A Strange But Effective Villainess Life - Chapter 22

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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 22
Regarding Count Sezare Levin, I honestly knew nothing beyond his name. Yet that name was something I’d heard ad nauseam.
“Count Sezare Levin made an enormous research grant this time. He specifically requested Professor Kiana Prelai.”
That man was someone who frequently commissioned magical artifact development from the Academy. He’d donated so much money that I retained only the haziest memory of his name. Before my regression, when I became a professor, he’d even commissioned work directly from me.
The Academy strictly controlled outside access, so I’d never seen his face. Whenever a commission request arrived, I wondered if money was rotting away somewhere.
“This man pays more if you make him wait. So let’s hold out a bit longer.”
The Dean had a keen nose for money, and so he deliberately delayed that research commission. Each time, Count Levin apparently raised the amount, desperately asking for his own commission to be accepted sooner.
“Wait, is it really okay to keep delaying like this? What if this man dies or something?”
“He’s sturdy and young, an unmarried man. He lives in the Imperial Capital, and seeing as he’s had no romantic partner for years, he’s clearly just obsessed with magical artifacts.”
…
A wealthy man constantly sending money to a remote Academy for specific magical artifact development. He was clearly not a normal person.
But what mattered was that he definitely wanted something from me. That way, I could propose a transaction for a fake romance. Even if it’s called a transaction, a fake romance isn’t an easy choice, but that man was definitely uninterested in women. That’s because in the original work, he had no connection whatsoever with Melissa.
Count Sezare Levin appeared frequently in the original work, and he was certainly handsome enough that even Melissa would think him good-looking. However, he truly had no interaction with Melissa at all, and there was nothing particularly noteworthy about him to describe.
Handsome, but not particularly impressive. Literally just a ‘supporting character’ in the original work.
I didn’t know who he was or what he looked like, but regardless, he was the perfect transaction partner.
“Joshua, but if I remember correctly, the previous Count Levin was in his sixties… didn’t he have no children? Did he adopt a distant relative as his heir?”
When the Dean had mentioned a ‘young unmarried man living in the Capital’ before, I wasn’t interested and just let it pass. But now that I needed precise information, I even asked Joshua for more accurate details about Sezare’s background.
“That’s not it. Three years ago, barbarians invaded the Western Levin Domain and caused quite a commotion. A young man suddenly appeared then, led the battle to victory, and saved the life of the Count at that time.”
The Levin Domain was a region that constantly suffered barbarian raids. But now that I thought about it, I hadn’t heard rumors of invasions for some time. Having focused solely on magical engineering and cut myself off from history, geography, and social circles, everything was new information.
“After that, the young man completely annihilated the barbarians, bringing peace to the Levin Domain. Moreover, he made all the barbarians who could be reformed into private soldiers of the Count’s domain.”
Oh.
“So it became a military force significant enough for the Imperial Palace to be wary of, but since they couldn’t incorporate the barbarians into the Imperial army, they’re just watching for now.”
I see.
“The Count, having no children, adopted that commoner and passed the title of Count to him.”
Wait. A commoner, you say?
Yes. A commoner of unknown origin. An orphan who lived cultivating slash-and-burn fields in the foothills, without even an identification document, apparently.
How could a commoner who was farming hillsides have such extravagant spending habits? Considering the research funds he kept pouring into the Academy, he acted like old money. I rolled my eyes suspiciously.
Joshua continued.
“He managed the Levin Domain well, then came to the Capital a year ago. No one knows why. He doesn’t attend social events much, so he has no acquaintances.”
The conclusion was ‘we know nothing.’ Ultimately, his true origins remained unknown. I tilted my head, then asked sharply.
“Wait, then how do you know he’s disagreeable? You said he has no acquaintances.”
Ah.
Joshua answered with genuine displeasure.
“I don’t remember the details, but even though he wasn’t wearing clothes by a famous designer, he had more presence than me. That’s what really annoyed me.”
It seemed the original work’s description of him being handsome was accurate. That was good news for me. I’d planned to propose a contract romance simply because he met the conditions, but if we were going to spend time together anyway, I preferred someone handsome. Even if he seemed abnormal, if he was going to be strange regardless, I’d rather have him be strange and handsome.
“Anyway, get going. Since I need to meet him as soon as possible, make sure to tell me exactly where Count Sezare Levin is.”
“I’ll locate him and tell you right away. But why do you want to meet Count Sezare Levin?”
Joshua seemed worried. So I told him kindly not to worry.
Stop thinking and get out.
After sending Joshua away like that, I immediately turned back to the Spy Maid.
“Spy Maid, I need to go out again today, but before that, could I have a cup of coffee….”
“One moment, Miss.”
The Spy Maid cut me off with a terrifying expression. Her face was so frightening that even someone as bold as myself couldn’t help but flinch.
“Have you forgotten the Duke’s orders?”
“…What?”
I searched my memory, but I had no recollection of receiving any prohibition order.
“You must eat first. From now on, you are to have your meals on time.”
Now that she mentioned it, I remembered Grandfather ordering the Spy Maid yesterday to strictly manage my meals and sleep.
“And no more coffee for you, Miss.”
The Spy Maid spoke with absolute firmness. She carried the backing of greater authority than myself, her expression radiating confidence.
“The Duke also ordered that excessive coffee and stimulants be prohibited for the time being.”
“And who exactly determines what’s ‘appropriate’!”
“The Ducal Residence’s physician.”
Hmm, depending on the situation, I might need to attempt bribing the physician.
“Is it still Kairon as our physician?”
“Yes, Miss.”
“Hmm…. He’s been here since I was young—quite the tenure he’s had.”
“In any case, you must eat first.”
“…Fine, okay….”
Overwhelmed by the Spy Maid’s tremendous presence, I found myself shrinking back slightly.
After reluctantly finishing a meal with all three major nutrients, afternoon arrived. Someone sent by Joshua arrived at the Prelai Manor.
“Uh… hmm….”
I read the contents of the letter that followed and furrowed my brow.
“…Club House?”
This place… is an illegal gambling den.
【Wow, Kiana. This person called Count Sezare Levin seems to be a complete ruffian.】
Piyak, perched atop my head, tilted his head and spoke.
“Tell me about it….”
【Isn’t it a bit much to go to such a dangerous place?】
Indeed, Joshua had added a similar sentiment as a postscript at the end of his letter.
“Hmm….”
The Club House… According to the original story, it was a place I would eventually need to deal with. Well, it seemed fine that today would be the day I both met Sezare and took care of it.
“Spy Maid, let’s go.”
Emerging from my brief contemplation, I stood up abruptly and spoke to the Spy Maid.
“Dress me up sharply. I’m going to need to demolish an illegal gambling den today.”

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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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