I’m a Villain, but I Want to Live a Long Life - Chapter 53

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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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At first glance, it was a frightening expression, but I knew better.

‘He’s in a good mood.’

An incredibly good mood, at that.

Well, of course. I had just crushed the Emperor’s attempt to publicly humiliate Father, so I must have looked quite endearing to him.

“Not everything went according to plan, but it roughly flowed as expected. Things worked out well.”

I smiled slightly and leaned toward Father, asking shamelessly.

“I did well, didn’t I?”

Father hesitated for a moment. But soon he smiled and nodded.

“…Yes, certainly. Simon’s expression was quite a sight to behold.”

I looked at Father, who spoke the Emperor’s name so casually, and replied.

“Actually, I did it on purpose. We’re the ones who got hurt, yet he keeps acting so irritatingly.”

Walter gasped and stared at me. But I didn’t care and continued speaking.

“All that talk about being the Empire’s sword and shield. How dare he demand we hand over Ansun in front of everyone, really…”

“…”

“How much is Ansun worth!”

In front of Walter, who was covering his mouth, I spoke with determined eyes.

“After today’s events, he won’t be able to do that anymore. I’ll constantly remind everyone.”

“…”

“That Tigris is never to be taken lightly.”

My eyes blazing in the air, I quietly rose from my seat.

“Anyway, with that in mind, I’ll head in first today. I need to prepare for the charity event as I mentioned.”

Father nodded. As I was about to leave the study, I stopped in my tracks.

Then I turned back to Father and asked carefully.

“If you need any help, may I ask for it?”

His red eyes widened slightly, then a faint smile appeared on Father’s lips.

He nodded.

“Anytime.”

I smiled in response and left the room. Somehow, my steps felt light.

Meanwhile, Walter, who remained in the study, looked at the door through which Selene had exited with disbelief.

He muttered.

“Really, she’s just like…”

Duke Tigris nodded.

“…Yes. It’s like seeing Hemera.”

“Ethyl stone, armor made of ethyl stone.”

I chewed on the tip of my pen thoughtfully, lost in contemplation.

“What could be more expensive and magnificent than that?”

Scattered across the table were papers listing the items that each noble family’s daughters had agreed to submit for the charity event.

“Paintings, sculptures, porcelain, rare books… even armor made of ethyl stone.”

A slight wrinkle formed between my brows.

“It certainly won’t be easy to prepare something more expensive than ethyl stone armor.”

Moreover.

‘The item Meg submits definitely won’t be just the armor.’

I recalled Rubel’s words that I had received in the manor’s corridor earlier.

‘As you said, Nicolas Zelbero has been frequenting the Belmarte Duchy. I just saw him entering the estate on my way here.’

My suspicions were once again proven correct.

It was none other than Duke Belmart who had introduced Nicolas Zelbero to the Emperor and recommended him as chairman of the Privy Council.

So it wasn’t strange that Nicolas Zelbero frequently visited the Belmart Estate.

However.

‘The ledgers are suspicious. The amount of money siphoned off doesn’t match the amount Nicolas Zelbero collected.’

‘You mean there’s money that leaked out somewhere else?’

‘That appears to be the case.’

Looking at the ledgers Oscar had stolen, there was someone receiving bribes from Nicolas Zelbero.

And according to our investigation, that person was Meg Cline.

I set down my pen and shook my head with a look of disdain.

“Even if you lack common sense, there should be limits.”

Perhaps because she was truly a hothouse flower, Meg Cline was literally fearless.

‘What was she planning to do if she got caught doing something so outrageous?’

…No, wait. Maybe she didn’t even know she was receiving bribes.

‘At first, it would have just been gifts.’

Nicolas Zelbero was a vile and clever man.

Anyone with eyes could roughly tell who Duke Belmart was weak to.

He seemed to have figured out it was Meg and initially sent her various gifts, large and small.

It was all clearly recorded in the ledgers.

According to Oscar, the stated purpose in the ledgers was gratitude and regards.

‘But as time went on, the scale gradually increased.’

Meg would have quickly grown to enjoy that favor.

Thinking about her from our brief encounter… she might not have even understood what it meant to receive gifts from Nicolas.

‘A vile and dirty bastard manipulated a stupid and arrogant girl.’

I let out a deep sigh.

“Where in the world does kindness without a price exist?”

And I stood up abruptly.

First, I had to win the charity event. Only then could I bring down Nicolas Zelbero or do whatever else needed to be done.

“But what on earth can beat ethyl stone armor?”

