The Strongest in the World Doesn’t Want To Do Anything

6 – Curtain Lifts on Chapter 6-6

“Understood.”

Confirming the queen’s promise, Haganess swiftly rose from her seat, brushing off the dust on her armor.

She tidied up her disheveled hair and tied it neatly behind her, presenting a face that didn’t resemble someone who had just been in distress and turmoil.

“I apologize for causing a commotion.”

The officers, who were facing a calm and collected voice bordering on unnerving, nodded in astonishment.

“Well… um.”

“You’ve thought well.”

Haganess, too, nodded her head.

“Your Majesty, it would be appropriate for me to stay till the end as a member of the council, but… I request permission to return to my homeland first.”

“Of course. Haganess. You’ve worked hard. Our chief of guards will escort you when you leave.”

“Thank you.”

With that, she courteously acknowledged the queen and swiftly left the palace toward the exit.

Feeling the air grow colder for some reason, the queen shivered and called for teatime with the remaining officials.

Soon, a servant brought in various cakes, cookies, and assorted teas.

“Well, now that we’re alone, let’s create a relaxed atmosphere.”

Seated around a small round table, sipping tea, the queen continued speaking.

“We’ve achieved something significant. I’m truly proud of all of you.”

“We are honored.”

“Yes. Did any of you receive promises from Adeus?”

At the queen’s question, the officials exchanged glances.

Was it because they witnessed Haganess’s promise not being fulfilled?

Perhaps sensing the suspicious intent behind the question, Casey cautiously raised a hand.

“Yes, Casey.”

“…I cautiously mention, has the hero mentioned anything to any of you?”

“Oh~ No, not at all. I already know, but I’m just double-checking. There might be discrepancies between what I know and what actually happened.”

“Is that so? Then let me speak first.”

Gazing at Casey, who seemed somehow excited, the queen nodded.

“As you may already know, I’ve been promised the position of commander of the Terosa Legion!”

Adeus had mentioned restructuring the military into a new form once he became king.

A globally inclusive military aimed at restoring and maintaining order in the shattered world. A military where anyone, regardless of origin or race, could enlist.

The strategy emerged from the belief that by consolidating diverse talents into one unified force, Terosa could wield an unprecedented level of influence, even reverting to pre-war times.

Casey had been promised a portion of the command in this tremendous military force.

Rosalía couldn’t help but feel discontent with Adeus’s conditions for the elite members of the Legion. But now, with her retreat from the throne, she tried not to dwell too much on it.

After all, she had achieved her primary goal of Wolfgang. Being recorded in history as the savior of humanity would afford her a comfortable life henceforth.

“But there’s still work to be done.”

The queen smiled, gently patting Casey’s shoulder.

“Naturally, I’ve heard~ Who else but Casey fits fundamentally as our military’s commander? A Terosa native and the former ace of the guards. What’s there to say about your marksmanship~”

Rosaria, slightly touched by Casey’s compliment, replied with a hoarse voice, “Th-thank you.”

“Yeah. As the military is being reorganized, the selection criteria for officers will also change a bit, but Casey, you didn’t take bribes or cause any incidents, right? No disqualifying reasons like that, am I right?”

“Yes… Yes?”

Upon hearing those words, Casey looked slightly suspiciously at Tendrial.

Then, swallowing her saliva, she replied with as confident a voice as possible, “Yes! That’s correct!”

“Is this something they know? Who told them? Adeus? Wolfgang? Or Tendrial?”

Before joining the special force, Casey had been an excellent security guard with a gun proficiency rate of 100%.

She was a source of fear for criminals and at the same time, an object of respect and admiration for the citizens of Terosa.

Based on her skills and reputation, she joined the special force and achieved many accomplishments even during the war.

Even this excellent and perfect-looking woman had a great secret that could invalidate everything she had built up once it became known.

“I will continue to expect great things from you, Casey.”

“Yes! I will strive to meet your expectations!”

Before the demons appeared, the greatest enemy of humanity was ‘discrimination’.

The conflict between humans and non-humans.

