Chapter 642 - Plunder (1/2)

Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation  Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

One who had not experienced war at close quarters would never be able to understand the cruelty of war.

On the surface alone, modern warfare had the Geneva’s Convention to make it seem remotely humane. However, in ancient times, regardless of whether in the East or the West, war was a brutal festivity for the victors. The soldiers could slaughter the people of the enemy kingdom arbitrarily. All manner of killing and robbing would happen; they could do whatever they wanted. If any general ever stepped in to prevent such activities, he would probably lose the morale of his army.

Of course, a professional soldier like Cahir was very clear about this. So, when the Nilfgaardian army successfully broke into the Cintra castle, he immediately led the elite squad into the sealed inner keep, where the Cintran King, Queen, and Princesses lived. Ordinary soldiers were prohibited from entering.

He did not care about the other places. The soldiers could do whatever they wanted there. However, to accurately complete the Emperor’s secret order, he had to do so. If the maddened soldiers accidentally killed the princesses, how would he explain it?

Cahir hoped that Queen of Cintra Calanthe would at least be a little self-conscious. Killing herself would be the best option. Otherwise, he would feel some remorse in slaying the aristocrat of an enemy kingdom. Even if he really killed her, he would tell the world that Calanthe chose to take her own life in dignity.

In recent times, marriages between various kingdoms happened quite frequently, and many kingdoms were closely related to each other. Therefore, even if there was a war between kingdoms, it was a customary rule that nobles were not to be killed arbitrarily. Otherwise, one’s reputation would take a fall, and they would be given the title “Kinslayer.”[1]

It was not that you could not kill nobles, but you could not kill them without reason. You had to have a high-sounding reason.

Cahir methodically searched for the two little princesses with his men. He also did not forget to visit the rooms where the members of the Cintran royal family lived, so that his men could plunder some luxuries for the Emperor. Keep what you find was also an unspoken rule.

He was dismayed to find that the Queen of Cintra Calanthe, who had put great efforts into building her kingdom, did not like to collect luxury goods. Everything she had was simple. Maybe, in her heart, the kingdom came first.

Princess Olivia was the one who liked luxuries. When she had nothing better to do, she would look for the best tailors in the kingdom. The tailor had customized a variety of beautiful clothes for her. Her “Pearl of the Northern Kingdoms” title had been bolstered by her sense of fashion.

Princess Olivia would also communicate with various artists from all over the world. Many famous painters have had the privilege of drawing a portrait of her, and these portraits have all become famous paintings. Of course, when these paintings appeared on the market, Her Royal Highness Princess Olivia’s reputation could only soar to the skies.

Calanthe did not like her precisely for that reason.

However, this also became Olivia’s best form of disguise. Nobody could have imagined this princess to be so adept at concealing her nature.

When Cahir came to Cirilla and Olivia’s room, he was immediately stunned by the distinctive styling of their rooms. If the King and Queen’s room previously were too shabby and was incomparable to where the Emperor of the Nilfgaardian Empire lived, then the chamber of the princesses was extraordinarily unique and artistic.

It was rumored that the “Pearl of the Northern Kingdoms” Princess Olivia was extremely talented in art. Even so, painting seemed to be the most unremarkable one, out of her many talents. It was her music that opened new realms to others. Nobles returned home from her performances, dazed and entranced…