The Strange but Effective Villainess Life

Episode 22: The Villainess Is Back (XXI)

As for Marquis Cesare Levin… Actually, I only knew his name. But I had heard his name so much that I was sick of it.

“Marquis Cesare Levin made a huge donation for this research. He only picked Professor Kiana Prelai.”

That man was the one who often asked the academy to develop magic tools.

He paid so much money that I faintly remember his name. When I became a professor before I regressed, he even commissioned me directly.

The academy strictly controlled the entry of outsiders, so I had never seen his face. I just wanted the money to rot every time a request came in… 

“This person will pay more if you hold out. So let’s refuse a little longer.”

The dean could smell money well, so he deliberately delayed accepting the research request. At that time, Marquis Levin really just raised the money, as if saying ‘Please accept my request quickly.’

“No, can I just keep putting it off like this? And if this person dies…”

“He is a strong, young, unmarried man. He lives in the imperial capital and hasn’t had a girlfriend in years, so it must be that he’s just crazy about magic tools.”

“…….”

A rich man who kept sending money to a rural academy to develop a specific magic tool… In one glance, he was not a normal human being.

But it was important that he was a person who clearly wanted what I have. So I should be able to strike a deal for a fake love affair.

No matter how much it was a deal, it was not an easy decision to fake a relationship. Nonetheless, it was clear that he was really not interested in women. In the original, he was not entangled with Melissa at all.

Marquis Cesare Levin often appeared in the original, and there was no doubt that he was a rather handsome man, enough to make Melissa think that he was a ‘handsome person.’

But he really didn’t have any interaction with Melissa, and he didn’t do anything to warrant a description.

He was handsome, but not particularly impressive.

Literally, ‘just a supporting role’ in the original.

I didn’t know who he was, but he was the best I could get now.

“Joshua, by the way, I think the previous Marquis Levin was in his 60s… Doesn’t he have no children? Did he take a collateral blood relative as his successor?”

Back when the dean said ‘a young unmarried man living in the capital’, I was not interested and just ignored it. But now that I needed accurate information, I prodded Joshua more.

“That’s not true, three years ago, there was a great uproar when barbarians invaded the western Levin territory? At that time, a young man suddenly appeared and led the battle to victory and saved the life of the Marquis Levin at that time.”

The Levin territory was always attacked by barbarians as if it was a free-for-all. But now that I think about it, at some point, I stopped hearing rumors that there was another invasion.

I was only studying magic engineering. I wasn’t interested in history, geography, or social trends, so this was all new.

“After that, it’s said that the young man completely destroyed the barbarians and made the Levin territory peaceful. Besides, all barbarians that can be reformed have been made into private soldiers of the Marquisate of Levin.”

“Oh.”

“So their military has grown so much that even the imperial palace is wary, but since they can’t incorporate the barbarians into the imperial army, they’re just watching.”

“Aha, is that so?”

“Marquis Levin, who had no children, therefore adopted the commoner and passed on his title to him.”

“Wait a second. A commoner?”

“Yes. A commoner of unknown origin. He was an orphan who lived at the foot of the mountain working on the fields, so he didn’t even have an identification card.”

No, what kind of commoner could spend so much? When I thought of the research funds he poured into the academy… he acted like he was born rich.

I rolled my eyes with suspicion.

Joshua’s words continued.

“He came to the capital a year ago after taking good care of the Levin territory. No one knows why. He doesn’t go to social events, so he doesn’t have close friends.”

The conclusion was ‘I don’t know’. Joshua didn’t even know where he was really from.

I tilted my head and asked sharply.

“Then how did you know he is shitty? You said he had no friends.”

“Ah.”

Joshua replied with genuine displeasure.

“I don’t remember the details, but… he wasn’t even wearing famous designer clothes, yet he was more handsome than me. I remember it was really annoying.”

It seemed to be true that he was handsome as described in the original. That was good news for me.

To be honest, I was thinking of proposing a contract relationship because he was someone who met the right conditions, but if I was going to go out with someone, I preferred a good-looking person. He did seem like a not-normal human, but if he was going to be weird, a handsome one would be better.

“Anyway, goodbye. I need to see him as soon as possible, so please tell me where Marquis Cesare Levin is.”

“I’ll figure out the location and let you know right away. But why do you want to meet Marquis Cesare Levin?”

Joshua seemed worried.

So I kindly told him not to worry.

“Take care and go away.”

After sending Joshua away, I immediately turned to the spy maid.

“Spy, I have to go out today as well, but before that, a cup of coffee…”

“Wait a minute, Princess.”

The spy maid cut me off with a terrifying look on her face.

