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rosse-liz · 10 months

Text

William Rex Chapter 17

WARNING! The following story contains scenes of violence and torture.

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I slowly open the door to my room, listening to the rain drops tapping on the window.

(Let's talk to Victor first)

Victor is a man who always looks at William and everyone in the Crown with compassion and cares for them.

He decided that he couldn't move the Crown, so it would take a lot to persuade him to do so.

(...Don't be timid)

I took one step into the corridor and then----

???: "Kate....!"

???: "See. I told you she would come out soon."

(Eh....?)

When I look towards the voice, I see Liam and Harrison.

Then there was Mr. Alphonse, standing by the window, looking at me.

Kate: "What are you all doing here....?"

Harrison: "Where are you going with a face like that?"

(If I can convince Victor, the next step is to get the Crown to help me)

(There should be no need and no point in lying and deceiving here)

Kate: "....I was going to go and negotiate with Victor."

Harrison: "I figured it would be something like that."

Harrison: "I know you're not the kind of person who stays in your room when you're told to 'behave'."

Harrison: "That's what Will likes and that's what he wants everyone to do."

Harrison looked at me rather seriously with his light-coloured eyes.

Harrison: "The time to turn back is now. You can lock yourself up in this castle, safe and quiet, and then you can go back to your normal life."

Harrison: "Tonight, whether a certain villain dies or lives, you don't have to know about it, and you can go on with your normal life as usual."

Harrison: "You still have a way back to that warm sunshine."

(Looking back...Harrison was also there that night when we all first met)

----FLASHBACK----

Aloof man: "Sorry if that freaked you out, but these are just props for a stage play."

Kate: "Liar...."

Aloof man: "....It would have been good for you if you had pretended to believe me."

----FLASHBACK ENDS----

(You went to great lengths to keep me out of this world of darkness with your lies)

Perhaps the lie he told at the time was a roundabout kindness.

Kate: "....Thank you, Harrison."

Smiling with gratitude for their concern and an apology for letting it go unchecked.

Harrison: "....Guess, that's it then."

Harrison smiled thinly, as if he knew what my response would be and shrugged his shoulders.

Harrison: "You were going to try negotiate with him about the Tower of London, right?"

Kate: "Yes, I want to free these innocent prisoners. Before William does."

Harrison: "What happens after he agrees? How do you prove their innocence?"

Kate: "....It is difficult to prove their innocence and salvage them through a straightforward process."

Kate: "If we were to appeal in court that their arrest itself was unjustified, they would probably be dismissed."

(If the arrests were engineered by the Privy Council, at least some collusion with the police is certain. The police cannot be relied upon)

(Even the courts would use the prisoners' trumped-up charges against William)

Kate: "There are two ways to prove his innocence. Either William pleads guilty and testifies that he has nothing to do with them...."

Kate: "Either that or William himself will be in a situation where he cannot be charged with a crime."

Kate: "If Mr. Brian wrote an article, the latter might be possible....but I am still uncertain."

Kate: "In the meantime, their freedom and dignity continue to be damaged. And William is not going to let that go unnoticed."

Kate: "I don't want to see the prisoners get hurt, and I also don't want to see William hurt."

Harrison: ".......Let me ask you something."

Harrison: "William is actually killing people. Do you think it's right that he should go free of that charge?"

Kate: "It's not....right. Killing is sinful, no matter who it is or what the circumstances are."

Kate: "But I can't stand by and watch him be judged...just because the evil he perpetrates is not right."

(That's how much----William saved me)

(That he rescued me from being unreasonable, listened to my heart and pushed me to be on my own....)

(I know how much it means to the people he saved and I know how much it means to him)

-----Options------

Pretending not to see.

Even if it's not right.

Even if stained with the same sin.

--------

Kate: "I will not be sorry if I am tainted by the same sins as William."

Harrison: "....Oh."

Kate: "Now we have to rescue the prisoners and stop William from being lured to the Tower of London."

Kate: "And in due course, the prisoners will be exonerated. ....That's the best I can do now."

Harrison: "....So that's what you've been thinking about all morning and all this time."

Harrison: "And what? Now you're going to convince Victor?"

Kate: "Yes. I also need your help, so let's start with Victor."

Harrison: "I don't think that would do anything."

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Harrison: "I don't think that would do anything."

Kate: "Eh, but..."

Liam: "Victor said 'Be as quiet as possible so they don't know you're here', right?"

Liam: "He didn't say 'don't do anything'. So as long as we appear quiet, we can do anything."

