TSMMT Ch 97

A Hero

Striking a small, swift gargoyle differed vastly from hitting a massive wyvern. The hundred percent hit rate left the knights utterly stunned. Even rubbing their eyes, Dianna remained the one shooting arrow after arrow.

Regaining their focus, the knights readied spears and bows to attack the gargoyles. The gargoyles attempted swift retreats, but several fell with spears through their torsos.

Inflicting instant fatal wounds on such nimble beasts proved difficult for standard attacks, yet Dianna's arrows pierced their mark with flawless precision. Her skill was terrifyingly clean, as if her arrows carried target-tracking magic.

Recognizing their duty, the knights sprang into formation. Bill signaled Logaple and Inez to keep Dianna continuously supplied with arrows, while larger knights like him formed a protective wall around Dianna as they advanced.

A contingent of Royal Guard knights rushed toward the Capital Defense Commander and City Guard Commander to coordinate forces.

[Crowd] "Reinforcements have arrived!"

Amidst the bloody chaos, the arrival of the knights and a divine archer sparked hope. Under the knights' leadership, the scattered defensive line united into orderly ranks.

The gargoyles, however, reacted as well. Panicking over the arrows piercing their ranks, the beasts quickly identified a single human woman as the source. Screeching signals to one another, the gargoyles swarmed toward Dianna in unison.

The sudden rush of monstrous bodies startled her, nearly throwing her from her saddle.

[Vargrhati] "Your Majesty!"

Dianna unleashed the swarm of summoned Sylphs directly into the gargoyles' path. Though lower spirits created mere breezes against humans, their wind generated a powerful force against monsters.

Buffeted by gusts, the gargoyles reeled backward. Seizing the opening, Dianna attached a Sylph to an arrow and shot the nearest gargoyle through the head, sending it crashing down. The guiding Sylph giggled merrily.

Shooting arrows remained the supreme method for exterminating monsters without exposing her spirit-summoning skills. Dianna launched arrow after arrow, felling monster after monster.

The Vargrhati knights struck down gargoyles attempting to flank her. Though hesitant initially, a clear division of labor allowed them to control the battlefield within moments.

Recognizing their disadvantage, the gargoyle swarm scattered upward into the sky. The flock that once resembled a cloud of crows dwindled to barely twenty creatures before fleeing in defeat.

[Vargrhati] "Th-Those miserable beasts!"

A knight ground his teeth in frustration. Dianna sighed, scanning the surroundings.

This was the northern district—not the wealthy western merchant sector, but an impoverished neighborhood of poor commoners.

Dianna anticipated devastation, yet the reality proved far grimmer. A child's wail pierced the air. As battle noise faded, shrieks from dying citizens echoed through the ruins. She turned toward the cries.

[Vargrhati] "Your Majesty, we must return to the royal palace immediately."

[Dianna] "Have physicians been dispatched?"

[Vargrhati] "Lord Revius has already assembled and dispatched the royal physicians."

[Dianna] "Ah, that is a relief."

Though Revius maintained a hostile attitude toward her, his administrative efficiency remained flawless.

[Dianna] "Relief supplies are never abundant. I shall unlock the Queen's Palace budget to provide aid."

Instead of returning immediately, she inspected the damaged district to evaluate reconstruction needs. Though the knights urged her to retreat, she insisted on inspecting the site personally.

In a crisis of this scale, the presence of even a foreign queen offered immense comfort to citizens who saw no other royal figures.

Dianna helped carry supplies and triaged horrific casualties. Though raised as a noble before her years as a commoner, she knew her duty in caring for others.

Her own life felt like a living hell, yet she had not suffered severed limbs, lost homes, or witnessed kin devoured alive before her eyes.

As she joined the relief work, the knights followed suit, rescuing citizens trapped beneath collapsed structures. Thus, the monster attack came to a close.

---

When Dianna returned to the palace on horseback, the private noble armies surrounding the perimeter were dispersing. Noblewomen and children boarded carriages to return home.

Several noble ladies cast glances toward Dianna. Soot and grime stained her attire, rendering her appearance far from pristine. She rode toward the main palace alongside her escort, cutting through the departing crowd like a boat parting water.

Exhaustion weighed upon her after hours of frantic labor. Thoughts of a warm bath crossed her mind, followed quickly by the sobering realization that hot baths were a luxury denied to those suffering outside.

Repelling the gargoyle swarm brought relief, yet regret lingered over not making her decision sooner.

[Revius] "Good heavens! Our hero has returned!"

His booming voice rang out, startling Dianna. Wait, hero?

[Crowd] "Woooah!"

Within the palace gates, maids and Revius cheered loudly. Spotting Leonie standing at the center of the crowd, Dianna turned to the Vargrhati knights behind her in confusion.

