Plain Girl Hero of Darkness
Black Flower Dancing on the Death Line - (4)

From the Desert City of Keffin, and traveling one day on horseback to the northwest, you will reach the Fortress of Gracia.

Fort Gracia was built on an island in the middle of a lake where the water is clear and abundant. Built in the war era, Fort Gracia is a small but sturdy fortress.

There was only one stone bridge leading to the fortress, and the enemy could easily be destroyed by defending that bridge. At first glance, it's good for defense.

However, the current Royal Army did not attach much importance to the Gracia Fortress. The reason is simple, the supply line of Fort Gracia will be cut off if it blocks the bridge.

In other words, Fort Gracia has many shortcomings of its basic design. The old generation wondered why the fort was built in such a place, and it was still a mystery now.

Currently, the commander of Fort Gracia was a high-ranking officer who had lost a political power struggle. This useless fortress became the last destination of the exiled officers.

Thus, Fort Gracia was secretly called the "Dusk Fortress" by the Royal Army.

After leaving the Grey Crow Pavilion, Olivia and her comrades bid farewell to Neinhart and Katherina, then headed for the Gracia Fortress. With Olivia riding her horse a trusted Comet in the middle, 20 burly male soldiers formed a circle around them. They are soldiers of Neinhart, who is assigned to escort Olivia's group.

Olivia rejects him at first, as she feels unnecessary. He can protect himself, as well as Claudia. Ashton needs a companion, but Olivia can do it herself.

He only agreed because of Claudia's gloomy smile. The riders swiftly moved towards Fort Gracia.

Three days later

“Mayor, this is Fort Gracia.”

After passing through the path in the forest, Claudia pointed to the fortress. In the open space to the west, the round fort built in the middle of the lake was clearly visible. The sun dyed the sky red as if it was on fire, and this scene was reflected in the lake, creating a fantasy-like scene.

"That's pretty! Look, Ashton. It was so beautiful, like the view from a picture book. "

“I don't really care about the view. Olivia, you've always been so carefree and without worries.”

Ashton who was riding beside her said listlessly.

“Why do you look so pale?”

The book says that people who are not moved by beautiful scenery have mental problems. Olivia revealed this fact to Ashton, and she let out a heavy sigh.

"We're going to fight the Sun Knights next, I'm not in the mood to admire the scenery."

"That's it."

"So ... You take things lightly, and don't worry about anything."

"That's my greatness. Isn't that right, Comet?"

Olivia patted Comet on the neck, and she cowered excitedly.

“Don't say it yourself. And don't seek affirmation from the horse."

“Ashton, have you heard of like-minded humans and horses? If you want to drive freely on the battlefield, it is important to communicate with your horse— Right, right, Comet?”

Comet neighed again, and Olivia puffed her chest out proudly.

“Ughh! I'm absolutely sure of your logic. Alright, I can't understand horses either or master the basics of swordsmanship."

Ashton shrugged, and looked forward weakly. Claudia observed their interaction from the side with a faint smile.

As they walked along the lake and crossed the only stone bridge, Claudia's group finally managed to reach the gate of the fortress. It was probably untouched by the flames of war, so even though it was a fortress erected in the war era, it did not look damaged at all.

Claudia took a deep breath, and shouted at the guard on the wall:

"I'm a Royal Knight, First Lieutenant Claudia Jung! You should have been told! Open gate!”

"S-soon!"

The soldiers whispered to each other, and quickly left.

Claudia and her comrades descended and waited for a while, and the gate slowly opened with a creak. A gallant man leading a large group of soldiers appeared behind the gate.

“You must be tired from your long journey. I am the commander of Fort Gracia, Dominic Eckhardt.”

Dominic whose uniform could explode at any moment introduced himself. On his collar were three silver stars that signified the rank of Colonel.

"We are honored that the commander came to greet us personally. I'm First Lieutenant Claudia Jung of the Seventh Army, and this is—"

“Yes, no need for introductions. The famous God of Death, Olivia Valedstorm, isn't it?”

Dominic looked at Olivia with a lewd grin. It was unpleasant, but they could not immediately complain because he was the superior. After all, this man left a terrible first impression.

