Chapter 31
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 31
Chapter Title: Dawn Execution
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Right from the hazy hour when the sun began peeking over the horizon, the palace was thrown into utter chaos.
Thumping footsteps echoed through the corridors.
The racket outside made it impossible to get a wink of sleep.
'Did the enemy launch an attack or something?'
This was border territory.
It wouldn't be strange for an emergency to erupt here first if invaders came.
Or maybe it was just a training drill.
"Nngh..."
I stretched involuntarily and sat up.
My head was foggy from being yanked awake, but it'd clear soon enough.
"Crown Prince. I'm coming in."
Amid the commotion, Ekyon burst through the door.
The fact she hadn't waited for permission showed how urgent it was.
"Yeah. What's going on? It's noisy out there—are you okay?"
"Antiope and I are fine, and so's that girl. Seems like something big happened, but it's not war. No army outside."
"Really?"
My eyes widened in surprise.
Impressive that she'd scouted the perimeter amid all this mess.
"So you don't know the details either?"
"No. Looks like a major incident, but I haven't heard specifics. Didn't want to grab frantic people and make things worse."
"No need to piss people off by holding them up. Good call."
"Thank you for your understanding."
Ekyon bowed with a smile.
Her ample breasts strained against her white shirt, swaying gently as they dipped.
'Whoa. Look at those.'
One glance at that bountiful chest chased away any lingering sleepiness.
Fresh every time, and somehow life-extending too.
"Oh. What about Antiope?"
"She's in her room, watching the assassin girl. Didn't think it was a direct threat to Your Highness."
"No threat to me."
"Right. But just in case, I came. Someone might try sneaking an assassination amid the chaos."
In situations like this, gaps were easy to exploit.
Ekyon was spot on.
'Actaeon's trustworthy now anyway. Might as well call her.'
She'd probably hung back fearing Actaeon might backstab us in the confusion...
But I figured it was safe now.
So I stepped out onto the balcony and raised my voice.
"Antiope! Come to my room!"
I tossed out the order, slipped back inside, and waited briefly.
Antiope opened the door right away.
"Your Highness, is it safe?"
"Yeah. Called you 'cause I trust you. Actaeon, drop the stealth."
I swiped at the empty air, and Actaeon popped into view by the door.
Just as expected—she'd come along.
"Stand by for now. Counterattack if the assassin shows. Don't get too aggressive since it's not certain."
"Got it."
Antiope and Ekyon took up positions by my side.
Actaeon guarded the door, careful not to give any pretext.
Thoughtful of her.
"Hang in there just a bit."
I met Actaeon's eyes and smiled; she smiled back.
No big deal, her expression said.
"Worry about the master more than me."
"I am. With three reliable women around, what've I got to fear?"
"Ah, right. Your ability's recovered, yeah? Defense too? Then we can relax. Even if you get hurt, just heal up."
True enough, but not the full picture.
Healing and barriers were just branches of my unique magic.
'Gotta explain it all later.'
Only three knew my unique magic fully: Antiope, Ekyon, and Orpheus.
Adding Actaeon would make four.
"Your Highness. Did you cough?"
As we waited—half-sitting, half-standing—someone knocked.
An unfamiliar man's voice.
Actaeon stepped back from the door and vanished.
Antiope eyed the door; Ekyon watched the balcony.
"Come in."
"Pardon the intrusion."
The man rushed in, bowing urgently.
He looked desperate, like he was about to burst.
"You look serious. What is it?"
"Yes. The master has the arch-traitor in custody and requests Your Highness confirm. If you permit, I'll lead the way."
"Already?"
My eyes went wide again.
The only arch-traitor at this timing was Kruger.
"Yes. But... did you anticipate this?"
"I had a hunch. Is it Count Kruger?"
"Wha—? Yes, exactly! That's the arch-traitor!"
The man jumped, startled.
His face screamed, How did you know?
"Perfect. Let's go."
"Pardon? Ah, yes! Right this way!"
Shocked and tense, he practically shouted.
His disciplined vibe evoked a nervous newbie or fresh recruit.
"Everyone, let's move."
"Yes."
I headed out with my two women and the invisible one.
The corridor had quieted now that the initial frenzy had passed.
We strolled casually until we emerged into an open space.
A garden enclosed by ice sculptures and walls.
"Oh, you're here? Come on over."
Manes stood in the center, waving at me with a brighter smile than yesterday.
Clearly in high spirits.
"Sure, Aunt."
I nodded lightly and approached her.
A human wall formed by ranks of people in one corner.
A man kneeling gagged before Manes.
And Manes in the middle, welcoming me.
It felt like some grand ceremony.
"Just like you said, I gathered a real variety. So I nabbed 'em, and got the Emperor's approval too."
Manes reached into her bosom and pulled out a single sheet of paper.
Up close, it bore the Emperor's seal.
"Can I see?"
"Of course. Here."
"Thanks."
I took the warm paper—tucked in her cleavage, after all—and skimmed it.
—Strip Count Kruger, arch-traitor, of his title. Execute his direct family; collaterals within six degrees to convene, elect a representative to fill the vacancy.
