Royal Princess of Blood

It was the day of the big thing that Miyako was about to do. Although, there was a bit of a problem… The thing was… Taneva and Hartwin left the palace yesterday at around afternoon. They said they were going for a drink. I didn’t bother stopping them, of course. I didn’t expect them to go shopping so soon, anyway.

The problem was… At the moment we were inside the throne room where the thingy was about to take place… and the both of them have yet to return! What the fuck… We were supposed to do this together. And yet, there were only three of us here! Me, Velar and Nira!

Don’t fucking tell me those two got too drunk and ended up in a dump somewhere.

I could imagine it happening to Hartwin, but Taneva? Noooo, no way.

I was frowning in frustration. I hated it when something deviated from the plan. True that Miyako and Satomi were gonna handle it, but there was no telling what could happen. Things could get real fucked up for all we know. And it would be pretty comforting to have them here.

Ugh, so annoying.

Feeling a bit of pressure here… just a tiny bit. But dammit!

While I was silently stressing, Miyako walked up to me, and I regained my composure.

She was wearing a full combat outfit, wearing some light plated armor, dark boots, fit trousers protected with leather and plate armor. Her long hair was tied in a ponytail, and she had quite the determined face. On her waist was a katana. Now she actually looks kinda cool, so prepared for a possible battle.

Satomi was behind her, wearing more armor on her body. Metal plates around her shoulders and down to the upper arms, then on her torso and legs. Her hair was tied in a messy bun, like she did not care much about her appearance. Two sheathed katanas hung on both sides of her waist.

As for me, though, to not stand out, I was covered with my cloak. Aaaah, the burdens of the beautiful. Truly, I was suffering from success.

“Estelia, I thought Taneva and Hartwin will be with us?”

I didn’t show my displeasure on my face. “They have not returned since yesterday.”

“What…? Did something happen, perhaps? Maybe they need help.”

I frowned. “I doubt they would need any help whatsoever.” Yeah, like there was no way that Taneva would need help. Hartwin… I’ve always reckoned he’d always get out of trouble somehow. “If they’re not here, then there’s nothing we can do but continue on.”

“... Of course… We’ll be enough, right?”

“We? What do you mean we? It’s just gonna be you, remember? You’re gonna protect us.” I said in a jestful manner. I briefly chuckled, as Miyako wryly smiled. I patted her on the shoulder. “We should be fine.”

As long as there were no surprises.

“I’ll step in if needed,” I added. But I sincerely hoped I would never need to.

She nodded.

It shouldn’t be too much of a hassle if they cast the holy magic well. Demons may be strong, but holy magic would fuck them up good.

The ones that were first to come here for the assembly were military officers that were stationed at the palace. There were only around a couple dozen of them, ranging from a couple of generals, commanders, squad captains, and lieutenants. Satomi’s teacher was among the crowd. They were all wearing formal coats, and they were without weapons.

A couple of well built old guys walked towards us, or to be precise, towards Miyako.

“Lady Miyako, I heard you ordered for everyone in the palace to gather here,” said the old guy. “We need an explanation.”

Miyako formed a small smile. “I apologize, general. But… I cannot tell you anything just yet.”

“Milady, surely we ought to know about an important matter such as this,” said the other guy.

“No, you cannot.”

They were surprised to hear her refusal to comply with them.

“... Surely this cannot be because of what happened to you in Hokunoa.”

They were quite insistent on this. But it was clear they were both curious and a bit pissed about this.

Miyako shook her head. “Just fall in line please, my father has arrived.”

The two old guys groaned in frustration and went in to join the crowd. All of Miyako’s assistants were here to help organize things. The moment the lord arrived though, the crowd fell silent and quickly lined up properly.

“I need to go, Estelia.”

“Yeah, good luck.”

Hmmm, which one would mean it was good luck? Where she finds a demon or not? Well, she just might become a bit more paranoid if she found none.

Miyako walked up near the throne where her father and mother were. Her assistants stood in the nearby corner. The guards at the building entrance closed and sealed the doors. As he sat on the throne, the lord held out a hand.

