Case 175: From raven maid to raven crown princess.

    So, it turns out that Sierra is the kind of woman who unhesitatingly does things she sets her mind on.

    In just a short time, she has somehow swayed the whole political machine of the strongest empire, turning it into an utter mess in the face of an already serious crisis.

    ''''I''ve already given my position away.''''

    With a nonchalant face, the... former crown princess says. I can''t help but feel as though she is intentionally messing with me.

    ''''You said that last time,'''' I reply. ''''What''s the difference?''''

    ''''I did—hm? How do you know that? I only said it to Silaerob.''''

    ''''...''''

    ''''...''''@@@@

    For a few moments that stretch as though an eternity, she and I stare at each other''s eyes. There isn''t any particular tension rising, but the more it goes on, the more her face turns bothered.

    A look of doubt.

    A look of surprise.

    A look as if she has realized something.

    ''''You...''''

    ''''What''s the difference?''''

    Not letting the unimportant matter take reign, I press with the same question. My opponent, now a bit more reserved as she glances at me, eventually answers,

    ''''The emperor is already planning to announce the changes to the line of succession. You know he wants to abdicate sometime this year, yes?''''

    ''''Sure.''''

    Luxia confirmed this a while ago. By the way, I thought having her going to the palace every now and then would be enough, but I really do need some sort of spy tech to keep up with this crazy politics.

    ''''I thought it might be annoying if he forced the throne on me by suddenly announcing his resignation, so I quickly and concretely resigned before he could do that.''''

    ''''...''''

    ''''That''s why I have been busy putting things in their rightful places. Of course, that extends to my successor, too.''''

    That explains why everything moves so fast. Sierra seems to have done all she could to get this done behind the scenes. The only question left is...

    There is no doubt in her crystal-like eyes. I can''t help but appreciate such a determined soul.

    ''''Call me Aurora,'''' I reply. ''''We talk master-subordinate a lot, but I won''t be a master most of the time. It''s just for safety purposes.''''

    ''''Alright. Once again, I''ll be under your care, Aurora.''''

    Without much left to say, she and I shake hands, marking the beginning of a significant alliance.

    [Follower request sent]

    ''''Sierra Alaina Astra. Once you accept this request, you will become a trial member of Zircon. If you can prove your worth, we will officially recognize you as one of us.'''' I declare, tuning my mana pressure up a few notches.

    ''''...Alright.''''

    [Sierra has become your follower]

    ''''Huu... with this, I''ll...''''

    The princess stares at the system''s message in the air for a bit, that creepy grin almost creeping up her face, but then she snaps out of it.

    ''''Ahem. Although I have many things to ask and many to do here, I suppose my first mission is due.''''

    Since she seems eager to finish her first mission, I open a gate for her to return to the academy right away. Before leaving, she shoots me a reassuring gaze. Coupled with her rare smile, I almost believe she is somebody else for a moment.

    ''''...Was that necessary?''''

    ''''Hm?''''

    ''''The trial thing. Was there a reason you didn''t accept her right away?''''

    Tilting her head, Ariel voices her doubts. Without saying a word, I point to Luxia, who has persuaded me on this matter. The pinkhead clicks her tongue in annoyance, but still, she begins to explain, sprawling out on the table,

    ''''Mmm... in short, she''s crazy. She says one thing but then thinks another, and her thoughts spin around like a fan.''''

    ''''She too volatile,'''' Chloe adds. ''''It''s always good to have some precautions.''''

    ''''Ah, is that so...''''

    Although I feel bad for Ariel, who probably wants to sympathize with her blood, the other two are right. Making her accept the follower request is, truly, nothing more than a precaution. I can shut her mouth if something goes south—that''s all.

    Hmm... should I send Blob to the palace? That sounds like a good idea. It has been a while since we have stirred troubles, too. I wonder how Efil is faring these days.

    Ah, aside from that, I probably need to see Nydia.

    Suddenly becoming the crown princess ought to be stressful. As her... friend? Not-yet-lover? I need to do something for her at this rate.