The banquet ended.
Arashi's hidden mission was to stay overnight in the palace. Even if something unexpected happened here, he could simply stay out of it, wait until the next day, collect the Travel Points reward, and leave.
Watching the palace maids busily moving about, Arashi lay sideways on the luxurious bed, eyes half-closed.
But the so-called "hidden mystery"…
had yet to appear.
Because after the banquet, Queen Sophia had gone straight back to her own chambers.
Before long, the maids who had come to tidy up his room also left one after another.
The grand, opulent chamber was now left with only Arashi—
staring at the bed in silence.
As a traveler, if nothing even remotely romantic or interesting happened along the way…
it did feel a little disappointing.
It wasn't that Arashi was deliberately thinking in that direction—
it was just that during the banquet, Sophia had given him far too many hints.
Grabbing his hand "by accident,"
leaning against him "unintentionally,"
sending him obvious glances—
it couldn't have been more straightforward.
If it were just some ordinary woman flirting like that, Arashi could easily ignore it.
But Sophia?
Her figure was full and graceful, her beauty dazzling, her demeanor mature and alluring. Every movement carried the unique charm of a noble queen.
A woman like that—
once she became bold—
what man could resist?
Arashi… certainly couldn't.
"Damn it…"
"Sleep my ass."
Unable to calm his mind—filled entirely with Sophia's alluring figure—Arashi flipped over and got out of bed, planning to take a walk to clear his head.
Creaaak—
Just as he sat up, before he could even stand—
the tightly shut door suddenly opened.
A familiar figure stepped inside.
It was—
Sophia.
She had changed into a thin, flowing white chiffon dress.
Seven-quarter sleeves, lace patterns, a soft inner slip—
dreamlike, hazy, and subtly revealing.
"...Sophia?"
Seeing her, Arashi's heart instantly stirred.
So—
the queen really intended to play a more "interesting" game tonight.
Compared to this—
the so-called Death Marathon, the championship, the knighthood—
all felt like child's play.
Sophia was extremely direct.
After closing the door, she walked quickly toward him, her smile blooming like a flower.
"Mr. Kairo D. Arashi."
During the banquet, she had already given him enough hints.
She was certain—
he understood her intentions.
So there was no need to be coy anymore.
More importantly—
since becoming queen, she had never truly enjoyed life.
The aging king, though doting on her, could no longer satisfy her in certain aspects.
And at her age—
how could she endure that?
The moment she saw Arashi at the harbor—
her heart had already been stirred.
At first, she wasn't sure of his attitude.
But after the banquet—
she no longer had any doubts.
Because she had felt it—
Arashi's desire.
Looking at Sophia, now so close and so bold—
Arashi didn't waste words.
He pulled her into his arms—
and got straight to the point.
What followed that night—
was a frenzy reminiscent of courtly romance in medieval Europe.
So-called "courtly love" referred to the idealized bond between young knights and noblewomen—
a spiritual, almost poetic connection.
But in reality—
such relationships often went far beyond the spiritual.
The women involved were often married—
frequently even the wives of the knights' own lords.
And yet, such dynamics were often tolerated within that culture.
From the moment Arashi arrived in Constantine City, he had already sensed the strong medieval atmosphere of the kingdom.
And upon discovering the existence of knights—
he had fully understood the customs of this land.
Sophia's actions only confirmed one thing—
this journey through the Illusia Kingdom…
was bound to be anything but dull.
However—
what truly surprised Arashi was this:
Despite her boldness and passion—
Sophia was unexpectedly inexperienced.
After their wild night, she finally fell asleep, exhausted.
Meanwhile, Arashi—
was still somewhat unsatisfied.
Even so, Sophia's natural charm and adaptability made her… exceptional.
At the same time—
at Constantine City Harbor, deep into the night—
inside the Traveler ship.
Robin sat quietly by the window, reading a thick book.
After a while, she suddenly closed it, her mood slightly unsettled.
Because—
it was already past midnight.
And Arashi still hadn't returned.
"Hm?"
Robin suddenly looked up.
Since Arashi hadn't come back after entering the palace—
wasn't this the perfect chance for her to leave?
No… no.
The thought had just formed when she shook her head.
The image of Arashi splitting that cliff with a single slash flashed through her mind.
She had already once stolen his Traveler ship.
And he had only punished her by making her serve as a maid for a month.
To Robin, that punishment was more than acceptable.
But if she did something like that again—
even someone as carefree as Arashi would surely be angered.
Thinking of this, Robin smiled bitterly and murmured softly,
"It's only one month…"
"After that, he'll probably let me go."
"After all… taking me along would only be a burden for a traveler like him."
With that thought, she reopened her book.
But just as she did—
Rumble—!!!
The previously calm sea suddenly erupted with violent winds.
At the same time—
a chilling, ominous aura surged in from the ocean,
instantly spreading across the entire harbor of Constantine City.
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