Chapter 119: Hostage Rescue

Behind the castle of Wumme.

There was a place prepared as an annex.

Its inside held the hostages Duke Kruger used against the Southern Nobles.

Marquis Traut! Let us out of here!

A man in his early thirties appealed.

This young noble is Earl Talnath.

He is the leader of the nobles who support the Empire among the Southern Nobles.

Facing such Earl Talnath is a plump man. 

It was Marquis Traut, a man who could be said to be the kindred soul of Duke Kruger.

You are still saying that huh, Earl Talnath.

Laughing at Earl Talnath, Marquis Traut slowly begins to walk over.

There are several knights by his side to guard him against the unarmed hostages including Earl Talnath so that they have no chance to rise up against him.

The Emperor already deemed the South as an enemy. Isnt it time for you to cooperate with us and counterattack?

That was because you and Duke Kruger colluded with that criminal organization! It has nothing to do with us!

Oh my. Dont you know that over a third of the Southern Nobles are involved with that organization? Arent you being too harsh on your fellow nobles?

Dont spout nonsense! Most of them were threatened to cooperate with you anyway right! Like what you did to Earl Sitterheim!

Earl Talnath lunged at Marquis Traut out of anger but the knights brandished their spears to block his way.

Earl Talnath clicked his tongue as he stepped away and continued.

Judging from your attitude, it seems that you still havent changed your mind huh?

Obviously! We will not join your Confederacy! We are nobles of the Empire!

Ha! What splendid resolve. But all the Southern Nobles including your territory have already got labeled as confederate you know?

Thats because you took us hostages!

Who would believe in your words? Just now, the Emperors envoy arrived at the castle. The Emperor panicked because of our movement and set up a negotiation. Now you are no different from us. All of the Southern Nobles are already in the same boat!

Marquis Traut pridefully told him that.

Hearing so, Earl Talnaths face distorted.

Many nobles were called here by the fake invitation from Duke Kruger and taken hostage. They were captured when the Duke invited them here to discuss the future of the South.

Everyone was surprised. They never thought that Kruger would really rebel against the Empire.

Where is the evidence that it was really a negotiation? Isnt it actually a declaration of war?

If so we will fight. We have already made contact with other countries in advance after all.

The Empire has enough power to overturn that kind of thing! If the imperial knight order joins the battle, the South will turn into scorched earth you know!?

Before that happens, a peace treaty will be concluded! One that will guarantee mine and Duke Krugers safety that is.

Saying so, Marquis shows a disgusting smile.

In the first place, Marquis Traut only sees Earl Talnath as a bargaining piece.

If it turns out to be an all-out war, he could just trade him away for his own safety. Until then, the knights who will fight against the Empire will be those that belong to the nobles that he took hostages.

His hand will be completely clean.

Clearly seen through his way of thinking, Earl Talnath expresses his disgust.

You bastard! You are still calling yourself a noble!!?

Of course, I myself am a venerable noble.

Earl Talnath lunged at Marquis Trauts proud attitude.

The knights stopped him again but this time, another male noble also attacked the knights.

With that opportunity, Earl Talnath snatched a sword from the knight.

However, at the same time, another knight was pointing his spear at a noble lady in the corner of the room.

S, such impudentdont you care what will happen to the other hostages!?

Marquis Traut raises his arm in a threatening manner.

If he swings it down, the knight will mercilessly execute the hostages.

Earl Talnath looks down with regret in his eyes.

However,

Earl Talnath. Dont worry about us.

Said a noble lady a little older than the Earl.

She looks at Earl Talnath with determined eyes. It is almost unbelievable that she was being pointed at with a spear.

Lady Simmel

I will not say that this is for the sake of the Empire..but if I only live to be a chain that shackles down my family then I would rather choose death.

Ha! A bluff huh!

Marquis Traut..someone who only cares about themselves like you will never understand. A mother who thinks about her child is stronger than you can ever imagine. If you are going to kill me then do it already!

Saying so, Lady Simmel draws closer to the knight.

Troubled, the knight looks over at Marquis Traut.

The Marquis shakes his head while making a distorted expression.

If he kills her here, Earl Talnath will surely come to attack him.

Marquis Traut decided that should be avoided at all costs and urged the knight to grab Lady Simmel with his chin.

Bring her to me!

Let me go!

How about it? Earl Talnath. Are you still going to fight?

Marquis Traut pulls out his dagger and points it at Lady Simmels neck.

Clear hesitation showed on the Earls face.

Seeing that, Lady Simmel closed her eyes and prepared herself.

