I’m Sick of the Kind Protagonist, so I Might as Well Just Die - Chapter 3

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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#03
The moment I cried out and caught myself, biting my lip, a Knight rushed forward to report to the Emperor.
“Your Majesty, there is indeed an unidentified silver liquid floating in the Fountain.”
“It’s not an unidentified silver liquid—it’s Silverdragoon blood! It releases toxic fumes when mixed with water!”
I steadied the woman who was barely clinging to consciousness and gestured toward the Garden with my chin.
“Those large leaves over there! Fetch the Erba leaves! If you crush them into the contaminated water, the toxicity will neutralize!”
The Emperor signaled to the hesitant Knight.
As the Knights rushed out to gather the leaves, Maids streamed in to support the fallen young ladies.
‘My experience dealing with the villagers and slaying Silverdragoon is proving invaluable.’
I exhaled deeply, pressing a hand to my chest.
For three years, I had gone to the Dragon Lair repeatedly, striking and stabbing, and each time Silverdragoon bled, people fell victim to poisoning. The knowledge that Erba leaves could purify this contamination had been purchased with countless lives.
“You there. Your name.”
The Emperor approached without a sound, and his sudden question nearly made me hiccup in surprise. For a moment, I forgot my own name entirely, then hastily mimicked the way the Nobility had introduced themselves at the celebration banquet for the hero’s birth.
“…Meriel von Evergreen.”
“Your knowledge has been of great service.”
“You are too kind, Your Majesty. We merely purified the contaminated land and water using this method when we dealt with the dragon alongside the villagers of our-”
“Did Silverdragoon dwell in the Evergreen Family’s territory?”
Realizing my mistake, I pressed my lips together tightly. The Emperor tilted his head slightly and slowly bent down to meet my gaze.
“Why do you not answer.”
The moment he began to interrogate me in earnest, the Knights and Attendants rushed back with armfuls of Erba leaves and began stuffing them into the Fountain.
Remarkably, the effect was immediate.
“Your Majesty! The water is clearing!”
The silver liquid that had floated on the surface like oil was rapidly absorbed by the Erba leaves, transforming into clear water.
As breathing became noticeably easier, gasps of amazement erupted from the crowd. Yet the Emperor’s expression only grew darker than before.
‘I’ll be suspected. I identified a poison no one else knew about, and I even revealed that the poison’s source is our territory….’
Just as the Emperor twisted his lips in a crooked smile, the Captain of the Guard, deathly pale, saved me.
“Your Majesty. A report has come in that the same poison has been discovered in the Kitchen.”
At that whispered word, the Emperor’s head snapped toward the Captain of the Guard. As he rose to his feet, I seized the hem of his cloak.
“You must not go.”
A gaze colder than ever pierced through me. But I held the woman I was supporting more firmly and tightened my grip on the cloak.
“It is a trap, Your Majesty.”
I persuaded the Emperor with considerable conviction. I had my reasons. I was supposed to become entangled in an assassination attempt targeting the Female Lead.
‘Once the Emperor and the Knights leave the Banquet Hall, only the young ladies remain. The assassination will happen then.’
There was nothing I could do about it.
‘If the Emperor thinks I’m in the way and cuts off my head, well, that still achieves my goal of “dying,” doesn’t it.’
At the same time, the thought struck me that I should have let the Emperor follow the Knights.
‘…That would have made my assassination flow more naturally. Oh well.’
I realized my mistake, but now I couldn’t very well say, “Then by all means, go to the Kitchen.” The safety of all these people had to come before my quick death.
Clicking my tongue inwardly, I added an explanation as if nothing were amiss.
“I believe this is a ploy to lure Your Majesty and the Knights away.”
“The evidence.”
“I only dissolved a trace amount of poison in the fountain.”
“….”
Crimson eyes gleamed with intrigue as they fixed upon me. I met his gaze, recalling the arduous years that had culminated in severing the Silverdragoon’s neck.
The Silverdragoon’s blood melted bone and flesh upon contact with skin, and when it touched water, it released such caustic fumes that they could ulcerate the nose and throat.
“You see, Your Majesty suffers merely a headache, and these fallen ladies experience only a brief loss of consciousness. The damage is confined to shallow confusion that can be remedied swiftly. The true assassination would occur after luring Your Majesty outside the Banquet Hall—”
Before I could finish, the Captain of the Guard, who had hastily reported to the Emperor, drew his blade. Following his lead, the Emperor’s guards bearing golden brooches raised their swords in unison.
“How dare you!”
“Your Majesty! We draw our blades to protect you! We cannot possibly tolerate the Falkenstein Family becoming part of the Imperial House once more!”
