TGS - Chapter 178
Chapter 178: The Defector?
Although Suojia had made it clear that there was no reincarnation back then, and that "Alyuin" could not have been reborn to become the Alyuin of today, Lotus still had a strange sense of recognition—that they were the same person.
It was a conviction that came from the bottom of her heart. The connection she felt with the little princess upon awakening in the temple and Perseus's malice toward the princess could both serve as supporting evidence, but neither could act as the most compelling proof.
So, should she tell Alyuin about this?
Lotus had no reason to hide it, but there was no real need to bring it up either.
It was a period of lost memories, one that Lotus knew very little about, able to piece together only a rough outline of the past from the words of others.
The same was true for Alyuin. Regardless of whether the commander who died at the founding of Solancia was her, it was a forgotten and far-too-distant past. As for their relationship, whether they were friends as Suojia believed or something deeper… it no longer mattered.
Since neither of them remembered, why bring it up at a time like this?
Besides, if she were to say something, how to even begin was a problem.
—"Alyuin, I have something to tell you. I knew you back when I was human, and you were your own founding ancestor. After you died on the battlefield, I avenged you, and then I died too. It's okay if you don't remember, because I don't either. The Goddess of the Earth told me everything!"
Imagining such a scene, Lotus thought, "..."
The river goddess silently pressed the corner of her eye, pushing the thought away along with the gesture.
It was better not to say anything.
Perhaps one day it would come up naturally in conversation.
A few days later, the army led by Alyuin arrived at the City of the Sun God.
Ordinarily, with the regent arriving in person, the God-Concubine Naimaer should have come out to greet her.
But it was a bright, sunny day. Surinia, perennially bathed in abundant light, shone like a city of gold. Alyuin knew of her aunt's aversion to sunlight and had no intention of making things difficult for her, so she went on her own to the lowest level of the Tower of Ascension, where the God-Concubine resided.
After so many years, the style of Naimaer's residence had not changed in the slightest. It was still illuminated by luminous pearls and glowing insects, with no open flames, creating a quiet and eerie atmosphere.
The God-Concubine who lived here was like a gorgeous but ghostly specter, possessing the air of a female ghost from a castle in the literary works of later generations.
Lotus accompanied the Princess in the guise of a lady-in-waiting.
Walking down the corridor to the reception hall, one had the distinct illusion of passing through a dark tunnel.
At the front of the main hall was the God-Concubine's usual seat. She liked to recline on a soft rattan chaise lounge, partially obscured by the hazy shadows of gauze curtains.
However, facing the current ruler, Naimaer clearly had no intention of maintaining such a posture.
The God-Concubine stepped down from the dais and, along with the lantern-bearing maidservant behind her, bowed to the Princess.
She straightened up, her hoarse voice, which had not improved over the years, offering a greeting. "Welcome, Alyuin. I suppose I should call you Your Majesty now."
Alyuin gave a slight nod.
She had received reports from Surinia during her journey and could be said to have a firm grasp of the situation there—things like troop strength, the city's defenses, and the fact that Taz and Romuer had retreated here with the army from Bananna.
Facing her only close blood relative, Alyuin showed no extra reverence or intimacy. After all, they had only met a few times.
Thus, Alyuin got straight to the point. "Bring Taz and Romuer here."
The God-Concubine tilted her head and chuckled softly. "Don't you want to catch up with your aunt first?" Her deep amber eyes shifted to Lotus. "It's still you, I see. Ah, you don't seem to have changed at all."
Lotus offered a polite smile but remained silent.
Alyuin had not forgotten her aunt's reputation for keeping beautiful dancers and ladies. At her words, the princess's eyes narrowed slightly. "Business is more important."
The God-Concubine shrugged. "Those two are on the third level."
Taz and Romuer also lived in the Tower of Ascension. They were allowed to go out, but they were always watched. As Horst's own brother and only son, their position in the princess's territory was very awkward.
They had long known that a reckoning for the past was coming. When the princess's personal guard arrived at their door to "invite" Taz and his nephew to see the princess, Taz thought to himself that the moment had finally arrived.
Alyuin looked down at the two of them, her expression unreadable.
Taz bowed, his voice calm. "Princess."
Romuer, on the other hand, had a complicated expression. "A—Your Majesty."
Alyuin studied the two men before her for a moment before speaking coolly. "I've discovered some things. You were also involved in Horst's plot back then, weren't you, former Lord of Bananna."
Romuer looked at his uncle in shock, but Taz was quite calm. He shrugged. "That's right. I supported Horst's plan. As it turns out, that choice wasn't so correct after all."
"But Romuer didn't know. Horst wanted to raise a perfect, upright son, so he never showed that side of himself in front of him."
"I know that," Alyuin said coldly.
The two men before her—one was an accomplice and blood relative of the usurper, the other was the usurper's only son. Anyone present would think it impossible for the princess to let them go.
The grudge of kinslaying and usurpation, the hatred of being exiled.
Either crime was enough to implicate the entire family. No matter how bloody or cruel the punishment, no one would think it excessive.
