Night fell over Roswaal's mansion.
Shendu admired Elsa and Meili as they changed into maid uniforms. The sight was undeniably pleasing. The two sisters had always been beautiful, but living a life of constant killing had left them little chance to dress up properly. Now that they were properly adorned, they looked even better.
"Well, Master? Do I look good in a maid outfit?"
Elsa spun in a circle, then with a playful smile lifted her skirt slightly, showing smooth thighs above black stockings, her eyes fixed on Shendu with eager anticipation.
"Not bad. It suits you quite well."
In Shendu's estimation, Elsa could score around ninety-five out of a hundred. Her figure and appearance were both excellent—perhaps even surpassing Emilia's in terms of physique.
"Hehe, that's good to hear."
Receiving praise, Elsa's mood soared.
"Hmph. Sister Elsa got brainwashed so quickly. That's so annoying."
Only Meili remained disgruntled. Her favorability toward Shendu was hovering at around fifty at best.
Half of it is probably fear, Shendu thought inwardly.
After having them change into their uniforms, Shendu took her seat at the dining table. Not long after, Felt arrived and sat down beside her, shooting Elsa a glare.
"You wicked woman, why are you here? Why are you standing beside Big Sister?"
Felt was clearly on guard. She had already asked Ram about Elsa's situation and knew the details, so she naturally held no goodwill toward her.
"Hehe. Of course I'm by Master's side, little sister."
Elsa, composed as ever, showed no concern for Felt's hostility and replied leisurely.
"As if I'd let you have your way. I'm Big Sister's little sister. I won't allow you to act so brazenly here."
Felt bristled with displeasure. Elsa's calm expression, as if she were looking down on her, only made her more irritated.
"Haha, it's lively tonight. But it's almost time to eat. Please maintain basic decorum."
As the tension escalated, Roswaal, his face painted in theatrical makeup, interjected with a smile.
"Hmph."
Felt let out a haughty snort, and the atmosphere of the impending showdown gradually dissipated.
Soon, Ram pushed over a serving cart and began placing an array of sumptuous dishes on the table.
However, she deliberately placed most of the highest-quality dishes in front of Shendu. Even Roswaal received far less by comparison.
"Lady Shendu, please enjoy Ram's cooking at your leisure."
Ram's eyes carried a hint of admiration as she spoke.
"Oh my, my adorable little maid seems quite interested in Lady Shendu. Miss Shendu, you mustn't disappoint her kindness."
Roswaal had clearly noticed the shift in Ram's attitude and could not resist teasing.
"It's nothing. I'll handle it."
No matter how many times Shendu looked at Roswaal's painted face, she found it unbearably ugly.
Seems I unintentionally conquered Ram as well. Interesting, she mused inwardly.
The group soon began their meal.
Since Shendu had not been delayed long in Arlam Village while searching for the curse caster, she had returned in time for lunch.
The meal was lively and harmonious on the surface. Beneath it, however, Elsa and Felt were subtly competing, each slipping the most delicious dishes into Shendu's bowl.
...
After lunch, Shendu returned to her room. Elsa and Meili stood by her side, while Emilia entered as well, reviewing materials related to the Royal Selection.
As Shendu pondered certain matters, an eagle's cry suddenly sounded from the window.
A small young hawk flew in and landed on the desk before her.
Elsa stared at the bird in surprise. Its sudden arrival was undeniably strange.
Noticing a letter tied to its leg, Elsa grew even more curious about what Shendu had done to warrant such a message.
"Master, do you have other forces backing you?"
Elsa could not help but ask.
Shendu did not respond. She removed the letter and began reading carefully.
The letter detailed how Akane, after parting ways with her, had swiftly established the Divine Dragon Merchant Guild. By manufacturing magic rings, she had rapidly expanded the guild's membership.
Using wealth, financial power, and those magic rings, she had courted various factions. At present, she had already taken control of dozens of industries within the kingdom, winning over members of the Council of Wise Men as well as certain nobles.
In a short span of time, her forces had expanded more than tenfold, drawing the vigilance of all major powers in the kingdom. Akane had endured hundreds of assassination attempts.
Yet no matter how many attacks were launched against her, she reduced her assailants to ashes each time. Only a knight named Julius, the second seat of the Royal Knights, had once managed to escape from her hands.
The Divine Dragon Merchant Guild's expansion was astonishingly rapid. In mere months, it had spread like a virus, sending the kingdom into panic. Even the renowned Hoshin Company had been suppressed.
Whether through open schemes or hidden machinations, the Divine Dragon Merchant Guild accepted them all. It now commanded fifty thousand mages, around one thousand of whom could use magic rings to unleash A-rank spells.
"Heh. Elsa, you'll understand once you read it. I enjoy playing chess. And chess requires pieces, doesn't it?"
Shendu handed over the letter with a faint smile.
"So from the very beginning, I made my arrangements. Now they're finally beginning to bear fruit."
After hearing her words, Elsa and Meili read the letter carefully. The more they read, the more shock filled their eyes.
"Master, this is..."
Elsa was too stunned to finish her sentence. She had never imagined that Shendu, beyond her overwhelming personal strength, had secretly built such a colossal power base.
At this rate of infiltration, the entire world order could be overturned. How could she not be shocked?
All this time, they had thought they were playing petty schemes. Meanwhile, Shendu had been orchestrating a grand game of chess, aiming to seize control of everything.
"Exactly. As the one moving the pieces, I prefer to hold everything in my hands. These pieces are more than enough. From now on, the Witch Cult, the kingdom, every conspiracy—let them all be destroyed."
Shendu clenched her slender hand into a fist. A powerful aura of confidence radiated from her, mesmerizing and irresistible.
That presence left Elsa utterly entranced, eager to follow in her footsteps no matter where they led.