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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 35
Chapter Title: The Reason the Villainess Wielded a Sword
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I will get my revenge. On that villainess who killed my brother without an ounce of guilt, I will inflict the same despair.
With that vow, I endured those terrible years alone.
Lilia screamed at Erin, as if consumed by rage.
"This is impossible... It's impossible! How can a villainess like you have such talent? Because of you, my brother... what happened to him... How could this be!"
Someone blocked her way. Lilia stared blankly at the person who stood before her. Ferdin was there.
"Lilia."
"..."
"Erin... she entered the Werewolf Tribe's territory, intending to save you even if it meant doing so alone. Do you still... think she killed Calips?"
At Ferdin's words, Lilia turned her gaze to Erin, visible beyond his back.
She saw Erin standing silently, unable to refute any of her accusations.
That tormented Lilia even more.
* * *
Lilia had always imagined Erin Resus to be a certain type of person.
Someone who was vicious, tormented Calips, and ultimately killed him.
Charlotte, too, would often whisper to her that Erin was responsible for all the wrongdoing.
"Calips... he died after being tormented by that villainess."
"He couldn't even quit his attendant position in the Marquis's family for your sake. I heard his parents passed away early. He endured all that suffering for his young sister."
"Lilia, you have magical talent, so you can certainly get your revenge."
She had to get revenge on Erin Resus. It was something she had vowed to do since childhood, as if brainwashed.
And to do that, Erin Resus *had* to be a villainess.
Ferdin looked at Lilia and spoke slowly.
"If it weren't for Erin, we wouldn't have made it this far."
Lilia couldn't give any answer to Ferdin's words.
During the two weeks they traveled to the Werewolf Tribe's territory, Lilia had been able to observe Erin closely.
Erin Resus was a completely different person from the one she knew through rumors. She was considerate of others, kind, and knew loyalty.
Every time she saw such a side of Erin, Lilia felt as if everything she knew was being negated. Did that mean... Charlotte's words were lies?
Charlotte was the one who had been fully by her side when Calips died.
Hadn't she claimed to know him well from the Marquis's Castle and grieved Calips's death alongside her?
Yet, could it be that Erin Resus really... didn't kill Calips? Really?
Lilia couldn't utter a single word.
"Let's move for now. Lilia, I understand how you feel, but... we can't stay here."
Amon said that and led Lilia away. Lilia, with a somewhat dazed expression, obediently let Amon guide her.
Even as they exited the dungeon, Lilia was disoriented. But the sight that met her eyes as soon as they stepped outside left her speechless.
Dozens of Werewolf Tribe members lay fallen before them.
Lilia felt a chill run down her spine at the Sword Master's power, which struck her anew.
"Lilia, come quickly."
Ferdin led her, as she was distracted. The child who had been in his arms was now being held by Amon.
Lilia realized that Ferdin was looking out for her. He had probably entrusted the child to Amon to take care of her.
Ferdin was unnecessarily kind. He never abandoned those who came under his protection.
'Yes, after this extermination party is over... I'll leave Ferdin.'
Lilia thought this as she looked at Ferdin. Memories from their time together flashed through her mind.
The moment she first joined Ferdin's provisional knight order, and the knights who were mischievous but kind.
There were happy memories and sad ones. But Lilia was sure she couldn't stay here any longer.
Whatever the truth, she no longer had the confidence to face Erin Resus.
"Ferdin..."
I'll leave the knight order after this extermination is over.
Lilia was clearly about to say those words.
At that moment, she witnessed a spear flying towards her.
'Ah, am I going to die like this...'
A thought flashed through her mind, and Lilia let out a hollow laugh. All her worries up until now felt meaningless.
The spear, imbued with dark mana, was hurtling towards her too fast for her to possibly evade.
Erin, who was ahead, turned back to check on the party. She too must have spotted the spear, as she ran towards Lilia with a startled expression.
Lilia felt a question arise seeing Erin's reaction.