It was so scary that even the most daring knight could not help but be taken aback.

“Did you forget the duke’s order?”

“…Huh?”

I searched my memory, but there was nothing about receiving a restraining order.

“Eat first. From now on, you have to eat your meals on time.”

Come to think of it, Grandpa gave the spy maid an order yesterday, to ‘Take care of my [her] meals and sleep.’

“And coffee will be difficult, Princess.”

The spy maid was very firm. She looked very confident, probably because she had a greater power behind her back.

“The duke also told me to ban coffee and candy beyond the proper amount for the time being.”

“Who decides the appropriate amount!”

“The duke’s doctor.”

Hmm, based on the situation, I guess I would have to try bribing the doctor.

“Is his doctor still Kylon?”

“Yes, Princess.”

“Hmm… He has been around since I was little, so he has been doing this for quite a while.”

“Anyway, you have to eat first.”

“…Yes…”

I slightly shrugged my shoulders at the spy maid’s formidable force.

After forcibly finishing a meal with all kinds of nutrients, it was afternoon. The person sent by Joshua arrived at the ducal residence.

You want me to tell you where Marquis Cesare Levin is now?

“Uh… hmm…”

I read the contents of the letter and frowned.

“…Clubhouse?”

There… It was an illegal gambling place.

<Wow, Kiana. The man named Cesare Levin must be an indisputable bully.>

Peep, who was sitting on top of my head, tilted her head and said.

“I know…”

<Isn’t it a bit like going to such a dangerous place?>

In fact, Joshua also had a similar postscript at the end of his letter.

If it’s not urgent, you can meet him later.

Don’t go to places like the Clubhouse.

“Hmm…”

The Clubhouse… 

According to the original, it was a place where I had to take care of one day.

Well, it seemed like it would be okay if today was the day to take care of it and meet Cesare.

“Spy, let’s go.”

After a moment of thought, I jumped up and told the spy maid.

“Make me look fierce. I have to break into an illegal gambling house today.”

–

Scene 2. Someone Is Back

The ‘Clubhouse’ was a resting place where the so-called ‘louts’ of the rich gathered and held various social gatherings. However, like most closed gatherings, a hedonistic and decadent culture took root before anyone realized.

The clubhouse had no windows. That’s why they were able to kill time forever in a splendid and dreamy atmosphere.

Those who entered this place all wore fancy masks, relying on anonymity to easily become debauched.

There were people who played bowling while drinking, and a small group playing pool. There was also a large gambling room where one could play cards or roulette.

Naturally, gambling establishments were illegal. However, since the clubhouse was so closed and the main officials often used it, even if there was a crackdown, everyone would let it pass.

Among them, there were two men who ordered strong alcohol while hiding their identities from the people. It was Cesare and Ragnac.

Their eyes were silently fixed on the gambling hall.

“Marquis, really… today…”

Cesare nodded at Ragnac’s cautious murmur.

“Yes. today.”

Cesare grinned, not moving.

Ragnac swallowed a dry spit. Then he looked at their target, a middle-aged man.

Orca Sedes.

He belonged to the imperial knights and was in charge of swordsmanship lessons for young members of the imperial family.

Then, after suddenly retiring five years ago, he wasted his fortune day by day in the club house gambling hall.

“It’s strange.”

Cesare smiled languidly and muttered,

“He can be at the clubhouse gambling den every day and not go bankrupt. He wouldn’t have had much retirement funds.”

He was also a member of the hunting trip where the crown prince went missing six years ago. Of course he was, since Orca was the crown prince’s swordsmanship teacher.

The hunting trip was made up of people closest to the crown prince, and it was truly a gathering for the crown prince.

“Someone…”

Cesare stared at Orca, who looked several years older than he should be, drunk with alcohol and pleasure.

“…It looks like someone gave him a lot of money.”

Orca giggled, betting a lot, winning and losing.

It was when Cesare, who had been quietly gazing at him, cautiously got up.

“…….”

The eyes of Ragnac, which had been following Cesare, widened.

A young woman haughtily walked over and sat down at the blackjack table with the Orca. Although she wore a yellow bird-shaped mask, if she had such a vivid plaid dress and even a plaid ribbon…

“That, that, that woman…”

Looking very frightening with his large body despite a bear mask, Ragnac asked seriously.

“…Isn’t that Princess Kiana?”

Cesare’s eyes narrowed.

Ragnac added breathlessly.

“Princess Kiana, whom the Marquis proclaimed to be ‘just using each other’!”

Ame: I just wanna say, the hangul for ‘crown prince’ and ‘Cesare’ are very similar…