Chapter 100 (end)

Day 10 of Return:
“If I, the former King and the Hero who saved the nation, become its overseer, I think the people will surely feel at ease. Besides… you all wouldn’t do anything foolish, would you? After all, I destroyed Baltoria with ease. I can do the same to Fractalia, understand?”

The nobles shrank back in fear. They remembered that Marylia possessed the absolute power of “military strength.”

And then—

“So this is what it meant for me to become a King, wasn’t it~?”

Seeing Marylia giggling lightly, they were made keenly aware—this woman truly was a monarch.

“Lady Marylia! So this is where you were!”

Marylia had just finished what could hardly be called a discussion with the nobles—more a one-sided declaration and threat—when she was approached by Cyril and the others in the courtyard.

“I-is it true that you plan to abdicate in a year and a half!?”

“Yes. Well, I’ve realized you can actually get a lot done in a year and a half. And sitting on the throne for too long… well, it’s a bit much, isn’t it~?”

When Marylia laughed cheerfully, all the knights looked bewildered, like children lost in a crowd.

“Surely not… Then, what do you plan to do afterward, Lady Marylia!?”

“Me? Hmm… I suppose I’ll take on a role overseeing the country. But if that’s the case, being too close to the center of government might be a bit, you know… maybe I’ll move to the frontier~ Not that I can return to my family home… nor do I particularly want to…”

… Thinking about “afterwards” was rather troublesome.

Marylia’s father had also attended the meeting with the nobles. But he didn’t look at her as a “biological daughter who had achieved great feats,” but rather as a “lawless new monarch intent on dismantling noble society.” Well, of course, Marylia thought, accepting it without surprise. That’s just who they are. They always have been.

“Oh, that’s right. For the organization that will oversee the country, I’m thinking of calling it the ‘Grand Cathedral.’ That way, it can also serve the purpose of aiding the people, and as long as we uphold a life of simplicity and humility, the new monarchy won’t be able to easily treat us as enemies.”

“Simplicity and humility…? But that would be far too unrewarding for you, Lady Marylia! Please, reconsider!”

“Even if you are retiring, at least somewhere warm and comfortable… We’ll make arrangements so you can spend your days peacefully!”

“That’s right… Lady Marylia, you should reward yourself in some way… do something you want to do. When you abdicate—no, even before that—you should enjoy your leisure time.”

Still, Marylia was truly blessed with her companions.

Seeing her kind comrades, who were indignant that she was bearing too much, Marylia began to reflect.

… What should she do when it’s all over? What does she want to do? Marylia had never thought about that before.

She never had the luxury to. Not during the year and a half of life on the deserted island. Not during the war. Not even before that, when she was with the Odeil family.

Marylia didn’t know what she wanted to do. She had never been in an environment where she could desire anything. She had barely even fantasized about such things.

What did she enjoy? What made her happy? Marylia had no idea.

The goal of “overseeing the country” would surely be rewarding for her, but it was still a responsibility—not something to do in her spare time.

… Still, she couldn’t come up with anything. When asked what she wanted to do, nothing came to mind.

Perhaps it was because she had turned herself into a golem. Controlling herself so thoroughly, she had begun to lose who she was. Maybe that’s what it meant to become golem-like.

Well, thinking about it won’t help, she concluded—and turned toward something that had been sitting in a corner of the courtyard.

“For now, let’s burn this. I can’t keep leaving it lying around~”

What she faced was… a kiln that had been built in the courtyard.

Yes! Marylia was finally going to fire this—containing the ashes of the former kings of Baltoria and Fractalia!

“L-Lady Marylia… what is that…?”

“Oh, this? Clay. I had it drying out. In other words, it’s golem parts. This place also serves as the execution site and grave for the former kings of Baltoria and Fractalia~”

Giving an overly multipurpose explanation, Marylia shoved the clay tablets containing ashes into the kiln. She felt as if she could almost hear the former King of Baltoria’s protests—or maybe not. It was that kind of feeling.

