20 years had passed when I woke up! ~ The villain's daughter’s thereafter and after that ~ - Chapter 31

Translator: Darling | Editor: Nebosuke

The outline of Part 2 has been added to the table of contents, so please have a look at it if you like.

The story moves on quickly in this episode.

“You sent out the blackmail letters.”

W.H.’s identity and whereabouts were already under the radar of Fioria’s information network.

After leaving the Monad Cathedral, she straightway headed to the culprit’s hideout.

In one of the mountains surrounding the Holy City of Millenia, a neatly-dressed knight was hiding in a dark cave.

“W.H. …..Wyald Heathcliff. A knight who participated in the 13th Holy Crusade. When the expedition to the Black Forest was over, you were supposed to retire from your military service and become a bishop. Is this correct?”

“You did a lot of research. An extensive information network is likely to be behind you.”

Wyald was very calm in spite of his identity, location, and background all being revealed.

In fact, he was in his 50’s, like the current Pope Howl III, but he had an elegant ambiance unlike that of Howl III.

His cheeks had caved in, showing the hardships he had to go through. 

“Your success was thought to be promised, but you got stuck in a trap. I don’t know the exact details, however. Have you been attacked from behind?”

“Yeah, sort of. There were five other knights who were competing with me for bishop positions at the time. The five all teamed up and slashed me… What happened thereafter was as I wrote in the blackmail letter.”

“Wandered in the Black Forest, rescued by a witch.”

“Yes. And since then, I’ve been to countries in the East for a while, but I still have a strong feeling of resentment for these five. If I don’t get revenge on them, my time won’t move forward from 20 years ago… That’s why I’m back.”

Wyald continued, “It’s a surprise that the Saint herself has come by. I heard it in the rumor, but you’re definitely the same as you were 20 years ago.”

“Did you meet me somewhere before?”

“You are attracting more people than you think, Saint. I cannot forget when you demanded Pope Marcos to resign in exchange for your excommunication. It’s still imprinted in my eyes.”

Wyald looked in nostalgia and remembered the scene while he closed his eyes.

Then, he moved on.

“I intend to get revenge at any cost, but it’s okay if you arrest me. I’m happy to plead guilty and give myself up……”

“You misunderstood me.”

Fioria interrupted him and told Wyald, “I didn’t come to capture you… I’m here to see who you are. “

The very moment Fioria ended her line, Wyald swiftly stepped forward and stuck out his right hand.

A dagger was installed in his cuff as a hidden weapon, one of the “killing tools” used by assassins in the East.

The silver blade pounced at Fioria.

“How wonderful you are, Wyald.”

“Giving yourself up? What a lie. You tricked me into thinking that you were completely pacified and harmless. But you were really seeking a chance to assault me. Even if you kill me, you want to get revenge. I’ve witnessed your burning desire.”

His blade did not get Fioria.

If he moved forward one more step, he could get her. 

It should have pierced her white neck and sliced off her carotid artery.

However, Wyald couldn’t do it.

“You’ve passed my test. I will admire you as a great human being. ….Your strong willpower deserves a blessing.”

Fioria’s eyes, her jade-colored eyes cherished everything.

He lost himself in that shine.

His emotion that couldn’t be expressed in words rose up within him. 

Wyald unintentionally lowered his arm and dropped on his knees. 

He was kneeling. 

“I admit my defeat, Saint… Fioria, but I want to get revenge.”

“As I said, I didn’t come here to stop you.”

Fioria bent down a little and put her finger on Wyald’s chin.

She lifted it up.

“Tell me one thing, Wyald.

The five who betrayed you have gained their cardinal positions.

Are you really satisfied with just killing them?

Don’t you want to push them to the bottom of despair?

Imagine them rolling around on the floor in misery after losing all their wealth and authority. It would definitely be sweet to you, wouldn’t it?”

While smiling like an angel, she whispered gently like a devil.

