The Crown I Will Take From You - Chapter 170
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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 17
She wore a deep blue silk dress, with delicate gold thread embroidery that shimmered softly in the light. On her head was a rose wreath-shaped tiara, and the diamond necklace around her slender, deer-like neck sparkled beautifully.
Her delicate features on a white face that had lost its youthful innocence reminded one of an exquisitely crafted doll.
However, her green eyes were beautiful but cold, and her indifferent lips revealed no emotion.
Her calm and cool expression made it difficult for people to approach her easily.
“She is truly a stunning beauty. We should have proposed marriage before the proclamation ceremony. Then there might have been at least some possibility.”
Perhaps for this reason, the attendees felt a sense of distance yet could not take their eyes off Medeia.
It was because they could not easily forget the Princess’s cold beauty.
“Don’t be ridiculous. Do you think it would have been easy before? The King of Valdina, no, he’s an Emperor now. Don’t you know how much he cherishes his only sister? Until now, envoys who tried to propose marriage were driven away before they could even utter the first word of a marriage proposal.”
“Was it really that severe? But now the situation is different, isn’t it? If Valdina is to face Kazen, they’ll need friendly nations…”
“Of course. If you’re confident you can handle the Agema’s swords being drawn before your eyes the moment you mention the Princess, then go ahead and try.”
The prince of some small nation, who had no courage to face the continent’s strongest military force just to win a beauty, turned his head away with regretful eyes.
The Valdinians also proudly watched the envoys entering the banquet hall.
“By the way, who came from Kazen?”
“It’s not certain, but probably the 3rd Prince.”
“Actually, there aren’t any strong candidates except the 3rd Prince. All the other princes and royals have been pushed aside by the 1st Prince…”
Three years ago, the news that Kazen’s 1st Prince had overcome his incurable disease and returned to the capital spread rapidly across the entire continent.
“Ha, to think the situation would be turned upside down this much in just a few years… That Chezare fellow is truly remarkable.”
Chezare Dwaisler Kazen.
The one called the Black Devil was both an object of fear and someone who drew people’s attention wherever he went.
The rumors that Kazen’s Emperor was keeping his son in check only heightened curiosity about him even more.
“We’ll learn the details at today’s banquet.”
Anticipation was mixed in the conversations going back and forth.
People were secretly waiting for the Kazen delegation’s appearance.
Everyone was on edge to see how the Kazen Empire would respond to the provocation of this ‘brother nation’ that had proclaimed empire as if throwing down a gauntlet.
“It’s Kazen’s flag! They’ve come!”
When the banquet had begun and appropriate interest had ripened, the Kazen delegation appeared.
Those bearing the symbols of the Kazen Empire walked in over the red carpet.
“Isn’t that the Kazen Royal Family’s emblem? Did someone from the royal family come?”
“No, look carefully. Isn’t he wearing a medal embroidered with red roses? That’s said to be given only to those who serve the Emperor closely.”
The white-haired old man at the very front was the Head Servant, small and diminutive in stature.
However, as if he couldn’t feel the crowd’s intense gazes, his expression was indifferent.
From the way the accompanying Kazen retainers matched their pace to his steps, one could guess the Head Servant’s standing.
“That man is… Duke Castulo!”
At that moment, the Valdinians who recognized the man standing beside the Head Servant became sharp with hostility.
“Wait, surely not…”
“Why has that bastard come back again?!”
The hall that had been filled with joy began to stir.
All the Valdinians here had not forgotten Jason, who three years ago had led an army to help Claudio’s rebellion.
“Surely not…”
“What shamelessness brought that bastard here?”
“What shamelessness can you expect from someone who helped a traitor try to plunder another nation!”
Someone didn’t hesitate to speak harshly.
“Duke Castulo really came? Of all times, here, why?”
“Shh, quiet. Lower your voice.”
The attendees who had been curious about the Kazen delegation’s appearance all closed their mouths upon seeing the sharp reaction of the Valdinians.
An unprecedented cold silence flowed through the banquet hall.
