I’m a Villain, but I Want to Live a Long Life - Chapter 172

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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“She returns to Rishion in three days. It’s been a while since the temple officially recognized a saint, so Duke Haren must be quite busy.”

“Cardinal Michael has selected priests to accompany me to Rishion. Those who will help with opening my divine power.”

The Emperor nodded with satisfaction.

“Yes, that’s how it should be. I’ve been quite pleased lately having Lady here in the Empire.”

Then he turned to look at Aleon.

“The envoys from Tasen praised Lady’s invention highly.”

“It’s thanks to Your Majesty granting permission to export the enhancement potions.”

“Nonsense. My thinking was short-sighted back then. I shouldn’t have let Lady wish for such a small thing as her victory prize… So.”

Simon gazed at Selene.

“I’d like to grant something my Lady desires.”

Selene’s eyes widened.

Duke Aleon Tigris also looked at the Emperor with a surprised expression.

Soon Selene’s lips slowly parted.

“A temple in North District?”

“Yes. If Your Majesty would grant permission, I’d like to build a temple there.”

The Emperor looked at me with a puzzled expression. Then he frowned and muttered.

“…The North District reconstruction project has recently resumed.”

North District of the Estate was a place that had become ruins long ago due to an epidemic.

After being neglected for a long time, the reconstruction project was recently resumed by Oscar.

The streets of North District, once filled with homeless people and vagrants, were gradually becoming clean.

According to Walter, people nowadays come and go there without much resistance.

“All the old and contaminated buildings will be demolished, so several open fields will be created…”

The Emperor raised his gaze.

“Is there a particular reason it must be a temple?”

I smiled silently.

What I intended to build was a temple of Fluma.

But the Emperor, who couldn’t know this fact, continued speaking with apparent displeasure.

“The Estate already has many temples. Recently, I’ve been refusing to approve the construction of a new Central Temple. The religious order is quite presumptuous.”

“The religious order?”

When I asked innocently, the Emperor frowned.

“Yes. That Paul fellow too…”

“…”

“I wonder what Pope Pector thinks of me.”

I nodded earnestly, pretending to listen attentively to the Emperor’s story.

‘What the religious order thinks of the Emperor, well…’

It was an obvious story.

Cardinal Paul was a black-hearted human.

Upon investigation, he turned out to be an even more rotten person than expected.

I didn’t know much about the Pope since he had never appeared in public, but he was obviously a more cunning figure than Cardinal Paul.

‘Would such people see Simon, notorious for being indecisive, as an emperor?’

It would be fortunate if they didn’t regard him as a useless puppet.

Sure enough, looking ahead, the Emperor was gulping down wine with an irritated expression.

I quietly maintained my silence.

The Emperor’s words about Cardinal Paul being arrogant were true.

‘Having much to hide, he had no choice but to overreach in various ways. Even if his opponent was the Emperor.’

But speaking coldly, Simon wasn’t emperor material either.

Just looking at what happened in the Imperial Palace over the past few days made it clear.

‘The only chancellor fled, and the Empress’s family led troops to seize control of the Garden.’

Though the Empress ultimately persuaded the Emperor and it passed, this was by no means a light matter.

And that wasn’t all?

Administrative work was practically paralyzed.

It was fortunate that Oscar handled the important matters, otherwise there would have been serious problems.

‘And how shoddy the palace’s communication network is…’

“Anyway. I’m quite displeased with the religious order these days.”

The Emperor, who had been frowning, looked at me and relaxed his expression.

“If you want to erect a new building in North District, how about a luxurious manor instead of a temple? Lake Philian has just been organized and the scenery should be quite spectacular.”

“Is that so?”

“Of course. Once construction begins, it should be completed by the time Lady graduates from Rishion. Lake Philian has long been famous for its beautiful scenery, so it will surely be magnificent.”

“Lake Philian would indeed be wonderful.”

The Emperor took a sip of wine with a satisfied expression.

“If you don’t like a luxurious manor, building a theater or racetrack wouldn’t be bad either. Lady has some talent for business, doesn’t she?”

“You flatter me.”

