A Maiden’s Unwanted Heroic Epic

Chapter 114: A Nightmarish Ceremony

***Arc 6 One Who Pierced Through, Chapter 114 A Nightmarish Ceremony***

Forged Stone shining in the sun――Albenaria, the White Capital.

A grand festival was being held in the royal capital.

Half a month had passed since the struggle over the right to the throne, and today was the throne succession ceremony of Her Majesty Queen Alberan.

The young princess, who had crushed the evil royal prince who was trying to usurp the throne, and the warrior who protected her――the voices of praise for Christand resounded in the royal capital.

A throne set up on top of an extraordinarily large and luxurious carriage.

Sitting there was a young girl dressed in the same white as the royal capital――Kreschenta Fana Vera Alberan.

Her golden hair shone red in the sunlight, and her appearance was that of a goddess, even at such a young age. The people of the royal city saw the princess they had heard so much about, and all praised her beauty.

It was said that it was the new queen's will to show her true face without a veil.

She wanted her reign to be closer to her people, and to lead them to happiness as the blood of the same kingdom flows through their veins――that's why she didn't hide her face with a veil and showed her true face as a fellow human being.

The appearance of Kreschenta was different from the previous kings, and there was a sense of intimacy.

She smiled softly and prettily and waved her hands from side to side.

A king is a lineage of a god.

The king and the people do not touch each other, nor does the king smile at the people.

The king was above the clouds to be revered.

In spite of that, everyone thought that the figure of the young and beautiful queen who smiled at them was that she was truly trying to go beyond her position and give her heart to the people.

There were other differences from the usual ceremony.

On the same carriage as the young queen, a silver-haired girl stood diagonally to her left.

The girl who stood in the carriage where the king should be alone, wore a white dress with black lines and red roses on her chest, and she looked restless as she put her hand on her stomach and looked from side to side.

The petite girl's beauty was tranquil compared to the queen, with her flowery smile.

However, her beauty was no less than that of the queen.

She looked like a grown-up version of the too-young queen.

The people whispered to each other who she was.

What they eventually came up with was a rumor that had been heard during the civil war.

Krische, the Cursed Child――the princess who was erased from the genealogy.

A peerless swordsman who led a young princess to victory, and a monster who took countless heads and defeated the ‘Black Lion’, the Royal Prince Gildanstein.

Comparing her beauty to that of the princess, one would have thought that she was indeed a princess.

Saying they werre sisters, that's certainly true, because their faces were identical.

That was Cursed Child――everyone was surprised at that, but she was simply beautiful in her dress.

She was a maiden like a fairy, the exact opposite of what they had heard.

Considering the image of a giant woman over six shaku tall and a monster with a strong arm, they couldn't help but say that it was a letdown, and most of them were fascinated by her beauty.

――She seemed to be an unfortunate princess who was just caught in the middle of the palace's internal turmoil.

The man with the featureless face whispered something like that to those who are concerned about her.

‘I see, I see,’ the people took his words seriously and nodded.

The reputation of the Royal Prince was terrible to begin with, and there was nothing evil in the appearance of the two who were called the Cursed Child. When put that way, it made sense.

From the beginning, things in the royal palace――there were many things that people in the lower ranks didn't understand.

Some of them were even indignant that they were called Cursed Childs.

In the line of people, such "well-informed" people appeared here and there, whispering to those who was confused.

――You heard it too? I knew it was strange.

Later in the tavern, as they talk and talk about the ceremony, they will accept the 'new rumor' as the truth.

People like to accept the ‘stories (tale)’ they like as the truth.

The story of the exiled princess――who stood up and took up the sword for her sister, whom she had reunited with after being chased out of the royal palace.

Together, the two princesses joined hands and, despite the loss of their Hero Christand, became the new heroes of salvation themselves, defeating the great evil――Gildanstein.

The question of whether Krische had in truth taken credit for what she was said to have done in was a trivial matter.

Having lost their hero Bogan Christand they just kept on cheering, hoping to welcome a new hero.

Thus the heroic epic that a maiden wanted bore fruit in this way.

In front of the two princesses are two generals, Selene Christand and Nozan Verreich, both wearing beautiful armor.

Behind the line are the gallant figures of the corps commanders.

They follow behind them, showing that the kingdom's military might has not been lost.

Having won their victory through military prowess and righteousness, they head toward the royal castle with praises.

Even as they passed by, the city was still enveloped in an unending stream of cheers.

――A few Koku before

"I told you, it's black!"

"You really don't understand. Today is white."

"Uu..."

Selene held her anger at the scene and held the black dress in front of her.

