Queen of Revenge - Chapter 102

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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 102
* * *
“You seem to be in quite a good mood today, Commander.”
Franz, the Aide, cast a sidelong glance at his superior. Kairon Winterbark’s complexion was noticeably brighter than it had been over the past week.
“You weren’t at your quarters last night. Where did you go?”
“None of your concern.”
Ah, so he visited The Princess. There was no other way he could have become so relaxed overnight.
Franz nodded knowingly as he observed his commander’s remarkably cheerful gait.
‘Now that I think about it, he’s become completely human. Before he returned from his delegation to Elovis at the beginning of the year, he was nothing but a wild beast, but he came back as a person.’
They say that when a person changes in an instant, it means their time has come….
While Franz was lost in thought, the administrator from the Grain Storage Facility guided them forward.
“This is the military provisions warehouse. You mentioned you would be reducing supplies by approximately 1.5 times what has been provided to the Northern Fortress thus far, though we can adjust according to the fortress’s circumstances.”
Kairon Winterbark let the administrator’s words pass over him as he surveyed the warehouse.
Just as he had told Iolet yesterday, he was now at the Grain Storage Facility on the western outskirts of the Capital.
True to its nature as the vital distribution hub where Kalande’s military provisions, tax grain, and export-import goods converged, the scale was impressive. Fourteen large grain warehouses of various sizes stood at regular intervals.
The fourteenth and farthest warehouse from the entrance was barely visible from the entrance side.
“First, send what we’ve been receiving to Winterbark. For the supplies destined for Valken Territory, I’ll place an additional order after assessing the territory’s scale.”
“Understood. When shall we expect your next visit?”
“In four days. What is that warehouse over there?”
“Ah, that one stores miscellaneous grains distributed as transportation fees. There’s nothing particularly worth examining, but….”
Kairon Winterbark ignored the administrator’s words and moved in that direction. Iolet had instructed him to thoroughly examine the Grain Storage Facility.
‘The way she’s curious about where to position troops in the mountains, and how she’s trying to secure supplies—it seems she’s even considering a military coup.’
Iolet was shrewd and calculating. Moreover, she was meticulous.
Dozens of contingencies circled within that small mind of hers. She preferred to remain silent until those fragments were completed into a single plan.
Kairon Winterbark meticulously combed through the Grain Storage Facility to find fragments of information to relay to Iolet.
The locations of the grain warehouses matched exactly with the structure in his memory. The maintenance condition inside the warehouses was also excellent.
As Kairon Winterbark opened the door to the fourteenth and final warehouse, his brow furrowed.
The moment the door opened, the damp smell of grain rushed out first. Fine particles that had settled in the darkness finally revealed themselves as they met the shaft of light.
Kairon Winterbark stepped inside. Golden-gleaming particles rose into the air each time he passed, then slowly scattered.
“Dust particles….”
Franz sneezed loudly from behind.
“Achoo! Ugh, what kind of powder is this…. This place doesn’t seem to have any ventilation, Commander. It’s quite dangerous.”
Kairon Winterbark looked up at the ceiling.
There were no windows or ventilation shafts leading outside. It was a completely sealed space.
As Franz said, such a space posed considerable danger.
“…Well, it’s not really my concern.”
Kairon Winterbark turned and left the warehouse.
* * *
At that moment, Iolet had just arrived at the Count’s Residence of Valenstein.
“Welcome, Your Highness. We are honored by your visit to the Valenstein Mansion.”
The Countess of Valenstein greeted Iolet with a radiant smile.
“Your first outing in the Capital since arriving in Kalande? How could there be greater honor than having the Princess visit our home first?”
“Thank you for welcoming me, Countess.”
“Not at all. Do come in. But who is that behind you?”
“My escort and secretary. He’s trustworthy—would it be alright if he joined us?”
Lucian, who had been standing like a shadow behind Iolet, gave a brief bow. He had joined her immediately after she left the Royal Palace.
“Of course. You’ll need a secretary to look through the study. This gentleman has quite distinguished bearing—is he nobility?”
“No. He’s a commoner from Elovis.”
Lucian answered flatly.
Though he said so, the Countess’s expression suggested she didn’t quite believe it. One born and raised among nobility couldn’t hide that bearing.
“Hmm, I see. This way, please. My husband’s study is through here.”