My eyes narrowed.

In the drawing room of the Belmart Estate.

Meg Cline anxiously bit her nails while staring at the person sitting before her.

“Zelbero. I’m sorry for calling you so suddenly. But there’s something very urgent…”

Nicolas, sitting across from her, certainly looked troubled.

He carefully parted his lips.

“What’s the sudden matter? This is the first time you’ve called me directly to the estate, so I was honestly a bit surprised…”

“Well, actually…”

Seeing Meg struggle to speak, Nicolas tilted his head.

“I urgently need some money, and you’re the only one I can ask, Chairman.”

Meg looked down with desperate eyes.

“The budget for preparing this charity event is a bit short…”

One of Nicolas’s eyebrows twitched.

‘From what I heard, she already prepared ethyl stone armor, but now she’s short on money?’

After a moment of silence, he replied.

“For you, Miss Meg, I could certainly lend you any amount. But exactly what is this for…”

At his tone, Meg bit her lip hard.

“I absolutely must win the charity event.”

Nicolas’s eyes narrowed. Meg continued speaking.

“Only then can I be invited to the banquet hosting the state guests. I was hoping to make good connections there this time.”

Understanding Meg’s meaning, Nicolas’s eyes widened slightly.

“But to ensure victory, we need a bit more budget…”

Meg trailed off, drooping her eyebrows as she stared at Nicolas.

Nicolas was already smiling as he looked at her.

“How much would you need?”

Meg’s face brightened considerably.

“You’ll help me?! I think about 20,000 frum would be enough for now.”

The amount that flowed from her lips was quite large, causing Nicolas’s face to stiffen slightly.

However, calculations quickly began spinning in his head again.

‘20,000 frum isn’t a small amount. But…’

If Meg won the charity event and made good connections with one of the state guests as she said.

A royal marriage would take place, and he would become someone who contributed to that royal marriage…

‘It’s not a losing deal.’

Moreover, he had spare funds thanks to generously embezzling from this thanksgiving festival budget.

Nicolas’s eyes gleamed sharply as he looked at Meg, the corners of his mouth curling up.

‘Should I call this naive, or just stupid.’

“I’ll lend it to you.”

At Nicolas’s gentle voice, Meg’s expression brightened considerably.

“Really? As expected, the only one I can trust is the chairman! I was worried about mentioning it to grandfather!”

Nicolaus Zelbero smiled wickedly at Meg, who was staring at him with moved eyes.

However, he soon brightened his eyes and asked subtly.

“But perhaps, could you also do me one small favor?”

“A favor?”

Meg’s eyes widened.

A few days later. Imperial Palace Conference Hall.

The Emperor sitting in the seat of honor had a gloomily sunken expression.

The imperial nobles seated across from him were also maintaining silence.

“…I have no excuse.”

Breaking through the silence, Duke Belmart’s stiff voice filled the meeting room.

The Emperor’s gaze, which had been directed toward the empty table, slowly reached Duke Belmart.

The Emperor, who had been looking at the duke with a hardened face, soon let out a shallow sigh and spoke lowly.

“I know it’s not your fault either.”

“…”

“It’s just that Carton’s army was too powerful.”

The Emperor’s golden eyes, with furrowed brows, sank coldly.

They had just gathered after finishing watching the semifinal match of the gladiatorial event.

However, the conference hall was quiet enough to hear a passing ant.

This was because the Empire’s Belmart Knights had suffered not just a terrible, but a miserable defeat.

To none other than the knight order led by Prince Dein Jed of the Carton Kingdom.

‘What the hell are those monsters.’

Emperor Simon Albertine let out a deep sigh and frowned. Then he muttered as if frustrated.

“Carton’s Dein, that bastard was really determined. I should have known from when he suddenly stepped forward to participate in the gladiatorial event!”

In his mind’s eye floated Dein’s annoying face, grinning widely. The imperial nobles added from the side.

“He must have entered the Empire with other purposes from the beginning!”

The oldest among the other imperial nobles also spoke up.

“You must maintain your composure, Your Majesty. We must never allow Carton’s army into the Empire’s territorial waters.”

The Emperor let out a short sigh with a tired expression. But the headache from the complicated situation was unavoidable.

Dein Jed was a clever one. And he never spoke in roundabout ways.

‘Please permit Carton’s army to enter the Empire’s territorial waters.’

After finishing the thanksgiving festival opening ceremony, in a gathering of only distinguished guests, Dein shamelessly smiled while his navy blue eyes, characteristic of the southern peoples, gleamed.

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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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