Even the peaceful music stopped. The orchestra had put down their instruments and refused to play a march.
Then, through the frozen silence, Peleus’s cool voice rang out.
“The Duke of Kazen seems not to remember my final warning. I see you’ve found the courage to set foot on Valdina’s land again.”
Blue eyes directly faced the smooth-featured young man standing beside the Head Servant.
The Kazens’ expressions hardened at the murderous pressure that seemed to have no intention of being hidden.
Even the watching spectators could feel it.
That this young Emperor’s reputation for personally leading campaigns to bring savage nomads to their knees and achieving victory was no lie.
Someone glanced at the large, heavy greatsword hanging at the Emperor’s waist.
Though they knew it was impossible, the atmosphere was so murderous that for a moment they wondered if the Emperor might draw his sword and cut down Kazen’s Duke.
“Your Majesty the Emperor of Valdina, His Majesty Perdickas II, the sovereign and lord of Kazen, has commanded me to convey his heartfelt congratulations.”
Despite the hostility he could feel on his skin, Jason did not dare avoid meeting the eyes of Valdina’s retainers.
His reddish-brown hair and gentle smile remained the same.
‘I swore I would surely rise again and return.’
Jason too reflected on his emotions among the cold audience.
And he was intoxicated by this moment when he had realized his vow.
The coldness pervading the banquet hall rather made his heart race.
He even felt a small thrill watching those who couldn’t hide their shock and anger.
Could they even dare to imagine how much hardship there had been until he could stand in this place again?
Jason hid his surging anger as he looked at the beautiful siblings of Valdina’s royal family.
Three years ago, Jason had been caught red-handed helping Valdina’s rebellion after falling for Medeia’s scheme.
As a price, he lost his fertile territory, the guards who protected him, and even the Former Emperor’s faction.
But he still didn’t know.
That the entire process of losing his foundation had unfolded in Medeia’s cunning palm.
When he was driven to the barren north and became unable to move under the surveillance of the Emperor’s confidant, the Duke of the North, he was truly in despair.
He could see no way to break through the situation.
But it seemed God had not yet abandoned him.
“Duke, don’t you want to return to your original position?”
A secret force of darkness extended their hand to him.
“Masu! Masu have appeared!”
“It’s ghouls! Save me! Aaahhh!”
Strange and powerful beings who could even freely cause Masu waves.
Under their support, Jason suppressed frequent monster waves. He was also able to silently eliminate the Duke of the North who was constantly watching him.
“If it weren’t for Your Grace the Duke, we would have been annihilated!”
“Savior of the north! What would have happened without Your Grace!”
The people of the north praised Jason.
He filled the vacant position of the dead Duke of the North and rose as the lord and hero of the north.
‘Jason, what cockroach-like vitality you have.’
Medeia’s green eyes briefly settled.
But that was all.
No matter how much Jason raised his chin, it couldn’t compare to his previous power. Because he no longer had the shadow unit or the hermits who had firmly supported him from behind.
Three years ago, the Empire’s mad dog she had revived had played his role perfectly.
If only the 1st Prince, who should have died from his terminal illness, hadn’t come back to life, Jason’s momentum as the hero of the north would have advanced like breaking bamboo and eventually reclaimed his former position.
But once Chezare returned, he would not tolerate Jason’s comeback.
For three years, Jason had barely managed to gain control of only the desolate north.
He neither reclaimed his former fertile territory nor returned to the Imperial Capital.
This was something even his secret supporters had not anticipated.
So Jason’s power could only grow to a degree far below their plans.
It was a miserable result that neither they nor Jason himself were satisfied with.
“Is this truly the end? O God, will you not grant this Jason this nation after all…!”
Then, as if hearing Jason’s blood-boiling cry, a second chance came to him like a miracle.
[Jason. You must return immediately and assist me.]
Far from eliminating the nephew who had survived in the abandoned wasteland, surprisingly, the Emperor had called him back to the Imperial Capital.
It was unbelievable.
However, Jason learned the reason after arriving at the Imperial Capital.
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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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