Ch.126Chapter 126. Preparing for the Final Battle (1)

Around the time Lin began an uncomfortable cohabitation with Rinasien, an emergency meeting was called for Lowellina.

Only after all the commanders had gathered, along with Tigria and Arsil from the Hero’s party, did Airan finally speak.

“Rainfold has deposed Princess Rinasien and made Princess Ganal the Crown Princess.”

With a snap of his folding fan, the Duke revealed his displeasure.

“A mere knight is manipulating imperial affairs as he pleases. I’ve even received intelligence that the porter’s deportation was his unilateral decision.”

When Rainfold’s name was mentioned, Arsil clenched her fist tightly.

The man who had toyed with and deceived her with just a few words.

In the end, even Rinasien had fallen by his hand.

Along with Lucy, Saint Arsil was one of the people who could never forgive Rainfold—indeed, she was one of his greatest victims.

“Our objective is to secure Crown Princess Ganal and the porter Lin, and eliminate Rainfold.”

In response to Airan’s declaration, Biscon offered his opinion.

“Your Grace, it’s uncertain whether the Crown Princess Ganal truly carries the Emperor’s bloodline, and it remains to be seen whether removing Rainfold alone will stabilize the political situation.”

“The Emperor entrusted Crown Princess Ganal to me immediately after her birth. I arranged for her upbringing with the Protek family in the Zramun Archipelago to keep her away from public eyes… but since Rainfold’s return to the empire, all contact with the archipelago and the Protek family has been lost. We should assume the worst.”

The worst case meant the destruction of the Zramun Archipelago.

Only Airan possessed enough information to make such deductions about Rainfold, who was concealing both the archipelago’s destruction and the Emperor’s death.

“There are more reasons why Rainfold must be eliminated.”

The magician from the Hero’s party drew everyone’s attention with her meaningful words.

After taking a deep breath, Tigria revealed the story she had been hiding all this time.

“Everyone in our Hero’s party, except for the porter, fell for Rainfold’s scheme and betrayed Hero Luciena Estel.”

“What?!”

The inevitable had come.

Airan closed his eyes, and Arsil’s mouth fell open.

This was completely unexpected information.

But the Saint had no right to stop this confession.

“Each of us had our own wishes. I wanted something for my research, the Saint wanted salvation for the slums where she was born and raised, and the archer… as you may have seen at the recent festival, wanted land to replace the shrinking elven forest.”

Though she tried to appear calm, Tigria’s voice was trembling.

“We learned too late that the Demon God had been fueling our desires, and Rainfold exploited that weakness, suggesting that after defeating the Demon King, we should eliminate the Hero. We agreed and followed him. We acknowledged the danger posed by Luciena Estel, who always engaged in risky behavior toward the regime.”

Arsil was terrified.

The gazes directed at them were filled only with disgust and hostility.

She thought this was natural, but it felt strange and frightening that they were giving these looks when the actual victims, Lucy and Lin, had turned away from them.

“Luciena only complained about the unfairness during our journey, but blinded by our desires, we acted together with Rainfold. After defeating the Demon King, when his horn was placed in the sacred coffin, we attacked and subdued the Hero.”

“But the Hero is perfectly fine now, isn’t she? She’s even journeying with you all.”

“That’s because…”

Even for a puppet, the next words were difficult to utter.

After swallowing her words several times and moistening her lips, Tigria was finally able to continue.

“The porter, Lin, protected Luciena and escaped alone, which is why the Hero survived.”

“…”

Everyone at the meeting held their breath.

The porter they had so thoroughly ignored and mistreated turned out to be the most courageous and loyal.

This realization filled them with shame.

“It was porter Lin who healed the Hero’s injuries—injuries that could have been fatal at any moment—and brought her here. He predicted the appearance of the Demon Hero and convinced Luciena that the Hero’s party must reunite, bringing us back together.”

Biscon in particular was sweating from shame.

All the commanders hung their heads in embarrassment.

