Sword of Salvation-Chapter 121: - Queen Marry and Her Entourage (2)

In the most luxurious room of the finest inn in Norwea, Marryphimia lay on her side on an opulent sofa, savoring fresh green grapes.

The pink-haired woman was not alone. Athrecia Le Fay sat on the sofa across from her. They were the only ones there. Marry had sent Selena to observe and assess the military strength of Denland Kingdom. Even though their forces had yet to arrive in the capital, military documents were enough as a reference.

"I believe that child is still holding the ’Sword of Salvation’," Athrecia said, changing the subject. They had just discussed Mariel Allvar’s actions in helping Athenia Moskvallha reclaim her empire. "Stewart insisted that the child didn’t carry a sword, but I remember him using a dimensional portal. He might have a pocket dimension."

Ah... the Sword of Salvation. The almighty sword that unified the world in the age of the gods; the sword that even Apophis couldn’t scratch; the sword said to turn an ordinary being into a god; the sword that was somehow stolen and shattered into thirteen pieces. Athrecia Le Fay was obsessed with it.

"You can use Selena to make that child reclaim Britticia. If he’s as strong as Shin, he can conquer the city alone. I’d use the chance to force him to hand over the ’Sword of Salvation’. Once I gather all the sacred weapons, I’ll make you a god as well."

Athrecia’s words amused Marry. Her favorite mage dreamed of becoming a god and achieving true immortality. Athrecia feared death. Her fear surpassed all her other emotions. That was why she refused to fight strong opponents, always claiming she would only use her full power against Merlin.

"Are you laughing at me?" Athrecia asked, holding back a frown.

"No, no; I wasn’t amused by your words. I just remembered something funny. I’m far more feminine and charming than Selena, yet why did she find a husband first?"

The "charming" part wasn’t true. Selena was just as attractive as Marry. She admitted that. But the fact that she was far from feminine was undeniable. So why did Selena find a young man she desired before her? Why hadn’t she found someone who moved her heart? Even Stewart, the dream of many women, didn’t interest Marry.

"Didn’t you say you’d only be interested in a handsome man at least three years younger than you?" Athrecia didn’t wait for an answer. "You haven’t met one yet, so it makes sense. Why not find one and raise him into your ideal partner?"

"Hm... Perfect idea, Athrecia. Instead of waiting for the right time, it’s better to find one early and groom him into a loyal and obedient puppy. Brilliant. Just what I’d expect from an experienced homewrecker."

"...More importantly," Athrecia said, struggling not to unleash a high-level destructive spell on Marry’s face, "you haven’t answered me."

"Oh, about Mariel Allvar and the ’Sword of Salvation’ you think he has? Do whatever you want. I’m fine with your plan. Tell Selena to bring him here. Also, let her know I’m revoking Mariel’s fugitive status."

"You should’ve said that from the start instead of wasting time."

"Eh, weren’t you the one who asked if I was laughing at you?"

Athrecia didn’t respond. She stood up and left immediately. Marry shrugged and continued enjoying her fresh green grapes.

----------|[ ooOoo ]|----------

In his study at the palace, Stewart still hadn’t found the answer to the question that had haunted him since yesterday: why had the Norwea Palace Council followed Marryphimia Pendragon’s "advice"?

He had formed several assumptions, but none of them had been proven true. No soldiers had heard any screams from inside the meeting room, so it hadn’t been coercion. He had also confirmed that there had been no illusions or mind-control abilities. The council members had all been normal.

"Camelot will strengthen our military."

That had been the council members’ answer when Stewart had demanded an explanation. And although Marryphimia had confirmed it and had insisted that he allow Selena access to the kingdom’s military data, Stewart doubted that it was that simple. More than anything, he felt uneasy in Marry’s presence—his instincts told him that the woman was dangerous.

If it hadn’t been for Denland having been Camelot’s ally from the start... if it hadn’t been for Marryphimia emphasizing that she had still wished to maintain the relationship between Denland and Camelot... if it hadn’t been for the demands of his father and the council members... perhaps Stewart would have already sent someone to monitor Marryphimia Pendragon’s movements.

Stewart sighed, pushing the problem from his mind and shifting his focus to a more pressing issue.

Kingdom of Esparossa had become part of the Celtekhna Great Kingdom. Glazzier, the supreme leader of the Sterminatore in the Western Continent, had been fully on their side. The reason demon hunters in his land had flocked there en masse was because of Glazzier’s call.

"Marryphimia said we shouldn’t worry—she said that Glazzier and his army intended to attack Maxesonia Great Kingdom, which is suspected to be under the control of Primordial Demon Levia. But still..."

Stewart wasn’t able to stay calm.

