For the Holy Kingdom, the commotion Calca had caused was nothing short of monumental. The Holy King demanded to see his daughter the moment he heard the news. Consequently, although Calca desperately wanted to stay and see if she could "fleece" any more gifts from Brilliant Angel Cat-Meow, she had to put her farming plans on hold for the time being.
However, the girl had already made up her mind: she would set up a small private chapel in her bedroom. She'd pray once in the morning and once at night to see if the "loot drops" were consistent.
Calca followed the maid through the palace until they arrived at the Holy King's study. This wasn't just where he handled official business; it was also the father's preferred spot for sneaking in afternoon naps. Because it was a private study, the King was rarely disturbed when he retreated here.
In fact, Calca had caught her father slumped over his desk fast asleep on more than one occasion.
At the entrance, the maid bowed slightly to Calca and turned to leave.
Calca poked her head through the open door. Inside, a brawny, middle-aged man with graying temples, dressed in a simple white tunic, was staring at a pile of documents with a look of intense mental anguish. He looked exactly like a massive brown bear huffing and sighing because it couldn't understand the squiggles on the page.
On one corner of the desk, a golden crown had been tossed aside like an afterthought, precariously perched next to a mountain of paperwork. One wrong move and the room would surely ring with the melodic clink of royal headgear hitting the floor.
"Father?" Calca called out tentatively, her voice crisp and delicate.
Saran II looked up, his face instantly lighting up with doting affection and surprise—along with a clear hint of relief at having an excuse to escape his "sea of suffering." The giant of a man lunged out of his seat, ignoring the mountain of documents as he rushed toward her.
"Oh, Calca! My lovely little Iris! I never expected you to give me such a grand surprise!"
Saran II scooped Calca up. Even though she was six years old, she looked tiny against his massive frame. Calca opened her mouth to argue that she wasn't a baby anymore, but seeing how happy he was, she decided to let him have his moment.
Saran II seemed to sense her thoughts; after spinning her around once, he set her back down. He dropped into a half-squat to bring himself level with her, his rough, calloused hand gently brushing the hair from her forehead. His voice was tender and full of concern.
"Calca, tell Father... what exactly did the Great Wind God bestow upon you?"
"A daily cast of the First-Tier spell, [Cure Light Wounds]," Calca answered calmly.
Saran II looked both shocked and moved. "That powerful? It seems our Great Wind God is a truly gentle and considerate deity!"
While [Cure Light Wounds] was only a First-Tier spell with an unassuming name, in this world, "light wounds" referred to slashes from swords and spears. As long as the internal organs weren't compromised, such injuries could be healed almost instantly. It could easily handle scalds and burns as well. While puncture wounds were more troublesome, the spell could still stabilize internal damage and prevent it from worsening—it was a literal life-saver.
"Knowing that, my heart is finally at ease," Saran II said with a smile, stroking Calca's hair. He seemed to fall into thought for a moment.
"Since the Great Wind God has given my Calca such a precious gift, then as Holy King—though I cannot compare to a Great God—I cannot fall behind! Is there anything you want, Calca?" A natural smile played across his lips.
The bear-like man actually already had a list of gifts in mind, but he wanted to hear his daughter's answer first.
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My : https://[email protected]/AuAuMon
I'm not the Queen Greatsword. (41 Chapters, Ongoing)
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"In that case, can I become an adventurer and see other countries?" Calca asked without a moment's hesitation.
This was a goal she had set long ago. To achieve her long-term survival plan, she had to leave the Holy Kingdom. If she didn't voice this desire now, they might never let her leave—especially if she ended up being groomed for the throne by age fifteen.
It wasn't just her status as a princess that restricted her; it was the Holy Kingdom's geography. Because of the Abelion Hills, the kingdom was geographically isolated from almost every other nation. There was only one land route along the Eastern Great Wall leading to the Re-Estize Kingdom, but it cut through the Abelion Hills and rugged mountains. The danger level was so high that even the largest merchant caravans avoided it unless absolutely necessary.
As a result, the Holy Kingdom communicated with the outside world primarily through the sea. Fortunately, the "sea" in this world was fresh water rather than salt water, making sailing somewhat easier. However, due to the coastline, they could only trade easily with the Re-Estize Kingdom and the Council State.
When Calca spoke of "seeing other countries," she really meant taking a ship to the Kingdom and then traveling further from there. It sounded like a good plan, but sea travel had one major flaw: if the ship went down, everyone on it usually went down with it. Even without salt-water issues, the oceans of a fantasy world were arguably more dangerous than the land, teeming with pirates, sea giants, and mermen.
Saran II immediately felt a headache coming on. How could he let his daughter face such danger? In an instant, every minor naval accident he had ever heard of flooded his mind.
"My lovely Iris, have mercy on me," Saran II pleaded immediately. "You're still so young. Why don't we talk about something else? Necklaces? Bracelets? Things girls your age usually want?"
Calca's elegant eyebrows arched. I was waiting for you to say that. She knew her first request would be rejected, which is why she used it as a "high-ball" tactic. What she was about to ask for now was what she actually wanted—and what was actually attainable.
"Father, then I want the authority to borrow books from the Royal Library." Calca spread her arms wide to emphasize her point. "I mean all books! Including the magical research of the past Holy Kings."
Saran II narrowed his eyes, nodding slowly as he realized her intent. "Oh, that... let me think. That is no small matter."
While he claimed to be "thinking," a sharp glint flashed in Saran II's eyes. Because his eyes were narrowed, his expression was well-hidden, and even Calca failed to notice it. A moment later, he opened his eyes and looked at Calca with an expression of pure admiration.
"Knowledge is priceless. I didn't expect my Iris to choose the most valuable thing in our Holy Kingdom. Our ancestors put a tremendous amount of effort into building that library. I grant your request."
YES! Calca wanted to pump her fist in the air, but she immediately checked herself. Before she could even thank him, Saran II cupped her face in his large, rough hands, turning her head this way and that as he muttered suspiciously.
"But... is my Iris really this clever? Did someone coach you on this beforehand?"
Saran II looked exactly like a parent who couldn't quite believe his child was a prodigy. Seeing this, Calca struck a pose of supreme confidence and ambition.
"No, Father! My dream is to reach the Fifth Tier—maybe even the Sixth Tier! To reach my goal, this knowledge is absolutely essential!"
At that moment, Calca's eyes seemed to shimmer with an inner light. Saran II looked immensely proud. He showered her with praise before standing up to fetch the gift he had actually prepared for her.
Just then, a blond young man carrying a stack of documents began walking toward the study.