They Say an Age Gap Like This Doesn’t Even Need Matching - Chapter 73

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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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To dispose of the Crown Prince, who was dragging his feet instead of returning promptly, I escorted him to the entrance of the Central Palace Conference Hall.
Of course, I had other intentions as well.
High-ranking officials and nobles had gathered in the conference hall.
Since the Crown Prince hadn’t arrived, the meeting couldn’t begin, and everyone was peering toward the entrance, waiting for him.
And so the Crown Prince appeared alongside me in such circumstances.
“Your Highness, please conduct the meeting well. I’ll be waiting for you at the Crown Prince’s Palace.”
What would they think if I adjusted the Crown Prince’s clothing before their watchful eyes and told him I would wait?
‘They’ll believe the rumors are true.’
The rumor that the Crown Prince was infatuated with a maid from Bardia.
The gossip that he had halted the conquest campaign and withdrawn his forces from Bardia because of her now gained plausible credence.
Unaware of my intentions, the Crown Prince nodded with a pleased expression.
“I’ll finish quickly and come back.”
As he spoke those words, the Crown Prince’s face was unmistakably that of someone in love.
Even as he released my hand, reluctance was written plainly across his features—who would doubt the Crown Prince’s sincerity?
I waved to him until he disappeared into the conference room.
Only after the door closed did I slowly turn around.
The gazes of the nobles’ attendants, stewards, knights, and soldiers who had witnessed the scene followed me overtly.
Regardless, I walked forward lost in thought.
‘At least the Crown Princess seems to be moving according to plan.’
Before the Crown Prince arrived, I had treated the Crown Princess’s wounds using a potion and quickly discussed our next steps with her.
There were two methods to obtain the copies of the contract that the Emperor and Crown Prince each kept separately.
The best option was to have the Emperor break the contract himself.
If that happened, everything would become easier.
There would be no need to steal the contract—the Emperor would directly strip the Crown Prince of his authority and bring him down.
But what if the Emperor ultimately couldn’t eliminate the Crown Prince?
Then I would have to sneak into the location where the contract was stored, steal it, or create a copy.
The Crown Princess said she would meet with the Emperor and try to persuade him.
‘I’m not sure what she’ll say or how she’ll say it….’
If she could drive a wedge between the Emperor and Crown Prince by exploiting the humiliation and wounds she suffered in the Tower of Repentance, it didn’t seem impossible.
After all, the Emperor must already be suspicious of the Crown Prince for halting the conquest campaign.
‘Speaking of which… a dinner with the Emperor.’
This was something I truly hadn’t anticipated.
‘Does he want to meet me directly?’
From the perspective of our plan alone, it wasn’t a bad development.
While the Emperor and the imperial family were gathered in one place, I could gain access to various locations throughout the Imperial Palace.
Over the past two days, Elhart, Kei, and I had already marked the life-force absorption magic circles that were relatively accessible.
What remained were the most dangerous locations, including the Imperial Palace proper.
Tonight was the perfect opportunity to infiltrate those places.
However….
‘If that wretched bastard issues some reckless command, that would be problematic.’
Within the Empire, the Emperor’s command is absolute.
Open defiance would not be easy.
‘I should discuss contingency plans in advance, just in case.’
Once the Crown Prince finished his meeting and emerged, there would be no time left.
I quickened my pace and left the Central Palace.
Having heard news of the banquet, Kei was already waiting outside the Separate Palace, pacing restlessly.
‘He looks quite troubled.’
But crisis breeds opportunity.
Now all that remained was to set the board correctly.
***
Everyone gathered in Elhart’s modest quarters wore grave expressions.
‘Even Carterus came rushing here.’
Elhart, Kei, Carterus, and I sat around the table, while Rick and Bella stood by the entrance.
With no one speaking, the atmosphere grew increasingly heavy.
It was Carterus who broke the silence first.
“The Emperor summoned us to a banquet.”
He clicked his tongue briefly as he spoke.
“Things have become less than amusing.”
His tone was light, but his eyes were anything but.
Kei continued in a low voice.
“It’s an overt summons. He means to confirm who the Crown Prince’s woman is.”
At the mention of “the Crown Prince’s woman,” Elhart’s face darkened rapidly.
But since this was an image we had deliberately cultivated, I could not deny it even before Elhart.
“Exactly. He’s likely already considering how to dispose of me if necessary.”
I nodded in agreement.
“But this is also an opportunity we cannot afford to miss.”
Everyone present understood what I meant.
“The security within the Imperial Palace will be relaxed… that is what you mean.”
Kei’s eyes narrowed.
“Exactly. So let’s complete the magical circle markings before tonight ends.”
Elhart asked quietly.
“Including the Imperial Palace itself?”
“Of course. If we miss this opportunity, the next chance will be far more difficult.”
Carterus spoke with his arms crossed.
“It’s madness, certainly, but failing to act now would lead to something even more insane.”
We had already confirmed that life-force draining magical circles were spread throughout the Imperial Palace like a spider’s web.
For now, they were drawing only minimal amounts, undetectable to anyone, but what would happen if Kailyb deliberately altered the absorption rate?
The moment the fallen Kailyb became hostile to House of Cradian, those magical circles would unleash catastrophic devastation.
In the worst case, every living creature within the Imperial Palace could wither and die in an instant.
Therefore, before breaking the contract between the Emperor and Kailyb, we had to destroy the life-force absorption device.
“We’ve already come this far. There’s no choice but to push forward.”
Two wheels of a carriage had to roll together.
Once momentum had built up, it was impossible for just one to stop.
Kei summarized the meeting.
“Then, let’s divide the roles.”
Everyone except me split into teams, dividing the marking work and surveillance duties.
And we assigned personnel to the remaining dangerous areas, including the Imperial Palace.
“Whichever team finishes first should return to the Separate Palace and wait. That way we can move immediately if the situation erupts.”
“Understood.”
“Let’s do it that way.”
Under Kei’s leadership—he possessed exceptional skills in concealment and infiltration—the movement routes and countermeasures were quickly determined.
“And Commander…”
As attention turned back to me, I shrugged my shoulders.
“I’ll buy us as much time as possible in the banquet hall.”
That was my role for today.
It could be the easiest task, or perhaps the most dangerous.
I saw Elhart biting his lip tightly.
I was just as worried about him as he was about me.
Because Elhart had volunteered to take on the most dangerous task—marking the Imperial Palace.
“You speak so lightly of it. If it seems dangerous, just destroy everything and escape.”
Carterus patted my back and spoke.
“That’s right, whatever.”
I laughed lightly and brushed it off casually.
We who had conquered even the Demon Realm—the Imperial Palace was nothing to us.
If we set our minds to it, we could accomplish anything.
Boosting my confidence that way, I stood up from my seat.
“Alright then. Everyone prepare well.”
I clapped my hands together and spoke.
“Let’s meet safely later.”
After sending the others away first, I turned to the one who weighed most on my mind.
“Elhart.”
When our eyes suddenly met, his expression wavered.
‘If he looks at me like that, I won’t want to go.’
I gave a bitter smile and cupped his cheeks in both my hands.
“Trust me.”
And I spoke with a resolute voice.
Light gradually filled his eyes as he gazed at me with wavering pupils.
“I trust you.”
The answer that came back was just one short phrase.
That was enough.

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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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