“But Rainfold was the opposite. He kept none of the promises he made to us. We finally began to realize our mistakes. Not only betraying the Hero, but also mistreating the porter and not treating him as a comrade… Though we regret and reflect on our actions, we are still begging for forgiveness from those two.”

Tigria wiped her eyes.

“Meanwhile, Rainfold kept bringing up promises he never intended to keep, trying to manipulate us. He almost succeeded, except with Naidrian.”

The elven archer had refused to seek the truth until the end and had chosen a path of self-destruction.

A chill ran down their spines at the thought that they might have been on that same path if they had been just a little later in realizing the truth.

“He used Princess Rinasien as a figurehead to manipulate state affairs, and when she became uncontrollable, he cast her aside. Now he’s trying to set up a new puppet.”

The sinner looked around at her fellow sinners and declared:

“I, Magician Tigria, and Saint Arsil, intend to eliminate Rainfold, the root of all evil, and accept our punishment.”

Then she bowed deeply.

“Please help us. Please help us sinners restore justice.”

“Please help us!”

Arsil also followed Tigria, loudly begging for help.

Though two members of the Hero’s party were prostrating themselves, no one dared to say anything.

With a soft sigh, Airan stopped them.

“Both of you, raise your heads.”

“Please, help us.”

“We are no different—we are sinners too. We are the ones who directed blame at the porter who silently fulfilled his duties despite all criticism.”

Airan rose from his seat and glared at the commanders.

“For the sake of our own safety, we felt threatened by and envied the Hero’s complaints about unreasonable orders.”

In the midst of everyone’s silence, Airan raised his voice.

“This is the result. Rainfold, that fox-like man, is acting like the master of the empire and trying to corrupt the world. That’s why we must secure Crown Princess Ganal and porter Lin, and eliminate him! That selfish shield knight doesn’t let anyone who opposes him live. Look how he cast aside his fiancée, the former Crown Princess Rinasien! Since then, Rinasien has never appeared in public. She might already be dead.”

Airan personally helped Tigria and Arsil to their feet.

“If we remain idle, we are destined to end up like the archipelago and the Crown Princess. We are sinners. Sinners must pay for their crimes, and we must end this with our generation. We must ensure that our children are not implicated in our sins.”

Thud! Airan stamped the floor with his scabbard.

“Do not worry! I am Airan Dekarun! Haven’t you treated me with respect for this very moment? I will lead the way in paying for our sins, taking yours upon myself as well. Watch carefully from now on—this is the duty of nobility!”

“We will follow you!”

“I will give my life for justice!”

Though this was a staged situation he had orchestrated, Airan felt bitter.

While their spirits were high, the people who deserved apologies were far away, suffering unjust treatment.

But before that bitterness could fade, a soldier came running in, out of breath.

“Urgent news! Urgent news! The date for porter Lin’s public trial has been set!”

“When is it?”

“Four days from now, in the morning!”

Airan immediately turned to Arsil.

“Have you seen the magician’s courage?”

“Yes.”

“Now it’s your turn to be brave.”

“Leave it to me. For Lin, I would do anything.”

She’s become quite useful, hasn’t she?

Though it was too late, Airan was glad for the change, even now.

“Arsil, you are to return to the empire with the Elven Council elders.”

“The elves?”

“Then Rainfold will try to win you over again. That’s where the decisive moment will come.”

Airan gripped the Saint’s shoulders firmly and emphasized:

“The choice there will be yours, Arsil. This time, make a choice you won’t be ashamed of.”

“I’ll depart immediately.”

Arsil showed resolute determination as she left the meeting hall.

As the Saint in her faded ceremonial robes departed desolately, the Duke asked Tigria:

“Ravin left for Valtercrois this morning, didn’t he?”

“Yes.”

“A reliable ally. Unlike a half-penny noble like me.”

Smiling wistfully, Airan regained his composure.

“How is the Hero’s condition?”

At those words, Tigria quietly shook her head.