Case 88: The next operation.

Case 88: The next operation.

''...''

''...''

''...''

In the suffocating silence, I lean against the railing, appearing casual as though nothing has happened just yet. Technically, I only said the truth. Luxia is now wholly mine, and she has no way of escaping if I ever decide to do something to her.

...Fine.

''I misspoke.''

I obediently admit my mistake.

''You bet.'' Chloe replies with a dead face. ''If it were real, I would have a real problem with both of you.''

As the blonde beauty meaningfully glares at Luxia, the pink-headed suddenly bursts into laughter.

"Nyahahahah! I wish that were true, Ame. I wish. Ah, how romantic it would be, hm?" She teasingly pokes Chloe with her elbow, causing the girl to get especially mad.

Cross veins start to pop on Chloe's forehead, and an intimidating aura descends upon her as she pulls out her sword.

''This little...!''

''Oh, you wanna go? Is this going to be a love quarrel?''

As the two assume a fighting stance, one serious, the other jokingly, I let out a sigh.

''Stop.''

'''' !!! ''''

Narrowing my eyes and secretly activating [Domination], my word now carries an infinitely heavier pressure, forcing the two to retreat instinctively.

''I don't like giving out absolute orders. Do not let me repeat.''

''...Alright.'' Chloe replies.

Meanwhile, Luxia has a nervous smile on her face, muttering something along the lines of 'So this is how it is...'

''In any case.'' I continue regardless. ''Luxia over there is now under my command.''

''So I've expected.'' Chloe says as she walks up to me, also leaning against the railings. ''I didn't expect it to be this soon, but it's a good thing regardless.''

''Mhm. And I need you to do something for me.''

''Just say it. We're best friends, aren't we?''

''Explain the stuff from the beginning to her.'' I point at the smirky Luxia.

Immediately after Luxia's arc, another major plot point ensues. This time, it will primarily take place in the academy and the capital. If the last one is about Luxia, then this story will be centered around another influential heroine—Sierra Alaina Astra.

Sitting with Chloe in her room, I quietly gaze at the leisure-mode duke's daughter.

''Can you handle this alone?'' I ask.

''Of course, I can.'' Chloe replies. ''I'm a duke's daughter now, you know? This makes it significantly easier for us.''

The theme of this arc is, quite fortunately, politics.

As the former crown prince and the student council president, also Sierra's brother comes back from an internship in another country, the two will inevitably clash. In the process of helping Sierra, the player will find out about the imperial family's situation and possibly secrets, leading to them holding certain powers after finishing the quest line.

The biggest fish is obviously Sierra. If the player can capture her and make her the definitive heir to the throne, they will gain immense support from the imperial family in future endeavors.

In any case, Chloe is now a powerful political entity, which makes navigating through this much more comfortable.

''I see. I will leave it to you, then.''

''Mhm. You just need to come back safely; that's all I ask.''

As I am not needed as much in this arc, I plan to do something more productive. If one looks closely at the Zircon forest, there is still another half that does not belong to me.

It's time for another conquest.

The target, this time, is the bamboo region in the South, which allegedly hosts a dangerous entity in the form of a swordsman. It has exceptional skills, which are said to be impossible to imitate even for top-tier masters in the world.

If I can make it another subordinate of mine and learn those skills...

Of course, it won't be as easy as defeating just the swordsman. If so, many would have been able to do it. This will be another full-on clash between armies.

''Oh, they're here.''

Right then, Chloe directs my attention to outside the window. The main gate has now been opened, and a fleet of SUVs and buses promptly enter, one after another.

The black one leading the bunch is probably the former crown prince's.

Students flock to the main street to watch the third-year seniors for the first time, and as for the fourth years, they're rotting away in their dorms doing their graduation thesis, or so it has been rumored.

In any case, they have a little welcome-back party for this one as well, so I can probably see the third-year students for myself.

I'll admit it. I'm quite curious.

bang—!

''Report! Agent Luxia has come back with valuable intel!''

And that's when the goofy pink-headed girl shoves the door open, saluting us both.

'''' ... ''''