REAPER SCANS
THE S-CLASS HUNTER DOESN’T WANT TO BE A VILLAINOUS PRINCESS
[Translator – Woni]
[Proofreader – Leef]
Chapter 66
Prime contender Ante Makius, the anticipated victor, had been overshadowed by a new challenger. The lady from House Casseu had stolen the public’s attention—yet, when it mattered most, she was nowhere to be found.
In the end, Makius had been granted victory by default.
Confusion rippled through the empire. Insults rained down on the Makius Dukedom, the air thick with resentment. No one celebrated Ante’s win—it wasn’t just.
To win a swordsmanship tournament without drawing his sword even once... who could accept such a result? The people begrudgingly acknowledged his victory only because there was no one left to challenge him. No one except Yi-young Casseu.
And now, only one question remained.
“So just where is she?”
The true victor, at least in the people's hearts, had vanished without a trace.
Nobles and commoners alike searched high and low for her.
“Absolutely mysterious! How can she disappear without a single trace?”
“That’s what I’m saying. It’s like she was never real.”
“Apparently, the count has sealed his mouth—and his doors. At a time like this?”
“What an incredible decision. Wasn’t his house on the verge of collapse?”
“I heard they were scammed often, too. Swordsmanship was all they had.”
“With their sword gone, they’ve lost their last chance. That girl saved an entire house.”
“Where did they find someone like that?”
The public wasn’t the only one seeking answers. There was one more person who demanded them more than anyone else—the emperor.
“Speak truthfully, Count.”
The emperor had summoned the capital’s major nobles to the imperial palace immediately after the tournament. Attendance was not optional, and refusal would be considered treason.
Though the decree named major nobles, Count Juan Casseu knew better.
Only he and Duke Makius would be the nobles at that meeting.
“I am not sure what Your Majesty wishes to hear.”
The count was accurate. He stood in the grand council chamber, flanked by the empire’s most powerful figures—the emperor himself, the imperial prince and princess, and Duke Makius.
“You dare feign ignorance?”
The emperor slammed his fist against the round table.
“I am ordering you to reveal that swordsman’s identity and where she came from!”
Juan met the emperor’s fury with a cold, unwavering stare.
In his younger years, he had been titled the Founding Sword of the Empire. A man who rose from baron to count by his blade alone, Juan had long since learned to stand firm, even in the presence of a raging monarch.
No, the only thing that had ever truly shaken him was the memory of that fateful night in his own garden. The way Miss Renee’s sword had glowed under the moonlight. T, the chilling aura she exuded. Even now, the thought of it sent a shiver down his spine.
“Juan De Casseu, do you dare answer me with silence?”
“That was not my intention, Your Majesty.”
Juan’s voice was calm and steady. He had prepared for this.
“I simply do not have the information you seek.”
The emperor’s expression darkened.
“She is a swordsman you brought in yourself. How can you not know?!”
“I did not take her in.”
Juan’s eyes met the emperor’s, sharp as a blade. His king—his so-called ruler—had abandoned him in his most desperate hour, neglecting him in every way possible.
And Juan had not forgotten.
He knew the truth.
The men who had driven his house to ruin? The emperor’s own henchmen.
For years, Juan had submitted appeals for aid, only to be cast further into the shadows. The emperor had ignored him when it suited him—but now that he needed something, he summoned him like a loyal dog?
Juan fought the urge to throw up.
“The swordsman came to me of her own accord,” he said.
“Do you expect me to believe that?!”
The emperor’s daughter, Princess Idin, leaned forward, voice laced with suspicion.
“Even if she approached you first, you must have at least known where she came from.”
“What measures could a desperate man have?”
Juan was not an easy target, however. He clenched his fists beneath the table, his rage barely contained.
“You knew what state my house was in. It was on the brink of ruin. What choice would I have in such circumstances?”
With no response in that regard, the emperor fell silent, although his face was flushed with discontent.
“How could I turn away the swordsman who came knocking on my door to offer me a saving grace? She reached out her hand, wanting nothing in return, not even money. What house would deny the swordsman who only wished for us to refrain from questioning her?”
Juan's gaze flickered toward Duke Makius.
“Tell me, Duke. With a hand on your heart, would you have turned her away?”
Duke Makius let out a sharp breath. “...Ahem.”
Of course, he wouldn’t have.
“I was desperate. My house was collapsing, and I have a daughter who is in urgent need of medicine! I had no other options!”
Bang—
With sudden force, Juan slammed his forehead against the table.
Blood trickled down his face as he lifted his head once more.
“If I were given the choice again, I would make the same decision.”
The chamber fell into a heavy silence.
“There is nothing more I have to tell you!”
Juan de Casseu’s truth had been spoken and delivered.
* * *
Reaper Scans
[Translator – Woni]
[Proofreader – Leef]
Join our Discord for updates on releases! https://dsc.gg/reapercomics
* * *
After the unpleasant meeting, back at the Makius duchy, the duke stormed into his office and threw off his cloak.
“Disdainful little rascal...”
I barely drove his house to ruin.
He grabbed a bottle of liquor, ready to pour it down his throat.
Ante stopped him.
“The imperial banquet is soon. Attending drunk would be unwise.”
“Let go!”
Disdainful bastards everywhere.
The duke shoved Ante’s hand away and downed the bottle.
“That damned Casseu bastard…”
It had been his plan to bring House Casseu to ruin. He was the one who instilled fear in the emperor’s mind and ensured the count’s isolation.
