Youngest on Top - Chapter 242

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 242

A crack appeared across Amelia’s smiling face.

“What did you say?”
“Are you upset?”
“What are you talking about? I was just congratulating you.”
“Oh, really?”

I looked at Amelia with an expression of feigned surprise.

“So all that talk about social elevation, how it’s like something out of a novel, how you had no idea I was a duke’s daughter—that was just your way of congratulating me? How fascinating.”
“….”
“But you know what? Usually people congratulate someone on returning to their family, don’t they? You only talked about my status.”
“…!”
“It seems my status really bothers you, Amelia.”

Amelia’s lips, which had been attempting something resembling a smile, hardened rigidly.
Her emerald eyes quickly scanned the surroundings.
And then.

“I’m sorry. I meant it as something amazing, like out of a novel. I didn’t realize it would sound that way. I’m really sorry.”

To anyone watching, the scene was perfectly constructed—me oppressing Amelia.

‘Ah, so you’re trying to paint me as someone who suddenly rose in status and started acting tyrannical?’

You’ve got the wrong person.
I’m not acting tyrannical because my status rose—

“Amelia, is it possible you’re a bit… not very bright? Somewhat lacking?”

—I’ve always had a rotten temperament!

Kailros: Well, well. My beloved sister doesn’t change just because she gained power.
Enrik: Our youngest broke Parmanase’s head repeatedly even when she was just a lowly angel!
Anakin: You think that filthy temperament of hers would change just because she became a duke’s daughter?

…Is this a compliment?
Why does it sound like an insult?

Amelia’s face went pale, as if she hadn’t expected those words at all.

“What…?”

I explained it to her kindly, step by step.

“Amelia, you should think a bit more before speaking. Didn’t you apologize to me before for speaking without thinking?”
“….”
“And your premise was wrong from the start. It’s not a rise in status. You’ve reclaimed your original station. You understand the difference, right? I’m mentioning it just in case you don’t.”
“You….”

That’s when I heard a “pfft…!” sound.
When I turned around, Eyrene, Helene, and Zabelina were covering their mouths.

But ultimately, they couldn’t suppress the giggles leaking through.
The laughter seemed contagious—I could see people here and there trying to hold back the corners of their mouths from rising with quiet hums.

“…Thank you for the advice, Saelika. I’ll keep it in mind.”

Amelia left those words and turned away from me.
Eyrene, Helene, and Zabelina approached my side as if they’d been waiting for this moment.

“Look at her hands trembling while she’s trying to make a dignified exit.”
“Ah, the figure of a defeated person is truly pitiful.”
“Why did she come here first to pick a fight and then get beaten down?”

Seeing them cling to me while saying such things, they really hadn’t changed.

‘It’s amazing that all three of them made it this far.’

I’d heard their standing had improved considerably after we obtained the World Tree’s branch from the Elves together.
In any case, these three were quite remarkable in many ways.

* * *

Before the departure ceremony began, people throughout the stadium enjoyed the festival.
Meanwhile, the distinguished guests celebrated at the prepared banquet hall.

‘Everywhere I look, there’s nothing but irritating faces.’

Beatrix frowned as she gazed out the window.
Because they’d constructed a building with an enormous crystal display screen beside the stadium, Saelika’s face remained visible no matter which way I turned my head.

The people outside seemed fascinated, continuously crowding around that area.
Long queues had even formed at the entrance.
Those exiting wore satisfied expressions, patting their bellies.
Holding support batons for Saelika in their hands.

That wasn’t all.
The surroundings were filled with all manner of things supporting Saelika.

‘The White Pearl Trading Company, Madame Caitlin, the Sisters Who Love Bread Association—what’s that about? The Last Leaf Society of the Entire Nation? What even is this?’

Organizations of all kinds were supporting Saelika.
As if they’d gnashed their teeth at seeing Saelika receive nothing last time and prepared accordingly.

