A Child Throwing a Tantrum

An apostle of the Sun God.

Princess Yupe was apparently just a pseudo-apostle, but it was painfully clear that she had become an extraordinary being.

The body she freely exposed through her dress bore not a single remaining burn scar, and indeed the claim that she had been the most beautiful in the kingdom was evidently no lie.

But at the same time, she was no longer human.

She stood unfazed in burning shoes, with flames crackling at the tips of her hair.

It was as if she had become fire itself.

"Everyone be careful. Even as a newly-made one, she may possess some kind of divine authority."

"Easier said than done. But judging by how much the Fire Elemental dislikes her, that's probably not ordinary fire."

"If she's going to harm Master, I'll simply fight."

Azu released the power of the Creator King's apostle.

The blessings of the fire and Water Elementals enveloped Azu.

"Azu-chan, do you remember the apostle we fought in the catacombs before?"

"Of course I do."

"That was just the remains of an apostle who had lost their divine authority, yet it was still that strong. If we don't stop this apostle here, she might even become the real thing. If that happens, the scales will tip in their favor again. We must defeat her."

Elza's expression was unusually serious as well.

I moved back along with Orleans.

Just being nearby felt like being in a desert at noon.

At the front, Alexia pointed the tip of her battle-axe at Princess Yupe.

"I don't know what's going on, but listening to you this whole time is really pissing me off. Going on about nothing but what suits you. I'm a little ticked off."

"… What right does some Imperial woman have to act high and mighty? From the looks of you, you've probably survived by sucking up to men."

"You look like someone men wouldn't even glance at. Your personality is absolutely rotten!"

Alexia swung her battle-axe wide and brought it down diagonally at Princess Yupe.

A strike aimed at the collarbone.

Just before the blade connected, Yupe caught it with her gloved hand.

The wind ruffled Princess Yupe's hair and dress.

But that was all.

"Magnificent! This body! I feel like I can do anything right now."

"Why you—"

Alexia was putting even more force into the battle-axe with both hands, but it wouldn't advance further.

The caught battle-axe began to glow red from the heat.

"Tch."

"Oh my, giving up already?"

Alexia pulled the battle-axe back.

It seemed ordinary attacks wouldn't deal effective damage.

As Alexia withdrew, Azu leaped forward in her place.

The Sealed Sword Grungaus, infused with magic power, was shining.

She slashed diagonally downward.

Princess Yupe tried to catch it with her hand the same way, but the moment the sword touched her, she hurriedly pulled her hand back.

As a result, she only grazed it and the swing went wide.

But a deep cut had appeared on Princess Yupe's wrist.

The burning blood that flowed from it set the floor ablaze.

Princess Yupe staggered, pressing the wound.

Eventually the wound disappeared.

Then she glared at the one responsible: Azu.

"It hurts, it hurts hurts! What is this, what did you do to me of all people? How insolent! Don't you understand that I'm of a different caliber than you!?"

Princess Yupe produced a sword from her uninjured hand.

Both blade and hilt were entirely crimson.

Beautiful like blood.

"Who you are doesn't matter. Defeating enemies is my role."

"That's right. Even more so when the opponent is this annoying."

"I'm protecting Master and Orleans-chan, so do your best～"

Elza had put up a barrier to keep the damage from reaching us.

Now there was nothing to do but leave it to Azu and Alexia.

"I'm counting on you two!"

"Who do you think you're talking to? This one's nothing."

"I'll do my best!"

Princess Yupe walked toward us.

Ever graceful.

As if to demonstrate that she was superior.

"That scrawny girl is more troublesome than the Imperial woman. And I can't forgive her for wounding me."

Having apparently targeted Azu, she readied her sword and swung at her.

There was considerable distance, but fire erupted from the sword's arc and attacked Azu.

Azu evaded with a sidestep.

In that opening, Alexia circled behind Princess Yupe and this time aimed for her neck.

Unlike before, she had cloaked her battle-axe in flames and enhanced herself with magic power.

Then came a dull sound like thick plates of iron colliding.

Princess Yupe's stance wavered.

But she quickly recovered and, with the battle-axe still pressed against her neck, began pushing back.

"Can you really call yourself human looking like that? You're obviously a monster."

"You dare call me a monster…! I'll burn that face and hair so you can never appear before a man again."

It seemed Princess Yupe was stronger than Alexia, and Alexia was being gradually pushed back.

Just as Princess Yupe's lips began to curl upward, certain of her victory, Azu kicked the battle-axe as hard as she could.

Princess Yupe's stance crumbled again, and she finally fell to the floor.

She hurriedly picked up the crimson sword she'd dropped and took a stance.

Her killing intent was there, but her composure was gone, her agitation plain to see.

She was by no means invincible.

"She's strong, but inside she's still a sheltered princess. Though my weapon can hit her, I can't cut her. She's extremely hard."

"I think apostles might just be like that. Normal weapons probably aren't very effective."

"I'll leave the finishing blow to you, Azu. I'll try to restrict her movement as much as possible."

"Understood. I think I can sever her neck."

"Whose neck do you think you're severing? I'm a princess, you know? And I'm going to kill all of you and take everything this country has. What insolence to speak that way to the future queen."

"Does the future queen steal people's food and enjoy it? That's despicable."

"Silence! What do you know about me!?"

"I don't know anything. Because all you've been saying is selfish things."

Azu's words must have touched a nerve.

Princess Yupe swung her sword wildly without any restraint.

The aftershocks even reached us.

Azu and Alexia dodged or deflected the incoming sword waves and pressed forward.

The magnificent mansion burned and crumbled away.