Disqualified as a Villainess - Chapter 55

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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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#55.

After the meeting concluded, Chloe approached Ewain and spoke to him.
“Prince Dominic has entrusted me with the purification of one of the dark spots in the omen. Could I request personnel support from the Holy Knight Order?”
Since Prince Dominic had to remain at the Command Tower in the center, he intended to fill his personnel with the strongest ability users possible in preparation for the catastrophe.
Chloe was certain that the Ewain she knew would readily volunteer to accompany her.
“In accordance with the Prince’s orders, I will provide Holy Knights of rank four and below.”
Faced with a response far colder than expected, Chloe felt slightly taken aback.
“Commander… Is there something you’re upset with me about?”
Chloe asked in a timid voice. Ewain’s blue eyes, which had always offered her a gentle gaze, were directed toward the entrance.
“No. If you believe it’s because I’m not providing higher-ranking personnel, I have simply made my judgment according to principle without exception.”
He was the one who had always made exceptions and stepped forward.
Chloe’s face, which had always felt special compared to others, gradually hardened.
“The Saint was treated the same way, was she not?”
“Is it because of Lady Octavia’s participation in the mission?”
Only then did Ewain look down at Chloe.
“You have a ruthless side to you.”
It was not a matter that included only Octavia’s situation.
That Saint Uriana received not a transfer to the Monastery of Night but the worst form of disgrace—with the priests under the Saint sending even a child patient to the execution platform—Chloe could not possibly be unaware of this.
But Chloe did not know that Ewain was disappointed because of that.
“Surely you’re not worried about that woman?”
“Are there people whose lives should not be of concern? As one devoted to God, I cannot comprehend this.”
Ewain released a deep sigh, his lips tightening as he continued.
“You were once someone who understood compassion.”
In the plague zone that everyone avoided, the image of her tending to patients without a hint of reluctance felt like something from a distant past.
Chloe watched silently as Ewain rose from his seat, radiating a cold atmosphere.
‘Compassion?’
With such a weak heart….
“One cannot survive.”
Chloe, who had squeezed her eyes shut, opened them again and walked forward with an upright posture.

***

At that same moment, at the Building Entrance.
Count Hertan let out a piercing shriek upon seeing the unidentified object suspended in the air.
“Just as I thought, you’ve made a pact with Chaos! Summoning a flying Chaos entity to hurl spears—the evidence is undeniable!”
“No, anyone who shakes hands with the demon of physics gets dragged to the director professor’s chamber and becomes a slave to research.”
It was precisely when Octavia shrugged her shoulders with a smirk.
Crack—!
Octavia’s eyes widened in shock as the aircraft was cleaved cleanly in two by a razor-sharp blade.
“Oh no, my Bamboo Helicopter Number One?”
An unmanned aerial vehicle crafted through Magical Engineering technology and cutting-edge knowledge from the future—a drone, utterly destroyed.
Ewain, sword in hand, rushed over urgently to examine Octavia.
“Are you unharmed? Why would a Chaos entity appear here….”
“Commander, that woman summoned it!”
Count Hertan’s accusation left Octavia’s face drained of all color.
People emerging from the meeting and passing nobles were gathering at the commotion.
Ewain naturally did not believe his words.
Count Hertan was connected to the Monastery of Night, and had perpetrated countless abuses while clinging to the Temple.
“Lady Octavia, are you injured?”
With one hand pressed to her face, she lowered her head and exhaled a soft sigh.
“I’ve suffered a critical wound to my heart.”
“Did you suffer a psychic attack?”
“You just destroyed a fusion of Magical Engineering and advanced future civilization—an object valued at one hundred billion.”
Though he didn’t immediately grasp the full meaning, it was clear she was referring to the mangled scrap metal scattered across the ground.
“Was it a small weapon of the Ludovisi Family? I am truly sorry.”
“It’s that commoner who should be apologizing!”
Behind the embarrassed Ewain, Count Hertan shrieked indignantly. Octavia lifted her head with a knowing smile.
“But cutting a special alloy unmanned aircraft perfectly in half with such precision—that’s truly impressive.”
“Thank you for the compliment.”
Watching the two of them completely ignore his words, the Count’s face flushed crimson with rage.
“Commander Ewain, that mad commoner wench tried to behead me!”
Only then did Ewain turn to face him with a hardened expression.
“All people are equal, and it is not right to discriminate or attack someone personally.”
“But she tried to kill me!”
“A third-class ability user nearly met their end at the hands of an ordinary person?”
“Isn’t she the daughter of a Magical Engineer? She’s not an ordinary person!”
“Even if she is somewhat different, that doesn’t change the fact that she is someone who requires the protection of ability users.”
Octavia brazenly unfurled her parasol and approached Ewain’s side.
“That Count seems to be a Luddite opposing scientific and industrial progress. Commander, shall we discuss compensation?”
“I also prefer exercise to science, and I don’t have a hundred billion, but… I will do my very best to compensate you as much as I can.”
Ewain followed after her as she headed somewhere.
The Holy Knight Commander’s imposing frame was somewhat hunched as he walked. The spear embedded in the wall remained unseen until the end.

