Chapter 180
Chapter 180
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 180
Chapter Title: Wind and Sand #5
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Unlike Kasim's words that she would return soon, Turki's Empress Serazade continued to make her presence known throughout every corner of Ark.
“Did you hear? The Desert Empress bought up every single barrel of alcohol in taverns across all of Gracia!”
“She’s giving out free drinks to the people in celebration of her coronation, right?”
“You know your stuff!”
Her every bizarre action and gesture was constantly on people's lips without respite, and Aira's expression only grew darker with each rumor she heard.
“Why isn’t that Turki wench going back to her own kingdom? Leaving her throne behind to frolic happily in a distant foreign land. What an utterly uncultured girl.”
Aira vented her frustration while gazing out her window at the procession of people.
Reflected in Aira's dark eyes were the crowds gathering in the distant park and, amidst them, Empress Serazade participating in the event.
“Theo, go investigate why that girl isn’t returning to her kingdom.”
Aira's forceful command followed. Since I had anticipated such a question, I casually shared what I had learned yesterday.
“She says she’ll watch the upcoming duel trial before leaving.”
“ Duel trial?”
“Yes.”
News of Queen Angmar's duel trial had spread beyond Gracia's borders, even to distant lands, drawing visitors just to witness it.
Of course, the reason Turki's Empress Serazade would stay in the city a few more days wasn't solely the duel trial.
According to Kasim, there were deeply political motives, but since they were all complicated and boring stories, I decided not to tell Aira.
“What an infuriating little brat.”
But what on earth had happened for Aira to despise Turki's Empress, who looked like such a slender girl, this much?
“Theo Gospel, as a court inspector, may I ask what grudge exists between you two?”
“There's no grudge or anything. She just doesn't listen to me. Even when she was a princess, she held her head high. And now, strutting around with that flimsy crown on her head.”
Grumble, grumble.
Something flashed through my mind amid Aira's disparaging and contemptuous words.
It felt like a puzzle piece that fit perfectly into the mismatched gaps, unbelievably snug.
Putting together Aira's attitudes and words so far, was it that she hated Serazade because the Empress of Turki refused to acknowledge her authority and acted arrogantly?
“But Lady Draco and the others don't get along with you either, do they? You get along well with the twin sisters, though.”
At my question, Aira lowered her voice like a kind mother patiently answering a child's foolish query.
“The twin sisters. They at least show me the minimum respect and consideration. Even if they ignore me, they don't try to break me or defeat me. But Serazade is different.”
“Different how?”
“Serazade always tries to beat me at everything. She showboats and struts right in front of me. And for what? She's nothing special.”
“I see.”
In Aira's life up to now, there had probably never been anyone who sincerely tried to match her or defeat her.
She was the youngest princess raised amid everyone's attention and affection, and ultimately, she became an unexpected tyrant on the throne.
Everyone prostrated at her feet, hoping only that her blade wouldn't turn toward their necks. But the princess—and now Empress—of a foreign land, Serazade, was different.
She charged at Aira on equal footing.
In truth, Serazade had no need to act subservient before Aira, Queen of Angmar.
That was why she acted as sharply as a protruding awl, pricking at Aira repeatedly.
A stumbling block in Aira's life... no, in this case, perhaps rival or nemesis would be the better term?
But even as fellow queen and empress, I wondered if a rivalry could truly form.
Aira was an exceptional mage, and her swordsmanship was top-tier as well. Serazade didn't seem to possess skills outstanding enough to challenge her directly.
Yet, after observing Serazade these past few days, I had no choice but to admit my thoughts were wrong as I watched her chatting amiably with the crowds in the distant park.
Serazade was sociable. Her performative flair was effective. Though she looked like a teenage girl, her appearance was striking, and her eloquence was considerable.
To be honest, as a politician and queen, Aira was slightly outmatched by Serazade.
“Hmph.”
Swish.
Aira promptly drew the curtains shut.
Aira loathed this situation intensely, but upon reflection, I came to think it wasn't entirely a bad thing.
You could call it the upbeat thought circuit unique to half-fairies kicking in.
Because rivals and nemeses are always the driving force behind growth and change.
Perhaps, if this situation were handled well, Aira could become the kind, beautiful, and wise queen from a fairy tale.
Already, various strategies were popping up in my mind one after another.
「Such nymph-friendly positive thinking...!
Gaining 'Half-Fairy' job experience...! +50.」
* * *
“Lady Elga, how’s your body feeling?”
I left Aira's room and headed next door to where Elga was.
Though there was much to do, forgetting to tend to a caught fish could let it slip through the net.
Constant vigilance was necessary.
“Yeah, you’re here.”
