Chapter 12
Chapter 12
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 12
Chapter Title: Confession Magic (4)
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A massive temple pillar split cleanly in half.
The hair on my head, standing right in front of it, was viciously sheared off.
'As expected, she's a monster.'
Camillia, who had only been flustered at first by my surprise attack, had now blocked most of my hidden weapons after just a few exchanges.
The statues of past generations watched the scene with evident satisfaction.
One of them started dozing off with a nod, only for the silent axe-wielding statue to wake him up.
Time had passed that much.
'This should be enough.'
My silver hair was enveloped in such intense mana that it appeared pitch black.
Seeing that, Camillia expertly readjusted her grip on her spear.
"What wondrous technique will you show me this time, Derek Minster?"
Her blue eyes sparkled through strands of golden hair.
Sweat beaded on her forehead—she was thoroughly enjoying this brutal sparring match.
'That's a side of her I've never seen across all my playthroughs.'
What excited her wasn't wealth, honor, or romance at all.
Just growing stronger herself, becoming a being worthy of guarding the empire.
In reward for that passion, I raised my dagger as well.
Intending to show her the final secret technique I'd used back in my Dark Lord days.
"Look forward to it. Succeed in defending against this, and I'll acknowledge you, Your Highness."
I charged at her far faster than before.
Close enough to catch the faint fragrance rising from her body.
"You're definitely faster than before, but it won't help."
The princess swiftly raised her shortened spear to block the blade.
Then, as she shoved my body back to create distance, she thrust forward.
But.
She realized the body I'd stabbed wasn't the real one.
Because instead of bright red blood, black smoke billowed out from it.
The temple, created by illusion magic, plunged into instant darkness.
In the thick fog as dense as Confession Magic, sharp daggers rained down from all directions.
"When did you even create these clones...?"
"Don't think of them as clones—consider them allies of the enemy. Assassins never act alone."
Dozens of daggers bore in from every side.
Neck, heart, waist, thighs, and more.
Targeting exactly the spots where veteran assassins had struck when she was assassinated.
"I can't dodge this..."
No matter how mighty, no one could evade dozens of daggers in the darkness.
In fact, the princess herself, along with various powerhouses from past playthroughs, had fallen to this technique.
However, the her in this life was different.
After this life-or-death sparring match, she'd finally found the counter.
Camillia, whose sturdy build made her speed lacking by nature.
But proficient in magic as she was, she cast an immense acceleration spell on the arm gripping her spear.
Then, with one elegant swing.
The great spear Landruin traced a perfect full-moon arc, batting away every single dagger.
With acceleration so immense it nearly snapped the arm holding the dagger.
Enough to blow away the black fog entirely with the sheer pressure.
"Urgh...!!"
Even I, having regained my past playthrough's power, couldn't help but groan briefly.
I was hurled back by the overwhelming gust and collapsed flat.
Still, the moment I fell, a faint smile crossed my lips.
The relief from banishing future worries outweighed the immediate pain.
'Perfect. She'll survive any assassination attempt now.'
Soon, a dark shadow loomed over my face.
Camillia, pouncing atop my fallen form like a massive black lion.
She mounted my body and confidently leveled her spear at me.
Her thighs, wrapped in white slacks, pinned both my arms completely.
"Looks like I win this time, Derek Minster."
Her ragged breaths came close.
The imperious empress's sharp gaze had softened into the proud glow of a schoolgirl reveling in achievement.
"Congratulations. You're a quick study, as expected."
A bead of her sweat dripped onto my cheek.
Camillia soon noticed not a single drop of cold sweat marred my face.
"You don't mean..."
The princess's eyes twitched faintly beneath.
Realizing I'd deliberately not defended, her expression turned mortified.
"No, that strike you just landed—even I couldn't have blocked it."
"You snake...!!"
For the first time, the princess spoke to me in a voice thick with indignation.
Her pride properly wounded, she quickly backed away.
"I knew you threw it on purpose!"
She whipped her head aside.
Only to lock eyes with the statues watching from afar.
"……."
"……."
"……."
They stared fixedly at the princess, far younger than themselves.
Then, they awkwardly averted their gazes, pretending otherwise.
Scratching at unitchy armor, inspecting innocent axe blades.
"……."
That only heated her up more.
As if overheated, she tugged at her form-fitting battle garb to cool off.
"Well, anyway, looks like there's nothing more to teach."
"Yes. That's right."
I answered flatly, sprawled out in a star shape.
"Then I suppose it's time to head back."
"That flashy strike locked up my whole body. Give me a moment."
I said, thumping my numb waist.
The princess eyed this sly bastard warily, wondering if I was teasing again.
But regardless, the fact remained I'd patched her weakness.
So in the end, she approached obediently.
"Can you stand?"
"Yes. I think so."
As I barely lifted my back, the princess personally supported me.
Even if I'd taken it on purpose, the damage was real.
I staggered and ended up leaning heavily against her body.
The princess showed no displeasure.
Quite the opposite—she pulled my head toward her shoulder to let me rest more.
Despite her overwhelming might, Camillia's body felt incredibly soft against me.
Enough to savor a rare moment of peaceful respite.
"The past judges seem eager to see you. Stop by before you go."
The princess pointed to the statues clad in platinum armor.
Just then, the most stoic one among them beckoned me over.
"Understood. Perfect timing—I need to return the borrowed weapon anyway."
I approached the axe-wielding one leisurely.
Then offered the dagger adorned with a crow ornament.
"That dagger... Take it with you."
"Me? It looks like a priceless artifact."
