Transient After Taste of Victory(Side: Rosemary)

「…」

『…』

Akinashi's citizens, the three kings of the underworld, and even Kai's subordinates could only look absentmindedly at the gruesome trampling act being projected in the air.

「Is that three-headed dragon stronger than Deboa?」

It was a dragon much bigger than Deboa, and its blood and flesh could give birth to new evil creatures.

Thus, from a common-sense point of view, it was natural for me to have such a guess as I had seen how Big Sis Felis and co. had defeated Deboa.

But then, the battle between Kai and that giant dragon got over way too quickly. Or rather, you couldn't even call that a battle; it was akin to a giant trampling an ant under his foot. Even an inexperienced person like me could see that a hopeless gap of strength lay between Kai and that dragon.

「Yeah. And I'm not just referring to the main body. All those lizards formed from that giant lizard's flesh and blood can kill Deboa with a flick of their fingers.」

In this situation, where everyone was in awe of that scene, Asta was the only one to reply to me with a look as if she had expected this situation.

「Those dragons… are stronger than Deboa…」

I realized that a cramped smile had made its way to my face at this very moment. Deboa was widely known as an evil dragon who could single-handedly destroy a country. Did Kai just slay hundred— no, thousands of Deboa-class monsters in a single hit? He just showed a strength that was outside of the human realm.

「Rose, just who in the world is that person?」

「I also want to know about that.」

Only now did I realize that maybe, I only know the human called Kai Heineman on a superficial level.

「As if a lowly human like you can understand our master, who is a mystery to even us.」

Asta said that as she pointed her thumb finger at Nemea and the others and Zack, who was still mesmerized by the scene of Kai's battle.

Upon seeing the spectacle on the screen, even Nemea, who seemed to know a part of Kai's secret, Kyuubi, and the others were drenched in cold sweats as they stood still like unmoving dolls.

Among them, the puppy in Kyuubi's arms, Fen, was the only one to look at Kai's battle with gleaming eyes as if he were a child seeing his hero fight in front of him.

「Regardless of his will, this world is already revolving around him. And―」

Asta seemed to be hesitating for a moment, but…

「It seems the slaughter has ended. I have to proceed to the next part of the plan.」

After confirming that Kai had truly defeated the three-headed dragon, Asta turned around and vanished.

「Big Sis Felis, I have something to tell you after this.」

「Uhm. It's the plan concocted by that Devil over there, right? Honestly, it sent a chill down my spine.」

She might be telling the truth. Big Sis Felis wrapped her arms around her as she looked up at the scene that showed the figure of Kai returning his sword to its sheath.

「I finally understand the meaning behind the remarks of Zack-dono and the others.」

Lord Oliver interrupted our conversation with a helpless, yet refreshed look on his face. The citizens were also looking at us with mixed looks, ranging between expectation and anxiety. Maybe I could use this situation to our advantage.

「Lord Oliver, in the name of this Rosemary Loto Amelia, I look forward to your cooperation with my territory in East End.」

With a gesture befitting that of royalty, I straightened my back and placed my left hand on my waist; it was a gesture asking for cooperation.

In response, Lord Oliver knelt in front of me.

「We, the Akinashi house, pledge our allegiance to Her Highness Rosemary.」

He declared so with a loud and clear voice.

Lord Oliver had officially joined me as an ally. But, even if the Akinashi house pledged their allegiance toward me, it didn't mean that I would become the lord of their territory. It just meant that they supported me in this crown contest.

Nevertheless, I managed to gain the first support from a territory lord. This was a huge first step to realizing my goal.

The citizens of Akinashi territory let out deafening cheers upon hearing their lord's declaration. I clenched my right fist, feeling the joy of this transient victory.