“Thank you for coming here today,” said the island’s lord. “You have come here for an important reason, that I hope you’ll comply.”

“My lord, what is this assembly for?” asked the general from before. “May we get an answer now?”

“That is not up for me to decide. The one who requested you all to gather is my daughter here. From this moment forward, I will leave this matter to her. I will only observe. You will listen to her.”

Miyako stepped forward. “You are all here for a crucial test, where none is an exception. Whosoever attempt to avoid this test shall have their allegiance put into question.”

“P-Put into question?!”

“Despite years of service?”

“What is this?”

“We need more explanation, milady!”

They were quite fierce about it, but of course these military guys would be a bit annoyed by this. Outraged, in fact. For them, they have fought for the lord their entire lives, putting their lives at risk. And now their loyalty could easily be questioned.

“Isn’t that absurd, Lady Miyako?” loudly asked the old geezer who was standing near the throne. He was the same geezer who was quite rude towards us when we first arrived.

“It’s not absurd. Now then, you don’t have to do anything but stand there and hold out your palms to me.”

The officers were all puzzled. But Miyako disregarded their confusion and drew her blade. Satomi also drew one of hers. The both of them pricked the tip of their finger and rubbed the blood onto their blade. Miyako only needed a little practice, but it was different for Satomi. Fortunately, with proper guidance, she was a fast learner.

“What the hell?” the crowd watched in confusion.

And then, Miyako and Satomi started muttering their prayers. Gradually, the blood on their blades started glowing, and the blood shifted throughout the blade, forming veins and wrapped around the sharp edges.

“What is that magic?”

“Blood?”

“Is it some sort of Armament Magic?”

Miyako and Satomi checked their blood enhancement, and it seemed good enough. Everyone was surprised to see this weird ass magic. In any other setting, it might have been considered as foul magic or dark magic or some shit. I mean, using blood for magic is kind of nasty.

Miyako stepped forward. “The test is simple. I will cut your palm with this blade. If you’re normal, you will have no unnatural reaction.”

“Normal…?”

“What does she mean?”

Miyako approached the line first and faced the first in line, pointing her blade at him. “Are you ready?”

“... Of course.”

And she swiftly cut his palm. There was no smoking on the wound or anything.

“Did I pass?” the man asked.

“Yes.”

And thus Miyako quickly moved on to the next. Satomi was helping on the other side. They kept cutting their palms, but there was no reaction from anyone just yet. Eventually, Satomi arrived at her teacher.

“Teacher…”

The teacher narrowed his eyes. “Do whatever you need.” He presented his palm.

“Thank you, teacher.” She cut his palm, and there was no strange reaction. Satomi was visibly relieved. It must have been hard to question her teacher’s allegiance. But at least now it was proven he was not a demon.

“Satisfied?”

“Yes.”

“Good… I have suspicions about what you’re looking for.”

Satomi nodded and continued on.

As they did their job, I glanced towards Miyako’s assistants.

Hmmm…

One of them seemed to be exceedingly worried. But eventually, we’d get there. As for now, it would appear that these military officials were to be completely cleared of being demons. Which was a surprise, to be honest, I half expected that demons would be infiltrating them. But then again, perhaps it was different per island what the demons wanted to do.

Eventually, all the officials were done being tested. Miyako seemed relieved about it.

She returned to the front. “All of you cleared the test!”

“Can you finally tell us what this is for?” a general asked.

“If I do, you will not speak of it to anyone. Still, we are not over yet.”

Miyako glanced at me, and I nodded. She subtly took a deep breath before facing the old geezer standing near the throne.

“You, step forward and present your palm to me.”

The old geezer blinked his eyes. “M-Me?”

“Yes, you, among the closest advisers to the throne. Considering your position, and given that you’re already here, you should be tested.”

Wow, so he was an adviser…

He gritted his teeth. “I assure you, milady, my loyalty is to the island and the lord.”

“I know. But pass my test, so you will be unquestioned.”

The adviser clenched his fist and hesitantly stepped forward. He held out his hand. Miyako made a cut on his palm. I was actually quite looking forward to this one. But, the result was kind of disappointing…

Aaaaw, he’s human. Dammit.

