Silence
In response to Rezaimiliana’s cold and endlessly heavy presence, the swordsmen held their swords at the ready so they could draw at any moment.
And the Lage standing before her vacant eyes seemed as though he was about to be overwhelmed by her pressure, but he spoke as if to hide it.
“Y-you want me to lose my life? You intend to take my life?”
“You attacked a noble of the same country, and on top of that, you pointed your sword at me, the First Princess of this nation. It’s only natural.”
“D-don’t be ridiculous! Do you have any idea how much I’ve contributed to this country until now? Financial support, of course, and the education of the nobles…”
“The education you speak of is a biased education steeped in rank consciousness. If that kind of thinking has brought about a situation like this one, then you’re nothing but a harmful existence.”
“H-harmful, you say?”
Lage, who had always acted arrogantly toward anyone who wasn’t a duke, seemed unaccustomed to being spoken to that way and looked shocked.
But Rezaimiliana had no reason whatsoever to consider such things, so she continued speaking.
“This country no longer needs nobles like you… Soon he’ll reign over this nation.”
“H-he…?”
Lage had no idea whom she meant, but Rezaimiliana imagined Lux in her mind.
And she murmured with a small smile.
“Fufu, that’s right… Once he and I are joined soon, he’ll reign over this country as its king. When that happens, this nation will be bathed in a light more dazzling than any light in this world.”
“Wh-what are you talking about!”
“There’s no way someone like you could ever understand him… he’s gentle, bright, and capable of working hard for others. His sword and his character are still immature because of his kindness and lack of experience, but even that immaturity is lovable and precious in him. And if he’s immature now, then I can raise him into maturity myself.”
“H-have you gone mad?”
As she looked at Lage shouting loudly while breaking into a frantic sweat, she murmured.
“…Before he reigns as the king of this country, I must eliminate harmful existences like you.”
“Y-you think you can say whatever you please as long as I keep quiet?”
“If you can’t even understand the meaning of the word ‘be silent,’ then I’ll teach you what it truly means to fall silent.”
As Rezaimiliana’s heavy words unleashed a tremendous force of spirit, the swordsmen showed a moment of hesitation in their movements.
And Lage, who was even more shaken, shouted loudly.
“E-enough! All of you! Cut down Rezaimiliana now!”
With that order given, the swordsmen charged at Rezaimiliana all at once.
Eight men surrounded her, and all eight swung their blades simultaneously.
Normally, it would’ve been a hopeless situation…
But Rezaimiliana didn’t show the slightest hint of disturbance. She calmly lowered her stance… and before the swordsmen’s blades could descend on her, she cut down all eight in a circular motion, turning to the right.
“W-what…?”
Lage was stunned by the eight swordsmen collapsing at once, but Rezaimiliana wasn’t surprised.
She had merely performed movements she practiced every day in a different location.
“R-ridiculous! Eight swordsmen known as some of the best in this area, defeated in an instant?”
“No matter how many of these men gather, they could never defeat me… and I’ll add that I sensed their presence in this room from the beginning.”
“What…?”
“Most likely, when they heard I was coming, they guessed it was about the attack incident and hid them here… that’s why your attempts to talk your way out were so laughable.”
“Guh…!”
Deciding there was no longer any need to speak with Lage, Rezaimiliana began walking toward him as he sat on the sofa.
Seeing that, Lage’s face turned pale with fear. He stood from the sofa and backed away while facing her.
“W-wait! S-spare my life! I’ll pay as much money as you want!”
“…”
“A-and also, right! I’ll give you an estate, or accessories, or anything you like!”
Lage continued begging for his life, but Rezaimiliana wasn’t swayed in the slightest… and eventually.
“Ugh!!!”
Lage’s back hit the wall of the room, and he could retreat no farther.
Then Lage shouted loudly.
“It was my fault! If necessary, I’ll even apologize to the young boy of the count’s family I attacked this time! So please, at least my life…”
Before he could finish his endless begging, Rezaimiliana mercilessly cut him down.
As his body fell and lay silent on the floor, she gave him only a brief glance. Deciding that even thinking about Lage any further was a waste, Rezaimiliana left the duke’s mansion.
And when she boarded the white carriage reserved for royalty, the carriage began heading toward the royal castle.