For the Young Villain’s Happy Ending - Chapter 43

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

Chapter 43

“What are you talking about?”
“The aftermath of Yeji’s prediction. That thing you saw in a dream a while back—it was the Third Prince’s rebellion, wasn’t it?”

True to his nature as a Detective Agency director, his instincts were sharp.
Raina Hart opened her mouth while keeping her face pressed against the cushion.
There was hardly an aftermath to speak of.

“Clean up the Imperial Palace, capture the Third Prince. Done.”
“You make it sound so easy. It’s not that simple.”

Maverick Marquis responded to Raina’s words with exasperation.
This wasn’t some spring cleaning aftermath.
Who resolved a rebellion situation in just half a day?
This morning, as Maverick Marquis rushed to the Imperial Palace, he recalled the unbelievable accounts he’d heard there.

“The Third Prince’s army was hanging like fruit, they said. Their limbs bound by vines so they couldn’t move an inch.”
“That’s not all—I even saw soldiers trapped inside a barrier. The absurd part was that all their weapons were outside the barrier.”

The Imperial Army of the Betuzhenia Empire, arriving belatedly, had nothing to do but awkwardly pick up scattered weapons.

‘The great mage who destroyed Tunchar in a single night.’

Seeing her sprawled out like this on ordinary days made it feel completely unreal.

“You truly are remarkable, my client.”
“Why the sudden flattery?”

Still, Raina Hart waved her hand, saying debt forgiveness was out of the question.

“No, I’m genuinely impressed. I heard His Majesty the Emperor’s organ was also newly fitted by you?”

What?
At Maverick Marquis’s words, Raina Hart lifted her upper body and looked at him.

“…How did you find out?”
“You mentioned it yourself during the morning conference. ‘The Grand Mage’s magic truly is different. With new organs, my body feels this good.’ That’s what you said.”

I buried my face in the cushion again, utterly exasperated.

“His Majesty the Emperor….”

Is he an idiot?
I barely swallowed the words threatening to spill from my lips.
Unless he truly was a fool, there was no way he’d carelessly reveal his own weaknesses like that.

‘I trust he didn’t mention sustaining himself through mana, but any knowledgeable mage could deduce it.’

I clicked my tongue in frustration.
I couldn’t spend all my time cleaning up after the Emperor’s messes.

‘This incident was connected to Keri’s circumstances, so I had to intervene.’

My remaining objective was to stay quiet until the original story began.

‘Ah.’

Then I remembered something I needed to ask Maverick.
Another key figure from the original story involved in this incident. The father of the female protagonist, Vivian.

“What about Duke Asperada?”

Maverick smiled at my question.

“He appeared quite naturally at this morning’s conference.”
“…How? He wasn’t caught?”

Surely he hadn’t come to Maverick without proposing support for the Third Prince.

“His alibi was solid. On the day before yesterday and yesterday when the Third Prince stirred up the rebellion, a party hosted by the Duchess of Asperada was held at their residence. The Duke was seen throughout the event.”
“He slipped away?”
“Exactly. Slipping away like a cunning fox is that bastard’s specialty, isn’t it? The proposal he made to me—to Maverick Marquis—wasn’t to start a rebellion, but to support the Third Prince. What’s more, I was apparently the only one Duke Asperada approached with such a proposal. It bothered me, so I’ve been conducting a separate investigation on this end.”
“The Emperor doesn’t know?”
“The details, anyway. Still, it seems the Emperor has taken a dim view of Duke Asperada because of this. He didn’t speak to the Duke once throughout the entire conference.”

Maverick grinned beneath his shaggy hair.

“You have a good nose for the Emperor’s political scheming, don’t you?”

Like a dog chasing chickens.
It was similar in the original work. He had supported the Crown Prince, but when Kevenriak became Emperor, he lost his influence and wandered aimlessly.
He had made tireless efforts to betroth the awakened Vivian to Kevenriak, hoping to secure the position of the Emperor’s father-in-law.

‘Duke Asperada is following a similar path to the original.’

Maverick spoke to the reassured Raina Hart.

“If you wish, shall I entangle Duke Asperada in treason as well? Maverick Marquis can serve as a witness.”
“No, that’s enough.”

There was no need to touch someone whose path mirrored the original setting.

“Well, if you change your mind, leave it to me anytime. Since the Imperial Special Investigation Bureau is involved, now is the optimal time to make a move.”
“The Investigation Bureau?”

Raina Hart recalled the Emperor’s words.

“Yes, that. I handed it over to the Imperial Special Investigation Bureau. They’re still investigating.”

Hadn’t the Emperor mentioned entrusting the medicine bottle received from the Old Woman to the Investigation Bureau?
The possibility of another mastermind from the original work had not yet disappeared.

‘The culprit who turned the Betuzhenia Imperial Palace into a sea of blood instead of Keri.’

They still hadn’t found the one who used dark magic to control the Empress Consort and the Third Prince.

***

‘How desolate.’

Hazel, an investigator with the Betuzhenia Empire’s Imperial Special Investigation Bureau, emerged from the empty Imperial Palace.
The incident from two days ago had been resolved by the Grand Mage and the Fourth Prince, and the Imperial Palace mages had restored the palace to its original state.
Yet there was no magic to bring back the people who had vanished.
Most of the deceased victims were members of the Imperial Family and their close associates.

