The Crown I Will Take From You - Chapter 168

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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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Part 2, Chapter 15

Diangel’s face contorted.

He swiftly lifted the carpet. Several sheets of paper that had been hidden underneath fluttered in the sudden motion. Though few in number, their contents were far from insignificant.

“These are the movement routes the Agema took from the plains to the royal palace.”

The air in the cottage house grew even more frigid.

Military movement routes were classified information that could completely reverse the tide of war. The shocking fact that King Peleus’s movements had also been exposed made the Agema’s aura even sharper.

Rachel’s face turned pale.

Why on earth would such an absurd map appear here?

“I, I don’t know anything about this. I’ve never seen these before! I don’t even know why they’re here—”

At that moment, Neryl, who had been silently observing the situation, pointed out.

“Miss Rachel’s hometown is the Orphio Mountains.”

Only then did the Valdinians remember. That place was located on the border between Valdina and Kazen, and was once land ruled by Kazen.

The implication was clear.

The Saint’s ambiguous origins that couldn’t be definitively called Valdinian. And Kazen, who was keeping Valdina in check more than anyone else.

“Ah. Now everything becomes clear.”

Starting with Sisear’s mocking admiration, those gathered there began to think that the Saint had come to tarnish Valdina’s reputation at Kazen’s behest.

“Princess, did you anticipate this?”

Neryl, who had been watching the situation in confusion, turned to Medeia and asked.

At that question, they remembered.

The Princess’s unusually cold reaction after hearing about Rachel’s origins.

‘She already anticipated it then! That something like this would happen.’

“Your Highness, truly—”

Diangel was about to express his admiration for Medeia’s prophetic insight but swallowed his words.

There were also priests from the Holy Kingdom here. If he highlighted Medeia’s prophetic insight in front of them and drew unwanted attention, his lord would not forgive him.

“No, no. I’m innocent. Please believe me…”

And the one who had been quietly observing this entire situation, Medeia, turned her gaze to Rachel, who was at a loss.

Rachel’s eyes, which had always been composed, now mixed with bewilderment and shock as if she didn’t know what to do.

‘Rachel, this is Valdina. So you should have known.’

That no matter how you try to steal the chess pieces, the board itself has been in my hands from the beginning.

In the previous life, Medeia had been utterly defeated in her confrontation with Empress Rachel in Kazen.

The outcome of a power struggle between an empress and a princess from a defeated nation who couldn’t even gain recognition for her title was all too clear.

But this time is different.

Valdina is her homeland, her land.

Medeia had already seen through Rachel’s plan through the eyes she had planted.

When she buried the dead mouse, and when she stole her dagger through Anzi.

“High Priest, this is suspicious. Wasn’t the Holy Kingdom targeting this from the beginning?”

“What nonsense! We never requested this, and in a situation where we’re meeting the Saint for the first time, how could we—”

Paollo was also sweating coldly and turning red and blue at this unbelievable truth.

Medeia walked gracefully toward Rachel. Her dress hem rippling elegantly, her moderate pace—neither too slow nor too fast—was no different from when she had been accused of being the culprit of the curse just moments before.

“Of course, I don’t think you had your reasons either. However, if you’re to bear the illustrious name of Saint, you’ll need to be more careful with your words and even small actions from now on.”

Medeia’s words of forgiveness to Rachel instead made her a complete outsider.

“…”

The Agema’s gazes toward Rachel, who was biting the inside of her cheek, were sharp. Despite all the effort she had poured out while hovering between life and death, the Agema were wary of her.

After trust was broken, all of Rachel’s actions seemed suspicious when viewed again.

Medeia turned around.

“High Priest. I won’t even ask for an apology for the rudeness. However, you’ll need to clearly state the Holy Kingdom’s position on today’s events.”

Her calm voice showed no trace of anger toward Paollo, who had been denouncing her.

That made it even more cutting. The Princess’s words meant she would officially record the disgrace he and the Saint had shown today.

How much would his authority fall within the Holy Kingdom? And what about the Saint, who should be praised for her dignity as a representative!

Paollo’s chest felt like it was burning.

“Prin, Princess. This old man misspoke—”

“Don’t worry. I trust His Holiness will provide sufficient explanation in place of the High Priest.”

Paollo’s vision darkened at Medeia’s continued threats.

Thus, the Saint and the Temple Knights had to leave Valdina as if being chased.

No one in Valdina saw them off.

Paollo had no time to blame their arrogant eviction order, overwhelmed by rising shame and worry about what would happen next.

“Saint, why did you act so rashly? If you wanted to do something, you should have waited until we arrived.”

Rachel almost burst into anger at the lecturing tone, as if scolding a foolish child.

Did she expect the situation to be reversed and for her to be falsely accused instead?

‘The fake dagger and map, were they all that bitch Medeia’s doing?’

But Rachel couldn’t even look toward Medeia to confirm her suspicions.

The Agema were now glaring at her with the same deadly intent they’d show the ghouls of the plains.

Peleus had completely turned his back, perfectly hiding his sister from Rachel. As if he wouldn’t let even a glance from Rachel reach his sister.

All the effort Rachel had poured into them for half a year had come to nothing.

Far from taking away Medeia’s family and foundation, she had instead turned the entire royal palace into enemies, making Rachel want to scream with rising fury.

She gritted her teeth and held back her anger while tears welled up in her eyes.

Not forgetting that right now, only the old High Priest before her could resolve this situation.

“I’m sorry. I was foolish.”

At her fragile appearance, Paollo remembered that the Saint had been a young girl wandering the plains before her awakening.

‘Right, she was too young and inexperienced to understand the subtle power relationships between the continent’s nations. From now on, we must support the Saint well.’

She seemed innocent and beautiful, but easily swayed by the temptations of wicked people due to her gullible nature.

“We will risk our lives to safely escort the Saint to the Holy Temple.”

The Knight Commander also bowed to Rachel and kissed her feet.

This was a ceremony that should have been performed as soon as they saw Rachel. Though delayed due to the series of unexpected situations, their reverent attitude remained unchanged.

However, the endless respect and overwhelming feelings toward the Saint that had filled their hearts when they entered Valdina’s borders had long since faded.

On the way out of the palace, voices of people murmuring on the street could be heard through the thin walls of the carriage.

“Does being a Saint make her special? After living a hard life, now that she’s risen above people’s heads, she thinks she can do anything?”

“How dare she try to slander our Princess! Those Holy Kingdom bastards are no different! Can’t even those calling themselves priests judge right from wrong?”

What happened at the cottage house had already spread widely among the Valdinians in the capital city.

The Valdinians who heard the news didn’t hold back their anger.

“Look here, but they’re still Temple Knights…”

“That’s why we’re only cursing with words! Be grateful we’re not throwing dung water at the carriage like those Claudio bastards would!”

When had the Temple Knights ever been so openly insulted? They had merely come to fetch the Saint.

In that short time, how could they have predicted that the Saint would fall for Kazen’s lackey and put on such a worthless performance?

The Knight Commander sighed and glanced at the Saint inside the carriage.

“Saint, please remember. From the moment this carriage departs, you are neither Kazen nor continental, but solely a servant of the Goddess. You must abandon your nationality, memories, and people—everything.”

“…”

“Saint.”

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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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