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Chapter 106
🕑 Added 2024-12-09 16:02:01 +0000 UTCHowever...
It didn’t seem to make much difference???
After eliminating all the guards on the scene, Uvogin slammed his fist into the iron door of the vault, ripping it off and crushing it into a ball of metal.
With another throw, he sent the iron ball hurtling hundreds of meters away, taking out dozens more approaching guards in the process.
"Uvogin, well done!"
Phinks praised him while crouching down to rummage through the corpses, tossing aside firearms.
"This stuff, though, is more useful~"
He held up a handful of grenades, weighing them in his palm, and then casually tossed them into the rushing crowd.
BOOM!
The small explosions lit up the night sky, adding a touch of brilliance to the chaos.
"Shall we?"
Chrollo led the way into the vault, with Nobunaga, Feitan, and Phinks following closely behind.
Uvogin, however, stayed outside, his eyes fixed on the approaching wave of figures emerging from the night. He let out a hearty laugh and shouted, "So many people! Just what I wanted—I love it when you all line up to die."
As he spoke, he stomped his feet, causing the ground beneath him to crack and fracture.
Whoosh!
He leapt into the air like a meteor and descended into the gathering crowd. His right fist, enveloped in an overwhelming aura, bristled with destructive power.
"Big Bang Impact!!"
His Nen-enhanced punch exploded with devastating force, akin to a blazing sun rising in the dark night.
BOOM!
The impact created a massive crater in the ground, and the shockwave sent countless figures flying in all directions.
"Hahaha!"
Uvogin threw his head back in a roar of laughter, exhilarated.
"This is amazing—just amazing!!"
While Uvogin was having the time of his life, the explosive sound of his Big Bang Impact clearly echoed into the palace banquet.
BOOM!
The sudden, thunderous noise shook the entire palace, causing the walls to tremble.
"What’s going on?!"
The guests erupted in a commotion, their shock and confusion filling the grand hall like a swarm of buzzing flies. No one had expected such an alarming disturbance within the royal palace.
“Ladies and gentlemen!”
At this moment, the aged prince of the Mossibian royal family—well into his seventies—made his appearance.
"What you just heard was a royal salute specially prepared to celebrate my mother’s birthday!"
Despite his years, the old prince still exuded vitality. Smiling warmly, he added, "It’s all meant to give my dear mother and all of you a surprise. There will be more firework sounds later, which may be a bit noisy, so I kindly ask for your understanding."
The prince’s sincere apology, combined with the explanation that it was for his mother’s celebration, appeased the guests. Many graciously expressed that they didn’t mind.
However, the seventh prince of the Kakin Empire, Luzurus, wore a skeptical expression that soon gave way to a playful smile.
"Those sounds just now definitely weren’t fireworks," he muttered to himself.
It seemed tonight’s banquet wouldn’t proceed quietly—there was going to be a show worth watching.
After making a round of apologies with his hands clasped together, the old prince left the banquet.
The moment he entered a private room, his warm demeanor vanished, replaced by a dark, brooding expression.
"Who can explain to me what’s going on?!"
His voice was low, seething with fury, as he glared at the military officers responsible for security.
Gone was the composed elegance from earlier. His face twisted with rage, and his tone was venomous.
"Your Highness, this... this..."
The lead officer, a man who bore a strong resemblance to the leader Morin had encountered during the earlier powder transport operation, wiped the sweat from his forehead and forced an awkward smile.
"This was an accident! Just an accident!"
"An accident?!" The prince’s eyes narrowed into slits, his voice rising. "You’re telling me that something like this, on the night of my mother’s birthday celebration, is just an accident?!"
He seized the officer by the collar, pulling him close enough to see the veins bulging in his temples.
"How could they reach the vault without alerting anyone? Are you seriously suggesting this was accidental?!"
"Maybe they have some kind of genius in their group, someone skilled in avoiding detection?" The officer stammered, wiping off the spit that had landed on his face.
"Even if that’s possible," the prince snarled, shoving the man to the ground, "do you realize how many casualties your guards have suffered?! And them? So far, only five of them have shown up, and your troops can’t even handle one of them?!