Then, she tossed firewood onto the grate. She placed teased-out hemp twine as tinder and struck a spark with flint—

“… Hehehe. It’s been a while since I started a fire like this~”

With a few clicks, the tinder caught fire. She blew to grow the flame, passed it to a thin branch, then to a slightly thicker one, and thicker still—until the fire blazed brightly.

Watching the flames dance, Marylia smiled—

“This is fun~”

… Marylia, almost unconsciously, let the words slip.

“… Ah.”

The moment she said it, she realized. Marylia remembered what she found enjoyable.

She loved reading alone in the attic of the Odeil mansion, hiding away.

She loved watching her knight comrades laugh and drink when they’d rented out the second floor of a tavern.

And then—

“… Starting fires, firing pottery, cutting wood, assembling things, stacking things… those kinds of things are fun, aren’t they~”

What returned to her was the memory of life on the deserted island.

It was hard starting fires. Hard getting food. But there was a joy in creating, building, and developing things.

The first time she successfully fired pottery. The time she caught prey. When she made bricks. Built a house. Discovered iron sand. Created an iron golem… All of it was fun, wonderful, and vividly colored memories.

Yes. She was truly alive. On that island, Marylia had undeniably lived with vitality.

“… That’s it~ Maybe banishment to an island really suits me.”

Marylia’s eyes sparkled.

Now that she finally knew what she wanted to do… she had no more hesitation!

“So I’ve decided—I'm going to banish myself to an island~”

“… Huh?”

Naturally, everyone around her was utterly confused!

Cyril and the knights, the retainers, all shouted in a flurry—

“Why would you do such a thing!?”

“Have you lost your senses!?”

But in the midst of all that, Marylia was in the best mood.

“Well~ If I’m going to create an agency to oversee the nation, then an island might be perfect. I could move an island near that part of the sea and keep an eye on Baltoria. It could even be a hub for trade… yes, yes, not bad at all~”

“Um, Lady Marylia…?”

“Ehehe, I’m getting excited! I feel like I can really give it my all now!”

As the bewildered soldiers watched, Marylia beamed, growing more energized by the second.

… Because Marylia was having fun!

“So first, I need to finish firing this and put it together. Ehehe, I wonder if it’ll fire well~ It’s been a while, so I’m a bit nervous~ Ehehehe.”

Well, even if she’s to return to the island someday… what Marylia needs to do now is simple.

Face the fire, and fire the golem. Forget for now about the souls of the two former kings… and just enjoy watching the pottery bake in the flames.

It seems—Marylia really likes doing this!

＋＋＋＋＋＋＋＋＋

… And that is the story of Marylia Tyfon, who would later be remembered in the history books as the “Saintess of Salvation,” the “Goddess of Deliverance,” the “Peerless Strategist,” the “Greatest Sovereign in History”… and also the “The Island-Banished Noblewoman.”

There is no doubt that she was the greatest turning point in Fractalia’s history.

While it is true that she repelled the invasion of enemy nations, what also earned her titles such as saint and wise ruler was her founding of “sanctuaries” across Fractalia, and the establishment of a “Grand Cathedral” on an offshore island to oversee them.

The sanctuaries served to receive petitions from commoners and provide aid to the poor.

And the Grand Cathedral oversaw these sanctuaries… while monitoring both the invasion of enemy nations and corruption in national governance. After abdicating, Marylia Tyfon herself presided over the Grand Cathedral and continued to protect Fractalia as its “Watchful Overseer.”

… History is ambiguous, and it’s unclear whether Marylia Tyfon truly reigned for only a year and a half. Some say her abdication kept getting postponed because the people could not bear to see her go.

And in every historical record, it’s written that Marylia Tyfon eventually moved to the isolated island with comrades who followed her almost against their will, and enjoyed not a retired life, but a “pioneer’s life” at the Grand Cathedral. This is the origin of her nickname—“The Island-Banished Noblewoman.”

… What is clear is that even now, the island housing the Grand Cathedral remains, watching over Fractalia, and standing like a silent warning to Baltoria and other nations.

And… it’s said that sometimes, even now, the island moves—just a little.

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