WuxiaWorldEU

Chapter 41

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\n\n\nChapter 41: The Selfish Princess Hands Down Judgment.\n

\n\n\nEunie: <unedited>\n

Para: <edited> 05/02/21\n

SORRY FOR MAKING YOU GUYS WAIT. THING AND OTHER CRAP IN LIFE HAPPENED PLUS WITH THE PANDEMIC IT WAS JUST PLAIN CRAP. ANYWAYS HAVE FUN READING!! YOU CAN LOOK FORWARD FOR THE NEXT CHAPTER OVER THE WEEKEND!!\n\nTranslated by Eunie\n

Edited/Proofread by Para\n

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Upon Mother’s signal, the door opened once again, and a man, who was roughly being pulled by two palace guards, entered. He had his mouth gagged and body bound by a rope as they dragged him in front of us. Soon they came to a halt, and then the two guards forced him on his knees. This person...is the sole survivor of the group of ambushers that attacked the Knight’s Order.\n

If I didn’t remember some parts of the game, I wouldn’t have even known this man’s name, and he wouldn't be in this situation right now. His eyes widened the moment he confirmed my presence in the room. He seemed to be saying something, but because of the gag, all I could hear were some mumbles, but I’m guessing he’s saying, "Monster’" or something.\n

Well...I guess there’s no helping it. \n

“According to the confession of this criminal named Val, the knights captured from the Anemone Kingdom are still alive and are detained not too far from where the cliff collapsed.” Prime Minister Gilbert said as he looked down at Val with cold eyes, and then he continued. “However, they’re being detained in a place that is quite hard to describe visually. To save those captured knights, we’ll need him to guide us there.”\n

“Now then, my precious daughter, tell me how we should deal with this criminal.”\n

Now I understand. This whole thing is something like an exam for me, and clearly, at this very moment, my abilities as the next queen are being tested. I immediately took a quick breath to calm myself. I began sorting out the current situation and the applicable charges, taking the nature of the crime committed into consideration. \n

“...First of all, ambushing the Knight’s Order is a grave crime. At the very least, it’s enough to warrant imprisonment for a lifetime, and at worst, the death penalty. And since for this incident, there is a possibility that someone from an allied country is involved in this matter, I think the latter should be applicable.” Val’s eyes widened upon hearing my words. There’s nothing I can do since this is our country’s law, however…. “However, since he has knowledge of the location where the neighbouring knights are being imprisoned, then I believe an enslavement contract should suffice.”\n

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Enslavement Contract... That’s what I did in the game to Stayle after deceiving him. It was a punishment that we had in our country meant for criminals under special circumstances... And yet, I did such a heinous thing to the young Stayle… ….I really am deplorable.\n

There are also cases when an enslavement contract is beneficial for criminals who hold special intel. With the contract, we can get that intel out of them without worrying about them running away or worry about them lying in their testimony. Upon establishing the contract, there is always a clause at the end stating that the criminal will never be able to go against their master’s orders for the rest of their lives. With this, there’s no longer a need to worry about the possibility that the criminal could lie, run away, or ambush their master in the middle of the road.\n

“Currently, I believe there are three options available for us: \n

First, disregarding whether or not he indeed knows the whereabouts of the imprisoned knights, we can just settle for his immediate execution.\n

Second, let’s have him sign an enslavement contract, have him guide us to where the imprisoned knights are and then immediately execute him afterwards.\n

And lastly, we’ll have him sign an enslavement contract and impose restrictions. That way we’ll never have to worry about the possibility of him committing any misdeeds or crimes. Then we can also rescue and release the imprisoned knights.… ….I guess that sums up everything.”\n

And then I looked over at Val, who had been continuously glaring at me with his bloodshot eyes. If it was me from before, I would definitely not say such things, nor would I be capable of making these decisions. However, as Pryde right now, I’ve said nothing but cruel words to this criminal, and yet my heart doesn’t seem to move for him.**\n

(Eunie: She means she can’t feel pity or feel sorry for him. No romantic implications or whatsoever.)\n

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This is why it has become more apparent to me that I really am the most unfeeling, heinous Princess Pryde. I could feel Tiara, who was beside me the whole time, holding my hand as she looked at Val with fear apparent in her eyes.\n

