The Villain Who Will Kill Me Is Too Handsome, It's Troublesome - Chapter 2

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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 2.
Unlike Artiella’s unflappable ease, Yusiel could not conceal her fury.
“The Imperial Army dared to set foot in sacred Edelion without permission? This is desecration of the sacred.”
“The Holy Knight Order is blocking them at the Main Gate, so they haven’t entered the interior yet. They continue demanding that you be handed over.”
Artiella rolled her neck from side to side.
“Can’t be helped. I’ll go, Your Holiness.”
Today’s culprit was so petty compared to her violent nature that she hadn’t even properly warmed up yet.
“How many of them are there?”
“At a glance, more than a hundred. Will you fight them?”
The Priest spoke with a fearful face.
“Fight? No, I’m just going to intimidate them.”
Artiella drew her Holy Sword and smiled brightly.
The Priest felt reassured by her confidence, yet remained uneasy. This was the Grand Holy Temple, and Artiella was a top-tier Holy Knight—could she really just do that? The Priest turned to regard the holy maiden with questioning eyes.
“There isn’t a single person who lives without committing sin.”
The two of them were of one mind, sisters in all but name.
* * *
Artiella hurried toward the Main Gate of the Holy Temple.
“Those without permission cannot set foot upon this sacred ground, Edelion. Withdraw!”
The Main Gate of Edelion, always thrown wide open, stood half-closed today.
A throng in blue cloaks and another in orange cloaks faced off across the gate, their standoff blocking both thoroughfares entirely.
“Edelion stands upon the Empire’s land. His Imperial Majesty is the master of this realm, so there is nowhere we cannot enter!”
“Edelion belongs to no empire. You must not forget that this is an independent sanctuary!”
“Then you should not have interfered in Imperial affairs!”
“This is not the Empire’s business—it is the business of mankind! How can punishing evil that harms the world through divine authority be a matter of politics?”
The Holy Knight Order did not yield an inch.
The Imperial Army, rendered speechless, felt their ire rising—made worse by the Empire’s prevailing sentiment that valued the Holy Knight Order above raw strength.
“You preach virtue while merely obeying the commands of women.”
The Holy Knight Order weathered the scornful taunt with familiar ease, their steadfast composure only goading the Imperial Army further.
“Isn’t it true that you can’t even draw your swords without permission from the holy maiden and your commander? In the Holy Trial, you’re nothing but extras.”
Had this provocation landed?
A whistle like birdsong sounded from the rear. At the signal, the Holy Knight Order split in unison to both sides, forming a new formation.
Artiella walked through with practiced ease.
“I am the Holy Knight Commander, Artiella Solstice.”
Even as she declared her title with confidence, she drew her Holy Sword, making sure to shimmer a pale green Aura around the blade for effect.
The Imperial Army, who had been mocking and laughing at the Holy Knight Order moments before, fell utterly silent.
Before the blade could sharpen, Artiella withdrew her Aura and laughed fresh as spring water.
“Only those with pure and unsullied souls may set foot upon the sacred ground of Edelion.”
Of course, no such law existed.
Those guilty of wrongdoing simply didn’t come, pricked by conscience.
“If you wish to enter the Holy Temple, you need only submit to the Holy Sword’s verification.”
As expected, the Imperial Army grew restless. They had committed acts for the powerful—acts worth being convicted for. Even if it was at a superior’s command.
Artiella placed a hand above her brow and swept her gaze across the Imperial Army.
“My, how much sin do you all carry? This won’t be easy, will it?”
At her declaration, the Holy Knights behind her drew sacred signs in unison. As they intoned a solemn prayer, the murmurs of the Imperial Army swelled.
“Is that a funeral dirge?”
“Isn’t that a prayer for the dead?”
“No, I heard it’s a prayer for the soon-to-be-dead?”
Recalling accounts of the Holy Trial, the Imperial Army hesitated, pushing responsibility onto one another rather than stepping forward.
Was it a lack of faith in the path they had walked, or simple cowardice? Pathetic. A thin, metallic smile played at the corners of Artiella’s lips as she watched.
“If even one of you passes, I’ll let myself be dragged away as you wish. Who will be tested first? If you can’t decide, I’ll choose for you.”
