Chapter 143
Chapter 143
Translation: godsn
Then Pelleus also met Medeia's gaze. His sister's emerald eyes held neither hesitation nor wavering.
Despite being the one most exploited by the Regent's faction, Medeia analyzed the situation with cold precision rather than being swept away by emotion.
She calculated the Kazen Emperor's possible reactions, even factoring in how to handle Grand Duke Castulo.
Her vision was so broad and meticulous that it seemed excessive for someone merely seventeen years old.
Though one might well be wary of such remarkable insight, Pelleus felt only astonishment and sorrow.
'Dea, you've grown too much. How much oppression and hardship have you endured alone in my absence?'
Her small shoulders bore the desperate weight of pursuing only what was best for Valdina. Noticing this burden, the handsome corners of Pelleus's eyes twitched faintly.
'Dea, I wished for you alone to be free from these shackles.'
It reminded him of the burden he himself had carried—the weight of leading Valdina's army to the battlefield, leaving even his sister behind.
At the same time, Pelleus understood.
That cold reality couldn't simply be transformed into mere winds and lamentations.
For his sister's sake, for the future of this land, Valdina could not stop now.
"Let it be as the Princess says."
Pelleus's solemn voice settled heavily.
Clop. Clop.
The sound of hooves pounding the earth was unceasing.
The rider was Count Kensington, returning to his homeland with a letter from King Pelleus of Valdina—though "being expelled" would be a more accurate description.
"Leader, perhaps you should rest awhile. If you keep riding without sleep or rest, you'll collapse before even reaching the Imperial Palace."
Umberto advised Kensington, but the Count shook his head.
"I must reach the imperial court as soon as possible. His Majesty's wrath will be beyond measure—we must devise countermeasures at the earliest."
In such a frantic rush, they arrived at the imperial palace of Kazen, at the Emperor's study.
"Bring tea, Kensington."
Kensington sat down, concealing his agitation. The head attendant approached to pour the tea.
Iason was also present. Having been expelled from Valdina, he had returned to Kazen and been summoned by the Emperor.
Their reflections, cast upon the golden statues adorning the study, appeared slightly distorted.
The Emperor's envoy, who had visited Valdina, handed King Pelleus's letter to Perdiccas II.
The Emperor's hands trembled as he took it. The tea in the cup on the table rippled violently.
And just as Kensington had anticipated, Perdiccas II erupted in fiery rage.
"Hand over the strait?! Have these mad Valdinans lost their minds?!"
Unable to contain his fury, the Emperor swung his cane, shattering a gleaming statue into pieces.
"And what else?! That greenhorn Pelleus—wasn't he satisfied even after we handed him the Anfrom gold mines?!"
The Emperor's narrowed eyes turned to his envoy.
The Elamuz Strait!
Though the task of subduing its indigenous people remained, the strategic importance of that region was undeniable.
For Valdina to demand it felt like an unexpected stab to the gut—sharp and stinging.
The imperial envoy stammered,
"H-He said... th-the seller sets... the p-price, Your M-Majesty..."
"What did you say? This insolent—! Pelleus, you truly are as vicious as your father. Now that you have the plains in your grasp, have you lost all sight of reason? You wretched bastard who wouldn't die even if thrown into fire!"
He erupted in fury.
The Elamuz Strait would become Valdina's lifeline. The Emperor's heart festered with resentment, knowing he had to surrender it with his own hands.
Had the King of Valdina calculated even this far when demanding the strait from him?
'Has he discerned why I'm trying to save Claudio?'
A chilling tension ran down Perdiccas II's spine.
This young upstart had never even faced him directly.
Yet, from thousands of miles away, Valdina had astonishingly perceived the absolute limit of what Perdiccas II could concede—and demanded precisely that.
His teeth clenched at the sheer audacity and shameless cunning behind it.
If the strait and Claudio were placed on opposite scales, the Emperor's heart would inevitably tip toward Claudio.
Because he still could not relinquish his obsession with the Philosopher's Stone.
'The Philosopher's Stone... That insolent King of Valdina would never surrender it willingly.'
Thus, the only way Perdiccas II could obtain the Philosopher's Stone was by bringing Pelleus down.
And for that, Samon Claudio absolutely had to survive.
'Angelique's reputation must also be considered.'
Before rumors spread further within Kazen, this matter had to be resolved.
Moreover, with the East Imperial Consort's plea weighing on him, he was duty-bound to protect his daughter and bring her safely back to the Empire.
Perdiccas II let out a weary sigh.
"This brazen Valdina cur—truly, what a cunning move. Knowing full well I have no choice but to yield, he dares to toy with me from atop my very head!"
Kensington listened silently as the Emperor, standing on the crimson carpet, spewed curses directed at Pelleus.
