I Was Hired by the Dark Prince for My Life's Worth - Chapter 11

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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 11. Is the “Ba” in Banilin’s name short for “Fool”?
“Tell me, what is your name?”
Yurian asked the Masked Man.
With a warm, gentle smile—perfectly calculated, down to the millimeter.
“Ha.”
The Masked Man laughed mockingly and lifted his head.
His eyes glinted dully, like the glazed stare of a dead fish.
“Why? Will you honor me with a name, Saint?”
Malice dripped from every word of his sneer.
Well, to be fair, nothing this Masked Man wanted had gone his way….
I watched the two of them in turn, fidgeting with my fingers.
It wasn’t enough that he’d failed to dispose of Yurian—now he’d been captured and pinned with false accusations. I could almost understand his bitterness.
“The audacity of it….”
“We nearly got hurt because of him, didn’t we?”
“If there’s a grudge, settle it against the right person.”
“He should be executed on the spot, Your Highness!”
The Delegation’s response was utterly chilling.
Perhaps because they’d nearly been caught in the crossfire, their eyes as they regarded the Masked Man were sharp as broken glass.
In the Hunting Grounds where an icy wind howled, only Yurian stood smiling.
He didn’t waver for a moment before he spoke.
“That’s the only way I can forgive you.”
“……!”
My mouth fell open.
‘No matter how much he mimics a Saint, does it have to go this far?’
I’d assumed at least he’d hand the man over to the Royal Guard, but this was completely unexpected.
I glanced sideways—the Delegation wore the exact same expression.
Their mouths hung slack as they tried to convince themselves they’d heard correctly.
Even the Masked Man.
“What—what?”
He stammered as if he’d heard words his imagination couldn’t grasp.
“What are you saying—”
“I understand your anger,” Yurian cut him off, his voice gentle.
“The grief of losing someone you love is not an emotion that fades easily.”
The man’s eyebrows drooped with such genuine compassion that it struck me as almost sincere.
‘Ugh….’
It was nauseating.
His expression was so heartbreaking that even I, knowing what lay beneath that mask, felt my conviction waver.
No—focus, Banilin.
What’s inside him is a demon.
“But.”
His voice fell warm as spring sunshine.
“If you pour that rage in the wrong direction, you will only destroy yourself.”
As Yurian spoke, he released the pressure he’d been applying to the Masked Man.
The Masked Man looked stunned, his hands trembling as they found his own shoulders.
“I will not punish you.”
“……!”
The Masked Man’s eyes widened in shock.
His pupils shook roughly, searching for some hint of deception.
Yurian gazed downward calmly, then drove the final wedge home.
“This matter—let us put it to rest through forgiveness.”
“My word….”
Thump.
I let out a gasp before I could stop myself.
But then again….
‘Is he really just… letting him go?’
I couldn’t believe it.
This man—the one who’d hesitated not at all in ending lives before?
‘He’s planning to handle it quietly later, isn’t he?’
‘This is just an act of saintliness, and the real plan is to summon him to the 5th Palace and deal with him there…..’

