TGS - Chapter 51
Chapter 51: The Banquet Hall Killing Field
Everything Kopal said was true.
She had no reason to lie about her motives; it would be pointless. She only needed to conceal a few facts irrelevant to the bigger picture, such as her true gender.
Alyuin looked at her for a moment, then averted her gaze. This signified her belief.
"You came to me for more than just telling me of your plight, I assume."
Kopal suddenly dropped to one knee, bowing her head.
"Yes. I hope to receive Your Highness's help."
"I sympathize with your situation, Young Lord, but why do you think I have the ability to help you?" Alyuin feigned a sigh. "I am merely a caravan guard now. Even if I achieved something on the border, I can't bring that influence to Wash City. I truly cannot seek justice for you..."
Kopal said in a low voice, "But you can help me kill him."
Alyuin paused.
She had agreed to meet with Kopal with the intention of perhaps luring her into a conspiracy to commit patricide, but for Kopal to bring it up first, and so decisively, still surprised Alyuin slightly.
Killing a direct blood relative or a legal spouse was an extremely serious crime. Not only was it punished as the most heinous of offenses under the law, but it would also incur the gods' revulsion.
The "sin" in the Princess's so-called sinner's blood included this very crime—because Horst had accused her mother of going mad and killing the former king.
Seeing the Princess remain silent, Kopal felt a little uncertain. She gritted her teeth and continued, "Your Highness should know that my father wants to kill you. My hidden informant by his side knows his entire plan."
"As long as you are willing to trust me, you can use the trap my father has set to kill him!"
The air fell utterly silent for a moment. A bead of cold sweat trickled from her hairline. Kopal pressed her forehead to her knee, closing her eyes as she awaited a response.
After a long moment, Alyuin finally said, "Alright."
Kopal's heart suddenly relaxed.
She composed herself and began to clearly recount the Lord of Wash City's assassination plot.
In the Lord of Wash City's design, the ambush would take place on the day of the festival. The people would revel in the streets that night, only returning home to rest after midnight.
While the commoners celebrated, the Lord would host a banquet in his manor, inviting all the city's nobles to drink and feast until dawn. According to custom, the nobles would leave at staggered times, with only those of the highest status and position remaining until the very end.
In other words, only the Princess and the Lord of Wash City would be left at the end of the banquet. That would be the perfect time to strike.
"My informant is rather trusted by my father. His task is to lead soldiers to guard the doors and prevent Your Highness's people from escaping to call for help," Kopal said.
"Wash City has a strong garrison, but the army is loyal to the royal family, not my father. He can't mobilize too many men, so he can only strike while you are attending the banquet without your Royal Guard... This is all the information I have."
Alyuin stared at the paper she had been drawing on earlier. "So, you'll guard the door, and I'll turn the tables on him?"
Kopal nodded.
"Very sincere." The Princess's eyes lowered slightly as she said leisurely, "Success would be wonderful, of course. But if we fail, you would only be guarding the door according to the Lord of Wash City's orders. You wouldn't be implicated in any way, would you?"
Those golden eyes didn't cast a direct, sharp gaze, but the chilling coldness hidden beneath her lashes was even more startling.
Kopal's expression changed slightly in spite of herself. "I absolutely did not mean that."
"Of course—it's just that this plan is indeed too crude. It's not even the fourth hour yet. We have plenty of time to perfect it."
Alyuin said with a smile, "Let's start with any backup plans your father might have, shall we?"
When Kopal rose from her seat, it was already past midnight, yet her spirits were more exhilarated than ever before.
Before deciding to visit the Princess, Kopal had actually gone through a period of agonizing indecision. Her chances of winning weren't very high; cooperating with the Princess was tantamount to a high-stakes gamble.
But not gambling meant death. She had no other choice.
Besides, opportunities to kill that man were far too rare. Now, such a possibility was right before her eyes. She had to seize it, no matter what.
These were her thoughts before. After coming to an agreement with the Princess, Kopal's mood suddenly settled completely.
It would definitely succeed.
Kopal had a strong premonition. This time, she would witness the death of the person she had feared and loathed most since childhood.
As she was leaving, Kopal hesitated for a moment and asked, "I heard Your Highness killed the mountain bandits outside the city, including their leader?"
Alyuin: "Yes. The bodies should still be in the mountain forest outside the city, if the Lord of Wash City hasn't sent people to dispose of them."