(Nn...)

Kate: "That's what he meant!?"

Kate: "But, 'the Crown cannot be moved in the name of her Majesty the Queen...!"

Alphonse: "In simple words, he meant 'I won't give you orders, so you guys can do whatever you want.' "

Kate: "That's...what he meant...."

Harrison: "Yes, that is, as far as that freak is concerned."

Liam: "Let me escort you to the Tower of London. Haha, I'm looking forward to it, a prison that's rumored to be haunted!"

Kate: ".....So, you guys will help me?"

Harrison: "We'll be working with a minimum number of people to keep a low profile, and Liam's ability to disappear makes him perfect for infiltration, don't you think?"

Liam: "....I think Will would have appreciated it more if we'd waited and trusted him."

Liam: "But if we let you go without telling him...he'll probably be sad."

Liam: "I want Will to compliment me. Oh and you too, of course."

Kate: "Liam...."

Liam's eyes were filled with madcap curiosity when he said 'fun'

Now it was like looking for a landmark in total darkness, both haunting and desperate.

We don't yet know what the circumstances are.

William may be in one of his most important strongholds.

Harrison: "I'll support you from the outside in case of emergency...And also, I don't know why Al is here."

Alphonse: "Master El asked me to do this in his place."

Kate: "Master Elbert...?"

Alphonse: "Yes. He said 'Your abilities are more suited for inflitrating enemy territory'. And...."

Mr. Alphonse puts his lips to his ear. The sweet, decadent scent softly wafted over my nose.

Alphonse: "I have always thought that if Mr. William were to be killed, it would be by an innocent civilian."

(Eh....)

Alphonse: "It's going to be a hilarious spectacle whichever way it goes, so I thought I'd follow along."

(He doesn't care if William lives or dies, or if the prisoners are freed...he is just going there for shits and giggles...?)

The attitude that everything is a farce appears to be unreliable.

I wonder if my emotions were showing on my face, but Mr. Alphonse didn't seem offended and smiled.

Alphonse: "Fufu. Don't look so worried. If necessary, I will be a helpful ally. Of course."

(....I am aware that I am trying to do something selfish that I cannot achieve alone)

(I don't care what the motive is, as long as I can get help...!)

Kate: "Yes, thank you!"

We had some discussion and strategy on the journey to the Tower of London and how to move internally.

Harrison: "That's how many people are housed there. It's not easy to break them out."

Harrison: "If you don't think it's possible. I suggest you just investigate this time and go back...just saying."

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We secretly left the castle for the city of London, where the skies were dark, hinting on a possible downpour.

Liam: "Okay, we're about to move. Close your eyes if you feel scared."

Kate: "Y-Yes! ....!"

A floating sensation hits my body and I gasp in instinctive fear.

With me in his arms, Liam leapt lightly over the roofs of London houses.

Liam: "Will showed me this route. He said its beautiful and he likes it...woah!"

Kate: "Ah."

Liam: "Ahaha...It's thrilling and fun, isn't it?"

Liam: "Will is a genius at enjoying life, isn't he?"

I smiled somewhat unsteadily and agitatedly, nod at Liam and cling desperately onto him.

(He is trying to talk about something to make me feel at ease...!)

Kate: "Oh and Mr. Alphonse, have you used....this route?"

Alphonse: "Yes. I've been using it sometimes with 'friends' since Liam told me about it."

Alphonse: "We play this fun little game where, for every roof you fly over, you get a drink and if you get scared or fall off, you lose."

(What a dangerous game...and who are these 'friends'....?)

Alphonse: "Well, it's certainly a good route for tonight's operation. Because there are policemen roaming the streets."

Looking down below at Mr. Alphonse's comment, the shadows of police officers can be seen all over the city.

(Indeed, if we were walking on the ground, we would likely be---)

Cold sweat trickles down my spine as I recall the gun being pointed at me.

I felt a deep sense of relief at being hidden in the darkness of the night.

(I never thought....that darkness could reassure me)

We arrived at the gates of the Tower of London, as previously discussed,

Liam disappears and Mr. Alphonse, gently removes his leather gloves.

Alphonse: "Well, shall we get going?"

.........

Alphonse: "Thank you for your efforts."

Security guards: "....Excuse me, who are you? If you don't have a pass then----"

Alphonse: "Oh my, have you forgotten the face of your colleague?"

Alphonse: "We've gone to a lot of trouble to 'bring prisoners into custody'. "

When Mr. Alphonse touched the nape of his neck and whispered, the guard's attitude changed.

