MTLNOVEL Chapter 6: Chapter 6
"What??"
Owen stared at the task given by the system, confusion swirling in his mind.
Leslie, the infamous delinquent of House Ravenwood, was not just any troublemaker. To escape an arranged marriage, she once set fire to the Third Prince's palace. To avoid attending the academy, she spiked her magic tutor's tea with a potent aphrodisiac.
She raised numerous beasts infused with hellhound bloodlines and paraded them through the streets, injuring countless civilians. She even kidnapped the daughter of Earl March, a fellow student, and pulled a ransom prank that left the capital in shock.
Leslie's outlandish acts had earned her a notorious reputation, and just hearing her name gave people headaches. However, to Owen, those delinquent actions alone did not make Leslie deserving of the title "demon queen."
Being well-versed in the original anime, he knew these exaggerated deeds were merely a facade concealing her true intentions. In the future, Leslie, who managed to evade all punishment, would decapitate the king of the Nether Kingdom with a single sword strike and massacre a million people from the opposing Duskara to set up a formation and advance her tier.
She would become the Hell Queen, a figure so terrifying that even the Dark Emperor would tremble at her name.
Marrying such a deeply scheming and ruthless villainess? That would be courting death!
But if he didn't complete the task, the system would deduct 100% of his HP, leading to an undoubtedly gruesome death.
Owen rubbed his aching temples and quickly resolved to find a way to marry Leslie. After all, in the early and mid-stages, Leslie was still keeping a low profile, and her power wasn't yet overwhelming. If he could win her over during this time, he might have a chance to survive.
However, to marry her, he first needed Madelyn to step aside. Otherwise, he wouldn't stand a chance with Leslie.
After a moment of contemplation, Owen looked at the determined Madelyn and shrugged. "If you don't want to marry me, that's fine. I was just looking to make a name for myself through you. I've been training long enough, and it's time the world knew who I am. Defeating you is all I need."
Madelyn was taken aback. She had considered negotiating with Owen, thinking of ways to dissuade him gradually. She never expected him to use the martial competition as a stepping stone to fame. Anger surged within her. She felt played by Owen.
Despite not wanting to marry, she knew her allure; suitors would line up from the city gates to the royal palace. Owen's decisive rejection felt like a slight to her charm.
Instantly enraged, Madelyn prepared to rush at Owen to give him a lesson and vent her anger. However, just as she began to summon elemental forces, a commanding voice echoed through the air.
"Madelyn, stand down. A momentary defeat means nothing, and your performance today was excellent. The Azure Kingdom needs talents like you!"
King Aldric's figure seemed to appear out of thin air on the stage. Tall and regal, draped in a cloak inlaid with sapphires and wearing a crown, he stood there as unshakable as a mountain. The mana in the air seemed to be suppressed by some order, forming a serene atmosphere.
"Greetings, Your Majesty!" Madelyn and the others exclaimed in surprise at King Aldric's sudden appearance. They hadn't expected the busy king to be watching the martial competition.
Quickly, they recovered, placing their right hands over their hearts and bowing respectfully. The sound of their salutes echoed to the sky.
King Aldric smiled and gestured for everyone to relax. He then turned his gaze to Owen, who stood nearby. Owen was slightly surprised, not expecting King Aldric's attention so soon.
Having a good impression of the emperor, he considered him a benevolent and wise ruler. After a brief moment of shock, he regained his composure, standing gracefully and calmly, showing no signs of panic.
King Aldric nodded slightly, increasingly pleased with Owen. Owen's extraordinary appearance and his victory over the seemingly invincible Madelyn, achieved at a bronze-tier level 9, were impressive.
Now, his composed demeanor further distinguished him, conveying a sense of steadiness and propriety. Such talent was not something the Azure Kingdom could afford to overlook.
"Owen, judging by your attire and demeanor, you should be from the Azure Kingdom, correct?" King Aldric asked, initiating a conversation to learn more about him.
Owen nodded and briefly recounted his current situation and past experiences to King Aldric. Upon hearing that Owen was a wandering orphan, a glint of admiration flashed in King Aldric's eyes.
"So young, yet you've endured the hardships of wandering. No wonder your temperament is so steady, and your combat style and experience are so diverse," he praised Owen.
After a few words of commendation, King Aldric shifted the topic and asked, "You are about the same age as my daughter, Marry. Would you be willing to marry her?"
Owen coughed lightly, surprised that King Aldric had brought up Princess Marry. He had a strong impression of her, not only because she was a princess but also because she was the top student at one of the eight academies.
Her magical talent was exceptional, and she had always been proud and aloof. Moreover, she had been betrothed to Prince John of the neighboring kingdom since childhood.
Prince John was no ordinary figure; he was the protagonist of an anime. Like most overpowered anime protagonists, John's life did not start smoothly.
Shortly after his engagement to Princess Marry, his kingdom was engulfed in war, and after more than a decade of conflict, it was virtually destroyed. His once exceptional magical talent mysteriously vanished as well.
A few years ago, Princess Marry deemed John too weak in both talent and strength to be her equal, so she took the initiative to break off the engagement.
John was furious and set a three-year challenge with Marry, declaring grandly that he would turn the tables in his favor. He then left to prove himself within three years.
Having just transmigrated not long ago, Owen found himself entangled with a key female character from the anime, who was also the destined woman for the protagonist in the early stages. Owen's mouth twitched imperceptibly; it seemed he was already courting disaster.
He knew he could not agree to this engagement. After all, even someone with cheats would be wary of the protagonist's destined one! Besides, he had a crucial task ahead.
As Owen pondered how to tactfully decline, Duke Charles, recognizing Owen's talent and not wanting to lose such a genius, bowed slightly to King Aldric and said, "Your Majesty, this martial competition has spread across many nations and concerns the reputation and prestige of House Ravenwood. I must insist on keeping Owen."
King Aldric, seeing this, did not press the matter further but looked curiously at Duke Charles. He knew Madelyn well; she was very opinionated and proud. Having already refused Owen, she would likely not agree to marry him, even if Duke Charles were her father.
Sure enough, Madelyn glared intensely at Duke Charles, ready to counter anything he said that didn't satisfy her. Duke Charles, however, paid her no mind.
After brief contemplation, he smiled slightly at Owen and said, "You participated in the martial competition for marriage and won. House Ravenwood must give you an answer and provide an explanation to the nations."
"Since Madelyn doesn't want to marry you, and you don't want to marry her either, let that be. But I have another precious daughter, Leslie. Although she is a bit mischievous, it is harmless. I hereby betroth her to you. What do you think?"
Owen's heart pounded. He had been at a loss on how to approach marrying Leslie, and now the solution was handed to him on a silver platter. Duke Charles was truly a great father-in-law.
Owen nodded earnestly and said, "A gift from an elder cannot be declined. I gratefully accept."
Hearing Owen's prompt acceptance, Duke Charles, Madelyn, King Aldric, and others who knew Leslie well were all a bit stunned.
Leslie's notorious reputation for delinquency was well known, even in neighboring countries, where her name alone could make children stop crying. Owen should have been aware of this; could it be that he actually liked this type?
Unaware of their thoughts, Owen only felt that their gazes were somewhat odd. He did not dwell on it, merely letting out a deep breath. The task had finally begun.