91 - The Crown I Will Take from You
Episode 91
As an oppressive silence hung in the air, the 4th Princess’s eyes gleamed like a wolf’s.
She had to somehow drag Medeia back into this game.
‘Just win. If I can just win again this time, that’s all that matters.’
Unaware that a flicker of a smile had appeared and vanished in Medeia’s emerald eyes at that very moment.
The black eyes of the malicious Princess sparkled.
“Princess, does that mean that while the honor of your late father is important, you don't care whether the starving people of Baldina live or die?”
Medeia lifted her head and stared back at the Princess.
She remained composed. An unyielding aura flowed from her, as if she were facing a massive stone wall.
“Since you are invoking the people of Baldina, I have no choice but to comply.”
Yes! The 4th Princess swallowed the urge to laugh out loud.
With a cruel glint in her eyes, she said,
“This time, General Jared here will go in my place. That's acceptable, isn't it, General?”
The 4th Princess turned her body and stared at Jared.
While he should have been flustered by the 4th Princess’s sudden move of dragging him in, Jared gave a strange laugh and nodded.
“Keuk-keuk, how could this humble one refuse an opportunity to cross swords on behalf of Her Highness, the noble Princess?”
Medeia sent a silent greeting towards him, who was grinning slyly as if taunting her.
‘Long time no see, Jared.’
“Princess, if you enjoyed playing with fire with the Grand Duke, how about this one? Just between us, without your husband knowing, hmm?”
He was a 10-Star Knight, a fierce general of Kazen who had been active since the previous Emperor's reign. However, he was notorious for being dissolute and excessively cruel in temperament.
Even in the previous life's expedition, he had constantly eyed Medeia.
After being rejected by Medeia numerous times, he eventually held a grudge.
It was commonplace for him to deliberately trip her up at every turn or send Demon Beasts her way to put her in danger.
“Medeia, please endure. I know you're suffering. But Jared is necessary for this expedition; he must slay the Evil Dragon. You must not clash with him.”
So she endured, swallowing it all. Even when he taunted her and put her in danger, she couldn't voice a single complaint.
“Princess, why are you staring at me so intently? Is this beast-like appearance that captivating? Losing your wits every time I draw my sword, keu-keuk-keuk.”
‘Because I want to slit your throat.’
It was a thought she swallowed back every time.
But one day, as time passed, Jared's unchanging, vicious antics finally turned towards Rian.
When she saw him seat young Rian on a jar teeming with venomous snakes and throw daggers using him as a target.
“Rian!”
“Mommy, waaaaaah-!”
Medeia could endure no more.
“Are you insane, Medeia? What will we do if you kill Jared! Who will kill the Evil Dragon without Jared!”
“I almost lost Rian. And that's all you have to say to me?”
That day, Jared drank the poisoned wine Medeia offered him and died in agony.
Iason was fiercely angry. It was the first time she had seen his face contorted like that.
She should have realized it then—his disgusting, ugly nature.
“Both of you, stop being a nuisance and leave. If being a little accommodating was so difficult, it's better that you're gone.”
“……I will slay the Evil Dragon. Will that suffice?”
She should have left with her child. Not fulfilling his achievements for him.
“Medeia, slaying the Evil Dragon! You are truly amazing! The throne is ours now!”
“Wow, Princess, how did you… Ggeuk.”
Medeia raised her head.
Over the image of the present Iason observing this situation, the figure of Jared from her past life, dying by her hand, superimposed itself.
‘Jared is cruel, but he's not stupid. Would someone as sharp as him target Rian for no reason?’
Back then, Iason had already been preparing to remove Medeia and her child since near the end of the expedition.
A murderous glint flickered in her emerald eyes and vanished.
Just then, the 4th Princess, as if unable to wait any longer, asked,
“So, who will you choose as your proxy, Princess?”
The faces of the Baldinans froze.
Currently, there was no one in Baldina who could rival General Jared.
The 10-Star caliber powerhouses were away at war, and the old generals remaining in the royal castle had waning vigor. They couldn't possibly compare to Jared in his prime.
Medeia looked around her.
