The Queen’s Intriguing Discovery

“Does Your Majesty still recall the energy fluctuations that emanated from the Velsen Forest a few days ago?” Parobia inquired, his voice unhurried.

“Hmm… I do remember,” the Queen replied, a frown creasing her brow as she recalled the event. “Even with your abilities, you were unable to detect the nature of that energy.”

“Does Your Majesty also remember the name Soron Nemost?” Parobia continued, drawing out the suspense.

“Are you suggesting that this foolish ancient demon actually performed a ritual to summon an ancient demon god in the Velsen Forest?” The Queen’s beautiful eyes suddenly shone with intense brightness.

“It’s far more interesting than that,” Parobia murmured.

“Hahahaha~ If we’re talking about interesting things, then allow me to venture a guess,” the monarch declared, laughing merrily. “That foolish ancient demon, Soron Nemost, summoned an ancient demon god and foolishly tried to control it, but failed. So now, the Klaham Continent has a demon god with at least divine-level power?”

“But what’s strange is, if this demon god truly appeared, why hasn’t it caused widespread panic? Could it be that this summoned demon god possesses sentience?” The monarch voiced her conjecture, though some doubts lingered.

“Truly, Your Majesty is unparalleled,” Parobia said, offering a subtle compliment. “With merely a name from your humble servant, you have completely deduced the entire sequence of events.”

“Soron Nemost’s summoning was indeed successful. However, what appeared was not a demon god, but a true, genuine god,” Parobia revealed the truth.

“Parobia, this is hardly amusing. A demon summoning a god?” The Queen crossed her left leg over her right, her gaze fixed on her exquisitely manicured, delicate pink fingernails, as if inspecting them.

“Your Majesty, your humble servant has reviewed all books concerning deities within the kingdom,” Parobia stated calmly. “I discovered that this summoned god has never appeared on the Klaham Continent before. Furthermore, my dispatched spies reported a dense dark aura emanating from the ruins, and Soron Nemost’s whereabouts have completely vanished.”

“Based on my judgment, Soron Nemost has been eliminated, and this unknown deity is likely a god who has fallen from grace.”

“Please get to the point, my dearest Prime Minister,” the Queen said, still admiring her nails, her tone tinged with a hint of boredom.

“Your Majesty must know that Her Royal Highness the Princess is currently working as a mercenary in Morgan City,” Parobia continued, his pace unhurried and calm. “A few days ago, precisely when the energy fluctuations occurred, a mercenary mission was issued in the kingdom’s name and assigned to the Princess’s mercenary group: to investigate the unknown energy fluctuations in the Velsen Forest.”

“Afterward, Her Royal Highness returned from the forest with a man who called himself ‘Silver Reaper,’ claiming to have defeated the demon who summoned the demon god. This man has since gained considerable renown in Morgan City, and indeed, throughout the entire mercenary world. Most importantly, this ‘Mr. Silver Reaper’ possesses at least demigod-level strength.”

“So, a fallen god, Mr. Silver Reaper, possessing formidable and uncontrollable power, has no interest in destroying the world?” The Queen paused her inspection of her nails and rose from her seat. “Instead, he prefers to accompany my daughter in playing some ridiculous mercenary game?” she questioned her Prime Minister in a detached tone.

“My dearest Prime Minister, from your words, I discern three intriguing points.” The fiery-haired Queen began to pace elegantly around the room, not waiting for her Prime Minister to speak.

“Firstly, this charming fallen god seems utterly ignorant of our world, much like a traveler from another realm. Secondly, this god is deliberately striving to make a name for himself. But would a god, even a fallen one, truly care about worldly fame?”

“No, I believe this charming god might be searching for someone—perhaps a companion who arrived in this unfamiliar world with him? A fellow deity, or even… a lover? Oh, how utterly romantic! Love between gods!”

“Perhaps this charming god has lost some of his divine powers and cannot effectively search for someone in this unknown world. The best way, then, is to become a beacon, guiding his companion to him. One must admit, the charming god possesses a certain cleverness.”

“Thirdly… my dear Prime Minister, I fear my daughter has fallen in love.” As she spoke of love, the noble Queen transformed, momentarily resembling a giddy young girl. She clasped her hands beneath her chin, twirled in a circle with a look of rapture, and then stopped directly in front of Parobia.

Prime Minister Parobia gazed at the exquisite Queen before him, her steps like a graceful dance. His eyes held a hint of infatuation. However, upon hearing the Queen suggest that the Princess might be in love, Parobia, as Prime Minister, couldn’t help but feel a stir of emotion.

“Your Majesty, that… that can’t be possible,” Parobia stammered, a note of surprise in his voice. Though he never doubted his monarch’s words, he found himself unable to suppress his skepticism this time.

“Parobia,” the Queen said, a playful glint in her eyes as she regarded her Prime Minister, “when have you ever seen my daughter go to such exhaustive lengths to help someone?”

“But Your Majesty, that is no ordinary person; it is… a god,” Parobia replied, lowering his head, his brows furrowed tightly.

“She is my daughter, and I know her character well. If she hasn’t fallen in love, then I fear…” Her Royal Highness the Queen’s words trailed off. Just then, a cheerful melody, accompanied by a captivating voice, drifted through the window and into the Queen’s chambers.

“Your Majesty, should your humble servant go and drive him away?” Though their conversation was interrupted, Prime Minister Parobia showed no anger, instead deferentially asking the Queen.

