The Villainess is a Millionaire Solver - Chapter 148
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 148
“How was that?”
Ruellian said as if to show off.
“As I said, shooting at dolls and watching parades is what amateurs do. Limited edition. First come, first served. Places where others wait in line. Experts finish conquering those kinds of things first.”
At his seemingly smug attitude, I was once again at a loss for words.
Now that I think about it, His Holy Eminence was more serious about festivals than anyone else?
“Now then.”
As if we had rested enough, he dragged me along again.
This time it was a building with a tall tower.
I stood in front of it and read the letters on the signboard.
“【Empire’s 100 Greatest Saints Memorial Hall】?”
“That’s right. It closes at 6 PM, but since it’s an Order building, I can visit anytime. This means it’s not illegal.”
Ruellian said this while reaching under the statue at the entrance to pull out a key.
When we opened the door and entered, portraits and relics of saints greeted us.
Ruellian quickly passed through that area as if now wasn’t the time to look at them, and went straight up the stairs.
What does this have to do with the festival anyway?
I had such doubts, but when we climbed to the very top, I could understand.
From there, the sky above the square was clearly visible.
The fireworks seemed about to start soon. The square was packed full of people.
The tall buildings around us were also brightly lit with lanterns, and many people were standing by their windows.
Only this place was dim and completely empty of people.
Ruellian said proudly.
“This is the best spot to watch the fireworks. It’s a secret only I know, and I’m specially telling only the Princess. This is probably the best seat in the entire capital city.”
It was true.
Shortly after, when the fireworks began, they poured down right before our eyes. The entire space was brilliantly colored by that dazzling radiance.
Though there wouldn’t be enough time to enjoy this spectacle, I turned my gaze to look at Ruellian’s profile.
“Seeing how well you know this, you must have diligently wandered around investigating every year during the festival without missing a single one?”
“I did.”
He nodded.
“During festivals, everything goes out of control, so it’s perfect for unexpected situations to occur. I imagined countless times that among all those people, the culprit who killed my parents would suddenly turn and look at me. Even though I don’t even know that person’s face.”
“…”
I could almost see the image of a boy with his still-young face frozen pale, wandering among people enjoying the festival.
I had no words to say.
I turned my gaze to look at the fireworks.
Every time the color of light pouring from the sky changed, this small space we were in was brightly colored the same way.
“Anyway, you did well earlier.”
Ruellian suddenly spoke again.
“I’m not saying you’re a coward, but everyone has situations they find frightening. If there’s someone trustworthy, it’s good to lean on them a little. Of course, there’s no one in the world worth trusting.”
“Then I shouldn’t trust you either?”
At my words, he shook his head.
“I’m naturally an exception. First of all, I’m a religious person, so how safe is that? I have wealth, so there’s no reason to covet your money. We’re from the same ducal family, so there’s no need to be desperate for status advancement. I’m trustworthy in many ways.”
“Hmm…”
“Besides, don’t I have quite a bit of ability? The fact that we’ve done well so far is proof of that. Even though that person is hiding so thoroughly, we’ve already discovered quite important things, haven’t we?”
Ruellian continued speaking while watching the night sky changing into all sorts of colors.
“First of all. We know that bastard uses black magic. More specifically, it’s black magic composed of language similar to dragon speech magic. You might not know this well, but knowing the type makes it somewhat easier to defend against. Even if you don’t know why you have a fever, you can at least try using fever reducers.”
Though I had almost no knowledge about magic in my head, explaining it that way made it somewhat understandable.
Since the vague fear seemed to diminish a little, I let out a small sigh.
“That’s good news.”
“Also, we learned that bastard researches amaranchia flowers. If we investigate that direction, something else might come up. Use your academic society, I mean. I’ll help too, of course.”
Ruellian continued seriously.
“Look at this. Against a figure so bizarre and shrouded in mystery that we had no choice but to give them the nickname ‘Mysterious Figure,’ we’ve already obtained two advantageous cards. So I don’t think we need to be excessively anxious.”
“You’re right.”
I nodded.
“Two cards. When you put it that way, it seems quite advantageous? We should use these to catch that person off guard. First…”
While watching the fireworks, I organized my thoughts step by step.
