Chapter 114

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 114

Chapter Title: The Old Lion Awakens

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Marquis Giliphos's mansion.

"Master, a letter from Her Highness the Princess."

"Tch, so the knight's turned into a proper lady now."

The elderly warrior snorted and extended his hand. His voice was gruff, but it carried strength.

"Hand over Her Highness's letter first."

Flutter.

As Marquis Giliphos unfolded the letter, his expression gradually hardened.

"Th-this... is this real? The rebels are marching north to attack the royal capital?"

Neril nodded.

Gilipos checked the scale and direction of the rebels written in the letter, then looked back down at the map.

He shook his head slowly. He still couldn't believe it.

"Of all times, now? The timing and scale are truly bizarre. In this dire situation, where did they even muster these numbers?"

Most young men were already out on the battlefields.

No matter how much they rallied the populace, they couldn't gather this many all at once.

"The rebel leaders and some others are mercenaries hired for pay. They used pretexts and brainwashing to draw in the common folk. If we take them out, the rest will scatter easily."

It wasn't an ordinary uprising.

"Which scum are trying to dirty this country again!"

Gilipos slammed the table with a bang and let out a roar of fury.

The princess, once a puppet of the Regent Duke, had suddenly transformed one day, methodically pruning the rotten branches one by one.

He had thought Baldina was finally seeing the light, but the fact that corrupt elements were still trying to ruin the kingdom filled him with genuine rage.

Did no one see the young princess's efforts to somehow lift this shaking nation?

How could everyone be so selfish? Deep regret and anger welled up within him.

"Is it the Regent Duke? The one stirring up this mess?"

Gilipos asked abruptly.

He was well aware of the Regent Duke's precarious position. Voices condemning him had risen even outside the capital.

"......"

"Why aren't you answering? I'm asking if it's Claudio!"

Gilipos was all but certain.

The only wretch selfish enough to shake the fate of this nation for personal gain was Joaquin Claudio.

"Marquis Giliphos is a man who loves his country more than anyone. But he's too upright. The upright always break, and I have no use for a hunter who can't wait in ambush."

Recalling the princess's words, Neril stared straight at him.

"If I told you it was, Master, you'd charge straight to the capital and take his head. That would ruin every plan Her Highness has prepared."

"You little... "

"Do you think removing one Regent Duke ends it? A second, a third will just emerge. To uproot the trash that's taken deep root in Baldina for so long, swinging a dull blade over and over is pointless."

"......"

Gilipos caught his breath for a moment.

His cooled reason, steadied by the deep inhalation, mulled over his disciple's words. And he couldn't deny them.

Then Neril added,

"Her Highness commanded that we block them from entering the capital, but let them advance up to the walls."

"Why?"

Gilipos couldn't comprehend the princess's bizarre order at all.

Wouldn't the best course be to crush the rebels completely, leaving not even a spark behind?

'With mercenaries involved, suppressing them won't be easy.'

The difference between those who knew war and those who didn't was vast in battle.

'The current capital guard has little combat experience. Blocking them with that alone will be tough.'

But there was reinforcements inside the capital.

'Retired veterans inside the capital. With their rich battlefield experience, they can bolster the guard.'

Had the princess's 'plan' begun from the time they established relief centers to aid them?

Only then did Gilipos understand Neril's words—and the unbelievable actions the princess had taken so far.

'I've misjudged her badly. I failed to recognize the makings of an emperor.'

A chill ran down his spine despite his advanced age and stiff body.

If every step she'd taken had been calculated from the start...

Then this incomprehensible order now must have its reason too.

"I understand. Tell her I won't botch things with rashness—don't worry."

In that case, his role was to serve the princess. To become a large, heavy, but mighty blade she could wield.

His wrinkled eyes finally gleamed. Gilipos nodded slowly.

"We'll make every preparation."

Neril bowed deeply.

"Thank you so much, Master."

"Neril, heading straight to the palace?"

"No, butler. I have one more stop. Where's Tom?"

Before leaving the Giliphos mansion, Neril looked for Tom.

Hearing he was at the training grounds, she headed there.

The training grounds were in the midst of heated spars, trainees sweating profusely.

"Hey, friend. What brings you here?"

Tom, who had been teaching them swordsmanship, greeted Neril.

"You lot know Baldina's princess, right? The one I've talked your ears off about."

Tom seemed to have boasted far and wide about serving the princess.

"This friend of mine here is her closest aide—maid and knight!"

"Woooaaah!"

A thunderous cheer erupted across the training grounds.

"Hahaha, you brats. Now you see how great your master is?"

Either ignoring Neril's piercing glare or oblivious, Tom waved to the cheering crowd.

Neril made a face like she'd seen something gross.

"Tom, I have a favor to ask."

"From Her Highness, right? What is it? What's the job this time?"

Tom hurriedly shooed away the trainees, his eyes sparkling.

Instead of answering, Neril pulled something from her bosom and held it out. It was a small box the size of a child's palm.

Tom opened the box suspiciously.

Wrapped in fine, precious paper were a lock of brown hair and a silver necklace.

"What's with the hair?"

"Handle it carefully."

"Sayah, what is this?"

Neril herself hadn't been able to hide her bafflement when she first saw it. It was when Medea had gone missing in the hunting grounds.

"It's a common superstition from the streets where I grew up. Put a lock of hair and your most cherished possession together and pray, and your family will be safe... Of course, I believe Her Highness will return unharmed, but I couldn't help feeling anxious..."

The girl who had been isolated alone for so long in the dangerous slum streets harbored a deep fear of losing someone by her side.

Neril realized this was Sayah's way of easing her own anxiety.

When Medea returned later and learned the story behind the box, she gazed down at it with an inscrutable expression.

"Sayah, may I keep this?"

The princess pointed to the faded silver necklace that Sayah said she'd shared with her twin brother.

And handed over the bracelet Peleus had given her on her seventh birthday.

"Ah, mine's too shabby...! That's Her Highness's most precious one. You look at it every night before bed!"

Even as Sayah frantically refused, Medea insisted on giving her the bracelet.

Neril recalled the day she first brought Sayah from Asylum Street.

"Please take me with you. I don't want to stay here."

"You might regret having me as your master. Is that okay?"

Neril knew this was her apology to Sayah.

Having used the girl's goodwill for her own ends, she was giving her most cherished possession in return.

"Tom, among the rebels marching on the capital right now, there's a man named Theo."

"Rebels? So that's why you've come to the mansion after so long."

An intrigued look crossed Tom's face as he took the box.

"He's one of the leadership's strategists, so he shouldn't be hard to find. I want you to deliver this to him in secret. Be careful not to get caught."

"You know my skills."

Tom cocked his chin arrogantly. True to his combative nature as a martial artist, he showed no fear.

"Right."

Neril swallowed a sigh, finding his ever-confident attitude both amusing and absurd.

"And from now on, no pay. Remember that."

"What? For real? Seriously?"

Even hearing he wouldn't get paid, Tom's face lit up like the moon.

"Does that mean I'm officially Her Highness's man now?"

Tom's freckled cheeks puffed up with joy.

After months of abandoning hope and finding meaning just in carrying out the princess's orders, his wish had finally come true.

"Just leave it to me!"