Episode 98: Townsman A Settles Things (Part 2)

As Ana spun those detached words, Amy’s face lit up with hope.

Could it be that Amy actually thinks she’s going to be saved?

"However... you are the one person I can never forgive," Ana said, her expression returning to a coldness I hadn't seen in a long time. "You seduced and corrupted the Crown Prince and the men who were meant to be the pillars of the Sentlaren Kingdom. Because of you, this country fell into chaos, and the blood of so many innocent people has been spilled."

Then, her tone shifted, her voice vibrating with a layer of suppressed fury.

"And that’s not all! How dare you sell me off to the Est Empire for such a ridiculous reason!"

"W-What! It’s your own fault for being such an unattractive woman!" Amy retorted hysterically.

No, that wasn't even a proper retort.

Seriously, what is wrong with her head? What kind of nerve does it take to talk back like that to the person you were just about to beg for your life?

"That man and I were nothing more than a political arrangement," Ana countered, her anger directed squarely at Amy. "There was duty, but never love. But you... how dare you try to stain my virtue! And to have the audacity to wound Allen like that!"

Despite the situation, Amy tried to maintain a sense of superiority, attempting to talk down to Ana.

"H-Hmph. Well, it doesn't matter. You were still ravished by dozens of men. Serves you right."

Seriously, what is going on here? Does this woman even understand the situation she's in?

"Heh. Sorry to disappoint you," Ana said, a triumphant smirk crossing her face as she gently touched the Fairy Hairpin with her right hand. "My virtue is intact. The Light Spirit protected me."

"Wha—?"

Amy let out a strangled sound, glaring at Ana with a look of pure, unadulterated malice.

"At first, I agreed with Allen," Ana continued. "I thought it would be best to just kill you and be done with it. However, after seeing the state Marcus was in, after dispelling the Crown Prince's brainwashing, and after curing Allen's sword master and all those soldiers on the way here... I changed my mind."

"Then—!" Amy’s face instantly filled with hope again.

I honestly don't get it. What is going on inside her brain? There is no way the next thing out of Ana’s mouth is going to be positive.

"Yes. I won't take your life. But I am taking that voice of yours."

"Eh?" Amy’s eyes went wide.

"Silence is the domain of ice. No sound remains in the silver world. My holy ice, I command thee in the name of Anastasia Kleiner von Ramslett! Seal the voice of the enchanting witch, Amy von Braises. Holy Ice Voice Sealing!"

Ice coiled around Amy’s throat, then immediately shattered and vanished.

Amy’s mouth moved open and shut like a fish out of water. Realizing no sound was coming out, she turned deathly pale.

"Now this woman will never speak again. Come, Allen."

I gave a short nod and used Transmutation to create ropes, binding the Crown Prince and Amy—ice and all—together.

"Ana, I'm ready."

"Good. We’re leaving, and we’re taking these two with us. No... wait."

Ana walked over to where Marcus lay in a pool of blood.

"It might already be too late, but it's worth a try."

She cast Holy Ice Awakening and Holy Ice Healing in quick succession, enveloping Marcus in holy ice.

Was he actually still breathing? I couldn't imagine Marcus surviving a shotgun blast to the chest. Even though he'd been one of the guys constantly harassing Ana, she was still reaching out to save him. I guess that's why she was chosen as the Saint.

I'm sure she wanted to treat the fallen soldiers outside, too. But since Gerhardt had forbidden it, she had to restrain herself.

"Now, for real this time—let’s get out of here."

"Right. Let's go."

And so, we made our escape from the royal castle, dragging the frozen Amy and Crown Prince behind us while Ana dispelled the brainwashing of any soldiers we passed. We hopped onto Jerome’s back and flew toward the main camp where the Second Prince and Duke Schlestien were waiting.

"Wh-What?! Brother?"

"The Crown Prince?!"

The Second Prince and Duke Schlestien cried out in shock.

"We’ve plucked them right out of the royal castle," I said. "As promised, the Crown Prince is now in your custody. Do with him as you please."

The Crown Prince was mumbling some sort of protest, but it was impossible to tell what he was trying to say.

"And... what of the Witch?"

"Yes," Ana replied. "Our Kingdom of Ramslett will dispose of her after administering an appropriate punishment. Her voice has been sealed, so she won't be able to cause any more trouble."

"I see..."

"However, since we’ve handled almost all of the heavy lifting, Lord Duke, we’re counting on you to handle the rest, alright?"

"U-Umu..."

Leaving the Duke and his non-committal reply behind, we released the Crown Prince from his ice and took off again with Jerome.

"By the way, Ana," I asked. "What do you actually plan to do with her?"

"Ah. This woman apparently publicly stated that it would be fine if I were messily raped by ruffians. As a woman myself, I can't begin to fathom that kind of thinking... but I thought she might learn some humility if she experienced the same fate."

"...That is, well."

"I'm told the mines hire prostitutes at high wages, but the work is brutal. Most quit immediately, and few ever volunteer. The only ones who stay are criminals sent there in lieu of execution—like this woman."

While the ice-bound Amy turned deathly pale and moved her mouth open and shut in a desperate attempt to speak, her voice was never heard again.

And just like that, our battle with Amy reached its conclusion.