The Villain Carries the Holy Sword – Chapter 74.1

Chapter 74.1: Spring Day in My Life (3)

Marquis Ross’s office.

Marquis Heatherward Ross rests his chin on his hand, gazing down at the two chessboards placed before him.

“No matter how high you jump, you can’t be Edmund.”

Click— Click.

He mutters to himself, tapping the black knight on the left chessboard with his finger.

Cain Ethelred’s presence had significantly disrupted the plans he had made with Marquis McLoud.

But unless Cain was someone like Edmund, capable of bringing victory in war with his mere existence, there was always a way.

Clack—

He picks up the knight and moves it from the left chessboard to the right.

A new chessboard.

There used to be many pieces on it, but not anymore. He speaks, knocking down the lone black knight standing tall.

“We’re building the board itself, Cain. What can you possibly do by just swinging your sword?”

Marquis Ross’s eyes dart around before settling on a point beyond the chessboard.

Between the two boards.

He glares momentarily at the king, standing tall and alone, simply observing.

“Hybolt……”

King Hybolt, who turns a blind eye even though he could disrupt and overturn all the plans made by the marquises.

Even a marquis shouldn’t address him so casually, but Marquis Ross doesn’t care. In fact, his words are laced with murderous intent.

“Stay out of this. If you do, I’ll at least spare your life.”

However, he had no intention of sparing Oleciren’s life.

“Preparations?”

“Ready anytime.”

Under the moonlight streaming through the window.

Sigma, standing upright, smiles like a dew-kissed leaf. Marquis Ross, seemingly pleased, raises the corners of his lips.

“It’s quite delightful. The fact that the princess of a nation is a witch, and the nobles who supported such a witch, will be dealt with by the Holy See.”

Marquis Ross smiles contentedly, feeling that the plans he meticulously crafted are falling into place.

Just then, Sigma speaks with a stiff expression.

“Lord Marquis, Count Edmund has appeared in the forest.”

“……”

His smile freezes.

No matter how well he set up the board or wielded his power, the one being he could never reach was Edmund.

“Fortunately, he entered the forest directly and is heading north.”

“Seems like he has no interest in our grand scheme.”

“Indeed. And he’s moving with the priests of the Holy See.”

“The Holy See……?”

Marquis Ross tilts his head at the unexpected combination.

Then, he bursts into laughter and gestures towards a red sofa placed in the corner of his office.

Clatter—

Beside it, the sound of ice melting and collapsing within a transparent glass cup rings out. A glass of golden whiskey sits beside it.

“Edmund, then and now, remains an enigma, Everwyn.”

“……”

Sigma glances at Ross, who’s speaking to an empty sofa, as if accustomed to it, before disappearing into the shadows.

Marquis Ross, after briefly observing Sigma’s departure, continues his conversation, addressing the empty space.

🔹🔹🔹

Cain’s violet eyes flashed in the magical lantern that illuminated the room. His gaze swept over the two counts and Oleciren.

“I have gathered you here to ask a question.”

“Anything.”

Count Garick replied confidently, and Count Digrid nodded in agreement, ready to answer.

“Carla Audrey.”

“…….”

However, the power of the name Cain uttered was strong.

It shut the mouths of the two counts, who were both Airians of the Seventh Noble Family and had been friends with him since childhood.

Cain turned toward Oleciren, who was biting her lower lip, her eyes wide.

“Her real name is Everwyn Ross, the older sister of the current Marquis Ross.”

“That’s right.”

“Oleciren, have you found anything?”

She closed her eyes.

The First Princess, Oleciren Rune Airian.

She was the only daughter of King Hybolt and Carla, yet she didn’t even know her own mother’s real name.

Suppressing her emotions, which surged like waves in a stormy sea, she opened her eyes and turned to the two counts, their lips tightly sealed.

“No. To be exact, there is nothing in the Royal Intelligence Service information that I have access to.”

“Who has higher authority than you?”

“Only my father.”

Rumble—!

The weather had been fine during the day.

But as the sun set, dark clouds had gathered rapidly, and thunder now roared in the distance.

Pitter, patter.

Cain’s footsteps echoed the sound of raindrops hitting the window. In the shadows that half-concealed his face, his eyes gleamed coldly.

“Marquis Ross supports Olivia. Broadly speaking, Oleciren is his niece, yet he’s backing the Second Princess, who has nothing to do with him.”

“…….”

“The King is also strange. He clearly announced Oleciren as the next heir to the throne, but he’s doing nothing to support her.”

Craaaash—!

A thunderclap louder than before.

In the flash of lightning, Cain held up two fingers.

“He even gave in to the demands of the two marquises who insisted on making the Second Princess the commander-in-chief.”

“So you are saying….”

“There is no answer as things stand.”

The three remained silent.

With the Elven War practically inevitable, the methods Cain had used to persuade and win over the counts were now meaningless.

Moreover, the stage, perfectly set by the two marquises, couldn’t be overturned by individual force.

Frustrated, Cain asked again,

“What exactly is the hidden story behind Carla? Why is Marquis Ross so adamant, and why is King Hybolt doing nothing after her death?”

“We cannot speak of it……”

Count Garick squeezed his eyes shut, refusing to answer.

“The reason we remain silent even now is because of the ‘Oath of Trust’ we swore.”

Digrid’s words followed.

Cain frowned.

‘What kind of secret would compel counts to sign an Oath of Trust?’

An artifact that Cain had only heard rumors of, said to be passed down secretly within prestigious families – the ‘Oath of Trust’. He had never seen it himself.

Its effect was simple.

Translator’s Blog