‘Hmph, but it won’t matter against Amelia anyway.’

Beatrix’s gaze turned toward the inside of the banquet hall.
The beautiful Amelia stood surrounded by foreign princes, smiling radiantly.
The striking sight prompted whispers among the distinguished guests.

“Weren’t the princes brought to the Empire because Sacred Maiden Saelika summoned them?”
“Yet the princes are crowding around Sacred Maiden Amelia instead.”
“I heard they competed for the partner position with Saelika last time, but now….”
“It seems they changed after meeting Amelia. Truly, Amelia’s charm is remarkable.”

Beatrix let out a soft laugh.
Saelika’s attempt to monopolize the princes by dangling the exchange rights with the Elves had ultimately been futile.

Parmanase was unquestionably the greatest temple.
It held influence across the entire continent.
In other words, the Parmanase Temple possessed an abundance of things the princes would covet.

‘Above all else, a vulgar woman like Saelika couldn’t even be compared to the graceful Amelia.’

Amelia had always been the object of admiration for every man.
It was only natural that the three princes from three nations were utterly captivated by her, sparing not even a glance toward Saelika.

Look at her now.
Unlike Saelika, Amelia was already speaking casually and intimately with the princes.

“Wow, Decaren really has an impressive physique. Just look at these muscles!”
“Haha! Building a strong body for the woman who will be my wife is a man’s greatest joy.”
“My goodness.”

Amelia smiled and placed her hand on Decaren’s arm.
Her fingers traced along the firm muscle with a subtle, deliberate caress.

“Decaren is impressive. The woman who becomes your wife will be lucky.”
“Right?”
“Mm-hmm.”

Amelia nodded while holding Decaren’s gaze steadily.
Then she stumbled slightly after brushing against someone passing by.
Toward the three princes of Myuat.

“Oh my.”
“Are you alright?”
“Did you hurt yourself?”

The three princes caught Amelia as she stumbled.
Leaning against them, Amelia smiled sweetly.

“Thank you. Azur, Serpe, Rahat.”

That was when it happened.

“How shameless.”

At the blunt, irritated voice, Amelia’s eyes widened.
Habid was staring at her with an annoyed expression.

“Habid.”

Ryubik called out to Habid with a tone of reproach.
Amelia quickly grasped Ryubik’s hand firmly.

“Don’t do that because of me.”
“Hm?”
“I’m fine, really!”
“…What.”

Ryubik nodded with a reluctant expression.
At his bashful demeanor, Amelia smiled softly.

‘I really should thank Saelika for this.’

If the princes had simply fallen for me, it would have stirred no emotion whatsoever.
It was always an inevitable occurrence, after all.

But now that I’d lost them to Saelika once and reclaimed them, I felt delighted.
Even the most worthless object has its use, or so they say—and it was true.

‘In the end, Saelika spent the entire banquet only with family.’

Saelika was wedged between the people of the Artemia Temple and those of the Perardin Noishurael Duke’s household.
In the end, only family could remain by Saelika’s side.

‘She’s rather pitiful, isn’t she.’

If Beatrix had heard this, she would have said, “Your problem is that you’re too kind and gentle.”
Yet still, I felt pity for Saelika.

‘If the princes Saelika summoned to the Empire actually sat in my cheering section, everyone outside would gossip about it too.’

But what could be done about it?
It was all Saelika’s karma.

.
.

And then, shortly after.
The moment the departure ceremony was about to begin.

‘…Why?’

Amelia’s smile faded as she gazed toward the spectator stands.
All the princes who had spent intimate moments with her had moved to Saelika’s section!

“Is it alright if I sit here?”
“You said not to come near you at the banquet, but you never said anything about sitting in the spectator stands, so it should be fine.”
“But why did you tell us not to come anyway? We wanted to be with you.”
“Something about worrying the stadium might collapse—what was that all about?”
“Either way, a man’s joy is in obeying his wife’s words!”
“Why is my Elah your wife?”

