The Villainess Lives Twice - Chapter 61

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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 61

The Evron Ducal Family’s Mausoleum was located outside the fortress.

“The fortress is a building constructed thoroughly with siege warfare in mind. If something like the ducal family’s ossuary were inside the castle, there would be space issues, but also one more place to protect in case of emergency.”

“But wouldn’t it be even more easily damaged if it’s outside?”

“They say it was built outside the castle with the intention of abandoning it quickly. If it were inside the castle, no matter how much you tell them they don’t need to protect it, the retainers wouldn’t be able to do that.”

That said, they couldn’t just build it anywhere and leave it neglected.

So they built it on the mountain closest to the fortress.

Since that mountain was also a strategic military location, the ducal house built defense facilities there. And they stationed troops there permanently.

Cedric asked.

“But isn’t it cold?”

“I’m not cold.”

Artizea shrugged her shoulders slightly.

By Evron standards, it was still autumn weather, and even for the capital, it was about as mild as winter weather. It wasn’t cold enough to feel it while wearing this sable fur coat.

Rather, being in Cedric’s arms made her feel quite warm. She couldn’t even tell if she was speaking properly.

She had heard they were going on a light outing. However, she hadn’t thought they wouldn’t bring a carriage.

“We have to climb the mountain. There’s no road suitable for carriages. Maybe a cart would work…”

The butler said with a very apologetic face.

When the previous duchess was still alive, they had at least maintained dirt roads. But for over 20 years, there had been no one who needed to take a carriage to the mausoleum.

The roads had become rough.

“I’m sorry. I was short-sighted.”

“Not at all. We can just ride horses, right?”

Artizea asked. Both the butler and Cedric made subtle expressions.

She understood the reason shortly after.

In the stable, there were only warhorses and pack horses with enormous height and massive amounts of fur. The horse breeds were different from the riding horses of the capital to begin with.

“Are you good at riding?”

Cedric asked. Artizea had no choice but to shake her head.

In any case, she was far from physical activities. She could ride horses, but only to the extent of sitting on gentle riding horses and walking like taking a stroll.

Cedric smiled with a somehow pleased expression.

“Let’s ride together.”

“What?”

Artizea was flustered.

“Would that be troublesome?”

“No, it’s not that… but.”

Soon a glossy brushed black horse was brought out.

Cedric lifted Artizea up and placed her on the horse. Then he lightly mounted behind her.

It was her first time riding such a large horse. But she had no time to be surprised or afraid.

Because she was in a position as if embraced between two arms.

Artizea held her breath at Cedric’s touch against her back and the sound of his heartbeat.

This sensation held memories.

‘Ah…’

It was when she had toured the Empire carried on Cedric’s horse after losing her limbs.

At that time, she had no thoughts at all.

Her disabled body ached constantly. Everything that came through her five senses caused her heart pain.

Even then, this warmth had been there. Though she couldn’t feel it as warmth, it had certainly been there.

Being trapped in Cedric’s arms had felt like punishment.

And now…

Artizea squeezed her eyes shut and forcibly cut off her thoughts.

Cold wind struck her face.

After riding across the plain for about 40 minutes, they entered the mountain path. Cedric easily handled the massive horse and rode up the mountain path. It was stable as if there were no obstacles at all.

After climbing the mountain for some time, they saw a fence blocking the path. The soldiers standing guard saw Cedric and quickly moved the fence aside.

The knight in charge of the defense facilities came out and gave a military salute.

“Welcome, Your Grace, Your Grace the Duchess. We received word this morning and have been waiting.”

“We’ve only come to visit the graves, so don’t mind us and return to your original duties.”

“Yes.”

The knight answered briefly and gave another military salute. The soldiers closed the fence behind them.

Artizea widened her eyes and looked around.

The first thing that caught her eye was a tower built of stone. There were also soldier barracks and an armory built solidly with bricks.

“Where is the mausoleum?”

“This way.”

Cedric stopped his horse in front of a building that looked like a small chapel. A soldier ran over and took the reins from Cedric’s hands.

Cedric opened the bag attached to the saddle. Four silk flowers that seemed prepared in advance came out.

He handed them to Artizea. And he took a lamp himself.

Cedric led the way into the chapel.

Inside the chapel, there were only large stone stairs leading downward. It was made to look like a chapel on the outside, but in fact it was a wall covering the stone stairs.

“The mausoleum is underground?”

“In case of emergency, the building can be collapsed to block the entrance. It’s not a priority to protect, but we can’t just let them desecrate the graves either.”

“If someone collapses it now, we’d be buried alive.”

If she had known this fact, Artizea thought she would have definitely used it very effectively.

Cedric laughed heartily.

