Chapter 12

Firex, as if genuinely anxious for the kingdom, dramatically flung his arm and retorted at Eclight.

“Only she, the Demon Clan Princess, must not be killed? That’s ignorance! Compared to some commander or captain of the guard, killing the Demon Clan Princess would intimidate the Demon Clan even more! Our human army’s morale has long been in decline—it’s precisely something like this that could uplift the people! I implore His Majesty to discern clearly.”

“It seems the esteemed Prime Minister from the Theocracy… cares little for court etiquette… how very unrestrained.”

“You…!”

Firex’s accusatory words were only halfway out of his mouth when he abruptly fell silent.

The reason… was none other than the warning glare Eclight shot him from the corner of his eyes.

Being stared down by the strongest warrior of the kingdom… even if one held power, one still had to value their life.

What was even more terrifying was the silent Hero standing behind Eclight…

She had actually made a move to grip her sword!

Beneath her golden cropped hair, her gaze was as cold and sharp as a blade… Firex felt that if he said another word, he might truly be sliced apart by a flash of steel!

Damn it… damn it all… who was really the one ignoring court etiquette here?

You despicable outsiders!

Under normal circumstances, Eclight was not someone who liked to suppress others with brute force.

He lowered his palm to signal Xiarette not to draw her sword, then looked at the already somewhat flustered Prime Minister.

“It seems our dear Prime Minister has misunderstood something. Perhaps he’s grown too accustomed to a life of luxury in the Theocracy of Coreia? It’s fine if you don’t understand—I can explain it to you. What I said earlier was not cowardice, but a statement made as a general of the kingdom, out of responsibility to our people.”

“Ha… all high-sounding words, but in the end, aren’t you just afraid of the Demon Clan? Head of the Wright Family, don’t forget, we are the victors of this war! What you’re saying now is nothing but demoralizing!”

“This battle we won, indeed. But seeing how stirred up you are, are you suggesting this victory was achieved by you, dear Prime Minister?”

“You…! I was stationed in the Royal Capital—how could I have possibly fought at the front lines?”

Firex’s anxious attempt to explain provoked a chorus of laughter from the nobles below, leaving him even more flushed with embarrassment.

“Then you have no right to such confidence.”

Eclight let out a long sigh.

Though reluctant, he openly acknowledged the fact.

“Our war with the Demon Clan… has seen more defeats than victories. This time’s results were exceptional—all thanks to the valor of our frontline soldiers. And it was only because my daughter, Xiarette, captured the enemy commander that we have this momentary peace. Otherwise, do you think we’d be gathered here exchanging lofty words?”

“…Times have changed,” Firex continued to defend his stance, “As I just said, we had never before recorded a victory over a six-winged Demon. Now that the Hero has accomplished this, doesn’t it mean the tides have turned? Striking now to execute the Demon Clan Princess would be the best way to weaken their forces!”

“Then do you know the Demon Clan still has four other six-winged individuals?”

“Haha…! Does the Head of the Wright Family not know? With the checks from the Dark Dragon Clan and high-tier races, the Demon Clan wouldn’t dare send any more six-wings into battle!”

“If you truly believe that even if we kill the Demon King’s daughter… the Demon Clan wouldn’t dare tear up the treaty, then I advise you to resign from your position as Prime Minister.”

Before Firex could respond, Eclight had already turned away, now facing the court ministers.

His turn was graceful and firm, natural and resolute—completely unlike Firex’s theatricality.

A deep, magnetic voice suddenly rang out, flowing smoothly as he shared his many insights.

“Just as I stated earlier, the Demon Clan Princess must not be killed. To fear only her strength while ignoring her influence within the Demon Domain would be true ignorance.”

“If we were to execute Sheffy Harl, then because of her prestige among the Demon Clan, what we would provoke is not fear, but a desperate retaliation born of fury. Not just from the other six-winged demons, but from the entire Demon Clan.”

