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Chapter 97
Hero
It wasn’t a massive wyvern, nor was it a small, agile gargoyle—was it really that easy to hit one? The knights were stunned by the accuracy of the arrows. Even when rubbing their eyes, the archer drawing the bow was unmistakably Diana.
The knights, having regained their composure, raised their spears and arrows and attacked the gargoyles. The gargoyles dodged quickly, but some were struck in the body and collapsed. Inflicting fatal damage on such nimble creatures was difficult, but Diana’s arrows pierced with deadly precision.
Her skill was terrifyingly flawless, as if the arrows were enchanted to track their targets. At this point, the knights knew exactly what to do. When Bill signaled, Rogafl and Aines assisted Diana, ensuring none of her arrows fell wasted, while larger figures like Bill formed a protective formation around her and advanced slowly. Part of the royal guard rushed to the commanders to help manage the situation.
“Reinforcements!”
On the battlefield, previously in chaos, hope began to bloom with the arrival of the knights and the divine archers. Following the knights’ commands, the scattered lines were gradually reorganized.
The gargoyles, however, were no different. Surprised by the arrows that pierced them, they quickly realized it was the work of a single human woman. Signaling with shrieks, the gargoyles charged Diana all at once.
Diana nearly fell off her horse in shock at the sudden onslaught.
“Your Majesty!”
She didn’t hesitate. Summoning a host of sylphs, she sent them at the gargoyles. Though minor spirits might only stir a gentle breeze for humans, they had a powerful effect on monsters.
The wind knocked the gargoyles back, giving Diana the chance to attach a sylph to an arrow and shoot the closest gargoyle in the head, felling it instantly. The sylph carrying the arrow giggled merrily.
Indeed, arrows were the perfect way to defeat monsters without revealing the summoning of spirits. Diana repeatedly shot arrows, taking down gargoyles one by one. The knights of Vargharti attacked the gargoyles charging toward them. Initially hesitant, the division of roles quickly brought the situation under control.
Realizing they were outnumbered, the gargoyles ascended high into the sky. Once appearing like a flock of crows, only about twenty remained, fleeing in a pitiful formation.
“Th-those bastards!”
A knight ground his teeth and shouted. Diana sighed and looked around.
The northern district, populated by poor people rather than wealthy merchants from the west, was in shambles. Worse than she had imagined. She heard a child crying. As the battle ended, the voices and screams of the dying reached her. Diana turned her attention there.
“Your Majesty, you must return to the palace immediately.”
“Have the representatives been dispatched?”
When Diana asked the knight about returning, he nodded.
“Lord Rivius has already assembled the representatives.”
“Ah, that’s a relief.”
Though Rivius had always been hostile toward her, he was reliable when it came to handling matters.
“There has probably never been an abundance of relief supplies. I will allocate the royal budget to help.”
Diana decided to stay and assess the damage personally. People tried to dissuade her, but she felt she had to see it.
Even as a foreign queen, being present and helping the people would provide them comfort amid such devastation.
She began helping carry supplies and triaging the injured. Though she had lived as a commoner for a few years, having been a noble for most of her life, Diana knew how to “care for others.”
Though her life had been hellish, she had never witnessed people being torn apart or her own flesh and blood being devoured alive.
As Diana helped, the knights began rescuing those trapped under debris. The monster attack was finally resolved.
When Diana returned to the palace on horseback, the noble army surrounding it was disbanding. Noblewomen and children were boarding carriages and returning home.
Some noblewomen’s gazes fell on Diana. With soot and grime all over her, she couldn’t be called beautiful even jokingly. She returned to the palace with the knights, almost as if swimming against a current.
Exhausted from the work, she thought she needed a bath, but then considered how even a warm bath might be a luxury for the people outside.
Though it was good to have repelled the gargoyle horde, she regretted not acting more decisively sooner.
“My goodness! Our hero has returned!”
At Rivius’ sudden, emotional exclamation, Diana looked up. Emotional?
