Chapter 29 The Insult Of The Defeated, Part Three
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
A loud, intense metallic sound reverberated as the two opponents clashed, their forces colliding head-on and sparks flying.
Kassandros’ great sword, several times heavier than Lucia’s, was designed to strike down enemies and their armor with its weight his. Having crossed swords multiple times with his comrades, Kassandros believed he understood the weight of his sword better than anyone else.
Therefore, when their blades clashed, Lucia subtly lowered her sword, attempting to exploit the weight, which was both a strength and a weakness of the great sword.
”Ugh!?”
However, Lucia couldn’t deflect the massive sword. With a powerful swing accompanied by Kassandros’ battle cry, the sword swept horizontally, slicing through the air with even greater force…
Lucia’s body recoiled as her sword plunged into the side of the assailant, the blade sinking into his flesh with a sickening crunch. As the metallic clang echoed from within the armor, Lucia found herself airborne, tumbling helplessly like a discarded pebble, her body battered by the unforgiving ground.
”Haah, haaah, ughh.”
Instinctively reaching for her beloved sword, which had slipped from her grasp, Lucia struggled to steady her ragged breath. Gasping for air, she felt the impact reverberate through not just her chest, but every fiber of her body, leaving her disoriented and struggling to discern between inhaling and exhaling. Yet, the enemy showed no mercy, refusing to afford Lucia the respite to rise to her feet.
As her breathing becomes irregular, Lucia was overwhelmed by waves of nausea and a distorted vision. Though she should have been bathed in a bright spotlight, the world around her plunged into darkness, akin to the confines of a prison she had spent an eternity in. The clattering of her armor was a chilling reminder of the biting cold that seeped through every crevice.
In the strange situation where the body was blown away, Lucia quickly understands that some special power is involved. In this world of combat and challenges, Lucia knows there’s no space for cowardice.
Lucia raised her right knee, forcibly exerting strength into her trembling legs, and lowered her center of gravity while holding her beloved sword in a lower right stance.
The strength of the undead Kassandros had certainly improved to an incomparable extent. It became evident immediately when their swords first clashed. But, the graceful sword skills Kassandros was known for were missing.
Was it lost, decaying like an unwilling corpse?
Kassandros rushed forward like a beast, roaring, while swinging the great sword, reflecting Lucia in the deep red eyes within the sunken sockets.
Lucia’s concentration, scattered when blown away, began to recover. She focused solely on Kassandros, counting each step as he charged forward, intent on taking her life.
As he closed in, she recognized the distance between them. She understands better than anyone how far her beloved sword can reach.
”Here I come!”
As soon as Kassandros reached a distance of ten steps from Lucia, she also stepped forward and kicked the ground with her right leg, swiftly closing in on Kassandros. In response to Lucia suddenly leaping into the distance, Kassandros reflexively swung his sword down.
However, unlike the initial strike, the weight of the sword that was swung down without stepping forward was dull and light in comparison.
Lucia swiftly changed her posture. The great sword that was swung down only caught the ground without striking its intended target, leaving an obvious opening beside Kassandros.
Turning around, Lucia evaded and landed at the same time, then quickly charged forward. As she firmly stepped on the ground, exerting all her strength, she didn’t even realize that vomit was being forced out of her nose due to the feeling of nausea. She simply swung her beloved sword down towards Kassandros with all her might.
The crimson spray erupted, but Kassandros’ arm, like a fallen fruit, decayed, with Lucia’s beloved sword half-buried.
”Ah─── Ahhhhhh…”
Lucia, realizing that if she tried to pull the sword out forcefully, it would be devoured, let out a roar that strained her throat, pouring all her power into her beloved sword.
”Oooooooo.”
Kassandros’ roar thundered, as if to drown out Lucia’s, then he let go of the great sword embedded in the ground, grabbing Lucia’s hair to fend her off as she sought to sever his right arm──
”Nguuuaaaahhh…”
Kassandros’ right arm was severed, and Lucia’s head jerked at a dangerous angle, both happening simultaneously. Lucia went mad with literal pain as if her neck were being torn apart.
