Conquering The Novel

The Coronation ceremony had finally come to an end, and Ares was now officially the new King of the Kingdom of Escratia. Following his address to the crowd and a brief interview with the reporters, he returned to his newly rebuilt castle, a marvel of advanced technology and magic completed in just a few hours, tailored to Ares' tastes.

Having changed from his royal attire back into his casual clothes, Ares found himself seated on his bed in his room, surrounded by a plethora of gifts sent by nobles, high-ranking individuals, and monarchs from other kingdoms.

The presents were tokens of congratulations for his ascension to the throne and gestures of goodwill to forge friendly relationships.

Beside him, Elaine eagerly tore open the gift wraps, her excitement mirroring that of a child on a festive occasion.

"Oh, look! It's a beautiful dagger!" Elaine exclaimed, her eyes shining as she opened a case containing a finely crafted blade. "There's also a message attached," she added, her curiosity piqued as she began to read the words written on the accompanying note.

The message read:

[For the newly crowned King Ares,

May this dagger, forged with the finest materials and imbued with enchantments of protection, serve as a symbol of strength and protection as you lead the Kingdom of Escratia.

May it serve as a reminder of the challenges you have overcome and the victories that await you. Congratulations on your coronation. We extend our sincerest wishes for a prosperous reign.

With utmost respect,

Hero Association.]

"Hmm, let me check if it's coated with poison," Elaine remarked playfully, picking up the dagger and deftly twirling it between her fingers. She skillfully performed a series of striking moves, testing its balance and craftsmanship.

SWISH— SWISH— SWISH

"Looks like there's nothing wrong with it," Elaine nodded in satisfaction, placing the dagger back in its case before moving on to unwrap the other gifts with childlike excitement.

"....."

Meanwhile, Ares observed Elaine's playful antics for a moment, his amusement evident in his eyes. He then shifted his attention to Irethiel, who had been disguised as a reporter during the coronation ceremony.

"...Now I understand why you wanted me to play the role of a reporter and question you," Irethiel spoke, her voice filled with understanding, before transforming back into her demon form. Ares responded with a smile, acknowledging her role in the orchestrated questioning.

Indeed, it was Irethiel who had assumed the guise of a reporter and posed the daring question about the deaths of the royalties in front of the citizens and other reporters. Ares had anticipated that while people were curious about the incident and its dramatic aftermath, they would hesitate to directly question him, fearing to offend the newly crowned king.

Aware of the manipulative nature of mainstream media, Ares had exploited the situation to his advantage. He had strategically placed Irethiel as one of the reporters to provide him with an opportunity to present a carefully crafted narrative.

This not only shielded him from being associated with the murders of his family but also allowed him to expose the schemes of the royal family, earning him favorability not only from the citizens of Escratia but from people worldwide.

Ares recognized the media's role as mere puppets manipulated by those in power to control public perception. By using Irethiel's presence, he could dictate the story he wanted to convey, shedding light on the broader implications that could have affected the entire world.

Thus, through this strategic maneuver, Ares skillfully navigated the intricate web of politics and media, shaping the narrative to his advantage and earning the support and admiration of both his own people and the global populace.

***

As Ares reclined on his bed, his mind began to drift, and he couldn't help but dwell on the lingering absence of Mika, Aegis, and Helena. 'Why haven't they returned from that treacherous dungeon yet?' Ares sighed, his thoughts consumed by their uncertain fate. The weight of their absence tugged at his heart, fueling his determination to reunite with them once more.

Lost in his thoughts, Ares's gaze shifted to a nearby table, where an invitation to an upcoming conference lay. The conference aimed to gather monarchs and high-ranking individuals, urging them to join forces in devising a strategy to combat the looming threat of the demon lords.

"...Three more days until the conference," Ares murmured, contemplating the significance of the gathering.

Elaine, noticing the change in Ares' mood, set aside the unwrapped gifts and spoke reassuringly, "I will be attending that conference too, so don't worry—I will be by your side all the time," she said with a warm smile.

"....."

"...I am not worried about that," Ares replied, his eyes glancing at the invitation. "In fact, it's time for me to rally the whole world to join the fight against the demon lords," he muttered resolutely.

'There is no need for me to face them alone,' he thought.

Elaine's words interrupted his train of thought, bringing his attention back to the present. "So you're worried about your masters, huh?" she remarked, her gaze fixed on him. Ares raised an eyebrow, acknowledging her astuteness.

She continued, "...Do you need my help in locating them?" Elaine offered. 

!?

Ares raised an intrigued eyebrow, recalling Elaine's remarkable constellation skills and her uncanny ability to locate someone.

He couldn't forget how she had astutely uncovered his identity as Marz and had effortlessly tracked his location during the tumultuous finals of the inter-academy tournament when they were unexpectedly teleported to an unknown place.

'But of course, there are limitations to every power,' Ares pondered, aware that Elaine's skills had their boundaries.

"Don't look at me like that, I'm being serious!" Elaine retorted, meeting Ares's blank stare with determination. "With the help of my constellation's abilities, I can find missing items, locate ancient artifacts, and even navigate the depths of the labyrinth to find lost souls."

!?

[Hey, that's confidential! You can't disclose my abilities to anyone so easily!] Elaine's constellation message appeared before her, reminding her of the secrecy surrounding her powers.

"Well, I'm not sharing it with just anyone. It's between Ares and me," Elaine replied with a confident smile. "...There should be nothing to hide between us."

"...."

[...But, you know nothing about him yet!] The message popped up again, cautioning Elaine about revealing too much.

"We will get to know each other better as time goes on, won't we, Ares?" Elaine spoke, her smile unwavering.

Ares returned her smile, appreciating her openness and willingness to support him.

"...Yes, we will," Ares replied, his smile reflecting his gratitude. "If you can truly help me locate that dungeon, I would be immensely grateful."

This ability of hers was also one of the reasons why Ares had chosen to confront Elaine's feelings for him early on without feigning ignorance. He had recognized the potential of her constellation abilities and knew they could be a valuable asset in his current quest.

Elaine, who had kept her constellation's abilities a secret even from her own family, now shared them with him without reservation. The trust and openness she displayed spoke volumes about the depth of her affection for him. Ares understood that her calm exterior concealed a dangerous storm of emotions swirling within her.

To be continued...