“Sounds like something important.”

“Yeah, just don’t be too shocked when you hear it.”

“Alright.”

“You ready?”

“Yeah, tell me anything.”

I needed to prepare myself, too. Taking a deep breath, I began.

“Actually, our King’s dream was world destruction.”

“What...?”

“But as you know, such a dream is problematic, so we agreed to just conquer the world instead.”

“...”

An ordinary person might have kindly asked if I was sane. I was lucky—my friend Bianca was smarter than average.

Having grasped the situation quickly, Bianca asked seriously,

“So the other countries will soon...?”

“Well, probably.”

“Building an empire.”

“I don’t know about that. I don’t plan to rule the kingdom long-term. So, if it’s okay with the Celestid late princess, I want to ask if you’d consider inheriting the throne later...”

“Uh, you mean the throne, right?”

“Yeah, yeah.”

“It’s not really something you talk about like an object... but okay. I’ll bring it up.”

“Thanks, Bia!”

“Whether that’s something to thank me for... don’t mention it.”

Before long, we arrived at the Gillette family carriage waiting to take Bianca back to her townhouse.

I reached out to ★ 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 ★ escort her, but instead of placing her hand, Bianca grabbed mine tightly.

“Bia?”

My friend seemed to have something to say.

“Ai, I told you before: if you form a conquest party, I’d help.”

“Yeah, but you went ahead and formed a conquering party.”

She laughed awkwardly, but her expression and eyes were serious.

“Ai.”

“Yep.”

Just then, Bianca spoke.

“I’m on your side even if you’re a villain.”

“...”

“If you need help conquering the world, just say so. I’m no fighter, but I can do other things. My promise to fully support Ai and take on whatever I can still stands.”

“...!”

Facing Bianca’s genuine smile, I found myself unable to speak.

I wanted to thank her, but words wouldn’t come. So I couldn’t help it.

I hugged Bianca for the third time.

✠

Bianca’s carriage kicked up dust as it disappeared beyond the palace gates. Only when the Gillette crest was out of sight did I take a step.

<She grew up beautifully. Truly Reya’s granddaughter.>

“Of course. Our Bia is very pretty.”

<That’s right. But Ayleth...>

“Yes, Agnes?”

<Shouldn’t you hurry back?>

“Yeah?”

The summer afternoon sun had dimmed considerably, the sky thick with clouds.

The heavy clouds seemed laden with water, as if a storm was brewing.

Hurrying toward the main palace, the clouds gave no mercy. A raindrop fell on my nose.

Looking up, my top-tier aura expert senses immediately warned,

“Ah, it’s going to pour.”

The rain approached with the force of an army.

I quickly put my hand into my inventory, but soon realized no umbrella was needed.

Raindrops above my head suddenly burst apart like an explosion, leaving a dry space around me as if an invisible shield protected me.

It felt like my spot was isolated from the heavy rain. As far as I know, only one person can wield such a power to distort nature’s laws.

“Reid.”

Turning toward the approaching footsteps, I saw a handsome black-haired man in formal attire walking through the rain-soaked world like a figure stepping out of a watercolor painting.

Caught off guard, I barely noticed him approach quickly.

“Sorry.”

“Huh?”

I was puzzled by the sudden apology, and he thumbed away a raindrop from my nose.

“I couldn’t get here before the rain.”

“...”

Where does one learn such gestures? A book? What kind? Certainly not the Bible.

Trying to hide my flustered feelings with a cough, I greeted him belatedly.

“Thanks for coming to get me.”

“Don’t mention it.”

“Shall we return to the main palace?”

“That sounds good.”

The garden under the pouring rain was like a beautiful underwater aquarium. Walking through it without getting wet felt quite special.

“Magic lets you experience some amazing things.”

“Many things are possible. You can pull down the stars, draw the moon closer, or even drop the sun.”

“...”

“What’s wrong, Ai?”

“Reid, just checking—this isn’t about planning world destruction, is it?”

“...?”

I asked because meteor strikes, tsunamis, and ground-burning came to mind, but Reid looked confused.

Does he really have no plan for world destruction?

Just as I was about to breathe a sigh of relief,

“Oh, I thought of something you’d like, Ai.”

“What is it?”

“The summit of Mt. Eltio.”

“...Why bring that up now?”

Isn’t that where Reid and I fought our final battle in the 100th round? I wondered if old grudges were the cause, but thankfully not.

“From that height, magic lets you see a curved horizon.”

“Ah...”

A curved, not straight, horizon. I’d like to see it someday, of course with Reid.

“You’ll show me later?”

“Yes, of course.”

As we spoke of the future, we soon entered the main palace. The closer we got to the bedroom, the more my body felt the fatigue I had long ignored.

If I felt this way, Reid, buried in constant work lately, must feel worse. I couldn’t help but say it.

“Reid, you’ve really been working hard lately.”

“Yeah, it’s been... really tough. I should have listened to you.”

“Right? If we’d done it step one instead of three, we wouldn’t have suffered... uh, sorry.”

Realizing I’d teased him, I collected myself.

Fortunately, my provocation didn’t work much; Reid still spoke with his world-ending plan intact.

“But I think I can finally breathe a bit. Viscountess Gillette is really capable.”

“Of course, of course. There’s no other talent like our Bia.”

Proud of my friend, my chest puffed up, and my shoulders straightened. Reid just laughed at me.

[‘The Eye Watching the Chaos’ condemns the jealousy-driven pettiness of denying positively.]

[‘The Scales Judging Souls’ presses hard that spiteful interpretations aside, male lead’s jealousy is justified.]

[‘The Cliché Gourmet’ demands a spicy flavor instead of the sweet one.]

[‘The Language Command Building the World’ calls the noise annoying and scatters salt to chase it away.]

Reflecting on the progress of affairs in the Kingdom of Winchester, I realized something joyful.

“So as of today, the important tasks are mostly done?”

The king nodded.

“For now, the country will somehow keep running, so we’ll have some breathing room.”

“Breathing room... so then...”

I glanced at Reid, asking his willingness.

“Want to try?”

“Have to.”

His reply was firm. If not today, it felt like a disaster.

The gods clearly understood what our conversation was about and responded enthusiastically.

[‘The Manager of Creative Economy’ cheers for finally drawing the genre change trial.]

[‘The Language Command Building the World’ blesses your desired genre to appear.]

[‘The Balancing Critic’ says the chief’s blessing was proven ineffective.]

[‘The Scales Judging Souls’ nods vigorously, urging that if you want romance, you must call upon their divine spirit.]

Every time we do this kind of draw, it’s so chaotic.

“Better go back to the quarters first.”

“Right.”

We were close anyway. Opening the door and entering the parlor, the maids and servants naturally withdrew.

Left alone, we sat across from each other at the table.

“How do you feel, Ai? Third time now—think this one will work?”

“W-well.”

I hesitated to give a positive answer, and Reid’s eyes gleamed with a rare madness.

“Feels familiar.”

“What kind of feeling?”

“Like being toyed with by a god.”

He smiled brightly, scarier than when he was a paladin.

“Ah, no. There’s no rigging! Probably!”

“Rigging?”

“...There is. But trust me.”

“Sure. I don’t believe in gods, but I trust you.”

Reid calmly shed his madness again. His eyes returned to the ordinary look of hopeful expectation.

“Phew...”

Seeing Reid’s sparkling eyes, I felt a heavy responsibility not to disappoint.

So I resorted to forbidden magic no believer should touch.