Chapter 34

Thank you for reading. This is the second part of today's story.

I will post again tomorrow at 8 or 9 AM.

While Noel was talking enthusiastically about her plans in the Knight Commander's office, the door opened with a knock, and Sirius entered with a frown.

"Ah, Sirius.

Don't you have an important meeting today?"

"The meeting dragged on, so we took a break.

I needed time to cool my head and calmly review the documents.

But thanks to that, I received a report that made my blood boil.

A report that my wife is going to the Dark Forest."

Sirius spoke in a tone that seemed to be suppressing something and plopped down next to Noel on the sofa.

"Boil? I just decided to go because I have a plan. To practice offensive magic."

Noel felt a bit off about Sirius's demeanor but explained briefly.

"Would you allow such a thing?"

"Eh? Why not?"

Noel was genuinely surprised.

"Who would send their newlywed wife to a dangerous Dark Forest!

I am at least not such a husband!"

"There are villages near dangerous forests too."

"Those villages have strong men for development.

Not a young and beautiful queen!"

"I'm young and a queen, but not that beautiful, and I have offensive magic.

I want to defeat monsters and practice offensive magic, and make flame-explosion enchanted throwing knives.

Then I want to make wind-cutting enchanted arrows.

Isn't that a good idea?

Once I finish my magic training, I'll make them and give them to the knights who are good with bows."

"There's a training ground for that!"

"That's a waste of mana and targets.

I get tired of feeling sorry every time I destroy one of those fine targets."

"We're not that poor!"

"That's not the point."

"Ah, Your Majesty, Queen Noel.

So, if the Queen can go to the Dark Forest safely, that's fine, right?

I'll personally protect her, so please rest assured and let me take care of the Queen.

I'll make sure she's safer than in the capital."

"…Commander Roman.

But…"

"The Queen's enthusiasm is very touching. I'll make sure everything is perfect.

And I understand the feelings of a newlywed king.

You probably don't want to suppress your wife, right?"

"…That's true."

"What are you two talking about?

I want to practice offensive magic, and I can't do that if I'm heavily guarded, so Commander, you don't need to be there."

"Understood.

Commander Roman, take good care of my wife."

"Rest assured."

"Are you listening? Sirius.

I'm serious."

"I'm listening, and I'm serious too, Noel."

Noel, seeing Sirius's very serious face, reluctantly nodded, thinking, "Fine, I'll go with this."

Five days later.

The Knight Commander managed to arrange everything, and they decided to head to the Dark Forest in the north.

It was a seven-day ride on horseback.

Noel was surprised it wasn't a closer forest.

When she asked why, she learned that nearby forests were all within territories, and the timing for the knights to visit was decided through negotiations with local forces. It wasn't the right time for any of the forests.

Some forests were too dangerous to visit, like the Dark Forest in the west, which had rot dragons.

Since rot dragons were at the top of the ecosystem and hunted other monsters, the balance was maintained, and the forest didn't overflow with monsters. Therefore, regular patrols by the knights were sufficient.

There were a few such forests.

Thus, the Dark Forest in the north was chosen.

Everything was already arranged, and it was too late to cancel.

"I've caused a lot of trouble, I'm sorry."

When Noel looked down, Commander Roman shook his head as if to comfort her.

"Actually, a squad was already scheduled to inspect the Dark Forest in the north. So there's no problem.

We'll go on that schedule. Personally, I prefer a long trip and hunting over paperwork…"

Roman started to say, but was silenced by a glare from the deputy commander, who was left with the paperwork.

Noel thought she should thank the deputy commander.

—But it seems unnatural for a squad to go to a remote Dark Forest. For a mere inspection, a platoon would be enough, right? Is it because of me?

Noel thought if it was her fault, she should thank the squad, so she decided to investigate.

◇◇

The reason for the Queen's trip to the Dark Forest was communicated to the senior knights.

They were excited about Noel's new creations, "wind-cutting enchanted arrows" and "flame-explosion enchanted throwing knives."

Everyone wanted the Queen to attack monsters in the safest possible conditions.

On Noel's side, she was burning with enthusiasm, thinking, "Since we're going, let's not just train but really hunt."

There was a slight difference in their intentions, but the group prepared and set out north.

The palace tried to prepare a carriage, but Noel refused, saying, "Horses are faster, so we'll go by horse."

Sirius, who came to see them off, had a pained expression, but Commander Roman smiled and said, "Think of it as sending your wife on a grand ship, and wait for her return," before riding off.

Noel, enveloped in the commander's bear-like muscles, waved goodbye to her husband with a smile.

After the group left, Sirius stood there gloomily.

Even though he wanted to go, it was impossible for the king. Despite his expressionless face, a painful aura emanated from him. The prime minister, attendants, and the king's brother, who came to see them off, couldn't even offer words of comfort.

During the journey, Noel realized she was more well-known than she thought.

"When I read about your romance with His Majesty in the newspaper," said the lady of the manor and her daughter where they stayed, making Noel's face turn red.

—Newspaper, what are you doing?

She managed to smile and continue the journey.

Thanks to the horses, they arrived at the Dark Forest in seven days.

Noel, tense and filled with determination, tried to dismount… but was gently lifted down by the Knight Commander.

Before her lay the ominous Dark Forest.

The knights' faces were grim.

Some of the knights didn't know Noel was an enchantment mage, but they were told that the mana-rich queen would use offensive magic to clear the Dark Forest, and they were impressed.

The senior knights knew Noel's true identity and the purpose of the trip. They all kept the secret with contract magic.

Noel eagerly unpacked her belongings.

A supply cart was supposed to arrive later, but the knights had already loaded the necessary items on their warhorses.

She took out a longsword.

A longsword she bought with her savings, a very good one.

She infused it with lightning magic.

Not just a lightning strike, but a level of lightning that was more like a storm.

She obtained a longsword that could withstand it and created this masterpiece.

It was a gift for Commander Roman, who agreed to her request.

She also brought several high-powered flame-infused swords, which she made during the five days of preparation.

"Commander, please try this.

I've confirmed that the infused mana is neatly contained. Professor Theo tested it too."

"Hmm, a longsword. Thank you."

Roman took it. It was a fine piece, and the infused mana could be felt just by holding it.

"It's quite dangerous.

Professor Theo insisted, 'Don't let Roman use it in regular training grounds,' so please be careful."

The senior knights, who heard Noel, said, "Not just a little, Commander, be very careful," and "Don't swing it around."

"Be quiet, I know."

Roman was lenient with Noel but strict with his subordinates.

Holding the longsword, Roman's eyes gleamed. Unlike his usual gentle face, it was the look that earned him the nickname "Steel Bear of Slaughter" from the deputy commander.

Noel subtly looked away.

It seemed the commander had entered a fierce mode, but she decided to pretend it wasn't her fault.