TSMMT Ch 95

A Simple Reason

If wyverns were mini-dragons, gargoyles were monsters resembling wyverns yet possessing distinct differences. Monsters boasting the body of a bird or jaguar paired with massive bat wings. In Panborough or the Holy Kingdom, people even referred to them as "demons."

Unlike wyverns, gargoyles measured merely the size of a human, yet possessed high intelligence and lived up to their demonic moniker through sheer cruelty and wickedness. Some killed purely for amusement, cackling as they slaughtered children before their parents' eyes.

[Dianna] "What is the situation?"

The knight delivering the report wore an expression of clear surprise. He undoubtedly expected Dianna to tremble in fear. That undisguised surprise displeased her, yet suppressing her irritation, she spoke.

[Dianna] "Sir Knight, what is happening right now?"

[Knight] "Ah…… Being flying monsters, they have already bypassed the city walls, and the northern district is under attack."

[Dianna] "They used their intellect."

She knit her brows. The northern district housed commoners—specifically, the poorest population. Their homes consisted of fragile wooden structures or mud walls. The northern citizens possessed no means to defend themselves.

[Dianna] "Are the women and children evacuating to the royal palace?"

[Knight] "Yes…… They are en route here now."

In Lodbrog, a law dictated that when the capital faced a threat, noblewomen and children must evacuate to the royal palace. This ensured the efficient protection of noble ladies.

[Dianna] "Will the combined forces of the City Guard and the Capital Defense Force suffice?"

Within the royal palace, the Royal Guard and soldiers stood watch. The City Guard and Capital Defense Force served as standing armies protecting the capital.

[Knight] "It should…… suffice."

Observing the knight's hesitant response, she narrowed her eyes.

[Dianna] "Wait here."

[Knight] "Y-Your Majesty!"

She sprinted up to the top floor of the royal palace. Guiscard had mentioned that a bell tower at the center of the main palace offered a bird's-eye view of the capital.

Climbing the tower required considerable time, but looking out upon reaching the top, a swarm resembling a flock of crows blanketed the bright blue sky.

Dianna inspected the flock through a mounted telescope. Unsurprisingly, those creatures were all gargoyles. Not one or two, but a massive swarm had invaded the capital.

Nothing like this had occurred when she served as queen in the past life. What were those things? Why on earth did this happen?

Could it be…… because of me?

Dianna gestured a refusal. Whatever else might be true, she held no connection to the appearance of monsters.

She gazed at the sky with a heavy expression. Whether in Panborough or here, the nobles remained safe while the commoners suffered immense devastation.

When she descended from the tower, evacuated noblewomen gathered in the audience hall. Noticing frightened young girls among them, she ordered warm tea served to them.

Dianna listened to knights explaining the situation. When noble ladies and young maidens evacuated to the palace, noblemen and house knights dispatched to the capital guarded the palace perimeter outside.

It was a remarkably efficient and safe protocol. Yet she found that arrangement thoroughly displeasing……

[Leonie] "Your Majesty!"

Leonie sprinted toward Dianna upon entering the palace. Everyone appeared unharmed. Regardless, these people would remain safe.

However…...

Dianna recalled the gargoyle swarm dotting the blue sky like a flock of crows. Deep worry settled upon her face.

Her duty here was to soothe the frightened crowd and prepare for any unexpected turn of events. She observed the noblewomen watching her.

[Dianna] "You have all endured much traveling here. Please remain safely until the situation resolves."

She recognized that subtle hostility far outweighed any warm gazes directed toward her. Was soothing them even possible in the first place?

Releasing a sigh, she departed from the hall where they gathered.

After walking down the corridor for a bit, she deliberated for a moment before addressing the knights standing behind her.

[Dianna] "Summon the Prime Minister."

[Knight] "Pardon? Lord Revius is currently—"

[Dianna] "Must I issue a command twice before you obey?"

At her sharp rebuke, the knight knit his brows, bowed, and sprinted off.

She then startled herself over her own demeanor.

Just now, I sounded like a real queen……

Though she had served as queen in her past life as well, she had never spoken to knights with such firm authority.

Back then, Saruvia and her following maids were always quick to mock whenever she spoke with gravity. Saruvia would then pretend to lighten the mood, painting Dianna as overly sensitive.

Watching Revius sprint over alongside the knights, Dianna recognized that her current existence was not nearly as miserable as before. Then again, she had not been dragged into marriage wearing a leash this time……

Her train of thought halted upon seeing Revius rushing toward her alongside his guards.

[Revius] "Why on earth did you summon me amidst this crisis?"

The moment he spoke in that abrasive tone, her positive assessment of this life vanished. Revius stared at her with an expression identical to his past self.

[Dianna] "I climbed the tower and observed the situation—"

[Revius] "Ah, but rest assured that Your Majesty, along with the women and children, will remain safe."

He interrupted before she could complete her sentence. She wished to challenge his insolent attitude, but forced herself to hold back.

[Dianna] "I wish to ask if the soldiers in the capital can resolve this matter."

[Revius] "Resolve it? In what manner?"

[Dianna] "I don't mean defending the royal palace, but ensuring the northern district survives. Can the damage be contained quickly before spreading further?"

