The Crown I Will Take From You - Chapter 146

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

Chapter 146

 

* * *

 

Rose White Manor in District 2, Valdina.

 

During the Regent’s rebellion and the victory at the plains, while the Royal Palace was turned upside down by these unprecedented major events in Valdina, only this manor remained isolated, buried in seclusion.

 

The joyful cries of victory echoing through the streets and the cheers toward the royal family could not cross the manor’s high walls.

 

Despite the spotless white exterior, the interior of the manor was filled with an unprecedented darkness.

 

Chezare sat leaning against an antique bed with an expressionless face. Around him rose a bleakness as if he had entered the threshold of hell.

 

The intimidating presence befitting one who had reigned on the edge of death his entire life mixed chaotically with the raw savagery of facing one’s limits, unrefined.

 

His jawline, sharpened by illness, made him look like a well-crafted statue.

 

However, everything except his face was covered in black curse.

 

Around the bed were traces of wiped blood and clots that had not yet dried.

 

“…It’s a failure.”

 

Terrence, who had been checking his condition beside him, lowered his head with a devastated expression.

 

“Even the Dawn’s Tears… were useless.”

 

Even their last hope, barely obtained from Valdina Palace, had failed.

 

At first, when they got their hands on the tears, they had trembled with excitement.

 

They believed without doubt that Chezare would finally break the ancient curse and soar again.

 

“You said it could be washed away! You said everything could be erased! It was all bullshit!”

 

Garo picked up and threw an empty bottle that rolled away. The bottle shattered into pieces with a sharp bursting sound.

 

He turned his back while leaning against the wall. Tears that fell drop by drop wet his feet.

 

“Why, why!”

 

Garo struck the wall with his fist.

 

Would it have been better if there had been no hope at all?

 

It was the miserable feeling of soaring to the ends of the sky only to plummet and shatter completely.

 

Terrence also removed his glasses and rubbed his gaunt face. Then he clenched his fist, heavy with deep fatigue.

 

The young man, soaked in despair, couldn’t bear to meet his friend’s eyes.

 

“I’m sorry, Chezare. It’s because I’m inadequate. If I…”

 

If I had tried harder, if I had been excellent enough to surpass not only my master but even the primordial things,

 

I might have been able to save him.

 

“Useless overconfidence.”

 

Chezare coldly rebuked with an arrogant tone.

 

In this place where everyone had collapsed, only he maintained his composure.

 

The moment when even the tears, their last bastion, failed and death was confirmed. He neither collapsed nor struggled desperately.

 

No, he couldn’t.

 

He wasn’t yet prepared to accept anything.

 

But cold reality spoke. That it was truly the end now.

 

It forcibly wedged the word ‘death’ into his mind. So that he could neither move forward nor retreat.

 

‘Is this as far as it goes?’

 

Chezare looked down at his blackened hands.

 

His expressionless face seemed as calm as an undisturbed water surface, yet as precarious as a volcano that might explode at any moment.

 

His five spread fingers repeatedly clenched and opened in the air as if grasping something.

 

Hope. Ambition. The formless things he had once called dreams – Chezare silently watched them slip away soundlessly.

 

“…”

 

Then the sound of a bird taking flight cut through the pale silence.

 

Chezare raised his head.

 

He saw Garo standing by the window, grimacing as he stuffed something into his back pocket.

 

“What is it?”

 

“It’s nothing, Boss. Just some dust on the window-.”

 

With his face still wet with tears and eyes red, Garo hastily made excuses.

 

“Bring it here.”

 

Chezare flicked his long, straight finger. Sighing, Garo reluctantly handed over the parchment.

 

“It’s a message from the homeland. Valdina demanded the Elamuz Strait from the Empire in exchange for releasing the Claudio family.”

 

This was the result of Samon Claudio’s attempt to save his life after his meeting with the 4th Princess.

 

‘So the Princess let them go so easily because she was targeting the strait from the beginning.’

 

Indeed, she had other desires.

 

When a small figure with sparkling green eyes inadvertently crossed his mind, a hollow laugh escaped him.

 

But Garo’s face was still red.

 

His appearance, flushed as if holding back anger, indicated that the news from Facade’s spy wasn’t all there was.

 

“Continue.”

 

“The Duchy of Castulo has been reclaimed, and Count Kensington… is dead. And…”

 

Garo hesitated.

 

“The Emperor has reclaimed even Romagna and Alphanon…”

 

For a moment, silence filled the room.

