The Villain Who Will Kill Me Is Too Handsome, It's Troublesome - Chapter 21

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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 21.
Kirien’s confession had given Ushiel greater certainty.
“Kirien Lufel, trust firmly in God’s mercy and confess the sins you have committed so that you may receive forgiveness.”
To be honest, she wondered what sins a man with not a single sin inscribed upon his soul could possibly confess. Over the past four days, he had performed the duties of a novice Holy Knight excellently and earned only praise from the other Holy Knights.
Yet.
“Because I followed you about so earnestly, I only today realized that Artiela was unable to perform her work properly. I cannot forgive myself for being so foolish.”
…….
“And it pains me to see that you are enduring slander from other nobles on my behalf while protecting me.”
…….
“Despite teaching me so diligently, I am ashamed that my skills remain so meager.”
Confession, in its nature, wrings out sins even where none exist.
“And finally, this afternoon when a maid from the Manor came on an errand, I treated Artiela as though she were……”
Artiela again.
“Treated her as what? Speak clearly. I cannot hear you.”
At Ushiel’s request, Kirien hung his head low, his ears flushed crimson.
“As the betrothed of the Duke’s House.”
How could anyone be so blind to their own heart.
In all the historical texts about the Source of Malice, there existed no record of it ever showing such affection toward its destined Vessel as the master of the Holy Sword—no matter how thoroughly one searched.
In the first place, the Vessel had never met the Holy Sword’s master when its mind was sound. It had encountered that master only when overcome by malice’s temptation, when it instinctively despised the Holy Sword’s wielder and sought to kill upon sight.
But now was different.
This was the Vessel’s first and final chance to overcome the malice within itself and extinguish it from within.
Already, this man had altered the predetermined future alongside his sister. Though she made no outward sign, Ushiel could feel it. The shadow of death that had hung over Artiela was already gone.
Ever since the day he claimed his Holy Power had grown.
“It was my will that pierced my own heart.”
The master of this body, who had recovered his senses for a brief moment, must have sacrificed himself and sealed it from within.
Ushiel believed in God’s teachings.
The first teaching God imparted to humanity upon descending to this land was not justice, but love.
“Artiela mentioned it to me. When you met at the Manor, there was a misunderstanding. That child won’t hold it against you, so you needn’t worry.”
Ushiel set down her cup, signaling that the confession had ended, and handed it to Kirien.
“But for a member of the clergy, rumors entangling men and women…….”
“Holy Knights marry too, you know.”
Ushiel brought the cup to her lips to hide the smile spreading across her face. But Kirien could not conceal his agitation.
“I beg your pardon? M-marriage?”
“Once you have responsibilities toward each other, and if Artiela wishes it, I would consent as well.”
“Responsibilities…….”
Tea spilled from his cup with a loud clatter. His face flushed deeper at the noise. Beneath that bashfulness lay a small, trembling hope.
Watching that expression, she suddenly understood why the Temple had been in such turmoil these past four days.
His eyelashes trembled like a single lily of the valley, delicate and pure. Yet those dark crimson eyes held a certain sensuality. A dangerous sculpture, crafted from all the world’s beauty.
He was a perfect match for Artiela. And this man needed Artiela’s attention and affection more than anyone else.
“So go ahead and wrestle with Artiela now and then. She’ll enjoy it.”
His large crimson eyes flickered with confusion and a small thrill of joy. At the same time, sparkles shimmered around Kirien’s face.
Ushiel, unperturbed, spoke a magical incantation.
“Artiela hates anyone who hurts me most of all.”
This time, too, the sparkles vanished at once.
He passes the test.
‘At this rate, even if the Source of Malice seizes control of his body, I need not worry.’
Love’s power will restore his sense of self in no time.
Though there is one thing that troubles me.
There existed a book that studied and examined the Source of Malice. It bore such an outlandish theory that it had been designated a forbidden text, readable only by the Saintess.
Supposedly the Source of Malice had once harbored a doomed love—for the master of the Holy Sword, no less.
It started a war to present the world as a gift; it drove everything around it to ruin so that its beloved could see no one but itself; it kept a Black Magic witch at its side as a jealousy-inducing ploy.
