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Author notes: Alright folks, as promised here is the free chapter for this month.

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To those who for some reason haven't yet read the completed free Chapter 20 on my p atreon. Go back now and read the previous chapter on this platform. I have edited it to the completed version.

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Sunlight streamed through the narrow slit of the practice yard, casting long, wavering shadows against the worn-out training dummies and well-trodden dirt. Iris Midgar stood in the center of it all, a bright and unyielding beacon of strength and determination.

A simple swing of her sword, the wind humming its approval as it cut through the air, resulted in another training dummy falling apart under the force. Iris let out a huff, strands of her fiery hair plastered to her forehead, sweat tracing rivulets down her determined face. Every slash, every thrust of her blade was a testament to her commitment - her duty to protect her kingdom, a responsibility she wore as a badge of honor.

After a final, fierce swing, Iris sheathed her sword with a sigh, her gaze drifting to the damaged training dummies surrounding her. They were stand-ins for the enemies she might face, but today they also stood as a symbol of her frustrations, her ambitions, her fight against expectations. She was a princess, yes, but more than that, she was a warrior, and her heart sang its loudest in the heat of battle.

Iris lifted her arm, wiping away the sweat trickling down her forehead. She inhaled deeply, the crisp air of the early morning filling her lungs, chasing away the remnants of exhaustion. A sense of calm washed over her as she closed her eyes, bathing in the golden light of the rising sun. The worries of her status, her duty, her future, all seemed to be held at bay in these quiet moments.

However, the serenity of the moment was abruptly shattered by the unmistakable sound of footsteps approaching hastily. Her eyes snapped open, her hand instinctively reaching for the sword at her side. Iris turned towards the approaching knight, recognizing the sigil of the Crimson Order emblazoned on his armor.

"Iris-sama," he panted, clearly having run from the palace, "King Klaus requests your presence."

A feeling of unease coiled in her stomach. Meetings with her father usually meant discussions of complicated political plans or tedious state matters. She frowned, giving the training yard one last glance before nodding at the knight. "Very well."

With that, she set her path towards the castle. The heaviness of uncertainty seemed to anchor her heart, dipping it in a well of anxiety that was seldom experienced. Unbeknownst to her, a tempest of profound proportions was brewing on her horizon, a revelation that would shake the very core of her existence. But for the time being, she advanced, her heart's rhythm drumming a symphony of apprehension within her chest as the castle's silhouette, shrouded in the foreboding gray of dawn, ominously expanded in her view.

As she strode down the long, stony path, she caught sight of a familiar figure emerging from the castle's gardens. A wave of relief washed over her as she recognized her younger sister, Alexia, her silvery hair shimmering like moonlight against the early morning light. Iris quickened her pace, welcoming the interruption in her anxious march towards the unknown.

"Alexia," she greeted, her voice cutting through the soft rustling of the garden foliage. "It seems I have been summoned by our father."

Alexia, as poised and reserved as ever, arched a brow, her gaze taking in Iris's disheveled state. "You have a knack for getting summoned at the most inopportune times, Onee-sama," she responded, the corners of her mouth quirking up in a half-smile.

"I guess that's the price of being the diligent one," Iris retorted, managing to find some excuse despite her unease. They exchanged a few more words, their sibling banter serving as a comforting balm to her simmering anxiety.

After a brief moment, they resumed their journey to the castle, their shared silence a testament to their years of camaraderie and mutual understanding. The castle doors loomed ahead, heavy and foreboding, as if mimicking the weight of the impending meeting.

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In her father's office, Iris Midgar stood tall, her pride burning brighter than the jeweled crown she would one day wear. The world she'd known, her well-carved reality, trembled on the cliff of a change as King Klaus Midgar delivered the unthinkable news of her impending engagement. In that stately office, the expanse between them seemed to widen with every tick of the imposing grandfather clock, the sturdy oak desk that divided them seemingly a physical manifestation of the divide their words would create.

"Iris," Klaus began, his voice steady as steel, "you are to be engaged."

The room's atmosphere, already thick with tension, seemed to grow heavier. Iris, ever defiant, met his gaze head-on. "I will not be a pawn in your political games," she declared, her cold voice echoing around the room.

Klaus frowned, his patience clearly strained. "This is not a game, Iris. It's a necessary step for the kingdom's future. Your future."

Iris bristled, her white-gloved hands clenched in fists at her side. She held herself with a posture of defiance that matched the fiery spirit in her eyes. "And who, may I ask, is the poor soul subjected to such a farcical union?"

Her words hung in the air, a dare for her father to pronounce the name she dreaded. King Klaus sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose as though bracing himself for a storm. "Anos Voldigoad— [You can read the rest of this chapter on my p atreon for free, all you have to do is Create an Account and then choose the Casual Reader 7-day free trial]

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Let's give a warm welcome and a heartfelt thank you to our incredible Patrons who have been eagerly following our story up to chapter 26:

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I want to express my deepest gratitude for your unwavering support. Your contributions mean the world to me and allow me to continue crafting and sharing this exciting journey. Thank you for being part of our community!

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Current Chapters on my p atreon [www_p atreon_com/ridoux]:

Chapter 21 「 The Princess' Dilemma 」 (Now available on p atreon) [FREE]

Chapter 22 「 A Meeting with Anos Voldigoad 」 (Now available on p atreon)

Chapter 23 「 Promise and Warning 」 (Now available on p atreon)

Chapter 24 「 Epsilon's Watchful Eyes 」 (Now available on p atreon)

Chapter 25 「 Encounter with the True Demon 」 (Now available on p atreon)

Chapter 26「 New Atomic Magic 」 (Now available on p atreon) [ Unreleased Chapter ]

Chapter 27「 Quantum Magic & Family Drama 」 (Will be available on p atreon next week)

Chapter 28「 A Reincarnator From My Era? 」 (Will be available on p atreon next week)

Chapter 29「 A Date with the Demon King 」 (Will be available on p atreon in two weeks)

Stay tuned for more exciting chapters coming your way soon!

-=| Please note that I will release a single free chapter per month on the following dates:

Chapter 21 will be released on free platforms on 10/01/2023.

Chapter 22 will be released on free platforms on 11/01/2023.

Chapter 23 will be released on free platforms on 12/01/2023.

Chapter 24 will be released on free platforms on 01/01/2024.

Chapter 25 will be released on free platforms on 02/01/2024.

Chapter 26 will be released on free platforms on 03/01/2024.

Chapter 27 will be released on free platforms on 04/01/2024.

Chapter 28 will be released on free platforms on 05/01/2024.

Chapter 29 will be released on free platforms on 06/01/2024.

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Guess what? I've got a habit of having these sneaky 'Unreleased Chapters' in my p atreon bag.

Now, if you're itching to dive into those Unreleased Chapters even before they're officially out, all you gotta do is level up your subscription to the [Random Omnipotent Being] tier. But here's the deal – this tier is like a limited edition thing, only 91 spots up for grabs, ever.

As of right now, we've got 6 lucky folks who've snagged their spots, so that leaves us with a cool 85 openings. Get in on the action before it's all gone!

And finally, let's take a moment to acknowledge and appreciate the amazing fanart contributions from Civen_Voldigoad / FENRIR545: