episode_0146

Episode 146

Looking at Carmel’s condition yesterday, the conditions for Mystilia to be activated were more than satisfied.

If so, I think we can draw a tentative conclusion.

The conclusion is that a certain amount of time is needed before Mystilia can be activated again. Simply put, it is cool time.

Whoever created Mystilia probably did not imagine this situation. A situation where the curse instilled extreme hatred and it fell again in a day or two.

If we keep Carmel in its current state, we will eventually be able to find out the exact spacing of Mystilia.

Anyway, when I return to the royal capital, I plan to ask the saintess and immediately begin the process of unlocking it, but it wouldn’t be a bad thing to get some information. It might be applicable to other curses as well.

That was when I was thinking about that.

“Princess, Princess Sera! Excuse me!”

An urgent voice. He is clearly one of Luna’s vassals. I instructed Rika to open the door.

“What’s going on? In such a hurry…”

“Bar, it’s a rebellion. In the land where Elrond ruled, his remnants rose up in protest against this measure!”

“The remnants… I understand that their power base has already been almost eliminated.”

Most of the Elrond faction has already been expelled. Most of the soldiers he brought with him were incorporated into the new family head. It probably wasn’t on a scale that would cause a rebellion.

“Yes, it looks like the scattered forces were somehow united. Of course, it may not be a huge number, but…”

Are these people whose loyalty to Elrond is more important than their lives? Or, if you’re going to be purged anyway, you might want to fight and die.

“What about Duke Luna?”

“We are preparing to subdue it immediately. I received an order to report the situation to the princess and bring her to her.”

“I understand. I’ll be there soon.”

I immediately followed him. Luna was waiting for me in the castle lord’s room.

“You are here, princess. Have you heard the news?”

“Yes. Elrond’s remnants caused unrest.”

“Yes. It seems that some who escaped the purge took action. The size is estimated to be less than 100 people.”

The kingdom’s army is still stationed in Laurentia. Fighting with not a hundred but twice as many people is just suicide.

You really meant to follow the dead Elrond.

“I can handle it in my own way, but I think it would be in order to report it to the princess.”

The incident caused by Elrond was a rebellion against the royal family. In this case, the most important thing is to make sure that no nobles dare to do the same thing.

The same standard should be applied to those who follow Elrond. In order to kill them and show the majesty of the royal family, it would be more effective for me, the princess, to take action myself rather than leaving it to Luna alone.

“Yes, I will go myself. Luna, please come too.”

“I understand, princess.”

Hmm…

This is also the purpose of my coming here to Laurencia. Stabilizing the lands of Elrond. This is what a princess must do.

But it is also true that something like this suddenly happens and I feel regretful. Today, I just wanted to have fun with Carmel’s body.

Well, it’s still early in the morning. After quickly wiping out less than a handful of rebels, there will still be time to enjoy it when we return.

I headed straight to the royal army barracks.

* * *

To conclude, it was completely ruined.

Elrond’s remnants were far from choosing to die with courage by fighting resolutely.

Having used the forest as their base, they seemed intent on causing as much damage as possible to the intruders who trampled on their land.

A sit-in war using the forest they were all too familiar with. It was easy to enter the forest, but not easy to get out. The uneven terrain and dense trees made it difficult for the knights to demonstrate their skills and numerical superiority.

All kinds of traps ate away at the number of soldiers who entered. The morale of the soldiers plummeted due to arrows flying from tall trees and explosives exploding when they were caught off guard.

“How about burning it all? That whole damn forest.”

These were the words of the commander of the magic combat unit. I shook my head.

“Not only is the forest so large, but it is also close to the village. If the fire spreads with the fall wind, we don’t know how much damage it will cause.”

“In the end, aren’t they all part of the same group? They’re the same Laurentians… Ah.”

The man, who had forgotten that Luna was in the same position and made an outrageous comment, apologized in a hushed voice. When you look at those eyes, an apology might come out naturally.

Well, it’s not entirely wrong.

The materials that can be stored in the forest are limited. There is no way that they would have prepared enough supplies to stockpile in a situation where they were fleeing.

For distribution, the village’s cooperation will be needed in some way. I don’t know if farmers will really agree with them.

In the end, the answer is right from the beginning. Block the roads out of the forest, especially the roads to and from the village, safely remove traps, and reduce the space for them.

Even self-sufficiency has its limits. Someday you will choose to starve to death, surrender, or fight me one last time before you die.

It is a standard that is no different from that of an outsider. But for me personally, I had a big problem.

The operation of waiting for the enemy to be exhausted is a long-term war that cannot be completed in a day or two. It’s completely out of time. The time to humiliate Carmel is long gone.

As a princess, it would be right to give up some of my personal pleasure for the greater good, but… I had no intention of doing that at all.

Carmel is everything I want. There was no such thing in this world as a cause that one had to give up and achieve.

I spoke solemnly to the people sitting around me.

“Ron, I will adopt your plan. Please evacuate all residents around the forest. The royal family will compensate for all property damage.”

Luna’s commander, who was present, said in surprise.

“Wow, Princess… Are you really saying that you are going to burn down the entire Low Stone Forest? That place is a forest famous for its beauty even in Laurentia, and is full of many legends…”

“But now it’s just a stronghold for traitors.”

Luna raised her hand to stop him from speaking further. I spoke to people.

“This is a lesson. A lesson not only for Laurencia but also for all opponents of the royal family. The lesson is that if you show your fangs to the royal family, no matter how beautiful the forest or the place with deep tradition, everything will be burned.”

No one complained anymore. I ended the meeting by telling the villagers to evacuate immediately.

* * *

In conclusion, it was successful.

The moment they evacuated the villagers, surrounded the forest, and were about to set it on fire, the rebels walked out of the forest with their arms raised high.

It seems that he thought it was more honorable to be beheaded than to be burned alive. Or, as the Laurentian commander said, because the forest is an important place for the Laurentian people.

After confirming that the rebels were beheaded, I returned to Senain Castle. It was already very late, close to midnight. I’m very glad that it was resolved by today.

I headed to the basement without even eating properly.

When I entered the cell, Carmel looked surprised.

“Sep, Sera…!”

When Carmel saw me, she quickly adjusted her posture and sat down politely. And spoke in an obedient voice.

“Now, I was wrong… Oh, I won’t be arrogant from now on… Please, please forgive me…!”

Seeing Carmel suddenly apologizing, I quickly organized the situation in my head.

The last time I saw Carmel was when I had her run away without mercy last night. Since then, I have been away from here since morning to deal with Elrond’s remnants.

Although I entrusted Rika with Carmel’s management, she probably kept the details of my absence completely in the dark due to her personality.

In that case, Carmel would have had no choice but to think that she was being intentionally neglected. As a punishment that struck me violently last night.

‘…Is that what happened…’

The sight of Carmel looking at me with an earnest expression made me want to pounce right now. But I spoke with a deliberately cold expression.

“Keuhum, have you really reflected enough?”

“Uh, yes…!”

“Wouldn’t there be a more appropriate attitude to apologize?”

Carmel trembled. Carmel would know best what I was talking about.

“Okay…uh…”

Carmel got off the bed and placed her knees on the cold floor. When I faced Carmel looking up at me with wet eyes, I couldn’t help the dark desire boiling inside me.

When I looked at yesterday’s triumphant face, I couldn’t help but become even more excited.

“That’s still not enough, mother. I heard that in countries far away, bowing your head like that is the ultimate expression of sincerity. If you’re truly reflecting, that’s probably quite possible, right?”

“Um, lower your head…? In this state…?”

Carmel’s eyes were shaking greatly as she was asked for a humiliating apology that went beyond kneeling.