She spun her blade so it sang through the air, stepping toward the Imperial Army. They retreated, maintaining distance.
“W-wait, please calm yourself.”
“Calm? Aren’t you supposed to drag me away? I’ll pick the one who looks most righteous.”
As she took another step forward, they withdrew farther still.
“I-I apologize.”
One man stepped forward and bowed deeply. But Artiella had no intention of accepting an apology.
“An apology? You riot before sacred ground, insult the holy maiden and the Holy Knight Order, and think a sorry will make it right?”
“I, I beg your forgiveness.”
Not a chance. This was the moment to break their spirit thoroughly.
“Who’s in charge? Bring your commander.”
The Imperial Army parted in two the moment her words left her lips.
As the soldiers cleared a path, a red-haired man in resplendent robes walked forward with deliberate grace—elegant yet commanding in every step.
Artiella recognized him.
Her sister’s father was his teacher, and her brother was his friend.
“Your Majesty, it is an honor.”
A cowardly man blessed by Yusiel, now seated on the throne, who kept the Holy Temple in check.
Piter walked all the way to the Main Gate before offering a gentle smile.
“It’s been too long, Commander. I said I needed to see you, but it seems my soldiers misunderstood my intentions.”
“I have never seen a proper request for dialogue delivered by military force.”
“I will apologize on behalf of the Order’s rudeness.”
Before the knights of both sides and the distant faithful watching, the Emperor bowed his head in apology. His Imperial Army soldiers followed suit, bowing in unison behind him.
The apology was hollow, but word that the Emperor himself had apologized would spread quickly enough. That was sufficient.
Artiella answered with a silent bow.
“The letter you sent this morning arrived at the Holy Temple only after the Holy Trial had begun, so I was unable to comply with your wishes in time. Please forgive me.”
“I understand. The damage to the Empire’s people was severe, so you had to act as quickly as possible.”
“My subordinates found all the victims and sent them home.”
“Thank you. As for myself, I was searching for those behind this. Before the Holy Trial, I was trying to buy time, but we failed to communicate. That too is my fault.”
She had heard he came to arrest her for defying his imperial decree. Yet the Emperor’s manner was so gracious that Artiella tilted her head slightly to the side.
“Fortunately, we found those responsible.”
He glanced at the knight standing close behind him. The soldier approached Artiella and extended a rolled parchment.
The Emperor whispered in a voice too low for others to hear.
“A portrait of Duke Rupel.”
On it was painted a man with black hair and crimson eyes.
She had seen his name before, written on wish tokens that the faithful had left bound at the Holy Temple.
‘Even if I must die, grant me only the chance to confess to Duke Rupel.’
As befitted a wish staked with one’s life, the Duke was dazzlingly handsome.
She found herself wondering if a soul as beautiful as this man’s face would shine as brightly.
‘He glitters.’
As though covered in jewels, the portrait shimmered even though it lay perfectly still. He might be someone who loved luxury.
Her momentary curiosity faded.
Artiella narrowed her eyes and lifted her head.
“Is this a request for a trial?”
A shadow crossed Piter’s previously gentle face.
“Yes. I am requesting a Holy Trial for this man.”
An imperial request for a Holy Trial—this was the first of its kind in the continent’s history.
* * *
Yusiel made her way to the Central Garden, called the heart of Edelion.
She left the commotion at the Main Gate entirely to her sister. The younger woman spoke without hesitation and wielded force without restraint, yet she was wise. There was reason enough that she still held the Holy Sword.
Yusiel had only to do what was hers to do.
Beneath an arched glass ceiling, she placed her hand on a sacred tree.
“Grow strong and true.”
Speaking tenderly, she closed her eyes and poured forth her Holy Power. The azure radiance that flowed from her fingertips traveled upward through the sap, spreading to the tips of every branch.
Soon, life bloomed in the tender new leaves at the branch ends.
How much time had passed? Suddenly, Yusiel’s eyes flew open. Her blue irises, brimming with Holy Power, trembled visibly.
A Divine Revelation—she had seen the future.
“Artiella? Surely not…….”
Ashen-faced, she set out at once to find her sister.

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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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