Crimson Karma (Jinhongui Karma) - Chapter 14

Raw provider: Tsalispark

Translator: Rhyme_Bean

Editor: Nush

“Dame Kasia, Do you know about the Karina Palace?”

“I have heard of it. Isn’t it the place where the current Emperor is staying at the moment?”

“That’s right. I want you to bring out someone from there.”

“… Are you talking about Her Majesty Queen Elena.”

“.…How did you know?”

“Is there anyone besides Her Majesty The Queen, that His Highness will want to bring out? Isn’t this truth known to all?”

“Phew…. That’s right…..”

Tasel felt like he was talking to a Knight whom he had a meeting on the mission. He didn’t need to provide her with any annoying explanation as she could guess what was on his mind one step ahead. Kasia, though interesting, was quite reliable.

“Do you think you can rescue my mother?”

“There won’t be any problem with infiltrating the palace. But the problem is escorting Her Majesty back.”

“You don’t need to worry about that. You only need to find her and remain alone with her. We can use teleportation magic to return.”

As expected, in this world the cheat code was magic. It was something beyond her limit of anticipation.

“By any chance, other than this, is there any other way magic can be utilized?”

“Originally we were roughly able to  estimate my mother’s location. But after a while we couldn’t feel her spirit anymore. Maybe they used obstruction magic in her room.”

“Then is it possible to use teleportation magic in that room?”

“Mm, obstruction magic is a higher level spell that can only be cast by a higher level Mage. According to my knowledge, there is no one in the Karina Palace that can cast obstruction magic. Magic used to locate a person is relatively simple, so what I am saying is even without

an obstruction magic the locating magic can be easily disrupted.”

Kasia thought that she needed to thoroughly study about this world’s magic sometime.

“I would like to ask one more thing. Can I kill anyone among Karina Palace’s guards? Is there anyone that I shouldn’t touch?”

He felt surprised by her words once again. Right now she was worried about killing an ally by mistake, not fearing about failure of the mission.

“What you mean is, that you can kill anyone? Is there any trump card behind your confidence?”

“It’s not like that. Just in case, I only asked as a precaution.”

“There are people I planted in the Karina Palace. But due to the tight security, they are unable to approach my mother’s room. And yes, other than them , there is none I care about.”

There was a grief and longing in Tasel’s face. For a prince of the nation, he only got few to care about in the palace. If it was heard by the nobles, they for sure would laugh in mockery. But she felt relieved as there were less people that she needed to be concerned with. Kasia carefully brought up what was in her mind for a long time.

“Since His Highness is thinking about bringing out Her Majesty Elena, then can it be considered as turning your back towards His Majesty the Emperor?”

Tasel’s eyes widened. He clenched his teeth tightly and then calmed down and whispered lightly.

“Dame Kasia, there are eyes and ears everywhere. You should not bring out such words carelessly.”

Kasia became certain that Tasel was planning something. Well, if she was in his place, she wouldn’t be able to put up with the Emperor who frankly showed his malice towards her, just because he is the Emperor and her Father.

Kasia nodded her head and Tasel came back to the topic.

“If it’s impossible to rescue Mother, then I would very much appreciate it if you could at least confirm her safety.”

“I understand. Since I also need to prepare, I can head out after 3 days.”

“Are you really okay?”

Tasel never thought that she would accept the mission this easily. But Kasia was also similarly looking at him in a strange way.

“Since His Highness commanded, then isn’t it a matter of fact to follow it?”

“.….. Even your life can be in danger.”

“Is there a life that is not in danger during a war?”

Tasel was amazed by her. It was not that there was no Knight who received a command akin to their life. But he had never seen anyone who talked about risking their own life in such an indifferent way like her.

“You… Don’t you value your life?”

Kasia couldn’t answer his question. Because there were many things to consider in that question. She already died once and the memory of her death was still intact within her. So she took her current life as a bonus. Since her previous life was more miserable than death, she didn’t feel any fear towards death.

After having reborn and lived for 1-2 months, there was a strange confidence within her that she wouldn’t die again that easily. And even knowing that there was a possibility of her death, she didn’t feel any different emotion.

‘What does it feel like to have a desire to live?’

She was not sure whether her survival in Camp X was due to her strong will to live. But after the continuous brainwashing, her human emotions were gnawed away. She survived Camp X, and the reason she completed all those missions were also because of her strong survival instinct. But this survival instinct was not rooted from the desire to live, rather it was rooted from her sense of duty of completing the mission .

