chapter_0207

208 – Did the Hero Choose Me?

208 – Did the Hero Choose Me?

“Your Majesty, Hero Nikki has arrived.”

With the shout of the knight guarding the grand hall, the Empress’s voice was heard.

“Let her in.”

Creeeak.

The massive doors opened, revealing the vast grand hall.

Inside, the Empress sat on the throne atop twelve steps, surrounded by various ministers.

There was the Chancellor, the Imperial First Knight Commander Yuris, the Captain of the Guard, and several high-ranking officials of the palace.

Major nobles of the Empire, including Marquis Sylvester, were also present, along with the heads of the four schools of magic: Blaster, Life Magic, Goldmoon, and Meister.

And there were also the High Elf Reina and Saint Eileen.

A gathering of the key figures who protected the order of the Empire.

Everyone focused their attention on the Hero’s arrival.

Everyone except the Empress bowed their heads to Nikki in respect.

“I’ve been waiting for you.”

The Empress looked down at her.

“I’ve heard you were looking for something.”

“Have you heard the news?”

“Yes, I’ve been informed that traces of a Dragon have been discovered.”

At Nikki’s words, the atmosphere grew somber.

“Ugh…”

Everyone remained silent, only letting out groans.

It had not been long since they had defeated the Demon King.

Just a few years at most.

They had thought peace had finally come, but suddenly a Dragon appeared.

Especially the lords who held territories near the Ice Mountain Range looked almost as if they were about to die.

Historically, Dragons had constantly tormented the Empire.

It was a story from a very distant past.

Hundreds of years ago, after Dragons mysteriously disappeared from the continent, such occurrences had become rare, but before that, it was not uncommon for a territory to be wiped out by a Dragon.

They did not descend upon the Empire like the Demon King did.

However, every few hundred years, they were known to awaken and devastate the surrounding area.

Unlike the ancient texts that spoke of their intelligence, they were said to be temperamental, unable to communicate with others, and their power rivaled that of the Demon King.

A Dragon as strong as the Demon King, but with a nasty temperament.

The fact that such a Dragon had begun to stir meant that territories not far from that location were in danger.

It was not feasible to evacuate all the people living there.

Though they had not been active for hundreds of years, a Dragon was still a Dragon.

Even with the advancement of human magic and the presence of a Hero who had defeated the Demon King, there was no way to avoid damage entirely.

That was why some of the nobles present wore expressions of despair.

Among them, only one person, the Empress, maintained a calm smile as she spoke.

“It’s still difficult to be certain that it belongs to a Dragon. The evidence is quite old, so we’ll need an expert to verify it.”

The Empress crossed her legs and continued.

“That’s why I called for you. I thought there was no one more knowledgeable about monsters than a Hero.”

“Thank you for your kind words. However, I have not fought a Dragon directly, so my information may not be accurate.”

“Still, you likely know more about Dragons than anyone here.”

The Empress’s gaze shifted to those gathered.

Nobles, ministers, officials, knights, and even mages.

All of them had little knowledge about Dragons.

The mages had the highest chance of possessing such knowledge, but among the four schools, there were none studying Dragons that had disappeared hundreds of years ago.

“Ahem…”

Everyone present fell silent, unsure of what to do.

Nikki instinctively looked for Max.

‘He’s not here.’

Did that mean the Illusion Magic school was unnecessary?

‘He didn’t seem skilled in battle anyway.’

Nikki nodded at the Empress’s words.

“I probably know the most about Dragons among those present.”

“Indeed. Therefore, I need your assistance. I would like you to go to the Ice Mountain Range and defeat the Dragon.”

“…I apologize, but I have just returned from an expedition to defeat a Succubus.”

Nikki desperately wanted to rest.

She had endured for too long and was tired of sleeping outdoors.

She longed for a soft bed.

No matter how much she loved free travel, a journey for extermination could not be compared to a leisurely trip.

“Are you saying you want to rest?”

“Yes.”

The Empress sighed.

“I also wish to grant you rest. However, if it is true that a Dragon has awakened, we must take action as soon as possible. I’m sorry, but you will have to endure.”

“…”

“Once this matter is resolved, I will guarantee you proper rest. This is an urgent situation that even I did not foresee.”

Nikki looked at the Empress.

There was no hint of regret on her face as she said she was sorry.

It was as if it were only natural for her to act this way.

For a woman who always ruled over others and gave orders, this must have been a matter of course.

‘I can’t be a traitor.’

Though it was frustrating, she gritted her teeth.

It was time to think that she would rest properly for all the hardships she had endured.

“It won’t be easy to go alone. If you need any personnel, feel free to let me know. Since I’m asking you for a difficult task, I will provide all the necessary personnel. The Saint will also accompany you, just like before.”

You will provide all the necessary personnel?

