The S-Class Hunter Doesn't Want To Be A Villainous Princess - Chapter 20

[Quest Cleared!]

<Sub Quest - On the Same Ship> Cleared!

Clear Condition: Obtain the token of trust 'Engagement Ring' from Ishir von Lambdish.

Clear Reward: Ishir von Lambdish's Favorability +100.

And there it was, the ring, sparkling on Renee's hand.

However, it was not on the fourth finger of her left hand, but on the third finger of her right hand.

"No matter how much you hate it, did you really have to go this far, Lady Cyprus?"

"…!"

Talia was momentarily taken aback, her vision turning white.

Is this woman trying to frame her as a murderer?

And not just anyone, but Renee Marchius, the one who sent assassins?

'Me too?'

But amidst the confusion, there was a new sensation that swept over her.

Excitement.

The thrill of being counterattacked by someone she underestimated. And completely shattering the boredom-

"Are you trying to claim that I killed Lianne, Lady Marchius?"

"No. I won't go so far as to claim that. But shouldn't it be known that it was not me who sent the assassins, but it was actually the Lady herself?"

The appearance of a fellow!

[Talia Cyprus' Favorability has increased by 100.]

What is this again...?

Renee saw a notification window that she couldn't understand.

Why is this notification so chilling...?

At what point did the favorability increase?

'Is she a pervert?'

Why are there so many perverts in this world? Renee tensed up and focused on Talia's words.

"What nonsense is that? You claimed it, didn't you? You personally said that you sent the assassins."

She seems normal when she speaks, but why don't her favorability and actions match?

"Yes, that's right. The Lady threatened me."

"...That's an unreasonable claim. Making such a claim without evidence-"

"Evidence? I have it."

At the mention of evidence, everyone looked at Renee.

If there really was evidence, the situation would completely change.

"Not just me, but the people here have it."

"...What?"

"The price for reaching the mastery level as a sword expert. Do you remember?"

Finally, Talia seemed to understand what Renee was saying and fell silent.

But Renee had no intention of staying silent. Her words were just beginning.

"The truth...."

Renee didn't miss the murmuring that came from someone's mouth.

"Yes. This is the truth I want. To anyone who can provide information that confirms that Talia Cyprus attempted assassination here, I will give them my secret. And if it's not Talia Cyprus but someone else, it doesn't matter. If you provide information about anyone who tried to kill the Saintess, I will give them my secret as well."

Tension filled the air as people started looking at each other in response to Renee's words. 

It seemed like they were gauging whether it was acceptable to come forward with information. Some individuals had already quietly raised their hands, indicating that they had something to share.

However, Renee firmly added a condition to her statement.

"But, the information provided must have genuine evidence. I won't tolerate lies driven by greed for secrets."

'There probably won't be many people with actual evidence. Maybe just a few who heard something.'

Nevertheless, it was enough. By planting doubt in everyone's minds, someone would surely claim to have evidence.

Whether it was true or not. People would believe it.

'That's just human nature.'

Humans tend to believe what they want to believe, especially when it comes to someone else's downfall.

"Wait!"

However, Talia didn't seem willing to go down without a fight. Her outcry drew everyone's attention back to her.

She looked as if she was going to collapse at any moment.

"I am merely a Count’s daughter, how could I possibly threaten a Duke's daughter? Especially the only Duke's daughter in the Empire? Do you think she has some kind of weakness?"

So, it has come to this. Renee gritted her teeth. She didn't want to resort to this method, but there was no other choice.

[The <Lord of Vicious Blood> asks if you will really use that method.]

'I have to. There's no other way!'

[The <Lord of Vicious Blood> strongly advises to reconsider that method.]

'It's fine. There's no other trick.'

She discreetly took off the ring and slipped it onto the fourth finger of her left hand. Then, she looked up at Ishir, who was holding her tightly. Ishir seemed to sense what Renee was about to do and pursed his lips.

'Why are you mocking me again?'

Renee grumbled inwardly as she grabbed Ishir's hand with her left hand. Then, she raised it for everyone to see the ring. She opened her mouth to speak, ready to deliver her prepared words. But in that moment, Ishir tightly squeezed her hand.

