Due to the erosion of Abyssal Magic, Monster Catacombs everywhere fell into chaos.
Many monsters lost control, surged out of the catacombs, and brought great harm to the nearby towns.
It was under such circumstances that the Galwin Magic Academy’s tournament was decided.
Unlike in the past, this tournament would take place inside a new Monster Catacomb.
The rule was simple: whichever side conquered the Monster Catacomb first would be declared the winner.
This Monster Catacomb was located within the Aos Empire.
Aboard the Magic Airship, Isavel handed the Light-infused Jade sent by Queen Flandre to Teresa, carefully explaining its function.
Feeling the ability to control the Divine Grace within her, Teresa was overjoyed and couldn’t help but tiptoe and plant a kiss on Isavel’s cheek.
Isavel was momentarily stunned, then let out a sweet, cold snort, hoisted Teresa up, and gave her a couple of hard smacks on her delicate bottom as punishment for insubordination.
The Villainous Saint, kissed on the cheek by her lackey? What a humiliating disgrace.
Thankfully, only the two of them knew about this. If the other Rose Knights witnessed it, her Villainous Saint image would surely collapse.
When the Magic Airship landed in front of the new Monster Catacomb, before even seeing the catacomb itself, everyone first saw ruins engulfed in thick smoke and fire.
What was once a bustling Town was now left with nothing but shattered walls and broken structures after the monster attack.
Other than black smoke and dust, dried blood was everywhere, with tattered clothes and corpses of the dead lying beneath the rubble.
The survivors supported one another, standing by the roadside, faces drained of color, crying in silence.
Leanna took in the scene, and an unstoppable anger welled up inside her.
“Damn monsters…”
“They are pitiful, aren’t they?”
At the front, Isavel spoke coldly, then turned, looking down at them from above like a Queen.
“However, as Rose Knights, you mustn’t let compassion sway you during battle. Remember, your own lives are what matter most.”
“If you survive, you’ll be able to save countless refugees like them. But if you die, countless civilians will become refugees themselves.”
“So, inside the upcoming Monster Catacomb, if you encounter a monster you can’t defeat, escape if you can—even if it means abandoning other students from the academy who cry for your help.”
“And don’t forget, this new Monster Catacomb isn’t a Golden Catacomb. I have nothing to guarantee your lives inside. If you die in there, I won’t even be able to avenge you.”
The new Monster Catacombs were all suppressed by Abyssal Magic. Even a demigod like her could not break the restriction and forcibly enter.
The Monster Catacomb chosen by Galwin Magic Academy was limited to a magic level of around 40. That meant the highest level a human could enter was about 40, and so were the monsters inside.
As for the Rose Knights, after three months of magical training, their magic levels were generally above 30, which qualified them to compete with Galwin Magic Academy.
Leanna and the others listened to Isavel. Though they didn’t quite agree in their hearts, they said nothing.
After all, in their eyes, Saintess Isavel was always one who put interests above all else, so such cold-blooded words weren’t unexpected.
But when it came to actual combat, she couldn’t control what they did.
If a companion was in danger, there was no way they would abandon her.
After arriving at the human Temporary Encampment of the Rose Knights in front of the Monster Catacomb, Isavel met the headmaster of Galwin Magic Academy—Brand.
Brand was an elderly man with white hair and a scholarly air.
Upon seeing Isavel, he stroked his beard and smiled.
“In just half a year, I’ve already heard the Rose Knights’ name many times. Saintess, you truly have skill.”
“Headmaster flatters me. If we’re talking about fame, isn’t Galwin Magic Academy truly the renowned one?” Isavel replied modestly.
“Heh, it’s just an empty reputation.”
“An empty reputation?” She raised an eyebrow in surprise. “I heard this year’s students have great talent. Isn’t there even one you’ve set your hopes on?”
“That’s just rumor. Their talent is good, but their character is lacking. So, I haven’t considered taking them as my disciples.”
Brand shook his head, then looked at Isavel, his eyes full of regret for what he couldn’t have.
