The Villainess is a Millionaire Solver - Chapter 40

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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 40

Within the 15-minute time limit, he said I could intervene however I wanted.

Perhaps that’s why. Aldensis and Zicren didn’t notice at all that the magic circle had been modified. They just thought I was standing there blankly.

“Since the Princess can’t see dragon language magic, you must be wondering what on earth is happening…”

“But just looking at this should give you a rough idea, right?”

They said this while kicking the golem that was broken into pieces and rolling on the ground.

“Once the trap is activated, the target can never escape from within it. The problem was luring him inside…”

“A treasure exhibition to commemorate the department store’s opening. No matter how I think about it, it sounds plausible. Brother was also in complete agreement.”

“We’ve prepared the department store building and even named it. 【Empire Department Store】. Now we just need to stock it with goods to sell and display the treasure to be used in the trap, which the Princess is supposed to prepare, right?”

“No.”

“Hm? According to Zicren, surely…”

“It’s not that I’m going to prepare it, but that I’ve already prepared it.”

I replied haughtily.

“I didn’t ask Prince Zicren to write that official document for nothing. I showed it to Father and borrowed a very appropriate treasure. A treasure that’s revealing itself for the first time in 33 years!”

“What is it?”

“Saint Agneta’s Ice Crown.”

It wasn’t me who answered. Suddenly, a voice from beyond the garden trees answered in my place.

‘Ah.’

I looked in that direction.

‘He’s finally finished his homework.’

A white shadow appeared from between the trees.

It was Ruellian, wearing the ceremonial robes symbolizing an Agent of the Divine, holding scriptures in his arms.

“…”

He first glanced at me. His eyes looked like he’d found the prey he was searching for. I pretended not to notice and looked away.

‘Hehe. This is all part of my plan too.’

The reason I’m running around so diligently right now is ultimately for my own benefit…

But as a result, he’ll also avoid the death he was supposed to face soon.

Without knowing this fact even in his dreams, Ruellian grumbled lightly.

“How cruel. I accommodated your request to purify the sacred object, even postponing my prayer schedule, yet you were plotting something while completely leaving me out.”

“Th-that’s…”

I acted very troubled while looking at Aldensis and Zicren.

“We were talking quietly among ourselves, so how did you hear? And how did even the two transcendent Highnesses not sense your presence at all?”

“Princess, it’s fine. It’s not some special secret anyway. The rumors are already out. That the three of you are plotting some conspiracy.”

“A conspiracy, Your Eminence? We just met briefly because we had a lot to discuss about business.”

“I’d like to let it slide, but didn’t you say that imperial business was just a cover?”

“It’s useless, Aristina.”

Zicren shook his head and interjected.

“Once Ruellian finds something suspicious, he won’t let go until he’s satisfied. Who can stop that personality of his?”

“That’s right. Once you’re caught, it’s wise to spill everything immediately.”

Aldensis also nodded.

“Let’s just be honest. The treasure Princess Aristina just mentioned is a necessary item for our operation. We’re going to display it at the Princess’s new business establishment to catch that thief they call the ‘invincible Black Phantom.'”

Ruellian paused for a moment.

Two people saying they’d catch him right in front of the person himself. And him just hearing this news.

To me, who knew both sides of the situation, it was quite a mysterious scene.

‘The Crown Prince brothers really don’t suspect Ruellian at all.’

That’s understandable. The highest-ranking cleric. Someone who lives a righteous life helping the weak and revealing truth in his own way. How could they suspect him?

‘Besides, his acting skills rival mine.’

That brief pause from earlier would only be noticeable if you observed as sharply and deliberately as I do. He’s someone who wears such a natural mask.

Even if someone told me ‘Ruellian is the thief,’ I would never have believed it, right? This way, he’s been avoiding capture by receiving information from people who never dream of suspecting him.

“A thief?”

Ruellian asked calmly.

“So that’s what the three of you were secretly planning?”

“Well… that’s how it turned out.”

Zicren scratched his nose awkwardly.

“I was going to tell you after we caught him. Actually, the wound I showed you back then was originally from trying to catch that guy.”

He already knows very well. Since he was the one who stabbed you.

“After getting injured, I was really pissed off. This time, even brother is joining to teach him a lesson. Even strong-willed people like Aristina find the thief unsettling, so we need to show everyone us beating him to a pulp right before their eyes.”

“Really?”

Of course, Ruellian took even those words calmly, as if they were someone else’s business.

No, wait.

I thought he was taking it calmly… but his brow twitched.

“Is that really possible though? I heard that thief hasn’t been seen lately?”

“He’ll appear.”

Aldensis replied with conviction.

“He cares a lot about rumors. To maintain his notoriety, it’s about time he pulls off something big.”

“Really? Still, just in case, you shouldn’t be too careless talking about beating someone to a pulp in front of anyone. He’s quite a slippery character.”

