Don’t Look for the Resurrected Villainess - Chapter 188

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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 188

The Empress smiled bitterly and lowered her gaze.

On the back of her hands, folded demurely on her knees, were wrinkles that could not be hidden.

“Even time that seemed like it would never flow, somehow does flow.”

The Empress let out a murmur like a sigh. Heinrih, who had been quietly watching her, spoke in a calm voice.

“It’s not too late.”

“What isn’t?”

“…Anything.”

Of course, the Empress would remain Empress until her death. She had received the Empress’s crown, would be laid to rest beside the Emperor even in death, and would remain an Empress forever in history.

However, that didn’t mean her entire life was over. Although Heinrih didn’t know the Empress’s exact wishes, judging from their previous conversation…

“When the great affairs are finished, you can travel peacefully and refresh yourself.”

“My son is so kind.”

The Empress burst into a bitter laugh and rose to her feet. It was hard to believe that just moments ago she had been someone who had lost all motivation and was staring endlessly at the garden, as she quickly regained her inherent dignity.

She adjusted the shawl she was wearing and turned her back to the garden. There was no lingering attachment in her striding steps.

Rather, she seemed eager to escape this place quickly.

“Now I clearly understand why the Creator sent down the Revivers. If we leave those monsters alone even a little, the entire Empire will immediately fall into chaos.”

Heinrih calmly nodded at the Empress’s cold words.

“Yes, that’s right. I’m very worried that His Majesty’s health has deteriorated during such an important time.”

Upon hearing those words, the Empress raised her eyebrows and muttered as if to herself.

“His Majesty’s health has deteriorated?”

“Since he cannot come even when Mother has awakened like this, how severe must it be?”

At Heinrih’s answer, the Empress glanced at him. The Empress’s lips, which had been pressed into a straight line, curved upward diagonally.

“Oh my. So that’s why he couldn’t come.”

The Emperor and Empress were not in the habit of seeing each other unless there was an official occasion. So it wasn’t strange that the Emperor wasn’t visiting the Empress’s Palace now.

Heinrih’s eloquence in skillfully packaging this was nothing but smooth.

“Yes. I think he must be feeling great burden from the series of recent events.”

“To the extent that it interferes with state affairs.”

The Empress readily acknowledged that the Emperor lacked judgment. The truth of it wasn’t particularly important either.

Heinrih bowed his head exaggeratedly.

“I’m concerned that Mother, who has just awakened from such a terrible ordeal, might be taking on too great a responsibility.”

“Where I stand is not in a dream. Heinrih, didn’t I tell you?”

The Empress’s voice resonated a bit lower.

“That I wouldn’t confuse the reality I face.”

Until now, the Empress had devoted herself to domestic affairs without major disturbance. That was also what the Emperor wanted. For the Empress not to step forward wielding her authority.

It was Heinrih who was trying to draw out the Empress, who would prefer to live quietly in the future. Even without the Empress pointing it out, Heinrih clearly recognized this fact.

As he felt sorry, his apology was filled with sincerity.

“I’m sorry.”

“Enough. The crown isn’t light enough to be seized with kindness alone.”

The Empress waved her hand as if annoyed.

“Having realized the danger of monsters with my own body, I cannot just idle away in the palace. This mother will attend state council meetings from now on, stand by His Majesty’s side, and observe the nation’s affairs. You prepare for it.”

Heinrih bowed his head. After confirming his devoted attitude, the Empress walked away expressionlessly.

And a few days later, all the rose bushes in the Empress’s Palace garden were uprooted.

* * *

The hawk that had only been circling the sky finally descended to the ground.

The sight of fluttering wings being enveloped in black smoke and then transforming into a Dura’han was remarkably graceful.

[Sixth Knight, Soana.]

As I watched the Dura’han bow toward me, I was seized by a strange feeling.

A kind but strict teacher, a learned cleric, a knight like a mother growing old.

While listening to the Dura’han’s descriptions, I had imagined Soana’s image in my own way. However, none of the Soana I had imagined matched the appearance before my eyes.

I truly never imagined she would be this captivating.

[I was late teaching young hawks how to avoid hunters’ traps. They’re ones who would be exposed defenseless once I leave.]

How should I put it? Listening to Soana’s explanation, it seemed the Dura’han’s descriptions weren’t complete lies.

The fact that she was late caring for young hawks, her clear and excellent pronunciation, and her respectful etiquette even in a Dura’han’s body all suggested this.

However…

[Moreover, there’s been a hunter bothering me recently, so I had to be wary of him. He’s someone who doesn’t know how to back down easily even when threatened.]

Soana’s voice carried an undeniable beauty.

Wait, wasn’t she supposed to be a cleric? A strict teacher?

[But I never intended to keep the Captain waiting long.]

“Uh, Soana.”

[Yes, Captain.]

Was it the influence of her voice? The headless armored Dura’han looked too pretty. Somehow her armor seemed to look a bit different from the other Dura’han too.

“Could you transform into a hawk?”

Soana willingly transformed into a hawk. After the black smoke cleared and I confirmed the hawk’s face that appeared, I let out a quiet sigh.

