The word crazy shifts its meaning depending on how it’s used. It can imply praise, admiration, frustration, anger, or insult. In nearly any context, crazy fits without feeling out of place, yet at its core, it means an abnormal state of mind. And if there’s anyone who embodies the true, original sense of crazy, it’s the First Queen, Kabati Soladin.
Her devotion to her country is such that she would willingly sacrifice her life for it. She holds a conviction so unshakable that she never questions the righteousness of her actions. With the power to carry out whatever she conceives, Kabati is a true fanatic who would never abandon her beliefs, even in her final moments.
As she takes her last breath, her sole regret would not be for the wrongs she committed, but rather that she couldn’t find a better method to achieve her goals. She would die smiling, satisfied that someone more capable would lead Soladin in her place.
Honestly, a lovesick fox or a perverted apostle might be crazy in ways that make them at least somewhat relatable. But this medieval Trump is on such a different wavelength that I can’t find any common ground.
Some people in the community call her a villain with principles, admiring her. But I couldn’t agree less. How could you possibly like someone who barely even seems human?
Regardless of personal preferences, everyone agreed that Kabati Soladin would do anything to make Soladin great, thus earning her the nickname Medieval Trump, or Make Soladin Great Again Queen.
Since Arthur’s my friend and I’m a noble in Soladin, I always knew I’d have to meet this crazy woman eventually, but this is way too soon! I don’t have nearly enough power to face her yet!
Ugh.
If I end up meeting this medieval Trump, I wonder what kind of things my Mesugaki Skill will spit out.
Given my previous encounters, crazy is bound to make an appearance.
If I hurl insults like that at the First Queen...
...Or wait, maybe it’d be fine, given how completely unhinged she is?
A woman so utterly obsessed with Soladin’s prosperity, one who cares nothing for her own reputation or power, might actually brush off any insult she hears. Of course, if it came from someone irrelevant, she’d crush them. But if she thinks I could benefit Soladin’s future...?
Yes. She may be a maniac I’d rather avoid, but she’s better off fully deranged than half-sane.
Unlike the Second Queen, who may or may not repay kindness but will always crush her enemies, at least with Kabati, I might survive throwing around terms like old fossil...
Sinere Soladin.
Wait.
Why is that fossil’s name listed right below the First Queen’s?
Could this be a hallucination from just thinking of her?
Maybe if I wipe my eyes and look again...
Sinere Soladin.
Visit freёwebnovel.com for the 𝑏est n𝘰vel reading experience.
Gahhhh?!
Why is she here, too?!
“...Karia. Unless my eyes deceive me, I’m seeing both queens’ names at the top.”
“That’s right. They both confirmed their attendance.”
“Why?”
Good question, Benedict!
Why would a woman who doesn’t have a shred of affection for her son show up to an end-of-term party?!
I played the entire Soul Academy game and never once saw her set foot here!
“The First Queen is attending.”
Karia remained calm even as Benedict and I stared at her.
“I don’t know the exact details, but I’m sure that’s the reason. The Second Queen claims she doesn’t care about the First Queen, but she keeps a close eye on her.”
Hearing this, I was reminded that Karia once served as the kingdom’s shadow.
She led the intelligence division back when the two queens first rose to power, so she knew them well.
In fact, she probably knows more about most royal figures than I do since I barely paid attention to lesser NPCs in the game.
“Anyway, with both of them planning to attend, this end-of-term party has completely derailed from its original purpose. Nobles from both factions are scrambling to make their presence known.”
Reading the list of attendees while listening to Karia’s explanation, I felt dizzy.
I expected Dukes Patran and Kurten to be there since their children are attending.
But why are the heads of the other ducal families coming?!
Aside from Duke Burrow, who’s still recuperating, all of them will be present!
And why are there so many influential names below them?
Nobles who appeared prominently at least once in the Soul Academy storyline are on this list!
Seeing all these familiar names made me excited, but the thought of giving a speech in front of them and mingling at the party made me despair.
