Chapter 212: Two Heads

“Next…!”

At the outermost western gate of the Alcott Empire, traffic was bustling as usual.

Thousands of people from the nearby walled cities arrived early in the morning to trade, selling their goods and purchasing necessities. The flow of people was significant, impossible to overlook.

“MAKE WAY!”

Even so, they had to part to make way for the one approaching.

Marching forward toward the gates was a contingent of the Empire’s army, with a large palanquin at the front, carried by a hundred men.

Such a grand entrance was easily recognizable by the soldiers and the populace alike.

“It’s Princess Tiffany! She’s back!”

“The princess has returned! Did she succeed in her task?”

“Wait, it’s strange. I don’t see Prince Kyle’s wyvern knights, though…?”

“Huh?! Idiot! They must have returned before sunrise!”

The bystanders couldn’t help but speculate as they watched the army bypass the line and enter without even being screened. This was a familiar sight, but inside the palanquin, Tiffany let out a deep, relieved sigh.

Afterward, they stopped at the barracks, where most soldiers were left behind. Tiffany continued toward the castle at the center of the city, several kilometers away, accompanied by a select few soldiers.

“I’m getting nervous…” she whispered.

Of course, it was only natural that she felt that way.

In a few minutes, she would be kneeling before the Emperor, reporting bare-faced lies to him. She would need a heart of iron to avoid being unsettled by that thought!

However, she had already made up her mind.

As a change of pace, she opened the window. Looking out from her carriage, she noticed a few shadows moving through the alleys and among the crowd. Not randomly, but with purpose. Some familiar faces even appeared here and there.

’The first stage of the plan was already in motion,’ she thought. ’I can’t afford to mess up my part!’

Resolute in her decision, she closed the windows once more and shut her eyes, centering her thoughts.

Finally, about half an hour later, Tiffany stood before large double doors. On either side, soldiers clad in golden, full-plate armor wielded large flagged spears, their discipline remarkable as they remained perfectly still for an extended period.

When the door opened, signaling her entry, Tiffany took a deep breath.

With confidence, she strode forward, a thin smile on her lips, captivating the men within the hall. Behind her, two knights followed, carrying large packages.

Upon reaching the center of the room, she knelt and bowed her head.

“Greetings, Father,” she began. “After nearly a month of expedition, I have successfully completed my task and returned triumphantly.”

“Tiffany, huh…”

At the throne, the pig-emperor, Emperor Cyril, huffed, resting his head on his fist and appearing almost bored. “So? What of Kyle and Sophia? I don’t see them with you.”

“About that…”

Tiffany signaled the soldiers behind her, who moved quickly.

They took five steps forward and opened the bags they were carrying, placing the “package” on the ground. Gasps echoed throughout the audience room.

“SILENCE!”

The prime minister, an elderly, thin man, growled with an air of dignity and authority. However, even he couldn’t suppress a frown at the sight of the items Tiffany presented.

“I present these gifts to you, Father,” Tiffany declared, smiling.

Lying on the floor were two cubic blocks of ice.

They were small, just slightly larger than a foot on each side. However, the gasps that echoed through the room were not in response to the ice itself, but rather to what was encased within.

On the left ice block was the head of a prince with auburn hair—Kyle. To the right was a woman with a similar shade hair—Sophia. The “gifts” she offered were the severed heads of the first prince and princess!

“…Hoh?”

The emperor hummed, his eyes narrowing as he stared at the two severed heads.

Gradually, his previously grumpy expression transformed into one of delight. A cheeky grin spread across his lips, reflecting his elation.

“Good! Haha! To think you could take down even Kyle. You have truly surprised me, Tiffany!”

“I was merely fulfilling my task, Father,” Tiffany replied, feigning humility.

Her lips curled into a smile—both at the foolishness of the emperor, who accepted everything without question, and at the genuine joy of receiving praise.

Even if the person in question was someone she despised, praise is praise!

“Now, tell me,” Emperor Cyril continued. “What of the powerful artifact they were attempting to retrieve?” he inquired.

“Unfortunately, about that,” she shook her head.

“The artifact was guarded by an exceedingly powerful guardian. When Kyle sent his wyvern squad to assess the situation, it resulted in the annihilation of the entire team, wyverns and all, along with a significant portion of Sophia’s troops—instantly.”

“…”

As she recounted the events, silence fell over the room.

First of all, it was hard to believe that their strongest force, the wyvern squad, had fallen so helplessly. And second, if such a powerful guardian existed…

“It’s a significant risk to the Empire’s hegemony. We must eliminate it once and for all!” one officer exclaimed.

“Your Majesty, I second General Dylan’s words. We can’t allow the monster that killed our best men to remain alive for long!” another added.

“We need to act quickly, or the neighboring kingdoms might harbor ill intentions toward us!”

As the voices of high-ranking military officials began to create chaos…

“SILENCE!” the prime minister growled again. “The Emperor will speak! Kneel and heed his words!”

A brief pause followed, with all present staring at the corpulent Emperor.

Emperor Cyril hummed, appearing troubled.

His earlier smile had vanished, replaced by his usual frown.

“A guardian, huh…” he murmured. “At this time, nearing harvest season, it would be impossible to send another army against it.”

“He turned to Tiffany, and declared.

“First, we must scout the area and determine its weakness. Tiffany, can I entrust this task to you?”

“Yes, Father! You can count on me!”

As she anticipated, the assignment fell to her in the end.

After all, she had the “Shadows” at her disposal, who excelled at gathering information. They were Emperor Cyril’s most capable disposable “pets.” Suddenly, he glanced around, confused. His eyes narrowed upon realizing that “he” was not present.

“Tiffany…” the fat man inquired. “Where is Crow?”

“That…”

This question was also one she had expected.

Although it was too late when she discovered the truth—that Crow worked for the Emperor, not for her.

“While we were subduing Kyle and Sophia, Crow and his men… died.”

“Huh…?”

Cyril’s frown deepened, and his eyes narrowed further.

It was clear that he was suspicious of Tiffany’s answer. However, he had no proof of any wrongdoing just yet. After all, she had presented the heads of Kyle and Sophia, and it was reasonable for many soldiers to perish when facing a mobile, flying wyvern.

In the end, his suspicion remained just that: suspicion.

After a few more praises and receiving a new title and rewards, Tiffany was permitted to leave.

As she walked out of the audience hall, however…

’Perfect.’

The corners of her lips curled upward, forming a crescent-like smile.

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