Episode 103. A Collision of Fate
Laxus walked slowly.
The attendants chasing him felt their hearts burning.
Wherever he went, Laxus would surely draw blood.
Their hearts clenched at the thought of what Laxus might do.
Besides, Kassius was said to be in the Empress's Palace, so surely...
The chamberlain tightly closed his eyes.
In such a situation, it was difficult to know whose side to take.
The attendants, who had been stamping their feet as they chased Laxus, finally stopped in their tracks at Canary's Palace.
A woman bearing the title of Empress, yet now living a more humble life than anyone else.
A woman imprisoned in a beautiful and splendid prison, her life would not be comfortable.
'At least that's fortunate,'
The chamberlain sighed.
All he could do was hope that this bloody game of wits would end quickly.
Apparently, Canary was being carried out of prison.
The maid carrying Canary on her back met Laxus.
“Your Majesty, the Emperor.”
Laxus walked slowly.
The attendants chasing him felt their hearts burning.
Wherever he went, Laxus would surely draw blood.
Their hearts clenched at the thought of what Laxus might do.
Besides, Kassius was said to be in the Empress's Palace, so surely...
The chamberlain tightly closed his eyes.
In such a situation, it was difficult to know whose side to take.
The attendants, who had been stamping their feet as they chased Laxus, finally stopped in their tracks at Canary's Palace.
A woman bearing the title of Empress, yet now living a more humble life than anyone else.
A woman imprisoned in a beautiful and splendid prison, her life would not be comfortable.
'At least that's fortunate,'
The chamberlain sighed.
All he could do was hope that this bloody game of wits would end quickly.
Apparently, Canary was being carried out of prison.
The maid carrying Canary on her back met Laxus.
“Your Majesty, the Emperor.”
“Don’t worry about me, just go in.”
The maid gestured to the sword Laxus was holding.
The bright blue blade seemed to flash toward her.
Cursing herself for messing up rock-paper-scissors and ending up in this predicament, the maid tapped her foot impatiently.
Fearing that Laxus might swing his sword at any moment, her pace quickened.
Fortunately, nothing happened until she laid Canary down on the bed.
Laxus simply sat at the table, watching her.
“Wake up.”
“Yes?”
The maid raised her head.
“I have ordered you to wake the Empress up.”
“Yes, Your Majesty!”
The maid shook Canary, shaking her.
“Wake up, wake up!”
She barely swallowed, but a plea rose to the very tip of her throat.
Canary slowly opened her eyelids.
Her vision was blurry, and she blinked several times before regaining consciousness.
The maid brushed her chest again and stepped back, fear still seeping into her throat.
The sword draped over the Emperor's hand caught her eye.
"Canary. My beautiful bird. Lift your head and look at me,"
Laxus said in a gentle voice.
Canary sat up, her body swaying in exhaustion.
Barely leaning against the wall, she stared at Laxus.
"Your Majesty..."
"So, what were you thinking about there?"
Canary bit her lip.
The dungeon was more miserable than any place she'd ever been.
Cockroaches and other things crawled on the floor, and whenever she tried to sleep, rats would gnaw at her flesh.
She couldn't eat or lie down properly.
Naturally, sunlight was absent, and the air was damp, moldy, and smelling of death.
The few days spent there had gnawed at Canary's spirit.
Everything was regret.
Canary trembled.
“I was wrong, Your Majesty. Don’t let me go. I don’t like it there. I’m so scared.”
Canary chewed her lips. She got up weakly and knelt.
Her heart pounded. Tears welled up from nowhere and kept falling.
“I was wrong. Sob sob!”
Canary burst into tears like a child.
Laxus tilted his head and stared at Canary.
He was satisfied with Canary trembling like a bird.
Canary knew how to understand fear and how to subdue it.
Unlike Renisha, who persevered to the very end.
“It’s good that you know how to bend like this.”
Laxus snickered.
It was both amusing and irritating to see her struggling to defeat Laxus.
He wondered how Renisha would react if she lost Kassius.
Renisha, who had lost so many people, yet remained unwavering.
Laxus, lost in thought for a moment, called out to Canary affectionately.
"Canary."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"I knew very well you wanted to reflect. But you made me look ridiculous in front of so many people, so you should reflect on your life."
Laxus lifted Canary's chin with the tip of his sword.
"Y-Y-Your Majesty..."
The flesh pierced by the sharp tip spurted out a handful of blood.
Laxus grinned.
“You live here as if you were dead. Holding your son in your arms.”
“Yes, yes...”
“If I tell you to die, you die, and if I tell you to live, you live. Do you understand?”
“Yes, yes!”
Laxus sighed and threw his sword to the floor.
Laxus climbed onto the bed and grabbed Canary’s tattered dress.
Laxus clicked his tongue and ordered the maid.
“Wash her and bring her to me.”
“Yes, Your Majesty!!”
The maid shouted in an agitated voice.
Canary cried incessantly as she leaned on the maid and headed to the bathroom.
Grateful to have survived.
***
Renisha laughed languidly in Kassius’s arms.
Was it really that easy?
Renisha acted so proudly when Laxus lured so many women and rolled around on the bed.
Why on earth did she do that? She felt as if her youth had been wasted.
“What are you thinking about?”
Kassius pulled the blanket over Renisha and wrapped it tightly around her.
Renisha giggled under the blanket.
“I wish I had met you sooner. Then I wouldn’t have been so bored in the palace.”
Kassius looked bewildered.
“You’re trying to make me your mistress now...”
“Can’t you?”
Thanks to Renisha’s mischievous nature, Kassius was always the one being teased.
Kassius sighed.
“When have you ever not done what you wanted? Do as you please.”
Renisha lifted her head and kissed the tip of Kassius’s chin.
Renisha snuggled into Kassius’s embrace with a relaxed expression.
The peace was over.
Renisha bared her teeth at Laxus.
Unfortunately, Laxus wasn’t stupid.
He would have quickly figured out that Renisha had orchestrated this.
‘What are you going to do next?’
Laxus was a rubbery, volatile being, so his reaction could have been unexpected.
Tomorrow, a storm will rage.
Wouldn't it be okay to let this peace be eroded for just today?
Renisha let out a sorrowful sigh.
The final act of the Three Serpent Gods Festival was about to begin.
***
Early in the morning.
The Prince's lineage had been revealed.
An official announcement had been made at the temple.
Invitations to a masquerade ball had been issued at the Lottera mansion, and everyone began a game of wits. The Duke of Lottera and Laxus had a very ambiguous relationship.
Attending Lottera's party would have put Laxus off, but not attending would have weighed heavily on Renisha.
Marquis Danvers diligently carried out his assigned duties.
He had planted a new seed in those who were gripped by prejudice.
People began to question whether the next Emperor had to be Hientri.
The seed had sprouted in the darkness.
And the first germination would occur at Lottera's party.
Ultimately, most of the nobles who supported Renisha decided to attend.
What was surprising was that Duke Cloud had shown up.
“Are you trying to get back in line, even if it’s late?”
“I don’t know. But isn’t it too late? Lottera has lost much, too. Lady Renisha will never forgive you.”
“I think so too.”
Duke Cloud, at the center of the controversy, seemed rather relaxed.
He had come to this meeting to investigate.
Laxus had demanded Kassius’s head in exchange for his forgiveness.
Knowing your enemy is key to knowing what weapon to use, isn’t it?
“It’s been a while, Duke Lottera. Is this the first time we’ve talked like this?”
Duke Cloud spoke with such naturalness.
Kassius turned his head and stared at Cloud.
He had the look of a weasel.
The curled mustache, the mean-spirited upturn in his eyes and mouth— all of these things defined Duke Cloud.
“I think this is your first time.”
Kassius tilted his head.
“Why? Are you going to kneel like a defeated dog?”
Kassius said sharply.
Everyone who harassed Renisha was Kassius’s enemy.
Among them, Duke Cloud was the most important.
"Haha, that young man is brimming with energy. With so many people around, what could I possibly do?"
Duke Cloud laughed heartily.
