The Princess before his eyes still looked pale and weak.
But Gallo couldn't shake the feeling that he was facing his master.
When Gallo looked at Medea and thought of someone, coincidentally she also thought of the same person.
Green eyes scanned over Gallo's shoulder, behind him, around him, and into the banquet hall.
"... Your Highness's will. I understand. Instead, I will send Zeta to be our contact. Please remember that Facade is always here when you need it."
Medea nodded.
"...Yes, I understand. But..."
"Yes, Your Highness?"
Medea paused.
"Do you have any questions?"
Because he realized that she was unconsciously looking for the familiar white mask.
"Well then, goodbye, Medea."
Acares, the infamous mercenary captain and the one who received the dawn's goblet, is the true leader of the Facade.
It was funny. You said it so familiarly as if you remembered it and hadn't forgotten it.
"....Nothing. Sir, thank you for brightening up today's event."
"Thank you for your kind words. Please forgive me for disturbing Your Highness's mind with unnecessary words."
Gallo left, speaking in a friendly but polite manner.
Medea nodded slightly.
Sigh.
The regret that she couldn't swallow burst out silently as a faint sigh.
So she didn't notice.
The golden gaze that has not left her since some time ago.
***
Even after the celebratory banquet at the villa ended today, not many people came to see Jason and his party.
This is because most of those who were supposed to find them were drawn to the First Prince.
"I am Duke Nova of Sess. I have always wanted to meet you, Your Highness, but it is a coincidence that we meet in such a distant place-"
"Your Highness, where are you staying? We, the Republic of Les, are honored to be able to serve you."
"How dare these little people ignore the Emperor's edict!"
Jason exploded with anger as he looked at those who were intent on winning the Prince's favor.
However, he couldn't grab them by the back of their necks and drag them towards him as he wanted.
"Your Highness. Instead of getting angry, you should think about your next move. His Highness the First Prince is an unconventional person, so if you don't come up with a countermeasure, by the time today's report reaches His Majesty, it will be too late."
The chamberlain gave Jason advice with a calm yet indifferent expression.
Through the eyes of a thorough bystander.
As if testing Jason, he wanted to see with his own eyes how far Jason would struggle and report everything to his master, the Emperor.
In fact, the only time that the stone-like face became disheveled was when the First Prince appeared at the banquet hall.
"I know it even without you telling me!"
"If you do that, I will step aside now."
The chamberlain bowed and left, not paying attention to Jason's outburst of annoyance.
Jason couldn't help but frown. The Emperor's guard was in front of him, and the First Prince was behind him, preventing him from moving.
His chest felt suffocated as if it were being pressed down by a rock.
"..."
Meanwhile, Claudio and his men also had to stand in the banquet hall like sacks of barley tied together.
The fact that all these troubles had originated from the Claudio family was quickly forgotten.
Claudio's presence was not that great, and the series of strange phenomena made it clear to everyone attending the banquet that the goddess did not welcome them.
There was no reason for foreigners to protect Claudio, since they hated even their own people, Valdina.
Samon frowned with a hard face.
'The Saintess did not help us, but rather made things more complicated.'
Now, isn't it difficult to even mention the name Claudio?
In the end, they had to return empty-handed and without any gain.
There was no one to see Claudio off as he left the banquet hall.
***
Area B of the Strait of El Amuz.
Samon spoke to Jason, who was frowning beside him.
"Your Highness, what should we do? His Majesty has ordered that we must return to Valdina, but the situation has become difficult."
"Why do you ask me that? Since when have you and I been in the same boat?"
Jason snapped nervously. But Samon did not back down either
"So Your Highness, are you saying that you can take care of His Highness the First Prince alone? Should I remind you again that we, Claudio, are providing the funds for His Highness, who has lost even his territory?"
Jason snorted.
"You mean the money you earned from smuggling? You proudly say that the blood of Valdina flowing through your veins has been reduced to dirty water liquor."
The two men glared at each other.
Jason and Claudio were once again united for the sake of their goal, but were ready to let go of each other at any moment.
However, since their situation was difficult, they had to find a way to survive by holding on to even the weakest powers.
"Your Highness, hold fast. Samon wanted to tell us that we need your cooperation now. Samon, you too, be courteous to Your Highness."
When Joaquin, Samon's father, did not step forward, Count Raju approached and intervened.
Having survived as a foreigner in the Empire for decades, the Count, like Samon, did not let his emotions show easily.
"However, Your Highness, Samon's point is not wrong. Since the First Prince appeared without a word, those included in the delegation will also be torn between Your Highness and the First Prince"
"..."
"We must proceed on our own, completely separate from the First Prince. To do that..."
"Yes, then let's both go out today."
Jason interrupted Raju, touching his temple...
He had a headache. He was again employed as the Emperor's dog to suppress Cesare.
But he didn't expect to encounter Cesare so quickly.
"Your Highness, you should never trust them. They have been harboring other dreams for a long time, so you should expel them immediately."
The three men left, and the subordinate who had been listening in the side room gave advice.
"I know. I'm just using them for a while. So that they don't realize who my real helper is."
Jason glanced at the pendant on the table. It was the medium through which he communicated with his secret helpers.
"How did you know in advance when, where, and how the Monster Wave would occur?"
"Should I really answer with my own mouth? Even Your Highness has some idea of who we are."
"..."
"Since you didn't say it out loud, wouldn't it be better to leave it as is?"
Those who do the work of God without being God.
Those who hide in the darkness, throw the continent into chaos and challenge the Gods.
Jason knew what they were called on the Continent.
'Black magician..."
The continent strictly prohibits black magic regardless of the country.
Because there was a prophecy that black magic, which first originated from the darkness of the beginning, would once again cause chaos in the world.
Jason vaguely thought that perhaps the time of the prophecy was now.
Even in the most powerful empire on the continent, the Black Magicians are making waves, approaching the royal family, and running wild, yet no one is aware of their presence.
When the day comes that they come out of sleep, how many screams will spread across the continent?
At least the peace they have now will not exist.
Jason bit his lip. He ignored his wavering conscience.
'But the throne will be mine. No matter how the world changes, I will remain the Emperor of Katzen.'
They are the only ones who can make Jason, who has lost both money and power, Emperor.
"We just have to wait for the right time."
Jason hummed softly.
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