I’m a Villain, but I Want to Live a Long Life - Chapter 63

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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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The gladiator event that opened the Harvest Festival had concluded.

 

A grand banquet was held at the Imperial Palace.

 

The family that claimed victory was Tigris.

 

However, the Empire was buzzing with excitement over a different fact entirely.

 

“It was Tigris number 17, wasn’t it? It seemed like they used a control-type ability?”

 

“Yes, really! Among control types, it looked like taming, which is known to be the rarest.”

 

“My goodness, seeing how the beast-transformed Carton soldiers couldn’t move, it must be animal taming, right?”

 

“More than that, there’s a rumor that Lady Tigris recruited that soldier herself…”

 

The nobles gathered in the Great Hall chattered enthusiastically.

 

“But if it’s animal taming, that’s the ability the founding Emperor possessed, isn’t it? There haven’t been any reports of it since then, have there?”

 

“Of course, it’s such an incredible ability! Why else would there be legends of the founding Emperor taming dragons?”

 

“Really, there have been quite a few remarkable manifesters in the Empire lately. You know, a few months ago there was that rumor about some priest getting caught trying to use mind control abilities on Lady Tigris…”

 

“I heard about that. How did the Temple manage to hide such a manifester all this time?”

 

Baroness Sylvia spoke with a cautious voice, trailing off. The noble ladies glanced around worriedly.

 

“Shh. My lady, the Temple is in complete chaos because of that very rumor.”

 

Baroness Sylvia covered her mouth with wide eyes.

 

“Why, why? What else happened?”

 

Viscountess Yvonne, who had been watching her with serious eyes, continued.

 

“Think about it. Regardless of whether that rumor is true or not, from the Order’s perspective, it would be quite vexing. The timing was just…”

 

Everyone gathered around them nodded knowingly.

 

“Right when they were discussing whether to elevate the Fratrer Church to the state religion, this incident happened…”

 

A few months ago.

 

That is, just before Selene, Lady Tigris, fell into her long sleep.

 

The Frater Order had only a few short procedures left before achieving their long-standing goal of becoming the state religion.

 

But suddenly strange rumors began circulating in the Empire, and soon after, an incident occurred that would shake the entire Empire.

 

Duke Tigris had harbored some serious grudge against the Temple and left the Empire.

 

And he did so while completely ignoring the Emperor’s attempts to stop him.

 

That single incident caused the Frater Order’s elevation to state religion to be postponed indefinitely.

 

The reason was that they couldn’t proceed with such important matters while public controversy was raging.

 

“I was deeply impressed by Her Majesty the Empress’s decision at that time. As you all know, Her Majesty is quite devout to the Order.”

 

“I agree. Everyone was surprised that someone so devout would be so strict when it came to handling affairs. …Who would have thought she’d actually postpone the state religion elevation.”

 

“But setting all that aside, doesn’t nobody actually know whether those rumors are true? They could really just be baseless gossip…”

 

“But it’s true that Lady Tigris collapsed. And if the rumors are correct… it would make perfect sense why the notoriously harsh Lady suddenly changed.”

 

At Viscountess Yvonne’s words, the other noble ladies nodded. Their gazes slowly moved to one corner of the banquet hall.

 

Selene, dressed in a gorgeous gown, was offering cookies to her father, Duke Tigris.

 

Baroness Sylvia, who had been staring at her blankly, nodded.

 

“…That’s right. I know the Lady wasn’t such a sociable personality before.”

 

“Exactly. If those rumors are true, then the Lady must have endured terrible things all this time, so her previously rude attitude would be understandable too.”

 

The noble ladies quietly exchanged glances.

 

Then, one lady who had only been listening to the others’ conversation smiled and spoke.

 

“So, I’m planning to invite Lady Tigris to a tea party after the Harvest Festival ends.”

 

“Oh my. Is that really true, Countess Christine?”

 

“Yes. It’s true. Also…”

 

When Countess Christine trailed off, the other noble ladies’ eyes sparkled.

 

“My husband brought up matters related to the God’s Tears distribution business with Tigris, and the Duke apparently responded like this:”

 

Everyone swallowed nervously.

 

“‘The rights to that drug belong to my daughter. If you have something to discuss, speak directly to my daughter.'”

 

The noble ladies’ eyes widened.

 

“She hasn’t even had her coming-of-age ceremony yet, but he gave her full authority over that incredible drug?”

 

“So the Lady’s claim about directly participating in the development project wasn’t a lie!”

 

Among the surprised noble ladies, Countess Christine’s eyes gleamed.

 

‘Well, you can’t fool my eyes.’

 

She was an expert.

 

A family that controlled dozens of trading companies. A manor said to be gilded from floor to ceiling.

 

That was the reputation of Countess Christine’s family.

 

‘Before the small fry catch the scent of money and swarm in, I need to capture that naive child first.’

 

It would be even better if she could earn plenty of goodwill.

 

She looked at Selene as if she found her absolutely adorable.

