The Villainess Whom I Had Served for 13 Years Has Fallen - Chapter 391



391 – The Times Consumed by Revenge -12-

I enjoyed the time spent with him.

Even if it was a deceitful lure.

– …Then, we must make Shaltia the emperor.

– …Gulp.

– A treasure that can bring the dead back to life… It’s something I desperately need.

– If you make me the emperor, I’ll give you this authority.

I was glad that the time spent with him grew longer.

Ricardo had said.

Is it okay if the plan we set up goes awry?

– Are you really okay with this?

– What…?

– You said you were going to travel to the Kingdom of Frederica. Then you won’t be able to go on the trip…

– It’s okay…! It’s what I want anyway.

That day, I clenched my fist and thought.

“Because I want to avenge my mother’s death.”

” … “

“In fact, I wanted revenge. That’s why… I was planning to go to Frederica.”

“I don’t know if I made the right choice. Maybe I ruined a better future.”

“Don’t worry about it. I want revenge. You want the national treasure… That’s all we need to think about.”

I thought I could start over the things I had given up on. And I was happy to be able to do it with him.

With a sincere heart.

I really liked him.

“No backing out.”

“Of course.”

“Never betray me.”

“…I can be betrayed.”

“What are you saying? That’s disheartening…”

“Haha! Just kidding.”

Because he was capable.

If we consider the ratio of expectations and desires.

The joy of being with him was 80%.

The thought of becoming an emperor was only 20%.

Still.

‘I’m not alone.’

I was glad not to be alone.

I felt really sorry for Ricardo, who was deceived by lies, but I was really glad that I could spend more time with him.

-Then… I guess I have to quit the academy now.

-Oh…? There’s no need for that.

-No. Once I’ve decided to support you, I have to do my best. And… I’ve been thoroughly hated by my friends, so there’s no reason to stay at the academy anymore.

“Friends…?”

“…Yes. Friends I want to approach but cannot.”

That day, Ricardo knelt on one knee and kissed the back of my hand. Like a knight swearing loyalty.

“What are you doing?”

Ricardo said nothing and just stared at my hand.

“Third-year student of the Swordsmanship Department, Ricardo, from now on, I will be your sword.”

“…”

“Even though it’s just a superficial ceremony.”

A small, sad smile appeared on Ricardo’s lips as he kissed the back of my hand.

“…For your happiness.”

“…”

“I will wield my sword.”

“…Why are you being so embarrassing?”

“For your smile, I will live in hell.”

“…”

“Even if it means my destruction, for the peace of this world.”

“This is a bit embarrassing.”

No matter what words are spoken.

No matter what actions are taken.

Ricardo’s loyalty, once he learns the truth later, will not return to him. I endured the bitter heartache and leaned on that moment of happiness.

“I swear loyalty.”

In fact, that guy…

‘…’

He knew all my lies.

-Part 1 (The Sword of Rebellion) ends here.

*

“Huff…! Huff…!”

Shalltear, who had awakened from the reading, sat at the desk with a blank expression.

It wasn’t something amazing that she had seen.

“…”

Her heart was pounding like crazy.

“…Haa.”

Terrifyingly so.

She thought she had been trapped in the reading for quite a long time, but seeing the clock, only 3 hours had passed. Shalltear let out a deep sigh and leaned back in her chair.

“Really… I don’t know.”

She couldn’t predict how things would proceed from here.

Would Ricardo make her an emperor as he did in the reading? Or would Ricardo, realizing the lies, start a rebellion?

“…”

It was true that the emperor had the right to possess one national treasure, but she had never heard of a national treasure that could save a person.

And if such a national treasure existed, she would have used it to save her dead mother.

“I don’t know.”

As her head began to ache from thoughts that were hard to grasp, the blue window started to speak briefly about what was to come, as if it understood Shaltia’s mind.

– You and Ricardo began to quickly build your power.

– Your sword, with its excellent strategy and strength comparable to the commander of the imperial knights, grew rapidly.

– As the end of your revenge approached, you began to fear him. At the same time, you also depended on him.

– He continued to protect you without change.

– The wind is blowing.

– The ‘wind of rebellion’ brought by those who were bitten on the neck by you. It begins to blow coolly, carrying a wicked season.

– If you wish to view part 2 (The Broken Sword), please say the word ‘tyrant’.

‘…’

I need to get some fresh air.

I don’t have the courage right now.

Shaltia stepped outside with a trembling body.

*

“Oh ho ho… It’s Shuen.”

