Ranni's eyes burned into the man's carefully constructed mask of solemnity. She wasn't fooled—the deeper their bond grew, the more her royal composure threatened to crack.
"You're really going through with her deal?"
"Sentiment stays separate from business."
His fingers tapped an absent rhythm against his sword.
"I'll make sure Melina chooses wisely."
"And if someone makes the choice for her?"
Her voice dropped to a whisper.
"Like that Godskin Noble. This isn't some petty squabble."
Throne's hand closed around his hilt. The motion was casual, but his knuckles whitened.
"Then I'll carve the answer into their bones."
Ranni's teeth caught her lower lip. That same dangerous aura had clung to him at Raya Lucaria, when he'd fallen from the heavens like a blade and painted the stones with Black Knife blood. She understood him too well now—the realization left her throat tight. Without another word, she turned toward the stairwell.
"Come. I have something for you."
Throne's posture shifted instantly, shoulders loosening. Greed played its part, but mostly it was relief. That exchange had been a duel of implications, and he'd caught the sharp tang of jealousy beneath her words. Strange she hadn't snapped at him.
They climbed in silence, thoughts coiled tight as springs, but bypassed the academy's grand halls for a secluded courtyard bristling with guards.
"Your Highness."
Armor clanked as the soldiers knelt. Throne recognized Arno leading them—promoted, then. Only Caria's inner circle saw Ranni's true face.
The kid was making obscene gestures behind his visor. Throne caught the mouthed words: When's the wedding? Save me from drill sergeants!
"Piss off."
His boot connected with Arno's greave.
"Ah! My mortal wound!"
The soldier collapsed like a deflated wineskin, clutching his chest.
Ranni's voice cut through the theatrics.
"My knight. Explain."
"Poor circulation. I was helping."
Her glare could have frozen lava.
"We are not children. Follow. Properly."
Throne shot Arno a vulgar hand sign before trailing after her. The courtyard held what looked like a stained-glass window, its center swirling with violet energy.
"A warp gate?"
"Walking bores me."
The admission came with a huff. It solved his earlier mystery—no way those short legs had sprinted across the academy without someone spotting an undignified scramble.
She pressed a cold weight into his palm. A miniature sword key, its blade studded with glimmering stones.
"It's paired to specific nodes. Can't be copied."
"Smart. No backdoor invasions."
He turned it over, then grinned.
"But show me how it works first."
Ranni glanced at the guards—all dutifully facing outward—and reluctantly slipped a hand from her robes. Her fingers were like winter silk against his callouses.
"You're insufferable."
The world dissolved into a kaleidoscope of colors. His stomach lurched as gravity twisted, then—
—solid ground. The Grand Library's scent of vellum and ozone flooded his senses. Ranni was already striding away, but not before he caught the faintest curve at the corner of her mouth.
The first time experiencing spatial teleportation was not comfortable. If assassins had been waiting on the other side, he'd have died on the spot.
"This isn't the Grand Library?"
"It's a treasure vault I recently established, located right above the Grand Library. You have the key. In the future, if you want anything, just come and take it yourself. No need to report it."
Was this the composure of a rich woman? Throne glanced around. The room was completely enclosed, lit only by the glintstone lamps on the walls. No door in sight—a legendary hidden room. Most hidden rooms held one or two valuable items, but here, treasure was counted by the chest.
He opened a chest casually and was immediately blinded by the golden runes packed inside. If a Tarnished were here, they'd be jumping for joy. Beyond that, there were fine weapons, armor, talismans, magic scrolls, and strange items even Ranni didn't know the use of—remnants of a dynasty that had existed since the Age of Stars and Moon.
Throne didn't care for money or worldly goods. He grabbed a handful and stuffed it into his pocket, considering it a bonus for his trip to Caelid.
They walked to the side of the room. Only then did Throne see the gift.
A suit of armor hung on the wall, silver-gray, reminiscent of the Silver Tear of Nokstella but heavier. The shape felt familiar. After a long moment, it clicked.
"Crucible Knight armor?"