Hearing the princes’ chatter, Amelia froze in place.
So throughout the entire banquet, the reason they hadn’t approached Saelika was because of that….

“By the way, what exactly is Sacred Maiden Parmanase?”
“She spoke as if negotiating Mitamol, but there was nothing to it in the end.”
“She’s certainly peculiar.”

The three princes of Myuat shook their heads in unison.

“….”

Amelia’s hands trembled as she gripped her skirts.
She turned her body around.
As she headed toward the departure grounds, she spotted the Emperor engaged in a dispute with Duke Makandor.

“Please maintain your dignity, Your Majesty!”
“Shuri gets to go! Why can the Crown Prince go but not the Emperor!”
“The Crown Prince shouldn’t be going either, originally.”
“But why is he going!”
“…Is there anyone who can stop Crown Prince Kaishurit?”
“….”
“Precisely.”

‘What on earth is happening here?’

Amelia listened intently to their conversation.
Duke Makandor was soothing the Emperor.

“Look on the bright side, Your Majesty. At least the Crown Prince was able to attend.”
“But I couldn’t go—what’s so bright about that!”
“It seems foreign princes have already claimed their seats, Your Majesty.”
“What? Those impudent fools dare to approach my future daughter-in-law? Shuri absolutely cannot be absent!”

The Emperor’s eyes gleamed, and he praised Duke Makandor.

“As expected of Duke Makandor! Your foresight is remarkable! No wonder you always beat me at chess!”
“Yes, now please, Your Majesty, go to the seat prepared for you.”

The two departed amicably.
Amelia’s shoulders trembled slightly as she stood alone.
Someone called out to her.

“Amelia…”

It was Emily, a member of the operations team.

“Don’t worry. The humiliation you’ve endured will surely—”
“What are you talking about, Emily?”

Amelia turned around and smiled faintly.

“I’m trembling right now, but not from fear.”
“Yes?”
“Everyone’s attention has shifted away from me toward Saelika, whose status has ‘risen.'”
“…”
“But once this mission ends, everything will reverse perfectly.”

Amelia’s eyes sparkled with intensity.

“I’m so excited and thrilled. I’ve been such a remarkable Sacred Maiden from the start that I’ve never experienced being overshadowed like this before.”
“….”
“That’s why I’m grateful to Saelika for giving me this experience. When the mission ends and I return, what emotions will I feel then?”
“….”
“I’m certain I’ll have grown even more befitting of the position of Grand Sacred Maiden. The position will become even more precious to me. So that I won’t falter as a Grand Sacred Maiden before the darkness of calamity.”
“Ah, Amelia.”

Emily was deeply moved.
How could she be so bold and magnanimous?
Was this what it meant to have a large capacity?

‘To think I was judging such a person by ordinary standards, feeling sad and frustrated….’

Amelia always looked far ahead and never wavered.

“I hope Saelika enjoyed today. After all, today will be the highest point of her life.”

Even embracing her enemy with such magnanimity…!
If someone like her isn’t a Grand Sacred Maiden, then who could be!

‘That worm could never become a Grand Sacred Maiden.’

She would make certain of it herself.
Emily handed over what she had brought to Amelia.

* * *

The departure ceremony was held with great pomp.

Steadfast priests arrayed in imposing formation.
And the sacred Sacred Maidens leading them from the front.
The divine power subtly emanating from them.

The people cheered at the magnificent spectacle.

“It finally begins! The stage where the Grand Sacred Maiden can display her perfect capabilities! In a region so corrupted that the barrier stones shattered, what will the Sacred Maidens and priests show us!”

The host cried out to the people.
The scale was so vast that there were multiple hosts for today’s proceedings.

