The Villainess is a Millionaire Solver - Chapter 91

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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 91

A moment later.

Sion’s attendants who had gone outside the hall came in carrying a small palanquin with four handles.

On that palanquin, beautifully decorated with fragrant wood inlaid with gold leaf, there was one large box and a slightly smaller box.

The large box was adorned with pure white ivory and red rubies, while the small box was decorated with blue silk and sparkling pearls.

On the lids, the symbol of the Argos Trading Company that Sion managed was shining brilliantly. Anyone could see the care that had been put into them.

“Wow…”

At the sight of these gifts displaying Sion’s prestige, even the Duke’s advisors let out exclamations of admiration. Sion smiled brightly and spoke.

“The carriages are full of things obtained through this northern expedition, but I prepared these separately as something special.”

And he lifted up the large box first and presented it to Duke Carnel.

“Uncle, please open it.”

“Let’s see.”

Duke Carnel opened the box.

At that moment.

“Oh?”

A small exclamation escaped from his lips.

Duke Carnel, who usually finds most things trivial, was actually impressed? Everyone couldn’t contain their curiosity and asked.

“Duke, what’s inside?”

Instead of answering, the Duke put his hand into the box and lifted the object high.

“…!”

Everyone’s eyes widened.

It was a pure white helmet. Its mysterious and unique glow, as if it were not of this world, seemed to captivate people’s hearts at once.

What was particularly amazing was the beautiful horn on the helmet. Depending on the angle, it looked like transparent ice, or sparkled as if made from gathered starlight.

The Duke asked in amazement.

“What kind of beast’s horn is this? I have no idea.”

“It’s from a White Griffin.”

Sion answered with sparkling eyes.

“While patrolling the domain, I happened to discover a flock of griffins. Uniquely, a White Griffin with a completely white body and a horn on its head was leading that flock.”

“How curious.”

“Yes, Uncle. In the north, there’s a legend that White Griffins symbolize eternal life. They say if you possess a White Griffin’s horn, you’ll live forever.”

“Such…”

You believe such nonsense? You’re not even a child?

Duke Carnel seemed like he wanted to say that, but seeing Sion’s expression, he just swallowed his words.

Sion continued speaking earnestly.

“So I was determined to catch that creature no matter what it took. I really wanted to give you its horn, Uncle, since your health hasn’t been good.”

“Even when we advised against griffin hunting because it’s difficult, you were so determined.”

Helmut shook his head and said.

“Even after we all gave up and retreated, you challenged it several times and finally succeeded in catching it. It was remarkable persistence and determination. Though you did get injured…”

“What?”

Duke Carnel was surprised.

“Where and how were you hurt?”

“I just hurt my arm a little. Don’t worry about it. It healed quickly.”

Sion shook his head and said.

“Anyway… I had the most famous craftsman in the north make this helmet. How is it? Do you like it?”

“Of course I like it.”

Duke Carnel nodded.

“But from now on, you must never do such dangerous things.”

“It wasn’t dangerous. It just took some time.”

Sion said with a bright smile.

“For you, Uncle, I can do anything. And for sister too.”

And he turned his head toward me.

“I know very well that I’m a brother who doesn’t measure up in sister’s eyes in many ways. But I like you so much, sister, and I want to get even a little closer to you. I’ve prepared a small gift with that feeling, so please accept it.”

“Alright, Sion.”

I quickly opened my box.

Inside was a surprisingly beautiful and delicate rose sculpture.

It had a jet-black color with a mysterious luster, and the way it expressed even the leaf veins and small thorns was truly amazing.

It was craftsmanship that could probably weave lace with stone instead of thread.

“Everyone look at this!”

When I held up the rose for all to see, everyone was surprised and their eyes widened. Duke Carnel asked.

“Isn’t that obsidian?”

“That’s right. There’s a very famous obsidian mining area in the north.”

Sion nodded with a smile.

“That’s obsidian with the most beautiful luster and finest quality among them all. I discovered it by chance when I entered a beast’s den. The moment I saw it, I thought of sister’s Black Rose Trading Company. So I worked hard to obtain it.”

And he looked at me.

“Obsidian is formed by volcanic activity, so while it’s cold and sharp, it contains the properties of fire within. It suits you perfectly, sister. It naturally resists ice magic, so it also keeps the body warm. It would be very good to keep it close at all times.”

“Really?”

It wasn’t a very expensive stone, but just the crafting cost alone seemed to match the value of the same weight in gold.

It was a gift that perfectly matched Aristina’s taste for special things.

Even if it came from a disliked cousin, it was enough to make one covetous.

‘He chose the items very well.’

