Living As the Villainess Queen (Web Novel KR)-Chapter 427.1

The citizens of the capital, who had always regarded the threat of the lark as a distant concern, now found themselves trapped in a waking nightmare. Fear gripped the city, its presence as tangible as the chill in the midnight air. To make matters worse, nearly two hundred thousand royal troops remained stationed within the walls. For some, it must have felt less like protection and more like occupation.

Perhaps that was why the capital was eerily silent tonight. Despite the absence of an enforced curfew, the streets were deserted, and scarcely any windows emitted light. The entire city seemed to be holding its breath, waiting for the inevitable.

Kasser stepped out of the annex, his sharp gaze sweeping over the dimly lit courtyard. He called for his warriors, his voice cutting through the stillness. The kings would do their utmost to prevent the lark from plunging the capital into chaos, but there was no telling how events would unfold. He roused the sleeping soldiers, issuing firm instructions for them to be on high alert.

As the hours crept toward dawn, the capital began to stir. Soldiers moved with quiet urgency, their torches casting flickering shadows across the streets. One by one, lights blinked to life in homes, hesitant beacons of the growing unease.

By the time Kasser reached the western gate atop Abu, the unnatural stillness unsettled him. By now, Riner should have already surged ahead, eager to hunt down the lark. Instead, silence reigned, thick and oppressive.

Drawing closer to the city walls, Kasser spotted the other kings, their forms distinct even in the dim light, each enveloped in the glow of their unique-colored Praz. Slowing his mount briefly, he then urged Abu forward.

“Let’s go,” he commanded.

With a powerful leap, Abu scaled the wall with ease. Perched atop the fortifications, Kasser cast his gaze outward, frowning at what lay beyond.

The plains beyond the city walls were shrouded in darkness, yet the massive serpent stood out clearly to the kings. Like the monster that had invaded the capital, this lark's body was riddled with glowing core stones, pulsing ominously against the blackness.

“Where have these monsters been hiding all this time?” Riner muttered, his voice edged with frustration. “The whole world is crawling with them.”

Nicholas exhaled sharply, his eyes narrowing. “Was the one in the capital this big?”

Akil, his arms crossed over his chest, nodded grimly. “It was even bigger. But this one is formidable as well.”

Nicholas blinked in disbelief. “Even bigger?” he echoed, his tone laced with both shock and intrigue. He didn’t necessarily regret not joining the earlier hunt, but a flicker of disappointment crept in at the thought of missing such a spectacle.

“Why are you all just standing around?” Kasser demanded, his brow furrowing at the sight of the gathered kings. They stood like passive spectators, watching as if observing a distant fire.

Riner turned toward him, his expression unusually tense. “That thing made a strange threat,” he said.

“A threat?” Kasser’s eyes narrowed. “It threatened us?”

Nicholas let out a short sigh and clarified, “It brought an Anika and told us not to cross the wall.”

“It claims to have come to negotiate,” Riner added, his tone edged with skepticism. “It says the Anika will act as a mediator. We’re to stay behind the walls and maintain our distance.”

Kasser stared at them, his disbelief evident. “Unbelievable. A lark, negotiating?” His voice was laced with incredulity.

Riner scoffed, shifting his weight restlessly. “It’s absurd.” His fingers twitched at his side, as if itching to draw his weapon and charge forward.

Akil, the only one who seemed to maintain a measured calm, spoke next. “It’s not displaying any aggression,” he noted, studying the massive serpent intently. “But it’s cautious. We’re observing for now, trying to gauge its intentions.”

As Akil had said, the enormous serpent remained unnervingly still, its upper body raised like a coiled sentinel. Its glowing red eyes burned like embers suspended in the darkness, unblinking and unreadable.

Nicholas exhaled sharply. “Could the Anika it brought be Anika Flora?”

“If so,” Riner mused, his voice dipping lower, “could this be mind control sorcery?”

Akil shook his head. “No, that’s unlikely. High-ranking larks are immune to such spells. And that thing… it’s no ordinary lark. It’s a divine beast, on par with the monster that appeared in the capital.”

A heavy silence followed as the kings absorbed the weight of his words.

Kasser, however, had stopped listening. A single phrase from Eugene’s note echoed in his mind:

[Once I arrive, you’ll know right away.]

His heart pounded once, hard.

No way.

He clenched his jaw, shaking his head as if to dispel the absurd thought creeping in.

That’s impossible.

“It’s moving.”

At Riner’s murmur, Kasser snapped his gaze back to the massive serpent. The creature slowly lowered its head, its glowing red eyes never wavering from the fortress wall. Yet, despite its monstrous size, there was something strangely hesitant about its movements—more akin to a skittish animal than a fearsome beast. The sight struck Kasser as oddly familiar.

