TL: Zimming
Zachary in the preliminary round was clearly different from other knights.
Those who watched the virtual battle told everyone about him, so even those who hadn't even met him would feel a sense of crisis.
That was the case with Shuheil's soldiers. They were scared.
'That's understandable.'
It was early in the morning and our knights didn't even know that Zachary was getting deployed.
"Even the walls have ears."
Zachary said that.
I agree. In the society, it's no use watching out for other people outside the family. There's bound to be someone in the mansion that would gossip.
I was especially well aware about many rumors from Laura through the servants of other families.
Zachary, who came running with a horse, wielded a huge spear and knocked down Shuheil's knights which were surrounding the building.
"Be careful!"
He yelled at me. He broke through the window and suddenly carried me away.
I looked at him with a ridiculous look.
There is no reason to break the window and save me when nothing had happened. Zachary is clever, so there's no way he doesn't know how inefficient and dangerous this is.
I looked out to the window, as expected, new video stones were floating in the sky above the building where we were trapped.
'So this is…ah, he only wanted to look cool.'
I looked at him with cold eyes.
"If only we're here with Lea. You'll behave then. Now how are we going to get out!"
"There's a plan."
As soon as he finished speaking, a roar came from far away and a scream broke out.
"Ahh—! It's a monster from Mount Redgus!"
Monster?
I looked at Zachary in surprise.
"Mount Redgus is not even inside the virtual battle zone. How did it go outside?"
"Of course, I got them inside."
"How?"
"I figured that it must've been starving. I've sprayed the monster's favorite pig and chicken blood over there."
"Isn't that against the rules…?"
"We didn't bring unauthorized items, and virtual battle rules allow us to use everything in the area, is there something wrong?"
…that's right.
"Most of all, who would object to us, when the Duke of Dubbled is our backing?"
I'm the one who had Duke Dubbled as my father, and Zachary took advantage of that.
I shook my head, as Zachary shouted out the window.
"Throw!"
Our soldiers threw something that looked like a ball at Shuheil's knights.
Every time a ball is burst, it smells bloody.
'It's chicken and pig blood!'
The monsters went after the bloody Shuhale, who fled in a hurry.
Zachary jumped over the window and headed leisurely towards our knights.
On the other hand, Shuheil had to run like crazy to avoid monsters, eventually, he was too tired.
There were some knights who tried to confront them but they couldn't.
Something classified as monsters, cannot be dealt with with ordinary weapons.
There may be a mage over there, but it is natural that mage is weaker in battle than the knights. There's no mage who's going to go alone in a situation where the defence is completely broken and unprotected.
Our knights giggled and watched Shuheil, who was exhausted on his own.
Because they were not supposed to die according to the rules, I came out to help them.
***
"Oh my god…"
The nobles who were watching them exclaimed.
There is no one who doesn't focus on the screen.
On the screen, a young lady was making a barrier.
The perfect defense gave Leblaine plenty of time to make the barrier.
"Is it possible to do that at that age?"
The emperor asked an imperial mage. The mage only gulped.
"To the best of my knowledge, she's the only one."
The chairman was calm, when someone muttered,
"The child of fate…"
She's really the daughter of God who will protect the Empire.
Who criticized her for being fake?
Who's the ignorant one that pointed finger at the child?
As soon as a barrier came up in the air, people looked at the cardinal, who got up.
The cardinal's eyes, which looked agitated before, were shaking.
After whispering a few words, he left immediately. It was clear that his destination would be the Vatican. To let them know that the child of fate they thought was fake is the genuine one.
It was like what Leblaine had planned.
Leblaine gazed at the video stone in the air.
'Now even if I had an all-out war with Vallua, they wouldn't beat me easily because the church now saw my powers.'
They'll think hard about whether I am real or fake. As they did in my first life.
'While they're at a loss, I'm going to beat Vallua.'
Leblaine smiled brightly.
Her knights then captured all of Shuheil's knights, who had lost their horses and was tired.
It was a perfect victory without question.
She's officially the youngest winner of the virtual battle.
***
Four days after winning the virtual battle, The 20 knights who participated in the virtual battle with me marched through places and showed off their dignity.
"Zachary!"
"Zachary the best knight!"
He stood out the most in the battle.
People said that he made this much contribution yet remained humble and sincere despite his recognition.
There are many talented people, but very few have stood out. And that kind of person always becomes popular. Zachary's popularity soared into the sky.
"I heard about it from the people."
Zachary closed his mouth when he saw me glaring.
After the march, our soldiers enjoyed the honor of receiving a laurel wreath from the commander of the Imperial Knights Commander, and me…
"The emergence of a new hero in the empire!"
The emperor directly crowned me the laurel.
He grinned and said to me,
"Come to the Imperial Palace often. I would like to talk to you."
"It's an honor, Your Majesty!"
I smiled childishly.
After that, they throw us a party.
The party was prepared by my aunt and I could see how luxurious it was only after I entered the place.
'Wow…'
I looked at the rich woman, my aunt, who stood with a proud expression.
"They had a super expensive liquor that was priced over 2000 francs per bottle."
"Oh my god, that big chandelier is very expensive."
It was much more spectacular than most parties.
"Thank you, Aunt."
My aunt grinned when I told her that.
"Go and have fun."
When I went further, the noble children who entered before me forgot their dignity and played around. I heard many screams of joy from them.
'How much did they spend on the party?'
Having lived in poverty throughout my three lives, I was not used to this.
However, thanks to spending a lot of money, this place was crowded. Everyone was enjoying the party with an excited look on their faces.
Camilla usually does not come to parties but she did this time. She also brought in ladies and young children who were close to me.
"Congratulations, child."
My godmother who said so kissed me on the cheek, I kissed her back as well.
"Thank you, godmother!"
The others greeted me.
"Lady!"
"Hello, little miss."
"I haven't seen you in a long time. I'm glad I could congratulate you like this."
Surrounded by sweet young ladies and children, I wrapped my hands around my red cheeks.
'They're pretty, nice, kind…'
Why are kids around my age are so cute? I was really happy when a four-year-old child who still smells like milk handed me a bouquet of flowers.
"Congwatulations."
"Thank you!"
"Ywes."
'Cute…'
I was having fun with my friends at the party.
'But it's not the right time.'
Today's purpose is the Duke of Vallua. There must be a reason why he showed his willingness to participate in my party so suddenly.
I'm going to observe him with hawk eyes…
"Hello, lady."
"Nice to meet you, little miss."
"Do you remember me?"
A group of boys approached me.
"Will you give me the honor of kissing the back of your hand?"
"Ye…pardon?"
While answering casually, I was surprised and looked at the boy, who was tall and full of pimples like a growing teenager.
'He's the son of Count Deriber.'
He is the cousin of Edgar Shuheil, the finalist, and a close friend of Niel Vallua.
Niel had no decent friends, Deriber is one of them.
He likes drinking, gambling, and women.
He especially likes women.
"I was thrilled to see the battle. My heart was taken away by you, who looked so beautiful…"
It was when Prince Deriber slowly held my hand.
The chairman came in.
Also, Johann, Henry, Isaac, and Dad.
They soon saw me and approached me. They also saw Deriber, who held my hand.