Even though in the first trial Princess Yerina showed an overwhelming display compared to the other princesses, there were still many people who wanted the muscular first and second princess to win the succession battle. The reason was simple. They didn’t want magic to win.
However, even in the second and third trial, the other princesses could not defeat Yerina. After all, her dignity, manners, charm and governing knowledge were impeccable—She wasn’t just outstanding, she was simply perfect.
The reason for the difference between the two princesses and Yerina could be attributed to their goal. While Yerina had a clear goal in mind which reflected her values, the other princesses simply wanted to show off their charms by building their muscles and dream of becoming a muscly ruler.
Obviously, it was normal in this world to have such muscular value. A person who has grown their muscles has dignity that is as strong as their muscles. It was also a form of politeness and normalcy for people who had a lot of muscles to be considered attractive or charming.
However, something was different today.
“Wow, as expected of the second princess! Her muscles are so different! It was a graceful choice…”
“Mmm… that’s right!”
People outwardly cheered for the first and the second. However, at the same time, their gazes couldn’t help but secretly be drawn to the third princess.
Why? Why do my eyes keep moving towards that weak girl with no muscles?
Why does she feel so different today?
Even though she had no muscle, it was clear as day that she had charisma, dignity, and charm. The people listened to her every word; every step of her attracted their eyes away; and every single gesture of hers made them bow their heads in front of her. For a reason unknown, a sense of intimidation emanated from Princess Yerina.
[Supporting actor Kerina Fridellia uses‘ Front Double Biceps (S)’ skill]
[Her muscles are temporarily pumped over 1.5 times, giving an overwhelming sense of intimidation!]
The guardian of the second princess, Hero Ivan, knew a lot of muscle training methods and muscle knowledge that gave the opponent a sense of intimidation. It was a technique which was at least 10 to 100 years ahead from the knowledge of this world.
[The villain Yerina Friedeliia uses ‘Empress Spirit (SSS)’ skill.]
In the first place, she was not competing against Second Princess’ with her muscles so the intimidation had absolutely no effect on Yerina, who competed with pure skills.
[The Protagonist has detected a crisis!]
[Guardian Yoo Seodam is designated as the ‘villain’.]
However, even after seeing the message, Yoo Seodam was still calm. ‘I mean… I knew from the beginning that I was going to be the villain.’
Yoo Seodam presume that the first princess must have been the designated rival for the second princess in the development arc, and the third princess Yerina would only appear at the climax of the story, and was probably the second villain character who would finally give the protagonist a sense of crisis.
Perhaps the concept of the stand-off between Yerina and the second princess was to compete with knowledge, the qualities of a ruler, and oratory skills—a subject which did not have any relation with muscle. However, due to Aracelli’s intervention, Yerina had learned magic and gained ‘strength’ which surpassed muscles.
But since the protagonist of this world had poured all his probabilities into ‘muscles’, when a crisis arrives, there is only one answer for him. To sort it out with the power of muscle!
[The flow of the story changes.]
“All three of you are wonderful. It’s reassuring to have so many candidates who truly have the qualities for an Empress. I can see that the future of the empire is bright and prosperous. However, not everyone can become a ruler just because they have the qualifications of a ruler. I will now start the final test.” Empress Primel Primelia said in front of the three kneeling princesses.
“Princesses, you may have heard of it, but the recent movement of the neighboring Allied Powers has been unusual. It is said that they have prepared war magic and plan to challenge the Empire.”
“They dare challenge us with something like magic!?!? Is the test going to war? I will go ahead and destroy it!”
“Leave it to me, Your Majesty!”
The first and the second exclaimed with excitement. Both of them had a strong force backing them, therefore they were confident that they would make a breakthrough even if they went to war right away. But Yerina was different. No noble stood behind Yerina, so she had no power whatsoever.
‘If the test is going to war, I’m going to lose…’ Yerina broke into cold sweat. In the past, there was a history that a princess who made a contribution in war became the empress in the end, so it was not strange to go to war to defend the empire as the last test.
If the flow of the story was changed because of the probability, it might have proceeded in such a way. However, the current ‘flow of story’ was slightly twisted by other’s interference, not by Yoo Seodam, the protagonist or protagonist’s correction.
“Yerina…” The Empress mumbled. Her eyes were drawn to Yerina, whom she felt the spirit of Empress from. The trial in succession battle must be fair to all candidates. And the Empress knew very well how unfair the test would be for Yerina if she gave her a test to play a role in the war.
‘The third princess who is not supported by either nobles or the people.’
But, what if a very powerful ally, the Empress, would take her side?
Of course, she has no intention of favouring one princess in the sacred succession battle. If they become an Empress without honour, the future of the empire would never be bright. If so, at the very least, she could give a test which would be fair to all the three princesses.
“No! The last test is a battle. By proving your strength for the last time, I will decide whether or not I can entrust the safety of the Empire to you!”
“!!!!” As the empress’ words fell, the three princesses opened their eyes wide.
“The rules of the match are simple. All three princesses will enter the Ferrodel’s dome at the same time and fight until one last princess standing. There will be jungle, desert, plains, rivers and seas inside, so you can use the terrain to defeat the other two princesses. Any questions?”
When all three princesses were silent, the Empress nodded her head with a smirk plastered on her face.
“Then, let’s look forward to the princesses’ performances!”
