Celestine and Lycynthia, glared at each other. The Queen had set seemingly impossible trials to deny Celestine from entering into marriage with Leon.
A set of trials so deadly they have to promise your reward to your family... I mean not dying seems to be my only skill so far...
"Your Majesty, if completing one or more of these trials is what it takes to be worthy of Celestine, then I shall do so."
He wasn't sure if he'd said the right thing. He couldn't read either girl's face. It was as if his words had pleased and annoyed them both at the same time. Just for different reasons.
"Hey Farm boy. Yeah that sounds cool and all, but you might want to hear what the trials are before you act all heroic."
"Okay… well what are they then?"
Lycynthia answered on Rika's behalf.
"To become a Duke and prove yourself worthy of offering my daughter a marriage bid, you must achieve one of the following; Interfectio Nykthos, Interfectio Catastrophica, or Recuperatio Coronae."
Wait what!? Did my auto translate break, why did she start speaking Latin all of a sudden?
Celestine answered his unspoken question as if she read his mind. Her glare towards her mother only sharpened with anger.
"My mother just told you that you would need to slay the God of Darkness, Nykthos. Slay a monster capable of bringing catastrophe to entire kingdoms, or retrieve the crown of Veyra from the Empire, reinstating the Valerian royal family."
Well the first one's impossible, and I have zero idea how to do the third... might as well ask about the middle one.
"So um… How powerful is a Catastrophe level monster?"
Rika's hands shot up to her mouth as she tried not to laugh. While the Queen and Princess immediately went back to arguing
"Hero or not, can't you see how completely ill suited he is to be your husband!'
"Enough Mother! He is my fiance regardless of these trials."
"Neither your father nor I would ever accept such a marriage."
"Then I have no need for your blessing!"
The two stared down at each other in cool silence. A long, awkward pause stretched through the room as no one dared to speak.
"..."
"..."
A knock came at the door to finally break the tension. A maid slipped inside and gave a bow.
"You may speak."
"Your Majesty, Dinner will be ready soon. If you wish to prepare for the meal…"
Lycynthia looked back at her daughter.
"Enough of this for now. I will see you at dinner. Where we will not speak of this matter."
The Queen rose and exited the room. Her attendants followed her at her heels. The moment the door shut, Celestine grabbed a pillow and threw it at the door. Then crossed her arm and flopped back against her seat fuming.
I should say something here. Make a joke maybe?
"I'm sorry you two had to see all that."
"It's okay. Your mother is just worried about you."
"She just told you to go die!"
"Well yes.... And no. Look, I'm sure she'll come around."
"No she won't! She never does. It always has to be her way! Uuugh!"
Rika, help me out here
Rika shrugged back at him, clearly his plea and deciding to stay out of it.
Thanks. Guess this is on me.
"Look, I'd be incredibly lucky to marry you Celestine. And maybe my luck isn't enough on its own. So if I have to complete some trials to prove it, then I'll do it. Because you're worth it."
Celestine uncrossed her arms. She leaned forward and took one of Leon's hands in both of hers. Her expression was now softening at his worlds.
"Leon. That's very sweet. And I know you're from another world now and this is a lot for you. But my mother is not to see if you are worthy of being my husband. She's doing this to get rid of you."
"Well, I'll have to prove her wrong then."
Rika chimed in mischievously.
"And this is why I call you farm boy. Even Rose Thorns couldn't handle a Catastrophe level monster. Feeding a succubus and vampire is impressive and all but you got no chance against something like that."
"You said a dragon had a vitality of 32 and I'm way past that."
"Dragons are hazard level. As tough as they are, they're more offensive threats. Giant flying lizards that breathe fire hot enough to turn city streets into rivers of lava. In case they are different in your world."
"Yeah, that sounds like a dragon. But what do you mean 'Hazard level'? Actually while we're here can I get a quick rundown of all the 13 trials, as well as monster ranks and whatever else I might need to know?"
Celestine went first, followed by Rika. the two girls taking turns explaining their respective areas of expertise.
"For nobility, the ranks start with Royalty at the top. Followed by Duke, Marquess, Count, Viscount and Baron. When the Federation was formed, these ranks became standard among the kingdoms. Though there are still noble families who dislike the system."
"For monsters, the ranks are Apocalypse, Catastrophe, Calamity, Hazard, Havoc, Terror, Menace, and Pest. However, Nykthos is the only threat in Apocalypse. Rose Thorns is one of the strongest hunting parties in the Federation and we can only reliably handle a Hazard level threat. Anything higher than that is hopeless without multiple elite level parties working together."
"You already heard the 3 greatest trials required to become a Duke. To be a Marquess you'd need Interfectio Ducis, or Expugnatio Arcis. For a Count; Mali Aurei or Liberatio Regalia. For a Viscount; Acquisitio Mythica, Interfectio Calamitatis, or Captura Periculi. And lastly, Corona Muralis, Defensio Ultima or Revelatio Coniurationis for a Baron."
Leon's head was starting to spin. He had asked for the rundown but was now getting swarmed with too much information.
"Ummm ok and which one of those is to kill a dragon?"
"None of them. But Captura Periculi means if you can capture and train one for the Federation then you'll become a 'Viscount Farm boy'."