Chapter 31: My Marie... Has Also Grown into a Star
The streets of Snowfield City.
The group of people who had previously seen Olga Marie in the Park looked up at that majestic figure, their expressions each more stunned than the last.
"T-That's..."
The young man wearing glasses pushed up his frames, his voice trembling.
"Is that the... Cosplay girl from the park this morning?"
"President of the Earth..." the blonde girl next to him murmured, repeating the words. "I think that's exactly what she said this morning..."
"So that wasn't a performance?"
"Not a prank?"
"Everything she said... was true?"
The crowd fell silent.
Panic spread like a plague.
"Are you kidding me! President of the Earth? Governing the planet? H-How is that possible!"
"But she's flying in the sky! And she turned so huge! That's simply not something a human can do!"
"Magecraft? Special effects? A Holographic Projection?"
"What kind of Holographic Projection can cover the entire city and broadcast globally?!"
The noise of discussion grew louder and more chaotic.
People pulled out their phones, frantically scrolling through social media.
Twitter, Facebook, Instagram—the top trending topic on every platform was the same:
#PresidentoftheEarth
Clicking on it revealed videos and photos from every conceivable angle.
Olga Marie's posture as she hovered in the night sky, her laughing expression, the sound of her declaration.
The comments exploded.
"These special effects are insane! Which movie company is promoting this?"
"It's not special effects! I'm in Snowfield City! I saw it with my own eyes! She's in the sky right now!"
"Same here, I'm present. Every screen in the city is broadcasting this—radio, TV, phones... everything's been hijacked."
"So it's real? Are there really aliens? Or is it a god descending?"
"Are you all missing the point? She said she's going to rule the Earth! Shouldn't someone call the police?!"
"Call the police? The police can barely save themselves right now..."
...
The Snowfield Police Department was indeed in a state of total chaos.
The emergency lines were overwhelmed, and the dispatchers' voices had gone hoarse from shouting.
The crowds on the streets began to riot; some tried to flee by car, resulting in massive traffic jams.
Orlando stood before the floor-to-ceiling window of the Chief's office, hands in his pockets.
He stared at the figure in the sky, his face so dark it looked like it could drip ink.
"Contact the government for me."
"Yes, sir." The female assistant turned and left.
The moment the office door closed, Orlando looked out the window again.
He watched the city plunged into panic, watched the President still smiling in the sky, and slowly let out a breath.
"Olga Marie Animusphere..."
"Just what... are you trying to do?"
...
The Clock Tower, London.
Outside of Snowfield City, the most violent reaction was undoubtedly at the Clock Tower.
After all, to people elsewhere, "Olga Marie" might just be an unfamiliar name.
But to the Clock Tower, she was a very familiar face.
The only daughter of the Lord of the Department of Astromancy, Marisbury Animusphere: Olga Marie Asmleit Animusphere.
That young magus whose talent wasn't top-tier but who worked hard enough.
So when the live broadcast reached them, the entire Clock Tower exploded.
"Is that Olga Marie?"
"Impossible! She was in the library this morning!"
"The one in the video has horns! And those clothes... no matter how you look at them, they aren't normal!"
"So is it an impostor? A Puppet? An Illusion?"
"Who would dare impersonate the Lord's daughter? And make such a huge scene? Do they have a death wish?"
Discussions broke out in every classroom, corridor, and lounge. Students gathered together, staring at the images on phones or magecraft projections, their expressions a mix of shock, confusion, panic, and a hint of... excitement.
This was massive news!
The daughter of the Lord of Astromancy had suddenly transformed into the "President of the Earth," declaring her rule over the planet in a global broadcast.
This plot was something even the most outrageous novels wouldn't dare to write.
At this moment, the "person involved"—the real Olga Marie Animusphere—was standing in a corridor of the Department of Astromancy.
A magecraft projection hovered before her, showing the live broadcast.
She stared at the brilliantly smiling figure in the image, her face pale and her fingers trembling.
"W-Why..."
She muttered to herself, her voice so soft it was almost inaudible.
"Why... does she look exactly like me..."
Who was it? Why impersonate her? And why cause such a massive disturbance?
Countless questions churned in her mind like a tangled mess.
Feeling the gazes of the crowd around her, Olga Marie found it difficult to breathe. Her chest felt tight, and her temples throbbed painfully.
She turned around and bolted.
She had to find her father.
Now, only her father could explain all of this.
Only her father—
Department of Astromancy, Lord's Office.
Marisbury Animusphere sat behind his wide desk, hands clasped upon the surface.
Before him, a magecraft projection also hovered.
On the projection, Olga Marie spread her arms wide, embracing the sky.
When the screen went dark, there was no shock, no anger, and no panic on Marisbury's face.
There was only tenderness.
A smile so tender it was almost doting.
"Ah..."
"This child... has truly grown up."
He raised his hand, his fingertips gently touching the face of the Olga Marie on the projection, even though he was touching only hollow light and shadow.
His movement was gentle, as if stroking a precious treasure.
"My Marie..."
He said softly, his gaze deep.
"Has also grown into a star."
Just then, the office door was thrown open.
"Father!"
Olga Marie Animusphere rushed in. She caught sight of the magecraft projection in front of Marisbury and her pace faltered.
Her face was pale and her breathing hurried. Her usually meticulously neat silver hair was somewhat messy, with a few strands scattered across her forehead.
"Father, th-this is..."
She rushed to the front of Marisbury Animusphere and pointed at the projection, her voice trembling.
"What exactly is going on? Who is that person? Why does she look exactly like me? And the things she said—ruling the planet? Th-this is absurd!"
Marisbury turned around and looked at his daughter.
The tenderness on his face did not fade; if anything, it grew stronger.
"Calm down, Marie," he said softly. "I know what you want to ask."
"First of all, that is indeed not you. You should be very clear on that point."
He stood up and walked to the window, his back to Olga Marie.
"Furthermore, this is not a bad thing. This is an opportunity, Marie."
"An opportunity?"
"Yes." Marisbury turned and looked at her, his gaze deep. "An opportunity for..."
Olga Marie didn't catch the few words he had omitted.
"Father, you..."
"Go and prepare, Marie," Marisbury interrupted her, his voice gentle yet brook-no-argument. "Soon, the Clock Tower will convene an emergency meeting. You need to attend."
"Remember, no matter what others ask, you only need to give one answer."
"'That has nothing to do with me.'"
"I will handle the rest."
Olga Marie lowered her head, her fingers tightly clutching the fabric of her skirt.
"...Yes, Father."