The final test, both her life and fate were at stake. With cold sweat dripping down her neck, Yerina clenched her fists.
‘I can win!’
* * *
Although royale battles were not unprecedented in the history of succession battle, the people couldn’t help but be surprised at the empress’ decision since the princesses of this generation had tremendous strength and charisma, which was very rare even in the long history of the empire.
Some people discussed that the seasoned first princess would win, while others said that the strong second princess would eventually win. There was almost no mention of the third princess in the discussion between the people.
– Let’s start the battle!
Since the Ferrodel’s dome was huge, and the three princesses started from different positions, they wouldn’t meet the other princesses from the start.
-Go!
As soon as the magical voice of the Empress echoed, Yerina took a step into the arena. This battle was not only a battle where she risked her life, but also the life of people who had supported her this far. If she lost here, even Yoo Seodam, who became her guardian, would face death.
‘I can’t let that happen. I never want to disappoint the person who believed in me and has supported me for five years.’
The terrain which she departed from was an ordinary forest. It was not that difficult, but she would certainly be exhausted if she moved without thinking.
‘I have to fight strategically.’
The fact that everyone starts from a different position was clearly meant to add a strategic element.
It would be best if the other two princesses could fight each other first. And when one was eliminated, she could attack the other one who would be exhausted by then.
‘But the other two princesses rarely think about strategy. It’s because they think that it’s only the weak who strategize, and look for their opponent’s weaknesses.’
Since the two princesses had come this far just to prove their muscle strength, Yerina thought that they would do the same in this trial.
Princess Yerina moved slowly and explored the energy around her with her mana. As she walked through the woods for almost an hour, a wide reed plain appeared. The reeds were too small for the two large princesses to hide.
‘I thought that if they were to fight, they would definitely choose this place…’
Then, the sound of something crashing was heard in the distance.
Goo-!!
There was no doubt in Yerina’s mind that the sound was the result of the two princesses colliding against each other.
‘Are they in the jungle?”
Yerina hurriedly ran towards the jungle.
‘If the terrain is the jungle…!’
For Yerina, who had weak stamina, the jungle was the worst battlefield as her feet would have to constantly move on the uneven terrain. But she was still fine with it. If two princesses fight ignorantly and then she uses that timing to make a surprise attack, she can win without any problem.However,
‘It’s nerve-wracking to fight one-on-one against a warrior.’
She had asked Aracelli the other day.
‘Miss Aracelli. What should I do if I have no choice but to fight a one-on-one fight with a warrior?’
‘Of course…’ She said with a cute smile. ‘You have to run away.’
‘Pardon?’
‘A wizard can never defeat a warrior. Assuming they are of equal skill.’
‘Bu-but didn’t Guardian-nim defeat Jaberov, the best guardian knight in the Empire, only with magic last time?’
‘That’s because the professor’s level is far higher than that guardian knight. But your situation is different from him, right?’
In other words, Aracelli was insisting that a wizard must unconditionally avoid a fight with a warrior.
‘Still… There is such a thing as what if. So, what if I need to fight a warrior?’
‘That…’ Aracelli contemplated, then snapped her finger as if she had a good idea. ‘You should use the professor’s method!’
‘The guardian’s method?’
‘Yes. Professor’s method is…’
Flinch.
Yerina woke up from her reminiscent as she felt something was wrong. The crashing sound felt too regular. Normally, she wouldn’t have recognized it, but since her sense was currently better than usual, she sensed it right away.
Yerina went down to her knees, placed her hand on the ground and let her mana run on the floor.
‘Oh… So, that’s why…’
Somehow, a laugh leaked out of her mouth as she realized what happened. It was a situation that she could not have imagined in the past, and it was a situation that could be said to be the biggest crisis of her life, but she wondered why she couldn’t stop smiling?
Thud-!!
Two shadows from the front slowly walked towards her
“Big sisters. You two seem to be in good shape for someone who just fought fiercely.”
In other words, the sounds they made was to lure Yerina to the jungle, a battlefield most unfavorable for a wizard with weak stamina.
“…”
“…”
Both of them said nothing. The deep shadows on their face were the only way to know how they felt about the situation. Yes. The two older sisters with a really strong self-esteem had no choice but to face reality and work together with each other. Though, their strategy wasn’t anything fancy since they did something everyone could easily think of.
However, their actions came off as very different to Yerina.
“In the end, both of you opted to identify the ‘weakness’ of your target and think of a ‘strategy’ which both of you deemed as nothing but something used by weaklings. Yes?”
That’s why Yerina was happy. Someone might say she’s crazy, but she was too happy to the point mana was exploding from her body. She was despised for being weak. It was common for her to hear abusive language for her lack of guts and muscle. However, the two princesses who were considered to be the strongest in the history of the Empire, had just joined forces to fight against herself—someone who people considered as nothing but a feeble girl.
Yerina, who was quietly resting one of her hands on the ground, slowly straightened her waist and faced the two princesses. She was 170cm tall, but she was still shorter than her two older sisters who easily exceed 2m. Still, at this moment no one watching this spectacle dared to say that she looked small. Rather, the two princesses felt a huge wall in Yerina. A wall that could never be broken or crossed. They became disgusted with such thoughts, and the princesses inflated their muscles like balloons.
“Well then, shall we begin? Sisters.”