The Bewilderment of the Sacrificial Second Princess

Chapter 96: Freedom of Religion (*Auglia perspective)

Claire has yet to return from the restroom.

I asked Melissa, who was waiting, to check inside the bathroom in case Claire was feeling ill, but she was nowhere to be found.

The key to the back bathroom was left unlocked, indicating that Claire had likely been taken by some means after leaving the toilet.

I was stunned. Despite being in hostile territory, I never expected something like this to happen in a bathroom.

Even if it was corrupt, it was still the palace of a country and Claire was a state guest, not to mention a woman.

If someone were to abduct her while pretending she was asleep, this method would certainly be effective, but Claire was taken after being shown to this room. In other words, whatever is happening, it will happen today while Claire uses the restroom in this room.

“Dammit…Gauche!”

I called out to Gauche, trying to keep my voice low, while Melissa looked pale with fear and my face was contorted with anger.

Gauche came into the room immediately, and when he realized what had happened from where he was standing, he also clucked his tongue. The hand washing was done with water, and the sound of running water made it impossible for Gauche’s ears to hear that something had happened.

“Melissa, summon Gwenna and Hillian. Gauche, how many members of Shadows of Nejia are mobile?”

“Understood.”

“If they’re ready to go, we have five. If we send out two, we’ll have eight.”

“Send out two then. The remaining three should regroup and continue the search. We should have a total of eight people searching. Gauche, stay here and await my instructions if you learn anything.”

“Yes, sir. ——On it.”

My face, which had been expressionless on command, now contorted with anger, and I felt my eyes start to burn with heat.

The ability to maintain a smile is crucial. It has saved me from defeat countless times.

But there is no need to force a smile now, not when I might lose Claire.

I wonder how much she is credited with saving the country, elevating it, and leading it to independence with her vast knowledge. 

She lacks spark. Despite being cherished and adored, she seems oblivious to it, brushing everything off as simply something she chose to do.

I sat in a chair in the room, leaned back coolly, resting my arms on the armrests and pressing my clenched fist against my forehead as I waited for my anger to dissipate.

“My apologies for keeping you waiting!”

Melissa entered the room accompanied by Gwenna and Hillian. I was seated near the door and my eyes must have been blazing with anger, reflecting the rays of the setting sun.

They were taken aback by the sight and straightened their posture, while Gauche, who was stationed by the window, had lost his customary smile.

“Claire is missing. She’s somewhere in the castle, and the Shadows of Nejia are searching for her. I’m going to speak to the King about it, no matter what obstacles I may face. Hillian will accompany me as a translator, while Melissa and Gwenna will stay with Gauche and keep me informed of any developments, alternating between them.”

I delivered the information succinctly and with a chilly tone, and the three of them deeply bowed. I could sense their unease, as if they were too intimidated to speak, but that was the reality of the situation. 

I stood up and left the room with Hillian. I pressed Lord Warg for an immediate audience with the King, but as Gauche said, he is quite cunning.

He made a gentle refusal.

I don’t have time to deal with this fox’s tricks now. I must head to Claire’s before the sun sets and the date changes.

“Lord Warg, what is your status?”

“Well, let’s see… yes, I am a Duke. And, may I ask, what is it?”

“I see. I am the Crown Prince of the neighboring country, but your Duke is of higher status than the Crown Prince of the neighboring country, is that right?”

I said, coldly and with a haughty attitude, containing only anger in my eyes, without any expression on my face.

Gauche says that Lord Warg still has political motives, but it seems that the Wegrain Kingdom itself takes a condescending attitude towards other royalty.

I don’t know what he felt from my words, voice, and expression, but it seems that some instinct still remains to feel something.

He changed his expression and performed a polite bow, saying in a soft voice, “I will guide you.”

As I was led to the King of Wegrain’s office, I finally got a glimpse of the inside of the castle. Although it had been adequately cleaned and repaired, it was quite ancient. This was the reason Gauche was unable to obtain a blueprint.

Older buildings often have secret mechanisms that become more prevalent with age. Even the Baratonia Kingdom’s castle, which is newer, has hundreds of rooms, and it’s impossible to know how many mechanisms are hidden within. Since it’s not my responsibility to search through each one, I decided to leave it to Gauche.

That’s his area of expertise. I’ll focus on what I can do.

Upon arriving at the King’s office, I used my messenger to create a loud noise and opened the door.

“Pardon me.”

“W-What! This is an affront to my dignity!”

“There’s no intention of affront. I demand the return of my wife.”

In response to my words, the King’s face twisted into an ominous expression, a mixture of anger, drunkenness, a sense of accomplishment, and cunning.

“…I’m afraid I don’t know what you’re talking about. Perhaps your wife is resting due to fatigue?”

