How did you find out?
No, this doctor...
The shape of her hands, her frame and the way she walks make it easy to tell she's a woman. The flesh is soft to the touch. I can also sense the pheromones that are characteristic of women.

　The doctor talks with a smug look on his face, but I wouldn't normally understand. He's a pervert. I am a pervert.

"Does that mean you're the Second Prince's shadow warrior?
No. I'm definitely the Second Prince, Ristine La Triharan. My real name is Ristis Le Triharan, though.

　So you are pretending to be a man outside the country as well? Why would they do that again?
　It seems that the two maids knew about it from the beginning. That's just as well. They'll need someone to look after them to keep them from being exposed to the outside world. Oh, that's why the doctor asked you to take them with you.

'The only people who know I'm a woman are His Majesty the Emperor, your mother, your brother, my educator Lord Zerolik, his wife Doctor Marle, who is a court physician, and these maids, Lara and Lili.

　Educator?　I don't suppose the old knight who stared at me was Sir Zeloric or something?
　After checking, it was still true. Although the second prince was the general, it seemed that Lord Zeloric was the one with the actual command authority. This was the first time she had ever been in a real battle.

''........What will happen to this?''

　I look at the doctor.

''I don't think there's anything wrong with that. Whether you're a prince or a princess, you're still the emperor's child.''
I'm not so sure about that.

　The doctor's words were interrupted by Listin, or rather, the Princess Listis herself. 'I don't know, what do you mean?

I don't know about the Emperor, but I don't know about the Senate. They see the royal family as an irreplaceable unit.

　What's that? I heard it was a puppet state, but is it that bad?

"So that means....
Worst of all, I will be declared dead and the invasion of the God Empire will continue.

　I held my head in my hands. This is indeed unexpected.
　'The Second Prince's mourning battle! Don't forgive Primula for killing the Second Prince! I don't know what they might say........

"So there was no point in kidnapping you...
'Unfortunately, it's very likely that it will. No, I'd say it's rather worse. Probably won't stop the war.

　Oh my god, what's that? I don't know what the Primula Kingdom will say about this. They'll label you as "unreliable", right?
　The doctor next to me was grinning at me, as if he was amused by my annoyance.

'What are you going to do, Fuyao-kun?　Do you still want to wipe out the entire God Empire army?
So I wouldn't do that. I mean, for heaven's sake, they used this kind of trick to keep people from dying on either side...
"...and you kidnapped me just for that?　Do you think you were serious about stopping this war?

　I had my head in my hands, and I was the Second Prince or the First Princess?　is talking to me.

'I'm not going to stop, I'm going to stop. I know it was violent, and maybe even annoying to you, but I thought it would be the easiest thing to do. Don't you think it's ridiculous, war and all that?
'Father said the same thing.... But those idiots in the Senate pushed me over the edge and I ended up at war with Primula. Even an emperor can't ignore the Senate. An emperor in the God Empire is a papier-mâché tiger.

　Ristis speaks with a self-mocking tone, as if it were her own. Hmm, I hear the emperor is pretty decent.
　But does the Senate of the God Empire have that much power?　I have a feeling it's very different from the senate I know from ancient Rome or something. I don't know if it's an otherworldly translation problem or if that's the right thing to do here, but I do know that they're a bunch of numbskulls.
　The Senate of the Divine Empire has a total of about fifty people, headed by the Senate President. It is made up of senators elected from the nobility, and it is a life term system, and besides, hereditary succession is allowed.
　In the beginning, the Senate functioned as an advisory body to the Emperor, but for some time now it has surpassed the Emperor in power, and it is said that it now holds the real power of the divine Empire.
　It seems that they despise the emperor's people and do pretty much whatever they want. If anyone tries to correct it, they will be crushed by all means.

The master of it all is the Senate President, Morlock Lapidus. He's almost 70 years old, but they're too afraid of him to fight the Senate.
What's wrong with the Emperor?
"The Senate is, in reality, the advisory body of the Emperor. The Senate is, in reality, an advisory body to the Emperor, and the Emperor cannot do anything without it. Do you think the Senate would approve of such punishments and changes to the President of the Senate?

　Well, I won't admit it. It's not uncommon for these powerful institutions to be soft on their people. This war was probably started in that way too, disregarding the will of the emperor.

''Well... why did you pretend to be a prince?
If I had been raised as an imperial princess, I would have been married off to the grandchildren of the old men in the Senate by now, wouldn't I? I shudder to think about it.

