The Male Lead Is the Villain, and I'm the Only One Who Knows - Chapter 54

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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 Is the Mastermind, and Only I Know It — Episode 54
In the end, Dayad simply left me and Carahan behind. I reached out to grab his sleeve, pleading with him not to go, but all I got in return was…….
‘You think it’s easy being escorted by Barat, the Empire’s greatest Sword Master? Enjoy it.’
Enjoy what, you bastard? Don’t leave me here……!
“…Your Grace. What were you doing here?”
Once Dayad’s figure vanished completely from sight, I swallowed my sigh and posed the question to Carahan.
In truth, I wasn’t particularly curious, but enduring this awkward silence in silence seemed far worse than making pointless conversation.
Yet an unexpected answer came back.
“The Saint requested that I conduct patrols. There have been many disappearances of late—particularly among young children.”
“Disappearances?”
Suddenly, the words Josh had spoken earlier came flooding back.
‘I saw it… I saw that demon dragging children away with him! So go, quickly. Go!’
Could the disappearances Carahan mentioned be connected to the Rataniel Sect?
‘I’m not certain yet, so I’ll have to ask Josh again later.’
Whether or not it was the disappearances, the moment I learned that southern mages were involved, it became a problem I couldn’t simply ignore.
‘They’re dangerous people—they won’t hesitate to conduct experiments on human subjects for profit. The Emperor struck down Tarant precisely because of them, after all…….’
When I returned to the palace later, I’d have to sound out Chail about what he knew regarding the escaped mages.
“Dayad mentioned that you dislike drawing attention from people.”
“Ah, yes. If I suddenly become the center of attention, I tend to hyperventilate. There was an accident when I was young, apparently, though I don’t remember it well enough to…….”
“I see. I’ll keep that in mind. Is there a particular destination you have in mind? If your schedule is complete, I can escort you back to Astel County.”
Thanks to Dayad, I’d finished today’s itinerary earlier than expected. My baggage-laden carriage had already departed for the County seat earlier, too….
But I couldn’t just meekly head home. Not when Evian and Shana were going to boldly perform their Wishing Ceremony right before my eyes. How could I possibly pretend not to notice?
“I’d like to watch that Wishing Ceremony, if you don’t mind?”
“Of course. But first…….”
Carahan approached me slowly, as if to avoid startling me, then carefully reached out and gently tugged my Robe back down where it had slipped slightly off my shoulder.
My vision suddenly filled with his firm, broad chest. My, how intoxicating… ah, no, I mean, how robust. Ahem.
“I would recommend acquiring a more durable Robe. This one flutters every time the wind blows.”
His calm golden gaze dropped vertically. Hearing such unsolicited advice, I looked up at him with an embarrassed expression.
“B-but this was the most expensive one in the shop…….”
“Price and durability do not always correlate.”
“…I suppose you’re right.”
As I nodded quietly in agreement, Carahan fell silent for a moment, simply gazing at me. Why is he looking at me like that?
“Miss, what is that?”
“What is what?”
“There’s been some sort of insect clinging to your shoulder since earlier. Are you aware of it?”
“……An, an insect?! Why are you only telling me now!”
I let out a silent cry of alarm and gestured frantically at him to remove it. Without hesitation, Carahan flicked whatever it was off my shoulder with his hand—snap!
And at that very moment.
—Kyuaaaaaaagh……!
A piteous wail pierced the air. Good heavens. The “insect” Carahan had spotted was Dust?
“Your Grace, you must not have equipment since you’re not part of the Order of Knights. How did you manage to see it?”
“Sword Masters have no need for equipment.”
“Ah, I see…….”
Well, that made sense—that’s what it meant to be a Sword Master.
I caught Dust as it fluttered helplessly through the air and gently placed it back on my shoulder.
I could have sworn it had been sleeping between my hair strands earlier—when did it move to my shoulder? I hadn’t noticed because it was so light….
“Do you know this insect?”
“It’s not an insect—it’s a Magical Beast. We usually call it a Residue. This one’s name is Dust.”
“The Subjugation Squad refers to Residues as insects. Sometimes they call them Refuse.”
As I corrected the terminology, Carahan shared this new information. Between scraps and Residues, Dust now had to contend with being called an insect too….
“……Our little Dust sure does collect nicknames, doesn’t it.”
“They are troublesome creatures for good reason. They can grow into Great Demons and threaten humanity.”
It was the same thing Banel had told me before. I cleared my throat quietly and changed the subject.
“I heard the Wishing Ceremony is being held in the Square. Shall we head there? We probably won’t be able to get close with so many people about.”
“…Let us.”
Carahan gazed silently at Dust trembling on my shoulder for a moment longer, then turned his eyes away. The Square, when we arrived, was already teeming with crowds.
The platform was far in the distance—from here, I could barely make out the hair colors of Evian and Shana.
Carahan, who had been coldly surveying the people before us, suddenly placed his hand on my head, pressing my Robe firmly so it wouldn’t slip off. Then he bent down and whispered softly near my ear.
“Miss, would you like to get closer to the platform?”
“Yes. My fiancé is up there. Without even telling me.”
“…Ah.”
At my pointed remark, the corner of Carahan’s mouth curved slightly for an instant.
“If you’ll excuse me.”
“What? I—wait!”
My body suddenly lifted into the air. His firm forearms swept behind my knees and around my waist in one fluid motion, then hoisted me as effortlessly as one might pick up a sheet of paper.
With that, he parted the tightly packed crowd with ease and strode through without hesitation.
‘…Warm wood scent.’
The moment I found myself cradled against his chest, his scent rushed to the tip of my nose—a deep, summertime woody fragrance threaded with the faint smell of wind.
Given Carahan’s considerable size and his status as a figure of considerable renown, the people around us murmured continuously, parting before him as though the Red Sea itself were splitting asunder.
“There is no need to be tense, young lady. No one is paying attention to us.”
“…Did you really just say that? I can feel everyone staring at us with their eyes on my skin.”
“You are mistaken.”
What audacity—his shameless reply came smoothly. Only when he reached the platform did he finally set me down on the ground.
At precisely that moment, I heard someone announce that Evian and Shana would be appearing shortly, and I grasped my Robe as it fluttered helplessly in the breeze, turning to glance at Carahan instead of toward the platform.
For some reason, I had the distinct feeling that he would answer my question if I asked him now.
“…Why do you dislike His Highness so much, Duke?”
Whatever the reason might be.
“The Empire’s Star, His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince and the Holy Maiden, if you please!”
At my words, the knight’s loud announcement set the crowd erupting in fervent cheers.
“Huzzah! Long live His Imperial Highness!”
“My goodness, is that really the Holy Maiden…? She’s even more beautiful than the rumors say!”
“The way the two of them stand side by side looks just like a religious painting come to life!”
My voice was swallowed up in the fervent heat, while brilliant motes of light announcing the beginning of the Wishing Ceremony floated across the crimson sky of dusk in countless profusion.
Soon Evian, wearing that angelic smile I had once loved, appeared on the platform. Beside him stood Shana, beaming and waving to the people of the Empire.
The way they were both dressed in pristine white uniforms and a dress made them look as though they were having a wedding ceremony.
‘…This is the very scene from the original where Evian fell for Shana. Now that I see it, I can understand why he might.’
I thought Carahan hadn’t heard my question because he didn’t answer, but he withdrew his gaze from the resplendent platform and looked down at me.
Presently, his tightly sealed lips parted just enough for only me to see.
“Because that person is a Great Demon, not the Crown Prince.”
His voice was utterly steady, without the slightest tremor.

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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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