Dungeon Defense (WN)

* * *

The hunt has begun smoothly.

The nobles gathered freely, sometimes cooperating, sometimes competing, and raising their game vigorously. By the time it was time for a break after lunch, dozens of servants had each returned with their prey.

“The Westfalen Change Bag goes to the noble King Johanna von Habsburg. ”

“Baron Lichthofen presents to His Royal Highness Elizabeth von Habsburg! ”

“The Rosenberg change bag is sincere to the noble Emperor Johanna von Habsburg. ”

In this hunt, the Imperial Lady spoke to two men, King Johanna and Elizabeth. The nobles each offered their prey to the lady of their choice. In front of the two charges, there were deer, boars, and gorgeous prey.

“Heh.”

“Oh.”

The two charges seemed to be interesting. The nobles and change bags belonging to the Crown Prince and, interestingly, developed a game for King Johanna. On the other hand, the nobles belonging to the royal family were true to Queen Elizabeth.

King Johanna laughed.

“What should I do, Elizabeth? I think I'm the best mademoiselle today. ”

The threat of Princess Elizabeth was already nowhere to be found. There was a playful and innocent villain there. Of course, Princess Elizabeth was a high handed. I did not lose my relaxed smile for a moment.

“Not yet. But there's still a lot of hunting to go around, sis. ”

“Hmmm. Yeah, there's still a lot left to do. But isn't it boring to wait until then? ”

“If you're bored?”

I glanced at Johanna. I understood the signal and bowed properly. With a cold smile on your mind.

It was time to present "The White Beauty" for the hunt.

Let the games begin, Emperor Rudolf. Queen Elizabeth. ’

The two of them declared war on our lord Johanna. One person directly, the other person indirectly.

Both of them were arrogant and arrogant heirs to the throne. As expected, the Emperor dared to show disrespect to King Johanna, the host appointed by the Emperor. 'We' had already predicted that they would come out of this attitude.

“Hnng, Hnng. ”

I temporarily ordered the servants under my command to bring a large box. The servants grunt and bring the crates. Kwung, the box is on the ground making a sound. I looked at the nobles who were taking a light lunch.

“Dearly beloved warriors! Thank you.”

King Johanna stood up and clapped his hands. Eyes were focused.

“But no matter how much you love me, your granddaughter, I highly doubt it. I'm not worried about the future of the Habsburg Empire. ”

“Hahaha.”

The nobles raised their horns and said, "To the Queen Dowager!” I shouted. A toast followed in an orderly fashion everywhere. Rather, the chaotic cheerleader made a strange harmony, enhancing the atmosphere of the banquet hall. Only Prince Rudolf was fat.

“Thank you, my dear warriors. I have a gift for you. ”

“Ho. What is it, Your Majesty? ”

The Westfalen Change Bag asked. He had enormous amounts of poison. I just asked a question, but everyone heard my voice.

“It's a hunt. You've caught so many predators for me.I 'm the hostess. Why should I not kill one? ”

“Hmm? You mean the Empress has hunted? ”

“Yes, it's a big game. ”

King Johanna smiled boldly.

“I'm sorry to be blunt, but I must confess I'm a step ahead of the game you gave me. ”

“Haha, that's exciting. ”

The nobles sparkle. They were already noticing that King John was not a false prophet. If he had said this, he would have expected it to be a really great hunt, or something witty.

“Lorita.”

“Yes, Your Majesty. ”

I opened the door of a big box like a castle. When the box opened and the so-called "hunting game" appeared there, the nobles had no choice but to make a puzzling face.

Because there was a ghost woman.

“Is she your prey? ”

The Westfalen Change Bag tilts its head. He was as big as a gorilla, but it was pretty awkward to show such intimidating moves. King Johanna smiled and said.

“Ah. She's a traitor. ”

“…… Yes? My apologies, Your Grace. You're hearing things wrong. ”

“She said she was a traitor. The Westfalen Change Bag.”

Traitor.

The nobles murmur. They gaze at each other or look at the woman with puzzling eyes.

I quickly examined the look on the faces of Prince Rudolf and Empress Elizabeth. The Crown Prince frowned quietly, and the Empress smiled smoothly. It made me realize that.

‘It was you, Princess Elizabeth. ’

I secretly squeezed my right hand.

* * *

Several weeks ago, Sebastian and I made plans. We expected that King Johanna would be the target of the successors since His Majesty left him in charge of the Great Pit.

The first princess, the third prince, the fourth prince, and Zagmachi were questioned. I realized that there was something conspiracy in their deaths, except for those who were foolish enough to be naive. We thought, "There will be danger of assassination for Johanna too," and "very quickly."

