Episode(70) No longer just a princess
SOVEREIGN OF DEATH~(70)
[Next is something I think you are all worried about]
The moment the words left her mouth, all the nobles tensed up.
Slumping in chairs or dozing off, it didn't matter.
The tension was felt through the air and everyone present sat straight as if afraid to miss the next words.
She had hoped it wouldn't be bad but it seemed that most of the high nobles were unhappy with this guy.
Damn, if you are gonna be trash then be strong trash!
Don't be incompetent trash!
Now she was left with an annoying mess to clean up while that bastard was off flirting with god knows who!
[So, about what to do with the hero....I have thought long and hard about this matter and decided to leave it to the sage to whip that person into shape]
She looked around the room once and smiled.
It was a smile and yet not a smile.
Of course no one knew why the princess herself was dissatisfied with the hero and only thought that it was like them, because he was incompetent.
If only they knew-
[I guarantee you all, by the time he is done training, the hero will undoubtedly be worthy of the title]
[Ooohh!]
[If it's the Sage then surely!-]
[Now we can have a little hope!]
Indeed, the moment she mentioned the sage all the nobles seemed to believe that Renji would definitely become stronger.
All the resentment from the event at the ball seemed to vanish like a puff of smoke!
Everyone present knew how strict the silver sage was. With so many previous disciples running away it wasn't exactly a closed secret.
So they all knew, even if his attitude remained the same his strength would surely improve under that mans guidance.
[Silence!]
Karian, stone faced as always stepped forward and commanded.
Immediately, the room fell silent.
Normally, for a mere girl to command them would be downright ridiculous in a normal setting but, not only was she was the daughter of the prime minister, she was also the current secretary and right hand woman of the acting Empress of the empire.
Did they dare to kick up a fuss?
No.
Seeing the Result, Maria smiled and gave a glance to Karian.
Karian nodded and stepped back, as if she didn't even step forward in the first place.
Maria then looked at the nobles calmly and continued her words.
[It is true that we have hope with the sage's intervention, however we need to bolster our forces in the meantime]
Floren had a strong military but compared to other empires their military strength was weak.
Without the heroes, although most were weak or had low potential, it had to be said that the over 300 heroes had indeed made a difference compared to before they had been summoned.
Sometimes she really envied their fast growth rate and blessings that allowed even the weakest of them to grow faster and stronger easily.
But it was no time to envy the heroes.
[I would ask each family to spare warriors who can help to defend our empire from hostile forces, of course those who participate will be rewarded for their service]
The room fell quiet for a moment.
Seeing this, Maria sighed thinking that they didn't want to give up their powerful forces.
Especially when the empire's future wasn't guaranteed, she could see why no one wanted to volunteer.
Even so, the empire needed their strength. There was no other choice but to be ruthless.
However before she could resort to forceful methods a voice echoed.
[Please let me contribute to this your majesty, If I am able to train and recruit more knights I will contact her majesty at the latest I can]
Count Gizmodo willingly raised his hand, a wide grin on his face.
He wasn't the only one.
[I too, it's all for the sake of this country anyways, I'd be a fool not to partake]
Gilliard also spoke up with a firm tone while striking his mustache.
This made Maria smile.
[Counts, thank you for your support...what do the rest of you say?]
She glanced coldly at the remaining nobles.
They all had their own thoughts but surely they wouldn't leave the empire in a vulnerable state just to keep their own foolish pride?
It could even be said that some of them had incited her king father to steal the summoning circuits.
Although she didn't know where her father got the idea, he had to have called a meeting with the high circle which made most of everyone in this room guilty.
If they dared to defy her, she wouldn't be merciful!
Fortunately, some of them seemed to have some semblance of intelligence and quickly agreed the moment they saw her cold gaze.
As for those that declined sending forces even with her threatening gaze, they were either too stupid or colluding with other nations or forces.
Sooner or later she would have them show their true colors.
Unfortunately, today wasn't that day.
[Good! Then this concludes today's council. If there are any other matters anyone wishes to consult me on, please speak up]
Patiently waiting for a minute, Maria saw no one raise their hands and so she dismissed them.
