The Absolute Beings Obsessed with My Defeat Addiction

Yuris headed towards the palace with Reyna.

Under the shining sun, the Sun Palace glimmered brilliantly in golden hues.

Reyna wore a somewhat absent-minded expression throughout the journey.

‘What’s wrong with her?’

The energy that had intentionally clung to Yuris seemed to have vanished, and now she followed Yuris while keeping a slight distance.

“Lady Reyna, is something wrong?”

“What do you mean?”

“Your tone is different from usual today.”

“Huh? What do you mean…?”

“You’re speaking informally.”

Reyna looked flustered at Yuris’s words and tapped her mouth lightly.

“Did I, did I do that?”

“Yes. You’ve been doing it the whole time until just now.”

“I-I’m sorry. I didn’t sleep well last night, so I must have momentarily mistaken you for an old friend because you seem so familiar.”

There’s something going on.

Yuris watched Reyna retreating in confusion.

“Let’s go inside for now. Once we’re in, we need to be careful with our actions. Even if it’s a bit uncomfortable, please adhere to human etiquette.”

“Understood. I have that much patience.”

Yuris repeated several courtesies that should not be overlooked.

First, one must kneel when meeting the Emperor for the first time.

Second, one must bow their head and not raise it until the Emperor calls for them.

Third, one can only speak to the Emperor after he has finished speaking.

Lastly, one cannot approach the Emperor until he grants permission.

She informed Reyna of various other etiquettes as well.

“Alright. To be honest, there are many things I don’t want to do as an elf, but since I am a guest of the nation, I will comply. However, I cannot kneel.”

“Why is that?”

“An elf does not kneel to anyone unless it is the World Tree.”

“…I understand. The Emperor will surely forgive that part.”

In this light, Reyna seemed no different from usual.

A strange sense of discord enveloped Yuris regarding Reyna.

“Let’s go in.”

Yuris walked past the guards and knights who greeted her and headed towards the Empress.

Originally, she should have come yesterday, so her heart felt a bit heavy for being late.

‘I need to wrap this up as quickly as possible and take a little break tomorrow.’

If she took a vacation, wouldn’t she be able to visit Max?

With the hope of being able to rest, Yuris’s heart swelled.

“Inform the Empress that I have brought the high elf Reyna, who protects the Elf Forest, as part of the elf delegation.”

“Understood.”

After conveying the message, the door opened shortly after.

It was a sign to enter.

Yuris stepped inside with Reyna.

The Empress, seated in the center of the spacious hall, turned her gaze towards Yuris and Reyna.

Yuris knelt on one knee, while Reyna bowed her head.

The flowing golden hair shone brilliantly on the Empress’s head, a symbol of nobility.

With her light pink eyes, the Empress slowly opened her mouth as she looked down at Yuris and Reyna.

“Welcome, elf envoy. I have been eagerly awaiting your arrival.”

“I too wanted to see you once, the ruler of the inferior race.”

Reyna raised her head and met the Empress’s gaze without a word.

“Inferior race. How very elf-like of you.”

“Did I say something wrong? Humans are merely a lower inferior race compared to elves.”

The embarrassment she had felt just moments ago vanished, and she looked up at the Empress with sparkling eyes.

“I do not wish to engage in pointless arguments. What is the intention behind sending a delegation after keeping the doors closed until now? I naturally expected the Council of Elders to come. But a high elf… Is there perhaps danger in the forest? Should I send reinforcements like last time?”

Despite the Emperor’s remarks targeting the elves, who still acted haughty even after the Empire had helped them, Reyna spoke calmly.

“There is no need for that. Thanks to you, the Elf Forest has entered a golden age.”

“It seems the restoration has gone well.”

“Thanks to Yuris and the heroes present here.”

Reyna did not mention the Empress until the very end.

Yuris observed the Empress, who was swallowing her anger at the high elf’s refusal to acknowledge the Empire’s help.

Though her expression did not change, the aura emanating from her was completely different.

“If the purpose of your delegation is to boast, then it might be time for you to leave. You must have had a hard time traveling such a long distance.”

“Surely, I did not come all this way for such a trivial reason?”

“Was it not?”

Reyna took out a small box and a scroll from her belongings.

“…What is that?”

“This is a treaty and a gift proposed by our Elf Forest. We are now planning to open the walls that have been closed for the reconstruction of the forest and engage in some exchange.”

As the Empress waved her hand, Yuris received the scroll from Reyna and presented it to the Empress.

As the Empress opened the box first, her eyes sparkled.

“Isn’t this the Tear of the World Tree?”

“Indeed. This is our gift to the Emperor, the ruler of humans.”

“You would just give the Tear of the World Tree?”

“After all, we elves do not forget the grace we have received, unlike humans.”

“…Interesting.”

The Tear of the World Tree.

It was a beautiful gem of the elves that sparkled in blue.

Not only was it so beautiful that it could mesmerize anyone just by looking at it, but the gem itself was imbued with dense and pure mana, making it an invaluable treasure.

To create the Tear of the World Tree, the dew from the World Tree, which elves hold sacred, was needed.

