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Chapter 96
The Responsibility Taken On
Watching the resentful gazes of the noblewomen, Diana realized that all the favorable impressions she had “so far” built up had completely collapsed.
She tried not to glare at Princess Rebian. Perhaps it had been her doing, or maybe the Duchess of Aislag had sent her lackeys. In the current situation, it didn’t matter who had done it.
“Your Majesty the Queen! Will you not take responsibility for our safety?!”
“How can you send knights to protect us?!”
Diana observed the fear spreading among them like a contagious disease. The more irrational they became, the stiffer Diana’s expression grew. Seeing her face, the women quieted down.
“Is that all?”
Her cold voice made them flinch. Diana’s unreadable expression was terrifying. The calmness in her tone, isolated from the surrounding agitation, had a chilling effect like a splash of cold water.
“Your Majesty! This is too disappointing!”
Princess Rebian shouted, tears welling in her eyes as if frightened, which made her appear pitiful.
“I’m so scared! How could you possibly send knights to guard this place?!”
The sight of her trembling was pathetic. Looking at Princess Kragel, Diana noticed her face was also strangely frowning, lost in thought.
Diana spoke, hoping her voice would sound rational.
“They say the Kingdom of Rodbrock is a land of knights. Yet, it doesn’t appear so to outsiders.”
The moment she said that, she read the hostility in their eyes. But so what? If they were going to dislike her no matter what, it was better to speak frankly.
“I hear that outside the palace, your husbands, sons, and your family’s knights are guarding it.”
“…….”
“With such outstanding knights wielding their swords, what danger could there possibly be here?”
“They cannot enter the palace. The only ones who can protect us are the knights,” said the Duchess of Aislag, as if Diana could not understand.
“The antlers of the black stag are not as sharp as expected. I still have your invitation that says even women can protect themselves,” Diana said.
The Duchess of Aislag’s face twisted. The Black Stag symbolized the House of Aislag.
“I had thought that just as my husband protects the country, your husbands and knights could adequately guard this place.”
Diana clicked her tongue. The Duchess’s expression contorted further.
“You may not have received reports yet, but the Gargoyle group is far more numerous than expected, and the northern region is on the verge of devastation. Brave knights and soldiers could stop them, but the casualties would inevitably be severe.”
Diana explained slowly.
“As a Panbarran, I am well aware of the terrifying power your houses possess. Believing in that, I sent forces to rescue those in peril. Was that such a grave offense?”
“That is…!”
“Or should I have consulted with you regarding the deployment of troops? I am a foreigner and ignorant of such matters.”
Her words left them speechless. Excessive protest could be seen as overstepping into royal affairs, and discussing troop deployment could even be considered treason. At that moment, Livius, who had been silently observing, spoke solemnly.
“Ladies, the situation is very serious. The Gargoyle group numbers about three hundred, and even with the Royal Guard and garrison, neutralizing them is barely feasible.”
“…….”
“As protecting the country is a knight’s duty, that was why the deployment was decided. If you are uneasy, perhaps esteemed members of your houses could offer additional support in place of the royal knights?”
The noblewomen were left speechless. Who would be pleased at the suggestion of deploying their own troops? Diana was incredulous at their obvious reluctance to contribute even while others were dying. Livius continued.
“Defending the country is a knight’s duty. In accordance with the Rodbrock code, Your Majesty has acted appropriately. Had it not been for Your Majesty’s command, I would have requested it myself.”
Hearing the chancellor’s words, the women softened and cleared their throats awkwardly. Diana was stunned. It was absurd enough that Livius sided with her, but even more so to see them listening. It was disheartening.
“There are twenty palace troops here to ensure the safety of esteemed guests. What are the chances that the Gargoyles could kill soldiers, your family knights, and royal knights and reach here?”
Eventually, the stern expressions of the nobles relaxed. Diana addressed them.
“There is no danger to your safety. However, aiding the weak commoners who have no one to help them is the duty of those in high places. Rest assured…”
Princess Rebian spoke innocently.
“Then why doesn’t Your Majesty step in as well?”
Why am I involved in this? Diana furrowed her brows. Princess Rebian’s eyes sparkled.
“After all, Your Majesty is a genius in archery!”
The Duchess of Aislag chimed in.
“Then it is proper. If helping the weak is the duty of the high-born, Your Majesty should act as well, should she not?”
A silent pressure from the crowd began. Before Diana could respond, Livius intervened.
“Do you truly intend this, Your Majesty?!”
