The Teacher of Budding Villains Suffers Today, Too - Chapter 113

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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 113
‘What on earth is happening?’
Rachel exhaled slowly. No matter how she turned it over in her mind, there was nothing she could do. That helplessness gnawed at her.
And worse still.
“My? Is that really true?!”
“Yes, so I’m told.”
Watching Katie converse with the maidservant left Rachel utterly frustrated—she couldn’t make out a word of it.
“You.”
Katie turned her head toward Rachel. Rachel’s eyes snapped to her reflexively.
“Aren’t you curious what’s happening right now?”
Katie dangled the bait, knowing it would hook her.
‘Of course I’m curious!’
Curious enough that her throat burned with it. But Rachel couldn’t let it show. The moment she did, she’d hand Katie a weapon to use against her.
“Your Highness Lucas has appeared in Rain Central Square? He’s revealed himself, and now everyone’s gathered there.”
“What…?!”
Rachel gasped at Katie’s words.
Lucas—of all people—had come here. And he’d exposed himself? Rachel couldn’t fathom what he was thinking.
‘What madness is this?’
Her face fell. But before she could dwell on it, Katie’s bright laughter yanked her back to composure.
“I’m going to have a look. Of course, you can’t come.”
Katie said it with taunting satisfaction, then strode out of the Reception Hall with supreme confidence.
‘This is unbearable.’
Rachel felt suffocated by frustration. Lucas was clearly in danger—and by his own choice.
‘There’s nothing I can do.’
He must have come to rescue her. If only she could take even one step forward for him as well. But circumstances wouldn’t allow it.
Rachel bit her lip hard. If only these shackles binding her limbs would come off, she felt she could do something—anything.
Knowing it was futile, she still twisted her arms this way and that. They didn’t budge an inch.
Ugh.
As she strained against her chains, a strange sound echoed from beyond the Reception Hall.
‘What was that?!’
Rachel’s ears pricked up at the noise. Not long after, the door creaked open—and a familiar figure stepped through.
“H-Henry…!”
Rachel’s eyes widened as she called out to him. Henry broke into a bright smile and approached her.
“Miss, I’ll have you free in a moment.”
Henry unlocked the shackles that bound her wrists and ankles.
“How did you find this place…?”
“We can talk later. For now, put this on over your clothes.”
He handed her a Maidservant Outfit. Rachel nodded urgently and changed into it as instructed. She noticed Henry himself was dressed in Attendant Attire.
“Henry, have you heard the news?”
“What news, miss?”
“His Highness Lucas has revealed himself in the square. What should we do?”
Rachel’s eyes grew moist. If they were captured here, it would truly be the end. Surely he knew that—so why had he exposed himself?
“Miss.”
Henry spoke up.
“I don’t believe His Highness the Crown Prince revealed himself without careful consideration.”
“…Henry.”
“I’m certain there’s a deeper purpose to it. So please, don’t worry too much.”
Henry patted her back reassuringly, then gestured for her to hurry out as he slipped from the Reception Hall.
This was their moment of escape.
* * *
The Emperor of Anareо was deeply unsettled as he made his way to the square. For one reason alone.
‘Lucas Maksim… I always thought he was audacious enough.’
Lucas Maksim’s provocation. That it had succeeded in rattling him was infuriating.
Yet with public sentiment at its lowest ebb, he couldn’t simply send knights and mages. Not when Lucas Maksim had specifically summoned him to appear.
‘I’ve brought every elite knight and mage in the palace with me.’
In case some calamity arose, he’d brought all the high-ranking knights and mages within the fortress. There was nothing more precious than his own life, after all.
As the square came into view, the Emperor’s brow tightened. He maintained an air of perfect composure as he gazed upon the gathered commoners.
“Lucas Maksim!”
The Emperor called out. Lucas, standing with sword in hand, fixed him with a piercing stare.
“I heard you summoned me!”
