The Pirate King's Daughter - Chapter 47

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Episode 47
Ben jumped up from his chair the moment he spotted me.
My eyes fixed on him were cold as ice. He’d promised to help only after Dilshard’s survival was confirmed.
I walked straight to the platform, and Ben faltered, scrambling for excuses.
“Once we found the Ring, a proclamation suddenly came down about holding the Succession Ceremony. I never intended to betray you, I swear… I’m sorry.”
It didn’t matter. Lily’s Mission was still pending.
“We shall now commence the Successor’s Succession Ceremony.”
“Once the Patriarch reads the Succession Declaration placed on the platform and transfers the Successor’s symbol, the third son shall become a true Successor.”
Ben took his place before the platform.
Only now did it truly sink in—this was real puppet play. The way they moved according to the story Ode had designed was absolutely, perfectly puppet-like.
Ben cleared his throat and began reading the declaration.
“As Patriarch, I declare this: here and now, I name you as Successor. Let the Successor’s Ring stand as proof, and as you take up the authority and responsibility—”
It was a murder game, after all.
But the absurdity of all this tedious ceremony irritated me so much that I snatched the Ring from Ben’s hand before he could even finish, and slipped it onto my own finger.
“…….”
“…….”
Silence flooded the Assembly Hall.
Having become perfect participants, they all turned their gaze warily toward Sphere.
“……That still doesn’t sit right with me.”
Sphere hurtled forward and stopped just before my face.
“That expression a moment ago was quite the sight, though. Well, the game is still in progress, so watching exactly when it all falls apart should be entertaining enough.”
Having spoken, Sphere withdrew. And the Assembly Hall’s doors swung open.
“Dilshard!”
The person who entered was Dilshard. Thankfully, he appeared uninjured, intact.
Just as I was about to rush toward him, Living Armor blocked my path.
“The Hidden Character’s true identity was none other than the eldest brother!”
“Enraged by news of the youngest becoming Successor, the elder’s Mission is to slay the Successor and steal the Ring! But all Family members loyal to the Successor shall stand against him.”
“From this moment forward, all participants may kill the eldest, and the Family’s knights shall fight alongside you.”
Living Armor arrayed in lines on both sides of the Assembly Hall swung swords at Dilshard.
“No!”
There were far too many. I reached for the Poker, but he shouted.
“Don’t come!”
He drove a blade through the wrist joint of an encroaching Living Armor, sending its sword clattering, then smashed through the Assembly Hall’s doors.
Wooden debris scattered across the floor as the Living Armor in front toppled.
“Will the participants merely spectate? Do you have such confidence you’ll win if that one advances to the next game?”
Ode was egging the others on.
Dilshard held out against the Living Armor using a sword he’d found in the Maze, but to the others, his stance seemed only threatening.
The Maid slowly pushed herself to her feet.
Her face was etched with malice, streaked with blood. The Iron Rod in her grip was soaked red.
I knew exactly whose blood it was.
As Dilshard’s image blurred with that of the knight, my hand moved without hesitation, swinging the Poker toward her.
Clang!
The Poker and Iron Rod met with a metallic ring.
Just as I was about to swing again, she lifted her leg and kicked my abdomen.
“Ugh—!”
My body crumpled. I couldn’t breathe.
Collapsed on my side, I gripped the Poker hard.
“Tatiana!”
Ben rushed over to support me, but my eyes remained fixed on the woman rushing toward Dilshard.
“Hng, uh…….”
As I tried to push Ben away, he held me fast with surprising strength.
“Dilshard will be able to win. It’s too dangerous for you to fight alongside him.”
“No. I won’t leave him alone.”
I met his eyes and told him I wouldn’t burden him with everything alone. Ben’s grip loosened.
I steadied the Poker and moved toward Dilshard.
Targeting the wrist of the Living Armor blocking my way, I made a Gauntlet fall. The Living Armor seemed wholly on my side—it didn’t attack me.
After cutting through several, I finally saw Dilshard and the Maid.
