The sudden explosion in District 7, due to the 'People-Clearing Field' suggestive spell set up by the magic side, had virtually no impact on the atmosphere of the Daihasei Festival.
After all, for nearly a whole week, the city had belonged to this grand athletic event for espers. The streets of Academy City were already filled with noisy crowds, thunderous sounds, and the explosive effects produced by the contestants' superpowers had never really stopped.
In comparison, a lightning strike—even a large-scale one—wasn't really out of the ordinary. It could easily be explained away.
As for the visiting tourists who claimed to have seen or heard strange phenomena—saying some district seemed to be struck by a thunderstorm, buildings collapsed, and underground water surged over ten meters into the air...
The passing Academy City staff and internal residents merely gave flat, nonchalant responses: "Standard procedure. Nothing to worry about."
This was just another day in Academy City.
Even if someone attempted to uncover the truth, the end result was either turning up empty-handed, dying of seven gunshots to the back in a 'suicide,' disappearing from the face of the earth, or having their memories erased. Eventually, the event would just become another urban legend in Academy City—no closure, no resolution.
Over the years, conflicts within the scientific side, between the scientific and magic sides, and between Academy City and outside invaders had broken out countless times. The upper echelons of the Board of Directors would always suppress information and smooth things over with PR. And so, one Daihasei Festival after another continued.
Residents of Academy City were long used to such events. Battles between superpowers, crackling lightning, and flashy explosions were all routine.
And this? Really?
Whether it was the factory districts leveled by the battle between the first and third-ranked Level 5 espers, the artificial lake blasted into the ground by the first and second-ranked during their clash, or the demolition-style fight between the second and third-ranked—those were all far more shocking.
You could say the public had been spoiled by the destructive power of the top Level 5 espers. A flash of lightning? Must be another heated post-match clash between some hot-blooded competitors.
No big deal.
See? The standby heavy riot suppression units and patrol robots didn't even move. It's fine. The news broadcast will cover it soon. Carry on.
Tourists commented: "Life in Academy City sure is colorful."
Yet amid the crowd, that fleeting glimpse made it impossible for Acqua of the Back to look away.
"Villian!"
A decade-old memory surged into his mind. The battle that annihilated the Spanish Puritan attackers on the French side of the Dover Strait—though ten years had passed and the once youthful maiden had now grown into an adult—Acqua of the Back was certain. He hadn't mistaken her.
It was truly her!
Acqua's heart sank.
Why had Villian come here?!
Was it emotional diplomacy between the Windsor family and the Habsburgs?
But there had never been any deep friendship between the Windsor family and the Habsburgs. The two houses had never had direct marriages. Why would they wade into the murky waters of Academy City?
Typical opportunism of decaying nobility!
The Windsor family still held a throne, while the Habsburgs had already lost theirs. To phrase their relationship politely—it was superficial at best, a distant acquaintance. Now, seeing a Habsburg branch on the rise, they scrambled to strengthen ties.
Was this Queen Elizard's decision? Or the intention of the British royal family and court...
That was the only plausible explanation.
Others might not know, but Acqua—who had nearly been knighted by the British royal family—understood all too well the undercurrents and gradual decline beneath their shining facade.
Simply put, they were running out of steam. The British royal family survived more on the legacy of their predecessors. Monarch, palace, titles—these all looked impressive on the surface.
But in terms of directly mobilizable resources (i.e., authority to issue orders bypassing Parliament), they likely fell short compared to the emerging aerospace, military, and pharmaceutical conglomerate-backed interest group forming behind Selene.
If it was just a matter of seeking economic investment, military support, and technological collaboration, then the Windsor family rekindling ties with the Habsburgs made perfect sense.
This was trouble. He hadn't anticipated that the emotional diplomacy between noble houses would drag the person he cared about most into the very danger he himself was about to unleash.
In less than a week, Academy City would become a battlefield!
"Hmm? Acqua of the Back? What's wrong with you?"
Noticing Acqua's sudden stillness, Vento of the Front also paused. Crouching atop a tall building, she followed his gaze toward a massive screen on the glass curtain wall of the building opposite. There, the tall figure with white hair and crimson eyes.
"That's her—the one the old geezers are wary of. The strongest in Academy City. Also, the one we've been instructed to treat with extreme caution for this mission."
