I’m a Villain, but I Want to Live a Long Life - Chapter 191

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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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“Really now.”

Sebin Belmartre spat out coldly as he glared at someone standing before him.

“Remove that veil immediately. How dare you cover your face so impudently before your father?”

His voice was sharp as lightning. As the other person slowly removed their veil, a refined face was revealed.

The one keeping her gaze lowered was Grace, the current Empress of the Erbia Empire.

Duke Belmart asked sharply.

“What do you plan to do going forward?”

“….”

“That bastard Aleon has noticed everything, so what will you do now?”

Grace stood quietly.

‘If only I had properly finished off Simon back then….’ Duke Belmart clicked his tongue.

“Surely you don’t intend to disappoint me like this? After how I acknowledged you.”

Sebin Belmartre’s eyes gleamed coldly.

“You are the only Belmart bloodline I have ever acknowledged. You should have prevented this situation from the very beginning.”

Grace raised her head to look at her father.

Sebin Belmartre.

He wore the exact same expression as when he had confined her mother to the top of the castle long ago.

That same expression that didn’t even blink when her mother emerged as a corpse from that gloomy room.

Feeling her mind grow cold, Grace lowered her gaze again.

‘Would it have been different if I too had been granted oblivion?’

Since the day her mother died, she had devoted her entire life to her father’s desires.

Grace had never once disobeyed Sebin Belmartre’s commands.

She had taken the Empress position in place of her naturally weak sister and captivated Simon.

In the end, she even held a precious son in her arms.

She had lived as the Order and her father told her to live. Doing whatever they commanded.

“If you were Gloria, there wouldn’t have been a second chance. I’m only being patient because of what you’ve accomplished so far.”

“…I will keep that in mind.”

At her obedient response, the Duke’s expression softened slightly.

He cleared his throat and lowered his voice.

“Hmm, if you understand, then go comfort Simon. He’s probably cowering in his inner chamber, trembling.”

“….”

“Wait a little longer and I’ll personally provide military support. Then strike Aleon and the Tigris forces. It’s a fact that he humiliated Simon, so we won’t need any other justification, right?”

Grace nodded instead of answering.

“Once the situation is resolved, Pector and I have agreed to divide the country.”

Grace’s eyes finally looked up slightly.

Belmart raised his chin and smiled leisurely.

“Drawing a horizontal line based on the estate, the lower part goes to the Order.”

“….”

“The upper part will be ruled by us Belmarts.”

His voice was full of confidence.

“Aren’t you curious? How I managed to obtain half of Erbia’s territory.”

Sebin Belmartre continued with a satisfied smile spread across his face.

“The Order was too arrogant. After receiving so much support from our family, they suddenly declare the Empire a sacred nation overnight? By whose authority.”

“….”

“I’m not unaware of your hard work all this time. Once things are finished, I thought you and Zenon should have something left too. You are the Empress and Crown Prince, after all.”

He pulled up the corner of his mouth obliquely.

“I provided Pector with sacred blood.”

Sacred blood.

A sacrifice essential for performing sacred rituals.

Blood and souls mainly used to charm or summon magical beasts.

“I gathered up all the slash-and-burn farmers and war slaves from the corners of the estate. It’s over fifteen hundred in number.”

Grace’s eyes widened momentarily at the number fifteen hundred.

“With that many, we can apparently get our hands on all the magical beasts pouring out of the current rift. That bastard Pector was desperate too.”

A low laugh burst from Sebin Belmartre’s throat.

“Perfect. It’s a very good thing. Now the rift’s magical beasts are on our side.”

Grace walked quickly through the cold corridor.

Everything she had heard from her father was tangled in her mind.

‘He said the sacred blood amounts to fifteen hundred.’

Others might not know, but she knew Pope Pector’s true nature.

That man was someone whose insides were as grotesquely twisted as half his face.

‘To offer so much sacred blood to capture the rift’s magical beasts.’

The more she thought about it, the more unreal the number seemed.

‘With fifteen hundred lives, that blood would cover the entire river and more.’

A bitter laugh escaped, but she hardened her expression.

Now was not the time to be caught up in such useless thoughts.

Her steps quickened a bit more.

Her only son Zenon was in the Imperial Palace.

Simon had been holed up in his inner chamber ever since Duke Tigris and his daughter had visited.

‘He said I could safely pass the throne to Zenon.’

Duke Belmart’s words suddenly came to mind.

When the Order changed course and declared they would designate the Empire as a sacred nation.

