The Villainess Lives Twice - Chapter 290

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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 290

Benia couldn’t understand what was happening.

A noblewoman who got out of the carriage called Benia’s name and then suddenly ordered her to be put in the carriage.

There was some commotion in between. The knights were flustered and said they needed to search her body. The maid was also startled and said.

“My lady, do you know who this is?”

“I know her. Put her in. Let’s go to Kader City.”

The noblewoman said so.

The knights asked the maid to remove Benia’s coat. Not only were her clothes covered in dirt, but they thought she might be hiding something inside her clothes.

Benia struggled not to have her clothes taken away.

“Take it off. It’s covered in dirt. I’ll wash it and give it back to you later.”

“Just leave her be, Alice.”

Artizea said while coughing. She also spoke to the knights.

“It’s fine. You can trust her.”

“If Her Highness knows her.”

Earl Owen answered so. He knew that Artizea had subordinates he didn’t know about, and that there were things he had to pretend not to see even when he saw them.

But Benia couldn’t understand why she said that. So she looked up at her while clutching her stomach protectively.

She had heard that if she escaped safely, she should find the Western Army or Evron knights.

She thought it would go well. She believed Lisia’s words that they would help her if she went to them.

But she was suspicious.

It was strange in itself that a real noble lady was passing through this area leading a knight order right now.

Moreover, an unusually strong sense of rejection and fear came over her.

But she asked this first.

“Is Lady Lisia safe?”

“Ah.”

At those words, Benia swallowed her breath.

Artizea saw her face and knew that her memories hadn’t returned.

Then this young lady before her eyes wasn’t the Benia she knew, but a real 17-year-old girl.

“H-how do you know?”

Benia asked stammering. Alice also looked at Artizea with a puzzled expression.

Artizea didn’t doubt that Benia had escaped from Lawrence.

If not, there was no way Benia would be here, away from her hometown village.

Even if she were Lawrence, she would have taken Benia with her. Benia was the maid that Lisia relied on until the very end.

She could be used as a hostage. And her hometown was well known too.

There were many villages that the Saintess had saved, but among them, Benia’s hometown was famous.

It was an unfortunate thing, but it was because Benia herself always spoke of her gratitude and admiration for that time.

“You escaped for Lady Lisia’s sake, didn’t you?”

Benia nodded frantically.

Alice grabbed Artizea’s skirt.

“My lady, please stay calm. This child is young…”

There was no guarantee it wasn’t a trap. To escape alone across this wide plain on horseback with bandits on her tail was suspicious.

But Artizea shook her head.

Benia was a brave woman. She had determination, and she had the courage and ability to throw herself into carrying out what she decided to do.

Even at 17, not yet having experienced the storms of time, she could certainly do such a thing.

However, she realized she shouldn’t rush. If she frightened her, she might not be able to say what needed to be said properly.

Artizea gave Alice a look. She knew she wasn’t suitable for gaining people’s trust, and situationally it was the same.

Alice spoke instead.

“It’s okay. You can trust us. Our lady is Her Highness the Crown Princess.”

Benia didn’t immediately understand those words and blinked her eyes. Then she shouted “Ah!”

“Saintess, the Saintess has something to send!”

Benia hurriedly untied the tightly bound fastening of her coat.

Alice glared at Benia again with a displeased expression. The Saintess is our lady, so what nonsense was she talking about.

Benia undid her coat and also lifted up the top she wore underneath. Then she took out something that had been wrapped around her waist with a long cloth.

“No!”

Alice screamed in shock. The carriage stopped and the door burst open.

Owen burst open the door, then struck Benia’s hand in horror. Benia clutched her hand and collapsed at Artizea’s feet.

The pistol that flew from her hand rolled on the floor.

Alice quickly picked it up. By then Owen’s sword was already pointing at Benia’s neck.

“Alice, open the back door.”

Alice quickly followed those words. Owen said.

“Your Highness, forgive me, but please get out through the back.”

It was to not give Benia a chance to move. Artizea shook her head. And she held out her hand to Alice.

Alice quickly handed over the pistol she had picked up to Artizea’s hand.

Artizea examined it back and forth for a moment. Owen also looked at it from the corner of his eye.

And he said in a surprised tone.

“Isn’t that His Highness the Crown Prince’s pistol?”

“Earl Owen, lower your weapon.”

Artizea said so. And she clumsily opened the cylinder.

Inside it was completely empty without a single bullet.

Even when Artizea showed this, Owen didn’t lower his sword. Artizea had no authority to command him regarding safety matters.

Benia spoke up with effort while terrified.

“I, I was asked to return that to an Evron knight or Western Army knight.”

“By whom?”

