Ch.175Pride in Vanity (2)

Revenge.

Or perhaps I should call it settling the score.

The plan was immediately put into action.

“All members are ready.”

“If you give the order, we can execute them immediately.”

Members who had gathered in just a few hours.

Everyone was on high alert.

This mission was about annihilation, bringing down one of the Empire’s pillars.

As such, each person’s gaze was sharp with anticipation.

After all, this was a process of erasing a piece of history.

‘There will be problems, but…’

I had already given a heads-up to the Emperor’s side.

The full story behind the recent kidnapping attempt.

Evidence that the Venatti family had joined hands with cultists.

And furthermore, the fact that they had planned to overthrow the imperial family.

Though it felt somewhat abrupt, Valkaros would listen because I had a favor he owed me.

‘Having cured the Rose’s incurable disease and restored his emotions… it’s time to collect on that debt.’

He’s a quick-witted man.

Regardless of previous debts, once he confirms the materials we’ve provided, the imperial family will have no reason to hesitate.

With Amelia’s testimony as the primary witness, along with various circumstances pointing to Venatti’s betrayal.

Rather, they will move to nip this coup in the bud.

‘What I asked for was first dibs.’

I’d prefer to repay them personally, if possible.

If the imperial family gets involved, we’ll have about a two-day grace period.

I planned to use that window to clean up those bastards.

Since we have no intention of revealing ourselves, the imperial family will ultimately get the credit.

A situation where we have nothing to lose.

[Do as you wish.]

[What reason would I have to refuse a request from the future national husband?]

[I simply advise you to be careful not to become a concern.]

Of course, Valkaros didn’t refuse.

Rather, he sent a letter offering support.

There were strange titles scattered throughout… but I decided not to worry about that for now.

At present, the matter involving the Venatti family took priority.

I finished preparations to raid alongside my members.

And then.

“Lady.”

Before executing the plan.

I went to find Amelia.

She was still in the infirmary, standing by Luska’s side.

Perhaps she couldn’t accept her brother’s decision.

The villainess looked particularly confused.

“…Judas.”

“You seem to have a lot on your mind.”

“I just… feel queasy.”

“I understand.”

Luska’s sacrifice.

His choice to sacrifice himself to free his sister.

While he claimed it was for Amelia’s sake.

For the girl, it meant losing the blood relative she had always depended on.

In that sense, the boy’s choice was cruel in a way.

He didn’t consider the one who would be left behind.

“It’s so stupid.”

“…”

“Thinking about dying alone, when I never even wanted that.”

“The young master was surely worried about you.”

“Who would want something like this? I… Luska…”

“He must have agonized over it for a long time.”

“…How foolish.”

“Even such foolishness is love.”

Luska had been unconscious since yesterday.

But he wasn’t in critical condition.

He had simply fainted from extreme exhaustion.

The health professor’s opinion also stated there was nothing to worry about.

Amelia gripped the bedsheet with her delicate hand.

A faint ripple stirred on the hospital bed.

“Luska…”

The vain girl trembled with complex emotions.

Her usual vanity had disappeared, leaving only a girl behind.

Was it because of the shock of almost losing her family?

Or was it the feeling of powerlessness from being unable to protect him?

I had no way of knowing.

“Lady.”

I simply had to tell her what came next.

“I have something to tell you.”

I slowly explained to the villainess.

The annihilation of the Venatti family.

The plan for that, and the pretext of preventing a coup.

And finally, the current situation on the verge of being triggered.

Amelia listened silently.

“I would like you to entrust this to me.”

I bowed my head.

Though she may have hated them at times, it was still the family she had proudly belonged to all her life.

It was also the legacy inherited from the Duke and Duchess.

Would she really accept the word “annihilation” willingly?

The honor, attachment, and vanity that had shaped the villainess’s life.

It wouldn’t be strange if her answer was a refusal.

However.

“I’ll have to refuse that.”

The girl’s pride stepped ahead of honor.

Her blue eyes shone clearly.

“I won’t entrust this to someone else.”

And for good reason.

It was the legacy and vanity she had proudly held all her life.

Corruption, depravity, betrayal… if someone had to take responsibility, it should rightfully be her.

The villainess declared with cold, settled eyes.

That she would not remain a bystander.

“I will lead the way.”

Transparent blue.

Amelia’s pupils were still trembling.

Nevertheless, her red lips and clenched fists contained a measure of determination.

Not being cowardly even if everything rotted away.

That was, for the girl, vanity.

And also her name.

“Are you really sure about this?”

“There’s no reason why I shouldn’t be.”

“Turning your back on Venatti… it must hold great meaning for you.”

“What a foolish thing to say. Who among them do you think is truly Venatti?”

“Hmm.”

A voice that shot out, cold as ice.

The villainess was saying:

“I am Venatti.”

“…”

“The legitimate heir and future greatest ice magician of the continent. Beautiful as a single flower, noble as a winter day, the guardian who harmonizes with the seasons. Venatti is a name permitted only to such people.”

It was embarrassingly self-praising.

But her uniquely oppressive atmosphere erased even that shame.

As if there was no need for embarrassment in speaking the truth.

Perfect vanity.

The girl asks again.

As if demanding an answer now.

“Tell me, who is Venatti?”

“Why, you are, my lady.”

“Those scoundrels who dared harm my blood. Do you think they are qualified?”

