thefictionvixens Page 179
Page 179
On the night the Kingdom Library was reduced to ruins, a large group of paladins appeared out of nowhere and "guarded" him!
In addition, that night, due to being too emotional, I accidentally kept shouting encouragement to Swirl.
These humans must have already begun to doubt themselves and hate themselves to the core long ago!
Scenes of humanity's cruelty towards itself flashed through Astrid's mind, and she quickly raised her hands in terror, her voice trembling with tears:
"I confess! I'm guilty—!!!"
“You’re doing it again…” Otto stared at Astrid at his desk, speechless, with an expression that said, “I knew it would turn out like this.”
“Scholar Astrid, even if you did write fanfiction that slanders the royal family, I have no right to convict you now.” Otta clapped his hands helplessly, looked towards the study door, and called out softly, “Come in.”
Minister Tus, who had been waiting by the door, walked in solemnly, carrying a tray covered with a red cloth in both hands.
“Scholar Astrid, look, what is this?”
Astrid, clutching her head, instinctively trembled. Then, the little coward, her eyes blurry with tears, turned her head and stared, stunned, at the radiant light emanating from the tray held by Tus.
It was a key with a crystal-like sheen, but unusually, it exuded an aura of sacredness, radiating a special brilliance that seemed to grant immortality.
"Could this be... the Key to Night?"
Blinking, Astrid's mouth gaped open, unable to comprehend how she could see this supreme honor representing the human heart, a title and treasure on par with the "Kingdom's Morning Star":
—The Key to Night in the Kingdom.
Chapter 256 The Bright Future of the Kingdom of Kur
This key is said to hold the approval of the heroic spirits of the Kur royal family throughout history.
This key can open all the city gates and barriers of the capital city and the palace, and even close the final defensive magic array that guarded the palace that night… It possesses power almost equal to that of the kingdom's ruler!
Not to mention, this key can freely open the royal treasury of the palace, requisition any treasures in the treasury, take them first and report them later, which is equivalent to a large-scale reimbursement voucher.
However, none of this matters.
What truly matters is the identity and status that comes with possessing the Key of Night!
If the "Scholar of the Nation and People" medal awarded to her by Otto was the highest honor in academia, then...
The Key to Night of that kingdom is the highest reward for humankind! — Symbolizing loyalty, purity, and light!
The human who holds this key enjoys a status equivalent to royalty, and even possesses a veto power once a year on matters of national importance!
The "Key to the Night of the Kingdom" is not only an important national treasure that actually exists, but also an honorary title for those who are treated as equals in the kingdom!
—He was the one who broke the long, dark night that sealed the kingdom, leading humanity to glimpse the light!
Her thoughts were in complete disarray. She looked up, her eyes glazed over.
"Who...is this for?"
"For you."
"Me?" Astrid gaped, her face blank with a "Am I worthy?" expression.
“A scholar from Astrid.” Otto tapped his fingers lightly on the table, his voice steady and gentle.
"The death of Pope Brad and the suffering of the people of the capital are my inescapable responsibility as the king... If only I had heeded your advice more, perhaps this disaster would not have occurred!"
"But regardless, your outstanding wisdom and unwavering patriotism have earned you the strong recognition of the people of the capital, all your ministers, and the noble families!"
"Your heroic act of cheering on humanity amidst the ruins that night was captured on video by a monk and is now being disseminated nationwide as a model!!!"
"--Eh?!"
Looking at the stiff-faced Astrid, Otta's eyes revealed genuine admiration:
"Therefore, after deliberation, the kingdom has decided to bestow upon you the title of Key to the Night!"
"You will be another rising star of humanity since Chief Lark, a great scholar who dedicates himself to all mankind and guides the way with wisdom!!!"
Words full of praise floated through the room.
on the seat.
"Ah, ah, ah...?"
Astrid's pupils were somewhat vacant, like a robot with its strings cut, stammering and unable to organize her thoughts.
Prince Otta was delighted to see Estriel so overwhelmed with joy.
With Chief Lark, the "Kingdom's Morning Star," protecting humanity, and Astrid, the "Kingdom's Key to Night," offering strategic advice—
The Kingdom of Kur has an incredibly bright future!!!
"Well then, Professor Astrid, there is another important decision we would like to ask for your opinion on."
Clearing his throat and coughing, Otta turned to the main topic, his gaze towards Astrid extremely serious:
"How do you think we should guard against the infiltration of the demons during this goddess's blessing ceremony so that it can proceed smoothly? I would like to hear your suggestions."
"Huh?!"
Esther's emerald green pupils jolted, and when she came to her senses, a hint of fear appeared in her eyes.
