Level 0 Master

"That's not true. I was resting and feeling the breeze next to you."

"I'm glad to hear that..."

"Did you enjoy it?" asked Sungjin.

Ereka tried to answer, "I… yes… I..."

Ereka looked at Sungjin and then looked around. Then she realized something.

"Yes, I had a lot of fun. I was dreaming about this for a while."

"What dream?"

"As a successor of the throne… I need to protect the kingdom and the people… and that keeps me busy… but one day… I wanted to go on a picnic… with someone nice… and enjoy the nature… and..."

Ereka couldn't say the words she had in mind and looked down.

"Sorry, Sungjin. I organized this for you, but it was my dream as well."

She dreamed of going on a picnic with a guy she liked or with her friends. She gave up this dream a long time ago, but now, her dream had already come true.

A royal princess of a kingdom.

The princess knight who protected the people.

But underneath her gown and armor, she had a tiny hope of being an ordinary girl.

"Great. Let's do it again after this battle."

"Huh? Re… really?"

"Why not? Let's do this again."

"I… really… wish… we could...do it again."

Ereka prayed.

Walking next to Sungjin, sitting next to him while enjoying a little picnic lunch together in nature...

That would be real happiness.

It would be amazing if she had no worries and could simply enjoy the moment.

Also...

If she could finish the unfinished task of the day, that would make her the happiest person in the world.

"We'll defeat the Blood Ruler and come back. I promise."

"Yes...Sungjin… Let's do that. I can't wait!"

Ereka showed a bright smile.

That was not the face of a strong and graceful princess knight, but an ordinary girl who was dreaming of a picnic—no, a girl who was less than ordinary who couldn't even enjoy that kind of simple picnic.

"Well. Let's go then. We will be back."

"Yes, Sungjin."

Ereka's steps were light and springy on her way back.

She tried to protect her kingdom at all costs. She was pushing herself because there was nobody else. It was the first time she felt protected by someone after her late father.

I've been dreaming of… having someone… who would protect and… love me…?

Love… was an unclear part, but at least she felt protected.

That was close.

That was very close. He couldn't count how many times he imagined having her.

This was not something crazy for guys his age, but today, there were so many chances he almost lost control.

When she was leaning on him, he almost took her and kissed her. If he did, he was not sure he could have stopped with just a kiss.

Hah. That was really close.

What if he couldn't control himself.

She is too nice to reject me.

She thought she had to pay him back for his help, and the other day, she told him she would serve him in bed if he wanted it. He rejected it though, because that would be the worst of the worst, he thought. If he helped someone in danger and asked for their body as payment, that couldn't be seen "help."

People think she is a strong princess knight, but she is just a fragile and young girl when I see her like this.

She was the shield of the people, but who would protect the shield?

Sungjin wanted to be the one who protected her.

Rest when you are in my arms.

She made him dream of something different than what he dreamed of on earth.

On earth, his dream was to become a world champion by defeating all his strong enemies fair and square, and to have the audience cheer for the game. That was it. On earth, the game was just a sport. It was nothing more than a sport with money, honor, and pride at stake.

But here, there was a kingdom at stake, and the happiness of poor and cherishable people.

How he acted and what kind of result he brought could really change things and make him a great legend.

Or the opposite.

I will protect them so that I can be proud of myself.

If he couldn't protect this lovely girl, there would be no glory in his victory. Saving this poor girl had to be another priority, along with the glory of defeating the strong enemy.

So I won't take this beautiful and charming body just to satisfy myself because I want to protect her not just from the villains but from myself as well.

He told himself this. He didn't even touch her when he let Ereka sleep in his arms.

He kept promising himself that they'd come back for a picnic because he was determined that he would make it possible again.

* * *

The picnic ended peacefully and joyfully, but that night, the maids surrounded Ereka to ask her what happened. Jenna sat in a corner pretending she was not listening

"Did you make it happen?"

"I don't know what was wrong, but Sungjin didn't take me."

"Really?!"

"Yes."

"Oh my God..."

Jenna's knife tail sharpened.

What?! He didn't take her even when she did all that?

"Maybe he didn't feel it because I was not charming enough?"

"We thought you made it because you looked so happy."

"But..."

Ereka blushed with shyness.

Jenna signed to the maids with her eyes.

"Would you like to share with us? So that we can plan for the next time."

"Okay."

Ereka explained everything from the start.

"Hmm. So that is what happened."

"Yes. It was a bit far from our plan, but he said he enjoyed it and wanted to do it again. I was just so happy. But maybe I am not woman enough for him."

