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UWTD 340: The Royal Decree?
🕑 Added 2024-06-19 01:03:18 +0000 UTCTheir date continued till the end of the night. The sun rose from the horizon as Esdeath had killed most of the Danger Beasts she had gathered for the occasion trying to learn Adam’s moves. Although the progress has been next to none, she still felt satisfied enough to show a blooming smile. The reason was the thing they were doing right now atop a flat mountain.
“This is really delicious for salted meat!” Esdeath chopped down on the slice of grilled meat, and a burst of juices and flavors danced on her tongue. “I demand more!”
“There is enough, so eat slowly.” Adam sighed roasting some Boar-like danger beast they found.
With his skills and a bit of preparation magic, he could cook anything into a top-class meal. But, he stuck to grilling the meat with some gravy on the side to stick with the hunting theme. There wasn’t much he needed to make this time because Esdeath seemed enthralled with simple grilled meat more. It really gave this the whole camping-together vibe that she adored.
Though they had nothing to do but kill some harmless and clueless Danger Beasts who didn’t even know why they were subjected to it. Regardless soon Esdeath ate the boar that looked large enough to feed 50 grown men. Maybe because she liked it too much? Or it was Adam’s fault again? He wasn’t sure.
“That was the meal I have had in my life.” Esdeath’s smile showed she wasn’t lying. There wasn’t any other day where she had felt so invested in eating before.
Normally she wouldn’t even spare the food a second glance, didn’t matter if it was the finest cuisine or army rations both looked the same to her. But, Esdeath liked the food so much that she wanted to have it every day.
Though the grilled meat and vegetables brought by Adam were quickly gone the two got back to their usual activities. That was hunting Danger Beasts in other regions.
With the new thrill added to the enjoyment of learning and eating tasty meat Esdeath didn’t want to stop. So, their activities continued for four more days till they finally returned to the Capital… through the front gate this time.
“…”
“H-Hey isn’t that…?”
“No way…”
“Hand in Hand, is that really her?”
Civilians, guards, or soldiers, everyone who saw Esdeath walk back home leaning on Adam’s arm felt like something had gone wrong with the world. She still had her uniform, splatters of red on her charming face. But, the look on her face along with the aura had changed so much that she may as well be a new person.
‘Such is the wonders of the gap.’ Noticing the stares Adam sighed. But, there wasn’t any real trouble because even the people who whispered about them did it when the two had reached the next street.
Still, seeing Esdeath like this must’ve surprised them a lot. Considering how she normally should be.
“What are you worrying about, dear?” Esdeath asked with a smile of a pure maiden.
Thankfully she did that upon reaching their house. If this happened outside Adam was sure many would start questioning reality, those who know her in particular.
“I was just wondering what to have for dinner.” He said.
“Oh… well I already know what I’ll have for dinner.” Esdeath’s smile said a thousand words.
“I see.” Thus, Adam stayed quiet.
But, the peace and love in the air was interrupted by the knock on the door. With a stare that could freeze hell over, Esdeath opened the door to find a shivering man in robes with a box in hand. He felt her killing intent even before she opened the door.
“I-I-It is the royal decree.” He barely got the words out before she snatched the box out of his trembling hands. Normally people bowed when receiving the Royal Decree, but Esdeath wasn’t normal.
“A decree? Nonsense, this is a simple summon with a vague reason as a report of the attack on northern tribes. They can get that from others, do you think I am that free?” The messenger shriveled up at her sharp words.
Right now she didn’t want to visit the puppet king, after all, there were more important matters to handle at home. But, this was in a way her fault. Since returning from the north she hadn’t visited the castle and instead started to work on preparations for her date with Adam.
Esdeath in love was the last thing anyone expected. And even if she did her own thing, her actions towards the Crown have stayed neutral. This time, however, she had ignored the emperor and the hand behind her. That was why they had to issue a royal decree just to summon her and find out what happened.
‘It is that Lump of lard’s doing…’ And she already knew who wanted her at the castle.
There wouldn’t be anything like a punishment or anything, unless that guy had lost his mind. His real intention was to find out what actually happened to cause the sudden change in Esdeath.
‘Looks like I didn’t make myself clear to him that time.’ She wasn’t happy with this disturbance at all. ‘Just because I gave him some support for mutual benefit he thinks he can do whatever?’
It wasn’t like she couldn’t overthrow the bastard, because of her no one else tried to do so. That good luck of his ran out today.
“I’ll be back soon, Dear. Have some dinner and get some sleep in the bedroom. I plan to make it up to you when I return.” She hugged Adam kissing his cheek before walking towards the door.
“Don’t dirty my porch with your lowly presence. Move.” Her turned colder than ice as the guy scrambled to the gate before his legs gave out. He was lucky that she didn’t want to spill blood at her door because of the bad omen, or he wouldn’t been the first one to die.
The man saw Esdeath get on her mount and fly towards the castle leaving behind raging winds. Only a few seconds passed before he got up and ran down the streets, covered in sweat the only thing that passed through his head was…
‘I lived!!’ The task given to him was suicidal. Esdeath wasn’t a person anyone wanted to meet because of her volatile nature. Especially with a decree like this, it was nothing but a stick to poke at the sleeping lion. And he was told to hold the stick.
But, even when death looked certain. He survived. She spared him. Now he can run back and resign. Go back to his village and start a family with the woman waiting for him back there.
“Y-yes, I need to run. I have to make the most of lif—srch!!” Just as he reached the next block, a blade of ice fell and split him in two.
A fountain of blood spread as the two halves struck the paved road with tear-filled eyes.
“Ahhhhh!”
“W-What was that?”
“M-Mommy!!”
The screams of the people who witnessed it drowned alongside the sun.
Such was the case in the palace too. Here screams seemed to rise with every clack of the heel before a chilling silence enveloped everything. Esdeath’s steps brought the winds from the icy tundra along. Whoever, whatever, anything that happened to stand in her path now lay in rest, covered in ice as cold as her face.
Uncaring, she kicked down the doors to the Audience Hall.
“Esdeath, what is the meaning of this?”
