Glory-Road, the capital of the Empire, was several times more vibrant today than on any other day. Red eagles wearing golden crowns—the symbol of the Empire—fluttered throughout the streets, and the delicious scent of street food wafted from vendors who had set up shop everywhere.
"Mom, I want a chicken skewer!" "Kids, let's slow down." "Should we watch while drinking beer today?" "Won't it be over quickly anyway?" "There's a celebration performance after the knights fight. There will be plenty to see."
Everyone, from young children to adults, enjoyed the festive energy of the streets. Children held toy swords and shields, and some even wore costumes that looked like knightly armor. The reason so many people had come out today was simple: it was the day of the Knight Mock Battle, one of the capital's major festivals.
Originally, it was a light event meant to showcase the combat skills of ordinary knights to the citizens. However, ever since massive crowds began gathering to witness the martial prowess of the current Knight Commander, the "Iron-Blooded Knight" Uris, it had become one of the Empire's signature events.
The knight who never loses.
She was the symbol of the Empire's victory and the sturdy iron wall that allowed the citizens to go about their daily lives in peace. Naturally, she became an idol to the people and one of the most popular figures in the Empire. Today, the Central Training Ground was packed to capacity with people eager to see her.
"A huge crowd again today," remarked Jeco, looking at the citizens filling the vast spectator stands. "Shouldn't we thoroughly crush those 2nd Order bastards again today, Commander?" Jeco asked with a chuckle.
"Do not take this lightly. A mock battle is still a battle. Approach training as if it were a real engagement."
"Of course, Commander. Just as you said, everyone is staying sharp."
She finished checking her equipment while listening to Jeco.
"By the way, Commander, is that man you're interested in coming today?"
"W-what are you talking about? What is that supposed to mean?"
"You mentioned it last time. That you've found a man you're interested in."
"I never said such a thing!"
Uris was flustered by the sudden, ambush-like question. A man she was interested in? She didn't have anyone like that, so why did he keep saying such things?
"Really? Your expression back then was exactly that of a noble lady in love."
"Jeco, you're not even from a noble background, so how would you know such things?"
"Khaha! Before I lost my hair, I was quite popular with the ladies. I made many a young lady cry."
"...Are you saying that even though I've seen what you looked like with hair?"
"Aww, Commander."
Regaining her composure, she let out a sigh. "There is no such person. And even if there were, I would tell them not to come."
The faces of the Bandit and the Illusion Mage flickered in her mind for a moment, but Uris shook her head. They were not men she was "interested" in. One was a fantasy projecting her desires, and the other was simply the owner of the shop providing that service. They were nothing to each other.
"Are you sure there isn't anyone?"
"Why do you keep asking? It's as if you placed a bet on it."
"...."
"Did you actually bet on it?"
When Uris narrowed her eyes and asked, Jeco waved his hands and shook his head frantically. "N-no way! Why would we do that!"
"How much did you bet?"
"...I put 5 gold on 'Yes'."
"5 gold? You could buy a decent sword with that much money!"
"That's how certain I am! You definitely have someone, Commander. That expression is something that absolutely never comes out unless there's someone special."
Uris sighed. "It looks like you're about to lose those 5 gold in vain."
"Urgh!"
As they chatted, the time for the battle between the Knight Orders arrived. Today's mock battle was divided into two parts: a group battle between members and a 1-on-1 duel between the Commanders. The group battle was a stage to prove how much the members could achieve in the absence of their Commander. Simultaneously, it was an opportunity to prove the capabilities of the Vice-Commander. If a high-achieving Commander received a title and left the Order or died in action, the Vice-Commander would take over.
Uris was confident that the 1st Order would win. Jeco was a more competent knight than anyone else, and the knights under his command were the best in the Empire. The 1st Order wasn't the strongest just because she was strong; it was the strongest because of the combined capabilities of everyone fighting beneath her.
From the highest seat in the training ground, the Empress was delivering a speech to the citizens. Her voice, the "highest flower" of the Empire, melted the hearts of the people.
—I hope the noble struggle of the knights, who have never ceased their training to protect the glory of the Empire, serves as an example to everyone. I shall watch this battle alongside you. To the victor, I shall personally grant a laurel wreath.
Her golden crown sparkled atop her braided red hair, which shone even more beautifully than the red eagle of the Empire. Her golden eyes looked down upon everyone, and the citizens who met her gaze smiled with joy as if they had been blessed.
That was charisma.
Witnessing the Empress, Uris recalled the moment she had sworn her loyalty to the Empire. She, too, had been captivated by the Empress's beautiful smile and resolved to devote her life to protecting her. She was a great figure—an Empress who had "married the Empire" and refused to wed anyone else, dedicating herself solely to her nation.
However...
'I don't feel the same inspiration as when I first saw her.'
What was the reason? As Uris fell into thought, a certain man came to mind.
—I'm your husband. —You're not even the real Uris, are you? —Spread 'em.
The man who had ruthlessly dominated her. That Bandit. And the Mage who gave off the exact same scent. Once the images of the Bandit and the Mage entered her head, she couldn't concentrate on the speech at all.
Ah, no. Not now. If I suddenly go into heat on such an important day...
Her heart pounded. If the people here knew what she was imagining right now, how would they look at her? They would despise her, of course. They would blame her, saying they trusted her and didn't know she was this kind of person. Just the thought made her palms sweat.
