The Crown I Will Take From You - Chapter 143

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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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Chapter 143

 

Then Peleus also looked at Medeia. There was no wavering or hesitation in his sister’s green eyes.

 

Despite being used most by the Regent’s family more than anyone else, Medeia didn’t get swept up in emotions but coldly analyzed the situation.

 

She calculated Emperor Kazen’s reaction and even incorporated Duke Castulo’s handling into it.

 

Her perspective was excessively broad and meticulous for someone who was merely seventeen.

 

Though he should have been wary of such outstanding wit, Peleus felt only surprise and sadness.

 

‘Dea, you’ve grown up too much. How much persecution and hardship have you endured alone while this brother was away?’

 

On her small shoulders hung the desperation of pursuing only what was best for Valdina. Peleus’s handsome eyes narrowed slightly as he noticed that weight.

 

‘Dea, I had hoped that you alone would be free from this yoke.’

 

It resembled the weight of the young boy who had to leave even his sister behind and head to the battlefield, leading Valdina’s army.

 

At the same time, Peleus understood.

 

That cold reality couldn’t simply be changed with wishes and sorrow.

 

For his sister’s sake, and for the future of this land, Valdina could not stop now.

 

“Do as the Princess says.”

 

Peleus’s solemn voice settled down.

 

* * *

 

Clatter. Clatter.

 

The sound of hoofbeats pounding the ground never ceased.

 

The rider was Count Kensington, returning to her homeland with a letter from the King of Valdina. More accurately, it would be better to say she had been sent back.

 

“My lord, how about resting a bit? If you keep riding without sleeping or resting like this, you’ll collapse before even reaching the Imperial Palace.”

 

Umberto advised Kensington. Kensington shook her head.

 

“I must reach the Imperial Family as quickly as possible, even if it’s just one day sooner. His Majesty’s wrath will be considerable, so I must devise countermeasures as quickly as possible.”

 

Having arrived at the Imperial Capital in such haste, she was now in Emperor Kazen’s office.

 

“Have some tea, Kensington.”

 

Kensington sat down, hiding her anxious heart. The Head Servant approached and served tea.

 

Jason was also present at this meeting. After being expelled from Valdina, he had returned to Kazen and been summoned by the Emperor.

 

Their figures reflected on the golden sculptures in the office appeared somewhat distorted.

 

The Emperor’s envoy who had been to Valdina handed King Valdina’s letter to Perdickas II.

 

The Emperor’s hands trembled as he received the letter. The water in the teacup on the table rippled greatly.

 

And as Kensington had expected, Perdickas II flew into a rage.

 

“Give us the strait! Are these crazy Valdina bastards’ brains hanging outside their heads!”

 

A glittering statue shattered into pieces from the cane that Perdickas II swung in his uncontrollable anger.

 

“So what did he say? Peleus, that young green boy isn’t satisfied even after being given the Anphron gold mine!”

 

The Emperor asked the envoy with narrowed eyes.

 

The Elamuz Strait!

 

Though the task of subjugating the natives of that region remained, the importance of that location’s position was not inferior.

 

Since Valdina was demanding that strategic point, it felt like an unexpected blow to the solar plexus, sharp and painful.

 

The Emperor’s envoy stammered.

 

“Th-the price is to be set by the s-seller, he said to t-tell you…”

 

“What? This insolent-! Peleus, truly as wicked as his father. Now that he has the plains in his hands, does nothing seem impossible to him? This damned bastard who wouldn’t die even if burned alive!”

 

He exploded in anger.

 

The Elamuz Strait would open Valdina’s lifeline. Even knowing this, the Emperor’s heart felt like it was rotting at having to hand it over with his own hands.

 

Had the King of Valdina considered even this point when demanding the strait from him?

 

‘Did he notice my reason for wanting to save Claudio?’

 

A chilling tension ran down Perdickas II’s spine.

 

This young man had never even met him face to face.

 

Yet from Valdina, thousands of miles away, he had brilliantly figured out the maximum line that Perdickas II could offer and demanded it precisely.

 

His teeth chattered at that insight and shameless cunning.

 

When weighing the strait and Claudio on scales, the Emperor’s heart inevitably had to lean toward Claudio.

 

Because he had not yet abandoned his obsession with the Philosopher’s Stone.

 

‘The Philosopher’s Stone… That insolent King of Valdina would never willingly hand it over.’

 

So the only way for Perdickas II to obtain the Philosopher’s Stone was to bring down Peleus.

 

For that, Samon Claudio absolutely had to survive.

 

‘I must also consider Angelique’s reputation.’

 

He had to settle things before rumors spread further within Kazen.

 

Since there was also a request from the beloved Dowager Empress, he had a duty to protect his daughter as much as possible and bring her back to the Empire.

 

Perdickas II let out a sigh.

 

“This reckless Valdina bastard is using truly cunning tactics. Knowing that I have no choice but to give it, he’s trying to play right on top of my head!”

 

Kensington listened to the Emperor’s words as he recited curses toward Peleus on the red carpet.

