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In response, the lady approves with a squeeze and a light shake of her small fist, as if to say "go for it!".
Alsira allows her head an unforgivable moment of rest, and for an extra fraction of a micro-nanosecond closes her eyelids, thinking how wonderful it would be to lie like that on the lap of a dear grandmother or a beloved mother, but such fortune must still be earned in life, and she must have gravely wronged the universe in the previous cycle.
Then she smoothly moves from her knees to the couch, from the couch steps onto the floor, from there to the familiar little mirror to tidy her appearance, and only then to the lord of the library.
Alsira catches the librarian at the end of a conversation with the milk-chocolate knight, who had expressed regret that he did not take part in the contest of elegance.
- I am a foreigner and my manners may differ from those customary in these halls, and therefore I wished to protect the reputation of Her Magnificence from possible tarnishing.
— A lingering evening is made fair by people of the most varied cultural wrappings, yet each values honor before their liege by their own personal merit. — Alsira nodded politely to both parties. — I beg forgiveness for the rude intrusion of my conversation with an untimely comment, my lord, my lady.
- Ah, Lady Alsira. I presume I may hold hope of hearing a reply to my proposal?
The chocolate lady merely waved her hand gracefully and left them alone. Only the universe knows whether this exchange took place before or after their recent battle.
during
— I dare to presume that the result of the reply will gratify your request, my lord. — the lunar one nodded briefly. — The matter of a knight's vow for the royal house shall render service to present and future times through labor of the highest virtue. When the hour of a measure of free time is nigh, the details of the upcoming plan ought to be clarified between us.
The gods are truly unjust, having bestowed upon a single man all possible gifts at once. Koimaji the Magnificent combined the qualities of a superhuman, as if he were the crown of creation of centuries of evolution. He was invincible — the swings of his heavy sword carved through the flesh of the crater's monsters with such ease that their bodies seemed made of paper. His tactics, strategy, and charisma left the enemy no chance — Deus's subjects always found themselves in the most advantageous positions, fought at the peak of their abilities, and suffered minimal losses. Those who bore the burden of war under his banner had no doubt — this man would lead Tezoth to deliverance from the crater threat and unite the entire continent under the rule of his royal fist. However, fate decreed otherwise, for even the strongest of men was not immune to human treachery.
Another battle, the count of which had long been lost, was supposed to add a new mark to the unbroken list of Tezoth's army victories, but for the first time in the long military campaign, something went off plan: the brave Deus's eyes found a sword's tip protruding from his own belly. Turning his head to the side, the monarch was horrified for the first time in his life.
- Rumior!.. What... Tezoth... Humanity is one step away from victory!! What can this betrayal possibly give you?!!
- From the sublime to the ridiculous is but a step, Your Majesty.
- Madman! Has the treacherous Ifilla robbed you of your wits?!
In response, the Knight of the Crimson Rose laughed.
- What's so funny? Answer!!
- Your Majesty. To my eyes, there is nothing sweeter than watching one who stands a step from the heavenly gates slip and fall straight into the depths of hell.
- You... For this alone you deprived the human race of this rare opportunity?.. Rumior!!!
- Alas, envy, the thirst for wealth or glory, or perhaps even love, do not move my heart. I merely wished to see the gleam of the human soul... And it shines brightest at the moment of absolute despair.
Following this event, Deus's army fell into panic and was soon destroyed by the crater's monsters, while the Knight of the Crimson Rose and his subordinates used their former comrades as bait, allowing them to leave the battlefield unscathed.
The Knight of the Sun opened his eyes and returned from his memories of service under Deus back to the year 297. Back then he was a simple warrior, the only one who miraculously survived that day, and today he is a knight — just like that very Crimson Rose.
- How do you manage to spend the whole day in armor? - He glanced at the Knight of the Silent Terror sitting on the neighboring couch. - You could at least take a break from all that extra weight today.
- ...
- You're right, you're right, if it's no hindrance to the Lord of Florenzana, then it shouldn't be to the Knight of Revnland either.
Before the two of them, one of the maidservants was dancing.
- Listen, it seems like such a trivial thing, yet it's still mesmerizing. You could watch it all day.
- ...
- Maybe it's you who should have been given the title of Imperturbability? Or does the Silent Terror in you arise from interacting with people? Hahaha.
Vargas clapped at the witnessed battle. Not only was the fight interesting, but watching milady in her prime was a sheer pleasure. - Come on, brother, let's show them a battle that generations will remember! - he cheered on his grandfather, but the old man couldn't handle it, which was hardly surprising.
- Milady Stephania, if I'm not mistaken? - Lester rises to one knee again. - Please forgive me for this trick. Unfortunately, I saw no other option but to disguise myself under the sun of Aconia. You're just too good at handing out treats! However, I must admit, I hardly expected such a turn of events, but I did not try to harm your pet in any way. I adore animals, and yours seems to me the most beautiful. I'm sure he's completely happy with you.
Having heard the encouragement of her former rival, Stephania, having recovered from the blow, replied:
— I hold no grudge against you, Sir Lester. I saw you in previous battles, and I suspected that my chances against your cunning tactics were far too slim. With supersonic speed and deft knife strikes, I'm afraid most here would only have time to gasp. Nevertheless, thank you for not hurting Zephyr.
"— I dare to presume that the result of the answer will sweeten your request with satisfaction, my lord," — the lunar one nodded briefly. — "The matter of the knightly vow for the royal house will render a service of the highest virtue to the present and future times. When a spare moment is at hand, the details of the forthcoming plan ought to be clarified between us."
- A moment of freedom is at hand now, my lady, yet the essence of my request is exceedingly simple: the prestige of Deus is largely defined by the achievements and personal qualities of those who lived in the era of his reign, and therefore, for the glory of Her Radiance in the present and future, I yearn to inscribe upon the pages of history the lives of our comrades, so that not only their names and titles may be known to posterity. Unfortunately, however, my hands are occupied with affairs in the capital, and the sheer volume of responsibilities does not permit such distractions.
I suspected he'd have a story role, by the way. Though I expected something more along the lines of: he'd kidnap Mariarnelia, brand her in some inconspicuous spot, and become the new king with a deus-marionette. But as it turns out, he just wants to see the world burn.
Граф Орлов
Небо