Why that expression? As if she were shocked...
At that moment, someone pushed her. She couldn't understand what had happened.
Blood splattered onto Lilia's face.
Ferdin was before her eyes.
* * *
Corelia toyed with the teacup placed before her. She had a strangely pleasant premonition.
Why did she feel so good?
She hummed a tune and picked up a cookie from the plate in front of her.
Beside Corelia, Charlotte wore a subtle smile, and in front of her sat Ditrion, the First Prince of the Lexia Empire.
With silver hair that reached his shoulders, he gracefully lifted his teacup.
"Charlotte's tea is always delicious, no matter when I drink it."
At his compliment, Charlotte smiled pleasantly.
Corelia, who had been watching her, suddenly asked as if remembering something.
"Why haven't we heard from Raymond? It's about time we did, isn't it? He wouldn't have followed them into the Werewolf Tribe's territory."
"He might have been unable to escape due to unavoidable circumstances."
"Hmm... that's a bit unfortunate then... The Werewolf Tribe's chief must be out of his mind by now, right?"
"Since the Emperor didn't provide the suppressants, he must have gone berserk by now."
"Even if Leon Count had gone, the outcome wouldn't have changed anyway."
Corelia said this, unable to hide her delight. At that level, no one could possibly contend with him unless it was Duke Ashili.
The chief already possessed skill nearing that of a Sword Master even before.
So, if he went berserk, he would be able to exert even greater power than Leon Count.
She furrowed her brow as if searching her memory, then asked Charlotte again.
"Now that I think about it, how exactly did you persuade that little Mage, Calips's sibling?"
It was a name she barely remembered unless she consciously tried to recall it.
If Erin hadn't occasionally murmured Calips's name, she probably would have forgotten him completely.
That's how worthless his existence was to Corelia.
"Those people are simple, aren't they? When I further stimulated their desire for revenge, they eventually came around. And I told them if they successfully dealt with Erin Resus... I would give them this."
"Charlotte, you're truly wicked, aren't you?"
Corelia cackled, looking at the orb Charlotte held out.
A mocking smile played on Ditrion's lips as he listened to their conversation. He toyed with his teacup and spoke.
"Ferdin's people, how should I put it... perhaps because they resemble him, they're truly naive."
The orb, emanating a dark aura, resembled a Mana Stone enough to be mistaken for one at first glance.
The Mage named Lilia probably thought it was just a slightly unusual Mana Stone.
But it was no ordinary Mana Stone.
It was a special Mana Stone processed using Black Magic, capable of rapidly elevating the mastery of Mages and Knights just by possessing it.
It was a method that had once been popular across the continent. Until fatal side effects occurred.
Those addicted to the Mana Stone gradually lost their reason, and when their mana went berserk, they became beings similar to monsters.
For that reason, it was now a forbidden method by the Temple.
However, Lilia had no idea what kind of Mana Stone Charlotte had promised her.
Because it had been specially remade to look different from the examples circulated by the Temple.
"Because everything needs to be certain. I'm not careless like Raymond. Knowing Leon Count isn't there, the Extermination Squad will try to flee, won't they? Even that alone would be a great blow to Ferdin Lexia, but... you don't like Erin Resus being unharmed, do you?"
"..."
"A Mage of Lilia's caliber isn't bad for dealing with a promising knight. And she has a clear motive, so no one will suspect there's a mastermind behind her."
Whatever happened, it wasn't bad. If Lilia succeeded, they would simply gain another slave.
Lilia would live a life addicted to the Mana Stone, waiting only for the suppressants they provided.
Charlotte was clearly a demon. Corelia thought so, wearing a fresh smile.
She had a premonition that today would be a good day all day long.
But her premonition was soon shattered by a knight who arrived at the Marquis's Castle.
"Sir Raymond has deserted the Extermination Squad. Sir Ferdin sent me to inquire if he might have come to the Marquis's Castle."
Corelia's face stiffened at the news the knight brought.
