“It doesn’t seem like a proper performance for a banquet.”
He spoke to Emperor Adrian in a calm voice.
“As I said before, in our Tebello Empire, it is a performance and a game held at every banquet.”
“Emperor Adrian, I have no intention of criticizing you. However, I am curious as to why you are showing off the martial arts competition between the Empresses in the Lapion Empire.”
Linel looked at me, frowning, and patted the back of my hand as if telling me to calm down, then asked Emperor Adrian.
“For the past several years, we have been holding a martial arts competition between Empresses at this time. Coincidentally, the Continental Hunting Competition is being held again this year, and the timing overlaps. There is no special meaning to it. I just thought it would be a great honor to show my beloved Empresses a performance in front of all the countries...”
Emperor Adrian responded to him, pointing to the guests gathered in the banquet hall with an elegant hand gesture. Only the Northern Continent guests looked bewildered, while the Southern Continent VIPs applauded Emperor Adrian. I glared at Emperor Adrian, and then a question occurred to me. Why can’t I hear that silver-haired hairtail’s true feelings today? When he kept making eye contact with me, I thought he was clearly talking to me in his head. It was strange. Could it be that he had another way of conveying his true feelings to me? For example, by using different languages...
“What benefits do the winners get?”
At that moment, Empress Katria of the Delroy Empire raised her hand and asked Emperor Adrian, and he immediately responded.
“I'll get to you right away.”
“Well, it’s a pretty generous benefit for the Empresses.”
Empress Katria nodded as she spoke, but her mocking expression was evident.
“It’s worth risking your life for. The benefit of winning the martial arts competition is that the Empress can have me for a certain period.”
“Ugh.”
I couldn't help but feel nauseous at the sound of his snarling tone.
“Empress, what’s wrong? Are you okay?”
Linel leaned toward me and whispered with a worried look in his eyes.
“It’s okay. I feel a little sick because I put too much butter on my bread earlier.”
I quickly took a sip of champagne with a bitter smile. Then I stared at Emperor Adrian, who continued talking with a smug expression.
“After the two people compete in pairs, the winning Empresses compete again in the final match.”
He proudly explained the rules of the martial arts competition. The new Empresses who entered the palace for a short time participated in the martial arts competition held that year to gain the Emperor's favor, and the existing Empresses participated because their relationship with the Emperor had become distant or because they wanted attention.
He spoke to Emperor Adrian in a calm voice.
“As I said before, in our Tebello Empire, it is a performance and a game held at every banquet.”
“Emperor Adrian, I have no intention of criticizing you. However, I am curious as to why you are showing off the martial arts competition between the Empresses in the Lapion Empire.”
Linel looked at me, frowning, and patted the back of my hand as if telling me to calm down, then asked Emperor Adrian.
“For the past several years, we have been holding a martial arts competition between Empresses at this time. Coincidentally, the Continental Hunting Competition is being held again this year, and the timing overlaps. There is no special meaning to it. I just thought it would be a great honor to show my beloved Empresses a performance in front of all the countries...”
Emperor Adrian responded to him, pointing to the guests gathered in the banquet hall with an elegant hand gesture. Only the Northern Continent guests looked bewildered, while the Southern Continent VIPs applauded Emperor Adrian. I glared at Emperor Adrian, and then a question occurred to me. Why can’t I hear that silver-haired hairtail’s true feelings today? When he kept making eye contact with me, I thought he was clearly talking to me in his head. It was strange. Could it be that he had another way of conveying his true feelings to me? For example, by using different languages...
“What benefits do the winners get?”
At that moment, Empress Katria of the Delroy Empire raised her hand and asked Emperor Adrian, and he immediately responded.
“I'll get to you right away.”
“Well, it’s a pretty generous benefit for the Empresses.”
Empress Katria nodded as she spoke, but her mocking expression was evident.
“It’s worth risking your life for. The benefit of winning the martial arts competition is that the Empress can have me for a certain period.”
“Ugh.”
I couldn't help but feel nauseous at the sound of his snarling tone.
“Empress, what’s wrong? Are you okay?”
Linel leaned toward me and whispered with a worried look in his eyes.
“It’s okay. I feel a little sick because I put too much butter on my bread earlier.”
