The Mycenae Empire, the sole empire on the European Continent and its very heart, served as a gathering place for the continent’s most formidable powerhouses. Scheffiel Mycenae’s palace was situated on the eastern side of the imperial capital, also housing Hilya Mycenae, who had run away from home, and Scheffiel Mycenae’s second elder sister.
“Who’s there!”
Scheffiel Mycenae, who had been polishing her Sacred Sword in her private chambers, suddenly sensed an intruder in her palace. She hastily donned a simple robe and rushed out, sword in hand, completely oblivious to the thin attire she wore beneath.
Not only was Scheffiel Mycenae startled, but even the Second Imperial Princess, Goliath Mycenae, who had already been asleep, was roused by the commotion.
“Look, can you all please put your weapons down? I mean no harm, truly. I can swear to the heavens.”
Merlin’s sudden appearance drew the palace guards, all of whom were women. To his dismay, they completely encircled him, their swords already drawn.
“I’ve already said I mean no harm. Can you stop?”
Yue Wu sidestepped to the right, deftly dodging an arrow from an archer behind him. He even caught the arrow, tossing it to the ground.
“I only came here to find someone. There’s no need to surround me in layers like a dumpling, is there?”
“If you attack again, I won’t hold back.”
Yue Wu raised his hand, catching an incoming arrow.
“Oh? You can try.”
A golden-haired woman, clad in a thin nightdress, suddenly lunged from the crowd, aiming a kick directly at Yue Wu’s head.
“Pwah! What a sight to behold—almost more than I can take!”
Though Yue Wu parried her attack, the sudden “perk” nearly made him cough up blood.
“White.”
Yue Wu wiped his nose, relieved that he hadn’t gotten a nosebleed. That would have been utterly humiliating.
“Oh ho~ You actually managed to block that strike.”
The woman tossed her long hair back, her eyes sharp and piercing, like a beast eyeing its prey.
“Wait! You’re not playing by the rules.”
Yue Wu tried his best to avoid looking at the woman. Her figure was stunning; in his original world, she would undoubtedly be considered one of the world’s foremost goddesses.
Her luminous golden hair and proud, devilish figure made it incredibly difficult for anyone to maintain their self-control.
“What’s wrong? Where did that earlier bravado go?”
“Then you should put on some clothes first!”
“Oh ho~ I think I look quite good like this.”
“Can’t you be more ladylike? You’re a grown woman; you might never marry, I’m telling you.”
“There’s no need to worry about that. The people who admire me could fill the entire imperial capital.”
‘This woman is insane; I can’t fight her.’
“Not fighting? If you won’t attack, then I will.”
Every one of the woman’s movements flowed like water. Her speed, when needed, was never slow, and she was adept at adapting her combat style.
She was a true Valkyrie who had seen battle, a close-quarters combatant.
Yue Wu felt helpless. He dared not attack her, fearing he might cause trouble, so he tried his best to evade her strikes.
However, she absolutely refused to stop, growing more spirited with each exchange.
“If you don’t stop, I won’t hold back.”
Yue Wu finally decided to subdue the unreasonable woman.
Grappling Arts, activate.
Yue Wu raised his hand, executing a grappling move that seized her kicking thigh, and then flung her away.
“That’s more like it.”
The woman flipped in mid-air and landed gracefully, then assumed a basic combat stance, nodding with satisfaction.
“Princess Scheffiel Mycenae, over there!”
At that moment, Scheffiel Mycenae and Helen Keston rushed over. After Helen Keston’s explanation, Scheffiel Mycenae finally understood who the intruder was.
“Second Imperial Sister, stop.”
Scheffiel Mycenae burst through the crowd, positioning herself between Yue Wu and the golden-haired woman.
“Scheffiel Mycenae, get out of the way! I’ve finally found someone this interesting.”
Scheffiel Mycenae’s second elder sister, Goliath Mycenae, was a battle fanatic. She grew even more frenzied upon learning that her opponent was also skilled in close-quarters combat.
“Goliath Mycenae!”
Scheffiel Mycenae grew angry, immediately spreading her arms to block Goliath Mycenae.
“Oh ho~ Our little Scheffiel Mycenae has found spring.”
Goliath Mycenae wisely conceded, yet couldn’t resist teasing Scheffiel Mycenae before leaving.
“Imperial Sister, what are you talking about?!”
At Goliath Mycenae’s words, Scheffiel Mycenae’s face flushed crimson.
“Oh ho~ Your face is all red.”
Goliath Mycenae wouldn’t miss such an opportunity to tease Scheffiel Mycenae. In her mind, Scheffiel Mycenae had always been a sister who knew only practice and battle, never concerned with romance.
But tonight, she had witnessed another side of her younger sister.
“N-no, I didn’t.”
Scheffiel Mycenae stomped her foot in exasperation, provoked by Goliath Mycenae.
“Our Scheffiel Mycenae is so cute. Come, let your big sister give you a proper hug.”
With that, Goliath Mycenae opened her arms wide and walked over to embrace Scheffiel Mycenae.
“Excuse me, but could you perhaps consider me, the bystander? While I don’t mind, I did come here so late because I have something important to say.”
By the time Scheffiel Mycenae and Helen Keston arrived, Helen Keston had already dismissed all the guards, leaving only Yue Wu, Scheffiel Mycenae, and Goliath Mycenae.
Yue Wu clearly felt awkward being the only man present.
“I’m Scheffiel Mycenae’s second elder sister, Goliath Mycenae. What’s your name?”
Goliath Mycenae still didn’t know Yue Wu’s name.
“I suggest you both change your clothes first. Like this, I can’t quite look you in the eye.”
Yue Wu turned his head away, avoiding eye contact with Scheffiel Mycenae and Goliath Mycenae.
Realizing she was wearing only a thin nightdress, Scheffiel Mycenae blushed to the tips of her ears. Without a word, she dragged Goliath Mycenae away, intending to return after changing into proper clothes.
Helen Keston reappeared and led Merlin to the reception hall.
“The life of the wealthy is truly different; this sofa is so comfortable.”
Merlin sat on the lavish sofa, while Helen Keston stood by his side.
“Lord Merlin, where do you reside? If you like it, Princess Scheffiel Mycenae could gift it to you.”
“There’s no need for that. I’m often not home anyway.”
“I see. This little fox is quite adorable.”
“She is my contracted nature spirit.”
“I never expected Lord Merlin to also possess a nature spirit.”
“Also? Have you met other nature spirits, Helen Keston?”
“Princess Alicia possesses one, but it’s not like yours. Your nature spirit is far superior to the Princess’s.”
“Alicia? That name sounds somewhat familiar.”
“Princess Alicia is the strongest among the princesses, and indeed, the strongest of all His Majesty’s children. Princess Scheffiel Mycenae greatly admires Princess Alicia.”
“Alicia… I seem to recall a Dragon Knight with that name. The Sacred Dragon Knight, Saintess Alicia.”
“Oh?! Your Excellency Merlin, do you know Princess Alicia?”
“Could it truly be her?”
“Princess Alicia does indeed possess a dragon, though I’m not certain if it’s the legendary Sacred Dragon.”
Merlin had not anticipated uncovering such a secret tonight. He remembered a unique NPC from the game, whose profession, the Sacred Dragon Knight, Alicia, was one of the most distinctive in the game world.
The official story had never revealed her background. She had appeared only after Jeanne D’Arc blackened and became the Dragon Witch, and it was Alicia who had slain Jeanne D’Arc.
After defeating Jeanne D’Arc, Alicia had vanished without a trace.