“I see. Well then, Pryde, among those three, choose one which you think is an applicable punishment for that man. You have to choose it yourself. As the First Princess, I’ll be leaving it in your hands for you to decide what judgement should be passed on to that criminal.” Mother spoke without any change in her expression; it was still the same gentle and refined expression.\n

“First of all, I think it’s going to be better for us to immediately prioritize the rescue of the imprisoned knights. Even though we didn’t have the joint training with the new recruits of the Anemone Kingdom, it still doesn’t change the fact that they’re still part of our allied country. In fact, it’s because the joint training didn’t happen that we should take immediate action in regards to their imprisoned knights. This is the perfect time for us to show them our country’s cooperation. And more than anything else, if the captured knights are still alive, then it’s all the more reason for us to rescue them. It wouldn’t end well if we just sit back and do nothing just because of our country’s own knights. No one would want to ally or build trust and a relationship with a self-centred country like that. And lastly…”\n

All that's left is to decide whether to execute him or not after the enslavement contract. The things he's done are unforgivable. Even if it wasn’t for the sudden crumbling of the cliff, there could have still been graver casualties amongst the knights and the Captain. Furthermore, if their scheme had come to fruition, both countries’ knights would have been annihilated, costing us our alliance with the neighbouring country. No amount of apologies would be enough for the repercussions we’d have to face due to their crimes.\n

However...\n

I took a step forward and hid Tiara, who was still trembling in fear, and then I slowly walked towards Val, who was currently being held and forced to prostrate on the floor. \n

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“Answer only to my question, and the moment you speak of other nonsense, then I will immediately deliver your punishment right here and now.” Please don’t mention anything about the things that happened near the cliff, I prayed from my heart as I tried to get a glimpse of Val’s eyes. “You said your name is...Val.”\n

When I was able to take a closer look at him, I noticed that he seemed to have new injuries here and there. I’m afraid he underwent something akin to torture to extract his confession and various other information. This person is glaring at me. But I guess it’s pretty obvious since it was my fault that the request he undertook this time didn’t come to fruition, and as a result, he’s stuck here in this situation. \n

Val is someone who would definitely appear in the game. Seven years from now, he would appear in front of Pryde. Not in this captured state, but as her underling. I’m sure when the cliff collapsed, he used his own ability, and thus he was able to save himself. Then it would only be seven years later when he would return to this country. \n

While thinking of that, I couldn’t help but be reminded that he might be one of the people who met misfortune because I suddenly recalled memories of the game from my previous life. But of course, it’s not like I find him pitiful, nor do I regret being in this situation. \n

And then suddenly, I heard Tiara call out to me in a small voice, “Elder Sister…” It seems like she’s worried about me. Maybe bringing Tiara to this sort of place was a huge mistake. I wonder if it’s not too late for me to send her back to her room...but no… ...in the future, she is someone who is destined to become the true queen of this country. Thus I must set a good example for her, show her that as the next queen, there will be times where one must hand out severe judgement.\n

His crimes are considerably grave. In the first place, he's the one who imprisoned the knights. Even if he guides us to where they’re being imprisoned...it will never be considered an honourable achievement. Because it’s him... it's his fault that there were a lot of casualties amongst the Anemone Kingdom’s knights. Just how much have their families been grieving and worrying all this time?\n

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“Val, which punishment do you want?” I looked at Val’s eyes. It looked like he didn’t understand the meaning behind my question. Will you live or die? I guess there’s really no point in asking since people would usually want to live. However...I wanted to hear those words directly from his very own mouth. “The moment you choose to undergo the enslavement contract, you will never be able to commit any more crimes or leave this country. You will only be allowed to do an honest job as your means of livelihood. Even if you live, it will be a completely different lifestyle from the one you are familiar with. For example, even if you experience something completely unreasonable, you won’t be able to use your own strength or ability to subdue that absurd situation. No matter how much you get beaten up, or if the things you hold dear are robbed right in front of you— there will be nothing that you can do. Your fists will never be able to reach them. Depending on how you plan on living your life from hereon, death might be a sweeter place than the painful hell that awaits you.”\n

The enslavement contract was definitely not some sweet, better option he could have. On top of that, he has a tanned skin colour, which is something rare in our country. That’s why from now on, he might prefer how things were before he had to endure the strange looks people give him. \n

