"You people..."
No need to say more. An emperor's dignity wouldn't allow Nero to stoop to the level of these ordinary humans. However, the term 'little girl' they used triggered memories of her past in the Eternal Night Empire.
She had regretted her powerlessness and incompetence time and again. Precisely because she was 'still young' back then, Nero could only assist Ryuya with trivial matters.
Witnessing her teacher, who had raised her and freed her from her mother's grasp, sacrifice himself… that pain was a scar Nero never wanted to reopen.
Now, with those bitter memories resurfacing, a deep, abyssal darkness flickered in Nero's emerald eyes. She didn't want these people to live, she wanted them to die.
So...
"Nero?"
"Altrouge?"
In terms of age, Nero was a few years older than Altrouge and Arcueid. Having resided in the Millennium Castle for a long time, Altrouge and Arcueid had met Nero, but their relationship wasn't particularly close.
Under these circumstances, even though they were in the same hotel, they hadn't sensed each other's presence.
If not for the argument, they might not have encountered each other.
"Nero, what happened?"
"Altrouge, you're here too... It's like this..."
After hearing Nero's explanation, Altrouge nodded, "I see. I understand. Wait a moment."
Without changing her expression, Altrouge looked at the head chef, the waiter, and the manager. Her deep crimson eyes emitted an eerie light. In an instant, the head chef seemed to be under some control, his entire being taking on a dissonant, mechanical quality.
"Speak. What's the situation?"
Altrouge asked as if it were a matter of course.
"It's like this... Actually, four years ago, I started violating the procurement rules, taking kickbacks from suppliers..."
Under the stunned gazes of the manager and waiter, the head chef began confessing all his misdeeds over the years in front of everyone, even admitting to cheating on his wife with the front desk girl.
"Enough. That's the situation. Handle it yourselves."
After the head chef finished, Altrouge snapped her fingers, instantly bringing him back to his senses.
Under the latter's astonished gaze, as if, looking at a monster, Altrouge paid no mind and turned her attention to the person behind Nero.
"You are... Eriri Spencer?"
Having seen Eriri in Ryuya's 'real world', where she had visited the house a few times with Yukino, Altrouge, though not very familiar, remembered her face.
Asking somewhat uncertainly, Altrouge didn't understand why Eriri was also here, in Snowfield City.
"Altrouge? It really is you!"
"What exactly is going on here?"
Initially wondering if this girl was one of Ryuya's daughters upon seeing Altrouge, it wasn't until she spoke that Eriri confirmed she hadn't mistaken her identity.
Her exquisite little face immediately relaxed. Looking at Altrouge before her, she finally let the tension she had been holding ease.
Later, at a different restaurant...
Due to the earlier unpleasantness, Altrouge suggested changing to a Japanese restaurant.
Securing a new private room, the six girls, Altrouge and Arcueid, Ereshkigal and Siduri, Nero and Eriri, were now seated together.
"So, Ereshkigal and Siduri, you are also Papa's lovers?"
Because of Eriri's questions, Altrouge and Arcueid mentioned Ryuya's name, naturally letting Ereshkigal and Siduri recognize their shared connection.
Looking at the Servant she had summoned with an air of being accustomed to such things, Altrouge's elegance strongly resembled Crimson Moon's.
"Of course we are. But as for you Masters... you are actually Ryuya's daughters?"
Having heard Arcueid and Altrouge talk about how amazing their father was, Ereshkigal and Siduri hadn't quite believed how remarkable this man named Bloodriver Brunestud could be. But upon hearing that Bloodriver was Ryuya, they immediately accepted it.
Oh, so it's our husband. Well, that explains it. That's normal.
Casually sharing the information they knew, after a brief exchange, everyone agreed they needed to find the Einzbern Castle.
"Then what are we waiting for? Let's set off now!"
Full of energy, Arcueid pointed decisively... in the exact opposite direction of the Einzbern Castle, declaring this confidently.
However, the moment they stepped out of the Japanese restaurant, this confident Arcueit instantly lost her nerve.
Because what they saw was the ultimate Boss, Crimson Moon Brunestud, arriving in a Rolls-Royce Cullinan driven by Hope, having tracked her daughters' presence.
"Uh... I'm feeling a bit full."
…
Meanwhile, elsewhere...
To provide Vivian with magical energy, Hayasaka had started eating multiple meals throughout the day without interruption.
Previously, as Kaguya's maid and manager, her daily workload was so heavy she could only grab quick bites. But now, experiencing what it meant to have an abundance of time, Hayasaka ate all sorts of things every day, and she didn't gain weight!
If other girls saw her metabolism, they would probably die of envy. But right now, Hayasaka had a headache because, even though she was this full, she would be hungry again in at most two hours.
"Ai, you can do it!"
Cheering her on with beaming applause was the dreamlike girl, Vivian, Ryuya's 'sister' from his first simulation.
The fairy sister who had sacrificed everything, didn't dare utter 'I love you', and wanted to sacrifice herself to ensure Ryuya's 'peace for generations'.
"Vivian, have you decided where to go?"
Feeling somewhat helpless towards this fairy from Arthurian legend beside her, Hayasaka was still pondering the things Kaguya had told her about the past events in Snowfield City, 'Was this Servant I summoned an ally? Or an enemy?'
Adopting a cautious attitude, she didn't even fully trust her own Servant Contract. Just as she finished eating, she saw two women approaching.
The black and white witches… Jalter and Jeanne.