Chapter 294
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 294
Chapter Title: Worst Case Scenario
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#294. Worst Case Scenario.
And one more thing.
While a falcon was being roasted alive for delivering Charlotte's fourth letter.
The fifth letter had already arrived before that.
To a land swept by biting north winds and blizzards, the polar opposite of the scorching desert.
"Hmm..."
As if to display the empire's glory.
A grand and beautiful palace.
Among them, the most opulent hall, flanked by countless warriors standing at attention.
At its center, on the throne, sat a girl with her legs crossed casually, tilting her head.
"Hmmph..."
Silver hair like moonlight woven into strands.
A heavy fur coat draped over her shoulders.
A crown spinning idly on her finger.
Despite the splendor, her disheveled attire and posture robbed her of any majesty.
Yekaterina tilted her head sideways as she read the letter, then flipped it upside down in frustration.
She blinked as if she couldn't comprehend it, then spoke bluntly.
"No matter how I look at it, it's hard to believe. Is this for real?"
"Over 86% probability."
"Really? For sure?"
As if in disbelief.
Yekaterina kept pressing.
The silver-haired maid kneeling before her answered with a cold expression.
"If I could guarantee 100%, I wouldn't be in this state."
"Ah, true enough."
Only then did she seem to notice the restraints binding the maid.
Yekaterina nodded.
And giggled.
"Ahaha, we got played. No wonder it felt off that the Black Dragon Clan was hung up on some world peace plan."
It wasn't a mistake, per se.
Who would've thought Rimon, the Seven Dragon Society's archenemy for centuries, possessed the eighth dragon saionic.
If anything, it was more astonishing how Li Chingwei had figured it out.
"This is exactly why you can't let your guard down around the Black Dragon Clan."
Spotting Rimon's secret.
Hiding it from everyone else.
Devising this absurd world peace plan.
Selling off nearly half the clan's assets, dooming them to ruin, yet pushing through to finally claim Rimon.
Honestly, it was impressive.
"Still, it's the aide's job to anticipate that sort of thing. Right, Kana?"
Of course, that was separate from them falling for the scam like idiots.
An aide meant to serve the princess.
Not only failed to predict it.
But even after investigating the Violinist of Dark Ambition, missed this intel, so Kana had volunteered for restraints and readily admitted her fault.
"99% my responsibility."
"And the 1%?"
"The world peace plan started generations ago, so it'd be unfair to pin it all on me."
"Mm, fair point."
It made sense.
Yekaterina nodded.
Then tilted her head and asked.
"So, pleading innocence?"
"I'd appreciate 20% not my fault."
"Easy. I'll hack off your limbs and leave your head intact. That's 20% safe, right?"
For a crime warranting dismemberment, letting her off with just limbs was generous, wasn't it?
The girl said lightly.
The maid agreed.
"A merciful decision."
"Right? So, Kana, cut them off yourself. Too much hassle for me to do it one by one."
"Just release the restraints, and I'll gladly comply."
"Handle that yourself."
"Understood."
Crack.
As if she'd been waiting for those words.
Kana released the restraints.
Not by breaking them.
She dislocated her own arm and shoulder joints, loosening them enough to slip out.
But she didn't stop there.
She lifted her skirt hem slightly, drew a knife from her thigh belt, and moved to slice off her own leg.
Clang!
But just before.
Kana's knife halted.
Yekaterina, who had been on the throne moments ago, was now gripping it.
As if she'd moved while time was frozen.
"This is why I can't even joke with you, Kana."
"A joke, Your Highness?"
"Obviously. Why would I mutilate a valuable aide over something like this?"
As if asking how she could take such an absurd joke seriously.
Kana replied coldly to the startled Yekaterina.
"But rewards and punishments must be 100% certain."
"That's for morons who only care about optics with their underlings. Who'd dare complain if I look after my Kana?"
Yekaterina shrugged.
With a beaming smile, she turned to the warriors lining the hall.
"Right?"
Snap!
The warriors didn't reply.
They merely slammed their heels together and placed right fists over their hearts, proving their unwavering loyalty.
Yekaterina nodded in satisfaction.
Then, like consoling a friend.
She slung an arm around Kana's shoulder in camaraderie and continued playfully.
"See? They agree too."
"...If that's Your Highness's will."
Kana bowed her head.
Not just because she understood it was sincere.
To their clan...
No, to everyone in this nation, her words stood above all law and order.
Even if said in jest, they had to die if she commanded it.
In that sense, Kana was fortunate.
Had it not been a joke.
She really would've had to sever three limbs and ponder how to do the last one.
