Peace Hunter

"We'd better send someone on par with the Troop Commanders to guard this academy from now on," said Duke James.

"Someone on par with the Troop Commanders? I'll think about it," said Queen Kayana.

Then Queen Kayana and the others slowly walked into the academy grounds, observing the conditions around them. Queen Kayana continued walking until she finally approached the academy lobby. She saw several knights in front of the building, which looked quite damaged. Queen Kayana then approached them. The knights, upon seeing Queen Kayana's arrival, immediately bowed in respect.

"What are you doing here? And where is Commander Oliver?" asked Queen Kayana.

"We were asked to guard here by the commander, Your Majesty. Meanwhile, the commander went that way to meet the principal of this academy, accompanied by a student. The commander spoke with the student earlier, and if I'm not mistaken, his name is Rid Archie," said one of the knights, pointing toward the lodging building.

"Rid Archie?" said Queen Kayana.

Meanwhile, Duke Remy, Duke Darwin, and Duke James looked serious upon hearing Rid Archie's name mentioned. Duke Louis also became serious upon hearing Rid Archie's name mentioned. Then, Queen Kayana saw four trees guarded by several knights. The trees were now open, and Queen Kayana could see what was inside. She was shocked to see Chloe and Caroline unconscious inside the trees.

"Chloe! Caroline!" said Queen Kayana.

Queen Kayana approached them, accompanied by King Albert. The Dukes and Duchesses also approached the four trees. Duke Louis was also shocked to see Irene unconscious inside one of the four trees.

"Irene!" said Duke Louis.

Duke Louis immediately approached the tree where Irene was unconscious with several of his knights.

Queen Kayana and King Albert then pulled Chloe and Caroline out of the tree, assisted by several knights. Senior Gretta and Irene were also pulled out, and the four of them were placed close together.

"At least the four of them, including Chloe and Caroline, are in good condition. They're just unconscious, so you don't need to worry, dear," said King Albert.

"Yes. Rather than that, why did they end up like this? Do you know or hear anything about what happened to them?" asked Queen Kayana to the knights who had been guarding the academy lobby.

"Before we were here, a student named Rid Archie was guarding this place, including the four of them. According to the conversation I overheard between that student and Commander Oliver, the four of them were injured fighting a Demi-Human who was the leader of the group attacking this academy. When they were down, the principal arrived and immediately engaged the Demi-Human. The principal protected the four of them inside the tree. Their wounds have healed thanks to the headmaster's magic," said one of the knights.

Suddenly, the air around the area became heavy.

"Dear..." said King Albert.

The heavy air came from the pressure of the aura emitted by Queen Kayana. Queen Kayana looked furious after hearing the knight's explanation.

"How dare they harm my children? If I ever meet them, I will wipe them out completely," Queen Kayana said.

The aura surrounding the area gradually grew stronger. This pressure terrified the knights, both royal and Duke, and made it difficult for them to breathe. Duke Darwin and Duke James, along with Duchess Harriet and Duchess Claret, who accompanied them, also appeared to be struggling to breathe. However, the powerful aura didn't seem to affect King Albert, Duke Remy, Duchess Arnett, and Duke Louis.

"Calm down, my dear. The aura you're emitting is making it difficult for the others to breathe. Are you trying to stun them with it?" King Albert said.

Then the aura surrounding the area slowly began to dissipate.

"Forgive me, I couldn't contain myself when I heard that Chloe and Caroline were injured by those attackers," said Queen Kayana.

"I know, I was also angry when I heard they were injured because of the attack. But more than that, we still don't know what their purpose was in attacking this academy. Besides injuring Chloe and Caroline, they also injured other students, academy staff and also guests who were enjoying this festival. From the conversation between the student named Rid Archie and Commander Oliver, do you know anything about the reason the attackers attacked this academy?" said King Albert.

"I heard that student knows the attackers' reason for attacking the academy, but he felt uncomfortable discussing it directly with the commander, so he asked the commander to discuss it with the principal, as the principal ​also wanted to discuss the attack with the commander. The commander agreed and went to meet the principal, escorted by that student," said one of the soldiers.

"I see," said King Albert.

