Sword of Salvation-Chapter 50: - Pieces on Chessboard (2)

Mariel stared at his partner. He sensed the woman wanted to say more than just "oh". It was clear from the look in her eyes and the way her lips parted and closed several times. However, Lasyana’s voice stopped Mariel from asking further.

"I appreciate your service to the empire. But I still insist. If you hadn’t helped, there might have been a battle with Libertania. So, I want you to accept a reward. Don’t worry. As long as it’s within reason, I won’t mind fulfilling it."

"...If the empress insists, I have no choice. How about dinner at your place?" Mariel asked innocently. "It would be more special if you prepared the meal yourself, but it’s fine if you can’t."

Lasyana didn’t expect Mariel’s request, but Celinee did. Her expression suggested she had anticipated it.

Ah, was that why she seemed to want to say more than "oh" earlier? Her instincts were sharp. What Mariel didn’t understand was why Celinee glared at him. It was just dinner, no?

Celinee had emphasized she had no special interest in him, so Mariel didn’t think she would overreact. Yet, he couldn’t ignore the fleeting glimpse of jealousy in her eyes. Was Celinee the type of woman who said "no" outwardly but meant "yes" inside?

"...Are you sure that’s what you want?" Lasyana asked after a pause, breaking Mariel’s chain of thought about Celinee’s hidden feelings. "There are many things you can ask for. I can even appoint you as a great noble if you want."

Mariel gave a genuine smile at that. "I think," he said without hesitation, "sitting at the same table with you is more special than becoming a noble or receiving a large sum of money. I’ve already said I see you as a goddess, haven’t I?"

Knowing Lasyana’s personality, such words wouldn’t move her. The empress saw herself as superior in every aspect. Compliments were a norm for her. She expected people to praise and admire her. Mariel’s words should have been nothing more than mere flattery.

However, Mariel had shown Lasyana that he was different from others who praised her. He had left a mark in the empress’s mind. The proof was in her current attire—she wasn’t showing off her smooth skin like when they first met. More than that, Mariel had cemented himself in Lasyana’s mind as a superior young man.

Ah, if he thought about it, didn’t this prove Celinee’s assumption correct, that he was trying to get closer to Lasyana on a personal level?

Maybe. Mariel couldn’t completely deny it.

However, if he had to defend himself, the assumption was somewhat inaccurate. To Mariel, the world was a giant chessboard, and its inhabitants were pieces to be controlled. If he wanted Neiracia as one of his bases, what better option was there than to make the empress a piece on that board?

Yes. What Mariel was doing was to ensure he could move the empress. The question was, what piece should he make Lasyana? Did she deserve to be a queen, a bishop, a knight, a rook, or just a pawn? Mariel hadn’t decided yet. Her own actions would determine her role.

Ah, if Mariel succeeded in securing Lasyana, Nico would no longer be needed. No matter what piece he labeled the empress, she would be far more useful than Nico. That man had no place on Mariel’s board. His plans for Nico couldn’t be executed. But at the very least, Nico was still useful in strengthening Lasyana’s influence.

Mariel’s efforts weren’t in vain.

"...Tonight." Those two words left Lasyana’s lips after a long silence. "I’ll grant your wish tonight," she added more firmly.

"Thank you." Mariel let his lips curve into a smile. "But," he continued, "before you think I have special motives, I should say that I do. There’s something I need to discuss with you, which is why I want a private dinner. It’s related to the reason I spend half my time in Camelot."

Mariel said that for two reasons.

First, he wanted to show that he wasn’t trying to approach the empress romantically. This would make Lasyana think his goal wasn’t to prove anything about himself, nor that their banter yesterday was more than just words.

Second, those words would prevent Celinee from getting the wrong idea. If Mariel’s assumption was correct—that the ninja was the type who said "no" but meant "yes"—a private dinner with Lasyana would make her jealous and cause more glares like earlier. Hence, clarification was necessary.

"Oh, I’m curious about that reason too." Lasyana returned Mariel’s smile. "Is there anything else you want?" she asked again to confirm.

"No. Just that."

"Alright then. If you want to return to the inn, go ahead. You’re also welcome to stay at my palace. But for now, I have to go. Your payment will be given to Ultores, Celinee. You can collect it from them tomorrow."

After saying that, Lasyana left. Once her footsteps faded, Celinee bombarded Mariel with sharp glares again. But Mariel ignored her. There was something more important to tell her than discussing why she was glaring at him.

"Dealing with Doctor Lergen will be harder than you think, Celinee."

The ninja’s sharp glare immediately softened.

