TGS - Chapter 48
Chapter 48: Behind the Attack
Wash City was the main city for the worship of the Goddess of the Earth. It boasted fertile soil, suitable for both agriculture and animal husbandry.
The people planted grain and flax, and raised herds of cattle, sheep, and poultry, praying to the Goddess of the Earth for a bountiful harvest at set times.
When the caravan arrived in Wash City, they happened upon this grand festival. In the farmlands outside the city, the season's crops, nearing maturity, formed vast oceans of pale yellow.
Luxuriously dressed people led their subordinates, who in turn led sacrificial livestock, walking back and forth along the edges of the fields, chanting praises and praying for the Goddess of the Earth to protect their harvest.
It was likely the only time of year these landowners would personally set foot on their fields. The slaves who actually toiled the land on a daily basis were not permitted to approach and could only watch from a distance.
The caravan owner was clearly acquainted with some of these nobles. As they traveled the road flanked by fields, minor nobles would occasionally nod to him in greeting.
The greater nobles, however, were conscious of their status and would not make any overt gestures. They merely sized up the most impressive carriage in the convoy, guessing whether the princess, rumored to be serving as a guard, was inside.
As the noble who owned the most land in Wash City, the Lord of Wash City was naturally nearby.
When he saw the seemingly undamaged caravan, a flicker of astonishment crossed his face. He quickly concluded his prayers and strode toward the convoy.
"Welcome, my friend!" The Lord of Wash City chose the caravan owner as the first person to address. "It is a joyous thing to see you arrive in Wash at this time, just as in years past."
The merchant returned a familiar smile. "I am also delighted to see you in good health, my lord. However, I'm afraid you've misremembered one thing. This is our first time passing through during this season, haha."
The lord was not the least bit embarrassed. "Is that so? Then you've come at a good time. The city will be holding celebrations for the next few days. You mustn't miss them."
After exchanging pleasantries with the merchant, the Lord of Wash City turned his gaze to the silent carriage, which bore the marks of an arrow attack.
Walking up to Motis, the lord asked with a smile, "Isn't this the esteemed captain of the Royal Guard? Is Her Highness the Princess here as well?"
Motis's face was taut. "Yes. I must ask that you not disturb Her Highness for the time being. She needs to rest."
A glint flashed in the lord's eyes. "Oh?"
Motis looked as if he were suppressing his anger. "We can discuss the specifics once we are back in the city."
"Very well. I will take you all back to the city and see you settled in properly," the Lord of Wash City said good-naturedly.
He turned and whispered a few instructions to a subordinate at his side, then turned back with a smile. "Let us go."
Inside the carriage, Lotus sat opposite the princess.
Alyuin had removed her leather armor, her hair was loosely tied back, and white bandages were visible between the folds of her loose clothing. She had deliberately applied a faint, dark ointment under her eyes, and her expression was listless, making her look exceptionally weary.
Seeing the goddess looking at her so intently, Alyuin blinked and whispered, "Do I look like an injured person?"
Lotus answered honestly, "More than that. You look as if you've just recovered from a major illness only to suffer a new injury."
Alyuin smiled at her words. The smile instantly washed away the languor created by the makeup, adding a touch of a young girl's unique brightness.
Lotus added, "As long as you don't smile, there are no flaws."
The princess nodded. "I'll be sure to keep a straight face the whole time."
With that, her smile vanished, and she leaned back against the cushions, looking for all the world like a melancholy, frail beauty.
When the convoy arrived at the lord's manor, Lotus helped Alyuin out of the carriage.
The Lord of Wash City's eyes widened. "What has happened to Your Highness? Could it be that you've fallen ill from the arduous journey? Shall I summon a physician?"
Alyuin said faintly, "There is no need. The caravan has an accompanying physician."
The princess gestured with her eyes for Lotus to let go, then started to walk forward on her own.
But she had only taken a few steps when Lotus pointed to a faint red stain visible on the bandage wrapped around her leg and, in a serious performance, said, "It's blood. The princess's wound has opened again. It's best if I support you."
—In truth, it was red dye that had been applied to the inside of the bandage beforehand.
Only then did Alyuin allow Lotus to support her, putting on an act as she went. "Ah, this is truly impolite. I hope you do not mind, my lord."
Although the Lord of Wash City had his suspicions, he was still somewhat surprised. "You were injured?"
