Merchant Noble is out (3/4 chapters for today)
Atonement (1)
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A few weeks later, King Lureid surrendered in response to Queen Casablanca’s demand for capitulation. Following the advice of the First Unit Fran, Queen Casablanca treated King Lureid and his people with leniency and successfully concluded a peace treaty favorable to the Laplace Kingdom without dissatisfaction.
“Now, to commemorate the establishment of the treaty between the Laplace Kingdom and the Lureid Kingdom, we shall proceed with the celebration. We have prepared the finest liquor, which Laplace proudly presents to the guests from Lureid.” (Lily)
The Third Unit, Lily, efficiently acted as the master of ceremonies, and a party to commemorate the peace treaty between the two nations began.
At the highest level of the grand hall, where King Lureid usually sat on his throne, two thrones were prepared this time. Seated upon them were Queen Casablanca of Laplace and King Tafman of Lureid. With a polite bow to King Tafman, Casablanca raised her glass to give a toast.
“To the new friendship between our two kingdoms—cheers!” (Casablanca)
The subordinates of both nations raised their glasses in unison and toasted. Because Casablanca had handled the post-war process with exceptional generosity, including allowing King Tafman to retain his position, her reputation was soaring.
Even the war faction, which had initially advocated for absolute resistance, surrendered one after another, reasoning that if even the king had been forgiven, there was no point in resisting further. Thus, the conflict between the two kingdoms concluded with minimal bloodshed.
“My father’s life and even his status were spared… I am deeply grateful.” (Alice)
As soon as the banquet began, Princess Alice approached Casablanca and eagerly poured her a drink. Although she had been kidnapped and placed in grave danger, she was ultimately released without a scratch by Casablanca’s orders.
“I had no intention of turning your kingdom into a colony. As long as Lureid does not oppose Laplace, all will be forgiven.” (Casablanca)
“Yes. The Lureid Kingdom will never again raise arms against the Laplace Kingdom.” (Alice)
Princess Alice curtseyed deeply, holding her dress and expressing the utmost respect.
With her succeeding her father as queen and holding power until her death decades later, the relationship between the two nations would remain stable for a long time.
Meanwhile, such a grand party also functioned as a sort of matchmaking event. Ministers from Lureid eager to forge ties with Laplace were busy engaging with various noblewomen.
“Milady, aren’t you going to have a drink?” (Minister)
“I am a member of Casablanca-sama’s royal guard. I do not drink.” (Alma)
Alma smiled politely as she declined the drink offered by a minister.
“Ho, a Royal Guard, I see. How about I introduce you to my son?” (Minister)
“I appreciate the offer, but as a Royal Guard, I am already married to Casablanca-sama in spirit.” (Alma)
Despite being approached by numerous men, Alma maintained her smile and skillfully dodged their advances.
Seeing her predicament, the Seventh Unit Hannah came to her side.
“Alma, go and switch with Martina. She’s on guard duty outside the palace. I’ll handle things here.” (Hannah)
“Understood. Thanks, Hannah.” (Alma)
Dodging the last of the persistent suitors with graceful ease, Alma left the grand hall.
“All of this is thanks to me.” (Alma)
Just before stepping out, she turned around and proudly surveyed the lively celebration.
“Casablanca-sama sits on that throne now thanks to my quick thinking.” (Alma)
After Yuna took the princess hostage, Alma secretly contacted Casablanca and, acting largely on her own, managed to rescue the princess. As a result, they had essentially secured an entire kingdom almost unscathed. It was a remarkable achievement. She was confident that her accomplishments were unrivaled.
“Casablanca-sama will surely value me even more now.” (Alma)
Watching Casablanca’s joyful expression only lifted her own spirits further.
As night fell, Alma relied on the light from the palace to search for Martina. After a while, she spotted a figure resembling Martina sitting under a tree.
“Martina, dozing off during guard duty? You’ll catch a cold sleeping here like that.” (Alma)
She gently tapped Martina’s shoulder. The body slumped over.
“Martina…?” (Alma)
Alma frantically rubbed Martina’s shoulder and felt something sticky on her hand.
“Blood!?” (Alma)
Martina was dead.
The moment she realized this, Alma instinctively bolted forward.
If they’re targeting me next, they’ll strike from my blind spot! I need to run while I still have a clear view!