Security guard: "Oh yes. You can go through."

Alphonse: "Thank you. Then, shall we."

The gate is opened and we slip inside through the gap.

(Such a convenient ability to break in so easily...right?)

Kate: "Wouldn't this mean that if we let him think he's being restrained by Alphonse's ability, he doesn't actually have to be restrained?"

Alphonse: "Wow! You're very sharp even at times like this."

(Of course...!)

Alphonse: "Oh, you're not angry?"

Kate: "....If you think of it as a cooperation fee, it's about as cheap as being tied down."

Alphonse: "Aha! You're funny. I wish Mr. William had let me borrow you for a day."

(You completely think people are toys or something....)

.................

With the help of Mr. Alphonse and Liam's ability to fool the police, things went according to plan.

They stole documents from the control room and located the cells where innocent prisoners were being held.

We ran inside the cold towers, using the floor plans as a guide to kill our footsteps.

Liam: "These towers used to be used for the detention of high-ranking political prisoners and for executions."

Alphonse: "It is a horrifying historical place to invite Mr. William to feed on the general public...."

Alphonse: "Not bad, Grimsley."

Liam: "....! Al, Kate, I hear something at the bottom of the stairs."

I listened for Liam's voice, and sure enough, from downstairs, I heard what sounded like a scream.

Kate: "....Let's go."

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With each step down the stairs, the multiple screams become more vivid and stirring in their poignancy.

(...This is---)

Alphonse: "...It looks like we're in the right place."

While hiding in a corner of the staircase, we listen downstairs.

The screams of the condemned prisoners echoed behind the layers of bars.

Policemen: "You were involved in the crime, weren't you? Look, if you don't tell us what you've done, you'll never walk again."

Prisoner: "Stop! No! I'm innocent!"

Prisoner: "I didn't know that man was smuggling drugs! Please believe me, there must be some mistake....."

Policemen: "The company you built with his support...was it something about freedom for all?"

Policemen: "And at the same time he's smuggling drugs. What a hypocrite. Come on! Tell us where he is!"

Prisoner: "No! I don't know...I really don't know...!"

Policemen: "Tch...do it."

(!!)

I see a prisoner with his head in a water trough and manage to keep my voice from jumping out at the sight of it.

Turning to the prison next to the condemned prisoners, we saw people looking exhausted and staring at each other.

Young prisoner: "Why do we have to go through this...? It's all his fault..!"

Older prisoner: "....That guy..don't you owe Sir Rex a debt of gratitude too. ...It's not right to hold a grudge against someone like that."

Young prisoner: "Oh yeah!? Okay then...where the hell is that William?"

Young prisoner: "If he is not involved in this, why isn't he coming out and saying anything! The only reason he can't come is because that article is true, right!?"

Young prisoner: "....I was going to prove to people that slum-borns are not inferior to people born in normal circumstances...."

Young prisoner: "When I said that, he even wrote a letter of recommendation to the university saying 'you can do it'....!"

Young prisoner: "I'm a slum-born, and now I'm hearing that he buys and sells people like me. It felt like all this time he had been using me.."

Young prisoner: "I thought he was my benefactor and but now, I can't...forgive him..for deceiving me like this...!"

(...As I thought)

(Anger at this unreasonable treatment naturally turns to William)

The police are suppose to be 'justice'. But they capture these people without any evidence and tortured them without due process of law...

Even the people who are labeled as evil by the police do not easily recognize it as a 'crime'.

(If William comes here and hears these people cursing him...)

(He wouldn't mind, but...I don't like that)

Liam: "Kate, are you okay?"

Kate: "...I'm fine. We know where the prisoners are. Next is..."

Kate: "'Mr. Alphonse will get the key to the relevant prison', right?"

Alphonse: "Yes. It's easy to deceive them, don't worry. You two can hide in the corner until I get back."

Mr. Alphonse wandered off and I was about to discuss our escape route with Liam, when----

???: "Ugh..Nn..."

I thought I heard a familiar voice from the nearest prison and looked over to see----

Kate: "Mr. Brian....!?"

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Liam: "You mean the one who wrote that article...?"

He had fiery red hair and looked emaciated, perhaps from the assault.

(...Why are you here?...)

Liam: "Hold on, Miss Kate...I'll make a noise and get the cop's attention."

Liam: "In the meantime, ask him what happened. I'll be back as soon as I've attracted the police."

Kate: "....Thank you very much."

