The Male Lead Is the Villain, and I'm the Only One Who Knows - Chapter 66

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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 66
Iban displayed an overtly delighted expression, remarking that things were about to get interesting.
Where on earth was he finding amusement in this? In any case, I couldn’t fathom what lay beneath that demon’s surface.
“Barrel, lay that down and follow me. We’re heading to the Magic Tower.”
When Iban flicked his hand lightly, Barrel appeared as though he’d been waiting for the signal, and instead of laying down the table—that thing—he hoisted Joshu over his shoulder with ease and disappeared into the bedroom.
“Lion Astel hasn’t yet learned that I’m going with you. I hear he’s always so busy that he may not even have heard word of my visit.”
“Well, as for him… he probably doesn’t even know that we’re engaged.”
“…?”
At my words, Iban’s eyebrows twitched minutely. His gaze flickered with bewilderment—how could one not know such a thing?
And understandably so; when I’d blatantly rejected Iban’s proposal in order to survive, the news of us had thrown the entire Rakis Empire into turmoil for a full week.
I’d eaten every scrap of criticism thrown at me back then… which is why I’m blessed with longevity, folks~!
Moreover, the Emperor had announced our engagement simultaneously with his proclamation of victory in the war, so it was practically impossible not to know of it.
‘That’s right, it’s impossible. Except it’s not.’
Because Lion Astel was precisely the sort to accomplish the very things that made no sense.
“Does your kinsman not read newspapers? Or perhaps he lacks friends?”
“Both, actually.”
“Ah.”
There was a note of understanding in Iban’s brief acknowledgment.
“Among those called geniuses, there’s hardly a decent one among them. …Well, let’s depart first.”
As though he’d grasped what manner of person Lion was, Iban swiftly composed himself and extended his hand to me.
“Right, come to think of it, I think he mentioned still staying in occasional contact with Barrel…!”
As I grasped his hand and murmured this, Barrel, who had just finished laying Joshu on the bed and returned, nodded gently, his blue eyes softening.
“Yes, that’s correct. We stay in contact often. The last time was likely about ten years ago.”
“…Barrel, do you understand what ‘often’ means?”
“Does it not mean ‘occasionally’?”
Barrel, with an innocent expression that showed no comprehension whatsoever of my meaning, smiled smoothly and looked at me.
…Let’s not even bother.
Perhaps by a demon’s reckoning of time, ‘often’ was accurate after all.
Shortly after, we exited and climbed back into the carriage. As the wheels began rolling toward the Magic Tower, an ominous presence rose within me.
Hesitating for a moment, I glanced at Iban, who sat across from me on the sofa, and cautiously opened my mouth.
“Iban, just to be safe… don’t tell him that we’re engaged.”
“Hmm. And why is that?”
“You’ll see soon enough.”
Just… you’ll see.
I said nothing more and closed my lips. From years of experience, I knew it would be far faster for him to witness it directly than for me to waste time explaining.
Iban regarded me with puzzlement for a moment, then quickly turned his gaze away.
The carriage raced onward, and soon we arrived near the Magic Tower, its imposing spire thrust sharply into the sky.
Despite the midday hour, a cool and heavy fog that seemed almost spectral filled the entire field of vision. It was so thick that one might mistake themselves for being above the clouds—there was nothing visible ahead.
Because of this, the horses could advance no further, and the coachman’s troubled voice reached us, explaining that we could go no farther.
“We’ll have to get out.”
“Since we’re near the Magic Tower, magic is forbidden for security reasons. We should probably have a lamp…”
I grabbed Iban hastily as he began to descend, pointing at the fog through which not even an inch ahead was visible, but he regarded me unconcernedly and slowly took my hand.
“Light isn’t necessary. I know the way.”
“What, are you a compass? We can’t even see the ground right in front of us—how could you possibly know the way?”
“I just do.”
Iban, as though forbidding further questions, tightened his grip on my hand and deftly pulled me out of the carriage.
“Barrel, take those two and follow along.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Having issued the command to bring Lion and Sis along, Iban immediately began walking with me through the opaque fog in long, confident strides.
“Iban, wait. Are we actually going the right way?”
Upon hearing my words laden with anxiety, Iban suddenly stopped in his tracks and whirled around to face me.
And then….
“Wait, what are you doing all of a sudden?!”
“What choice do I have, when my fiancée doubts me so thoroughly?”
He supported my knees and waist, and in an instant, he lifted me into his arms. The moment the fog’s characteristic damp, heavy air enveloped me in Iban’s embrace, it cleared away as though it had never been.
My eyes trembled with tension, and Iban’s calm gaze tilted with inquiry.
“Are you frightened?”
“Of course I am! I can’t see anything but you!”
The moment I shot back a counter-question to that absurd inquiry, Iban’s green eyes flickered ever so faintly as he looked down at me.
Then the corners of his reddish lips curved upward in a mischievous smile.
“I see only you, La…… I like the sound of that.”
“…! You really are a demon! You know that’s not what I meant!”
“That depends on the listener’s heart.”
With that simple retort, Iban began to move again, still cradling me in his arms. The tall spire of the Magic Tower drew steadily closer before my eyes.
“…Put me down now, please. We’re almost there.”
“Why? Are you afraid your blood will see?”
“It’s not for me—it’s for you, Your Highness.”
“I see.”
Though he’d acknowledged my words, Iban showed no intention whatsoever of setting me down.
If anything, his grip only tightened around me, holding me so firmly that I couldn’t even struggle.
“Goodness, Your Highness…! If you’d only sent word, we would have come to receive you…!”
Having carried me all the way to the entrance of the Magic Tower, he walked past the junior mages who opened the doors in alarm, his expression utterly unmoved, and entered with an air of casual indifference.
“It’s fine. The chance to walk alongside my fiancée isn’t something that comes often.”
Iban answered with easy nonchalance, and only then, in full view of everyone, did he slowly set me down on the ground.
“Your Highness, I apologize, but Lion, the team leader of the Equipment Project, is currently in the Research Laboratory, and the other team members are as well…”
In place of the disrespectful laboratory mages who showed no sign of greeting the crown prince, the other mages offered their respects with faces gone pale, bowing repeatedly.
“It’s better to focus on the work they’ve been entrusted with than to waste time showing their faces.”
Iban declared he would go directly to the laboratory and, taking my hand, immediately boarded the Mobile Trailer.
It was a modern contraption that worked like a contemporary elevator—you pressed your desired floor and the Magic Tower’s own system transported you there.
Before long, the trailer arrived at the entrance to the laboratory.
“Siiiiiis—!”
Before the trailer had even come to a complete stop, the large white laboratory doors burst open, and someone came rushing toward us with the sound of sniffling tears and snot.
“Oof…!”
The next instant, a strong embrace pulled me backward so forcefully that I gasped for breath.
Dark circles hung beneath tired eyes, and disheveled pink-purple hair fell as though they’d just napped with their head shoved into a sofa. They wore a white (formerly white) research coat splattered with various reagents in a riot of colors….
“Hey, let go, will you? I can’t breathe…! How did you even know I was coming?”
“I smelled you! I know my sister’s scent better than anyone!”
Lion Astel—my brother.

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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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