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

57 – The Mop Kingdom

Tessa Square.

The heart of Terosa.

In preparation for the onslaught of monsters, Rosalia not only reinforced the city walls directly defending the borders but also efficiently and robustly revamped the internal defense systems of the city. Thanks to these efforts, the entire nation had become a massive fortress capable of withstanding most external attacks.

The problem, however, was that no matter how robust a fortress was, if an enemy infiltrated unnoticed and caused chaos from within, even the most impenetrable defense systems could easily be neutralized.

And that was precisely the situation Tessa found itself in now.

While Rosalia and Handro were fortifying the defense systems, they had predicted that the monsters appearing in Terosa from the Gerbana Taylor Principality would attack through the western border. Based on this prediction, they concentrated their external defenses, reinforcing them to build a strong line of defense.

At least, with the attention to internal defense, they had bought enough time to request help through the letter.

Monsters appearing through unexpected routes. Rosalia’s mind began to ache as if it were being crushed by something.

“They came out from underground…?”

Upon reflection, monsters had emerged from the ground before. Back then, it was considered a simple ambush. However, for them to pop up in the middle of Tessa Square, kilometers away from their origin in the Taylor Principality, suggested that these monsters might be spread throughout the entire underground of the continent.

“Underground, could it be…?”

If the hypothesis just formulated was true, the battles they were currently fighting weren’t just about hunting monsters for the sake of freely wandering outside the castle walls or securing safe trade routes. The losses were significant, and the intense battles they faced today might not just be a war that would end after a few more victories.

It might be a long and arduous war, possibly one that would determine the survival of all humanity.

While Rosalia was absorbed in thoughts close to despair, as if proving those hypotheses, new letters began to arrive in front of her one by one.

“Your Majesty! Numerous monsters are emerging from North Tessa, breaking through the ground and slaughtering residents! It’s so difficult to stop them with the forces we had stationed!”

“Your Majesty! Monsters have appeared throughout the entire Latvia region!”

“The Church is requesting support! In Rome, numerous monster organisms are attacking the Church’s fortress! The holy knights are doing their best to fend them off, but it seems they won’t last much longer!”

Monsters were pouring in from all over, devouring everything in their path.

“What on earth is happening…”

The Queen closed her eyes quietly amidst the chaos. It seemed like her heart was becoming somewhat eased.

Shortly after making a decision, Rosalia quietly picked up the dagger.

Even as she did, requests for help continued pouring in from various areas. Ignoring them all, Rosalia made sure no one followed her and entered the quiet forest alone.

And then, she cut off her own breath.

…5

***

Rubbing her gritty eyes, Rosalia got up from the darkened study desk.

It had been five years since she had taken down Cyclops Pepe, or rather, since Handro had died.

The regal air that once emanated from Rosalia was nowhere to be found.

Her once lustrous locks now tangled and split at the ends, her once subtly radiant skin now dull like mildew on wallpaper.

The glory of Terossa, where she had triumphed over demons in war, was now a thing of the past.

Lately, for some reason, past events had begun appearing in her dreams once again.

The day she had ended her own life to escape the relentless appearance of demons across the continents, after having vanquished those in the Taylor Kingdom, was haunting her.

Back then, they had even called the demons “monsters” instead of using the term “demons.”

“Hahaha… Seems like not much has changed from back then.”

-Boom!

The study door swung open harshly, and attendants rushed in with grave expressions, their mouths busy conveying dire news one after another.

“Your Highness! Most of the western territories have fallen to Yans Taylor!”

“The Northessa Guard has surrendered to the sect. They are now right above us…”

“The suppression of the rebellion in Radvia is facing more resistance than anticipated! Our forces are suffering increasing casualties!”

“The southern border has been breached by armed non-humans!”

“Your Highness… Three officers were arrested for possession of narcotics. They are being transferred to Tesan’s underground prison.”

The dream she just had seemed to overlap with many aspects of reality. The only difference was that the tormenting presence wasn’t demons but something else entirely.

Depressing news, each one heralding the downfall of Terossa.

Watching the attendants relentlessly relay this medley of grim tidings, the Queen showed no particular reaction until she casually remarked.

“This time, if we die, it’s really over.”

The startled attendants exchanged glances at her words, completed their reports, and left the study.

Alone again in the now empty study, Rosalia let out a bitter laugh.

“How did it come to this? Where did it all go wrong?”

Her current life, living on her tenth and final chance, had been smooth sailing in every aspect.

The demons’ information had been sufficient, and they had effortlessly recruited exceptional talents to defeat them.

They even emerged victorious in the war, breathing life back into the recovered land.

Having promised marriage to the warrior, she handed over the throne, knowing it was now her turn to step back. Having sacrificed herself nine times, she had given everything to Terosa. That should have left her with an honorable retirement.

If only Wolfgang hadn’t betrayed her.

Rosalia was plagued by a sort of compulsion in the recurring cycles, feeling the need to eliminate anything even remotely risky beforehand.

Moreover, the thought of never being able to relive those cycles made her think and act even more cautiously.

“The Heir of Divine Authority.”

Of course, it was a great and powerful ability that had saved humanity from the demons.

And that was the problem.

Wolfgang, the person?

He was an individual revered by all, someone who walked perpetually close to righteousness, knowing how to wield his power in the right places.

But ultimately, he was still human.

No one knew when or how a change in his mindset might occur.

That uncertainty was an underlying cause of anxiety for Rosalia.

Sensations gained through numerous experiences.

Rosalia could never ignore that feeling.

And the warrior Adeus seemed to have pierced through that very sentiment.

His plan to execute him after the war soothed Rosalia’s unease.

Everything went according to plan.

She turned the remaining high-ranking members of the council to her side, and with their power, succeeded in bringing down Wolfgang.

Only when Wolfgang disappeared entirely would her role finally come to an end, Rosalia thought.

She had no doubts about that thought.

However, ironically, everything started unraveling from the moment she thought it was all over.

Wolfgang escaped, and the warrior Adeus was slain by him.

Haganess returned to Rom and seized control of the clergy.

The captain of the guard, who had first tracked Wolfgang, returned as a corpse.

Casey and Tendrial, who set out to find Wolfgang, attempted to kill each other, and eventually, Casey met his end at Tendrial’s hand.

The returning Tendrial, using their subordinates and necromancy, inflicted significant damage on the royal palace, forcing Rosalia to make drastic decisions to contain them.

It was a choice that cost the lives of half the population.

That fact spread throughout Terosa, infuriating its people.

The discontented public continued to rebel from various corners.

Within the crumbling security, crime rates soared, and once again, drugs circulated the streets.

Under the pretext of heresy judgment, the faction led by Haganess began attacking Terosa.

Thought to be dead, Jens Taylor seized control of the western border, and voices demanding independence echoed in the Latvi region.

In the midst of such turmoil, Rosalia pondered the revelation she received in her dreams (or so she believed).

With a firm conviction that her role was not yet finished, she somehow managed to survive.