The Inevitable Showdown

The entrance to the underground space is in the first-floor dining room, behind the fireplace.

In addition to the fireplace mechanism, the entrance also features a rather advanced combination lock.

However... according to Pellervy, these designs were completely useless.

"... It's actually here."

Rosalind glanced in surprise at the moved fireplace.

She hadn't noticed this place before.

After all, with a furnace that burns most of the time, she wouldn't even consider whether there might be a hidden door inside.

"Kuzkavina, explain? Where does this lead?"

"It's just an extended activity room for the children," Kuzkavina said, trying to keep her tone calm.

After the initial panic subsided, Kuzkavina realized that something might have gone wrong.

It's one thing that the secret door was discovered, but why was the combination lock also opened?

Only I and Pellervy know the password here.

Yes, he hadn't told Pellervy the password, but as the "King" and the victor in the battle, it was normal for Pellervy to have secretly memorized the password since she had been following him all along.

Where are the Pellervy?

"Hmm? An underground activity room?" Rosalind didn't give Kuzkavina any time to think. "You actually have something like this? Why didn't you tell me? It must have cost a lot of money, right?"

"Minister Rosalind, you are so busy with your affairs, how could I possibly bother you with such matters?"

Kuzkavina tried her best to remain calm.

Not enough.

This alone is not enough to bring him down. Although the arena below is for raising Gu, he cleans up the area after each battle and leaves no footage behind.

Even if Pellervy betrayed her...

"Listen, everyone, your sister says we can't go in here."

Kafka smiled and used her Words of Power to shut out the curious children.

It's clear that these children are still in the "raising" stage and are unaware of the darkness here.

"... Gurgle."

Kuzkavina's expression froze again when she saw Kafka's actions.

"What, La Signora. Kuzkavina, are you unwilling to let us in for a look?"

After Kafka finished speaking with her Words of Power, she smiled and pressed Kuzkavina.

"... Let's go."

Kuzkavina took a deep breath, a shadow falling over her heart.

Although she still had some confidence, this attitude...

Kuzkavina led Rosalind into the passage, and the lights in the passage immediately turned on as they heard their footsteps.

The underground area features a spiral staircase, not long, but it gives the feeling of an old castle.

"You teamed up with them? Rosalind?" Kuzkavina suddenly spoke up because there were only the two of them in the corridor.

"Not pretending anymore?"

"Don't underestimate me." Kuzkavina looked at the bright staircase.

As soon as she stepped onto the stairs, she had a feeling.

I might not survive.

No matter what, she was someone who had worked on the front lines.

"Ha... can't it just be that other people don't like you?"

Rosalind didn't expect things to turn out this way, but it didn't matter; it was better than she had imagined.

"I never expected you could create such a place right under my nose. When did you do it?"

"I had only recently established the orphanage, so you had no time to care about me back then. It was all thanks to your arrogance... Besides, Rosalind, do you really think I'm their target?"

Kuzkavina realized that Rosalind was almost completely unaware of this development—otherwise, Rosalind's personality would have already begun to show its true colors.

The fact that things are still relatively stable suggests that Rosalind is also confused about the current situation.

"That's not something you need to worry about."

For Rosalind right now, not having Kuzkavina is very important.

As for Kuzkavina's words... she thought they made sense, but she wasn't that afraid.

Kuzkavina touched the sword at her waist and quickened her pace.

Soon, the two arrived at the underground hall—a fighting arena.

In the center of the arena stood a girl whom Kuzkavina knew all too well.

"So that's how it is, colluding with outsiders?"

Kuzkavina's last shred of argument vanished. Smiling, she drew her sword from her waist and stepped off the arena, the blade pointing at the "daughter" she had raised.

She already knew that Pellervy wanted to kill her...

"I originally thought you would make your move after Krelay died."

Kuzkavina's eyes flickered as she looked at the purple-haired woman leaning against the wall of the arena.

"The helper you brought?"

"No, they're just indifferent spectators."

Liu Bai had prepared an insurance policy: even if she lost, the woman named Acheron would still bury Kuzkavina here.

However... it's unnecessary.

"... Whatever."

As the sound faded, Kuzkavina shot out like an arrow.

Clang--!

"Not good enough, Pellervy!"

Swords clashed—

Pellervy's knife easily overpowered Kuzkavina's rapier.

But... this is nothing to be proud of.

Kuzkavina was originally an agile warrior.

"You're too naive."

"..."

Pellervy had no intention of arguing with Kuzkavina.

Her only goal today is to kill Kuzkavina here.

Bang--!

Pellervy easily pushed Kuzkavina against the wall.

"I sensed your murderous intent towards me two years ago."

Clang--!

"Because of Krelay? No... You are a child I have high hopes for. You understood the significance of this orphanage a long time ago, didn't you?"

The flaming blade slashed past Kuzkavina's side.

"So... do they still maintain this nonchalant naiveté?"

"..."

That's right, she was the first person to realize the true nature of Kuzkavina and the orphanage.

But... she has never changed.

"I've wanted to kill you for a long time."

Pellervy cornered Kuzkavina and finally uttered her first words since the start of the war.

The two blades crossed again, Kuzkavina used the force of Pellervy's thrust to leap into the air.

"I also spoke to Krelay, but she disagreed."

From beginning to end, Pellervy loathed the House of the Hearth, a place filled with lies under Kuzkavina's rule.

At first, she thought of escaping with Krelay, but she soon discovered that Kuzkavina's control over them did not allow them to escape.

After that, Pellervy's plan turned into a more radical assassination.

She proposed the assassination plan to Krelay, who, like herself, was aware of the lie, on more than one occasion.

Krelay refused... Kuzkavina's strength was one aspect, but on the other hand, she still regarded Kuzkavina as her mother.

Pellervy didn't want to put Krelay in a difficult position at the time, so she temporarily shelved the assassination plan.

Then... Krelay attempted suicide.

At that moment Pellervy realized once again— Kuzkavina had to die.

A short, sharp pain is better than a long, drawn-out one. However, out of consideration for her only friend, Pellervy has been gathering her strength and waiting for the right opportunity.

... Although the timing wasn't exactly what she had initially envisioned, it was still enough.

"Krelay ..." Kuzkavina said with emotion, but her tone was as if she were recalling a stranger, "Just a flower that didn't grow well."

"Lu Changshi's flowers are not good... Wu... Yes, they're not good flowers, they should have been cut off long ago... Mother, isn't that what you said? It's been two years... Now, I'm going to cut them off!"

Pellervy's ominous eyes were now filled with murderous intent.

This is the moment she's been waiting for.

She didn't do nothing during those two years of patience and waiting.

Kuzkavina's speed was a challenge for her.

Either use a wide-area AOE attack, or... force her into a place where she can't maintain her mobility.

For example... in mid-air!

Boom--!

"—!?"

With a leap, Pellervy 'Pellervy face appeared before Kuzkavina in an instant.

At this moment, Kuzkavina, who was using the air to propel herself upwards, had not yet touched the ceiling with her heels.

After a brief moment of surprise, Kuzkavina showed a look of realization.

"... The Valkyrie Armor, which enhances speed and explosiveness, was chosen for this moment."

As if in response to Kuzkavina, crimson flames burst forth on the blade.

Then...

Slay him!

Kuzkavina's expression remained unchanged.

Clang~

Thump!

Two sounds, one crisp and one dull, landed almost simultaneously.

"... What a tragic way to die, Kuzkavina."

Rosalind, trailing her long dress, looked down at Kuzkavina's horrifying face, bisected by blades and flames.