The Puppet Villainess’s Splendid Rebellion - Chapter 73

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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 73

I couldn’t find words to respond for a moment.

I wondered if I had misheard.

The Carlos I knew wasn’t the type of person to ask me such things. He would have scoffed at my desperate stories.

‘What is this situation?’

While I stood there dumbfounded, unable to understand the situation, Carlos added in a calm tone.

“Would it be good to allow the Count’s visit?”

“Uh…”

I rolled my eyes, fumbling in the sudden situation.

Even during this, Carlos waited for me quietly without showing any sign of impatience.

“Uh, so…”

After repeatedly clenching and unclenching my hands several times, I nodded.

“Yes, if it’s Harper Count, that would be good.”

“The reason?”

“…Harper Count cherishes his wife and daughter. Both have mage bloodlines and are suffering because of mana. He must be anxious since the Imperial purification stone distribution is decreasing.”

And Harper Countess had just visited the Duke’s Mansion, experiencing the thin mana firsthand and even confirming the Duke’s complexion. As Harper Count, he would want to know the reason as soon as possible.

“Since we happen to hold some cards, I think it would be fine to let a little slip. We’re giving hope.”

Carlos tapped his chin.

“It seems there’s been progress in the Archmage’s purification stone research.”

“Yes, that’s…”

I trailed off and glanced at Sion for a moment.

Come to think of it, since Carlos and Sion’s first meeting, we hadn’t shared anything about purification stone matters with him.

Carlos hadn’t bothered to ask either.

‘It was probably indifference, telling me to handle it myself.’

Since the guardianship registration was complete and we were now in an inseparable relationship with the House of the Duke, I thought it was time to share our progress.

‘The purification stone should become the Duke’s weapon, not mine.’

Having finished my internal calculations, I took a deep breath and spoke.

“This story might be quite long. Do you both have time?”

* * *

“This is a prototype Sion gave me.”

In Carlos’s study.

Sion and I sat side by side on the sofa, while Carlos sat across from us with an indifferent expression, chin propped up as he looked between us.

With trembling hands, I placed a crimson mineral on the table.

“…It’s a purification stone.”

“Yes. He said it’s not yet at the level to purify mana in earnest, but it has exactly the same components as the high-purity purification stone I gave you, Your Grace.”

After saying that much, I glanced at Sion seeking agreement.

“Yeah, Lorea’s right. I made it by reverse-tracking the components of the purification stone Lorea gave me. You should be able to feel it too, Your Grace.”

Sion supported my words from beside me and gestured with his chin.

It seemed he meant for Carlos to hold it.

Carlos, who had been looking back and forth between us two who worked so well together, picked up the purification stone from the table.

Soon his brow furrowed.

“…Certainly, the power is weak but the purity seems high.”

“Because it’s not mixed with any other additives.”

Unlike the purification stones distributed by the Imperial Family, this was made of pure components identical to my blood. When it becomes a finished product rather than a prototype, the difference will be even more clearly felt.

Carlos examined my proud expression and put the purification stone back down.

“Was this the reason you risked your life to find the Mage Tower?”

“Yes. I’m going to supply purification stones throughout the entire Empire.”

A brief silence fell at my declaration-like words.

“Throughout the entire Empire…”

“Yes, the important thing is that it’s a purification stone with much higher purity and lower cost than what the Imperial Family has.”

“…I wondered what you were plotting, even bringing in the Archmage.”

Carlos muttered lowly.

“You must know how severe the Empire’s mana situation is, how many people suffer from mana. Can you handle that many purification stones?”

“Yes, I know the Empire’s situation better than anyone. That’s why I can say this.”

Because I was the one who played around with those purification stones before my regression.

Carlos, who had been lost in thought for a moment, turned his gaze to Sion. His expression seemed to ask about feasibility.

“Lorea’s right. It’s possible.”

Sion shrugged his shoulders.

“It’ll take about a month to make purification stones completely identical to what Lorea gave me. Hmm, it’ll be a bit lacking at first, but once the processing becomes stable, I can make a lot.”

“What’s your standard for ‘a lot’?”

“As much as Lorea wants.”

Saying that, Sion boldly leaned his head against my shoulder. Carlos’s eyes narrowed for a moment, but that was all.

“…I’ve heard your grand plan well. I acknowledge you’ve put a lot of thought into it. However.”

Carlos rattled the purification stone in his hand with a dry expression.

“How do you plan to announce this, and how will you distribute it? How many citizens of the Empire would readily believe that the ‘Princess’ created purification stones to counter the ‘Imperial Family’?”

Right.

I wondered why this topic hadn’t come up.

I was a ward of the House of the Duke, but at the same time, I was a princess.

No matter how much my affiliation had changed on paper, my status hadn’t changed.

From the perspective of the Empire’s citizens who were already frantically buying the Imperial Family’s purification stones, there was no reason to take the risk of purchasing stones made by the ‘Princess’.

After all, purification stones newly created by a princess who was once favored by the Emperor.

The credibility would be completely shot from the start.

But the important thing is.

“These purification stones will enter the market under the name of House of Carter, Duke.”

This time, I wouldn’t be the one stepping forward.

Carlos furrowed his brow.

“…What do you mean by that?”

His reaction showed he was astounded by my behavior of making such an announcement without even asking the head of the house’s opinion.

But this had been the most important part from the beginning.

“These purification stones will become the House of the Duke’s weapon. I told you, didn’t I? I want you all to live very well.”

“….”

“To live like human beings, you shouldn’t prostrate yourselves flat under the Emperor’s feet, but create a sword to stab the Emperor. Is there a better method than this?”

Carlos gave no answer to my question.

Instead, he just stared at me quietly for a long time.

“…Yes, you’re right, Princess.”

Finally, a cool affirmation flowed from his lips.

It would already be surprising enough for purification stones that had been secretly monopolized only by the Imperial Family to be released to the market, but if the source was none other than House of Carter, Duke.

There would be no event that could shake the Empire more than that.

At the same time, it was also a way to expand power very quickly.

However, for that to happen, this fact needed to be known to the outside world first.

It was an extension of my hosting tea parties with the young ladies.

“Harper Count is frivolous. Apart from loving his wife and daughter dearly, he’s an opportunist. You can tell just from how he was the first to request a visit after not showing his face once all this time.”

“You want to use that frivolousness.”

“Exactly.”

I was certain that in less than two weeks, rumors would spread very widely throughout the surrounding domains.

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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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