◈ Episode 080

Knock knock.

The servants carried the serving carts. Cutlery and napkins were prepared in advance. There was little conversation as the plates were placed on the tables.

The nobles were just exchanging glances. The atmosphere was awkward. The person who had created the current atmosphere seemed extremely relaxed.

"Why are you all so cautious?"

A sly smile. Even in her hunting attire, her beauty was still intact. However, when I think of the relationship between the mountaineers and the princess, that calmness felt somewhat uncomfortable.

Isn't that right? Unless you're a nerd, you should know who's responsible for the numerous assassination attempts that have been made in the castle.

At that young age, how could he be so confident in front of an opponent who was trying to eliminate him even by using extreme measures, and surrounded by many people?

"Uh, ahem."

While no one was responding, a cough was heard. It was Count Bedeloff. Since he was always the one to take the lead in such situations, no one questioned it.

"We were clearly invited by His Highness Adrian, but why did Lady Ainoa…?"

"Oh, I'm sorry."

Ainoa answered as if she had completely forgotten.

"I'm sorry for the late delivery. I actually asked my brother to gather the nobles of the mountain faction together. I think there is some conflict between you and me."

"Conflict? It's out of the question. How can we?"

"If that expression was uncomfortable to hear, well. I guess it was a misunderstanding."

Meanwhile, the two continued their conversation.

All sorts of speculations were running wild in Marquis Gened's head. Ainoa's insignificant words contained many meanings.

The wording is 'the noble of the mountaineers'. The princess also said that she had asked the prince herself. I don't know what the price was, but Adrian accepted the request...

If I had to guess the intention, it would be mediation.

'Are you planning on acting like siblings now?'

They were like strangers until now, but are they really blood relatives? It seems that he feels uneasy about letting them die. After all, it's not like it's been a day or two since the royal family has been so capricious.

The question is whether there is a reason to hang out together.

"Excuse me."

A plate was also placed on the Marquis de Genève's table. As the attendant removed the opaque dome cover, a waft of smell wafted up. It was roast beef, golden-brown, baked in the oven.

The distinctive purple sauce was impressive. The Marquis' eyes widened. It was a cooking method mainly used in his territory.

"Oh, I miss this too."

"It's been so long since I came to the capital that I almost forgot about it…."

The nobles were murmuring. The food on each plate was different. Even Viscount Hardy, who had a crooked expression, let out a sigh. It was clear that the food had been prepared to reflect their exact tastes.

"It's not much, but I prepared it in the hopes that you'll enjoy it even a little."

It was a mere gesture, as the saying goes. But it was adequate to convey the 'attitude'. Marquis Gened was half-convinced that Ainoa had surrendered to the mountaineers.

'This might not be so bad.'

You can choose a suitable person from the noble families of the Mountain Clan and have them marry the princess. You can also use the princess as a bridge to become close with Adrian.

'I'm going against the will of the legion... ... .'

It's not like that. The discord was already planned.

The point is profit. It's just a matter of turning the handle in the direction that will bring greater gains. The Marquis of Genève, the nobles of the Mountaineer have been doing that for a long time.

"Haha, I don't know what to do with myself."

When I reached a conclusion, my heart felt light. There was nothing to be wary of. It seemed like Carmen Moville, who had been following me around like a piece of gum, had been left behind somewhere.

Maybe her relationship with Dustborn had soured. She must have been abandoned and had no place to go. If that was the case, she was truly a pitiful and foolish woman.

"But Lady Ainoa. Excuse me, but what about that outfit…?"

"I'm sorry, but the dress got dirty due to another problem. I can't keep you all waiting, but I'm in a hurry. I hope you understand."

"I see. I heard there's a lot of trouble at the Crystal Palace."

"This won't work. There is a young lady on my mother's side who is in need of help. How about considering her as a maid? She is such a smart girl, I'm sure you'll be satisfied."

The other nobles also seemed to be letting down their guard. The Marquis did not particularly try to dissuade them. It was a necessary procedure to fill Ainoa's surroundings with people from the mountain faction.

Soon, all the settings will be completed.

"Then don't hesitate and eat."