...If it were like the Patran Festival, it’d be manageable.
Back then, aside from a few odd people and my friends, no one paid me much attention.
But now? No way! There’s no chance the Second Queen, who has been trying to recruit me, won’t approach me!
Then, the nobles from her faction will naturally follow.
And then the First Queen’s supporters will join in.
Before I know it, I’ll be the center of attention, surrounded by a graveyard of reputations, with gossip and insults flying.
And right next to me, I’ll need to bury Benedict’s tattered stomach.
It seemed Benedict shared my thoughts because his face, once smiling, grew increasingly grim with each page he turned.
“...Karia. Could you knock me out? That way, Lucy and I could slip away naturally.”
“What nonsense. What poison could work on you? If you’re serious, ask your employer.”
“No! I could never do that to Lucy!”
“Then what do you suggest?”
“Damn it! I’ll just have to demolish the building where the party is happening!”
“Calm down.”
“If I just destroy half of it—!”
“Employer, could you shut this idiot up? It seems my words aren’t getting through.”
“Papa?♡ Could you zip it?♡ Your words reek, and it’s honestly quite gross♡”
“Do... do I smell? I see... I’m sorry...”
Ignoring Benedict’s dejected slump, I turned to Karia, who sighed.
“Back to the main point. For our employer, attending that party is a disaster. Hide somewhere until the opening speech, then disappear with Benedict afterward. No one in the kingdom will question him if he says he just wanted to spend time with his daughter. They’ll understand.”
Though it felt a bit reckless to act so casually in front of both queens and their factions, I trusted Karia’s judgment.
In that case, I just need to figure out how to get through my speech.
Knock, knock. At the sound of a knock, I looked up to hear Alsetine’s voice.
“My Lady, the Apostle of the Church of Art has arrived.”
He’s later than I expected. I figured that pervert would be here bright and early, ready to spout nonsense just to annoy me.
“You go on ahead, boss. I need to talk with this big guy, so I’ll send him your way later.”
Karia answered the question I hadn’t even asked.
I’ll never get used to her reading my mind like this.
Sometimes, the way she reads my thoughts so casually sends a chill down my spine.
As I stood up, I noticed Benedict sulking beside me.
“Papa♡”
I meant to tap his shoulder, but since my arm couldn’t quite reach, I poked his back instead.
Benedict turned his head.
Look at him, all silent.
Is he sulking over the smelly comment?
“Pfft♡ Did that upset you?♡ What did I say that made you so down?♡”
“Well, it’s just that...”
Hmph♡ If you’re this grumpy over one joke, I’m not sure I like this sensitive papa of mine~♡
“...Was... was it really a joke?! Truly?!”
Watching Benedict’s face light up at my words, I left with a faint smile. Sticking my head back in the door, I gave him one last look.
“Secret~♡”
With that, I closed the door.
Let’s hope that perverted apostle brings his infamous perversity in full force.
That way, I might just survive the speech.
“...My daughter is so adorable. She’s the best.”
Watching Benedict tremble with happiness, Karia’s gaze was openly filled with pity.
How did a man who once instilled terror on the battlefield end up like this?
These days, he’d fit right in standing next to a corpse.
Back then, he’d been the total opposite of Mira, who openly displayed her emotions, yet here he was now, with everything laid bare.
She must have put in a lot of effort while I was gone.
...Though Mira, maybe you went a bit too far?
To reduce the kingdom’s fang to this state... if only you were alive, I’d ask you for tips.
Thinking back on Benedict’s late wife, who had died under the influence of an evil god, Karia sighed, closing her eyes before fixing her gaze on him again.
“Benedict.”
Her voice was cold.
It wasn’t the playful tone she used with Lucy or her apprentice, but the chilling voice she’d once wielded as the kingdom’s shadow, striking fear into many.
Hearing it, Benedict took a deep breath, shaking off his joviality to prepare himself.
“Speak.”
“Whatever you do, don’t let that crazy queen near your daughter.”