Chapter 77: Low-Rank Apostle, Ambushing the Third Prince

Heavenly Calendar Year 720, October 2nd, the eve of the Music Festival.

Although the Music Festival wouldn’t officially arrive until tomorrow, Bild City had already become more bustling than usual because of it. The sounds of various musical instruments, playing melody after melody, filled the streets and alleys.

Harp, violin, piano… musicians always strove to display their talents.

The bards were not willing to be outdone, matching the moving melodies as they sang one widely circulated classic poem after another.

A carriage slowly drove down the street. Eileen, acting as the maid, was driving the carriage, while Amelia and Verna were inside.

The carriage moved through the streets of Moonlight District, passing through the hustle, bustle, and prosperity.

‘This prosperity… one day, it will belong to me!’

Verna looked at the bustling scenery outside the carriage window, and a look of longing involuntarily appeared in her eyes.

After secretly harboring this anticipation, Verna withdrew her gaze and said to Amelia beside her: “Amelia, the path we’re taking today is the route Dwight is most likely to take tomorrow… Hm? What are you thinking about?”

Mid-sentence, Verna noticed Amelia seemed somewhat distracted and couldn’t help but ask curiously.

“Oh? It’s nothing. I was just daydreaming a bit.”

Amelia snapped back to reality, then with a smile, continued discussing the plan for tomorrow’s operation with Verna.

Unknowingly, she was already able to calmly discuss with someone how to kill a person.

This world had truly changed her quite a bit.

The two drove around the streets, taking a look at the route they would likely take tomorrow. The carriage then stopped at White Maple District, where White Maple Academy was located.

After the carriage halted, Verna lifted the curtain and got out.

“We’ll see each other tomorrow, Amelia.”

“See you tomorrow.”

As Verna departed, Eileen drove the carriage back toward Red Maple District.

On the way back, Amelia asked: “Eileen, what did it feel like back when you broke through from Trainee Apostle to Low-Rank Apostle?”

Eileen, outside the carriage, immediately replied upon hearing this: “At that time, I just felt my mind suddenly become exceptionally clear, and then I received a greater bestowal of Divine Power from the Sword of the God of War, and gained a new ability.”

“Is that so?”

“Is Miss Lily seeking inspiration to break through to Low-Rank Apostle?”

“No… I’ve already broken through.”

“…”

Eileen, who was driving the carriage, was momentarily stunned. She subconsciously glanced back, but all she could see was the carriage curtain swaying with the vehicle’s movement.

“Miss Lily, you are already a Low-Rank Apostle?” Eileen subconsciously lowered her voice and asked.

“Mm. It happened just before Verna came to find me. To be honest, I didn’t expect to break through at this time, but it feels pretty good.”

Inside the carriage.

Amelia sat there, raised her hand, and grasped the air emptily. She could feel more power welling up.

“I knew Miss Lily was a genius. I believe it won’t be long before Miss Lily’s rank catches up to mine, or even surpasses it.” Eileen felt genuinely happy about this.

At the same time, she was very curious about what ability Amelia had obtained after becoming a Low-Rank Apostle. But since Amelia didn’t bring it up herself, Eileen wouldn’t deliberately ask.

The carriage returned to 32 Red Maple District in this manner.

Amelia lifted the curtain and stepped down.

She looked at her residence. Although she hadn’t lived here for very long, it was still quite comfortable. If possible, she wanted to continue living here and didn’t hope for anything that would threaten her life here to appear.

The Third Prince, Dwight, must die!

“Eileen, let’s take a bath and go to sleep early. Tomorrow, I’ll need your efforts.”

