Persuasion (1)

Yona had never directly seen an autopsy, and since falling into this world, she hadn’t heard of such a thing being done.

However, she thought that since mysterious deaths can happen anywhere, it would be natural to have a process to investigate them.

But judging from Alec’s reaction now, it seemed that the concept of an autopsy—or even such an idea—didn’t exist.

Seeing Alec’s reaction, which interpreted examining a corpse as disturbing the deceased’s rest, Yona thought that might be the case, but still felt that in the current situation, an autopsy would be the best way to confirm the cause.

She also thought that even if it was called an autopsy, it wouldn’t involve her rummaging through the corpse, just examining it, so Alec would be able to accept that much.

“I’m telling you, it’s just examining the body. It’s not what you’re thinking.”

“Just examining? Then does that even have any meaning?”

With Alec’s response, this time it was Yona who was at a loss for words.

Asking if just examining had any meaning—it wasn’t meaningless.

“Look, they said there was a lot of bleeding, right? So we need to prove how that Zakariya… was it? How he and the other snake harmed them. You know they were empty-handed. They searched each other’s bodies from the start anyway.”

The Azrami tribe members who sat at the negotiation table were searched by the Meadow Gill tribe, and vice versa. So it was well known that neither side had hidden any weapons.

“So we just need to check the corpses to see where the bleeding occurred. If they coughed up blood, things would get complicated from there, but if it’s not that and the bleeding was caused by some weapon, then at least it wasn’t a plot by the Azrami tribe.”

“Hmm…”

At those words, Alec stroked his chin, deep in thought.

Although he had left the cathedral, Alec’s thinking at times like this was still that of the Celestial Faith. So the basic idea was that the dead return to the Celestial Deity, and examining the corpse of such a person again—even if just looking without touching—somehow felt reluctant.

But more than that, if Yona wanted to resolve this situation rather than escape from it, then that’s what they should do.

Yona, not the Celestial Faith, was more important to him.

“…You want to resolve this, right?”

Alec cautiously asked Yona.

At that question, Yona closed her mouth.

“…Yeah.”

Yona wasn’t heartless enough to coldly reject and leave after seeing Amira’s expression.

Even if she did leave, it would undoubtedly remain as a burden in Yona’s heart.

“Hmm…”

Alec sighed, scratching his head vigorously.

The Yona he knew was this kind of woman.

She seemed cold, rude, and had a straightforward way of speaking, but she was a woman with lingering affection.

Even after receiving such treatment in Lizardden, she couldn’t bring herself to leave because it was Kairoc’s hometown, and ended up resolving the issue.

‘…I guess that’s typical of Yona in that sense.’

Alec thought there was no helping it.

“Yes, examining the corpses would work. Our pretty one came up with a good idea.”

As soon as Alevian spoke, Yona’s face lit up brightly.

“Right? It’s a really good idea, isn’t it? Really, right?”

Yona proudly straightened her shoulders and lifted her chin.

And looking at Yona like this, Alevian said with a smile full of amusement.

“It is. If you had thought of one more thing, it would have been a really good idea.”

At Alevian’s words, cracks appeared in Yona’s proud expression.

Yona, who had been beaming—as if saying “praise me more”—frowned and looked at Alevian.

“The plan is perfect, so what’s lacking? It is a good idea.”

At Yona’s gaze, Alevian’s smile began to show a bit of awkwardness.

Once again, Alevian felt Yona’s habitual nitpicking reviving in his mind after saying the wrong thing.

“The issue is how to get there. I mean, the corpses will be in the Meadow Gill tribe’s camp, so how will you get there… and what will you say when you get there to ask to see the corpses?”

It was a blind spot.

Yona hadn’t thought that far, and she had an “oops” expression, but it was brief, and soon she returned to a face that suggested there was no problem.

“Well, I’ll ride Be-Berbaria…!”

“Are you going alone?”

The number of people who can ride Berbaria is limited.

It’s not a matter of demonic energy, but those with holy power can’t ride.

In that sense, Alec, Scarlet, and Serad are out.

“Then, Catsy…”

“Catsy is the same. Honestly, we’re going to plead with them, but if the Saintess appears riding their god, do you think that would look good?”

“……”

She had nothing to say.

“…I’d prefer not to be treated as a mount.”

“That’s right. The Saintess is treating us too badly. We are gods too.”

Berbaria, sitting on Alevian’s lap, spoke to Yona with a voice full of dissatisfaction.

