The Baby Raises the Villain [Novel] Chapter 120

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 120

Chapter Title: The Little Hero's Sword

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A few hours later.

Imperial Palace, State Council.

"I've never seen a criminal who used magic in the palace released based solely on the testimony of the Chief Court Mage."

Marquis Nodelli, husband to Princess Ingrid—who was the Emperor's sister and daughter of the Empress Dowager—spoke up.

As Marquis Nodelli, who bore as much grudge against Duvered as Duke Ballua did, stepped forward with his criticism, murmurs of agreement began to ripple through the room one by one.

"How could a spell for defense shatter a barrier? What did the Lady Duvered do right after the barrier broke? Did she request aid from the palace? Did she report that she had been attacked?"

"Yes, instead, she used a teleportation circle to bring something into the palace."

"We don't even know what it was she brought in."

"It means the interrogation wasn't conducted properly. Why did only that young lady receive such special treatment?!"

The nobles under Duvered's command stepped forward.

"Does that mean we should interrogate a nine-year-old child? There would surely be severe aftereffects, and since she's just a child, her life could even be in danger...!"

"She used magic in the palace! In cases of treason, does it matter if it's a child or an adult?!"

"In the end, the palace is unharmed. The young lady never once used magic directed at the palace."

"This isn't about the immediate issue. With such stupidity."

"What did you say?!"

"The problem is the precedent it sets. Precedent! If we release a criminal just because there's no immediate problem, then in the future, people will use children to cast curses that don't cause immediate harm."

"Don't exaggerate!"

The Emperor pressed his temple as he watched the nobles raise their voices as if they were about to devour each other.

There was no flaw in the arguments of those insisting that Leblain must be punished.

The issue was the precedent.

If a precedent was set by this incident, there could be those in the future who would exploit it.

It was clear that punishing Leblain Duvered would prevent any future repercussions.

But...

[I shall offer you the diamond mines of the Grierton region. Along with the gold veins Your Majesty has been eyeing and the oversight rights for long-distance teleportation circles.]

[Bribery.]

[How perceptive, Your Majesty.]

[...Release the young lady? No, that's impossible! Your daughter dared to use magic in the palace! It's a grave crime akin to treason!]

[Please do not drive me into a corner.]

[What?]

[Do not force me to play my desperate hand to protect my daughter.]

Theodor Duvered's eyes had been sincere.

The west, bordering foreign lands, remained safe because Duvered guarded the farthest frontier like an iron fortress.

If Duvered abandoned defense, the Empire would suffer immediate blows.

Moreover, Duvered territory was the source of the Amentar River, known as the Empire's lifeline. In the event of civil war, the damage would be incalculable.

Duvered wielded not only military power but immense influence over commerce and culture.

If Duvered were to withdraw now, there was no substitute.

'Damn it.'

He knew he had to yield one step for the time being.

'But...'

As the Emperor pondered, Duke Ballua twisted his lips.

"Duvered's arrogance has gone too far."

That was the thorn in the Emperor's heart as well.

If he yielded here, it would amount to admitting that Duvered's influence had flooded the palace.

Duke Ballua spoke to the frowning Emperor in a subtle tone.

"Will you stand by and watch the millennium-old Empire shake because of one family's arrogance?"

The moment Duke Ballua touched upon the Emperor's pride—which no one else had dared to—the matter became a contest of pride between Duvered and the Imperial Family.

Whether Leblain had truly attacked the palace or not was irrelevant.

What mattered was whether the Emperor would yield to Duvered or not.

"Make your decision, Your Majesty. This is not merely a headache caused by a child's mistake. If Your Majesty does not display your dignity here, other insolent fools will cross the line in the future as well."

'That sly fox, as always.'

The Emperor's pride was not merely personal.

It represented the palace, the Empire, and the future.

Tap, tap. The Emperor, who had been drumming his fingers on the armrest, finally spoke.

"Using unauthorized magic in the palace is unacceptable. Whether the caster is a child or an adult is irrelevant..."

It was at that moment.

Boom-!

Kaboom-!!

The hall where the State Council was in session shook violently amid a deafening roar.

"Wh-what...!"

The nobles panicked, and the Emperor quickly shouted.

"What is happening?!"

As people milled about in chaos, the chamberlain rushed out to check the situation.

Soon after, court mages moved into the grand hall and hastily erected a barrier.

"The palace is under attack by something invisible!"

"What?!"

The court mages spoke to the Emperor, whose face had drained of color.

"Please evacuate for now, Your Majesty!"

"Escort His Majesty to the shelter!"

Even as the Emperor was escorted out by elite knights and chief mages, the attacks continued.

Boom-!

Kaboom-!

Boom, boom!

The walls burst open, sending chunks of stone raining down.

The court mages and palace priests attached to the palace did their utmost to block the magic pouring from the sky, but it was insufficient.

The nobles moving with the Emperor said with pale faces.

