STGAAB Novel MTL - Chapter 766
Chapter 766: Clarifying Positions (1)
The Marquess’ Plan B. Hyeonbyeol’s words suggesting that I might be part of it momentarily made my head spin. Ah, of course, just for a brief moment.
‘It’s not entirely out of the question. If the Marquess lost, that means the royal family won. And if they won, there’s a good chance I contributed enough to secure their favor…… Maybe he thought I could protect someone like Ragna……’
The Marquess would have calculated all of that. But even so, I can’t see this being Plan B. Maybe more like a Plan C.
‘I’ll think about this more later……’
“Is there anything else I should know?”
“Hmm, I guess that you’ll definitely need me to get to the hidden room where Countess Peprok is?”
“I see.”
As I nodded, Hyeonbyeol cautiously spoke up.
“But… About Countess Peprok……”
What’s this? Why is she trailing off? Didn’t she just say there was no more information? I looked at her questioningly, and Hyeonbyeol continued, looking at me with a peculiar gaze.
“…Don’t you think she’s quite good-looking?”
“Well, yes, I guess……?”
“Then why did you turn her down?”
What, just because she’s pretty I should have married her? If I had gotten married back then, I would’ve been caught up in the Marquess’ schemes.
‘But that’s probably not why Hyeonbyeol is asking.’
After spending so much time with Hyeonbyeol, I could tell. Even if I gave her various political reasons, she wouldn’t be satisfied. She’s using this as a buildup to ask something else.
Yeah, so……
“Marriage is a serious matter. It requires careful and deliberate consideration.”
I spoke firmly, invoking Confucian principles I hadn’t mentioned in a while. This was my way of signaling I didn’t want to continue this conversation. Understanding my intent, Hyeonbyeol didn’t press further, though she pouted slightly and teasingly remarked.
“Oh? You liked that doll that much?”
Wait, where did that come from?
“Hyeonbyeol, that was a necessary lie—.”
“Was it really a lie? I hear that these days, replicas of the doll you had are quite popular among the nobles.”
“…Really?”
“Yes, really. ‘Oh! This is the doll that the Giant, Bjorn Yandel, likes!’ is what they say—.”
“Stop.”
Please, just stop talking. I’m already deeply regretting that.
‘Ha… Why on earth did I do that……?’
Thinking about it now, I have no idea, but I decided to stop dwelling on it. A mere barbarian can’t change the past anyway.
“Alright, let’s get going. Everyone’s waiting.”
It’s time to forget the past and move forward.
***
When I returned to the room where my comrades had been waiting, Amelia casually asked.
“So, did you two have a good talk?”
Her tone was the same as usual, but having spent so much time with her, I could sense a hint of disappointment mixed in. However, just as I was about to respond.
“Yes. We had a good conversation, thanks to you.”
Hyeonbyeol answered for me as she followed behind.
“Thank you, Miss Emily.”
“…I wasn’t asking you.”
“Oh, really? My apologies.”
Amelia remained silent in response to Hyeonbyeol’s innocent apology. However, sensing the sudden chill in the air, I quickly changed the subject.
“Emily, how is it outside?”
“It’s quiet. It seems the royal army is doing a good job of keeping the enemy distracted, so they haven’t had time to focus on us yet. And while you two were talking, I looked around the building, but didn’t find anything noteworthy—.”
“Now, now, look at this. What would you have done without me?”
“…What do you mean?”
“There’s a hidden space in this villa. A place that ordinary people could never find, no matter how hard they look.”
She’s probably talking about the space where Ragna is sleeping……
I get that she wants to emphasize her contribution, but I really wish she’d stop here. Especially since Amelia has been smiling since earlier. But just with her mouth, not with her eyes.
“You’re… an interesting type of person.”
I suppose, from Amelia’s perspective, this situation would be confusing. A person who could be helplessly killed with a single stab suddenly appeared and keeps provoking her.
‘Why does she enjoy annoying others so much when she’s not even strong……’
Thinking it’s fortunate that Hyeonbyeol is a non-combatant, I quickly wrapped up the conversation.
“Even if the Noark side isn’t paying attention to us now, that could change at any moment. So, Harin Savy, hurry up and take us to this hidden room where Countess Peprok is.”
“…Alright.”
Feeling unusually drained from just a few minutes of conversation, I shook my head and followed Hyeonbyeol. She led us to a spot in front of the building’s outer wall.
“A hidden space here……?”
Amelia, who had been following silently, frowned. I felt the same way. Secret spaces are usually hidden behind bookcases or under carpets……
“…But isn’t this wall just on the edge of the garden?”
According to the Marquess’ son, there shouldn’t be any space behind this wall. But I didn’t doubt her. This is a world where dreams, hopes, and magic exists.
Swish.
Instead of answering, Hyeonbyeol reached out and gently touched the wall. The bracelet she was wearing began to glow, resonating with the wall.
Shwaaaa-!
A blue light burst forth from the wall as it began resonating with the bracelet. It was distinctly different from the magic circles I was used to seeing. Not that it was unfamiliar, though.
“…A portal?”
A portal emerged from the wall, rippling as if welcoming us.
“The Marquess must have put a lot of effort into this. Given that I couldn’t detect any magic energy until the portal appeared.”