“It’s quite alright, Parobia. Let’s conclude our discussion here for today,” the Queen replied. “Sir Shumura’s music truly is quite relaxing, isn’t it? Would you care to listen with me?” Listening to the beautiful, cheerful music from outside the window, the fiery-haired monarch swayed gently to the rhythm, much like a mischievous child, extending an invitation to Parobia.

“Your humble servant still has many matters to attend to and cannot, for now, accompany Your Majesty in enjoying this moving music,” Parobia said, his brow furrowed. “However, Your Majesty, Sir Shumura, as an envoy dispatched by Lunbang, has been performing outside your window in Triumphal City for a full week now. Lunbang’s purpose in sending this knight as a diplomat is likely quite… particular.”

“Hehe~ I naturally know Lunbang’s true intentions in sending him,” the Queen said with a chuckle, looking out the window at the handsome blonde man passionately singing while holding his instrument. She found Parobia’s words amusing. “While Sir Shumura is indeed very handsome, my interest lies solely in his talent, Prime Minister Parobia. Please rest assured.”

“My apologies… your humble servant was overly concerned,” Parobia said, bowing slightly. “Then, Your Majesty, I shall take my leave.” He then exited the Queen’s chambers.

Gently closing the door to the room, Parobia found himself overcome by a peculiar curiosity. The Prime Minister then did something utterly unexpected for a man of his stature: he eavesdropped.

The guards and maids outside the room stared, utterly dumbfounded. They watched as the usually noble, stern, wise, and benevolent Lord Parobia, completely disregarding his image, crouched by Her Majesty the Queen’s door, listening intently to something.

“My esteemed Majesty~ Are you pleased with this tune?” a rich, captivating, and sensual voice called out loudly.

‘That damned pretty boy!’ Parobia screamed inwardly.

“Very good, Sir Shumura. Did you compose this piece yourself?”

‘The Queen! That’s the Queen’s voice! Your Majesty! How can you be so gentle with that pretty boy?’

“My apologies, Your Majesty, but this song was not composed by me. It was written by my son when he was three years old.” The man’s voice carried a hint of pride.

‘What are you so proud of?’ Parobia thought, grinding his teeth. ‘When our Princess was three, she could hunt a Snow Mountain Giant Bear by herself! That damned pretty boy’s son can’t be anything good either!’

“I’m very honored, my Majesty! However, my son has just been admitted to Heavenly Path Academy this year. I will certainly tell him to write another song for Your Majesty!”

‘Good, good. At least you, pretty boy, have moments of sensibility. Our Queen was just being polite by asking your son to come.’

“What a pity, then… I had hoped to meet the genius who could compose such beautiful music.”

‘Your Majesty… if you wish to hear it, your humble servant will bring him to you, no matter if he’s in Heavenly Path Academy or the Orcish Empire’s palace!’

“My Majesty, if you wish to meet him, I shall inform him to come at once!”

‘I say, my patience has its limits! You’re laying it on a bit thick with the flattery, aren’t you, you brat?’

“There’s no need, Sir Shumura. Being accepted into Heavenly Path Academy is proof enough of what an excellent young man he is,” the Queen said. “We elders shouldn’t disrupt the lives of our children.”

‘Your Majesty… you are truly too benevolent! Wuwuwu… Your humble servant, your humble servant… it is my greatest honor to share in Your Majesty’s burdens!’

“My Majesty, you look just like an eighteen-year-old maiden! Even if Your Majesty were to attend Heavenly Path Academy now, absolutely no one would find it unfitting.”

‘Wait… let me think, what was the incantation for [Personality Destruction] again? Micathronan… no, no… it was Cassacamicala… no, that’s not right…’

“Heh heh, Sir Shumura, you truly are a jester. I am already a mother, and my daughter’s age should be similar to your son’s.”

‘Your Majesty… although you are already a mother, in your humble servant’s heart, you will forever be the maiden who smiles like an angel! Pretty boy, I’ll spare your life, for the sake of Her Majesty’s smile.’

“Really, Your Majesty? Perhaps the children could meet? They might become good friends?”

‘Hehehehehe… Shu… mu… ra… Not only does he dare to flirt with the Queen, but he also presumes to lay his hands on our Princess! Hehehehehe… So much for sparing your life… hehehehe…’

“Lord Parobia… Lord Parobia…” A nearby guard, seeing the usually gentle and refined Lord Parobia display a truly cruel and twisted smile, couldn’t help but ask, a shiver running down his spine.

“Hm?” Parobia snapped out of his resentful stupor. He looked at the trembling guards and maids before him, and an old blush crept onto his face.

“Lord Parobia, are you alright?” the trembling guard asked, a hint of fear in his voice. ‘Could Lord Parobia have gone mad from too much work stress? That would be truly terrible.’

“It’s nothing, I apologize for startling you all. Hmm… [Memory Erase].” Straightening up, Parobia raised a finger with a touch of guilt. As everyone’s gaze focused on it, a ring of light emanated from his fingertip. The guards and maids swept by the light suddenly had a dazed look in their eyes.

“Ah, Lord Parobia, you’ve come out?” The guard, as if just waking up, saw Lord Parobia beside him and quickly straightened up, saluting the great Prime Minister of the Empire.

“Yes, ensure Her Majesty’s safety.” Parobia smiled benignly at the guard, then turned and departed.

“Truly worthy of being called Lord Parobia, the Shield of Norachi! Such poise, such temperament!” The guard, watching Parobia’s retreating figure, sincerely exclaimed in admiration. The nearby guards nodded in agreement.