“Through a massive magic circle specially installed for today, the Sacred Maidens and Priests will each depart to their desired regions!”
“Oh, Sacred Maiden Dolores is heading to Akerashe! And Sacred Maiden Meila as well!”
“Sacred Maiden Nelije to Perko, and Sacred Maiden Helene to….”
“Not a single Sacred Maiden is heading to Asra.”
“That makes sense, since Asra is one of the most dangerous regions.”
“The standard strategy is to gain experience elsewhere first and tackle the difficult places later— oh!”

The Host cried out in surprise.

“As I speak, Sacred Maiden Saelika is heading to Asra!”
“Asra from the start? That’s just like Sacred Maiden Saelika! Remarkable!”

Then it happened.

“What? Sacred Maiden Amelia is also heading to Asra!”
“Wow, this is a big match right from the start!”
“So who will be able to plant the World Tree branch on the barrier stone in the dangerous Asra region!”
“Vote for the Sacred Maiden you support!”

The Host’s voice resonated across the stadium and to everyone watching the broadcast beyond.

* * *

A brilliant flash of light!
The scenery transformed with the radiant glow.
Amelia opened her eyes.

“The turbulence is intense.”
“I heard the barrier stone was shattered, but I didn’t expect it to be this bad….”

The Priests of Parmanase frowned at the sinister energy permeating the air.
Amelia smiled brightly.

“Don’t worry. I’m here, aren’t I?”

Intense sacred power radiated from Amelia.
Simultaneously, a fresh and pure energy spread outward from her presence.
Life began to flourish across the barren land.

[A Sacred Domain! It’s a Sacred Domain!]
[As expected of Sacred Maiden Amelia! She’s deploying a Sacred Domain right through such intense tainted energy!]
[Establishing a Sacred Domain in a place with so much tainted energy isn’t easy. Yet it’s so stable. Remarkable!]

The Host’s voice reached Amelia’s ears.
It was thanks to the magical artifact Emily had given her.

[Meanwhile, Sacred Maiden Saelika…]
[Why isn’t she deploying a Sacred Domain?]
[She might not be able to. The resistance from the tainted energy is too strong.]

At those words, Amelia smiled with satisfaction.
Just as the Host said, deploying a Sacred Domain in a place like this wasn’t easy.
Saelika’s abilities were definitely inferior to mine.

‘Saelika’s location is…’

Saelika’s position appeared on the magical artifact.
She was nearby, probably because she’d been moving almost consecutively.

‘Good. I should go help her.’

How would the public view such a scene?
What about the princes sitting in Saelika’s cheering section?
Wouldn’t even the Emperor, who called Saelika his “future daughter-in-law,” recalculate his assessment?

Looking around today, I noticed many capable priests among Artemia’s clergy.

‘Especially Ilay, Dmitri, Edmund, and Roana, was it?’

These four were remarkably outstanding.
What they needed was a powerful Sacred Maiden to guide them well.

“Let’s hurry. We need to purify this tainted energy quickly.”

It didn’t take long before Amelia found Saelika.

“Saelika.”
“Amelia? You came here too?”
“Are you alright? You haven’t even deployed your sacred domain. The priests must be struggling.”
“What?”
“Don’t worry anymore. I’ll help you.”
“No, what are you—”

It was the moment Saelika’s brow furrowed.

Krrrrr—
An ominous sound reverberated across the ground.
And then.

[Good heavens! Why is that… Abyss…!]
[Something impossible is happening!]
[Even if the barrier has been broken, this is…]

The hosts’ clamoring voices rang loudly in Amelia’s ears.
And for good reason—what appeared before the two Sacred Maidens was no ordinary monster.

A swirling darkness, an entity whose very form was indistinct, was a swarm composed of countless tiny monsters.
A single collective could annihilate an entire city in a single night—truly a calamity!
Thus it earned the epithet matching its appearance: the ‘Abyss’.

[You must retreat immediately! No matter how powerful a Sacred Maiden is, facing the Abyss without any preparation is—.]

The moment the host spoke, a brilliant flash of light split through the Abyss.

[…!]

Beyond that radiance, Amelia stood with commanding presence.

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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