That incredibly terrifying Sin Hero? The sister of Mino, the strongest hero in human history? She's about to undergo a blessing ritual? Horrible, utterly terrifying!
Even before receiving the blessing, he was able to accomplish so many sensational feats in the capital.
Once she completes the blessing, won't a huge "danger" hang over the entire demon race?
What suggestions could she possibly offer...? She'd be hoping something terrible would happen to the other person during the blessing ceremony, so they'd explode like fireworks!
Looking into Ota's stern eyes, Astrid's legs trembled like a deer's beneath her skirt as she pondered how to offer a harmless suggestion to get by.
Suddenly, she raised her little head, as if she had thought of something.
Isn't this a perfect opportunity to create an opening for Swell and his men? The area around the Round Tower will definitely be heavily guarded on the day of the blessing ceremony. In that case, she might as well distract Ota and the others and make them disperse their forces!
"I believe we should distribute our forces around the city gates of the capital to prevent a sudden attack by the demons!!!"
Raising her head and mustering her courage, Astrid spoke fiercely.
"dispersion?"
Ota was stunned; this was something he hadn't expected.
“That’s right, since the capital city gates have four sides.” Astrid clenched her little fist and nodded vigorously, saying very seriously:
"The probability of the demons attacking from any direction is one in four! Equality! Equality is crucial!!!"
“But…” Ota hesitated for a moment, “The Mage’s Round Tower is in the eastern district of the capital. Usually, the attack would be launched from the east gate, right? My original plan was to gather all the fighting force near the Round Tower and wait for the demons to arrive… Wait! I understand!”
Halfway through his sentence, Ota seemed to suddenly realize something, his whole body jolting, and his eyes flashed with understanding:
"The demon's target might not necessarily be Hero Shana..."
"Huh?" This time it was Astrid's turn to be stunned.
Otta stood up and suddenly muttered to himself:
"Thinking about it carefully, why would the demons value a hero who's utterly useless? If I really concentrate all my forces near the round tower, that would be falling into the demons' trap!!!"
Clenching his fist, Ota felt a kingly realization:
"Whether it's the high-ranking officials of the kingdom, my sister Kalia, or even commoners and nobles... they are all far more important than Hero Shana!"
"Eh?"
"On the day of the blessing ceremony, protecting the capital and preventing a repeat of the disaster is the key." After weighing the options repeatedly in his mind, Ota revealed a clear-headed smile:
"I don't care about Shana the Hero!"
"Eh--!!!"
Astrid's eyes widened in surprise. She had considered the possibility of her suggestion being adopted, but she hadn't expected it to be adopted so thoroughly!
Isn't this practically giving it away for free?!
"Don't worry, Astrid scholar, don't feel pressured."
Seemingly sensing Astrid's fear, Otto turned around and reassured her:
"You've only offered advice. I will take responsibility for my choices, and if anything goes wrong, it will be my responsibility as the king. But if your advice is effective, then the kingdom... will not forget your contribution!!!"
As Otto's impassioned words fell, Astrid felt only deep confusion: In other words, she didn't have to take responsibility for giving bad advice, but she could take off on the spot if she gave good advice?
How... are we going to lose?
Looking down, staring blankly at the Key of Night in her hand, Astrid had a thought pop into her mind—
So, she can write fanfiction again?
……
Chapter 257 Two Curry Sticks from One Person
I watched the swaying Astrid disappear into the distance.
At his desk, Ottoman stroked the edge of the table, looking somewhat troubled.
Regardless, the limitation of troop strength is a major problem... The holding of the Hero's Blessing Ceremony also means that the kingdom will face a temporary absence of its two strongest combat forces: the chief of the Round Tower and the newly promoted hero.
If the demons were to take advantage of the situation and invade, it would be another disaster for the people of the capital.
From this perspective, Astrid's suggestion was a real wake-up call for him—he didn't have another figurine display case to make up for the financial shortfall.
"The kingdom's fighting strength is still far too lacking," Ota sighed.
A knock came from the door. After receiving permission from Otta, he took a few steps closer, stood beside Otta, bowed, and reported:
"Your Highness, the matter you asked me to investigate some time ago has yielded results!"
Ota's eyes flashed.
On the day Pope Brad died, there was another suspicious point that most people failed to notice—
Although most citizens and even some nobles genuinely believed that it was the hero Shana who had put Pope Brad to death, only Ota and others who were blaming Shana knew how wronged Shana was.
After all, Shana, who couldn't even control her own power, couldn't possibly unleash such immense power.
"That sword technique of light that appeared above the palace that night was the legendary sword that truly severed the Book Demon!"