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Chapter 33 Mary Is Doomed
Chapter 33 Mary Is Doomed
Chapter 33 Mary Is Doomed
Having left the stadium with Ebelasque, Kraush massaged his arm.
It was swollen but not broken.
Ill put some potion on it and it should be better in a few days.
Thinking he needed to visit an alchemy store before leaving, Kraush looked to his side.
Ebelasque was there, looking at him like a puppy that needed to poop.
He had almost forgotten about her.
Kraush rummaged through his pocket and pulled out her heart.
Take it.
He casually tossed the heart to Ebelasque.
Huh?
Surprise washed over Ebelasques face as she caught the heart.
She hadnt expected him to give it back so easily.
Are you sure about this?
She was a carrier of world erosion.
A necromancer of immeasurable value, enough for the royal palace to warrant using her directly.
When she questioned if it was really okay for him to release her so easily, Kraush simply shrugged.
We made a deal, didnt we?
Kraush knew Ebelasques personality.
She preferred hiding away rather than causing harm to others.
To manipulate her using her own heart would only breed more annoying issues.
More importantly, did you get what I asked for?
Ah, um, the Golden Dragon Grass, right?
Ebelasque fumbled in her pocket and took out the Golden Dragon Grass.
Kraush promptly snatched it up.
How much he had toiled to secure this one item.
Now, all thats left is to go back.
Having no further desire to remain in this detestable empire, Kraush turned to leave.
Im off then.
Uh, oh, uh?
In response, Ebelasque wore a perplexed expression.
She looked around in confusion and started following Kraush soon after.
Why are you following me?
Minutes later, Kraush turned to Ebelasque with a disgruntled expression.
At first, he thought they happened to be heading in the same direction, but she had followed him all the way to the outskirts of the imperial capital.
Well, but, I am now a fugitive of the empire. I have to leave somewhere, dont I?
Well, that is true.
It was unlikely the royal palace would just let Ebelasque be.
And if Sigrid is involved, shed rather blame everything on Ebelasque than lose Mary. Itd be claimed Mary was merely exploited.
Public opinion might not easily sway, but somehow, she would evade execution.
Mary was foolish, but her physical body and capabilities were undeniably real.
Even now in such a state, there was none as strong as Mary in dealing with world erosion.
Hardheaded with a body like stone.
Sigrid wouldnt want to lose such a loyal meat shield.
Kraush couldnt stop that from happening either.
However.
Kraushs eyes gleamed brightly.
Through this ordeal, Marys pride would be utterly demolished.
What followed didnt need to be said.
The outcome that would end up in Kraushs hands would speak for itself.
Alright, I can understand that, but youre saying youll follow me until were out of the empire. Is that correct?
Where will you go?
She, already aware that Kraush wasnt from the empire, questioned him.
To that question, Kraush had nothing in particular to hide.
Starlon.
Starlon? But thats where Balheim is, terribly dangerous.
It may be dangerous to you.
Why? Youre a world erosion carrier too, arent you?
Hearing what she said next, Kraush wore a look of disbelief.
You cant underestimate Balheim. Theyre terrifying. They might swallow our heads whole while were alive and put them in their stomachs.
Kraush wasnt sure how Ebelasque perceived Balheim, but right now, that wasnt the issue at hand.
Wait, did you just say Im a world erosion carrier?
Hm? Isnt that so? You use the powers essence, and it feels like youve deliberately made it weaker. I may not have noticed it when I was Number 12, but seeing it up close, I understand. Unless youre a carrier or have experienced handling the power of world erosion directly, it might be unnoticeable.
Kraushs expression grew serious.
Was the power of world erosion he absorbed through Extreme Blood Toxin making him appear as a fellow to other carriers?
This was an aspect Kraush hadnt even imagined, so he turned to look at Crimson Garden.
Then she, straightening her feathers with her beak, soon spoke.
Didnt you know? I wouldve thought it was obvious.
Eek, d-did the crow just speak?!
Come to think of it, had Crimson Garden ever spoken in front of Ebelasque?
This is not exactly great news.
Kraush crossed his arms and was briefly engrossed in thought.
Being felt kin by world erosion carriers might allow him to blend in with them, but the downside was also clear.
If Kraush hid among humans, his presence would be distinctly felt by those carriers.
