The Villain Who Will Kill Me Is Too Handsome, It's Troublesome - Chapter 61

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

Episode 61.
The moment Artiela set Yushiel down on the floor, she spun her around to face the other way.
Peter sat perched on the edge of the bed, staring at the ground without moving a muscle. His ragged breathing was a sight to behold—and not in a good way.
His red hair, usually combed so neatly, hung disheveled and stained with black miasma that gave it an almost bloodied hue. Those golden eyes that once held the wisdom of a sage had lost their luster, now swirling with madness.
“Why…….”
It was pitiful.
Since becoming the bearer of the Bardo, Artiela had judged countless wicked souls. Most had been strangers to her.
This was the first time she’d had to pass judgment on someone she’d known since childhood.
And the source of his corruption was her own doing.
Should she have phrased it differently? Should she have simply refused without pushing him away? If she’d at least pretended to struggle with the decision, perhaps he wouldn’t have suffered such a wound.
But what truly tormented her
“What do I do?”
was that she still hadn’t found a way to drive out the Source of Malice alone.
Objectively speaking, Peter was no blameless man. But he hadn’t committed sins grave enough to warrant death by the Holy Sword’s Judgment.
Except for inviting the Source of Malice into his own body.
Artiela bit her lip and drew the Bardo with her left hand.
If his good deeds outweighed his sins, wouldn’t God show him mercy? Isn’t that right, Bardo?
As if answering her question, the Bardo let out a low, mournful cry.
“Cover for me.”
Artiela swallowed her guilt and spread her legs, preparing to sprint away.
“Wait.”
But Yushiel grabbed her shoulder, holding her back.
“I’ll take full responsibility for breaking the Covenant…….”
“Why? So you can get your head cut off on a Regicide Charge?”
“…….”
“What if that’s exactly what he’s after?”
That was a fair point. He was still hunched over, quiet—except his shoulders were trembling.
“Kh……kh-kh.”
“He’s laughing?”
“Hahahaha.”
He finally raised his head. Those golden eyes, stained crimson, were crescent-shaped with laughter.
“Come on, Holy Sword’s bearer. Isn’t that a bit much?”
His laughter didn’t sound innocent—it was almost a talent in itself. That dark, sardonic voice didn’t suit Peter at all.
“Here’s this so-called Descendant of Light, unable to save a poor man who lost his love and fell into darkness, yet rushing straight to judgment.”
“If you pity him so much, why don’t you just back away?”
It stung, but Artiela shot back without hesitation.
“Sorry.”
The Source of Malice could apologize?
“I’d like to leave too, but since you’re the one who invited me in, I can’t leave without you passing judgment on me.”
It was mockery. Truly twisted taste.
“So you’d better hurry.”
The Source of Malice controlled Peter’s body well—its smile was far more genuine than anything Peter would manage.
But it lacked the dignity of a sovereign.
It licked its fingernails, blackened and beast-like.
“Pierce my heart with your Holy Sword before the Contractor’s wish ruins even your left hand.”
Its gaze, which had been moving slowly, stopped at the pouch hanging from Artiela’s waist. The one containing the Jewel Box Daisy had given her.
“Or purify me.”
The fact that it was paying attention to that pouch meant there was something to it.
“You’d better decide quickly.”
Before Artiela could even deduce its scheme, Peter lunged from his seat with startling speed, moving straight toward her.
Just like last time—reaching out as if to seize her hand.
Artiela reflexively raised the Bardo high, blocking the attack.
Yushiel released an arrow of Sacred Power wreathed in holy flame. The blue arrow of holy fire was absorbed directly into the Bardo, creating a tremendous vibration.
Bang—with an enormous crash, Peter’s body flew backward, smashing through the bedroom door and into the corridor.
“What’s happening!”
“His Majesty just flew past!”
“Is this a rebellion?”
Disaster. There was no way to resolve this quietly now.
Not just the guards, but attendants and nobles alike came rushing from every direction. And judging by its reaction, this was exactly what the Source of Malice wanted.
“Your Majesty! Are you all right?”
“Your Majesty has fallen! Seize the assailant!”