Though he spoke with bravado, the Emperor of Anareо was deeply uneasy about what Lucas might do. According to intelligence his spies had gathered, Lucas Maxim could manipulate mana—and do so with considerable skill.
“I’ve come to take Rachel Swan.”
Lucas replied flatly. At this, the Emperor’s grip tightened on the reins, and his voice rose.
“You dare make such a demand appearing here alone?! Your mind must be thoroughly addled.”
“Is that so?”
A smile played at Lucas’s lips.
“It seems you’ve mobilized every soldier in the Imperial Palace just to meet me.”
“…Hmm.”
“I wonder how the Crown Prince of Anareо is faring.”
At the mention of the Crown Prince, the Emperor’s expression froze.
…Where exactly was the Crown Prince right now?!
‘Surely not….’
Surely he hadn’t gathered his elite forces at the square only to lay hands on the Crown Prince.
“Check on the Crown Prince’s safety at once!”
The Emperor of Anareо shouted loudly.
“Your Majesty!”
A soldier mounted on a chestnut horse came galloping from the direction of the Imperial Palace.
“Disaster, sire! The sorcerers and knights of Tirnes have abducted His Highness the Crown Prince…!”
The Emperor’s mouth fell open despite himself, and a hollow laugh escaped him.
Of course. Lucas Maxim. You wouldn’t have revealed yourself so readily otherwise.
“Lucas Maxim.”
The Emperor of Anareо continued, his hands trembling visibly.
“If you return the Crown Prince unharmed, I will send Rachel Swan to you.”
The Emperor laid out his terms.
“I see. But that’s a negotiation with no meaning for me.”
“What…?”
“Rachel Swan has likely already escaped the castle by now.”
Lucas knew Henry Chesper well. No matter how much he encouraged the knights to work together, he would go to rescue Rachel.
That’s why Lucas had factored Henry’s departure into his calculations. By now, he and Rachel would have fled the castle.
“My counter-proposal is this.”
Lucas spoke slowly, his face bearing a smile of victory.
* * *
“Henry, thank you so much.”
Rachel thanked Henry repeatedly, her eyes fixed on Rain Castle visible in the distance.
“I wonder if Lucas managed to escape safely.”
“He’s an extraordinary person, so I’m sure he did.”
Henry reassured Rachel, though he too stared intently at Rain Castle.
“Look.”
Far away, a thin plume of dust rose into the air—surely kicked up by riders approaching on horseback.
“Could it be Lucas?”
“Let us hope so.”
The knights and mages clasped their hands in prayer that the distant figure was Lucas Maxim.
The horse drew rapidly closer, and Rachel could now make out who it was. It was Lucas Maxim.
“Lucas!”
Rachel cried out loudly and rushed toward the horse.
“Rachel!”
The moment Lucas slowed his pace and dismounted, he immediately pulled Rachel into his arms.
“Lucas….”
“Rachel, are you hurt?!”
“No, I’m fine.”
Rachel answered with a bright smile. Though she’d been imprisoned and bound, she had no serious injuries.
“Thank goodness.”
“Are you all right, Lucas?”
Rachel asked him. A gentle smile curved Lucas’s lips.
“Of course.”
“I was so startled when I heard you’d appeared in the square.”
It had been a breathtaking game of psychological warfare, and Lucas had won. Rachel found herself thinking anew how extraordinary he truly was.
“Thank you so much for rescuing me. I don’t know how to repay such kindness.”
Still cradled in Lucas’s embrace, Rachel offered her gratitude. It was Lucas, after all, who had bought her and Henry the time to escape.
“Your Highness. I apologize sincerely for disobeying your orders.”
Henry bowed his head in apology.
“It was part of the plan, so don’t worry.”
“I… see?”
“Now that the negotiation is finished, all that’s left is to return.”
Let’s go back.
Lucas pressed his lips to Rachel’s forehead as he spoke.

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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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