Chapter 127
The Queen climbed back onto her griffon after concluding the negotiation with Caron. From her perch, she glanced down at him and said with a wry smile, "Caron Leston, you must be the most insane human I've ever encountered. I don't often acknowledge madness, so take pride in that."
"I can only express my humble gratitude for your boundless generosity, Your Majesty," Caron replied.
"Generosity, my ass," the Queen scoffed.
The negotiation had been a success. The Queen agreed to withdraw her forces, and in return, she was promised two-tenths of the treasures stored in Etyron's treasury.
"You wouldn't go back on your word, would you, Your Majesty?" Caron asked, raising an eyebrow.
"What do you mean?" the Queen asked sharply.
"For instance, you might take the treasure but then attack the elf village again," Caron said, his tone casual but pointed.
The Queen's brows knitted together, her irritation clear as she said, "There are two things I despise most in this world. First, breaking a promise. Second, doing anything that isn't profitable. Attacking the elf village violates both. There are countless more lucrative opportunities than chasing after elves. Why would I waste my time?"
Her lips curved into a grin as she peered down at him. She thought, I'll leave it at this for today.
If she wanted, she could summon reinforcements and drench the Great Forest in blood. Even if additional troops arrived from Galad, her entire army would still outmatch them, leading to an even greater conflict.
But she saw no need to go that far. The cost-benefit calculation didn't add up. Instead of spilling blood for no reason, she decided it would be more advantageous to maintain her tenuous relationship with that arrogant young monster.
There's no need to antagonize the Leston household for now, she mused.
Caron Leston was a terrifying monster. At only seventeen, he had not only surpassed the level of a promising talent, but even reached a realm capable of withstanding her spear.
And it wasn't just Caron who had caught her attention. Behind him stood two individuals emanating the brilliant glow of Azure Mana. Beside them was also a nameless giant, but her focus remained on Caron's cousins.
Their unyielding spirit had been evident—they hadn't taken a single step back, even under the pressure of her formidable aura. That kind of resilience wasn't something one developed overnight.
Caron Leston, that monster, must be the one leading them, the Queen thought. There was no doubt that his influence had shaped them.
If the grandchildren influenced by Caron Leston were to join the Ducal Family of Leston, led by Grand Duke Halo Leston, things would look different. Azureocean Castle, already nearly invincible, would become an unstoppable force with these heirs in their ranks.
It's a golden generation, the Queen murmured, nodding to herself as she observed Caron and his companions.
Comparing immediate gains to future benefits was often challenging, but in this case, the choice was obvious. Caron himself held value beyond any dragon's treasury. And the Queen treasured valuable things.
"If you ever have the time, do come visit the South Sea," she offered with a teasing smile.
"I have a feeling that I'll end up being flayed alive if I did," Caron shot back, feigning apprehension.
"It's far more beautiful and livable than the North Sea, where Sabina resides," the Queen retorted.
At the mention of Sabina, Caron's eyes widened in surprise. He asked, "You know Lady Sabina? What's your relationship with her?"
The Queen gave a slow nod, her expression unreadable. She replied, "Old enemies. Let's leave it at that."
"Ah, I see," Caron said, though his curiosity clearly lingered.
"I once received a letter about you," the Queen said. "My dear old friend couldn't stop boasting about how brilliant her grandnephew was."
Caron nodded, finally understanding. "Ah, that explains it. You went easy on me."
If she had truly been serious, he wouldn't necessarily have died, but there was no doubt he'd have lost at least a limb.
At his words, the Queen let out a soft chuckle. "The spear throw earlier was in fact one of my full-power attacks, so don't sell yourself short."
"Then you're saying you tried to kill your old friend's beloved grandnephew?" Caron asked, raising an eyebrow.
"If you had died from that, Sabina wouldn't have sung your praises until her throat went dry, now, would she?" the Queen replied smoothly.
Faced with her flawless logic, Caron scratched the back of his head and muttered, "So I ended up insulting my grandaunt's friend by calling her senile and asking where all her years had gone?"
"That about sums it up," the Queen said with a smirk. "Why? Are you feeling guilty now?"
Caron shook his head firmly and replied, "If you'd told me sooner, I would've held back. So, it's not my fault, is it?"
"You're insane," the Queen said, laughing softly.
"Thank you for the compliment," Caron replied with a grin. Then, pointing down the hill, he added, "Speaking of which, when do you plan to withdraw your forces?"
