The Puppet Villainess’s Splendid Rebellion - Chapter 30

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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 30

 

A subtle question crossed the Archmage’s face.

 

“Isn’t the refined stone monopolized by the Imperial Family….”

 

“They won’t be able to do that anymore.”

 

“Oh, how surprising.”

 

He looked at me without even trying to hide his curious expression.

 

His face seemed to be gauging whether the girl before him was truly the Princess.

 

Well, I understood.

 

The Princess who had been called the Imperial Family’s puppet was suddenly saying she’d break their monopoly on refined stones.

 

“…I am indeed Lorea Pryce. I don’t have any ulterior motives either. I simply want to prevent the Imperial Family from monopolizing refined stones any longer.”

 

“They say people change when they’re about to die. Did you catch some fatal disease?”

 

The Archmage tilted his head.

 

‘More precisely, I died and came back to life.’

 

I answered only in my mind.

 

He wouldn’t believe me even if I told him.

 

Soon, the Archmage’s purple eyes, which had been scrutinizing me intently for quite some time, curved into crescents.

 

It was a sly smile.

 

“Hmm. You have no intention of revealing the source of the refined stones?”

 

“No.”

 

I answered firmly and immediately.

 

No one should know the method of making refined stones.

 

It was directly connected to my life.

 

‘Anyway, if I’m determined to hide it, there’s no way to find out.’

 

Since it comes from my body.

 

The Archmage sighed as if disappointed.

 

“The Princess has more secrets than I thought.”

 

“I learned that hiding your cards appropriately is the key to negotiation.”

 

“Wow, negotiation….”

 

The Archmage’s eyes widened.

 

“The Princess?”

 

An exclamation of surprise burst out.

 

His purple eyes scrutinized me persistently. With a bit of exaggeration, it was like he was looking at some fascinating creature.

 

‘…What’s with those eyes.’

 

Seeing my displeased expression, the Archmage chuckled and added.

 

“Then let me change the question. I’m curious why you suddenly made such a decision. Is the reason for your decision also a secret?”

 

“That’s….”

 

I trailed off.

 

‘I suppose I can tell him this much.’

 

Anyway, to gain this man’s cooperation, I needed to clearly explain my situation. This wasn’t something I could hide even if I tried.

 

“…Because I think the Imperial Family shouldn’t monopolize refined stones. I’ll spread as many high-purity refined stones throughout the Empire as possible.”

 

“Did you fight with daddy?”

 

“Excuse me?”

 

At the sudden question, I forgot to answer calmly and made a blank expression.

 

Daddy? Did he just call the Emperor daddy? And before that, asking if I fought?

 

What kind of absurd thing is that to say.

 

On the other hand, the Archmage had quite a serious face.

 

“You said you’re thirteen this year. You’re at the age when puberty hits.”

 

“It’s not like that.”

 

What is this man, really.

 

We were having a serious conversation, and all he asks is whether I fought.

 

He was treating me like a teenager who was trying to act out after fighting with her parents and getting upset.

 

Is this how an over 800-year-old mage looks at a thirteen-year-old?

 

“You shouldn’t take out your anger here just because you’re mad at your parents.”

 

…I take that back.

 

He was treating me not as a teenager, but as a child.

 

My face crumpled.

 

“I am the Princess. My judgment isn’t so poor that I’d make such important decisions impulsively.”

 

I spoke with clear emphasis.

 

“In the first place, would it even make sense to risk my life stepping foot in the Mage’s Land just to throw a tantrum out of spite?”

 

When I deliberately put force into each word, the Archmage’s expression became even more peculiar.

 

He widened his eyes, twitched the corners of his mouth, then burst into light laughter like a bubble popping.

 

“Ah, right. I understand.”

 

Taking the refined stone from my hand, he held it up and examined it in the sunlight from various angles.

 

Red light flickered around the room.

 

“So the puppet is planning to oppose the Imperial Family… What an impressive puppet.”

 

I suddenly thought it was fortunate that this place was the Mage’s Land.

 

If anyone had heard that, they would have dragged me to the Underground Dungeon without question.

 

“You said it wasn’t a deal, so I wondered what you meant, but you’re planning to use me as a chess piece, aren’t you, Princess?”

 

I flinched.

 

My shoulders trembled without me realizing it.

 

The Archmage smiled broadly with a languid expression.

 

“Did I hit too close to home?”

 

My eyes slowly shifted to the side.

 

His words were right.

