"Huh??? M-must I really wear this... this shameful outfit?" I leaped onto the bed in the princess’s chamber within the castle, yanking the quilt over my pajama-clad body. No matter what Bessdaitiel said, I refused to put on the clothes she’d brought!

"Princess!" Bessdaitiel’s voice turned uncharacteristically stern. "Do you grasp the magnitude of your blunder? You unleashed a forbidden eighth-tier spell on ordinary human peasants—and brazenly announced your royal name! How can the Empire ignore this? Do you realize the peril this brings to our Undercity?"

"When danger comes, we face it! What does that have to do with me wearing this indecent outfit?" I stomped my feet in frustration on the bed.

"Everything! Though no peasants died, the Undercity’s ruling princess personally destroyed Imperial territory—that’s near-declaration of war! Intel confirms the Empire’s high command is already drafting plans to purge us! And all because of your recklessness! Saving a witch? Fine—sneak her out quietly! Why broadcast it empire-wide? What was the point of all our earlier disguises?"

"This..." I turned my head away, unable to argue. "I was wrong, but—"

"But what? Imperial armies gather while our Undercity’s morale crumbles. Only the Rite of Adulthood can reignite our Fiendish Monsters’ fighting spirit! We’d planned a low-key ceremony—you’d be embarrassed—but after yesterday’s council, we’ve decided: it must be grand! Lavish! Every monster in the Undercity must frenzy over you! And you, Princess, will ignite that frenzy!" Bessdaitiel’s solemn, righteous tone wrapped lies in logic and emotion, leaving me speechless.

"But... I’m a princess! Even a village peasant chooses her own clothes. Am I less free than her?"

"Greater power demands greater duty, Princess. The heights are lonely. You rule a hundred leagues of Undercity, command countless Fiendish Monster tribes—don’t you understand being bound by duty? Princess Kuroti, the moment you became the Undercity’s guardian, your body ceased to be yours alone. It belongs to our future. Rallying our people is your sacred duty!"

Her words made my knees buckle. I sank onto the bed, defeated. "If... if it’s for the Undercity’s future, then... do as you wish. I don’t *want* to wear this!"

Since yesterday’s council, I’d felt like a puppet in their schemes. First, they condemned me for exposing my identity and blasting that village. Then they criticized me for diverting Undercity troops to find an unrelated girl—making Feyn Senior visibly uncomfortable.

After hours of arguing, we’d compromised: I’d submit to their Rite of Adulthood arrangements, and they’d all commit resources to find Xueno for Senior Sister.

But this morning’s outfit shattered my limits.

I refused to believe the original Kuroti—born female—would accept this. Even *I*, a boy with no innate female modesty, couldn’t bear it.

Simply put: this outfit was sheer. Sheer. Sheer. Dripping with a maturity that clashed violently with my style.

Yet I knew I couldn’t defy them—not if they were to search wholeheartedly for Xueno. For her sake, I’d endure this humiliation.

The Rite of Adulthood began three days before my birthday. Today marked the preliminary selection matches—and I was to attend the opening ceremony.

I still didn’t know if I was attending as an honored guest... or the prize.

After fierce insistence, Bessdaitiel let me dress alone. Frankly, it was a struggle.

Just as I finished—drenched in fragrant sweat—the door swung open.

"Eh!?" I wasn’t ready! My face burned crimson.

Feyn Senior strode in, clad in black tight pants and a dark top. Seeing me, she froze.

*Damn you, Bessdaitiel—you didn’t even lock the door!* I cursed inwardly.

"Feyn... Senior..." Shame choked me at her seeing me like this. Yet... better her than anyone else.

I turned sideways, my pale, peach-toned skin barely covered by a one-piece black mesh bodysuit. In truth, it was just a narrow black cloth bra and panties—opaque only where they mattered least. Everywhere else? Sheer black mesh, teasing glimpses beneath.

Worse, the mesh hid trivial spots while exposing vital ones: smooth shoulders bare, the shallow dip between my breasts exposed while neck and upper arms were covered; armpits fully visible while ribs were veiled; navel and spine nearly naked down to the waist. The thigh-high stockings were bizarre—clipped to the top at the hips, leaving front and back completely bare, yet tightly wrapped at the sides as if whispering, *See? I’m wearing pants!*—when it was far more shameful than wearing nothing at all.

Only my calves and feet were tightly sheathed in black stockings, making my white thighs look slender above... and those 10-centimeter stiletto heels forced an unnatural sway in my hips. *Who designed this? A pervert or a courtesan? Such "thoughtful" craftsmanship!*

"Mm." Feyn Senior frowned, hand over her mouth, eyeing me like a shameless girl. "You’re certain you’ll wear this to the Rite’s opening?"

