A World Where You All Are The Villains - Chapter 142

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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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142.

***

Inside the carriage.
“Good heavens, it’s absurd how many insignificant flies swarm around just to attend a single ball.”
Thump—
Serge settled into the seat across from me, wrinkling his nose bridge with playful exasperation.
“Would I be so foolish as to come fetch my partner out of fear?”
“…I’m terribly sorry. I had no idea Vincent would come looking for me.”
It was the truth.
The moment I’d finished my preparations and stepped outside the entrance hall.
I was utterly bewildered to find three men locked in a standoff in the courtyard, where a peculiar killing intent hung heavy in the air.
‘Why does Vincent cause such a commotion every time there’s a ball? And what was Ethan even doing there?’
Naturally, I had given neither of them any indication that I would partner with the Grand Duke.
There was no reason to tell them, and I hadn’t anticipated that both men would step forward to partner with me simply because Ruellin wasn’t present.

— Haven’t you forgotten? I’ve always been your partner without you even having to say it. Every ball, I came to fetch you myself.
— So what? You’re saying you’ll go with someone else? Even after I came here personally?

The image of Vincent, who had been acting as though he’d been betrayed by a beloved lover, flashed through my mind.
Though he said nothing, the gleam in Ethan’s eyes as he glared at me was scarcely different.
‘…Shameless bastards.’
No matter how much I had resolved to maintain at least a façade of civility with them until Ruellin returned to this world, I was already growing nauseated by their attitude—as though they’d entrusted something precious to my care.
Moreover, Vincent’s attempt to stir Edith Blake’s sympathy once more was nothing short of abominable.
I deserved commendation for enduring without snapping, “So what do you expect me to do about it?”
“Hmm. According to rumor, the Princess has been fretting over her inability to spend time with the Sub-Duke of late.”
It was then that Serge, stroking his chin thoughtfully, posed an abrupt question.
“Has the dynamic truly reversed because you’ve become a different person?”
“I couldn’t say.”
I paused briefly before adding my thought.
“…Perhaps it’s because I’ve become The Purifier instead.”
At the same moment, the thought occurred to me that it might be because Ruellin’s mental manipulation had been lifted, though I refrained from voicing it aloud.
For I myself could not fathom how a man who had despised Edith Blake all this time could transform overnight simply because his mind control had been severed.
Unless, of course, he had loved Edith Blake all along, not Ruellin.
“Quite the audacious fellow, isn’t he.”
Serge had just then articulated precisely what I wished to say.
“A man whimpering about pain because he can’t suppress a single magic barrier—pathetic.”

