The Villainess is on a Quest - Chapter 79

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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 78
“You’re refusing me right now?”
Alex stared across at Dunkin with a bewildered expression.
This wasn’t just any position—it was the Supreme Commander of the Empire. How many people in the world would turn that down?
“Not only is it something I can’t provide immediately, but the probability of failure is quite high, isn’t it?”
But hearing Dunkin’s follow-up, Alex felt relieved. The negotiation itself didn’t seem to have derailed.
‘I wouldn’t have pegged him this way. Turns out he’s greedier than I thought—demanding something I could give him right now.’
Alex paused to consider. For Dunkin, this was certainly a gamble worth taking.
It was only natural that in such a situation he’d want a safety net rather than just a wager.
Something he could receive immediately.
“How about the Pink Diamond Mine? It’s practically the Lordman Family’s treasury.”
The moment Reina heard that, her eyes widened and she stared at Alex. Was he truly serious?
The Pink Diamond Mine was the lifeblood of the Lordman Family’s finances. Handing it over was tantamount to giving away the family’s very heart.
“Are you speaking in earnest?”
“If I can gain military power, I can gladly give it up. And besides, if the rebellion succeeds, I’ll be able to receive compensation befitting the cost.”
He was prepared to sacrifice anything for the rebellion’s sake. Most ordinary people would have been convinced at this point.
But Dunkin let out a derisive laugh.
“I can’t simply take your word for it when you alone are making such grand promises. I’d like to hear the genuine commitment from others as well.”
“Your ambition knows no bounds.”
“Shouldn’t I remind you that it’s not I who’s in need, but you, Duke?”
Dunkin goaded him on like a merchant driving up the price, asking how much he was willing to wager. Alex cursed under his breath, but Dunkin was right.
If the Capital Defense Army switched to their side immediately, everything would proceed smoothly.
Moreover, given his position as Military Minister, he could easily draw in other forces beyond the Capital Defense Army.
‘He’s someone I need to bring in even if it costs me a fortune.’
If they failed to win him over here, he’d become a weapon turned against them—one that would cut their throats.
“Ten billion Beneto.”
“Does the Duke possess such wealth?”
Even Dunkin, who had been displaying composure until now, felt his expression harden slightly upon hearing that sum.
It was far too large an amount to mention in jest.
The Empire’s annual budget was fifty billion Beneto. Was it even possible to give away a fifth of that?
Amid his doubts, Alex spoke with utmost confidence.
“Our organization is large enough to mobilize funds of that magnitude, Count.”
Of course, it would stretch them to their absolute limit, but there was no need to reveal such details.
If they could secure Dunkin, they could certainly gather funds of that scale.
“I won’t believe it until the money is in my own hands.”
“Give me one week. I’ll gather the funds and return to you.”
“Then, as a deposit on this agreement, transfer ownership of the Pink Diamond Mine to me first.”
The moment Alex witnessed this complete change in Dunkin’s demeanor, he was certain he had him.
The Imperial Guard alone would be unable to match the Capital Defense Army.
But if they—Letaria—took the lead and restored the throne to its proper order, everything would be resolved.
“Very well. I’ll have the transfer documents sent to you tomorrow morning.”
Satisfied with the successful outcome, Alex began to rise from his seat.
“Do go ahead. I’d like to speak with the Crown Princess for a while—something I haven’t had the chance to do in some time.”
But Dunkin kept his gaze fixed on Reina, urging Alex to leave first.
Had it been anyone else, Alex might have questioned his motives, but his counterpart was Reina’s father.
Assuming he simply wanted a private conversation between parent and child, and unwilling to offend him, Alex accepted gracefully.
“I’ll inform His Highness the Crown Prince of the details myself, Crown Princess.”
With those words, Alex departed, and a heavy silence settled over the room.
Neither party seemed inclined to speak first.
Reina thought that Dunkin must have already known of her circumstances.
She believed he’d asked her to remain so he could mock her pitiful state.
“If you wish to mock me, go ahead.”
So she spoke up quickly, inviting him to ridicule her situation.
“Are you happy?”
But what emerged from Dunkin’s mouth was utterly different from what she’d expected.
Reina was so taken aback that she doubted her own ears, yet there was no mockery in Dunkin’s expression.
“Even after you left home, your mother and I wished only for your happiness.”
We hoped you’d be happy. Though there was resentment at your defiance of our wishes, what parent doesn’t love their child above all else?
After you left, we prayed you’d live well. When we heard you’d borne a child, we longed to see you, yet we stayed away for your sake.
But looking at you now, you seem anything but happy.
“I’m so disappointed in myself for not stopping you.”
“No, Father.”
Watching Dunkin torment himself, Reina could no longer hold back her tears.
How many years had it been since she’d called him Father? Reina bit her lip, and without hiding the deep regret that etched her face, she spoke.
“I was foolish. When both of you opposed it, there was clearly a reason—I should have understood that.”
Yet she had arrogantly dismissed every word they’d said. If she’d only stopped to think, she would have seen it.
That the people who prayed for her happiness above all else were her parents, and that everything they’d said was for her sake.
“How is that damned prince treating you?”
Dunkin clenched his teeth. Seeing his beloved daughter in such pain, he longed to seize a sword and hunt him down on the spot.
But Reina could not bring herself to speak of what she’d endured. Sonelopi, whom she’d birthed from her own body, had suffered almost her entire life in that same brief hell.
The image of herself as a parent, unable to offer affection, rose before her again and again, filling her with shame and self-hatred.
She regretted more than ever that she’d been disappointed at bearing a daughter instead of the son she’d so desperately wanted, and how carelessly she’d treated her.
And yet she herself had been raised with such care, valued precisely because she was a daughter.
“You mustn’t side with them. Not ever.”
She could not align herself with Philip’s faction.
From the moment her clouded eyes had opened to the parts of reality she’d been avoiding, she saw how barbaric and foolish their actions truly were.
Reina silently prayed that Dunkin would refuse their proposal.
“From the start, I never intended to follow their wishes at all.”
“But Father, you just now—”
“Yes, I made a deal. But the moment I receive that money, I’m going straight to the Crown Princess herself.”
To Aine. I will go to her and hand over everything I’ve received.
That they are plotting rebellion, and as proof of it, I’ll give her all the money they’ve handed me.
In fact, Dunkin had already resolved that even if Reina had tried to sway him, he would never yield.
Letaria had already crossed the line.
“The people’s will shall never align with their designs.”
Starting with what happened in the plaza, even the revered sovereign Odin had nearly been assassinated.
The people’s hearts had grown cold toward their transgression long ago.
What the Empire’s people longed for was neither war nor a contest for power, but the peace and rest they had lost.
And that was precisely why they loved Aine.
Perhaps because she truly might bring peace to them.
“Without the people’s will, nothing they do can endure.”
Dunkin, who saw through everything, foresaw Letaria’s failure. He had no intention of boarding a sinking ship with them.
“Your only path to survival is to become a spy.”
No matter how much he despised them, he could not abandon his daughter. Looking at her remorseful face, Dunkin showed her the only way to live.
“You must earn merit as a spy—only then can you truly survive. I will do my utmost to persuade the Crown Princess myself. Please, for your father’s sake, relay whatever information you can.”
Reina did not refuse. He was right. In truth, it was the only path to survival left for her.
So she nodded.

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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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