“But you, you’re the real gem Galwin Magic Academy missed out on.”
Saintess Isavel’s talent for magic, even for someone like him who had served as headmaster for decades, was unmatched.
It was just a pity that she hadn’t enrolled at Galwin Magic Academy in her youth, but was instead recognized by the Tower Master of the Mage Tower and taken in for cultivation.
Whenever this was brought up, Brand would feel indignant.
Especially when that old guy visited, he’d always bring up Isavel, as if after a lifetime of teaching magic, none of his disciples could compare to her.
Although it was true, that old man’s attitude made Brand want to burn his beard in anger!
Meanwhile, behind Headmaster Brand, many Galwin Magic Academy students were sizing up the Rose Knights.
A brown-haired youth in gold-trimmed noble attire came to the front, looked at the cold-faced leader beside him, crossed his arms, and scoffed, “Hain, is that the traitor from the Preston Family you mentioned?”
At the end of Hain’s gaze was a girl with long, pale blue hair. She stood there quietly, like an ice butterfly—pure, yet distant as if rejecting all approach.
“Mm.”
Hain replied flatly.
Hain—full name Hain Preston—was the Divine Son of the Preston Family that Teresa had spoken of, the so-called “False Divine Son” who had seized her Divine Grace.
Of course, the version known to outsiders wasn’t like this.
According to the Preston Family, Teresa was the one who betrayed her teachers and ancestors and committed every crime imaginable.
The brown-haired youth patted Hain’s shoulder, grinning. “She doesn’t look like much. When we get inside the Monster Catacomb, I’ll kill her for you, how about it?”
Pa—!
With a slap, Hain brushed off the brown-haired youth’s hand without even looking at him, turned, and melted into the crowd.
As his figure disappeared, he left two sentences behind.
“No need. This is the Preston Family’s affair. I’ll handle it myself.”
“As for you all, just stay obediently behind me. I’ll let those Rose Knights who don’t know their place see who the true genius is.”
The outstretched hand froze in the air. The brown-haired youth’s smirk quickly turned to anger.
“Hmph. Without the boost from Divine Grace, would she even be a real Preston Family member, let alone a genius?”
With a cold sneer, the brown-haired youth blended in with the other students, staying far from Hain.
Those who could get into Galwin Magic Academy weren’t fools.
The Preston Family’s claims were full of holes; the real usurper was likely Hain’s branch.
That girl Teresa was most likely the victim.
But none of them would dare say so in front of Hain—they all knew how vindictive he could be.
No one wanted to offend Hain over someone unrelated to themselves.
Once Isavel and Headmaster Brand finalized the tournament rules, the challenge between the Rose Knights and Galwin Magic Academy officially began.
Dozens of boys and girls, watched by all, surged into the new Monster Catacomb.
Clearing the Monster Catacomb wouldn’t be quick.
By Isavel’s estimate, the Rose Knights would need at least a month to conquer it completely.
So, after leaving Maid Renia behind, she temporarily departed.
She had other matters to attend to.
……
Aos Empire, within the Imperial Court.
A middle-aged man in a long robe waved his hand, and a Maid brought a wooden box before Queen Flandre.
When the box was opened, a dazzling Ice Crystal appeared before Flandre’s eyes.
The middle-aged man smiled, introducing, “Your Majesty, this is a Relic of the Gods I had people search for from a far-off land. It is called the Ice Stone. I ask that you pass it on to the Saintess of the Oracle Hall as a token of my reverence.”
“To find a Relic of the Gods, you have my thanks, Pless.”
Flandre studied the Ice Stone, but to Pless’s surprise, she shook her head and had the Maid return it to him, saying, “But such an important item is better delivered by you personally.”
Pless did not give up. He stepped forward, speaking solemnly, “But Your Majesty, aside from you, no one knows the whereabouts of the Saintess of the Oracle Hall. If I go to deliver it myself, I may not meet her even after many years.”
“Pless, what matters is not how long it takes to deliver a gift, but the sincerity in your heart. You should understand this.”