At those words, the corners of Nikki’s mouth lifted.

‘Now I have a way to rest without having to try too hard.’

What she wanted was a grand self-indulgence more than anything.

The fantasy of being defeated by a weak monster that she had longed for.

A rest to enjoy to her heart’s content in the erotic dungeon transformed into a dancer.

If Max were to follow her expedition…

‘I wouldn’t even have to go to Max’s shop to enjoy myself.’

What if she secretly sneaked into Max’s tent and asked him for Illusion magic?

Ahh.

Her lower abdomen already tingled.

Having held back for so long, her lust surged even more.

It was a lewd plan, but among those present, no one would know the identity of the shop run by Max.

Nikki decided to boldly ask.

“The Saint, of course, is someone who can help my expedition.”

“Who is that?”

Nikki spoke the name of the person that came to her mind.

“I would like to take Max from the Illusion Magic school with me.”

At that moment she spoke.

“Ugh!”

“Uh?”

“Oh…”

“…”

“Cough cough.”

The bodies of several women present flinched.

Imperial First Knight Commander Yuris.

Head of the Life Magic school, Aurora.

Saint Eileen of the Goddess Church.

High Elf Reina.

And even the Empress, who ruled from the twelve steps above.

All of them flinched at the mention of Max’s name.

‘What is this reaction?’

The Empress looked at Nikki, who had mentioned Max as a candidate.

‘An irredeemable pervert.’

Dragons were as much a threat to the Empire as the Demon King.

To take Max along to investigate such a monster was something the Empress understood all too well.

She too had become a female in front of him.

In this throne room, she had been ravished by Max.

By his hands, lips, and cock.

The image of the farmers in her fantasies looking up at her from below the twelve steps was still vivid.

Though the nobles here were all bowing their heads, those who stood back then had gazed at her just like the current Hero, piercing through her.

Even the sight of being taken by Max.

‘Ah…’

Her nipples hardened.

She was so immersed in her imagination that she didn’t even notice her pussy getting wet.

“Ahem…”

Clearing her throat to regain her composure, she sighed.

“Is he helpful in battle? I’ve heard he’s from the Illusion school.”

“If there really is a Dragon, I can not only infiltrate but also bind the Dragon’s feet, even if just for a moment.”

“…”

She didn’t want to send him.

She had planned to secretly visit his shop after sending the Hero away.

But with the Hero requesting it like that, she couldn’t refuse.

‘I have no justification to refuse.’

She bit her lip.

“Understood. If that is your wish, I will personally issue a command for him to set out.”

“Thank you.”

Just as Nikki bowed her head.

“Um, Your Majesty?”

Yuris raised his hand.

“I believe we will need additional forces to escort the Hero, so I would like to offer my support as well.”

With a flushed face, Yuris raised his hand, slightly lowering his head to hide his embarrassment.

The Empress knew better than anyone why Yuris wanted to go.

He was a regular at Max’s shop, even more than Nikki.

“Very well. The First Knight Order will escort the Hero’s party.”

“I shall obey your command, Your Majesty.”

“Y-Your Majesty? I also wish to offer my support, is that alright?”

This time it was Aurora, the head of the Life Magic school.

She had also mentioned visiting Max’s shop.

After harboring animosity, she had become one of Max’s supporters after visiting his shop once.

“Understood.”

The more people there were for the Dragon extermination, the better.

The Empire was not one that would be shaken by the departure of the First Knight Order and the head of the Life Magic school.

“Since you are taking many personnel, make sure to bring back definite results.”

“I will keep that in mind.”

It was disappointing.

She didn’t want to send them.

But sometimes, an Empress had to give up her desires.

‘When they return, I must invite them to the palace.’

The Empress thought of how surprised Max would be to hear that.

“Release me…”

“Do you understand now?”

“Yes…”

With a drained expression, Lunet, freed from her restraints, replied.

Having realized something, I patted her head and dispelled the illusion.

Since she seemed to have grasped enough, this would be it for today.

“W-will you not go all the way?”

“That’s right. Today is where we stop.”

“Ah…”

A sigh of disappointment.

But I wouldn’t go all the way.

Right now, it was a punishment to correct her habits, not a reward.

I asked Meiko and Frelia to create a device that could utilize Lunet, who was already equipped with tremendous functions through the Magic Circle, in a more diverse manner.

Though Lunet already had amazing capabilities through the Magic Circle, being limited to just that would restrict her functions.

‘Something like a golem with artificial intelligence.’

Like a robot from the 21st century.

If utilized well, Lunet would operate our shop several times more efficiently in the future.

At that time, I was planning to spend the increased budget comfortably.

“…Excuse me? What does that mean?”

“The Hero has designated Max as a companion for the Dragon search.”

Wait a minute.

The Hero chose me?

No, before that, a Dragon search?

A Dragon has appeared?