Merchant Noble is out (3/4 chapters for today)
Blackmail
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“I can speak freely now. Minister Boris.” (Maid)
Boris does not understand what has happened. However, before he realizes it, a dagger is stabbed right next to his right ear.
“Wh-who are you!?” (Boris)
To an outsider, the sight of a grown man being pinned down by a young girl would be ridiculous. However, at this moment, there were only the two of them in the room. No one would enter for a while. As Boris, unable to grasp the situation, remains bewildered, a second dagger was now stabbed next to his left ear. It was so terrifying that he cannot even scream.
“The moment you raise your voice, this dagger will pierce your head.” (Maid)
“I-I understand.” (Boris)
Sweat drenching his face in an instant, he nods frantically, and the maid slowly pulls both daggers out of the bed and moves off of Boris. Boris also cautiously sits up. The maid makes Boris sit on the bed and stands upright in front of him.
“Now then, Boris Minister. Who do you think I am?” (Maid)
“I-I don’t know. I don’t recall being hated enough to be killed by anyone.” (Boris)
As Boris trembles in fear and answers, the maid involuntarily lets out a chuckle.
“When I investigated your misdeeds as a minister, I wondered how you could even say such a thing. But your misdeeds are irrelevant this time, so I will overlook that statement.” (Maid)
“Who are you?” (Boris)
“Minister, are you aware of the incident in which Princess Alice was kidnapped?” (Maid)
“Of course I am… no way…!” (Boris)
Noticing Boris’s change in complexion, the maid continues.
“And now, are you aware that a large-scale search is being conducted in the slums at the edge of the royal capital?” (Kanna)
“Yes, I heard about it in the meeting earlier.” (Boris)
“Who proposed the search of the slums?” (Maid)
“The Captain of the Royal Guard, Kario. He is backed by Count Ludwig.” (Boris)
Despite being frightened moments ago, he speaks fluently when it comes to his political rivals.
“I appreciate your honesty in speaking so readily.” (Maid)
With a hint of sarcasm, she thanked Boris, who had no hesitation in blaming others.
“Unlike you, they seem to be quite competent.” (Maid)
“What do you mean by that!?” (Boris)
He reacted without thinking to her provocative words, but he already understood the meaning.
The kidnapper and the princess did indeed exist. And they were currently hiding in the slums where Kario was conducting the search. The maid swiftly closes the distance between them. Then, in a hushed voice, she said.
“Boris Minister, as someone closest to the king, I have a favor to ask of you. It is only a matter of time before my comrades hiding in the slums are found. I need you to stop this search immediately.” (Maid)
“There’s no way I can grant such a request!” (Boris)
The dagger in the maid’s right hand was terrifying, but stopping the search was simply impossible. The king himself supported the search, and Boris, who had tried to interfere, had just been reprimanded by the king in the previous meeting.
“Is that so? If this operation fails, the reputations of Captain Kario and Count Ludwig will be ruined. That wouldn’t be such a bad outcome for you, would it?” (Maid)
“You know quite a lot.” (Boris)
To think that she had investigated the palace factions and the relationships between the nobles. Boris was astonished by the intelligence-gathering capabilities of the Laplace Kingdom.
“But the king has entrusted the task to them. There’s nothing I can do in my current position.” (Boris)
“It is your role to make something happen.” (Maid)
The maid tilted her hand slightly. The dagger glints menacingly as it catches the light.
“… If I refuse… will you kill me?” (Boris)
—
Sensing Boris’s fear, the maid, Kanna, carefully maintains a calm voice so as not to provoke him.
“No, I will not kill you.” (Kanna)
A treacherous minister of the Lureid Kingdom is, in fact, a valuable asset for the Laplace Kingdom. She wanted him to continue living and causing chaos in Lureid for as long as possible.
“I don’t like the way you said that. If not me, then who do you intend to kill?” (Boris)
“Ramil.” (Kanna)
At Kanna’s answer, Boris’s face drains of all color. With a pale face, he asked again.
