Chapter 45: The King’s Inquiry and a Shattered Stone

“Well…”

The black-haired girl hadn’t quite anticipated the question, but upon reflection, it struck her as entirely logical.

After all, an eighteen-year-old girl had effortlessly defeated a Calamity-level magic beast, one that even Teacher Yuna might struggle against. Such a remarkable feat, reaching the king’s ears, would undoubtedly spark immense curiosity. No wonder, then, that she had been summoned.

Allyrose saw no need for false modesty. She nodded decisively, then declared with an air of confidence:

“Yes, that’s right. We encountered a bit of danger during our practical combat class, so I simply took action and dealt with that Cyclops.”

“Good heavens! That was a Calamity-level magic beast!”

King Leo exclaimed excitedly, then slammed his hand on the table. He looked at Allyrose with eager anticipation and asked,

“Allyrose, how did a young girl like you manage such a feat? Could it be… some kind of wondrous treasure?”

‘Cough, cough… Oh, this…’

Allyrose instinctively wiped a bead of sweat from her forehead. How had he guessed so quickly?

‘Well, it makes sense, I suppose. I wasn’t nearly this powerful before. Such a monumental leap in strength would naturally raise suspicions.’

‘Hold on, could this old king be trying to trick me into admitting something, perhaps on behalf of his bullied son?’

‘What if I mention a treasure, and he immediately seizes me, stealing my Holy Sword in the process…’

‘Hiss—’

The black-haired girl’s face instantly went pale. After a long moment, she slowly lifted her head, resuming her composed demeanor, and tilted her head playfully.

“Oh… no, the reason I was able to defeat the Cyclops is actually because… I am a level one hundred Holy Light user.”

“What?!”

Clearly, both Leo and Ufna were utterly bewildered by Allyrose’s words. After a moment, Leo blinked, half in disbelief, then casually pushed a golden stone across the table.

“L-level one hundred? Allyrose, you’re not joking, are you? This… I happen to have a testing stone here. Would you… give it a try?”

“Hmm… no problem~”

Though she said it, Allyrose secretly felt a little uncertain. Her Holy Light level was high due to an energy overflow, and she had expended a significant amount of energy defeating the Cyclops.

‘Blast, I was planning on having Teacher Yuna vouch for me, since she was present during the school test. I didn’t expect to have to prove it on the spot.’

However, it was fortunate that the king’s table held only a small testing stone. It couldn’t compare to the professional one at the academy.

‘At this level… it probably won’t even register a hundred-level cap.’

And so, a moment later, Allyrose placed her hand on the testing stone, exerting a gentle force.

“Bang—!”

In an instant, the testing stone erupted in a dazzling white light, then… it exploded! Fragments scattered across the floor, startling the King, the Queen, and even Allyrose herself.

The guards stationed at the inner palace entrance, hearing the commotion, rushed in, shouting at Allyrose,

“Assassination! Someone is attempting an assassination!”

Then… a moment later, the assembled guards fell into stunned silence, staring at the bewildered King, the Queen, and Allyrose, whose fingers were lightly cut by the fragments.

‘How… how could an assassination end with the assassin getting injured?’

Before the guards could make sense of it, Leo burst into hearty laughter. After a moment, he clapped his hands and addressed the guards.

“It’s fine, nothing to see here. You may all withdraw!”

“Yes…”

After the guards awkwardly closed the door and left, Leo rose to his feet, walking towards the window with his hands clasped behind his back. Ufna, meanwhile, chuckled softly, then patted the seat beside her, speaking gently to Allyrose.

“Come, little dear, sit here. You’re hurt, aren’t you? Let me tend to your wounds…”

“Oh…”

Called by that maternal, gentle voice, Allyrose had no thought of refusal. She naturally sat beside the Queen, who then gently took the black-haired girl’s outstretched fingers. Pulling out court-grade medicine, Ufna began to slowly treat Allyrose’s fragment-scratched fingers.

‘Ah~’

‘She truly is… I could cry from happiness~’

‘Queen big sister, she’s truly mother-level~’

‘Oh, how could such a gentle woman give birth to a son like Arius? He must have been spoiled rotten! Ugh… such an ungrateful thing. If only Queen Ufna were my mother~’

Allyrose, who had initially felt a pang of displeasure at the old king’s laughter after her injury, was now completely soothed. Moreover, it was clear that the royal couple had acknowledged her strength.

A moment later, King Leo, still standing by the window, spoke again:

“Hmph… how very interesting, Miss Allyrose. Tell me… what exactly is the Holy Church thinking? You are clearly a genius girl, unmatched for centuries, yet they chose a new Saintess to replace you. I’ve met that new Saintess; she seems… utterly ordinary in every aspect, completely incomparable to you. So… why would the Holy Church risk greatly damaging its own authority just to elevate that new Saintess?”

…

These words, laden with unspoken meaning, instantly snapped Allyrose out of her complacent reverie. Thoughts of burying her head in Ufna’s soft embrace and acting spoiled vanished, replaced by heightened vigilance.

After all… Allyrose couldn’t be certain of the king’s true intentions in speaking those words.

Therefore, she could only resort to diplomatic pleasantries as a probe:

“Perhaps it’s because… the Saintess is chosen by the gods, and the Holy Church cannot defy that. Since Vivian is the true Saintess, then no matter what, the Holy Church should correct its mistake. Besides… Vivian is quite outstanding; many students at the academy, including Prince Arius, hold her in high regard…”

“Hmph~ Chosen by the gods? Heh… It’s all just a matter of the Holy Church’s word.”

Leo merely chuckled dismissively after hearing the girl’s words, then shook his head.

“That boy Arius has always had poor judgment, so… sometimes, we have no choice but to make decisions for him. It’s for his own good; otherwise… that boy would only cause greater trouble.”

“Isn’t that right?” Leo suddenly turned, walking back to the table and seating himself opposite Allyrose and Ufna. He asked with a serious and earnest expression,

“Let’s be frank. I want to ask for your honest thoughts, Allyrose. Are you truly willing… to relinquish the position of Saintess, which you’ve held for over a decade, and hand it over to another?”