How a Villain Defies Destiny Chapter 36

 

“We understand that this holy relic is inherently a test of divine power, a higher power.”

 

Oh, I’ve been wondering about this.

 

Maybe she misspoke about divine power, but the power of the gods was called divine power.

 

‘But Endymion knows this, which is a bit surprising.’

 

Endymion, like many nobles in the game, was not a strong believer in religion.

 

While he reluctantly visits the Temple of Astarte regularly because it’s the state religion, he doesn’t participate in most religious events, leaving them to Yves.

 

‘So I thought you wouldn’t know much about holy relics or divine powers.’

 

Surprisingly, he was quite knowledgeable.

 

“The history books say that the holy artifact was sent down in the past to see if someone was truly a descendant of a god.”

 

“That’s right.”

 

Enheduane confirmed.

 

As he said, it was official and public enough to be in the history books that there was no need to hide it.

 

But most of the audience sitting in the courtroom were oblivious and began to murmur.

 

The consensus was that it was unclear whether I was a saint or not, given the holy relic she brought with her.

Then Endymion spoke, as if he had been waiting.

 

“Therefore, while I acknowledge that Laura Laurus was favored by the gods, I don’t think that alone qualifies her as a saint.”

 

His argument, based on the truth, was subtle.

 

While acknowledging the power of the relic, he countered Enheduane’s opinion by instilling doubt in the audience.

 

‘It’s missing a piece.’ 

 

Because that’s what Selene said, too.

 

Enheduane had a similar thought and pointed it out to him, saying.

 

“You’re right, Endymion, but so is Miss Selene, so I’m going to report back to my kingdom and give a full report on this situation…”

 

“No. Selene has purified the curse as per her oracle.”

 

“What?”

 

“Why are you surprised? Isn’t purifying a curse the most important proof of being a saint?”

 

“Yes, it is… but did you see it with your own eyes, Endymion?”

 

Enheduane asked in a suspicious tone. Perhaps she believed that Selene was bearing false witness to make her a saint.

 

Endymion was unperturbed by the doubt in her voice and answered confidently.

 

“I saw it with my own eyes. It was my curse that Selene purified.”

 

In an instant, the courtroom erupted into a bazaar-like commotion.

 

“Did you just say that the Crown Prince is cursed?”

 

“What the hell is going on…”

 

The audience was stunned by the sequence of bombshells.

 

And I, for one, was in a state of shock.

 

‘Endymion… the same Endymion, revealing his weaknesses in such a public place?’

 

I couldn’t believe it. 

 

Even if I changed the plot because I didn’t move according to the original, Endymion, who was obsessed with being the ‘perfect king’ more than his own life, would never reveal his curse in front of the nobles, dead or alive.

 

The circumstances are almost as ridiculous as when Yves helps Laura!

 

‘How the hell does he get toasted?’

 

I glance over at Selene, wondering if I’ve found a way to get Endymion on my side in such a short period of time, thanks to my many regressions.

 

For a moment, I panic.

 

Selene’s complexion went so white I thought she might faint at any moment. She looks even more shocked than when the relic reacted to me.

 

‘You’re sure that wasn’t an act?’

 

I nervously searched her face, trying to make out the difference, and then my eyes locked with Selene’s.

 

There was a dark confusion floating above the transparent light blue eyes that darted about aimlessly.

 

As if she had been taken by surprise by Endymion’s sudden behavior.

 

‘Did Selene not see that coming?’ 

 

Although unsure, Endymion’s words seemed to have come from his very own volition.

 

As I calmly organized the current situation in my head, Endymion interrupted me.

 

“Therefore, if Laura Laurus can purify my curse, I will accept her as a candidate for sainthood. Now, do it.”

 

In order to purge the curse, a person had to be partially transformed into an animal.

 

It was impossible to purify Endymion at this point.

 

‘I don’t know how much of this is real and how much of it is scripted, but I know one thing for sure.’

 

Endymion would never accept me as a candidate for sainthood.

 

‘Not when you’ve given a mission with no chance of success.’

 

To the onlookers, who wouldn’t know exactly what the curse was, it would appear that I was simply incapable of doing anything.

 

Realizing his intentions, I preemptively made my move.

 

“I’m sorry. I can’t do it.”

 

After all, I had no intention of becoming a saint anyway.