"It seems we need to meet with Karina to find out the reason for this attack. From the direction the knight pointed, it looks like Commander Oliver is heading towards the academy's staff and guest building. Let's head there," said Queen Kayana.

"Excuse me, Your Majesty the Queen, Your Majesty the King. I just remembered that the student also mentioned something about the attackers' reason," said one of the knights.

"What was that?" asked King Albert.

"The student said that the attackers' reason for attacking the academy could further anger His Majesty the King and Her Majesty the Queen," said the knight.

-

At the intersection of the roads connecting the shopping area, the academy dormitories, and the academy gardens.

Miss Karina and Commander Oliver had arrived.

"This place looks like it's just been hit by a fairly large explosion. What happened here?" Miss Karina asked, looking around.

"We just defeated a clone created by Demi-Humans that resembled a cat. When Marco managed to cut off the clone's head, it suddenly exploded with a fairly large explosion. We were injured by the blast, but Amelia used her rose magic to heal us," said Senior Vyn.

"I see. Thank goodness you're all right," said Miss Karina.

"So besides the academy staff and guest ​building, the Fairy was also causing a commotion here?," thought Miss Karina.

"Are you okay, Marco?" asked Commander Oliver.

"I'm fine, Father," said Marco.

"By the way, have you seen Charles?" asked Miss Karina.

"Were you looking for me, Miss Karina?" asked Charles, who suddenly appeared from the shopping area.

"Charles! Are you okay?" asked Miss Karina.

"I'm fine, Miss Karina. What's wrong?" Charles asked.

"Commander Oliver and I already know why the attackers attacked this academy. They attacked this academy to kill the three targets: you, Chloe, and Caroline. Chloe and Caroline are now safe, but we didn't know your condition, so we went looking for you and finally found you here. Thank goodness you're okay," said Miss Karina.

"Have you met Chloe and Caroline? Where are they now, Miss?" asked Charles.

"They're in front of the academy lobby. They're currently unconscious because they both fell earlier after fighting the Demi-Humans who were part of the academy's attacking group. Gretta and Irene are also there to help Chloe and Caroline. Their condition is the same as Chloe and Caroline's, they're still unconscious. You don't need to worry, I've healed their injuries. We're just waiting for them to wake up," said Miss Karina.

"I see, thank goodness," said Charles.

-

Meanwhile, Queen Kayana, King Albert, and the others had arrived at the inn. Everyone there immediately bowed in respect upon seeing Queen Kayana. Queen Kayana, seeing me with Noa and the others, immediately approached me.

"Good afternoon, Rid Archie," said Queen Kayana.

"Greetings, Your Majesty, and good afternoon as well," I said, bowing.

"I heard from the knights guarding the academy lobby that you were escorting Commander Oliver to meet the principal. So where did Commander Oliver go? I don't see him here," said Queen Kayana.

"Commander Oliver and Miss Karina were here earlier, but they both went around checking out the situation throughout the academy. It seems they both went to the shopping area behind the academy building," I said.

"I see. Could you accompany me to meet them?" asked Queen Kayana.

"If you request it, then I am willing to accompany you, Your Majesty," I said.

Then I said goodbye to Noa and the others to accompany Queen Kayana, King Albert and the others to go meet Commander Oliver and Lady Karina. Besides Queen Kayana and King Albert, I saw Duke San Quentine, Duke San Angela and Duke San Minerva along with their Duchesses. As for Duke and Duchess San Minerva, I knew him because I had met him in the city of San Minerva. And as for Duke & Duchess San Quentine and Duke & Duchess San Angela, I knew about them because Irene told me. Besides, I had also met Duke San Quentine when he had a conversation with Irene before.

But there was a middle-aged man I didn't recognize. His hair was snow-white, the same color as Irene's. Could it be Duke San Lucia, who was also Irene's father? If so, I intended to greet him and introduce myself, but I was currently carrying out my duty to escort Her Majesty the Queen to meet with Commander Oliver and Miss ​Karina.

-

Then, a few minutes later, we arrived at the intersection connecting the shopping area, the academy garden, and the academy dormitories. Miss Karina and Commander Oliver were there. Charles, Senior Vyn, and other Elevrad members were surrounding Miss Karina and Commander Oliver. But among the people surrounding Miss Karina and Commander Oliver was a student I didn't recognize. The student wore a platinum badge, indicating he was a fourth-year student.