‘Aides died because they were caught up in incidents targeting the Imperial Family. We cannot rule out the possibility that the dark magic was specifically aimed at the Imperial Family.’
“Director Hazel, you’ve arrived.”

As I entered the investigation bureau building in Jenia, a subordinate greeted me and fell into step behind.

“Someone has come requesting to see you, Director, but….”

The subordinate trailed off uncertainly.
Judging by his hesitation, it must be a nobleman.

“Count William again? I’ve told him countless times—that bracelet isn’t being returned-.”

Hazel furrowed his brow as he opened the door to his office.
The nobleman’s ‘ear’ for listening was certainly the ‘ear’ of annoyance.
Day in and day out, pestering investigators with trivial matters-.

“….”

And I froze in place, the door still open.
A figure seated in the chair with impeccable posture, viewed from behind.
Fine lavender hair instantly captivated my gaze.
As the figure turned at the sound of my presence, both Hazel and his subordinate held their breath.
Pale skin and transparent silver eyes. Pink lips and lavender hair—as if a watercolor painting in soft hues had been rendered in this single place alone.

‘Seeing her this close for the first time.’

Raina Hart.
An 8-Circle Archmage and war hero.
Surreal. I had thought those lips would not move, yet they parted, releasing a composed voice.

“You are Hazel, Director of the Special Investigation Bureau, correct?”
“Y-yes, that’s correct.”

Tension was evident in Hazel’s voice.
At that sound, the subordinate looked at him in surprise.
Known as the “merciless Hazel” for his coldness—so detached that even a needle wouldn’t draw blood—this was his superior.
Yet even that fearsome Hazel’s demeanor seemed warmer than the Archmage’s expressionless countenance.
Raina rose to her feet and extended her hand toward Hazel.

“Good to see you.”

Hazel gazed at the hand Raina Hart extended, wiped his palm against his uniform jacket, and carefully shook it.
He maintained composure, but his heart trembled.

‘What an honor.’

And well it should—this was Raina Hart, the woman he had long admired. That she would initiate a handshake with him…

“What brings you to seek me out? Ah, but Hart Countess—you are a Countess now, aren’t you? Your access to Jenia was…”
“Forbidden.”

But just this morning, Raina had shattered the teleportation barrier, and the Emperor had granted her permission to enter whenever she wished.

“That’s no longer an issue. Are you returning from the Imperial Palace?”
“Yes, sir.”

I had just finished investigating the poison.
Still, within the Investigation Bureau, I was the most knowledgeable about dark magic toxins.
Eight years of handling poison bottle investigations had earned me that distinction.

‘The staff has gone.’

Raina confirmed the office door was closed, then turned to Hazel with a question.

“I’d like to review the investigation records of the poison bottle that His Majesty entrusted to you.”
“…Even as Countess Hart, I cannot carelessly hand over external materials.”
“His Majesty has permitted it.”
“…The Emperor’s seal. I understand.”

What Raina presented to Hazel was a letter bearing the Emperor’s seal.
When she mentioned investigating the poison bottle, the Emperor had cheerfully handed it over.

“…Is His Majesty forcing that bright demeanor?”
“Hmm? Ah, thanks to the go board you made, my body feels wonderfully refreshed. That’s probably why my complexion looks decent.”

The bearing of someone who had lost wives and children seemed inconceivable.
The fact that the Emperor was mad—well, one could simply choose not to dwell on it.

‘Too peaceful. I can’t trust it.’

I worried the throne might end up vacant.
Raina Hart made one final, firm request of the Emperor.

“Please don’t tell anyone that I’ve created a new organ for you. You must carefully select a mage from the Imperial Palace—someone truly trustworthy—to supply the magical power.”
“Heh heh, understood.”

That reassuring expression of his was hardly convincing.
Raina sighed and began flipping through the documents Hazel handed her.

***

“Now then…”

Kin straightened her back after hanging the last load of laundry on the line.
She looked around and counted on her fingers the tasks that remained.

“Floor cleaning, weeding the garden, and helping with dinner preparations should do it.”

Even after becoming an adult, Kin had taken on most of the orphanage’s work.
The other disciples had all suggested dividing the responsibilities now that everyone had grown, speaking in unison.
Yet Kin preferred doing things herself, claiming it put her mind at ease, and so she shouldered more of the household duties than the others.

“Should I look for a job too?”

But lately, Kin had developed a new worry.
The adult disciples were earning their own living by taking on magical commissions.
All I did was what I’d always done—caring for the younger disciples.

“What you do is truly wonderful work, Kin.”

Raina had created a salary account for Kin when she came of age, insisting she receive compensation for her labor.
But Kin had never once touched the money in that account.

“I can’t keep relying on Master forever…”
“Master wouldn’t think of it that way.”

I turned around in surprise at the sound of a response to my words.
A strikingly handsome man leaned against the building wall. There was an air of composed elegance about him, perfectly complemented by his raven-black hair.

“Y-Your Highness.”

Kin called out to Kevenriak Heteroven.

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