A room engulfed in silence.
Everyone's gaze is fixed upon one person with her eyes closed.
Soft silver hair.
Pure white skin.
A straight, high nose.
Long eyelashes.
Silvia Verden.
The girl who sees souls.
Soon, her eyes slowly open.
Still the soft silver hair.
Still the pure white skin.
Still the straight nose.
Still the long eyelashes.
……And pupils flashing with ashen gray.
The air ripples and spreads outward with Silvia at its center.
A faint breeze blows—the aftermath of her ability's evolution.
And contained within that small breeze,
"To the conference hall."
A chilling ghostly qi.
* * *
The Eastern Union conference at Yon Torno Castle.
The official agenda concerned the post-processing of the Monster Wave, but no one present paid it any mind.
"What should we do, Count Bollense?"
"Well. The Marquis remains noncommittal, you see."
"It is certainly a fine opportunity, however."
There were matters far more important strewn about in abundance.
There was not a soul unaware of the civil war unfolding in the Imperial Capital.
Detailed war developments had not reached the East, but they had grasped the general flow.
They had long since known the purpose for which the Imperial Princess, Silvia Verden, had come to the East.
There had been forces making secret contact with several nobles since long ago, but under the name of Yon Torno,
they had used the East's unique circumstances as an excuse to refrain from joining any faction.
Yet now the Imperial Princess—whom they had never once considered a candidate for the throne—had come, and Yon Torno was silent.
Whether by coincidence or by the Princess's design, this castle currently housed forces sufficient to launch a war at a moment's notice.
"If we raise an army, do you see any chance of victory?"
"Our Eastern knights and soldiers are all battle-hardened veterans. The question is whether it is worth the cost."
"Hehe… no matter how you look at it, speaking so brazenly……"
"Ahem. I do not believe he is wrong. I acknowledge Her Highness's noble dignity and elegant grace, but to ascend the throne of the Grand Empire… how should I put it. She lacks a certain majesty……"
"But there is a mage at her side, is there not? If he takes the field, our chances rise."
"The crux is whether the mage will remain until the very end."
If the Princess truly brought this chaotic war to an end and claimed the throne, they could escape this tiresome East.
And not merely that.
They could instantly become the powers-that-be, seizing wealth and authority.
While they murmured amongst themselves,
"Please, enter."
The Imperial Princess, Silvia Verden, entered the conference hall.
Yon Torno and Silvia Verden.
The knight Teordo, naturally following behind them.
And.
"Oh my……"
"Ahem."
The mage, Hio Pavlenko.
Silvia naturally took the head seat, with Yon Torno and Hio Pavlenko at her left and right.
Had it been mere days ago, they would have erupted in fury, demanding what jester dared sit in such a place, yet now no one stepped forward.
"Since everyone seems to be gathered, let us begin."
In that atmosphere, the conference commenced.
* * *
"Are there any opinions?"
Regarding the post-processing of the Monster Wave.
An unusually quiet conference hall.
There was nothing to discuss.
After all, one needed to have accomplished something to hold a conference.
An unprecedented victory, with no fatalities and only a few soldiers sustaining light wounds.
Just last year, some house's forces had suffered grievous losses, and matters such as compensation and the distribution of magic stones had arisen.
Those who had raised their voices to gain even a sliver of profit—no, to recover even a fraction of their losses—were now quiet.
As mentioned, there was simply nothing to say.
One needed to have stepped forward and done something to have words.
The meeting that would have dragged on with prattle about damages suffered and the hardships of their territories ended in but a moment.
"Then the agenda regarding this year's Monster Wave post-processing shall be concluded here."
Silence settled over the hall, permeated by a tension of unknown origin.
Now, it was time for the true subject to emerge.
Every gaze turned to one person—Silvia.
"The Eastern Union."
Silvia began to speak, receiving all those gazes.
"The great union that connects the vast East into one, from the Viscounty of Ricke below the Grandina Mountains to this castle of Yon Torno."
Her voice somehow felt different from before, but most failed to notice.
"I shall ask the nobles of my union."
Even had they noticed, they would have attributed it to the tense atmosphere of the hall.
