Chapter CLXVIII - Blue Ranked (epilogue)

The Middle Castle of Mazino, home to the kings and queens of the Mazino kingdom.

Located right at the center of the kingdom, it is easily the most important spot of the kingdom, with no other instances being looked up to more than it.

The sun is setting, which adds points to how beautiful the kingdom is from a high point of view.

The top floor's balcony of the middle castle is one of the best spots of the building, because one can view almost the entire kingdom and even the horizon of mountains beyond it. And watching the sun sets like this… feels like such an expensive moment.

A young female is currently leaning forward to the railings of the said balcony. Her pale white eyes are locked with the view, and it does not show any emotion. Her long braided golden hair was being flailed madly by the wind, but she enjoys that feeling very much.

It was such a beautiful scene… however, there was not a single trace of happiness in her eyes.

There was only… emptiness.

"My lady."

A voice came behind her, and the golden haired female turned around. She notices a single female knight standing by the entrance with a long light blue cape behind her, and she knows her as one of the royal family's personal guards.

The female knight bowed her head slightly towards the golden haired girl, and she continued.

"His majesty requires your presence."

Hearing that, the young golden haired female turned sour.

She nodded towards the female knight, and the female knight saluted before leaving the balcony.

The young female then began walking towards the throne room. Her steps are rather heavy, not because she does not wish to go, but because there is simply nothing that can keep her moving forward.

The literal pain in her chest… was not something any sane person could ever endure.

She arrived in front of the throne room, and she began opening the large double doors.

Inside, is the throne room that belonged to the most important person in the kingdom.

The very person, who is sitting at the throne right now, talking to his butler.

The king of Mazino.

"Ah, Lescia."

The king said the moment the female entered, and the butler also turned his body towards the female.

"You called for me?"

The female, named Lescia, said with a soothing but emotionless voice. 

Hearing that cold reply, the king can only gulp down his saliva from regret. But, the things he has to say are important.

"Lescia. Earlier this afternoon, a group of people came to the Adventurer's Office. They demanded to see the high ranking adventurers, and they wanted them to fight for them."

The young girl, Lescia, looked rather confused by the king's explanation.

"A group of people? High ranking adventurers?"

"They are in fact villagers, and they demanded the highest ranking adventurers to fight for them.

They met your cousin, and… she agreed to fight for them."

Hearing that, Lescia became interested.

It has been long since she last heard of her cousin. Though, the last time was when the Elder Dragon attacked, but it was one that came after no news for so long ago.

Of course, she became interested.

"... Fran?"

As Lescia muttered that name, the door next to the king's throne was opened.

Stepping out from it is the one and only queen of Mazino. Queen Alyssa.

She noticed the conversation, and she stayed silent and sat down on her chair that is next to the king's throne.

"The villagers wanted the adventurers to fight for them, and their reason being that they have been oppressed by another party for so long, that they wanted to fight back."

"Another party?"

The king let out a slightly long silence after that question, and he finally answered.

"Veldonia."

Lescia quickly opened her eyes wide from shock, and she can already guess where this conversation is going.

"I-Is there… Is there going to be a wa--"

"If we played our cards right, there won't be any war. But, we have to play correctly. You understand what that means, right?"

Hearing those words from the king made Lescia understand that the king has certain intentions… with her.

She strengthened her heart, and she spoke coldly towards the king.

"Is there anything… that I can do?"

The king nodded grimly and turned to the butler, and the butler opened the document that was in his hands.

"Based on the agreement between Mazino and Veldonia, written eight years ago, Veldonia must not create any political nor territorial crimes and disputes with the Mazino kingdom. Any issues that may arrive, must be settled through discussion, and so on."

After the butler read that line aloud, the king spoke once again.

"Do you understand, Lescia?

Your position. It has the right and power, enough to represent the kingdom. Because I am currently busy with the matters regarding the demon kingdom, you will be the one to take my position on discussing with the Veldonian side. I shall entrust all of the matters regarding it to you.

Will you take this mission?

Princess Lescia Mazino?"

Hearing her full name being called like that made her feel even more uneasy. However, there is a reason why this conversation went so coldly.

Because failing this mission… will turn our two kingdoms into war.

I will not… let that happen.

"I understand… Father."

I said to the king, my own father.

Hearing that reply, my father let out a long tired sigh. He lifted his hand and massaged the center of his eyes.

He looked extremely worried.

"I'm… Lescia. I don't… want you to–"

"You don't want me to go outside?"

"T-That… No. Not that. I just… I don't want you to get hurt."

Father said with a really saddened tone, and I bit my lips hearing it.

Though knowing it was such an important task to do, father still didn't want me to take it. 

He just wants me to stay here. He was hoping that I'd reject that mission, that's why he requested me to do the mission instead of immediately commanding me.

I understood his intention of not wanting me to be hurt any further… However, this kind of confinement is only going to kill me from the lack of movement.

I… want to go out. I want to contribute to this mission.

"As for that, I don't think you have anything to worry about, your majesty."

The butler spoke again without being called, and everyone turned their attention to him. From the grin on his face, everyone can tell that he is going to say something confidently.

"After all, the strongest adventurer team is going to help out."

"Strongest adventurer team… huh? Who's in it, again?"

"The Swordsaint, miss Fran Mazino. The Dragon Slayer, Cane Farmount. Two Yellow ranked adventurers, Albroth Veller and Rath Jacobian. A blue ranked adventurer from the Ignicius family, Emilia Ignicius. 

And the recently ranked Blue ranked, and secretly known as the Saint Healer. 

Rize Violet."

"Ak!!!"

Hearing that last name, mother specifically shouted.

She then turned her gaze quickly to her husband, which captured father off guard.

"Absolutely send her! You have to get Lescia to meet Rize!!!"

"W-Wha--Huh?? Why…? What's unique about madam Rize other than her healing…?"

"E-Everything!!!!!!"

Whilst the two were talking and arguing (mostly shouting), I was specifically surprised by those names, and I ended up with my own thoughts.

A slight grin formed on my face, and my chest feels an emotion that I have not felt in a very long time.

Not only am I going to meet my cousin again, but I will also go alongside those strong adventurers.

But most importantly…

Rize Violet.

I am… very excited to see you.

-----

End of Fifth Arc.