Chapter 89
Chapter 89
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 89
Chapter Title: Master Piece
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“The king dreamed of the entire capital ablaze in flames. It seems this incident won't end simply with the Strange family.”
Saintess Maria Theresia did not view this event merely as an internal rebellion within the Strange family.
“I think the same.”
Viewed from afar, the incident was a tangled web of complexities. Of course, if someone grasped who had planned what, they could cut straight to the core like I had.
'Not yet.'
I couldn't reveal the information I knew to others.
If they learned that Juda, who had been operating alongside Cynthia, was actually the Apostle Baphomet pulling all the strings from the shadows, the fallout would be immense.
The Papal Court, the true primary victim of this incident, wouldn't sit idly by.
“Lord Berddin, even if matters with Duchess Katarina resolve favorably, will you continue pursuing those called the Omangseong?”
They had pointed their swords at Strange. Naturally, they deserved punishment for it.
“Of course.”
But giving such a response would make Theresia feel indebted, grateful even.
After all, I was doing what she could never do herself.
“Thank you, Lord Berddin.”
“No matter what it takes, I'll track them all down. I'll uncover what they want and why they did this.”
“...If there's anything I can do to help, just say the word. If it's what you desire, Lord Berddin, I'll do anything.”
Siegfried stood beside me, arms crossed with a serious expression, and whispered.
“Ask her why she's wearing red panties today.”
I ignored him and replied to Theresia.
“There's only one thing I ask of you, Lady Theresia. Just stay by my side until I safely complete my ascent of the Tower.”
“Stay by your side?”
“Yes. I don't know how long it will take, but I want to reach the summit together.”
The Tower conquest that no one—from past to present—had ever succeeded in. The path to prove I was the strongest across all eras.
To reach its end, I needed Theresia. Stay by my side until then, no matter how, Saintess Maria Theresia.
She lowered her gaze to the floor, her cheeks faintly flushing as she replied.
“...For someone as strong as you, Lord Berddin, to ask a weakling like me to protect you... it's somehow embarrassing.”
I gave her a small smile and gently massaged her shoulders.
“You must be tired. Go get some rest.”
Her shoulders were knotted from the forced march, and she let out a faint groan of discomfort.
Haaah...
On long journeys, muscles tense up even without fighting. She'd been on high alert the entire time at the Tower, so it was unavoidable.
“W-Well then, I'll head to my room first.”
“Yes. If anything happens, just smash that larva's head.”
Theresia lightly stroked the larva bracelet she'd received from Rox.
“Understood.”
With that, she headed to her chambers. Rox and I remained in the training grounds, talking.
“Din.”
“Speak.”
“But why's that woman called by her family name 'Theresia' instead of her given name 'Maria'?”
The answer was simple.
“Those affiliated with the Papal Court can't casually use the Saintess's given name. They identify her by her birthplace.”
“We're not with the Papal Court, though?”
“It's showing respect by following their customs. That's nobility for you.”
“...Nobility's complicated. Do all the others call her Theresia too?”
“No, only those who choose to. Cultures vary by region, so don't overthink it. Call her whatever's comfortable for you.”
Rox propped his chin on his hand, thinking long and hard. Then, as if resolving something, he gave a firm look in his eyes and replied.
“I'll call her Theresia too, like you.”
“Why?”
“Gonna be a noble. Or wait, am I one already? Alfredo said if this wraps up, I get a baronetcy.”
Rox spilled news I'd never heard before. Finish this major affair successfully, and you'd receive a title from above.
It wasn't wrong, of course.
But it was something knights earned by stacking battlefield merits and gaining recognition from lords or castle masters.
'Does he want the Strange name, perhaps?'
I could arrange a position if he wished, but seeking such a reward without even telling me?
“Rox, do you want to become a noble?”
“Yeah! Alfredo says once you're a noble, people won't look down on you.”
“What do you mean?”
“Right now, everyone laughs at what I do. When I eat, wash, sleep—even when I poop!”
Rox said, glancing sideways.
He had strong pride and wasn't the type to care about others' stares.
“That's 'cause I'm a commoner. But nobles won't laugh, he said.”
“Did it bother you?”
“Huh? What?”
“Others judging your actions like that.”
“Nah... not really. Just feels like I'm the weird one in the party.”
I lightly brushed the Strange family emblem engraved on Rox's backplate.
“You're Strange now, following me. No one can change that.”
“......”
“And whether you're a noble or not, what others think of you—none of that matters to me.”
