The Royal Summons
Around a great round table, the representatives of every noble house in the kingdom sat assembled, just as they always did.
The one difference from any ordinary session was the empty seat that belonged to Lucien Albert de Valois, head of House Albert.
They had gathered over a single piece of news: that a young lady had held back a demonkin — not with magic, but with a greatsword.
One noble stroked his beard and opened the discussion.
"It would seem the means no longer matter."
"I agree with you there. But power of that magnitude could just as easily become a threat to the Crown itself."
"And the girl belongs to the house that manages the national treasury. All real authority could end up concentrated in their hands."
"Then the key will be to keep a careful watch on House Albert."
"So that's why Lord Lucien was not invited today."
"He'll find out eventually, of course. For now, we would do well to cultivate good relations with that family."
"Cutting them off entirely is also an option. Any house can handle the treasury."
"I wonder what His Majesty is thinking…"
"More to the point — have you heard the news about Erica, the daughter of House Lumenhardt?"
One of the nobles directed the question at William, head of House Lumenhardt.
"I have. Lord Lucien informed me that my daughter intends to room with the eldest daughter of House Albert."
"What on earth is he scheming?"
"No need to worry. The servants are keeping a thorough watch."
William rested both elbows on the table and propped up his chin.
"House Lumenhardt will not be outdone by some mere sword-wielding family."
"Welcome~ to my dormitory room!"
Having left our old double and finished the small move into a triple, we greeted Erica at the door.
She offered a shy little bow in our direction.
"I-I'll be in your care…!"
"This is your spot, Erica."
Marie kindly showed her to her place.
"Um, the truth is… I've never lived with anyone before. I'm so nervous — but also really excited!"
"Ohoho~ If that's how you feel, then it's a wonderful thing indeed."
Sharing a room with Erica from that day on was certainly a change — but there was one far more important shift still.
It was the greatsword Marie now carried on her back.
Its blade was white as marble, trimmed in teal. At a glance it resembled my Scarlet, and yet it was an entirely different weapon.
This was… almost certainly…
the greatsword Marie was supposed to take up only after becoming the Demon King.
In short: its name was Azure — a magic blade forged of destiny-hatred and a thirst for revenge.
I couldn't yet say what form it had taken now, but one thing was certain. Something in Marie had changed.
"Marie, would you show me that for a moment?"
"Th-this? Ah — yes!"
She lifted it with easy familiarity and set it carefully down.
"It looks a lot like Franc's Scarlet."
Erica murmured as she studied the blade.
I can't tell just by looking. I need to check Marie's status window.
"What exactly is a Covenant, anyway…?"
"Shall we take a look at Marie's stats?"
"Okay — Status!"
A soft ping sounded, and the window bloomed open. We leaned in to study it.
She had gained Greatsword Mastery.
So a Covenant doesn't copy my stats outright — but it does something close.
"This sword's name is Azure, then."
Marie spoke thoughtfully, turning the idea over.
Devoted Young Lady… that's practically a personality skill. She had been ready to throw herself forward as a sacrifice in Erica's place before Bathin, after all.
Echoing Heart is similar to my own Belligerent Warrior — except she needs me beside her for it to work.
"Isn't that only natural?"
Marie tilted her head.
"Hm?"
"I mean — as long as I'm with you, Franc, I'm never afraid. Hehe."
"Ohoho, of course you aren't~"
Whether the skill had shaped her nature or her nature had shaped the skill, I couldn't say. What mattered was that she would not break before an enemy — and that was a vital gift.
Then came Covenant Bearer.
"!"
So without me, she could be in real danger… But then again—
"We'll never be apart, of course~ Ohoho."
Marie suddenly looped her arms around mine and spoke in the sweetest tone.
"We're going to stay together forever, aren't we?"
"Yes — we are!"
So this was what a Covenant meant. I felt almost as if she and I had become a single body.
Watching the two of us, Erica flailed for a change of subject.
"M-Marie! Then what about your magic?"
"Hm? Oh — right…"
Marie scrolled further down the window.
No usable magic exists.
"I can't use magic anymore either."
"Marie…"
"It's fine. Magic was full of nothing but awful memories — I don't care what becomes of it now!"
"But Marie, you always looked like you enjoyed those classes so much."
She tightened her hold on my arm.
"I only enjoyed them because I was with you, Franc. Hehe."
"Ugh…"
Erica's face scrunched into a pout.
"Erica?"
"I-I'm going to be with you too!"
She dove straight into the middle of us.
