The Queen’s Decree

“Enough, silence. Do any of you still possess a shred of aristocratic grace?”

The speaker was an old noble, Jean-Paul, respected among the aristocracy, who often mediated duels between them.

“Don’t forget that besides the Empire, our enemies also include Goblins, Vampires, and Elves! And the UN is currently taking a wait-and-see stance. If we can’t hold the line, they will certainly not hesitate to attack us all at once!”

“Suppose the Saint can hold off one nation. What about the others? Can the War Knight alone oppose every other country? Use your brains, for heaven’s sake!”

Jean-Paul sighed deeply.

Beside him stood another old noble.

“They know nothing of elegance, refuse to learn, spend their days hunting and indulging in debauchery—each generation of nobility is worse than the last!”

The two old nobles shook their heads and sighed. The other nobles fell silent.

Jean-Paul looked toward the dais.

“I await the Queen’s decision.” He bowed.

Many nobles began to snicker.

“Lord Jean-Paul, might I suggest you stand down? Your words are sound, but leave matters of war to us.”

A young noble spoke up.

“Since when do women meddle in war? War is men’s business. Every noble has studied extensively, but this Queen, even if she is regent, probably knows nothing of warfare.”

“A woman’s place is in the arms of a victorious man. For instance, when we return in triumph, the Queen can… ahem, ahem.”

He glanced at Vina, fear flickering in his eyes, but he forced himself to finish, provoking laughter from the other nobles.

Vina’s killing intent flared.

“I meant the Queen should show us her face! Right? Why does a woman always hide her face? She’s renowned as a great beauty! Ha ha ha!”

The noble’s legs trembled, but he spoke grandly, and everyone roared with laughter.

“Enough.”

A cold voice.

Ophelia spoke, her tone icy.

Not all nobles attended the council, so many from outlying regions didn’t know what had happened last session. They still saw the Queen as a mere ornament. Now, she startled them all.

“This is a solemn occasion. Disrupting the assembly is punishable by death.”

Marta suddenly stepped forward.

Sunlight streamed in, but a shadow seemed to fall, chilling the air.

The noble collapsed to the ground, trembling like a leaf, unable to speak.

“A… a Fallen Knight!?”

“Hold, Marta. Don’t frighten the other nobles for now. Let him be. Pardon him this once,” the Queen said.

Marta nodded, sheathed her sword, and retreated behind the Queen.

Many nobles swallowed hard. They stood straight, their eyes filled with fear and wariness. The offending noble fled in terror, soiled.

“Good. Now, I will state my views, and you may make amendments.” The Queen stood, her voice frigid.

“The Goblin army lacks proper equipment. Let them in. Jean-Paul will negotiate with the Vampires to buy time. At the Elf Forest, our forces hold a natural stronghold. Sacrifice six cities with a small contingent of War Knights, evacuate the civilians, and retreat behind the defensive line for a last stand.”

“The UN won’t act rashly. The Empire is our primary enemy. On our waters, Anderssen will lead. At the land border, the Saint who is coming to aid us will take command. We only need to prepare our military supplies.”

“The allocation of funds, resources, and manpower from each noble family is as follows…”

“The nobles for the logistics corps are… The supply routes are these…”

“Above all, Emily has recorded it and drafted a proposal. Anyone may object.”

Many nobles exchanged glances.

Shockwaves surged in their hearts.

No wonder she was named regent. No wonder the heads of noble families held her in such awe.

Such flawless calculation stunned everyone. She called it a draft, but it was virtually complete. A single glance sufficed to know: this was the optimal plan.

“Regarding this, Your Majesty, I believe the water route need not be defended.” Vina suddenly spoke.

“An important strategist leading the Empire’s forces, Luca, was once our imperial uncle. I know him. He may merely be setting up a feint to disperse our frontline defenses.”

“That is his style.”

“Rejected.” The Queen shook her head decisively.

“You lack sufficient evidence to support your argument. Vina, your proposal is denied.”

Vina frowned.

The Queen turned again: “Are there any further objections?”

Some nobles looked at her with approval; the rest wore expressions of fear and dread. Eli suddenly stepped forward, holding a recording crystal.

“I have one, Your Majesty. I question your authority to issue orders.”

“I question your qualification to command as Queen.”

A lecherous grin spread across his face. The Queen’s aura turned even colder.

“Insect…” the Queen murmured.

“Huh? What did you say?” Eli blinked.

“I said you’re an insect.” The Queen’s tone was glacial.

“Why do you trouble my presence every day? Do you have nothing better to do than stir up trouble? If you didn’t pester me at every council, would you be unable to function? All you do is eat, drink, and cause mischief. Are you a pig?”

“Disgusting. I’m going to be sick.”

Eli blinked again.

Why did that feel… good?

But he quickly shook off the feeling.

He didn’t understand why her insults didn’t make him angry, but he forced himself to be furious.

“How dare you call me a pig? Insult me more—I mean, how dare you! Watch closely, everyone! I present evidence!”

Elsewhere, the Empress gazed into her crystal ball.

‘Even I can find no flaw in that countermeasure. Luca’s plan has failed. I’ll send a subordinate to inform him.’

Her eyes locked onto the Queen, Ophelia.

‘Cold, rational thought. The kind of extreme rationality that annihilates the self. Could she be like me? Forced onto the throne by expectations, compelled to embody icy logic every day, becoming a mere mechanism called ‘Queen’?’

‘She is like me.’

This realization sent a long-unfelt shiver through the Empress.

‘So rational. So cold. She… is like me.’

A faint smile touched her lips—but quickly vanished.

Inside the crystal ball, a fool of a man suddenly declared Ophelia unqualified, then raised a recording crystal.

Inside it, Ophelia was kissing a knight behind her.

Her? Kissing?

‘Wasn’t she supposed to be my kind? Why would she share a passionate kiss with another?’

The Empress took a deep breath.

She had just identified Ophelia as her kindred spirit, only to see her kissing. Watching Ophelia trapped in love and a kiss within the recording crystal, she fell silent.