Episode 614

“Kyla Young Lady is in critical condition?”

“Yes. Her life is not in immediate danger, but it seems the torture she endured was severe. Currently, the royalist faction’s leaders have retreated inside the Kalamath castle gates. They’ve sent word that they’ll meet the Bariel forces upon their arrival.”

“…Torture, huh.”

Jin repeated the word with concern. It wasn’t just a human sympathy for the suffering of a young lady from the Hollin family, but also a worry that Lady Danit might have acted impulsively.

Ian, sensing Jin’s unease, added more details.

“There’s no need for concern. Lady Danit only regained Kyla thanks to Bariel’s mediation. It looks like Lady Danit and the royalists are about to enter a full-blown conflict. They’ll be too busy keeping each other in check from now on. In fact, with Bariel’s side gaining some leverage, Lady Danit will likely avoid reckless moves for the time being.”

Ian had quickly grasped the tension between Lady Danit and the royalist faction. The atmosphere in the mansion had hinted at it, and Lady Danit’s pale expression when she brought Kyla back confirmed it.

“How badly is she hurt? What kind of injuries?”

“She has severe bruises and fractures. Especially damage to her teeth and eyesight—”

At that, Varsabe perked up.

“We also believe there will be permanent damage to her ankle.”

Acorella turned her head sharply as well, sharing the pain they all felt. Just as Jin was about to let out a faint sigh—

“Your Majesty, Lady Danit requests an audience.”

“Lady Danit? Send her in.”

With Jin’s permission, Lady Danit herself emerged, folding up the tent. Her green velvet dress was stained with blood, likely from holding Kyla so tightly.

She bowed politely, then inclined her head to Ian in thanks.

“I heard Kyla Young Lady’s condition is poor.”

“Yes, but thanks to Your Majesty, she survived. We are grateful she’s alive.”

“…I see. What happened?”

Though the palace had effectively put Kyla in harm’s way, Lady Danit’s demeanor was surprisingly courteous. There was clearly something else on her mind.

“My heart breaks as a mother seeing Kyla suffer so much, but the grand cause is the grand cause. After discussing with my daughter, Kyla has decided not to return to Bariel.”

Everyone except Jin and Ian looked a bit surprised. Hadn’t they witnessed Kyla’s ambition for the empress’s throne firsthand? And now she refuses to go back to Bariel? Why?

“Kyla will stay here to help me focus on rebuilding Kalamath. When the time is right, I intend to return to Bariel in her place.”

That was unexpected. Even Ian raised an eyebrow. This meant Lady Danit was planning to hand over the start of a new dynasty in Burgos to Kyla.

Lady Danit had been active in Burgos for nearly ten years, so it made sense for her to lead the beginning. Besides, she was a closer legitimate branch than Kyla, who was a generation younger.

But she shook her head.

“Is there a parent who can outlast their child? Seeing her in such a pitiful state, I couldn’t refuse. But I also can’t leave the Hollin family in Bariel unchecked. So I’ve decided it’s best for me to return.”

She would stay here until Kyla was crowned empress, of course.

In any case, her message was clear: Kyla was giving up the throne.

“So, I’d like to discuss something.”

“…Discuss?”

“The Bariel forces have been able to enter Kalamath castle using my daughter’s blood as a stepping stone. I trust you won’t deny this. The Hollin family supplied low-grade weapons to them under the palace’s orders and took on the full risk.”

Bariel had entered without bloodshed, but the battle between the royalists and Lady Danit remained. Whichever side survived would become the new dynasty of Burgos.

Lady Danit bowed her head and made a request to the emperor.

“Currently, there are no Hollin family troops available within Burgos. Because of the civil war and the royalists’ fear of a third party rising, even simple supply and transport have been outsourced.”

They had Lord Chandet pre-recruited, but considering the enemy’s strength, it was no match.

“The younger faction within the royalists might be persuadable, but the upper ranks can only be dealt with by purging. That’s my conclusion.”

“And?”

“Please provide troops. Even if you can’t support me directly, help the Hollin family increase their influence in Kalamath. Soon, the royalists will gather forces and rebel first.”

These were people who had spent nearly ten years at odds, fighting to keep power. If the tide turned toward the Hollin family, they would likely rise up again by force.

Though the entry was bloodless now, it meant someone would eventually bleed inside Kalamath.

“There’s a problem. First, from Bariel’s perspective, it doesn’t matter if the royalists inherit Burgos’s dynasty.”

“Forgive my rudeness for speaking out of turn.”

Lady Danit bowed deeply to Jin, as if she had been waiting for this moment.

“The low-grade weapon supply deal is enough to damage trust between Bariel and Burgos. Even if the parties try to smooth it over, it will be hard to regain the scattered public’s support. Those without legitimacy need popular support to maintain power. Choosing the Hollin family over the royalists is the more rational choice.”

The low-grade weapon issue was the Hollin family’s last ace. If they died, it would spread chaos everywhere. She was asking Bariel to consider the Hollin family and Bariel as one.

