Chapter 51
Erisu had been training every day and her body began to reflect it as she grew much taller. The arms gained muscle along with the abdomen, but she maintained the hourglass shape. She looked slimmer as the fat around her body lessened everywhere but her breasts which only became heavier. Even Erisu thought it made no sense. If she were alive in the previous world there would be people trying to say that her body wasn’t realistic and needed to be cancelled.
Watching her training was the Empress along with Ashes.
Empress:”Even though the fat around her body lessens, her breasts get larger.”
Ashes:”It would seem that way your majesty. This heroine is blessed.”
Empress:”I’m quite blessed myself but not to her extent.”
Ashes:”Of course your majesty.”
The Empress walked forward as Erisu completed the training exercise. The heroine’s sword mastery was fast and impressive. She was already near the level of the Empress despite only having trained for a short time.
Erisu was sweating from the heat of the sun and practicing. The empire was in a more temperate area away from the north. The weather was warmer and the heat made the training was harsher than it normally would be. Servants brought cool drinks and refreshments chilled by ice mages. A cold fruit juice was handed to Erisu and her companions who all readily drank, and then once the drink was gone they would feel it wasn’t enough.
Empress:”Take a rest Erisu.”
Erisu:”Thank you your majesty.”
Empress:”I have a question for you, heroine.”
Erisu:”Yes your majesty.”
Empress:”You’re fiance was a normal human boy, is that right?”
Erisu:”Yes your majesty, he’s a normal boy.”
The Empress looked to one fo the palace mages and ordered a sound proof barrier to be put up. A barrier then rose up preventing sound from entering and leaving their small space. Erisu noticed the change of sound in the environment and the Empress motioned for all the servants to walk out of the sound barrier.
Empress:”Roy Wang was his name, the son of both the Merchant and Adventure Guild masters. From my intelligence he is a reincarnated man from your own world, is that not correct?”
Erisu:”I can’t…”
Empress:”I already know the truth so you need not try and deny it. I simply wanted to know what you thought of him and why you so quickly took him as your fiance.”
Erisu:”Well, I just felt a sense of comfort with him knowing that he was from my world. I wanted to be with him because he was kind of cute and there aren’t many who look like those from my world here.”
Empress:”So it’s his looks that drew you toward him?”
Erisu:”Well, his looks are one thing. The other thing is he knew about Japanese culture and honorifics and played along with me. I feel comfortable with him.”
Empress:”What about trust, do you trust him?”
Erisu:”I do.”
Empress:”Are you sure you trust him? His status alone as the son of two large figures on this continent is already enough to make many women chase him.”
Erisu thought for a moment.
Empress:”What if he cheats on you? What if he sleeps with a woman you know nothing about. Would you forgive him?”
Erisu’s heart jumped. She wasn’t so sure. It was one thing if he were to take the two companions at her side since they swore loyalty to her and were now her sisters. They trained side by side with her and they slept together every night. They were considered closer than family to her.
Erisu:”I suppose I might have a hard time forgiving him if that happened.”
Empress:”But you said you trusted him, so something like that wouldn’t happen right?”
Erisu:”That’s right… something like that won’t happen because I trust him.”
Empress:”Good.”
Erisu was a bit confused at what the Empress was saying to her but she kept in stride. There were other things that she wanted to know about the empire and the mysterious Empress who ruled it. When she thought about the home she would share with Roy after the sealing of the demon king she had thought of the empire as a stable place where she had the closest relationship with the leader.
The sound barrier went down.
Erisu:”Your Majesty may I ask you a question?”
Empress:”Of course Heroine.”
Erisu:”I notice that you are the leader of an empire, unlike the others which are called Kingdoms. I wanted to know how large your empire is compared to the rest of the world.”
The Empress turned to Erisu and without hesitation she answered.
Empress:”The truth is the empire is only slightly bigger than a normal Kingdom and though we have the largest population all the other Kingdoms in the alliance combined outnumber us twenty to one. We might have the best trained soldiers and the most powerful military, but that was because I succeeded in subduing the Southern Tribes that were attacking our lands when we were still the Rose Kingdom two decades ago. We only began calling ourselves an Empire after the war fifteen years ago.”
Erisu:”I see… I was just wondering.”
Empress:”In truth, I am the last of the Rose Royal line. The Rose Kingdom would have crumbled without my return twenty three years ago.”
Erisu was a bit surprised at this.
Erisu:”So twenty three years ago you returned and rebuilt this Kingdom?”
Erisu:”I did. Ashes here next to me was a ten year old orphan.”
Ashes bowed towards Erisu.
Ashes:”Everything I am today, I owe to her majesty.”
Empress:”Why the sudden curiosity towards the Rose Empire?”
Erisu:”I was just thinking about a place to settle after the war. This place is nice and warm, and since Roy and I can’t always rely on his parents, then perhaps I could seek a position in your court and live here with him.”
The Empress was a bit quiet for a second. Due to the mask covering the face of the Empress, Erisu could not tell her reaction. Was the silence hesitancy?
Erisu:”If it’s too much trouble then perhaps we will look for another place–”
Empress:”No, it is perfect. I will make all arrangements for you to stay here with your promised husband. You will not need to work hard for the court and can focus your time on having children. I promise you the best treatment.”
Ashes was a bit surprised but then realizing this was the heroine she gave of a gaze to show a type of understanding. The heroine would make a fine Valkyrie with her abilities, and those who wished to have a family among the valkyries were always encouraged but it was such a shame that after such intense training they intimidated most men away despite their beauty.
Erisu’s face brightened.
Erisu:”Thank you! Your Majesty! Thank you!”
Empress:”I must warn you Heroine. The Empire is different from the Kingdoms, the Elves, and the Beast tribe. In the Rose Empire, my word is absolute law and those who do not follow it are either banished or put to death. While I do my best to be fair, I am still the supreme ruler. Other Kingdoms and tribes have a council or elders and other politics but I have banned politics in my Empire. I prefer to banish as there are many other lands they can travel and leave, but those who instigate will die.”
Erisu felt a chill.
Empress:”Do not be afraid however, as with absolute power comes the ability to fully control the courts and prevent betrayal.”
Ashes:”As the sword of her majesty, absolute control is maintained by us. We are the Valkyries and given the right to kill.”
The Empress laughed.
Empress:”Ashes, I think we’ve scared the heroine.”
Erisu:”I… your majesty… You have been very kind to me so it is hard for me to imagine you as a stern and merciless killer.”
Empress:”As the Empire has now bent to my will I have less need to kill. Before when there were many politicians and fools who stood against me, I killed many and drank their blood from their skulls to intimidate them.”
Ashes:”I do miss the taste of blood, but the Empire has been peaceful.”
Empress:”If you settle here Heroine, there will be nothing but a peaceful life. You needn’t worry, and I can grant leeway to your fiancé so that even if he instigates we can let him go free.”
Erisu:”Your Majesty, wouldn’t that be a double standard?”
The Empress laughed once more.
Empress:”The only standard is what I say. I have absolute power in my empire.”
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