The Crown I Will Take From You - Chapter 245

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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 92

“Actually, by Your Highness’s command, we attached one of our branch members to the Holy Kingdom, but contact was lost after they entered the Central Temple. Since they were a child who had awakened holy power, they entered as a priest…”

Kensington wore a serious expression.

“While I’m away, look into their whereabouts more thoroughly. They wouldn’t have just disappeared. It’s too coincidental that they vanished right after Rachel returned to the Central Temple.”

“Yes, Your Highness. I’ll send word immediately as soon as I discover anything.”

Kensington nodded and switched the hand holding her staff.

“My body is nothing but a burden, so I can only apologize for not being able to accompany Your Highness.”

Even as she bowed her head, somehow her voice came out much more stable than before.

Kensington had to acknowledge it.

When the 1st Prince said he would accompany his lord on the expedition, only then did the faint anxiety that had settled in her heart completely disappear.

If only the label of being Kazen’s 1st Prince could be removed.

In truth, there would be no one more suitable for beheading the evil dragon.

* * *

The docks of Elamouz Strait.

On a large ship anchored behind the thicket to avoid people’s attention, Garo was present.

“What’s this, Boss? Why did you come alone? Didn’t you say you were going to escort Princess?”

“The destination has changed.”

“To where?”

“Death’s Gorge. We’ll take the ship to the Pitch-Black Forest.”

Garo scratched his ears vigorously at Chezare’s curt response that omitted all of Medeia’s resolve and detailed circumstances, presenting only the conclusion.

“Wait, I think I heard wrong. Where are we going?”

“Death’s Gorge. Through the Pitch-Black Forest.”

Garo rubbed his ears again.

“Boss, the Pitch-Black Forest is where mutant magical beasts that have never been seen or heard of on the continent appear. You’re saying we’re going to seek that place out on foot? I heard wrong, right?”

“You heard correctly.”

“Suddenly? Boss, did life become boring for you? Or do you have spare lives lying around?”

Soon realizing the reason, Garo let out a wail and tore at his hair.

A few strands of straw-colored, coarse hair fell pitifully to the floor.

“This is the way to avoid the oracle? Whose head did this crazy idea of eliminating the evil dragon come from? Princess? Or you, Boss?”

Having witnessed both of them act beyond common sense multiple times with his own eyes, Garo couldn’t be certain who it was.

“You’re noisy. We’ll leave immediately when she arrives. Get ready.”

Chezare seemed to have no intention of resolving Garo’s doubts, only saying what he needed to say before turning away.

Garo looked up at his boss with an expression of disbelief.

It created the illusion that Chezare’s faint smile had lifted ever so slightly.

At the same time, the fleeting dim light that crossed his golden eyes even reflected subtle satisfaction.

His expression remained cold as always, so an ordinary person wouldn’t have noticed this subtle difference, but…

“Boss, did you eat something wrong? Why exactly are you in a good mood? Who gets this excited about going to their death?”

“Not confident?”

“As if!”

Chezare threw another spark of provocation at Garo.

“If you’re not going, get out now. We need to reduce personnel when breaking through the forest anyway.”

“Ah, who said I’m not going?! Who decided to exclude me! Did you forget our oath to die on the same day at the same time!”

Garo, who had flared up, instead wore the face of someone betrayed. And he picked a fight with Terrence for no reason.

“The one who should really drop out is Terrence. Even when rushing from Kazen to here, he changed horses most frequently, so how will he endure that harsh forest?”

Chezare turned toward Terrence and silently raised an eyebrow.

“You’re not seriously thinking of excluding me because of that guy’s words, are you?”

Terrence asked back as if he couldn’t believe it.

“You’d go to deal with the evil dragon without a mage?”

“Hmph. If you fall behind midway and can’t reach the gorge, there won’t be any mage or anything.”

“You shut up. Chezare, if you leave me here, I’ll put holes in the ship, so you better know that.”

“…Come along.”

Permission came a beat late.

He was someone treated as an honored guest anywhere on the continent.

When he was volunteering to help, and on this expedition heading to death no less, having to threaten for accompaniment.

Terrence, feeling a bit wronged, let out a sigh.

* * *

The next day, Elamouz Strait.

