NOVEL NEXT Chapter 152.1
Chapter 152.1. Oath
This unexpected turn was a happy one.
Hermes had known about the attack on the Trakia family—in fact, he was present when it happened.
At the same time, Jurgen realized that Liliana was also under assault and sent Hermes, the only one capable of escaping via [Hraesvelgr], to her rescue.
Naturally, this severely reduced the Trakia household’s fighting strength.
With the remaining people, their chances of breaking through were fifty-fifty at best…
Yet, it seemed Katia and the others had performed beyond Hermes’ expectations.
In any case, all of the major magic users of Liliana’s faction were now gathered here.
They had even managed to land a strike on Laplace, completely reversing the situation—
—Or so it seemed, but reality wasn’t so kind.
Thud, thud, thud—footsteps approached from multiple directions.
As soon as they noticed, figures began emerging from the shadows of buildings—one, then two, then more.
The numbers steadily grew until, by the time the footsteps ceased,
hundreds of soldiers had surrounded Hermes and his allies on all sides.
Liliana murmured,
“No… there’s still so many…”
As if to deepen her despair, a different soldier, seemingly a commander, stepped forward before Laplace and said,
“Laplace-sama. The matter with the royal palace is completely finished. All other non-First Prince-affiliated noble residences have also been suppressed.—With this, the capital is entirely ours.”
“—”
Though they had anticipated it, the declaration was mercilessly harsh.
The soldier then turned their gaze toward them.
“All that remains is to capture that princess! And though the Trakia are present, with this many of us, they pose no threat! Now, let’s go!”
“—”
In response, Hermes and his group readied themselves for battle.
The surrounding soldiers simultaneously drew their weapons and prepared their magic, creating a tense, explosive atmosphere—
—until.
“—Stand down.”
A deep, but resolute voice.
Laplace’s command dissipated the tense air like a fog lifting.
The surrounding soldiers, and even Katia’s group, wore surprised expressions.
In stark contrast, Hermes maintained a calm gaze, waiting for Laplace’s next words.
“No matter how many of you come at them, it’s pointless. Now that the Trakia are assembled, any interference would just waste our forces.”
“What?”
“Besides, wasn’t that precisely why we moved our troops this way to avoid this outcome? Since the premise has collapsed, it ends here.”
“Such… defeatist thinking!”
Another soldier protested at Laplace’s words.
“Why be afraid? Even if they are bloodline mages, it’s merely five of them! And they’re burdened with a useless princess who can’t even use magic!”
“Exactly! With our combined strength, and Laplace-sama’s might, there is no way we can lose! Capturing them would be effortless!”
“We’ve followed the plan flawlessly up until now! The only misstep was the team sent to the Trakia—let us have the honor of capturing them ourselves—!”
“Oh?”
Laplace’s eyes narrowed at their fervent pleas.
“And by ‘misstep,’ you mean what, exactly?”
“Uh…”
“Was it the squad’s negligence? If so, that would make you a lot even more incompetent, as you weren’t trusted with such a crucial task. Or are you suggesting ‘something inexplicable’ happened? —That’s even more absurd.”
Silencing the soldier with a precise retort, Laplace continued.
“There’s always a reason behind failure, and no plan ever proceeds flawlessly. Anomalies can arise anywhere, at any time. In this case, it was the formidable strength of the Trakia—and, of course, that princess.”
“…”
Liliana trembled under Laplace’s piercing blue gaze.
He surveyed the soldiers again.
“‘A powerless princess,’ ‘too few to break through.’ Stop warping reality with convenient beliefs. Are you truly that foolish?”
The soldiers fell silent under his overwhelming aura.
With a sigh, Laplace shrugged.
“…Though I’m not immune to mistakes myself. —But that’s why we won’t press further. No fixation on the original plan, no more engagements with the Trakia.”
Having made his decision, he smiled thinly at them.
“—You have nothing left to accomplish in this capital, do you?”
At his words, Katia bit her lip.
…Indeed. Hermes agreed.
As he’d told Liliana before the battle, the capital was now fully under enemy control. Reclaiming it with just six people was impossible.
Even if they managed to defeat the soldiers here, and even Laplace— it would amount to little. The rest of the capital’s forces would crush them, and there was no guarantee others of Laplace’s caliber weren’t waiting.
Escape was the only option. Reclaiming ground? Not with these odds.
“You understand, don’t you? You are strong, but mere strength won’t suffice.”
Laplace echoed words he’d once spoken to Hermes at the academy.
“What’s the point of superior individual power? There’s only so much it can accomplish. Princess, reflect on that and flee as long as you like. —When the time comes, we will hunt you down and capture you.”
Liliana shuddered under his unfathomable gaze. Hermes reached out to steady her—
But she raised her head and stepped forward.
“…You’re right. I understand now. —But.”
She glared defiantly, green eyes blazing despite her youth.
“There will be no need for pursuit. Because I—I will return.”
“—”
“I will reclaim the capital and this country from you. Prepare yourselves—and tell Helk, my brother, this.”
With her delicate features set in determination, she pointed at Laplace and declared.
“I will deliver a slap across the face right before the throne. Be ready!”
Laplace blinked, then smirked with a blend of amusement and gravity.
“Understood. I’ll pass on the message—with a slight modification: ‘Don’t get your hopes up.’”
From afar, more footsteps echoed—their reinforcements arriving.
Laplace grinned, taking it in stride.
“Now then, run away—or stay, if you prefer. We can turn your words into the highlight of a grand farce.”
“…”
Unwilling to linger, Liliana led Hermes and their allies.
Together, they escaped the burning, chaotic capital.
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