"I..." Her gaze made me defensive. "Hmph! What of it? My clothes are none of your concern!"

"Well... not entirely."

"Shouldn’t you be searching for Xueno instead of loitering here?"

At Xueno’s name, that familiar irritation flickered in her eyes—but today, it wavered, clouded by something else.

"Kuroti, there’s no news of Xueno in your Undercity. I’ll head to the Minos Labyrinth next. But first... I couldn’t leave without checking on you."

"Checking? I thought my Undercity held no value for you anymore..." The bitter words slipped out before I could stop them.

This time, she didn’t flare up. Instead, she spread her hands. "Listen, Kuroti! That’s why I’ve decided—I’ll enter the Rite of Adulthood selection matches myself."

"Huh???" My face flushed instantly. "Senior Sister? You’ll compete? But... aren’t you rushing to find Xueno?"

She shook her head wearily, arms crossed as she leaned against the wall, eyes closed. "Tch. You infuriate me daily, but... you’re still the little sister I personally trained—your body responds so easily. How can I trust others to ‘handle’ you? What if you lose your mind by the time I return? I bear responsibility. Besides, I’m your Guardian Knight—even if only in name. Truthfully, I’m your master, aren’t I? So whether by title or truth, I can’t abandon you. Others would gossip, and this big sister would feel guilty. I’m just that responsible, you know? It’s chivalry. Chivalry, understand?"

"Senior Sister... are you seriously spouting nonsense with a straight face?"

"What nonsense? My chivalry?"

"Not that—the rest! ‘Trained,’ ‘master,’ ‘sensitive body,’ and ‘handle’... Sister, your words make your little sister so ashamed!" Already burning in this outfit, I twisted away, face hotter than ever.

"Ashamed? I think you’re thrilled! Honestly—I can’t risk you falling into Sulia’s hands. Let alone spending three nights alone with some male Fiendish Monster! Sister fears you’ll break, understand? So I *will* win this Rite before I leave. Clear?"

"Sister~~~" I was overjoyed she’d stay—but did she have to humiliate me like this?

Suddenly, I realized: this news made me deliriously happy.

Seeing my expression, Feyn Senior’s demeanor shifted, cool and distant. "Don’t misunderstand. This is purely... chivalry. And a senior sister’s duty."

*Duty?* So all those strange words were just excuses for duty?

Duty to me. But to Xueno?

Her decision—meant to comfort—now stung my heart.

*Wait... why does this hurt?*

*Am I... jealous?*

*Jealous of Xueno?*

But last night... Senior Sister’s turmoil, her rage—it hadn’t felt like mere concern for Xueno. Had she begun opening her heart to someone else? Should I have begged her to stay yesterday?

*Does Sister... care for me?*

*Is this real... or just my delusion?*

Dizzy with emotion, I deliberately collapsed into her arms. She caught me effortlessly, pulling me close.

My face buried itself against her chest again.

A scent of comfort. A scent of confusion. The scent of the one I loved.

Comfort came from instinct. Confusion—from realizing something else: as I thrilled at the thought of being in Sister’s heart, how far had my boy’s soul already fallen? A male spirit at birth, now jealous over another girl.

"Senior Sister... can I... ever go back..." I murmured against her warm, soft chest, sucking my thumb like a child.

"Eh? What are you muttering about, suddenly clinging to me?" Her voice feigned annoyance but held warmth. Lately, I’d forgotten to seek a way back to my boyhood. Even if such a way existed... if Sister only loved girls... could I truly choose to become male again?

As a girl, jealous over another girl in Sister’s arms—this pain felt bitter, yet carried a strange sweetness only a love-struck maiden would know...

I *should* hate this feeling. Resist it fiercely. Or else... where would I go, besides sulking in Sister’s embrace?

Deep within the Undercity, the ancient, hollow chime of stalactites echoed like primordial bells.

Walking the dim tunnels, I heard distant roars of celebration shaking the walls.

"Princess!"

"Long live!"

"Princess!"

"Long live!"

*Creeeak—* The colossal black stone doors groaned open.

A tidal wave of cheers crashed over me. Before me stretched the vast Undercity arena, lit by demonic flames like a sea of stars.

I stepped through the gates—clad in that scandalous mesh gown, expression serene despite the exposure.

Spreading my slender, pale arms toward the roaring horde of monsters, my voice rang out, youthful yet imperious:

"ROAR, heirs of the Fiendish Monsters—TODAY IS YOUR FEAST!!!"