ARML 10

Chapter  10  

The man had shiny silver hair, green eyes, and eyes that curved like a crescent moon when he smiled.

If the male lead was a cool and slightly cold beauty, this man looked calm, mature, and elegant.

But most of all, when I saw the way he smiled like the world was one big joke, I was sure of it.

“That man is the head of the Crow family and the true villain behind the scenes!”

The Crow family had always produced top officials and holy knights for generations.

He was the classic villain-type—smiling on the outside but full of dark ambition inside.

He was also the oldest among the male lead candidates, so he was really good at playing with people’s emotions.

“Even when I read the original story, I was scared of how well he could manipulate people.”

He was the one who separated the “Black Spoon Department” from the Magic Knights.

“He did that just to easily find black magic artifacts for himself.”

And, as expected from someone like him, he could show up late to important meetings with high officials.

The Prime Minister groaned, holding his forehead.

“Duke Crow… late again.”

“Apologies, Your Excellency. I was examining something we discovered in the recent incident.”

“And what is that?”

“Please take a look at this core.”

When he opened his palm, a white stone appeared.

“Huh? That’s the core I caught.”

I had given it to the male lead after the incident ended.

Duke Crow lifted the core for everyone to see.

Because it was white, the black crescent moon symbol in the center stood out clearly.

“It seems to be connected to the recent kidnapping cases.”

Everyone began to murmur nervously.

Even my heart dropped when I heard that word.

“Kidnapping case…?”

I remembered reading about that part.

Meanwhile, the villain continued speaking.

“It happened in the capital and across the empire. So it’s fair to say that Yuriana Crosswell was a victim too.”

“Hmm.”

“And whoever is behind it must be powerful enough to even break through the palace’s barrier.”

After that, the officials began to discuss things seriously.

Eventually, they made a decision.

“Duke Crow, we will give your department more support to handle this case.”

“Thank you, Prime Minister.”

“Please find the ones behind it as soon as possible.”

“I’ll do my best to meet your expectations.”

In the end, the meeting concluded by giving more power to the Black Spoon Department.

“Ugh. It feels like the villain got all the benefits from this.”

Sure, justice was served, which felt satisfying… but still.

As we left the meeting room, I glanced at Allison being dragged away.

The security guards from the Magic Knights were taking her.

“L-Let go of me! You can’t do this to me!”

“Let’s go quietly, Miss Capres.”

“I’ve worked in the palace for 20 years! Over something like this…!”

“You’re being investigated for attempted murder of an official.”

“…!”

Why did she look so shocked?

Even if her verbal abuse was overlooked, she pushed me to save herself. She deserves punishment!

Just as I was about to leave the room, the villain waved at me.

“Miss Lowell.”

“Ah, hello!”

“I’d like to speak with you for a moment.”

“What is it…?”

“I heard you ripped out the core with your own hands.”

“…!”

Ah. I was wondering when someone would ask about that.

I had dodged the question when the male lead and Seamus asked about it by playing dumb.

“But maybe because he’s the villain…”

Looking into his eyes, I couldn’t even think of making an excuse.

Then, he smiled brightly.

“Haha!”

His cheerful laugh sent a chill down my spine.

He stared at me calmly and said,

“I wonder how our interviewers missed someone with your abilities…”

“What do you mean…?”

“Miss Lowell, you should join the Black Spoon Department.”

“What?”

“Why? Isn’t it obvious?”

He smiled sweetly while looking at me.

It was scary how someone so frightening could also look so pretty.

“And why is he smiling so much?”

He was openly grinning now.

Still, I needed to politely but firmly reject him.

“Thank you for thinking highly of me, Minister Crow. But I’ve already accepted another offer…”

“I’ll cancel it for you.”

“Huh?”

“Ah, Lord Wordsworth.”

He turned to someone behind me and smiled.

Standing behind me was my hope—Director Theodore!

He usually looked kind, but his face darkened when he saw Duke Crow.

“What are you doing, Duke Crow?”

“I’m assigning Miss Lowell to our department.”

“What?! She already chose to work with us!”

“Cancel it.”

“What?”

Duke Crow shut down Director Theodore just like that.

“Ugh, the taste of power is sweet and spicy—no, wait, that’s not the point!”

Director Theodore’s warm expression turned grim.

“This is overstepping your authority, Duke!”

“Yes, I know. I’m doing it on purpose.”

Everyone was staring at us now. My skin tingled with the pressure.

But more than that, I was panicking.

“What if I really get assigned to the Black Spoon Department?!”

I just wanted a peaceful office job where I could relax and slack off.

I didn’t want to hear gunshots or have my coworkers die!

“Sure, I got through this incident safely… but what about the next one?”

Kidnapping cases? How am I supposed to handle that?

“I’m a simple citizen to the bone.”

I want to be protected, not the one doing the protecting.

Let someone more capable handle that stuff!

“Um, Minister Crow?”

“Yes?”

“Wouldn’t it be better to recruit someone who actually wants to join your department?”

I was so desperate, I forgot how to speak politely.

The villain looked at me with a faint smile.

“Now that I think about it, Miss Crosswell did say she wanted to join our department.”

“Yes!”

“I wonder if she still feels the same way…”

“I’m sure she does!”

“Is that so…”

He turned around and nodded at me with an even more smug smile.

“Then let’s go check together.”

The palace infirmary was near the “Magical Medicine Research Lab.”

The female lead looked very pale, but thankfully, her body was unharmed.

But before I could even greet her, the villain stepped forward.

“Hello, Miss Crosswell. Sorry to bother you again.”

“N-No, it’s okay!”

“You took a mental health test during the official exam. And you were checked for black magic infection.”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“Because you were perfectly clean, you avoided punishment. The verbal abuse was also considered acceptable.”

Yuriana’s eyes widened at that.

But the villain tilted his head and continued.

“However, since you went into a black magic rampage, it means you’re very weak to mental attacks.”

“Ah…”

“Luckily, the palace’s security magic prevented more damage.”

“…”

“But if you’re mentally weak, then you’re twice as likely to die doing work in the Black Spoon Department.”

“I-I’m not scared of that…”

“And there’s also the risk of others getting dragged into it.”

Yuriana flinched and looked at me out of the corner of her eye.

“Do you still want to join our department?”

“…”

“We’re in a state of emergency right now, you know.”

Her face turned even whiter.

I felt like jumping up and down in panic just watching her.

“Villain! Why are you scaring her like that?”

Who would say yes after being terrified like that?

“But she’s the heroine. She won’t be shaken, right?”

But then… she lowered her head, shaking all over.

“I… I’ll give up joining the Black Spoon Department…”

My mind went blank.

What just happened?

The female lead gave up on the Black Spoon Department?

“I’m sorry. If what you said is true, I guess I’m not suited for the department…”

“I see.”

“What? Not even a ‘how interesting’? Just ‘I see’?!”

I wanted to scream.

“No! Yuriana is supposed to be a heroine who grows over time!”

She was supposed to grow and fall in love, not give up so easily!

“Wait. If she’s out, what about Seamus?!”

He joined the Black Spoon Department because he wanted to compete with her.

If she’s gone, what will happen to him?

The villain turned to Seamus, who had been quietly watching us.

“Finley. What about you? Are you interested in this line of work?”

“…Yes. I want to join the Black Spoon Department.”

“That’s good to hear.”

I was speechless.

I stared at Seamus in shock.

“Why…? Why are you joining?”

“Because you’re going to the Black Spoon Department.”