Berry faced her gaze head-on and held the white dress in front of her.

Krische and Kreschenta stand between them.

And there was Anne and Elvena who were rushing back and forth.

The dress war that has been going on since last night――it is still going on even now.

Krische enjoyed a "pre-breakfast" before eating, picking up leftovers from the previous night. After returning from the battlefield, Krische’s daily life was in a state of degradation, and she was enjoying her days while flirting with Bery.

She ate between meals and ate five times a day.

She bathed and washed with Berry. When the sun went down, They would go to bed and get a good night's sleep together.

The happy life that had just returned was short-lived――the tragedy that struck Krische in the estate given to her by the royal family crushed it all.

As if it’s a routine, not only was breakfast skipped today, but also the pre-breakfast, and she is holding her stomach in hunger.

"Today is also an unveiling day! Anyway, Krische is a corps commander, and on top of that, she's a warrior with more feats than anyone else! I even agreed to let her wear a dress instead of armor, and now you still want to be selfish!"

"Today is an important day that will determine the people’s impression of Krische-sama. ……Being called a Cursed Child, in order to correct such evaluation, it is natural to think that white is better than black because it shows integrity and innocence."

"I'm telling you, that will overlap with Kreschenta. Look, it will be all white!"

Selene pointed a finger at Kreschenta.

Kreschenta was also Kreschenta, she was suffering the same pain as Krische.

Yesterday, after a hard day of political work, they were having dinner――and even then, she sensed a turbulent atmosphere.

Bery smiled and invited her to take a bath together with Krische, and just when she thought she was being strangely kind to her, she was dragged into this dispute.

Kreschenta had been dressed in a dress since early this morning.

She has completed her preliminary handwork and is free from paperwork today.

Today was a busy day with the coronation, parade, and victory ceremony all taking place on the same day, so she was free from such chores and plans to carry out her long-planned ‘Spending the ceremony alone with Onee-sama Operation’――however that plan was thrown out of order.

In addition to her own hunger, Krische was like a stone statue waiting for the storm to pass, not even looking at Kreschenta.

Kreschenta’s ‘Spending the ceremony alone with Onee-sama Operation’ had already failed.

"Last night, Kreschenta said that it would be nice to match. Isn’t that so?"

"...I-I said that, but"

Certainly Kreschenta said that. Yesterday, in the bathroom.

The reason she was pleasing Kreschenta was to get her words.

Bery was a cunning woman.

"Then it is settled, isn't it? Your Royal Highness――no, Her Majesty the Queen desired it, so today it will be matching――"

"That's how you're cheating! I've known it since before, but you're too cowardly! If you're a servant of Christand, why don't you face me fair and square!"

*Bang*, Selene hit the desk.

*Haah*, Bery shook her head.

"To think Ojou-sama would call me cowardly. …so when troubled, Ojou-sama criticizes other personalities huh. Ojou-sama hasn’t changed since you were young. I've seen you since I was little, but I'm exasperated. How about growing up a little?"

"Why don't you do something about your condescending attitude!?"

"...Geez! It doesn't matter which one! It's silly to think about the color of the dress!"

――The hunger and the pointless arguments.

Therefore, the third force, Kreschenta Alberan (Queen from today, very great) who has exhausted her patience decided to enter anew.

The ‘I don't care, I want my breakfast as soon as possible’ alliance includes the center of the agenda, Krische Christand (ex-royalty, quite noble), who is reluctant to be a part of the group. The center of the agenda, Krische-Christand (ex-royalty, rather noble) expressed passive participation, or rather, stared at her little sister with eyes of expectation.

"Ridiculous? It's even more ridiculous that you can't even put up with one breakfast! Are you still the queen if you can't stand it just because you're hungry?"

"I-I never said I was hungry…"

"No? Then it's fine."

"Eh, uuh..."

However The "I don't care, I want my breakfast as soon as possible" was dismissed by Selene Christand (daughter of a hero. General), the leader of the "Krische dress should be black council (one member, only the chairman)".

The alliance rapidly loses momentum due to the lack of a cause, and Krische hopes along with the alliance, which she had expressed passive participation, were also devastated.

"No, it's certainly ridiculous."

However, the one who extended a helping hand to such a third power was Bery Argan (servant), the leader of "Cute dresses are the best for Krische-sama (assertive fundamentalism)".

At Bery's words, Krische's cheeks broke into a smile as if she were looking at God.

"Kreschenta-sama has already expressed her hope that white is better. Her Majesty’s awe-inspiring words——there is no such thing taking it back, and it can be said that the conclusion of this discussion has already been decided."

