Chapter 263: Side Story 9

The two other Ghosts who had been watching this unexpected situation understood what exactly happened a beat too late.

You!

How dare you?!

Once they grasped the situation, they quickly pulled out their swords and rushed forward.

Since he had always been looking into the air, seemingly helpless, they hadnt realized how strong the man from the Southern Continent really was. But now, they saw he wasnt an ordinary man. For him to have been able to subdue a Ghost with his bare hands meant that he was at least a part of the Master class, or someone who was approaching it.

The two of them swung their swords at Yushin without dropping their guards.

However

He looked at them indifferently, then stepped forward. Compared to how quickly his opponents ran forward, his movement was relaxed as if he was going out for a walk.

You!

Die!

They aimed sharply for Yushins neck and waist, but at that moment, Yushin moved slightly back and their attacks sliced through the air.

Immediately afterwards, there was a different attack.

Crack!

The sound was so bloody it was impossible to believe that it came from a person hitting another on the head with their fist.

Keugh

Although he was beginning to feel faint, the struck Ghost still swung his sword. Fortunately, because he continued to attack, he was able to block any further attacks towards himself. But that was it. His opponent simply stepped backwards as he looked at them in a relaxed manner.

Yushin glanced at hisfistbefore speaking to the Ghosts.

Youre impressive warriors. Normally, people would have died from this.

......

Although what he said could be considered arrogant, neither of the Ghosts responded. Until now, he had been lazing around with much resistance, so they hadnt known that their opponent was such a strong human being.

You bastard Why have you been hiding your skills until now?

Yushin grinned at the Ghosts question.

Rather than hiding no. Whats the point of even telling you?

Yushin rotated both his wrists, loosening them up, as he approached the opponents in front of him.

Wed have to fight either way. Dont you agree?

Guh

That was true. Both of the Ghosts knew that their opponent was stronger than themselves. In that case, the right decision would be to step back. But if they retreated now, they would lose Imperial Princess Elizabeth. Just as Yushin said, this was a situation in which they had to fight.

Ill kill you.

The Ghosts resolved themselves with desperation and rushed towards Yushin. Swift attacks flew through the air and Yushin avoided all of them with minimal movements. However, even as he avoided them, he still had to pay attention to Princess Elizabeth who was behind him. There was a chance that if he rushed forward and missed one of them, then the Ghosts would attack her.

That was why

Guess I should slowly stretch here.

As Yushin pushed aside the enemys attack with his bare hands, he sometimes stretched out his own hands and feet when he saw an opening.

Smack! Crack! Pow!

Each of his blows were sharp and heavy. Despite the opponents holding weapons, Yushins hands and feet all landed their blows while avoiding the Ghosts swords. Soon, the enemies gradually slowed down as they were hit.

Once he felt his enemy had weakened to some extent, Yushin struck a fatal blow. He dodged the sword flying towards his head and at the same time, he moved closer until it was like he was embracing his enemy. He made a small turn so that his back showed, then what happened was...

Bam.

Ke...ugh

Yushins elbow accurately dug into the enemys solar plexus. With the strength he pushed his elbow in, and the turning movement on top of the centrifugal force...

He had elbowed the enemys solar plexus with all his strength.

His enemy was experiencing a kind of pain that was so painful that he couldnt even let out a scream.

Without even turning back, Yushin immediately kicked his foot up.

Crack!

Yushins kick struck the head of the Ghost who had been behind him. His opponent flew backward and stopped breathing.

Now, youre the only one left.

Having said that, Yushin approached the remaining Ghost member.

The Ghost turned to look at his fallen comrade and then turned back towards Yushin.

I I surrender.

...What?

I surrender. Please let me keep my life.

Yushin was a bit surprised when the Ghost surrendered. From what he had heard from Elizabeth, Ghosts were people who fanatically believed in Siegfried and were intoxicated in his belief that their willpower was very strong. If they were to die, then they died; they would never surrender. At least, thats why Yushin thought, but the Ghost was surrendering.

Elizabeth stepped forward from the back and spoke.

You are truly going to surrender?

Of course...Your Highness. Now that all my comrades are dead, I dont want to waste the rest of my life because of republicanism. Your Highness.

As if she wanted to double check, Elizabeth spoke again.

If thats the case, can you tell me where you were planning on meeting up with the rest of your comrades?

I can, Your Highness.

Elizabeth seemed convinced.

Alright. Then we accept your surrender.

At that, Yushin approached Elizabeth and spoke to her.

Can we trust him?

Probably. I think its about a 70% probability.

If he betrays us

Thatll be a problem for them. If we get the information, and even if its false information, we wont be worse off than we are right now.

Yushin nodded his head as if he realized the same thing.

***

In conclusion...

That Ghosts betrayal was real.

Once Elizabeth and Yushin left the place they were held captive, the first place they went to was the Lester Empires government office. Once Elizabeth identified herself, she sent an urgent message to Jerome Taker.

