Lumia Subjugation Operation (6)
"In the end, after a fierce battle with Lumia, we decided to retreat."
"Then, out of nowhere, Lumia's private soldiers swarmed us in an ambush. It was the backlash of pushing too far into enemy lines. The thousands of werewolves were kinda cute, though."
"I was busy playing with the doggies when my one and only friend Bianca summoned me, and I came running."
Sisilia said that much and took off the werewolf mask.
Bianca fell silent for a moment before blurting out in disbelief.
"Thanks for the kind explanation, but you really have no idea what seriousness is, do you?"
Bianca shot a resentful glance at the vanished magic crystal, then whipped her head away and started walking.
"Anyway, if we just hold out a bit longer, the territory's forces will return. That's reassuring, I assure you."
"It's not that simple."
Sisilia clasped her hands behind her back and trotted after Bianca.
"Lumia's domain has swallowed the territory whole, so outsiders can't just waltz in."
Bianca stopped in her tracks.
"...Is that true?"
Sisilia nodded.
"I could get in thanks to Bianca's magic, though."
"...Hold on. So how long do we have to hold out?"
Sisilia stated matter-of-factly, as if it were obvious.
"Until we take down Lumia, of course."
"Th-that is..."
Bianca, who usually maintained an air of haughty composure, broke out in a cold sweat.
"...You're not saying we have to subjugate one of the Four Heavenly Kings—Lumia—with just the city garrison we have on hand right now... You're not saying something that absurd, are you?"
Sisilia beamed.
"Exactly that."
Bianca's world crumbled.
Eisenberg had an underground shelter prepared for just such emergencies. The territory's people had been cooperative, and Bianca had already sent Riel ahead to evacuate them. With three of the Seven Deadly Sins showing up, casualties numbered in the single digits. Above all, she'd stepped up first against powerful demons to contain the situation. Noble virtue in action, with sharp judgment in calling Sisilia. Sisilia gave her full marks: 100 points.
"The people..."
But even Bianca's abilities had limits.
The plaza was already mid-Quiz Show, with everyone frozen as if time had stopped.
"The host can't just bail before the quiz show's over, right?"
Quest had cleverly exploited that rule to cheat death. A demon who'd overcome death once was a pain in multiple ways.
Of course, no match for Sisilia.
"...Can't you handle it with your power?"
"Breaking demon rules is inefficient. Guessing the quiz right is the only way. Watch me and copy later."
Sisilia didn't even hear the question. She pointed at Quest.
"The answer: tennis ball."
"...What nonsense is that?"
Escaping Quest's quiz show was surprisingly simple: insist on your answer.
Sisilia turned Quest into a tennis ball, played a solo match, then released the Authority on the people.
"You want me to copy that?"
Bianca eyed Sisilia like she wasn't human, but results were good, so okay.
"Medetashi, medetashi."
As Sisilia celebrated herself, the mansion door opened. Riel returned from her mission.
"As instructed, no contact with the control tower personnel. Probably overrun."
"...Worst news to bring, but at least Riel's back. I couldn't stand another minute alone with this madwoman, I assure you."
Sisilia pondered seriously who Bianca meant by "madwoman."
Riel stiffened at the sight of Sisilia.
Sisilia blinked.
"Something on my face?"
"N-no... You look so cool strategizing."
Sisilia flashed a V-sign on the spot.
Bianca was seriously pissed. What got her was how it still looked cute.
"I'll ask straight out, I say."
But playtime was over. Bianca fixed Sisilia with a grim look.
"How far can you go?"
Sisilia gazed into the distance.
The control tower forming the city's barrier was taken. Given Lumia's prowess as a mage, barrier collapse was imminent.
If it fell, swarms of demons lurking outside would flood in—no way Sisilia could block them without 345 hands.
Best shot: deal with Lumia and the Sins now, while the barrier still ignored lesser foes.
Situation wasn't great.
This looks unsolvable as Sword Princess, no matter how I rack my brain.
Provoking Lumia was to gauge her moves. Waiting for full prep would shrink win chances.
Didn't expect the kid still not showing.
Problem: Sisilia hadn't seen the enemy's full hand.
Without it, poker victory needed luck. Sadly, her hand wasn't invincible.
This episode ends right only if newbies' cute little hands take down Lumia.
Missing that XP meant Demon King clear was toast forever.
Guess I gotta leave it to luck.
Pray heaven sends the hero party at the perfect time. With Sword Princess power, not Sword God.
Sisilia decided and turned to Bianca. Better to ask.
