The Villainess Lives Twice - Chapter 163

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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 163

 

24.

 

Cedric could not return home that night. Only a single letter was delivered.

 

『I was unable to leave the palace due to urgent news from the Duchy of Liagan. I will discuss the details tomorrow. It seems it will be a long day, so I hope you sleep well.』

 

Artizea folded the letter and held it to the candlelight. The brief letter quickly turned to ash.

 

Freil said.

 

“The same news came through the military intelligence network today. A messenger went to the Imperial Palace with urgent news.”

 

“I see.”

 

“The news was probably delivered to the expeditionary force heading south a few days ago. It’s still military classified information.”

 

“What about Duke Loigar’s side?”

 

“They probably don’t know yet. Even if they have people planted in the military, I think it will take a day or two.”

 

If Artizea had not ordered them to monitor the movements of the Kingdom of Eimel’s army in advance, the news would not have reached her so quickly either.

 

The second report arrived that night.

 

Queen Eimel was assassinated 16 days ago. Countess Dearlie Lexen, who had an audience with the queen through an introduction from the Duchess of Liagan, poisoned her.

 

Two days later, Prince Cadriole of Eimel raised an army. He said he would demand an explanation from House Liagan for sending the queen’s assassin.

 

The Kingdom of Eimel’s army occupied two ports in the southern part of the Empire with lightning speed, as if they had been preparing in advance.

 

Originally, the Cratese Empire’s navy was greatly inferior to the Kingdom of Eimel’s forces.

 

If it became a total war, the Empire might not win due to the difference in national scale, but it would not lose either.

 

However, in a short-term naval battle, the Kingdom of Eimel would definitely win.

 

Prince Cadriole pressed his advantage and advanced toward House Liagan. House Liagan was surrounded without even having time to respond to the news that their ports had been seized.

 

The courier with the urgent report departed at this point. Artizea’s intelligence network collecting and sending information from the Kingdom of Eimel and the Duchy of Liagan was almost simultaneous.

 

“Do you regret it?”

 

“Regret?”

 

Artizea asked back at Freil’s question.

 

In her hand was the letter that came with the second report. The letter that came to Artizea contained slightly more details about Countess Dearlie Ford’s death than the message that went to the Imperial Palace.

 

Deary died at the scene where she poisoned the queen.

 

Before the queen’s breath was cut off, she drank another cup of tea poured from the same teapot.

 

When the guards waiting outside the door rushed in after hearing the maid’s scream, she was already vomiting blood and dying.

 

And the fact that she remained very calm until the moment her breath stopped was the impression received by the servant who leaked that information.

 

In fact, the queen had trusted and followed suit because Deary had taken the first sip of that tea.

 

Artizea let out a small sigh.

 

“It is regrettable. People who possess both such wisdom and courage are hard to find. She wasn’t someone who should have been consumed like this.”

 

Artizea thought she had judged people too much based on memories from the past.

 

The reason she used Deary Ford as a consumable was ultimately only because Deary had never distinguished herself in her previous life.

 

“It’s a waste in many ways. If she had lived, there might have been a possibility of mediating between her and Scayla.”

 

Artizea muttered as if talking to herself.

 

No. Deary was in the right position at the most appropriate moment. When the order was sent, Scayla had not yet even gained the title of ‘friend’ from Artizea.

 

“Are you thinking of avenging her? Deary Ford, I understand you told her you couldn’t promise anything.”

 

Freil asked.

 

“And didn’t Deary Ford say that Duke Loigar’s downfall alone would be enough?”

 

“When I clearly know that Countess Camellia is included among the targets of revenge, wouldn’t it be shameless to pretend not to know?”

 

Artizea was silent for a moment, then spoke slowly.

 

“A strategist must have credibility.”

 

Making what was said into nothing or breaking promises and betraying is a secret plan that can only be used once.

 

That’s not something to do to subordinates. It’s something to do to the most threatening allied forces.

 

“If she had lived, I would have extracted her. I could have tried to persuade her to accept other compensation instead of revenge against Countess Camellia.”

 

“Your Highness.”

 

“But Deary is dead. She risked her life and completed her mission, so I cannot fail to give the promised reward.”

 

Artizea always paid exactly the price she promised to her subordinates.

 

If it was money, she gave money, and if it was treating a sick family member, she would obtain medicine even if it cost a fortune.

 

And revenge too.

 

That’s how an organization is maintained. That’s how people continue to sacrifice their lives, keep secrets, and work.

 

Just like making an example of one to warn a hundred, showing that rewards are properly given creates cohesion and loyalty in an organization.

 

It’s not because she particularly cherishes promises.

 

Freil said.

 

“Your Highness did not order her to die.”

 

“When I told her to assassinate Queen Eimel, it was no different from already telling her to die.”

 

Artizea replied.

 

Deary had no connections in the Kingdom of Eimel. There was no time to create such connections either. To assassinate, she had no choice but to do it during an audience on the spot.

 

“Did you calculate that she would die?”

 

“Even if she didn’t die, Deary would have had to be captured. That way, they would investigate further and connect to the next stage.”

 

And being captured after assassinating a queen is not much different from being told to die.

 

Probably Deary chose to die together for that reason. Deary was not a professional spy who had learned how to endure torture.

 

She had no choice but to confess. Above all, she couldn’t possibly endure that pain.

 

Deary said she would sell her life to her. And since she died, Artizea had to pay the price.

 

“Actually, I thought Deary might run away.”

 

“You gave her quite a large sum of money.”

 

“Money and honor dull one’s resolve. Deary even seemed to have talent.”

 

Artizea spoke in a sentimental tone.

 

Freil hesitated a little. He wasn’t sure if it was right to continue this conversation.

 

However, there was something he needed to ask in advance. Artizea was not someone who could rest just because she wanted to.

 

“Then what do you intend to do with Lady Scayla?”

 

“I’ll use her as a sword.”

 

Artizea said in a low voice.

 

“Since Deary couldn’t become the dagger that directly stabs Duke Loigar, wouldn’t it be good if Scayla became that?”

 

Unable to say anything else, Freil could only nod his head.

 

* * *

 

The first to act upon hearing this news was Gayan.

 

He immediately turned his army around. The place the knights who received Gayan’s orders headed to was Lawrence’s tent.

 

Lawrence was shocked.

 

“What is the meaning of this, Count Gayan? How dare you attack me when I’m going south as a plenipotentiary ambassador under imperial command? Are you planning treason?”

 

“It is not treason.”

 

Gayan said heavily.

 

“I have the authority to immediately arrest and investigate without waiting for His Majesty’s command when I judge that a crime has been committed that could threaten the Empire’s security.”

 

“Count Gayan!”

 

“Viscount Hoden once went south on your errand.”

 

Lawrence’s eyes widened. He couldn’t understand why that story was coming up now.

 

“Have you forgotten why Viscount Hoden went south? Didn’t you suggest bringing down Duke Liagan to resolve the grudge of the late Duke and Duchess of Liagan? Though it seemed he was well treated by Duke Liagan.”

 

“Weren’t you also at that meeting?”

 

Lawrence asked back as if incredulous.

 

Gayan said.

 

“That doesn’t matter. I didn’t decide, I didn’t execute, and I didn’t even advise on that matter itself.”

 

Lawrence’s complexion turned pale.

 

Gayan spoke without hesitation.

 

“A woman who had an audience with Queen Eimel through an introduction from the Duchess of Liagan assassinated the queen. But would the Duke and Duchess of Liagan have ordered an assassination so openly when it wasn’t even His Majesty’s command?”

 

“Count Gayan.”

 

“This was obviously designed by someone to trap House Riagan. And I know that Lord Lawrence has made such plans before and even sent people to carry them out.”

 

“Preposterous!”

 

“As a subject of His Majesty, as an Imperial Guard commanded to protect the foundation of this nation, how could I pretend not to know when I was present at that meeting?”

 

“Are you not afraid of the consequences?”

 

“Do not worry. I will merely report to His Majesty. If you are truly innocent, there is nothing to worry about. As you said, I should be the one worrying about consequences.”

 

Gayan said this and ordered the knights to arrest Lawrence.

 

Although Lawrence was the overall commander of the Southern Subjugation Army, he had no real authority. The knights followed Gayan’s orders without hesitation.

 

Gayan turned the army back toward the capital.

 

At that time, the Southern Subjugation Army had not even fully left the Central Region.

 

While the preparations had taken a long time, turning the army around and returning to the capital would take less than two weeks.

 

Gayan did not fully understand the complete circumstances of the incident, as he had said.

 

However, he remembered very clearly the statements made during that meeting. He knew that Amelie had turned to Cedric’s side.

 

And that for some reason, Amelie had given cunningly twisted advice.

 

Gayan did not know the purpose or outcome of that advice. But because he suspected some conspiracy was hidden within, he had remembered it vividly.

 

Nine times out of ten, investigating Viscount Hoden would reveal connections to the assassin.

 

He had not anticipated it would connect in this way.

 

He was inwardly amazed.

 

Amelie had conveyed that Artizea said not to worry and to wait. That they would be able to turn around while following the Emperor’s commands.

 

And this must be what Artizea had told them to wait for.

 

This opportunity could not be missed. To get off a sinking ship, one must be the first to board the lifeboat.

 

Gayan sent an urgent messenger bird toward the Imperial Palace. Then he sent a courier.

 

This courier arrived on the same day that Duke Riagan’s petition from the south reached the Imperial Palace.

 

* * *

 

Breathless silence hung in the terrified conference room.

 

The Emperor crumpled the letter he had been holding.

 

『…This elderly retainer truly knows nothing. It is true that my wife had a personal friendship with Her Majesty the Queen of Eimel. However, they were merely acquaintances who talked about women’s jewelry and clothing while building their friendship.

 

Who could have imagined that the person I introduced harbored ulterior motives? That woman was a silk farmer with connections to various cloth merchants, and I introduced her only because Her Majesty the Queen of Eimel had shown interest in the silk business.

 

I am truly wronged and astounded, and can only plead for Your Majesty’s mercy and salvation….』

 

He threw the letter onto the desk.

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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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