Chapter 45: Sylvia’s Soul Command

A room shrouded in silence.

Everyone’s gaze was fixed on one person with closed eyes.

Soft silver hair.

Pure white skin.

A sharp nose.

Long eyelashes.

Sylvia Verden.

The girl who sees souls.

At last, her eyes slowly open.

Still soft silver hair.

Still pure white skin.

Still a sharp nose.

Still long eyelashes and…

…Her eyes flashing with a steely gray.

The air around Sylvia rippled and spread outward.

A faint breeze stirred by the evolution of her power.

And carried within that faint breeze was—

“Let’s go to the meeting hall.”

An eerie, chilling aura.

The Eastern Alliance meeting at Yohn Torno Castle.

[Attention]

The official agenda was about the aftermath of the monster wave, but no one present cared about that.

“What do you suggest we do, Count Bolens?”

“Well, the Count of the Eastern March has not uttered a word either way.”

“It is certainly a good opportunity.”

Yet far more important matters were piling up.

No one was unaware of the civil war raging in the capital.

Though the full details had yet to reach the East, the general flow was understood.

Everyone already knew why the Imperial Princess, Sylvia Verden, had come to the East.

There had long been forces secretly contacting some nobles, but under the name of Yohn Torno, citing the region’s unique circumstances, they had refused to join any faction.

But now the Imperial Princess—whom no one had ever considered a contender for the Succession War—had appeared, and Yohn Torno remained silent.

Whether by coincidence or by design, the castle now gathered enough troops to start a war at any moment.

“If we raise our army, do you think we have a chance of winning?”

“Our knights and soldiers in the East are all veterans of countless battles. The real question is whether it’s worth it.”

“Haha. Even so, to say that…”

“Ahem. I think it’s not entirely wrong. While I recognize Her Highness’s noble grace and elegant dignity, she somehow lacks the gravitas to sit on the throne of the Great Empire…”

“But there’s a Magician at her side. If he steps in, the odds improve.”

“The key will be whether the Magician stays until the end.”

If the Imperial Princess truly ended this chaotic war and ascended the throne, they could finally be free from the wearisome East.

Not only that, but they would instantly become influential figures, seizing wealth and power.

While they murmured among themselves, “Please enter.”

The Imperial Princess, Sylvia Verden, entered the meeting hall.

Yohn Torno and Sylvia Verden.

Naturally, Knight Teordo followed closely behind.

And—

“Ahem…”

“Clears throat.”

The Magician Hio Pavlenko.

Sylvia took the seat of honor naturally, with Yohn Torno and Hio Pavlenko seated on either side.

A few days ago, someone might have loudly protested, calling the Magician a mere jester who didn’t know his place.

But now, no one dared say a word.

“Since everyone seems gathered, let’s begin the meeting.”

In that atmosphere, the meeting started.

“Any opinions?”

The matter of the monster wave’s aftermath.

The meeting hall was unusually quiet.

There was nothing to discuss.

***

‘Isn’t something supposed to have happened for there to be a meeting?’

No casualties, only a few soldiers with minor injuries—an unprecedented, overwhelming victory.

Last year, some family’s troops had suffered heavy losses, leading to complaints over compensation and distribution of magic stones.

Back then, those hoping to gain or recover losses had raised their voices, but now they were silent.

As mentioned earlier, they had nothing to say.

You only speak if you’ve done something.

The meeting, which could have dragged on with complaints about losses and hardships, ended quickly.

“Then this concludes the agenda on the monster wave’s aftermath this year.”

Silence fell over the hall, and an inexplicable tension lingered.

Now, the real topic was about to begin.

Everyone’s gaze fixed on one person: Sylvia.

“The Eastern Alliance.”

Sylvia began to speak under the weight of countless eyes.

“A vast alliance connecting the East—from the Likke Marquisate beneath the Gran Dina Mountains to Yohn Torno Castle.”

Her voice sounded somewhat different from before, but most didn’t notice.

“I ask the nobles of my alliance.”

Even if they had noticed, they assumed it was just the tense atmosphere.

“Are you satisfied with the current state?”

Sylvia’s question struck at the Eastern Alliance’s core dissatisfaction.

Monsters attacked every year.

Though support was provided annually, it was woefully insufficient.

The monsters came pouring down from the mountains designated as forbidden zones.

There was no fundamental solution.

Knowing this, Sylvia said, “I give you a chance to follow me.”

Contrary to the nobles’ expectation that she would offer long-winded reasons for why they should follow her, her persuasion was brief.

‘Or rather, could it even be called persuasion?’

It felt more like an act of magnanimity.

‘Was this arrogance? Or confidence backed by the Magician?’

After Sylvia’s words, an unexplainable chill settled over the silence.

Ignoring it, Count Bolens stepped forward.

“Your Highness, are you saying you intend to intervene in the civil war in the capital?”

“Yes.”

“I humbly inform you that the forces of the two princes are immense. Even with our alliance joining, victory would be far from assured.”

He deliberately voiced doubts to provoke a reaction from the Princess.

Count Bolens waited.

He wanted Sylvia to confirm the Magician’s involvement.

But contrary to his expectations, her response was cold.

“What are you implying?”

“…Is it that…”

“Are you saying we should not even try because defeat is certain?”

“…I apologize. That was a careless remark.”

Something had changed.

‘Was she not merely a beautiful flower?’

‘Yet why was no one able to refute her calmly spoken words?’

The mysterious chill grew stronger.

“I ask again.”

An unidentifiable pressure filled the room, felt by all present.

“Will you join me? Or will you remain here?”

The meeting hall was wrapped in silence.

Not an awkward silence, but one born from fear to speak rashly.

Her voice was so cold.

Yet soon a question arose in their minds.

…OH?

‘Aren’t they the ones holding the initiative?’

