Chapter 366

Words : 2238 Updated : Oct 9th, 2025

The one at the front was a beautiful woman who caught everyone’s eye. She had silver hair with a bluish tint flowing down to her waist. Her haughty steps and dignified attitude created a beautiful harmony with her blue dress. Not minding the reactions around her, she walked looking only straight ahead, reminiscent of a noble swan. Aides followed on either side of such a woman, and knights followed behind to guard her. “Wow. She must be royalty. Look, there are knights too.” “......” Arpa said in an innocent voice. Having knights as escorts in a place where magicians gather was usually impossible unless one was royalty. It was no wonder the guests were surprised. Instead of responding to Arpa’s words, Rudger naturally stood up from his seat. “......Arpa. Get up. We need to leave here as naturally as possible.” “What?” Although puzzled by Rudger’s sudden action, Arpa didn’t refuse the order. Just then, the lobby staff returned with the key. Taking the key, Rudger quickly left the place with Arpa to avoid being noticed by those people as much as possible. “Leader. Why are you suddenly in such a hurry?” “Do you know who those people who just entered the lobby are?” “Hmm. Let me think.” Arpa recalled the scene he had just witnessed. Ordinary people would only hazily remember parts of a scene from just seconds ago but for Arpa, that scene was as vivid as a freshly taken photograph. “Ah. I saw a face from the newspaper. Was that woman at the front the queen?” “Yekaterina Volsbaya.” “Yes. That was the name!” Arpa clapped her hands once as if recognizing the name. “She’s famous! Because she’s the Queen of Yuta!” The Queen of Yuta. That reminded Arpa of something. “She’s not just any queen but the key figure who led the civil war in Northern Yuta Kingdom to victory. Once a princess, but a savior who drove out the tyrannical Prince Alexei. To her people, she’s known as the Torch Queen, or Tsaritsa.” Arpa was amazed at the information flowing smoothly from Rudger’s mouth. “Wow. How do you know all that, Leader?” “How do you think I would know?” “Ah. Come to think of it, you said you were involved in civil wars as a mercenary before coming to the Empire.” “I wasn’t involved. I was swept up in it.” “Hmm. I know from what I’ve heard that Leader was one of the key figures who led the civil war to victory, but I still don’t understand why we’re trying to leave.” Rudger didn’t rebuke Arpa for asking such an obvious question. Instead, he just explained the reason. “I pretended to be dead to escape from the Yuta Kingdom. They firmly believe I’m dead. What do you think would happen if they found out I’m alive?” “Hmm......” Arpa, lacking in common sense, couldn’t easily come up with an answer. After pondering for a while, Arpa answered. “They would be angry?” “......After sufficient deliberation, you’ve come up with an excellent answer. Yes, they would be angry. And?” “And......they would be extremely angry?” “Is there nothing else besides being angry?” “Umm. I’m not sure. They would be angry, but wouldn’t they be happier to see you? After all, Leader was practically one of the key figures who led the civil war to victory.” “That’s true. But I had things I needed to do, and I had to leave the Yuta Kingdom. Conversely, those people didn’t want to let me go.” “Why?” “Because I was one of the key figures in the victory. The difference between having and not having even one such person in a country is significant. Especially in a country deeply scarred by civil war.” “Ah. I see.” Arpa simply nodded, not having known about these aspects. “I couldn’t just tell them I was leaving either. So I pretended to be dead. That was the cleanest way for both sides to part ways.” “Then wouldn’t it be fine to meet them now? After all, Leader, you’re disguised and hiding your identity.” “That was true then. But Arpa, you never know about life. Just as we unexpectedly encountered past connections here, there could be cases where identity is accidentally revealed. If that happens, nothing good will come of it.” “Hmm. This is complicated.” “Arpa. As you meet more people and gain more experience, you’ll come to understand one day. People inevitably have different opinions and differences.” “Still, even if there are differences of opinion, I think it would be good to work them out through dialogue.” Rudger’s eyes widened at Arpa’s words. What Arpa was saying was idealistic talk that could only be said because of pure innocence. Resolving differences of opinion through dialogue. If it were that easy, humanity wouldn’t still be fighting with weapons until now. Workers and factory owners, nobles and commoners, the wealthy and the poor. The classes were firm, and they didn’t try to understand each other but ironically, such words came from Arpa’s mouth, an automaton created as a tool for war. Was that the automaton’s opinion? Or was it the opinion of that child’s soul residing in that body? “......Yes. It would be nice if someday we could completely understand each other.” However, Rudger continued. “My reason for avoiding Queen Yekaterina is not just because of the current situation, but there’s another reason.” “What is it?” “She has a strange personality.” “Personality?” “And it’s not just slightly strange. Being around her is very tiring.” Just remembering that time made Rudger’s head hurt. * * * Entering the VIP room on the top floor of the Landriver Hotel, Yekaterina stood by the window gazing at the scenery beyond. Through the transparent glass, the city’s panorama could be seen at a glance. Yekaterina observing the city was itself like a painting. Firmly closed lips and inscrutable eyes. Standing still with that appearance, one understands why she’s called the ‘Frost Queen’. Cold, noble, and beautiful. The nickname for her was full of pure reverence. Eventually, Yekaterina’s lips parted, and her clear voice flowed out. “Ohohohoho─!!!” With the back of her right hand against her mouth and her left hand placed on her hip, she let out a forceful laugh. Her laughter displayed a different dimension of frivolity, making one wonder if it really belonged to someone who appeared so stern and bore the nickname Frost Queen. “Did everyone hear that? Those words of praise from the people! Just hearing them makes me feel so good!” Yekaterina couldn’t contain her laughter as she recalled the attention people