The Male Lead Is the Villain, and I'm the Only One Who Knows - Chapter 17

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

The Male Lead’s Identity is the Mastermind, and Only I Know It — Episode 17
“Shana, by any chance—”
I was about to ask her if she knew anything substantial about Filthr.
Bang! Crash, crash!
From outside came a harsh, violent sound like something shattering to pieces.
It was such an enormous noise that if a bomb had detonated in a building, it might sound like this.
Was someone fighting out there?
“What is that sound?”
“I’m not sure, but Duke Karahan is outside, so it should be fine.”
True enough—if it were serious, Karahan would have rushed over by now. I agreed with Shana’s assessment of trusting him and continued.
“Do you know what Filthr is?”
“Of course. It’s the first part we learned when I studied sacred scripture and holy theology at the Temple after my Saint’s power manifested.”
Shana nodded, saying that Purification was the fundamental virtue of a Saint. It seemed like it would be genuinely helpful.
“Could you keep what I’m about to tell you a secret?”
“Of course. I swear by the Goddess Arnosil.”
Shana made the sign of the cross and promised to hold her tongue, so I slowly extended my hand toward her.
“I am Filthr. I only found out recently, and I don’t know how to handle the power well yet. That’s why I need your help.”
To demonstrate, I let the power of Filthr flow through my fingertips, but the sacred force, as before, flickered dimly and soon faded away.
Yet even this was enough to convince Shana.
She examined the space around my hand carefully, her eyes wide with shock.
“My goodness…! First of all, what an honor. I never thought I’d actually meet Filthr, having only ever read about it in books… Is there a particular story behind how you awakened to this power?”
There was no way I could reveal here that the Crown Prince is a Demon. Absolutely no way. I’d have to bluff my way through.
“A while ago, I happened to witness a Beast Demon succumb to holy water by accident, and I was so startled by the sight that I performed Purification without thinking.”
I offered silent condolences to Evan, who had become a Beast Demon by my hand. Well, at least being a Beast Demon was better than being a Demon, right?
“Ah, so it was a kind of shock therapy. You awakened your ability because of it—that actually turned out well!”
“The problem is that I haven’t been able to use the power since then. It just won’t come out.”
“I see. If that’s the issue, then—”
Boom!
Just as Shana was about to say something, another thunderous sound erupted.
Wait, hadn’t Beast Demons just swarmed the place? The noise seems even more violent than before?
“Don’t worry about it. As long as I’m here, no Beast Demon can enter this Temple.”
My body went rigid, but Shana smiled faintly and reassured me. Not Beast Demons—well, that’s a relief, but then what on earth is that noise?
Bang! Boom! Crash-crash-crash!
‘This is bothering me. This is really, really bothering me!’
It was almost impressive how Shana’s expression didn’t change by a hair, even as her eardrums were being assaulted.
“Shana, I think I really need to step outside—”
“Linen.”
Just as I was about to stand up, a familiar voice suddenly pierced my ear.
A voice that absolutely should not be heard here.
“…Evan?”
“I came to get you.”
I turned my stiff neck with an audible crack, and my gaze met Evan’s, who had already crossed the threshold.
His slightly disheveled clothes made his already cold expression seem all the more fierce.
“Why are you here…?”
“I told you—if you got locked up, I’d come get you.”
Locked up? It was absurd to hear such a thing when we’d been having a perfectly civil conversation.
“As you can see, I’m fine. I’m not locked up, and there’s no reason I would be.”
“You’d be surprised—how many people have been dragged to the Temple in the name of the greater good?”
Evan kept his eyes fixed on me as he spoke. Of all times, why did he have to say something like that in front of Shana?
It wasn’t going to sound good to her, who was already trapped here semi-forcibly.
I glanced back, and sure enough, Shana’s expression had gone rigid.
This was the worst possible first meeting imaginable.
Here’s a sub-male lead who’s moved countless readers with his devotion, and already things are starting like this…
“If you’d been locked up, I would’ve killed them all. Looks like that won’t be necessary now.”
The way he said such a thing without a hint of humor made me feel a chill run down my spine—as if he truly meant to kill them.
By law, Demons cannot harm humans, and yet Evan treated the priests as if they didn’t fall into that category.
“You can’t do that, Evan.”
When I frowned, Evan tilted his head at an angle and let out a thin laugh.
“Is that a problem?”
I mean, it’s not like I can complain when a Demon is just being a Demon, but… that ruined social grace of his really is something that needs fixing.
‘My quiet demeanor might be the reason I’ve stayed undetected all this time.’
So there had been a reason Evan was sparing with his words every time he came to the party….
“I am honored to meet the Empire’s brightest star. Though I confess I never expected to meet you in such circumstances.”
