Episode 164. The Grand Duke's Big Picture
Rose approached the Emperor, her fists clenched.
The Emperor's guards blocked Rose's path.
Rose looked up at the guards blocking her way and said,
"Please let me see His Majesty."
"Lady Serviat, I'm sorry, but you must return."
"Please... let me see His Majesty."
Rose didn't back down, but glared at the guards.
The Emperor glanced at Rose and smiled, as if enjoying the situation.
"Come in."
The Emperor allowed Rose to enter. Rose walked toward the Emperor with a rough gait.
The Empress was nowhere to be seen, as if she had left for a moment.
The Emperor was leisurely sipping wine, sitting in a seat overlooking the arena.
"Come in."
He greeted Rose with a remarkably relaxed expression.
“Your Majesty, isn’t this different from what we promised? You haven’t forgotten our deal, have you?”
“I kept my promise to you. Didn’t I give you a fair and just trial, just as you desired?”
“If a fair trial had been held, there would be no trial by combat!”
Rose growled, trying hard to suppress her suppressed anger.
“If you come out like this, I can’t stay still, Your Majesty.”
The Emperor, who had been drinking wine, paused as the threatening words flowed out.
However, he seemed remarkably relaxed despite Rose’s words.
“This... You intend to witness Lucas’ end with me?”
The Emperor smiled slyly and feigned ignorance of Rose’s words.
“The idea of becoming a government still holds. Although you are annoying...”
He trailed off and looked Rose up and down. Then he let out a sarcastic laugh.
“It’s quite a thrill to have a raging beast kneeling at my feet.”
“Even your jokes are excessive, Your Majesty. Please cancel the duel trial immediately.”
“Oh, by what right do I cancel the duel trial?”
“It’s not because of Your Majesty’s intervention that this whole situation arose.”
“I simply came to cheer on my beloved nephew. He’s dueling with the greatest gladiator of our time... Shouldn’t I fill my eyes with the sight of my nephew, who may be the last to appear before me?”
“Didn’t you want to keep Chicagor’s secret?”
The Emperor snickered at Rose’s words.
“Lady Serviat. Even if you sharpen your claws and pretend to be a beast, you are no match for me.”
He downed the remaining wine in his glass in one gulp and looked at Rose.
“Did you... think I would have just sat there and done nothing?”
Rose’s eyebrows quirked at the Emperor’s words.
“I was only trying to buy time that day, acting obediently to you. I now know the whereabouts of the Chicagor prisoners you’ve been hiding.”
Rose fell silent at the Emperor’s words.
The Emperor smiled heartily at Rose, who couldn’t even open her mouth in front of him.
“God is always on my side. So, you should give up your empty dreams. After the trial is over, quietly prepare to become the government. If you refuse... your parents will not be safe.”
Rose looked at the Emperor with trembling eyes. Then, Neruan, wearing a helmet, ran up from afar.
“Rose, let go. You can’t be here like this.”
Neruan stubbornly tried to drag Rose away.
“Neruan, let go. I’m not finished talking!”
“Staying here won’t change anything.”
Rose didn’t budge at all despite Neruan’s words.
She showed her determination to nullify the trial by combat at all costs.
Neruan let out a low sigh and muttered,
“Excuse me... for a moment.”
“Uh... uh!”
With that, Neruan quickly lifted Rose up.
“Neruan! Put me down!”
Neruan picked Rose up and hugged her as he hurriedly left the place.
“Neruan!”
Rose patted Neruan’s chest and spoke urgently. Neruan only put Rose down after reaching a quiet, deserted place.
“Neruan, I... I have to go to the Emperor. I have to stop the trial by combat!”
Rose pleaded with an expression that looked like she was about to burst into tears.
“His Highness... What if I die like this? Yes? He's not guilty at all... What if I just leave like this?”
“Rose, please calm down.”
Neruan gently grasped Rose's shoulder, who was trembling with anxiety.
"His Highness the Grand Duke will never lose. So don't worry too much."
At Neruan's words, the tears she had been holding back flowed from Rose's eyes.
"No one else... He's the greatest gladiator of his time. He never spares his opponents... He's an incredibly cruel gladiator!"
Rose didn't even bother to wipe her tear-stained face, and tears flowed endlessly.
