Page 360 of The Villainess Whom I Had Served for 13 Years Has Fallen

A land surrounded on three sides by the sea.

The vast ocean stretching beyond the horizon serves as the empire’s trade heart, while also being highly susceptible to external invasions.

The western land is fertile, with resilient plants taking root and yielding abundant harvests each year.

Thanks to its unique geographical position, with three sides bordered by the sea, trade flourished, and commerce developed rapidly, marked by large merchant guilds distributed extensively across the west.

If there’s one flaw in this otherwise perfect western region, it’s the lack of security. Pirates targeting territories and fierce beasts lurking ~Nоvеl??ght~ in western waters became the biggest drawbacks, offsetting the region’s advantages.

No one openly says the west is unfavorable, but there’s a reason people flock to the capital rather than the western region.

And if I were to point out one more significant drawback...

It’s that the Marquis Wolfgang family wields the most power in the west.

"..."

With a chilling voice, the Crown Prince spoke to me.

"...How audacious for a mere commoner who knows nothing."

The Crown Prince, who had just received a political lecture from a commoner, looked at me with cold eyes and said in a low voice,

"Hey, Ricardo. Do you even realize what you just said?"

"I understand."

"And yet, you dared bring up support for the west?"

The Crown Prince’s tone was icy. His voice, pressing coldly like a seasoned informant, took on the demeanor of one standing at the pinnacle of power.

"A mere commoner."

"..."

"A commoner whose origins aren’t even known."

"..."

"You speak not only to the Empire’s Crown Prince but dare to discuss politics with him. Do you realize how grave a matter that is?"

The Crown Prince let out a derisive laugh and muttered to himself. This is why Desmund is a problem. When Olivia’s issue arose, I should’ve taken care of it all at once, he murmured, clearly irritated.

I held back my words as I looked at the Crown Prince, knowing the weight of what I was about to say.

The Crown Prince wouldn’t understand. He had no idea that the advice I was giving could have a profound impact on his life.

I spoke to him out of respect, not out of personal affection, but as a warning to prevent countless lives from being lost.

From the moment the Crown Prince lends his strength to Wolfgang, darkness will fall upon his life.

As the novel progresses toward its middle, the atmosphere of this world begins to darken.

Countless acts of terror unfold in the capital, and cultists hiding in the shadows start to emerge in full force. Having already lost two apostles, the cult may very well be driven to desperation.

Somehow, they have to weaken and consume the Empire’s national power. Only by doing so can they move one step closer to achieving their grand ambitions. With the loss of key forces, the cult’s movements may be accelerating.

And the first instance of this...

Will begin in the west.

Knowing the massacre that would take place in the west, I tightly closed my eyes and spoke to the Crown Prince.

"Supporting the west is not a wise choice."

With royal support, Wolfgang Rui would begin to expand his power, and in the process, he would become entangled with the cult.

He would align with pirates.

Join forces with cultists.

And by taming beasts with their help, he would slowly begin to seize power.

'I am the king of the west,' he would declare.

Wolfgang Rui was a man obsessed with power, someone willing to do anything for it. His ambition was directed toward the throne.

I knew it all.

That power-mad Wolfgang would kill Mikhail's mother. And that the Crown Prince would turn a blind eye to it.

All for the sake of consolidating his own power.

And to create a pawn obedient to his commands.

So I spoke, warning him to stay clear-minded.

I was warning him that what he was contemplating would sow the seeds of rebellion.

Unaware of my intentions, the Crown Prince glared at me with sharp eyes.

"Why?"

"..."

"Is it because Desmund couldn’t control the south?"

"..."

"You’re asking me for help because time is needed to keep the west in check... am I wrong?"

"Desmund has no interest in the throne, nor does he care deeply about succession."

"Do you think a mere commoner like you represents Desmund?"

"...You should know your place."

The Crown Prince exhaled deeply, throwing the question back at me.

"Strengthening the west has been the Empire’s mission for a long time. Capturing the beast entrenched in the west and fully activating trade—these are duties the Empire must fulfill."

"Consider that the beast serves as a barrier against foreign invasions."

"War doesn’t occur that easily. And if it does... we’ll simply crush them."

"Are you planning to wage conquests when you become Emperor?"

"It wouldn’t be a bad thing. The Empire’s prestige is still lacking."

"Hah... I’ll stop here. This conversation is bound to escalate."

'Fool.'