　It seems that taking in the blood of the royal and imperial families to increase their power is common in every era and every world.
　I heard that her brother, the Crown Prince, has already done the work. The Crown Prince's fiancée is the daughter of the Senate President.
　Apparently the Crown Prince really doesn't want to marry this girl. He says she is much older than him, and also has a very twisted personality. That kind of wife is the worst.....
　My wives have all been very kind to me. Sometimes they can be scary........
　I can't understand why the emperor and queen made her the second prince. It must have been a desperate measure to protect their lovely daughter. It would be difficult for the crown prince to refuse the marriage since he would be expected to be the heir, but the second prince wouldn't be much of a problem. Of course, I don't think it's not that the Crown Prince is unimportant.
　In any case, the Senate is, as far as I'm concerned, a bastard. I've heard that this war was orchestrated by them, too. And yet you and your family stayed out of the war.

I wonder if the Emperor will regain power and the war will stop if we can do something about that old man, the Senate President...
"Shit, that's right!　If Morlock, the President of the Senate, loses his position, the rest of the Senate will be a crowdsourced mess. His Majesty the Emperor will withdraw his troops at once!　We can avoid a war with Primula!

　Listis reacts to my whispered statement and giggles and makes a forceful statement. No, I know how you feel, but it's pretty obvious. I knew you're not the type of person who could do belly tricks, but you're easy to understand.
　However, I think it's better to get on board. I can make connections not only to the Kingdom of Primula, but also to the Triharan God Empire.
　I thought to myself, "Let's make a deal.

I'll make you a deal. I'll take care of this Senate President, and you can tell the Emperor to stop this war. Can you do that?

　Looking straight into Listy's eyes, I put into words the suggestion I came up with.
　Hearing that, she swallowed her spit with a gulp and told me clearly.

''Well if I can really do something about it, I will stop this war at the risk of my life. I beg you, Wizard. Save the God Empire, no, save the God Empire and Primula.

　Okay. Well, we'll need some help. I can't afford to have listis out of here before the Kingdom of Primula. We could get that old knight, the educator, to help us. It's Sir Zeloric, isn't it?
　Checking the map, it looks like they're still in that Tabernacle. I'm going to go there and grab him.
　 My thoughts are becoming criminal. Though it's not something to be admired.

GATE

　When I transitioned to the Tabernacle of the Divine Empire, I found a few knights and my target, Sir Zeroric, just like before.
　They were gathered around a table and seemed to be having some kind of meeting. A discussion about the prince who was taken away, perhaps?

What?
Hey, you're the one from earlier!

　He passed between the wide-eyed and amazed knights, and in an instant, he was behind Sir Zerolik. With Brunhild's muzzle to his back, Sir Zeloric released his hand from the hilt of his outstretched saber and slowly raised his hands.

''Since the situation has changed somewhat, I'll take this man with me as well. Don't worry, I will return you and the Second Prince properly later. Now if you'll excuse me.

　After saying this, I return with Lord Zerolik to the room in the castle of Primula, where Ristis and the others are. It takes less than a minute to get here.

''Grandpa!
Oh, Your Highness!

　With the excitement of the reunited squire in mind, I asked Lord Zerolik to explain the situation from Lystis. And if we don't clear up the misunderstanding as soon as possible, he might get bushed with a saber in his hand.
　Sir Zeloric listened to Ristis's explanation with a mysterious look on his face, but when he finished listening to everything he had to say, he crossed his arms and thought about it.
　Eventually, he opens his eyes and throws that sharp gaze at me.

"Lord Winterfellas," you say. I know you're a wizard. You have done so much, I can't disbelieve you. But how do you propose to remove the Senate President from the God's Empire?　Are you going to kill him?
No way. If he's a bad guy, I'm not going to kill him. I don't think it's my place to judge him.
How do you like it, then?
That's true. Do you want them to go on a vacation with their whole family to a deserted island far away where no boats can pass, or do you want them to suffer from a disease that makes them unable to speak unless they stick their fingers up their nose?

　Oh, everyone but the doctor. It's a good thing that you've got a good idea of what you're looking for.
　It's a very good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for. If you want to neutralize your opponent without taking life, I think this is enough. You can also use hypnotic magic [Hupnosis] to falsify memories.
　Well, it's also possible to ask Emperor Triharan for instructions on what to do.
　This kind of scoundrel is likely to find evidence of crimes if they search your house.

But be careful. He is the president of the senate and he's under tight security. There are several golems under guard at all times. I've heard that he's recently been accompanied by a highly skilled knight escort who uses mysterious magic.

　A bodyguard who uses magic tricks?　Is he a wizard like me? Or are you a ninja user like Tsubaki-san and the others?
　Anyway, I guess they want to say that it's not a simple matter. However, if we lock them up in the [Prison], we can't do anything about it.

''Well, I'd like to leave those guards to me, and I'd like to ask Sir Zerolik to explain to His Majesty the Emperor or something.
Do you want me to betray my country?
If you insist, I won't force you to do it, but if that's the case, I'll do it all at my discretion. In that case, I'll use my own judgment in doing everything, so you won't be able to complain about it later, will you?

