The Villainess Whom I Had Served for 13 Years Has Fallen-Chapter 391-392

-In the story where you lost your light, 'Ricardo' was shining brilliantly.

The blue window was speaking.

That when I had lost my light, Ricardo was shining brilliantly.

-The sorrow of losing Olivia still remained in his heart, but Ricardo was able to overcome that sadness through a certain 'opportunity'.

-He could shine even brighter. Much more than in the days when he was with Olivia. He was shining so brightly that he could stand shoulder to shoulder with those who left their names in the academy, no, perhaps incomparably brilliantly.

In the past, I wouldn't have been able to understand the blue window's words. It was ridiculous to say that he, who always showed only a foolish side, was a genius.

But.

If I remembered the side he had shown me until now, I could understand why the blue window was praising Ricardo.

Ricardo.

-After Olivia's departure, he no longer hid his power.

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He had been hiding his power.

The blue window, which had shown me the viewing, was chattering on and on about Ricardo's greatness, as if it were a fan of his.

And it was also unabashedly revealing the story of how the version of myself in the viewing had come to rely on Ricardo.

-He embraced you when you failed. He took care of you... more than before.

'...'

-Who would have known. That he would offer a hand to you, the failed one.

Chaltia let out a long sigh and said to the blue window.

'What do you want me to do.'

Why are you showing me this?

The version of herself in the viewing had been holding the bouquet Ricardo had given her in her arms and smiling for quite a long time. The bouquet he had given her was so precious that she was holding it carefully so as not to damage the flowers.

She was annoyed.

Because she didn't want to take a hand offered out of pity.

At the same time.

-Clench...

Strangely enough, she also envied the happy face of the version of herself in the viewing.

'What are you trying to say.'

Chaltia spoke to the blue window, which only showed her things she couldn't understand, with a sharp voice. She had to know why it was showing her these things.

'Are you telling me to try to make a better future, or! Are you telling me to awaken so that this future doesn't come...! I don't know... Shouldn't you at least tell me the reason before you start?!'

Chaltia glared at the blue window, suppressing her resentment.

But the blue window did not grant Chaltia's wish and silently continued the 'story no one knows', that is, the story that only it knew.

-Ricardo was constant.

The scene in the viewing changes.

-Even when you went through sad things.

The scene, just as the blue window had described it, was unfolding before her eyes.

The version of myself when I was having a hard time.

The version of myself, who was sitting in a deserted place, wiping away tears when everything had gone wrong. It was showing her right before her eyes.

-Are you okay?

-If you came to mock me, get lost. I'm tired.

-...I came to ask you to go play? The weather is nice today, so let's go do some volunteer work together.

-...What?

-I was lucky enough to get disciplined today.

-You...!

-Heh!

When her complex emotions calmed down, it showed her the version of herself sitting alone in a dark classroom.

-Mom...

-...Mom.

-...I miss you.

When sadness welled up and her breathing became rough, it showed her with Ricardo again, letting her know his preciousness.

Cruelly.

Really... cruelly.

-When you were attacked by the Apostle of Gentleness, it would have been a big problem if he hadn't been there. You were really weak back then.

The moment she saw him in the viewing, finding her cowering in the closet and opening the door.

Funnily enough.

'...Drip.'

A tear fell.

Why?

Really, why is this happening?

It's not in my memory.

It's something that hasn't even happened.

Why...

'Don't be ridiculous.'

Chaltia couldn't understand.

From one to ten. The things the blue window showed her were not in her memory.

But then why...

'Ah...'

Why is my heart clenching like this?

Chaltia, caressing her chest, opened her trembling eyes and looked at the scene before her.

-Why are you crying again. Like a fool.

-Who said I was crying?

-Hmm... Is that so?

The sight of him sitting next to her, who was sitting alone, without saying a word.

It wasn't a big deal, not a major event. But just seeing Ricardo sitting there silently, something in her heart seemed to ache.

Yes, as if. As if she had remembered a pain hidden deep in her heart.

'What is this...!!!'

Her chest hurt.

She couldn't look straight at the scene, as if she didn't want to see it.

She hadn't committed any sin.

She hadn't done anything to Ricardo, so why was she feeling this way?

'Why is this happening... You have to tell me!!!'

She couldn't understand.

The blue window did not wait for Chaltia and continued to speak, and perhaps began to utter the words she most hated to hear.

-You wanted to possess him.

When the blue window first appeared to her, it began to utter the hypothesis she had wondered about.

-You wanted him, who was more outstanding than anyone at the academy, to be on your side. And at the same time, you wanted him, with his excellent martial prowess, to protect you.

-It's selfish.

-Shameless selfishness.

The blue window began to show her its ugly side. Repeating the word 'selfish'.