The conversation seemed likely to drag on. I didn’t want to keep looking at his unpleasant face, so I quickly concluded my words and offered the Crown Prince a faint smile.

"Your Highness, do you know which family holds the greatest power in the west?"

"The Marquis Wolfgang family."

"I hope you’ll give some thought to what kind of family Wolfgang is."

The Crown Prince clenched his teeth as he watched me walk away.

"When I become Emperor, Desmund will be the first to go."

"Please, do so."

"I can’t stand watching nobodies parade their worthless pride around anymore."

"By all means."

The Crown Prince, seeing my unwavering demeanor, clenched his fist tightly.

"You’ll regret this."

"..."

"You will definitely regret it."

I stopped in my tracks and turned back, addressing the Crown Prince in a low voice.

"I’ve made myself clear."

"..."

"Whatever happens, I have no intention of helping you."

Leaving the Crown Prince clenching his fist, I smirked and added,

"The Empire’s future sure looks bright."

"..."

"Very... bright. Hah!"

Held in Darbav’s arms as they soared through the sky, Olivia tossed her cookie crumbs to the ground.

"Olivia."

"Eek?"

"What are you doing?"

"Feeding the pigeons."

"...Where do you see pigeons?"

"There."

Olivia pointed toward a distant figure.

"Isn’t that a pigeon?"

"Hmm..."

Darbav cast a vision-enhancing spell, observing the man Olivia pointed at, frowning as he saw the man scowling at the crumbs hitting his head.

"It seems so."

"Right?"

"Yes."

The man who was struck by the crumbs happened to be the second-highest person in the Empire.

It was the Crown Prince.

Darbav, with Olivia bundled in a sling, looked at her as she opened her mouth and asked,

"Olivia."

"Mhm?"

"Isn’t it time you returned to the social circle?"

"The social circle?"

"Didn’t you enjoy attending parties?"

"Hmm..."

Olivia pouted, thinking it over. She found social gatherings fun but also tiring.

"Dad, you know I can’t fight right now."

"...Hmm? What do you mean?"

"The social circle is where people fight, right? Pulling hair, throwing punches."

"...Broadly speaking, yes, but you don’t have to fight."

"It’s no fun if I don’t fight."

Darbav felt relieved at Olivia’s strong objection, thinking that if he sent her back to the social scene, not a single lady’s hair would be left intact.

Believing he perhaps lacked understanding of his daughter, Darbav fell silent, focusing on their flight.

With her mouth open to catch the wind, Olivia asked Darbav a question.

"Dad."

"Yes?"

"Who do you think will be the next Emperor?"

"Emperor?"

"Mhm. Do you think the Crown Prince will become Emperor?"

Darbav shook his head.

"Why do you think that?"

"Because the Emperor seems to favor him."

"While it’s true the Crown Prince has the Emperor’s support, I don’t think so."

"Then, will you become King?"

Darbav chuckled, looking down at the splendid palace and the many knights below. Shaking his head vigorously, he replied to Olivia’s question.

"Being Emperor would be too much trouble."

"Really?"

"Do you want to be Emperor?"

"No. I plan to conquer the world, so I won’t."

"Impressive."

Olivia asked softly.

"Dad."

"Yes?"

"Are you okay with Ricardo doing whatever he wants?"

"Whatever he wants?"

Olivia pulled out a chocolate from her treasure pouch.

"Ricardo’s out there using our family’s name."

"Indeed."

"What if he ruins it?"

Darbav smiled, answering her question.

"He doesn’t flaunt our family name."

"Then what does he flaunt?"

"His own pride."

Olivia bit into her chocolate, nodding.

"True. Ricardo is impressive."

"He’s more than impressive. He’s frighteningly capable."

"Hehe... I found him."

"Well done."

With a cheerful laugh, Olivia flew higher with Darbav.

"Dad, fly higher."

Olivia was happy. She’d crossed one worry off her list. And Darbav was happy too.

It was Ricardo who had granted them this happiness.

"Whatever he does, it’ll be fine."

"..."

"Even if he brings down the family... we can rebuild it."

Soaring even higher, Darbav answered Olivia’s question.

"He will soon become Desmund."

"And what about my brother?"

"The next family head."

"And you?"

"The current head."

"And Mom?"

"...Rosanna is the master."

With a pout, Olivia asked,

"...Then what am I?"

Darbav patted her head gently.

"You are the treasure."