Then.

Earl Talnathplease.

.I accepted your resolve.

The two made up their minds.

Seeing that, Marquis Traut took a step back.

However, the Marquis irritatedly laughs.

Ha, Haha, HaHaHa!! So you want to die that much huh!? You fool! Humans are living beings! Only fools would choose to throw their lives away! Putting your life on the line to protect something you say? Theres nothing you can protect by giving up your measly lives! The Empire will never help you!

No, His Majesty would never abandon nobles who still have their soul.

The voice echoes.

At the same time, the whole room was echoed with a mysterious sound.

Hearing that sound, everyone eyes turned heavier and some even fell down to their knees. They were attacked by sudden drowsiness. It was a magic that even the knights find hard to resist.

Ugh..what?

All the knights were incapacitated.

My apology. It is difficult to adjust.

The girl said as she entered the room while swinging her spear. 

When the girl stopped swinging her spear, the drowsiness inducing sound finally stopped.

Thank you. Lynfia-san.

No, I am simply doing my job.

While giving Finne her usual stiff reply, Lynfia separates Lady Simmel from Marquis Traut.

She then apologetically speaks to the sleepy lady.

My sincere apology for getting you caught up in its effect as well.

The spear form of Lynfias magic sword emits a sound that can lure people to sleep by swinging it in a circle but in a narrow room, its effect can not be used on a specific person.

At best, she can only swing it in front of her or aim it in a certain direction. In a situation where she has to use it in a crowded room like earlier, it will affect everyone.

However, she was able to neutralize all the knights.

Seeing the girl in front of him, Marquis Traut still couldnt grasp the situation.

Kuh.who?

Finne von Kleinert. His Majesty the Emperors envoy.

Blau Mowe? Why are you here.?

I came to rescue the hostages.

Ridiculous..gu, guards!? Get in here!

They were already put to sleep. The security was so tight so I might miss some though.

Said Sebas as he appeared at Finnes side.

Sebas has neutralized all the security in the building without any noise. As a result, Marquis Traut was completely unaware of their advance and got ambushed by Lynfia.

N, No way..D, Duke Kruger would never allow such a thing to happen!

If its Duke Kruger then Prince Leonard should be chasing him down right about now. That was our original plan after all.

W, was the envoy just a ploy to ambush us!? You damn coward!?

It was not an ambush. His Majestys order for Duke Kruger was for him to [Bend the knees]. We are punishing him because he refused to comply.  Even so, I do not deny that it was underhanded. However, if lives can be saved by doing such a thing then no matter how cowardly it is, we will do it. Even if we are cowards, you are simply vile. Plus, I dont remember denying that we are cowards either.

When Finne shut down the conversation, Lynfia struck the Marquis with her spear and put him out.

After seeing that, Finne looks at Earl Talnath.

Allow me to introduce myself again, I am His Majesty the Emperors envoy, Finne von Kleinert. We are sorry that it took us so long to come to your rescue.

H, His Majestyhe didnt forsake us.

Thank you..

The elderly nobles in the back began to cry tears of gratitude.

Finne looks at them with a soft smile on her face.

She then waits for them to settle down and start explaining the situation.

I have a request Id like to make to everyone here. There are many of your vassals in this castle. They have to fight against us because everyone was taken hostage. Please, convince them to lay down their arms.

Certainly.

Earl Talnath, correct?

Yes.

We.we have cut down one of your knights. Before he passed, he told us that you were taken hostageyou had a good vassal serving you.

Finne does not apologize.

She thought that neither Earl Talnath or the dead knight wanted her to.

Biting down his lips, the Earl quietly nods.

Then we should move right away. Lets head to a place that we can stand out and let the knights know that everyone is safe.

I dont mind butthere are still other hostages.

Other?

Only half of us were being held here. Several nobles have been taken to the castle in the past few days.

Hearing Earl Talnath, Finne looks at Lynfia anxiously.

Lynfia also has a similar look on her face.

Theres no way that it was just a simple hostage transfer.

There must be something going on.

It would be good if they are safe.

We cant confirm that right now. For the time being, we must let the knights in the castle know that the people here are safe. If the knights stop resisting our advance even a little, it would be easier for us to search for the rest of the hostage.

Lynfia sets their immediate goal and explains it to Finne.

Agreeing with her, Finne gives her a nod.

However, anxiety doesnt disappear inside her heart.

Something bad is happening.

With that feeling, Finne touches her hair ornament.

It was to gain the courage to move forward.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep