The Villainess Whom I Had Served for 13 Years Has Fallen - Chapter 359



359 – Ricardo’s Authority

The West.

A land surrounded by the sea on three sides.

The endlessly stretching sea beyond the horizon is the heart of the empire’s trade and, at the same time, a region sensitive to external invasions.

The land of the West is fertile, with strong plants taking root and yielding abundant harvests every year.

Thanks to the characteristic of being surrounded by the sea on three sides, trade developed, and commerce flourished rapidly, with large merchant guilds extensively distributed in the West.

If there is one flaw in this perfect West, it is the poor security. The pirates targeting the territory almost daily and the monstrous creatures lurking in the western seas were the biggest drawbacks that offset the advantages of the West.

No one says the West is bad, but there is a reason why people flock to the capital instead of the West.

If we were to point out one more major drawback….

It would be that the power of the ‘Wolfgang’ Marquis family is the strongest in the West.

“….”

The Crown Prince spoke to me in a chilly voice.

“…Arrogant for a mere commoner who knows nothing.”

The Crown Prince, who had been lectured on politics by a commoner, opened his cold eyes and spoke to me in a low voice.

“Hey Ricardo. Do you know what you just said?”

“I know.”

“And yet you brought up the support for the West to me?”

The Crown Prince’s tone was cold.

The Crown Prince’s voice, coldly biting like an informant who had caught a hint, was transforming into the figure of someone standing at the pinnacle of power.

“A mere commoner.”

“….”

“A commoner whose origin is unknown.”

“….”

“Daring to speak to the Crown Prince of the empire. Do you know how big of a problem it is to bring up politics?”

The Crown Prince let out a hollow laugh and muttered to himself. This is why Desmond is a problem. When Olivia’s incident happened, it should have been dealt with all at once. It irritated people.

– Squeeze.

I held my tongue while looking at the Crown Prince. I had to understand the weight of the words I was about to utter.

The Crown Prince wouldn’t know.

How much of an impact the advice I was giving would have on his life.

Out of courtesy, I spoke to the Crown Prince.

With a warning not to drive many people to death for personal feelings.

From the moment the Crown Prince empowers Wolfgang, darkness will come into his life.

As the novel enters its middle, the atmosphere of this world begins to darken.

Numerous terrorist attacks will occur in the capital, and the heretics who had been hiding in the shadows will start to stride openly. Perhaps, having lost two apostles, the heretics might have gone mad.

They had to somehow weaken and devour the empire’s national power. Only then could they take a step closer to achieving their grand goal, and from the moment they lost their main forces, the heretics’ movements might have accelerated.

And the first of those movements.

Will originate from the west.

Knowing the large-scale massacre that occurs in the novel, I closed my eyes tightly and spoke to the Crown Prince.

“Empowering the west is not a good choice.”

Wolfgang Louis, supported by the royal family, will gradually begin to expand his power, and in the process, he will get involved with the heretics.

Joining hands with pirates.

Joining hands with heretics.

And by joining hands with them, he will tame the beasts and slowly begin to seize power.

‘I am the king of the west.’

Wolfgang Louis was a man mad for power. He would do anything for power. His greed was directed at the throne.

I know.

That power-mad Wolfgang will kill Mikhail’s mother. And that the Crown Prince will condone it.

For certain power.

And to create a horse that obeys his words.

So I say.

To keep your mind straight.

I was warning him that what he was thinking now was nurturing the seeds of rebellion.

Whether he understood my consideration or not, the Crown Prince was glaring at me with fierce eyes.

“Why?”

“…”

“Is it because Desmond couldn’t take control of the south?”

“…”

“To keep the west in check, it seems like you’re asking me for a favor… Am I wrong?”

“Desmond has no interest in the regime. He doesn’t think deeply about the next royal power either.”

“Do you think a mere commoner represents Desmond?”

“…”

“Know your place.”

The Crown Prince let out a deep breath and retorted to me.

“The Empire has always had the duty to develop the West. To capture the beast coiled in the West and to fully activate trade.”

“You should also consider that the beast is preventing foreign invasions.”

“War doesn’t happen so easily. And if war breaks out… we just crush them.”

“Are you planning to conquer when you become Emperor?”

“There’s nothing wrong with that. The Empire’s prestige is still lacking.”

“Ha… I’ll stop here. The conversation seems to be getting heated.”

‘Idiot.’

The conversation seemed to be getting longer.

I didn’t want to look at the ugly man’s face any longer. I hurriedly finished my words and smiled slightly at the Crown Prince.

“Do you know which family holds the greatest power in the West, Your Highness?”

“The Marquis of Wolfgang.”