“All that money I spent to drive that cripple to his demise… I can’t believe this is how it all crumbles…”
There was only one reason for his actions—his unwavering belief that there could only be one prestigious swordsmanship house.
“Only Makius can be the empire’s sword. Not that lowly, rural house!”
Ante remained silent at his father’s outrage. He knew what Makius had done to Casseu. He had known, and yet, he had done nothing to stop it. It was his duty to uphold the family’s interests.
And yet… in hindsight, he couldn’t be more ashamed.
“I must find out who that bitch is as soon as possible. Only then will I be able to bring down Casseu again.”
“If you do… what are you going to do with her?”
The duke clicked his tongue. The obvious course of action would be to eliminate her, but killing someone of her caliber would be no simple task. The assassination guilds would either refuse the job outright or demand a fortune.
“I can’t kill that damn girl. I’ll have to destroy wherever she goes.”
Ante stiffened.
What a profoundly cowardly thing to say.
Even if it’s for the house, this is…
Just then—
Knock knock—
“Sir Ansirad is requesting to meet you, Your Grace.”
“Sir Sedin Ansirad?”
The unexpected visit furrowed the duke’s brows, but he soon nodded.
“Bring him in.”
The moment the words left his lips, the doors swung open.
Sedin strode inside with a curt nod.
“What an unexpected visit, Sir.”
“Please pardon my discourtesy.”
His words were polite, but his tone was laced with arrogance. The duke’s expression twisted in distaste.
Arrogant bastard.
“What business do you have here?”
The duke had loathed Sedin from the very beginning. A mere commoner daring to become a swordmaster was offense enough, but worse still, he had no noble ties to justify his pride.
We let a peasant bastard walk among us. He should know his place—crawling at our feet.
“You have a message from Lady Renee.”
Both the duke and Ante snapped their heads toward him, their eyes sharp with suspicion.
The duke, unable to suppress his rage, kicked his desk. A stack of documents flew to the floor, some landing near Sedin’s feet.
“I was wondering where she had run off to—turns out she was giving herself to you. That vulgar bi—”
Sedin drew his sword in a flash, its blade glinting coldly as he pressed it against the duke’s neck.
“Your insults toward me do not matter.” His voice was as sharp as his blade. “But do not dare insult Lady Renee.”
The duke gulped.
Two top elite class swordsmasters stood in the room, yet neither he nor Ante could move. They could feel the gap between them and the man before them.
A gap they would never be able to cross.
Ante clenched his fists, his head lowering in silent misery.
“Step back immediately, Sir Ansirad,” he ordered, forcing his voice to remain steady. “I will consider any further disrespect an act of malice toward House Makius.”
Sedin did not move. He merely applied more pressure, drawing the first droplets of blood from the duke’s throat.
“Sir Ansirad!” Ante called again, his voice more urgent this time.
“I, too, am warning you,” Sedin said coolly. “Any further insult to Lady Renee will be considered an act of malice toward me.”
The temperature in the room plummeted.
The duke’s gaze flickered with realization.
Anyone with a sliver of influence in the empire knew that Sedin Ansirad was dangerous, not merely as a swordmaster nor as the light of the empire.
His true danger lay in his position as the empire’s Shadow.
He knew the most damning, most dangerous secrets in the empire.
“...My mistake.” The duke raised both hands in a gesture of surrender. “It’s simply that my daughter worries me sick, you see.”
Sedin furrowed his brows but remained silent.
“You will understand when you have children of your own.”
“I don’t believe I will.”
How could I ever understand the sins of a man like you?
Sedin clenched his jaw.
The duke let out a low chuckle, eyes narrowing. “I didn’t know you cared for my daughter this much, Sir Ansirad.”
Sedin’s eyes remained cold.
“Does His Highness know?” the duke continued, probing.
“This matter does not concern him.”
“How can it not? My daughter is his fiancée.”
For the first time, Sedin’s composure cracked—just barely, a fleeting twitch in his gaze.
The duke caught it instantly.
“Put your sword away. Deliver your message and get out of my home. A man like you…”
Sedin’s grip tightened on his blade. The urge to drive it straight through the duke’s throat burned in his chest.
“Sir Ansirad!” Ante stepped forward, sword drawn. “Back away, now!”
Do you know how much Renee… all because of you…
Sedin bit back the curse threatening to escape his lips.
Instead, he exhaled sharply and delivered his message.
“She said this was your final chance.”
The duke’s expression darkened.
“She will only stop everything if you do as well.”
Ante’s brows furrowed.
Stop? Stop what?
“If you do not stop,” Sedin continued, his voice regaining its usual composed indifference, “Lady Renee will go all the way as well.”
A heavy silence fell over the room. The duke gritted his teeth, and all he could do was glare at Sedin.
Finally, he burst into maniacal laughter.
“AHAHAHA!” The duke threw his head back in unhinged laughter.
With every cackle, more blood dripped down Sedin’s blade, splattering onto the floor.
“All the way, huh?” The laughter vanished in an instant. The duke’s hand shot forward, grabbing the edge of Sedin’s sword.
Sedin didn’t react, watching coldly as more blood seeped between the duke’s fingers.
“Alright.” The duke’s voice dropped to a murmur, his eyes glinting with madness. “I don’t know where that girl thinks she’s going, but...”
Sedin’s jaw tightened.
The duke’s lips curled into a twisted grin.
“Tell her I will, too!”
Join our Discord for updates on releases! https://dsc.gg/reapercomics
