Chapter 72
Chapter 72
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 72
Chapter Title: Chapter 11. Let Others Handle the Dirty Work (1)
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But even after such rudeness, there was no trace of anger on her face.
"Insolent, truly insolent."
She was fed up with the nobles groveling before her. Especially their duplicitous attitudes, where they acted subservient while hiding daggers in their eyes.
That was why she enjoyed making them kneel and humiliating them.
But I was different.
From start to finish, I was consistently rude. Yet there was no vile malice behind it.
That transparency, where outside matched inside, must have felt refreshingly novel to Princess Violet.
"Enough. It's no fun."
As expected, Princess Violet waved her hand dismissively with a bored expression.
"If that were the case, you'd have removed the mask from the beginning."
Well, no matter the method, hiding her identity would have been difficult anyway.
The unique aura of imperial blood was hard to conceal,
'And the way she carries herself is different from the start.'
The diamond necklace around Princess Violet's neck was one of a kind in the empire.
A ultra-luxury piece crafted by Sartie's most expensive artisan, who had set diamonds into every inch—a high-end accessory boutique.
Anyone without the eye to recognize it shouldn't set foot in high society. They'd just be treated as country bumpkins in a place like this casino.
"So, why did you come to the capital? For sightseeing?"
Princess Violet now tried to uncover my identity through other means.
I picked up the champagne glass again and swirled it slowly.
"Part business, part pleasure."
"So what is this business?"
"Are you that curious?"
"Of course. I've never seen you in the capital before."
Princess Violet's face was full of curiosity. Her eyes sparkled with anticipation as she stared at my lips, wondering what answer would come.
'She looks kinda cute like that.'
I smirked and beckoned her over.
"Come closer."
Princess Violet tilted her head but stepped forward. She wobbled slightly, the alcohol having taken effect.
But she didn't seem anxious.
Why would she? Touching an imperial without permission was a crime of imperial disrespect, punishable by extreme measures.
Moreover, her two guard knights were just a few steps away—close enough to hear a scream.
"The reason I came to the capital is..."
I trailed off, leaning against the railing. Then I raised my hand and pointed into the distance.
"That."
"Huh?"
Princess Violet followed my finger. At the end of her gaze stood the towering imperial palace.
"No way..."
Just before the princess could turn her head,
Thwack!
The edge of my hand struck her nape.
"..."
Princess Violet let out no sound and fainted on the spot.
"Whoops."
I caught her body as it toppled toward the railing.
"Oh dear, it seems Her Highness had a bit too much to drink."
I didn't forget to catch the slipping glass from her hand and place it on the railing.
"See, she can't hold her liquor."
I carefully seated Princess Violet on the floor, making sure her dress wouldn't wrinkle.
Truly, few men had manners like mine.
"Imperial disrespect only counts if the imperial in question knows about it, right?"
I straightened her slightly disheveled mask, then flicked it with my finger.
"Guess I'll see you at the imperial palace next time."
She'd probably rage when she woke up, but by then, I wouldn't be here.
I chuckled and headed toward the terrace door. Peeking through the slightly open door, my eyes met those of the two guard knights standing vigil like iron walls.
I shrugged at them.
"Your mistress seems to have overindulged and collapsed."
"What...?"
"Go inside and take care of her."
With that, I slipped out of the terrace.
"Wait—"
"No, hold on."
The guard knights hesitated, unsure whether to chase me or check the terrace first.
In the end, they prioritized Princess Violet's safety and entered the terrace.
"Good, that's the right call."
I paid respects to their loyalty and moved on. Hiding in a suitable corner, I watched the terrace.
A few minutes passed.
The terrace door opened, and a guard knight emerged carrying Princess Violet on his back.
"Pfft."
I covered my mouth to stifle the laughter.
"My goodness."
A shawl covered Princess Violet's face. It seemed an unavoidable choice to hide her identity.
"Well, they couldn't let people see the princess being carried out unconscious."
She'd throw a fit if she knew, but it was better than showing an unsightly scene.
I glanced at the two guard knights hurrying away.
"About time."
I stayed in the casino a bit longer to monitor the situation. I needed confirmation that things were proceeding according to plan.
About an hour later.
"...He's here."
I straightened from where I'd been leaning casually in a chair. A man with red hair entered the central hall.
"Who says the protagonist isn't the protagonist."
The moment he stepped into the casino, the atmosphere shifted.
The suit Cain wore and the mask adorning his face were all top-grade. His tall limbs and balanced physique shone even from afar.
Above all, his vividly burning red hair drew the eyes.
"The Sud Family..."
"The Crimson Young Lord."
"Cain Sud Ardante."
People whispered softly. They all seemed well aware of his presence and fame.
"Hmph."