The dew that forms on the leaves of the World Tree every morning is collected in a purification pool, and over decades, the sediment of the dew absorbs the fresh power of the World Tree to create this treasure.

Even elves regard it as a precious treasure that only the chairperson of the Council of Elders or a high elf can wear.

Perhaps softened by the precious gift, the Empress’s expression relaxed somewhat compared to before.

While others might think it was the same expression, Yuris could tell.

There was a different face visible behind that indifferent expression.

The Empress calmly unfolded the treaty.

As she read the treaty for a moment, the corners of her mouth lifted slightly.

“It is surprising that the elves would engage in trade with inferior humans under such outrageous conditions.”

“Indeed.”

“What is the reason?”

“…Originally, I intended to request that Yuris, who accompanied me, remain as the escort for the delegation while we traveled through the Empire.”

“I’m sorry, but that is impossible. The task Yuris has taken on is far too important, so I cannot allow it for personal reasons.”

Reyna nodded, having expected that response.

“I figured as much. So now, I will propose a different condition.”

“A different condition?”

“I would like to stay in the Empire for a while. While I am in the Empire, I would like support to ensure that I can enjoy the best escort and facilities the Empire has to offer.”

“Are you proposing such a condition for personal reasons?”

“Is that not allowed?”

“It is not that it is not allowed, but considering you claim to be noble, it is quite a personal request.”

Reyna shrugged as if it were natural.

“I have worked for years without rest to restore the forest. A few days of deviation should not matter.”

“Is that so? Understood. I will ensure that you receive the best escort and facilities available in the Empire.”

Yuris was somewhat taken aback by Reyna’s words.

‘Did Reyna just bend her stubbornness?’

In just one day?

Yuris had felt how stubborn Reyna was as an elf while accompanying her.

She was someone who believed everything should revolve around her.

Moreover, she had also sensed a strange interest from Reyna throughout their time together.

It was impossible not to notice.

She had intentionally delayed their entrance to the palace and clung to Yuris a little longer.

Could it be that Reyna had bent her conditions?

Something had felt off since this morning.

‘She really heard something.’

It was clear that Reyna had properly heard what Yuris had done at Max’s shop.

But surely Max…

‘He said he would never let it be known.’

If that’s not the case, then could it be…

‘Could it be that Max said it…?’

That was unlikely.

While he was capable, Max was a man who kept his word once he made it.

‘No way.’

It couldn’t be.

After the brief meeting ended, Reyna stood up from her seat.

“Yuris, hand over the high elf lady to the guards.”

“Understood.”

Yuris left the hall with Reyna.

As soon as they stepped outside, Reyna clicked her tongue.

“It’s not as beautiful as I expected.”

“Excuse me? What do you mean?”

“The Emperor, I mean. She’s not beautiful.”

“I cannot let that insult to the Empress go unchallenged.”

“It’s not that. That woman lacks the nobility and dignity that you possess.”

“…Excuse me?”

Reyna, who had been gazing at the door to the hall for a moment, opened her mouth again.

“How should I put it? She seems like a human filled with desire? Unlike you, who possesses noble power, she was a woman filled with some unknown desire.”

“…”

“Just like that illusionist from back then.”

“The illusionist…”

“That man named Max.”

That couldn’t be.

The Empress was someone who worked for the Empire with great nobility.

Desire, you say?

‘While I think highly of Max’s abilities…’

It was hard to honestly say he was a good person.

He was capable and charming, yes.

How should I put it?

A capable bad man?

He was a type of man she had never encountered before.

‘In many ways, he is impressive…’

Thinking of Max made Yuris’s heart race uncontrollably.

No matter how much she thought well of Max, she could not accept that the Empress and Max were the same.

“The Empress is a great person who thinks only of the citizens of the Empire.”

She was someone who had given up all her happiness.

– I have married the nation. Therefore, I will not keep anyone by my side until the Empire is stable.

– If you wish to become my subject, you must be strong enough to defeat me.

She had confined her own desires.

In response to Yuris’s rebuttal, Reyna did not insist on her opinion any further.

“Of course, that is how I see it. It may feel different to humans.”

This was also not like Reyna.

Reyna had shown a consistent stance that could be read even in a short meeting.

“Reyna.”

Yuris placed her hand on Reyna’s shoulder and asked.

“Eek!”

Startled, Reyna flinched and looked up at her.

“What happened yesterday?”

“W-What do you mean? Nothing happened.”

Having finished her words, Reyna hurriedly took a step back.

“I should be going now. Th-Thank you.”

Yuris watched Reyna’s back as she hurriedly ran away.

‘Something is off.’

It was certain that something had happened last night.

What could it be?

The most likely thing was that she had gone to Max’s illusion shop.

‘It can’t be.’

It must not be.

***

“Ugh.”

After finishing my work, I stretched and loosened my stiff body.

“It’s quite peaceful today. Maybe I can finally rest a bit.”

Just as I sighed in relief and was about to wrap things up.

Knock, knock, knock.

Is it a customer?

Ah, I just said something I absolutely shouldn’t say while resting.