Kopal fell silent.
"I imagine you know about the relationship between those bandits and the Lord."
"After all, I have an informant by my father's side. If I said I didn't know, Your Highness certainly wouldn't believe me." Kopal gave a smile that was somehow tinged with bitterness. "In truth, a specific person has always been responsible for my father's contact with the bandits. If he hadn't targeted you this time, the news wouldn't have reached my informant's ears."
"Perhaps knowing is a good thing."
Kopal let out a cryptic sigh, bowed deeply to the Princess, and prepared to take her leave.
Alyuin suddenly said, "Your cloak is loose."
Kopal subconsciously looked down. Her cloak was, of course, fastened securely. But what did the Princess mean by that...
She took a deep breath and looked up. Alyuin sat there smiling, her expression revealing nothing.
After seeing off her visitor for the night, Alyuin's posture finally relaxed.
Turning her head, she saw the golden eagles were already asleep in their nests, necks tucked in. Lotus was still leaning back in an armchair on the other side, reading a book.
The god's human incarnation had her eyes slightly lowered, her slender white fingers carelessly turning a page. Her loose black hair was gathered to one side, casually tied into a bundle with a ribbon.
Even though she wasn't in her divine form, her detached and transcendent aura remained unchanged.
Alyuin felt a tickle in her heart watching her. She simply rested her head on Lotus's lap and nuzzled her affectionately. "I'm sorry, we talked too late today and made you wait."
Lotus said calmly, "It doesn't matter if I don't sleep. You, on the other hand, should rest early."
Alyuin wasn't sleepy either.
On the contrary, her mind was extremely active, so active that all sorts of improper thoughts were bubbling up.
She propped herself up. "What book are you reading?"
Before she got an answer, Alyuin saw the contents of the book and fell silent for a moment.
Lotus didn't see anything wrong with it. "It tells the emotional stories of my 'elder brothers and sisters.' It's written with such genuine feeling, so I bought a copy."
After acquiring money, the very first thing Lotus spent it on was mythological fanfiction.
It was called an "emotional story," but it was really just an expanded and embellished version of the parts about familial love, friendship, and romantic love from the mythological scriptures, perhaps with some fabricated details added.
They didn't dare make more significant changes. Wouldn't distorting the myths be disrespectful to the gods?
However, the creativity of the people should never be underestimated. For example, this thin booklet in front of them pushed imagination to its limits within the permissible scope. Anyone who read it would have to praise the author's talent.
Alyuin, however, felt a little uneasy. She asked tentatively, "Why are you reading this?"
Lotus: "Hm? I thought you would be more interested in this."
After all, the Princess had been pondering the philosophy of divine love recently, so she seemed curious about the topic. This booklet was actually bought for Alyuin to pass the time, but Lotus ended up using it to while away the evening instead.
Alyuin: "..."
How should she put it? She wasn't curious about the romantic relationships of other gods.
Lotus closed the booklet. "But it's too late today. If you want to read it, we can talk about it tomorrow."
Alyuin: "Oh."
The Princess obediently went to wash up. When she returned, Lotus was already lying in bed. The booklet was on the bedside table, a dried Snowtu flower branch peeking out from between the pages, clearly used as a bookmark.
Alyuin was worried. She was rather concerned that Lotus might become interested in love between gods.
Solancia revered its deities, and there were basically no stories of gods falling in love with humans, except for minor gods from history or Adia, the Goddess of Love.
In folklore, the Goddess of Love had lovers by the basketful. There were stories of her spiritual love affairs not just with people, but with animals, trees, and flowers.
Alyuin fell asleep beside the goddess, her consciousness fading into darkness as her thoughts wandered:
Since Lotus reads folk booklets, would it be feasible to hire someone to write a story about the Goddess of Love and a human woman? Could I use that to bring up the topic? Seems a bit risky, tsk.
In the darkness, Lotus blinked at the ceiling.
I forgot to mention sleeping separately again...
Oh well, I'll bring it up after we leave Wash City.
On the day of the festival, the people of Wash City reveled in the streets and alleys.
The sky turned completely dark, and the lights on the ground illuminated the roads. The ripe, yellow husks of grain, symbolizing the Goddess of the Earth, had been saved from last year's harvest just to be thrown by the handful today, scattering everywhere. People let the husks fall into their hair and clothes, laughing loudly with joy.