 

But she didn’t know.

 

The fact that there were dozens more nobles and noble ladies thinking the same thing.

 

It was the moment that marked the Tigris family’s perfect return to high society.

 

That evening.

 

I entered my room with a tired face.

 

“Miss, how was the grand banquet?”

 

At Anna’s question, I shook my head.

 

And I recalled the conversations that had taken place on the central platform of the Great Hall just moments ago.

 

“…Completely drained.”

 

Anna’s eyes widened.

 

I waved my hands dismissively and approached the bed, plopping down heavily.

 

“I couldn’t even tell if the food was going into my mouth or my nose.”

 

It was true. The meal on the central platform had been nothing short of brutal.

 

The tedious conversation that began with inquiries about each nation’s well-being gradually flowed toward political discussion under the Emperor’s lead.

 

I was busy memorizing the information exchanged at that table and observing the political currents of each nation, without even having a chance to join the conversation.

 

At the end, there was talk of marriage arrangements involving the prince of the Kingdom of Sorad, and that moment was the most painful for me.

 

It was because of Meg Cline, who was glaring at me intensely from one corner of the hall.

 

When I let out a deep sigh, Anna quickly came up behind me and took the cloak from my shoulders.

 

“It’s understandable that you’d feel that way after dining with such distinguished people. You must have been very nervous, right?”

 

“Still, there were no particular incidents.”

 

“Of course Miss would handle it well. You’re Tigris’s treasure!”

 

I was nodding when I suddenly looked at her in surprise. Anna burst into laughter.

 

“Oh my, you’re being shy again. But all the servants in the manor already call you that. Tigris’s treasure.”

 

“…”

 

Anna quickly added.

 

“That’s not all. The servants’ hope, angel, and also the family’s power behind the throne… Oh my.”

 

I watched Anna meaningfully as she quickly covered her mouth.

 

“What did you just say? Power behind the throne? What on earth does that mean?”

 

Anna just shook her head without answering. I lowered my voice.

 

“…If you don’t speak up quickly, you’ll be working overtime for a while.”

 

“The! The master always does whatever you say, Miss, so the servants call you Tigris’s power behind the throne!”

 

My mouth fell open. Anna hurriedly added.

 

“It’s not meant in a bad way…! It’s because just mentioning your name solves almost any problem.”

 

“…”

 

“Not just the master, but Sir Walter too, and whether they’re elite soldiers or not, all the knights like you, Miss…”

 

Anna rolled her eyes as she trailed off. I held my forehead.

 

Power behind the throne.

 

“Even so, what kind of naming sense is ‘power behind the throne’…”

 

But then I remembered something and stopped.

 

“…Oh, right. That’s not the problem right now.”

 

Anna’s eyes widened. I looked at Anna and quickly asked.

 

“How is Jane’s condition?”

 

Jane, Oscar’s granddaughter, had begun receiving treatment from Martin in earnest a few days ago.

 

‘I heard her condition has improved a lot in such a short time…’

 

I had been too busy lately to visit her directly and check on her myself.

 

“Miss Jane? She’s gotten much better! These days she’s recovered a lot of her energy, so she even takes walks outdoors after breakfast.”

 

I let out a sigh of relief.

 

“That’s good. Oscar must be relieved now?”

 

“Don’t even get me started, about Councilor Oscar – he looks about 10 years younger.”

 

“Really?”

 

A proud smile appeared on my lips.

 

Of course he would.

 

Well, he doesn’t have to worry about treatment costs anymore,

 

and his granddaughter, who could have died at any moment, is getting better day by day – his face must be beaming.

 

“That’s wonderful. Then I should meet with Oscar tomorrow.”

 

“Are you planning to go there directly this time?”

 

“Yeah. The gladiator event wrapped up well, and there’s still some time before the charity event.”

 

I need to prepare steadily for that side of things too.

 

To drive out the corrupt Privy Council Chairman Nicolaus Zelbero and put Oscar, who has become my right hand, in that position.

 

‘Nicolaus Zelbero seems to be connected to Meg Cline too, so if things go well, I might be able to kill two birds with one stone.’

 

I smiled meaningfully with a significant expression when Anna spoke.

 

“Then I’ll briefly send word before you wake up tomorrow. The meeting room just needs to be tidied up before lunch, right?”

 

“Yeah, I’d appreciate it if you could do that.”

 

Anna nodded and smiled brightly.

 

Recently, as I’ve been doing more work at the manor, Anna has naturally gained more authority as well.

 

These days, she even goes to see the head butler directly following my orders quite often.

 

I looked at Anna with proud eyes and then carefully parted my lips.

 

“Anna, and also…”

 

As I trailed off, Anna’s eyes widened as she looked at me as if asking what it was.

 

“That servants’ meeting you often go to?”

 

“Oh, yes. Why do you ask about that?”

 

“I want to come along with you there.”

 

“Yes… What?!”

 

Anna’s eyes went wide.

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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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