On Duty
"It's done."
"……"
At those words, the 1st Imperial Princess Elizabeth opened her closed eyes.
"It seems to be perfect……"
"There's nothing we can do during the day. The disguise borrowed from the Mimic's ability reverts to its true form when reflected in mirrors or glass while the sun is up."
"……"
Elizabeth shot Yufir, the imperial black mage, a skeptical glance but accepted it readily enough. There was no reason for him to lie to her.
"If we directly summon the Mimic to use its ability, there's no such limitation, but since it's night during duty shifts……"
"No need for all these excuses."
"It was by no means to skimp on funds."
"Don't you know that the more you add, the uglier it gets……?"
With a sigh, Elizabeth dismissed Yufir from the dean's office.
The disguise she wore, borrowed from the ability of the Mimic—a bizarre creature inhabiting the 1st layer of the Netherworld—was that of Professor Ileina, scheduled to stand watch with Ferzen tonight.
Her family had long supported the 2nd Imperial Prince and had been deemed loyal to the imperial family, with no inclination to rebel amid the centralization push. Thus, contacting her to convey that the princess herself would stand in tonight and secure her cooperation was no great feat.
Ileina had agreed, though her expression suggested bafflement at the reason. But prying into such matters was neither polite nor proper.
'The sun's setting especially quickly today……'
At 5 p.m., gazing out the window where even the crimson sunset was beginning to be swallowed by encroaching darkness, Elizabeth—cloaked in Ileina's appearance—left the dean's office.
In another 10 to 20 minutes, the sun would fully set anyway, so it hardly mattered.
'More importantly……'
There were bound to be nobles who opposed excessive centralization strengthening the imperial family's power. If not quashed early, their positions might dwindle to mere honorary titles.
With taxation rights seized and territories managed by centrally dispatched officials……
Of course, such a future lay distant, after countless years. Even the current imperial family wasn't planning that far ahead.
However, with Elmark Empire—long entangled in conflict—finally resolving its chronic southeastern thorn, Ernes too needed change and preparation.
The simplest way to check the current imperial family was to import lions from elsewhere to suppress the ones already entrenched.
In that regard, Elizabeth's innate ability to glimpse others' true intentions was a highly effective countermeasure for the imperial side.
Donning the guise of a duty professor would allow her to peer into minds with far less noise than appearing as the princess herself.
'I don't doubt Brutein's loyalty, but……'
Without records etched even in history, things inevitably faded.
In a world teeming with mortals, could true eternity exist?
As lectures ended and students bustled about, Elizabeth entered the A dormitory's duty room, watching them.
Duty began at 7 p.m. Intending to rest her eyes in the interim, she settled comfortably into a rocking chair, pulling a nearby blanket over herself.
Creak.
The slow back-and-forth rhythm lulled her toward sleep.
'The royal capital……'
Around 4 p.m., immersed in deep thought after reading the letter Jeremiah's maid had personally delivered.
A report had come in: Ciel Midford had been sighted crossing the border into the royal capital.
The witness was the head of a merchant guild operated by Brutein. When shown Ciel Midford's portrait, he hadn't been entirely certain, so it could be a false alarm.
But I deemed the likelihood high.
Objectively, for Ciel Midford to establish a foothold in the Ernes Empire, build power, and link up with Alfred would be no easy task.
The royal capital changed that.
Three kingdoms lay between the Ernes and Elmark Empires—chessboards for the two powers.
Whichever empire backed more kings to the throne determined indirect dominance.
Rumor had it the kings of two kingdoms, once propped up by Ernes, were nearing abdication.
With Elmark having cleared its southeastern woes, the contest would be fiercer than ever.
This would also decide the crown prince between the 1st and 2nd Imperial Princes—a battle for the throne.
Turbulent times.
The perfect stage for one with nothing to achieve something.
In game terms, this was likely a main quest accelerating the protagonist's growth.
Brutein pledged loyalty solely to the emperor per ancient tradition, so the original Ferzen would have stayed aloof.
It made narrative sense.
But I had no such intention.
Not the holy city Brutein, but Ruerg.
And pretext? Plenty.
'Time……'
Already nearing 5 p.m.
Pondering dinner, I bought simple bread and headed to the A dormitory duty room.
Easier to organize my thoughts there.
"……"
But a guest had arrived first.
