As the final batch of giant ice bricks, crystal-clear like sapphires, was steadily delivered fifteen meters deep underground, this massive cold storage—which took half a month to build and utilized hundreds of laborers alongside Mason's core technology—was finally declared thoroughly completed.
Standing before the cold storage's heavy stone doors, a blast of visible white cold mist was slowly spilling out from the door seams, condensing into tiny ice crystals in the dry surrounding winter air.
Surrounded by Irene and Daphne, Sophia once again stepped onto those precise and exquisite spiral stairs.
The further down they walked, the more obvious the drop in temperature became. By the time they reached the very bottom at the second underground level, the exhaled white breath had become so thick it somewhat obscured their vision.
"Your Majesty, please look at this perfect frozen domain!"
Irene pointed around proudly, like a general inspecting her territory.
The space on the second underground level was the grandest. The surrounding stone walls were completely covered by neatly stacked ice bricks, forming an ice wall a full meter thick.
Under the illumination of Daphne's Holy Light, a faint blue light circulated within the ice walls.
"I will utilize the magic structure and the stacking of the ice blocks to firmly lock the temperature here at around negative fifteen degrees."
A fanatical light of calculation glinted in Irene's eyes.
"This place is used for the long-term preservation of the deep-sea dried goods from the City of Hill, the salted meat from Roland Village, and the fresh meat from our large-scale slaughters in the future.
As long as the doors aren't opened frequently, these things can be stored for a year, or even two or three years, and they'll be no different from when they were first put in!"
Daphne was currently waving her staff, injecting the final reinforcement incantation into the reserved magic core.
"This depth consumes a relatively large amount of magic power."
Daphne was panting slightly as she turned her head to speak to Sophia.
"Your Majesty, roughly every month, I will need to come in and personally recharge it to stabilize the extreme cold fluctuations of the Holy Light.
Of course, if Your Majesty can accompany me inside, I think I could maintain it for a bit longer."
Sophia ignored Daphne's glaringly obvious hint, merely reaching out to touch the icy wall.
That low temperature, capable of almost freezing blood, made her exceptionally satisfied.
By comparison, the first underground level appeared much milder.
The ice block reserve here was only one-third of the lower level, and the ventilation holes had undergone a special diversion design.
"This is the cold storage area."
Irene explained while drawing a line on the temperature scale on the wall.
"The temperature will remain constant at around zero degrees.
It won't let the vegetables and fruits freeze, but it will greatly inhibit bacterial growth and moisture loss, and the shelf life will also be extended for much longer.
Um... shelf life means the time before the food spoils.
The fresh vegetables and fruits produced in those 'greenhouses', as well as those rare seasonings Willow needs, are most perfectly suited to be placed here."
Sophia nodded.
The first underground level's requirement for magic was even lower. When Daphne reinforced the lower level, conveniently casting a wide-area Holy Light spell would allow the coolness here to be maintained for a long time.
This dual architecture of 'freezing + chilling' signified that Mason had completely left all the nations on this continent in the dust regarding logistical reserve capabilities.
Victor was currently hiding in a corner of the first underground level. Because it was relatively warm here, his fingers were finally no longer stiff.
He was frantically recording on the parchment scroll.
A Divine Miracle-like structuralism! Your Majesty has not simply created cold; she has established a complete life metabolism system underground!
The lower level is the spine, using extreme deep chill to lock in the Empire's flesh and blood.
The upper level is the artery, using a gentle coolness to nourish the vitality of civilization.
This wisdom of stratified governance is precisely the epitome of Your Majesty's dominion over all things—letting the stubborn slumber, and letting the vibrant endure.
From today onward, Mason's subjects will no longer be at the mercy of the seasons.
When the scorching summer sun attempts to rot the grain, Your Majesty's will shall quietly guard the stomach of the entire Empire from fifteen meters underground.
This cold storage is precisely an invincible root of the Black Rose, planted above the laws of nature!
"Your Majesty, our cold storage is finally starting to look like something."
