Since When Were You The Villain?

Chapter 91.  

   

“This is all because of the Black Moon!”  

In the early morning, Rubisella angrily struck her gloves against the table.  

She had been preparing for the 500th anniversary celebration for almost a year, and now, one crazy criminal had ruined everything. 

 Not only was the imperial ball cancelled midway due to the Black Moon, but all the planned events, parties, and charity functions were also cancelled one after the other.  

Even the parties and events they were trying to salvage were drastically reduced in scale, turning the once-grand anniversary celebration into a mere shadow of its former self.  

Count Fraus and her husband looked at each other in frustration.  

“Looks like we’re going to be enjoying a founding ceremony at Sir Liam’s funeral.”  

During the National Foundation Day, the only place where many people could gather was Liam’s funeral.  

“When are they going to catch and kill that lunatic?”  

“With such a ghostly figure, who knows? I wish I could just wander around with peace of mind.”  

“I’ve never felt that the military police were this incompetent before.”  

“He’s such a supernatural being that it can’t be helped. But I wonder if this continues, all the nobles in the capital might end up dead.”   

The Count and Countess vented their frustrations nonstop.  

“Besides, a lockdown in the capital? This isn’t a war; what’s going on!”  

In the imperial capital, a lockdown was imposed for the remainder of the anniversary celebration to search for the Black Moon. It was deemed an unavoidable measure to catch the serial killer, but such sanctions always garnered dissatisfaction.  

“The upper echelons must be taking a hit as well.”   

Countess Fraus furrowed her brows and shook her head sharply.  

Even the merchants who were supposed to participate in the anniversary celebration were all stuck within the capital due to the lockdown. The military police were actively tracking the Black Moon by questioning people on the streets.  

People were unhappy with the lockdown, but many also hoped that it would lead to the swift capture of the Black Moon.  

“At least we’ve stocked up on goods in advance, considering the festival season…,” the Count sighed as he removed his jacket.  

Thanks to preparing ample resources in the warehouses for the festival season, they had no immediate concerns even if the lockdown lasted for several days.  

 “No matter what, we can’t let the anniversary celebration go to waste like this. We should gather people even for a small party…”  

While the Count worried about the family’s finances, Rubisella was concerned about the remaining anniversary celebration. She gestured to a maid to bring her cancelled schedules and began sorting through them.  

Soon after, the Count left to calculate the damages caused by the lockdown and hold a strategy meeting. Meanwhile, Rubisella went into her room to plan a party that would at least brighten up the remaining anniversary celebration.   

Ian had nothing to say when he saw his parents dedicated to their respective lives despite the murder case. If even Nicholas, a skilled individual, had fallen victim, it meant there were hardly any capable people left on the island. Ian found it strange that he wasn’t afraid of such a monstrous presence.  

‘By the way, it seems the military police are struggling…’ 

Ian thought of Killian. This was the first time the military police had failed to resolve a case to this extent. However, Ian didn’t think they were incompetent.  

To subdue both Sir Liam and Sir Nicholas…’  

Ian had a rough idea of their abilities. If they could be defeated to this extent, it meant the “Black Moon” was no ordinary opponent. Ian’s curiosity was piqued.  

Perhaps this person was the strongest in the Empire. Even if they had used dishonourable means to win, they would still be an interesting individual.  

‘I’d like to meet them at least once…’ 

If I were to confront them, could I kill them?   

Ian was curious, but even if he put aside his personal curiosity, the timing of the appearance of the Black Moon was not ideal.  

In just a few days, the friendly competition between Ruchtainer and the Military Police could also be in jeopardy. No, they would likely receive a message soon requesting the cancellation of the competition.  

It wouldn’t be appropriate to hold a peaceful event like a friendly competition when there had been a recent sacrifice within the Military Police.  

However. 

“Do you mean to proceed with the friendly competition as planned?”  

“That’s correct.”  

 The next day, Ruchtainer’s secretary, Benedict, nodded in agreement.  

“They suggested we continue with the friendly competition but make it solemn, with a memorial match at the forefront. They even proposed adding a memorial service to the proceedings.”  

Benedict conveyed the message he had received from the imperial palace in the morning. While the number of spectators for the games would be significantly reduced, and the procedures modified accordingly, the conclusion was clear: they would proceed with the friendly competition.  

“I can’t understand their thinking, given the Black Moon’s presence. I expected them to request a cancellation, to be honest…”  

Benedict scratched his head.  

He provided Ian with additional details from the imperial palace, expressing concerns that if they cancelled this friendly competition, the Black Moon might take it as a sign of weakness, causing both the Military Police and Ruchtainer to cower in fear due to their involvement.  

Moreover, judging by the pattern of the Black Moon’s actions, the probability of another murder within a week of Liam’s death was extremely low.  

