Chapter 413: The Smiling Poison

Saint Matia took a light breath, realizing that her nose had stopped working before she knew it. She couldn’t even smell the damp smell of the death snow or the smell of plants. It was strange how the air passing through her nostrils had no scent.

But that was natural. There was one strong smell that brought everything else to its knees.

In other words, the smell of iron. The thick smell of iron meshed with blood were making the area lose its scent. Matia let out a rough breath as she narrowed her eyes.

Her eyes could see everything on the battlefield.

The demonic soldiers, who had been strongly holding the line until now, were beginning to collapse. One ran away, and another ran after him. Then they forgot to keep a steady pace.

It was no longer possible for them to maintain a military appearance. An army was like a single body. They could no longer function once the limbs moved apart.

The herd of demonic beasts that once boasted their majesty were now being brutally torn apart in front of the Heraldic soldiers and the Gharast soldiers. It looked quite congested.

「…We won, didn’t we? The enemy was so strong but now its retreating. 」

Philos Trait spoke with wide eyes as she lined up her feet beside Matia. Even after saying those words, she still had a look of disbelief on her face.

There was blood on her cheeks. Someone’s blood must had been splashed on her face, but she forgot to even wipe it up.

Her fingers and toes twitched as the tension eased. Philos wondered if it was really a good idea to embrace victory.

She was prepared to die for countless times. There were many times when the sharp, blade-like claws ran right in front of her eyes. There were many times her troops were on the verge of being destroyed.

That’s why Philos still couldn’t believe in victory. She felt like it was her own misunderstanding or something. Matia stared at Philos’ swinging monocle.

「Yes…we humans are victorious. The demonic beasts will no longer be able to recover. 」

Matia blinked slowly and replied in a tightened tone. She let her exhausted lips move and ordered her soldiers to pursue the enemy. Raising her spear, Matia raised her voice at the flag of the Heraldic Order.

But even in the midst of this triumph, Matia could feel the bitterness on the corner of her cheeks. She was so irritated and frustrated that she couldn’t shake those emotions off.

This was an undeniable human victory. There was no doubt about that. The demonic beasts could only turn their backs and run away.

…But it was not a victory for the Heraldic Order.

When the enemy began to crumble, the Gharast commander was the first to break through. They were now approaching the city gates with great force.

It could take some time, but there was no doubt that those city gates would eventually open its doors. Once that happened, Gharast would be able to grab all of their brilliant achievements on the battlefield.

In order for the Heraldic Order to effectively control the royal capital, they had to enter the capital before anyone else did. Otherwise, it would be meaningless.

“What should we do? What should I do?” Matia was so anxious that she didn’t even notice the loud rumbling in her throat.

The sudden collapse from the enemy side. It was clearly not a spontaneous occurrence. Something had happened. Something caused by external factors. Something that forced the demonic beasts to collapse.

Perhaps, it was due to the disappearance of the magical devilish being.

Was there anyone who could achieve such a thing? Matia could only think of one person. Her own marriage partner, and thus her own sword, Lugis.

She didn’t know how much trouble he was in. She couldn’t even imagine what the scenario was like. However, Matia knew there was no one else who could dedicate victory to her other than Lugis.

“But do I want to ruin it?” Matia naturally grabbed the ring on her finger. Although she heard the soaring voices of her soldiers, her heart was gloomy.

She had to think of something. Even if she had to face the Gharast soldiers in the end. Drops of sweat fell from Matia’s forehead when she twisted her lips.

Philos moved her cheeks as she read Matia’s expression.

「…The point is, in order to gain effective control over the capital, we should show the citizens who is in charge.」

Matia’s eyelids opened involuntarily at those words. Without waiting for a response, Philos dropped the leather armor she was wearing on the spot and sent several soldiers around her to run as messengers.

Matia looked at Philos, wondering what was going on. However, Philos seemed to be busy and even dropped the dagger hanging from her waist.

「I’ve learned a thing or two. I used to think that rightness was everything. I thought that if I strived for fairness and justice, people would follow me in the end. 」

But it was pointless, Philos opened her lips. She eased her body down from her horse and carefully removed each piece of her equipment. All she was wearing now was her light clothes.

She showed a bare figure in public. Still, without even a single hesitation, Philos took the load out of her horse and unfolded the black clothing she carried. It was her formal attire as a noble.

「Are you talking about Roseau? It was a combination of misfortunes, Philos Trait. 」

Matia slightly understood what Philos was trying to accomplish, but she said these words to calm her mind. After all, Philos’ eyes were bleeding, and her strong emotions were flowing.

No, maybe it couldn’t be helped.

No matter how hard Philos tried, the feelings of being betrayed and devastated by the citizens she once protected continued to accumulate in the depths of her heart. Those feelings would surely burst one day.

Philos’ monocle tilted as if it were swaying.

「Yes, but the truth I believed in was wrong, and it seems people didn’t like being righteous as much as I think they did. There’s no doubt about that. 」

Even though she was full of emotions, she still spoke in a very stoic way. Matia got down from her horse and helped Philos change into her new attire. However, Matia felt something disturbing pass through her chest.

It was not a very pleasant feeling. Matia began to feel something odd toward Philos. Maybe Philos was crossing a very dangerous line right now.

Whether she was aware of Matia’s feelings or not, Philos continued to speak in a stoic manner.

「And that’s when I learned. No matter how fair and honest the truth is, no matter how immaculate the truth is, sometimes we have to bow down to a single drop of ambition. Isn’t that so, Lady Saint? 」

The moment she heard those words, Matia’s doubts turned into certainty.

On this very moment, Philos Trait discarded the principles she had in her heart. From fairness to injustice, from solid righteousness to chaotic conspiracy.

There was no need to ask whose influence it was. He pulled out the dark thoughts that Philos Trait had put to sleep deep within her heart.

「…People can be villains while smiling. I have no intention of choosing any other means to prove my right. Even if everything I put in my mouth from now on is poisonous.」

The messengers sent by Philos must had been calling their allies. Matia could see that the nobles’ soldiers, who had already finished most of their war work, were heading towards them. They were to carry Philos on their shoulders to depict her as their savior. She was now meant to be the new generation of power.

But they didn’t know that. Matia now understood that even she herself had miscalculated everything. Philos Trait was not just a girl who cried out for justice and fairness.

She was a poisonous woman who would drink even poison if necessary. That was Philos Trait.

She was wearing a formal black attire to bring seriousness to her appearance. Philos spoke while spreading out the blood on her cheeks, further staining her skin.

「The King ran away, leaving his people behind, and the Princess saved them, even pouring blood on herself. She took the Gharast and Heraldic soldiers with her in order to save the people. This is not true, but they will like it that way, won’t they? 」

It was last day that Philos Trait took on this temporary name. She spoke in a dark voice that Matia had never heard before.

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