Tower Of God: Life As Hoaqin

"Princess Maschenny, that outfit aside—you look really beautiful right now. Do you really have to change back?"

"It's a hassle. And it doesn't suit me. Also, stop using formal speech all of a sudden."

"If you say so."

As we walked together down the long corridor toward the exit of Zahard's royal castle, we continued chatting as usual.

Formal speech, huh… Maybe I should at least use it inside the castle, just in case it affects Maschenny's dignity. Hmm… I'll think about it again once she receives one of the 13 Months.

"Loyalty! Eternal glory to Zahard—"

"Skip it."

"...."

The royal guards stationed along the corridor.

Every time they saw Maschenny, they raised their spears to salute—but each time, she shut them down with a single word.

Without even sparing them a glance, she coldly walked past, only occasionally acknowledging greetings from royal retainers.

Eventually, as the presence of people thinned out, Maschenny glanced at me and asked:

"So, what did you think of meeting my father?"

Zahard, huh.

I paused for a moment before answering honestly—choosing my words carefully in case someone was listening.

"…He felt transcendent. Something beyond human, an overwhelming divinity… If I had to put it simply, a being filled with the unknown. But there was also something… off."

"Sharp observation. That wasn't actually my father. Just an avatar manifested from a portion of his power. Anyone who's met him more than once can usually tell."

"…I thought so."

"Yeah. My father stays in the royal castle, but he never moves."

"Hm? Isn't this the royal castle?"

"That's… a bit complicated. I'll explain later—"

"Hm, could it be… Khun Maschenny, who just completed her royal investiture today?"

"…..?"

Both of us turned toward the voice at the same time.

My gaze first dropped downward.

There stood a gray-haired dwarf, staring at us.

But he wasn't the one who spoke.

My eyes shifted upward—to the woman standing beside him.

Jet-black hair, glowing red eyes, and a density of Shinsoo that was clearly extraordinary.

No need to think further—she was from the Ha family.

As I observed her, Maschenny, who seemed to recognize her, stepped forward.

"Not Khun Maschenny—Maschenny Zahard. Nice to meet you, unni."

"Who are you calling 'unni'? I'm sorry, but I consider all Zahard Princesses from the Khun family—who fall in love and run away—as potential traitors. So don't call me that. It's disgusting."

Twitch—

I saw a vein bulge slightly on Maschenny's forehead.

So she's poking at the history of Khun-born Princesses running away, huh… What a lovely way to speak.

With her signature cold smirk, Maschenny replied:

"Oh my, if I recall correctly, when the Arie and Khun families produced Zahard Princesses after the first generation, the Ha family failed to produce even one."

"…What? What are you talking about? I'm right here—"

"Oh, right. There was you. Ha family Princesses tend to lack presence, so they slip my mind sometimes. Not that it matters much anyway. By the way… what was your name again, unni?"

Maschenny chuckled softly.

The Ha Princess's red eyes flashed.

She strode forward toward Maschenny.

"Ha…! You really have a talent for pissing people off. Are you seriously provoking me right now?"

"Oh, I'm impressed. You're not as dull as I expected from the Ha family—you noticed right away."

"You little—"

The Ha Princess suddenly reached out toward Maschenny—

But her hand never reached.

"….? An Arie…? What are you?"

I had stepped in front of Maschenny, grabbing her wrist.

"Please don't come any closer."

"How dare a mere guard of a fledgling Ranker Princess—!"

A dark crimson Shinsu began to rise from her body.

As I prepared to gather my own—

Someone grabbed me from behind and shoved me back.

Maschenny…? Why?

"Stay out of this. This is a matter for the royal family."

Pushing me aside, she stepped forward instead—right up to the Ha Princess's face.

The Ha Princess smirked, baring her fangs.

"Heh, so you're not a coward hiding behind your guard."

"A Zahard Princess must always stand at the front. By the way… what was your name again? Calling you 'unni' feels like a waste of the word."

