The Abandoned Villainess Takes Everything This Time - Chapter 94

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

94.

‘The sacred relic that measures grades didn’t necessarily need to come outside during the High Priest selection.’

And looking at it, Belliel.

‘This priest has fallen under the Tillard family’s influence…’

“Hello everyone! Oh my, did you come out today because Iris and brother were coming?”

…Hearing that cheerful greeting from behind made it even more certain.

Whether this was befitting of the ‘original’ female lead.

That bottomless determination was truly worth emulating.

Ah, of course I meant that negatively.

I earnestly hope that determination and persistence would be invested in productive fields like studying.

‘Kuern looks like he’s dying.’

Before, he had delicate features and looked like a noble young master.

But now he was haggard, with deep shadows under his eyes.

Moreover, when our eyes met, he was startled and hung his head low.

The Villain chuckled softly.

“Not bad timing to interfere.”

“Indeed.”

They wouldn’t let us stay with the High Priest who was friendly to us any longer.

And the High Priest who appeared just in time… and.

‘The Holy Knight Commander came too?’

Noah Sinclair.

The man with bright blonde hair and a solid impression suddenly turned bright red.

But as soon as their eyes met, the Villain completely buried Lillian halfway into his side.

“…That yellow dog.”

Yes, I’ll pretend I didn’t hear that.

The High Priest grandfather’s voice was utterly displeased.

“Your Highness, Lady Lillian. May blessings be upon you… and Count Kuern Tillard and Lady Iris as well.”

Well, how could he forget that Iris had quietly disappeared from Silverin.

“On this day, what brings all the children of the Five Great Families here.”

“High Priest!”

Iris knelt on both knees in the middle of the square.

All the priests who had come out murmured.

“Strange rumors have been going around the streets lately, so I absolutely had to come today…!”

“Ho ho. What kind of rumors-.”

“That since a new grade has appeared, Iris can’t become a saint!”

Iris pleaded with wide eyes.

“For a long time, Iris has worked hard leading as Tillard’s S-rank! I’ve helped when this Central Temple requested it too!”

That means she gave a lot of bribes.

About ten pillars of the Central Temple were indeed built by Iris.

“That sister received God’s blessing is such a grateful thing, and if she receives the saint position, it would be cause for celebration, but…!”

Iris looked around at the priests and sobbed.

“Sob, still, I want to receive one more chance too.”

“Sigh, young lady…”

“Could you just confirm whether I’m more suitable for the Empire or not?”

Lillian was watching this situation with interest.

The Empire’s people had believed without doubt for nearly ten years that Iris would become the saint.

‘Even if I’m a being from the scriptures, there would be people who’d say a proven S-rank would be more stable.’

Then, as if waiting, Priest Belliel approached the High Priest.

“High Priest. I’m sorry to say this, but…”

“Priest Belliel?”

“The saint is supposed to be selected from among those with ‘clear family relations.’ However, Lady Lillian’s late father…”

Oh, so this is how you’re coming at me.

‘This is the first time I’ve been held back by father’s affairs in my life?’

In the case of her father ‘Ruwen,’ his origins were unclear.

The current Duke Tillard hated even mentioning him, and since he was already deceased, everyone hushed it up.

But you know what.

Lillian covered one cheek and let out a sad sigh.

“Oh my. I didn’t expect my father’s story to come up so openly. If you’re curious about something, why don’t you ask Count Kuern Tillard over there.”

At those words, Kuern’s face turned sourly red.

But Iris was just crossing her arms and looking triumphant…

…Hmm?

‘Iris has thrown Kuern away?’

That wouldn’t be a good choice in the long run.

Meanwhile, Belliel smiled gently.

“Please don’t misunderstand, Lady Lillian. The only issue is regarding the saint candidacy.”

“Ah, so only I’m the problem?”

“…”

“My existence is so flawed and problematic that it’s an eyesore…”

“…That’s not what I meant.”

Belliel’s brow twitched for a moment.

Nice try.

“It’s to check whether your soul… has been tainted by wicked black magic-“

But Belliel’s facial muscles stiffened.