“Waaaah!”
Inside the palace, the maids and Rivius were shouting. Seeing Princess Kragel standing in the center, Diana glanced at the Vargharti knights behind her, bewildered by the unfamiliar scene.
“A hero? Who are you referring to?”
Of course, it was Bill standing behind her, and Diana’s face scrunched up. Bill cleared his throat and whispered softly:
“Your Majesty… the Queen…”
“Pardon?”
“The Queen… Your Majesty.”
At that moment, Rogafl, standing behind Bill, shouted along with her:
“Praise the divinely gifted archer, the genius Queen! Waaaah!”
“Waaaah!”
Caught in this small victory parade, Diana blushed. She didn’t know where to look! Her gaze landed on Mabel, who was raising her hand and cheering as well. Diana doubted if she was still half-asleep.
“Thanks to Your Majesty, the gargoyles were swiftly defeated!”
“Truly amazing!”
Rogafl and Aines chimed in.
“Is it really that amazing…? Others fought hard too…”
“No, absolutely not!”
The knights stamped their feet, calling out as if distressed.
“Thanks to Your Majesty, not a single knight was hurt, and they were able to defeat them. Truly remarkable!”
Though the other knights could have handled it, having the Queen herself aid in the fight seemed to exaggerate the situation. Diana blushed, feeling burdened.
“Stop it. It’s embarrassing for others to see.”
Rivius, eyes sparkling, approached and exclaimed:
“No! The Queen is the best!”
“Pardon?”
“I never imagined you could shoot so well after just a few attempts.”
“…….”
“You even managed to control the situation. Truly, well done.”
Since when were we so familiar that this felt like praise? Diana’s sharp gaze was met with Rivius’ satisfied smile.
“Be glad. You’ve shown a blow to those who hoped you’d be a nuisance.”
Princess Kragel said.
“Even if they dislike you, they can’t deny Your Majesty now. Ah, that feels satisfying.”
Her words were a relief indeed.
“Has the news spread?”
“Of course. While we were gathered, the news was already out. The gargoyles fled because of Your Majesty’s archery.”
Recalling those who had always pushed her into danger while worrying about their own safety, Diana let out a small laugh.
Today, she had truly done her best: saved people, helped others. It felt like she was accomplishing more and more… but wasn’t this the least she could do?
She blushed, bowing slightly at the praise. Having grown up among people stingy with compliments, even sweet words felt good to hear.
The recovery proceeded quickly. Even without Diana’s interference, Rivius rapidly rebuilt the northern region. Diana had no further tasks among his efforts.
Rivius subtly suggested distributing relief food, but Diana allocated the budget without personally handing it out. She had something else on her mind.
She decided to focus on her own tasks.
Thirteen days remained.
Giscar’s return was imminent. With the budget authority came various responsibilities—most notably, interior design and landscaping.
Diana pondered how to decorate the desolate palace. The gray stone walls and crimson curtains felt bleak, so she planned a subtle transformation.
She removed the overly worn bright red curtains and replaced them with soft pink ones. Knowing a radical Panborough-style renovation would cause an uproar, Diana consulted artists to place artworks throughout the palace.
Rivius no longer interfered with the budget, and the palace staff happily followed Diana’s reforms.
“When he returns, I hope he notices the changes.”
For some reason, she was curious about Giscar’s reaction. As the palace gradually shed its gray, desolate atmosphere, Diana received further news.
“The gargoyles’ nest?”
“Yes.”
Rivius sighed.
The monsters reproduced faster than expected. Hearing that their nest had been located, Diana looked at Rivius.
“Assist me.”
“Respectfully, Chancellor, shouldn’t this be the knights’ duty? Your role is to protect the royal family…”
“I will no longer resist the Queen. I recognize her as the true queen and will serve her faithfully.”
“…….”
“Shall I kneel?”
With a completely unashamed expression, Rivius said:
“This is a crucial matter. Your Majesty’s power is indispensable.”
Rivius pleaded with a serious face.
