TSMMT Ch 56

The Commendation

The concept of a "Monster Wave" first emerged on Dianna’s fifteenth birthday. It referred to a massive surge of monsters that occurred roughly every year and a half.

Unlike the Lodbrog Kingdom, which suffered frequent monster attacks, Panborough rarely witnessed monster appearances. If the nobles participating in Taillach managed the numbers well, there were even years with absolutely no monster sightings.

But this time was different.

A massive horde of monsters emerged in the Dracel duchy, the homeland of the Queen. At first, Duke Dracel reported a low count of monsters. Whether the knights underreported the numbers or the Duke intentionally hid them remained unknown.

His own absence from Taillach brought great irritation to the King. Even though the First Prince, Ferdinand, had slain an Echidna, the King found it offensive that the nobles gathered under the leadership of the House of Brienne. The King refused to miss an opportunity to display his own martial prowess.

However, the King suffered an utter defeat. The forces of the House of Dracel were a disorganized mob lacking basic military training, and Duke Dracel fled without even requesting reinforcements properly. In fact, some whispered that he intentionally withheld the request to secure Ferdinand’s ascension to the throne.

That mattered little. The fleeing King experienced a mortal crisis for the first time in his life. The terror differed entirely from merely facing danger while surrounded by personal guards; it was the horror of dying while running alongside his servants rather than passing away protected as a monarch.

At that moment, the army of Duke Brienne appeared.

The Brienne army was marching south to suppress a bandit rebellion at the time. However, the forces changed direction toward the east to save the King and successfully rescued him.

Duke Dracel’s power weakened noticeably, and after that…… Dianna Brienne became the prince's fiancée. The King relied more heavily on Duke Brienne.

The King, at least, understood gratitude. Beyond relying on the House of Brienne, he promised to grant any wish to the knight who rescued him. The wish of that low-ranking knight, who was originally a commoner, was to become a noble. The King readily granted a title, an estate, and a mansion in the capital. It was an unprecedented break from tradition.

Following this event, monsters began appearing in massive numbers again two years later. Even when the war between Lodbrog and Panborough broke out, and even when Dianna Brienne stayed in the Lodbrog Kingdom, the cycle remained constant. This phenomenon was called the Monster Wave.

At any rate, Dianna targeted this exact event. She had to become the one to rescue the King, not her father. Although she was stealing her father's credit, the glory would still belong to the House of Brienne, so it would change nothing.

[Dianna] "Your Majesty, are you unharmed?"

She knelt before the King. Tears rimmed the eyes of the disheveled monarch. It was a pathetic sight.

[King] "W-Why are you……"

[Dianna] "While traveling toward the southeastern temple, I heard that Your Majesty was in danger and rushed here immediately."

[King] "……."

[Dianna] "What a relief. It is a relief, Your Majesty."

She smiled brightly. The King stared at the smiling Dianna, the Brienne knights standing behind her, and the holy paladins.

I am glad I hurried my pace after learning Philip was here. If I had been even slightly late, I would have lost everything.

Clearly, God stood on her side.

---

The army of Duke Brienne arrived a few hours later.

[King] "Duke!"

The King, now dressed in clean garments, gripped his friend's hand. Duke Brienne assumed a surprised expression before shifting back to a calm face.

[Duke] "Your Majesty, what a relief."

[King] "Your daughter saved my life."

Duke Brienne turned around in surprise. Dianna stood nearby, smiling.

[Duke] "I heard the news…… but how on earth did this happen?"

He furrowed his brow and questioned her.

[Duke] "Ann, what could bring the duchy's knights and even the holy paladins here?"

[Dianna] "Well……"

Before she could speak, Akra stepped forward.

[Akra] "Your Grace, you must be overjoyed to possess such a devout and pure daughter!"

[Duke] "Pardon?"

[Akra] "Your daughter received a divine blessing while offering her prayers!"

