Chapter 244

Humans are social animals.

Unless someone is exceptionally unique, no one can escape this proposition. Even the Emperor, who seems to be the supreme ruler of the empire, or the Pope of a religious sect, cannot be exceptions.

There is one person who has cut off all ties with others and secluded themselves in the Arctic, but such cases are truly rare. As long as one is human, they cannot help but be conscious of others. Even the Princess of the Empire is no exception.

“Are you saying that… I am no longer of any use?”

Objectively speaking, she herself is a figure of such high stature that there is no higher place to climb on the continent. Just reaching the level of a Master in personal combat alone makes her one of the top figures on the entire continent, and her lineage is also excellent. It’s not just that she is a princess; she is also the first in line to the imperial throne.

Of course, the flaw is that she didn’t achieve this through world-shaking accomplishments. She was simply born as the first princess, and as she lived, all her competitors fell away, and she somehow ended up in a position similar to that of a crown princess.

Since it wasn’t something she planned and worked hard to achieve, she didn’t feel the reality of it even after obtaining it. The reason she speaks this way, despite holding power that no one can approach, is because she has recently come to clearly realize how insignificant what she possesses truly is.

Master of Masters.

Some call them Grand Masters, others call them Transcendents.

She has seen beings with unparalleled martial prowess that no one else can match. Epirna and Roka are completely different from each other, but they can still be considered peers.

They hold no attachment or lingering feelings towards power.

They only crave strength and experience, and they obtain it.

Those in power generally look down on such individuals. What is power? It is the ability to move countless people. It’s easy to say that one person’s strength can overcome many, but it’s usually not an easy task.

“My strength is too weak to interfere with the journey to the Arctic…”

However, when that martial prowess is refined to an extreme level, all other forms of influence are torn apart like illusions. She saw such a possibility in the Eastern Plains.

Epirna had little interest in power and was content with being the ruler of the Eastern Plains, not aiming for anything higher. But if she had, the weakened Empire would not have withstood her strike.

Even if the Empire wasn’t completely conquered, it would have been possible for her to swallow a significant portion of the eastern part of the Empire. And what about Roka, who defeated her? That wolf once had such meager skills that she couldn’t even come close to her.

But once she seized the opportunity, she surpassed her former self in an instant and even caught up to her current self. Now, they’re not even in the same league. When martial prowess reaches that level, any form of power in the world becomes pitiful in comparison.

That Roka is always by Kyle’s side. And not just that? Now, the dragon Azahadaka has also declared his intention to join the adventure. Her strength is beyond words.

Comparing the strength of humans and dragons is quite difficult, but one thing is certain. Once a dragon enters a battle in full form, an ordinary Master cannot withstand its momentum.

Though she might be weaker than a true dragon, Yanid, who possesses the Heart of the Dragon, also has power surpassing hers. When Oberta controlled her, Yanid subdued Ardein as easily as twisting a child’s wrist. It was truly no contest.

“So… there is no place for me by the Saint’s side anymore… Is that what you’re saying…?”

She does have a trump card, the Void Sword, but everyone has their own trump card. Roka must have one, Azahadaka certainly does, and Yanid undoubtedly has one too.

She didn’t think their trump cards would be weaker than her incomplete Void Sword. No, they would surely surpass it. The problem is this: there are already three people with martial prowess stronger than hers, so is there still a place for her?

“This is… too futile…”

In fact, this isn’t the first time she’s had such thoughts.

In fact, she’s been worried ever since Roka first surpassed her in strength.

If her martial prowess is lacking, all she has left is her position as a princess.

But what meaning does that position have in the journey to the Arctic?

Does the Primal Demon King Grimudo fear the crime of insulting the royal family?

If that were truly the case, he wouldn’t have been called the Demon King for so many years.

So what should she say in this situation? Should she admit that she is useless and accept it willingly? Or should she shake her head, refusing to accept it?

When this situation truly arrived, she didn’t even know what she wanted to do, let alone what she should do. Fortunately, before she could speak, Kyle opened his mouth first.

Quietly, but with strong conviction. He said this:

“Your Highness. I, too, am a discarded body.”

In fact, he sometimes thought that way, and sometimes he didn’t. Anyway, it’s all in the past, and even back then, he didn’t particularly feel any sense of betrayal.

Also, now, all those past stories are unimportant.

What’s important is that Ardein would think that way. If she has any misunderstandings, it’s best to clear them up quickly.

“How could I abandon Your Highness?”

Useless? Who dares to say such a thing? There is no useless person in the world. It’s just a matter of where one can exert their abilities.

In fact, the entire continent is now in danger. The Death God’s reach extends everywhere. Although she hasn’t seen the devastation with her own eyes, one thing is certain: if the martial prowess around him helps in the subjugation of the Death God, it would be a great help.

It’s not just about turning the tide from defense to offense; it’s about aiming for complete subjugation. If Roka, Azahadaka, and Yanid all participate, it’s entirely possible.

But even with this level of strength, the subjugation of the Demon King is uncertain. And they’re not going to the Arctic to fight him. There’s no reason to take this many people to the Arctic, as far as he’s concerned.

Those two and the dragon have already made up their minds to go to the Arctic, so he’s asking Ardein to head to the Empire.

With their forces already stretched thin, having their princess lead two Beastmen Masters would be a great morale boost.

Just the presence of reinforcements can raise morale. So, someone must head to the Arctic, but someone else must protect the home of those returning from the Arctic.

Perhaps, in the eyes of the light angel who once gave him a revelation, the best future was for the entire continent to be swept away and corrupted by the Death God. Why that is, we don’t know, but if the angel thought so, it must be correct.

But born as a human, living among humans as a human.

No one can easily make such a choice. To stand by and let the Death God swallow the entire continent, allowing countless people to be corrupted and become his slaves, is a decision filled with revulsion.

“That’s why I’m asking Your Highness to protect our home. The home of all of us, and the home of you and me.”

All those words, which might sound like an explanation,

Ardein listened silently. She even blushed slightly.

“…If that is your will, I will simply follow.”

After a moment of hesitation, she accepted Kyle’s request. In fact, even the same request can sound different depending on how it’s phrased. That’s why she suddenly changed her mind.

“So… you must come back safely. Until then, I will protect the home… the Saint’s home.”

The words asking her to protect his home while he’s away.

This can be taken literally, but when a man says it to a woman, the meaning changes slightly. It’s like asking for her support…

“I will wait. I will wait.”

Anyway, depending on how you interpret it, it can be taken that way, so the princess, hiding her flushed face, quickly left the scene. People tend to hear only what they want to hear.

‘Did it… go well?’

He tilted his head, puzzled by her sudden change in attitude, but what’s done is done. He believed without a doubt that she understood his intentions.