The Male Lead Is the Villain, and I'm the Only One Who Knows - Chapter 18

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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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The Male Lead’s True Identity is the Mastermind, But Only I Know It — Episode 18
‘Oh… this is deeply unsettling.’
The man who always smiled as gently as an angel had suddenly shown a sinister grin, and my premonition was far from good.
‘Why is he my bias if I can spot any subtle change in him so instantly?’
Iban’s smiles all looked the same to others, but there were minute differences—and when he wore an expression as unguarded as this, it was especially dangerous.
“Wait, Iban—”
I tried to correct myself and say his help wasn’t necessary, but unfortunately, he was faster.
Bright red light flickered rapidly across Iban’s green pupils as he fixed his gaze on Shana.
“It’s all because this feels too unreal. So let me make it real for you.”
Barely had a soft whisper scattered at my ear before the long Demon Energy Vessel that Shana had been carrying so carefully fell to the ground with a sudden crash.
A sharp, shattering sound rang out, and soon Shana, who had been standing perfectly fine, let out a piercing scream.
“Ugh—!”
As the white skin around her neck turned pitch black, Shana clutched at her throat and began gasping in agony.
“Shana? What’s wrong all of a sudden?!”
“R-Rene, ma’am, ugh. Something seems to have gone wrong…!”
Even at a glance, it was clear Iban had done this.
The supporting male lead trying to kill the female lead—even a morning drama wouldn’t be this melodramatic!
“Now, Rene.”
Suddenly Iban drew me slowly into his embrace from behind. His calm breathing scattered coolly against my dizzied ear.
He placed his hand over the back of mine, then lifted our arms with an unhurried motion until they were stiffly raised.
“Don’t be afraid.”
His low, weighty voice rang out with perfect clarity.
“Think of it as saving the Saint. The Goddess Power is fundamentally meant for the sake of others, after all.”
“For… for the sake of others….”
The tip of Iban’s long fingers pointed toward Shana.
“Don’t just blindly think about Purifying that blackness. Think ‘I will save them’ instead.”
It was a subtly different approach than before. I had only thought about Purifying the Demonic Energy the other person held, never about actually saving them.
“……Huh?”
The moment I shifted my focus from the Demonic Energy to Shana herself, something genuinely changed.
That same sensation I had felt when I tried to save him from the Holy Water before swept clearly through my body.
Soon the blackness around Shana’s neck was enveloped in blue light, and the Demonic Energy was swiftly Purified away.
Shana, who had been struggling, opened her eyes in shock as the pain faded.
“Gasp… R-Rene, ma’am, it’s gone! All the infused Demonic Energy has been Purified!”
Shana hurried over and checked herself all over, then confirmed once more that it had truly vanished cleanly.
A moment later, as if puzzled, she tilted her head to one side.
“Though it is strange. Demon Energy Vessels usually don’t break even if you drop them… anyway, the fact that it shattered this way must have caused the Demonic Energy to suddenly spike.”
Had she been an ordinary person, the dose would have been lethal and she’d have died on the spot, Shana said with a horrified expression. Fortunately, she didn’t seem to suspect that Iban had done anything deliberate.
Better she never knew, if possible.
“I haven’t handled Demonic Energy in a long time, so I may have made a mistake. In any case, I’m grateful it ended safely. Congratulations on reclaiming your power, Rene, ma’am.”
“It’s all thanks to you, Shana. You must have been frightened, but thank you for waiting instead of using Self-Healing.”
At my words, Shana laughed awkwardly and waved her hand dismissively with an eerie remark.
“Oh my, I cannot use Self-Healing, ma’am. I haven’t properly Awakened to my power as a Saint yet.”
“W-What did you just say…?”
“If not for you, ma’am, I would have truly died! Ha ha.”
“Don’t say such frightening things while laughing….”
What in the world—Self-Healing required Awakening? What on earth was I thinking, covering her with Demonic Energy like that? Cold sweat trickled down my spine. I nearly got arrested for the murder of a Saint!
“…Rene, I’ll be in the Main Residence. Come there when you’re finished.”
When I turned back to Iban with an irritated glare, he was already retreating toward the door. At moments like this, the demon moved fast indeed.
Once Iban hastily excused himself, Shana brought me a warm cup of tea, saying I must have had a hard time. Now that I thought about it—had Shana already made a contract with Karahan?
“I’m not sure if I should ask, but… Shana, are you perhaps the lover of Duke Barat?”
“N-No, not at all! Does it look that way?”
Shana was startled and quickly shook her head in absolute denial. Then she placed her index finger to her lips and confided something to me in hushed tones as if it were a secret.
“In truth, there was a small arrangement between us. I wished to escape the Temple… and the Duke sought to use the Temple’s influence to dispose of a cadet branch that belongs to the Pro-Royal Faction.”
Contrary to my worries, Shana and Karahan seemed to be building their relationship well, as the original story had foretold. I had been concerned that with me as a variable, the key supporting male lead would effectively vanish, so I was relieved.
If things stayed this way, the two of them would become a fine couple, just as in the original….
“More than anything, my ideal type is not Duke Karahan.”
“Pardon?”
The female lead’s taste wasn’t for the male lead? This shouldn’t be allowed to happen!
“Since childhood, I have longed to be a mage. Though I’ve grown distant from that path by walking the way of a Saint, it is my wish to visit the Magic Tower someday.”
“Hmm, but doesn’t Duke Barat use magic as well?”
“Come now, what are you saying? He’s a Magic-Swordsman, not a magician—they’re entirely different! The distinction is far more substantial than you’d think!”
Shana’s expression grew firm as she insisted the two were completely different, launching into an earnest explanation.
…For quite some time.
“So you see! These two operate in entirely different dimensions. If I may elaborate further—”
“Wow, really…….”
I didn’t fully grasp it, but I nodded along anyway. It seemed the only way this would end.