The envoy from Akhet expressionlessly shook the husks from his hair.
As someone who didn't believe in the Goddess of the Earth, he had little appreciation for such rituals.
The caravan master's eyes crinkled with a smile. "Don't look so stern, Wick. Festivals like this only come once a year. Let loose and have fun!"
Wick gritted his teeth. "You don't have to follow me around like this."
The caravan master replied, "What? I don't quite understand what you mean, my friend."
The envoy rolled his eyes. "Seeing how closely you've been sticking to me today, you must know about the Lord of Wash City's arrangements for tonight. Don't worry, I'm not conspiring with the Lord. I'm just here to observe, not to kill."
The merchant was shocked. "I thought of you as a friend, and you're here to spy on Her Highness the Princess?"
Wick: "..."
He'd been so annoyed that it had just slipped out. Was it too late to take it back now?
The merchant ignored his internal breakdown and waved a hand. "Men, escort—I mean, invite the Lord Envoy back!"
Wick maintained his expressionless face as he was escorted away by several guards. Looked at from another angle, not having to stay outside and be pelted with grain husks was a good thing, right?
Passersby watched with curiosity, some even deliberately tossing husks in their direction. The merchant smiled as he brushed the husks from his clothes and hat, his gaze turning toward the Lord's manor.
Everything on his end was going smoothly, unexpectedly so.
I wonder how things are progressing on Her Highness's side...
At the Lord's manor that night, a candle lantern hung every few steps, and maidservants carrying lamps moved back and forth.
They listened to the sounds of laughter and merriment coming from the banquet hall, whispering and laughing quietly among themselves.
Just then, the soft clinking of metal armor approached. The maidservants stopped in alarm and saw a slender figure leading a squad of guards toward them.
"Everyone, back to the rear courtyard!" the leader ordered in a low voice. "This is my father's command. All unauthorized personnel are to leave this area. Do not make a sound."
The maidservants recognized the person—the Lord's only son, holding the Lord's token in his hand.
They hurriedly bowed and departed as quickly and quietly as possible.
Kopal exchanged a look with the advisor beside her. They nodded to each other, then led the guards to spread out and secure all the entrances and exits of the banquet hall.
According to the plan, they needed to remain hidden here for now, waiting until the uninvolved nobles attending the banquet had left at their staggered times before openly blocking the doors.
"Do you remember our duty?"
Kopal lowered her voice.
The captain of the guards, who knew nothing of the true situation, stood ramrod straight. "Rest assured, Young Lord. We will follow the Lord's orders and will not let a single person out of here."
Kopal: "That's right. Don't let anyone out."
Behind them, the Royal Guard hid silently behind the garden shrubbery, quietly counting the time.
In the banquet hall, filled with the aroma of wine, the fragrance of food, and the scent of expensive spices, the nobles chatted and laughed as usual. Some raised their glasses in a toast, while others clapped reservedly for the dancers spinning with abandon.
Alyuin rested her heavily bandaged forearm flat on the table. Her face was slightly pale, but it was clear she was forcing herself to stay alert.
The black-haired, blue-eyed female officer held a silver fork, feeding her some of the lighter dishes.
When it was time for a collective toast, the Lord of Wash City stood up and said with an air of magnanimity, "Your Highness, I know you are not fit to drink wine at the moment, so I have specially prepared some fresh and delicious grape juice for you."
"Please, use this in place of wine and raise your glass with us in celebration. What do you say?"
Alyuin seemed to hesitate but then nodded. "That is a fine suggestion."
The transparent glass cup touched the Princess's vibrant lips. The grape juice was a deep purple, its level slowly dropping as the cup tilted. When the cup was placed back on the table, it was clear that only a little less than half the juice remained.
The Lord of Wash City used his wine cup to hide the satisfied smile on his lips.
He believed the Princess was truly seriously injured, but it was never wrong to be prepared. He hadn't added poison to the drink, as poison could be easily detected, but a sleeping draught could not.
Not just the Princess, but the Captain of the Royal Guard, the female Deputy Commander, and that blockheaded son of the Lord of Yilulaila—all their cups contained the same drug.
The Lord of Wash City glanced at each of them. Their cups were all nearly empty, with only a little residue left.
However, the Lord would never know that the liquid in the cups had been slowly evaporating right under his nose. The crystallized drug and the dregs of wine and juice had settled at the bottom of the cups, invisible unless one looked very closely.
