Chapter 36: The War Goddess’s Gaze

Well, the War Goddess Queen had fixed her gaze upon me.

What was I to do?

I was so terrified I couldn’t even speak. What else could I do but wait for death?

Still, it hardly mattered. No one knew the true origins of this body, this novice adventurer named Mori.

Even if Her Majesty Angela deemed me disrespectful, or suspected me of being a suspicious or hostile individual and demanded to take me back for interrogation, I could still flee instantly.

I was not the same as before; I was no longer that useless person, and I was confident in my ability to escape.

If I did flee, the remaining three individuals would be left for Angela to protect. Though she was terrifying, she remained a queen who cherished her people and would not abandon them.

However, regardless of her benevolence or harshness towards her subjects, her attitude towards me always remained deplorable.

While I knew I owed her, it was impossible to claim I harbored no resentment, especially now that I possessed strength.

Thus, alongside my fear, a flicker of anger burned within me, though it had not yet surpassed the dread.

“Armor Sir!”

Helene tapped my armor again, but I remained unresponsive.

I had already told myself I was utterly terrified. How could I possibly bow?

“Upon seeing the Queen and Princess, do you not kneel?”

Presumably, Her Majesty Angela had grown impatient, for she took a step forward and challenged me.

Yet, I still offered no reply. Meeting her gaze made me uncomfortable, so I shifted my eyes to Princess Vinya, my sister, who stood beside her.

Though she was my sister, I wondered if I still had the right to be acknowledged as her elder brother.

She glanced at Her Majesty Angela, parting her lips as if to speak, but ultimately swallowed her words. She pressed her lips together, her gaze firm, and watched me, holding her helmet in one hand.

“Will you not speak?” Her Majesty Angela’s tone suddenly deepened, laced with a chilling killing intent. “This is grave disrespect. Are you unaware of the consequences?”

Finally, she resorted to intimidation. Though she did not shout, the deterrent force in each deliberate word was no laughing matter.

And I, cowed by this imposing aura, ultimately…

Slam!

I caught an axe, right beside Queen Angela’s head.

It seemed the humanoid wolf-kin had neither retreated nor been completely annihilated, otherwise an axe would not have been hurled from the periphery, aimed directly at Her Majesty Angela’s head. Moments ago, it had been targeting me.

They must have sensed her greater threat, thus switching targets. Indeed, her aura was unparalleled; even an unknown warrior like myself would concede defeat—purely in terms of presence.

It was fortunate I still had the presence of mind to observe my surroundings. With this, I now possessed a rather unwieldy weapon, right before the Queen.

“…”

“Ohh, ohh, ohh…”

The three kneeling figures stared in astonishment. Zale’s wide-eyed, open-mouthed expression was quite comical, but I maintained a stoic face as I met Her Majesty Angela’s gaze.

Swish…

The next second, I raised the axe, aiming it at Her Majesty Angela.

“Hey! What are you…”

“Your Majesty! Danger!”

Vinya and Karen both attempted to stop me, but it was too late. I had already swung the axe with force.

“Aow…”

A low growl echoed, and a humanoid wolf-kin in the mist collapsed… or so it seemed.

I hurled the axe forcefully at Her Majesty Angela. It grazed past her hair, creating a slight breeze, and flew behind her, successfully striking its target.

That ‘swish’ sound earlier allowed me to pinpoint its location, prompting my throw. Fortunately, despite the intensely oppressive atmosphere, I could still accurately determine the enemy’s position.

My reason had not yet been overwhelmed by fear and anger, which brought me some relief.

“Eh?”

“Are there more…?”

Vinya also turned to look, realizing they were not yet out of combat. She gripped her longsword once more, and the three kneeling individuals prepared for battle, though they had not yet risen.

As for Her Majesty Angela, she continued to stare at me, her expression utterly unchanged.

“It seems, in your heart, there is no place for this Queen.”

“Your Majesty! Now is not the time…”

Vinya tried to interject, but Angela raised a hand to stop her, her gaze still fixed on me.

“…”

“…”

In the mist, the Queen and this unknown adventurer faced each other. The atmosphere had reached a critical point; everyone nearby dared not make a move, as if bound by invisible shackles, their movements and consciousness constrained.

