For the Young Villain’s Happy Ending - Chapter 40

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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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Chapter 40

“I hope that this year, not a single person dies by Keri’s hand.”

Kevenriak recalled Raina Hart’s words.
Why specifically this year?
For the past several months, my master had occasionally fallen into deep thought.
Could those moments I pretended not to notice be connected to the anxiety I sensed in my master just now?

‘My master can see the future, after all.’

Her refusal to become Crown Prince, her plea that no one die this year—both might be connected to a future only Raina Hart knew.
It might be related to the future that only Raina Hart knows about.

“I wonder if something is changing.”

That change altered so many things, and she preferred to remain unchanging.
Change alters so many things, so it’s better to remain unchanged yourself.

“Will you become the Crown Prince?”

It was because he wanted me to become ‘a sword that fights for the Emperor.’
It was an unreasonable request.
It was an unreasonable request.

“I have no intention of fighting for anyone other than my master.”

Upon hearing my answer, the Emperor’s face stiffened for a moment before he patted my shoulder with a friendly expression.
I could instinctively understand.
That the light in his eyes toward me had mixed with annoyance directed at an enemy.
She noticed that his gaze toward her was tinged with annoyance directed at the enemy.

“Kevenriak, there it is.”

The Grimoire of Magic pointed with a red ribbon toward the cave entrance visible below.
Zikhard pointed to the cave entrance visible below with a red ribbon.

“The Third Prince is in that cave.”

Kevenriak and Zikhard were searching for the Third Prince’s whereabouts.
The Third Prince who had incited the rebellion and vanished.
The Third Prince’s army, brainwashed by dark magic, had occupied the Imperial Palace.
About an hour ago, Raina Hart and Kevenriak alone had captured them and reclaimed the throne.
But the Third Prince could not be found, no matter where he had fled.

“I will bring him back.”

I told the Emperor as much and set out myself.
It was far more efficient to take matters into my own hands than to entrust them to others.
I backtracked the direction the army had come from.
Fortunately, I found a witness, and the search narrowed to the mountains near Jenia.
I took the left side of the forest, while Kevenriak took the right.

“Let’s hurry down and finish this. Once we capture the Third Prince, it’s over, right?”

I had entrusted the Grimoire of Magic to Kevenriak. It was because I was concerned about my disciple.
It felt bitter that even in such circumstances, I had to protect my disciple.
But thanks to that, I had found the Third Prince.

“Yes.”

Kevenriak affirmed Zikhard’s words.
He wanted to finish quickly and return.
To Hibeiro, where he could be in the same space as his master.
To the ordinary days of reading books together with his master, who lay languidly with her head resting on his lap in the Study.
Kevenriak entered the cave without hesitation.
At the dead end of the short cavern, the form of a person huddled in the darkness.

“I… I…”

A voice murmured anxiously from the darkness.
Kevenriak’s light magic illuminated the cave.
What appeared was an adult man in a tattered uniform, trembling.

“Are you the Third Prince?”
“Yes.”

Zikhard answered after reviewing the man’s information.
Kevenriak walked toward the man.
It was the Third Prince, whom he hadn’t seen since the tea time held at the Empress’s Palace eight years ago.
Yet just as before, he felt no emotion whatsoever.
For Kevenriak, there was only one thought: he had to bring this man before the Emperor.

‘If this isn’t resolved, Master won’t be able to rest.’

The sun was already setting. All day long, Raina Hart had been caught up in the affairs of the Imperial Palace, moving about frantically.
Though she didn’t show it, she was surely displeased.

‘Master hates troublesome matters.’

Kevenriak placed his hand on the Third Prince’s shoulder.
He was about to use teleportation to drag him out of the cave.

“Fourth Prince…?”
“…Yes, that is correct.”

Suddenly, the Third Prince lifted his head and spoke.
At Kevenriak’s response, the Third Prince let out a bitter laugh.

“An insect.”
“…?”
“There’s an insect here that deserves to be crushed. If I capture that thing, perhaps Her Majesty the Empress will forgive me.”

Then he began to mutter with unfocused eyes.
Kevenriak’s gaze fixed on the dark, discolored skin visible above the Third Prince’s collar.
He was delirious, consumed by poison.

“There is no one to forgive you. The Empress is dead.”

Unlike Kevenriak’s clear blue eyes, the Third Prince stared at him with clouded, vacant eyes.
And his lips continued to move.

“Your Majesty the Empress, there’s an insect here.”

He was in a state where words wouldn’t reach him.
Just as Kevenriak was about to cast teleportation while gripping his shoulder—

Whoosh!
The Third Prince’s blade sliced through the air toward Kevenriak’s blind spot.
The steel sang as it moved with lethal speed, aiming for his throat.

