At this moment, outside Academy City's outer wall, on a riverbank.
Boom!!
Bang! Bang, bang! Bang, bang, bang!
The sky and the ground erupted with brilliant light almost simultaneously, as though the darkness of night had been swept away in a single instant.
In the sky, fireworks filled the heavens.
On the ground, decorative bulbs, neon lights, laser lights, spotlights, and countless other lamps throughout Academy City all shone at once. Rows of lights resembling Christmas decorations also began to flash.
Countless electronic melodies joined together as well. At that moment, the brilliance of humanity overwhelmed the radiance of the stars.
Reflected beneath the innumerable multicolored lights, a marble cross stood upright amid the shimmering shallows, silver-white from top to bottom and shaped like a "sword."
It was the Roman Catholic Church's highest-ranked spiritual item, the "Croce di Pietro."
"What is that... Why...?"
The activation of the "Croce di Pietro" had been abruptly interrupted. Lidvia Lorenzetti stared hollowly at the dazzling colors filling the heavens, overwhelmed by a flood of emotions. No longer able to maintain her devout posture of worship, she murmured the question under her breath.
Countless fireworks soared into the sky, illuminating the entire firmament. The distant light of the constellations was completely drowned beneath the multicolored fireworks. Lidvia knew there was no longer any chance.
The activation requirements of the "Croce di Pietro" were already exceptionally strict. Aside from requiring a specific date, Saint Peter's feast day, it was fundamentally a form of magic that made use of constellations, specifically the visible constellations appearing in the night sky.
Only by allowing the starlight of the constellations that appeared after sunset to shine upon the spiritual item and collecting the descending light could the "Croce di Pietro" be activated.
But now, the optimal moment for activating the "Croce di Pietro" had vanished in the blink of an eye. Such an ideal opportunity would probably not come again until September 19 of the following year.
Even if she wanted to relocate and reconstruct the spell, there was no longer enough time. Lidvia did not believe Academy City would give her another opportunity. Moreover, her injuries were already severe. She had only managed to endure until now through sheer determination. The moment that determination broke, her vision immediately swam and darkened.
Unable to accept what had happened, Lidvia collapsed to her knees before the "Croce di Pietro." Agonizing pain instantly tore through the crudely bandaged wounds across her torso, the spasms so intense that bile churned in her stomach.
"Ahahahahaha—!"
"Hey, hey, did you see that, Acqua of the Back? I'm dying here! The Roman Catholic Church's so-called highest-ranked spiritual item got defeated that easily! Hahahahaha—! They didn't deploy any defensive forces at all. They didn't even send a magician or esper worthy of facing it. Just a few fireworks. Hahahaha—!"
Standing in the shallows, Vento of the Front laughed wildly, her tongue extending slightly like a snake's. With a ding, a thin metal chain bearing a hanging cross slowly slipped from between her lips. Combined with the exaggerated movements of her face and the countless piercings covering it, her laughter looked especially twisted and bizarre.
"Just a few fireworks! That's enough to make me laugh my teeth out. I told them already, defeating an enemy without fighting sounds nice, but where in the world is anything that convenient? In the end, meeting force with force is the only real answer!"
Still laughing, she couldn't resist smashing the spiked hammer in her hand into the shallows. Like artillery shells striking the ground, water and gravel exploded outward as crater after crater was blasted open.
"Those old fossils in the Vatican are nothing but vermin. Their methods became obsolete a long time ago!"
Nearby, Acqua of the Back paid no attention to the failure or complaints of his fellow Roman Catholic. He sat upon a rock beside the shallows, hands clasped together and raised above his head. He seemed to be worshiping, praying, or perhaps seeking atonement for his own actions.
"Lord, please forgive me. If I have sinned, I am willing to bear everything. But she should not be dragged into this..."
A rare trace of tenderness appeared upon Acqua of the Back's stern face.