Additionally, since the Black Moon only killed at night, the imperial perspective was that the friendly competition held during the day would be safe.  

“Well, the imperial decision is not completely incomprehensible. All parties and balls have been cancelled right now, so cancelling events where the powerful people of the empire gather. It’s like the whole empire is being swayed by that black moon.”  

Benedict shrugged his shoulders.  

 “What does the Military Police have to say about this?”  

 They had lost their commander and one member of the squad. In the midst of such a situation, the atmosphere for hosting such an event. 

 “The Grand Duke isn’t called the empire’s stubborn old mule for nothing.”  

Benedict shook his head.  

Given the circumstances, it would have been reasonable to suggest re-evaluating the situation, but Commander Killian of the Military Police had readily accepted the imperial decision without much hesitation. In a way, it was quite impressive. To be so blindly loyal to the imperial family.  

“So, Sir Ian.”  

Benedict, who had been delivering the news, cautiously continued.  

“Overall, the schedule has been shortened and the number of games has been reduced.” 

“What do you mean?”  

“They decided to stick to just one match.”  

However, both the palace and the military police considered even that to be excessive. 

“Just one match! Then it’s not really a competition, is it?” 

Ian was infuriated by his words. 

He’d rather not do it at all than have just one match…!    

It would have been better to either have the whole competition or not do it at all but having just one match…! This shouldn’t even be called a competition. . 

“The imperial family wants to focus on one symbolic match and emphasize the mourning.”  

“Sigh…!”  

“And as you know, two key figures from the Military Police are currently unavailable.”  

 Originally, Liam was supposed to participate in the competition, but he had died, and Commander Nicholas, the Military Police’s leader, had suffered severe injuries.  

While they could replace other participants, the atmosphere wasn’t suitable for it, given the recent unfortunate events.  

However, even with Benedict’s explanation, Ian’s expression remained rigid.  

“Don’t be too disappointed. The imperial family suggested that you and Military Police Commander Killian represent your respective sides and proceed with it.”  

Benedict chuckled while looking at Ian.   

At this, Ian’s stiff expression finally softened slightly.  

“Me… and Grand Duke Rivelon?”  

“Yeah. It makes sense to have representatives from both sides for the match. For the Military Police, it’s naturally Commander Rivelon, and for us, it’s you.”  

At the mention of representing Ruchtainer, a faint smile appeared on Ian’s face.  

“Anyway, he’s easy to handle.”  

In Benedict’s eyes, that young knight appeared rather adorable.  

 While the Imperial Family had chosen Killian as the representative of the Military Police, Ruchtainer had decided to select their representative knight from within their own ranks.  

However, the choice for Ruchtainer’s representative had already been clear from the start.  

Ian Fraus.  

He had been the top performer in the previous spring training, and his skill level was widely recognized. But above all, the reason Benedict and the senior knights had chosen Ian was…  

‘If we don’t send this lad out there, he might turn the entire knight order upside down.’ (T/L: Ian is soo 😂. ) 

 They couldn’t afford not to send Ian.  

After all, it was Ian who had initially proposed the friendly competition between the Military Police and Ruchtainer. But if they told him to sit out the match completely?   

‘Ah, how am I going to handle his temper?’ 

 Anyone in Ruchtainer’s knight order would know just how intense Ian Fraus was about competing against Killian. So, if they asked him to watch and not participate in a match against Killian? He wasn’t the type to sit quietly by.  

The probability was high that the knight representing Ruchtainer would first raise the white flag and hand the position over to Ian. Alternatively, Ian might insist on taking over, having already roughed up the other knight’s leg.  

Either way, the senior knights wanted to avoid unnecessary sacrifices.   

“It’s regrettable that the number of matches has been reduced. But there’s no helping it.”  

Ian, despite his apparent disappointment, had a glint in his eye.  

He was already getting excited at the thought of facing Killian in the match.   

“But, um, do I have to lose the match? I mean, is that the plan?”  

Ian, who had been running simulations of the match in his head, suddenly asked with a stern expression.  

If it was a tribute match in honor of Liam, did that mean they expected the Military Police to win? In that case, he had no intention of going along with it.  

“No, there’s no need for that. A match is just a match.”  

Benedict firmly nodded his head.  

While it would be a nice gesture to elevate the status of the Military Police, Benedict was also a Ruchtainer knight. There was no such thing as defeat in front of the Military Police, even if it was a graceful one.  

“Exactly, right? Manipulating the outcome while facing an opponent would be an insult to Liam.”  

“Then! It’s our duty as warriors to give it our all against our opponents, isn’t it?”  

Benedict nodded approvingly. Neither of them had any thoughts of losing to Killian. 

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TRANSLATOR:

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