Living As the Villainess Queen (Web Novel KR)-Chapter 405.1

When the kings enter the capital, their first priority is to breach the defensive magic barrier. Troops assembled outside the city must then infiltrate and defeat larks to minimize casualties. Although larks passing through the barrier may destabilize the spell, it doesn't guarantee an immediate rupture. It could eventually shatter, but even the wandering elders couldn't predict when.

The five kings, excluding the Dark King, pledged to prioritize destroying the spell, regardless of who entered the capital first. Consequently, as soon as Kasser entered the city, he made a beeline for the Muen family estate. His objective was to pinpoint the location of the magic array.

Previously, like most people, Kasser had assumed the Muen family's wealth stemmed from their special abilities. However, through his experiences, he realized that Muen possessed a hidden reservoir of power and a vast network of information. He was convinced that if the Muen family didn't know the location of the magic array, no one would.

Though unfamiliar with the estate's exact layout, Kasser knew its general location. Anyone familiar with the city would. Unlike the opulent mansions closer to the city center, the Muen estate was secluded, untouched by the larks that had already overrun other parts of the city.

Kasser wasted no time on formalities, vaulting over the estate's walls. The security was formidable. A cursory glance revealed dozens of guards, and even more unseen presences lurked in the shadows.

Upon detecting an intruder, the guards were quick to draw their weapons. However, they froze upon recognizing Kasser. He addressed the first guard he met, his voice firm, "Where is the head of the household? I must see him immediately."

"W-What? Ah, yes, Your Majesty," the man stammered, clearly taken aback.

The man's confusion was evident as he nudged a nearby guard, "What are you doing? Go inform him at once!"

The other guard, startled, nodded and hurried inside. As Kasser followed the man, who bowed respectfully and offered to lead him, he sensed a flicker of movement in the corner of his eye. A figure was trying to slip away. Kasser extended a hand, a surge of Praz-infused energy lancing towards the man.

"Ugh!" The man groaned, collapsing to the ground.

"Who is he?" the watching guard asked, his voice filled with surprise.

"He's from the palace," Kasser replied. He chuckled, his eyes scanning the surroundings. "Arrest anyone from the palace. As of today, the palace no longer exists. Every last one of those who abused their power under its protection will be held accountable and punished."

The estate's servants, who had been watching with growing unease, were suddenly electrified. The palace spies had long been a source of resentment, their arrogance toward even the household's family members well-known. Their treatment of the hired staff had been nothing short of tyrannical.

A man swung his spear at the nearest palace spy, bellowing, "I never thought I'd live to see the day!"

Like a dam bursting, the crowd erupted, their fury directed at the capital's spies. At first, the spies resisted, but they were quickly overwhelmed. Their shouts of defiance, "You fools! Do you think His Holiness will let this slide?" fell on deaf ears.

Thas, rushing out to investigate the commotion, found the courtyard in chaos. When he saw Kasser approaching, his expression hardened, and he bowed his head. "Your Majesty, the head of the household is indisposed. And besides, no one is supposed to enter the capital. How did you…?"

"This is an urgent matter. Can I not see the head of the family?" Kasser demanded.

Thas's face darkened. "My father… he has been unconscious for days." Check latest chapters at novèlfire.net

"I see… In that case, do you know where I need to go to unlock the door?"

"Pardon? Ah!" Thas's eyes widened in realization. "The Anikas' annex. That's the place."

Kasser nodded and turned to leave, but paused. He looked back at Thas. "My wife has been eager to meet you. We'll visit soon."

Even after Kasser vanished over the wall, Thas stood there for a long time, as if his shadow lingered. The chaos behind him felt like the harbinger of a great change. Overwhelmed with emotion, Thas blinked rapidly and gazed up at the sky.

As soon as Kasser left the Muen estate, he launched a signal flare. With a thunderous boom, blue smoke billowed across the sky. The kings who had successfully entered the capital paused in their tracks, their eyes drawn upwards.

"It's the Fourth King," someone murmured.

They had agreed that whichever king found the location of the magic array would immediately signal the others. The flare's color corresponded to each king's Praz, making it easy to identify the sender. Since the Fourth King would take care of destroying the spell, the other kings heading to the Muen estate altered their course.

Pered made his way to a secure location where all important documents had been gathered. Akil rallied the visible warriors—though they weren't his own, nor did he know who they were—and headed for the Holy Palace.

Richard began directing the scattered soldiers to hunt larks. Soon, the barrier spell would break, and larks would no longer be needed.

However, outside the capital, one king watched the Fourth King's flare with frustration. He had failed multiple times to enter the city.

"So the Fourth King made it inside! Damn it, am I going to be the last one to get in?" he growled.

Perched on his shoulder, his unusually small companion, Krak, flapped its wings as if urging him on.

"Hold on. Don't distract me," Riner snapped.

While Riner made yet another attempt to enter the capital—he'd lost count by this point—Kasser, riding Abu, swiftly arrived at the palace annex. There was no sign of larks in the vicinity, only the distant screams of terror.

"I have no idea where Anika Flora cast the spell," Kasser mused, surveying the palace. It didn't seem to be within the palace itself.

Dismounting from Abu, Kasser addressed the black horse. "Go hunt larks. For today, you're free to run wild."

During his active periods, Kasser rarely allowed Abu to hunt larks, fearing that the beast's already fierce nature might become even more savage. But after witnessing the other kings' spirit beasts, his perspective changed. Abu was simply born that way, and Kasser had come to accept it.

With a snort and a shake, Abu transformed into a black panther and, like a wild colt, sprinted towards the source of the noise without looking back.

Kasser glanced at his shoulder. "You too, little one," he said.

The small squirrel leaped to the ground. It looked back and forth between Kasser and the direction Abu had gone before it began to change. For the first time since Kasser had captured it, the little one transformed into a giant lizard. Its thick, long tail swaying, it ran off at an impressive speed.