Chapter 16: The Ethereal City Embassy
I placed the strange man down gently on my komori wolf pelt. He looked around his early twenties, his light orange hair than was a bit filthy. I stared for a few moments before I snapped my fingers. Kuro, Fang and haru appeared from the shadows.
"Shiori-sama! Why is their a naked man in here?!" Kuro demanded, absolutely petrified.
"It's a long story. Please Get him dressed and bring him to the meeting room immediately..." I ordered.
"Yes, shiori-sama!" Fang and haru bowed, kuro pouted. Once the were gone, I was jumping for joy!
"I did it! I finally broke am advances curse!" I beamed, then it hit me.
"Wait isn't this that part in an anime, where the protagonist has a massive aura moment...?" I thought deeply for a moment.
I really need a cool, catchy yet badass code name if I'm going to attract an infamous reputation.
"Let's see, I'm a beacon of light that shines for my people but a terror to the enemy, it mustn't be long nor hard to pronounce...."
My eyes lit up. "I've got it!..."
"Master I've returned!" Ryu announced
"Welcome back Ryu, tell everyone I've decided on a badass code name for my villainess persona..." I beamed excitedly
"Huh?" He blinked.
No one's pov
The curse free man woke up confused, he looked down surprised . he was clothed in clean fabric, completely opposite to the bloody patient gown he worn in that hell.
His mind shifted as he listened to the melody echoing in the room. Looking ahead he saw a lady sitted on a couch stool. she gracefully played the strange item with black and white keys.
Each key made a beautiful note as her fingers as well as her body moved like water.
. Absolutely ethereal...
not so far from her were two well dressed goblins, a dire wolf, a black hair male and a little cream haired girl, all wearing strange uniforms.
All staring with awe as the lady played.
The boy was awed as well, the lady in question had Fox ears, her tail swayed as her slivery white hair flowed like silk, her gem like eyes shone like stars in the night sky.
Her features were so enchanting that the man wanted nothing more than to paint her portrait.
Just who was this woman?
After the melody had ended she stood up facing the orange eyed male. His eyes widened as he stared at her majestic form.
"Who are you ?" He muttered his question. His voice not more than a whisper.
"I am your master, most of my citizens call me shiori-sama, milady , or master, but for especial exceptions like yourself, you may call me..."
"Ultamia!"
"Lady Ultamia..." He muttered as if craving the name into his memory.
"What happened to me?" He queried
"You were under the influence of an advanced dark curse, one that turned you into a creature of disgust. So disfigured that not even the records could identify you" her voice was stern yet gentle.
like she pitied him but also distained his weakness to be able to reach such a state.
"Lucky enough I managed to cure you from such curse" she smiled lifting a vile half full with faintly glowing green liquid.
"You're starting a new life, although it might be full of risks and dangers, I ask of you to join my cause, To create a safer future for my people and eradicate the cause of your pain. the Crimson cross. what do you say?" She gestured her hand forward to him.
" you've saved me from my torment, so my answer is clear as day, I shall follow you wherever you go milady, no...lady Ultamia!" He bowed
"With this new name I cast upon you, your identity shall forever change. Forged into your very soul. Now rise, kyokota! Less formal, Kyoto"
A wave of light surrounded him as he name was spoken from her lips. he could fell his mana raising as his body accepted the feeling with opened arms.
Soon the power died down. He stood up with confidence as she grinned approvingly.
"Dayama, prepare his room and wardrobe!"
"Yes! Shiori-sama!" Dayama nodded sharply
....
Ryu had returned, visiting his master who was sitted in her study.
"Did you find out anything?" She asked, casually flipping through achrives from the late king's study for melivanne.
"It was Just as you suspected, the town was still lingering with bandits. they were transporting mystical type species, fairies to be exact as well as a few rare artifacts, forbidden one's too." he reported, leaning on a bookshelf.
"Artifacts huh... sounds sus. anything else?...."
"Indeed. Young girls have been going missing, particularly those from the slums..." He added.
I put the book down and stared at him. "That's oddly specific, but why girls form the slums. I'm pretty sure they lack proper education or strength from labor work...."
"Shall I look into it?" He asked
"Please do and...inform the topic seven petals, I shall look into it..." She said flipping her book boredly.
"Yes, shiori-sama!" He disappeared into the shadows.
....
