Chapter 22: The Rumor of the “Golden Spirit” Spreading Through the Royal Capital

Elizabeth and Sylphi, the two strongest individuals in the kingdom, had been routed.

News of their defeat spread quickly, sending shockwaves through the land before Allen’s Territory could even celebrate its victory.

The golden light that destroyed the hot spring bathhouse cut through the thick frontier fog, reached far-off neutral cities, and even caught the attention of astrologers in the Royal Capital of Luminous.

A few days later, rumors were already flying around the taverns and plazas of the royal capital.

“Did you hear? They say a legendary golden holy beast appeared in the ‘Twilight Forest’ out on the frontier.”

“No, that’s not what I heard. The rumor is that a ‘Beautiful Golden King’ who commands the holy beast repelled the First Queen’s forces all by himself.”

“Apparently, that person is attended by a lightning knight who can shatter mountains with a single swing, and a giant serpent capable of destroying countries… Just who in the world is he?”

As the rumors spread, they became exaggerated. The real story of Allen as a ‘fluffy mascot’ was hidden behind a new legend of a mysterious, powerful figure.

These rumors spurred three types of people into action.

First came adventurers hoping for fortune. Next were ambitious people from nearby countries wanting to use that power. And finally—

“…Hmph. A Golden King, is it? Don’t make me laugh.”

Inside a room in the royal castle, young mages in indigo robes sat in the Court Mage seats where Luna once sat. They listened to the report, visibly nervous.

Elizabeth received the report, calmly polishing her nails with a grace that showed no sign of her recent defeat at the hot springs.

“So little Allen has called himself a ‘King.’ …I’m so happy. Has his rebellious phase finally ended, and he’s ready to stand on his own two feet? …If so, then I shall swallow up that ‘country’ of his whole.”

Her eyes held a deep, intense love she had never felt before.

— Meanwhile, at the goldAt the same time, in the golden log house.na’s arms, was staring at the mountain of “letters” with his eyes rolling to the back of his head.

(…Luna, are these all addressed to me?)

“That’s right, Allen. Congratulations from the merchant guilds of the neutral cities, alliance inquiries from minor lords of neighboring countries, and… petitions from reckless adventurers wanting an ‘audience with the Golden King.’ …It’s because you flashed your [Limit Break] so extravagantly at the hot springs.”

Luna sighed, roughly but affectionately ruffling Allen’s golden fur.

“Thanks to that, my barrier is running at full capacity twenty-four hours a day. …Suspicious people have started prowling around the forest borders. …Allen, if word gets out that you look like a ‘mascot,’ kidnappers will swarm us for a completely different reason. …A bunch of perverts who want to collect the ‘cutest king in history’!”

(Ugh, please spare me from that…)

“…Please rest assured, Master. …I’ve charred every last one of those scoundrels trying to cross the border to a crisp with my lightning.”

Ferris puffed out her chest proudly, sitting down at Allen’s knees. Having “connected her soul” with Allen in the previous battle, her physical abilities had improved even further, and faint golden electrical discharges were leaking from her entire body.

“Master, you’re a ‘King.’ …In that case, as your first knight, it’s protocol for me to be all over you — I mean, stick close to you to protect you, right?”

Saying that, Ferris pressed the tip of her nose against Allen’s back and deeply inhaled his scent.

“(…U-Um, Ferris? You’re close, and it tickles…)”

“…No can do. …If I don’t breathe in my Master’s scent, my lightning won’t stabilize. …Come on, get closer, Master.”

Ferris picked Allen up and pressed him tightly against her cheek.

Her tail thumped on the floor, and her face showed clear desire, though she tried to hide it as loyalty.

“…Oh my. …It seems the stray dog is as poorly disciplined as ever.”

Misha stepped out from the corner, her pearly skin now healed from the hot spring wounds. Her tail looked thicker and stronger, ready to wrap around Allen, who now bore a golden crest, at any moment.

“…Allen-sama. …I hear some in the royal capital are calling you the ‘Golden Holy Beast.’ …If so, let us build a ‘nest’ befitting that legend. …A deep, deep labyrinth where no one else can enter, just for you and me…”

“…That’s just a confinement room! Rejected, absolutely rejected!!”

Luna screamed, wedging herself between Misha and Ferris.

“What Allen needs is the ‘dignity’ of a King, and my ‘management’ to support it! …Listen here, starting today, I’ll be deciding Allen’s schedule down to the minute. …Mornings will be magic studies on my lap, afternoons will be naps in my arms, and nights will be in my bed—”

(Luna! That’s just a list of all your own desires!)

The women’s excitement completely overpowered Allen’s response.

Even with all the chaos at home, more and more ‘new residents’ kept arriving in the territory.

Monster girls who saw Allen’s strength and were attracted by the fertile land his mana created started gathering at the borders, one after another.

“Allen-sama! Newly arrived ‘Thunderbird’ girls and ‘Iron Scorpion’ girls are requesting to pledge their fealty!”

Kuu came in to report.

(…I understand. …But give them one condition. …Tell them we will only accept those who have the will to protect this land together with us — not those whose goal is to eat me or fluff me.)

“…Master, that’s impossible. …There ain’t no way someone seeing this ‘golden mana’ of yours wouldn’t want to fluff you up…”

Ferris spat out a completely valid point while burying her face into Allen’s stomach.

Allen looked up at the sky.

The rumors in the royal capital, approaching assassins, and ever-increasing monster girls.

And the heavy pressure of being a “King” who had to unite and protect them all.

Just then, the chain around Allen’s neck pulsed sharply and coldly for a brief moment.

(…This sensation. …Elizabeth-ane-sama has made her move.)

What was transmitted through the chain wasn’t the anger of defeat, but the twisted pleasure of a hunter cornering her prey.

Elizabeth had changed her plan from taking Allen back by force to isolating him along with his sanctuary—his country.

“…Luna. …Everyone. …Playtime is over.”

Allen spoke with a dignified voice in his mascot form.

“An army is coming from the royal capital. …And it’s not just any army. …It’s a massive force sent to wipe us out, branding me a ‘traitor’ and all of you ‘pests.'”

The air in the log house froze in an instant.

“…Bring it on. …I’m not handing over this place we built to anyone. …Those guys from the royal capital, those heroines, I’ll turn them all to dust with my golden lightning!”

Ferris knelt before Allen, scattering the lightning of her loyalty.

“…Yes. …If Allen is the King, I will be his shield. …I’ve already thrown away the title of Court Mage. …I will fight as the Mage Queen of the frontier.”

Luna raised her staff high and began deploying a massive defensive barrier across the entire territory.

This was the golden territory, Allen’s Territory.

With the fluffy King at the center, girls filled with love and loyalty gathered around him.

A war fueled by overwhelming love was about to pull the whole kingdom into its path.

The curtain was finally about to rise.