He understood more clearly than anyone that from the day he became a member of God's Right Seat, he had already committed an unforgivable act.
From that point onward, the British royal family and Anglican Church had nothing more to do with him. They had even become bitter enemies.
No matter how he explained himself, no matter how many reasons he possessed, the fact remained that he had converted to the Roman Catholic Church on the eve of his knighting ceremony. His crime of breaking his oath as a knight and his crime of treason were undeniable.
Acqua of the Back was willing to shoulder all of that alone. He had already prepared himself to die violently and pay any price necessary. There was only one thing he could not accept—that earnest yet kindhearted girl being implicated because of him.
That was his sole selfish desire, the one thing he could never relinquish.
The reason?
Before becoming a member of God's Right Seat, his name had been William Orwell.
Splash—!
Seeing Acqua of the Back rise, Vento of the Front, bored now that she had finished venting and carrying her spiked hammer over one shoulder, asked listlessly, "Word came from the Vatican. I didn't think those old fossils would actually have this much nerve. The Agnese Forces, the Knights, the 'Queen of the Adriatic Sea[1]'... they're throwing everything in at once."
"Acqua of the Back, what's your next move? Keep waiting, or..."
Rip!
The sound of tearing cloth interrupted Vento of the Front, making her eyes widen. "What are you... doing?"
Pulling off the white short-sleeved shirt emblazoned with a blue cross, the towering and steady man who resembled a stone statue slowly walked toward Vento of the Front. "I'm sorry. Please apologize to His Holiness the Pope on my behalf. William Orwell has something he must accomplish."
As he spoke, William Orwell handed the torn white shirt to Vento of the Front, the blue cross emblem upon it still intact.
"What are you planning to do?"
Vento of the Front did not harshly condemn his actions or accuse him of betrayal. She merely glanced at Lidvia, who had already collapsed unconscious nearby.
Come to think of it, among all the members of God's Right Seat, Vento of the Front was relatively the friendliest with Acqua of the Back.
She knew Acqua of the Back's character well, as well as the depth of his devout faith in Christianity.
"Do you need my help...?"
"No. You have your responsibilities as Vento of the Front. But I am different. I am not going as Acqua of the Back, but as an unknighted knight, as William Orwell. There is somewhere I must go."
William Orwell looked toward the dazzling, multicolored city that never slept.
Selene, I've come to keep our appointment.
...
Meanwhile, in School District 7, near School Garden.
Looking at the rising fireworks while seated at a round table beside a second-floor window, Selene merely smiled.
After all, the weakness of the "Croce di Pietro" was simply too easy to exploit.
Academy City was Aleister's territory. Once he knew the function and activation requirements of the "Croce di Pietro," how could the chairman, who had been the greatest magician of the previous century, possibly allow Lidvia to incorporate Academy City into the Roman Catholic Church without resistance?
Conveniently enough, the fireworks festival held during the evening parade on September 19 might very well have been a precaution Aleister had arranged long ago.
Using money spent on fireworks that delighted students, parents, and tourists alike to neutralize the Roman Catholic Church's highest-ranked spiritual item was hardly a loss. If anything, it was a slight profit. Didn't all the additional consumption generate money too?
"And with that, the little tricks of those vermin from the Roman Catholic Church have failed."
Selene rested her chin lightly against one slender hand clad in a black glove.
In her other hand, she held a gilded card studded with precious gems, tapping it idly against the tabletop. To Villian, the rhythmic tap, tap sounded like a dull file scraping away at her nerves, making it difficult to breathe.
"Why? Why do you and my elder sister have to resort to force? Can't you simply sit down and talk...?"
"Weakness!"
Carissa sounded somewhat impatient.
"He's a traitor, and he's already come knocking on our door as a representative of the Roman Catholic Church. Talk? What a joke!"
The red covering Carissa's entire outfit only made her presence more imposing. Such a color scheme would have looked gaudy on anyone else, but on this princess, it instead produced a vivid beauty that felt perfectly appropriate.
