『CAELUMBRA POV』
I looked behind me and saw Himeno-nee gazing at me with those soft, gentle eyes of hers.
I could see my own reflection shimmering in her blue irises.
『Is something wrong?』
I asked, and Himeno-nee blinked, her eyes widening in surprise.
"A-ahh, nothing! Nothing at all! Just… taking in the sights, that's all."
She smiled, flustered.
I didn't feel the need to pry, so I simply turned back around.
I inhaled deeply.
Raised my free arm—
—and snapped my fingers.
The sharp sound echoed through the halls.
And as swiftly as sound travels, the shadows lurched toward me, crawling across the floor, twisting and pulling together into grotesque, inky masses that shaped themselves into animals.
"Your Highness is back!"
The dog youma mascot barked, tail thumping the ground.
"Your Majesty, as you requested, we reorganized the meeting room—converted it into a throne room."
The turtle youma reported dutifully.
『Good, very good.』
I smiled and clapped my hands once.
『Now… where is IXX?』
I arched a brow, my white, diamond-shaped pupils scanning the crowd. Not a single cat in sight.
"IXX is upstairs,"
the fox youma answered with her deep, feminine voice.
"She's busy commanding the others, renovating the meeting rooms and other floors."
『Good girl. I'll go upstairs then.』
I reached out and headpatted the fox; she leaned into my hand, and my lips curled.
Her soft black fur was truly something else. Are all youma mascots this pleasant to touch?
"In any case, Your Majesty… who is that person?"
The fox tilted her head, trying to get a better look behind me.
『She's the original Stella Commet.』
My soft, melodic voice struck the mascots like lightning. The black-furred fox yelped and leapt back, snarling.
"Your Majesty—why did you bring *her* here? Did you betray us?!"
The black fox barked in outrage.
『Sweety, no. She's one of us now.』
I glanced behind me. Himeno-nee stared at the mascots with a hesitant expression before finally exhaling and stepping forward.
"That is right, Shizu—she is someone dear to me. And… she's my first fan."
Gasps erupted through the hall. The dog youma collapsed onto the floor and—well—peed himself in sheer shock.
The black owl perched high above toppled off its window ledge.
Their leader… idolizing their enemy? Being her fan?!
It was too much to process. Yet as they looked at their leader's smile, they knew better than to complain too much—unless they wanted to irritate her. All except the black fox.
"Your Majesty… what if she leaks our headquarters' location?"
Her tone held no disrespect, only genuine worry.
"How can she prove she won't?"
I nodded slowly. There was no malice in her question—only concern.
『She was fired by Lya. Leaking information is the last thing she'd dare to do.』
Hearing the certainty in my voice, the black fox exhaled and stepped back.
"If Your Highness trusts her that much, then… we can't complain."
Even so, I noticed the turtle narrowing his eyes—already planning security measures, practical as ever. The hyena burst into hysterics, while the frog eyed Himeno-nee with open suspicion.
『I assure you all that having her on our side is the greatest asset we could hope for. Now—if there are no more objections—I'm going upstairs to meet with IXX.』
As Himeno-nee and I ascended the stairs, the mascots exchanged looks.
Hopefully, their leader was right—that Stella wouldn't leak anything. And hopefully IXX wouldn't be too hostile.
After all…
she was…
——
As we climbed higher, the carpet shifted into a deep blue hue. The paintings, too, changed—from classical motifs to more modern, abstract pieces.
I held Himeno-nee's hand as we walked. A snap of my fingers tilted a crooked frame to my liking, another snap softened the torchlight into a calm blue glow.
『Hey, you there. Where's the meeting room?』
A black butterfly youma mascot fluttered in place, turning to me.
"Ah—Your Highness! It's just up ahead, to your left."
I nodded.
『Alright. Thank you.』
As we passed, the black butterfly spotted Himeno-nee and immediately darted away in a panic.
We reached the meeting room. I opened the door.
『IXX. How dare you not greet your master.』
My voice was low—soft, but laced with venom—as I playfully scolded the black cat overseeing the arranging of furniture.