[No, I wouldn’t.]
“Eek!”
God, you startled me.
The low voice burrowing into my ear made me shudder violently.
When I looked up, Yurian was smiling gently at me with a soft expression.
[I have no intention of laying a finger on this fool of a human.]
Y-yes, of course….
I bowed my head and averted my gaze, managing only a weak nod of agreement.
No matter how many times I see it, his personality is utterly at odds with that serene face.
[What did you just say?]
‘Oh, it’s nothing at all.’
Ugh, that’s terrifying.
This whole reading-my-mind thing is completely unfair.
‘Is there really no way to block it…?’
When I get back, I’ll need to go over that contract more carefully.
I shook my head vigorously to stop thinking about it and glanced around at the others.
Their reactions were all much the same.
The Delegation members covered their mouths with both hands in astonishment.
“I’ve heard he’s a Saint, but….”
“As expected of the Third Prince. His bearing is simply different.”
Hushed admiration rippled through the crowd in every direction.
The Masked Man had also fallen silent, his eyes darting about.
He seemed to be calculating furiously what might be advantageous to him.
‘I suppose….’
He must have thought death was certain, yet here he was being spared. I’d probably react the same way.
Still, though.
A low groan escaped me.
I furrowed my brow, my expression troubled.
‘Is it really safe to just let him go like this?’
My greatest concern was my own safety.
If he attacked again, it would be a disaster.
I’d have to throw myself in front of him again…
and there was no guarantee Yurian would save me next time.
‘What should I do?’
Maybe I should try to convince him using Telepathy.
I lowered my eyebrows and looked up at him.
Then, in my mind, I spoke.
“Wouldn’t it be better to just… eliminate him?”
“……?”
Instantly, dozens of eyes fixed on me.
The Delegation, Yurian, even the Masked Man.
They all stared at me as if asking what in the world I’d just said.
Huh… er?
I blinked.
‘Did I… say that out loud?’
My pupils trembled with mortification.
No, that couldn’t be right. I was sure I’d only thought it…?
[Does the ‘Ba’ in Banilin stand for ‘Baka’?]
No… I don’t think so.
I shifted my eyes nervously.
From their reactions, it seems I really did say it aloud.
I need to smooth this over….
I was about to open my mouth to say something when—
“I’m sor—”
The Masked Man spoke up before I could, his voice suddenly loud.
“I’m so sorry, Your Highness! I must have lost my mind!”
Thud.
He dropped to his knees with such force it echoed through the space.
Then he bowed so deeply his forehead nearly touched the ground.
“I swear I’ll never do anything like this again! I’ll live an honest life!”
Uh….
What in the world is happening?
I blinked, staring at the sight before me.
The fierce momentum from moments ago had vanished without a trace.
“Just once… please, give me just one more chance!”
He was groveling with such desperate urgency it was painful to witness.
Why had he changed so suddenly?
Hesitating, unable to grasp what was unfolding, I heard Yurian’s voice reach me through Telepathy.
[He seems to have been provoked by what Banilin said.]
Provoked by…?
I looked up, silently asking for clarification, and Yurian narrowed his eyes.
[He must have soiled himself in fear that you’d change your mind and refuse to forgive him.]
‘Oh my….’
Out of a face that looks like it couldn’t hurt a flower, such vulgar words.
[Foolish and lacking backbone as well, I see.]
No matter how many times I witness it, I still can’t grow accustomed.
Such a scathing assessment coming from a visage so holy it seems incapable of breaking even a single blossom….
I gazed for a moment at that beautiful exterior, luminous as though blessed by divine light, then lowered my head.
‘If only I’d known him by his face alone. I could have been content never knowing what lies beneath.’
[I hear everything.]
‘Yes, my apologies….’
In any case.
Yurian didn’t seem to dislike the current situation.
Rather, he seemed to be enjoying it.
[Had he resisted to the end, I would have had the tedious task of cutting his throat. This worked out quite well.]
…So he says.
With those words, Yurian smiled gently and helped the Masked Man to his feet with a tender expression.
“Stand up.”
“Y-Your Highness….”
“Punishment is heaven’s privilege. All I can offer is forgiveness.”
[Though you’ll likely die by my brother’s hand anyway.]
How could body and mind operate so separately?
I barely restrained the urge to squeeze my eyes shut.
‘So that’s why….’
That’s why he said he had no intention of laying a hand on this man.
[My brother isn’t the type to give a failed tool a second chance, much less a third.]
Unfortunately for him.
At that added remark, I finally squeezed my eyes shut.
“Go now. I hope you’ll spend your remaining days in generosity.”
“Thank you, Your Highness… thank you so much!”
What sort of person have I made a contract with?
Have I carelessly wagered my soul out of pure fear?
‘The ‘Ba’ in Banilin stands for ‘Fool’….’
It might be right.
For some reason, my eyes stung with unshed tears.
* * *
“…So. You’re telling me you just went to raise Yurian’s reputation?”
Shadows from the half-drawn blackout curtains cast the Office in a heavy, ominous atmosphere.
The space was dim as twilight, cut off from the sunlight.
Second Prince Kitten slammed his fist on the desk with a bang, unable to contain his rage.
His opponent trembled and prostrated himself on the floor.
“That is to say… the truth of the matter was….”
“If you’re thinking of making excuses, shut your mouth.”
“I beg your pardon.”
It was the Masked Man who had been causing a disturbance at the Hunting Grounds moments before.
The man pressed his forehead to the ground, cold sweat dripping steadily.
‘Damned…!’
He’d lost count of how many times he’d been humiliated today, but now was not the moment to defend his pride.
The Second Prince was his only lifeline.
‘A whopping 150 Gold….’
When he’d sold his parents to the slave market to cover gambling debts, he truly believed he’d reached rock bottom, that utter ruin was upon him.
But one hundred fifty gold coins.
If he could multiply his money by rolling a few dice, becoming rich would be as simple as eating cold gruel.
“Please, just give me one more chance.”
For that, bowing his head to someone young enough to be his son was nothing—a trivial price to pay.
“I swear it. I will kill Yurian Ozwald and rid the world of him!”
The Masked Man’s eyes blazed with resolve.
Silence stretched between them, heavy and waiting.
Just as the man was about to lift his head, unable to bear the weight of that quiet any longer—
“Pfft….”
“……?”
“Puhahahaha!”
The Second Prince threw his head back and erupted into laughter.

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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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