Disqualified as a Villainess - Chapter 54

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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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#54.

Chloe was in private audience with Count Hertan, who had sought her out.
“Saint Chloe, just as you predicted, the Ludovisi Family has acquired the Precious Metal Territory.”
The Count spoke with admiration for her foresight.
The current situation was that the Ludovisi Family had purchased the land from the nominal owner under the condition of covering the Western Border’s defense costs—a fact now being reported in the press.
‘How convenient. They stepped forward so readily to take responsibility. That means the nominal owner is royalty, and the Ludovisi Family calculated that the profits from the gold mines exceed the border defense expenses. How foolish.’
The Count had already negotiated with Marquis Winterford and purchased large quantities of special alloys. This was because the Marquis had informed him in advance of plans for further price increases.
“Thanks to you, Saint Chloe, I was able to secure resources ahead of time.”
He now held the largest stockpile of special alloys in the nation—equivalent to foreseeing and purchasing stocks before a dramatic surge.
The Chaos Realm would continue opening, and Chaos entities would endlessly emerge, causing damage.
With information that the Ludovisi Family and the Regency Government would purchase them at multiples of the current price in the future, nobles like the Count who supported Dominic also poured their entire fortunes into massive stockpiles.
“Soon your foresight will be recognized, Count, and the Countess Hertan will be able to return to society as well.”
“I am truly grateful, Saint Chloe.”
At the Count’s gratitude, Chloe nodded with a smile in her eyes.
Having extended goodwill first, it was now time to collect the debt.
“Will you help me as well, Count?”
“Of course. Please tell me anything.”
Chloe sighed softly, her expression one calculated to evoke sympathy.
“As you already know, if my brother becomes a criminal, my position becomes difficult.”
Father was the type who would drag her down and more for Ethan’s sake.
The Prince, who normally found Ethan disagreeable, showed no particular inclination to help. She herself had no confidence in revealing her mother’s past to him and asking for assistance.
“That is true. Guilt by association will follow your every grand step, Saint Chloe.”
The Count, having received substantial benefits, spoke while flattering her.
“Whether I recant my testimony or point to someone else, I will find a way to extract him. Though given what has transpired, his return to the Holy Knight Order will be somewhat difficult.”
Chloe smiled with apparent ease.
Inwardly, she felt revulsion at the reality that she must continue rescuing this greatest obstacle.
“Then what if we include him in the Western Border defense forces under the guise of service and penance?”
“You mean to recruit him into my private military unit?”
In society, beyond the large divisions of the Military Department, the Royal Family, and the Temple, there were also ability users who worked as mercenaries, receiving payment to serve as private soldiers for individuals.
The condition for organizing a private military unit was to be a noble who had obtained approval from either the Royal Family or the Temple.
“I plan to volunteer there myself, after all.”
Even if Ethan were considered a usable 4th-tier ability user, his poor character made him virtually worthless. But if Saint Chloe went with him, perhaps the unit could find some reassurance.
The Count, thinking more of business relations than unit morale, nodded.
“Very well. It is not a particularly dangerous assignment, after all. I am simply in awe of Saint Chloe’s compassion in thinking of family.”
Everyone was predicting that they were merely seeing weak omens and that only a new low-level Chaos Realm would open.

“Chloe, when you connect the black dots on the map that are omens of the Chaos Realm, they form a shape like a constellation.”

My mother, who had once been held captive by the Chaos Faith, seemed to have foreseen that young Chloe would become a member of the clergy, and she often shared much knowledge related to it.

“If it takes the shape of a star, remember this: a tremendous calamity of chaos approaches. Be cautious.”

When the faint precursor phenomena that had appeared at the Western Border were connected in a single line, they formed the shape of a five-pointed star.
This had never occurred before, and since the Chaos Federation Empire had kept it as a closely guarded secret for so long, no one would know of this fact.
The Ludovisi Family would attempt to minimize border defense costs for the development of the Precious Metal Territory, and the consequences would inevitably fall upon the Ludovisi Family’s shoulders for their careless preparation.
‘My mother’s past has held me back, but now it’s an opportunity to bring down the greedy and become a hero.’
As the Ludovisi Family collapsed, I could seize the chance to eliminate my brother—who had only ever been an obstacle—by driving him into a hopeless situation.

