The Villainess Has Proposed a Contract Marriage

Chapter 65

65 – The Wicked Woman, Elpisia Lumineel

Hart had been in a state of half-madness for the past few days.

Even in the morning, after the excitement of the Founding Day festival had completely died down, he sat around all day, staring blankly at the ceiling. The duties and responsibilities of being the captain of the Holy Knights had long been neglected.

The Holy Knights whispered among themselves about Hart’s state.

“What’s gotten into the captain lately?”

“He’s someone who can’t even take care of a single plant, and yet he’s openly slacking off during work hours…”

“I thought someone was playing a prank on us.”

As the captain became lazy, the discipline of the Holy Knights gradually loosened. It was a change that anyone working at the temple could feel, but Hart’s attitude remained unchanged.

Evia, who had to see Harut once a day to feel relieved, was the first to notice his change. That’s why she was more worried about him.

“Do you think so, Ereheit? Why has Harut been like that lately?”

[I also find it suspicious. Didn’t he start acting like that after going to the imperial palace ball with the Saintess?]

“That’s right… but I have no idea why. When I ask him, he just shakes his head like he’s flustered.”

[Hmm, I wonder…]

When Ereheit added a suspicious tone, Evia approached him hastily.

“What’s going on? Do you have any suspicions?”

[Should I say I have suspicions…? In reality, anyone would experience it, don’t you think?]

“Is that so?”

[Yes.]

Ereheit gazed at the residence of the Holy Knights with a narrow, golden gaze.

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[It’s a burnout… a terrible symptom.]

“… Right?”

[In fact, that’s true. Where in the world is someone like Harut, who transparently and honestly fulfills their duties while ignoring their authority? Whether it’s a dragon or a demon, such a person would be unprecedented.]

“That’s true…”

[It’s just that, as humans, we can’t believe it, but I think it’s about time we faced it now.]

“Ereheit’s words are quite persuasive.”

Harut was extremely strict with himself, but showed a gentle face to others. It wasn’t because he was considerate, but because he thought others lived like him.

In this sense, Harut’s worldview was surprisingly self-centered.

Evia knew this, which made her even more curious.

“I wonder what Harut is thinking right now…”

[He’s such an extraordinary child, I have no idea.]

Evia and Ereheit worried about Harut together, sighing heavily. When people suddenly change, it’s like they’re about to die, but since Harut wouldn’t die, they were even more worried.

… Meanwhile, apart from the concerns of his colleagues, the scene shifted to the residence of the Holy Knights, where Harut’s figure was seen, as if counting the grid patterns on the ceiling.

He was the strongest protector of humanity and an irregular in himself. His baptismal name suited him perfectly, as if he had lived up to it.

With all these titles, he sat on a stiff chair, leaving behind a quiet contemplation.

“My thigh…”

◇

The cricket’s cry pierced the silence of the night.

After the former lord, Cardi, chose to retire and Elpisia inherited the title, the atmosphere of the Lumineel Duchy underwent a complete transformation.

First, the chatty servants were fired en masse, leaving only those with heavy mouths to continue their work in silence. As a result, the reduced number of servants became very quiet, and the Lumineel Duchy was transformed into a very static space.

Therefore, the dark night was optimal for hiding the Lumineel Duchy’s secrets.

“Is it this much today…”

Elpisia looked around her bedroom, where bloodstains and corpses were scattered. The sword in her hand was still dripping with blood, and the red smell of blood clung to her crimson dress.

The assassins who crept in without making a sound were almost a daily occurrence.

It wasn’t curious who sent them anymore.

Her enemies would definitely attempt to assassinate her one by one.

After Elpisia inherited the lordship, the duchy’s trajectory changed rapidly. With her astronomically accumulated wealth, she turned her attention to business and succeeded in every endeavor. Currently, there was no family that could rival the Lumineel Duchy.

The problem was that the process was inhumane.

The expansion of the family, which disregarded human rights and morality, had spawned numerous enemies. Among them was even the Empress, who wielded absolute power.

The woman who had finally made Lupehit, the first prince, the emperor, eyed Elpisia, who threatened her position, with displeasure.

“There’s only the empress who doesn’t know how to give up, even at night.”

Elpisia snapped her fingers, making a sound, and a tall, dark-haired young man in black attire suddenly appeared, bowing his head.

