The Abandoned Villainess Takes Everything This Time - Chapter 161

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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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161.
Kail stepped out of the Temple just as Iris arrived, moving to greet her.
“You’ve worked hard, Iris.”
“Hehe, Your Highness. Thank you.”
“As expected of my one and only companion.”
They played the part of devoted lovers perfectly, yet Kail’s mind churned with anxiety beneath the surface.
There had been a time when he’d found this woman so inferior to Lillian that she’d made his blood boil.
‘My only lifeline,’ he thought.
Kail had lost the Crown Prince’s seat to Evren. The investiture was only delayed because of the question of Lillian’s whereabouts.
But miraculously, one final chance had been granted to him.
‘Public opinion is shifting in Iris’s favor.’
With that glory as his stepping stone, he—Iris’s “fated partner”—could now make his leap.
Which meant Iris had to—.
‘Become the next Saint!’
Just then, Ambrosio, the High Priest, appeared alongside his clergy.
Iris had been forbidden from entering the Central Temple before, but today was an exception.
“I have now completed one thousand days of atonement, Grand Cleric.”
A great crowd had gathered in the Temple to witness this momentous occasion.
As many as had come for the Saint’s coronation itself.
“I humbly beg forgiveness for this foolish vessel in the name of the Creator God.”
The High Priest swallowed hard.
Who would have guessed that this Iris Tillard would undertake her penance with such grim determination?
As the silence stretched, Iris bowed her head.
“I understand your doubts, Grand Cleric. Even if you cannot forgive me, I accept that.”
…….
“But the completion of a thousand days does not mean I will cease my service.”
Iris smiled sadly.
“I am not like she who has vanished. I will devote myself to the Empire for the rest of my days.”
The moment Iris finished speaking—
“The Saint!”
“She is truly the new Saint!”
Cheers erupted from among those gathered in the Temple Square.
They were the crowd-stirrers the Tillard Family had planted.
Ramio, standing nearby, watched the family with a look of deep disgust.
Duke Tillard’s face bore the weariness of a man aged ten years beyond his time. Yet seeing his grandfather, Ramio felt a tightness in his chest and his heart beat erratically against his ribs.
‘If only I had thrown my weight behind searching for Lillian during this time instead!’
Even setting aside his failed reconciliation with Lillian at the trials and his inability to curry favor with the Crown Prince—!
Ramio’s eyes darted nervously about the hall.
‘Even if there are planted voices, plenty of people genuinely believe it too.’
The anxiety that ‘the world is coming to an end’ only grew stronger, especially with an S-rank Controller active.
Kail pressed the High Priest.
“Grand Cleric. With matters having reached this point, how much longer will you delay the official announcement?”
“Your Highness. The Temple cannot recognize anyone as Saint until we have confirmed whether Lillian lives or is dead.”
“And meanwhile, isn’t chaos spreading throughout the world?”
Just then, another Distortion appeared in the sky and vanished.
Rumble…….
Monsters were manifesting once more somewhere in the Empire even now.
The timing was perfect.
“At the very least, appoint Iris as Acting Saint.”
“Second Prince…… sigh.”
“Then all future accomplishments can be credited to the Temple’s honor, can they not?”
It was something the Temple could not refuse.
Right on cue, the priests quietly lifted the Tiara with Blue Jewels.
They were already bought and paid for by Kail.
“Grand Cleric. Why not entrust matters to Iris Tillard for a time?”
“As long as it is merely ‘temporary,’ surely there is no harm?”
With everyone watching, the holy relic itself appeared.
“Gasp!”
“So Miss Iris really is the next Saint?”
Iris knelt down.
‘That’s the Saint’s Tiara!’
She had to fight down the urge to giggle hysterically.
‘And I’m activating the Dark Magic Alchemy before she’s even crowned me.’
This was perfect!
I’m Lillian now! I’m—!
But before the tiara could touch her head—
Clang!
The tiara clattered to the ground.
No one had touched it; it seemed to have been struck by a sudden, violent gust of wind.
As if the gods themselves were declaring that you could never, ever become Lillian.
The square fell silent in an instant.
Iris’s face went pale, and she trembled violently.
“……Who are you?”
Iris shot to her feet, and her voice cracked with anguish as she cried out.
“This is too much! What do you think you’re doing……!”