Clear eyes, a beak with the tip slightly curved downward, and black lustrous feathers. She was flawlessly beautiful.

A beautiful hawk. Having lived seeing only animals since my revival, I had now reached the point of finding beauty and ugliness even in animal appearances.

“Your beauty is quite outstanding.”

[That’s nothing new.]

Soana let out a low laugh and flapped her wings. The gentle wing movements further highlighted Soana’s elegance.

Nadab, who had been watching her from beside me, casually explained.

[The Captain often admired Soana’s beauty.]

Admiring beauty was somewhat unexpected. Considering the Captain’s image I’d heard so far, I would have expected her to spout tedious platitudes about how appearance doesn’t matter and inner qualities are most important.

Perhaps seeing my puzzled expression, Nadab continued his explanation.

[She said that appearance is also an excellent ability, so there’s no reason not to be proud of it. Soana didn’t particularly like her own appearance, but thanks to the Captain, she gained this confident demeanor.]

Just from the brief additional explanation that she didn’t like her appearance, I could guess several situations.

I could say I know a little about the inevitable problems that arise when someone is an outstanding beauty.

Moreover, if a woman walking the path of clergy is beautiful? Though I don’t know for sure, the difficulties Soana must have faced wouldn’t have been few.

While I was nodding and organizing my thoughts after understanding somewhat, Soana exchanged greetings with the other Dura’han.

The ones most delighted were Jigol and Mori.

[Tristan is a bean-sized bumblebee, but Soana became a beautiful hawk!]

[So, Soana!]

[Oh my, these two little ones met the Captain first.]

They said she cared for the two knights like a mother, and it seemed that wasn’t wrong. Jigol and Mori’s voices carried undisguised affection. They seemed accustomed to whining.

[Now if we just find Dasha, we’ll all be together!]

Jigol, who shouted in an excited voice, scurried around on the ground. But for some reason, Mori’s reaction to Jigol’s words wasn’t good.

Mori, who had been staring at the Dura’han greeting Soana happily, gradually backed away and approached me.

I extended my palm as I quietly looked down at Mori, who was looking around as if searching for the silk pouch.

Mori looked up at me with surprised eyes, then hesitantly and carefully climbed onto my palm.

“Nadab, Minte. Explain the situation to Soana and let them enjoy their reunion. We’ll leave this place tomorrow.”

[Yes, understood.]

[Yes.]

I entrusted the Dura’han to Nadab and Minte, the most rational among the Dura’han who could lead everyone, then turned around with Mori. I entered the tent and sat on the makeshift bed.

When I placed Mori on my knee, Mori, who had been glancing at me and rolling her eyes around, carefully curled up.

“Mori.”

[Y-yes?]

“Why are you sulking again?”

Due to several incidents, Mori had become extremely secretive about her inner thoughts. It’s just that she’s clumsy at hiding her feelings, so it shows every time.

Since she was obviously showing her discomfort, I couldn’t help but be bothered by it. It would be a big problem if I left it alone and some discord arose among the Dura’han.

That’s why I brought her in like this. I thought she might speak more easily if we were alone.

At my question, Mori hesitated and then quietly lowered her head.

[N-now only Dasha remains.]

“Right.”

[Th, the knights will regain their memories.]

“I think so.”

Mori’s large eyes grew moist. Looking down at that sight, I narrowed my eyes and asked.

“Do you dislike that?”

Was there some memory he wanted to hide from the other knights? As I observed Mori with suspicious thoughts, Mori muttered in a gloomy voice.

[I wish they wouldn’t remember.]

“What…”

I hesitated as I was about to ask what he wished they wouldn’t remember.

Mori remembers everything. Everything. Even the knights’ final moments, all of it.

[At, at first I hated it. But now I’m okay. So… the other knights should just.]

And Mori was a knight with a very tender heart. A tender knight who couldn’t just pass by even evil monsters and would fret, wanting to spare them.

If Mori treasured complete strangers so dearly, I could tell without asking how much he would worry about those close to him.

[I wish they could keep not knowing.]

What should I do with this young snake who was fretting like this over something he couldn’t do anything about with his own power?

Originally, I never got along well with those who had such good nature. In my eyes, they just looked frustrating, and I didn’t think of them as admirable or noble.

However, I didn’t particularly want to scold Mori for being foolish.

I had only thought of him as a snake I could release anytime, but it seemed I had unknowingly come to accept this fellow as my knight too.

“All my knights are strong, so they won’t crumble just from regaining their memories.”

[But…]

“If you can’t trust them, then trust me.”

Mori stared up at me intently. At this moment, was Mori thinking of his past captain?

I tried to recall my previous life that I couldn’t even remember anyway, then soon emptied my mind. She was someone from the past, and Mori’s captain now was me.

“As I said, I don’t lie to you.”

Mori looked at me with wavering eyes, then quietly curled up his body. I gently stroked Mori’s scales.

Mori’s breathing settled more steadily than before. It seemed to represent my influence over Mori, which made me feel a little pleased.

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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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