If You Are Suited for the Villain's Secretary - Chapter 48

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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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If the Villain’s Secretary Suits Me
Chapter 48
‘Of course, Aden would have prepared a backup plan in case the mana suppressant doesn’t work.’
I had never felt so grateful that Aden was the type to not merely tap a bridge once before crossing it, but to don full safety gear—this time was no exception.
Still, I needed to rescue Sungsu as quickly as possible.
‘I have no idea what Crimson might do.’
In the original story, Crimson was caught by Aden following the landslide incident and vanished into the shadows of history.
But since the original timeline had been disrupted by our interference, I couldn’t predict what methods they might employ against La Mar this time.
And the ‘real’ problem I was worried about, stemming from that uncertainty, was—
‘…I also have no idea what Aden might do to Crimson in response.’
Aden, likely working through the night, was probably preparing countermeasures against Crimson’s offensive as well.
Just as he had immediately thought of a bombing attack upon hearing my account of Randolph, he would be assuming the worst-case scenario.
But Aden’s ‘mana backlash’ was susceptible to emotional influence.
No matter how composed Aden normally was, the current environment—sleepless nights and the weight of stress and pressure—could only be detrimental to his condition.
In fact, in the original story, Aden’s composure deteriorates rapidly following the landslide incident orchestrated by Crimson.
‘So I need to keep my wits about me and work properly. …After all, I’m Aden’s secretary.’
Beep—
‘…Still, getting a call during lunch isn’t exactly welcome….’
But what could I do?
I shrugged and pressed the communication device that had been gleaming insistently for the past few moments.
“Yes, this is Iliana Grecia.”
-Miss Iliana?! This is Branch 11!
Branch 11 was a newly established branch in the Central Region specializing in premium tea leaves and wine.
I had a bad feeling about this.
-We have a serious problem. The wine shipment from four days ago….
At the words that followed, I squeezed my eyes shut.
-It’s been found to contain poison!
***
The Imperial Palace of the Medior Empire.
It had been several months since the Emperor fell ill and took to his sickbed. Currently, all state affairs of the Empire were being administered by the Crown Prince, Helios Medior, who served as Regent.
The state affairs conference with high-ranking nobles of Count rank and above, presided over by Helios in his dress uniform embroidered with gold thread, was drawing to a close. Among the nobles who had been exchanging glances with one another, one rose to his feet.
It was Marquis Vito of the Central Region.
“Your Highness the Regent, there is one more urgent matter I must report.”
Helios’s reddish-brown eyes turned toward Vito.
The Marquis set down an exquisite wine bottle on the table as if he had been waiting for this moment.
“It happened this morning. I was about to have an aperitif when suddenly my attendants screamed and tried to stop me. I wondered what on earth was happening, and it turned out that the attendant who had inspected the wine… coughed up blood!”
“Good heavens!”
“Is that truly so?”
“Of course I had it examined immediately. And it turned out that the wine contained a lethal dose of poison.”
Marquis Vito, clenching his fists, cried out that if it had been only his own matter, he would not have disturbed the state conference.
“What makes it even more chilling is that I had prepared this wine months ago for a banquet I was planning to host. A gathering with my close friends and retainers. Dozens of nobles from the Central Region nearly lost their lives.”
“….”
“This is a clear act of terror—not just against the nobility, but perhaps against the Medior Empire itself!”
Several nobles’ voices murmured in agreement with Vito’s words at just the right moment.
“How could such a thing happen!”
“Then if it hadn’t been for the attendant, Marquis Vito would be…!”
The scene had the appearance of a well-orchestrated theatrical performance.
Helios, who had been gazing intently at Marquis Vito, asked as if to confirm something.
“A truly dreadful affair. But does Marquis Vito have a political rival with such deep enmity?”
“I regret to say that I have not yet identified who it might be, Your Highness the Regent. However.”
Marquis Vito, as if his heart were still trembling, brushed his chest and turned the wine bottle around.
La Mar. The logo was positioned at a clearly visible angle.
“It is unmistakably clear whose hand is behind this.”
“My word.”
A Count standing beside Vito let out a sigh with a bitter smile.