"I... I'll do what I can. I have to cancel the trial. If that doesn't work, then we have to postpone it. We can find a gladiator who will stand trial in His Highness' place!"
Rose turned away from Neruan and tried to walk away. However, Neruan grabbed Rose's wrist.
"Let go! I told you to let go!"
Rose screamed in frustration.
Finding composure in a situation where someone she loved might die was incredibly difficult.
“Rose. Rose! Look into my eyes.”
Neruan gently pushed up the helmet flap that was covering his eyes.
The golden eyes hidden within the helmet were staring at Rose without wavering.
“I’m not just saying this. His Highness the Grand Duke will never lose in battle. Trust me.”
“...”
Neruan’s eyes were filled with conviction.
“Trust me, Rose. And... please trust His Highness the Grand Duke.”
‘...Does the Grand Duke have abilities I don’t know about?’
Even without Neruan saying it, he vaguely felt that the Grand Duke of Artaeum had a secret weapon she didn’t know about.
Rose, who had turned her back, slowly turned to face Neruan. Then, as if confirming, she asked again,
“Are you sure... that the Grand Duke will win?”
“Of course. So don’t worry too much... Come with me.”
Neruan closed his eyes halfway and held out his hand to Rose.
Rose considered it for a moment and then took Neruan’s hand. And she nodded quietly.
“Neruan.”
Rose, walking alongside Neruan, softly called his name.
“The Emperor... bit the trap.”
The Emperor, who had been told he knew the whereabouts of the Chicagor prisoners.
She wasn’t surprised, really. After all, it was Rose who had leaked their whereabouts. Zhe never imagined the Emperor would just sit back and do nothing.
That’s why she leaked false information.
She had leisurely leaked false information to conceal the truth, and just as Rose had predicted, the Emperor had fallen for her double trap.
She wasn’t about to easily discard the ultimate weapon that could reveal the Emperor’s true identity.
Rose planned to reveal the truth to the Emperor and negotiate with him once more.
However, Neruan appeared and took her away.
At first, she had resented Neruan for failing to negotiate, but no longer.
Rose trusted Neruan and the Grand Duke.
As Neruan had said, the Grand Duke must have a powerful weapon. There must have been a reason for his composure even in a life-threatening situation.
Rose continued in a low voice.
“It seems it’s time for the prisoners of Chicagor to make their move.”
I will expose the Emperor’s secrets one by one.
I will give him a bombshell, someone who enjoys trials by combat and spends his leisure time.
The negotiations had broken down.
There was no need to keep the Emperor’s secrets any longer.
Neruan nodded quietly at Rose’s order.
Now was the time for revenge.
Rose clasped her hands in prayer in the stands.
“God, please look after the Grand Duke of Artaeum.”
Rose didn’t believe in God.
But today was different. She prayed fervently.
That the Grand Duke would win, and that he would survive.
The Grand Duke of Artaeum entered the arena first.
The crowd jeered and mocked him.
Quite a few people had bet on this duel.
Most bet on the gladiator who had come to replace Eric, not the Grand Duke.
Few had bet on the Grand Duke. That's why the jeers directed at the Grand Duke were so loud.
"Grand Duke! Grand Duke!"
Rose, unlike during a regular trial, leaped to her feet. Then, she shouted at the top of her lungs at the Grand Duke of Artaeum.
"You will definitely win!!"
Rose cried out desperately, hoping her voice would reach the Grand Duke.
And her voice pierced the Grand Duke's ears.
Even amidst the commotion, Rose's voice was clearly audible.
Grand Duke Artaeum, seemingly responding to Rose's voice, looked at her and raised his sword.
Soon, the gladiator who would fight the Grand Duke entered.
"Wow!!"
"Here he comes! The undefeated gladiator!"
The atmosphere was the complete opposite of when the Grand Duke had entered.
The people cheered and supported the gladiator.
He looked to be at least two meters tall, and his muscular body was impressive.
The moment Rose's heart sank upon seeing the gladiator, Jane's heart sank. And Jane, who was beside her, felt the same.
"Hwaaah! Rose! What should I do? What should I do with our Grand Duke?"
Jane croaked and burst into tears.
She was a maid working for Count Wence, but it was the Grand Duke she was rooting for.