 

This wasn’t really a deal, but rather me unilaterally borrowing the Archmage’s abilities.

 

All I could give were refined stones, while the Archmage would have to do much more.

 

I mumbled for a moment before quickly adding:

 

“…But it’s not a bad condition for you either, is it, Archmage?”

 

I had to say something.

 

“You’ve never seen refined stones of such high purity before, so this would be interesting research for you. Using this to protect the Mage’s Land and neutralize the Imperial Family would be good for you too, wouldn’t it?”

 

“Hmm.”

 

The Archmage stroked his chin and drew out his words.

 

“Half right, half wrong.”

 

His habitual smile appeared at the corner of his mouth again.

 

“I somewhat agree with the first two things you mentioned, but dealing with the Imperial Family is quite tiresome for me.”

 

He shrugged his shoulders at me as if to show off.

 

“If push comes to shove, I could just leave the continent. Why bother?”

 

I forgot about managing my expression and slightly furrowed my brow.

 

‘Really, this isn’t easy in many ways.’

 

Unlike Hella, who embraced wandering mages with a sense of responsibility, the Archmage was driven by interest alone.

 

He was an eccentric whose thoughts could go in any direction.

 

He managed the vast western lands, but that was exactly all he did. Not bothering to chase away mages who came to the west and just leaving them alone was the maximum kindness he could show.

 

‘That’s why as soon as magic energy spread to the west, he abandoned the land and disappeared without regret.’

 

A sense of defeat washed over me. I hadn’t expected this kind of reaction.

 

‘I thought the red refined stones would be more than enough to capture his interest.’

 

Should I try proposing different conditions?

 

But I didn’t have any other conditions to offer.

 

To begin with, I couldn’t even gauge what might tempt an Archmage who had lived for over 800 years.

 

‘What should I do?’

 

I became anxious.

 

If I failed here, the entire plan would fall apart.

 

Meanwhile, the Archmage was watching my constantly changing expressions quite intently.

 

He looked amused beyond just curious.

 

Finally, the Archmage, who had been alternately looking at the refined stone in his hand and my face, lightly shrugged his shoulders.

 

“Fine.”

 

“Pardon?”

 

I doubted my ears.

 

“It’s troublesome work, but you’re quite interesting. I’ll help you.”

 

“…Really?”

 

My brow, which had been completely furrowed, twisted at a subtle angle.

 

You just said it was troublesome.

 

Why suddenly?

 

“Nothing in the world is as entertaining as betrayal. Especially if it’s an Imperial Family feud.”

 

The Archmage muttered.

 

“This will be really fun.”

 

Imperial Family feuds are fun?

 

That didn’t seem like normal thinking.

 

‘…He really is an eccentric.’

 

I don’t think he was this bad before my regression. Maybe I didn’t notice because I only saw him briefly?

 

It didn’t matter anyway.

 

In the end, he said he would help me.

 

“If that’s the case, you won’t be disappointed.”

 

“Yeah, I hope so.”

 

The Archmage nodded as if agreeing.

 

“Is that all you wanted to talk about?”

 

“For now, yes.”

 

“Then I should go out. Your companion outside has been giving me heated looks since earlier.”

 

The Archmage shuddered and removed the curtain.

 

Demian, who had been biting his nails beyond the wall, suddenly looked up sharply.

 

‘…Was he biting his nails?’

 

Was that his way of worrying too?

 

“Are you finished talking?”

 

I completely wiped away the smile I had been wearing just moments before and lifted my chin up proudly.

 

“Yes, I persuaded him.”

 

However, I couldn’t hide the proud tone in my voice.

 

I couldn’t help it.

 

I had actually succeeded.

 

Demian, who had been observing me as the corners of my mouth twitched, made a strange expression.

 

“…You persuaded someone? Your Highness?”

 

“Is there a problem with that?”

 

“It’s just hard to believe.”

 

These people, really.

 

I know how to persuade people too.

 

Is it really that strange to persuade someone with words rather than threats or coercion?

 

…Well, if it were me before my regression, that would have been the case.

 

Back then, all I did was threaten people using the Emperor’s authority as my backing.

 

But now it’s different.

 

Even seeing me clench my fists tightly, Demian didn’t seem inclined to stop looking at me with curious eyes.

 

The Archmage, who had been watching us from the side, rested his chin on his hand.

 

“You two seem really close.”

 

“We’re not close.”

 

“We are not close.”

 

Demian and I both recoiled simultaneously.

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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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