The Familiar Exhibition began.
As a princess, Henrietta sat in the high seat of honor to watch.
This exhibition would select the most outstanding familiar, and Her Highness would personally present the prize to that familiar's master.
From start to finish, the event took only about an hour.
On stage, Hayashi Maki once again showed off his "swordsmanship." More accurately, it was "beam-cannon technique"—the sword was merely the tool to fire the beams. And his beams could turn, demonstrating tremendous maneuverability.
White lances of light pierced the clouds and struck an open field far beyond the campus; even the academy's castle trembled. A mushroom cloud slowly rose where everyone could see it.
With a small display of his power, Hayashi Maki shocked Henrietta and her attendants. The head maid at her side was actually her mother's agent—the royal family's personal retainer.
After witnessing Hayashi Maki's strength, she would certainly report it to the queen mother. Henrietta's mother, besides being the late king's wife, was a high-born duchess who controlled half of Tristain's power; once Henrietta ascended the throne, much of that authority would pass to the young queen.
After that show of force, Hayashi Maki became the unquestioned MVP of the day. Smiling, Henrietta stepped forward to present the prize, placing a white coronet on Louise's head. She also made sure to praise Tabitha's familiar—if not for Hayashi Maki's overwhelming might, Tabitha's familiar would have most perfectly matched otherworldly tastes. A dragon that can fly is the familiar of a mage's dreams—who hasn't wished to be a dragon rider?
Basked in the princess's praise, Louise stood proudly on stage, soaking in the admiring looks around her. She still hadn't cast a single spell, but thanks to Hayashi Maki's power, people now looked at her with new respect. To have the luck to summon such a powerful familiar is a kind of strength, too.
Kirche wasn't angry about missing out on a royal prize; after all, the winner was the man of her dreams. Still, she was annoyed that Louise kept getting in the way of her cuddling Hayashi Maki.
After the exhibition, Louise and Hayashi Maki had formally entered the royal family's view. This level of strength was enough for Her Highness to entrust them with serious tasks.
And so—
That evening, Henrietta came again to Louise's room.
"Louise, Mr. Hayashi Maki, I have a request."
"Please, Your Highness!"
Louise dropped to one knee, excitement in her eyes. This was exactly what she wanted—to prove herself through merit and win honor.
Henrietta smiled and helped her up. "No need to stand on ceremony—this is a personal request."
Her request was simple. Reports had come in that certain nobles were abusing commoners using their status, behavior that severely damaged the nobility's image and hindered the nation's development. Henrietta hoped Louise and Hayashi Maki would investigate and identify the culprits.
Louise, of course, wouldn't refuse a chance to earn credit.
When they finished, Hayashi Maki finally spoke:
"If it's that matter, I believe I've already gotten to the bottom of it."
"Eh? What are you talking about? We haven't even started—how would you already know?" Louise shot him a look. "Don't you dare speak carelessly in front of Her Highness!"
Henrietta was surprised as well, but didn't press—she said gently, "Why not explain in detail, Mr. Hayashi Maki? Investigating nobles requires evidence."
"I have the evidence prepared. As for the source—Tristain's royal envoy, Count Mott," Hayashi Maki replied, flicking his hand. Files appeared, floating into the hands of both women.
"When it comes to nobles abusing their status to oppress commoners, Count Mott is the prime example."
Henrietta and Louise scanned the pages and stared in shock.
"These… these are lists of nobles with signatures—authentic!"
"When did you obtain this evidence?"
"And Count Mott—why would he denounce himself and hand over other nobles' dirt to you?"
Louise couldn't make sense of it.
Hayashi Maki only shrugged, unruffled.
"During some spare time. A few days ago, Mott targeted Siesta. I had a 'talk' with him and obtained these documents. Well then—will this help Your Highness?"
Henrietta looked at him, thrilled, and nodded hard. "Of course! This helps enormously!"
"But why would Count Mott hand this over to you? How did you convince him?" the princess asked, curious why a royal envoy would be so compliant.
Hayashi Maki smiled lightly. "Simple. I beat him up—then he listened. In the face of absolute force, scheming is useless. Even counts fear death."
(Of course, perhaps the noble "dignity" in Count Mott would have spurred him to die rather than bow—but under Hayashi Maki's absolute control, even death was a luxury.)
"And one more thing—more than half of this intel came from someone else," Hayashi Maki added, sneaking in a bit of "personal cargo."
Henrietta's eyes brightened. "Who?"
"Perhaps Your Highness has heard of the 'Fouquet the Crumbling Dirt'? She supplied it. She's my assistant. In return, I promised to restore her noble status. Her true name is Matilda Aude Sauswoda—does it ring a bell?"
Henrietta's expression turned complicated.
"Never mind how you know a master thief—how can you promise to restore a noble title? That is the prerogative of the crown!"
Louise quickly warned him—what he was saying bordered on open contempt of the royal family.
Henrietta, however, shook her head.
"It's alright. As Mr. Hayashi Maki said, in the face of absolute force, scheming is useless. I imagine, with his power, he's already thought about founding a nation."
That casual, map-wide strike—she had never even heard of such might.
"Founding a country is too much hassle. If Your Highness is willing to grant it, that would be even better," Hayashi Maki said with a smile, eyes sliding over her lovely face.
Henrietta's heart skipped for no reason; she quickly lowered her gaze. Taking a steadying breath, she seemed to make up her mind.
"With these documents, I believe I can quickly succeed to the throne," she said. "As princess, I hereby pledge: as long as Mr. Hayashi Maki renders service beneficial to Tristain, I will grant commensurate rewards—including a title. As for Matilda of Saxe-Gotha, implicated by rebellion, I can also pardon her family and restore their noble status."