War is an activity where both sides burn money.
Aurola had realized this from a very early time.
Especially when it came to training professional soldiers like the Crusaders who were born for war, equipment costs, food expenses, training fees, military salaries, distribution of spoils... Each item was definitely not something that could be skimped on.
So where did the money come from for Aurola, who was just a destitute princess at the time, deemed unlikely to live past thirty, to make her fortune?
The simplest and most straightforward answer is that Lister earned it.
Aurola sold everything she could sell as a princess - monthly tributes, jewelry, expensive paintings and furniture, even gifts from the former king... to gather a startup fund for Lister.
And this money was first invested by Lister into the then immature Spring Fountain Guild and helped them develop their signature product "Elf Medicine", thus earning the first sum of money sufficient for Aurola and Lister to make big moves.
And later, after Aurola officially took power, Lister saw Olivina's Magitech Electrical Device, which was still at the concept and blueprint stage, and resolutely persuaded Aurola to invest in this project. It proved to be an extremely successful investment as well.
The advent of the Magitech Electrical Device not only brought huge benefits that could fill the entire national treasury, but also had more valuable other meanings.
Electric lights, power machines... Their successive births represented a more developed level of civilization and quality of life, and high-quality life would greatly increase people's consumption level, further feeding back to the country again, making the economic vitality of the Kingdom of Saint Viliana even more vibrant.
Aurola → Lister → Eve/Olivina → Aurola
Thus, completing an economic closed loop.
Therefore, Aurola was actually quite familiar with these two ladies.
Click.
The door was pushed open. Aurola, who was sitting in Lister's position reading his creations over the years, took off her glasses and looked at Olivina and Eve who walked in, nodding calmly.
"Long time no see, you two. Please have a seat."
Aurola had already changed out of her daytime military attire and put on a pure white long dress.
This long dress seemed very simple compared to her status. One could even see a few patches in some inconspicuous places... Although it was said that the Queen had a frugal lifestyle, it shouldn't have reached the point of seeming somewhat impoverished.
"It's a pleasure to see you still in high spirits, Your Majesty."
Eve performed a complex elven etiquette, then casually sat down. Olivina, who followed behind, also perfunctorily paid respects and sat beside Eve.
Aurola put down the book, noticing that Eve seemed to be constantly looking at the long dress on her body.
"This should also be the first time you see me in casual clothes. There's no need to be restrained. Just treat me as a friend."
Aurola responded indifferently. Under the contrast of this dress, the sharp aura on her body had faded a lot, making her look almost like a cold lady with golden hair and eyes.
"As for this dress, it was bought for me by Lord Lister during my college days. He said pure-colored clothing suited me very well. Now it seems his words were not false."
"...It suits you very well, Your Majesty."
What does this mean?
Is this a show-off to me?
Eve rolled her eyes endlessly in her mind in an unrefined manner, but her face still maintained the courteous demeanor unique to elves.
"I think so too... Dinner will be here soon. We can eat and chat then."
...
The Queen's dinner was simple.
Wheat bread, jam, butter, roasted rabbit meat. Although it was already a quite sumptuous dinner for ordinary people, in some big families, these were often relatively crude foods that couldn't even be put on the banquet table.
But Aurola didn't seem to mind this at all. She took a knife and spread the sauce on the bread while eating elegantly and quickly.
"Olivina, I heard you have already obtained the title of Legendary Witch from the Triad Council. Congratulations."
At the dinner table, Aurola said to Olivina, who had been silent just now, in a flat tone.
"...I'm not a Legendary Witch, Your Majesty. At least not yet."
"But people all call you 'Diamond' Olivina, don't they?"
"..."
Eve watched the two exchanging pleasantries beside them, feeling quite unbearable to watch directly. She was already feeling awkward with her ears almost drooping down.
Your Majesty Aurola, you really know how to bring up the most sensitive topics.
"...Your Majesty, I personally don't like this title. I hope you can understand."
"I thought the Magitech Electrical Device was your proudest work?"
"It is indeed my proudest work."
Olivina looked straight into Aurola's eyes, her gaze firm.
"But it's not the proud work of me alone."
"..."
"Including the title of Legendary Witch, I'm waiting for someone to share this honor with me. That's what he deserves, whether he's willing to accept it or not... That's what he deserves."
"Oh, is that so..."
"If you put it that way, you should be able to understand why I don't like these titles."
Aurola paused, then silently nodded.
Then, she looked at Eve again.
"During this period, do you have anything worth sharing?"
"Well... There is indeed one thing."
Eve sighed, then also looked at Aurola.
She didn't plan to continue chatting slowly like this anymore.
"Recently, I heard rumors that a human was personally kidnapped by the Demon Lord and taken to the Demon Realm... Perhaps Your Majesty has also heard about it?"
"..."
Eve could clearly feel that the air around suddenly sank, including Aurola's golden pupils becoming deep.
She stared at Eve, and Eve's silver pupils also looked back without showing weakness.
"...It seems you all already have information. That's right, otherwise you wouldn't have met here."
Aurola's tone seemed to become a bit more relaxed. She gestured for the servant beside her to take away the finished plates, then leaned on the back of the chair somewhat casually, propping her chin with her hand.
"Then I'll cut to the chase. My Lister was taken away by that dragon, and I'm going to bring him back now."
"I will try to resolve this matter in a milder way, after all, Lister doesn't want to see unnecessary sacrifices. But if we can't reach an agreement..."
"I will also consider fighting it out with force."
Every word Aurola said sounded light, but seemed to fall into the hearts of everyone present.
She rarely spoke in a questioning tone. Making statements, issuing orders, and calmly announcing her will were the things she did most often.
"However, I was in a hurry this time and didn't bring too many troops. So..."
Aurola's eyes sank as she quietly looked at the two in front of her.
"I hope to get your assistance."
"Please forgive me for refusing, Your Majesty."
Before Aurola could finish, Olivina had already stood up, looking at her with a stern gaze.
"Rather than letting him fall into your hands again and become a disposable pawn, I will rescue him with my own methods."
Olivina had not forgotten why Lister had run to this remote small town in a dazed and destitute state and stayed for several years.
What was he waiting for?
Nothing more than a vindication from Aurola.
But until now, when he had fallen into the Demon Realm with his life and death unknown, he still hadn't received a bit of attention from this cold-blooded woman in front of him who was pretending to be affectionate. Now that he was gone, she suddenly couldn't bear to part with him.
Olivina's feelings towards her, towards Aurola, could only be described in three words.
That is, not worth it.
"...You seem to have some misunderstanding about the relationship between me and Lord Lister."
"Maybe, but I don't care if it's a misunderstanding or not. Farewell, Your Majesty. If fate allows, we'll meet in the Demon Realm."
After saying this, Olivina adjusted her hat and left the house without looking back.
After pushing out the door, she looked back at the place where Lister once lived. Thinking that it was Aurola sitting inside now, she felt a great sense of irony.
Lister, you're such a fool.
You did so much for her, and what did you get in the end?
I guess I'm the only witch in the world who can understand a fool like you.
Just wait, I will find you before everyone else.
...