Chapter 33: Yet Again, Dead King.
(Selenia’s POV)
The people of Champetri rejoiced in the streets. I seem to be pretty good at keeping track of numbers, and I have killed 4586 knights in total so far. The rest were huddled up in the castle.
Even with their liege still living, the people were happy that they had the place to themselves. The problem I have currently is that I needed to find a way to get into the castle. The gate was closed, and I kinda doubt that I could get it open easily like before.
I quickly found a solution. There was a hidden entrance to the castle. It was an entrance that the staff used to get food and other supplies into it. Of course, with them all being on my side, they showed me to it. Like they forgot about such an entrance, it was just blatantly open, with absolutely no one guarding it.
Waving the people who guided me here a goodbye, I entered the castle. It wasn’t any special, as this kingdom wasn’t on the same level as Tarina. The main reason why everyone wants to take over the Alwessal Empire is very simple.
They have control of all of the kingdoms that have access to the sea. Most kingdoms are landlocked and barely have lakes or rivers to use. And the other side isn’t any option, as according to what Saya told me when I asked her, the other side of the continent is controlled by Demons.
No one has ever made it back alive from that side, so information about it is kinda sparse. Frankly, they don’t even know if it IS controlled by Demons or not. If even the guild lacks the information, then no one knows at all for sure.
The walls of the castle were basic bricks, with spaced out torches on metal holders lining the walls. The entrance was somewhat secret, being hidden in a specific building, but it was far too easy to find. Saya informed me about such an entrance, but she didn’t know where it was.
I found that odd considering how easy it was to find, but I figured out why quickly. I ran into a room with tons of paths to take. Following one of them, I found that it was sealed off. On the left side of the wall was a switch. Pulling it opened the wall, revealing yet another empty building.
Ah, so the entrance is random, probably with a set order? Interesting… Come to think of it, one of the people that led me here was a maid. This is why you don’t rule with fear. Practically the entire populace of this kingdom folded and helped me out.
If even the maids of your castle are out to get you, then the fact that you haven’t been offed yet is just pure luck. Well, at least it is safe to assume that the ruler of this kingdom is also a piece of shit. I won’t have to feel bad about offing him!
Stupidly, it seems that the remaining knights all decided, or were ordered to guard the gate. The rest of the castle was just completely clear of any resistance. Of course, there were a few maids and butlers, but they just let me go without a fuss.
It got kinda boring, as everyone was just chill, and were more than just happy about my clear goal to kill their ruler. I feel somewhat bad, as I got blood all over the place. As I passed another group of maids, one stayed behind silently. She thought that she was sneaky, but I managed to dodge the knife that she threw.
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Selenia: “Can I help you?” I ask with a raised eyebrow.
Maid: “Depends… On whose orders are you here?” She asked after taking out another knife from her thigh.
Selenia: “The kingdom of Sooven.” I honestly reply.
Maid: “…Alright. I’ll go delay whatever remaining knights are left. If you keep going this path, take two rights and you will be at the throne room.” She advised before walking away.
Was that one of the guilds people? Who knows… Following her directions, I did indeed end up at the throne room. Once again, giant ass door for no reason… Do all castles come with these useless features? With an annoyed sigh, I opened up the normal sized door and entered the throne room.
King August: “You… You’re the one terrorizing my kingdom!” He exclaimed with an angry tone after slamming his fist on his throne.
Selenia: “I mean, I won’t argue with that. But your knights did try to burn down your kingdom, to no avail.” I reply with a shrug.
King August: “Who sent you!?” He asked.
Selenia: “The kingdom of Sooven.” I reply.
King August: “Haha! They sent a little girl to win their fights? How comical! I don’t know what tricks you used to kill my men, but just know that it won’t work on me.” He said with a laugh.
King August was a decently interesting man. At least, just going by what the maids told me on the way here. A very skilled swordsman, he claimed this land for himself. But August is a very greedy man, and he was terrible at running a kingdom. The dude didn’t even bother to have an heir at all…
August got up from his throne and drew his sword. Unlike like… I forgot his name, but that last king, August looked to know how to actually use a damn sword. I don’t like him, but I have to respect him as a warrior. I drew my sword, and then we both walked around in a circle, not knowing who would strike first.
August was only in his forties, so his skill is somewhat worrisome. He quickly closed the gap and swung his sword upwards toward me. I parried the strike, and even slashed back at him. He dodged it, mostly. I did cut a decent gash on his face.
August: “…You aren’t smoke and mirrors, it seems. Fine then, let us have a real duel!” He exclaimed before charging once more.
Huh… I feel a weird grin sneaking up on my face… This might actually be fun!
An Hour Later.
August was missing an arm, and I destroyed one of his eyes. The man was on his deathbed, but was smiling. Clearly, we’re both having fun in this fight. Despite his skill, he hadn’t landed a single strike upon me at all.
As I was about to do a killing blow, knights swarmed into the throne room. Shit! I should have killed him sooner…
King August: “All of you stand down!” He roared.
Knights: “…”
King August: “This child has more than just won my respect. Give this king a final request, let me battle her to the death! Once I die, you’re all to surrender!” He ordered.
Selenia: “And will they listen to such an order? Ah, don’t get me wrong, I have a lot of respect for you at the moment. Not as a ruler, but as a warrior.” I say with a giggle.
King August: “Girl, might I hear your name?” He asked with a pleading tone.
Selenia: “My name is Selenia. I am not a noble, so I just have the one name.” I answer.
King August: “I see… Thank you. As for my men, well, if they don’t surrender, then you will just easily kill them, won’t you?” He replied.
Selenia: “It shouldn’t be a challenge, not in the least.” I reply.
King August: “Forgive me, Lady Selenia. It seems that in my old age, I have become daft. You’ve killed so many of my men, but I belittled you, saying that it was just tricks.” He said with a bow.
Selenia: “It’s fine. Now, shall we end this fight?” I suggest.
King August: “Of course!” He said with a haughty and happy laugh.
Stealing a move from myself, as August charged at me, I dodged to the side and cut off both of his arms. As he kneeled onto the ground, his last words before I cut off his head were, “What a fine move.” and then his head was cut. There was a smile on the man’s face, I couldn’t help be feel happy about killing him.
It seemed as if he didn’t want to be a king. Frankly, I’d say that he was hoping that one of his people, or someone else, would come to challenge him to the death. That ended up being me. The knights all surrendered, and I gave them the order to tell my men to come to the castle.
A maid showed up, the one that tried to throw a knife at me. She told me that she would guide me to a bath. Looking at myself, I was covered in more blood than last time, so I agreed with her suggestion. Ah, finally, a bath!!!