Chapter 218: Betrayal
They had two options.
Either they would comply and listen to the North’s complaints and conditions, which meant that they had to assemble a troupe of people willing to fight Leviathan.
Or they would fight against the North and Vira if they declined to fight against Leviathan.
The first option meant that they would head into a battle, where only a few would survive. However, the second option sounded also dangerous.
Still, the first option would lead to a world, where no one had to be scared of the sea anymore, however, when Mika weighed one option against the other, then he would always come to the conclusion that the second option was better.
Obviously, it was not guaranteed that everyone would survive the current fight against the North and Vira, however, their chances were still better than against Leviathan.
"How does the current situation look like?" Mika asked.
"Let me show you."
Following those words, Cylia created a small-scale replica of Youra with her water magic. And for a rough overview of the field, everything was quite detailed. It was as if they could watch from above like a bird.
Everyone gathered around the model.
"Well, then. Let me explain."
Thus, Mika and the others learned about the situation.
The group initially entered Youra from the northeast and was now in the center of Youra, the palace.
Apparently, the North attacked Youra from all sides with small forces but their strongest force came from south, where they also made the academy their main base.
Cylia stated that her people managed to take control of the north, northeast and east. Currently, Yarjak was leading a small army against the enemies in the western areas.
"I’m embarrassed to say this but a part of our actual army was dispatched to other towns as a measure to defend against potential northern threats, leaving Youra more vulnerable than I thought... The students of the academy fortunately offered their help and are holding the forte against attacks from the south and west but we can’t rely on them for too long." Cylia admitted, shaking her head.
"It doesn’t matter. We’re here now." Mika said.
"..."
For a short moment, Cylia looked baffled at Mika.
"Did you change...? I mean, aside from your appearance, you appear somewhat... How should I say... Calmer...?" she remarked reserved.
Mika did not perceive her words as he was focused on the map.
"..."
He was in deep thought as the system guided him internally. However, his gaze shifted constantly between Cylia and the map.
She sighed.
"Don’t worry about me. I don’t need protection." she said.
"Then..."
Mika assigned everyone to their posts.
"Sara, Tija and your Highness. Could you join up with Yarjak and take care of the west? Lily, Lisa and Asak. You go and help the students in the south. Harik and Rachel. I want you to help out the people, who are still seeking help in the east and north."
"Got it!"
"Ophelia, Belian and Sylvia. This may sound ridiculous but we will storm their main base."
The three silently showed their affirmation by nodding their heads.
"..."
Unconsciously, Mika rubbed his eyes.
"Did you travel today without any breaks? Then, take a short break here." Cylia offered.
"Our enemies are also currently resting their main force. That may sound like the best opportunity to strike but it’s more important that you’re all fully rested." she added.
"We will gladly take you up on that offer." Ophelia responded, taking a good look at her students.
"There are still some guest rooms which are unaffected by the battles. Sara, can you guide them?"
"Yes!"
Thus, everyone left the throne room. Only Tija and Cylia remained there.
"Are you really alright, Mother?" Tija asked with an indifferent look.
"Yes. These are just some scratches." Cylia responded with a firm smirk.
"Did you forget? I’m the wielder of a relic. It takes more to take me down." she added as she was also about to leave the throne room.
"I know." Tija sighed.
Cylia thought that it may be good to get some rest as well.
"Mother..."
"Hm?"
"Your opinion didn’t change? You still want to keep hiding from Leviathan? Don’t you want to live in peace and freedom without worrying about that thing?"
Tija’s voice gradually increased in energy freēwēbnovel.com
"Tija..."
"Don’t you want to take revenge on it?" she asked with a raised and desperate voice.
"Tija."
Cylia looked into her child’s eyes with firm and stern eyes.
"As long as we stay in Grat, we don’t have to worry about Leviathan. Of course, I also have moments when I want to get out and travel, however, it’s impossible now."
"Because Mika doesn’t want to fight it? Is that it?!"
"Calm down, Tija."
"I made my decision and I won’t change it."
She turned her back on her.
"Get some rest."
At that moment, Cylia perceived the sound of a drawn sword.
"What are you doing?" she asked calmly, stopping in her tracks.
The tip of a sword was poking against her back. But she sensed that the blade was not gripped tightly as it was shaking.
"It’s truly unfortunate..." Tija muttered saddened.
"But I’ve also made up my mind!"
"..."
With a stern gaze, Cylia slightly twisted her neck to Tija, who was glaring at her.
"Raising your sword against the queen... You know what the consequences are, right?"
"..."
"This is my last warning. Lower your sword."
However, Tija, who pointed her sword at her own mother, did not obey.
"Even if you’re my daughter, as the queen I can’t spare you from the law."
"And as the daughter of you two, I won’t forgive Leviathan...!"
Cylia closed her eyes.
"Are you still clinging on that incident?"
"Not only me... Sara also wants to kill that monster."
"But in her case, she doesn’t act as extremely as you."
"So you knew?"
"Just now."
She sighed.
"As both a mother and queen, I really don’t know what to say..." Cylia said, acting taken aback.
"..."
"My own daughter is part of a rebellion against me in order to fulfill her desire..."
"I’m not just a part of it." Tija corrected her.
"?"
Cylia turned stern.
"I’m the one who started it."
"After seeing your state since Father’s death, I came to the realization that I had to do it on my own."
Seven years ago, Sara and Tija were witnessing how their mother killed their father who was seemingly possessed by something. But compared to Sara, who saw the scene unfold from afar, Tija was standing right in front of her parents.
Even to this day, she remembered the night when her own father, who was usually a caring father, attacked her with killing intent after returning from his three-year-long absence.
She remembered his blood getting splattered on her and the tears of her mother as she delivered the last blow to her own husband.
That incident was covered and only those, who were present, knew about it. However, since then, Tija focused on researching that incident even though her mother forbade her from doing so.
Tija found her father’s behavior strange and therefore, still did some research. She traced back what her father did and where he was last seen. After connecting the dots as he was on the sea, she came to the conclusion that he met Leviathan. And like every other report of missing people, who returned after a sea trip, it strengthened her theory that her father met Leviathan.
Thus, her resentment towards Leviathan was created.
And as her mother did nothing against it, she decided to visit the North, where the people needed one last final push to act.
With like-minded people on her side and the support of another strong force, Tija could finally implement her plan.
"You’re shaking."
"?!"
Lowering her guard accidentally, Cylia found an opening and flung her sword away with her relic.
"Ugh...!"
Now, the tables turned and Cylia was the one who pointed the sword at Tija’s neck.
"We could have talked about it..." she said saddened.
"Talk...?" Tija huffed.
"We’ve talked so much over the last years... We did nothing but talk but in the end, nothing came by! Only through this method, we can actually change things!" Tija shouted.
"Do you have an idea how many people are suffering right now...?" freewebnσvel.cøm
Cylia also began to sound mad.
"You’re also shaking, Mother."
"?"
Suddenly, Cylia’s shoulder was grabbed from behind.
"Don’t move."
Cylia obeyed those words.
She did not know who that was but she knew that she stood no chance against her.
"I just want that monster to be gone. I don’t care if our people have to suffer now. In the end, the death of the monster will be beneficial for the entire world." Tija muttered to her as she passed by her.
"Are you done here?" the hooded person, who paralyzed Cylia with words, asked.
"Yes."
The two headed to the exit but Tija took one last look at her helpless mother, who still could not turn around.
"Let’s go, Vira."