The Crown I Will Take From You - Chapter 72

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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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Chapter 72

“Of course everyone would be afraid. That’s exactly why we must be even more ruthless. We must cut off the buds of betrayal from the start. After the Minister enters prison, won’t there be those who doubt whether this great undertaking can succeed? Can you be certain that there won’t be any who turn traitor?”

The Regent remained silent.

In truth, he too had been worried about that very point.

“Enough of that, what do you mean you were attacked by assassins? Don’t tell me there’s someone else who knows the location of the sealed documents?”

“There were others targeting the manor.”

Samon continued while gauging his father’s reaction.

“According to reports, they were elite among elites. We captured one who was still breathing and interrogated him, and he turned out to be from the Empire.”

“The Empire? Who exactly from Kazen?”

“That… he took his own life before we could finish the interrogation, so we couldn’t find out that much. My apologies.”

If they were elites who would take their own lives, it meant they were quite important figures even within the Empire, but why would the Empire…?

The Regent couldn’t understand it at all.

Seeing the puzzled expression on his father’s face, Samon quickly spoke up.

“Someone from Valdina must be trying to use the sealed documents to exploit our weaknesses. We too are holding hands with the Kazen Emperor while also keeping bridges with Grand Duke Jason, aren’t we? What law says others wouldn’t do the same?”

Moreover, until recently, the Regent and the Minister had been at each other’s throats over the banquet incident.

“The Minister might have had a change of heart and tried to betray us completely.”

Samon’s face grew grave.

“Father, please make a decision. We must deal with the Minister now. We need to move before they do if we want to survive. Before they approach Etienne and learn more information, we must prevent him from opening his mouth.”

The Regent pressed his throbbing temples.

Having to eliminate Etienne, who had been his greatest ally, with his own hands felt as precious and painful as cutting off his own flesh.

But in the current situation where he was completely cornered, there simply was no other choice available.

He raised his head. A faded shield emblem hanging on the wall caught his eye. It was the crest of Prince Claudio’s family.

“Hoakin. You must stand firm as your brother’s shield and protect this nation. With you brothers being so dependable, this father could die without regrets.”

He recalled the words his father had said to young Hoakin, who had been driven from the palace like a fugitive when his brother ascended the throne.

He bit his lips as if chewing them.

‘No, Father. I will not remain as a mere shield.’

Prince Claudio’s expression became resolute.

“Very well. Do it.”

That night, a man dressed in black slipped out through the back gate of the Prince’s mansion.

* * *

Valdina’s special prison.

Footsteps echoed on the damp floor. The Minister, who had been dozing off, suddenly felt a sharp pain and woke from his sleep.

“Hieek-!”

A gleaming blade was pointed at his throat.

“Lark Etienne. How dare you betray your master.”

“Wh-what are you talking about.”

Etienne broke out in a cold sweat as he looked around.

‘Where are the guards? Where are the escorts? Why can’t I see anyone!’

“Claudio! Are you trying to kill me again-! You vicious bastards, you never give up and keep trying to silence me!”

The assassin snorted at the bizarre shouting.

“Have you gone senile with age? You hid so well that we barely managed to find out you were here.”

“Th-that can’t be, no one could approach?”

The Minister pondered for a moment, then his mouth fell wide open.

‘Oh no, I fell for the Princess’s trick.’

But it was too late.

By the time Etienne realized everything, the flashing blade had already sliced across his throat long ago.

* * *

“Extra! Extra!”

Newspaper boys ran through the streets.

Above Etienne’s haggard face filling the front page, a red headline was written.

[Lark Etienne Dies in Prison!]

“Is it true? Is it really true?”

“Not only did he take bribes left and right while calling himself a minister, but he also played with children and sold them to foreign countries? These bastards never do just one thing!”

“Damn it, that evil bastard, good riddance. Ptui-!”

The Minister was dead.

Since he was a criminal awaiting execution for violating military law, there was no funeral, and his corpse was simply thrown beneath the city walls.

People cursed and spat whenever they saw Etienne’s name.

For someone who had lived his entire life with the pride of a high-ranking noble, it was an unacceptably miserable and worthless end.

His assets were confiscated, and his title was revoked.

Count Etienne’s family, having lost its head, crumbled pathetically, but there wasn’t even anyone left to mourn that fact.

However, there were still those who questioned his sudden death.

“He developed an illness? That’s nonsense! How long was he imprisoned that he’d immediately fall ill? Especially someone as healthy as Etienne!”

Coincidentally, the tragedy that befell Count Etienne’s family just before Etienne’s death added to the growing suspicions.

A one-sided slaughter resembling a massacre.

People clicked their tongues at the excessively brutal aftermath.

“But wasn’t the Minister the Prince’s undisputed right-hand man? After working together for so long, to end up like this in an instant…”

“Ha, didn’t you know that’s the temperament of the one we serve?”

Members of the Regent’s faction felt a crushing pressure in their chests.

“He’s making an example of the Minister. Showing what happens when you abandon ship on your own.”

“…”

As Samon intended, the Minister’s downfall demonstrated what the Regent desired.

Complete loyalty, and flawless execution of duties.

It was a stern warning that one must not show even the slightest sign of discord with him, demanding perfection in all matters.

The nobles said nothing, but each had different thoughts.

Someone might have renewed their loyalty upon seeing the Minister’s end.

However, the yearning for freedom rather than oppression is always closer to human nature.

Questions arose in the hearts of those trembling with fear.

‘Wouldn’t I end up like the Minister if I were in such a situation?’

‘If I don’t know when I might be abandoned like that, wouldn’t it be better to turn my back first?’

Distrust and suspicion seeped into the once-solid unity of the rebels from the past life.

* * *

The Princess’s Palace.

Medeia, who had been kneeling devoutly beneath a sacred painting depicting a goddess, rose to her feet.

On the long altar beneath the sacred painting, dozens of small angel statues the size of palms and tiny candles were arranged in rows.

“I’m sorry. I await your resentment. Please rest in peace, even if it’s late.”

It was a small memorial service for the souls of the children who had been sacrificed by Etienne.

After finishing her prayer, Medeia carefully picked up each angel statue and placed them in a box.

They were Valdina’s children. Therefore, she too could not be free from responsibility.

‘I promise. I won’t let such things happen again.’

With this, both of Claudio’s arms that had controlled Valdina Palace were severed.

Moreover, since he had to cut off one arm with his own hand, how his insides must be boiling.

“How unlike Uncle to be so hasty. Leaving capable subordinates to entrust things to a foolish son leads to this mess.”

Despite her calm voice, it was a ruthless assessment.

After burying the children’s box in the sunniest spot in the Princess’s Palace, Medeia’s figure as she turned away was as solid as an old tree that wouldn’t sway in wind and rain.

Having erased her sorrow and returned to her original self, Medeia called Saya and commanded.

“The secret funds that Etienne gave us last time. Bring them.”

The secret funds secretly taken from the dead Etienne were several times more than the entire fortune Medeia had once offered to establish the veteran’s village.

If Etienne knew that the Princess who had deceived him and driven him to death had also completely cleaned out his remaining assets, he would cough up blood in the underworld.

“If that poisonous toad knew we snatched this huge sum, he’d be trembling with rage in the underworld.”

Saya giggled.

Neryl said while silencing Saya.

“With both the Maid Supervisor and the Minister fallen, the Regent won’t be able to maintain his former prestige anymore.”

“It’s still too early for that. The Imperial Envoy will be arriving soon.”

Medeia replied calmly.

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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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