The Crown I Will Take From You - Chapter 254

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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 101

It felt like a massive boulder was crushing down on her body.

Veins briefly stood out on the back of her hand gripping Silva’s reins. She straightened her back with rigid strength.

Though he was her enemy, he had also been her husband throughout a lifetime together.

That’s why Medeia could now, just by sensing Jason’s presence in this pitch-black forest, see right through his intentions.

Where Jason was trying to go, what he was aiming for,

And what he was hoping for.

Her beautiful lips twisted.

‘Jason, Jason.’

You foolish man.

Do you still think you can have me even after committing that sin?

Even after realizing all of the past, do you dare try to beg my forgiveness?

‘And with the evil dragon’s head, no less.’

With that evil dragon from the previous life, obtained solely by parasitizing off Medeia’s schemes and efforts.

Fire blazed fiercely in her green eyes, which had rarely been disturbed throughout their journey through the harsh forest.

“…We’re going to cross over that mountain.”

Medeia turned toward the expedition.

“The mountain? Didn’t you say we would descend the highlands today and move to the flatlands?”

“The plan has changed. Hurry, we need to reach the gorge as quickly as possible.”

Her words were ambiguous.

“It seems we’re not the only ones targeting the evil dragon in this forest.”

“What? There are others besides us who are living day by day targeting the evil dragon? We’re here because of the oracle, but what could they possibly want?”

It’s not like they need to be offered as sacrifices to the evil dragon like us.

“…Someone who must seize glory at all costs, I suppose.”

Medeia’s face was cold as ice.

Jason, having recalled his previous life, seems to want to reclaim his crown,

But that won’t happen.

Unless it’s a coffin meant for him.

* * *

Medeia’s expedition moved even faster.

The members came to realize firsthand that the harsh days they had spent crossing the pitch-black forest so far had been relatively leisurely.

Except for minimal rest, Medeia kept the expedition moving continuously.

Though it was deeper and more treacherous, they could tell it was a shortcut from how quickly the terrain changed.

The deeper they went, the more frequently they encountered magical beasts.

However, Medeia now prevented the expedition from engaging directly, saying they needed to conserve their strength from now on.

Instead, she used tools or poison to eliminate or relocate the magical beasts.

“It even seems like she’s deliberately driving them somewhere.”

Garo whispered to Chezare.

“Her Highness the Princess told me to have Falcon throw this in the southeastern part of the forest.”

He showed a pouch of blue water hemlock juice powder.

“A few days ago it was tiger thorn tree spores. I wondered why the pack of Mad Wolves suddenly moved frantically in that direction, but it was because the spores had burst.”

Garo only learned later that tiger thorn tree spores were the Mad Wolves’ staple food and had the property of bringing out their rabid instincts.

It had already been several days since carrying out Medeia’s ‘special’ orders.

Garo had reached a certain conclusion.

“So I became certain. Her Highness definitely wants to stop someone on the other side of that forest—”

No. Garo stopped speaking.

Since she was specifically sending only the highest-grade magical beast packs that threatened lives, the word ‘stop’ might be too mild.

“She wants to eliminate them. But do you know who the target is?”

Garo pulled out a half-torn piece of cloth.

“Falcon brought this back. It was Jason Castulo who was there.”

The Castulo ducal family’s crest was revealed, half torn away.

“I wondered where he had disappeared to after leaving the abyss, but he was heading to this gorge… How did that bastard even know to come here? If he’s really targeting the evil dragon in the gorge like us…”

This would explain Medeia’s decision to force their way through the forest so aggressively.

Even constantly facing mutant species, he’s still alive. As you know, boss, this isn’t a place you can survive without prior knowledge.”

That meant Jason was also heading toward the gorge while avoiding the countless traps and variables scattered throughout this forest.

Just as Medeia had done.

“…”

The Princess of Valdina and the Duke of Kazen.

The trajectories of these two people, who had nothing overlapping between them, were interlocking as one in this expedition.

As if they had somehow shared space and time with each other.

Chezare’s elegant brow furrowed unpleasantly.

He picked up the half-torn piece of cloth bearing Castulo’s crest.

The fluttering, precarious colored thread fragments hid themselves pitifully in his hand.

Chezare recalled Medeia’s face as shadows had fallen across it.

He had seen moments when profound doubt of unfathomable depth would seep into that youthful face that still retained some baby fat.

Very occasionally, those rare moments when that solid, fortress-like composure would crumble.

“…Boss?”

And Chezare realized something unexpected.

Jason had always been present in those very rare moments when Medeia lost her composure.

His reason told him.

The catalyst that triggered Medeia’s trauma might be Jason himself.

“I won’t be fooled again. Jason, never again…!”

That meant there existed some causality between Medeia and Jason that Chezare didn’t know about,

Something that even Facade’s power could never uncover.

