Chapter 114 (1/2)
“Kuaack!”
Befitting his reputation as the Flash, Rhineland managed to deflect some of the oncoming bolts as he charged. But searing pain shot up his shoulder and sides, and the horse tumbled forward. Rhineland jumped off from his saddle, rolling as he landed to lessen the impact of the fall.
“… Hold your fire.”
Rhineland saw the dead bodies of his companions as he rolled on the ground. He grit his teeth and charged with what sounded like a mix of a battle cry and a scream. Rivelia ordered the agents to stand down and stepped forward to personally face his will.
Clang!
Their swords clashed together, and Rhineland’s face widened with surprise and confusion when he confirmed Rivelia’s face.
“Lady Rivelia? What is…”
Rivelia grimaced, watching Rhineland fall deeper into confusion. She was certain after meeting his sword. Rhineland was not a turncoat.
“Sir Rhineland, I know you’re confused but listen…”
Rivelia attempted to reveal herself and explain the situation, but Rhineland’s face twisted as if he’d realised something.
“I see, that’s what it was.”
“What?”
“You filthy n.o.bles. I thought Pendletons were different, but you are all the same.”
“Sir Rhineland, please calm…”
“Shut up! I will never submit to you!”
Rhineland mercilessly swung at Rivelia with his sword. Seeing his reckless behaviour that neglected any sort of defense, Rivelia believed there was a misunderstanding. She parried his attacks, trying to convince him in between swings. But her words didn’t reach Rhineland.
“What are you even doing.”
Isaac sighed at the sight and signalled one of the nearby agents to come over. He stole the agent’s crossbow and pulled the trigger. Rivelia was wearing a defensive coat, but Rhineland wasn’t wearing any armour.
“Kuhuk!”
Stab!
Multiple bolts drove themselves into Rhineland’s side, and he collapsed onto the ground. Rivelia saw the bolts bounce off from her coat’s barrier and turned around.
“What are you doing!”
Isaac glossed over Rivelia’s angry stare and threw the crossbow back at the agent before walking up to the two.
“How long are you going to play around?”
Rivelia blocked Isaac’s path as if to protect Rhineland and shouted.
“Sir Rhineland is not a turncoat!”
“So?”
“We have no reason to kill him!”
Isaac clicked his tongue annoyingly and pointed at the burning camp as he stared right back at her.
“What bulls.h.i.+t is that? Then did those r.e.t.a.r.ds die because they were turncoats?”
“That’s…”
“Move.”
Isaac coldly ordered Rivelia, who was stumped for words, and she meekly moved aside. Isaac stared down at the squirming Rhineland before lighting his cigarette and crouching next to him.
“You want one too?”
“… Cough. Is that you, Sir Isaac?”
Rhinelad spoke with a quivering voice as blood spilled from his mouth. Isaac looked at him emotionlessly and breathed out some smoke.
“For your information, it’s not the Pendletons.”
“…”
Rhineland struggled to look up at Isaac’s face. Looking back at Rhineland’s lifeless eyes, Isaac spoke without a shred of emotion inside.
“It’s Central.”
Rhineland’s eyes opened wide, and Isaac stood up.
“Hold on, it won’t take long.”
Grab!
It was unknown where Rhineland gathered the strength to do so, but he grabbed at Isaac’s leg and begged to Isaac’s emotionless eyes.
“Please, let the princesses…”
Rhineland’s hand dropped before he could finish his sentence. Isaac’s eyes shook for a moment hearing Rhineland. He watched Rhineland’s body slip away and quietly muttered to himself.
“The kids should live, the kids should…”
Leaving behind Rhineland’s corpse, the group boarded the airs.h.i.+p for the second destination. When they arrived, Rivelia figured out Isaac’s intentions.
“This is not acceptable.”
Rivelia blocked Isaac’s path, and Isaac made a bloodthirsty smile.
“Why?”
“What do you mean why! There could be civilian casualties.”
“Nothing new there. Unlucky civilians die all the time. Don’t tell me you believe there haven’t been any civilian casualties throughout all of Central’s history?”
“Those were unavoidable casualties. But this is a village completely unrelated to our mission!”
“What do you mean, ‘unrelated’? This is one of the Marquis’s supply bases.”
“You know Marquis Lichten isn’t charged with anything!”
Faced against Rivelia’s continued rejection, Isaac sighed.
“The Count’s army was annihilated after an ambush. Is that normal?”
“… No.”
“At least you know that. Then how will the Count react? They’ll obviously point towards the Marquis as the culprit. He’ll file a complaint to the Department of Administration. Then, Central will be involved, and the war will be on pause until the investigation finishes.”
“…”
“How are we supposed to find the demon and his turncoats in that situation?”
“Are you saying that the Marquis must also suffer damages so the Count can’t blame him as the culprit?”