Dilshard was barely holding on. His body was riddled with cuts and wounds.
The Maid’s eyes glinted with madness as she shoved through the Living Armor, raising the Iron Rod high above Dilshard’s back.
“No!”
I shoulder-charged into her.
“Ugh, you won’t stop me, hack—!”
Bright red blood sprayed across my vision. The fountain of it drenched Dilshard. His head turned slowly.
The Maid’s legs lifted clear off the ground, dangling in the air. Drip, drip—crimson drops fell from her toes.
Her eyes, their vessels burst, turned toward me.
Soon her mouth opened and closed soundlessly, and her body went limp.
At that same instant, the Living Armor battering Dilshard ceased all movement in unison.
“Congratulations! The participants who have cleared the second game are numbers 189, 190, 199, and 200.”
Clang—the Poker slipped from my hands and fell.
Alive. Protected. And killed. As that thought took hold, my legs gave out.
As I collapsed, Dilshard caught me quickly.
“Sorry. Sorry.”
He pulled me close and murmured the words.
My body felt utterly spent. I rested my head against his chest and exhaled slowly.
“It’s been so long since my brother was alive. The feeling is absolutely foul. But rules are rules.”
“From this moment until the third game begins, all killing and injury are forbidden. If you’re caught, know that I won’t make it quick.”
Ode’s warning was vicious. He didn’t want any more of the participants eliminated.
Because of his game.
“Now that I think about it, only family’s left.”
“……That’s made my mood even worse.”
That was all Ode said.
It seemed we could rest until the next game began.
I wanted to collapse and sleep right then, but the smell of blood made my stomach heave.
When I tried to let go of Dilshard and stand, he shook his head.
“I’ll carry you.”
“You’re hurt. You can walk.”
I pushed myself up and took Dilshard’s hand. As we passed, the Living Armor cleared a path for us.
I didn’t want to go back to the third son’s room for some reason, so I found another Bedroom instead.
“Want to wash up first? I’ll stand guard just in case.”
Dilshard, covered in blood across his face and clothes, said this.
“Just go wash in the next room over. Because of what Ode said, there’s nothing either of us can do anyway.”
“I’m uneasy.”
“You… you did really well.”
I was weak, but I’d killed four as planned. All by my own hand.
“……I saw.”
Dilshard’s throat moved as he swallowed hard.
“Saw……?”
“Yeah. Sorry for leaving you alone. Thank you for holding on so well.”
At his words, tears simply fell unbidden. Without warning, they just came, streaming down.
Dilshard came near and wrapped me in his arms.
The strength of his hold made me feel grounded at last, and I clung to him, crying freely and uncontrollably.
* * *
I soaked in hot water and changed into clean clothes.
Using fresh ingredients from the Kitchen, I made a proper meal for the first time in ages.
Dilshard, who’d insisted on staying close to me, had fallen asleep while I was in the Dressing Room finding riding breeches to change into.
‘He must be exhausted.’
His body was already in rough shape, and he’d fought through the whole night without sleep.
The moment his head hit the bed, he seemed to simply collapse into unconsciousness.
I pulled a blanket over Dilshard, then lay down beside him and drew the cover up to my chin.
“What’s happened to your face.”
It was ruined. At least there was medicine available, but if left as is, scars would definitely mark his face and body everywhere.
“Mm…….”
He grimaced and whimpered as if sleep-talking.
“It’s alright. I’ll protect you.”
I placed my hand over his and gently patted it. In response, his breathing softened into a steady rhythm.
Surrounded by the soft, warm blanket as I soothed Dilshard, I drifted into peaceful sleep.
But the next morning, when I opened my eyes, the nightmare began again.
“We shall now begin the third game. All participants are to proceed through the Garden and ascend the Hill.”
After preparing, I picked up the Poker, and Dilshard looked at me with anguish.
“Wait, give that to me.”
“Why?”
“Your hands are all torn up.”
Dilshard unfurled my hand to look at it.
It was badly swollen and split, and though I hadn’t said anything, my wrist throbbed—either sprained or worse.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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