Akra was excited. The King and Duke Brienne exchanged confused glances. Dianna spoke hesitantly. She could never adapt to the dramatic reactions of priests.

[Dianna] "I simply expressed a desire to take the righteous and correct path over the easy one…… and petals fluttered down from the sky. Lord Akra declared it a divine answer, and since he worried I might face danger after receiving it, he escorted me alongside the paladins."

She lowered her gaze shyly and spoke softly.

[Dianna] "Looking back now, perhaps God granted the revelation to save Your Majesty…… the timing of these events is far too perfect to think otherwise."

Her voice grew quieter. Hiding shyly behind Duke Brienne, she acted precisely like a fifteen-year-old girl.

Delight filled the King's eyes. Panborough maintained excellent relations with the Holy Kingdom. Why would he not rejoice upon learning he was rescued through a divine revelation?

[King] "I owe an immense debt to your family, Duke! I shall never forget this favor."

He spoke to Duke Brienne with gleaming eyes.

Duke Brienne felt reluctant but quickly forced a smile. At any rate, a member of the House of Brienne had rescued the King. His daughter never disappointed him. She was exceptionally lovely and praiseworthy.

He began calculating what rewards to extract from the deeply indebted King. Consequently, the Duke failed to notice that the King directed his attention toward the black-haired slave standing beside Dianna.

[Philip] "Ann. What on earth happened?"

Philip approached. He surveyed his surroundings and whispered to her.

[Philip] "You came here intentionally, didn't you?"

[Dianna] "So you knew."

He flinched at her cold voice. Instead, Dianna interrogated him.

[Dianna] "What on earth were you thinking by coming here? I explicitly told you to go back."

Philip could offer no answer to her scolding. Instead, he looked straight into her eyes.

[Philip] "You knew this monster appearance was no ordinary matter, didn't you?"

[Dianna] "……."

[Philip] "I know it. You possess a special ability."

His expression hardened as he watched the silent Dianna. He let out a sigh at her continuous silence.

[Philip] "Do you know something?"

[Dianna] "……."

[Philip] "Because of this event, Father thinks highly of you."

[Dianna] "……."

[Philip] "He definitely intends to make you the crown princess. The Queen won't be able to refuse now."

Dianna already knew this. Due to Duke Dracel’s catastrophic error, the Queen’s influence had weakened significantly. Conversely, Duke Brienne secured massive trust.

In her past life, Dianna had officially betrothed the prince at sixteen. The Duke had desired to elevate her to crown princess, but the Queen had desperately blocked it back then.

[Philip] "Are you going to marry my brother…… Ferdinand?"

Dianna opened her eyes wide at his cautious question.

Why does that even matter right now?

She spoke with disbelief.

[Dianna] "Ah, Philip. You already know my answer, don't you?"

[Philip] "……."

[Dianna] "You already rejected me, so why show interest in my marriage now?"

Philip's face stiffened. A silent pause ensued, and he could utter no words. He left the area, leaving behind a bitter smile. Dianna curled her lips into a cold smile as she watched his departing figure.

Ultimately, Philip refused to take a single step forward. That was his answer. Even though they might have fixed things, he chose this path once again.

Dianna turned away from Philip's retreat. Time had already moved on, and she had made her decision.

In that moment, she looked at Guiscard. She opened her eyes wide.

Did he hear everything?

Noticing her gaze, Guiscard lifted the corners of his mouth.

[Guiscard] "No one heard a thing. Except for me."

I see.

She nodded. The lingering traces of her conversation with Philip left an unpleasant aftertaste.

Observing the silently brooding Dianna for a long moment, Guiscard spoke.

[Guiscard] "My Lady. I am entirely different from a coward like him."

[Dianna] "……."

[Guiscard] "I shall stay by your side. At your side, I will become your sword to protect you, and I will ruthlessly cut down anyone you loathe."

Addressing the master who refused to look his way, he extended a hand toward Dianna, smiling charmingly as if emphasizing his difference from the man who had fled.

