18. Wait, Juana.

 

Chwaaaaaaa!

 

Aran’s body began to glow faintly.

Was it because she was using divine power, Shinryeok? The mana she used also contained Shinryeok.

 

 

Thanks to that, the sword’s stubbornly resisting domain gradually began to shrink.

 

 

“A-Are you alright…?”

 

 

A battle of energies,

A battle of mana.

So beautiful that I was mesmerized, and at the same time, an overwhelming collision that made my legs tremble.

 

Cornelia was starting to worry about the sword and Aran.

What if something went wrong?

If that tension were to break, not only the sword but also Aran seemed like they would be greatly injured.

 

 

“I’m okay.”

 

Contrary to her worries, however, Aran was quite relaxed.

 

It may look like a close match on the surface, but with Shinryeok helping, it had become much easier from her perspective.

 

‘Good… now, slowly…’

 

 

From what I can see, the mana barrier surrounding the sword seems to be a device to prevent interference from the outside.

It’s not to prevent it from breaking or being damaged, but rather it was made to hinder repairs when that happens.

 

Who the hell made this sword to do such a nasty thing?

Aran wanted to see the face of that person.

 

 

 

 

Paaaaaat!

 

 

After confronting each other for more than ten minutes, the mana barrier surrounding the sword disappeared, emitting powerful mana in all directions.

 

 

“Hoo….”

 

 

Aran lowered one hand, looking at the trembling sword blade.

It was the moment she had consumed the most power since obtaining the 7th tier of strength.

 

Now that the barrier protecting (?) the sword was gone, the rest was a piece of cake.

As long as she was careful with the flow of mana and the subtly engraved formulas, she could attach it without difficulty.

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Is it done?”

“Yes. What an audacious sword. For a sword, anyway.”

 

-Uuung!

 

 

Was it angry at Aran’s disregard?

The sword blade trembled.

 

 

“Shut up.”

 

She flicked the sword blade on the head, and it became quiet.

 

 

Cornelia carefully grasped her sword.

Then, the sword trembled as if telling its owner about the unfair treatment.

 

 

“Where did you get that sword anyway?”

“Hmm… it’s a long story. More than that, there’s no need to stand here and talk, is there?”

“Well, that’s true.”

 

 

Now that I know it’s Aran, there’s no reason to stay here.

I should go to my room and drink tea while reminiscing about the past.

 

“Let’s go. Let’s reminisce about old times for once.”

“Okay. Oh, it’s top secret that I’m here, so I’ll stay in this form.”

“……Well, do as you please.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

* * *

 

 

 

 

 

 

Huanna was busy today as well, creating policies for the commoners and discussing with officials from commoner backgrounds in order to create an image.

Everyone except the nobles began to respect her, and even among the nobles, there were those who respected her.

 

 

Soup was always by her side, and thanks to that, there were even rumors that she was the second-in-command of the next regime.

 

 

‘Yes. Look at me with those eyes. Respect… revere… and sacrifice.’

 

 

She smiled inwardly, looking at Soup, who was sending her infinite trust.

 

 

That’s why commoners are easy to use.

They are easily moved by just being treated a little better, and they give their hearts easily, no different from street whores or male prostitutes.

 

No integrity,

No thoughts of their own,

All they know how to do is follow,

She pitied and despised the commoners.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“The next thing you need to do is persuade Count Sion. He’s not a great power, but he has quite a wide network of contacts, so he’s a person you must win over for smooth politics.”

“I see. I’m busy.”

“If you’re a little tired, you should rest. No matter how much it’s for the sake of a great cause, if Your Highness abandons your mind and body, there is no greater loss than that.”

 

Soup had a truly worried expression.

Having lost all her family and not even finding Aran, Huanna was everything to her now.

 

 

Huanna showed a warm smile, contrary to her true feelings.

 

 

“Hehe. Still, I have to do it. My body can be healed at any time, but the corruption that arises from national instability and the resulting damage to the people cannot be healed. If I can dedicate this one body to lead the people to a better path, I must do so.”

“Ah….”

 

 

Soup’s eyes welled up with tears.

The woman in front of her was truly born with the qualities of a wise ruler for the people.

No emperor had ever thought of the people like her, and no one had ever sacrificed like her.

 

“Well, let’s get started then. We must achieve our ideals as soon as possible. That way, there will be fewer people suffering, right?”

“Yes!”

 

 

Without seeing the back of the evil smile, Soup was moved and followed.

 

 

‘This is all for you, so be grateful. Soup-yang.’

