Chapter 89
Chapter 89
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 89
Chapter Title: Magnet Branch (5)
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The crescent moon gazed down on the small garden.
A huddled shadow revealed in the faint light.
Iriel approached it and plopped down beside it.
"The weather's nice and cool, isn't it?"
"......Yeah."
Yuria, who had been resting her chin on her knees, replied listlessly.
Then, in a subdued voice, she continued.
"I'm sorry. I was rude earlier."
"Huh? No way. Who could keep their manners when cursing out those empire bastards?"
Iriel waved her hand dismissively as she spoke.
Her emotions had run high, but it wasn't a problem at all.
Who would complain about cursing out those scum?
Harav had sent her out to calm her down, not because she'd done anything wrong.
Yuria quietly opened her mouth.
"My parents died because of that."
"......Ah, I see."
She had heard it from Harav just moments ago, but she pretended not to know.
"Well, I'm okay now. I haven't forgotten, but I've gotten used to it."
"I get it. I lost my parents to the empire bastards too."
The two faced each other and gave sad smiles.
They understood each other's feelings better than anyone.
It had been ten years since the merger with the empire.
The people of Francia were as accustomed to sharing joys and happiness as they were to sharing sorrow and pain.
Because those things permeated their lives.
"Ha, I really hope Harent drops dead this time."
Yuria looked up at the night sky and vented. Iriel grinned at her.
"It'll happen. That guy's—no, Lord Genes's words always become reality."
"Tch. I'm jealous."
"Huh? Of what?"
Yuria puffed out her cheeks as she looked at Iriel.
"That you can call Lord Genes 'that guy.'"
"You could do it too after a few more days. His personality's like that. He gets teased so much by people."
"But he's just so cool. Totally my type."
"......Yeah?"
"Yeah! He's so chic. I like guys like that."
"I-I see."
Excited, Yuria added even unasked-for words.
"And above all, just looking at him makes you trust him right away."
Iriel tilted her head.
In her first meeting with him, that face had actually made her doubt him.
He was too young compared to his power.
"Being handsome is the best."
Ah......
Only then did Iriel properly understand Yuria's feelings.
'She just likes handsome guys.'
"You've got it good, sis. You're pretty. Insanely so."
"Huh? Not that much. Haha."
Iriel scratched her cheek in embarrassment.
She was pretty, but not to that extent......
"You're super pretty too. Cute. You'll definitely get even prettier when you're an adult."
"No way. This isn't enough to snag Lord Genes. Sigh. If I had your face, sis, I'd have him hooked right away."
"Really? How?"
When Iriel showed keen interest, Yuria stared at her intently.
As if wary of a romantic rival, Iriel hurriedly made excuses.
"N-No, I mean, you said it so confidently, so I thought you had some secret guy-seducing technique. That's what I was curious about exactly."
"Of course I have my own killer move for seducing guys."
"What's that?"
"Guys are all the same. They're weak to cuteness."
"Cuteness?"
"Yeah. Just add 'yoong' to the end of sentences, and they all fall."
"......"
"For example, 'Hello yoong,' 'Want this yoong?' 'See you next time yoong,' like that. I haven't tried it on Lord Genes yet 'cause my heart races too much, but it's super effective."
......Guys fall for that?
She couldn't trust the method at all.
"Has it worked on anyone?"
"Of course! I'm super popular with guys my age!"
Her peers were just blood clots around sixteen.
Meanwhile, Genes was probably late twenties, even if she didn't know exactly.
No way it'd work.
No, setting that aside, would it even work on sixteen-year-olds?
"It's really effective! Try it when you like someone. Got it?"
"Uh, yeah. Thanks."
Iriel gave an awkward smile.
'What was I doing, learning from a kid......'
Still, seeing Yuria regain her previous energy, the goal of comforting her seemed achieved.
* * *
Four days had passed since they had dinner together.
That afternoon, Harav brought the news he had been waiting for.
"Currently, Harent is staying at the Governor's Residence. It took a while to check discreetly, but it's confirmed from a reliable source."
I nodded.
The governor's location was classified, so it wouldn't have been easy to confirm, but the work was done faster than expected.
"And here. The thing you specially requested last time."
He handed me a long iron rod. It was too thick to hold in one hand, and long enough to reach my chest when stood upright.
"I had a hard time timing it. It's so big."
"Thank you for your efforts."
"What efforts for this? The real hard part is all on you. So, when do we move?"
