The Villainess Whom I Had Served for 13 Years Has Fallen-Chapter 392: The Times Consumed by Revenge (12)

I enjoyed my time with him.

Even if it was built on a lie.

—“Then, I’ll have to make you Empress, Shartia.”

—“...Gulp.”

—“A treasure that can bring someone back from the dead... It’s something I desperately need.”

—“If you make me Empress, I’ll give you the right to claim it.”

I liked that my time with him grew longer.

Ricardo once asked—

Was it okay to change the plans we had set?

—“Are you really okay with this?”

—“With what...?”

—“Didn’t you say you were going to travel to the Kingdom of Frederica? You won’t be able to go if we do this...”

—“It’s fine...! This is what I want anyway.”

That day, I clenched my fists and made a decision.

“To avenge my mother’s death.”

“...”

“I wanted revenge. That’s why I planned to go to Frederica in the first place.”

“I don’t know if I made the right choice. Maybe I ruined a better future.”

“Don’t worry about it. I’ll get revenge, and you’ll get the treasure. That’s all we need to focus on.”

I believed I could start over.

And I thought I was happy because I could do it with him.

It was sincere.

I truly liked him.

“No backing out.”

“Of course.”

“Don’t ever betray me.”

“...I can handle being betrayed.”

“What the hell are you saying? Don’t drain my energy...”

“Haha! I’m kidding.”

Because he was competent.

If I weighed my expectations and desires—

Eighty percent of me was just happy to be with him.

Only twenty percent cared about becoming Empress.

Still—

‘I’m not alone.’

I wasn’t alone anymore.

I felt guilty for deceiving Ricardo, but I was truly glad to spend more time with him.

—“Then... I guess I’ll have to quit the academy.”

—“Wait...? There’s no need to go that far.”

—“No. I’ve decided to help you, so I’ll give it my all. Besides... I’ve already alienated my friends here, so there’s no reason for me to stay.”

—“Friends...?”

—“...They exist. Friends I wanted to approach but couldn’t.”

That day, Ricardo knelt on one knee and kissed the back of my hand, like a knight swearing loyalty.

“What are you doing?”

Ricardo didn’t answer.

He just looked at my hand.

“Ricardo, third-year in the Swordsmanship Department, vows to become your sword from this moment forward.”

“...”

“Even if it’s only a superficial ceremony.”

With a faint but sad smile, he kissed my hand.

“For your happiness.”

“...”

“I will wield my sword.”

“This is so embarrassing...”

“For your laughter, I will live through hell.”

“...”

“Even if it means my destruction—for the peace of this world.”

“You’re making this really embarrassing.”

No matter what he said.

No matter what he did.

I knew that once Ricardo learned the truth, his loyalty wouldn’t be directed at me anymore.

But I clung to that fleeting moment of happiness, ignoring the bitter ache inside me.

“I pledge my loyalty.”

The truth was—

‘...’

He already knew about all my lies.

—Part 1, The Rebel’s Sword, ends here.

“Haah...! Haah...!”

Shartia awoke from the viewing, her chest heaving as she sat at her desk.

It wasn’t as if she had witnessed something extraordinary.

“...”

But her heart was racing uncontrollably.

“...Haah.”

Terrifyingly so.

She thought she’d been trapped in the viewing for hours, but the clock showed only three hours had passed. Shartia let out a deep sigh and leaned back in her chair.

“I really... don’t know.”

She couldn’t predict what would happen next.

Would Ricardo truly make her Empress, as shown in the viewing? Or, after discovering her lies, would he rise in rebellion?

“...”

It was true that an Empress had the right to claim a national treasure.

But there had never been any record of a treasure that could bring someone back to life.

If there were such a treasure, she would have used it to bring her dead mother back.

“I don’t know.”

Her head began to ache as her thoughts spiraled.

And as if to answer her confusion, the Blue Screen spoke ❖ Nоvеl𝚒ght ❖ (Exclusive on Nоvеl𝚒ght) briefly about what came next.

—“You and Ricardo quickly built up your forces.”

—“With brilliant strategy and a sword that rivaled the commander of the Imperial Knights, your strength grew rapidly.”

—“As you neared the end of your revenge, you began to fear him. Yet you also depended on him.”

—“Even though he remained steadfast in protecting you.”

—“The wind is rising.”

—“A wind of ‘rebellion’ carried by those you crushed under your ambition. It sweeps in with sinister intent.”

—“If you wish to view Part 2, The Broken Sword, say the word ‘tyrant.’”

‘...’

I need to get some air.

Shartia’s body trembled as she stepped outside.

She didn’t have the courage to face what came next.

*****

“Oh-hoho... Of course, I’m the best.”