He found it hard to remain calm in the face of a threat that could have suddenly engulfed his country. If it hadn’t been for the help of Mariel, Empress Athenia, and King Maggio, Denland would have already fallen. Moskvallha Empire would have conquered his land.

And, Glazzier’s power wasn’t something he could have matched. Stewart couldn’t afford to be at ease.

A sudden knock on the door snapped Stewart out of his thoughts. He called for whoever it was to enter. It turned out to be Julia, accompanied by Sean.

"Brother Stewart."

Stewart set aside the documents on his desk and straightened his posture. "How was Mariel’s mission?" he asked.

"Mariel has dealt with the demon. It turned out the demon had been controlled by a mage named Freya. Mariel hadn’t been able to determine her exact goal. He had defeated Freya, but then the legendary mage Anya Belsidian captured Sean and me and demanded that Mariel release Freya. They disappeared afterward. But more importantly, is what Sean was told true?"

Stewart had nodded.

"Ah, I see, so it is true."

"You seem disappointed," Stewart muttered, narrowing his eyes. "Don’t tell me you are really looking forward to that plan, Julia. Tell me that isn’t the reason. You haven’t fallen for that guy, have you?"

"I don’t know what you mean, Brother Stewart. But one thing is certain—there’s nothing for you to worry about."

"...You didn’t answer my question."

"We need to pay Mariel," Julia said, completely ignoring Stewart’s words. "I already told him I would bring the money to the inn. So, have you prepared it?"

----------|[ ooOoo ]|----------

After Julia and Sean left, Mariel locked the doors and windows and went to sleep. When he woke up, the sun had already shifted westward. He quickly freshened up and had lunch on the first floor. Then, he left the inn to continue his mission of controlling the world.

Mariel’s first target was a criminal boss who still had morals and principles. Such criminals could be controlled without fear of betrayal. In Vallhamoza, he was lucky to meet Oz. But here, he wouldn’t have a good start. His struggle would be much harder.

He searched through suspicious alleys, questioning shady individuals. But by dusk, he still hadn’t found a criminal that met his criteria.

He sighed and decided to go to his usual place for gathering information: the bar.

Just as he turned around and took a step, his eyes met a familiar face. There was some distance between them, but he could clearly see the red hair swaying.

He had several options. First, he could wave and smile warmly. Second, he could run toward her, calling her name. Third, he could do nothing and walk straight ahead. Fourth, he could turn around and run away.

Before he could choose, Selena dashed toward him, wielding ice swords in both hands. She moved at high speed, and in an instant, she was in front of him, swinging both swords with full force.

"Is this your way of saying hello?" Mariel asked, blocking the swords with his arms, wrapped in a spatial barrier.

"No, I’m not saying hello." Selena pushed against her swords but couldn’t budge them. "I just want to make sure you haven’t weakened. That’s all. Ah, if I need another reason, it’s because you saved Lukhiel. Where is that demon? Did he not survive Excalibur’s power?"

"Master didn’t survive, but he isn’t dead yet."

"Master?"

"He taught me prana and martial arts. He’s my mentor in many ways. Even though he’s annoying sometimes, he’s a good person. He saved my life when an assassin almost killed me."

"So, Lukhiel is really as the rumors say, huh?"

Mariel nodded. "If you still want to kill him, you’ll have to kill me first. And if you kill me, you’ll never know where Lukhiel is."

"I’m part of the Knights of the Round Table now, so I don’t need Lukhiel’s head anymore. Besides, if I did, why would I kill you? You’re stronger than me, aren’t you? I’d probably die instead."

"Kill you?" Mariel smirked and shattered Selena’s ice swords with his hands. "Impossible. I told you before—I could never hurt your smooth skin. That hasn’t changed. It would hurt my heart to wound you."

The shattering of the swords sent Selena stumbling forward.

She didn’t try to regain her balance. Instead, she let herself fall, trusting Mariel to catch her. He didn’t break that trust. Swiftly, he grabbed her and held her close, preventing her from hitting the ground.

"Do you remember my last message back then?" Selena asked, still in his arms.

"Of course. How could I forget?"

"Then what are you waiting for? Give it back to me."

Mariel gazed into her eyes and nodded. He leaned in, aligning their lips. Slowly but surely, the distance between them closed. Their eyes remained open, locked onto each other as if hypnotized.

Closer, closer, and—

"Mariel."

The call shattered the moment. Both of them instinctively turned toward the voice.

Julia and Sean stood side by side, looking directly at them. Sean seemed to be holding back a sigh, while Julia’s expression was blank. But her gaze was cold and piercing.

"Mariel... what are you doing?" Julia asked.

It was a simple question. Very simple. But given the situation and the chill in her voice, it was terrifying.

"U-uh... dancing?"