We had left the bustle of the city behind us and stepped into the silence of the stone streets, dimly lit by faint lights. Calca was by my side, her fingers clenched tightly in my palm. In her other hand, she carried a carefully wrapped box bearing ancient sun seals.
"Calca," I said, my voice carrying both a gentle authority and curiosity. "Can you give me the necklace?"
Without hesitation, she bowed her head.
"Of course, Ashfall-sama."
I took the necklace into my hand. I examined it more closely and took my staff from my inventory. First, I cast an illusion spell to separate us from the outside world. Then I cast the [Wish Upon a Star] spell and used a few of the [Data Crystals] from my inventory to enhance the necklace. A massive amount of mana flowed toward the enormous spell circle, and the spell activated. A colossal spell circle spread out beneath our feet. As the sky silently illuminated, the mana flow around us disrupted; the air grew heavy, and time seemed to pause for an instant.
At the sight of such a terrifying spell being cast, Remedios instinctively took a step back, her hand reaching for the hilt of her sword. Calca, on the other hand... approached me step by step, right into the center of the spell. There was no trace of fear on her face. Her eyes... shone with admiration. The mana concentrated on the necklace shone, first emitting a warm golden light, then the diamond trembled and expanded, beginning to shine like a star with light refractions. The golden rays reshaped themselves, becoming longer, more elegant, and more powerful. Semi-transparent rings of light formed around the necklace, rotating gently.
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Indeed, the necklace's properties evolved and gained new spells:
Level III [Solar Lance] - Allows you to fire a scorching, golden-colored laser bullet at the enemy.
Level V [Orbital Defense] - Creates a protective field around you. The field's power is determined by the MP consumed per second. Long-range attacks directed at this field begin to circle around it before reaching you. However, it can deflect spells up to a maximum of four levels.
Level VII [Summon Solar Sentinel] - Summons one of the legendary armored knights of the Sun God.
Passively increases MP regeneration rate by +10% under sunlight.
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The fact that it provided access to three special spells was proof of how legendary this item was.
Most likely, the [Sun's Rays] spell had evolved into the [Solar Lance] spell, freeing itself from its previous disadvantages. I added all the spells to my arsenal after understanding them.
"Ashfall-sama, can you explain what happened?" Calca looked at me and the new necklace with a curious expression.
"I unlocked the necklace's sealed true power. It will now be a national treasure-level necklace," I explained with a playful smile. I went behind Calca and put the necklace around her neck.
"Ashfall-sama, who are you? How can you be so amazing? I'm falling in love with you again and again," Calca said, her eyes shining with love.
She closed her eyes, brought her lips closer, and began to kiss me shyly and gently. Our lips met, our tongues entwined, and our kiss deepened. In the background, Remedios coughed a few times, trying to separate us, but we didn't pay any attention to her, not even as much as a fly buzzing.
My hands slid down her body. Lifting her long skirt from behind, I massaged her magnificent buttocks, feeling her underwear in my hand. As I began to suck on her neck with my lips, Calca's breathing grew heavier, and her muffled moans echoed in my ears.
"Ashfall-samaaa... Please let's go back to the palace... I don't feel comfortable here." Calca whispered as she rubbed her thighs together.
I immediately cast a teleportation spell, transporting Calca and me to Calca's room and Remedios to the next room. When Calca realized she no longer had to hold back, she pressed her lips against mine again and undid the straps of her dress, offering her half-naked body to me....
++++++++++++++
Remedios, who had been teleported to the neighbor room, was now going crazy. The wet kissing sounds coming from the neighbor room had turned into moans, and occasionally mixed with slapping sounds and screams.
With every passing second, Remedios was going out of her mind. The pure princess was now no different from a "horny bitch, and yes... Ashfall was the only one to blame for this. There was still a glimmer of hope inside her: Ashfall had hypnotized the princess. She wanted to confirm this.
A few hours later, the sounds from the next room grew faint, and after the sound of a door closing, the heavy footsteps of Ashfall echoed down the corridor. Not wanting to miss the opportunity, Remedios immediately entered the next room.
The scene before her was shocking. The princess's trembling, naked body lay on the bed. Her lips were swollen, and there were red kiss marks across her face and neck. Red handprints on her breasts and bite marks on her nipples were clearly visible. A strange-smelling white liquid had spilled across her chest, stomach, and between her legs. And the mess between her legs was an entirely different matter: the mattress below was soaked as if a buckets of liquid had been poured over it. Her clitoris, swollen and bright red, was exposed. White semen was dripping from her vagina onto the bed and then onto the floor.
The princess's hazy eyes radiated joy, and her face wore a smile as if she were the happiest person in the world.
All this sight and the strange smell in the room made Remedios's stomach churn. She rushed to the window, vomited down below, and rinsed her mouth with the water on the table. To avoid being caught, she quickly left the room and returned to her own. Now she understood... The pure princess was gone forever. At that moment, she made a decision: She had to send the princess to heaven before she became even more corrupt. Something was missing in Remedios' heart, and the devil inside her continued to consume her soul.
