Chapter 36: The Empress

As Cohen and Prince Haug departed the palace, the Prime Minister watched Cohen’s retreating figure and remarked with profound implication:

"Judging by his demeanor alone, he is increasingly possessing the air of a true monarch."

The Queen continued her administrative duties in silence, offering no response. After a few seconds, the Prime Minister spoke again:

"Do you truly intend to help him lift the spell?"

The Queen’s expression remained blank, her tone indifferent:

"I have no desire to argue about this with Father any longer. If you are determined to stop me, then by all means, try."

The Prime Minister paused, his tone sharpening:

"Are you truly oblivious, or are you merely feigning ignorance? He treats you with such kindness now only because he has lost ten years of memory; to him, you are still the magic tutor who first entered the palace. Have you considered what might happen if his memories return? Will he still be so reliant on and enamored with you? Do not forget, in his eyes, we, the Angrains, are the treacherous officials who usurped his throne!"

The Prime Minister raised his voice involuntarily, as if hoping to strike his daughter hard enough to shatter her illusions:

"And you—in his eyes, you are not some intimate, thoughtful elder sister, but a usurping, meddling, and monstrous queen who has seized power!"

The Queen stiffened, her fair hands trembling slightly as she worked. Within a moment, a chill descended; her emotions froze over once more. With her gaze lowered, she said coldly:

"If Father fears the King’s vengeance and retribution, you are free to resign from your position as Prime Minister."

The Prime Minister felt a wave of despondency; having no heart left to argue further, he rose and departed. The Queen’s eyes remained devoid of emotion as she returned to her work.

***

Like the Queen, in the Central Empire of the Magic Tide Continent, there reigned a woman of peerless beauty, currently attending to the heavy affairs of state. Inside the magnificent palace, the Empress sat high upon a resplendent throne, her posture upright and majestic.

She seemed to have stepped out of a dreamlike painting; her waterfall of golden hair cascaded to her waist, every strand shimmering with a brilliance as if touched by the hand of the Goddess of Light. The Empress wore a solemn and dignified expression, her eyes as deep as an abyss, reflecting endless wisdom and resolve as she reviewed the memorials before her. Beside her, several female attendants served with reverence. The palace was filled with the faint scent of sandalwood, and sunlight streamed through the carved windows, casting dappled shadows on the floor that only added to the solemnity of the scene.

Soon, the sound of cheerful footsteps interrupted the atmosphere. A sprightly woman entered the Empress’s private chambers with a whirlwind of energy, calling out as she approached:

"Xenis, Xenis, I’ve discovered someone interesting lately."

The Empress did not even look up, replying flatly:

"Windsor-Delle, it was truly a mistake for Archmage Victor of the Sanctuary to let you out of the magic tower."

The woman named Windsor-Delle pouted, muttering:

"I guarantee you will be interested in him."

"A man?"

Windsor-Delle nodded vigorously:

"I swear, in my long hundred years of life, I have never encountered a man so intriguing."

The Empress pointed out unsparingly:

"For a Winged Elf, a hundred years is hardly long. Tell me, what is so special about this man?"

Windsor-Delle spoke quickly:

"He can summon gods!"

"Hmm?"

The Empress paused, seemingly digesting the information. She slowly raised her head, revealing a face of otherworldly beauty, and turned an inquisitive gaze toward Windsor-Delle. Every time Windsor-Delle saw Xenis’s face, she felt a habitual sense of wonder:

"Xenis, are you absolutely sure you don't have Elven blood? I feel like you’re even more beautiful than our Elven Queen."

The Empress’s face remained cold:

"I think you are longing to return to the magic tower for reflection. Get to the point!"

Windsor-Delle curled her lip in secret, then spoke honestly:

"It’s that small nation in the Northwest Continent that the teacher sent me to, to help their King lift some kind of spell. A very formidable character has appeared in their Transcendental Arena these past few days..."

The Empress raised an eyebrow, asking calmly:

"It’s Aefin, isn't it?"

Windsor-Delle chuckled sheepishly:

"You already know, Empress? Yes, it’s Aefin."

A rare ripple crossed the Empress’s serene countenance as she murmured:

"I heard that Adelle is already capable of defeating those at the Legendary rank?"

Windsor-Delle carefully observed the Empress’s expression and whispered:

"It seems that is the case."

A hint of fighting spirit emerged from the depths of the Empress’s eyes as she said softly:

"She has progressed even faster than I imagined. I had originally felt regret that she chose to marry, but it seems becoming a queen did not hinder her cultivation; she is stronger now than she was five years ago!"

Windsor-Delle muttered:

"It’s just because you lost to her once five years ago. Besides, you are a year younger than her; it’s nothing to be ashamed of..."

At the "Ten Thousand Nations Noble Martial Arts Festival" five years ago, Xenis, then the Crown Princess, had represented the Central Empire in the Silver Division. She lost to the daughter of an obscure duchy, a fact that had always rankled the proud Xenis. Since ascending the throne, she had kept a close watch on that small duchy.

The Empress’s gaze suddenly turned frigid, startling Windsor-Delle into rushing:

"This time it has nothing to do with her! It’s a contestant in the Transcendental Arena..."

Windsor-Delle recounted the events of the past two days in the Transcendental Arena in detail.

"...That’s roughly it. I only had our kin keep an eye on things there because I’m heading to Aefin soon; I didn't expect to receive such interesting news. I estimate that the Imperial Intelligence Department will submit a formal report shortly."

The Empress said slowly:

"So, after all that, you don't even know his true identity?"

Windsor-Delle looked embarrassed:

"I wasn't there in person; it’s already quite an achievement to have gathered such detailed information."

The Empress said in a deep voice:

"If your account is not exaggerated, then the transcendental profession he has advanced into must be an ancient secret class—Dragon Mark Weapon Master."

Windsor-Delle nodded heavily:

"That’s what I thought, too. It is simply incredible that a human could advance into such a profession."

The Empress glanced at Windsor-Delle:

"Are you certain he is only sixteen?"

"Of course. The God of War’s Pillar of Testing doesn't make mistakes."

The Empress remained silent for a few seconds, her tone shifting:

"Compared to that, the fact that he can perform the ‘God-Summoning’ ritual in its entirety is the most surprising thing."

Windsor-Delle grumbled:

"The old man said the same thing. Why are you all so concerned about this? It’s just calling down a deity; what’s the big deal? Our Elven Queen is a deity herself, and I played by her side every day when I was a child..."

The Empress ignored Windsor-Delle’s rambling and said:

"You must have another motive for coming to tell me this. Speak, what do you want?"

Windsor-Delle showed no embarrassment at being seen through; instead, she spoke as if seeking credit:

"Empress, since you are interested in this person, don't you need to send someone to make contact? How about I go as your personal envoy? Not only am I absolutely loyal to you, but I am also inconspicuous. Isn't that perfect?"

The Empress interrupted:

"How many days of leave did Lord Victor grant you?"

Windsor-Delle replied indignantly:

"Only ten days, and he even placed a ‘Locating Spell’ on me! Ten days isn't even enough for a round trip. I suspect the old man intentionally doesn't want me to lift the seal on the King of Aefin."

The Empress’s eyes flickered, and after a moment of thought, she said:

"I will grant you one month. Regardless of what progress you make in Aefin, you must return after one month."

A look of jubilation instantly flooded Windsor-Delle’s face:

"Mission accepted!"