Chapter 27
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 27
Chapter Title: Revelations in the Square
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Pador County Central Square.
"Move aside there!"
A grumpy mustached man shoved his way through the crowd.
"Daddy! There are so many people!"
The child on his shoulders clapped excitedly.
Countless others filled the square as well.
All gathered to celebrate the Trial Valley.
Marian, Nellin, and Jayvolg.
The trio following Deyan stood amid the throng to witness the spectacle.
"Did the young master really pass the Trial Valley?"
Nellin blinked in disbelief, not even touching her beloved donut.
"I'm going to cry..."
Marian dabbed at her tears with a handkerchief.
Jayvolg placed his hands on his hips, watching the two.
"Hahaha! Of course he did!"
"Sir Jayvolg, thank you. Thanks to you, the young master passed the Trial Valley."
"Exactly!"
As the two girls expressed their gratitude, Jayvolg scratched his head.
"Truth be told, I didn't do much..."
"No!"
"It was all thanks to your excellent guidance!"
Jayvolg felt more awkward than ever.
How could he teach a young master stronger than himself?
He'd truly done nothing, but good was good.
"Hahaha! You're right. Absolutely!"
Jayvolg laughed heartily.
In the meantime, Ian Pador ascended the platform in the central square.
"People of the territory."
His voice wasn't particularly loud, yet it filled the square and drew everyone's attention.
"This year's Trial Valley featured exceptional participants and trials to match. However, an unfortunate incident occurred in the process."
This was common knowledge.
Rumors had spread throughout the county that Pador Knight Dobern had unleashed beasts in the Trial Valley to slaughter the participants.
"The Pador family could have hidden it, but we chose not to. Because..."
Ian placed a hand on his chest.
"It goes against the spirit of the Pador family. A family's shame shouldn't be concealed; it must be exposed and excised like rot. As the chief overseer of this Trial Valley, I offer my deepest apologies to all who worried."
Ian bowed his head.
The crowd admired the man in the highest position taking responsibility with such sincerity.
This was the Pador way.
A noble house that always looked out from the lowest vantage.
Ian's actions embodied that very spirit.
He raised his head.
"Despite the mishap, the participants showed courage and spirit, passing the Trial Valley admirably. Correcting the family's wrongs is important, but first, let us applaud these brave children."
Ian extended his hand.
Pador knights lined both sides there.
"Let us congratulate them. The four participants who cleared the third gate of this Trial Valley."
The Pador knights raised their swords, forming a path.
Along that path stood Andrew, Inschtain, the red-robed figure, and Deyan, who had reached the deepest part.
He walked between the knights' swords.
Cheers from the territory folk rang out.
What a fuss.
Marian and Nellin clutched each other's hands, eyes glistening, which embarrassed him.
Amid it all, Ralph sulked with a pouty face, clearly grumpy.
"Ugh..."
He'd reached the third gate too, so was he feeling hard done by?
Suck it up. Even if you'd gone further, a monstrous beast like despair would've awaited.
Ignoring Ralph, he followed the cheers along the path, a fresh sense of emotion washing over him.
A scene he never saw before.
In his first life, after the Trial Valley ended, the county had been like a house in mourning.
The imperial princess had died inside, after all.
The Pador family struggled to uncover the truth but received endless missives.
Back then, these cheers had been drowned in jeers and condemnation.
His existence had changed this future.
The sky was wonderfully clear.
He straightened his gaze from the heavens. Ahead stood Ian Pador.
The man in the thick iron mask smiled at them.
"All of you deserve praise."
"Woooaaah...!!"
As they took position before the platform, the crowd erupted in thunderous applause and cheers.
Ian watched silently, letting them savor it. Moments later, he pointed to the monument.
"The winner whose name will be etched on the Monument of Remembrance, step forward."
At the call, Merina stepped up, and Ian nodded to her.
"Place your hand on the stone and speak your name. The monument of this land will remember it forever."
Merina stared blankly at the stone.
Seeing this, Inschtain whispered to them.
"This is bad."
"Why?"
Inschtain beckoned and glanced around warily.
"She's in big trouble. That one's from the underworld."
What nonsense was this?
"Underworld?"
Underworld? She was just too prominent for shady spots.
"Yeah! But how much to hire her?"
Inschtain was deluded in grand style.
To buy that woman, you'd need a whole nation.
Tsking at whatever drivel Inschtain might spout next, he turned to the platform.
Merina, resolved, placed her hand on the stone.
"Merina Charlotte."
The crowd mostly tilted their heads, unable to hear, but soon a bronze name appeared on the stone.
Merina Charlotte.
Seeing it, everyone was stunned.
"Wh-why that name...?"
"Is it real...?"
No one dared utter the forbidden surname.
The name reserved for the imperial family of the empire.
Charlotte.
Because the red robe had spoken it.
Merina slowly turned, facing the platform front. She removed her hat.
The crowd's eyes widened in shock.
From the solemn Pador knights to the frail elders.
"Uh... u-ugh...!"
Especially Inschtain, who moments ago had trashed the empire's princess as underworld scum—he gasped as if his heart had stopped.
A moment of silence.
Then, unanimous action followed.
"Hail the Princess!!"
Everyone bowed deeply in unison.
Even he had to bow in this public setting.
Standing tall here would cost a head.
Though countless gathered in the square, only Merina kept her head raised.
"The princess is the Trial Valley winner?"
"Never imagined..."
The bowed folk whispered.
Of course.
The empire's princess was worlds away from a contest like the Trial Valley.
