Inside the Imperial Palace.
The domain of the 2nd Princess.
“Left! We need to move it a little more to the left!”
“Be careful moving it! It’s precious material!”
“Since the 2nd Princess has given a special order, even a tiny mistake is unacceptable. Got it?”
“Yes!”
In the domain of the 2nd Princess, luxurious building materials were piled high like a mountain. Strong men were working hard at the construction site.
“It’s my first time working with such luxurious materials… I’m worried I might make a mistake.”
“Right? That fist-sized piece is worth a whole mansion! This kind of order is a first for me too.”
“I’d better loosen my hands just in case.”
Not only architects but also skilled sculptors were present, and their nervousness was palpable.
“By the way… Did you hear what the 2nd Princess requested? Something to be carved on the roof?”
“I did. Honestly, at first I doubted my ears. She wants us to carve two dragons entwined in a spiral…”
They weren’t surprised by the difficulty.
“Two dragons entwined, if I’m correct, signifies unity in the Celestial Realm, right? Then, this building is essentially for…”
“Unity Palace. Unity Palace.”
Dragons in the Celestial Realm have a long mixing period.
Thus, they have a building to mix their bodies for days on end, called the Unity Palace, literally a guesthouse for merging.
“The 2nd Princess is getting older…”
“But… with whom?”
At that moment…
“How’s it going? Is everything going well?”
“Your Highness, the 2nd Princess!”
As Hedera appeared, the hardworking men instantly stopped and paid their respects.
Hedera surveyed the construction site and asked.
“What’s the progress looking like?”
“First, we’ve brought all the materials into the domain. However, it’s difficult to stack and build them precisely…”
“It’s not easy even with a lot of men. While strength is one thing, the materials are so luxurious and delicate that even a slight misplacement can ruin them.”
“Uh-huh.”
As Hedera gently stroked her chin, one man cautiously spoke up.
“Now that I think about it, I’ve heard that the Inspector of the Magic Tower’s abilities are beyond imagination. Your Highness, since she’s the Tower Master, maybe we could ask her for help…”
“Nonsense.”
Hedera abruptly cut him off.
“The entire building is being constructed for the Inspector. It’s a building for her, and we’re supposed to ask for her help? Does that even make sense?”
“Ah, it was for the Inspector…?”
The man looked over the blueprints in disbelief. Given the lavish nature of the guesthouse, it was only natural he thought it was for the 2nd Princess.
“Also, do you think of the Inspector as just a tool? Do you take it for granted that she helps out every time? What you’ve been given to handle should be handled by you. That’s common sense.”
“I-I apologize. I underestimated the situation.”
As Hedera quietly watched the men starting to work diligently again, she rubbed her chin.
“…They must be wanting to stay here?”
While the other princesses hesitated to use a blank check, Hedera raised her hand and made the first move.
“I’ll ensure the other princesses don’t get their turn.”
She envisioned creating a guesthouse where Jeckiel would want to stay forever, spending time with Hedera there.
Eating delicious food, chatting about this and that, maybe sharing a little too much under the influence of wine, and gradually closing the distance… maybe, just maybe…
“Your Highness?”
“…Hmm.”
As her personal secretary, Tether’s voice broke through, pulling Hedera abruptly from her thoughts. She was wiping the drool from her mouth. Why was she so excited and salivating?
Hedera promptly commanded Tether.
“Tether.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“While external work is the men’s job, decorating the interior is your job. Ensure that every piece of furniture, including the bedding, is as cozy as possible.”
“I will keep that in mind, Your Highness.”
“And…”
Hedera slightly narrowed her eyes.
“I think it would be necessary to hire additional workers. At this rate, the completion date will be far too delayed.”
“Yes? We’ve already brought in the maximum number possible…”
“What about the mages from the Imperial Tower? If there are any who can work additional hours for pay, bring them in. They might contribute in various ways using magic.”
“Ah, understood!”
Tether bowed repeatedly and quickly exited. Watching her leave, Hedera thought.
‘Time spent alone with the Inspector…’
Even thinking about it made her feel delighted and happy.