"Mm. Modified based on the Crucible Knight armor. War Counselor Iji and several other blacksmiths put in a great deal of effort. Fortunately, the foundation of this armor was excellent," Ranni said calmly.
It was the Crucible Knight's half-plate armor from when he'd fallen off the cliff—only the color was different, and the pattern on the chest and abdomen had changed from the tree-shaped Crucible to the crest of Caria. The pauldrons featured two roaring lions, their eyes and the chest emblem inlaid with gemstones.
Throne ran his fingers over the cold metal. The change in color and details made it seem less heavy and weathered, more luxurious.
"You made modifications?"
"I utilized techniques left behind by Nokstella. The fluid metal has a restorative function without weakening the armor's defense. It even reduces weight. I researched this in my spare time. Those gemstones can also defend against magic and incantations."
As the most powerful sorcerer in The Lands Between, Ranni's research capabilities were unmatched. She shot him a glare.
"Don't overthink it. It's just that you're too hard on your armor. You've already worn out two perfectly good sets of Carian Knight armor. If this continues, I won't be able to handle it."
Throne looked down, embarrassed. His current armor was battered and broken. As someone who'd survived countless battles, he knew good armor meant an extra life. This wasn't as simple as Ranni claimed. She must have spent a long time researching it, investing regardless of cost.
He took a deep breath.
"Thank you for thinking of me."
"Hmph. That's only because we're going to Volcano Manor soon. If you're dressed in rags, it would bring shame upon me. Give it a name."
Carian Consort Armor? Throne almost blurted it out but stopped himself. He wasn't in a hurry to name it.
Ranni was swinging her hand when she felt it suddenly grasped by Throne. She whipped her head around, her eyes widening. The knight held her fingertips, bowed his waist, and planted a light kiss on the back of her hand, then looked at the somewhat stunned Princess.
"And this is in return."
Under the glintstone light, the knight kissed the Princess's hand. Lips touched skin, remaining there for a long time, just like a scene from the countless knight novels he had read. A noble princess, an elegant knight, and boxes of treasure—it all felt even more romantic. Ranni froze, staring blankly at the man before her.
The last time, she had been the one to extend her hand, but this time, the man had taken the initiative. It didn't seem as simple as a gesture of thanks. Yet she was not furious, nor did she feel the slightest bit of disgust. It was a full few seconds before she blinked. No, I must stay composed at a time like this. Stay composed!
Without the shyness of a young girl, Ranni instead proudly lifted her chin and said calmly:
"Mm. I accept this gift."
This time it was Throne's turn to be stunned. As expected, she was no ordinary human girl; his surprise attack had no effect. He immediately realized that it was her pride at work. A tsundere is a tsundere, so of course she must be arrogant.
However, this was like a battle, and Throne had no reason to retreat—just as in any fight, whoever breaks their defense first will be the one at a disadvantage later.
"Your Highness, you are blushing."
"Nonsense! This body of mine is a doll, how could I blush? It must be your imagination. And when are you going to let go of my hand?"
Ranni used a bit of force, but finding she couldn't pull away, she turned her head away and coughed lightly:
"When you have time, go ask Moongrum for lessons on knightly etiquette. What kind of knight holds a lady's hand and doesn't let go?"
"Who said this was knightly etiquette? I just grabbed your hand because it was the most convenient. Actually, I could kiss your cheek instead."
Very quickly, the hand in Throne's palm was pulled away. Ranni took a leap several meters away, her voice trembling: "Im—impolite! Don't make such jokes casually!"
"I'm not joking." Throne replied calmly. To break a tsundere's defense is actually quite simple: just use a thick-skinned, direct attack and see who can hold out longer.
He stood on his tiptoes, watching Ranni, whose face was completely hidden by her wide-brimmed hat, ready to retreat at any moment. It seems she isn't planning to throw a Dark Moon in a fit of rage? The two of them remained stuck like that. Throne wasn't some villain cackling with evil laughter, so naturally, he wouldn't press her step by step.
Under the glintstone light, Throne stood in the brightness, while Ranni remained in the shadows. After who knows how long, she gently raised her head. There was not much of the characteristic tsundere shame or anger on her face; instead, she gently bit her lip, her gaze filled with determination.