 

Terrence was also at a loss for words. Only now could he understand why Garo couldn’t contain his anger.

 

“How, how can this be! His Majesty, how could he do this to you!”

 

Perdickas II was beginning in earnest to purge Chezare’s forces.

 

Romagna and Alphanon were just the beginning.

 

Chezare could read his father’s true intention to absorb all the outstanding talents and loyal retainers that Chezare had cultivated.

 

The well-shaped lips on his statue-like face twisted.

 

“Now that Jason and Kensington have been dealt with, am I next?”

 

“The Emperor shouldn’t treat you like this, Boss. Who does he think keeps today’s Empire standing? At the very least, if he’s a father, after a lifetime of pressure and denial, he should at least in the end-!”

 

Garo shouted as if coughing up blood. Rage surged within him.

 

The years spent with Chezare flashed by like a panorama.

 

It wasn’t the Emperor who had cut down countless enemies and crossed the line between life and death.

 

The notorious achievements that made everyone on the continent bow before Cazen’s name weren’t the Emperor’s either.

 

It was all Chezare. The blood and flesh that his lord had chosen and built up.

 

Even if it had been for Chezare’s own purposes, the fact that the Emperor had received the greatest benefit remained unchanged.

 

Chezare shrugged his shoulders.

 

“The Late Emperor has no interest in discarded cards, so it’s not unexpected.”

 

“Who’s a discarded card!”

 

Even at Garo’s explosion, Chezare remained calm.

 

His ruthless father’s betrayal wasn’t surprising to him. The bonds of blood had long since died out for him.

 

“Don’t worry, Garo. Anger is too premature.”

 

An elegant hand reached out and tossed a small scroll to Garo.

 

“Boss, this is… the roster of Imperial observers.”

 

“The Senate meeting will be held soon.”

 

Observers have the qualification to attend Senate meetings with the Emperor’s special privilege.

 

After ascending to the throne, Perdickas II had introduced this observer system to the Senate.

 

It was to attract emerging local power holders by offering the reward of participating in central politics.

 

Thus, the existing twenty-three ‘observers’ became the next power holders of the Empire that Perdickas II had carefully selected and a strong foundation supporting the Emperor.

 

“It’s a hunting drive, Garo. It won’t be difficult.”

 

The gentle command that leaked between his lips, where the knowing smile had disappeared, was deeper and more chilling than ever.

 

Garo hesitated. He felt a sense of déjà vu.

 

“…Is it really okay to eliminate them all?”

 

“Yes, all of them.”

 

He recalled the time when all the retainers who had once tried to kill Chezare were poisoned to death.

 

His boldness in consolidating the precarious position of the 1st Prince and first instilling fear in people’s minds.

 

That remained unchanged even now as he faced death.

 

“Since the Late Emperor extended his hand first, I too must repay him with proper filial impiety until the very end.”

 

When the observers are completely wiped out, the Emperor will realize.

 

If they try to take anything from his most outstanding son, they must pay an equivalent price.

 

Chezare turned his body toward Garo.

 

“And when that’s over, have Facade withdraw from the Empire. Whether you stay in Valdina, go to the Holy Kingdom, anywhere is fine.”

 

What? Garo raised his head. Facade’s seal flew toward him from above.

 

“You too, Facade is free.”

 

Unlike Terrence who was born from Kazen nobility, Garo is not a Kazen. He was bound to the Empire purely because he followed Chezare.

 

“Bo, Boss. Are you crazy? Ri, right now-”

 

“Terrence, you should also return to the Mage Tower.”

 

Wandering should end here.

 

At his leisurely thrown words, Terrence hesitated. Return? That wasn’t the answer he had expected.

 

“You… surely… you’re not giving up?”

 

It wasn’t like Chezare. If it were him, he would have told them to find more methods.

 

Indifferent eyes met Terrence’s gaze.

 

“Well. Should I struggle desperately until the last moment, or would waving gracefully be somewhat less unsightly?”

 

I’m contemplating.

 

However, his voice remained leisurely as always. So much so that no one could believe he was facing death.

 

Even with his wretched appearance from the black curse, he still maintained an elegant bearing.

 

“Chezare!”

 

“And Alpha, when you return to the Empire, leave out the Princess of Valdina from your report.”

 

He turned around.

 

“The Princess is merely a beneficiary who inherited the reputation of her blood relative. Say that King Peleus was the one who executed the rebels and the hero of the Plains victory.”

 

“…My lord, are you saying to hide all the things the Princess has been involved in until now as well?”

 

“Yes.”

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