I’m Stuck on a Remote Island With the Male Leads - Chapter 172

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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 172
Rodban stared at Enoch Aster Klaus Langrid with a bewildered expression, his mouth gaping soundlessly as he struggled to form words.
“The Empress possesses an identical Magic Stone, doesn’t she?”
“I… how would I know?!”
“Then where did you obtain this Magic Stone?”
“That is…”
“If you speak truthfully, I may be able to mitigate your culpability. You were merely being used, were you not? Tell me—who gave you this Magic Stone?”
Yet despite Enoch Aster Klaus Langrid’s words, Rodban offered no response, his body trembling violently as his face drained of all color.
Whatever thoughts consumed him, he refused to reveal who had given him the Magic Stone, even in the face of Enoch Aster Klaus Langrid’s persuasion.
In truth, it was obvious who had provided it—none other than the Empress. Yet Rodban appeared far more terrified of her than of Enoch Aster Klaus Langrid.
Since we could not torture Rodban here and now, further interrogation would only waste time.
Enoch Aster Klaus Langrid gestured toward the Knight standing beside him, who promptly gagged Rodban once more.
Enoch Aster Klaus Langrid turned to face us and spoke.
“If we enter the Capital in this state, it won’t end in exile as it did before. It seems he judged it better to scatter attention away from me by endangering the entire military unit and sowing chaos.”
Considering Rodban’s precarious standing, it seemed plausible he would resort to such an obvious and desperate gambit.
Rodban now found himself in a dire position. If he were brought to the Langrid Empire in Enoch Aster Klaus Langrid’s custody, he would have no further opportunity or grounds to restore his status.
Restoring his status seemed the least of his concerns—his very survival appeared uncertain.
“Separate from finding evidence, we must absolutely destroy the Magic Stone.”
At Enoch Aster Klaus Langrid’s words, I nodded and glanced down at Eun-ji, who was crawling up my forearm.
“Thanks to Prince Rodban’s carelessness, we’ve learned quite a lot. Let’s revise our plan.”
At my words, Enoch Aster Klaus Langrid sighed, and Kaiden laughed heartily at Rodban’s expense.
Thus, the incident with the Magical Beasts was temporarily concluded.
And… only later did I learn of it.
Among the Langrid Empire Military, rumors had begun to spread that I was a hero who descended from the heavens riding a divine beast and ended the hellish war.
* * *
Rosemary had been bustling about since morning, having heard that Margaret’s military unit would enter the Capital of Beneton that afternoon.
Since her father and Innis would handle welcoming Margaret, Rosemary assisted her mother in preparing to receive her.
Rosemary rehearsed in her mind dozens of times how she should greet Margaret upon her return.
First, she should express gratitude that Margaret had survived. Only then would she ask what had transpired.
“Our precious one is coming home—it feels like a dream.”
Rosemary’s mother, the Duchess Flone, dabbed at her continuously flowing tears with a handkerchief.
After inspecting Margaret’s room and reviewing the meal preparations, Rosemary turned to regard her mother—who was trailing behind her through the Manor’s lobby, tears streaming down her face—with an expression of mild exasperation.
She was a woman of such commanding presence that some whispered the true head of the Flone Family was not the Duke but the Duchess. Yet when it came to her children, even she was helpless.
“My lady, why are you weeping here?”
At that moment, a middle-aged man with long, silken hair bound together—resembling a single white lily—descended the Manor’s stairs. It was Duke Flone.
Duke Flone’s expression shifted to one of surprise upon seeing the Duchess in tears.
“This is the first time I’ve witnessed you weep.”
“How could I remain composed when our precious one returns alive?”
“Still, you should greet her with a smile. Our dear one will be so startled otherwise.”
At that, the Duchess Flone suddenly flared with indignation.
“Is that something you should be saying?! Our dear Scoundrel didn’t even bother searching for her, just lay in bed crying all year long!”
Not Scoundrel, but Scoundrel foal…
Rosemary held back the urge to correct her mother’s words. In her view, it seemed like six of one, half a dozen of the other.
“No, I mean, how can you belittle the grief of losing a daughter like that? My heart was torn to shreds—I couldn’t bear to live. Even breathing felt like mere existence.”
“The Scoundrel didn’t die! Listen! She came back alive! What kind of child is she! Isn’t she stubborn and absolutely infuriating?! I never gave up! I knew our Scoundrel was alive!”
Rosemary retreated with a weary expression as the Duke and Duchess’s conversation grew increasingly heated.
The pet name “dear Scoundrel foal” was strange enough, but the ensuing argument made it impossible to tell whether they were cherishing Margaret or disparaging her.
‘No wonder Margaret turned out so twisted.’
Rosemary shook her head.
“More importantly, you should be heading to the Imperial Castle! Innis has already departed—what are you doing right now?”
Rosemary sighed and, in place of the quarreling Duke and Duchess, competently prepared Margaret’s homecoming celebration.
* * *
We finally entered the Langrid Empire.
As we passed through the western gate of the capital Beneton, I could see all the city’s people coming out to welcome us.
Such a grand reception, and we hadn’t even won a war.
Judging by the flags scattered throughout proclaiming things like “Long live His Highness the Crown Prince, who has brought peace to the continent!”, it seemed they were celebrating the peaceful conclusion of negotiations and the end of the war.