　I don't know if they'll tell me later that I should do that or that, right?　At worst, it's not impossible to say that it could be Sir Zerolik's son if I beat the guy who interfered with me, or something like that.

Grandpa, I need you to give him a hand. We can't just leave the Senate in the dark now, can we?　If it's his magic, or....
If your highness agrees with me. I will do what I can to stop the war with Primula, and I will do what I can with the life of this old bone.

　Sir Zeloric kneels to Ristis and hangs his head.
　No, no, no, no, no, I don't need to risk my life.
　For now, I'll have Sir Zeloric show me the memory of the Senate President and so on at 【Recall】 and search for him on the map.
　There he is. It looks like you're in the Senate building, the imperial capital of the Triharan divine Empire.
　If it's at this distance, you can go by [teleportation]. It's about the distance from Brunhild to the royal capital of Belfast, so it won't be out of place.

''For now, I'll make the golems and knights of the guards incapable of fighting, and after that, I'll capture Chancellor Morlock and that guy. Then I'll take that guy to the emperor and ask him to make a decision.......is that all right?
No problem. If that's the way it works.

　Ororo, you don't believe me?　Well, it's no use. I haven't shown you my combat skills.
　Looking at the map display, it looks like Chancellor Morlock is on the move. Rather than getting into a battle in a room, I'd rather wait for him to move to a larger place.
　When we get to this hall in the center of the Capitol, we'll move in and attack him. Hmmm.........
　The guards are five golems and three knights, huh? It certainly seems to be heavily guarded.

''When you transition, Sir Zerolik, please stay back. If you mess with him in a strange way, it could be troublesome.
"Reluctantly, I'll comply.

　I check Sir Zeloric nodding and Chancellor Morlock who is approaching the hall and activate 【Teleport】.
　In an instant, we transition to the front of Chancellor Morlock, and as instructed, Sir Zerolik retreats back and drops down behind a pillar in the hall.
　One of the knights who saw us shouted loudly.

''Hah!　We have an intruder!　Protect the Chancellor!

　Immediately, two of the five golems leap forward in front of the chancellor and stand in front of me.
　They were well-proportioned and well-balanced golems with a well-balanced physique, with a visor-like thing lowered. On his arm was some kind of firearm. Is this what you call a 'soldat'?
　Only one of them in the rear has horns and looks different from the other four. I guess that's the "Sergeant [Sargent]" who is the commanding officer of the Military Aircraft Soldier [Soldat].

''Shoot!''

　At the knight's command, a bullet with a reasonable continuous rate of fire, though not as fast as a machine gun, was released from Golem's arm. That's dangerous, what if it hits.

''[Shield]'

　Deploying a magical defensive wall, all bullets are flung off.

''Come, lightning, White Lotus Thunder Spear, Thunder Spear.''

　Out of the five golems, he aims at the one with the horns, the Sargent, and hits it with lightning magic.
　With a single blow, it would be forced to stop functioning, and when the Sargent's golem fell on the spot, the other four would stop moving as well. I see, Engineer Elka was right. Is this the merit and demerit of the Soldat?

''d*mn!　Yeah, Weiss!　Finish him off!
Okay.

　A voice flew from the chancellor in the rear, and a knight stood in front of me. His helmet was deep in his eyes, and although I couldn't see his expression, his movements were lean. He's quite capable, this guy. Is this guy the rumored awesome escort knight?
　Suddenly, it vanishes from sight. What!
　I quickly sink my body at the presence I felt from behind. With a crouched overhead threshold, the guard knight's sword passes through. When was he behind me!
　Standing up, I change Brunhild into blade mode and receive the sword shots released from the knight. Hey, hey, aren't you as good as Yae.
　I didn't expect him to be this skilled.......I'm honestly surprised. But I won't relent.

''【Slip】!
!

　I visit Brunhild, who has put the knight in stun mode after he slipped with his fallen magic. Sorry, get stuck for a while.
　But that guy fell down, twisted his body and avoided the sword just in time. Brunhild's blade tip only catches the helmet and wipes it off.
　It's a very good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for. I also duck just in time to duck it and backstep into the distance. What physical ability. I knew I had no choice but to use 【Prison】........

''Hey, hey........ Why are you here in this place........

　That man who stood up and stared at me with his sword at the ready. The helmet is gone, and for the first time I can see the face clearly, it's the face of a guy I know very well.
　The usual aloof and elusive expression is gone, and the atmosphere has changed completely, but there is no way I could mistake that guy for someone else.

''Ende........''

　The man didn't respond to my call for help at all. What the hell is going on here....