I quickly took a sip of champagne with a bitter smile. Then I stared at Emperor Adrian, who continued talking with a smug expression.
“After the two people compete in pairs, the winning Empresses compete again in the final match.”
He proudly explained the rules of the martial arts competition. The new Empresses who entered the palace for a short time participated in the martial arts competition held that year to gain the Emperor's favor, and the existing Empresses participated because their relationship with the Emperor had become distant or because they wanted attention.
However, since it was a competition where one could easily get seriously injured or lose their life, the number of Empresses who applied for the martial arts competition throughout the year was not as many as expected. In conclusion, regardless of the number of Empresses participating in the martial arts competition, it was a competition that ended in bloodshed.
“So, can we begin now?”
Emperor Adrian glanced at me and asked Linel politely.
“Please do so.”
As soon as his permission was given, Emperor Adrian raised his wine glass again toward the two Empresses and raised his voice. From Linel’s perspective, he could not refuse the performance prepared by the Emperor of the Southern Continent Empire, who was a distinguished guest. It would be awkward to refuse Emperor Adrian’s offer, as this was a gathering to promote harmony on the continent after the war.
“My beautiful Empresses! Today, you have a special opportunity to show your love for me to the distinguished guests gathered at the Imperial Palace of the Lapion Empire. The Empress who wins this event will be allowed to spend the night with me throughout the hunting competition!”
At his words, the eyes of the Empresses sparkled with anticipation. It was a situation that I could not understand at all. Selina and Elan, the Empresses who were about to have their first fight, stood facing each other.
“My beloved lady of the Tebello Empire, come to me, shedding the blood of the defeated!”
I wanted to throw wine in Emperor Adrian's face right away. As Emperor Adrian took a sip of wine, the martial arts showdown, which was supposed to be a 'show', began.
The elder Empress Selina, held her twin swords in both hands and made an eerie sound as if she was sharpening them, while the young Empress Elan, also turned her long spear with a sharp sword like a windmill. The two Empresses slowly stepped back as if they had made a promise and gained some distance. They were creating space for each other to rush at each other.
“So, can we begin now?”
Emperor Adrian glanced at me and asked Linel politely.
“Please do so.”
As soon as his permission was given, Emperor Adrian raised his wine glass again toward the two Empresses and raised his voice. From Linel’s perspective, he could not refuse the performance prepared by the Emperor of the Southern Continent Empire, who was a distinguished guest. It would be awkward to refuse Emperor Adrian’s offer, as this was a gathering to promote harmony on the continent after the war.
“My beautiful Empresses! Today, you have a special opportunity to show your love for me to the distinguished guests gathered at the Imperial Palace of the Lapion Empire. The Empress who wins this event will be allowed to spend the night with me throughout the hunting competition!”
At his words, the eyes of the Empresses sparkled with anticipation. It was a situation that I could not understand at all. Selina and Elan, the Empresses who were about to have their first fight, stood facing each other.
“My beloved lady of the Tebello Empire, come to me, shedding the blood of the defeated!”
I wanted to throw wine in Emperor Adrian's face right away. As Emperor Adrian took a sip of wine, the martial arts showdown, which was supposed to be a 'show', began.
The elder Empress Selina, held her twin swords in both hands and made an eerie sound as if she was sharpening them, while the young Empress Elan, also turned her long spear with a sharp sword like a windmill. The two Empresses slowly stepped back as if they had made a promise and gained some distance. They were creating space for each other to rush at each other.
Empress Elan rushed at Empress Selina with a frightening momentum. Empress Selina skillfully blocked Empress Elan’s youthful spirit and took advantage of her opening. She extended her sword, but this time, Empress Elan quickly turned her body to the side to dodge. The two of them searched each other and repeatedly threatened each other by thrusting their weapons into each other’s faces several times. The two of them had similar martial arts skills, but Empress Selina’s experience seemed slightly ahead of Empress Elan’s spirit.
It was none of my business who won, but I hoped they would end it without causing too many injuries to each other. According to Emperor Adrian, if you injure your opponent first and she doesn't kneel, the match will continue.
Clang!
The Empresses began to fight each other, holding their weapons against each other. Empress Selina was clearly inferior in strength. However, she must have developed the ability to deal with crises through the many confrontations she had with the empresses during her long years in the Palace.
