Episode 11. Where Faith Leads
If Renisha harbored hopes about Hiloshine, there must be a reason.
Kassius trusted Lottera's daughter. The Duke of Lottera trusted her.
"Renisha is the child who most resembles me. She will protect Lottera."
"I'm Turiel. It's been a while."
Turiel straightened her back.
Those who hadn't noticed Turiel's presence despite having spent the entire night with her wore embarrassed expressions.
"Is it Your Majesty the Empress's will that Viscountess Turiel be here?"
Someone asked cautiously, and Turiel smiled.
There was no answer, but it was a sufficient response.
Silence fell upon the room.
As expected, it was. The Empress wasn't someone who would fall into ruin like this.
She had solidified her position in the Empire despite enduring such persecution from the Emperor.
Renisha was still Renisha, and they realized once again that they couldn't carelessly disdain her or treat her as a discarded pawn.
Consider how they sent Turiel to sort things out just when the people were beginning to feel uneasy about Renisha.
Renisha clearly had her own agenda.
"Her Majesty the Empress always obeys His Majesty the Emperor's will, while at the same time working for the Hientri Empire. I am merely Her Majesty the Empress's servant."
If Renisha harbored hopes about Hiloshine, there must be a reason.
Kassius trusted Lottera's daughter. The Duke of Lottera trusted her.
"Renisha is the child who most resembles me. She will protect Lottera."
The Duke of Lottera used to say this habitually.
He doesn't know much about Renisha, but he trusts the Duke of Lottera.
The lord Kassius served for the past eight years, was worthy of such trust.
"I trust you. You must trust me. I am Lottera, who has never been defeated! If you don't trust me, then believe that I am a descendant of Lottera! At the end of this path, only light awaits us! I, Veritan Lottera, will lead you!"
Kassius will forever hold the Duke of Lottera in his heart.
He was a knight, stronger and more beautiful than anyone else.
When retreating, he was the lord who dragged the last surviving knight from the battlefield by the scruff of his neck.
That knight was Terion.
Barely breathing with a broken leg, he was pulled from the battlefield by Beryton and saved.
Terion, too, had a deep admiration for Loterra.
“The Empress said so.”
“What?”
It was as the Empress finally brushed past Kassius.
Renisha added one last word.
“‘Hiloshine is a land of hope, Sir Kassius.’”
“...The Empress?”
“Yes.”
Terion stopped speaking. Kassius followed suit and turned to Terion.
Terion’s expression seemed to have lessened his worry.
“Then I can trust her.”
“Yes?”
"Helloshine, Sir Kassius. I thought it was a death sentence. What could we possibly do in this wasteland, also known as the Land of the Dead? We survived the harsh battlefield, and I wondered if we would starve to death."
Terion said honestly.
Still, Kassius couldn't find an excuse.
Terion was right.
Kassius was born a Hasham, but he didn't grow up as one. He might have innate leadership in his bloodline, capable of leading people, but if you ask him if he could make a living in such a wasteland...
He was truly at a loss.
Terion averted his gaze from Kassius, who was glaring at him with his mouth shut.
"But since the Empress said so, I believe her. Isn't that Renisha of Loterra? The prodigy the Duke once taught you personally, sitting on his lap! How hopeful. She must have said such a thing because she has the skills. Learn from Her Majesty the Empress. Then, at least you won't go hungry."
Look at this.
Even if he pretends not to notice, Terion is blindly devoted to the word Lottera.
Renisha lay her tired body in the hot water.
Returning from dealing with Laxus always felt mentally exhausted.
Today was the first time she had a formal conversation with Kassius.
Kassius was more... than she had expected.
‘He was strong, wasn’t he?’
Renisha chuckled.
Born and raised as the daughter of a knight who wielded swords.
As a child, she had thought the Duke of Lottera’s embrace was the strongest and warmest.
That thought remained unchanged to this day.
But Kassius was incredibly hot and strong.
The heat she could feel beneath her palm, his heartbeat, even the movement of his muscles.
Renisha raised her hand. It seemed as if the feeling still lingered in her palm, covering the ceiling.
It was that intense.
‘His eyes were alive.’
He had lived on the battlefield for eight years.
Despite having spent his childhood there, he seemed to have left no trace of dirt, negativity, or scars.
It simply burned with a clarity like a torch.
Now she understands the impression the Duke of Lottera had received from Kassius.
Renisha slowly clenched her hand.
She wanted to grasp that power, that Kassius.
She wanted to drag Kassius into Renisha's fate.
Since she couldn't die, her vow to kill him remained. Asking him to find the Duke and Duchess, including Isabella, was a gamble.
