I Don’t Want to Be a Heroic Spirit [241]

The Demon King's army had been repelled, and the warriors of the royal capital emerged victorious.

Not a single life was lost, and those injured recovered swiftly under the priests' healing spells.

The greatest contributor to this triumph? Without a doubt, Nero.

Not only had she effortlessly vanquished the colossal demon that left everyone else helpless, but she also used her unique skills to bolster the strength of all the warriors. When the Demon King's forces attempted to retreat, Nero leaped from the city walls, plunging into the enemy ranks to wreak havoc.

Smitten by her unparalleled valor, the soldiers' morale surged again, leading them to rout the Demon King's army entirely.

"The future emperor of this nation, behold! Wasn't my performance magnificent?" Nero declared confidently, hands on her hips.

"Yes! Nero was incredibly magnificent!" Alice exclaimed without hesitation, her eyes sparkling like stars as she praised Nero, who proudly raised her chin in response.

"Hm! I appreciate those who speak the truth. Feel free to shower me with more praise! In fact, the more, the better!"

"Alice-sama, and... Nero-dono."

Claire approached them, her expression betraying a hint of concealed envy.

I wish I could be the one receiving Alice-sama's sweet compliments... she thought wistfully.

"The battle with the Demon King's army has ended. We've successfully repelled them, and the cleanup can now be left to others. So... I ask that you both return to the castle and rest well."

"Nero-dono, we are deeply grateful for your assistance in repelling the Demon King's forces. Tomorrow, a celebration banquet will be held to honor all those who contributed to this battle. We sincerely hope you will attend."

In front of Nero, Claire maintained a respectful demeanor. Whether it was Nero's imperial status or her significant contributions in the battle, both demanded such reverence.

"A banquet? Hm! That sounds delightful!" Nero's eyes lit up with joy. "Hosting a Nero Festival... may not be feasible, but no matter! I shall still look forward to it! Red wine, flowers, music—extravagance is my true nature! Only the grandest stage can showcase my talents!"

"The valiant warriors who fought today must be utterly exhausted. Since they displayed their splendor, I too must demonstrate mine! At the banquet's climax, I shall dispel their weariness with a voice as divine as the music god Apollo's! Hm! That would be the highest honor!"

"You wish to perform at the banquet? Hmm... that can be arranged," Claire agreed after a moment's thought.

"Excellent decision! My sublime voice will leave an unforgettable impression on all the guests!"

The task of cleaning up the battlefield didn't fall to them—it could be outsourced to adventurers through commissioned requests. After all, adventurers accepted all sorts of assignments, as long as they were paid enough.

From finding lost pets to teaching skills or purifying water sources, you could find requests for nearly anything on the adventurer guild's job board.

Nero followed Claire and Alice back to the castle, returning to the room that had been prepared for her earlier.

"This time, please get some proper rest. No more barging into Alice-sama's room or dragging her off on wild escapades. She is this kingdom's only princess. If anything similar happens again, it will cause serious trouble."

At the door, Claire earnestly and sternly reminded Nero, hoping that this self-willed emperor would heed her words.

"If you have any issues, please rely on the nearest steward or maid. If you find them insufficient, have them report to me—but please, leave Alice-sama out of it."

"Your reasoning is peculiar. If this were an era of peace, I might understand, but this is a turbulent time, is it not? Monsters and the Demon King's army wreak havoc across the land. Learning to adapt to the battlefield is a necessary skill," Nero responded, tilting her head quizzically. "Especially since she is the future emperor of this nation. She must witness the flourishing and decline of civilizations, imprint the growth and loss of life in her mind, and learn the responsibilities of an emperor."

As she spoke, Nero glanced at Alice.

Alice was present, though she remained quiet, her demeanor more reserved when standing near Claire.

Perhaps... it was like how a student feels in the presence of a strict teacher.

"Alice-sama doesn't need to do anything of the sort!" Claire exclaimed, stepping in front of Alice and speaking firmly. "Moreover, Alice-sama isn't the future ruler of this kingdom. Her brother, Prince Belzerg, is at the frontlines with His Majesty the King, fighting against the Demon King's forces."

"Both the prince and His Majesty dote on Alice-sama. With them around, Alice-sama has no reason to step onto a dangerous battlefield!"

With that, Claire escorted Alice away, bidding Nero farewell with a polite wave.

"Goodnight."

"Goodnight. See you tomorrow, Alice... No, wait. It's already past midnight, so perhaps I should say... see you at dawn, Alice."

As for the mutterings from a certain someone lamenting, Why can't I be the one to exchange sweet goodnights with Alice-sama?—those were magnificently ignored.

Closing the door, Nero lay down on the bed, planning to get some proper rest.

Though dawn was only an hour or two away, sleep was still necessary.

"Goodnight, Macapaca..."

That night, she managed to sleep somewhat well.

With a comfortable bed and a pleasant dream, everything seemed serene and perfect.

Except for the piercing headache that struck the moment she awoke—a sharp, tearing pain that no remedy could alleviate.

"Ah... I almost forgot. I suffer from chronic headaches," Nero muttered grimly, clutching her head as she sat up.

Nero's persistent headaches were a result of being poisoned by her own mother, Empress Agrippina, which left her with this affliction.

Despite her EX-ranked Imperial Privilege skill that theoretically allowed her to adapt to any class, her chronic headache made it impossible for her to assume the Caster class.

...Or at least, that's what her profile stated. However, Nero indeed possessed a swimsuit variant that allowed her to take on the Caster class.

And in her Caster-class profile, it even claimed that the class suited her better than her Saber class.

Isn't that a contradiction?

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T/N: sorgee forgot cvhaps

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