Chapter 212: What the Goddess Has (2)

Amethyst raced across the rotten, crumbling kingdom.

“Go as wild as you want.”

She had won the favor of the Unconditioned Duchess, one of the six duchesses in the kingdom. Under the protection of someone in power, nothing held back Amethyst from pointing her sword at the world anymore.

Act 1: Witch Hunt.

The first main villain was the Noir Witch, leading the rebel organization of demi-humans known as the Red Fingernails. She was a human witch who reigned supreme in the Magic Tower. Why did the elite witch, who wasn’t even a demi-human, suddenly become an extreme terrorist? People had no clue.

The Noir Witch sneered. “It’s not that they don’t know. They just don’t want to. If you live as long as me, you get to see many things. You people put a demi-human child in a rice bag and kicked him until he died. Hundreds of thousands of demi-humans are enslaved. I don’t expect you to reform now. It’s more unrealistic to pray for a miracle among humans than from the gods. We just... want you to suffer.”

The Red Fingernails’ rebellion shook the entire kingdom. Noble ladies of the capital were kidnapped and tortured. A great noble who had reigned absolute in the south for seven hundred years was attacked and killed on tour. In the southeast, members of the royal family’s special task force went missing. Thousands of slaves escaped from a county and joined the rebels.

The Red Fingernails tortured and butchered humans regardless of social status. A bounty was placed on the Noir Witch’s head, but no one could catch her. Those in power were terrified.

Amethyst smiled brightly. “Interesting. Let me make this a little more fun.”

Amethyst used the Unconditioned Duchess to meet the Executioner Princess. She was the head of the royal special task force and an Ascendant known for her cruelty. Her hobby was to cut off and collect criminals’ right arms.

Amethyst seduced the crown princess. “I’ll bring you victory, Your Highness. I know that the Red Fingernails have been giving you a headache.”

“More like a toothache, not a headache.”

“Your teeth are loose because your gums have decayed,” Amethyst whispered. “Demi-humans are unsettled these days because they can’t trust the kingdom to protect them. Some are blinded by revenge and commit massacres, but they make up a very small percentage of demi-humans. Once their lives, equality, and honor are guaranteed, the Red Fingernails will become weaker.”

***

Royal Teacher

Class: B+

Effect: You’re innately resourceful and have the wits necessary to assist a ruler.

You instinctively detect your enemy’s weaknesses. Furthermore, a list of what needs to be done to strike at the weakness of enemies will automatically cross your mind.

You are born to do great deeds by your ruler’s side. Ranging from the world of politics to that of war, there is rarely a scheme that you cannot see through.

※Will only activate once there is sufficient information.

The crown princess looked at the noble in front of her. “Viscountess, your suggestion is logical, but difficult to implement. These people have already turned their backs on the kingdom. If we embrace them as citizens again, humans, especially nobles, won’t sit by and just let it happen. We can’t risk the backlash from humans just to prevent the rebellion of the demi-humans. That’s like putting the cart in front of the horse.”

Amethyst wasn’t in any hurry. “How would I dare to advise you to embrace the lowly?”

The crown princess had lost dozens of siblings when she was young. Her notorious cruelty was caused by her childhood. Amethyst knew how to melt away the crown princess’s misfortune that stemmed from her childhood. She decided to become like a real sister to the crown princess.

“I’m also a noble. I can take someone in as a vassal, a private soldier, or a citizen. There is no need for you to personally embrace the rebels.”

With her warm eyes, merciful smile, and gentle touch, Amethyst slowly melted the ice around the crown princess.

“Your Highness.”

When the crown princess lamented about life, Amethyst calmly listened. At times, the crown princess got irritated, so Amethyst stroked the back of the crown princess’ hand. With every chance she had, Amethyst whispered how great the crown princess was and how much more the kingdom would have fallen without her.

Eventually, Amethyst moved on from the princess’ hand to her shoulders. Then her hair. By the time she started to stroke the other woman’s cheek, the crown princess was calling her Amethyst instead of Viscountess.

“Amethyst, tell me your plan.”

“It’s simple. Red Fingernails is a network of multiple groups. I’ll lead my elites and destroy the enemy’s lairs one by one. During every raid, I’ll accept those who surrender as my vassals or citizens. On your behalf, I’ll embrace those the kingdom has abandoned.”