And then, he dropped a bombshell that would shock everyone.

"...This is the weakness."

Ishir smiled affectionately at the stunned individuals in front of him. His smile was so tender that it seemed like honey could drip from it at any moment.

"Don't you think it's a bit pathetic, Lady Cyprus?"

"W-What did I do?"

Talia still couldn't believe the situation and parroted Ishir's words.

"You used the fact that Lianne and I had a contractual engagement as leverage to threaten Renee. And not only that, you even threatened Renee simply because I love her."

"Love... her?"

"But Renee never reciprocated my feelings. It was all to protect Lianne's divinity. I was the one who broke the divine law."

That's right.

This was the plan that Renee had come up with. Mixing truth and lies in equal measure.

The truth used as material was the fact that Lianne and Ishir had a fake engagement. The lie was that Ishir had an unrequited love for Renee.

'Lies are more believable when they are based on truth.'

She shyly lowered her head and glanced at the reactions of the others.

'Did they fall for it?'

"Lianne and I were connected by the sacred purpose of the union between the Divine and Imperial authorities. I, too, accepted the engagement with her for the sake of the Empire. But I am also human."

Ishir's face was filled with guilt as he embraced Renee's face. 

His expression was so genuine that even Renee, who knew all the facts, was deceived by it.

"But, weren't you originally against it? That Lady Marchius had one-sided feelings for you... I knew about it!"

"That was before our engagement."

Ishir continued his story with sad eyes.

"But back then, I was blind and couldn't see her for who she truly was. But as I spent time with someone else, I gradually realized my feelings. That I couldn't give my heart to anyone else. My heart belonged only to-"

At that moment, Ishir tightly held Renee's hand.

No, he's so good at acting. Renee desperately tried not to smile.

'I must have seen this drama in my past life for it to be so helpful.'

That's right. All of these lines were carefully written by Renee, who stayed up all night. And...

[The <Lord of Vicious Blood> expresses delight, claiming credit for all of this.]

With the <Lord of Vicious Blood> who are crazy about this drama.

'But it seems like it's having a tremendous effect.'

Seeing everyone even shedding tears.

"That I am bound to this person."

If she had met this guy in my past life, he would have definitely been an actor. He probably already won a Best Actor Award.

"But it was already too late. Renee had already moved on from me, and we suffered in misunderstanding towards each other for a while."

"Your Highness..."

"It was all my fault. She did nothing wrong."

She can't believe this ridiculous story is actually working. Renee felt a strange sense of frustration.

People were believing it! And they were sympathizing with Ishir!

The atmosphere had completely changed from earlier, and Renee could feel it on her skin.

"I have hidden my love for the Empire all this time, but now I won't hide it anymore."

Sighs of pity, regret, and admiration mixed together could be heard from all around.

"Because I am also human."

No, why are they cheering? Can they really believe this? She guessed the saying 'facial credibility' wasn't coined for nothing.

"If it is a sin for a person to harbor feelings for another person, then I will commit another sin."

It's absurd, but she slowly relaxed. At least the lines she wrote were all done now.

But Ishir continued to hold onto her and spoke further, despite all of Renee's efforts.

"Renee, I know this is really not the right time, but..."

What is this? This line isn't even in the script. A tremendous sense of unease began to overwhelm her.

"I can't wait any longer."

No way. No way. Renee quickly rolled her eyes.

Stop there. Please stop. Don't say anything more!

Renee desperately used <Lord of Vicious Blood>'s skill, Electric Sound.

[Please, stop. I'll do anything, just please don't say anything more.]

But despite all of Renee's efforts, Ishir uttered his final line.

"It's too late, but will you give me one more chance?"

Truly, that was a perfect ending line. It perfectly suited a happy ending in a drama.

"...Of course... you... can."

Except for Renee.

***

The Duke’s Villa in the Capital.

Renee's room.

"Put your head down."

Renee held a bottle of whiskey in her hand. On her left hand was whiskey, and on the opposite side was...

"If you move, you might lose an arm or a leg."

