Chapter 38
38
The wind blowing from the cliff was quite chilly. There was a dilapidated hut there, on the verge of collapsing, suggesting that people once lived there. Or perhaps it was a shelter for Magical Creature hunters. Inside, there was an old table and chairs, along with various household items.
"Now, some blood will circulate through your body."
Allan said kindly, untying the ropes that bound Maria. If he were a gruff ruffian, it wouldn't feel so out of place. But his refined manner made him no different from the cruel mercenaries.
"Since this is the end anyway, you should know who I am..."
Allan threw off the face covering and robe he was wearing.
'Laurent's older brother.'
Her expectations were not wrong. In an instant, fire spread through Maria's heart. Allan and those mercenaries must have slaughtered her family members indiscriminately. In the end, Henry and Laurent joined forces to depose her and destroy the Stuart family. She wanted to kill them with her own hands right away. But once again, she was helplessly captured and faced death, and her resentment was beyond words. No, she would never forget it, even in death.
"Since we're all busy people, shall we get to the point? It's not like we're close enough to ask about each other's well-being."
Maria carefully examined Allan. He wasn't very tall or large, but his face was as beautiful as a young boy's. The exterior was plausible, but his turbid eyes were full of treachery. He must have seduced many people with that innocent face, hiding his cunning and despicable intentions. Maria then keenly observed the two mercenaries on lookout.
'Their swordsmanship is said to be ghostly.'
They weren't large either. But they were said to be fast and moved nimbly in everything they did. Their swordsmanship was so outstanding that the human eye couldn't follow it, and one would only realize they were defeated after their head had fallen. Therefore, the answer was determined.
'In the end, I will die at their hands.'
"Our Empress, I heard you have hidden assets?"
When Maria didn't speak, Allan's brow furrowed. Then, realizing something belatedly, he laughed hollowly.
"Oh, my, I was told you were speechless from shock. But whether you can speak or not isn't that important."
Allan dusted off the table and brought it in front of Maria. Then he sat Maria on the wooden chair that looked like it would break at any moment. He took out paper and a pen that he had prepared in advance. It was clearly top-quality paper. The gold foil stamped on the edges made anyone feel the weight of the document.
"Write. What assets the Empress has, where they are..."
Allan paused for a moment and stared intently at Maria.
"And that you bequeath them to Allan Seradu of Landes."
'You crazy bastard.'
He was as brazen as Henry. She couldn't help but swear. But there was one thing that the world didn't know. Her parents and Nancy knew that she had hidden assets, but only she and Pope Liberio knew that there was a very important clue attached.
* * *
Gunther led the soldiers, chasing the red light. The light was like a star moving in the air. Stone said that the brightness of the Magic Stone would change depending on the change in Maria's body temperature. So, sometimes it was bright, and at its worst, it was so faint that it was almost extinguished. When that happened, Gunther's heart also shrank. Why on earth did Allan Seradu come to kill Maria? It didn't make sense at all. She had given up the Empress's seat, and the Stuart family was destroyed. Was there still a reason to kill Maria?
'What does the reason matter?'
Gunther rebuked himself for being caught up in idle thoughts. Their complicated reasons didn't matter at all. Right now, rescuing Maria from them was all that mattered.
"Great King, it's towards the cliff."
Solskjaer told him the direction of the light.
'Are they going to throw her off the cliff?'
It was the most certain method. The cliff was so deep and rugged that it was said that falling off it meant going to hell. Moreover, the bottom of the cliff was teeming with ferocious Magical Creatures, making it no different from real hell.
Gunther rode his horse faster. If Maria fell off the cliff, it would all be over. Just then, Gunther heard Stone's voice again.
'Go to the Tomnamu branch above the cliff!'
'Stone!'
Stone had never woken up during his hibernation in the past 10 years. That meant Stone recognized that Maria was in danger first.
"Let's go above the cliff!"
"I'll guide you. I know a shortcut."
Solskjaer quickly took the lead. Gunther's army thundered towards the top of the cliff. Meanwhile, Maria was writing diligently. No, she was going to fill the paper that Allan had given her completely.
'He will definitely come to save me.'
So, she had to buy time somehow. Fortunately, Allan wasn't urging her.
He was a nobleman, so he would know well. How persuasive the content had to be for a document to have legal effect. Above all, it shouldn't look like it was written under duress.
