I Don't Want To Do a Romantic Comedy With a Villain! - Chapter 43

Episode 43

The villain, why does it turn into a gentle handsome man? 

Crossing the line.

Min-joo reconsidered Tedric’s appearance, which she had captured with her eyes. Undoubtedly, he seemed friendly, with a trustworthy face. 

But why is this handsome Crown Prince here?

Suddenly, the scenario she read in her dream flashed in her mind. The words about inspecting the people. And Tedric came out to the capital to face the people.

Min-joo, almost mesmerized, left Permette and plunged into the crowd. Amidst the indistinguishable voices, one began to stick in her ears.

“It’s okay. If my people wish, there’s no reason I can’t do it.”

A low, soft voice. It had appeal and a tone that could captivate the audience. 

Though refined and polite, the words in the sentence were so simple that even a commoner who hadn’t learned to read could easily understand. Min-joo immediately realized that Tedric was the owner of the voice.

A perfectly crafted Crown Prince. Min-joo’s initial impression upon meeting Tedric was well-crafted.

The gentle and caring voice continued.

“I also hope for better treatment of slaves. Those who live on the land of the Syrite Empire, they are all my people, aren’t they?”

Permette, who had been chasing after Min-joo, stopped upon hearing Tedric’s voice. Permette knew that sentence. It resembled what the Ceteran shouted during the raid on the gambling den. He had heard it in the report from the knight who participated in the attack.

That sentence had truly left a deep impression. But how does he know that sentence? 

There might indeed be a spy in Vehen’s territory. From knights to servants and other individuals. It seemed they were infiltrated thoroughly, so much so that it wasn’t clear how many, or how long they had been there.

Moreover, by quoting Ceteran’s words, he was also hinting that he had acted in pursuit of justice along with him. A foolish person might think that Tedric had given orders to Ceteran from behind.

Like a mischievous prince. Permette spotted Min-joo standing in the crowd and grabbed her by the sleeve.

“Let’s go back, Min-joo.”

“Just a moment…”

Min-joo stood tall, staring at where Tedric was supposed to be. Tedric’s gentle words continued.

“I want my people to be happy more than anyone else.”

It was deception and a jest. Min-joo didn’t know Tedric could be so arrogant.

In every sentence, he was implicitly asserting that he would become the emperor. He was saying things like, ‘I cherish you more than other nobles, other people of the royal family. There’s no one but me, the Crown Prince, who cares for you.’

Of course, the emperor is afflicted with mental illness and cannot rule properly. So, Ceteran’s close aides struggled to make him the emperor. 

In comparison, what about Tedric? Tedric doesn’t have the qualities of a holy ruler. Even if he becomes the emperor, it would probably be nothing more than subjugating other countries, exploiting them, and allowing only the wealthy to live comfortably.

Min-joo hoped that Tedric wouldn’t become the emperor. Even if she had to leave this place, it was the humane thing to wish for. Just a few weeks ago, she wasn’t worried about him becoming the emperor. However, recent developments made her concerned that he might become one.

Who wouldn’t assassinate him? He’s openly asking for it.

Min-joo pulled Permette’s arm. Permette leaned down, bringing his ear next to Min-joo’s face. Min-joo, feeling grateful for Permette’s quick understanding, whispered.

“Why is the Crown Prince roaming around believing in what? In a world where there are guns and knives.”

“He’s already surrounded by the Imperial Knights, and there are many snipers and concealed knights escorting him from a distance. They must be watching even our whispering.”

They are being monitored.

As Min-joo was about to look around after hearing Permette’s words, her chin was grabbed. Permette’s thick hand firmly held Min-joo’s chin.

“Don’t show any signs. Let’s quietly slip away.”

“Don’t grab my chin like you’re grabbing a puppy’s.”

“Gently.”

“Oh, come on.”

When Min-joo nervously brushed away Permette’s hand, he suppressed a laugh and cautiously wrapped his arm around Min-joo’s bicep, guiding her through the crowd.

