Chapter 24
Chapter 24
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 24
Chapter Title: Berryhill's Schemer (3)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Camillia Andalusia stepped out of Myoran's cell.
She recalled the powerful aura she had sensed before entering the room.
"Strange."
It was definitely at least the level of a Swordmaster's presence.
Not just the entry level, but an extraordinarily refined one at that.
I watched the sharp-eyed Princess from behind with keen interest.
Myoran's power had indeed grown stronger than before. That much was true.
However, she was simply training herself to resist the influence of the Heavenly Jade.
She had no other ulterior motives, so it wouldn't pose a major problem.
In her previous life, after driving the continent to ruin, she had simply sat there alone, staring blankly toward the east.
She wasn't the type harboring any grand ambitions.
"Don't worry about Myoran. She's just a prisoner worn out from years in exile."
"I'll take your word for it, for now."
The Princess decided to let it slide since nothing seemed amiss at the moment.
Despite the suspicious circumstances, the prisoners' docile behavior had put her mind at ease.
Still, one final hurdle remained.
The Saintess Anje Renault, whom she was about to meet.
She had a clear goal: to topple the Empire and create her own utopia.
And she possessed more than enough ability to achieve it.
"Why did you move the Saintess's cell to the first floor?"
"There are plenty of hidden spots underground, so I relocated her to a place that's easier to monitor."
I confidently opened the cell door.
Inside sat a woman in a red dress, poised with elegant dignity.
"A Princess, eh? Aren't you busy these days?"
A white crow perched by the window eyed Camillia before leisurely taking flight.
The Princess was certain it served as Anje's messenger.
"What brings a lofty lady like you here?"
"To check if you're behaving yourself."
This was a meeting between a prisoner and royalty—an overwhelming gap in status.
Yet it felt like two national representatives facing off in the heart of a battlefield.
Clea peeked out from behind my shoulder, watching the scene closely.
I did the same, hoping the favorable treatment I'd given Anje so far would pay off.
"What more do you want, hanging this around my neck?"
Anje gazed at the Princess with contempt, as if she were a subordinate.
She gracefully lifted the sealing artifact around her neck.
"It's just in case. If I see signs of your rehabilitation, I could reduce your sentence."
"I know you have no intention of doing that."
Her dull red eyes met the Princess's contrasting blue ones.
Camillia, sparkling like the sea, and Anje, dark as a sea of blood.
Two women raised in utterly different worlds.
"I can tell what kind of person you are just by looking into your eyes."
Camillia's face hardened at the Saintess's provocative remark.
As if daring her to keep talking.
Normally, anyone would bow their head at such a glare from the Princess.
But Anje, the first great calamity, opened her mouth anyway.
"Your light makeup tells me you're not overly concerned with your appearance. Yet you keep your golden hair loose, which is disadvantageous in battle."
She calmly analyzed Camillia in one breath.
"The reason is simple. It's to evoke the image of the previous Emperor who led the Empire to its golden age. You're so sensitive about the throne that you fret over even such minor details."
The Saintess stepped down gracefully from the windowsill.
She blinked her eyes, which held crimson depths.
"But what about this? The previous Emperor ascended because she had an excellent husband. Unlike you, who'll spend her life alone."
"Who says I'm alone? I have the full backing of the White Horse Legion."
The Princess placed a hand on her hip in rebuttal.
Unlike her predecessor, who excelled only in magic, she boasted a robust, healthy body as well.
"They're just soldiers who follow you. Not companions you can truly trust with your back."
"I don't treat my subordinates like mere chess pieces, unlike you."
In truth, her forces were fiercely loyal.
The successful investigation of the aphrodisiac incident was thanks to her outstanding leadership and their devotion.
"If you had that many trustworthy people, you wouldn't have come all the way here scouting for talent."
Anje glanced back and forth between me and the Princess.
"Right now, you're pretending to inspect, but really, you want to recruit Derek."
No emotion showed on the Saintess's face.
No arrogance, no desire to insult.
"But your approach is far too arrogant. Who would ally with someone evaluating them so high-handedly?"
Anje approached me with her hands behind her back.
She tilted her head slightly, revealing her alluring features.
"Unless they wait obediently, like me."
"......"
I stared at Anje with a look of enlightenment as she effortlessly needled the Princess.
This wasn't behaving herself at all!
Indeed, Camillia distrusted even her uncle, the Grand Elder.
As a politician, she believed his personal gain came before the nation's.
The same went for everyone else.
Those who approached her had always sought marriage alliances or power through her.
Growing up in such a harsh environment, it was no wonder she couldn't easily trust others.
"What's wrong with testing if someone's worthwhile?"
Surprisingly, the Princess showed no agitation.
"It's true I don't trust people easily. I was raised in a world rife with schemes and plots."
She even lifted her chin proudly.
"Moreover, the fate of millions hangs on my choices. I have no choice but to be cautious when selecting talent."
The Princess's faction was smaller than the Prince's.
Yet the ones she carefully chose acted with overwhelming efficiency.
During the aphrodisiac crisis, they struck both the Holy See and the Prince's aides simultaneously.
"Of course, being on the receiving end must feel uncomfortable. Unfair, even."
The Empire's First Princess, Camillia, turned to me steadily.
"However, if someone proves themselves worthy through that process......"
She slowly reached out her hand.
And gently grasped my disheveled necktie.
"I will bestow upon them a greater favor than merely passing the inspection."
With a light tug toward her.
Like a golden lioness marking her territory, she leaned in to catch my scent.
"Something sweeter than they could ever imagine."
Those mature eyes looking up at me.
They left an intense impression, befitting one of the highest beauty scores in the game.
"So, will you cooperate, Derek?"
