I’m a Villain, but I Want to Live a Long Life - Chapter 95

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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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…So anyway, we’re completely screwed. Ever since the prospective student gathering, not a single person has wanted to be in the same group as us.

What worries me more is that Estelin and Rosette seem completely unbothered by it.

At this rate, are we really going to take the exam with just the three of us?

We have to leave for the Academy tomorrow, but I’m so worried I can’t even sleep. What if we really can’t get admitted?

So, what’s this. I’ve already used up all the paper. Sorry for only talking about myself when I meant to ask how you’re doing.

You’re doing well, right? Count Bastin may look scary on the outside, but he’s a warm person inside, so you’ll be fine.

Oh, I didn’t know this, but the Southern Estates that the Count rules are close enough to directly border the Academy Jurisdiction?

Maybe we’ll meet sooner than expected. When that happens, I’ll come with Estelin.

Well then, always take care of your health, and make sure to take your medicine.

Pop.

Rubel put down the letter where the handwriting got smaller toward the end. A smile spread across his lips.

The “pop” or whatever at the end was something Selene wrote every time she finished a letter, but he couldn’t figure out what it meant.

“Still….”

…It’s cute.

Rubel swallowed his muttered words and soon stood up with a reddened face.

It was because the last part of the letter came to mind.

‘Make sure to take your medicine.’

The drug that Ansun had made to hide his iris color had to be taken at least once every two days.

If he missed the timing, his jet-black pupils would gradually lighten and return to their original golden eyes.

Actually, he had forgotten to take it exactly once since coming here.

But Count Bastin had clearly seen his eye color, yet pretended not to notice and turned his head away.

Seeing that, he was certain.

That the Count was a trustworthy person, just as Selene and Duke Tigris had said.

It was just as Rubel put the medicine in his mouth and swallowed it.

“What are you doing! At this rate the sun will be high in the sky, you sluggish fellow.”

Count Bastin’s booming voice came from below the window.

Rubel hurriedly crammed his feet into his leather shoes, threw on his training clothes, and went outside.

When he went down the stairs, Count Bastin was standing there holding two shovels.

“Shovels? Why shovels all of a sudden?”

“We’re going to level a mountain.”

Rubel frowned at the sight of Count Bastin speaking casually and grinning wickedly.

“Level a mountain, you say. Why would you suddenly do such a thing….”

Count Bastin threw one of the shovels and laughed.

“A guy who eats and sleeps in my house does what I tell him to do. No reason needed.”

Rubel caught it lightly. Then he turned the handle and asked.

“Is this also part of training?”

“Haha, what! You’d call eating and breathing training too, wouldn’t you. This is just manual labor.”

Having said that, Count Bastin soon began striding forward. They were heading toward a small side path that led behind the Count’s Castle.

“There was a landslide a few days ago because of the rain. I heard that an empty farmhouse near the Academy area got buried… Actually, that farmhouse isn’t just any ordinary farmhouse.”

Bastin whispered as if it were some great secret, then burst into hearty laughter.

Rubel watched him silently.

He cleared a path by snapping the thick branches blocking their way with his sturdy hands.

“That farmhouse, you see, is now surrounded by spider webs, but until a few decades ago it was His Grace’s hideout.”

“Hideout?”

Rubel asked back. Bastin nodded and strode forward.

“When His Grace was attending the Academy, he practically lived there. Hanging around with his friends.”

Rubel tilted his head.

“I didn’t know Duke Tigris had that kind of personality.”

“Well, he was at that age then. All men are like that, aren’t they. When the woman you love is by your side, you end up doing things you normally wouldn’t.”

Rubel closed his mouth in a daze.

Doing things you normally wouldn’t—somehow that seemed understandable.

He unconsciously imagined Selene saying “pop” and shook his head.

Meanwhile, a long, winding forest path stretched ahead. Bastin spoke again.

“If you think about it, that farmhouse is no different from a place filled with His Grace’s precious memories. In fact, he once considered renovating that farmhouse into a villa.”

“Then, the farmhouse that got buried in the landslide is that one?”

“Right. Not all of it, but most of the backyard got buried in dirt. It’s fortunate the building didn’t collapse.”

“Then what you said earlier about leveling the mountain….”

Count Bastin stopped walking. Then he turned around and grinned wickedly.

“Correct. We’re going to dig out all that dirt that covered the backyard.”

Rubel frowned.

“You could just hire people. There’s no reason for you to go and do it yourself.”

“You brat, wait until you’re my age. Old with no wife, no children. I have strength to spare but where else would I use it? This is a chance to look good in front of His Grace.”

“….”

“And you’ll understand once you see it. It’s a place that makes your heart so peaceful you’ll want to do the dirty work yourself.”

Rubel tilted his head. But after walking a bit more, he quickly understood Bastin’s words.

