Chapter 51: The Dice Are Cast

Chloe Raina placed a hand on Lucia’s shoulder, her lips trembling slightly.

“Take good care of Xina and our earldom.”

Lucia’s expression was calm, yet tinged with helplessness. She knew that Chloe Raina’s journey to Jeannagos was a perilous one, a venture from which return was far from guaranteed.

Their trip was not simply to attend a wedding. Aside from Count Cliff, Carloman would also be present, and Lucia was well aware of Carloman’s terrifying nature.

Moreover, this affair involved those zealots from the Central Curia. They killed without a blink, and if they were to discover the truth about Chloe Raina’s vampiric nature, they would undoubtedly bind her to a cross and burn her alive.

“Is there truly no other way?”

“There isn’t enough time. I can’t gamble with Xina’s life,” Chloe Raina stated with solemn sincerity.

Lucia’s throat constricted. She leaned her head onto Chloe Raina’s shoulder, faint tears welling in her eyes.

“I’m so sorry, truly, so very sorry. This is all my fault…”

Chloe Raina raised her hand, gently stroking Lucia’s pale purple hair.

“Isn’t it a mother’s duty to handle problems for her daughter?”

This heartfelt comfort shattered Lucia’s last defenses. She embraced Chloe Raina tightly, her tears soaking into the brown carpet beneath their feet.

“I wish you a safe return.”

“Mhm.”

A blush crept onto Chloe Raina’s unadorned face. She forced her lips into a stiff, awkward smile.

****

Constantine, in her immense mercy, had granted them a few hours to prepare, allowing them to pack clothes and provisions for the journey. After all, the trip from here to Jeannagos would take a full week.

Chloe Raina and Alice Fabian Caligula had already devised a plan; now it was merely a matter of execution.

However, Chloe Raina wasn’t confident they could deceive Constantine and her knights, especially Leon. He watched her like a jackal, giving her no opportunity for even the slightest maneuver.

After bidding farewell to Lucia, Chloe Raina intended to return to her bedroom to pack, but Leon relentlessly followed her.

Just as Chloe Raina was about to turn and ask him what he wanted, Leon lunged forward. He clamped his hands around Chloe Raina’s neck, squeezing with such force it felt as though he meant to tear her apart.

“Give me back my money!”

Greedily, he plunged his hand into Chloe Raina’s pocket, pulling out two shining Shillings. He then flung Chloe Raina onto the bed and passionately kissed his treasures.

“Heh heh, with these, I can play with the little sisters every day.”

Chloe Raina propped herself up, her heart ablaze with fury. Leon’s lecherous gaze turned back to her.

“Oh, I didn’t get a good look earlier. You’re quite stunning.”

Hidden beneath Chloe Raina’s skirt was a dagger. With her ability to transform into a bat, she could easily get behind him for a backstab; she just needed to wait for the opportune moment.

Leon advanced on Chloe Raina step by step, muttering words that made her stomach churn.

The half-open door suddenly burst inward. Leon angrily glanced back.

Now! Just as Chloe Raina was about to activate her ability, Leon collapsed to his knees.

“Aaaaaaah!”

Constantine stood outside the door, her sword dripping with blood. Her pale blue eyes coldly gazed down at the lecher. Alice Fabian Caligula rushed in behind her.

Leon looked up. His once somewhat handsome face was now marred by two red cross-shaped scars. He was disfigured.

“Leon Parker, for repeatedly violating your vow of poverty, indulging in debauchery, and even attempting to harm Lady Chloe Raina, you are hereby permanently expelled from the order of knights.”

Constantine tapped Leon’s armor lightly with her sword. His steel plate instantly shattered into several pieces, clattering to the ground and revealing his grey undershirt.

Leon fled in a frenzy, possessing nothing but the two Shillings clutched in his hand.

Alice Fabian Caligula approached Chloe Raina, her face etched with anxiety. She asked, “He didn’t do anything to you, did he?”

“No.”

Chloe Raina tucked her dagger away. She turned to Constantine, genuinely stating, “Thank you.”

“It is my failing in discipline. I should be the one to offer you my sincerest apologies.”

Constantine placed her left hand over her chest and bowed slightly.

An hour later, Chloe Raina and Alice Fabian Caligula, burdened by a large sack of luggage, struggled to climb into the carriage.

Several fully armed knights surrounded the carriage, making any escape utterly impossible.

‘Then we’ll just have to use their escort to travel to Jeannagos,’ Chloe Raina thought.

Constantine donned her helmet once more, ready to resume their journey.

She looked at Chloe Raina, who was slowly approaching, and said, “My apologies, Lady Chloe Raina. Although there is no direct connection to you, the Central Curia still requires an investigation.”

“It’s fine, but I hope to have time to attend Count Cliff’s wedding.”

“We will endeavor to resolve this matter as quickly as possible.”

If they were to investigate, Chloe Raina’s vampiric identity would undoubtedly be exposed, and her life would certainly be forfeit, let alone attending any wedding.

Una lay on a stretcher, gasping weakly. Anna followed close behind, her arms laden with various salves and ointments.

Constantine intercepted Anna, inquiring, “And you are…?”

Anna glanced at the medicine in her hands and replied calmly, “I am a doctor. You wouldn’t want this dying girl to perish on the road, would you?”

Constantine nodded silently. She then walked towards Una. Anna instinctively stepped in front, yet Constantine merely lifted Una and gently placed her on a seat inside the carriage.

“I remember she once slandered you as a ‘heretic’ and wanted to send you to the stake,” Alice Fabian Caligula teased. “Now you’re not kicking her while she’s down?”

Constantine cast a cold glance at Alice Fabian Caligula, remaining silent. But as she turned away, she declared unequivocally, “Only God can judge her.”

“She is truly devout,” Chloe Raina commented sincerely, watching Constantine’s retreating back.

“Indeed, she is humble, temperate, gentle, protective of the weak, and devoted to charity. One could say she adheres strictly to the Holy Doctrine. However, people like her are the most unwelcome. The Central Curia is now filled with scoundrels like Leon, swindling and deceiving in the name of religion.”

Alice Fabian Caligula rested her arm on the leather seat, her gaze drifting out the window, a hint of melancholy in her eyes.

“Listen closely, Chloe Raina. In these dark times, honorable methods alone cannot secure victory.”

Chloe Raina nodded, having profoundly realized this truth.

In the two months since she had traversed to this world, she had acted according to the rules of her former reality, cautious and unwilling to harm anyone. Yet, all she had gained was one conspiracy and betrayal after another.

It was much like her diligent work, only to be dismissed by her company as if she were as light as a feather.

Xina, Norria, Xiao Nuoqi, Jack, Miko, Anna, and Count Cliff had been shamelessly manipulated, their destinies toyed with, then discarded like pawns.

Chloe Raina’s piercing gaze fixed straight ahead. She had resolved to officially join Count Cliff’s ugly game as Chloe Raina, but this time, she refused to enter as a mere pawn.

The carriage moved slowly. Chloe Raina leaned out the window, gazing at Sirena Castle as it faded into the distance. She might never return.

But the dice had already been cast.