I snorted from afar, watching Cain. Unlike the others, different sentiments dominated me.
The true protagonist of the original story.
A man born with everything and destined to grasp even more. Righteous, kind-hearted, perfectly drawn like a green protagonist.
The empire's guardian and savior who would slay Abel Kindriel, wielder of Requiem.
"Cain Sud Ardante."
And now he shared the same space as me, mere steps away.
Cain hadn't noticed me yet. He was just scanning the surroundings with evident interest.
"Yeah, stay like that."
I slowly moved, crossing the hall. I brushed past him where he stood prominently in the center.
Our eyes didn't meet. I just glanced at his finely sculpted profile.
"Just you wait."
I muttered under my breath, too quiet for him to hear.
I won't die by your hand, no matter what.
I'll survive viciously, grow stronger and tougher. I'll surpass the trial that is you and become the strongest.
"What you did, I can do too, right?"
I twisted my lips into a grin.
No matter how much Cain flew high, he was in my palm. Compared to this greenhorn, I'd already seized much on my own.
"Besides, the bus has already left."
The guard knights had taken Princess Violet back to the imperial palace. The original story's encounter between Cain and Princess Violet was thoroughly thwarted.
"Ah, this is fun."
That Cain was oblivious to me having smacked the back of his head. And that such things would continue step by step.
In the end, I would be the final victor—a delightful future awaited me.
"Time to go."
I turned and left the casino. My steps toward the inn were light.
Thus, my first meeting with Cain—one absent from the original story—faded like champagne bubbles.
Intense, and brief.
❖ ❖ ❖
That night.
"Ah, that was fun."
I hummed a tune while soaking in the bathtub.
"Lately, everything's going smoothly."
With a relaxed mind, my body felt physically at ease too. Perhaps that's why Requiem felt unusually quiet.
"Maybe because I slaughtered a ton of monsters on the way here."
I hadn't drawn Requiem once since arriving in the capital. Though that was precisely why I'd come via the western mountains.
"Still, I should let it rampage soon..."
Handling things in the capital without drawing the attention of the security forces wasn't easy.
I tapped the edge of the tub thoughtfully. A pleasant scent rose from the bathwater filled to the brim and covered in frothy bubbles.
"Maybe this could be an opportunity."
If I used the capital's shadows well, I might handle things more effectively than back in Ovest Territory.
"I'll have to make good use of Elice."
Having sorted my thoughts, I traced Requiem's pattern once. The skin under my fingertip felt incredibly smooth.
"What a great body."
I'd downed champagne like water, yet no hangover. I'd polished off at least a few bottles at the casino.
"Didn't know liquor could taste this good."
The alcohol in Ovest Territory was mostly for getting drunk, not savoring—insanely high-proof stuff.
"Anything less potent wouldn't faze our hardy folk."
I hadn't drunk much myself, too busy enjoying food. Plus, my past life's habit of avoiding alcohol.
"Guess I'll enjoy it from now on."
While studying it, too. Liquor occupied a significant place in noble society.
Splash.
I rose lightly from the tub. I slipped on the thin robe hanging in the bathroom and shook off the water.
Stepping out, a spacious, luxurious room welcomed me.
"It's almost as big as my room back in Ovest Territory."
Well-maintained, ornate furniture gleamed everywhere. A bed layered with premium bedding awaited me.
I crossed the room's center to the window.
Beside it sat a Caladea, a flower pot renowned as a luxury item. One pot cost tens of thousands of gold, they said.
Coiled around its expensive branches was a snake with golden scales.
"Hey, Gold Star. Living the good life?"
I'd named it after its scale color. It paired nicely with Black Star, like siblings.
Sss.
Gold Star flicked its tongue contentedly. It clung tightly to the branch, resting comfortably.
"Looks like home sweet home."
More precisely, the ice scattered around it. I'd matched it to mimic its natural habitat.
"Is this okay for the plant?"
Such cold ice water. Fatal for a Caladea that needed warmth.
It'd surely wilt from frostbite soon.
"Who cares."
I brushed past the plant indifferently and sank into the sofa.
"Before it gets colder, I need to sweep up all the capital's magic crystals."
Once the weather chilled more, Gold Star wouldn't crave cold-attuned magic crystals anymore. I had to tour the capital with it beforehand.
"But I can't do it all myself."
That's why I'd sought out the guild. To secure hands and feet to handle the work in my stead.
Elice and Vendetta Guild were essential to me in many ways.
"She should be here any moment."
I checked the clock, then leaned back leisurely on the sofa. Closing my eyes, I listened calmly to the surroundings.
Rattle.
Suddenly, the sound of cart wheels approaching my room.
Tap, tap.
Light footsteps, as if pulling the cart.
Knock knock.
"Excuse me."
A woman's low voice came from beyond the door.