The Devil Does Not Need to Be Defeated

Chapter 442: But I’m Bigger Than Her!

The next morning, the royal palace, on behalf of Lucy and the entire Kingdom, announced the news to the world.

Lucy had decided to end the husband selection competition.

“After careful consideration and selection, Princess Lucy has personally decided to marry Viscount Buztout.”

“Effective immediately, Viscount Buztout will become Princess Lucy’s fiancé, and an engagement banquet will be held in three days, inviting dignitaries from various countries to attend.”

“In recognition of Viscount Buztout’s outstanding performance, His Majesty will also bestow upon him a higher title on the day of the engagement banquet.”

When this news spread throughout the royal capital, it caused a sensation no less than the series of incidents caused by the Lucica family.

“As expected…”

Some insightful people had already guessed this outcome and sighed inwardly.

“No! This is impossible!”

Most of the noble sons couldn’t believe this news.

“It’s actually settled just like that?”

“Isn’t this… too fast?”

“Your Highness…”

Even the ordinary citizens of the capital couldn’t immediately digest this shocking news, feeling dazed and unreal.

Therefore, on this day, the heart island was once again packed with people, a large crowd gathering in front of the palace, creating a huge commotion.

People wanted to confirm the authenticity of this news.

Many still clung to a glimmer of hope, thinking it was just a rumor.

Therefore, they needed a statement from the Kingdom, a statement from the royal family, before they would accept this.

But the one who appeared before everyone wasn’t a high-ranking official of the Kingdom, nor King Ancil, but Lucy, who usually only appeared during the midday public appearance ceremony.

Yes.

Lucy herself appeared in person.

And Lucy personally confirmed this matter.

“Viscount Buztout is a very outstanding person.”

“And even I admire outstanding heroes.”

“Therefore, I hope everyone can support and acknowledge us. That would be the greatest blessing for us.”

Lucy said these words, then, ignoring the stunned crowd, turned and returned to the palace.

What would happen next was predictable.

Those who accepted their fate did so.

Those who were unwilling would continue to make a fuss.

The citizens had various reactions, some agreeing, some objecting, some calm, some agitated.

Under such circumstances, the news of Shien’s promotion to Earl seemed insignificant, and no one even asked about it.

Normally, this would also be a hot topic.

As mentioned before, although there was only one rank difference between Earl and Viscount, their statuses were completely different.

Barons and Viscounts were at the bottom of the noble hierarchy, insignificant nobles, bestowed upon adventurers and commoners who made meritorious contributions.

But Earls were different.

Marquises and Earls were in the upper echelon of the nobility, true high-ranking nobles.

Becoming an Earl meant that the entire family had made sufficient contributions to the Kingdom, gained their recognition, and truly entered the upper class.

Only at this level could one become the lord of a faction, start forming alliances, and establish a noble circle, a power base.

Only at this level could one enter the Kingdom’s decision-making level, aiming for the center of power and becoming an existence capable of influencing the Kingdom’s future.

At least, Barons and Viscounts couldn’t freely enter and exit the palace, nor could they attend major events. For example, during Shien’s first audience, only the Royal Knights and nobles of Earl rank and above could appear in the royal hall.

Therefore, in noble circles, the difference between an Earl and a Viscount was like heaven and earth, even greater than the difference between a Duke and an Earl.

This was a dividing line.

Crossing this line meant rising to prominence, bringing honor to one’s ancestors, and making one’s family name go down in history in the Kingdom, ensuring its continuation as a prominent family.

Therefore, ordinary Barons and Viscounts had to spend decades, even centuries, accumulating fame, wealth, connections, and achievements, continuously contributing to the Kingdom, before finally being promoted to higher ranks.

Shien, however, went from a mere adventurer to a high-ranking noble like an Earl in just a few months. This was unprecedented in the Kingdom’s history.

Such a thing would undoubtedly cause a huge sensation.

But now, because of Shien and Lucy’s engagement, this matter was overshadowed, showing Lucy’s status in the hearts of the Kingdom’s people and the impact of this incident.

In short, the royal capital was once again in an uproar.

…

Unlike the bustling and noisy royal capital, the atmosphere in the Buztout mansion was different.

“Congratulations on officially becoming Princess Lucy’s fiancé, Shien.”

With Vivian’s proud congratulations, everyone offered their congratulations to Shien.

“Congratulations.”

Diere said calmly.

“C-congratulations, Mr. Shien.”

Lumia also hurriedly congratulated him.

“C-congratulations…”

Melika seemed a bit reluctant, but still congratulated Shien softly with a pout.

“””””Congratulations, Master Shien!”””””

All the maids and servants in the house lined up neatly, bowing to Shien and cheering in unison.

“Th-thank you…”

Shien chuckled dryly, either because he wasn’t used to it or because he felt awkward, constantly scratching his face.

“Hmph.”

Airi, either just woken up or dragged over, was also present, but unlike the others, she didn’t offer congratulations, but looked rather displeased.

“?”

Lilith tilted her head, confused, seemingly not knowing what was happening.

And Leisha and Lasha were also there.

“Congratulations, Mr. Shien.”

Lasha’s tone was even more indifferent than Diere’s.

“I also have to congratulate you on successfully becoming the public enemy of all men in the human world.”

Leisha teased, nudging Shien’s side with her elbow, making him want to punch her.

The girls living in the Buztout mansion had all gathered.

Their purpose was simply to celebrate with Shien.

This was indeed something worth celebrating.

