The Villainess Whom I Had Served for 13 Years Has Fallen-Chapter 375-376
Chaos descends.
"This is our chance to air out all of the West's dirty laundry! Shake them all out!!!"
"Yes! Understood!"
The guards who bumped past his shoulder did not wonder whose shoulder they had just bumped.
They paid no mind to the fact that they had committed an impiety against the second most noble person in the empire, a person whose name alone could bring severe punishment.
"What do we do with those people?"
"They might be connected to the slave traders. Arrest them all!"
"Yes, understood!!!"
Wolfgang knocked away the hand reaching for the Crown Prince and his loud voice echoed through the auction house.
"What do you all think you're doing!!!"
"..."
"This is the little sun of the empire...! He is Leo Gard Taeo. Do you know the impiety of touching the Crown Prince of this empire with your dirty hands?"
"Y...Your Highness...!"
A few guards who recognized Wolfgang's face flinched and watched him cautiously.
His word was law in the West.
No matter how much the Desmunts and the Bellians promised to take responsibility for this matter, Wolfgang was a colossal presence in the West.
Many guards had been able to live in hiding under his protection, and the high-ranking guard captains were hesitating because of the bribes they had received from him.
Even the soldiers with a righteous belief to uproot the evil of the West, and the soldiers who had been harmed by Wolfgang, all stopped their hands and only bit their lips.
Just as the hands of the guards who were arresting the people in the slave market hesitated.
"Guardians of the West, move...!"
A powerful roar from behind began to awaken the guards from their idle thoughts.
"This is the task of removing the old evil of the West...!"
"..."
"This is a chance to remove the evil that we could not uproot because of our neglect! Guardians of the West, do not be afraid, and do not be intimidated in the task of removing evil!"
Wolfgang could not help but flinch at the strong voice.
"I will take care of this place."
Because the head of the Bellian family was guarding this place.
Wolfgang bit his lip as he looked at the Bellian family head, who was holding a pure white spear. The family head, who held a grudge against Wolfgang, was a difficult opponent.
"Duke Bellian..."
The situation would have been different before the beast subjugation.
The Duke of Bellian, who had a lingering attachment to the beast, was easy for Wolfgang to devour.
-I would like you to hand over the control of the canals to Wolfgang.
-W...what did you say?!
-I have brought the signatures of the merchants and the petitions of the residents. Although it is impious for commoners to express their opinions to a noble, I believe that you, Duke, who cares for the West, will make a wise choice.
A young family head who did not know the world.
A foolish person whose fortune had been taken by relatives. A family head who was hiding their gender to appear strong to others was easy to manipulate.
-Then please make sure to catch the beast. If you promise that, I will hand over the authority of the Bellian.
It was too late from the moment he wondered when the head of the Bellian family had become able to look at him straight.
"..."
Because it was too late to realize that it was not a wildcat, but a tiger.
"Marquis Wolfgang."
The head of the Bellian family, who had come in a black formal attire that would not show bloodstains, was looking at Wolfgang with cold eyes. As if to inform him that the real power in the West would change after today.
"Why is the Marquis here."
"What business brings you here, Duke Bellian, who says so?"
"I have come for the well-being of the West."
'Grind.' Along with the sound of Wolfgang grinding his teeth, the head of the Bellian family said.
"I think it would be good if Wolfgang also cooperated."
"..."
"The Marquis also dislikes complicated matters, doesn't he."
"...Understood."
"Yes, the Bellian and the Wolfgang are families that strive for the well-being of the West, so I hope you don't take it personally."
"..."
"I would also like to ask for your sincere cooperation, Your Highness."
The Crown Prince, who had not escaped the arrow, also nodded his head at Bellian's words and replied.
"Understood."
Even if he was a duke who had lost his power, a duke was still a duke.
'Ricardo...'
The Crown Prince, looking at the spot where Ricardo had disappeared, had a vacant expression on his face. Because it seemed there was definitely something he didn't know.
"..."
Not once did that fellow risk his life in a fight he couldn't win. Even at the academy, if it was a fight he couldn't win, he would bow his head.
The saying 'a hunting dog that chases a tiger' would be fitting.
"..."
The anxiety that this incident was just the beginning of adversity was creeping up on the Crown Prince.
At the same time.
The Third Princess could not come to her senses, looking at the reports pouring into her office.
"Ha..."
Because all the incidents that had happened in the West were weighty ones.
There were so many things that made her frown with every document her informant handed over, and at the same time, there were such exhilarating things that she burst out laughing, so Shartia could not rest.
