Don’t Look for the Resurrected Villainess - Chapter 165

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 165

At those words, Maxel’s eyes trembled violently. He furrowed his brow as if he couldn’t believe what he had heard and asked again.

“An army?”

“Not the imperial army that His Majesty will someday pass down to you, but a private force that Your Highness will valiantly lead.”

The word “private force” felt somehow unsettling, so Maxel didn’t relax his stern expression.

Lilia seemed to understand his discomfort and explained.

“I know there are dangerous monsters in the Beladia Mountain Range. I also know that they will soon go on a rampage. But prophecy alone cannot move the imperial army, can it? It will be too late after the monsters rampage. If Your Highness subjugates them all before any damage occurs, wouldn’t everyone praise Your Highness?”

The movements of monsters had been strange lately, and even now in the Imperial Palace, the Empress had lost consciousness after being attacked by a monster.

Leading soldiers to subjugate monsters before it was too late didn’t seem like such a bad method.

Above all, considering Maxel’s position that was falling into ruin, going to the battlefield with sword in hand to achieve military merit would be the way to overturn all his recent setbacks at once.

“You need a private force for monster subjugation? But that’s not an easy matter. Not only soldiers, but also funds and…”

Though he wasn’t entirely without private forces, monster subjugation wasn’t a problem that could be solved with his private army. He was also worried that he might end up pushing all his carefully raised soldiers into a death trap out of vain ambition.

Was soldiers the only problem? Leading a unit required substantial funds as well.

As if guessing Maxel’s concerns, Lilia smiled gently.

“I have a mine. So Your Highness just needs to lead soldiers to subjugate the monsters and raise your reputation.”

Maxel showed a surprised expression at Lilia’s words.

Maxel had long known that Lilia owned a mine that hadn’t been reported to the Imperial Palace.

However, he had been so busy with various matters that he had temporarily forgotten about it. He never expected Lilia to step forward and confess first.

“Don’t tell me that mine… you secretly prepared it for me?”

“Of course.”

Maxel couldn’t continue speaking for a moment.

Maxel, who had been moving his lips wordlessly, let out a long sigh and pulled Lilia into his arms. Her small, delicate body fit snugly in his embrace.

“I had foolish thoughts about you. When you’re working so hard for me like this.”

Maxel regretted his past when he had been swayed by Anelli, who had briefly returned.

What had been the reason he turned to Anelli in the first place? Unlike the cold and calculating Anelli, it was because he had Lilia who cared for him so much.

Lilia, held in Maxel’s arms, buried her head and spoke in a strange tone.

“You know Count Ruejak’s family, don’t you? They have soldiers.”

“Ruejak… I recall the Count’s daughter staying as a guest at the Roam Ducal Palace. I remember she was Anelli’s friend.”

“The Count’s daughter has a deep friendship with me too, you know?”

Don’t forget that she’s also my friend, Lilia said as if acting spoiled. Maxel looked down at such Lilia as if she were adorable.

“Count Ruejak’s family won’t refuse the opportunity for monster subjugation. It’s a glorious task.”

“Right, it’s a glorious task.”

Maxel stroked the back of Lilia’s head.

She felt so lovable, staying in his arms even while stepping on broken fragments for his sake. So Maxel’s arms holding her tightened with strength.

Neither of them noticed the crow scurrying about through the slightly open balcony door.

* * *

I had already known about the incident at the Lindea River because I heard the story through Mori.

At that time, Mori said he had possessed weak divine power before his death, and it seemed that power remained even after he awakened.

[So I thought I had to do something.]

The divine power he possessed seemed to dilute the fear of nearby animals. The animals welcomed Mori, and Mori listened to their grievances.

The place where Mori opened his eyes was the Lindea River. The ducks living in the Lindea River used to grumble about humans who threw stones at them for entertainment.

In other words, it was a peaceful riverside with no particular problems besides that.

Perhaps that’s why Saluka’s story particularly captivated Mori.

[It was very small.]

Mori said it was so small and emaciated that he initially thought it was a child. He approached thinking it was a lost child by the waterfront.

But when he got closer, he saw its body was covered in green moss, and its hair was soaked with water, hanging down like seaweed.

[It said it needed rest. That it was too tormented.]

