The Puppet Villainess’s Splendid Rebellion - Chapter 22

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 22

The room was neat as expected. While it wasn’t a luxurious bed stuffed with feathers, there was a single bed that wasn’t hard, made with an appropriate mix of straw and cotton, along with a well-maintained oak wardrobe and a tea table for enjoying tea.

Through the window, I could see the entire view of the dusky village at a glance.

‘Compared to that stinking prison, this is luxurious.’

Right, if it were before my regression I might not know, but having experienced all sorts of humiliation and been locked in the Underground Dungeon, even this was more than enough for me.

I roughly took off just my outer coat, hung it on the chair, and flopped down on the bed.

Around that time, I heard the faint sound of Demian’s footsteps entering the room next door.

Listening carefully to the soft noise, I fell into shallow thoughts.

‘From here to the Mage’s Land without rest, a day and a half…’

It would be nice if I could persuade that person all at once.

Would that be possible.

Suddenly, anxiety washed over me.

Of course, no matter how long it took, I intended to make him my ally.

However, the longer it took, the more it was like handing my weakness over to the Imperial Family.

I gently bit my lips so it wouldn’t hurt, then sat up with a grunt.

“Let’s not worry about it for now.”

After all, everything would happen after we arrived anyway.

Was it because of my shortened legs? Even though it wasn’t a very high bed, I had to jump to reach the floor.

I put the cloak I had hung on the chair back on.

“Now then, shall I accomplish the purpose of coming here.”

Actually, choosing Jeda as a stopover wasn’t simply because of my whim.

While receiving training from Demian for the past ten days, I suddenly had this thought.

If Demian had become a Sword Master faster. Wouldn’t the ending of House of Carter, Duke have been somewhat different.

At least if Demian had the power to protect the family and Carlos. It might not have collapsed so easily.

Being a Sword Master wasn’t just a title proving simple military prowess.

That position itself was power.

How many Sword Masters could there be on the continent. You could count them on your fingers. If such a person existed in House of Carter, Duke, it was natural that even the Emperor couldn’t touch them carelessly.

That’s exactly what happened.

Before my regression, after Demian rose to the position of Sword Master, the Imperial Family’s public pressure definitely decreased. It was because the attention of the people and neighboring countries was focused on House of Carter, Duke.

‘That’s why I stepped forward instead of the Emperor to pressure those two more secretly.’

…Ha.

I really did a lot of bad things.

I shook my head.

Originally, Demian becoming a Sword Master would happen two years from now, just before he became an adult at eighteen.

But that was too late.

I knew what the Emperor could do in two years. I also knew how much more House of Carter, Duke could be ruined in two years.

‘If done well, I can pull it up to one year.’

The youngest Sword Master.

Once that fact was announced, the Emperor wouldn’t be able to pressure them as freely as he does now.

‘I need to use every method I can to help.’

That’s what it meant to have turned back time.

The information I knew, the future I knew, the methods I knew. I had to use them all.

By any means necessary.

That’s why I chose Jeda as a stopover.

There was a way here to accelerate Demian’s awakening.

“Let me check first.”

I fastened my cloak and opened the door.

* * *

Jeda’s night was quiet.

Perhaps because it was a small city, despite being in the city center, there wasn’t a single shop with lights on at nearly 10 PM. Still, perhaps because of its unique tranquility, I thought it felt peaceful rather than eerie.

Getting out of the Inn was easier than expected.

The necklace Carlos gave me had additional elements that hid not only appearance but also presence.

Although Demian was in the next room, there had been no movement since the footsteps I heard when he entered earlier. He probably fell asleep right away from exhaustion, or didn’t notice me leaving.

Either way, it was fortunate.

If I had been caught, there would have been chaos.

‘He would have interrogated me about where I was going.’

Then what should I have answered? That I was going to the Moonlight Trading Post to buy a holy sword? It would have sounded ridiculous.

I couldn’t explain yet.

I’d tell him later when everything was ready.

‘I think it was around here.’

I passed the main street and entered an alley. I looked around while peering about.

Beyond the pitch-black alley, I could see something faintly shimmering.

‘Found it.’

It existed even at this time.

I pulled my cloak down tight in case someone might see me and quickly crossed the alley.

The place where I finally stopped was in front of a small door squeezed between buildings.

A narrow, old wooden door just wide enough for one person to enter.

Light was leaking through it.

After watching it for a moment, I turned the handle and opened it.

Unlike the exterior that looked like it would crumble at the slightest human touch, the handle turned very smoothly and opened.

And.

“…Wow.”

I unconsciously held my breath.

Unlike the narrow entrance, the interior was vast and spacious.

It had clearly been a small door tucked between buildings, but once inside, a space so wide I couldn’t see the end stretched out before me.

Space magic was truly impressive no matter when I saw it.

A warm and cozy energy wrapped around my body comfortably. Golden light spread from hundreds of candles and lamps hanging from the ceiling filled the space.

Bustling crowds and noisy shouts echoed from all directions.

“Magic potions! High mana resistance so you can use them even near the Capital!”

“Artifacts that can hold lots of mana for just 3 gold!”

“Hey there, young man, don’t you need this subspace pouch? This one thing can move an entire Mansion!”

“I’ll give you a good deal. 1 gold discount!”

Moonlight Trading Post.

This was a massive market where Mages who couldn’t reach the Mage’s Land gathered to buy and sell goods and make their living.

Especially the refinement stones that traded for high prices outside could be obtained relatively cheaply here.

Because its existence was thoroughly hidden from outsiders, no one could pinpoint its exact location, but passages that only Mages could perceive existed throughout the continent.

And Jeda was the only region among the western cities that possessed an entrance leading to this place.

Normally, as someone who wasn’t a mage, I shouldn’t have been able to find this entrance.

But right now I was in a state where my entire body was wrapped in mana thanks to the artifact Carlos had given me. Thanks to that, entry had become possible.

‘This was also a loophole I accidentally discovered during my days as Loreia.’

…Back then I had set out to crack down on the Moonlight Trading Post under the Emperor’s orders.

I had closed entrances throughout the Empire and confiscated all the refinement stones.

It was a time when I would do anything to receive my father’s favor.

A bitter smile emerged.

I had been such a fool back then.

I shook my head.

Now wasn’t the time to regret the past.

I removed the hood that had been covering half my face and quickly crossed through the market.

Fortunately, no one paid attention to a small, ordinary brown-haired girl. Everyone was busy with their own business.

After passing through the ant-hill-like market passages, I entered a deserted alley.

A man with a massive build blocked my path.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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