The Male Lead Is the Villain, and I'm the Only One Who Knows - Chapter 70

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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 Shadow Mastermind, and Only I Know It — Episode 70

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Moments earlier, Banel had received a silent instruction from Iban and quickly entered the Annex, unlocking Chahil’s wrists, which had been bound for the past two days.
The Mana-Absorbing Iron Chain, specially crafted to resist any attempt at escape, crumbled to black ash at a single gesture from Banel, scattering into nothing.
“It seems the master has returned. She’s on her way here, I take it.”
So that was why he was freeing him—Chahil’s pale white eyes slid lazily toward Banel.
“Being only half, you’re in quite a state after just two days. Get up and make yourself presentable for the master.”
“But our master is kind, so if she sees me hurting, she’ll suspect His Highness. Will that be alright?”
Banel studied Chahil with an intrigued gaze as he leaned against the wall, deliberately swinging his bruised wrist for all to see.
“I wonder who’s worrying about whom.”
His tone held a hint of sympathy, but his eyes told a different story. Without further response, Banel turned and slipped out of the Annex.
And now.
Chahil, unbothered by being caught in his deception, promptly arranged his face into an expression of suffering.
“Master, the pain in my body is real. His Highness was quite rough with me over these past two days.”
Chahil drew a step closer to Rene, his voice heavy with complaint as he pleaded for belief.
But Rene merely fixed him with a look of disbelief, thrusting something into his arms as she embraced him.
“Check it. It’s a treasure passed down through Tarant’s royal line for generations. I think you’d understand its purpose.”
Chahil accepted Rene’s suspicious gaze without protest and opened the box.
The moment a tiara adorned with deep crimson rubies, radiating brilliant splendor, filled his pristine white eyes, the corners of Chahil’s mouth curved with satisfaction.
“Indeed… there is a curse woven into it. It’s an artifact infused with the resentment of ancient mages—an ordinary person who handled it would suffer terrible consequences.”
Such a treasure held high research value as rare material. Understanding easily that this was the reward for his answers, Chahil’s composure slipped one layer.
“You said you had questions for me… I’ll answer anything within my knowledge.”
The moment the subtle expression hidden beneath Chahil’s mask loosened slightly, Rene seized the opening and spoke in haste.
“I discovered traces of southern mages in the City District yesterday. A sophisticated Concealment Barrier was in operation. Do you know anything about it?”
A keen, crimson gaze shot toward him—the certain expectation that a Black Mage from Tarant, the heart of the southern lands, would know something.
Chahil met her trusting eyes and nodded.
“It seems my friends are alive. I thought they’d died during the war, but apparently they disappeared….”
A response followed—not a welcome one—explaining that these were capable people skilled enough to pierce through the Lakis Empire’s formidable surveillance network and maintain a barrier even in the capital’s heart.
“If… you were willing to go out tomorrow with me, I could perhaps search for any traces.”
Chahil stared directly at Rene as he carefully offered his true intent.
‘The Demon Lord’s Mana has been overflowing from her entire body.’
Iban’s mana was vibrating powerfully from every inch of Rene’s form. To this degree, it transcended mere claims of possession—one might as well call it an extension of him.
Though the person in question seemed unaware.
“Not a chance.”
Iban, who had been watching Rene with a slanted stance against the wall, turned his gaze to Chahil with an expression suggesting the matter wasn’t worth discussing.
Had Rene not been beside him, he would have seized the man’s throat without hesitation.
“I… I’ll be necessary… Black Mages leave traces only other Black Mages recognize, and among these, only I would know them….”
Chahil quickly produced a convincing excuse, insisting he merely wished to prove his usefulness.
“Hmm….”
In that instant, Rene’s expression darkened with deliberation. There was Dando, and both Kan and Sis as well; she’d accepted Iban’s mana, and now she was bringing along Chahil, a Black Mage. There seemed to be little cause for alarm.
As Rene calmly weighed her available assets and began to nod slowly in acquiescence—
Iban abruptly pulled Rene into his embrace by the shoulder, his gaze settling coldly upon Chahil.
“Banel. Cancel my entire afternoon schedule tomorrow. I can’t leave my popular fiancée alone.”
“Yes! …Yes?”
Tomorrow was Foundation Day—Banel’s bewildered gaze wavered with blue confusion at how any schedule could possibly be canceled.
Though words failed him and no further protest followed, his expression made it abundantly clear this was absolutely impossible.
“Then we’ll see each other tomorrow morning instead. Rene, return to the palace.”
Iban gave a light wave of his hand toward Sis, who stood some distance away, as if to indicate no further discussion was needed. Sis approached at once and led Rene out of the Annex.
From behind came Rene’s scattered voice—”Are you really coming with me? Wait, but the schedule—?” before it faded completely away.
“Your protection is excessive, Your Highness.”
“That’s none of your concern.”
The moment Rene’s presence vanished entirely, Chahil let out a quiet laugh and dropped his foolish mask.
Iban, unsurprised by this dual nature anymore, watched him with detached indifference.
Without warning, a flash of crimson light flickered across Iban’s green eyes.
…!
Chahil instinctively stepped back, sensing a killer’s intent utterly different from before, and Iban let out a low, quiet chuckle as he spoke softly.
“You’re becoming more and more of a nuisance.”
Though it seemed mere observation at first glance, it was in truth nothing less than a final warning.
If he stumbled even once more, that would be when Iban killed him.
Chahil’s lips curved into a thin, knowing smile as he grasped the meaning beneath her words.

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“Rene, are you truly certain about this? It’s Foundation Day, after all…….”
“That’s precisely why I’m doing it. Besides, I’ve never made an official appearance yet anyway.”
The next morning, the long-awaited Foundation Day of the Lakis Empire dawned at last.
When I chose a striking lavender gown far more elaborate than my usual selections, Sis fixed me with a bewildered stare, clearly apprehensive about the attention I would draw.
“Forgive me, but if this is because of what the attendants said earlier…….”
“It was my responsibility in the first place. I’m not dumping everything on Iban.”
Just before leaving, I had overheard the Marin Palace attendants chattering as they hurried through the corridor, and their words had stopped me short.
‘Did you hear? His Highness declared he’d handle all the day’s ceremonies alone for the Prospective Crown Princess, who apparently doesn’t like public attention.’
‘Exactly. That’s why he went to the Great Temple for the dawn blessing by himself, I heard? Protocol ordinarily requires the couple to go together. And I’m told he never even mentioned it to Rene.’
‘He’s done things like this before. How can His Highness be so thoughtful? There’s simply no one kinder.’
‘I’ve heard his afternoon schedule was cancelled entirely because of Rene. The attendants at Ruby Palace say he insisted he couldn’t leave his fiancee alone… Is that really true?’
The maids had practically danced down the hallway, cooing about romance and devotion.
‘All this time, Sis only told me there were no ceremonies scheduled for me on Foundation Day. I assumed it was because I’m still just a fiancee, and the position carried no official duties…….’
Learning that it was all Iban’s own doing made a hollow laugh escape me.
I wouldn’t be fooled again by that demon’s masked consideration—his constant scheming to isolate me from the world under the guise of protection.
“I should contribute something myself at least once. I’m not the type who can only receive.”

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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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