The Imperial Palace and the nobility had always kept a careful eye on the Empire’s trading landscape. Managing large merchant guilds, which were the source of vast taxation and the lifeblood of logistics, was naturally the Empire’s duty.
However, many nobles viewed the upstart merchant guild La Mar, which had appeared like a comet a few years ago, with disfavor.
Unlike Crimson, which had long maintained corrupt relationships by filling the pockets of nobles with all manner of illicit schemes and bribes, La Mar was excessively rigid and aloof.
“…I had no idea that Marquis Vito was at odds with that merchant guild.”
Helios slightly furrowed his brow as if recalling something.
“But it is merely a merchant guild. Of course, there could be ill feelings due to licensing issues or conflicts during negotiations, but is it truly possible for a mere merchant guild to harbor resentment and seek revenge against the Marquis and other nobles?”
“I thought the same way until just moments ago.”
Marquis Vito, brushing his face, answered with deliberate gloom.
“That is, until I heard the truth about the real nature of that merchant guild, La Mar.”
“The real nature?”
“La Mar is no ordinary merchant guild. …I have obtained intelligence that the Information Guild, which once undertook all manner of dirty work, was the predecessor of that merchant guild.”
“W-What! Then surely…!”
“…Yes.”
Marquis Vito answered with a trembling voice.
“I may have been commissioned by someone to assassinate myself and the nobles of the Central Region.”
It was a statement that made even the nobles who had given little thought to La Mar flinch.
After all, everyone harbored secrets of their own.
Of course, it was an open secret that Crimson also functioned as an information guild. And every noble maintained connections with mercenaries and informants who handled their unsavory affairs.
But the news that La Mar engaged in dirty work felt threatening precisely because they were so clean.
‘Crimson is adequately corrupt and adequately cowardly.’
Because they too had their own skeletons, they possessed what one might call “merchant’s honor”—they would not carelessly expose the weaknesses of nobles even if they discovered them.
This symbiotic relationship of mutual leverage was the arrangement that put the nobles at ease.
But La Mar was different. Indeed, several nobles had attempted to find fault with La Mar on multiple occasions, yet their efforts always came to nothing. La Mar managed contracts and taxes with such meticulous precision that they were practically beyond reproach.
Nothing was more unsettling than a blind blade with no vulnerabilities.
“Therefore, Your Highness the Regent, I beseech you to make a decision.”
Marquis Vito, having deftly touched upon the unconscious fear that all the nobles harbored, pleaded.
The conference room erupted in murmurs. Helios, his brow furrowed, asked as if to confirm one last time.
“Regarding the ‘intelligence’ you mentioned earlier—was that information known only to Marquis Vito?”
“To be precise, it was not information known only to me. Count Plivier?”
Count Plivier, whose name had been suddenly called, was seated in a corner of the room.
He flinched and lifted his head, then answered with some hesitation.
“Ah, yes. I too have… heard the rumors that Marquis Vito mentioned.”
“If it’s merely a rumor, wouldn’t it be a stretch to call it ‘intelligence,’ Marquis Vito?”
Marquis Vito’s shrewd eyes shot a glance at Count Plivier before relaxing.
“My apologies, Your Highness the Regent. In my haste, I made an error. I was so consumed with the thought that I must report even the smallest clue to you to prevent further threats that my mind became impatient.”
“I understand. Then what decision are you asking of me, Marquis?”
“Of course, an inspection and investigation conducted in the solemn name of Medior. To prevent further victims, I ask that you seal the warehouse, cut off logistics, and conduct a thorough investigation.”
Marquis Vito’s voice grew firm.
“If it is merely an accident or a mixing error, it will be an opportunity for the Merchant Guild to prove its innocence.”
“…”
“If not, it will be an opportunity to expel both the Merchant Guild and the mastermind behind it who sought to manipulate the guild and undermine the very foundation of this Medior.”
Behind the solid justification lay a calculation: the moment an inspection began, La Mar’s lifeline would be severed.
Helios, having surveyed all the nobles filling the conference room, finally opened his mouth.
“Very well. I accept Marquis Vito’s request.”
It was the death sentence they had been waiting for.
Marquis Vito suppressed a smile and bowed deeply.
“Thank you, Your Highness the Regent.”

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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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