Chapter 36

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 36

Chapter Title: The Crystal Verdict

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Arpad smirked with a chilling edge, pressing the sword hilt into Hilia's hand as he asked,

"What shall we do, Master?"

The word "Master" sounded strangely eerie, almost mocking.

It sent a shiver down her spine.

The servants were just as stunned as she was.

'Cut out his tongue? It's been over a hundred years since even serious insults to the imperial family were punished that way!'

If she actually went through with it now, it would invite massive backlash.

Especially since she hadn't even been officially recognized as the crown princess yet.

For someone in her position to sever a subordinate's tongue for insulting royalty?

It was obvious the debate over her qualifications would erupt.

Evangeline Ruth would probably jump at the chance, proclaiming something like,

'We can't make such a cruel woman, who shows no mercy, the crown princess!'

The empress and her faction would nod eagerly in agreement.

With the Artanus Hall banquet—where the emperor's approval hung in the balance—looming, she couldn't afford such a misstep.

Yet the current situation didn't allow her to show mercy to this wretch either.

Especially not with Arpad—Gerald—blatantly pushing for harsh punishment.

The servants were already watching her every move.

They were all gauging her, curious about what decision she'd make.

The "soft-hearted Lady Hilia" they knew would never order something as brutal as cutting out a tongue.

The Delphin household staff had no concept of reading her mood or flattering her.

So their eyes and expressions all screamed the same thing.

'No way the soft-hearted Hilia could do something that cruel.'

If she rejected Arpad—Gerald—now, they'd all think,

'Ah, she really is the weak-willed Hilia after all!'

They were already used to looking down on her.

The reins would slip in an instant.

The fear she'd instilled in them was fleeting. The years of contempt and complacency would come roaring back.

Arpad had deliberately used the extreme phrase "cut out his tongue" to narrow her options.

'One: Actually cut it out and earn fear along with resentment.'

'Two: Refuse and be looked down on again.'

He was testing which she'd choose.

'What, is he possessed by some test-obsessed ghost? Or is that just in the imperial blood?'

Thanks to him, she was the one in a bind.

And so, she reached her decision.

…….

A chilling silence hung over the Delphin manor.

Hilia's judgment was spot on.

Not just Arpad, but most of the servants were reassessing her based on what she'd decide.

'Depending on her answer, she'll either crush them with fear or get ignored again.'

If Arpad himself were faced with such a choice, the outcome was predetermined.

'Cut out the tongue, then lop off the head of the one who presented the choice.'

Of course. He had no intention of letting someone who tried to manipulate him live.

From that perspective, keeping Hilia alive now was truly special treatment on his part.

'Considering that, a test like this is only natural.'

Arpad thought shamelessly.

Even so, his curiosity surged to the tips of his hair.

What conclusion would this astonishing, bizarre woman reach?

Would she disappoint him, or surprise him?

Then, breaking the brief silence, pink lips parted.

"Gerald."

Violet eyes stared straight at Arpad.

"Yes, Master."

Arpad uttered the absurd word "Master" again, feeling oddly flushed.

Well, it wasn't entirely absurd.

It was impossible for Crown Prince Arpad.

But for Mercenary King Gerald, it was different.

'The employer is the master, after all.'

Hilia issued her command without mercy, every inch the "Master."

"Drag that wretch along. This isn't the place for bloodshed."

"...Yes."

Ludwig Kielern's valet let out a horrified shriek.

"Eek! Stop! No! I'm Grand Duke Kielern's man! If you punish me...!"

Gerald seized the valet's tongue, silencing his pig-like squeals.

Then he dragged him into the room next to the hall, as Hilia led the way.

Only the valet and Gerald were permitted inside with her.

Gerald watched with mildly waning interest, awaiting her order.

'Now she'll tremble and tell me to cut out his tongue.'

He'd forced her into two choices, but once she picked one, the thrill faded.

He realized something anew.

'I had pretty high expectations.'

Someone who only moved within others' choices wasn't qualified to be his equal.

He hadn't planned to judge everything on this alone, but Hilia had clearly failed one benchmark.

Yet it was strange.

Hilia didn't order Gerald to cut out the man's tongue.

She gave a different command.

"Put that chair over here."

"...What?"

It was so unexpected that Arpad forgot his Mercenary King act for a moment and responded.

Hilia lifted the corner of her mouth sharply and asked,

"Oh? Does Mercenary King Gerald not even know the proper response to his employer?"

At her blatant mocking expression, Arpad furrowed his brow.

This was his mistake.

He apologized straightforwardly and did the sort of thing a valet might do.

"My apologies."

He placed the chair where Hilia indicated.

And began watching to see what she'd do next.

The valet looked utterly bewildered.

In the meantime, Hilia climbed onto the chair and took down one of the decorative items from the wall.

This was a guest waiting room.

The walls were adorned with symbols of the Delphin ducal house's history and prestige.

There were threatening items like shields, swords, and axes.

And others that appeared purely ornamental.

What Hilia pulled down and set on the floor with a thunk was one of the latter.

A crystal ornament carved in the shape of a bird.

She gripped it confidently, flashing a bold smile, then ordered Arpad again.

"Subdue him and make him stick out his tongue."

The valet, filled with terror, tried to flee.

"Aaaagh! Spare me! Grand Duke!!!"

Gerald didn't miss his chance, tripping him so he rolled across the floor.

The valet crashed face-first into a table.

"Gaaah!!!"

Blood streamed as he clutched his nose and writhed on the floor, screaming.

It was loud enough that anyone outside might mistake it for his tongue being severed.

Gerald dragged the blood-spraying valet by the scruff and hurled him to the floor.

Then, as he lay there like a gutted frog, he pinned the man's hand with the blade to immobilize him.

Thud!

"Aaaargh!!!"

A gruesome scream echoed.

Gerald glanced up at Hilia.

But unlike a delicately raised lady, she didn't so much as twitch an eyebrow.

'She's definitely strange.'

A typical lady would faint or at least flinch.

But this woman showed no agitation whatsoever.

Thinking that, he followed his employer's orders as a mercenary.

He grabbed the pinned valet's jaw, yanking his tongue out with his fingers.

And asked,

"Shall I cut it?"

Hilia shook her head.

…….

Disappointment deeper than before flickered in Arpad's red eyes, hidden behind the mask.

'Can't go through with it?'

Yet this was the woman who hadn't blinked at the violence he inflicted. It felt inconsistent somehow.

Then, as if mocking Arpad's hasty judgment, Hilia moved.

She pressed the wall ornament against the valet's tongue and murmured a few activation words.

Suddenly, the crystal bird in her hand began to glow. A deep red, like blood.

The valet thrashed in horror, screaming.

"Gaaaaah!!!"