Really.

'...Stop.'

She was annoyed.

-More than anything, you wanted him not to leave your side. You wanted him, who brought you laughter in your hellish days, to be by your side.

-So the moment he handed you the bouquet at the graduation ceremony.

The viewpoint changed, and the face of the version of herself in the viewing, holding the bouquet at the graduation ceremony, was shown again.

And...

The version of myself in the viewing made the current me even uglier once more.

I can hear a voice in my heart.

Along with the voice of the blue window.

An ugly wish that made my heart sink was heard.

(I want to have him...)

-You truly began to covet him.

My pupils tremble.

Because I never thought that I, who had fallen to the bottom of the abyss, would say such a thing.

'Want to have him... what are you talking about...?'

-You had nothing to give Ricardo.

'...It's strange. Why...?'

-You were anxious about the fact that you wouldn't be able to be by his side after the graduation ceremony, but you had nothing to give him.

'Why...'

Emotions ignite.

'Why are you saying that!!! It's not me! It's not...! It's not me!!'

The blue window ignored Chaltia's words and continued the viewing.

'Stop...'

-Viewpoint changes.

"...Please just stop."

-To that place where you first made the pact with him.

'I get it...'

-To that day when your selfishness danced.

'I know I'm bad...'

-Viewpoint changes.

Maybe I knew from the beginning.

That the 'me' in the viewing.

Was really 'me'.

A field of white irises.

Chaltia, who had finished the graduation ceremony, was sitting in the iris field, letting out a faint breath.

It was the last time.

Spending time like this.

Being protected and confined within the framework of the academy. All of that would end after today.

"Ricardo."

"Yes?"

And spending time with him like this.

Chaltia looked at Ricardo with eyes full of regret and thought. That fool is only doing things that are a loss for him.

Thinking of Ricardo's consideration, whose reputation would decline the more time he spent with her, her chest seemed to ache. She hadn't known that the connection that started in her first year would grow this big.

"Why do you call someone and then say nothing?"

"..."

"Could it be that you've fallen for my handsome face?"

"..."

Greed arises.

The greed to keep him, who offers a hand to her who has lost everything, by her side.

She can't do anything for him.

Because the time he nonchalantly spent by her side was so good, it seemed that bad thoughts kept coming to her mind.

It would be the last time today anyway.

"Haa..."

"The ground will sink."

"Why would the ground sink...?"

"There's a saying that if you sigh, the ground will sink."

"You say strange things often."

"Isn't that my charm?"

"Whatever."

Because of her gloomy mood, she keeps spouting nonsense. She wants to say goodbye with a smile.

"This is the end of this, too."

The voice of her heart, full of regret.

"It's really... the end."

Comes out without thinking.

She clenched her fist.

She knew it was impossible, but she wanted to ask him one question, with a glimmer of hope.

"You know."

"Yes."

"Is there anything you want to do after graduation, Ricardo?"

"What?"

"Just. I'm curious."

"What's with the constructive question all of a sudden? You're the one who usually asks where we should go for a drink..."

"You're such a ruffian, so I'm trying to give you some life advice as a senior."

"...So that's how I looked."

She clenched her fist and waited for Ricardo's answer. With the thought that it would be nice if what he wanted to do was the same as what she wanted to do.

"I'm planning to leave the empire now."

"...You're leaving the empire?"

"Yeah. I want to leave the empire and travel. To be honest, I don't think there's a place for me in this empire anymore... haha!"

"...Have you given up on being emperor?"

-Clench...

"I have no choice but to give up... I don't even know if my head will still be attached to my neck... and there's no one to help me now."

"I see no other choice. Then I...!"

"So...!"

Cutting off Ricardo's words, I stretched and glanced at him. Because it seemed he no longer had any expectations for this empire. With a feeling of 'just in case'. And with anticipation, she gathered her courage and asked him a question.

"I'm thinking of going to the Frederica Empire and living as an adventurer..."

"I..."

"Yeah."

Fists are clenched.

His silence was so terrifying that she stole a glance at him, hoping he wouldn't notice the beads of sweat forming from her anxiety.

But.

"I think I'll probably stay in the capital and work."

"..."

Her expectations were not wrong.

Her heart sinks and trembles. She shouldn't have asked back, but useless questions keep coming to mind.

"Why...?"

"Hmm... I wonder."

"You don't need to stay in the empire..."

"I want to try to revive the Desmont family."

"..."

"It's a place that was ruined because of me, isn't it? If I had done better... if I had worked harder... haha... I'm saying all sorts of strange things."

My mind is racing.

I have to give up.

Strangely, his words feel like an opportunity, and my hands unclench.

Because of the dependence of 'not wanting to let go'.

