A Strange But Effective Villainess Life - Chapter 32

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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 32
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The Emperor’s sudden visit sent me back to my room. The Spy Maid hurried over with a question.
“Your Majesty… what could he possibly be asking for?”
“Who knows…”
Throughout history, whenever Emperors needed to make private and important requests, they always visited the Prelai Ducal Residence. This was because House Prelai could command summoned creatures and wield supernatural power. Thus, when the Emperor faced difficulties, he would come directly to ask for help. House Prelai had always been the most trustworthy retainer, eternally loyal to the Imperial Family.
“What on earth could be such a difficult request…”
And whenever the Emperor made such a request, the head of House Prelai would summon all family members to select an appropriate summoned creature. It meant this would be a gathering where the Prelai family discussed summoned creatures as the main topic.
My Grandfather spoke to me in a low voice as he prepared to receive the Emperor.
“Kiana, you must come.”
If I were my original self, I would never have gone out even if the Emperor had come personally and my Grandfather had called for me, using illness as an excuse. So I understood why my Grandfather said that to me.
I naturally sat down in front of the console and began selecting hair ornaments.
‘I know why he’s come…”
In the original work, the Emperor visits the Prelai Ducal Residence. I knew he would come eventually, but I didn’t expect it to be this soon.
‘Hmm…”
With the Spy Maid’s help, I changed into a formal dress. After quickly preparing myself, I was guided by the Butler to the Drawing Room. It was time to have an audience with the Emperor on such short notice.
* * *
‘Good heavens. He looks perfectly fine, which is…”
The moment I saw the Emperor in the Drawing Room, I let out a deep sigh internally.
The Emperor had silver hair and blue eyes, and while he appeared to be a rather handsome middle-aged man, his face bore clear signs of illness. He was naturally much younger than my Grandfather, yet his hand holding the cane trembled noticeably.
“Your Imperial Majesty, I am Kiana Prelai.”
“It has been a while, my lady. I heard you returned from the Academy just a few days ago.”
The Emperor smiled with a benevolent expression and answered appropriately.
Normally, when the Emperor visited the Prelai Estate, all direct descendants of House Prelai had to gather. Therefore, even Joshua was already present with a displeased expression. No matter how reckless Joshua could be, he still had to bow to the Emperor’s authority.
“Since Alex is away… for now, this is all of our direct line.”
My Grandfather spoke respectfully.
“If there is anything you desire from us, we humbly ask that you speak freely according to the Primordial Covenant.”
And in those respectful words lay the weight of a covenant that had endured through the ages—the oath of loyalty that the first head of House Prelai, Elica Prelai, had sworn to the First Emperor Edmund Tailize.
“As always, House Prelai will do our utmost to fulfill Your Imperial Majesty’s requests.”
All members of House Prelai could command summoned creatures, but even the Imperial Family could not know the details of each individual’s abilities. Thus, when the Emperor made a request, the House of Prelai would hold a meeting and mobilize summoned creatures of appropriate power to resolve the matter. This was why the head of House Prelai and his direct descendants remained in the Capital rather than in their domain.
Usually, the direct line’s summoned creatures were powerful enough to handle matters within the family. However, when the direct line could not resolve an issue, they would contact the collateral branches. Among the collateral bloodlines of House Prelai, there were occasionally people like Melissa who could command summoned creatures. This was why ten years ago, Julius, a collateral member, had come to the Capital from the northern outskirts.
“As you know, I too have done many things for the Tailize Imperial House throughout all these years of my long life.”
“Ahem, ahem, Duke… your words have certainly increased since we last met.”
“I have decided to express all the thoughts in my heart and live freely now. It is quite refreshing and pleasant.”
The Emperor muttered very quietly, “Showing off…” and then cleared his throat before speaking.
“Ahem, well…”
His blue eyes trembled slightly.
“The truth is, my body is not functioning properly. Currently, I am moving about by receiving painkillers and stimulants from the Imperial Palace physician.”
Ah, so that’s how he managed to move despite his condition—it was the power of medicine. The Emperor sat up straight and continued.
“I was told that in exchange for being able to move about for just one day, I will suffer far more severe pain for the next couple of months and lose consciousness.”
Joshua gave me a subtle wink—a silent question about what tremendous favor could have driven him to consume such vile medicines just to come to the Prelai Ducal Residence.
Even as my Grandfather tensed, the Emperor slowly opened his mouth.
“You’ve likely heard, Duke, but Orca made quite a fuss last night, claiming he met Ed.”
Ed. The moment that name was spoken, both my Grandfather and I flinched slightly. Ed was the affectionate nickname for Crown Prince Edmund, whom the Emperor cherished dearly. The name Edmund itself had been taken from the First Emperor.
“According to Hiten’s account, Orca was simply drunk and saw things that weren’t there….”