Ruellian’s brow twitched again.

‘His pride is hurt.’

Since he firmly believed no one here knew his identity, it was somewhat amusing how he was subtly showing his feelings like that.

I didn’t miss his reaction and slyly threw in a pointed comment.

“Somehow it seems like Your Eminence is defending that thief?”

He immediately smoothed his slightly furrowed brow.

“That can’t be, Princess. Our Order has also had sacred objects stolen by that thief.”

He even staged a show of stealing sacred objects himself? How thorough.

With that thought, I smiled brightly.

“So you acknowledge his abilities to some extent? But this time, he has no choice but to fall for it.”

“Why?”

“A treasure being revealed to the public for the first time in 33 years, to commemorate the new department store opening by the notorious Princess Aristina of House Rosen, in partnership with the Imperial Court. Isn’t that a very tempting target for a thief?”

I claimed confidently.

“Even if that thief’s standards are too high and this doesn’t tempt him, I’ve prepared a secret weapon separately.”

“Really?”

Ruellian asked with an intrigued expression.

“What is it, Princess?”

“‘Thoroughly bruising his pride.'”

I answered cheerfully.

“We’ll provoke the thief thoroughly at the treasure unveiling. ‘You can’t steal this. You may be an invincible thief, but against our Rosen Family, you’ll record your first defeat.’ Like that. Then he won’t be able to not come, if only because his pride is hurt, right?”

Then Zicren clapped his hands.

“Brilliant idea!”

“Exactly. They say ‘Black Phantom’ would be a corpse without his pride.”

Aldensis also nodded several times.

Since the topic came up, I decided to go one step further.

“Oh, but Crown Prince. I have a suggestion I’ve been thinking about.”

“Please tell me.”

“Could we change his nickname to something else? I heard you’re not supposed to give criminals fancy nicknames. That also helps create an appealing image for the public. How about calling him ‘Showoff,’ ‘Errand Boy,’ or ‘Flying Squirrel’ from now on?”

“That makes sense.”

“As expected, Crown Prince agrees too.”

Looking at Ruellian, who was watching us with an expression that said ‘how amusing,’ I asked innocently.

“What do you think, Your Eminence?”

Ruellian replied calmly.

“It sounds like a good idea.”

“Really? Then would you like to choose one from ‘troublemaker’, ‘errand boy’, ‘flying squirrel’, or ‘intersection hot pink slippers’?”

“Haha. There’s one more strange one added?”

He chuckled and said.

“I’m busy right now. I’ll choose later.”

“You must be busy indeed. Your prayer schedule got pushed back because of the sacred relic purification.”

I said naturally.

“Oh, come to think of it… Since the Order also has a grudge against that thief, how about Your Eminence personally bringing the purified sacred relic to the exhibition hall? I think it would create even more buzz…”

“Well, let’s do that.”

“You promise?”

“Of course.”

He replied.

“I trust the Princess hasn’t forgotten her promise either. I’m very much looking forward to the thick reports you’ll be bringing directly soon.”

It seems he plans to safely hide away using the prayer period as an excuse, then immediately start investigating me intensively again.

‘How persistent.’

Through the acting I just did earnestly, his suspicion that I might know his identity should have been cleared.

Why won’t he let me go yet?

‘For such a tenacious opponent, there’s only that method. Saving his life and making a deal to turn the situation in my favor.’

Gaining confidence in my judgment once more, I smiled brightly.

“Yes, of course. I’ll come visit you.”

However, not when you’re thinking, but much earlier than that. When the great leader of the Holy Order is trapped, that is.

Not knowing what I was thinking, Ruellian nodded slightly. Then he greeted the Crown Prince brothers.

“Well then, I’ll be going.”

As if he had obtained everything he aimed for, he turned around gracefully.

Watching Ruellian’s retreating figure as he walked away, I let out a sigh of relief.

‘Now it’s done.’

If he comes to the scene where the sacred relic is first exhibited, 90 percent of my plan will be achieved.

It was difficult.

I had to meet him under the pretext of needing to purify the sacred relic, skillfully drop hints, lead him to this place, and put on quite a show. While acting like a fool with all my might.

All those efforts flashed before my eyes like a panorama.

Thanks to that, I was able to guide that fox-like man and make him move according to my plan.

‘My acting skills played a part, but the image I’ve carefully built up over 20 years also contributed greatly.’

I did safely escape from the Sacred Tribunal and secure the Imperial contract, showing somewhat intelligent behavior.

But the impression people had of Aristina over the past 20 years was apparently too solid to be changed by that.

Thanks to this, I’ll save Ruellian’s life and prevent the disaster that will befall Aldensis and Zikren.

I became a little proud.

‘Isn’t this completely a nation-saving scoundrel?’

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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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