“That’s true for the royalists as well. Hollin, your family is rooted next to Bariel’s palace, right? The royalists will surely try to pin the low-grade weapon supply on you as a solo act to check your influence.”

If that happened, the royalists could easily strike the Hollin family, and Bariel could just watch their power decline.

The point was clear: whichever side Bariel chose would win, and to secure that, Lady Danit would have to offer something more.

“Anything else?”

Currently, the Hollin family had lost their monopoly and their territory had shrunk. Could they offer what Bariel wanted? Jin’s question was met with Lady Danit pulling out a bundle of certificates from her bosom.

“What’s this?”

“Bonds issued by the Burgos royalists up to now.”

“……!”

“Note, this is not income from the low-grade weapon supply, but profits from other sources. They are not taxable.”

“Other sources?”

“It’s payment for sharing part of the funds used to operate the royalist forces. The details are here. I reviewed them with the Hollin family’s lawyer, so there’s no problem.”

Ian took the documents at Jin’s nod. The bonds detailed dates and purposes, with an amount far exceeding expectations—30,000 gold coins. It also included claims to ownership of some territories within Kalamath.

“I offer these. Provide the troops accordingly. If we successfully drive out the royalists, Kyla will repay twice the bond amount in the future.”

And if they fail? The bonds would belong to Bariel, who could then demand payment from the royalists. Either way, Bariel bore no risk.

Jin glanced at Ian, and they nodded in unison.

“Very well.”

Lady Danit exhaled deeply, relieved. If this had been rejected, she would have been truly at a loss. She bowed deeply to the emperor.

“Do we need to send that many soldiers?”

“At least three thousand to have a comfortable margin—”

“Wouldn’t it be enough to just take out the royalist leaders first?”

“…Yes.”

Jin tapped the armrest of his chair with his fingertips, then looked behind him. Xiaoshi was standing like a shadow.

“Xiaoshi.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“You’re perfect for this kind of mission. Go quietly.”

“I will obey.”

Lady Danit raised her hand in surprise. This wasn’t going to be so simple, was it?

“Your Majesty, I apologize for speaking out of turn, but from direct confirmation by the royalists’ closest aides, this is a matter requiring caution. The target is just a single officer, but no matter how skilled, it’s impossible alone. There are over seven key royalist leaders, and their defenses are tight. Please send a magic swordsman or mage along.”

Thirty thousand gold coins in one night. No, if successful, twice that. How could one put a price on that? Jin didn’t doubt Xiaoshi’s ability, but Lady Danit’s desperate insistence made him pause. Being cautious was never a bad thing.

“Understood. I’ll have the palace guard send reinforcements.”

“Thank you.”

“First, we enter Kalamath. Lady Danit, prepare to move.”

“Yes. I will take my leave for now. Thank you again for your kindness.”

She bowed deeply and left the tent.

The mages watching quietly whispered among themselves.

“Where on earth did she get 30,000 gold coins?”

“Well, for ten years, it’s not unreasonable.”

“Will Beric go with the palace guard?”

“If he goes, it’ll be over budget. Xiaoshi alone is enough.”

“Come on, what are you talking about? If it’s an assassination, Beric would be terrible.”

“…Really?”

While the mages debated Beric’s worth, Jin gave direct orders to Tweller and Xiaoxi.

“Enter Kalamath and identify all the royalist leaders. Once you’ve mapped out the interior of the castle, plan the infiltration routes and schedule, then report back.”

“Yes, understood.”

“Alright, then it’s time for us to start moving as well.”

With a swift step, Xiaoxi left the emperor’s tent and headed toward the main camp. To synchronize with the time set for the royalists, Bariel’s forces needed to start moving soon too.

Chirp, chirp—

Amid the loud chorus of crickets, Xiaoxi crossed the camp at a brisk pace. Suddenly, the sound of horses reached her ears.

“What did you say? Lady Kyra?”

Between the tents, she spotted Chloe, the supply officer, speaking with someone. Chloe looked far more worn and haggard than when they first left Bariel. Arms crossed, she was deep in serious discussion.

“Shh! Keep your voice down. I only heard it secondhand. It’s not confirmed, but her condition is said to be severe.”

“My goodness, how did that happen?”

“No details yet. We’ll need some time to find out more.”

“Alright. So it’s true that Lady Kyra is in trouble?”

“Yes, that much is certain.”

The news had come through that Kyra, who had been vying for the empress’s position, had returned utterly broken.

Chloe wondered whether such a sacrifice would be recognized as a merit. Didn’t the emperor say that those who fought alongside him and earned glory in battle would be granted the title of empress?

Crunch.

Chloe frowned, running her fingers through her roughly tied hair. They had already passed through two cities, yet she herself had done nothing. And Kyra?

“Damn it.”

If she just stayed here guarding supplies, nothing would change. Muttering something under her breath, Chloe turned sharply and disappeared between the tents.