Trash Prince and Ice Queen 10th Re - Life-Chapter 149: Plan to Free the Princess of the Giant Kingdom
That very night, at Kresus’s residence, Lesnar—who had returned with Ard, Irina, and Irwin—immediately gathered in Kresus’s study along with Eva to report their findings. Without further delay, Lesnar told Kresus everything, from the underground worship ceremony and King Vogir’s condition appearing like an undead puppet, to the fake Githiess egg used for the ritual, Elmer and Grethia being found in the dungeon, and Idor’s plans that they had accidentally overheard while he spoke to Grethia’s tube.
The faces of Kresus and Eva, who had been listening to the four of them with a relaxed air, grew darker and darker as time went on, and it was clear they were taking the report with urgent seriousness. Eva turned to look at Ard, who stood beside Lesnar.
"Are you certain that Idor bore the mark of Ophelia on his head, Ard?" Eva asked.
"Yes, I saw it myself. When he removed his hood, I clearly saw that mark on the back of his head. And King Vogir’s condition is clearly the same as your father’s—he has lost himself due to Edmund’s actions," Ard answered, emphasizing his point.
"Hmm... did the king on the surface also experience the same thing? Can you tell me about it?" Kresus asked.
Ard and Eva immediately explained about Emperor Ellard III, who had suddenly incited war against the Kingdom of Ateras and was declared ill, so he rarely appeared in public. Then, the two of them also spoke about the potion they had discovered at the academy and the demon-worshiping cult that was also there. Kresus leaned back in his chair, all four of his arms folded across his chest, thinking.
"So the events on the surface are the same as in this kingdom?" Kresus asked once more to confirm.
"Correct. What’s happening here is exactly like what happened in the Orthus Empire. Idor, who worships the goddess Ophelia, intends to go to the surface to assist in the war between the Orthus Empire and the Ateras Kingdom. His goal is clear, and the timing is perfect," Ard answered confidently.
"Added to the ritual that was performed earlier, it feels very similar to the dark sect’s ritual at the academy, so I think Ard’s analysis is correct," Irwin added in support.
"So what now, Lord Kresus? What is our move?" Lesnar asked, staring at Kresus.
Kresus thought deeply, one hand rising to his chin as he seemed to reflect for a moment, then he looked at Lesnar.
"Prepare our troops to stand by. Tomorrow, I will attempt to go to the palace and meet with King Vogir. I want to try and see the king’s condition—not because I don’t believe your story, but because I want to know to what extent King Vogir is being controlled," Kresus said.
"Very well, Lord Kresus. Do I need to come along?" Lesnar asked.
"No, you stay here. I also want to ask for help from Ard and Eva. If I haven’t returned from the palace within five hours, I want Lesnar to attack Idor’s house with our forces, and I want you to assist us. Our priority is to rescue Princess Grethia and Prince Elmer from the dwarf kingdom, Grimgarth," Kresus answered, turning to look at Ard and Eva.
"Alright, we understand," Ard replied.
"I’ll go tell the others to get ready," Irwin added.
"Thank you, Irwin," Eva replied.
"Lord Kresus, allow me to go with you. I can disappear, and I will infiltrate the palace alongside you," Irina volunteered.
"Fine, you can come with me," Kresus replied.
"Thank you, Lord Kresus," Irina replied, bowing her head in respect.
Ard looked to his left and right, scanning the room. He didn’t see the dwarf anywhere who should have been at the meeting with them.
"By the way, where is Hardim?" Ard asked.
"He is guarding Princess Thorena with Geoffrey. We will be the one to tell him about the latest status and Prince Elmer’s condition. We have to be careful how we deliver the news; surely you understand, right?" Eva asked.
"Ah... that’s true," Ard answered, understanding Eva’s point.
"Alright, that’s the plan. We move tomorrow," Kresus replied.
"Understood," Ard, Eva, and the others replied in unison.
"Lesnar, I want to speak with you about our troops. Don’t leave just yet," Kresus said.
"Very well, Lord Kresus," Lesnar replied.
After that, Ard, Eva, Irwin, and Irina left Kresus’s study and headed toward the rooms of Thorena and Hardim, who had been given special quarters by Kresus since they were members of the Grimgarth royal family. Ard and Eva stood in front of Thorena and Hardim’s room, while Irwin returned to the room shared by him and the others to update them on the latest situation. Ard and Eva knocked on the door, and moments later, Geoffrey opened it.
