Dalia—nor Masa’s body, for that matter—had never undergone any training.
She was even duller than an ordinary person, so hiding one’s presence was no challenge.
Above all, I had Nana.
With Nana affixed to and only my outer garnts swapped, no one would suspect it was .
Dalia chatted brightly,
“Really? There’s a sure way to make the Duchess like ? What is it?”
She pressed anxiously, and the Orb crackled with a soft laugh.
[It’s the Celestial Steed.]
“A Celestial Steed... like a Pegasus? A winged horse?”
[Precisely. The Duchess’s love of horses is fad. She would bring ho any fine thoroughbred.]
“I see....”
[The Celestial Steed is her lifelong dream. Were you to present it, she’d grant any wish you desire.]
“But does such a steed even exist...? Well, perhaps it does—this world has monsters.”
[Indeed, it does.]
It exists?
Impossible. I’ve never heard of one.
The Pegasus of Earth and the Celestial Steed of this world share traits: white, winged, sacred.
But how could a monster be sacred? Their magic is tainted—seen as profane beings.
[It appeared once at the temple lake of a certain kingdom. A true divine beast, brimming with holy power.]
“Wow... I didn’t know.”
[Of course you didn’t hear rumors of a temple auctioning a divine beast.]
“They sold a divine beast? Hmm, they must have kept that very hush-hush.”
[Yes.]
“Then why did the Duchess never get one? Didn’t she know of the underground auction?”
[She did participate. But a royal of Laontra outbid her.]
“Ugh, she must have been furious. So if I bring her the steed, she’ll be delighted?”
[Absolutely.]
“Is there a way to secure one?”
[We’re negotiating with the Laontra royalty who purchased it.]
“How thrilling! Then I’ll beco a Bijou and oversee the No-Moon Festival!”
Dalia was ecstatic.
As the conversation ended, I slipped away toward the carriage stand. Hanjihyuk approached.
“How did it go?”
“Dalia plans to procure the Celestial Steed. That’ll surely win the Duchess’s favor.”
“Then we must act on our side... Erilot?”
Hanjihyuk frowned in concern.
“Why the expression? Isn’t it hard to obtain a Celestial Steed?”
“No, it’s—”
“Or perhaps?”
I narrowed my eyes, pondering.
“Hera.”
“What?”
I turned swiftly toward Hanjihyuk.
“The one Dalia was speaking with seed a spirit-harp in the Orb. Yet Dalia addressed her as ‘Hera.’”
“Hera—the Hera Revia? Forr Central Guardian Star?”
“Exactly... but the odd part is it sounded like a man’s voice.”
“Then it must be soone sharing the na.”
Hanjihyuk snorted.
“Common nas are common. I knew five Minsus back in Korea. And here, how many Charleses are there?”
“That may be, but it’s strange.”
“How so?”
“The Duchess’s party invitations aren’t easy to co by. I, too, received mine from the Crown Empress.”
“...How did Dalia get hers?”
“If Hera Revia knows many Bijoux—fellow forr Stars—she could well have obtained one.”
“Hmm....”
I spoke gravely,
“We must investigate Hera Revia’s background.”
“Understood. Any other instructions? Should we probe the Steed deal?”
“Yes. And....”
I hesitated, then added,
“Gather intel on the Chronote Sect as well.”
“Why suddenly the Chronote Sect?”
“...ssiah.”
Hanjihyuk startled, scanning around before leaning close.
“The ssiah the Chronotes seek is the ancient you. Why this?”
“Because the spirit-harp called Dalia ‘ssiah.’”
“What?!”
“Perhaps the harp is not rely Grimie’s troops, but agents of the Chronote Sect.”
“Even so, why would they call Dalia ‘ssiah’?”
“....”
“And right now, they lack manpower.”
True—many informants fell in the plague.
To probe Hera and the Steed deal now would stretch resources thin.
Hanjihyuk folded his arms, troubled.
“Investigating the Chronote Sect now is too much.”
“Then let’s ask directly—no need for informants.”
“What?”
I raised an eyebrow toward Dalia’s garden.
Catching the Duchess alone in the lounge, Dalia seized her chance to speak.
At first the Duchess seed unmoved, but she suddenly brightened.
