Since When Were You The Villain?

Chapter 139

“Catch the Black Moon!”

But there was no time for many thoughts as the immediate matter of the “Black Moon” was urgent.

Ian hastily spurred his horse toward the source of the sound.

Since it was the time when everyone was having dinner at home, the residential area lined with noble estates was almost deserted.

When Ian arrived at the spot where the sound had come from, he saw a familiar face.

“Lady Estelle?”

“Sir Ian…!”

Pink hair and a delicate face.

Normally, he wouldn’t have remembered the name or face well, but he had met Estelle with Sophia before, so he recalled her clearly.

Moreover, Zenon had recently mentioned something about her.

“Did you just shout about the Black Moon…?”

Ian noticed Estelle’s thigh, from which blood was flowing.

“I couldn’t chase after it because of my injury.”

Estelle gritted her teeth and muttered in frustration.

The appearance of the Black Moon, despite its capture, left Ian confused.

“Are you sure it was the Black Moon?”

“Not exactly sure, but it was wearing a white mask and hiding its body with a black robe.”

“…!”

Estelle’s description matched the known appearance of the Black Moon.

“Where did it go?”

“It disappeared into that alley over there. It hasn’t been long.”

Before Estelle finished speaking, Ian was already rushing in the direction she indicated.

‘Could it really be the Black Moon?’

Ian thought as he rode.

It was impossible.

With Killian, the Black Moon, captured, how could there be another Black Moon…?

‘What if the Grand Duke wasn’t actually the Black Moon?’

What if I was mistaken?

Ian’s heart pound.

‘If that’s the case, what would Sophia think of me?’

More than anything, Ian feared that.

The guilt toward Killian, the criticism from others—those were nothing compared to his fear of Sophia.

How much colder would her already cold gaze become?

He even thought it might be better to let the Black Moon escape.

But soon, he saw a figure running towards a small forest on the edge of the residential area.

As Estelle said, the figure was wearing a black robe, making it hard to see clearly in the darkness.

Ian chased after the figure, his mind filled with thoughts.

The probability that this person was the real Black Moon was low. It could be an imitator.

Or maybe Killian had escaped from the underground prison.

As he got closer, the figure of the Black Moon entered a small forest within the capital.

It was a place no one would go at this hour.

‘They know the capital well.’

It was as if they had planned their escape route, knowing exactly where to hide.

The investigation records from the military police noted that the Black Moon was familiar with the capital’s geography.

The circumstances matched.

Suppressing his growing unease, Ian entered the dark forest.

The uneven ground slowed his horse, so he dismounted and pursued the Black Moon on foot.

He ran at full speed, jumping over stones and tree roots in the dark forest.

But the Black Moon was significantly slower.

Despite the difficult terrain, Ian was able to catch up easily.

Was it injured?

Perhaps Estelle had inflicted a serious wound on it.

He recalled Zenon’s praise of Estelle’s skills recently…

‘And if it’s someone capable of injuring Estelle…’

It matched the known abilities of the Black Moon.

Ian’s unease deepened.

As he ran through the forest, he finally caught up with the Black Moon.

Realising it couldn’t escape, the Black Moon turned around and drew a sword.

Under the robe, Ian saw the white mask he had only seen in records.

Ian’s heart pounded faster.

‘It’s not the Grand Duke.’

Though it was too dark to see clearly, the figure was certainly not Killian.

The Black Moon before him was much smaller than Killian.

‘Then is this really the Black Moon? Have I falsely accused the Grand Duke?’

To confirm the truth, Ian drew his sword. As he swung, he felt something off.

‘The stance…’

The way the Black Moon held the sword was awkward.

Ian easily deflected the Black Moon’s sword.

The Black Moon stumbled, unable to withstand the force.

Taking advantage of the unsteady moment, Ian reached out and grabbed the white mask hidden under the robe.

The Black Moon couldn’t evade his grasp.

Finally, Ian removed the mask of the Black Moon.

Everything fell into place as the face of the mad murderer who had toyed with people was revealed to the world.

But then.

“…!”

Ian froze on the spot.

The familiar face was revealed under the moonlight.

The face he always kept in his mind.

His heart fell helplessly before it.

