A Strange But Effective Villainess Life - Chapter 105

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 105
* * *
Leon, the eldest son of House Purbis, sighed as he processed his work.
He possessed a temperament entirely opposite to his younger brother Rodrigo. He was the type who simply worked like an ox without thinking much at all.
In any case, up until now he had successfully followed Duke Purbis’s orders and earned the reputation of being “capable.” But in truth, he lacked proper situational awareness and shallow thinking meant he was looked down upon in various quarters despite his accomplishments. Only Duke Purbis himself thought, “Still, unless something extraordinary happens, that fool should become the heir.”
And then one day, misfortune suddenly descended upon House Purbis.
“What’s this sudden business with Pebble ore…”
The Onseok mine trade was cut off, and they paid hefty fines due to tax evasion. Leon was running about everywhere to mobilize funding sources. He had no time to remain in the Capital.
But then he received an unexpected order from his father, Duke Purbis—to purchase large quantities of Pebble ore.
When Leon investigated, the cheapest place to obtain Pebble ore was the Oket region. After purchasing vast amounts of Pebble ore from the Oket region, a storage problem arose. Pebble ore was quite heavy as a mineral, and transporting it to the Prelai Manor in the Capital would incur substantial shipping costs. The financial situation of House Purbis made even those shipping costs burdensome.
Then Leon’s adjutant offered a very good suggestion.
“Isn’t the Riloni Principality right near Oket? Particularly, the Academy in the Riloni Principality rents out warehouses at very reasonable rates.”
Leon’s expression became quite pleased. To his knowledge, unprocessed Pebble ore was not designated as military supplies.
“Ah, I see. That’s good.”
And Leon proceeded with the work without deep consideration.
* * *
Enoch, the King of the Sola Kingdom, sent word that he would arrive at the Empire for the autumn hunting tournament along with his delegation. It was to meet his twin sister, the Empress.
While it was called a meeting between siblings to commemorate the hunting tournament, in reality it amounted to receiving various support materials from the Empress. The national strength of the Sola Kingdom had greatly declined.
Following the procedures she had always observed, the Empress sent welcome gifts ahead to the Sola Kingdom with some of her guards. Since she planned to provide more materials under the guise of gifts upon their return, she considered the road conditions.
Normally, even as Empress, she could not provide such comprehensive support to a foreign nation. But while the Emperor was on his deathbed, Hiton had lifted the relevant restrictions five years ago.
“Yes, that’s how it is.”
Third Empress Dolores received the report from her attendant, Countess of Alcyone, and smiled wickedly. Then she wrote a letter to House Purbis and sent it.
The letter began with the following words.
* * *
Shortly after, on the day of the noble assembly.
Judith chattered beside Duke Purbis as he headed toward the assembly hall.
“Father, isn’t it a bit disappointing?”
Judith had been wearing the same dress for several days, so her nerves were extremely frayed.
Well, if she could just endure a bit longer, the Pebble ore investment would succeed and their circumstances would improve soon enough. But somehow all these inconveniences felt like they were because of Kiana, and her mood was sour.
“Even if the Empress were deposed, only the Third Empress would benefit. We wouldn’t gain anything from it.”
“That may be true, but we had to put out the urgent fire using that as a condition, so there’s nothing we can do.”
“Still…”
Judith pouted her cheeks and grumbled.
“We’ve become so difficult while Kiana seems to be living so well. There are only two Princesses in the Empire now, and the comparison is too stark.”
“Prelai is certainly fierce.”
Duke Purbis spoke irritably.
“They call a fake a fake, but what’s the problem with that? Who in the world actually believes Kiana is the real Prelai?”
Duke Purbis ground his teeth and muttered.
“I must find some way to catch her in a mistake. The people the Empress sent will pass through part of the Prelai Duchy’s territory on their way to the Sola Kingdom? I’ll seize upon that.”
Of course, merely recalling Scari’s icy expression made his knees weaken.
Duke Purbis hurried to the conference room, only to be taken aback upon arrival. It wasn’t Scari, the head of House Prelai, who had come to represent them—it was Kiana.
