episode_0018

Athen suffered a truly devastating defeat.

Despite conceding the match, Hye Free, who had shown arrogance by even discarding her weapon, faced Athen, who didn’t even pick up her weapon. Athen couldn’t allow a single blow, nor could she land one, freezing in place.

Hye Free’s ability to lower the surrounding temperature was nothing more than her passive skill.

While Hye Free made efforts to manipulate the mana spread around her, to those ignorant of her mana, it seemed as if their most trusted blade, which they believed in, couldn’t exert its full strength and was simply overwhelmed by mana regeneration.

“This can’t be happening…”

Despair permeated the arena.

Their most trusted blade had been broken so easily.

The situation itself was despairing, but a woman bearing the name Hye Free had clearly become the new master of their king. Such a person possessing such cruel determination indicated the imminent suffering their king would endure.

“Well, I’ve gauged your level quite well. Frankly, if I had allowed even a single strike, I might have treated your king a bit more gently. Oh well.”

The elation in Hye Free’s voice ignited the citizens’ despair into anger.

No matter how victorious in inter-country wars,

No matter how triumphant in duels,

Challenging their king was unacceptable.

As they all prepared to confront her…

“Can’t avoid the punishment of enjoying three delicious meals a day with a happy expression, can you?”

At Hye Free’s words, every citizen was momentarily petrified.

What is this woman saying?

Did I mishear?

If I misheard, people should be getting angry, but everyone seems to be reacting the same way, so could it be that what I heard is true?

“Furthermore, falling asleep in a warm bed every night, the author, as the owner, could only interpret the anxiety that he was always kindly treated without being tormented as a punishment.”

At this point, she concluded that the woman was playing tricks to humiliate them.

Otherwise, there was no reason at all for her to make such remarks.

“And honestly, it’s a bit too much. Why is Aten considered the greatest sword in Arminian?”

Objectively speaking, Aten was indeed the greatest sword in Arminian.

He was the most powerful knight in Arminian.

However,

if one were to say that he was the greatest knight produced by Arminian, the story would be different.

“I, Haifri, am the greatest sword of Arminian.”

Haifri drew his sword and stood confidently in front of the audience, shouting.

“I, Haifri, born in the Kingdom of Arminian, remain loyal to Kristia, but I still hold gratitude and respect for the Kingdom of Arminian.”

So, there is nothing for you to worry about.

As Haifri shouted confidently, the reaction of the citizens began to change little by little.

Since hardly anyone knew that Haifri was of Arminian royal descent, there was no sarcastic response like ‘Oh, we believed in you.’ However, the hope that since he was from our trend, we could believe in him started to spread.

“He handled it well.”

Sakur thought to himself.

By demonstrating an overwhelming difference in strength through the duel and giving hope to the opponent right after instilling despair, the opponent would undoubtedly come to understand how powerful and ruthless the Kingdom of Kristia was, while also feeling assured that someone from their kingdom would protect their king.

-Hweeik

Before anyone realized it, Kristia was standing in the middle of the dueling ground.

Her appearance was so sudden that almost no one noticed.

To an onlooker, it might seem like she had teleported.

“I declare it here.”

Kristia’s words were very soft, yet they spread widely.

There was no need for the help of magic.

Every action in which Kristia put her will had a very strong power.

In the corner of the arena… no, even to the pitiful commoners praying outside the arena for their swords to win, Kristia’s voice reverberated.

“From this moment on, I shall appoint Hyfry as the ruler of the Armenian spirits. She will reign as my envoy and your ruler for quite some time. Being of Armenian royal descent, even under my command, she always cherishes memories of Armenia and holds the nation in high regard. In my judgment, there is no one more suitable than her to maintain your culture and govern you.”

Perhaps, Sofin might also become Hyfry’s husband, ensuring the continuation of the traditional royal lineage.

As Kristia’s words continued, a clear sense of hope began to be etched in the eyes of the citizens.

If Hyfry were to plunder them like a tyrant, that hope might swiftly turn into anger, but such a thing would not happen.

“Because Kristia won’t let it happen…”

In the end, everyone seemed to have their own version of a happy ending.

Sofin, who became Hyfry’s subject, might encounter some twists, but that’s a small price to pay.

“Starting today, we will hold a festival commemorating Hyfry’s ascension as the ruler of this land for a week. I will personally support all expenses for the festival.”

The festival that began immediately after the previous one ended had a different direction this time.

While the previous festival was reluctantly enjoyed, serving as a meager beacon of hope in a truly desperate situation where their country was taken away, this festival, hosted by Kristia, carried substantial hope.

Faced with the devilish situation of brightening the atmosphere of the festival he caused to raise his own approval ratings, Sacher couldn’t help but shiver with unease.

“She’s truly a fearsome queen.”

If she was this powerful and great, she might create an empire that would last for over a millennium, unlike the original Kristia.

****

“This time, you’re not taking it easy?”

“There’s a lot to do.”

A grand festival, unlike any before, was taking place, but this time, I couldn’t join in with Christia.

She was just too busy.

The aftermath of not working for a week was hitting her hard.

Seeing her working tirelessly made me realize just how busy she was.

“Thanks to that, I get to see this face.”

Christia seemed pleased with herself, but even without that, when she focused, her charisma was no joke.

Normally giggly and cute, when she worked, she exuded such an overwhelming presence that it was impossible not to be impressed.

Of course, that alone didn’t make us a couple, but seeing her like that made my heart race every time.

Looking at her in that state, now even more buffed in appearance, it felt like my heart would burst.

“Why does Christia smile so contentedly every time she sees me… I think I have some idea.”

Perhaps the emotions she feels when she looks at me are similar to mine.

“Sigh…”

“Have something to drink while you talk.”

As I handed her a mocha latte, Christia extended just one thumb to me.

“I distinctly said I like bitter things.”

“Then should I make it with espresso next time?”

“Fine. You did say you can only make mocha lattes, so it’s amusing to ask for something you can’t make. If it’s your mocha latte, it’s definitely as delicious as espresso, so I’ll endure and drink it.”

I don’t understand why she has to assert her pride in front of me.

Being able to endure an overpowering bitterness doesn’t mean I actually enjoy it.

“Well… maybe it’s because she’s been a ruler for so long.”

Her behavior was cute, so it didn’t matter either way.

-Knock knock

“Come in.”

Even as the door opened, Christia’s gaze remained fixed on her work.

“What brings you to me?”

“Um… Christia.”

Astia, the best confidante and closest companion to Kristia, was the one who had come to find her.

Contrary to her usual confident self, she cautiously approached Kristia, seemingly hesitant.

“Um… may I take a vacation?”

Tension filled Astia’s words.

She feared repercussions just for requesting time off.

“For how long?”

“About 3 days…”

“Isn’t that too short? Take a whole month off and rest properly.”

Kristia was indeed a true monarch.