Elga was languidly sprawled on the bed, her usual dolphin pants revealing long, pale thighs and legs stretched out.
“Perfect timing. Rub my back for me.”
“......”
She demanded a massage as if it were the most natural thing. But Elga carried a little Angmar in her belly. Maintaining her condition was crucial.
It was wise to humor her until she gave birth to the quarter nymph and things became irreversible.
Rub, rub. Rub, rub.
So I kneaded her waist firmly. In response, Elga let out a strange “Mmmph,” melting into the bedding before speaking.
“Nice. You’re good at this. So, what’s been going on lately? The whole city’s buzzing. They say Tanak Empress from Turki came?”
“That seems to be the case.”
I explained how I’d been sparring with Kasim lately using magic. Elga responded with a long “Hmm—.”
“Sparring with someone of similar skill is good. Kasim’s a slick, slippery guy, but as a mage, he’s top-class. So, can you handle him?”
“No. Without unique magic, it’s about even, but it’s still tough.”
My mana was wind. Kasim’s was earth transformed into sand. Elementally, I had the advantage, but Kasim was a 5th Circle mage.
5th Circle mages each possessed distinctive unique magic. Kasim’s unique magic, Spirit Contract Array, was so versatile it made him hard to deal with.
Elga nodded as if understanding.
“The gap between 4th and 5th Circle mages is vast. Still, going even without unique magic? You’re doing well enough.”
Elga seemed surprised that I, a 4th Circle, could hold my own against the 5th Circle Kasim. But honestly, I wasn’t satisfied.
Wasn’t I the direct heir of Solomon, called the Demon King?
Moreover, I had several high-level spells that most mages couldn’t even glimpse. For me to fail to overpower even one Kasim... Then against Aira, a 7th Circle...
Impatience gnawed at me.
Elga’s belly would soon swell, and my increasingly red hair could be discovered at any moment. With time running out, even achievements felt insufficient.
At that moment, Elga asked in a sly tone.
“But why is that spell called Asura Storm Gale?”
“From what I heard, spell names should sound cool and powerful. Incantations are in the realm of self-suggestion, so they say to name them something impactful.”
“So Asura Storm Gale?”
“Not good? I have others like Heaven-Piercing Vortex Isle and Angel Halo Storm Bird.”
“...I’ll think of the baby’s name.”
Why?
After some idle chit-chat with Elga, I left the room. Before stepping into the hallway, I knocked on Mirna and Narmi’s doors just in case, but no response.
“No one’s here?”
....
They must be out.
The Draco sisters were busy these days. Ever since revealing they were actually bizarre twins, they had signing events and explanations piling up everywhere.
No idea where Stella Belhock had gone. The Draco sisters were swamped. Reviving the Angmar royal line was no easy task.
Still, I could only do my best from my position. My footsteps always had purpose and direction.
The most urgent matter right now was the duel trial just days away.
To be precise, three days.
Only about 72 hours left.
It was time to resubmit the list of who would participate as the queen’s champion in the duel.
So before heading to Ark’s main office, I went back to the pitch-black underground prison, Mugeon. Naturally, to meet the imprisoned criminal.
“You again. Don’t you ever get tired of coming every day?”
The bandaged man in the corner, the Villain Hunter, fixed his black eyes on me from the same posture as always. He seemed intrigued by my daily visits.
“...Aren’t I scary?”
“You are. But you’re locked up. So, have you thought about what I mentioned?”
“You mean for me to forfeit the trial?”
“Yes. Then I might give you the answer you want.”
Rustle.
The man rose from his seat.
Towering two heads taller than me, he had to hunch under the low ceiling, like a creepy scarecrow encountered on a midnight roadside.
He pressed against the bars and said,
“Fine.”
“Fine meaning you’ll accept my proposal?”
“But I have conditions too. I’m not so idle as to trust someone who just flaps their mouth with orders.”
“What conditions?”
“Land a hit on me. Then I’ll count it as your win and forfeit.”
“You want me to become the queen’s champion?”
“......”
Instead of answering, the man backed away into the darkness and sat down.
He closed his eyes, and from the past few days’ observations, once he did this, no words would get a response.
He was dead set on forcing me into the arena.
Truth be told, I also thought having me fight him was best. That’s why I’d been maneuvering for his forfeit.
Of course, my reason for fighting him was purely personal—to raise my magical prowess through the duel.
Just one solid hit.
Satisfied with the exchange, I left the prison. And soon, I noticed someone waiting for me outside.
Clad head to toe in black cloth like a street thief, but unmistakably a woman. An assassin, perhaps.
“Are you Theo Gospel? Our Empress wishes to speak with you.”