Talia's head was there. Talia was lying down, standing still.

[Talia Cyprus' favorability has increased by 50!]

"Why do you like me so much...?"

Even though she's giving her a punishment, she still likes me. How can her emotions be so intense?

[The <Lord of Vicious Blood> suggests running away now.]

[The <Queen of Wves and Healing> faints.]

[The <Emperor of Temptation> clicks his tongue.]

"But... I really admire you."

Renee sighed and took another sip of whiskey. All the people she admires are dead.

"Why do you admire me so much?"

"I've been waiting for you desperately all this time."

"For... what?"

"For a true villainess!"

A... villainess?

Where did you see her as a villainess? Renee was so bewildered that she couldn't answer that question. Looking at the current situation, it's obvious that the villainess is not me, but you...?

"This boring daily life! I've been waiting for a true villainess who can stir up a storm in the social circle dominated by the weak. And that is..."

"Me?"

"Yes, Lady Marchius."

Talia stood up and sat elegantly across from her.

Renee stared blankly at her somewhat provocative figure and then snapped out of it.

"Enough. How can I understand you in any way? I'll just accept it. You're just like that."

"Please use me as you please."

"..."

No wonder she feels like she's firmly trapped, not her.

"Just go home. What conversation can I have with a kid like you?"

"I'm not a kid! I'm an adult!"

"Is that so... then go home and come back when you're bigger."

Renee tidied up Talia's hair and even brushed off the dust from her clothes.

Like taking care of an ugly granddaughter.

Your parents must have suffered a lot because of you.

"You shouldn't send me away like this!"

"Why not? Were you planning to live here forever?"

"You should take responsibility for me. My life is completely ruined now!"

Renee stared at Talia intently. Does she even know what she's talking about?

Until recently, the one whose life was ruined was Renee herself.

And the cause was Talia.

Did Talia understand the meaning of that gaze? Her face turned red.

Now she seemed to realize that what she had done was embarrassing.

"Don't worry. People forget easily. Soon, another bad person will appear, and then you will be forgotten."

"Then can I become that bad person? Like what Lady did to me?"

"Haven't you reflected on your actions? I let it slide because I have a good personality. If it was someone else, you would have been in real trouble!"

In fact, that was true.

Thanks to Renee's intervention, Talia was spared from being imprisoned in the Palace dungeon by Ishir.

Then why did Renee save Talia?

'It seems like she's not in her right mind.'

Otherwise, she wouldn't have developed a liking for someone who insults her. Renee was initially taken aback by her strangeness. Would imprisoning such a child really be a punishment?

'It would be better as a reward.'

Talia needed a better education than that. To someone who had lived for hundreds of years, both Talia and Renee were just, pitiful children.

A child who needed to reform.

'It's troublesome.'

Above all, the one who should punish Talia was not Iyoung, but the real 'Renee.'

The current Renee had no right to punish Talia. That right belonged only to the real Rene.

She sighed and kissed Talia's forehead.

"Do you know how much damage you have caused me?"

"Damage? But yesterday's party went exactly as Lady intended. You even got rid of the label of being the perpetrator, and on top of that, the Crown Prince fell into Lady's hands."

"That's the problem. That's exactly it."

It's a problem because an unwanted bonus came along.

The bonus of being called the Crown Prince’s lover. Just thinking about it gives her chills. He's not just a crazy person.

'Why the hell did that bastard do something like that?'

Why did he propose it when it wasn't part of the plan?

"Ha. I don't know."

She opened the quest window.

[Quest Cleared!]

<Main Quest - Adaptation 1>

Clear Condition: Reach Fame -500. (Current Fame: -497)

Clear Reward: <<What If An S-Class Hunter Becomes A Villainess?>> Volume 1.

'The -500 that seemed impossible to achieve was accomplished with just one engagement.'

Should have done it sooner. She fiddled with the book she received as a quest clear reward.

[<<What If An S-Class Hunter Becomes A Villainess?>> Volume 1]

To others, it seemed like a blank book with nothing written on it.

Judging by the fact that Talia showed no reaction when she showed her the book.

'By looking at this, I might find some answers.'

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