I Already Know My Magic Power Is Ridiculously High! Now I Just Need a Cute Wife... - Episode 71

Once the Judiciary members were completely wiped out, the curse mark on my right arm vanished cleanly.

**”Lady Shalka, well done.”**

**”Nicolette? So, you were here.”**

**”Of course. Lady Shalka, your hand.”**

**”Ah, thank you.”**

Nicolette rinsed my hand with water.

Expressionless as always, she intertwined her fingers with mine, carefully washing them.

**”Ugh… how am I supposed to report this to the lord…!”**

Geraldo had arrived at the scene as well, groaning as he held his head in his hands.

A rare sight indeed.

He had been so valiant when facing Naia, yet internal conflicts seemed to weigh on him more.

**”Preacher… my deepest apologies. We acted rashly…”**

Dadinga and the younger officers.

Representing them, Dadinga bowed his head in frustration.

**”No, you all did well. The responsibility for failing to predict the Judiciary’s attack falls on me.”**

That said, who could have foreseen such a foolish move?

It was like being caught in an accident.

**”But still…! Because of us, you have now made an enemy of the Judiciary…”**

**”It doesn’t matter. Besides, what’s more important to me is that you all survived. If you still feel guilty, then make up for it with your future efforts. Understood?”**

**”Ugh…! Understood! I, Dadinga, will train harder and never taste defeat again! I will follow you, Preacher, until my last breath!”**

Dadinga was overcome with emotion, shedding tears.

**”Ah. Also, stop calling me that.”**

That should be enough to reassure my subordinates.

Looking at the citizens, some had collapsed in fear, while others covered their mouths in shock.

Well, after witnessing nobles crushing heads one after another, their reaction was understandable.

I needed to improve my image a little.

After all, post-battle care is important.

**”Everyone, I am sorry. You have lost many of your comrades, and I know this is painful. But I will not let the Judiciary have their way any longer. I will personally take responsibility for dismantling them. So please, continue to support Ortenos.”**

I couldn’t bow my head, but I made my resolution clear as a form of accountability.

Would they see me as the terrifying noble Shalka, or as the wise leader who stands with the people?

Who knows…

**”Uwoooooh!”**

The cheers were so loud that the fortress itself seemed to shake.

Their eyes were wide with excitement, like a crowd celebrating a World Cup victory.

True fanaticism.

Wait… that was way too easy…

Was it really okay for them to be this simple-minded?

Well, better than being feared as a monster.

**”Lady Shalka.”**

**”Yeah, I noticed.”**

Nicolette had also sensed the presence of some strange individuals.

Using magic detection, I could tell there were people other than the officers—ones with power on par with a Satellite Satera-level.

First, a seductive-bodied sister staring intently at me.

Then, a group of men and women dressed like nomads.

And finally…

**”Pleased to meet you, Lady Shalka.”**

A man in a black cloak suddenly stepped out from among the crowd and faced us.

His hood concealed his face, but his magical power was at the Satellite Satera level.

Yet something about him felt off.

**”…Who are you?”**

**”I am an envoy of Prince Albert, the First Prince of the Kingdom of Naia. I bring a message for Ortenos.”**

Hearing that he was from Naia made me widen my eyes.

The Judiciary was one thing, but I hadn’t expected a Satellite Satera-level operative from Naia to sneak in.

The officers would never have allowed an outsider into the castle for security reasons.

*(Which means… he snuck in. But how?)*

…Ah, I see. He hid among the civilians’ belongings.

Magic detection isn’t foolproof.

If someone is skilled enough, they can conceal themselves effectively.

Capturing and interrogating him was a given, but I couldn’t let him sense my unease.

**”So, what business does Naia’s First Prince have with me?”**

**”Hmm. You’re not quite what I heard, Lady Shalka de Ortenos. Not only do you possess exceptional combat skills, but also boldness and charisma. It seems the rumors of you slaying Lord Barbato were true.”**

The man pretended to think for a moment before giving me a somewhat embarrassing evaluation.

Is this how others see me?

But something about the way he spoke felt off.

He reeked of suspicion—better to throw him in a cell quickly.

**”If you’re just here for small talk, then we’re done. You’ll be staying in the dungeon for now.”**

**”Brave words, but you should reconsider. It would be a loss for both of us.”**

The man smirked confidently.

Such arrogance in my presence… unsettling.

Might be worth hearing him out.

**”Fine, get to the point.”**

**”Very well. Here is Prince Albert’s message: ‘Withdraw from the ceasefire negotiations with the Kingdom of Naia—this is a warning.'”**

His words were strange.

What was Albert trying to accomplish?

**”Hah? The ceasefire talks were Naia’s idea. Why would you tell us to withdraw?”**

**”The ceasefire was Queen Luna’s decision alone. It does not represent the will of Naia as a whole.”**

**”I see. But Queen Carlina seems to support it.”**

That was based on a letter from my father.

Though he had warned me that she must have ulterior motives.

**”Naia does not tolerate such weakness! A truce at this stage is unacceptable! The same goes for Ortenos, does it not?”**

The man in the black cloak shouted furiously.

His words sounded theatrical.

What was he really after?

**”No, I have no objections to the ceasefire.”**

**”What?”**

I had already decided to follow my father’s judgment.

Besides, during the ceasefire, I could enjoy a sweet campus life with Elmia.

Visiting dessert shops, attending social parties at night—it all sounded great.

Thinking about it brought a natural smile to my face.

Time to provoke him a little.

**”I am quite generous. I don’t mind if the people of Naia savor a brief moment of peace.”**

**”You dare mock us?!”**

Too easy to provoke.

Honestly, it felt like he was controlling the conversation.

**”Are we done here? You’re going to the dungeon. We’ll talk more later.”**

**”Hahaha…”**

**”?”**

I declared confidently, but the black-cloaked man smirked.

**”Too bad. The ceasefire will never happen. You will soon understand why…”**

**”What?”**

**”You fools have already been ensnared in darkness. You are but ignorant mice, unaware of the beast lurking in the shadows. Ortenos has only one fate—to be devoured.”**

**”…”**

A cryptic warning.

**”You will regret this choice. You and Luna’s ideals will be crushed before they reach fruition.”**

**”Thanks for talking so much. Now, stay put.”**

Was he implying something would happen during the negotiations?

It was possible that Naia was planning something.

But sending this man here didn’t quite make sense.

…Well, first, I needed to capture him.

I gathered my magic to engrave a **Sealing Mark** on him.

**”Hahaha… My role was merely to stall you. My comrades will finish the job.”**

Just as I moved to restrain him, he said something unsettling.

And hinted at accomplices.

**”…Was this a diversion?”**

His odd behavior now made sense.

He was buying time for something happening at Bangwall.

Damn, what was their real objective?

**”Hahaha… Despair, Ortenos! Haaaaaa!”**

As he screamed, his magical power exploded unnaturally.