A Barbaric Proposal Chapter 117

※The Unpardonable Deed※

[Assassin] "Dammit!"

The assassin spat a curse and spun around.

Thud, thud, thud!

He began to sprint away at an incredible speed.

[Tiwakan] "There’s an intruder!"

A loud shout echoed from behind the Assassin. Realizing his mission was on the verge of failure, he raised his bow even as he ran. It was clear that if he didn't strike now, he wouldn't get another chance. His eyes glinted in the darkness, searching for his target.

[Assassin] "They were just there... where did they go?"

The target who had been walking along the beach was nowhere to be seen. As he frantically scanned the area, a presence materialized behind him as if by magic.

[Black] "Right here."

[Assassin] "What......?"

Turning his head instinctively was his final mistake.

Crack!

The assassin collapsed, his face smashed by an elbow as hard as stone.

[Black] "Since I don't have a weapon..."

Thud!

A terrifying surge of pain then tore through the assassin's back. Someone had grabbed the very arrow he had been holding with their bare hands and plunged it deep into his flesh.

[Assassin] "Argh! Aaaaargh!"

Screams and blood erupted from his mouth simultaneously. Then, his head was pinned to the ground by a heavy boot.

[Black] "Quiet. Do not startle her."

Then, a voice followed—one that sounded as if it were forcing itself to be calm to soothe a frightened heart.

[Liene] "Lord Tiwakan! What happened? Are you hurt? Are you alright?"

Due to the low, soft cadence so different from the accents of Sharka, the assassin realized that the owner of that voice was the very target he had failed to kill today.

---

[Liene] "I cannot forgive this."

Her face was flushed deep red with rage. She spoke those words while Klima, who had lost consciousness, was being moved to a room for treatment.

Tiwakan, accustomed to blade wounds, disinfected the injury and checked for poison. Fortunately, there seemed to be none.

However, the wound was deep; they estimated it would take a significant amount of time—at least a month or two—to heal.

[Liene] "Sir Renfel was already poisoned not long ago."

This was the second time Klima had been injured while trying to protect her.

Looking at his pale face drenched in cold sweat, she felt as if she were the one in pain.

[Liene] "Did he say who sent him?"

Randall’s face was also tight with fury.

[Randall] "It was the Sharka royalty. We don't know exactly who, but they arrived in a royal carriage. They tried to hide their identity by lowering the flags and covering the ornaments with cloth, but they seem to have forgotten the decorations on the wheels. That’s how we knew."

At those words, she turned to look at Black.

[Liene] "Is it the Princess Consort?"

[Black] "Most likely."

Since there were several people involved, it might not have been Blini alone. However, she had the clearest motive.

If someone had intended to cover up the scandal, they would have targeted Kleinfelter, not tried to kill a member of the Nauk royalty.

[Liene] "I don't understand. Why me? Why not Kleinfelter, the witness?"

Randall shook his head.

[Randall] "I’m not sure about that either. But I doubt they would have dared to target my Lord. If the assassination had succeeded, it would have meant immediate war. Perhaps the culprit isn't the Princess Consort after all?"

[Black] "......"

Black’s features darkened. It wasn't because he lacked a clue, but because the intent seemed all too clear.

[Black] "If it is the Princess Consort... she might have even accounted for that."

[Randall] "Ugh, my Lord. Even if she is insane, how could she think of starting a war against the Tiwakan?"

[Black] "If her position within the royal family has become precarious, a war is a situation worth considering. It’s a common tactic in royal houses."

[Randall] "Wow, that... you’re not wrong, but still, it’s just too much......"

She stammered, finding the situation absurd.

[Randall] "That would mean she is feeling a desperate sense of crisis."

Black nodded.

[Black] "She must be."

In truth, Blini was the kind of person who would send an assassin simply because she wanted Liene dead. However, now that Queen Dileras had secured a witness, it was certain that Blini’s situation was dire.

[Liene] "Then let her feel that crisis even more. Tell them that I was the one severely injured instead of Sir Renfel. We can claim we identified the culprit through the assassin. If we lodge a formal protest with the Sharka royalty, the King won't be able to protect her forever."

Black thought for a moment before speaking.

[Black] "......That is a sound idea."

Separate from the ring, Blini had to pay the price for sending an assassin. Not once, but twice.

Black realized he had become too soft, intoxicated by his own happiness. Simply sending back the heads of the meager army Blini had sent before had not been enough. Blini wouldn't have even blinked at the deaths of forty-nine men.

A heavier, more certain price was required.

[Black] "Pick ten men. I am going to meet the King of Sharka right now. And send a message to Fermos. Use the fastest method possible."

[Randall] "Understood. What shall the message say?"

[Black] "Tell him to send everyone to the border."

[Randall] "Pardon?"

[Black] "Just in case words do not suffice."

[Randall] "I... yes, my Lord. Understood."

Liene looked startled at the mention of war.

[Liene] "You’re calling for the entire Tiwakan? That means war."

[Black] "If the King of Sharka is truly a king, there will be no war."

[Liene] "That’s true. But what if he isn't?"

[Black] "If that happens, it is no longer your burden, but mine. Do not worry. I won't show you anything unsightly."

It was quite the opposite. Since he was already inside Sharka, the battle was already half-won. While Sharka scrambled to react to the movements outside their borders, he would swiftly strike the palace and force a surrender.

Black stroked her small, worry-stained face.

[Black] "I had forgotten about that ring for too long. That ring should have been my true wedding gift. It’s late, but I will go retrieve it."