A misstep could lead to becoming targeted.
World erosion carriers are not comrades but individuals.
Now I get why Ebelasque so readily believed me.
Because were both carriers.
She must have quickly concluded that he would retrieve her heart with a special ability, given that many carriers possess quite bizarre talents.
After a moment of contemplation, Kraush decided to dismiss the thoughts.
I must absorb world erosion in any form anyway. The risk was there from the start.
The silver lining was that ordinary people wouldnt be able to sense the power of world erosion.
Crimson Garden, how will the Black Flame appear to others?
Itll seem like an ominous black flame to them. Your Black Flame is currently purifying any leaking power of world erosion, thanks to Ignis.
That was indeed welcome information.
Using Black Flame might present him as ominous, but it wouldnt lead to being misconstrued as a world erosion carrier.
After all, not being a carrier of world erosion or one of its kinds, very few beings in this world can distinguish between the power of world erosion itself. Its like they are observing the star marks inscribed by my kind.
Kraush nodded in agreement.
Previously, only Arthur or a few with unique eyes or senses could identify Crimson Gardens species.
The majority couldnt even detect the existence of her species.
Furthermore, Kraush, you are fundamentally different from us. We are world erosion itself, whereas youve merged it with aura. Since the power of world erosion is diluted, most will think youre afflicted by a curse.
Certainly, a curse was akin to world erosion.
Others might perceive him as using Black Flame and the power of world erosion as being under a curse.
So their eyes will see me as fighting while bearing a curse?
Not much different from the past, isnt it?
If so, Kraush was somewhat reassured.
Being chased down as a world erosion carrier was something hed rather avoid.
During this time, Crimson Garden laughed.
And that makes you a half-baked world erosion carrier.
Kraush looked at Crimson Garden with an incredulous expression.
No standard world erosion carrier would want anything to do with him.
In essence, he now stood between the worlds of humanity and world erosion carriers.
So absorbing more world erosion wont be noticeable. Is that what youre saying?
They will certainly think the curse has either intensified or increased in number.
Nodding as if convinced, Kraush acknowledged the logic.
He realized this more urgently after tangling once with Mary.
No matter how much he practiced, she was on an unreachable level to him.
Only when everything was in Kraushs grasp could he surpass her.
As for the risk, he had faced that head-on long ago.
Theres nothing left to fear now.
A non-world erosion carrier, you say? Huh? Why?
Amidst their conversation, Ebelasque, listening silently, wore a puzzled look.
This triggered her ample upper body to wobble, causing Crimson Garden to look at her disdainfully.
Do breasts grow at the brains nutritional expense? Tsk tsk, surviving as a world erosion carrier yet being so idiotic.
Kr, Kradd, shes mean. Why is she so rude? Im about to get angry here?
Watching the bickering between the two, Kraush remembered something he hadnt told Ebelasque.
Ebelasque, my name isnt Kradd.
Correcting his name, Kraush introduced himself.
I am Kraush Balheim.
And her face morphed into sheer stupidity.
Im the youngest direct descendant of that Balheim you mentioned.
Following that, a womans piercing scream echoed throughout the corners of the empires city.
* * *
In the empires underground prison.
Inside the Iron Prison, which holds only those sentenced to death.
You foolish, how many times did I tell you to correct that personality!
A woman in a white uniform with blue hair was yelling.
As if missing both rabbits wasnt bad enough, whats this now? Assassination of royalty?! Are you in your right mind? How many times did I tell you! Dont think! You only need to listen to my orders and Lord Arthurs!
Her identity was none other than the Third Princess, Sigrid Ephania.
True to her nickname, the Flower of the Empire, she had a beautiful face. But now, it was red as a beet, burning with rage.
Why, why, why, of all times, did you have to think and create this mess? When I said dont think, I meant dont do anything if variables arise!
Before her, kneeling silently and listening, was none other than Mary Diana.
Shackles, large and black, were fitted on her outstretched hands, and both her clothes and body were a mess.
The result of being tossed about during the interrogation about the imperial assassination.
No matter how well-regarded the Diana family was within the empire, attempting royal murder was a grave sin.
Even she could not escape the rigorous interrogation.
As a result, there were bruises and scars all over her pale skin, and her clothes were almost completely torn, nearly exposing her entire body.