"I'm thinking tonight."
"Tonight?"
Harav swallowed as he looked at me.
"There's no reason to delay."
"......W-Well, that's true, but."
He nodded dazedly.
I knew what he wanted to say, but I didn't need time to prepare mentally or devise separate plans.
Enter the Governor's Residence through the main gate, sever Harent's head, and come out.
That was my entire plan.
"As I said before, you have to pass through five gates to reach the Governor's Residence."
"Yes. I remember."
I'd lived there my whole life. No way I wouldn't know.
From the royal castle's entrance to the current Governor's Residence—what used to be my father's dwelling, 'Reanot Palace'—you had to cross five massive gates.
There might be ways to sneak over the walls, but even for me, not here.
The Governor's Residence would have security magic focused on vigilance and defense, not anti-personnel barriers.
Impossible to sneak through layer upon layer of security magic.
So, if detection was inevitable, better to charge straight in than skulk like a rat.
Of course, an option only possible for me.
"Anything else you need?"
"No."
I bowed slightly and left the room.
There was still time until night. I headed to my room to kill time until then.
Since I had to breach the enemy's lair, it would be an annoying fight.
Not threatening, but tedious.
I'd circulate my energy until then.
I arrived at the room, sat cross-legged, closed my eyes—and a knock sounded.
Knock knock knock.
"Come in."
Yuria timidly opened the door and entered.
"Am I bothering you?"
"Yeah."
"Ah, s-sorry."
"Forget it. What is it?"
"Um, I didn't know when you'd leave, so I came now in case I miss you......"
Yuria hesitantly brought out her hidden hand.
In that small hand lay a tiny bracelet.
"What's this?"
At my question, she scurried over and handed it to me. It was a thread bracelet twisted from colorful strings.
"It's a lucky bracelet. I made it to give to you. Not sure if you'll like it, but I prayed while making it. So it'll definitely bring you luck, Lord Genes."
I took it without a word.
Yuria clasped her hands, eyes sparkling.
"Want me to put it on?"
Instead of answering, I jerked my chin toward the door.
"Ah, yes. Rest well."
Yuria left with a regretful look. It was a garish bracelet far from my taste, but I put it on my wrist.
Lately, dark circles under her eyes.
I knew the effort she put into making it. Wearing it while here wasn't hard.
No sooner had I closed my eyes than light footsteps echoed in the corridor.
Pat pat pat.
From the sound, it was Allen, and with that urgency.
Bang!
"Lord Genes!"
Whack!
"Argh!"
The moment he opened the door, I mercilessly flicked his forehead.
How many more beatings until he learned to knock?
At this point, was he just asking for it with his head?
"What's the fuss?"
"Ugh, you're going to the Governor's Residence tonight, right?"
"So?"
"Uh, just confirming."
"Yeah. Tonight."
"You're okay with that? Mr. Harav said he got the info today."
"What's the difference between today and tomorrow?"
"As expected of Lord Genes! I believe in you. Come back safe and tell me every detail of how you behead Harent!"
"You ran here just to say that?"
"Haha. Just wanted to tell you now."
He scratched his head sheepishly.
Acting like he trusted me, but clearly possessed by doubt.
"You're going tonight?"
Iriel poked her head out from behind Allen.
"No special preparations?"
"When do I ever?"
"......Well, true. Don't get hurt. Be careful."
I nodded and waved them off.
"Both of you, out."
"Won't you be bored?"
At Allen's question, I glared.
"Bored?"
"Hehe. Just kidding."
Seeing him grin made my nerves twitch.
Always.
Begging for the rod.
Whack!
"Argh!"
* * *
A pitch-black night thick with darkness.
I stepped outside to find Allen and Iriel in the small yard, along with all the branch members, sitting and praying.
They looked like they'd been at it for a while.
"What're you doing?"
"Ah, leaving now?"
Allen jumped up. Everyone followed suit. Yuria dashed forward.
"We all gathered to pray for you until you return!"
"Then go carefully."
"We'll be cheering."
The others chimed in from the side.
"Then take care."
Even Harav came to see me off.
I gave Harav a light bow without a word and exited the main gate.
The long iron rod was slung diagonally across my back.
On the way, I pulled the white lion mask from my bosom and placed it over my face.
Preparations complete.
I stepped toward the city shrouded in darkness.
Scenery whipped by like arrows.
The chill night wind buffeted my whole body.
And moments later.
I stood before the massive main gate of the Governor's Residence.