Though Kassandros lost his right arm, he held Lucia’s hair with his left hand. But Lucia was merely caught by Kassandros. It was clear to anyone who had the advantage.
As Kassandros swung his arm as if playing with a toy, Lucia’s hair was forcefully pulled, causing her neck to scream in pain. With the force of it, Lucia’s body effortlessly lifted into the air, and she thought to herself,
…If I were to be slammed onto the ground like this, there was no doubt that my neck would snap.
In that moment of thought, Lucia’s arm moved reflexively. She lifted her beloved sword that she never let go of even when she swung around, and with the blade, she cut off the hair that was grabbed.
A burst of frost flowers bloomed in Lucia’s field of vision.
With her newfound freedom, Lucia utilized the centrifugal force when she was lifted up, rotating her body to adjust her posture, and then──
”It’s overrrrr!!”
It was Lucia’s resounding roar.
Lucia’s sword pierced deep into Kassandros’ defenseless neck. Lucia’s sword touched Kassandros’ throat, and the blood-soaked blade emerged deeply from his Adam’s apple.
Everything was over… Lucia let go of the sword. Unable to even take a defensive position, Lucia’s body was slammed to the ground from her back.
The sword, which pierced Kassandros’ neck to its core, could no longer be pulled out. But despite her battered body, Lucia tried to adjust her posture as much as possible, struggling to lie facedown.
”Fugoohhh…”
Immediately after, Kassandros let out a quiet roar. His voice, which was coming out of the air hole in his throat, became even uglier. And with his crushed face, he slowly looked at Lucia.
And Lucia gave up on everything. Her beloved sword impaled Kassandros’ neck, and Kassandros’ great sword was lodged on the opposite side of her body.
Above all, she could no longer put any strength into her body. The abnormal state that had been attacking Lucia’s body since the first blow had intensified. Her bones ached from the coldness that made her body tremble uncontrollably, and a mix of blood and vomit-like mucus flowed from her mouth and nose, making it difficult to breathe.
Even though she was conscious, it was impossible for her to resolve the situation.
So, Lucia gave up on everything and closed her eyes. Behind her eyelids, she saw the figure of Elaine, who had bowed down in gratitude, and Alfred, who had shown the appearance befitting a future emperor, just before they were separated in the old capital.
However, no matter how long she waited, nothing happened.
After about ten seconds, Lucia cautiously opened her eyes. Reflected in her eyes was the figure of Kassandros, who had stopped moving when he turned around.
Indeed, Kassandros was standing there. However, he had already perished… or rather, his soul had finally returned to the heavens through his second death.
Immediately after that, something seemed to bathe Lucia’s body in a faint light, and in the next moment, all the pain in her body disappeared. There was no longer any feeling of cold or nausea, as if they never existed. In fact, she felt even lighter than before she came to the arena──
Suddenly, Lucia felt a presence, or rather a chill, behind her.
Reflexively, Lucia turned her lightened body around to create distance. It felt as if her heart had been squeezed, and Lucia already had the memory of that same sensation from before.
It happened in a prison cell. The feeling emitted by the demon-like woman called Azuriela, who had violated Lucia’s body.
As Lucia rolled away to create distance, she caught a glimpse of a man in her field of vision. However, his face was eerily similar to Azuriela’s, and he had four pairs of black wings growing from his back.
”Are you… the master of this Babellion?”
Before the man could say anything, Lucia preemptively asked the question.
There was a few seconds of silence, not because the question was ignored, but rather because it seemed incomprehensible.
In the next moment, before the man could respond, the arena was filled with laughter that shook the entire place. The audience had laughed in response, even before the man had a chance to deny it.
”I am the second-in-command Chancellor of Saint Tower Babellion, Felshiol.”
The man who introduced himself as Felshiol was not the master of Babellion, but he claimed to be the second-in-command. This means that he holds a position equivalent to that of a prime minister in the empire.
Without paying much attention to Lucia, who remained cautious, Felshiol looked at the lifeless body of Kassandros behind her. After observing Kassandros, who had turned into a silent mass of decaying flesh, with interest, Felshiol’s gaze once again met Lucia’s.