[Guiscard] "A person who is no coward stands by your side, so don't grieve over him."

Why is he suddenly saying this? Is he claiming he is different from Philip? Is this his version of comfort?

If so, it was acceptable. She unconsciously took Guiscard’s outstretched hand. Instantly, he gripped her hand tightly and rubbed his face against it.

[Dianna] "Goodness, have you become a slave down to your very thoughts now, Guiscard?"

At her affectionate tone, he let out a short laugh and nodded.

[Guiscard] "Naturally. I am your eternal slave. I shall stay by your side forever, even if you marry, and even if you become a mother to someone's child."

Dianna let out a soft sigh. Sadly, his wish would never be fulfilled.

---

Thanks to the Brienne father and daughter, the King’s return avoided looking pathetic. Duke Brienne immediately provided fresh garments for the King and escorted him with the duchy's army. Although the King had lost all his personal knights, arriving accompanied by the Brienne forces meant his appearance didn't look completely miserable.

Upon his return, the furious King directed his immense wrath toward Duke Dracel, stripping him of all political duties. He even closed off all pathways leading to the Queen's palace to signal his anger.

Conversely, praise for the House of Brienne soared by the day, prompting the King to publicly invite Lady Brienne, the savior of his life.

[King] "I hear the person who saved my life is your slave?"

[Dianna] "Yes."

She answered, lowering her gaze politely.

The crowd whispered. According to the King, the warrior wielded an aura.

Does the House of Brienne possess that level of power?

[King] "I wish to see him."

[Dianna] "He waits inside the carriage."

At that moment, Duke Brienne, who had remained silent throughout the proceedings, intervened.

[Duke] "Your Majesty, why show interest in a mere slave……"

[King] "I won't steal him from you, so don't hide him, Duke."

Duke Brienne furrowed his brow. Dianna caught her father staring as if delivering a stern scolding. It changed nothing. She ignored his gaze.

At the King's gesture, the slave entered the audience hall shortly after. Everyone opened their eyes wide.

Could that 'slave' actually be this man?

Rumors regarding Dianna Brienne and her slave knight had spread secretly through high society.

Confronted with the physical reality of the slave knight, his sleeper physical strength struck everyone. His height exceeded that of an ordinary adult male, and his well-nourished face looked remarkably handsome. He possessed a massive, tiger-like frame paired with cool, piercing eyes like a wolf's. Though resembling a wild beast, his disciplined posture looked sharp and orderly. Had the slave collar not bound his neck, onlookers would have completely forgotten his status.

The King studied his appearance and spoke.

[King] "Well, slave. Do you possess a wish?"

The King offered a smile as he looked down at the kneeling Guiscard.

[Guiscard] "My wish is my master's wish."

He answered the King with absolute politeness. Duke Brienne watched the two anxiously.

[King] "Come now, don't be like that."

[Guiscard] "A slave is forbidden from owning anything. However, if you intend to grant a wish, granting my master's wish is my only desire."

[King] "The loyalty of this slave is magnificent."

As Duke Brienne prepared to step forward, the King spoke.

[King] "Then let Lady Brienne declare the wish."

Dianna’s eyes flashed.

Perfect. Everything is moving exactly as anticipated.

The King intended to bestow the reward upon Dianna, not Duke Brienne. As she glanced toward her father, the King spoke.

[King] "Come now, do I not know that you are the slave's owner, Dianna Brienne? Declare your wish."

She lowered her gaze and spoke hesitantly.

[Dianna] "I am deeply grateful. My slave has granted his wish to me, Your Majesty."

[King] "……."

[Dianna] "Therefore, I shall return that wish to my slave once more."

She had yearned for this exact moment. Her heart thudded wildly. Biting her trembling lip, she spoke with absolute deliberation.

[Dianna] "If I possess a single wish, it is freedom for my slave, Guiscard."

Her voice rang out clearly. The crowd erupted into whispers.

---

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