"Hu... human...?"
"Hmm..."
Princess Solomon advocated for human sacrifice, accompanied by her calm smile.
However, though the people showed their discomfort, no one could carelessly refute her.
"Isn't that obvious? Whether in the past or now, it's common sense that the greatest offering comes from one's own kin."
"W-Well... that's true, but..."
Even now, across the continent, there were plenty of nations and races that offered intelligent beings like their own kin—or other sentient species—to gods, dragons, or monsters as sacrifices.
Even the elves selected a noble virgin once every hundred years to offer to the Dragon King.
And right there, the Baal Church frequently used the finest humans as top offerings, burning them alive in rituals.
The sacrifices were mostly slaves or prisoners, ranging from the elderly and sturdy adult men and women to newborn infants.
Though the Kanan Kingdom had ceased such rituals after severing ties with the Baal Church, neighboring countries still practiced them fervently. No one could argue against the fact that human sacrifice was the ultimate offering.
As the king and others reluctantly acquiesced despite their unease,
Princess Solomon's gaze turned to Holy Knight Eva, who was staring right at her.
"What is Lady Eva's opinion? After all, you're the only one among us who has actually received that being. Do you think Seraphim-sama would approve of this offering?"
"Well..."
At their words, Eva hesitated for a moment.
Honestly, similar thoughts had crossed her mind ever since the topic of sacrifices came up.
Though she hadn't lost her life, Eva herself had been offered to the noble Seraphim.
Personally, she disliked this custom of human sacrifice and saw it as an evil practice that should be eradicated from the world.
But as a soldier sworn to protect her nation, she knew one undeniable truth.
To safeguard what was precious, sacrifices were necessary.
'I don't like it, but... if it's to protect this kingdom...'
With resolve in her heart, mingled with deep guilt,
Eva answered in a serious tone.
"I also believe... Your Highness is right. But... if we do this, how many people do you plan to offer?"
In the case of the Baal Church, they offered around fifty sacrifices in rituals tied to national fortunes.
Just as she wondered if they should prepare that many here too...
"Oh, we don't need a bunch of trivial ones. Quality over quantity—in situations like this, the offering must be the purest and noblest of bloodlines."
"Noblest bloodline, you say...?"
The nobles glanced around cautiously.
As if speaking for them to hear,
the princess declared confidently.
"Well, to put it simply, wouldn't one person like me suffice?"
"W-What...?"
"! Y-Your... H-Highness?"
"Daughter! What are you saying?"
Princess Solomon's bombshell statement came out of nowhere.
Eva, the king, and the ministers' faces all filled with shock.
"This is our first gesture of sincerity to the divine. No one is more fitting as an offering than I. I bear the kingdom's noblest bloodline, I'm a virgin untouched by any man, and I'm known as the kingdom's greatest beauty. This is worth not just fifty commoners, but easily five thousand."
"..."
"D-Daughter..."
Her words dripped with her characteristic arrogance.
Yet in this moment, that arrogance didn't feel negative at all.
In truth, history proved that the finest offerings to foreign gods or transcendent beings were pure princesses,
and there were no shortage of cases where nations overcame crises through such sacrifices.
"Moreover, if I make this sacrifice here, the people will support the royal family and kingdom even more afterward. Surely even that Seraphim would be fully satisfied. It's perfect both politically and religiously, isn't it?"
Princess Solomon spoke so casually and confidently about the reason she must be offered up.
In response, King David cried out in a voice thick with reluctance.
"But Princess! How could we do that? No matter what, we can't lose you like this! As your father, I absolutely cannot allow it!"
He was a father who had always truly loved his daughter.
No matter how much it was for the kingdom, he could never sacrifice his most precious treasure—his child.
However.
"That applies to anyone else too, doesn't it? You've always said, Father, that the king is father to ten thousand souls, and I am like a sister to them. It goes against reason to spare a blood child while sacrificing countless others. For the people's hearts, and to clearly show our resolve to Seraphim-sama, it is right that a royal like me be offered."
"I-I did say that, but... urgh... if it must be done, then let this old father take your place as the..."