She turned, her pupils expanding.
『Nya! Master, you're back!』
IXX sprinted over.
『So many things happened while I managed the base for you!
First—new furniture!
Then I reorganized downstairs and up here!
You can tell, right? The throne room is done, the meeting room is done—』
The enthusiastic cat rubbed herself against my legs, mewling proudly.
『Good, good.』
I lifted her up, and she purred immediately, eyes slipping shut.
"Pfft."
The sound cut through the moment. IXX's eyes snapped open, and the instant she saw who stood behind me, she sprang out of my arms.
『Master! Stay back!』
She bared her fangs, claws scraping the floor.
"I didn't expect my rival to be so clingy."
I looked back and spotted Himeno-nee—arms crossed, barely containing laughter.
But then—
My eyes widened.
A hand wrapped around Himeno-nee's throat.
So suddenly, standing before me, a stunning woman with skin as white as snow materialized.
Long white hair cascaded down her back, black pupils sharp as blades. With her irises colored yellow
Cat ears perched atop her head, a black tail swaying behind her.
She wore an elegant black off-shoulder, backless dress.
『Why are you here, Stella Commet? Did you lay a hand on my master, nya?』
Himeno-nee's eyes narrowed as she planted both her hands on IXX's arm.
Seeing Himeno-nee struggle to gasp for air, I closed my eyes.
I do not want things to escalate further, so I'll overwhelm them with my authority.
I took a deep breath and slowly opened my eyes, their glow sinking into an even deeper shade of black.
By my mere gaze the gravity around IXX intensified, forcing her to slam against the floor, losing her grip on Himeno-nee.
The castle shook upon impact, causing some youmas on the ground floor to look up.
For once, my smile had faded as I gazed at IXX laying on the floor, struggling even to lift her head to see what was happening.
『IXX, while I value your loyalty and adoration towards me… I do not appreciate reckless actions. Got it?』
My voice lost all its softness and gentleness. The only thing left was pure, simmering hatred.
Hearing the change in my tone, IXX jolted and began to shake.
"EEEK! Yes yes! I'm sorry your highness, I was just protecting you—!"
IXX whimpered as the gravitational pull nearly began crushing her body.
I sighed and blinked; the force ceased.
My hand tightened its grip on the umbrella I held as I watched IXX recover.
She stood up, arching her back and stretching like a cat as she glared at Himeno-nee with open hostility.
『What was that all about?』
I asked IXX, wearing my practiced smile.
IXX averted her gaze before glancing back at me.
"We… we have fought before. Goes way back, and uhm… I just thought that maybe Master got mind-controlled nya~"
IXX caressed her other arm. Even I could tell she didn't truly mean any harm by what she did earlier. As she said, it was purely an instinct to protect me.
I sighed. Such a loyal and reckless cat. Still… as much as I hate IXX for hurting Himeno-nee, I can't stay mad at her forever.
『Well, we'll have plenty of time to discuss your shared history later.』
I looked at both IXX and Himeno-nee, who was quietly caressing her neck.
『Are you okay, Himeno-nee?』
My voice returned to its gentle softness.
She gave me a nod.
"Yes, I'm fine. This much is nothing."
Himeno-nee smiled.
I then looked toward the white-haired girl.
『IXX, as you know… Himeno-nee— or rather, Stella Commet— is someone I've looked up to ever since I was a mere child.
I do not know nor care why you hold such animosity toward her, but I will no longer tolerate such behavior.
She will become one of us. Understood?』
My white, diamond-shaped pupils fixed themselves upon the girl, causing her to jolt.
She hesitated, biting her lip hard enough that it nearly bled, before opening her mouth with clenched fists at her sides.
"F-Fine…"
She crossed her arms and pouted.
『Now now, don't be such a spoiled kitty. I'm not telling you to shut up and turn off your brain, IXX— I'm just asking you to be more open-minded.』
I patted IXX's head, and though she still looked upset, she secretly leaned into the touch.