“Did that lark give its name?” he asked, a frown creasing his brow.

Riner scoffed, folding his arms tightly. “Why would I care about a monster’s name?” His frustration was evident—he was itching to attack, to end this farce.

The serpent, now fully lowering its head to the ground, opened its massive jaws.

The kings tensed. Eyes locked on the lark, they watched its bizarre actions with wary anticipation.

Then, something unthinkable happened.

A hushed murmur rippled through the group as they instinctively leaned over the wall, trying to get a better look. Some let out incredulous chuckles, unable to believe what they were seeing.

“Is that… a person?” someone muttered.

“It’s a person,” another confirmed, disbelief thick in their voice.

Two figures emerged from the serpent’s mouth, their silhouettes illuminated under the pale moonlight. A man and a woman, their clothing making it unmistakably clear.

Kasser’s breath hitched. Even before he could see their faces, he knew. Recognition slammed into him like a crashing wave.

Before he could think—before he could even process—his body moved on instinct.

In one powerful motion, he vaulted over the fortress wall, soaring through the air before landing directly in front of them.

The moment Eugene saw him, her face lit up with unmistakable joy. She rushed forward, throwing her arms around him.

“Kasser!”

He caught her without hesitation, his arms instinctively wrapping around her.

But even as he held her, his gaze flickered past her to the man standing beside her. The man had his head bowed in deference, his posture rigid.

Kasser’s expression darkened.

“Sven?”

At the sound of his name, Sven lifted his head and met Kasser’s sharp gaze.

“It is an honor, Your Majesty,” he said formally, his tone steady.

Still reeling, Kasser gently pushed Eugene back just enough to take a proper look at her. His hands lingered on her arms, as if to confirm she was really there.

“Eugene?”

Kasser’s voice was thick with disbelief.

Eugene smiled knowingly. “You’re surprised, aren’t you? I didn’t tell you in advance, but I knew you’d come to greet me.”

His grip on her arms tightened slightly. “What in the world is happening—?”

A sharp screech cut through the night.

“I told you not to come beyond the wall!”

Kasser’s head snapped up. The massive serpent, which had been right behind Eugene and Sven only moments ago, had already darted away, its glowing form now coiling in the distance.

The creature thrashed its head furiously, its enormous body undulating like a storm-tossed wave.

“How can I trust kings when you break promises like this?!”

The fury in its voice was palpable.

Eugene stepped forward, raising a calming hand. “Mara, calm down. No one is trying to hurt you. He’s here to meet me.”

She turned to Kasser, her gaze soft but firm. “Mara is afraid of kings. He’s actually quite timid.”

A huff of indignation echoed in their minds.

“Don’t treat me like a coward! Every creature becomes alert when facing its natural enemy. If they don’t, they die!

“Eugene let out a small sigh. “Yeah, yeah.” She lowered her voice as she leaned in toward Kasser. “But he’s got a lot of pride. He’s like a stubborn child.”

Kasser exhaled sharply. “Eugene.”

His tone was noticeably lower, laced with emotions she couldn’t quite decipher. She looked up at him, instinctively clinging to him as if seeking his support.

“I understand that you’re upset,” she said quickly, her voice urgent, “but we don’t have much time. Right now, the wanderer elders are inside Mara’s body. Because his spell was broken, they only have a few days left to live. That’s why Mara wants to see Elder Alber and seek his help. So let’s talk later and focus on preparing a carriage for the elders. Please, Kasser.”

The tension in his brow slowly eased. He reached up, his fingers brushing gently against her cheek.

“Why are you so reckless?” Thɪs chapter is updated by novel⚑fire.net

It was only a single sentence, yet it carried the weight of a thousand unsaid words.

Eugene’s gaze wavered. Guilt pricked at her heart. If he had simply gotten angry, she wouldn’t have felt this bad.

Eugene hadn’t told Kasser in advance because she didn’t want to worry him. But that wasn’t the only reason. She had also been eager to see his reaction—to surprise him after so long. Now, she felt like a foolish child.

She lowered her gaze. “I’m sorry. I should have discussed it with you. I wasn’t thinking properly.”

Before Kasser could respond, Mara’s voice cut through the tense atmosphere, utterly indifferent to it.

“We need a large carriage that can carry more than ten people. I’ll be riding in it, and Anika will as well.”

There was a brief pause before Mara added in a firm, unwavering tone:

“But the kings are not allowed near the carriage. Absolutely not!