It was fortunate she wasnt stripped bare.
Iron Prisons procedure involved taking off all the prisoners clothes, but they had turned a blind eye considering her age and status.
I tried to clear the way, make it slightly easier for Lord Arthur before finding him. But youve ruined everything.
Sigrid stomped on the floor as though she could not contain her anger.
Mary was in no position to say anything in response.
The only reason why we let you in was because of Lord Arthurs request! You might not know anything else, but your skills with the spear are exceptional! Within the Sky Generation, youre the one who stood at the forefront, and even at the last moments, you did not die, showing a willpower I must acknowledge!
Mary Dianas nickname was the Divine Spear, and her other moniker was Indomitable.
Unyielding and Indomitable.
In Kraushs eyes, she might be a woman like a buffalo, stubbornly charging into danger she should avoid.
But ironically, at times, that stubbornness would become the unyielding spirit that kept the Sky Generation from falling apart and raised morale.
Her valiant charge against world erosion, refusing to give up even in desperate situations, was acknowledged by all.
Thus, Mary Diana was always at the forefront.
She swung her spear at the very front lines, and even bloodied, she would rise to thrust her spear into her masters throat.
Truly, the number of times she had single-handedly stopped world erosion were innumerable.
This achievement was something even Sigrid had to admit.
The body she was born with, the Heavenly Martial Body, was beyond human physicality, a perfected form in and of itself.
No wonder the wounds from her recent interrogation were already healing naturally.
In terms of her physical body, she was the worlds best.
Thats why she was called the Divine Spear.
But that was a story limited to the world erosion.
Now was a time when politics took precedence over the military might needed in world erosion.
Her short-sightedness wasnt suited for politics at all.
Why, God, why give just one thing Sigrid sighed in despair.
She wanted to immediately dismiss Mary, who could be executed at any moment for such an act, but she was too valuable to lose.
Her monstrously strong body had to serve as the most reliable meat shield against world erosion.
Hadnt Arthur said so?
That she, who could control Mary, was the most beautiful.
Sigrid looked back at Mary.
Just seeing her, Sigrids annoyance surged, accompanied by an almost physical pain. But she tried her best to suppress it.
Mary might not realize it, but Sigrid was not so foolish.
Even if she was not as cunning as Sizelry, at least Sigrid could see how the situation was playing out.
This plan was supposed to have almost no variables.
At worst, it would just be Sizelry somehow discovering something unseen by Sigrid herself and suspecting something.
Sizelry was destined to die no matter what.
She wouldnt have figured that Sera would end up a corpse, about to kill herself.
Thats why Sigrid trusted the task to Mary.
Once given her orders, Mary would faithfully execute them.
Mary, you said you definitely killed Sera.
Yes, I definitely killed her with my own hands.
Mary doesnt lie.
Rather, to put it accurately, she cant lie.
Especially not in front of Sigridshe never harbors any falsehoods.
If she said she killed someone, it means she really did.
Sera was no match for Marys spear.
Then she really must have killed her.
But why was she still alive?
According to Mary, Ebelasque had betrayed them.
That idiot committed betrayal?
Sigrid snorted in derision.
Ebelasque was not that sort of conniving person.
The woman who trembled and hid under blankets just from making eye contact, the one who cried while holding her heart in front of herit was laughable to think she had committed betrayal.
There must be something else.
Sigrids eyes narrowed slightly.
This incident involved an unknown variable she was unaware of.
The heart in the pocket suddenly disappeared, you said.
I was holding it securely until then. I even gave the order.
Sigrid stroked her slender chin and turned her head before turning her body as if she had come to an understanding.
Alright. Just stay there.
Huh? Sig, Sigrid, do you mean continue staying in the prison?
Isnt that obvious? You attempted royal murder. Itd be strange if you werent executed immediately! Do you even realize I somehow prevented your execution?
Marys face went pale.
You directly challenged the authority of the royal family right in front of them. With a bit of maneuvering on my part and framing it as Ebelasques unilateral actions, we barely managed. I wish! If you hadnt been switched to collaborating with Ebelasque and the deputy of the Black Dragon Knights due to manipulation and threats, it would have been immediate execution for you both.
She clicked her tongue and shook her head.
Luckily, it was framed as the unfortunate case of a young lady and the Second Prince being misled by a world erosion carrier. Otherwise, it was to be an expedited execution for an attack on royal authority.