 

 

Huanna’s cold gaze was fixed on Soup’s back as she chattered and led the way.

 

 

 

 

 

 

* * *

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cornelia and Aran, who came outside, strolled through the garden.

As they walked, they came to the place where they had a three-way meeting with Theodora.

 

 

“Ah, this place is….”

“This is where I first stabbed you.”

“Could you refrain from using strange expressions?”

“What are you talking about? Strange expressions? What’s strange is not my words, but your delusions.”

“….”

 

 

For a moment, I felt like punching her, but I endured it with superhuman patience.

Still, she’s my mother!

Although her height is as small as a kid and her proportions are strange with only big breasts and butt, she’s still my mother.

 

 

“Weren’t you just having impure thoughts?”

“I wasn’t.”

“Hmph. Being a stubborn pumpkin is the same for that guy and this girl.”

“….”

“Anyway, how did you get that power? Unless the egg broke, there’s no way you’d become a woman.”

“You’re so obsessed with eggs. Even if the egg breaks, I don’t become a woman.”

“Whatever.”

“Sigh… it’s because of mana. Originally, men can’t possess mana, right? I was able to because I have a special constitution, but there was a limit to that too. So, when I use more power than that, I become a woman in the meantime.”

“Hoo. That’s amazing. Then, is it possible to change only that part?”

“…….”

 

 

Aran couldn’t hide her embarrassment, but soon smiled.

This woman had always been like this.

So playful and warm.

She may seem like a tyrant on the outside.

 

 

“There’s no such specific technique.”

“That’s a shame.”

“Why is it a shame….”

 

The two strolled through the garden, talking about this and that.

The gentle breeze felt good.

 

 

‘Sometimes it’s good to be like this… even though I’m a god.’

 

 

 

“By the way, have you heard the news?”

“Yes? News?”

“Yes. It seems Huanna has changed a lot.”

“Ah….”

 

 

Of course, I know.

That’s one of the reasons I came.

 

 

“That kid. Now that she’s the Crown Princess, it’s like she’s come to her senses and knows exactly where to put her efforts.”

 

 

She looked very pleased.

If her daughter changes in the direction she believes is right, wouldn’t her happiness as a mother be at its peak?

 

 

Of course, Aran had witnessed Huanna’s true character, so she absolutely did not believe in the change. She just thought of it as pretense.

 

 

‘Sigh… let’s just move on.’

 

She thought about telling her, but decided to just move on.

 

 

Cornelia is a wise woman.

There’s no way she wouldn’t know the pretense of politicians, and she’s not the type to rule out that possibility. She just wants to believe it because she’s her daughter.

 

 

I didn’t want to make my mother’s profile look sad.

 

 

“Oh. She’s coming over there.”

 

Hearing her words, I turned my head and saw Huanna, leading a woman from afar, approaching with a graceful walk.

She must have noticed that Cornelia was there and was coming to greet her.

 

 

“Hehe. Do you see? The child in front of Huanna is from a commoner background.”

“Hee…. I see…… Huh?”

 

She, who had been uttering a dry exclamation, soon gasped and was greatly surprised.

Her eyes widened as much as they could.

 

 

‘S…Soup…?’

 

 

Only the gender and personality have changed, but it’s still the same Aran.

Of course, she knows who she is and has affection for her.

And she also has that pitiful wound and sense of responsibility.

 

 

So, she can’t help but recognize her.

 

 

She can’t help but recognize the woman who is smiling brightly and approaching, even amidst so many wounds.

 

 

 

 

“Mother, good morning.”

“Your Majesty, I greet you.”

“Yes. Good morning. The weather is really nice.”

 

It was only when the two women came right in front of her that she broke free from the shock.

 

 

After breaking free from the shock, questions arose in rapid succession.

 

 

 

How is Soup in Persia?

How is Soup by Huanna’s side?

How is Soup wearing a bright expression?

How does Soup have healed wounds?

How is Soup smiling as if she has found the purpose of her life, even shining a halo beyond brightness?

 

 

How does Huanna send warmth to her?

 

 

Everything from one to ten was full of questions.

 

 

 

 

“Ah, say hello. This kid here is ‘Narcisse’, the daughter of my old friend.”

 

 

Cornelia, conscious of Aran’s words that it was top secret, disguised her identity.

Huanna exclaimed, “Ah!” and greeted her with an elegant appearance.

 

 

“Nice to meet you. I’m Huanna Lime Ri Persia, the Crown Princess of Persia.”