Hyeonbyeol smirked at Amelia’s calm remark, nearly causing the atmosphere to chill again, but it didn’t escalate into anything bigger.
“Let’s go in first.”
The space inside the portal was ordinary. I thought it might be more mysterious or something, considering that we entered through a portal.
‘It’s just a normal room?’
It was a small room with a bed, a table, and a wardrobe. I only glanced around briefly before my eyes settled on the bed. Seeing Ragna sleeping soundly, oblivious to everything going on, stirred some strange feelings within me.
‘I never would have guessed she was actually a princess……’
I marveled once again at the mysteriousness of fate. After all, who would have thought that a librarian I met during my time as a rank 9 barbarian explorer could turn out to be of royal blood?
“Is there a way to wake her up?”
When I asked Hyeonbyeol, who had followed me in, she gave a somewhat positive answer.
“There is, actually. Either the Marquess wakes her up himself, or when the Marquess dies.”
“…So there’s no way to wake her right now.”
“That’s right?”
Huh… So that’s how it is…… As I stood silently watching Ragna, Amelia quietly spoke to me.
“I understand we’ve secured Countess Peprok, but what do you plan to do now? Are you planning to use this woman to find the Marquess?”
After taking a moment to organize my thoughts, I nodded.
“Yeah, something like that.”
“Something like that? What do you mean exactly?”
Well… let’s just say, after reading his diary, it’s clear how much our dear Marquess loves his daughter.
“Just watch. Once she wakes up, he’ll come find us.”
Well, a bit of preparation will be needed though.
***
The plan is very simple. Especially when the one executing it is a barbarian.
Smash-!
In my [Giantization] state, I swung my hammer, smashing the Marquess’ ‘memory box’. The roof, the outer walls, the neatly maintained garden, the fence…… It took less than 10 minutes to demolish the secret villa which appeared to have been built with great care by a renowned architect.
“Wow, that was fast……”
“Haha, of course! After all, barbarians are experts in construction!”
“Construction……? Well, demolition does fall under construction, I suppose……”
While Hyeonbyeol watched in amazement and Ainar shrugged beside her, the demolition was swiftly completed. If the Marquess were to see his destroyed ‘memory box,’ he’d be devastated, but that’s not my concern. With the demolition done, I approached the ‘outer wall’ buried under the debris. It was the only part of the building I had been careful not to damage during the demolition because it was where the portal entrance was located.
“Harin Savy, open the portal.”
“Yes.”
With the portal reopened, I stepped back inside, and all the preparations were complete. The Marquess, who was incapacitated by Auyen, should regain consciousness by around tomorrow evening. When he wakes up and assesses the situation, he’ll likely want to check this place too.
And……
‘When he finds this place in ruins?’
Given how much the Marquess loves his daughter, he will undoubtedly want to confirm things personally. Considering that the unconscious Marquess wasn’t brought here, it seems he had kept this place secret even from his closest associates. For security reasons, he’ll have to come here himself……
‘And even if he doesn’t, that’s fine.’
If he sends a subordinate instead, I can deal with them and still find out where the Marquess is.
‘I just need to capture the Marquess.’
Of course, I know that capturing the Marquess won’t end this war. But so what? Once I capture and kill the Marquess, my deal with the king is done, and I won’t have any reason to be involved in this war anymore.
‘The rest can sort itself out.’
Afterwards, we holed up in the slightly cramped room and spent our time quietly. Well, maybe not so quietly.
“It’s been a long time since we spent time together in a room like this, hasn’t it, Baron?”
Why does she keep doing this? Does she really enjoy tormenting me that much?
Snooore-! Snoooore-!
Knowing that feeding her attention would only make her bolder and more aggressive, I pretended to be asleep, ignoring her. Hyeonbyeol smirked and let it go. However, at that moment, Ainar unexpectedly chimed in.
“Stop showing off, human female.”
“Human female……?”
“I get that you’re in heat, but you’re not even capable of bearing warriors, are you?”
“Wha—what are you talking about……?”
“I don’t know what kind of connection you had with Bjorn. But that doesn’t mean we’re going to ignore you. We’re not interested in establishing a hierarchy either. So stop acting up and stay quiet.”
Hyeonbyeol seemed disoriented, as if overwhelmed by the blunt and straightforward speech typical of a barbarian, where there’s no room for backtracking. However, just as she was about to regain her composure and make a rebuttal.
“Enough.”
Amelia stepped in to mediate the situation.
“Ainar, that goes for you too. Just be quiet and eat this.”
“Huh? But I didn’t really cause any trouble… Ooh! Is this jerky from Retaspa? You’re giving me something this precious…!!”
Wait, Retaspa? That’s something she rarely even gives to me even when I ask……
Slurp.
The rich aroma of top-quality jerky filled the room, making my mouth water, but I kept pretending to sleep until I actually drifted off. When hunger eventually woke me up, I passed the time by pestering the Marquess’ son. And so, time passed endlessly……
Half a day, half a day, a full day……
By now, the Marquess should have awakened.
Two days, three days……
As much more time passed, and just when I was starting to think that maybe the plan had gone awry.
Shwaaaa-!
The portal opened and a visitor arrived.
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