"Are you satisfied with the present?"
Silvia's question struck precisely at the dissatisfaction of the Eastern Union.
Monster attacks swept in every year.
They received a set amount of support annually, but it was woefully insufficient.
Were these not monsters pouring down from mountain ranges designated as forbidden lands?
It was a problem with no fundamental solution.
Knowing this, Silvia spoke.
"Follow me. I shall grant you opportunity."
Contrary to the nobles' expectation that she would drone on about reasons to follow her, her persuasion was not long.
No—could this even be called persuasion?
Was it not rather the attitude of one bestowing mercy?
Was this arrogance? Or confidence backed by the mage?
An inexplicable chill lingered in the silence following Silvia's words, but Count Bollense ignored it and stepped forward.
"Your Highness…… do your words mean that we will join the civil war in the capital?"
"Indeed."
"I humbly speak, but I know the two Imperial Highnesses command immense forces. Even if our Union joins, victory cannot be guaranteed."
He deliberately spoke negatively to draw out the Princess's reaction.
Count Bollense was waiting.
Waiting for a definitive word from the Princess that the mage would fight alongside them.
But contrary to the Count's expectations, Silvia's reaction was ice-cold.
"What are you trying to say?"
"……That is……"
"Do you wish to tell me that since defeat is obvious, I should not even attempt it?"
"……My apologies. I spoke out of turn."
Something…… had changed.
Had she not been a flower whose only quality was beauty?
Then why could they not refute those words she uttered so calmly?
The inexplicable chill grew stronger.
"I ask once more."
An oppressive pressure of unknown origin, palpable to all within the conference hall.
"Will you come with me? Or will you remain here?"
The conference hall was engulfed in silence.
It was not an awkward silence.
It was a silence born of fear to speak rashly.
Such was the coldness of her voice.
But soon a question arose.
……Why?
Was the initiative not theirs?
Was the Princess not in a position where she could not even enter the war of succession without their forces?
Once their thoughts reached that point, they felt a modicum of reason returning.
They forcibly opened mouths that felt strangely heavy.
"Of course…… if we could join you, it would be an unparalleled honor…… but information is lacking…… and……"
Words trickled out haltingly.
A growing heaviness in the mind.
Strange.
"It is fine. It is fine, so continue. Speak very honestly."
To think their hearts could feel so comforted by the Princess's voice.
Something was strange.
It was strange, yet they could not defy the command to speak.
"To be frank, if the mage's participation is certain, there is no reason not to join. It seems we have sufficient odds of winning, and should we win, would it not be a grand victory? Her Highness is frail, so we members of the Eastern Union will seize real power and grow stronger. The Empire will fall into our hands."
Truly strange.
Was it truly permissible to speak so candidly?
The trivial doubt quickly subsided.
Filling the place where doubt had been was an inexplicable joy.
"Is that so. Is that the opinion of the entire Eastern Union?"
"Hahaha! Not the whole, but most must think the same. Hahahaha!"
Strangely joyful.
And so he laughed.
"Hahahaha!"
Upon laughing, it seemed Count Bollense was not the only one enjoying himself.
"Hahahaha!"
"Hahahaha!"
"Hahahaha!"
Everyone was laughing joyfully.
Laughing happily, as though not a care or worry existed in this world.
Seeing that, their hearts grew even more joyful.
Indeed, serving Her Highness the Princess was such a joyous thing.
"Is it not delightful because you speak no falsehoods, Count?"
"Truly so! Your Highness Princess Silvia! Hahahaha!"
"Hahahaha!"
"Hahahaha!"
"Hahahaha!"
All rejoiced with one heart and one mind.
How long had it been since they laughed so freely?
How…… how blessed a thing this was.
Suddenly, a gratitude beyond their capacity welled up within them.
The one who let them feel such joy, such happiness.
Her Highness Silvia, to whom they were so grateful.
They could not hold back the surging emotions.
"Thank…… thank you, Your Highness."
And so they wept.
"Your Highness……"
"How could you show such grace to ones like us……"
"Hic……"
"We are unworthy!"
In an instant, the conference hall became a sea of tears.