“….”

Sensing the killing intent, Kevenriak pivoted backward with explosive speed, but the Third Prince matched his velocity effortlessly.
The blade’s trajectory shifted mid-swing, pursuing him relentlessly until it nearly grazed his face.

“Watch out! Kevenriak!”

Crash!
The Grimoire of Magic’s protective barrier materialized just in time, intercepting the Third Prince’s strike.
Brilliant sparks of magical energy erupted across the shield’s surface.
Kevenriak studied the Third Prince beyond the barrier, his mind racing.

‘These movements… they’re not ordinary.’

My own physical abilities were superhuman enough to make Fontepon and Shukal whistle in disbelief.
Yet the Third Prince’s movements were something else entirely—grotesque, unnatural.
A thin line of blood trickled down my cheek where the blade had grazed me.

“Good heavens! What in the world is that? Do humans normally bend their arms at such angles?”

Zikhard gasped theatrically at the Third Prince’s arm, twisted at an impossible angle.
His voice feigned concern, but his smile betrayed sinister amusement.

‘Hehehehe. Kevenriak, the Third Prince won’t be an easy opponent.’

Nayson Heteroven
…(omitted)…
※ Dark Magic Toxin Corruption (93%)

Those consumed by dark magic’s toxin lost control of body and mind, but there was one additional complication that made them nightmarish opponents.
Not all victims experienced it.
Yet some, like a candle burning brightest just before its flame extinguished, would explosively unleash every ounce of their physical power.
They would manifest strength beyond anything they could achieve in a lifetime, before the toxin spread rapidly and claimed their life.
The Third Prince was in precisely such a state.

‘The rapidly changing skin color is proof of it. His entire neck has already transformed.’

Zikhard rustled the pages of the book with elevated spirits.
Eight years had passed since contracting with the great master who loved peace, Raina Hart.
I had nearly become a Grimoire of Magic dulled by that very peace, but my true nature was destruction.
Since my master had given orders, I wouldn’t be able to witness a bloody battle.
But still, I wanted to see a duel.
However, if Kevenriak, a sixth-circle mage, used magic, the outcome would be decided in an instant.

“Kevenriak.”
“…?”
“You should use a sword against the Third Prince.”
“…Why?”
“A body consumed by dark magic doesn’t respond well to magic.”

The Grimoire of Magic, who had casually offered the suggestion, shamelessly lied.

Crack.
In the meantime, cracks began to form on the shield from the Third Prince’s descending attacks.

***

“He doesn’t seem to be here.”

The magical circle that had filled the wide ground converged beneath Raina’s feet and vanished.
I had attempted multiple searches within the range of my detection magic, but could not locate the Third Prince.

‘Perhaps he’s with Keri.’

Raina turned her head.

“If Keri is in danger, you block it.”
“Yes! Should I use magic? Master, are you giving me permission to use magic?”
“…Block with your body.”
“Eek! How can you say something so cruel!”

Since the Grimoire of Magic was making such a fuss, I did grant permission to use defensive magic at least.

‘I hope they’re doing well…?’

Raina Hart rose once more to search for her disciple and the Grimoire of Magic.

***

Inside the cave, traces of sword and magic lay in chaotic disarray.

“Ah, ah…!”

The Third Prince recoiled in horror as vines crawled up his body.
Kevenriak had summoned them—the very restraints his master favored when binding captives.
Though the Third Prince severed the vines with his blade, Kevenriak’s magic spawned new tendrils faster than the prince’s rapidly enhanced physical abilities could cut them down.

“~~!”

Beside Kevenriak, who wove his magic with deliberate precision,
Zikhard, silenced by the spell, frantically flipped through the pages of a book in protest, but Kevenriak ignored him.

“Keri, don’t listen to what Zikhard says. He’s likely lying.”

Since my master had advised me thus, there was no need to heed the Grimoire’s words.
Meanwhile, the Third Prince thrashed desperately—like a boy terrified by the sight of Kevenriak’s magic.
When the vines finally ensnared even the arm that gripped his sword, a desperate plea tore from the Third Prince’s lips.

“Raina Hart! Stop the Fourth Prince! You’re a Grand Mage!”
“…”

Kevenriak’s brow furrowed as he glanced around, hoping against hope.
The cave held only the Grimoire of Magic, Kevenriak, and the Third Prince—no one else.
Eight years ago, at the tea time in the Empress’s Palace.
Just as the Third Prince had been utterly immobilized by Kevenriak’s magic then, his eyes now trembled with that same darkened terror as he beheld him.

“Fourth Prince. You are… a monster.”

Monster. A word he hadn’t heard in ages, and Kevenriak’s expression remained unmoved.

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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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