In This Life, I Will Be The Lord - Chapter 200

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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This Life, I Will Become the Clan Head Episode 200

The next morning.

Since it was the day the hunting competition would begin, the Lombardi villa was bustling from the early dawn hours.

This was because the employees had been up and moving busily since before daybreak.

And among them were those who had come from the palace following the Empress.

The many belongings they had brought with plans to stay throughout the hunting competition were being carefully reorganized by the servants’ hands.

“That insolent bastard.”

The Empress, who sat on the guest room sofa with a haggard face from lack of sleep, muttered through gritted teeth.

“How dare he… How dare he humiliate me in such a way?”

The face of the old Lombardi man from last night, who had brought those Brown remnants and smiled triumphantly, came to mind so vividly that her anger wouldn’t subside.

The Empress pushed her carefully manicured fingernails into the leather covering the armchair.

“Disgusting bugs that just won’t die.”

She was referring to the Brown family.

Since that day over 40 years ago, Angenas had used much manpower, time, and resources to clean up the Brown family.

They tracked down those missing their right hands, killing them if they lived stable lives and leaving them alive if they lived miserable ones.

But somehow they had gathered together and conspired like this.

“I should have killed them all right there yesterday.”

The Empress’s blue eyes gleamed cruelly.

The land where Angenas was currently established was the most livable place in the barren western region.

She couldn’t let it be taken away again by the likes of the weak Browns who couldn’t even protect their own land.

If it were just the Brown family alone, there would be nothing to worry about.

She could just sweep them away again without anyone knowing.

However.

“That troublesome old man.”

Rulak Lombardi was not someone to be taken lightly.

No matter how much she stayed on guard, the Lombardi patriarch would suddenly stab her in the back like this time.

“It’s clear that Your Majesty the Empress doesn’t know what happened in the previous generation, or the exact reason why the Brown family ended up in this state!”

He wasn’t talking about the attack incident.

There wasn’t a single citizen of the Empire who didn’t know about that night.

Rulak was definitely talking about how the Brown family came to lose their territory.

“Duiji.”

At Lavinia’s call, the Angenas patriarch who had been checking luggage in the next room approached.

“Do you happen to know anything about the matter with the Brown family, Duiji?”

“If it’s related to the territory, you know as well, sister. Father was particularly tight-lipped about that issue while he was alive.”

“Yes, he was. Still, I thought perhaps he might have given his son some hint, so I asked.”

Empress Lavinia spoke without hiding her disappointment.

“Father was truly no help at all. Even after his death, it’s the same.”

Empress Lavinia spoke harsh words with an indifferent expression.

“I need to hurry back and meet with the elders of Angenas. This won’t do.”

Rulak’s smiling face was quite ominous.

An unsettling feeling that made her anxious kept tormenting Lavinia.

Those who had directly experienced the events of that time would surely know something.

“Mother.”

Just then, Astana entered the room.

“Where are you going?”

“Ah, Crown Prince. Mother has urgent business and must return to the Imperial Palace. You should enjoy the hunting competition and return.”

Astana looked at Empress Lavinia’s smiling face and instead became hesitant.

“About yesterday’s incident… aren’t you angry?”

He had expected to be severely scolded upon seeing her face.

Her usual gentle smile was rather frightening instead.

“Yes. There was quite a commotion yesterday, wasn’t there?”

Empress Lavinia asked while looking at Astana.

Thinking that what was coming had finally come, Astana hurried to make excuses.

“I can explain everything…”

“Yesterday.”

Empress Lavinia cut off Astana’s words abruptly.

“Let’s say that yesterday, we were both played by Lombardi’s hands, Crown Prince.”

“…Pardon?”

What did that mean?

“Played by Lombardi’s hands?”

Astana was bewildered.

“I thought I was the one who first insulted Gallahan Lombardi’s daughter…”

“Ah, my dear son.”

Empress Lavinia affectionately stroked her son’s cheek.

The cause of yesterday’s duel was certainly the friction with Pirenthia Lombardi.

But then someone from the Brown family happened to duel in his place, and everyone present witnessed the excellence of Brown swordsmanship.

Such perfect coincidence didn’t exist.

Lavinia was convinced that the entire situation had been orchestrated like a stage play.

She had thought it was clever when Peres was suddenly called to the banquet at the Empress’ Quarters last time too.

But to think they would pull off such a cute stunt.

Empress Lavinia showed a benevolent smile to Astana, who was still looking at her with wide eyes.

“Our Crown Prince doesn’t need to know anything. Leave everything to this mother. I’ll use any means necessary to put you on the throne.”

It was a voice as sweet as honey from a thorny rose.

“Then, Mother.”

Astana hesitated before speaking.

“What if I return to the Imperial Palace with you… What if I get seriously injured participating in such a barbaric competition? So…”

“Absolutely not.”

Empress Lavinia cut him off decisively.

“If the Crown Prince shows weakness at a time like this, both mother and son could become laughingstocks.”

“But…”

Astana made a tearful expression.

Between yesterday’s incident and waking up this morning to look out the window at the Forest of the Mad shrouded in thick fog, it looked so eerie.

His heart, which had always fluttered with excitement before other hunting competitions, now pounded with fear.

“His Majesty is also participating in this competition. If the Crown Prince gives up and returns to the Imperial Capital, everyone will misunderstand that the Crown Prince ran away in fear. Isn’t that right?”

He was indeed scared.

However, Astana moved his pale lips several times before reluctantly nodding heavily.

“Crown Prince, move together with the other noble family heirs. Then nothing will happen.”