However, heresy. Krische’s God was steeped in self-interest.

"You, so how many times do I have to tell you how cowardly that is!"

"You are the one who is being obstinate with what has been decided, Ojou-sama. Even if it were a majority vote, the white side would win by two to one."

Naturally, the discussion became extremely chaotic.

Anne couldn't even interject because of her previous blunder and watched the progress, and Elvena was terrified by the content of their remarks, which did not even consider the Queen to be the Queen.

A servant——Berry, who is supposed to be the lowest rank among them, always takes the initiative and takes control of the situation. She was shown the extreme of hypocritical courtesy.

She even wondered if the soft appearance when she interacted with her for the past few days was a lie.

The superhuman she imagined based on what she heard from Krische was there.

――Then, the sound of knocking rang out.

When Anne asked who it was, it was Gallen who appeared.

"... Her Majesty the Queen, please excuse me."

"Y-yeah..."

Gallen frowned as he felt the unusual atmosphere that had been drifting from before entering the room.

"Selene, Bery, what are you doing?"

"...We're In the middle of choosing a dress, Gallen-sama. We've been arguing since last night."

The tired Kreschenta said that, and Anne whispered in his ear to supplement.

Though he couldn’t grasp the situation from that, Gallen understood that it seemed that they were arguing over the color of the dress worn by Krische, whether it was white or black.

"I see... I don't know, but she's a big deal for a noble woman. Which one does Krische want?"

"O-ojii-sama, Krische, uh..."

"Krische?"

"Krische-sama…?"

The old man couldn't read the air.

Feeling their eyes on her, Krische shook her head hurriedly.

Krische didn't want to be the brunt of this endless debate anymore.

"Haha... well, Krische is not really interested in it, right? I don't mind."

Gallen withdrew easily.

If the old man thinks that Krische is interested in dressing up, it’s not the old man who dotes on his grandchild, or not.

"That said, time is limited. There's a reason for both, and both can't back down... There's a good way to do it in times like this."

"What's the best way...?"

"It's a coin. In most cases, we decided on head or tail."

"Oh――that's a good idea."

Bery clapped her hands happily, took out a coin, and placed it on her thumb.

Selene frowned.

A vivid flow――Bery, who had the upper hand, suddenly surrendered to luck.

Is such a thing possible――no, it’s not.

"Now, Ojou-sama, head or tail――"

"Wait, I have a bad feeling about this. You're so skillful, I feel like you're capable of manipulating both sides at will."

"... Ojou-sama sure doubts me."

"Of course."

Selene glared at Berry, who sighed quietly and dropped her shoulders.

Saying ‘guess can't help it’, she flipped the coin.

With a very precise trajectory, the coin lands in Selene's hand.

It was a very brilliant handling of the coin.

"... I knew it. I thought it was strange.... I will flip the coin. When I catch the coin, you will declare whether it is heads or tails. What do you think?"

"... Yes, let's decide with that."

Bery’s appearance as if she had given up――Selene was relieved.

For the time being, the situation would have been restored to fifty-fifty.

All that was left was luck and a fair fight.

Serene handed the dress she was holding to Kreschenta, who was standing next to her.

Taking a deep breath, she prayed to God for victory, stared at Berry, and flicked the coin vigorously with all the strength she could muster in her fingertips.

But at that moment,

"——I thought if it’s Ojou-sama, you would say that."

"Huh?"

The look of disappointment fades from Bery's face, and her eyes filled with triumph.

Her gaze was on the spinning coin——catching its exact turn and trajectory.

With ruthless ease, the coin landed on the back of Serene's left hand, and she covered it with her right hand as a conditioned reflex.

But it was too late.

Everything was too late.

As if to indicate this, Bery smiled.

"…Head. Fufu, I've mastered most of the games that can be played without going outside. It was a mistake, Ojou-sama should have had the one who flipped the coin and Ojou-sama the one who guessed head or tail. …But Ojou-sama, who doubted me, chose to flip the coin herself…"

"..."

"Now, go ahead, head or tail——"

As she said that, Bery handed Krische the white dress, ‘Okay, Krische-sama, here is today's dress.’

She was sure of the coin on Selene's hand before it was even opened.

A sense of defeat arose and the word coward came out——Kreschenta, who was watching the situation as if she really didn't care either way from the bottom of her heart, asked Gallen.

"Um, more importantly, Gallen-sama, what do you need here…"

"Ah… I want to check the placement and route again. Just to make extra sure I'd like Her Majesty to join us and have Krische and Selene take a look at it.

While receiving the white dress from Berry.

Krische stiffened at the words she heard.