The Strange but Effective Villainess Life

Episode 25: Someone Is Back (III)

Avian Lisinis.

A good and just man who was suddenly entangled in this incident.

We might have greeted each other roughly in our childhood, but we weren’t very close friends.

He and I had no ties. Since I was originally not interested in others, and I wasn’t a big part of social events.

However, in Melissa’s memory, Avian appeared quite a lot. Originally, about half a year later, Avian ends up having his heart stolen by Melissa.

As he was the captain of the guard, he couldn’t marry, so was unable to properly express his feelings to her. But he silently helped Melissa with all his heart and sincerity behind the scenes. Melissa also trusted and relied on him a lot.

Of all the mediocre men Melissa had gotten tangled up with, he was the real deal.

‘But it won’t happen in this life. Melissa ended up in a monastery before the two of them even got involved.’

Huh, Melissa’s trip to the monastery also prevented a man’s future agony.

I clicked my tongue, looked him in the eyes again and shook my head.

“No, I’m fine. Go ahead and interrogate that criminal.”

It would take time to properly escort a lady through this chaos.

‘Heaton shouldn’t plot something in the meantime.’

So I firmly shook my head.

“But…”

“I am waiting for someone here.”

“Who?”

“The spy… no, my maid. She went to change money.”

At my words, Avian showed a slightly puzzled expression.

How much was all that money?

I added politely.

“I didn’t cheat and won legitimately. Sure, it’s dirty money, but money is money, right? I will quickly take my share before the employees embezzle it.”

“B-But… How to not cheat…”

“I didn’t cheat. I used my brains.”

I calmly explained.

“It wouldn’t work on other games. But it’s possible for blackjack. The cards are not reshuffled until the deck is exhausted. All I have to do is memorize the numbers on the cards that came out and do the calculations a little faster.”

Avian’s eyes widened slightly. His expression showed he didn’t know what I was talking about.

“Blackjack is not a game that is not affected by previous rounds like roulette. That means data can be accumulated to predict the next card.”

“…….”

“This is called card counting, and in the gambling houses around Liloney Academy, even if you play blackjack, the deck is reset every hand.”

“…….”

“Well, you don’t have to know much about probability or math. I want to explain more, but usually in cases like this, if I keep talking, the other person runs away.”

This kind of talk had to be done in a closed space where the other person couldn’t escape. Even if I explained to my heart’s content, the person couldn’t say things like ‘Aha, I have something urgent to do.’

‘For example… The graduate students in the classroom?’

Thinking back, it was a poor past, but I still felt thrilled.

Embarrassed, Avian scratched the back of his head and answered.

“…Yes. Actually, I knew that mathematics was not my path ever since functions appeared.”

“A lot of people give up there. I know.”

I nodded as if I understood. Even if he didn’t know functions well, there was no problem in being a competent guard captain.

“Anyhow, I did my fair calculation… The reason why the owner bastard, that is to say, Arlene Kerf, pretended to be lenient is not because he is merciful.”

“Then…”

“It’s just that when there’s a person like me who gets lucky, many will rush to the gambling table like a moth to a flame…”

I softly continued as I looked around the clubhouse, which had become a real mess.

“…Thinking that even a beginner can be the lucky one. Originally, a gambling house is a place that sells an unrealistic hope of luck, right?”

“…….”

In the midst of the chaos, Avian’s eyes were still fixed on me. 

Feeling somewhat self-conscious, I questioned.

“Why are you looking at me like that? I’m a bit embarrassed to see such admiration in your eyes.”

“Just…”

Avian tapped his chin and replied,

“It turned out… I didn’t know Princess Kiana. I apologize.”

He hesitated for a moment, then confessed.

“As a child, I only thought of you as a sullen, unsociable person who bullied your powerless cousin.”

“That’s accurate?”

“A-And among the people our age, you… You’re only interested in Prince Rodrigo.”

“That’s true too?”

If Avian had told me that I was a rude and uncultured villainess, I would have corrected him.

Unfortunately, Avian only spoke the truth. I was honest, so I decided to admit what I had done in the past.

“Well, you observed well.”

After answering calmly, I slightly bowed my head, indicating I would get going.

“Anyway, Captain of the Guard, please quickly investigate. That’s how you won’t waste my efforts.”

Although I spoke decisively, Avian still hesitated.

“But I cannot leave you alone in a place like this. It’s a mess…”

“The knights of Prelai are outside. When the maid returns, I will call them.”

“Still, this is a very bad place. It’s not a particularly nice sight, it bothers me that your eyes captured it.”

“That’s the optic nerve… Nevermind.”

‘Why isn’t he going?’

It was when I made up my mind to talk about science in earnest if Avian stuttered even more.

Someone slipped into our conversation.

“Captain of the Guard, why don’t you turn your attention away from the princess’ precious optic nerves?”

‘This charming voice!’

I looked to the side in surprise.

“Go and investigate as she had instructed.”

Before I knew it, a slim but well-built young man without a mask came to my side.

‘Huh? This man…’

He was the incredibly handsome guy I had met once in a general store.

I didn’t have a proper conversation with him because his looks were just too overpowering, but I could remember him.

“I will make sure the princess is safe.”

Avian stepped back slightly in surprise.

It was not uncommon for a guard captain and high-ranking nobleman to be so flustered. But it was reasonable. The owner of this voice was just that handsome.

“It’s the first time I’m seeing the Captain of the Guard.”

Avian and I were momentarily taken aback and stood dumbfounded.

In the meantime, the man politely introduced himself.

“I am Cesare Levin.”

It was a polite and perfect greeting. But his eyes were sharp and his voice contained power.

He was at ease, like if he was not at all embarrassed to be doing this in the middle of this mayhem.

I stared at him in amazement.

‘This person… Cesare Levin?’

‘I can’t believe the person I’m trying to find came to me on his own!’

Surprisingly, his clean, well-groomed face suited this decadent place well.

It was a bit different from Avian, whose presence seemed foreign. When viewed in such a place, there was a rather dangerous color in his golden eyes. It seemed to give off an atmosphere of complete control.

While I stared blankly at him, Avian returned to his senses.

He blinked and offered to shake hands first.

“Ah, you are the Marquis of Levin. I’ve heard the rumors. Nice to meet you, I am Avian Lisinis.”

With a light smile, Cesare took his hand.

Avian was definitely more muscular. Strangely, however, Cesare exuded a more intimidating atmosphere.

Staring at Avian, Cesare spoke in a relaxed manner.

“I am acquainted with Princess Kiana. So don’t worry, Captain, take the criminal away.”

It was a mild tone that could not be faulted. However, I felt a subtle arrogance.

The etiquette was overly perfect, to the point the politeness came off as very cold and cruel.

It gave off such a formidable aura, yet there was a sense of both playfulness and distance.

“Is that true?”

Eventually, Avian looked at me and asked cautiously.

Factually speaking, we weren’t friends. It didn’t matter though. Because it was a face I wanted to make friends with. It was something that just so happened now.

I nodded at once.

“Yes, it’s true. So, please go ahead and expose the mastermind behind that damned impersonator.”