“…Yes, Your Majesty is right.”
Seeing that Flandre’s mind was made up, Pless hesitated for a long time before finally giving up.
The Maid closed the wooden box and quietly left the Imperial Court. Flandre’s eyes narrowed slightly, a cold sneer flashing in her heart.
Pless had once been an imperial official she admired, famous for his honesty.
But recently, this upright official had inexplicably become aggressive, frequently drawing attention among the ministers.
Not only that, but when she sent people to investigate him, strange accidents always befell the investigators. Such means were not what the old Pless was capable of.
Besides, she had heard rumors that many nobles who disliked her were secretly associating with Pless, and some noble Private Armies had begun to vanish.
All this pointed to a prelude to usurpation.
Now, Pless was bringing her the Ice Stone and wanted her to deliver it to Saintess Isavel of the Oracle Hall.
Clearly, this Ice Stone likely contained some secret to restrain Isavel.
After all, everyone knew the Imperial Queen and the Saintess of the Oracle Hall were close.
If something happened to her, the Saintess would definitely act.
Thinking of this, Flandre’s gaze at Pless darkened further.
Pless acted as if he noticed nothing. After a moment’s silence, he bowed and said,
“Your Majesty, due to the influence of Abyssal Magic, the Caesar Dungeon has gradually fallen out of control. Monsters have escaped the catacomb and caused great harm to nearby cities.”
“Moreover, the Imperial Army sent to suppress it has suffered repeated defeats. Now the people are panicking, many believing the Disaster of the Empire’s End is near and fleeing everywhere.”
“The nobles have started forming factions in secret, moving their Private Armies around. They’re likely looking for a chance to overthrow the Empire!”
“Your Majesty! The only solution is for you to personally lead the suppression of the Caesar Dungeon, to restore morale and deter the disloyal nobles!”
At this, Queen Flandre’s personal Maid’s face changed. She couldn’t help but step forward, reaching for her sword, ready to cut down the official on the spot.
But Flandre stopped her with a raised hand.
The Caesar Dungeon was one of the greatest in the Aos Empire, with monsters averaging over level 60, and in the deepest areas, even as high as level 80 or 90.
If such a catacomb lost control, it was natural for the towns nearby to be devastated and the Imperial Army unable to contain it. In the past, such a catastrophe would have been considered a true calamity.
Now, such disasters erupted one after another.
To reforge unity among the people, Pless’s suggestion to have the Imperial Queen personally lead the army against Caesar Dungeon made sense.
But he had overlooked one thing—the Imperial Queen could easily die on such a battlefield.
Or perhaps, he knew very well, and this was exactly what he wanted.
Of course, the Imperial Queen could refuse. But… for Pless to suggest this now meant he was already prepared for her refusal.
Afterward, rumors of the Disaster of the Empire’s End would spread, or the nobles would force her abdication, or he would employ other means to seize the Empire. He was obviously very confident.
Resting her cheek in her hand and thinking for a long time, Queen Flandre finally rose and said coldly, “You are right. Give the order. Tomorrow, I’ll proceed to the Caesar Dungeon.”
“Yes.”
Getting the answer he wanted, Pless bowed with a smile and withdrew. The Maid beside Flandre stepped forward, deeply worried.
“Your Majesty, this is too dangerous!”
Dangerous? Who didn’t know that?
But for now, this was her only choice.
She simply lacked strength.
Sitting on the hard, icy Royal Throne, Flandre leaned back, feeling the vast, empty Imperial Court grow colder.
All these years, she’d done everything to keep this great Empire running, but without any strength of her own, even with the Imperial Army at her command, the nobles had no fear of her.
Sometimes, she truly envied Isavel.
She felt that Isavel was the one who should be Queen—so powerful that if anyone refused to obey, she could simply wave a hand and make them disappear from the world.
As for Flandre herself… she was more suited to be the Saintess of the Oracle Hall.
When tired and sleepy, she could just snuggle in the arms of a strong queen and act spoiled.