Chapter 224: You Shall Be My Spoils of War

“Ah? Why would that happen...?”

Elvira could not understand such a cruel ending. It completely overturned everything she had been taught growing up.

“A doomed era, hopeless people, useless knights, and a nation already on the verge of collapse.”

Lance summarized the story.

“In a mess like that, it wouldn't have mattered who became king.”

Looking into the girl's eyes, he continued,

“I don't think that king failed because she didn't understand people.”

“I think she failed because she didn't understand herself, and because she didn't know how to cherish herself.”

Seeing the half-understanding expression on Elvira's face, Lance reached out and placed a hand on her golden hair, vigorously ruffling it twice.

“I'm not telling you this to deny the kindness in your heart.”

“I'm telling you because becoming that sort of person doesn't automatically make you a king who can satisfy everyone.”

“The trial you're experiencing may simply be the world's idealized image of what a king should be. People dream of being led by someone like that.”

“But ruling is complicated. Being a good person isn't enough.”

“That kind of limitless self-sacrifice only breeds greedy and ungrateful people.”

Lance withdrew his hand and looked at the little tuft of messy hair sticking up from the top of her head.

He could not help laughing.

“Before becoming a king remembered by future generations, you need to become yourself first.”

“Become the Elvira who feels wronged, who laughs loudly, and who cries in the marketplace over a few spoiled apples.”

In truth, Lance was projecting the lingering regret he carried for that character from his previous life onto the girl before him.

Seeing that she seemed to have taken his words to heart filled him with a sense of satisfaction.

But he did not know what happened when one person integrated another person's beliefs into themselves and became more complete because of it.

In Elvira's eyes, the firelight illuminated Lance's smiling face.

At that moment, she clearly felt as if a dragon deep within her heart was roaring.

Conquer him! Claim him!

When she followed Lance's advice to become herself, the first thing she heard was her own desire screaming.

The bloodline of the Dragon-blooded within her boiled violently.

It seemed to be shouting at her.

Push him down!

Push him down!

You're stronger than him!

He definitely won't be able to resist!

Lance watched Elvira stare blankly at him with unblinking eyes.

She looked completely overwhelmed by his profound wisdom.

“What's wrong?”

he asked in confusion.

Elvira's gaze suddenly refocused.

Then a completely unrelated sentence popped out of her mouth.

“It's summer right now!”

The girl stared directly at Lance, her voice bright and clear.

“I like summer too.”

Several enormous question marks practically appeared above Lance's head.

That topic jump was way too abrupt.

Weren't they discussing kingship just moments ago?

Over the following days, the relationship between the two became even closer.

They even held an eating contest at one of the city's taverns.

Faced with plate after plate of grilled meat,

Lance ultimately suffered a crushing defeat against this unexpectedly formidable girl.

Together, they climbed the towering city walls and sat side by side atop the stonework, watching the sunset beyond the distant plains.

Together, they wandered through streets and alleys, tasting every famous delicacy Golden Harvest City had to offer.

The days passed one after another.

In a trial world like this, once someone became accustomed to another person's presence, parting would often leave only regret behind.

The tenth day arrived.

It was the day the trial ended and they would leave the Astral Realm.

Standing in the courtyard and looking at the empty house,

Lance unexpectedly felt a trace of reluctance.

He truly had grown accustomed to the presence of that blonde girl.

But just like finishing a game,

every story eventually reached its conclusion.

Sooner or later, he would have to say goodbye to the girl who could eat seven meat pies in a single meal.

After collecting himself, Lance hoisted the heavy spear onto his shoulder.

This trial had already been completed perfectly.

Now it was time to head to the canyon and receive his Heroic Spirit Blessing.

Pushing open the wooden door, he prepared to leave.

As his gaze swept across the porch, he noticed something.

Resting quietly atop the stone pillar used for hanging lanterns was a polished red apple.

Lance smiled knowingly.

Picking it up, he took a large bite.

Sweet juice burst across his mouth.

Holding the half-eaten apple aloft, he waved without turning around.

Even he did not know whether he was saying farewell to this world...

or to a certain person.

After a long journey, he finally arrived at the Canyon of Kings.