{Location: melvialine palace}
I strode through the palace halls with measured confidence, my boots clicking sharply against the polished marble floors. Behind me, Eliot hurried to keep up, nearly tripping over his own feet from how frantic he looked.
"What in tarnation are you doing?!" he sputtered. "And what are you wearing?!"
His horrified gaze swept over my outfit — a black turtleneck sweater, dark fitted shorts, thigh-high boots, and a large fur coat draped loosely over my shoulders.
I glanced at him lazily..
"This is far more comfortable than those horrid ballgowns you suggested."
"B-but those are tradition!" Eliot cried in disbelief.
"To hell with tradition." I waved him off. "There is no universe where I willingly squeeze myself into those torture devices you call corsets. I'm the ruler. What I say goes."
Eliot clutched his chest as though my words physically wounded him.
"And where is your crown?!" he asked, practically hyperventilating now.
"On its way."
"Hah?!"
I grinned faintly.
"Relax, Eliot. Let's get this over with."
The two massive wooden doors ahead slowly creaked open. Sunlight poured through the widening gap, illuminating the grand balcony beyond.
The guards bowed deeply as I stepped forward into the light.
The moment I appeared, the deafening chatter below instantly died.
Thousands of citizens stared upward at me from the capital plaza, their expressions filled with curiosity, nervousness, and uncertainty.
A newly crowned queen.
A foreigner.
A mysterious tournament victor.
I rested my hands against the stone railing and gazed down at them calmly.
"Hello, my loyal citizens—"
I paused.
"Actually… no. That sounds awful."
The crowd blinked.
"My fellow people," I corrected smoothly. "It is I, your new ruler. However, I do not believe in meaningless status or false superiority."
The plaza grew silent.
"I believe in honesty."
Slowly, I removed the enchanted ring from my finger.
Soft fox ears sprang from my head alongside a fluffy tail behind me.
A collective gasp swept across the kingdom.
"I am not human," I announced clearly. "I am a fox hybrid."
Panic immediately spread through parts of the crowd. Some stumbled backward in fear.
Others whispered amongst themselves.
A few openly glared at me with disgust.
Typical.
I simply leaned against the railing, unfazed.
"Fear not. I did not conquer this kingdom to satisfy my ego."
My voice echoed across the square.
"I came here because I saw potential."
The murmuring quieted slightly.
"I dream of creating a nation where humans and demi-humans can coexist. A kingdom where discrimination based on race or species is forbidden."
Many lowered their heads in shame After all, the very person they feared had won the royal tournament fairly and openly.
Then I tilted my head.
"Why are your heads lowered?"
They looked up in surprise.
"You're all weak."
The statement struck the crowd like lightning.
"You hide behind titles, ranks, levels, wealth, and status as if they make you superior." My eyes narrowed slightly. "But beneath all that pride… you're still afraid."
Silence.
"You fear death. You fear loss. You fear suffering." I spoke asMy tail swayed slowly behind me.
"You all desperately want to survive."
The crowd listened intently now.
"I'll say it again."
I pointed toward them.
"You are all weak."
Some flinched.
"But acknowledging your weakness is where true strength begins."
Even the knights standing guard seemed stunned.
"No one survives alone. No one thrives alone."
My voice softened slightly.
"So for your own sake — if not for others — cast aside your arrogance and accept reality."
The wind blew through the balcony dramatically as I raised my head proudly.
"As your 304th queen, I swear to reshape this dying kingdom into one of hope and prosperity!"
The citizens stared at me with widened eyes.
"Because weak people…"
A faint smile spread across my lips.
"…can still achieve greatness."
The atmosphere shifted.
Slowly at first…
Then all at once.
Cheers erupted across the entire plaza.
People roared with renewed determination.
Hope ignited within their eyes.
"From this day forward," I declared loudly, "Melvialine is dead!"
The crowd fell silent once more.
"A new nation shall rise from its ashes!"
I spread my arms dramatically.
"THE ETHEREAL CITY EMBASSY!"
The entire kingdom exploded into thunderous applause.
People cried, Knights raised their swords.
Citizens shouted in excitement. Even Eliot stood frozen beside me, utterly speechless.
At that moment, Kuroha emerged from behind the doors wearing an elegant black suit. In his hands rested a silver tiara adorned with sapphire gems.
He approached silently before carefully placing it atop my head.
