Chapter 24
Chapter 24
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 24
Chapter Title: Harsh Truth
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Ambasha liked Frankling.
The person she spent the most time with, like an older sister,
and the mentor who had taught her everything from one to ten.
However,
separate from this closeness, there was always one discomfort lingering in Ambasha's heart.
The more she got to know Frankling as a person, the more clearly she felt it.
In her heart...
there dwelled feelings of 'longing' for that man.
Though many seemed unaware, anyone always by her side could naturally tell.
The way her cheeks flushed slightly every time she looked at him.
The excessive joy she showed at his small acts of kindness.
And... the utterly blissful expression on her face while mixing cabbage with chili powder all night for him.
These sights had long stirred something in Ambasha's heart, yet she had tried her best to ignore it until now.
It was a crucial matter she couldn't yield on, but her friendship with Frankling was precious too.
She didn't want to clash with her dear older sister over this.
However, this discomfort she had turned a blind eye to
didn't vanish completely; it left a lingering resentment in her heart.
As a desire to one day... surpass Frankling, no matter what.
And now,
in this unexpected argument...
in this situation where she had unintentionally come into opposition with Frankling.
Ambasha's these emotions began to ignite.
'I won't lose... absolutely not...'
Though young, she had her own ambitions.
The desire for her father's praise... and to advance even further from there.
Amid these desires and the spark of pent-up emotions,
Ambasha tried to stay as calm as Frankling had taught her, first observing the situation...
watching Mazelan and Elkana, who were still locked in their heated debate.
"You're right that using Acroyal would bring bigger gains, but it's still best to avoid danger as much as possible. Plus, our actions might interfere with Pirate King."
"I don't think Pirate King is the type to be swayed by that much? And if you're always playing it safe like that, when will you ever climb to executive level? To rise in this organization, you have to seize every opportunity and push hard."
"Hmm..."
Though opinions clashed, Mazelan seemed to be losing in the war of words.
But no matter how much Elkana dominated the public opinion,
the mission leader was ultimately Frankling.
The final decision had to be hers.
To overturn this, Ambasha judged that something beyond mere public opinion was needed.
And,
after much deliberation, the solution she finally came up with was...
"...How about this? We can't completely ignore the original mission, so let's split the team. Frankling sis seems uncomfortable around that lady anyway, so you and Mazelan make a ruckus outside as planned. Elkana and I will stay low-key without drawing attention, grab the treasure quietly, and slip out."
"Oh, that's not bad. Even if this is really Acroyal's trap, they won't arrest us on suspicion alone if we're just sitting quietly."
"Hmm... that does make sense, but..."
Mazelan pondered this reasonable compromise.
Meanwhile, Frankling responded cautiously, her gaze still filled with concern.
"I... It is certainly better than charging in as a group and causing trouble. But I'm still worried. What if something unnecessary happens and Ambasha gets hurt..."
"...!"
Frankling's words carried genuine worry.
Ambasha suddenly felt a sharp pang of guilt stabbing at her chest.
Unlike her, burning with rivalry and stubbornness from ignited emotions, her 'older sister' was purely concerned for her.
Seeing this filled her with self-loathing, but having come this far, Ambasha couldn't back down.
"It's fine, sis. Even if we're all caught, Elkana and I can buy time by saying we were forced to stick around due to threats. No matter what, we can hold out until 'that time'."
"...That's true, but..."
"Don't worry. If anything happens, I'll definitely protect Ambasha."
Elkana spoke with confident assurance.
Frankling, though reluctant, ultimately accepted.
"...Alright. But you absolutely can't let your guard down. No matter how friendly she smiles, never forget that woman from Acroyal is the enemy."
"Yes, I'll keep that in mind, sis."
Frankling's permission was finally granted.
Ambasha flashed a broad smile.
Early dawn.
Auriel rose from bed without having slept a wink.
That man's words from the night before lingered relentlessly in her mind.
No matter how she thought about it, they were utterly unbelievable,
yet the seed of doubt they planted kept taking root deeper in her heart.
'It's all just wicked devil's tales... There's no way such things could be...'
She tried to steel herself several times, but eventually, unable to bear the frustration, Auriel
cautiously opened her door and stepped toward the hotel interior.
'I'm just checking... I'm not really doubting Bishop Juda... If I stay like this, it might affect the performance too...'
She felt like a dishonest wretch.
Full of suspicion, with faith still lacking.
According to Magdalena, faith was believing in unseen truths.
Her paltry faith, needing to confirm with her own eyes that such absurd tales were the devil's schemes, was utterly pathetic.
Thus, relying on her aura senses in the darkness, she moved forward slowly.
-Mumble mumble
"!"
A small voice reached her ears.
At the sound echoing down the corridor,
Auriel hurriedly hid behind a large potted plant nearby.
Part of her mind cried out why she was hiding, but ignoring it, she focused on the faint light approaching and the growing voices.
"So, even Marquis Zuovani is already there?"
"Yes. He's eagerly awaiting the holy relic's birth as soon as possible. You should hurry too."
"Haha, of course. With all the money at stake in this."
'...Bishop...?'
The bishop looked entirely different from usual.
Always wearing a kind smile before her,
but now, in the dim light of darkness, his face lacked that gentleness.
His face, steeped in deep joy and greed.
Unable to see him as the bishop she knew, Auriel felt the doubt in her heart grow as she cautiously followed.
With her aura suppressing her presence maximally.
Unaware of her pursuit, they continued their excited conversation.
"Who else is coming besides him?"
"Marquis Rate, Count Mista, about 20 nobles in total. Almost all the famous nobles of Bennetsa are gathering."
"Heh, naturally. When else would such a chance come? Even if it's for the holy relic creation, it's the first and last opportunity to do whatever we want with that Auriel."
"...!"
Words unbelievable even as she heard them.
Dizziness set in.
Her vision darkened, breath quickened.
The pain of doubt turning to certainty was far more horrific than she imagined.
The sensation of everything she thought she knew crumbling.
Overwhelmed by the excruciating truth, even taking one step at a time felt burdensome,
Auriel collapsed to the spot.
"But it's a bit regrettable. We've made a fortune off that woman until now... Enough to buy a new villa this time."
"Compared to what we'll gain from this, that's nothing... Hm?"
At that moment,
the priest suddenly halted.
"What's wrong?"
"...Who the hell are you!"
"!"
Her aura had flickered from the recent shock.
At the priest's reaction sensing her presence,
Auriel felt chills run through her body and turned to flee.
"Damn it! Catch her! We can't let her whisper nonsense to Auriel!"
"Yes!"
Seemingly not yet fully recognizing who she was in the darkness, the priest drew a sword and pursued.
Seeing the usually meek man now charging to kill her, Auriel fell deeper into confusion and despair.
'How... how could this... This is a nightmare... It can't be reality...'
In utter denial amid excessive despair, Auriel fled out of the hotel.
Wandering unknown night streets, she simply ran forward.
Then...
"Gah!!!"
Sudden pain struck.
A dagger embedded in her ankle sent Auriel tumbling to the ground.
And...
Toward such an Auriel,
the priest approached slowly with heavy footsteps.