"Really...?"

She had come up with a way to hold on to him.

A thought flashes.

A way to be with him.

And at the same time, a selfish thought to release the desires she had given up on.

So she said to him.

A lie that she couldn't contain her desire.

"You know."

She spat it out at him cruelly.

"If you become emperor, you're given the right to choose one of the national treasures..."

Words she shouldn't have said.

"They say one of the national treasures has the power to bring the dead back to life..."

That day, I couldn't see Ricardo's expression.

"..."

Not a bright face that had been fooled by a lie.

But Ricardo's expression as he gave a bitter smile.

"Is that so?"

He probably.

"That story... I'd like to hear more about it."

It seemed he knew from the beginning that I was lying.

The time spent with him was good.

Even if it was a ruse built on lies.

-...Then, I'll have to make you the emperor, Lady Shartia.

-...Gulp.

-A treasure that can bring the dead back to life... it's something I desperately need as well.

-If you make me the emperor, I'll give you this authority.

She was happy that the time with him grew longer.

Ricardo had said.

He asked if it was okay for the plans he'd made to go awry.

-Are you really sure it's okay?

-What...?

-Didn't you say you were going on a trip to the Frederica Kingdom? You won't be able to go on that trip then...

-It's fine...! It's what I want anyway.

That day, I clenched my fist and thought.

"Because I want to avenge my mother's killer."

"..."

"Actually, I wanted revenge. That's why... that was also a reason I was trying to go to Frederica."

"I... don't know if I made the right choice. Maybe I've ruined a better future.

"You don't need to worry about it. I get my revenge. You get your national treasure... that's all we need to think about, right?"

It felt like she could start over the things she had given up on. And she thought she was happy to be with him.

With a sincere heart.

She truly liked him.

"No take-backs."

"Of course."

"Never betray me."

"...It's okay if I'm the one who gets betrayed."

"What are you saying. That's so draining..."

"Haha! Just kidding."

Because he was competent.

If you were to weigh the ratio of expectation to desire.

The joy of being with him was 80 percent.

The thought of becoming emperor was only 20 percent.

Still.

'I'm not alone.'

She was happy not to be alone.

She felt truly sorry for Ricardo, who had been deceived by a lie, but she was genuinely happy that the time she could spend with him had grown longer.

-Then... I should quit the academy now.

-Huh...? You don't necessarily have to.

-No. I've decided to back you. I have to do my best. And... I've been thoroughly disliked by my friends, so there's no reason for me to stay at the academy anymore.

-Friends...?

-...They exist. Friends I can't approach even if I want to.

That day, Ricardo knelt on one knee and kissed the back of my hand. Like a knight pledging allegiance.

"What are you doing?"

Ricardo said nothing and just stared at my hand.

"Ricardo, third-year, swordsmanship department, from this moment on, I will be a sword for you."

"..."

"Though it's just a ceremony for show."

As Ricardo kissed the back of her hand, a small, sad smile played on his lips.

"...For your happiness."

"..."

"I will wield my sword."

"...Why are you being so embarrassing."

"For your smile, I will live in hell."

"..."

"Even if it means my ruin, for the peace of this world."

"This is a bit embarrassing."

No matter what he said.

No matter what he did.

Ricardo's loyalty, once he learned the truth, would not be directed towards her. I endured the bitter feeling and allowed myself to lean on a moment of happiness.

"I pledge my loyalty."

In truth, that guy.

'...'

He knew all my lies.

-Part 1 (The Sword of Rebellion) ends.

"Gasp...! Gasp...!"

Shartia, awakened from the viewing, sat at her desk with a dazed expression.

It wasn't that she had seen something extraordinary.

"..."

But her heart was pounding like crazy.

"...Haa."

Terrifyingly so.

She had thought she was trapped in the viewing for quite a long time, but seeing that 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 how things would unfold from here.

Would Ricardo make the her in the viewing the emperor? Or would Ricardo, realizing the lie, start a rebellion?

"..."

It was true that the one who became emperor was given the authority to possess one national treasure, but she had never heard of a national treasure that could bring a person back to life.

And, if there were such a national treasure, she would have used it to revive her dead mother.

"I don't know."

Just as her head began to ache from the thoughts she couldn't quite grasp, the blue window, as if knowing Shartia's heart, began to speak briefly about the events to come.

-You and Ricardo quickly began to gather power.

-Because your sword, with its outstanding strategy and martial prowess rivaling the empire's knight commander, grew at a steep pace.

-As the end of your revenge drew near, you began to fear him. At the same time, you also depended on him.

-Even though he was protecting you without change.

-A wind blows.

-The wind of 'rebellion,' brought by the people whose necks you have bitten. It begins to blow coldly, carrying a wicked jealousy.