Jane wailed, tears and a runny nose running down her face.
“Jane... don’t cry. His Highness... will be okay.”
Serun sat next to Jane.
Serun, who was comforting the crying Jane, also had tears welling up in his eyes. Tears flowed down from his hazy eyes.
Jane and Serun hugged each other and cried.
“Hey, stop crying! Aren’t you guys making my sister even more anxious?”
Beliana sat next to Rose’s right and scolded Jane and Serun.
“Sister, I’m rooting for the Grand Duke. He’s your man.”
Beliana was one of the few who had bet on the Grand Duke.
She hadn’t bet because she thought the Grand Duke would win, but to show Rose.
“I bet 100 million res that the Grand Duke would win,”
She said proudly, wanting Rose to know her sincerity.
However, Rose’s reaction was utterly cold.
It was incredibly reckless to bring up the stakes when the life of a loved one was at stake.
Cold eyes turned to Beliana.
Only then did Beliana realize her mistake and smile awkwardly.
Neruan, standing next to Rose, clicked his tongue in dismay.
“If you just stay still, I’ll take half.”
“That!”
Beliana glared at Neruan with a sharp look in his eyes.
“Wow!!”
At that moment, a thunderous cheer was heard from the stands.
The duel had begun.
The gladiator confidently raised his sword and charged towards the Grand Duke.
The Grand Duke of Artaeum struggled to block the gladiator’s attacks, gradually being pushed back.
Rose covered her mouth and closed her eyes, unable to bear to watch the battle unfold.
“Grand Duke... Please...!”
The cheering voices began to fade.
“Huh... huh?”
“What...?”
The atmosphere became chilling. The sound of people murmuring rang in Rose's ears.
"Angel... it is."
At that moment, someone blurted out the word 'angel.'
And the word soon spread throughout the audience.
"An angel!"
"A, an angel has descended!"
"Oh, my God...!"
Rose carefully opened her tightly shut eyes.
"God has bestowed grace!"
"Waaaah!!"
The figure of the Grand Duke of Artaeum appeared.
The sight of the Grand Duke floating in the air, caught in the pure white flash of light descending from the sky, caught both of her eyes.
Rose approached the Emperor, her fists clenched.
The Emperor's guards blocked Rose's path.
Rose looked up at the guards blocking her way and said,
"Please let me see His Majesty."
"Lady Serviat, I'm sorry, but you must return."
"Please... let me see His Majesty."
Rose didn't back down, but glared at the guards.
The Emperor glanced at Rose and smiled, as if enjoying the situation.
"Come in."
The Emperor allowed Rose to enter. Rose walked toward the Emperor with a rough gait.
The Empress was nowhere to be seen, as if she had left for a moment.
The Emperor was leisurely sipping wine, sitting in a seat overlooking the arena.
"Come in."
He greeted Rose with a remarkably relaxed expression.
“Your Majesty, isn’t this different from what we promised? You haven’t forgotten our deal, have you?”
“I kept my promise to you. Didn’t I give you a fair and just trial, just as you desired?”
“If a fair trial had been held, there would be no trial by combat!”
Rose growled, trying hard to suppress her suppressed anger.
“If you come out like this, I can’t stay still, Your Majesty.”
The Emperor, who had been drinking wine, paused as the threatening words flowed out.
However, he seemed remarkably relaxed despite Rose’s words.
“This... You intend to witness Lucas’ end with me?”
The Emperor smiled slyly and feigned ignorance of Rose’s words.
“The idea of becoming a government still holds. Although you are annoying...”
He trailed off and looked Rose up and down. Then he let out a sarcastic laugh.
“It’s quite a thrill to have a raging beast kneeling at my feet.”
“Even your jokes are excessive, Your Majesty. Please cancel the duel trial immediately.”
“Oh, by what right do I cancel the duel trial?”
“It’s not because of Your Majesty’s intervention that this whole situation arose.”
“I simply came to cheer on my beloved nephew. He’s dueling with the greatest gladiator of our time... Shouldn’t I fill my eyes with the sight of my nephew, who may be the last to appear before me?”
“Didn’t you want to keep Chicagor’s secret?”
The Emperor snickered at Rose’s words.
“Lady Serviat. Even if you sharpen your claws and pretend to be a beast, you are no match for me.”
