I’m Stuck on a Remote Island With the Male Leads - Chapter 167
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 167
Jenas walked slowly forward and stood before the fallen Rodban. Then, dropping to one knee, he seized Rodban’s collar and dragged him down, pointing a finger at the mark etched into his collarbone.
A spider web pattern came into view, and within it, a peony flower caught in the web.
So Rodban was indeed part of the Peony Faction. A man like Rodban couldn’t have joined the Peony Faction through his own efforts alone—perhaps the Empress had lent her hand to this.
If the Empress was the mastermind, then their objective would have been the throne.
But Jenas’s purpose was to destroy the world and seize power.
Did they not know that?
Perhaps they didn’t. That’s why they clung to him like hyenas, each hoping to snatch some scraps for themselves.
“Confirmed?”
Jenas rose from his seat as though his task was complete.
“You’ll need to identify those who participated in the Experiments. Tch… how presumptuous. I’m not some hunting dog.”
Jenas clicked his tongue in irritation and, feeling stifled, unbuttoned his Shirt to expose his collarbone. That remark about being “presumptuous” seemed directed at Kaiden.
Rodban, discarded on the Floor once more, attempted to rise, but he could not.
The black Shadow beneath his feet climbed up his body and transformed into the shape of a Rope, binding him tightly.
Only then did everyone seem to recognize Jenas wearing Kaiden’s form.
As they all raised their guard with sharpened expressions, he exhaled a sigh and sat back down at the Dining Table.
“I’m constrained by restrictions—there’s nothing I can do. My mouth aches from speaking, so I’ll just retire.”
With that, he lay down obediently on the Dining Table and closed his eyes. And so he did not wake.
Prince of Asdal approached to check if he was still breathing and tried to shake him, but there was no Movement. Jenas had vanished, leaving only the thoroughly intoxicated Kaiden behind.
At that moment, commotion erupted outside the Tent. When Enoch Aster Klaus Langrid gestured, a Knight pulled back the Cloth that concealed the Tent entrance.
Two men in Langrid Empire Uniforms were pinning someone to the Floor. Curly blonde hair and deep navy locks—it was Noel and Hyzen.
“What is the matter?”
The Knight standing at the entrance asked, and Noel and Hyzen brought the man they had subdued into the Tent. They then bowed respectfully toward Enoch Aster Klaus Langrid.
“A man who kept lurking about inside the Tent. We suspected him to be a Spy.”
The two who had been trailing me all along and peering about had apparently caught a Spy and brought him in.
The man they had brought wore clothes that made it impossible to discern his identity, and his features were equally indistinct.
Enoch Aster Klaus Langrid, who had been quietly examining the bound man on the Floor, questioned Noel and Hyzen.
“How did you discover and capture this man?”
“Well…”
As Enoch Aster Klaus Langrid’s expression grew suspicious, the Knights around him all drew their Swords in unison.
Noel and Hyzen quickly assessed the situation and dropped to one knee.
“We owe Lady Flone an apology, so we were waiting before the Tent for her.”
At that, all eyes turned toward me. I blinked, bewildered by the sudden attention.
When my gaze met Noel’s, who looked up at me with puppy-like eyes and a trembling expression, I even felt a twinge of sympathy.
Enoch Aster Klaus Langrid, who had been quietly observing me, issued instructions to the Knights.
“Interrogate this man and ascertain his identity and the truth of the matter.”
“We obey your command.”
As Noel, Hyzen, and the remaining Knights all answered with proper respect, a man in a Uniform with refined features entered the Tent. Diego followed behind him.
Only then did I realize that the man who had entered first was Diego’s brother. Diego and his brother knelt on one knee before Enoch Aster Klaus Langrid and bowed together.
“We greet Your Highness Crown Prince, the little sun of the Langrid Empire.”
Enoch Aster Klaus Langrid acknowledged their salute with a nod to the Knights surrounding him.
“Take him away. Don’t give him water until we’ve discussed his treatment.”
“Release me! Release me! Listen here! Sir Marcel! Say something! Haven’t we led this war together all this time?”
Marcel, Diego Bastian Vilterheim’s younger brother, who had been kneeling, turned to look at Prince Rodban with an expression of disbelief.
“Together…? Did we truly lead the war together, Your Highness? Have you ever once properly listened during a strategy meeting? From what I remember, I bore all the responsibility alone.”
Unlike Diego, who was taciturn and steadfast, Marcel was sharp-tongued and eloquent.
As Prince Rodban was dragged away and the Dining Table was cleared, Marcel greeted us in turn.
“It’s an honor to meet you. Please feel free to call me Sir Marcel.”
Soon the Dining Table was cleared and everyone took their seats. Marcel, settling into his place, noticed Kaiden sleeping motionless at the table and looked startled.
“This person is…?”
“The Magic Tower Master of the Langrid Empire.”
