The Camellia Tattoo - Chapter 163
No, she simply couldn’t believe the situation.
“We will stay here. This is our home.”
“That’s right! We don’t want to leave. Please tell us we don’t have to.”
“We want to continue living as we always have. In times of crisis, we must maintain our composure, right?”
“If a monster that the soldiers missed approaches the castle, you will need us!”
This time, the servants stepped forward, each adding their voice.
Even though they didn’t know the first thing about fighting, their brave declarations were incredibly heartwarming.
Amber took a deep breath and calmed her racing heart.
She had never anticipated or hoped for a situation like this.
But now that it had come to this, she knew exactly what to do.
“We don’t know how long this war will last.”
“Yes.”
“Until the day that evil dragon is slain and the North is liberated, we must conserve resources and take care of one another, making supplies for the knights and soldiers.”
“Just give the order.”
With a group of people unified in purpose, this situation would be far better than if she was to struggle alone.
These were people who had chosen to stay, believing in her and committed to defending the North alongside her, so she could share her plans without hesitation.
Standing confidently in front of everyone, Amber placed her hands on her belly.
“Inside me is the heir to the North.”
“!”
“A legitimate heir to inherit this land. I ask of you. Please help me protect this child.”
Amber’s heartfelt plea struck a chord in the hearts of those listening.
Why was Madam speaking like that?
It should be obvious!
If there is an heir, it deserves to be celebrated, and protecting the heir should be a collective mission for the future of the North.
Yet, why was she making such a request?
Everyone felt joy and confusion simultaneously.
And then their questions were answered moments later.
— If you want to save the North, you must offer up your wife and child!
That voice was like thunder.
Everyone flinched, covering their ears and collapsed to the ground, while only one person stood resolutely. Amber.
She had expected this to happen.
She knew that Nidhogg could ‘speak’… so it was no surprise to her.
— Offer up the Mistress of the North and the heir to me. In return, I will grant you spring.
Ah, how could she ever forget that chilling voice?
The humanity faded from people’s hearts, leaving only a singular goal. Those who considered themselves rational armed themselves with their own logic and forced others to sacrifice.
That is the Nidhogg of the present.
In other words, it was the former Grand Duke.
The cry that echoed twice was too resonant to dismiss as a misunderstanding, leading the people to exchange glances in silence.
Raphael, standing behind her, stepped forward and reached for his sword hilt, ready to strike down anyone who might threaten Amber.
No matter what Nidhogg rambled on about, Raphael had only one command:
Protect Amber.
He didn’t want to break that order even once.
But then, a voice rang out.
“How can we trust the words of an evil dragon?!”
Surprisingly, it was Lotty who spoke up first amidst the tense atmosphere.
“It has to be a lie! Spring? If it could be given, it should have been done long ago!”
While she shouted in anger, Betty quietly approached and whispered to Amber.
“Lotty lost her father and younger sister to the monster. Her grudge against Nidhogg is deeper than anyone else’s.”
“…I see.”
Though Amber had not known this, it certainly helped in the current situation.
“Eating people, sending monsters to destroy our hometown. And now it wants our Madam? Even the precious heir? And offering spring in return? Is there a fool here who believes that?”
Lotty’s eyes glimmered with madness as she passionately spoke, gripping her chest tightly.
Some people, on the verge of wavering, steadied themselves and nodded in agreement.
The majority shared Lotty’s sentiments from the start.
“There’s no guarantee that the evil dragon’s words are true, and even if they were, it wouldn’t be for the benefit of the North. We already have the ski competition, don’t we?”
Betty calmly spoke, bringing the atmosphere under control.
“Besides, we have our own way of life, our traditions, and our history. Offering a sacrifice for spring would be an insult to the lives we’ve endured.”
Betty’s words, backed by the trust and respect she had earned within the castle, resonated with everyone.
Finishing off her points was Huvern.
“There are always traps in sweet words. Actions that betray humanity always come with a price. In my years, I’ve seen this to be true. Only when someone remains true to their humanity can they be called a person.”
With Huvern, Betty, and Lotty all standing by her side, Amber felt tears welling up as she watched those who had chosen to support her.
‘Ah… in the past….had I acted just a little differently, these were the people who would have stood by me.’
The thought pierced her heart, filling her with pain while simultaneously bringing her happiness.
