Chapter 15: Preparations.
(*Celia’s POV*)
I did want to rest for a few days after getting back, but that clearly wasn’t in the cards for me at the moment. I was still kinda confused about me going to war, but Yona explained more of her reasons for asking me to do this.
Simply put, it is a threat. Yona was super good at spreading our side of the story, as we knew about everything way before Leretia’s people did.
She even embellished it quite a bit. In her version of what happened, Leretia’s prince tried to force me to marry him, and when I said no, he got violent. This ended in Lia, Nia, and I fighting him off.
Though in the process, we got heavily injured, and so did the prince. After the fight, he rounded up all of the people he brought with him, just to kidnap me. Once again, a fight broke out, that ended in all of their deaths.
On top of the already messed up crimes, we pinned the spread of Grim Dust within this kingdom on them. Actually, it was absolutely them who brought it to this kingdom. Yona has clear proof of it, and there are even some users of it within our academy.
Leretia tried to gain support for their war, but not even their close neighbors would help them. Regardless, they stood outside of their side of Celia’s forest. Yes… Yona finally named that forest, and claimed it in my name…
While I was sleeping and in a different dimension, they already sent out a few messengers, with letters suggesting for our surrender. Reading the letters, at this point, I wanted to kill them all as well.
They won’t invade our kingdom, simply because of Celia’s forest. It is too dangerous to cross. Frankly, their land forces are just a distraction. They probably have their main forces sailing and trying to reach our coast. A task that will take many months to complete.
For us, and due to the people living in my dungeon clearing out the forest, it is actually a decently safe place now. Well, safer than it was before, that is.
As such, I suggested that we set up our main base within the forest. And just close enough to their forces. Yona gave me fifty troops to command. Since this was a war that I caused, I asked Nia and Lia to stay home until it is over.
I didn’t do so for Ria, as that woman can just go to different dimensions. There is no way in hell that I am preventing her from going anywhere that she wants to go to.
Lia and Nia agreed, seemingly believing that my victory is assured. As I walk to the already established base, I continued to be confused.
Why only fifty troops for me? Isn’t that too little? Sure, I could probably take on that entire kingdom by myself, but would that paint a good picture? Currently, there were five knights guiding me to our camp.
I decided to sneak a peek at one of their Statuses. I was given quite the shock, as this woman was super powerful. Sure, not on the same level as Yona, Nia, or even Lia, but still more powerful than most random people I’ve come across so far.
Okay, never mind. Just this one woman alone is a super human compared to most humans. And she isn’t even a high-ranking knight either… Ah, I guess that she actually isn’t human, but a demon. She still looks human, though.
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Knight: “Princess, we will be arriving very soon.” She said.
Celia: “Okay, do you happen to know the current situation?” I ask with a curious tone.
Knight: “Leretia’s forces still have not attempted to enter Celia’s Forest.” She replied.
Celia: “Oh? So we still have the place to ourselves, huh? How nice.” I say with a laugh.
Rude Knight: “Princess, could you please take this more seriously?” She demanded.
Celia: “Excuse me? What the hell are you talking about?” I ask with a raised eyebrow.
Knight: “Kiva… wait.” She said in a weak voice.
Kiva: “Why should I hold my tongue? The Queen gave us the “special” task of protecting the Princess, all so she can get all of the credit for our hard work.” She said with an angry tone.
Celia: “And where the hell did you get that idea?” I ask with a head tilt.
Kiva: “You’re just going to sit back in safety, while we risk our lives. Sure, Leretia’s forces will be easy for us to deal with, but there will still be casualties.” She replied.
Celia: “Why would I stay back in safety? This is a war brought about because of my actions. Actions that I have no regrets over. Of course, I will be on the front lines.” I say with an annoyed tone.
Kiva: “You? Don’t make me laugh! How could a Princess that has been protected her entire life, actually fight?” She said with a dismissive laugh.
Celia: “Protected all my life!? I’ve only been with Yona for two years, I was abandoned in this goddamn forest! Tell me, can you survive the same? I doubt it.” I ask with an angry tone.
Kiva: “What a nice story you’ve spun, I am sure that the Queen believes you.” She replied.
At this point, I was arguing with one of my soldiers, in the middle of camp. What the hell should I do? I mean, I can do whatever I want, but what is the best method to go ahead with?
Kill her for insubordination? I could… But would that be for the best? I don’t think so… One of these days, I will be the Queen of this kingdom, I do not want to rule with fear.
Ria: “Isn’t the answer obvious, Celia?” She asked in my head.
Ah, right, yeah, you’ve just been by my side this entire time. Yup, you weren’t invisible or anything… God… the more Ria clings to me, the more and more I fall in love with her… Wait! Don’t listen in on that, Ria! Fuck… I was too late…
Now the dimension traveling all powerful Goddess, Ria, is blushing to all hell. Hmm… quite a cute reaction, if I am being honest… Oh? Everyone else is acting like she has been here this entire time. Sometimes, I truly wonder what Ria is capable of…
Celia: “Kiva, is your name, right? Look, I have a war to fight, and now that you’ve sown the seeds of doubt in my capabilities, I can’t just let it go unpunished.” I say with a sigh.
Kiva: “Ah, so the mighty Princess, Celia, will be executing me for just speaking the truth?” She said with a sarcastic tone.
Celia: “Keep running that mouth, and I just might. Though, not for telling the truth. Just for being a rude idiot. Now, I request a duel for my honor.” I propose.
Kiva: “A duel? Princess, I do not wish to be the first knight in our history, to betray and kill royalty.” She denied.
Celia: “It won’t be to the death, of course, you fool.” I say with a laugh.
Kiva: “Fine, but regardless of how hurt you end up being, you still have to command this army.” She replied with a giggle.
Ria: “Celia, kill this woman.” She said in my head with a serious tone.
What? Why though!? I want to prove a point, not kill her off. If I just kill her, then I will look like an evil person. I want to rule this kingdom in peace, and not use fear to do it.
Ria: “She is a rapist and a murderer.” She explained.
Fine… but I can’t kill her now. Just have her “accidentally” die when we go to war, alright? That should be a good enough compromise, I think. After hearing your words, I want to kill her as well, but I have my and Yona’s reputations to think about nowadays.
Ria: “Very well, we’ll go with that plan. Now then, you have a duel to win, my dear.” She said with a smile.
God… why can’t things just be calm? Eh, as much as I would never admit to it, I love all of this. Getting taken to a different dimension just to save someone, or the other things that I have to deal with, is so fun!
At least at this point in my life, I truly am addicted to the chaos that I cause or encounter. Well, assuming I don’t do any messed up shit, that is.
With a smug grin on my face, I took out my sword and faced Kiva. Yeah, I won’t kill her, but that doesn’t mean that I won’t wound her heavily. Ah, this going to be fun!