Chapter 77
Chapter 77
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 77
Chapter Title: Chapter 26 - God Hand #3
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The palace was grand, and the audience chamber matched it in size and majesty.
The buildings of the Malkuth Kingdom generally had high ceilings, and waterways ran through nearly every interior space without fail. The audience chamber embodied both features even more prominently.
[Wow.]
As the interior of the audience chamber came into view, Integra let out an involuntary exclamation of admiration.
Luther felt the same awe at the sight before him, though he didn't voice it.
[It's like being in an aquarium.]
Luther nodded at her straightforward yet apt comparison.
The audience chamber was a massive hemispherical room, with both the ceiling and walls made entirely of glass.
Beyond them lay seawater and various sea creatures.
The chamber glowed with a blue hue overall, and the floor was blue as well, giving Luther and Integra the sensation of being submerged underwater.
[It's fascinating, isn't it? But Luther, don't forget we're here to meet Her Majesty first.]
Snapping back to attention at Aru's message magic, Luther quickly turned his gaze forward. Aru lightly took his hand and led him onward.
[Just do it like we practiced. No need to be nervous.]
Luther had already discussed with Aru how the audience would proceed, who would be present, and how to greet them. They'd even rehearsed it.
*Thank you, Aru.*
Silently expressing his gratitude in his mind, Luther took in the figures seated on the high dais at the opposite wall of the audience chamber.
At the center seat sat Queen Reina, flanked on either side by a woman in her early twenties and a girl who appeared to be in her early teens. Below them, one step down, stood a burly man looking down at Luther.
They were all people Luther already knew.
*First Princess Prel Yoru and Third Princess Fileiru.*
Unlike the lively and spirited Aru, Prel Yoru gave a calm and quiet impression, though their appearances were strikingly similar.
If Aru aged a bit more, dyed her hair a deeper blue, and adopted a serene expression, she'd look just like Prel Yoru.
In contrast, Third Princess Fileiru didn't resemble Aru or even Prel Yoru much.
She was a beauty, but her vibe was entirely different.
As Queen Reina's only biological daughter, her hair was a reddish orange unlike her sisters', and her eyes were a unique green while theirs were blue.
*Prel Yoru is naturally reserved, and Fileiru is shy.*
More precisely, Prel Yoru was inherently calm and quiet, whereas Fileiru tended to clam up around strangers due to her shyness.
*Meaning her true personality is actually quite lively.*
[Indeed.]
[But as always, you seem to know an suspiciously large amount about the female characters.]
[In the original story, weren't they both minor roles?]
At Integra's sharp observation, Luther cleared his throat awkwardly before assuming the proper posture.
He dropped to one knee.
It was the pose they'd practiced multiple times in Aru's room, with Aru handling the introduction.
"Your Majesty, and my beloved sisters, this is Luther Lightseeker, who protected my life, freedom, and chastity."
Aru's clear voice echoed through the audience chamber, met with silent responses.
Third Princess Fileiru gazed at Luther with curious eyes, while First Princess Prel Yoru studied not Luther but Aru's expression as she introduced him. Queen Reina, her face half-covered by a veil, wore a gentle smile.
And—
*Grand General Azrael.*
The man in his late thirties standing one step below the royals, looking down at Luther.
The Malkuth Kingdom had three grand generals guarding the seas, the seafloor, and the palace. Among them, Azrael commanded the palace guard and protected the royals.
*The last of the three spy candidates.*
In terms of pure martial prowess, he was the strongest among the three suspects—someone Luther couldn't hope to challenge in his current state.
*If he has to fend off the tidal wave on the ritual day like in the original story, he's the worst-case scenario among the candidates.*
In the original story, the ritual and tidal wave incident occurred in the mid-southern arc.
Thus, the southern arc protagonist, Ash, never faced off against one of the three spy candidates on ritual day.
Ash's confrontation with the spy happened at the very end of the southern arc, under entirely different circumstances.
*At least Sandalphon is a silver lining.*
The giant of the sea, Sandalphon.
Combined with his power, it might be possible to stand against Grand General Azrael.
Of course, that was purely in terms of individual strength.
When factoring in their forces and influence, the general held an overwhelming advantage.
*Queen Reina, High Priestess Matriel, Grand General Azrael.*
None of the three could be taken lightly; they formed a formidable lineup.
Fortunately, only one of the three candidates was the real spy. If two—or all three—were spies, there'd be no chance of victory no matter what.
[Master, remember, words can become seeds.]
[Put those ominous thoughts aside and focus on the present.]
