The Crown I Will Take From You - Chapter 202
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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 49
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At that time, Jason also learned of their plan.
“Eliminating the Princess? What is the meaning of this without even consulting me?”
He growled as he threw down the pendant he had been using to communicate with the dark mages.
When Jason discovered that the culprit who had stolen the missing pendant was his own subordinate Raju, he felt as if he had been struck hard on the back of the head.
Even more so after learning that they had conspired behind his back to summon dark mages and eliminate Valdina’s Princess.
“Have you forgotten that this is Valdina’s territory? The pursuit is already intense because of the explosion, and you want to give them a reason to discover our identity?”
“The Golden Tower has ordered the Princess’s elimination. We are merely following those orders.”
They only gave repetitive answers and would not respond to Jason’s questions.
“Tell me, why—”
“Your Grace the Duke. Do not be mistaken.”
A damp voice echoed through the air.
“We do not need your permission. Valdina’s Princess is currently a major obstacle to our grand plan. You cannot overturn the Golden Tower’s decision.”
I thought you would understand without me having to say it.
Tsk. The sound of tongue-clicking was a bonus. The dark mages disappeared without another word.
Jason swallowed the deep sense of defeat that swept through him.
In the place they had vacated, he raised his head.
Thud—!
Jason strode forward and grabbed Raju by the collar, lifting him up.
“Now you’re running wild without even recognizing your master.”
“It hurts to hear you say that, my lord.”
Raju spoke with a vile smile.
“I do not resent my lord. Even with your repeated failures, I remain by your side like this. So please, Your Grace, turn a blind eye.”
Raju’s eyes were intense. It was unclear whether it was hatred or ecstasy.
“Your Grace has been quite soft on that woman Medeia. But have you forgotten? It’s because of the Princess that Your Grace has been reduced to this state, that we have no choice but to submit to those people behind the veil.”
When Medeia’s name was mentioned, Jason clenched his fist. His chest pounded and his heartbeat quickened.
“Do you have the confidence to face her? That woman is desperate to capture and kill us, yet if Your Grace remains so lenient, there will be no hope for us.”
Raju sneered at Jason who was glaring at him.
“You bastard…”
“If you don’t forget, then I too will see hope in Your Grace.”
Raju brushed off his hand with a thud and left.
Jason bit his lip.
Darkness was once again consuming the world like that.
* * *
The western waters of the Elamouz Strait.
The salty sea breeze brushed past the tip of his nose. The ship anchored at the pier was busy preparing for departure.
“I didn’t expect you to see me off this far… I’m truly grateful.”
Duke Nova of Serses raised his head.
With reddened cheeks and watery eyes, the young man who possessed an innocence unbefitting his status as a duke of a nation looked truly moved by Medeia’s farewell.
“Next time, if it wouldn’t be an imposition, I would like to invite Your Highness the Princess to our duchy.”
“Of course. It would be wonderful to see Serses in its prosperity. However, the distance is considerable, so we’ll have to plan for the future.”
“No! It takes three months by land, but only half that time by sea route.”
His face flushed red.
“When I return to my homeland, I’ll send a ship to escort Your Highness the Princess.”
Medeia nodded slightly.
The innocent young man kept waving his hand even as the ship moved away.
As if not wanting to lose sight of her, he ran out onto the deck and shouted.
“Your Highness the Princess! You must meet me next time! Yes? You must!”
“Your Grace, please stop now…”
The sight of his aide desperately trying to restrain his enthusiastic master was enough to make those remaining burst into laughter.
“Isn’t he being a bit too obvious with his advances?”
Once he disappeared from view, Neryl and Saya pouted their lips.
“Saya, why do you think I came all the way here? The Duke’s only patron is Admiral Keremier. He controls all the maritime rights in the southern continent.”
If lucky, it would be an excellent opportunity to strengthen Elamouz’s military power.
“Valdina’s army is strong on land but not at sea. We must address our weaknesses before the Kazen Empire tries to reclaim the strait.”
“Do you intend to break away from Facade, Your Highness?”
Neryl asked. Until now, they had been procuring weapons and mercenaries for the strait through Facade.
Medeia shook her head slightly.
“Not yet. However, preparing one more source of gunpowder just in case would certainly not be a bad choice.”
“But… ah, never mind.”
Neryl hesitated and stopped what she was about to say, gauging Medeia’s reaction.
“Neryl. There’s nothing you can’t say to me.”
“The Admiral won’t just share maritime rights for nothing. We’ll surely have to pay a corresponding price…”
The Admiral, called the sea serpent of the southern continent, would try to forge a strong bond with the new empire Valdina through this opportunity.
“If we can form an alliance with Serses through this opportunity, it wouldn’t be bad for us either.”
“Even if Your Highness has to sacrifice yourself for that alliance?”
Neryl couldn’t hold back and finally asked.
The strong alliance the Admiral desired would most likely be achieved through an engagement between the young Duke who had just left with a red face and Medeia.
What could be stronger than bonds formed by blood?
“Well. He didn’t seem that bad.”
“Your Highness!”
“That’s ridiculous!”
When Saya and Neryl burst out in unison at Medeia’s joke, she couldn’t help but burst into laughter.
“Don’t be so shocked. I have no intention of offering myself as payment for a contract either. Now that I’m supposedly a princess of a new empire, surely my brother wouldn’t try to sell his sister.”
“Sell, you say.”
‘His Majesty would rather go to war. Whether it’s against the Empire or anyone else.’
Neryl swallowed her inner thoughts.
“It’s something that hasn’t even happened yet, so there’s no need to worry about it already. It won’t be too late to think about it when the Admiral’s letter arrives.”
“You prepare thoroughly for everything else, yet why are you so indifferent when it comes to your own affairs?”
Neryl said with a pained expression.
“Let’s go back now.”
Medeia only smiled slightly and headed toward the carriage.
Whether she knew or not that her mature and calm attitude was making her maids feel gloomy instead. Medeia cast her gaze toward the departing ship.
She tried to recall the face of the Duke of Serses.
Even though she had just seen him off moments ago, somehow there was no memorable impression left.
In truth, most people she encountered were like that, so it wasn’t just the Duke.
“Your Highness, allow me to escort you.”
It was the moment she was about to board the carriage to return to the palace.
The peaceful sea suddenly became as quiet as if holding its breath.
“…Did you hear that?”
Medeia hesitated. She thought she had just heard a jarring, alien sound that pierced her ears.
“Hear what, Your Highness? I didn’t hear anything…”
It was when Medeia straightened her back. The clear water of the pier suddenly darkened and a tremendous tsunami arose.
“Get back!”
At Medeia’s sudden shout, Neryl and the Agema urgently evacuated the pier.
Whoooosh—!
Fierce waves crashed over the spot where Medeia’s party had been standing.
The pier was destroyed completely, and the shattered planks were swallowed by the waves.
“Thank goodness. If Your Highness hadn’t warned us—”
The Agema quickly approached Medeia. Vice-captain Menil let out a sigh of relief.
If not for Medeia’s shout, they too would have been swept away by those fierce torrents.
“Not yet.”
While Medeia’s eyes were still fixed on the waves, the water suddenly reversed direction.
From the center of the waves that were once again creating spray, a pitch-black sphere emerged.
A black, deep hole that seemed to devour everything just by looking at it.
“It’s a Wave! A Monster Wave has erupted!”
The Agema took combat positions.
Flap. From somewhere came the distant sound of wingbeats.
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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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