Before, she worried that the Inspector might choose another princess over her, but now the choice was entirely in Hedera’s hands.
There was no reason not to welcome this fact. However…
‘What will the other princesses do? I’m sure they’ll be in chaos trying to get attention from the Inspector.’
Sure enough.
Hedera heard that the 3rd Princess, Solana, was searching for a holy place.
‘…They call it a holy place, but it’s really a spot for them to mingle, right? How brazen can they be?’
The holy places referred to by the church of the Sun God were nothing special. They claim that the mixing of life is sacred, and if they mingle there, they’ll receive a blessed life…
To Hedera, it merely seemed like the worshippers were making up an excuse to swap partners.
However, more important than the place was the person. Jeckiel would surely favor Hedera the most.
“I received a proposal letter, after all.”
That’s different, it’s on a whole new level.
This meant they were starting from a different starting line compared to the rest of them.
“This way! Move it this way!”
“Be careful moving that!”
Hedera watched the men moving busily with hopeful anticipation.
After the purple magic tower was punished, this was Hedera’s first turn. What kind of time would she share with the Inspector?
…For now, it seemed she’d be happy just imagining it.
The deepest depths of the Judgment Hall’s prison.
“Hmm…”
Goddess Arcne smiled as she combined the information she obtained. She had finally discovered the stronghold of the remnants of the God of Regret.
Of course! She had effectively utilized many spiders on the continent as her informants. What seemed impossible to others was merely easy for Arcne.
“Hehe~”
She was already excited for her next meeting with Jeckiel. With such excellent information in hand, wouldn’t she receive plenty of praise?
At least a head pat, maybe? The moment Jeckiel’s hand touches her, it’s like a jolt of lightning running through her entire body. Arcne was already getting impatient.
“Where should I lick to make him happy on our next meeting?”
Arcne’s eyes turned into crescent moons.
For their next encounter, it was already promised they’d mingle, so surely they would collide with her unleashing her desires madly.
The Goddess continued to hum cheerfully.
While imagining getting entangled with Jeckiel, drenched in sweat, the prison door suddenly opened.
“Demon.”
“Huh?”
Arcne turned her head quickly.
“I have something to discuss with you.”
“…What?”
The entrance visitor was a large Inquisition Judge. With whatever confidence he had, he loosened the ropes binding Arcne as soon as he entered.
Arcne softly landed after regaining her freedom and took a moment to admire her body.
…Is he crazy? Why’d he free me?
“Hm, aren’t you a brand new Inquisition Judge? You must know it’s a big mistake to let me loose.”
“Let’s get right to the point.”
Arcne quietly pricked up her ears.
With such odd behavior, suddenly freeing her… she couldn’t help but be curious about what he had to say.
“This incident has vast repercussions. The Demon Realm has lost several Demon Lords and an entire city.”
“Well, I guess.”
“It wouldn’t be strange if it escalated into war; negotiations between the Emperor and the Demon Lord are inevitable.”
Yawn Arcne yawned.
“…You said let’s get to the point, but there’s no point to this. What’s the reason you’re telling me this?”
“To prevent a war, the Emperor and the Demon Lord reached a dramatic agreement.”
Their conversation did not connect at all.
Arcne narrowed her eyes while extending a spider silk toward the Inquisition Judge’s mouth. Just as she was about to seal it…
“…The Goddess’s right of immediate execution. That was the condition, wasn’t it?”
The appearance of the Inquisition Judge suddenly changed.
A perfect female figure twisted into chaos, her dark eyes swirling like a maelstrom; it was all so quick.
“…!”
Arcne’s eyes widened in shock.
The Inquisition Judge’s true identity was the Demon Lord Valetta.
“My poor Demon, you should have kept that in mind.”
“What…!”
In an instant, Arcne amplified her mana. Though she quickly tried to react with all her speed…
“There’s no happiness for a traitor.”
Thud.
The Demon Lord’s hand reached the Goddess’s chest much quicker, causing Arcne’s movements to freeze.
“…Poor thing, the Emperor abandoned you twice.”
In the next moment…
Shunk—!
Arcne’s upper body was pierced through.
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