Chapter 63
Episode 4: The Mightiest and Most Fearsome Warrior
Viktor arrived in the town rumored to be receiving aid from the Saint. However, he found that the support had already been completed, and she had moved on to the next town.
『Tch, just missed her… I’ll take a look around and find any clues about where she’s headed next.』
After asking around, Viktor learned that she was supporting struggling towns as she made her way towards the royal capital. Guessing her next stop, he decided to head to the town of Porok.
At that time, Selen was actively providing support in Porok. Faced with food shortages due to transportation delays and nearby monster sightings, she quickly organized a meal service, distributing food to the people.
「Everyone, there’s plenty of food left, so please line up here without pushing!」
Selen continued to address the crowd, encouraging calm.
「You’ve been a great help! The people here have been suffering from hunger.」
「Saint-sama would never abandon those in need, unlike the kingdom. She’ll surely save us all!」
As she handed out meals, Selen didn’t miss the chance to criticize the kingdom, slowly guiding the people to turn their hearts away from the monarchy.
Just then, Viktor arrived in Porok and began searching the town for the supporter. It wasn’t long before he spotted Selen serving food.
「Found you! The Hypocrite Saint-sama, huh?」
「W-who are you?」
「I am Viktor, commander of the Prince’s Knights. Disappear, along with those who worship this ‘Saint’!」
Raising his right hand, Viktor unleashed a blast of magical energy. He fully intended to obliterate everyone present, including the citizens of the kingdom.
「I won’t let you! Voracious Gluttony!」
Celestia stepped in front of Selen, absorbing Viktor’s magical blast.
「So you’re the Saint? Hmph, you’re a different person from the hypocrite, after all.」
「Since you’re the commander, does that mean you’re the king’s final assassin?」
「The final assassin? Ha, I am Estigma-sama’s most powerful and terrifying warrior; I may be the last, but I won’t lose. Saint, you’re going to die right here!」
At these words, Viktor charged at me, his claws transforming like swords. I opened my fan to block, and with my free hand, I swung my spear upward, but Viktor dodged instantly, putting some distance between us. He fired another blast of magical energy from his mouth, but I threw my fan to absorb the attack with Voracious Gluttony, deflecting it and boomeranging the fan back to slice off Viktor’s right wrist.
「Gaaah… not bad! But, (smirk)」
The severed wrist regenerated in an instant.
Viktor spread his palms and extended the claws on all ten fingers, launching an attack on everything around him without regard for the people nearby.
「You can’t protect everyone while fighting me, can you? Choose: will you be the one to be shredded, or will they?」
「As expected from the commander—you’re a coward. But I won’t allow it. 〚Alternate Space〛!」
I transformed the space around Viktor and me, cutting off his attack from reaching anyone else. I then channeled magic into my left eye, activating my Sacred Eye.
「Celestia Z. Sylvania commands: Power of Patience, Gabriel, bestow upon this accursed being unbearable suffering!」
As countless radiant thorns summoned by Patience Gabriel wrapped around Viktor, they pierced his flesh, drawing blue blood from his wounds.
「Gwaaaah! But I won’t die! Waaargh!」
Roaring in fury, Viktor repelled the thorny restraints, but his entire body was left lacerated, severely wounded.
「Huff… huff… I’ll retreat… for now…」
「I won’t let you get away!」
「I’m not running… I’ll be back!」
Viktor roared as he threw his claws toward Selen. Realizing I couldn’t catch up to him, I batted the claws away, protecting Selen, and by the time I looked back, Viktor had vanished.
–
Episode 5: Saint Celestia
I knocked down the claws aimed at Selen and scanned the surroundings. Viktor had managed to escape, but seeing no harm done to the people around us, I felt relieved.
「Celestia!」
Selen called my name and threw her arms around me. Her hands were shaking; she must have realized the sheer power of this unexpected demon.
「Selen, it’s okay now♪ It’s a shame we couldn’t finish him off, though. (sweats)」
「T-that one… he’s different from the demons we’ve faced so far… is he the real enemy?」
「It sounds like there’s someone called Estigma above him, who is probably the king.」
「Someone even stronger than him… can we win against them?」
「I don’t know… but we’ll fight to win.」
While Selen and I spoke, the townsfolk began to gather around us.