"How far can you trust me, Bianca?"
"What? Sisilia already left?"
"That's right."
The hero party arrived at the midpoint rally in Carmot and heard baffling news.
"What the heck?"
"...No choice but to check it out."
"Where?"
"Eisenberg. Final destination's there anyway."
Ruby nodded at Ian's words.
Truth was, Ruby's head had been a mess lately, ready to burst.
-Save me.
A demon wearing child-Sisilia's face. Those parting words.
What did it mean? What to do?
"Ruby."
"Yeah."
"Why're you so strong?"
The trek to Eisenberg wasn't easy. Fierce demons ambushed them; the party danced on death's edge multiple times.
Ruby carried the most.
Ruby gave Jay an awkward smile.
"Head's complicated."
"?"
Sisilia always said this while training Ruby:
-Ruby, the more complicated, the simpler you think. Only way to untangle a knot is scissors.
Lately, Ruby got it. Head full of mess meant life-or-death fights boiled down to basics.
Beings have stars. Stars gone means death. So slice the star with a blade.
Tricky with mobs, but—
"Jay's MVP. Thought you were useless, but handy after all."
"Post that on YouTube, you're done."
"Haha, I'm already rock bottom idol—no biggie."
Jay's Blessing: immortality. No wonder no one knew. Never killed despite tests.
When Demon King slayed him only to revive him, everyone thought ghost and ghosted him.
Smooth sailing then.
Sia, growing used to womanhood, piped up.
"Th-this way, won't it end up Sisilia ending?"
"...Sisilia ending?"
"D-Demon King or whatever, Sisilia handles it all."
Party half-seriously bought "maybe," but Ruby shook her head.
Time with Sisilia taught her: not as easy as she seemed.
-Sisilia! Someone's getting beat over there!
One market trip home, they saw a beating. Ruby assumed Sisilia'd save him, but she didn't seem keen.
-If Ruby asks, I'll help. But I won't push it.
-Why...?
-Probably getting beat again in a week. You choose, Ruby.
-St-still, that's too much... We sh-should save him.
Sisilia saved him without hesitation at Ruby's word.
-Thank you! Truly!
Ruby felt right. But exactly a week later, same spot, same beating.
Shocking truth:
-This punk stole from my shop!
-J-just to survive!
-I run shop to survive too!
Shopkeep had hired and housed him out of pity. But no-shows piled up, then thefts on workdays. Fired, he spite-stole anyway.
Shaken, Ruby told Sisilia—who admitted not knowing upfront.
-Then why discourage saving him?
-Not worth saving.
-...How'd you know?
-Hm. Can you teach arm movement to someone who can't move theirs?
First glimpse into Sisilia's unfathomable mind. She doesn't move for worthless things. Criteria: results, not process. Her gut instinct.
And Ruby knew that instinct hit scarily true.
So the question:
What value does Sisilia see in us?
Why lavish undue attention/help on the worthless?
"Eisenberg territory. Word is all Windsor Knights are gathered here. End of our journey."
And gut said: answers there.
"Night here, day there."
Jay pointed glumly at the territory.
"...Domain. Demon domain. Can't pass. Even I, century-old witch, can't crack it."
Ariana seemed to grasp the eternal day.
Ruby moved stone-faced to enter—repelled hard.
"Sia."
Ruby stared at Sia.
"Eek! N-no way. Not here. Anyone sees it's weird. Why's it dawn-bright at night...!"
"Sisilia said she'd hang you upside down in the plaza if you don't come."
"Gulp."
Sia's Shadow Blessing twisted her wish worst-way.
"...Insane power still."
Ariana gaped at the opened domain rift.
As Ruby advanced—
Jay grimaced.
"Sketchy."
Poked Ruby, shook head.
"We're ditched anyway. Let's bail. Sisilia probably forgot us."
"..."
Ruby glared at Jay, eyed territory, then smacked his head.
"Go."
Meanwhile.
"You're insane, for real!"
Bianca blasted magic while climbing the control tower.
Sisilia giggled, charging ahead.
"Trusted you, and boom—charge??"
"Bianca. Strongest barrier you can muster."
Sisilia slashed incoming werewolves in one go.
Bianca wrapped herself as ordered.
Instantly.
"See that passage? Strong demon presence."
"Don't. Seriously don't. I'll get mad."
Tears welled; Bianca clung to Sisilia.
Sisilia grabbed her waist, spun once, hurled full-force.
"I'll curse you forever, you lunatic!"
Bianca's voice faded into the distance.