What was I to do now? By all accounts, this was my fault. Punishment was inevitable. To preserve my life, the best course of action would be to confess obediently. Perhaps kneeling and begging for mercy in time might save my life.

So, then…

“Do not do anything superfluous during battle.”

I directly threw those words at Angela.

Confessing was impossible; I would never confess in this life. This was a battlefield, a human battlefield against monsters, not a place to display one’s authority.

As a War Goddess, the Queen should understand this. Moreover, with a princess and four subjects under her watchful eyes, I, as a commoner, could never stand on the same ground as her.

“Hey! You idiot! What in the…”

“Is this your attitude towards this Queen?”

Zale did not finish his sentence. The Queen’s brow furrowed, and anger finally erupted from her eyes.

“It is an attitude towards the battlefield.”

However, I did not retreat. My fear had not vanished, but anger gradually enveloped it, as if years of pent-up negative emotions were about to explode in an instant.

The Queen I feared was the radiant rose of the battlefield, not an overlord flaunting her power before adventurers. Therefore, I could not condone her current demeanor.

Well, that was my stance. She could kill me or execute me as she pleased. At worst, I would fight her.

She was merely a Queen, merely the ‘Rose of Holy War.’ In terms of combat alone, I was no longer afraid, and surrender was out of the question.

If she took me away, I didn’t know if I’d ever return, and there was a little darling waiting for me at home.

“…Very well.”

“?”

To my surprise, Angela’s eyes returned to their calm state, her anger suddenly dissipating… This left me utterly bewildered.

“This is the mark of a qualified adventurer, a true warrior. Your courage and resolve are commendable.”

“???”

She had suddenly acknowledged my attitude. The three kneeling figures were dumbfounded, looking back and forth between Angela and me.

“…Hmph.”

I merely grunted indifferently, then turned my head to look at the mist on the periphery.

It felt as if a heavy stone pressing on my heart had finally lifted. It seemed she was still the ‘Rose of Holy War’; she had merely been testing my stance and attitude.

But for what purpose?

“Rise.” Vinya also relaxed, a gentle smile gracing her face as she went to help Helene up.

“Thank you, Princess…”

“No, here, we are merely adventurers. There is no need for formalities.”

“Yes… Thank you very much…”

The three had not yet adjusted, staring blankly at the Queen and Princess.

Angela was still Angela, I mused inwardly. It was precisely this ‘no distinction of nobility on the battlefield’ attitude that earned her the soldiers’ adoration, not just her raw strength and authority.

Vinya, too, in her armor, must have been out training with Angela. Could it be that after I left, she had resolutely decided to train with Angela? Who would handle future state affairs, then?

Never mind. This was not something for ‘an ordinary father’ like me to concern himself with. Zero was now nowhere to be found, Ken was home with his child, and this Mori was just a novice adventurer. Royal politics had nothing to do with these three ‘me’s.

Except…

“Is something wrong?”

“…!”

After relaxing, I inadvertently looked at Vinya, and she noticed me.

Even if it had nothing to do with me, this girl who once called me ‘brother’—after reuniting, I still couldn’t ignore her.

She used to have long hair then; now it was short. However, that hint of crimson, and that smile, remained just as captivating.

My sister, who once chased after me, had, after all these years, become a cheerful and approachable princess, and indeed, a beautiful woman. Truly, time flies. But now was not the time for sentimentality; there were still things awaiting me.

“Ah, Armor Sir…”

I turned and walked away. Helene reached out and grabbed my wrist, but I did not stop or respond. I gently pulled my hand free and continued forward.

“He… he’s not speaking again…”

“He’s just a bit tall, what’s there to be arrogant about? To be so rude to Her Majesty the Queen and Her Royal Highness the Princess…”

“Silence!”

“Ouch!”

“…Wait!”

Suddenly, Angela called out to me, and then I heard footsteps approaching. I stopped and turned to see Angela looking at me with a serious expression. Her usual imposing aura had diminished. It seemed… she might have a request? Surely not?

After a few seconds of silent eye contact, Angela spoke:

“I have a task. Might you be willing to accept it?”

“?”

It truly was… a request.

What kind of wind was blowing today?