A Fitting Heart
One World Tree seed alone cannot sprout.
Dimaria placed her report on Lua’s desk as she spoke. It was the result of her research into the World Tree seeds while examining Sia.
“The power contained within the seed is far too insufficient. It doesn’t appear to grow on its own, either.”
“Then what should we do?”
“This is only a hypothesis… but it seems the seed must absorb the power of other seeds. It is nothing more than a hypothesis. We will need to secure additional seeds to learn anything more concrete.”
According to the Empress, one seed had been delivered to each lord’s territory. In other words, obtaining another seed would require either receiving it willingly from another lord or seizing it by force.
“Is it possible the other lords have already figured this out?”
“Any lord who has secured their own seed and employs skilled mages would likely have discovered it without much difficulty.”
“What do you think, Brother?”
“Huh? Me? You mean me?”
“Yes. You, Brother.”
Sia, suddenly called upon, spun her eyes in confusion, but realizing the Grand Duke was calmly waiting for her answer, she racked her brain with effort.
“At the very least… I believe the Grand Duke of Arpis has figured it out. She has far more information than we do. After all, she commands the most powerful group of mages on the continent.”
“…You’re referring to Ello Magic Academy.”
“Mhm.”
It was an institution on equal footing with Ella Magic Academy, where their aunt Brigitte served as principal. While Ello Magic Academy also had its own principal, he was essentially under the command of the Grand Duke of Arpis. Originally, the Tanalif Grand Duchy had been tied to Ella Magic Academy through a political marriage, so they had not fallen behind Arpis. That connection had only soured when the previous Grand Duke hired Dimaria.
“From the information we’ve received, the Grand Duke of Arpis appears to have complete control over her territory. She continues to support neighboring lands and assist in their stabilization. However, my personal thought is… Ah, never mind.”
“What were you going to say?”
“It’s… it’s too personal a thought, so…”
“It’s all right. Please speak.”
Sia had grown used to having her opinions dismissed by the previous Grand Duke and had learned it was better to simply stay silent. But unlike their father, Lua continued to wait with a serious expression for Sia to speak. Naturally, Sia found herself gaining a little more courage each time.
“I get the impression that the Grand Duke of Arpis is absorbing other feudal lords’ territories and imperial lands… She has even forcibly suppressed unrest in territories that never requested aid…”
“…Lyona is not the kind of person who would oppress or plunder other territories. Still, considering what Dimaria just said…”
Lua did not finish her sentence and instead looked at Dimaria. The Grand Duke’s Magic Advisor nodded, agreeing with what Lua had been about to say.
“It seems the Grand Duke of Arpis is gathering the seeds.”
“To sprout the World Tree? No, Lyona isn’t the type to covet something like that. If anything, she might be trying to prevent anyone from sprouting it.”
Lua fell into thought. It was the leader’s duty to make judgments based on the information gathered by her close aides. The Lyona Arpis that Lua knew was not an evil person. Yet if the Grand Duke of Arpis truly was collecting seeds, that meant Sia—who had already swallowed one—could become a target as well. Even if her intentions were good, even if safety could be guaranteed, Lua had no intention of handing Sia over.
My sister is my doll. Not even the Empress will be allowed to lay a hand on her.
…She had almost let personal feelings cloud her judgment again.
“For now, we need to learn more about the World Tree seeds. We should contact Ella Magic Academy as well.”
“H-huh? But Aunt Brigitte… I mean, the principal, she and we…”
“When we met in the imperial capital, she expressed her desire to reconcile first.”
“Really? But… still…”
“What is it?”
“They… they sent us a letter first. Or rather, a notice…”
“A notice?”
“It said they would remain neutral until the empire stabilizes. Ella Magic Academy is going into complete isolation from the outside world.”
“Haaaa?”
That damn sow bitch.
Her words were completely different from what she said in the capital. Lua, who had briefly been consumed by indecent thoughts, shook her head to regain her composure.
“Dimaria. Isn’t the guiding principle of the magical community to contribute to the empire’s prosperity through magic?”
“That is correct.”
“Do you believe Ella Magic Academy’s current attitude aligns with that principle?”
While the empire fell into chaos, rather than helping resolve the situation, they chose to hide safely? It was understandable if it was purely for self-preservation, but could an academy that had enjoyed every possible benefit from the empire truly justify such behavior?
Dimaria hesitated for a long time before finally speaking.
“…I am not qualified to make such a judgment. After all, I was exiled for violating that very principle…”
“So you’re not denying it?”
“…No.”
“Very well. As one of the lords concerned for the empire’s future, I must officially express my regret regarding Ella Magic Academy’s policy.”
“B-but we won’t be able to send a letter now, will we?” Sia pointed out cautiously.
The academy’s declaration of complete isolation from the outside world meant exactly that. They would deploy a powerful magical barrier to completely seal off all entry and exit. Sending a letter from outside would be impossible.