"Th-the palace is truly under invisible attack...!"

"The Child of Destiny's words were true!"

Trigon, who was escorting the Emperor, glanced sideways.

[The words 'Child of Destiny' are the signal. That is when you step forward.]

'Damn, damn...!'

He had only sought to pick up scraps from the incident where the Child of Destiny used magic in the palace, so why had it turned into him goading the Emperor directly!

Trigon—no, Whale—bit back his frustration and remonstrated.

"Your Majesty, you must request the Child of Destiny's assistance."

Duke Ballua cried out as if having a fit.

"Watch your words! Are you suggesting His Majesty beg for help from a lowly child?!"

"However, we can't even identify the origin of the attacks. The Child of Destiny has a record of repelling the first assault, so she will surely be of help. If the palace falls like this, the repercussions will be irreversible."

The Emperor, pressing his forehead, looked around.

"Protect His Majesty!"

"His Majesty...!"

"Aaahk-!"

It was pandemonium. The nobles hid under tables or furniture in the grand hall, screaming.

The palace was the Empire's symbol.

If it fell, it would be as Trigon said—irreversible.

The Emperor made his decision.

"...Contact Duvered at once."

Leblain arrived about ten minutes later.

Having come via teleportation circle with Duvered's pride, the Magic Corps, and Veronica, Leblain gazed into the air.

Golden threads like fine wires overlaid her forearm, and an activation sigil appeared on the back of her hand.

"Three o'clock direction. Fire!"

At the child's shout, Duvered's Magic Corps and Veronica cast attacks toward the indicated spot.

Boom-!

Boom-!

Kaboom!

A massive roar. A sandstorm swirled in the high air. And emerging from within it was...

"...!"

A man with eagle wings and dog's fangs.

Duke Ballua, pale-faced, muttered unwittingly.

"Impossible... How could an angel..."

That was undoubtedly the angel he had summoned. The one that had appeared after drinking his wife's blood.

As Duke Ballua collapsed to his knees, a faint smile flickered across Leblain's lips.

I quickly locked eyes with the demon.

'Now do as I told you.'

"......"

The demon scowled unpleasantly but, as I glared at him, spat out the words grudgingly.

"You foun' me again this time too. Tch, jus' you wait. (You found me again this time too. Tch, just you wait.)"

With a line straight out of a children's play, the demon glared at me and vanished.

'Ugh, so embarrassing.'

It was a line Ceria had enthusiastically recommended.

[Lines like that are the ones that really land.]

Ceria had once dreamed of being a writer, but in my opinion, it was a good thing that dream hadn't come true.

'No, more importantly...'

I hurried over to the Emperor.

"Your Majesty! Are you alright?"

As I spoke with teary eyes, the Emperor swallowed dryly.

"You recognized that thing back then as well?"

"Yes! I was just leaving the palace when it suddenly attacked. It was targeting the central palace where Your Majesty was, so I defended!"

I didn't forget to stagger while I said it.

As I gasped, "Aah..." and pretended to be on the verge of death, Veronica leaped over and rushed to me.

"Little One! Oh my, are you okay?"

"Ugh..."

"How scary it must have been, locked in that prison with this tiny body. The stress must have been immense, and then you use your power right after getting out...!"

Inside, I cheered Veronica on—'Good, good!'—as I clasped my hands to my chest and looked up at the Emperor.

"But... will I get in trouble again...?"

"Trouble?"

"Last time, I tried to protect Your Majesty, but people dragged me away. They locked me in a dark, scary place. I did wrong, Your Majesty!"

The Emperor looked flustered, and the nobles flinched.

'Don't I seem pitiful? Pitiful and brave?'

The Emperor placed his hand on my shoulder and shook his head.

"Don't worry. Little one. Who would dare call the hero who saved the nation a criminal?"

"But..."

The Emperor turned to the nobles, who were trembling green with fear, and shouted.

"Bestow my sword upon Duvered's little hero!"

I looked up at the Emperor in surprise.

'A sword, too?'

Until now, the only one to receive a sword from the current Emperor, Alexandre Luer Gru, had been Duke Amities, who had served as Captain of the Central Knights and subjugated the monster horde that engulfed the capital.

The Emperor's sword was not just a weapon.

It signified merit to the Empire; without the Emperor's permission, even minor crimes could not be prosecuted.

I smirked inwardly.

'Now who'll dare call me a criminal!'

"But Your Majesty, who was that who attacked the palace just now?"

As I asked, the Emperor narrowed his eyes.

"You'll know soon enough. I'll turn the entire continent upside down to find them."

I glanced at Duke Ballua, who was trembling pale, and smiled.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

—I said.

Your mansion is seized, so you can't touch the basement, and the secret storehouse where you first summoned the demon is in my hands.

Even the demon you summoned there is on my side now.

'What are you going to do now?'

Ballua's extermination had come one step closer.