As humans seized power in the world, some of the marginalized non-humans formed organized criminal forces.

Among them, the leader of the largest and most notorious criminal organization, ‘Forest’, was none other than Tendrial.

“Tendrial… Such a day has finally come. The day when we sit at the same table as the leader of Forest, leisurely discussing the rewards for our victory over a cup of tea…”

“Living a long life, huh?”

“Not as long as you… but yes.”

Tendrial was 350 years old.

“Let’s leave the past in the past. What did you decide to receive?”

The elf fixed their posture and licked their lips with their tongue before speaking.

“It was about guaranteeing the release of my colleagues and the autonomy of the elves.”

“Hmm? Autonomy for the elves? As far as I know, it was the autonomous region for non-humans, right?”

“Oh… right. That’s what I meant.”

Tendrial, feeling embarrassed by the queen’s observation, tried to cover it up with laughter.

Casey closely observed the expressions of the two, as she sipped her tea.

“Well, no problem. We’ll talk about the details gradually… but just one thing.”

“What conditions are you trying to set?”

“There will naturally be no political interference in the autonomous region, but you must not forget that you are officially affiliated with Terosa. Do you understand?”

“Is there a doubt about that?”

Amidst the chaos caused by the war between humans and demons, criminal organizations seized the opportunity to run rampant.

The queen ordered Wolfgang and the faction to crack down on these criminal organizations, and the Forest led by Tendrial became their target.

In the end, the Forest was destroyed by the faction, and Tendrial was captured by Wolfgang.

Thinking she would be executed, Tendrial unexpectedly received a proposal from Wolfgang, which was to join the faction.

Although the proposal seemed suspicious with hidden intentions, she had no choice but to accept his offer and that is how she ended up where she is now.

“Next is… Chaewonso.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“You’ve suffered the most in the city.”

“No, I haven’t.”

“…The conditions of the Elementarium are already being discussed continuously in our conversation. I won’t ask separately. When do you plan to return?”

“I plan to leave before tonight ends.”

“Hmm… Alright, then see Adéus a little later and depart. It’s a long journey.”

“Sorry, but is it okay if I leave now?”

The distance from the East to Terosa was a week’s worth of travel, so Chaewonso wanted to hurry even a little.

There was also a clear longing for her hometown, but she had to move as soon as possible for her next goal.

“Alright. Take care of yourself and contact me when you arrive.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

Standing up from her seat, Chaewonso bid farewell briefly to Casey and Tendrial before exiting the palace.

“Well then, now that enough time has passed, let’s bring our warrior in as well.”

The queen stretched and got up from her seat, walking towards the tent.

Tendrial, who tried to stand up along with her, was held back by Casey.

“Don’t forget that you promised to keep the secret.”

“What secret?”

Tendrial shrugged off Casey’s hand, pretending to be oblivious, and followed behind the queen.

Feeling uneasy from her retreating figure, Casey chased after her and grabbed her arm once again.

“Please, I’m begging you. It’s all over now. You must never speak of it.”

“I see our leader is quite scared?”

Tendrial lightly caressed Casey’s cheek with the palm of his hand.

“Would you look at that? The mighty Casey has a cute side, huh?”

“Damn it, won’t you let this go?”

“Who are you raising your voice at right now? Can’t you see how things are unfolding?”

“Whether it’s the situation or whatever, I’ll kill anyone who speaks up. Be careful with your words.”

“Oh, of course, absolutely. Don’t worry, Captain.”

“Alright…”

Scream!

Startled by the Queen’s scream coming from the tent, the two hurriedly ran to her side.

Rosalia, her face drained of color, was clutching at her face.

“What’s going on? Your Majesty? What in the world…”

“This damn…”

As the tent was drawn back, they were both left speechless at the shocking sight that unfolded before them.

Someone lay sprawled in the middle of the floor, staining the pristine white marble with crimson.

Casey immediately jumped off the dais to examine the body.

Under a face so mangled it was unrecognizable, the person wore the same clothes Adewus had on.

“…It’s Adewus.”

Looking around, there was no trace of Wolfgang, who should have been lying here in the first place.