I smirked. "Now then…" i turned toward the roaring kingdom below.
"Let the games begin."
Location: Ethereal City — Forest Outskirts
The sound of slicing flesh echoed through the forest.
Ryu darted between trees at blinding speed while an enormous Thunder Bear rampaged behind him, crackling with violent electricity.
"COME ON, YOU OVERSIZED FURBALL!" Ryu laughed excitedly.
The beast roared and lunged, Ryu suddenly stopped moving. The bear's eyes widened.
A single crimson slash flashed through the air.
SHRRK.
The Thunder Bear split cleanly in half.
Blood sprayed across the grass as Ryu casually sheathed his blade.
"Too easy."
Minutes later, he sat near a makeshift camp while several goblins watched him with sparkling eyes.
The dragonkin skillfully chopped the Thunder Bear meat into perfect chunks before tossing them into a large bowl.
"Cooking is truly an art," he declared proudly.
Yamada sighed beside him. "You say that every time."
Ryu ignored him. He skewered the meat expertly before placing it over a grill Shiori had designed for the dwarves.
The scent of roasting meat quickly filled the air.
"Looking good!" Ryu grinned proudly.
Suddenly, a goblin came sprinting toward him while panting heavily.
"Lord Ryu!"
"What is it?" he asked curiously.
"It's Lord Kuroha! He returned and entered the Metia Room where Lady Shiori's divine knowledge is stored!"
Ryu froze. His face slowly drained of color.
"…Wait."
The goblin tilted his head.
"I LEFT MY SAKAMOTO DAYS COLLECTION IN THERE!"
The goblins jumped in surprise as Ryu grabbed his head dramatically.
"Kuro has been bored for DAYS! He's gonna consume my entire anime stash!" He immediately bolted toward the mansion at full speed, leaving a massive dust trail behind him.
"NOOOOOOO! MY BABIES!"
Dayama watched him disappear.
"What was that about?"
The goblin scratched his cheek nervously.
"Lady Haruna told me to say that."
"…I see."
Ryu burst through the doors of the metia room while wheezing dramatically.
"KURO! STOP RIGHT THERE!"
He froze.The room was oddly peaceful.
Kuroha sat calmly beside an unfamiliar orange-haired man while reading through glowing memory crystals.
Haru waved cheerfully.
"Oh, hey Ryu."
"…Huh?"
"We're translating Shiori-sama's memories," Haru explained. "Kuro and Kyokota volunteered."
Ryu blinked.
"Oh…"
He slowly relaxed.
"…Thank the heavens."
"Don't worry," Haru said sweetly. "I won't tell Shiori-sama you abandoned your duties to go meat hunting."
Ryu stiffened. Her smile remained innocent.
"…As long as you do. Your. Work."
Dark pressure radiated from behind her despite her cute expression.
"U-Understood!"
"Great!" she beamed.
Ryu sweated nervously.
Haru is terrifying…
Kyokota adjusted his glasses while writing.
"The farming reports still require review. We also need additional livestock for silk and leather production."
Ryu groaned loudly.
"And you are?"
"This is Kyokota," Kuroha explained.
"Master named him two days ago."
"NANIIIIII?!"
"Stop yelling," Kyokota frowned. "It's annoying.
Ryu pouted dramatically.
"Whatever. So Kuro…" His grin turned mischievous. "You shared a bed with Shiori-sama during the trip, right?"
The room instantly became tense. Haru and Kyokota nearly choked on his words, Kuroha calmly adjusted his glasses.
"Yes."
Ryu leaned forward eagerly.
"And?"
"We shared a bed. That was all."
"…HUH?!" Ryu looked genuinely offended.
"You didn't make a move?!"
Kuroha looked disgusted. "Only an idiot would attempt such things in a non-erotic environment."
Ryu stared at him silently. "…You somehow made that worse."
"No matter." Ryu waved him off before grabbing another crystal. "I'm watching Sengoku Night Blood."
"Seriously?" Kuroha frowned. "You're watching anime during work?"
"You're literally reading Shiori-sama's memories."
"We're translating them," Kyokota corrected bluntly.Ryu grumbled under his breath.
Then Kuroha suddenly paused.
"…Hm?"
He picked up a glowing crystal carefully.
His golden eyes narrowed with interest.
"What did you find?" Haru asked.
Kuroha stared intensely at the memory.
