Early the next morning.
On Lifaus Highway, a luxurious dragon carriage slowly began to move, rolling step by step toward Roswaal's mansion.
The three people inside the carriage were anything but ordinary. One was the royal candidate Crusch. The second was the pinnacle of water magic, Felix. The last was the former Sword Devil, Wilhelm.
As someone with considerable influence within the kingdom, Crusch had come to Roswaal's territory with the intention of forming an alliance.
Ever since witnessing Lady Shendu single-handedly slay the White Whale with one sword, along with the Shadowkhan she had summoned and the unfathomable strength of the Divine Dragon Merchant Guild, Crusch had reached a conclusion.
All of it proved that Lady Shendu possessed the ability to restore Lugunica to prosperity. If she were to ally with that silver-haired girl, she would certainly not suffer any loss.
"Felix, do you think our actions today will go smoothly?"
Watching the scenery retreat beyond the window, Crusch asked with faint curiosity.
"I cannot say for certain, Lady Crusch, nya. But as long as you wish to do it, you will absolutely succeed."
Felix replied with a cheerful smile, his admiration for the one he served evident in his tone.
Before long, they arrived at Roswaal's domain.
Rem and Ram stood ready to receive them. The welcoming formation was quite formidable this time.
"Welcome, Lady Crusch."
"Welcome, Lady Crusch!"
The twin maids offered the highest courtesy, bowing respectfully.
"Please take me to Lady Shendu and Emilia."
After stepping down from the carriage, Crusch addressed Shendu with full honorific respect. In contrast, Emilia received only a standard form of address.
"Yes."
Rem nodded and led the way.
By coincidence, Shendu was standing in the garden admiring the flowers. Her silver hair shimmered beneath the sunlight, and even Crusch found herself momentarily captivated.
As for Emilia, she was reading in the courtyard, nothing particularly remarkable about her posture.
"How beautiful..."
Crusch murmured unconsciously, a special emotion stirring in her gaze as she looked at the young woman before her.
"Lady Shendu, Lady Emilia, the guests have arrived."
After bringing them over, Rem respectfully informed her.
"Very well. Rem, prepare some tea. We'll speak in the drawing room."
"Understood."
Shendu gestured casually toward the drawing room as she addressed Crusch and Felix.
Today, Crusch wore a white formal jacket paired with black trousers. Her figure was quite well-proportioned, more than one might expect.
Usually clad in military uniform, she carried the sharp, iron-blooded aura of a soldier.
But today was different. There was a softer air about her, a trace of maidenly charm that added an entirely new flavor to her presence.
Having realized that a discussion was about to take place, Emilia quietly set aside her book and prepared to follow them to eavesdrop.
She could sense that Crusch's feelings toward Sister Shendu had undergone a significant shift.
If at first she had merely been indifferent with a hint of curiosity, now she was clearly filled with interest. As a woman, Emilia could perceive that change.
I hope that woman doesn't harbor any strange thoughts about Sister Shendu...
Emilia followed after them, her amethyst-like eyes shimmering.
Soon, everyone was seated in the drawing room. Crusch looked toward Shendu, hesitated briefly, then began to speak.
"Lady Shendu, neither you nor your retainers have any record of entering the kingdom. It seems you come from a very mysterious place."
Her tone was firm. In her estimation, it must be somewhere even farther than the borders of the kingdom itself.
"That is correct. We come from lands far beyond this continent."
Shendu replied meaningfully, though she was unsure how much the woman before her could truly comprehend.
"I see. As a traveler, you must also be an exceptionally powerful one."
Crusch could not help but voice her speculation.
In response to the praise, Shendu merely nodded lightly, curious to see where Crusch would take the conversation next.
"Since you intend to support Emilia in becoming queen of this kingdom, there are certain matters that must be considered in advance."
Crusch first touched upon Shendu's origins before shifting the topic to the potential consequences of Emilia ascending the throne.
That piqued Shendu's interest.
"Crusch, what insight do you have? What sort of trouble do you believe Emilia would face as queen?"
Shendu asked with curiosity.
"It is simple. The kingdom is already on the verge of decay. If the Divine Dragon were to unilaterally break the covenant, we would have little means to respond. The kingdom could very well be swallowed whole."
"As for myself, I have already abandoned the idea of becoming queen. I only wish to change the current state of this kingdom."
