The Male Lead Is the Villain, and I'm the Only One Who Knows - Chapter 28

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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 Hidden Mastermind — Episode 28
Caw—
A crow that had been watching the Separate Building let out a sharp cry and soared high into the air.
“Hmm…… Ah, dear. I’m late.”
It was the crow’s field of vision—subordinate to the one observing the Separate Building—that had brought Banel to a halt as he hurried toward Marin Palace at Iban’s summons.
Banel hastened his pace, only then realizing that time had slipped away while he’d been savoring an unexpected spectacle.
“At this rate, the reports are going to pile up…….”
Shortly after stepping out of Marin Palace, having finished his conversation with Rene, Banel finally opened his lips, which he’d been keeping sealed.
“Your Majesty, regarding that prisoner. It seems, as Lady Rene said, he’s not an ordinary mage.”
“That was the spectacle you saw?”
Given that he’d been delayed by something worth watching, I’d half-expected him to have captured a magical creature at least.
Iban let out a low chuckle.
“Pointless business.”
Yet there was merit to Banel’s words. Indeed, the prisoner whom he’d met moments before had been bound by countless intricate sorceries—so delicate that they would be difficult to notice without careful attention.
‘Seems he has much he wishes to conceal.’
As Iban gauged the prisoner’s threat level, he soon cast the thought aside. After all, he was merely a lesser creature whom he could dispose of with ease. There was no need to act immediately, not when it would displease Rene.
When Iban showed an indifferent response, Banel smiled faintly and continued his words.
“I’ll need to examine him further to determine his exact capabilities…… but he’s quite an amusing fellow.”
As Banel recalled the matter of the Separate Building, his lips quirked upward, and Iban’s brow narrowed slightly.
“Among the people you’ve found amusing, I don’t think a single one was normal.”
Iban fell silent for a moment before speaking slowly.
“Watch him for now. Especially when he’s in contact with Rene.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”

