Chapter 99
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 98
Chapter Title: The Great Date Operation (5)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
- BOOM…!
A massive explosion echoed through the Mist Forest.
“Tch…”
Right after, the Imperial Princess gritted her teeth and let out a groan while suspended in midair.
“You know internal energy techniques.”
The eldest daughter, who had driven her fist into the crossed arms of the princess like that, tilted her head and muttered.
“But…”
At the same time, her body spun rapidly.
- Whirr…
In an instant, the eldest daughter completed a rotation in the air, muttering in a low voice as she raised her leg high.
“I've faced plenty of people like that.”
The next moment, another shockwave resounded.
- KABOOM!!!
The Imperial Princess had somehow blocked the first attack, but she couldn't deflect the one crashing down from above entirely.
“Ngh…”
As a result, she tumbled across the ground multiple times, still cradling Kairen, after plummeting from the sky.
‘I neutralized her ability, though…’
She had successfully protected Kairen, fortunately, but having absorbed the full impact, she glared at the eldest daughter with blood trickling from her mouth.
‘How do I handle that monstrous strength…’
Forcing herself to her feet at last, she began fleeing into the forest depths, holding Kairen tight while such thoughts raced through her mind.
“Is that pure physical strength?”
The Emperor, still nestled in Astridje's arms, watched the scene with a baffled expression and posed the question.
“Of course it's not pure strength.”
“Then?”
“It's the result of abilities accumulated in her body over time.”
Astridje replied to the Emperor's question in a low voice.
“The eldest daughter's ability produces inexplicable superhuman strength. But even if you nullify it right now, the enhanced physical capabilities built up by that ability over time won't vanish.”
“Doesn't that make it too unfair?”
“It's still greatly weakened. If she could use her ability, the youngest princess's wings would have been clipped long ago.”
Her eyes gleamed red as she continued speaking.
“Literally, physically speaking.”
A brief silence followed.
“We're back to square one, then.”
Watching the Imperial Princess fleeing into the distance amid that silence, the Emperor muttered softly once more.
“Controlling more than two beasts is a skill I only mastered upon graduating from the Academy.”
“……”
“Honestly, the chances of that girl acquiring it now seem close to zero.”
Astridje's expression remained icy despite his words.
“That doesn't mean she can't overcome it.”
With a resolute look, she began striding toward the path the Imperial Princess had taken.
“Isn't the ability of your clan about grasping essences?”
“Calling us that after seeing imperial blood.”
“With such power, sizing up an opponent should be easy.”
Ignoring the Emperor's irritated nitpick, she quietly continued.
“If she can pierce the eldest daughter's true feelings, the story changes.”
“What do you mean?”
“To protect a loved one, sheer strength alone isn't enough.”
Astridje's expression turned faintly bitter for a moment.
“Sometimes, the intellect to grasp an opponent's true intent is crucial too.”
“……”
“I realized that far too late.”
But soon, her face hardened once more as she fixed her gaze on the distant figure of the Imperial Princess.
“Let's see if that girl can grasp it quickly.”
The Emperor gazed quietly up at Astridje.
“Astridje, you…”
“……”
“…You've really changed a lot.”
She paused at his words, then replied softly.
“Maybe.”
“Huff, huff…”
The Imperial Princess's breathing grew increasingly ragged as she raced through the forest, Kairen clutched to her chest.
“Why keep running away?”
“Ugh…”
“That's no fun.”
In stark contrast to her, Edelrasia followed with swift steps and an utterly relaxed expression.
“Let's play together.”
Cupping her hands to her mouth like a megaphone, she called out just as the Imperial Princess halted and glanced back with a frown.
‘Something's off.’
Despite the dire situation, a nagging oddity she'd sensed since earlier held her back.
‘Each attack is lethal…’
Edelrasia's strikes were indeed fearsome, each one demanding desperate blocks or dodges to survive.
‘…Why is there no killing intent?’
But having spent ten years in isolation, reading the moods of countless people, the Imperial Princess easily detected the absence of malice in those attacks.
“Does this look like a game to you?”
“Then what is it?”
Thus, after glaring at Edelrasia briefly, the Imperial Princess opened her mouth to attempt communication.
“One-sided violence.”
“……”
“It's closer to bullying than play.”
Edelrasia flinched and stopped in her tracks upon hearing that.
“…Is it?”
She scratched her head for a moment.
“Then, how do we play in a fun way?”
As that question flew from ahead, the Imperial Princess's mind raced, her brow furrowed.
- GROOOOAR!!!
