Discussion

"Big sister, no one said we should disrespect him."

Kelart set down her teacup and turned to look at her sister, a hint of helplessness flashing through her eyes.

"But respect is one thing, trust is another. A person with that kind of power suddenly appeared in the Holy Kingdom. Don't you think we should learn more before drawing conclusions?"

"Learn more?"

Remedios raised an eyebrow.

"How? Just go ask him directly! Why sit here making wild guesses?"

Kelart sighed.

Her sister's way of thinking was as straightforward as ever.

"Captain Remedios has a point."

Calca interjected at the right moment, trying to ease the subtle tension between the sisters.

"But Kelart's concerns are also reasonable. Mr. Higashino's appearance was far too sudden, and his power... frankly, it exceeds the bounds of my understanding."

She paused as strands of golden hair slipped over her shoulder.

"When I was fifteen, I learned fourth-tier divine magic and was considered to possess talent among the upper ranks of all Holy Queens throughout history. But the power Mr. Higashino displayed likely far surpasses the fourth tier."

"The sixth tier?"

Kelart asked.

"Perhaps even higher."

Calca shook her head.

"Possibly the seventh or eighth tier. After all, I have never seen—or read of in any ancient text—anything on the level of repelling an army of tens of thousands with a single wave of one's hand."

If Higashino Makoto had been there, he definitely would have complained that knowledge concerning players had been sealed away by the Theocracy and the Dragon Lords, and that they did not even know the Six Great Gods were players.

A brief silence fell over the council chamber.

Although Remedios knew nothing about magic, she trusted the Holy Queen's judgment.

What did it mean if even Calca could not determine the level of that power?

It meant that man might be stronger than any paladin in the history of the Holy Kingdom.

He might even be stronger than any Holy King in the history of the Holy Kingdom.

"I heard..."

Kelart broke the silence, her fingers lightly tapping the tabletop.

"The southern nobles have already begun stirring. They've shown great interest in this 'paladin who fell from the sky' and seem to be planning to win him over."

Calca's brows knit slightly.

The southern nobles.

Those forces that had opposed her ascension still remained a source of concern.

If they truly won Higashino Makoto over...

"We can't let those southern bastards get their way."

Remedios's voice was thick with anger.

"Mr. Higashino is the Holy Kingdom's benefactor, not a political bargaining chip!"

"Big sister, you're right, but that's how politics works."

Kelart turned to Calca.

"Your Majesty, I suggest we take the initiative and contact Mr. Higashino. Once he arrives in the royal capital, we should arrange a formal meeting as soon as possible. At the very least, before he is 'hunted' by the southern nobles, we should make sure he has a clear understanding of the Holy Royal Family's position."

"You intend to use him?"

Remedios's voice turned colder.

"I said contact him, not use him."

Kelart's expression did not change.

"Big sister, don't you want to see this paladin who saved the border fortress with your own eyes?"

Remedios opened her mouth, but in the end, she did not argue.

She truly did want to meet that man.

A paladin who had driven back an army of tens of thousands of demi-humans all by himself.

As the strongest paladin in the Holy Kingdom, how could she not want to meet him?

"Then it's settled."

Calca made the decision.

"When Mr. Higashino arrives in the royal capital, arrange a meeting immediately. The location will be the palace reception hall, and those attending..."

She looked at the two beside her.

"Just the three of us."

"Understood."

Remedios nodded.

"Hehehe... I understand."

Kelart smiled.

Calca leaned back in her chair, her fingers absentmindedly brushing the emblem on her chest.

She was actually more anxious than she appeared.

Not only about that mysterious paladin's strength and background, but also about...

She looked at Kelart, then at Remedios.

These sisters were the people she trusted most, as well as her closest companions.

But precisely because of that, rumors about whether she and they were "that kind of relationship" had never ceased.

She was already twenty-eight.

As the queen of the Holy Kingdom, she needed a husband and an heir.

But she did not want to simply find someone at random.

What she wanted was true love.

Someone who loved her for who she was, not because of her status or appearance.

And that paladin who had descended from the sky...

Calca shook her head, casting those unrealistic fantasies from her mind.

She was overthinking things.

"By the way, Your Majesty."

Kelart suddenly spoke, the smile at the corner of her lips deepening slightly.

"I heard that Mr. Higashino has a maid with him."

"A maid?"

"Yes. It is said that she is an ash-blonde woman of exceptional beauty who has been by Mr. Higashino's side the entire time."

Kelart sounded casual, but a probing gleam flickered in her eyes.

"I wonder whether she is merely a maid, or..."

She did not finish, but both Calca and Remedios understood what she meant.

"Kelart, don't make wild guesses."

Remedios frowned.

"I'm not making wild guesses. I'm merely stating the facts."

Kelart shrugged.

"A young, handsome, powerful man with a beautiful maid at his side. Sister, don't you think that combination is rather interesting?"

Remedios snorted and said nothing.

Calca lowered her head, lightly tracing the rim of her teacup with her fingers.

A maid.

Had someone already taken the place by that Mr. Higashino's side?

She did not know.

But for some reason, the news made her feelings even more complicated.

"Regardless."

Calca raised her head, her gentle yet resolute expression returning.

"Higashino is a benefactor of the Holy Kingdom. We shall treat him with courtesy and sincerity. Other matters can be discussed later."

"Understood."

Remedios and Kelart rose at the same time and gave a slight bow.

After the sisters left the council chamber, Kelart suddenly stopped.

"Sister."

"Hmm?"

"Do you really have no suspicions about that Mr. Higashino?"

Remedios fell silent for a moment, her sharp eyes turning toward the window at the end of the corridor.

Outside, the streets of the royal capital were bustling with people, no different from usual.

"Of course I was suspicious."

She finally spoke, her voice low and calm.

"But I won't deny the good someone has done simply because I'm suspicious of them. Mr. Higashino saved our people—that is a fact. As for everything else, when we meet, I'll see it clearly with my own eyes."

Kelart watched her sister's back, the corners of her lips lifting slightly.

"Hehehe... Sister is sometimes smarter than I am."

"What did you say?"

"Nothing. Let's go. There's still a lot to prepare."

The two sisters walked side by side down the corridor, their footsteps echoing through the empty hall.