Shuen, who had claimed first place in the ranking battles, had become an academy celebrity, basking in a level of popularity she had never experienced before.

—“Isn’t that Shuen? The strongest in the academy!”

—“Wow...! That’s what you’d expect from a noble! She’s the eldest daughter of the Tetra family!”

—“The pride of the academy.”

Of course, no one had actually said that, but Shuen was perfectly content imagining herself as the academy’s shining star.

And—

“Can’t you sit somewhere else?”

“Nope.”

“Haa...”

Hannah, who was sitting beside Shuen, wiped the nervous sweat from her palms as she listened to Shuen’s endless boasting.

“Do you see it? The admiring gazes of the students directed at me!!!”

“We’re the only ones in this café...”

“...Silence!”

“Ugh...”

Hystania Hannah and Tetra Shuen had started spending more time together ever since they both became connected to Ricardo.

Of course, it was mostly due to Shuen’s one-sided interest.

They were rivals in love, both harboring feelings for the same man.

And since they often needed to discuss matters related to the convenience store, they ended up talking frequently.

Somehow, they’d grown close enough to call each other ‘friends.’

And—

“Why are you two arguing?”

I was also sitting with them, joining in their conversation.

Propping my chin on the table, I listened with a smile as Shuen excitedly recounted her achievements.

“So, how was it, commoner? My fantastic swordsmanship!”

“It was very impressive.”

“Oh-hoho! Really? I knew it! I guess I’m more suited for swordsmanship than magic.”

“I knew you were going to win, so I wasn’t worried at all.”

“Stop flattering me... I’m getting embarrassed.”

Shuen blushed and fidgeted with her fingers, while Hannah let out a long sigh and shook her head.

“Don’t humor her too much, butler.”

“Ahaha! Really? But I think she’s cute.”

“What?!”

“Of course, you’re cute too, Hannah.”

“Uh... uh... Pffft...”

A question might arise—why was someone who had taken a leave of absence from the academy hanging around?

Well, Malik had asked me to work as a special instructor during the academy’s break, so I was gathering information and catching up with old friends.

I needed to know who would be attending the special classes.

“...Hmm.”

Hannah’s flushed face turned toward me with a smile.

“...Is there something on my face?”

“No?”

“Then is it my good looks?”

“Yes...”

I nearly choked on my coffee at her shameless compliment, letting out a soft laugh as I patted her head.

“Thanks for the compliment.”

“Huh...?”

“You did great, Hannah. If Michael hadn’t used the holy sword, you would’ve won.”

“...No, equipment is part of skill.”

“No need to be discouraged. If you’re good enough to get my praise, that’s pretty amazing.”

“Butler...!”

Shuen pushed Hannah’s face away as she tried to hug me.

“That’s cheating!”

“Youuuuu...!!”

“Where do you think you’re going?!”

Honestly, they were both hilarious.

I smiled contentedly, enjoying the peaceful moment.

The ranking battles were over, the beast subjugation was complete, and I could finally breathe for a while.

When I first fell into this world, I swore I wouldn’t live a busy life...

But now, I felt like I was being dragged further and further away from my peaceful days as an unemployed drifter.

“Hey, commoner.”

Shuen, sipping her coffee, glanced at me and asked:

“Is there any place you’d like to live?”

“Huh?”

“Like somewhere near the sea or maybe the capital... A place you’d want to live if you became successful.”

“...Why are you asking all of a sudden?”

“It’s a noble’s duty to know the dreams of commoners! As a kind-hearted noble, I, Tetra Shuen, am simply fulfilling my role.”

“Oh...”

“But don’t get the wrong idea! I’m not buying you a house—I’m just listening!”

“Hmm... let’s see.”

I laughed at her random question and answered.

“There’s a famous mansion in Hamel.”

“Hamel...? Why that rural town?”

“They call it the Villainess’s House.”

“W-What?!”

“It has fresh air, plenty of sunlight... It’s a great place to live. And it’s not too far from the capital. Honestly, I think it’s the best place for me. Well, it’s where I’m living now.”

“The Villainess’s House?!”

Shuen’s expression turned serious.

“Should I... meet her?”

She was already considering visiting Olivia Desmont.

—Click. Click.

“Why are you talking nonsense?”

“Quiet, ranking battle loser.”

“You...!”

“Oh-hoho! I’m number one, so I can say whatever I want!”

—Click. Click.

“Fight me again.”

“Nope!”

“Let’s rematch!”

“I, Shuen, treasure my honor!”

—Click...

“Huh?”

Shuen and Hannah froze as someone stepped up to our table.

I smiled.

“You look tired as always, Princess.”

It was Shartia.

Shartia, who always looked exhausted.

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