The Villain Who Will Kill Me Is Too Handsome, It's Troublesome - Chapter 38

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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 38.
“Hey, what’s wrong with that?”
Blleo spotted it first.
“The Saintess said it would be dangerous if that runs out completely…….”
“But whoever just crossed the barrier…….”
It was Artiella.
Blleo flinched violently and leaned his body back.
“Sister, what kind of trouble did you bring with you?”
He spoke in jest, but his voice trembled.
“Um, I don’t know? Did some dark shadow attach itself to me?”
Artiella turned around in alarm, looking behind herself. But there was no reason for anything to cling to her, was there?
“C-call Yusiel! Quickly!”
Just then, Yusiel, who had been walking back after purifying the miasma, caught sight of the branches.
“What’s happened? Did something else come and go?”
“I don’t know. I just stepped across the boundary here and it became like this.”
“What, did you sell your soul to the Source of Evil in there?”
“That’s not possible!”
No—she’d fought for her life. This was unfair.
Yusiel used her Holy Power to quickly examine her sister’s shadow.
“The shadow is intact, but instead…….”
The Saintess’s blue eyes fixed on Artiella’s right hand—specifically, the wrist where the Source of Evil had gouged deep scratches as it clawed at her.
“Blood…….”
“There is blood, but……what?”
It was black. As if she’d been poisoned.
“Wow, dark mage, you really do paint your nails with toxin and just live like that?”
“It’s miasma, you idiot.”
Yusiel flared up in anger and shoved her sister into the carriage. With one swift wall of force from the Saintess, Artiella found herself trapped in a chair.
“Give me your hand, quickly.”
“Yes, Saintess.”
Artiella obediently extended her hand, and Yusiel poured blue Holy Power into it. But it was absorbed immediately—just like the space that had contained Artiella before.
“What? Why isn’t it changing?”
“Corrupted Holy Power.”
What kind of description was that—like warm iced tea?
“It forms a veil that nullifies Holy Power.”
Healing and purification wouldn’t work easily against it.
“But didn’t you shatter that earlier?”
“Yes—I used physical force.”
She understood roughly what that meant.
If she tried to break this, her arm would break too. Then she wouldn’t be able to hold a sword, would she? Exactly as Peter desired…….
Artiella shook her head firmly.
Don’t forget. The Source of Evil was the very definition of manipulation. Surely the Emperor hadn’t gone this far just hoping she wouldn’t grasp her blade?
“Well, it doesn’t hurt. Can’t I just leave it as is?”
The bleeding had stopped. There was no pain, no fever, no heat. There was no secondary poison coating her skin, no obstacle to treatment.
“Can you still use Holy Power?”
Artiella attempted to channel Holy Power, faintly.
Sharp.
She felt a prickling sensation, and the wound sealed. Then Yusiel sent her Holy Power flowing through once more.
“The strange veil has disappeared.”
“Phew, I was needlessly tense.”
“I’m relieved.”
At her words, Kirien released a long, heavy sigh.
Blleo’s eyes glistened with tears as well. He knew that knights were people who lived alongside danger, but seeing it firsthand was a different matter.
“I’m fine, really.”
“But I was afraid you’d fall ill…….”
Oh, he’d dredged up an old memory.
At that time too, Blleo had wept bitterly—blaming himself because she’d been brought to the Imperial Palace, because she’d grown close to the Crown Prince, because his youngest sibling had been poisoned.
“You of all people know how hardy I am.”
But there was something more important.
Artiella called Kirien to her side and checked the Boutonniere. Its pink light still shone clearly.
“If things are this stable, you should be able to go out, shouldn’t you?”
“Has the Source of Evil truly given up on me?”
“It’s held such resentment toward the Holy Sword’s previous masters that I suspect it means to assault me for a while yet.”
Guilt flooded Kirien’s eyes. He was still a burden, after all.
“Since the matter is resolved, we should take our leave.”
And among them, it was Peter who wore the most haggard expression. Artiella studied him for a moment before speaking.
“We were able to prevent the crisis early because of Your Majesty. Thank you.”
“Travel safely. Blleo, as for you…….”
“I’ll remain with my sister for a few days.”
“Good. Return once you’ve regained your composure.”
This was a problem. She’d intended to part with Blleo here.
“And Duke Rupel.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“I understand you’re attending the nobles’ council tomorrow. It would be best to settle this dispute promptly as well.”
