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Join the ServerBlood seeped across the floor, and the entire dungeon reeked of gore and the stench of entrails.
Ragged slaves huddled in corners, trembling, some weeping with their heads buried in their arms.
No one dared to glance at the pile of flesh that had once been their companion.
The burly barbarian, cleaver in hand, stood before the mangled corpse, a sneer twisting his lips as he surveyed the remaining captives.
“I thought the one before was enough to make an example, but to my surprise, some of you still tried to escape. Even the sheep in the pen are smarter than you lot.”
The brute chuckled menacingly. “Next time, everyone will suffer collective punishment. Don’t worry, I won’t leave you missing any limbs, but by then, I fear you’ll only beg me to kill you!”
Though considered barbarians by the Empire, he was a true native of the Dragon’s Ridge Kingdom, a people far superior to these slaves. In fact, he had even been a s*ave owner in the Dragon’s Ridge Kingdom before being hired.
Outside the cell door behind the barbarian, an old man’s figure appeared. He spoke, addressing the barbarian, “Banta, are you finished?”
“My lord!” The barbarian, Banta, turned, bowing his head respectfully. “Almost.”
“Then quickly transport the bodies upstairs and dispose of them properly.” The old man, Duke Bedford, spoke dispassionately. “Tonight, we need to select two to sell at the market: one woman, and one able-bodied man.”
“Understood.” Banta replied, grabbing his whip and lashing it hard against the ground. He barked orders at the remaining slaves, “Stuff these filthy things into sacks and carry them up! Move it! Anyone caught slacking will be next!”
Duke Bedford cast a cold glance at the mangled corpse on the floor, his expression utterly unchanged.
****
The following morning, Alice, Jeanne Decker, and the Mad Hatter concealed themselves in a clock tower near Duke Bedford’s estate, gazing down at the distant mansion.
“Are you sure it’ll be alright, just one person?” Jeanne Decker asked, her face etched with worry.
“Queen Isola’s divination indicated success, so there’s nothing to fret over,” Alice Liddell reassured her.
“But…” Jeanne Decker still seemed uneasy.
“I’ll be careful. As for you, don’t act rashly,” Alice Liddell warned. “While the Mad Hatter’s words might have been a joke, in this place, he genuinely might not intervene easily.”
For this operation, the Mad Hatter had not only refused to guarantee assistance in a crisis but had also explicitly stated that the target’s residence was in the city, posing too great a risk of exposure for him. Furthermore, the plan wasn’t even his. Thus, he would not participate, treating it merely as a trial for them.
The assassination plan had originated with Jeanne Decker’s general concept, then refined and completed by Alice Liddell.
The basic operation involved Alice Liddell using a transformation potion to disguise herself as an official from the Ministry of Finance to gain an audience with Duke Bedford. Jeanne Decker would then launch a feigned attack to draw out the barbarian bodyguard.
Alice Liddell would seize the opportunity to assassinate the Duke, then rendezvous with Jeanne Decker outside. If circumstances permitted, they would eliminate the bodyguard—according to the Tea Party’s investigation and Count Gina’s confession, the bodyguard had committed numerous heinous acts.
If conditions were unfavorable, they would simply withdraw.
“Say, should we try to have you harvest that barbarian’s soul? I once heard Mr. Mad Hatter say that your advancement materials could be replaced by the souls of sinners of the corresponding rank?” Jeanne Decker suddenly proposed.
When the Mad Hatter had offered advancement materials as a reward for this mission last time, Jeanne Decker had noticed Alice Liddell’s rather enthusiastic attitude toward advancing her rank, and she wanted to help Alice Liddell.
Alice Liddell glanced at Jeanne Decker, then suddenly raised her hand and flicked her on the forehead.
Jeanne Decker froze, clutching her head.
“I just told you not to act rashly! You know how dangerous barbarian warriors are, yet you’re considering such a thing?” Alice Liddell lectured her with a serious expression. “If you get hurt over this, think about who will suffer?”
To harvest a soul, one had to inflict cumulative, non-lethal damage on the barbarian warrior using a warlock’s abilities. Considering the opponent’s berserker capabilities, doing so would essentially help them activate their powers.
Willfully increasing the difficulty of the mission meant a single misstep could lead to disaster.
“I’m sorry,” Jeanne Decker whispered in response.
The flick to her forehead had brought her back to her senses somewhat.
Proposing such a risky idea was quite unlike her usual self.
It seemed love truly could make one a little blind.
Alice Liddell stared at the mansion, recalling the divination results Queen Isola had told her yesterday.
“I saw you successfully assassinate the target,” Queen Isola had stated plainly at the time.
Upon hearing this result, Alice Liddell felt more surprise than joy.
Queen Isola had told her the successful outcome so directly, seemingly without considering any potential future interference.
However, Queen Isola’s subsequent words immediately clarified her doubts:
“Although you succeeded, the version of you I saw in the divination appeared to have sustained some injuries.”
Alice Liddell immediately grew vigilant upon hearing this. Injuries? Did this mean her assassination would encounter some unexpected danger?
“Were my injuries severe in the divination?” Alice Liddell cautiously inquired.
“The injuries weren’t severe, but they looked like they would require a period of recuperation.”
This meant that while the mission carried risks, it wouldn’t be uncontrollable.
No wonder Queen Isola had specifically told her the outcome. By undertaking the mission with foreknowledge of the risks, she might be able to avoid potential dangers and achieve a better result.
“It seems even knowing the danger, you still intend to take on this job for others.”
The Duchess Liddell’s voice drifted from the side.
Subsequently, the Duchess Liddell appeared in the mirror, frowning slightly as she stared at Alice Liddell, her expression tinged with displeasure.
A bitter smile touched Alice Liddell’s face. She knew she was about to be lectured again.
“Yet, our own mission hasn’t made any progress,” the Duchess Liddell articulated the words Alice Liddell had expected.
“It’s to be expected that the sealed land isn’t easy to find,” Queen Isola interjected. “And doing this mission wasn’t entirely without reward; at least it allowed her to advance to the sixth rank, didn’t it?”
“You’re quite good at defending her, Your Majesty.”
The Duchess Liddell sighed helplessly. “However, I can agree with that point. To cross the threshold of the mid-tier and advance, I am genuinely happy for you. I never imagined that in just one year, you would grow to my level.”
“Thank you…” Alice Liddell murmured her thanks.
However, in the next second, the Duchess Liddell’s sarcasm emerged: “Truly, the student surpasses the master. I never thought I would one day train a witch more powerful than even Her Majesty, one who can rapidly advance by drawing resources from two sides, and even string two people along, utterly captivating them.”
“I get it, can you please stop scolding me?”
Alice Liddell couldn’t help but pinch her own cheeks.
You’ve got to see this next! Madam, Please Behave Yourself! will keep you on the edge of your seat. Start reading today!
Read : Madam, Please Behave Yourself!