“Ahh!”
As expected, my prediction was right. Empress Selina took advantage of the force that was being pushed by Empress Elan. She bent down and pretended to fall, targeting Empress Elan’s lower body to throw off her balance.
“Ouch!”
"Yes!"
“Oh my god!”
The shouts and screams of the guests from each country mixed together and reverberated throughout the banquet hall. This was because Empress Selina, who had succeeded in knocking down Empress Elan, had slashed the right side of Empress Elan’s face with her sword. Red blood flowed from Empress Elan’s face, and in an instant, blood dripped onto the beige marble floor. At first glance, it looked like red roses were blooming here and there.
“Ahh!”
As expected, my prediction was right. Empress Selina took advantage of the force that was being pushed by Empress Elan. She bent down and pretended to fall, targeting Empress Elan’s lower body to throw off her balance.
“Ouch!”
"Yes!"
“Oh my god!”
The shouts and screams of the guests from each country mixed together and reverberated throughout the banquet hall. This was because Empress Selina, who had succeeded in knocking down Empress Elan, had slashed the right side of Empress Elan’s face with her sword. Red blood flowed from Empress Elan’s face, and in an instant, blood dripped onto the beige marble floor. At first glance, it looked like red roses were blooming here and there.
I swallowed my saliva, gripping the armrests of my chair tightly. I wanted to jump in between the Empresses and stop this reckless match. However, it seemed that I was the only one who found this match disgusting. Even the Northern Continent guests who had been bewildered at first soon became absorbed in the match and enjoyed it. In particular, Prince Tesla and Princess Resilia of the Kingdom of Shattonil looked as if they were guests from the Southern Continent. The two siblings enjoyed the match between the Empresses more than anyone else.
Empress Elan’s once-proud expression wavered greatly. Her cheek seemed to have been cut deeper by the sword than I thought. The wound would heal with time, but the scar would be eternal. The bleeding would gradually stop, but the tears she shed from the scar would not stop easily. I unconsciously placed my hand on the burn scar on the right side of my face and looked at Empress Elan. My heart ached because I knew too well how she would feel whenever she looked at her face in the mirror. If Empress Selina won this match, she would take the seat next to Emperor Adrian during the Continental Hunt. However, that would not be permanent but a temporary benefit. In contrast, the scars they would receive would last forever.
As Empress Elan hesitated with a bewildered expression and stood up again, Empress Selina took advantage of the momentum and kicked her in the stomach with all her might. Empress Selina’s shoe marks were clearly visible on Empress Elan’s stomach, which was covered by the see-through, and she fell backward again.
Oh, no! Empress Selina climbed on top of Empress Elan’s fallen body and raised her twin swords high. I quickly looked around at the people gathered in the banquet hall. Everyone was focused on the two Empresses. Linel couldn't take his eyes off them either, holding a glass of wine in his hand. Now. I pretended to stretch my hand and tapped Linel's hand, causing the glass of wine to spill.
“Oh my! I’m sorry, Your Majesty.”
"It's okay."
As he turned his head to the side, the chief steward, Stiane, quickly came over and wiped the wine spilled on his hand with a napkin. After briefly looking away from Linel, I picked up the knife on the table and threw it at Empress Selina’s arm. Linel didn’t see me, but someone else might have. If so, well... I didn’t have time to think about it. If I didn’t step forward, Empress Elan would be irreparably hurt. However, in that brief moment, something amazing happened. As soon as I threw the knife, the large chandelier hanging from the central ceiling of the banquet hall went out with a bang. The bright banquet hall darkened. Who could it be? It couldn’t be a coincidence...
“Oh my! I’m sorry, Your Majesty.”
"It's okay."
As he turned his head to the side, the chief steward, Stiane, quickly came over and wiped the wine spilled on his hand with a napkin. After briefly looking away from Linel, I picked up the knife on the table and threw it at Empress Selina’s arm. Linel didn’t see me, but someone else might have. If so, well... I didn’t have time to think about it. If I didn’t step forward, Empress Elan would be irreparably hurt. However, in that brief moment, something amazing happened. As soon as I threw the knife, the large chandelier hanging from the central ceiling of the banquet hall went out with a bang. The bright banquet hall darkened. Who could it be? It couldn’t be a coincidence...
