Chapter 77
However, neither of them actually executed Mia, who was captured by the Revolutionary Army. It was a former Imperial Army soldier named Dion Alaia who received the unpleasant honor of dealing with a young woman. Immediately after the revolution, he changed sides to the Revolutionary Army and played a major role in killing famous generals with his sword and destroying the Imperial Army.
The reward he sought, as one of the greatest contributors to the Revolutionary Army, was the head of Princess Mia. At first, Sion was confused when he heard his wish, but he was convinced when he heard about what happened in the past. In the conflict initiated by Mia’s selfishness, the Battle of Sealence Forest, all his men were annihilated, he was the only one who survived. The death of his men was his motivation for his turning into the revolutionary army.
“Why is it that I haven’t heard the battle starting? Are your men that lazy?”
Centurion Dion Alaia, who was summoned to the Viscount Bellman’s mansion, gives exactly the same reply he had said before, without breaking his smile.
“As I have mentioned, our purpose is to maintain peace. I believe it isn’t necessary to engage in unnecessary hostility.”
I said the same thing just the other day, but are you crazy? Dion was actually quite proud of himself as being a “responsible adult.” He was keeping his calm against the Viscount’s unreasonable demand. But his patience is almost reaching its limit.
“That forest is a territory of the Lulu tribe. If we decide to go to battle against them, we will suffer significant casualties.”
Dion is confident that he will survive by himself, but his subordinates are a different matter.
“Aren’t soldiers supposed to live for their lord? Who do you think is feeding you?”
“We are the soldiers of His Majesty the Emperor. So, He is our lord. I’m sure you are not that ignorant as you are a Viscount.”
Hearing Dion’s reply, Viscount looked at him angrily. If looks could kill, the Viscount’s glare would have killed Dion at the spot.
“We have been ordered by the Black Moon Ministry, which is His Majesty’s military department. And the order we received was to maintain the security of the forest. It would be against His Majesty’s wishes if we were to start a war without permission…”
“Gah! Enough! Leave already.”
With a disgusted look, the viscount waved him away angrily.
“Damn nobles… They order us to kill as if it’s just for fun… why don’t they try doing it themselves.”
Dion sighed as he stepped out of the viscount’s manor.
“Oh, captain, are you done?”
Dion found a large soldier waiting for him at the gate. This soldier started rushing towards him. Just the way he looks, especially his beard, he can be mistaken as a bandit. But there was a sharp light in his eyes characteristic of a trained soldier.
“So how did it go?”
“He doesn’t change. I told him that it’s too dangerous to fight in that forest. If that happens, the two of us are probably the only ones who can make it out alive.”
“Wahahaha… Sure we will survive. But we can’t have that now. It will surely look bad if only the captain and the vice-captain walks out alive.”
Dion shrugs a little to the vice-captain who continues to laugh loudly.
“But since he went to the Imperial City, I was wary that he brought back His Majesty’s command, but it seems that it didn’t work out very well …”
“How about that? Makes you feel a little relieved, right?”
“Yeah. Huh? What is that…”
Dion cut his words upon noticing the group coming in front of him. They were clearly knights but they wore beautiful ceremonial armor different from the rest of the imperial army. There was only one group who wore such impractical beautiful armor, the most loyal knights of the imperial army: those who are tasked with protecting the imperial family.
“The imperial guards?”
“Yes, according to rumors, Her Royal Highness has come to visit from the Imperial City.”
“Well, isn’t this just getting interesting?”
The vice-captain showed a bitter smile, while Dion looks obviously disgusted.
“Captain, you better put on your best smile. Don’t wanna be looking disrespectful towards the Princess.”
“Unfortunately, I’m too tired with this sh*** about being a princess or a prince.”
“Do you also think there is something fishy here Captain?”
“Timing is perfect. The Viscount just returned from the Imperial City and now the princess is arriving. Well, let’s see what kind of nonsense the Viscount told the princess…”
“But I heard that Her Highness, the Princess in our country is very smart.”
The vice-captain says while stroking his beard.
“Nothing in this world is ever the way you hope it would be.”
“That’s a pessimistic way of looking at things. Who is philosopher who said that?”
“It’s me. Wishful thinking usually ends with disappointment. Thanks to that, my sword arm has improved, so it’s not all bad.” (MF: O.O if you know what he means…)
“In short, does that mean that you need to have enough skill to handle whatever happens?”
“Yeah sure… simply speaking, that would be the case.”
Gahaha, the deputy director laughs vigorously.
“That’s a very captain-like philosophy.”
At that time, a little girl appeared, protected by Princess Guards.
Hmm, so that is Princess Mia, huh?…
Dion looks at her just in time for Mia to raise her face and meet his stare…
“Eeeeeeek!”
For some reason… Princess Mia fainted. Everyone looked at each other.
“… So, what should we do now Captain?”
“I don’t know. Same as the Princess, I guess. Scream and faint.”
It was Dion who shrugged and answered the vice-captains’ question with a retort.