Peter departed in a chill wind.
* * *
The following day, Kirien entered the Imperial Palace dressed in formal attire for the first time in ages.
“Phew…….”
“Come now, take a deep breath. You understand?”
Beside him, Artiella guided his breathing, her own chest rising and falling deliberately.
“I’m more anxious than I expected.”
“Bad memories tend to linger in the unconscious longer than we think. Perhaps because this place holds so many of them.”
“At least your Aura isn’t running wild.”
“It was good that we practiced containing it this morning. You truly are a genius, Duke.”
“Ah, yes, well.”
Kirien’s gaze shifted sideways.
Edellion—or rather, Artiella—had pretended to be imperfect as an excuse to stay close to her, but now that there were other means, it hardly mattered.
“By the way, is it because we’ve returned to the Imperial Palace after so long? Did the palace staff and nobility always gossip so much about those passing by?”
“Well, I never had the chance to observe people closely, since I was always sneaking about and running away…….”
Right?
Artiella, who’d accepted this readily, summoned an attendant to confirm the location of the council chamber.
“It’s this way.”
As they walked, Artiella occasionally glanced at the pearl Boutonniere adorning Kirien’s cravat.
Each time she did, whispered murmurs trailed behind them.
“According to Blleo, there are many items on the agenda today.”
The settlement of the dispute between Kirien and the nobles was first.
Second was the handling of Grand Duke Upeiler’s affairs after death.
And last was the selection of empress candidates, wasn’t it?
“How is the hand you injured yesterday? Nothing happened overnight?”
“Not at all, it’s perfectly fine.”
Artiella held up her hand to show him. Kirien’s eyes widened in response.
“I should hurry and cultivate my Holy Power like Mother, so I can heal you whenever you’re hurt.”
His heart felt oddly ticklish. Every time she said something like that with that beautiful face, he thought his mind might break.
It had been fortunate that his Holy Power was weak as a child. If it had been strong, he’d have become a priest. Thank goodness he was a Holy Knight instead…….
‘Come on, get a hold of yourself.’
Artiella forced herself to focus, pressing hard against her thoughts.
“This should be it.”
They’d hurried, so was this late? Or had they misunderstood the scheduled time? The council was already in full session inside.
“The fact that my daughter nearly died because of the Duke remains unchanged. If not, why would she have fainted the moment she saw Duke Rupel at the Holy Temple?”
“The Duke threatened her as well! Look at my daughter’s statement. It’s entirely consistent without a single contradiction.”
“We all have matching statements. Only the Duke tells a different story. So whose account is the truth?”
She’d expected this.
They’d thought lies told loudly enough would become truth. And it seemed they meant to reach a verdict before Kirien even arrived.
“Moreover, His Majesty himself said he would mediate, and look—the Duke swaggers in late. Isn’t he clearly running from a losing battle?”
Artiella quickly signaled an attendant.
“Duke Rupel and Captain Artiella of the Soltis Holy Knight Order have arrived.”
“My apologies for the delay. I am Artiella of Soltis.”
Artiella entered with a bright smile, and the nobles cursing Kirien all let out synchronized coughs.
“G-goodness, if you’re bringing the Duke in so recklessly, what if something happens?”
“Knight Persell, protect His Majesty’s person.”
Watching them tremble, she wanted to laugh. But Artiella held it in strictly.
The other nobles were visibly tense at Kirien’s appearance as well. If this matter ended with Kirien’s compensation, they might all line up demanding reparations in turn.
After all, there were surely those who’d suffered minor incidents near Kirien.
“The young ladies who frequent the Holy Temple submitted a petition, Your Majesty? Along with testimony that it’s only safe if the Duke is frightened.”
“Hmm, hmm, hmm.”
“But you did relay their testimony accurately, correct?”
“Of course I did.”
“Then why does everyone’s account align so perfectly, as if rehearsed?”
“W-well, naturally.”
Artiella smiled and turned to face Peter.
“Your Majesty, might I verify the truthfulness of their statements with the Holy Sword?”
“Granted.”
Peter gave his consent without hesitation.
Good—now let’s see just what sort of souls we’re dealing with.
Artiella reached confidently for the Bardo with her right hand to draw it——.
“Huh?”
What? Why won’t the blade come free?
More precisely, she couldn’t even grasp the hilt.

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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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