Crown of Thorns

CHAPTER 65

Translator : Cuties ––– Editor : WilsonWilson

Evan left me no choice but to entrust all my work to Ruadhan, because he had been coming to the tower at all times, day and night, and without any notice so all my work was left to him. It was because I didn’t want him to come when I was away. He was already a man with a lot of work to do and I felt sorry that he was carrying more of my load.

But he just nodded, saying, “I see,” without complaining. And he added a few words, “Be careful and don’t overdo it.” I also heard him mutter that I might as well quit if I felt I was too tired. Unlike his blunt face and dry voice, he was such a sweet man.

Evan kept coming to the tower, and it felt like things had changed a lot. Originally, the tower was the place where the witch was kept, and it was a terrible and painful space. But as Evan came and went, it became an ordinary and happy space.

On the other hand, the people of the world who had kept the witch in the tower and lived well in their own way were going through hell now. Those who didn’t die, lived on. They managed to keep going but with dead eyes. Having lost both their families and happiness. Just like that.

Luella seemed to be unable to escape from the shock, saying that she had been the cause of what Margarita had done. It’s only my assumption, but it also seemed that she had a deep relationship with Margarita.

I wanted to save Margarita as soon as possible, but it wasn’t easy. I couldn’t even find out where he was in the first place, so I hoped he was safe, and I hoped his stubbornness wouldn’t be broken forever. I didn’t want Evan to know the truth. It’s not the time yet.

The aristocrats’ war, which is pushing people into pain, was coming to an end. Many nobles lost their lives and were almost entirely absorbed by Count Phyletto. Previously, I thought that it would be okay to settle things down after seeing the people’s complaints and fears reaching their peak and they start crying out for the brave ones to step in and save them.

They were no longer content with the reality that was now upon them. They were hoping for someone, anyone, to put an end to all this pain. More and more people were taking their own lives. Because they no longer believed that they could be saved.

So I planned to give Count Phyletto all the land. Many nobles have already died and those who cared for their own lives have given up themselves. The only aristocrats who had escaped from this war were those who had no desire or power in the first place.

The last thing Count Phyletto, who had all the land, was going to aim for, was the one in the middle, the Imperial Palace.

And the Emperor began to move slowly. The biggest change was that Evan began to come and go deep into the Heavenly Palace. Perhaps the emperor was looking for him. His ability was a great help to the emperor. He was able to heal his weakened body and keep himself safe.

Evan was lucky to get busy, but it wasn’t all good. Every time Evan entered the depths of the palace, I could not keep up. I couldn’t figure out what was going on there or what conversation was.

“Nyx.”

After Evan had disappeared from the palace, I hurriedly opened my eyes at the voice calling for me. A shadow fluttered on the side of the stairs.

“Ruadhan.”

“I’m sorry to have come suddenly.”

He was still politely treating me with a neat expression and manners. Normally, he would have teleported, but not today. It was because he didn’t know when Evan would come in. Actually, I was a little nervous even now. So asked in a voice of urgency.

“What’s the matter?”

I once told Ruadhan that Evan kept coming to the tower. Evan, who knows that I am trapped in the tower, would have great doubts were he to find out that I have actually been meeting with Ruadhan and other people. So I warned Ruadhan not to come, explaining this.

And yet, he came…

“The movements of Yohan are unusual. I was forced to come here because I thought you should know that it was totally unexpected.”

“Yohan?”

Ruadhan nodded his head in a solemn way and raised the glasses again, which had slid slightly down his nose when he owed. His sharp eyes and nose, and his mouth, which evoked a chilling feeling, were hardened.

I’ve been too busy to pay much attention to Yohan. I visited him a few times because I didn’t know what he was thinking, but as he has done so far, he was only struggling with monster hunting. He was still driving the monsters inside, guiding them inside, and making the outer extremities of the territory a little less calamite. Yohan, the Knights’ Order, and the trainees helped him hunt monsters. Whenever that happened, doubts about Evan, the warrior, grew. His last manifestation of power was so powerful that they sometimes exclaimed saying, “What the hell is he doing when he could kill all monsters in a moment?”

A little while ago the sorcerer Neriano went to Yohan to inform him about Margarita attacking Evan but as far as I remember, they didn’t talk about anything else. In fact, Evan has been visiting me every day since then, so I was busy making sure that everything was going as planned and that nothing was wrong with my witches so I didn’t pay much attention to him.

I was wondering if there was anything going on with Evan, but…

Upon hearing Ruadhan’s report, I immediately followed after Yohan.

He, who was supposed to be holding the monster off on the outskirts of the city, was riding around to meet the nobles for some reason. Many nobles have already died, and the nobles who quietly survived at this time were those who had no land to begin with, or those who had given up their land.

In the first place, all that’s left of the nobility was those who were pushed out of the highlights, whether by their own doing or otherwise. Possessing no family name, no means and no wealth, nothing but a title. And most of those whom Yohan was meeting were aristocrats who voluntarily left the center of attention. Those who have voluntarily stepped back because they were not interested in politics itself. And when the emperor held his place for a long time and only had a nobles by his side who could fulfill his own interests, those who did not died, were either threatened, or resigned of their own accord. Yohan was going around to meet those people.

This wasn’t something that nobles and knights could have anything to do about anyway. Perhaps that’s why he only went around greeting the nobles without saying anything. The nobles received him well because he was a guest but still they weren’t that happy to know that the national hero and Commander of the Knights Order abruptly rode a horse and came to visit them.

However, Yohan talked with a bright face as if their concerns had nothing to do with him.

“But it’s very quiet here. That’s a relief.”

“What’s a relief? You didn’t see it when you were walking through town? There are few men left in this town. Besides, the remaining women and children are starving to death due to the increased amount of tribute they have to offer.”

The nobleman’s face was tinged with displeasure, but Yohan answered with a carefree look, as if he didn’t care much.

“Why don’t I know that? But it’s better than anywhere else. Other places are having it really hard. There are places where villages are trampled on and burnt to ashes. Grain? There are countless places where the fields are ruined and there are no immediate sources of food.”

“…so what? What the hell is going on here? I have a lot of work to do. Don’t change the subject, just tell me what you want from me.”

“Have you…”

Yohan paused for a moment and opened his mouth without avoiding the gaze the nobleman pinned him with.

“Perhaps heard the rumors? That a warrior has appeared.”

“Of course I heard the rumors. They’re not a very reliable, but judging by what’s going on in the heart of the country, the rumors of the witch or the Death God are as good as true. Then there’s no denying that a warrior might really exist. But why are you…?”

“I hope Count Temus will be of help to the warrior.”

“What does that mean?”

“…you want a new country, don’t you? He’s the one who will make the country we want.”

It wasn’t just the witch trying to make Evan a warrior. I expected it, but I couldn’t hide my surprise. I didn’t know that he would go as far as meeting nobles and making allies to help him.

The witch confused the world and took advantage of the momentum, and was the chief engineer behind building up Evan’s power.

The world is eager for the existence of the warrior, and soon the Emperor will be in great danger.

The Commander seemed to be walking on the same path as the witch.

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