Chapter 103
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Chapter 103: The Queen on the Throne
A week after Midi returned to the Eagle’s Nest, Fina announced a new exchange system.
In this system, materials became the key to earning contribution points. The rewards now included many skills, magic spells, and top-tier equipment.
This caused an uproar among both adventurers and nobles.
When Fina first formed the Hawk Brigade, nobles had already taken notice. The Eagle’s Nest was filled with spies, and Fina’s open promotions made secrecy impossible.
Yet no noble believed she’d succeed.
To them, adventurers were disorganized rabble with weaker battle strength than real armies. Taming such unruly folk would cost too much. With the Asreks family’s limited resources, bankruptcy seemed inevitable before they could recruit enough members.
For a time, the "Hawk Brigade" became a joke at noble tea parties. Many bet on how soon the Asreks family would collapse.
But everything changed when the new contribution system and exchange list appeared.
Anyone could see the balance between “income” and “spending.” For example, Vengeance Worm parts earned many points, but a "Vengeance Bone Blade" cost even more.
Clearly, the Hawk Brigade had created a self-sustaining cycle: more exchanges meant more materials, leading to more equipment, attracting more adventurers. Crucially, many items and formulas were unique—things even great noble houses had never seen!
Combined with rumors of Midi Asreks’ month-long disappearance, nobles pieced together the truth—
The Asreks family had gained a legacy!
The Elves’ Palace Heritage!
As this shocking truth spread, the exchange list circulated not just among adventurers, but also reached proud nobles who studied it closely.
Meanwhile, in a glittering Hertonmar palace, a well-cared-for hand held a special copy of the list.
This wasn’t Fina’s standard version. The text used formal court script, the ink smelled faintly of mint, and the paper was luxurious Faero silk.
Yet its reader merely skimmed it before crumpling the paper into a ball.
“Hmph! ‘For the duchy’s safety, slay monsters’—such noble words. Really, it’s just cheap weaponry to trick greedy peasants into dying for them.” The blonde woman on the velvet sofa sneered.
This was Queen Skadi Baroye, the Belmar Duchy’s figurehead ruler. Though the Hamilton family’s "Queen’s faction" bore her title, Skadi’s role was mostly ceremonial—opening festivals, giving New Year ball speeches.
She’d become queen five years earlier simply because the Iron-Blood Duke casually remarked that “a pretty young face would show the duchy’s vitality.” Overnight, Skadi replaced her mother.
She’d never forget that humiliating day for the Baroye line.
Now, as Fina Hamilton—the “Queen of Magic” who’d conquered a city alone—dominated conversations, the real queen faded into obscurity like dusty jars in a dark storeroom.
Skadi’s hatred burned not just for the Hamiltons, but especially for Fina.
Would they steal her last royal title too?
Was this their move to drop all pretense and rule openly?
Outrageous!
Gritting her teeth, Skadi glared across the room. “Even if she’s recruiting lowborn fools, Fina Hamilton is clearly building an army! Will the nobles just watch?”
“Your Majesty, the current state of the duchy remains dire. Since the Great Fire of Forest of Gran, mutated Monsters keep appearing endlessly – we eliminate one group only for another to emerge. Bandits now roam unchecked while merchant caravans struggle to travel. Most nobility barely maintain their own territories, consumed by constant bandit suppression and Monster extermination. How could they spare effort to manage the Hawk Brigade?” The handsome young man with pale golden curls spread his hands in a bitter smile across the table, sighing heavily.
“What about your Hamilton family then?” Queen Skadi pressed relentlessly.
This young man facing the queen indeed bore the Hamilton name. As Domingo Hamilton, he normally handled liaison affairs with the Baroye royal house. Yet clearly, this wasn’t mere “liaison” work anymore – it had escalated into outright conspiracy.
“The family head believes this strengthens our position. Since he declared support from the beginning, no dissenting voices remain.” Domingo answered calmly, though his expression tightened slightly at the mention of his patriarch.
“Hmph! Letting his precious granddaughter control such an army while allowing her to mingle with that Asreks upstart. Your old patriarch clearly intends to install Fina as successor.” Queen Skadi’s sinister smile made Domingo’s face darken momentarily.
Yet within seconds, the golden-haired youth regained his composure. “No matter. As per our Plan, Fina will get no opportunities.”
As if confirming his words, a dove suddenly cleared the towering palace walls, fluttering down to perch on the ebony windowsill. Queen Skadi removed the magic ring from its leg, extracting the Faero silk message.
“At last! All preparations are complete!” The queen’s eyes burned with undisguised triumph – a mix of vengeful fervor and power-hungry anticipation.
“Thus my dear cousin shall lose her greatest pillar of support.” Domingo scanned the letter, relief softening his features.
“Don’t pretend innocence – you’ve long craved a taste of that pretty Fina, haven’t you?” The queen’s teasing tone chilled noticeably.
Domingo instantly recognized the jealousy. “How preposterous! My devotion belongs solely to you, Skadi. That unripe girl could never rival your beauty and charm!”
“Hmph!” Though aware of their mutual exploitation, the flattery pleased the queen. Her renewed smile now radiated dangerous allure.
With regal steps, Skadi approached the canopied bed. “How weary I feel…” Sinking onto golden-embroidered cushions, she removed her hairpin and loosened her silken robe, revealing tantalizing curves beneath translucent fabric.
“Come, Domingo. Let us… unwind tonight.” Her lazy beckoning carried seductive undertones.
“Indeed… Let’s unwind properly.” The golden-haired youth carefully burned the precious letter before approaching.
Soon, passionate gasps filled the chamber.
Three days later…
A dull gray light streaked through clouded skies like tarnished silver, traversing vast territories before descending upon Asreks family lands – the domain containing Eagle’s Nest fortress.
The beam pierced through multiple protective magic arrays surrounding the inner castle as though they didn’t exist. Circling the structure once, it arrowed into a specific chamber – the Mist Sorceress Alice’s quarters.
Yet the fading light came to rest in a red-haired girl’s palm. Rippling like disturbed water, it solidified into a slip of paper.
Fina set down her porcelain teacup. Her prolonged examination of the brief message made Midi and Alice exchange glances before choosing silent waiting.
Finally, the red-haired girl looked up. Meeting her companions’ gazes, she inhaled deeply. “Family emergency. Grandfather is dying.”
The Iron-Blood Duke had fallen.
Simple words, yet for every Belmar citizen – especially the nobility – they carried catastrophic weight.
This announcement seemed to herald the premature arrival of violent upheaval.