The Emperor’s deep blue eyes were filled with sorrow.
“Your Majesty.”
My Grandfather sighed softly before responding quietly.
“As I have mentioned several times, no matter how capable House of Prelai may be, we do not possess the ability to find the missing Crown Prince….”
“No, I haven’t come to make such unreasonable demands. I simply harbor a small wish.”
The Emperor continued in a sorrowful tone.
“In any case, there is a possibility the Crown Prince may still be alive, so I wish to offer prayers to the Tailize Tree with my own feet.”
‘As expected….’
In the original work, the Emperor makes this same request to my Grandfather. The only difference is that the Crown Prince moved faster than anticipated, so the timing has been greatly accelerated.
“It is the heart of a parent who loves their child.”
The Tailize Tree.
Long ago, a massive tree grew at the burial site of Edmund Tailize, the First Emperor of the Empire. This tree was given the name Tailize Tree.
However, that tree was… though called a tree, it was not truly a tree in the conventional sense. What it favored most was not water or sunlight, but jewels. In any case, since it resembled a tree, it was named the ‘Tailize Tree.’
Successive emperors would visit the Tailize Tree in times of difficulty to pray for the protection of their descendants. Naturally, they would do so while offering the jewels the Tailize Tree favored most.
When jewels were brought near the Tailize Tree’s body, it would glow and absorb them. The more it liked a jewel, the more it would shake its branches with delight. Through various methods of presenting jewels to the tree, successive emperors discovered several patterns.
The larger and heavier the jewel, the more it favored it. In particular, it loved Elistone most. As you know, the First Emperor was rather materialistic.
That tree was remarkably similar to the First Emperor in many ways.
The higher the placement, the more it preferred it. The First Emperor disliked bowing his head.
And one could not simply place jewels anywhere. There were even forbidden things.
Beasts cannot approach the Tailize Tree. The First Emperor despised all life forms other than humans.
The Tailize Tree was so sacred that insects, birds, squirrels, and the like never dared come near it.
The Emperor sighed and spoke.
“I wish to offer the largest and heaviest Elistone I possess at the highest point.”
Elistone was extraordinarily beautiful, yet so heavy it could not even be used as jewelry. If the Emperor possessed the largest and heaviest Elistone, it must be truly magnificent.
“Ah….”
“Surely there must be some way.”
“Hmm….”
My Grandfather fell silent for a moment, his expression troubled.
Summoned beasts were also creatures, so they refused to approach the Tailize Tree. Their unique abilities proved unhelpful. Purification or humanization abilities were of little use.
And Piyak was no different. Piyak could not carry something as heavy as Elistone. Moreover, Piyak had not yet returned at this moment.
‘Of course, hardly anyone knows that Piyak has become my summoned beast….’
I had only taken Piyak out to the Club House and Sezare’s Estate. Therefore, the Emperor would not know that Piyak was my summoned beast either. From his old memories, he likely believed I could not command summoned beasts at all.
“And there is the additional constraint that we have only until today….”
My Grandfather muttered with a troubled expression. He seemed to have no particular summoned beasts in mind, and even if he did, it would be difficult to summon them.
“…A height far beyond what human hands could offer…. Is that what you mean, Your Majesty.”
“I see.”
A brief silence fell between us.
The Emperor gazed at my Grandfather with an earnest expression. Yet that didn’t mean my Grandfather could simply agree to something impossible. After all, it was a request he couldn’t fulfill even in the original story.
‘Sigh.’
According to the original narrative, the Emperor’s condition would soon deteriorate further, leaving him nearly unconscious. That’s why he couldn’t even intervene when Hitten accused House of Prelai of treason.
‘By that time… the Empress had already been deposed, and the Emperor was little more than a living corpse.’
I wasn’t particularly inclined to step forward for someone so unhelpful. Joshua, too, sat with an expression of indifference, merely tapping his foot.
But… the young Joshua looked so healthy, while my elderly Grandfather appeared utterly exhausted.
‘How pitiful—burdened with such hopeless grandsons, he still couldn’t relinquish his position as head of House at his age, wrestling with such concerns…’
In the end, I swallowed dryly and broke the silence.
“Your Majesty.”
Then I asked calmly.
“Would it be impossible to shoot an arrow and offer the jewel upward?”
The Emperor looked at me with slight bewilderment, but soon answered kindly.
“I considered that as well, but the arrow cannot bear the weight of the Ellystone.”
“Might I ask how heavy this Ellystone is?”
“44 pelots.”
Though the question bordered on rudeness, the Emperor answered sincerely. Oh… 44 pelots, you say. That’s certainly far beyond what any arrow could possibly support.
“Then, Your Imperial Majesty.”
I spoke calmly.
“I believe I can resolve that problem for you.”

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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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