“That’s an unnecessary worry.”

“It’s not an unnecessary worry. Next time, you should bring attendants.”

“It’s not a building exposed outside. It’s inside the military camp.”

“Do you completely trust all the knights and soldiers in the military camp, and even their families?”

“What?”

“No, of course you would trust them since they’re subjects of the duchy, but…”

Artizea sighed.

“People are beings who betray for very unexpected reasons. Until now, you’ve only been the Duke of Evron, so it would have been fine, but…”

“If it were the port and Allia Wall area, certainly not everyone is managed. But in the fortress and military camp, we know and keep track of all outsiders who come and go.”

“I’d like you to understand my concern. Please be careful from now on. Even just posting someone trustworthy as a guard outside would be sufficient.”

“I understand.”

Cedric smiled bitterly.

“I don’t know if these words will ease your anxiety, but only the person in charge of the military camp knows how to collapse this building at once. And that friend lost an arm for me.”

“I’m not suspecting the Evron knights. I was speaking in general terms.”

“I know. I don’t misunderstand. Don’t worry. I’ll be careful from now on.”

Cedric said so.

The two first entered the outermost room where Cedric’s parents were enshrined.

Two sarcophagi were placed within an altar built of stone. In front of them, carved stone slabs were fitted to hide the deceased’s coffins from direct view.

And on each stone slab was carved:

《Leofriq of Evron, sleeps here as a faithful husband and retainer.》

《Floella of Cratese and Evron, may you rest in eternal peace until the day of return.》

Cedric transferred fire to the candlesticks on either side of the altar. Then he removed the artificial flowers placed in front of the tombstones.

The old silk flowers would have originally been white. But now they had turned yellow. They looked worn enough to crumble.

“It’s been three years.”

He said as if making an excuse and received two new silk flowers from Artizea to place on the altar.

Artizea stood quietly behind him.

Having never missed dead people, she couldn’t offer words of comfort. She didn’t feel like someone like her should dare to offer words of comfort.

Cedric beckoned her with his hand.

“Please offer flowers as well.”

“May I really do so?”

Artizea had two silk flowers remaining in her hands. She had thought they were flowers for Sedric to offer at other graves.

“I heard that mother loved flowers. She would be pleased.”

Artizea carefully approached the altar. She knelt down and placed the flowers.

“The day will come when she returns.”

Artizea spoke in a low voice as if whispering. Sedric shook his head.

“I have never thought about bringing mother to the capital. The dead are the dead. Since she has passed away, she must already be at peace.”

“Lord Sedric.”

“What matters is the living. I know that one cannot live righteously while harboring resentment, Tia.”

Sedric spoke as if confessing.

“For the sake of those who threw away their lives for me, I think I must live worthily. And being consumed by revenge for the deceased, while not meaningless, is not the same as living for a better world.”

Artizea looked at him with a strange feeling.

Artizea knew well that Sedric’s words were sincere and true.

However, whenever she saw his upright heart like this, she couldn’t help but feel as if she were seeing something unreal.

Artizea didn’t understand the feeling of mourning well. She could even less imagine the will to rise above it and face the future.

When Milaire died, she was already in a state of resignation. If there was any feeling closest to mourning, it was what she felt for Lisia.

But when Lisia died, Artizea was despairing while sensing a miserable end. It was then that she disbanded her intelligence organization and chose seclusion.

She had given up on the Empire.

* * *

After finishing the flower offering and leaving the family mausoleum, Sedric guided Artizea to the tower.

“It’s a watchtower. If you climb to the top, you can see all the way to the gateway of the Thold Mountains.”

Artizea gathered her skirt hem and climbed the spiral stairs holding Sedric’s hand.

The guard at the top of the tower was startled and gave a military salute. Sedric returned the military salute and said.

“The telescope.”

“Yes.”

The guard handed the telescope he was carrying to Sedric.

The wind blew fiercely. Wind penetrated between her coat and Artizea shuddered.

The tower was higher than expected.

The surrounding area was low, and it was a tower on a mountaintop. As Sedric said, the surrounding terrain was visible at a glance.

Holding the telescope, Artizea surveyed the surroundings.

And she saw farming being done in the valley beyond Told Gate, the northern border.

“Lord Sedric, that is…”

When Artizea muttered while looking in the exact direction, Sedric nodded.

“That’s right. I wanted to show you that.”

“Is it slash-and-burn farming by nomads? Why specifically there…”

“We are researching whether Karam crops can be cultivated.”

Artizea swallowed her breath.

“If the Church finds out, they’ll say you’re researching demonic crops. They might even say you’re colluding with Karam.”

“Yes. That’s why we’re doing it beyond Told Gate.”

Sedric answered.

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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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