The sudden, lively voice startled Diana.
“……Yes?”
“There is already a shortage of archers! The capital is dangerous. It is only natural for Your Majesty to assist!”
“Indeed, since Your Majesty captured Echidna.”
Princess Kragel supported Livius’s statement while looking at Diana. Even Princess Kragel, whom she trusted—why? Her face held expectation, unlike Princess Rebian’s mischievous innocence.
Expectation in those grim faces… Could they really expect me to go out there? Seeing Kragel nod as if encouraging her, Diana grimaced.
“It wasn’t a bluff…”
Of course, it wasn’t a bluff. But still…
“You will protect us safely, won’t you?”
Princess Rebian added. Diana felt cornered.
“Isn’t the role of royalty fulfilled by simply staying safe?”
Pulled along by Livius, Diana spoke coldly. She was frustrated at him for worsening the situation instead of helping. Livius replied.
“Your Majesty, if you refuse and expect others to sacrifice themselves, it would look ridiculous. Rodbrock people value visible action. No matter how eloquently you speak, they will only scoff. This is different from Panbarran customs.”
“Sacrifice…?”
“For them, it is. They give up their blood-like knights to protect you.”
“……”
“Moreover, Your Majesty seems unaware that the palace is now surrounded by unprecedented private guards of the nobles.”
“……”
“And what if, during this time, someone kills Your Majesty and seizes the throne?”
Diana looked at Livius. His expression was serious. She hadn’t considered that. She knew Giskar’s ruthlessness and strength and assumed no rebellion would arise over such a trivial matter.
Although there seemed nothing to gain, circumstances might differ from her past life.
Was that why Princess Kragel wanted me to go out? Or, knowing her simple mind, maybe she just wanted me to fight the monsters…
“Also, I heard that Your Majesty is skilled in archery, is that not true?”
“……”
“The palace has been reformed, and your reputation among the noblewomen has grown. Shoot a few arrows, and people will be impressed by the foreign queen. Barghati will support you.”
Diana said nothing more. Upon reflection, this might be better than staying safe in the palace. She decided to accept the situation.
“What is… this?”
Rogafle was shocked to see Diana dressed and ready. Wearing trousers, she avoided eye contact, uncomfortable with the sensation.
“What is going on?! Why is Your Majesty going out?”
Bill shouted. Livius calmed them.
“As you see, Your Majesty must participate in the monster hunt.”
“But Your Majesty should be in the safest place with guards! Are you mistaking the Queen for the King?”
“But you wouldn’t leave the Queen alone in this place surrounded by noble guards, would you?”
The faces of the Barghati knights changed. That had been their main concern too.
“Damn it, we are here in safety, holding swords, not pushing her to die.”
Bill muttered under his breath. Livius smiled.
“Don’t worry. Your Majesty is a genius in archery, after all.”
“What do you mean? The Queen has just taken up the bow.”
Aines said, puzzled.
“The Queen hasn’t even aimed at a target yet…”
“Let’s go.”
Diana avoided their gaze and climbed onto her horse. Ignoring their suspicious looks, she mounted.
“Do you intend to waste time like this?”
The knights agreed and mounted their horses. Diana was skilled and could keep up with them. Receiving the nobles’ greetings, she rode out. The nobles’ expressions were subtle upon seeing the Queen participating in the monster hunt herself.
Diana hurried past those pitiful people. Indeed, this was her first time venturing into the heart of the Rodbrock capital unarmed—let alone hunting monsters.
“Stay close to me.”
“I will protect you.”
Some Barghati knights said with solemn voices. They did not expect Diana to perform any great feats. Simply stepping into this danger fulfilled her responsibility.
By the time they reached the northern district, hell had already unfolded. Flying monsters like gargoyles lifted people high and dropped them, tearing corpses apart, displaying their cruelty. The knights’ faces hardened witnessing monsters playing with humans.
Though gargoyles were small, throwing spears and arrows had low accuracy, making quick suppression difficult. Both sides drew spears and bows.
As they carefully aimed at the gargoyles, someone’s arrow pierced a gargoyle’s head cleanly.
Whoever it was, they were lucky. Then another arrow pierced another gargoyle, and yet another struck a different one.
Someone among them was an excellent archer!
The knights, momentarily forgetting their tension, looked toward the source. The Queen they were protecting was aiming a novice bow at the gargoyles.
Fwoosh!
Once more, a gargoyle’s head was pierced, and it fell.