I had a guess at who it was. I looked up at Commander Macrom standing to my left.
“Didn’t you say it was a sweet job? Who would have thought that on my first day on the job, I’d be made to clean up after such a difficult situation?”
Commander Macrom whispered to me as he sat down, pretending to tie his boot laces.
“Oh, thank you.”
What would have happened if Commander Macrom hadn't been my escort knight today? Looking back on what I did, I feel a bit dizzy.
“Ahh!”
At that moment, a sharp scream rang out from the darkness. Did the knife I threw hit Empress Selina’s hand too hard? No, even if it did, it wouldn’t have caused much damage considering the distance. In addition, there was a time gap between the timing of my throwing the knife and the scream. Suddenly, the lights in the banquet hall went out, and a terrible scream followed. With the sounds of the guests running around, the banquet hall quickly became a scene of chaos.
“Zelda, are you okay?”
Linel took my hand and asked.
“I’m fine. I’m sorry for spilling the wine and bothering you. Are you hurt anywhere?”
“Not at all. Don’t worry about it.”
After about a minute, the small chandeliers hanging on both sides of the banquet hall began to light up one by one. Then came the screams of the VIPs.
“Gyaaaah!”
“Oh my god! What is this while the lights are out?”
“Is the showdown over? Is it over?”
The guests all stood up from their seats and looked toward the center of the banquet hall, each speaking aloud. They couldn't believe what was unfolding before their eyes.
“I won, Your Majesty!”
Empress Elan wiped her bloody face with her sleeve and shouted, looking back and forth between Emperor Adrian, Linel, and me. And Empress Elan mouthed something to me.
“Didn’t you say it was a sweet job? Who would have thought that on my first day on the job, I’d be made to clean up after such a difficult situation?”
Commander Macrom whispered to me as he sat down, pretending to tie his boot laces.
“Oh, thank you.”
What would have happened if Commander Macrom hadn't been my escort knight today? Looking back on what I did, I feel a bit dizzy.
“Ahh!”
At that moment, a sharp scream rang out from the darkness. Did the knife I threw hit Empress Selina’s hand too hard? No, even if it did, it wouldn’t have caused much damage considering the distance. In addition, there was a time gap between the timing of my throwing the knife and the scream. Suddenly, the lights in the banquet hall went out, and a terrible scream followed. With the sounds of the guests running around, the banquet hall quickly became a scene of chaos.
“Zelda, are you okay?”
Linel took my hand and asked.
“I’m fine. I’m sorry for spilling the wine and bothering you. Are you hurt anywhere?”
“Not at all. Don’t worry about it.”
After about a minute, the small chandeliers hanging on both sides of the banquet hall began to light up one by one. Then came the screams of the VIPs.
“Gyaaaah!”
“Oh my god! What is this while the lights are out?”
“Is the showdown over? Is it over?”
The guests all stood up from their seats and looked toward the center of the banquet hall, each speaking aloud. They couldn't believe what was unfolding before their eyes.
“I won, Your Majesty!”
Empress Elan wiped her bloody face with her sleeve and shouted, looking back and forth between Emperor Adrian, Linel, and me. And Empress Elan mouthed something to me.
Deuk, Boon, Eh.
I could read her mouth. She seemed to think that I had helped her in a moment of crisis. I threw a knife at Empress Selina’s arm to buy time, and when Commander Macrom turned off the chandelier, Empress Elan did not miss the opportunity and turned the crisis into an opportunity. I looked down at Empress Selina, who had fallen to the floor. She was already out of breath. I stood up from my chair without realizing it. Then, I quickly scanned the marble in the center of the banquet hall with my eyes. It was gone... I couldn’t see the knife I had thrown. It must have fallen around Empress Selina, but no matter how much I looked around, there was no knife.
I squinted my eyes and continued to look around, and I saw Empress Elan’s hand going to her trouser pocket. The tip of the silver knife handle was slightly protruding from her trouser pocket. Was she hiding the knife in her pocket because he was afraid I might get in trouble? Or was he hiding the fact that she had received help?
My head hurt from the absurd situation that had unfolded in an instant. In an instant, one person lived and another died because of me. If it weren’t for me, one of them would have died. No, even if they were injured, they wouldn’t have died?