Val seemed to be in a daze as he was in deep thought, and then after a while, he finally moved his lips. “...Don’t wanna…. ...I don’t wanna die. Even if it’s enslavement or whatever...I’ll do it...so...” With clenched teeth and a grim expression on his face filled with humiliation, he made an extremely mortifying decision.\n

I nodded my head. If he desires to live despite the future that awaits him... “I understand. Soon after completing the enslavement contract, we shall set him free.” After saying that, the silence seemed to continue.\n

Val, Prime minister Gilbert, Uncle Vest, Father, and Mother were quietly staring at me. They looked shocked, their gazes penetrating me. More than a minute passed while the silence still continued, and then I saw Mother smile as she nodded her head.\n

“I see. So that’s what you have decided, Pryde.” After saying that, Uncle Vest rummaged around his chest pocket, took out a piece of parchment and a pen, and handed them to Mother. “My dear precious daughter. Right now, as the First Princess, you have passed judgement on that man. This is why you should be the one to enact the enslavement contract with him.”\n

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Generally, when an enslavement contract is used to penalize criminals, then the one who has to deal with it is Her Majesty, the Queen. To prevent the possibility of people belonging to the upper nobility amassing their own faction and starting a rebellion, only the queen can manage the enslavement contract for criminals. \n

There have already been dozens of criminals with unique circumstances that have formed an enslavement contract with Mother. But now she’s telling me to settle the enslavement contract with Val. There’s no need for me to open the rolled-up parchment that Mother handed to me to know that it was an enslavement contract. All I had to do was sign my name and for Val to do the same. For the rest of his life, he will be bound by the contents of the contract as a slave; I will be his master.\n

After receiving the parchment and pen from Mother, I examined the contents of the contract. There’s no turning back once I sign my name. Even though he’s a criminal, it wouldn’t change the fact that I made a person sign an enslavement contract.\n

To be honest, I’m scared.\n

I’m scared of possessing the very life and fate of a person in my hands.\n

This is what the most heretical and heinous Queen, Pryde… ...What I did to Stayle. I didn’t just destroy the lives of the capture targets; all the people of this country were ruined because of me. That’s right. Compared to Val, the weight of my sins are far graver because I am the most heinous criminal. \n

As I grasped the pen, I tried to stop my hand from trembling as I placed the pen on the paper and started signing my name. \n

I’m scared. What if this is the beginning of my...of Pryde’s sins?\n

But if I don’t go through with this, Val will have to sign the contract with Mother, and there’s no guarantee he will still be allowed to live, even upon the completion of the contract.\n

Moreover, as the next queen, it is my duty to do this properly.\n

If I am to be the queen, then it’s no good if all I can offer is some lip service. I should also be strict at times and be capable of making cruel decisions. Forget about entering a person into an enslavement contract; there will also be a time where I will have to sentence someone to the death penalty. \n

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And even though it’s not as severe as Pryde, Val is also considered a notorious criminal. But since he says he wants to live, and if he desires to live in this country, I will extend my hand to him. The me who will commit a crime seven years from now is being allowed to live right now in this country as the next in line for the throne.\n

A great sinner like me who deserves to die is currently surrounded by the people I love and is allowed to live. That’s why I thought it would be okay if I gave Val another chance. After signing it, I handed the pen and the contract to one of the escort knights while the other uncuffed Val and handed the paper and pen to him. With his hand trembling much more than mine, he signed his name.\n

And then, the moment he finished signing his name, Val and I were immediately connected with each other.\n

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05/02/21: Para here, as of today I have updated chapters 24-41. For the last few chapters, the edited versions were just sitting around and waiting to be approved of, but I have permission now to post my edits without needing them to be checked. Any other update was to just update some of the formatting. I've never seen the raws so I'm assuming that the unedited versions are how the raws are formatted, but I find it quite Jarring and hard to read when there's so many sentences starting on new lines or having massive spaces between text. I get that sometimes it's for dramatic effect, but you'll notice that for recent chapters that I've kinda changed it to look as if you were reading an actual book. Hopefully everyone else likes it better than the old format as much as I do?\n

Anyways, I'm currently editing everything before chapter 24 so look forward to that when my brain cells manage to edit it all lol.\n\n\n\n