Holy shit.
I'd expected Kruger's execution, but wiping out the whole family? Wild.
"The family too?"
"Charges: treason and illicit gains therefrom. Military's rounding them up; they'll be caught soon."
"You checked thoroughly?"
"Didn't want to execute the innocent and make it worse."
Not intentional, maybe, but if they joined the rebellion, guilty they were.
Tragic, but no helping it.
"That's rough."
"Rough? Thinking that way proves you're one of a kind."
Manes blinked and tilted her head.
Perplexed, like it didn't compute.
"Heard stuff like that growing up. Guess I'm just wired that way."
"Weird, but not bad. Kinda draws me in more, actually?"
Anyway.
Manes paused, dropping her gaze.
"You execute him yourself. Charges announced; just carry it out cleanly."
"Me?"
"Yeah, you. If you don't wanna get blood on your hands, I can do it. Or your guard. What's it gonna be?"
What else?
This revenge needed my hands bloody, not someone else's.
First time killing a man, sure...
But blood didn't scare me.
If a crime warranted death, pay with death.
Worse crimes? Lifetime torment.
"Aunt. Lend me a weapon?"
"Gladly. Here."
Manes handed over her waist sword like she'd been waiting.
Knowing it'd taste blood made it feel heavier.
"Hoo."
I steadied my breath, drew the blade, and aimed at the criminal's neck nape.
Adjusting the angle.
Then raised it slightly, circulating mana through my body.
Clean. One swing.
'Ready.'
Body and mind set, I swung hard.
No point talking to scum.
"Mmph... mmph!"
The criminal twisted, eyes bulging.
A tangled glare of resentment, fear, desperate will to live.
'Wanna live? Shouldn't have stabbed me in the back.'
He'd figured I'd be fine.
That I could handle it.
Born noble, so entitlement bred greed.
No greed, no plot.
"You and your family weren't killed by me—they were slain by your own greed."
I slashed the exact arc I'd envisioned.
A weighty resistance, the sickening slice of flesh.
Vivid, chilling handfeel of severing something solid.
Thud. His head dropped a beat late; crimson sprayed.
Execution done. Silence blanketed the area.
'Weird.'
They say first kill brings tension, nausea.
Even watching scars you with trauma.
But my mind? Serene.
Just satisfaction, pride in vengeance, a touch of emptiness.
Bloodline power? Or my true nature?
Didn't know. Plenty to mull over, anyway.
Post-execution, the gathered crowd dispersed.
The briefly returned troops redeployed to the buffer zone.
Gloom lingered only a moment.
Order resumed, normalcy returned.
Amid it, Actaeon dropped her stealth and stood boldly by the Crown Prince.
Her assassin status undisclosed.
Only insiders knew anyway.
No risk of exposure, and even if outed, no issue—the near-victim Crown Prince had approved.
"Sorry. I was too late, huh?"
Actaeon sighed, looking glum.
Thanks to the Crown Prince's consideration, she was spending alone time with family.
"Late? If anything, too fast. Didn't expect resolution in three years."
The young man opposite smiled softly.
Freshly bathed and dressed decently, he was almost presentable.
Skeletal and filthy otherwise, he'd have flipped her stomach.
"Heard you became the Crown Prince's guard? He forgave you?"
"Yeah. Said I was his type, so he let it slide. Lucky me."
"Luck... yeah. Real lucky."
Attempted imperial assassination? Instant execution.
Would've joined Kruger on the block today.
The young man knew, so he just smiled bitterly.
Bad luck, and it'd be sister dead, him alive.
But one thing to confirm.
"Actaeon."
"Yeah?"
"Lowly folk like us get tossed around by power. Becoming a guard was inevitable."
Actaeon's brow furrowed neatly.
His long-windedness still grated.
"Sure, but why?"
"Still, gotta ask. You don't hate being his guard?"
"You dragged that out just for this? Ridiculous."
Actaeon narrowed her eyes, muttered, then relaxed into a grin.
"Bro. Don't worry. I really do feel lucky."
Her smiling lips. A shy glint in her eyes.
Genuine voice.
Only then did the young man relax.
But relief felt too shallow for the depth...
How'd she change so much in days?
'Strange.'
A soft smile touched his lips.
Mysterious, but her happy face was enough.
"If you're inclined, visit him at midnight tomorrow—the night after tonight."
"Tomorrow night? Why sudden?"
"He's imperial blood, but killing shakes anyone. Tonight he got blood on his hands—offer comfort. Midnight, soothe his heart."
Why me? Actaeon tilted her head, then eyes widened.
"Tch! I'll handle it. That's what you say as a brother?"
"'Cause you don't seem to hate him. Anyway, thanks for worrying."
"You rest. I'm out."
She couldn't snap at family, so she stormed off.
Her sharpest worry was edged words.
'Damn it.'
Actaeon exhaled roughly outside.
Niu's words already nagged her; now this complicated things.
She lingered at the door a while before finally walking away.
'Midnight, he said.'