Chapter 191

Chapter 191

I Proposed While Drunk and Now the Princesses are Obsessed.

Episode 191: Steeplechasing, Double-dealing, And Unfair Trade (13)

For a moment, a sad expression seemed to flicker across Herta’s face, but it was so brief that Jaekiel couldn’t be sure.

Herta had already returned to her usual blank expression.

“No change of heart, huh? I understand.”

“Your lightning was impressive. I’ll admit that.”

He gave praise where it was due—but whether her lightning was great or not, it wasn’t going to change the upcoming duel to the death.

The technique of forcibly accelerating the surrounding energy flow—even Jaekiel had never encountered such a method before.

“Thank you for the compliment. I’ll show you again during the duel.”

Herta calmly accepted the decision.

Jaekiel thought the conversation would end there—but unexpectedly, Herta continued speaking.

“These guys… they’re Dullahans from the Demon Realm.”

She murmured while inspecting one of the heavy armor corpses.

“In the Demon Realm, there are Demon Gods for different domains. If they’re Dullahans, they probably served Han Shin. They’re tricky because they have strong unity.”

“Hmm.”

Jaekiel nodded.

It wasn’t because the information was new—Jaekiel was already well-versed in this field.

It was just surprising that she would freely offer such valuable intelligence to her duel to the death opponent—information the Purple Tower had surely worked hard to obtain.

“Han Shin, huh.”

Though in truth, Han Shin was already dead.

“I don’t know the reason, but their resentment toward you is strong. As I said, they’re very loyal types—they’ll be a hassle for a while.”

Herta absentmindedly rubbed her chin.

“Don’t slack on your defenses. These ones attacked recklessly out of emotion, but there are Dullahans who move quietly too.”

“…Yeah, I know.”

As he replied, Jaekiel felt something strange.

Surprisingly, Herta was treating Jaekiel without any facade. She was giving him valuable information without expecting anything in return—purely out of goodwill.

‘Talking any further would be dangerous.’

He made that judgment instinctively.

Harboring complicated feelings toward his duel opponent would do no good. For now, he only needed to remember the Purple Tower’s sins and Akne.

Perhaps sensing Jaekiel’s mood…

“Please restrain me again. We’re close to the Purple Tower.”

Herta willingly held out her hands, and immediately Seina and Anes approached and secured the special restraints around the golden woman—all in an instant.

“Auditor, are you alright?”

Anes asked toward Jaekiel. When he nodded, she finally looked relieved.

“We can depart. We’re almost there.”

Tap.

Drip, drip.

Swoooosh…

Swooooshhh!

Suddenly, rain began to pour heavily.

Rumble! Boom!

As if it knew the duel to the death between the Purple and Imperial Towers was about to happen, lightning flashed on its own.

That roar felt oddly sorrowful.

At last, they arrived at the Purple Tower.

The banquet of the Purple Tower.

Naturally, the banquet didn’t feel like a banquet. The public sentiment toward the Purple Tower had grown far too hostile.

Everyone knew the crimes committed by the Purple Tower. So instead of a festive gathering, it became a silent drinking session.

Shockingly, it was a gathering to commemorate the duel to the death.

‘It reminds me of Han Shin’s city.’

Jaekiel thought quietly.

There were two head seats, and everyone else sat in rows—with Jaekiel, the Imperial Tower’s Auditor, and Herta, the next Purple Tower Master, occupying the heads.

In front of each person was a small table with snacks and liquor on top.

“So it has come to this.”

The one who broke the silence was Gendiz, the elder leader of the Purple Tower.

An old man whose pure white beard almost reached his navel—his hollow eyes soon turned to Jaekiel.

“Isn’t the list of the Purple Tower’s crimes too long to even name? Yet you grant us a duel to the death. Truly, the Imperial Tower’s grace is boundless.”

Of course, it wasn’t genuine gratitude—it was provocation. Since they couldn’t avoid the duel anyway, they intended to throw everything they had at the Imperial Tower.

“No need to thank me. It’s no different from an execution.”