-If you wish to view Part 2 (The Broken Sword), please say the word 'Tyrant'.

'...'

I need to get some air.

She didn't have the courage right now.

With a trembling body, Shartia headed outside.

"Ohohot... It is I, Shuen, who is here."

Shuen, who had clinched first place in the ranking tournament, became a popular star at the academy and was enjoying a popularity she had never felt before.

-Isn't that Shuen? The strongest in the academy!

-Wow...! A noble, indeed! Just like the eldest daughter of the Tetra family!

-The pride of the academy.

Of course, she had never heard such words, but in her heart, Shuen was happy to have become a popular figure at the academy.

And.

"Can't you sit somewhere else?"

"I don't want to."

"Haa..."

Hanna, sitting next to Shuen, was also breaking out in a cold sweat listening to Shuen's exploits.

"Do you see it? The gazes of the students praising me!!!"

"We're the only ones in the cafe..."

"...Be quiet!"

"Oh dear..."

Histania Hanna and Tetra Shuen had started spending more time together after the connection of 'Ricardo' was formed. Of course, it was mostly Shuen's one-sided interest... but they were also love rivals for the same man, and they had a lot to talk about because of the convenience store work.

They had become close enough to call each other 'friends'.

And.

"Why are you fighting?"

I, too, was sitting with them, talking.

Resting my chin on the table, I smiled as I listened to the excited talk of Shuen's exploits.

"How was it, commoner? My fantastic swordsmanship!"

"It was very cool."

"Ohohot...! Was it? I really think I have more talent in swordsmanship than magic."

"I knew you would win, Shuen-nim."

"If you say that, it's embarrassing..."

Shuen blushed and fidgeted with her fingers. Hanna sighed and shook her head.

"Butler-nim... don't indulge her so much."

"Ahaha! Is that so? I find it cute."

"Pardon?!"

"Of course, Hanna-ssi is also cute."

"Uh...uhh... poof..."

You might ask why a guy on leave of absence is at the academy, but it was because of Malik's request to work as a special instructor when the academy's vacation started, so I was investigating and talking with old friends.

I had to know who would be taking the special classes.

"...Hmm."

Hanna, her face red, was smiling at me.

"...Is there something on my face?"

"No?"

"Then is it handsome-ness?"

"That's right..."

I, who almost spat out my coffee at Hanna's unreserved compliment, let out a hollow laugh and patted her head.

"Thank you for the compliment."

"Uh...?"

"You also worked hard, Hanna-ssi. You would have won if Mikhail hadn't used the holy sword."

"...No. Equipment is also part of skill."

"There's no need to be discouraged. To receive a compliment from me is a huge thing."

"Butler-nim...!"

Shuen pushed away Hanna's face as she tried to hug me and said.

"That's cheating!"

"Youuuuu!!"

"Where do you think you're going!"

They were really funny people.

I enjoyed the leisure with a pleasant smile. The ranking tournament was over, and the beast subjugation was also over. It felt like I could finally catch my breath.

When I first fell into this world, I had resolved not to live so busily. The feeling of getting further and further away from a peaceful, unemployed life makes me sad.

"Hey, commoner."

Shuen, who was sipping her coffee, glanced at me and spoke.

"Is there any place you want to live?"

"Pardon?"

"Like by the sea, or in the capital... a place you'd want to live if you succeed?"

"Hmm...? Why do you ask that all of a sudden?"

"Investigating the wishes of commoners is also the duty of a noble...! I, Tetra Shuen, am a kind noble who grants the wishes of commoners."

"Hoo..."

"That doesn't mean I'll buy you a house! I'm just saying I'll listen."

"Hmm... let's see."

I let out a hollow laugh at Shuen's absurd question and gave my answer.

"There's a famous mansion in Hamel."

"Hamel...? Why that backwater town."

"The villainess's house."

"Heek?!"

"The air is good, it gets a lot of sun... it's a very livable mansion. And it's not far from the capital. So I think that mansion is the best place. Of course, it's the house I live in now."

"Heek... the villainess's house."

Shuen thought seriously.

'Should I meet her once...'

The thought of meeting Desmunt Olivia.

-Click. Clack.

"Why are you saying such useless things."

"The loser of the ranking tournament should be quiet."

"You...!"

"Ohohot! Because I'm number one...!"

-Click... clack...

"Let's go again."

"I don't want to!"

"I said let's go again!"

"I, Shuen, am a person who values honor!"

-Click...

"Huh...?"

I smiled at the woman who had stopped in front of the table where Shuen and Hanna were talking.

"You look tired today too, Your Highness."

It was Shartia.

Shartia, who was always steeped in fatigue.