Chapter 91

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 91

Chapter Title: The Substitute Duel

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A deathly silence hung in the air, and the Fourth Princess's eyes gleamed like those of a wolf.

She had to somehow drag Medea back into this fight, no matter what.

'If I win, it'll be fine. As long as I win again this time.'

Unaware that a flicker of amusement had briefly danced in Medea's emerald eyes at that very moment.

The black eyes of the malice-filled princess sparkled.

"Princess, does that mean your late father's honor matters, but you couldn't care less if the starving people of Baldina live or die?"

Medea lifted her head and stared at the princess.

She remained utterly composed, exuding an unyielding aura as if facing a massive stone wall.

"Since you've invoked the people of Baldina, I have no choice but to comply."

Perfect! The Fourth Princess swallowed the urge to laugh out loud.

She flashed a cruel glint in her eyes and spoke.

"This time, General Jared will fight in my stead. That's fine with you, isn't it, General?"

The Fourth Princess turned to gaze at Jared.

One might expect him to be flustered by her sudden ploy to pull him in, but instead, Jared nodded with a bizarre chuckle.

"Heh heh, how could I pass up the chance to cross swords in place of the noble princess?"

Medea offered a silent greeting toward him, as he leered at her mockingly with a sleazy grin.

'It's been a while, Jared.'

"Princess, if you enjoyed your little flirtation with the Grand Duke, how about me? We can keep it from your husband, just between us, eh?"

He was a tenth-rank knight, a fierce general of the Kazen Empire who had risen to prominence since the late emperor's reign. However, he was infamous for his debauchery and excessively brutal temperament.

Even in her previous life's expedition, he had relentlessly targeted Medea.

After being rejected by her time and again, he soon harbored a grudge.

It was commonplace for him to pick fights with her over trivial matters or deliberately send monstrous beasts her way, putting her in peril.

"Medea, please endure it. I know it's hard on you. But Jared is essential for slaying the evil dragon on this expedition. We can't afford to fall out with him."

So she had gritted her teeth and endured. No matter how he toyed with her or endangered her, she couldn't even voice a single complaint.

"Why do you keep staring at me like that, Princess? Does this beastly form of mine look so dashing? You lose yourself every time I pick up my sword—heh heh heh."

'I want to sever your neck.'

Words she had always swallowed deep inside.

But one day, as time passed and Jared's unchanging cruelty finally turned toward Lian.

When she witnessed him seating her young son atop a jar swarming with venomous snakes and hurling daggers at him as target practice.

"Lian!"

"Mommy, waaah!"

Medea could no longer hold back.

"Have you lost your mind, Medea? What if you kill Jared? Who's going to slay the evil dragon without him?!"

"I almost lost Lian. Is that all you have to say to me?"

That day, Jared drank the poisoned wine Medea had offered him and died in agony.

Jason flew into a sharp rage. It was the first time she had seen his face twisted in such fury.

She should have realized it then. That man's revolting, ugly true nature.

"Stop getting in my way and leave. Was it so hard to just play along a little? Better off if you weren't there at all."

"......I'll slay the evil dragon. That settles it, right?"

She should have left with her child. Instead of achieving his feats for him.

"Medea, you slayed the evil dragon! You're incredible! Now the throne is ours!"

"Wow, Princess, how did you... guh."

Medea raised her head.

Over the current Jason, who was spectating this scene, the image of Jared from her previous life—dying by her hand—overlaid itself.

'Jared's cruel, but he's no fool. Would someone as quick-witted as him target Lian for no reason?'

By then, Jason had already been preparing to dispose of Medea and her son toward the expedition's end.

A murderous glint flickered in her emerald eyes and vanished.

At that moment, the Fourth Princess, unable to wait any longer, asked.

"So, Princess, who will you choose as your proxy?"

The faces of the Baldinans froze.

There was currently no one in Baldina who could stand against General Jared.