Ainoa grinned and cut the meat with a knife. She put a small piece on her fork and brought it to her mouth. After chewing and swallowing, she even showed herself taking a sip of wine.

"Wow. I never imagined that the day would come when I would be treated so kindly by Lady Ainoa."

Next was Count Bedeloff. He chuckled and stuffed a thick piece of bacon into his mouth. He mumbled a few times and let out an exclamation of "hoh." He seemed quite satisfied.

With this, even the slightest worry disappeared.

"Today is a good day."

Marquis Gened put his knife to the roast beef with a satisfied smile. The king was in a sickbed, and the troublesome relationship with the prince had also been resolved.

Although there were many dissonances, the results were better than expected.

All that needs to be done is to suppress the military forces that support Adrian. Then the Mountain Clan will be able to enjoy power even during the reign of the next king.

'Should we slowly start to push the legion away?'

A bright future awaits. The taste of success was soft and sweet. The slightly sour fruit-based sauce mixed with the meat juice created a rich harmony.

"Oh, this is truly exquisite."

"If it suits your taste, then I'm glad."

It was something to brag about. It was not inferior to the taste in his memory, which had been somewhat adjusted. The Marquis turned his gaze while chewing the meat with satisfaction.

There was a cart parked in the corner of the hall.

Was it to collect the dishes after the meal? There was a plate with a cover on the cart. The Marquis was puzzled by it at that moment.

thud!

The table shook with a loud noise. Marquis Gened flinched and looked for the source of the commotion. Viscount Hardy was burying his head in his plate.

It wasn't just Viscount Hardy.

"Ugh, huff, kekekeke!"

Groans erupted from all sides. Wine spilled as bodies fell and fell. Glasses rolled off the table and fell to the floor, shattering into pieces.

He fell into a trap. Marquis Gened, who realized the situation too late, quickly got up.

"Ah, Princess Ainoa...!"

But I couldn't even walk a single step.

My vision became dizzy and my limbs began to feel numb. My nervous system lost control and all the sensation in my body rapidly faded.

The Marquis staggered and tried to grab the edge of the table. It was a futile struggle. He had never developed a tolerance for poison, and had not trained for thirty years.

"Ugh, gasp, huh…."

Liquid seeped into the body of the Marquis, who was lying face down on the tiles. The wine soaked the ornate tablecloth and dripped down, drop by drop.

There were only two sane people.

Gulp.

Count Bedeloff swallowed dryly. He glanced at the princess cautiously, lest sparks fly. Ainoa slowly put down her fork and knife.

The action of wiping her mouth with a napkin was very natural. She sat up without saying a word and walked toward the cart behind her.

Ainoa took out a pair of pure white gloves from her bosom. Her gloved hand went down to the top step of the cart. She removed the cover of the only bowl.

On a plain, unadorned plate sat a pistol.

"...."

Ainoa turned her back, holding the gun in her right hand. She approached the table again. She looked around at the defenseless nobles, then slowly parted her lips.

"You are great sinners."

The sentence was handed down in an emotionless voice.

"Greed went too far, and he joined forces with a group of evildoers to throw Bastitera into chaos. Forgetting his duties, he shamelessly evaded the people's taxes, embezzled the royal treasury, and even plotted to murder the sons and daughters of Salviati, the foundation of the nation."

Four steps. Boots clacked lightly on the carpet.

"This is a clear case of treason."

Ainoa stood beside the Viscount Cornova. She pressed the muzzle of her gun against the viscount's paralyzed, squirming head.

"I have decided not to consider you as my own people."

There was no mercy.

Bam!

The back of his head was pierced by a bullet. The Viscount's pupils dilated. The spurted blood stained Ainoa's cheek. Without even wiping the blood, she walked toward her next target.

"Ugh...!"

Count Bedeloff covered his mouth with both hands and swallowed his screams. He must not make a sound. The moment he judged that there was an obstacle, the princess would point the gun at the count.

The executions continued.

bang!

Count Javier is dead. The head of a noble family who had been recognized as noble for his meritorious deeds in a war long ago, lost his life in vain after being shot in the temple with a lead bullet.

"Those expensive clothes are not for you."

Baron Cave, Viscount Gaspard.

"When your sins are exposed to the world, who will weave clothes for you?"