Thanks to the agreement signed between the Anglican Church and Academy City, Britain, isolated overseas though it might be, could also be considered an ally of Academy City. Both sides needed to face the Roman Catholic Church, the great "final boss," together.
"Compared with being used as a tool for a political marriage, forced to wed someone you don't know or may even dislike, wouldn't you rather grow old together and support each other through life with the 'nameless' knight you love—William Orwell? Which would you choose?"
Selene gave a faint smile. She had no interest in offering further commentary and continued.
"..." Villian lowered her head even further, preventing Selene from seeing her expression.
Even without seeing her face, however, Selene could hear the tremor in Villian's voice.
Rising to look out at the fireworks display beyond the window, Selene paused before glancing back. Her calm scarlet eyes narrowed into thin lines. "Villian, the time William Orwell and I agreed upon is tonight. There isn't much time left. This isn't a negotiation. Your answer?"
At some point, Villian had bitten down on her lip. She whispered, "If I publicly renounce my right to the throne and openly support Sister Carissa's succession, will that be enough?"
"Precisely."
Selene wore an expression that practically said 'good, you understand,' the corners of her lips lifting slightly. "I'm sure you understand your awkward position within the royal family. For you, my terms are probably the optimal solution."
Queen Elizard of Britain had three princesses. From eldest to youngest, they were evaluated as follows.
The First Princess, Limeia, possessed great intellect.
The Second Princess, Carissa, possessed military talent.
The Third Princess, Villian, possessed benevolence and compassion.
But in reality, Third Princess Villian possessed no actual authority. Nobles and members of Parliament might praise her by saying things like, "Your Highness is truly benevolent," but there were probably none who would declare, "I swear my loyalty and will serve you for the rest of my life."
Everyone involved was shrewd enough to judge by prospects and interests. Reality was not a fairy tale. No matter how much sympathy one might have for the Third Princess, pledging allegiance was something that had to be considered carefully.
Especially when the Third Princess did not appear capable of making the "cake" larger and leading everyone toward greater benefits.
That simply wasn't how one placed a bet.
"Have a proper conversation with your elder sister. She doesn't actually dislike you as her younger sister. What she dislikes is your excessively 'merciful' and 'naive' way of thinking."
Seeing the staff on the first floor begin preparing the evening banquet while the stage was also being readied, Selene had already obtained the answer she wanted and no longer had any interest in making small talk with the sisters.
Use Villian to lure Acqua of the Back into the trap, then exploit the information gap and use Acqua of the Back's life to force Villian into obedient compliance. Two birds with one stone.
Walking down the stairs, Selene's sharp eyes immediately caught sight of a scene that brightened her expression.
Misaka Mikoto's pale moon-white evening gown accentuated the girl's slender figure. White floral decorations complemented her smooth chestnut hair, and she carried a violin case in one hand. The only problem was that obvious embarrassment covered Misaka Mikoto's lovely face.
"She's already a mother, so why is Mom still so childish? The moment she heard this was a stage for students to show off their talents, she insisted I perform too. Damn it! Why does Shokuhou get to sit comfortably down there?!"
Misaka Mikoto muttered resentfully to herself.
They had been chatting perfectly normally, only for her mother to suddenly drag her backstage and force her to change clothes, saying she needed to perform some kind of talent show.
"Misaka, it's your mother's expectations. Do your best!"
Wearing a dark blue long-sleeved maid uniform, her bangs held back beneath a maid's distinctive lace-frilled cap, Tsuchimikado Maika gently smoothed the wrinkles from Misaka Mikoto's cuff while speaking with considerable anticipation.
"What do you mean? Are you here to laugh at me? And why are you here, Maika?"
"This is one of the hospitality areas managed by Ryouran Maid School. As an apprentice maid, is it really strange for me to be here?" Tsuchimikado Maika blinked.
"Misaka, what exactly are you doing?"