And Catsy, sitting on Berbaria’s lap grooming his fur, also spoke to Yona.

Of course, Yona wasn’t listening.

“I could go alone…”

“You won’t be able to persuade them.”

“I-I can do it!”

“Go with Alec, or at least with Kairoc. But not Berbaria. They’ll find it threatening, won’t they?”

‘Why is this so complicated?’

Yona felt her irritation rising.

She really wanted to go there and yell, “Hand over the corpses, you fools!” If they didn’t listen, couldn’t she just overturn everything? Unlike before, Yona now had magic. Damian’s power was that mighty, and it gave Yona endless confidence.

“Let’s just charge in directly. Isn’t that better?”

Kairoc, who had been quiet, spoke in an indifferent voice.

Since Kairoc had been silently watching without saying much, no one had paid attention to him, but when he spoke like this, everyone’s gaze turned to him.

“Although we’re of different tribes, we’re the same species of Lizardmen. I know. Rather than trying to persuade with trivial reasons, it will be much more effective to boldly go in and openly say we’ve come to resolve this situation.”

“…It’s incredibly convincing when a fellow Lizardman says it?”

As Yona said, because Kairoc was indeed a Lizardman of a different tribe but the same species, his words were very persuasive.

“Come with me. If we all go together, it might be seen as a threat, but if you and I go, Yona, it shouldn’t be a problem. It might be good for Alec to come along just in case. James, would you like to come too? Four should be enough, I think.”

At Kairoc’s words, James also grinned, showing his molars.

“Were you thinking of leaving me behind? That’s disappointing.”

Amira couldn’t bring herself to stop Yona.

Not just Amira, but Aporza as well.

They knew well that being trapped in the imperial palace like this meant no future, and that sooner or later, they would have to clash with the Meadow Gill tribe surrounding the palace.

So, while they were inwardly relieved that Yona was taking the initiative like this, they also felt sorry on the other hand.

“Sainteeeeess… I’m sorry…”

With big tears hanging in her large eyes, Amira grabbed Yona’s hand.

Yona’s hands were already cold, but Amira’s hands were even colder, making Yona flinch.

“No… I’m not doing this for you…”

“But you’re helping us…”

“I’m doing it for my own comfort…”

Yona avoided Amira’s passionate gaze, unable to meet it directly.

She wondered if she had ever received such enthusiastic gratitude before, but then,

“Th-then I’ll go with you!”

“Arami…?”

It was a snake beastkin Yona had seen a few times.

A woman with a light brown tail that left an impression, unlike Amira.

“Arami, what do you mean you’re coming along?”

“Exactly what I said. The Saintess is personally stepping up for our Azrami tribe… we can’t just sit idle…”

Yona stared silently at the woman called Arami.

She wasn’t particularly close to her, just a face she had seen a few times in passing, but not a particularly memorable appearance. Just one of the many common snake beastkin.

“Since it would be difficult for the imperial family to accompany you directly, I will…!”

“Arami…!”

Whether it was from emotion, Amira’s voice was trembling finely.

‘No, there’s no need for that…!’

In reality, Yona wasn’t particularly pleased.

While their lives might not be in danger, they were going to a place where they definitely wouldn’t be welcomed, and if they succeeded in persuading, they would be examining corpses, so it wasn’t exactly a pleasant errand. There was no reason to be happy about involving someone unfamiliar in such a process.

“Ah, it’s really not nece-“

“Saintess! Arami is the nanny and maid who has taken care of me since I was little…! Seeing such loyalty, please allow her to accompany you…!”

At Amira’s earnest words, Yona looked back at Kairoc and Alec.

Alec avoided Yona’s gaze, and Kairoc was shrugging his shoulders and shaking his head.

‘These guys are dumping it on me again…!’

Always leaving the difficult things to her.

Yona ground her teeth inwardly, but outwardly she managed a smile.

‘Well… it’s not like we’re going somewhere life-threatening anyway. Once she comes along and gets a taste of how unpleasant it is, she’ll probably think she did something unnecessary.’

What difference would it make anyway?

With a feeling of resignation, Yona nodded.

And about two hours later, several dark shadows appeared near the destroyed drawbridge.

Instead of the collapsed drawbridge that could no longer serve its purpose, Catsy carries them across to the other side.

And then returns to the imperial palace.

A relatively simple plan—and to execute it, Yona and three others revealed themselves.