My speech ended, and the hall began to empty of leaders who departed with bowed heads and monotonous steps.
Yet, the atmosphere did not calm; instead, it grew suddenly heavy. She remained. Rio, the Commander of the General Legion, did not move from her spot until we were almost alone in that vast space.
She stepped toward me. She didn't walk like other women; her steps carried an overwhelming military confidence, her hips moving with a calculated rhythm beneath her light armor, which clearly highlighted the contours of her athletic physique.
She stopped right in front of me, a very short distance separating us. She raised her head to stare directly into my eyes with her green eyes that shone with a sharpness like a blade.
"Your Majesty, would you allow me a word?" she said in a melodious tone, with a huskiness that made the words stick to the ears.
"Rhea, look at this beautiful tomboy... the Legion Commander wants a word with me. I feel like she doesn't want to talk, but rather wants to fight my cock directly."
Rhea answered briefly with robotic coldness: [She is not like that...].
I didn't comment, but simply gave a small gesture with my hand for her to speak.
"Your Majesty... I wish to challenge you to a duel," Rio uttered without blinking an eye.
A moment of deadly silence filled the place, then the hall exploded with whispers like fire in straw.
The servants at the corners widened their eyes in amazement, and the guards exchanged looks of shock. "How dare she?", "Has she gone mad to challenge the King?", "This Commander is truly a rebel."
Voices rose in a mixture of condemnation and a killing curiosity to see what would happen.
Honestly, I didn't expect this impulsiveness from her.
"My Lord, to be able to protect and serve you, I must know all possible information about your current status... about your true strength,"
she said as she slowly lowered herself to sit on one knee, a movement that showed the flexibility of her body and the strength of her thigh muscles beneath her tight leather trousers.
She continued with a bowed head and a trembling voice: "I know, my Lord, that I am overstepping with my futile request, but the land is under difficult circumstances, and you are the King that the traitors want... the usurpers of the throne want your head. I beg you to help me find peace of mind."
I looked at the strong curve of her back, then asked internally: "Rhea, what do you think?"
[She is not lying, my Lord. Her sole purpose is to protect you, as well as her sector and her soldiers.]
I said to Rhea sarcastically: "I understand that, but what happened a moment ago was just the roar of women. As for her calling me to a fight publicly... isn't this a clear cry of contempt for my power as a King?"
[Indeed, sir, but the reality is that Rio is not very well-versed in these political or formal matters; she focuses only on what is in front of her.
Did you see when she tried to justify herself immediately after her request? She only realized her mistake when she heard the reaction of others.]
"I see... she's not a bad girl. That means she's a good girl."
[Yes, she is. However, sir, I advise you not to defeat her in your upcoming fight.]
I knitted my brows: "Ha, why? Am I not just a fugitive King relying on this land? Isn't proving my strength and crushing her the shortest way to prove my control over this army?"
[It is, sir, but...]
"But what?.. Speak."
[Ummm...]
"Hey you, answer!" I shouted at her in my mind.
[It wouldn't be fun, sir, if things ended quickly.]
I sighed in annoyance: "Ha, are we back to this nonsense again?"
[Trust me, sir, I know what I'm doing. I guarantee I will prepare a much better scenario for you.]
"Fine, fine. So, do I just lose to her simply?"
[No, I want you to look like you are actually fighting.
I will help you, of course. If you feel it is exhausting, I can take control of your body to fight on your behalf. The important thing is that you fight, showing that you are a good warrior, but not better than the General Legion Commander.
This way, we save your face in front of the people and gain some real respect and appreciation from Rio... a perfect plan.]
"What perfect plan?! I swear, if you don't know what you're doing, I will kill you."
[You cannot kill me, my Lord, for I am merely a skill.]
"Then I will deactivate you!"
[Sorry...]
I laughed internally: "Heh, what? Has the great Rhea become afraid?"
[Not at all... I am just humoring you, sir.]
...
I returned my gaze to Rio, who was still bowed before me, her chest heaving with nervous breaths under her armor. I said in a resonant voice that filled the hall with majesty: "I accept your request."
Her body trembled slightly, then she bowed her head further toward the ground: "Thank you, Your Majesty."
...
Time passed quickly.
I returned to my room, as I had nothing to do. I wanted to go out for a little walk.
Then I did something stupid. I tried to take out my phone. I really did, completely forgetting that I had reincarnated in a medieval fantasy world.
I felt a bit of sadness. I mean, I love this world and my new life, but who wouldn't miss their phone?
Then—ding—Rhea intervened with full confidence.
[I can make it for you if you want.]
"Wait, what?"
[Sir, please do not forget that you possess all the skills in this world, and I, Rhea herself, am your assistant. I can use your many skills to manufacture a phone even in this era. It is not complicated.]
"Wait, wait. I understand that, but what about—you know—the battery, the camera, these things?"
She replied with a sigh: [Sir, are you serious? This is a magical world and you possess all the skills. Do you really think that will stop me?]
I replied apologetically, "Sorry."
It seemed she wanted to seize the opportunity for revenge: [Yes, do so. I hope you do not doubt my abilities again.]
"What about the internet? How do you plan to simulate it?"
She replied proudly: [It is simpler than you imagine, sir. We will not build signal towers or lay cables under the seas; rather, we will bend the aether of this world to be our private network. Here is how I will simulate your world's services using your magical skills:
for example
Instead of traditional search engines, we will use the "Oracle's Insight" skill. It is an ability that allows us to access the Universal Aether Records,
where every piece of information or event that has occurred in this world is stored. Just by thinking of a question, the skill will fetch the answer directly from the memory of existence.
Forget about apps; with the "Distant Whisper" skill, we will carry your messages upon the back of the winds. Whether it is magical text or a voice whisper,
the vibrations will travel through the air to reach the recipient's ear immediately, as if you were standing right next to them regardless of the distance.
Also, we won't need satellites, for the "Hawk's Eye" skill allows us to summon a 3D holographic map floating before you.
This map derives its data from the vision of creatures soaring in the sky, providing you with accurate geographical vision and live updates of paths.
And you also have the "Orchestra of Souls" skill; we will summon the spirits of departed musicians to play their eternal melodies directly in your ear, and vocal spirits to sing the most beautiful songs.
"Amazing, I adore you, Rhea!"
[And I you, sir.]
I tried to mock her: "Oh really? What do you love most about me? My handsome face, my sculpted muscles, my big dick, or my charming smile?"
She replied curtly: [All of it, sir. I was created to serve you and no one else. I am the only skill possessed by only one person in this entire world, and that person, of course, is you, sir.]
I replied with wonder and fascination: "Hooo, is this because I have all the skills?"
She replied with pride:
[No, I am not a skill registered among the skills of this world. Rather, I am a skill created specifically by the Goddess Sina for you alone, sir.]
My body straightened, impressed, surprised, and happy as well: "Oh, my Goddess Sina! I am your servant forever. I swear I will make everyone in this world worship you... I swear on my honor!"
[I support your decision, sir. Goddess Sina is the best.]
[So, sir, shall we make your magic phone?]
Without hesitation, I answered enthusiastically: "Yes!"