Somehow we ended up in a happy tangle of arms and bodies. Why were their skins so soft? Ugh — I was melting. Completely melting.
And then, out of nowhere, a knock sounded at the door.
Knock, knock, knock.
"My lady, are you in?"
That voice belonged to Sebastian.
I straightened up at once, rose, and opened the door.
"Do come in, Butler."
"Butler!"
"I present myself before you, my lady. I trust I am not interrupting?"
Sebastian bowed deeply at the waist.
"Not at all. We were just about to head to class."
"I see."
He adjusted his glasses.
"I come bearing news. The master of the house has arrived."
"Papa?"
Well — after everything that had happened, of course he would come.
I ran to meet Lucien as he approached. Marie hurried after me.
"Papa~!"
"Father!"
"My girls~"
I threw my arms around him. The guilt of having made him worry sat heavy in my chest.
"Thank goodness. Thank goodness you're safe."
"What brings you all this long way?"
Lucien cleared his throat.
"Ahem. Well… it seems our daughters have been summoned."
"By whom?"
"Hmm. His Majesty of the royal court has expressed a desire to see House Albert."
"What?"
So the defeat of the Demon God was being treated as a major incident. It made sense — it had been the first demonkin invasion, and the only ones who had stood against it were the fallen soldiers, the student council, and us.
"I've already spoken to the academy about your classes, so go and prepare yourselves."
"Yes — gladly!"
"Yes. Hehe."
"H-have a safe trip…"
Erica's expression turned a little lonely. But Lucien only looked puzzled.
"Hm? You are to come as well. The entire student council has been summoned."
"Eh — really?"
Erica, too, had a record of cutting down the demonic beasts when the gate first opened.
"Of course. Come with us, Erica."
"I was so nervous, but knowing you're coming too is such a relief!"
Erica, who had been standing there in a daze, finally smiled.
"…Okay!"
The road from Saint-Criat Academy to Roseln, capital of the Valgrand Kingdom, was surprisingly short.
Unlike the academy grounds, Roseln unfurled before us as a city of staggering development. Outer walls ringed the whole of it, and the security was ironclad.
Between ranks of palace guards standing watch like a steel wall, our carriage rolled up to the front of the royal palace.
We came to a stop before the waiting chambers beside the audience hall. The chambers were divided by gender.
Lucien handed Marie and me formal audience dresses — and passed one along to Erica as well.
"I shall wait for you in the audience hall, then."
"Th-thank you."
"I'm sure it'll look wonderful on you."
I was already looking forward to it. How beautiful would Marie and Erica be in their new clothes?
When we stepped into the waiting chamber, Serena and Lilie were already there.
"My, my — you little cuties♡ Welcome~"
"……."
I had only ever seen them in their uniforms. In dresses, they were truly stunning. Serena in particular had an almost overwhelming figure.
"Good day to you~"
"Hmm~ Shall I help you change? I'll make sure to touch every little corner♡"
Ah — no. Forced groping was firmly declined.
"We're quite all right~"
"That's right. Franc will dress us properly."
"Eh?"
Marie answered Serena with a shy little retort of her own. She had grown remarkably bold since the Covenant.
"My, my. Are you two that sort of pair?"
"I wonder if we might become one? Hehe."
"I-I want Franc to dress me too!"
Even Erica…
"Anyway, let's change quickly! Everyone's waiting!"
I herded the two of them into the changing room. The dressing skills I'd picked up at the academy served me well.
The sight of Marie's pale, smooth back nearly gave me a nosebleed. And today was the first time I had ever seen Erica bare. Her small, sleek frame was so dainty it was almost unfairly cute — though the lingering bruises still on her skin left a sour feeling in my chest.
"Th-there, done!"
"Hm? Franc, your face is all red. Hehe."
I wasn't the only one flushed. The whole room was charged with a thoroughly heightened atmosphere by the time we finished dressing.
Having attendants would be convenient, sure — but this has its own charms.
We made our way to the doors of the audience hall.
"Hey! Juniors — and Erica, good to see you!"
"You made it without being late. Good."
It was the first time I had seen Charles in a perfectly tailored formal uniform. It was the complete opposite of his usual look — white dress shirt left half-open, black trousers.
Cael, too, carried even more presence than usual.
"Welcome. You've all been through a great deal on account of my father."
James greeted us in full princely attire. Standing here, the aura of royalty around him was unmistakable.
"Shall we go and present ourselves before His Majesty, then?"
I had a line prepared for this audience.
With this, our future is as good as secured.