I then walked toward Himeno-nee, looking at her with soft eyes.
『Himeno-nee, are you sure you're okay?』
She smiled and waved her hand.
"I'm fine, I'm fine. That much was nothing."
Himeno-nee smiled again.
I smiled back.
『That's good to hear.』
I nodded.
『Anywho, it's time for a meeting.』
Himeno-nee looked at me, puzzled.
"With me? I'm not sure if I'm allowed, I—"
"Didn't you hear Master? You're one of us nya."
IXX interrupted Himeno-nee's hesitation, stepping closer and pointing a finger at her face.
"You are allowed to enter the meeting because Master deemed you one of us."
IXX crossed her arms, pouting as she looked away from Himeno-nee.
I smiled and nodded.
『Like IXX said, you are more than welcome to attend, Himeno-nee.』
Her eyes glimmered before she smiled.
"If you insist."
I then looked at IXX.
『Call the others. A meeting is in order.』
With a snap of my finger, the white-haired lady poofed— a burst of black smoke erupting before a black cat emerged.
『As you command, your highness.』
The black cat turned around and began barking orders at the youmas tasked with rearranging the furniture in the meeting room.
They then rushed out to gather the others scattered across the castle.
Meanwhile, I joyously made my way downstairs with Himeno-nee, slowly walking toward the throne room.
『This is the place.』
I extended my hand toward the door before us.
『What lies beyond is something no magical girl has ever seen before.』
I declared proudly, straightening my posture. With a wave of my hand, the door swung open, revealing the throne room.
Himeno-nee's eyes widened upon seeing the line of youmas stationed along both sides of the red carpet, leading up to the majestic throne adorned with gold and black designs.
『Come.』
I glanced back at Himeno-nee and extended my hand. She hesitated at first, but ultimately took it as we walked down the red carpet together.
Though I escorted her, my regality never faltered. Each step exuded confidence. Every stride, authority.
The youma mascots kept their eyes lowered— not out of fear this time, but due to the sheer power I radiated.
Not only was I now stronger than all of them… I had brought with me one of their arch-nemeses.
Reaching the throne, I noticed a lack of a chair for Himeno-nee. So, using my own mind, I glanced at a dark patch in the shadows to my right where the light couldn't reach and extended my arm toward it.
As if squeezing something, I clenched my hand. The shadow vanished. I opened my hand and softly blew on it.
『Let a chair manifest before me.』
I wasn't certain I could manifest objects— but it was worth the attempt.
The shadows wiggled and squirmed, slowly forming into a small throne beside mine.
『Himeno-nee, please take a seat.』
She complied.
"Thank you."
Himeno-nee smiled at me. I returned her smile.
Then, turning toward the youma mascots before me, my once gentle eyes sharpened.
『As you all know, the previous Stella Commet is my savior— and she became my idol.』
My voice boomed as I walked around the throne room.
『She became my inspiration. My light. I strived to become like her.』
I walked toward the window, staring out at the barren wasteland beyond.
『But I never became a magical girl. Lya didn't need me. What she needed was a bunch of idols who would only dance and sing— acting like bigshots in the entertainment industry.』
『They have clearly forgotten what magical girls once stood for.』
I turned back toward the youma mascots, who listened intently. Himeno-nee nodded at me approvingly, unshed tears glimmering in her eyes.
『But now that I have become one… I will show the world its illness— its stagnation. Because God deemed it so.』
I spun my umbrella along my shoulder as I walked back to my throne. The youma mascots whispered nervously.
"What do you mean, your highness?"
The black turtle asked, stepping forward.
『When I died, God granted me a mandate. I bargained— and I won. I now hold power second only to Him. I may as well be the 「prime mover」 myself.』
I smiled, closing my eyes to revel in their murmurs before opening them again.
『Of course, that power is still locked. So I will need the help of Nova Eclipse to unleash it.』
At the mention of her name, the youmas panicked.
Their collective voices rose:
『Your highness— why her?!』
But IXX, the black cat, meowed the loudest.
『Master, why her?!』