At that moment, a cool voice interrupted their conversation.
After learning what had happened, Selene secretly gave Aunt Misuzu a thumbs-up. Misuzu looked equally pleased and even returned the gesture.
Mm. As expected of a childish young mother.
Looking at the thoroughly embarrassed Misaka Mikoto, Selene then glanced at the violin case in her hand. "Perhaps this can be a way of conveying something."
"Misaka, let's perform together."
Misaka Mikoto froze for a moment. Slowly, she raised her head and looked at the elegant white-haired beauty standing before her, dressed magnificently and shining like starlight.
"Were you drinking upstairs with those two princesses?"
She asked, "Don't you hate these unnecessary formal activities? You even turned down invitations for Open Day and the summer festival."
Selene gave a soft laugh.
"It is a formality, yes. But it depends on who it's for."
Following Selene's gaze, Misaka Mikoto immediately spotted Mother Katy among the crowd. Understanding dawned, and she nodded. "Oh."
"What are we doing?"
...
"I can't believe Aunt Misaka actually made Misaka-senpai perform onstage. I wonder what kind of performance she'll give us?" Uiharu Kazari said excitedly to Saten Ruiko beside her.
"Onee-sama's performance will definitely be extraordinary."
Shirai Kuroko spoke proudly, pulling out a camera that no one had noticed her prepare. The way she gripped it tightly betrayed just how excited she was.
"Misaka-san's performance... I'm a little curious."
Shokuhou Misaki rested her chin on one hand, narrowing her starry eyes with a seductive expression.
"Whoa—! Misaka-senpai is coming out!" Saten Ruiko suddenly exclaimed.
On the stage, the music academy students who had previously been providing background music had already withdrawn. As the spotlight illuminated the empty center of the stage, every gaze in the hall was immediately drawn toward the girl stepping into view.
"Huh? A harp? Who's going to perform with Misaka-senpai?" Saten Ruiko asked curiously.
The next moment, accompanied by the crisp click-clack of high heels against the polished stage floor, a clear and beautiful voice rang out behind Misaka Mikoto.
"Selene-senpai?!"
The white-haired beauty's features were deep and sculpted, like a masterpiece carved by a world-class artist. Under the spotlight, the already striking girl became even more eye-catching, carrying the commanding, valiant presence of a queen, her brilliance completely unveiled.
"Selene?"
Mother Katy was startled as well.
Looking over, she saw Selene smile and nod toward her before taking a seat in front of the harp.
Gently resting the violin against her shoulder, Misaka Mikoto slowly closed her eyes. The next instant, the two instruments began playing together, clear notes flowing from the strings like crystalline water.
Soft notes drifted through the hall beneath the luxurious crystal chandeliers, sounding almost like music descending from heaven itself.
Selene: Signet of Gold, loaded.
"What a beautiful piece! Is it purely instrumental?"
Upon hearing the music, different emotions welled up within everyone present.
Yet on this point, they all shared the same understanding.
"This piece..."
Why did such an indescribable sense of relief and emotion suddenly rise within her heart?
Mother Katy heard something different within the music. Rather, it would be more accurate to say that Selene was playing this piece specifically for her.
A child's growth... an eagle spreading its wings... the protagonist stepping onto the stage...
Scene after scene surfaced in Mother Katy's mind along with the melody. She closed her eyes and let out a soft sigh, then opened them again and nodded with a complicated expression.
Her daughter was conveying her intentions to her, communicating what she thought and felt.
Instead of stating it through words, she chose to convey it gently through moving music. Was she afraid of hurting her mother's feelings?
Selene's caution and how deeply she treasured her family both moved Mother Katy and made her heart ache. If she wanted to say she'd grown up, she could simply say it directly. Why go through so many twists and turns? It wasn't as though Mother Katy were some stubborn, authoritarian parent.
You've truly grown up, little Selene.
[1] La Regina del Mare Adriatico