Sword of Salvation-Chapter 114: Interlude 4 - Queen and Her Witch
Today marked exactly two months since Marryphimia had been officially inaugurated as the ruler of the Great Kingdom of Camelot.
In these two months, she had completely eradicated all branches of Sterminatore. It was her very first absolute order. Sterminatore’s members from other nations had fled to Esparozza, while the rest had been absorbed into the kingdom’s military.
The captured people of Britticia had also been relocated to various cities and villages. Marry had ensured that the issue was resolved just a week after Celtekhna had freed the captives. They had been given substantial compensation and were guaranteed their rights once Britticia was reclaimed.
Marry had also increased taxes on banks and all businesses owned by foreigners. Additionally, she had mandated the nobility to pay up to four times higher taxes while simultaneously cutting taxes for commoners by half. The common people rejoiced; foreign business owners and nobles were displeased, but Marry had managed to silence and subdue them before any rebellion could arise.
In just a short time, Marry’s name had shaken the whole Camelot. Her actions, which mostly sided with the commoners, earned praise from any corner of the kingdom. After all, compared to nobles, the number of commoners was far beyond them. Marry had basically won 99% of the hearts of her people.
If there was one decision Marry had failed to implement in the past two months, it was Serenity’s refusal to become part of Camelot. Athrecia had reported this three days ago. The leader of Serenity—a woman known as Madam Rhemea—had refused to leave their headquarters in the Kingdom of Turrakha. She had firmly stated that Serenity had no reason to relocate to Camelot.
Marry was quite disappointed by that decision. She had planned to have Serenity as a part of her army. For her greater goal, their existence could offer some helps---and add more fun to the process. And because of that, for a moment, she thought about scheduling a meeting between her and Rhemea.
However, her attention had quickly shifted to the Kingdom of Denland when one of its mayors sent a letter explaining that Denland and Moskvallha Empire had gone to war. The letter had reached Marry’s hands about two hours after Athrecia’s report. So, instead of preparing for a journey to Turrakha, Marry had decided to make preparations for departure to Denland.
As the queen, Marry understood that things would not be good for Camelot if Denland fell into Moskvallha’s hand.
No matter what, it was important for Camelot to prevent that from happening. If waging war against Moskvallha was necessary to stop the fall of Denland, then she would prepare a war. Otherwise, the risk of getting surrounded by enemies was too much for Camelot to handle.
However, assuming Celtekhna broke their agreement and invade Camelot while she was away, it was not wise to just go to Denland with an army. Choosing some elites people was enough. More so since she would also be there to fight. Thus, bringing an army was not necessary.
And so, by this evening, Marry would leave Pendragon.
She would be accompanied by Selena, Athrecia, and two of the palace’s trusted coachmen. During her absence, she would entrust the kingdom to her grandfather. She had already retired the prime minister. At the moment, she had no prime minister. She did not need one. That was why she had asked her grandfather to return to the palace.
"Marry."
The queen—who had been seated on her throne, reviewing her actions over the past two months—opened her eyes as Athrecia entered the room. The mage had been officially appointed as her personal aide, allowing her to come and go from the palace as she pleased. Athrecia was strong and very usefull, after all.
Selena’s status as her knight had been revoked. Marry had elevated Selena and her five teammates to the ranks of the Knights of the Round Table. With the six of them, along with Lizy and Kaiser, only four seats remained unoccupied. Marry wanted those seats filled quickly. Selecting four individuals to complete the Knights of the Round Table was the second reason she had summoned her grandfather.
"I have obtained the answer regarding why Celtekhna agreed to a five-month ceasefire," Athrecia stated.
Ah, Marry recalled having asked Athrecia to investigate the matter after they had handed over the fake Caliburn to Celtekhna’s representatives.
Along with presenting the sword, Marry had requested Celtekhna to sign a five-month ceasefire agreement with Camelot. She had even prepared compensation to ensure their compliance. However, they had immediately agreed to her request without hesitation. It was illogical, especially since they had been in a dominant position.
"What is it?" Marry asked.
"They had planned to subjugate the Kingdom of Esparozza first. As of now, Esparozza has become part of Celtekhna. Glazzier and Sterminatore are backing them. That’s also why the majority of foreign Sterminatore members have flocked to Esparozza. Rumor has it that Celtekhna intends to use them to subdue Maxesonia first."
Marry had not expected to hear such an intriguing revelation. Vassalizing Esparozza? Planning to conquer the Grand Kingdom of Maxesonia? Marry truly did not believe Celtekhna would dare to do all of this without a powerful backer. Glazzier would not allow Esparozza to be subdued without overwhelming coercion.
"What aren’t you telling me, Athrecia?" Marry asked.
"What do you mean?" Athrecia countered. "I’ve told you everything."
A smile immediately spread across Marry’s lips. "Athrecia, don’t think you can manipulate me like you manipulated my father," she said confidently. "If you were a handsome and strong young man younger than me, you might have had a chance. But you’re a woman, and ever since I saw you with my father, I knew you were manipulating him."
"I don’t understand what you mean, Marry." Athrecia spoke with a calm expression. "And that accusation is baseless. How could you say that a man of Arthur’s caliber could be manipulated?"
"Athrecia, I’m not joking. If you won’t tell me willingly, you’ll do so by force. I’ve never shown my true power to anyone, and I don’t mind making you the first to experience it."
The moment she said that, black miasma emanated from Marry’s body, contaminating the air. Just like Seth, Chernovira, and even Haseth, Apophis also had miasma. But his miasma was stronger and more dangerous than theirs. Apophis’s black miasma contained a potent toxin and could corrode anything. It could even control others.
Realizing the danger of the miasma, Athrecia immediately stepped back. "Do you think you can defeat me?" she asked as she summoned her magic staff. "I don’t understand what makes you so confident. But if you fight me, you will die. Not even Arthur dared to pick a fight with me."
"Do you want to test that?"
Athrecia let out a long sigh. "It seems you are truly convinced of your accusation," she said before making her staff disappear again. "Very well. What do you want to know?"
Marry smiled upon hearing the mage’s question. She withdrew her miasma, cleansing the air once more. The air became breathable again.
"Everything," said the queen. "I want to hear what’s really happening on this continent. I want to know which organization is backing Celtekhna. I want to know about Doctor Lergen and Serenity’s true objectives. I also want to know about your true intentions. I want to know everything. What were you hoping to gain by manipulating my father?"
"Why do you think I know all of that? I manipulated your father because I loved him—nothing more."
"You may not be lying about loving my father, but I know you had another motive. And it’s not that I think you know about all of this—I know you know about all of this. Let’s not drag this conversation out any longer. We will leave as soon as Selena returns. So, tell me everything I need to know, Athrecia Le Fay."
Athrecia said nothing, her eyes filled with silent denial. But Marry met her gaze with the sharpest look she possessed. It was as if she was daring the mage to go against her. Not wanting to reveal her true power, the mage realized that she had no other option – Marry was stronger than she expected.
"...Very well." Athrecia finally relented. "Right now, the Western Continent..."
And so, Athrecia began to speak. She told her the truth about what was happening in the western continent. From the secret of Great Human Council and World Order to their plan in reducing the number of the nation in this continent. She also informed the queen about her father’s goal.
Marry listened to the explanation with an elegant smile.
Athrecia thought she could manipulate her as she had manipulated her father. But the mage was mistaken. Marryphimia Pendragon was not someone she could control. On the contrary, it was the mage who would fall under her manipulation.
Marry would make sure of it.
A king was not the only one who needed a witch by his side.
A queen did too.
