episode_0047

“You brought two of those dwarves. What are you thinking, Saintess?”

“You’re called a bunch of losers. They’re my friends. It’s unpleasant to be treated like that.”

Estelle frowned and answered the emperor’s words nonchalantly.

“Hmm? Something changed?”

Although Estelle was usually the type to say what she wanted to say, she never disobeyed the king’s wishes.

But Estelle right now was more rebellious than usual, and she felt like she wouldn’t do what she was told to do right now.

“People are inherently changeable. Isn’t it natural that they will change depending on who they live with and spend time with?”

To Seonghwang, Estelle was always cowering in fear, unable to hold back her words and saying everything she wanted to say.

But now she was neither cowering nor trembling in fear.

Rather, the fact that he was acting as if he was annoyed made me wonder how things had turned out this way in just a few months.

“Do you have a crush, Saintess?”

Seonghwang thought that the biggest change in a person is when they start to like someone.

It would not be an exaggeration to say that he was a person who changed a lot because of his first love as a child.

“He doesn’t seem to like women, so maybe he’s the guy that came with you?”

Estelle hesitated for a moment whether or not to answer this question, but it was actually a question she didn’t need to worry about.

“That’s right. I think you shouldn’t even think about doing anything. No matter how strong you are, you won’t be able to win against that person.”

Of course, if they started a war, it wouldn’t be a personal matter, so things could be different, but when it came to picking a fight, Estelle never thought Theo would lose.

“That guy is so strong? I’m interested.”

When Seonghwang smirks and speaks with a sinister interest like a snake, Estelle’s expression becomes distorted as if she is in a bad mood.

“That perverted tendency is still there.”

On the outside, people saw him as a very affectionate and kind person, but behind the scenes, he was one of those people who had very perverted tendencies.

A perverted tendency to rush in and finish off anyone stronger than oneself.

“This time, no matter how hard you run, you won’t win. Give up.”

Estelle thought carefully for a moment and then spoke.

If it were normal, it would be words meant to protect someone you care about, but this time, it was filled with sincerity towards Seonghwang.

No matter how strong Seonghwang is, he was able to show such sincerity because he was convinced that he could not defeat Theo.

“Bring them both. I can’t just pass them by because I’m interested.”

“You won’t listen to me because I said you’re going to lose anyway.”

“You wouldn’t know unless you tried it yourself, right, Saintess? And on the other hand, she’s the crown princess of that empire anyway, so you should at least say hello.”

Even when Estelle went to the Ermund Empire without permission, the Emperor sent the Crown Princess Iris to convey his greetings, albeit in a superficial way.

The Holy Emperor, who remembered that, was also saying that since the Crown Princess had come to the Holy Empire, he should at least greet her.

“Well, do whatever you want. I can’t take responsibility.”

Estelle’s attitude gave off no hint of concern for Theo.

So, Seonghwang was even more curious.

Of course, you want to protect what’s precious, but he’s strong enough not to even make you worry about that.

I’ve never heard or seen anything like that.

“That would be fun.”

Seonghwang, who really liked that kind of thing, smiled broadly after Estelle left.

It was that smile that all the people of the empire would look at and talk about until their mouths were dry, saying how kind and affectionate it was.

***

“So, would it be okay if His Majesty said he wanted to say hello?”

Estelle, who had said she would go and tell the Holy Emperor about the situation, came back and suddenly told us that the Holy Emperor wanted to say hello to us.

Oh, right. Even if she entered the country illegally, just as the Ermund Empire welcomed the saint, the Holy Empire should welcome and greet Iris as well.

I can understand that more or less.

But why me…?

“Iris, even so, it’s surprising that you want to see me too. I’m just an ordinary citizen.”

“Actually, His Majesty is more interested in… um… Theonim.”

Huh? You’re interested in me? I’m not really interested in guys.

“I’m a bit out of range for defense.”

“… Well, Your Majesty, it would be the same.”

“Just kidding, Estelle.”

“Oh, really? Somehow! That was so funny!”

It wasn’t funny at all.

Estelle reacted awkwardly, saying that she found it funny, and I awkwardly laughed back at her.

“But I don’t know why you’re really interested. Has Theo’s fame already spread to the Holy Empire?”

