The Villainess Whom I Had Served for 13 Years Has Fallen - Chapter 373



373 – The One Corrupted by Arrogance.

He does not dwell on the past.

Because that’s what regret is.

Knowing that no matter how much you worry and cling to what has already happened, it won’t change, he doesn’t bother to think about it.

From noble mtl dot com

This was the crown prince’s thought and optimistic attitude as depicted in the novel.

The crown prince was someone who looked to the future without being tied to the past. He was someone who, even when he joined hands with Wolfgang, Michael’s enemy, and even when the apostle of the heretics invaded the east because of his choice, thought of it as a stepping stone towards a better future.

But if…

“Uhm~”

If the past event was so enormous that it couldn’t be resolved with mental victory. Wouldn’t the regret remain greatly? I thought cautiously.

If a single choice created a risk that could ruin his entire life, wouldn’t he have no choice but to act with regret?

A dark evening in the back alley of the west.

Stretching lightly, I was waiting for someone in the darkness. There was something I had to do before leaving the west.

Of course, I also had to see the lady’s bikini.

The most important thing was to see the lady’s bikini, but I was waiting for my friend while checking the time to do the next most important thing.

“I hope he brought it safely.”

Though he was a bit scary to call a friend.

“Hmm…”

The west was a place where trade was open, so many things were sold.

It was a place where you could buy spices or items from the east, or expensive items cheaply, which you couldn’t easily see in the capital. The commercial district was exceptionally developed compared to other regions.

Many people passed by.

Foreign traders passed by.

At the same time, items that shouldn’t fall into people’s hands could also be obtained in the west.

For example, ‘drugs’ that shouldn’t be touched or ‘weapons’ that weren’t authorized. Naturally, ‘poison’ was also sold.

The most fluidly moving commodity in this underworld was ‘slaves’. A commodity that could be used as a meat shield by binding a life.

“…”

The moon is bright.

As always.

The streets of the west, shrouded in darkness, were filled with a gloomy atmosphere. The sound of the frozen sea melting could also be heard. It didn’t understand the impressive day I had.

Indeed, the West is a beautiful place.

There is a beautiful sea.

The West, filled with the laughter of people, had a reason why many nobles would seek it as a resort.

Although it is not recognized because there is an endless shadow behind its bright appearance…

No matter how much darkness rises in the western sky.

No matter how much hatred rises.

The next day, hope rises in this place that the people of the West love.

-Ttokak.

The space distorts.

As if greeting a visiting guest, the space distorts, and the surrounding space was changing bizarrely.

The walls that filled the surroundings were divided into pieces, and the moon reflecting the night sky was also changing into countless pieces, announcing its visit.

‘You’ve come.’

-Ttokak.

Seeing the figure carefully stepping out from the distorted wall, I smiled slightly and bowed my head. I was glad to see the appearance of a friend I had promised to meet.

“It’s been a while.”

I didn’t know what information my friend would bring, but a smile appeared on my lips at her visit, which always brought results beyond my expectations.

“Elicia.”

“Ah… Saint! Today, too, the halo before my eyes…”

“…”

An awkward expression appeared at Elicia’s words. The word ‘saint’ was never familiar no matter how many times I heard it. It seemed to have become even stranger.

It was strange to hear myself being called a saint when I was far from the standard of righteousness.

I hurriedly raised Elicia, who was kneeling on one knee, and spoke.

“You don’t have to be so formal. I’m neither a saint nor a god.”

“To me, you are a benefactor and a light.”

“Haha… Sigh…! You did a great job with the affairs of the West.”

“It is far from enough to express the anger of the saint. In my heart, I wanted to freeze the entire West, but I hope you will forgive me for only being able to do this much due to the lack of power.”

“No, it is enough as it is.”

Before getting to the main point, I asked Elicia.

“Have you found the brother of the Apostle of Temperance?”

In response to the question, Elicia shook her head and gave a negative answer.

“It seems they have already fled. I searched for everyone related to the Archbishop of Slander and gathered information, but their trail has been completely cut off since I arrived in the capital.”

“That’s unfortunate….”

“I’m sorry I couldn’t meet your expectations, Saint.”

“It’s alright.”

What have I even done?

Elicia, looking dejected, bowed her head and pulled out an old notebook from her bosom.

“I brought what you asked for, Saint.”

I received the notebook from Elicia and smiled contentedly. She finally brought it.

It was a notebook filled with many names.