"…A very interesting scene."
Shiori's POV
I walked through the palace corridors while reviewing several stacks of documents.
Corruption reports.
Food shortages.
Trade issues.
Debt.
This kingdom truly was falling apart.
Eliot followed closely behind while helping organize the paperwork.
"My, my~ If it isn't little Min—"
I stopped walking as I looked ahead
An obnoxious woman stood before us wearing a ridiculously expensive dress that hugged her body so tightly it looked painful.
Her blonde hair was tied into an elegant bun.
Her smile irritated me instantly.
"And you are?" I asked flatly but Eliot's face darkened.
"This is my aunt. Countess Abigail."
Such a pretty name, too bad she radiated pure bitch energy.
"Watch your tone, brat," Abigail sneered toward Eliot before turning back to me with a sickeningly sweet smile.
"My name is Abigail Milevinne. Eliot's aunt."
"I'm Shiori Komori," I replied dryly. "Now what do you want?"
She chuckled softly.
"I came to congratulate you on your coronation. I'm sure you're aware of the kingdom's financial condition."
Unfortunately.
"Luckily for you," she continued, "I've found a very wealthy noble willing to support the kingdom through marriage."
I blinked.
"…Marriage?"
"He's older, yes, but very kind and exceptionally wealthy—"
"And why," I interrupted coldly, "would I ever agree to something so absurd?"
Her smile twitched slightly.
"Consider it a gift. I originally planned to offer Eliot as a concubine, but since he lacks proper legal standing—"
Eliot lowered his head silently while clenching his fists. My expression darkened.
What a disgusting woman.
Just as I prepared to verbally destroy her, I suddenly sensed it.
Mana.
A large amount.
My gaze shifted toward the jeweled anklet around her leg.
Interesting.
"I'll think about it," I said calmly. Eliot on the other hand, nearly exploded.
"WHAT?!"
"Excellent," Abigail smiled smugly. "I'll arrange a meeting in three days."
She walked away while swaying her hips dramatically. I looked away immediately.
My eyes deserved compensation.
"Why did you agree?!" Eliot whisper-yelled once she disappeared.
"That anklet," I muttered. "It contains abnormal mana."
"…What?"
"I have a theory."
I closed the documents.
"But first…" My stomach growled loudly.
"…Food."
Eliot stared at me.
"…Seriously?"
"Yes."
..........
"What a hassle…" I muttered under my breath as I sat by the window of a small local restaurant.
The place was crowded despite the late hour. Wooden tables were packed tightly together, the scent of roasted meat and herbs hanging heavily in the air. Merchants laughed loudly over mugs of ale while exhausted adventurers devoured their meals in silence.
Across from me, Eliot sat stiffly in his chair like he was awaiting execution. His eyes darted around nervously.
I sighed.
"It's not like we're on a date, so relax."
"T-That's not it!" Eliot nearly choked on his water. "Y-You're a person of extremely high status now! Why would you choose a place like this to dine?!"
"The food is good. That's why." I replied flatly while flipping through the menu.
He stared at me for a few seconds before slumping in defeat.
"…You really are impossible sometimes.".
"I hear that often." I said without looking up.
"Now stop avoiding the topic and spill the details."
Eliot hesitated briefly before letting out a long sigh.
"…Lady Abigail is my late mother's elder sister." His expression darkened slightly. "Unlike my mother, who was calm, reserved, and devoted to assisting my father with his work… Aunt Abigail was the complete opposite."
He folded his hands together uneasily.
"She was loud, extravagant, obsessed with attention… and she barely studied at all. Since her teenage years, she wore revealing outfits and constantly surrounded herself with admirers."
I listened quietly while the waitress placed tea on the table.
"She eventually married a count," Eliot continued bitterly, "but the marriage became miserable. Over the years, the count cheated on her repeatedly with younger women… and eventually even brought concubines into the estate." His grip tightened around the cup.
"Since I'm technically illegitimate… she always took her anger out on me whenever she visited."
I rested my chin against my palm.
"I see."
That explained the hostility. But not the disappearances.
"…Though she looks far younger than forty-eight," I noted calmly. "Honestly, I assumed she was in her early thirties."
Eliot blinked in surprise.
"That's impossible. She turned forty-eight a few months ago."
"…Interesting."
My eyes narrowed slightly.
