TSMMT Ch 94

It Doesn't Feel Like Hell

Before attending the archery gathering, Dianna practiced rigorously. Even after Leonie and Saruvia retired for the evening, she stayed in a corner of the knights' training grounds, repeatedly drawing her bow.

[Logaple] "You must rest. If you continue like this, you will injure your arm."

He pleaded near her with a distressed tone, subtly intervening in her practice session. Dianna ignored his warning; her body still held up.

He released a heavy sigh.

[Logaple] "Sir Inez, please do something."

One of the knights he brought along let out a sigh. He was among those who had previously cast sideways glances at Dianna.

[Inez] "Your Majesty. Practicing in this manner will never improve your archery. Please put down the bow."

Sincerity resonated in his tone.

[Logaple] "Please listen to Sir Inez. He is the finest marksman in the Order."

Only then did she turn around.

[Dianna] "Did you say, Sir Inez?"

[Inez] "That is correct."

[Dianna] "I require your assistance. Will you help me?"

[Inez] "Certainly. Issue your command at any time."

Though Inez lacked Logaple's gentle demeanor, his stance proved entirely friendly. Thus, after Leonie departed each day, Dianna learned archery from Inez.

[Dianna] "I am sorry for taking up your time."

[Inez] "Not at all. His Majesty commanded us to serve Your Majesty with complete devotion."

[Dianna] "Devotion……"

She thought of Guiscard. He had clearly issued strict orders to his knights. Her earlier assumption held true. He commanded his knights to attend to her.

Dianna strove to distance herself from those tender feelings, yet her mind drifted continuously toward sweet, hopeful thoughts.

It felt strange. Perhaps because Logaple had survived, she assumed everyone would view her like Bill did—hideous and unfit to be queen—yet men like Logaple and Inez followed her dutifully.

Regardless, though archery practice proved grueling, she achieved tangible progress.

Meanwhile, confusion gripped the members of the Vargrhati Order. They had detested Dianna. They expected a queen who whimpered over minor illnesses, lay bedridden, and put on arrogant airs, yet she proved far superior to their expectations.

According to Revius, the servants who had defied the Queen's orders previously had engaged in extensive palace corruption. Furthermore, hearing that she managed administrative affairs extraordinarily well forced them to reevaluate her. Watching her step out during every spare moment to learn archery earned their admiration.

At their core, knights valued effort, refusing to despise anyone who strived despite physical weakness. While Dianna's past lethargy and reluctant expressions had repelled them, seeing her step onto the grounds to practice archery inspired an innate desire to assist her. Of course, knowing the Queen harbored resentment toward them over past events, the knights offered quiet assistance using Logaple as an intermediary.

They paved the chilly training grounds with stones infused with warm fire energy, gathered beginner bows with softer strings, and set out quivers filled with lighter arrows……

Observing her practice and anticipating her needs became their daily routine.

[Bill] "Should I offer an apology?"

Bill spoke in a somber voice.

Watching Dianna, he realized his grave error. Reflecting on the matter, recklessly judging the Queen's appearance and qualifications was a capital crime where escaping execution was a mercy. Though Guiscard had inflicted a far harsher punishment back then……

[Logaple] "Even if you apologize, I doubt Her Majesty will accept it."

Logaple spoke coldly. Ever since that incident, he detested Bill.

[Inez] "Let us guard her safety until His Majesty returns."

Inez spoke with a sigh.

Thus, their Queen continued her archery practice, eventually drawing her bow with a form that looked quite plausible in Inez's eyes—even if her accuracy remained dreadful.

---

Dianna felt grateful for following Leonie's attire advice. Wearing practical clothing suited for movement rather than an extravagant gown felt unfamiliar for a queen, yet the flexible waist and tied-back sleeves offered immense comfort.

Duchess Islag offered her polite hospitality. Though Dianna had feared being made a laughingstock, as she had been by other noblewomen in her past life, the Duchess organized a competition. She divided the guests into teams, assigning Dianna to one as well.

Of course, every member of her team let out a sigh upon seeing her join them.

At the same time, a strange sensation washed over her. She picked up a distinct hostility emanating from Duchess Islag—a raw animosity she had experienced frequently in her past life. It was a sinister malice of a completely different nature than Saruvia's tactics.

Why is she acting this way?

In her past life, she shared no connection with Duchess Islag. Although maids from the House of Islag had entered the palace back then, they merely joined Saruvia in tormenting Dianna. Even when encountering Duchess Islag directly, the woman showed contempt, never harboring such deep animosity.

Another discrepancy between her past life and the present had emerged. Was it due to her altered actions? She couldn't tell.

Though Duchess Islag appeared to treat Dianna normally, the sensation of standing within an invisible spider's web forced her to remain hyper-vigilant.

