For the Young Villain’s Happy Ending - Chapter 99

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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 99

Maverick Marquis sat inside a carriage heading toward the House of Asperada.
It was because of a request from the pursuit team composed of Stale, Din, and Quade.

“So Director, could you find out what happened to those kids who went to Asperada Duke’s Castle?”

He had generously issued a single-use voucher for the Daisy Detective Agency, and now customers were using it for these trivial errands.
Truly.

“This isn’t right, is it?”

Maverick Marquis threw open the carriage window and called out.
Beside him rode a muscular, well-built middle-aged Knight on horseback.
The Knight, as if accustomed to this, turned his head toward him without any sign of surprise.
Maverick Marquis continued with his grievances.

“It seems Director Daisy intended to demonstrate her outstanding information network by traveling alongside Raina Hart’s disciples.”

It wasn’t particularly problematic for Maverick Marquis to visit Asperada Duke’s Castle as a Marquis.

“But this is unpaid work with no reward or interest whatsoever.”

No matter how much he calculated, the numbers didn’t add up, and it left him thoroughly unamused.
The Knight spoke to Maverick Marquis.

“Shall I tell the Director not to accept Raina Hart’s disciples as clients going forward?”

A low groan escaped him.
Maverick Marquis’s lips pressed together as if sealed shut.
He tapped the window frame with his index finger, then opened his mouth.

“There’s no need to be so extreme. Director Daisy needs clients to survive. Let’s consider this an investment by the Director for future clientele.”

Then he instructed the Knight to tell him when they drew near the Duke’s Castle and closed the window.
The Clerk of the Daisy Detective Agency and Knight of House Maverick Marquis smiled faintly as he gazed at the closed window.

‘Even if you say that, you still care about Raina Hart’s disciples.’

Ten years ago, the Auction House Director had stolen two supreme-grade magic stones that Raina Hart had entrusted to him and fled.
It was a debt that couldn’t be repaid even with a lifetime of work, so he had groaned about it endlessly.
But Maverick had enjoyed the situation the most.

“So you’re telling me to pass off a worthless mine as belonging to Maverick Marquis to the lord? What exactly is our creditor scheming?”

Contrary to his grumbling words whenever he received a commission from Raina Hart, the corners of his mouth were always turned upward.
If he had truly despised the debt relationship with her, Maverick Marquis’s wealth would have allowed him to assume the Director’s debt.
Though Maverick would never admit it.
The knight’s peculiar master held the dead mage in very high regard.
Like a closest friend.

“Marquis, we’re approaching Asperada Duke’s Castle.”

Shortly after, Maverick entered the Main Hall of the Duke’s Castle, where Duke Asperada and his wife greeted him.

“Welcome, Maverick Marquis.”

Pialtis extended his hand in greeting with a friendly expression.
Then he spoke, unable to hide his anxiety.

“It’s been quite some time since you took office as Director of the Special Investigation Bureau. Could it be that the reason you’ve come today is…?”

Still the same, this fellow.
Two years ago, he had been anxious with me in mind regarding the Third Prince’s rebellion.
Maverick felt indifferent inwardly, but he grasped Pialtis’s hand with a melancholic expression and spoke.

“I’d rather not discuss work matters outside. Today I’ve simply come to inquire after your well-being. And there are some matters I wish to discuss in confidence.”

In confidence. At that word, Pialtis’s ears perked up.
Was the Marquis planning to form a faction?
Come to think of it, the nobles who had been holding their breath in fear of the Emperor for two years were beginning to show signs of gathering outside the Imperial Palace.

‘The House of Maverick is an illustrious family and a financial conglomerate, so it wouldn’t be bad to consider them as a faction.’

While Pialtis was running through hopeful scenarios, Simona greeted Maverick.
Before she had confined herself to the house, both of them had been famous in high society, so they were acquainted with each other.

“It’s been a while, Marquis.”
“You’re as beautiful as ever, madam. How have you been feeling?”
“Thanks to your concern, I’m doing wonderfully.”

Simona offered an enchanting smile.
It was easy to see how the daughter of a noble house with barely a notable name had captured the heart of Duke Asperada.
The three of them conversed in the Reception Room, each concealing their true intentions.
Maverick Marquis occasionally observed the faces of passing servants and knights—swiftly and naturally, without drawing notice.

‘Among those I’ve seen so far, none appear to be Raina Hart’s disciples. I’ll need to stay longer.’

Maverick Marquis deftly steered the conversation and decided to impose upon their hospitality for the night.
Since there was still time before dinner, he was first shown to the guest room where he would stay.

“Should you need anything later, please let me know. The master has instructed us to see to your every comfort.”
“Of course. By the way, has anyone new joined the Duke’s Castle staff recently?”
“Not that I’m aware of. …May I ask why you inquire?”

