The Male Lead Has Gone Mad Over the Troublesome Villainess - Chapter 10

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

The Male Lead Has Gone Mad for the Villainess — Episode 10
And Kael saw it all.
For the past week, ever since they’d left Rainford and drawn closer to Willow, right up until now.
Rosana hadn’t missed a single day of tormenting Vanessa. Or rather, she’d been working to keep Vanessa alive. And now the other young ladies were following in her footsteps.
It was a sight that made you doubt your own eyes. Rosana, of all people, running?
And running that well?
“Ha.”
Even after witnessing the same spectacle for days now, Kael couldn’t suppress a soft laugh. His hand, which had been wiping his face, suddenly stilled. Rosana—the one he’d deemed most hopeless—had been the first to change.
She ran better than a deer now, and her vitality surpassed even the iridescent fish that leaped above the water’s surface. The vigor she radiated was almost blinding.
Rosana moved without cease. Whenever she had a moment to spare, she’d watch the knights train and mimic their movements.
Remarkably, Kael had witnessed every single moment of it.
“My lord.”
Kael turned his head to regard Seraphine. He’d heard that Seraphine, who’d come from the Monteria Family, had been trained as the family’s heir for a long time.
The precision in every movement, the caution with which she gripped her sword.
And her quick feet, her decisive actions.
All of it wove together to form the person that was Seraphine. Despite being the family heir, she’d volunteered for this expedition.
Her short-cropped hair, cut before the expedition’s departure, swayed at the nape of her neck.
“Training has concluded. Breakfast preparations are underway. Perhaps we should go now.”
“…Come here, Seraphine.”
Seraphine tilted her head in confusion before coming to Kael’s side. He shifted slightly and gestured with his chin toward Rosana, Vanessa, and the other young ladies. Seraphine narrowed her eyes, studying them.
“Well?”
“They’ve certainly improved compared to a week ago.”
“Do you think Lady Vanessa could escape from a monster’s fangs?”
“…The odds have risen.”
Possibility had emerged from impossibility. Kael’s lips curved into a skewed smile.
Vanessa, who’d seemed the most likely to fall behind, was gradually changing with Rosana’s help. Each time she fell, she rose again. Now she could keep pace with the group rather well.
Perhaps, at this rate, she might be able to evade danger under her own feet.
“And the other young ladies? I heard you procured new shoes through Register, new clothes too.”
Register was in charge of supplies. Rosana had apparently ransacked the supplies—so this must have been why.
Seraphine answered carefully.
“At the very least, they seem to have gained a chance to survive once.”
Kael looked back at Rosana. He’d considered non-combat personnel as nothing but burdens requiring protection, yet now he wondered if there might be another way.
He watched Rosana with heavy eyes—laughing brightly, pushing Vanessa forward by the back.
Rosana was breathing hope into this expedition, and into Kael himself. That Rosana, of all people.
Perhaps that was the reason he couldn’t tear his gaze away from her.
Kael began to turn and leave, then paused.
“Seraphine.”
“Yes, my lord.”
Words Rosana had murmured back in Rainford returned to him.
“Can you teach Lady Rosana Swordsmanship? Don’t devote too much of your own time to it.”
“…I’ll give it my best.”
Seraphine nodded tersely.
Kael shook his head once, then ran his fingers roughly through his hair, his eyes narrowing.
‘I never thought I’d come to think like this.’
Kael issued his order quietly.
“And beginning tomorrow, the non-combat personnel will begin training as well. Order the knights to divide them into groups so they can participate. Start with Basic Physical Training.”
“Yes, my lord.”
If what Rosana had kindled was a spark of hope, then Kael intended to blow upon it with all his strength. To keep that flame from dying out.
* * *
For some reason, a situation different from the original work had occurred.
An order had been issued: non-combat personnel would begin training.
As for me—well, it’s completely welcoming, really. Vanessa was appalled, and a few of the young ladies voiced complaints, but no one could defy the Crown Prince’s command.
Among those who stepped forward to help with training was Seraphine.
I’m not sure why Seraphine volunteered for something like this…
Or maybe that’s exactly why. Because it’s Seraphine.
As the female lead of this novel, Seraphine was the one who breathed hope into the male lead, Kael. Like… how should I put it… like soda fizzing all over something chock-full of sweet potatoes.
She was the one person who could make Kael smile.
Whatever Seraphine did was unquestionably right.
Besides, in the original work, Seraphine was among those who cared for the non-combat personnel right to the end. She mourned their deaths and tormented herself for not being able to protect them.
Perhaps this time, having grown a bit more than in the original work, she’d persuaded Kael to initiate this training.
As expected, the female lead.
She grows on her own, too. She’s not just any female lead.
I was gazing at Seraphine with a pleased smile when she opened her mouth.
“There’s been an order that if any of the non-combat personnel wish it, they are to undergo Swordsmanship training as well. If there are volunteers…….”
“Me!”
My hand shot up before I could stop myself. Damn. Had I been too loud? All the eyes that had been fixed on Seraphine with vacant stares turned toward me.
I heard Vanessa exhale.
What, so?
There’s only so much you can accomplish training alone, after all. According to the story, Seraphine awakens to the rank of Sword Master during combat with Monsters—meaning she’d have the skill to do so. How often does one get the chance to learn from someone of that caliber?
I slowly lowered the hand I’d raised and stepped forward.
“I absolutely want to learn from you, Knight.”
Seraphine regarded me steadily. Then she turned her gaze, sweeping it across the others.
“Is there anyone else who wishes to learn the sword?”
“……Do we really have to fight Monsters? Us too?”
A frail-looking man asked. Judging by the silk clothing he still wore, he was one of those oblivious to his own circumstances.
“Let us meet with the Crown Prince. I shall make a strong case for assigning protective personnel for those who cannot fight. That would seem to have better odds than training ourselves. Surely the Crown Prince wouldn’t abandon us.”
Hm. Spouting nonsense from his mouth.
I clicked my tongue softly. As if that made any sense. Non-combat personnel made up nearly half of the Expedition. Protecting those who could barely move would tie down most of our remaining combat forces. But the primary objective of this Expedition wasn’t to escort them—it was to subjugate Monsters.
To recover the Holy Relic, and ultimately, to protect this empire and the world.
To defend the empire from the Monsters.
That was the true purpose.
A few nobles nodded in agreement, their vacant faces looking as though they’d merely come sightseeing on a leisurely outing. Tsk. They’ll be Monster fodder first.
I turned my head away sharply. Better to pretend I hadn’t heard.
“Those who wish to skip training are free to do so. His Highness said he would not stop such people.”
“Didn’t you hear what I said? I have matters to bring before the Crown Prince……!”
Seraphine drew her sword without hesitation.

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