"No matter how extraordinary their skills are, it shouldn’t be to this extent. Or is it that your men are simply incompetent?!"
He advanced again, slapping the officer’s face hard, his bloodshot eyes glinting with unrestrained fury.
"If the vault is breached and the treasures our royal family has collected for generations are stolen, how will our kingdom maintain its dignity on this continent?!
"And what if, heaven forbid, this chaos affects my mother or the guests? Do you realize the Mossibian Kingdom will become the laughingstock of the entire world?! Should I use your head to appease everyone?!"
"I understand, Your Highness!" The officer gulped, nodding repeatedly. "I’ll do everything in my power to minimize the impact of this and capture those criminals!"
The severity of the prince’s outburst, even threatening the officer with being a scapegoat, underscored just how enraged and desperate he was.
"My mother—how is she?"
Seeing the chubby officer's earnest attitude, the old prince's tone softened slightly, but it remained cold and unyielding.
"After meeting the guests, the Queen Mother returned to the reception room to rest. She’s currently chatting casually with Mr. Chogelama from V5," the officer quickly replied, clearly well-informed about the matter.
"With someone of importance from V5, is she?"
The old prince’s expression eased at this news. For now, it seemed his mother was safe.
"How’s the task I assigned you coming along?"
As if reminded of something, the prince’s gaze turned icy as he looked at the officer.
"You can rest assured about that!!"
Straightening his posture, the officer declared with confidence, "I’ve arranged for my distant nephew to lead a team outside to produce the white-powder stuff. The first batch is expected to be delivered here tonight.
"The new product is more intense and more addictive than before. Satisfying your desires, Your Highness, is absolutely not a problem!!
"Once you approve, we can move into mass production and distribute this product to other nations... Hehehe!"
As he imagined the implications, the officer’s face twisted into a devious and ruthless grin.
"Be cautious and make sure no one discovers this," the prince warned, his tone low. "Otherwise, stirring up international backlash would be highly undesirable. Furthermore..."
The prince trailed off, fixing the officer with a sharp look.
"Don’t worry about a thing!"
The officer, breaking out in a cold sweat, immediately promised, "If the operation is exposed and the plan fails, I’ll be the first to step forward and take the blame."
Even as he spoke, his mind was racing, already plotting how to flee the moment things went south.
"Good that you understand."
The prince didn’t press further.
Try running when the time comes—if you even have the means.
Both men harbored their own schemes but refrained from speaking them aloud. For the moment, an air of uneasy harmony settled between them.
"Actually..."
At that moment, an aide stepped forward from the old prince’s side.
"This situation might be an excellent opportunity for Your Highness."
The aide spoke in a soft tone.
Whoosh!
The old prince turned his head sharply, locking eyes with the aide.
Even the chubby officer looked up, his face full of surprise.
Since everyone present was part of the old prince’s inner circle, the chubby officer’s grave mistake hadn’t led to immediate punishment. Hence, the aide felt emboldened enough to speak freely, even in front of everyone.
"The Queen Mother... perhaps she’s held her position for far too long."
With that, the aide fell silent, lowering his gaze as though he had said nothing at all.
The chubby officer quickly bowed his head, pretending he hadn’t heard a word.
After a moment of silence, the old prince left without saying anything.
The officer exhaled heavily, while the aide wiped the sweat from his forehead. His back was drenched, yet a faint smile curled at his lips.
He knew the prince had been swayed.
Indeed, the Queen Mother had occupied her position for far too long.
How could a prince remain a crown prince for over seventy years?!
Meanwhile, within the royal treasury of the Mossibian Kingdom~
Chrollo paid no attention to the dazzling gold and the collection of artistic masterpieces around him.
He strode to the innermost section, where an empty display case stood before him. Covering half of his face with his hand, he murmured:
"It’s not here?"
He paused thoughtfully. "It seems the Queen must have taken it with her, wearing it on her person."
"That was within expectations. The next step is to locate the Queen’s whereabouts."
"She’s currently in conversation with a V5 official, correct?"