And most of all, even after judgment, it rose again and again with tiresome obsession—such was its so-called pure love.
Though surely they could not all be the same being. Among the Holy Sword’s masters, there had been men as well.
‘So the Duke and the Source of Malice are rivals for the same person?’
If the Source of Malice and its Vessel were to fight over one person, the victory here was absolute.
With mutual affection on both sides, couple’s defenses would only grow stronger.
Ushiel regained her composed smile. At last, she thought she understood the true meaning of the Divine Prophecy the first Saintess had received.
『When justice takes root in the deepest reaches of a heart fouled and bound by malice, the frozen heart shall thaw and restore its light, and darkness shall scatter and return to chaos.』
* * *
The attendants of the Imperial Palace hastily altered the atmosphere of the banquet hall. The rim of the teacup bore silver, and the rest of the tableware was silver as well.
It was a gesture of thoughtfulness directed entirely at Artiela.
Because she understood this, Artiela accepted the cup the Emperor offered without hesitation, bringing it to her lips.
“I ordered it prepared according to Countess Soltis’s exact blending ratio. I hope it suits your taste.”
“How thoughtful. It’s the same tea I drank often at home when I was a child.”
“Then I’m relieved.”
Peter’s mouth relaxed into something approaching a smile.
But watching Artiela leave the dessert untouched, he exhaled quietly. So she meant to allow him no opportunity for private conversation.
“I’ve heard from the Count that even liars can be detected with the Holy Sword. Is that true?”
“Yes. Bardo reveals the sins inscribed on the soul.”
“So the Holy Sword doesn’t merely judge. Are sins written as letters?”
“No, it’s not quite like that—”
Artiela decided to tell the Emperor the Holy Sword’s secret honestly. If he were to set aside his prejudices toward Kirien, he needed to know the truth.
“The more sins a person commits, the more their soul deteriorates. A liar’s mouth becomes cracked, a swindler’s fingers or toes rot, those who strike others bear bruises on the same places, murderers appear as monsters, and so forth.”
“I see.”
“Through the Holy Sword, I see the sins inscribed upon the soul.”
“So that’s why you called the criminals monsters and ugly. That explains it.”
Peter pressed his palm against his forehead.
In a way, it made perfect sense. The bearer of the Holy Sword would hardly judge humanity by appearance alone.
“Have you ever seen my soul?”
His voice trembled slightly.
“When I first obtained the Holy Sword, I couldn’t control its power properly, so I caught a glimpse of it during the coronation ceremony.”
……
Peter squeezed his eyes shut.
That time.
Right after he’d disposed of every rival seeking his death. Even his younger half-sister. There were times he’d sacrificed others to survive, even those who should have been his allies.
Naturally, he’d felt no guilt then. He hadn’t even recognized it as sin. It was simply what a sovereign had to do.
But such a soul could not have looked beautiful.
“I don’t recall the details clearly,” Artiela said, setting down her teacup.

“Do you remember how many people attended the coronation?”
Besides, morally unblemished people are rare in aristocratic society. To maintain power and wealth, humans will make any number of vile choices.
“And when good deeds are performed, the sins inscribed on the soul can fade.”
“I see.”
“Your Majesty is such a conscientious ruler. The parts you worry over have likely been greatly diminished.”
At Artiela’s words of comfort, the corners of Peter’s eyes softened.
Yes. That was why he had grown fond of this upright child. From that day when she drank the poison meant for him and collapsed.
Even though he remained a coward then, and remained one still.
‘I can’t give up after all.’
He didn’t want to send her back to Edelion. He wanted to seat her at his side this very moment. Even if it meant becoming an enemy of the Temple, even if it earned him her hatred.
But as always, he would let her go today and wait as long as it took. A knight was not a lifetime profession, after all.
Fool, why wait? Ah, that’s right. You have no right to confess, do you?
Then came a strange resonance.
But she doesn’t know that, does she? Get yourself in hand before you’re found out.
The candlelight in the banquet hall hadn’t flickered.
Yet Peter’s shadow wavered, alone.

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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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