At that moment, I realized why she had no choice but to die young.
Someone so upright could never let the Empire fall if she remained in power.
I could feel that teaching her anti-assassination techniques hadn't been in vain.
"Of course. I always wish for this nation's prosperity."
I bowed my head lightly in respect.
Camillia released my necktie and let out a short sigh.
"Then, let's continue the inspection."
The Princess quietly surveyed Anje's newly relocated room.
Fortunately, no objects radiating mana were present.
"The desk has only paper and a pen. The inkwell's empty—where did you dispose of the used paper?"
"Beats me. I've never smuggled paper out."
"That means it's hidden somewhere here."
"......"
The blonde woman searched the drawers thoroughly.
Soon, she discovered a suspicious stack of papers in the very last one.
"This is......"
Camillia had finally unearthed something incriminating.
As she read through the contents seriously,
her red lips parted slightly in surprise.
"Is there something special there?"
For her to be so flustered.
Worried that some new variable from the calamity had arisen, I grew curious.
"Come take a look."
As I moved toward her, someone suddenly grabbed my wrist tightly.
"Anje? Why are you grabbing me all of a sudden?"
"......Just stay put."
Her head bowed low, clutching my arm desperately.
This was a first, and my eyes widened in surprise.
"Y-yeah. It's nothing."
Camillia hurriedly closed the drawer.
Fortunately, her expression hadn't changed much.
"She really has been behaving without plotting anything."
Perhaps feeling a bit flushed, Camillia adjusted her long hair.
"Sorry. I didn't mean to pry that far."
"Shut up and get out."
Anje replied coldly, hiding her face.
The intensity of her aura made the sealing necklace rattle.
"Warden Derek, we'll head out now. You've managed the prisoners very safely."
I tilted my head in confusion as I followed.
What on earth was in that drawer......
Once the Princess and I had left, Anje approached the desk alone.
The moment the door clicked shut completely,
she opened the drawer and pulled out the stack of papers.
A fanfiction novel featuring characters from the scriptures she had been writing.
It even included illustrations drawn with exquisite skill.
Depicting a man resembling the Warden and a woman like herself.
The handsome man gripped the woman's chin, looking down at her domineeringly.
The complete opposite of how Anje had always treated others like slaves.
The woman on the bed wore an expression of anticipation for what was to come.
"The Princess is still just a naive young lady. Falling for such a shallow trick."
Anje calmly gathered the papers.
The moment she opened the hidden compartment at the drawer's base,
a secret list emerged.
Information on the great beasts she had brainwashed thus far.
Their abilities and pre-planned strategies for strikes—timing and locations.
If this grand scheme were executed, multiple Empire cities would collapse simultaneously.
"Still, she seems better than the royals in the scriptures."
Fortunately, the Saintess showed no intent to launch the plan immediately.
As of today, she realized there were decent people in the Imperial family after all.
In fact, Camillia had trusted the Warden's tip and raided the Holy See.
She hadn't eradicated them, but inflicted heavy damage, making it easier for Anje to finish them later.
"Well, since I owe her one this time, I'll let it slide."
Anje confirmed the papers were all there and tucked them away.
She then covered them with the decoy novel.
"......"
But then.
A strange emotion welled up, and she bit her lip hard.
Even if it was just a decoy, this was the first time someone had seen her novel.
Raised in the Holy See's basement and the prison's solitary confinement,
she had secretly fantasized about a man from the scriptures who would save her.
"So annoying."
Anje clutched her white hair tightly in both fists.
She pulled it over her face to hide her trembling lips.
"This is why I hate people in power......!!"
Her voice rang out shrill, unlike when she had seen through the Princess.
Camillia fanned herself as she stepped outside.
Something intense lingered in her mind, making her feel repeatedly flushed.
"What on earth did you see in there to get so flustered?"
"Nothing."
Camillia glanced up at my face.
"It does look kind of similar, though......"
She covered her dark circles with a finger.
Her blue eyes darted as she murmured softly.
"Make sure you get plenty of sleep from now on."
"I'll try."
I nodded awkwardly, and Camillia clasped her hands behind her back.
"The prison's condition is truly satisfactory. I'm almost sorry for doubting you all this time."
"I'm grateful for your kind words."
I raised an eyebrow slyly, and the Princess chuckled.
"So, I think it's about time to accept additional prisoners."
"New prisoners......?"
Camillia nodded matter-of-factly.
As if it would be a good opportunity for me too.
"Yes. There's someone who committed a grave crime and needs punishment."
The Princess pulled a paper from the taut pocket of her knit top.
A personal profile of one individual.
"Damas Angard"
"Isn't this the Grand Elder's son......?"
"Yes. He drove his subordinates to their deaths on the battlefield and fled—a serious offense."
To her, who cherished her troops, it was utterly pathetic.
"If you rehabilitate him, your uncle will be thrilled. I'll spread word of your exploits throughout the palace too."
The king of nobles.
The Princess offered a prime chance to gain his trust.
"He's arrogant. Still believes he's innocent."
I quietly looked down at the face on the profile.
The typical visage of an immature wastrel.
"Just leave him to me. I'll turn him into the perfect filial son."
My sinister smile bloomed after a long while.
From what I remembered, Damas had contributed to the downfall as well.
And in my fourth life, I knew exactly how to handle scum like him.
"Yes, I can trust you with this."
The Princess now seemed willing to trust my shadowed gaze.
She then walked ahead quietly.
"Your Highness, that's Anje's cell over there."
"Oh, right?"
She hurriedly turned the other way.
What on earth had she seen in there to head that way unconsciously?
"She wasn't enchanted by Anje in that short time, was she?"
I worried intently, clutching the new prisoner's profile.