Biting the small metallic cross connected to her tongue ring chain, Vento of the Front's eyes sharpened with a wild grin.
"Have you changed your mind?" she asked.
"..." There was no answer. The towering man, like a statue, remained silent.
On the screen, the white-haired, red-eyed beauty was just about to accept a bottle of water from Villian. Then, as if she sensed something, she suddenly turned to the camera and gave a dazzling smile. Her lips moved slightly, and at the exact moment Acqua of the Back met her crimson diamond-shaped pupils—
The scene changed. The host reappeared.
The next moment—crack!
Rumble!Rumble!Boom!
A round of thunderous ceremonial cannons went off from the main venue in District 7, celebrating the crowning of the latest champions and runners-up of another group competition.
"Acqua of the Back..."
Held in a princess carry, Lidvia Lorenzetti, her voice weak, spoke while watching the host on the screen. "Selene... she's the one you came to Academy City for, isn't she?" Due to heavy blood loss, her face was pale and her lips were purple.
"Do we strike or not? She's already noticed us!"
At that moment, Vento of the Front landed beside Acqua, asking seriously. Her expression was no longer haughty like it had been seconds ago. She exhaled slowly, as if trying to purge all the air from her lungs. "That greeting just now—you heard it too, didn't you?"
It was clearly just a televised broadcast, yet when Selene turned and smiled, Vento felt as though it was aimed directly at her! That sensation—being stared down by a monstrous beast, her body compressed as if under immense pressure—made her skin crawl with discomfort!
"We pull back."
Acqua's voice finally came, calm and steady. "We... are no match for her. If we go head-on, we'll die." His expression betrayed nothing of his inner thoughts. He looked as calm as if discussing meals.
Before the words had fully settled—boom!
Acqua bent his knees and launched himself into the air. A shockwave erupted beneath his feet as he shot off toward the outer walls of Academy City at a speed several times faster than his arrival.
Wind howled past his ears. With the sun at his back and head bowed, Acqua's face darkened.
Because he understood the message Selene had sent him:
"Her. Do you still want her?"
He wanted to say, this is our war—don't drag innocents into it. If you want to fight, do it openly and honorably. But he knew... he had no right to say that. Terra of the Left had already endangered families, and the mission they were given was hardly noble.
Villian—wait for me!
...
District 7, Daihasei Festival Main Venue.
"God's Right Seat—four seats with one down. Now appearing in Academy City are Acqua of the Back and Vento of the Front. Truly the top combat strength of the Roman Catholic Church. At this level, even the 'weakest' Terra of the Left renders Academy City's standard military assets and tactics virtually ineffective, regardless of numbers."
Selene tucked back a strand of hair loosened by the breeze and retracted her gaze, calmly analyzing the situation.
Those armed robots were always meant to be cannon fodder. Their equipment and firepower were effective against lower-level espers like Lv0 to Lv3 or ordinary people. But when it came to Lv4 and above, their effectiveness plummeted.
Though it wasn't clear how magicians ranked their abilities, there was no doubt that God's Right Seat of the Roman Catholic Church stood at the very pinnacle of the magic side. No matter how many armed robots were deployed, even the most advanced models currently in use by Academy City were useless. Perhaps if they used the Empire's Titan mechs, there might be a chance.
Take Terra of the Left, for example—the "weakest" among them. With just a single chant of the 'Execution of Light' spell: "Priority granted, iron below, flesh above," he essentially activated a cheat code for invincibility against human-made weapons.
"Miss Habsburg, here—good work out there."
"Ah, thank you, Villian."
Snapping out of her thoughts, Selene accepted the offered bottled water and warm towel. She gave a nod to the graceful, gentle blonde woman.
Despite already being 24 years old, Villian still carried the air of a maiden in her youthful prime. Selene couldn't help but feel a little dumbfounded—she actually looked even younger than her... Truly...
"Hm?"
Villian glanced between the composed Selene—who showed no sign of fatigue as she returned to the rest area—and the trio behind her: Kongou Mitsuko, Yumiya Rakko, and Wannai Kinuho, all gasping for breath. Immediately, Villian stepped forward and handed out bottled water and towels.
"Ah, thank you, Miss Villian."
