The Billionaire CEO Becomes the Youngest Emperor-Chapter 17 - 16: Where is the card ?

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Thank you so much for your patience and support! Now that the exam period is finally over, I'm back and more motivated than ever. Your loyalty and encouragement have been a huge source of inspiration for me.

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With all my gratitude,

Anonymouzs

_____

After Lucian's decision—or rather, the emperor's—the authorities had already seized my father's estate.

As a member of the nobility, I was entitled to a monthly stipend... just enough to survive. But that money could only keep me afloat, while the house servants, who had families to feed, were left with nothing. So I made a decision: I gave up my right to that stipend for them.

Then, I sought out an old acquaintance of my father's

He was a lumberjack from Fjordale, a small village within the empire's capital. My goal was to work there... I was now on my own. If I wanted to continue my studies at the Imperial Academy, I had to earn money—and fast. Tuition for the next semester alone amounted to 100,000 Velts, (equivalent of 100,000 dollars.)

After making my decision, I knew I had to act quickly. Money was a necessity, and there was no room for pride or shame. The time for hesitation was over. And so, I found myself at the lumber camp, my axe in hand, my mind focused solely on the need to survive.

I hadn't planned on meeting anyone significant that day, but a familiar voice shattered my fragile peace.

— "Damn, you're pretty strong for a fallen noble piece of shit."

A deep, mocking voice rang out behind me. I turned slowly, resting my axe on my shoulder.

A towering, bald man with an imposing build approached. His clothes were simple, but his relaxed stance betrayed his arrogance.

I bowed slightly, as etiquette demanded.

The man gave me a wide grin before shrugging dramatically, as if disappointed.

— "How can someone be this gorgeous... and this strong at the same time, huh? That bastard Clerc sure was lucky... up until now."

— "Yeah, he was lucky... up until now."

— "Hahaha!"

Laughter erupted around the lumber camp, their mocking voices echoing across the worksite.

The details of the grand assembly weren't public knowledge yet, but rumors were already spreading like wildfire throughout the capital.

Then, an unpleasant voice cut through the noise.

— "You're putting your employer in a difficult position, Adeline."

The speaker was the head of the camp... and an old "acquaintance of my father's."

His gaze slowly raked over me, lingering in ways that made my skin crawl. He licked his lips slowly, and the other men around us did the same, their eyes filled with vile intent.

But I didn't move. I didn't even blink. I simply stared ahead, expressionless.

— "I like that look..." he said, his sickly sweet voice making my stomach turn. "You know, I've got a much better-paying job for you. You're a smart girl. You know what I mean, don't you?"

Silence was my only response.

— "Hahaha... I knew you'd accept. But you understand, don't you? I have to test the goods before making a deal."

A twisted smile stretched across his lips.

— "And while we're at it, I think we should invite some of our friends here... so they can give a more detailed review, you see?"

The air grew thick, suffocating.

The stares became heavier, more oppressive.

These men... they were disgusting.

---

Meanwhile, deep in a forest...

— "I'm going to use a skill to at least get us close to the 5th Empire... Before coming here, I studied its location and coordinates. Based on that, I believe we're in a nearby forest."

Astrid spoke calmly, her gaze fixed on the little girl sleeping in her arms.

Lucian, however, was lost in thought.

I see... As expected of the author's favorite, she's smart when she wants to be.

She was about to use a Chromatic Technique.

The Chromatic Technique was a unique power exclusive to Astrid, the heroine of this story. It consisted of twelve levels of mastery, each associated with a specific color. With each new level, Astrid unlocked a dramatic boost in her abilities, as well as unique skills tied to the color she had mastered.

It was essentially a cheat code.

Of course, there was always a price to pay for using such abilities.

For instance, the Purple technique allowed her to teleport. The cost? Short-range teleportation drained her energy, while long-distance teleportation consumed her lifespan.

So, if the empire is nearby, she shouldn't suffer too much from this... Lucian thought.

