The Baddest Villainess Is Back - Chapter 79

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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 79
“Why not be honest for once? Seize the Emperor by the collar, trade blows, cross swords—try something real.”
“Are you telling me to seek death at the Emperor’s hands?”
“Look, you’re not even keeping up your own act anymore.”
Rozelin’s words had struck a nerve; the Captain of Imperial Guard made no effort to hide his anger, and she let out a hollow laugh.
“You started this knowing you’d die anyway, didn’t you?”
The bluntness of it made him look at her directly.
“Surely you didn’t think you could survive after shaking this hornet’s nest.”
“Your words are rather sharp, aren’t they?”
“You dropped the formality first, so I see no need to keep mine.”
Rozelin shrugged.
Rozelin hadn’t spent her whole life in the wider world without hearing harsh language.
She simply chose not to use it.
“Some things won’t untangle themselves without friction.”
…….
“I spent my whole life thinking my father hated me. I never learned otherwise—not until I died.”
And it was only in death that she understood.
That Rozelin—Rozelin Bellion—had been loved more than anyone.
“Remember this, Captain. Don’t touch what’s mine. Not before I kill you.”
With that, Rozelin turned on her heel and brushed past the Captain of Imperial Guard.
“Thank you for the escort through the garden, Captain. I remember the way—I can find my carriage myself.”
“……Do you truly have no intention of becoming Queen?”
“I’ll ask you the same: have you no thought of surrendering and seeking redemption?”
Rozelin posed the question without expecting an answer, then turned away.
“It’s strange to think I’d be swayed to join some organization, no matter how grand you make it sound.”
…….
“Your ego has swollen so much—perhaps it’s time you trimmed it down to size.”
At the addendum in Rozelin’s voice, he fell silent for a moment before finally speaking.
“I am disappointed.”
“The feeling is mutual.”
“Young Lady of Bellion.”
At the soft call, Rozelin’s feet stopped.
Or rather—she hadn’t wanted them to stop, but they did anyway.
Her own feet had betrayed her.
“The world is unreasonable.”
…….
“After you were brought here, the Viscount shut himself away for years, they say.”
At the sudden shift, Rozelin’s brow furrowed.
“And then? A sickly daughter, a viscount who could go nowhere, dark in society, even causing a suicide scandal that dragged your family’s reputation through mud—”
By then, the man had moved in front of her, and he was smiling.
“Do you truly believe your life has value? Wouldn’t it be better to use that ability for my sake?”
Rozelin’s eyes began to cloud.
The Captain of Imperial Guard tilted her chin up, forcing her gaze to meet his own.
“A world not just for those with power, but one that is fair to all—”
Rozelin’s clouded eyes twisted slightly, and then she burst into loud laughter.
She doubled over, hand pressed to her belly, shoulders heaving with mirth—and then, gradually, her laughter became radiant.
With her hands clasped behind her back, she approached him with light steps, her posture rigid and controlled.
“Forgive me, Captain. There’s one thing I forgot to mention.”
…….
The man’s eyes shifted down to look at her.
Confusion and shock flickered plainly across his face.
“Your Abyss.”
Rozelin smiled.
“I know.”
His eyes widened sharply at the whispered words.
“Lady Carmel’s Brainwashing doesn’t work on those who are aware of the ability. And as for—”
Rozelin rose onto her toes, bringing her lips close to his ear, and whispered.
“Your Abyss, copied from hers—it won’t work on me either.”
“……How did you find out?”
“That’s a secret.”
Rozelin spoke in a soft whisper, a hint of amusement playing at her lips.
“There’s a saying that women become more beautiful when they keep secrets. Don’t pry too much, won’t you?”
……
“Of course, your Abyss can’t replicate abilities that surpass your own level—that’s also why you couldn’t steal His Majesty’s Abyss…….”
His cheek twitched visibly.
Despite the savage glare directed at her, Rozelin broke into a radiant smile.
She had always been the sort of person who could laugh more brilliantly and brazenly in the face of another’s hostility.
“So I know you harbor an inferiority complex toward His Majesty. I know your Abyss can only replicate three varieties, and I know you’ve been trying to replicate mine since just now.”
Rozelin extended her hand with an arrogant smile.
“Take it if you’d like.”
When Rozelin shrugged her shoulders, the man seized the offered hand without a word.
“But here’s the trouble—I don’t possess an Abyss you can replicate.”
Rozelin spoke as she recalled the time she had met “King” in the past.
His Abyss was the replication of the Abyss of whoever he came into contact with.
However, he could only replicate Immediate Effect Abyss with no triggering conditions attached, or Abyss equal to his own maximum capacity at best.
