The Crown I Will Take From You - Chapter 320

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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 167

Jason subtly leaned his body toward Paollo.

Soon, Jason’s words, delivered while discreetly bowing his body, sounded remarkably persuasive.

Paollo could still recall the terror emanating from the evil dragon’s bulging eyes that day.

Everyone’s mad praise for Princess Medeia and their beginning contempt for Saint Rachel all started from that moment!

“Indeed, so that’s what it was.”

People ultimately tend to fit the truth to suit what they want to believe.

“The Saint’s arm rotting away in the Mirror Chamber that day was also the curse of that wicked evil dragon!”

Paollo shot up from his seat.

“I must return to the Central Temple immediately and report this.”

“Even if you do that, how could it be effective? Everyone is caught up in the evil dragon’s curse.”

Jason shook his head and smoothly offered Paollo a bundle wrapped in velvet handkerchief.

“The most important thing is awakening His Holiness’s eyes rather than the evil dragon.”

What was wrapped in the velvet handkerchief was a small bottle.

Inside was a black, glistening liquid.

Paollo, who opened the cork and brought it to his nose, quickly frowned.

“Wh-what is this foul thing?”

“It’s the evil dragon’s blood. They say drinking that blood will free one from the evil dragon’s curse.”

Jason dropped his eyebrows regretfully.

“However, since the evil dragon has already been eliminated, this is all the evil dragon’s blood remaining in my hands.”

“No matter. It’s good that we have even this much.”

Paollo received the bottle and put it in his bosom.

“I’ll keep this for now. We must absolutely break the curse for His Holiness, who is most important.”

Even resolute determination arose in his bloodshot eyes.

“Call for a carriage!”

After Paollo hurriedly left, Jason quietly departed from his spot.

A cold wind sharply brushed against his cheek.

He turned his gaze toward the dark alley.

“Here.”

He offered a wine cup wrapped in thin cloth to someone hiding in the darkness.

It was the one Paollo had used just before, with his saliva on it.

“Do you think it will go well?”

Jason nodded.

“Since I’ve even applied brainwashing, there shouldn’t be any complications. You focus on handling things according to plan. Especially be wary of the Temple Knights stationed on the pitch-black floor.”

In his previous life, after taking Rachel, who had been a saint, as his empress, Jason frequently visited the Central Temple.

Since Rachel had been the temple’s highest cleric, he too was well acquainted with the temple’s top-secret areas not revealed to outsiders.

“Since Your Highness has come this far, why don’t you come with us?”

Jason irritably pulled his hood down deeper.

“I have surveillance on me too. I gave you the internal map of the Central Temple, didn’t I?”

The sound of grinding teeth accompanied his words.

Coming from Kazen to this place while avoiding watchful eyes was never easy for him either.

So it was also a silent warning that his involvement in this matter must absolutely not be discovered.

The man nodded.

Moonlight shone over the two people hiding in the alley, casting black shadows on Jason’s face.

On the opposite side, a goat horn-shaped pattern faintly appeared on one cheek of the man.

“We didn’t expect the Duke to help us this much. We really chose the right cornerstone for our grand plan.”

The black mages’ intentions were obvious—bringing up how they had helped him before, trying to act as if they were still on the same side.

‘Since they’re cornered, they’re planning to use me until I’m completely burned to ashes.’

Jason, who saw through their shallow scheme, twisted the corner of his mouth.

“Shut up. If I just open my mouth, the Temple Knights and the 1st Prince’s forces will immediately put swords to your necks—do you still have leisure for such nonsense?”

As the identity of the false Saint Rachel was revealed, the reality of the black mages who had been hiding underwater also surfaced.

Not only had they lost promising successors to lead the next generation, but massive purge orders had been issued in all three kingdoms: the Holy Kingdom, Kazen, and Valdina.

“Don’t arbitrarily include me in your ruined plans. I’ve already paid for that time by playing puppet for you bastards.”

Jason’s red eyes flashed fiercely.

“Stop thinking other thoughts and just finish the job properly. If you miss this opportunity, there won’t be a next time for you bastards.”

The black robe’s hem soon disappeared into the darkness.

The man left alone chuckled.

Trying to draw lines now was too late.

“Your Grace, you’ve stepped in too deep for that, haven’t you?”

* * *

The pitch-black floor of the Central Temple.

In the prison where not a single light entered, the sound of footsteps echoed.

Rachel, who had been burying her head between her knees, looked up at the sound.

“…High Priest Paollo?”

Beyond her hazy vision, she caught sight of a familiar face.

“High Priest!”

She almost reflexively got up and clung to the bars.

“Believe me. I was deceived. I was used!”

Her voice cracked pathetically, and her delicate hands trembled white while gripping the bars.

However, her violet eyes were more calculating than ever, checking the other person’s reaction.

‘I thought Paollo would be the most likely person to come see me.’

Because he had both a misguided faith in revering Rachel as a saint and the selfishness of absolutely refusing to admit he was wrong.

“It’s a trap. Everyone is being deceived. In the name of the Goddess—”

Suddenly, a hand reached through the bars, grabbed Rachel’s collar, and violently pulled her.

Bang—!

She crashed hard against the iron bars.

“No need to act.”

“P-High Priest Paollo?”

Rachel looked up at him with startled eyes.

Of all people, Paollo, who had worshipped her like a god, was treating her this way?

Then, a black mark in the shape of goat horns appeared on Paollo’s cheek.

“Save your excellent acting skills for later.”

Paollo showed his face.

“What, you should have told me earlier.”

Rachel wiped the blood from her lips and sneered.

The sight of her face changing from pitifully wounded like an injured beast to cunning was eerily chilling.

“Trying to silence me? You know I didn’t betray you, right? Even in this state, I didn’t sell you out.”

“Was that really for our sake? You did it because you knew that if you reported us, your own lifeline would be cut short too.”

He lifted Rachel up while choking her neck through the bars.

Rachel struggled.

“Gah, gahhk…!”

“Because of you, our existence was exposed too, so even if we burned your entire body, it wouldn’t be enough…”

Thud.

The grip that had been choking her neck loosened.

Rachel, thrown powerlessly to the floor, grabbed her neck and gasped for breath.

At the same time, a black light flashed where she had been.

The iron bars twisted strangely, then—

Bang! Bang—!

The metal exploded as if screaming.

Through the shattered iron bars, a gap large enough for a person to slip through was created.

“Come out. Our grand plan still remains.”

Behind Paollo, who gestured with his hand, Temple Knights and guards lay scattered about.

The eyes of those who usually watched Rachel fiercely were closed pale, and black smoke was flowing from their mouths, noses, and ears.

Clank. Thud-!

The iron chains that bound Rachel’s ankles fell with an eerie cry.

The corners of Rachel’s mouth rose long as if tearing.

Step. Step.

Soon, she stepped outside the bars.

“Know this. This is the last time we’re saving you.”

Passing by Rachel, the Black Mage spat murky saliva like a warning.

“Of course, naturally.”

But even that insulting threat couldn’t diminish the ecstasy Rachel was feeling now.

“Don’t worry, victory will eventually come into our hands.”

She muttered quietly.

It was a pious voice, like those days when she used to recite prayers under the Goddess.

“This world didn’t abandon me after all.”

Medeia. You must have wanted to get rid of me, but the world won’t allow that.

“What else could this be but proof that I’m the chosen one?”

Ahahaha. The eerie laughter spread deep into the underground.

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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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