Welcome to the Café of the Dark Guild’s Successor - Chapter 181

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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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A café operated by the successor to the Dark Guild.
Chapter 181
“I’m going to follow them to the Imperial Palace.”
“You want to keep an eye on Seniel.”
Raiely saw through my heart with just a single phrase.
“Yeah.”
Every reason I’d agreed to help Biedler came down to Seniel.
I thought I wouldn’t need Raven’s help anymore, but I decided to see it through to the end anyway.
“I promised to help Raven too. Good timing. I’ll get to see you for a while longer.”
“See you later.”
The moment I finished speaking with Raiely, I gestured to Seniel, who was talking with the other members.
Seniel came scurrying over.
“Come with me for a bit.”
“Where?”
“To see Grandfather.”
I headed toward the conference room where Grandfather would be, intending to tell him I was leaving the Mage Tower.
“Soon all the Allied Forces will be gathered. We should be able to set out for the Imperial Palace by tomorrow morning.”
“So it’s really beginning.”
Seniel kept glancing at me, as if he had something he wanted to say.
“Just say what’s on your mind.”
“Where will you go from now?”
“Why is everyone so interested in that?”
It was the question I’d heard most during my stay at the Mage Tower, so I let out a small laugh.
“The Crown Prince offered you a commission, didn’t he?”
“He did.”
“I strongly support it. If you can create an Aura, you’d rank high even within the Knights Order—your skills are solid. Plus, if you join, we can see each other every day.”
Seniel carefully pitched the Knights Order, afraid of displeasing me.
“What’s the point of family seeing each other every day? We should spend some time apart.”
“But… now that the café is gone, I’m worried you’ll disappear again.”
“That won’t happen. I won’t disappear anywhere. Whenever you want to see me, you’ll be able to.”
“Then that’s all I needed to hear.”
Relieved, Seniel looked up at me with a bright smile.
Sunlight streaming into the hallway caught his hair, casting a halo for a moment.
“Who could possibly take my talented younger brother away.”
“When I retire, I’m going to live with you.”
“I’m sure you will.”
When I brushed away the hair falling over his forehead, Seniel’s lips curved up in delight.
“Even if I don’t join the Knights Order, I’m coming to the Imperial Palace.”
“Really?”
“I’ll help until the end. As Raven.”
“If you’re coming with me, that’s all that matters.”
Seniel linked his arm through mine with a chuckle.
“Marching an army means it’s either topple the Crown Prince and write a new history, or become a traitor. One or the other.”
“It’s unfair to be branded a traitor after saving the continent.”
“That’s why I’ve done groundwork. All the houses that moved together as the Allied Forces and the Five Great Houses except the Strophane Clan will back the Crown Prince.”
“Doesn’t that mean it’s already decided?”
“Technically, yes. But I can’t be certain until the end. I intend to lead all the gathered forces into the Imperial Palace myself.”
Just then, we arrived at the conference room.
There was no guard stationed at the Mage Tower entrance, so I knocked on the door.
Before I could even ask, the door opened as if whoever was inside already knew who it was.
Grandfather was inside, sleeves rolled up, working intently.
“You look full of energy.”
“Are you thinking the same thing I am?”
“Yeah.”
Even though he claimed to be retired, Grandfather loved the Mage Tower more than anyone and couldn’t turn away from it.
I thought that Grandfather was always happiest here, that this was truly where he belonged.
***
As Biedler traveled, he incorporated the Allied Forces and greatly expanded his power before arriving at the Capital.
Though he entered the Capital armed and commanding troops, he possessed sufficient justification, so the guards couldn’t stop him.
“The Capital is in shambles too.”
“We’ve been working on reconstruction, but there’s been significant damage and progress is slow.”
Signs of the Demonic Beasts’ attack were visible throughout the Capital.
Fearful from what they’d experienced, the people remained trapped indoors behind locked doors, making the city look like a ghost town.
“This won’t do. We need to announce that this crisis has been resolved and deploy troops to aid in reconstruction.”
“We’ve summoned journalists to the Imperial Palace.”
Biedler nodded, his eyes lingering on the devastation around them.
Soon they arrived at the Imperial Palace.
He’d even considered camping outside the Main Gate for days, but disappointingly, the gates already stood wide open.
The Emperor, who had been waiting for Biedler’s arrival, came out to greet him personally.
“Welcome. I knew you could do it.”
Unlike the proud Emperor, Biedler’s expression remained cold as he regarded him.
“Your health isn’t good, yet you came all the way out here.”
“I’ve recovered considerably. I found the right medicine and can walk on my own now.”
Indeed, the Emperor’s eyes were clearer and his physical condition noticeably improved.
