The Crown I Will Take From You - Chapter 177

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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 24

The Princess before his eyes still appeared pale and frail.

However, Garo couldn’t shake the feeling that he was somehow facing his master.

While Garo was looking at Medeia and thinking of someone, coincidentally, she was also thinking of the same person.

Her green eyes looked past Garo’s shoulder. Behind him, around him, and even toward the banquet hall.

“…I understand Your Highness’s intentions well. I’ll send Zeta instead, so please use him as a liaison with us. I hope you’ll remember that Facade is always there when you need us.”

Medeia nodded.

“…I understand. However.”

“Yes, Your Highness?”

Medeia hesitated.

“Do you have something to ask?”

It was because she realized that she had unconsciously been looking for a familiar white mask.

“Then farewell, Medeia.”

Akaress, the mercenary captain of the infamous arms dealer, the one who had taken the Dawn’s Nakru, the true leader of Facade.

It was ridiculous. To say it was familiar, as if she remembered, as if she hadn’t forgotten.

“…Nothing at all. Sir, thank you for gracing today’s occasion.”

“You’re too kind. Please forgive me for disturbing Your Highness’s peace of mind with unnecessary words.”

Garo spoke in a friendly yet respectful manner and left.

Medeia nodded slightly.

Sigh. The lingering regret she couldn’t swallow burst out as a silent, faint sigh.

So she didn’t notice.

The golden gaze that had been fixed on her since some time ago.

* * *

Even after today’s celebration at the palace ended, there weren’t many seeking out Jason’s group.

This was because most of those who should have been looking for them had flocked to the 1st Prince’s side.

“I am Duke Nova of Serses. I’ve always wanted to meet Your Highness, but to encounter such fate in this distant place-“

“1st Prince, Your Highness, where are you staying? Our Res Republic would be honored to host Your Highness…”

“How dare those lowly people ignore His Majesty’s edict!”

Jason burst out in frustration watching those desperately trying to win the 1st Prince’s favor.

However, he couldn’t just grab them by the scruff of their necks and drag them before him as he wished.

“Your Grace the Duke. Instead of being angry, it would be better to think of your next move. The 1st Prince is an unconventional person, so if you don’t devise countermeasures, by the time today’s report reaches His Majesty, it will be too late.”

The Head Servant offered advice to Jason with a calm yet indifferent expression.

With the eyes of a thorough observer.

As if testing Jason, as if he would watch with his own eyes how far he would struggle and report everything to his master, the Emperor.

In fact, the only moment that stone-like face had wavered was when the 1st Prince appeared in the banquet hall.

“I know that well enough without you telling me!”

“Then I shall take my leave.”

Regardless of Jason’s outburst of irritation, the Head Servant bowed and left.

Jason couldn’t help but contort his face in anger. The Emperor’s surveillance blocked him from the front, while the 1st Prince blocked him from behind, leaving him unable to move.

His chest felt suffocating, as if pressed down by a rock.

“…”

Meanwhile, Claudio and his group also had to stand in the banquet hall like patched-up sacks of barley.

The fact that all this trouble had originated from the Claudio family was quickly forgotten from people’s minds.

The Claudio family had so little presence, and the series of strange phenomena had clearly imprinted on everyone attending this banquet that the Goddess did not welcome them.

When even their own country Valdina despised them, there was no reason for foreigners to go out of their way to protect Claudio.

Samon frowned with a stern face.

‘Rather than helping us, the Saint made things even more complicated.’

Now it had become difficult to even show the name Claudio.

They ultimately had to return empty-handed with no gains.

No one saw off the Claudio family as they left the banquet hall.

* * *

B District of the Elamouz Strait.

Samon spoke to Jason, who was frowning beside him.

“Duke, what shall we do? His Majesty commanded that we must return to Valdina, but the situation has become difficult.”

“Why are you asking me that? Since when have you and I been in the same boat?”

Jason snapped irritably. However, Samon didn’t back down either.

“Then are you saying Your Grace can handle the 1st Prince alone? Should I remind you once again that our Claudio family is funding Your Grace, who has even lost your territory?”

Jason snorted.

“You mean that money earned through smuggling? You speak proudly of how the Valdinian blood flowing in your veins has fallen to become a dirty financier.”

The two men glared at each other.

Jason and Claudio had joined forces once again for practical reasons, but they were ready to let go of each other’s hands at any time.

However, since their current situation was dire, they had to cling to whatever forces they could, even inadequate ones, and seek survival together.

“Your Highness, please calm down. Samon was just trying to say that we need cooperation right now. Samon, you too should show proper respect to His Highness.”

When Samon’s father Hoakin didn’t step forward, Count Raju approached to mediate.

The Count, who had survived as a foreigner in the Empire for decades, didn’t easily show emotions like Samon.

“However, Your Grace the Duke, Samon’s point is not wrong. Since the 1st Prince appeared without warning, the personnel included in the delegation will also waver between Your Grace and the 1st Prince.”

“…”

“We must proceed with our course completely separate from the 1st Prince. To do that-“

“I understand, so both of you leave for today.”

Jason interrupted Raju’s words while pressing his temples.

His head ached. He had been reinstated as the Emperor’s dog to suppress Chezare.

But he hadn’t expected to face Chezare this quickly.

“Duke, you must never trust them. They’ve been harboring other dreams for a long time, so you should quickly cast them out.”

After the three men left, Suha, who had been listening from the side room, offered advice.

“I know. I’m just using them temporarily as well. So they won’t notice who my real allies are.”

Jason glanced at the pendant on the side table. It was a medium for communicating with his secret allies.

“How did you know in advance when, where, and how the Monster Wave would occur?”

“Must I really answer with my own mouth? Haven’t you already figured out who we are, Your Grace?”

“…”

“Since you haven’t spoken it aloud, wouldn’t it be better to leave this as something we both don’t know?”

Those who carry out divine work without being divine.

Those who hide in darkness, plunging the continent into chaos and challenging the divine.

Jason knew what these people were called on the continent.

‘Dark mages…’

The continent strictly prohibits dark magic regardless of country.

This was because there was a prophecy that dark magic, which first originated from primordial darkness, would once again bring chaos to the world.

Jason vaguely thought that the time of that prophecy might be now.

Dark mages were causing waves even in the most powerful Kazen Empire on the continent, approaching royalty and running rampant, yet no one suspected their existence.

If the day came when they emerged above the surface, how many screams would spread across the continent?

At least the current peace would not exist.

Jason bit his lips. He turned away from his wavering conscience.

‘But the imperial throne will be placed in my hands. No matter how the world changes, I will remain as Kazen’s Emperor.’

They were the only ones who could make Jason, who had lost both funds and power, into an Emperor.

“We just need to wait for the right time.”

Jason muttered in a low voice.

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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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