They had killed the princess…
Tiana looked down at Merian’s body and sighed.
She hadn’t brought escorts with her, perhaps relying so much on the amulet that summoned dragons as defense.
Or maybe she had decided to do without them to discuss something she didn’t want others to hear.
She didn’t know at that moment.
(I have been too reckless…)
Regret flooded her at that instant.
Tiana had always been like that.
Acting impulsively and then thinking about the consequences…
Up to now, she had been able to get by thanks to her reliable companions. But now…
(I think I have done something irreparable…)
Anxiety grew.
A feeling of oppression in her chest.
Despite being considered heroes who saved the world, if it was discovered that they had taken the princess’s life, there was no doubt they would be judged as criminals.
They probably wouldn’t escape the death penalty.
“…It’s unbelievable…”
Tiana clicked her tongue.
“Anyway, I have to fix this somehow.”
Without any idea in mind, she decided to approach her three companions.
“Specifically… What do you plan to do from now on?”
“We are going to be arrested.”
“No, arrest, no. Not at all.”
The Great Saint Katrea, the Sacred Archer Ingrid, and the Supreme Mage Efemia responded.
“That was too reckless…”
Katrea muttered softly.
“What did you say?”
Tiana looked at her with frustration.
Feeling singled out by words that reflected her previous internal thoughts deeply irritated her.
She was aware of her recklessness.
But she didn’t want others to remind her of it.
“Anyway, if we didn’t do something, we would have ended up destroyed… We had no choice but to kill her!”
“Not necessarily… we could have tried negotiating, persuading, or even attempting mind control.”
“She is of royalty. It wouldn’t be easy to mind-control her. She likely has multiple magical protections.”
“Then, negotiation or persuasion. I think killing her should have been the last resort.”
Ingrid said.
“Well, in the end, you were the one who killed her, so, if necessary, I will testify in your favor.”
“Ingrid too…”
Tiana was becoming increasingly irritated.
“You both understand nothing.”
If Merian found an opportunity, she was ready to immediately disclose the facts.
If I hadn’t eliminated her at that moment, we could have faced destruction in the next move.
“This is not the time to fight amongst ourselves. The important thing now is to cover up the evidence. If we combine our strengths, we can easily erase the evidence.”
“Thank you, Efemia. It seems you are the cleverest of us all,” Tiana chuckled.
“What do you mean by that?” questioned Katrea and Ingrid.
“Are you looking for a fight with me?”
“Do you think you can beat me?”
“All three of you, calm down,” she said with a commanding voice that, though not raised, halted the movements of Tiana and the others.
“As I said, this is not the time for discord,” Efemia looked at her companions with palpable pressure.
“Yes, you’re right. First, we must think about how to proceed,” Tiana nodded.
“The issue is what to do with the princess’s body.”
“The quickest way would be… cremation.”
*Boom*
A small fireball appeared in Efemia’s right hand. As a high-level mage, she would probably be able to burn Merian’s body without a trace.
“That won’t work. Even for you, Efemia. Merian’s body… or rather, the real body has multiple magical barriers. Unless you can undo all of them, you won’t be able to burn it with fire.”
“Even if I hit it with several of my flames…”
“Traces will remain,” added Katrea.
“Even if the body disappears, there will always be evidence of it being burned. Those barriers are designed that way,” explained Katrea.
“Could that evidence lead to identifying the person responsible for the burning?”
“Yes. If you did it, they could identify Efemia as the responsible party.”
“That would be a problem,” Efemia looked down.
“What if we hide it somewhere?” proposed Ingrid.
“Yes, perhaps it would be better to completely conceal the body and seal it… it’s probably the hardest way to be found. Although it carries risks,” sighed Katrea.
“We don’t have much time to think. Let’s do it.”
***
A slight movement, unnoticed by them in a corner, the princess’s finger moved slightly…
However, the four didn’t notice it.
Is there anything else I can help you with today?