“So you’re going to step up and attract attention and complaints instead of me,” the crown princess concluded.

“Yes,” Amethyst replied with a nod.

“What should I do for you?”

“Please love me.”

The poison wasn’t only sweet...

“Only in private.”

... It was also fatal.

Under the favor of the Unconditioned Duchess and the Executioner Princess, Amethyst captured the demi-human rebels, guaranteeing absolute safety to the terrorists who surrendered. The former terrorists became Viscountess Amethyst’s private soldiers, citizens, and slaves.

Of course, the conservative nobles could not tolerate such behavior.

“It’s that lunatic again!”

“That slave caused a commotion in my land. Give him back!”

“Years ago, when my younger brother was on a business trip abroad, a slave broke away from captivity and ran away. My younger brother lost both eyes and was killed during the slave’s escape. I heard that slave is now your vassal, Viscountess Amethyst. I’ll compensate you generously, so please hand him over.”

“How can you take in our nation’s enemies? If you have any loyalty to the kingdom, you should execute the rebels you captured!”

Lords, merchants, and priests of the kingdom showed up at Amethyst’s door like swarms of bees. She smiled.

“Should I give a damn? No matter what their past is, these people are now my vassals and slaves. According to the law, I own them. If you still want to take them, please challenge me to a duel or declare a family war.”

She was strong. She won three duels and one family war, not giving up a single demi-human under her care.

***

Protector of Demi-Humans

Class: B

Effect: It’s easier to gain trust from non-humans.

Those who suffer from species discrimination are longing for your arrival. Break the old chains of slavery and liberate the people of your kingdom. Demi-humans will stay loyal unless you betray them first.

※Humans despise you.

The demi-humans had been suspicious of Amethyst at first, but they gradually changed their mind. She built a village in a huge forest near the capital, giving the former Red Fingernails terrorists jobs and a place to live. Every time one of the Red Fingernails lairs was destroyed, the village became more prosperous.

The Noir Witch made a move.

“Yes, I thought it was about time,” Amethyst said.

She had used the Executioner Princess as bait to attract the Red Fingernails’ main force. The terrorists were surrounded and had nowhere to run. Even if they managed to run away, that didn’t guarantee the future of the organization.

The Noir Witch gritted her teeth. “You cheeky kid... You’re good.”

“You were quite good yourself, you incompetent geezer.”

“Do you think the Red Fingernails will be gone if you kill me? We are the blood that flows out the people’s wounds. As long as your kingdom exists, we will never be destroyed.”

Amethyst swung her sword. “I’m going to try my best to do something about it. I plan to create a new noble faction. Although it may take decades, I’ll abolish slavery and liberate miner and farmer slaves. I already have the support of the Unconditioned Duchess and the demi-human factions. It’s simple.”

The Noir Witch shed black blood. “You really had to show your naivety like that, didn’t you? You don’t know anything.”

“

Oh

, I wonder what kind of accusation this is? If even I know nothing, then 99.9 percent of the people in this world are monkeys.”

“We aren’t looking for anything in return, especially not compensation. No matter how much you promise peace, those who are already dead will not return.”

The witch’s eyes turned bloody red.

“Children have died with their backs torn by your whipping. You tortured the slaves for fun until you broke some of their ribs and punctured their lungs. They drowned in their own blood. You don’t remember, but we do. The Lunatic of the Capital! Unless you can bring back the dead children, then everything you say is just bullshit!”

Amethyst paused, her purple gaze dropping to the ground. The Noir Witch was bleeding, her heart pierced by Amethyst’s sword.

“You don’t want compensation?” Amethyst murmured. She had not expected that. “I can abolish slavery. It may take some time, but I can also solve the discrimination between humans and demi-humans. I’m that capable, and that is the future you want. Are you saying it doesn’t matter?”

“The future didn’t matter from the beginning.”

The Noir Witch drew up the last of her mana to counterattack. As soon as Amethyst sensed a hint of mana, she twisted her sword, driving her sword deeper into the witch’s heart.

The witch coughed blood. “Die. All of you, die.”

