Chapter 220: Westphalia 10

“…That is how it was.”

With her story finished, Hestia showed a considerably more relieved expression.

Having finally revealed to the one she most wanted to tell the tale she had kept bottled up inside for the past 10 years, Hestia could not help but feel the discomfort in her heart dissipate.

Having said her piece, she maintained silence, resigning herself to whatever judgment awaited.

Meanwhile…

“…”

A complex array of emotions played across Senel’s face after Hestia’s story.

As if unsure what to say.

For she could no longer view Hestia, formerly just a filthy traitor in her eyes, with such a one-dimensional perspective.

Although Hestia had certainly backstabbed her politically and exploited the ensuing resentment, an act that could never sit well with Senel…

She could not help but empathize with Hestia’s underlying reasons.

After entering the Holy Roman Empire in pursuit of Hestia, Senel too had witnessed countless such scenes innumerable times.

The whirlpool of war, people dying in droves…

Thousands, tens of thousands consumed by madness, slaughtering each other…

Sights vividly depicting what hell on earth must be…

And now, before her was Hestia claiming her betrayal had been to end that hell.

Not a mere traitor’s excuse, but an account vouched for by none other than the man Senel trusted most – Santana.

Thus, in Senel’s eyes, Hestia had transformed from a traitor into someone with her own justifiable reasons…

Reasons Senel herself could not help but empathize with, a pitiable yet admirable existence.

As such, Senel could not help but seriously hesitate over how to judge her…

Or even what to say first.

An awkward silence lingered between the two.

Finally, it was Senel who spoke up first.

“…Why… Why didn’t you tell me?”

“…”

“If that was the case… Couldn’t you have said something?.. At the very least… to me alone…”

Senel spoke with a voice tinged with earnestness, resentment, and regret.

In response, a bitter smile on her lips, Hestia calmly replied:

“One sacrifice was enough. I had no desire to burden you with this as well, Senel.”

“…Hestia…”

“Besides… even if I had told you, you would never have allowed it. You dislike working in ways that require sacrificing others.”

“…”

Hestia’s words cut straight through Senel’s thoughts, leaving her speechless.

Indeed, if she had known of this plan, would events have unfolded as they did?

Her misgivings might have derailed the entire scheme, and if the Dragonian Empire had intervened, the situation could have spiraled out of control.

As Hestia said, the simplest course – merely portraying her as a traitor being pursued – was likely optimal.

Finally accepting this, a dejected laugh escaped Senel’s lips.

“Hah…haha… I suppose… you really do know me best, Hestia. No one else could claim that.”

“Is that not natural? We have spent over a hundred years together… It would be stranger if you did not know me so well.”

“…Yes… I suppose so…”

With those words, Senel slowly rose from her seat.

Her complex emotions seemingly sorted out, her expression was clear once more.

Regarding this, Hestia spoke with a voice tinged with bitterness:

“So I take it you have said your piece?”

“Yes, thanks to you, all my questions have been answered. All that remains is to conclude this matter.”

As she spoke, Senel began channeling mana.

Seeing this, Hestia showed a relieved smile as she slowly closed her eyes.

Certainly, their conversation had significantly softened Senel’s demeanor.

However, separate from that, the fact remained that Hestia had undeniably betrayed her.

No matter how noble the reason, her act was akin to biting the hand that fed her.

At most, she could hope for a merciful, painless death… but she would still have to pay for her betrayal.

The solace was that, with this, she would no longer owe her friend and former master Senel any further debts of the heart.

Accepting her impending demise, Hestia awaited it calmly.

Toward her, Senel began enveloping Hestia’s body with the writhing, crimson mana from her own.

And then…

-Snap!-

“!”

A sharp sound rang out the next moment.

Simultaneously, something dropped to the floor where they stood.

“…?”

However…

Separate from the sensation of something severing, Hestia opened her eyes filled with profound puzzlement.

‘…It doesn’t hurt?.. No, more than that… why am I still alive?’

Senel’s figure was still before her eyes, and her body felt no pain whatsoever.

The only perceptible difference was that her head felt considerably lighter than before.

Hestia’s gaze turned toward her back.

And the instant she recognized what she saw there and its meaning, she urgently addressed Senel:

“…Senel?”

“…With this, I have taken the traitor’s head. That is what I will report to the Empire, and that is how it will be handled. What comes after, even I cannot say.”

With those words, Senel calmly departed.

Watching her go, the formerly long-haired Hestia, now reduced to a short cut, felt the tension leave her body as she slumped to the floor.

“…You’re… forgiving me?”

Hestia asked in a trembling voice.

Without sparing her another glance, Senel simply uttered one line as she turned away:

“I have nothing more to say to a corpse. Act like the dead from now on and remain silent.”

Senel spoke in a decidedly casual, bright tone, devoid of seriousness.

Hearing those words, tears welled up in Hestia’s eyes.

“Ah… Ahh…”

The moment the burden she had carried for over 10 years lifted.

Recognizing that fact… profound relief and joy washed over Hestia…

Along with deep gratitude toward the friend who had concluded matters in this manner.

“…”

After settling things with Hestia, Senel walked back along the corridor to her quarters.

However, at this very moment…

Her face no longer bore the joyful expression from “forgiving” Hestia just before.

Instead, her countenance exuded a keen, blade-like killing intent…

And an extremely profound sense of wariness.

“…I had no idea you enjoyed such voyeuristic hobbies. Especially for one representing an entire nation here.”

“…Oh? You noticed me already, it seems…”

As Senel finished speaking, a figure emerged from the shadows.

Wearing a maid uniform similar to Senel’s but in overall bluish hues, the woman showed a cold smile as she regarded Senel.

“It has been ages. You have grown so much since I last saw you. As I always feel, you increasingly resemble His Majesty the Emperor.”

Her words carried a veneer of courtesy.

In response, a smile on her lips as she exuded a chilling killing intent, Senel replied:

“And you… have not changed one bit, have you? Whether as a thief or representing a nation. Very well, shall I hear what fresh mischief brings you calling today? Aunt Athena.”

“…”

Her poker face slightly twitching at those words.

However, Athena, the Kalmar Union’s representative, soon smiled courteously at Senel once more.