Home/The Seven-Year-Old Village Chief of Exile/ch 27

Chapter 27

Ian.

A true genius of lowly commoner birth who entered the Imperial Guard purely on skill and rose to become the Crown Prince's swordsmanship instructor.

Moreover, his pitiful family background—he became a knight to support his widowed mother and two younger siblings—only served to highlight his diligence.

His noble-born superiors surprisingly held Ian in high regard.

Meanwhile, Molle Livus, also of noble birth, was called "Hey, you!" instead of his name.

That petty jealousy soon turned into sinister malice, and the result was sending an innocent colleague to exile as a villain.

Molle Livus never once regretted that choice.

He didn't feel sorry either.

"You have no feelings of guilt toward Sir Ian."

The Chief Chamberlain read Molle Livus's mind.

"Well, if you did, you wouldn't have risen this far."

"......"

"You may smile—it's a compliment."

But Molle Livus knew well that if he actually smiled, his head would be cut off.

'He shows no openings...'

He'd heard rumors that the Chief Chamberlain's skill rivaled that of the Imperial Knight Commander.

But he didn't feel jealous.

Because the Chief Chamberlain was from a prestigious noble family and was a longtime friend trusted by His Majesty the Emperor. He deserved to be a genius.

The Chief Chamberlain said.

"His Majesty the Emperor expects only one thing from you."

Confirm the survival of Hebenia Clavis.

If alive, capture her alive.

"And if deceased..."

---

On the first day we infiltrated the Deste mansion, Verity had installed listening devices in various places.

[...Well, it won't be a pleasant situation.]

[What about the other prisoners?]

[Sir Livus, from which tutor did you learn?]

[Pardon?]

[It seems you don't know how to think for yourself. If I ever marry and have children, I should make sure not to contact that person, shouldn't I?]

"...Wow."

As we eavesdropped on the conversation between Molle Livus and the Chief Chamberlain in the dungeon, we could only exchange silent glances.

'Where do I even begin to be surprised?'

There were so many shocking things that I didn't know where to start.

First.

"Ian oppa was no joke."

I knew Ian was strong, but I never imagined he was such a genius that even the Chief Chamberlain regretted losing him.

Even the Clavis family head had coveted him.

"I'll have to act a little more respectfully toward Ian oppa from now on..."

Libby sincerely reflected on her past cheekiness.

I too repented for the times I had acted out of line.

Second.

"Hebenia, you're in big trouble."

Uncle Pex said with a grim expression.

"I never imagined the Emperor would want you this desperately..."

"Please don't say it like that...!"

I was genuinely appalled.

It wasn't wrong, but it was the most nauseating phrase I'd ever heard. If these weren't my villagers, I'd have cursed them out for being insane.

Verity said.

"As expected, they know you're alive."

"The Emperor's so unlucky, what a bastard."

"Ah, 'bastard' is an abbreviation for 'no-good, absolute bastard.' A neologism our Lady created."

And finally, third.

"The new Viscount of Deste is Ian's former work colleague?"

"And the traitor who framed Ian and sent him to exile..."

"Damn it, I was going to take this territory!"

"Hebenia, this should go to Aunt Daliss and Flora..."

Just then.

"Cl-Clavis...?"

The herbalist grandfather, who had been unconscious until just moments ago, looked at us with cloudy eyes.

As expected, he had been imprisoned in the Deste mansion's dungeon. We found him battered and unconscious.

'Aunt Elva's first aid worked!'

Relieved, I spoke to him.

"New brother-in-law, are you okay?"

"Yes, it's the Clavis. No wonder you talk so amusingly..."

"His head doesn't seem okay."

"Only a Clavis can speak like a seventy-year-old enlightened pervert at such a young age. You're just as insufferable as the Clavis family head."

"I should just leave this old geezer here."

Surprisingly, the herbalist grandfather was acquainted with the Clavis family head—my grandfather.

He tried to recall that day.

"There was no eccentric like him."

"New brother-in-law, I'm curious too, but now's not the time."

For an old man beaten and locked in a dungeon, he sure had a lot to say.

Still, since he'd regained his strength, it seemed I didn't need to worry too much.

"Shh."

Just then, Verity put his index finger to his lips, signaling silence.

The listening device transmitting the conversation from the office had activated again.

Molle Livus said.

[Is there a deadline?]

[Yes, investing too much time to capture one young Clavis would be problematic.]

[Then, Chief Chamberlain...]

[How about until the employees decay?]

The Chief Chamberlain's voice was as calm as a rippleless lake. That's why it was as disgusting and unpleasant as stagnant water.

'He's using the unjustly dead people again...!'

How could he even think of such a thing?

At that moment, the Chief Chamberlain seemed worse than the Emperor.

