I Didn’t Tame The Beastly Duke!
Chapter 81:

Celia and Leonis were on their way out of the village and onto the main road. He had planned to go down to a neighboring village or a nearby city to buy a horse if none were available, but now that he had one, he decided to go to the Cardian Duchy right away.

The village chief’s son’s horse wasn’t fast but seemed used to hauling things and traveling long distances. Perhaps it is because the village chief’s son transports goods on behalf of the village and goes out to sell something to neighboring villages.

Leonis knew the shortcut, so he decided to go that route. Taking that path didn’t bother him because, as a sword master, he could deflect monster attacks by releasing vital energy.

While cradled in Leonis’ arms, Celia sorted her thoughts and occasionally looked around.

‘When Nicole brings the third piece…… Now, all that is left is the heart piece of the Divine Beast held by the emperor.’

The emperor would be more difficult to deal with than other princes. The princes had no idea where their inherited powers came from, but the emperor did.

Of course, it was ridiculous to immediately identify the stone fragment he threw up as a bit of the divine beast’s heart. If you aim for that point, you can easily secure it.

The surest way would be to make the rebellion succeed, force the emperor to eat it, and vomit the divine beast’s heart piece, but there was a problem.

‘The Emperor has the power to worsen Leonis’ curse.’

It was conceivable since his ability was far stronger than the other princes. That’s why, even as he witnessed Leonis’s power grow, he looked down on him.

It was as if he held the detonator of a time bomb able to kill Leonis at any time.

‘It would be great if I could remove the curse before confronting the emperor. At the very least, I hope that giving a portion of the heavenly beast’s heart piece may weaken the curse.’

Celia didn’t know how to use her divine powers yet. But ever since she got involved with Leonis, she has been able to feel his aura very little.

The aura of Leonis, who was holding Celia now, was stable. On the other hand, the peculiar ominousness mingled with his energy, which had to be a curse from Nedesmer, the God of Sky.

Celia was uneasy about that.

‘I’ll… protect Leonis. Like this guy wants to protect me.’

I made up my mind as I held Leonis’s arm.

✦ ✦ ✦

He felt sorry for Lucy, but making a scene in the secret tunnel was tough. So, Zeppel tied Lucy’s hands and feet and gagged her mouth as well.

It would be fortunate if the sleeping pills’ effects lasted until they exited the secret passageway, but it would be difficult if the effect wore off before then.

‘No. it’s the same out of the secret passage.’

It must be his deception that he keeps her believing that he will save her. They took out Lucy because they wanted to use Princess Amelia later.

It’s only that her treatment improves, but her status as a hostage remains unchanged.

Zeppel quickened her pace as she gazed at Lucy, who was thrown over her shoulder. He wasn’t sure how many people knew about the secret passage, but no one seemed to be going in or out right now.

Zeppel pondered whether he could shed innocent blood as he strolled through the darkness.

Because of the emperor, his parents met a terrible death. Many such persons shared the same misfortune among those who took their position as Leonis’ aides.

For the emperor’s greed, to hide the sins of the princes……They were the ones who committed evil deeds that went beyond what nobles commonly did.

Of course, not all aristocratic families were like this. Despite being cursed, the Duke of Cardian made a place for himself. Perhaps this is why the peasants who abandoned their village gather with hope in the Duchy of Cardian.

Zeppel also had hopes for Duke Cardian. He swore he didn’t mind getting his hands dirty as long as he could make Leonis the Emperor.

Even if the innocent and good person’s blood is shed……

Perhaps this is why Zeppel felt the weight of Lucy on his shoulders become even heavier. Depending on the decision made by the person he serves as his master, he may have to take this woman’s life.

That fact made Zeppel’s steps even heavier.

✦ ✦ ✦

Because of his identity card, I could pass through more easily than I had expected.

She felt much safer when she entered the dukedom than when she was outside. Celia felt the strange feeling of being entirely changed into a Cardian.

“…… We have to go down to the nearest city and meet the wizard first.”

By putting communications on it, he intended to check the situation and receive reports from the Duke.

Knowing how far things had progressed would be useful in determining the next step in terms of the situation in the capital.

Michael had already set up a trap to bring Phil down. If Michael’s trick worked and Phil came down, Michael would easily defeat Giel and ascend to the position of the crown prince.

Leonis had no intention of leaving it alone. He was the one who waited for the princes to bite, threaten, and destroy each other.

The Third Empress, including Phil, possessed the most power, but Michael, who dutifully summoned his power from inside, could not be ignored.