A greenhouse flower enjoying parties, music, and tea in the capital—yet she'd slain beasts to win!
This would shock everyone and reshape views.
"Raise your heads, all of you."
As he lifted his with the crowd, she beamed radiantly.
"Surprised?"
No one replied. Who would dare?
Merina nodded to herself, as if expecting it.
"I don't want to be a princess in name only. I want the qualifications and qualities to lead you all. So..."
She pointed to her name on the stone.
"I entered the Trial Valley and won."
Merina placed a hand on her chest.
"From now on, like this, I'll forge my own path."
A historic moment.
Awareness of being at its center?
All eyes fixed unwaveringly on her.
"Such grim faces on a joyous day?"
Merina smiled brightly. Her smile lifted the crowd's lips, igniting the square.
"You're beautiful...!"
"Princess, you're the best!"
"The empire's true royal!"
Beauty stirs nations, and with eloquence too—trouble brewing.
Merina gave Ian a courteous nod.
"Sir Ian, shouldn't we hold a festival?"
Who could refuse?
"As you wish."
Ian nodded and proclaimed.
"The Trial Valley is over! Let the festival begin—enjoy yourselves!"
At Merina and Ian's declaration, the crowd relaxed into festival prep. Merina descended the platform. Then, with a fresh smile curling her lips, her red lips mouthed silently.
-Thank you.
Thanks? Good for me too.
But unlike him, Inschtain looked utterly dazed.
"Uh... uh... ugh."
Like a broken wind-up doll, his mouth opened and closed endlessly—quite the sight.
His bold arrogance gone, soul fled.
Noticing, Merina grinned.
"Now you know who I am, satisfied?"
"Kuh-huugh...!!"
Inschtain finally fainted on the spot.
His collapse kicked off the festival proper; folk soon grabbed drinks and food.
Merina drew everyone's admiration and gazes.
Must be tiring.
Beautiful flowers always attract foul pests.
He glanced at Ian briefly.
A skilled, seasoned smile.
Boiling inside, yet holding steady.
Couldn't unmask him this time, but wait.
Soon, he'd grab that tail and rip off the filthy mask...
Swoosh...!
An ambush?!
He whipped around at the odd sensation behind, but no foe—only delightfully familiar faces.
"Young master! Congratulations!"
Marian and Nellin showered him with petals; Jayvolg hoisted a banner reading 'Congrats on Deyan Pador Clearing Trial Valley!'—overkill.
What a pointless display.
"Young master, happy, right?"
"As if."
Nellin giggled.
"Aw, you are! You're smiling!"
"When did I... Nellin, you always misunderstand."
Marian covered her mouth, smiling faintly.
"Even I see a smile."
"What...! Misunderstandings. Go enjoy the festival."
When did I smile?
What a misunderstanding.
"Yes, young master didn't smile."
"Absolutely not!"
Give up.
"Think what you want."
He toured the festival with the clingy bunch.
This celebrated Trial Valley passers but also marked the county's liberation from the devil long ago.
Hence, more varied festival foods and fun than ever.
On one side...
Andrew had claimed a spot, devouring everything.
"Uwooo...! A bit more, just a bit...!"
A beggar in his belly?
Tral Clan raised beggars, not knights.
Hand that to Gong Cheon-gae; he'd love it.
But they had their own beggar.
"Fooood...!!"
Nellin lunged at the grub.
Please, not in public?
Andrew, mid-gorge, lit up at the rival.
"No way!"
Then Andrew and Nellin competed to clear plates.
He averted his eyes, pretending not with them.
Turning elsewhere, Inschtain frantically atoned.
"The princess approaches!!"
His servants rolled out red carpets wherever Merina passed.
"Stop it."
Merina ignored him coldly. Inschtain scolded his men.
"I said no!"
"But sir Inschtain—!"
"Quiet!"
Inschtain shoved gold into the servant's mouth.
The man, seeing gold, eyes spun, claimed responsibility.
Good guy... or bad?
Watching the festivities, Ian approached.
"Deyan."
"Yes."
"You did well."
"Luck."
"Luck..."
Ian smiled oddly.
"Not luck. Deyan, be proud."
"Thank you."
"Good. Enjoy and head in."
He encouraged and left.
Yes, Ian Pador.
Thanks to you. That innocent boy ground his teeth for decades.
Expect more.
As he glared at departing Ian...
"Young master, the princess is leaving!"
Marian pointed to Merina boarding a carriage afar.
"Oh, right. Safe travels... Huh?"
The Trial's Gift...?
Rumble.
"Wait!! You can't go!!"
Carriage leaving...?
Why?
Crowds chased the princess's carriage.
He joined.
He still had something coming!
Darn dine-and-dash?
Give me my elixir!
"Priiinceeess...!!"
Ignoring his burning gut, Marian and Nellin giggled.
"Young master got close to the princess."
"He did."
No, not that!!
He chased, but the carriage receded. Couldn't use Shadow Step in this crowd.
As he blended into the masses trailing it, the carriage window opened.
"Bye...!"
Merina waved innocently.
No, not bye!!
Forget something? Huh?!
He pushed to chase, but Marian, Nellin, and servants blocked.
"Young master, until next time."
"Don't overdo it!"
"Uh... yeah."
Overdo? He was healthy.
Would be. Was.
But swallowing tears outwardly, the three piled misconception on misconception.
"Never knew young master was so close to the princess..."
"Sniff!"
No.
The princess's carriage.
My elixir's there!
Yet despite his anguish, the carriage faded away.
"Don't go...!!"