The Villainess is Ti Chapter 70

Chapter 70

This was not a plan hastily put together by joining forces with Marquis Ephekl.

‘To think they would tighten the noose like this.’

Marquis Ephekl had long been involved in the trade of magic stones. Though his mines were smaller, he skillfully utilized the magic stones to create finely crafted items of exceptional quality.

Magic stones were also highly valued as gemstones.

Marquis Ephekl compensated for his smaller mine’s output with quality, and his strategy was a complete success.

Currently, it was safe to say that the only place capable of crafting such fine work with magic stones was the Ephekl Marquisate. No one else could match their craftsmanship.

However, I found it curious that Marquis Ephekl had allied himself with Ryan.

In the book, he was not portrayed as a villain at all. He was depicted as a virtuous, diligent, albeit sowhat emotionally distant, grandfather who loved Leshan dearly.

Even when Leshan suffered at Marceau’s hands early on, the idea of bringing down the Etwar Marquisate never crossed his mind.

‘Why has he changed so much from the book’s storyline?’

I began to think it over. The original book was a story centered around the protagonist, with everything revolving around her. The only one who could move Marquis Ephekl was Leshan.

Leticia ntioned that Marquis Ephekl had agreed to cooperate in exchange for a portion of the magic stone mines.

Why did he need those magic stones so desperately?

Magic stone mines. Leshan. The two seed completely unrelated, yet I could almost see a faint connection between them.

‘He took magic stones from the ball as well.’

When Leshan suddenly collapsed, it wasn’t the royal physician who attended to her but servants carrying magic stones.

It made sense that the magic stones had been able to treat Leshan.

‘But how?’

Creating magical artifacts and healing people were two entirely different things.

What had happened that day?

‘I can’t ask Leshan directly.’

It was uncertain whether she even knew the truth.

I set aside these thoughts and focused on finding a solution to the current problem.

The first person who ca to mind was, of course, Marquis Ephekl.

This issue could be resolved if Marquis Ephekl were to confess the truth.

Without the Ephekl Marquisate, the docunts from my family couldn’t be forged.

‘Perhaps I should try negotiating by offering to contract magic stones from him.’

What if I could supply him with magic stones? It might be an attractive proposition for Marquis Ephekl.

‘I should discuss this with Darcy as well.’

Given the importance of the matter, it was only right to get Darcy’s input.

“Lady Marceau, a package has arrived.”

At that mont, a package Darcy had prepared for

arrived. After checking the contents, I returned to my room.

Besides saving the Etwar Marquisate, I also needed to prepare to et with the magicians.

Aside from wanting to help those like

and provide opportunities for magicians, I had another reason for this mission.

I wanted to succeed spectacularly.

I aid to achieve a success so great that it would dwarf Ryan’s original success with magical devices in the novel, spreading my na far and wide and expanding my influence.

So much so that I could laugh off sches like this.

Back in my room, I retrieved the gun I had hidden under the bed and the band Darcy had given .

To reach the magicians, I would have to travel by carriage and then walk the rest of the way. Teleporting directly there was impossible.

The village I needed to reach was located deep in the northern border, within a forest behind a waterfall—a journey that would take about a week.

I didn’t expect the journey to be life-threatening, but given the unexpected incident with Ethan and the unpredictability of the magicians, I needed to be prepared.

I lifted the hem of my dress and strapped the band around my thigh, adjusting it so it wouldn’t slip.

When I slid the gun into the holster attached to the band, it shrank down to a miniature size. Lowering my dress again, it was completely hidden.

There was no difference from my usual appearance in a dress.

‘Wow…’

Every ti I saw sothing like this, it reminded

that real magic existed in this world.

I pulled the gun from the holster again, and as soon as I did, it returned to its original size.

‘Perfect.’

When it shrank, it beca so light that I could barely feel it, even when walking or running.

After changing into a lighter dress better suited for walking or running, I headed to check on Ethan.

When I entered his room, I saw a mountain of magic stones piled up in one corner. These were the stones Ryan had left behind, which Ethan was now using as materials.

"Ethan."

