Chapter 321 – Chapter 33

‘As expected.’

Lillian noticed that the faces of the spectacled people twisted in amazement, then quickly returned to normal.

Akina confirmed what she had heard through rumors during her mercenary days, and she thought that if she became known as the mighty of Origin, her reckless disdain would disappear to some extent.

‘We have to inflate our strength to the fullest. That way, they’ll get confused too.’

This country needs a little too much time.

The guardian corps called themselves traitors who accepted heterogeneity and provoked several countries, so a war was inevitable.

In this situation, they should exaggerate their weight class as much as possible to buy time.

And I decided to use various means to make the head of the four gods as complicated as possible.

For example, Priscilla who stands by her side.

‘Unbelievable!’
‘There are two Origins!?’

Even if you combine both continents, there are only about a dozen strong people who are no different from a strategic weapon just by existing.

In addition, due to the nature of prana, which becomes stronger by absorbing crystals, it takes a year just to obtain materials and ask an alchemist.

Amount? Of course, the higher the crystal, the more the production cost alone adds to the cost of maintaining an army for a month.

Finally, there is also a chance of failing to absorb crystals.

The story of unmanned people who poured all their wealth to become Origin, but failed to absorb it, and are rolling around like dogs to pay off their debts is common.

The appearances of Lillian and Priscilla, who broke through all these conditions and became Origins at the young age of 20, were like products of a miracle.

When Lillian sat on the throne, representatives of the envoys from each country congratulated the reconstruction of the Kingdom of Lucy Arkenel by presenting a box containing gold and silver treasures.

“Thank you! Receive a precious gift and say thank you!”

Lillian was very happy and accepted the treasures presented by the envoys as a celebration gift.

‘After a long life as a mercenary, he seems to be delighted with the goods.’
‘Did you overdo it to become an Origin? I can’t believe I’m just happy with something like this.’
‘I’ve been active as a mercenary for over 10 years, so it would be nice to have good money.’

The envoys secretly laughed at her rejoicing over the gold and silver treasure.

There are many rare metals and materials in this world.

It is a common practice to present items made from such rare materials in order to establish a sincere friendship with the other person.

In other words, it indirectly reveals that her kings, who sent her money and things without her, do not recognize her.

‘ Is the look on your face. Just as Barnes said.’

Lillian checked the lips and eyes of the reapers who twitched whenever she was happy.

When she showed the appearance of being tight or obsessed with her money, her eyes, which had been wary of her until now, softened even more.

– Lillian. You have to be both intimidating and underestimated-
-They won’t give us any time if they find out you’re a great king.-
-Show strength and look menacing, but politically look low.-
-Then they would try to break us down from the inside rather than breaking us by force.-

As long as there are two origins, if you try to press down with force, you will expect considerable damage.

Vannes proposed a ploy to buy time by making her opponent focus on political intrigue by pretending that Lillian had no political experience or ability, and Lillian accepted it and became the current situation.

‘Now, I’ll help you guys focus more on plotting.’

After accepting the gifts of all the Shinigami and exchanging her good wishes, Lillian rose from her throne.

“Thank you so much for congratulating us on the rebuilding of our kingdom. Originally, I would have to brag about how I, a fallen royalty, have come this far.”

Her jokes and smiles softened the atmosphere even more.

However, the atmosphere froze in an instant with the next line.

“One, before that, I would like to introduce to everyone the person who helped me to get to this position. Count Akina. Come here.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“!?”

Akina, who had been alone until now, stood up in front of the throne at Lillian’s call and knelt down on one knee.

“I am where I am today because of your dedication and help. Today, I want to praise you for your achievements in front of everyone.”
“I just did what I had to do.”
“Now, wait! Count Akina! What is this now! This is like…!”

Marquis Khan realized that the atmosphere was strange and hurriedly tried to tear Akina apart.

“I’m sorry. I can’t tolerate any more disturbance than this.”
“Keugh…!”

However, Priscilla, armed with armor, appeared in front of Marquis Khan and lightly sprayed her momentum and pressed her.

As if he really wanted to slash if he went on a rampage any further than this, with his sword lightly drawn.

“Akina Karaiden, you have provided a great help in the reconstruction of the kingdom both physically and mentally. In appreciation of this, I appoint you as a duke.”

On Earth, there are double vassals who become nobles of the two kingdoms, but in this world, double vassals are impossible because they are not open to the level of Europeans on Earth.

In other words, Lillian is bringing Akina under her command.

Even in front of the death squad.

“I, Akina Karaiden, will become a barrier against foreign enemies for the Kingdom of Lucy Arkenel.”
“I accept your lofty allegiance.”

And as Akina swore allegiance to Lillian, the Shinigami couldn’t stop their faces from contorting in astonishment.

“This, this, this is a betrayal! It is a betrayal, Count Akina! Do you have no loyalty as a nobleman!”
“Loyalty is a trade, Marquis Khan.”
“What?”

Akina, who had been bestowed the duchy by Lillian, stood up and glared at the Marquis of Khan.

“Even a loyal dog will run away from an owner who doesn’t feed it. Unfortunately, I don’t remember ever getting anything from a previous owner.”
“Your territory! Your title! All of them were given the king’s surname!”
“I have to say it right. It’s just a reward that my ancestors shed blood and sweat and made a fair effort.”
“What, what!”
“Oh, how can you say such a terrible thing!”

The beginning of nobility, of course, begins when ancestors make a contribution in some way and receive land from the king.

However, her remarks made her a flagship for the aristocrats, who were instilled with the idea that nobles were superior to commoners and were born to rule them from a young age.

“Stop!”

As the commotion grew, Lillian’s enchanted voice rang out, forcing them to shut up.