 

“Actually, Enheduane told me yesterday that I have divine powers, but I don’t realize it yet, and I don’t know if they’re real or how to use them.”

 

“Do you admit to yourself that you don’t deserve to be a Saint?”

 

“Yes, I am.”

 

“…”

 

Endymion’s eyes widened as I accepted without the slightest hesitation.

 

It was so casual that it caught him off guard.

 

‘Well, both Yves and Endymion are just as suspicious as each other’s siblings.’

 

I grumbled to myself, but spat out my well-rehearsed line.

 

“Honestly, it doesn’t matter if I’m a saint or not, the whole reason I came out here in the first place was to prove my innocence.”

 

Endymion still said nothing in response, but inwardly he was flustered.

 

Like he’d completely forgotten the point of the trial.

 

‘There’s more than one oddity.’

 

There was so much that had happened in less than an hour that needed to be recounted, but for now, he focused on what needed to be done.

 

“I realized a lot of things during my time in prison.”

 

Even though he’d already missed the timing once.

 

‘Let’s get this over with before there are any more setbacks to the plan.’ 

 

I trailed off, keeping my head down to hide my expression.

 

“I know that even if I told you the truth, no one would believe me because of the way I’ve been acting, and that even if I were to show remorse for the past, no one would believe me.”

 

The clamor of words that had filled the courtroom gradually died down.

 

“That’s why I was going to declare before you today, even if I am found not guilty.”

 

I slowly raised my head.

 

‘I’m a little nervous about my facial expression, but I can’t stay down.’

 

Suddenly, all eyes in the courtroom were on me.

 

I felt a little overwhelmed, but the last thing was the most important, so I forced myself to add an afterword.

 

“I, Laura Laurus, do hereby announce my intention to renounce all positions and enter a monastery to reflect on my past misdeeds.”

 

As I finished, there was a moment of silence in the room.

 

The shocking stories that had come before were not as provocative.

 

“You mean to give up all status to become a commoner?”

 

“I don’t believe it. A commoner is a commoner when you have nothing left but vanity…”

 

“Does she know what it’s like to live in a monastery before she says that?”

 

Only the noblewomen who seemed to know me well continued to chatter amongst themselves, unperturbed by the silence.

 

Of course, it was library quiet compared to the rest of the room.

 

‘Phew, thank heavens.’

 

I glance from Endymion to Riqueia to Adhad, and despite their frowns, they are generally in favor.

 

At this rate, I should be able to go to the monastery without much opposition.

 

“For the record, I am not a wizard, nor do I possess any special ability to defy the stigma, and I have never, not even once, harassed Lady Selene.”

 

There was a strange undercurrent in the air, and I seized the opportunity to plead my innocence.

 

“Furthermore, I never intended to be a candidate for sainthood, and if I enter the monastery, I would never leave on my volition.”

 

The people gathered here took the bait.

 

‘Now they’ll think it’s a good thing I’m guilty of something.’ 

 

For them, the question of whether or not I would be a candidate for sainthood was more important than the verdict on the attempted murder charge.

 

They don’t want to see Laura, who they’ve been ignoring, become a saint, and they don’t want to see her get all hot-headed.

 

As expected, no one objected.

 

“Very well, I’ll take your advice.”

 

Endymion, realizing that further delving would only lead to mudslinging, wanted to end it here.

 

The trial had been both long and short.

 

“No!”

 

Selene yelled, jumping to her feet.

 

‘Endymion’s revelation of the curse has left her dumbfounded.’ 

 

It seems she hasn’t given up yet.

 

The battle has already been won.

 

“I don’t think it’s fair for Miss Laura to enter the monastery when it’s still undecided which one of us is the real saint.”

 

Undeterred, she persisted and said, “As for her inability to purify the curse… I think it’s because she’s not used to her newfound divine power, and it’s not something you can easily handle just because you have it.”

 

Her sudden shift in stance didn’t surprise me.

 

I knew she would try to sabotage me at all costs, as she was in a position where she needed to put me on the guillotine.

 

‘Though, unexpectedly, she would suggest that I could purify once I’ve gotten used to the power.’

 

Selene’s insistence would render Endymion’s revelation that he was cursed meaningless.

 

“So you’ll have to stay with me in the palace for a while and…”

 

“Selene!”

 

Endymion stepped forward and interrupted her rambling.

 

His face took on a complex, ethereal glow that she couldn’t quite put her finger on.