Shuen, who had seized first place in the ranking match, had become a popular star at the academy and was enjoying a popularity she had never felt before.

– Isn’t that Shuen? The strongest in the academy!

– Wow…! As expected of a noble! The eldest daughter of the Tetra family!

– The pride of the academy.

Of course, she had never heard such words, but Shuen, who was happy to become the academy’s popular figure in her heart, thought so.

And then.

“Can’t you sit somewhere else?”

“No, I don’t want to.”

“Sigh…”

Hannah, who was sitting next to Shuen, was also breaking out in a cold sweat while listening to Shuen’s exploits.

“Can you see it? The gazes of the students worshipping me!!!”

“We’re the only ones in the café…”

“…Be quiet!”

“Ugh…”

Hystania Hannah and Tetra Shuen had been spending more time together since they had a common point of contact named ‘Ricardo’. Of course, it was mostly Shuen’s one-sided interest… They were also rivals in love, liking the same man. They had many things to talk about because of their convenience store job.

They had become close enough to call each other ‘friends’.

And then.

“Why are you fighting?”

I was also sitting next to them, talking.

Resting my chin on the table, I smiled as I listened to Shuen’s lively recount of his exploits.

“How was it, commoner? My fantastic swordsmanship!”

“It was very impressive.”

“Oh ho ho…! Really? I guess I have more talent in swordsmanship than magic.”

“I knew you would win, Shuen.”

“You’re making me blush…”

Shuen blushed and fidgeted with his fingers. Hannah sighed and shook her head.

“Please, butler… don’t indulge him too much.”

“Ahaha! Really? I find it cute.”

“What?!”

“Of course, Hannah, you’re cute too.”

“Uh… uh… phew…”

You might wonder why a dropout is at the academy, but it was because Malik asked me to work as a special teacher during the academy’s break. I was also investigating and catching up with old friends.

I needed to know who would be taking the special classes.

“…Hmm.”

Hannah, her face flushed, looked at me and smiled.

“…Is there something on my face?”

“No?”

“Then is it handsomeness?”

“That’s right…”

I almost spat out my coffee at Hannah’s unreserved compliment, and I chuckled as I patted her head.

“Thank you for the compliment.”

“Huh…?”

“Hannah, you’ve worked hard too. If Mikhail hadn’t wielded the holy sword, you would have won.”

“…No. Equipment is also a skill.”

“There’s no need to feel discouraged. If you’re good enough to receive my praise, you’re amazing.”

“Master…!”

Shuen pushed away Hannah’s face as she tried to hug him.

“That’s cheating!”

“Youuu!!”

“Where do you think you’re going!”

He was really a funny person.

I enjoyed the moment with a pleasant smile. The ranking match was over, and the beast subjugation was finished. It felt like I could finally catch my breath.

When I first fell into this world, I promised myself I wouldn’t live a busy life. But now, I feel like I’m drifting further away from a peaceful, idle life.

“Hey, commoner.”

Shuen, who was sipping coffee, glanced at me and spoke.

“Is there a place you’d like to live?”

“What?”

“Like in front of the sea, or maybe the capital… Is there a place you’d like to live if you succeed?”

“Hmm…? Why are you asking that all of a sudden?”

“It’s a noble’s duty to investigate the wishes of commoners…! I, Tetra Shuen, am a kind noble who listens to the wishes of commoners.”

“Oh…”

“But that doesn’t mean I’ll buy you a house! I’m just saying I’ll listen.”

“Hmm… I see.”

I answered Shuen’s absurd question with a chuckle.

“There is a famous mansion in Hamel.”

“Hamel…? Why that remote village?”

“They say it’s the house of the villainess.”

“Gasp?!”

“The air is good, the sunlight is abundant… It’s an incredibly nice mansion to live in. And it’s not far from the capital either. So, I think that mansion would be the best place. Of course, it’s the house I’m living in now.”

“Gasp… The house of the villainess, you say.”

Shuen thought seriously.

‘Should I meet her once…?’

Thinking about meeting Desmond Olivia.

-Click. Click.

“Why are you saying such useless things?”

“Those who are eliminated from the ranking match should stay quiet.”

“You…!”

“Oh ho ho! Because I’m the first place…!”

-Click… Click…

“Let’s fight again.”

“No way!”

“Let’s fight again!”

“I, Shuen, am a person who values honor!”

-Click…

“Huh…?”

I smiled at the woman who stopped in front of the table where Shuen and Hannah were talking.

“You look tired again today, Princess.”

It was Shartia.

Shartia, who was always drenched in fatigue.