Volume 9 Chapter 22 Sheryl’s Ordeal
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
”So, you are the princess descended from the First Emperor, are you?”
”Yes. I am Sheryl, Second Princess of the Quvarian Empire. It is an honor to meet the famed Black Flame General, Grano-sama.”
Even as I exchanged greetings, my heart threatened to burst from the strain. I had already heard that Rex Velacoat, Overseer of the Western Frontier, had been assassinated—supposedly by the Witch of the Dead Arm, Almaria. And Stella, whom I had sent ahead as a herald, had vanished without a trace.
This could not be called the camp of allies, and I knew it. Yet I also knew I was the empire’s final card—the only one who might negotiate with the First Emperor’s Ghost Army. That was why I had steeled myself to come here, accompanied by the loyal soldiers Roshima had entrusted to me.
”What a lovely face you have, Your Highness. His Majesty himself would be delighted to receive you.”
”Then, may I request an audience…”
Grano tapped his forehead theatrically.
”Ah, the timing is most unfortunate. His Majesty is away and will not return until tomorrow. But tomorrow, we march at once.”
”March…?” I asked.
”Yes. To annihilate McGaref. You should stand beside His Majesty and witness it—the humans screaming, fleeing, their lives trampled into the dirt.”
”That will not be necessary. I came to beg His Majesty to reconsider, to call off this campaign.”
”Well… that is difficult. We are His Majesty’s soldiers. Even a princess cannot command us otherwise.”
Grano’s skull-like face split into a grin. He understood the Quvarian Empire’s intent, but that no longer mattered. The First Emperor had already declared Quvar’s destruction. To Grano, I was nothing but prey flying straight into the flame.
”Perhaps, Princess, you might rest in the main camp until then?”
”…No. I will go to McGaref.”
”Oh? And why is that?”
”To advise them to surrender. Needless bloodshed is not my wish.”
”General Grano. Enough pretending. Tell her the truth,” Berhardt, the Black Sword King, cut in. His tone was mocking, his sword clattering as he hefted it onto his shoulder. I stiffened.
”True enough,” Grano said, turning his gaze on me. “Princess, didn’t you send a little lady named Stella ahead as your escort?”
”…Yes, I did.”
At once, the air grew taut. The candles flickered, their heat brushing against my cheeks. My guards braced themselves, prepared to form a shield around me. Everyone understood this was no longer a parley.
”That little lady told us everything. Her name—ah, I forget—but she’s the slave of McGaref’s commander. Just as you are, Princess. That means we can’t hand McGaref over to you.”
”What… what have you done to Stella!?” I cried.
”For now, only captured. But perhaps tomorrow, we’ll make a spectacle of her—behead her to rouse the troops.”
”That’s a fine idea,” Berhardt sneered. “Let His Majesty take her first, then I’ll lop off her head.”
Horror rooted me where I stood. The truth of my bondage to Takumi Nash had been dragged into the open. Even my loyal soldiers wavered, their murmurs betraying their confusion.
”And you, Princess—we’ll let His Majesty enjoy you as well. Whether you live or die will depend on how well you please him.”
”But General,” Berhardt smirked, “surely this princess is no pure maiden?”
”We’ll let Almaria examine her. As for the rest—kill them.”
At Grano’s curt order, Berhardt leapt. In an instant he landed beside my right flank, his sword flashing once—five of my guards’ heads flew into the air.
”Pathetic. The Quvarian soldiers of today are feeble indeed,” he spat, cutting down the others as they scrambled to draw their blades. Within three strokes more, my entire escort of ten lay dead.
”See, General? At this rate, Quvar will fall with ease. Hardly worth the fight.”
”Don’t complain. McGaref and the capital still have numbers. If not quality, then kill for quantity.”
”Fine.”
Berhardt turned his sneer on me. “So, Princess, will you surrender quietly?”
”…You intend to strike the Quvarian Empire as well?” I whispered.
”Of course. You understand what that means, don’t you? Don’t even think of suicide. If you try, your dear knight will suffer a death far worse than a swift beheading.”
I faltered under his laughter. The imperial capital brimmed with innocents—so did McGaref. I could not allow them to be slaughtered. Even so, my body betrayed me, edging backward as Berhardt lunged and seized my throat in one hand.
”Ghh—ahh!”
”Struggle all you like, Princess. You’ve already lost.”
”Please… Stella is… my knight… I beg you, spare her execution. I will submit—only grant me the chance to plead for her life before His Majesty.”
”What do you say, Commander Grano?” Berhardt asked.
”Since the princess herself begs, let it be so. Bind her and deliver her to Almaria.”
”You heard him. Time to come along quietly, Princess.”
And so, without ever returning from the Labyrinth, I vanished. The dire news raced at once to Minister of Military Affairs Roshima, who was forced to report to the Emperor himself. From that moment, the Quvarian Empire’s turmoil only deepened into chaos.
Notes:
• Quvarian Empire – Ruling kingdom. Harsh world, restricted freedom.
• Sheryl – Second Princess of the Quvarian Empire, a striking beauty with red hair. Initially appears as a diplomatic envoy, but she is a reformer within the empire, seeking to atone for Quvar’s past betrayals, particularly the destruction of the Northern Kingdom. Sheryl is highly intelligent and politically savvy, using her position to gather secrets and undermine the empire’s plans to destroy McGaref. She is also a slave to Takumi, bound by enslavement magic, and tasked with sowing chaos within Quvar. Despite her circumstances, she maintains a sense of duty and hopes to bring about change. First appears in v6c26.
• Grano – The Black Flame General, a legendary figure from Quvar’s past, now resurrected as part of the First Emperor’s ghostly host. Known for his ruthless tactics and unwavering loyalty to the Emperor, Grano commands a significant portion of the undead army. He is disdainful of the living, particularly those who oppose the Emperor’s plans, and shows no mercy in battle. His presence, alongside other legendary generals like Belhart, underscores the immense threat posed by the Emperor’s forces. First mentioned in v9c7.
• Stella – A royal guard and Sheryl’s companion, who was also enslaved by Takumi. She harbors hatred towards Takumi for violating her, but enslavement magic forces her obedience. Stella is a viscount’s daughter and understands the political implications of her situation. She accompanies Sheryl in lewd acts as a form of penance and to cope with their shared shame. Her defiance is internal, but she follows Sheryl’s lead in their intimate moments. First appearance in v6c29.
• McGaref – Fortress city, adventurer hub.
• Takumi Nash – Councilor of the McGaref Autonomous Government commanding the Liberation Army.
Please bookmark this series and rate ☆☆☆☆☆ on here!
Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
Leave a Reply