Below, the previously disorganized pirates seemed to have regained some semblance of order, likely thanks to the Queen's presence.
"I'd appreciate it if you fulfilled your promise sooner rather than later," Caron continued, his tone half-teasing but persistent.
The Queen snorted and said, "You were the one who rejected my proposal. Be grateful I'm leaving this easily."
"...So you are holding a grudge. Anyway, so, you're just going to leave your subordinates like that?" Caron asked, tilting his head.
The Queen grabbed the griffon's reins and asked, "You still don't understand why I sent them here first, even though I came in person?"
Now that she mentioned it, it was strange. Despite the slaughter of her men, the Queen hadn't made any decisive moves.
"Oh," Caron murmured, realization dawning on him. Shaking his head, he remarked, "So, you used someone else's hands to clean house. How ruthless."
"Bessic," the Queen said, her tone cold and detached. "That man's greed knows no bounds. I tolerated it before, but he crossed the line. As for Edward... He knows too many secrets. His loyalty is excessive, and he clashes too often with others. He disrupts cohesion."
She spoke of her subordinates as if she was appraising goods, her tone devoid of sentiment.
"Wouldn't it be simpler if you dealt with them yourself?" Caron asked, his expression twisted in distaste.
The Queen chuckled, shaking her head as she said, "They need to die by your hand. That way, their deaths will bind the rest of my subordinates together in resentment toward you."
Her cold, calculating reasoning sent a chill down Caron's spine.
Seeing his expression, the Queen offered a faint smile and said, "Someday, when you find yourself in a position like mine, you'll understand. Everything, even war, becomes an extension of politics."
"What about the nagas?" Caron asked, his voice heavy.
"That's for you to handle," the Queen replied nonchalantly before turning her gaze to Kerra, who stood silently beside Caron.
Her voice softened as she addressed him. "Kerra Acht, last time we met, I worried you might end up taking your own life. But now, seeing you alive and well, I must admit it's a good look on you. A face worth keeping around. If you ever change your mind, feel free to visit my palace. I'll have a room ready for you."
"Get lost, Queen," Kerra growled, his voice low but seething with disdain.
"Still as prickly as ever," the Queen said with a chuckle. "Growing old together wouldn't be so bad, you know."
With a piercing screech, the griffon spread its massive wings, getting ready to carry her away into the sky.
Screech!
"Well then, until next time, my dear little wolves," the Queen said with a smirk before disappearing from sight in the blink of an eye.
As her figure vanished entirely from view, Caron collapsed onto the ground with a heavy thud.
"Ha..." He let out a shaky breath. "...That was a stroke of ridiculous luck."
An encounter with the Queen hadn't been part of the plan, and Caron was acutely aware of how much mercy she'd shown him.
"Argh..." As the tension drained from his body, waves of pain washed over him.
Kerra, standing nearby, quickly moved to support him. Using mana that resonated softly, he leaned in and whispered directly into Caron's ear, keeping his words private.
"Who told you to provoke the Queen, Commander? That woman is a walking disaster. Surviving this encounter is nothing short of a miracle—an actual miracle."
Kerra then reached into his coat and pulled out a small bottle filled with golden liquid. "It's an elixir. Aqua said to give this to you."
This elixir was the finest healing potion crafted by dwarven alchemists. Though it couldn't rival the Dew of the World Tree, its restorative properties came close.
"Aqua did?" Caron asked, raising an eyebrow.
"She brought it when we left the lair. That kid must have some kind of foresight—seems like she predicted this would happen," Kerra replied with a smirk, uncorking the bottle and handing it to Caron.
Without hesitation, Caron downed the elixir. The bitter liquid slid down his throat, and almost immediately, the excruciating pain began to fade.
"Phew." He exhaled deeply and handed the empty bottle back to Kerra before saying, "Give me about ten minutes. I should be mostly healed by then."
The elixir's effects were extraordinary. He could already feel his broken bones mending themselves at an astonishing speed.
"I'll go deal with the battlefield," Kerra said, grabbing his sword as he stood. "You rest and regroup with the others."
Just as he began to step away, Guillotine's deep voice resonated in Caron's mind. "What in the world is that?"
Caron followed the direction of Guillotine's attention. Emerging from the rear of the battlefield, where the naga forces had gathered, was a massive creature. A monstrous crocodile, colossal even from a distance, roared ferociously.
"It's a Leviathan, a monster of the deep sea. Looks like those naga bastards aren't planning on losing without a fight."
