The Villainess Lives Twice

Twenty corpses were transported to the front of Artizea.

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Eleven knights of Evron.
Six administrative officials in the West.
Three priests.

All of them were following Lysia.

There were several others, but it seems that they did not bring them here because the body was not clean and could not be shown or because of the relatively low status.

“The village was on fire.”

Artizea murmured.

The person who retrieved and transported the body answered.
He was a commander under Jacob.

“After the murder of Lord Jacob, a great fight broke out.
In the meantime, …….”

The commander said indignantly.

 

“They said it was mountain bandits, but it’s not real mountain bandits, how can they meticulously burn down to the village that the lord protects and drag people away?”

“…….”

“There are knights.
How could they do such a thing, knowing that there are officials and priests from other places? This is the work of Charlton or Baxter.”

The commander gave the name of the Lords, whose domains border the territory.

Artizea quietly removed the cloth covering the body’s face.
Alphonse’s face had turned black.

“Under the neck…….
Your Grace…….”

Hayley muttered.
They washed the body neatly and put on new clothes, but still they could not cover the traces.

Artizea murmured.

“I know.”

This time again, he died protecting Lysia.

And this time she thought she was responsible.
Previously, Lawrence had created a situation where he could do that, and this time she asked him to protect Lycia.

He would have fought even though he knew he couldn’t protect her.
Judging from the fact that they were all slaughtered without any escapee, there was an absolute difference in military force.

She wished he had run away.

There was no way he would have given up on her request, abandoned Lysia and ran away.

Even if Lysia had run away and asked for mercy, Lawrence would not have kept Alphonse alive.

Because he hated Alphonse so much.
In fact, now that she thinks about it, it also felt like he hated everything that Lysia loved and cared for.

Artizea carefully pulled the cloth back up to the top of his head.

“Haa.”

She inhaled her long breath and then exhaled slowly.

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The depths in her eyes lit up.
The tear duct connected to her nose was so hot that she could hardly speak.

Artizea raised her head, trying to hold it back.

And in a hoarse voice she asked,

“…… Who sent it?”

“…… .”

“Answer me.”

One of the knights of Evron, who was suppressing speculation, made a cackling sound.

The commander flinched.

“…… no one.”

“The village became like that, and the knights and officials who went to stop the plague died.
Besides, my lady-in-waiting has gone missing, but you’re saying that nobody cares because they’re fighting for power?”

The commander was unable to maintain his taking a knee position and fell to both his knees.

“It is as you said.”

There was no one in the region who thought to announce this news.

But someone had to retrieve the body.
The commander did not belong to anyone’s power.

He didn’t want to get involved in the fight, so he had to clean up the village and come here.

“Crown Princess, we have guns.”

One of the knights of Evron stepped forward and said.
He had scorching eyes.

Artizea knew what he was trying to say.

“I cannot allow it.”

“It’s only three castles at most.”

He curled his gauntlet.
Another knight appeared next to him.

“We can deal with that on our own.
Please, Your Highness!”

“You can’t just close your eyes and move on!”

Hayley set up a cause for those who didn’t talk much.

“They kidnapped the Crown Princess’ lady-in-waiting and killed the escorts.
An official sent for quarantine was also killed.
If this is not rebellion, what is it? Even if the Crown Princess is held accountable, His Majesty the Emperor will not rebuke you.”

Artizea still shook her head.

“Now, we can’t withdraw our troops to get rid of the three Lords.”

As Hayley said, there was a reasonable cause.

And the knights will probably be able to deal with it as they promise.

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But not now.

If there were surplus resources, they had to work hard to prevent the spread of the plague.

There are few areas suffering from the plague right now, but fear was already starting to spread.

In such a case, if they attack the warlords and start a war, the public will be more agitated.

Rather, it would be appreciated if they were to be honest and fight each other and destroy each other.

It may not have been Charlton and Baxter who kidnapped Lysia and killed her attendants.

They’re not stupid either.

Maybe Lawrence did.
And Lawrence was no fool, he would not have left his mark.

Even if she arrested and tortured them, it was of no use.

She felt like she was swallowing ten lumps in her throat.

‘Even Cedric would not have ordered revenge.’

Artizea thought so in her mind.

And he won’t even tell Artizea to do what she thinks now.

Things like separating Charlton and Baxter from each other and provoking warlords around them to start a war, or assassinating them to create chaos and then destroy the forces.