“I hope you think carefully about what kind of family Wolfgang is.”

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The Crown Prince gritted his teeth as he watched my departing figure.

“When I become Emperor, I’ll get rid of Desmond first.”

“Go ahead.”

“I can’t stand the sight of those insignificant people whining with their petty authority anymore.”

“Do as you please.”

The Crown Prince clenched his fist as he saw my unyielding attitude.

“You’ll regret this.”

“…”

“You’ll definitely regret it.”

I stopped walking, turned my head, and spoke quietly to the Crown Prince.

“I have clearly stated.”

“…”

“Whatever happens, I have no intention of helping.”

I threw a sneer at the Crown Prince as I left.

“The future of the Empire looks bright.”

“…”

“So… bright. Pfft…!”

*

“Mmnya.”

Olivia, who was flying in Darvav’s arms, was throwing the crumbs of the finished snack to the ground.

“Olivia.”

“Eek?”

“What are you doing?”

“Feeding the pigeons.”

“…Where do you see pigeons?”

“Over there.”

Olivia pointed towards a tiny figure in the distance.

“Isn’t that a pigeon?”

“Hmm…”

Darvav cast a vision enhancement spell and looked where Olivia’s finger was pointing. He saw a man frowning as crumbs fell on his head and nodded.

“Indeed.”

“Right?”

“Yes.”

The person hit by the crumbs was the second highest-ranking person in the empire.

– Who is this…!

It was the Crown Prince.

Darvav, who had Olivia wrapped in a bundle, asked Olivia, who had her mouth open.

“Olivia.”

“Yes?”

“Isn’t it time to return to the social gathering?”

“Social gathering?”

“Didn’t you enjoy going to parties?”

“Hmm…”

Olivia pouted her lips and thought deeply about Darvav’s words. Attending social gatherings was fun, but it was also bothersome.

“Daddy. You know I can’t fight right now.”

“…Hm? What’s that sound?”

“Social gatherings are places for fighting. You know, pulling hair and throwing punches.”

“…In a broad sense, that’s true, but it’s not necessarily a place where you have to fight.”

“It’s no fun if there’s no fighting.”

Darvav was relieved by Olivia’s strong denial. He thought that if he sent his daughter back to the social gatherings, the young ladies’ hair wouldn’t survive.

Thinking he didn’t understand his daughter well enough, Darvav kept his mouth shut and focused on flying.

With her mouth open, catching the wind, Olivia asked Darvav a question.

“Father.”

“Why?”

“Who do you think will be the next emperor?”

“Emperor?”

“Yeah. Do you think it will be the crown prince?”

Darvav shook his head.

“Why do you think that?”

“Because it seems like the emperor favors him.”

“Indeed, the crown prince has the emperor’s support, but I don’t think so.”

“Then will you become the king?”

Darvav let out a hollow laugh and looked down at the imperial palace beneath his feet. Seeing the splendidly built palace and the numerous knights wandering inside, Darvav shook his head vigorously as if the mere thought gave him a headache, and answered Olivia’s question.

“It would be bothersome to become the emperor.”

“Really?”

“Do you want to become the emperor?”

“No. I want to conquer the world, so I won’t.”

“Impressive.”

Olivia asked quietly.

“Father.”

“Why are you calling me again?”

“Is it okay for Ricardo to do whatever he wants?”

“What do you mean by whatever he wants?”

Olivia took out a chocolate from her treasure pouch and said.

“Ricardo is using our name everywhere.”

“That’s right.”

“What if he ruins the family?”

Darvab answered Olivia’s question with a smile.

“That guy isn’t acting out in the name of the family.”

“Then?”

“He’s acting out because he thinks he’s great.”

Olivia nodded while biting into her chocolate.

“Yeah. Ricardo is indeed great.”

“He’s not just great. He’s extraordinarily great.”

“Hehe…! I picked him up.”

“Well done.”

Olivia, who was wrapped in a blanket, laughed brightly at Darvab’s words and flew into the sky.

“Daddy. Fly me higher.”

Olivia was happy. She had one less worry. And Darvab was also happy.

Because it was Ricardo who brought this happiness.

“No matter what that guy does, it’ll be okay.”

“…”

“Even if he ruins the family. We can rebuild it.”

Darvab answered Olivia’s question while flying higher into the sky.

“That guy is Desmond.”

“Then what about brother?”

“The next head of the family.”

“And daddy?”

“The head of the family.”

“And mom?”

“…Rosanna is the master.”

Olivia spoke with a sullen expression.

“…Then what about me?”

Darvab patted Olivia’s head, who had lowered her head sullenly, and said.

“You are the treasure.”