Survival 64

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“Speaking of which, Lady Frontal. I never expected you to side with the Frost Mane.”

Camilla despises criminals. Not to mention, a noble in league with demons is utterly contemptible.

A look full of contempt fell upon Elizabeth.

-Zap.

That look, as if passing a baton, turned towards me.

A protest about what I was thinking bringing her here.

“Ha-ha. Miss Elizabeth, your gaze is quite sharp. Aren’t we all comrades here? Why can’t we show a friendlier face?”

“Of course! Are you insane?!”

Elizabeth, screaming, pointed her finger at Camilla.

“There was no need to reveal me to the Lady of House Roberk! Who do you plan to send to the mines as a laborer?”

“That’s unlikely. After all, Miss Camilla is in the same situation as you.”

Elizabeth seeks Luciana’s attention, while Camilla seeks revenge for her mother. They each had their own desires for joining hands with me.

“…Sigh.”

That short sigh contained her resignation.

“I thought you were only asking about what happened at the party with Lucy today. Seeing that you’ve called the Lady of Roberk… you’re scheming something again, aren’t you?”

Bingo.

I applauded, affirming her guess.

“Exactly! It’s not something that can end with just a greeting, but also! It’s something that Miss Elizabeth and Miss Camilla need to cooperate to complete.”

“…Me? With Lady Roberk?”

For a merchant, connections are important.

Elizabeth, who often visits social gatherings and business meetings in the central region, would match well with Camilla, who is unfamiliar with the geography and atmosphere of the central region.

However,

“It’s astounding. Why should I receive help from this person?”

“Miss Camilla.”

“Don’t pretend to be friendly by calling me by my first name. You just need to provide the information.”

Fiery eyes.

A desk marked with a fierce crack.

“Where is my mother’s enemy?”

The extent of her boiling anger and desire for revenge was imaginable.

Though everyone keeps quiet, those who need to know, know.

Camilla’s mother died in a raid by a band of thieves. And ironically, some of those culprits have escaped to the west, living in luxury.

I shrugged.

“Rushing won’t make it come any faster.”

“…You must have hinted at it in your letters. Offering to reveal the whereabouts of the escaped criminals.”

Of course, that was the case.

But, I only know what the game presents.

“It’s not that I know. I just know someone who does.”

“…Playing with words.”

It wasn’t a lie.

In effect, it meant the same thing.

But still, all she could do was look dissatisfied, as there were no actions she could take.

Without any clues, she had to rely on me even to find a lead.

Camilla, grinding her teeth, clenched her fan tightly.

“Someday, I’ll make sure you regret this.”

“Hehe, let’s save that enjoyment for later. Just remember, I’m always doing my best for your desires.”

Everyone gathered.

It was time to head out.

To fulfill Camilla’s wish as well as my own errand.

“Both of you, please prepare your outing attire. Bring simple weapons as well.”

“Sorry, but that’s impossible. It’s against etiquette for guests of the royal family to just leave like this.”

Camilla responded stiffly.

I smiled wryly at her.

“Is etiquette more important than revenge?”

“…”

“Just follow me. It won’t be such a big breach of etiquette.”

Our unauthorized departure would end with the guards.

Camilla left to change her clothes, glaring at me.

Elizabeth sighed and gave me a sharp look.

“Elizabeth, please.”

“You always push the troublesome tasks onto others. Fine, I’ll do it.”

Though she clearly showed reluctance, her agreement was evident to me.

Her lips turned up at 1 and 11 o’clock.

“Are you planning to entangle Lady Roberk even more?”

“…You’re quick to catch on.”

The closer she got to her desires, the harder it became to pull away, something she knew all too well from her own experiences.

“Just leave it to me. I’ll give it my best.”

Not long after, the two returned, changed from their social gathering dresses into outing attire, their staff and whip in tow.

“…Somehow, you don’t seem to have changed.”

“I always have this hidden in my pocket, you see.”

As I pulled out a dagger, Camilla looked at me with an incredulous expression.

“Seeing how unfamiliar you are with such customs, you really must be a demon.”

“What?”

“Do you think the royal court would allow concealed weapons like this, not even ceremonial swords? It’s treason. You would have been arrested immediately if anyone knew.”

…Was I not searched because of the Speda family’s influence?

I should be more careful.

“Oh. Thank you for the heads up.”

I promised to hide it in my anklet from now on and tucked the dagger back into my pocket.

Self-loathing flickered in Camilla’s eyes.

“…I’ve taught a demon only the good things.”

“Hehe. You’ll be teaching me voluntarily soon enough. We’ll both get what we want and become true allies.”

“That will never happen.”

Camilla turned her head away from me with a flick, and I shrugged.

‘Well, we’ll see about that.’

Wasn’t that the case with Elizabeth?

If I slowly unravel the clues to her revenge, she’ll eventually come to me.

“So, how do you plan to get out? Don’t think the palace guards are easy to bypass.”

“Leave that to me.”

“Yeah. After all, the guards are just commoners.”

We smiled at each other, having agreed for once.

“That’s the best option, isn’t it?”

“The risk of getting caught is lower, and the chance of failure is minimal. There’s no reason not to do it.”

Hehehe.

Watching our laughter intersect, Camilla left us with just one remark.

“…You two match well in your madness. It’s hard to tell which one of you is the demon.”

***

“So confident, what’s the plan?”

Camilla, trying to push away the headache that was coming on, focused ahead.

Their arms entwined.

