Chapter 107

"At last, Your Highness, we'll finally return to the Empress Palace. Just five more days of travel," Delphine said brightly, smiling at Ceres.

The expedition had finally begun their journey back to the capital, the morning after Ceres and the high-ranking officials met with the Narfs.

After being frozen for over a thousand years, the Narfs had much to catch up on. Queen Azura, realizing the changes in the world, made the decision to establish ties between Azur and Aquilonis, especially since Vaelundis no longer seemed to remember their kingdom's former alliance with Azur.

Now, they traveled in a carriage conjured by Ceres through her Creation Magic, while Seiryu had created additional carriages for the expedition, allowing even the commoners to travel in comfort instead of on foot.

The journey back to the capital was significantly faster, thanks to the absence of ice and snow.

"You shouldn't look so pleased," Ceres remarked dryly, raising a brow. "Did you forget you're the Saintess now? The moment we arrive, expect to be swarmed by Holy Church officials like a pack of starved dogs."

Delphine's smile vanished instantly, replaced with pure dread.

She groaned.

"Ugh… this is why I didn't want to be Saintess!" she complained. "Do you have any idea how exhausting those people are?!"

Arwen, who sat across from them, smirked.

"Oh, you'll find out soon enough," she said, grimacing slightly. "As a Holy Knight, I've had more than enough experience dealing with them."

Delphine groaned even louder, slumping dramatically.

Ceres chuckled, shaking her head at her misery, when suddenly, Seiryu appeared beside her out of thin air.

"How many times do I have to tell you, you useless lizard, stop appearing out of nowhere!" she snapped, glaring at him.

Seiryu simply grinned.

"Your Highness, I am a Holy Beast," he said cheerfully. "If you truly didn't like it, I wouldn't be able to do it."

His smirk widened.

"Since I can do it, that means you don't actually mind."

Ceres felt a headache forming.

She suddenly remembered something Azrael had once told her before, that she was unbearable.

Was this what he meant?

Was she as insufferable as Seiryu when she used to nag Azrael back in the Celestial Hallway?

The thought made her scowl.

"Smartass. What do you want?" she snapped.

Seiryu simply handed her a letter.

"A letter from Sir Draven."

Ceres took the letter, unfolding it. Her eyes skimmed over the contents. 

To Her Highness, Empress Ceres Evadne Valeria of Aquilonis,

I write to you with a heavy heart, knowing that my actions have brought dishonor to your name. I deeply regret the words I spoke, words unworthy of both you and the respect you deserve.

In my thoughtlessness, I have wronged you, and for that, I offer my sincerest apology.

Your knight, a man of honor and unwavering loyalty, has rightfully challenged me for my offense. I do not seek to avoid the consequences of my actions, nor do I wish to dishonor the sacred code we both hold dear.

I only ask that you grant me the chance to meet this challenge with the respect it deserves, that I may prove through my actions what my words have failed to convey, my remorse, my respect, and my wish to set things right.

If you find it in your heart to grant me this chance, I will meet your knight with dignity, not in anger or defiance, but in the hope that through this trial, I may restore the honor I have tarnished.

Sir Draven Quill, Noble Knight Commander of Aquilonis 

"A Knight's Challenge?" Ceres murmured, her brows furrowing.

"The Celestial Knight Legion challenged Sir Draven, Your Highness," Arwen said, grimacing slightly. "The day we discovered Legion's power, Sir Draven… spoke ill of you."

Ceres's gaze darkened.

"Did Legion press Sir Draven to honor the challenge?" she asked Seiryu.

"No, Your Highness," Seiryu answered easily. "But the commoners have been talking about it these past few days. Many of them believe Sir Draven should uphold the challenge."

Ceres was silent for a moment, lost in thought. 

"Stop the carriage."

Her command was swift and firm.

"Tell Sir Draven to see me."

Seiryu nodded, vanishing to fulfill her order.

The moment their carriage halted, Legion immediately rode up to the window, his face filled with concern.

"Is something wrong, Your Highness?" he asked.

Ceres raised a brow at him, then handed him the letter.

As their carriage stopped, so did the rest of the expedition.

She stepped out, allowing Legion to help her down.

"You challenged a knight for my honor," she said calmly, "yet you chose not to act on it afterward."

"Why?"

Legion lowered his gaze slightly.

"I apologize, Your Highness," he said, voice steady but respectful.

"I believed the challenge was no longer necessary. Sir Draven has realized the error of his words, and I can see his remorse. There is no longer a need for a duel."

Ceres's expression remained unreadable.

"You challenged a knight in my name, yet you never told me," she said.

