The Villain Who Will Kill Me Is Too Handsome, It's Troublesome - Chapter 17

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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 17.
“Good day, worshipper?”
Artiella approached the suspicious duke with the immaculate bearing of a seasoned paladin. Behind her, Kirien had retreated into shadow cast by the trees.
“I am Artiella Soltis, Commander of the Holy Paladin Order. You seem to have lost your way—might I be of service?”
As Artiella drew closer, the imperial trash crouched down and began trembling visibly.
I am the guilty one!
Was this some new confessional method?
“Ah, no—I don’t need this. Leave.”
The owner of the Holy Sword knew well that the more you told someone to leave, the more they would cling—it was a peculiar virtue of the blade.
“This is the path to the sacred grove. We cannot permit outside pilgrims to pass at this hour, I’m afraid.”
“I know.”
The duke’s trembling intensified. He looked like a sardine hauled from the net and left gasping on the dock.
This was a common symptom when the guilty encountered the Holy Sword.
“Shall I summon a priest for you? Where are you lodging? I’ll escort you there personally.”
“I don’t need it!”
“Those without proper permission must leave Edelion at once.”
“What?”
“You were given instructions at the Temple entrance, weren’t you? It seems you didn’t enter through the main gate.”
Artiella explained with brisk, businesslike precision.
Duke Uphailer’s eyes darted left and right. Predictable. The man had likely invoked his imperial authority to dismiss his attendants’ explanations and forced his way into the royal quarters like the aristocrat he was.
And today, by imperial decree, he was supposed to vacate those very rooms.
‘He didn’t come to pray, that much is certain. And he certainly didn’t come for confession.’
She couldn’t fathom his purpose here—nor why he’d chosen to hide in the noble quarters when the emperor himself had ordered him out.
True, the royal and aristocratic quarters were grander than those of common pilgrims, but they were still temple lodgings. Nothing remotely as comfortable as his own mansion.
Suspicious. Very suspicious indeed.
Though he was no Holy Trial Subject, she felt the urge to employ Bardo and read his soul directly.
And then—
“Nngh.”
Duke Uphailer trembled violently, his eyes flickering toward something behind him—casting a glance away even as he cowered before the Holy Sword herself?
“Why is that one here again?”
Forgetting Artiella stood before him, Uphailer snapped at his retainers. His guards immediately shifted, screening him from view.
“Who are you referring to?”
Artiella pressed forward undeterred, dropping to one knee and meeting his eyes with a courtesy that felt almost solicitous.
“There, the one who is—no, I mean, that’s not—”
The duke began to speak, caught himself mid-sentence, and fell silent. But she had already understood whom he meant.
The man did have quite the reputation for depravity, indiscriminate in his victims.
‘So there’s another victim here.’
Though the victim was surely Kirien—he’d approached the duke and earned himself a trauma. His own karma.
‘I’ll have to pry into this thoroughly.’
If even one grave sin came to light, she’d have no choice but to invoke a Holy Trial.
Artiella’s gaze grew cold.
Uphailer felt it, and he began backing away in his crouch.
“Your Grace, we’ve found you lodging!”
Just then, one of the burly retainers she’d sent ahead returned.
“Never mind. I’m going home.”
“But sir—you said the temple was the safest place, that the darkest spot is under the lamp—”
“Shut your mouth! Not another word!”
Uphailer glanced nervously at Kirien, who stood at a distance, then withdrew quickly without acknowledging Artiella.
“You bastard! You said the temple was safest!”
“That was what Your Grace said first, sir—”
“This is driving me mad. Why does he keep showing up in front of me?”
“How would we recognize an assassin, sir?”
“That sanctimonious bastard would seduce assassins and send them after me, you idiot. Just hire more guards!”
The school of sardines departed the way they’d come, unaware that Artiella was listening through her Aura.
Silent all the while, Artiella now pursed her lips and released a low whistle, birdlike and clear.
“Yes, Commander!”
Freal appeared at once, leading several paladins with him.
“When did Duke Uphailer arrive at the royal quarters?”
“He forced his way in yesterday around noon, or so I’m told.”
The timing felt curiously deliberate.
“You didn’t confess to a priest or pray, obviously? You never even called for one to treat your wounds.”
“No. I simply went to the royal quarters and stayed in seclusion.”