Shana, who had been lying quietly, slowly rose and bowed her head. Even now, she kept her courtesy intact—she was truly the heroine. If it were me, I would’ve thrown the pillow first.
Only then did Evan turn to acknowledge Shana, his sharp eyes relaxing into a gentler expression.
“Ah, a Saint, no less. I apologize for the sudden intrusion. It was merely concern for my sister’s safety that drove me to it.”
The sharp edge that had defined Evan’s face softened the moment his gaze fell on Shana.
In an instant, Evan wore a perfect public smile and looked every bit the affectionate and tender Crown Prince he was meant to be.
‘Having said all that, now he wants to play nice? Doesn’t he realize it’s too late for the facade?’
His brazenness was chilling. In my whole life, I’ve never met a demon quite this demonic. Never.
“I understand. If I may ask, how fares the Duke who waited outside?”
Shana, too, seemed puzzled by how Evan had gained access to this place, and asked after Karahan’s whereabouts.
I had assumed he was let in because of his rank as Crown Prince, thinking nothing of it, when he delivered an answer I hadn’t anticipated.
“The Duke of Barat is currently being punished for his audacity in drawing a blade against me.”
“…I beg your pardon? What do you mean?”
Punished? Surely he hadn’t thrown Karahan in prison?
With Evan, it was entirely possible.
‘This can’t happen. Karahan is the only one who can protect Shana!’
Evan, witnessing my eyes waver in panic, chuckled softly and continued.
“Did you know? Atae dreams of becoming a Sword Master. There’s no better mentor than the Duke of Barat, who is a distinguished swordsman.”
“Then that voice from earlier…?”
“The Duke willingly accepted the role of sparring partner for the Crown Prince. Have no concerns.”
Evan assured me that it was something Karahan had wanted, his innocent green eyes crinkling warmly.
……I could piece together what had transpired.
‘It’s clear he was too bothered by Atae trailing after him, so he simply dumped the whole problem on Karahan.’
At least Karahan’s freedom of movement hadn’t been restricted. That was a relief.
“Since I’ve confirmed my sister’s safety, my business here is finished. Pay me no further mind and continue with what you were doing.”
Evan raised both hands slightly to show he meant no interference, then leaned his shoulder against the doorframe at an angle.
I looked to Shana, wondering if this was really all right, and found she’d already dismissed Evan from her attention. She smiled warmly at me instead.
Oh, so it’s fine…? It’s reassuring how quickly she adapts….
“Then I’ll continue. To use your power properly, it’s best to recreate the conditions from when you first awakened it. In simple terms, you need to feel that same sensation again in a similar environment.”
“But I’ve already failed when attempting Purification against a Beast Demon. What should I do?”
Just yesterday, I’d nearly died from that failed Purification. As I confessed what had happened, Shana, after a moment of thought, suddenly brightened and grasped my hand eagerly.
“What if you tried it on me instead?”
“Shana, that doesn’t make any sense—”
“That’s actually an excellent idea.”
I was about to shake my head firmly in refusal when Evan, who had been watching quietly, interjected.
How could this possibly be a good idea? It’s just human experimentation!
“Oh, don’t worry about the materials. The Temple has quite an abundance of Demonic Energy for experiments.”
“Hmm. Fascinating.”
“Am I the only one who finds this strange…?”
Why does the Temple have Demonic Energy in ‘quite abundance’……? Why isn’t anyone alarmed……?
“I keep a certain amount in my quarters. Please wait a moment while I fetch it.”
As Shana left to prepare the Demonic Energy for the Purification, Evan approached and whispered something softly into my ear.
“Linen. How about becoming a Saint? It seems like your opportunity.”
First the Emperor, now the Saint? He truly lives up to being a demon—always tempting whenever he gets the chance.
I brushed off Evan’s seductive whisper and shoved him backward.
I’d learned he meant no real harm; he just said things like that for amusement.
“Save the jokes for later. I have someone I need to focus on right now.”
As I shot him a look and pulled my hand away, Evan, oddly enough, yielded gracefully and stepped back.
In the meantime, Shana, safely cloaked in Demonic Energy, gestured lightly for me to attempt the Purification on her.
She looked far better than I’d feared—it seemed she’d been given an appropriate amount without strain to her body.
I steadied my breathing carefully and slowly extended my hands toward Shana.
‘Ugh, again.’
But the result was the same. I could see the Demonic Energy hovering around Shana, but nothing more; the power flowing from my fingertips was far too faint to purify anything.
I’d hoped that meeting Shana and receiving her guidance would resolve this immediately, but the outcome was no different than before.
My brow furrowed slightly when Evan quietly asked.
“Linen, shall I help?”
“How would you do that?”
As Evan made that tempting sound again, I simply threw out a question mark, curious to see what he’d propose—and he smiled softly.
This time, with a smile like that of a Demon itself.

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