"Mm, mm, don't mention it. Just now during the Balloon Hunter event—Miss Yumiya, your ability to float and walk on water was incredible. And Miss Kongou, with just a gentle tap of your palm, you launched objects like missiles..."
"Eh? Me? Oh hohoho~ You flatter me far too much, Miss Villian. It's really nothing special... oh hohoho~"
With a graceful snap of her folding fan to half-cover her face, Kongou Mitsuko maintained her textbook tsundere attitude.
"Uh..." Wannai Kinuho gave an awkward smile and a slight bow.
Seated in the rest area, Selene quietly chugged her bottled water.
It was easy to tell that Villian was truly happy. Escaping the gilded cage of Buckingham Palace—where she had long been a political pawn and songbird—this was a rare opportunity to interact with the outside world. And the trio led by Kongou Mitsuko—each from respectable families, gentle and well-mannered—offered an environment where Villian felt completely at ease.
Well, aside from Kongou being a little overly tsundere... but that wasn't a problem.
They likely had plenty to talk about—shared values, similar interests. As for Selene... wasn't it obvious that Villian turned timid and sheepish around her, like a small, trembling animal?
Conversation between Selene and Villian would probably be painfully awkward. Flower arranging, ballroom etiquette, ladylike refinement... no thanks. The only thing Selene could really bring to the table was her so-called "benevolence."
Talk to Selene about benevolence?
Uh... well, just today while reviewing an execution list, she downgraded someone who was to be flayed alive to a simple beheading. That counts as benevolence, right?
"Ase, even after just a short time, you must've noticed it too—Villian is just too gentle and lacks decisiveness. She's the textbook fairytale princess."
A soft fragrance wafted by, jolting Selene's senses. "Mom?" she asked, just as a delicate hand landed on her forehead. Katie came forward and gently embraced Selene, caressing her temple while gazing at Villian, who was chatting and laughing happily with Kongou and the others.
"I've attended quite a few banquets at Windsor Castle and Buckingham Palace. Villian... she's a girl who makes your heart ache. That title of 'benevolence'... though I don't agree with it, I know that for you and Karl—doers and realists—that label is likely the last, and least important, concern."
Katie spoke with a complex expression.
They were barely connected, and Villian never lacked for food or clothing. Being born into royalty meant she had to pay a price—that was her family business. As outsiders, it wasn't their place to intervene... You're really quite the sentimental do-gooder, aren't you?
Selene dared not voice it aloud, but she grumbled inwardly.
Among the three princesses, Villian was best known for her 'benevolence' and was beloved by the people. She was even named the "Princess Most Desired for Marriage" in popular civilian magazines, seemingly adored by all.
But from another angle—aside from the people's love, she had nothing else. In contrast, her second sister was famed for military prowess, while the eldest excelled in governance and internal affairs.
Villian had no solid base. Her personality and capabilities presented obvious flaws. She couldn't convert the people's adoration into any substantial political force. That idealized affection was a castle in the sky—beautiful but utterly fragile.
Still, she might have some use. Acqua of the Back... Selene suddenly had a new idea.
If the Roman Catholic Church was making its move, then it was her turn to act. The Vatican held many treasures—useless to her, perhaps, but very useful to Aleister.
"Really, if only a bit of your personality could rub off on her, or vice versa—it'd be perfect."
Katie shook Selene by the shoulders in frustration. Her own daughter was just the opposite extreme—far too forceful. A little balance would go a long way.
"Don't bother, Mom. It's never going to happen. If I were like that, would I even still be me?"
With a bounce, Selene sprang up and gave Katie a bear hug from behind. "Look at the time. I've finished all my events for today. Ferdinand and Alyssa will be back soon. And tonight's fireworks display—look forward to it, Mom! I've got stuff to do, so I'm heading out to prepare!"
"You little rascal!" Katie finally reacted as Selene and a few clones blinked out into the sky.
...
With Selene's spatial manipulation, locking onto a destination was instantaneous. She arrived inside the Windowless Building almost immediately.
Bzzzz—!
The interior remained unchanged. Countless light dots and conduits snaked toward the massive central pillar. Within its translucent, pale-red liquid, Aleister's figure floated silently, suspended upside-down.
"Selene?"
Seeing Aleister open his eyes and look momentarily confused, Selene chuckled softly, stepped forward, and reached out her hand.
"'Holy Right'—want it?"
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