Although Taz commanded the army from Bananna, even if these two were executed on the spot, the Bananna garrison was unlikely to fall into chaos or be incited to follow the path of rebellion. Everyone knew the princess had ample reason—for revenge, by law, to prevent future trouble. Which of these wasn't reasonable?
At most, they would just become a little harder to control.
After all, Taz held high prestige in Bananna, and his soldiers trusted him.
If Taz were to be executed, even if the soldiers didn't show it, they would privately exchange uneasy whispers and harbor resentment.
After all, when Bananna had declared its independence, these soldiers were also rebels in the eyes of others.
After a moment, the princess finally spoke.
"Solancia needs capable generals," she said in a flat tone.
This meant she did not intend to settle the score for now.
Even Taz, who had been prepared for a death sentence, subconsciously breathed a sigh of relief.
"However—"
"You will not be forgiven."
Alyuin looked down from on high at the two kneeling men, her tone level, but her gaze sharp. "There will be no atonement through merit, nor will your deeds offset your crimes. When the war is over, we will settle this properly."
Taz was stunned. While he was still processing this, Romuer had already responded, "Alright."
Taz turned his head, frowning. "We can't atone for our crimes with merit..."
Romuer lowered his head. "Isn't that as it should be, Uncle?"
Taz was silent for nearly half a minute, his internal struggle evident. Unlike Romuer, who had been raised to be kind and forgiving, he did not possess a strong sense of universal morality; he only cared for his friends and family. Otherwise, he would not have supported Horst in murdering the former king all those years ago.
But in the end, Taz seemed to have figured something out. He let out a breath and said, "As you command."
A faint smile touched Alyuin's lips. "Then let's talk about Horst," she said casually.
After their discussion, Taz and Romuer left the main hall.
Their freedom of movement was expanded, and they could return to the army, but they would still be watched.
Alyuin withdrew her gaze.
In truth, she desperately wanted to act now, to personally execute Horst's accomplice, regardless of whether he was a useful general to whom the Bananna garrison was loyal.
However, not yet.
Alyuin took a slow, deep breath, secretly touching Lotus's downturned palm to calm her killing intent. The wide sleeves concealed the contact, making it seem as if nothing was amiss.
With their business concluded, Alyuin prepared to leave the Tower of Ascension.
As she was leaving, the God-Concubine said faintly, "I don't understand much about war, but... I hear the situation is very difficult this time."
Alyuin replied, "Perhaps. But it's not as if there haven't been more difficult times before."
And now, those problems were long gone.
"That's true." The God-Concubine looked around the hall, at the glowing pearls and jars of fireflies—the place that had imprisoned her for decades. Naimaer's pale face held a trace of a daze. "Do you still remember the terms of our alliance?"
To abolish the God-Concubine system and let Naimaer leave the City of the Sun God.
In fact, even if Naimaer hadn't brought it up, Alyuin would have included the abolition of the God-Concubine system in her reforms—the current Surinia had no need for a God-Concubine.
Alyuin nodded. "It will have to wait until after the war, but it won't be long. If you can't wait, you can leave now."
The God-Concubine waved her hand. "Forget it, I'm not that inconsiderate of the bigger picture. I'll be counting on you then, Your Majesty."
Her gaze shifted toward Lotus, then back to Alyuin. Her eyes narrowed with a dawning realization. "You two..."
Lotus looked away.
She knew it.
Regardless of whether they were intimate in front of others, there would always be some experienced person who could see right through them: Are you two together?
Don't ask how they found out. The answer was always: I can tell from your eyes.
Alyuin raised an eyebrow but didn't respond. "I'll be going."
With that, the group turned and left the reception hall.
One could only imagine what would follow: another period of being rushed off their feet.
The Kasnie fleet sailed majestically up the Yilu River. Before long, the armada would arrive before the city of Surinia.
That day drew ever closer.
On the command ship, the Kasnie prince, Kaimon, took a folded secret letter from a subordinate. As he read it, his brow gradually relaxed.
After finishing, he laughed out loud without any restraint.
Kaimon held the paper and waved it casually in front of a badly wounded man.
"It seems you're of some use after all." Kaimon's eyes were contemptuous, but his expression held a hint of barely concealed self-satisfaction. "You should really thank your good son. For your sake, he's willing to defect to our side."
Horst struggled to speak. "Romuer—?"
Kaimon said, "Yes, your son's name."
Horst had not had an easy time since his capture by the Kasnie.
Because he was still useful, these foreigners wouldn't kill him, but they inevitably resorted to methods like torture for information.
Unfortunately, most of the information the former king knew consisted of secrets and leverage on noble families from years ago, which were useless unless they reached Akhet. Of course, even if they did, it might not be useful.
Despite this, Horst was still clear-headed.
He knew Romuer. His son was soft-hearted and upright. He would never willingly defect just because his father was captured. Romuer would rather risk a solo rescue mission than betray Solancia.
—That was how Horst had raised him.
At that moment, Kaimon was looking at the secret letter, seemingly contemplating how to best use this defector, completely unaware of his prisoner's thoughts.
And Horst slowly closed his mouth, saying nothing.
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