++++++++(ASHFALL'S PERSPECTIVE)++++++++
After Remedios returned to her room, I went to my room. I carried the half-conscious Calca in my arms and entered the bathroom. I thought about Remedios throughout the shower. That girl had to be removed from our path. But her death would hurt Calca. So we had to erase her completely from Calca's heart. For this reason, I sent a mind demon to Remedios and used the princess to provoke her. Since Remedios was already quite jealous, envious, and stubborn, the demon easily took control of her. After seeing the scene inside, I am certain that Remedios will explode.
"Ashfall-sama, what are you thinking so deeply about?" Calca, sitting on my lap, asked with a curious expression.
"Nothing... Just thinking about tomorrow's meeting. Let's go to bed; tomorrow will be exhausting." I said while stroking Calca and carried her out of the bath like a princess. We fell asleep, holding each other tightly.
When I opened my eyes, the first rays of morning light were streaming through the window. A soft voice and a warm smile had interrupted my sleep and awakened me. Calca was standing at my bedside with a steaming plate in her hands.
"Wake up, Ashfall-sama... I prepared breakfast for you," she said, her cheeks slightly flushed.
The sparkle in her eyes was as bright as the necklace she had bought the day before. Without protest, I tasted the food from her hands. Our conversation took place in a peaceful morning atmosphere, just the two of us.
Then we moved to the other side of the room to get ready together. We put on the luxurious clothes specially selected for today. My gold-embroidered robe fit my body perfectly, while Calca's elegant noble dress emphasized her divine beauty even more.
We walked out of the room arm in arm and headed toward the throne room. The hall was quiet; the nobles had not yet gathered. Only four people who had come with Calca were in the room, whispering among themselves.
When I sat on my throne, Calca elegantly took her place on the second throne I had specially prepared, right beside me.
When the heavy doors of the hall opened, a figure emerged from within with heavy steps: Remedios.
Her face was expressionless, her eyes reddened. The dark circles under her eyes bore the marks of a sleepless night. Her armor was as ornate as ever, but there was a void in her posture.
Calca, unable to hide the concern on her face, spoke up immediately:
"Remedios… is something wrong? You don't look well. Maybe you should see a healer..."
Her voice was soft but filled with genuine concern. I, however, watched silently. Because in Remedios' state, there was not only sleeplessness but also a shaken faith.
"And you have the nerve to ask, without shame... You worthless whore." Remedios' voice echoed through the throne room. Her voice was not only angry, but filled with the pain of a broken, humiliated soul.
"Remedios... What are you saying?" Calca trembled in shock. The innocence and effort to understand in her voice sparked the years of pent-up anger within Remedios.
"Shut up!" Remedios' voice cut through the air like steel. "Your filth is defiling the sanctity of our country. You prioritized your love life over your duties as a princess... Whore."
Remedios' eyes turned red, her fingertips darkened, and red veins spread across her face. A corruption was beginning within her body. Her madness was reflected not only in her words but also in her appearance.
Calca took a deep breath. She straightened her shoulders and placed her hand over her heart. Her eyes shone with the honor and determination of a warrior.
"So you're insulting me because of my relationship with Ashfall-sama. I am a woman before I am a princess... I am Ashfall-sama's woman. And only death can separate us."
By this time, the Pleiades had already begun to move at my signal.
"Ashfall-sama, please... I want to handle this matter myself." Calca looked at me resolutely.
"You're making me sick... I must kill you now, before that unborn bastard even reaches the womb, so that I can protect the prestige of our kingdom." Remedios said with a maddened look in her eyes and drew her sword, taking a fighting stance.
Calca froze for a moment at what she heard, her hand involuntarily going to her lower abdomen. She understood now... This wasn't just a fight. This was an insult to her family, her happiness, her femininity, and it was UNFORGIVABLE. Her protective instinct kicked in, her brain pumping adrenaline, and she took a few steps forward.
"Hah! So you've finally made your decision..." Remedios' voice echoed through the throne room. Anger, resentment, and madness were intertwined.
"You chose your love for that man over your kingdom and your people, did you?! You filthy, disgraceful creature... Now I will kill you so that the honor of your kingdom may be restored!"
Suddenly, his entire body was enveloped in a dark, ominous aura. He was transforming into a cursed demon rather than a divine knight.
[Corrupted Holy Knight: Remedios — Lv.45]
Everyone in the room realized that this was no longer just an argument, but a deadly showdown.
Remedios suddenly leaped from his seat. His speed was so great that in the blink of an eye, he was in front of Calca.
Calca reacted at the last moment, spreading her semi-transparent golden wings and barely managing to take flight, pulling herself toward the window sill.
A pure light wave erupted from between her hands, aimed at Remedios, casting the [Holy Ray] spell.
Remedios swung her sword, which had turned bright red with her aura, to meet the beam, but was dragged back a few steps.
At that moment, the black veins moving through her body twisted like vines and burst out. Each one, with thorns at their tips, was about to pierce Calca...
[Orbital Defense]
Calca's necklace glowed, and the thorns seemed to hit an invisible barrier, spinning around and falling to the ground.
Remedios roared with anger and jumped up to the ceiling. He attacked with his glowing sword, using the [Corrupted Strike] spell.
