Chapter 893
Chapter 893
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 893
Chapter Title: God's Atlantis
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I'd been on high alert for betrayal, but I let out a sigh. What was I supposed to do in a situation like this? After racking my brain for a moment, I slapped her cheek with my palm.
Smack!
"Cut the nonsense and get your head straight, Elena."
"...!"
Elena stared at me with her eyes wide open after the slap. The shock treatment seemed to work; the gloomy air around her shifted.
Her frantic eyes calmed down.
"Haa."
Elena let out a sigh laden with multiple meanings and stood up straight on her own. Explosions boomed and screams echoed around us. She took stock of the situation and corrected her disheveled posture.
"You're the second person to hit me. It's been a while since I got slapped, so it really snapped me out of it. Couldn't you have hit me a bit lighter? My cheek still stings."
The imprint of my palm was still clear on Elena's cheek.
"It was urgent, so I put a little too much force into it. I'm curious who the first one was."
"My mother. I got hit a lot."
"...No way. Did she kill you for slapping her?"
"I can't say she didn't."
Elena smirked. She cast a spell, and the dress she was wearing vanished, replaced by her usual uniform. Unfortunately, it wasn't some magical girl transformation, so I didn't get to see her naked.
She glanced around once and nodded.
"What a mess."
"Yeah, a huge mess."
Straight ahead, the Emperor of Yustria and Banrei, the master of the Barclay Legion alliance, were locked in combat. The Emperor wasn't backing down. He was monstrously powerful. Every clash between them sent shockwaves that blew away parts of the imperial palace.
"I didn't expect the Barclay Legion to get involved. And I really didn't think their master, Banrei, would go after the Emperor's head."
"I can roughly guess what's going on. The Emperor's been in contact with the Barclay Legion for a while now. He's probably been weighing the pros and cons between the Angelus Legion and the Barclay Legion."
"So the Emperor chose the Angelus Legion, and the Barclay Legion got pissed off about it?"
"Exactly. To weaken the Yustria Empire, they launched this terrorist attack. Yustria has the strongest forces in Atlantis, after all. The Barclay Legion is willing to take the loss just to cut Yustria down to size."
It wasn't a blind assault without reason.
Of course, the Barclay Legion alliance wouldn't charge in just because they were angry.
"But why aren't you jumping in?"
"Regrettably, I'm a criminal right now. If a criminal like me steps in recklessly, how would that look for His Majesty the Emperor?"
Was she really doing nothing? I doubted it. Right now, her eyes were gleaming as she scanned the surroundings.
"Why aren't the attackers coming after us? Never mind me, but you're one of the Empire's Five Dukes."
"Their target is the Emperor and the Crown Prince, not us. The other Four Dukes, excluding me, are fighting to protect the Emperor, but they're blocked off and can't reach him."
Gabriel was guarding the Crown Prince.
"...Is the Emperor really that strong?"
"The Emperor has secrets. You can't hold onto Yustria's throne just because you were born with imperial blood."
"What secrets?"
"I don't know, so they're secrets. What I do know is... they're connected to the Millennium Duke. You don't know?"
"No clue."
A chunk of building debris flew toward Elena. I summoned Stormbreaker in front of her and swatted it away.
"Why isn't the Millennium Duke making a more aggressive move?"
"He hasn't received orders from the Emperor. That's how he's always been. He doesn't actively help the Emperor, but he'll absolutely prevent the Emperor from dying. The Millennium Duke is even more enigmatic than the Emperor."
At that moment, Kang Myeong-jin, who had been focused on rescuing people, approached us.
"Your Grace, Duke Valdert, I think Yu-jin and I should evacuate the people here and fall back."
I glanced over. Seira was fighting attackers on the third floor. She didn't look like she needed help.
"Not a bad idea. Do that."
Elena gave her approval. I could guess what Kang Myeong-jin was thinking. He was considering cutting ties with House Valdert. Since the Aplan Legion received support from them, if Duke Valdert fell, they'd feel the full backlash.
But I shook my head.
"Myeong-jin. I'm Duke Valdert's sworn knight right now. I'll stick to my duty until the end."
"...Understood. I'll prioritize saving people."
Kang Myeong-jin replied and vanished.
Elena looked at me with curiosity.
"Why'd you do that? Is there still something to gain from me? Let me warn you ahead of time. I'm a criminal now. The Emperor and Crown Prince will want me dead. They'll use this chance to make an example of me and solidify their rule. The Empire's Five Dukes have too much prestige."
"Who knows. I don't think it'll fall apart. At worst, a fine or house arrest. I'll make sure of it."
"Like how you moved the Iron Duke and Gabriel? ...You scare me. It terrifies me how much I'm starting to trust you. I'm afraid I won't be able to handle your betrayal if it comes."
"How many times do I have to say it? I'm not betraying you."
"Sorry. I just can't believe it, no matter what. And think about your usual behavior. Who could trust that?"
She had a point there. I shut my mouth quietly.
"Duke Valdert!!"
The Emperor shouted while fighting Banrei. Elena straightened her back.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Your punishment will be decided later! I hereby revoke your house arrest!"