A massive waterfall thundered down from towering cliffs, filling the air with mist and forming a brilliant rainbow.

Below the falls stretched a flat stone shore, where streams flowed over smooth pebbles into the distance.

Carrying his spear, Lance stepped into this core region.

As he passed through the mist and saw the scene before him, his footsteps abruptly halted.

Standing before a statue that held an inverted sword was a tall figure.

She wore a magnificent silver-and-blue battle dress.

Golden hair drifted softly amidst the moisture.

In her hand, she tightly gripped the radiant Sword of Kingship.

Looking at that familiar face,

Lance could not hide his surprise.

“Elvira?”

Before she could respond, the system interface appeared.

【Trial Instance: Epic of Kings (Final Phase)】

【Coronation Ceremony Officially Begins!】

【The gears of fate begin to turn. The Heir of the Red Dragon and the Chosen of the White Dragon have finally met within this Canyon of Kings.】

【Here, you shall continue the unfinished "War of the Twin Dragons" from long ago!】

【Combat Rules: There is no retreat and no need for mercy. Use everything you have learned in your lifetime and defeat the destined rival before you without reservation. The victor shall be crowned the sole king of this canyon!】

【Note: This duel has attracted the attention of the Hall of Valor. You are currently being observed by Heroic Spirit Clovis, Heroic Spirit Lothair, and Heroic Spirit Leonidas!】

【Trial Reward: The winner of this battle will gain 1 Astral Legend Point and receive the blessings of all three Heroic Spirits, combining into a unique Blessing.】

The corner of Lance's mouth twitched violently twice.

Now he finally understood everything.

After all this time, Elvira had never been some native NPC generated by the Astral Realm.

She was also a trial participant who had entered from the Material Realm to undergo the Heroic Spirit Baptism!

And the sword in her hand was the very Sword of Kingship he had placed back into the stone.

No wonder the poor girl had suffered so much.

He also finally understood why Heroic Spirit Clovis had been staring at him every day.

Of course!

From the perspective of a founding monarch, seeing his blood descendant spending every day beside someone with a notoriously questionable reputation—

how could he not keep a close watch?

“Boy! What are you standing there for?!”

Ascalon's voice exploded inside Lance's head.

“That's the Sword of Kingship! She's Clovis's descendant! Hahahaha! Fate! This is fucking fate! The battle Lothair never finished back then has all landed on your shoulders today!”

Actually, Lance had always carried one question.

He had heard the story of the founding monarchs before.

Yet both the system notifications and Ascalon seemed to imply that the Red Dragon and White Dragon had never actually settled their conflict.

But every legend said that the Red Dragon defeated the White Dragon.

Before he could think further,

Elvira moved.

Holding the Holy Sword radiating golden light, she stepped through the splashing water and slowly approached him.

Gone was her usual adorable clumsiness.

She stared at Lance intently.

Within those emerald-green eyes, Lance sensed something dangerous.

Not danger to his life...

It felt more like...

a dragon gazing upon treasure.

“When you saw my spear, you probably already knew I was here for the Heroic Spirit Baptism too, didn't you?”

Lance looked at her and joked,

“If I'd known we'd end up here together today, I would've added twice as many peppers to last night's barbecue.”

“Too late, Lance.”

Elvira locked her gaze onto his eyes.

At this moment, she radiated an aggressiveness completely unlike her usual self.

“That night, you told me that before becoming a king, I first needed to become myself.”

“I listened.”

Taking a deep breath, Elvira no longer concealed the desire boiling inside her heart.

“So I've made my decision. Not only will I become the king who drew the Holy Sword...”

“I'll become a king who cries, laughs, gets angry, and fiercely clings to everything she loves...”

Suddenly raising the sword and pointing its tip directly at Lance's chest, she revealed a dazzling smile.

“...a greedy king!”

“I'll defeat you as well!”

“You shall be my final spoils of war in this trial!”

That way...

my feelings will finally reach him.

Elvira thought.

Letting him witness her most embarrassing moments had been her greatest regret over these past days.

But fortunately...

Here, she still had one chance to reverse that impression.

Lance, I will show you my most brilliant self.

As one of the greatest geniuses of the Royal Capital—

Crimson Red Crown Dragon · Elvira.