The Baddest Villainess Is Back - Chapter 38

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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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Chapter 38
* * *
Whoosh.
Late into the night, a series of soft pops echoed across the darkness, and flames began erupting on all sides.
“Ahhhhh!”
“Fire!”
“Run, there’s fire!!”
Screams tore through the village from every direction.
The villagers, barely past the dry season, found the inferno far too vast for their hands to quench. They shrieked and bolted in every direction.
But suddenly, an enormous mound of earth erupted from the ground, engulfing the entire settlement—and cutting off all escape.
People wailed and screamed in desperation.
Someone clawed frantically at the earthen barrier, trying to dig their way out, but it was no use.
Those who had cried out to flee—none of them managed to escape.
Children shrieked. Parents wailed.
The colossal earthen dome rose in seconds, swallowing the sky itself and sealing the village beneath a giant stone coffin.
Whether the earth had muffled all sound or there were no survivors left, only the quiet of night returned to the world.
Shortly after, the earthen mound crumbled inward.
As though nothing had ever been raised at all.
From the revealed ash and charred remains, a fine white powder rose on the wind, spiraling high into the sky.
The white particles drifted with the breeze, settling and sinking into the darkness all around.
Through the billowing white dust, a figure stood alone in the heavens.
A long braid swayed beneath tattered clothes.
“No anomalies here either, then.”
The figure clicked their tongue quietly, scratched their head with an air of indifference, and melted swiftly into the night sky, vanishing from sight.
Soon nothing remained in the darkness above.
* * *
“I never thought you’d invite me alone.”
Rozerin spoke with her brow narrowed.
She had never imagined being summoned by herself to such a grand conference hall, crowded with members of the Kalutar Tribe.
“You seem to take account of the eyes around you, which I find tedious, but if you wish to bring someone, you may do so.”
Khan was not dressed in dancer’s silks.
Given the Kalutar tradition of dress, Rozerin still found her nearly bare-skinned in the same fashion.
Yet draped across her shoulders was a Silver Carpet.
Among the Kalutar, it was the symbol of the king.
“How is your health?”
“Thanks to your concern, I’ve recovered well. Kalutar medicine seems to have been a great help.”
Rozerin offered her gratitude without reservation.
“I convened the tribal council to deliberate on your proposal, and we have decided to hear your proposal in full before making our final determination.”
At Khan’s words, Rozerin’s brow twitched slightly.
‘So they haven’t given me proper consideration until now.’
The Emperor would have wept at such a thing.
During her days of rest, she too had organized her thoughts.
A plague would soon sweep through Kalutar. Or rather, not Kalutar alone.
The entire Empire would groan under epidemic and disease.
And Lady Wilbred would die in this plague.
The reason Gerren Wilbred remained in the Empire at this time, not moving—was surely because of this.
Since he had returned here for the sake of Lady Wilbred, there would be no reason for him to move at this juncture.
“We wish to forge an Alliance with Kalutar, including a Peace Treaty, and through the Moon Stone and Lishu’s Outpost that Kalutar produces, we hope to open trade routes and gradually expand our commerce, maintaining our relationship as an allied nation.”
Rozerin opened her mouth slowly and spoke.
Kalutar, living in harmony with nature, possessed abundant resources. Moreover, it was a nation of considerable martial power.
Many nations dismissed them as barbarians or worse, yet dared not provoke them—precisely because of that formidable strength and the multitude of tribes.
Khan listened intently to Rozerin’s words.
“In return, the Empire, as an ally, will spare no expense in financial support, technical knowledge, and manpower until Kalutar has taken the form of a true nation, and will provide whatever goods you desire.”
“…Wait. What do you mean by ‘the form of a true nation’?”
“Precisely as I say. His Majesty wishes for Kalutar to possess at least the systematic structure of a nation.”
Of course, she was careful to frame it as counsel for Kalutar’s own benefit, and Rozerin continued.
A lengthy exchange ensued.
Rozerin explained why they must adopt the structure of a nation, while Khan and the elders of Kalutar explained why they need not.
Both arguments held merit.
Kalutar had lived for so long as nomads, constantly on the move.
It was a method chosen to minimize damage should they ever be invaded.
For them, settling in one place and building a capital was a weighty decision in many ways.
Yet without a capital, they could not truly be called a nation, and would continue to be dismissed as barbarians.
Even if they maintained multiple capitals and moved between them, they needed to take on the form of a proper state.