“…But is this really possible? I have no idea…."

Ethan groaned, clutching his head as he sat at his desk. His near-anguished expression made

chuckle.

He was analyzing the video player Darcy had given him, piece by piece.

"You can do it. You even made a bomb out of magic stones, didn’t you?"

"A bomb is much easier to conceptualize! And what’s with this bizarre design? Is this even possible?"

He grumbled.

It was clear that not every magician could create magical devices the way I had described. It was only possible because Darcy was a genius.

‘eting Darcy was probably the greatest stroke of luck in my life.’

I thought of Darcy, who could effortlessly create magical devices, while Ethan continued to grumble.

“I feel like I should ask Irene for help….”

Irene? That na had co up before. I was starting to get curious.

"Who’s Irene?"

"…He’s the person I respect the most."

"Why?"

When I pressed further, Ethan proudly introduced him.

"Irene is incredibly smart. He’s done research using magic stones, though not with magical devices!"

“Research using magic stones?”

He seed quite proud of Irene, even though he wasn’t talking about himself.

"Yeah, but after Mr. Kafu disappeared, he gave up on everything."

With a sudden look of realization, Ethan trailed off. He had ntioned before that Irene wasn’t fond of magic stone research.

I asked carefully.

“…Kafu must have been important to Irene.”

“Yeah. He was Irene’s father.”

As I quietly listened, Ethan continued, his voice filled with emotion.

“Irene’s father. He set out to change the image of magicians but then disappeared. He was such a kind and good person….”

Ethan’s voice grew somber.

There were many who had suffered at the hands of the nobility.

‘And to think he had to et the emperor’s son in such circumstances.’

Perhaps that’s why he held back as much as he did. I bowed my head respectfully, offering a silent prayer for the deceased. Ethan’s murmuring voice filled the room.

"Anyway… I know you’re not like that."

I had gained quite a bit of trust from this young boy.

A boy who was quick to anger and easily hurt but also quick to trust people.

I might have to be thankful that he still had so untouched innocence left in him.

"Make sure you’re prepared. We don’t have much ti left before we leave."

“…I boasted that I would create a new place for us to stay when we got out."

At Ethan’s words, I recalled the island where I first t him. He had said they had gone there while searching for a new ho.

The place where they were living now seed safe enough and out of sight, so why were they looking for sowhere else?

"Is there a problem with the place you’re living now?"

If there was, I wondered if I could include this in the contract to help them.

Ethan blinked, then replied in a very small voice.

"…It’s a place that person found for us."

I imdiately knew that "that person" referred to Darcy.

“Darcy?”

“He appeared without revealing his face and led us to that place. And from ti to ti, he gathered magicians together."

“….”

"Everyone was grateful to him for not revealing his identity, but I knew."

Ethan had the ability to see people’s true nature. Just as he had imdiately seen through Darcy’s identity on the island, he had recognized Darcy’s true nature.

"That he was the magician who captured us, made us prisoners, and killed us."

Grinding his teeth, Ethan bowed his head.

"But I couldn’t tell anyone."

His voice trembled.

He bowed his head to hide the turmoil on his face.

"Everyone was so grateful. Where else would we have gone?"

They desperately needed a place to stay. The people who had been fighting for so long were exhausted and needed ti to recover.

That’s why Ethan couldn’t reveal that this was the person who had led them to their current situation.

"Why is he helping us now?"

Ethan’s words poured out like a dam breaking. This child, who had had no one to confide in, was now telling

everything, even though we had only known each other for less than a month.

"Why is he only now trying to act differently?"

Perhaps he was trying to unload the burden he had carried alone all this ti.

Ethan kept asking questions, but they were no longer directed at . These were questions he couldn’t bring himself to ask Darcy.

I couldn’t answer those questions.

Instead of replying, I handed Ethan another magical device.

This was the best comfort I could offer.

"…What’s this?"

And it worked perfectly. Ethan’s attention shifted imdiately.

"It’s a device that records everything you see and leaves an image. It’s called a cara."

"A cara?"

"Try it out. I’m going to the garden."

"…Okay."

Ethan nodded quietly.