“Even after seeing Herta’s lightning, you can say that?”

A young man gulping down his drink spoke up—it was Zeta, known as one of the Purple Tower elites.

“You must’ve proposed the duel to humiliate us in front of everyone. But don’t you see? You’re digging your own grave. The Purple Tower has another chance now.”

Zeta’s shamelessness was considerable.

Then again, all public opinion and support already pointed toward the Imperial Tower. The only thing left for the Purple Tower was to win the duel perfectly.

“Got slapped by the Demon Lord a few times and scrambled your brain, huh?”

At that, Zeta couldn’t hold back and crushed the cup he was holding—he clearly considered what had happened back then a deep humiliation.

Jaekiel snorted, as if finding him pathetic.

“You betrayed us in the underground maze, plundered in Clatie, and yet you’re shamelessly scheming how to win the duel to the death.”

“What? You’re the one who proposed the duel! We’re just doing what you asked. We’ll give our very best.”

“You have no shame. There’s no reasoning with you.”

It was as Jaekiel muttered that.

“Stop.”

With a single word, all movement inside the banquet hall froze. The mighty power of dragon blood had been unleashed.

Word Command.

There was only one person in the Empire capable of wielding this technique—the woman who carried dragon blood within her, Hedera.

Bang!

The Second Princess burst through the doors with a thunderous slam, her furious energy radiating like a storm.

Everyone was thrown into panic at the noblewoman’s entrance—even more so because she wasn’t wearing her usual mask.

Thus, her entire face was revealed—though she had the form of a human, the majesty of a dragon that looked down upon all creation emanated from her.

‘…Hedera?’

Jaekiel quietly stared at Hedera.

It was Hedera who had originally suggested Jaekiel attend the Purple Tower’s banquet, but he hadn’t expected her to appear like this.

“Repeat what you just said.”

This was another Word Command.

As panic spread across the faces of the Purple Tower magicians, Zeta’s lips moved against his will.

“You’re… the one who proposed the duel… we’re just doing… what you asked… we’ll… do our best….”

“Hah.”

Hedera scoffed openly.

Facing her vertical-slit pupils, Zeta’s face turned crimson. No matter how thick-skinned he was, he couldn’t help but feel shame before a Imperial princess.

“I know everything the Purple Tower has done.”

The Second Princess spoke without concealing her anger.

“I trusted the Auditor to carry out judgment directly. I thought the banquet hall would be filled with pleas for permission to commit suicide. Yet all I hear are shameless excuses. How astonishing.”

“Your Highness, I apologize. The Purple Tower’s elites were never known for their manners…”

Gendiz, the elder leader, immediately bowed in apology. His old face was also filled with embarrassment.

But Hedera’s rage showed no signs of calming. Her voice came out sharp, like she was spitting words.

“There’s an enormous crowd gathered outside, despite the bad weather. We can’t keep them waiting. Both sides are to proceed with the life-and-death duel immediately.”

She spoke as if there were no risk to Jaekiel at all—a clear show of her absolute trust in the Auditor.

“Immediately? Understood.”

The only one to answer was Herta.

Afterward, Jaekiel left the banquet hall alongside Hedera, and the Second Princess’s expression immediately changed. Her anger vanished, replaced by worry.

“I’m sorry, Auditor. I haven’t been able to properly look after you.”

“It’s alright. I must do this alone.”

“I thought there was no need to drag things out, so I pushed for the duel immediately. You don’t mind, do you?”

At those words, Jaekiel quietly nodded.

“I was about to suggest we proceed with the duel immediately anyway. It actually worked out better.”

“Come back safely.”

Hedera offered her silent but firm support.

The man also nodded quietly in return.

It seemed like Hedera had much more she wanted to say, but she forcefully held it back—realizing that giving Jaekiel space was the best way to show her care.

Before they knew it…

The woman had come to truly treasure Jaekiel.

The Purple Tower’s arena.

At last, Jaekiel and Zeta stood facing each other.

The arena was packed on all sides with spectators.