Empress Lavinia said as she got up to board her carriage.

But Astana continued to glance nervously at the dark Forest of the Mad.

He had a very bad feeling about this.

* * *

Finally, the time for the hunting competition to begin had arrived.

I was climbing onto the platform placed in front of the gathered participants.

It was to explain the rules of the hunting competition.

And the moment I stood on the platform.

“Pfft!”

I had to clamp my mouth shut to keep from bursting into laughter.

“Ahem. Let me briefly explain the rules of the competition.”

It was quite a sight to see most of the gathered participants looking dejected.

Of course, there were also some among them whose eyes sparkled with competitive spirit.

“The rules are simple. Over the next three days, whoever defeats the most monsters will take home the honor of victory and the prize money. As proof, you need to cut off a part of the monster’s corpse and bring it back.”

At the mention of cutting things off, I could already see several people grimacing with queasy expressions.

Should I tease them a bit more?

“But you must remember that monsters are also beings that know how to hunt humans. So don’t venture too deep into the forest, and if you find yourself in a dangerous situation, use the signal flare you’ve been given.”

At my words, I could see people who had turned even paler quickly examining their signal flares.

“Be careful as signal flares become useless when wet, and using a signal flare means you’ll be automatically disqualified from the competition.”

At that moment, Astana, wearing yellow protective gear, suddenly asked.

“Even though it’s an individual competition, receiving help from others in dangerous situations would be acceptable, right?”

This guy’s using his head.

I already knew that dozens of the people participating in this competition were Astana’s close associates.

So now he was getting confirmation from me to operate in groups within there.

“That’s correct. However, as you mentioned, since it’s an individual competition, excessive cooperation should be avoided. Of course, Your Highness the Crown Prince wouldn’t do such a thing, would you?”

At my question, Astana nodded reluctantly.

But even as he did so, he exchanged glances with his trusted subordinates standing beside him and smiled, seeming much more at ease.

“Are there any more questions?”

I asked the participants.

No one raised their hand.

“Then, let the hunting competition begin.”

At my words, Lombardi’s servants waved large flags.

The hunting competition had officially begun.

I could see several people rushing into the forest as if they had been waiting for this moment.

It was clear they were overly excited by this opportunity, finding their reality boring.

“Those types have the shortest lifespans.”

I was muttering while watching their retreating figures rushing in.

I saw Peres approaching Astana with the Academy Trio in tow.

The distance was too far to hear their words, but there was no way pleasantries were being exchanged between those two.

Sure enough.

After Peres said a few words, I could see Astana’s face turn pale.

Then he hurriedly headed into the forest with his close associates.

Almost as if he were fleeing.

“What did he say to make him react like that?”

I approached Peres and asked.

“Tia.”

Peres smiled at me, his eyes crinkling slightly.

“Did you make some kind of death threat?”

“No, nothing like that. Just.”

Peres shook his head as he answered.

“I told him it would be better if he didn’t run into me once we entered the forest.”

Wow, how cruel.

If that’s not a death threat, what is?

Peres tilted his head at my face as I covered my mouth with one hand and stared at him.

“Since you said those things to him yesterday, Tia, he should have been prepared for at least that much.”

“R-right. Thank you, Peres.”

You really do think terribly on my behalf.

“Well, I’ll be going now.”

Peres said this as he approached me.

Then, as if it were natural, he kissed my forehead.

“Yes, take care and come back safely.”

I also patted the red protective gear Peres was wearing as I spoke.

Then I made eye contact with the Academy Trio.

“W-we’ll be going now!”

“Oh my, my back. Why is it acting up today of all days…”

“Good luck!”

Those guys seem to be avoiding my eyes.

I wonder why.

“Lady Pirenthia.”

It was Cleribane who appeared quietly, calling out to me as I was seeing Peres off.

“What exactly is going to happen in there?”

Right, that would be curious.

“I don’t really know either.”

“Pardon?”

“Peres and I only cooperated up to this point. Holding a hunting competition in the Forest of the Mad to showcase Sir Brown to everyone and getting Astana and the Emperor to participate.”

“You really don’t know.”

Cleribane said with bewilderment.

“That’s what I’m telling you.”

“If Lady Pirenthia had asked, His Highness the Crown Prince would have answered anything.”

“Right. That’s probably true.”

“Then why didn’t you ask?”

“Because…”

I answered while looking at the black forest shrouded in thick fog once again.

“Both Peres and I are people who must achieve what we want, no matter what we have to do.”

* * *

It was quite strange.

Quite a lot of people had entered the forest.

Yet the misty forest remained eerily quiet.

As if the Forest of the Mad had devoured even the sounds of people.

“The mana is incredible. No wonder monsters swarm and live here.”

Tedro said.

“Those noble young masters must be breaking out in cold sweats.”

Steeli giggled.

“Aren’t you a noble young master too, then?”

Lignite, son of the Ruman family, rulers of the Eastern Region, frowned as he asked.

“Don’t compare me to those pampered boys. I’m the heir of the Sector family who learned to hunt while roaming the Southern Forests like my front yard since childhood.”

Steeli puffed out his chest proudly.

Then, Peres, who had been putting his foot up on a thick tree and tying his shoelaces tightly, called him.

“Steeli.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“Tracking, is it possible?”

At Peres’ words, Steeli grinned and answered.

“That’s as easy as eating cold soup.”

The specialty of Steeli, heir of the Sector family who roamed the Southern Forests like his front yard, was ‘tracking’ – following the traces of prey.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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