Chapter 231: Secret Meeting (2)

Chapter 231: Secret Meeting
(2)

The
chilly air settling in the reception room wasn’t just my imagination.

The
unconscious trembling of magical power was strong enough to make the
surrounding air cold – a sign of intense emotional change.

One
didn’t need to roll their eyes to know where it was coming from.

“Your
Majesty.”

Diana
opened her closed eyes and stared at the Queen expressionlessly.

Balkan
took a sip of the tea that was turning into slush and slowly put down
the cup.

Just
as he was about to open his mouth in a situation where he deserved
praise for not spitting out the tea he was drinking.

“Haha.
It was a joke. Don’t glare at me like that.”

Teles
waved her hand toward Diana with a playful gesture.

‘As
expected, the resistance is fierce.’

Even
looking again, it was hard to believe that Diana had changed this
much.

To
think she would make such an expression just because someone touched
a man who was merely by her side.

Apart
from such surprise, there was a bitter taste in her mouth.

‘What
a shame. Such a desirable child.’

It
had been several years since the second princess, the only daughter
who had thoughts of inheriting the throne, had been confined to her
room.

After
the promising heir received what should rightfully be called a curse
rather than a blessing.

Even
though she had voluntarily changed into a fragile child who couldn’t
even think of leaving her room and trembled when facing people, Teles
hadn’t given up hope and had tried various means but none of them had
any effect.

Just
when it seemed like they would have to give up, at the birthday party
held while clinging to one last hope, change finally occurred.

The
daughter who would fall into panic and become too scared to speak
properly when facing strangers gave a brief speech in front of
everyone, displaying royal dignity to the fullest.

Although
she had watched through magic from afar, Teles couldn’t forget that
scene.

And
she didn’t miss where her daughter’s eyes were directed either.

‘She
must have fallen in love at first sight.’

Looking
again, it was understandable.

Balkan
had an appearance worthy of being called a national beauty.

Who
could think that face belonged to the warrior who defeated the
notorious doomsayer?

It
was truly fortunate that he usually covered his face.

What
use would it be for such a warrior to be known for his looks rather
than his martial prowess?

Surely
her daughter must have found courage looking at him so Teles decided
to support her daughter’s feelings.

It
would be quite troublesome if she were forced into a political
marriage like her in the past and ended up having an affair with a
dwarf.

‘It’s
better to do it properly in one go.’

Looking
at the etiquette just shown and how deeply Diana was infatuated, his
character must be decent.

While
laughing heartily, Teles carefully observed Balkan’s appearance.

It’s
natural to become more interested in trivial matters as one ages.

Even
as the queen of a nation preparing for retirement, or rather because
of such a position, she was more interested in such sweet love
stories.

“…I
would prefer if you didn’t say such things, even as a joke.”

Diana
said this while still glaring at Teles.

This
was because she felt that Teles had only verbally moved past the
situation, but hadn’t yet given up on Balkan.

One
of the main reasons she accepted Denshi was because Balkan wanted it.

But
what if Balkan was forced to take a woman due to external pressure
rather than his own will?

Diana
was ready to gladly stick an ice arrow in them.

“Ho
ho. It might not be a joke, who knows? No one can predict what will
happen. It’s up to the two of them.

“…Sigh…”

“Well.
Let’s leave that talk for later, the reason I called you here is for
this.”

At
Teles’ gesture, Knight Commander Seton, who had been standing behind
her, moved.

-Swoosh.

A
scroll was spread out on the table.

Several
unfamiliar pieces of equipment were drawn on that scroll.

“These
are relics dropped by the doomsayer when they retreated. Think of it
as a distribution of spoils of war.”

“The
doomsayer’s relics…!”

Balkan’s
mouth watered.

No
wonder the Pride’s Worshipper dropped something in bulk when they
left.

“I
plan to distribute these to everyone who protected my daughter this
time, but since you two made the greatest contribution, I’ll give you
priority.”

“We
are grateful for Your Majesty’s grace.”

“Grace?
It doesn’t sit well with me, as if I’m stealing your achievements.”

“But
haven’t you given us the right to choose like this? That’s enough.”

“How
do you speak such pretty words…ahem.”

If
the attack had happened outside the royal palace, they could have
just taken everything, but given the location, such things weren’t
permitted.

Still,
Balkan was satisfied to have received priority among impressive
figures like Diana, Professor Manko Steel, and Duke Rohart, and
checked the scroll with a content face.

A
wine cup, a map, a bracelet and a jewel.

“The
royal mages have appraised these items, so the performance should be
accurate.”

Brief
descriptions of each relic were written below the four drawings.

Unfortunately,
the doomsayer’s axe that he wanted most wasn’t there.

Even
while dying after being hit by Diana’s arrow, she hadn’t let go of
that weapon.

The
wine cup was the first to be excluded from priorities.

It
only had the minor function of making drinks poured into it taste
better.

The
map was also passed.

Although
it was a relic map that showed the optimal route from the 30th to
34th floor, it was a story for the distant future since he hadn’t
even broken through the 20th floor yet, let alone the 30th.

What
remained were the bracelet and the jewel.

The
bracelet had the ability to increase strength, while the jewel was
said to contain a sleeping fairy.

I
pondered for a moment with my hand on my chin.

While
the bracelet’s function was straightforward enough to just take, my
eyes kept being drawn to the jewel that supposedly contained a
sleeping fairy.

Seeing
my contemplative look, Diana whispered softly.

“I
recommend choosing the jewel.”

“Yes.”

I
immediately reached for the scroll with the jewel drawn on it.

Then,
as if putting my arm into a subspace, my hand went smoothly into the
scroll.

