Chapter 313
Chapter 313
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 313
Chapter Title: Sigrin's Rebellion
-----------------------------------------------------------------
'The Empire again.'
Krash Valheim stepped into the teleportation facility heading to the Empire, moving with familiar ease.
Ever since the Black Witch had intervened once before, the teleportation facility had been operating under far stricter security than in the past.
When Krash opened his eyes, he found himself in Terrasis, a region a short distance from the Empire's capital.
From here, he planned to head to Lagren Territory, home of the Lagren Family.
"Your Highness the Fourth Princess, please watch your step."
"Yes, thank you."
At the sound of those two voices, Krash glanced over.
He had originally planned to go to Lagren with just Haring.
But somehow, their group had gained one more member.
That person was none other than the Empire's Fourth Princess, Sizly Epania.
She held a status so elevated that even the Poison King, who had laid down conditions, was forced to withdraw them.
After his albinism was completely cured, the Emperor had subtly thrust a great deal of power upon Sizly.
As a result, her reputation within the Empire had risen considerably in recent times.
However, despite her high evaluation, the notion of her inheriting the throne was conspicuously absent from discussions, revealing just how meticulously the Emperor was consolidating power for her.
'He has no intention of making Sizly Emperor. But he's still handing her power.'
Krash made a face of disgust at how transparently obvious the Emperor's intentions were.
This was a blatant plan to marry him off to Sizly and then install their child as Emperor.
'That crazy old man.'
His tenacity made him all the more infuriating.
He always made sure his words came to pass.
It was a very Emperor-like way of thinking.
Protected by her escorts Sera and Haring, Sizly emerged and swiftly boarded the prepared carriage.
It was a carriage sent by the Lagren Family.
"What are you waiting for? Get in already."
She beckoned them aboard from the carriage with shameless familiarity, as if it were her own.
It was just like her.
Krash met Haring's eyes and nodded. The two of them climbed into the carriage together.
Sera closed the carriage door for them and moved toward the horses.
Now, only the three of them remained in the space.
Krash was used to Sizly by now, but to Haring, she was one of the highest figures in her own nation.
As such, Haring seemed even more tense than when she was with the Lion Corps.
It almost brought back memories of her old, emotionless demeanor.
"No need to be so tense. I haven't eaten anyone yet, have I?"
Sizly flashed a mischievous smile.
Even so, it seemed it would take time for Haring to relax.
Leaving them alone would just fill the carriage with stifling air.
So Krash decided to break the ice himself.
"So, Sizly, why exactly did you decide to tag along to the Lagren Family?"
Sizly had suddenly appeared just before he and Haring were set to depart, declaring she would come along to Lagren as well.
Krash had been puzzled at first.
But he knew Sizly's personality well.
She never acted impulsively when major events involving state affairs were at stake.
Whenever the Empire's top mind got involved, there was always a reason.
That was why Krash hadn't questioned her sudden decision and had brought her along.
"There's a spy in the Lagren Family."
And sure enough, a bombshell dropped from Sizly's lips.
Haring stiffened, and Krash's eyes narrowed.
"A spy from where?"
"Sigrin Epania."
The name that emerged from Sizly's mouth was none other than Sigrin.
He'd heard she was holed up in her quarters.
But as expected, she was scheming from the shadows.
"To be precise, it's not just Lagren. Sigrin sister's spies have started infiltrating quite a few families lately."
"If you know about this, then the Emperor does too, right?"
"Exactly. His Majesty has taken note of her suspicious movements and is investigating. But it's all circumstantial evidence so far—no hard proof."
Krash was once again struck by how vicious the imperial family truly was.
The moment one of their own daughters acted suspiciously, they chose suspicion over trust and sought to resolve it first.
Even the Valheim Family, which revered only strength, wasn't this extreme.
'What a structure perfectly designed to drive people insane.'
Krash sighed and leaned back in his chair.