“I bet the people in Larmigion were shocked when they received this news.” Diere said, her tone unreadable. “Who would have thought that that novice adventurer, who was only level ten a few months ago, would not only be promoted to Earl, but also be engaged to the Kingdom’s treasure?”

Indeed.

“I don’t know about others, but Relia was definitely shocked.” Vivian smiled wryly. “I just received her letter. It’s full of questions about this matter. Even between the lines, I can tell she’s still skeptical.”

In fact, Vivian had also received letters from Belen and the others.

Those who had come to the royal capital with Shien couldn’t believe that in just a few months, this adventurer had become the fiancé of the Kingdom’s most sought-after princess. It was simply too fantastical.

“I… I think I heard Mr. Leon telling others that he envied Mr. Shien…”

Lumia said weakly.

“…My elven friends in Larmigion are also asking me about this.”

Melika was still feeling awkward.

In short, the news of Shien’s engagement to Lucy caught everyone off guard.

Many people suddenly realized that this time, the Kingdom’s treasure was truly getting married, and her partner was an adventurer who was completely unknown not long ago.

What could Shien say?

Could he say that he hadn’t expected this either?

“I really didn’t intend for this to happen at first.”

Shien said weakly, defending himself.

Perhaps his relationship with Lucy did develop quickly, but at first, he really hadn’t intended to get involved with this princess.

Who was he?

Shien, who was most afraid of trouble!

For someone like him, he had wanted to stay far away from Lucy before. How could he have targeted her?

Therefore, Shien wanted to say,

“This was just an accident.”

These words sounded like something a typical scumbag would say.

The girls naturally didn’t believe him.

“Who are you trying to fool?” Leisha rolled her eyes. “I’ve been secretly observing you since you came to the capital, watching you run to that princess’s room every few days. And you’re saying it’s an accident?”

That was because that boring princess forced him to!

She was afraid of being alone, afraid of being lonely, and she revealed her true self in front of him, so she clung to him and made him accompany her!

Shien wanted to shout this.

But at this moment, Lasha spoke.

“According to my investigation, in the one hundred and sixteen days since arriving in the capital, Mr. Shien has gone to Lilith’s sweet shop eighty-eight times, purchasing a total of one thousand three hundred and fifty-seven gold coins worth of sweets.” Lasha said with an impassive face, “Among them, seven hundred and seventy-four gold coins worth of sweets ended up in Princess Lucy’s room, all the packaging boxes found in the trash disposal area of Her Highness’s bedroom.”

What this meant didn’t need to be explained.

Although Shien wanted to say that this was also because that boring princess forced him to, he couldn’t help but retort about something else.

“Where did you get this information?”

Did she actually investigate all this?

Good heavens, this maid was as terrifying as ever.

As Shien thought this, he completely forgot that Lucy wasn’t the only one who had a sweet tooth.

There was another person present.

“A total of one thousand three hundred and fifty-seven gold coins worth of sweets, and you actually gave most of them to that Kingdom’s treasure, while I didn’t even get half?”

Airi suddenly turned her head and stared at Shien, her eyes filled with killing intent.

Clearly, the Dragon Demon Princess was dissatisfied.

Why did that princess get so much, while she didn’t even get half?

Was she, the great Airi, inferior to that princess?

In terms of strength, although the princess had great potential, she was still stronger currently.

In terms of appearance, although the princess was the most beautiful in the human world, she could also compete for the title of most beautiful in the Demon Race, right?

In terms of figure… alright, she wasn’t as tall as the princess, but she was bigger than her!

In conclusion, why wasn’t she treated as well as that princess?

The Dragon Demon Princess expressed her strong dissatisfaction.

“You’re even comparing this?”

Seeing the killing intent in Airi’s eyes, Shien’s lips twitched.

This girl seemed to have accumulated a lot of emotions recently, making Shien feel a bit of danger.

Couldn’t she learn from Lilith, who was currently tilting her head in confusion, still clinging to him and refusing to leave, acting all cute and innocent?

His head hurt!

It seemed he had to find some time to coax this little girl, lest she explode.

Once this Demon Lord lost her temper, no one here, including himself, could stop her, except for Lilith.

Keeping this in mind, Shien quickly declared,

“It’s just an engagement. It’s still early before the actual wedding. Don’t congratulate me too soon.”

A royal engagement was something anyone could have. Lucy was just a little late in receiving this treatment.

It was common for princesses born into the royal family to be engaged from a young age, and it wasn’t uncommon for engagements to be canceled for various reasons.

Like Lia, due to the downfall of the Lucica family, her engagement with Edel had been officially dissolved.

Therefore, an engagement was just an engagement. It wasn’t an official marriage, so it was still too early to say anything.

Only when they were truly married was it set in stone.

After all, in this world, there was no such thing as divorce. Basically, once married, there was no going back.

Of course, there was no divorce, but separation was quite common.

Therefore, unless they were officially married, an engagement didn’t mean much.

Although…

“…Is it really still early before our official marriage?”

Shien seriously doubted this.

Seeing Lucy’s eagerness, Shien felt that one day, if he just went out for a bit, he would be dragged to the wedding ceremony upon returning, and become a married man in a daze.

Having a princess eager to get married was truly hard to handle.

What number one beauty of the human race? She was clearly the number one marriage-craving woman of the human race!

Just thinking about it made Shien feel uneasy.

It wasn’t that he was against marrying Lucy, but he needed time to react, right?

Shien really wanted to say that he had just returned from a trip!

How did he suddenly encounter such a major life event?

How frustrating!