The only thing that had worried her was that.

Not being able to give Zenon his rightful place.

The fact that the child might be in danger if things went wrong.

But,

‘If the Empire is divided exactly in half….’

And if the northern half above the estate fell entirely to her and Zenon,

There would be no more need to worry about Zenon’s safety.

That’s when it happened.

[You look troubled.]

Suddenly, a voice rang in her head.

It was a voice so old and familiar that it was no longer surprising.

Grace continued walking without changing expression.

[Are you not the Empress of this Empire? Fifteen hundred innocent imperial citizens are being offered as sacred blood, yet you’re only worried about your and your son’s safety.]

A voice cold as ice, yet clearly suppressing laughter.

Grace’s brow gradually furrowed.

‘…I’m not in the mood to talk with you.’

Then the voice burst into low laughter.

[How interesting.]

At those mocking words, Grace clenched her fist weakly.

This being always rummaged through her mind and laughed, saying it was amusing.

When she was very young, precisely from the day she witnessed her mother’s death.

A hint of venom flashed in Grace’s eyes as she held onto her fraying patience.

‘You’re the one who made me like this.’

The laughter in her head stopped abruptly.

‘You told me to obey father if I didn’t want to end up like mother.’

[….]

‘You told me to follow their commands and submit.’

Grace raised her head.

Her eyes gleamed coldly as she stared into the empty void.

‘You said you’d lift my curse if I lived like that.’

The curse that had bound her life forever.

The ability that denied forgetting, and simultaneously the curse called ‘Imprint’.

[Yes, I did say that.]

The voice answered.

[It’s not a lie. The day your wish comes true will come before long.]

Then it began laughing again.

Grace continued walking with her fists clenched tight.

At the same time, at the Temple of Res.

The central chapel was empty except for the massive statue of Fluma.

Soon, with a humming sound, several bright lights appeared in the air.

As the lights focused, they revealed the faces of various priests.

[Ronet, I am honored to see the Saint’s face.]

[This is Lansley from the north. It’s an honor to have an audience with the Saint.]

[Pleased to meet you for the first time, Lady. I am Toseahn.]

[I am from the southeast…]

The priests who appeared in the communication image stones introduced themselves in order.

“It’s good to see you all.”

Estelin and Michael stood beside Selene who answered.

“How is the situation with the rifts?”

[The rift that appeared in the northeast sky hasn’t opened yet. As you instructed, we’ve gathered all the estate residents in the temple here.]

[The situation in the Duchy of Layard is the same. Two rifts have appeared here, and one seems about to open soon.]

Selene nodded and looked at Michael beside her.

Michael stepped forward.

He took out Selene’s relic pendant and purple sapphire bracelet from his chest and placed them on the dais.

He looked at the image stone and spoke.

“There’s something you all need to know. From the rift in the southwest military district… a dragon emerged.”

The eyes of the priests reflected in the air widened.

[A dragon, you say?]

“That’s not all. From the magical beasts written in scripture to curses whose forms can’t be recognized. The damage is severe.”

A slightly anguished light crossed Michael’s face.

Countless people had already lost their lives to the magical beasts and curses.

Swallowing his grief, Michael spoke in a serious voice.

“Therefore, we intend to advance our plan.”

The priests stiffened momentarily but soon nodded one by one.

[Please tell us the specific plan.]

“Tomorrow night at midnight. We will open the path for the god Fluma.”

“Each temple should proceed with the ritual starting at midnight.”

Selene continued Michael’s words.

Now it was time to reap the seeds they had sown over the past few months.

Amicus, who had been sealed in the final relic.

Her power was to open the path for Fluma’s arrival.

But manifesting Fluma was impossible with her power alone.

‘For The Man to return completely, at least that much faith is needed.’

Should she call it fortunate?

Even before Amicus told her, Selene had predicted this fact to some degree.

That’s why she had placed priests throughout the Empire, operating temples large and small to gather believers.

Not followers of Frater, but believers who trusted and followed Fluma.

[We’ll do as commanded. But what about the rifts that have already opened…]

One priest trailed off with a troubled expression.

Just the southwest military district of the Empire alone had an opened rift causing massive damage.

Fortunately, the giant magical beasts seemed not to venture far from the rift’s vicinity.

The problem was the plagues that poured out with the curses, and the medium to large-class monsters.

Selene answered as if she understood the situation.

“That area will be fine. I’ve already sent someone suitable there.”

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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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