Whispering closely to each other, they looked like real lovers sharing secrets.

‘To be arm in arm with a demon without hesitation. A noble of the empire…’

It was beyond Camilla’s comprehension, especially since Elizabeth, from the north, was known to be particularly hostile towards demons.

“It’s the end of days.”

“Lady Roberk, if you don’t mind, please stop grumbling from behind. Do you think I’m doing this because I enjoy it?”

Camilla ignored it as if she hadn’t heard.

Too natural for it not to be suspicious.

Anyone would think it was a rare love-engagement relationship.

“Let’s go then.”

“Let’s. The plan is perfect.”

Ignoring Camilla’s icy gaze, the two slowly approached the guards.

Shock filled Camilla’s eyes.

‘…Are they insane?’

To think they would boldly head towards the main gate.

“Stop.”

“You cannot go any further.”

-Clang!

As expected, the soldiers were diligent in their duty.

The spears of the two soldiers guarding the main gate crossed, producing a sharp sound.

Yet, despite the warning, they did not stop their steps.

“Good day to you, guards. It’s chilly out, you must be working hard.”

The way the demon spoke to them was, well, as if greeting long-lost friends, utterly friendly.

“…I’ll say it again. Stop.”

“Hey, don’t say such things and listen to my story instead.”

Ahem.

After a few coughs, he unfolded his arms and then, as if showing off, intertwined his fingers with Lady Frontal’s and presented their hands together.

“My fiancée, Lady Frontal of the Count’s family, wishes to take a walk outside with me. To enjoy the food and sights unique to the central region, which cannot be found in the north.”

Such a bold statement about breaking the rules left the guard speechless, gaping.

“What are you doing? Why aren’t you moving aside?”

Even Elizabeth went further, commanding the soldiers with an annoyed voice.

‘Are they really crazy?’

Their brazenness was so overwhelming it was almost laughable.

At this point, there was no way they were getting out today. The soldiers couldn’t possibly let nobles who committed such rudeness pass.

Then,

“Ah, Lady Elizabeth, you’re in such a hurry, yet you’ve forgotten ‘the reason’.”

“Oh, I forgot.”

At that moment, Camilla could see it.

Elizabeth’s hand slipping into her pocket.

And then, the heavy purse she pulled out, jingling.

Even the following speech was more blatant.

“Uh, here…”

“Take a look. Everyone’s working hard guarding this palace, so shouldn’t they receive something for their efforts?”

The guard’s hand and pupils trembled as he naturally accepted and checked the purse.

It was clear they had been generously compensated.

“Bribery.”

Camilla’s face contorted.

These were the palace guards.

People who should be incorruptible, fitting their position. This was true for wardens in the west, for nobles, and it should have been the same for the palace guards.

Such foolish arrogance, risking being dragged to the dungeon by an angered guard with no ground for complaint.

Yet,

That’s what should have happened.

“Make sure to return before sundown. That’s when our shift ends.”

“Ha-ha. Understood. We’ll keep that in mind. Take care, then.”

What was this scene about?

The demon, that’s to be expected of his kind.

But a noble lady of a count’s family?

And the guards, with their sacred duty to protect the palace?

She never dreamed they would all abandon their duties.

Faced with this reality, Camilla’s expression was horribly twisted.

“What are you doing, Lady Roberk? Not following.”

She wanted to spit at the demon, who feigned innocence with a tilt of his head.

“…This is wrong.”

“Eh? What is, pray tell? Does Lady Elizabeth have an idea?”

“Well, I mean, shouldn’t that not be too much of a problem?”

Not a problem.

A surge of hot lava seemed to split her insides open.

Utterly absurd.

Ununderstandable, and should not be understood.

She was diametrically opposed to their actions being accepted in this reality.

Unable to say anything, standing still with her head bowed.

She felt a gentle touch.

The moment she felt a warm heat calming her tumultuous thoughts, confusion swept over Camilla’s face.

“Hmm. So you were thinking this.”

“What? Let go of my hand!”

Though she shook it off immediately, it seemed too late. She caught him smirking.

“It’s interesting. That upright sense of justice, I’ll be cheering for you.”

His grin, innocent-looking despite the dark intentions behind it, gave her the creeps.

A ticklish sensation crawled over her body.

“But, you know, Miss Camilla. The world doesn’t operate on principles and justice alone.”

In her confusion,

He gestured towards the now distant palace gate, shrinking to a dot.

“Did they really do something so wrong? I don’t think so. They were just being true to their desires.”

Camilla closed her eyes tightly, controlling her emotions.

…She understood what he was saying.

He was asking.

Aren’t you the same as them?

Aren’t you also abandoning your duties for the sake of revenge, by siding with me?

As she remembered the warm embrace of her mother, Camilla nodded slightly, grinding her teeth.

-Crunch.

Was he satisfied for hitting a nerve?

He whispered softly, pretending to be affectionate.

“Defining justice is quite difficult. The justice you’re thinking of and mine, being a demon, are probably different.”

“…”

“Keep pondering. It might also be good for savoring your emotions.”

The demon licked his lips.

Thanks to him, Camilla regained her composure, glaring at him with deep loathing.

He sighed as if disappointed, then pointed forward.

“Let’s follow. It’s time to fulfill your desires.”

“…Where are you planning to go?”

“To catch a criminal, one must go to the criminal’s den, right?”

The underworld.

Those two words, which are a problem even in the West, flowed from the demon’s mouth.

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