Merchant Noble is out (1/4 chapters for today)
Atonement (3)
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Fran hurried to the scene, guided by Sanya. It was in a small garden just outside the royal palace that the Sixth Unit member Sanya discovered the two fallen individuals.
“They’re not breathing anymore!” (Sanya)
Fran tried to lift the bodies to check their pulses, but Sanya, crying, stopped her.
“It must be these guys!” (Sanya)
Sanya pointed to several soldiers’ corpses.
Judging by their attire, they were all soldiers of the Lureid Kingdom.
Had they been ambushed from the shadows?
“Could this be the work of the pro-war faction remnants?” (Tyr)
A sudden voice from behind sent chills down Fran’s spine.
Being addressed from behind in the dark could easily trigger an instinctive slash.
“General Tyr?” (Fran)
When Fran turned around, Tyr bowed his head.
“I followed after you because you left with such urgency. My apologies.” (Tyr)
“No, please don’t worry about it.” (Fran)
In fact, Fran felt relieved to have Tyr there.
With unknown attackers possibly lurking around, being alone with Sanya was unsettling. As Fran examined the soldiers’ wounds and weapons, she voiced her doubts.
“Why would these soldiers kill Alma and Martina?” (Fran)
“Who knows? The Lureid Kingdom has traditionally been hostile to Laplace. Even with lenient treatment, there would always be factions that resist.” (Tyr)
Tyr’s calm explanation sounded plausible.
Indeed, there were likely many who still harbored resentment toward Laplace, and some might resort to guerrilla tactics targeting Casablanca’s guards. Yet Fran couldn’t shake her unease.
“Aren’t these corpses just camouflage?” (Fran)
“What do you mean by that?” (Tyr)
“I suspect someone placed these bodies here to make it look like a Lureid Kingdom soldiers’ assassination. In other words, these soldiers didn’t kill them.” (Fran)
She glanced at Tyr’s face, but his expression remained unchanged.
“An interesting theory. What led you to such a leap?” (Tyr)
His polite tone held a sharp edge.
Was he offended by her theory?
“First, Alma wielded a powerful sword, and Martina was a master archer. Both were ever-vigilant as royal guards. They wouldn’t fall so easily to ordinary soldiers, even in an ambush. Next, if the Lureid Kingdom pro-war faction had killed them, they’d have retrieved their comrades’ bodies to avoid exposure. They wouldn’t just leave them here.” (Fran)
Having fought alongside Alma and Martina for so long, Fran found it hard to believe they’d be killed so easily.
“I see. So, you believe someone else killed them?” (Tyr)
“That’s what I think.” (Fran)
“Then, who do you suspect?” (Tyr)
Tyr looked Fran straight in the eye.
Their gazes locked at close range.
“It was you.” (Fran)
How satisfying it would be to say that.
Tyr likely gave the order, possibly through the Sheeb Order, to avenge the Tadont couple. No concrete proof yet, but all circumstantial evidence pointed to Tyr. Targeting only Alma and Martina practically invited suspicion.
“Fran-dono, who do you suspect?” (Tyr)
Tyr asked again.
In front of her lay Alma and Martina, comrades who had served Casablanca faithfully. But Fran held her tongue.
“As the First Unit, the Captain of the Royal Guard, I cannot speak based on mere speculation.” (Fran)
After a pause, Tyr nodded.
“I see. Well, I believe these two were killed by Lureid Kingdom remnants.” (Tyr)
As they spoke, hurried footsteps approached.
Lily from the 3rd squad arrived with Casablanca.
“Casablanca-sama, Alma and Martina…” (Lily)
Sanya, who had calmed somewhat, broke down again upon seeing Casablanca.
“Alma… Martina… Why… Who did this?” (Casablanca)
Casablanca murmured as she stared, dazed, at the bodies.
Sanya couldn’t speak through her tears, so Fran stepped in.
“We don’t know yet.” (Fran)
“Casablanca-sama, my deepest condolences.” (Tyr)
Tyr expressed sympathy with a sorrowful expression, though his tone was devoid of genuine emotion. Casablanca’s gaze turned sharp.
“Was it you?” (Casablanca)
Her eyes silently demanded an answer.
“And if it was?” (Tyr)
Tyr’s eyes met hers without wavering.
A tense atmosphere thickened between them. This was bad. Their relationship might break down. Fran quickly stepped between them and addressed Casablanca.
“There were Lureid Kingdom soldiers’ bodies nearby. It might have been the work of the pro-war faction.” (Fran)
“…I see.” (Casablanca)
Casablanca barely reacted to Fran’s explanation.
Whether it was trust in Fran or sheer apathy, she didn’t ask for further details.
“Lily, call Jeanne and Hanna. We’re going back to Laplace.” (Casablanca)
“Casablanca-sama, it’s dark and dangerous. We should wait until morning.” (Lily)
“Shut up!” (Casablanca)
Casablanca screamed, hysterical.
“I don’t want to stay here a second longer! We’re going back!” (Casablanca)
“But…” (Lily)
Lily hesitated, seeking help from Fran.
Fran stepped in.
“Lily, follow Casablanca-sama’s orders.” (Fran)
Taking her back to the party would risk diplomatic disaster.
“Fran, handle the aftermath. I can’t… I’ll lose control if I stay.” (Casablanca)
Casablanca left with the remaining guards.
The “aftermath” likely referred to diplomatic damage control with the Lureid Kingdom. As Fran watched the queen leave, Tyr spoke.
“Fran-dono, splendid work. You made a rational decision without letting emotions sway you.” (Tyr)
“Which decision do you mean?” (Fran)
Fran’s response dripped with sarcasm.
Was he referring to her decision to pin the blame on the pro-war faction?
But Tyr didn’t bite.
“What else? Calming the panicked Casablanca-sama and deciding to return her to Laplace immediately.” (Tyr)
His voice was calm, his face unreadable in the dark.
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