- GRRRK, GRRRK…
- GRRR?
But right then, a chorus of roars erupted from behind Edelrasia.
“When do you feel joy?”
Her eyes lit up as she posed the question to the suddenly expressionless Edelrasia.
“When playing with friends?”
“Sounds good, then…”
With that, she slowly began walking toward Edelrasia.
“Shall we be friends?”
At the Imperial Princess's soft query, Edelrasia's eyes widened briefly while standing still.
“…For real?”
How much time passed like that?
“Little brother's girlfriend.”
“……”
“Will you be my friend?”
Edelrasia trotted up to her, speaking in an excited tone.
“But there's one condition.”
“…What?”
Gazing at Edelrasia, the Imperial Princess swallowed dryly at the myriad presences of magic beasts approaching from ahead, then spoke.
“It's very simple for you.”
A silence stretched between them briefly.
- BOOM!!!
About an hour later.
- Hoooo…
The Mist Forest, shaking like an earthquake, soon fell into a hushed stillness.
“Haa…”
Within that silence, Edelrasia exhaled coldly, her body splattered in blood.
“Little brother's girlfriend.”
“……”
“Did I do good?”
She turned her head suddenly, beaming innocently at the Imperial Princess, who gaped blankly, and asked.
“Uh……”
Staring at the mountain of massive magic beasts piled behind Edelrasia, the Imperial Princess stammered momentarily.
“C-Call me Lia, please.”
Despite cold sweat beading on her skin, she extended her hand toward Edelrasia.
“…Did I do good, Lia?”
“Yes, you did great.”
“So, friends now?”
Edelrasia gently took Lia's hand and shook it slowly up and down.
“Hehe.”
As her innocent smile bloomed again, Lia's eyes grew even more dazed.
“Um, do you like hide-and-seek by any chance…”
Just then, as Edelrasia clung to Lia's side like a wagging retriever, blushing and whispering—
- RUMBLE…
The Mist Forest, where most beasts lay fallen and silence reigned, suddenly quaked violently.
“Eek.”
A tremor dwarfing even Edelrasia's shockwaves paled Lia's face, making her step back instinctively.
“Wha…”
Even Edelrasia, who had been rampaging without equal, reacted the same.
“Edelrasia. Good work.”
“……”
“But could you step aside for now?”
Anyone would, seeing Astridje approach slowly from beyond, her eyes glowing red.
“She's my friend…”
But Edelrasia, sweating quietly, timidly shielded Lia and spoke up.
“It's fine.”
“…Huh?”
“It only counts if I face her with my own strength.”
Yet from behind Edelrasia, Lia whispered while shaking her head.
“…Do your best, friend.”
After staring at her briefly, Edelrasia muttered that and stepped aside with a sullen pout.
“……”
Now alone with Lia, a chilling red aura spread in all directions.
“Frankly, you exceeded expectations.”
Astridje stood before Lia, the aura swirling around her, and spoke calmly.
“But the trial isn't over yet.”
“No way…”
Realizing something was wrong, Lia began backing away again.
“Did I ever say I wouldn't step in personally?”
Countless tree trunks ripped from the ground floated in the air, all aimed at Lia.
“The final ordeal.”
Gritting her teeth and clutching Kairen tighter, Lia heard the emotionless voice from ahead.
“Try to stop me.”
Astridje's hand, eyes redder than ever, thrust skyward that instant.
“I have no intention of allowing my son to one weaker than myself.”
The next moment, the hovering tree trunks shot toward Lia like shotgun blasts.
“Ugh……”
Within the massive dust cloud rising in the Mist Forest, Lia huddled protectively over Kairen, squeezing her eyes shut.
“……?”
But instead of the awaited impact, a warm energy emanated from ahead.
“Put some distance between you first.”
Bewildered, she blinked wide at the low voice accompanying that warmth.
“To neutralize Astridje's ability, you need to close to a certain range.”
“…Huh?”
“But it's hopeless now. Better to flee, hide, and wait for an opening.”
Astonishingly, the Emperor had reverted to human form, wrapped in Kairen's lesser panda blanket, radiating a massive golden aura.
“What are you doing?”
“……”
“Go.”
With those words, Lia spun and dashed into the forest, dazed but urgent.
“…What are you doing, Justina?”
Watching her go with a smirk, the Emperor turned at the chilling voice from ahead.
“You know, Astridje.”
She spoke with a wry smile.
“I actually have an illegitimate child too.”
The Emperor's expression looked unusually conflicted, unlike her usual self.
“…So this is what being a mother feels like.”