The thick stench of blood and the vague outline of a sea of corpses in front of them were almost enough to shatter what little sanity the soldiers still had as they entered the throne hall.
"R–Report…!"
The soldier's voice was sharp, trembling, and on the verge of tears.
"O–Outside… the… the ladies of B–Blue Rose request… request an audience with Princess Renner!"
It took everything he had just to force that sentence out in one breath.
Then he collapsed to the floor like a pile of mush, left with nothing but ragged breathing and uncontrollable shaking.
"Blue Rose?"
Rei Ao's fingers, which had been idly playing with Renner's hair, paused for a moment.
He did remember that name.
One of the adamantite-ranked adventurer teams famed throughout the Re-Estize Kingdom and even among the neighboring human nations.
Their strength in this world was top-tier, second only to the legendary "Thirteen Heroes."
What made him a little more interested was that it was a party made up entirely of women.
Its members included their leader Lakyus, wielder of Kilineiram the Demonic Sword; the warhammer specialist Gagaran; the gemstone magic expert Evileye; and the twin thief sisters, Tia and Tina.
"An all-female adamantite-ranked party, huh."
A playful glint flashed in Rei Ao's eyes.
In this kingdom he had just crushed with overwhelming force, a group that actually counted for something by this world's standards choosing this moment to show up did at least add a bit of flavor to an otherwise boring stretch of time.
He lowered his gaze to Renner, still leaning against his legs as if nothing in the outside world had anything to do with her, focused only on pleasing her master.
A thought took shape in his mind.
He didn't answer the soldier directly, nor did he bother to tell him to withdraw.
He simply waved his hand casually, and the death knight who had been leading them in grabbed the limp soldier like a chick and dragged him out of the hall, leaving behind an even deeper silence.
Then Rei Ao lightly tapped the top of Renner's head with his fingertip.
Renner immediately lifted her head.
Those eyes, burning with fanatical devotion, turned up to him, waiting for his command.
"Renner."
Rei Ao's voice carried a tone that allowed no refusal.
"You go meet them—as a 'princess'."
There wasn't the slightest trace of doubt or resistance in Renner's eyes, only absolute obedience.
She stood up at once. Her movements were still graceful; she even habitually straightened her slightly rumpled skirt and smoothed her hair.
Only the unnatural flush on her cheeks and the twisted, feverish fervor deep in her gaze clashed sharply with the princess-like poise she was trying to maintain.
"Yes, my master."
Her voice was sweet and submissive.
"Renner will take care of everything."
Rei Ao was satisfied with her response.
"Go."
He lounged back against the throne and flicked his hand dismissively.
"Let me see if this so-called Blue Rose is worthy of a bit more of my attention."
Renner bowed deeply again.
Then she turned and walked toward the doors of the great hall, every step outwardly calm yet infused with a will to carry out her master's command without the slightest deviation.
Her back was still slender and regal.
But beneath that regal surface was a soul completely twisted, existing only for Rei Ao.
On the throne, Rei Ao's gaze followed the direction she had left in.
It was as if he could already see the entertaining meeting soon to unfold.
The playful smile at the corner of his lips grew deeper.
"Albedo."
He spoke again.
"At your service."
"Keep an eye on Renner's meeting with Blue Rose," Rei Ao ordered. "If anything amusing happens that goes beyond expectations, report to me immediately."
"As you command, Rei Ao-sama."
Albedo bowed.
A flash of understanding—and approval—of her supreme master's cruel sense of fun flickered through her eyes.
Having grasped Rei Ao's intent, she bowed once more, and her figure slowly faded from sight.
She had no doubt gone either to activate some monitoring methods or to observe in person.
The throne hall was once again left with only Rei Ao and the carpet of corpses.
He turned his gaze back to the wreckage below, his eyes utterly calm.
These bodies would be cleared away soon. The palace would be restored to its former splendor.
The bloodstains would be wiped clean.
But the nature of power here had already been changed beyond repair.
To him, this world was nothing more than a gigantic playground.
Nations were themed attractions within it.
And all living beings were NPCs and collectible elements in the park.
He had not come with pure malice—but there was absolutely no kindness either.
He was here to play, in a way that transcended mundane notions of morality.
"Well then, ladies of Blue Rose…"
He looked toward the doors of the great hall, as if he could already see the meeting taking place in a side hall or reception chamber, and the corner of his lips curved with anticipation.
"What kind of surprises can you bring to my little game?"
…
Princess Renner walked down the corridor leading to the side hall.
Her steps were steady.
Her bearing flawless.
If not for the abnormal flush on her face and the barely concealed, flame-like fanaticism burning in the depths of her eyes, she would have been no different from the wise and beautiful "Golden Princess" she'd once been known as.
She even gave gentle smiles to the terrified soldiers she passed along the way.
But behind those smiles was only the hollow, mechanical execution of a command, not genuine feeling.
Click.
The door of the side hall was pushed open by a waiting attendant.
Inside, five figures were quietly waiting.
Each had a distinct presence, yet all of them radiated power.
They were the adamantite-rank adventurer party—Blue Rose.
At their head was a beautiful woman with long golden hair, cradling a greatsword in her arms: Lakyus.
Lakyus, captain of Blue Rose, watched Renner with sharp, steady eyes as the princess stepped inside.
Beside her stood a petite girl in a cloak and mask: Evileye.
On the other side were the rugged, almost masculine-looking Gagaran, and the twin thief sisters in ninja-style outfits, Tia and Tina, their eyes quick and watchful.
The moment Renner walked in, all five sets of eyes locked onto her.
"Princess Renner."
Lakyus spoke first.
Her voice was calm, yet carried a certain pressure.
"It seems something very unusual has happened in the kingdom. Even the guards outside have been replaced by… unsettling beings."
"The fact that you're unharmed is truly a relief."
Her gaze was like the most precise detector, carefully examining every inch of Renner's expression, every slightest movement.
She had to figure out what had happened to the kingdom.
~~~
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