If Kassius spread this story, Renisha would be in danger.
If he couldn't find them, then that would be the extent of Kassius's abilities.
But Renisha trusted her father's insight.
She didn't trust Kassius, whom she didn't know well, but she trusted her parents, who had raised her her entire life.
"Kassius... I look forward to our next meeting."
What answer would he bring?
Renisha fiddled with her fingernails.
She hadn't just thrown a dice at Kassius.
She had also given Turiel a new assignment.
If you start by putting the small pieces together, you'll eventually piece together the grand picture.
Renisha's painting was just beginning.
Last night, the people had confirmed the Emperor's intentions.
Not only had he paired Kassius with the Empress, but he was also giving Kassius the castle of Loterra.
After a sleepless night of brainstorming, they had finally reached a conclusion: the mad Emperor was about to send the Empress to Kassius!
"The Emperor must be mad."
"...Again. By the way, this is truly shocking. What will become of us if the Empress leaves the castle? No, what will become of this empire?"
"We can't stop the Emperor, so we can't stop the Empress from leaving the castle. However, we must prevent her from leaving the empire."
A nation is made up of people coming together.
Most of those who supported the Hientri Empire were commoners.
The Duke of Lottera, whom they respected and followed, had died with absurd ease.
In this chaotic atmosphere, the Emperor sought to depose the Empress, accusing her of wrongdoing.
And on top of that, the Empress leaving the Empire?
"There could be a riot. People aren't fools. They know the Emperor is mad. They trust the Empress, not the Emperor."
"And you...?"
A catlike, whining voice drew everyone's attention.
It was Madame Turiel who had spoken frankly about something they couldn't dare to reveal.
Viscountess Turiel.
Turiel smiled and put down the cigar in her mouth.
Her coquettish demeanor, previously obscured by the wispy smoke, was revealed.
He doesn't know much about Renisha, but he trusts the Duke of Lottera.
The lord Kassius served for the past eight years, was worthy of such trust.
"I trust you. You must trust me. I am Lottera, who has never been defeated! If you don't trust me, then believe that I am a descendant of Lottera! At the end of this path, only light awaits us! I, Veritan Lottera, will lead you!"
Kassius will forever hold the Duke of Lottera in his heart.
He was a knight, stronger and more beautiful than anyone else.
When retreating, he was the lord who dragged the last surviving knight from the battlefield by the scruff of his neck.
That knight was Terion.
Barely breathing with a broken leg, he was pulled from the battlefield by Beryton and saved.
Terion, too, had a deep admiration for Loterra.
“The Empress said so.”
“What?”
It was as the Empress finally brushed past Kassius.
Renisha added one last word.
“‘Hiloshine is a land of hope, Sir Kassius.’”
“...The Empress?”
“Yes.”
Terion stopped speaking. Kassius followed suit and turned to Terion.
Terion’s expression seemed to have lessened his worry.
“Then I can trust her.”
“Yes?”
"Helloshine, Sir Kassius. I thought it was a death sentence. What could we possibly do in this wasteland, also known as the Land of the Dead? We survived the harsh battlefield, and I wondered if we would starve to death."
Terion said honestly.
Still, Kassius couldn't find an excuse.
Terion was right.
Kassius was born a Hasham, but he didn't grow up as one. He might have innate leadership in his bloodline, capable of leading people, but if you ask him if he could make a living in such a wasteland...
He was truly at a loss.
Terion averted his gaze from Kassius, who was glaring at him with his mouth shut.
"But since the Empress said so, I believe her. Isn't that Renisha of Loterra? The prodigy the Duke once taught you personally, sitting on his lap! How hopeful. She must have said such a thing because she has the skills. Learn from Her Majesty the Empress. Then, at least you won't go hungry."
Look at this.
Even if he pretends not to notice, Terion is blindly devoted to the word Lottera.
***
Renisha lay her tired body in the hot water.
Returning from dealing with Laxus always felt mentally exhausted.
Today was the first time she had a formal conversation with Kassius.
Kassius was more... than she had expected.
‘He was strong, wasn’t he?’
Renisha chuckled.
Born and raised as the daughter of a knight who wielded swords.
As a child, she had thought the Duke of Lottera’s embrace was the strongest and warmest.
That thought remained unchanged to this day.
But Kassius was incredibly hot and strong.
The heat she could feel beneath her palm, his heartbeat, even the movement of his muscles.
Renisha raised her hand. It seemed as if the feeling still lingered in her palm, covering the ceiling.
It was that intense.
‘His eyes were alive.’
He had lived on the battlefield for eight years.
