Chapter 108
Finally, the flag of rebellion had been raised across the empire.
Previously, the emperor had unilaterally declared the iron hammer of justice simply because I was kidnapped. But now, this was a full-scale declaration of revolution.
“Let’s overthrow the current emperor, stained with corruption!” the slogan read, and the people cheered. They had only been hoping to be freed from the tiresome chain that stretched from the former emperor to the current one. For them, Duke Ruslo had already become a symbol of hope.
“Ridiculous. To think one could be so bold while plotting rebellion.”
Kyle’s mocking voice echoed from a corner of the room. He looked out the window, his eyes fixed on the distant flag of the Ruslo family, swaying in the wind.
Even as he watched the rebellion’s declaration, he seemed calm and untroubled.
“Raymond is truly foolish.”
Clicking his tongue in disdain as he spoke the duke’s name, Kyle made me feel uneasy. I asked sharply:
“Foolish?”
“Of course. You openly raise your sword knowing that I possess you. I hold your weakness right in my hand, yet you confront me so brazenly.”
Kyle clenched his fist, and a cold, bitter smile crossed his face. He was openly saying he intended to use me as a hostage.
Right. I am nothing but a useful hostage to him.
Seeing the emperor reveal his true nature felt strangely natural. It was as if the uncertainty he had carried within himself had finally settled into place.
He had forced himself to believe he was right while overreaching. Rationalization only exhausts oneself and those around them.
The declaration did not remain mere words. Soon, the rebel forces began their advance.
Kyle left me with assigned guards and disappeared to command the army.
Once he was gone, I felt a strange sense of relief.
Even with guards around, I had Niyan. If things went wrong, I could call him and escape. I would never become mere leverage. Amelia was also in the palace, but it seemed she wasn’t under strict watch, so she was safe.
I sat silently in the room with the three knights assigned to monitor me, listening to updates. Perhaps bored, they continued to discuss the war situation without concern that I was present. Without a superior nearby, subordinates always speak freely.
“The duke’s momentum seems remarkable, doesn’t it?”
“Indeed. Outnumbered, yet highly skilled.”
“Shouldn’t we consider joining them if the situation calls for it?”
The mustached knight raised a finger to his lips.
“Shh. Watch your words. We’re inside the palace. If anyone hears you, your neck could be next.”
“Who would hear? Are you planning to betray me?”
“Well, you never know. The princess here might overhear and report us.”
Their eyes immediately turned to me. I had been staring out the window, resting my chin on my hand, but now I lifted my head.
“Huh? Do you have something to say?”
“Ah… no, nothing.”
Seeing my blank expression, the knights looked away and continued their chatter.
“What about the request for reinforcements from other kingdoms?”
“They said it’s still far off.”
“Why aren’t they coming quickly?”
“Obvious. They’re testing the waters. They’ll only invest where they see a likely success. If they blindly support and fail, they lose everything. Even we think that way; imagine how the kingdoms do.”
“True. Makes sense.”
It seemed the promised reinforcements had not arrived yet. I pretended not to care, but I was listening carefully to everything.
When their discussion ran dry, one knight stood and moved to the window, signaling urgently to the others.
“Hey, hey. If this goes wrong, they’ll reach us.”
“Really?”
The other two rushed to the window.
If the emperor’s forces were losing, my risk of being used as a hostage had risen. Staying here quietly would mean I would inevitably be exploited.
It was time for me to disappear.
While the guards were distracted at the window, I subtly rubbed the back of my hand.
Kyle strode quickly down the corridor, his uniform fluttering. He had ordered that Aileen be brought to him some time ago, but his foolish subordinates had only reported that she was missing. Impatient, he went straight to the room where she had been. The servants followed stiffly, tense.
Bang.
The door slammed open violently, like a sentence of death. The three knights assigned as her guards felt as if their lives were threatened. It happened in an instant. They had only glanced at the window, and when they looked back, Aileen had vanished. They half-jokingly thought perhaps she had evaporated into thin air.
“What happened?”
Kyle asked, but the knights only exchanged uneasy glances until the chief servant barked:
“Hurry! Speak!”
“Well… while they were looking out the window, the princess disappeared.”
Pressured, the last knight spoke in a trembling voice.
“You say all three were looking out the window?”
“Yes, Your Majesty. But it was only for a very brief moment.”
“So they were distracted, then?”
Swish.
Kyle drew his sword. The three knights, kneeling, were terrified. A single moment of carelessness could cost them their lives. They silently cursed Princess Cowett, but fear paralyzed them.
At that moment, Kelrn stepped forward and blocked Kyle’s path.
“Your Majesty, we need every soldier we can spare. Perhaps punishment should wait.”
He spoke with his head bowed, keeping emotion out of his voice.
Kyle paused, then lowered his sword and turned.
“Go. If you bring Aileen back, she will live.”
“Th-thank you, Your Majesty.”
The knights immediately left to search for Princess Cowett.
“You all, spread out and find her.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
The chief servant instructed others near him. Once they left, he approached the uneasy Kyle.
“Well done, Your Majesty. Those you spared will repay you with utmost loyalty.”
“Where did Aileen go?”
“She couldn’t have gone far. We will find her soon.”
“My instincts say otherwise.”
Despite Kelrn’s reassurance, Kyle bit his teeth nervously.
Meanwhile, Aileen stayed near Raymond.
She worried about his safety at the front lines. With her healing powers, she could treat him if he was injured. Fortunately, a nearby forest allowed her to hide.
“Aileen, you must not rush out.”
“I know. I promise. Ugh… what a mess.”
Despite Niyan’s warnings, Aileen focused only on the battlefield.
Niyan regretted bringing her, but it was unavoidable. She had insisted.
“Then I’ll leave now.”
“Okay, thank you.”
Aileen waved casually, still watching the battle. Niyan, still worried, left, knowing he could return instantly if needed.
Kyle had secretly recruited three mages. They had promised to obey his orders in exchange for payment. Previously, no mages had assisted during the Rus advance, which had been a costly failure. This time, he had prepared in advance.
The rebel forces were advancing with incredible momentum. Kyle intended to use Aileen as a hostage, but she had disappeared.
Seeing the urgency, Kyle knew it was time to use the mages. With magic, he could try to turn the tide.
“Call them.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Soon, the three mages arrived and bowed to Kyle.
“You called?”
“Do as promised. If you kill Raymond at the front, I will pay you double.”
The mages grinned. They were promised magical stones as payment from the emperor.
Though defying the tower master bothered them, punishment was a small price. One punishment for guaranteed magical stones was a fair deal.
“Entire army, advance!”
Melas shouted from his horse. Raymond relayed the order silently, swinging his sword against the enemy.
So far, the battle had gone well. His only wish was to reach Aileen.
Suddenly, a loud roar and screams erupted somewhere. Raymond and Melas turned instinctively. Melas rode out quickly to check.
“What happened?”
“Magic attack, Your Highness.”
“Magic attack?”
Raymond asked, confused. Their faces were grave. Niyan had said the mages would not intervene under the tower master’s orders, hadn’t he?
But that promise was broken. Fire attacks rained onto the battlefield.
“Ahh!”
Allies screamed around them.
The fire hit both sides, but since the allies were at the front, their casualties were much heavier.
“Damn.”
“What should we do?”
Retreating now was a difficult choice.
As they deliberated, Melas screamed from the side:
“Danger, Your Highness!”
Raymond looked up and saw fire falling directly toward him.
