CH 41.4

Silviana was in prison when Bash left. She knew from Nazar’s testimony that she had been manipulated by the enemy, but she herself had asked the queen to punish her. She did not believe that a simple prison sentence would redeem her for what she had done. She thought the real way to take responsibility was to join the strike team immediately and cover her own ass. Still, she needed to be punished to set an example and to think about what she had done.

“…” In the dark, damp cell, Silviana meditated with her legs crossed. She had many regrets in her mind, but also many questions about the future. She often wondered what the enemy would do, what the seeds of the Sacred Tree were, how they would be used and, depending on how they were used, what countermeasures could be taken and, if so, what their future moves would be. Then a woman visited her.

“Silviana.”

Silviana looked up at the woman’s voice. And her eyes widened as she saw her face. Among her sisters, her face was characterized as the one with the strongest animal-like features, with the head of a dog, but the whole face radiated an atmosphere of gentleness.

“Sister!”

It was the third princess, Inuella. She was the protagonist of the wedding ceremony that had been canceled due to the recent commotion. Silviana uncrossed her legs and prostrated herself like a dog.

“I apologize for ruining the celebration with my superficial behavior.”

“Yes, I know. I’m a little disappointed.”

Silviana’s forehead broke into a cold sweat. Her sister had been looking forward to this wedding for a long time. Even if she apologized, she couldn’t expect it to be enough.

“But it’s okay. A wedding is only an external thing.”

“But…”

“It’s okay. I’m happy to be with the one I love.” Inuella laughed happily. “Rather, you seem much calmer now that I see you.”

“Yeah, I guess.”

“Yes, you seemed a little tense before, even when you were talking to us.”

Silviana touched her face. Even she didn’t know why, but she had an idea.

“I always thought that I would avenge Uncle Leto. That I would restore the trampled pride of the Beastmen, that I would make the Orcs pay…”

“You loved Uncle Leto more than anyone…”

“But after meeting and speaking with Bash, the Orc Hero, I realized I was wrong. Sir Bash did not abandon Uncle Leto by his own choice, not that he was not proud of his victory.”

“But it was the war, wasn’t it?”

“Yes. And the war is over. Sir Bash understood that better than anyone, and I, a fool, didn’t… but it’s clear to me now.”

He had taught her. Silviana felt strangely satisfied with her own words. Yes, she felt that the Orc Hero was being patient with her. Normally, when Silviana approached him, it would not have been unusual for him to apologize and leave. But he didn’t, instead he told her casually that he was proud of his fight with Leto. As if he was explaining something to a child who didn’t want to hear it. Like Leto, who once patiently taught Silviana, a child without much of a future, many things.

“I saw Sir Bash at the wedding, and he seemed to have a similar vibe to Uncle Leto.”

“Yes.”

“Hehehe, I can’t believe you nodded so clearly… I wonder if the next wedding will be a friendship wedding between the orcs and the beastmen?”

“P-Please don’t make fun of me.” She remembered Bash’s proposal. She told herself it was to admonish her, but as she remembered, it was very passionate. Without meaning to, her cheeks grew hot, “Bash, the Orc Hero, is a great man. A shallow little girl like me is not worthy to be his wife.”

“You think so?”

“Yes, I do.”

Silviana turned her head as if to say, “Is that all you have to say?” It was uncomfortable to be seen blushing, even if she was in the middle of a punishment.

“Anyway, I’m glad you’re okay. I was a little worried about you.”

“I’m sorry I caused you trouble.”

Silviana apologized, but she was thinking. She thought that if she became a little less shallow, a little more balanced, then…

Frizcop: Tomorrow, we start a new arc.