He downed the remaining wine in his glass in one gulp and looked at Rose.
“Did you... think I would have just sat there and done nothing?”
Rose’s eyebrows quirked at the Emperor’s words.
“I was only trying to buy time that day, acting obediently to you. I now know the whereabouts of the Chicagor prisoners you’ve been hiding.”
Rose fell silent at the Emperor’s words.
The Emperor smiled heartily at Rose, who couldn’t even open her mouth in front of him.
“God is always on my side. So, you should give up your empty dreams. After the trial is over, quietly prepare to become the government. If you refuse... your parents will not be safe.”
Rose looked at the Emperor with trembling eyes. Then, Neruan, wearing a helmet, ran up from afar.
“Rose, let go. You can’t be here like this.”
Neruan stubbornly tried to drag Rose away.
“Neruan, let go. I’m not finished talking!”
“Staying here won’t change anything.”
Rose didn’t budge at all despite Neruan’s words.
She showed her determination to nullify the trial by combat at all costs.
Neruan let out a low sigh and muttered,
“Excuse me... for a moment.”
“Uh... uh!”
With that, Neruan quickly lifted Rose up.
“Neruan! Put me down!”
Neruan picked Rose up and hugged her as he hurriedly left the place.
“Neruan!”
Rose patted Neruan’s chest and spoke urgently. Neruan only put Rose down after reaching a quiet, deserted place.
“Neruan, I... I have to go to the Emperor. I have to stop the trial by combat!”
Rose pleaded with an expression that looked like she was about to burst into tears.
“His Highness... What if I die like this? Yes? He's not guilty at all... What if I just leave like this?”
“Rose, please calm down.”
Neruan gently grasped Rose's shoulder, who was trembling with anxiety.
"His Highness the Grand Duke will never lose. So don't worry too much."
At Neruan's words, the tears she had been holding back flowed from Rose's eyes.
"No one else... He's the greatest gladiator of his time. He never spares his opponents... He's an incredibly cruel gladiator!"
Rose didn't even bother to wipe her tear-stained face, and tears flowed endlessly.
"I... I'll do what I can. I have to cancel the trial. If that doesn't work, then we have to postpone it. We can find a gladiator who will stand trial in His Highness' place!"
Rose turned away from Neruan and tried to walk away. However, Neruan grabbed Rose's wrist.
"Let go! I told you to let go!"
Rose screamed in frustration.
Finding composure in a situation where someone she loved might die was incredibly difficult.
“Rose. Rose! Look into my eyes.”
Neruan gently pushed up the helmet flap that was covering his eyes.
The golden eyes hidden within the helmet were staring at Rose without wavering.
“I’m not just saying this. His Highness the Grand Duke will never lose in battle. Trust me.”
“...”
Neruan’s eyes were filled with conviction.
“Trust me, Rose. And... please trust His Highness the Grand Duke.”
‘...Does the Grand Duke have abilities I don’t know about?’
Even without Neruan saying it, he vaguely felt that the Grand Duke of Artaeum had a secret weapon she didn’t know about.
Rose, who had turned her back, slowly turned to face Neruan. Then, as if confirming, she asked again,
“Are you sure... that the Grand Duke will win?”
“Of course. So don’t worry too much... Come with me.”
Neruan closed his eyes halfway and held out his hand to Rose.
Rose considered it for a moment and then took Neruan’s hand. And she nodded quietly.
“Neruan.”
Rose, walking alongside Neruan, softly called his name.
“The Emperor... bit the trap.”
The Emperor, who had been told he knew the whereabouts of the Chicagor prisoners.
She wasn’t surprised, really. After all, it was Rose who had leaked their whereabouts. Zhe never imagined the Emperor would just sit back and do nothing.
That’s why she leaked false information.
She had leisurely leaked false information to conceal the truth, and just as Rose had predicted, the Emperor had fallen for her double trap.
She wasn’t about to easily discard the ultimate weapon that could reveal the Emperor’s true identity.
Rose planned to reveal the truth to the Emperor and negotiate with him once more.
However, Neruan appeared and took her away.
At first, she had resented Neruan for failing to negotiate, but no longer.
Rose trusted Neruan and the Grand Duke.
