Queen of Revenge - Chapter 58

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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 58
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Near the Border where the Northern Fortress stood, clusters of villages both large and small had gathered. That entire region was known as Winterbark.
The residents’ only pleasure was gathering in small groups at the village entrance during lunch hours to exchange gossip.
“Did you hear? The Second Prince came down to the Fortress with troops. They say the Prince and the Capital Guard will command the Fortress from now on—is that really alright?”
“What? How would Capital people know anything about fighting Demons?”
A young man who had been listening quietly chimed in.
“From what I hear, they brought quite a lot of military supplies from the Capital.”
“Really? Supplies? Did they bring money too?”
“Probably. The soldiers’ meals have been much better quality since the other evening.”
“Hmm….”
“So what does that matter! A conscription order came down! You’re going to stake your life for a single meal?”
“That’s not conscription into the military—it’s recruiting for mining labor. You know, the way they do it in Elovis. They’re surveying the Unregistered Territory.”
“That’s right. I heard they’ve already pinpointed where the gold veins run in the Unregistered Territory.”
“Is that really true?!”
The villagers’ attention converged on a single point.
The young man who had appeared at some point and naturally woven himself into the conversation with a few remarks here and there flinched.
“But who are you, exactly?”
“Ah, well…”
“I’ve never seen your face before. Not the kind of face one forgets easily either. Are you one of the Capital Guard knights who just arrived?”
“No, no, no. I’m just…a newcomer. My sister started working at the Fortress not long ago. I’ve only picked up a few things from what she’s mentioned.”
“Is that so?”
The villagers, particularly the men with daughters, opened their eyes wide with interest.
“You have no other family besides your sister? You’re not married yet? And how old are you, anyway?”
“Still unmarried, and I’m twenty-five…Wait, why are you so curious about this?”
A circle had formed around Lucian before he knew it. Cold sweat beaded on his forehead.
Had his cover as a newcomer been seen through? Was the excuse too transparent?
As Lucian, who had removed his mask and hood for the first time in ages, broke into genuine perspiration, someone in the crowd silently slipped away from the group. It was a middle-aged man of short stature with a protruding belly.
The man glanced furtively around before nimbly disappearing between the alleyways.
A young girl crouched on a rooftop overlooking the scene suddenly sprang to her feet.
“Once Lucian spreads information to the villagers, someone will definitely pass it along to others. If you spot anyone suspicious, follow them immediately, Bara. Nine times out of ten, that person will be an information broker.”
[I can do this] [!]
Found it—the target.
Bara’s eyes gleamed as she began moving like a flying squirrel.
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“The Second Prince came down from the Capital laden with military supplies and money, or so I’ve heard. Information from someone recently at the Fortress.”
A faint lamp was lit in a dark attic.
An old office on the very top floor of a building that stood boldly in the center of the village.
Though it operated as a village detective agency on the surface, its true function lay elsewhere—it was the Winterbark Branch of the Information Guild that oversaw the entire Northern Region.
The branch director, Heintz, had come to Winterbark years ago and established himself here.
It was worth volunteering to come to this remote outpost that no one else wanted. Today, of all days, a figure of considerable importance—someone I might see only once in a lifetime—had arrived in Winterbark.
“He came down clutching a money pouch, no less. He must have been in quite the hurry. Once the Royal Family’s financial audit begins, you’ll be the first to take the hit, older brother. It’s time to cover your tracks.”
Someone reclined in a chair with their back to the desk, spinning lazily. Their voice was high and thin, reminiscent of a stringed instrument’s melody.
“So, what is Kairon doing?”
“He’s locked away in the back room without so much as a word of protest, it seems.”
“Ha, the fool was so pleased with himself over acquiring a wife, but his dignity must be in tatters now.”
“However, from what I heard from the wounded brought to the fortress the other evening, his wife will soon arrive at the fortress—”
Just then, someone knocked on the door from outside.
The figure in the chair turned their head. The side of their face came into view, brow furrowed in displeasure.
“Isn’t business hours over?”
“Yes, we posted a sign, but it seems someone was mistaken.”
The Middle-aged Man rose quickly to his feet.
“Please stay inside, sir. I’ll go see who it is.”
“Never mind. I’m not finished with the report anyway. Just draw the curtain. Turn them away politely.”
“Yes, understood.”
Heintz swiftly drew the curtain. The silhouette of the young man seated in the chair beyond the desk was completely obscured by the heavy fabric.
“Who is it? Business hours have ended for today. If you have business, please return tomorrow—”
Crash!!
The door flew open with a tremendous sound.
“What in blazes!”
Heintz shouted. At his signal, the doors lining the corridor outside opened in unison.
About a dozen soldiers who had been concealed inside emerged nimbly and leveled their swords at the intruders.
There were two intruders. A petite Golden-haired Girl, and a tall man draped in a cloak.
Few witnessed the moment the man drew his sword. In an instant, he unsheathed it and held it horizontally before him.
“Put them away.”
At his cold, lifeless voice, the soldiers flinched.
“Do you know who you’re pointing your blades at?”
“You! How dare you cause trouble here! Don’t you know where you are? Seize him at once!”
Sigh.
The man exhaled as if exasperated. Even with his face hidden by the mask, the contours visible suggested he was quite handsome.
“I did tell you not to break down the door—”
“A polite knock hardly would have earned us a warmer reception, I suspect.”
A woman’s voice came from behind the man.
“The fact that you’ve stationed this much of an escort hidden away only confirmed my suspicions.”
The Cloaked Woman stepped forward, passing the man.
Heintz narrowed his eyes, studying his opponent intently.
The woman did not yield to his threatening gaze and pushed back her hood. Long golden hair with a lustrous sheen cascaded softly down her back, spilling past her waist.
Captivated momentarily by the radiant hair, Heintz’s eyes widened at the sight of her face. Her delicate features were packed densely into a face no larger than his own fist.
‘A fairy?’
Her blue eyes regarded the man with an indifferent gaze.
Only when the Masked Man pushed her back behind his shoulders did Heintz regain his senses.
“I’ve come seeking urgent discourse with your master. I believe he is currently residing in this establishment.”
“What, master? Who, who are you referring to?”
In the next instant, Heintz felt a presence streak past his flank like an arrow.
“…!”
The Golden-haired Girl with twin braids had somehow burst into the office.
Baring her fangs, she grinned wickedly and seized the curtain in the corner of the room. She tore it away in one violent motion.
The empty space concealed by the curtain was revealed.
An old desk with nothing upon it.
Yet someone was perched atop it.
Lucian stepped aside with a single stride.
Iolet faced the figure that had appeared directly before her.
She was quite beautiful. Her silver-gray hair was lighter than Prince Dietrich’s but deeper than Kairon Winterbark’s. Her eyes held the color of rich butter.
Her frame was slender and gracefully tapered, with unusually delicate shoulders and neck. A sharp jawline paired with full lips created an alluring impression. A beauty mark beneath her left eye was the finishing touch.
Heintz cried out, his face draining of color.
“You, you wench, if you lay even a finger on that person…!”
Bara snorted dismissively.
Between Heintz and the soldiers confronting the intruder, silent chaos erupted.
Only the one being threatened remained composed.
Her narrowed golden eyes gleamed with dangerous interest.
“Prince Emeric.”
Iolet lifted the hem of her dress and curtsied with elegant grace.
“It is my honor to meet you. I am Iolet, Princess of Elovis.”
The youth’s lips curved upward with meaningful intent.

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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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