Duke Purbis was the typical sort of man who cowered before the strong yet bullied the weak. Scari intimidated him somewhat, but a mere slip of a girl held no terror for him whatsoever.
‘How fortunate.’
Moreover, no other members of House Prelai were present. What a perfect moment for venting his frustrations! The noble council was attended by influential figures representing each house. Among them, Kiana—a young lady attending alone—would hardly dare to open her mouth.
‘Sending Kiana? Has Duke Prelai grown so old his judgment has deteriorated? Or is he ill?’
Now that he thought about it, if Scari were indisposed, it would be unavoidable. Alex was far away, and Joshua wasn’t the type to appear at such gatherings. Perhaps they simply had no other choice but to send Kiana.
‘What audacity, crawling out here without a shred of conference experience. Let’s see her shattered thoroughly.’
He’d heard recently that Scari kept Kiana close by his side. But that was merely because she proved useful to him—he couldn’t possibly cherish a fake. One small mistake and she’d be cast aside immediately.
‘How fortunate you are. I’ve already sent the Empress away, and now you….’
Kiana sat rigidly upright, her expression blank as she turned over documents. Duke Purbis’s eyes narrowed as he regarded her.
‘You’ll taste proper humiliation today, and then return to your corner in the manor where you belong.’
Time passed, and the noble council convened under Hiton’s chairmanship.
A tedious succession of miscellaneous matters proceeded. Kiana maintained her posture without wavering, listening intently to every detail. Of course, she didn’t laugh at Hiton’s small jokes, and throughout the proceedings she wore a sullen expression, displaying not the slightest hint of social grace.
‘An amateur, as expected.’
Duke Purbis chuckled heartily at a certain count’s jest while thinking to himself.
‘In conferences like this, building one’s faction is absolutely paramount.’
After quite some time had passed, the proposal initiated by House Purbis finally came up.
“Hmm.”
Whether it had been discussed beforehand, Hiton’s voice grew grave as he reviewed the agenda.
“The matter of exporting military supplies overseas….”
Everyone began furrowing their brows and carefully reading through the documents.
“I noticed that the list of support materials sent to the Sola Kingdom this time included Tyron Pool.”
Duke Purbis continued with practiced ease.
“As you know, Tyron Pool has recently been confirmed to be highly effective against wounds caused by magical attacks and has been included in military supplies.”
In truth, the Empress, ignorant of worldly matters, had likely sent the medicine thinking only of its function as a digestive aid.
Of course, if the Empress were deposed, Enoch, the king of the Sola Kingdom, would not remain idle. But if one were to funnel money to an Enoch who wouldn’t remain idle, the situation would be different. Then Enoch, who regarded his younger sister as nothing more than a chess piece for the nation’s benefit, would happily stay put.
“As you know… the support funds directed toward the Sola Kingdom are already excessive, to the point of compromising fairness. And now military supplies?”
Duke Purbis spoke with a theatrical expression.
“What if this causes harm to the Empire? We must always remember the Levin territory, which constantly suffers from barbarian raids.”
At the mention of Levin territory, people began murmuring among themselves. Though notably, Count Levin himself was not in attendance at the council.
“In any case, all nations outside the Empire must be viewed with suspicion!”
No one truly believed the Sola Kingdom would directly attack the Empire. However, Duke Purbis loudly proclaimed the fact that military supplies could be laundered and diverted elsewhere.
And a quick-witted marquis swiftly interjected.
“Isn’t the Empress directly responsible for this matter?”
Hiton nodded heavily. There was no way the foreign Empress, who had vanished into the palace with a gloomy expression, would have any allies in this place.
“…Even if we speak of the Empress….”
Hiton continued in a sorrowful voice.
“Breaking the law is unavoidable.”
Everyone swallowed hard. According to law, the Empress had to be deposed.
In truth, everyone thought this was bound to happen eventually. With the Emperor on death’s door and no Crown Prince in sight, an Empress without backing could never hope to maintain her position.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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