was obvious. It was surely because of that treaty everyone knew about.
The unequal treaty between Eldrashon and Liannen.
She was declaring that a six-year-old emperor would not be tolerated in Liannen.
One noble who had been keeping silent stepped forward and shouted in a loud voice.
"You're playing obvious tricks. Ignoring the previous emperor's will to put Princess Lizbet on the throne—isn't that the scheme? Do you think we'll sit idly by after such humiliation!"
Of course, Sisilia did intend to put Lizbet on the throne as emperor. But pushing Lizbet too aggressively here would seriously damage her honor. So, she decided to deflect for now.
"Sorry, but it doesn't really matter to us who becomes emperor."
Sisilia smirked coldly. Hands behind her back, she slowly walked among the nobles.
"What matters is that I, who holds that authority, was attacked."
Sisilia stopped in place and smiled as she calmly scanned the nobles' flustered faces.
"You know what that means? Me, granted full authority by Her Majesty, being attacked is the same as attacking Her Majesty herself—and therefore."
Sisilia said icily.
"It wouldn't be strange to consider it a declaration of war."
Attack on Proxy = Attack on Empress
"……!"
The nobles' eyes widened as if they might tear.
They knew it too. War with Liannen in the current situation would be suicide.
Then, Duke Havin, leader of the princess faction, stepped forward.
"Do you seriously think the Empire would attack Liannen's envoy right now?"
"Hmm. Go on."
"Whenever something strange happens, you just look closely at who benefits. Who do you think gains from this incident?"
"No idea. I nearly went to the goddess's embrace at this young age, after all."
"……You're unscathed for someone who says that."
"I'm still one of the top five knights, you know."
Duke Havin found Sisilia's relaxed smile utterly irritating. He took a deep breath and said.
"Is there any guarantee this isn't a Liannen self-staging?"
"Right!"
"And haven't they already killed the crown prince in retaliation for that incident!"
Sisilia pondered amid the barrage of accusations from the nobles.
They were misunderstanding something very important.
Santa Claus doesn't ask for consent when giving gifts. Sisilia was the same.
Even if it was a self-staging, nothing changed. She had planned to declare war anyway, without needing excuses.
'Raising newbies is tough.'
But the pride from making them pull their weight was impossible to resist.
Sisilia pulled a document from her bosom. It was the report she'd been reading on the train ride here.
"Duke Havin. Born March 14, 453, in Carbel region of Liannen Kingdom. Father: previous Duke Edelhart of House Havin. Mother: eldest daughter of Countess Silvia Carbel."
"Birth name: Lucius Havin. Bloodline verified."
"April 12, 501: Contact confirmed with a demon infiltrator for espionage purposes. Afterward, main knights dispatched to the northern continent."
"Circumstances suggest an alliance with demons."
Sisilia's slightly husky voice continued. The targeted nobles' pupils shook nonstop.
What she was saying wasn't easily discoverable information. No, it wasn't information they should know.
"Slander!"
Duke Havin shouted.
"You think we'll fall for such lies!"
He snatched the document from Sisilia and grabbed her shoulder.
"……."
That instant.
Havin felt an inexplicable chill and staggered back. The papers scattered to the floor.
Sisilia's silver eyes fully captured him. Havin felt trapped inside those silver pupils.
"Too bad."
"What... what do you mean...?"
"That's a Classified Level 1 document."
Sisilia paused for a few seconds before saying.
"Anyone who views it without permission—execution."
"What?"
Duke Havin couldn't continue.
Splat! He was crushed flat into the carpet as if compressed.
"……."
The nobles were speechless. Their limbs trembled unconsciously. They couldn't grasp what they'd just seen.
Sisilia turned toward the throne, cape fluttering as she walked. She scanned the room, then pointed at nobles who had seen the fallen papers.
"Sorry, but everyone who saw the document—immediate execution."
Splat!
"H-Hic."
One point of her finger, and the person next to them died—the nearby nobles were gripped by immense terror. No, not just them. No human could face a silver-haired girl who killed with a glance or gesture, without sword or spell, without fear.
The nobles around the papers backed away half-mad.
"Demon... a demon."
A few muttered, out of their minds.
Sisilia sat on the throne, crossing her legs and propping her chin.
'Always wanted to try this.'
Having satisfied a petty whim, Sisilia said leisurely.
"We didn't care what you did. Wage conquest wars, exploit the people to fatten yourselves—whatever."
"But there were two things you had to keep: Don't side with demons. Don't attack Liannen."
"Sadly, you broke both at once."
She hadn't said it explicitly, but the report had irked her slightly. Why hadn't they informed her sooner? The Empire was on the verge of falling to clever demons. Many nobles had already made deals with them. Such things happened sporadically in immune Liannen too, so it was inevitable for demon-weak Eldrashon. But lacking a strong leader to suppress it was a big problem.
—Sisilia Windsor, support Princess Lizbet to become emperor. Help her rule properly, then come back.
Eh? Change if there's a better option... but probably Lizbet?
Unlike Lydia's words, Sisilia thought differently. Honestly, no better ruler than loli Empress existed in this era. So she'd planned merger—but.
'In the end, it went Her Majesty's way.'
Was Her Majesty a dragon? How else could she know Sisilia's heart better than Sisilia herself?
