Knock, knock.

  “e in.”

  Upon hearing the respohe elven maid opehe door. The room acious study, as vast as a library. Its design leaoward a natural aesthetic, resembling a library led within a tree. Sunlight streamed through the windows, illuminating the room and enhang its serene, anic ambiance.

  In the ter of the study stood a petite girl, elegantly perusing a book. Her golden hair shimmered uhe sunlight, and her delicate, doll-like face carried a faintly androgynous charm—her beauty was enting to all who saw her.

  “Yhness, the guests have arrived,” the maid announced.

  The girl closed the book and rose, bowing gracefully to her visitors.

  “My name is Naver, one of the sorts of the Elven Princess. You must be the ones my sister mentioned, correct?”

  At first gnce, Misako and her panions overlooked one crucial detail due to Naver’s unique aura: her striking resembhe Duchess. The two shared simir features, but Naver’s slightly more androgynous demeanor set them apart, creating two entirely differe equally captivating presences.

  “The Princess’s sort... no wonder her influence is so substantial.”

  The Princess of the elves was essentially the in lio bee the Elven King. As her sort, Naver naturally wielded signifit influence. Moreover, her appearance alone implied a position of siderable status.

  “I’ve been briefed ouation. My princess is currently away but should return by evening. Please make yourselves fortable until then.”

  “That works for us,” Misako replied.

  With only a short time until evening, waiting posed no issue.

  “Escort uests to their rooms so they rest,” Naver instructed.

  “Uood.”

  ...

  Hours passed, and the sky gradually darkehanks to the sacred elvehe dim surroundings still offered enough visibility, even without lighting.

  The group gathered in the pace’s living room, where maids pushed carts den with food to their tables.

  “Thank you for waiting. Let’s discuss things over dinner,” said a girl with ptinum-blonde hair. Sitting oher side of her were Naver and another elven girl whose features bore a slight resembo hers, though her hair leaned molden.

  “Allow me to introduce myself. I am Noelle Vitae, the Princess of this elven kingdom. You’ve already met Naver, and this is...”

  “I’m Rover, one of Her Highness’s sorts.”

  “...???”

  The infamous plexity of elveionships emerged.

  Based on names and resembnce, Misako had already guessed Noelle and Rover’s e. Rover’s introdu firmed it: the Princess had married her own younger sister.

  “So, the elves have quite the pent for... unventional retionships,” Misako mused, drawing on her knowledge of otherworldly s.

  “I’ve been informed of the situation. On behalf of my people, I thank you for saving our kin,” Noelle said, bowing her head.

  “However, gratitude aside, what you’re proposing is moal. It’s not just a rge uaking— founding... a new nation of marginalized non-human races. Su endeavor requires immense resources and effort.”

  She paused, her sharp gaze meeting theirs. “What’s in it for the elves if we help?”

  As the Princess and future ruler, Noelle had to prioritize the is of her people.

  “You’ve likely heard about my race already,” Misako began. “Our strength aage might not match top-tier races, but we possess certain unique capabilities.”

  She pulled out a small dagger, its surface faintly emanating a peculiar aura.

  “This world has its share of holy swords and cursed bdes, but have you ever heard of ‘demon bdes’?”

  Demon bdes, crafted with the unique energy of the yokai, or evehat had themselves turned into yokai, were known for their distinctive properties.

  “While this world has embraced teologies like magical teology, 'magitech' in short, these demon artifacts are fually different. One key distin is their ability to grow. Most magitech devices are lifeless tools. Even the rare se ones fall short of possessing true ‘skills.’”

  “You’re saying these artifacts have souls?” Noelle asked.

  “Something like that.”

  Skills, extraordinary abilities often beyond the reaagid physical materials, were typically tied to the soul. Possessing a skill was nearly synonymous with having a soul, marking the artifact as a se being.

  While liviies also required a body and sciousness, the soul was arguably the most crucial po.

  “Fasating...” Noelle muttered, pig up the dagger Misako slid toward her. She examis energy and the faint “will” it exuded.

  “I’ll sult the Elven King and push for support. That said, you’re almost guarao get our bag. This is just a formality.”

  “Thank you, Yhness,” Misako replied.

  “No need for formalities. Now, let’s finish our meal.”

  Only then did everyoice their soup had nearly gone cold.

  ...

  “...You were pnning to support them from the start, weren’t you?”

  After dinner, everyoired to their rooms. In the princess’s chambers, Naver, now dressed in sleeposed the question to Noelle.

  “As expected, I ’t hide anything from you. Yes, I inteo help them. Aside from the bes they offered, a new nation for demi-humans, demons, monsters, and yokai aligns with the is of the elves and other races.”

  “Besides,” Noelle thought privately, “how could I refuse when my wife and her sister both want this?”

  Despite her regal demeanor, Noelle valued her sorts deeply.

  “It’s beewenty years. Since your transformation, yrace has far surpassed even us born princesses,” Noelle remarked, her voice teasing.

  “...That’s thanks to the Queen’s tutege.”

  Two decades ago, back when they were academy students, Naver—formerly Nar—hadn’t been the person she was today. After angering Noelle and seeking her younger sister’s help out of guilt and fear, Nar underwent a transformation—both literal and figurative—being hrough a series of events, they eventually married.

  Ially, Naver’s appearance barely ged after her transformation. Her looks were as stunning as ever, only slightly enhanced by longer hair and minor femiraits.

  “...What did Naver and my elder sister talk about while I was bathing?” Rover suddenly asked, interrupting the reminisg.

  “Nothing much. But if you’re curious, why not join us for a bath tomorrow?” Naver suggested.

  “Absolutely! Please, make it happen!” Rover replied without hesitation.

  “Sure, but for now...” Noelle’s gaze shifted meaningfully to Naver.

  “...Keep things mild tonight,” Naver said.

  “Of course.”

  “Not a problem.”