“A Celestial Steed?!”
“Yes... Your Highness, your birthday is soon. I pondered how to delight you, and thought perhaps a Steed...”
“Delight , indeed!”
The Duchess grasped Dalia’s shoulders excitedly.
“Could you procure one?”
“Yes! I’ve already prepared the details. I have the information—”
“A Steed appeared at the underground auction, yes?”
Dalia flinched as the Duchess gazed past her.
Before she could clarify, Erilot interjected with a gentle smile.
“I hear the Laontra royalty won the bid.”
“Your intel is swift.”
“I too racked my brain to please Your Highness. I shall secure your lifelong dream of the Steed.”
Dalia scowled at Erilot: Again you cut in...
The Duchess chuckled,
“How touching your devotion.”
Erilot bowed her head.
“My apologies. My motives are quite base.”
The Duchess laughed and nodded.
“I favor honest souls.”
“Such candor—” Dalia glowered at Erilot. Again! Only Erilot wins praise! She alone initiated the conversation. Why did everyone fawn over her? I’m working just as hard...
Dalia bit her lip as the Duchess spoke.
“Then let us do this.”
“Yes?”
“The first to bring the Celestial Steed shall ascend to the No-Moon Altar. I vow it by Kalsoye’s na.”
“Wonderful!”
“I am honored.”
At that, the Bijoux arrived to escort the Duchess. All were smiling as if delighted by the announcent.
“Thanks to Your Highness’s birth celebration, we shall enjoy a rare spectacle.”
“A contest between the House Astra’s two daughters—what grandeur!”
Asaline, a forr Guardian Star among the Bijoux, clapped.
“Since it’s a contest, why not broadcast it?”
“Broadcast?”
At her words, Asaline swept her hand.
A curious flying monster appeared, bobbing in the air. Upon its back was...
“A lens! This monster’s a cara!”
Dalia’s eyes widened in surprise as the Duchess chuckled.
“Indeed; this creature’s boon is the . It breathes life into magical tools.”
Asaline shrugged.
“Short-lived—at most a week; it’s not a creature but a command executor. And only three can operate at once.”
Giselle, another forr Star, giggled.
“Is it wise to reveal the boon’s limitations so readily?”
“The greatest constraint remains unspoken, yes?”
Asaline leaned toward us.
“So, will you allow the broadcast?”
“I would love it!” Dalia exclaid eagerly. Of course—she craves attention.
The Duchess and Bijoux all looked at expectantly. You do too, right? Dalia’s face said: “If you chicken out, you lose.”
Fool—what do I have to lose?
If I allow the broadcast, they cannot secretly deploy spirit-harps.
“Very well.”
With cries of delight, the Bijoux cheered.
Dalia and I exchanged glances, sparks flying in midair.
The party concluded.
Dalia, exhilarated, headed for the carriage stand.
[Everyone in the world will watch our contest!]
Yes! If I beat Erilot, they’ll all see anew.
[How thrilling! The broadcast tool activates at midnight tomorrow, right?]
Yes! They’ll give us ti to prepare.
We have spirit-harps. And unlike Damon—father maintains good relations with other realms.
Victory is assured.
Dalia giggled, when suddenly—
“Returning to the mansion?”
Erilot’s voice cut through. My mood plumted.
Dalia turned with a pout.
“Why are you trailing again?”
“So it seems.”
“What now? If you’re trying to unsettle before the match, it won’t work.”
Erilot only smiled.
Dalia scowled.
“I’ll win this match. Whatever you heard of the Steed—”
“I heard it from you.”
“...What?”
“When you were in the garden. I overheard then.”
“W-what?!”
Dalia glared incredulously.
“You stole my intel? How dare you! I’ll tell the Duchess!”
“You stole our talisman info, too. Then I’ll tell her I ‘returned the favor.’”
“I—I heard it by accident! But you did it on purpose—!”
“Why were you called the ssiah?”
“That’s... you heard that too? How low will you go?!”
“As far as I know, the ssiah is soone else.”
“...What?”
Dalia’s face stiffened.
Erilot, arms folded, approached slowly.
“I truly know who the ssiah is.”
“...You lie.”
Dalia’s voice fell. She bit her lip and glanced around.
Erilot smiled.