His tone conveyed the impression that if Cloud wished, Kassius would kneel.
Sparks flew between Cloud and Kassius.
"The Duke is brimming with spirit. What can you do to me with that body?"
Kassius glared sharply.
Red snake energy rippled through him, glaring at Cloud.
"This is the spirit of a hero. This is the power you achieved a great victory at Chorpa, isn't it? But, Duke, that's no use in the Imperial City. If you act rashly, you'll end up with your head blown off."
Duke Cloud laughed heartily, but his heart was a rumbling of anguish.
No matter how he estimated it, breaking Kassius' neck seemed impossible.
Not only did he possess the Red Serpent's energy, but Kassius himself was robust.
His overflowing youth and battle-hardened physique were threatening.
It would take more than mere means to kill Kassius.
'...We need to target them when they're isolated. One? Five? No. Not enough. We need at least fifteen to be sure.'
It was heartbreaking to deploy so many men just to take Kassius' head, but it was unavoidable.
His poor decision had cost him Laxus's trust.
"Duke. Remember what I said."
Cloud smiled sinisterly and stepped back.
Those waiting to speak to Kassius, even for a word, crowded in.
Even though it was a masquerade ball, Kassius' red hair was a testament to his presence.
Kassius swallowed an uncomfortable breath.
He almost thought it would be better to confront Cloud, who was revealing his malice.
Kassius fled, avoiding the pungent scent of perfume.
A brilliant light blazed in Kassius's eyes as he hid on the balcony.
'Renisha!'
Even from a hundred meters away, he could recognize Renisha.
Even if she was hiding her identity.
Kassius leaned against the railing, his face brightening.
Renisha raised her head, her eyes meeting Kassius.
Kassius waved. Renisha's lips curved.
The true star of this banquet had arrived.
Everyone knew who she was, but they turned their heads as if they didn't know.
In the new possibility suggested by Marquis Danvers, Renisha had become the Emperor.
A new Emperor!
Renisha's breathtaking beauty and awe overwhelmed the banquet hall.
She already seemed to be the Emperor.
The countless tragedies that had befallen Lottera seemed not to have shaken her in the slightest.
An iron-blooded Emperor, unswayed by emotion.
The strong Emperor everyone longed for was there.
Everyone stared at Renisha, transfixed.
"You're all staring at me too much. Aren't I trapped in the castle?"
Renisha continued softly.
"I'm not here. Do you understand?"
The nobles turned their heads simultaneously.
Duke Cloud's expression widened as he watched.
'... Can a mere lady do that?'
His poor decision had cost him Laxus's trust.
"Duke. Remember what I said."
Cloud smiled sinisterly and stepped back.
Those waiting to speak to Kassius, even for a word, crowded in.
Even though it was a masquerade ball, Kassius' red hair was a testament to his presence.
Kassius swallowed an uncomfortable breath.
He almost thought it would be better to confront Cloud, who was revealing his malice.
Kassius fled, avoiding the pungent scent of perfume.
A brilliant light blazed in Kassius's eyes as he hid on the balcony.
'Renisha!'
Even from a hundred meters away, he could recognize Renisha.
Even if she was hiding her identity.
Kassius leaned against the railing, his face brightening.
Renisha raised her head, her eyes meeting Kassius.
Kassius waved. Renisha's lips curved.
The true star of this banquet had arrived.
Everyone knew who she was, but they turned their heads as if they didn't know.
In the new possibility suggested by Marquis Danvers, Renisha had become the Emperor.
A new Emperor!
Renisha's breathtaking beauty and awe overwhelmed the banquet hall.
She already seemed to be the Emperor.
The countless tragedies that had befallen Lottera seemed not to have shaken her in the slightest.
An iron-blooded Emperor, unswayed by emotion.
The strong Emperor everyone longed for was there.
Everyone stared at Renisha, transfixed.
"You're all staring at me too much. Aren't I trapped in the castle?"
Renisha continued softly.
"I'm not here. Do you understand?"
The nobles turned their heads simultaneously.
Duke Cloud's expression widened as he watched.
'... Can a mere lady do that?'
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