Once they were inside, without delay, Ard and Eva told everything to Thorena, Hardim, and Geoffrey; they also explained the plan for tomorrow. Hardim, hearing Ard and Eva’s story, immediately slammed his hand against the table, his face twisted in rage—not toward the giants in general, but specifically toward Idor.
"Bastard... absolutely outrageous! How dare he treat the Crown Prince like that," Hardim said, overcome with emotion.
"But... is Brother Elmer really alright?" Thorena asked, her voice trembling as she struggled with her own rising anger.
"He is still alive because that sorcerer named Idor still needs him to broker peace between the two kingdoms—and then to seize control of Grimgarth before heading to the surface from there," Ard answered.
"This is too much... truly too much," Thorena muttered, her fury so intense that tears began to fall as she clenched both fists on the table.
Geoffrey, who was sitting beside Thorena, immediately put his arm around her to comfort her, and the room fell into a heavy silence. Ard and Eva just stayed quiet, letting Hardim and Thorena release their emotions and anger. Later, once Hardim and Thorena had calmed down and their rational minds were no longer controlled by emotion,
"Ard, is it true what you said—the Githiess egg you found is a fake?" Hardim asked seriously.
"It’s true. Idor is using that fake egg to attract followers and make them believe he’s working for the gods and goddesses the giants worship," Ard answered.
"In that case... where is the real egg?" Geoffrey asked.
"That’s the question. If Idor went to all that trouble to make a fake egg, it means he never had the real one in his possession to begin with. The only ones who know where that egg is are Elmer and Princess Grethia, whom we plan to rescue tomorrow," Ard answered.
"I see. There’s no other way but to ask Prince Elmer and Princess Grethia," Hardim muttered, deep in thought.
"True. Once they’re conscious, we can ask them," Eva added.
"But... is it really true, Ard? All of this is the work of that damn goddess?" Geoffrey asked.
"Yes, it is. Everything is just like what happened at the academy and in the Orthus Empire," Ard replied.
"Damn it. That goddess is truly out of control; to think her influence reached all the way to Le Rien Infernal. What a piece of work," Geoffrey spat in anger.
"That’s how it is. But don’t worry, we’ll see who Idor really is once Eva and I destroy his mark. I suspect he’s just like Edmund—the reason being his desire to marry Princess Grethia, who is clearly much younger than him, just like Edmund wanted to marry Eva back at the academy," Ard replied.
"Hmm... that makes sense. If he’s like Edmund, it means he has his own personal desire to worship that depraved goddess," Eva mused, thinking it over.
"Yeah, that’s exactly what we want to find out tomorrow," Ard said.
"If that’s the case, Ard, Eva, allow me to go with you when you attack Idor’s residence. I want to free my brother," Thorena said. 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎
Everyone immediately turned to look at Thorena and fell silent, letting her words hang in the air. Hardim sighed and removed his helmet; then, he rubbed his head and looked toward Ard and Eva, who were sitting side by side.
"Please allow it, Ard, Eva. I’ll accompany her as well. There’s no way I can just sit still while you guys free my nephew, and of course, I understand how Thorena feels," Hardim said, staring at Ard and Eva with a serious expression.
"Hmm... alright. Tomorrow, you both will come with us. You’re okay with that, Geoffrey?" Ard asked.
"Of course I’m okay with it. I understand, and you don’t need to worry; I’ll look after Thorena," Geoffrey said, putting his arm around Thorena with a determined look on his face.
"Thank you, Geoffrey," Thorena murmured, looking toward him.
"It’s only right that I help you; there’s no need for thanks," Geoffrey answered.
Finally, they began to coordinate the plans for tomorrow’s assault alongside Kresus’s troops led by Lesnar, scheduled for after Kresus and Irina headed to the palace to see King Vogir. At this moment, Kresus and Lesnar were discussing their attack strategy, while Ard and Eva were talking things over with Hardim and Thorena. Meanwhile, Irwin was updating his friends and explaining everything to them. Irina remained in Kresus’s study, staying invisible just to be safe and to listen in on Kresus’s plans.