“Lend me a hand, Wyald. I’ll crush Monadism once and for all. If you swear your loyalty to me, I’ll give you the most exhilarating revenge.”

Wyald was told to continue hiding in the cave for a while, and Fioria returned to the inn in the Holy City of Millenia.

“I’ve been waiting, My Lady.”

Lex and Heinkel were waiting at the inn, and when they found Fioria, they bowed at the same time.

Their lines were exactly the same too. 

“…You guys get along really well.”

“We had a fistfight at the riverbank to cement our friendship. Right, Heinkel?”

“Yeah, you threw a couple of good punches. I’m 100% sure that with your skills, you can be a great adventurer right away.”

“You do well too.”

Lex and Heinkel talked to each other as if they were in a shonen manga.

“I don’t know what happened between you guys, but I’ve decided what to do next. Lex and Heinkel. I wonder if you can go out now.”

“I understand.”

“Me too?”

“Of course. What did I bring you over to the Holy City for? You should at least compensate for the travel cost.”

Fioria moved fast. 

When she returned to the Monad Cathedral with Heinkel, she first made him meet Cardinal Sheila Hornet.

“Oh, are you Heinkel? You’ve grown so tall…”

“Sorry, Miss. I don’t remember you.”

“Wow, did you hear what he said, Fio? He called me a “miss”, even if I’m like his grandma now. Although he doesn’t remember anything, he is still good at flattering!”

“What kind of person was I in the old days…?”

“You were a very nice and twisted boy,” Sheila said in nostalgia.

“So, what are you going to do, Fio?”

“I have decided.”

Fioria confidently grinned.

“It’s going to be a continuation of 20 years ago. Let’s redo the revolution that was about to happen.”

If it was originally planned…

After graduating from aristocratic school, Fioria would have been working on the reform of Monadism.

Unfortunately, since she was poisoned by Annerose, the plan didn’t go ahead as planned, but the reformers, including Sheila, hadn’t given up.

Believing in the day Fioria would wake up, Sheila had been secretly preparing for 20 years.

Her influence and connection extended from the Papal Headquarters to the grassroots of the public. 

“To begin with… let’s smash the Pope and his faction.”

Their specific targets were the five whom Wyald sent his threatening letters.

They deceived and slaughtered many people in the Black Forest 20 years ago.

For example, Wyald.

Heinkel too.

On top of the two, they also targeted the colleagues they didn’t like, their bosses who hindered their career path, and young men who had a promising future.

Once they returned to the Holy City, they shared their dirty secrets, bunched up, and climbed to the cardinal position.

“But their glory ends here. Heinkel, I’ll make you like a stage actor. I’ve got the manuscript, so iterate the exact words from it.”

Roughly 2 weeks later…

“The five are now cardinals. They have committed many sins for the past 20 years, and they should never be forgiven. Every single one of them should be judged under the law.”

Fioria could slam the impeachment claim at the Pope and call for the dismissal of the five cardinals.

But with this alone, Pope Howl III might tactfully ward it off. She prepared thoroughly behind the scenes.

“I was swindled by those five… I don’t remember everything yet, but the proof is in this booklet. Read it if you like.”

Heinkel spoke publicly on the street.

Even with his memory loss, his art of speech hadn’t changed. Heinkel was a top-notch actor.

He talked in sorrow that touched many people’s hearts in the Holy City.

Approximately three days later, Fioria made the public back her up. 

Basically, Fioria already had a lot of supporters in the Holy City.

The episode where she denounced the former Pope Marcos had been handed down among the people. She was their admiration for decades. 

According to a survey done by the Papal Headquarters, Fioria was ranked number one for the 20th consecutive year in the “saints whom you want as your boss” questionnaire.

Incidentally, she also ranked 1st in the “saints you want to be stepped upon” and “saints you want to be kicked up” questionnaires.

Why were there such questionnaires? Monadism’s M might really stand for M as in masochist. 

Anyway.

