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Kensei Kanase, former Royal Court Magical Technician of the Kingdom of Aldegyr.
While Bokue Keikain wasn't entirely sure what a "Royal Court Magical Technician" actually did, the surname "Kanase" definitely rang a bell.
After all, there weren't that many people with the Kanase surname, and he actually knew one personally within his social circle.
Kanon Kanase.
"Seems there's quite a history here."
Bokue raised an eyebrow in understanding.
The standoff on the beach continued.
From the moment La Folia laid eyes on the middle-aged man called "Kensei Kanase," her smile vanished, replaced by an icy edge in her voice.
"Indeed, just as Bokue said—this really is quite the twisted fate."
The silver-haired princess shook her head slightly, sighing softly as complexity crept into her expression.
"Since it concerns our royal family's reputation, there's something I haven't mentioned. Kanon Kanase... Kensei Kanase's adopted daughter—her biological father is actually my grandfather, the former King of Aldegyr, Gahard Rihavein."
"...Hm?"
It took a full two seconds to process what she'd just said. Bokue, who'd been ready for some entertaining drama, turned to blink at La Folia, drawing in a sharp breath as words failed him.
Sayaka not knowing who Kanon Kanase was made perfect sense—they'd never met.
But that didn't mean Bokue was equally ignorant. They'd just met two days ago, after all.
And more than once at that.
Judging by how Kanon could be classmates with Nagisa and Yukina, she couldn't be older than sixteen at most. Meanwhile, La Folia would be celebrating her eighteenth birthday coming-of-age ceremony this year.
In other words, La Folia was definitely older than Kanon.
Yet now she was saying Kanon was actually her grandfather's biological daughter. Well...
Are you sure your grandfather didn't have another identity going by "Joseph Joestar" out there?
"Actually, our royal family only recently discovered this matter ourselves."
As if finding her grandfather's past indiscretions equally absurd, La Folia sighed helplessly again.
"It was eighteen years ago. My grandfather fell in love with a woman who'd come to work in Aldegyr from Japan, and they had a child. So in terms of family hierarchy, Kanon Kanase would be... well, my aunt, I suppose."
"Though she has no succession rights, she's still of Aldegyr royal blood."
When mentioning that Kanon remained of royal lineage, La Folia's tone quickly turned resolute, her cold gaze fixing on the lab-coated middle-aged man still standing on the transport ship's deck.
"Kensei Kanase, what exactly are you planning..."
"Shut up with your endless yapping!"
Just then, a woman's furious shout erupted from inside the deck near the cabin.
A blonde woman in tight clothing emerged from within into the sunlight—attractive features marred by harsh, upturned eyes that gave her a rather mean-spirited appearance.
Accompanying her was a young black-haired man in a leather jacket and captain's hat, apparently the ship's helmsman.
The two swaggered to either side of Kensei Kanase, looking down arrogantly at the three on the beach.
"Well, well, if it isn't our dear princess~"
The blonde woman's lips curved into a sharp smile, speaking in a mocking, sarcastic tone.
"I'll be honest—I've been thinking about you for quite some time now. Especially that body of yours."
"My body?"
Despite facing enemy provocation, La Folia maintained her elegant smile, countering unhurriedly:
"Though I don't know who you are, I'm sorry to say my romantic preferences don't include women."
"Wha—that's not what I meant!"
The blonde woman's face instantly twisted at those words, glaring viciously.
"Don't tell me you think I want to do those things with you! Don't be disgusting! I just want your body as experimental material!"
"Honestly, we just want to make some money. But after spending a fortune producing all those Nalakuvera units, we couldn't sell a single one. Our funding chain completely collapsed, leaving us drowning in debt."
"But fortunately, we now have a new plan—"
Mentioning her new scheme, the previously agitated blonde woman seemed to catch the scent of money, her mood settling as her smile returned.
"After all, I've heard Aldegyr royal bloodlines make excellent spirit mediums, capable of bearing far more astral nerve centers than ordinary people. With your body, we can mass-produce Molded Angels—they'll definitely sell like hotcakes!"
"But first, we need promotional footage. Step forward—which one of you is the Fourth Progenitor?"
Having said her piece, the blonde woman tilted her face up arrogantly, adopting a queenly, commanding posture.
The Fourth Progenitor?
Not understanding why she'd suddenly bring up Nagisa, Bokue formed a mental question mark.
But the straightforward Sayaka had already shouted her rebuke:
"Shut up! There's no Fourth Progenitor here, and we won't hand over Princess La Folia to you!"
"...Not here?"
The blonde woman frowned.
"Impossible. That shipload of Nalakuvera units was our company's masterpiece. Though we haven't sold a single one, their combat power is undeniable. Without knowing the control commands, only a Progenitor could have—"
The blonde woman's words cut off as a young man's voice came from above their heads.
"Alright, that's enough. I completely understand your intentions now."
!
The blonde woman jerked her head up in shock.
Golden sunlight poured down from the azure sky as Bokue Keikain's figure hung suspended in midair, looking down at the earth below.
When had he appeared there?!
"But you people really do talk way too much."
As if too lazy to waste another word, Bokue snapped his fingers lightly.
The next moment, the forms of the blonde woman and black-haired youth on deck twisted without warning, as if seized by some overwhelming force.
"I... this, wait—!"
BANG!
They seemed to want to say more, but Bokue gave them no chance. In the blink of an eye, both living people exploded on the spot, reduced to puddles of blood and flesh with a single blast.
First to be splattered was Kensei Kanase in the middle.
His pristine white lab coat was instantly dyed dark red, blood spattering across his glasses.
With the meaningless shouting no longer echoing in his ears, Bokue slowly descended from the sky, approaching the sole remaining middle-aged man. He grabbed him by the throat and lifted him with one hand.
"Now then, let's talk. Where is Kanon Kanase?"
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