“At that time, regardless of how much foundation the kingdom possesses, or how much aid the Theocracy provides, it might not be enough to withstand the Demon Clan’s all-out vengeance. Don’t forget—even if the Demon Clan Princess is gone, the Demon King still remains. Their combat power is far from exhausted.”

“Then what if we imprison and restrain Sheffy Harl?”

“The Demon Clan, worried we might execute her, would become hesitant and cautious, unable to act recklessly.”

“Gentlemen, tell me—what is it you truly seek? Peace, or the fleeting satisfaction of slaughter and vengeance?”

This time, the silence among the audience was of a different nature.

Following that silence came a wave of uninterrupted applause.

Not merely because the king had risen from his throne to clap first—

But because, from the bottom of their hearts, they admired this hero who had always protected the kingdom!

The members of the Wright Family shared this sentiment.

Seeing that the situation was turning against him… Firex’s eyes flicked, his lips curled—he abruptly changed his stance.

“Yes… yes indeed! Only after hearing the Head of the Wright Family’s opinion did I realize how narrow and superficial my thinking was!”

“Lord Firex,” King Celt was already showing signs of impatience, “If there’s nothing else, step down. Since the matter of not executing her is decided, there’s no need to further discuss it.”

“…Understood, understood.”

Whatever displeasure and contempt he felt for the king, Firex kept it well hidden in his eyes.

From beginning to end, the king knew very well—Firex’s opinion did not represent his own, but rather that of the Theocracy of Coreia behind him.

The Theocracy couldn’t stand seeing the kingdom in peace. They still wanted to push the kingdom into a deadly clash with the Demon Domain to reap profits from the chaos.

Petty-minded schemers… truly petty-minded…

Given that, King Celt also made his own stance clear.

“Lord Firex, wait a moment.”

“Has Your Majesty changed your mind?!”

“No. I already said this matter is settled.” The king waved his right hand, signaling a maid to retrieve something from the palace storeroom, while continuing to speak to Firex. “The rare delicacies and ingredients you delivered this morning on behalf of the Pope of Coreia, offered to the Queen and me from all around the world—please take them back.”

“But Your Majesty… those were heartfelt gifts from His Holiness, collected from various countries around the world… how could they be taken back…!”

“The Pope must think our kingdom can’t even afford a proper meal. That’s probably why he sent food to me and the Queen during these war-torn times. Hah! I’ll accept this ‘kindness’ in spirit alone! Enough—our kingdom will now focus on recuperation and nurturing. The Pope need not concern himself any further. These goods will soon be worthless anyway. Just take them all back!”

“…”

Below, Xiarette stood blankly—until the words “rare delicacies and ingredients” suddenly caught her ear.

Specialties gathered from across the world… gourmet dishes?

Sheffy… Big Sis found something delicious for you!!

By the time she came back to her senses, the Hero had already stepped out of the formation.

“Your Majesty, please wait a moment. Regarding the destination of those ingredients, I believe there’s no need to return them.”

12. The Lake and the Fish

On the way back to their estate from the royal palace, Xiarette was in high spirits.

Hehehe… just look at this pile of wooden crates taking up half the carriage~ It truly felt like a bountiful harvest!

That’s right—the boxes taking up more than half of the spacious carriage were all stuffed to the brim with rare ingredients from various countries and races. It was said even the extraordinarily flavorful cabbage mushrooms, which were found only in the forests of the Elf Tribe, were among them. A delicacy so rare that even wealthy merchants couldn’t buy it no matter how much they offered.

Now, Sheffy would definitely be able to enjoy a feast!

Just imagining her beloved Sheffy sitting at the dining table, happily savoring delicious food with that adorable expression, made Xiarette start humming a cheerful tune. Her brilliant golden hair swayed side to side along with her graceful figure, matching the rhythm perfectly.

Night had already fallen.

The two horses pulling the carriage, upon hearing their master’s singing, neighed excitedly and sped toward the sunset—they too seemed eager to return to the villa and enjoy the lakeside grass.

Xiarette gently patted the wooden crate beside her, reminiscing about how she had just convinced the king in the castle’s council chamber to let her keep the ingredients.