"So you're stepping up to gather that hard proof?"
"Something like that. I've scattered a few bits of bait recently. If things go well, the spies might bite first."
It was just like Sizly.
Even so, Krash shot her an incredulous look.
"You're a handful to protect on your own, and now you're using yourself as bait? What kind of thinking is that?"
He knew she was like this, but still.
This could easily put her life in danger.
But Sizly ignored his concern and met his gaze directly.
"That's why I'll have my husband to protect me, right?"
She had planned to use him as her bodyguard from the start.
Drawing a sly smile, Sizly rested her elbows on her knees and propped her chin on her hands.
"Besides, Krash, with you here, the odds of the spies making a move are even higher. Sigrin sister seems to hate your guts."
She had every reason to, after all the dirty tricks he'd pulled.
If that made her act, Krash welcomed it.
This was a perfect chance to uproot Sigrin once and for all.
"Do you know what the spies' objective is?"
"We're still debating that, but on the big picture..."
The smile faded from Sizly's lips.
"Rebellion."
Her next words explained perfectly why the imperial family was personally monitoring Sigrin's actions.
Sigrin was moving far more recklessly than imagined.
'Rather than what she's thinking...'
She must have decided she had no retreat left to her.
'Now that she's cornered, she's going all out to bite back. That's the gist of it.'
Krash pressed the back of his neck in fatigue.
He suddenly understood why Arthur kept three women by his side.
These types were bound to cause trouble if left out of sight.
Whether he liked it or not, keeping them close was far less stressful.
"So that's why you're joining us on this trip. Lady Haring, is that alright with you?"
While Krash felt the exhaustion, Sizly turned to Haring and asked.
The conversation had been so heavy that Haring, who had been holding her breath to listen, flinched.
She hurriedly bowed her head to Sizly.
"Yes. For the sake of the Epania imperial family, I, Haring Lagren, will assist with all my heart."
Since the Poison King's injury, the Lagren Family had somewhat lost ground in the power balance.
They were recovering, but it wouldn't happen overnight.
'Haring has the ability to cure diseases caused by World Erosion, so she'll be fine in the long run.'
But for now, the Lagren Family was at a disadvantage.
This might even be a chance to aid their return to power by aligning with the imperial family's will.
'She calculated that too and chose this route on purpose.'
The Lagren Family held one of the Ten Heavenly Strongholds.
Moreover, Haring, their daughter, had deep ties with Krash.
Knowing she still felt indebted to him and would side with him, they planned to rebuild Lagren through her.
Especially since Krash and Sizly were now in the same boat.
Krash glanced at Sizly.
She just smiled innocently without saying a word.
So cunning, just like her.
"You'll devour the Empire before long."
"Sadly, my mouth isn't that big."
Sizly brushed off Krash's words with a straight face.
Even she, who had always kept her distance, must have decided she couldn't just let the Empire slide any longer.
"Just don't do anything reckless without at least telling me first."
"Oh? With a husband who'll swoop in to save me from anything dangerous, why worry?"
"I'm saying don't use people as safety nets. And..."
This time, Krash spoke seriously.
"You never know what might happen with people, Sizly. Even you could end up in real danger."
Just look at the Black Witch's teleportation incident.
If Krash hadn't been caught up in it but Sizly had, she would have been done for.
Sensing his genuine concern, Sizly toned down her playfulness a bit.
"I'll keep that in mind."
She was smart.
She'd really take it to heart.
Thinking that, Krash gazed out the carriage window.
Sigrin's complete downfall was not far off.
The Lagren Family, a long-standing prestigious house of poison experts, had built their traditions over ages.
To facilitate easy procurement of poisons, their estate was located deep in rugged mountains.
Cliffs formed the back of the manor, and dense vegetation surrounded it.
First-time visitors to the Lagren Family often felt as if they were entering a mansion built within a forest.
'That's probably why the Mad Poison Emperor had such free rein here.'