***

Royal Palace, Dominic’s Military Division Conference Room.
Dominic, who had taken command of the Western Border under the Regent’s orders, and those involved were gathered together.
Across from Octavia, who attended as the Ludovisi Family representative, sat Chloe and Ewain, the commander of the Holy Knight Order.
“With the emergence of lower-level Chaos Realm precursor phenomena, we plan to deploy forces according to Level 7 Alert procedures. Total personnel: fifty, with each division submitting a list of ability users of Grades 3 to 4 command level and below, selected according to mission requirements.”
Even at alert level, stationing ten or fewer mid-tier ability users across five precursor zones was absurdly insufficient manpower.
Octavia raised her hand gracefully and voiced her objection.
“Considering the vast scale of the Western Border and the five Chaos Realm precursor zones, isn’t the personnel severely lacking? Given the absence of transportation means, rapid response in case of emergency would be difficult, so I would appreciate further consideration.”
At this, Dominic’s expression soured.
“Are you suggesting we send higher-tier ability users to lower-level Chaos Realms where even the lowest-tier ability users take on missions? Didn’t we already agree that beyond basic support, the rest would be resolved by the Ludovisi Family’s private funds?”
“I cannot organize a private military unit since I’m not a noble.”
“Then request it from nobles who possess private military units, or hire mercenaries by paying a fee.”
Octavia smiled and whispered toward the officer seated beside her.
“So that’s conditional permission to organize a private military unit, isn’t it?”
“Are you speaking to me?”
The officer, meeting her for the first time, asked in bewilderment.
Chloe, who had been listening quietly, raised her hand to speak.
“Since the family became responsible for border defense, I believe Octavia Ludovisi should also participate in the Western Border mission.”
Ewain blinked a few times, alternating his gaze between Octavia and Chloe, then spoke quietly.
“You’re suggesting we deploy a non-ability user who hasn’t even received basic training on a mission? Ability users have a duty to protect civilians.”
Even in a lower-level Chaos Realm, an ordinary person could lose their life. Deliberately putting someone in danger out of personal feelings contradicted the sacred mission of ability users.
I knew Ewain’s righteous and unyielding character well. I understood he wasn’t particularly defending Octavia, but something felt off about this.
“I’m not asking her to engage in combat. Non-ability users also have duties to provide supplies and support in emergencies.”
At my stiffened tone, Count Hertan chuckled and added his words.
“Indeed, support roles are quite important. Surely you can handle dishwashing, cleaning, and laundry, can’t you?”
At this, Octavia’s expression showed surprise.
“People do such things with their own hands?”
Coming from a highly advanced civilization where everything was automated, and having never done anything with her own hands in this world either, the archaic way of life felt strangely unfamiliar.
“Then who does it?”
“Count Hertan has made quite the investment recently, yet it seems you’re handling household matters yourself instead of spending money on them.”
“What….”
“As a commoner who has resolved everything through coin, I’m ashamed. I shall learn from your noble frugality, Count.”
Though the words carried no particular malice, the Count deliberately furrowed his brow and fell silent.
Octavia tilted her head with a smile.
“In any case, I’ll participate in the operation. However.”
She raised both hands and shook her head firmly as she continued.
“I’ll go as the strategic and tactical commander. After all, the Prince holds supreme command, and the Ludovisi Family controls administrative authority over supplies, budgets, and logistics.”
It was a point no one could refute.
“Do as you wish.”
‘Besides, no one will volunteer under you anyway, and only the dregs will be assigned.’
In truth, it mattered little to the Prince.

***

After the meeting concluded, Count Hertan approached Octavia as she unfurled her parasol near the entrance.
“You’d better make a good impression on me from now on. Your family’s fate rests in my hands.”
She gazed at the arrogant Count and laughed with ease.
“Hmm. The last Marquis who said something like that to me ended up losing his limbs, but I resolved it amicably.”
Not only did she speak in casual tones as naturally as flowing water, but the Count flinched at the sheer gravity of her words.
“How dare you speak so disrespectfully? And to speak of such calamitous matters so casually!”
“You spoke casually first. Besides, I’m on casual terms with the Marquis as well.”
“Has a lowborn wretch like you lost all sense of propriety? Do you not fear punishment for insubordination?”
Hearing the Count’s angry rebuke, Octavia sighed and closed her parasol.
“You’re not my superior, there’s no economic dependency between us, you can’t harm my interests, and even if you call it disrespect, the fine would be pittance. What exactly can you do about my anger?”
She was the sort who smashed nobles’ heads with wine bottles without hesitation.
The Count lifted his nose with an arrogant expression.
“I have a firm grip on special alloy distribution. Your insolent attitude could bankrupt your family. I was willing to give you a chance since you seem quite useful for the Admiral’s plaything, but surely you understand what I can do?”
“Ah.”
Octavia shrugged with her characteristic innocent expression.
“So you’re bragging about being caught in a fire sale?”
“…What?”
“It means there’s nothing to gain from showing you respect.”
The Count’s fury only intensified as he watched this commoner crawl upward with airs of superiority, when the Precious Metal Territory had slipped into the Ludovisi Family’s hands and his own house faced ruin.
“I think I should teach you how nobles once dealt with commoners.”
It was at that moment he roughly seized Octavia’s wrist and yanked her forward.
Whiiiing—
At the sound of something hurtling through the air, the Count instinctively sensed danger and quickly twisted his body to evade.
He felt a chilling sensation as something grazed past his ear, and saw several strands of his hair fall away.
A sharp blade that had streaked past like an arrow embedded itself into the wall with a heavy thunk.
If I hadn’t dodged, my head would have been severed clean off.
I stared at the spear with its guillotine-like blade, my face pale, before turning my head to spot something suspended in the air.
Whirrrrr—.
A Chaos Entity?
A metallic flying vessel, vaguely resembling an enormous dragonfly, hovered in the sky, its gaze fixed upon me.
“There’s a saying that if you endure one humiliation, a greater one awaits you.”
Octavia smiled, her expression cool yet beautiful.
“It’s time for a history lesson. Shall we explore how commoners have come to treat nobility since the medieval age?”

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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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