“Of course not. They were wicked rather than noble, and vile rather than proud.”

“They are nothing but fakes. Impostors with lowly origins who dare to impersonate Venatti.”

Amelia Venatti.

The noble, proud name was coldly furious.

The dishonored legacy was her burden to bear.

“I will punish those impostors.”

“…”

“Don’t try to stop me. This is something I cannot yield on.”

Steadfast eyes.

Shoulders trembling with complex emotions, yet brazenly wearing a mask of pretense.

Seeing such a vain girl, I couldn’t help but smile.

With my lips twisting in a base manner.

“You’re magnificent as always.”

I extended my hand.

To my girl who, despite being draped in layers of pretense, was the most genuine.

I would stay by her side as she walked the path of pride.

“Then, I shall guide you.”

The villainess never let go of herself.

Therefore, I resolved.

“To the den of traitors.”

To take this pitiful person to the stars.

***

Several hours later.

In the Venatti Duchy located in the northern part of the Empire.

In the land known for its Winter Guardians, an ominous atmosphere continued.

It was the aftermath of a certain “failed mission” from just a day before.

Shouts echoed through the Duke’s office.

“You planned this mission, didn’t you!”

A middle-aged man shouting his anger at a communication crystal.

His hair was blue, proving his bloodline.

The man’s name was Deron Venatti.

He was the temporary head of the ducal family and the twins’ uncle.

He spoke with an agitated voice.

“How are you going to take responsibility for this!”

-{Well… please calm down, Duke.}

“Do I look like I can calm down right now?”

-{We couldn’t have predicted this failure either. Who would have thought Venatti’s elites would be annihilated… and the oath made with Young Master Luska was broken too?}

“Yes! Everything is a complete mess!”

Deron takes a deep breath with a dry face-wipe, still not appeased.

After all, everything they had built up was about to collapse.

This failure was that painful.

“Cultists… I shouldn’t have joined hands with the likes of you.”

-{After benefiting so much from us, you dare say such things. The fact that you’re sitting in that head position is all thanks to our help. You, who were nothing but a lackey serving the previous generation.}

“What did you just say…!”

-{Let’s stop arguing here. Now is not the time for us to fight amongst ourselves.}

“Damn it… So, did you find out the identity of the one who contacted us then?”

-{Not at all. I don’t even know how they sent a message when the signal was blocked in the first place.}

“Whoever that madman is, he’s no ordinary person.”

-{I agree. To declare war against cultists, Venatti, and businessmen.}

“He must be someone who knows we’re all connected.”

-{It seems we’ve been bitten by something quite terrible.}

A tightly clenched fist.

Deron closes his eyes for a moment, then recalls that chilling moment.

As if killing intent was being transmitted through the crystal.

-Let’s leave it to your imagination.

-What price you’ll pay.

Deron bites his lip.

But soon shakes off the distracting thoughts.

After all, there were more urgent matters at hand.

His blue eyebrows furrow.

“Besides… the imperial family will start catching on soon.”

-{Indeed. If the young master and lady testify, the timing will accelerate.}

“That’s why we placed the oath! Damn that bastard, how did he escape?”

-{There’s no use agonizing over it now. First, find a suitable place to hide. We can’t lose everything, can we? We’re not yet ready to wage war against the imperial family.}

“Tsk… You remember our contract, right?”

-{Of course. Didn’t we promise that when that person’s grace is established in the world, we would make you the emperor of the new world? Even if the plan has gone awry, the agreement remains unchanged, so rest assured.}

“…Alright. I’ll contact you again later.”

Bang-!

Deron puts down the crystal after turning it off.

Still not appeased, he bangs the crystal against the desk several times.

Bang, crack, thud-!

Just as cracks start to form on the smooth surface.

He roughly gets up from his seat.

Perhaps he needed to organize his thoughts.

Deron leaves the crystal and heads out of the Duke’s office.

A dark backdrop welcomes him.

“Hoo…”

A long exhale.

Deron walks with the cool air.

He was in a pinch from various angles.

The mission had failed, and the imperial family was on the verge of discovering the coup.

Moreover, none of his allies seemed trustworthy.

He couldn’t help but feel heated in such a situation.

Whooosh-.

As he was walking.

Suddenly, the night wind brushes past.

Turning his head at the unexpected winter chill, he sees one of the corridor windows open.

It seemed the maids hadn’t checked thoroughly.

Deron redirects his anger to this minor issue.

“Ha… useless things, I’ll have to discipline them.”

The maids who would be sleeping, unaware.

He clicks his tongue, promising to deal with it tomorrow.

As he was about to turn back to the corridor and head to the Duke’s office again…

Deron suddenly feels an alien presence behind him.

As if someone’s gaze was following him.

“…!”

Deron, being an excellent magician, reacts immediately.

With mana drawn up, at the end of his gaze stood two figures.

“Oh my, we’ve been spotted?”

“…”

A boy and a girl standing side by side.

Both were familiar faces.

One was the target of the recent mission, and the other was his own blood relative.

Deron stands dumbfounded, staring at the blue hair.

Especially her, as her visit was unexpected.

“…Amelia?”

“It’s been a while, Uncle.”

A cold voice returns.

The blue eyes characteristic of their bloodline shone with infinite coldness.

“I’ve come to take back your name.”

The winter night was terribly beautiful.