* * *
‘Goodness. Thirty minutes have already passed.’
By the time we’d consumed all the refreshments laid out on the table, we’d grown close enough that conversation flowed without effort.
Our shared lack of same-aged, same-sex friends nearby had played no small part in how quickly we’d bonded.
‘I wonder if Ate has woken by now?’
Checking the time and turning back to Shana, I found her sipping her tea with an equally delighted expression.
‘I never expected to grow this close to her.’
Still, it worked out well. There was nothing wrong with befriending a heroine whose life was guaranteed a smooth path forward, and besides, I had favors to ask of her.
I drew a natural breath and gently broached the subject.
“Shana, would you happen to have time to examine a patient? One of our companions came with us and is staying at the Main Residence.”
“A patient?”
Shana tilted her head, but quickly gave her consent. She seemed in excellent spirits, fully recovered from the effects of the Demonic Energy.
As Shana neatly organized the pamphlets piled high on the table, I turned away with a somewhat weary expression.
Shana’s hobby was collecting pamphlets distributed by the Magic Society—ones featuring photographs of magicians.
It was a sort of romance-novel-style photo collection, really. Everything about it was fine, except for one problem.
‘Why did she have to take a liking to Leon, of all people…….’
This was an extremely serious problem.
‘Leon isn’t a decent human being, despite his appearance….’
When she eventually learned the truth about him, she’d surely be disappointed. What was I to do about it?
Moreover, Shana still didn’t seem to know that I was his sister.
‘I won’t mention it for now.’
After all, a favorite always shines brightest when they exist only in one’s imagination…….
As we made our way to the Main Residence shortly after, Shana confirmed no one was nearby before whispering in a low voice.
“Rene, Filth is a talent held in considerable regard at the Temple. As His Highness said, one never knows what might happen… be careful.”
“But you can perform Purification as well, can’t you?”
“Of course, but Filth’s abilities are specialized in Purification—the details differ. The scope of application is far broader.”
We exchanged a brief word and arrived at the Main Residence, where a priest guided us to the reception room where Iban, Ate, Banel, and Karahan had gathered.
‘That’s an odd combination. I just hope they’re not fighting.’
The moment we reached the door, my heart uneasy, a strange sound drifted faintly through the slight gap.
“Let’s try again.”
“Here we go again.”
……What on earth are they doing?

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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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