Despite having spent his childhood there, he seemed to have left no trace of dirt, negativity, or scars.
It simply burned with a clarity like a torch.
Now she understands the impression the Duke of Lottera had received from Kassius.
Renisha slowly clenched her hand.
She wanted to grasp that power, that Kassius.
She wanted to drag Kassius into Renisha's fate.
Since she couldn't die, her vow to kill him remained. Asking him to find the Duke and Duchess, including Isabella, was a gamble.
If Kassius spread this story, Renisha would be in danger.
If he couldn't find them, then that would be the extent of Kassius's abilities.
But Renisha trusted her father's insight.
She didn't trust Kassius, whom she didn't know well, but she trusted her parents, who had raised her her entire life.
"Kassius... I look forward to our next meeting."
What answer would he bring?
Renisha fiddled with her fingernails.
She hadn't just thrown a dice at Kassius.
She had also given Turiel a new assignment.
If you start by putting the small pieces together, you'll eventually piece together the grand picture.
Renisha's painting was just beginning.
***
Last night, the people had confirmed the Emperor's intentions.
Not only had he paired Kassius with the Empress, but he was also giving Kassius the castle of Loterra.
After a sleepless night of brainstorming, they had finally reached a conclusion: the mad Emperor was about to send the Empress to Kassius!
"The Emperor must be mad."
"...Again. By the way, this is truly shocking. What will become of us if the Empress leaves the castle? No, what will become of this empire?"
"We can't stop the Emperor, so we can't stop the Empress from leaving the castle. However, we must prevent her from leaving the empire."
A nation is made up of people coming together.
Most of those who supported the Hientri Empire were commoners.
The Duke of Lottera, whom they respected and followed, had died with absurd ease.
In this chaotic atmosphere, the Emperor sought to depose the Empress, accusing her of wrongdoing.
And on top of that, the Empress leaving the Empire?
"There could be a riot. People aren't fools. They know the Emperor is mad. They trust the Empress, not the Emperor."
"And you...?"
A catlike, whining voice drew everyone's attention.
It was Madame Turiel who had spoken frankly about something they couldn't dare to reveal.
Viscountess Turiel.
Turiel smiled and put down the cigar in her mouth.
Her coquettish demeanor, previously obscured by the wispy smoke, was revealed.
"I'm Turiel. It's been a while."
Turiel straightened her back.
Those who hadn't noticed Turiel's presence despite having spent the entire night with her wore embarrassed expressions.
"Is it Your Majesty the Empress's will that Viscountess Turiel be here?"
Someone asked cautiously, and Turiel smiled.
There was no answer, but it was a sufficient response.
Silence fell upon the room.
As expected, it was. The Empress wasn't someone who would fall into ruin like this.
She had solidified her position in the Empire despite enduring such persecution from the Emperor.
Renisha was still Renisha, and they realized once again that they couldn't carelessly disdain her or treat her as a discarded pawn.
Consider how they sent Turiel to sort things out just when the people were beginning to feel uneasy about Renisha.
Renisha clearly had her own agenda.
"Her Majesty the Empress always obeys His Majesty the Emperor's will, while at the same time working for the Hientri Empire. I am merely Her Majesty the Empress's servant."
"...I heard that Viscount Turiel worked on Lord Kassius's clothes this time. Is that also your will?"
"I simply made the clothes as requested."
Turiel extinguished her cigar and sipped her tea.
Renisha's leisurely presence was evident.
The Empress remained intact.
"It is a foregone conclusion that the Empress is leaving the palace. No one in this empire can overturn the Emperor's will."
"You speak as if Hientri is trapped within a small landmass called the island. How strange. The island is nothing more than a speck in the vastness of Hientri."
Turiel smiled.
Each individual would have their own interpretation of what that meant.
With this, Turiel's mission was complete: to restrain the wavering nobles.
As Renisha had said, Turiel had accomplished his mission admirably. She was truly fortunate to be part of Renisha's painting.
Since the Emperor had hosted a banquet, it was customary for the Empress to host a teatime and invite the ladies.
Renisha selected those who would attend this teatime.
"Are you excluding Canary this time, too?"
Lindy asked with an anxious expression.
Even Lindy, who had served her for a long time, couldn't guess what Renisha was thinking.
Renisha turned her head and smiled faintly.
Renisha, who had been selecting the invitation design, said in a soft voice,
"I'm thinking of inviting Canary this time, Lindy."
She knew it. Why was she so anxious?
"Canary isn't in a position to attend such an event. The ladies will be uncomfortable."
"That's why I'm inviting her, Lindy. She needs to know who will be left behind in the palace when I leave."
Renisha's face twisted into a mischievous smile.
"They'll only make up their minds if they know who will replace me. The change has already begun, Lindy. When I leave the palace, I have to decide who will follow me and who won't."
Lindy, understanding Renisha's intentions, let out a small exclamation.
"Ah..."
As expected, Renisha was never one to act without meaning.
When Renisha and Canary stood next to each other, their differences were as clear as black and white.
If Renisha was like a noble and elegant white rose, Canary was like a bright red rose.
If Renisha was known as a natural Empress, a natural ruler, Canary was the symbol of a flirtatious beauty.
While Canary was undoubtedly beautiful, she wasn't fit for the role of Empress.
It was clear that this would be even more pronounced when Canary and Renisha were together.
The mad Emperors and the brainless Canary.
It was obvious which one people would find more interesting.
Of course, that wasn't the end of it.
"I'll bring a partner to this tea party."
“Yes? A partner...? Then, His Majesty the Emperor too...?”
“There’s no reason for a host to follow such rules. Isn’t the reason a host makes rules so they can shine? I’ll wear a red dress with gold thread that day, Lindy. And the dress code will be blue. The interior will also be mainly white.”
“Why do you want a partner to come with you?”
Renisha’s lips curved.
Laxus was desperate to get Renisha to Kassius, so he’d somehow get her here.
Why bother trying to meet Kassius secretly?
She had a husband who was doing all this for her.
Renisha whispered languidly,
“There’s someone I want to see.”
“...You look happy these days, Your Majesty.”
Lindy said, relieved.
“I can’t help it. Something exciting has come up.”
The hope Kassius had stirred in Renisha was thrilling her.
"I simply made the clothes as requested."
Turiel extinguished her cigar and sipped her tea.
Renisha's leisurely presence was evident.
The Empress remained intact.
"It is a foregone conclusion that the Empress is leaving the palace. No one in this empire can overturn the Emperor's will."
"You speak as if Hientri is trapped within a small landmass called the island. How strange. The island is nothing more than a speck in the vastness of Hientri."
Turiel smiled.
Each individual would have their own interpretation of what that meant.
With this, Turiel's mission was complete: to restrain the wavering nobles.
As Renisha had said, Turiel had accomplished his mission admirably. She was truly fortunate to be part of Renisha's painting.
***
Since the Emperor had hosted a banquet, it was customary for the Empress to host a teatime and invite the ladies.
Renisha selected those who would attend this teatime.
"Are you excluding Canary this time, too?"
Lindy asked with an anxious expression.
Even Lindy, who had served her for a long time, couldn't guess what Renisha was thinking.
Renisha turned her head and smiled faintly.
Renisha, who had been selecting the invitation design, said in a soft voice,
"I'm thinking of inviting Canary this time, Lindy."
She knew it. Why was she so anxious?
"Canary isn't in a position to attend such an event. The ladies will be uncomfortable."
"That's why I'm inviting her, Lindy. She needs to know who will be left behind in the palace when I leave."
Renisha's face twisted into a mischievous smile.
"They'll only make up their minds if they know who will replace me. The change has already begun, Lindy. When I leave the palace, I have to decide who will follow me and who won't."
Lindy, understanding Renisha's intentions, let out a small exclamation.
"Ah..."
As expected, Renisha was never one to act without meaning.
When Renisha and Canary stood next to each other, their differences were as clear as black and white.
If Renisha was like a noble and elegant white rose, Canary was like a bright red rose.
If Renisha was known as a natural Empress, a natural ruler, Canary was the symbol of a flirtatious beauty.
While Canary was undoubtedly beautiful, she wasn't fit for the role of Empress.
It was clear that this would be even more pronounced when Canary and Renisha were together.
The mad Emperors and the brainless Canary.
It was obvious which one people would find more interesting.
Of course, that wasn't the end of it.
"I'll bring a partner to this tea party."
“Yes? A partner...? Then, His Majesty the Emperor too...?”
“There’s no reason for a host to follow such rules. Isn’t the reason a host makes rules so they can shine? I’ll wear a red dress with gold thread that day, Lindy. And the dress code will be blue. The interior will also be mainly white.”
“Why do you want a partner to come with you?”
Renisha’s lips curved.
Laxus was desperate to get Renisha to Kassius, so he’d somehow get her here.
Why bother trying to meet Kassius secretly?
She had a husband who was doing all this for her.
Renisha whispered languidly,
“There’s someone I want to see.”
“...You look happy these days, Your Majesty.”
Lindy said, relieved.
“I can’t help it. Something exciting has come up.”
The hope Kassius had stirred in Renisha was thrilling her.
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