"Welcome, Miss Euphilia."
Artoria spoke respectfully to the girl before her, without showing the slightest arrogance or affectation.
After all, although she was the invincible King of the Knights of Britain, everything depended on who she was dealing with.
The young woman standing before her was the personal confidante of the Prince of Palettia.
It was said that Euphilia Magenta was favored by Leon and held a high position among the women around him, being considered a powerful candidate for the role of his second wife.
As for the position of the Prince of Palettia's first wife...
The value represented by that title was almost equivalent to that of the future queen of the world.
Even if that had not yet come to pass, it was already something Britain simply could not afford to offend.
In truth, when compared to the Magic Kingdom, Britain could at best be considered a poor and remote territory.
If not for Artoria's rise in this land, it could be said that Britain would not even possess reputation or a meaningful voice among the other kingdoms of the world.
"There is no need to be so formal, Your Highness. I am only here as my lord's messenger."
Euphilia lightly shook her head and replied elegantly.
Perhaps because she spent her days surrounded by grand figures and extraordinary events, she had grown so accustomed to her position that she almost ignored her own importance and how unattainable she seemed in the eyes of others.
In reality, she was already very close to the summit of power.
Although Leon had not yet officially inherited the throne, his authority and influence had already reached their peak.
[..... Oh— incredible. This girl truly possesses the qualifications of a king... and she even resembles Artoria a little... Yes, though she seems gentler.]
Merlin blinked as he observed Euphilia.
As the mage who had personally trained the King of Knights, he possessed eyes capable of seeing the essence of people.
The moment he saw Euphilia for the first time, he immediately realized that this young woman possessed the same qualifications as Artoria.
Perhaps, in another world, she truly would have become the queen of a kingdom and led her people to prosperity and peace.
"Hey, Miss Euphilia... have you ever thought about becoming a queen?"
"Merlin—!!" xN
Artoria and all the Knights of the Round Table were alarmed at the same time, unable to believe he would ask such a question on such a delicate diplomatic occasion.
"Teehee~"
Realizing the atmosphere around him had become lethally heavy, Merlin decided to act cute.
He closed one eye, stuck out his tongue, and lightly tapped his own head with a small fist.
"... Go to hell, Merlin."
"I agree. Go to hell, Merlin."
"Death penalty for Merlin."
Upon witnessing the audacity of that creature, if Euphilia—the official envoy of a superpower—had not been present, all the Knights of the Round Table, including Artoria, would already have drawn their swords to execute him on the spot.
Euphilia blinked several times expressionlessly, clearly confused by what she had just witnessed.
The white-haired mage before her seemed ordinary at first glance, though he was known as the Great Mage of Britain.
But that style...
Euphilia silently thought that, although he was a rare talent, Leon would probably never accept him into his circle.
No matter how brilliant something looked on the outside, if it was trash on the inside, it was still trash.
Perhaps it would be better to leave him locked forever inside a dumpster called a claustrophobic tower.
"Ahem... I have no intention of becoming a queen. My current goal is to become the concubine of my king, Mage Merlin."
Euphilia shook her head and answered seriously.
In her heart, there was only one true king in this world.
And all other "kings," except Leon, would eventually be erased by the tide of time.
Although the title of queen sounded noble, it must also carry exhausting responsibilities.
Would it not be better to be a concubine, live peacefully, and enjoy His Highness's favor?
Of course...
The struggle for the position of queen was brutally fierce.
"Ah, I see. To be honest, I am very interested in the third prince of the Kingdom of Palettia. I would very much like to meet him."
"... Merlin."
Artoria felt she could endure no more.
If things continued like this, someone really was going to kill him.
The person before them was not merely an important guest.
She represented Britain's great benefactor.
More precisely, she represented the man who donated food to a starving kingdom.
And even worse, she was probably there precisely to demand an explanation.
If Merlin ruined all goodwill at that moment, it would be an absolute disaster.
"Forgive us, Miss Euphilia. Merlin was rude, and I would like to apologize on behalf of Britain."
"It is no problem, Your Majesty. Ahem... then, without further delay, allow me to announce Prince Leon's decision regarding the incident of the stolen food."
"... O-okay."
That single sentence made the hearts of everyone present tighten.
Some knights even prayed silently, begging Leon to show mercy.
Even Artoria felt the same.
It did not matter that she was the sovereign of Britain.
Before the Magic Kingdom and Leon, the gap between them was simply too vast.
How could a decaying island kingdom compare to the future lord of the world?
"His Royal Highness Leon's decision... is not to hold Britain responsible."
Euphilia announced with a serene smile.
"My God!"
"Thanks be to the heavens! Thanks be to the third prince!"
"Excellent... excellent!"
Even Artoria let out a deep sigh of relief, much less the surrounding knights.
They had never imagined that Leon would choose not to punish them and would forgive the mistake they had made.
For long moments, everyone present sincerely thanked the Black Prince for his "mercy."
Euphilia slightly raised the corners of her lips.
She could not help but feel pride swelling in her chest.
This was the power of the king she served.
It did not matter if someone was king of a country.
The fate of all peoples and all kingdoms of the world rested in his hands.
His words could decide the life or death of any person.
However, Euphilia also knew one thing.
Although Leon could be kind, his true benevolence was reserved for his own people.
And Britain, in its current state, did not yet qualify for that.
Besides...
Any forgiveness granted without apparent reason usually concealed a fatal abyss.
"Your Excellency... I have not finished."
Euphilia's smile disappeared.
"Although my king has decided not to hold anyone responsible for the theft of the food... His Highness now questions Britain."
"What...?"
"To be more precise, His Highness Leon questioned you. He questioned whether you truly possess the ability to govern this land and whether you are, in fact, the true ruler of Britain."
Euphilia's voice rose.
Until then, she had seemed merely an elegant and gentle noble lady.
Now, however, she made everyone remember a majestic queen seated before her throne.
Merlin narrowed his eyes.
His intuition had been correct.
That girl truly possessed the qualifications of a king.
Euphilia's words instantly erased the joy of the British.
Everyone realized they had celebrated far too soon.
Euphilia continued in a firm, resonant tone:
"The food given by His Highness was stolen the moment it entered British territory. If such a thing happens within a king's own country... would that not be proof of disqualification?"
"His Highness said that, since you are king, controlling every inch of land under your domain is your duty."
"And what was stolen was a vital resource: food."
"At least in our Magic Kingdom, such an incident would never happen."
Each word fell like a blade upon the hall.
Although Leon was not present, his girl upheld his majesty in his name.
(End of Chapter)