Like a skilled worker pulling a radish from the field, Min-joo, the harvested radish, swayed for a moment but was pulled out from the crowd.

Permette, the true laborer who pulled out the radish named Min-joo, gently squinted his eyes and smiled.

The eyelash shadows that fell beneath his cheek were adorable.

“I’ll be upset if you show too much interest in other men.”

“What are you saying? But has anyone tried to assassinate him yet?”

“There are few factions among the imperial citizens who harbor resentment towards His Highness, and I haven’t heard any news of attempts. There were rumors from the past, as a jest, that the Crown Prince can even deflect bullets…”

“What? Is there such a rumor? Did His Highness use a shield spell?”

Permette suppressed a small laugh at Min-joo’s naive tone. He had dismissed it as a foolish rumor back then, but now, with Min-joo pointing it out, Permette couldn’t help but question it.

Why has he been safe from danger all this time? He needs to investigate.

Casually, Permette hooked Min-joo’s arm and used his charming face to flash a lovely smile.

“I will look into that separately. For now, let’s go have some dessert.”

Min-joo was weak when it came to his face, and Permette knew it well. Thanks to that, Min-joo forgot what she wanted to say and found herself gazing at Permette’s face, closing her eyes tightly.

If only she weren’t weak to his face!

With a bit less attractiveness, Permette would have been better, or rather, it’s good that he’s attractive. His face is truly a blessing.

“…I want to have coffee.”

“Yes. It will be even more delicious with dessert.”

“Let’s have cake, shall we?”

“Whole cake, then?”

“Is that okay?”

Who’s going to finish a whole cake? Min-joo mumbled quietly and led the way. Permette burst into laughter and walked closely with Min-joo.

Min-joo’s request for him to stay away due to his creepiness was ignored.

* * *

One piece of cake was indeed sufficient. 

Min-joo and Permette weren’t particularly fast eaters, and even though they liked sweets, ordering a whole cake was not on their agenda.

The pastry shop offered snacks, tea, and coffee, making it a popular spot for the middle class and commoners. The round tables and chairs, which weren’t too expensive, were arranged closely, making the place more bustling than expected. The hefty owner moved around, taking orders.

The shop had a somewhat cozy atmosphere with blue curtains hanging on wooden-framed windows.

Min-joo sighed as she forked into her strawberry cream cake.

“To be honest, I want to quickly get rid of Tedric and ask Permette to find a sorcerer.”

Permette, with half of an apple tart left, sipped his coffee.

If the shop had been quieter, everyone might have focused on Min-joo’s words. However, with the crowd, her words quickly disappeared.

Permette replied.

“I’m actively searching. I’ve sent people to Mireille’s hometown, and gathered rumors; please don’t be too impatient.”

“Still…”

Min-joo, more distressed thanks to Permette’s calm response, pressed her fork firmly into the cake.

“Come to think of it, I don’t know why sorcerers are rejected. Do you know, Permette?”

In this world, beyond the empire, Min-joo didn’t understand why sorcerers were shunned and hated.

Her dreams had embedded the setting, and Min-joo had completely absorbed it into the scenario.

Why did sorcerers have to hide for a hundred years? Did they fail in trying to conquer the world? Continuing with her baseless thoughts, Permette lowered his voice and spoke quietly.

“It’s amusing that you were looking for answers without knowing. Sorcerers were well-integrated into society throughout history. There were nobles among them, and many sorcerers had fame and wealth.”

Min-joo put a piece of cake into her mouth and listened attentively. Permette continued his story in a low, soothing voice.

“Sorcerers were friendly with practical magic and excelled in battles. So, they gained recognition for their abilities, followed by wealth and honor. But a hundred years ago, an unknown epidemic broke out in the Syrite Empire.”

The epidemic began in the southern regions and quickly spread throughout the empire.

Infection through bodily fluids, along with a one-week incubation period, transformed the empire into a living hell overnight.