“Khan! This may be a trick from the Empire—herding us into one place so they can ambush and slaughter us all!”
One of the elders governing the other tribes cried out.
He was a leader of one of the various minority peoples that made up Kalutar.
“But we cannot live like this forever. That is not what I wish to discuss now.”
Rozerin spoke.
The Khan remained silent, watching Rozerin even as arguments flew back and forth. Rozerin, too, paid no heed to the clamor around her.
She understood that ultimately, this decision rested with the Khan alone.
“It may be inconvenient for the Khan and others in the immediate present. But the children growing up will do so in a safer environment, exposed to a broader world.”
……
“I am asking you to think of the future—decades, centuries from now.”
At Rozerin’s measured words, the Khan interlaced his fingers, rested his chin upon the backs of his hands, and slowly closed his eyes, then opened them.
“In essence, my House discovered a special mineral capable of channeling Abyss into weapons, and we have developed it. The development is now complete.”
“What……?”
The Khan’s eyes widened.
“When those weapons are mass-produced, do you think Kalutar will survive?”
“Are you insulting me now?”
“No, you yourself will surely survive, Khan. But I speak of your family, your people, the homeland your descendants will inherit.”
At Rozerin’s words, the Khan fell silent.
She is strong.
But she alone is strong.
If those weapons are truly developed and mass-produced, they will pose a threat to Kalutar.
The Khan slowly closed his eyes, then opened them.
“So this is a separate proposal, independent of the Imperial throne, but perhaps……”
Rozerin smiled softly.
At that bright, radiant smile, the Khan hesitated.
“Aside from the Empire, would you not also consider trading with our Bellion Duchy?”
“……What?”
“The truth is, that mineral is difficult to refine. We have been short on trustworthy artisans.”
The Khan’s eyes widened slightly.
“I have heard that Kalutar has ancient ties to the Dwarves. So whether child or adult, your people possess extraordinary skill in refining minerals.”
Beneath her warm smile lay a faintly mischievous, almost childlike expression.
“This is a matter of utmost secrecy, not disclosed even to His Majesty. We have not yet presented it or traded it anywhere……”
Gulp.
Someone at the round table swallowed. Rozerin’s crimson lips curved with ease, then slowly parted.
“Would you not consider being our first trading partner?”
Breath was drawn in from all sides. To access technology and weapons for the first time—that was no small matter.
“Of course, while the technology must not leak beyond our borders, you are free to use it within Kalutar as you wish.”
For Rozerin, this bordered on a gamble—sharing dangerous technology with a foreign power.
But Rozerin did not trust Kalutar; she trusted Sansar, whom she had known for so long.
The children her friend sheltered would be trustworthy, and their refining skill was said to be so extraordinary that they could sometimes forge divine weapons—certainly, they would create something far more impressive than the Abyss Weapons her own craftsmen produced.
“……Wait.”
And if this secured the other party’s absolute trust, it would not be a losing trade.
The Khan asked, as if unable quite to believe it.
“You would let us use the technology? Is that truly the case?”
“Yes. If this trade is concluded, it means we are allies.”
“Ha!”
The Khan could not help but laugh outright now.
It was as clever and cunning a proposal as they came.
“Furthermore…… I can also reveal the location of ‘Jade Stone’ hidden somewhere in Kalutar. Of course, you would need to conduct exclusive trade with my House for it.”
“Jade Stone?”
“Yes, the raw material.”
“And you claim it exists in Kalutar.”
“Yes.”
Whether it was actually there or not, one would have to search to know for certain.
Speaking broadly and vaguely, something similar might be found somewhere in those regions.
“Surely Sansar informed you of this as well?”
At the Khan’s question, Rozerin shook her head.
“No, this is my Abyss Weapon.”
The Khan studied Rozerin intently, then burst into hearty laughter.
“Ahahaha!!”
She laughed robustly for a long moment before finally subsiding into a chuckle, lifting her head.
“Good! But you said the foundation of any deal is trust, so you can’t lie to me, young lady of Bellion Duchy.”
“What do you…”
“Calling it an Abyss Weapon — that’s a lie.”
At the Khan’s words, Rozerin’s face stiffened slightly.
Watching her grow tense, the Khan gestured with her fingers, keeping only a few people and sending the rest away.
“My name is Khan Haliona. Now let’s begin an honest and proper deal.”
It was the moment the deal with Khan Haliona came into being.

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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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