 

“…”

 

Her fingers twitched invisibly beneath her neatly folded hands.

 

‘No, Your Majesty. The one who devised all these tactics wasn’t the King of Valdina, but his sister, the Princess.’

 

Kensington knew. She had seen and experienced it firsthand in Valdina.

 

So she could tell.

 

That it was the Princess again who had maneuvered the situation so that Perdickas II would have no choice but to accept this demand.

 

“…”

 

But instead of correcting her lord’s mistake, Kensington kept her mouth shut.

 

It was surprising.

 

As a vassal of Kazen and the Emperor’s loyal confidant, she should have revealed the truth.

 

So that the Emperor could know and prepare for Valdina’s real mastermind.

 

“…”

 

But Kensington didn’t speak. It was unlike her, and even Kensington herself couldn’t properly explain the reason.

 

Kensington, who had been recalling the Princess’s vivid green eyes, soon erased her thoughts.

 

Meanwhile, the Head Servant approached the Emperor, who was trembling with rage, and whispered to him.

 

“Your Majesty, there’s also been contact from the Holy Kingdom. They say they want to quietly congratulate and bless the 4th Princess’s joyous occasion.”

 

“Damn it! I would have handled it myself without them telling me! What chaos inside and out!”

 

He didn’t hide his irritation.

 

Because he had noticed the cunning Pope’s ulterior motive of not wanting to miss an opportunity to interfere in Kazen’s internal affairs.

 

Perdickas II bit his lips and spoke to the envoy.

 

“Go to Valdina right now, finish this matter, and bring back Angelique and that Claudio bastard. As quickly as possible!”

 

The envoy hesitated.

 

“Th-then what should we do about their demands?”

 

Perdickas II’s face contorted.

 

It was rare for him, the supreme ruler of Kazen and hegemon of the continent, to show his emotions so openly.

 

“Tell them we accept.”

 

He ground his teeth reluctantly.

 

‘Once I get my hands on the Philosopher’s Stone.’

 

Valdina would pay the price for their current petty schemes. Even without Kazen’s swords and spears, the demonic beasts would trample that land.

 

“Yes.”

 

The envoy bowed and hurried out with quick steps.

 

A brief silence settled in the hall.

 

The Emperor turned around.

 

Sharp eyes alternately swept over Jason standing on the red carpet and Valdina’s letter.

 

His nephew looked incomparably more haggard than when he had first left the Empire as part of the delegation.

 

Indeed, Jason’s journey home had been truly arduous.

 

He had been watched and expelled by Agema radiating killing intent all the way to Valdina’s border.

 

Having lost even his last shadow guard to Peleus, all that remained by his side were his strategist and the Varangian unit.

 

Even they had been reduced to about half after facing Gilliphos and the Agema.

 

“You all hide yourselves again. I’ll somehow divert Uncle’s attention.”

 

To hide the existence of the Varangians, Jason had to send them away too, and return to the Imperial Capital exposed to all kinds of threats and assassins targeting him.

 

It felt like being stripped naked. The misery and devastation of having all his cards exhausted was something he never wanted to experience again.

 

But Jason didn’t know.

 

That his suffering was not yet over.

 

“Jason, what on earth were you thinking?”

 

Perdickas II looked down at Jason with displeasure.

 

“Your Majesty. I…”

 

Rustle—!

 

Before Jason could even part his lips, Perdickas II threw Valdina’s letter before him.

 

“Jason, the reparations Valdina demands are beyond what I and the Imperial Court can bear.”

 

Jason had barely registered his shock at the numbers written on the golden paper when words like a bolt from the blue fell upon him.

 

“I will reclaim the Duchy of Castulo.”

 

“Uncle!”

 

Jason turned pale with shock.

 

“The Valdina Royal Family is framing me! You must not fall for their shameless scheme to fill their war-impoverished treasury with outrageous reparations.”

 

“Whether it’s true or exaggerated, I cannot antagonize Valdina on your behalf. You understand, given Angelique’s circumstances are involved.”

 

Before Jason could make excuses, Perdickas II cut him off ruthlessly.

 

“Since you caused this mess, you must bear the responsibility. Am I wrong?”

 

“I will somehow arrange the reparations. So please withdraw the imperial decree to reclaim my territory. Uncle, your nephew begs you.”

 

Jason did not give up.

 

Normally, he would have already lowered his tail and shown restraint at the Emperor’s sharp gaze.

 

But the Duchy of Castulo was his last fortress.

 

It was one of the five most profitable territories in the Empire.

 

Even if the results of his Valdina expedition were painful, even if his cards were exhausted, it would be fine.

 

Though it would take some time, from Castulo Province he could build up his strength and leap forward again.

 

But having that territory itself reclaimed meant Jason’s very nest would disappear.

 

“Twenty years’ worth of tax revenue? There’s no time. Do you have any other means to arrange the reparations?”

 

“…”

 

Jason could not answer.

 

The fact that Castulo Province was one of the wealthiest places in the Empire paradoxically stabbed him in the back.

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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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