“Many people died, and the disease spread globally. The king of a country called Hitan, now a colony of our country, started spreading rumors to denigrate sorcerers. He claimed that the sorcerers were the ones who spread the disease.”

The Hitan Nation was not far from the Syrite Empire. With a mild climate and fertile soil for crops, the country’s wide land and two sides bordered by the sea facilitated active exchanges with other nations. Despite a well-developed culture with many artists and mathematicians, the military strength lagged a bit.

Hitan became a Syrite colony not too long ago. Twenty years ago, the emperor proposed an exchange of Hitan’s crops with Syrite’s minerals, but it was rejected. The proposal was considered an unreasonable demand that would cause significant damage to Hitan. Consequently, the Syrite emperor patiently awaited an opportunity.

A few months later, Syrite citizens were caught stealing in Hitan. The Hitan citizens, having heard of Syrite’s proposal, accused all Syrite people of being thieves and retaliated with violence. This led to news spreading about Syrite citizens being killed, providing the emperor with a pretext to exploit and attack, ultimately declaring war.

They achieved a perfect victory, turning Hitan’s people into slaves, plundering resources, and spreading drugs to ensure the nobility and royal family couldn’t rebel. And so, the current state of affairs emerged.

Permette looked around, realizing that nobody was paying attention to him and Min-joo. He continued speaking.

“According to recorded history, sorcerers were blamed for spreading the disease to make the world theirs. The reason for their magical abilities was said to be due to being descendants of demons, making them malevolent beings who wanted to corrupt the world.”

“Did people buy into that?”

Min-joo couldn’t believe it. It was an absurd and forced logic. How could people believe it and reject sorcerers?

“I don’t know about the current situation, but back then, many people were dying, and it was a living hell. People are easily swayed when the conditions are unfavorable. The king’s words held power, and from then on, it was a witch hunt – a hunt for sorcerers.”

Permette suspected the king’s motives for inciting such hatred. In the past, sorcerers were a minority and considered a superior race. 

They could perform magic that was impossible for the majority. Therefore, over the centuries, sorcerers have gradually shown signs of becoming the center of power.

The king must have been anxious. If sorcerers, the center of power, were to rebel and seize the throne, the king would be powerless and stripped of authority. Therefore, the king sought to suppress them, crush them, and prevent them from revealing themselves.

The timing coincided with the spread of the epidemic. The king saw an opportunity to exploit the fear surrounding the disease.

The temple was similar in its motives. Having a large number of followers strengthened their power to counterbalance the monarchy. People tended to trust sorcerers who could make prophecies and create actual wind before their eyes. The temples would have embraced this idea.

The reason sorcerers worldwide went into hiding was that leaders of other nations had the same fear. Driven by the greed to not lose power to sorcerers, they completely oppressed talented individuals in the field.

When sorcerers, luckily, became scarce due to hunting, miraculously, the epidemic began to subside. People fully embraced the belief that sorcerers were evil beings, born from the roots of demons.

With Permette’s explanation, Min-joo finally understood. She comprehended why Vehen, Permette, Ceteran, and even Mireille were skeptical about sorcerers. Why Mireille, who wasn’t a sorcerer, have to hide and live in fear.

“This world is insane.”

“Why do you think so?”

“It’s too foolish. Being easily swayed by illogical reasoning, and putting one person above another. It’s too primitive.”

Permette couldn’t understand Min-joo’s perspective. To him, it was the natural order of the world.

“Min-joo, that’s just the way it is. If you don’t have the strength, you’ll be defeated, and you’ll have no choice but to submit. Hitan lost in the war because of its insufficient military power, and sorcerers disappeared from the world because they were a minority without the power or ability to control the masses.”

“So being weak is a sin?”

Min-joo frowned as if disgusted, glaring at Permette. Permette calmly nodded.

“Yes.”

To him, it was a way of life he had accepted because it was the natural course of things.