”I will now convey the words of The Great Saint His Majesty Charlierel.”
With a clear yet powerful voice, Felshiol spoke. It was not just directed at Lucia before him, but to everyone who could hear his voice. In that moment, all the monsters (Mamono) stood up in unison and lowered their heads, resting their elbows on the ground.
Lucia was convinced by the sight. This was not a den of violent monsters, but rather a kingdom ruled by a ruler. And the empire had started a war with their country.
”I have indeed witnessed your heroic figure. Despite being wounded, your unwavering stance was the embodiment of a warrior, despite being a small human.”
As Lucia listened to the words of the ruler Charlierel from Felshiol’s mouth, she pondered about what would happen next. If Charlierel did not break his promise, Elaine would be free as a result of Lucia overcoming the trial.
”The Kassandros you defeated, [General Corpse (General Ghoul)], is by no means a weak undead. It is truly impressive that you were able to defeat it with just a sword, without any magic or skills.”
If she can speak to Elaine again before she become free, she must inform Emperor Fredrin II, her father. Babellion is not just a nest of monsters; it is a nation where monsters reside. What lies ahead is a war between nations.
”Therefore, as a reward for entertaining me, let’s give you another choice. That is, the Babellion is holding captive the Crown Prince Alfred Ravendora-Halenameleta of the Ravendora Empire.”
The moment that name entered Lucia’s ears, her eyes widened and she abandoned all thoughts in the middle. And she glared at Felshiol, determined not to miss a single word.
”I will make a promise not to kill him. And I will grant the right to meet to confirm that he is alive.”
However, Felshiol seemed to smirk ever so slightly.
”This is but one option. The liberation of the loyal knight, Elaine, or the assurance of the crown prince’s life and the right to meet once… You may choose whichever you prefer. Whichever you choose, I swear to fulfill that promise in the name of Babellion and all its people.”
As these words were spoken, the audience in the arena and all the people of Babellion who were watching the live broadcast from another location trembled. Some shed tears and offered prayers while crouching, and no one found it strange. Even though their individual names were not mentioned, Charles had made a promise to all the people of Babellion, in other words, in their own names. This was proof of how much he cherished them.
On the other hand, Lucia’s inner thoughts were different.
By choosing Elaine, she would be immediately liberated. She could free the loyal knight who had shielded her from the abuses of the monsters since her childhood. She could erase the possibility of further torture that might await her, such as being burned alive and eaten. She could erase all such worst-case scenarios.
However, if Lucia chooses Alfred, her determination to protect him will achieve a certain kind of fulfillment.
Lucia had come to this circular arena and tasted despair. It was not only the military power that turned the soldiers they killed into vicious undead creatures, but also the Monsters lined up in the audience seats that filled her with despair. The audience members who came into view after the match had various appearances, but the Monsters, who could be seen from a distance, contained tremendous power and existed in a different dimension from Lucia. That’s why she felt like giving up on the idea of returning alive.
Amidst such circumstances, a glimmer of hope emerged—a promise of guaranteeing life. It occurred to Lucia that this might be a compromise in her determination to protect Alfred.
However, Lucia understood. This promise held little significance. After all, keeping him alive without killing him was simply a means to use him as a bargaining chip or for some other purpose. And as the Crown Prince, Alfred was an important hostage for Babellion, and unless something extraordinary happened, he wouldn’t be killed. So, his value as a bargaining chip wasn’t that high. However, it was also not an absolute certainty.
If I can receive a guarantee that I won’t be killed, and above all, if I can confirm that Alfred is alive… the moment that thought crossed her mind, Lucia became trapped in that line of thinking. It stuck to her and wouldn’t let go.
But of course, choosing Alfred means abandoning Elaine. It also means disregarding the promise she made to Elaine in the cell just now. She promised to set her free without fail…
”Al…fred…”
It spilled out of Lucia’s mouth without permission. Through the gap in her restraint, her instincts, or rather Lucia’s desires themselves, passed through her throat and out.
