The Oracle of the Villainous Baby - Chapter 131

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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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Chapter 131
‘Perhaps I should return and reorganize my plans.’
The hostility was far more intense than I had anticipated.
It had been so long since I’d experienced such raw, sharp hatred directed at me that I found myself momentarily taken aback.
Perhaps because of that, my heart throbbed with a dull ache.
‘Should I leave for today?’
There was no point in spoiling a good day and good atmosphere. After all, today was meant to be a day of celebration for his ascension to High Priest.
I gently tugged at Kiriel Yudia’s sleeve.
Just as I was about to open my mouth and suggest we leave for now—
“And since this gathering is meant to celebrate my appointment as High Priest, I had hoped the day would be filled with only pleasant things…”
High Priest Michael Lobanov erased the dazed expression that had clouded his handsome face and slowly turned his head.
From the drawn-out tone of his words, I sensed something ominous, and without thinking, I lifted my gaze to meet the boy’s eyes.
“Since I’ve felt an unpleasant aura from the moment I entered this hall… I was hoping to address it. Would that be acceptable?”
“Bunny.”
At the sudden voice from beside me, I turned my attention, and Kiriel Yudia gave a slight nod.
“I’m sorry, but leave first today.”
Kiriel Yudia, his brow furrowed and his expression hardened, took my hand and withdrew to a corner as he spoke.
“Father…?”
“Quickly. Father will follow soon.”
Since I had already been thinking of leaving anyway, I found myself nodding without hesitation.
Supporting myself against the wall, I moved slowly. I felt the gazes of Shalone and Roel from not far away.
“An unpleasant aura? What on earth does that mean?”
At the Emperor’s question, Michael Lobanov slowly rolled his eyes before speaking.
“It seems there is a remnant of the Demon Clan hiding within this hall.”
“The Demon Clan…?”
“Surely not.”
“Is the High Priest saying that a Demon Clan member is masquerading as a noble?”
“Or perhaps among the servants…”
Murmurs erupted from all directions, growing louder.
‘Ugh, I need to escape quickly.’
Just as I quickened my pace to slip out of the Banquet Hall—
“Since you’re already exposed, would you mind dropping the act of fleeing? Young Lady of the Yudia Duchy.”
At the voice that reached me before my foot could cross the threshold, I froze.
Then I stopped walking and slowly turned my body around.
Beneath the cascade of stares, I blinked slowly and exhaled.
Then, with an expression of complete ignorance, I tilted my head and smiled as brightly as always.
“I’m not sure what you mean. I simply informed Father that I wasn’t feeling well and am returning home first.”
Pfft.
The High Priest let out a low chuckle. Contempt flickered across his handsome face, which had been so vacant before.
“From the moment I entered this hall, I’ve been unable to bear the stench of decay emanating from you.”
It was not Bunny nor Kiriel Yudia who wore an expression of displeasure at Michael Lobanov’s words, but the Empress seated beside Roel.
“High Priest, are you aware that you’re speaking in an extraordinarily disrespectful manner right now? The Young Lady of Yudia is the Crown Prince’s betrothed. Do you understand what kind of grave problem this could cause?”
“Yes, I am aware, Your Majesty the Empress.”
Despite the Empress’s intimidation, Michael Lobanov bowed his head slightly and answered with composure.
And for good reason—it was abundantly clear to him.
Like all Demon Clan Members, a massive coil of jet-black demonic energy wrapped around Bunny’s body.
‘…Though I cannot fathom why there is such pure white light mixed within it.’
That black mass is undoubtedly of Demon Clan origin.
I have never witnessed such an enormous concentration of demonic energy before. Even the high-ranking Demon Clan Member I once slew did not possess such a colossal mass.
Yet the Young Lady of Yudia’s small frame was nearly completely filled with this black aura.
Occasionally, white luminescence flickered between the shadows, but that was the only peculiarity.
According to Hila, Shalone’s Mother, who had aided him in searching for his sister, a terrifying demon had infiltrated the Yudia Ducal House in childhood and bewitched them all.
It had enchanted everyone with its cute and innocent appearance.
