Living As the Villainess Queen (Web Novel KR)-Chapter 430.2

Eugene crossed her arms, her expression firm. “The citizens of the Holy City would rather deny the truth of their own history than admit they were ruled by a monster. Rather than clinging to the past, I think demolishing the palace entirely would be a better move. The longer it stands, the more it will breed conflict.”

The representatives deflated, their last hope slipping away.

“Honored one, can you not protect the Holy City?” one asked Alber, their voice barely concealing desperation.

Alber’s answer was unwavering. “I have made myself clear. You have two choices. The decision is yours alone.”

There was no room for negotiation. If Alber were to maintain the barrier spell on her own, she would require human sacrifices—and that was not an option.

She glanced at the sky. “There is little time. The ritual requires preparation. If we are to finish before dawn, we must begin immediately.”

The weight of their predicament pressed down on the representatives. They hesitated, looking at one another, searching for an alternative that did not exist. Finally, with a resigned sigh, one of them spoke.

“…We will relinquish control of the Holy Palace.”

“Not just control. Ownership.” Mara’s voice resonated in their minds, heavy with finality. “As long as I defend the Holy City and the wanderers remain on this land. Do you swear it?” Chapters first released on novel⁂fire.net

A long silence followed before one of the representatives answered, their voice barely above a whisper. “…Yes. We swear.”

Mara turned to Alber, his tone edged with distrust. 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

“Humans can’t be trusted. If they break their promise, can you dismantle the barrier spell?”

Alber chuckled, the sound laced with amusement. “Yes. If they break their word, I will undo the spell.”

A voice suddenly cut through the air.

“I have something to say.”

Everyone turned toward Pered.

He stepped forward, his expression solemn. “You seem unaware of how the people of the Holy City view the wanderers. I have spent a long time here. The citizens loathe them. That deep-seated prejudice cannot be erased overnight.”

Mara’s response was immediate. “The wanderers’ new village must be built here.”

Pered held his ground. “I am not opposing you. I am saying, do not rush. This will take time—at least several years, perhaps even a decade.”

Eugene nodded in agreement. She turned to Mara, her voice gentle yet firm.

“Mara, if you act in haste, it could backfire. Sometimes, you must look beyond tomorrow and consider the distant future. I promise I will do everything in my power to help the wanderers settle in the Holy City.”

Then, shifting her gaze to the elders, she reassured them. “It won’t take as long as you fear. Aldrit will handle things well.”

The elders exchanged glances before nodding, warmth spreading across their aged features.

Mara let out a slow exhale. “Very well. The deal is struck. What must I do?”

Alber’s tone was brisk. “Return to your true form and coil your body around the ritual site. Once the spell begins, you will feel a foreign force invading your body. If you resist, the spell will fail.”

“Understood.”

Alber turned to the gathered crowd. "Everyone, step back from here."

Obeying the command, they retreated beyond the annex. The kings, ever cautious, ordered the palace guards to withdraw even further.

Then, Mara began to shift. His form expanded, growing larger and larger, until his immense body towered over the palace walls, swallowing the night sky in shadow.

Even those who couldn’t see the glow of his core could make out the sheer magnitude of the serpent now wrapped around the ruins. The soldiers, though forewarned, stiffened at the sight, their throats bobbing as they swallowed hard.

The annex was far too small to contain him. With a single sweep of his tail, he tore through the obstructing walls and buildings, clearing space for himself. Stone crumbled, ancient structures collapsing with a deafening crash.

Eugene let out a wry smile.

The citizens of the Holy City won’t get a wink of sleep tonight, wondering what’s happening now.

And by morning, when they laid eyes on the colossal serpent sprawled across the palace, chaos would surely follow.

Mara coiled his massive body over the ritual site, completely covering it. Beneath the vast shadow of his form, day and night would blur into an eerie twilight, creating a cavernous darkness. This would shield the elders and Alber—both sensitive to sunlight—from the morning rays.

Once he settled into place, he remained utterly motionless. No further changes were visible. Eugene could only imagine Alber beginning the ritual below, unseen.

At first, anticipation quickened her heartbeat. But as time stretched on, exhaustion crept in.

Noticing her struggle to stay awake, Kasser spoke softly. "The ritual will last until dawn. You should go inside and rest."

Eugene shook her head, fighting off sleep. "But… I want to witness the moment it succeeds."

Kasser’s gaze softened. "Then I'll wake you when it happens."

At his command, a servant quickly brought a long sofa. Though the idea of sleeping in the middle of the street embarrassed her, exhaustion won out. She meant only to close her eyes for a moment, but before she knew it, sleep claimed her.

A gentle shake stirred her awake.

"Eugene, look."

Her eyes flew open.

A pillar of light surged upward from the ritual site, piercing the heavens.

She shot up, only to wobble unsteadily. Kasser caught her, steadying her with a firm hand. Leaning against him, she stared in awe, her breath catching in her throat.

"Ah…!"

"Oh…!"

Gasps and hushed exclamations rippled through the gathered crowd.

The pillar of light bent, fracturing into countless strands that arched across the sky above the Holy City. It was as if a luminous net, woven from brilliant threads, was descending over them. Or perhaps—tens of thousands of shooting stars, cascading all at once.

Then, as the last glimmer of radiance faded, silence fell. The Holy City, now steeped in darkness, held its breath in overwhelming stillness.

Tears welled in Eugene’s eyes and slipped down her cheeks. A surge of indescribable emotion filled her chest, leaving her breathless.

Those who had witnessed this moment would one day tell their children and grandchildren—

That they had seen a miracle.