After resting through the night, Elashia, who slept until noon, woke up to see Cecilia already sitting beside her, smiling.
"Your Majesty, aren't you going to do something else before the army departs? We might not come back afterward."
Cecilia said half-jokingly.
After last night's conversation, Cecilia had become much more at ease in Elashia's presence, even daring to joke with her.
Do what?
Before Elashia's brain could process these three words, the system's voice sounded in her mind.
[System Task Issued]
Oh, here comes a task.
[Task One: "I should enjoy life!" Take Cecilia to some "special places" for fun. Task Reward: Dragon's Saliva Wine (has strange effects)]
[Task Two: "I need to rest well" Rest well in the final two days, doing nothing. Task Reward: Mage level increased by one level]
[Task Three: "I want to give a speech, one final refinement for the army." Order Cecilia to gather the troops at the Imperial Theater, and personally deliver a speech explaining the dangers of the expedition Task Reward: "Striving Me" (skill)]
?
Task One was absolutely not an option. Choosing it would make Cecilia, with whom she had finally built a closer relationship, afraid of her again.
Task Two seemed safe, especially since the reward was leveling up.
Task Three... she couldn't even comment on this.
Would this reward really pass censorship...
And... she would have to reduce her troops?
Elasia was already maintaining the smallest standing army among human nations in this world due to poverty. Compared to Iron Empire's current 200,000 troops, and the Holy Kingdom's 100,000 troops before the calamity, could these pitiful 30,000 people really be reduced further...
Elashia was conflicted.
Option One was eliminated first; that option was purely for amusement.
Option Two was indeed safe... but only safe for now...
And was it really appropriate to sleep in when they were about to face life and death?
(-_-;)
As for Option Three... well, she'd choose three.
It's not like she had a choice, given Elasia's poverty.
Besides, scaring away soldiers who weren't willing to risk their lives was good too, and would streamline the army.
It definitely wasn't because of poverty. (>_<)
I choose three.
[Confirmed]
"Perfect timing. Go notify all soldiers that I require them—to all gather at the Imperial Theater tomorrow morning. I want to give a speech."
"Oh? Alright."
Cecilia was somewhat surprised.
This might be Elashia's first appearance in the public eye since her coup.
After all, she had hardly ever managed any specific affairs before. (-_-;)
Watching Cecilia leave, Elashia felt a bit nervous.
Tomorrow she would have to give a speech in front of a crowd...
In her previous life, she would get terribly nervous just interviewing for a club...
This wouldn't do, she needed to prepare...
Time passed in anxiety...
"Your Majesty, please wake up."
Hearing Candice's voice, Elashia reflexively said: "Let me sleep five more minutes..."
Usually, Candice would wake Elashia a little earlier, giving her five minutes to linger in bed.
But today, Candice seemed different from usual.
"Your Majesty, if you don't go soon, I'm afraid it might cause a military rebellion."
Candice's words immediately startled Elashia awake.
"What! A military rebellion!"
In the game, "Elashia" had been xx in military rebellions more than a few times. The word "rebellion" instantly powered Elashia on.
Upon waking, Elashia remembered today's speech.
So that's what Candice meant...
"Really now, don't suddenly make such frightening jokes with that calm voice of yours!"
Candice's usually cold, pretty face now bore a gentle smile.
"Breakfast is ready, Your Majesty, please go eat quickly."
Elashia got up and sat at the table.
"Eh..."
There were fried meat cutlets on the table...
Before Candice moved in, she would eat these almost every day...
After all, they were indeed delicious.
But after Candice moved in, she had almost never allowed Elashia to eat these again...
In the past, Candice would make her breakfast like bread, milk, eggs, and such...
Why did she make these fried meat cutlets today, Elashia's favorite but in Candice's eyes the most unhealthy food...