“And like Theia suspected, it wasn't something you could laugh off, huh”
Ruth nodded at Kiriha.
“Yes. Behind the scenes, the military was planning a coup d'état and had placed her majesty Elfaria under house arrest in the imperial palace”
“So what did you do?”
Sanae excitedly intervened. Since she knew that Theia and Ruth had safely gotten away, she listened like she was hearing an adventurous tale.
“Supported by our loyal subjects, we rescued her majesty Elfaria and escaped to Earth aboard the Blue Knight”
“So the coup d'état army were the ones chasing after you?”
“Yes, a part of it. Thanks to the efforts of Pardomshiha's and Wenranka's band of knights, only three ships managed to come after us”
Wenranka was a distinguished family of knights on the same level as Pardomshiha, and they had shown absolute loyalty to the royal families since the Silver Princess's era. They didn't hesitate to side with the Mastir family in this crisis. Together with the Pardomshiha family, they played a major part in letting the Blue Knight escape.
“But, but, why did you flee to Earth? Wouldn't it be better to hide somewhere else?”
When it came to hiding places, the cowardly Yurika was the girl to ask.
It was known in Forthorthe that Theia had spent a year on Earth. So even the coup d'état army could guess where she'd have run off to. That's why Yurika felt like it was a bad idea to hide here.
“There are two reasons”
Hearing Yurika's doubts, Theia continued explaining.
“The first is a rule of diplomacy between planets. There is a principle of nonintervention with planets where formal diplomatic relationships haven't been established. That's why if I hide on Earth, the coup d'état army can't carelessly attack”
Using illness as a pretext, the coup d'état army put Elfaria under house arrest. So there were no suspicions of Elfaria or Theia abusing their powers. If the coup d'état army launched an attack without reason that also involved the inhabitants of Earth, the coup d'état army would be doubted, and their support from the public would be weakened. Since they couldn't do anything that would make the public opinion side with Elfaria, until they could forge a crime to frame Theia with, they couldn't launch any major attack on Earth.
“The other reason, that there was nowhere else where we still have territory”
“Territory?”
“Yes. The coup d'état army is pressuring Forthorthe, and the other territories have also fallen into their hands. Except for the territory on this planet”
“Theia, could that territory be...”
“...The only territory rightfully ours that hasn't fallen into the hands of the coup d'état army... that is Corona House's room 106. This was the only place we could hide at”
Theia was indirectly in control of room 106 through Koutarou. With all the other places under the coup d'état army's control, this place was Theia's last stronghold.
“In other words...”
After explaining that far, Theia clasped her hands together in front of her chest and looked up at Koutarou's face.
“...We came seeking your protection, Koutarou. And... we’re well aware that we would involve you and everyone else here in our fight...”
Theia was always strong minded and acting like a princess. But at this time she was uneasy and timid, which showed on her expression.
“We alone can't do anything anymore... We don't have enough help, wisdom and power. But it's not like we want to involve all of you! We don't want to make you unhappy, but we have no one else we can rely on!”
Theia desperately appealed to them.
Theia and Ruth had been cornered and had nowhere else to go. In that situation, they had come to rely on Koutarou and the others.
Sanae's spiritual powers, Kiriha's brain, Yurika's, Maki's and Harumi's magic. Clan's science, Shizuka's martial arts and Koutarou who combined all those powers. To Theia and Ruth who were lacking in numbers, Koutarou and the others would be a big help.
But it wasn't like Theia and Ruth wanted to involve Koutarou and the others in their fight. There really wasn't anything they could do but to cling onto their bonds.
“Please, help us, Koutarou! And everyone! I am aware how selfish I sound! I have gotten you involved into a dangerous fight you have nothing to do with! However, you are the only ones who trust us! And you're the only ones we trust!”
In that crisis, Theia relied on normal people. Not a legendary knight, nor the goddess of the dawn. Though they had various powers, they weren't all that different from Theia.
“That's why!!”
But together with them, she would surely be able to do something. That's what she believed. They were Theia's last hope.
“...Please... lend us your power...”
As Theia said that, she lowered her head and closed her eyes. Her body was stiff and her hands were tightly held together. That was only obvious; she knew she was asking for something unreasonable.
“...What are you doing? Raise your head, Theia”
Koutarou's voice sounded.