“Now, let’s begin the ‘5th Bath Meeting’.”
As usual, I declared the opening of the ‘Bath Meeting’, and the serious meeting began.
“First, let’s check the progress of the deferred agenda items from the ‘4th Bath Meeting’.”
Among the deferred agenda items, the proposal from Elise to retrieve a magic staff from the deepest part of the underground dungeon in the Portland Castle Ruins was confirmed as completed.
When Elise then recounted the details of the expedition, those who remained and Alicia were astonished.
In fact, I had enforced a gag order on the details of the expedition until I gave my permission.
“I can’t believe that Elise is the ‘Priestess Princess of the Seal’,” Ly exclaimed.
“Have you realized my value now, Ly??”
“Then… as a descendant of Saliand Waiyar, the Sword Hero, one of the ‘Ancient Heroes’, I too might be a ‘Priestess Princess of the Seal’, don’t you think, Liliana?”
“Yes, that’s right, Princess Ly.”
Ly, realizing she too might be a ‘Priestess Princess of the Seal’, beamed with a smile that lit up her entire face.
Liliana, a distant relative of Ly, looked proud, but Sophie, also a distant relative, wore a knowing smile.
Sophie likely believed that she, as a ‘Princess Knight’, was more suited to be the ‘Priestess Princess of the Seal’ than Ly.
Truly, Sophie’s thinking was as unyielding as the saying, ‘old habits die hard.’
Next, concerning the proposal from Mai to rescue the boys and girls held captive in the Assassin’s Guild’s secret base for use as ‘Killing Dolls’, significant progress had been made.
Namely, Liliana, who had also been modified into a ‘Killing Doll’, remembered the location of the secret base where the ‘Killing Dolls’ were modified.
That place was in the Imperial Capital Ashurai of the now-defunct Wahl Imperial Kingdom.
“It’s like a ‘blessing in disguise’, a job well done, Liliana.”
“Thank you very much, Dietlinde.”
“Ly, in the former Wahl Imperial Kingdom territory, we will explore for anything related to Saliand Waiyar, the ‘God’s Yoke’, and the secret base for modifying ‘Killing Dolls’. This expedition is expected to involve combat with the Assassin’s Guild, so be prepared.”
“I understand, Hal. Furthermore, in the former Yver Duchy Territory along the way, I will revise the plan to visit the hiding place of the alchemist in question.”
“I’m counting on you, Ly.”
“Hal, if you’re going that far, please extend the trip to my homeland, the former Yangas Kingdom Territory.”
“That’s a good idea. Ly, I’m sorry, but please incorporate Liliana’s suggestion as well.”
“Considering the schedule up to this point, it seems like it will take quite a few days. Is that alright?”
“It can’t be helped.”
“I understand.”
And so, the expedition to the former Wahl Imperial Kingdom territory was to be planned by Ly.
Aside from this, I intended to check if there was any remaining documentation regarding Mai’s birth at the Assassin’s Guild’s secret base.
Currently, Mai’s consciousness was divided, with a large portion of it elsewhere. From my observation, it seemed to have been separated shortly after her birth.
Furthermore, I intended to ask the alchemist in seclusion in the former Yver Duchy Territory to treat Sophie’s missing limbs.
Next, it was reported that the proposal from Swan Hilda and Edele to abduct demonkin maidens, release their evil magic, and then protect them as humans would be put into action soon.
“As I am now human, I can no longer visit the demonkin country. I’m counting on you, Swan Hilda.”
“Ede-nee is very enthusiastic, so I’m planning to get things moving soon.”
“Don’t mess up, Swan Hilda.”
“Understood, Hal.”
There were other minor agenda items proposed, but they were trivial matters and were omitted.
“As the next agenda item, let’s summarize the expedition to the Southern Nations.”
Regarding this, Kilika, Freya, and Swan Hilda reported in that order, based on the sequence of our visits.
Elise’s report was already covered during the progress check of the deferred agenda items.
Kilika reported on the current state of the former Kamiyar Holy Nation territory and the battle with a low-ranking demonkin called a one-horned wolf that attacked us in the Great Forest Zone prior to it.
I then reported on the circumstances of saving Liliana.
“It’s a good thing Liliana was saved. Unlike some lovesick knights.”
“Thank you, Princess Ly.”
“Ly, how could you call me, a former ‘Princess Knight’, a lovesick knight!”
“Sophie… don’t you think your remorse is insufficient?”
Ly raised her right hand, assuming an attacking pose towards Sophie.
“I-I’m sorry, please forgive me.”
Sophie, apparently still affected by the previous attack, apologized profusely.