"As you command."
"No need to assist Us! Evacuate the nobles in the ballroom! They are all the Empire's capable administrators! They must not be sacrificed here! The capital is in chaos too—protect its citizens!"
"I shall obey Your Majesty's orders."
Elena began casting spells in earnest. As soon as she intervened, the atmosphere in the ballroom changed. Explosions lessened, and the nobles who had been dying started escaping more easily. The attackers then lunged toward Elena.
"A bunch of nobodies."
Elena snapped her fingers. The attackers under her illusion swung swords at empty air or attacked their allies.
I moved too. Some broke free from her illusion—whether through skills or items, I didn't know. I dealt with them.
Moment.
I swung Stormbreaker, now in sword form, and killed an attacker. I didn't actively try to save people. There wasn't much gain, and plenty were stronger than me. Getting deeply entangled with the Barclay Legion was the last thing I wanted.
Above all, Elena was subtly killing off nobles. She was using illusions to manipulate those whose mere survival harmed House Valdert, letting them die by attackers' hands in a clever setup.
Clack, clack.
Elena calmly walked out of the ballroom.
Outside, the capital's chaos was visible. Flames rose from spots across the city. Explosions toppled buildings, and citizens' screams reached even here.
The Barclay Legion alliance... they're dead serious. This must've been planned months in advance, at least.
Elena moved. Not toward the capital, but toward a group of nobles.
It was Viscount Hyman Goldrex and the retainers of House Valdert at his lead—traitors who had betrayed their house head Elena for the Crown Prince.
Their faces paled as Elena approached.
"H-House Head!"
"Wh-What do you plan to do with us?!"
"Stay back! His Highness the Crown Prince won't let this slide!"
"If anything, you broke our trust first! Manipulating our memories with illusions? That's crossing the line!"
"......"
The terrified retainers rebelled. Only Hyman stayed silent. They tried to flee, but a magical barrier enveloped them, blocking outside view.
"I was careless. The illusion I cast on you twelve years ago was my full power back then. I was certain it wouldn't break even if you died, but I never imagined the Crown Prince had someone who could dispel my illusions..."
"House Head."
"Yes, Hyman. Last words?"
"I believe if you hadn't cast that illusion on me back then... none of this would have happened."
"Are you saying it's my fault? Hm. I'll admit that much. But I see it differently. Even if I hadn't trusted you enough to cast the illusion, you still would've sided with the Crown Prince."
"W-We were wrong, House Head!"
"Spare us, House Head!"
The Valdert retainers knelt and begged desperately. Elena ignored them. Her gaze fixed only on Hyman.
"Spare me the excuses like 'If you hadn't cast the illusion, if you hadn't listened to the Crown Prince, if you'd trusted us.' What matters now is the present. You betrayed me and House Valdert. And I do not forgive traitors."
"...Your Grace. Show mercy. We never revealed House Valdert's secrets."
"I'll grant you that. And you've served House Valdert long enough. As a minimum mercy, I permit you to take your own life."
"Thank you, House Head."
Hyman drew a dagger from his robes. He gripped it and plunged it into his throat without hesitation. His aged body crumpled to the ground.
Elena swung her hand next. Wind spikes pierced their throats and hearts. They all died. She stored their bodies in a magical space.
"Wouldn't it be faster to burn the bodies right away?"
"They betrayed us, but they were Valdert retainers. They served the house for years, so I'll at least honor their corpses."
"I've been thinking... the reason that old man Hyman betrayed us..."
"I know. Hyman didn't have much time left. He didn't betray me out of greed for glory or revenge after regaining his manipulated memories. He probably made a deal with the Crown Prince. Something like guaranteeing House Valdert's safety in exchange for me losing my position."
Elena looked up at the night sky with melancholic eyes. Black smoke rose above it. She lowered her head again.
"Yu-jin. I have a favor to ask."
"In this situation?"
"Because of the situation. I'd do it myself, but regrettably, I have the Emperor's orders to carry out. Any more delay, and the Emperor or Crown Prince might find fault later."
"You know words alone won't cut it, right?"
"I'll repay the debt someday."
Her words rang true. She was clear about favors and grudges.
"Fine. What do I need to do?"
"There's one traitor left unhandled. The Second and Third Princes. Kill them."
"That's a tough mission."
"Their combat prowess is nothing compared to yours. Their guards will be annoying, but with the raid causing chaos, they won't be as fortified as usual. You can do it. ...Even if you fail, another chance will come later."
"I never liked those guys anyway."
"You probably know, but leave no traces. You have ways to hide your body and tracks."
"Haven't played Heavenly Demon in a while."
I changed clothes right in front of her. I stowed the Hecate Cape in my inventory and donned a ridiculous clown mask. With my unique trait Deception (SS), I could hide my identity almost perfectly.
"See you later, Elena. We'll finish that dance then."
"A dance? I learned it, but I've never danced with a man, so I might mess up."
"I'll lead, so don't worry."
"Now I'm worried for different reasons."
We parted ways. She headed toward the capital, I toward the imperial palace in the direction she pointed.
Jobs like this need to be done swiftly. Moon's Blessing.