Endgame

The desire to leisurely watch Leo go berserk while refusing to accept reality burned fiercely within me.

Seeing him display such distaste only made her indescribable sadistic urge bloom thickly in Stella’s chest.

But now wasn’t the time to enjoy such things.

Because her brother was still aiming for Stella’s life.

“Leo. I know you’re confused by your cute appearance, but could you postpone your panic? We’re in considerable danger right now.”

“Ah, right…! I’ll help right away!”

Perhaps moving his transformed body felt unfamiliar.

As her brother sneered at Stella, he watched Leo wobble like a child.

“Ha, so this is your helper…? You really think this brat can help you?”

“…He’s stronger than he looks.”

Probably.

No, not probably. I already knew Leo was quite strong from witnessing it multiple times with my own eyes.

Hadn’t he cleanly severed that massive demon’s arm?

Yet seeing him clumsily swing a sword larger than his now-shorter stature made anxiety sprout vigorously within me.

“Ugh, my stance…! I can’t figure it out!”

“?!”

Judging it too dangerous to waste more time struggling with his transformed physique, Leo swung his sword with awkward movements.

Then, empowered by the former Sword Saint’s artifact, white sword aura erupted from Leo’s blade.

…To the point where both Stella, who’d been doubtful, and the sneering Crown Prince wore expressions of utter disbelief at the absurd sight.

“This is insane…!”

Kwaaaang!

The multiple defensive barriers summoned from the prince’s hastily deployed magic circle began melting like sugar crystals touching water the moment Leo’s sword aura struck them.

The prince’s complexion rapidly paled at the ridiculous destructive power coming from such clumsy movements.

In stark contrast, Stella’s expression brightened dramatically.

“Keh, kehahahaha! Damn you, Dear brother! Where’s the dignity befitting royalty? Such vulgar language is unbecoming!”

“Ugh, grrrruuugh!”

The prince barely managed to block the sword aura threatening to bisect him.

A sword aura launched with no stance, relying solely on brute life force and physical strength.

Normally, such technique-less attacks could be blocked with moderate effort.

But now was different.

Having fought three enemies – the Watcher, demon possessor, and Stella constantly interfering – only two of their original six members remained after the fierce battle.

In such a state, this brute-force attack launched without respite was obviously difficult to block.

The proof being that the other remaining member who should’ve been nearby had completely vanished.

Vaporized by the sword aura? Or blown away with his defensive barriers?

No matter. Both outcomes left them equally incapacitated.

Seeing the arrogant tormentor who’d trampled her emotions moments ago now in dire straits…

Stella decided to repay every humiliation in full.

“Kehahahaha! Leo! More! Keep going!”

“Huh?! But my stance…!”

“Doesn’t matter! Do it!”

“Y-yes!”

Kwang! Kwang!

With each horrific collision between sword aura and defensive barriers, the prince felt darkness clouding his vision.

Though he noticed Stella subtly rising and moving away, he could do nothing.

Lowering his guard to subdue her would let that sword aura literally bisect him.

No priest or so-called divine healer could save him then.

He’d die instantly when cut.

Thus he had to act. Otherwise, he’d be worn down and die miserably.

His mana already nearing depletion blurred his vision, while that monster clumsily firing absurd attacks showed no signs of tiring.

Do something, anything…

“…Ngk!”

The prince’s focus wavered for an instant as he anxiously scanned his surroundings.

A mere split second of distraction.

The price was devastating.

His slightly weakened barrier was torn away by the sword aura, delivering pain beyond anything he’d experienced.

“Gak, ugh…! Gaaaaah!”

The prince’s eyes flooded crimson as he contorted to survive, an indescribable scream bursting from his lips.

He avoided instant death.

Instead of being bisected…

Nothing remained where his left arm should be.

“Stella… Stella Adelheiiiiid…!”

“What is it, my brother. Rex Adelheid.”

“You…! You…!”

Stella’s expression turned icy watching her brother spit fragmented words.

“Yes. I’ve won, brother.”

“Im… impossible!”

“I lost to you my entire life, lost again moments ago… But just once. At the decisive moment, I won.”

“How dare…!”

“With your defeat here, succession rights naturally pass to me. No other direct lineage remains besides us.”

“I can’t… I haven’t lost yet!”

“No, you’ve lost. With wounds like that, you’ll die without immediate treatment. You can’t fight anymore.”

“…”

Panting heavily, Crown Prince Rex Adelheid looked up at Stella and realized.

He had been defeated.

At the most critical moment. In the most fatal place. By someone he’d never once lost to before.

“Keh… kh… So I’ve… lost?”

“Yes. You lost.”

“Maddening. I never imagined losing to my sister.”

“That’s why you lost. You expelled me to the academy thinking you could deal with me later. Had you eliminated me then, this wouldn’t have happened.”

“Haha… Right. Should’ve… killed you then.”

As his consciousness faded, the prince closed his eyes in regret.

He should’ve killed her earlier. Not been careless. Not shown false mercy, but crushed her completely with the imperial family’s full military might.

But no amount of regret stopped his fading consciousness from briefly returning.

“…Why not kill me?”

“Who knows. You’re one-armed now. Defeated in duel. I intend to expose your lies. You’ll die on your own without me killing you.”

“Ha… hahaha! I see, I see!”

So his sister intended to humiliate him utterly.

If his actions, committed assuming victory, came to light…

The consequences needed no careful consideration.

Even if miraculously healed, nothing remained for him after falling from peak to abyss.

She’d surely laugh while watching him crawl in the mud.

…That sight was unbearable.

“If you intended to spare me, I’ll make that impossible!”

The prince squeezed every drop of remaining mana into his right index finger.

Already depleted, the mana gathered was barely pea-sized.

But enough to scramble his own brain.

“Ghk!”

The tiny mana cluster flew from his finger to its target before vanishing instantly.

Only the prince remained, collapsing with bloody tears.

“…You always said losing was worse than death. I guess that wasn’t a lie”

Stella muttered incredulously at the sight.

To go out like that…

It evaporated what little sympathy remained.

Convenient not to dirty my hands.

“Um… excuse me…”

“Ah, Leo. Thank you. With your help, I overcame great danger. Seems I’ll become Emperor thanks to you. What do you desire? You wanted to be a knight, yes? How about becoming the Emperor’s guard knight?”

“Really?! I’d gratefully… wait, no! That’s not it!”

“Hm?”

What now?

Did the Emperor’s guard knight position displease him?

Having seen Leo constantly singing about wanting to be a knight, Stella had planned to support him becoming the best knight possible if things worked out.

Did it displease him?

No, he’d clearly brightened up moments ago. Obviously pleased.

…Another issue?

“This form! When does it wear off?!”

“…Ah, that?”

“Yes, yes!”

Perhaps unhappy about becoming female after the queen promotion.

Leo looked at Stella with tearful eyes.

“It should return to nor…”

“I-I won’t stay like this forever, right?”

“…”

Sniffle.

Stella’s face flushed as she watched the former man tearfully hugging his precious sword.

…Suddenly felt like tormenting him.

“Who knows. This is my first promotion too. Not sure what will happen.”

“Th-that can’t…?!”

Ah.

This is fun.

Watching Leo’s flustered expression, Stella resolved:

Must definitely make him my guard knight.

And occasionally promote him to queen for mischief.

Maybe keeping him like this forever wouldn’t be bad either.

Stella calmly contemplated thoughts that would make Leo flee in terror if he knew.