Kurose Akira gave a slight nod, signaling his agreement with Lucia's assessment.
Given that Idis stood firmly among the forces backing the Second Princess, conflict with Princess Vivian was all but inevitable.That alone meant she was very likely in possession of information unknown to most others.
Without delay, Akira sent Idis a letter of invitation, expressing his wish to meet and talk in person.
The reply arrived almost instantly.
"So fast?" Akira muttered, visibly surprised. From the moment he sent the letter to the moment he received her response, not even a few seconds had passed…
Did Idis possess some kind of precognitive ability?
Or was she secretly observing everything in the guild through Eve's perspective?
Akira quickly shook his head. It was unlikely that Idis had that much free time. More likely, it was just a coincidence.
He opened the reply.
Idis was inviting him—right now—to her manor in the Red Maple Leaf Territory.
Without hesitation, Akira activated the teleportation array, preparing to depart.
Lucia immediately stood up. "I'm coming with you."
"Mr. Akira~ May I come too?" she asked sweetly.
At that moment, Eve also stood up, her curiosity written plainly across her face as she looked at Akira. "Can I go as well?"
Akira was just about to refuse—Idis had explicitly instructed him to keep Eve completely unaware of her existence—
But before he could speak, Lucia cut in smoothly.
"Of course. It's not like this is anything shameful, right?"
…?
"That's great~!"Eve beamed with delight. "I've always heard that the Rose Baroness is the most beautiful woman in the Star Kingdom. I've wanted to meet her for so long~ I finally get the chance~ I really want to see just how beautiful she is~ Beautiful enough to leave Mr. Akira unable to forget her~"
"Please don't fabricate facts out of thin air!" Akira wiped sweat from his forehead. Since when had he been unable to forget Idis?
"Hehe~"Eve covered her mouth as she laughed softly, a trace of seductive charm glimmering in her eyes.
"Um!"At that moment, Alice and the others also showed clear curiosity. "May we come as well, Master?"
"Vi—Viola wants to go too…" Viola blinked her large eyes, pleading softly.
"You two…"Akira froze for a moment. Why were they joining in on this too?
Honestly…!
Compared to this, Roselyn was usually so much easier to deal with. She never put him in awkward situations…
"I'll come as well," Roselyn suddenly said, standing up with a serious expression. "This concerns the political situation of the Star Kingdom. I believe it's necessary to understand it more deeply."
"…"
Akira frowned slightly. He had just been praising her.
Fine.
"Then we'll go together."
In the end, Akira decided to bring them all along to the Red Maple Leaf Territory—leaving only Marei Rhine behind at the guild.
The colossal dragon who symbolized destruction had no interest in such matters.
The scene shifted to the Red Maple Leaf Territory.
"Phew~"
Idis lifted her teacup, gently blowing on it before taking a graceful sip. Only then did her crimson-red eyes slowly turn toward Akira and the others seated across from her.
Cough.
Under her gaze, Akira instinctively avoided eye contact.
He could clearly sense a trace of reproach in Idis's eyes. They had agreed that Eve must not be allowed to know of her existence—yet now…
That said, Akira had informed Idis in advance before entering the teleportation array, so she had already made thorough preparations.
Her face was concealed within a layer of illusion, her aura subtly altered. To Eve, she remained an enigmatic presence, preventing any exposure of their true relationship.
Only…
"Why can't I see her face clearly?"
From the moment Eve stepped into the manor, she had been trying to glimpse Idis's true appearance. Yet no matter how she focused, all she could see was a blurred, indistinct image.
On top of that, she felt strangely uncomfortable ever since entering the territory. She had clearly eaten her fill earlier, yet not long after, she felt hungry again!
I really want Mr. Akira's…
But they were currently inside the Rose Baroness's manor, with the lady herself sitting right across from them. In a situation like this, Eve naturally couldn't casually ask her guildmaster for holy "light."
Perhaps later, she could find a secluded corner…
"If you have something to say, say it directly," Idis said, gently setting her teacup down. Her tone carried a hint of cool detachment.
Akira cleared his throat before speaking slowly. "We'd like to understand the recent situation in the Star Kingdom."
"The situation of the Star Kingdom, you say?"
As she spoke, Idis crossed her legs elegantly, her long skirt swaying lightly and outlining the graceful curve of her slender legs.
She didn't answer immediately. Instead, her gaze drifted across Akira, Lucia, and the others. After a brief silence, she finally spoke.
"Since you're all so concerned, there's no harm in telling you."
"The current situation in the Star Kingdom is essentially a three-way balance. Princess Vivian controls the royal capital's army and the Star Knights. Meanwhile, Prince Thales has rallied a group of nobles, lords, and royal knights loyal to him. He has also formed an alliance with Prince Lapis—their combined power now poses a significant threat to the line of succession."
"However~ the old king is still alive. As long as he draws breath, that Star Knight will continue to honor his oath of loyalty to every reigning king of the Star Kingdom. As a result, full-scale war cannot erupt yet. At most, there will only be small-scale skirmishes and covert maneuvers."
"With that Star Knight around, no one would dare act rashly."
Roselyn nodded immediately, fully agreeing with Idis's analysis.
Akira understood as well. That demigod-level Star Knight was the true linchpin of the succession struggle. As long as the old king lived, he alone could ensure internal peace within the Star Kingdom.
"However~"
Idis's lips curved slightly, forming a mysterious smile.
"I've heard that the Star Knight doesn't think particularly highly of Princess Vivian, and has long harbored doubts regarding the old king's choice. Of course, he's not especially fond of the other candidates either."
"Then what will you do?"
Lucia suddenly spoke up, directing the question at Idis.
After all, Idis had described a tripartite standoff—mentioning Princess Vivian and Prince Thales in detail—yet said nothing at all about her own faction.
"Me?"
At Lucia's question, a glimmer of mystery flashed through Idis's beautiful eyes.
After a brief silence, she spoke slowly."Akira… may I speak with Lucia alone?"
"I think—"
"It's fine."
Akira was about to object, but Lucia answered first.
"…"
Akira frowned slightly. Something felt off.
Just as he was about to speak again, Eve gently wrapped her arms around his.
"Let the Saintess and the Baroness talk~ Mr. Akira~" Eve murmured in a needy tone.
"Wait—!"
"Come on~ Mr. Akira~ I want you…"
"?"
As she spoke, Eve pulled Akira out of the room.
Roselyn and the others followed shortly after, leaving only Idis and Lucia behind.
The moment the door closed, a crimson glow instantly enveloped the room, completely sealing off all sound.
Then Idis's voice rang out.
"This concerns the affairs of the Star Kingdom. I hope the Saintess will refrain from interfering."
"You were the one who dragged Akira into this in the first place, succubus," Lucia replied coldly. Her golden-red eyes locked directly onto Idis.
"We're merely cooperating. And I've paid him generously for his efforts," Idis answered calmly, her tone filled with unwavering confidence.
As her words fell, she rose gracefully to her feet and took a step forward.
"Generously?" Lucia stood as well, taking two steps toward Idis. The distance between them closed instantly."You mean your so-called 'compensation' is having your clone drain his body every single day?"
"And haven't you done the same, Your Holiness?"
Idis's retort was sharp and openly provocative.
The two women stood face to face.
Their heights and figures were nearly identical—full, snow-white curves proudly jutting forward. Only a few centimeters separated them now.
If someone were present, they would surely be desperate to witness the breathtaking sight of two water-forged planets on the verge of collision…