Alyuin replied, "A minor injury."
Motis caught a look from Lena and stepped forward, saying angrily, "Those lawless bandits outside the city dared to assassinate Her Highness, causing her injury! Why is there such a large group of bandits outside Wash City? My lord, have you not sent men to suppress them before?"
"This..." The Lord of Wash City looked troubled.
Alyuin stopped the captain of the guard. "Motis! The lord surely has his own considerations. How can you be so rude?"
The captain lowered his head. "Yes, I was impulsive."
The princess turned back to the lord, her tone gentle. "It is getting late. We must trouble you to arrange accommodations. We encountered bandits on the road and would like to settle in and rest as soon as possible."
The lord waved his hand. "No trouble, no trouble at all."
The Lord of Wash City personally led the group to a spacious courtyard residence. "This is my old home. It is regularly maintained, so it is a suitable place for you all to rest."
After enthusiastically arranging everything, the lord finally left with his attendants.
The moment she entered her room, the princess's leg no longer hurt, her expression was no longer languid, and she was brimming with energy. There was not a trace of weakness about her.
"It was him, wasn't it," Lotus said.
"It's highly likely," Alyuin replied. "To avoid making a wrong guess, I'll confirm it tonight."
That night, the sky was pitch black. According to custom, the residents of Wash City were required to return home early and rest in the days leading up to the celebration. They were not to linger outside. Only on the final day would the streets be decorated with lanterns and filled with uninhibited revelry.
This was convenient for Alyuin's plans.
She released her two golden eagles and commanded, "Show me where those who escaped ended up."
The two golden eagles circled once overhead. One flew toward the outskirts of the city, while the other flew toward the city center.
The princess beckoned for the eagle flying out of the city to return, then followed the other one.
The streets were empty. After moving swiftly for a while, Alyuin saw the golden eagle stop flying forward and land on her forearm. It let out a low cry, as if to say: This is the place.
The mansion before her, surrounded by high walls, was the very same lord's manor she had visited during the day.
Of the bandits who had attacked the caravan, some had fled back to their lair in the mountains, while the others had hastily returned to the city, heading straight for the lord's manor.
Indeed, the mountain bandits were inextricably linked to the Lord of Wash City.
Meanwhile, inside the lord's manor.
"Were you the ones who injured the princess or not?"
The Lord of Wash City sat in an armchair, asking with a frown.
The few bandits who had been lucky enough to escape looked at each other. "We don't know. It was chaotic. Maybe one of the brothers got a lucky shot?"
"It might have been the archers. We had a lot of men in ambush in the mountains."
"But didn't the princess kill them all..."
"She couldn't have gotten all of them. Maybe someone was well hidden, didn't get shot, and took a shot at her when her guard was down."
The Lord of Wash City had no patience to listen to their chatter and made a "stop" gesture. "Enough. If you can't be sure, then all of you shut up. A bunch of good-for-nothings. Out of several hundred men, only a few of you made it back, and you can't even give a clear account of what happened. What did you even come back for?"
The bandits immediately fell silent, like chickens with their necks wrung, not daring to say another word.
The lord asked again, "Are you certain they didn't capture any of your men?"
The bandits were silent.
The lord's voice sharpened. "Did they? Speak!"
One bandit said in a small voice, "No. After we fled into the forest, someone was shot in the leg and couldn't run. They probably wanted to take him alive."
Another chimed in, "We reacted quickly. We killed those few first, leaving no loose ends."
"At least you have some brains. You weren't stupid enough to leave them alive for them." The lord's tone softened slightly. "Since that's the case, why didn't you say so just now?"
A bandit mumbled, "You told us to shut up..."
The lord took a deep breath, his tone as calm as he could manage. "Alright, all of you, leave now."
Expressionless guards immediately led the bandits away. Only one guard remained, asking, "My lord, do you have any other orders? We will arrange for them to be carried out immediately."
"Keep an eye on the princess. See if she's truly injured," the lord said. "And Wick. Find an opportunity to bring him here without the princess's people knowing."
Wick was the name of the envoy from Akhet who was traveling with the caravan.
The guard acknowledged the order and left.
The Lord of Wash City stood up and looked out the window, muttering to himself.
"This time, I absolutely cannot disappoint His Majesty again."
"Sigh, I really should have made a move when she was a child. It's so much more troublesome now..."
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