Delilah stood at the top of the stairs, watching the workers orderly move out the excess supports.
Many shelves had been built below, meant for more orderly storage, as well as for better classification and retrieval.
Those subjects who had participated in harvesting ice and digging the pit were currently standing on the periphery.
They watched the cold air continuously spilling out. Even though they had been shivering from the cold all day, their faces overflowed with a near-pious sense of pride.
Although they didn't understand what pit storage freezing was, they knew this was Your Majesty's Divine Miracle.
Following such a monarch, there would be ice in the summer, and meat in the winter.
Sophia walked up to the cold storage's main doors. Looking at the two levels of space—which had been completely emptied and were merely waiting for the spring harvest to fill them—a rare sense of affluent reassurance rose in her heart.
"Irene, Willow."
Sophia turned around.
"Present, Your Majesty."
"Bring over the half barrel of wild berry juice left over from last night's banquet."
The corners of Sophia's mouth curled up slightly.
"Throw it into that ice compartment on the second underground level.
Since the cold storage is built, we must first test the icing effect.
After testing the effect, bring people to move the things that need to be chilled and frozen inside. We shouldn't let the space go to waste before summer arrives."
"Yay!" Irene was the first to jump up. "I'll go get that small wooden spoon I invented right now!"
As the stone doors of the cold storage slowly closed, that barrel of wild berry juice was officially sealed within the cold air deep underground.
To Sophia, the completion of the cold storage was not only a massive step in logistics, but also a physical extension of her ruling authority over this territory.
A bit later, after tasting the wild berry juice that had been frozen into a smoothie, Sophia thoroughly ordered people to throw much of the grain and the things that needed chilling and freezing from the warehouse into the cold storage.
Nowadays, the Kingdom of Orr—which was now the City of Hill—had already submitted its heart. Food reserves were being steadily established through the 'greenhouses' and the cold storage, and Mason's foundation had already solidified.
However, as the owner of a modern soul, Sophia was extremely clear: agriculture was merely survival; industry was hegemony.
"Since the cold storage is on track, it is also time to go take a look at those congratulatory gifts."
Sophia stood on the high platform of the Palace. Her gaze pierced through the layers of snow, looking toward the southeast in the direction of the Kingdom of Qubi.
During these past few days, the invitation letters from the two countries of Leighton and Qubi had nearly piled up to cover her desk.
These two small countries had almost reached the brink of annihilation amidst the epidemic. It was Sophia's Potion and Holy Light—which could be called a multidimensional strike—that had saved the lives of more than half of their entire nations.
In their eyes, Sophia was not merely a terrifying, nation-annihilating Tyrant, but also the sole True God who controlled life and death.
"How is the production of the coal mines over in Qubi?"
Sophia asked faintly.
"Your Majesty, the King of Qubi stated in his letter that they have already cleared out several of the most abundant mine shafts, and are merely waiting for you to visit in person to guide them."
Willow responded in a low voice from the side, a hidden anticipation revealing itself in her eyes.
With Her Majesty's permission, Willow had also reviewed a portion of the letters sent over from Qubi and Leighton.
Sophia was not someone who liked sitting deep within the Palace waiting for reports.
Personally inspecting resource sites was the instinct of every excellent manager.
"Make preparations. We set out for Qubi tomorrow."
Sophia swept a glance over the several confidants behind her.
"Delilah will be responsible for perimeter security; take that elite black musket squad with you.
Irene will accompany us; you need to provide the technical plans on how to dig and utilize those coal mines.
And Daphne..."
"Present! I'm here, Your Majesty!"
Daphne instantly clung to her like a butterfly, that pink pentagram staff shining brightly in the snow.
"My efficiency has improved a lot recently! I guarantee the inside of the carriage will be toasty warm!"
Sophia nodded. Just as she was about to turn around, she suddenly felt an extremely faint, yet impossible to ignore, gaze.
It was Willow.
This Lord Chief Steward—who was normally calm, composed, and managed the Palace methodically—was currently keeping her head slightly lowered.