-Olivia Desmunt. To the Crown Prince, she said, 'If you're upset, go tell your daddy.'
"Kuhuhu... Puhaha!! Isn't she crazy!!!"
-Suspicion discovered that the pirates and Wolfgang have joined hands.
"...Hmm. It seems like it will get complicated."
-The head of the Desmunt family ignored the plan planned by the Crown Prince and devised a new plan.
-The beast subjugation was successfully completed.
Casualties: about 100 / Deaths: none.
"Are these people crazy...?"
-The Bellian ducal family participated in the beast subjugation.
"The Bellians...?"
-Beast subduer.
Presumed to be Ricardo, the butler of the Desmunt family.
"It's you again...?"
-A large-scale slave auction house was discovered in the basement of the Wolfgang family's territory.
"..."
A faint smile bloomed on the lips of Shartia, who recalled the face of the man who always brought unexpected incidents.
"You're crazy... Ricardo."
Even at the academy, when she was cornered, he appeared like a troubleshooter, and he had also brilliantly resolved the incident in the West.
"..."
When she thought about it, he was a precious fellow.
A fellow so competent and quick-witted that she felt the greed to make him her own person.
He was also handsome.
And she thought his abilities were the best in the world.
If he were her person, he would be a reliable pillar that she could always lean on. A man named Ricardo.
"..."
The master of the information guild looked at Shartia, who had a faint smile on her lips, and let out a small laugh. Because it was a completely different expression from the princess's usual face, which was always full of annoyance.
"You seem to be in a good mood." 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎
"...I do?"
"Yes."
Shartia touched the corners of her mouth with her finger and made an awkward expression. Because she didn't know she was smiling.
"...I was smiling."
"Yes, you haven't smiled in a long time."
"..."
"Please smile more often. It's suffocating."
"I'll try."
In the relaxed atmosphere of the office, the guild master carefully began to talk about work to Shartia.
"Then, Your Highness, will you reach out to Wolfgang, whose power has weakened? Looking at the situation, it seems the Crown Prince will abandon Wolfgang..."
Shartia shook her head and replied.
"I'm thinking of reaching out to the head of the Bellian family."
"...The Bellians don't seem to be of much help yet."
"That's why I have to get them."
"..."
Shartia looked at the documents and smiled faintly.
-Confirmed that Ricardo and the head of the Bellian family have made contact.
"Before the Bellians get any bigger."
There were many royals who coveted the emperor's throne. Even though the position of Crown Prince was not vacant, it was a position that royals would want to covet.
"..."
The empresses also secretly wished for their own children to become emperor, and the empresses' families also secretly wished for their bloodline to become emperor.
Only her mother did not wish for it.
-Shartia... I want my daughter to be happy. It's a mother's wish for you to live in peace without being swept away by scary places like politics.
-...
-Because there's nothing your mother can do for you...
-...
-I'm sorry I could only teach you how to survive.
Unfortunately, she could not grant her mother's wish. In order to protect her commoner mother, her own position had to be solid.
Her mother who was ignored for being a commoner.
Her mother who was assigned to the very end of the table at dinner with her father.
The neglect and contempt she received despite being her father's third wife did not get better just by staying quiet.
-Squeeze.
She had no choice but to clench her fists and become stronger. As she spent her time like that, she naturally became interested in the pinnacle of the empire.
To be honest, she was giving up.
From the moment Taeo had visited her, she had resigned herself to the fact that she would become nothing.
But.
-I believe Your Highness will become the emperor.
-...
-I plan to start lining up from now on.
Because that fellow was pushing her back, she couldn't just stand still.
"...Haa."
Every time she saw Ricardo running without giving up, she would feel a sense of competitiveness she didn't know she had.
When she first met Ricardo, she wondered how such a person could exist in the world.
-Please put our young lady in the student council.
-...?
-If you do not put the young lady in the student council, a tragedy of the academy collapsing may occur.
-Eeeeeeeeek...! I'm not going to break the academy!
-You broke a flower pot yesterday, young lady.
-Eeeek...! The flower was ugly!
-...I'll correct myself.
"Puhaha!! Seriously..."
Shartia's fluttering platinum blonde hair was full of life. Her smiling eyes were full of passion.
The guild master smiled slyly and said to Shartia in a low voice. Because the guild master was a person who trusted his instincts.
"Oh, right! Your Highness, do you know about a man named Ricardo?"
"...What?"
"Information about him started to be released after the West incident, so I thought it would be good to investigate in advance."
"Ah..."
"According to the information, he lived at the academy.... If you don't mind, could you tell me?"
"...Hmm."