Just two steps in, she felt a searing pain in her right arm. An arrow had pierced it. Fighting through the agony, she deduced the attacker’s position from the angle of the arrow and looked up into the trees. At the same moment, she heard a voice.
“…I missed the vital spot.” (??)
High in the tree, a masked figure held a drawn bow. Despite the mask, Alma found it easy to guess their identity.
“Going through the trouble of dressing like a Lureid soldier… you’re Yuna, aren’t you?” (Alma)
“…” (Yuna)
The silence was answer enough. Besides, the voice had already given her away.
She also sensed another presence hiding in the shrubs. Trusting her instincts, she called out again.
“And you’re Yulia.” (Alma)
After a moment’s pause, there was a rustle, and a masked woman stepped out. She had guessed correctly.
“Since you’ve identified us, we have no choice.” (Yulia)
Yulia removed her mask.
“Ah, this is going to be a mess. A soldier from Warden Household killing a member of the Queen’s Royal Guard? Unthinkable.” (Alma)
Alma smirked as she spoke, but Yulia’s face was deadly serious.
“This event will be buried in darkness. You won’t leave here alive.” (Yulia)
“…Just like how Bal and Lumin’s deaths were buried.” (Yuna)
Yuna uncharacteristically interrupted Yulia’s words, suggesting her deep, simmering anger.
“Two against one… how cowardly.” (Alma)
“Alma-san, this isn’t an arena fight. Clinging to notions of fair play is just a remnant of your gladiator days.” (Yulia)
Gladiator. The word flipped a switch in Alma’s body. Her expression contorted into one of unbridled fury, a stark contrast to the slightly flamboyant dress she wore for the party. The mismatch gave her an aura of terrifying menace.
“Don’t you dare… talk to me… about gladiators!!!” (Alma)
She drew her sword and charged at Yulia.
*Clang!*
One clash of blades was enough for Yulia to realize Alma’s immense strength. Even with an arrow lodged in her right arm, Alma’s power overwhelmed her. If Yulia had faced such an opponent during her days as a gladiator, she would have whispered, “I’ll go down—please don’t hurt me,” just to avoid injury.
“Hey, Yulia. You’ve heard stories about my strength, haven’t you?” (Alma)
As if she’d already assessed Yulia’s skill, Alma’s eyes glinted with condescension.
*Thud!*
On the next clash, Alma slipped her foot into a gap in Yulia’s stance and kicked her ribs.
“Urgh!” (Yulia)
The crack of breaking ribs was unmistakable. But Yulia stubbornly held her ground, knowing that losing her footing meant certain death.
“Yuna!” (Yulia)
In the middle of the battle, Alma shifted her gaze away from Yulia and shouted toward the treetops.
“Go on, Yuna! Shoot your arrows if you can!” (Yulia)
But Alma and Yulia were locked in a close-quarters fight, making it impossible for Yuna to fire without risking Yulia. Frustrated, Yuna could only watch.
“Now then… let’s end this.” (Alma)
Brushing aside Yuna’s arrows with effortless precision, Alma advanced toward Yulia. Yulia tried to defend herself, but pain wracked her body, and her breaths came shallow and ragged.
“Now you’ve left your legs wide open!” (Alma)
By the time Yulia realized the feint, Alma’s foot had already slammed into her ribs again.
“Ugh!” (Yulia)
Her battered body went flying.
“Let’s finish this.” (Alma)
With each step toward Yulia, Alma deflected Yuna’s desperate shots as if they were insects. Yulia’s limbs refused to move. Suddenly, Alma groaned and dropped her sword. Her body trembled uncontrollably.
“Poison?” (Alma)
“…Finally taking effect,” (Yuna)
“This toxin is from a trap-plant. It numbs the arm, spreads through the body, and eventually stops the heart.” (Yuna)
“Alma-san… your time is up.” (Yulia)
But Alma stared at her quivering right arm with an eerie calm.
*Swish*
Without hesitation, she severed her own arm.
“Wha…?” (Yulia)
Yulia and Yuna stood speechless.
Alma quickly bit down on a cloth, using her left hand to bind the bleeding stump. Then, she retrieved her sword.
“Still… I can fight.” (Alma)
Her unyielding glare pinned them in place.
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