Freya, second in line, reported on the ‘Thanksgiving Concert’ in the former Kingdom of Vandis, causing the remaining members to sigh once more.
“I still can’t believe that the grumpy, stingy bespectacled woman called the ‘Doll Princess’ or ‘Downtown Princess’ is the ‘Diva of Calm’…”
“I also can’t believe that Elise, the ‘useless mage’, is the ‘Priestess Princess of the Seal’.”
“Fufufufu.”
After Freya’s report, Elise chimed in, and their usual banter began.
Finally, Swan Hilda gave a brief report on the “Garden of the Gods,” inhabited by Valkyries, prompting the remaining members to express their envy for not being able to participate.
“What a valuable experience you all had! I am extremely envious.”
Ly’s remark represented the feelings of the remaining members.
“What are you saying? I was just being trained by the Valkyrie sisters!!”
“I trained with her too, Freya. You were also allowed to participate in the training the next day!”
“Princess Elise, has that puffiness receded yet?”
“Who are you to say such a thing, Freya?”
“That is retribution for you unfairly punishing me—”
“Silence! Lastly, we will hear future plans and new requests.”
“Yes, Hal. I will report first. I have completed my preparations to attend a masquerade ball with you at the White Castle in the Espana Imperial Kingdom a week from now. It seems ‘Beth-chan’ has something to discuss, so I will listen carefully.”
“Please handle the matter of my incompetent stepsister.”
“Hey, Ly. What is the meaning of this!? Could ‘Beth-chan’ be Crown Princess Elizabeth of the Espana Imperial Kingdom, our sworn enemy?”
“I cannot overlook what Ly just said.”
Alicia, taking the lead, explained about the masquerade ball to be held in a week, and Ly chimed in.
However, Sophie, who bore a grudge against the Espana Imperial Kingdom, interjected, and Liliana, who shared the same stance, agreed.
“Actually, ‘Beth-chan’, Crown Princess Elizabeth of the Espana Imperial Kingdom, was assassinated, but I saved her with my ‘Resurrection Magic’.”
“We have bound Elizabeth with the side effects of ‘Resurrection Magic’, ‘Slave Contract Magic’, and what we call the ‘Pledge of the Peach Garden’ or the ‘Vow of Sisterhood’.”
Hal explained his reason for saving Elizabeth, and Ly explained their methods of binding her, which temporarily satisfied Sophie and Liliana.
“Still, you’ve even taken in a current Crown Princess as an ally… ‘Princess Harem’ is a den of monsters.”
“I was playing pranks on these terrifying people…”
Liliana sighed, and Sophie dejectedly hung her head.
Meanwhile, Shera, in the same situation at the edge of the bathtub, trembled.
Come to think of it, I obtained the royal seal of the Kingdom of Sazania when I resurrected Shera.
I should also consider how to dispose of it soon.
“Alicia, I’m sorry, but could you cover Ilusha’s ears and prevent her from hearing?”
“Yes, Hal. Ilusha, be a good girl and stay still.”
“Okay, Big Sister Alicia.”
“As everyone is likely listening, Ilusha is not human but an artificial life form called a Homunculus. Moreover, she was created crudely, so her remaining lifespan is likely only about six months. I want to save her somehow. Therefore, I would like you to educate her, without overexerting her.”
“Hal, there’s no need for such formalities.”
“I like this child too.”
“I’ll teach her various things.”
Next, I asked everyone for their consent to educate the Homunculus Ilusha as a lady, and I received their approval.
In other words, it was a matter of ‘doing one’s best and awaiting fate.’ All that remained was to rely on the skilled alchemist living in seclusion in the former Yver Duchy Territory.
Of course, I planned to consult the alchemist about treating Sophie’s missing limbs.
As for other proposals, Elise voiced a self-serving desire to investigate the local specialties of the regions we would visit in the future.
She’s quite fickle, given that her formerly plump belly has finally slimmed down.
Furthermore, the ‘small breasts’ group proposed looking for something similar to the magical wig that transformed Sophie from a valiant ‘Princess Knight’ into a graceful ‘Princess from a sheltered home’, but that would be difficult.
“As the agenda seems to be exhausted, we shall close the 5th Bath Meeting.”
As everyone’s skin began to turn bright red and they seemed on the verge of getting overheated, the ‘5th Bath Meeting’ was concluded.
Thank you for reading.
This concludes the serialized posting of episode 25, “Ilusha”.
Tomorrow night, October 29th, at 0:00 AM, episode 25, “Ilusha”, will be posted in its entirety with the subtitle: “Does the Mass-Produced Artificial Maiden (Homunculus) Dream of Eternal Life?”.
Please note that the ‘serialized posting’ and the ‘entire posting’ contain the same content.