I was quite expecting to be a demon because of his sheer rudeness. Turns out, he was just an asshole.

“Thank you, you are clear.”

“See? Agh, now I’m bleeding…” he seemed displeased about that, of course…

Miyako then went towards her assistants. “You three are next.”

They were utterly surprised to hear that.

“Us too?!” Shijo exclaimed. “I didn’t expect this. We helped with this.”

“Yes, but everyone here must be cleared of doubt,” Miyako said. “Even my closest subordinates.”

Shijo groaned as he glanced at the other two assistants. “... Fine, I have nothing to hide anyway. Cut away, milady.” He boldly held out his palm. And Miyako lightly slashed his palm. “Ow…” Blood dripped, but there was no strange reaction. “Am I clear?”

Miyako smiled widely, seemingly overjoyed. “Yes.” She then faced Aeko. “Please.”

Aeko formed a gracious smile and slowly held out her palm. “I fear that it will hurt.”

“It will only be for a moment.”

“I have nothing to hide, milady.”

And thus, Miyako slashed her palm. There was no strange reaction, just a normal human bleeding. Miyako let out a heavy, yet relieved, sigh. “You’re clear, Aeko.”

“... I’m glad to hear that.”

Then Miyako moved on to the last one, Isaki. “Please, Isaki?”

She worriedly glanced down at Miyako’s blade. “I-Is this really necessary, Lady Miyako?” She gave a worried smile.

“Yes, Isaki.”

“I mean, haven’t I proven myself already? Many times.”

“... Yes, you did.”

“So, I don’t see how my allegiance could be questioned…” she dryly chuckled. “Aren’t we friends?”

“… This is the way to clear you of any suspicions, Isaki. You have been a great friend, so I’m doing this for all of us. To set our minds at ease. Now please, your hand.”

“I… I don’t like getting hurt.”

“I will make only a small cut.” She pointed her blade at Isaki’s hand, and for some reason, the latter flinched backward.

“B-But… Is there any other way?”

Miyako’s eyes narrowed. “... Isaki… You can’t avoid this. Please, don’t make this hard for us.”

Isaki maintained her trembling smile. “Oh, come on, Lady Miyako… You don’t have to do this to me.”

Satomi, feeling suspicious, slowly walked up behind Isaki.

Miyako had a troubled expression. “Isaki… Why do you hesitate this much?”

“... I really, really don’t like being hurt. Blood scares me.”

Miyako gritted her teeth. It would seem this hesitation from her friend was becoming too strange. Even her other two assistants were progressively becoming concerned. Miyako then gestured for the both of them to move back.

“What’s going on…? What the hell is she doing?” Shijo muttered as he stepped back.

“Just let her cut you, Isaki,” Aeko said. “It doesn’t hurt much.”

The smile disappeared from Isaki’s face, replaced with an anxious expression.

“We’re friends here, Isaki, aren’t we?” Miyako warily asked.

“Of course, Lady Miyako… So please stop this.”

At that, Miyako clenched her sword tightly in frustration. “Just one cut to make sure… Just one, Isaki…”

“... I don’t want to.”

Miyako’s face then became determined. “Satomi!”

And Satomi swiftly swung her blade, aiming for the back of Isaki’s neck. It wasn’t meant to be fatal, just a light cut. However, to everyone’s surprise, Isaki dodged the blade and quickly moved into a safe distance.

Isaki had complete displeasure on her face. “Fuck… fuck, fuck…”

Miyako’s face dropped, the kind you’d see from someone who was betrayed. She couldn’t even raise her sword to point at her. “I-Isaki… you can’t be…” She was in denial.

“Dammit, dammit!” Isaki slammed her foot on the floor. “Years, goddamn years of work. Ruined in one fucking day.”

“You’re a demon, Isaki?”

Isaki slowly raised her eyes to look at Miyako, the warmth and friendliness from before was now gone, replaced by something cold and stern. “What the fuck do you think, my dear friend?”

As I thought, it was someone close, very close…