“Aigoo, aren't you overthinking it? ”

After hearing our thoughts, King Johanna rebelled.

“It's only been a few days. Are you sure Rudolf and Elizabeth are moving that fast? ”

“Life is swift as an arrow, but death is faster, my lord. Please consider it.”

“But how do you kill me? ”

King Johanna pouted.

“I'm in the Imperial Palace. This is the safest place in the world. There's no way for an assassin to break in. ”

“Your Majesty, there are already countless assassins in the Imperial Court. ”

“Ha? Who? ”

“Servants and servants. What guarantee do I have that they won't be fooled? ”

In saying this, King Johanna jumped in anger.

“No way, you idiots! ”

King Johanna has lived only in the Imperial Palace since childhood. Thanks to this, I was intimate with the maids and servants. In fact, everyone in the palace loved this cute second Queen Dowager. But the conspiracy starts right where the other person believes it is "unlikely”...

Sebastian and I united and barely persuaded you. The Queen Dowager shouted.

“Fine! Do whatever you want. But if it turns out there was no assassination plot, you'll both be butt-naked and slapped by me! ”

If the Queen Dowager says she's going to spank you, then she's going to spank you. We said thank you for remembering our sweat.

The plan was simple.

“If someone is after King Johanna's assassination, he will surely try to do it through his servants. The problem is that there are only two of us, one direct servant to King Johanna. ”

I told Sebastian.

“Perhaps the assassin won't want to use Sebastian. ”

“Why is that? ”

“Because Sebastian is an overly skilled palace man. His loyalty to Johanna is clear, and he's been in the palace for decades, so he can't be easily used for assassination. ”

“Hmm.”

Sebastian rubs his mustache.

“I see what you mean. I'm going to simulate an assassination through you... ”

“Exactly. Perhaps by now, King Rudolf, King Elizabeth, you'll be monitoring me with all your minions. ”

I smiled.

“As proof of that, I already have 23 maids ordering me a secret night. ”

“Haha.”

Sebastian laughs in vain.

“You've become the most popular servant in the history of the Empire. Congratulations, Lorita. I envy you.”

“This is why we don't want popular men. Well, some of them may have approached me purely for fun...... but they all refused. ”

Sebastian curls his eyebrows.

“Why? We need to lure them in. We can prepare for an assassination in advance. ”

“Didn't I tell you? Some of them may have actually tried to sleep with me once. I'm not sure I'm an assassin yet. ”

Therefore, and I proposed.

“Rumor has it that I'm responsible for all of Her Majesty's troubles. ”

“…… aren't you already doing that? ”

“Rumor is all that matters, Sebastian. ”

I looked at him seriously.

“Until now, I've had refreshments through Sebastian's connections. It's different from now on. I'm going to go back and forth to the kitchen alone and get some sweets. ”

“But... that way, you'll have to beg the kitchen servants without looking." ”

“That's the goal. ”

Sebastian was still a pretty face. I can't help it. I explained in more detail.

“I am in trouble to find a snack that will go directly into your mouth. Let's say rumors like that spread. What do the assassins think? ”

“ ……! ”

Sebastian raises his eyes as if he had realized something.

“Indeed, I would like to take advantage of your obstinate position! ”

“Yes, someone will introduce me to the sweetmeat maker or the sweetmeat shop. ”

I grinned.

“If you say you'll reconcile with the kitchen servants, you're less likely to be an assassin. However, if you introduce a craftsman or shop outside of the palace, not in the Imperial Palace's kitchen…… that's for sure. That's the assassin. ”

We laid the hook calmly.

A few days before the hunt, a servant approached me.

Ariel.

She, the daughter of a deceased palace aristocrat and concubine, was practically an outcast from the family. There can't be a better maid to use as an assassin.

It was a shock to Johanna.

Among the maids, there was one who wanted to kill herself. To the Empress who had never felt so much affection for her family, the real family was not only her servants...... Such a man betrayed her.

Moreover, the person behind the assassination was either Prince Rudolph or Princess Elizabeth III. He was my older brother and my younger sister.This is how it's supposed to be.

King Johanna sighed in a depressing way.

“Yes, I knew the court was like this. But it's sad. I didn't have a family after all.... ”

“Your Grace.”

“Lorita, tell me what to do. ”

His eyes darkened. I felt it hurt. But at the same time, there was me who thought this was necessary…….

* * *

“She already confessed to being an assassin. But loyally, he never found out who hired her. ”

King Johanna smiled and said. The nobles were reluctant to look at you.