"Raise your head."
Just as Integra finished speaking, Queen Reina opened her mouth as if on cue.
Since this was another scenario from their rehearsal with Aru, Luther didn't falter. He slowly lifted his head to meet her gaze.
Her face was hidden behind black gauze, but her mysteriously beautiful green eyes clearly smiled warmly.
"I am Reina de Arets, Queen of Malkuth. On behalf of the entire kingdom, I thank you for saving our second princess, Peliaru de Arets."
Queen Reina's voice was astonishingly sweet.
It softened Luther's expression without him realizing.
But Integra responded with a wary tone.
[An unnatural frequency is mixed into the queen's voice—something impossible in a normal voice.]
[Likely a superpower or magical enchantment.]
[Attempting noise cancellation to filter specific frequencies.]
Tensing up anew at Integra's words, Luther kept his face serene.
*It's not confirmed yet.*
Assuming she was the spy just because her voice carried special power was a stretch.
For the sea witch, wielding magic was as natural as breathing.
"I am grateful for this undeserved honor."
As Luther replied per their rehearsal, Queen Reina smiled beneath her veil, and the gazes of First Princess Prel Yoru and Third Princess Fileiru turned to him.
Aru, who had been smiling happily, spoke up again.
"Your Majesty, shouldn't we bestow plenty of rewards on Luther? He really is my benefactor."
She had conducted herself with elegant propriety when first entering and introducing Luther, but she'd already reverted to her usual self.
It seemed her relationship with Queen Reina was quite good.
[What an insider princess.]
*Tell me about it.*
Her claim that everyone in the kingdom adored her wasn't an exaggeration.
Even Queen Reina, the two princesses, and Grand General Azrael all smiled at Aru's sudden charm.
"Aru, it seems your benefactor has captured your heart."
"Yeah, I like him a ton. So give him lots and lots of rewards. Help me score some points with Luther. Pretty please?"
At First Princess Prel Yoru's words, Aru beamed—blushing all the while—and the atmosphere shifted once more.
Queen Reina and Prel Yoru looked at Luther with faint surprise, while Third Princess Fileiru clapped softly, her face flushed with excitement.
[What's wrong with these royals?]
[Do they not know what embarrassment is?]
Aru herself, the one who'd said it, was blushing, so probably not—but in any case, Luther couldn't tell if this was a good vibe or a bad one.
"Hmm... Aru, you really like him."
"Yeah, and who wouldn't? I was about to get kidnapped by those rough thugs, and bam—he shows up, saves me. He's handsome, hot, great body, and talented to boot. It'd be weirder if I didn't like him."
Replying to Prel Yoru with innocent frankness, Aru even winked at Luther.
Though her ears, cheeks, and even neck were bright red from embarrassment.
[She's such a sly vixen.]
[She knows Master is weak to pretty girls acting shy and is deliberately playing it up for humiliation effect.]
No way.
And weak to what?
But before he could resolve his doubts, the conversation pressed on.
Sandalphon, who had been silent behind them, burst into booming laughter.
"Your Majesty, as Second Princess Peliaru says, this Luther is a man of exceptional ability. He possesses remarkable skill in medicine, especially."
"Pardon? Medicine?"
Third Princess Fileiru, who had been passively observant until now, widened her eyes in surprise.
It was too unexpected.
But Sandalphon, as if anticipating her reaction, laughed heartily again before continuing.
"Indeed. Luther is a master healer. In fact, both Second Princess Peliaru and I have already received his treatment. Isn't that right, Your Highness?"
"Yes, Sandalphon. Luther is an amazing doctor. He can diagnose just by looking at your palm, and he cured my chronic stomachaches without any surgery at all."
"Wait, your stomachaches?"
The one to react to the seamless exchange was First Princess Prel Yoru.
She knew all about her sister Aru's ongoing stomach issues.
"Yeah, exactly. Luther fixed them in one go. Just like I said—he figured out my condition from my palm alone. He could probably cure all of Sister's ailments easily too."
Prel Yoru flinched involuntarily at Aru's words and glanced at Luther.
Her eyes were noticeably different now.
Aru giggled at Prel Yoru—Yoru's—change, shrugged boastfully, and landed another blow.
"Sister, Luther's an incredible doctor. It wasn't just me and Sandalphon—the maids in the rear palace have all been examined by him too. And they're all feeling much better now."
It wasn't merely about improving the maids' conditions.
Aru's aim was 'time.'
"It took... about four hours, right?"