"That is..."

The maids looked at each other. They didn't know what to make of his actions.

Jenna firmly grabbed an empty bottle.

What is going on?

Sungjin Oppa didn't like the princess…? That is not the case. It is impossible that he doesn't like her.

And well, it was more than obvious that the princess was head over heels for Sungjin. So why did nothing happen during their secret rendezvous?

When Sungjin didn't call the princess to his bed at first, he had his philosophy that he wouldn't do it without love. But this time, what is the matter?

A guy and a girl at their age, if they liked each other, wouldn't that the end of the story? Even without a picnic, wasn't it normal to knock on the girl's window at night?

So why. Why?

Unfortunately, Jenna didn't grow up in an era of Romeo and Juliet. Jenna was smart but was too young to understand the difference between dating and marriage.

"I was just happy to hear that he wanted to do it again. Was that too naive?"

Ereka revisited her memories, and Jenna's tail stiffed.

Sungjin Oppa, what the...! You can't leave a girl hanging like this!

But she couldn't let the princess be worried and sad like this. She quickly whispered to the Wind Spirit Stone on the other end of the hammer, and the maids followed her order.

"No, Your Highness. In our opinion, it was not that Sungjin didn't want you."

"R... really?"

Ereka's face became slightly brighter.

"He... he didn't… take you… because..."

"Because...?"

Jenna's tail was spinning rapidly.

"Maybe there is a custom not to take a girl before a huge battle?"

"I heard there's such a tradition in a faraway land."

"Or since he is level 0 now, maybe he thought it was a little too early for that."

"I think that makes sense. He needs a victory to take his power back, and then he can make a baby who is strong."

"Ah… that makes sense."

Ereka nodded in agreement.

"Either way, he said that he wanted to go back after the battle against the Blood Ruler. We believe he means to do it at a time after the battle."

"Okay!"

Ereka found her bright smile again. There were so many reasons she had to defeat the Blood Ruler. Now, there was one more.

She wanted to go back on a picnic with him to make real love. That dream filled up her heart.

That's what you meant.

She thought he just wanted to have another picnic, and she was already happy enough at that.

This time… after defeating the Blood Ruler...

Ereka touched her cheeks and closed her eyes.

She thought of the moment when she fell asleep in Sungjin's strong arms. She felt shy but also very, very happy.

Just that much made her so happy. What kind of happiness would she feel when she really became his lover and was loved by him passionately?

The maids teared up while looking at an excited Ereka.

Jenna hid her tears behind the pillar.

Oh my, princess. I'm so happy that you are happy.

Her tail rolled into a fist shape.

Count on me. I will make you two work.

The princess needed happiness.

I have no idea why Sungjin Oppa didn't take the princess today though...

The story she told the princess was to make the princess feel better. But when the battle against the Blood Ruler was over, she would get rid of all the obstacles to find their happiness.

She could follow after that.

* * *

Chapter 14

The day of battle had come.

Sungjin, Ereka, Rittier and Jenna departed for the battlefield. This time, it was quite far, so they activated a Portal Stone. A Portal Stone helped them to move long distances in a second, but it was expensive.

The people cheered for them as they crossed the portal.

"Your Highness... defeat the enemy."

"Please defeat the Blood Ruler."

"Don't let me be a slave of the Blood Ruler again. I will pray for your victory!" a woman shouted with tears, holding a child in her arms.

"My oldest daughter was sacrificed for the Blood Ruler's bath. And the second daughter was abused and killed by the three knights. Help me… to … save… this youngest child..."

Among them, there was Nania, who was saved right after their battle against the three knights.

"Please win."

She couldn't even imagine becoming a prisoner again.

They were rather begging than cheering.

"Sungjin. Please have us win," pleaded Ereka, making Sungjin smile.

"I promise. Anyways, winning is my thing, but this time, there are more reasons to win."

"Yes, Sungjin."

Ereka saluted as a gesture that she would give him her everything.

* * *

There were flocks of crows on the way to the temple.

The unpleasant smell of blood from 20 dead bodies strung up and dripping blood into a bathtub was filling up the air.

There was Raid and her sword in it, and next to her, the three knights were standing like servants.

The blood queen who was full of magical and s.e.x.u.a.l power.

At the same time, she was a disaster and despair to the people.

"Finally."

"Ah. Yeah. Finally, here to defeat you."

The eyes of Riad and Sungjin sparked.

"Hahaha. A weak extra like you will defeat me?"

