Chapter 415: Treason Always Begins with Silver

Largud Ann dropped ink onto the parchment as she moved her fingers busily in the office of the city of Philos.

It was a message meant to be sent to Saint Matia and Lugis. She tried to keep the content concise. In other words, she wrote about the outline of the Saleino’s uprising that was currently occurring, the state of governance of the city of Philos, and the messenger from Elizard.

Then, in the last phrase, she wrote the recommendations for what to do in the event of her own death and inscribed her signature. She immediately handed it over to the messenger and sent him to the front line.

Ann bent her fingers slightly and stretched them out. She then finally exhaled.

Naturally, she promptly reported on Saleino’s uprising as soon as it became known. However, Saleino wouldn’t be an average person to easily turn a blind eye. The great man Ann knew wasn’t a mild person.

It wouldn’t be strange for him to send an advance team to assassinate Ann’s messengers. She sent out a number of messengers, but given the lack of response so far, many of them might not had even reached the area close to the front line.

But Ann did what she had to do. That was enough for now.

After taking a deep breath to get ready, the door to the office opened slightly. It emitted a very soft sound.

「Please excuse me. Once again, a swarm of magical beasts is wreaking havoc around the city. Even though their attack is on a small scale, I think we need to deal with it.」

Without waiting for Ann’s response, the chief administrator of the city of Philos stepped into her office and conveyed his message. His face was a little pale and tired. It seemed like there were more gray strands in his hair.

“Again?”, Ann thought, shaking her head.

It was known from the time of Roseau’s rebellion that multiple magical beasts had spread their roots around this area, but there was no way they could deal with all of them in such a short period of time.

Ann prioritized the restoration and governance of the city of Philos, but the cost for doing so led to the spread of this menace at the worst possible time. She even had very few troops that could fight this menace.

Ann rolled her eyes, leaned her petite body against her office desk, and opened her mouth. The chief administrator waited for her words in a relaxed manner.

「It is unavoidable. I would like you to organize a unit of 100 people and respond to that threat. You have to consult with Lady Vestaline about the chain of command. But have in mind that Lady Vestaline herself has a different mission.」

When it came to military matters, Ann knew that she was completely mediocre. She had dealt with night thieves and small-scale mercenaries, but she followed the textbook methods at best. To put it simply, her command lacked the ability to respond.

She didn’t feel like she could go against her opponent’s intentions from a military point of view. How could she herself command the soldiers?

That’s why, as soon as Saleino’s rebellion became clear, Ann asked and invited the Steel Princess Vestaline from Prison Beulah.

Vestaline was the best person she could rely on military expertise. She also had a deep relationship with Saint Matia and Lugis and could be trusted to a certain extent.

For some reason, she stubbornly refused to leave Prison Beulah. Ann managed to drag Vestaline to the city of Philos on the condition that she would only stay for a while.

Well, actually, Ann pretty much knew the reason why. Ann reflexively raised her eyebrows as she placed her hands on her hips. Her eyebrows wrinkled visibly.

In any case, it must be due to the hero’s influence. Ann had seen Vestaline use his name many times in her reporting documents.

It seemed that he bound people with the chains of passion. Ann wondered what that hero thought of his existence and his words. Didn’t he realize yet how much weight he possess?

Ann didn’t care about things like that. Ann thought there was nothing more unpleasant than this. A heavy responsibility fell on her face.

Ann secretly decided in her heart that if everything went well and she got through this situation, she would let that face fade completely. When she thought about that, she felt like something had been lifted from her chest.

「…I wonder about that. The soldiers are currently busy dealing with the threat coming from Garoua Maria, how could they deal with those monsters now? I hope you change your military policy. 」

After completing various reports and consultations, the man who was the chief administrator said with a bitter expression on his face. He was probably thinking of saying it from the beginning. His tone resonated very smoothly.

Ann herself had no idea what the man was trying to say. She knew their military forces were already at a disadvantage.

On top of that, the enemy forces seemed to have high morale as they had been lifted up by Saleino’s own fighting spirit. Summing up, Ann and her soldiers were in a situation where it was better to dig their own graves.

Although some people saw Saleino’s uprising as a rebellion against Saint Matia and felt righteous indignation, the majority of the Heraldic believers remained shaken.

After all, someone who had been an ally until recently, and who had taught the same things, was suddenly attacking another ally with a spear in hand. In such a situation, the Heraldic soldiers were not as honest on engaging in combat without consent or understanding.

Many of them originally became soldiers because of their strong religious beliefs, so they would never have thought that they would turn their fangs against their compatriots.

Moreover, some of them had parents, siblings, or friends who were allied with the enemy. How could they have morale at all?

Also, even if by some chance Ann was able to somehow find enough troops and miraculously be able to fight a complete resistance in the besieged city. That tactic wouldn’t last long either.

Most of the military supplies were poured into the front line, and the first siege would only be possible with the cooperation of the citizens. If a backlash got provoked from within, the defense system would collapse in an instant.

The citizens of the city of Philos didn’t have good feelings towards the Heraldic Order…especially towards Ann. There were elements that were disliked among the people, especially towards the ruler after the occupation. In fact, there were no likeable elements.

Since there were so many negative factors, why not change the military policy against Saleino?

What the chief administrator said was probably reasonable. If they collided head-on with Saleino’s troops, their lives would be wasted.

But Ann lifted her lips and replied to his suggestion. There was no agitation or impatience in the color reflected in her eyes, just a single emotion oozing out.

「No, that’s not possible, Chief Administrator. Saleino…he is a traitor who rebelled against Saint Matia. How is there any path to reconciliation? 」

The greatest emotion in the name of faith filled Ann’s heart.

Before the woman named Largud Ann was the ruler of the city of Philos, and before she was a believer of the Heraldic Order…she was a fanatic follower of Saint Matia. The existence of the saint was everything to her.

How could she tolerate those who tried to stab her saint in the back, and those who tried to tear the Heraldic Order in two? Ann tilted her head as if to ask what this man was talking about.

In addition to that, Ann also had her own thoughts on this matter as an individual.

Saleino’s rebellion. He chose the opportunity to strike while Saint Matia and Lugis went to the front line.

So, what would happen to them if Saint Matia was the only one who went to the front line and Lugis remained in the city of Philos? Or if other key people were left in charge.

Saleino would’ve called off the uprising. The truth existed in Ann’s heart, even though she despised that truth.

She felt like she was being looked down upon. Insignificant. Saleino despised her as someone he could easily twist with his soldiers.

This ignited an indescribable anger in Ann’s heart. It was true that she had no talent for military tactics. However, she hated being looked down upon. Especially from Saleino.

「Rest assured. I have no intention of colliding with them head-on. No matter how it turns out, the damage will be kept to a minimum. 」

Even if she had to give him her head in the end. While saying that, Ann put on her cold weather gear. That was the end of the story, she thought. However, the chief administrator said as he approached Ann.

His face was still pale.

「…Lady Ann. 」

As Ann was about to speak, something silver reflected in her eyes. It looked familiar and could easily had scooped out her flesh and blood.

A silver knife was visible in front of her. Ann saw this and immediately moved her lips. Either she was able to say it or not. Even Ann herself didn’t know if she spoke aloud.

“…Ah, as expected.”

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I like Ann. Unlike the other girls, she’s more rational and sees through Lugis’ intentions. In fact, she wants to use Lugis to her advantage even though she dislikes him, which means she has a clear head instead of a blind heart.

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