The Crown I Will Take From You - Chapter 223

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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 70

Though his heavy footsteps bore the traces of time, within them hid days without a trace.

“Duke.”

Even upon seeing Leniart waiting for him, Eratosthe remained composed.

Only his steps toward the bridge became slightly more leisurely.

“You haven’t left the palace yet.”

“I figured you’d come this way. Having frequented the Imperial Palace for decades, we both know the shortcuts to avoid troublesome opponents well enough.”

Though the Duke smiled, there were thorns in his words.

“I wonder. What reason would there be for Duke to waste your precious time on this insignificant old man.”

At Eratosthe’s dry response, Leniart swallowed a scoff of disbelief.

This old monk who used extreme honorifics with me was once the most influential scholar in the Empire.

He was also a figure whose judgment was said to determine the rise and fall of nations.

Though his power had now scattered to the winds, countless talents regardless of status had declared themselves his disciples, captivated by his reputation and integrity.

The courtesy offered by such a noble soul who had never once been servile was rather disgusting.

“I won’t beat around the bush. Eratosthe. What are you thinking, coming back?”

“Who knows.”

The Duke grew impatient at Eratosthe’s composed expression.

“Surely you’re not the type to seek past glory at this point.”

“I understand the Duke’s concern. You worry that this old man might have developed a late desire to benefit from blood relations.”

Blood relations.

Realizing he was speaking of 1st Prince Chezare, the Duke stiffened.

Eratosthe, the Empress’s father, was 1st Prince Chezare’s nominal maternal grandfather.

Though they shared not a drop of blood, once entered into the imperial registry, that’s how it was.

They were relations who felt no awkwardness about the term “blood relations.”

Unlike me, who had real blood ties but couldn’t reveal them openly.

“Eratosthe. Did you truly develop greed at this late stage and defend 1st Prince before His Majesty earlier? Don’t you think it’s too late for that?”

“I have no intention of competing with Your Grace for a grandson’s affection, so rest assured.”

Eratosthe pointed out indifferently.

A faint breath escaped from the corner of his mouth.

Leniart frowned. It felt as if he was mocking his impatience.

“After all, Your Grace didn’t choose that child out of longing for a close grandfather-grandson relationship. If that were the case, you should have stayed by Duke Castulo’s side, the legitimate son.”

“…”

“I understand the Duke’s choice. Duke Castulo lacked the capability to aim for the throne, so you couldn’t stake your power and family’s fate on someone destined to fail.”

For a moment, Leniart’s gaze wavered.

Perhaps having his sore spot touched, the iron wall cracked and revealed bewilderment he couldn’t hide.

Eratosthe was right.

As the Emperor’s legitimate son, Jason had inherited all education and resources. Yet he couldn’t match Chezare, a bastard.

In contrast, his grandson of questionable birth that couldn’t be proudly shown to anyone was surprisingly different.

They say rulers are sent by heaven.

“It doesn’t matter. Even if the blood flowing in my body is tainted, no one can deny it’s pure blood.”

No danger, no hardship could break the boy’s spirit.

Not even his taboo birth from the affair between the current Emperor and the former Empress.

Leniart would never forget that moment of trembling at that arrogant answer that transcended even morality and convention.

‘This child will surely reach the pinnacle someday.’

However, as time passed and the child grew up.

“Duke, we were wrong. 1st Prince will drench this land in blood! Before everything becomes irreversible, we must stop him!”

“Leniart, it’s time to choose. Will you remain among these rotting corpses, or follow the bloody glory I will build?”

When all the old ministers who tried to kill him were poisoned to death.

Before the purple-tinged corpses of his associates, Leniart finally realized.

1st Prince was never meant to be bound by something like secret blood relations.

And that I could only stand by his side as a loyal subject.

“Leniart, you chose a master closer to the Imperial Throne for power, so bear that responsibility too. Don’t overstep your bounds as a subject.”

“…It was for Kazen. Duke Castulo was impossible, so only 1st Prince could lead this Empire to unshakeable, unparalleled prosperity. That’s why I chose him.”

Leniart spoke stubbornly, proud that his devotion to the country as an imperial subject was second to none.

“So you’re not saying there wasn’t the slightest calculation to protect your power and family through him?”

His dry eyes seemed to say, we all know that’s a lie.

“…”

Having his contradiction exposed by Eratosthe, Leniart was left speechless.

To hide his confusion, he unconsciously fingered the hawk emblem on his ring beneath his sleeve.

In Eratosthe, who penetrated others’ hearts without hesitation, he saw 1st Prince’s shadow.

How could this old man who shared not a drop of blood resemble 1st Prince more than himself?

Leniart quietly swallowed the bitter and fatal sense of defeat rising in his throat.

Watching this with interest, subtle fatigue and cynicism crossed Eratosthe’s indifferent face.

“So I won’t take questions. Just watch. After all, isn’t that the extent of your freedom?”

Eratosthe took the first step.

Leniart couldn’t bring himself to stop the old monk passing by him.

Whoosh, wind swept across the quiet lake.

