New chapter of Merchant Noble is out! (5/6 chapters)

Conclusion

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Several days had passed since the explosion in the royal capital. Rescue operations were still ongoing in the ruined capital, and people who had lost their homes were flooding the outskirts of the city.

“Well, well. The sound of the explosion reached even here. The shockwave was strong enough to blow away even this small church.” (Zenon)

A small church stood alone in the suburbs a little distance from the royal capital. Inside a small confessional booth in the corner of the church, that was barely big enough for one person. It was Zenon. He was both the High Priest and Arch Priest, reigning as the unquestioned leader of the Laplace Holy Church. Through the small hole in the confessional booth, he looked at “her”.

“Your clothes are tattered, and your once-beautiful skin is smudged with soot. Seeing you like this, one could only call you a pitiful victim caught in the explosion. But you are the perpetrator, aren’t you? Casablanca-dono.” (Zenon)

Separated by a single wooden board, Zenon faced none other than her. She was the very same person Arc was desperately searching for, hoping to find her body.

“Randal and the suppression forces were turned to ash before me. It was thanks to Lily buying time. It went better than I expected.” (Casablanca)

Casablanca showed her teeth and laughed crudely. From her soot-stained body, her clean white teeth gleamed eerily.

“To abandon Lily-dono, who fought with all her might and loyalty until the end, without hesitation? I could never do such a thing.” (Zenon)

“She was so close to death that she could no longer stand. It couldn’t be helped.” (Casablanca)

Contrasting Zenon’s somber tone, Casablanca answered as if she felt no guilt toward Lily at all.

“So, what is your business with me? I assume Leone-sama and Arc-sama are desperately searching for you right now.” (Casablanca)

It was unlikely she came just to chat, but Casablanca hesitated to get to the point. Zenon, who was clearly reluctant, asked her purpose calmly.

“Oh? This won’t open?” (Casablanca)

Casablanca tried to pry open the confessional booth’s door where Zenon was locked inside, but the sturdy lock from the inside did not budge. She gave up on facing Zenon directly and pressed her face close to the small hole, staring at him with bloodshot eyes.

“I want to borrow the power of the Church. With your strength as its leader, the church followers could instantly become an impromptu army.” (Casablanca)

Zenon had endured countless trials to reign at the top of the Church, but now he felt the greatest fear of his life. He could no longer understand Casablanca’s thoughts as before. Whether she sincerely sought cooperation, intended to force obedience by strength, or simply no longer thought at all was unclear.

“Well, well. You used to abhor religion, but now you don’t care anymore. Do you still intend to raise your banner of rebellion?” (Zenon)

Though trembling inside, Zenon calmly and gently refused Casablanca’s proposal.

“People grow stronger with each battle. I might say I am the strongest I have ever been.” (Casablanca)

Casablanca clung desperately to the wooden partition of the confessional booth, trying to persuade Zenon. Dressed in tattered clothes, her desperate face pressed against the wood made her look like a restless spirit from the outside.

“Ca-Casablanca-sama… I cannot cooperate… please forgive me…” (Zenon)

Her shaking the door violently finally broke Zenon’s composure, and he began to tremble.

Why did she strive so hard for the throne? Why did she persist in fighting so fiercely?

Casablanca’s actions, now a manifestation of pure desire, went beyond understanding and struck Zenon with an instinctive fear, as if confronting a monstrous being.

“Casablanca-sama.” (??)

A voice echoed through the church’s nave.

The call came not from inside the confessional booth where Zenon was locked but from outside.

“Hmm?” (Casablanca)

Casablanca, who had been clinging to the confessional booth, turned around at the sudden call. There were supposed to be only two people in the church: Zenon and Casablanca.

“Gah!” (Casablanca)

A dagger was plunged into her chest as she turned. The dagger pierced deep into her body, and her dirty clothes quickly turned red.

“Gof!” (Casablanca)

Casablanca coughed up blood, opened her eyes wide, and raised her face. However, the moment she recognized the face of the person who had stabbed her, her expression softened slightly.

“…Arc. It’s been a while.” (Casablanca)

“Casablanca-sama. It has been a long time.” (Arc)

Arc returned the greeting while continuing to press down with the dagger he had thrust into her.

“You… how did you find this place?” (Casablanca)

“You used the ‘Royal Escape Route’ to flee, didn’t you? That’s the only path that leads directly from the royal palace to outside the capital.” (Arc)

“How do you know that… I see. You always saw through everything.” (Casablanca)

There was no way Casablanca would have died in the explosion. She was the kind of person who would abandon loyal retainers, use subordinates who followed her to the end as decoys, and crawl on her belly if it meant surviving.

“Yes. I know everything.” (Arc)

Arc had considered the possibility that Casablanca survived, so he thoroughly searched the escape tunnels known only to royalty.

“But stabbing me to death… that’s brave of you. Killing royalty means your entire family will be executed.” (Casablanca)

Casablanca spoke in a hoarse voice, her expression ambiguous, as though she might be joking or dead serious.

“I should have done this much sooner. This country has shed too much blood.” (Arc)

Arc ignored her words and spoke with an unusually serious face.

“I’ll be reborn. I will claim the throne again and again–…” (Casablanca)

Arc did not let her finish. He pulled the dagger from her body.

Casablanca collapsed with a thud and moved no more.

“This is the end of this lady.” (Arc)

The door to the confessional creaked open, and High Priest Zenon timidly stepped out. As if looking at a demon, he bent low and peered at Casablanca’s corpse. When he confirmed she had stopped breathing, he turned to Arc, still trembling yet filled with excitement.

“Arc-dono. You have done well to defeat Casablanca. Please do not forget my contribution. Be sure to inform His Majesty Leone… guaah!” (Zenon)

He never finished his sentence. The moment he carelessly stepped too close, his throat was slashed.

“For the restoration of the kingdom, we need a strong leader. There is no need for two rulers. I appreciate your noble sacrifice, High Priest. I’ll be taking this seal of office.” (Arc)

Arc took the seal, the symbol of authority of the Holy Church, from Zenon’s corpse and left the church without looking back.

“Arc-sama.” (Yulia)

Yulia, who had been standing watch outside, ran up to him. Arc glanced at her and gave a brief order.

“It’s all over. Yulia, burn this church to the ground.” (Arc)

“Understood.” (Yulia)

By the time flames rose from the church, the two of them had already disappeared.

 

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