I Just Wanted Revenge, But Everyone Loves Me - Chapter 68

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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 68
The Temple.
Rodrigo’s brow furrowed as he recalled those damned fools.
The least influential branch among those who’d sworn the Oath of Foundation.
They were still active, but compared to their former glory, they’d clearly declined.
If the Imperial Court hadn’t provided support in the interim, they would have vanished long ago. But the reason Rodrigo paid such particular attention to the place wasn’t solely about the Oath of Foundation—there was another reason entirely.
His wife had come from the Temple.
Of course, she had run away in the end.
“Doesn’t feel like the Mage Tower’s involved, I think.”
Veronika murmured as she surveyed the surroundings at a leisurely pace. Rodrigo, having examined the nearby area with equal care, pursed his lips.
“They’d come too, wouldn’t they? Whose party is this, anyway.”
Until merely ten years ago, the Temple’s financial crisis had been severe. It was the result of corruption and fraud festering within, of embezzlement and countless other crimes.
So devout believers had long since abandoned them. They couldn’t worship God alongside such greedy creatures.
But after the current Emperor ascended to the throne.
The Imperial Court stepped in directly, insisting they couldn’t simply leave the Temple—which had stood with them since the foundation—to ruin.
In that process, they pruned the rot, and through sustained support, the Temple managed to regain enough stability to function reasonably, if not quite as it once had.
So the Temple now regarded the current Imperial Court as their benefactor, and the Emperor became widely known as a person of deep faith and responsibility.
‘Though I still don’t know why the Imperial Court helped the Temple.’
Looking at the result, it was a transaction that benefited both parties well enough.
So they would have come if only to maintain cordial relations.
But.
‘Something’s definitely off.’
The feeling wasn’t good.
Or more precisely, the deeper they penetrated into the Imperial Palace, the more it felt like sinking into a marsh.
It wasn’t a pleasant sensation at all.
For now it was merely irritating, but if they pressed further, it would certainly ensnare them.
“Veronika. While I’m gone, observe the atmosphere of the Main Palace. Watch for anything suspicious.”
“Where are you going, brother? Don’t tell me you’re going to tail someone?”
“I should be prepared for the annoying bits.”
Though it might look like a reckless charge into the palace, he did have some level of plan in mind.
The first objective was to reach the Main Palace Banquet Hall safely. If they succeeded up to that point, everything after would be straightforward.
Besides, Veronika had already brought the evidence.
What demanded caution right now was variables.
A single small gap could topple the entire plan. And to make matters worse, there was a child here.
They couldn’t leave even a spark unattended.
“If anything happens, send a signal.”
At his words, Veronika grinned widely and nodded her head.
“If anyone interferes, eliminate them.”
Before the pink Dust, she was a tender older sister, but she too was Bancadium. The moment she found someone worth sinking her teeth into, mercy ceased to exist.
Rodrigo, who had silently listened to his blood relation’s words, immediately kicked off the ground and surged forward.
A speed so impossibly fast it defied human capability.
Veronika, watching him vanish in an instant, dampened her presence.
‘The kid should be fine.’
She almost wished she’d kept her tucked against her side.
Regret settled heavily over her.
* * *
‘Who is this?’
The deep-pulled hood obscured more than half my vision. I tried to peer forward somehow, but each time, Hyacinth corrected the hood that had slipped askew.
“I felt something strange nearby, so I wondered what it was.”
“…….”
“One of them is a mage.”
“…….”
“The other one is…… what?”
Deep confusion threaded through the voice. The mage mentioned here was naturally Hyacinth.
As for “the other one,” judging by context, it seemed to mean me…….
‘Why’s she doing that?’
Did I give off some kind of feeling to her? But I was just an ordinary child.
Even though I made gems, they didn’t seem to possess any special power.
If they did, the Count would have said something more about it to me.
Just as I was pondering what it meant, Hyacinth pulled me tightly against her.
“What is a Priest Official doing here.”
‘A Priest Official?’
This person was a Priest Official?
I, who had naturally assumed it was a knight, widened my eyes in shock.
“That’s what I would like to ask. What is a lackey of Bancadium doing here.”
……Lackey?
My brow creased as I listened to the Priest Official’s words. I didn’t know the exact meaning, but it sure sounded like an insult.
“The closest associates of Bancadium should already be under arrest warrant.”
“…….”
“Yet here you are, brazenly in the Imperial Palace, hm.”
Deep delight seeped through the murmured voice. As if he were absolutely delighted to have run into us.
But that was,
‘The problem is, it’s not good for us.’
I gripped Hyacinth’s sleeve tightly.
I could sense it instinctively.
We might be facing the worst possible scenario right now.
“Sigh.”
Just then, Hyacinth released a long, deep breath.
“Dust. Cover your ears for a moment.”
“Huh?”
“Now.”
Prompted by the repeated urging, I bewilderedly covered my ears.
And then,
“Don’t do anything pointless and surrender quietly…….”
The instant the Priest Official’s voice reached me—
Crack-crack-crack-crack!
A tremendous shudder followed, and an enormous surge of dust and wind came roaring down!
“Eeek!”
Worried I might be blown away, I quickly hunched down.
But contrary to my fears, when I came to my senses, a transparent barrier had unfurled right before my eyes.
Hyacinth had readjusted her hold on me.
“Just stay like this for a moment.”
“Yes? W-what……?!”
My vision flipped upside down in an instant.
Before I could even ask what she was doing, the landscape before me changed rapidly. Whoosh! I felt dizzy all of a sudden and clenched my eyes shut.
And then, at some point.
Whistle—.
Along with a clear, bright whistle, a biting cold night breeze came rushing in.
“You can open your eyes now.”
Is, is it really okay?
I timidly opened my eyes.
And unlike the darkness just moments before, an incredibly bright light filled my entire vision.
Wait, that…….
“……Fire?”
……There was!
‘A, a building!’
It collapsed!
‘Completely crumbled!’
I stared at Hyacinth with my mouth agape.
“You told me not to blow up any buildings!”
“Ahem!”
Hyacinth cleared her throat.
“Our mother used to say—she’d rather see me on an arrest warrant than at my funeral.”
“But we’re already under an arrest warrant. Right now.”
“Dust. Listen to me for a moment.”
Hyacinth lifted her chin decisively.
“Our mother said this.”
Crackle-crackle.
Her voice remained composed and solemn as the building burned on.
“When your opponent acts unreasonably, you act even more unreasonably. If they act like a madman, become an even worse madman.”
“…….”
“When you’re overwhelmingly unreasonable and mad, anyone gets flustered.”
“I see…….”
“Remember. Living this way is rather convenient.”
Hyacinth, having stated her philosophy, smiled wistfully. I slowly nodded my head.
“I know nothing of this, anyway!”

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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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