12 O'Clock Marionette-Chapter 77

“No, what I mean is—”

Cruello began listing off names.

At first, Julian thought it was just another one of his odd, unpredictable behaviors—

But soon, he realized.

Those were all the people he had eliminated while acting as the Elder Council’s errand boy.

And they all had one thing in common—

They had all been villains.

Not that Julian had made any conscious moral choices, but anyone entangled with the Black Serpent tended to fit that description anyway.

“I'm asking if there’s anyone else you’ve killed. If your crimes are too severe, it’ll be harder to avoid execution.”

“…”

“No answer? Guess you’re not as sentimental as your sword’s original owner.”

The subtle threat made Julian’s temper flare.

He clenched his eyes shut before forcing out a trembling response.

“…No. There isn’t.”

“In that case, I might be able to show leniency.”

Cruello’s eyes gleamed—

Like he had been waiting for that answer.

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The pressure from his gaze made the hairs on the back of Julian’s neck stand on end.

“Of course, you’ll need to have something of value to trade for your life.”

***

A plain, pristine white bed.

A woman with dark green hair lay stiffly, sleeping as if dead.

Then—

Suddenly, her eyelids shot open, and she bolted upright.

“Hah… haah…”

Her heart pounded violently in her chest, as if ready to burst.

Mamic clutched her hand over her heart, trying to calm herself.

“It’s nothing. Just a nightmare. Just a dream.”

Mamic was used to nightmares.

Ever since she had lied about being a successor of Recanon, she had been haunted by visions of being exposed.

But tonight—

Tonight was different.

In the dream, there had been a trial.

And the defendant was Siora Bonetti.

She had been dragged away under accusations of being part of the Black Serpent—

And Mamic had simply stood by, watching.

If that had been all, Mamic wouldn’t have even considered it a nightmare.

But then—

“Saint, it is unfortunate, but the temple has decided that you collaborated with Siora Bonetti.”

“W-What do you mean, Ro?! I only spoke to her once, and I didn’t even know anything back then!”

“You will have to leave the temple. Go with Siora Bonetti.”

To be branded as her ally and sent to the execution ground—

That was definitely a nightmare.

No one had listened.

No matter how desperately she begged, no one had cared.

But—

“That wouldn’t happen in real life.”

She had no intention of testifying against Siora, sure—

But she had no intention of defending her either.

Nothing would happen to her.

Having reassured herself, Mamic let out a long sigh and swung her legs out of bed.

She wanted to get some fresh air—

But her room had no windows.

For security reasons?

Or to keep her under surveillance?

Maybe I should step outside for a bit.

If she brought a Holy Knight with her, a short walk should be fine.

They didn’t like her, and they would definitely hate being made to do unnecessary work—

But what did it matter?

It wasn’t like anyone else liked her.

Resolving herself, Mamic reached for her cloak—

Knock, knock.

“…”

She almost answered out of habit—then shut her mouth.

What time was it?

A glance at the clock—

Just before 3 AM.

No one should be awake except the patrolling Holy Knights.

But Holy Knights always announce their affiliation when they knock.

Before she could make sense of it—

A second knock.

Knock, knock.

A shiver ran down her spine.

Mamic instinctively took a step back.

Maybe it was the lingering fear from her nightmare, but a sense of unease rose sharply within her.

She wanted to pretend to be asleep—

But unfortunately, in her nervousness, she tripped over her own feet.

Thud!

The noise was loud.

And then—

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK!

What the hell?!

The violent pounding rattled the door, as if someone was ready to break it down.

Mamic collapsed onto the floor, clutching her ears.

She wanted to scream—

No.

Would it be better to scream for help?

Before she could decide—

BANG!

The door burst open.

Her nightmare-ridden heart felt like it had been crushed.

“KYAAAAAA—MPH!”

Mamic barely managed to scream before something flew at her—

And clamped over her mouth.

A hushed voice snapped at her.

“Ah, shut up! What if you wake someone up?!”

“Mmph?!”

That was the point!

Mamic was outraged—

Until she recognized the voice.

She rolled her eyes frantically, trying to see.

The figure had their hood pulled deep over their face—

But strands of golden hair peeked out beneath it.

And then, as the shadowed face came into view—

“No, seriously, if someone knocks, you’re supposed to answer or open the door. What kind of Saint has no manners?”

“…Siora Bonetti?”

The moment she said it, she knew.

Scowling back at her with that ridiculously pretty face—

Was Siora Bonetti.

Mamic’s mind spun in chaos.

Why was she here?

Wasn’t she supposed to be on the run, actively being hunted?

Then, a terrifying thought hit her—

Gasp!

“You’re here to kill me to shut me up?!”

“…What?”

Siora’s eyebrow arched sharply.

“Wait—were you planning to switch sides? Were you getting ready to testify against me?”

“N-No! I was still holding out!”

“Good. Then you did well.”

Just like that, Siora’s intensity faded.

She accepted it way too easily.

Mamic narrowed her eyes in suspicion—

Only to quickly widen them again the moment their gazes met.

She had to look sweet and innocent.

“I don’t have time for a long talk since I had to sneak in.”

