Otaku Translation: The Amber Sword V3C135

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Chapter 135: The Hidden Conspiracy

"Damn it, this is infuriating!" The noblewoman kicked the wooden wall of the Tulip's Ash Inn, only to yelp in pain as her delicate foot throbbed. Her sharp, sword-like brows arched upward as she turned back toward the inn. There, she saw a black-haired youth emerge alongside a handsome young man dressed in a finely tailored black coat, wearing silver-patterned gloves and carrying an air of elegance. Her eyes lit up with hope. "Rono, Viscount Elman, what did Commander Veronica say?"

The boy shook his head. "She told us to behave."

"Thank goodness," the girl clasped her hands together, exhaling deeply in relief. "So she's not pursuing the matter further?"

Elman, whose features were refined and almost delicate, listened to their exchange with a faintly amused smile. He glanced down at Rono, who was half a head shorter than him, before turning back to Faina. "Lady Faina, what exactly happened?"

Elman knew well that the rare outburst from the Duchess—their commander—had resulted in a thorough scolding of the knight captains involved. Whatever had transpired that afternoon was clearly tied to their current predicament. Though none of them would dare disobey orders, if there was trouble brewing, it likely stemmed from this troublesome young noblewoman.

It was Elman himself who had suggested allowing Faina to secretly tag along, banking on the Duchess’s reluctance to refuse due to Queen’s favor. Now, he bore the brunt of the blame for failing in his role as her guardian. Yet, he wasn’t worried; instead, he watched Faina with a calm smile.

"Hmph," Faina bristled at the mere mention of the incident. "It’s all because of that bumpkin…" She recounted the events angrily, painting herself as the victim while conveniently omitting certain details.

"The opponent was strong," the black-haired youth added after listening. "Earl Kalenz was defeated in a single strike, and even our imperial knights couldn’t match him."

"That’s only because Earl Kalenz underestimated him," Faina huffed dismissively. "And those Royal Guard knights? Nothing but spoiled brats. They’re no better than border cavalry these days."

Though Elman himself served as a royal guard, he didn’t rise to her bait. Instead, he chuckled softly. "So Eruin has geniuses like that now?"

"He could face off against the Duchess herself," Rono stated matter-of-factly.

"But only because the Duchess couldn’t fully unleash her power there!" Faina retorted hotly. "Besides, that guy wields The Sword of the Earth—hardly a fair fight."

"True enough," Rono conceded calmly. "But let’s be honest: any one of us would struggle just to stand under the Duchess’s oppressive aura."

Faina glared at the black-haired youth. "Rono, why do you always contradict me?"

Caught off guard, Rono hesitated before replying earnestly, "I’m just stating facts, Faina."

The noblewoman sighed heavily, unable to argue further. Crossing her arms, she muttered under her breath, refusing to speak.

"I recall that Eruin has been struggling lately," Elman said smoothly, his voice low and measured. "Yet it seems they still haven’t learned their lesson."

"Lord Elman?" Rono frowned, turning to his companion skeptically.

"Don’t worry, Rono," Elman replied graciously. "Even so, I cannot allow such disrespect toward Lady Faina to go unpunished."

Faina’s heart raced at his words. While no one dared defy the Duchess openly, Elman was a rising star in the empire’s political sphere, often called the New Eagle of Cruze. She’d heard her father praise him repeatedly for his intelligence, caution, and vigilance—qualities rarely lauded by the stern patriarch. If even her father held him in such high regard, perhaps he truly had a plan.

Moreover, his willingness to intervene on her behalf flattered her immensely. The noblewoman couldn’t help but admire him with newfound appreciation.

"How will you handle it, Lord Elman?" she asked cautiously. "Even you can’t defy the Duchess’s orders, can you?"

"Naturally," Elman smiled. "But we won’t need to complicate things unnecessarily. Small matters like this don’t require notifying the Duchess."

"But that man possesses gold-rank strength," Rono interjected, frowning deeply. "None of us can match him individually. And if we rely on numbers, we risk drawing the druids’ attention—they value him highly…"

He trailed off, leaving the unspoken consequences hanging in the air. Everyone present understood the gravity of provoking Veronica again.

"No need for complications," Elman assured them with a serene smile. "Isn’t there an Eruinian delegation here as well? If that young man is nobility, he might be part of their envoy. Even if not, it’s best to leave internal disputes within Eruin itself."

Faina’s blue eyes brightened instantly. "Of course!" she exclaimed triumphantly. "Why didn’t I think of that? Those groveling Eruin officials will surely cave under imperial pressure."