“I had already died once in the Mist Forest. Since it was His Highness who saved my life, the person who can take that life back is also His Highness.”

After a long thought, she came up with an answer that was likely to work.

As if she hit the mark, Tasel exposed a momentary emotion on his face. But his eyes soon settled down.

“I seem to be in debt for many lives.”

Those words didn’t seem like it was said particularly to Kasia.

As more died because of him, his inside felt like burning. Sometimes he woke up soaked in sweat, dreaming that he was struggling in a pool of blood. Even Kasia who was apathetic could see his eyes filled with suffering.

“I haven’t died yet. And I will try my best not to die.”

Tasel felt his shaky heart a moment ago, became sturdier once again because of her words.

“You really are novel. I get a feeling that you are not even from this world. Just like…. Yes, a reaper sent by God.”

Tasel’s words were clumsy, but it was too close to the truth.

‘Since a while ago, he has been saying sharp words . Should I say that I had already died once….?”

Kasia with her usual indifference and silence looked up at him. Tasel was not the only royalty who was responsible for the war. But whether voluntarily or not, in the near future he must decide his stance.

“Tomorrow morning, I will find Your Highness at your tent. Please guide me about the inside of Karina Palace and Your Highness’ confidantes planted there.”

“.…Okay. I’ll meet you tomorrow.”

After finishing his words, Tasel retired. Looking at the Tasel whose shoulders seemed like they were carrying a heavy weight, for the first time, Kasia felt like helping someone.

*     *     *

As soon as the sky brightened, a soldier sent by Tasel came to look for Kasia.

Kasia pacified Krone who once again looked at her with worrisome eyes and followed after the soldier towards Tasel’s tent.

Inside the tent, Zeke and Mikhail, the brothers who always stayed near Tasel, were absent.

Above the table, there were several maps spread. Tasel carefully studied them and nodded towards Kasia as if beckoning her to come in.

“To reach Karina Palace , this is the shortest route. But from time to time there would be many check-gates to confirm the identities of the passengers and because of it there is a big risk of your identity being exposed. So even if it’s long, either take the mountain path or cross through the village near the sea.”

Tasel explained as he pointed out to the map.

But Kasia’s thought was different from him. Tasel was fighting for time now. When Kasia leaves, Tasel would need to take part in the military operation against the nobility. So it was more advantageous to Tasel to know about his mother’s condition as soon as possible.

“We don’t have enough time. I will use the shortest route. I won’t get caught so be relieved from the worry, Your Highness.”

The woman in front of him never hid her capability even though he was suspicious of her. So Tasel gladly accepted the fact that he was always surprised by her.

“Since Dame Kasia has confidence in herself, I will also put my trust in her. If… you got something that you want, you can speak out. I am not at ease sending you in this mission.”

“Something I want… I would be grateful if Highness can disclose our future direction.”

What Tasel asked her was a material compensation, but Kasia took it in a different way.

“Future direction…..?”

“I am talking about the direction to be taken after cutting ties with His Majesty. I would like to hear what Your Highness is planning after rescuing Her Majesty Elena. If I know it, then it will be easy for me to set my direction.”

Hearing Kasia’s words a smirk emerged in Tasel’s face. Tasel felt as if this woman, who brought up treason without a second thought, was like a commander who was the one to deploy their operation.

“Dame Kasia, are you aware that what you brought up in your mouth is a treason against His Majesty?”

“Yes, I am aware of it. Also know that it has already started.”

Tasel was speechless.

Her words were true. The meaning behind Tasel’s aim to rescue Queen Elena, was to discard the war and cut ties with the Emperor.

Even without Kasia, Tasel had already planned to move out with the help of the nobles. Though the higher aristocrats couldn’t be pulled to his side since he was far away from the capital, the nobilities in the frontier who didn’t have any privilege as the aristocrats of the capital, hope held hands with Tasel.

If Tasel was to say that he wouldn’t raise the banner of revolt after coming all this way, even the local nobility would try to kill Tasel.

He already had a decision in his mind. But the woman who said she had no memories all these time, easily bringing out the treasonous remark, Tasel was alert for a moment, then felt his body become hot with a raging fighting spirit.

“Huu….. You really surprise me in all ways. I am planning to hold hands with the local noblities. There is a high probability that the Emperor and my royal brother will join forces to deal with me. Though we will be at a disadvantage due to the small number of force, I believe in my Knights. So I want you to come back safely and help me out.”

“I understand. Then, please instruct me about Your Highness’s confidantes in the Palace.”

Once again Kasia focused on the mission with an indifferent expression.