Act 1. Travel Kingdom (4): Day 3 - The Heir's Shocking Fall

Day 3. As always, all the maids including me woke up at 5 a.m. to prepare breakfast and clean. Today was the day of the heir declaration ceremony, so the atmosphere among the maids was even quieter. It felt like we were in the eye of a storm. I ignored it and cleaned the windows alone in the corner.

"Seriously, why isn't there a cleaning magic tool in this world?" I grumbled, struggling to reach high spots to dust them off, breathing heavily.

"Ah, I already have a life skill picked out."

"Cooking."

Truth be told, I'd been mulling over life skills ever since. Since it'd be a skill useful in real life too, why not go for something practical? After much deliberation, I settled on cooking. ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠I couldn't live off instant ramen or delivery forever, and making it a hobby sounded fun. Plus, with this face and good cooking skills? Total cheat mode. I couldn't help but smile imagining myself cooking.

"Hehe. Nothing at all. Let's finish cleaning and get ready for the big event."

Breakfast time for the royals. It was rare for the entire royal family to gather, but today was different. Today was the heir declaration that could shape the kingdom's future for years, even decades.

"..."

Of course, that didn't change the atmosphere at the table. It was as cold as an ice block, just like always. Even without words, you could feel the invisible power struggles between them. That's why they were all just swallowing nervously. The tension was so bad, the watching maids felt like they'd get indigestion first.

"...As you all know, today is the day we declare the heir."

King Leopold broke the icy silence first.

"...I've been sorry for not being a good father all this time."

Aria and Yurian flinched at that, but quickly composed themselves.

"...I just wanted to say that. Especially to you, Aria."

Aria's face seemed to twist for a split second, but I could tell she was pretending it didn't faze her.

"...No, Father."

Only Callis responded to the king.

Time flew by relentlessly toward the heir declaration ceremony.

"Hurry up there! Move those!"

The head maid directed everyone to transport items and prepare what's needed.

"..."

Amid the bustle, I pretended to work while recalling what Aria had said. 'If you're gonna roast someone, do it right. You're smaller than I thought.' What the heck did she plan to do to "roast properly"? But knowing clever Aria, she'd handle it fine.

"Hey, what're you doing?! Move it now!"

"Yes, coming."

First things first, finish the task at hand.

"I thank all who have joined us for this momentous occasion."

The ceremony began in the grand hall packed with nearly all the nobles.

"Our kingdom has a long tradition and history. We've preserved much over the years."

"I've been on this throne a long time, and now... I will name my successor here today."

King Leopold's voice sounded a bit weary as the moment drew near.

"Thus... I name First Prince Callis as my heir."

Murmurs rippled through the crowd briefly, but since it was expected, they died down quickly. Callis grinned smugly, while Aria and Yurian kept straight faces.

"Now... let us perform the Foresight Ritual."

The Foresight Ritual. The heir places a hand on the crystal orb, which vaguely shows future events. Of course, it's rigged for safety to only show good scenes.

"...Seriously, how did she even think of this."

"Heir, place your hand on the crystal orb."

Callis beamed and ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠placed his hand on it. Normally, it should've shown a peaceful kingdom and happy citizens.

Citizens torn apart by demons. The kingdom burning, engulfed by demons, with the Legion Commander of Greed, Albrox, possessing Callis's body and laughing maniacally. The vision hung before everyone's eyes.

"Wh-what... how is this..."

Aria's pre-recorded proof too.

"Ahh... perfect ending."

Aria had hacked the rigged orb—meant to show only good scenes—inputting the real future and proof. No idea how she breached its heavy security, but anyone with common sense would've figured it out long ago.

"What in the world is this?!"

"Kyaaah!!!"

"If Callis inherits the throne... that's the future waiting...?"

The palace erupted in chaos instantly, suspicion turning to certainty, arrows pointing at Callis.

"Is the first prince fit for the throne?!"

"Dethrone the first prince!!"

"Execute the first prince in league with demons!!"

"Now public opinion's on our side, quest cleared smoothly..."

At that moment, a sinister black aura rippled behind the frozen Callis.

"Ah... seriously. Boss fight now...?"

"Kahahaha!!! Since it's come to this, I declare here and now! I, the great demon of greed Albrox, shall rule this kingdom!!!"

"Ugh... this got tiring."

Since this was a story boss, even a legion commander was much weaker than the real deal. Plus the possession debuff, but it wouldn't be an easy fight.

"Noel."

As I pondered how to handle it, Aria approached.

"Help me. I have a way to deal with it."

"...What do you need help with?"

"Just hold him down for 5 minutes. I'll handle the rest."

"...Got it. Not totally convinced, but... ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠I'll try."

"Kyaaah!!!"

"Everyone evacuate!!"

"This way, everyone!!"

Seeing people fleeing with knights' help, I slowly approached Yurian.

"...Noel. What should I do?"

"Help with evacuation. Don't want anyone getting hurt by accident."

"...Noel. This is a chance. I can flip my image with this. Of course, my past image was fake too, so it'll fade eventually but..."

"I need proof."

"..."

Yurian stared straight into my eyes with resolute golden ones—convincing enough.

"...Okay. Can't take responsibility if it goes wrong."

"...Thanks."

"...Don't get hurt."

"Kahaha!! Think I'll let you go!!"

Albrox, in Callis's form, scattered golden flames. One man and one woman approached. Black hair and golden eyes symbolizing royalty. Contrasting silver hair shining and purple eyes. The man with sword drawn, the woman chanting magic. They walked slowly to slay the evil.

"Kahaha!! Some strong-looking humans this time!"

"Stall just a bit. Need to charge. 3 minutes."

With that, Noel began repeatedly drawing lightning mana into her body and absorbing it.

"Your opponent is me."

"Good! Come at me, my little brother!!"

Whoosh— golden flames enveloped Yurian and Callis.

Albrox's basic passive [Desire Provocation]. It stimulates one desire to grant matching stat boosts.

"Ngh..."

The 3 minutes of Yurian clashing with Albrox felt eternal. He'd quietly built his strength, yet even enduring attacks was a struggle.

"Noel!!! Ready yet!!"

"97%... 99%..."

"100%."

Purple mana flowed from the witch's mouth as her body slowly lifted into the air.

Rumble— CRASH!!!!!

The witch's lightning struck Albrox's head repeatedly.

"G...aaahhh..!!!"

Albrox howled in agony but endured the strikes, advancing.

"...As expected, this should be a breeze. Still."

"Grraaahh...."

Albrox finally collapsed, unable to stand. HP shaved down to about 20%. But this was just buying time.

"Huff... haa... Aria!!!"

"Ready."

"...That... make sense..?"

"Mana conversion: Holy power."

"H-heh..."

"...Isn't this balance totally broken?"

The holy spear pierced Albrox's body and slammed into the ground.

"Gaaahhh!! Why.. why....!!!"

Albrox's form faded slowly, and Callis collapsed limply.