Chapter 44: The Holy Queen Calca Bessarez
The guild had already been notified, and Aurelius examined the request for subjugating the Giant Basilisk written on the parchment. The picture depicted a reptilian beast with eight legs and a crest that resembled a crown on its snake-like body.
"Are we going to subdue this monster on the way?" Narberal asked.
"Yes, it will be another good record. Besides, if we can safely complete the Roble Holy Kingdom's nomination request, we will become Adamantite adventurers. There's no better opportunity to build our reputation."
"As expected, Lucifer-sama. You really have unpredictable insight!" Narberal responded with exaggerated gestures, kneeling down and imitating a devout subject.
"Stand up. You and I are on equal footing as partners. Don't put me on a pedestal."
"Oh, I'm sorry!"
The distance between E-Rantel and the Roble Holy Kingdom was not too far. Between them lay a mountain range, the Abelion Hills, where the Giant Basilisks were known to reside.
Climbing over the massive mountains, Aurelius easily found and subdued the Giant Basilisk. He harvested its body parts, including its horn and eyes, to present as evidence.
Finally, their carriage journey came to an end as they approached their destination.
Aurelius saw the kingdom situated on a peninsula southwest of the Re-Estize Kingdom and west of the Slane Theocracy. Majestic walls stood prominently around it.
"The Holy Princess Calca Bessarez is here."
"Is the Holy Queen your target this time?" Narberal asked.
"Yes, and becoming an Adamantite adventurer. We'll focus on gaining the favor of Holy Queen Calca."
Narberal nodded without further comment.
"Then, let's go assist the poor queen."
"Yes!"
The castle gate opened slowly, and Paladins clad in pure white armor greeted Aurelius and his party.
"Are you E-Rantel's Mithril-rank adventurers, Lucifer and Nabe?"
"That's right. Here is our adventurer plate to prove our identities," Aurelius said, presenting the plate.
"Confirmed. The Holy Queen is waiting for you two. I will escort you inside the castle."
Guided by the Paladins, Aurelius and Narberal entered the castle. They arrived at the audience room, where a large white swinging door opened to reveal a sacred-looking chamber.
Inside, alongside noble-looking individuals, two women stood at the far end, facing Aurelius. One was a pure white beauty with long golden hair in a white dress, and the other was a knight with brown hair, clad in silvery full-plate armor and a surcoat.
"Welcome. You have come a long way. I am Calca Bessarez, the Holy Queen of the Roble Holy Kingdom. Beside me is Remedios Custodio, the strongest Holy Knight of the Roble Holy Kingdom and the leader of the Paladin Order."
Upon Queen Calca's introduction, the brown-haired female knight nodded and bowed lightly. Aurelius also responded confidently.
"Nice to meet you. I am Lucifer, an adventurer from E-Rantel in the Re-Estize Kingdom. This is Nabe. Forgive me, but I am not adept with honorifics."
Queen Calca blushed at Aurelius's cool voice, attracting his attention.
He observed her carefully, noting her reactions.
Every time her eyes met his, she quickly looked away, her eyes darting to and fro. She clasped her hands and murmured softly with her head bowed.
"That's the person... The person I want to marry...!"
*****
Calca Bessarez.
She was the Holy Queen of the Roble Holy Kingdom, known as the 'Holy Queen of Purity'.
Traditionally, the throne of the Roble Holy Kingdom had always been inherited by males, making her ascension to the throne highly unusual. Her position in the line of succession was also quite low, but her extraordinary beauty and divine magic abilities earned her the title "The Treasure of Roble."
By the age of 15, Calca was already a renowned genius, capable of using 4th-tier magic. Thanks to this exceptional talent, she ascended to the throne with the firm backing of the previous Holy King and the temples.
Ten years into her reign, despite some criticism for her excessive kindness, Calca had not made any mistakes that could undermine her authority, allowing her to continue ruling the Holy Kingdom to this day.
However, her rule was not without its challenges. The north of the kingdom was supportive, while the south remained unfriendly, creating persistent tension.
Despite holding the position of Holy King, the opposition aristocrats referred to her as the Holy Queen, a title reflecting the unprecedented position of a woman on the throne. The opposing aristocrats respectfully referred to her as "Queen" without establishing a new title.
Thus, for ten years, she bore the dishonorable title of Queen rather than King.
Not to mention, the Holy Kingdom has always been under significant threat from subhumans.
To protect her kingdom, Calca requested the assistance of two adventurers who were rapidly gaining fame and were believed to be the next Adamantite rank if only they completed another good mission to prove themselves.
Numerous nobles awaited her decision, and beside her stood the commander of the Paladin Order, Remedios Custodio, fully armed and exuding calm.
"Looks like they're coming," she said.
At her words, the door to the audience room slowly opened. As the two shadows appeared, the atmosphere in the throne room stirred slightly.
The Holy Queen, with her beautifully trimmed golden hair and clear cyan eyes, let out an exclamation when she saw the two adventurers entering the audience room. The man was more beautiful than she was, with golden blonde hair and transparent blue-white eyes. This peerlessly handsome man stood beside his partner, a woman with jet-black hair and sharp eyes.
The blonde man looked like a Holy Paladin, so handsome that one could mistake him for a god descended from the divine realm.
He was as beautiful as a jewel.
Unlike the cold, black-haired beauty next to him, he exuded a warm and inviting presence.
With a gentle smile, he sent the Holy Queen a wave of spring-like love.
Ba-thump!
Calca's heart throbbed suddenly at his sight, feeling as if it might burst from her chest. Her pulse quickened, and she felt a heat rising in her cheeks.
When she gazed upon his breathtaking appearance, her face reddened even more, and she involuntarily looked away.
Calca Bessarez was quite impatient in her heart.
She had always yearned for love, and it frustrated her that she had yet to find a worthy man. Her primary sources of frustration were her unmarried status and the persistent rumor that she was in a relationship with the Custodio sisters, which she vehemently denied.
In such a situation, his sudden appearance—more charming and divine than anything she had ever seen, even surpassing her own carefully maintained beauty—took her by surprise.
Her heart fluttered uncontrollably.
Calca had a strong desire to choose her marriage partner, and the golden-haired man who now stood before her was enough to steal her heart.
"He's so cool..." she whispered to herself.
Then, concealing her true feelings, Queen Calca introduced herself and Remedios, who was standing beside her. Her voice wavered slightly with emotion.
But the blond man simply shrugged his shoulders and introduced himself in return.
"Nice to meet you. I am Lucifer, an adventurer from E-Rantel in the Re-Estize Kingdom. This is Nabe. Forgive me, but I am not adept with honorifics."
Unlike his gentle smile, he introduced himself with a firm, confident tone. The perfect blend of soft and hard made Calca fall in love once again, captivated by the intensity that added another layer to his already striking presence.
'Even his voice is so great...'
She thought to herself, marveling at the cool, medium-toned voice that was neither thin nor thick.
Their gazes met, and Calca felt a surge of emotion. She shook her head slightly, clasping her hands together to steady herself, murmuring softly with her head bowed.
"That's the person... The person I want to marry...!"
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You can support me on Patreon and also read the advance chapters there.
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