She sniffed disdainfully. "They’ll have to discipline their unruly subjects properly."

"But who should deliver the message?" the girl wondered aloud.

Elman shrugged lightly. As a viscount and captain of the royal guards, direct interaction with foreign diplomats wasn’t ideal.

"I can’t either," Rono chimed in. "Royal alchemists aren’t permitted contact with foreign envoys."

"You’re not suggesting I go personally, are you?" Faina gasped, clutching her chest dramatically. "I—I have no experience with such matters!"

"I’ll go," a soft voice offered quietly.

All eyes turned to see a woman in a flowing purple gown step out from the hall. She stood gracefully, exuding an aura of quiet mystery, like a dark-blooming datura flower. Her gaze lingered briefly on Elman before settling on Faina.

"Delphine!" Faina exclaimed delightedly. "You’ll help too? That’s wonderful! Do you have a plan?"

"Lord Elman’s idea is sound," Delphine replied softly, glancing at the young nobleman beside her. "And Faina agrees, doesn’t she?"

"But you’re the Chancellor’s daughter, the Flower of Wisdom in the Empire!" Faina protested. "Compared to Lord Elman, I trust you more. Besides, everyone knows you’re smitten with him—who knows if you’re just siding with him?"

Elman chuckled softly, casting a playful glance at the woman beside him before turning back to Faina.

Delphine merely shook her head, her voice gentle yet firm. "If that’s the case, then let the Temple of Flames apply pressure to the Eruinians as well."

"Oh?" Elman raised an eyebrow, studying the Chancellor’s daughter. Catching his gaze, Delphine offered him a faint, enigmatic smile.

"The Temple of Flames?" Faina echoed, puzzled. "Will the Temple listen to us?"

"I heard that the Eruinian used a spell resembling the Templars’ Heavenly Armament," Delphine explained serenely, brushing a strand of long hair behind her shoulder. "The truth isn’t important—what matters is how we frame it."

"A brilliant plan," Elman praised warmly. "I’ve heard that the cleric leading the Temple of Flames delegation to the Black Forest is none other than Amman the Greedy. If he finds fault with them, they’ll suffer dearly—even if they survive, they’ll lose much."

"And beyond that," the young viscount continued, "we can stir the waters further. With so many factions here, a little conflict wouldn’t be surprising."

Delphine nodded in agreement.

"Wonderful!" Faina clapped her hands excitedly, already envisioning Brandon’s imminent demise. She pumped her fists victoriously, feeling vindicated. "Let’s act immediately!"

Meanwhile, the black-haired youth remained concerned about their primary mission. "Speaking of which, more and more forces are entering the Black Forest—ours, Buga’s wizards, the Temple of Flames, even the Eruinians. But the Lionheart Sword is clearly our holy relic."

"Why fret so much, Rono?" Faina groaned, her enthusiasm dampened by his pessimism. "With Commander Veronica here, what do we have to fear?"

"Buga’s wizards are merely spectators," Elman remarked dismissively. "As for the Temple of Flames, the Lionheart Sword’s connection to the King of Flames makes it relevant to them too. But why should we care about the opinions of those bumpkins from Eruin?"

Rono nodded reluctantly.

"But is the Lionheart Sword really linked to the Wind Circlet’s anomaly?" he asked. "The astrologers detected the divine artifact reaction southeast of Jandel, near Chablis, didn’t they?"

"The scope of a divine artifact reaction is vast—it’s impossible to pinpoint an exact location," Delphine finally spoke, her voice steady. "That’s why we’ve searched from south of Chablis into the Black Forest without success. It’s entirely normal."

"Do you think those skeletons took it?" Faina recalled their encounter with Madara’s forces.

"Holy swords possess souls," the young alchemist replied. "Whether the Lionheart Sword or the Blade of Flame, both embody light and justice. The undead would crumble to ash upon touching them—they wouldn’t dare show interest."

"For now, the Wind Circlet remains our only hope," Delphine concluded.

Their conversation shifted from punishing Brandon to their true objective, falling silent as they contemplated their next move. Just then, a group of knights rushed into the inn. Spotting Elman, they stopped abruptly and saluted.

"Captain Elman," they addressed him respectfully.

"Viscount Elman," another echoed.

Elman paused, raising his gaze. "What is it? You seem agitated."

"Something urgent, my lord," one knight panted.

"Urgent?"

"The Wind Circlet—it’s changed!"

TLN: The entire third volume has been completely translated. You can read all of it through the links below.

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