I didn't know her name. Likely the professor sharing duty with me.
She seemed deeply asleep, so no need to wake her. I set the bread basket nearby, quietly closed the door.
Then, straightening my appearance in the mirror by the door and stepping aside……
"This is……"
The sleeping professor's reflection differed.
Directly, blue hair. But the mirror showed long, flowing platinum blonde—Elizabeth Imperial Princess.
As a black mage well-versed in Netherworld denizens, especially 1st-layer bizarre creatures, I quickly deduced she'd borrowed only the Mimic's ability to overlay another's appearance.
The issue was……
'Why go to such lengths?'
Hypotheses arose.
My domain was Ruerg now; perhaps probing my stance on current affairs.
But such vital matters I'd confess openly, imperial blood or not.
Blessed by the God of Wisdom, she'd surely grasp that much common sense……
Just a casual probe?
Unclear.
Once she woke, she'd spill her intentions regardless. For now, quietly eat bread.
Thus, at 6:25 p.m., dusk settled, luminous stones illuminating the room brightly.
The mirror now fully reflected Ileina's guise over the princess, the Mimic's penalty lifted.
"Mm……"
Rustle. The 1st Imperial Princess stirred awake.
"Ah……"
"Good evening."
"……"
"Still groggy?"
"Wh-when did you arrive, Professor Ferzen……?"
"Around 6, I suppose."
Playing along calmly, I lied smoothly.
"I see……"
Exhaling faintly in relief, Elizabeth neatly folded the blanket, glancing awkwardly at me.
"You have the look of someone with words to say."
"……"
"Speak. Your hesitation irks me more."
Her demeanor partly performative too, I pushed gently.
Overwhelmed by my gaze, she fiddled with her necklace, bowing her head hesitantly……
"……"
Truly hideous design.
I suffered severe OCD for symmetry, but everyone had some compulsions.
Like a right-handed painter awkwardly wielding the brush left-handed—gems grotesquely mismatched.
Why overlay only the appearance?
Knowing her true identity let me connect the dots.
Better this way. Time to fix her aesthetic sense.
"……As the eldest daughter of House Rivière, I humbly ask you, Lord Ruerg Count. Will Brutein, as ever, carry on the past amid the current situation?"
"Did Rivière's current head instruct you to probe my intentions?"
Elizabeth shook her head at Ferzen's words.
"My own initiative."
"Ambitious woman. Yet you lack the caliber to flaunt it openly."
"……"
"Brutein's history runs deeper than you presume. Pretend you didn't hear that. Recognize your impertinence."
"Is that so……"
Ferzen's response was as anticipated.
Thus, Elizabeth listened quietly.
The world's sounds cut off at the source; only her heartbeat echoed softly, soon followed by Ferzen's inner voice.
1 second.
"By the way, Professor Ileina."
──Elizabeth the Imperial Princess must realize her aesthetic sense transcends unique or individualistic—it's outright grotesque.
2 seconds.
"That necklace……"
──Hasn't it failed to lead fashion even once in high society? No surer proof exists.
3 seconds.
"Truly revolting."
──Time for shock therapy to sink in properly.
⟨ Mind's Eye ⟩
Three seconds to pierce his thoughts passed.
Hauling her floating mind back to the surface, Elizabeth flushed crimson, hands trembling.
The princess who'd never once led high society fashion. That sore spot, unvoiced yet keenly felt.
Meanwhile, puzzled by her unexpectedly muted reaction, Ferzen rose.
7 p.m. Duty time.
Slam!
Ferzen shut the door behind him.
Alone in the duty room, Elizabeth toyed with her necklace, murmuring softly.
"H-how rude……"
Her voice lacked force—not just from Brutein's heir's barbs, but knowing her identity and voicing them still.
"Isn't it just pretty……?"
How could no one empathize?
'More than that, he lied about arriving at 6……'
Likely entered right after she dozed off, just before full sunset—Mimic penalty active.
He didn't seem loose-lipped, so no rumors of the 1st Princess disguised, probing intents on current affairs……
'He won't.'
Spreading such would implicate her as culprit.
Ignorant of her mind-reading gift, he'd dismiss it lightly.
Even spotting her true self, his sole "scheme" demeaned her taste.
'……Utterly brazen man.'
Sighing, Elizabeth approached the mirror by the door.
"……"
She quietly removed the necklace, then left the room.