"It belonged to the first Black Knights Order commander, but she never passed it to a successor. Now it's ownerless."
I could guess the reason.
Just look at the current commander plotting her assassination—she hadn't trusted her heirs.
The empire was currently locked in vicious political strife over imperial succession.
Chivalry had long vanished.
"You've sized up the perilous palace atmosphere and taught assassination countermeasures out of loyalty. With that devotion, even the first commander would approve."
"Then I'll gratefully make good use of it."
I bowed to the massive statues.
Then turned to Camillia, preparing to dispel the magic.
"A sharp one. She's inherited all our past wisdom intact."
"Yet it's both a blessing and a curse. The palace always keeps a close eye on the exceptional."
"......She must have been terribly lonely without a soul she could trust."
The golden-haired woman looked far more cheerful than in ages.
When she'd mounted me earlier, declaring victory, it had been quite the sight.
I'd only ever seen her haughty character illustrations before.
"I see. You certainly looked happy during the spar, at least."
"Help Her Highness well from your side."
"I hope I can. The empire's peace lasts only as long as she lives."
I walked on, dreaming of the comfortable empire she'd rule.
The princess, starting the dispel, reached out a hand to me.
"Done chatting?"
"Yes. And I even got a nice gift out of it."
I showed her the first Black Knights Order commander's dagger tucked in my jacket pocket.
"Looks like Margrave Bertie Mikhail took a liking to you, giving away something that precious."
"Yeah. Hold on—he was a margrave? I thought he was the Imperial Knight Commander."
A case of elevated status in death, perhaps.
What feats had he accomplished in life?
"His son—my ancestor—was regent for three princesses. Saved the empire from crisis multiple times."
"Successful parenting, huh. I'm jealous."
I hadn't known from the original game novel, but what a comfy life.
If only I could end up the same...
"I'm jealous too."
Camillia's eyes looked thoroughly weary.
Confession Magic warped space itself, so it guzzled mana.
Plus sparring with me on top—she had to be exhausted.
I hoped she'd go home and rest properly.
While the fierce sparring continued inside the magic circle.
Outside, Saintess Anje wore a sullen blank expression.
"This won't do. I'll dispel the magic myself."
"Not a good idea, self-proclaimed saintess."
Grand Elder Dark opposed her with a solemn gaze.
"None of your business, you rotten politician."
"We're both the same when it comes to riling up the masses."
The two prisoners glared murderously at each other.
Then Clea Rockhart, no less coldly calculating, stepped in.
"Quiet, both of you. The outcome's already set."
The woman with her blue hair elegantly tied to one side.
She adjusted her monocle and stated flatly.
"Once the magic activates, there's only one result. If the warden's guilty, he'll be punished. If not, that's it."
"You don't seem to care if the warden vanishes or not."
Clea shot back coldly at Anje's question.
"Hardly. He's the best warden we've ever had. I hope he comes out fine."
Anje seemed satisfied with the straightforward reason.
Then Dark countered.
"Speaking of, why are you worried? You've brainwashed every past warden into slaves."
"Th-that's... I think like the vice warden. He's good at his job, so I want him around longer."
With both women claiming no special reason, the seasoned elder narrowed his eyes.
They each seemed to have odd motives, but without proof, he let it slide.
He turned back to the magic circle like the others.
Just as the prisoners bickered...
The Confession Magic finally ended, and the two emerged.
Rooooar—.
But.
Not only the three silent watchers, but even the white horse unit surrounding the prison fell into shock.
The moment the magic dispelled and they emerged.
The princess, standing side by side with me, staggered and leaned against me.
"Your Highness...!!"
"Camillia!!"
Hundreds of soldiers cried out in unison.
Even her doting uncle wore a startled expression as he shouted.
They rushed past the stumbling her to glare at the snake-like man.
Me, who'd been dogpiled inside the circle and even given special lessons.
"...?"
"What the hell did you do to Her Highness!!"
Dark's beastly aura silenced even the white horse unit.
The vast open space before the prison froze over.
'Why does everyone always do this to me?'
As I made the world's most wronged face, the princess stood straight again.
She raised one hand, signaling she was fine.
"Grand Elder, I'm all right... Just briefly tired."
Camillia slammed her great spear Landruin into the ground.
Regaining her regal poise, she spoke.
"As the one granted northern governance by His Imperial Majesty the Emperor, I render judgment."
All focused on the empire's loftiest woman.
Me included.
I lifted my head high, eager to savor her declaration of my innocence.
The white horse unit straightened for the princess's verdict.
Grand Elder Dark waited gravely, hands behind his back.
Wondering if this promising warden from the remote prison he'd chosen would truly bloom.
"After deliberation with the great past judges, I declare Derek Minster 'not guilty.'"
Clea removed her monocle and gently closed her eyes.
Anje smirked alone, arms crossed.
Finally, Grand Elder Dark nodded at me.
As if impressed by the cunning that even evaded Confession Magic.
"However."
But Camillia's words didn't end there.
"Not guilty for now—but not cleared of all suspicion."
Huh?
What’s that supposed to mean?
I stared blankly at the princess.
The golden-haired woman met my eyes and smirked at my confusion.
"Until the true culprit who killed the Holy See's knights is revealed, I'll conduct random inspections."
Like a hunter spotting a plump eel.
"I'll visit often, so teach me well each time."
"What do you...?"
Her face drew nearer.
Then she whispered softly into my ear.
"New things I don't know yet, like before."
Always craving strength, she'd fully inherited her ancestor's ambition—to claim anything that pleased her.