Taming The Villainesses

Episode 236.1

When the cheers subsided, Aira, holding the crystal microphone, added an explanation.

“There are no qualifications for participating in the tournament. At the end of the knights’ tournament-style matches, the winner will be granted the right to challenge me.”

And finally, she threw out a decisive statement.

“If you manage to defeat me, you will have the opportunity to become Angmar’s Gukseo.”

The term ‘Gukseo’ meant the Queen’s husband. Such a word was the furthest from Aira. 

━Did you hear that? A chance to become the Queen’s husband!

━Amazing…!

━Hoenoi! Write an article! Spread it all over the country!

━Extraaaaaa-! 

The people were so excited that even the sound of the pattering rain was drowned out. All the murmuring made the auditorium feel like it was filled with waves of noise. 

This was going to spread out of control.

I couldn’t hide my bewilderment. I never imagined Aira would hold such a tournament. At that moment, someone next to me pinched my thigh tightly.

“Hey, what’s going on? Tarantera-nim is holding a martial festival! This is your doing, isn’t it?”

Lily seemed convinced that I had pushed Aira into this. However, as I mentioned earlier, this whole affair was not discussed with me at all.

I thought things had recently calmed down, but Aira’s tendency to act on her own remained unchanged.

What was she thinking?

It was hard to believe that the lofty Queen truly wanted to find a husband through this tournament. Was there even anyone in this world who could defeat Aira one-on-one?

Having faced the tyrant Queen in the imaginary space, I had experienced firsthand how absurdly strong she was.

Aira herself would be well aware of her own strength.

Perhaps…

“Maybe Aira-sama has other ideas. To say that she’s selecting a Gukseo may simply be a plan to attract people to the tournament.”

“Other ideas?”

Lily tilted her head at my words, then gradually blushed in anger.

“I-I know that much too! I understand what the Queen is thinking better than anyone!”

“Yeah, sure.”

I answered nonchalantly, with my eyes now focused on Aira, who had descended from the stage and was approaching me. Aira Von Tarantera lightly asked me. 

“How was my speech?”

“It was excellent. You truly embodied the spirit of the Queen of July.”

First, I decided to affirm her.

Then a message appeared before my eyes.

「Daily goal achieved!」

「10. Affirm Queen Aira’s proclamation and question.”

“Ah.”

So that was how it was.

There certainly was an item like this.

Could it be that the daily goals of the astrological spell Vassago subtly predicted the things I was meant to experience today? If not, there would be no other explanation for what was happening now.

I turned my attention away from the messages. 

“Aira-nim, what’s the Gukseo tournament? I am sure you planned this with great foresight, but could you explain the reason to me?”

“The reason? Well, there are more than five rational and favorable reasons to the Angmar monarchy. But to pick the biggest one, it’s because it seems fun.”

‘Fun, huh.’

I wanted to hear the other four ‘rational reasons,’ but it didn’t seem like Aira would explain them easily. Then Lily spoke up.

“Aira-nim is getting married… Is that true? The most beautiful Queen might marry a man whose face and origin are unknown…?” 

“It hasn’t been decided yet, has it? And it might not even be a man. This tournament is open to all, regardless of age or gender.”

“W-what, that’s…?”

Lily looked like she was on the verge of fainting. However, Aira remained calm.

“Just as I said. Anyone with the resolve, bravery, and courage to face me is welcome to participate. It doesn’t matter if they are human or not.”

It might be my imagination, but Aira seemed to have already made up her mind. That was why she could address us with such a calm and consistent demeanor.

To probe Aira, I decided to make a remark.

“However, I’m not sure if there’s anyone in the world who could defeat Aira-nim. Therefore, I think the event you announced might already have a problem…”

“That might be true. Or it might not. Theo, the world is bigger than the pictures or numbers you see on a map.”

Swoosh.

Aira looked up at the ceiling. It was drowned out by the murmuring, but it was probably still pouring rain outside.

“And reality always exceeds imagination.”