Chapter 133
Chapter 133
Translation: godsn
"Ah, yes. It's that boy."
Only then did the people recognize Theo.
The young rebel who had stirred their hearts with his impassioned cries for justice.
The princess herself bent at the waist to meet Theo's gaze.
"I know your courage was for Valdina's sake today. As this nation's princess, I promise I will not turn away from the plea of one of Valdina's people."
Murmurs of admiration spread through the crowd at the princess's magnanimity in embracing even a rebel. Had Theo not known that this very princess before him was the ruthless mastermind who had threatened him with his sister's life and orchestrated this entire charade, he might have succumbed to those honeyed words.
But he knew.
That despite her affectionate tone, not once had those emerald eyes looking down at him held even a trace of warmth.
The performance wasn't over yet. Theo trembled.
"Your Majesty. Though this child was part of the rebel forces, he came to recognize their corruption and risked his life to expose the Regent's treason."
Medeia turned to Pelleus with serene composure, as if completely unaware of Theo's fear.
"Moreover, the Valdina army was only able to suppress the rebels because this boy did not hesitate to behead their corrupt leader. Realizing one's mistakes is difficult enough, but correcting them requires even greater courage. Thus, I beseech Your Majesty to grant him clemency."
Pelleus's blue eyes flickered between Medeia and Theo for a moment.
"Let it be as the princess wishes."
With permission granted, Medeia inclined her head slightly toward Pelleus in a gesture of gratitude.
Meanwhile, a knight untied the ropes binding Theo's hands.
Thud. The thick ropes fell to the ground.
Theo stared at his newly freed hands.
"......"
The metallic tang of blood filled his mouth from his bitten and torn lips.
Rage surged within him toward the person who had crushed his will by holding his family's lives hostage. Yet he couldn't deny the instinctive relief that came with survival.
Amidst his self-loathing and resentment toward the princess, Theo had to acknowledge the truth.
That he had been powerless then, and remained powerless now.
This game had been crafted from the beginning by the princess's hand—he was merely a chess piece in her grasp.
"I... give thanks... for Your Majesties'... mercy."
'Are you satisfied now?'
As he barely managed to bow his head, suppressing the fury rising in his throat, Medeia's lips curled faintly upward.
"How fortunate that you get to 'live.'"
A reminder not to forget that the price for this performance had been fully paid.
Understanding the hidden meaning in the princess's words, Theo bit his lips again.
"...Yes. I will not forget... this grace."
The forced words scraped out of his throat as he bowed once more. Though it might have looked like a gesture of loyalty, in truth, he simply couldn't bear to meet Medeia's gaze any longer.
The crowd, oblivious to Theo's turmoil, marveled.
"Truly, our princess is magnificent. The very embodiment of Valdina's radiance."
"And what of the King's mercy in pardoning that boy?"
The image of righteous citizens and the Valdina royal family coming to their rescue evoked scenes from an epic poem.
But before the uplifted crowd could fully bask in their emotions, they were first struck by displeasure.
"Waah, Your Highness! Save me too! Spare my life too!"
Having witnessed through Theo's example that the icy, impenetrable King would grant his sister's requests, the prisoners shamelessly reached out to the princess for mercy.
The most brazen among them was the Regent.
"Medeia, forgive me. It seems I—your uncle—momentarily lost my senses. You know how much I've cherished you—"
With one eye bleeding, he grimaced but stubbornly tried to approach Medeia, only to stumble back.
"Do you wish to lose your remaining eye as well?"
Pelleus's sharp sword barred his path.
The Regent hastily covered his intact eye protectively and staggered backward.
"Uncle, you need not make requests of me."
Medeia spoke calmly, her tone almost mocking.
"Since Uncle is truly the one chosen by the heavens to rule this land, surely the Goddess will arrange everything accordingly, no?"
"Wh-what did you say?"
'The heavens know and the earth knows! That I, Joaquin de Valdina, am the true master destined to rule this land! Do you know why Valdina has fallen to such a state? Because I am not its king! This is the Goddess's punishment!'