Back then, after stepping forward, she explained her view to the king.

The Theocracy had already given the ingredients—taking them back wouldn’t truly assert the kingdom’s dignity.

But since they had been gifted, they now belonged to the kingdom. And in that case, how to deal with them should be up to them.

“In that case—why not distribute the ingredients to the meritorious officials?”

Since those ingredients had originally been gifts from the Theocracy to the King and Queen…

Then, if the King received them and immediately handed them out to his vassals, wouldn’t that, in a way, show that the Kingdom didn’t think much of such a level of gift?

Thus, food that was initially meant to mock the Kingdom’s lack of resources would instead become a mockery of the Theocracy itself.

Of course, Xiarette didn’t say it so bluntly, but that was the essence of her message.

The King was delighted upon hearing it!

He immediately ordered the maids to distribute the food that had been carried out from the storeroom to all the dukes and ministers. Naturally, as the one who suggested the idea and the Kingdom’s greatest hero, Xiarette received the largest share.

And as for Prime Minister Firex—ah, back then his face turned completely green with rage!

He could only watch helplessly as the ingredients he had brought on behalf of the Pope to flaunt the Theocracy’s prestige were divided up. How could he not be furious?

But being angry was useless. When the council adjourned, all he could do was grumble and slink off in embarrassment, even tripping on his way out of the hall and falling face-first like a dog eating dirt.

Only the King and Queen were truly pitiful in the end.

It wasn’t until the Queen reminded him that the gleeful King looked over at the now-empty storeroom and his face darkened.

It was then that he realized… he hadn’t kept a single box for himself. All the ingredients had been carried off by the ministers!

But there was nothing to be done—he’d been so carried away in venting his frustration during the council that he hadn’t considered the consequences.

Regret was too late, for Xiarette had already taken the majority of the ingredients and was on her way home!

Hmph, Sheffy, didn’t I tell you I’m not as foolish as you think? I can be flexible and adaptive too!

Bathed in moonlight and starlight, Xiarette pulled back the curtain and looked out into the distance—where the outline of their estate was beginning to take shape on the horizon.

—Almost home.

Sheffy must have felt lonely spending the whole afternoon alone at home.

Big Sis is coming now to make you something delicious.

But when the carriage turned off the path leading to the estate and came to a stop beside the lakeshore in front of the villa—

Xiarette leapt down from the carriage and looked around…

The Kingdom’s Hero was dumbfounded.

The horses, eager to graze, were dumbfounded.

The scene before them was truly shocking.

That wide, expansive lake in front of the villa… where had all the water gone?

And those water plants that had still been thriving this morning… why were they all wilted now?

Xiarette wanted to ask: Where’s my lake?

The horses wanted to ask: Where’s our grass?

In her astonishment, Xiarette heard a series of light, rapid footsteps approaching, accompanied by a cheerful, melodious voice.

“Yo-ho!! Xia, you’re home!”

“Sheffy…”

“Hm?”

“What exactly have you been doing at home?!”

…

Poor Sheffy’s head once again received a soft karate chop.

Now, she sat by the dried lake, kneeling with a wronged expression and sincerely repenting.

Xiarette’s cheeks puffed up in frustration as she listened to Sheffy’s explanation.

The horses that had sprinted back were tugging at their reins, seemingly ready to charge at Sheffy in a wild rush of vengeance on behalf of the grass—if only they were free.

“Explain yourself, Sheffy. I’m really struggling to understand how a little bit of ‘playing around’ could make such a big lake vanish?”

“But I really was just fishing…”

“You sure you were fishing and not fishing the lake itself?”

“I said I wasn’t…” Sheffy’s small hands fidgeted with each other in front of her, her voice a little guilty. “At first I really was just fishing quietly… but then something unexpected happened.”

“Unexpected…?” Xiarette’s face suddenly turned serious. “Could it be someone attacked you? Was it self-defense? In that case, we can’t stay here!”

“No… the ‘unexpected’ part was… the fish wouldn’t bite.”

“Ha…?”

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