We headed straight for the Imperial Palace. The reception continued there as well. I gazed out the carriage window with a bewildered expression.
“Fascinating?”
Seeing me like that, Kaiden laughed as though I were adorable. Embarrassed, I withdrew from the window and sat properly.
At the end of the welcoming procession stood the magnificent Imperial Castle. I alighted from the carriage with Enoch Aster Klaus Langrid’s escort and lifted my gaze.
The Emperor and Empress themselves had come to greet us at the castle entrance. Eun-ji discreetly slipped into my dress pocket.
The Emperor had a stern expression and looked somewhat intimidating. The Empress appeared ten years younger than him, with a gentler demeanor than even Margaret’s memories of her.
However, if Rodban was connected to the Peony Faction, there was a high probability the Empress was his backer. Because of this, the Empress’s kindly smile felt somewhat uncomfortable to me.
It was understandable—she must have heard news of Rodban, yet she was putting on such an affectionate maternal act as if she knew nothing. She was no ordinary person.
The moment the Empress saw us, she descended the castle steps and took Enoch Aster Klaus Langrid’s hands.
“You’re safe.”
The Empress patted the back of Enoch Aster Klaus Langrid’s hand, then turned to regard Kaiden and me.
“I’m relieved that Lord and Lady Flone are also safe.”
For just a moment—the briefest instant—I saw it clearly.
A flash of disdain crossed the Empress’s eyes as she swept past Kaiden and looked at me.
Though she showed no outward sign, it seemed the Empress had disliked me even before I was kidnapped to Alea Island.
Originally, my mother, Duchess Flone, and the Empress had been quite acquainted. More precisely, the Empress had unilaterally sought to cultivate a friendship with my mother, while my mother maintained distance with a smile. The Empress had wanted to entangle our family’s daughters with Rodban.
In the meantime, Margaret, oblivious to the situation, had followed Enoch Aster Klaus Langrid around and supported him by any means necessary. Perhaps that was why the Empress disliked me.
Of course, because of that “by any means necessary” approach, Enoch Aster Klaus Langrid had also disliked me at the time.
If the Empress was part of the Peony Faction along with Rodban, it was possible she was the one who sent me to Alea Island. She had always viewed me as an obstacle.
While I was lost in thought, Enoch Aster Klaus Langrid knelt on one knee.
As he bowed respectfully, Kaiden and I followed suit, and the knights standing behind us all knelt in unison—a magnificent sight.
“Enoch Aster Klaus Langrid. I report our safe return. For the glory of Langrid.”
“For the glory of Langrid!”
The moment Enoch Aster Klaus Langrid finished speaking, the knights cried out in unison.
This time, the Emperor approached and patted Enoch Aster Klaus Langrid’s shoulder.
“You’ve worked hard. I must hear about what has transpired during your absence. There is much to discuss.”
I glanced back at the Emperor and Empress. Behind them stood the heads of all the influential families in the realm.
The family heads’ curious gazes were fixed upon Kaiden and me. Save for Enoch Aster Klaus Langrid, they were all Knights, which made Kaiden and me stand out conspicuously among them.
“It is indeed a most joyous occasion that the Lord and Lady Flone have returned safely.”
The Emperor’s gaze now turned toward Kaiden and me.
Had I been alone, such excessive attention would have been burdensome. It seemed that even Margaret Rose Flone of the past had never faced the Emperor at such close proximity.
But I was not alone now, and my comrades-in-arms, bound together by shared fate, were all socially distinguished figures. What could I do but endure this level of scrutiny without flinching going forward?
I swallowed hard, my throat dry with tension, and bowed my head to respond.
“I am grateful for Your Majesty’s consideration and hospitality.”
Fortunately, unlike the Empress, the Emperor paid me no particular attention. He nodded with a smile.
“I received your letter. It stated that your disappearance was due to a kidnapping orchestrated by some faction.”
A murmur rippled through the crowd.
As the whispers grew louder, the Emperor raised one hand. Instantly, the murmuring ceased.
The Emperor stepped closer to us. Then, bending slightly toward Enoch Aster Klaus Langrid, he whispered in a voice so soft that only we could hear.
“I sent a Reconnaissance Team to locate a place called Alea Island. Well done. Our Langrid Empire must find that island before anyone else. I cannot allow others to meddle with the southern coast of Langrid.”
“We shall locate it first. Have no concerns, Your Majesty.”
Enoch Aster Klaus Langrid bowed his head and replied calmly. The Emperor, gazing down at him, tapped his shoulder twice.
“I have also heard news of Prince Rodban. We shall postpone his punishment for now.”
Then he slowly withdrew and swept his gaze across the assembly. I felt a peculiar sensation and studied the Emperor intently.
Was the Emperor on Enoch Aster Klaus Langrid’s side, or on Prince Rodban’s? Or did he wish to remain neutral?
The Empress, standing behind the Emperor, maintained such an impassive expression that her thoughts were utterly inscrutable.
The Emperor opened his mouth again in a loud voice.
“Above all, I am overjoyed that those who were missing have returned safely. I have prepared a celebration for your return. It shall take place in four days, so please ensure you have adequate rest before attending.”
Four days is sufficient rest? For whom, exactly, is this homecoming celebration being held?
I barely managed to suppress the sigh that threatened to escape.

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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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