Leviathan was listening to Leon’s report in the knights’ building.

It was news that another small swarm of magical beasts had appeared.

“This time, it’s the Heden district east of the capital. Yujen happened to be passing nearby, so he headed there immediately.”

“On his way back, too... He’s been working hard.”

“There aren’t that many of them, so it shouldn’t be especially difficult. So...”

Leon, who had been delivering his report in a blunt, businesslike tone, trailed off slightly at the end. Leviathan read the meaning at once and let out a short laugh.

“All right. I won’t mention it to Ruby unless there’s a reason.”

Leon nodded, visibly relieved.

Ever since Delmon of the knights had died, Rubian had started worrying too much even over news of minor deployments.

There’ve been more magical beasts. And around civilian homes, too.

Leviathan drew another red mark across the large map spread over the table.

Recently, magical beasts had been appearing across the Empire more and more often. What had first centered around southern villages had, before anyone noticed, reached the capital itself.

These days, Zelox is safer, if anything.

That was thanks to the protective barrier covering all of Zelox. The barrier Rubian had made, inscribed into the bell of the watchtower.

In any case, the Empire had increased its guard forces and raised its alert level to the highest stage in preparation for further magical-beast appearances. There had been painful losses like Delmon’s, but no truly catastrophic incident had happened yet.

Though it’s true we’ve had to pull a fair number of troops away from the pursuit of the Magic Kingdom because of it...

Leviathan tapped the desk with his index finger.

It feels like those mage bastards are finally starting to move and plot something.

Was this irregular pattern of magical-beast appearances really just a coincidence?

For now, it’s only suspicion.

His purple eyes flashed.

“What about activity on the Magic Kingdom’s side?”

“We still haven’t detected any significant movement.”

A new exploration vessel was due to launch in secret soon. Leviathan briefly considered whether he ought to accompany that expedition or not.

“And Allen?”

“He said he’d be returning before Khalid, so I imagine... he should be arriving soon.”

Then, as if something had just occurred to him, Leon added,

“Ah. Come to think of it, I heard Khalid will be handling the escort for Casalia’s royalty on his way back.”

“I can already picture the look on his face, like he bit into a bug.”

“They’re expected to arrive on the outskirts of the capital in four days. Should we send additional support from our side? They’re state guests, so I thought perhaps it would be better to provide a more proper escort.”

At the unusually roundabout explanation, Leviathan gave a short laugh.

“You can just say you want that brat to get some rest.”

“That’s not it.”

Leon scratched the back of his head, embarrassed.

Since he had grown up being thrown around among the knights from childhood, everyone treated him like an insolent younger brother while pretending they didn’t.

I hope the formula Khalid brings back is the right one.

According to Rubian, there were now only two steles left.

One of them was the one Khalid had gone to find this time, and the remaining one was...

“Well, I’m not sure yet, so I think I need to look into it more.”

Saying that, Rubian had clenched her fist and declared that she would work even harder at interpreting the materials herself.

Calling it support is one thing, but it’s basically just going to meet him halfway.

He remembered the bright look on Rubian’s face when she had talked about Khalid.

If she wants to, letting them see each other a little sooner might not be such a—

Then his reason snapped back into place with a jolt.

No. Why? Why should I let them meet early? Is there any reason for that? They’re friends. They can meet a little later. What are the two of them even going to do if they meet? What. What exactly?!

Crack.

The pen in his large hand broke cleanly in two without mercy. Leon instinctively took a step back.

“Your Grace? What’s wrong? Has some enemy appeared—”

Just then—

“Your Grace! Your Grace!”

One of the adjutants came running in a panic, breathing hard.

Leviathan’s expression changed in an instant as he slowly rose from his seat. News that arrived like this was usually not good news.

“What happened?”

“W-well.”

The adjutant swallowed.

“First... please don’t think too far ahead, and please don’t start swinging your sword. Just listen calmly. M-my lady has...”

Leviathan reflexively seized his sword and immediately began spinning out every possible disaster in his head.

*****

Damn, that startled me.

Where had a nosebleed suddenly come from?

“Pinch your nose and keep your head down. It’s okay.”

“Mm.”

I clamped my handkerchief over my nose and brushed the drops of blood off my clothes.