”I can’t hear you. It is not I, but The Great Saint His Majesty Charlierel who can grant your wish. You must plea with a voice loud enough to reach His Majesty’s ears on the top floor of this arena.”
And once the hole had been opened, it only continued to widen without closing. At that moment, Lucia had come too far to turn back.
”Guarantee of Alfred’s life”
The taste of blood spread in the tightly clenched mouth. But Felshiol raised a scornful gaze at Lucia with his three white eyes,
”You have an attitude problem. You are choosing from the options granted by His Majesty’s mercy. There should be an appropriate way to make a request. Or perhaps… the princess of the Ravendora Empire cannot be taught manners?”
Lucia immediately understood the meaning behind those words. Felshiol didn’t say it outright. But it was clearer than daylight what he was demanding.
Lucia knelt on her right knee. It was not the same as being abducted and restrained, but a voluntary submission. Her knees, which had never bent except in front of her father, the emperor, trembled with humiliation as she bit her lip so hard it felt like it might tear.
And Felshiol just looked down at Lucia, who was struggling with humiliation. He didn’t even lift a finger to force her to kneel, even though he could have done so forcibly, by kicking or trampling.
Furthermore, the reason he didn’t command her to kneel from the beginning is to make Lucia kneel of her own volition. And to ensure that there is no escape, not even a forced one, in order to break Lucia’s pride.
Lucia place her beloved sword on the ground. Then she fold her left knee, place both hands on the ground, and bow deeply, burying her forehead in the dirt. It’s not even a knight’s salute. It’s a posture of submission and begging for mercy, like a slave to their master.
”Oh, The Great Saint Your Majesty Charlierel. I humbly request the assurance of Prince Alfred’s life!!”
”What choices did you sacrifice to make this decision?”
”Despicably, I broke my promise with the knight Elaine and seek the assurance of Prince Alfred’s life!!”
”That will do.”
Above Lucia, trembling with humiliation, Felshiol snorted disdainfully.
* * *
As Charles watched Lucia’s kneeling figure on the live broadcast, he drank the prepared fruit water.
Charles proposed to Sarikir that Princess Lucia choose between the knight Elaine and Crown Prince Alfred. Moreover, the latter’s promise had no special meaning and would only grant Lucia the right to meet him once.
However, he had heard that Princess Lucia had an abnormal amount of attachment and affection towards Crown Prince Alfred, so there was a need to confirm the extent of that.
Regarding Elaine, it was originally planned to release her if Lucia chose her. But there was a risk of her sharing unwanted information, so she was promised freedom only to be planned for killing afterward. It seems there was never an actual plan to release her. The talk of freedom was just a lie. Azuriela wanted Elaine to fight Kassandros, thinking if Elaine lost, it would be over. If Elaine won, Azuriela planned to mock her by saying “stupid.”
Charles thinks Azuriela is an incredibly despicable person, but her has no intention of reproaching her unless it is something that involves mentioning Charles’ name. So Charles has no obligation to protect her in that regard.
”Good for you.”
Felshiol sniffed with a face as if scolding a cheeky child and making them apologize.
There was a reason for leaving it to Felshiol. Charles could have done it himself, but it would be strange for a ruler to appear in front of them so easily. This applies not only to the people of Babellion, but also to Princess Lucia.
Charles is not just an ordinary king or emperor, but the ruler of Babellion. It seems that it’s not so easy for lowly humans to appear before him and bow down.
However, the whole malicious scheme was rather typical of Felshiol. What Charles proposed was simply to weigh the side knight and the heir hang in the balance, not to force her to kneel and beg… but it was truly wonderful to see the proud princess knight tremble with humiliation as she knelt.
The first time he saw Princess Lucia, she was quite beautiful──no, maybe it was just because his subordinates had made his standards high, but Lucia was indeed a peerless beauty. It was at that moment that Charles became interested in Princess Lucia, and the sight of her dignity mixed with her pitifulness resonated in his crotch.
The princess, Lucia, wasn’t the immediate target for action, but Charles preferred to control her mind before seeking pleasure.
As he thought of different plans, a cunning smile appeared on Charles’ face.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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