A few days ago, I tricked her into pretending to accept her seduction. Ariel follows you joyfully. Not knowing what fate awaits her.

Severe torture followed. As a woman, there was a knife that could not stand. She barfs for just two hours. But is it some kind of magic? I couldn't say as much as who bought her.

King Johanna picks up the sword and throws it under Eriel's feet.

“Here, pick up your sword. Assassin.”

“ ……. ”

Ariel stares down at you, trembling.

It is not visible from the clothing, but her body is already a mess due to torture. The torture was inflicted in front of King Johanna himself. Ariel is clearly terrified. King Johanna smiled. It was a cruel smile.

“What's the matter? You tried to kill me. The blood of an empire. You tried to kill the second empress, me, Johanna von Habsburg. I'm trying to give you a chance. ”

“Uh, ugh…. ”

“I'm warning you, start the duel whether you pick up the sword or not. ”

Ariel raises Longsword in trembling hands. I couldn't even point the sword at the maid's widowed wrist, and the tormented body.

Seeing that, King Johanna nods. His Majesty also withdrew his sword. It was a duel.

“Ugh, ahhhh! ”

Ariel screams and rushes at you. The law was a mess, no matter who saw it. However, the nearby nobles were frightened just by the fact that the blade was approaching the princess' palace. They tried to jump in.

“Your Majesty, it's dangerous! ”

Just before that, King Johanna made his first move.

The messenger turns away, avoiding Ariel's sword. I swung my sword just like that. The blade grabs Eriel by the neck. Eriel stumbles, unable to control his own pace. This maid could not stand forever after slamming her face to the ground.

“ ……. ”

The left side is quiet. The nobles are blocked from speaking, looking at you. You're the only one standing tall. The king swooped and struck the sword. Blood splashes across the ground.

“Proud warriors of Habsburg. Great change bags, the predecessors of this hunt. You will find that our imperial court is bursting with fabulous rumors and dark news. ”

It was meant to refer to the mysteries of the princess and the princes.

“But remember, Habsburg hasn't forgotten its honor. Even if the illegal means threaten the Wasteland, even if the impure horde desecrates the imperial name, I, Johanna von Habsburg, will defend the honor of the warrior to the death. ”

“ ……. ”

“So don't you worry about the imperial court. Return to your lands. Return to your front lines. Guard the territory and defend the borders according to the mission given to you. I, Johanna von Habsburg, will faithfully serve the Imperial Court while you defend the walls of Habsburg. ”

King Johanna smiled.

“This is the game I give to you. ”

* * *

The Great Hunting Party has been defeated.

The hunt continued after lunch, but not a single nobleman was interested in hunting. They realized that the second princess, who had been hiding so far, had officially entered the succession competition. It is also duel, through a sacred way that has been passed down from ancient times.

The nobles of refined taste thought this was barbaric, but the majority of the nobles, who empathized with the romanticism of the knights, felt a deep impression of King John. Especially military change bags from the bone marrow have sent support for something by personally acquainting themselves with Johanna's charge after the hunt.

At the end of that day, the night deepened.

Johanna barely made it to the bed. I drank wine constantly. I stood by her side quietly, pouring wine into the glass whenever she wanted.

“Lorita. I never thought I'd compete with Rudolph or Elizabeth. ”

The king muttered.

Instead of talking to me, I felt like I was talking to something outside the window. I kept my mouth shut.

“I wanted to be happy if I was going to live and die happily. But even the servants who thought they were friends would simply try to assassinate me. Maybe one day I'll be assassinated without a sound.... ”

“ ……. ”

No, you have a more miserable death in store for you. But all I had to do was say it. I couldn't.

“I killed a man for the first time today. Will this ever happen again? Rudolf brother, Elizabeth...... How many times have you done this? Why...? It's worthless... ”

Your shoulders were slightly trembling.

I turned my head. The way the owner cried, it wasn't something a servant would want to see. However, even turning my head, I was able to put my hands on the little princess's shoulders.

Yes, Your Majesty. In the future, we're going to go through this a few times, dozen times, a hundred times, a thousand times. because it's not just women who are after our lives, but women who are going to be the losers on the continent.

But rest assured, I will never leave you alone. I will never support loneliness. As you have saved my life, I will save yours.

Even if I die, I will die with you. I could be just a servant... ….

The night is getting deeper. We are quietly supporting each other, not knowing how much deeper this night will get....

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =

- IF root END.

Since then, Empress Johanna von Habsburg, Princess Lorita and Sebastian will have to rely on each other to overcome adversity. How will they survive against the future king? I'd like to skip that story here.