If Phil was taken down, Michael was next in line.

They were already waiting for the day when they could adequately attack Michael with the information Celia had taught them.

It wasn’t too late.

Because Michael’s trap for Phil was so intricate and precise.

‘It would be nice if the two monsters would bite each other and perish.’

All that was left was Giel, a simple and quick-tempered person. Leonis didn’t worry about Giel or the second empress pressuring him.

The existence of the emperor standing behind Giel only bothered him.

While things progressed that way, the emperor may have noticed the power of the Duke of Cardian, who manipulated things.

If so…… The emperor didn’t even know he would kill Leonis, even if it meant cursing himself. His ancestors used the power to steal from Divine Beast’s heart.

‘I’m not going to let that happen. I’ll slit your throat before you notice it.’

He wanted to do it even if he could never break the curse.

✦ ✦ ✦

The Third Empress arrived at the Emperor’s residence in tears this morning.  Her son, Phil, had his arm cut off, but the pleural effusion was missed. In addition, the news that another probe was begun enraged the third empress.

“This cannot be! You are demanding the guilt of a child who almost died! How am I going to deal with that injustice?”

Emperor Orkan was in peril.

An experiment to create a soldier by fusing a monster and a human. It was also an experiment that Orkan wanted to proceed with if it weren’t for the work that the Tower of Magic strongly opposed.

If they don’t know if they’ve been caught, that inept guy has been caught by its tail. He even attempted to murder Duke Cardian, whom he had previously told him not to touch.

It is said that even Celia, whom he had barely given into the hands of the Duke of Cardian, was missing, it impossible to make the successor of the Duke of Cardian.

Orkan’s rage was palpable.

“Unfair? Does the empress think that this is something that can be pushed through!”

The third empress flinched at Orcan’s scream. Among the three empresses, she was still one of the most favored by the emperor.

“A representative from the Tower of Magic has been dispatched to request that the investigator to be accompanied! The empire has devolved into a ruthless and barbaric empire as a result of Phil’s deeds being revealed to neighboring countries! What does the Empress think about this!”

What Phil did in the Tower of Magic is what made his deeds known to neighboring countries. They believed that putting pressure on the empire alone would not be enough, so they also contacted other countries.

As a result, the duchy and countries bordering the empire were among the first to condemn Phil’s misdeeds.

Orkan believes Phil’s actions are trivial, but he feels compelled to punish Phil on the outside.

Orkan’s nerves were frayed when things were happening outside of his volition. The injury of Michael, whom he cherished, was the same, and the severe injury of Phil having one arm cut off was something that could not be easily ignored.

His sons were attacked. However, no one could punish them directly, so Orkan was boiling inside. 

“That, it is… … It’s all a ruse!  Since a small country dared to disgrace our Yelmor Empire, it must be punished severely……”

Bang!

The sound of the table shaking made the third empress’ shoulders flinch. The Emperor slammed her fist into the table.

“Do you want me to raise an army so that I won’t punish Phil?”

“Phil is Your Majesty’s son!”

Orkan sighed bitterly at the third empress’s words, which she yelled as if it were unfair.

“I have two more sons! Sons who don’t always get their father in trouble!”

“Think what that kid did this time! Did Giel try to kill Michael? Even so, he ordered only probation… … How cruel you are to Phil, who had his arm severed! Please give him one more chance!”

The Third Empress wept and clutched the emperor’s arm, but he calmly ignored her. The third empress knelt at the feet of the emperor and looked at him. Only then did Orkan gaze at the third empress as if humiliated.

“Empress!”

“How unfortunate! Isn’t that child the future crown prince? Doesn’t your majesty know the child’s boldness and high spirits? He must have just wanted to give you more power!”

High spirit your ass…..The emperor thought Phil was only interested in gaining more territory once he became emperor. However, he was interested in expanding the territory further.

Even now, neighboring countries are taking a stand. Conquering them all and making them Yelmor’s territory wasn’t bad.

However, with only the data obtained, Phil’s plan to build an army of monster soldiers was impossible. There have only been a few successes.

Only an assassination attempt on Duke Cardian was feasible.

He was so annoyed by hearing the Duke of Cardian was injured and the disappearance of the Duchess, Orkan shot at the words of the Third Empress.

“High spirits? Look what he’s done! Didn’t he just attack the Duke and Duchess of Cardian with that monster? You have no idea what will happen when Duke Cardian dies!”