Feeling
something grab inside, I pulled my hand out, and a purple jewel with
a mysterious glow appeared in reality.

“…Ho
ho. You choose right after hearing such words? How do you know if
that fairy will be helpful to you or not?”

“Diana
is my benefactor. She wouldn’t give advice that would harm me.”

“Hmm…”

Teles
laughed at Balkan’s words as he held the fairy-inhabited jewel.

‘Does
that man even realize that the woman beside him is in heat from what
he just said?’

If
it’s a man who can say such things with that face as naturally as
breathing…

‘I
might get to see lots of grandchildren.’

Her
daughter, who was already practically immune to men, might be in
considerable danger.

The
turn passed to Diana.

Diana
chose the bracelet without hesitation.

Diana
met Teles’ eyes and smiled slyly.

“Surely
there aren’t any childish restrictions about not giving rewards to
others?”

“Do
as you please. That too is your choice.”

Only
then did Diana wear a satisfied smile and put the relic bracelet into
subspace.

When
the selection was over, the Knight Commander collected the scroll.

“You
may go now. Feel free to drink more tea if you’d like.”

At
Teles’ words, Balkan moistened his throat with tea.

It
was because he was exhausted from the marriage proposal and the
invisible power struggle between Diana and the Queen.

After
spending some awkward time like that, he got up.

“Explorer
Balkan.”

As
he was about to follow Diana, who had left the reception room first,
he turned his head at the voice calling him and couldn’t help but
open his eyes wide.

“Thank
you so much for saving my daughter.”

The
queen of a nation was bowing her head to him.

“P-please
don’t do this, Your Majesty. I merely repaid my debt to the
princess.”

“Still,
the fact that you saved my bloodline remains unchanged. Please accept
this gratitude.”

“…Sigh.
I understand.”

I
wanted to end this uncomfortable situation quickly.

Even
setting aside the vast difference in status, it wasn’t very
comfortable to have a grandmother with a warm impression bowing her
head.

“Thank
you again. I too have incurred a debt to you. A very large debt. If
you ever have any difficulties, please let me know. I’ll do
everything in my power.”

“Haha…Thank
you.”

Balkan
laughed heartily and faced the Queen who had raised her head, then
smiled bitterly.

Clearly,
he was the one who had left a large debt to the queen of a nation,
yet somehow he felt like a collar had been put on him.

“I
hope I can see you again next time.”

“I
too will look forward to next time.”

Balkan
showed his respects and left the reception room again.

-Creeeeak.

From
beyond the automatically closing door, a small voice was heard.

“A
debt to my daughter…”

The
voice that seemed pleased to know there was a story between Balkan
and Celsia that she didn’t know about became inaudible as the door
completely closed.

***

On
the way back to the lodgings after leaving the reception room the
full moon hung in the darkened sky.

“…It
really is beautiful.”

“Heehee.
Right? I originally brought you just to see the moon, but ended up
making you go through something incredible.”

“It’s
fine. Thanks to that, I got to fight someone like that. And I got
this too.”

Balkan
smiled while showing the fairy-inhabited jewel.

A
rare Labyrinth creature different from the spirits of Wind Valley – a
fairy.

“Fairies
are rare even on the 30th floor, and this is a jewel that can grow
and hatch one…We were really lucky.”

According
to Diana, this wasn’t just a simple relic.

If
you tame the fairy that wakes from this jewel well, it can be used in
various ways not only in Labyrinth exploration but also in daily
life.

Although
I wasn’t sure how long it would take to resurrect, I thought there
might be progress if I kept it close like a mother hen.

Nodding
with satisfaction, I returned to my lodgings while enjoying the full
moon with Diana.

Unfortunately,
we had separate rooms.

It
couldn’t be helped since we couldn’t openly have an inappropriate
relationship in the royal palace, and we had to be mindful of others
staying in different lodgings.

I
lay down on the bed that had become even larger and softer in the
newly assigned lodgings after saving Celsia.

I
felt an ecstatic sensation like floating on clouds. As expected of an
artifact bed prepared for honored guests.

What
would it feel like to mate here? Would it feel like mating while
flying in the sky?

As
soon as my body became comfortable, random thoughts started flooding
in.

Like
how it’s already been over a week when I told Denshi I’d come back in
three days…

Or
whether Ellie, who had muttered something while looking at the portal
created by Pride’s Worshipper, was okay…

Although
I wasn’t too worried since I left her with Rubia, Ellie was somehow
strange at that time…

-Knock
knock.

While
having such thoughts, there was a careful knock at the door.

I
was too lazy to move and closed my eyes to turn on my perception, but
my body sprang up immediately.

My
body, which had bounced up like a spring, headed straight for the
door.

When
I flung open the door, nothing was visible.

“Ah,
down here…”

At
the small voice, I lowered my gaze to find a small woman barely
reaching my solar plexus standing there.

The
second princess Celsia, wearing an even more fluttery…negligee that
looked like sleepwear.

“Pr-Princess
Celsia!”

“Sh-Shh…!”

When
I spoke in a loud voice, she looked startled and hurriedly looked
around while putting her index finger to her lips.

“If,
if you speak too loudly…ev-everyone will hear…because it’s
night… qu-quietly…”

“Ah,
yes…But may I ask why you came…”

“Ah,
th-that…ummm…”

As
if flustered by the sudden question, Celsia, who had been nervously
tapping her index fingers together and rubbing her fingerprints,
carefully opened her mouth.

“Um,
I was wondering if we could talk for a moment…”

Along
with a voice that seemed slightly wet with moisture, a man’s figure
was reflected in her green eyes.

“…Just
the two of us…”