Book 5: Chapter 33


    I imagine everyone has heard of a phenomenon known as dust explosion. A dust explosion is the rapidbustion of fine particles suspended in the air that is no less powerful than TNT.


    There are two challenges to sessfully carrying it out. The first is that there must be dust particles reasonably distributed closely together in the air. Another is an ignition source which can be ignited instantly.


    I dont have either of the two with me. If I had metallic powder, I would choose metallic powder as my first preference. But the only option I have right now is flour.


    Its not easy to buy flour in winter. I had people grind out some flour for a few hours so that it was thick enough for my requirements. But then I wasnt left with much flour. I only had a small pouch. Its enough, though.


    I just need them to do as I say now.


    A few small boats slowly crossed over toward the ind in the centre.


    We didnt use any light to remain hidden under the cover of the darkness.


    The surroundings were silent. The only sound was the sound of water flowing.


    I looked down into the pitch-ck water. I inquired about the depth of the water during the day. Im not actually a good swimmer, and thest time I died happened to be in the water. Ive got a bit of a phobia towards deep water.


    However, I know that Nier is more scared than I am.


    Tonight happened to be a full-moon night as well


    I ced my hand on the ne on my chest Mom wasnt wrong. Tonight is a full-moon night. I wasted too much time on the road and with the elves. I had arrived therete, to begin with, then I stayed in the capital for a week. I also took my time on the way to the vige, and today is a full-moon night.


    It hurt. My entire body was hurting. All of my joints were aching like they were going to pierce through my skin. I clenched my teeth tightly. My gut felt like it was being forcefully twisted and bunched together. Even breathing was making me feel sick. I couldnt puke even if I didnt eat.


    Fortunately, it was a cloudy day today or I wouldnt dare to be in the moonlight right now.


    Luna sucked out some of my mana when we kissed before which is the reason Ive managed to hold out until now. But Luna couldnt keep it up. We only kissed for a short while before she passed out from the pain. I left her on the shore and came here while fighting the pain.


    I must go and rescue Nier. Nier is still waiting for me. I cant waste time. Nier is waiting for me. Shes just inside the castle. If this were a fairy tale, then the prince is on the way to save the princess.


    I cant back down now.


    A few tiny boats encroached upon the pitch-ck castle like fish approaching a whale that was deeply asleep, except that these few fish were about to gobble this whale


    =========================


    <strong>Ssh</strong>


    Ice-cold water got poured onto Niers head.


    Niers body jolted violently. Her breaths were now virtually non-existent. It was like her body, which had shut down, was switched back on. She struggled to look up at the merchant who ced the cup down to one side.


    He chuckled indifferently and said, Good evening. It looks like you are very disappointed.


    Thats right. Thats right.


    He stood silent, due to being caught off guard. He never expected Nier to still have her rationality and reasoning intact. He bent over to look at Niers face and said, But youre more disappointed than me. It looks like youve be a discarded pawn. It looks as if neither Her Majesty or His Majesty are going toe to your rescue.


    Hmph Nier shot him a mocking re and then subconsciously began to shuffle her feet and said, This this isnt Mm Do do I want it?  You will never never never hurt His Majesty! Even if I even if I die His Majesty mm ugh will will


    Niers body jerked every time she mentioned His Majesty.


    The merchant smiled helplessly when he saw her. He said, Why must you struggle futilely? What sort of love makes you so loyal? Or are you unable to distinguish between love and loyalty? If its loyalty, naturally he wonte, because you dying for his sake is just a matter of course. However, if you truly love each other, then he wouldvee to rescue you already.


    I know that he doesnt love me


    Nier looked at him and firmly continued, But I love him


    The merchant shook his head as he couldnt understand her sentiments. He stood up andmented, I dont quite understand this moronic love of yours, but it looks like your love hasnt provided you with anything


    <strong>BOOM!!</strong>


    A huge fire rose up and the entire castle was virtually quaking.


    The ss-cup the merchant ced to a side dropped to the ground and shattered.


    Stunned, he used the wall to regain his bnce. In a flustered manner, he loudly shouted, Men! What happened?! What happened?! Is someone attacking the castle?! Where did the explosione from?!


    Reporting sir! Its the main door! The main door has been sted open! Its been sted open!! Someone threw flour inside and then a big ball that looked like a hand grenade!! The main door got blown to pieces! The men behind it all died! The intruders have already fought their way into the hall!


    You useless garbage! Werent there more than thirty people behind it?! Even thirty pigs could kill them!


    I dont know! It was the prince! It was the prince! He threw this small thing that was really bright, blinding us, and then they cut everyone down!! Theyre in the hall right now! Theyre on their way here!!


    Thats right. Its very simple.


    Someone used stones to toss the small pouch of flour in, where the flour then scattered and fell like a nket of snow onto the drawbridge. Then, another person shot the fire and quake potions mom gave me in.


    I already mentioned moms fire spell. It creates a huge violent fire. The flour particles scattered in the air in addition to the fire The resulting massive explosion almost blew us backwards, into the water.


    The timber main door and the gate behind it were sted apart.


    Just as the soldiers behind the doors and gate were about to make a move I threw in two light magic balls.They created a blinding light to inhibit their vision.


    The mercenaries then rushed them and entered in one fell swoop. They cut down all the soldiers who jumped up onto the shore. After that, they either pushed them into the water or used them as stepping stones as they joyously charged into the hall of the castle. As everything happened suddenly, they didnt even have time to close the door to the hall!


    Damn it! Damn it! Damn it! What has that damned prince done?! What has he done?! The merchant grabbed his hair and shouted. His eyes looked like they were going to pop out of his head.


    The castle he thought would be easy to defend and hard to attack was conquered in an instant. The castle was a double-edged sword. Once the enemy had sessfully invaded the castle, no one inside would be able to escape unless they jumped into the water from up high.


    Ah, of course, youd still get injured jumping into the water from that height.


    He aggressively turned his head and looked at Nier on the ground with his eyes that looked like they were going to start bleeding. He strutted over to her.


    She was his final bargaining chip.


    There might be that off-chance that he could get away with his life if he surrendered now. He didnt care about the church any longer. He had started thinking that perhaps he would be able to get away with his life if he handed Nier to the prince.


    Nier watched him approach her and narrowed her eyes.


    As soon as his hands touched Niers hair, she jumped up swiftly. She swung her hands, with blood pouring out from them, and stabbed him in one eye.


    He shrieked in pain as he took a few steps back with his hands covering his eye. He shouted and grabbed the sharp object stabbed into his eye. He pulled the sharp piece of ss out which yanked his eye out with it while blood spurted forth.


    Nier leaned on the wall and panted to try and catch her breath. Her body liquid continued to run down her legs non-stop. She nced at the merchant,ughed coldly and said, I forgot to tell you this. His Majesty is full of tricks. Lets see whos disappointed now.


    Shut up!!! You bitch! Im going to kill you! Ill kill you!!


    The merchant thundered and charged towards Nier.


    Nier wanted to resist, but her entire body was powerless. She had just expended herst ounce of strength. She nkly watched as the merchant tore her clothes off, revealing her beautiful skin. She closed her eyes with despair in her heart. Did she fail even after struggling to the bitter end?


    If so


    Did that mean


    That she would never have the right to stay by His Majestys side?