Time passed. The wealthy merchants of lower status excused themselves first, followed by the minor nobles, and then the high-ranking nobles who owned land and numerous slaves.
Before the last elegantly dressed noble left, he exchanged a look with the Lord.
This noble was a good friend of the Lord of Wash City and the only one among the nobles present who knew what was going to happen that night.
As he left, he thought, His Majesty is very wary of the Princess. The Lord, by successfully removing this thorn from His Majesty's side, will probably receive even greater rewards in the future, won't he?
Alyuin watched him leave, her expression placid.
The Lord of Wash City sat high in the main seat, waiting for the Princess and her subordinates to lose consciousness. After waiting for a long time to no avail, he realized the empty cups he'd seen earlier were just a trick to deceive him.
This in itself wasn't a big deal; given their animosity, it wasn't strange for them to be wary of the drinks. But the Lord of Wash City's heart suddenly leaped. He felt that something beyond his control had happened.
He shook off the feeling of unease and clapped his hands.
Silent guards poured into the hall, sharp swords in hand, aimed at the five remaining outsiders in their seats.
"Your Highness, you are very cautious, but caution is useless now." The Lord of Wash City shook his head with a look of regret. "If you do not resist, I can still allow you to die with the dignity befitting a member of the royal family. What do you think?"
Alyuin looked around. There were quite a few of them.
The men the Lord of Wash City could mobilize were all his absolute confidants. Not many people could know about a crime like assassinating royalty. Otherwise, if word got out, even if Horst wanted to protect him, his reputation would be utterly ruined.
The Princess said calmly, "It seems I cannot escape my fate today. The Lord has no intention of letting me leave alive, I presume. May I ask a few questions?"
The Lord of Wash City didn't mind showing a final bit of mercy. "Ask away. A soul about to be sent off by the Yilu River has the right to depart with a clear mind."
Alyuin: "Did Horst tell you to kill me?"
The Lord of Wash City snorted. "You should call him 'His Majesty.' As for whether he did, aren't you already well aware? His Majesty's decision is, of course, correct. You are destined to die here."
Alyuin: "Were the mountain bandits outside the city your men?"
"A pity you scattered them. It will make more work for me later."
"I imagine that several years ago, you gathered the bandits outside Wash City, provided them with information, and incited them to plunder small caravans with no backing, leaving no survivors. But you didn't touch the large caravans you weren't confident you could take down, which is why they thought the area was safe. Is that right?"
Alyuin's tone was filled with undisguised disgust, as if she were facing something filthy.
The Lord of Wash City's expression turned ugly. He said nothing.
He could frankly admit his motive for assassinating the Princess, but when it came to deeds that even he himself felt were sinful—deeds involving countless merchants and innocent travelers who died by the bandits' blades, involving the blood-stained gold and silver—he could no longer maintain his smug demeanor.
"It seems I was right," the Princess said contemptuously. "You've truly opened my eyes."
The Lord of Wash City, angered by his shame, snapped, "Do it."
At his command, the guards raised their swords.
Alyuin pushed Lotus behind her and drew her longsword with a reverse grip.
She hadn't brought her bow, and this wasn't a suitable place to draw one anyway, but that didn't stop her from slashing and thrusting at her enemies' vital points. As she moved, the bandages came loose, revealing the flawless, honey-colored skin of her arm.
Facing the glint of blades, Alyuin turned her head and said gently, "Rest for a moment. This won't take long."
Lotus looked at the tips of the enemy's blades, a thoughtful expression on her face. "Mm."
This is a good opportunity to run an experiment.
Kopal stood guard outside the door, listening to the screams and muffled groans coming from within the hall. She appeared perfectly calm on the surface, but her heart was in her throat.
She had already told her advisor to leave a small door open for the Princess's Royal Guard. They should be inside by now, but she didn't know what the situation was.
Suddenly, a strange sound came from the door, as if someone was clawing at it.
Kopal held her shortsword horizontally across her chest and cautiously opened the door. She saw a somewhat familiar face, stained with blood, groaning weakly, "Help..."
She remembered that face.
The face that had once spat at her, calling her a lowly beast born of a slave.
Kopal kicked the man back inside and said to the guard captain, "I'm going in to check on the situation."
She stepped inside, closing the great doors of the banquet hall behind her.
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