Legion parted his lips, about to respond, but before he could, Sir Draven arrived.

Aurelian and the high-ranking officials followed shortly after, having also dismounted their horses.

Ceres turned to Sir Draven.

"I received your letter," she said. "As I understand it, Legion never pressed you to honor the duel. You could have ignored it, yet you still wrote to me."

Sir Draven stood firm.

"No, Your Highness," he said. "I spoke poorly of you, and I dishonored your name. I will not run from my mistakes."

"You could have left it in the past," she pointed out.

"And yet I would always know that I ran from a challenge given in your honor," he answered.

Ceres studied him silently.

Then, her gaze flickered toward Aurelian.

"You allowed this?" she asked him.

"Yes," the Duke answered.

Ceres exhaled softly before looking back at Sir Draven. 

"Even though Legion has superior abilities to you? You'll still go through with this duel?" Ceres asked, eyes fixed on Sir Draven.

"I will, Your Highness," Sir Draven replied firmly. His voice was steady, even though he already knew the outcome. The fight hadn't even begun, and yet he understood, this was a battle he could not win. But that wasn't the point.

"Very well," Ceres said, shifting her gaze between the two men. "You each have one hour to prepare. The duel will happen right after. Right here."

Whispers spread quickly through the entire temporary camp. Everyone buzzed with anticipation. After all, it wasn't every day that a duel between a Noble Knight and a legendary Celestial Knight would take place before their very eyes.

Ceres quietly conjured a luxurious velvet sofa a short distance from her carriage and settled herself there.

Her expression remained unreadable as she leaned back against the cushions, but internally, she was calculating.

She had been slowly using her magic, carefully managing her mana and letting her HP drop closer to thirty so she could finally replenish and level up. She didn't have the luxury of time.

Not after what she saw in her dream.

That dream, if it even was one, had felt more real than anything she had ever experienced in this world. And she knew the truth.

It was real.

The proof now hung around her neck.

The Starlight necklace.

It was unmistakable.

The delicate star-shaped pendant. The blue diamond in its center. The engraving of her name so subtle that only someone who knew it was there could find it.

It was the exact same necklace Zeus had given her.

And when she woke up that day, it was already around her neck.

She didn't know how it had crossed worlds, how something from her old life had found her here, but it had.

And that confirmed it.

He was breaking.

Losing his way. Losing his purpose.

And she… she had to reach him. She had to talk to him. Soon.

Even Queen Azura didn't know how the Demon Lord could help, or if he would even be willing to.

But Ceres had already made up her mind.

If she had to abandon her humanity to reach Zeus… she would.

No hesitation. No regret. 

She would give up anything for even one more moment with Zeus. 

She was pulled from her thoughts when she felt the sofa shift beside her.

She turned slightly, just enough to see Duke Aurelian sit beside her.

She narrowed her eyes, half-expecting him to start spouting something self-righteous. Maybe about how she allowed Legion to fight a duel that was clearly one-sided. Or worse, some long-winded lecture about "honor" and "reputation," like the kind Ryzel used to give on Earth when he blamed her for things that weren't her fault.

But he said nothing.

Ceres finally looked at him with a frown, only to catch him staring.

And she didn't like it.

Because gone was the judgment in his eyes.

Gone was the disgust.

Now, there was something else.

Desire. Respect. Obsession. Longing.

It reminded her too much of the way Zeus used to look at her…

When he first fell in love.

And she do not like it.

Not one bit.

"Do you have something to say, Duke?" Ceres asked, her tone sharp, her face impassive.

She refused to acknowledge whatever that look in his eyes meant.

Aurelian exhaled slowly, then spoke at last.

"What are your plans when we return to the capital?"

Without hesitation, she answered.

"Build an orphanage for the orphans. Provide jobs for the commoners. Travel to the other kingdoms. Awaken the Holy Beasts. Find the Demon Lord."

She said it all plainly, as though reciting a grocery list. 

"You're really willing to shatter the peace of the world," Aurelian said softly, "just for a Dream Spell?"

Ceres expected condemnation.

Instead, his voice was quiet. There was no judgment in it. Only curiosity.

She turned to him, and when she met his gaze, her voice was colder than ice.

"Do you really think this world is at peace, Duke?"

He opened his mouth to respond, but she cut him off before he could.

"If this is your version of peace, then yes. I'm willing to destroy it."

Her eyes narrowed. Her voice dropped to a whisper.

"I don't need your understanding. I'm not asking for your permission.

But let me make this clear, whoever stands in my way…

Will be my enemy.

And I will destroy my enemy."