There was no shame.
How could there be shame in serving Her Highness the Princess?
They were not the only ones feeling such emotions.
The feelings evoked by gazing upon the great Princess were the same for all.
"Come now, cease your crying and look at me."
It was Her Highness the Princess's command.
Everyone raised their heads and gazed upon her reverently.
An indescribably beautiful appearance.
Delicate features and sparkling silver hair.
And……
Somehow slightly hazy, ashen pupils.
……Ashen?
Their eyes must have been momentarily clouded.
Silver pupils that sparkled brighter than any jewel.
Crystalline, beautiful eyes.
"Was this not a truly fruitful meeting today?"
At those words, everyone nodded vigorously.
"It was an incomparably fruitful meeting!"
"It was an infinitely glorious meeting!"
"It was truly a once-in-a-lifetime blessed meeting!"
"The glory of our house……"
"Enough."
At Silvia's command, everyone's movements halted instantly.
"Then know that we shall all depart for the capital together. The detailed conference shall resume tomorrow."
Silvia rose from her seat.
"I am weary."
As if bound by a wordless promise, every noble in the conference hall rose.
Soon, Silvia moved to leave the hall, and all the nobles of the Eastern Union followed behind her without a single sound.
The bustling conference hall became desolate in an instant.
Left alone in the quieted hall, Hio sank into his chair.
It felt like watching a short but intense play.
No, not a play. This was a puppet show.
An excessively contrived puppet show controlled by one person.
As Hio dispelled the Ghost's Eye, a hollow laugh crossed his lips.
"Haha……"
The eyes revealed beneath his hat were not smiling in the least.
* * *
One with the makings to stand at the apex of the continent.
The words Purnell had once spoken while gazing at Silvia had been right on the mark.
—Mind magic is difficult to wield and equally difficult to defend against. However, it is merely difficult; flaws exist. It is not absolute.
Purnell's voice echoed through Hio's mind as he pressed his forehead.
—But if one touches the soul itself, that is a different matter. There are neither flaws nor traces. Most likely, those people will cherish the Princess more than their own lives and devote lifelong loyalty to her.
Silvia's existence was already carved into their souls.
No matter what means were employed, it could not be erased.
"……Is there a way to resist?"
—There is none. No, almost none. Did Yon Torno—notwithstanding his reputation as a Fifth-Circle Knight—not offer up his soul without the slightest resistance? Though it seems the Princess did not greatly exert herself against him.
Unlike the other nobles, Yon Torno merely regarded the situation with indifference.
It was not because Yon Torno was extraordinary, but purely by Silvia's mercy.
—If the caliber of one's soul is high, one cannot be dominated so easily. Yet even that is merely a matter of time. Should the Princess's ability develop further, even a high caliber will become meaningless.
"……It's a fraud."
—A frightening ability.
It does not manipulate the mind.
The person simply becomes that way.
Could there be a more frightening ability?
—Even so, it will not work on you.
"Because of my spiritual power?"
—Precisely. Superhumans capable of introspecting their own souls. Aside from those monstrous beings who have far transcended human limits, and one such as yourself, you may consider the rest of the world bereft of any means to resist the Princess's ability.
Of course, Purnell had spoken thus, but the world is wide and variables are many.
It was his way of saying the Princess's ability was not necessarily absolute.
Yet it was also true that it was an enormous ability—enormous enough for Purnell to speak in such terms.
—Well, it means nothing regardless.
At Purnell's words, Hio removed his hat and placed it on the table.
Then let out a deep sigh.
It was a situation that made a sigh escape involuntarily.
—Cheer up. You've done all you could.
The reason for this deep sigh was that he had seen Silvia through the Ghost's Eye.
—The end of power easily obtained is mostly this futile.
He had seen the aura of death brimming within her body, so full it was on the verge of bursting.
An unrelieved penalty.
He had confirmed that penalty had worsened in proportion to her strengthened ability, rather than improving.
—It is truly the end now.
Silvia Verden.
The ill-fated Princess would soon die, and Hio would be unable to keep his promise.
"……The worst."
The promise with the taciturn knight who had bowed his head and pleaded.