(Artoria POV)
Within the Spire, I stood in the direct presence of Ickni, the Dominion of Order, and the One who took it all from me. Leaving me a husk of my former self, never again able to grasp the strings of kingship and divinity that I once held.
I, Artoria Luminous, the former Dominion of Conquest, whose life was changed drastically when I first laid eyes on an anomaly named Evernight. Ever since that moment, a small spark of hope and rebellion has been growing deep within my heart.
"Lady Ickni, what is it that I can do for you today?" I asked.
Like always, Ickni was lazily sleeping on her throne, waiting for something interesting to happen. I hadn't seen her leave this room in over two hundred years. Her behaviour still confuses me to this day. I couldn't understand why a leader of a Dominion doesn't leave their throne.
But I suppose it was just the ways of Ickni, a stubborn and lazy leader ruling through absolute control and fear. Although even if she did venture outside, she would only be met with trivial matters and insolent angels, so I suppose I can understand her feelings. But she made it that way. If she truly detests her kingdom, then she should change it; she has the means to do so.
"Ugh."
Ickni slowly dragged herself up, discarding the many pillows and blankets covering her. She was still supporting the same messy azure hair from the first time I met her, although her eyes had changed; they still gleamed emerald under the light.
Her crimson eyes that would only appear once her anger had reached a tipping point were a side effect of her sacred band experiment. She never talks about it, but I can tell they deeply pain her every time she sees them.
"Mhm, why are you here, Artoria? I don't remember summoning you."
"You did."
Ickni rubbed her eyes, hopping off the throne and stretching her legs, trying to activate her brain while she paced back and forth around her throne.
I'd seen this very routine a million times over, so I just watched for a couple of minutes, waiting for her to remember. Although she had a brilliant mind and far surpassed my own intellect, she wasn't the best at remembering that same genius.
"Ah, yes! I'd wanted to discuss the mercenaries that boldly entered Grandheart, so what are you waiting for? Report," exclaimed Ickni.
"We were able to track down a couple of missing people reports to the mercenaries since they don't have sacred bands. We can't directly link them, but from the guards' reports. Some of the missing people have been spotted going in and never coming out, whether they are simply killing, keeping, or eating them. I don't know."
"Eating? So you think they are Devils. Mhm, I do admit I felt an ominous presence as soon as they appeared here, but whether that's due to their prowess or because of their dark inclination. I'm not totally sure."
"When I first made contact with them, I got a whiff of a putrid scent. It wasn't a mistake, it was the scent of Devils. Blood and death."
"Mhm, that is truly troublesome. To have devils right under my nose from the reports, there is at least thirty, and most likely a higher-ranked devil leading them."
"Could it be one of the Horsemen?"
"No. I'd have felt the presence of such an insurmountable force if they crossed through my border. If there is a leader, it'll be a Herald, but that is still quite troublesome; not everyone can deal with a Herald."
"Then I'll handle it. They are most definitely Famine Devils. They prioritized infiltration and spreading corruption over actual strength so it wouldn't be a problem for me."
"Famine Devils, then? I thought so. Such unruly pests being able to shapeshift on a whim is frantically annoying and inconsiderate."
I'm once again reminded of the slothful nature of Ickni. I'm truly amazed how you can call the enemy inconsiderate without even batting an eye, Ickni.
"So I'll deal with it, then."
"No. Evernight will."
"What? By himself? Are you truly sure that he is ready to face such a force by himself? Has he surpassed the abilities of a First String?"
"I don't know. I can't track his process with a sacred band for some reason. I'm trying to figure out that it just attempts to overload his mind. Even if I disable the self-defense feature, it still does it. But I will find a way to wrap a collar on that rebellious boy; he's too unpredictable and free-spirited to be allowed to walk unrestricted."
My face stiffened at her words. I couldn't let that happen yet. If he was enslaved, then my hope would be destroyed. I had an obligation to protect him now, which wouldn't change any time soon.
"I beg you to reconsider if he goes up against an opponent he can't handle. He'll die before he reaches that power you so wish to control."
"Artoria, did you speak these very words long ago? 'To reach the heights of one's incarnate power, you must face death a thousand times over. No matter the cost, even if you love someone, if you want them to survive, then you first must sever their heart.'"
"That's—"