@Angrod@konpei this seemed to be a typical troupe in this kind of stories, "oblivious pest," I dubbed it. They don't exactly pose a threat to the MC but they are just irritating to have around and their demise is so painfully obvious to the readers.
This kingdom really needs to invest in better security measures. Do they not screen the people the candidates are volunteering for at all??? I mean these are noble children ffs. I guess you could explain it as it just being too long and him being too beat up, but still.
I can't tell who on who's side anymore. The Queen is using eli and the Queen knows that becoming the Arabella shortens the life by a ton. While at the same time she keeps feeding Eli lies while smiling.... is she trying to save the MC by sacrificing the Eli and also using that sacrifice to hurt the church?
but she's tried to kill the MC before.... but was that only because the Queen needed Eli as a sacrifice for this ploy?