***

As Chloe emerged from the building, she tilted her head at the chaotic atmosphere surrounding her.
The nobles were marveling down at the scattered metal fragments.
“It looks just like a mechanical bird.”
“That tiny thing was capable of hovering in place?”
“The Ludovisi Family will never fall no matter what scandal befalls them. Was that same confidence what made them displease Marquis Winterford?”
Soon, people in black suits came rushing over and swiftly collected the metal scraps before vanishing.
Another noble watching this pointed to the spear embedded in the wall.
“It seems someone mistook it for a flying chaos entity and threw that spear.”
“The Commander was apologizing to Miss Ludovisi, so it must have been him.”
These nobles lacked even the creativity to recognize the device’s ingenious spear-launching mechanism, so the truth was being distorted to fit the era’s understanding.
“Regardless, what designer created the dress she wore today? Her previous gown was bold, but this one was quite refined.”
“Lately, she designs and produces her own clothing. She chooses colors that complement her hair, eye color, and complexion.”
“Whatever her lack of ability or poor character, we must acknowledge her versatility.”
Unlike before, she had begun actively participating in society and interacting with the Princesses, so more and more people were becoming interested in Octavia’s style and attempting to emulate it.
Listening to their conversation, Chloe glanced down at her own clergy robes.
Though the majority still viewed Octavia unfavorably, there were now those beginning to acknowledge her.
“It seems Commander Ewain has been viewing her favorably lately, doesn’t it?”
Hearing someone’s voice, Chloe lifted her head again.
“Duke Logan Ortega was the same way? Perhaps because the Princesses spoke well of her, even the Queen Regent has shown interest.”
Recognition from those of high status inevitably begets further recognition.
Upon hearing that even the Queen Regent, who had assumed state affairs in place of the ailing King, was taking notice, Chloe felt as though her position as the protagonist had been stolen.
Shouldn’t she have been the one receiving such acknowledgment—she whose abilities had risen seven levels and who performed charity and good deeds daily?
It was lamentable that people’s attention was focused solely on worldly matters: new techniques, flashy clothing, and connections.
‘Have they forgotten all the problems she’s caused?’
Her chest felt unbearably tight.
Even the future where the Ludovisi Family would suffer massive losses provided little comfort.
As Chloe trudged toward the lake, she found herself thinking of Commander Ewain again.
Unlike Prince Dominic, who prioritized his own position, Ewain had always soothed her heart as a kind friend.
Just as she resolved to seek him out and talk, Chloe stopped upon spotting someone.
Octavia and Ewain were standing face to face, conversing.
“…I truly need you, Commander.”
Octavia smiled beautifully.
It was obvious she was asking him to accompany her on the Western Border mission.
If Chloe knew him as she thought she did, he would refuse her request.
“I understand.”
At Ewain’s response, Chloe’s green eyes widened.

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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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