"Fufu… It's been a while since I've met someone this insane. I'm Vellen Zahard. Do you know why I came all the way here to see someone as disgusting as you? I came to give you a warning."

Vellen Zahard pointed her finger right in front of Maschenny's eyes.

"You've been planting too many spies within the royal family since your time as a Regular. The other sisters are quite displeased. When your turn comes, behave yourself and crawl before us. Don't try to rise above your station. If you keep expanding your pathetic little influence and annoy us, I'll gouge out those unpleasant eyes of yours."

Maschenny stared at her without the slightest reaction.

Then, she sneered.

"Heh… how pathetic."

"…What?"

"So in the end, you came all this way just to throw around cheap threats because you're afraid your stagnant faction might be shaken? Even calling you 'unni' is a waste. You're not a warrior, not a Zahard Princess—just an old glass slipper no one looks at anymore. Were you comfortable rotting away in that dusty display case—"

Smack—

Maschenny's head snapped to the side.

"..."

Vellen's breathing grew heavier, her face flushing red.

"Haa… haa… How dare you…"

Maschenny slowly turned her head back, her expression utterly indifferent.

"What, are you going to rely on your current advantage in strength? How very Ha family of you—crude and lacking even the slightest dignity of a Zahard Princess."

Maschenny cupped Vellen's heated face with a cold hand, then let out a light chuckle.

"Vellen Zahard, you know… you've already lost to me. I don't stay interested in trash I've already beaten. So, why don't you disappear now?"

"Ha… hahaha! Fine, you win. But I can't let this go!"

Crack—!

Vellen violently knocked Maschenny's arm away and pulled her other arm back.

An immense density of Shinsu compressed into her muscles, releasing an energy that looked ready to explode at any moment.

With a crazed smile, baring her fangs, Vellen spoke:

"You fearless bitch. Without power, you think being a Zahard Princess is enough to survive just by running your mouth?"

BOOOOM—!!

With a deafening explosion, Vellen Zahard's fist—driven by overwhelming physical strength—shot toward Maschenny.

Even at that moment, Maschenny remained expressionless, only raising the corner of her lips in a cold sneer.

Just before the fist could connect, her entire body was wrapped in blue lightning.

But she didn't need to act.

Because I didn't allow it.

BOOOOM!!!

A burst of dark crimson Shinsu exploded outward.

As the dust settled, Vellen Zahard's expression changed in real time.

Her fist—meant to strike Maschenny—had been effortlessly blocked by a pure white blade.

"H-Hoaqin?"

"You didn't think I'd just stand by while you laid a hand on her, did you?"

"Arie, who do you think you—!"

"Quiet."

Slash—

A spray of red blood shot into the air.

A hand fell limply to the ground.

Was it that hand? The one that touched Maschenny?

It didn't matter.

I could just cut the other one too.

"….Huh?"

"P-Princess Vellen Zahard!"

As Vellen hastily tried to stop the bleeding, swallowing her pain, and the gray dwarf rushed toward her in panic—

I turned to Maschenny.

"Maschenny, can I kill her?"

"…What?—Wait, Hoaqin, sto—"

Maschenny belatedly rushed toward me in alarm, but I ignored her.

I looked forward again and swung Baekya once.

In the moment of her hesitation, she had already been cut.

Vellen Zahard didn't even see the blade—she only realized she'd been slashed.

"…..!!"

Slash—

Baekya lightly grazed her neck.

A thin red line appeared instantly, and blood began pouring from it in less than a second.

She desperately pressed her neck to stop the bleeding, staring at me with fear-filled eyes.

I like that look.

"Cough…! Hoaqin…? D-Don't tell me… White Whale…!"

Vellen Zahard seemed especially shocked—but the one surprised was me.

"Hm? It didn't cut through?"

"...!"

Haha. As expected from a Ha family body—pretty tough.

Guess I'll just have to cut again.

After all, she laid a hand on Maschenny.

I can't let her live.

"Did you say your name was Vellen Zahard?"

"...."

"Die."

Slash—!!

Scarlet blood scattered everywhere.