"Yes! I'm Major Olivia Valedstorm! "

On the other hand, Olivia did not mind Dominic's attitude and answered obediently.

"I understand. I've heard of your beauty, but I didn't expect it to be at this high level."

"Is that so?"

“Ya, like a unique artwork.”

Dominic said as he examined Olivia with a lewd look. Claudia could hear Ashton behind them clicking his tongue.

Claudia stood in front of the unconscious Olivia and asked about the troop gathering. Dominic stood stiffly for a moment before continuing:

“You mean gather the guards? It's done."

Claudia held back her anger towards Dominic's indifferent attitude, and said as calmly as possible:

"Then, we'll go with the team tomorrow morning—"

“No, no, no, First Lieutenant. That's not gonna work."

Dominic cut Claudia, waving his hands excessively. Claudia's turn became stiff.

"-uh? What did you just say?"

“Is your hearing okay? I said it wouldn't work."

Dominic shrugged, and loudly ordered his subordinates to close the gate. At the same time, the surrounding soldiers surrounded Claudia's company. Their weapons, which should be directed at the enemy, are directed at their allies.

"Colonel Dominic, what's going on here? If this is a joke, then you are acting too far.”

Claudia remained near poor Ashton, and gripped the hilt of her sword. Neinhart's men have pulled their guns.

"Jokes? —Unfortunately, I hate jokes.”

Dominic sneered as the hundred soldiers slowly tightened their siege.

Now that he thought about it, all the signs were already visible. When he requested that the gate be opened, the soldiers acted very suspiciously. The commander welcomed them personally, so he prepared for this. And a large number of armed guards.

There had already been a case of a traitor appearing in the Royal Army, but Claudia did not expect the Colonel who was the commander of the fort to do so.

(I'm still too green ..)

(Idiom. That means there's not much experience.)

Claudia let go of her Celestial Eyes, and prepared for the worst.

“- May I know the reason?”

"Reason? The reason, huh.. alright, after all, I have a weakness on beauty— Do you know what the troops refer to as Fort Gracia in the back?"

“.... Dust fortress.”

(In the beginning of Dusk Fort, now Dust Fort.. Gatau is intentionally what is typo in the English version.)

Dominic nodded unhappily.

"Absolutely. I'm a wonderful man, but I'm exiled here because of bad luck. Life here is so bad. There are no fragrant wines or beautiful women to spend the night with me. It's no different from prison."

Dominic lamented his misfortune. For others, the reason makes no sense.

Claudia was not just angry and just felt speechless.

“You betrayed the Kingdom just because of that?”

“Only that? What do I mean by 'that's all'? You won't understand how I feel about being dumped into this damn place!”

Dominic threw the commando baton on the ground and stepped on it violently. A man who looked like his assistant tried to calm him down.

“Hah, huh.. Forget it. I am extraordinary enough for the Empire to accept me, but if I give them the head of the God of Death, they will give me a high post. Your visit is no coincidence, it must be a blessing from the Goddess Citresia for all the good deeds I have done."

“—Hei, so Colonel Dominic is the enemy huh?”

The confused Olivia asked, and Claudia nodded:

“He plans to betray the Kingdom and join the Empire.”

"Oh, so. So he's the enemy, yeah!"

Olivia nodded, finally finding out the situation. Dominic said with a regretful face:

“Oh, I'm sorry. I'm sorry, because I had to kill a beautiful woman like you. Your head is more precious than any jewel in the world. At least I'll pray that this doesn't cause pain—"

It happened in the blink of an eye.

Claudia would not be able to track down Olivia if she did not activate her Celestial Eyes. Olivia ran to Dominic as fast as lightning.

One tap later, Dominic's head rolled to the ground. Blood then spurted from his fallen body with a loud sound.

Both sides were dumbfounded, and a bell-like sound of Olivia sounded:

“One end. Who else is the enemy?"

Olivia placed the blood-stained black sword on her shoulder, and looked around enthusiastically. The soldiers finally realized the situation, and threw away their weapons before kneeling down.

Fifteen minutes after Dominic started his revolution. Fort Gracia falls into Olivia's hands.