Chapter 86

“Whoa!!”

The dazzling flash and ear-splitting noise made the audience scream and cover their eyes.

Artemis’s thunderbolt instantly silenced the stadium, which had been filled with cheers.

And all that remained where the massive thunderbolt struck was a shattered floor and a thick cloud of dust.

“Whoa, whoa, whoa!!”

Soon, the once-quiet stadium was filled with cheers again.

“As expected of Empress Artemis! The epitome of coolness and splendor!”

“Wait, hold on. Isn’t there a rule in the swordsmanship competition that you can’t kill your opponent? What about that?”

“Uh……”

The audience, who had initially cheered for the spectacular and powerful thunderbolt, soon quieted down, thinking the attack might have been too excessive.

And Artemis, too, felt a chill run down her spine.

‘……That was too much. I overdid it. I instinctively went too far without realizing it.’

The relaxed smile had already disappeared from Artemis’s lips.

‘This feeling is new. Why did I…?’

What Artemis had used was the powerful ability of the ancestral Zeus’s spear, a piece of powerful magical equipment.

It was a magic that stored mana and could unleash it explosively, a magic that shouldn’t have been used in a swordsmanship competition.

It was an extremely powerful and deadly ability, not to be used unless you intended to kill your opponent.

But Artemis had used it without realizing it.

And against a shabby-looking man she had never seen or heard of before.

As the dust slowly settled, Artemis’s eyes widened.

“That’s too much. You acted like you’d fight fair, but as soon as it started, you resorted to a cheap sneak attack?”

Kairon walked out of the dust cloud, brushing off the dirt from his clothes.

“How……?”

“How did I do it? Just like you used magical equipment, I used mine too.”

As Kairon said this, he threw off his tattered coat.

“It’s an heirloom from my old man. He said it would block one cowardly magic attack meant to disable a warrior. I didn’t think I’d use it in a competition, though.”

“……I apologize.”

Artemis quickly bowed her head.

“Why are you apologizing? What did you do wrong?”

“The thunderbolt I just unleashed is a magic meant for truly powerful opponents or enemies that must be eliminated. I don’t know why I reflexively used it on you, but it was definitely a magic that shouldn’t have been used. I’m truly glad you survived my impulsive act. Since I made a mistake, I’ll take responsibility and forfeit. Referee……”

“No, that’s not necessary.”

“……!”

Artemis, who was about to call the referee, quickly stepped back and created distance.

Kairon, who had been quite far away, was now standing where Artemis had been.

Artemis’s eyes widened even more as she looked at Kairon.

In the brief moment Artemis raised her hand, Kairon had closed the distance with terrifying speed, enough to create a gust of wind, and tried to grab her hand.

“Nothing happened in the end, right? That coat was something I was going to throw away eventually anyway. The timing just got moved up a bit. Besides, the opponent was none other than the Empress of the Rimpos Empire. I think that coat had a glorious end, don’t you?”

“You’re strong. You’re incredibly strong.”

“It’s an honor to hear that from the Empress of the world’s largest empire.”

Only then did Artemis realize that she had instinctively used powerful magic.

Perhaps, fearing that she might lose to this shabby man in front of her, Artemis had instinctively tried to eliminate him to protect herself.

But even though her attempt to eliminate him had failed, her body trembled.

The fear that she, the Emperor of the Rimpos Empire, might lose, the joy of facing an opponent who wouldn’t hold back and would give their all, and the thrill of fighting a warrior who might be stronger than herself.

It was a delightful shiver.

Artemis felt her blood boiling for the first time in a long time.

“You, I have one request.”

“What is it?”

“Don’t ever hold back against me.”

“Why would you even ask that? Of course, I won’t.”

“No, it’s not obvious.”

Artemis shook her head firmly.

“I am the Emperor. And the Emperor of the Rimpos Empire, who leads on the battlefield, must be stronger than anyone else. The one who stands at the forefront, whom the soldiers trust and follow, must be stronger than anyone else. It’s embarrassing, but that’s why I hold demonstration fights against dozens of soldiers to boost morale before battles. Those who face me are all weaker than me, or they pretend to be weak. I’ve had countless thrilling fights on my way to becoming Emperor, but it’s been a long time since I’ve had such a thrilling fight since becoming Emperor.”

