Chapter 17

Meanwhile, at the moment Kaya was busy taking her combat-classification exam.

The corridors of the Blue Palace, shrouded in deep darkness, were unusually illuminated by a small, faint light slowly moving along.

In the dead of night when all should be asleep, the stillness was broken by none other than Mark, gliding through the halls.

He was one of the supply-model automata tasked with maintaining the Blue Palace alongside Kaya, who served the abandoned imperial princess.

Under normal circumstances, he should have been powered down and resting during this hour, but the reason for his movement now was simple: to find definitive answers to the doubts and worries clouding his thought circuits—and also… to confirm the intentions of *her*, who for some inexplicable reason was also awake.

Not long after, Mark arrived at a door cloaked in thick shadows and gently knocked with his precise mechanical limbs. Upon receiving permission from beyond, he retrieved his delicate mechanical hand, turned the knob, and entered.

Inside, the scene reflected outside the door—just an ordinary room engulfed in darkness.

Yet, tucked into the corner, perched on the window with a serene gaze directed outward, was a beautiful black-haired demon race member whose presence alone was enough to transform the mundane atmosphere 180 degrees.

For there she was, glowing faintly under the moonlight amidst the pitch-black darkness, exuding an aura that no one could easily approach—a rare sight indeed, visible only when her sole maid, Kaya, was absent. This was the true form of Yuria, the 8th Imperial Princess of the Demon Emperor’s Nation: no trace of the gentle, caring smile she showed to her adorable servant remained. Instead, sharp, icy crimson eyes stared ahead, her expression infinitely cold and devoid of any emotion. The innate air of a born ruler, most resembling her mother, the Demon Empress.

Based on the data stored within him, Mark silently concluded as much, gazing steadily at her until she deigned to acknowledge him.

Reflecting back, he believed Dr. Selene’s decision to support this plan—and even her choice to invest in it—was partly influenced by this indescribable aura of hers.

Of course, viewed rationally, it was nothing more than an irrational fantasy, but the fact remained that this young demon had miraculously survived countless brushes with death over the years.

A vague “feeling” that she would show them something—something meaningful.

Over the past ten years of supporting her, Mark himself had come to understand this elusive intuition to some degree.

“…This is rare. You coming to see me at this hour? Is there something you wish to say?”

[It’s something you yourself know best, I imagine. And if I may venture a guess, my visit is closely related to why you’re awake right now.]

Awoken from her deep contemplation, the princess greeted her unexpected visitor with a question, to which Mark responded without hesitation in his characteristic mechanical tone.

Yuria merely crossed her arms lightly and smiled softly, finding the exchange amusing.

Her thin purple silk pajamas, clearly visible under the moonlight, radiated an enchanting allure that could enrapture any man.

Of course, being a non-living automaton, Mark remained motionless, awaiting her response.

Ever since Kaya had slipped out of the palace without their knowledge…

The moment he’d detected the situation through his sensors while ruminating in his sudden awakening from standby mode, he’d come straight here.

Now, the question he sought to ask her was clear:

Did you know about all this?

And if so, why did you let it happen?

Especially now, as the plan was nearing its critical phase.

Ordinarily, he wouldn’t question her actions, but given the timing, Mark felt compelled to seek a definitive answer.

And so, gazing at her long-time collaborator, Yuria soon divulged all the truths without resistance.

“That’s right, I knew everything.

That Kaya was secretly plotting something, and that she left the palace tonight…

But I didn’t stop her.”

Though somewhat prepared, Mark couldn’t hide his bewilderment upon hearing her confession. Internally, his thoughts spiraled into chaos despite showing no outward signs. To him, always striving for the most rational and stable outcomes, the princess’s judgment seemed like the worst possible decision—one that would only create countless variables.

Yet, another unresolved question lingered.

The likely cause behind Kaya’s sudden behavior, judging from the probability, stemmed from the Blue Palace’s financial state. Based on the accumulated data regarding the girl, while there was a chance of unpredictable actions, the likelihood of her following his most reasonable suggestions had been highest…

Meaning, there must exist some variable he hadn’t accounted for.

Sure enough, what followed next from Yuria confirmed his fears.

“Perhaps the trigger was when I mentioned I’d attend the banquet in one of my old, worn dresses. That’s around the time Kaya started acting differently.

‘My beloved master can never be disrespected!’ …Something along those lines, perhaps?

Plus, considering how she occasionally ventured in and out of the capital, combined with her combat-specialized body type…

It’s not hard to deduce what she’s up to now, is it?

She’s probably wreaking havoc somewhere in the capital right now, flaunting her strength…”

[How can you speak so irresponsibly? If the Peacekeepers discover her, it could cause a major disturbance.]

“That won’t happen. Our Kaya isn’t reckless enough to do anything dangerous that might harm me.

Instead, she’ll likely use her abilities legally to earn money—probably through a guild or something similar.

You’ve been responsible for her education for the past ten years; surely you know she’d work hard to gather funds this way.”

Mark was utterly baffled by Yuria’s unfazed attitude. Meanwhile, the young princess continued to dismiss any worst-case scenarios with a nonchalant demeanor, treating the matter as though it were someone else’s concern entirely.

Indeed, as she said, the Kaya he knew wasn’t the reckless type.

Ten years ago, when he and Kaya were sent to the Blue Palace, his directive from creator Dr. Selene had been clear:

Support and control the experimental subject Yuria while meticulously monitoring and observing her progress.

Since then, he’d faithfully carried out his duties by Kaya’s side.

Teaching the blank-slate mechanical doll the mindset of a maid and the basic knowledge of the world, gradually building trust as a reliable ally and sole confidante over the years.

Somewhere along the way, his perspective on Kaya had shifted.

Once seen as a ticking time bomb, she now felt more like an unpredictable troublemaker daughter.

Truthfully, part of the reason he came here tonight wasn’t just concern for the plan’s success but also genuine worry for Kaya’s safety.

As Mark lapsed into silence, grappling internally with emotions he shouldn’t technically possess as a humanoid automaton, Yuria watched him with an inscrutable gaze before turning her attention back to the window.

“What you’re really wondering is why I allowed Kaya’s unilateral actions, isn’t it? It’s quite simple, actually.

This is a pre-test before the real performance.

If issues arise even at this stage, there’s no way the main plan will succeed later.

Moreover, the effort Kaya went through after much deliberation was purely for my sake.

I didn’t want to hinder such a commendable act. Besides, the dress for that day isn’t particularly crucial to the plan, though having it wouldn’t hurt either.

Frankly, I don’t know if Kaya’s attempt will succeed, but even failure wouldn’t matter much. Confirming her blind loyalty is satisfaction enough for me.”

An unwavering belief that her control wouldn’t falter so easily.

Such audacious thinking was unthinkable unless rooted in absolute conviction.

Though incomprehensible to Mark, he lacked the authority to outright refute her steadfast beliefs as a mere assistant.

Thus, he resigned himself, muttering under his breath with a mix of frustration and acceptance:

[…I’ve known for a while now, but you’re insane. No sane person would ever do something like that.]

“Hohoho, naturally. After all, in a place like this hell, one must go mad to survive.”

Bathed in moonlight, Yuria’s blood-red eyes gleamed eerily from the shadows, filled with unsettling madness.

Yet, to Mark, this madness seemed less terrifying and more like a fragile flame flickering precariously amidst countless wounds.

———————-

(Here’s a rough impression of Princess Yuria from this episode!)

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