Chapter 123
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 123
Chapter Title: Revolution and Ruin Are a Hair's Breadth Apart. (5)
"Then you've gotten in touch with Brother Kane too. Let's wrap this up quick and join him!"
"Yeah, let's finish it off fast."
Jenny and Lin reported the current situation to the commander as well, then stepped forward to tie up the loose ends they'd left behind.
"I'll handle Third Prince Sigrion."
Lin said it in a light, offhand tone as she passed by.
"You sure?"
"Of course. No problem."
Jenny had asked out of worry that Lin would be killing her own brother with her own hands.
But Lin interpreted it as concern over whether she could actually beat Sigrion.
"Well, if that's the case, good..."
"See you later then."
Their conversation wasn't quite connecting, but it didn't cause any real issues.
In truth, Lin harbored no positive feelings toward Sigrion whatsoever.
Toward the older brother who'd always treated her like dirt and looked down on her since childhood.
There was no reason she'd feel any fondness for him to begin with.
'It wasn't like I wanted him dead or anything, but if he's in Lord Kane's way, then he has to go.'
The emotions she'd felt upon first arriving at Pacific were nothing more than nostalgia for her long-lost homeland.
Even a place with nothing good about it could stir up sentimentality after so much time away.
'...Honestly, it was a bit unpleasant.'
Determined to shake off that lingering displeasure by cutting Sigrion down, Lin strode boldly toward where he was without hesitation.
The now-depopulated royal castle was eerily quiet.
And desolate besides.
"You actually stuck around instead of running away? I figured you'd have bolted, big brother."
"You dare mock me, you wretch...? You never amounted to anything since we were kids...! Father never acknowledged you alone!"
The old Lin had always thirsted for their father's attention and approval.
Sigrion, who knew that weakness all too well, tried to shake her by bringing it up.
"So what?"
But Lin hadn't needed her father's attention or approval in ages.
"W-What...?"
Her complete lack of reaction left Sigrion—the one who'd brought it up—more flustered instead.
"Looks like you've still got enough sense left to spout that nonsense."
Then she'd just have to smash that mind to pieces too.
Lin said with a chilling smile.
"Fuck... Fine, come at me! Bring it!"
Sigrion hardened his expression as he watched Lin strutting arrogantly after easily dispatching the others.
"Just because you took down those small fry easily doesn't mean you can look down on me too. I'm not like them..."
"Ice Lance."
Kwa-gwang-!
"Kaaak...!"
Before Sigrion could finish, Lin completed her incantation first.
The ice spears plummeting from the sky were brutally fast, and all he could do was barely dodge them.
"You fucking bitch, I'll kill you...!"
Sigrion drew his sword and charged, but Lin activated her next spell before he could close the distance.
"Ice Wall!"
A thick wall of ice rose up right in front of his eyes.
"Kuh, you coward, hiding behind magic...! If you're Pacific's proud princess, draw your sword right now!"
Sigrion had already seen Lin's magic in action against his subordinates.
That's why he kept yapping now—he was scared.
That spell where white flowers bloomed across their bodies... it wouldn't leave his mind.
"Pacific's proud princess, my ass. Quit flapping your gums and come at me, you pathetic piece of shit!"
Even so, she'd given him the chance to speak.
But all he did was drone on about Pacific Kingdom this, proud princess that, and their father whatever.
It was all infuriating drivel that Lin had no patience for.
So she'd finally snapped.
"You're denying your own origins now...?!"
There was no point responding.
No reason to keep listening.
"They tossed me aside, and you're still bitching about it. Ugh, just die already, you moron. Ice Field!"
"W-W-Wait...! Stop...!"
In the end, Sigrion's worst fear came true.
The ice magic that had looked frigid and eerie even from afar was now freezing his limbs solid.
It was far more agonizing and torturous than he'd imagined.
"Hiiik...! N-No...! I don't want to die...! Spare me...!"
The mouth that had been spewing venom moments ago now begged pathetically for his life.
This was the end for Sigrion, who hadn't even swung his sword once.
"Ice Garden."
And whether Sigrion begged for mercy or not.
Lin ended his life without pity.
"I could've made it more painful. But we're in a hurry right now."
White and red flowers bloomed across him.
