The magical pressure was grotesque.
Souta stood at the center.
All around him watched in silence.
The weakest… had already fainted.
Souta smiled. A sinister smile.
— “You know what? You don’t fear the Demon King because of his power…
— You fear him because he dares to use the title of *king* in a world of *queens*.
— That’s why you want to destroy his nation.
— To restore your balance… where only women rule.”
He raised his head.
— “I want to be important too.”
In a swift motion, Souta tore off the king’s robes.
And the nullifying weapon.
The king stood confused.
On his feet, in undergarments.
Souta donned the royal mantle.
Adjusted the collar.
Smiled.
— “These fancy clothes feel good… Do they look good on me?”
— “You bastard!” shouted the king.
Souta ignored him.
— “I don’t want a half-baked king like this one…
— Who earned the title by marrying a queen.”
He looked at the throne.
— “Once I defeat the Demon King…
— I’ll subjugate the four great nations.
— And become the king of the entire world.”
---
A new pressure cut through Souta’s aura.
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Golden aura.
It filled the hall.
Souta felt a chill down his spine.
His smile… almost faltered.
— “What pressure is this…?
— Is it coming from the queen?”
Beatrix rose.
— “Of all the nonsense you’ve spoken today… this I cannot let pass.
— You dare threaten me… in my own kingdom?
— Do you want to die here and now?”
Souta tried to take a step.
**!!!!!!!????????!!!!!!!!**
Creamy appeared in his mind.
— “Sir, I don’t recommend advancing right now.
— You’re under the effect of *Protective Smile*. That’s why you’re so arrogant. Consider retreating.”
Souta kept walking.
Creamy insisted:
— “Sir… she is the Queen. Will you really face her?
— Her power rivals the celestial generals of the Right Hand.
— She could crush you like an insect…”
Souta replied, firm:
— “She may be on the level of the Right Hand…
— But she’s no match for the Demon King.
— So… she’s not invincible.”
The auras clashed.
Souta’s was clearly at a disadvantage.
Beatrix raised her right hand.
**Solar Magic.**
Magic circles began to form.
— “Cursed brat…”
Souta, uneasy, gripped the nullifying blade.
Ready to strike.
Even as his body trembled.
— “Who are you calling a brat?
— We’re almost the same age. I’ll be 40 next month.
— Old hag…”
---
Meliora intervened.
She held her mother’s hand.
— “Mother… please, stop!
— A queen cannot harm a hero.
— Father is here too…”
Beatrix looked at Meliora.
The princess trembled.
The chief advisor adjusted her glasses.
Stammered.
Almost collapsed under the magical pressure.
— “Y-yes… Lady Meliora is right.
— It is taboo… for a queen to harm an invoked hero.
— Kihara Souta may not have a relic…
— Nor an official title…
— But his divine powers are evident.
— He is a Court Drone.
— Please, your majesty…
— Let us avoid a tragedy that would destroy millions of years of history.”
---
Beatrix turned her gaze away from Meliora and the advisor.
Focused again on Souta.
**She thought:**
> “This man… revealed himself too soon.”
> “He confronted me… in front of everyone.”
> “He has no fear of death?”
> “I must admit… he’s interesting. But dangerous.”
The queen lowered her hand.
The circles dispersed.
Souta smiled.
His aura distorted the air.
He lowered the nullifying sword.
— “See, Creamy? Everything went fine.”
Creamy replied:
— “If you won’t listen to me… at least try to stay alive, sir.
— That was far too risky.”
Souta drove the sword into the ground.
**DOONNN.**
— “Listen well.
— I will not bow to anyone.
— If you want to kill me… then kill me.
— But know this:
**I will be the first… and the last king of this world.**
**Remember it well.**
