The Villain Who Will Kill Me Is Too Handsome, It's Troublesome - Chapter 54

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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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Episode 54.
“Could that trash possibly be the current Emperor’s cousin?”
“Let me see—the one who framed me was His Majesty’s aunt, and that trash was the illegitimate son of His Majesty’s uncle, so…”
Just as I thought.
Artiela’s face went slack with disgust.
“You mean Upeiler the Grand Duke?”
“Yes, yes, that’s correct, Your Grace. I’ve heard that since childhood he knocked over innocent maids, trampled them, beat them if they didn’t obey—he was a terror. So vicious that even his own parents gave up on him, or so the rumors went.”
Ugh. Trash really does show its true nature from the cradle.
And of all things, he picked out only the powerless, weak maids to prey upon.
“If my memory serves, his parents requested his help with something. That was the knight’s last engagement before the disappearance, wasn’t it…? My memory’s a bit hazy on the details.”
The Old Woman set down a warm bowl of stew for Artiela as she spoke.
Along with a remark that if she’d come any later, she would’ve forgotten it all entirely.
“Hmm, I suppose we should search Upeiler’s estate ourselves as well.”
“We ought to.”
“I’m not sure if His Majesty will permit it.”
Whether he died in disgrace or not, he’s still imperial blood, after all.
“What if we made an official request in Edelion’s name? Recovering the Sacred Artifact is important to Edelion too, isn’t it?”
“I’ll tell Yusiel first thing in the morning. But honestly, I have a feeling the Dark Sorcerers already stole it.”
I should’ve checked with them the moment doubt crept in.
The thought that I might be one step too late made my chest tighten with unease.
“That won’t be the case.”
Kirien spoke with an odd certainty, his expression firm.
Curious, I stared at his face intently. He let out an embarrassed cough.
“If you look at me like that…”
“Like what? What happens if I look?”
Artiela asked playfully. Kirien’s cheeks flushed crimson, and he turned his head away in shy confusion.
“You’re too lovely to bear looking at…”
Artiela’s lips parted slightly. I wanted to tease him more when he got like this.
“If I’m lovely, shouldn’t you keep looking? My face won’t wear out, will it?”
“Not yet, it won’t.”
“Why not?”
“If I indulge in unworthy desires…”
Ah, right.
Child of the Source of Evil. Does it really react to things like this too?
But why would loving affection count as an unworthy desire? What’s the problem with that? When your heart pounds and your face flushes, you want to hold hands, and you want to kiss—that’s just natural instinct.
Isn’t that the most beautiful longing in the world?
“Just in case. If I harbor even the slightest impure thought, it might rear its head.”
Suddenly he looked like a priest practicing celibacy. But perhaps his concern wasn’t without merit.
Hadn’t Yusiel once told me that the Source of Evil had shown obsessive madness toward the Holy Sword Knight? Twisted love is a dark heart too, after all.
“All right then. We’ll keep it wholesome.”
Artiela scooped a spoonful of stew and brought it to Kirien’s lips. Given his nature, he’d surely skipped dinner.
“I can’t. Not even an indirect kiss.”
“What? I don’t understand—”
We’re not children.
Wholesome to the point of ridiculousness, surely? And he’s supposed to send a Proposal Letter.
This way, nothing’s changed at all.
Artiela ate through the stew with rather aggressive, decisive spoonfuls.
* * *
The next morning, as soon as daylight broke, Artiela contacted Yusiel.
-Seriously?
“Yeah. The tomb was completely empty.”
-No, I mean the other thing. You broke into the Temple without permission and Bardo didn’t say a word? This is your second unauthorized entry already.
“He let it slide.”
Artiela answered curtly, and laughter spilled from Yusiel’s end. Her tone was so carefree that it seemed she had nothing to worry about on her end.
“Has the Emperor still not come?”
-Apparently he’s ashamed. He nearly sold his soul to the Source of Evil twice, after all.
“I didn’t know he’d go that far.”
It left a bitter taste.
The thought that love, when twisted, could drive even a sound person to madness made me wary.
“I’d better keep a close eye on Kirien.”