Crusch's gaze was resolute, her eyes locked onto Shendu without wavering.
"So? What is your purpose in telling me this?"
Shendu asked with mild amusement.
"Lady Shendu, I ask that you eradicate the hidden dangers within the kingdom and dissolve the covenant with the Divine Dragon. Replace it as the kingdom's new faith. You are more than qualified to stand on equal footing with such an existence."
Crusch lifted her chin slightly. "That is my sole condition for forming an alliance with you. In my eyes, you are the greatest hope."
Clap, clap, clap.
After listening to Crusch's impassioned speech, Shendu could not help but applaud. She found the girl rather adorable.
"An excellent proposal. Upon careful consideration, your idea is quite tempting. I believe agreeing to your request is entirely feasible."
After a brief moment of thought, Shendu readily accepted.
"Does that mean, Lady Shendu, you accept my alliance?"
Crusch's eyes lit up in astonishment.
"Of course. Among the five candidates, only you, Felt, and Emilia have caught my interest. The others do not concern me in the slightest."
"You are like a sharp blade guarding this kingdom. I admire a woman like you—one with a righteous heart and the resolve to protect her people. You are precisely the kind of person I most look forward to befriending."
With each word of praise, Crusch's face flushed a deeper shade of red.
"You flatter me. I am not nearly as remarkable as you say."
She tugged lightly at the hem of her trousers, her voice tinged with shyness.
Her feelings toward Shendu had changed in ways she barely understood. What began as mild curiosity had gradually transformed into admiration—and something dangerously close to affection.
"Oh my, Lady Crusch is actually blushing, nya. That doesn't sound like you at all."
Felix teased with a grin.
"Felix, stop your nonsense."
Crusch shot him a warning glance.
"No can do, nya. Lady Crusch has been looking forward to seeing Miss Shendu every night before bed. It seems you've fallen quite deeply."
Felix laughed as he dodged her light swat.
Shendu watched the exchange with faint amusement. Such an adorable cat-eared companion truly differed from her expectations. What a pity.
Perhaps she should help him become a genuine cat-eared girl someday. That would be rather pleasing to the eye.
"You're insufferable..."
Crusch muttered shyly, stealing another glance at Shendu, clearly reluctant to let the conversation end.
Now that she finally had the opportunity to speak with her face to face, there was no possibility she would waste it.
...
Roswaal's mansion, drawing room.
After Crusch decided to form an alliance with Shendu, Felix promptly produced two prepared alliance contracts. Once signed, they would receive recognition from the will of the world.
The contracts were signed smoothly. Two beams of light descended from the sky, signifying that the alliance had been formally established. From this moment on, Crusch would become one of Shendu's supporters.
"Phew... It's finally done. Lady Shendu, I hope our cooperation will be pleasant in the days to come."
Crusch said expectantly, a sense of relief rising in her heart.
"A pleasant cooperation indeed, Crusch."
Shendu nodded, glancing toward Emilia and Rem.
The two girls also seemed to relax visibly.
This alliance brought them undeniable advantages. With the backing of the Karsten family—the house closest to the royal lineage—Emilia's path in the Royal Selection would become far smoother.
After witnessing the completion of the alliance, Wilhelm, who had been sitting upright on the sofa, suddenly stood. His gaze toward Shendu turned solemn.
"Lady Shendu, since the alliance is complete, let us speak of the Witch Cult."
The moment those words were spoken, the atmosphere grew serious. Emilia, in particular, felt a lingering chill in her heart.
Not long ago, she had been attacked by the Witch Cult. The memory left her with an instinctive fear of that organization.
Being labeled as the Witch's vessel was an insult she could not easily forget. Her feelings toward the cult were nothing short of disgust.
"Yes, nya. Lady Emilia was attacked recently. The Witch Cult is clearly not an organization one can reason with. We must find a way to eradicate them."
"Recently, traces of their activity have appeared throughout Lugunica. Perhaps the White Whale's defeat has drawn their attention."
Felix frowned. He held no favorable impression of the cult. In his eyes, they contributed nothing to the continent and deserved to be wiped out as soon as possible.
"It is indeed a serious issue. The threat posed by the Witch Cult is no less than that of the White Whale."
Crusch nodded gravely. As long as that organization existed, true peace would never settle upon the world.
