Chapter 113

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 113

Chapter Title: Zakari Steals the Show

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Zakari in the preliminaries was markedly different from the other soldiers, no matter who was watching.

Those who had spectated the mock battle spread the rumors far and wide, so even people who hadn't faced his prowess firsthand would feel a sense of crisis.

The Shuheil forces were just like that. They were utterly shocked.

'Can't blame them.'

Even our own soldiers hadn't learned until that very morning that Zakari was being deployed.

"The saying 'even walls have ears' didn't come about for nothing."

Those were Zakari's words.

I agreed. In the capital, it was no use being cautious only of outsiders. There were pigeons carrying tales even within the estate.

I knew this especially well, since Laura fed me all sorts of rumors gathered from other families' servants.

Not only our soldiers, but the imperial palace had been shocked too when they received notice of Zakari's deployment right before the mock battle, along with the aura verification results. So just imagine how flustered the Shuheil forces must have been.

Zakari came charging in on horseback, swinging his massive spear and shattering the Shuheil formation that had surrounded the building.

"Get out of the way!"

He shouted, then crashed through the window with a tremendous crash! and scooped me up in his arms.

I stared at him in disbelief.

Only an idiot would smash through a window in the heart of enemy territory just to rescue someone.

Zakari was clever, so there was no way he didn't know how inefficient and dangerous this was.

A quick glance outside the broken window confirmed it: new image stones were floating in the air above the building where we were trapped.

So this was...

'All just him trying to look cool on his own.'

I fixed him with an icy stare.

"You won't snap out of it until Lea gives you an even bigger thumbs-up."

"Tell them you believed I'd come for you from outside."

He even scripted the line, grinning cheekily.

"How are we even getting out?!"

"I've got a plan."

No sooner had he spoken than a massive roar echoed from afar, followed by screams.

"Arghhh! Monsters from Redgers Mountain!"

Monsters?

I whipped my head toward Zakari in surprise.

"Redgers Mountain isn't even part of the mock battle zone. Did you go out there?"

"No way. I lured them in."

"How?"

"Starved them good before the mock battle. Then sprinkled pig blood and chicken blood around here—the stuff monsters love. Enough to draw in the hungry ones."

"Isn't that against the rules...?"

"I didn't use magic tools to summon them, and per mock battle rules, everything in the zone is fair game. What's the problem?"

...Fair enough.

Redgers Mountain bordered the Duvered estate, so it could easily be framed as "Duvered soldiers clearing nearby monsters to protect the estate before the mock battle." Hard to argue with that.

"Besides, with Duke Duvered standing tall behind us, who would dare object?"

I had Duke Duvered as my dad, but Zakari was making even better use of him.

I shook my head in exasperation, and Zakari bellowed toward the window.

"Throw!"

Our soldiers, clutching what looked like pouches, hurled them at the Shuheil forces like they were playing catch.

Thud! Thud!

Every time a pouch hit, the stench of blood filled the air.

'Pig blood and chicken blood!'

The monsters zeroed in on the blood-soaked Shuheil soldiers, who scattered in blind panic.

In the chaos, Zakari and I leisurely hopped out the window—yes, deliberately through it—and made our way to our side.

Meanwhile, the Shuheil forces had to sprint like mad to escape the monsters, eventually collapsing in exhaustion, gasping for breath.

A few tried to stand their ground midway, but it was no use.

Beasts classified as monsters couldn't be felled by ordinary weapons.

Only subjugation squads with mages or priests, or special holy relics, could handle them.

They probably had a mage or two, but mages were naturally weaker in direct combat than knights. With their lines broken and no cover, no mage would be foolish enough to step out alone.

Our soldiers chuckled as they watched the Shuheil forces tire themselves out.

Per the rules, they couldn't kill them, so midway through, I stepped in with my holy power.

"My goodness..."

A noble watching the magic mirror let out a gasp.

No one could tear their eyes from the screen.

On it, a young lady about half the size of an average knight was drawing a invocation circle.

The Duvered forces showed ironclad cohesion, unlike the Shuheil side. Their perfect defense bought Leblain plenty of time to chant, and the formation hovering in the air was impossibly vast and intricate.

"Is that even possible at her age?"

The Emperor asked his court mage, who swallowed hard.

"To my knowledge, she's the only one."

The hall fell silent, and someone murmured.

"Child of Destiny..."

The daughter of god who would safeguard the empire.

Who had dared call this child a fake?

Who were the ignorant fools who pointed fingers, claiming she had no holy power, just luck?

As the invocation circle materialized in the sky, all eyes turned to the cardinal, who had shot to his feet.

The eyes of the unflappable cardinal trembled faintly.

