The Camellia Tattoo - Chapter 43
‧₊˚ ☁️⋅♡𓂃 ࣪ ִֶָ☾.
this book is completely translated on luna kofi (advanced chapters for the website will follow)
“The Trial of Fire is a deception. The Emperor must not know that the North produces many weapons. The spies the Emperor planted here are quite numerous… and the people in this castle plan to remove them this afternoon. They’ll disguise it as an accident.”
“Ah, it sounds delicious. I’m looking forward to dinner tonight too.”
Amber casually replied to Igmeyer’s whisper. There was no one nearby, but she didn’t want to risk someone overhearing.
“We’ll divert the spies’ attention in this direction, and the real craftsmen will secretly start making swords. They’re heading to the hidden forge on the high mountain, so it should take about a month.”
Amber deeply agreed with the need to keep it hidden from the Emperor.
A ruler had to be sensitive to rebellion.
If they suddenly started doing things they hadn’t done before in the North, it would raise suspicions. If the Emperor were to get too involved, they wouldn’t have time to prepare properly, and ultimately, Niflheim would be destroyed.
It was best if the Emperor remained oblivious if they were planning something big.
He’s truly clever. Now I understand why he always came out on top.
Most knights, to put it nicely, were honest, but to put it bluntly, they didn’t use their heads much.
Planning, diverting attention, and taking only what he wanted like this were possible because he had experience as a mercenary.
And Amber preferred someone cunning like this rather than someone who was only honest.
“Now, this is the testing ground.”
With a cheerful smile, he extended his arm.
Where his fingertip pointed, there were… blacksmiths who, despite the cold weather, were sweating profusely and vigorously creating flames.
* * *
As evening approached, Igmeyer came to find Amber once again.
Amber, who had been weaving the cheesecloth, brushed her numb fingertips and stood up from her seat.
“You were in front of the loom again today?”
“Yes.”
“Instead of doing it yourself, gather the maids and have them do it. Your hands will hurt.”
“…I’m fine.”
Igmeyer subtly expressed his concern, but Amber just murmured in response.
This was… a form of atonement.
It was the smallest thing she could do, carrying the regret for not protecting the baby.
She couldn’t confide in anyone about the heartbreak in her heart. She had to keep it to herself.
“So, is everyone just working on the bellows today?”
Amber subtly changed the topic. Fortunately, Igmeyer didn’t insist on probing further.
“That’s right. Adjusting the temperature of the fire is the beginning of forging.”
“Impressive. How can they stand in front of the furnace all day?”
“Occasionally, there are guys who seem like they were born from the fire. You don’t need to worry.”
Igmeyer’s tone became a bit gruff. Sometimes, he had the temper of a child. If he lost his attention, he would soon pout.
Amber ignored it as usual and extended her hand to him.
In response, Igmeyer, whose expression now softened, took her hand willingly.
“I shall accompany you, Princess.”
His brief kiss brushed against her fair hand and then withdrew.
With that as the final gesture, Igmeyer and Amber maintained their dignity.
Today was a day when not only the guests and knights but also the blacksmiths, who were treated like nobles in the Niflheim Grand Duchy, were present.
They had an obligation to show the people what they were hoping for.
* * *
“The Princess and I share the same dream. A great upheaval is about to happen here in a little while.”
…She didn’t expect him to say something like this.
About an hour later, a flustered Amber was trying to control her expression, and the corners of her mouth were trembling.
“You must be curious about what kind of upheaval it is. You must be worried… and your appetite might wane, right?”
The knights were in an uproar, and the blacksmiths stopped eating.
Amber sympathized deeply with their feelings because waves of astonishment kept washing over them.
“Well, I can’t be certain about future events. It hasn’t been long since I started having this dream myself. But the princess claims she has been having this dream since before she met me, before coming to the North.”
“…”
“According to the dream, about a month and a half from now, Nidhogg will howl. A new form of monster will appear and lead our children, wives, and parents to death.”
The faces of those who realized that Igmeyer wasn’t joking darkened.
Shock, fear, anger, and despair.
Those here were the ones who were angrier about the calamity caused by Nidhogg than anyone else.
Some of the knights clenched their fists and even raised their voices.
“Will you stand by and watch that death?”
“No!”
“Will you prevent that death?”
“We will!”
In response to Igmeyer’s serious question, the knights answered with unity.
Meanwhile, Amber had to touch her forehead because she felt dizzy.
You had the same dream as me?
Amber had never thought of such a thing.
All she remembered was events that ‘had existed but were now gone.’
Did Igmeyer really return to the past?
While Amber was thinking about that, she concluded that it couldn’t be the case.
The blessing of remorse applied only to the princesses. No one else was aware of changes in time.
Is Igmeyer really dreaming? A dream of things that happened once… as a dream?
Her heart began to beat wildly.
If that were true, she hoped he wouldn’t see what she was like in the past.
I’ve never heard of such a case. Hopefully, it won’t have any negative effects on the future.
Due to her anxiety, Amber could only smile helplessly.
