“I see. I suppose you need that intensity. It’s the coronation of Kratos’s first queen, after all. And where is our main character, Goddess Kratos? The ceremony shall begin soon.”
“I know. I shall call her right—”
As Faris opened her right hand, the tip of the black spear peeked in from the open door. She snapped her mouth shut when she noticed it.
“Oh, Faris! I’m so glad I finally found you!” the spear cried. It hopped toward the princess. “I thought that I was hopelessly lost! I left the treasury, but I had no idea where to go! I wanted to ask for directions, but everyone seemed so busy, and they all looked so terrifying! Oh dear! I was afraid I wouldn’t make it in time for the coronation!”
The goddess noticed the girl’s silence.
“Faris? Why’re you so quiet? Oops! Um, did I actually not make it in time?”
The princess grabbed the jumping black spear and tried her best to snap it in two with both hands.
“Ack! Heeey! Stop it, Faris! You’ll snap me! I’ll be in two!”
“King Rufus, perhaps we should take our leave and head to our positions,” Lawrence said. “It’s time.”
“You’re right. Let’s go,” Rufus replied. “And Faris, don’t be too harsh on her.”
“Why’s she so mad?! I did my best to come here, you know! I tried so hard!”
“How many times must I tell you to keep your mouth shut to hide your stupidity, you useless goddess?” Faris snapped.
“I’m not useless! I’m Kratos, a bona fide goddess!”
The cheeky spear hopped up and down in retaliation. Faris threw the weapon onto the ground and stomped on it.
“Didn’t I ask you to sit still until I called for you?” Faris demanded. “How can you hop around the royal palace, and on the day of the coronation, no less? Are you an idiot? Oh, you must be.”
“B-Because no one came to fetch me! I was so anxious!”
“I told you that we’d be busy today. And if you truly cannot sit still, you could’ve teleported yourself to me. Surely, you can do that since it’s such a short distance.”
“Oooh! You’re right! You’re so smart, Faris!”
The princess kept her foot on the spear as she lifted it by the hilt. Needless to say, the spear bent in an impossible direction.
“Hey, stop that! The area where the Dragon Consort snapped me is still weak! You’ll break me!”
“Truly, it’s a pity,” Faris said. “Had it not been today, I would’ve been able to snap you in half.”
Obviously, it’d be a huge problem if the princess attended her coronation with a broken spear. She clicked her tongue with annoyance and released the handle from her grip. The Sacred Spear’s long handle wilted as though it were depressed.
“You’re so mean. I did my best, but you always bully me, Faris! My older brother did the same! He always mocked me.”
“I believe Dragon God Rave was right to do so,” Faris replied.
“Why?! Sure, he was smart and strong and handsome! Oh yeah, a long time ago, a large army that used humans as a shield tried to invade the sacred land. My brother convinced the enemies all by himself and saved all the hostages! Oh, he was so splendid back then… That made him into the God of Logic. Isn’t that amazing?”
“And we must win against such a formidable foe. You understand that, don’t you?”
“…Right.”
Faris was tempted to bend the spear again, but she didn’t have time. She picked up the spear and readjusted her grip.
“But, hey, I’m not actually trying to win against him, you know. I just want him to understand! Besides, it’s his fault for being so short-tempered! He quickly made fun of me and said I couldn’t handle it! I don’t think he’s totally wrong, but still!”
“Could you just shut up already?” Faris asked. “You’re giving me a headache.”
“Huh? Are you okay? Should I call for someone?”
“It’ll get better if you remain quiet. Just don’t make a peep or do a single thing.”
“All righty! I’ll keep my nonexistent lips sealed!”
At once, the spear froze in place, and as Faris gave a deep sigh, she was told it was time. The double doors opened and rainbow-colored light from the stained glass above the throne spilled into the room.
“But while I know my brother’s strong, he’s a very lonely guy.”
“Please, just be quiet,” Faris muttered. “I’ll really snap you in half. The coronation is starting.”
“I know him. He can’t disappear while feeling all lonely like that.”
As the goddess’s kind voice filled Faris’s ears, she snapped her mouth shut and strode forward. The mantle that dragged behind her felt incredibly heavy, even with the aid of her hem holders. It felt like the mantle was trying to prevent her from reaching the throne. But her father, who waited for her at the throne, was undoubtedly wearing a crown that was far too heavy as well.
Her brother, who had chosen to claim the Parrying Dagger to fight against the Dragon Emperor who swore to destroy all, must’ve also shouldered a very heavy burden.
“Only I can save him, you know.”
The goddess spoke firmly, her tone filled with boundless benevolence and love. Only we can save them, Faris thought. The outline of the spear melted away as the smell of flowers filled the air. The goddess, who wore a crown of flowers, manifested in front of the girl. She was a deity of love and benevolence who refused to forsake anyone. She chose not to abandon even Rave, the God of Logic, who held zero understanding of love. For the first time in several centuries, Goddess Kratos emerged for all the world to see and rang the bell to commemorate the first tiny queen of the kingdom. The solemn ringing echoed throughout the royal capital.
Only the goddess and the new queen recalled that the same bell had rung on that blizzard day when the Sacred Spear had been thrown as she’d steeled herself for a do-over.