Revius scowled. Pausing as if deliberating, he released a sigh before speaking.

[Revius] "It is difficult."

[Dianna] "Difficult?"

Observing her expression, Revius elaborated reluctantly.

[Revius] "In theory, noblemen who evacuated their women here ought to fight the enemy alongside their house knights."

[Dianna] "……"

[Revius] "Yet look at the actual result. They surround the royal palace under the pretext of defending it."

[Dianna] "……"

[Revius] "Resolution will come, albeit slowly. None among the City Guard or Capital Defense Force are foolish enough to die from a gargoyle attack."

[Dianna] "……"

[Revius] "However, given their vast numbers, the northern district will be devastated. Walking Orcs would be a blessing by comparison. Flying monsters prove exceptionally difficult to eradicate."

[Dianna] "……"

[Revius] "Though the Guard and Defense Force underwent specialized training, that training targeted human invaders, not monster swarms."

Indeed, monster invasions against the capital were far from common. While soldiers might train to evade monster attacks or handle an isolated beast, managing a full swarm invading the capital naturally exceeded their capabilities.

[Dianna] "Can we dispatch the Royal Guard remaining at the palace?"

She suggested. Royal Guard stationed within the palace numbered nearly three hundred. Revius responded with a mocking tone.

[Revius] "Dispatching the Royal Guard would certainly bring a swift resolution, but the noble backlash would be immense."

[Dianna] "The house knights surrounding the palace are protecting this place anyway."

At her words, the corners of his lips curved upward. Did he harbor some hidden scheme?

[Dianna] "The same applies to the Vargrhati Order. I know over ten of their knights remain stationed here. They too should be deployed to the front lines. Please see to it, Prime Minister."

Revius stared fixedly at her face. His expression mixed an intention to pierce her true motives with bewilderment and faint mockery, causing her face to darken in displeasure.

Suddenly, he glanced at a spot behind Dianna before looking back at her to ask a question.

[Revius] "Your Majesty, I can't comprehend your logic."

[Dianna] "……"

[Revius] "Does a larger presence of knights not guarantee greater safety? Royalty fulfills its purpose merely by preserving its own existence in safety. Why do you wish to send away the very knights meant to protect Your Majesty?"

[Dianna] "……"

[Revius] "I am curious. Do you grieve for the deaths of commoners? Or do you seek to gain their political support?"

So that is how he views it. That is why he stares at me with that repulsive expression.

She curved the corners of her lips into a cold smile.

[Dianna] "The Prime Minister constantly tests people."

[Revius] "……"

[Dianna] "I merely regret lacking the time to punish your cheekiness and rudeness for repeatedly testing me."

She spoke through gritted teeth. Revius maintained his obnoxious expression while looking at her. Anger welled up inside her.

[Revius] "I merely wish to understand Your Majesty's true intentions so I may faithfully assist you according to your royal will."

Seeing him smile smoothly even in a dire situation like this made her want to land a punch right on his face.

Is mocking me your top priority even during an emergency?

Unable to suppress her rage any longer, she shouted.

[Dianna] "I am doing it because it is the right thing to do! Are such petty reasons so important?!"

[Revius] "……Pardon?"

His foolishly sounding response infuriated Dianna further. What complex calculation did this require?

[Dianna] "Grieving commoners' deaths? Gaining political support? Who has time to entertain such thoughts?! I am seeking the most efficient way to stop people from dying!"

[Revius] "Uh……"

[Dianna] "Instead of wasting time on garbage bickering like this, deploy the knights immediately!"

When she exploded in anger, Revius nodded in dazed compliance.

Dianna startled herself at using the word "garbage." Spending time with Leonie must have influenced her, as rough language escaped her lips quite frequently lately.

When she cleared her throat with a slight cough, Revius turned to the knights behind him and issued orders. Perhaps bothered by the situation themselves, the knights sprinted off at high speed.

[Revius] "Even without detailed instructions from me, the knights will handle it once the order is given. They will likely view it as a special decree from the Queen."

[Dianna] "……"

[Revius] "At any rate, you are a remarkably peculiar person."

Calling me "you"?

At her sharp glare, Revius chuckled.

Because his expression felt entirely new to her, she widened her eyes and turned away, intending to return to the hall where the noblewomen gathered.

[Revius] "Ah, Your Majesty."

[Dianna] "Yes?"

[Revius] "Next time, let us refrain from conversing in corridors. A rat eavesdropped on us while we spoke."

What does he mean?

Without another word, Revius followed Dianna. Why was a busy man following her?

Sensing something strange as she stepped into the hall, cold gazes pierced her from all directions.

What is this?

No one had glared at her so blatantly earlier. Her heart pounded against her ribs under their stare.

Spotting Dianna, the noblewomen voiced their outrage one after another.

[Lady] "Your Majesty, what is the meaning of this?"

[Lady] "We came here because the palace was deemed the safest place, yet you are sending away the knights?!"

Dianna realized what Revius meant by "a rat." Someone had eavesdropped on her conversation with him and intentionally spread the news among these women.

[Islag] "Explain yourself, Your Majesty."

Duchess Islag spoke, her eyes gleaming with a cold light.

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