A scattered leaf gently settled on the water’s surface.

Precarious ripples spread across the calm lake’s surface.

* * *

Valdina, Elamouz Strait.

The Valdina Imperial flag flew high in the square.

Gray stone flooring. Knights lined up along the edges.

Gleaming armor and sharply honed spears added to the tension hanging over the square.

Under the pouring sunlight, a roughly gathered crowd filled the square.

“Today, right? The day that bastard gets released?”

Secret murmurs spread among the clustered crowd.

Their faces mixed cynicism and interest.

Some as simple spectators,

Others stared ahead with fierce eyes as if seeking a target to vent their suppressed anger.

Below the platform where all the crowd’s gazes converged was Raju.

“…”

Knights roughly dragged him up.

Clank. Clank. Each movement made the shackles on his ankles produce heavy sounds.

Raju raised his head.

Though his face was stained with sweat and dirt and his hands were bound as he knelt, there was no trace of a criminal’s wretchedness about him.

Rather, his straight-backed posture was dignified, and even a smile played at his lips.

He shook his head mockingly as he surveyed the crowd.

‘Chatter all you want. As long as Kazen is behind me, you can’t touch even my toes.’

“Look at that attitude!”

“Should have cut off his head!”

Rough sighs erupted from the crowd that fell for Raju’s provocation.

At the very front of the crowd was the Claudio Family.

Though positioned closest to the criminal as the victim’s family, their faces showed no anger toward the perpetrator.

Catherine gazed at Raju with sorrowful eyes.

Her sincerity seeped through their entangled gazes.

‘I’ll follow you and wait in Kazen.’

Reading Catherine’s silent lip movements, Raju smiled gently for the first time.

As if to say don’t worry, he even nodded slightly.

Catherine struggled to hold back rising tears. Emotion and regret washed over her.

How much he had worried that something might go wrong and Raju would be executed in Valdina.

Once today passed, their family would soon be able to reunite in Kazen.

‘Uncle. Leave this place to me.’

Samon also met Raju’s eyes and quietly nodded his head. 

Just a few days ago, he had discussed business matters with him through secret correspondence.

In the letter, Raju had revealed the location and amount of his hidden slush funds, presenting concrete plans for Samon to continue his smuggling business.

Given the circumstances, they couldn’t touch those funds immediately to avoid drawing people’s attention.

But after losing his leg and having his patron Raju captured, leaving him in a hopeless situation, that letter was like refreshing rain washing away his frustration.

Someone might call me a heartless and merciless son.

‘But Father abandoned me first, so why should I avenge such a person?’

It was Father who turned his back on me first. 

If Father were still alive and had managed to gain even a half-brother through fervent efforts, would I have had any chance?

Recalling his father’s true nature that he had observed for so long, Samon had already finished all his calculations.

So Samon didn’t care one bit about his father’s miserable death, or the fact that Raju was the culprit. 

Meanwhile, Raju’s eyes were busily searching through the crowd.

‘Where are you, Virna.’

Once he departed for repatriation, he wouldn’t be able to see his daughter for a while. 

He soon spotted pink hair in the crowd.

With an anxious heart, Raju tried to make eye contact with his daughter one last time, but failed as Virna, swept up in the crowd, kept her head down the entire time.

“They’re coming! They’re coming!”

At that moment, a blue carriage appeared at the entrance of the square. 

The large and majestic carriage, lavishly decorated, was quite different from Valdina’s carriages that pursued restrained simplicity.

It was splendid enough to be recognized as Kazen’s at a glance, and too magnificent for transporting a criminal.

Whether the intention was to show off the dignity of the continent’s strongest nation or to subtly mock the Valdinians was unclear.

The carriage stopped and the door bearing the Kazen Imperial crest opened.

The Emissary of Kazen, wearing a red rose decoration and draped in an elegant robe, stepped onto the platform. 

Raju looked at him with welcoming eyes, but the emissary seemed too preoccupied with his weighty duty to have the leisure to look for him. 

Swoosh-!

The emissary unfurled a scroll. 

His cloak fluttered in the unseasonable dry wind sweeping through the square. The black robe somehow looked heavy and dignified.

“I convey the command of His Imperial Majesty. Roberto Raju-“

Raju’s smile deepened. He nodded and listened to the emissary’s words. 

When his name came from the emissary’s mouth, a glint of triumph flashed in his eyes. 

He raised his head and gazed at the distant palace. 

Along with mockery directed at Valdina’s royalty who weren’t even present here, especially the Princess.

Yes, what could they do. 

No matter how much Valdina might struggle, they couldn’t surpass the dignity of a great empire overnight.

Raju wanted to laugh out loud.

He felt intoxicated as if he had slapped the faces of Valdina’s royalty. 

He tried to hold back, but his lips trembled with laughter that seemed ready to burst forth.

That was when it happened. 

Words like a bolt from the blue fell from the emissary’s mouth.

“Will not be repatriated to the Empire.”

What?

Raju’s eyes widened like lanterns. 

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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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