[Dianna] "A hero? Who are they talking about?"

Bill stood directly behind her, making her face contort in discomfort. He cleared his throat and whispered in a low voice.

[Bill] "It is Your Majesty……"

[Dianna] "Pardon?"

[Bill] "They are referring to…… Your Majesty."

Why me?

Right then, Logaple stepped out from behind Bill and joined the shouting.

[Logaple] "Praise the divine archer granted by God, our genius Queen! Woooah!"

[Crowd] "Woooah!"

Encountering cheers akin to a victory parade, Dianna's face flushed bright red. She looked away, unsure where to direct her gaze, only to spot Mable standing in the crowd.

Seeing Mable raise her hands to cheer as well, Dianna questioned if she were dreaming.

[Logaple] "Thanks to Your Majesty, the gargoyles were defeated so quickly!"

[Inez] "You were magnificent!"

They added enthusiastically.

[Dianna] "Is it really that remarkable……? Others fought bravely as well……"

[Logaple] "No, absolutely not!"

The knights stomped their feet, shouting in earnest protestation.

[Logaple] "Thanks to Your Majesty, the knights eliminated those beasts without suffering a single injury. It was a magnificent feat!"

The task was well within the knights' capabilities, yet they grossly exaggerated the Queen's contribution. She blushed in embarrassment.

[Dianna] "Please stop. This is embarrassing in front of everyone."

Revius approached with sparkling eyes, shouting aloud.

[Revius] "No! Your Majesty was incredible!"

[Dianna] "Pardon?"

[Revius] "I asked you to shoot a few arrows, but I never expected such mastery!"

[Dianna] "……"

[Revius] "I hear you managed the relief efforts as well? You performed splendidly."

Since when did we become close enough for compliments?

Unaware or unbothered by her sharp gaze, Revius appeared in high spirits.

[Revius] "Containing a disaster with such minimal damage…… I never anticipated this result."

He stared at Dianna with the glowing expression of an adventurer discovering lost treasure. She experienced a wave of revulsion.

When did we become so friendly that he looks at me like that?

[Leonie] "Enjoy it, Your Majesty! You dealt a heavy blow to those who hoped you would fail."

She stated.

[Leonie] "After this, everyone will have no choice but to acknowledge Your Majesty, whether they like it or not. How satisfying!"

She released a hearty laugh.

Is that so?

The thought brought a quiet sense of satisfaction.

[Dianna] "Has the news spread already?"

[Leonie] "Of course! Word reached us while we were gathered in the hall—reports that the gargoyles fled before Your Majesty's archery."

Recalling those who worried frantically over their own safety while shoving Dianna into danger without hesitation, she offered a faint smile.

She had worked hard today, rescuing citizens and offering aid. Accomplishments continued to pile up…… yet performing her utmost was the least she could do.

Dianna bowed her head, cheeks flushing red beneath their praise.

Having grown up among people who were stingy with praise, hearing sweet compliments—even if buttered up—brought a pleasant warmth.

---

Post-disaster recovery proceeded rapidly. Even without Dianna's direct interference, Revius rebuilt the northern district with swift efficiency, leaving no tasks requiring her personal touch.

He subtly suggested that she distribute relief grain personally, but while Dianna released her budget for the cause, she declined to hand out food herself.

A lingering concern occupied her thoughts. She chose to focus on her primary duties.

Thirteen days remained until Guiscard's return. With full authority over the budget came various duties, chief among them being palace interior design and landscaping.

Deliberating over the desolate palace, Dianna pondered how to decorate the gray stone structures. Observing the dreary palace draped in harsh red curtains, she opted for a different touch.

Stripping away the outdated crimson curtains, she replaced them with pale dusty pink drapes. Knowing that adopting Panborough styles would cause an uproar, she sought out local artists to place fine artwork throughout the palace.

Revius refrained from interfering with her budget, while palace servants willingly executed Dianna's vision without complaint.

I want him to see a transformed palace when he returns.

In truth, anticipation fluttered within her regarding Guiscard's reaction. As the cold gray palace gradually transformed, fresh news reached her ears.

[Dianna] "A gargoyle nest?"

[Revius] "Yes."

Revius released a sigh.

Monsters reproduced at alarming speeds. Hearing that trackers had located the nest, she looked at him.

[Revius] "Please lend us your assistance."

[Dianna] "Pardon me, Prime Minister, but is that not a task for knights? Did you not state that royalty fulfills its role merely by remaining safe?"

[Revius] "I shall no longer defy Your Majesty and shall offer my respect. I will recognize and serve you as the true Queen."

[Dianna] "……"

[Revius] "Ah, shall I kneel?"

He spoke with an air entirely devoid of humiliation.

[Revius] "This matter is of absolute importance. We desperately need Your Majesty's power."

He requested with a grave expression.

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