“…Sophia?”

Ian’s lips trembled.

Her eyes sparkled as she met his gaze.

“Hello, Ian.”

Sophia greeted him with a faint smile.

But Ian couldn’t smile back.

“You… What are you doing?”

Why was Sophia Fraus here?
Sophia couldn’t possibly be the Black Moon.

She wasn’t as strong as the Black Moon, nor did she have the capability.

She had grown up oppressed and timid in her household, not someone capable of murder.

If she were capable, she would have already killed those in the Fraus family.

But why was she here at this time?

“What do you mean, what am I doing? Isn’t it obvious? I’m the Black Moon.”

Sophia looked at him with a composed expression.

Her voice, as if reciting a prepared line, made Ian’s head feel hot.

“Nonsense! Who do you think would be fooled by such a farce…?”

Ian gritted his teeth.

Sophia momentarily lowered her gaze before meeting his eyes again.

When their eyes met, it felt as if his heart fell into a deep abyss.

“No… But you have to be fooled.”

Sophia pointed to the mask in his hand.

“Because I have evidence that I’m the Black Moon.”

The masks that the Marquis of Fideut had collected were part of a meticulously gathered collection.

They were so rare that it would be easy for Fideut’s servants or experts to identify them as one of his.

“And one more thing…”

Sophia nonchalantly took out a small paper envelope from her bosom.

When she opened the envelope, the strong red hue was visible even in the faint moonlight.

Ian’s eyes widened as he recognised the rosary pea.

“How did you get that…?”

Sophia had managed to obtain the rosary pea thanks to the transaction records in the third library.

Whether Beatrice had been using the rosary pea frequently or had other plans, it seemed she needed a new batch.

As a result, a bracelet marked with the ‘?’ symbol was found in recent transactions from Alvedi, and as expected, she was able to secretly procure the rosary pea.

But there was no need to tell Ian that.

Sophia remained silent, and Ian’s eyes darted around in confusion and unease.

How did Sophia get her hands on that mask and the rosary pea?

The only clear thing was that all these items were direct evidence implicating the Black Moon.

Sophia looked at Ian, who stood still in front of the Black Moon.

“Are you not going to catch the Black Moon, Ian?”

“Are you telling me to arrest you? Are you insane?”

Ian’s hand holding the sword trembled, causing the tip of his blade to shake.

“You’ve always wanted to catch the Black Moon.”

“And you’re the Black Moon? Holding a sword like that?”

Ian’s lips twisted.

Her awkward grip on the sword was laughable even to the youngest squire in the knight order.

Sophia then gripped the sword more firmly and raised it.

“Yes, Ian. I am the Black Moon.”

This was the only thing she could do for Killian now.

It was reckless and utterly foolish, but before Beatrice could completely trap Killian, this was the only way to prove his innocence.

While Killian was captured, the Black Moon needed to move again.

“Why are you doing this? What is that bastard to you…?”

Ian easily overpowered Sophia’s wrist holding the sword.

Pretending to be the Black Moon with such poor skills? Trying to take on Killian’s guilt? With such a weak body?

No one would believe it.

But… as Sophia said, all the direct evidence that had never come from Killian was here.

It was unbelievable, but if pushed, she could indeed be framed as the Black Moon.

No, if she were taken to the underground prison to reveal the truth, with her fragile body, she might not survive for even a few days.

Sophia Fraus must know how reckless this is…!

“Ian, you’re completely misunderstanding his excellency.”

Sophia showed no fear, even as Ian tightly grasped her wrist.

“Misunderstanding? What misunderstanding. Damn it, if that bastard isn’t the Black Moon, where did you get the Marquis Fideut’s mask?”

“I was just trying to protect my people.”

“Don’t you think you’re being deceived? Everyone else believes that bastard is the culprit; why are you the only one denying it!”

Ian felt like his heart was burning in a fierce flame.

He was genuinely worried about Sophia.

But Sophia seemed unable to accept his sincerity.

That’s why he was angry, worried, and on the verge of going crazy.

At that moment, lights flickered near the entrance of the forest.

With his heightened senses, Ian looked up to observe their movements.

‘Military Police?’

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TRANSLATOR:

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