Even at first glance, it was clear the creature was incredibly dangerous.
"Damn it," Kerra muttered, clicking his tongue in annoyance. He glanced down at Caron. "Don't rest. Move in ten minutes."
"...Didn't you just tell me to rest?" Caron asked.
"That was before that thing showed up. I'll handle the monster. Just heal quickly and mop up the remaining pirates," Kerra replied flatly.
"Can you take it on by yourself?" Caron asked skeptically.
Kerra gave him an incredulous smile and said, "Who do you think I am? I'm Kerra Acht, the 8-Star knight. That monster is nothing to me."
"Funny, you didn't seem to fare too well against the Queen earlier..." Caron remarked dryly.
"What was that? Hah! Just watch me. You'll see what I'm capable of," Kerra said. With that, he launched himself forward, kicking off the ground with blinding speed.
Caron watched him charge toward the Leviathan and let out a small sigh. Turning to his companions, he said, "Get ready, everyone. We've got pirates to clean up."
The others nodded silently, their resolve clear.
And so, the battle began to reach its end.
***
"Argh," Edward groaned, glaring at Bessic, who stood before him, panting like a wild beast.
The outcome of their battle had been decided long ago. Handling a foe who had lost all reason wasn't difficult, but the poison that Bessic had periodically unleashed was now spreading through Edward's body.
Whoosh.
A faint hum echoed as Edward used his mana to suppress the toxins to some extent. Narrowing his eyes at Bessic, he said, "The Queen will never forgive you."
The Queen had appeared on the battlefield. No one knew exactly when she'd joined them, but with her arrival, the war's conclusion had become inevitable.
She was the embodiment of victory. Even Caron Leston, the brilliant prodigy of the Ducal Family of Leston, couldn't begin to compare to the Queen's prowess.
Bessic sneered, his voice hoarse and mocking. "The Queen, the Queen! How long are you going to cry out her name like a sniveling brat?"
"...How pathetic," Edward replied coldly.
"You fool. Where is this almighty Queen of yours now, huh?" Bessic asked.
"The Queen is undoubtedly—" Edward started, but then faltered.
Something felt wrong. He could have sworn he'd seen the griffon she rode earlier, yet he could no longer sense her overwhelming presence.
Edward wondered if she had been defeated by Caron Leston.
That's impossible, he thought.
The idea was unthinkable. The gap between a 7-Star and an 8-Star was insurmountable through sheer luck. And yet, the absence of the Queen's power was undeniable.
"Look at you, acting like you were so smart all on your own. In the end, you turned out to be no different from me, you bastard," Bessic spat, blood dribbling from his lips. His scarred face twisted into a grotesque grin. "You still don't get it, do you? That snake of a woman always planned to use us as disposable tools."
"...That's absurd," Edward replied, his voice trembling slightly as he met Bessic's gaze.
It was then, however, that he realized Bessic had shed his madness. The man was lucid, and he was laughing at Edward.
"A hero? They're nothing more than another cog in the Queen's grand machine—one she can replace anytime. I figured it out long ago. Looks like you're just now catching up," Bessic said.
Edward shook his head in disbelief. He refused to accept it. No, he couldn't afford to. He had believed himself to be a trusted ally of the Queen. So, he couldn't understand why she was abandoning him now.
"Curious to know why?" Bessic taunted.
"Silence! Don't defile my ears with your nonsense!" Edward shouted.
"It's because she found something—or someone—who shines brighter than you. Like, for instance..." Bessic jerked his chin toward something behind Edward.
Despite himself, Edward turned to look. He knew better than to divert his attention during a fight, but the overwhelming presence behind him made it impossible to ignore.
What he saw was...
"Did you guys bond and get closer? They say men grow closer after a good fight," came a lighthearted voice.
It was Caron Leston, the young upstart Edward had seen earlier, striding toward them with his comrades.
"With all that chatting, you almost seem like friends," Caron added, his tone playful as he raised his dark blue sword. He glanced between Bessic and Edward, a smirk curling across his lips.
"The cunning bear seems like he already knew, but I guess you didn't, did you, Mustache? Poor thing. How does it feel to be discarded by the Queen?" he asked provocatively. His voice dripped with mockery, his grin widening with amusement.
"But hey, at least you've got a companion for the afterlife. Hold hands now—I'll make it quick and clean," he added.
With those words, Caron's sword began to radiate an intense light.
Whoosh!
Caron and his comrades surged forward in unison, descending upon the remaining pirates.