Overwhelming Firepower

After the play, Honor beyond one’s words was shown, and the rumors about the Thorneharts wanting to revolt had stopped.

In fact, the reputation of the Thorneharts had increased to an all-time high. In the past, no one would talk about the Shield of Norvaegard except when there was a threat to the kingdom, or they would speak in hushed tones about the Iron Duke.

Now they spoke about the Thorneharts, frequently telling each other how they have protected them for centuries.

They spoke about the Iron Duke not only as the shield that would never break, but also as an honorable person who exemplifies the qualities of a true noble.

They talked about Lucen Thornehart like he was the hero of a fairy tale. A child with aura and mana, one who had won every known battle he had been in.

One who had saved many people without asking for anything in return. Not only did he have talents in battle, but in many other things as well. From creating new weapons to creating plays that would move one’s soul.

The script of his play, Honor beyond one’s words, was currently being distrubuted the various theater groups in Norvaegard.

It has been shown several times now in the Capital. Now, not a single person in Caelhart City and the surrounding areas did not know about his new play.

There were many who had watched the play numerous times, wanting to memorize every motion, every word that was said.

***

While everyone was going crazy for Lucen’s play, Lucen himself received some news about someone spotting a dwarf in a town called Gurbundy.

It was great news that it was a town that was a part of Stellhart, which made it accessible to Lucen.

’Having a unit dedicated to intelligence gathering truly made a difference.’

As he was getting ready to go to Gurbundy with a few others, surprisingly, Cassandra Rook asked to talk to him.

The woman who had been stuck in her room for months now wanted to talk. Lucen could not help but smile.

’Heh, my luck stat must be quite high now since one good thing after another. Not only did I make those rumors stop, but Marquis Valeire had not made any more moves after that. Now I also found a dwarf, and he’s in Stellhart. Then Cassandra is finally willing to talk.’

The more he thought about it, the happier he became, but as he was walking towards Cassandra’s room, he suddenly thought about something else.

’... There’s also the chance that all this good luck will be followed by even greater bad luck... The game scenario hasn’t even started yet, but a few things were moving faster than before, and other fates had already diverted from their original trajectory...’

Lucen shook his head and shrugged his shoulders as he sighed.

’Whatever, every gamer knows once the dice have been rolled, you can only pray to the RNG gods for a good outcome.’ When Lucen thought about that, he grinned. ’This world has so many deities for many things, there might really be something akin to an RNG god.’

He could not help but chuckle at the thought. As he continued with his musings, he finally arrived at Cassandra’s room.

The last time he had been here, the other party did not say a single word and simply stared out the window.

Lucen did not want to force a conversation since he understood the other party had been through quite the ordeal, from her brainwashing to learning about all the wrongdoings she had done in the name of justice.

So he waited for the day she would want to speak to him herself, and finally that day arrived, and quicker than he anticipated. Lucen raised his hand and knocked on the door.

”... Come in...” Her voice was calmer than Lucen imagined it would be. There was no hint of weakness or of her breaking. ’Well, it’s just her voice. Let’s see if she looks distressed or not.’

Lucen opened the door, and what he saw was a neatly dressed woman with her hair cut to shoulder length. Cassandra stood near the window, her back straight, her posture rigid. Cassandra Rook looked directly at Lucen’s eyes, filled with resolve.

”I heard that you wish to speak to me now.” Lucen was the first to speak.

Cassandra nodded once. ”Yes,” she said simply. ”I do.”

She turned away from the window and gestured to the chair across the small table in the room. Lucen took a seat, and Cassandra took the seat in front of him.

”I know you’re about to embark on another quest, so I will make this quick. I plan to surrender myself to the Temple of Justice.”

Lucen wasn’t that surprised to hear what Cassandra said, since in the game, that was what she did to begin with. Seeing Lucen’s reaction, Cassandra frowned.

”Did you already guess that I would do this?”

”Well, a person like you who walks the path of Justice, in your mind, this might be the only way to redeem yourself.”

”As usual, you speak as if you know me more than I know myself...” Cassandra continued to stare at Lucen’s eyes as if wanting to read his mind.

Lucen met her gaze without flinching. ”I guess I know a thing or two about you. As you know, Marquis Valeire is hostile towards me, so you could say I have gathered information about a few of his secrets.”

”No, the way you speak makes it seem like you know more than what that b*stard knows about me... Lucen Thornehart, are you able to read minds?”

The tension rose for a second, but when Lucen heard Cassandra’s question, he almost laughed out loud, but stopped himself and answered while shaking his head.

”Unfortunately, I don’t have such an ability. It would have been easier if I could do such a thing as mind reading.”

”Then how do you know so much about me?... I don’t believe that it’s just from gathered information.”

Lucen leaned back slightly and showed a smile while he shrugged his shoulders.

”What else can I say? Some of it is information I got about you, and the others are from what I had observed from your movements and behavior. That’s about it.”

Cassandra studied Lucen for a second before sighing. ”Fine, I’ll accept that answer for now.”

”So, when are you going to leave for the Temple of Justice and Judgment? Also, which Temple will you be surrendering yourself to?”

”I plan to leave after this conversation with you. As for the Temple I’ll go to, I have decided it would be the one in the Judicar’s territory. It is the largest Temple of Justice within Norvaegard.”

When Lucen heard Cassandra’s answer, he thought that Marquis Valeire might send someone to deal with Cassandra on her way to the Temple.

Even though the Marquis had been silent after the play, that doens’t mean he would not make a move when there’s an opening to exploit.

”How about you wait for a few days here. I’ll send a letter to Evander Judicar and ask him to send people to escort you to the Temple.”

”Do you not trust me? Do you think I would not go and willingly surrender myself for judgment? That I would flee from my sins?”

Cassandra suddenly got a bit excited and raised her voice; her aura was flaring. Lucen wasn’t really bothered by this and replied.

”Calm down, will you? I did not say anything about not trusting you. I do believe that you will go willingly to the Temple for Judgement, but that’s not the problem.” Lucen said while shaking his head a little.

”Marquis Valeire might send someone to kill you while on your journey to the Temple. So with priests from the Temple of Justice escorting you, the Marquis might hesitate to attack, and even if he does, the priests from the Temple of Justice and Judgment are no pushovers.”

The furious Cassandra immediately calmed down, her aura receding. ”I guess that is true... But, what does it matter if that b*stard kills me, it is what I deserve for the sins I have committed under him.”

”Huh? You think you could atone for your sins with death? That’s just running away, isn’t it? Shouldn’t you live and suffer a bit more to redeem yourself? If you thought death would absolve your sins, shouldn’t you have ended your life already?”

Cassandra stiffened and lowered her head. ”... You’re right... I have no right to just let it end so easily... I must atone for my sins with actions, and death is but a coward’s way out... I apologize, young lord, for such a disrespectful display.”

She then lifted her head and looked at Lucen. ”I will stay here until the priests arrive to escort me to the Temple of Justice and Judgement.”

Lucen nodded once, satisfied. ”Good,” he said with a gentle smile on his face. ”Then we’re agreed.”

As he stood to leave, Cassandra also rose, placing a fist over her chest. She was doing a knight’s salute, as her father taught it to her. It had been so long since she had done so, but it felt good to do it again.

”Thank you, young lord, for listening to my thoughts and for sharing your wisdom with me. No matter what happens, I will not run... No matter the verdict.” She spoke with a steely resolve in her voice.

Lucen paused at the door. ”That’s good to hear. I hope we see each other again under better circumstances.”

”Yes, as do I.”

Hearing Cassandra’s reply, Lucen had his lips curved a little as he left the room.