“Ah, of the Rohade Family…?”
“Don’t concern yourself. He’s simply sleeping.”
I felt a bit embarrassed to admit he’d passed out from drinking, so I decided to spare the details.
At my response, Marcel nodded awkwardly.
“I came in haste after hearing from my brother. Please forgive my rudeness.”
“We sought you out to learn about the Vilterheim Family. Do you know anything?”
At Enoch Aster Klaus Langrid’s question, Marcel nodded. He confirmed once more that all the Knights had withdrawn before lowering his voice.
“Yes. After my brother went missing, my father told me about our Family. Until the previous generation, the Vilterheim Family was also behind the Alea Experiment. However, when my father rose to Duke, he opposed the Experiment, and my father believed that’s why my brother was kidnapped as a test subject.”
Marcel and Diego Bastian Vilterheim exchanged somber looks. Marcel continued.
“I volunteered for this war to ascertain my brother’s whereabouts and to understand the plans and movements of the Peony Faction.”
The Peony Faction? So that’s what they called the force behind Alea Island.
The Prince of Asdal, who had been listening quietly, asked Marcel.
“Do you and the Duke know who comprises the Peony Faction?”
“My father doesn’t know everything either. Still, we know some of them, so if we can track their movements, we might learn more.”
Marcel paused thoughtfully before continuing.
“And now that the missing people have returned, they’ll realize the final Experiment failed. By now, they’re likely determining whether the Mage siblings are alive or dead. Or perhaps they’re searching for Alea Island. They’re anxious too.”
At those words, all our gazes turned toward Kaiden. Only Marcel and Diego Bastian Vilterheim, bewildered, followed our eyes to look at him.
Marcel, sensing something, continued speaking when we remained silent.
“I’m not certain how many new forces have joined, but I do know that blood oaths of the initial participants are kept in the Marquis Rohade Mansion. Finding those seems most crucial.”
He was right. If we could secure the blood oaths—the list of participants—we could accurately determine the scale of forces involved in the Experiment.
Marcel spoke, looking at Kaiden.
“If possible, it would be best if the Lord took full charge of that task. For us, finding Alea Island before them is what matters most.”
“I’ve already sent a temporary Reconnaissance Team to the southern coast of Alea Island.”
At Enoch Aster Klaus Langrid’s response, Marcel exclaimed in admiration and looked at him with eyes full of trust.
“Please leave the reconnaissance of Alea Island to me. I will personally direct it, uncover the truth, and secure evidence.”
“I will accompany Marcel as well.”
Diego Bastian Vilterheim bowed to Enoch Aster Klaus Langrid, following Marcel. Enoch Aster Klaus Langrid nodded at the two brothers.
“Good. Then I’ll entrust that task to you both.”
The two brothers nodded with devoted loyalty, as if honored.
Asdal’s distant cousin, Aberdeen Kristin, and Prince Rodban. Aberdeen would have to be monitored for now since there was no immediate way to deal with him, but Prince Rodban’s situation was one we could definitely handle.
The Peony Faction’s tattoo marking those who had participated in the experiments. The blood oath preserved within the Rohade Family. And intelligence that the Peony Faction would set out to find Alea Island. We had gathered it all.
Now it was time for us to move as well.
* * *
The Langrid Knights remaining at the military camp hurried their preparations for departure. The peace negotiations were progressing faster than expected. It seemed we could board the carriage to the Empire in two days.
It was possible because Prince of Asdal, Yuanna Lucy, and Kaiden had each returned to their respective factions to participate in the negotiations.
With all my companions gone to the negotiation grounds, I was left alone in the tent.
After idling about in the tent by myself and growing bored, I stepped outside for a moment. I was thinking of taking a walk when Noel and Hyzen appeared as if they had been waiting for me.
“Oh, you startled me!”
What, do they still want to apologize for that incident?
They paid no mind and knelt before the tent, bowing their heads to me. I could see the passing Knights glancing at us.
“Young Lady, we wish to properly apologize for what happened before. We also beg your forgiveness for continuing to pursue you without finding the right moment to speak.”
Following Noel’s lead, Hyzen offered me the same apology. They truly hadn’t had the timing to apologize.
After I dealt with the crocodiles, I disappeared immediately with Enoch Aster Klaus Langrid’s group, and the next day I was with them again.
“The ones who should really apologize aren’t you two, though?”
“Ah… well, those people…”
“Never mind. You don’t need to make excuses for them.”
I watched as Noel and Hyzen’s faces clouded over with pity.
Their eyes… how should I put it, they looked at me as if I were a tragic heroine. They seemed to regard me with considerable sympathy.
Noel sighed and opened his mouth.
“It seems the vile rumors about the Young Lady must indeed be spread by someone jealous of her beauty.”
What? Wait, what is this strange misunderstanding with the completely wrong angle?
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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