"......."
Beneath her neatly folded hands, unseen fingers twitched.
'No, Your Majesty. The mastermind behind all these schemes is not the King of Valdina—but his sister, the Princess.'
Kensington knew. She had witnessed it firsthand in Valdina.
That was how she understood.
That it was the Princess, once again, who had maneuvered events to force Perdiccas II into accepting this demand.
"......."
Yet, instead of correcting her liege's misconception, Kensington remained silent.
It was astonishing.
As a loyal vassal of Kazen and a devoted servant of the Emperor, she ought to have revealed the truth.
So that His Majesty could recognize Valdina's true schemer and prepare accordingly.
"......."
But Kensington did not speak. It was unlike her, and even she couldn't fully explain why.
As the Princess's vivid green eyes flashed through her mind, Kensington brushed the thought away.
Meanwhile, the chamberlain approached the Emperor, who was still trembling with rage, and whispered in his ear.
"Your Majesty, word has also arrived from the Holy Kingdom. They wish to quietly offer their blessings in celebration of Her Highness the Fourth Imperial Princess's joyous occasion."
"Damn it! Must they spell it out? As if I wouldn't handle it myself! Chaos inside and out!"
He made no effort to conceal his irritation.
He had already discerned the Pope's serpentine intentions—to seize any opportunity to meddle in Kazen's internal affairs.
Gritting his teeth, Perdiccas II turned to the envoy.
"Go to Valdina at once and settle this matter. Bring Angelique and that Claudio bastard back—the sooner, the better!"
The envoy hesitated.
"Then... what about their demands?"
Perdiccas II's face twisted in displeasure.
It was rare for him—the supreme ruler of Kazen and sovereign of the continent—to show his emotions so openly.
"Tell them we accept."
He ground his teeth.
'Once we have the Philosopher's Stone...'
Valdina would pay the price for their petty schemes. Even without Kazen's blades being drawn, the magic beasts would trample that land into dust.
"As you command."
The envoy bowed deeply and scurried out with quick, nervous steps.
A brief silence fell over the hall.
The Emperor turned sharply.
His piercing gaze alternated between Iason standing on the crimson carpet and Valdina's missive.
His nephew looked utterly haggard, a far cry from when he'd first departed the Empire with the diplomatic mission.
Indeed, Iason's return journey had been grueling.
Hounded and driven out by Agema's forces radiating killing intent all the way to Valdina's borders.
After losing even his last Shadow guard to Pelleus, only his strategist and the Varangian Unit remained by his side.
And even they had been reduced by half in clashes with Gilifos and Agema's forces.
"You all must hide again. I'll find some way to divert my uncle's attention."
To conceal the Varangians' existence, Iason had sent even them away, forced to return to the imperial capital exposed to countless threats and assassins targeting him.
He felt utterly naked. The wretched, crushing despair of having exhausted all his cards was something he never wished to experience again.
But Iason didn't know.
His suffering was far from over.
"Iason, what in the world were you thinking?"
Perdiccas II looked down at him with evident displeasure.
"Your Majesty, I—"
Clatter—!
Before Iason could even part his lips, Perdiccas II threw Valdina's letter at his feet.
"Iason, the reparations Valdina demands are beyond what I and the imperial household can bear."
Iason barely had time to register the astronomical figure written on the gilded paper before the Emperor's words struck like lightning.
"I will revoke the Grand Duchy of Castulo."
"Uncle!"
Iason paled in shock.
"The Valdina Royal Family is framing me! You mustn't fall for their shameless scheme to replenish their war-impoverished treasury with these outrageous reparations!"
"Whether it's truth or exaggeration, I cannot afford to antagonize Valdina on your behalf. With Angelique's situation entangled in this, you understand."
Before Iason could protest further, Perdiccas II coldly cut him off.
"You made this mess—you bear the consequences. Am I wrong?"
"I'll find some way to pay the reparations. So please, withdraw your imperial decree revoking my lands. Uncle, I beg of you."
Iason refused to yield.
Normally, he would have already cowered under the Emperor's sharp gaze and restrained himself.
But the Grand Duchy of Castulo was his final stronghold.
It ranked among the Empire's top five territories in tax revenue.
Even if the Valdina expedition had cost him dearly, even if he'd exhausted all his cards—it didn't matter.
Given time, the Castulo territory could replenish his strength and allow him to rise again.
But losing the territory itself meant losing the very nest where Iason could regrow his wings.
"Twenty years' worth of taxes? There's no time. Do you have any other means to raise such reparations?"
"......"
Iason had no answer.
The very fact that Castulo was counted among the Empire's wealthiest lands now paradoxically stabbed him in the back.