had shown her since entering the hotel lobby. Both of Yekaterina’s aides spoke simultaneously. “Your Majesty. Please close your mouth. I’m worried someone might see.” “Your Majesty. Today too, your laughter is truly beautiful and elegant. It suits you perfectly.” After speaking simultaneously, the two aides glared at each other. The one criticizing Yekaterina was the male, Vatali. The one praising Yekaterina was the female, Varenchina. Surprisingly, the aides resembled each other. Indeed, the two were twin siblings. “Varenchina. What nonsense are you speaking? Even if she is the queen, she must maintain dignity. Isn’t it because you act like that that Her Majesty behaves this way?” “Vatali. What nonsense are you speaking? Her Majesty is someone who serves as everyone’s role model just by being herself. She is someone who can convert all people with her genuine self.” The twins didn’t just fight with words. While conversing, they struck at each other and defended while launching counterattacks. -Pa-ba-ba-bat! Though they seemed like simple hand movements, when performed with knight-level physical specs, they become deadly strikes. In the end, Vatali was the first to give up. “Huu. If rumors spread that this is Her Majesty’s true self, it would be a national disgrace.” “Hiding that is our duty. Though personally, I wish everyone could see this side of Her Majesty.” “Could you not say such nightmare-inducing things?” Though Vatali said this, his loyalty to Yekaterina was second to none. “Come now! Both of you should get some rest!” Yekaterina, seemingly unaware of her aides’ troubles, laughed “ohoho” while encouraging them to rest. “We’re fine. Your Majesty should rest.” “I’ve been more comfortable than anyone else getting here, what more rest do I need? Come now, don’t be like that and get some rest! This is an order.” At Yekaterina’s firm words declaring it an order, the twins Vatali and Varenchina had no choice but to sit on the sofa. “Since it’s a rare trip, let’s put aside tedious official duties and relieve our fatigue.” At Yekaterina’s casual words, Vatali immediately spoke up. “Your Majesty. I apologize, but we’re not here for leisure. Aren’t we here to attend the ‘Night of Mystery’ and build good relationships by forming connections with magicians?” “Of course, making magician friends is necessary. But the Night of Mystery is tomorrow, isn’t it? So there’s no need to worry about such things today.” “In other words, many famous people are gathered in this hotel right now. They desperately wish to meet Your Majesty, so wouldn’t now be the perfect opportunity?” “Hmm. Though I don’t want to agree with this detestable brother’s words, I extremely agree on this point.” When even Varenchina joined in, Yekaterina pouted. “What is this, really?” “I understand Your Majesty’s feelings, but your position has changed. You are no longer a princess but a queen who must lead a country. Naturally, you need to do things befitting that position, even if they’re things you don’t want to do.” “Like what that man used to say?” “......” Vatali fell silent at the mention of ‘that man’. There was no way he couldn’t know who Yekaterina was referring to. After all, that man was a comrade who had fought together with them, risking their lives in the civil war but was also someone they could no longer meet, therefore, someone who remained in memory more than anyone else. “Yes. Then the conversation becomes easier. He said similar things too.” “A ruler need not possess various virtues, but must pretend to possess them. Pretending to have them is far more beneficial than actually having them.” When Machiavelli’s words flowed smoothly from Yekaterina’s mouth, Vatali nodded. “You remember.” “I remember everything he said to me like nagging.” “Everything?” “How could I forget? Though he was just a mercenary, he was someone who devoted himself to our kingdom.” Slight worry clouded Yekaterina’s face as she recalled Machiavelli but she quickly shook off that weakness and stood up. “Alright! Then shall we go meet new friends right away!” “Your Majesty. While your enthusiasm is good, we’re not making friends. It’s just business meetings at a national level.” “You stupid brother. What matters is that Her Majesty is doing it, is that the issue right now? Your Majesty! I’ll accompany you too!” As they say strike while the iron is hot, Yekaterina led her two guards out of the VIP room. The guard knight waiting in the corridor tried to follow, but Varenchina lightly stopped them. Inside the hotel where only identity-verified people could stay, there wouldn’t be any concerning problems. “Your Majesty. Shall we go down to the first floor first?” “Huh? Why go to the first floor?” “Well, to meet people, we should go where many are gathered.” “But there are people nearby too, aren’t there?” Yekaterina spoke casually and knocked on the door of another VIP room on the same floor. The action was so beyond common sense that the twins had no time to stop her. “Who is it?” The door opened slightly and a boy showed his face. Seeing the boy with somewhat striking features, Yekaterina smiled brightly and greeted him. “Nice to meet you. I’m Yekaterina Volsbaya.” “Hello. I’m Arpa.” Arpa answered with an innocent smile. “By the way, what brings you here?” “Ah, is there no companion or anyone else? I’d like to talk with them.” “Ah, there is. Um, but......” Arpa belatedly recalled what Rudger had said and trailed off. As Yekaterina was wondering about Arpa’s strange hesitation, a new person suddenly appeared through the half-open door gap. “Sorry, but we’re not accepting outside visitors.” “Eh? W-wait a moment!” The black-haired young man who appeared briefly closed the door with a thud as if not wanting to hear anymore. Yekaterina could only stand still as if rooted to the spot. “Your Majesty! Are you alright?!” “My goodness. You must be so shocked! Your Majesty, don’t mind it. Magicians tend to build walls with society, so they might not recognize you.” As the aide twins didn’t know what to do, Yekaterina brought her hand to her mouth and let out an exclamation. “Oh my, oh my. That person......” “Your Majesty. Could it be someone you know? If so......” “How can there be such a handsome person!” “......” “......” At Yekaterina’s unexpected words, the two aides’ faces became dumbfounded.

Chapter 366

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