"Hm? You're coming too?"

  After moving the floating landmass to a sparsely populated grassland area, as Celeste and Nairan prepared to return to the palace to report—Arimecalises announced she would accompany them.

  "Yes. I thought to greet His Majesty Rashion, my lord's son and my lord's sovereign."

  "That's fine, but what about controlling the island?"

  "No problem.

  I am not fixed to a three-dimensional phase, so I can exist in multiple locations simultaneously."

  "Well then...

  I suppose that's what you'd expect from a fifth-dimensional-or-higher existence."

  Celeste, understanding even vaguely, could accept this—but Nairan couldn't.

  "Wait, is that like creating duplicates?"

  "No, it's different...

  Arime is currently positioned outside this world's two layers or more, and can appear transcending time at any point she wishes to interfere... shall I say? Is that right, Arime?"

  "That understanding is generally correct, my lord.

  Lady Nairan, since this will take long to explain properly, let me simplify: imagine this world as a single glass sphere, and let us suppose your three dimensions exist within it.

  If I, outside the glass sphere, touch my finger to it, and only that fingertip can be perceived inside the sphere—if I touch one finger, it would appear as if one of me appeared, yes?"

  "Yes."

  "However..."

  At that moment, another Arimecalises appeared.

  "If I touch two fingers simultaneously—"

  "It appears as if there are two of me."

  "Oh my!"

  Even Nairan couldn't hide her surprise, but more than that, she seemed trembling with joy at observing a phenomenon beyond human knowledge.

  "But consciousness and memory... ah, they're integrated within you, the 'fifth-dimensional' being who owns those two fingertips—or rather, were originally one, correct?"

  「「Precisely. As expected of one who holds the position of Court Mage Chief.」」

  Among the six wings growing from the parts corresponding to both Arimes' heads, the topmost two fluttered lightly and simultaneously. It seemed to express the emotion of "laughter."

  "Yes, yes. Enough philosophical talk—let's return quickly.

  Even if you come to the palace, another will remain here, so from the palace too we can control this...

  No, calling it 'floating landmass' every time is bothersome. Does it have a name or something?"

  "I believe you already know it."

  "...No, when you speak from the temporal perspective of a higher-dimensional being like you..."

  The moment he was about to say that, Celeste realized a certain fact.

  For Arimecalises, time wasn't linear to begin with.

  Which means...

  "I'm supposed to give it one?"

  "That would be one way to put it."

  "I see, so that's how it is.

  ...Then I have just the thing.

  'Tenger'*—is that correct?"

  Celeste tried a word meaning 'heaven' in a certain country's language that had just come to mind.

  "Yes."

  Quietly, answering simply with one word—but both the one speaking and the one who'd been silently watching, both Arimecalises' six head-wings spread wide open.

  As if expressing jubilation.

  "Then I shall grant you the rank of 'Marc Tenger.'"

  "...Pardon?"

  Having returned to the palace, introduced Arimecalises to all the capital's ministers, and reported on events at Tenger—what awaited Celeste was such a sudden declaration from the king.

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  "No no no, Your Majesty, please wait.

  What's this about Marc and such?"

  "Oh my, Interior Minister—didn't you explain the ranks to Lord Royal Father?"

  "No, when we granted the Regis rank, I'm quite certain I explained properly."

  At the two playing innocent, an irritated Celeste said:

  "Oh, of course I understand what Marc is.

  I have vague memories of some long-winded explanation.

  I'm simply asking why you're granting me that Marc rank."

  "Well naturally, because that floating landmass... Tenger has become your fief.

  Through such-and-such circumstances, we're declaring it this nation's territory and granting it to you as your fief.

  This much, Lord Royal Father—and you too, Arimecalises—can accept, yes?"

  "I believe it an entirely proper judgment and decision."

  "Hey, Arime?"

  "My lord, if you read the previous Chapter 41 in detail, you'll understand."

  "...Haaaah?

  No, what's with 'such-and-such' and 'previous chapter'—explain properly!

  I'm three-dimensional here!"

  Unable to watch this spectacle(?) any longer, the Prime Minister volunteered to explain.

  "That's quite enough, Your Majesty.

  However unconventional he may be, this is too pitiful.

  Very well, I shall summarize for you."

  "Grandpa~"

  "Who's your grandpa!

  Listen! You are, nominally at least, His Majesty's subject—meaning this nation's citizen.

  Your possessions, your land—these are this nation's territory and His Majesty's assets.

  You understand this much, yes?"

  "Yes."

  "Therefore, though the land was gifted to you, purely as formality, you must receive it as a 'bestowal' from His Majesty.

  That's what making it your 'fief' means."

  "I see."

  "You understand that much?

  And so—"

  The Prime Minister conveyed to Celeste exactly what had been discussed at the ministerial meeting.

  The strategic value as a 'mobile border,' the Marc rank for operating it, and how that rank represented not mere honor but actual power—real strength.

  "Power? Beyond even the highest Regis rank?"

  "Though royal family, you're not blood-related, are you?

  If you intend to remain harmless, the king's decoration—that's fine.

  But you have no such intention, do you?"

  In other words, adding credibility.

  Celeste felt he understood what the Prime Minister meant.

