The Imperial Palace - 3

Though merely a Princess, with the Emperor and Prince having vanished, all power had converged upon her.

No... to be more precise.

*Due to the Demonkind invasion and countless wars, someone had to bear an unbearable burden of responsibility.*

It was more accurate to say that the Nobles, who would normally have stepped forward for their own safety and power, were pushing the 'responsibility' onto her, someone with no proven authority, rather than seizing it for themselves.

When all responsibility converged, though it was merely an illusion, power would concentrate, allowing all choices to be made. Everyone knew that all of this was meaningless. However, many were deluded into believing they could turn that fleeting glimmer into something real.

Those who were usually marginalized or unable to step forward tended to invest heavily in such illusions.

"Princess, are you alright?"

Among them was Count Monterio, one of the Key Figures of the Princess Faction. To briefly describe him, the term Extreme Utilitarian would accurately define him.

She gave a slight nod, and he smiled thinly at her. Soon, he and his Knights surrounded her and spoke.

"Unidentified Assailants have infiltrated this place, so we will protect the Princess with the utmost vigilance."...