Luise stopped in front of a balcony on one side of the banquet hall.

“I have something important to discuss, so do not disturb us until I call for you. No drinks are needed either.”
“Understood.”

She dismissed the maids accompanying her, opened the door to the balcony, and stepped outside.

I followed her and closed the door behind me.

— Thud.

The door was thick, muffling the sounds from the banquet. The balcony was quiet, and with no lighting, it was difficult to make out her face.

“Ah, this is much better. Pretending is never easy,” she said, leaning back casually in a chair, her back to the lively city glowing with the festival’s energy.

Her behavior was far from what one would expect of an empress, entirely ignoring formalities.

I could relate to her comment about acting.

“Viktor, sit. No one can see us unless they open that door.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”

The only chair available was directly across from her, separated by a small table. I sat down, facing her.

Although she wasn’t human, her expressions were difficult to discern in the darkness. From her playful tone and what little I could see of her lips, I assumed she was smiling.

“Let’s get to the point quickly, as someone is waiting for you.”

Her tone was direct as she began.

“You’ve kept your promise very well.”
“Were you satisfied?”
“Very much so. Before calling you, I even asked Generals Gerhardt and Friedrich about your actions.”

Her earlier dismissal of drinks made this situation predictable, so I wasn’t caught off guard.

“They were enthusiastic. Not long into the conversation, they seemed more excited recounting your accomplishments than their own.”
“...”
“I’d heard that same-sex admiration is a quiet trend among humans. I wondered if that applied here.”
“It does not.”

Her odd comment startled me, and I automatically responded without thinking.

Moments like these, when her casual remarks betrayed her inhuman nature, stood out the most.

“Of course not. They’re both married, after all. It’s just that your achievements impressed them that much.”
“...I see.”

Her words carried no deeper meaning, as she moved on easily.

“Not only are your abilities remarkable, but it seems you’ve avoided any scandal in private matters.”
“Is that so?”
“If it hadn’t come from Gerhardt himself, I might not have believed it. Ah, which brings me to this point, Viktor.”

— Tap!

She suddenly leaned forward, resting her hands on the table. The movement brought her so close that I could see the curve of her lips and the fiery glow in her crimson eyes.

“...”
“You’ve proven your worth magnificently, so now it’s my turn.”

Her eyes seemed to gleam as she spoke.

“I believe you’ve already shown enough sincerity.”
“No.”

Her answer was firm as I tried to downplay her obligations.

“I promised to support your path with everything I have. Do you remember?”
“Yes, I remember.”
“I said everything.”

Her smile remained as she continued.

“Taking the ‘Provisional’ title off your corps is not enough for you to be satisfied.”
“...Is that so?”

Her voice grew stronger, more forceful.

“You placed both your honor and life on the line, and I, as Luise Zainburg, Empress of the Draconian Empire, made a vow. You achieved the monumental feat of turning the Brotan Kingdom into a puppet state. It’s only fair that I repay that achievement accordingly.”
“...”
“Let me make this clear: Whatever you ask of me, if it is within my power as Luise Zainburg, I will not refuse.”

There was an unusual mixture of excitement and anticipation in her rising tone.

“Viktor. What do you desire? What is your goal?”

It felt like holding a blank check. If her words were genuine, I could ask for nearly anything.

“Anything short of abdicating is fair game. A title, power, wealth, treasures—anything. If you wish, even my body is yours.”
“...”
“Not because I take my body lightly or would offer it frivolously, but to show my absolute sincerity.”

What should I ask for?

“...I’ll need some time to think about it.”
“Of course. Take all the time you need.”

She readily agreed to my request.

I closed my eyes, sinking into thought.

Luise leaned back in her chair, waiting patiently for my deliberation.

“...”

Normally, she might have watched the festival-goers from the balcony to satisfy her curiosity, but not now. Her entire focus was on me.

There was no reason to look elsewhere. The man before her, the one who fulfilled her desires and surpassed expectations, rendered any search for legends or exceptional talents unnecessary.

To her, the reports of Viktor’s actions were themselves tales of heroism and legend.

“Hmm...”

— Thump, thump.

She enjoyed the pounding heartbeat her human body allowed her to feel as she waited.

Eventually, I opened my eyes.

“Your Majesty.”
“Hmm. Have you decided what to ask for?”
“May I ask a few questions first?”
“Of course. Your questions won’t count against my promise, so ask freely.”

She responded promptly as I began.

“Recently, Your Majesty’s attitude toward the Draconian Empire seems to have changed.”
“Hmm?”

Her expression turned curious at the unexpected question.

“I heard back in the Ruthenian Kingdom that you were not an active ruler. Yet...”
“You’ve noticed my personal involvement—delegating diplomacy to Gerhardt, leading the victory march, and other events?”
“Yes. Particularly the creation of a personal corps. That must have faced significant opposition.”
“You’re wondering why I’ve changed my approach. I can answer that.”

At my cautious inquiry, she smiled with her eyes.

“It’s because of you, Viktor.”
“...Because of me?”
“To give you anything you might ask for, I needed to strengthen my position. Nothing more.”

Luise, believing that a hero’s journey required significant resources, had prepared herself to meet any of my requests.

Her recent moves to expand her authority and influence were part of fulfilling her promise.

She had no intention of taking her vow lightly as long as I upheld my side of the bargain.

If I sought wealth, she was prepared to offer her draconic hoard.
If I desired power, she would grant me authority nearly equal to her own.
Even if I were to ask for her body, she would reluctantly agree, studying human intimacy beforehand to fulfill the request.

This was her definition of “everything.”

“Hmm...”
“Does that answer your question?”
“Yes.”
“Anything else you’re curious about?”
“No, I’m fine.”

After a moment’s thought, I spoke again.

“There are two things I want from Your Majesty.”
“Two? That’s fewer than I expected.”
“The first is support for the Red Dragon Corps.”
“The Red Dragon Corps? There’s a reason you’re asking specifically, isn’t there?”
“Yes.”

I nodded.

“I plan to reorganize the Red Dragon Corps completely.”
“Oh?”
“I intend to introduce new weapons through a deal with the Dwarves of Ancestor Kingdom.”
“Dwarves? From Ancestor?”
“Yes.”

Her smile widened as I explained my plans to arm the corps with advanced weapons, signaling my intent to achieve even greater success.

“I’ve heard stories of Western mercenaries fighting with small cannons. Those must be the Dwarves’ handiwork?”
“Yes. I want to equip the Red Dragon Corps with even more advanced versions, which they call ‘guns.’”
“Guns, you say? And you believe this will change warfare?”
“I do. Future battles will be defined by those who wield guns and those who don’t. I need Your Majesty’s support to make this happen.”

Funding such a venture was no small feat, but Luise nodded without hesitation.

“Very well. What’s your second request?”
“...”

After a brief pause, I took a breath.

“I want Your Majesty to continue consolidating your power, just as you have been.”

Her expression shifted to mild surprise.

“Rewards like titles or land wouldn’t be unusual at this point.”
“There’s been a misunderstanding,” I clarified.

“I’m not asking for my own power. I want Your Majesty to become the unrivaled ruler of the Empire, holding all authority in your hands.”
“...”

She stared at me, momentarily speechless, before breaking into a booming laugh.

“Hahaha!”