But even this method wasn't a guaranteed way to bypass the magical barriers surrounding the 5th Empire.

— "Very well. We'll proceed as planned. But once we arrive, you'll have to hide the fact that you're from the 11th Empire. You'll pose as my vassals—that's the only way to enter discreetly."

His companions clearly disliked the idea. Pretending to be subordinates of a weaker empire was a blow to their pride, especially after the humiliation of today's defeat.

— "Understood."

The 16-year-old girl nodded without hesitation and handed the little girl to one of Lucian's soldiers.

Then, she began removing the remaining pieces of her armor—the armor that proudly bore the lion crest, symbol of the 11th Empire.

— "But... Impera..." one of her knights protested.

— "The lives of my people come before any pride." she declared firmly.

The wounded soldiers trembled at her words, deeply moved by their empress's determination.

— "GOOD! GATHER AROUND ME!" Astrid commanded, her voice unwavering.

Without hesitation, Astrid's knights, Lucian's men, and even Lucian himself obeyed.

Usually, free services are inferior to paid ones—it's common sense. Lucian smirked.

But this... this isn't just cheap, nor is it overpriced... it's completely free.

Hahaha... A capitalist like me loves profit... and even more so, quality services that cost nothing.

He stepped closer to Astrid, watching as her body began radiating a violet aura.

A ridiculously overpowered protagonist...

— "First Chromatic Technique: Purple." Astrid announced.

The soldiers tensed. After all, no one knew where they would end up. Perhaps in a place even more dangerous than this forest...

And if this lunatic drained herself dry before we even arrived, we'd all get swatted like flies

— "TELEPORTATION!"

Lucian sighed.

Are teleportation techniques in this world always this shitty, or is it just me?

It was like a stage play: the red curtain lifted, and suddenly, an entirely new backdrop took its place.

Huh huh huh...

— "Impress..."

— "Captain..."

Astrid was gasping for breath, visibly drained from using her Chromatic Technique.

— "It's... done... We're here... It's your turn now, Lucian..." she managed to say between ragged breaths.

Indeed, it was my turn.

Before us stood a massive wall, so colossal that its beginning and end were lost to the horizon. In the center, a monumental gate loomed, guarded by two men.

This was the entrance to one of the most powerful empires on the continent: the 5th Empire.

— "Soldiers! Support Astrid's men. We need to move. We've already wasted enough time."

We set off, marching for a good dozen minutes before reaching the monumental gate.

Alright... Everything is in place. But there's a problem.

Astrid. Even without her armor, there was still a risk she'd be recognized as the Empress of the 11th Empire.

A smirk curled on my lips.

As if these guys cared one bit about the Northern Empires

— "HALT! State your identity!"

The two guards glared at us with obvious disdain, clearly irritated by our presence.

— "I am Lucian, Emperor of the 13th Empire."

— "Yeah? So what?"

That son of a...

Behind me, my soldiers shifted uncomfortably.

— "I've come to the 5th Empire to have my vassals treated by the clergy."

One of the guards let out an exaggerated sigh before scoffing:

— "Pfff... Every damn day, we get scum like you showing up... Tsk. Look, just turn around and go back where you came from, and there won't be any problems."

He made a dismissive hand gesture, as if shooing away an insect.

— "Would be a shame if you lost a second arm... by accident, wouldn't it?"

That bastard...

— "You should watch your tongue... Would be a shame if it got cut off, don't you think?" I shot back, a cold smile on my lips.

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The second guard, visibly irritated, stepped toward me, but his colleague stopped him with a gesture.

— "Calm down."

No point arguing with these idiots... But both of you are already on my blacklist.

Without another word, I reached into my pocket to pull out the golden card. This card held absolute power—an all-access pass in any territory governed by a holy clergy.

Flip. Flip.

— "Huh...?"

Flip. Flip.

What?! I frantically searched through my pockets, under the increasingly puzzled stares of my soldiers... and my opponents.

No... No...

Cold sweat started forming on my forehead.

Where is it? Where the hell is that damn card?!