Ethan blinked, clearly caught off guard by Lolopechka's words.
"The Spade Kingdom's ambitions are no secret anymore. With devils entrenched there, I want to ask you to infiltrate their homeland alone. Gather intelligence on their latest movements. And when war finally breaks out, we'll have someone on the inside to coordinate with us…"
Ah. Ethan understood instantly.
In short—she wanted him to play the role of a spy.
"I know this is asking too much. After all, that's the enemy's very heartland…" Lolopechka's voice was soft, almost guilty.
Ethan curled his lip. You know it's too much, and you still dare to ask?
But then again… it wasn't a bad idea. Special training here was pointless for him. Half a year wasted in idleness was worse than taking the initiative to learn Spade's current situation.
He glanced up at the queen sitting upon the throne and said slowly:
"This request is excessive, yes—but not impossible. However, alliances are partnerships. A true alliance can't mean one side plunges into danger while the other rests easy, can it?"
He had to admit, Lolopechka had both beauty and grace. But those weren't reasons to risk his life for free. The Spade Kingdom, if his knowledge was correct, housed three devils at the very least. Going there alone on the whim of a pretty girl? Ha. Not a chance.
"This is only fair," Lolopechka said gently. "I am cursed, and my life won't last much longer. When I pass away, the Water Spirit will follow you."
That made Ethan stiffen. "The Water Spirit? You're sure about that?"
The Water Spirit was one of the Four Great Elementals—yet for over a thousand years, she had never left the Heart Kingdom. Each generation's queen inherited her contract. She was practically bound to the kingdom's very existence.
"Yes. You already hold the Wind and Fire Spirits. I don't know how you accomplished that, but it's clear you are… different. Besides, I am unmarried, with no heirs. The next queen…"
Her expression dimmed. For a kingdom with a thousand-year legacy, the greatest taboo of a ruler was leaving no successor. The truth was cruel: the Heart Kingdom's lineage might well end with her. Even if they survived Spade's invasion, the dynasty might not endure much longer.
"The Water Spirit will be yours after I'm gone," she said firmly. "But in exchange, you must grant me one promise… Become the king of the Heart Kingdom."
"…Huh?" Ethan blinked hard, his mind almost short-circuiting. "Did I hear that right? King?"
What kind of offer was this? He'd only wanted a little extra compensation to balance things out in his mind. Instead, she was offering not only the Water Spirit but also the throne itself.
What kind of pie falls from the sky like this?
"Sorry," Ethan said after a pause. "I'll accept the Water Spirit—but the throne… no."
Despite his shock, his mind was still clear. The Spirit was a boon. The crown? That was a curse.
To be a king was to wield absolute power, endless wealth, and countless luxuries. Many dreamed of it. But Ethan wasn't delusional—he had no desire to play tyrant. And with the crown came responsibility.
Cultivate oneself. Govern the household. Rule the nation. Bring peace to the land.
Forget ruling a kingdom—Ethan's brain felt like it would explode just from thinking about it. He had seen firsthand how hard Lolopechka worked to keep things together. Every day, aside from major state matters, she used her "All-Knowing Magic" to monitor the entire kingdom—almost down to each household. Tireless.
Compared to her, Julius—the Clover Kingdom's Wizard King—was the very definition of a laid-back ruler.
If Ethan ever sat on that throne, it would be like throwing himself into a bottomless pit. He'd never even have time to use the bathroom in peace.
So this is what they mean by: to wear the crown is to bear its weight.
After a thoughtful silence, Ethan said solemnly:
"How about this—when you pass, I'll select a worthy successor within the Heart Kingdom. But as long as I live, I promise the Heart Kingdom will remain safe."
"…I see." Lolopechka gave a faint, weary smile. "That's enough for me."
She didn't push further. She'd gotten the promise she needed.
"In that case," she said, her tone regaining strength, "I wish you victory and fortune, Sir Ethan."
A barren road stretched out beneath a cracked sky, the land stripped of all greenery. Fierce winds swept up dust and sand, choking the air.
A lone wagon, laden with goods, rumbled along. At the reins sat a rugged man in his thirties, eyes closed, resting lazily—until he suddenly opened them, sharp and alert.
"…So this is it. The Grand Magic Zone."
Ethan stroked the stubble along his chin, eyes fixed on the sandstorm-torn horizon.
For an infiltration, subtlety was key. Among his arsenal of magic, he had more than just offensive spells. Disguise Magic, for instance—capable of altering his entire appearance and aura.
Now, he wasn't Ethan, captain of Clover's tenth squad, nor the wielder of Zero Domain.
He was a traveling merchant, competent but unremarkable, lingering at the Fifth Domain in strength.
The disguise was airtight—because such merchants truly existed. Independent traders who served no country, appearing wherever demand arose. And the goods they carried…
Ethan glanced back into the wagon, where crates of glowing crystal shards pulsed with magical light. He clicked his tongue.
"…She really went all out. These magic crystals could forge enough tools to outfit an entire squad."
A perfect prop. With these, any nation would treat him like a prized guest. Especially in wartime—even Spade would find it hard to turn away such strategic supplies.
"…But first, I need to get across."
Ahead, the storm raged, sand whipping through the air in chaotic spirals. This was the true peril of the Grand Magic Zone: rampant, unpredictable magical phenomena. Dust storms, quakes, sudden disasters.
This was why Spade had not marched directly on Heart despite being the closest neighbor. To risk an army here was madness. Ten thousand soldiers could enter, and a thousand might crawl out.
"For me, crossing isn't too difficult… but patience." Ethan stopped the wagon, forcing himself to wait. After all, his disguise was that of a merchant, not a superhuman. Charging straight through would blow his cover.
Time passed. Then Ethan lifted his head.
High above, a shadow loomed across the turbulent sky—a massive fortress, floating as if it defied the laws of nature.
His lips curled into a slow smile.
"…There it is. Just as Lolopechka said. A Spade Kingdom mobile fortress."
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