"Kuaaaak...! Aak...! Aaaaak...! I don't want to d... ah..."
Lin turned away indifferently, as if Sigrion's slow death throes weren't worth watching.
Soon, his frantic screams and piercing shrieks.
All fell silent.
"Easy. They should be wrapping up over there by now too. Shall we go meet Lord Kane?"
With a smile, Lin left Pacific Castle behind and rejoined Jenny, who was already waiting after finishing everything up.
"That was quicker than I thought."
"Of course. He wasn't even worth the effort."
"Alright, then let's head out."
Jenny decided to set aside her worries, seeing Lin's utterly unconcerned expression.
It would be weird to keep fretting when Lin herself didn't want it.
"Let's go to Brother Kane!"
"I can't wait to see Lord Kane...!"
#
Jenny and Lin should have handled things without issue by now.
I wasn't too worried about that side.
What concerned me now was...
'Ours, obviously.'
I'd contacted His Majesty the Emperor too, and we were about to make our escape.
But the Mera Alliance wasn't an easy opponent.
Not only had they beefed up security, but the congressmen themselves were out there, eyes blazing as they guarded the gates.
"They've got us pinned from every angle. Guess we have no choice but to bust through the front, even if it means taking some hits?"
Scarlett asked, rubbing her temples like she had a headache.
But charging straight ahead had its own problems.
We had to protect the image stone.
If we got into a fight while safeguarding it and anyone took a serious injury...
That would spell real trouble.
"In a situation like this... this is probably the wisest option."
No matter how much I racked my brain.
Nothing better came to mind.
"Oh, so you do have a plan? I knew Brother Kane would!"
Scarlett grinned in delight.
"I see. So the Saint had it all planned out...!"
Mersenne spoke as if relieved with a sigh.
...Whether he'd say that after hearing it was another matter.
"Bait."
"Bait?"
"What kind of bait...?"
The two leaned in, faces full of focus.
Man, I hope they don't get too mad.
"I'll be the bait and draw them away. Meanwhile, Lady Scarlett and Sir Mersenne slip out fast and deliver the image stone to the Empire."
The faces of the two who'd been smiling moments ago.
Froze over in an instant.
Guess they are mad...?
But no matter how I thought about it, there was no other way.
I was the slowest of the three anyway.
Highest chance of dragging us down during the escape.
"No way in hell! We're not leaving Brother Kane behind!"
"Same here. We can't abandon the Saint...!"
"There's no other option. You two head to the Empire, deliver the image stone quick, bring back the army."
Moving an army would take time, but it was the surest way.
Jenny and Lin said they'd join us.
But who knew how long it'd take them to wrap up Pacific and catch up.
Hiding out that whole time...
Conditions weren't ideal.
"You two are fast... You'll definitely make it back quick. I'll... hold out as long as I can."
I didn't want to resort to this either.
Life is precious, and you only get one.
But if sacrificing it meant.
Protecting the things I absolutely had to safeguard.
"No, absolutely not. Better we all die together than that...!"
"...Saint, please reconsider... We can't...!"
Their faces twisted in anguish.
A bit more pushing, and they'd probably burst into tears right there.
"It's fine. I've gotten a lot stronger too. I'll definitely hold out!"
Of course, total lie.
Drawing the congressmen's attention.
And holding out alone until they returned?
Next to impossible.
But if this might be the end.
I didn't want to say goodbye with sad faces.
"You think this is funny right now?!"
Scarlett trembled with rage, unleashing her fury.
"Do you have any idea how precious you are to us, Brother Kane...? Leaving a person like that behind...? How are we supposed to go on living!? If you'd even thought a little about how people would feel without you, you couldn't say that!"
Knowing I was that important to them made my life worthwhile.
"Sorry, Lady Scarlett. But... right now, this is the only way."
For their sake, as they lived in this world.
The Mera Alliance had to vanish.
"Then I'll stay instead, Saint."
"Yeah, better me than her! Brother Kane, you go..."
"No. In this situation, I'm the biggest liability. I should be the one staying."
My mind was made up.
If the two of them headed to the Empire together, they'd arrive without much risk.
"No more time to waste. Let's move according to the plan..."
Ku-gwang-!
The moment I resolved to execute the plan.
A sudden explosion roared out.