“Congratulations.”
“Haha, thank you. But you’ve accomplished something truly remarkable this time. So, where is Juliano?”
The Emperor, who had lived his entire life in the shadow of the Empress, doing whatever she commanded, hated the Strophane Clan more than anyone.
But until now, they were the only power behind him, so he’d had no choice but to tolerate them.
Now, with Biedler, who had built his own forces, standing beside him, he could finally show his true feelings without reservation.
“Would you like to see him now?”
“Yes. Many eyes are watching. It’s better if he’s seen here so the word spreads further.”
Biedler nodded and summoned a knight to give orders.
Shortly after, a knight pulled Juliano from a carriage that had been covered with cloth and dragged him forward.
Though bound in heavy chains, there was no hiding Juliano’s ghastly appearance.
“Is… is that a Demonic Beast?”
“Ugh, it’s not human.”
Everyone nearby, including the Emperor, gasped in shock at the monstrous sight before them.
“Krraaaagh!!”
Confined for so long, Juliano’s aggression had reached its peak as he let out a terrible roar.
The Emperor flinched and took a step back.
“The fate of those who craved forbidden power.”
……
“There are many more like Juliano. I’ll provide a detailed report separately.”
“…I see.”
“Where is the Empress?”
Biedler was puzzled not to see the Empress, who was always at the Emperor’s side, and searched for her.
“Clione fled. With that cursed bodyguard of hers.”
“She fled?”
“Yes. She took Leonard with her too.”
“Leo as well? You simply let her go?”
“I know where they are. Let’s go inside and talk.”
As Juliano stared with eyes full of rage, the Emperor felt a chill run down his spine and hurriedly turned away.
“Have the Imperial Knight Order share the Training Grounds so the knights have a place to rest.”
“Won’t they resent that?”
“They’ll likely try to posture. It’s something they need to experience once. If I order it directly, they’ll comply for now, but they may resist later. So I need you to handle it.”
“Understood.”
Biedler gave orders to the captain and vice-captain of the Knights Order.
After obtaining the Emperor’s permission, he made time to visit the Crown Prince’s Palace.
Arthur sat on the first floor dressed in formal Crown Prince regalia, waiting for Biedler’s arrival.
“I’ve returned, brother.”
“You’ve come back here after all. Tenacious and detestable.”
“No one tried to stop me this time. The gates were wide open, so it was easy. The troops I brought seemed almost unnecessary.”
Biedler spoke in a flat tone, baiting Arthur as he settled onto the adjacent sofa.
“Why are you holding that?”
A sword hung from Arthur’s hand.
Seeing his hand tremble as he gripped it, Biedler’s lips curled into a smile.
“Don’t tell me you’re planning to point it at me.”
“I could do it.”
Arthur tensed his grip and ground his teeth, pointing the sword at Biedler.
But Biedler simply leaned back against the sofa, perfectly at ease.
“I actually thought you’d already lost your nerve and fled with the Empress. Why didn’t you follow her?”
“I am the Crown Prince of this empire. You think I’d flee?”
Arthur’s shout faltered as he met Biedler’s piercing gaze.
“The one who orchestrated all of this is Juliano. That fact will never change. No one from the Strophane Clan, not even the Crown Prince, will escape it. I will make sure of that.”
“I, I knew nothing! Mother didn’t either. I’ll sever all ties with the family.”
“It’s already too late, brother.”
“I’m still the Crown Prince. Don’t you know threatening me is treason!”
“I’m curious who will be branded a traitor moving forward.”
Biedler taunted him, loosening his own sword from his belt.
Arthur’s eyes widened and he bolted from his seat.
“I’ll kill you right now!!”
Biedler rose slowly. Despite holding a sword, Arthur felt far more pressure emanating from him.
“Try. If you can.”
As Biedler stepped closer, Arthur couldn’t bring himself to swing and instead retreated.
“You don’t even have the spine for it.”
Biedler wrenched the sword from Arthur and threw it to the ground.
“Do you remember how my mother died? You were there too.”
……
“I intend to make you feel the exact same emotion I felt then.”
Biedler had no intention of forgiving the Empress Clione.
He planned to capture her and repay her exactly what his mother had suffered.
“I’m still deciding what to do with you.”
“Please. My child… my child will be born soon. Spare me.”
Accepting that he had no hope of victory, Arthur’s demeanor changed instantly, and he knelt before Biedler.
“I beg you. Just let me live. I’ll give you the Crown Prince’s throne. I’ll give you whatever you want. Please, just spare me and the princess from all of this.”
Biedler’s face twisted as he watched Arthur cling to his pant leg and plead.

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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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