So Artizea said,

“Let’s talk about Count Jacob.
The title he received is not hereditary, and the position of the independent commander is not a title, but only the authority entrusted to him by His Majesty.”

“Yes.”

“Since the commander of the army is dead, it is natural for His Majesty to appoint and send another commander to rule the soldiers.

The commander widened his eyes and looked at her.

The same was true of Western officials.

Even the mayor of the city, where Artizea is now staying, said in surprise.

“The authority of the Lord is customary, Crown Princess.”

“There is no title like a Lord.”

Artizea responded.
And she turned to the left.

“Dame Harper, what do you think?”

Amalie smiled.

She was hated by the Emperor and resigned from her post after getting ousted.

She lost neither title, honor nor fortune, but she left the Capital because it was difficult for her to remain.

She then bought a large mansion on a secluded retreat and sent her family and relatives there.

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But Amalie herself did not go there and she secretly went west.

She was traveling on her own and meeting her old friends.

In preparation for a day like today.

“Since the independent commander has died, the western forces must first take over the operational rights.
The administration has to be run by the administrator.”

“In principle, you are right, but there are very few examples of castles controlled by the Lord.
They have never been successful in letting it go.”

“Of course, they wouldn’t just give it up.
The Western Army can handle it.
The administrator can only enter after the suppression is over.”

Would that be possible? The official looked at Amalie with such a suspicious face.

“I don’t know anything else, but all the warlords will unite and fight against this issue.
Are you really going to war?”

“It is to punish those who murdered the independent commander appointed by the Emperor, and to restore operational power.
The cause is enough.”

Amalie said with a smile.

“It’s different from asking the Lord to open the castle with uncertain evidence.”

If they attack the Lord while the castle is intact, it becomes a war.
However, Jacob’s castle, which was in division, was a different matter.

They didn’t have to let go of anything they could simply subdue.

“Then, are you going to subdue just one of Jacob’s castles?”

“Because it’s important to set a precedent.”

Hayley said.

If the Crown Princess’ lady-in-waiting had not disappeared, it would be difficult to even do this.

However, they were carrying the Crown Princess, who had been supported by strong public opinion.
It was also a time of plague.
The representative sent by the Saintess has disappeared.

Neighboring Lords would not want to get entangled in it if possible.

Artizea had an expressionless face.

“Dame Harper has no title, but she is familiar with the Western Army, so choose a suitable person and entrust this task to them.”

“Don’t worry.”

Amalie answered.

Artizea looked at the coffins once more.

“How would you like the funeral to be held? It’s already hot…… It will be difficult to send to Evron…….”

Hayley said.

Artizea closed her eyes once and then opened them.

“Those whose hometown is in the West, let them send their bodies home.
Funeral expenses and consolation money…….
I would like someone to go to the funeral for me, one at a time.”

“Yes.
Understood.”

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“The knights of Evron have no choice but to hold their funeral here…….
Let’s retrieve the ashes and send them away.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Artizea got up from her seat once more.

Hayley handed her a bag of silver coins.

Artizea placed a silver coin on the forehead on each of the dead.

And instead of putting a silver coin on Alphonse’s forehead, she pulled out the brooch she was wearing and put it on his chest.

It’s not like she has been open-minded, but her heart is pounding so much just because they have been physically together for a long time.

‘Even though I wasn’t worth protecting.’

Artizea let out a long sigh.

And she got up.
It was a luxury to grieve.

She had to do what she could more than that.

“Did you say Hudson?”

“Yes.”

The commander replied in amazement.

“You said they are mountain bandits? Do you know where that mountain bandits was based?”

“I don’t know for sure.”

“Then, did you know about the mountain bandits near the castle?”

“Yes, to some extent.”

 

“Good.
If we figure it out, we can figure out where they were based.”

Then she will be able to know where they are getting their supplies and what channels they mainly use.

It is unknown how Lawrence recruited them.
But he had no way of crafting supplies or movement plans himself.

“Sir Owen.”

Artizea pointed to the knight who first asked for revenge.

“For revenge, you can’t start a war, but you must find the lost.
Sir can take the lead to subdue and check the mountain bandits near Jacob Castle.
Don’t rush, just check which group has disappeared.
Be careful so that the real criminals do not run away by surprise.”

“I will obey your orders.”

He answered in a strong tone.

The Knights of Evron followed and raised the military salute at once.