The Male Lead Is the Villain, and I'm the Only One Who Knows - Chapter 49

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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, and Only I Know It — Episode 49
“That man—we’ve seen him before, haven’t we?”
“We have.”
Kan answered Sis’s question simply.
“We need to report this to the Highness. The fact that he sensed our presence in this crowd means he’s no ordinary person.”
“Dayad Lebingston—he’s a man who holds quite high standing even within the 1st Knight Order. He must live up to the name ‘elite’ with capabilities like that.”
Though Biloje and the ordinary knights both belonged to the 1st Knight Order, their duties were entirely separate, so they had no reason to meet.
Still, the fact that Kan knew of Dayad meant his abilities were genuinely worth something.
“…Let’s follow him for now. Next is the herb shop on Bashat 8th Street.”
Sis, accepting Kan’s suggestion, nodded without softening the sharp edge in her gaze.

* * *
“They say they’re giving out free meals over there!”
“And they cover high surgery fees? All you have to do is join the cult!”
“Especially children—they even offer free examinations!”
What’s all this commotion?
While moving alongside Dayad, I found my head turning toward the voices. Where did this charity work come from? For something like that, the contents were rather….
“Um, will Rataniel truly fix my leg as well…?”
“My child can’t see. Will you heal that too?”
“Of course. So long as faith remains, the great Rataniel cares for all without exception, leaving none forsaken.”
It had a dubious ring to it.
Beneath the tent where people stood in line, believers deftly fielded the desperate questions of the hopeful, their heads bobbing with practiced ease.
Dayad cast a disinterested glance toward the large tent.
“A scam?”
“I’ve heard new cults have been springing up lately.”
“Cult or not, even at a glance, this looks like a table set by Demonic Beasts.”
He slowly grasped the Detection Equipment at his waist, but after confirming no unusual response came, he released his grip.
“Don’t the knights crack down on things like that?”
“At first, yes. But now these things are everywhere, and it’s become difficult to arrest each one. Since we can’t be certain they’re Human-Form Demonic Beasts, we can’t just haul them in arbitrarily.”
Only when orders came down from higher up could they move at all, Dayad sighed regretfully.
“This equipment can barely distinguish the presence of Mid to Low-Rank Demonic Beasts, so it’s not much help. Until the Magic Tower sends equipment that can identify Human-Form Demonic Beasts, there’s nothing we can do.”
As Dayad was about to lead me past, he grasped my wrist, but the believer standing before the tent smiled gently toward me.
In other words, he was looking directly at me….
‘That can’t be. I’m wearing a robe, so my face shouldn’t be visible.’
Yet our eyes had clearly met. Feeling an odd sense of wrongness, I stopped walking, and Dayad turned to face me.
“What is it?”
“Do you know the characteristics of Human-Form Demonic Beasts? There must be ways to distinguish them even without equipment, right?”
“Well… if you’re talking about shortcut methods, sure. They just don’t offer the same certainty as equipment. Those creatures go to great lengths to avoid exposure, having invested so much effort in parasitizing a human.”
In other words, they were perfect enough to overlook, his voice continued.
“At first they act kind and warm, disarming the other person’s caution. Then they exploit past wounds or sensitive points. They’re laying the groundwork to plant darkness.”
“That’s difficult. We can’t go around suspecting all kind people.”
“Exactly why—unless you were a Demonic Beast yourself or a Higher-Tier Entity like a demon—it’s impossible for an ordinary person to see through them without equipment.”
Dayad finished speaking, then let out a small exclamation before continuing.
“Come to think of it, there is one more thing. Priests or priestesses from the Great Temple who use the Power of Arnosil. I’ve heard those types have an instinct for it? They say the moment you see them, you feel… well, something.”
The Power of Arnosil—that includes me too, doesn’t it? Then could what I felt just now possibly…?
As I pondered Dayad’s words in silence, someone approached us.
“Brother, you look so burdened. Why don’t you stop by the tent and warm yourself with a cup of tea? Rataniel extends mercy to all.”
A man in a gray robe bearing an unusual symbol approached and spoke warmly to Dayad.
Oh, that looks like a poor choice.
“Brother, you say?”
Just as expected, Dayad narrowed his cold grayish eyes into slits and spoke sharply.
“You’re the reason for the burden. Leave while I’m asking nicely.”
…Was that actually asking nicely?
Despite the outright rebuke, the man paid it no mind and turned to face me instead. Ah, it’s my turn now.
“Sister, the weather has grown cold. Would you not accept a Thermal Pack from our congregation? Rataniel would gladly gift you warmth.”
“I have no siblings. Thank you, but no.”
Rion, my apologies. I’m taking you off the household registry for a moment.
As I tried to hasten my step past the man, he mentioned an unexpected name.
“We have a skilled pharmacist named Josheu in our congregation. Please visit us anytime. Rataniel is always by your side.”
“…Josheu?”
I straightened abruptly and turned to face the man, words tumbling out.
“Are you perhaps speaking of Josheu Natwell, who runs an herbal shop on Bashat 8th Street?”
“Yes, that’s the one. He’s quite well-known in these parts as an herbalist.”
The man broke into a bright smile at my question, nodding in agreement. Ah, this is awkward.
Noticing something off in my reaction, Dayad Lebingston tilted his head with a questioning look.
“That shop is exactly where I was headed. Josheu always sets aside rare medicinal plants for me, and I was just on my way to pick them up…….”
“I see. Can’t you find them anywhere else?”
“No. Josheu is well-regarded as an herbalist around here, so the materials he deals in are quite specialized.”
Not that I could simply follow this mysterious cultist—whether it was the Rataniel Cult or something equally obscure.
It was all the more awkward because I’d already assured Iban and Sis that there was nothing to worry about.
I was still weighing my options when Dayad suddenly grabbed my hand.
“What are you doing? Let’s go. Let’s meet the old man.”
“But like you said, there could be a Human-Form Demonic Beast hiding somewhere.”
“We just get the herbs from him and leave, right? It’s not like we’re formally joining the cult or anything. What’s there to worry about?”
“Well, that’s just it…….”
“Besides, there are two other places we need to visit anyway. Come on, let’s move. We’ll be here all night at this rate.”
In the end, we followed the man toward the tents of the Rataniel Cult, but as we ventured deeper, most of the believers—save for a few—kept backing away from us.
‘Wait, actually it seems like they’re avoiding me specifically…?’
The way they acted, as if even the slightest contact with me would bring calamity, was more than a little suspicious.
…Why are they all acting like that?
More than that.
“Please wait a moment! I shall find someone suitable to assist you, sister!”
“What? I can’t hear you very well…!”
Why are they shouting from over there? I’m right here!
A believer who had called out from across the tent—far enough away that I could barely hear—vanished in an instant, whether or not they’d heard my reply.
“They encourage you to come, and then when you actually arrive, there’s not a soul willing to approach. Strange folk, these.”
Dayad muttered the observation in bewilderment, as if someone watching might think they were deliberately keeping their distance.
Moments later, a tall man approached the tent where we were waiting.
A cool, metallic scent brushed past my nose, and I flinched. It felt like cold steel, almost like the smell of blood itself…….
“I understand you’re in need of assistance. Allow me to guide you personally.”
The man offered a bright greeting, his dark blue hair gleaming like foam beneath the sunlight. Eyes dark as midnight swept across me beyond the robe, lingering and thorough.

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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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