New chapter of Merchant Noble is out! (2/6 chapters)

Assault

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Casablanca was on the throne. She was sitting on the throne at the far end of the grand hall, which spread across the third floor of the royal palace. She was the only one in this grand hall. All the guards and royal guards had already been deployed to the battle. The shouts of the soldiers and the sounds of clashing swords were so close that they reached her ears, yet she sat calmly on the throne with no sign of fear.

“Casablanca-sama.” (Lily)

Suddenly, the door of the grand hall opened. If it had been an enemy soldier, it would have meant the end for Casablanca. An ordinary person would have been frightened by even the creaking of the door. However, she showed no sign of agitation and simply looked toward the door. It was Lily standing there with her entire body stained in red. Judging from her expression, the blood was all that of enemy soldiers.

“Lily. Report.” (Casablanca)

“The enemy army has entered the royal palace with an overwhelming difference in numbers. Fierce fighting is currently taking place in the garden.” (Lily)

Lily must have been participating in that fierce battle herself, but she reported without the slightest sign of fatigue and without a single breath out of place.

“Does it look like we can hold them off?” (Casablanca)

As soon as the report ended, Casablanca asked the core question directly. Lily answered with a bitter smile at such a straightforward inquiry.

“It’s nothing. If the garden is breached, we will intercept them at the entrance. If the entrance is breached, on the first floor. If the first floor is breached, on the second. If the second is breached, on the third. The soldiers remaining here have all resolved themselves.” (Lily)

“Her Majesty the Queen. Lily-sama.” (Soldier)

Suddenly, a soldier entered. Lily reflexively moved to strike, so the soldier hastily prostrated himself. He was a soldier assigned to the rooftop to analyze the state of battle.

“From the rooftop, I saw what was happening outside the royal capital. The army of about five thousand that had risen in response to Her Majesty and was scheduled to join forces in the capital is retreating. It seems they failed to break through General Laika’s troops, which were deployed in front of the capital…” (Soldier)

“I see.” (Lily)

Lily’s dry voice echoed through the grand hall. Their allied forces were retreating. It was the moment their hope was crushed. No matter how long they endured Randal’s attack, no help would come. Even if they bought time, nothing would change. At this point, the only meaning left in their fight was to savor their own lives for even one more second.

“The soldiers who were supposed to come as reinforcements have fled. It seems this is the end for me as well.” (Casablanca)

In the grand hall, now once again occupied only by Casablanca and Lily, Casablanca spoke immediately. Her words sounded like someone devastated by despair, yet in contrast, her face was full of life. It was the satisfied face of a craftsman who had just launched a grand firework.

“Casablanca-sama. Then, I will return to the front line now.” (Lily)

“Lily.” (Casablanca)

Casablanca stopped Lily, who was about to return to the front, and handed her own sword to her.

“Of my seven royal guards, I never thought you would be the one to remain by my side at the end. Thank you. You have done well until now.” (Casablanca)

“…!” (Lily)

Having received words of appreciation from Casablanca, Lily briefly showed a surprised expression. Then, she quickly turned her face away and replied in a tearful voice.

“I shall go.” (Lily)

As time passed, most of the royal palace was suppressed. Randal’s soldiers used their overwhelming numbers to overpower the rebels barricaded in the palace. Fighting continued on the third floor of the royal palace, but the first and second floors had already turned into mop-up operations. The soldiers were moving through every corner of the palace, searching for Casablanca.

“She’s not here either.” (Soldier)

“Search each room carefully.” (Soldier)

The royal palace did not only house royalty. There were more than a hundred rooms for ministers, maids, cooks, and guests. Combat was left to a few units, while others began room-by-room searches.

“This treasure is amazing.” (Soldier)

“A giant painting!” (Soldier)

To the soldiers, searching for Casablanca was less important than looting treasures. Leaving aside Randal’s direct subordinates, most of the soldiers were conscripted civilians. They were completely captivated by the dazzling items of the palace, which they were seeing for the first time.

“Alright, this room is mine!” (Soldier)

For the soldiers, this was not a search for Casablanca, but a treasure hunt. They rushed into rooms, claiming them on a first-come, first-served basis, and began seizing every valuable item in sight.

“Guh!” (Soldier)

“Gyaa!” (Soldier)

The soldiers, whose faces were full of delight as they obtained treasure, were suddenly brought back to reality by loud screams that echoed throughout the palace.

“No way…” (Soldier)

The soldiers had completely forgotten. There was still one person left in Casablanca’s camp. The last surviving member of the invincible royal guard.

“Waaah! It’s Lily!” (Soldier)

Clutching the royal family’s sword in her right hand, and pressing her left against her heart, she appeared with a demon-like expression. When the soldiers saw her, they turned pale as if they had encountered a monster in the woods and fled in a panic.

 

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