Merchant Noble is out (4/4 chapters for today)
Atonement (2)
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“Ugh, uwaaaaaaaahhhhhh!!!” (Yulia)
Yulia charged forward, half-crazed.
Alma, who had cut off her own right arm without hesitation, didn’t seem human at all. Just facing such a person was terrifying enough to make her legs tremble. Her own pain vanished somewhere, and she fought desperately.
“You can’t defeat me with such wild swings.” (Alma)
Despite having cut off her own arm, Alma spoke with the same tone as before, as if she felt no pain.
“Your stance is weak! You’re swinging your head too much! You’re bending your elbow too much!” (Alma)
Was she really that confident? She clashed swords with Yulia while giving instructions like a training instructor. Alma was fighting with her left hand, which wasn’t her dominant hand, after cutting off her right arm. Even so, Yulia felt a chill as Alma overwhelmed her with sheer skill.
“Yulia, you’ve been crouching fearfully this whole time.” (Alma)
“….” (Yulia)
As a warrior, it was shameful, and Yulia herself was painfully aware of it. But her body instinctively refused to clash swords with Alma. She had already been kicked twice, which left her traumatized and unable to approach recklessly.
“Well then, Yulia. Let’s finish this.” (Alma)
Alma slowly closed the distance. Yulia wasn’t sure she could block Alma’s next serious attack.
“Prepare yourself!” (Alma)
Alma leapt from the ground toward Yulia. The sudden burst of speed, so different from the slow, deliberate steps before, caught Yulia, exhausted as she was, completely off guard. In an instant, Alma’s face was right in front of her. Yulia used the last of her strength to raise her sword in a defensive stance.
“Yulia, get down!” (Yuna)
Suddenly, Yuna’s voice called from above.
Yulia reacted on instinct. In that crucial moment, instead of preparing to block, she used the time to throw herself flat on the ground. Lying completely defenseless on the ground was practically inviting Alma to “cut me down.”
“Dieeeeee!!” (Alma)
Just as Alma’s sword came down toward Yulia’s neck. In that instant, a gap appeared.
“Guh!!” (Alma)
Hearing a choked groan, Yulia fearfully raised her head.
An arrow was lodged in Alma’s left chest. Blood rapidly spread across her dress, and she stared at the arrow in disbelief.
“Yuna… I forgot about you… trembling up there in the tree…” (Alma)
Alma staggered backward with a faint smile.
After a few unsteady steps, she finally collapsed with a thud. Yulia stood up, and Yuna descended cautiously from the tree. They both peered down at Alma.
“She’s lost too much blood. It’s just anemia.” (Yuna)
Though Alma’s consciousness remained sharp, her voice was hoarse and faint.
“…Alma. Let me ask you one last thing. We heard that the kidnapping of Princess Alice was your idea, not Casablanca’s. Why did you interfere with our plan?” (Yuna)
“I rose from a gladiator to the Queen’s Royal Guard… How many women across the continent have risen like I did?” (Alma)
Ignoring Yuna’s question, Alma muttered feverishly. Her face contorted into one of sorrow.
“I climbed the highest… I became the strongest… the most successful… the happiest! I’m not the same as when I was a sword slave! I’m happy now!” (Alma)
The way she repeated “happy” as if trying to convince herself was pitiful. Yulia, having been a gladiator herself, understood her pain. The mask of an eerie smile had shattered, revealing the raw emotions of an ordinary woman.
“I just wanted to make Casablanca-sama happy… That’s all…” (Alma)
Those were Alma’s last words.
—
In the grand hall of the party venue, Fran was looking for a chance to speak with Tyr. Tyr was sitting alone in a chair at the corner of the hall.
“General Tyr, your glass is empty.” (Fran)
Seizing the moment Tyr emptied his glass, Fran hesitantly approached with wine in hand.
Tyr glanced at Fran’s face and handed over the empty glass.
“Thank you, Fran-dono. I’ll have some.” (Tyr)
Relieved that he responded, Fran knew she had to find a way to soften his mood.
“Thanks to you, General, the Lureid Kingdom surrendered without bloodshed.” (Fran)
“Fran-dono. Give your thanks to the Tadont couple in the afterlife.” (Tyr)
Ugh.
Fran’s polite smile froze. As expected, Tyr hadn’t forgiven them. It was understandable. They had broken their promise to prioritize the hostages’ safety, resulting in the deaths of the Tadont couple.
“Yes… May they rest in peace. Casablanca-sama deeply regrets not being able to save them.” (Fran)
She couldn’t allow the Queen to bow her head.
So, Fran expressed condolences on Casablanca’s behalf.
“As part of the treaty, Warden Household has been granted trading rights across Lureid Kingdom. It won’t bring back the couple, but please accept this as compensation.” (Fran)
One of the treaty’s conditions allowed the Warden Household to trade within Lureid Kingdom. It was intended as compensation for the Tadont couple’s death. However, Fran doubted a warrior like Tyr would be satisfied with such a gesture.
“Thank you for your consideration.” (Tyr)
To Fran’s surprise, Tyr bowed politely.
The matter was now formally resolved.
“You’re welcome. The Warden Household is indispensable to the Laplace Kingdom. I look forward to our continued cooperation.” (Fran)
Having managed to ease Tyr’s anger, Fran finally felt a weight lift from her shoulders.
Just as she thought she could finally enjoy the party, Sanya from the Sixth Unit came running up. Breathless, Sanya whispered urgently into Fran’s ear.
“Fran! Alma and Martina…” (Sanya)
“What did you say…” (Fran)
Hearing the report, Fran’s face went pale.
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