45 – Glamorous Vacation (7)
The appearance of the woman in front of her was clearly unfamiliar.
Skin as white as snow,
Hair shining in a golden color.
The only resemblance was her emerald green eyes that shone brightly,
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And a body that was thin but surprisingly not bad.
However, despite these differences, I could tell.
The woman in front of me was undoubtedly Gabrielle.
My disciple, subordinate, and the comrade who had shared my life until now, Devil Hunter Gabrielle.
It started from the simple unease I felt when I first saw her face.
A strange familiarity that I felt despite never having met this person before.
But this speculation turned into certainty,
Paradoxically, because of the existence of the ‘fake Gabrielle’ who was standing in her place.
While the queen and others who were enchanted by this situation were oblivious,
As a teacher, I had a sense of duty to protect my disciples, and I quickly started to feel unease from her.
Her tone and behavior were so different from her usual self.
Although her face remained the same, I could sense from the intense unease emanating from within her that she was someone other than Gabrielle.
Moreover, decisively,
through the broad perspective I acquired from being a seasoned veteran and my past experiences,
the crimson flames that I could discern during battles.
When others were at their wits’ end,
for me, who was the only one looking at her with suspicion, the red fire instead of blue gave me the conviction that she was not Gabrielle.
Thus, the fact that Gabrielle had been replaced by someone else led me to shift my gaze towards the queen, who was the central figure in this situation.
Further solidifying my conviction.
From the distinctive tone, demeanor, and atmosphere she emitted.
When I took a closer look, through the features that allowed me to confirm her outline,
I was able to be certain that the woman before me.
The one known as the queen, I could confirm the fact that she was Gabrielle, whom I knew.
*
Gerard finished explaining the reasons why he recognized her.
For that, she had fair skin and blonde hair, unlike her usual appearance.
Gabrielle couldn’t say anything for a moment.
“You recognized me… in this situation…”
It was Gabrielle, who had disguised herself with a magic that perfectly transformed her appearance.
Not just an ordinary disguise, but an ultra-high-level magic that only a few people in the kingdom were capable of.
Even her companions who had been together for a long time still couldn’t distinguish that she had changed.
Amidst all that, Geralt quickly saw through the truth and revealed his true identity.
That fact started to create a deep pounding sensation in Gabriel’s heart.
In any situation,
In any appearance,
A man who can look directly at himself.
That was the ideal person Gabriel had in mind, called Gabriel by name,
And what she desired, “love”.
“So? Now, please answer my question. Why are you disguising yourself as the queen? Is this also some kind of precautionary measure prepared by Ellie?”
Geralt asked calmly.
However, through his question, Gabriel realized one thing that Geralt was not aware of.
“That’s how you think… That my current appearance is fake, and that the real me is the Devil Hunter…?”
In fact, when she thought about it, it was only natural.
Considering only what Geralt knew until now, this reaction was the correct answer.
The only image he knew of her was Devil Hunter Gabriel.
Discovering the hidden secret behind that was an impossible task.
This naturally led to a misunderstanding.
However,
“You’re right. That’s the truth. For security reasons, I am currently disguising myself as the queen.”
“Ahh… I see. I thought as much. That Ellie, she really makes me do strange things.”
As for this matter, Gabriel…
No,
Queen of the Franz Kingdom.
Louis XVI decided not to tell the truth.
It wasn’t just because of the promise with Ellie.
It was a feeling of fear that emerged in her heart at that moment.
In case she were to find out that she was the queen.
Just because she could not guarantee how the man in front of her would react.
Just like many nobles did, would they try to use her power?
Or would they blame her for focusing only on the Devil Hunter’s work, leaving the throne empty?
Or maybe,
Without caring about such facts at all,
Would they continue to treat her as they have so far, as a disciple and a comrade?
Whichever it may be, she had no intention of taking unnecessary risks here.
Even if there came a time when she had no choice but to reveal the truth.
At least, she wanted to be the current version of herself,
Not the queen or whatever nonsense in Gelert’s eyes.
Just as a comrade who had always fought alongside him on the battlefield and given him guidance.
*
Nobles traveling in a carriage to Parera.
Among those who were traveling for the assembly, there was a figure who held real power in the northern region, Viscount Ramore.
And among the numerous Devil Hunters he brought along for show,
were the Devil Hunters who had become Ramot’s mercenaries rather than simply hunting demons since Geralt disappeared.
Especially the person who became the new captain after driving Fiona and Shalotte away this time was someone who faithfully served as a hound for the marquis regardless of skill.
As a result, the Devil Hunters had come all the way down here to escort the marquis while abandoning the northern region they were supposed to protect.
Considering that even now countless people are suffering from demons, it was a heart-wrenching situation.
But now that the captain and other key officers have been completely seized, no one could easily refute this.
The Devil Hunters secretly harbored some dissatisfaction about this fact.
Among them, there was a situation where the story was circulating that Fiona and Shalotte’s reign, although lacking in skill, was better in terms of struggling to fulfill their mission.
However,
The real problem at this moment is the two of them.
Fiona and Shalotte,
Although they couldn’t show it in the atmosphere, they were caught up in deep excitement.
“Finally… Finally, the time has come. Finally, the opportunity to meet Master Geralt again…”
“We are seeking forgiveness… and asking him to come back to us. It’s a request. Surely, our merciful master will listen to our plea.”
Elli made a promise to them.
She promised to let them meet Geralt since they fulfilled her condition.
The place is the upcoming Versha Assembly.
As it is a place where natural encounters between high nobles take place,
It was her explanation that it is also convenient to make contact with each other.
With that in mind, they were getting excited that they will soon be able to meet their master.
The two of them looked out the window with an eager longing to arrive in Versailles as soon as possible.
*
Numerous corpses lay on the ground, scattered among the sprinkles of blood.
The decayed stench, now emanating from them due to the passing of time,
was accompanied by a nobleman with an imposing physique.
The Duke of Ocleon asked in a voice filled with anticipation and tension,
“How… how is it? Is this sufficient? These are the bodies of those who possessed the hatred that Ega desired.”
-“….It’s sufficient.”
Something was flipping over a black robe right in front of him.
Inside, it was filled with impenetrable darkness.
In response to the Duke of Ocleon’s question, it replied with a chilling voice.
As if a non-human being had forcibly mimicked a human voice.
Although he had heard it multiple times before,
the sound still never ceased to evoke instinctive horror.
Feeling his spine crawl due to the horrifying voice.
A twisted smile began to creep across the corner of the Duke of Ocle’s mouth.
“Then, I shall make this contract. I shall give you the blood and souls of these corpses.”
-“Understood….”
With those words, it reached out towards the corpses.
Immediately after,
The corpses, which were sprawled on the floor, disappeared into its body as if being sucked in by something.
Emitting smoke that resembled the form of screaming humans,
The corpses disappeared without leaving a single piece of flesh,
Not even a drop of blood remaining.
Seeing that the “contract” had been executed so decisively,
Viscount Auclean awkwardly mumbled with pursed lips.
“F…Fine. Then proceed as planned. This time, the location is the Versha Palace!”