80%

A rather impressive figure gleamed above his head.
Compared to Vincent’s magic barrier reading of merely ‘67%’, this man was certainly not in his right mind.
Uncertain whether to agree or demur, I awkwardly averted my gaze before a sudden question spilled from my lips.
“But didn’t you say you would come to fetch me?”
“Are you joking?”
His brow furrowed sharply at my question.
“What, should we depart separately and meet at the ballroom entrance, then laugh and pretend to be close partners? Everyone would think we’re the best of friends.”
“…I had no idea Your Majesty was conscious of others’ perceptions.”
“By the way, we’re dancing the moment we enter, so be prepared.”
“There’s truly no need to go to such lengths…”
“Since we’re entering as partners anyway, let’s play the protagonist’s role perfectly and utterly crush the spirits of these shameless fools.”
Who exactly was he targeting?
His fierce eyes blazed with determination as he stared into the void.
Though I found it absurd at first, strangely, a hollow laugh escaped me.
I hadn’t noticed it earlier, lost in my own thoughts as I was.
Now I observed anew the meticulous elegance with which Serge had dressed for this ball.
He wore the same dreary black suit as always, yet unlike his usual attire, this one was embroidered with golden thread in select places—a sharp, tailored suit.
His bangs swept back with pristine care.
As always, a brooch the size of a fist gleamed brilliantly, commanding immediate attention.
Unlike the crimson ruby I had stolen before, today’s jewel was an emerald gleaming within a resplendent golden setting.
Moreover, the cravat tied neatly around his neck—so different from his usual disheveled appearance—suited him rather well.
Quite well, actually.
If only he kept his mouth shut, he would look just like any kingdom’s heir apparent.
As I observed him absently, our eyes suddenly met.
“Why are you staring like that?”
He raised one eyebrow with a questioning look, tilting his head askew.
In that instant, the refined and noble image of royalty shattered completely, revealing his true nature—that of a rough street ruffian.
I muttered in a deflated voice.
“It’s just… now that you’re dressed up, you look like a different person.”
“Why? Did you fall for me all over again because I’m so handsome?”
“….”
“It’s troublesome how women lose their minds at every ball. Perhaps I should scar my face to remedy this.”
I turned my gaze toward the window, ignoring his nonsense.
Yet he persisted undeterred.
“You look quite the princess today yourself.”
“I have always been a princess.”
“That’s not what I meant. I wasn’t complimenting your appearance.”
What did he mean, then?
Bewildered, I turned to look at him, and he examined me from head to toe with an appraising gaze.
“You don’t suit those dull blue stones at all. Pearls would be far better.”
“Dull blue stones… are you referring to the blue diamond?”
“Yes. I was right, wasn’t I?”
“No.”
I answered firmly, then awkwardly adjusted the pearl necklace around my neck.
The dress was so elaborate that I had simplified the accessories—it had nothing to do with his opinion bothering me.
Then, as he observed me intently, he suddenly frowned with displeasure.
“Why didn’t you wear the accessories I gave you?”
“They match the dress in color.”
“Don’t you know that’s the very essence of fashion? You’re supposed to coordinate the colors first, then add a single striking accent piece for maximum impact and visibility. Like I have.”
“….”
Serge pointed to his own outfit with a self-satisfied expression.
I grimaced and turned my gaze back toward the window.
Silence settled within the moving carriage for a moment.
Then it came.
“…That book that supposedly grants wishes.”
After a long pause, he suddenly broached an unexpected topic.
“I made some inquiries. It’s quite a dangerous object.”
“The Prophecy Codex, you mean?”
“Yes.”
He nodded, his voice dropping to a more somber tone as he continued.
“Information was scarce, so it took considerable effort to uncover. I sifted through ancient documents indiscriminately until I found a single line written in the personal journal of a dead sorcerer from antiquity.”
“….”
“In exchange for granting a wish, the caster must sacrifice a portion of their lifespan. Did you know that?”
“…!”
I flinched in surprise, my gaze snapping toward Serge.
Of course, I had known nothing of it.
Sephiroth had never mentioned it.
Serge seemed to discern the answer from my frozen reaction alone, clicking his tongue with a low murmur.
“…True. If anyone could simply make wishes carelessly, the world would have descended into chaos long ago.”
“….”
“Of course, I cannot guarantee this information is accurate. But now that you know, I suggest you think carefully about it.”
“….”
“Whether the place you originally came from is truly worth returning to, even at the cost of your life.”
Serge, who typically wore a faint, weary smile, regarded me now with an expression utterly devoid of mirth.
Faced with him like that, I found myself unable to offer any response whatsoever.
In that instant, a tempest erupted within my mind.
Confusion consumed me.

***

The carriage racing along the Imperial Road soon arrived before the ballroom within the Imperial Palace.
‘This is a different location than last time.’
As I descended from the carriage with Serge’s escort, I glanced about my surroundings in thought.
Unlike the previous occasion, which had been held on the outskirts of the Imperial Palace, this ballroom was situated deep within the Inner Palace.
It was likely because the Emperor himself would be attending.
“Presenting Grand Duke Serge Belnak and Princess Edith Blake―!”
With the attendant’s resonant announcement, the ballroom doors swung open.
In that same moment, every eye in the hall turned toward us.
“My goodness! The combination of Princess Blake and Grand Duke Belnac?”
“Why didn’t she partner with Marquis Leandro instead?”
“Hmm… So the rumors of their intimacy are true….”
Sharp glances and whispers poured forth as if they had been waiting for this very moment.
I stepped forward, feigning indifference despite it all.
Then, abruptly, an overwhelmingly high figure caught my eye, gleaming among the other pale white numbers.

93%

“…!”
I gasped in shock and immediately lowered my gaze to find the source of that shame.
In doing so, my eyes met someone else’s.
A pair of ashen eyes, darkly subdued and brooding.
It was Dylan Frederick.

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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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