Even though he tried to hide his expression, his earlier demeanor was evidence enough of the situation. 

Don’t waste my time acting foolish.

I approached with my weapon at the ready, the tip of my sword pressed against the King’s neck.

“Listen carefully. I demand that you return my wife. Keep your voice down, as a sudden outburst may cause the tip of my sword to react. It would be wise not to mention what has transpired. The only information I require from you is the whereabouts of my wife. If you comprehend, kindly raise your hands.”

It was evident from his shoddy appearance and the subpar level of his swordsmanship that he was no warrior. The ornate sword at his waist was purely for show and not meant for battle.

I had brought Hillian along as a translator, but I was well-versed in the Faithnum Empire’s language. If the foolish King did not understand the language, I would have asked for a translator, but since the conversation was taking place, it seemed he had some knowledge of it.

Slowly lifting his hands, the King of Wegrain trembled and complied, keeping a safe distance so I could strike his throat at a moment’s notice. I repeated my demand one more time. 

“I demand her return. Where is my wife?”

“…I don’t know. It is the truth. I adore Lina, but I have no knowledge. The Pope and Princess Bianca are handling the special ceremony… I swear on my honor, it is true! However, I can confirm that she is in the basement of this castle… I am positive because the Pope is also here within these walls.”

Feeling that my time was being wasted, I re-sheathed my sword.

“I strongly suggest you keep this meeting confidential. If the whereabouts of the Crown Princess of Baratonia become unknown at the Wegrain castle and her body is found, Baratonia will unleash a power greater than what they demonstrated when they threatened the Faithnum Empire.”

Did the King of Wegrain grasp the gravity of my words, based on recent events? He nodded his head repeatedly, like a marionette.

Meanwhile, Hillian apprehended the messenger outside and Lord Warg, who had been serving as our guide, with their hands bound behind their backs.

This demonstrated his ability to take action without having to say a word, and it is no surprise that he is regarded as Lord Balk’s trusted right-hand man. 

“Well, Lord Warg, I’ve heard that you are closer to Queen Bianca than His Majesty the King. Queen Bianca… No, shall you take me to my wife?”

I presume he attempted to flee while I was engaging in a cordial interrogation with the king, however, Hillian was more nimble. The exasperated expression on his face gave me the impression that he lacked depth.

When I spoke authoritatively, he averted his gaze.

“I… will guide you there…”

With that, he began to lead the way, heading towards the east wing, but taking a circuitous route.

I had believed that Lord Warg was simply following orders by showing us “the way”, but then Gauche stepped forward.

“I have a general idea of the location. It appears that this raccoon was leading us astray. Allow me to escort you.”

“——Oh, yeah, Hillian.”

At Gauche’s words, I cast a cold gaze towards the man who was walking ahead with his hands tied behind his back. Lord Warg was chuckling and complimenting me, but my gaze only grew colder.

“Were all the sacrifices performed on the princesses?”

“Ah, there were also young princes too. It seems as long as there is royal blood involved, it’s deemed acceptable.”

“Well… There is such a thing as religious freedom… So, instead of Claire, there must be others sacrifices to return the blood tonight, right?”

As I spoke, the color drained from his face and his smile faded, realizing he had finally been outwitted while in a crippled state.

“Yes, that is the belief held in this country. As outsiders, we must respect their religious practices and not interfere.”

“As I recall, the man in front of me is the younger brother of the former king.”

“Yes, someone with the noble status and royal blood qualified for such a sacrifice.”

“Just make sure he doesn’t escape. Our only goal is to retrieve my wife and we have no intention of opposing the Wegrain faction.”

“…Understood.”

Hillian seemed a little hesitant, but the differences in religion prevented him from speaking out. No matter how distasteful the practices may seem to Hillian, he had to respect the beliefs of others.

Without another word, Hillian swiftly turned the tied-up Lord Warg on the floor and bound his feet with a thin belt he was carrying.

“Hold on, hold on! Let me make it right! Give me a chance…!”

“No need. I have no reason to trust you. And you should be faithful to your own religion, shouldn’t you?”

My anger surged to new heights, a level of fury I hadn’t experienced even during the war of independence.

Gauche and Hillian remained silent, and even Lord Warg, the object of my wrath, surrendered and hung his head low.

“I’ll take you there.”

“Alright, let’s go.”

“Yes.”

As I started sprinting at Gauche’s prompt, I felt a heat in my chest.

I don’t feel any pain like a burn. I reached for the pearl necklace, which I had traded with Claire for the color of her eyes, from under my heavy attire. A beam of light, stretching straight down from above, shone through the floor.

I snapped the delicate chain, cradled it carefully in my hand, and raced towards the light, following Gauche’s lead.