“Didn’t your father forbid anyone from saying ‘ssiah’?”
“...”
“Why might that be? Could it be so none suspect you’re a fraud?”
“...ssiah is central to the Chronote Sect. They’re seen as enemies by nations, so—”
“Do you know the ssiah’s conditions?”
“Oh, she just hasn’t manifested powers yet.”
“Soone already has.”
“A lie!”
“Then introduce to the Chronotes. I will prove it.”
“That... that’s....”
“You can’t, can you? You’re not sure yourself, are you? You must have thought it odd too.”
“No—!!”
Dalia snapped and shoved Erilot fiercely.
Erilot staggered off-balance and nearly fell.
“Oh, Lady Astra!”
By the carriage stand, onlookers rushed to steady Erilot, glaring at Dalia.
“What is the aning of this!”
“But—Erilot was—”
“No matter what occurred, you shad yourself by pushing her!”
“I—I only—”
The crowd pressed closer at the commotion.
“Are you alright, Miss Astra?”
“I’m fine. I spoke harshly first, so don’t bla her.”
“Goodness, how gracious...”
All surrounded Erilot protectively and glared at Dalia.
Dalia, clutching her skirts, spun and climbed into her carriage.
Inside, she ground her teeth as Masa whispered,
[They’re so unfair, right? They know nothing.]
“...Shut up.”
[Huh?]
“Quiet!”
Masa blinked, startled.
[Why so angry...?]
“I’m not the ssiah—!”
Since coming to this world, I’d been happy. Though annoyed at tis, it was fine. Whatever befell , my parents would solve it. And...
“ssiah, you are our parent, sibling, lover... more precious than anything.”
“The Chronote Sect exists for you.”
More cherished than family or lover, over ten princes adored her.
[You’re a bit timid... You’re Lady Astra, but you can find anyone. So ladies travel with whole squads of knights.]
“You... fool...!!”
Dalia’s shout cut sharply,
“How can you compare spirit-harps to ordinary people?!”
[Uh...?]
“The Egritz Corps couldn’t budge against the Masitavuvas. How would they co to love another woman?!”
[That’s...]
“Don’t you know how special the ssiah is?!”
[No, it’s not true. Erilot’s lying.]
“Yes... It must be....”
Masa went mute. A heavy silence fell in the carriage.
Back at the mansion, Dalia remained in low spirits.
The younger Masitavubvas flanked her, soothing her.
“What troubles ❀ Nоvеlігht ❀ (Don’t copy, read here) you, our ssiah?”
“What has happened?”
The Duke of Jermo—no, Symmah knelt and gazed up.
“How may we restore your joy?”
“...”
“A cake more sweet than any in the world? Clothing, jewels—whatever you desire.”
“I...”
“Yes, ssiah. Please want and desire anything. Pleasing you brings us joy.”
Hera, with a gentle smile, spoke:
“Who dared offend our ssiah? Tell , and I shall tear them limb from limb.”
It was a dreamlike daily life.
Dalia leaned into her younger Masitavubva, coquettish.
“Mmph, it’s nothing. Stro—pet my hair, little Masitavubva.”
“Anything for you.”
Dalia thought,
Erilot is lying.
It must be a lie.
But if it’s true... if it truly is...
She looked to Hera.
“Um, what are the ssiah’s conditions?”
“Yes?”
Pavil, watching kindly from afar, asked,
“I wonder what powers I possess...”
“You are one who reads the world’s currents. You perceive and converse with all spirits unconditionally.”
The world’s currents?
I recalled Erilot’s cries in the battle against the Masitavubvas, as if reading the world itself.
She sees souls and speaks with them?
In the party hall, Erilot had acted as if she’d seen Masa.
Masa, too, whispered contemplatively:
[I thought I locked eyes with her back then...]
Dalia’s face stiffened.
Back at the Astra manor, I gazed at the full moon and smiled.
“The seed is planted.”
It’s impossible for to extract intel from the spirit-harps. They are a secretive group—unknown in identity or thods.
Then I must use soone I know well to uncover them.
No one knows Yoo Se-eun better than Dalia.
If Dalia fears any contact with the spirit-harps, and therefore won’t use them in this contest...
“Checkmate.”
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