“That’s strange. I never announced my retirement.”
“……!”
A familiar voice echoed from the empty air itself.
But then, from the widening Rift, the Crown Prince stepped through—
“My goodness. Quite a lot has happened in my absence.”
And cradled in his arms, Lillian had returned.
The cheers that had supported Iris moments before faltered.
“Li……!”
“Lady Lillian?”
“She’s alive?”
The crowd stirred at the mere appearance of Lillian. Those who had cursed her absence a moment ago quickly shut their mouths.
Iris clenched her fists.
‘Why are you……?’
Why are you stealing my glory when you did nothing?
I worked so hard this time too. Shouldn’t a Saint naturally become an S-rank Controller?
‘I wish you’d disappear from this world.’
But Iris spread her arms in welcome.
I’m different now too!
“Oh, it’s you, Sister! Welcome home!”
“My, I’m so grateful you’re happy to see me.”
“Of course I am.”
Iris picked up the fallen tiara.
“Everything I’ve done was for your honor, Sister. Please, accept your crown.”
Iris knelt on one knee humbly—the greatest courtesy shown to a Saint.
Those watching the cousins’ reunion whispered among themselves.
“How touching…….”
“She really must have reflected on her actions.”
“After undertaking all those subjugation missions, this is only natural—.”
“Do you think Lady Lillian will accept her this time?”
Looks passed between the people suggesting that Lillian had every reason to accept her now.
At last, Lillian walked forward slowly.
Iris’s excitement surged as Lillian approached her.
Come closer.
Come just a bit closer.
‘I can steal Lillian’s power……!’
She had already traced the Dark Magic Alchemy that drains power at the center of the Central Temple Square.
And Kail had been so amenable to her every request of late.
‘Perfect!’
Lillian had walked into the alchemy array!
“Ugh!”
The moment Lillian crossed the threshold, she suddenly clutched at her heart and collapsed.
The Crown Prince caught her in alarm.
“Lillian!”
“Gasp—breath—I can’t——”
Lillian looked to be in genuine agony. Chaos erupted.
“W-what’s wrong with the Saint?”
“Is she ill?”
“And there were still suspicions of Dark Magic—”
Lillian collapsed.
She fell perfectly into my trap.
‘No, no—I have to control myself.’
But it was so—!
So thrilling!
“……Hah.”
Iris began to tremble, and then she burst into laughter.
“Ahahaha! Hahahaha!”
She was laughing so hard her finger pointing at Lillian shook.
The euphoria felt like it would split her skull wide open!
“How does it feel, Lillian? Getting divine punishment? And all of you too!”
Iris’s laughter rang out.
The sight of everyone’s shock and fear was so satisfying!
“You treated me like a criminal, and you thought I’d forgive all of you?”
“Iris!?”
Kail moved to stop her, his voice panicked.
But Iris brushed his hand away.
“Don’t touch me! You worthless parasite, clinging to me just to become Crown Prince!”
“Iris, if you keep saying things like that—!”
“You disgusting trash! I’m S-rank—I’m in a different class than all of you!”
Now all the power of every Controller in this place belonged to me.
‘Ability Users will forgive me though, right?’
I will be the only Controller left in this world.
Iris laughed wildly, savoring what felt like absolute victory.
But those in pain were…….
“What on earth is happening?”
“Why has Lady Lillian collapsed?”
No one else had appeared besides Lillian.
Iris’s elation began to cool as the moments passed.
Why wasn’t the alchemy—.
‘Why isn’t it working anymore?’
It worked on Lillian.
So it should work on everyone else here too?
But then Lillian, who had collapsed, slowly rose. The Crown Prince steadied her, letting out a sigh.
“Ah, it’s been so long since I did that—my whole body aches.”
“Do you really have to push yourself like this right after coming back?”
“What else can I do? It’s far more effective to demonstrate it in person. Ren did his part perfectly too.”
Unlike the panicked Iris, their conversation was utterly relaxed.
What—what had gone wrong?
As Lillian approached without any concern, Iris backpedaled.
“You—you. How——”
“Iris. Have you forgotten what our family is known for?”
“……!”
The Tillard Family—those deceptive butterflies who dance between Ability Users.
A bloodline in which masquerade and performance flowed through the very veins…….
Lillian’s eyes narrowed into a smile.
“Good act, though, was it not?”

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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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