The Villainess Lives Twice - Chapter 264

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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 264

42.

Twenty corpses were brought before Artizea.

Eleven knights from Evron. Six administrative officials from the western regions. Three priests.

All of them were those who had followed Lisia.

There were others as well, but it seemed they weren’t brought here either because the corpses weren’t clean enough to show or because their status was relatively low.

“The village was burned, they said.”

Artizea muttered.

The one who had collected and transported the corpses answered. He was a captain under Jacob’s command.

“After Lord Jacob was murdered, a great battle broke out. In the midst of that…”

The captain spoke with indignation.

“They called them bandits, but would real bandits burn down a village protected by a lord, not some slash-and-burn farmers’ village, down to the very foundation stones and drag people away?”

“…”

“Moreover, when there were knights present. Would they do such a thing knowing full well that there were officials and priests from other places? This is the work of Charlton or Baxter.”

The captain named the lords whose territories bordered theirs.

Artizea quietly lifted the cloth covering the corpse’s face. Alphonse’s face had turned black.

“Below the neck… Your Highness…”

Hailey muttered. Though they had properly washed the corpse and dressed it in new clothes, they still couldn’t hide all the traces.

Artizea muttered.

“I know.”

Once again, he had died protecting Lisia.

And once again, she thought it was her responsibility. Previously, she had created a situation where Lawrence could do such things, and this time, she had asked him to protect Lisia.

He would have fought even knowing he couldn’t protect her. Judging by the situation where they were all massacred with not a single person escaping, there was an absolute difference in military strength.

It would have been better if he had fled.

But there was no way he would abandon his request to her, abandon Lisia, and flee.

Even if Lisia had fled and asked him to spread the news, Lawrence wouldn’t have let Alphonse live.

He had hated Alphonse terribly. In fact, thinking about it now, it felt like he had hated everything that Lisia loved and cherished.

Artizea carefully pulled the cloth back up to cover the head.

“Hah.”

She took a long breath and slowly exhaled.

Deep inside her eyes stung. The tear ducts connected to her nose were hot, making it difficult to speak.

While trying to hold back, Artizea raised her head.

And asked in a completely hoarse voice.

“…Who sent you?”

“…”

“Answer me.”

One of the Evron knights suppressing his fighting spirit made a clanking sound with his scabbard.

The captain flinched.

“…No one.”

“The village ended up like that, and the knights and officials who went to stop the plague died. Moreover, my maid has gone missing, yet you’re saying no one cares because they’re all busy with power struggles among themselves?”

The captain couldn’t maintain his position kneeling on one knee and collapsed to kneel on both knees.

“It is exactly as you say.”

No one thought to report this news to the capital.

But someone had to collect the corpses. The captain wasn’t particularly aligned with anyone’s faction.

Because he didn’t want to get involved in that fight, he had taken charge of cleaning up the village and came here.

“Crown Princess, I have a request.”

One of the Evron knights stepped forward and spoke. His eyes were blazing.

Artizea knew what he wanted to request.

“I cannot permit it.”

“It’s only three castles at most.”

He rattled his gauntlet. Another knight beside him also stepped forward.

“We alone are sufficient to handle that much. Please grant permission, Your Highness!”

“We cannot just close our eyes and let this pass!”

Hailey established justification on behalf of those who weren’t good with words.

“They kidnapped the Crown Princess’s maid and killed her escort knights. They also murdered officials dispatched for disease prevention. If this isn’t treason, what is treason? Even if the Crown Princess holds them accountable, His Majesty the Emperor would not scold you.”

Artizea still shook her head.

“I cannot spare troops right now to eliminate three or four lords.”

As Hailey said, there was justification.

And probably, as the knights assured, they would be sufficient to handle them.

But not now.

If there were surplus resources, they should focus on preventing the spread of the plague.

Though few regions were currently suffering from the plague, fear had already begun to spread.

If they attacked warlords and started a war at this time, public sentiment would become even more agitated.

Rather, coldly speaking, it would be appreciated if they fought among themselves and destroyed each other.

It probably wasn’t Charlton and Baxter who kidnapped Lisia and killed her attendants.

They wouldn’t be that stupid either.

Probably Lawrence did it. And since Lawrence wasn’t a fool either, he wouldn’t have left traces of himself.

Even if they captured and tortured them, there would be no real benefit.

It felt like swallowing a lump of heat down her throat.

‘Even Lord Sedric wouldn’t have ordered revenge.’

Artizea thought so in her heart.

And he wouldn’t tell her to carry out what Artizea was thinking either.