As Neruan had said, the Grand Duke must have a powerful weapon. There must have been a reason for his composure even in a life-threatening situation.
Rose continued in a low voice.
“It seems it’s time for the prisoners of Chicagor to make their move.”
I will expose the Emperor’s secrets one by one.
I will give him a bombshell, someone who enjoys trials by combat and spends his leisure time.
The negotiations had broken down.
There was no need to keep the Emperor’s secrets any longer.
Neruan nodded quietly at Rose’s order.
Now was the time for revenge.
***
Rose clasped her hands in prayer in the stands.
“God, please look after the Grand Duke of Artaeum.”
Rose didn’t believe in God.
But today was different. She prayed fervently.
That the Grand Duke would win, and that he would survive.
The Grand Duke of Artaeum entered the arena first.
The crowd jeered and mocked him.
Quite a few people had bet on this duel.
Most bet on the gladiator who had come to replace Eric, not the Grand Duke.
Few had bet on the Grand Duke. That's why the jeers directed at the Grand Duke were so loud.
"Grand Duke! Grand Duke!"
Rose, unlike during a regular trial, leaped to her feet. Then, she shouted at the top of her lungs at the Grand Duke of Artaeum.
"You will definitely win!!"
Rose cried out desperately, hoping her voice would reach the Grand Duke.
And her voice pierced the Grand Duke's ears.
Even amidst the commotion, Rose's voice was clearly audible.
Grand Duke Artaeum, seemingly responding to Rose's voice, looked at her and raised his sword.
Soon, the gladiator who would fight the Grand Duke entered.
"Wow!!"
"Here he comes! The undefeated gladiator!"
The atmosphere was the complete opposite of when the Grand Duke had entered.
The people cheered and supported the gladiator.
He looked to be at least two meters tall, and his muscular body was impressive.
The moment Rose's heart sank upon seeing the gladiator, Jane's heart sank. And Jane, who was beside her, felt the same.
"Hwaaah! Rose! What should I do? What should I do with our Grand Duke?"
Jane croaked and burst into tears.
She was a maid working for Count Wence, but it was the Grand Duke she was rooting for.
Jane wailed, tears and a runny nose running down her face.
“Jane... don’t cry. His Highness... will be okay.”
Serun sat next to Jane.
Serun, who was comforting the crying Jane, also had tears welling up in his eyes. Tears flowed down from his hazy eyes.
Jane and Serun hugged each other and cried.
“Hey, stop crying! Aren’t you guys making my sister even more anxious?”
Beliana sat next to Rose’s right and scolded Jane and Serun.
“Sister, I’m rooting for the Grand Duke. He’s your man.”
Beliana was one of the few who had bet on the Grand Duke.
She hadn’t bet because she thought the Grand Duke would win, but to show Rose.
“I bet 100 million res that the Grand Duke would win,”
She said proudly, wanting Rose to know her sincerity.
However, Rose’s reaction was utterly cold.
It was incredibly reckless to bring up the stakes when the life of a loved one was at stake.
Cold eyes turned to Beliana.
Only then did Beliana realize her mistake and smile awkwardly.
Neruan, standing next to Rose, clicked his tongue in dismay.
“If you just stay still, I’ll take half.”
“That!”
Beliana glared at Neruan with a sharp look in his eyes.
“Wow!!”
At that moment, a thunderous cheer was heard from the stands.
The duel had begun.
The gladiator confidently raised his sword and charged towards the Grand Duke.
The Grand Duke of Artaeum struggled to block the gladiator’s attacks, gradually being pushed back.
Rose covered her mouth and closed her eyes, unable to bear to watch the battle unfold.
“Grand Duke... Please...!”
The cheering voices began to fade.
“Huh... huh?”
“What...?”
The atmosphere became chilling. The sound of people murmuring rang in Rose's ears.
"Angel... it is."
At that moment, someone blurted out the word 'angel.'
And the word soon spread throughout the audience.
"An angel!"
"A, an angel has descended!"
"Oh, my God...!"
Rose carefully opened her tightly shut eyes.
"God has bestowed grace!"
"Waaaah!!"
The figure of the Grand Duke of Artaeum appeared.
The sight of the Grand Duke floating in the air, caught in the pure white flash of light descending from the sky, caught both of her eyes.
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