The Countess, shrugging her shoulders, led them forward.
Bookshelves lined with ancient texts organized by year stood in neat rows. The collection was far smaller than the House Uter’s Library, but it bore the mark of meticulous care.
“Feel free to browse at your leisure, Your Highness. Don’t forget to leave time for tea afterward. Any books you’ve finished with can be placed on that trolley, and the servants will organize them.”
“Yes, Countess. I won’t be long.”
The Countess waved her hand and disappeared behind the door.
The moment the door closed, Iolet turned toward Lucian.
“How have you been?”
Lucian didn’t answer. His green eyes, looking down at her, were lost in complex contemplation.
But as always, her knight did not air his personal troubles before his mistress.
“A person presumed to be the one you mentioned to the Third Prince’s Information Guild came calling. He left upon learning the guild had been closed.”
“That would be Ulrich. He took a leave of absence and returned to his hometown.”
Anastasia had provided far more information than expected.
Though she and her husband were distant, Anastasia naturally knew far more about the Kalande Royal Court’s affairs than Iolet did.
Thus, I had succeeded in removing the First Prince’s strategist from his grasp. One head of the serpent had bowed momentarily, and now I needed to devise a way to deal with the remaining two.
Prince Leonhilt, and Queen Cecilia.
‘Leonhilt won’t be difficult. The divorce from Anastasia will be a direct blow.’
A divorce would be simple enough if there was sufficient grounds of fault on Leonhilt’s side.
“The First Prince frequents the salon of a woman called Madam Cortis, a countess.”
“The Cortis Earldom… they’re a cadet branch of the Decart Grand Duchy, the Queen’s natal family. Observe those who visit there carefully. If anyone from the Rosika Marquis House appears, report it immediately.”
“Yes, understood.”
The problem lay with Queen Cecilia.
As long as the Queen and her natal family, the Decart Grand Duchy, held their ground, Leonhilt could rise again countless times.
It would be more efficient to break the Queen’s side first, but no opening presented itself.
‘If the Queen were to openly attempt my death, I could create an opportunity for a counterattack.’
With Ulrich absent from the Capital, I had expected the Queen to move more aggressively, but strangely, she remained quiet.
Like the calm before a storm.
Lucian, who had been silent for a moment, asked.
“Then shall I continue to remain outside the Royal Palace?”
“Yes. I think that would be best.”
Iolet withdrew several books from the study shelf as she answered.
“In my stead, keep watch over the Information Guild and the Decart Grand Duchy, and apprise me of the Capital’s circumstances. Without you, I can accomplish nothing within the Royal Palace.”
Lucian offered only a brief “Yes.”
How could she speak so carelessly? When I’m not at your side, my very existence feels rendered meaningless.
Lucian swallowed those words down past his throat. It was burden enough that his own heart churned in confusion.
“…Among the theological manuscripts, the passages concerning the emergence of Demons should span volumes two through three. Beyond that, there would be only fragments, so you’ll need to search through the books methodically.”
“Have you read theological texts before?”
“My mother is a devout believer. The Perein Main House’s estate also possesses several manuscript copies of theological works. Though I confess, I read them only once in my childhood.”
“I see. Thank you for telling me.”
Queen Charlotte had never had Iolet read theological texts.
Following Lucian’s guidance, Iolet hastily selected the appropriate books.
She would have preferred to remain here all day, but time was a luxury she did not possess. She could spare only two or three hours at most today.
Iolet turned the pages rapidly, skipping entirely the chapters on the birth of Demons and the Celestial Demon War.
“I’ll examine the rest. Don’t strain yourself.”
“All right, I understand.”
Iolet answered perfunctorily, scanning the text.
‘Demon stones, lifespan, lifespan, lifespan….’
For millennia, Demons had continuously interfered with and merged into the human world. There must surely be other cases besides my own—instances where humans borrowed Demonic power through their own bodies to extend their lifespans or transfer them.
Two hours vanished in an instant. As her anxiety began to mount, the passage she sought finally appeared.
[Demons are beings originally unbound by lifespan, their existence continuous and unbroken across generations. They condense the essence of their lives into a medium called a Demon Stone, absorbing it anew to defy the natural order.]
“I found it…!”
Iolet’s eyes gleamed with intensity.

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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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