Was it because she hadn't been able to visit that shop due to her practice and training? Her breathing became rougher than usual, and her heart beat faster. Just imagining it made her lower parts...
'I'm wet.'
This had never happened before. To have such lewd thoughts right before a mock battle. If the Goddess knew, she would surely punish her for being obscene.
'Focus, Uris. Today is an important day.'
Pressing her thighs together and fidgeting, she bit her lower lip hard to strengthen her resolve. But the wave of imagination, once triggered, did not stop and continued to grow.
The Knight Order members looking at her with contempt as she knelt before the Bandit. The citizens of the Empire feeling a disappointment as great as the expectations they had placed on her. And the Empress looking at her as if she were trash.
—Uris Balletaoon. I am disappointed in you. How could a knight representing the Empire...
No. At this rate, just from imagining...
But the imagination could go no further. "Commander, I'm heading out," Jeco called to her as he prepared to enter the fray after the speech ended. Returning to reality, Uris patted Jeco on the back.
"Fight well."
She sent Jeco off, pretending to be calm.
"I will return after bringing victory to the Commander!"
Even at this moment, it felt as though she could hear the Bandit's voice. That was when—
"I think we'll win this time, won't we?"
A man approached Uris as she was imagining being wrecked by the Bandit. It was Heron, the Commander of the 2nd Knight Order. The handsome man, whose tied-back silver hair shimmered, smiled with a glint in his blue eyes, twisting one side of his lips.
"It's... been a while, Heron."
"That rude tone of yours is as consistent as ever, I see."
"The feeling is mutual."
"Tsk! Anyway, you must have trained hard today? Your face is bright red."
"I... I ran a few simulations in my head."
"And what was the result?"
Simulations? Strange thoughts had been playing in her head on a loop until just a moment ago.
"I won every time."
Uris had no choice but to lie. A strange guilt from the lie pricked her chest. Heron, clad in sleek armor, stood beside her and watched the 2nd Order members entering from the opposite side.
"We will win today."
"You sound quite confident."
"Of course. The reasoning is solid."
"Reasoning?"
Heron continued, looking toward the spectator stands. "My sister came today. I can't show a pathetic side of myself in front of my sister, can I?"
"Sister?"
"You must have seen her. They call her the Empire's greatest Spiritist."
"Ah, that arrogant noble lady. I saw her once before. She's beautiful, unlike you."
"Arrogant?"
"I was surprised by how much she resembles you—speaking informally upon our first meeting and telling me she would defeat me."
Uris knew Heron's sister. Helen, a famous Spiritist whose spirit resonance had been recognized by the Elves. Heron called her the Empire's greatest, but as far as Uris knew, she was the woman capable of summoning the strongest spirits among current human Spiritists. She had only seen her face once a few months ago, but the impression was vivid.
—Are you that knight who always beats my brother?
That venomous expression, treating Uris as if she were a nobody. The way she ground her teeth as if frustrated by the fact that Uris had beaten her brother—it was quite chilling.
—Don't be so full of yourself just because you beat my brother. I'll be the one to defeat you soon. —I'll be joining the Empire's ranks shortly. Let's have a duel then. I look forward to seeing if you can still remain the Goddess of Victory.
Her personality was exactly like Heron's.
"That happened? Khaha! That sounds like my sister." Heron chuckled upon hearing her words.
"Ah, I absolutely cannot lose now. I must win."
"I look forward to it."
After their brief conversation, Heron left, saying he would run simulations until the very last second. Talking about the match with Heron stopped the imagination of the Bandit dominating her. It was a relief. She could find her composure.
She stood still and watched the flow of the group battle. The group battle ended in a victory for the 1st Order. As expected, Jeco's performance was outstanding. He was a talent who could have already been a Commander in any other Order, so it was perhaps a natural result.
'Excellent.'
And then, the remaining individual duel.
"I will fight a good match." "Victory and glory to the Empire."
Fully armed, she faced Heron.
BOOM!
The result of the duel between the two knights who had reached the level of Sword Master—
"Winner! Uris Balletaoon!"
Naturally, it went to Uris.
"Damn... I showed a pathetic side... in front of my sister... again."
I won again.
She should have been happy. She should have been grateful to have won for the glory of the Empire. She should have been pleased to maintain her title as the Goddess of Victory.
'I'm not happy.'
It was a strange feeling. Even though she had secured the victory, she didn't feel the same joy as before. Even with glory and victory, she wasn't glad.
"Congratulations. As expected, you are the symbol of victory that the Empire is proud of."
Even at the moment when the Empress pinned a medal to her chest with her beautiful hands—
'It's empty.'
Uris couldn't shake the feeling of hollowness. She should be grateful for the Empress's blessing. This should have been her joy.
Waaaaah!
She should have been filled with satisfaction from the cheers of the shouting citizens. Why? Why on earth?
—Aren't you just a bitch who wants to be bred by a cock?
Why was she happier at the bandit's voice echoing in her head? Why was she imagining those people looking at her with contempt?
Was it because of these lingering questions? Uris failed to notice the gaze staring at her from the spectator stands until the very end. In a festival where the entire Knight Order was savoring victory—
'This isn't enough. This... isn't right.'
Uris alone could not enjoy the victory. And, as if possessed by something—
"I have to go."
She slipped out of the training ground where the festival was in full swing.