From the nobles of the capital to commoners and merchants, it was a ledger densely packed with names.

As I closed the notebook, I asked Elicia.

“The siblings I mentioned before…. Were they alive?”

“Are you referring to the beastmen?”

“Yes.”

“I found them.”

I nodded and expressed my gratitude.

This is just the beginning.

The downfall of the Crown Prince.

The life of the Crown Prince, who had been thriving in the novel, was now beginning to climb the steps of adversity.

The first step.

[‘Kaar’ tribe beastmen. 2 individuals]

Bidder: Leogard Theo

It was to lose his sword.

With a cruel smile, I turned to Elicia and said.

“Shall we start melting the ice now?”

“I think the Saint’s anger should be a bit more…”

“It’s alright. I think we’ve punished them enough.”

“…Alright. Understood.”

Since innocent residents were also being harmed, it had to stop at this point. Having caused enough trouble, I took the ledger Elicia gave me and walked towards Darbav.

The ledger would be far more useful to Darvav than to a commoner like me.

Before that…

I need to make a stop.

*

The Crown Prince was pressing Wolfgang with trembling eyes.

“What is the meaning of this, Marquis!?”

“It’s alright. This is something our family can handle.”

“I heard the ledger disappeared…!”

“A forged ledger…!”

“Silence!”

The Crown Prince had planned to buy slaves to create his own loyal retainers. Slaves who were loyal to his word and would not betray him. Slaves from the ‘Kaar’ tribe, known for their exceptional combat skills.

But… everything was exposed.

As the Crown Prince, his disgrace, which should never have been revealed, was exposed. If the faction hostile to the royal family held this weakness, things would escalate further.

Pressed by the urgency of the situation, the Crown Prince began to gather his clothes with trembling eyes.

“Your Highness!”

Wolfgang shouted as he grabbed the Crown Prince, who was heading out of the mansion. Where are you going now?

The Crown Prince, gathering his outer garments, replied to Wolfgang in a cold voice.

“I’m going to the auction house right now.”

“It’s dangerous…!”

“Silence, Marquis.”

“…”

“Do not test my patience.”

·

Arriving at the underground auction house, the Crown Prince stared at the empty iron cage with trembling eyes.

“…Ah…”

Everything was gone.

The beastmen he intended to make his soldiers. The slaves inside the auction house. Everything was gone, leaving a chaotic scene to greet them.

The soldiers were all drooling and unconscious, and only the cold chill enveloped them.

And in the midst of it all.

“What brings you here?”

The man with red hair stood in the middle of the auction house.

“Your Highness.”

The Crown Prince ground his teeth as he looked at Ricardo. He couldn’t understand why this guy was here, how he knew the geography of this place, or even the whereabouts of the ledger.

Many possibilities crossed his mind.

Ricardo approached the Crown Prince with a genuinely puzzled expression.

“I was taking a walk when someone asked for help, so I came… Are you here for the same reason, Your Highness?”

“No, I came here to investigate after receiving a report about illegal activities in the west.”

“Oh… an undercover investigation.”

The Crown Prince’s eyes, which saw the truth, were burning.

“Tell me the truth.”

“…”

“Did you orchestrate all of this? Or are you the owner of this place?”

“Me?”

Ricardo let out a hollow laugh and shrugged his shoulders.

“Why would I do such a thing? I’m just a mere commoner.”

“…”

“Rather, I find Your Highness more suspicious…”

Ricardo’s eyes were filled with mockery. The most frightening thing was that the eyes, which could only be possessed by someone with the qualities of an emperor, signified the truth.

Not lies, but the truth.

Ricardo sneered as if he were toying with him, as if he knew everything.

“Wouldn’t Your Highness know better whether I’m lying or not?”

“…”

“Why do you have that look on your face?”

“…”

“Perhaps…”

Ricardo smiled faintly and spoke to the Crown Prince.

“Is there a reason I shouldn’t be here?”

“…”

A chill ran down his spine.

There was no way for him to know how much Ricardo knew or what he possessed.

“I believe in the honesty of the Crown Prince.”

“…”

“I also believe in the honesty of Wolfgang, who is responsible for the peace of the West.”

“…”

Ricardo passed by them with a small smile.

And then.

“Enter!!!!”

The Western guards began to raid the auction house, pushing the Crown Prince’s shoulder.

“Oh, by the way. I was the one who reported it.”

“…”

“I thought it would be good if someone worse than me disappeared….”

-Grab.

“I thought it would be good.”