After the talks ended, at Emilia's invitation, Subaru Natsuki's group, acting as Anastasia's envoys, prepared to stay at the mansion for a while.
Then, as though she had timed it perfectly, Frederica entered and led the group of envoys to the guest rooms.
Meanwhile, Fang Li's group resumed their discussion.
"Honestly..." Fang Li said to Emilia rather helplessly, "Wasn't that far too rash of you?"
"I'm sorry." Emilia's face was full of remorse. "I know it was bad of me to make that decision on my own. I'm really sorry for causing everyone trouble."
As a ruler, Emilia still had her shortcomings.
An invitation like today's clearly wasn't simply for a leisurely outing, as Subaru Natsuki had said. Anastasia surely had her own considerations.
Was it to probe their enemy's strength? Or was she planning some sort of underhanded move?
Fang Li did not know.
But the other side had clearly come prepared.
They had even grasped Emilia's weakness. Anyone would suspect there was some sort of trap involved.
Normally, it would not have been appropriate to give an answer directly in such a situation.
If it had been in the past, Emilia would have discussed it with Fang Li or Roswaal before making a decision.
Yet today, Emilia had agreed immediately.
"I know this is bad, but I just..."
Murmuring like that, Emilia reached out and touched the pendant before her, which was decorated with an Azure Crystal Stone.
Emilia's behavior caused everyone to fall silent in turn.
Because they all knew that within that Azure Crystal Stone, the Great Spirit known as the "Final Beast of the Eternal Frozen Soil" was slumbering.
It looked as though nothing had changed from the past.
But now, Emilia could neither summon it nor even communicate with it.
If Puck, residing within