“Did you call, Your Excellency?”

“Is everything outside in order?”

“Yes.”

Glen Baskerville, the young man with black hair and eyes, replied indifferently.

“I’ve cut off all the threads and locked them underground.”

“Hmm.”

Elpisia gazed at Glen, who seemed obedient, but without a single flicker of emotion, as if he had already prepared himself for everything. Realizing this, Elpisia didn’t hesitate and struck Glen’s face with her sword hilt.

Thud!

The brutal sound of the impact echoed through the room, which felt like a tomb.

Glen stumbled, but quickly regained his balance.

Ringing-!

The sound of his ears ringing was intense, but he didn’t show it. Glen just wished his master would quickly vent her anger.

After a while, Elpisia lowered her voice.

“I told you to kill them all.”

“… I thought it was necessary.”

“No prophet is needed. I’ll give you a task that suits your consideration. Go to the underground prison and extract the truth through torture.”

“… “

Glen maintained a still posture, silently enduring. It wasn’t that he was ignoring Elpisia, but rather, he felt ashamed of being seen through.

Elpisia was the one who had saved him from his hellish childhood. So, he had lived with the mindset of doing anything for her, even if it meant returning to his killing ways.

However, at some point, he began to dislike hurting people.

The trigger was probably Ascalion, who was once called the third prince.

In the light, Ascalion’s existence shone like a sprout, helping people and illuminating their lives. In contrast, Glen, who was like a human butcher, was vastly different.

The emotion he felt when facing Ascalion was similar to self-loathing.

He was relieved that the half-dragon was protecting him. Ascalion was the first person who made him feel hesitant about killing.

… Of course, the price of failure was harsh, but that was beside the point.

“What are you spacing out for?”

“… “

“This is an order. Torture those you’ve saved to extract the truth.”

“…… Yes, Your Excellency.”

They would soon reveal the truth. However, Elpisia would deny it to the end and order Glen to continue torturing them.

This was one of her methods of taming Glen.

If he disobeyed an order, she wouldn’t punish him directly, but instead, force him to hurt others. Every time, Glen felt an overwhelming urge to take the punishment himself. Although he had accumulated numerous killings and numbed his senses, his original nature wasn’t entirely corrupted.

Even if he seemed to be crumbling, he couldn’t escape.

Elpisia was the only place Glen could return to.

Glen being a Baskerville was something she had investigated long ago.

There was no way to break free from that strong leash.

“… I’ll withdraw, Your Excellency.”

Glenn covered his swollen face with a hood and concealed it.

That night, Glenn beheaded all the assassins locked up in the underground prison.

◇

The refreshing morning sunlight had arrived, piercing through the morning dew.

The schedule of the Holy Knights was tighter than that of ordinary temples. They participated in worship just like the temples, but they also trained simultaneously. If not for the high salary, many would have quit.

Of course, Harute, the leader of the Holy Knights, was no exception.

He sat in the front row, worshiping the Lord, with his hands clasped together and his eyes closed.

“Still, our leader is quite devout during worship.”

“That’s one thing that remains consistent…”

“I wish I had a baptismal name like that.”

Such conversations circulated, but ultimately, everyone agreed that Harute’s faith remained unwavering.

Their interpretation wasn’t entirely wrong.

After all, Harute was undoubtedly seeking answers from the Lord.

“Lord, is this truly a trial? Or is it a revelation to advance into the secular world? I, a foolish one, cannot understand Your will…”

However, there was something else that required the Lord’s revelation.

“What is this ‘thigh’ business? I, who have accumulated 32 years of training, have committed adultery with a woman. And that woman sometimes appears in my dreams…”

Harute, who had lost his composure, couldn’t stop begging.

Even the all-powerful Lord would be embarrassed to respond, but Harute continued to plead, forgetting his shame.

In the midst of this, Harute noticed something strange.

“Wait… I’m begging again and again?”

At that moment, Harute, who had been deeply engrossed in prayer, suddenly stood up.

Kwang!

The sudden outburst surprised the Holy Knights.

“W-wait, Leader?”

“Just a moment! Where are you going, Leader Harute?”

Clang. Clang. Clang. Clang. Clang!

Leaving behind the stunned Holy Knights, Harute exited the chapel.

His destination was the vicinity of the ancient tree where Euvria was resting.