Since Howl III’s popularity was dropping to rock bottom recently, Fioria became a new hope for many of them.

“Damn, stop that stupid mob!”

“Sure thing, Pope!”

“We will immediately mobilize the heretic inquirers!”

“Let’s exile that saint and her squad!”

The Papal Headquarters wanted to accuse Fioria of her heresy… but they couldn’t. 

“There is no evidence of heresy on Fioria de Florence.”

That was the official report from the Heresy Inquisition Committee. 

Fioria’s backing was Cardinal Sheila Hornet.

Once Sheila was at the top of the Inquisition Committee, her influence remained powerful. 

Even if Sheila wasn’t there, the Inquisition Committee wouldn’t accuse Fioria.

She was a sacred and untouchable existence for the Committee. 

20 years ago, they felt bitter about the former Pope Marcos’ overspending, but they couldn’t do anything at all.

However, Fioria did not care about her excommunication and impeached Marcos, and actually forced him to resign.

As a symbol of her dedication and achievement, the Inquisition Committee put a portrait of Fioria on the wall.

Many of the inquirers were Fioria’s enthusiastic supporters. They almost religiously believed in Fioria. That per se was heresy, wasn’t it? Well, moving on….

Thus, with the backing of public opinion, a trial would be held to question the five cardinals’ crimes. 

Fioria took an amazing witness to the trial.

“I’m Wyald Heathcliff. I am one of those trapped by these five men 20 years ago.”

W.H.

The offender himself who triggered the blackmail incident was introduced to the court.

“I’m back to get revenge on these five….but Fioria convinced me not to, and I repented. I hope they will be judged by the law.”

Of course, Wyald’s words were prepared well in advance. 

Although his hatred still boiled in him, he dared to pretend to be peaceful. 

He looked like a monk who was enlightened.

The trial proceeded largely in favor of Fioria’s claim.

The five tried to fend off the accusations, but each time they did, Fioria presented the evidence which she got from her information network.

Everyone thought the verdict would be guilty…

“…….All cases occurred 20 years ago. Their sins have been paid off due to their dedicated services as the cardinals. Therefore, the verdict is they are all innocent. This is the Pope’s decision.”

The presiding judge was a member of the Pope’s faction. He forcibly twisted the final judgment.

Naturally, the public got really mad at this decision. 

Demonstrations were held around the Papal Headquarters day after day.

Meanwhile, the situation changed again.

“We want Howl III to step down. If this isn’t accepted, we cardinals will resign.”

The nine cardinals, including Sheila Hornet, announced the impeachment.

However, Pope Howl III tore the impeachment declaration. 

“Quit if you want,” he said bitterly. “But do you really have the guts to give up your current position?”

“Yes, right now. Farewell, crackpot Pope.”

Sheila and her colleague cardinals took off their red robes and left the Papal Headquarters.

Howl III was left behind. “Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha …….. You’re a fool, Sheila. You guys are all idiots!”

While his subordinates were watching him on the side, he kept laughing on the chair.

“Women are really stupid creatures! They behave based on their emotions and make mistakes. Men are, of course, superior, and thus they’d be better off listening to men all the time! They are always, always…….”

Suddenly, Howl III’s face displayed some sort of worry.

He lost his wife about 10 years ago, but there were many suspicions around her death…

“Okay. This has reduced the number of cardinals by 19 from 15. Now, if you……………..”

Right on the spot, Howl III remembered what Fioria had said.

The two-thirds of the cardinals had to agree with excommunication.

Until now, they were blocked by the reformers, but they currently were all gone. 

The remaining 15 cardinals all backed Howl.

“Write up the declaration right now! I’m gonna excommunicate Fioria and all her supporters!”

Howl III proudly announced it as if he had claimed victory. 

However, he didn’t know about Fioria’s excommunication.

Actually, that was exactly what she wanted. 

From this moment on, Monadism began to roll downhill at an accelerated rate.

Howl III had put a rope around his neck with his own hands.