Chapter 129: Weaving the Web
Bugs? Alright then.
It seems that the guests next door aren’t exactly the favorites of this woman, and I bet it has something to do with what they came for. I might not fully grasp the specifics, but I can piece together a few clues.
From that middle-aged man’s words… Iron Guards? Military pay? So they’re here to ask the Queen for money, and from what he said… Victoria is skimming off the military pay of the Iron Guards? Why on earth?
I plopped down on the sofa, sinking into the cushions with two donuts in hand. I took a bite and turned my head to gaze at the flawless side profile beside me—truly stunning, radiantly beautiful. The only downside? She’s as icy as a winter palace, almost never showing a decent expression; when she’s quiet, she looks like a lifeless doll.
This woman can’t be more than twenty-five. And yet, she’s already managing a whole country…
I then saw Victoria turn her head slightly, gently furrowing her brow.
“What are you looking at?” she said flatly.
“Just taking a look…”
My response came out a bit sheepish, making me feel guilty. Realizing this, I cleared my throat, straightened my neck, and said, “What? Am I supposed to pay?”
“Not at all.” Victoria’s beautiful eyes were fixed on me, unblinking. “But I must warn you: in this country, staring at Her Majesty the Queen can cost you your head.”
“……”
I gaped, momentarily at a loss for words.
What kind of tyrannical rule is this? You can’t even sneak a peek? If you get married, does your husband have to wear a blindfold every day? Otherwise, it’s off with his head?
Besides, you’re not even that good-looking; who would want to stare at you?
“Also, you can’t sit next to me; that might be considered a disrespect to royal authority.” Victoria added when she noticed me still staring.
“……”
This is my house! You won’t let me sit on the sofa with you? Am I supposed to eat on the floor?
“I’m sitting here!”
I said, feeling slightly frustrated, and took a big bite of Captain Gray, chewing aggressively as if venting my anger.
“Sit if you must, but don’t keep staring at me. It’s annoying.”
… Invading other people’s homes and not leaving? You’re the annoying one.
Suddenly, she extended her right hand and gently pushed my head to the side. The moment her palm brushed against my cheek, a cool, soft sensation made my heart flicker.
After a moment, I heard her casually ask, “How’s the academy?”
“Pretty good.”
I answered instinctively… Why did I respond? Why am I even talking to her?
Then Victoria asked, “Have you seen Sister Teresa?”
“I have.” Her question jogged my memory of what Sister Teresa had said to me, so I asked, “How did you know I’d be looking for her?”
“A few days ago, I mentioned the Gate of Truth to her.” Victoria’s tone was indifferent, and she didn’t answer my question directly. “By the way, there are some things I need to tell you.”
At those words, I sat up straight, wiping the back of my hand across my mouth, my expression turning serious.
“What is it?”
“A few days back, Doctor Chris from the Empire notified me that the Heretics have cut off the transport route to Winter City, redirecting goods to an orphanage in a border town. A group of merchants has already taken those goods over a month ago. If we calculate the time, the goods containing the Lotus Seed Grass will arrive in Royal City in about five days.”
“In five days?” I was shocked by her words. “They’re coming that quickly…”
“Doctor Chris did not alert them. The Heretics still remain unaware that the new route has been exposed. I plan to let them keep thinking that way for now, giving them enough time to weave a bigger web and catch the real culprits behind the scenes.”
I quickly guessed Victoria’s intention.
“You mean… let them into the city?”
“Yes.” Victoria nodded slightly, “They’ve managed to blend into Royal City right under my nose for so long that there must be more than one or two people behind this. Letting them in will allow me to see exactly where that load of goods is headed. Assuming all goes well, this matter will likely involve Cataloma and possibly even the Church in Royal City.”
“Cataloma…”
So it’s the orphanage again… What in the world are these lunatics planning?
“Sister Teresa told me there’s a shipment and a need for assistance…”
“That shipment. Once they get into Royal City, they won’t escape the Sword of Kanli.”
“The Sword of Kanli. Your guards?”
“The Sword of Kanli is not my guard.” Victoria shook her head gently, “Each one of them is exceptionally gifted, battle-hardened, and has been rigorously tested to earn the ‘Sword Emblem.’ The Sword of Kanli is not anyone’s guard; they are warriors of Ethanbel.”
“Then, that person from earlier…”
“He’s the captain of the Sword of Kanli. In Royal City, he’s the only one with a connection to the Order of Winds stronger than mine.”
… No wonder.
Just like Valar back then, it seems people from the Order of Winds can go silent and escape my senses.
Such a person would be wasted not as an assassin…
Thinking this with a mischievous grin, I heard Victoria say, “There’s something I’m concerned about. I heard from Mr. Carlos that you’ve had dealings with members of the Gate of Truth while you were in the Empire. Is that true?”
“Yeah, that’s right.”
After I confirmed it, Victoria nodded.
“The warriors of the Sword of Kanli have no experience with the Heretics, so I need you to cooperate with them. As for the academy, I’ll speak to the principal about it, so you don’t need to worry.”
“I’ll go to Cataloma tomorrow to find Sister Teresa—”
Before I could finish, Victoria cut me off.
“Miss Silvya, you haven’t understood my intentions.”
Sitting elegantly on the sofa, she looked at me with sincerity and said, “I chose this moment to tell you these things because I want you to follow my lead and not act on your own, understood?”
…Follow your lead?
But what if your plan is wrong?
Of course, I didn’t voice that; I just furrowed my brow at her.
“I mean, Sister Teresa…”
Clang—
Suddenly, a loud metallic crash came from the courtyard outside, startling me into a standing position. I looked outside in shock.
There were loud voices coming from the courtyard.
“Prince Bart, you can’t just barge in like this. Do you not know who lives here…”
“Rect, is Her Majesty the Queen here?”
“Prince Bart!”
“Those snacks are from you, aren’t they? Quit lying to me; who else could order you around but Her Majesty the Queen!? Hurry up and report to Her Majesty, tell her Prince Bart has urgent matters to discuss. If she won’t see me, I’ll just sit right here! The Iron Guards will remain right here, not leaving!”
“Prince Bart, you’re drunk.”
… Looks like trouble has found us!
