The Villain Who Will Kill Me Is Too Handsome, It's Troublesome - Chapter 19

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

Chapter 19.
* * *
Day three at the Temple.
The spring sunlight felt unusually harsh on Bleo’s skin today.
“Huff, huff, huff — brother, did you finish all ten laps?”
Sweat poured from Bleo like rain as he bent over in the corner of the Training Ground.
Gasping for breath, he leaned against Kirien, who had just arrived beside him, using him like a walking stick.
“The Duke ran five more laps than you, and you’re barely crawling. Why don’t you finish yours?”
At his sister’s sharp rebuke, Bleo clung to Kirien with a pitiful expression.
“When did you get so bitter?”
Because my Holy Power is gone.
When Artiela glared at him askew, Bleo’s complaints ricocheted toward Kirien instead.
“Your Grace, I heard you barely left the house, yet your stamina is extraordinary. How is that possible?”
“Well? Perhaps it’s the foundational fitness I built during my childhood, fleeing from the orphanage director whenever he came at me with a switch?”
“But—why would you say that with such a cheerful face? Now I can’t even argue back.”
“You talk too much. Shall we run again?”
“W-wait, let me drink some water first.”
Bleo grabbed the Leather Water Pouch beside Artiela. He was about to drink deeply when it was snatched from his lips after just one sip.
“Drinking too much water makes your side cramp and keeps you from running. Wait until you’ve finished, then drink it with salt.”
Bleo’s back was pushed again.
“You’re getting revenge on me for something, aren’t you?”
Artiela’s eyes looked toward the distant hills. But she didn’t deny it.
“Honestly, why doesn’t the world know that the Holy Sword’s wielder has a terrible personality?”
“Because tattling is the greater sin, brother.”
“That’s not tattling — you went and reported everything!”
You even told Father, making him and Mother come find you. Now Yusiel has to recite the Holy Knight Ethics Code every night because of you!
“Did you ask the Duke’s permission before going in?”
“No! I did it all with my own Holy Power— ugh, seriously!”
Kirien stood there with his serene face and flushed cheeks, and Bleo couldn’t bring himself to speak of what had happened that night. If Kirien learned that he’d harmed himself to the point of strangling his own throat, the light would never shine on his face again.
Yusiel hadn’t believed it from the start.
“It was a dream. Holy Power isn’t single-use.”
Artiela too had been confused about whether she’d dreamed it, so she’d snuck in again at night to examine the Duke’s body.
The wounds that had been on him were definitely healed and gone.
So that night, the powerful Holy Power had existed.
‘She must have borrowed it from God temporarily.’
Though what had been mouse-sized had grown to hamster-size at least. And Kirien seemed to have stopped having nightmares.
It was all her doing.
Standing at the boundary between regret and satisfaction, Artiela glanced at Bleo.
“Have you finished writing the report for His Imperial Majesty?”
“…I didn’t write your part in it.”
“Thank you. Now please complete the remaining laps.”
Artiela waved her hand.
At that very moment, the Holy Knights who’d been running the Training Ground turned the corner and rushed toward Bleo. They jogged in place and spoke to him cheerfully.
“Please allow us to accompany you, Young Count.”
“No, no — I can walk, or rather, run on my own.”
“Oh, but you’re our commander’s only brother. We must escort you properly and make sure you can finish running even if your legs give out.”
“Isn’t that just being dragged along?”
“Surely not.”
The Holy Knights took positions on either side of Bleo, linked their arms through his, and began running again, pulling him along.
Bleo had no choice but to pump his legs frantically to avoid being dragged. Yet why was he grinning and waving as he passed the entrance to the Training Ground?
“My, even soaked in sweat, Solti never loses his smile.”
“The Lufel Duke seemed to give off fragrance even in sweat. When he passed by me earlier, the scent was just—!”
“Truly, a duchess would be better than the Empress…”
Artiela shook her head at the noble ladies giggling away.
Bailey had called her courageous, but weren’t those young ladies over there the truly brave ones?
After the first day, she’d tried to time meals to avoid crowds, even putting a Veil on Kirien because his appearance was so striking. It hadn’t helped.
There was always some commotion because of it.
It certainly hadn’t helped that word spread of the Holy Knight Order’s dormitory being damaged by Kirien’s visit. One could hardly blame them for being cautious.