From Luther entering the palace with the token of gratitude to now.
Had he examined and treated all the rear palace maids in a mere four hours?
"Four hours? Combined, the exams and treatments took less than one hour total. And mine was today too."
Precise diagnosis, perfect treatment, and lightning-fast to boot.
At Aru's repeated bragging, Yoru fidgeted slightly, clearly eager for an examination right then.
[Sister has a chronic illness she's dealt with for years.]
Luther marveled again at Aru's message magic.
No wonder she'd been targeting Yoru so intently—it was all premeditated.
[She's a real fox.]
*But she's our fox, right?*
As Integra puffed her cheeks at Luther's retort, Aru turned to Queen Reina.
"Your Majesty, may Luther examine Sister?"
At Aru's question, Yoru swallowed dryly and looked to Queen Reina. Fileiru—Iru—sparkled with anticipation, staring at the queen's lips.
Her face plainly said she'd ask for one too if permission was granted.
[If we treat Sister first, things will improve even more.]
[It'll be easier to bring up treating Father too.]
[Not just me—Sister will support Luther as well.]
As Luther himself thought, for an outsider to suddenly treat the king—especially one in long-term convalescence—was nearly impossible.
Aru knew that, so she was taking it step by step.
*She's a one-woman army.*
When he'd set out to meet Aru, Luther hadn't imagined this level of support.
Yet now, it was as if Aru had laid out a full banquet and just handed him the spoon.
[This has to have earned some points, right?]
Luther struggled to keep a straight face at her coquettish message, while Integra eyed him and Aru suspiciously in turn.
Queen Reina, receiving the pleading gazes from eager Yoru and Iru, pondered briefly before nodding.
"If our second princess insists so strongly, we can entrust it to him."
Essentially permission granted—Yoru bit her lip with a smile, and Iru beamed brightly.
Aru winked at Luther again.
"Luther, can you examine Prel Yoru right here?"
Luther meant to affirm immediately at Queen Reina's question, but he couldn't.
Yoru abruptly stood and spoke differently.
"M-Mother! This is the audience chamber. I'll receive a quiet examination elsewhere later."
Her outburst was uncharacteristic of the usually demure Yoru, startling even Queen Reina and Grand General Azrael briefly.
But it passed quickly.
As Yoru said, this was the audience chamber, filled with guards and maids.
Not a place to discuss a royal's ailments.
[Even so, that's an over-the-top reaction.]
[Her face is bright red too.]
As Integra noted, Yoru's response was excessive.
And as if on cue, the answer came via Aru.
[Sister's chronic issues are Raynaud's and constipation. Especially the constipation...]
Ah, of course.
Hearing it explained, Luther fully understood Yoru's flushed face—embarrassed yet expectant.
"Then, Your Majesty, shall we end today's audience here, treat Sister, and reconvene later?"
At Aru's suggestion, Queen Reina glanced at the still-blushing Yoru and nodded.
"Very well. Sir Luther, we entrust the princesses to you."
"I will do my utmost."
As Luther bowed again, Queen Reina acknowledged it and departed the audience chamber with Grand General Azrael and the maids.
Moments later, Yoru—now the highest-ranking person left in the chamber—cleared her throat and spoke.
"Luther, Aru. Come to the Moon Viewing Palace in one hour."
The palace of First Princess Prel Yoru.
"Got it. See you later."
Aru nodded on their behalf. Yoru cleared her throat again and left with her maids.
Iru followed behind.
Now the sole princess in the audience chamber, Aru winked at Luther once more.
"Everything went perfectly, right?"
"Yes, it seems so."
"Whose credit is that?"
"Thanks to Aru."
Satisfied, Aru grinned widely. Sandalphon chuckled and reduced his extended four fingers to three.
And one more.
Integra, finding the mood oddly uncomfortable, furrowed her brow.
[So, what about the reward promised to Master?]
[Shouldn't we claim that first?]
The conversation had gained momentum, but Luther hadn't yet received payment for rescuing Aru.
*We can get it later.*
The rewards would grow after treating Yoru and even the king.
[Master, what are you saying?]
[You have to take them one at a time.]
[Right?]
Luther chuckled softly at Integra.
Having her around felt like insurance against losses, but more than that, her nitpicking was endearing.
*And she's doing it because of me.*
How could it not be cute?
[Master? Why that face?]
*Just... because you're cute.*
Integra stammered, blushing, and Luther smiled again.
One hour later.
Visiting the Moon Viewing Palace with Aru, Luther encountered something utterly unexpected.