What?
Claire, clearly startled, wearing an apron, tensed. Eriri, on the other hand, let out a huge sigh of relief, feeling a sense of salvation.
Of course.
She wouldn't show any of that, just calmly stood up and looked at the newcomers. Several men and women in light armor and veils.
People from another world?
From their clothing, Eriri could tell they were definitely not from Earth. If she guessed right, they were from the same world as Claire.
Thinking this, Eriri looked at the half-elf girl.
Just as she expected, Claire's expression tensed, and her eyes darted nervously when she saw them.
"Unexpectedly, you have the leisure to eat dinner here," the leader said. Her voice was clearly that of a young woman.
"Ashley???" Claire's eyes widened. She had obviously recognized the speaker.
"As impolite as ever. You should call me Master." The girl named Ashley removed her veil, revealing her exquisite face.
She had long purple hair and light blue eyes. Most striking was the tear mole under her eye, giving her a slightly alluring air.
"But never mind, I don't expect you, a mere country girl, to be polite," Ashley shook her head. "Come with me. You should know your impending fate, right?"
"Fate..." Claire clenched her fists, then loosened them as if resigned.
"That's right, fate," Ashley said, head held high like a proud goose. "Failed mission, and caused the death of the Empire's honor knight and a young red dragon. Your sins are unforgivable. Do you need to make excuses?"
"No," Claire shook her head and sighed.
"Then let's go, sinner Claire Lavender." Ashley beckoned, and two men in light armor walked forward with handcuffs.
"Wait," Eriri finally moved, stepping forward to shield Claire. "How arrogant! Did you get my permission to arrest her?"
"I know. You're the guardian of this country, aren't you?" Ashley paused, chuckling. "Have you thought this through? Obstructing us here could bring disaster to your country."
"Lord Grim Reaper, Miss Ashley's arrest has been approved by Prime Minister." As she spoke, a middle-aged man in a suit emerged from the crowd. "This is the document signed by the Prime Minister."
This guy is the Foreign Minister?
Eriri numbly took the document and was stunned. She had seen this middle-aged man on TV many times. He was indeed their island nation's Foreign Minister. But how had they gotten involved with him?
She really underestimated these people from another world. She thought they would only resort to brute force. She hadn't expected them to use diplomatic channels this time!
This is brilliant, truly brilliant!
While she stood there stunned, the two armored warriors had already cuffed Claire with black magic-binding shackles. The half-elf girl didn't struggle at all, just looked a bit dejected.
Since Ashley had appeared, she knew her fate was to be sent to the execution platform.
Even though Rhode's death was due to her own arrogance, and she wasn't the main factor in the mission's failure, the tribunal wouldn't listen to her explanations.
After all, the tribunal was led by the Ashley Lavender standing before her. Furthermore, Ashley was her half-sister. They had always had a bad relationship since childhood.
Now that she was in Ashley's hands, how could she possibly survive? It's a shame; her dream of becoming a chef would never come true.
But at this moment, there was something more important to her than her dream of being a chef.
Claire gave the "Lord Grim Reaper" a complicated look and said softly, "Thank you for looking after me during this time."
"No need for thanks. Sing "The Battle of Fate" for me," Eriri looked up and said calmly. "You've learned it by now, haven't you?"
Huh?
Claire was taken aback, clearly not expecting such a request. "Here? But..."
Before she could finish, Eriri suddenly moved. She vanished like a phantom, and the sounds of thuds echoed around. The armored warriors were sent flying in all directions like kites with broken strings, crashing hard onto the ground.
"You, how dare you!" Ashley clearly hadn't expected Eriri to attack, her expression somewhat stunned.
The Foreign Minister, seeing this, was also furious and shouted, "Lord Grim Reaper, you are causing a serious diplomatic incident! They are from the Prime Minister..."
"Shut up," Eriri glanced at him and said calmly. "If you don't want to die."
Thump.
The Foreign Minister's eyes widened, and he immediately sank to his knees. He felt an immense pressure bearing down on him, breaking out in a cold sweat.
"When enemies rode dragons to slaughter our people, where was the Prime Minister?" Eriri scoffed. "And now you want to use him to command me? You politicians are truly laughable." She stepped past him.
"You didn't have to do this." As Eriri approached, Claire's heart pounded violently, like a startled fawn.
"You are my prisoner. Only I have the right to decide your fate," Eriri said calmly, meeting her gaze.
Gulp.
Claire's mind was filled with vibrant colors, like flowers blooming. No matter how reserved she was, she had to admit she was smitten.
This was genuine affection, not the childish adoration she felt for the empire's emperor.
"Fine, you are truly amazing!" Ashley gritted her teeth, watching their intimate interaction. "Just you wait, the Empire's wrath will burn you to ashes!" With that, she turned to leave.
She had no intention of confronting Eriri, the "guardian." Someone who could defeat a dragon knight and slay a dragon was not someone she, a fifth-tier professional, could contend with.
That's why she resorted to diplomatic means, but it had failed.
"Hold on," Eriri called out to her. With a flip of her wrist, a mosaic-like pile of shredded radish appeared in her palm. "You came all this way; it's only right you take a gift." Without giving Ashley a chance to react, she shoved the shredded radish into her mouth.
As expected, Ashley's eyes rolled back, and she instantly fainted.
---
Read 30 advanced chapters on my patreon
patreon.com/GustinaKamiya
---