Thus, Kana inwardly vowed eternal loyalty, grateful for the princess's merciful awe.
That was when.
As Yekaterina started to release the shoulder hug and return to the throne, she suddenly turned back.
"By the way, Kana."
"Yes, Your Highness."
"Did you look into my sister?"
"...Regarding the investigation you previously ordered, it's 94% likely true."
"Hmm, really? So my little sis wasn't content secretly dating some guy behind my back—she's been busy prepping for marriage too."
"Yes."
"Good work finding out."
Nodding in surprise, Yekaterina smiled.
Cheerfully, delightfully.
And right after.
Slash!
Kana's left arm vanished, blood spraying like a fountain across the hall.
Perhaps from the massive blood loss.
Kana's face paled rapidly.
Yet the silver-haired maid stood ramrod straight, unmoving.
In one hand, Yekaterina held the knife drawn from Kana's thigh.
In the other, the severed forearm from Kana's left arm.
She sighed.
"Kana, Kana, my cute Kana."
As if truly regretful.
The girl shook her head.
"I can forgive missing the eighth dragon saionic. A little late or early doesn't matter to us anyway."
"..."
"But you should've kept tabs on my sister. What if something happened to her?"
Still cheerful tone.
Playful smile.
But she shook the dripping left arm, wagging the wrist side to side.
Then asked bluntly.
"What percent this time?"
"100% my fault."
"Good, you get it."
As if praising her.
She stroked Kana's hair with Kana's own left hand.
Yekaterina gazed at her with sparkling eyes and asked.
"You're so capable, Kana. I believe you'll do better next time. Okay?"
"I won't disappoint you."
"That's my Kana—great at answering."
Clap clap clap.
Clapping with Kana's hand, Yekaterina dropped it to the floor.
And stomped lightly.
Crunch.
It happened in an instant.
The still-dripping forearm froze over with frost, shattering like ice shards.
Scattered into countless fragments, impossible to reattach.
Kana didn't flinch watching it.
Yekaterina spoke innocently, as if nothing happened.
"Stanch the bleeding on that arm. For the prosthetic... EK model's pricey, but let's go with it."
"HQ's product is sufficient."
"Nah, don't refuse."
Yekaterina waved it off.
Winking at the now-empty left side.
"Makes me uncomfortable seeing you with cheap junk. Consider it my sincerity."
"Thank you for your consideration."
Kana bowed to the girl's words, brimming with concern and kindness for her maimed aide.
She thought to herself.
To show such care to a disloyal aide like me—truly, Her Highness is merciful.
Tossing the knife back to Kana, Yekaterina flopped onto the carpet instead of the throne, too lazy to sit properly.
She picked up the discarded letter again, scratching her head.
Her silver hair, seeming endlessly pure white yet shining even more beautifully and brilliantly.
"Mm. Anyway, that girl's gotten bold, plotting something so cheeky behind my back. Kids grow up fast, huh?"
"Hiding it from her big sis is naughty, so punishment's due, but still... impressive."
"So impressive that..."
"...I could just cry."
First, in admiration.
Then, with a mischievous grin.
Finally, a sly smile.
Muttering to herself and chuckling, Yekaterina suddenly smacked her forehead.
"Ah, but first things first—make Li Chingwei cry."
From sundries and hollowware to electronics, fighter jets, missiles.
Owner of Bahamut, pinnacle of all manufacturing and high-tech.
Descendant of the Great Khan who swept the continent after the seven dragons' deaths, heir to the Tsar who forged Russia into an empire through ruthless tyranny.
Silver Dragon Princess, Yekaterina Khan.
The Russian Khanate's sole dictator tilted her head and said.
"Hmm, even Li Chingwei might shed bloody tears if I pluck her eyes out?"
"...As expected."
To save time, after returning straight to Leviathan from the plane in Rimon's arms.
The sixth letter from Charlotte, received from Youin.
Or the first one Li Chingwei had seen, drawing a wry smile.
Though anticipated, it left her—no, anyone—with no counter.
"It came to that after all?"
"Yes."
Having heard her guess on the plane already.
Rimon raised an eyebrow even before her answer, and Li Chingwei nodded.
"Charlotte's summoned the Seven Dragon Council."
Rimon's face hardened.
He knew better than anyone what the Seven Dragon Council meant.
Thus, he could roughly foresee the coming storm.
"Gonna be chaos."
"No way it'll pass quietly."
Li Chingwei turned her head.
Gazing at the cityscape outside the window, she murmured softly.
"Not for me... nor this country."