A few days later…

"Useless bafoons! All of you!"

Nicholas IV slammed down hard on the armrest of his throne.

Under the throne, most of the ministers and retainers lowered their heads and did not dare to speak out in front of their enraged king.

"Your Majesty, please calm down. What matters now is how to deal with the invasion of the Golden Dynasty!"

An old nobleman wearing a turban spoke up.

"Idiot! Do you think I don't know!? That harlot witch has already taken away nearly half of my kingdom! As for you! Having pigs around as generals would be more useful than the lot of you who can't even get to win a single battle!"

Nicholas became even angrier after hearing this, glaring at the ministers and scolding them.

"Your Majesty, I dare to speak boldly. The Golden Dynasty is now in great momentum and has strong military strength. It is most unwise to battle them at this moment when our country's vitality is greatly weakened. It would be better for us to negotiate peace with them and take the opportunity for our country to recover."

Another old aristocrat with a balding hairstyle chimed in. As soon as the noble said his words, many nobles immediately agreed with him in unison. These nobles were the peace-seeking faction in the court. As the Inrudian Kingdom suffered another embarrassing defeat at the hands of the Golden Dynasty, the peace-seeking faction became more and more popular in the court. These retainers were frightened by their defeat and did not want to provoke the powerful Erdtree kingdom again. But not everyone has lost their guts.

"Where has your backbone gone?! Our ancestors were not even afraid of the Demon King's army. As nobles of Inrud, don't you feel ashamed as the descendants of those proud ancestors?!"

At this time, a young black-haired general stood up and accused the peace-seeking ministers. They wanted to reply, but Nicholas spoke up and stopped them.

"Well said, Sir Bendor! What a young man with backbone, General Aesop would have been proud to have you as his son!"

Nicholas praised unabashedly.

"Thank you for your gracious praise, Your Majesty."

"Then I believe you have a decent plan to present?"

"Yes, Your Majesty. I believe that the reason why our army suffered such a disastrous defeat is because of our tactics. Usually, to deal with the invasion of the Falkeris, our soldiers usually adopt the tactics of hunkering down in a siege. But the Erdtree Army and our past enemies are different. Their marching speed is three times that of our soldiers, and they often capture our cities before the defenders can even react. Moreover, their army has strict discipline, and their soldiers are even more fierce! If we want to defeat them, we can only improve ourselves. "

"Improve ourselves?"

Nicholas raised a brow in interest and curiosity.

"High-intensity discipline training, as well as training for the frontal battlefield. Since they are adept at quickly attacking cities, then we will delay them on the frontal battlefield so that they lose the advantage of the first strike. Then we will send reinforcements to surround and slowly tired out their forces. That is how we will bring them down!"

Upon hearing the tactics proposed by Bendor, Nicholas turned from anger to joy and said:

"Marvelous! I knew it was right to trust you! Like father, like son indeed! It is decided then, I will allocate 10,000 soldiers and horses for training and 50,000 drax for funds! You have half a year to show your results!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty. I will take back our land and honor the Creator and our ancestors."

Bendor didn't show any particular joy, he just accepted his reward respectfully. For him, no reward could compare to avenging his father's death in battle with his own hands.

"Your Majesty! If the spires of the Erdtree know of our preparations for another assault, they will surely meet us with cruel retributions! Your Majesty, please reconsider your decision!"

"I agreed, your Majesty! And if we push that witch Marika, she might turn into that giant dragon and bring ruin upon us again!"

The peace-seeking ministers wanted to object, but Nicholas rejected their offer.

"My lords, don't forget. The Pope has declared the Golden Dynasty to be the enemy of the Creator. If you don't want to be excommunicated from the church, I better not hear talks of "peace" again, do you all understand? "

An ultimatum was issued, and ministers did not dare to protest. If they were kicked out of the Church of Angels, their political career in the Inrud Kingdom would be ruined. Although they were dissatisfied, the ministers chose to swallow their anger for the sake of their status.

Nicholas naturally knew the power of Maeika's dragon form. But he still insists on launching a war at this moment, because he knows that if he does nothing and loses Inrud's reputation as the domineering force on the battlefield as it once were, other countries will come to encroach on his weakened kingdom.

So he's betting! He is gambling with the lives of hundreds of thousands of his citizens! With Marika army's rather benevolent performance in the war, he gambles that she would not dare to use her dragon form to massacre these people for the sake of victory in this war.

But what Nicholas didn't know was that after he and the Pope acted arbitrarily today, many ministers secretly had the idea of defecting to the Golden Dynasty.

This is understandable. The Erdtree Kingdom currently seems to have a younger national heritage than the Inrud Kingdom. But for some ministers who are well-informed, they all know that although the Golden Dynasty has moved its capital to Stormveil City, their real headquarters is hidden in the mysterious Uro Forest. For a country whose true heritage is completely unknown, the lords and retainers in the Inrudian court all knew that the Golden Dynasty was not easy to mess with.

However, compared with Nicholas, who was preparing for the war intensively, Marika, who had just won a perfect victory, seemed much more comfortable and relaxed.

[BGM recommended: Princess Mononoke OST-Legend of Ashitaka]

The swamp water carries duckweed and water plants, and is clear and rich in green. Trees similar to willows stand in the water, forming a lush forest. At this time, the sunlight shines down from the shade of the trees and reflects on the swamp water, giving off a thorough reflection. In the woods, birds and small animals roamed among the branches.

From time to time, there will be a moss-covered stone brick ruin in the forest, which makes people wonder what kind of history these ruins carry.