Listening to this, Kairon fully understood why Artemis was asking him not to hold back.

“I thought you were being cowardly by using magic from the start, but I was wrong. I’m sorry. I misjudged you.”

Kairon also bowed his head slightly in apology and acknowledgment, and finally drew his sword.

“Then let’s have a fight that will be a good memory for both of us.”

“That’s what I desire too!”

Artemis smiled brightly again and charged at Kairon with ferocious momentum, thrusting her spear.

***

“So, what happened later?”

Riana, who had been listening to the story, stomped her feet and asked impatiently.

She had been so focused on the story that the steaming hot food in front of her had gone cold.

“What do you mean what happened? I won the swordsmanship competition, so you already know the outcome, right? I won. The gamblers were crying tears of blood, cursing me. That’s probably why I ended up joining the Vanguard.”

“Do you think I’m stupid? Of course, I know you won, Kairon. But that’s not what I’m asking. How did Empress Artemis Rimpos end up asking you to be her husband? Are you just making that up to brush it off?”

“Why would I lie to you, Riana? It’s true that Artemis asked me to be her husband. After losing to me, Artemis didn’t return to Rimpos right away. She came to watch me fight every day, cheering passionately. She said since I defeated her, I had to win the championship.”

“Hmm……?”

Riana narrowed her eyes for some reason and tilted her head, staring intently at my face.

“Why are you looking at me with such a burdensome expression, Riana?”

“I can’t help but think it’s strange. Kairon, you’re good-looking, sure. Even Abelin and I admit that. Of course, looks are incredibly important when it comes to falling in love at first sight. But from what I’ve heard, you were quite……”

“Quite?”

“Quite… tasteless back then.”

“Tasteless? What do you mean by that?”

“Well, you’re much better now. You’re smooth, kind. Kairon, have you ever met anyone who dislikes you?”

“……Abelin?”

“No, not her! Anyway, even if Abelin dislikes you, what about others?”

“……I don’t know. I’ve never felt like anyone hated me except Abelin.”

“See? You’re a good person that anyone would acknowledge. But from the story you just told, it seems like back then, you were cold and immature.”

“Thinking about it now, maybe that’s what mattered more to Artemis. Being in the position of Emperor, she must have received a lot of exaggerated flattery. But I didn’t have any of that. If I had a reason to impress her, maybe, but since I didn’t, I just treated her plainly. Besides, at the celebration for my victory, I said something.”

“What did you say?”

“What do you think? A confession.”

“Gasp, I really want to hear it.”

“Before that, shouldn’t we eat while the food is still warm? It’s getting cold.”

“I can just ask to reheat it. And right now, I’m listening to the love story of the Empress of the Rimpos Empire! This story is much more delicious!”

“Alright, alright. At that time, Artemis said this.”

***

“Congratulations on your victory.”

“Thank you.”

“To celebrate your victory, cheers!”

“Ugh…… sure, cheers.”

Kairon clinked his glass loudly with Artemis’s.

They clinked so hard that it was a miracle the glasses didn’t break.

The Empress of the Rimpos Empire had a unique strength even in toasting.

“I knew you would win. After all, you defeated me.”

“It was just luck. If I had faced someone who countered my swordsmanship, I would have been helplessly defeated.”

“So, what do you plan to do now? For me, being at the top of the world, winning the swordsmanship competition was just a pastime. But for you, it must mean something. The title of the swordsmanship competition champion alone will shine for a lifetime. Do you have any plans with that shining fame?”

“Not really. I only won to fulfill my old man’s wish.”

“Really? You don’t want anything? Then how do you plan to live from now on?”

“Well, I don’t have any plans. Maybe I’ll work as a mercenary whenever I’m short on money to make ends meet.”

“……Then, would you consider my proposal?”

“Proposal? I’ll hear it. What is it?”

Artemis bit her lip tightly.

And, uncharacteristically for her straightforward personality, she crossed her legs and turned her head away, asking.

“W-would you……”

“Would I?”

“N-never mind! Let’s have another drink. Cheers!”

“Uh……? Sure, cheers.”

***

“……”

Riana stared at me with a blank expression.

“What?”

“What was that?”

“Why are you reacting like that……?”

“The Empress is so cute! She’s absolutely adorable!!!”

Riana shouted so loudly that the restaurant echoed.