“Yes, Miss Lily.”

~~~~~~~~~~

October 3rd, the Music Festival!

This was an extremely lively festival in Bild City. Many people woke up early in the morning to prepare for this romantic holiday.

Amelia awoke to the sound of music.

She didn’t know where the violin sound came from that broke her dreams, but she didn’t mind, because the violin playing was quite good.

After getting up, Amelia freshened up. With Eileen’s assistance, she changed into a white dress, an attire befitting a noble lady. Her dyed water-blue, slightly wavy long hair cascaded down her back, with some hair accessories pinned among the strands, both aesthetically pleasing and ensuring her hair wouldn’t be blown messy by the wind.

As for Eileen, she was dressed as always in her black-and-white maid outfit and black garter stockings.

“Ding-dong!”

Eileen had just finished dressing Amelia when the doorbell rang from outside.

With no curse plaguing her now, Eileen immediately went to open the door. Appearing outside was, as expected, Verna.

Verna was wearing a black dress, magnificent and meticulously detailed, outlining her graceful figure.

Usually, Verna wore her hair in a low ponytail, but today, quite unusually, she had styled it in a high ponytail. It seemed this change in hairstyle signified her determination to succeed in today’s operation!

“It’s Eileen. Has Amelia gotten out of bed?” Verna was already acquainted with Eileen and asked directly.

“Miss Lily is up. In addition…” Eileen paused for a moment, then continued: “If possible, please, Your Highness the Princess, address Miss Lily as ‘Lily,’ not by her original name. Although we can’t see anyone around, to be cautious and prevent any unforeseen circumstances, it’s better to be careful.”

“…Ah, you’re right.”

Verna smiled upon hearing this. She didn’t mind that Eileen had spoken to her this way.

The truth was, Eileen had eyes only for Amelia. To her, everyone else, even a princess, meant little.

Verna entered the house. Upon seeing Amelia, she immediately greeted her: “Ame… ah, Lily, are you ready? We need to get moving. In case Dwight decides to act early in the morning, we might miss him.”

Hearing Verna’s form of address, Amelia glanced at Eileen and felt amused.

“I’m ready, let’s go.”

“Good. Today is Dwight’s day of death. Let’s finish him off!”

Verna’s spirits were quite high.

For her, this was the first time attacking one of her rivals for the throne, making it exceptionally significant.

Of course, she also knew this wouldn’t be the only time.

After Dwight, there were Vincent, Bennett, and the others. One by one, as long as they threatened her path to becoming Grand Duchess, she wouldn’t let any of them go!

The three of them boarded the carriage and left the place.

~~~~~~~~~~

White Maple Academy.

Inside the magnificently decorated room.

Dwight combed his short red hair, looking very spirited.

He put on a black double-breasted frock coat, his image that of a perfect gentleman.

“Your Highness, the carriage is ready.”

Mord’s voice came from the doorway.

Today, Mord was dressed in his usual red outfit, his face expressionless, faithfully performing his duty as a guard.

Hearing Mord’s voice, Dwight turned around and smiled slightly: “Let’s go. We’re heading to Moonlight Square. Let’s hope this year’s performance won’t disappoint me.”

“They know Your Highness will personally watch the performance; they will certainly do their utmost. It shouldn’t be too bad.”

“Let’s hope so.”

Dwight smiled and walked out of the room.

The carriage was already prepared downstairs. After Dwight boarded, Mord drove the carriage toward their destination.

The carriage first traveled out of White Maple Academy, then through Lily District, Lilac District, Starlight District…

The names of the districts differed by city area. For instance, the districts in the East District were all named after plants, like Red Maple District, White Maple District, Lily District, Lilac District…

Whereas the district names in the North District were of this type: Moonlight District, Starlight District, Sunlight District, Sky District.

The carriage had now entered the North District.

Driving along the way, Mord noticed the streets were initially quite bustling. But upon entering Moonlight District, the streets became quiet and deserted, with hardly a person in sight.

Mord was not surprised by this. He knew the people of Moonlight District had surely all gone to Moonlight Square to watch the performances.

In previous years, the performances at Moonlight Square lasted from morning until late night. The performances were exceptionally brilliant, naturally drawing the entire district’s population to gather and watch.

Even many people from other districts, as long as the distance wasn’t too great, would make the trip.

Naturally, in a large city like Bild, Moonlight Square wasn’t the only place with performances. Other districts had their own shows, just as spectacular.

“Clop, clop, clop…”

The carriage passed beneath a massive maple tree. A red maple leaf drifted down, swaying as it landed under the carriage wheel and was crushed.

Right at that moment, Mord’s pupils suddenly constricted.