"Just to the extent that you can tell me, please."
At the guild master's words, which respected the line, Shartia smiled faintly and said.
"Shall I talk a little?"
The guild master looked at Shartia's smiling face and lifted his teacup.
"My first meeting with Ricardo was strange."
The story of when she first met that man.
It was just another ordinary day.
Except for the fact that it was raining, and that it hadn't been long since the new students had arrived, it was the same as any other day.
-Shwaaaaaaaah.
As always, Shartia was working in her office. She was wrestling with a mountain of paperwork, and from outside the door, she could hear the excited chatter of new students.
-The history professor is so weird...! Who gives an assignment on the first day of class...
-I know~! We can just fill it in with a free assignment later. But.., wasn't that 1st-year swordsmanship department kid handsome?
-Who? The silver-haired one?
-No, the red-haired one. The silver-haired one is too girly for my taste. That red-haired one was totally my style. He seemed to have a good body too.
-What are you talking about... he wasn't even wearing the school uniform.
-That's the charm.
The academy was noisy because it hadn't been long since the new students had arrived. The academy, filled with new classrooms and new friends, must have been more fun than their boring hometowns.
A faint, wistful smile appeared on Shartia's lips.
"Ha... I'd better sort through the list. It's not enough even if I work all night to fill the spots of the graduated seniors."
Because there were many gifted students among this year's freshmen.
There was a freshman who had more divine power than a priest who had prayed his whole life, and there was also a student who was chosen as a scholarship student at the academy for his talent in swordsmanship.
The direct disciple of the head of the magic tower, who was receiving public attention, also entered this year, and her half-brother also entered the academy.
It was a class full of prominent talents. This year's class, that is.
The faculty's expectations were high, as it was thought to be a once-in-a-lifetime group of members at the academy, and she had to bring them into the student council before they were snatched away by the pesky seniors.
Although she would be cooped up in her office as always....
"Haaam..."
Honestly, she was envious.
Of the students enjoying their youth.
Because she couldn't play like that when she was a freshman.
It was inevitable that she would have regrets about her past school life, where she had only run forward to solidify her unstable position. Because if she hadn't, she wouldn't have been able to live in the imperial palace.
"I'm envious."
The drinking parties after exams.
The farewell drinks before summer vacation.
The regret she felt now, having reached a point where she didn't even receive invitations anymore, was meaningless.
"Should I get some fresh air?"
The rain seemed to make her even more depressed, so she thought she should stop what she was doing for a moment and get some fresh air.
Shartia let out a deep sigh and looked at the window.
-Shwaaaaaaah...
It was the first time an early spring rain had felt so sad.
"Let's get out of here quickly. Before I get any more lethargic."
The moment she was about to reach for the umbrella next to her desk.
-Clatter clatter clatter clatter.
A loud noise began to be heard from the hallway. The sound of someone running urgently, as if being chased by something, was thumping closer.
Even if it was after class, they would get an earful if a professor caught them.
"They're not even a child..."
The annoyed Shartia ran a hand through her hair and let out a sigh. She wanted to go out and say something, but she didn't want to waste her precious time, so she decided to endure it. It would be someone she would never get involved with anyway.
"Tsk."
Just as she was clicking her tongue at the thought that an immature student was lowering the quality of the academy.
-Clatter clatter clatter clatter clatter!!!
The sound of running footsteps was gradually getting closer to her.
"Haa... really!"
Just as she was about to go and say something because of the loud noise.
-Screeech!!!
"Huh?"
He had appeared in front of her.
The red-haired man roughly opened the door to the student council president's office and offered a greeting. A strange man who was an academy student but was wearing a butler's uniform.
"Oh... no one's here."
"...?"
"Ah."
The man saw her face and smiled brightly.
"Hello."
The first thought she had upon seeing the man was not anger, but disbelief. She couldn't understand who on earth would open the door without permission. The way he just blurted out a greeting was also absurd.
"...Haha."
Just as the thought of asking his department and giving him a demerit was filling her head at the sight of the man's bright smile, who was carelessly making a mistake that even a commoner wouldn't make.
"It's a pleasure to meet you."
"..."
"My name is Ricardo, a 1st-year student in the swordsmanship department."
The man had carelessly revealed his own name.
"...Ha."
He was a type of person she had never encountered before.
She could pride herself on having encountered many types of people until now, but this was the first time she had encountered someone who was smiling carelessly with a thick skin.
She was sure she had seen his face at the entrance ceremony, but annoyingly, his face didn't come to mind.
'A noble...?'