Seeing the true form now, it certainly seemed to be an extraordinarily powerful Demon Clan Member.
“Then you made such a statement despite this? That within the seemingly impregnable Yudia Ducal House, and moreover within the direct bloodline, there exists a Demon Clan Member?”
“I have received divine sight from God. And to me, the Young Lady’s body is filled with black demonic energy that is plainly visible.”
“The Young Lady of Yudia’s summoned beast is the Phoenix. A creature revered as the most sacred of Divine Beasts.”
At the Empress’s words, Michael Lobanov’s eyes widened slightly—apparently he had not known this.
Screeeee!
Suddenly appearing from nowhere, the Phoenix swept around the vast Banquet Hall in a grand circle, its talons gripping the chandelier, before flapping its wings twice.
Soon it descended, shrinking in size, and perched gently upon Bunny’s shoulder, its tail swaying as it fixed its gaze upon Michael Lobanov.
Michael Lobanov froze.
“I shall believe you have orchestrated this spectacle because you possess proof of such nonsense.”
The Empress spoke with a stern expression.
“Indeed. Drinking this liquid should resolve the matter entirely.”
Michael Lobanov withdrew a vial of transparent liquid from within his elongated sleeves and held it forth.
“It is holy water infused with my divine power. It causes no harm to humans, but should a Demon Clan Member drink it, their true form shall be revealed.”
The murmuring in the hall grew louder.
With each word Michael Lobanov spoke, Bunny sensed the malice directed toward Demon Clan Members. He had deliberately brought that holy water to this gathering.
It was highly probable that the Witch—Hila—had subtly tipped him off somewhere along the way.
‘But… will the holy water even affect me?’
Bunny tilted her head, arms crossed.
Until now, she had remained unaffected by most divine power. She had even summoned the Phoenix.
What could possibly go wrong now from drinking holy water?
‘Hmm….’
If I’m not exposed, it’s a perfect score, flawless.
Conversely, if I am exposed, my human life is completely ruined.
As Bunny stood motionless in the crowd, her brow furrowed in contemplation.
“Do you even realize… how disrespectful your words are right now?”
At last, Kiriel Yudia emerged from the crowd and stepped in front of Bunny, speaking.
My eyes widened at the towering figure that loomed before me, broad-shouldered and massive as a mountain.
“Father…?”
At my soft call, Kiriel Yudia reached out and gently stroked my head, then turned to face Michael Lobanov once more.
“Do you understand how many things you are insulting right now?”
A chilling aura swept through the Banquet Hall.
The High Priest Michael Lobanov faltered as divine power flooded the space, nearly overwhelming the entire hall, and his mouth clamped shut. He was genuinely taken aback by such raw, undisguised hostility.
‘…Am I being deceived about everything?’
If even someone with this much divine power could be fooled without detecting the Demon Clan’s aura, just how terrifyingly strong was this demon wearing such a youthful face?
“I am merely suggesting that you may be mistaken. If the Young Lady is confident, surely she could drink this holy water, could she not?”
“Regardless of the truth, do you not comprehend how presumptuous it is for you to demand that a member of the Yudia Family—my daughter, no less—consume it?”
“…However, my divine sight tells me that the Young Lady is indeed of the Demon Clan. Therefore, I believe it necessary to confirm the facts.”
Michael Lobanov did not back down.
Kiriel Yudia met his unwavering gaze in silence, studying him intently before slowly opening his mouth.
The atmosphere in the Banquet Hall had long since turned frigid.
“This child was raised from infancy in the Udiah Duke Family Estate, overflowing with divine power. Do you not realize that what you are saying now insults the entire Yudia Family?”
“I harbor no such intention. I merely suggest that the Demon Clan member in question could be that formidable.”
The murmuring grew louder and louder.
I could easily sense the ominous emotions emanating from all directions.
The moment Michael Lobanov opened his mouth, suspicion had already taken root—a suspicion that would not fade.
‘If I don’t drink it, the doubt will never settle.’
Ordinary divine power means nothing to me.
So the holy water likely won’t pose any real problem either.
With that thought, I smiled softly.

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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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