That means he put a lot of thought into it, so shall I find out his true identity?

“I love it so much!”

I covered my face with both hands in delight.

Immediately, the ring’s power activated. My vision changed. Suddenly it was like wearing golden-tinted glasses.

At first, nothing seemed wrong. But when I focused my eyes and looked, dark energy began to seep out little by little from the obsidian rose.

And…

I heard a whispering sound in my ear.

「Ser, ser…」

That’s what it sounded like.

I couldn’t understand what it meant, but hearing that sound, some thoughts flowed into my mind.

It was as if someone was providing commentary. According to that commentary, this wasn’t something that would kill a person.

But it was definitely harmful to keep nearby. It would cause nightmares, weaken one’s energy, and cause frequent fainting…

‘I knew it.’

My suspicion became certainty.

According to my memories, all the things Sion gave were strange. They were all pretty and desirable things, but keeping them in the room made things weird.

They would move by themselves, sudden crying sounds would be heard, or looking at them would make one nauseous and vomit.

So if she was startled and dropped or threw them, everyone would scold Aristina.

“Don’t scold sister too much. It can’t be helped…”

Each time, Sion would turn away with a deeply hurt and dejected face, and receive lots of attention again.

‘That was definitely not a coincidence.’

I thought there must be some secret hidden, and sure enough. They really were problematic items.

Not things that would openly kill or harm people, but things that would gradually drain one’s life force if kept nearby.

‘Look at that character.’

It was true that Sion had put sincere effort into preparing gifts for Duke Carnel this time.

But what good is that sincerity if he does this? If he tries to climb up by trampling on others like this?

Did he think the trampled person would just stay quiet forever?

There’s a limit to ignoring people.

‘Now you try experiencing it once too.’

I hugged the rose tightly to my chest.

“Thank you so much, Sion! This is my favorite gift I’ve ever received in my life! Starting tonight, I’ll hug this tight even when I sleep…”

I was excitedly shouting when I suddenly cut off my words and collapsed onto the floor with a thud. Everyone was startled.

“Young Lady!”

“Aristina!”

Duke Carnel rushed over and supported me.

“What’s wrong all of a sudden? Aristina!”

“My, my head….”

I was trying to make up an excuse when suddenly, the sound that had been faintly echoing in my head became crystal clear.

‘Huh?’

This is a word I know. Could this be related to the identity of that obsidian rose?

I put on an act of being breathless and muttered.

“I’m dizzy. I hear some name in my head… ‘Serpentas’… What on earth is Serpentas?”

“What did you say?”

Duke Carnel was horrified and urgently covered my ears.

“Destroy that evil thing immediately!”

“Pardon?”

“What are you doing? Destroy it! Serpentas refers to a dragon that has gone mad! When a dragon becomes corrupted, its scales turn pitch black! Those scale fragments drive human souls into madness!”

“Good heavens! Young Lady!”

My bodyguard Hanna moved faster than anyone else, bringing the diamond angel statue and smashing that rose to pieces.

“Raphais!”

“Yes, Duke!”

The Duke’s Family’s learned aide hurried over. He put on gloves and carefully examined the rose fragments, then let out a sigh of relief.

“Fortunately, these are not dragon scales.”

“What? Is that true?”

“Yes, Duke. This is indeed obsidian. However, it seems to be an object found in a corrupted dragon’s lair. It can cause nightmares and drain one’s energy, but it’s not enough to drive a person insane.”

“Well, that’s somewhat fortunate then….”

The Duke irritably commanded.

“Throw it away immediately!”

Sion was standing there dazed when he suddenly startled.

“I was wrong!”

He immediately prostrated himself on the floor in apology.

“I was so focused on thinking that my sister would like it that I failed to examine it properly. Please punish me!”

He was trembling as if the terror from his slave days had resurfaced, causing him to panic.

Duke Carnel sighed at the sight.

“Who would blame you? When you’re busy with monster subjugation and still thinking of gifts, mistakes can happen. Fortunately, Aristina noticed it right away, so it’s fine.”

“….”

Sion raised his head.

The obsidian rose had been thrown away long ago, but Duke Carnel was still firmly covering my ears with both hands.

What a surprising thing. That he would throw himself forward so quickly to protect me.

And even though the situation was resolved, he was still shielding me without a care.

‘The crisis is all over though….’

Anyway, there was no particular reason to push away the Duke’s hands, so I just stayed still.

No.

“I’m dizzy.”

I continued pretending I couldn’t steady myself while pressing even closer to the Duke.

While doing so, I sent a cold glance toward Sion.

Did you see? Who the real heir of this family is?

“…!”

Sparks flew from Sion’s eyes.

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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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