「The Saint saved us from the demon!」
「Is the kingdom really in league with demons?」
「That holy power—she’s not just a Saint; she’s the Holy Empress! The Holy Empress of Sylvania will surely lead us to peace!」
The people were stirring, calling me both Saint and Holy Empress. They must want to believe that I’m the legendary figure who once defeated these cursed beings.
As the crowd’s excitement grew, Selen stepped back from me and addressed them.
「Everyone, it was Saint Celestia-sama who saved us. Celestia-sama will overthrow the kingdom that has allied with demons. And when that day comes, she’ll watch over this world as Holy Empress Celestia. It is Saint Celestia, not the kingdom, who is worthy of our faith!」
The people cheered loudly at Selen’s words. Seeing her signal to me, I teleported away from the scene.
➖➖➖ Viktor’s Perspective ➖➖➖
「Estigma-sama, is she really the Holy Empress?」
Viktor returned to the royal capital and spoke directly to the king without a moment’s delay.
「Viktor, what happened to those wounds…? Not even you could stand against her? What do you mean, Holy Empress?」
「If I had known she possessed the Sacred Eye, I would’ve fought differently. But her power surpasses even that of previous Holy Emperors.」
「So she’s an angel, not a Heavenly Child… For the next battle, take the Holy Knights with you.」
「Yeah, I’ll do that. The Holy Knights are immune to sacred powers.」
Determined to face Celestia again, Viktor devoted himself to healing his wounds, vowing to take his revenge.
–
Episode 6: Deployment of the Imperial Army
A council on state affairs convened in the Tiarad Empire.
Within the empire, spirits were high from their victory in repelling an invasion by the Kingdom of Leone, and the emperor’s popularity was soaring. Following the defeat of the kingdom, enlistment in the Imperial Army was surging, with the number of soldiers nearly doubling compared to the time before the invasion.
The ministers viewed this moment as an opportune time for the empire to expand its territory. During the council, they discussed expansion and aimed to invade the Kingdom of Leone, which, due to its recent defeat, was likely facing worsening domestic conditions.
The chancellor opened the council and introduced the first agenda item, prompting the Imperial Army general to speak first.
「According to our intelligence division, Leone’s internal situation has been deteriorating since their retreat. Regional cities, dissatisfied with the kingdom’s rule, increasingly oppose the monarchy, suggesting that with the current conditions, we could break them down.」
「The regional areas of the Kingdom of Leone include many fertile lands. If we could acquire them, it would greatly improve the empire’s food supply situation.」
The Minister of Agriculture seemed willing to support the invasion if it meant gaining access to fertile lands. Observing that the meeting was overly focused on invasion, Slaine voiced his objection.
「Certainly, we managed to repel the Kingdom of Leone, but our greatest contributor has left the Tiarad Empire. Do you truly believe we can defeat the Kingdom’s forces with only our current strength?」
「Your Highness, Prince, Leone is not a mighty kingdom that Celestia alone could topple. While she served as a turning point, the Imperial Army’s strength is no less than the Kingdom’s.」
The general replied confidently, and other ministers nodded in agreement, showing their support.
「Should we find ourselves at a disadvantage, Celestia will aid us. The prior invasion proved that she will join us when the empire faces a crisis.」
「And furthermore, Celestia has Selen at her side. Having been raised as an imperial princess, Selen would surely lend us her strength if we invade the Kingdom.」
The emperor, too, was under the easy assumption that Selen would act in the empire’s interests if called upon.
After further discussion, the council decided to move forward with the invasion, choosing to begin with the fertile farmlands and expand through the mining areas until those, too, were part of imperial territory.
「The invasion shall commence in one month, once all preparations are in place, and we will begin with the agricultural regions. Any objections?」
「None, Your Majesty!」
Thus, the Tiarad Empire’s invasion of the Kingdom of Leone was officially underway.
Unable to prevent the invasion, Slaine realized the empire was no longer the place for him. Feeling the same way, his allies Cantera and Stratos resolved to leave the empire and join Celestia.
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