He sensed it: a barrier had risen in the surroundings… No, not just one barrier, but two layers of barriers.

Based on his extensive experience, Mord quickly identified the two barriers as Two-Layer World and Area Lockdown.

“Your Highness, it’s an attack!”

Mord immediately shouted a warning.

Just as Mord yelled, a maple leaf fell in front of him. Along with the leaf, a sword glinting with cold light descended from above.

“Clang!”

Mord struck out directly. The sword at his waist was already unsheathed, and it collided head-on with the sword falling from above, producing an exceptionally crisp sound.

Upon impact, Mord’s heart sank. He felt an intensely strong force.

The opponent was a Mid-Rank Apostle!

The one attacking was naturally Eileen. Seeing her ambush had failed, Eileen wasn’t surprised. She landed directly on the ground, brandished her sword, and attacked again.

Mord met her charge with a grim expression.

Attacking a prince in the city of Bild—what boldness! Ordinary people would never dare do such a thing. But once someone dared, the force they brought would definitely be formidable!

Listening to the clash of swords outside, Dwight unhurriedly stepped out of the carriage.

His gaze swept over Eileen. She looked vaguely familiar, but he couldn’t remember where he’d seen her.

Dwight had seen Eileen when he visited Amelia’s house, but at that time Eileen was still under the curse’s influence. Amelia had sent Eileen away before he came, so Dwight had only taken a cursory glance at her. Naturally, he couldn’t recall her immediately.

“I am the Third Prince of Luban Duchy, Dwight Luban. You, who dares attack me—are you prepared for the retaliation of the entire Luban Duchy?” Dwight’s gaze shifted around the surroundings, his voice very stern.

He knew that the person attacking him couldn’t be Eileen alone. There must be others nearby.

At this moment, Amelia and Verna were both inside a deserted house nearby, watching the situation outside through a crack in the door.

“Lily, where are your people? Surely not just Eileen alone?” Verna asked, puzzled.

“That’s right. Just Eileen.”

“Why only Eileen? Didn’t we agree that Mord would be handled by your people? I also told you beforehand that Mord is a Mid-Rank Apostle, but you only sent Eileen?”

“The reason I only sent Eileen is because it’s enough.”

“Enough? But she is still only a Mid-Rank Apostle herself.”

Verna didn’t quite understand.

Previously, when she didn’t see anyone else, she had assumed Amelia’s other people were hidden in the shadows. She never imagined there weren’t any others at all.

Amelia smiled gently and said: “Don’t worry. Since I made this decision, I have my reasons.”

Hearing this, Verna could only say, albeit helplessly: “Fine. While Eileen is keeping Mord busy, I’ll go deal with Dwight first. After finishing off Dwight, we’ll figure out how to handle Mord.”

Although Verna was an Apostle specializing in setting up supplementary barriers and her own combat prowess was not exceptional, dealing with an ordinary person was more than enough.

In her understanding, Dwight was just an ordinary person.

She opened the door and walked straight out.

As Verna emerged, Dwight also noticed her.

“Verna? It’s actually you?”

When he saw Verna, even Dwight experienced a momentary lapse in thought, clearly not expecting his attacker to be Verna.

In that short moment, many possibilities had flashed through his mind, but he had never considered this one. After all, in his impression, Verna was merely a marginalized princess, with no power or influence, and was just an ordinary person herself.

“That’s right, it’s me. You’re surprised, aren’t you? Good, be surprised. In the future, I will make the entire Luban Duchy surprised. But it’s a pity you won’t live to see that scene.” Verna’s gaze was cold, and her steps quickened as she approached Dwight.

“How ridiculous.” Dwight’s expression turned cold. “I still don’t know your motive, but wanting to kill me—you simply aren’t capable of it.”

“Think so, do you? Dwight, oh Dwight. But you could never imagine that I am actually an Apostle, could you?” As she spoke, Verna gripped a dagger in her hand and charged directly.

Seeing this, a look of mockery appeared in Dwight’s eyes: “Verna, oh Verna. I truly never imagined you were an Apostle. But, did you ever consider one possibility? The possibility that I am also an Apostle?”