I waved my hand lightly with an awkward smile, but the Emperor continued with a pleased expression.

“North District will soon regain its former vitality. Having a building bearing Lady’s name at its center would be quite reassuring.”

The Emperor picked up a glass from the table and handed it to me.

Inside, pale yellow champagne was sparkling.

“But… I still want to build a temple.”

The Emperor paused and looked at me.

I quickly continued in a gentle voice.

“Your Majesty, until just a few years ago, I was someone who was pointed at and called a non-manifester.”

The Emperor’s gaze stopped for a moment.

“As you know, my father is truly an amazing person. Though she has passed away, my mother was also a manifester.”

Duchess Tigris was a manifester.

Since there was always an atmosphere of hushing up her story at the manor, I had never heard what her ability was.

I deliberately made a lonely expression and lowered my voice.

“When I thought I was the only non-manifester in the family, you can’t imagine how upset I was.”

“…”

“Then one day I suddenly became able to use abilities. I was late in age for first manifestation, and since I was clumsy in various ways at handling abilities…”

“…”

“Some people pointed fingers saying my ability was fake.”

This was groundwork I laid in case the stories Anita had spread at the Academy leaked out.

But the Emperor put down his glass as if he knew nothing about it.

“At first I was confused. Why was I the only one who could handle abilities so late, where did this power come from…”

“Hmm…”

“But when I finally realized that ability was a gift from God.”

“…”

“I was truly happy. I was so relieved to be able to save Your Majesty’s life this time too.”

The Emperor, who had been silent for a moment, nodded.

“…Yes. Michael said so. Lady wasn’t unable to manifest, but rather your innate vessel was too large so your divine power was sealed.”

Then he added.

“I heard you’ve recently become able to properly handle holy relics. If you continue training in Rishion, you should be able to open the rest of your divine power soon.”

I quickly nodded.

“Actually, that’s why I want to build a temple in North District.”

The Emperor’s eyes widened. I deliberately spoke gloomily, trailing off.

“Abilities are ultimately bestowed by God, aren’t they? My divine power is the same. Without Him, how could I have purified Your Majesty?”

The Emperor nodded. Then he looked at Father and smiled.

“I wondered why you were so insistent on a temple.”

“…”

“Lady is truly admirable. Being humble despite your abilities must be something you inherited from him.”

“…He’s had that side to him since he was young.”

“Ha, haha!”

The Emperor laughed heartily and turned his head with a pleased expression.

“Yes, I understand what you’re thinking, Lady. As you wish, the first building to be erected in the North District shall be a temple.”

My eyes widened in surprise.

“Really? Thank you!”

“Should I leave the divine statues and priests to be installed inside to your discretion?”

“Yes. I plan to seek advice from Cardinal Michael.”

“Good. Make it a meaningful temple. The Order will likely be pleased with it, so it wouldn’t hurt to appease them appropriately while we’re at it.”

I smiled quietly to myself.

‘I’m not so sure The Order will be pleased with that temple.’

The temple to be built in the North District would appear no different from the Empire’s Frater temples on the surface.

But the essence would be different.

I intended to make that temple Fluma’s first sanctuary.

That evening.

Before going to bed, I headed toward Father’s study.

A soft light was seeping through the gap of the tightly closed door.

When I knocked, a low, emotionless voice came from within.

“Come in.”

As I slowly turned the doorknob, Father, who had been looking down at documents on his desk, raised his head.

“…Selene. I thought it was Walter.”

“I have something to tell you. You’ve been so busy these past few days that you haven’t had a moment to yourself.”

Father nodded and came out from behind his desk.

Then he sat on the black leather sofa and gestured to the seat across from him.

As I sat down as well, Father spoke first.

“…Your departure is just around the corner. The Empire has been chaotic in many ways, so your stay here couldn’t have been entirely comfortable.”

Though it sounded blunt, his voice was gentle.

“Rest well for the remaining day. Now that there’s no need to hide the relic anymore… you can let go of some of that burden.”

I lifted my gaze slightly to look at Father’s face.

“Actually, that’s why I came, Father.”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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