A bright, beautiful balcony overlooked the Imperial Capital.
Two Imperial soldiers sat at a small glass table, drinking tea and admiring the view. The city sprawled beneath them—towering spires, white stone buildings, the distant gleam of the palace where the Matriarch held court.
"The Capital is certainly beautiful from your office balcony, Konomi," one of the women said, her voice light with appreciation.
"One of the perks of my position." Konomi Kuraki, the First Princess responded with a calm smile. She lifted her teacup, the porcelain delicate against her pale fingers. Her black hair absorbed the sunlight rather than reflecting it, falling past her shoulders like a curtain of night. Her bright purple eyes held the stillness of deep water.
"Even though you know that it puts a giant target on your back."
"There has been a target on my back ever since the day I awakened." Konomi set down her cup. "But now everyone is too scared to try anything anymore."
Kaelistra Vanthe—the Arsenal Empress, Third Princess leaned back in her chair, her silver hair catching the light. Her golden eyes gleamed with amusement. "I could be mistaken, but you sound bored."
"Of course I'm bored. Back then, nobles used to try to assassinate me on a daily basis." Konomi's expression turned almost wistful. "Now they're always trying to curry favor with me. Bloody snakes."
"Of course. You are the most likely to be the next Matriarch."
"That's not guaranteed." Konomi's voice was cool. "Our other sisters still have that hunger for power."
"Our sisters." Kaelistra's voice dripped with exaggerated derision. "Half of them are too busy in their own worlds to care about the throne. And the rest aren't even threats."
"What about you, Kaelistra dear?" Konomi's purple eyes glinted sharp, assessing.
"Which of the two are you?"
Kaelistra shrugged. "You know how I feel about the throne."
"You think it's old-fashioned. Blah, blah. Democracy needs to return, equal rights to both men and women." Konomi waved a hand dismissively. "You honestly sound like a broken record. In this new world, democracy and equality are myths. We females hold all the power and males are beneath us."
"I know it seems impossible." Kaelistra's voice softened, just slightly. "But if I can at least become a General, then maybe—"
"But you could do so much more as the Matriarch."
"Fighting you seems like too much of a hassle." Kaelistra grinned.
"Honestly, it's only you, Elaine, and Elinia who can somewhat make me put in any effort in our generation." Konomi still having a bored expression on her face.
"Confident as always Sister," Kaelistra said sipping her tea.
"What about our sister Yurei?"
Konomi went silent. Her expression blanked—unreadable.
"Why are you suddenly bringing up that failure?"
Kaelistra's grin widened. "Did you hear that she finally got a slave?"
"So what? Even with a slave, she's still weak."
"Do you know her slave's class?"
Konomi's eyes narrowed. "What is it that could get you interested?"
"S-Class Spirit Type."
Silence.
Kaelistra's grin didn't falter. "I'm dead serious. Even Mother and the others were surprised."
Konomi's teacup paused halfway to her lips. "She's even using her blessing at full power now."
Interesting. Konomi's thoughts drifted to a pink-haired girl she used to effortlessly destroy during training and sparring sessions. But she kept challenging her anyway.
That stubborn girl, Konomi thought as slight and brief grin appeared on her face.
"Did that finally get your interest?" Kaelistra asked.
"Slightly." Konomi set down her cup. "It means she doesn't have an excuse anymore to remain weak."
"Only you wouldn't be threatened by an S-Class Spirit Type beast."
"I have beaten ten A-Class Mythic Type beasts alongside their 5 star mistresses,all at once." Konomi's voice was calm, almost bored. "A boy still wet behind his ears is hardly a threat."
Konomi tilted her head. "On the topic of slaves, how's yours doing?"
"Training in a Red Gate."
"Class Five, I presume?"
"The muscle-brained idiot is struggling to keep up with me. Hence the training."
Konomi's lips twitched. "Isn't he an S-Class Mythic Type? A Asha... Asu..."
"An Ashura," Kaelistra supplied dryly.
Konomi covered her mouth, trying to suppress the laughter threatening to spill.
"So unfortunate," Konomi said, standing, "having a slave that can't keep up and will eventually slow you down. Luckily, I don't have to deal with that problem."
"Where are you heading?"
"To cull the number of Corrupted near the western border."
Kaelistra raised her teacup in a mock salute. "Good luck."
"Come on, Kaelistra dear." Konomi flashed a small smile but it didn't reach her eyes. It was filled with ill intent, the smile of a predator. "You and I both know it's the Corrupted that need that luck."
*Swoosh. *
Just like that, she was gone.
No spatial distortion. No Aether trace. Kaelistra sat alone on the balcony, the teacup still warm in her hands.
"May the Lord have mercy on those Corrupted."
She set down her cup and stared at the empty chair across from her. Some people measured power in Aether. Others in titles. But Konomi measured it in the silence she left behind.
Because what was heading toward the border wasn't just the First Princess but the strongest imperial soldier of the current generation whose power even rivalled that of a Divine General.
Konomi Kuraki, the First Princess — The Most Reverend Beneath the Black Heaven.