I’m a Villain, but I Want to Live a Long Life - Chapter 76

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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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What I held in my hand was a communication magical device.

 

To be precise, a magical device with Meg’s voice vividly recorded on it.

 

– War heroes are all past glory too. You need to know that your family is nothing but Erbia’s trash, the Emperor’s burden.

 

Meg’s face turned white as her own voice flowed continuously from the magical device.

 

‘I brought this in case the Pinchels acted unexpectedly.’

 

I traced the small magical device with my fingertips.

 

This magical device was something Walter had prepared for me in case I needed to contact Rubel.

 

Walter had taught me the simple usage of the magical device and also mentioned the recording function.

 

‘This may not look like much, but it’s the latest magical device with a function to record communication contents. Oh, of course it can do regular recording too, so keep that in mind.’

 

The moment Meg hurled abuse at me from behind the pillar.

 

‘What the hell is it that you suddenly appeared and have been interfering with everything since before the thanksgiving ceremony!’

 

I quickly activated the recording function, pretending to touch my ear just in case.

 

Actually, that was a reflexive action.

 

It developed from dealing with a department manager in my previous life who made harassing remarks whenever he got the chance.

 

‘Who would have thought it would help in this way.’

 

I looked at Meg and asked.

 

“Shall I play it one more time?”

 

Meg’s eyelashes trembled.

 

A strange expression mixing anger and bewilderment appeared on her face. I said coldly.

 

“You were the one who dragged me behind the pillar. You were the one who insulted my family, yet you shamelessly lie.”

 

“Th, that…!”

 

“How can I believe your claim that the Sacred Sprite attacked you first when you act like this?”

 

Complete silence descended around us.

 

Even though it became clear that Meg had lied, no one rashly uttered words of condemnation toward her.

 

They seemed to instinctively know there would be nothing good from getting involved in this fight.

 

Glancing to the side, I saw Estelin and Eria watching me with worried eyes.

 

Further away than them…

 

‘Father.’

 

I could see Father watching this way with a hardened expression.

 

Perhaps because I had observed Father’s reactions so much early on, I could now tell what he was thinking just by his expression.

 

‘He’s contemplating whether to step in or not.’

 

He was worried the situation might become strange if he intervened.

 

Though things had improved a lot recently, our father-daughter reputation was still not good among some nobles.

 

‘If Father stepped in and it backfired instead…’

 

People’s perception of me might become even worse.

 

Feeling somewhat bitter, I pulled the hand holding the Pinchel to my chest.

 

And asked Meg again.

 

“Answer me. Did the Sacred Sprite really attack you first?”

 

“Th, that!”

 

I looked directly at her with resolute eyes.

 

“You know this too, Lady. The Cardinal himself just testified to the Sacred Sprites’ safety. So you must give an answer without a single lie, swearing on His Eminence.”

 

Meg’s jaw stiffened instantly as she glared at me.

 

Her eyes flashed menacingly as if she couldn’t contain her anger.

 

“I said that’s what happened!”

 

The next moment, seeing Meg scream sharply, I stepped back hesitantly.

 

It seemed like she was about to rush at me.

 

Sure enough.

 

“You liar! The recording and everything else is all fabricated! Who would believe someone like you?!”

 

The moment I half-turned my body while protecting the injured Pinchel, Meg grabbed my shoulder firmly.

 

It was the moment I reflexively shrank back at her expression that seemed to have completely lost reason.

 

An eerily sudden silence fell around us.

 

When I cautiously opened my eyes, I saw someone’s back blocking my view.

 

It was Father, gripping Meg’s uninjured wrist.

 

“Stop.”

 

A low voice echoed through the hall.

 

“…I can’t overlook this anymore.”

 

At the killing intent emanating from Father, I too gaped in bewilderment.

 

Meg’s face gradually filled with fear as she met Father’s blood-red eyes.

 

“Du… Duke.”

 

As if finally coming to her senses, Meg muttered with a trembling voice. Father’s lips slowly opened as he silently glared at Meg.

 

“Meg Cline. I will file charges against you.”

 

It was a voice that seemed to suppress something, where his contained anger could be vividly felt.

 

“You threatened and insulted me and my family. And you dared… try to attack my daughter.”

 

“…”

 

“I wonder if you can pay the full price for that.”

 

Having finished speaking, Father roughly shook off Meg’s trembling wrist.

 

Meg staggered backward, trembling violently.

 

Father watched her with eyes full of contempt, then turned around.

 

I looked up bewilderedly at Father approaching me.

 

‘Filing charges.’

 

I closed my lips in confusion.

 

When Father blocked my path, I worried that some big incident might happen.

 

But this was quite a gentlemanly method for Father.

