My Past Life is Riddled With Many Sins - Chapter 65
Indeed, Count Hartmann didn’t harbor a special hatred for Grand Duke Friedrich Eldenberg. After all, the other five were just as detestable. He disliked all six members of the ‘Seven Guardians’, excluding himself.
While he could never forgive the act of murdering the Empress, he profoundly understood the motivations behind it. Even if Grand Duke Eldenberg hadn’t taken action, Yekarna wouldn’t have lived a full life. One of the other six would likely have killed her anyway.
They all harbored some murderous intent towards Yekarna, including himself. If another hadn’t struck first, Yekarna might well have died by Lennon Kysis’s hand. The relationship between them and Yekarna could best be described by the cliché term ‘love-hate’.
Even he, relatively moderate among the seven, felt this way, so the more extreme members surely harbored stronger feelings. Impulsive decisions can lead to grave mistakes, not necessarily because one is from the hardline faction.
While this doesn’t excuse any actions, he felt a peculiar kinship with those who might have stumbled into the mud he narrowly avoided. Just that, nothing more, nothing less.
Of course, given the chance, he would stab Grand Duke Eldenberg in the back without a second thought. Empathy is one thing, but dislike is quite another.
The reason he hadn’t assassinated Grand Duke Eldenberg in their previous life was that he knew living would torment him more. Why help him escape hell without her?
But now that she had returned, the world had become a paradise, and Grand Duke Eldenberg surely wouldn’t want to die. Taking his life now, to banish him from this paradise, seemed like true punishment.
As Count Hartmann watched Pope Valenti with a sharp gaze, he relaxed slightly. It wasn’t the act of a rational man to execute based on mere suspicions. If Grand Duke Eldenberg was foolish enough to repeat his past mistakes, that would be surprising, and once was enough for regret.
Could it be another of the conspirators then?
In addition to Grand Duke Edenberg, Margrave Linzmeyer, and Prince Iskanda were also present.
Which of them had orchestrated this act? Could they possibly be carrying over a vendetta from a past life?
“Men who can’t let go of the past lack charm.”
He muttered darkly as he stood up from his seat. There was no point in staying any longer since she wouldn’t be appearing again.
The culprit would soon be uncovered. It was naive to think anyone could escape the reach of the dark underworld.
He would ensure the safety of Regina Heather, Yekarna’s reincarnation. No matter if the opponents were the pope, a swordmaster, or Magic Tower Master.
“A cunning fox has sneaked into the academy.”
Bliss mumbled to himself, causing the surrounding professors to look puzzled. Why mention a fox all of a sudden?
“I should catch it and skin it. Let its true colors be revealed.”
One professor, who was an animal lover, looked horrified, thinking Bliss was talking about an actual fox. They didn’t realize he was metaphorically referring to a person.
Marquis Lennon Kysis, the Chancellor once called the fox of the empire 200 years ago, had insinuated himself into the Empress’s favor, ultimately gaining entry to her quarters.
His relationship with the Empress was of a different nature compared to others. If they were natural, he was farmed, so they were inherently of a different class. Yet, he always managed to secure a place near her.
Unlike Bliss, who spent most of his time confined to the borderlands.
Watching this sneaky fox come and go made Bliss feel less inclined to let it off easily, but he remembered the fox’s usefulness.
“Leave it be, he’ll sort itself out.”
Who is the one brazen enough to target the Empress? All he needed to do was wait and collect the results when the time came. He had the patience to let the fox perform until then.
Bliss gazed directly at Valenti, with a daring intention to swoop in on what others had prepared.
‘Not Grand Duke Eldenberg’.
He knew Friedrich too well. He was not the type to harm a single hair on her head.
‘Could it be Prince Iskanda then?’
His gaze shifted towards Darien, who was seated in another section.
The prince of a fallen kingdom was an enigma. He was seemingly weak and harmless, but Bliss had seen through his pretense. It was all an act.
After Yekarna’s death, his suspicions were confirmed.
The prince had been secretly skilled in magic, but hid this fact. He must have planned to use it as a trump card in a critical moment, perhaps to kill when least expected….
Prince Iskanda had more than enough motive. His country and family had been destroyed by Yekarna. It wouldn’t be strange if he harbored a wish to kill her not once, but twice.
While it was too early to conclude definitively without considering a third party, the wait wouldn’t be long. The cunning little fox would soon bring in the results.
This division of roles had a long history. The fox did the calculations, and he executed the plans.
“Let’s try some teamwork for a change, Lennon.”
Bliss thought, a ferocious smile crossing his face as he pursued this one sided cooperation.
* * *
Regina flicked the 1 mina coin she had received from Professor Gunter into the air. The coin, engraved with a dragon, spun upwards before falling back down, which she deftly caught and fidgeted with, while frowning.
“No matter how much I think about it, it still feels like a loss.”
The deal would have been profitable had it not been for the last-minute incident with the thrown knife. Being forced to reveal her skills in front of past life acquaintances was not beneficial in any way. Skyler, who had expertise in swordsmanship, would have immediately recognized her skill.
It would be further solidifying that she was indeed Yekarna.
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