"Doctor Lergen is likely a member of World Order or an important asset to Great Human Council," Mariel continued before Celinee could demand an explanation. "During last night’s battle, one of Romero’s allies was watching. He said Romero should stop playing around so they could meet Doctor Lergen quickly."

Celinee’s eyes widened. She understood what Mariel was trying to convey.

Targeting Doctor Lergen was equivalent to opposing World Order and Great Human Council. It was a very dangerous path to tread. Especially if Doctor Lergen was truly part of World Order, the risks would be even greater.

"But I won’t stop you," Mariel continued as he got off the bed. "I will face Romero again in the future. Therefore, if you remain resolute and ready to accept any risks to stop Doctor Lergen from increasing the half-demon population, I will still help you."

Mariel’s battle with Romero was inevitable.

If that man didn’t come to him when he could enter spirit-unification mode, Mariel himself would seek him out. He would avenge that defeat. Mariel would reclaim Zesteria, which he had taken from him. He would bring World Order and Great Human Council to their knees.

"...Are you sure?" Celinee asked after a moment. "If we die, Lord Lukhiel can’t be saved. Are you willing to risk your life to help fulfill my ambition?"

Mariel showed an elegant smile at the question and said, "You’ve become someone familiar to me, Celinee. Talking to you isn’t boring. Teasing and annoying you is quite fun. I might feel lonely if you suddenly disappeared."

"...You can approach that woman."

"True. I can approach Lasyana. Delphia is also interesting. Medea is waiting for me to arrive in the Southern Continent. Selena wants me by her side. But, Celinee, they aren’t you. I’ve grown accustomed to your presence."

"...Who’s Selena?"

"Selena... um... that’s not important. What I want to emphasize is that your presence can’t be replaced by anyone. Besides, we haven’t even proven that half-demons can’t get pregnant. That’s some—ough!"

Celinee silenced Mariel’s mouth by kicking him on the knee. The kick wasn’t gentle; Celinee didn’t hold back. However, at least she didn’t use prana to strengthen her leg.

"Why did you kick me?" Mariel asked with an innocent face. "You should be blushing with gratitude and then hug me tightly."

"You’re truly a perverted teenager," Celinee hissed. "Your mind needs to be cleansed with holy water."

"That’s an unfounded accusation, Celinee," Mariel defended himself. "I’ve never done anything that would lead to such an accusation. It’s true that sometimes my mind wanders to slightly wild places, but that’s purely because I’m a normal, healthy teenager. So, your accusation is completely wrong."

Celinee took a deep breath. "I won’t argue with you," she said, standing as well. "And you’re right, I’m thankful. But I won’t hug you, let alone blushing because of you."

"Oh, really?"

Celinee nodded firmly.

"Well then—"

Mariel stood right in front of Celinee; their toes met.

"W-What are you—"

Celinee’s mouth couldn’t finish the sentence; Mariel had pulled the ninja into his embrace.

"—I’ll do it myself." 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

"W-Wha—!" Celinee was utterly shocked, not expecting the teenager’s one-sided action. "W-What are you doing?! L-Let me go! You can’t hug someone without permission!"

"...Your heartbeat has sped up." Mariel spoke with an amused smile, ignoring the ninja’s order. "Can you still say with confidence that you’re not blushing?"

Although he couldn’t see his partner’s face, Mariel was one hundred percent certain the woman’s cheeks were red. Her rapidly increasing heartbeat was proof. It also confirmed Mariel’s initial assumption—Celinee truly couldn’t be honest about what she felt.

"No need to be embarrassed," Mariel continued. "I know you’re not used to—"

The Celinee Mariel was hugging suddenly turned into a pillow (complete with a puff of smoke), abruptly stopping his words. Mariel scanned the room, and his eyes quickly found Celinee’s head peeking out from behind the door. The ninja’s expression was almost stoic, but the redness on her cheeks couldn’t be erased completely.

"I’ll get back at you for that, Mariel. Remember it!"

Mariel grinned broadly, amused.

He didn’t mind Celinee slamming the door and fleeing—likely to calm her racing heart. His attention was more focused on the expression that had colored Celinee’s face. An expression he had long wanted to see. The ninja was quite cute; Mariel wanted to hug her again and—

"Ah, this isn’t the right time to indulge in youthful desires."

Mariel shook his head slightly and walked toward the door. He left the palace, just as Celinee had.

However, Mariel didn’t head straight to the inn; he would let Celinee deal with her own issues.

Now he needed to find Shin and gather information about Merlin. Additionally, he wanted to see if Shin could become a pawn on his game board or if he would instead become a piece on the enemy’s board.

But one thing was certain—Shin couldn’t be a player. Mariel didn’t see any potential in Shin to rule the world.