“......”
“So ignore their stares. Anyone who mocks you, my comrade, won't be forgiven by me.”
Rox scratched the back of his head sheepishly. The corner of his mouth twitched faintly.
“Got it.”
“Good. Then go rest. I'll call you if enemies show.”
“Yeah.”
'To think the plan derailed this badly over one mere eight-year-old brat.'
The supposedly perfect plan to assassinate Roys had failed.
Matteo Rich, leader of the Omangseong, had to take responsibility and wrap up the incident.
The contract had stipulated forfeiting their lives upon failure, so to protect Saintess Joanna Ark, Matteo had no choice but to make an additional proposal to their client, Duchess Katarina.
“Spare our lives, and we'll claim we orchestrated everything. We'll handle it cleanly.”
Duchess Katarina, her face masked, fixed him with a cold gaze.
“They already know I'm the backer. In this situation, what do you mean by 'cleanly'?”
“Kill them all.”
“All of them?”
“Yes. With no witnesses, it ends quietly.”
Duchess Katarina rested her chin on her hand, looking intrigued.
“Go on.”
“The Tower incident hasn't spread yet. The only ones who know are a handful linked to Marquis Roys, Strange family knights—and only a tiny fraction of them have info on us.”
“Kill everyone in Strange Castle by tonight, and we can wrap it quietly.”
Matteo's proposal sufficiently piqued her interest.
True enough, the number who truly grasped the incident could still be counted on one hand. Eliminate all involved before dawn, and it would end silently.
The plan was flawless; only the location had shifted from Tower to castle.
'However.'
For this to work, Matteo needed to subdue every knight in the castle and sever the heads of Roys, Berddin, and everyone connected to Strange.
“Is it possible?”
“Yes. Entrust it to us. If we sit idle, they'll strike first—they hold our weaknesses.”
“And if you fail—no, if you lose?”
“Won't happen. We faced Marquis Roys at the Tower, so we know how to take him. The issue is that youngest son with him, Berddin...”
Matteo shook his head, visibly irritated at the thought.
“Handle him properly, and it's over easily. We've already recruited experts who can match him.”
“Can I trust this?”
“Give us this last chance. Fail again, and take all our heads.”
“...Very well. But I can only wait until dawn tomorrow.”
Duchess Katarina slowly surveyed the tavern filled with adventurers before continuing.
“Even a minute late, and that woman's head hits the ground.”
“Understood. But if we succeed, can we expect additional compensation?”
“Something that wouldn't have been needed without failure. And now you demand more?”
“We succeeded in the operation. It was just an unforeseen mishap.”
“...Fine. What's a few more coins for your lives?”
Their conversation ended there.
Duchess Katarina pulled up her hood and quietly departed. Matteo remained seated until she was gone, then spoke to Boni.
“Chase down that Freddy bastard and kill him now. I'll assign as many soldiers as needed.”
The rain, which had been dripping steadily, suddenly poured down in sheets, roaring across the entire Legion.
Arriving with the darkness, it dulled sight and hearing, putting the alert guards into an unnatural state where they couldn't perform their duties properly.
Clank!
The iron gate firmly guarding the Alchemy Guild swung open.
It had been bolted from inside—who could open it from outside?
The two guards thrust their spears forward and shouted.
“Who goes there!”
“Show yourself!”
All guilds in Legion were controlled and protected by the Imperial Army.
“Step aside.”
A heavy voice spread like mist.
The two guards unwittingly stepped back, clearing the path and bowing their heads.
Their minds screamed to block the intruder, but their bodies disobeyed, moving on their own.
Thud. Thud. Thud.
The one who opened the Alchemy Guild's door revealed himself in the rain.
Wearing a white robe, he slowly entered and removed his hood, revealing the Glazer family crest—a crescent moon—etched on his forehead.
Slightly taller than average with a solid build. White hair slicked back neatly, a clean-shaven middle-aged man with pale skin.
His soft eyes alternated between the two guards, then he snapped his fingers.
Snap.
“You dare try to block me?”
At that instant, the guards' heads exploded.
Bang!
It resembled the crack of a gunshot, startling the alchemists inside who rushed over in a hurry.
One among them recognized the middle-aged Glazer man.
“It's been a while, Archmage.”
Katarina de Strange smiled faintly as she approached.
Hagen von Glazer extended one hand toward her, the other behind his back, and bowed at the waist.
“I have come at the call of Apostle Baphomet.”