The Puppet Villainess’s Splendid Rebellion - Chapter 49

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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 49

 

I flinched, my shoulders trembling.

 

When I reflexively turned around…

 

“You were startled.”

 

“Aren’t you a bit too timid?”

 

Fortunately, the source of the presence was Sion.

 

A faint light was shimmering from the direction he had emerged, as if he had used spatial movement magic.

 

Soon, Sion appeared through the thicket, examined Carlos’s condition, and sighed.

 

“You overdid it.”

 

“Was there another way? I thought you left the escape to me.”

 

“I didn’t know you’d come this far.”

 

Had we really come that far?

 

Come to think of it, there was no village in sight, not even a path crossing through the forest. Though I couldn’t be sure, we were definitely deep in the forest.

 

Then Sion, who had easily summoned the carriage we had left behind, approached Carlos.

 

“You’re more reckless than I thought?”

 

“I don’t want to hear unnecessary words.”

 

“So prickly…”

 

Sion muttered, drooping his eyebrows.

 

“Well, anyway, since we’ve come far, they won’t be able to pursue immediately. Though there won’t be no aftermath after provoking them that much.”

 

“It doesn’t matter.”

 

“Right, well… We just need to register the guardianship before that. Right?”

 

Despite Carlos’s prickly attitude, Sion seemed unaffected and smiled cheerfully before flicking his finger toward him.

 

Then a faint light enveloped Carlos. It seemed like stronger magic than what I had seen in the carriage earlier. The light appeared to seep into his skin.

 

“This will last a bit longer.”

 

At the same time, I could see Carlos’s breathing gradually stabilizing.

 

“…Um, thank you.”

 

I spoke up, having quietly watched the two of them all along.

 

Though the situation had flowed so chaotically that I couldn’t fully grasp what had happened, it was certain that these two had protected me.

 

Their gazes focused on me.

 

“I felt like I should say thanks.”

 

At my hastily added words, Carlos turned his head away without much reaction, while Sion looked at me and smiled broadly.

 

“Yeah, you’re good.”

 

By now, I was getting used to his strangely off-point responses.

 

A subtle silence fell for a moment.

 

“Um…”

 

“I need to leave here.”

 

I stopped trying to speak at the sudden words.

 

“Right now?”

 

Here, like this?

 

I tried not to show my confusion, but I couldn’t help the tremor in my voice.

 

Though we had barely managed to shake off the Imperial Forces, Carlos’s condition wasn’t good, and we didn’t even know how far we were from the Temple.

 

However, Sion’s reaction was calm.

 

“Yeah, if I stay with you longer, it’ll just get more complicated.”

 

Sion shrugged his shoulders.

 

“Those guys saw me. If the Imperial Forces find out my identity too, it’ll become troublesome. If the Mage Tower gets involved, things will get bigger.”

 

“Ah…”

 

He was right.

 

If it became known that the Archmage was siding with the Grand Duke, the Emperor wouldn’t stay still either. It would become politically complicated.

 

“We’re getting close to the Temple anyway. More importantly, I made a promise to Hella. If I don’t go, I’ll get a huge lecture.”

 

Sion said while stretching.

 

Whether he was trying to reassure me or just expressing his honest feelings, his expression was nonchalant.

 

“Nothing will happen. It’s quick to the Temple too.”

 

“…Are we that close to the Temple?”

 

“About half the original remaining distance?”

 

…Just how far had Carlos traveled?

 

Only then could I understand the two’s cryptic conversation.

 

‘He really did overdo it.’

 

My gaze quietly fell on Carlos.

 

“Unnecessary words.”

 

“I haven’t said anything yet.”

 

“It’s what you seem about to say.”

 

He’s blocking it at the source.

 

I withdrew my lingering gaze and spoke to Sion.

 

“…Then, take care.”

 

“Yeah, you too, Lorea.”

 

Sion lightly ruffled my hair and let out a small “ah” of realization.

 

His mysterious violet eyes looked straight at me.

 

“Right. Lorea.”

 

“Yes?”

 

“Don’t die.”

 

…Don’t die?

 

Isn’t that too sudden a farewell?

 

Whether he knew of my bewildered reaction or not, Sion smiled blankly and added.

 

“It would get boring. You’re the most interesting thing these days.”

 

“What?”

 

“I hope you don’t die and don’t get hurt.”

 

“What do you mean by…”

 

…Could this possibly be worry?

 

Who expresses concern like this?

 

I was so dumbfounded I couldn’t speak.

 

This time Sion’s gaze turned toward Carlos.

 

“Grand Duke. It won’t be fun if you lose her.”

 

Carlos’s brow furrowed.

 

“Nonsense.”

 

“Yeah, I hope it was nonsense.”

 

Sion, who readily agreed, took a step back.

 

“Well then, I’m going. Call me if anything interesting happens.”

 

That was the last of it.

 

And Sion disappeared without a trace. Like the wind.

 

Only Carlos and I remained.

 

The forest was quiet. Only the sound of wind could be heard. The distant cry of birds.

 

With Sion gone, the world suddenly seemed to have become quiet.

 

“Let’s go.”

 

Carlos took the lead and climbed into the carriage. I could see him trying not to stagger.

 

It seemed his breathing hadn’t completely returned to normal yet. His face was also pale.

 

“Grand Duke, let’s rest a bit…”

 

“There’s no time.”

 

He cut me off sharply.

 

“The Imperial Forces will soon pursue us. Since they failed in the village, they might use force this time.”

 

He was right.

 

‘But… looking at your face doesn’t put me at ease.’

 

There were many things I wanted to say, but nothing I could say.

 

“…Yes.”

 

In the end, after moving my lips for a while, I swallowed all my words and nodded.

 

He looked down at me as if asking why I wasn’t getting in the carriage quickly.

 

Reluctantly climbing into the carriage, the horse slowly began to pick up speed. Outside the window, ominous and unfamiliar scenery slowly passed by.

 

* * *

 

We rode for exactly two days after that.

 

Fortunately, the Imperial Forces didn’t pursue us. Whether the commotion in the village had been effective, or they were preparing other measures.

 

If not that, they might have truly failed to catch up with us.

 

The problem was Carlos.

 

The closer we got to the Eastern Region, the thicker the demonic energy became. It was suffocating to even breathe. For me it was just uncomfortable, but Carlos was different. Sweat beaded on his forehead, and his breathing became rough.

 

Still, the fact that he didn’t collapse was thanks to the protective magic Sion had cast. A faintly glowing aura surrounded Carlos.

 

‘I’m glad it’s holding up.’

 

I thought this to myself countless times.

 

Then on the third day, when the sun was high in the sky.

 

Finally, the Temple came into view.

 

A massive white building stood on a hill. Spires pierced the sky, and the divine crest was carved into the main gate.

 

It was magnificent and looked sacred.

 

‘…We’ve made it this far.’

 

I felt my tension suddenly release.

 

‘Of course, there’s still much to do.’

 

After briefly looking up at the pure white Temple of the gods, I clenched both fists tightly and took a step inside.

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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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