It was easy to defend against external intrusions, but once breached, outside help was hard to come by.
That structure had led to an unforgettable tragedy for the Lagren Family.
For some reason, Krash felt concerned for Haring and reached out to stroke her head.
Haring looked at him curiously but didn't pull away.
Krash had a curiously soft spot for Haring.
"You could stroke my head too."
At that moment, Sizly poked her head in, so Krash quietly pushed her away.
"Hm, +3 points."
He had no idea why he got points even after pushing her off.
Creeeak—
Just then, the horses, weary from the rough mountain path, halted at the Lagren Family's entrance.
As Krash opened the carriage door, Lagren Family servants stood in a neat line before them.
They wore black martial robes emblazoned with the Lagren crest.
"Welcome. Lady Haring, Lady Sizly Epania, Lord Krash Valheim."
They took their luggage and guided them with utmost courtesy.
"Lady Sizly, Lord Howran is waiting inside. What would you like to do?"
Among them, Sizly held the highest status.
So the servants politely inquired after her preference first.
"I'll meet him. Lead the way."
Knowing full well why Krash had come here, Sizly decided to get straight to it.
As they followed the servant, Krash quietly scanned their surroundings.
Uncertain where Sigrin's planted spy might be hiding.
'Someone positioned to plot rebellion must hold a significant role in the family.'
At that moment, Krash's eyes met Haring's, who was also vigilantly observing the area.
She must feel just as uneasy.
This was tantamount to cockroaches infesting her own home.
In the worst case, the Lagren Family could get dragged down on charges of treason.
Naturally, she'd want to root them out as quickly as possible.
"Lord Howran, the guests have arrived."
Before long, the three reached Howran's office.
The servant knocked politely, heard the invitation from within, and slowly opened the door.
What appeared was a face Krash recognized.
A middle-aged man resembling Haring, yet somehow different.
Poison King
Howran Lagren
He was seated in a chair in the office.
Leading the way, Sizly entered, followed by Krash and Haring.
Howran rose naturally and bowed to Sizly.
"I greet Your Highness the Fourth Princess."
"Good to see you, Lord Howran. No need for such formalities. Today, I'm just tagging along as an outsider."
"Not at all. We've heard you moved on His Majesty's direct orders. I will fully cooperate with the investigation."
It seemed Howran had already been informed about the spy.
After receiving the imperial family's aid during Lagren's tragedy, they had pledged loyalty.
The Emperor was testing that loyalty again by ordering them to find the spy.
"Thank you. His Majesty will be most pleased with your loyalty."
Sizly responded calmly as the Empire's princess, devoid of her usual mischief.
"Then, shall we move on to the main topic?"
With their exchange concluded, it was now Krash's turn to speak.
Sizly sat gracefully and smiled at Howran.
"Krash is someone even His Majesty has personally thanked, so I hope this leads to good results. It's what His Majesty desires as well."
At that moment, Krash realized another reason Sizly had accompanied him to Lagren.
'The Emperor ordered it directly.'
The Poison King, Howran Lagren, sought to bridge the gap between Krash and Haring.
Knowing his daughter harbored feelings for Krash, he was willing to force a connection for her sake.
The Emperor knew this and had sent Sizly with explicit instructions.
Don't even think of getting saliva on my prospective son-in-law.
Or at least, don't stand behind my daughter.
It was the epitome of imperial pettiness.
Howran seemed to grasp this too; he didn't show it outwardly but swallowed a silent groan.
His gaze toward his daughter held pity.
And toward Krash, a quiet fury.
The look of someone seeing the bastard ruining his precious daughter's life.
Feeling that raw anger, Krash swallowed bitterly.
'Feels like a shrimp's back getting crushed between whales.'
But they didn't know.
That Krash's personality was even dirtier than they imagined.
'So someday, I'll flip them all over.'
Emperor, Lagren patriarch—regardless, Krash quietly resolved to topple them all one day.