When she felt the truth in the witch’s curse, Amethyst realized something had slipped through her fingers. “I see. I’m completely incompetent when it comes to the people who have already been killed.”

For the first time since she killed her father, she felt powerless.

“For those who are still alive, I can do anything. The Unconditioned Duchess loves me, and the Executioner Princess treasures me. But... yes. I can’t solve the misfortune of the ones who have already died. I didn’t even think about it. I’m still incompetent.”

The Noir Witch looked up at Amethyst.

“What should I do, leader of the Red Fingernails?” Amethyst inquired.

“What?”

“How can I take responsibility for those who have already died? How can I comfort someone who lives for those who have already died?”

Amethyst’s eyes couldn't be clearer. The witch, whose heart was on the verge of stopping, suddenly felt a shiver.

“You don’t know?” Amethyst insisted.

The Noir Witch didn’t respond.

Amethyst nodded. “You don’t know. I guess that’s why you went around killing random people.”

“You...”

“Killing is the ultimate incompetence. People kill others because they cannot persuade or dominate them as they wish. Just like I killed my father, who imprisoned me.”

Amethyst looked into the witch’s eyes with no emotion on her face.

“In the end, I couldn’t change my father even though I tried my hardest for twelve years.”

The woman who sought love from the duchess and gave love to the princess vanished, not leaving even the slightest trace behind. Now, there was only an animal that had always suffered.

Amethyst tilted her head. “This is no fun. Lady Noir Witch, if you don’t know how to care for people who are already dead, is there anyone else out there who does? Are you acquainted with anyone like that?”

“There is... no way... that kind of person... exists...”

“Surely there would be no one like that among humans. Maybe someone among the dragons would know. Thank you, Lady Noir Witch. Thanks to you, I realized my incompetence today.”

On her last breath, the leader of the Red Fingernails realized that something about the noble politely bowing before her was broken beyond repair.

“Unfortunately, I won’t be able to resolve this matter of incompetence anytime soon. Most dragon emperors live outside the kingdom. If I abandon all my work to chase the dragons’ tails, this kingdom will fall in no time...

Hmm.

Okay. I’ll have to learn dragontongue first. Please wait for me. As soon as I find out how I can take care of the dead, you’ll be the first I repay,” Amethyst said with a bright smile.

“M-Monster...”

Amethyst slit the witch’s throat. “Farewell. When you open your eyes again, a beautiful spring will be awaiting you.”

Overnight, she was crowned a hero. All of the Red Fingernails executives, except one, surrendered to her. Those who were tired of terrorism retreated to the village in the forest and secluded themselves. Those who were still bloodthirsty became part of Amethyst’s private army.

The kingdom was falling apart. Even if there was no conflict between humans and demi-humans, there were many bloody battlefields.

Amethyst collected the kingdom’s poisons one by one. The Unconditioned Duchess’ Pet. The Executioner Princess’ Teacher. The One Who Hunted the Noir Witch. The Heir of the Red Fingernails. The titles were too grand to undermine her accomplishments as the sheer luck of a youth. However, compared to the names she would earn in the future, the titles were rather called shabby.

One year after the witch hunt, Amethyst bowed in front of the Dragon Emperor. “Hello, Dragon Emperor. Pleasure to make your acquaintance. I’m Viscountess Amethyst, the head of my family.”

Many warriors were standing behind her. These were the poisons Amethyst had collected over the past year:

The Ultimate Sword Duchess, the best swordswoman in the kingdom.

The Ironfang Viscountess, the warlord of the capital.

The Veilborn Baroness, the Enforcer.

Blazeflora, the last leader of the Red Fingernails.

The Valora Princess, the Innerbound’s Phoenix.

The Heartseer Viscountess, Viscountess Amethyst’s Flower.

They and many others dreamed of the kingdom’s destruction by trying to hasten its destruction, welcomed it, or disregarded the kingdom itself. They now formed a team capable of overthrowing the kingdom and lined up behind Amethyst. Their weapons were smeared with the blood of the soldiers who had jumped in to protect the dragon.

Amethyst flashed a bright smile. “It may be rude to say this since this is our first time seeing each other, but do you know how to comfort those who have already died?”

On that day, she captured a dragon that had lived for over thousands of years.

Act 2: Dragon Emperor Hunt.