Chapter 126
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Chapter 126
That night, I infiltrated the Imperial Palace alongside Hector.
'I had hoped never to sneak into the Imperial Palace again, but....'
I needed to move quickly—extracting additional evidence from the Research Facility and rescuing Lahedis, who was trapped there, fell to me alone.
After all, I was the only one who knew the layout of the Research Facility.
Of course, I hadn't infiltrated the Imperial Palace without a plan.
[Vivian, I'll draw the Emperor's attention in the meantime.]
The Emperor had scattered people throughout the Capital searching for Curtis Rohan.
In such circumstances, Curtis Rohan had volunteered to turn the situation to his advantage and become bait himself.
If Curtis Rohan drew their attention, the Emperor's focus would remain fixed on him during our operation.
[But, but won't that put Father in danger?]
[...Your father? You should worry about those who will face your father instead.]
The Duke, who had been listening to our conversation, clicked his tongue as if he couldn't comprehend my concern.
Curtis Rohan seemed anxious about sending me alone, insisting he was the only one capable of drawing the Emperor's attention.
In any case, despite Curtis Rohan's worries, I had successfully infiltrated the Imperial Palace.
Now came the infiltration into the Research Facility beneath the Abandoned Crown Prince's Palace.
This time too, I would need to enter through the same small opening I'd used before, but there was one critical problem.
Hector, with his bulging muscles and imposing frame, was even larger than Lahedis....
"...Hector, can you fit through here?"
Hector, staring at the opening that was clearly smaller than his own frame, opened his mouth with an apologetic expression.
"...I apologize, but could you go through first and keep watch? Then I'll scale the wall."
I confirmed there was no one moving about beyond the wall, then entered through the opening first.
Fortunately, no one was passing by.
As I extended my hand from the opening and gave a hand signal, Hector vaulted over the wall with ease.
For someone of his build, his agility was remarkable.
'We've cleared the wall. Next....'
Next, I had to wait for the infiltrated Terrak Guild members to disable the magical artifact maintaining the Imperial Palace's barrier.
'Last time, I couldn't summon spirits, so I had to endure helplessly.'
I couldn't help Lahedis, nor could I protect myself.
'I never want to feel that powerlessness again.'
Naturally, I intended to avoid confrontation if possible and move with utmost caution.
To secure definitive evidence proving the Emperor's scheme, and above all, for the safety of my hostage, Lahedis.
That's why I deliberately brought only a small force.
'But in an unavoidable confrontation, having power or lacking it makes all the difference.'
Conveniently, during the last infiltration, when Lahedis had shattered the Imperial Palace's barrier, Orpen had blamed it on an earthquake, deceiving the palace knights.
The infiltrated Terrak Guild members planned to exploit this.
They would turn off the magical artifact generating the barrier and use the excuse that the artifact seemed damaged from that impact and needed inspection.
As Hector and I waited briefly, the barrier deactivated as expected.
We exchanged glances and headed toward the Abandoned Crown Prince's Palace.
It had never been a place with much foot traffic, but today it felt unusually quiet.
'...This doesn't feel right. I need to rescue Lahedis as quickly as possible and get out of here.'
With that thought, I approached the shattered mirror where the portal had been.
'Surely they've moved the portal elsewhere by now?'
Unless they were fools, there was no way they'd leave an already-breached portal in the same location.
And yet....
"Huh...?"
When I tentatively placed my hand on the mirror to check, the portal activated just as it had during my initial infiltration.
Rather than relief, an ominous premonition washed over me first.
'This is suspiciously too easy.'
As if someone had deliberately lured me here....
It was the moment I pulled my hand away from the mirror, seized by that dreadful feeling.
"Lady, danger―"
Before Hector could finish his urgent warning, someone rushed forward and attacked him.
"Hector!"
Too focused on me to evade, Hector crashed directly into the wall of the Abandoned Crown Prince's Palace.
Crash!
The impact shattered the crumbling wall, and pale dust obscured my vision.
A familiar voice emerged from within that haze.
"There you are, just as expected."
That person was....
"The Demon King's daughter."
Allen.
The unexpected encounter and unforeseen revelation made my heart plummet.
'Allen... knows my true identity.'
Only then did everything make sense.
Allen, having discovered who I truly was, had deliberately leaked to the Imperial Princess that the Research Facility would be burned down, luring me here.
Realizing too late that I'd walked into a trap, I stood frozen as Allen approached with a leisurely smile.
"Ah, don't be so frightened. Unlike His Majesty, I have no intention of killing you."
"...."
"There's no need to slit the belly of the goose that lays golden eggs. If I don't kill you, you'll lay even more golden eggs."
He was treating me like livestock.
Not only did I recall that horrifying notion, but seeing him boast of it as though it were an act of mercy drew a hollow laugh from me.
It was absurd that I'd ever treated such a man as the Crown Prince.
"If you simply come over to my side, I'll spare the young duke."
"...."
"You have what I want, and I have what you want. It's unfair for only one of us to give up what we possess, so we should make a deal. Don't you agree?"
"You insane bastard, is that really what you're saying right now?"
Hector, having recovered, lunged at Allen.
But even caught off guard, Allen merely faltered for a moment before launching his counterattack.
From the start, Hector was no match for Allen. Even if I joined in, it would make little difference.
Though I had been pushed to second place in swordsmanship when Curtis Rohan appeared, that position was hardly something I had obtained for free.
"Lady! I'll hold the line here—you must escape! Quickly!"
Even as Hector struggled to parry Allen's relentless assault, he remained concerned for my safety.
'But if I flee now....'
In Allen's eyes as he attacked Hector burned a murderous intent that bordered on madness.
Whether I accepted Allen's proposal or refused it, he would inevitably kill both Hector and Lahedis.
In that moment, a single method crystallized in my mind.
'It's extreme, but there's no other way.'
I summoned Kamang and Ppiyak to attack Allen.
As expected, Allen brushed aside their assault with ease and turned his gaze toward me.
"I presented the most peaceful way to end this, yet you insist on―"
Allen's eyes widened.
I was holding a dagger to my own heart.
Allen stared at me in shock for a moment, then let out a bitter laugh as if utterly astounded.
"What is this? Are you trying to threaten me?"
"You said it yourself. You have what I want, and I have what you want. It seems you've simply forgotten that."
"...Ha, how amusing."
"Release Lahedis and Hector right now. Then I'll do as you wish."
"How terrifying. A woman who's never even held a sword—what courage would she have to pierce herself?"
Allen dismissed me and advanced toward Hector.
In that same instant, I raised the dagger I held and drove it into my left arm.
Thunk!
Allen's gaze wavered as he witnessed my action. For a moment, he appeared genuinely frightened.
"This is insane...."
The arm where the dagger was embedded burned as if aflame, the pain beyond mere agony.
Experiencing such horrific suffering for the first time, my breath caught in my throat, my heart raced wildly, and nausea threatened to overwhelm me.
Yet....
'How could I save anyone without this resolve?'
I clenched my teeth and wrenched the dagger from my arm.
The anguish of tearing flesh was unbearable, but seeing Allen's expression shift into genuine alarm made even this agony feel worthwhile.
I raised the dagger once more to my heart and fixed Allen with my gaze.
"Next is here—the heart you desire."
"...."
"Well? Are you beginning to reconsider my proposal?"
The smile that had lingered on Allen's face throughout vanished.
The tide of negotiation had turned.
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Brought to you by Valir Scans! To support our team and enjoy the latest releases, please read directly on our official site: valirscans.org
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