That unnatural youthful appearance…
The timing of the missing persons…
And now a mysterious artifact.
None of it felt coincidental.
"Is there any artifact capable of reversing aging?" I asked casually just as our meals arrived.
Eliot paused to think.
"There are countless unique artifacts in existence… so it's possible." He frowned. "Actually… now that I think about it, Aunt Abigail received an anklet from an unknown noble several weeks ago."
I slowly placed my fork down.
That lines up almost perfectly with the reports.
…I have a theory.
And I already hate it.
"Is there an archive on artifacts?" I asked.
"Yes. Grandfather keeps several historical records in his private study."
"Good." i leaned back slightly, my expression turning serious.
"We only have three days to research this properly and formulate a plan."
Eliot nodded nervously. The atmosphere between us grew heavy.
If my suspicions were correct…
Then this situation was far uglier than either of us initially thought.
...........
By the time I returned to the mansion, exhaustion had already settled deep into my bones.
Researching forbidden artifacts for hours was mentally draining enough. Dealing with nobles afterward made it worse.
I pushed open the mansion doors with a tired sigh—
"SHIORI-SAMA!!"
I nearly crushed my own ear.
"What the hell, Ryu?!" I snapped while clutching the side of my head. "Stop screaming through telepathy!"
"It's Kuro! He's gone insane! Hurry!"
My eyes widened slightly.
I immediately placed the books down and rushed toward the source of the commotion.
But the moment I arrived—
"…What am I looking at?"
Ryu and Kuroha were literally rolling across the floor while fighting over a crystal screen.
I stared blankly
Ryu had Kuroha in a headlock while Kuroha was pulling Ryu's hair. The Furniture had somehow been overturned.
…I suddenly regretted coming here
Kyokota stepped forward calmly as if this chaos were completely normal.
"Lord Kuroha witnessed one of Lord Ryu's stored memories," he explained politely. "He immediately became addicted and demanded more. Lord Ryu refused."
"I see…"
I facepalmed slowly.
Of course that's the reason. Honestly, why was I even surprised anymore?
Kyokota stared at me expectantly.
"…Ah. Right. Thank you for explaining."
He smiled proudly.
"As for you two!" I shouted. "What exactly is wrong with you people?!"
"Kuro's treating me like a tool!" Ryu complained dramatically.
"I merely requested additional chapters," Kuroha replied with a pout.
"Chapters…?" I blinked. "Wait. Kuro, are you into anime too?"
"I'm not nearly as obsessed as Ryu." Kuroha sniffed proudly before handing me the crystal screen. "I prefer this medium."
I glanced down.
Then froze.
My jaw slowly dropped..
"…No way." My face immediately heated up.
"This is a romance novel?!"
"Indeed~" Kuroha practically melted against the couch with a blissful expression. "The emotional tension… the yearning… the slow descent into obsession… it's utterly intoxicating~" He hugged himself dramatically like a drunken noblewoman.
I stared at him in complete disbelief.
"…You're a closet novel addict."
"Yes." He answered shamelessly
"…I honestly don't know how to process this."
"Does this mean you approve?" Kuroha asked hopefully.
"…I mean, it's not illegal, so do whatever you want.".
"Excellent." His eyes sparkled with genuine happiness.
Meanwhile Ryu raised his hand eagerly.
"What about me~?"
I smiled coldly. "As for you…" i grabbed him by the hair
"OW OW OW—!"
"Go do your actual job."
"SHIORI-SAMAAAAA!"
I ignored his screams completely.
{A Few Days Later}
Eliot exited the jewelry store carrying a small velvet box carefully in his hands.
A nervous smile tugged at his lips.
"I really hope she likes it…" he murmured to himself. "I want to thank her properly for everything she's done…
For the first time in days, he looked genuinely happy.
Relaxed.
Hopeful.
Which made him easy to target. A shadow moved quietly behind him.
Before Eliot could react, a cloth was suddenly pressed tightly over his mouth and nose.
His eyes widened in alarm.
"Mmph—?!"
A strange chemical scent flooded his senses.
His body immediately weakened. The jewelry box slipped from his fingers and clattered onto the ground.
His vision blurred rapidly.
The last thing Eliot saw before darkness consumed him
…was the sickening grin of a cloaked man.
Then everything went black.
The cloaked figure chuckled quietly before dragging Eliot's unconscious body into the nearby alleyway.