It was still the dim hour when the morning dew had not yet lifted.

Clatter—!

The rope tied to the dock was untied.

“Raise the sails!”

As soon as Medeia’s party escaped the palace and boarded the ship, the sailing vessel departed, cutting through the current.

Standing on the deck, Medeia looked at the palace growing more distant.

The pale light cutting through dawn illuminated the spires of the Imperial Palace.

‘Peleus, just hold on a little longer.’

The wrong of leaving without a word to her only brother could be atoned for with the evil dragon’s head.

Meanwhile, the ship Chezare had prepared was surprisingly authentic.

The long, sleek hull was suitable for cutting through the sea, and spears and shields were arranged at the bow in preparation for battle.

The sails were made of sturdy cloth that looked capable of withstanding any storm or tsunami.

Despite its massive size and amazing speed cutting through the current, the deck maintained stability without swaying.

Moreover.

“This is the cabin where Princess will stay. Time was short so it may not be sufficient, but please understand.”

The interior of the ship that Terrence guided was equally amazing.

Soft leather chairs placed in every corner and a bed covered with thick wool blankets.

On the intricately carved table, there was even a bronze lamp containing herbs to ease seasickness.

At the edge of the room, there was also a storage area that could hold fresh drinks and food at any time.

Careful touches to ensure comfortable rest even during long voyages were evident everywhere.

A ship this proper couldn’t have been prepared in just a few days.

The meticulous design and preparation felt from inside and outside the hull showed that this ship was configured for a long journey.

Medeia wasn’t the only one who felt that thoroughness.

“Your Highness. Did the 1st Prince know we would depart on the expedition in advance?”

Medeia shook her head at Neryl’s question.

“It’s not an expedition.”

“Then…?”

“The ship is already prepared. It’s waiting for you at the dock.”

Somehow she seemed to know the answer.

On deck, the crew moved busily.

They too were mercenaries, wearing Facade’s insignia on their arms.

Medeia spotted a man standing tall at the bow and approached him.

“High Priest… stop…? For now… what you’re holding… Ah, Princess!”

Beside Chezare, Garo was talking about something when he noticed Medeia and offered a greeting.

“We’ll talk again later.”

“Got it.”

As Garo nodded and left his spot, the edge of cream-colored paper was visible from inside his coat.

“Careful.”

While watching his retreating figure, her body suddenly swayed as the ship rocked.

“Don’t come out this far. It’s dangerous.”

A firm hand caught her as she swayed from the waves.

Seeing the golden eyes checking if she had gotten wet from the roughly splashing waves, Medeia suddenly asked.

“You. That day you came to visit, was it to help me escape?”

At the sudden question, Chezare immediately raised his eyebrows.

“…Does that matter? We’ve already decided our path, haven’t we?”

“Don’t dodge the question.”

“If I tell you, are you confident you won’t pretend not to know?”

Chezare gave an evasive answer while lifting the corners of his mouth.

“….”

He observed Medeia’s eyes narrowing, her plump lips pressing firmly together.

He watched her small hands, which could be covered by one of his own, clench into tight fists.

He had to suppress his laughter at her displeasure, which was as clear as day.

“In the end, this is the right way. Medeia, running away doesn’t suit you, does it?”

Yes, this is Medeia Valdina.

For a tragic woman whose fate became that of a sacrifice due to an oracle, there was no fear or terror in Medeia’s clear eyes.

Looking down at the delicate face gazing up at him….

A faint smile spread across Chezare’s lips.

He could feel the tension that had made his entire body tense since racing madly to Valdina finally beginning to ease.

His extended index finger delicately brushed away the hair scattered by the sea breeze.

“When it comes to the Princess of Valdina, my expectations are always wrong.”

Well, she’s a woman who devises schemes to directly eliminate the evil dragon in defiance of the oracle. He swallowed a hollow laugh.

“There was no need to spread poison in the Holy Kingdom either.”

“What?”

Medeia, who had been about to swat away his intimate yet arrogant touch, hesitated.

‘What Garo was holding in his hand just now….’

At the thought that flashed through her mind, she asked with disbelief.

“Don’t tell me you made a move against the Holy Kingdom?”

Chezare was surprised that she had anticipated his actions from just a few clues and let out a vague smile.

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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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