About a month has passed since the whole incident with the possessed knight. Apparently, the sight of her retinue being sliced in two has traumatized the imperial princess. The Empress is demanding reparations from the kingdom, for both the death of two nobles and the trauma of the princess. Of course, the king has refused, giving the empire a valid casus belli against us. They haven’t utilized it yet, but based on information from the empire, they do plan on using it.

I’ve been “growing stronger” with each week, and have cemented myself as a sixth circle mage, becoming a powerhouse of the kingdom.

Currently, I’m planning a trip to the city of Galeford, the closest city to the ruin that contains the Merged Body Art. The book didn’t go into detail about this art, so I need it to be able to use Aura. It took so much effort to find these ruins, lots of looking at ancient maps kept in the study, listening in to the gossip at the adventurers guild, and combing through the archives of the castle. All signs point to the possible ruin being near Galeford. 

The only issue is the fort positioned just outside of the city. I may lead some forces to capture the city for the kingdom. It does have quite a lucrative logging business, as well as a rather booming steel industry. According to known numbers, they should only have around 500 men stationed in the fort, with even less of a city garrison. The populace may fight back against us, but it’s highly unlikely. The lord of the city is rather abusive towards the workers, even sending children into the steelworks. 

I’ll have to wait for the official declaration of war to offer that. I’ll also need to be sent to the frontines as well. I’ll ask to take my brothers place due to me being the stronger between us. As I finish off writing down my future plans, I close my journal with a slapping sound. I stretch and hear a knock at the door. Looking up, I see Annie standing in the doorway with a smile. She speaks up,

“Hard at work, are we?”

I chuckle and say,

“Planning. I’ve heard about some ruins near a city in the empire, Galeford. Apparently, people believe it may be from the age of heroes. I’m planning on taking the town and investigating the ruins. I’ll just have to take my family’s forces in my brother’s stead.”

Annie walks up to my with a frown on her face and says,

“No. I won’t let you go off to war.”

I frown. I look at her and ask,

“Why not? I’m a tenth circle mage, the empire wouldn’t touch a single hair on my head.”

Annie sighs and says,

“That doesn’t mean I won’t worry about you. Knowing you’re out there in such a dangerous place will worry me, even if you were a god!”

I smile at her and wrap her in a hug. I assure her,

“Annie, unless the demon lord itself were to show up, I’ll be fine. You have no need to worry.”

Annie wraps her arms around me and sighs,

“Haaaaaah… We’ll be talking about this further.”

I smile and rub her back. I kiss her cheek and say,

“I’ll send you messages every day. I promise, dear.”

She pouts at me and says,

“You better.”

We spend the rest of the night playing with each other. In various ways. I drink some frostwine, and read some books as I spend a few days doing nothing, waiting for the war to break out. One day, while I was flirting with Annie, a knocking sounds at the door, and the voice of Jenna sounds out,

“M-my lady… We’ve received news.”

“Come in.”

Jenna walks in with a slight blush on her face. I motion for her to walk over to me and Annie, who was sitting on my lap. She walks over to me and looks at my body. Ah. My robe is open. Well, whatever. I look at the girl and say,

“So?”

She nods her head. Honestly, she’s taken to this role better than I thought she would. The room has been pretty clean. Not as clean as when Annie did it, but still amazingly well for this future saintess. She’s stopped scowling for the most part, but still does when directly ordered by me. But, the rest of the servants have a rather positive view of her. They say she does her tasks without complaint, and even offers to help others when she’s not busy. She clears her throat and gets a rather serious face,

“Right. Another letter has been delivered to the king from the empress of Pultovia. She has stated in clear terms that should the king not deliver reparations to the empire for the killing of two nobles, as well as the traumatization of the princess, they will be moving forth with more aggressive means… Likely meaning…”

I smile slightly and take a sip of frostwine, letting the cool and sweet beverage clear my throat. I speak in a low, but excited voice,

“War.”

AN: ngl, been thinking ab making a theme for Rosanna, Annie, and Jenna. Or at least finding a theme that'll match each of them. For now, think of Rosanna's as either In The Hall of the Mountain King, or Night On Bald Mountain. Somethin epic n shit.

Annie's would be like melodical classical music. Jenna's would be rather fast and chaotic at first, then become melancholic in the middle, and finally mellow out with a slight tinge of sadness in it.

Heads up, I'm gonna be on a trip to universal soon, so don't be surprised if updates are a bit delayed.