  Indeed, the world doesn't move on goodwill alone.

  Against malicious intent, having power to resist is also truth.

  And the military purpose... he couldn't pretend ignorance forever.

  "I understand.

  Just one thing...

  ...Hey, Daharat—was this you?"

  "I told you so many times to read the room...

  I won't deny wanting your help for military purposes, but I didn't propose this. Please at least believe that."

  Since the friend he'd trusted wasn't exploiting him, Celeste felt relieved.

  "Arime, are you alright with this?"

  "What are you saying? I am my lord's servant.

  Whatever my lord decides, I will gladly obey."

  "I appreciate the sentiment, but at least exercise some moral judgment.

  You're not a mindless automaton that simply follows orders, are you?"

  "...Yes!"

  The six wings trembled minutely.

  What emotion that represented, Celeste couldn't tell.

  "Ah, right...

  Arimecalises—I hear you're not of this world, so you may not need status, but...

  I'd like to grant you the rank of Vicari as Tenger territory's deputy administrator. What say you?"

  Hearing that, Arimecalises' wings began trembling even more, settling down slightly before responding.

  "An honor beyond my station.

  As qualification for one serving my lord, I humbly accept with gratitude."

  Though answering in composed tones, the earlier wing trembling made everyone present feel she(probably) was delighted.

  "Excellent!

  Then hereby, I declare the newly appeared floating landmass Tenger as our territory. Understood?

  Furthermore, I bestow that Tenger as fief to Lord Royal Father, Regis Celeste ōteru, appointing him its lord. I grant the name Marc Tenger ōteru. Understood?

  I recognize Arimecalises, Tenger's operator, as this nation's citizen, appointing her Tenger's deputy administrator. Understood?

  Finally, to Arimecalises, deputy administrator of Tenger, I grant the rank of Vicari befitting that position, bestowing the name Vicari Tengeride Arimecalises. Understood?

  Any who object, speak now."

  Silence signifying no objections, agreement.

  "With this, I conclude the bestowal ceremony.

  Congratulations, Marc Tenger.

  And welcome, Vicari Tengeride!"

  Applause resounded through the conference room.

  "Good grief... I feel like I've been had somehow...

  Well, once again—I'm counting on you, Arimecalises!"

  Arimecalises' 'head' turned toward Celeste.

  For some reason, as if surprised, all six wings angled backward.

  "You remembered my name properly?"

  "Oh? Did I get it wrong?"

  "No, you 'always'..."

  "Always?"

  Just as Celeste puzzled and tried to ask, the king's loud voice came from behind.

  "Alright, Father! Let's go!"

  "Hm? Go where?"

  "Where else? Obviously.

  Let me tour Father's territory."

  Despite being before the ministers, the king had reverted to "son Rashion's" face.

  Probably because he thought that more advantageous for wheedling.

  "Your Majesty..."

  "No, here stands simply Rashion the son, wanting to tour his father's territory."

  "Honestly, what a calculating one.

  That's fine, but planning to go alone?

  If you go without telling Isha..."

  "Of course I'll impose the no-sweets punishment!"

  As if she'd been listening, Queen Isha and Princess Arsha burst through the conference room doors.

  "Geh, the Queen? You heard?"

  "I had a feeling His Majesty was scheming something wicked, so I came to check—and sure enough."

  "What kind of intuition! Scary!"

  While the royal couple noisily bickered, Celeste crouched down to address his granddaughter... Princess Arsha.

  "Arsha, would you like to visit Grandpa's territory?"

  "Yes! Hearing it's above the sky, I'm so excited!"

  "I see.

  How about you ministers?"

  "Of course! I'd love to see it! Right, everyone?"

  "Hey, Commerce—deciding on your own...

  Though admittedly, above the sky does pique curiosity."

  "Marc Tenger, could you move to a position overlooking some neighboring country?

  I've always wanted to look down on them..."

  "Foreign Affairs... can't you do something about that aggressive temperament?"

  "Above the sky...

  I'd be lying if I said I wasn't curious, but we can't all leave..."

  Unlike the other ministers, the Interior Minister showed reluctance about ministers absenting themselves.

  "Ah, that shouldn't be a problem.

  Arime's here.

  Right?"

  "Yes. Since I'm here, if anything happens, everyone can return immediately."

  "?"

  The ministers who didn't yet understand Arimecalises wore puzzled expressions—but Celeste deliberately said nothing.

  'Go up and be surprised. Revenge for plotting such things without me!'

  Grinning smugly at Celeste, Daharat spoke:

  "Hey, Ohteru.

  How did you know that word?"

  "? What do you mean?"

  "'Tenger.'

  That's a little-known northern dialect."

  "Oh really?

  It's from a certain country's language on Earth, though.

  What does it mean in the northern dialect?"

  "'Heaven.'"

  "Huh?"

  "Not 'sky' as in space.

  'Heaven' meaning the principle that moves the world.

  An old word used only by northern Lupacids."

  "Huh~ That's interesting.

  The meanings are similar too."

  "Really? An intriguing coincidence."

  While exchanging such idle talk, Celeste opened a Gate connecting to Tenger.

  "Well then everyone, welcome to my territory.

  ...Though there's nothing here yet!"