Since she had already contacted him once she heard that the Ghosts had appeared, she was able to get a hold of him rather quickly. Jerome had received the letter halfway and quickly joined Elizabeth to set up a trap to capture the remaining Ghost survivors.

The very existence of the Ghosts was like a spectre. With their fanatical faith in Siegfried and blind faith in Republican ideology, the Ghosts denied reality and tried to bring about their ideals to life. Their very existence was harmful.

However, some of them didnt want to live like that any longer. There were some who wanted to rest now. There were some who didnt want to fight any longer. There were some who had to force themselves to continue acting like that because they were with their comrades.

The Ghost who surrendered to Elizabeth was such a person.

In Elizabeths point of view, thanks to that, she was able to obtain useful information and deal with the situation. And even though that Ghost was sent to prison, he was able to keep his life just like he had wanted.

***

Just as it seemed like everything was going smoothly...

You want me to return?

Elizabeth frowned at Jerome. Jerome seemed rather dumbfounded when he heard her response.

Are you really saying that youre going to keep running away from home even after all this?

Well, I didnt cause this incident

Things got more complicated as a result of your involvement. Im sure youre well aware of this, Your Highness?

Well, no, thats If you only look at the results, then you wont be able to think creatively. Arent you thinking too rigidly? If you look at the problem in a different way

Miss.

Jerome interrupted Elizabeth and called her by her childhood title. He gave a nice and friendly smile.

Please, just go back. His Highness the Grand Duke is about to lose all his hair from worrying.

Haa

Elizabeth let out a long sigh. Jerome was one of the few people that her sophistry - and she herself knew very well thats what she was doing - wouldnt work on.

But if I return like this, then my original goal of finding a marriage partner Ah! Thats right. Theres that method.

Elizabeth came up with a good idea.

Okay, lets go back.

Elizabeth agreed to go back with a bright smile. At that, Jeromes face suddenly hardened as he asked her.

What are you planning?

Hugh? What do you mean? Im just thinking about going home quietly and docile like you said, Uncle Jerome.[1]

Miss, youve always done something ridiculous when you had that look on your face.

Oh, really?

Things will get complicated if you plan on doing something.

Im not planning on doing anything. Im a good girl who listens to her parents very well. Ah.. is there anyone else in the world whos more filial than I am?

......

Jerome was convinced. Elizabeth was planning on doing something ridiculous.

Well, Im just glad she decided to return quietly to the Capital.

But just in case, Jerome decided he should escort her, no, he should guard her until they got to the Capital.

***

That evening.

Elizabeth met with Yushin and had a secret conversation with him.

...You want me to do something like that?

Please, I have no one else to ask except you.

Just what kind of request did she ask from him?

Yushin sighed deeply as he responded.

You have a knack for getting people in trouble.

Ive heard that a lot since I was a kid.

......

Elizabeth wasnt in the least perturbed to be told that to her face.

She asked him again.

Please, do me this favor. As long as things go as I planned, therell be no problems.

The more I think about it, the more I think there's going to be a problem

Yushin sighed deeply.

If this was him in the past, he would have refused such a ridiculous request as the one Elizabeth was asking for right now without hesitation. However, he couldnt do that when he looked at Elizabeths earnest expression or at her coquettish behavior.

It was difficult to think that she grew up as a precious and treasured gem of the Imperial Family when he saw how energetic and aggressive she could be. With Elizabeth and her vital personality next to him, Yushin was able to forget about his situation for a moment as the corners of his mouth curled up.

Perhaps that was why.

Alright, Ill work with you.

Yushin agreed to Elizabeths request in an easy-going manner.

Kya! Thank you, Yushin! I owe you a favor.[2]

Elizabeth hugged Yushin tightly as she jumped up and down in joy.

Ah ah This.. this is

Yushins face turned red at the sudden touch. How could a grown woman embrace a man first? This was unimaginable on the Southern Continent. But, even though he felt embarrassed, he didnt hate the feeling.

***

Once they arrived at the capital, the palace could be seen in the distance from the carriages window.

Mm we arrived. We finally arrived.

Elizabeth looked at the palace as if she was a warrior looking at the Imperial Palace.

You didnt run away, Your Highness. Thats praiseworthy of you.

At Jeromes words, Elizabeth puffed out her cheeks as she responded to him.

Just how do you see that youll say something like that?

Hahaha Youre right. I was rude.

......

Truthfully, if she had seen an opening, she would have run away.

However, it wouldve been impossible to run away under Jerome Takers watchful eye, so she had given up.

Please, go on in. Its always nice to see your family after being away for a long time.

Well maybe.

Come to think of it, it was her first time staying away from her family for a long time. Elizabeth entered the palace with anticipation.

1. Raw used the word which is Mister, but since theyre pretty close, I went with Uncle to denote a closer relationship

2. Raw said Ill pay you back, but since shes asking him for a favor, I felt like, I owe you one, was the better fit, contextually.