They Say an Age Gap Like This Doesn’t Even Need Matching - Chapter 76

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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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The Crown Princess rising from her seat appeared to be a perfectly natural flow of events.
“Then, I should show His Majesty the Treasury he mentioned.”
Her demeanor as she spoke with a light smile was far too composed.
The Crown Prince’s gaze immediately turned toward her.
“Now?”
At his suspicious look, the Crown Princess shrugged her shoulders.
“His Majesty gave the order. I want to finish quickly and return to rest.”
And she immediately looked toward the Emperor.
“Give me the key.”
The Emperor reached into his robe and withdrew a small box.
“Take it.”
Inside lay an exquisitely crafted key with a mysterious, luminous hue.
The Crown Princess picked it up.
“Then, I’ll be going.”
Those words were less a farewell than a declaration with hidden intent.
I rose from my seat and offered a light bow toward the Emperor.
“Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty.”
“Very well.”
He answered curtly and withdrew his gaze as if uninterested.
His intention was clearly to keep the Crown Prince here.
Until the Crown Princess pushed me completely into her trap.
‘I’ll make my move only after that.’
“Ser Brin, wait here. We’ll return together later.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
I answered obediently and turned away.
As the Banquet Hall doors opened and closed, the air inside and outside became completely sealed off.
“Follow me closely. The path is complicated.”
The Crown Princess led the way, and I followed behind her.
True to her word, the Corridor was deep and intricate.
Passages branching left and right, staircases appearing unexpectedly, corners that continued to turn.
It had the structure of an ancient labyrinth—losing one’s sense of direction even once would make it nearly impossible to find the way back.
“This way.”
Yet the Crown Princess moved without hesitation.
It was clear she had visited here frequently for some reason.
I followed quietly behind her, carefully observing my surroundings.
Knights stood in every Corridor.
All with expressionless faces, leaving no opening whatsoever.
As the Crown Princess passed, they all bowed their heads in unison.
“Your Highness, the Crown Princess.”
At the disciplined knights’ greeting, the Crown Princess nodded with a satisfied expression.
‘The security level is different here.’
This was no mere Treasury.
Something more was undoubtedly hidden within.
The Crown Princess’s footsteps ceased only after we had ventured deep inside.
The end of the corridor.
A wall far thicker than elsewhere and a colossal door blocked our path.
“We’re here.”
The Crown Princess inserted the key she held into the lock at the door’s center.
A heavy metallic sound rang out.
The key turned, and the sound of the lock disengaging echoed deep within.
Then.
Creak—
The door began to open.
Despite its massive weight, it swung smoothly aside.
Beyond the door was not dark.
A soft luminescence enveloped the entire space.
“Go in first.”
The Crown Princess spoke.
‘She intends to send me in alone.’
Since this was precisely what I desired, I stepped forward without hesitation.
The moment I crossed the threshold, the Crown Princess shoved me forcefully from behind.
“Ah!”
I stumbled forward as if losing my balance, offering no resistance.
Moments later.
With a heavy thud, the door slammed shut behind me.
Immediately, the sound of the locking mechanism engaging echoed out.
I paused, sensing for any presence from outside, but detected nothing.
Whatever treatment had been applied to the door, inside and outside were now completely sealed off.
“….”
Since I had anticipated this, I walked deeper inside rather than examining the door.
‘Let’s see if there are treasures here.’
I wondered if the name Treasury was a lie, but surprisingly, it was not.
Gold, silver, and precious gems filled the vast space that stretched beyond sight.
The jewels, ornaments, and magical artifacts arranged along the walls all bore the marks of plunder.
Even the crowns of various kingdoms’ kings and queens were displayed here.
Faced with the fruits of conquest rather than mere collections, a small sigh escaped me.
‘It looks like entire nations have been stripped bare.’
I walked slowly, examining the objects.
Swords, rings, necklaces, magical artifacts.
I picked some up in my hands and gently channeled my mana through others.
‘This one’s worth keeping. Looks like something from our era.’
I picked up a mana amplification device lying on the floor.
‘This one’s not so useful.’
I casually selected a few items and tossed them into my spatial bag.
‘Well, he did give me permission.’
After personally falling into his trap, surely I could take this much without issue.
As I was diligently surveying the interior, it happened.
A pale, misty substance began spreading across the floor.
“…?”
I paused briefly, quietly observing as it filled the space.
And then.
“Ah.”
I understood.
‘Poison gas.’
I resumed walking without concern.
My breathing remained steady, my gaze unwavering.
Whatever poison he used, it had no effect on a body blessed by the goddess.
After surveying the space a bit longer, at some point.
I deliberately slowed my pace.
“Ah….”
I stumbled as if losing balance and braced my hand against the wall.
I let my vision blur and my breathing become ragged.
‘This should be enough.’
As I focused on the act, footsteps sounded from a direction different from where I’d entered.
The rhythm was regular and unhurried—leisurely.
Without turning my head, I leaned weakly against the wall, breathing heavily.
“As expected.”
The owner of the low, resonant voice was the Emperor.
“It’s taking effect quickly.”
I barely lifted my head to look at him.
“….”
The Emperor’s lips curved upward as he confirmed my unfocused eyes and wavering gaze.
He looked immensely satisfied.
He would believe he’d struck a blow against that arrogant Crown Prince.
Delighted at the thought of using me as leverage to control him as he pleased.
The Emperor drew close and gripped my wrist firmly.
“Come here.”
I didn’t resist and let myself be pulled along.
Within the Treasury, there was another passage along one wall.
I deliberately kept my head down and carefully rolled my eyes to observe.
‘So there was a secret passage. Where does it lead?’
I assessed the structure and direction, mapping it out in my mind.
‘If this direction is correct, then perhaps….’
The passage was short, with the interior and exterior completely separated.
As if deliberately left unsealed, the door stood open.
I cautiously lifted my gaze to peer into the space beyond.
It was excessively vast and ornate.
And at the very center sat a bed large enough for at least ten adults to lie upon together.
‘The Emperor’s Bedchamber.’
The source of the mist that had drifted into the Treasury lay right there.
An incense burner ceaselessly exhaled wisps of pale smoke.
“This should suffice.”
The Emperor manipulated a mechanism beside the door, sealing the secret passage shut.
A metallic click echoed as the lock engaged.
Observing this briefly, I staggered forward toward the bed as if unsteady.
Then I collapsed onto it, keeping my head bowed as I steadied my breathing.
The Emperor’s gaze swept over me.
“Finally, it’s quiet.”
He approached slowly.
His shoes entered my downcast line of sight.
Thud.
He drew one step closer.
I kept my head lowered throughout that moment.
Then, just as he reached directly before me, I snapped my head up and cried out.
“Oh…! Your Highness the Crown Prince!”
My gaze remained fixed beyond the Emperor’s shoulder.

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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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