Chapter 122: Chapter 122

‘Do not grant a title above knight to an Altoan.’

This was one of the unwritten rules that had spread among all noble families since the days of the ancient Arman Empire.

Let alone Libert and Ajun, which did not even treat Altoans as humans according to the teachings of the Old Faith, not even the Kingdom of Ruman… where the largest population of Altoans had lived until a large-scale rebellion broke out… had broken this principle.

Cheryn losing the support of numerous lords in the past when she made Shan a knight had also been because she broke this unwritten rule.

Had she not broken it, she could have gained at least the support of the capital’s bureaucratic nobles or the lords of the northern region excluding Palles during the War of the Princes.

In the end, however, taking in Shan alone proved to be far more beneficial than bringing all of them together.

In any case, to that extent, Altoans were foreign existences to the Westerners, the leading race of the Alliance.

Starting with Duke Velakar Shan, who had performed tremendous exploits, several Altoans had begun entering the ranks of nobles and knights, but not enough time had passed for such deep-seated stereotypes to vanish.

“…Your Majesty, by any chance, are you considering marriage with the Lord Protector?”

“If that is necessary for the country, gladly.”

When her calm reply came back, they realized anew what Cheryn’s reason had been for staging yesterday’s play.

Had she brought up such words a short while ago, the Queen would have immediately faced intense opposition from several ministers.

The reasons were diverse, ranging from simple racial revulsion to issues of external prestige and checks against Shan, who was becoming excessively powerful.

However, due to this recent incident, a large portion of the figures who would have opposed a marriage with Shan had been swept away.

There was even a justification now that a marriage alliance was necessary to bring in someone who had proven he could shake the royal authority whenever he willed it.

Through this play, the Queen had made everyone aware that the benefits outweighed the losses that would arise from taking an Altoan royal consort.

Seeing that the ministers looked bewildered instead of immediately expressing opposition, Cheryn smiled with satisfaction.

For she had expected just this level of atmosphere, and it had unfolded exactly as she desired.

“Of course, this is merely one of the plans under consideration. I must also consult the Lord Protector’s opinion separately. First of all, do not let today’s matter leave the palace. If anyone disobeys this, I will punish them severely.”

Instead of completely finalizing the discussion on the spot, the Queen glossed over it vaguely, hinting that it could be a possibility.

“We shall follow your command.”

The ministers, who inwardly found the current topic unwelcome, quickly responded to Cheryn’s words.

In this manner, by making another ‘concession,’ she built up invisible political capital.

On top of that, she also gauged how much resistance the ministers harbored toward this matter.

Above all, just as she had used as an excuse, she had not yet heard Shan’s opinion.

Of course, the gaze they had exchanged at the ball last night was already no different from an answer, but…

‘I can verify that from now on.’

*

After the meeting ended, Cheryn asked Aran, who was standing beside her, while dressing up with the help of the maidservants.

“Where is the Lord Protector?”

“I understand he went out with the royal knights to inspect the defense status of the capital.”

Since the defense of the capital was also one of the Lord Protector’s duties, it was work he originally should have done the day right after returning.

It had merely been postponed due to the conflict with Cheryn and the coming-of-age ceremony.

“Tell him to enter the palace once he finishes. I would like us to have lunch together.”

“Understood.”

Watching Aran give instructions to a nearby maidservant upon receiving the order, Cheryn headed to the laboratory in the Red Palace.

Over the past few days, she had spent a great deal of time here.

This was because every single item brought by the expedition, including Shan, aroused immense interest.

What attracted the most attention in particular was none other than the Doppelganger’s core.

As the mages present on that spot had also recognized, this was not merely a random mixture of mana stones and various substances, but constituted a massive spell in itself.

The function of the True Gold contained within was quickly discernable.

Its property of ‘omnipotence’ must have helped the Doppelganger mimic all sorts of existences.

So that if the creature transformed into a Hydra, it could drip thick poison; if it transformed into a Basilisk, it could use eyes of petrification; and when it transformed into Shan, it could imitate the powerful Fighting Spirit and the Thousand Shapes he carried.

To a Doppelganger, a magical device held or worn by a human was not much different from a beast’s hide or claws.

The magical power contained within was also something high-tier monsters possessed several of.

However, despite reducing her night’s sleep over the past few days to research this, it was difficult to grasp the functions of the remaining substances or the overall principles of the magic.

As Shan had told her after reading the memories, it was clear that very high-level magic, even by ancient standards, was contained here.

Thus, she turned her attention to the books brought by the mages.

Was there not a high possibility that once she built a foundation, it would become easier to understand higher-dimensional knowledge?

Fortunately, as a brilliant mage, Cheryn was well-versed in ancient Altoan script, so she did not need anyone to translate for her.

However, the contents of these books were not easy to understand either.

Common-sensically, why would researchers keep basic terminology manuals unless they were specialized reference books?

It was bound to be difficult content for modern mages, who lagged far behind compared to the era of the ancient Altoan Empire, to read.

