Chapter 98

Napoleona was deep in thought, struggling to find the right words.

So, I spoke to her in a calm voice.

“It’s okay. Don’t feel pressured, just tell me what’s on your mind.”

“Um… I’m sorry… If it’s not too much trouble… could you please clear the area for a moment?”

“…Clear the area?”

It seemed like she was about to discuss something rather sensitive, given the circumstances.

I looked around at my subordinates and calmly issued an order.

“Everyone… step back for a moment.”

“But Captain…”

Franklin, showing concern, voiced his objection to my command.

However, I reiterated my instruction.

“Go on.”

“…Yes. understood. Let’s go. Ambasha, hurry up.”

“Yes, sister.”

Franklin led the others away for a brief respite, leaving us alone in the room.

I spoke softly, “Now, let’s talk. What is it that you need to say?”

“…Huff.”

Before responding, Napoleona took a small sigh and began to explain the situation in a subdued voice.

The circumstances we were facing…

To be specific, the situation regarding the ‘Queen’ we had captured…

*

Napoleona, a soldier of the Kingdom of Frantz, laid bare the challenges facing this nation to the Pirate King sitting before her.

Driven by vengeance, Robes Fiora aimed to kill the Queen.

In the stead of the fallen General Rafael, Robes Fiora had currently seized control of the Revolutionary Army, stirring public sentiment against the King by spreading bad rumors among the citizens and occupying the Assembly to intimidate nobles and the High Clergy into signing a document agreeing to the King’s execution.

This was all a disastrous consequence of her unilateral power grab.

And… if this ‘Queen execution’ proceeded, Napoleona had already predicted what would unfold.

“If that happens… the Holy Empire will surely begin its assault on the Kingdom of Frantz.”

Though there was a blood relationship due to a political marriage, the two nations had historically been fierce rivals, unable to bear each other.

In this situation, where the Revolutionary Army hadn’t fully seized control of the Kingdom, the murder of the King, viewed as “rebels who killed their own kin” by the Empire, would present an excellent opportunity as well as a justification to eliminate a weakened competitor.

“The Holy Empire is formidable. Although the Emperor’s power has diminished since the Religious Wars, when the strength of the vassal states, including the Kingdom of Roycen, is combined, the overall might is stronger than it was in the past. If the Emperor decides to invade for reasons of justification and practicality… we would find ourselves in a truly difficult situation.”

Filled with desperation and urgency, Napoleona conveyed the gravity of the situation.

However, in response, the Pirate King asked with a slight frown, “So, what is it you want me to do?”

“Pirate King… please help us once more. If things continue as they are, the Kingdom of Frantz will be in grave danger. Please lend me your strength and wisdom… to save the Queen and help us overcome this crisis! I humbly request this of you.”

“…”

Napoleona bowed repeatedly, filled with earnestness as she made her plea.

By conveying information that could be considered state secrets, she was filled with hope and trust that this person might hold a solution to this dire problem.

However…

“Sorry, but there’s nothing I can do about that.”

“! P-Pirate King…?”

The Pirate King refused her request.

He gazed coldly at Napoleona, whose expression had stiffened.

“Have you forgotten? Although I’ve helped the revolution up to this point, I’ve only acted according to my contract. As someone from outside the Kingdom of Frantz, I can’t get involved in your internal matters any further.”

“!”

“Now that the Revolutionary Army has taken power, even the help I’ve provided thus far has fulfilled my role. All that’s left is to receive my due reward and return.”

“Ugh…”

The Pirate King flatly rejected her, asserting his stance.

For a moment, Napoleona was speechless, but…

She couldn’t afford to give up here.

If this were a personal matter, perhaps it wouldn’t matter as much, but…

If she let this opportunity slip, the fate of her country…

And the future of her family and countless subordinates would be draped in a thick shadow.

And…

To turn this around, she decided to use her only card available…

Although she didn’t know how much it was worth, it felt like the only thread that might lead to a solution.

