The Villain Who Will Kill Me Is Too Handsome, It's Troublesome - Chapter 86

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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 86.
That’s what she said. Unless you’re a murderer who goes around killing people, there’s no reason to die by a Holy Sword, so don’t be afraid—cry out that you’re innocent.
If you cry out for help, Bardo will save you!
At Artiela’s urgent signal, the two of them seemed to falter for a moment.
True enough, Holy Trial is frightening.
“You can speak freely without hesitation. The Holy Knight Commander is here to help you.”
Kirien spoke gently from beside her.
“Y-yes, yes! That’s right!”
“We hired a Holy Trial!”
A handsome face works wonders even in moments like these. It calmed the two of them rapidly and even roused their courage.
“Good, then shall we examine this? Whose sin is greater—that of common lovers already betrothed to each other, or that of one who covets another’s woman and seeks to commit adultery?”
Artiela pointed to one of the Guard Corps members as Bardo.
The man startled, his eyes widening.
“T-this is slander! I’ve never even seen that woman before today.”
“Miss, do you know that Guard Corps member, or not?”
“Ah, yes, I do. He’s the youngest son of the baron my mother used to work for.”
Something about those eyes seemed familiar. To be honest, they bore a resemblance to Peter’s old obsession.
“What evidence is that?”
“Well, yes, but I saw it myself when he came to take those people away.”
Yes, that’s why she’d suspected him.
“Miss, did that man touch you inappropriately?”
This perverted bastard.
The woman nodded eagerly, her eyes brimming with tears.
“He kept demanding I become his mistress, and even after we became betrothed… he kept… yesterday night he snuck into the dormitory and tried to violate me… sobbing….”
“It’s alright, don’t cry.”
“So I had no choice but to break the law. He’s a nobleman and I’m a powerless commoner, but I thought he wouldn’t be shameless enough to steal away someone with whom I’d already bound my soul, so…”
“Th-that’s a lie!”
Artiela immediately poured her Aura into Bardo.
“Oh my, boils sprouting on his tongue in real time?”
The Guard Corps member in question clapped his hand over his mouth in panic.
“My, his soul is so small it leaves no trace. So that’s how he became such a pervert?”
Ancient markings were etched into Bardo.
“So, what will you do? It’s only an attempt so far, so it’s not technically a capital offense yet, but if you’re judged, it seems you won’t be able to function as a man ever again.”
Completely blocking him from ever being a pervert again.
“I-I!”
“Hey, apologize quickly.”
“Yeah, word came down that we shouldn’t worry about commoners, but what’s this mess because of you?”
“Because of you, we’re about to lose our jobs too.”
They thought they were speaking quietly enough to avoid being heard, but an Aura Master’s ears catch everything.
Artiela’s eyes turned sharp.
“Ah, so you all stepped up for your friend? What remarkable loyalty.”
“That’s not it! It’s, you know, he said it! He said his father, who works at the Imperial Palace, told him such things! Isn’t that right?”
“I’m so sorry, please forgive me!”
The commotion was drawing spectators. Artiela checked her surroundings once, then passed the matter to her mother.
“I’ll restrict Guard Corps members’ access to the Academy except when cooperative assistance is requested. Naturally, you must also guarantee the safety of these children.”
“Y-yes, understood.”
“I’m sorry.”
“I’ll file an official report with the Guard Commander, so don’t even think about running. If you run, I’ll have the entire baronial house destroyed too, understood?”
With Artiela’s threat added on, the Guard Corps fled with their tails between their legs.
But Artiela had no intention of letting them go unscathed. A recent regret had come back to haunt her.
‘If it’s not a grave sin, God will forgive it on His own.’
She unleashed Sword Energy through Bardo from behind. Charged fully with the force of judgment.
“Ugh!”
“Hey, what’s wrong?”
“Oh, n-nothing, just a sudden ache.”
“Just go already. Look what a mess you’ve made of us because of you.”
The man glanced back, but Artiela, who’d been putting Bardo away at just that moment, only shrugged.
“Go on, you perverted bastard.”
The Holy Trial was over.
Now it was time for some healing.
“Ugh, I really don’t understand why wicked people have such ugly souls.”
“You’ve had a hard time of it, Artiela.”
“If they lived decently, they’d grow into people as beautiful inside and out as you.”
Artiela gazed freely at her handsome companion’s face.
In the meantime, her mother had calmed the students and summoned other staff to look after them.
