Under the dark clouds that had rolled in, furious thunder roared.

Marianna, who had «N.o.v.e.l.i.g.h.t» been looking at the sea through the panoramic window of the administration building, turned sharply.

"A medium Magic Stone? Are you certain?"

"We are certain! The calm sea suddenly reared up, a Magic Stone rose out of the water, and then lightning struck......!"

Marianna’s face darkened.

Six months ago, having lived her entire life in the Weybril townhouse, she had been appointed to Pearlcity.

When she was first offered the position of ruler of Pearlcity, she felt no particular enthusiasm.

‘Marianna! Are you in your right mind?! Do you understand what position you are refusing?’

‘Mother, what kind of ruler am I? All I have ever done is minor internal family administration.’

‘And how much longer are you going to sit in your room? What will Raul and Enzo learn watching you? Pull yourself together! Now you are the only parent Raul and Enzo have!’

But hearing her sons’ names, she seemed to wake up.

‘At their age they have already lost the father they believed in and followed. At least you must become their support!’

Raul and Enzo.

Twins, born on the same day to her and her husband.

When her husband was killed by a Magical Beast, the twins, who were serving as holy knights, left the Order.

They were tormented by guilt that, serving in the same squad, they had failed to protect their father.

‘You sit in your room — and Raul and Enzo are changing too. Raul has fallen in with bad company, Enzo has not eaten for three days! Will you keep going like this?’

In truth, she accepted the position because of the twins.

The words of an advisor of the imperial house also played their part.

‘There is nothing left to change in Pearlcity. Your Grace, you only need to maintain contact with the imperial house.’

Even Marianna, who had never engaged in politics, understood perfectly what that meant.

‘They need a convenient mannequin who will obediently carry out instructions.’

The offer was not particularly pleasant, but she had no reason to refuse.

To leave the Capital for a quieter place — perhaps that would help her herself.

And perhaps for the twins life in Pearlcity would be better than in the townhouse.

[Marianna.

I smiled when I saw the photographs you sent. Raul and Enzo look better — I am glad.

It is very hot here now, but I am managing. I hope you are happy there too.

My daughter, I believe in you.

— Mother]

And indeed, after moving to Pearlcity, Raul and Enzo had become more talkative.

They often left the administration building for the trading district, resumed their abandoned sword training.

And most importantly — they frequently went out to sea, reaching a boat at the pier......

Marianna shuddered.

"......Wait."

The conversation with the twins that morning surfaced in her memory.

‘We’re going to the sea again today with Enzo.’

‘To the sea?’

‘We’ve made friends with a few captains at the pier. They know good fishing spots.’

Marianna’s eyes slowly filled with horror.

"My Lady!"

The next moment she flung open the office door and ran out without her cloak.

Cold rain immediately struck her face.

Pushing through the thick dampness, Marianna ran.

Her shoes quickly soaked through and became heavy.

Not far away she saw a crowd in front of the Red Glove Inn.

"No one is coming out?! If not mercenaries, then who are we supposed to turn to for help?!"

A gray haired old man sat on the ground with reddened eyes.

Marianna recognized him by face — the chairman of the Pearlcity Shipowners’ Union.

"They’re saying a Magic Stone has grown in the sea before the pier! When the sun sets, Magical Beasts will pour out from there! Are we all supposed to die?!"

"And what do you want from us? We’ve told you a hundred times — no one has ever heard of a Magic Stone growing in the sea! Who knows what kind of monster will crawl out of there? That means going out there to die!"

Marianna stared at the arguing men in shock.

Judging by their clothing, they were mercenaries from the inn.

"Captain Doij is right. We can’t just drop everything and help either, Mister Chairman......."

The chairman’s face went pale.

Trembling, he crawled toward the innkeeper Rudi.

"Ru, Rudi. You said! Members of Trevaga were staying at your inn!"

Marianna’s eyes widened.

Trevaga.

The mercenary squad ranked first.

If they were here — perhaps Pearlcity could still be saved.

But—

"They left yesterday morning. Even if we send urgent word, it will take them a full day to arrive."

"Then what are we to do?! We will all die tonight! We cannot abandon our ships and homes and run again!"

At that moment a gigantic bolt of lightning struck the sea.

The chairman groaned and struck his own chest.

"How can it be — not a single mercenary willing to help? And after that you call yourselves mercenaries? How are you any different from the holy knights who abandoned us a hundred years ago?!"

"Old man, you’ll regret that!"

A man burst from the crowd.

A rough face, long wet hair.

"You can’t do anything without us, and you still dare compare us to holy knights?"

His face flushed red, and he mercilessly struck the chairman.

The man flew backward into a muddy puddle.

"Kha—! W-what are you doing!"

"You’ll pay for your insolence before Cala!"

It was Cala — the leader of Des Hound, recently arrived in Pearlcity.

"What are you doing!"

Marianna hurriedly stepped between them.

Cala flinched.

The chairman, lying on the ground, scrambled up.

"My, My Lady?"

Rudi stared at her in shock.

"The ruler?"

"......That’s her — the supreme ruler of Pearlcity?"

A murmur ran through the crowd of out of town mercenaries.

Marianna straightened. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

‘Raul, Enzo.......’

Her thoughts were occupied by her sons, but as ruler she could not walk past.

"You dared to raise your hand. This man is the chairman of the Shipowners’ Union."

The mercenary frowned.

He looked Marianna up and down.

"Who are you?"

"Do not be insolent. Before you stands the ruler of Pearlcity."

For a moment silence fell.

But Cala did not waver.

"The ruler? Ha ha ha! You?!"

He mockingly looked her up and down.

More precisely — at her figure, to which her soaked clothing clung.

"You don’t look like a ruler, but her mistress......."

Thud—

A dull blow cut off his words.

Cala flew backward.

"Captain!"

"Cala!"

His subordinates caught him.

He raised his head, grinding his teeth.

"Who the hell—"

But upon seeing his opponent, he froze.

"Ba, Basto?"

Before him stood the enormous Basto.

The same Basto whose identification number Cala had personally destroyed by bribing the gate guard.

And beside him—

"......Oh."

A certain unfamiliar girl stood there, looking at him closely.

"That’s Cala......."

With an expression half curious, half wary.

"He really is very ugly......."