Liam's figure suddenly disappears from sight, and a few seconds later----

At the far end of the prison-lined corridor, a loud noise could be heard.

Policemen: "What's going on!?"

A flurry of police officers head to see what's going on.

(Now)

I went downstairs and rushed to Brian's cell.

Kate: "Mr. Brian...."

Brian: "Nn!? Miss Kate, why are you here...?"

Kate: "That's my line...! Why are you here?"

Brian: "...I went to Grimsley to ask him about the truth."

Brian: "The charges I wrote in that article were a frame-up... and he came clean."

Brian: "That Sir Rex is really an organised assassin of evil who cannot be brought to justice by the law."

----FLASHBACK----

Grimsley: "Nevertheless, it is also true that he is a mass murderer."

Grimsley: "As the revolutionaries' movement has brought about new laws and expanded the rights of citizens, assassination squads...."

Grimsley: "An anachronism, don't you think?"

Grimsley: "You're clever enough to realize that it's in the best interests of this Britain to keep quiet, isn't it?"

-----FLASHBACK ENDS-----

Brian: "....I couldn't...nod my head. I said, 'give me some time' and left his office. On the way home....I was attacked and now I'm here...."

Brian: "Why are you here? Did they catch you too?"

Kate: ".....No. I snuck in here because I wanted to free you all."

Brian: "Why....?"

Kate: "Well----"

At that moment, the upper floor suddenly becomes noisy.

There were angry, shrill voices, whistles and the sound of many footsteps.

(No way!!)

.............

----A black shadow alighted gracefully from one of the carriages.

Security guard: ".....Whoa, that's----"

Raindrops wet the red and gold of his cloak and the silver of his swaying hair, reflecting off the street lamps as if decorating the darkness of the night.

The man slowly looked up as he walked towards the gate.

Her blood-red eyes gleam seductively in the darkness.

William: "Good evening. Sorry for intruding you all."

William: "I have friends who have been invited here, so I was wondering if you could let me in."

Security guard: "W-William Rex....!"

Soon after, a high-pitched whistle shook the silence of the night.

Guards and policemen quickly rush to the gate and pointed their guns at William.

Older policemen: "You are charged with murder! Put down your weapon and surrender!"

William: "Ahahaha, that's an enthusiastic welcome. Now....who should I dance with?"

William was in no hurry and looked around at the policemen as if he were looking at a cake in a bakery.

William: "You detain and tortured innocent people and violated their freedom for this purpose alone."

William: "....If there are extenuating circumstances, it is that they are orders from someone in authority."

Older policemen: "What are you talking about! Hands up! Or else....!"

William: "Raise your hand? Okay then."

William: "Raise your hands if you feel any remorse in your conscience about what is now taking place in the Tower of London."

Older policemen: ".....!?"

Young policemen: "W-Why...why are my arms...!?"

The officers were stared down by William, as he ordered them.

Some were puzzled by their own arms lifting of their own accord while others were mortified by their colleagues.

Old policemen: "Tch, you're breaking an order! You're breaking an order!"

William smiled gently as a man who appeared to be his superior officer barked at him.

William: "Don't scold them. They are just being honest with themselves."

William: "Whoever raises their hands now should stay in the corner, silent."

William: "As for the rest----"

William: "Plead guilty."

Chapter 18

#ikemen villains #william rex #william’s route #translation

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rosse-liz · 10 months

Text

William Rex Chapter 16

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Several police officers appeared at Mr. Brian's signal and drew their handguns.

Policeman: "Miss Kate...right? You seem to be very close with Sir Rex."

Policeman: "Tell us what you know about him. We will protect you.. We are not going to do anything bad, just come with us."

Kate: "Mm..."

The shiny gun was pointed at me as if trying to figure out if I am William's ally or a victim.

I got down on my knees next to the fallen Mr. Brian.

(If I resist, it might be a problem for the Crown?)

(No...if we don't get caught, the police can't find out who we are. The Crown should never be revealed)

(If I leave now...I'm not sure if I'll get another chance to convince Mr. Brian again...!)

Jude: "Ahh, you seem to have got us all confused. We don't know anything about Rex or whatever."

Ellis: "We're here....for our collection."

Policeman: "These guys are useless. But I heard this woman talking about Sir Rex."

Policeman: "We are not convinced by your reasoning...."

Policeman: "I judge you guys also to be associated with Sir Rex. If you don't want to be killed here, come with us."

Jude: "Haa.....this is why I hate the police."