– Thud!

“!…”

The next moment, Napoleona knelt before the Pirate King.

Then, she lowered her head respectfully and spoke the words she had never thought would escape her lips.

“I will… offer myself.”

“…What?”

“Earlier… you asked if I would become your… subordinate…”

“…”

“And when I declined, you said that if I ever changed my mind, I could come back to you anytime…”

“…Yes, I did say that…”

“I accept that proposal now… I, Napoleona Bonaparte, will become a loyal subordinate to you, Pirate King. But…”

With those words, Napoleona slowly lifted her head.

Her gaze was filled with deep earnestness… desperation as she looked at the Pirate King before her.

“Instead… please save this land… my country… the Kingdom of Frantz. I beg you… Please, I implore you, Pirate King.”

“Hmm…”

The Pirate King seemed to reflect on her words for a moment.

However… as she spoke, Napoleona couldn’t shake the thought that the likelihood of success wasn’t particularly high.

Her worth wasn’t insignificant.

In terms of physical capabilities, she was a Grade 7 Advanced Warrior, as well as one of the few Grade 10 Grand Magicians on the continent.

Even that value was easily equivalent to thousands of military forces.

But…

The issue was that the opponent was the Pirate King himself.

Just moments ago, even the chef had skills high enough that Napoleona couldn’t guarantee victory against him.

Would someone endowed with such power and authority be keen to risk antagonizing the vast forces of the Holy Empire just for the sake of having her?

Napoleona kept herself on edge, merely glancing at the Pirate King.

Then, after a brief moment…

The Pirate King finally gave his answer to her proposal.

“…I understand.”

“Ah!”

His reply was as calm and composed as ever.

But upon hearing this, Napoleona’s face began to lighten up with intense joy.

“Th-Thank you! Really… truly, thank you so much, Pirate King!”

Repeatedly expressing her gratitude, Napoleona bowed her head again.

Meanwhile…

Seeing her, the Pirate King inwardly smiled quietly.

‘Who would have thought I could acquire the future’s strongest contender like this…’

At that moment.

– “Wha… What’s going on?”

– “It’s urgent! Please let me through!”

“Hmm?”

Suddenly, commotion erupted outside.

From amid the chaos came a familiar voice…

Napoleona turned her head at the voice of her subordinate, Janglan.

“What’s going on?”

– “M-Madam Napoleona! You must come out immediately! It’s urgent!”

His voice was filled with even more desperation.

Apologizing to the Pirate King, Napoleona stepped outside.

“Janglan, what’s all this commotion about? What on earth is happening…?”

“C-Captain! It’s a disaster! Right now in the square…”

“! What… what did you say?”

Such an alarming situation to hear, especially having just captured the Queen a day prior; it felt far too soon.

Napoleona’s face went stiff with shock.

*

“…”

As soon as she stepped down from the cart, she was immediately locked away in the isolation room.

Queen Louis of the Kingdom of Frantz.

In that moment, she was staring at a man sitting before her.

Once her loyal courtiers, they were now rebels, brandishing knives at her.

General Robes Fiora and Minister Nekker.

Seeing them, who used to bow before her, now arrogantly raised their heads with cold expressions, sent a deep fear resonating within Queen Louis.

“It is quite unfortunate to meet you like this, Your Majesty.”

Robes Fiora spoke in a chilling tone.

In response, Queen Louis, struggling to hold back her fear, stammered her question.

“W-What… what do you plan to do with me? I’ve heard you now hold the power in this country… What more do you want from me?”

A primal fear underscored her words.

In response, Robes Fiora merely handed over a document.

“…W-What is this…?”

Her face turned even paler as she confirmed its contents.

Looking at her, Robes Fiora and Nekker calmly stated.

“This is a document signed by your loyal courtiers. You must pay with your life for not being able to lead this country properly.”

“It must be done as soon as possible…”