“Fourth Prince, would you have a carriage prepared?”

“Yes, yes. I’ll arrange one right away.”

Licht hurried off at once.

“Grrrr...”

“Fairy, don’t drink the blood. Let it flow.”

At that overly sharp voice, I lifted my eyes slightly and looked up at Liam.

His tall frame, his black hair falling neatly as always, and the glasses that made his already sharp impression look even colder all came into view.

His personality may be a little weird, but...

As far as faces went, he’d grown up in a way that was broadly appealing to the masses.

“It’s okay, youngest fairy. Don’t worry.”

“Yeah. I know. It’s fine.”

It was just a nosebleed.

I’d only gotten startled earlier because everyone’s attention had focused on me.

Still, it’s kind of a relief that my brother is here.

I leaned slightly against Liam, who had planted himself °• N 𝑜 v 𝑒 l i g h t •° firmly at my back, and relaxed. I heard the sound of him grinding his teeth.

“I’ve had a lot of nosebleeds too. So it really is fine. If your body’s tired, they happen. But I don’t understand why you’d be tired. If you eat well and sleep well, this shouldn’t happen. So does that mean my little sister hasn’t been eating well and sleeping well all this time? No. That can’t be right. That makes no sense. Who exactly am I supposed to lodge a complaint with?”

Rrrrrrrrrr.

What was that? An earthquake?

My whole body was vibrating.

“B-b-brother, c-c-calm down.”

“It’s okay, youngest fairy. I’ve had lots of nosebleeds too. So it really is fine. If your body’s tired, they happen. But I don’t understand why you’d be tired. If you eat well and sleep well, this shouldn’t—”

This was bad.

My brother’s lines were starting to loop on their own.

I rode back to the ducal estate with him in the wide-windowed carriage Licht had prepared.

I had no idea who got the news there first, but the estate was...

in absolute chaos because of me.

“Can’t you move faaaaster?!”

“Hot water! Clean towels!”

Was someone giving birth?

Servants were running in every direction, all over the place, and even Mother, who had been out, came rushing back to check on me.

“Rubian, if you were tired, you should have said you were tired.”

“I didn’t actually feel tired, though...”

I was sitting on the bed after changing clothes.

Ugh. When I sniffed again, I could taste that metallic tang.

Hazel lifted the blood-soaked handkerchief with trembling hands. The other maids all looked horrified.

“Where is Borbel...? Where in the world is Borbel?!”

“Girls? The time has finally come to take off your maid uniforms and move. First, go sweep up every medicinal herb in the capital, and drag in the first physician you see. Dismissed.”

“No dismissing!”

I tried to stop them with every ounce of strength I had, but there was no stopping the maids once they vanished like smoke. Seriously, how?!

“It was just a few drops of blood! And it’s already stopped!”

“A few drops? It was pouring.”

At Liam’s reply, Mother, who had been listening calmly, smiled softly.

“Ruby, would you write down the names of everyone you met today for me?”

“...What happens if I do?”

“We’ll deal with them in keeping with our family motto. Cough, I mean, we’ll resolve it. Blood for blood. You remember, don’t you?”

Mother smiled brightly as she rubbed at the blood still staining the skin around my nose. In her blue eyes, something flickered...

Flames?

“Though really, I suppose it ought to be a double nosebleed.”

“I didn’t come back after getting hit by anybody...!”

I was so dazzled by Mother’s lovely smile that I almost wrote down the First Prince’s name for a second, but I managed to restrain myself out of conscience.

Just then, Liam rummaged through his bag and pulled out a vial filled with a very suspicious murky green-brown liquid, then held it out to me.

“Drink this first.”

“What is it?”

“A medicine I’ve just developed using ingredients from a newly researched magical beast. In clinical testing a few days ago, it showed excellent results for fatigue recovery. Even the Imperial Palace physicians covet it, so it should be very effective.”

I narrowed my eyes.

“I’d like full ingredient disclosure, please.”

“A proprietary 213-ratio blend of magical-beast excrement, reproductive organs, and internal organs—”

“Rejected!”

I’d rather keep the nosebleed!

I was just about to shout that when the door flew open with a violent bang.

“Rubian.”

“Dad?”

Father strode in, his face pale as death.