Chapter 78

The sacred temple adjacent to the castle. Inside, Cisletia, dressed in a white priestess robe, knelt before the statue of the main deity, Zelium, and offered her prayers with her hands clasped. This was one of the duties of the Queen of Suenia, a daily morning routine.

After finishing her prayers, Cisletia opened her eyes and her gaze fell on the scratch at the base of the statue. Just like the statue in the throne room, this one also had a scratch. Every time she saw it, her heart would race. This statue was not something that could be easily damaged. Was it done by human hands? If not, then how? Who? The questions were endless. Cisletia shook her head.

"Perhaps I'm just being too concerned. All things that exist... will eventually decay, I suppose."

She slowly stood up and left the place. Using the corridor, she returned to the castle and headed straight for the throne room. It seemed as if a lady-in-waiting had been waiting for her, as she was kneeling there.

"Is it urgent?"

"There is something I wish to report to Your Majesty."

"...What is it?"

The content seemed to be something that, while not urgent, should be conveyed. Cisletia gestured for the lady-in-waiting to continue. She kept her head down as she spoke.

"The first princess of the Marana Kingdom was killed by bandits on her way to the convent."

"Bandits... I see."

Cisletia responded calmly, without any particular surprise. She had only just met the first princess of the Marana Kingdom at the founding festival of Rubelia. Compared to the somewhat frivolous crown prince, the princess was someone with whom she could communicate. Cisletia's evaluation of her was neither positive nor negative. No, that was not quite right. After the subsequent plan ended in failure, her evaluation had declined. The princess seemed to have an absolute confidence in something. It turned out that her trump card was a mysterious object that could bewitch people, making them obedient to the user regardless of their will. Cisletia wondered where such a thing could have come from, but given the divine protection, it would have been impossible to control anyone with it.

It was likely that the princess had used it before, which explained her confidence. She had been able to manipulate people as she wished. However, it was of no concern to Cisletia.

"Well, that's fine. It seems that country has no more room to meddle in other nations, and the bandits have simply done their job."

"Your Majesty, there is also a report that the king of the Marana Kingdom is bedridden."

"Is that so? Then the crown prince will be the next king, I suppose. He will make a more than adequate puppet king."

Suenia's relationship with the Marana Kingdom was rather distant. While the Marana Kingdom did not openly show aversion, in reality, they did not think highly of the religious state of Suenia. They did not openly express this to avoid being ostracized by the world.

Regardless of the situation in that country, it was of no concern to Cisletia. The Marana Kingdom had a capable prime minister. If he were to handle the affairs of state, a puppet king like the crown prince might be more convenient.

"However, what concerns me is something else."

"Your Majesty?"

The lady-in-waiting, who had been bowing, raised her head in surprise. She quickly changed her expression and bowed again. However, Cisletia only chuckled and did not reprimand her.

"Hehe. Well, that's fine. Please bring Seraan here."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Seraan was the one Cisletia trusted the most. She believed that with the knight, no one else was necessary. After a short while, the armored figure of Seraan appeared. Cisletia sat on the throne, took out a fan, and opened it with a snap.

"Thank you for coming, Seraan."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Cisletia greeted the knight with a smile.

This concludes the interlude.

The second part will begin next time.