He dropped the piece of cloth.

He deeply ground it into the muddy floor with his foot.

His handsome face took on an even more ruthless light.

“Send this along when you send Falcon.”

Chezare handed Garo a gray pouch.

“This is monster musk!”

Garo frowned after checking inside the pouch.

“You want me to scatter this too? Then all sorts of magical beasts in the forest will swarm there.”

It was synthetic musk developed by the Kazen Royal Family to gather scattered magical beast packs in one place for suppression during monster waves.

“Still, he’s your blood relative, boss. Are you trying to bury him alive in this forest?”

As if it wasn’t even worth answering, Chezare boredly spun his dagger. Garo scratched his head.

“I have no idea why the boss’s temper suddenly flared up.”

Does Her Highness the Princess know about this?

Garo felt some sympathy for Jason, who was being driven into danger by his master’s unreasonable whim.

Swoosh—!

Just then, demon vines that had been targeting them burst out from the mud. They rushed forward with thorns bristling, thinking this was their chance.

Chezare rarely drew his sword directly.

The savage vines were cut cleanly and fell to the ground.

“How unsightly.”

Clinging around with old connections.

However, the cut vine pieces that fell into the mud still writhed as if alive.

As if they would definitely tangle together again, no matter how ugly and filthy they were.

* * *

Several days later.

The edge of the dense forest was cut off as if severed. And where the earth had split, a massive gorge revealed itself.

“Finally, we’re here.”

The steep cliffs bore twisted forms as if they had melted and warped in flames.

The river between the gorge had long since dried up completely, without a single drop of water.

Among the blackened small pebbles, broken weapon fragments and charred bones lay scattered everywhere.

As they continued walking, deep claw marks carved sharply into the rocks could also be easily discovered.

These were traces of fierce battles left by humans who had visited this gorge.

“It’s too quiet.”

Diangel’s low whisper sounded particularly loud.

Nevertheless, the gorge remained as silent as if holding its breath.

Under the clear sky, the cool breeze that occasionally brushed their cheeks felt peaceful, as if telling them not to waste energy being overly cautious.

At that moment.

A black shadow instantly covered the sky.

An Evil Dragon with both wings spread passed over the sky above where the expedition was located.

The expedition members who hid behind rocks by a split second looked at each other and readjusted their grip on their weapons.

Tension flowed beneath the silence.

“Th-that’s… the Evil Dragon…”

Tom unconsciously swallowed his breath.

Though it was at a tremendous distance, the moment they saw the Evil Dragon spreading its massive wings, it felt as if an invisible weight was crushing their entire bodies.

Humans and Masu were tangled together, skewered on the Evil Dragon’s sharp claws.

Every time it flapped its wings,

Thud, thud-

Severed limbs and unrecognizable corpses fell one by one to the bottom of the gorge.

The Evil Dragon was not hungry.

This was merely cruel slaughter carried out for amusement.

“Everyone remembers, right?”

While the members frowned, Medeia’s eyes remained fixed on the Evil Dragon like a predator tracking its prey.

“The Evil Dragon binds those who touch its shadow and spews poison.”

Medeia’s voice carried a clear yet unapproachable dignity.

“So be especially careful not to step into the shadow.”

Her gaze, free of fear or hesitation, instilled confidence in the expedition’s hearts.

That victory would be grasped at the end where she stopped walking. Just as she had shown them until now.

And.

“Begin the operation.”

With a short intake of breath, the expedition members secretly scattered to various parts of the gorge.

They all carried bows in one arm, and the oil-soaked arrowheads bore magical formulas that Terrence had inscribed.

“Silva, are you ready?”

Stroking Silva’s white mane, Medeia asked.

The clever Silva rubbed his nose against her shoulder instead of neighing, substituting it as an answer.

Then, she felt a hand gripping her wrist. It was Chezare.

When Medeia said she would become bait for the Evil Dragon, everyone opposed it.

However, only Chezare supported her with an indifferent face, allowing her to carry out her plan.

“I’ll be behind you.”

A low, deep voice without any wavering.

A lingering feeling flowed that seemed to make them forget the reality of having the Evil Dragon before them.

“So don’t be afraid.”

Their two gazes met.

Unlike her past life when she bore the expedition’s fate alone, Medeia found it strange that there was someone who wanted to guard and protect her back.

Nevertheless, somehow one corner of her heart stirred mysteriously.

“I’m not afraid.”

However, Medeia immediately retorted.

“When I lure the Evil Dragon here, just be properly prepared to cut off its head.”

“As the Princess commands.”

Chezare smiled faintly and gripped her wrist slightly stronger before slowly releasing it.

Medeia kicked the stirrups.

And quickly drove Silva forward, charging fearlessly into the middle of the Evil Dragon’s flight path.

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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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