“I’m aware. That’s why we’ll go there in person and speak directly. We’ll need to mobilize Inarinax.”
“W-what?! B-but that’s…!”
Sia cried out in alarm, trying to dissuade her. While Ella Magic Academy was an institution, it was treated on the same level as a territory within the empire. Its principal received treatment equivalent to a count, and even participated in lords’ meetings with equal standing. Marching a flying fortress to such a place without prior notice would be tantamount to declaring war on their territory.
“I know what you’re worried about, Brother. Nevertheless, I ask that you follow my judgment.”
“Your Highness, with all due respect, if they interpret our protest as an armed invasion, they will respond immediately…”
“I am fully aware. Both of you, prepare to depart.”
Sia and Dimaria looked as though they had much more to say, but after issuing her orders, Lua rose from her seat and left the office. The way the chair was violently pushed back and the door slammed shut made her fury unmistakable.
“Haa… Haa…”
Even though it was an indoor gymnasium, the one in the north was bitterly cold. Inside, a woman with a solid, muscular frame well over 180 centimeters tall was running, steam rising from her entire body. It was Mina, undergoing rehabilitation training before officially assuming her duties as commander of the White Rose Knights.
Having been severely poisoned by a vile wyvern, even after the antidote had taken effect, she still needed time to fully regain her strength.
“Commander Mina! May I have a word?”
At the voice calling her name, she turned her head to see the Grand Duke standing with a hand raised. The use of her title meant this was an official order. Mina started to run over but stopped a short distance away after noticing her sweat-drenched state.
“Your Highness. I’m afraid I smell quite strongly right now…”
“You were exercising. That’s only natural.”
Lua, who never neglected physical training herself, was hardly the type to be bothered by the scent of sweat. The Grand Duke approached the commander without hesitation, and Mina reflexively took a small step back.
“We must set out. Prepare Inarinax.”
“Y-yes? Where to, if I may ask?”
“Ella Magic Academy.”
Mina felt her head spin. Her very first official mission as commander was to lead a flying fortress in an assault on a magic academy.
“I know what you’re worried about, but we are not going there to fight. There’s no need for concern.”
“…Your Highness. May I ask what has angered you so?”
“What? I… look angry?”
Mina nodded. Lua had believed she was maintaining her usual expressionless face, and indeed she was. Mina had no concrete evidence, but somehow Lua seemed different from usual.
“…You’re right. I suppose I am angry. But…”
Why am I this furious?
The principal of Ella Magic Academy had acted as though she wanted reconciliation, only to distance herself again. It was certainly regrettable. But it wasn’t something Lua had ever truly expected, so there was no reason for her to be this shaken.
“…Mina. Do you think I’m letting my emotions cloud my judgment and making a hasty decision?”
It was true that they needed the academy’s help to gather more information on the World Tree seeds. There was a limit to what Dimaria could research alone. Yet Lua worried that this inexplicable rage had caused her to overestimate the importance of the matter.
“I believe Your Highness is not the kind of person who would do that. I simply thought… if it would help calm you down, and if I may be of any assistance, I would be honored to listen to your thoughts.”
Calm down. Yes, she should first quell this boiling anger and think again with a clear head.
Lua gazed at the voluptuous woman before her. The short pants that revealed her thighs all the way up. The cropped top that left her midriff completely exposed, making the beads of sweat rolling down her defined eleven-pack abs stand out vividly. Steam still rose from her body, which had yet to cool down.
Sniff. Sniff.
“Y-Your Highness?!”
Lua closed her eyes and savored Mina’s sour, sweaty scent. The smell of a powerful female that even the most skilled males could not subdue. The urge to crush that pride and trample it made her cock feel like it would burst.
“Haaah—♥ Haa……”♥
This dizzying scent was far too lethal to Lua right now. After all, Sia’s body had not been feeling well today, so she had left without properly relieving her morning lust. It seemed her older sister had been handled too intensely lately and was now showing signs of a slight fever.
She needs to bear my child. I can’t push her too hard.
Under that sticky gaze that felt like it was raping her with nothing but eyes, Mina hurriedly wrapped her arms around her own body.
“Y-Your Highness. Let me wash up first…”
“Then it’ll all cool down. I like you like this.”
“What?! But the smell of sweat…”
“That’s exactly what I like.”
“Eek?!”
With a loud thud, Mina’s large body collapsed to the floor. Though Mina did not lose to Lua in pure physical strength, she could not truly resist her, so she fell helplessly.
“Y-Your Highness…”
Thud.
“Ugh?!”
Lying face-down on the floor with her belly pressed against the ground, Mina felt something hot and heavy settle between her buttocks.
“You said you wanted to talk. Let’s do that. For warriors like us, communicating with our bodies counts as conversation too, doesn’t it?”
“W-with all due respect, that’s not how one should use that phra—”
“Talking back?”
Squuuueeeelch!
“Oooohuuuugh?!”