"Old ghosts and new champions—the game changes once more."
The Fourth Princess needed to draw Medea back into the wager—whatever the cost.
'I just need to win. As long as I win this time, everything will be fine.'
In that moment, she failed to notice the brief flash of amusement that appeared in Medea's green eyes—and vanished just as quickly.
The Fourth Princess's gaze sharpened with malicious intent.
"Princess, are you suggesting that while your late father's honor matters greatly, you care nothing for whether Valdina's starving people live or die?"
Medea raised her head and met the princess's stare.
She remained utterly calm—radiating an unwavering presence as immovable as a fortress wall.
"Since you are staking the welfare of Valdina's people against me, I have no choice but to accept."
Done!
The Fourth Princess barely suppressed the urge to laugh aloud.
She spoke with cruelty gleaming in her eyes.
"This time, General Jared will fight on my behalf. Are you agreeable, General?"
The Fourth Princess turned and fixed her gaze on Jared.
Though he might have been taken aback by the princess's unexpected decision to involve him, Jared nodded with an unsettling smile.
"How could I refuse the opportunity to cross blades on behalf of Her Highness, the noble princess?"
Medea offered him a silent greeting as he grinned with sinister amusement, clearly mocking her.
'It's been a while, Jared.'
A ten-star knight—Jared was a major general of Katzen who had served since the previous emperor's reign. However, he was infamous for his debauchery and excessively cruel temperament.
After being rejected by Medea repeatedly in her past life, he had nursed a bitter grudge.
It became routine for him to endanger her—tripping her during marches, deliberately directing magical beasts toward her position.
"Medea, please be patient. I know it's difficult. But Jared is essential for this expedition—we must kill the light dragon, and we cannot afford to lose him."
So she had endured it with gritted teeth. Even when he harassed her, even when he put her life at risk. Medea never once complained.
"Why does the princess stare at me so intently? Do you find this beast-like appearance attractive? I'm flattered you're mesmerized every time I lift my blade."
Because I want to slit your throat.
These were the words Medea swallowed every single time.
But one day, as time wore on, Jared's increasingly vicious cruelty finally turned toward Lian.
When she discovered her young son sitting atop a jar filled with venomous serpents while Jared threw daggers at him as target practice—
"Lian!"
"Mom—ugh!"
Medea could endure no longer.
"Are you insane, Medea? What if you'd killed Jared? Without him, who will slay the light dragon?"
"I nearly lost Lian. Is that all you have to say to me?"
That day, Jared died in agony after drinking the poisoned wine Medea had prepared for him.
Jason had been furious. His face twisted with rage in a way she'd never seen before.
She should have noticed then—Jason's disgusting, hideous true nature.
"Both of you need to leave. It was difficult enough keeping you around when you were useful. Now you're more trouble than you're worth."
"I'll kill the light dragon myself. Understood?"
She should have fled with her child then and there—not stayed to accomplish more feats on Jason's behalf.
"Medea, you slew the light dragon! You're truly remarkable! Now the throne is ours!"
Medea raised her head.
The vision of Jared from her past life—dying by her hand—superimposed itself over the present Jason, who watched this situation unfold with detached interest.
'Jared was cruel, but he wasn't stupid. Would someone so cunning have targeted Lian without reason?'
Even then, near the end of that expedition, Jason had already been preparing to eliminate Medea.
A shadow of death flickered in her green eyes—and vanished.
The Fourth Princess could wait no longer.
"So, who will the princess choose as her champion?"
The faces of the Valdinian people froze.
Currently, no one in Valdina could stand against General Jared.
Their ten-star talents were at war on the plains. The aging generals remaining in the castle had lost their edge—none could match Jared in his prime.
Medea glanced around the hall.
Among the crowd, she spotted members of the Claudio family observing the proceedings with calculated detachment.
'Neril will win the match regardless. But I cannot miss this opportunity to tear off my uncle's mask.'
"Samon."
Medea turned and looked directly at her cousin.
"Please help me. Save the people of Valdina for my sake, won't you?"
Contrary to the polite formality she'd maintained with her family until now, she appeared vulnerable—a fragile figure seeking trust and reliance.
The Prince Regent was horrified.
How can Samon possibly face that ten-star monster? Does Medea want me to send my son to his death, just as her son died before?
"No! Medea!"
Claudio shouted loudly—his refusal moving faster than rational thought.
"Uncle...?"
Seeing Medea's bewildered expression, the Prince Regent finally regained his composure.
"Ah, my heart aches like a furnace, but Samon seriously injured his leg while dancing earlier. I'm afraid he won't be able to participate in the duel."
The Prince Regent wore a sorrowful expression, as though devastated he couldn't intervene in such a critical matter where national interests hung in the balance.
"Yes, that's correct. I'm sorry, Medea. If not for the lingering effects of my injury, I would gladly bear this honor on your behalf..."
Samon had no desire to face a ten-star general on Medea's behalf, so he quickly began limping theatrically on one leg.
Why is a leg that was perfectly functional moments ago suddenly crippled?
It was a transparently flimsy excuse, clearly designed to avoid confrontation.
The Valdinian people, witnessing the true nature of their supposedly just and kind Regent, felt profound disappointment.
He had pretended to care so deeply for his niece—but now that his own son's safety was at stake, he abandoned her without the slightest hesitation.
The Queen Mother struggled to suppress her rising sense of betrayal and fury.
'Medea fights alone against them for the sake of this country—and you would abandon her to save yourself?'
Medea suppressed a laugh and glanced toward Neril standing in the distance.
'I knew you would react exactly like this.'
She had already made all the necessary preparations.
It had been expected that the Fourth Princess, unable to accept the outcome of their duel, would demand a rematch with Jared as her champion.
And in Medea's carefully laid plan, Neril—a seven-star knight—would defeat Jared, the ten-star general.
However, those ignorant of her arrangements watched anxiously to see who the princess would choose as her champion.
Sissair, listening to Claudio and his wife's pathetic excuses, removed the watch from his wrist.
Beside him stood members of Façade's company, who had approached earlier to congratulate the princess on her victory.
"What are you doing, Sissair?"
Cesare glanced down at him, then muttered something to Gallo.
"Is it true your brother intends to step forward? He may not know strategy, but I didn't think he was ignorant of combat either. Even at the tower, he struggled with direct duels. He can't possibly face that monster."
"...Bring me my armor."
Cesare pretended not to hear and ordered his attendant.
Meanwhile, Jared grew increasingly elated as Valdina struggled to produce a champion.
Look at these cowards from that insignificant nation, twitching like cornered mice at the sight of me.
"Who will face me on behalf of the Princess of Valdina?"
Jared shouted arrogantly, sweeping his blade downward in a contemptuous arc.
"If anyone wishes to come forward, I shall accept! Step forth! Or would you prefer your noble princess receive my blade personally?"
His words dripped with harassment.
The Princess of Valdina will soon deeply regret her mistake in spurning a warrior of the century like myself. She will tremble witnessing my majesty as I destroy her chosen champion.
Jared was already drunk on the fantasy of those beautiful green eyes filling with terror.
"I ask for the final time—is there truly no one? Are there only worms crawling in Valdina?"
As Jared bellowed with full force, Medea caught Neril's eye and gave a subtle signal.
Neril nodded and stepped forward.
*Clang!*
A golden dagger flew through the air—
—and embedded itself before Jared's feet.
Silence.
The crowd's murmur ceased abruptly.
Engraved upon the scabbard was the emblem of Façade.
"I wish to accept this duel."
Jared, who had been boasting with such fervor moments before, froze completely.
A mercenary wearing a white half-mask stood before him, grinning with amusement.
Façade.
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