“What perfect timing that you came, my youngest. And our handsome Duke.”
At Lillian’s praise, the two exchanged bright smiles.
Lillian, watching her children’s romance unfold before her eyes, seemed simply delighted and proud.
“But you two certainly have your troubles.”
“Because of the Marriage Prohibition Order?”
“Yes, what are those nobles thinking? The Princess says she’ll repeal it, so just let her—honestly.”
Lillian pressed her forehead. Then she regarded the two with a stern gaze.
“You two be careful. You know who the real target of the Marriage Prohibition Order is, don’t you?”
“Yes, I do.”
“Well, we’re dating properly and prettily, aren’t we?”
At Artiela’s protest, her mother flicked her daughter’s forehead.
“You’re the problem. You.”
“But why!”
“You’ve been saying it since childhood—that if there’s a man with a beautiful face and beautiful soul, you’ll snatch him up without hesitation.”
That’s not—that was meant to say I won’t marry just anyone! That I’d absolutely refuse a political marriage to the Emperor.
“Ah, I see. So that’s why you chose me….”
No, don’t go along with that kind of logic.
“So how far have things progressed with this one?”
Does Mother really get to pry into her daughter’s romantic affairs like this?
“K-k-kissing?”
“Really?”
“Fairly intensely?”
For some reason, her mother’s expression remained unconvinced.
* * *
The two of them sat in Lillian’s office, sipping tea while they explained the reason for their visit—and what they’d discovered from surveying the Academy.
“Orphans do come to the Academy. When noble children enroll, they bring servants with them, so there are outsiders.”
“Could illegal slaves be mixed in among those people?”
“But these are supposedly kidnapped people. This is a place with lots of foot traffic—if that were the case, we would’ve caught wind of it.”
“Hmm, I suppose you’re right.”
“There is something strange, though….”
Lillian narrowed her eyes, went to the bookshelf, and rifled through documents. She pulled out several sheets with tables drawn on them.
“A mage who resigned recently recruited an unusually large number of aspiring mages. But many of them quit because they had no talent, and even those with talent would leave, saying it was too difficult.”
“And?”
“This mage resigned on the very day Ufailer died.”
This was hard to write off as coincidence.
“To become a Dark Mage, one needs to understand basic Magic, after all.”
They learned just enough and then vanished?
“Did the aspiring mages seem forced to be there?”
“No, I saw them often myself, but they didn’t seem frightened.”
Kirien spoke up from beside her.
“They were either convinced or brainwashed.”
“Right, I didn’t detect any Dark Magic, so that must be it.”
“And what about the professor who brought them?”
“He comes from a renowned mage family—one that’s produced many great mages. Of course, a Dark Mage or two were involved at some point, but it wasn’t him. He’s a candidate for the next head of the Mage Association, so he’s upright and honest.”
Well, I suppose so.
But inferiority complexes are fertile ground for mental illness.
“What’s he doing now?”
“I’m not sure—he said he resigned to nurse his wife.”
Once the two had received the mage’s personal information, they decided to return to the Holy Temple.
“Be careful on your way. And don’t do anything rough to the Duke!”
That’s not—how does she see her own daughter!
* * *
They returned to Edelion without much to show for it. Still, while they were out, they enjoyed good food with the knights and toured Downtown, and everyone had a pleasant time.
Of course, the expenses were covered by the Lupfel Duchy.
“Haven’t we spent too much money?”
“The seniors didn’t eat as much as I expected, so I didn’t use much of it.”
Such is the leisure of one who holds a territory that never runs dry of coin.
Since she’d brought refreshments for the knights who couldn’t come today, she distributed them to the guard stationed at the main gate as well.
“Oh, and Lady Bailey left an invitation for you.”
“She was here?”
“Yes, here it is. The Duke’s Mansion repairs are finished, and she’s asking everyone to come visit.”
“Hmm, I’ll have to arrange it in two shifts.”
Edelion couldn’t be left unguarded. But then again, they were all Kirien’s companions, so they’d want to see the place.
“As expected of our commander.”
At her subordinates’ flattery, Artiela’s lips curved upward pleasantly as she passed through the main gate.
But then a familiar maidservant came running toward her.
“Layge!”
It had been so long. She’d already packed gifts to give to the sisters.
“But why are you crying?”
“Our Daisy—Daisy—she’s disappeared again.”
Layge’s tears spilled over.

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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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