The Second Prince was not without suspicion for Sizelrys murder.
After all, he had openly been spreading rumors about holding the night crow.
Thanks to that, he too was actively claiming he was merely used by Ebelasque, and it was all her fault.
Sigrid was powerfully supporting his claims, roping Mary into it as well.
They had just managed to prevent an immediate execution with that angle.
If anything had gone even slightly wrong, Mary wouldnt be here right now.
The sharp minds of the empire would notice the inconsistencies in these claims and the current situations loopholes, but these neutral parties will ultimately close their eyes.
They too understand this is essentially a struggle for imperial succession, not an affront to royal authority.
Unless the emperor directly intervenes, they will let the situation be as it unfolds.
Of course, Sigrid must also accept the losses from this incident.
The First Prince knew Mary was on Sigrids side and would surely attack wherever he could.
Ha, just how much am I going to lose because of this? The execution is avoided, barely, but what comes next is the problem.
The First Prince wouldnt attack openly since it wasnt a direct threat to him.
But instead, he would be diligently devouring the Second Princes power.
To the First Prince, the current situation was an unprecedented opportunity to absorb the Second Princes faction, now virtually void of any right of succession.
The helpless Sigrid was frustrated to near madness by this prospect.
Moreover, Marys situation was also difficult.
The title of the strongest spear was now out of reach, and any imperial benefits she had were cut off.
The Diana family was even considering disowning her, thats how dire the situation was.
If the Diana household harbored an idiot challenging royal authority, they risked their entire lineages ruin.
So Sigrid was pulling out all the stops to prevent this and to downplay what Mary did as something short of challenging imperial authority.
As a result, Mary was now being treated like a discarded daughter, not just by the empire, but by her own family too.
Gently stirring public sympathy might allow Mary to stay within the empire somehow, but a difficult life ahead was inevitable.
Well, not getting executed is fortunate enough.
Sizelry was lucky to be from a forgotten line with weak claims to the throne and royal power.
Had it been the First Prince or even the Second Prince who had been targeted directly, it would have resulted in an immediate execution, no question.
Sigrid looked at Mary with a mix of disbelief and pity.
Then Mary cowered, her shoulders shrinking.
Ill try to change the situation to avoid lifelong imprisonment. Wait there.
Sigrid, then the Academy
Mary, on the verge of tears, asked about Rahelrn Academy.
If she could go to the academy, she would meet Arthur.
It was the lone thought that had kept her going.
She desperately wanted to enter Rahelrn Academy, to see Arthur, feel his gentle smile, and the touch of his hand caressing her.
Ha
Sigrid laughed in disbelief while looking at Mary.
She had not expected Rahelrn Academy to come out of Marys mouth.
This year is impossible. Theres no way youll be out of prison in time. Not sure about next year either; you might not be released until I, or Arthur, ascend to the throne.
Its, its impossible? I really want to go to the Academy! Please, Sigrid, Im sorry! Its all my fault, Im begging you, just the Academy!
Mary.
When Sigrid called her name again, Mary lay prostrate on the ground, tears streaming down her face.
Sigrid, faced with that sight, grimaced in disgust.
She wanted to kick that head and trample upon it immediately, but this was Arthurs chosen woman.
She couldnt do such disgraceful acts to his lady; she wanted to remain cultured, at least in front of Arthur.
Ill try to get you exiled to the academy. After all, youre just 16, a young girl misled by a world erosion carrier. They claim its too harsh, so why not put that talent to use and benefit the empire by exiling you? If we spin the public narrative like this, it might just work.
She couldnt promise anything, though.
But perhaps giving Mary a shred of hope would be better than letting her simply collapse.
Oh, oh, thank you. Thank you so much, Sigrid. Really, thank you.
Mary clung to the bars, tears scattering as she spoke.
Though the prison bars were steel, heavier and harder than iron, they seemed to bend slightly under her touch, and Sigrid sensed that shocking strength once more.
Yes, she endured because of that one physical aspect.
You wont make it this year. Theres no way youll be out of prison in time. I dont know what will happen next year, so until then, dont do anything and just behave.
Sigrid turned away from her, still crying and affirming her understanding, her mind continually churning about what unexpected variable had arisen this time.