“What on earth is ‘Alessi-Revil’? They should have written it so people could understand it…”

Nevertheless, in a situation where less than half of the terms were understandable, Cheryn picked out necessary pieces of information one by one, seizing sparse clues.

The missing parts she filled in with her own sharp intuition.

Transposition of souls, theories dissolving the boundaries of living beings, sensory transfer, methods to reconstruct and heal wounds…

Perhaps because it was a facility dealing with monsters, most of the recorded content was closer to biology.

Perhaps by the time she mastered all of this, she might be able to catch up to a part of the realm of miracles through magic.

Of course, analyzing and researching all of this one by one herself would be a waste, so it would be better to summarize a few major concepts and toss them to the Association mages in Hasra.

Was that not what subordinates existed for in the first place?

How long had she been burying her face in the book when someone gently lifted it up?

When she raised her head, Shan was smiling down at her.

“You told me reading that close ruins your eyes.”

“You came quickly? I thought it would take longer.”

“I left the inventory inspection to Roden and came over because I heard you were looking for me.”

Muttering how on earth one was supposed to manage a territory while doing such things, Shan shook his head.

Giggling, Cheryn stood up from her seat and spoke.

“Let’s eat lunch together. The chef promised to make delicious beef stew today.”

*

Originally, royal meals were luxurious and cumbersome beyond measure.

Depending on where the king’s family members and court ministers were seated, how the king regarded them was divided, and the arrangement of served dishes as well as etiquette to observe during meals were bothersomely plentiful.

However, such etiquette, which had been simplified after Gizel III took to his bed, was completely scrapped in Cheryn’s era.

The reason was that she did not want to waste time filling her stomach when she was already dead busy.

Now, the Queen’s usual meal was merely a time when she hastily devoured the food served to her alone in a corner of the dining hall.

Though it was slightly different when she had a guest, like right now.

“Is it delicious?”

“Yes. As expected, the royal chef has great skill. Though the chef I hired isn’t bad either.”

The taste of the beef stew Cheryn had mentioned was truly splendid.

A dish made by marinating beef in red wine, searing it golden-brown, and then simmering it with tomatoes, butter, onions, mushrooms, and other ingredients.

The savory and umami-rich broth moistened his mouth and flowed down his throat.

His body, chilled from wandering around in the cold wind all morning, felt as if it were melting away.

Munching on honey-steeped bread, Cheryn chuckled softly as she watched Shan eat his food like that.

Watching him eat about three times as much as an ordinary person, true to a knight, was genuinely pleasant to see.

Had the maidservants seen this sight, they would have clicked their tongues, thinking she was terribly coy.

For when she usually dined alone, she would hold a book or research material in one hand and simply cram layered bread, vegetables, and meat into her mouth to get it over with.

Having filled their stomachs, the two drank tea to cleanse their palates while chatting.

Shan drank peppermint-scented tea, while Cheryn drank black tea imported from the Southern Continent.

“So, before long, people will pour into the cities from the villages. Because with the development of farm tools, the required population for the same farmland will decrease. It’s a secret technique to rapidly increase city workers or soldiers without increasing the overall population.”

“Oho…”

“When the number of urban workers and soldiers increases like that, we can push back the monsters and create more settlements. If this virtuous cycle repeats, then someday, just as I mentioned before, we can even build a giant Great Wall blocking off the entire Demonic Realm!”

“That sounds difficult while we’re still alive.”

“Indeed. I am estimating about a hundred years or so. And for that to happen, in the long term, a system where a single king leads the country will be difficult.”

“Then, will you give power back to the nobles again?”

If that was the case, what had everything done up to now been for?

To Shan, who looked puzzled, Cheryn explained quietly.

“It’s embarrassing to say this, but there’s no guarantee my descendants will do as well as me, right? The same goes for nobles.”

Considering what Cheryn’s two older brothers had been like, it was not an unreasonable assumption.

Her harboring the ambition to become queen in the first place had stemmed from thinking, ‘I can’t possibly entrust the country to those fools,’ had it not?

Of course, her leader-like temperament of being unable to quietly endure under someone else also played a part.

“So later on, I will construct a dual system where capable ministers and the monarch keep each other in check.”

Cheryn’s plan was for a parliament, formed by electing popular figures among commoners as well as bureaucrats through voting, to lead the country alongside the monarch through cooperation or opposition.

If the king held all authority, an incompetent tyrant could not be dealt with, and if everything were left to representatives elected by the people, flatterers catering to the ignorant would merely gain power.

The expansion of the educational policy being implemented this time was also to fill the minds of the populace with ink in the long run.

Not only to nurture more talented bureaucrats in the future, but because the people needed knowledge if they were to elect and elevate better individuals.

Shan did not properly understand what she was saying, but as always, he nodded as a fine listener.

But after a short while, Shan’s green eyes narrowed at Cheryn’s continuing words.

“So about that, the topic came up in today’s meeting. They said that since I’m an adult now, it’s about time I look for a spouse.”

“Ah…”

“What do you think, Shan?”

“I…”

Shan pondered what to say.