“Wait, what did you just say…?” (Boris)
He never expected to hear that name. With that single word, the entire conversation shifts entirely into Kanna’s control.
“Today, your beloved daughter from the Duke’s house has been invited to a tea party, hasn’t she?” (Kanna)
“….” (Boris)
Seeing Boris fall silent with a deathly pale face, Kanna continued mercilessly.
“But upon hearing of this emergency, her father was furious. A carriage arrived to pick her up in the middle of the gathering, and Ramil-chan, displeased, got into the carriage, reluctantly consoled by her attendants.” (Kanna)
“Stop it! Don’t lay a hand on my daughter!!” (Boris)
“Ramil-chan, looking disappointed, waves to her friends as her carriage sets off. Beside the slowly moving carriage, a figure runs alongside.” (Kanna)
“Stop… stop…” (Boris)
Boris, having completely lost his will, clutched his head and shuts his ears.
“He’s broken.” (Kanna)
Kanna was convinced.
“Oh, Ramil-chan. Does she not want to go home yet? She steps out into a park along the way.” (Kanna)
“I understand.” (Boris)
“As she picks flowers, someone approaches…” (Kanna)
“I get it! I get it already!” (Boris)
Boris looked up and clung to Kanna.
Even being clung to by a repulsive old man, Kanna was unfazed. Even a self-serving man like Boris seemed to love his daughter. With tears welling in his eyes, he pleaded like a devoted father.
“I’ll head to the royal palace immediately. Just don’t harm my daughter.” (Boris)
“Then, please hurry. If my comrades die before you succeed, your daughter’s life is also forfeit.” (Kanna)
Kanna, although celebrating inside, kept a composed expression.
Her task was now complete. All that remains was to pray that Boris’s intervention arrives in time.
—
(POV Switch – Remaining members)
“They are searching from that side in order. At this rate, the search party will reach this building in less than an hour.” (Lumin)
Lumin, who had slightly opened the window to observe outside, returned and reported.
Yuna, who was in charge, cannot find a way out of this crisis. Considering the number of soldiers and the scale of the search, neither bribery nor a forceful escape was possible. The only option was to buy time and hope that Kanna and Alma, who happened to be outside the slums, can do something from the outside.
“… We will delay them as much as possible. Lumin, Bal.” (Yuna)
“Yes.” (Lumin)
“… Start a commotion in the opposite district. Set a fire and make it burn as much as possible.” (Yuna)
“Understood.” (Bal)
“… Make sure you don’t get caught.” (Yuna)
Several guards were keeping watch on the streets, but for members of the Sheeb Order, shaking off pursuers was an easy task. Finding an opening, the two slipped out of the hideout and quickly disappear into the protesting slum residents.
Confirming their safe departure, Yuna turned to the 5th Unit, Martina, and apologized.
“…Martina-sama. I deeply apologize for dragging you into this situation.” (Yuna)
“It’s fine. The 4th Unit, Alma, is amazing. She will surely find a way.” (Martina)
Martina said this casually.
Though it might seem rude to say, among the Casablanca Seven—1st Unit Fran, 2nd Unit Jeanne, and 3rd Unit Lily, Martina had a rather weak presence, with a delicate and modest appearance. However, even in this critical situation, she remained composed and dignified, proving that she was indeed a member of Casablanca’s royal guard.
“… Yulia.” (Yuna)
Yuna then turns to Yulia.
“What is it, Yuna?” (Yulia)
“I’m sorry for getting you involved.” (Yuna)
The pained expression on Yuna’s face makes it clear how much guilt she was feeling. However, the fact that the slums were targeted was purely misfortune. Yuna had made no mistakes.
“This isn’t your fault, Yuna.” (Yulia)
Even as Yulia comforted Yuna, the sounds of houses being searched steadily draw closer.
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