"Do you think what Luu Luu said is true?" Primm asked, visibly unsettled by the sudden appearance of the demi-human. "It can't be true... right? Vault-sama... why would he betray us?"
Alicia remained silent for a moment, her gaze lost in the horizon visible beyond the window of her study.
"I'm afraid so," she finally replied in a grave voice. "I didn't tell you earlier so as not to worry you, Primm, but Celestine-sama contacted me long before Luu Luu arrived. We must prepare for the worst; if there is a traitor among us, we must hunt them down."
Alicia sighed. She knew her city would be the first target due to its strategic proximity, but something didn't add up. Why had Celestine only sent Luu Luu? She did not deny her strength, but there was something else gnawing at her thoughts: the unimaginable alliance with her former enemy, the Queen of the Dark Elves.
"Celestine-sama contacted me again," Alicia continued, lowering her voice. "She informed me about the possible betrayal of Minister Beasley."
To the surprise of the Knight Princess, Primm did not seem scandalized. On the contrary, she made a face of disdain.
"Hmpf... I never liked that guy," Primm muttered with disgust, recalling the lascivious looks that man used to throw at her.
Alicia narrowed her eyes, mentally reviewing her recent interactions with the minister.
"Beasley's tone was very strange this morning," Alicia added. "He was... more cheerful than usual."
"And don't forget that disgusting look he had, onee-sama. Really..." Primm cut herself off abruptly, as if words were not enough to describe her disgust.
Toc... toc...
"Come in," Alicia ordered, regaining her regal composure.
The door opened and one of the entrance guards hurried in.
"Excuse the interruption, Alicia-sama, but we have a situation. There is a visitor requesting to meet with Your Excellency."
"More guests?" Alicia complained, rubbing her temples. She had barely begun to process Luu Luu's arrival and the informational chaos.
"Alicia-sama, the visitor claims to have been sent by Celestine-sama," the guard added.
Alicia's eyes suddenly lit up. She remembered the first message: Celestine had mentioned that, in addition to Luu Luu's presence in the shadows, she would send someone else to act as a direct liaison.
"Let him in," she finally ordered, taking a seat with forced calm.
Outside, Reik waited in front of the large doors of the hall. The guard watching him kept observing him with an almost predatory intensity, as if she were about to pounce on him.
'Damn, at least try to hide it a little,' Reik thought, feeling a slight cold sweat under the woman's devouring gaze. Fortunately, the door opened just in time.
"You may enter. Alicia-sama will receive you now."
Reik nodded and crossed the threshold. The hall was imposing, but his attention immediately focused on the two figures at the back. Alicia Arcturus was seated with a sovereign bearing, reviewing documents with a stern expression that radiated authority. Beside her, a pink-haired young woman, Primm, watched him with curiosity.
As soon as Reik took his first steps toward them, the effect of his presence struck the room again. Primm opened her eyes slightly in surprise, and a faint blush began to tint her cheeks, losing track of what she had been thinking.
Reik stopped at a respectful distance and gave a slight bow.
"My name is Reik. I come on behalf of Queen Celestine to deal with matters of life and death regarding the safety of this city and Vault's betrayal."
Alicia placed the documents on the table and fixed her blue gaze on Reik's. For a moment, the silence was absolute, broken only by Primm's accelerated heartbeat, as she could not take her eyes off the newcomer.
The silence in the room was almost tangible. Both Alicia and Primm were frozen, observing Reik's face with a mixture of fascination and curiosity that threatened to break their composure.
'Hey... I know I'm handsome, but don't just stare at me like that without saying anything. It's a bit embarrassing,' Reik thought, feeling the pressure of those gazes.
"Ahem..." Reik coughed lightly to break the spell. "Nice to meet you. My name is Reik Droven. I apologize for appearing so suddenly."
"N-no problem," Alicia replied immediately, looking away to hide the faint blush on her cheeks.
"Reik, right? We heard you were sent by Celestine-sama," Primm interjected, with barely concealed excitement in her voice.
"That's right," Reik affirmed, regaining his seriousness. "I've come to try to save this kingdom from a dark future that is approaching."
His words made the atmosphere in the room grow heavy. The mention of the kingdom's fate erased any trace of shyness in the women.
"Additionally," Reik added in a grave tone, "I bring urgent news. I come from the territory of the Dark Elves. There, we witnessed the fall of loyalty and the rise of an unprecedented threat. I have also come to inform you of Minister Beasley's betrayal; he has allied himself with Vault's faction to hand over the city from within."
When he finished speaking, silence once again reigned. Reik remained waiting for them to process the information. He knew they were already aware thanks to Celestine's warning, but to maintain the secrecy of the chat, he had to act as if he were the first messenger.
Finally, Alicia broke the silence with a solemn expression.
"It seems you are well informed. Celestine-sama had already warned us about Beasley's possible betrayal. We are just waiting to meet with Luu Luu to obtain definitive proof before taking action."
"Luu Luu?" Reik asked, confused, as he was not aware of her arrival; Celestine had not mentioned it in the chat.
"Shortly before you arrived, Luu Luu presented herself to offer her help against Vault and brought the same details about Beasley," Alicia explained. "At first, it was hard for us to believe it, but your arrival confirms that the threat is real."
Primm nodded, looking at Reik with renewed trust.
'Help?' Reik thought skeptically. 'I have the feeling Celestine sent her to keep an eye on me, not just Olga... But well, once they see Vault's true face with their own eyes, I hope these internal conflicts will stop. At least for a while.'
He shook off those thoughts and looked firmly at the Knight Princess.
"Good," Reik concluded. "Then let's not waste any more time. We must find Miss Luu Luu and capture Beasley before he makes the first move."