「Why did you attack me?」
I asked.
「You wrapped up the trial in just one hour, didn’t you?」
「…And? What of it?」
「I’m the one who decided that all trials must last at least two hours. Anyone who breaks that rule is punished by divine judgment.」
Hmm…
Now that she mentioned it, Hydra had said something before the trial began.
I recalled his words.
『In the warrior nation of Bernada, trials must last a full two hours. The minimum trial time is set at two hours… That’s a law decreed by the spirit.』
So it wasn’t just an exaggeration or a joke, he’d been serious.
「I see. So this… is divine punishment, then?」
The reason Seraphina had attacked me was because I’d ended the trial too soon.
「That’s right.」
「…So, what now? Will you continue with your divine punishment?」
I asked, preparing to unleash ‘Spatial Severance’ at any moment.
However,
「No. I don’t intend to continue.」
Seraphina shook her head.
「…Changed your mind? Why?」
「After seeing that you could take one of my attacks, I lost the will to kill you. In fact… I’ve grown interested in you.」
Interested…?
I looked at her suspiciously.
She wore a vaguely melancholic expression.
「You’re aiming for the throne, aren’t you?」
She prefaced her words and then continued.
「The current king is boring. He’s somewhat strong by human standards, but inside, he’s consumed by greed. I have no desire to bless a king whose spirit is so base and vulgar.」
I didn’t know what this “blessing” entailed.
But it was clear Seraphina despised King Glaston.
「That’s why you should become king. I want ‘you’ to be the new ruler of Bernada.」
「Sounds like a proposal. Planning to become my queen or something?」
「Fufufu. That might actually be interesting.」
She didn’t seem entirely opposed to the idea, which was a little unsettling.
Though it was our first meeting, she had taken quite a strong interest in me.
Whether that would turn out to be a blessing or a curse, I couldn’t say.
「I will bless your path forward, as a spirit. First, finish the King’s Tournament. You’ll crush Glaston, won’t you?」
「Of course.」
I declared confidently.
There wasn’t even a one-in-a-million chance I would lose to Glaston.
「Show them the power at the summit. I’ll be waiting for you on your new throne.」
With that, Seraphina turned and walked away.
And I made my way toward the arena.
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