It said it had been abandoned here and wandered for a long time, and now it just wanted to be at peace. It wished to close its eyes comfortably at the end.

I suspected it had somehow sensed Mori’s divine power.

“If it can mimic humans, it must also know how to deceive and lie.”

Gazing at the quiet Lindea River, I muttered softly.

“It’s too wide. Even with the help of animals, finding it won’t be easy.”

Jeon, standing beside me, muttered in a voice mixed with sighs. Then he glanced back and added in a displeased tone.

“And we even have troublesome things attached to us.”

“They want to insert their name somehow.”

Roam’s knights had followed under the pretext of escort. However, they would be prioritizing monitoring me and, if possible, stealing my achievements.

“The Temple teaches various techniques for tracking monsters. Using them, we’ll find it quickly.”

“But if we increase our party here, we won’t even have a chance to talk with that thing.”

Just the Roam knights watching me like surveillance was already bothersome enough.

I was already wondering what excuse to use to get rid of those bastards, and now you want me to add Temple officials too?

“It’s not in the river. We need to go into the forest…”

We searched for several days. Based on Mori’s testimony, we were using insects and animals to search, but according to Seisian, there was also the possibility that it was changing its form.

「How did that monster use divine power? Divine power isn’t something you can use just because you want to.」

I had asked Mori that question. And Mori answered, lowering his head apologetically.

[There’s a pendant that the Captain gave me. I could only use divine power when I had it.]

Hearing his words reminded me. The pendant resembling a pocket watch that the former Captain had given to Mori.

[When I transformed into a snake, it was difficult to operate the pendant. To transform into a Dura’han… it was midday, and there were many ducks around…]

So he had taught the pendant operation method to a Saluka that resembled human form and could use hands.

The timing he taught this was exactly just before the Empress crossed the bridge.

‘If it has the pendant, I might be able to recognize it.’

Light emanates from places where divine power resides. The problem is that I’m the only one who can recognize that light.

In the end, it means I have to personally scour that vast forest.

“Second Miss.”

Perhaps finding it strange that I was just standing blankly by the riverside, Roam’s knights approached and called me.

“Even now, if you request support from the family, they’ll arrive quickly.”

“Roam’s knights? What good would it do to just increase numbers with those lacking skill?”

At my retort, the knight’s face turned bright red. He lowered his gaze slightly and spoke in a deliberately calm voice.

“…Everyone is working hard in training. They won’t be careless anymore.”

“Carelessness wasn’t the problem – you simply lacked skill.”

“You make it seem as if we’re unnecessary.”

Undisguised hostility seeped into the knight’s voice.

‘Ah, this is it.’

I suppressed the rising satisfaction within and lifted my chin coldly.

“Having directly witnessed your ‘pride,’ I can’t help but feel you’re unnecessary.”

“I heard that the Magic Tower mage and Temple Knight are only accompanying for investigation. No matter how strong the Second Miss’s guard is, it’s difficult to guarantee safety from monsters with just that one female knight.”

Since Samuel was with me in his capacity as a Knight, it seemed to them that my guard consisted of only Palides.

I tilted my lips mockingly and ridiculed the knight.

“Should I remind you how many Roam knights were defeated by my knight?”

At that, the knight’s cheeks trembled. He seemed to be exercising the maximum patience he could muster.

“I heard that the Second Miss has repeatedly been kidnapped by monsters. I was just worried that such an incident might happen again.”

“Even if you were by my side, I don’t think you could prevent such misfortune.”

The knight was gradually losing control of his expression at my unrestrained insults.

He probably wanted to return to Roam immediately, didn’t he? He simply couldn’t disobey Father’s orders.

“You seem afraid of monsters, so just stand here and guide any ignorant civilians who might take the wrong path.”

“Second Miss, we are…!”

“Shall I call it an order?”

I crossed my arms and indifferently looked over the knights.

“You can just report to Father that I gave the order, can’t you?”

The faces of the knights, humiliated in front of outsiders Jeon and Samuel, had become pitifully distorted.

The knight, breathing heavily with a crimson face, gritted his teeth and answered.

“If it’s an order, I will comply.”

It was quite fortunate that I could separate them more easily than expected.

Thinking so, I turned around without hesitation.

The Knights of Roam did not follow me.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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