“The black magic that bastard uses is diametrically opposed to holy power. So if we want to attack that person this time, it would be good for the Holy Knights to take the front. But that person would fully expect that much, right? We need special people to deal with besides the Holy Knights.”
At my words, Ruellian asked.
“For example?”
“Well. Maybe utilizing the people around me… Anyway, I need to think about it carefully.”
“Right. You’ll have your own good ideas too.”
He seemed to shrug his shoulders slightly.
“Anyway, the important thing is that if we join forces, we can do well. After we solve everything later, we’ll be able to look at each other and smile while reminiscing about now. Don’t you think?”
It was a hopeful statement, like the line of a good protagonist.
There was a time when I thought he was like an underworld boss.
‘But when I look closely, he really has such a positive personality.’
I had such thoughts while turning my gaze back to the night sky.
After the last spectacular fireworks burst enough to cover the entire sky, the fireworks show ended.
But for the people gathered in the square, the festival was just beginning from now.
A marching song played by the band on stage echoed loudly. People naturally danced together to that music.
An outdoor ball.
Looking down from this high place, I could vividly feel that joyful atmosphere.
At the same time, I also thought we should quickly escape from here before it got more complicated.
“Good.”
I turned around first.
“Thanks for today. I’ll acknowledge the fact that you’re the true master of festivals. See you later.”
“Wait a moment.”
He hurriedly followed me down.
Wasn’t it enough that I acknowledged he was a festival expert? What more does he want to do?
I could hear him continuing to call me from behind.
But I pretended not to hear by temporarily having reduced hearing and walked quickly through the crowd.
Then Ruellian shouted loudly.
“Honey! Even if you’re going to that man, can’t you at least teach me how to make baby food for the kids before you go?”
A pitiful cry echoed.
My feet froze solid.
People walking around me all stopped and stared at me. Some people clicked their tongues and pointed fingers.
“My goodness! That’s really too much.”
I was so dumbfounded I couldn’t speak. I hurriedly returned to Ruellian and confronted him.
“What are you doing? Is it okay for a clergyman to tell such lies?”
Ruellian replied boldly.
“Do you think I wanted to go that far? I had to make that kind of statement because it seemed like you’d only come back if I did.”
“What are you calling me back for? You really are the best. The ultimate festival expert. I already perfectly acknowledged that fact.”
“That’s not it, you need to take your stuff.”
“Stuff?”
“The things I carried for you when we went to my house earlier. They’re probably still piled up at my house right now, aren’t you going to get them?”
Ah, right.
I finally remembered.
I had bought various small items while wandering around with Aldensis, but I completely forgot about them when the Empress suddenly called for me.
I immediately backed down.
“I should get them.”
“Wait. I’ll bring them.”
Ruellian quickly brought the items.
“I need to keep the doll that Aldensis shot down with an arrow a bit longer to check if it’s an illegally produced item.”
He said this while handing me the rest of the items.
Adding the sparkling animal ear headband and dragon wing cloak to everything else made the load too heavy.
“Oh my. I’ll have to carry them again.”
Ruellian naturally headed toward the Rosen Ducal Mansion.
‘Surely there isn’t going to be another event?’
I didn’t let my guard down and kept glancing at him.
But there were no more events. He came to where the ducal mansion was visible and obediently stopped.
“Then make a plan to use the academy and let me know. As I said, I’ll cooperate fully.”
After setting down the luggage, he turned around.
Huh? He’s really just leaving?
To turn around without any other conversation. I felt a strange feeling as if I’d been caught off guard.
“….”
I stood there for a moment and watched.
Ruellian’s figure quickly disappeared among the people enjoying the festival.
The words he had said earlier while watching the fireworks suddenly came to mind.
“Later, after everything is resolved, we’ll be able to face each other and smile while reminiscing about now. Don’t you think?”
Such positive and hopeful words indeed.
But why does a corner of my heart feel strangely cold?
‘What is this?’
I tilted my head and thought about it, but couldn’t figure it out.
I gave up and walked toward the ducal mansion. Then I belatedly remembered.
‘Wait a minute. Why would we face each other and smile?’
Facing each other means being together. If everything ended well, why would we be together? Huh? Why are we casually appearing together in that imagination?
No wonder something felt strange.
I shook my head from side to side and quickened my pace.
“Really ridiculous.”
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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