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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 10
Chapter Title: The Reason the Villainess Wields a Sword
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In her previous life, Erin was never acknowledged by any of Ferdin's knights.
No, it wasn't a matter of acknowledgment. They always looked at Erin with eyes full of hatred.
Amon, Lilia, and all the knights who weren't present hated her and wanted her dead.
But they couldn't, because of Ferdin.
Erin vowed that this time, she would never shake their loyalty. She preferred that they hate her completely and solely.
"A knight who only knows how to run their mouth, I see."
Karon, who was behind Erin, gaped in surprise at her words. But he quickly came to his senses and reached out a hand to stop her.
Karon had provoked Amon because he was confident he wouldn't easily lose if he fought him. But Erin was different.
If Amon challenged her to a duel, Erin wouldn't be able to handle it.
Many thoughts flashed through Karon's mind and then vanished.
Since Erin had also become a prospective knight, it would be difficult for him to interfere with or take her place in a duel.
But his concern was rendered moot as she easily evaded Karon's hand.
Then, with a fluid, natural movement, she swiftly grabbed his hand.
Karon couldn't help but be surprised. He couldn't understand how Erin had managed to grab his hand.
He hadn't even perceived her movement as she took his hand.
The other knights also seemed to feel something strange about Erin's movements. The whispers of a few knights could be heard.
"Did you see that move just now?"
"I did."
"Really? I didn't see anything at all."
"Well, there was nothing special about it. Anyone can do that much."
Their conversation ceased when Amon unleashed a thick wave of killing intent towards Erin.
Gritting his teeth, he spoke to Erin, who stood in front of him.
Each word was laced with fierce energy.
"You... wish to die, don't you?"
***
To Amon's question of whether she wished to die, Erin wanted to answer that there was a time she did.
In the past, when Lilia sought to kill her, Erin had wished to die, believing it would atone for everyone.
If her death could erase the sorrow of losing her loved ones, she would have gladly sacrificed her life.
But that action would have been a deception towards Lilia. Erin's death could never substitute for theirs.
So, in this life, she intended to survive no matter what.
She swore to herself that even if she had to wallow in the mud, she would survive, avenge Calips's death, and tell Lilia the truth.
If Ferdin regained what he had lost because of her, and if Lilia still hated her after learning the truth, then Erin would either end her life by Lilia's hand or vanish without a trace.
Because it was true that Calips had died because of her.
Dying didn't scare her. She had already experienced death three times.
That's why Erin felt no emotion at Amon's words, "Do you wish to die?"
It was Karon who reacted violently to those words.
He began to radiate killing intent towards Amon, as if he could no longer hold back, and reached for his sword.
The killing intent was so strong that even the knights standing nearby grew tense.
Erin tightened her grip on Karon's hand. She glanced at Karon once before looking forward again.
Amon was still glaring at her with contempt.
"Sir Amon, you shouldn't throw around words like 'killing' so carelessly."
Erin said, meeting Amon's gaze.
Amon's eyes seemed to hold molten lava. His boiling gaze glowed as if it would incinerate her.
"Especially if you can't back up what you say."
At Erin's words, Amon felt his anger surge to his head.
"Are you... saying I can't kill you right now?"
Murder was a grave crime.
However, if it was the outcome of an honorable duel, it was absolutely no crime at all.
This meant that even if she died during the duel, the Resus Marquisate could not demand any retribution from him.
Erin looked at Amon and spoke calmly.
"Knights do not fight with words. If you have a grievance with me, draw your sword."
As Erin spoke, her eyes gleamed with resolute determination.
Amon's stomach twisted at her manner, as if she were truly a knight.
How dare a murderer speak of knights? One who knows no honor cannot be a knight.
And Erin Resus was further from being a knight than anyone else present.
Amon glared at Erin, grinding his teeth. If she wanted to die that badly, he was more than willing to oblige.
"You'll regret those words."
She had just made an arrogant choice.
If she hadn't transferred to the Swordsmanship Department and called herself a prospective knight, Amon could have endured it.
As one destined to be a knight, he couldn't draw a sword against a commoner, no matter how wicked they might be.
But Erin kept prodding Amon's nerves. He disliked her haughty gaze and demeanor, as if she were a true knight.
Why did a murderer pretend otherwise? Amon thought, caressing his sword.
If she wanted to be treated as a knight, then he would certainly treat her as such.
"If you want to die that badly, I'll kill you right now."
A palpable tension crackled between Erin and Amon.
"You can't do that."
At that moment, a sudden, small but resolute voice drew everyone's gaze in the same direction.
Erin, too, slowly turned her head. There stood Ashili Princess.
She was a beautiful woman with an ethereal face and long golden hair swept to one side.
The beloved of all. The Saintess of the Lexia Empire. And Ferdin's former lover.
Her appearance instantly shifted the atmosphere. The Princess possessed the power to change the very air around her just by being present.
The first to approach Ashili Princess was Derek, who had been observing the situation.
He supported the Princess, whose complexion seemed somewhat pale.
Due to the overflowing divine power within her body, the Princess often fell ill. Yet, despite her frail health, she participated in the monster extermination every year without fail.
This was because she was destined to be the Saintess who would lead the Lexia Empire.
"Princess, it's cold out. Why did you come out?"
At Derek's words, she offered a faint smile.
"It seemed there was a commotion, so I came to see."
Ashili Princess surveyed the now quiet surroundings. Amon questioned her in a blunt tone.
"Princess, why can't there be a duel right now?"
Even Amon, who had a somewhat defiant streak, couldn't treat Ashili Princess carelessly.
"That's..."
Ashili Princess slowly opened her mouth, then turned her head and her eyes met Erin's.
At that moment, her pupils glowed, then rapidly constricted.
Erin had never directly faced Ashili Princess in her previous life.
They had remained in their respective carriages without coming out, and Erin had even intentionally avoided her at times.
After that, the Princess hadn't survived the monster extermination, so there was no further chance for them to meet.
In short, this was the first time Erin had ever met her, throughout her past and present lives.
*So that's what she's like.* Erin thought, looking at Ashili Princess.
She was indeed the kind of person who would become Ferdin's lover.
The Princess's death had caused people to hate Erin even more.
Erin still couldn't forget the Ashili Duke who had sought her out after the Princess's death.
That moment when he, usually a man of cold demeanor, had screamed at her, consumed by fury.
"You... you killed her."
"This must be the result of someone who doesn't even know a knight's honor daring to call herself a knight! Erin Resus, look closely at the consequences of your actions!"
In truth, those weren't false words. Even if none of it was intentional, would that absolve her of guilt?
If she had honestly admitted that she was powerless and weak and couldn't do anything, would their anger have subsided?
Through several lives, Erin had always wondered.
Ferdin had chosen her life over Ashili Princess's.
If he had truly intended to protect the Princess during the onslaught of monsters, he could have.
That's why Erin understood the Ashili Duke's rage.
Thinking of the past, meeting Ashili Princess again in this returned life felt a little awkward.
*This time, I won't let it happen.*
Erin thought, caressing the sword at her hip.
"Why... you?"
She stared at Erin, her eyes wide with disbelief.
Erin had been prepared for Ashili Princess to blame her for Ferdin breaking up with her.
But the Princess's reaction completely defied Erin's expectations.
Ashili Princess, who had been supported by Derek, rushed toward Erin as if to leap at her.