My heart was troubled by the unexpected situation. My heart started beating unsteadily. I stood there, staring blankly at the two Empresses whose joys and sorrows were mixed.
“Empress, sit down.”
At that moment, Linel's voice, which had become cold for some reason, pulled me back to the chair. After sitting down, I cautiously looked at his side profile. Linel stared straight ahead with an expressionless face. He was quietly watching the dead Empress Selina being carried out of the banquet hall by the Tebello Imperial Court's attendants.
"Your Majesty..."
When I called out to him cautiously, he cut me off.
“We'll do it later.”
"... Yes?"
“You must have something to say to me.”
“Empress, sit down.”
At that moment, Linel's voice, which had become cold for some reason, pulled me back to the chair. After sitting down, I cautiously looked at his side profile. Linel stared straight ahead with an expressionless face. He was quietly watching the dead Empress Selina being carried out of the banquet hall by the Tebello Imperial Court's attendants.
"Your Majesty..."
When I called out to him cautiously, he cut me off.
“We'll do it later.”
"... Yes?"
“You must have something to say to me.”
“Ah, that’s...”
“Let’s talk later tonight.”
I just nodded at his firm voice.
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
I couldn’t say anything more to him, so I turned my head and stared at the center of the banquet hall. The Tebello Empire’s servants were quickly wiping away the blood and sweat that had fallen on the marble floor. In the blink of an eye, the Empress’s fierce traces on the marble floor were completely gone. The heads of the guests from each country must have been completely emptied, as the expressions of shock from earlier disappeared, and they picked up their wine glasses again and clinked them against each other’s glasses, waiting for the next showdown.
“Let’s talk later tonight.”
I just nodded at his firm voice.
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
I couldn’t say anything more to him, so I turned my head and stared at the center of the banquet hall. The Tebello Empire’s servants were quickly wiping away the blood and sweat that had fallen on the marble floor. In the blink of an eye, the Empress’s fierce traces on the marble floor were completely gone. The heads of the guests from each country must have been completely emptied, as the expressions of shock from earlier disappeared, and they picked up their wine glasses again and clinked them against each other’s glasses, waiting for the next showdown.
I looked at Emperor Adrian, curious about his expression. Selina was just one of the many Empresses who had disappeared before his eyes, and his expression was neither more nor less than that. Emperor Adrian smiled and got up from his chair.
“Can we proceed with the next match?”
All the guests applauded in response. The applause stopped when Linel raised one hand and frowned slightly.
“One of your empresses has died. Not from injury, but from loss of life. Spread the blood of the remaining Empresses in the Tebello Imperial Palace. I think the other guests will have seen how brave the women of Tebello are.”
Linel looked at the guests sitting at both tables and spoke to Emperor Adrian. The guests from the Northern Continent nodded in agreement with his words, but the guests from the Southern Continent looked somewhat disappointed. However, since it was the decision of the Emperor of the Lapion Empire, they reluctantly followed his words.
“However, we have to see the match through to the end...”
Only Emperor Adrian insisted on continuing the fight. I looked at Emperor Adrian with contempt. Then, he took advantage of Linel's momentary gaze to secretly wink at me.
'Ha, I should have thrown the knife at his face!'
As I picked up another knife from the table, Linel grabbed my hand.
“Can we proceed with the next match?”
All the guests applauded in response. The applause stopped when Linel raised one hand and frowned slightly.
“One of your empresses has died. Not from injury, but from loss of life. Spread the blood of the remaining Empresses in the Tebello Imperial Palace. I think the other guests will have seen how brave the women of Tebello are.”
Linel looked at the guests sitting at both tables and spoke to Emperor Adrian. The guests from the Northern Continent nodded in agreement with his words, but the guests from the Southern Continent looked somewhat disappointed. However, since it was the decision of the Emperor of the Lapion Empire, they reluctantly followed his words.
“However, we have to see the match through to the end...”
Only Emperor Adrian insisted on continuing the fight. I looked at Emperor Adrian with contempt. Then, he took advantage of Linel's momentary gaze to secretly wink at me.
'Ha, I should have thrown the knife at his face!'
As I picked up another knife from the table, Linel grabbed my hand.
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