Although her posture remained elegant, those normally steady hands were unconsciously rubbing the corners of her clothes. The longing revealed in her eyes was like that of an obedient housekeeper left at home, yet desperately wishing to go on a spring outing with the older children.
Sophia's heart stirred slightly.
"Speaking of which, Willow really hasn't left the Royal City in a long time while helping me deal with that pile of messes.
With this level of loyalty and working efficiency, keeping her locked in an office all the time truly does run the suspicion of exploiting the labor force."
"Willow."
"This minister is present." Willow immediately stood up straight.
"Sort out those remaining trivial Palace matters and hand them over to Victor.
This time, you are coming with me."
Willow's eyes lit up astonishingly in that instant. That uncontrollable joy practically overflowed from the corners of her lips:
"...Accepting the decree!
This minister will definitely take good care of everything for Your Majesty!"
The smile on Victor's face, who was standing to the side, stiffened for a moment. But soon, this regret was replaced by a deeper level of thinking.
Your Majesty is taking everyone to inspect the mineral veins, yet has exclusively handed the keys to this Royal City and the peace of the rear into my hands.
Do you think this is merely staying behind to guard?
No!
This is Your Majesty's highest recognition of my loyalty and ability!
Your Majesty is telling me: Victor, you are my back; you are the ballast stone of this Empire.
This trust of 'even if I am not here, Order still endures' is precisely the core of civilizational inheritance.
Your Majesty, please rest assured and go conquer those black mineral deposits. This minister shall guard your Palace for you with every drop of ink!
Victor forcefully brandished his quill pen. Due to extreme excitement, he even began writing about Mason's new era that very night.
The cold wind outside the study swirled in the corridors, yet the Bedchamber exuded a slightly intoxicating warmth due to the burning fireplace.
They were to set out for the Kingdom of Qubi early tomorrow morning. As her first official accompanying tour since becoming the Chief Steward of the Palace, Willow had clearly entered a near-obsessive-compulsive state of combat readiness.
"Your Majesty, the terrain of the Kingdom of Qubi is a bit further south than here, but because it's close to the mining areas, the night winds are biting and cold."
Willow muttered while laying several heavy, long dresses flat on the large bed.
She knelt on the thick velvet carpet; behind her were three massive agarwood luggage trunks that were already half-stuffed.
Sophia was currently sunk into a wide, soft chair without any regard for her image. In her hand, she held a cup of wild berry juice that had just been brought out from the cold storage, still containing some fine, crushed ice.
Her other hand pinched a crispy butter biscuit. With a crisp 'crack', biscuit crumbs fell onto the black fox fur at her collar.
Sophia brushed the crumbs away, adjusted her posture so as not to drop any more crumbs, and continued eating.
"Willow, we are merely going to inspect the mining areas. We'll be back in a few days."
Sophia lazily lifted her eyelids, her pale golden pupils reflecting Willow's busy figure.
As if she hadn't heard, Willow took down a heavily crafted, deep purple velvet dress from the hanger, upon which complex roses were embroidered with silver threads.
"Wear this piece when meeting the King and Queen of Qubi; it appears dignified and noble."
Before Sophia could nod, Willow swiftly swapped it for a tailored black hunting outfit, its collar inlaid with a circle of snow-white rabbit fur.
"Wear this piece when inspecting the mining areas on-site; it is both sharp and maintains majesty.
However..."
Willow furrowed her brows. She picked up another bright red cloak and measured it under the lamplight:
"What if they hold a banquet over there?
This red cloak, paired with that black diamond crown, will definitely allow those subjects who have never seen the world to recognize at a glance who the true ruler is.
No, we must bring this one as well."
"Willow, that is the fourth trunk."
Sophia took another bite of the biscuit, reminding her indistinctly.
"Your Majesty, these are not merely clothes; they are Mason's facade!"
Willow turned her head, her eyes revealing a professional persistence.
"This is your first official visit. Those people relying on us are all watching.