Artiella’s eyes narrowed.
“Go home. If you run into bandits at this late hour, it would be troublesome. I’ll arrange a secret escort for you—close by, but unknown to you.”
“Yes. How long should we escort you, ma’am?”
“Until we find the stench. And while you’re at it, find out which royal was involved in that Illegal Slave Auction.”
Without even looking, she could guess they were all in the same boat.
Freal nodded solemnly, as if he understood perfectly.
“Yes, Captain!”
“I trust only you.”
“Yes, ma’am! We won’t let you down!”
What was with that sudden formality?
They all seemed brimming with purpose.
* * *
Kirien and Artiella returned to the quarters. All the way back, before meeting with Uphailer, Kirien had been quiet—no longer peppering her with curious questions as he usually did.
He seemed in low spirits.
“That nobleman from earlier, ma’am.”
Apparently it had been awful.
“The one called Grand Duke Uphailer?”
“Was he royal?”
“Yes. He’s the Emperor’s cousin, they say. Though they call him the imperial trash, I’m told.”
At Artiella’s addition, Kirien’s brow furrowed.
“I most certainly do not know that person.”
Artiella’s eyes widened at the sudden confession.
“It seemed like he was pretending to know me. I thought I should mention it.”
His evasion was painfully obvious.
“I thought so too. Don’t worry about it.”
Artiella answered with kindness. At that, Kirien seemed to relax, exhaling softly—barely audible.
Then he added shyly:
“The evening walk was truly… enjoyable.”
It wasn’t a walk—it was a patrol.
“For me too. Walking alone is dull, but with you, it’s pleasant. I’m glad we went together.”
“Would it be permissible to do so again tomorrow?”
He asked carefully.
It was hardly a difficult request.
“Of course.”
Artiella consented readily. She would do anything he asked of her.
“I’ll retire now.”
“Yes. See you in the morning. Sleep well.”
It was an unremarkable parting.
Yet Kirien’s gaze deepened.
“I hope that will be the case.”
Kirien bowed politely and returned to his chamber.
How much time had passed? The world grew quiet, as if everyone had fallen asleep.
As Artiella was finishing the remaining documents, she heard an odd sound.
“Second floor?”
Artiella turned her head toward the noise. From that direction came a mournful cry.
“Your Grace?”
Artiella quietly climbed to the second floor. The crying became clearer.
“Sob… don’t… leave me. Please.”
“A nightmare?”
There shouldn’t be anyone else in the room. No light seeped beneath the door either.
Artiella approached the door and, drawing her Aura up to its fullest, sensed what lay inside.
“Please. I’d rather… die.”
Ah.
A terrible dream. How many nights had passed where the sanctuary that should have been most peaceful was instead filled with suffocating memories of the past?
Now she understood why Kirien couldn’t sleep.
Artiella knew it well herself.
It was after she became the holder of the Holy Sword, back when she couldn’t yet wield it properly.
The souls of people would randomly overlap above their bodies, visible to her sight.
A friend’s mouth, which had been praising how splendid the knight’s uniform looked, was tearing apart in real time. There was a priest she’d believed sincere, but his face was nothing but hypocrisy, with blisters multiplying across it each day. She had to witness the horrifying heart of a murderer who sought a Holy Trial to kill his accomplice.
After learning the darkness beneath human faces, she could endure the day through a sense of duty, but the nights were consumed by nightmares.
The way to escape the dreams was simple. She only had to do what Yusiel had done for her.
“It’s all right to give up, Artiella. You matter to me far more than Edelion ever could.”
That miraculous whisper had driven back the darkness and found the light for her. So it would be enough if such a person stayed by Kirien’s side, but…
“Is Bailey already asleep?”
She glanced at the kindly maid’s quarters. From within came only the quiet rhythm of peaceful breathing.
As expected, Bleo had already fallen into deep sleep. The breathing sounds drifting up from the first floor were wonderfully steady and calm.
‘Useless brother, indeed!’
“What do I do?”
“Ugh.”
Suddenly, she heard gasping. Something thrashed about, struggling to break free, and the dull crashing sound of heels kicking against the bed followed.
An intruder? Artiella shoved the door open without hesitation.
What she found was—
“Your Grace!”
A man strangling himself.

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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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