Everyone’s gaze turned toward the woman I held, as though bound by an unspoken agreement.
‘Wait—so this woman I’m holding is the “Falkenstein” they just mentioned?’
I have no knowledge of what transpired between the Falkenstein Family and the Imperial House. Yet from the circumstances, it appeared that the golden-haired beauty resting against me was a daughter of the Falkenstein Family, and there existed forces who despised the Emperor’s interest in her.
With this understanding, my conviction only deepened. This woman was the Female Lead—the one destined to become Empress.
‘Ah, then isn’t this the perfect moment for me to die? If I perish here in the arms of the Female Lead, struck down by the guards, wouldn’t that heighten the tension and prevent her from becoming entangled with the Emperor afterward?’
In such circumstances, there was only one way for me to die naturally without causing further harm—to speak righteous words before a sword-wielder and be run through.
If I could finish saying what needed to be said before death and resolve the misunderstanding between the knights and the Emperor, that would be ideal.
“Stand aside. Hand over the Falkenstein Daughter.”
The Captain of the Guard’s blade pointed toward me as he demanded the woman. I held the woman, still unable to support herself, firmly against me and shook my head.
“This is not loyalty to Your Majesty.”
“What?”
“You are being manipulated. Someone wishing to undermine Your Majesty’s authority has exploited your knights’ devotion to create this situation.”
“…What do you mean?”
“Your Majesty’s guards drawing blades against a candidate for Empress without your permission. Could there be a more damaging scene to the Imperial authority?”
The knights surrounding me shifted uncomfortably.
“Every nobleman in this Banquet Hall witnesses this moment. ‘The Emperor’s guards, fearing the Falkenstein Family, drew their swords in a gathering of the family’s young ladies.’ …Is this the rumor you wish to spread?”
The Captain of the Guard’s expression grew increasingly dark.
“Your Majesty. Before blaming or punishing these men, finding the true conspirator must be your priority. Discovering who approached these knights to sway them, who poisoned the fountain—that is what matters most.”
I met the eyes of each knight in turn as I continued speaking, believing that my death alone would suffice in this place.
“Your Majesty. Please issue your command. Only with Your Majesty’s word can we uncover who has manipulated your loyal servants.”
Drawing a blade against a distinguished guest without their master’s command was among the gravest of crimes. As countless sword points aimed at me, I overlaid the faces of my village people upon them, harboring a small wish.
That my village people might live without being swayed by others any longer. Just as I sought to save these knights from a wrong choice, I hoped someone had protected my village people.
“Are you not enjoying yourselves?”
The Emperor asked softly, cutting through the oppressive silence. People dared not answer his nonsensical question and merely exchanged nervous glances.
“The selection banquet seemed tedious and dull, so I prepared entertainment never before seen. Yet no one laughs, and my disappointment is profound.”
The Captain of the Guard inhaled sharply and glanced back at the Emperor over his shoulder. Standing with an unmoved expression, the Emperor called upon his loyal servant, his crimson eyes gleaming dangerously.
“Captain of the Guard.”
“…Yes, Your Majesty.”
“This failure rests entirely upon you. The performance lacked impact and sufficient tension.”
“….”
“I shall severely hold you accountable for failing to bring laughter to our honored guests. Let this failed performance end—sheathe your blades and return to your positions.”
The guards sheathed their swords in unison. The Captain of the Guard drew a shaky breath and knelt before me.
“Your Majesty!”
“I told you to return to your post, not to kneel.”
The Emperor swept past the trembling Captain of the Guard with icy indifference, approaching me before extending an elegant hand toward the assembled guests.
“I offer my personal apologies to all of you. Next time, I shall prepare entertainment of far greater interest. I do hope you will grace us with your presence at the next banquet.”
The Emperor gestured to an Attendant, who rushed forward with practiced haste and swiftly relieved me of the woman I was holding, transferring her into the care of the handmaidens.
‘Everyone’s caught their breath now. Is this where the Emperor executes me for my insolence and calls it a day?’
I exhaled slowly, my chest tightening as I studied the Emperor’s expression.
“So you are Meriel von Evergreen.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Your audacious impertinence has saved face for us all. My authority remains undiminished, and I owe no debt to the Falkenstein Family. In fact, I may emerge as an even more wise and just ruler.”
Is this madman actually saying this aloud?
I swallowed the curse that dared not escape my lips and bowed my head deeper.
“Meriel von Evergreen.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Send word to your family head. A wedding shall take place soon. Ensure the Evergreen Family attends with proper decorum befitting the bride’s house.”
I could only blink, unable to comprehend the Emperor’s words.
This is strange. I should be dead.
“Do you understand? From this moment forward, from this very instant, you are my Empress.”
How did things spiral into this?

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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