For the Young Villain’s Happy Ending - Chapter 156

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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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Side Story Episode 9

It had been a threat. I would watch over you for the rest of your life, so don’t even think of straying—that was what I’d said.
But then Simona, seized by some inexplicable whim, decided she had nowhere else to go and clung to me like a burr. I hadn’t meant for us to be together forever, but she chased me when I fled and found me when I hid.
Eight years had already passed. A sigh escaped my lips unbidden.
“Why the sigh? Thanks to your capable advisor, you’ve smoothly secured the peace treaty, haven’t you?”
Simona gestured toward my arms.
Because she had manipulated the Emperor’s shadow, she had obtained the treaty without incident. Even without the shadow made from souls, controlling the shadow of someone who wasn’t a mage was child’s play. Though there were some limitations.
“Raina, do you think the Emperors will just sit idle? Shadow manipulation only restricts movement—their minds remain fully conscious.”
They could see clearly how they were being toyed with by magic, so by now, both Emperors must be seething with rage.
“Do you think they’ll send armies?”
I didn’t answer, but Simona paid no mind and continued muttering to herself before falling into thought with a soft hum.
Last year, when both empires refused to acknowledge the Magic Tower, they had sent armies and Mage Association mages at the same time. But instead of waging war, they couldn’t breach the Tower Master’s protective barrier and were taken hostage on the fifth day.
The Betuzhenia Empire and the Tunterra Empire had to pay an astronomical sum in noise damage compensation to recover hundreds of thousands of hostages.
Even after suffering such humiliation, humans forget the past and repeat the same mistakes.
Simona laughed brightly.
“Why not strike first? We could bring them under our control this time.”
In this life, she revealed her true nature without reservation, and because of that, she got along remarkably well with Zikhard.
I thought it was impressive how she had managed to hide her true self and play the role of a duchess, but I didn’t voice the thought aloud.
“If we put them under our control, managing them will be a hassle. Let’s just crush them.”
“…You mean eliminate them entirely? For the record, I was half-joking.”
“I was joking along with you too.”
“Why do you say such jokes with such a serious face? And I’m terrified that if you say it, it might actually happen.”
Simona shuddered slightly. She had realized two years ago that Raina Hart was not someone who spoke of things she couldn’t accomplish.

“I need a strong force. One that no one would dare to touch.”

When I said that, I was fifteen years old.
Simona had thought it was the naive arrogance of someone living a second life.
How reckless.
Even as she scoffed inwardly, she helped Raina Hart. She was willing to stand by her no matter what foolish thing she might do.
But as time passed, Simona began to realize something. It was she who had been reckless in her thinking. Raina had truly become the leader of mages and a being even the Emperors feared. No one dared even think of touching her, the master of the Magic Tower.
Yet despite her grand ambitions in starting this endeavor, Raina Hart showed little enthusiasm for Magic Tower activities. She had no particular interest in power and despised creating troublesome situations.
Building the Magic Tower between the two empires and halting the war because it was noisy—that was the extent of her ambition.

“So, what will you do from now on?”
“Bring peace to the Continent.”
“…Are you saying that to make me feel guilty?”

Running the Magic Tower was something I could handle competently enough, but I was curious. If she found it so bothersome, why seek power in the first place?
I understood the reason the day I visited the Betuzhenia Imperial Palace to see Raphael.

“Sister, how many years has it been since we’ve seen our son? He’s so adorable—. Honestly, I’m sometimes amazed. I gave birth to someone this lovely?! That’s what I think.”

