Chapter6-Marry Who?

"What??"

Looking at the task given by the system, Owen was full of questions.

Leslie, Madelyn's sister, was currently known as the infamous delinquent of House Ravenwood.

To escape an arranged marriage, she once set fire to the Third Prince's palace.

To avoid going to the academy, she spiked her magic tutor's tea with a potent aphrodisiac.

She raised numerous beasts with hellhound bloodlines, parading them around the streets and injuring countless civilians.

She even kidnapped the daughter of Earl March, a fellow student, and played a ransom prank that shocked the capital.

Leslie had committed various outrageous acts, becoming a notorious scourge of the capital. Just hearing her name gave people headaches.

However, to Owen, these delinquent actions alone did not qualify Leslie as a demon queen.

Knowing the original anime well, he understood that these exaggerated deeds were merely a facade to cover her true intentions.

In the future, Leslie, who had evaded all discipline, would, after years of dormancy, decapitate the king of the Nether Kingdom with a single sword strike and massacre a million people from the opposing Duskara to set up a formation and advance her tier.

She would become the Hell Queen, a figure so terrifying that even the Dark Emperor would shudder at her name.

Marrying such a deeply scheming and ruthless villainess?

That's like courting death!

However, if he didn't complete this task, the system would deduct 100% of his HP, and his death would undoubtedly be gruesome.

Owen rubbed his aching temples and quickly made a decision.

He had to find a way to marry Leslie!

After all, in the early and mid-stages, Leslie was still lying low, and her power wasn't yet overwhelming.

If he could win her over during this period, he might have a chance to survive!

But to marry her, he first needed Madelyn to let go. Otherwise, he wouldn't have any chance with Leslie at all.

After quickly thinking it over, Owen looked at the resolute Madelyn, shrugged, and said:

"If you don't want to marry me, that's fine. I was just looking to make a name for myself through you. I've been training long enough, and it's time the world knew who I am. Defeating you is all I need."

Madelyn was stunned.

She had been considering negotiating with Owen, offering some compensation to gradually dissuade him.

She never expected that Owen had used the martial competition as a stepping stone to fame!

For a moment, anger surged in Madelyn's heart again.

She felt played by Owen. Despite not wanting to marry, she was well aware of her allure; suitors would line up from the city gates to the royal palace.

Owen's decisive rejection felt like a slight to her charms.

Instantly enraged, Madelyn prepared to rush at Owen to give him a good lesson and vent her anger.

However, just as she began to summon elemental forces, a commanding voice echoed through the air.

"Madelyn, stand down. A momentary defeat means nothing, and your performance today was excellent. The Azure Kingdom needs talents like you!"

King Aldric's figure seemed to appear out of thin air on the stage.

He was tall, draped in a cloak inlaid with sapphires, and wore a crown.

Standing there, he was as unshakable as a mountain.

The mana in the air seemed to be suppressed by some order, becoming orderly.

"Greetings, Your Majesty!"

Madelyn and the others were taken aback by the sudden appearance of King Aldric.

They hadn't expected the busy king to be watching this martial competition.

They quickly recovered, placing their right hands over their hearts and bowing respectfully.

The collective sound of their salutes echoed to the sky.

King Aldric smiled and gestured for everyone to relax. Then he turned his gaze to Owen, who was standing nearby.

Owen was slightly surprised, not expecting to attract King Aldric's attention so early.

He had a good impression of the emperor, considering him a benevolent and wise ruler.

So, after a brief moment of shock, he regained his composure, standing gracefully and calmly without a trace of panic.

King Aldric nodded slightly, becoming increasingly pleased with Owen.

Owen's extraordinary appearance and his victory over the seemingly invincible Madelyn with a bronze-tier level 9 tier were impressive.

Now, his composed and unflustered demeanor further set him apart, giving an impression of steadiness and propriety.

Such talent was not something the Azure Kingdom could afford to overlook.

"Owen, judging by your attire and demeanor, you should be from the Azure Kingdom, correct?" King Aldric asked, initiating a conversation to learn more about Owen.

Owen nodded and briefly recounted his current situation and past experiences to King Aldric.

Hearing that Owen was a wandering orphan, a glint of admiration flashed in King Aldric's eyes.

"So young, yet you've endured the hardships of wandering. No wonder your temperament is so steady, and your combat style and experience so diverse," he praised Owen.

After a few words of commendation, King Aldric shifted the topic and asked, "You are about the same age as Marry. Would you be willing to marry my daughter, Princess Marry?"

Owen coughed lightly, surprised that King Aldric had brought up Princess Marry.

He had a strong impression of her, not just because she was a princess but also because she was the top student at one of the eight academies.

Her magical talent was exceptional, and she had always been proud and aloof.

Moreover, she had been betrothed to Prince John of the neighboring kingdom since childhood.

This Prince John was no ordinary figure; he was the protagonist of the anime!

Like most OP anime protagonists, John's life did not start smoothly.

Shortly after his engagement to Princess Marry, his kingdom was engulfed in war, and after more than a decade of conflict, it was virtually destroyed.

His once exceptional magical talent mysteriously vanished as well.

A few years ago, Princess Marry deemed John too weak in both talent and strength to be her equal, so she took the initiative to break off the engagement. John was furious and set a three-year challenge with Marry, declaring grandly that the tables would turn in his favor.

He then left to prove himself in three years.

Having just transmigrated not long ago, Owen found himself entangled with a key female character from the anime, who was also the destined woman for the protagonist in the early stages.

Owen's mouth twitched imperceptibly; it seemed he was already courting disaster...

He could not agree to this engagement.

After all, even someone with cheats would fear the protagonist's destined one!

Besides, he had a crucial task at hand.

As Owen was pondering how to tactfully decline, Duke Charles, seeing the king personally recruiting Owen and recognizing his talent, did not want to lose such a genius.

He bowed slightly to King Aldric and said:

"Your Majesty, this martial competition has spread across many nations and concerns the reputation and prestige of House Ravenwood. I must insist on keeping Owen."

King Aldric, seeing this, did not press the matter further but looked curiously at Duke Charles.

He knew Madelyn well; she was a very opinionated and proud person.

Having already refused Owen, she would not agree to marry him.

Even if Duke Charles was her father, he doubted it would make a difference.

Sure enough, Madelyn was glaring intensely at Duke Charles, ready to counter anything he said that didn't satisfy her.

Duke Charles, however, paid her no mind. After a brief contemplation, he smiled slightly at Owen and said:

"You participated in the martial competition for marriage and won. House Ravenwood must give you an answer and provide an explanation to the nations.

Since Madelyn doesn't want to marry you and you don't want to marry her either, let it be.

But I have another precious daughter, Leslie. Although she is a bit mischievous, it is harmless. I hereby betroth her to you. What do you think?"

Owen's heart pounded hard.

He had been at a loss on how to marry Leslie, and now the solution was handed to him on a silver platter.

Duke Charles was truly a great father-in-law.

Owen nodded earnestly and said, "A gift from an elder cannot be declined. I gratefully accept."

Hearing Owen's prompt acceptance, Duke Charles, Madelyn, King Aldric, and others who knew Leslie well were all a bit stunned.

Leslie's notorious reputation for delinquency was well known, even in neighboring countries, where her name alone could make children stop crying.

Owen should be aware of this; could it be that he actually liked this type?

Owen, unaware of their thoughts, only felt their gazes were somewhat odd.

He didn't dwell on it, merely letting out a deep breath. The task had finally begun.