I Just Wanted Revenge, But Everyone Loves Me - Chapter 30

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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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Episode 30
“I beg your pardon, Your Majesty.”
Silence filled the Emperor’s office.
Chancellor Jerban, standing at its center, bowed his head deeply.
However arrogant one might be, one must look before one steps. Knowing full well that this was the moment to humble himself completely, he pressed his sincerity into every word of his apology.
“I failed in my handling of this matter, Your Majesty. I am deeply sorry.”
……
“The number of prisoners in Iztale has been halved, and the building repairs are nearly complete. We shall also select a new warden from our own ranks, so this time——”
“This time.”
The middle-aged man seated before his desk removed his glasses.
With an overall gentle countenance, he now presented the image of a Benevolent Ruler laboring for his people even into the night.
“How can you be certain the new warden will not be a Bancadium agent?”
……
“What did you say last time? Something about an Academy prodigy with deep connections to their court officials, if I recall correctly.”
The Emperor turned a page of the documents he was reviewing.
“How much further must I trust the words of my chancellor?”
……
“I find myself quite troubled.”
“This time, I shall absolutely not disappoint you.”
Rather than shouting about why his work was done so poorly, the Emperor always spoke slowly and gently—a method of speech that drained one’s lifeblood. Like this, precisely as he spoke now.
“That much is merely the minimum.”
Just as he did now.
“People who can do only the minimum are everywhere, Chancellor. I took your hand for a reason. I would appreciate it if you understood that.”
This was to say: if you fail this time, your position is no longer assured.
The post of chancellor could be filled at any moment.
Befitting the empire’s second seat, if the Emperor asked who wanted it, they would likely swarm like a pack of dogs.
For Jerban, there was no choice.
He could only comply.
“This time, I shall move to secure a result that satisfies Your Majesty.”
“How.”
“I will bring in the handmaiden.”
At that moment, the Emperor’s hand, which had been turning pages, went still.
The sole survivor among the handmaidens of the Crown Prince’s Palace. Recalling this thread, the Emperor twisted one corner of his mouth upward.
“You’ve finally noticed what I wanted.”
Speaking aloud exactly what Your Majesty desires.
“The handmaiden has not yet left the Capital.”
“Quite so. She wouldn’t get far before being dragged back in—what other means does she have?”
She would flee and thrash about, only to be hauled back in the end.
The Emperor laughed coldly.
Jerban cleared his throat and continued.
“Thanks to Your Majesty’s Blockade Order on Bancadium, we are now able to lay our trap.”
“You had best use it well. The nobles have much to say about this measure, truth be told.”
The Emperor knew as much. The nobility had begun to voice doubts about the surprisingly lenient punishment.
But for him, there had been no other choice.
Had it not been for that cursed handmaiden, he would have contacted the Magic Tower immediately and had her executed.
The Emperor, who disliked unexpected complications, was greatly displeased with this situation.
Yet there was but one opportunity.
“Find the handmaiden as quickly as possible. All the evidence she possesses must come into my hands.”
……
“By whatever means necessary.”
The Emperor, appending the unspoken order to kill anyone who got in the way, sank back into his stiff leather chair.
“Have you looked into the woman called Veronica?”
“Yes. Based on testimony from the guards and prisoners remaining in Iztale, as well as traces of magic, she is certainly a member of Bancadium.”
“Ha—!”
The Emperor exhaled in disbelief.
“I merely plant subordinates.”
That monster of a man.
“He brings in his own kind.”
“We are conducting a thorough investigation into the other individuals who were with her.”
“Other individuals? There were more besides the warden?”
“There is a child called Karin.”
“Karin?”
“Yes. A small one who approached the Duke of Bancadium. That creature is the most mysterious. She’s only four years old——”
“Four years old.”
The Emperor murmured softly as he listened to Jerban.
“Younger than expected. She must be our youngest prisoner.”
“Yes.”
“What are the charges? What crime could a child so young have committed?”
“Imperial Defamation 9,999,999 counts, solicitation of assassination 388,112 counts, extortion and blackmail 4,829 counts, theft of cake 3,291,931,694 counts.”
“Insane.”
The Emperor smiled upon hearing the detailed charges.
“Bring her if you can. That child.”
“Do you wish to see her directly, Your Majesty?”
“Yes. I’m curious why a four-year-old child has committed Imperial Defamation so many times.”
……
“It is an opportunity for the Emperor to take the measure of his people’s sentiments.”
And.
“A child in the Duke of Bancadium’s care. So that creature is keeping a child with him.”
This was certainly not a matter to be dismissed lightly.
Given the Duke’s nature, there would surely be a reason he had allied himself with a child met in prison.
“There’s certainly something. Something I do not know.”
The Emperor smiled as he regarded his faithful minister.
“Find out everything. Every last detail.”
……
“I find it strange.”
The handmaiden aside.
“I am more curious about that child.”
* * *
“Your name is Karin… you’re four years old… and what do you like?”
“Sister!”
“That’s right, Sister Veronica… or rather, Miss Veronica.”
In the hours after sunset.
Hyacinth, the dark-eyed mage who had arrived unexpectedly, busily wrote something in his notebook.
“What do you dislike?”
“The Imperial Family!”
“A terrible dislike of the Imperial Family… I’m pleased.”
Hyacinth nodded with a very satisfied expression.
At this, the sister who had been watching his behavior spoke up.
“Why did you come here in the middle of the night to pester us like this?”
“I’m returning to the Capital tomorrow, am I not? Then it will take at least four days before I return, and I felt I would go mad with curiosity if I didn’t document this mystery before then. Mages naturally have a strong thirst for knowledge, and when something new appears, I must record it like this——”
“I understand, so please shut your mouth.”
“Very well.”
Hyacinth obediently closed his mouth and scribbled with his pen. Then he abruptly threw a question my way.
“Where do you come from?”
“Vagrants… the streets.”
“A free-spirited place, then. Your parents?”
“Ah, I don’t have any.”
“Both?”
“Yes. Both.”
“That’s all right. I don’t have parents either.”
“Ah, I see…”
Wait, is it really acceptable to discuss one’s family circumstances so casually? He just showed up and started interrogating me.
‘I don’t understand what he’s doing.’
I rolled my eyes about absently.
“Miss, would you mind stepping out for a moment?”
“What?”
The sister snapped in irritation.
Hyacinth scratched his head with the end of his pen and spoke.
“I feel I should have a more in-depth conversation with this one. Since I’m going to the Capital tomorrow, you see.”
“…You’re not planning to do anything strange, are you?”
“Of course not! How much do I adore little ones——”
Stop calling me that.
I muttered meekly.

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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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