New Merchant Noble is out (3/6 chapters for today)

 

 

Ambush

(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)

Taking along the timid and nervous governors, Lily advanced briskly.

She passed by Casablanca’s room and stopped in front of the “King’s Room.”

The “King’s Room” was, literally, the king’s private chamber, and currently it belonged to Leone.

Knock knock

“Excuse me.” (Lily)

“Come in.” (Casablanca)

A voice came from within, and Lily opened the door.

“I brought the regional governors.” (Lily)

“What?” (Governor)

“T-This can’t be.” (Governor)

The governors who entered the room behind her all raised voices of shock. Sitting heavily in the chair of the “King’s Room” was Casablanca.

“Casablanca-sama… We thought you were ill…” (Governor)

One of the governors spoke without thinking.

There had been many rumors, some said she had gone mad, others that she had become a shell of herself. Since Arc and Leone had never clearly denied the rumors, people assumed there was a high chance they were true. However, the woman standing before them now was completely healthy. They could not believe it.

Casablanca looked very pleased when seeing their expressions.

“People have a habit of seeing only what they want to see. The image of my weakened self was nothing more than a fantasy they created, hoping for it.” (Casablanca)

“Huh…” (Governor)

Though she said this proudly, her words were hard to understand.

Still, the fact remained that she was standing there showed that she clearly in good health.

“The enemy let their guard down. Leaving the royal capital empty while all the officials go visit a grave? It’s laughable. Utterly laughable.” (Casablanca)

Casablanca laughed triumphantly, and her eyes gleamed sharply.

“I’ve waited for this moment. I will defeat Leone and Arc. I will once again become queen.” (Casablanca)

Then, she slowly stood from the chair and walked step by step toward the governors. They were completely terrified of Casablanca and could only step backward.

“Right now, you have two choices. Choose freely. One is to become heroes who save the nation. The other is to die here and become corpses.” (Casablanca)

To say they could “freely choose” was absurd. Behind them stood Lily, who was gripping the hilt of her sword. Her face like a demon. If they refused to cooperate with Casablanca, they would surely lose their lives.

“Casablanca-sama…” (Governor)

One of the trembling governors stepped forward.

“And you are?” (Casablanca)

“My name is Hans. It was you, Casablanca-sama, who appointed me as governor of the Calil region.” (Hans)

“Hans. You have permission to speak.” (Casablanca)

The governor, who introduced himself as Hans, prostrated himself on the floor and spoke with vigor.

“I cannot follow you, Casablanca-sama!” (Hans)

Before Hans could finish speaking, Lily drew her sword and tried to cut him down. However, Casablanca stopped her.

“Wait, Lily! Hans. State your reason.” (Casablanca)

Hans answered while keeping his head pressed to the floor.

“Casablanca-sama. I owe you a great debt. It was you who appointed me as a governor during your reign as queen. Thanks to you, I was able to become a member of the privileged class after the fall of the nobility.” (Hans)

“And yet you still refuse to cooperate? You ungrateful traitor!” (Lily)

Lily shouted furiously, but Hans did not stop speaking.

“However, this era already belongs to His Majesty Leone. I say this with all due respect, but your time, Casablanca-sama, has passed. If I oppose His Majesty Leone and the Warden Household, my entire household left behind in my homeland will be massacred.” (Hans)

Hans raised his head.

With a face full of resolve, he turned to face Casablanca.

“Go ahead. Kill me. If I die by your hand, then, at least my family will be safe.” (Hans)

“I see… I had hoped you would join of your own will.” (Casablanca)

Although Hans had answered with the resolve to die, Casablanca was unexpectedly calm. She showed no emotional disturbance and remained composed.

“…” (Governor)

“By the way. Why are you all in the royal capital?” (Casablanca)

After a brief awkward silence, Casablanca changed the subject. They were pardoned. Not only Hans, but the other governors who had been anxiously watching also breathed a sigh of relief.

“We came to guard the royal capital, which would be empty during His Majesty Leone’s grave visit.” (Hans)

Hans answered. He clearly more at ease.

“Ah…” (Hans)

As he spoke, Hans realized something.

Why had he never questioned it before?

He, and they all, had overlooked something critical.

“What’s wrong?” (Governor)

“Hey, what’s wrong??” (Governor)

The other governors were confused by Hans suddenly going pale and trembling.

“Hans. What’s the matter?” (Casablanca)

Casablanca also asked Hans. However, unlike the other governors who showed concern, she seemed amused.

“Hey Hans. What’s wrong, I wonder?” (Casablanca)

Casablanca continued, as if mocking the fool who had only now reached the answer.

“But, now that you think about it, isn’t it strange? Calling only my hand-picked regional governors to guard the royal capital. And in reality, you are now being invited to join my rebellion.” (Casablanca)

Casablanca spoke in a voice loud enough to not be considered a monologue. With that “hint”, the other governors also realized.

“No way… The one who summoned us to the royal capital was…” (Governor)

They were all known in public as the “Casablanca faction”. Entrusting the empty royal capital to such people was unthinkable. The risk was far too high. Had they calmly understood their position, it would have been clear that they would never have been summoned to the capital. Casablanca laughed, mocking those who realized too late.

Then, she spoke in a playful tone.

“I’m sorry. Everything has already begun.” (Casablanca)

She revealed the truth to the governors, who were now pale and trembling.

“Hans, who showed such spirit earlier. I’m sorry, but the moment you led your soldiers into the capital, you had already joined the rebellion.” (Casablanca)

The orders they had received to “guard the empty capital” were fake from the beginning. They were forged by Casablanca. By following those orders and coming to the capital, they had already committed treason against Leone. Without realizing it, they had become “remnants who occupied the capital to rescue Casablanca”.

“This can’t be…” (Governor)

“Congratulations. You and your entire households will be executed for high treason. The only way you can survive now is if I defeat Leone and the Warden Household.” (Casablanca)

If they killed Casablanca right here and claimed they had been deceived, then, begged Leone for forgiveness, they might have been spared. However, in their state of panic, they were incapable of such reasoning. They were completely overwhelmed by Casablanca’s momentum.

“I said earlier you had two choices, but I take it back. You have no choice but to cooperate with me.” (Casablanca)

 

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