Merchant Noble is out (3/4 chapters for today)
Traitor (2)
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Casablanca addressed Hanna, whose face was now exposed after the cloak was torn away.
“Now, Hanna. You were my personal guard, the 7th Unit leader, yet you have been leaking information to the Warden Household. This understanding is not incorrect, is it?” (Casablanca)
“Casablanca-sama, why…?” (Hanna)
While desperately trying to stop the blood flowing from her foot, Hanna spoke in bewilderment.
In contrast to Hanna’s face, which was turning pale even in the dark, Casablanca remained completely calm.
“Hmm? You want to know how I realized you were a spy? Well, why do you think?” (Casablanca)
As she answered in a suggestive manner, Hanna desperately thought within her mind.
It was true that she had been given the mission as a spy for the Warden Household. However, she had hardly engaged in any spy activities to avoid being discovered. There was no point in leaking trivial information while exposing herself to danger. Thus, Hanna herself had hardly leaked any information at all.
The only thing she could think of was…
“Was it because I left Martina and Alma alone?” (Hanna)
This was the only thing that came to Hanna’s mind.
Having received a top-secret order from Tyr, she had arranged for Alma and Martina to patrol outside alone during a party with the Lureid Kingdom. Perhaps they had been targeted for their actions during that time. However, upon hearing Hanna’s confession, Casablanca appeared to learn something new.
“Oh, so it was your doing with Alma and Martina.” (Casablanca)
“Damn it. I’ve dug my own grave.” (Hanna)
Hanna clicked her tongue.
Speaking about information that hadn’t even been asked was a mistake she would normally never make. Although she looked calm on the outside, she might have been quite shaken subconsciously.
“So, when did you realize I was a spy?” (Hanna)
“Not at all.” (Casablanca)
When Hanna asked fearfully, Casablanca answered nonchalantly.
“I didn’t know until just now.” (Casablanca)
“Eh.” (Hanna)
Hanna was left speechless. She could hardly believe her ears.
“No way. I thought I was being followed because I was suspected…” (Hanna)
Murmuring in disbelief, Hanna received an explanation from Casablanca.
“If there was a spy in the personal guard, they would have moved today. So, I had someone keep watch over the lodging where you all stay.” (Casablanca)
“That’s…” (Hanna)
Hanna could only stand there in astonishment.
In other words, it was the reverse. Rather than “I suspected there was a spy, so I watched,” it was “I was watching, and then a spy was revealed.”
“Fran is not here.” (Casablanca)
The 1st Unit leader Fran, who usually stood by Casablanca’s side, was nowhere to be seen. This time, Casablanca had brought only a few guards.
This meant that Fran was also considered a suspect. She had been one of the few who heard the top-secret decision to go to war in that meeting. Crying while bowing down and pledging her loyalty to Casablanca with her own blood, Fran was not trusted by anyone in the personal guard.
“That means all my efforts until now were in vain.” (Hanna)
Hanna continued to gaze at the wound on her foot.
She could not raise her eyes. Casablanca was simply too terrifying. She had thought she was doing her best not to be suspected by Casablanca. In fact, until this moment, she had seemingly managed to keep it hidden. However, it had all been in vain against Casablanca. She…
Before even considering who to trust or distrust, had simply never trusted anyone at all. The close aide, 1st Unit leader Fran, the passionate 2nd Unit leader Jeanne, the behind-the-scenes support 3rd Unit leader Lily, the skillful 6th Unit leader Sanya, and the seemingly foolish 7th Unit leader herself.
Casablanca had trusted none of them.
“Casablanca-sama, you are a lonely person.” (Hanna)
Hanna could not help but speak up.
In reality, since she had been exposed as a spy, it could be said that Casablanca’s distrust was “correct”. However, even the personal guards who had pledged their loyalty and continued to serve her were completely not trusted by Casablanca. Hanna felt compelled to speak out, not out of spite but out of a certain sympathy.
Ignoring Hanna’s pitying gaze, Casablanca asked her,
“Hanna, I am curious personally, but since when were you a spy?” (Casablanca)
“Do you remember when you made me a personal guard, Casablanca-sama?” (Hanna)
“Yes. At the martial arts tournament held in the royal capital six years ago. Despite being a young girl, you defeated numerous men and became the runner-up. I was drawn to your bravery and scouted you.” (Casablanca)
Being the same gender and of a similar age as Casablanca, along with her outstanding martial arts skills and youthful charm, it was no surprise that Casablanca approached her. For a moment, Hanna’s face brightened as if reminiscing about the past, before continuing in a flat tone.
“At that time, I was already part of Warden’s ranks.” (Hanna)
“!!” (Casablanca)
This revelation shocked even Casablanca.
She had expected that Hanna had been absorbed into Arc’s ranks after becoming a personal guard. To think that she had already been part of the Warden Household before even becoming a personal guard.
“I am not the only one. Most of the girls who participated in that tournament were sent by Warden. I just happened to perform well and caught your eye, Casablanca-sama.” (Hanna)
“In that case…” (Casablanca)
“That’s right.” (Hanna)
With that, Hanna nodded at Casablanca’s realization.
“When Arc learned that you were gathering a personal guard, he sent me in.” (Hanna)
“The Warden Household had high hopes for me, didn’t they?” (Casablanca)
Casablanca said with irony.
Hanna, whether she realized Casablanca’s sarcasm or not, nodded in agreement with her words.
“Even when King Zerold, Leo, and Louis were still alive, and none of the nobles had their eyes on you, the Warden Household had been watching you.” (Hanna)
“Hanna. You are being quite honest.” (Casablanca)
Casablanca remarked to Hanna, who continued to speak calmly.
“This is also an order from Arc-sama. In case you were to discover my true identity, I was instructed to simply obey you.” (Hanna)
*Clang*
As soon as Hanna finished speaking, Casablanca threw a dagger towards Fran.
“You were an excellent personal guard. Now I can allow you a ‘noble death.'” (Casablanca)
Hanna stared at the dagger that had rolled on the ground for a while.
If she were to throw that dagger at Casablanca, perhaps history might change significantly. However, Hanna did not do that.
With trembling hands, she grabbed the dagger and held it to her neck.
“I have already prepared myself for the moment my true identity is exposed. Casablanca-sama, I shall take my leave first.” (Hanna)
—
“How amusing. Truly amusing.” (Casablanca)
Casablanca said with a completely unamused face.
Then, she walked towards Hanna’s lifeless body, looking down at her corpse and murmured.
“I had been unknowingly keeping a spy. To think Arc was in a position to know even the color of my underwear.” (Casablanca)
Indeed, the Warden Household must be destroyed here.
“Your Majesty. We have captured the man of the house.” (Soldier)
“Understood. You all take care of Hanna’s remains.” (Casablanca)
After briefly commanding the soldier who had come to report, she began to walk toward the house that Hanna had been entering and exiting.
“Watch closely, Arc. I will now take your eyes and ears.” (Casablanca)
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