I Just Wanted Revenge, But Everyone Loves Me - Chapter 69

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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 69
While Hyacinth was delivering a lecture on the overwhelmingly unhinged madman.
“Damn it!”
The High Priest gnashed his teeth, having let his quarry slip away in the blink of an eye.
He’d been burning to find Vancadium lately, and the moment he’d had that long-sought figure right before his eyes, a moment’s carelessness had cost him. That was the mistake.
But it was too late now—a rat in a cage.
As long as Vancadium remained in the Imperial Palace, there was no escape.
‘How foolish.’
To blow up a building just to obscure his line of sight—there couldn’t have been a worse move.
Having revealed himself so openly like this, it was only a matter of time before he was caught.
Whether the panic had made him sloppy or he was simply stupid to begin with hardly mattered.
He wouldn’t get far; he’d be caught soon enough. The High Priest smiled coldly, focusing only on the enemy before him.
Moments later, the sound of countless footsteps echoed. Imperial Court knights, alerted to the intruder.
‘Better yet.’
He had a method to completely isolate Vancadium, conveniently unleashed within the palace. And if it became known that Vancadium’s closest associate was here—wouldn’t that be even better?
Perfect for framing.
‘Besides, the Duke won’t be here.’
There was no evidence he himself was innocent. Unless the Duke wanted to die, he wouldn’t dare show his face here right now.
His closest associate coming here was probably to scout the situation. He wasn’t sure how they’d gotten in, but this was the Emperor’s birthday celebration, and with nobles gathered in one place, it was obvious they’d come to do some reconnaissance.
But there was one thing that bothered him.
‘That little thing.’
The small object the mage was carrying.
No matter how he looked at it, that was no animal—it was a small child.
Why would someone bring a child on such a dangerous mission, let alone alone?
And beyond that, there was the sensation he’d felt, however briefly.
Something tangled like a snarl of thread—both magical power and divine power at once, woven together in bewildering complexity.
This was the first time in his life he’d ever felt such a thing.
‘I should report this to the High Priest.’
Even if we’d only glimpsed each other on the street, it would’ve stood out. A child that Vancadium carries? Like this?
It couldn’t be ignored.
“What’s happened here!”
The knights who’d just arrived approached. The raging fire that had soared into the sky had already been brought nearly under control by magic.
The High Priest, breathing slowly to steady himself, turned to face the knights who’d hurried close.
“Someone set this building ablaze and is fleeing as we speak. They can’t have gone far—we must pursue at once. They’re skilled with magic, so be careful.”
“You’ve identified the criminal who destroyed the building, then…….”
“Vancadium.”
The High Priest spoke the name flatly.
“The magic came from Vancadium.”
A criminal fleeing after attempting to assassinate the Crown Prince.
“We must move as quickly as possible before they escape.”
Right now.
* * *
At that same moment.
The Emperor, having left the Banquet Hall, was now taking the air in the Back Garden.
Until the Knight Commander returned with word of what the nobles gathered today were discussing, what rumors were circulating—he intended to stay out here.
Going back inside would only make him look the fool.
But the wait was brief.
“……?”
The Emperor sensed a faint tremor running through the ground and narrowed his brow.
Being a mage himself, he couldn’t help but feel the eerie intuition.
“Your Majesty.”
A knight who’d been standing nearby hurried forward. He too had felt that subtle vibration.
“I’ll inspect the surroundings at once…….”
CRASH-CRASH-CRASH-CRASH!
“?!”
“Your Majesty!”
A deafening roar tore past with terrible force. The Emperor, who’d quickly shielded his ears with magic, turned his head toward the sound.
In the distance, a Pavilion blazed furiously.
“What in—…….”
On the Emperor’s birthday celebration.
Such an attack, here where all the nobles had gathered!
Fire alone could be extinguished quickly by magic, but the problem lay elsewhere.
Someone dared to commit such an act while the Emperor himself stood guard over the palace.
Regardless of who the culprit was or their reason, this was unmistakably treason.
The face he’d worn with such composure twisted savagely in an instant.
It was then.
“Your Majesty!”
The Knight Commander, who’d set out on his errand, had returned.
He too had heard the sound while searching for the Emperor and had rushed over at full speed.
“Are you unharmed, Your Majesty? Are you injured anywhere—.”
“Find them.”
The Emperor fixed his gaze on the burning building, his teeth clenched.
“Find out who destroyed that building.”
Whether anyone else was nearby.
“Just in case.”
Whether any familiar face appears.
“Search everywhere, drag them before me. Keep them alive, by any means necessary!”
“Yes, Your Majesty!”
The knights, suddenly jolted to attention, scattered quickly. The Emperor, swallowing his breath slowly as it trembled with unease and tension, twisted his brow.
It had felt for some time as if his plans kept going awry.
He had a bad feeling about this.
‘Could it be—could Vancadium have come?’
No. That couldn’t be.
The Duke wasn’t the sort to be driven by emotion like that. Not even if he’d been wronged.
To appear at this very moment when all eyes were upon him? With no evidence, nothing at all?
‘It couldn’t be.’
The Emperor’s head reflexively lowered. Yet even as he denied it, he couldn’t entirely uproot the seed of suspicion. Ironically, there was only one person bold enough to pull off something like this—and that was Vancadium.
‘I need to meet with the High Priest.’
Perhaps this was needless worry, but there’s no harm in being prepared.
Besides, he’d planned to hear the High Priest’s scheme for isolating Vancadium anyway.
Once he’d made up his mind, the Emperor gestured to the knight attending him.
“Prepare a seat in the Banquet Hall. Summon the High Priest.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
The knight bowed deeply.
* * *
“Grab them!”
“There, they went that way!”
“Catch Vancadium at all costs!”
“Eeeek?!”
The brief peace didn’t last long.
I glanced back at the knights pursuing us with terrifying speed. Now that they’d caught on to the name Vancadium, the killing intent lashing at my cheeks was absolutely overwhelming.
“Ha.”
Hyacinth, who’d been sprinting forward with nimble feet, let out a bright laugh.
“All their attention’s on us now. Right, Dust? Everyone loves us.”
“L-Loves us? They’re not trying to like us—they’re trying to cut us down, aren’t they?”
Isn’t it obvious?
But Hyacinth seemed far more optimistic than I’d expected.
“Cutting us down? Nah. Even if we’re caught, they won’t execute us right away. They’ll want to interrogate us—there’s too much to ask. We’ll keep breathing for a while, so there’s nothing to worry about.”
“But if it comes to that, couldn’t we be tortured?”
Interrogation means extracting the answers they want to hear. They’ll go to any length to get those answers.
At my words, Hyacinth looked momentarily surprised, then spoke reassuringly.
“Don’t worry. I’ll make sure you get out safely. That much, I guarantee.”
“No……!”
What are you saying!
Going out alone like that.
‘How could you!’
I threw my arms tightly around Hyacinth’s neck.
“If you leave me behind, I’m telling her what you did!”
“Ugh. She’s gonna praise you for that.”
“I’m telling her you kept poking my cheeks!”
“!”
“Over and over again!”
I wasn’t sure if this approach would actually work, but I figured I’d try…….
“Seriously, you’re killing me with this.”
……Wait, it worked?

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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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