Kasser’s jaw tightened as he shot the serpent a sharp glare. The creature’s brazen demands, as if he were reclaiming something rightfully his, grated on him.

Before his frustration could boil over, Eugene tugged lightly at his sleeve. “Kasser, please.” Her voice was gentle, pleading.

He exhaled through his nose, then relented with a small sigh. “…I’ll send a carriage. It’ll take some time.”

At his signal, Sven immediately stepped forward and bowed deeply. “I will risk my life to protect the queen.”

Kasser lingered for a moment, his reluctant gaze settling on Eugene before finally turning away.

***

To prevent congestion in the Holy City, passenger carriages were standardized to accommodate no more than six people. But with urgency pressing them, they quickly modified the largest freight carriage available. Since the journey wasn’t long, they made only minimal adjustments to ensure the passengers could sit comfortably.

A single creature, Abu, was chosen to pull the carriage as it emerged from the Holy City. A normal horse would have likely collapsed from sheer exhaustion before even getting close to Mara.

As soon as Eugene appeared, Abu’s entire body quivered with excitement.

“Abu, have you been well?” she asked with a warm smile.

If he hadn’t been harnessed, the enormous beast would have undoubtedly thrown himself onto his back at her feet. Instead, he pressed his massive head against her, breathing heavily in excitement. Eugene laughed as she stroked his muzzle and ran her hands along his sturdy neck.

One by one, seven elders emerged from Mara’s body and boarded the carriage. Then, Mara—now reduced to the size of a giant serpent—slithered inside as well. Lastly, Eugene and Sven climbed in, and the carriage set off toward the Holy City.

Without a driver, the lone creature pulled the oversized freight carriage smoothly down the road. Behind them, the kings followed at a reasonable distance,

It was an unusual sight—an unescorted carriage drawn by a single beast, with no driver in sight. But with the streets cleared, there were no spectators to witness it.

The carriage never stopped once, and before long, they arrived at the annex.

Eugene closed her spell notebook after jotting down a quick message to reassure Aldrit that she had arrived safely and met Kasser. Looking up, she addressed Mara.

“Mara, I told you, the kings aren’t going to attack you. They even prepared this carriage for you and haven’t made a move.”

The serpent coiled slightly, his tone skeptical.

“We’ll see about that.”

Eugene exhaled, realizing that indulging him any further would be futile. Setting her tone firm, she pressed, “You can’t exclude the kings from meeting the elder. Do you really think she would help you without their approval?”

Mara remained silent.

“Just stay behind me and follow my lead. As long as you don’t do anything, the kings won’t touch you. I promise. And you trust my promises, don’t you?”

After a moment, Mara finally relented.

“…Fine.”

***

As Eugene stepped down from the carriage, her gaze swept across the surroundings.

So this is the annex of the Holy Palace… They say a monster was buried beneath it, yet everything looks intact. Is the elder inside?

Turning back, she suppressed a chuckle at the sight of Mara trailing behind her. Now reduced to the thickness of a human thigh, he looked like nothing more than a baby snake—an amusing contrast to the enormous form she had seen earlier.

She composed herself and turned to Sven. “Sir Sven, inform the nearby kings that they may enter the annex.”

Sven placed a hand over his chest and bowed. “Yes, Your Highness.”

***

Eugene entered the annex and immediately greeted King Richard with a respectful bow. Richard, already tense from sensing the lark’s energy, glanced between her and Mara with a complicated expression.

Ignoring his unease for the moment, Eugene’s eyes found the elderly woman seated within a glowing array. Her breath hitched.

Alber.

The moment Eugene took a step forward, Alber’s head lifted slightly. Though her vision was weak, able to make out only vague shapes, her heightened senses recognized the familiar energy approaching her.

It wasn’t a king.

The aura was unfamiliar—yet somehow, not strange to her.

“Elder.”

At the sound of that voice, Alber’s eyes widened in disbelief.

“…Jin?”

“Yes, it’s me.”

Eugene rushed forward and embraced her tightly.

“I missed you so much.”

A slow, trembling smile spread across Alber’s lips as she patted Eugene’s back. She had longed to see Jin one last time before her life ended but had dismissed it as an impossible wish. This unexpected blessing filled her heart with gratitude.

As the two shared their emotional reunion, the wanderer elders settled nearby.

Shortly after, the kings entered the annex.

***

Now standing close, the kings immediately noticed Eugene’s heavily pregnant figure. A murmur of shock rippled among them as they exchanged glances.

Nicholas exhaled in disbelief. “Anika Jin is truly bold,” he muttered, shaking his head. “Entering the belly of that enormous serpent in her condition…”

Kasser didn’t respond. He only let out a silent, bitter smile.