Why would the Duke suddenly—
“In case he turns dark with jealousy.”
The communication channel went quiet all at once. Then a torrent of nagging came through, hitting like blows to her back.
You! You’re not dating some man without your sister’s permission, are you? Have you heard of the Marriage Prohibition? No matter if you’re a knight of Edelion, if you so much as share a bed with a man, they’ll haul you away! Is that all right with you?
Ugh, such nagging. And she has sharp eyes too.
“That’s exactly why I’m asking permission now. Can I date the Duke?”
Yusiel clicked her tongue repeatedly.
Wow, you sound happy. The Duke’s happy too, right?
“Yeah, of course. He’s apparently planning to send me a Proposal Letter?”
This time, laughter burst out.
You owe me thanks for this. I told the Duke to go after you.
The two of them chatted about romance like any other sisters would, yet they didn’t forget to exchange important information.
Artiela explained the phantom of the sacred tree she hadn’t been able to describe properly, and Yusiel shared the Priesthood’s findings.
There were no survivors among the excommunicated priests or Paladins.
So that corrupted Holy Power is more likely to be Bertia’s strength.
At Yusiel’s certainty, Artiela drew in a sharp breath.
“Did she surrender her body and soul to the Source of Evil?”
Probably, yes?
That meant she was a target for the Holy Sword’s judgment. And the moment she defeated that evil, she would die.
‘Is there truly no way to drive out only the evil…….’
Would the Goddess’s Tear not work? Then again, if you try to break Kirien’s curse, Kirien dies with it—so there’s probably no way.
Still, just in case.
“But Yusiel, what if the Goddess’s Tear could work? Is there really no way to drive out only the Source of Evil?”
Oh, actually—that might be possible.
“Really?”
That was unexpected.
It was such a simple idea that she wondered why no one had ever tried it before.
Let me look into it more with Mother and get back to you. She said there are quite a few hidden ancient texts in the Academy.
“Okay, I understand.”
Maybe Bertia had been mistaken about something. That could bring a little more hope.
The sooner they dealt with the Source of Evil, the sooner she could enjoy her romance freely. Though she’d have to be careful around the priests once she returned to Edelion.
“By the way, I’m keeping this romance secret, so don’t spread rumors. If the priests find out, they’ll be uncomfortable, so I’ll be careful on my end.”
Got it. I’ll let the Emperor know that you and Edelion will be investigating the Upeiler Duchy.
Was it her imagination that his voice didn’t sound very convincing?
* * *
Before returning to the Imperial Capital.
Artiela and Kirien went to the Temple. Of course, since the door was still locked, they went via the roof.
“Oh, you’re learning quickly, aren’t you?”
After showing him the trick of wrapping his legs with Aura to leap to high places, Kirien succeeded on his tenth try.
“It’s hard to keep up when the Holy Sword’s master is my girlfriend.”
Girlfriend, he said.
Artiela led Kirien to the Tomb while suppressing the trembling at her lips.
She’d told him the details, but she needed to see it with her own eyes too.
“This is your mother’s Tomb, then.”
Artiela had brought a spade. After confirming the final details, she’d need to put the Tomb back in order.
She felt uncomfortable leaving it abandoned as an ownerless grave.
If a priest discovered it late, there’d be ghost rumors to deal with.
“Mother, let me first check if there are any hidden remains here.”
Artiela drew sacred symbols, then began digging around the Tomb, taking turns with Kirien.
“It seems she really is alive.”
After digging a rectangular area around the gravestone where burial would be possible, the two of them rested for a moment.
“The fact that the Orphanage Director sold off her belongings suggests she left with nothing.”
“Could the Source of Evil have revived a dead person?”
“That’s possible, isn’t it?”
“What a vicious creature.”
Kirien drove the spade he’d been holding deep into the ground in fury.
Clang!
Wait, was that metallic sound really a clang?
Kirien and Artiela looked at each other. There was something beneath the surface.
The two of them dug eagerly toward where the sound had come from. Then a small Jar emerged.
Inside it was…….
“The priests’ souls have had a curse added to them.”
Good heavens, Mother, how many Sacred Artifacts did you pilfer from the Temple?

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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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