The way she closed her eyes and feigned unconsciousness—as though she were some innocent victim—was terribly unconvincing.
It simply didn’t suit her.
The sisters, watching the blade aimed at their throats, turned toward him with a villain’s smile.
* * *
A breeze drifted through the Imperial Palace Garden. On an afternoon when the sunlight had grown pleasantly warm, the wind sifting through the tree shade was refreshingly cool.
Yet to Kirien, the breeze felt only stifling.
“Do you know what this is?”
Kirien asked carefully of the princess who coveted the Pearl Button.
“I’m not certain of all its properties, but I do know it changes color when something evil appears.”
Kirien’s brow furrowed and hardened. How could she possibly know that? It wasn’t even a particularly renowned sacred object.
The First Princess, catching his discomfort, added evenly.
“Someone mentioned it to me some time ago—they’d seen it at the Aristocratic Assembly Hall. I also heard Your Majesty reacted strangely to it.”
Kirien’s frown deepened.
Was she still having him watched? She’d done it before.
The princess explained with practiced deftness.
“I wasn’t watching you—I was watching His Majesty. I’ve no lingering attachment to you. Back then, you were simply the most suitable match to get me out of the palace, so I had no choice but to be… persistent. That’s all.”
……
“I’ve reflected on it.”
……
“So I apologize. His Majesty kept interfering with my romantic pursuits, and I was annoyed. I wanted to upset him and earn his attention. I promise it won’t happen again.”
“Yes.”
When Kirien replied tersely, the First Princess brought the teacup to her lips.
“You’re still the man of few words, aren’t you?”
The First Princess set down her cup with a look of considerable exasperation.
“How does the Holy Sword’s master manage to spend time with such a tedious man? I heard his social skills had improved, but it was all mere rumor.”
At the princess’s remark, Kirien grasped the teacup with an embarrassed, bashful expression.
The way he drank quietly, looking almost like a flower in his awkwardness, was so charming that trouble came buzzing in at once.
“Oh my, where’s the escort you brought? And here I thought you two were alone? I hurried back because I knew this would happen!”
The Second Princess, without asking permission, walked toward Kirien’s seat as though it were obviously her place.
“Whoops!”
Despite being steadied by Bleo’s escort, the Second Princess stumbled loudly and fell forward toward Kirien.
It was an intentional slip.
“Your Highness!”
“Your Highness!”
Bleo reached out in alarm, but he was too late.
“Out of the way!”
Kirien, not the princess, was faster. He shot up from his seat just before her arms could embrace him from behind.
The Second Princess’s hands grasped at empty air as Kirien slipped past. Unable to stop her momentum, her chin collided with the back of the chair.
With a loud Bang!
“Ugh…. That was cruel, letting a lady fall like that.”
No one moved to help the Second Princess up after her complaint.
“Bleo, did you notice just now?”
“Pardon? Ah, yes, I… I did notice, but….”
Bleo stammered, his gaze fixed on Kirien’s chest.
Kirien noticed too. In that brief moment, his pearl had turned gray before returning to its normal hue.
‘Why did it change?’
There was no headache. No dark emotions tormenting him. Was there some ominous presence nearby?
Kirien retrieved the mirror Artiela had given him.
“I should go.”
“Pardon? But we might only be a hindrance….”
That was true. They had no combat ability and might only cause trouble. But he had made a Covenant with the Countess of Soltis.
So he had to do whatever he could.
Whatever that might be.
Having reached his decision swiftly, he turned to the First Princess.
“If something has happened to the Saintess and Artiela, Your Highness must step in.”
Realizing how the situation was unfolding, the First Princess nodded.
“I’ll go. It’s my responsibility, after all.”
“I’m grateful.”
Kirien entrusted the First Princess to Bleo. As Bleo took her hand with a solemn expression, Kirien turned and strode away.
“I want to go too! I’m coming with you!”
The Second Princess, who had been sitting alone in her indifference, reached out her hand to Kirien. Once again, her hand wavered in empty air.
“No, wait! Your Grace! You’re supposed to escort me! Where are you going!”
But Kirien could not hear the Second Princess’s voice.

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