The white gloves were stained red with blood. The hand that had been shaking slightly became more stable as he pulled the trigger. Murder was something that could be done repeatedly and become familiar.

Blood mixed with wine flowed down and soaked the floor. The cool marble surface was warmed by the temperature of the blood. Marquis Gened heard footsteps approaching as he lay sprawled on the floor.

Ainoa's image was captured in the fluctuating pupils.

"Don't feel wronged."

The sound of gunfire rang out in his eardrums. His turn was approaching.

"Who should truly be aggrieved? Aren't they the people who were exploited, your children, your young grandchildren, and your beautiful wife who will be executed by association?"

Bam.

Even in the midst of my blurred senses, the feeling of the gun barrel pressing against my head was particularly vivid. Memories of my entire life flashed through my mind like a revolving lantern.

I shouldn't have died like this.

The Marquis could not accept such a death. He had worked hard to provide himself and his family with a better life.

'Because of this fool's whim, I…!'

This method is unacceptable. Rather than being defeated by his enemies and dragged to the execution grounds, he was killed by a princess who didn't know anything about the world. I never imagined that.

However, it was rare for someone to be able to die the way they had imagined.

Taang!

The red color spread like paint in water.

"...ha."

Ainoa let her hands hang down and sighed deeply. She looked up at the spotless ceiling, then looked around the table again.

There were corpses strewn about.

Three minutes had passed. The shackles that had bound her since birth were finally broken in just 180 seconds or so. Once she made up her mind, it was such a simple thing to do.

There was no cloud in Ainoa's eyes. Her clear blue eyes stared straight at the sole survivor. Count Bedeloff was there, trembling with his neck curled up.

"I, I did as I was told. Please, please…!"

In the most noble of places, in the land of warriors, there were no warriors.

The Count was trembling and turning pale in front of a young woman with no combat experience, who was only holding a small pistol.

There were enough bullets.

Kim Yi-hyeon prepared a pistol with a 15-round extended magazine just in case. It had three rounds left. It was more than enough to deal with the small stuff.

The index finger on the trigger moved without hesitation.

"Aaah!"

The first shot hit Count Bedeloff squarely in the shoulder. The count's body fell backwards, along with his chair. He sweated and pressed his palms to the tiles.

The table knife that had fallen before he knew it was in his hand. He crouched down tightly, enduring the dizzying pain. He waited for his chance, conscious of the knife.

"Whew, whoosh...!"

His eyes turned venomous. He didn't think about what would happen next. His survival instinct as a living creature overtook his reason. The moment he heard a sound, he closed his eyes tightly and threw himself.

Phew!

The feeling of a knife digging into his flesh. The Count opened his eyes with a distorted smile on his lips. However, the joy of having survived quickly turned into shock.

"Hey, Marquis Gened?"

The Count had stabbed the old Castus's corpse. He came to his senses belatedly and pushed the corpse away. Then, the pitch-black barrel of a gun and Ainoa's face appeared straight ahead.

The look in his eyes was filled with contempt, disappointment, and disgust.

grasp!

A hole appeared on the count's forehead. The angle of the view changed as the camera rotated. The eyes, which quickly lost focus, were aligned with the ceiling.

Ainoa shot the Count in the chest one last time. The weight of the pistol she held in one hand felt incredibly light. She looked away from the body and walked towards the firmly closed door.

Squeak.

Outside the door, several people were waiting. Carmen, Kim Yi-hyun, and Adrian were standing guard in the hall. The bewildered expressions of their blood-related family were strangely amusing.

"The obstacle has been cleared, Brother."

Adrian couldn't bring himself to respond and just opened his mouth. Ainoa didn't want to respond either. She reached Kim Yi-hyun and held the gun upside down, handing it to him.

"Well written."

"...."

Kim Yi-hyeon simply looked down at Ainoa's hand, which was soaked in blood. After a moment of silence, he pushed the gun away with the back of his hand.

"You take it."

"yes?"

"Think of it as a gift."

"Well, it's difficult to accept something like this…."

Ainoa said, smiling awkwardly.

"I wonder if there's anything else I'll need to write about, but anyway. Thank you."

There were bloodstains on the carpet that looked like footprints.