When they reached the end of the forest, a beautiful grassland spread out before them.

It was a place where yellow reeds swayed like waves, and cosmos and irises bloomed abundantly on the hills.

Rubel breathed out shortly, feeling the clean air seeping into his lungs.

Though the midday sun was beating down, the cool breeze made it not hot at all.

Rather, it was just the right temperature to make everything feel pleasant.

Rubel looked around and then shifted his gaze to one spot and asked.

“Is it that place?”

Bastin nodded.

To the left end of the hill where the forest path continued, a small hill could be seen.

Right below that hill.

There really was a cottage with its backyard half-buried in brown soil.

Though it was obvious at a glance that no one lived there with the broken fences here and there, it was a house that gave off a warm atmosphere.

“It’s smaller than I thought.”

Rubel could understand why Bastin had brought him here personally.

There wasn’t that much dirt to clear away to warrant calling people, and somehow he felt like he didn’t want to let others know about the existence of such a space.

“If we’re doing it with just the two of us, it’ll still take three days.”

“Three days, what. Two days will be enough. I told the servant to bring food around dinner time.”

Rubel looked at Bastin, who was excitedly moving forward, with incredulous eyes.

The sight of the big old man pushing through the reed field was somehow awkward yet peaceful.

“What are you doing, hurry up! This is a chance to score points with His Grace!”

But at those words, Rubel, who had been standing there, hesitated. He soon sighed and started walking.

Score points, he says.

He could feel his ears getting hot again.

‘Everyone in the entire manor knows.’

There was a certain fact that everyone at the Tigris Estate knew, except for just one person—her.

“I can see your face is all red. How can you properly serve as a knight later if your emotions show so easily!”

Bastin laughed heartily.

“…I’m not always like this.”

Rubel answered quietly and continued walking behind Bastin, trying to calm his burning face.

Just then, as the wind blew, the reed field they were walking through rippled golden again.

“Miss, I’ve put the newly tailored cloak in this luggage here. I made it thick, so if you get cold, you must, must take it out and wear it, okay? You mustn’t catch a cold!”

I nodded vigorously as I watched Anna making a fuss.

“Alright, alright. I’ll keep it in mind for sure. What do you take me for? Someone who’d endure the cold without proper clothes and catch a cold?”

“Still….”

Anna trailed off with a tearful expression. I smiled awkwardly with a troubled face.

Since a little while ago, the Tigris Estate had been filled with a funeral-like atmosphere.

“When you leave, my lady… I’ll be alone with His Grace for quite some time.”

Walter muttered in a soulless voice.

“A life with nothing but scolding coming back, no praise or anything… I’ll have to endure that for at least 3 months….”

After taking the entrance exam, it would only be possible to leave the Academy jurisdiction around early next year.

In other words, unless I failed the exam, I would have to stay away from home for 3 months.

“My lady, go there and do well without losing heart!”

“That’s right. With that kind of spirit, even decent men would run away wetting themselves. If there’s anyone who tries anything funny, tell us immediately.”

Kopel and Felix rushed out to the garden in their training clothes to see me off. Meanwhile….

“So the library will be empty again?”

Ansun asked with a strangely relieved-looking face. I could somehow sense a bit of anticipation in his voice.

I chuckled and nodded.

“That’s right. Both Rosette and Estelin will be at the Academy for a while.”

“What welcome news… I mean, what sad news.”

Ansun glanced at Anna, who was glaring at him as if she wanted to kill him, then added nonchalantly.

“…I really feel like tears might start flowing any moment. Truly.”

Anna glared at Ansun’s face, which looked refreshed rather than tearful. But soon she spoke in a completely deflated voice.

“What will I have to live for when you’re gone, my lady? I’m sure life will become boring without a doubt.”

I gently patted the back of Anna, who was genuinely tearing up.

“Anna, anyone would think I’m going off to war. Father gave me a communication stone, so I’ll contact you often. Take this chance to enjoy some rest with Peony. Understood?”

“My lady….”

Anna looked at me with teary eyes. I laughed heartily and finally turned my head to look at Father.

Father was giving off an atmosphere that was beyond gloomy, almost pitiful.

“Father, I’ll be going now…?”

“….”

Father didn’t answer.

He just let out a sigh as if the ground would cave in, then muttered quietly to himself.

“…I wonder if there’s no way to relocate the Academy to the Empire.”

Just as I widened my eyes at such an absurd statement, Walter chimed in from the side.

“Shall I send a letter to House Haren right away?! You never know.”

Then Father’s head shot up with a start. And he nodded very seriously.

“Yes. That’s the best idea you’ve had recently. Do that immediately.”

I stared blankly at Father and Walter having their serious conversation.

It was the day I was leaving the Empire for the entrance exam that would take place in 2 weeks.

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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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