We must not only possess nation-annihilating martial prowess, but also a temperament that leaves them forever out of reach.
This waist-cinching white silk dress can manifest your elegance, while this deep blue cloak best compliments your eyes..."
Sophia watched Willow struggling to choose amidst that mountainous pile of clothes—even the inner silk garters had to be neatly folded—and couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
Watching someone who was normally so calm go crazy over her clothes... this feeling was actually quite stress-relieving.
If a person maintained the exact same attitude for a long time, it would make Sophia feel they were somewhat like a robot.
Sophia reached out her finger and tugged at the corner of Willow's clothes:
"Willow, come here."
Willow was holding a heavy fox fur cloak, hesitating. Hearing this, she froze for a moment before obediently shuffling over to the soft chair.
Sophia naturally offered the wild berry juice in her hand to Willow's lips.
Willow was momentarily taken aback. A faint blush crept up her cheeks, but she still obediently lowered her head and took a small sip.
The sweet, slightly cool juice sliding down her throat allowed her tense nerves to relax a bit.
"Just bring a few warm ones. You decide on the rest."
The pad of Sophia's finger gently brushed past a strand of Willow's hair at her temple that was damp with sweat. The movement was so gentle it bordered on intimate.
"Besides, with you here, This Queen definitely won't lose face anyway."
Feeling the warmth transmitting from that fingertip, Willow's original inner conflict over 'domineering' versus 'temperament' was instantly dissolved without a trace by that single phrase, 'with you here'.
"...Yes, this minister will definitely not disappoint Your Majesty."
Willow lowered her eyes, her voice much softer than before. Although her hands didn't stop moving, this time, she was finally willing to move away that fifth trunk which was already half full.
Every time she referred to herself as 'this minister', Willow was extremely delighted.
In the past, she had always referred to herself as 'this servant'. But now, she was no longer a maid who could be replaced at any time; she was Her Majesty's Chief Steward of the Palace!
The next day, a light yet armed-to-the-teeth convoy slowly drove out of Mason Royal City.
Sophia leaned against the soft cushions of the carriage, experiencing Willow skillfully peeling an iced wild fruit for her, as well as Irene chattering endlessly from the side about her blueprints for utilizing the coal mines.
Outside the window, the white snow was pristine.
But Sophia knew that on this trip out, what she brought back would not merely be coal, but the sharpest industrial trump card of this era.
The carriage wheels rolled over the frozen mud, letting out muffled, rhythmic sounds.
As the silhouette of Mason Royal City gradually disappeared into the end of the blizzard, this procession representing Mason's supreme will officially stepped onto the long journey heading southeast.
Compared to the boundless plains of the City of Hill in the north, which were suitable for galloping, the road leading to the Kingdom of Qubi began to reveal a completely different, ferocious appearance starting from the second night after their departure.
The carriage curtains were slightly lifted. Propping up her chin, Sophia's pale golden pupils gazed at the scenery rapidly retreating outside the window.
At first, there were still neat remnants of farmlands and scattered villages on both sides of the road. But as the carriage ventured deeper, the terrain began to jut upwards section by section, like the spine of a disturbed giant beast.
Their originally open field of vision was blocked by the abruptly rising cliffs on both sides.
The pure white of the snow was gradually replaced by an oppressive cyan-black—that of the exposed, highly carbon-rich mountain rock.
The wind on the plains howled, but the wind in the valleys was a mournful wail, crashing against the narrow passes to produce echoes that set one's teeth on edge.
"Your Majesty, the soil quality here is completely different."
Like a curious cat, Irene had half her body leaning out the window, pointing at those shiny black sediments within the rock crevices.
"Look over there! That's an outcrop mine spilling out onto the surface.
This proves that the black heart underground is beating even stronger than we imagined!"
Due to having many mountains and few plains, the territory of the Kingdom of Qubi was practically embedded between layers of peaks and ridges.
This kind of terrain was a natural barrier during wartime, but for resource transportation during peacetime, it was the most headache-inducing nightmare.