Duchess Islag anchored the opposing team, demonstrating high skill. Conversely, Dianna's team was boisterous. Led by Leonie, they scored high points, yet lagged slightly behind.

When Dianna's turn arrived, she intentionally picked up her beginner's bow. Those observing made disapproving remarks, but she launched her arrow regardless.

The instant she released the string, Dianna realized something was wrong. She deployed Sylph to guide the arrow, but it was forcefully shoved back. Had she not summoned multiple Sylphs just in case, the arrow would have been pulled off course by a strange force, missing the target entirely.

There is magic cast upon the arrows.

Dianna had intended to let the shot miss moderately, but because the arrow kept warping its trajectory, she had no choice but to force it directly into the center.

[Sylph] "Tee-hee! This is fun!"

The Sylphs giggled as they planted the arrow. She merely aimed for an average score, but the cursed magic ruined her plan by stripping away her control.

With each shot, the sinister objective became clearer. Horrifyingly, the arrow's trajectory was engineered to strike the servant standing beside the target to call scores.

In short, the trap was designed to manipulate her into committing murder.

What on earth is wrong with this woman?

She stared intently at Duchess Islag, who struggled to maintain her composure beneath Dianna's contemptuous gaze.

If she wanted to set a trap, why use a human life?

She didn't know why the woman hated her, but unlike Saruvia, Duchess Islag was far more insidious and cruel.

---

[Leonie] "Were you hiding such overflowing talent all along?!"

Leonie shouted with a bright smile. Dianna's victory clearly delighted her.

Saruvia stood nearby with a scowl; having failed to shoot her arrows properly, she endured subtle criticism from her teammates.

Several noblewomen approached Dianna with warm words.

[Lady] "I must view you in a new light."

[Lady] "Did you learn archery back in Panborough as well?"

[Lady] "Hunting that Echidna was certainly no boast!"

Guilt washed over Dianna. Though she originally intended to deceive them using spirit magic, the spell cast on the arrows forced her to perform extraordinarily well. These were not earned points.

Dianna strove to conceal her guilt as she spoke.

[Dianna] "In truth, I am not good at archery. I merely practiced with Lady Kragel's help."

When Leonie cleared her throat, the women stepped back. Her sharp features contorted into a fierce expression, but Dianna recognized her embarrassment and spoke playfully.

[Dianna] "She may look fierce, but she guided me with great kindness."

[Leonie] "K-Kindness?!"

Leonie moved to shout something, but clamped her mouth shut. Watching her face flush bright red, Dianna chuckled.

[Dianna] "In truth, I was fortunate. Knowing nothing about archery, I struggled immensely."

[Eiso] "You claim you knew nothing, yet performed so magnificently? Your Majesty clearly possesses a natural gift!"

The noblewomen offered various compliments, but Dianna maintained an ambiguous smile. She possessed no reason to boast about her spirit magic.

Having won the competition together, a temporary sense of camaraderie allowed her to converse with them in comfort.

Curiously. This shift felt entirely unfamiliar to her. Yet she didn't dislike it.

Is it really fine to act this way? Is it permissible to alter the future like this?

Fear lingered within her. Even now, because she acted differently, Duchess Islag harbored deep hostility toward her.

Yet she could engage in ordinary conversations with these women. As if returning to her days as Lady Brienne of Panborough, Dianna conversed with them naturally.

She didn't know whether attending was a foolish choice or a wise decision.

One truth stood absolute: she lived faithfully in the present moment, and the fulfillment born of her effort gently enveloped her.

It mirrored the exhilaration experienced in the past—yes, back when she personally freed Guiscard from slavery.

---

Returning from the archery gathering, Dianna received news that Guiscard would arrive in fifteen days. Come to think of it, spring was approaching. Unlike in her past life, the military campaign had extended considerably.

Dianna summoned the staff, ordering a thorough cleanup of the palace grounds. She instructed them to plant saplings kept in the greenhouse outdoors and hired additional gardeners to plant spring flowers.

Though she had resolved to do nothing, tasks continued to flow through her hands. Strangely enough, she realized this routine brought a peaceful rhythm.

Huh, this is strange. This place doesn't feel like hell.

Dianna blinked. Saruvia, who used to sabotage her at every turn, was completely subdued by Leonie's momentum. Though Saruvia habitually manipulated her into making mistakes to steal her duties, Dianna committed no errors now.

[Dianna] "Whenever things feel this peaceful, a disaster erupts……"

She realized she uttered words best left unsaid, but she couldn't take them back.

As if her words summoned the misfortune, she opened her eyes wide at the report delivered the following morning.

[Dianna] "Gargoyles, you say?!"

She bit her lip. At winter's end, a swarm of gargoyles attacked the capital.

---

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