"But I'm merciful, so I'll give you a chance."
The nobles lifted their heads in despair. Sisilia smiled kindly.
"Those who will be Her Majesty's dogs for life—go right. Those who won't—left."
As the nobles froze, Sisilia gave a tip.
"By the way, I like loyal retainers, hate sycophants. They'd betray first if humanity's in danger. Now, move."
Finally understanding, the nobles moved. It sounded like total submission would save them.
Most went right, relieved at the crowd doing the same.
"Take this watch, lad. No need for it anymore."
"……Your Excellency."
"And go over there."
"Y-Your Excellency."
One old minister shook his head.
"I want to live as an Empire noble to the end."
"……Then I can't accept this watch. It aligns with your will."
Sisilia wiped tears sadly. Those watching felt extreme terror.
Time passed. 2/3 right, 1/3 left. Some accepted parting. Some resigned. Some looked excited.
Once all decided, Sisilia moved. Standing center, she extended her hand left.
"I told you."
Most on the left had braced for death.
"I hate sycophants."
She turned right and spat casually.
"Tempest."
Tempest
Massive storm engulfs the area—no survivors remain.
Kuhak—! A massive storm swept through—none remained there.
Thus, the clever survived. True patriots survived. Those unbent by death survived.
Lizbet's new reign looked bright.
And that ended the mission. From here, Sisilia's personal greed.
"Too bad. I don't hate loyalists, but sadly, I've never spared enemies."
Sisilia extended her hand left this time.
"You planned to kill us all anyway."
The old minister looked hollow.
The moment Sisilia parted her lips slightly.
Bang! The audience chamber doors burst open violently.
"P-Princess?"
The nobles doubted their eyes. Princess Lizbet walked in steadily, holding the sword symbolizing the Eldrashon imperial family.
"No, you mustn't!!"
"Run!"
The left-side nobles cried desperately, but Lizbet's steps didn't slow.
Lizbet boldly drew her sword, aiming at Sisilia.
"That's far enough."
Sisilia held nothing. Lizbet held a sword.
Yet no one thought Sisilia threatened. She was the reaper who killed with gestures or glances.
They couldn't imagine Lizbet, taught basic etiquette swordplay, opposing her.
But.
"I won't tolerate more rudeness! Kill them? Kill me first!"
Lizbet's spirit didn't yield at all.
Sisilia asked with genuine confusion.
"Glory and wealth were promised you. Why do this?"
"Because."
Lizbet shone as if born for this moment.
'……No, she's literally shining?'
Anyway, the nobles held their breath in tension.
Lizbet said with fierce eyes.
"I am this nation's princess."
"!"
The nobles' faces blanked.
Sisilia asked.
"Even if it means a meaningless death?"
"Not meaningless at all. If anything, I regret having only one life for my subjects and Empire."
The nobles shed sincere tears.
"P-Princess."
"To that extent..."
"The Empire's blessing was so near."
"Realizing now is eternal regret. S-Sob."
Some even pleaded earnestly with Sisilia.
Sisilia seemed momentarily flustered, then chuckled.
"Betty, mission failed. We're heading home."
"Yes, Sisilia."
Sisilia and Beatrice headed for the exit.
Lizbet asked stiffly.
"Not killing me? I don't need pity."
"Never pitied you. Just admired Your Highness's clear sword aura."
With that cool line, Sisilia left the audience chamber.
**
"Before we go, swing by the Demon King sighting spot to tidy up."
Sisilia said while packing at the inn.
Beatrice said sullenly.
"Did Sisilia have to play the villain too? Clearing threats to Princess Lizbet's future would've sufficed."
Surprisingly(?), Beatrice hated Sisilia being hated. She'd opposed the plan fiercely—though she knew it wouldn't sway her.
Sisilia placed a hand on her waist and replied with a soft laugh.
"That's what Hero Jerryway would've done."
"…?"
Beatrice was puzzled again today, but accepted it as Sisilia-like.
Of course, Sisilia's true intent was different. She just wanted to show everyone.
That the princess was cool enough to kneel for national interest, even to a foreign knight.
'Still, they'll all hate me now. Hurts.'
Sisilia sulked. Being hated was sad.
"Something noisy outside. I'll check."
Then Beatrice heard the commotion and went to the balcony. Curious Sisilia followed.
Opening the balcony door revealed a huge crowd below.
"It's Sisilia!"
"The heroes from Liannen!"
"Wave this way!"
"Thank you for saving so many!! My nephew was helped!"
Sisilia and Beatrice exchanged glances.
Then Beatrice realized.
"We cleared monsters on the way here. Probably that."
Sisilia blinked.
'Oh yeah.'
The station was far, but many monsters, so she'd tidied up. Everyday for her, not memorable—but rumors spread fast.
"Kyaa, so cute!!"
"Sisilia! I'm a fan!"
Some were captivated by Sisilia's overwhelming cuteness. Eldrashon had many admiring Liannen's exotic beauty, and Sisilia stood out even there.
"Huh."
"Wait, is it okay to be in the crowd like that?"
In the throng, Lizbet wore a deep hood. Eyes met; Lizbet bowed. Her shoulders trembled slightly—probably happy tears.
"Hehe."
Sisilia made a V-sign to the cheering crowd.