In this picturesque nature, a two-person boat sails slowly among them. The one-armed knight with silver arms and silver armor paddled the oars slowly, carrying his blond queen, and slowly observed the swamp. There were no extra attendants or guards around them at this moment, just the two of them.

"It's nice to relax like this once in a while. Right, Bedivere?"

Marika asked softly while looking at the water.

"Indeed, Master. You have been working sleeplessly for days due to the territory distribution matters. Proper rest is indeed a good choice."

Bedivere replied with a smile, his eyes always on Marika.

At this time, a group of fish with red ribbon-like fins curiously approached their boat and swam beside the boat.

"Look! Bedivere, stop the boat."

Marika pointed at the fish in surprise. Such strange and beautiful fish species were impossible to see in her original world.

The red fish swim freely in the water like dancers, and their natural movements are the most beautiful dance steps.

"So beautiful!"

Marika was so amazed that her eyes shone like a child.

Putting away the oars, Bedivere looked at her cute side and couldn't help but chuckle:

"Master, it is true that you and my king are somewhat different."

"What do you mean?"

Marika turned around and asked in confusion.

"You can always smile because of the small and ordinary things around you. I used to worry that you would follow the same old path as my king, closing your heart in order to save your country. But now it seems that I am worrying too much. ."

Bedivere said reassuringly.

"Really? I'm sorry to make you worry."

"Please don't say that, Master. Since I have dedicated my sword to you, as the king's knight, this is what I should do. I will always protect and support you in the days to come."

Bedivere put his right hand on his chest and said with a sincere expression.

'So handsome! '

Bedivere's affectionate words made Marika's face suddenly turn red shyly. When the handsome and affectionate knight speaks to her like this, any girl, even Marika, who was a man in her previous life, can't help but feel like a deer in the headlights.

"Uh-well, thank you."

Marika said a little anxiously, curling her long hair unconsciously with her fingers.

'What's going on with this atmosphere? ! It was as if the two of us were dating. Eh! Wait! It's just the two of us here, and we're on a super romantic two-person boat. Isn't this a date?!'

Thinking of this, Marika's cheeks couldn't help but turn redder.

At this time Marika remembered the system's suggestions.

'Yes! If I don't do something now, Bedivere will be snatched away by some random woman sooner or later! '

Just the thought of Bedivere being with another woman made Marika so uncomfortable that she couldn't accept it for some reason. Unknowingly, she could no longer bear to live without Bedivere by her side. She has long accepted hrt identity as a woman. Apart from the fear of being rejected by her crush, this emotion has no burden at all! If she doesn't do something, he may really be snatched away. The hungry eyes of the maids in the castle when they saw Bedivere had already sounded the alarm for her.

Driven by this strong emotion, Marika plucked up the courage to say to Bedivere:

"Bedivere, this...this is for you."

Malika blushed, and like a high school girl sending a love letter to her crush, she took out the Ring of Favor from the Gate of Babylon and stuffed it into Bedivere's hand.

"Master, this...is this?"

Bedivere was also surprised by this sudden surprise gift, and his expression turned red because he was flattered.

"This is to thank you for your continued care... I–I hope you like this gift."

Marika lowered her head and stuttered in reply, but her eyes were full of expectations that the other party would accept the gift.

Facing Marika's expecting eyes, Bedivere said with some embarrassment:

"This...Master, is this inappropriate? I am your servant. Though I am not a proper heroic spirit, and I have no achievements worthy of being recorded in human history. And in this life, I have no merit that deserves such a reward from you. For me, accepting your gift would be a bit..."

"Do you not like it?"

Hearing that Bedivere was about to refuse, Marika couldn't help showing a disappointed look.

'Did I act too hastily?'

She thought to herself nervously.

"There is no such thing, Master! I like your gift very much!"

Seeing Marika's pitiful eyes that looked like golden amber, Bedivere hurriedly defended her. He was naturally happy to receive a gift from his admired one, but the difference in their identities made him at a loss. But if he breaks Marika's heart, that's not what he wants either.

Bedivere put the ring on the ring finger of his left hand. The golden rune ring unexpectedly suited him very well.

"Master, look. The size is just right."

As he spoke, Bedivere extended his hand for her to take a look to dispel any misunderstandings.

"It really scared me. I am glad you like it."

As she said that, Marika unconsciously held Bedivere's ring-wearing hand with both hands. Her white and tender fingers could feel his warmth even through the armor.

The two have feelings for each other, but one of them doesn't have the courage to speak out, and the other is held back by his oath and morals. They can only remain silent in the ambiguous atmosphere and let the boat drift along the river.

Perhaps too embarrassed, Bedivere pointed to a vast open space and tried to change the subject and said:

"Ah! Master, look there! Don't you think it's a good place to build a castle?"

Marika looked in the direction Bedivere pointed. A large clearing was indeed there in the swamp. She could even see mountains in the distance. This scenery couldn't help but make her feel familiar, as if there should be a building there that she was very familiar with.

"That's right! Raya Lucaria Academy!"

Marika stood up in surprise. This is truly a God-given opportunity, with a swamp clearing and a mountain to back it up. This clearing is almost a 1 to 1 to the location of Raya Lucalia in the game! The embarrassment just now was immediately forgotten.

"Bedivere, contact our logistics team quickly, this is indeed a suitable place to build a castle!"

"Master, have you decided what kind of castle you want to build?"

"Yeah, a great castle."

Marika smiled excitedly.

The next day, using the golden cage form of the system, a magnificent castle and town upon the water were quickly built. When the troops with the accommodation supplies arrived, Marika gave the castle a name that would be familiar to people of the Lands Between in front of everyone, Raya Lucaria Academy.