"Neigh—!"
The warhorse at the very front let out an uneasy whinny, and the speed of the entire convoy noticeably slowed down.
The road surface was no longer flat, hard dirt, but rather a winding mountain path composed of countless gravel and ice spikes.
The carriage wheels would sometimes get stuck in narrow rock crevices, and sometimes slide toward the deep valleys by the roadside. This forced the accompanying soldiers to dismount and use their thick arms to firmly stabilize those heavy flatbed carts loaded with supplies.
"Damn it. If we're going to transport coal on a large scale on this kind of road in the future, just the ox carts and horse-drawn carriages will be worked to death by the dozens."
Irene was jolted so hard her head bumped against the carriage roof. She rubbed her forehead somewhat in frustration.
"Therefore, we need a more advanced transportation method, don't we?"
Sophia replied faintly, casually steadying Willow, who had lost her balance due to the violent jolting.
Despite the harsh external environment, the inside of the carriage appeared extremely comfortable due to Daphne's presence.
Daphne was hugging that pink pentagram staff, her entire body radiating a faint golden light like the warm spring sun.
She precisely controlled the output of the Holy Light, locking the temperature inside the carriage at the most comfortable level.
"Your Majesty, if you feel it's too bumpy, you can lean on this minister."
Daphne brazenly leaned over, her emerald eyes glinting with expectant light.
Before Sophia could speak, Willow had already elegantly and swiftly tucked a soft velvet cushion behind Sophia's waist. At the same time, she skillfully peeled a refreshing iced fruit and delivered it to Sophia's lips with a silver fork.
"Lord Daphne, please focus on maintaining your magic power. Do not let the cold wind slip in through the cracks and disturb Your Majesty."
Willow spoke softly, yet her eyes carried a trace of majesty belonging to the Chief Steward of the Palace.
Sophia took a bite of the iced fruit, feeling the sweet juice burst in her mouth. That delicate sweetness alleviated the exhaustion of the journey.
This treatment of enjoying five-star service deep in the ancient mountains and forests truly made it easy for one to fall into depravity.
No wonder those tyrants all liked going on tours. This feeling of being surrounded by beauties and power was truly addictive.
As the convoy crested the final mountain ridge named Broken Cloud Slope, a basin below finally came into view.
In the center of the basin, a large, glaring patch of ink-black appeared atop the originally grayish-white snow.
That was the slag piled up after the open-pit ores were excavated. And at the edge of that black land, a dense crowd of figures had already been waiting quietly for a long time.
Delilah abruptly reined in her horse. Her longsword was drawn halfway from its sheath, the ruby glinting with a dangerous light under the sun:
"Your Majesty, we've spotted the Kingdom of Qubi's welcoming formation ahead.
The one leading... seems to be the King of Qubi himself."
Sophia opened her eyes, her pale golden pupils reflecting those crowds in the distance—shivering in the cold wind, yet their eyes brimming with fanaticism.
The wooden axles of the carriage slowly turned in the thick, dark grey slush.
As they drew closer to the welcoming crowd, the heaviness in the air that belonged to coal smoke also became increasingly intense.
"Halt!"
Following Delilah's sharp command, the black musket cavalry reined in their horses in perfect unison, their icy gun barrels glinting with a murderous faint light in the cold wind.
The King of Qubi—clad in gorgeous silks but somewhat cowering from the cold wind—uncontrollably trembled at the knees the moment he saw that Black Rose battle flag.
Ever since receiving the news three days ago that the Queen of Mason would be arriving in person, he had been unable to eat or sleep in peace. The scouts he dispatched daily had nearly trampled that Broken Cloud Slope flat.
When that carved carriage—low-profile yet exuding supreme majesty—finally came to a steady stop, the King of Qubi took a deep breath. He practically jogged over, bowing his head deeply before the carriage window, his voice carrying an uncontrollable reverence:
"The Lord of Qubi, together with all subjects, respectfully welcomes the great Queen of Mason!
Long live Your Majesty! May the Black Rose be eternal!"
The carriage curtain was gently lifted by Willow, and Sophia's cold, rippleless face appeared in everyone's line of sight.
She faintly swept a glance outside the window.
Within this basin, there was not only the King, but also tens of thousands of Qubi subjects clad in coarse cloth, their eyes filled with fanaticism.
To Sophia's surprise, the moment she revealed herself, what erupted from the edge of the entire basin was not fearful crying, but a tsunami-like cheer and the sound of them dropping to their knees in perfect unison.
"Thank you, Savior!"
"Great Queen Sophia, thank you for bestowing upon us the divine medicine!"
Sophia raised her eyebrows slightly, her peripheral vision glancing at that terrified and trepidatious King of Qubi.
This middle-aged man, who appeared somewhat mediocre and even timid, actually possessed a rare bit of clarity.
After purchasing the Potion from Mason, he did not package it as a gift from the gods or the King's own merit like most incompetent monarchs would. Instead, he decisively told all his subjects:
"The life-saving medicine was sold to us by the Queen of Mason.
You may be grateful to me, but you must forever remember that it was Your Majesty Sophia's generosity that prevented Qubi from becoming a dead city."
He is quite a smart fellow.
Sophia mused inwardly.
He knows that falsely claiming my merit would result in a very quick death, so he simply used this method to tie his subjects to my war chariot.
This pledge of allegiance is quite skillfully delivered.
However, Sophia suddenly felt that Qubi's invitation this time didn't seem to be merely because of these things.
"Your Majesty Sophia must be exhausted from the journey. This King has already prepared the best Bedchamber within the Palace."
The King of Qubi bowed at the waist, personally leading the way.
"For everyone brought by Your Majesty Sophia, This King has arranged the highest-specification accommodations.
Please, Your Majesty, proceed to rest and refresh yourself first. Later this evening, This King boldly invites Your Majesty to attend a welcoming banquet."
"I appreciate your trouble."
Sophia nodded slightly, her voice as coldly clear as crushed ice.
Just these few words made the King of Qubi feel as if he had obtained a priceless treasure. His face was piled with an overwhelmed, flattered smile, as if he had received the praise of a god.
The convoy slowly drove into the Royal City of the Kingdom of Qubi.
The architectural style here was rugged, and stone walls blackened by coal smoke could be seen everywhere.
But at this moment, both sides of every street were fully lined with kneeling citizens.
They looked at that armed-to-the-teeth, cold-blooded, and elite Mason army. There was no hostility in their eyes, only absolute submission to the strong and fervent gratitude toward their saviors.
Inside the best suite of the Qubi Palace, the fireplace had long been burning red-hot with premium smokeless coal.
The moment Willow entered the door, she displayed the absolute professionalism of the Chief Steward of the Palace. Not even bothering to take off her own cloak, she stepped forward to receive Sophia's removed fox fur, and carefully checked the softness of the bed and the concentration of the incense.
"Your Majesty, although the conditions here cannot compare to our Palace, the coal fire is burning quite sufficiently."
Willow gently untied the silk ribbon at Sophia's neck. Her fingertips inadvertently brushed past that delicate skin, bringing forth a faint, weak current.
Daphne had long since collapsed upon the soft woolen rug without any regard for her image, rolling around while hugging her staff.
"Haa—I finally don't have to maintain the constant temperature barrier anymore!
Your Majesty, although this place is pitch-black outside, the heat is truly comfortable."
Irene, however, showed absolutely no intention of resting. She was already leaning against the windowsill, looking at the scenery outside.
Sophia sat on the edge of the bed, watching these few confidants who were each performing their duties—and even being somewhat noisy—by her side. The exhaustion of the journey truly seemed to have dissipated quite a bit.
The King of Qubi had already arranged accommodations for everyone, but during this resting period, these few people still coincidentally squeezed into her room.
"Your Majesty, I boldly guess that the King of Qubi's intentions this time don't seem to merely be out of gratitude."