Among the crowd, she saw the people of Duke Claudio’s household watching the scene as if it were someone else's affair.
‘Well, Neril will be the one to fight anyway…….’
But I can't miss this chance to tear off my uncle's mask.
“Samon.”
Medeia turned her body and looked at Samon.
“Help me. Please. Fight in my place and save the people of Baldina, okay?”
Unlike her composed demeanor until now, she appeared fragile, as if trusting and relying on him as family.
The Regent Duke was startled.
How could Samon possibly face that 10-Star monster? Is she asking me to send my precious son for her sake?
“No, that won't do, Medeia!”
He shouted in a burst of anger. It was the result of denial moving faster than reason.
“Uncle……?”
Seeing Medeia’s expression, which seemed puzzled, the Regent Duke finally came to his senses.
“Haha, your heart is truly in the right place, but Samon severely injured his leg recently while practicing martial arts. So, I'm afraid he cannot participate in the duel.”
The Regent Duke put on a regretful expression, saying he couldn't possibly cause harm on such an important diplomatic matter concerning national interests.
“Th-that's right. I'm sorry, Medeia. If only I didn't have these lingering effects, I would have borne the honor in your place…….”
Samon also had not the slightest desire to fight a 10-Star General on Medeia's behalf, so he promptly pretended to limp with one leg.
Why was his leg, which had been perfectly fine until now, suddenly a problem?
It was such an awkward, transparent excuse to avoid the duel, obvious to anyone watching.
The Baldinans, now seeing the true face of the Regent Duke they had believed to be just and benevolent, were deeply disappointed.
After all that pretense of caring for his niece, the moment his own son's safety was at stake, he discarded her without a moment's hesitation.
The Queen Dowager also struggled to suppress the rising feelings of betrayal and anger.
‘Medeia is standing alone against them for the sake of the country, while you lot only care about saving your own skins…….’
Medeia, too, swallowed a laugh and glanced over at Neril, who was standing far away.
‘I knew you would act like that.’
She had already completed all her preparations.
She had anticipated that after the duel with the 4th Princess, the Princess, unable to accept the outcome, would bring out Jared and demand a rematch.
And today, within Medeia’s plan, Neril, a 7-Star Knight, would subdue Jared, a 10-Star Knight.
However, those unaware of her arrangements were on high alert, wondering who would become the Princess's proxy.
Ciseo, who had been listening to the awkward excuses of the Claudio father and son, unfastened the watch from his wrist.
Beside him were the Facade group, who had approached earlier under the guise of congratulating the Princess on her victory.
“What is it, Ciseo?”
At Cesare’s words, thrown while glancing down at him, Gallo stifled a laugh.
“Don't tell me you're planning to step in? You might be smart, but physical combat isn't your thing. You were weak in direct duels even in the Tower. You can't handle that guy.”
“……Bring me my armor.”
Ciseo ignored him and ordered a servant.
Meanwhile, as no opponent emerged from the Baldina side, Jared grew triumphant. Look at those cowards from that small country, tucking their tails like mice at the sight of him.
“Who will come forth to face me on behalf of the Princess of Baldina!”
Running his hand along his blade, Jared arrogantly shouted.
“I will accept anyone who comes forth! Step out now! Or do you intend to have the noble Princess face my sword herself?”
He even added a taunt in the process.
The Princess of Baldina would bitterly regret her mistake of failing to recognize and disregarding a warrior of the century like him.
And she would tremble upon seeing his magnificent form as he shatters her proxy.
The thought of her beautiful emerald eyes filling with terror excited him already.
“I ask for the final time. Is there truly no one? Are there only incompetents in Baldina?”
As Jared roared, full of vigor, Medeia signaled with her eyes towards Neril.
Just as Neril nodded and was about to take a step forward—
Fwat-! A golden dagger flew through the air and landed with a soft thud in front of Jared.
The scabbard was engraved with the emblem of Facade.
“……”
The murmuring of the crowd abruptly ceased.
“I'd like to take that duel in her place.”
Jared, who had been boastfully posturing, froze.
A mercenary from Facade, wearing a white half-mask, was smiling brightly at him.