According to Sansar’s account, Rozelin’s Abyss was a Conditional Abyss that only manifested after death.
“……If it’s not an Abyss, then how did you find out all of this?”
“I told you I died and came back to life, didn’t I? Besides, since I find trouble bothersome, I won’t reveal your identity—so don’t worry.”
Rozelin added that she ought to be going, withdrew her hand, and turned away.
‘……Ah, it seems my life is about to be in danger.’
Rozelin exhaled a sigh.
‘Nothing for it, I suppose.’
The deliberating Rozelin redirected her steps from the carriage back toward the Imperial Capital.
* * *
“……I suspected as much, but I never imagined he’d send assassins the very same day.”
Rozelin, roused from sleep, rubbed her face to shake off drowsiness, thinking to herself that he moved quickly.
Cherti had apparently left after seeing Rozelin asleep.
“How rude, entering a lady’s chambers without permission.”
……
A Pure White Skull Mask adorned the face.
Black Clothing wrapped the entire body.
‘Even in Maruqsa, assassins like that are a limited breed.’
Rozelin raised herself from the bed, leaned her back against the headboard, and slowly turned her thoughts over.
It would have been a shame to die here after preserving this life so carefully all this while.
“Are you a Reaper of Maruqsa?”
……
“You’ve been well trained. I didn’t expect such composure.”
Rozelin watched the assassin, who had yet to speak, with sword at the ready—gaze fixed on her throat alone.
“You’re going to kill me.”
“No, that won’t do. Boy, do you know what I learned when I died and came back to life?”
Rozelin spoke, hiding her surprise at the younger-than-expected voice.
“That people must talk to one another.”
The moment the words left her lips, she drew the Orange Bead of Seven-Element Stone from her wrist and shattered it against the floor.
The Orange Bead’s power was the summoning of Ability Users whose powers had been absorbed into the bead.
“Sorry—I had someone ready for this.”
Simultaneously, a burst of light spread outward, and a figure materialized in her chamber.
“……Rozelin! Are you hurt?”
“No, I’m fine. But why has Your Highness come……?”
Rozelin hesitated a moment at the unexpected arrival, then asked.
‘I was certain I told His Majesty…….’
“Father and I were in the midst of a match, but it seemed Father might fall into a Magic Circle, so I threw myself in instead. I hope this doesn’t inconvenience you……?”
Arma answered with an awkward smile, his gaze carrying a faint hint of disappointment.
“No, I simply hadn’t expected it. In any case, I’m relieved I didn’t die.”
“……Yes. Indeed, a relief.”
Arma replied somewhat bewilderedly and smiled.
Rozelin nodded.
After speaking with the Captain of Imperial Guard, Rozelin had felt uneasy as she was about to board the carriage, so she turned back and made her way to His Majesty instead.
She recalled the events of that afternoon.
* * *
“Your Majesty, as the woman destined to become your daughter-in-law, I’ve caught the eye of Maruqsa and my life will soon be in danger—could you perhaps lend your Abyss power to this bead?”
“……Didn’t you say you’d call off the engagement sometime?”
“But we’re still betrothed for now. I was taught to use every advantage available.”
The Emperor regarded Rozelin with an expression of bewilderment.
“I’ll assign you a guard.”
“I can’t accept that. I need something more certain.”
She needed a method that would guarantee her survival.
At Rozelin’s refusal, the Emperor rubbed his chin and narrowed his eyes.
“What are you planning to do with my Abyss?”
“It’s a bead that can summon the person who holds an Abyss within it.”
“……Are you telling me you’d summon me now, for the sake of your escort?”
He asked, visibly incredulous.
Rozelin nodded with utter confidence.
“Yes.”
…….
“Ultimately, this won’t be a loss for Your Majesty either. After all, I would serve as bait to uproot the entire Maruqsa organization.”
“So now you’re claiming you’ll root out Maruqsa down to its foundations?”
“Yes.”
It was a bold claim indeed.
Faced with Rozelin’s unflinching audacity, the Emperor burst into laughter.
“I know Maruqsa’s King. Though I don’t know their headquarters.”
“……You know the King?”
“Yes.”
“……Who is it?”
At the Emperor’s question, Rozelin hesitated for a moment.
“You said they died and came back, didn’t you? Since I find such details bothersome, I won’t reveal your identity—don’t worry.”
She had just remembered what she’d told the Captain of Imperial Guard earlier.
But a promise to a criminal mattered far less than her own life, so Rozelin opened her mouth without particular guilt.
“The Captain of Imperial Guard.”
A clean betrayal.

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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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