"Forgive me, but even if we offered you, Father, that being wouldn't be pleased. Common sense: if choosing between an old middle-aged man and a young, beautiful virgin, which would you pick? If it were me, I'd choose the latter every time—upper or lower. Don't hold back and risk ruin; use it decisively when you must."
"Ughhh..."
"Ahem..."
The kingdom's princess—a virgin yet to marry—and a lady with no equal in bluntness.
Having brushed aside even the king's paternal opposition with her light tone,
Princess Solomon turned to the attendants standing beside her, a deep smile on her face.
"Then it's decided. Prepare accordingly. Since I've resolved to be the offering, let's not drag it out—do it as soon as possible. Three days should suffice."
"Y-Yes? Ah... y-yes. Understood, Your Highness."
The attendant, overwhelmed by her momentum, replied in a trembling voice.
With the meeting thus ended, Princess Solomon left the chamber with remarkably light steps.
Watching her go,
Eva couldn't help but admire her inwardly.
'As expected... this is what it means to be royalty...'
A being who could lightly offer herself for the nation.
Seeing Princess Solomon bear both the rights and responsibilities so fully, Eva felt genuine respect.
At the same time, she prayed.
May the divine show mercy to this being of such strong will...
'Seraphim-sama... if it pleases you, let this chalice pass from her...'
*
Balrog Mountain, located behind the capital.
At its summit stood a massive temple where offerings to the gods had been made since ancient times.
A vast space that could easily hold thousands.
In the holiest pool at the temple's deepest sanctum, Princess Solomon slowly washed her body.
The place where sacrificial beasts received their final cleansing.
Thanks to thorough care involving holy magic, the water was crystal clear.
Not a thread on her, the princess meticulously cleaned herself.
This body would soon become an offering to the divine.
Yet she felt not a shred of fear.
No—her heart was filled with joy.
'Better this than living a boring, meaningless life. This is far more meaningful and splendid.'
By sacrificing herself, she could save countless people—perhaps the entire kingdom.
Her name would live on eternally in history,
forever remembered as the noble princess who gave her life for the nation.
Born a woman, she could never claim the throne anyway.
Better to go out in glory like this than be sold off as a pawn in a political marriage.
Moreover,
unlike the others fretting endlessly, the wise princess secretly foresaw one possibility.
'Well... we'll see about that part. Anyway, I wonder what that god looks like?'
According to Eva, the being had a terrifying appearance to human eyes.
Having glimpsed the Demon King from afar in the past, Solomon wondered which was scarier.
With such curious thoughts,
she finished cleaning her enviably full breasts,
and the precious place that might see its first use depending on the situation,
then donned the prepared pure white robes and stepped out slowly.
There waited Holy Knight Eva.
Seeing the one who had sparked this whole affair, Princess Solomon smiled brightly and said,
"Then, I leave it to you."
"...Yes, Your Highness."
Solomon followed her with polite words to the altar.
On either side of their path, countless people watched the scene.
"Sob sob..."
"Oh, Princess..."
"Even for the kingdom, someone so beautiful..."
All expressing deep regret and sorrow.
Along that tear-streaked path, Solomon lay straight upon the altar.
Eva raised her sword, gazing down at her.
Seeing Eva's slightly trembling hand, Solomon smiled and said,
"Don't be nervous, or you'll hurt me if you miss."
"I-I'm sorry... Your Highness."
Though she knew it was for the kingdom, Eva still hesitated.
But gathering her resolve, she gripped the sword tightly.
Then.
'...Huh?'
Eva's eyes began to tint red, unlike usual.
As a thread of doubt rose in Solomon's heart upon seeing it...
-Flash!
"!"
A sudden brilliant light blazed forth.
With a pillar of light pouring down from the heavens, centered on Eva and Solomon,
a clear voice rang in their ears.
⚙ DIVINE VOICE ⚙[Do not be afraid.]
A majestic, holy voice that pierced straight through the soul.
Feeling intense curiosity toward its owner,
Princess Solomon lifted her head to behold its form.
And immediately understood.
Why even the valiant Eva had described its appearance as terrifying.
And why, the moment it appeared, it told them not to fear.
'Indeed... this much would be hard for an ordinary human to face with a sound mind.'
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