Irene suddenly spoke up from the side.
The charcoal fire in the Bedchamber let out soft cracking sounds. The heat produced by the burning smokeless coal completely isolated the bitter winter cold outside.
Irene suddenly reined in that carefree, playful attitude. She turned and walked to the window, applying force with her slender fingers to completely lock the window that had just been left with a crack for ventilation.
Willow moved at almost the exact same second.
Like a wisp of faint purple smoke, she drifted lightly to the room's door. First, she turned her ear to listen to the movements in the outer corridor for a moment. Then, cautiously pushing the door open a crack to confirm that the Qubi attendants had all retreated ten paces away, she finally deadbolted the heavy wooden door.
Having done all this, Irene and Willow exchanged a glance and coincidentally stepped closer to Sophia.
Sophia was currently sitting on the edge of the bed with her slender legs crossed. The cup of iced wild berry juice in her hand was already half-empty.
She looked at these two acting as if facing a formidable enemy, yet exuding an appearance of 'quick, praise me for being smart', and a playful arc hooked the corners of her mouth.
"Speak, Irene. What did you discover?"
Sophia shifted into a more comfortable posture, her gaze languid.
"Hehe, Your Majesty really did see through it long ago!"
Irene laughed slyly, gesturing with two fingers.
"I knew we couldn't hide it from Your Majesty's eyes.
That King of Qubi, ever since he received us at the city gates, that attitude of his... tsk tsk.
It didn't look like an equal meeting between neighboring countries at all. It looked more like a subordinate welcoming their immediate superior for an inspection!"
From the side, Willow gently massaged Sophia's shoulders to relieve the stiffness of the journey, nodding with a smile:
"What Lord Irene said is extremely correct.
From the number of paces he took to welcome us, the angle at which he bowed his head, and even his self-referential tone, he overstepped the boundaries that a neighboring country should have."
However, this conversation full of political twists and turns clearly exceeded the comprehension of the other two.
Hugging her staff, Daphne leaned crookedly on the sofa, blinking her large eyes in utter confusion:
"Ah geez, what kind of riddles are you guys playing at?
The King is polite to Your Majesty, isn't that just because Your Majesty is powerful and saved their lives?"
She even grew a bit anxious, rubbing straight up against Sophia's knee and grabbing the corner of Sophia's clothes to act coy:
"Your Majesty—I'm begging you, please tell us. My brain is spinning so hard it's about to stop working from listening!"
Although the usually reticent Delilah was still hugging that ruby longsword, a trace of rare confusion also revealed itself in her eyes.
A single-minded General like her only had 'kill' or 'protect' in her brain. She was truly not very sensitive to these winding etiquettes.
Even for some of the conspiracies she could see through, it was only because she had been tricked in her previous life. Otherwise, she still wouldn't really know.
Seeing Daphne speak up, she also reservedly yet honestly lowered her head:
"...This minister also wishes to know just what kind of scheme that King of Qubi is plotting.
The King of Qubi is extremely polite to Your Majesty; this minister can see that.
Could it be that they have something to ask of Your Majesty again?"
Sophia looked at these two capable generals in front of her—one tough and one soft, both with faces full of thirst for knowledge—and let out a helpless, soft laugh.
First, she extended her index finger and gently flicked Daphne's smooth forehead, bringing about a faint ripple like Holy Light.
"Ouch!"
Daphne exaggeratedly clutched her head, yet smiled sweetly.
Following that, Sophia turned her head, looking at Delilah, who had her face slightly turned away and her earlobes somewhat flushed.
She didn't retract her hand, but instead smoothly tapped her lightly on the bridge of her straight nose. The movement was as fast as a passing glimpse, carrying a faint, almost imperceptible intimacy.
"You guys, your minds are entirely focused on swords and magic.
Sophia set down her wine cup. Her pale golden pupils appeared unfathomably deep under the lamplight, yet her tone was as flat as if stating the weather:
"For this reception, from beginning to end, the King of Qubi used the etiquette of a minister to a monarch."
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