* * *
The Lakis Empire was a great power renowned throughout the continent, so the Foundation Day Festival was far more than a mere national ceremony—it was a grand stage of diplomacy upon which many nations’ eyes converged.
Thus, the Foundation Day Festival, which was to be a large-scale celebration, had been scheduled for ten days hence, but the date was postponed irregularly, an announcement made through Imperial Court documents this very morning.
“It’s because of the death, isn’t it?”
“Yes. Apparently, all the deceased were nobles, and among them is a princess of the Taniaperf Kingdom with whom we maintain diplomatic relations…….”
As I asked while reviewing the official documents, Sis nodded with a look of sorrow.
‘I never imagined the princess of Taniaperf would have died then.’
Because the bodies of those who had been attacked were in poor condition, their identities had been inferred from their clothing, and their personal details investigated; now, at last, the precise identities of the deceased had been revealed.
Had they been our own nationals, the matter would have been concluded with a separate mourning period, but the revelation that one of the dead was a princess of the Taniaperf Kingdom—with whom we maintained close diplomatic ties—had caused the Foundation Day Festival to be pushed back by two weeks.
‘So Shana will attend the condolences as a Saint, just as the original story went.’
In essence, the princess’s death had opened the floodgates for Shana to begin her activities as a Saint in earnest.
‘Still, the princess died sooner than in the original story. Why? Originally, this incident occurred after the Foundation Day Festival had ended.’
…Could it be because I healed Shana?
‘It seems the timeline has accelerated as Shana recovered faster than expected.’
So events unfold despite the narrative being twisted…….
As I sat lost in thought, watching Moondust greedily accept cookies from Sis, Ate suddenly came to mind.
Now that I thought of it, I hadn’t seen Ate since I began receiving treatment from Shana.
Should I visit the Library for the first time in a while? Besides, I needed more texts on Security Magic anyway.
Since the child spends more time in the Library than she does in the Palace, she’s surely there.
‘I thought that with a fortnight, I’d master Security Magic sufficiently to prove my reliability to Iban and leave the Palace soon……!’
After the banquet ended, I spent the entire day in the Research Room studying diligently, but the formulae proved fiendishly complex, and adaptation was taking longer than expected.
Security Magic is intimately tied to life itself, so there’s no helping it. I just need to invest more time.
“Sis, I’m going to the Library. Please watch Moondust for me.”
“Yes, I’ll take care of it!”
“By the way, about Moondust…… doesn’t it seem to have gotten a bit plumper?”
“Hmm. Does it?”
At my question, Sis looked down at Moondust and tilted her head uncertainly.
“The creature seems to have become rather pudgy compared to before…… horizontally.”
Just at the time of the celebration banquet, it had surely looked like a round cheese ball, but somewhere along the way it had become more like a miniature hot dog…… and only five days had passed. How in the world did it come to this?
“But it loves cookies so much that I simply can’t refuse giving them.”
True to her words, the moment Sis pulled a fresh cookie from the basket, Moondust’s black eyes sparkled more brightly than ever.
Now that I thought about it, it hadn’t been crying lately, had it? During the banquet it cried constantly.
‘Who can fathom the heart of a magical creature? Since it seems happy for now, I’ll just let it be….’
Upon arriving at the Library, having left behind the warm cookie party, I spotted a familiar head of black hair.
But…… something seemed off.
“Hmm?”
I stood motionless, observing Ate.
Sitting upright in the chair with impeccable posture, reading quietly from the table, Ate’s presence had unmistakably transformed.
Her hair was neatly pinned up, and delicate ornaments—the kind only a maidservant’s careful hands could arrange—adorned her clothing and locks.
She used to insist that nobody touch her, wandering about as she pleased. Strange. What wind had shifted her course?
“Ate.”
I called out with a puzzled expression, and she turned slowly toward me. The moment our eyes met, Ate broke into a radiant smile.
“Sister-in-law, you’ve come?”
“……?”
For the first time in my life, I discovered I could wear a question mark across my face. My expression right now was proof of it.
Perhaps seeing how rigidly I’d frozen, Ate greeted me with the warmest of smiles, her bright face a picture of propriety.
“I didn’t know when you’d visit, so I’ve been in the Library every day. I heard you’ve been in the Research Room all day lately, so I was worried about being a bother and didn’t come to see you.”
“Ah…?”
“I’m so happy to see you this morning, sister-in-law. Hehe.”
It wasn’t mere description—she actually laughed, “Hehe,” out loud. Ate Pel Erzet, of all people.
“Cough.”
Cough, cough, cough—
Ah, I choked on my own surprise! I was too shocked to help it!
I turned away quickly and coughed, and Ate approached with concern in her eyes, drawing a handkerchief from her pocket.
“Are you all right? Try breathing in slowly. Here, a handkerchief.”
She patted my back gently, her voice thick with worry.
“Shall I fetch you some warm water?”
“Ah, um… no, no. Thank you.”
“It’s nothing at all.”
This is driving me mad—why is she suddenly like this? How is such dignified speech coming from this little demon’s mouth?!
“I should contact Shana. I think something went wrong with the Healing—”
“Not at all. In fact, thanks to you, the treatment has been progressing smoothly. I’m grateful for your consideration.”
Then Ate bowed respectfully. Ah, Ate actually bowed at the waist….
‘I only asked for her condition to be treated, but she’s even been getting an education in proper conduct.’
It seemed Karahan’s remark about Shana having several siblings was true. Right now, Ate looked like a well-mannered child to anyone’s eyes.
‘The girl who used to regard everyone except Iban like dirt on the roadside!’
Moved by some inexplicable emotion, I reached out and stroked Ate’s hair repeatedly. It was soft and obedient beneath my fingers.
“Ate, you’ve finally learned to tolerate other people?”
“No.”
“Really, that’s quite—huh?”
“Everyone except my brother is trash. Especially that fake Saint—she’s the absolute worst! Thinking she could teach me anything!”
Ate’s brow furrowed, and insults came pouring out as though she’d been waiting for this moment. I stared at her blankly.
What—what happened to the angel from a moment ago?!
“Pretending to be good is so damn exhausting. Still, I nailed the reaction. That was fun.”
So bewildered I could barely form words, I stood gaping, and Ate burst into giggles.
“You didn’t even know you’d been fooled—you were totally smitten! Looks like I’ve got a real talent for Acting.”
Hmm! Ate patted herself proudly, beaming with satisfaction.
“If you fall for it that easily, how are you supposed to survive in the Imperial Palace? Tsk, tsk. Your future among the noble ladies is crystal clear—absolutely dire.”
Clicking her tongue disapprovingly, Ate delivered a thorough lecture to knock some sense into me.
I was startled by her even more devious scheming.
Is this girl actually not a little demon?!

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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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