The tenth-rank powerhouses were off at war, and the veteran generals left in the capital were past their prime. They couldn't compare to Jared in his heyday.

Medea scanned her surroundings.

Amid the crowd, she spotted the people of the Claudio Ducal House watching as if it were none of their concern.

'Neril will step up anyway...'

She couldn't miss the chance to strip away her uncle's hypocritical mask.

"Samon."

Medea turned to look at Samon.

"Help me. Please. Save the people of Baldina in my place, will you?"

It was a fragile demeanor, as if relying on her family member—utterly unlike her steadfast attitude up to now.

The Regent Duke was startled.

How could Samon possibly face that tenth-rank monster? Was Medea seriously asking him to send his precious son to his death for her sake?

"No, Medea!"

He bellowed. His paternal instincts overrode his reason.

"Uncle...?"

Seeing Medea's puzzled expression snapped the Regent Duke back to his senses.

"Haha, I'd love to, but Samon badly injured his leg during training recently. He can't duel."

The Regent Duke feigned regret, claiming he couldn't jeopardize national interests with such an important matter.

"Y-yeah, sorry, Medea. If it weren't for the lingering effects, I'd have shouldered your honor in your place..."

Samon had zero desire to fight a tenth-rank general in Medea's stead, so he promptly pretended to limp on one leg.

Why was a leg that had been fine until now suddenly a problem?

It was an utterly lame excuse, obvious to anyone that they were dodging the duel.

The Baldinans, who had seen the righteous and benevolent Regent Duke's true colors, were deeply disappointed.

He had pretended to cherish his niece so much, yet when his own son's safety was at stake, he discarded her without hesitation.

The Queen Dowager, too, suppressed her surging sense of betrayal and anger.

'Medea stands alone against them for the kingdom's sake, while you lot prioritize your own hides...'

Medea, meanwhile, swallowed a laugh and flicked her gaze toward Neril standing in the distance.

'I knew you'd react this way.'

She had already made all the preparations.

She had anticipated that after the duel with the Fourth Princess, the princess—unable to accept defeat—would put forward Jared for a rematch.

And today, within Medea's plan, the seventh-rank knight Neril would overpower the tenth-rank Jared.

Those unaware of her arrangements tensed up, wondering who the princess's proxy would be.

Prime Minister Sise unclasped the watch from his wrist as he listened to the Claudio father and son's pathetic excuses.

Beside him stood the Facade group, who had approached moments ago to congratulate the princess on her victory.

"What is it, Sise?"

Garo gasped at Cezare's offhand glance and remark as he looked down at Sise.

"No way you're stepping up? You're all brains, no brawn. You were weak at direct duels even in the tower. You can't take that guy."

"......Bring my armor."

Sise ignored him and ordered his attendant.

Meanwhile, as no opponent emerged from the Baldina side, Jared grew even more arrogant. Look at these cowards from that puny kingdom tucking tail like mice at the sight of him.

"Who will step forth to duel in place of Baldina's princess?!"

Jared bellowed arrogantly, running his finger along his blade.

"Anyone who comes, this body of mine will welcome you! Hurry up and show yourself! Or will the noble princess take my blade herself?"

He even tossed in a mocking jab amid it all.

Baldina's princess would soon bitterly regret her mistake of scorning a legendary warrior like him.

And as she watched him crush her proxy, she would tremble at his magnificent prowess.

The thought of those beautiful emerald eyes filling with fear already stirred his excitement.

"Last call. Is there really no one? Does Baldina have nothing but weaklings?"

As Jared roared with full bravado, Medea signaled Neril with her eyes.

Neril nodded and took a step forward.

Whoosh—! A golden dagger flew through the air and clattered to the ground before Jared.

The scabbard bore Facade's crest.

"......"

The crowd's murmurs cut off abruptly.

"I'd like to take that duel instead."

The swaggering Jared froze.

Facade's mercenary, wearing a white half-mask, smiled faintly at him.