Epilogue – Our Master is the Best!
The Second Collapse.
That is what future generations would call the monster disaster that struck the Imperial Capital.
One week had passed since that event.
The Origin, the King of Monsters, once sealed beneath the capital, had returned. Although the combined efforts of the Three Great Organizations managed to halt its advance partway, a significant portion of the city had been destroyed. Day and night, restoration efforts continued, but the end was nowhere in sight. The scars left by the monster disaster ran deep.
But the capital remembered. It remembered overcoming the calamity of the first Great Collapse. Even if the wounds hadn’t fully healed, that memory was enough to inspire the people, to give them the strength to stand up and face tomorrow. Slowly but surely, the capital would return to its daily life.
A daily life filled with the sounds of clashing swords, gunfire, and angry shouts echoing through the streets – the usual chaos of its ‘disturbed’ peace.
“And thus, the Imperial Capital continues its usual, hectic days.”
“…Somehow, that picturesque ending doesn’t quite fit with all the explosions in the background.”
Eilfina sipped her tea elegantly. Across from her, Arl sighed, looking utterly weary. They were on the rooftop terrace of the same tea shop where they’d met on his first day back, a spread of colorful snacks and sweets laid out on the table between them. And just like that day, the distinct sounds of combat echoed from somewhere in the city below.
“Hmph. Noise like this doesn’t bother me in the slightest,” Eilfina declared, propping her cheek on her hand. “Compared to the constant stream of passive-aggressive remarks from nobles and foreign envoys I’ve dealt with all week, this is practically music.”
“Your Highness. Your posture is unbecoming,” Kei chided gently from behind her, placing a fresh pastry on the princess’s plate. “This is a rare moment of rest snatched between your official duties. Here, please have one.”
“Mmm… sweeet…”
“…You seem to have had a rough time,” Arl commented, watching Eilfina devour the sweet with childish abandon, her regal demeanor completely gone.
“Well, the chaos in the castle is understandable,” Kei explained, arranging more sweets on the princess’s plate. “After all, the truth came out – that the legendary heroes were executed by the state’s decree. The truth about the Imperial Knights has spread, and the citizens are furious. All the underlying dissatisfaction with the government’s inability to maintain order since the Great Collapse has finally boiled over.”
The truth, revealed by the Black Knight and confirmed by Eilfina during the ceremony, couldn’t be contained. The Empire’s long-held secret was out. Arl, the former Imperial Knight himself, certainly hadn’t wanted the country thrown into turmoil because of him.
“Things never go as planned, do they?”
“The Imperial family sowed this seed themselves,” Eilfina said, regaining her composure after the sugar rush. “With the nation destabilized, interference from other countries, internal discord… the balance among the Imperial family will surely crumble. The power struggles will intensify. And we still have to deal with 【Lion Eater】, whom you secretly captured, Arl. The capital is in for a rough period. But I will bring it under control.”
“…”
His status as a former Imperial Knight was still a source of trouble. Seeing the conflicted look on Arl’s face, the princess shot him a sharp glare.
“And don’t even think that things will calm down if you just disappear again. I’ll chase you to the ends of the earth and drag you back. You will take responsibility for saving them!”
Seeing right through him, she left no room for argument. Arl could only offer a wry smile.
“Of course. I don’t intend to leave. Besides, the Three Organizations will be busier than ever.”
“Well, yes,” Eilfina conceded, slightly disgruntled. “As irritating as it is, they’re the Empire’s only hope right now.”
She stood and walked to the edge of the rooftop, leaning on the railing to look down. Arl joined her. The sounds of battle below had ceased. A group of thugs lay tied up like bundles on the ground. Members of the Three Organizations – maid-knights, black-suited agents, and white-robed mages – were moving in to apprehend them.
“With dissatisfaction towards the state growing, public expectation placed upon these ‘heroes of the people’ will only increase. Those troublesome fanatics have quite a heavy responsibility now, don’t they?” Kei commented dryly.
“They’ll be fine,” Arl replied with quiet confidence. “That day… they worked together to face the Origin. Now that they’ve acknowledged each other’s strengths, surely they can cooperate without resorting to their usual bickering—”
BOOM!
An explosion cut him off mid-sentence. Despite the battle seemingly being over, chaos erupted below. And unless Arl was mistaken, that sounded distinctly like… magic. With a growing sense of dread, he peered over the edge. Down in the alley – reminiscent of the scene from his first day back – the captured thugs lay forgotten. The three leaders stood facing each other.
“…Don’t interfere.”
Kirsi stood with her arms crossed, looking thoroughly displeased.
“These criminals are <Noah>’s prize. You two… didn’t contribute much against the Origin anyway. You should yield this one to me.”
“What!? I’m the one who disabled the Origin! If it weren’t for <Fenrir>, you would have been crushed by that monster swarm!”
Prima shot back defensively. Rosetta quickly jumped in.
“And we were the ones who cleared the path! Do you think the Origin would have fallen to its knees without <Blacksmith>’s firepower!?”
“And none of that would have mattered without my magic sealing it. V.”
—
TL Note: “V” (ブイ) represents both the peace sign gesture and its accompanying sound effect.
—
“Hah? Don’t look so smug, you bratty Saint!”
“If you want to get turned into swiss cheese, just say so!”
As if it were the most natural conclusion in the world, the three girls drew their weapons and launched into action. Swords deflected bullets, magic shattered paving stones. The holy war fought for their Master’s glory, a battle as frequent as any territorial dispute, had begun anew.
“—And you were saying something about ‘acknowledging each other’s strengths’?”
Eilfina gave Arl, who was staring dumbfounded at the scene below, a distinctly pitying look.
“Honestly, Arl. Did you really expect them to be so noble?”
“W-Well, but—!”
“If anything, this will only fuel their rivalry,” Kei stated calmly. “They know the whole truth about their Master now. They’ll be even more determined to restore your honor. They might try to conquer the entire continent for you. My, my, you really do have to take responsibility, don’t you?”
“…”
Arl’s face twitched as he pictured the horrifyingly accurate future Kei described. He was determined to be a worthy Master for these adorable girls. Absolutely determined. But perhaps… just slightly… wavering.
“Ei! Just stay down! I have plans to serve my Master later today! Unlike you two layabouts, I’m busy!”
“Don’t brag amidst the chaos! I’m having dinner with the Boss tonight! A fancy dinner!”
“Mm. And I… get to take a nap with Master…!”
To offer glory to their Master. To restore his honor. And, if possible, to win his favor. The girls shouted their love for their sovereign at the top of their lungs. Their words differed, but the meaning was singular and absolute,
“——Our Master is the BEST!”
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