"Oh, my God. Our Empress's hidden assets are on an island in the Southern Continent?"
Allan glanced at Maria's writing and couldn't help but admire it. An island in the Southern Continent that only the imperial family of a powerful country or a wealthy merchant could own. Building villas there would generate an enormous amount of money.
The moment Allan's heart was overflowing with excitement, as if sensing his bursting joy, the hut shattered into three pieces with a thunderous explosion.
'Great King!'
Maria was delighted to see Gunther and the soldiers. But before she could rejoice, a fight broke out. Maria quickly tried to escape, but she was already caught by Allan and couldn't move an inch. Inevitably, she had to watch the battle between the two forces, whose skills were only rumored to be outstanding. The soldiers of Gunther, wielding ferocious weapons, were intimidating just to look at, but the mercenaries of Landes flew through the air and attacked them. Although the soldiers of Helland were numerically superior, they were at a disadvantage against the faster mercenaries. Just then, Maria spotted Gunther running towards her and pushed Allan away with all her might.
"Where do you think you're going!"
Of course, Allan grabbed her tightly, not wanting to let her go, and the two struggled. Meanwhile, Gunther was getting closer and closer.
* * *
Henry had a headache because of the two women. Monica and Laurent had been bothering him for days about the upcoming banquet.
"Emperor, that dress is a rare item that the artisan only makes two of. It's my birthday banquet, can't you even do that much for me?"
"Mom, 3 million Gold for one dress? That's too expensive."
"Your Majesty, then I only need to spend 1.5 million Gold."
Laurent added. The cost of the dresses that the two women presented was more than the annual rations for the Lastonia soldiers.
"The national treasury is empty. We might have to cancel the banquet."
"What? Cancel my birthday banquet? Where does such a ridiculous thing happen? Just collect more taxes."
"Mom! There's a limit to collecting taxes."
Currently, Lastonia was rumored to have a turbulent public sentiment due to the Emperor's tyranny. Moreover, imperial citizens were defecting and immigrating to other countries or even going to Helland.
While Henry was racking his brains, Nancy walked over demurely and gently took Henry's hand.
"Your Majesty, I have something to tell you separately."
"?"
"I have a way to fill the national treasury."
At her words, Henry hurriedly sent Monica and Laurent out of the office. Of course, Laurent made a fuss.
"How?"
Henry's eyes sparkled. Really, he was worried every day that a riot might break out if things continued like this.
"You can sell the Empress at a high price."
"Maria? To Gunther Paisley?"
"Of course, that person is included."
Nancy said that nobles and royals from various countries on the continent, as well as wealthy merchants, wanted Maria. Since the divorce proceedings were not yet finalized, her guardian was clearly Henry.
"Ah, I see now. Maria's assets should be received as alimony before the divorce. Since she values her family's honor more than anything, she will hand them over without hesitation if I say I will restore her family."
Or he could take out a loan from the Belluis Bank using Maria's Southern Continent island as collateral. No matter how much it was Maria's property, continental law required the guardian's permission. Henry was pleased as if he had solved a long-standing problem. When he thought about it, the 10 million Gold he owed Gunther was nothing. He could make a lot of profit with Maria alone.
* * *
The fight between Gunther and Allan was fierce. To be exact, it was a situation where Allan was unilaterally pushed back by Gunther's power. No matter how fast he was, if he was hit by Gunther's weapon, he couldn't get up easily.
"Why are you trying to kill Maria?"
Gunther shouted at Allan.
"Why else? It's all because of money."
"Money?"
"I just came in advance so that Henry wouldn't take the lead."
"You trash!"
Gunther swung his axe down, grazing Allan's ear and falling to the ground. The ground was dug up as if there was an earthquake. As Allan's ear was cut off and blood dripped, he glared at Gunther with a pale face. He then took something out of his pocket and threw it at Gunther.
"Ah... Great!"
Maria shouted at Gunther. It was surely the pouch containing the smoke he had used on her. But it was too late, and white smoke enveloped Gunther.
"Come here!"
Allan dragged the resisting Maria towards the cliff. He had to throw her off quickly and run away. Gunther would lose consciousness after inhaling the smoke.
"Ah... Aah!"
Maria struggled not to be dragged by Allan. But she was no match for the man's strength. She was finally driven to the edge of the cliff.