Things like inciting Charlton and Baxter against each other and provoking the surrounding warlords to start a war, or assassinating them to create chaos and then crushing their forces.

So Artizea said.

“Let’s only talk about Count Jacob. The title he received is not hereditary, and the position of independent commander is not a title but merely authority entrusted by His Majesty.”

“Yes.”

“Since the military commander died, it’s natural for His Majesty to appoint and send a new commander to control the troops, yet it makes no sense for his son or some cheonbuljang to fight over occupying the castle.”

The captain stared at her with wide eyes.

The western officials were the same.

Even the mayor of the city where Artizea was currently staying said in surprise.

“The lord’s authority is customary, Crown Princess.”

“There is no such title as lord.”

Artizea retorted. Then she looked back at Amelie standing on her left.

“Count Harper, what do you think?”

She had resigned after being expelled for earning the Emperor’s hatred.

Though she didn’t lose her title, honor, or wealth, she left the capital because it was awkward to continue staying.

And she bought a large manor in a quiet resort area and sent her family and relatives there.

But Amelie herself didn’t go there and secretly headed to the western regions.

And she was traveling, meeting old friends.

In preparation for days like today.

“Since the independent commander died, the western army should first recover operational command. An administrator should be sent in.”

“In principle, that’s correct, but there have been almost no cases of lords giving up castles they control. There have been no successful attempts at sending administrators either.”

“Of course they won’t just give them up. The western army should be able to handle it. The administrator can enter after suppression is complete.”

Would that work? The official looked at Amelie with a face full of doubt.

“Other things aside, all the warlords will unite solidly to resist just this issue. Are you really planning to wage war?”

“We’re punishing those who murdered the independent commander appointed by His Majesty the Emperor and recovering operational command. The justification is sufficient.”

Amelie said.

“It’s different from asking lords to open their castles based on uncertain evidence.”

Attacking a castle with a lord still intact would mean war. However, Jacob’s castle, which was in complete disarray, was a separate matter.

There was no need to just leave something that could be easily subdued.

“Then you’ll only subdue Jacob’s castle alone?”

“Creating a precedent is important.”

Hailey said.

If it weren’t for the Crown Prince’s maid disappearing, it would be difficult to go this far.

But they had the backing of the Crown Prince, who was receiving unprecedentedly strong popular support. It was also during a time of plague. A representative personally sent by the Saint had disappeared.

Neighboring lords would not want to get involved in that matter if possible.

Artizea had an expressionless face.

“Although Count Harper has no official position, he has connections with the Western Army, so have him choose an appropriate person in my place to handle this matter.”

“Do not worry.”

Amelie answered.

Artizea looked at the coffins once more.

“How will you hold the funeral? It’s already hot… it will be difficult to send them to Evron…”

Hailey said.

Artizea closed her eyes once and opened them.

“For those whose hometowns are in the western regions, let’s send their bodies to their hometowns. Give funeral expenses and consolation money… I’d like one person to attend each funeral in my place.”

“Yes. I understand.”

“The Evron knights will have no choice but to hold their funerals here… Let’s collect only their remains and send them.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Artizea stood up from her seat once more.

Hailey handed her a pouch of silver coins.

Artizea personally placed one silver coin on each of the dead’s foreheads.

And instead of placing a silver coin on Alphonse’s forehead, she removed the brooch she was wearing and placed it on his chest.

They hadn’t even opened their hearts to each other, yet just spending a long time together physically made her heart churn like this.

‘Even though I was someone not worth protecting.’

Artizea let out a long sigh.

Then she stood up. Grieving was a luxury.

Rather, she had to do what she could.

“Was it Hudson?”

“Yes.”

The captain answered in surprise.

“You said the lord’s guest was the leader of the bandits? Do you know where those bandits were based?”

“I’m not certain.”

“Then did you have knowledge of the bandits near the castle?”

“Yes, to some extent.”

“Good. If we investigate that, we’ll be able to know where those bastards were based.”

Then they would also be able to know where they received supplies and what routes they mainly used.

She couldn’t know by what means Lawrence had recruited them. However, he couldn’t have directly planned things like supplies or movement plans.

“Earl Owen.”

Artizea pointed to the knight who had first requested revenge.

“We cannot start a war for revenge, but we must find the lost person. You will lead the subjugation of bandits near Jacob’s castle and confirm. Don’t rush, and make sure to confirm which group has disappeared. Be careful not to let the real culprits get scared and flee.”

“I will obey your command.”

He answered in a strong tone.

The Evron knights followed by saluting in unison.

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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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