Chapter 75
Chapter 75
Translation: godsn
Everyone in the room froze at his actions.
Everyone except two people—Cesare and Medeia.
Has the Hydra's venom spread to his brain? Gallo thought, his mouth hanging open in shock. Neril, who had reflexively reached for her sword hilt in alarm, naturally lowered her arm upon seeing her mistress's unmoving gaze.
"Do you realize that the person standing before you is of royal blood?" Medeia slapped away his insolent hand.
"My apologies, but as a lowborn, I'm not well-versed in matters of noble status," Cesare replied with perfect nonchalance.
"I wondered why you were suddenly pestering Pierre to prepare something from dawn, despite hating sweets... And you even asked him to add World Tree Sap, didn't you?"
"Don't make such a fuss."
"Do you not think you're the one being excessive here?"
The pie on the table was crafted by a chef renowned as the finest on the continent. Cesare, with his notoriously picky palate, kept no ordinary cooks in his employ.
Moreover, World Tree Sap only grew in the infamous Dark Forest.
It was so exceedingly rare that a palm-sized vial could fetch thousands of gold coins.
Yet as a tonic for replenishing nutrients and strengthening stamina, it was unparalleled—impossible to substitute.
"Princess, it's just three bites. That should be enough to have my mercenaries burn the Lasai Tribe's military provisions to ashes. Even the Emperor of Kazen couldn't be more generous than me."
"You truly seem to be in your right mind only rarely."
To make such an absurd demand regarding military logistics...
"Think of the efficiency. Would you let this opportunity slip?"
Medeia frowned.
"No matter whom you choose, none could handle it as thoroughly as we can."
Medeia studied him. Cesare met her gaze without flinching.
Those deep eyes glimmered with a chilling coldness. The unyielding sharpness in his gaze, which seemed to permit not even a speck of impurity, held no deceit.
Yes, now was not the time for pointless power struggles with Facade.
If burning the Lasai Tribe's provisions even a single day sooner was possible, indulging this eccentric arms dealer's whims was nothing.
Medeia sighed and swallowed what was in her mouth.
The sweet, velvety custard slid down her throat in an instant. For a fleeting moment, an unconscious softness passed through Cesare's eyes.
Medeia set down her fork.
"Are you satisfied?"
A faint smile flickered at the corners of her lips, there and gone in an instant.
"Ten days. I'll deliver the results within that time."
Medeia swallowed a silent breath.
Ten days? Is such speed even possible?
"Don't worry, Princess. It will be done exactly as you wish."
As if sensing her doubt, his arrogant voice replied without a trace of hesitation.
"Nothing is impossible when I set my mind to it."
"...I'll await your report."
Medeia rose from her seat.
The phrase "awaiting your reply" also implied they would not be meeting face-to-face again.
Cesare's eyes held something between a smile and something else at her decisive words that left no room for further discussion.
"......"
Silence did not always signify agreement.
"Are you truly planning to help the Princess and strike the Lasai Tribe?"
Once the Princess had left, Terence—who had been listening to their entire conversation from the adjacent room—stepped out with a deeply uneasy expression.
"Why not?"
Cesare shrugged.
"I owe her my life. Lending her my name is the least I can do."
At his nonchalant reply, Terence raised an eyebrow.
"Have you forgotten you're the First Prince of Kazen, our enemy nation? If Valdina secures victory on the plains because of this, it won't bode well for Kazen."
"No, Terence."
Cesare corrected him.
"It won't bode well for my father. I need the Princess. I need the Valdina Royal Family."
"You need Valdina? What on earth for—?"
Terence couldn't comprehend it. Just then, something fluttered through the air toward him.
A single, tattered page from an ancient book fluttered down, its torn edges still clearly visible.
"This is... part of that Sage's Tome you found that day, isn't it?"
Terence's eyes widened as he scanned the page. He had spotted a line written in an ancient tongue at the corner of the parchment.
...I pleaded with the Goddess, and at last, I received her permission. I have hidden the Goddess's secret art—the one that will banish the wicked darkness—within the home of my descendants. In the most powerful and concealed space, where none may easily find it.
"So the Tears of Dawn are in the Valdina Royal Palace? Do you know the exact location within the palace?"
"No. This is the only clue from the book."
Only then did Terence understand why Cesare had said he needed both the Princess and the royal family.
'If Facade is to search the palace for the Tears, he'll need their cooperation.'
If finding the Tears could lift Cesare's curse, then acting as a temporary refuge for the royal family was no issue at all.
"The Princess might even know about the Tears' existence."
That was why he was helping her. Just as Terence was about to nod in understanding, he paused and asked,
"Is that really all there is to it?"
Cesare turned to him with a look that demanded an explanation.
"Whatever reason you give, don't think you can fool me. This isn't like you. Letting yourself get bitten by the Hydra, sparing the Princess even after she learned your identity—since when has His Highness the Crown Prince been so magnanimous?"
Terence glanced pointedly at the pile of desserts on the table, teasing.
"Gallo told me you even hand-fed them to the Princess with both hands. Please tell me that's not true."
"......"
Gallo, who had been nervously shifting his gaze between the two, quickly interjected.
"I'm staying out of this one, please!"
Should he just kill them both? Cesare's fist twitched beneath his sleeve.