A Strange But Effective Villainess Life - Chapter 128

—————

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

—————

Chapter 128
* * *
The Prelai Manor had become extraordinarily busy. Suddenly, we needed to prepare an enormous traveling procession. What’s more, our destination was the Northern Region where the Prelai domain lay.
Since the distance was considerable, we gathered every acceleration magical artifact circulating in the Capital. By installing acceleration magical artifacts throughout the carriage, we could achieve remarkable speed. Though the artifacts were prohibitively expensive—costing an astronomical sum—the House of Prelai remained solvent enough to manage it.
“I should send a letter to Julius. After all, that’s our first destination.”
I revealed my purpose for traveling north only to my family—that it was time to rescue Hyde. I also shared everything I’d learned about dark magic from the Spirit Forest.
“Dark magic? Tsk, really….”
Scari clicked his tongue and muttered.
“Orthson’s heart could distort the power of Prelai and Tailizes? I only vaguely heard it was related to immortality, so I didn’t pay attention….”
“It would be better not to inform outsiders. If Dolores or Hitten learn we’re going to the Arun region to rescue Father, they might try to interfere.”
I spoke calmly.
“Hou and I will go quietly. Julius is in the Northern Region anyway….”
“What are you saying!”
Scari struck the table and spoke gravely.
“Do you really think I could miss this historic moment of you rescuing Hyde? I’m coming too!”
I nodded without surprise at his words.
I’d actually anticipated Scari would insist on coming. After all, Hyde was his son. It was only natural he’d want to see a son he hadn’t met in seventeen years. Besides, since Hou was going, it was natural Scari wanted to join us.
Hyde… Scari’s most proud and excellent, his only ‘normal’ descendant. So much so that when Scari saw Joshua, who resembled Hyde so closely, he’d even sigh, ‘To waste that face like that….’
Since it was expected, I spoke lightly.
“Then Joshua can remain at the Prelai Manor.”
We couldn’t leave the Prelai Manor empty. The noble assembly would soon convene again, and by principle, at least one member of House Prelai needed to remain in the Capital.
But before I could even ask Joshua to take care of things, he suddenly jumped up in protest. He rose so quickly that his handkerchief, covered in luxury brand logos, fluttered to the ground.
“Wait, you’re saying I don’t go to a place like that? Huh?”
“…Joshua?”
I opened my clear eyes and asked with a smile.
“What’s your position in Prelai?”
Joshua answered quickly to my question.
“I’m the editor-in-chief of ‘Lorelai’!”
Lea, coiled around his arm, also hissed enthusiastically and nodded her head. It was her way of expressing she wanted to go along. Seeing Lea, Piyak stuck out his tongue and teased her.
【Being with Kiana is always fun anyway, right? Piyak can always go anywhere, right? But Lea can’t go if Joshua doesn’t go, right? So you’re anxious, right?】
Mimicking Lea’s manner of speech, my summoned creature was truly adorable in how she teased. Joshua stomped his feet and shouted.
“Do you think I want to go there just because I’m now the young lord of Prelai? I still hate Prelai!”
“Why do you hate it?”
“I don’t know! It’s just always been that way!”
Scari sighed deeply and shook his head, thinking, ‘When will this brat grow out of his rebellious phase.’
“Anyway, you’re telling me, the current editor-in-chief of ‘Lorelai’, to miss that incredible scene where the heir of Prelai is rescued?”
….
“And! The secrets of ancient dark magic might be revealed! You’re telling ‘Lorelai’ to miss that moment?”
【That won’t do. And if by any chance Kiana truly regains her real power there, shouldn’t ‘Lorelai’ report it vividly to everyone in the Capital?】
Lea quickly chimed in. And both I and Scari fell silent.
It was obvious that if I shattered that heart fragment still lodged in Arun, Kiana would be able to reclaim all the summoned beast power she hadn’t been able to use until now in one fell swoop.
【That lark girl’s power was a bit pathetic for a direct descendant, wasn’t it? I have a feeling something incredible is about to happen.】
Lea spoke with anticipation while wagging her tail.
【Once she gains such tremendous power on top of her current notoriety, no one will ever dare to touch Kiana again.】
Scari was completely won over by those words and nodded his head.
“That’s great! Joshua, let’s go too! So that trash of a Prelai finally gets to do something right!”
Though I didn’t show it, it had deeply hurt me that others called Kiana a “fake” behind her back. All this time, not knowing what some unknown force might be plotting, I couldn’t even publicly acknowledge that Piyak truly belonged to Kiana.
“Then who will look after the Prelai Ducal Residence? We need at least one Prelai in the Capital, don’t we?”
When Kiana blinked and asked, Joshua shrugged his shoulders and answered as if it were no big deal.
“There’s one Prelai coming extremely fast right now.”
He grinned wickedly as he spoke.
“Alex.”
Scari and Kiana’s eyes widened.
“He’ll be back soon, right? Probably arriving tomorrow or the day after?”
Joshua drove his point home with triumphant certainty.
“It’s a law of nature that unwanted tasks fall to whoever isn’t there.”
* * *
Exactly four days later, Alex burst into the Prelai Ducal Residence in urgent haste.
“Welcome home, sir. Shall I prepare a bath and meal first?”
Ignoring the Butler’s respectful greeting, Alex spoke without even bothering to tidy his disheveled blonde hair.
“Never mind that.”
He glanced around the strangely empty estate with a displeased expression before speaking.
“I’m seeing Kiana first.”
“…Yes?”
“But why does the Ducal Residence feel so hollow? Is everyone slacking off?”
“Well….”
The Butler shrank back despite having done nothing wrong.
“They all departed for the Northern Region yesterday morning! They said they were going to see Julius….”
“All of them? What kind of nonsense is that?”
“That is to say, the Duke as well… Lady Kiana… and Joshua too, all together….”
“Damn it, ××××, ××××, ×× ×× ××!”
Alex immediately spun around. His expression suggested he was about to dash straight to the Northern Region. The Butler, practically gambling with his life, trembled violently and urgently grabbed Alex’s arm.
“W-wait just a moment!”
Then, squeezing his eyes shut, he thrust forward a single document. Alex’s pupils dilated.
Acting Household Head Appointment Certificate – Alex Prelai
“No, ××!”
Alex roared out in fury.
“Why is talking to Kiana so damn difficult! Huh? Huh?”
And behind the raging Alex, the great gates of the Prelai Ducal Residence slowly closed.
Wolf, Alex’s summoned beast, also lay sprawled on his belly with an expression that absolutely refused to budge. It was as if, having received the acting household head appointment, one Prelai must necessarily remain here.

—————

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

—————