"I previously dispatched the Shadowkhan to attack one of their bases," Shendu said calmly. "The results were limited. It dealt only a minor blow and failed to inflict lasting damage. The Sin Archbishops are far from simple opponents."
"A witch and several Sin Archbishops... With such strength, destroying a kingdom would not be difficult."
Crusch felt tension tighten in her chest. Yet seeing Shendu's composed expression allowed her to steady herself.
"The witch behind the cult harmed my wife. I must have my revenge. Shendu, would you be willing to lend me your strength?"
Wilhelm dropped to one knee, his tone sincere as he pleaded.
"Naturally. The Witch Cult must be dealt with. However, now is not the right time. When the opportunity arises, I will ensure they are eradicated entirely."
A cold killing intent flickered within Shendu's crimson eyes. The task before her was not yet complete. She still needed to accomplish something earth-shaking to further elevate her reputation.
"With your support, Lady Shendu, I believe vengeance will be possible."
Wilhelm's gaze turned icy. His hatred for the Witch Cult had never faded.
After chatting for a while longer, Shendu once again reminded Crusch to be wary of a potential attack from the Witch Cult.
However, Felix did not take it to heart. In his view, Crusch was the strongest among the royal candidates and commanded her own army. The idea that she could be ambushed seemed almost laughable.
Seeing their lack of concern, Shendu simply hoped they would still be smiling later.
Nonetheless, she made preparations. Quietly, she concealed a portion of the Ninjakhan within Crusch's shadow.
Should danger arise, they would be able to extract her immediately.
Once the topic of the Witch Cult concluded, Felix smiled and glanced between Crusch and Shendu.
"Hehe, it's such a lively day. We even brought red wine to celebrate."
"Lady Crusch, Lady Shendu! I'll fetch it."
With that, Felix hurried to the dragon carriage and returned carrying a large sealed barrel of red wine. After opening it, he poured the wine into glasses and handed them to Crusch and Shendu.
Shendu gently swirled her glass, inhaling the rich aroma before taking a refined sip.
"Oh? The flavor is quite good. Sweet and remarkably pure."
She offered her praise, finding the brewing techniques of this world fairly impressive.
"Of course. I made thorough preparations for this alliance."
Crusch replied happily. The two clinked glasses and drained their wine in one motion.
Emilia, seeing their closeness, poured herself a glass as well and joined Shendu in drinking.
After only two glasses, both Crusch and Emilia were flushed crimson. Their tolerance clearly fell short, leaving them slightly intoxicated.
The faint haze of wine added an unexpected allure to their youthful faces.
"By the way, Felix," Shendu said as she approached him with her glass. "I always assumed you were a cat-eared girl. In reality, you've surprised me somewhat."
"Nya, there's no helping it. I want to become a cat-eared girl too. Unfortunately, with the current state of magic, it's impossible."
Felix sighed helplessly while raising his own glass.
Since childhood, Felix's appearance had leaned heavily toward the feminine. Yet appearance and identity were separate matters. Coupled with his fondness for women's clothing, it often left others uncertain.
As he grew older, men frequently approached him with romantic intentions. In certain ways, he attracted more attention than many women.
"If that troubles you," Shendu said with a faint smile in her crimson eyes, "I can help. I can permanently transform you into a cat-eared girl. Would you like to try?"
With the power of the Monkey Talisman combined with her own magic, such a transformation posed no real difficulty.
"Really? Nya! Then please do it now!"
Felix immediately grabbed her arm, excitement overflowing.
"Very well."
Shendu nodded.
Crusch, however, looked at Felix with visible surprise.
"Felix... since when have you had such thoughts? I never knew."
"Nya... I suppose there are some things I never quite dared to say."
Felix stuck out his tongue awkwardly, offering a sheepish smile.
"Enough talk. Let's begin."
Shendu placed one hand upon Felix's shoulder. A vast surge of magic poured forth from her, enveloping his body in an instant.
Felix's very origin began to reverse, shifting toward its opposite state.
His previously flat chest gradually began to swell. At the same time, a certain part of his anatomy diminished under the force of reconstruction, slowly vanishing altogether.
The power of the Monkey Talisman was absolute. Any transformation it enacted was permanent—rewriting one's very essence from the root. That was one of its most formidable abilities.