They Say an Age Gap Like This Doesn’t Even Need Matching - Chapter 101

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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They say an age difference of a few years doesn’t even warrant checking compatibility.
Chapter 101
“I’m sorry, what did you just say?”
Kei snapped to attention, his voice carefully measured as he asked again.
His expression suggested he was second-guessing his own ears.
“Ha… surely I misheard, didn’t I?”
“No, you heard correctly.”
I answered dismissively while restoring the Secret Passage entrance to its original state.
“What did we decide to do about this place?”
“Since the Prince approves, I thought we might as well convert it into a proper Secret Passage. We could also refurbish the traps.”
“Yes, that’s a good idea.”
I led the way out just as I had when entering.
The exit route was equipped with a different set of traps as well.
However, unlike those on the way in, these were far less lethal.
Instead of poison-tipped bolts, hard candies were launched instead.
“Ugh! I just ate a three-hundred-year-old candy without realizing it!”
“It’s fine. I had it magically treated to prevent insects from infesting it.”
I popped a candy into my mouth and chewed while responding to Raern.
“Wait, who would cast magic on candy… oh, I did that myself. Was this what it was meant for?”
Raern muttered as the realization dawned on him.
“But, Commander. That thing you said earlier—surely you were joking?”
“The Imperial Seal? I’m serious. I have it in my spatial pouch.”
“Why on earth… why did you bring it with you?”
“I didn’t exactly plan to take it. I just ended up with custody of it.”
“That makes it even worse!”
Kei’s voice finally rose in pitch.
“That’s not something you simply ‘take custody of.’ It’s like carrying an entire nation around with you!”
“You’re exaggerating. Raern, try not to touch the walls.”
I quickly pulled Raern out from beneath the cascade of cushions that threatened to bury him.
“I’m not exaggerating at all.”
Even as I did so, Kei’s worried voice continued.
“The fact that the Imperial Seal has moved is justification in itself. The Unnamed Nobles won’t sit idle.”
“Then we keep it hidden. We need to move fast enough that they don’t even notice.”
Fast enough that the Royal Palace doesn’t have time to realize the Imperial Seal has vanished.
“Is there perhaps another reason?”
As expected, he grasped the crux of the matter immediately.
I condensed the essential points from my conversation with the King—information that Kei and Raern needed to know.
Particularly regarding the documents containing Max’s will and those who knew of their existence.
“Kailyb will certainly be fully aware of these details. Marquis Libran is a prime example of a pro-Empire faction member.”
“Max really created a headache with his unnecessary actions.”
“Right. Before Kailyb settles the Empire’s affairs and comes to Bardia, I need to eliminate the traitors.”
Originally, I hadn’t cared whether he came or not.
As long as the Expedition Team remained, I was confident I could handle even a mage as formidable as Kailyb.
But if the situation escalated beyond what force alone could resolve, everything changed.
Legitimacy was… incredibly important.
“We’ll need to divide our roles.”
I had originally planned to methodically purge the kingdom’s outer regions first, tightening the noose toward the center, but now there was no time for such deliberation.
“We scatter and assault the outer territories simultaneously.”
Kei and Raern fell silent at my words.
The prospect of overhauling our entire operational plan must have felt overwhelming.
“The necessity… I acknowledge. But our numbers are woefully insufficient. Even for us….”
Kei muttered uncertainly.
“True, it won’t be easy. But we have the imperial seal.”
Being able to exercise the necessary authority at any moment was an enormous advantage.
At the mention of the seal, Kei—who had been pressing his brow as if it ached—opened his mouth.
“What if I simply eliminated Marquis Libran?”
Raern let out a soft chuckle.
“There’s Kei for you. Always thinking of killing first.”
…Yes, simply slaughtering them all would be simpler.
But…
“Not yet.”
I shook my head.
“There’s no guarantee he’s the only one who knows. He’s certainly taken other precautions.”
“That would be the case.”
Kei exhaled deeply.
As we conversed, the passage was drawing to an end.
After manipulating the mechanism to emerge back into the Tower’s stairwell, a deep blue darkness—the hour before dawn—greeted us.
“We need to hurry.”
We swiftly exited the Royal Palace and made for the Chapel.
There were patrols, but few watched the skies, so our passage was unimpeded.
Just before entering the Chapel, I turned back one final time to regard the Royal Palace.
That place where the King—who had surrendered his royal authority—lay in deep slumber.
I felt unprepared to confront the weight of time accumulated within those walls.
‘I’ll return soon enough.’
I withdrew my gaze and moved forward.
Next time I came, I would shatter the hypocrites’ false peace into fragments.
***
Cradion Empire, Imperial Palace.
The Emperor’s Bedchamber, once stained crimson with the blood of its former master, had been transformed entirely to suit its new occupant’s tastes.
Yet the pale haze of smoke that filled the room remained unchanged.
“Ah… Auriel.”
The Crown Princess caressed the firm chest beneath her.
Her partner was the man who had once been the Empire’s Crown Prince—the only one who had never been permitted to her—Auriel.
Now Auriel’s status was no longer that of Crown Prince.
The contract drawn up with the Emperor had fallen into the hands of the Unnamed Nobles, and once his lack of Imperial bloodline was revealed, he could no longer maintain his position within the Imperial House.
Yet he had succeeded in reclaiming the power he nearly lost.
The key to his restoration was the Crown Princess herself.
Auriel had made the first proposal to the Crown Princess, who had been imprisoned in the tower for the unforgivable crime of murdering her father, the Emperor.
Only the Crown Princess and Auriel had been present at the scene of the Emperor’s death.
If Auriel testified in her favor, he could preserve her claim to the throne.
In exchange, Auriel became Chancellor and seized practical control of the Empire.
The Crown Princess, indifferent to the complexities of politics, willingly surrendered the Emperor’s authority to Auriel, and in return, succeeded in possessing the man she had always coveted.
She remained unaware of how the smoke that perpetually filled the Emperor’s Bedchamber affected her.
Leaning against the bed, Auriel—or rather, Kailyb—lowered his gaze.
His eyes, fixed upon the Crown Princess clinging tightly to him, held no emotion whatsoever.
Neither desire nor interest.
Only irritation.
Kailyb’s brow suddenly furrowed.
The Crown Princess had raked her nails across his chest, drawing blood.
“Your Majesty.”
Kailyb seized her wrist as he spoke.
“I warned you. Leave no marks.”
“…What?”
The Crown Princess laughed without comprehending his words.
“Yes… ah….”
Yet her eyes had lost all focus, and she paid no heed to what he said.
She merely clung to him as she had moments before, thrashing against any separation.
Kailyb regarded her with an expression of annoyance and released the wrist he had been gripping, casting her aside.
Her body swayed from the force of it.
“Do that once more, and I will break it.”
Yet the Crown Princess quickly crawled back, clinging to him again.
Like a puppet whose strings had been severed, unaware of her own descent.
“Yes, yes… break it for me.”
Her tongue had loosened so thoroughly that her words emerged as slurred, inarticulate murmurs.
Saliva dripped from the corners of her gaping mouth.
“Hah….”
Kailyb’s brow deepened into a profound furrow.
“How utterly vile.”
Despite being the very architect of this degradation, Kailyb regarded the Crown Princess with eyes brimming with contempt.
Defiling Mikhail’s body by rolling about with this woman and that had proven quite entertaining, yet leaving scars was an entirely different matter.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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