 

Then Father, who had taken off his military coat and draped it over my stiff shoulders, said.

 

“Let’s go, Selene. There seems to be no need to stay here any longer.”

 

I came to my senses and quickly nodded. Father, who had wrapped his arm around my shoulders, carefully began to walk.

 

The hall was still filled with suffocating silence, and the Pinchels were following around us in groups.

 

How long had we walked through the silence? Just before leaving the hall, Father suddenly stopped in place.

 

Then he suddenly looked at a nearby referee.

 

“As soon as I arrive at the manor, I will send someone to the Imperial Palace to file charges. So you go and tell His Majesty.”

 

“Wh, what should I…”

 

Father’s eyes looking down at the referee gleamed coldly.

 

“That His Majesty said he would grant one wish regarding the gladiatorial tournament victory.”

 

“…”

 

“I will say that I want no one’s intervention in the incident where Count Cline’s daughter attacked my daughter. Even if that someone is Her Majesty the Empress or Duke Belmart.”

 

“Bu, but Your Grace. That falls under the Imperial Household Department’s authority…”

 

“If by any chance.”

 

The referee closed his mouth.

 

“Evidence emerges that personal connections or emotions influenced the judgment.”

 

“…”

 

“Then I will handle this matter in my own way.”

 

Murmurs erupted among the nobles who had been holding their breath in the hall.

 

“Isn’t that saying he’d mobilize private soldiers!”

 

“When the Lady he cherishes terribly was insulted, not drawing his sword in this place is already something.”

 

Father looked around at the murmuring nobles and then wrapped his arm around my shoulder again.

 

Then, as if something else occurred to him, he added a word to the referee.

 

“Since my daughter has become too burdened to continue the event due to Meg Cline’s attack, the charity event ends here.”

 

Father’s fingertip was now pointing at my ticket box that Estelin was holding.

 

“The total number of tickets my daughter has received so far is 176. Make sure there are no errors in the tally.”

 

I looked up at Father with wide eyes as he leisurely lifted one corner of his mouth.

 

…No way.

 

You’ve been counting all of them this whole time?

 

“What did you say…?”

 

Duke Belmart.

 

The teacup dropped from Duke Belmart’s hand as he leaned against the sofa in his study.

 

With a crash, glass shards scattered in all directions and red tea soaked into the rug on the floor.

 

“Who’s filing a complaint?!”

 

Duke Belmart glared with trembling hands clutching the back of his neck.

 

The adjutant who had been bowing his head cleared his throat restlessly.

 

“L-Lady Meg is said to have attacked Lady Tigris. So Aleon Tigris has filed a complaint with the Imperial Palace, and a trial will be held….”

 

“Ha—!!”

 

As if dumbfounded, Sibon Belmart’s complexion turned bright red.

 

With his jaw completely rigid and trembling, he quietly opened his mouth.

 

“Where is Meg.”

 

The adjutant’s gaze trembled uneasily.

 

“That… that is….”

 

Sibon Belmart, who had been watching the adjutant trail off, suddenly stood up from his seat.

 

Then he strode over and flung open the tightly closed door of the study.

 

Meg Cline, who had been standing right in front of the door, was startled and sat down hard.

 

“G-G-Grandfather….”

 

Meg looked up at the Duke with teary eyes and collapsed to the floor.

 

“I-I was wrong! I made a mistake!”

 

Duke Belmart glared at his granddaughter with cold eyes, then immediately gave a cold command to the guards standing outside the door.

 

“Bring her in.”

 

Meg looked back and forth at the guards approaching her with trembling eyes.

 

The guards carefully took hold of Meg’s arms and lifted her up. Then they led her into the drawing room.

 

Meg was practically dragged in and slumped down in front of the low table in the drawing room.

 

On the sofa across from her sat Duke Belmart, who was now looking at her.

 

“Everyone out.”

 

When Duke Belmart spoke while rubbing his forehead as if tired, everyone in the drawing room quickly left.

 

Left alone, Meg trembled and stared only at the ground, not daring to lift her head.

 

Silence continued for a while.

 

Finally, Duke Belmart opened his mouth.

 

“Who is the winner.”

 

“G-Grandfather….”

 

“Answer me! I asked who the winner is.”

 

“….”

 

“It’s Seleneae Tigris, isn’t it.”

 

Meg’s face turned pale.

 

“I-I was wrong, Grandfather! She brought something I never could have imagined…! The audience was completely captivated by it….”

 

“Meg Cline.”

 

At the voice calling her name, Meg quickly raised her head.

 

Duke Belmart’s eyes gleamed coldly as he spoke through gritted teeth.

 

“Haven’t I told you repeatedly. That I want to feel inclined to pass the Belmart dukedom to your father, at the very least.”

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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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