No, what is my reputation that would spread throughout the Holy Empire?

“His Majesty has a somewhat perverted disposition. He has to somehow defeat someone stronger than him… ”

“It seems absurd to say that I am stronger than your Majesty, since we have never even fought.”

How can I prove that I am stronger than the Holy Emperor without even competing or competing against him?

“… Sorry. I think I made a little mistake.”

Oh, Estelle was saying something, and it seems she said something that made me seem stronger than the Holy Emperor.

And after hearing that, Seonghwang decided that it was real and called me out of interest to test me. Is that what the situation was like?

“Oh, Estelle. What if I cause such trouble to Theo?”

At this point, Iris starts to nag Estelle, who is getting angry.

“No, Iris. Stop, stop. It’s okay. That could happen.”

When I saw that Estelle’s expression was becoming serious, I stepped in and stopped the two of them.

These guys, whenever they get a chance, they get impatient because they can’t attack with a bad ending.

[ Achievement ‘Public Nuisance Tsk Tsk’ has been recorded. ]

Look at this. If I hadn’t stopped you, you would have gone straight to the bad ending and gone to hell.

No, these two really shouldn’t be left alone, oh my.

“Well, since we’ve come this far, let’s go say hello.”

Honestly, I’m a bit curious about what Seonghwang looks like.

The appearance of Seonghwang is actually only indicated with a ? in the game and there is no separate illustration, so I have to say that I am even more curious about what it looks like.

Ermund’s official appearances have never actually shown his face, and the Internet and such in the Holy Empire seem to be less developed than Ermund’s, so there are no pictures of Seonghwang’s face on the community, so curiosity only grows.

“Yes, I will guide you.”

So, following Estelle, we arrive at the Holy Emperor’s office, which is not far away.

“Your Majesty, I’ll go in.”

It seems I am the only one who is taken aback by Estelle’s boldness in opening the door without even knocking properly.

Looking at Iris following Estelle without saying anything, are all the royals like this…?

“Oh, you are the Crown Princess of Ermund. Please take good care of me, Crown Princess. Welcome to the Holy Empire.”

As I slowly followed behind Estelle and Iris, the face of the Holy Emperor, which had been so veiled, was finally revealed.

Even though he was clearly not related to Estelle, their aura and appearance were so similar that it was easy to believe they were family.

He has a very handsome face and an appearance that makes you think that if Estelle were a male character, he would have exactly that kind of vibe.

“My name is Crown Princess Iris Luasa Ermund. I apologize in advance for this not being an official visit.”

Iris offers an apology and a greeting.

“No. Our saintess used to have accidents like that often, what. Oh, and the person behind her is Estelle’s… ”

“Friend.”

Estelle interrupts Seonghwang’s words, then opens her eyes with a sharp look and rebukes him, saying that he is her friend.

Um, right. We’re friends, after all.

“Yes. You are the saint’s friend.”

There’s something strange about the way he holds back laughter, but isn’t he the highest person in the Holy Empire?

Bow your head and greet first.

“My name is Theo. I apologize for coming into the country so suddenly and without permission.”

I would also like to first apologize for the illegal immigration.

“No. If they are friends of the saint, then it is quite possible. While I am here, I would like to stay in the Holy Empire a little longer… but I guess that is not possible since all three of them are students at the Academy.”

Seonghwang, who already knows that it is not just one night and two days, but a full day’s schedule, shows a regretful expression.

“It would have been nice if you had stayed a little longer and taught me a lesson.”

No, what are you teaching me?

Are you crazy, seriously?

“Haha, I wonder if there is anything I can teach you instead of learning from you.”

“You’re too humble for a friend of a saint. Well, it’s not bad. This kind of humility.”

“Are you saying that I’m being rude and that I’m worthless?”

“No, I’m not turning it around, I’m just going to turn it around. Saintess.”

It looks like they’re really on bad terms, but on the other hand, it doesn’t seem like things are all that bad.

Is it because Estelle is so open that it feels that way?

“Anyway, if you have another chance, I would like you to stay a little longer and show us your skills. So how about we all visit together again during the summer vacation?”

Whether he was going to sit down and really show off his skills or not, he ended up receiving an official invitation from Seonghwang during the summer vacation.