Mr. Jude gave Ellis his signal and Ellis instantly moved.

Policeman: "Stand back!"

Ellis: "It's not safe to fire in such a small space."

Policeman: "Argh!?"

Policeman: "Nn..What the hell!? My hand...!"

Ellis easily leaps overhead and touches the heads of the police officers.

One after the other, the wrists were detained and the officers dropped their guns and panicked.

Mr. Jude responds to the officer who barely avoids Ellis's hand.

While I was watching the situation with a bated breath---I heard a sharp voice.

Policeman: "Mr. Brian! Get that woman!"

(Eh!?)

Brian: "...!"

When I turned around, Mr. Brian had raised his upper body and was reaching towards me with his still bound hands.

(No---)

Kate: "Ouch!"

I tried to wriggle out of the way, but Mr. Brian caught me by the hair.

Brian: "...Got you!"

Kate: "Nn....Let go!"

Brian: "No, I won't let you go. Come with us. You have to wake up and go back to your normal life... you're being deceived!"

Kate: "I'm not being deceived...!"

The more I try to get away, the more tightly he pulls me by the hair.

Brian: "You'll regret it one day! There's no way you can be happy with someone like that....!"

------Options-------

There is no such thing.

That's for me to decide.

I don't think so.

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Kate: "That's for me to decide...!"

Brian: "I'm trying to help you!"

(I won't be able to get him to listen to me calmly anymore)

(Let's get away from here and now and wait for another chance to convince him)

(Even if I get caught, I'm sure Mr. Jude and Ellis can make an escape....)

(I'm sure I will be detained at the police station, and then I could persuade Mr. Brian)

(But if that happens, we may not even be able to get the slightest information about where William is and what he is doing)

(I'm not going to let that happen)

The frustration of being drawn closer and closer to an opponent you can't match and the frustration of being driven to the edge of your heart.

(This hand, I have to shake it off. I don't know what to do or how to----)

That's when something came to my mind.

Kate: "....!"

A hard, cold touches my fingertips that had been shoved into my pocket.

A moment later, I gripped it tightly---I couldn't afford to be lost.

Brian: "Nn!? What the?"

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Brian: "Nn!? What the?"

As soon as I took out the knife, I cut off the chunk of my hair, he was grabbing.

Brian: "...!!"

I quickly backed away before Mr. Brian could reach out to me again.

Kate: "Haa....Ha...!"

Brian: "....Why...Why did you do that? ....Why would you go this far?"

Kate: "....I know you're worried about me."

Kate: "...But I'm sorry."

He was stunned for a second...but then mumbled.

Brian: ".... Grimsley."

Kate: "Eh...?"

Brian: "The head of the Privy Council's Secretarial Section, Grimsley."

(Privy Council's head....Grimsley...that's it...!)

Kate: "Was he the one who led you to that mansion?"

Brian: "....Yes."

The next moment, the tip of a leather shoe sunk into Mr. Brian's belly.

Brian: "Arghh!?"

Jude: "And he dared to call the police on us....looks like he has no hopes of waking up tomorrow, huh?"

Kate: "Please stop! He just told me the name of the person who gave him information!"

Jude: "Huh? He did?"

When he looked down with disdain at the sobbing Mr. Brian, Mr. Jude sniggered.

Jude: "Looks like your life is saved for now, I guess."

Looking around, the brawl in the post office had somehow been under control.

The officers were all lying on the floor with their hands restrained as if they were praying together.

Kate: ".....Did you kill them?"

Jude: "You idiot."

Jude: "You're just another Count Rex fanatic, who tried to intimidate a newspaper reporter."

Jude: "Then we just happened to come to collect a debt and they got the wrong idea...what's the need of killing them?"

(....I see. If they pursue you, you have that excuse)

(On the other hand, killing them would be like a confession to something you're guilty of)

Jude: "I just put them to sleep. They won't be waking up for another 3 hours."

('Putting people to sleep'.....is that Mr. Jude's ability?)

(I think I understand what Victor meant when he said it was easy to clean up afterwards)

Ellis: "Jude, I've checked everything. No one's hiding and no one has escaped."

Jude: "Good. Then we're done here."

Ellis: "Mm....'now, we're done."

Brian: "Ah!? M-My hands...I can move my hands now...."

The police officer's restrains were also lifted, perhaps signalling that we're actually done here.

I was amazed by Mr. Jude and Ellis's teamwork, but I couldn't just sit back and take it easy.