Seeing me escort Her Majesty the Queen, Miss Karina and the others looked in my direction. They immediately bowed and saluted upon seeing Her Majesty the Queen.

"Miss Karina, I came here to accompany Her Majesty the Queen, who wishes to see you," I said.

"Thank you, Rid," said Miss Karina.

"Karina, there's something I'd like to discuss with you, but first I'd like to speak with Charles," said Queen Kayana, looking at Charles, who was standing near Miss Karina.

"Yes, Your Majesty," said Miss Karina.

Queen Kayana and King Albert approached Charles.

"Charles, I'm glad you're okay," said Queen Kayana.

"Me too, thank God you're okay, Charles," said King Albert.

"Thank you for worrying about me, father, mother," said Charles.

"I've seen Chloe and Caroline. They're still unconscious, but otherwise, they're fine. Therefore, I was worried that your condition would be the same as theirs," said Queen Kayana.

"You don't need to worry, mother. As you can see, I'm fine now," said Charles.

"Yes," said Queen Kayana.

Then Queen Kayana looked at Miss Karina.

"I hear you know the attackers' reason for attacking this academy, Karina. Tell me their reason," said Queen Kayana.

"I will tell you, Your Majesty. But before that..." said Miss Karina.

~Earth Creation Magic: Ground Meeting Table~

Miss Karina then created a large table and chairs out of earth. Although made of earth, the table and chairs looked clean.

"It would be better if we discuss this in a relaxed manner," said Miss Karina.

-

A few minutes later.

"So their true goal was to kill Charles, Chloe, and Caroline? And their goal in doing so was to declare war on the Kingdom of San Fulgen?" asked Queen Kayana.

Suddenly, the air became heavy, even heavier than the air we had felt before. Queen Kayana emitted a powerful aura pressure that caused several objects around her to distort. Even the tables and chairs Queen Kayana and the others were sitting on began to crack. But Miss Karina immediately used her earth magic again to reinforce them.

The aura's pressure terrified everyone around Queen Kayana. However, some people seemed unaffected by the aura's pressure. King Albert remained silent and made no attempt to calm Queen Kayana this time. He seemed to be angry about the reason for the attack on the academy.

"I know you're very angry right now, Your Majesty. But please pay attention to your surroundings," said Miss ​Karina.

Then the aura's pressure slowly began to diminish until it finally disappeared.

"Forgive me, I lost control again," said Queen Kayana.

Queen Kayana fell silent, as if contemplating something. Then, shortly after, she began to speak again.

"If those attackers attack this academy again, it will be in trouble again. Duke James, I will accept your suggestion of sending someone with strength equal to the commanders to guard this academy. This is to protect Charles and Chloe while they are at this academy and also for the future defense and security of this academy," said Queen Kayana.

"Sending someone with strength equal to the commanders to guard this academy?" asked Miss Karina.

"Yes, you have no objections, do you, Karina?" asked Queen Kayana.

"I have no objections, Your Majesty. But who else has strength equal to the commanders besides the commanders themselves?" asked Lady Karina.

"I recall one individual whose strength was on par with the commanders of the troops. Two years ago, Commander Asier, currently serving as commander of the 'Frost Wolf' troop, competed with this individual for the position of commander. Because there was a vacant commander position, Duke San Lucia intended to nominate his son for the position, but at the same time, Duke San Quentine also sent someone to become commander,"

"Since two individuals were nominated for the position, and only one position was vacant, a duel was held to determine the commander position. Furthermore, both of them were highly skilled and were deemed suitable to be the next commander, so a duel between them was inevitable to determine who would become commander. In that duel, Commander Asier narrowly defeated the individual, earning the right to become the next commander. However, both Asier and the individual were severely injured in the duel."

"However, from what I recall, this individual is now a Holy Knight in the Holy Kingdom of Svetais. Is that correct, Lord Remy? The person I'm talking about is your eldest daughter and Amelia's older sister, Violetta Laterza San Quentine," said Queen Kayana.

-To be continued