Riad stood up laughing. Blood drops rolled down following her curvy, magical body to show the destructive and enchanting charm of darkness.

"You will miserably fail against an awakened ruler."

"Sure. That confidence. That's what my prey normally sounds like."

Sungjin grinned without stepping back. Her arrogance was the weak point that Sungjin could attack with his intelligence.

"Prey? Hahaha. There are millions of dead bodies I take as prey."

Riad held her magical sword, and the blood in the tub got s.u.c.k.e.d into the magical sword at once.

"On the other hand, you didn't even take the princess who volunteered to become a sacrifice."

"Hmph. Lions don't eat any meat. Only a hyena eats everything, even if it is rotten."

Sungjin snapped his fingers.

"Lion? Power is power! Your weakness is your theories. I will eat you alive!"

"Dream on. Until I wake you up."

Both assured of their victory, they walked into the waiting room with confidence. They were all in for today's battle.

The winner would take the kingdom, while the loser would become a prisoner at the winner's mercy. And this battle would decide if the future would be a heaven or hell for the extras. This was the final battle. There was no going back.

But they were only equal in their confidence. The princess's team couldn't hide their anxiety, while the three knights on the Blood Ruler side showed confidence.

Moreover, the people who came out to cheer for the princess predicted the result, which was far from their wishes.

"But… do you think she can win?"

"Ha… probably not."

"But still… she is fighting for us."

"She is our only hope."

They wanted to clutch onto anything, even if it was a straw, so the extra class people wished for the victory of the princess.

But a straw was just a straw. That wouldn't help you float. That was the reality, and all the people who were able to analyze the forces and abilities of each side saw that.

Not only the heroes were certain of the Blood Ruler's victory.

"Haha, your kingdom sent you as well?"

"Well, this is the best chance to build up a relationship."

There were ambassadors sent from other countries.

Other countries looked into this internal war, and they were sure that the Blood Ruler would unify the kingdom with her awakened power. They sent out ambassadors to celebrate the Blood Ruler's victory in advance.

"Haha. That is true. We brought a set of huge diamond necklaces and earrings."

"We prepared more. We prepared an actual-size golden statue of the Blood Ruler."

"Ugh..."

"Hahaha. You both are not really prepared. We brought both the golden statue and diamond accessories!"

They competed to see who could suck up to the Blood Ruler the most with their money and presents.

It was not actually their money but was squeezed out of taxes.

It was a pathetic competition. Although they thought it was a patriotic strategy, it was certain that the Blood Ruler would rule the world.

The princess was level 6, Rittier and Jenna were level 5, and Sungjin was level 0.

On the other hand, the Blood Ruler had three, level 6 knights. That already showed the advantage of the Blood Ruler. But the Blood Ruler had defeated the three knights with one blow. The military power was absolutely imbalanced, with the princess on the disadvantaged team.

Last time, the princess used a gimmick and defeated the three knights... But that was against the three knights; their tricks had no chance against the Blood Ruler.

There were big differences between dominating with your level and winning once with a tactic.

One's level was an absolute power whenever and wherever, while a plan wouldn't work twice against the same opponent. There was no way the three knights would make the same mistake again, and there was no hope on the princess's side.

* * *

[3... 2… 1... 0.]

With the declaration of the Valkyrie, the battle started.

The southern territory map was 4:4. There were paths on the upper and lower side of the map where the minions were marching, and there was a huge forest between two paths where there were many neutral monsters. The big frame of the geography was not too far from the battle for the capital.

But the forest was wider, the neutral monsters were stronger, and there was a crystal generator where they could just pick up crystals. That meant that taking the forest was important in having the upper hand with using items.

"Ereka. Head to the top lane. The Blood Ruler will go to the shorter lane where there are more minions," Sungjin explained.

"Yes, Sungjin."

"Jenna, you take the bottom lane. Hold out as much as you can around the turret."

"Yes, Sungjin Oppa."

Everyone answered, but they couldn't hide the anxiety in their eyes.

"Sungjin… can we really make it? They are much stronger… can we win?" Ereka asked again.

"Well, they are absolutely stronger. I get that."

He was facing reality.

"But there is an expression called "throwing" that we used to use in games on earth."

"'Throwing' as in throwing a spear?"

"No, throwing a victory. It's slang for when an advantageous team is too arrogant or becomes greedy and shows their weakness, only to be defeated by the disadvantaged team."

"Okay. I've got it."

"Yes, and our enemy will throw the victory. Trust me," Sungjin assured her as Ereka slowly nodded.

Yes. Sungjin. I give everything to you.