Maverick Marquis spoke to the Butler without apparent concern.

“Nothing serious. Someone who worked for my house came down to this region, his hometown. I was simply wondering if he might have sought employment at the Duke’s Castle.”

The plausible explanation quickly eased the Butler’s suspicion.
Once the Butler closed the door and left, Maverick Marquis surveyed the empty room with a smirk.
Well then, let me have a look around.

***

“Nothing.”

Vivian returned home and sat at the table, flipping through her notebook.
Apart from a memo noting that she’d eaten an apple well, there was nothing new written down.

“Mokgeom must know this person.”

“Mokgeom” was Vivian’s way of referring to the other soul inhabiting her body.
I had asked for a name, but she said it was a secret. Since there were no particular clues about their identity, I adopted the wooden sword she left behind as a private nickname for them.
Vivian quite liked that soul. All I knew came from what was written in the notebook and what I heard from those around me, but they seemed like an impressive person.
Not only had they helped me escape from the Duke’s Castle, but their swordsmanship was also considerable. With my frail body, they had defeated bandits and even orcs.
And even—.

“They made a beautiful man cry.”

About an hour ago, Vivian recalled the man who had brought her here through teleportation.
I had never known that tears could look so beautiful.
Jet-black hair contrasting with pristine white skin. Transparent tears flowing from those clear blue eyes. It was as if I were witnessing a noble being untouched by the world’s corruption.

“He was quite handsome.”

Among the people I had met, I had thought Tiernan Fargan was the most handsome.
But the appearance of this black-haired, blue-eyed man was also considerable.

“If you factor in his aura, that man might be even… Wait. What am I saying?”

Vivian shook her head in surprise at the words she had unconsciously murmured.
What did that man’s aura have to do with me?

“The relationship between Mokgeom and him seemed anything but ordinary.”

Whenever I recalled that emotion which had made me cry, my chest tightened and my palms grew tense.
It was the first time I had felt such a profound emotion. What kind of relationship would two people need to share such feelings for each other?

“Love…?”

Vivian tilted her head at the word she had uttered.
The love I knew seemed too shallow to apply here.
Something that would never break before them, perhaps.
Or something that death itself could not tear asunder—such descriptions might suffice.

“How romantic.”

Vivian couldn’t help herself—a delighted squeal escaped her lips, her heart swelling with excitement.
Though she was twenty-two, the sensitivity of a fifteen-year-old who thrilled more at others’ romances still lingered within her.
Then she recalled the woman lying in the room where she’d met the man.
Her time in that room had been brief.
With such a commanding presence, there was no way she could have gone unnoticed.
A woman with long, delicate periwinkle hair, sleeping peacefully.
Vivian murmured as she pictured that woman’s face.

“But why was the Grand Mage there?”

***

….

The Grimoire of Magic, having emerged from the Escape Tunnel to the villa outside Jenia, found myself frustrated by the 7th Circle barrier blocking my path.
No matter how much I tried to perceive what lay within, only Raina Hart’s empty shell remained inside the villa.
Blocking my historic reunion with my master again?
Damn this Emperor. Damn this 7th Circle.

‘Is this how they intend to obstruct my grand conquest of the world?’

The setting sun cast its crimson light across my back cover, half-submerged in twilight.

‘I need neither 8th Circle nor 7th Circle.’

Entrusting my magnificent ambitions to these insignificant humans was foolish and utterly absurd.
Rising slowly into the air, I spread my body wide open.
Pages fluttered ominously, and crimson ribbons swayed like blood scattered across the heavens.

[Weep, you insignificant creatures.]

My magnificent voice reverberated through the air itself.

[This great Zikhard shall take everything-!]

Thud.

….
….

What, what is this?
Zikhard was startled as my body suddenly went rigid, physically locked in place.
With my magnificent vision that boasted no blind spots, I gazed upon the culprit’s appearance.
A man resembling a snow-covered mountain stared at me with green eyes.
More than that, the way he pressed me firmly between both palms felt like—.

“Nox, what are you doing? Is there a mountain mosquito?”
‘Kyaaah! How dare you call me a mosquito!’

A subordinate climbing up the mountain caught sight of Tiernan Fargan’s back and asked.
Zikhard found it absurd, but I behaved like a docile Grimoire of Magic.

Tiernan Fargan
Age: 24
Occupation: Swordmaster
….

‘Sigh.’

Zikhard wiped away tears internally.
Of all moments, the human I encountered while trying to display my magnificence was a Swordmaster.

‘This is….’

The entire universe was clearly blocking the pitiful Grimoire of Magic’s humble dream of world conquest.

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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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