Chapter 403
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 403
Chapter Title: No Declining
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"Is this really okay?"
"Of course."
"...Even if you announce the information so publicly, it won't just stay within our brothers and sisters—it'll leak out to the outside world too."
The revolutionary army's solidarity was ironclad, but the Okhrana and KGB's persistence could pierce even that iron.
More than their infiltration into every corner of society, the revolutionary army had government secret agents and collaborators embedded among them.
So, was it really okay to reveal such crucial information so openly?
Bathemensky was concerned.
But the bearded man, Sergei, didn't hesitate in his response.
"It doesn't matter."
"The dictator might prepare countermeasures in advance."
"That's exactly why it doesn't matter. The Savior isn't someone who can be countered just by preparing."
"What if they decide to eliminate us first instead of the Savior?"
Finding and exploiting any gap was the Okhrana's standard tactic.
If they couldn't touch the Sword Duke, the Russkan government's forces might swiftly crush the revolutionaries before he could even intervene.
Yet Sergei's answer remained unchanged.
"Same thing. Even if we disappear, the flames of revolution won't die—they'll burn even more fiercely."
"...Understood."
Bathemensky bowed his head.
Sergei was the man who had led the revolutionary army ceaselessly for years while being hunted by the government.
It wasn't an exaggeration to call him the symbol of the revolution. If he was so certain, Bathemensky, as a revolutionary, had no choice but to trust and follow.
And before carrying out those orders...
Bathemensky suddenly asked,
"Oh, by the way, what should we do about the Romanov brothers and the Elshar sisters?"
"Allow them free movement, but encourage them to keep using this place as their lodging."
"Is that really necessary? The mission's over anyway, so sending them back shouldn't be a problem."
"You never know when we might need the Elshar sisters' help for the revolution again."
"Well... No, I'll do as you say."
Wearing a complicated expression, Bathemensky ultimately withdrew to carry out the orders.
Left alone, Sergei let out a heavy sigh.
'...The time has finally come.'
He had led the revolutionary army for about ten years alone.
Including his life before becoming leader, he had devoted his entire existence to the revolution.
Thus, he could not let this realistic opportunity for revolution slip away.
'The cards are all gathered.'
The Sword Duke, who could kill the Silver Dragon Princess.
Elshar, who would serve as the trump card.
And one more.
Stroking the small box in his pocket, Sergei sank into deep, heavy emotions.
When she opened her eyes...
The first thing that entered Ainsha's vision was a familiar ceiling.
Before the expressionless girl could recall where she had seen that ceiling...
A voice echoed through the air.
"Are you alright, Princess?"
It was clearly a concerned question.
But from the confident voice that carried no hint of worry, Ainsha asked in her blunt tone,
"Tata, I want to know how long I've been unconscious."
"Exactly one day has passed."
As if it had been obvious she would wake up right then, the woman in flowing attire waiting by her side—Tata—held out a bowl of medicinal broth.
"It's from the Green Dragon Clan. It's very effective for soothing internal injuries, so please drink it."
Reflexively taking the broth and sipping once...
Ainsha stopped.
She turned to Tata with an expressionless face.
"The medicine is too bitter."
"Good medicine always tastes bad. It's expensive too, but since we got it from the Silver Dragon Clan, don't worry about it."
"They break the deal and cut in line, then hand out medicine. So very Yekateriche."
Muttering bluntly, Ainsha still drained the bowl completely.
She needed the medicine now to soothe her still-aching stomach from Yekateriche's ambush.
And sure enough, the expensive Green Dragon Clan medicine wasn't wasted.
Feeling the pain subside just from finishing the broth, Ainsha murmured softly,
"Unexpected."
"What do you mean?"
"Tata, I thought you were captured. I didn't expect you to be here unscathed."
Ainsha's point was valid.
Yekateriche, who had subdued even her, the White Dragon Princess, wouldn't have let Tata and the New Dragon Guard off easily.
No matter that they were elite retainers and the White Dragon Clan's finest warriors, without Ainsha, they would have been overwhelmingly cornered.
Yet why was Tata here so intact?
The reason was simple.
"Of course. I was never captured."
"Then how are you here?"
"I just surrendered."
"..."
Whether resisting...
Or fleeing...
She had foreseen severe injury and defeat.
Since that would make it hard to attend to Ainsha, she simply surrendered without fighting.
Staring expressionlessly at Tata, who stated it so boldly...
Ainsha finally spoke softly.
"As expected, Tata is wise. The model White Dragon Clan member. I respect you."
"You're too kind."
If anyone else said that, it would sound like sarcasm.
But Ainsha meant it sincerely.
And Tata responded proudly.
If others were present, it would give them a headache, making them wonder where common sense had gone.