“Oh my, did you see him wiping off his sweat just now?”
“How can anyone be so divine? I’m completely bewitched.”
Thanks to the petition, the rumors about the Duke had quieted somewhat. And yet his followers grew by the day.
Among them were members of the Holy Knight Order.
“My, Duke, have you no thought of formally joining the Holy Knight Order? By any measure, you’re a natural-born knight.”
“Ha, no. I can only sense Aura so far. I have no Holy Power, and I’m afraid I lack the talent for it.”
“What a shame. Ah, the dormitory renovation finished beautifully. Thanks to your generous repair budget, we were able to replace all the beds.”
“We’ve also received all the short swords sent from the Duke’s house. They’re of excellent quality.”
The men’s satisfaction, truth be told, sprang from the Lufel Duchy’s deep coffers.
“It’s fortunate the work finished quickly.”
“That’s all thanks to the priests’ Holy Power.”
“I ought to repay them further.”
Word had it he’d already bulk-ordered new priest robes for them. He’d made donations too, and replaced Edelion’s everyday provisions with the finest grade.
Even when told it wasn’t necessary, Kirien had done so gladly.
Perhaps he’d discovered for the first time what joy spending money could bring. It seemed to have a salutary effect on the soul, so no one thought to stop him.
“While we wait for Solitis, shall we practice Wooden Sword Training together? Today I’ll teach you the Side Strike.”
“I’ll help correct your stance.”
The knights’ affability proved far more useful than Bleo, who grew more weary by the day.
This pleased her.
In a mere three days, the Duke’s complexion had visibly improved. Color had returned to skin that had always been pallid, and his face held a radiance that required no Aura. His sleep had deepened as well.
“Mother, look there. Solitis has taken his shirt off.”
At that, the young ladies began to murmur.
‘Goodness, that’s not a sight for them.’
Artiela pitied the young ladies. Yet they seemed delighted at what they’d glimpsed.
There were even sounds of regret.
“The Duke is bundled up so tightly. And he’s sweating quite heavily.”
Kirien’s clothes maintained their neat form regardless. His collar stood high, and he never rolled up his sleeves.
When she’d asked Bailey about it, he’d said it was simply preference and habit.
‘If it’s a habit that ingrained, how long has he been doing this to himself?’
Never again should scars of despair mar that smooth, beautiful skin. A body too precious to even touch carelessly.
Artiela resolved this inwardly as she watched Kirien.
At that very moment, he looked toward her—smiling warmly.
“What, what? The Duke smiled.”
“Oh my, he must be looking at the Holy Sword’s wielder?”
“What’s between those two?”
Ugh, how grating. Cold sweat beaded on Artiela’s brow at the young ladies’ jealous stares. Their reactions toward their idol were endearing, she supposed.
“Send all the young ladies out.”
But jealousy made for excellent food for the black shadow, and she could not have them near Kirien. Not when she didn’t know when it would return.
“No, why!”
“That’s too much! The Holy Sword’s wielder said that wasn’t just!”
“Uwah! Monopolizing him is cowardly!”
They were all so loud.
She’d heard that many had changed the subject of their prayers. Still, they ought to show some restraint.
Kirien was still startled now and then when the young ladies would suddenly pop out. And he didn’t even have perfect command of his Aura yet.
The knights began closing the Training Ground doors. Just then, a sturdy knight pushed through the young ladies and approached.
“Captain, a moment.”
Freil had returned from his errand.
His expression was grave.
“Did the task I assigned go well?”
“Yes, Captain. That Royal Relative—that man is vile, truly.”
“What did he look like?”
A thin face like a sardine, bloated with greed.
“Yes, at that Illegal Slave Auction, he bought only young girls, and they all left the auction dead.”
Artiela’s temples thrummed.
“And that auction house—the one he burned to destroy evidence? It was his property.”
What. So he was the real mastermind?
Freil produced the documents and evidence he’d gathered.
After Artiela reviewed the contents carefully, she took a deep breath.
“Report this exactly as it stands to the Saint.”
“Yes, Captain. But if he’s a Royal Relative, can we even hold a Holy Trial?”
That was the problem. The pact between the first Emperor and the Saint.
How to untangle this knot.
At that moment, Bleo approached, his face drained of color, chest heaving from the run.
“I have… *gasp*… a way.”
He collapsed the moment those words left his mouth.

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————