Chapter 3 – The First Survivor (1)

“Any other requirements?”

“There is not.”

Alicia did not hesitate to answer.

“Is that truly all?”

Cabelenus tapped his fingers lightly on the armrest.

Alicia’s eyes met Cabelenus’ and she carefully nodded her head up and down.

“It’s a stupid idea to pretend to be a kindhearted saintess. Or was a noble priest mistaken as the princess of Neustein? But then why did you betray your father and let him be killed by my own hands?”

“I’m not pretending to be kindhearted, I’m just being realistic.”

“Even though I’m saying you can ask for more?”

The man who was born and raised as a conqueror did not know how to say he was giving mercy.

However, there were no lies in his words.

Cabellenus knew the weight of his words and always paid the consequences for what he said.

Whatever Alicia was going to ask for, Cabelenus was going to listen to most of her wishes.

But he didn’t know if Alicia’s lips would ever open.

Eventually, Cabelenus, who couldn’t wait any longer, spoke first.

“Usually when I have mercy, they ask for more.”

“You said you were being merciful but you did not give me a definite answer for my requests. I do not want to have high expectations.”

A shallow breath came out of Alicia’s mouth, where she had a scab.

Cabelenus looked at it and unconsciously added strength to his clenched fist.

“Why did you betray your own father?”

Cabelenus loosened his fist and uncrossed his legs.

His body was leaning a little more forward than before.

“It does not end when only that man dies.”

“Have you thought of fighting to the very end?”
“I thought that if it was a war we could not win, it would be better to end it sooner and have at least one less person killed. And……”

Alicia’s eyes were distorted for some time.

“And?”

Cabelenus asked her quietly.

It was the same as back then. Her eyes were desperate but also courageous.

Cabelenus was curious.

“……I wanted to die.”

Alicia took a deep breath and answered.

“Because I do not deserve to live.”

“And why is that?”

Cabelenus urged Alicia to answer again.

But this time, there was no answer.

Silent with her head down, Alicia seemed to have no intention of saying anything anymore.

The knights who could not stand the silence anymore stepped forward.

But Cabelenus stopped his men from stepping forward. His gaze did not leave Alicia.

Alicia’s hair was messy, her grubby clothes that made her get mistook as a maid, and her hand was covered in calluses showing the hardships she had.

Cabelenus looked at the shabby woman and slowly rose his hand.

Alicia was the first survivor ever since Neustein was conquered by Cabelenus.

——-

Please remember that chapters are split in half so we are halfway through chapter 2! So the story isn’t as slow as it seems!