“If I said Lisia Morten, you would know…”

After hearing those words, Owen sheathed his sword. There was no more reason to be suspicious.

Benia collapsed prostrate on the floor. Alice, feeling sorry, supported her and held her shoulders.

Owen looked at Artizea with a perplexed expression.

He had followed Artizea, but he hadn’t expected to actually hear news of Lisia here.

Quite some time had passed without any news. Even when they made inquiries, no word came back.

How could they find one person who had disappeared somewhere in this vast western region? Even after completely subjugating all the bandits near where the incident occurred, she had vanished, so they thought they wouldn’t be able to find her now.

“Let’s depart again.”

“Understood. I apologize for causing a disturbance.”

Owen answered without objection. And he closed the carriage door.

Benia was still trembling until then. Artizea examined the pistol back and forth once and took out a handkerchief to wrap it.

“Benia.”

Artizea looked at Benia with deepened eyes and said.

“I came here to find Lady Lisia. You need to help me. When did you escape? Has it been more than three hours?”

“No. I came out at dawn today.”

Benia moistened her parched throat with saliva. Alice handed her a water bottle.

After drinking it, she felt like she might live. Finally tears welled up in her eyes.

“The Saintess with the leader… To the leader…”

Benia stopped speaking and rubbed her eyes with the back of her hand.

Artizea stopped Alice from flinching. Who was being called the Saintess wasn’t important right now.

“She untied the reins of one of the horses in the stable. And she said she would try her best to make sure they wouldn’t notice I had escaped.”

Skipping the words in between, Benia spoke. By then her whole face was blackened with tears and dust mixed together.

“I don’t know when I was discovered. I was going down the river looking for a village when my horse got tired and I rested for a moment.”

“That’s where you were caught.”

“Yes.”

“You did well.”

From Benia’s standpoint, she had coldly remembered all the information she could give.

Artizea stroked the area below her lips as she fell into thought.

It was already afternoon. The sun would start setting soon.

Considering the bandits’ movement speed, it was impossible to pinpoint their location with just that information.

“And, that person is Her Highness the Crown Princess, right?”

“Yes. She is Her Highness the Crown Princess.”

Alice answered in place of Artizea, who was lost in thought.

“There was a message she insisted I deliver to Her Highness the Crown Princess. She said to show the pistol to the Evron people or the High Priest and tell them.”

Benia said breathlessly.

“She told me to say ‘90,000.’”

“90,000.”

Artizea repeated those words twice like a parrot.

Then the color drained from her face, which had already been pale with illness.

The population of Kader City was 90,000.

Considering it was located at a transportation hub, the actual number of people in the city would be much higher.

Cedric arrived at the central city of the Western Regions with only 20 elite knights.

He moved quietly. There had been no official ceremonies when departing from the capital. He hadn’t stopped at any government offices along the way either.

Nevertheless, by the time he arrived, the Western Army knew all about his movements.

Knowing his dislike for formalities, Western Army Commander Ain had only the city garrison lined up to greet him.

Amelie was beside him.

“It’s been a long time, Count Ain, Count Harper.”

Cedric greeted the two with military courtesy.

“This isn’t an official schedule, yet you’ve caused the soldiers unnecessary trouble.”

“The entire Western Army is delighted to see Your Highness the Crown Prince again. They’d probably be happy even if we held a parade.”

At Ain’s words, Cedric smiled bitterly and shook his head. He didn’t have time to spare for such things.

Amelie spoke in a more practical direction.

“For Your Highness the Crown Prince to personally visit at a time like this – there’s nothing that could comfort the hearts of the Western people more.”

Saying this, Amelie smiled.

“I didn’t expect the day would come so soon when I’d address you as Your Highness the Crown Prince.”

“Let’s not discuss that matter right now either.”

Amelie bowed her head respectfully in agreement. The Emperor was still alive.

Cedric said.

“Unfortunately, I didn’t come for an inspection tour.”

“Yes. I’ve heard the general news.”

Amelie handed him a letter.

“Lady Hailey sent this to me yesterday.”

Cedric hastily unfolded it.

After briefly conveying news from her side, Hailey was relaying orders she had received from Artizea.

“To have troops ready within three days northeast of Kader City?”

“Yes.”

“Is this feasible?”

Amelie answered Cedric’s question.

“Of course, it’s impossible to deploy troops from here. However, a considerable number of Western Army soldiers were stationed in the city where Lady Hailey is, to protect Her Highness the Crown Princess. They reportedly departed immediately upon receiving the orders.”

Just the Crown Princess sending orders with the Crown Prince’s seal was reason enough for the Western Army not to refuse.

Hailey had only conveyed this letter’s contents to inform Amelie of the situation.

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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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