Fortunately, only the two were there, so no innocent bystanders suffered.
Knock knock.
"White Dragon Princess, may I enter for a moment?"
"...Come in."
The silver-haired maid with a prosthetic arm—Kana—knocked at that moment.
Entering with permission, she bowed politely to Ainsha on the bed, then asked coolly,
"How is your body feeling?"
"The pain is gone now."
"That means some internal injuries remain."
"..."
"I'll bring more medicine. If there's anything else you need, just say the word."
Gazing at Kana, who was excessively polite for treating a prisoner...
Ainsha spoke expressionlessly.
"I want to know if you'll answer any questions too."
"Ask away."
"Then here's a question. Why aren't you locking me in a dungeon and putting me in Yekateriche's room instead?"
"Because locking the White Dragon Princess in a dungeon would be meaningless 90% of the time."
No matter that she was the weakest of the Seven Dragon Society, Ainsha was still a princess.
She had only fallen easily because her opponent was Yekateriche and various factors combined.
To restrain her would require at least a London Barrier, Tartarus, or Fairy Kingdom-level seal.
Of course, the Silver Dragon Clan could restrain her if they went all out, but...
"More importantly, there was a message from the princess."
"I hear it. Speak."
"As an apology for breaking the deal and cutting in line, she said to let you do whatever you want."
"..."
They were to treat Ainsha as they would Yekateriche herself and grant whatever she desired—that was Yekateriche's order.
Kana stated it calmly.
Leaving such words for the person she betrayed was nothing short of insane.
But Ainsha didn't panic.
She just asked again.
"Where is Yekateriche?"
"I don't know exactly."
"Then tell me what you do know."
"All I know is that she left disguised as the White Dragon Princess, so she's probably joined the rebels."
At that moment...
Ainsha's pupils quaked.
It wasn't just because she had joined the revolutionaries, making it possible to crush them immediately.
The fact that Yekateriche was now in her form, by Rimon's side, shook the eyes of the perpetually expressionless girl.
"...I see."
But that lasted only a moment.
Ainsha closed her eyes.
As if pondering something...
After a long silence alone, she spoke with her eyes still shut.
"Confirming. Did Yekateriche really say to let me do whatever I want?"
"Yes."
"Even if I leave here right now?"
"Do as you wish."
As long as it was what Ainsha wanted...
The Silver Dragon Clan wouldn't stop her at all.
That was Yekateriche's command, and she would simply follow the princess's will.
Nodding slowly at Kana's unwavering response, Ainsha opened her closed eyes.
And said,
"Then bring food."
"...You mean a meal?"
"Yes. I haven't eaten all day and I'm hungry. Bring something to eat right now."
Clearly not expecting food to be the first demand in this situation...
Kana stared at Ainsha.
But only briefly.
"Understood. I'll prepare a meal right away."
Bowing politely, Kana headed to the kitchen.
Since Yekateriche had ordered them to treat Ainsha as herself, she needed to handle the meal personally.
After she left...
Tata, who had been silently watching, spoke.
"Are you sure about this, Princess?"
"No. But I have no choice. If I go find Yekateriche now, everything falls apart."
If she returned now, the revolutionaries would panic at the sight of two identical girls and descend into chaos.
And with her identity exposed, Yekateriche would wipe them out.
Rimon might stop her, but even then, averting the worst-case scenario would be the limit.
As the White Dragon Princess with precognition...
Knowing the consequences this choice would bring...
Suppressing her urge to rush back, Ainsha said bluntly,
"So for now, I endure."
"I'm not asking if you can afford to delay returning. I'm asking about what you plan to do from here."
As her closest aide who knew her best and a fellow White Dragon Clan member...
Tata asked the necessary question, knowing what she intended next. Ainsha answered without hesitation.
"I'm fine. Yekateriche stole my place first. So I won't decline either."
"..."
"If she wants to cut in line so badly, let her try. I'm used to it anyway."
She wondered if Yekateriche could steal Rimon, who hadn't budged an inch to her own temptations.
Was she angry?
Resigned?
Trusting?
Sneering?
Or genuinely curious?
Murmuring words whose true intent was impossible to fathom...
"—But this country is mine."
Her usual blunt voice.
But with deeply sunken eyes.
Her ever-expressionless face now laced with icy chill.
She had started the game, but Ainsha would set the board.
Tata could do only one thing upon seeing the girl speak coldly with the face of a certain dictator.
Bow slightly.
"If that's your will, Princess, then gladly."
The White Dragon Clan.
Officially the weakest of the Seven Dragon Society.
But the most terrifying in terms of the unpredictable chaos they could unleash.
Now, having resolved to cause an incident, they began to move.