[They're undead created by the Mage Tower Lord. They're not just simple curse magic—preservation magic has also been applied.]

[...They'll last at least a year.]

[Can you produce meaningful results within that time with your own skill?]

[...]

[I'm joking. I hear they can easily last five years. That's quite a long time, isn't it? Of course, I'll return in a year to check on the progress.]

With that, the sound of a door opening was heard.

The Chief Chamberlain and Molle Livus seemed to be leaving after finishing their conversation.

Verity put the listening device into his cloak's subspace pocket.

"My Lady, you heard that?"

"What do you expect from a seven-year-old with amnesia?"

"A seven-year-old who acts like a twenty-five-year-old paying her own way. And this is something you need to decide."

At his serious tone, I could only press my lips together.

Unfortunately, he was right.

After all, this whole commotion was caused to catch me.

"But..."

Libby cautiously interjected.

"Why you specifically, Hebenia?"

"Huh?"

"The Clavis family—only the men were killed, and all the women were sent to exile camps."

"Ah, didn't I tell you?"

My casual remark startled everyone.

"The Clavis aren't dead."

"What?"

"I'm not sure, but they're all alive, hiding somewhere. That's why the Emperor is obsessed with me now. Ugh, saying it out loud makes me feel so disgusted and sorry for myself...!"

"My Lady, let me rub your back."

Verity gently rubbed my small back to comfort me.

"...I suppose."

The villagers quickly accepted my words.

But I clearly noticed the peculiar undercurrent in their eyes.

'It seems they think the Clavis abandoned their youngest daughter to the exile camp to save themselves.'

It was exactly the same look I'd seen from high school friends who, after learning about my family situation, would say, "Hey, but you can't badmouth your parents." And I didn't bother correcting that misunderstanding.

'It's true they left me behind. They deserve that much misunderstanding for being so heartless. I'll clear it up when I meet them later.'

Thinking of my brother from my dream, I felt a bittersweet smile forming.

But that was none of my concern.

'Now, what should we do?'

Our plan to take control of the Deste territory and sell Dulcevia had hit a snag.

I reflected on my complacency.

I had thought of the Emperor as an easy target I could bring down and teach a lesson whenever I wanted.

As of today, I decided to abandon that arrogant delusion.

From now on, I would stay vigilant, knowing the Emperor could strike at any time.

'...Ah, so this is what a sense of danger feels like.'

If I were alone, I might have ignored it, but with the villagers to think of, I had to move cautiously.

Therefore.

"New brother-in-law."

I proposed to the herbalist grandfather.

"Are you good at acting?"

---

Molle Livus suggested the Chief Chamberlain stay for a few days.

But the Chief Chamberlain declined.

"Sleeping in a place with bad energy gives me insomnia."

After confirming the Chief Chamberlain's carriage had departed, Molle Livus shuddered and returned to the mansion.

He recalled and planned what he needed to do.

'First, I need to torture the old herbalist.'

The herbalist's distributed herbs had been confirmed to be Dulcevia.

Seeing the rare herb, thought to be extinct, the Chief Chamberlain suspected Hebenia Clavis as the source.

Honestly, Molle Livus didn't believe Hebenia Clavis was alive.

Nor did he think interrogating the old herbalist would yield any useful information.

'But if the young Clavis really is alive...'

That would mean the other prisoners were alive too.

'Ian must die.'

Molle Livus had no intention of impressing the Emperor.

His resolve to succeed through advancement had crumbled on his first day in the Knights.

If so, he had to bring down Ian—the villain who, despite being a commoner, made him, a noble-born striver, look like a nobody through sheer skill alone.

'This is the Deste territory, famous for magical engineering. In about five years, I'll have enough money to live idly for the rest of my life. Then I can cross the border and run...'

Just then.

"Lord Viscount Deste!"

A knight approached in a hurry. It was a face he hadn't seen before, but the sound of "Viscount Deste" was pleasing, so he let it slide.

"What is it?"

"The herbalist's condition is strange. He's coughing up blood and having seizures!"

"What?"

Molle Livus hurried to the dungeon.

Descending into the dungeon, the old herbalist was vomiting red blood and trembling violently.

"Damn it!"

An opportunity to kill Ian!

The moment Molle Livus opened the cell door.

Click—.

"Open."

A voice that shouldn't have been heard rang out clearly.

Molle Livus instinctively stepped back.

But already, his collar was firmly grasped by a muscular arm with bulging veins, pulling him forward.

In an instant, the scene before his eyes changed. Instead of the damp, gloomy dungeon, a bright office unfolded before him.

A familiar face greeted him.

"Senior."

Ian glared at the traitor in his grip.

"Have you been well?"

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