[Liene] "......If I had to choose between the water of Nauk and your life, I would choose you without hesitation. Do you understand what I mean?"

Liene spoke unexpected words.

A laugh escaped him first without knowing why, and a moment later, he realized it was because it was something Black—not Liene—would usually say.

[Black] "I’m not entirely sure. What does it mean when the Princess says such things?"

Unlike the smiling man, Liene was serious.

[Liene] "It means you must not turn me into such a terrible ruler. A situation where I have to choose between Nauk and you must never happen."

Black was a man who could make her do things she would never normally do. That was how much she worried about him. It meant he had to return safely, without a scratch.

[Black] "I promise you."

An overwhelming sense of fulfillment washed over him.

Black kissed the back of her hand in a vow, then pulled her into a sudden, firm embrace.

[Liene] "Then go. And come back safely."

She spoke as she felt his warmth seeping into her skin.

[Liene] "As quickly as possible."

[Black] "Understood."

Black galloped toward the palace of Sharka with ten Tiwakan members.

Shortly after, Klima briefly opened his eyes before falling back into a slumber.

---

Black chose the fastest way to open the castle gates. Opening them by force took time. He needed someone to open them for him.

[Black] "Tell Princess Consort Blini that the leader of the Tiwakan has arrived."

The guards, who were about to raise the drawbridge for the night, were bewildered. However, there was no evidence to suggest that those who arrived with black flags draped over their shoulders were not the Tiwakan.

Their horses exhaled clouds of white steam, having galloped so fast they looked like messengers of death riding on a mist. Just looking at them sent shivers down one's spine; they were undoubtedly the Tiwakan.

[Guard] "I... I will convey the message, so just a moment......"

The guard ran toward the Prince’s Palace. After the expected time passed, an answer arrived, and the guards obediently opened the gates.

However, the place the Tiwakan arrived at was not the Prince's Palace, but the main palace.

---

[King] "What is the meaning of this?"

The Captain of the Royal Guard could say nothing to the King’s question.

Tiwakan had forced their way inside, shoving aside the Royal Guard who blocked their path. It was something that should have been impossible, something that made no sense. And yet, it had happened.

The Captain’s ribs were broken from being struck with the blunt edge of a sword. Even breathing was a struggle, but he couldn't let himself lose consciousness.

[Captain] "Tiwakan Commander requested an audience, so I have brought him here."

He spoke as blood dripped from his torn lip. No king would fail to feel a sense of crisis in such a moment.

[King] "......Right now."

The King masked the sound of his grinding teeth with a gesture. The finger he pointed toward the door was trembling violently.

[King] "Get out. At once."

[Black] "There is no need to be on guard, Your Majesty. I didn't come here to take your head. ......Not today."

Instead of a greeting, Black tossed the sword in his hand to the Captain of the Guard. The Captain, catching the sword reflexively, stumbled back under its unexpected weight.

[Black] "Sit."

Looking at Black, who gestured toward a chair as if he were in his own home, the King spoke words that were effectively meaningless.

[King] "This is my private chamber. Who are you to speak to me like that in my own quarters? I do not meet with anyone at this hour—"

[Black] "Sit."

His voice turned a shade colder.

[Black] "Before I change my mind about only wanting to talk."

[King] "......"

It wasn't that the King of Sharka had fallen silent on purpose. It simply happened. None of the Royal Guards had come running to stop this. Something was happening outside.

[King] "W-what is......"

Thud! Clink!

Black threw a black pouch in front of the King. Judging by the heavy sound, it contained gold coins or something similar.

[Black] "It seems to be a possession of the Princess Consort."

[King] "......What?"

[Black] "That is what the man who fired an arrow at the Princess of Nauk said."

[King] "......W-what do you......"

Only then did the King realize why the man known as Tiwakan Commander had trampled over his guards to get here.

[King] "On what grounds do you say such... why would the Princess Consort do such a thing?"

The King’s hands shook as the realization hit him. He quickly lowered them to hide the trembling.

It was something he couldn't believe, nor should he believe. What Blini had done was invite Tiwakan into his own front yard. The consequences were already before his eyes.

[Black] "If you wish, I can bring the man who fired the arrow. His head is still attached. Though I cannot say the same for the rest of him."

[King] "......"

Black’s words, spoken with a slight edge of speed, pierced the King’s ears with absolute clarity. The King could tell that Tiwakan Commander was in a state of extreme fury. He was angry but restraining himself—yet it was clear he could erupt at any moment. Even though they were inside the palace of the Sharka Kingdom.

The King scanned the room with an anxious side glance toward the Captain of the Guard. He desperately hoped the Royal Guard would appear now to save him from this perilous situation, but the outside remained silent.

[King] "Why would the Princess Consort of this nation have reason to hire an assassin? She only recently lost her husband and is so consumed by grief that she—"

Once again, the King was cut off.

[Black] "Nauk has given Queen Dileras a gift: a person who can testify that the child the Princess Consort claims to carry is his. It seems the Princess Consort wanted to take action, however late."

Having said that, Black turned abruptly. He took back his sword from the Captain of the Guard, who was swaying as if he might collapse.

Thud!

The tip of the sword struck the floor. The Captain and the King watched clearly as a crack splintered across the marble.

[Black] "I intend to hold the Princess Consort accountable. Hand her over to me at my current location by tomorrow. Along with a royal vow that the Sharka royalty will not interfere in her affairs. The entire Tiwakan force, currently waiting at the border, will ensure that vow is kept."

[King] "Th-that......"

That was a declaration that Black would not hesitate to wage a war.

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