Seeing my nephew grown so much, memories of my past life as Simona Asperada surfaced—those days when I lived like a monster, blinded by vengeance.
Kevenriak Heteroven.
The Emperor of Betuzhenia whom the red-haired knight served. The one Kin Setric had tried to protect, yet ultimately could not.
His childhood in that life had been unfortunate, so this time I wanted to give him a strong backing. Ending the war was also about allowing him to live in a peaceful environment.
‘It was only ever one person from the beginning. Raphael, you’re gravely mistaken about Raina Hart. Affectionate? Please.’
Still, I had no complaints since Raphael and my people survived because of it.
“Indeed, you would never destroy Betuzhenia. Not when he resides there.”
“Grand Mage!”
Just then, a voice calling out to me echoed from down the corridor.
I turned my gaze to the side. A child with black hair and blue eyes—bearing a striking resemblance—was approaching with a hand held, while Kevenriak, upon spotting me, grew impatient and tried to run, only to be gently soothed by Raphael as they walked.
My silver eyes softened with affection.
‘Look at that.’
Simona clicked her tongue reproachfully, but she was hardly one to talk. As Raphael approached, affection bloomed in Simona’s eyes as well.
The moment Raina, Simona, and Raphael finished exchanging greetings, Kevenriak spoke to me as if he had been waiting.
“Grand Mage, about last time—”
“Fourth Prince, shouldn’t you greet me before stating your business?”
At Raphael’s correction, he startled, his eyes widening, and he bowed to me.
“Hello, Grand Mage.”
“Hello, Fourth Prince.”
I returned his greeting warmly.
In my previous life, he rarely showed emotion on his face, his soul consumed by the Grimoire of Magic.
That’s why seeing Kevenriak so honest with his feelings brought me such joy. It was the reason I’d been making various excuses to visit the Betuzhenia Imperial Palace lately.
“Do you remember the promise you made last time?”
“I do.”
“You said you’d take me as your disciple if I mastered light magic. So…!”
Without waiting for me to finish, Kevenriak clasped his hands together and chanted a spell.
Wow.
Gasps escaped from those around us. A small light had appeared in Kevenriak’s hands.
First Circle magic at merely eight years old! And without even having a magic instructor!
Raphael clutched Simona’s arm and murmured, “Is our child a genius…?” while the attendants and knights watching from one side of the corridor couldn’t hide their astonishment. Even Simona wore an expression of surprise.
The only one who wasn’t surprised was me. Seeing his magic after so long, my heart swelled, and I had to fight back tears.
“You’ve mastered light magic on your own.”
Kevenriak’s eyes sparkled with delight.
I waited, anticipating what the Grand Mage would say next. Raina lowered her gaze and touched her chin, feigning difficulty.
“I never thought you’d actually manage it. So then….”
“Please become my teacher!”
At the sight of the young mage pressing the Tower Master—someone even the Emperor feared—Raphael and Simona burst into laughter. Suppressed chuckles escaped from the others as well.
“Hmm….”
Raina turned her gaze toward Kevenriak.
Whenever I met those vibrant blue eyes brimming with vitality, my chest swelled with something warm and profound. That fullness asked me a question.
Wasn’t it good that I lived?
That my regression wasn’t merely a curse. That having endured that time of despair, I had ultimately gained something precious.
‘I acknowledge it.’
In truth, I had never imagined becoming your teacher until recently.
But what does it matter?
Love takes many forms, and if I can protect you this way, then that’s enough.
Raina bent at the waist to meet the young Kevenriak’s eyes.
“Of course.”
“…!”
“I look forward to working with you, my disciple.”
“Yes, Master!”
Kevenriak grasped Raina’s hand and smiled brightly.
It was the moment the Fourth Prince gained a cherished teacher.

【Side Story, Another Tale Ends】

***

The Betuzhenia Empire.
The current Emperor, Kevenriak Heteroven, was in a foul mood.
He’d had a nightmare the night before.
A dream where Raina Hart saw him as nothing more than her disciple for all eternity.
Worse still, she was a Dragon Quarter—her appearance never aged—while he, being human, watched his own form change with each passing year.
From child to adult, from adult to….
His fists clenched.
Since waking this morning, Kevenriak had lost count of how many times he’d checked the mirror.
He looked young. Wait, was that a wrinkle? No, just a mark. His skin seemed to have lost some of its former elasticity. …Was that from before the life-sharing ceremony?
Having undergone the companion consciousness ritual to share life force, Kevenriak’s body no longer aged.
The problem was how vivid the dream had been. It felt as though he’d witnessed the life of another version of himself living elsewhere, and he couldn’t shake it from his mind.
He still had over a hundred years ahead of him to spend with Raina Hart.
‘Magic that prevents aging….’
….
Meanwhile, the bureaucrats gathered for the conference were carefully watching the Emperor’s increasingly somber expression.
Three months after the wedding ceremony, the Emperor had been in excellent spirits every day. He’d even smiled occasionally, startling the hearts of those in the Imperial Palace more than once or twice. Though awkward, the atmosphere within the palace had improved, with people noting it was better than before.
But today, he seemed just like he had been before the marriage.
So even during the time designated for free discussion, no one dared open their mouth.
The silence was profound.
“Oh my, a white hair.”
The quiet murmur of Maverick Marquis, seated in the back row, reached the Emperor’s ears with perfect clarity.
Kevenriak’s ears twitched.

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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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