Side Story Chapter 232

Side Story Chapter 232

Anna’s childhood could be summarized with two words: “escape” and “manipulation”. After being adopted by Draxia bel Grace, the Tragic Prince of the Swallow Empire, she had also been thrown out to Avalon to become the foster daughter of an obscure viscount named Vig in the countryside. She had also attended the Academy, where she had gotten involved with Joshua Sanders. He was monstrously strong—there were and would never be anyone else like him.

Everything in her childhood had happened because of political power struggles. Compared to the scale of a country, she was merely a disposable tool, so she had no choice but to comply. She wasn’t given a choice in the first place—everything had been put into place before she could even think for herself.

Now, she had a chance to throw a punch at the kind of people who’d done that to her—payback for her past. As a matter of fact, one such person happened to be the emperor of Hubalt, so how could she not look forward to completing the mission?

“Stay on guard from now on,” Anna whispered as a gust of wind blew against her and Kireua.

A dark entrance yawned in front of them. Although the entrance was small and could fit only one person at a time, the tunnel looked unfathomably long.

“The Imperial Family of Hubalt isn’t stupid, so they installed two safeguards,” Anna informed Kireua, raising two fingers.

“Magic traps?”

“You’re smart.” Anna stroked Kireua’s head with a smile. Thi/s chapter is updated by nov(e)(l)biin.co/m

Startled, Kireua immediately stepped backward. “What are you doing?”

“Oh, my... I was so proud of you that I patted your head without thinking.”

“I think you’re forgetting that I’m royalty.”

“Of course you are. I’m sorry. This must be how mothers feel. Hahaha.” Anana giggled.

He was disguised as the Emperor of Avalon right now, so Kireua quickly tidied his hair with a frown.

“But how long are you going to stay in your disguise?” Anna abruptly asked.

“...Why? Do you think you’ll fall for His Majesty too?”

“No way. It’s quite the contrary—I’m still scared of him.” Anna laughed disparagingly.

Kireua’s feet halted right before he entered the tunnel.

“Wait, you don’t want to get revenge...?”

“Revenge? I don’t know what I look like to you, but I gave up on that long ago. That’s why I’m helping you, the son of my enemy.”

“Then what do you mean by ‘scared’?”

Anna shrugged. “I’ve been on the run for around two decades. I heard that even your father was looking for me, so how could I not be scared? He’s the strongest man on the continent.”

Kireua remained silent. He couldn’t begin to imagine what kind of emotional trauma Anna must have gone through.

“Every night, I had nightmares of getting butchered by a red spear. I can still remember it vividly.”

“Does that mean... you don’t have that nightmare anymore?”

Anna smiled softly. “Yes, thanks to someone.”

Kireua heaved a quiet sigh of relief. He was glad to know that Anna and the Emperor of Avalon could clear up their misunderstandings. After all, the Emperor of Avalon hadn’t been searching for Anna to settle an old score either.

“I hope you’ll be happy from now on. Don’t have any nightmares. Leave your past behind and just think about your happiness for the rest of your life. That’s what I want, as your friend...” Kireua’s voice gradually sank down to a whisper as his embarrassment caught up to him.

Anna’s eyes widened and then she beamed at him. “Are you consoling me right now? Wow, it’s an honor to hear that from a prince.”

“J-Just bear with me a little longer. It’s all for our mission.” Kireua marched into the tunnel.

“Slow down!” Anna shouted. “You might step on a pile of poop, you know.”

*

However, Kurz didn’t think Number One would achieve much. Despite what he had said, Kurz was worried sick by the possibility of Joshua changing course and attacking the palace.

‘Bel, where in the world are you?’ Kurz wondered.

Speak of the devil—Number Two appeared beside Number One and politely held up a crystal ball.

“Your Majesty.”

Perhaps the missing gods had granted Kurz’s wish one last time?

“What is it?” Kurz frowned.

“The call is from the Swallow Empire’s palace.”

Every set of eyes in the council chamber turned toward the crystal ball at the mention of Swallow.

“Wait...” Kurz’s eyes narrowed.

“Yes, they successfully subjugated Thran.”

“That was quick,” Kurz said, surprised. Although he didn’t want to admit it, the Flame Emperor was a force to be reckoned with. That was why Kurz hadn’t paid much attention to Swallow. He could let Thran and Swallow fight each other all they wanted and then Hubalt would step in to crush the now-weakened victor.

“Does that mean that the Flame Emperor lost?” Kurz asked.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Kurz looked at the shining crystal ball. No doubt the answers to his questions lied on the other side of it, so Kurz gestured at Number Two to accept the call

The crystal ball hummed and projected a familiar figure.

Kurz gasped. “Bel...?”

-Hahaha. It’s good to see you again. How have you been?

“You! What in the world have you been doing—!” Kurz quickly stopped himself. Too many people were around, so Kurz had to refrain from angering Bel. If Bel embarrassed Kurz in front of them, Kurz’s authority would suffer.

“Come back to the palace right now! You’ve been desperate to fight Joshua Sanders, haven’t you? He’s here right now!”

Bel tilted his head in confusion.

-Joshua Sanders is in Hubalt? I highly doubt it.

“What?” Kurz frowned.

-Anyhow, I can’t get to Hubalt right now. I found a new toy.

“What nonsense is that? A toy? Is this war just a game to you?”

Kurz immediately realized that he had allowed his anger to get the better of him. Despite his harsh tone, however, Bel still seemed to be in a pleasant mood.

‘What in the world...?’

-Why did I never think of it before?

“What do you mean?”

-As the Martial Emperor’s heir, I should have foreseen the possibility of the Crimson Sky having an heir.

There was only one man in history who was called the “Crimson Sky”.

Kurz's eyes widened. “Wait, are you talking about Grand Duke Lucifer...?”