Watching them leave, Karian whispered a question.
[Is it okay to let those who didn't support your majesty?]
Hm?
'Ah, is she referring to the spies?'
This was what Maria liked about Karian.
She was a person who caught on quickly. So even when she wasn't quick enough on the uptake, Karian was always there to help her.
Truly a reliable friend.
[It's fine]
Maria brushed back her hair.
She crossed her legs and spoke in an unconcerned tone.
[Rather, let's think of it like this. They refused the Empress's genuine plea to help the nation-even a fool would see that these people are 'dirty']
Karian, hearing these words flinched slightly.
Others didn't know, but she who grew up with the princess knew just how much of a sadist she was.
She shook her head.
[I see...you're still like this even after growing up]
Maria chuckled.
[Fufun-]
Careless banters like these made it feel like she was still just a princess who loved finding new ways to slip out of the royal palace.
But then reality would hit and she realized she now held a nation and its people on her shoulders.
The careless expression she held gradually faded and she couldn't help but sigh at how complicated things had become.
[…Anyway, what on the itinerary for the rest of today?]
Karian shook her head.
This made Maria look back in confusion.
[Really?]
Karian nodded.
[You have completed all your main tasks, all that remains are those that can be handled by myself and my subordinates]
Was that the case?
For some reason Maria felt as if it wasn't real. However she pinched her hands and felt pain so it must be reality.
'So..I really am free for the day-'
When was the last time she was free to do what she wished?
She couldn't recall.
Ever since the heroes came it had been one hectic day after the other.
So, what should she do?
Head to town?
Forget it.
There was nothing interesting she wanted to see in town so she would only waste a precious day off.
After thinking for a bit more she spoke.
[I'll be training for the rest of the day, please don't let anyone disturb me]
This was all she could think about doing.
Aside from training for the future she didn't have much desire to do anything else.
Just polish herself, make herself even stronger so that what happened this time wouldn't occur again.
Just because she was royalty didn't mean she should stand behind her people as they became corpses.
No, that wasn't the type of Empress she desired to be.
She wanted the strength needed to say she was a competent ruler!
[As you wish, your majesty]
Watching as Karian left the room, Maria sat pondering about little things before getting up herself and leaving the room.
Maids would come to clean up afterwards so she didn't need to worry about closing it.
As she walked, she couldn't help but think back to her sister and how weak she was to stop it all from happening.
Elaine, waking up after having the tea in the end nearly lost her mind.
Disgusted with herself, she even tried to slit her own throat.
The feelings she confidently professed before her had all vanished.
No, not even to say they vanished as they never existed to begin with.
And the fact that she had become pregnant with the child of a man she didn't even love drove her further into despair and disgust with herself.
Elaine didn't even want to see her face after everything.
Recalling her sister's pale face made her angry.
Fortunately, after a few days she had calmed down.
Although her sister seemed a bit colder, it was better than the suicidal look on her face before.
In the end she decided to have the child and leave the kingdom.
Maria was originally against this, however the child did nothing wrong and leaving the kingdom might be better than staying around Renji.
If he tried to take advantage of Elaine she didn't know what she would do to him.
It wasn't bad for Elaine to live in the countryside and cool her head.
Fortunately, the hero seemed to have completely forgotten about Elaine's existence.
However the fact that she was made a mother by such a fickle man made Maria angry each time she thought about it.
'In any case, I have sent guards to keep her safe'
And in another country, in the countryside areas at that there wasn't much that could threaten her.
With the strength of her guards at a minimum level of 45, she would be safe even if a level 40 demon were to appear there.
For now the only thing that Maria could do was get stronger.
Get stronger and prevent future tragedies!
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[Aoi Nanase- (LV.17)]
[Class– Saint]
[Trait – Holy Maiden(S+)]
[Mana–1800/1800]
"Skills"
[Healing(C+)] [Barrier(C)] [Cure(D+)] [Saints Barrier(D)] [Blessed Enchanting(C)]