“How did you even get in—”

“Mamic. You said before that you’d help me once, didn’t you?”

“Huh? Oh—b-but I already showed you the records…”

This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight.

“That was just a side thing, but you did promise to help me. Are you trying to wipe your hands clean of it?”

“…What do you want?”

“When the trial is held, stand in front of everyone and testify to my innocence.”

“Are you insane?”

Mamic’s voice shot up before she remembered herself and clamped her mouth shut.

Lowering her voice again, she hissed,

“If it becomes a religious trial, you’re finished! Done!”

“Oooh, are you worried about me right now?”

“Who’s worried?! Forget it. I shouldn’t even be talking to you.”

“I’ll make sure it’s tried outside the ecclesiastical court. I have a plan. You just need to promise to do your part.”

You will, won’t you?

Siora blinked at her with such an infuriatingly pretty expression that it took Mamic a moment to realize she was staring.

Shaking herself out of it, she snapped,

“W-Why should I?”

Siora’s eyes narrowed.

“…Honestly, the other side has been pressuring me to testify against you. Just refusing them is already helping you, isn’t it?”

“Do you think I came here alone, Mamic?”

Wait.

That thought hadn’t even occurred to her.

Mamic stiffened, belatedly sensing the eerie shift in the atmosphere.

A shiver crawled up her spine.

“…Ha… haha, just kidding, obviously.”

“Yeah, me too. Just kidding. But this part isn’t a joke—”

Siora leaned in slightly.

“If I go down, you’re going down with me.”

“…What?”

“If they brand me with the Black Serpent’s mark, I’ll make sure everyone hears about your little secret on my way out.”

This…

This was outright blackmail!

What did she have against me?!

Mamic gaped at her, frozen in place—

And then the nightmare came rushing back.

Was it a prophecy?

“Of course, there might be people in the temple who already know and chose to overlook it. But if I expose you in court—”

A casual shrug.

“It’s over.”

“…You’re threatening me?”

“Oh, come on. It’s not that bad. I did cover up your fraud case and help you stay out of the Recanon mess. That boosted your position, didn’t it?”

“T-That was…”

“And you know, I never mentioned this before—”

Siora lifted a finger.

A soft, glowing white light flared at its tip.

Mamic recoiled as if slapped.

“…Divine power?!”

Disbelieving, she lunged forward, seizing Siora’s wrist and yanking her hand closer—

Inspecting it carefully, desperately, to see if it was a trick.

It wasn’t.

It was real.

“W-What is this? How… But wait. This doesn’t feel like the temple’s divine power.”

“Ooh, you noticed? I didn’t think regular people could tell the difference.”

“Huh? I just can…”

“…Hey, do you have any latent divine abilities?”

“What kind of nonsense is that?!”

Mamic snapped, irritable.

She had tried before.

Pretending to be a saint had made people wary of her, so she had hoped that if she could actually manifest divine power, they might accept her as one of them.

She had smiled sweetly, preached unity, carried out charity work—

But no matter how much she tried to blend in, Mamic had never been able to use divine power.

Apparently, that kind of sacred ability wasn’t meant for frauds.

Ro Blue had tried to reassure her, saying that maybe she just needed to work harder—

But that had just been false hope.

She had long since scoffed at it and given up.

Still, thinking about it… made her bitter.

“I can’t use it.”

“Aw, that’s too bad. Some people do awaken it later in life. If you tried, maybe—”

“Spare me the fairy tales and just tell me what’s going on.”

“Fine, fine. You’re right—it’s not from the temple.”

“Then…?”

“I’m a follower of Pebula.”

“…What?”

“And you are a descendant of Pebula’s believers.”

“…Huh?”

Wait.

Wait.

Why was that name coming up?!

Mamic felt as if she had been smacked over the head again.

“Th-Then… isn’t this all over?! Even if different temples have different doctrines, it’s absurd to call someone who uses divine power a necromancer!”

“Oh, I wish it were that simple.”

Siora sighed dramatically.

“But the outside world sees my god as a dark deity. Who knows what kind of script they’re writing for me? No reason for me to walk straight into the fire pit.”

“WHAT?”

“Mamic, you like living comfortably here, don’t you?”

Siora suddenly grabbed Mamic’s hands—

And smiled sweetly.

“Be brave, Mamic. Let’s save our future together.”

This lunatic!

Mamic wanted to yank her arms away, shove her out, and throw her into the streets—

But all of that remained firmly in her imagination.

Because in reality—

Mamic had no power.

No political power.

No physical strength.

She could do nothing but force an awkward smile.

***

“We’ve arrived, my lady.”

“Thank you.”

Daedire stepped down from the carriage without an escort.

The grand, opulent palace stretched out before her.

Her gaze swept over the towering exterior before she strode inside.

Exhausting.

She would have preferred to stay out of sight—

But this was unavoidable.

As a member of the Crimson Duchy, it was her duty to appear for the Emperor’s birthday.

Honestly, she had no interest in tea parties or ballroom dances.

But she still attended, occasionally.

Only when there was someone she wanted to keep an eye on.

A potential threat to the imperial family.

Or—

The recent scandalous figure.

Siora Bonetti.