Chapter 79

"Wh-Why are you still alive!?"

"I came back to life."

"Wh-What nonsense! Hey! Can't you see the situation here! If you don't move, this woman will die!"

The emotional reunion was interrupted by Cole's angry shouts. Cole, trembling, was holding a knife to Opal. Claude frowned at the sight and then raised his hands.

"Taking a weak lady as a hostage is quite cowardly, isn't it?"

"Who's weak?"

Claude's words made Julian snort. Opal glared at Julian, but of course, it had no effect.

"…What are your demands?"

"To escort us to the station without harming us."

"Of course, make sure we can use the train."

While listening to Cole's hesitant demands, Claude kept his eyes fixed on Opal. Opal also looked back at him calmly.

"…Alright. I'll accept your demands."

"Huh…?"

"Are you an idiot? You're letting us go just for this one person? What will Alessandro say?"

"He'll agree."

"You're all idiots."

When Claude agreed, Cole let out a disbelieving, foolish sound. Julian, on the other hand, reacted, and Opal, angry at his words, tried to kick him from under her skirt. However, it was easily dodged. This made her even angrier, and she glared at Julian.

"Look, look, the princess is angry. Hurry up and prepare the—no, the train for us, will you?"

"…Are you okay, Opal?"

"I'm fine. I'm really angry, but once I'm free, there will be two people I want to punch."

"Like I'd let you."

Ignoring Julian's mocking tone, Claude asked Opal. Of course, she wasn't fine, but Claude seemed relieved by her anger. It meant she was still okay. Julian snorted at their exchange.

"Alright, let's go, Julian."

"…What a foolish man."

Surprisingly, when Claude waved his hand, the soldiers surrounding the inn opened the path. Cole, trembling, called out, and Julian gave Claude a mocking smile. Opal hated that smile, but Claude shrugged without any concern.

With the knife still pressed against her and bound by ropes, it was difficult for Opal to walk, but the station wasn't too far, so she managed to get there. Then they were put on the train. The train didn't depart immediately, and they had to wait for a while, during which Opal kept her eyes on Claude. When the train finally started, a loud explosion echoed from behind.

"Was it blown up?"

"Yes, I gave the order."

"Good job, Julian!"

Seeing Cole celebrate, Opal thought he was too simple. With the only railway in the Duchy of Bottselli destroyed, it would take time for both the pursuers and reinforcements to arrive. And if they had to cross the natural fortress of the mountainous region, Alessandro's army would need alternative escape routes when they attacked. Cole probably hadn't thought about it, but Connelly might have a plan. Thinking this, Opal glanced at Julian.

"Are you worried?"

"…I hope Najia is safe."

"She's probably much more at ease away from you."

Opal looked at Julian as if searching for something, then turned away, displeased. She continued to look out the window. The train was running smoothly and would likely reach the station near the manor by mid-afternoon.

"…Are the people at the manor… all under Connelly's control?"

"Servants just do as they're told. They don't have the brains to think about it."

At first, the servants were distant, but when Opal seriously took on the task of reforming the duchy, the female servants, starting with the housekeeper, began to warm up to her. She was worried about the servants she had brought from the capital, but the housekeepers would likely protect them. Duncan was gruff, but…

(I can't even imagine Duncan being on my side.)

She might be hated for turning the important land into a battlefield. However, the fact that Connelly was not just a puppet but also a supporter of the people was a reassuring factor for Opal.

"…It's as if they've already won."

"We managed to escape unscathed from such a large royal army. They have a right to be elated."

"Unscathed? After that?"

The rebels on the train were happily celebrating. However, even in the short distance to the station, there had been fights, and Opal had seen the bodies and bloodstains of rebel soldiers who had died. When Opal pointed this out, Julian only shrugged, showing no intention of reprimanding the soldiers.

"This time it worked because Claude was in command, but who knows about next time?"

"What, did you know Alessandro was a ruthless man?"

"Of course. The first acting lord here died of illness, but he was poisoned, right? The second one realized he was being poisoned and fled, reporting to the king. So, the third one was probably someone who could pretend to be controlled by Connelly."

"Then, are you okay? You weren't controlled, were you?"

"I'm here, aren't I? Either they thought I was a woman and didn't need to be controlled, or the king had already taken precautions to prevent me from being poisoned."

Undoubtedly, Alessandro's people had prevented her from being poisoned, and in doing so, had focused Connelly's attention on the stubborn Opal. How much they had influenced the duchy during this time, Opal couldn't tell.

(Now, the real challenge begins…)

Over the past four years, Alessandro had been gradually cornering the anti-royalists. How many had noticed this? Opal, and apparently Claude, had played a role in the diversion.

"We've arrived."

"I know that without you saying it."

"You're not very cute, are you?"

"Is that news to you?"

Opal, lost in thought, was brought back to reality by Julian's voice. She answered rebelliously and was tied up again.

"Come on, stand up."

When the train stopped, Opal was pulled up by the rope. She stood in front of Julian, got off the train, and got back into the carriage heading to the manor.