It was an exact echo of the Regent's own frenzied shouts from moments ago—before Pelleus appeared, before his conviction that the heavens would be his today shattered into pieces.
The Regent ground his teeth. His remaining eye glared venomously at Pelleus and Medeia.
The siblings resembled each other uncannily. Even the arrogance in their bearing, as though looking down upon him with lofty disdain.
"Go ahead, laugh all you want. Your arrogance won't last long. How long do you think this pitiful Valdina can hold out against the Empire, having turned both the Grand Duke and the Fourth Imperial Princess into enemies? After suffering such a crushing defeat on the plains!"
He spewed curses like venom.
"This insignificant kingdom will be trampled beneath Kazen's hooves in a single strike! Crushed into the dirt where you belong! Ahahaha! From hell, I'll be the one laughing at you!"
Pelleus regarded the nearly deranged Regent with pity. One elegant eyebrow arched as if questioning.
"We suffered a crushing defeat...?"
No sooner had the words—more statement than question—left his lips than—whoosh!
The Agema raised their banners in unison.
"Th-those are the Lasai Tribe's banners!"
"One, two, three... Good heavens, so many banners from the plains tribes...!"
A banner is the identity and symbol of an army.
Across the entire continent, no people would willingly surrender their banners to the enemy unless their pride was utterly broken.
Which meant...
A sliver of hope blossomed in the hearts of those who saw them.
"The war is over, people of Valdina! Our kingdom has emerged victorious! The plains are now Valdina's territory, and they shall forge our nation's new future!"
Dianzel followed with a booming declaration.
"The Goddess has not abandoned Valdina! All our past tribulations shall become the fertile soil for our glorious future!"
"Ahhh! Victory! Our Valdina has won!"
"Waaaaah! Long live Valdina! Long live His Majesty the King!"
Thunderous cheers erupted. The air filled with shouts and cries of joy.
Some danced wildly, others collapsed weeping—all overcome by the realization that their homeland's long-cherished wish had finally come true.
Only the Regent was denied this joy.
"Im-impossible, this can't— Let go! Release me! It can't end like this! It can't, Pelleuuuus—!"
His desperate screams were drowned in the earth-shaking roars of triumph as knights dragged him away by both arms.
"Long live Valdina!"
For the first time in a decade, the cheers rang with unshakable confidence.
The blind spot beneath the opposite tower along the castle walls.
Cesare turned and leaned his back against the stone. The distant cheers reached even here.
"Boss, we gotta go. The Agema are here too—if we stay any longer, they'll sniff us out."
Gallo warned, eyeing Cesare's empty hand. The dagger that usually spun so deftly between his fingers was nowhere to be seen.
"......"
"The Princess is safe now. No need to worry, right?"
"Indeed, Cesare. You have more pressing matters to attend to, do you not?"
"......"
Amidst the crowd, that shimmering silver hair wasn't hard to find.
Cesare thought of Medeia.
The image of that unshakable girl—steadfast as a lighthouse—collapsing helplessly into her brother's embrace lingered stubbornly in his mind.
His mouth tasted strangely bitter.
This vague sense of defeat prickling at his fingertips. A hollow laugh escaped through Cesare's picture-perfect smirk.
Had he hoped, even slightly, that the Princess would make an exception only for him? That he alone would witness her vulnerable moments?
"Gallo."
"Yeah, Boss?"
Cesare's golden gaze swept past Medeia, surveying the entire royal castle.
"Prepare the compensation for Valdina. Once the curse is lifted, we must pay the equivalent value for the Tears of Dawn."
"Already on it, chief."
Gallo replied breezily. They intended to show this kingdom—which had gifted their lord the antidote—every courtesy.
That young and beautiful king would never know.
That by his side stood Facade—a weapon more formidable and rare than any other on the continent.
"...Let's go."
Cesare turned away.
Tap. Thud.
The sound of his boots descending the stone steps was soon swallowed by the distant roar of cheers.