Without their troops, the Princess couldn’t even participate in the Succession War.

With that thought, reason slowly returned.

Reluctantly, someone opened their mouth.

“Of course… it would be an honor to join if possible, but… the information is insufficient… and…”

Their words faltered.

A heavy spirit weighed down their mind.

Strange.

“It’s alright. It’s alright, keep speaking. Be very honest.”

Her voice comforted their heart so much.

Something was strange.

Strange, but they could not refuse her command to speak.

“Honestly, if the Magician’s participation is certain, there’s no reason not to join. The odds of winning look good, and if we win, it would be a jackpot. Since the Princess is weak, our Eastern Alliance members will seize real power and grow stronger. The Empire would be in our hands.”

Still strange.

‘Was it really okay to say all this?’

The petty doubts quickly faded.

In their place grew an inexplicable joy.

“I see. Is that the opinion of the entire Eastern Alliance?”

“Hahaha! Not all, but most likely yes. Hahaha!”

Strangely joyful.

So they laughed.

“Hahaha!”

Laughing, it turned out Count Bolens wasn’t the only one joyful.

“Hahaha!”

“Hahaha!”

“Hahaha!”

Everyone laughed happily.

As if worry and care did not exist in this world, they laughed with joy.

That sight made the heart even lighter.

Indeed, serving Her Highness the Princess was such a joyful thing.

“Isn’t it pleasant when no lies are told, Count?”

“Indeed! Long live Princess Sylvia! Hahaha!”

“Hahaha!”

“Hahaha!”

“Hahaha!”

Everyone rejoiced in unison.

It had been so long since they had laughed so freely.

How truly gracious this was.

Suddenly, an overwhelming gratitude welled up.

For this joy, this happiness—

So kindly given by Her Highness Sylvia.

Unable to contain the emotions welling up, “Thank… thank you, Your Highness.”

So they simply cried.

“Your Highness…”

“How could you bestow such grace upon people like us?”

“Sobbing…”

“Forever grateful!”

The meeting hall became a sea of tears in an instant.

No shame remained.

How could there be shame in serving Her Highness the Princess?

They were not alone in feeling these emotions.

Everyone felt the same when looking upon the great Imperial Princess.

“Now, now, stop crying and look at me.”

The words of Her Highness the Princess.

Everyone lifted their heads and reverently looked at her.

So beautiful an appearance.

Delicate features and shining silver hair.

And… somehow, her gray eyes were faintly blurred.

Gray?

No, they must have been momentarily blinded.

Those eyes sparkled more brilliantly than any jewel.

Radiant and beautiful eyes.

“Today was truly a productive meeting, was it not?”

Everyone nodded vigorously at those words.

“An exceedingly productive meeting!”

“A most honorable meeting!”

“A gracious meeting that may never come again!”

“Glory to our families…”

“Enough.”

At Sylvia’s command, all movement stopped.

“Then let us assume we will all go to the capital together. We shall hold a detailed meeting again tomorrow.”

Sylvia rose from her seat.

“I am tired.”

As if on cue, all nobles in the hall stood.

***

When Sylvia left the meeting hall, all the nobles of the Eastern Alliance followed silently.

The once bustling meeting hall instantly fell silent and cold.

Hio remained alone in the quiet room, sinking into his chair.

It felt like watching a short but intense play.

No, it was not a play. It was a puppet show.

A puppet show so contrived, controlled by a single person.

Hio released Trait – Ghost’s Eye and gave a hollow laugh.

“Haha.”

But his eyes beneath the hat did not laugh at all.

***

A candidate worthy of standing at the pinnacle of the continent.

What Furnel said about Sylvia long ago was spot on.

“Psychic magic is tricky to use and even trickier to defend against. But tricky means it has flaws. It’s not absolute.”

Furnel’s voice echoed in Hio’s mind as he held his forehead.

“But if you touch the soul itself, it’s a different story. No flaws, no trace. Those who serve her probably value the Princess’s life above their own and will devote their lives to her.”

Her presence is etched into their very souls.

No matter what you do, it cannot be erased.

“Is there any way to counter it?”

None. Or almost none.

Even Yohn Torno, a 5th-tier Guardian Knight, offered no resistance and simply gave his soul.

Though it seems the Princess did not exert much effort with Yohn Torno.

Unlike other nobles, Yohn Torno merely regarded the situation calmly.

Not because Yohn Torno was remarkable, but purely thanks to Sylvia’s mercy.

“If the soul’s rank were higher, she couldn’t dominate it so easily. But that’s just a matter of time. If the Princess’s power evolves further, even a high rank won’t matter.”

“…It’s cheating.”

“A terrifying power.”

It’s not manipulating the mind.

It simply makes the person itself so.

Is there any power more terrifying than this?

“Still, it wouldn’t work on you.”

“Because of Spirit Power?”

“That’s right. Except for monsters like you who can observe your own soul, far beyond human limits, no one in this world can resist the Princess’s power.”

Though Furnel said so, the world is vast and full of variables.

Her power is not necessarily absolute.

But the fact that Furnel said so proves it is tremendous.

“Well, it doesn’t matter anyway.”

Hio removed his hat and placed it on the table.

Then he let out a deep sigh.

It was a situation that naturally called for a sigh.

“Cheer up. You’ve done all you can.”

The reason for that deep sigh was because through Trait – Ghost’s Eye, he had seen Sylvia.

“The end of power gained too easily is often this bleak.”

Because he saw the aura of death filling her body to the brim, about to burst.

An unrelieved penalty.

Not improved, but worsened alongside her stronger power.

“It’s truly over now.”

Sylvia Verden.

The ill-fated Imperial Princess would soon die, and Hio would fail to keep his promise.

“This is the worst.”

The promise made to the taciturn knight who bowed his head in plea.