"Throne, have you really decided?"
"You have asked many times, and my answer remains the same. I will walk this path with you to the end."
Throne also became serious.
"I permit you to stay by my side, but—" Ranni suddenly changed the subject, her tone once again carrying arrogance: "I do not permit others, even though I know you will not abandon them."
"I respect everyone's wishes and will not force anything."
Throne did not answer directly either; this matter concerned other people, and he had no right to make decisions for them. Ranni's expression dimmed for a moment, then she sighed: "Sigh, I knew it would be like this, which is why I wouldn't give you the ring. If it really comes to that... ugh, never mind. Thinking of that piece of wood gives me a headache, but that stinky dragon is absolutely not allowed to appear before me!"
Such great anger. Lansseax, that old seductress, had really riled Ranni up. Wait, how does this sentence seem like a concession again? He felt he had drawn a little closer to Ranni; it was as if the barrier between them had finally been pierced.
This was why he chose to make his move in the treasure vault. If they were outside, Ranni would definitely throw a Dark Moon for the sake of her pride and would never give him a chance to speak. But Throne was still unsatisfied, and asked with feigned confusion:
"Ring? What ring?"
"Nothing. You misheard."
"Impossible. My memory has always been good."
"I said you misheard, so you misheard! I am your King, you are not allowed to refute me!"
Ranni used the 'I am your boss' maneuver, and without waiting for an answer, she lifted her skirts with both hands and walked away.
"Put on the armor and come to the Grand Library for dinner later. We will discuss future matters then."
She walked as she spoke, moving faster and faster.
Before Throne could even snap out of it, she had vanished into the teleporter. The man slowly lowered his raised hand and looked at the key in his palm.
"Hey, at least teach me how to get out!"
... Throne had made a small fortune, and Melina had gone to the small town outside the academy.
She had previously learned how to demand her pay, so she had received her wages from a certain man, finally having the money to treat Millicent. Not much time had passed, but the town had already returned to prosperity. After all, this was a major thoroughfare, and caravans traveling north and south all had to stop here to rest.
"There are more people here than in Caelid."
Millicent looked around, full of curiosity like a child. She had grown up staying in the Grand Arena with Alexander and truly hadn't seen much of the world. Melina held a brown paper bag, continuously stuffing fried shrimp balls into her mouth, a look of satisfaction on her face.
The river food of Liurnia was truly delicious, blending cooking techniques from all over The Lands Between; it was no exaggeration to call it a gourmet paradise.
"Do you want to eat?"
"I'll pass. I'm afraid that if I get used to eating good things, I won't be able to handle eating dry rations later, and it will affect my mindset."
Millicent waved her hands repeatedly.
Melina tilted her head in confusion, not understanding what the girl was thinking, so she took a coin purse from her bosom and shook it, making a clattering sound.
"If there is anything you want to buy, just tell me."
"But I don't want to spend your runes."
"Just consider it a loan. Put it on your tab, and you can pay me back double later. This is at a discount."
Melina repeated what Throne had said when he paid her... Double? You are a bit too heartless, aren't you? Millicent heard the clanging of hammering and pointed to the Misbegotten blacksmith over there: "Alright, I want to craft a pair of arm guards, and also repair my katana."
Although she could have received a set of excellent equipment from Caria just by asking, she had her own dignity and was unwilling to take things for free.
"That will cost quite a bit of money. Alright, these are things we cannot skimp on."
The two walked over.
Due to the enlightened policies, there were many Misbegotten blacksmiths in Liurnia, and their craftsmanship was very exquisite, though their prices were high. Melina felt a pang of heartache as she took out the majority of her runes and bought several high-quality smithing stones, handing them all to the blacksmith.
"Two hours to repair the blade. Come back and get it yourself."
The blacksmith was taciturn, a trait of his race. He glanced at the katana, which had become almost serrated, and shook his head: "However, young lady, you must cherish it next time. This is your friend."
The chips were mostly from when it had clashed with dragons.
In The Lands Between, apart from divine artifacts, most things obeyed the unyielding rules of physics. When hard met hard, shards flew—inevitable as gravity.