“There’s still a second one, so why not make a fuss already?”
“Second?”
“No way…!”

The first to notice the word second was the people of the Dimenes Empire.

The head office of the Majeruq Merchants, which used to be headquartered in the imperial capital, suddenly became a branch, and the head office settled here.

“Come out, Charlize Livelim.”

At the same time as Lillian’s order, Charlize appeared through the door she came out of.

Not the usual high-exposure witch-like outfit, but with a somewhat tight but tidy dress.

Because her dress is rather tight, her breasts, which are larger than her head, sway with her graceful gait, revealing her own presence without filtering.

The reason why she finally came out was to maximize the shock the death squad would receive.

If you are at a party, there will definitely be someone who notices in advance.

“You ignored the crisis of the kingdom of Lucy Arkenel and disappeared while abandoning the territory.”

Whatever the reason, it was the worst disgrace as a noble to abandon the territory and disappear during the kingdom’s crisis.

“However, I believe that the kingdom is also responsible for not being able to properly comfort you even after knowing the situation at the time.”

Everyone knew what Charlize had been through, but no one could have imagined that she was in so much pain that she would throw Youngji away because of her usual appearance.

“Charlize Livelim. Will you correct your past mistakes and once again be loyal to the Kingdom of Lucy Arkenel?”
“Yes. I will never commit the same crime again.”
“Okay. I’ll give you the estate of the Livelim family, but I’ll demote your title to Count.”

Charlize, originally her marquess, was demoted to the rank of count, but she expressed her gratitude for being rather lenient.

“This concludes the ceremony for the appointment of Duke Akina Karaiden and Countess Charlize Livelim. Have a good time everyone.”
“…”

But nobody enjoyed the party.

No, it would be accurate to say that I did not even think of enjoying it.

One of the strongest in the Western Continent and the last barrier of Harlot Kingdom, Akina Karaiden.

Charlize Livelim, the sorcerer of the Majeruke Merchants and also known as the ‘Witch of Calak’.

Because two women who are strong in Origin and have power that cannot be ignored have joined the Kingdom of Lucy Arkenel.

As a result, externally, Lillian, Priscilla, Akina, and Charlize, four strong people who reached the origin stage gathered in one kingdom.

Of course, there are more powerful people who are comparable to them, but if they are revealed, the Western Continent countries will not be vigilant, but will be seized with fear and somehow try to destroy the kingdom of Luciar Kenel.

Shock and fear must be appropriate to keep them in check.

If any living thing feels fear that goes beyond the limit, it will be desperate to die.

‘Why is Count Akina?’
‘On what condition did Queen Lillian conciliate the two?’
‘Four origin-class powerhouses!’
‘If we cooperate and attack, we can guess the numbers, but…’

The envoys did not know how to attack the Kingdom of Lucy Arkenel, which had unexpected power.

However, something happened that completely cut off their will to attack.

“Ah, I’m sorry. A close friend of the kingdom said he’d be late to attend.”

Lillian said she wanted everyone to focus and welcome her belated friend.

A friend of the kingdom?

When everyone tilted their heads at the strange title, the head maid opened her mouth at the entrance of the party hall with a clear yet captivating voice.

“My friend of Luciar Kenel Kingdom, the 29th descendant of the World Tree, the ruler of the black soil, the divine tree, Neledriel, is entering.”

Long ears like an elf.

A dress made of leaves and bark.

Cold eyes that seem to look down on humans.

Neledriel appeared at the party, blowing her bright green hair like a leaf.

From accessories to clothing, it is made of pure natural objects, but because of that, everyone’s eyes were focused on Neledriel because they could feel the unique charm that could not be seen in the capital city.

Upon learning that the Divine Tree from the founding legend of the Lucy Arkenel Kingdom exists, the faces of the four gods could no longer maintain their poker faces and were distorted.

*                           *

A few days later.

“What? Four strong people at the origin level?”
“Are you saying the sacred tree in the legend was real?”

The Guardian Corps, who were preparing a great magic to destroy the kingdom of Lucy Arkenel in a remote forest, were astonished by the information delivered by the messengers.

“I must increase the scale of my magic.”
“What? Scale up here?”

The High Priestess of Nozgna insisted that the magic they prepared should be prepared on a larger scale.

“This alone cost an astronomical amount. But you want me to add more here?”
“If four strong Origins gather their strength and attack at the same time, it could collapse as soon as the plan starts. If the kingdom of Luciarkenel overcomes the crisis we created, it will lead to a result that makes it more powerful.”

The Guardian Corps had the burden of having to add more materials here.

However, the followers of Nozgna emphasized that their plan would fail if the strong people of Origin gathered their strength and attacked them at once.

“Akina already has the strength to be called a small country, and if Charlize’s Majeruq Merchant Corps cooperates, the Kingdom of Lucy Arkenel will be normalized in an instant and firmly established.”

The High Priest growled as if warning them, reminding them of the information they had obtained.

“It’s easy if you don’t let them come out, but because of the black soil, it will lead to a safe increase in power. If you give it time, there will be a territory in the West Continent where different species can settle perfectly. If you can’t do it because it’s a waste of money, get out of here. .”
“Big…!”

According to the information confirmed by the envoys, the Kingdom of Lucy Arkenel said that they were stably supplying food in a way they did not know.

The most likely thing is that Neledriel, the ruler of the black soil, will provide a stable supply of food, but the important thing now is not the process, but the conclusion that food is plentiful.

“…I will make a request for support to the higher ups.”

In the end, the Guardian Corps decided to further increase the scale of their plan.

Thanks to Barnes’ plan, the Kingdom of Lucy Arkenel was able to delay the immediate crisis, but later came to a greater crisis.