Got Engaged to the Man They Call Ugly - Chapter 14

Elinne didn’t stop there. She carefully taught her recipes to the cooks of Metis.

Thanks to this, the mortal heroes no longer had to endure chalk-like nectar and could finally enjoy delicious mortal meals.

“…Impressive. It seems she isn’t just a pretty face after all.”

“Your determination alone is enough to qualify you as a true Metisian. Well done.”

Thanks to this, she was finally recognized as Nerva’s tactician.

So what if she was lacking in combat skills? After all, she boosted the soldiers’ morale more effectively than anyone else.

* * *

“It’s not only the warriors on the battlefield who contribute to a war.”

Nerva, listening to her story, nodded with a gentle smile.

“In truth, countless unseen individuals support those warriors from behind. Clever of you to have realized that, Elinne. Very well done.”

Seeing Nerva’s approving expression filled her with pride. She finally felt she had proven herself useful, even if only slightly.

“Now, why exactly do you say you need strength, my daughter?”

Even during the times when everyone strongly opposed Elinne, Nerva consistently treated her as her daughter.

Despite being busy enough that she rarely visited the palace, Nerva still found time every few days to invite her for tea, listening patiently to her complaints disguised as casual conversations.

Just like right now.

“I can’t even live normally because of those persistent suitors visiting every single day.”

Elinne unknowingly began to whine in response to Nerva’s gentle question.

“They confess their love as soon as our eyes meet! Just yesterday, I had such a hard time shaking off someone who suddenly tried to grab my hand.”

Of course, she couldn’t completely blame them.

Even she had spent the entire first day staring at herself in the mirror, astonished by her own appearance.

Thin, pale silver hair, delicate facial features, and flawlessly smooth skin. Eyes so innocent yet sorrowful that anyone who saw her cry would feel compelled to grant her every wish.

It wasn’t for nothing that people called her the most beautiful mortal in the world. Even by her own standards, she truly was stunningly beautiful.

Even Nerva’s stubborn elders, who initially opposed her fiercely, softened their expressions upon seeing her face.

But even beauty had its limits. After a day or two, it just got exhausting.

“I’m anxious that Vishtar’s curse might suddenly come true at this rate.”

“So you’re still worried about that curse.”

“Yes. Honestly…”

After hesitating for a moment, Elinne confessed frankly.

“I really don’t want to end up trapped forever with an ugly man. I’d rather remain single forever like you, Lady Nerva!”

Above all else, it was deeply embarrassing that the adopted daughter of the Goddess of War couldn’t even properly wield a sword.

She had tried her best to build her strength.

But this body, soft and delicate as tofu, probably never having held even a kitchen knife before was completely incapable of any meaningful physical activity.

It had taken months just to build enough stamina to run around the training grounds without immediately gasping for breath. Learning swordsmanship or spear techniques was out of the question, as she lacked even the basic strength to hold a proper sword.

Things were so bad that the heroes themselves volunteered to carry ingredients for her cooking, just to help her out.

How pathetic, to have such a weak body whose only virtue was being pretty!

“You aren’t weak. It’s simply because you haven’t awakened your divine power yet.”

Perhaps reading her fleeting thoughts, or simply pitying her sulky expression, Nerva comforted her gently.

“…Oh, I’m sorry.”

Realizing too late how openly she’d been sulking, Elinne quickly apologized.

“I must sound like I’m whining too much.”

“Not at all. Mortals are always plagued by anxiety. I had nearly forgotten.”

When their hesitant eyes met, Nerva smiled kindly, a gentle smile as if soothing a small child.

“My daughter, Elinne.”

Suddenly, she was clad in her usual heavy armor, a gleaming spear gripped firmly in her hand.

“With the blessing of the Goddess of War, you shall gain the ability to steal a portion of power from defeated foes. Moreover, by the authority of Nerva, you shall never lose to any man within the Holy Empire!”

It was the voice Elinne had heard before.

Whenever Nerva invoked her divine authority, her voice would resound clearly, echoing powerfully from deep within her chest.

【…Recording the new blessings bestowed upon Elinne.】

Immediately afterward, Monetta’s calm voice whispered clearly in her ear.

【Victor’s Right: Steal a portion of a defeated enemy’s power. The more frequently you defeat the same opponent, the higher the rate of power absorption becomes. (Inherited from: Nerva)】

【Undefeatable: You will never be defeated by any male belonging to the Holy Empire. Not effective against gods above a certain rank. (Inherited from: Nerva)】