That’s because the tiles at his feet were disappearing like melting snow.

“Gasp…!”

“What an interesting world.”

The Villain was already using his ability.

Centered around where he stood with Lillian, his ability was eating into the ground in a small circle.

“How dare a mere priest speak of flaws to the Prince’s fiancée…”

“Your Highness. That’s not it, this is procedural…!”

“If you’re going to question my fiancée’s flaws, shouldn’t you create some physical flaws on yourself first before questioning?”

“…!”

All the priests froze at the direct threat made with a smile.

“Ren, Ren. It’s okay.”

Pat, pat. Lillian patted the hand that was holding her.

This much was nothing, I was rather grateful it was flowing as expected.

Lillian smiled brightly.

“Yes, let’s give it a try.”

* * *

Belliel showed a crude square green brooch inside a velvet case.

It was the sacred relic ‘Crystal of Purification’ that had been kept in the Imperial Palace for a long time.

“If there are no flaws in the soul, this sacred relic’s gem will shine green. If there’s something wrong, it will turn red.”

Iris, who touched the brooch’s gem first, shouted confidently.

“There’s nothing wrong with me!”

“…Nothing wrong with me either.”

Count Kuern also answered quietly.

Belliel smiled faintly.

Of course. She had arranged the positions to ensure ‘nothing would go wrong’…

She approached Lillian, who was standing near the sacred lamp.

“Well then, Lady Lillian. Shall we take a look now?”

“…”

As Lillian silently extended her hand, Belliel smiled gracefully.

Now, as soon as Lillian touched this gem, it would instantly turn red…

Smack!

It took Belliel several seconds to realize that the sharp sound had come from her own face.

And that it was Lillian who had slapped her so coldly.

“L-Lady Lillian!?”

Belliel covered her face.

Whether she had proper technique in putting her full weight behind a palm strike, her face immediately went numb.

“Why are you doing this? No matter how unpleasant it is to be tested, this is-!”

“Oh my, unpleasant? That’s right.”

“…!”

“When manipulation is so obvious, I’d be an idiot not to find it unpleasant, wouldn’t I?”

Thud!

Lillian threw the entire sacred relic case that Belliel was holding onto the floor.

The priests screamed in shock, but soon their cries turned into screams about something else.

“Huh?”

“It’s turning red…!?”

“I-I didn’t touch it. I didn’t use any dark magic!”

While everyone was panicking in confusion, Lillian replied coldly.

“That’s because it’s made of alexandrite. It changes directly from green to red depending on the light.”

Lillian narrowed her eyes and smiled.

“How dare you try to deceive me with such a fake sacred relic?”

“No, Lady Lillian. This isn’t a fake…!”

“Oh, really? Then shall we also find where the ‘real’ Crystal of Purification is?”

“…!?”

* * *

This was quite an honest deception.

‘After guiding me and Iris to positions convenient for her…’

She would show the alexandrite according to the light reflecting off their positions.

‘Rather, since she didn’t use any magic or abilities at all, no one would catch on.’

The fact that people generally think ’emerald?’ when they see a green gem was also put to good use.

But more than anything, this woman.

‘She used this against Iris in the original story too.’

Against Lillian, specifically.

On the day Iris was to have her ‘pure soul’ confirmed.

【Lady Lillian, please come as well. Since you came together, how about taking this opportunity to be tested together?】

She had made the ‘original’ Lillian, who was watching Iris with envy, into a laughingstock.

In front of all the priests.

‘And she showed Iris the real crystal, which she kept in her Personal Secure Vault.’

But before the ‘Ability of Annihilation,’ a door with a 25-digit password and diamond-grade strength was nothing.

When the sacred relic inside was revealed, the Grand Cleric’s beard trembled.

“Belliel.”

“Grand Cleric…!”

“You will receive summary punishment.”

“This is, this is a false accusation. Please-!”

Belliel was seized by the Holy Knights and dragged away while struggling.

‘Quick resolution, good.’

As Lillian watched this situation and was about to take a step back.

The captured Belliel whispered barely audibly.

You’ve changed, haven’t you?

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