He whispered to his attendant priests, then abruptly left the hall. No doubt headed to the Papal Palace to report that the Child of Destiny they deemed fake was, in truth, god's true daughter.

Everything up to this point was unfolding exactly as Leblain had planned.

Having driven off the monsters, Leblain stared intently at the glittering image stones in the sky.

'Even if I go to full war with Ballua now, the temple won't dare step in lightly—they'll be too busy second-guessing if I'm real or fake.'

Ponder it until your heads explode, just like I did in my first life.

'While you're dithering, I'll crush Ballua.'

Leblain smiled brightly from the heart.

Afterward, her forces captured the speechless, exhausted Shuheil soldiers en masse.

It was an undeniable, perfect victory.

The youngest winner in mock battle history had been born.

Four days after winning the mock battle.

I and the twenty soldiers who participated marched through the capital, proudly displaying our might.

"Zakari!"

"Zakari! The strongest boy knight!"

Zakari stood out by far.

Despite earning such merit and having his skills recognized, he maintained a humble, earnest demeanor.

There were plenty of skilled people, but few who paired skill with character. And those types were always popular. Zakari's popularity soared to the heavens.

"Pfft... heh... snort..."

Utterly clueless that he was a total dork.

"People can hear you."

I grumbled, and he quickly straightened his lips and posture. But his eyes gleamed with smug pride.

After the march, our soldiers even received laurel wreaths from the Captain of the Imperial Knights—a great honor. As for me, the participant...

"A new hero for the empire!"

The Emperor personally placed the laurel wreath on my head.

He laughed heartily and clapped my shoulder.

"Come to the palace often. I have many questions for you."

"It's an honor, Your Majesty!"

I beamed innocently, like the child I was.

After that, we held a victory party in one of Dad's halls.

Auntie had prepared it, so I only saw how lavish it was after entering the hall.

'Whoa...'

I glanced back at the beaming duo behind me—my father and auntie—with a slightly overwhelmed look.

"Casks of liquor that costs over 2,000 francs per bottle..."

"My word, those chandeliers are encrusted with real jewels."

It was far grander than most imperial palace parties.

"Auntie, thank you."

She smiled warmly at my words.

"Go have fun."

She gestured to the garden, where young noble children—having arrived ahead of me—were shrieking in delight, forgetting all decorum: "Wheee!!" "Yippee!!"

Curious, I peeked out and saw a swing shaped like a boat rocking wildly back and forth.

And it wasn't the only novelty ride. There were more behind it... and behind those... and behind those...

'How much did this party even cost?'

Having lived in poverty through three lifetimes, I felt the blood drain from my body.

But the lavish spending paid off—the place was packed with guests, all thrilled and enjoying themselves.

Even Lady Camilla, who rarely attended such events, brought her lady-in-waitings and young ladies for my sake.

"Congratulations, little one."

The lady kissed my cheek, so I kissed hers in return.

"Thank you, Lady Camilla!"

The others offered their congratulations too.

"Lady Leblain!"

"Hello, little one."

"It's been a while. I'm so glad I get to congratulate you."

Surrounded by sweet young ladies, I cupped my flushed cheeks with both hands.

'So pretty, so kind...'

Why were girls my age so adorable? When a four-year-old young lady still smelling of milk handed me a bouquet, I was truly happy.

"Congwatulations."

"Thank you!"

"Nyeh."

'Nyeh... so cute...'

I was giggling and playing with the other children when I snapped to attention.

'Not the time for this.'

Today's goal was Duke Ballua. He wouldn't show up uninvited without reason.

I scanned the hall with a hawk-like gaze...

"Hello, Lady Leblain."

"Pleased to meet you, little one."

"Do you remember me?"

A group of boys approached me.

Unlike with the girls, I mumbled a vague "Oh, um..." while scanning the room with my eyes.

"Might I have the honor of kissing the back of your hand?"

"Y-yes...? Huh?"

I absentmindedly agreed, then blinked in shock at the tall, pimply adolescent boy.

'It's the Deriber young master.'

Son of Count Deriber.

The cousin of Edgar Shuheil—my finals opponent—and close friend of Nils Ballua.

Nils's friends were all bad news, and this guy was no exception.

He loved booze, gambling, and women.

Especially women.

"Watching the mock battle sent shivers down my spine. You stole my heart at first sight, so exquisitely beautiful. Next time, if you'll allow... not your hand, but your lips..."

As the Deriber young master slurred, grabbing my hand...

The hall doors opened, and familiar party hosts entered.

Yohan, Henri, Ishak, and Dad.

They scanned the room, spotted me, approached... and saw him. Holding my hand.