While in the air, she charged her sword with dark energy. This attack was a corrupted version of a sacred spell, and its destructive power was proportional to the target's positive karma.
But Calca did not back down and cast the [Sunlight] spell. A blinding glow spread around them. Remedios's eyes burned, she lost her balance and Calca steadfastly dodged the blow. Seizing the opportunity, she activated the [Judgemental Beam] spell at maximum power. A sun-like energy sphere formed above Calca, and from there, a massive beam struck Remedios. The attack was so powerful that Calca could only sustain it for less than ten seconds due to the cost.
Remedios swung her sword, trying to counter the blow, but it was useless.
The sword first turned red, then cracked, and finally melted completely, losing its durability. The beam continued on its path and vaporized Remedios' upper body, instantly destroying her.
The beam struck the wall at high speed—but thanks to the protective spell I had previously cast around the area, it dispersed without causing any damage.
All that remained was a scorched floor and silence. When the adrenaline wore off, Calca's body began to shake. What had just happened was replaying in her mind over and over again. Remedios' screams, her derogatory words, the moment of the attack...
But most of all, Ashfall running up to her and hugging her, still approaching her with love, triggered everything she had been suppressing inside.
Scenes from the past began to flow before his eyes one by one. The years he had spent with Remedios, her loyalty... but also her arrogance, the pressure she exerted under the pretext of faith, her stubborn nature.
And now the same person had walked toward him, cursing him.
The conflict in his mind brought him to his knees. His hands fell to the ground. His heart felt like it was about to burst out of his chest.
At that moment, Ashfall silently raised his hand and gave the order.
A magic circle spun, and a soft vibration spread throughout the throne room.
The [Record Stone] had activated.
Remedios' crimes appeared before Calca.
The ruthless slaughter of newborn demi-human babies...
The slanderous plans against Ashfall...
The thousands who died because of his stubbornness...
The pride, hatred, and rotten beliefs hidden behind a sacred armor...
As the images flowed one by one, Calca's pupils dilated.
First, she brought her hands to her mouth.
Then her hands began to tremble.
Then her lips tightened.
And finally, tears began to flow from her piercing eyes, but this time not from pain, but from the release of the suppressed anger within her.
Ashfall quietly approached her and took her in his arms. Calca rested her head on his chest, her tears flowing silently. In that moment, it seemed as though the entire palace had fallen silent.
Calca, who had calmed down a little with my caresses, closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Then she slowly sat up, her face now displaying a seriousness befitting a queen. It was as if the emotional storm of a moment ago had given way to icy clarity.
"Ashfall-sama... May I be permitted to deliver the opening remarks when the meeting begins?"
Her voice was soft, but the resolve it carried was undeniable.
"Of course. This is your speech, Calca," I said to her, nodding my head slightly.
++++++++++++++++
Hours later, the throne room was filled with important figures representing the political and military power of the Fulmenreich Empire. Nazarick's Cathedral Guards, lords and generals from the border regions, economic advisors, and even representatives from the magic guilds were all present. The tension in the air carried the weight of an important decision looming on the horizon.
When the doors closed silently, Albedo stepped forward. Her posture was both elegant and disciplined. Her voice rose to echo throughout the hall:
"Now that everyone necessary is here, I hereby convene the high council meeting."
After a few seconds of pause, she knelt on one knee:
"Greetings to our Emperor, Ashfall-sama."
The entire hall followed his movement in unison. Dozens of nobles, generals, and advisors repeated in a loud chorus:
"Greetings to Ashfall-sama!"
As I sat silently on my throne, I glanced at Calca. She knew the meaning of that glance very well. She rose silently and took a few steps forward.
Her white robe, embroidered with gold, transformed her into a nearly sacred figure in the light that fell upon her. After greeting the crowd with hee hands, she raised her voice slightly:
"In the recent past, the people of Roble witnessed unspeakable suffering. The demon of Jalabadoh drowned our people in blood; tens of thousands of soldiers, women, and children either lost their lives or were left permanently disabled."
Her voice trembled slightly as she spoke, but there was not a moment's hesitation in her eyes.
"And in that darkest hour... Ashfall-sama did not merely extend a hand to us. Risking his own life, he became a hope that tore through the sky against the demon. His victory was not only a victory in war, but also a victory of our faith."
After a few seconds of silence, Calca took a deep breath and looked into the eyes of those in the hall.
"However, the price of victory was heavy. Our country's infrastructure collapsed, our treasury was emptied, our people were wounded, and their hope for the future diminished. The duty of a ruler is to offer their people not only the memory of the past, but also the confidence of the future."
And finally, she announced the expected words in a loud voice:
"Therefore... the Holy Kingdom of Roble will officially become part of the Fulmenreich Empire as of today." The expression on Calca's face was now more relaxed; it was as if a weight had been lifted from her shoulders.
As I sat on the throne, my thoughts were mixed. I had anticipated this moment, but the timing was perfect. If the Roble Kingdom also attacks the elves, the pressure on us during the war will ease somewhat.
I hope this doesn't end like the Italian campaigns in Africa and Greece... I thought to myself.
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