He hated the thought of Cheryn marrying another man with a passion.

Just imagining it made him want to tear the opponent to pieces.

However, he was not yet confident whether he was fit to occupy that spot.

Though he was the strongest knight and a duke who displayed martial prowess through all kinds of exploits, was he not ultimately an Altoan?

Devil’s minion, monster’s half-breed, freak…

Would it be acceptable for a member of a race called such things to sully a bloodline noble enough to be counted on one hand across the entire Arman Alliance… that of the Queen of Pendia?

The racial inferiority complex he had harbored since childhood did not easily disappear, even while being ceaselessly praised as a great knight.

The psychological barrier that prevented him from going further than holding hands in the bedroom also stemmed from this.

“…It will be necessary. Because the kingdom must have an heir.”

Seeing Shan’s state after his hesitation, Cheryn let out a sigh with a ‘phew’ and spoke.

Thinking that it was indeed not as easy as expected.

“I guess I have to ask bluntly. Are you okay with me marrying someone else? Sharing the same bedroom, and bearing that person’s child?”

“No. Absolutely not.”

Cheryn felt Shan’s eyes blazing with jealousy as he looked at her.

Who was it that said green was the color of jealousy?

If someone claiming to be Cheryn’s marriage partner were in front of Shan right now, that person would have wet their pants on the spot.

But after a moment, Shan hung his head with a crestfallen expression.

At his appearance resembling a discouraged large dog, Cheryn lowered the corners of her mouth, which threatened to curl upward despite herself.

“…But would it be alright? If I end up being an obstacle to what Sister plans to do in the future.”

“Perhaps it might be an obstacle. But is that really so important? I am a person and a woman before I am a queen; can’t I seek my own happiness? And I am capable of handling someone like you. I have that much ability.”

Thinking that she had practically confessed in all but explicit words at this point, Cheryn took a deep breath to keep her face from flushing and asked.

“Now answer me properly. Shan, are you really okay with me marrying another person?”

At her question, Shan let out a soft sigh, shook his head, and stood up from his seat.

He already knew what words Cheryn wanted, and what words he had to say.

Ever since the moment their eyes met at yesterday’s ball.

All that was needed was his own courage.

Thinking that this might be even scarier than charging toward a thousand enemies, Shan voiced his thoughts plainly without embellishment.

“I don’t want anything like that. Cheryn, I want to be your husband. I want to be with you always, share the same bedroom, and see you bear my child.”

At words even more shocking than she had imagined, Cheryn’s ears turned bright red.

No matter how caught up in the mood they were, wasn’t this far too explicit a confession!

She had expected ‘I love you’ at most, but bear what?

Shuddering in embarrassment and bashfulness for only a brief moment, Cheryn realized that Shan had stepped closer toward her.

Despite his massive physique compared to hers, his movements were noiseless and elegant like a wild beast.

‘Ah…’

Shan covered Cheryn’s slightly parted lips as if devouring them before he even realized it.

Along with that, the sound of something collapsing echoed inside the two of them.

Reason, restraint, and whatever was akin to that.

A warm, moist touch, intermingling with the taste and scent of the food and tea they had consumed moments ago.

Would it have been better to brush her teeth after all?

Cheryn felt as though she were being eaten alive by Shan.

Every time he dug deeper inside, it felt as if everything composing herself were being sucked away.

The arms wrapped tightly around her back squeezed close, bringing their bodies flush together and conveying body heat and heartbeats.

‘This wasn’t how it was supposed to be…’

She had gathered plenty of visual experience by secretly peeking at people through spiders, and she was a few years older, so she was confident she could lead elegantly.

Yet when trying it directly, things did not go as imagined.

Rather, whether the boy accustomed to physical exertion easily grew adept in this area as well, he shed any sign of clumsiness before long and explored every corner of her mouth.

Especially when he gently tickled sensitive areas like the roof of her mouth, her toes repeatedly curled and uncurled despite herself.

The kiss, endlessly long yet brief, came to an end only after Cheryn pounded on Shan’s chest wildly when she failed to catch her breath properly.

“Hah, haah, gasp…”

Breathing heavily, Cheryn hastily wiped her mouth with the back of her hand as saliva trickled down from her lips.

Thinking that their saliva was mixed inside here, she became acutely aware that she had engaged in an absurdly lewd act.

Seeing her struggling, Shan snapped back to his senses with an ‘ah’ and apologized.

“S-Sorry, Sister. I lost control without realizing it.”

“Forget it, you don’t apologize at a time like this.”

Cheryn tried her best to show an elegant and relaxed demeanor here at least.

Quickly tidying her disheveled appearance with a handkerchief, she spoke in a dignified tone.

“Then for now… shall we start with an engagement?”

“An engagement?”

“Yes. You still have two years left until adulthood.”

Just as the laws of Pendia prohibited the marriage of minors, no matter if she was the queen, marrying a boy who had not undergone his coming-of-age ceremony was out of the question.

At a restriction that was truly unexpected, Shan’s eyes rounded in surprise.