No, he was definitely not a noble. Because there was no noble who didn't know her face. At the very least, his parents would have told him to familiarize himself with her face, so it was unthinkable for a person who committed such disrespect to be a noble.
The man was striding towards the frowning Shartia.
Shartia watched the approaching red-haired man from her chair with wide, surprised eyes.
"W-what are you doing? Stay away."
"You are as beautiful as the rumors say, Princess Shartia."
"Huh...? You know me?"
"Of course."
"Then why are you doing this…."
The man chuckled and began to take something out of his bosom. Strangely, she wasn't worried that he would have a weapon. Strangely, that is.
"I've been a fan for a long time."
"...What are you talking about."
The red-haired man, who had flattered her, placed the square object he had taken out of his bosom firmly in her hand.
"This is my gift."
"..."
"Please be sure to keep it."
"..."
With those last words, the man opened the window and threw himself out. Without an umbrella on a rainy day.
"Hey!!!"
Shartia, who was looking out the window, looked at the object in her hand with a bewildered expression.
And.
"Chocolate?"
She burst out laughing because she was holding an unexpected object in her hand.
"Puhahahat!"
If you're going to hit on someone, at least do it a little more honestly. What's with the chocolate....
Shartia was secretly pleased with the unexpected confession. After all, she was a woman too.
She couldn't accept his feelings because of her status, but she decided to overlook the disrespect of the man who had caused a nuisance and left.
It seemed that the man had fallen in love with her appearance at the entrance ceremony at first sight and had conveyed his clumsy feelings.
"Hmph hmph..."
Just as she was about to laugh at the shy and aggressive man's confession.
"Cute."
-Jiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiipal!!!
This time, a loud shout was echoing down the hallway.
"W-what was that?"
It was an extremely angry voice. A girl, shouting as if she had gathered all the anger in the world, was running with thumping footsteps.
-Eeeeeek...!
In the place where the girl had passed, the sound of murmuring conversation could be heard.
-Eeeeeek?! Did you see Ricardo?
-N...no?
-How dare you speak informally!
-Huh...?
At the same time, the girl's voice was getting closer to her.
"Ricaaaaaaaaaaaardo!!!!"
Shartia held the chocolate in her hand and her pupils trembled. Because she felt uneasy for some reason.
"...It can't be, right?"
She felt that the man who had fallen from the window was somehow related to the girl outside the door,
and she had an ominous feeling that the reason the female student was shouting at the top of her lungs in the hallway had something to do with the chocolate in her hand.
-Eeeeeeeeeek!!!
-Clack.
"No way."
-Clack... clack...
The girl who was walking down the hallway stopped, and Shartia's anxiety was realized.
-Screeech.
"..."
"Eek?"
"1st-year student."
"Ah, right, greetings... Ricardo told me to do it well...."
"Hello."
The black-haired female student who had opened the door placed her hands on her navel and offered a polite greeting. 'Hello.'
Just as the tension was about to ease at her very polite behavior, which was a far cry from the actions she had shown outside the hallway just a moment ago....
[Ol...]
An ominous feeling suddenly came over her at the name on the student's name tag.
'It's familiar...'
She was sure she had seen this person somewhere before. Although she was far away and couldn't see the name on the name tag, she was sure she had seen that face full of annoyance somewhere before.
'Who is it...'
-Did you see Ricardo?
'I think I'm about to remember....'
-Ricardo took my chocolate....
'A name that starts with Ol....'
-Eek...?
[Oli..]
'Wait a minute...'
An ominous name flashed through Shartia's mind like a fleeting moment.
The living devil of the empire.
The one among the children of nobles who was different from the very beginning.
'Desmunt Olivia'
Shartia looked at the female student in front of her with trembling pupils, and the moment she saw the young lady's face staring intently at the chocolate in her hand, Shartia's world collapsed.
"That's mine...?"
"..."
"Eeeeeeeeeek!!!!"
"Puhaha!!!!"
The guild master, who was listening to the story, burst out laughing and looked at Shartia.
"No, how can a first meeting start with a game of hot potato?"
"I know, right? I tried so hard to find that guy the next day...."
"He's really an unstoppable person. I'd like to see that person named Ricardo."
Shartia answered the laughing guild master with a bitter smile.
"You've probably already seen him."
"What...?"
"The guild master probably came as a customer without even knowing it. To ask about the political situation of the empire or to find someone...."
"..."
Shartia glanced at the guild master's hardened expression and stretched.
"Still, he's not such a bad person."
"..."
"Because he saved my life once."
Shartia smiled gently and lifted her teacup.
"I was about to die."
"..."
"Really..."
