Faust was utterly astonished. He never expected Artedinis to start a conflict so explosively, declaring war directly against Viviana, Selena, and the others.
Wait, the [witches' feast] plot I wrote should have ended perfectly. Why is Artedinis throwing around insults now? Does her head itch, or does she just want to rub against the witches' soles?
Just a moment ago, she was mocking Alexander for being reckless and failing to see the big picture, yet she turned around and charged in herself. It seems she doesn't understand the situation at all.
Faust shook his head, looking at the Imperial Princess with a gaze of pity.
After all, not long ago, he had realized just how high the status of the [witches' feast] truly was. It could treat a [hero] fate-star holder as mere expendable material, crushing him to death just so Irithea could have the toy she wanted.
Faust was completely convinced of their power.
“Those words... cannot be ignored,” Selena said, crossing her arms with a look of displeasure.
Snow White was never a kind person. If anyone dared to give her an attitude, no matter who they were, she would bite back.
“Finally, this day has come.”
Viviana sighed, her magnificent eyes looking at Artedinis with a look that suggested this was only natural.
“His Highness is an undisputed supreme treasure. Someone was bound to try and snatch him away.”
However, the protective behavior of the two girls seemed laughable in the eyes of the Imperial Princess.
“Your talents are indeed impressive; you are both exceptional women. I could see that during the previous trials. But your talents have not been realized at all.”
Artedinis waved her hand, laughing contemptuously.
“I can smell the scent of Faust on you from a mile away. It's so blended with yours that no matter how clean you wash, it's too thick to dissipate. Just how far have you fallen?”
“How can such indolent, lazy creatures who only know pleasure occupy the world's supreme treasure?!”
“Faust deserves to be owned only by the strong!”
Artedinis raised her hand.
In the next second, a brilliant golden light erupted from her.
The light was not piercing, but warm and soft, like the first ray of sunlight piercing through the clouds at dawn.
But the wave of pressure that came with it made everyone present feel a suffocating sense of oppression.
The air became viscous, time seemed to slow down, and the entire residence was enveloped in a golden ocean.
Around Artedinis, shockwaves of magic power pulsed against her skin, and her blood surged through her veins like a mighty river.
She appeared divine, almost holy.
The entire residence felt as if it had been instantly transported to an alternate dimension.
Everyone's expression changed completely.
“This is...”
Faust’s eyes widened. The ability to autonomously form a domain just by releasing magic power was an unmistakable trait.
“A Saint...”
In the path ranks, above [hero] lies the rank of [Saint].
That is the realm of transcending the mundane. Since the "demigods" of the Age of Gods are a thing of the past, a [Saint] is the strongest domain a mortal can reach. It represents reaching the pinnacle and the absolute limit of one's chosen path.
“A Saint? Since when...?”
Everyone was shocked by the strength the Imperial Princess displayed.
One must realize that the gap between [hero] ranks is already significant, let alone the gap to a [Saint].
A [Saint] this young... there were likely very few in all of history. The word "genius" was no longer enough to describe her.
Just shut it down; this isn't fun anymore. You're using the cheat engine and didn't even invite me?
Artedinis tilted her head and said, “I actually promoted a year ago, but I didn't want to use the power of a higher rank. Bullying the weak isn't very interesting.”
Her voice remained languid, but the sense of pressure grew stronger and stronger.
“But I suppose I must let you know the meaning of a gap, shouldn't I?”
She lightly clenched her raised, slender hand.
Boom—
Selena and Viviana suddenly felt an invisible pressure collapse onto them. Their legs weakened, and they nearly fell to their knees.
They gritted their teeth, holding on desperately to resist the crushing sensation. Pure light washed over the girls' bodies; it wasn't just control and pressure, but a literal erosion of their physical strength. This was a spell characteristic of the [Radiant King], which came with a built-in magic reduction effect.
Still an overpowered class. A single trait is worth someone else's entire path. In the face of absolute magnitude, any struggle appeared pale.
The witches swayed slightly under the force, like willow branches in a gale. Fine beads of sweat broke out on their foreheads.
Buzz—
Artedinis suddenly withdrew her hand. The Saint domain enveloping the residence vanished instantly, and the suffocating pressure disappeared without a trace.
The girls were either leaning against the walls or half-kneeling on the floor, their stamina and magic power completely drained. They could only glare at Artedinis with looks of extreme anger.
This was because the Imperial Princess immediately stepped up to the prince, leaning in and pressing against him. She pulled him into her embrace, pressing her flawless cheek against the man’s neck and inhaling deeply of the rich, thick scent on him.
“Is this what Lady Lian did? She seems to enjoy hugging... Hmm, I think I understand Lady Lian's feelings now. It really is quite comfortable.”
Though the Imperial Princess appeared slender and delicate, she was surprisingly well-endowed when pressed close.
While the Imperial Princess was an undeniable beauty and Faust was somewhat enjoying it, the prince of Qingxi kept his priorities straight.
He immediately pushed the Imperial Princess away and spoke with righteous indignation.
“Even if you snatch me away, you will only have my body, not my heart.”
Artedinis looked at him strangely. “Why would I want your heart? Having your body is enough.”
Wow, she’s a physical fetishist too.
Just as Faust was worrying whether Artedinis would actually perform some lewd act right in front of the others, the Imperial Princess suddenly changed her tone.
“However, it is indeed too early to snatch you away now. You are such a rarity and a supreme treasure; naturally, I must declare my sovereignty to the whole world after a grand victory before I take you. I am not such an unrefined person.”
“A man that even a dragon would covet... even with my current power, strength, and status, I am not yet qualified to own you. After all, I am not like some overconfident fools who think they can monopolize something beautiful without being prepared to defend it with their own strength.”
Artedinis thought for a moment, tapping her cheek with a finger, and then smiled.
“How about this? After the great feat of dragon-slaying is complete, when I stand above the entire continent with the greatest authority and the strongest power, I will be crowned as the Empress of the empire. Then, I shall take you as my exclusive possession. Until then, I will remain hungry.”
“Waiting for the beautiful fruit to ripen is also a kind of pleasure.”
The Imperial Princess made the decision for herself, then waved at Faust as if saying goodbye to a friend, humming a little tune as she left.
The residence hall fell into silence.
The difference was that Selena and Viviana’s silence came from a sense of endless humiliation.
Faust, on the other hand, was filled with confusion and shock.
Artedinis had actually used her rank as a [Saint] to aggressively assert dominance over the witches.
This fact baffled the prince. Alexander had merely blocked a [witch]'s path and was crushed like a speed bump. As a fellow [hero], why was it that you could step on the witches and be fine?
Faust forced himself to calm down and think, and he quickly arrived at a hypothesis.
Perhaps it was because Artedinis was a woman.
Rate on N.U.