Kate: "Let's get out of here. We also need to hide Mr. Brian."

Jude: "Huh!?"

Brian: "....!"

Kate: "If they find out that you have leaked info about them, you risk retaliation as a traitor."

Ellia: "Oh I see. But if that happens,he wouldn't be able to correct his article."

Jude: "Then how about making him write it here and now and get done with this?"

Kate: "Whether or not you write an article is another matter than protecting Mr. Brian."

Kate: "I want the article to be corrected...but I don't mean to put Mr. Brian in danger."

Kate: "Just as I came here to see and feel with my own eyes and to help William."

Kate: "Mr. Brian is free to believe and act on what he sees and feels."

Kate: "So I don't hold it against you. Mr. Brian....and I can't leave you alone knowing that you will be in danger."

Kate: "If that happened....William would be sad."

Brian: "..........."

Jude: "Haa, there you go being nice to the person who almost grabbed you."

Brian: "....Miss Kate, thank you. ...But I can't just hide like this."

Kate: "What do you mean....?"

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Brian: "To decide whether or not to write a correction article...."

Brian: "I have to be sure...I have to make sure that where I'm standing is justice!"

Mr. Brian's eyes were looking straight at me with a different, calm light.

Brian: "I will definitely contact you again. So for now, please let me go."

Ellis: "....What do you wanna do, Miss Kate?"

(I feel like Mr. Brian really got my story)

(And now he's trying to make sure if it's true or not)

(He will be convinced about the Marquis's death and will correct the article on that basis....)

(It's all up to you, Mr. Brian. It's a gamble to let him go at this point)

(But...if we take away his freedom here, we are crushing even the slightest hope we have)

I take one deep breath.

Kate: "....Understood. I'll be waiting."

Brian: "....Thank you."

I prayed for his back as he melted away into the thick fog and disappeared.

Jude: "Tsk....What if he contacted you later and said 'I can't do it'?"

Kate: "Then I will try to persuade him again and again."

(It's okay. I believe that I voiced my thoughts and delivered them and that it wasn't in vain....let's just hope and wait)

(First, we need to tell everyone in the Crown who's behind this)

.............

After returning to the castle.

(....Something's not right)

It was early in the morning before the sky was even white, but the lights were on and the air was buzzing with a sense of restlessness.

Ellis: "Did something happen?"

I feel a similar stirring as I did a few days ago when William left the castle, and I involuntarily run quickly to the dining room where I hear people's voice.

.........

Kate: "We're back."

Liam: "Miss Kate! Thank god you're safe...!"

(Everyone in the Crown is here again. Did something happen to William....!?)

Victor: "Welcome back, you guys. How did it go?"

(Yes, let's calm down first and give the report)

Jude: "The name of the mastermind was easily spelt out. Grimsley of the Privy Council."

Victor: "....Grimsley, huh..I see."

Kate: "Also about the article correction...we were able to convince Mr. Brian."

Kate: "Now we just have to wait and trust that Mr. Brian will find out the truth."

Ellis: "Also, the police ambushed us and we got into a bit of a scuffle."

Elbert: "About the police....well..."

Master Elbert, who was sitting in his chair, muttered anxiously.

Alphonse: "Good for you, Kate. If you'd been caught, you'd have been tortured in the Tower of London too."

Kate: "Tower of London...?"

When I asked back, unable to follow the sudden topic, Harrison tossed the paper onto the dinner table.

Harrison: "Citizens who were connected to Count Rex are arrested and being held in the Tower of London."

Harrison: "They are being severely tortured and forced to confess to Will's whereabouts and his complicity in the crime."

Kate: "What....!?"

Harrison: "This is the list of the prisoners."

Kate: "How did you get this list?"

Harrison: "....Is that important? Look here. Do any of these names look familiar?"

(Fawcett...James...these are...)

Kate: "....I've seen them interacting with William."

Some of them are from the tea party, special wards in this hospital, and on the street corners.

It was the names of people who he had once set free.

Elbert: "....Never before has the Privy Council taken such drastic measures."

Elbert: "With this uproar, they want to crush Will."

Elbert: "In a way....they're trying to piss Will off, by trampling on their freedoms, which Will hates the most."

Ellis: "It's cruel to torture innocent people for it."

Roger: "Cruel, sure, but certain. Because I don't think Will is going to sit this one out."

(Capturing innocent civilians to provoke and lure them out...for sure that makes sense)

(But something...something feels uncomfortable)

Kate: ".....How do the tower guards and prison guards plan to counteract and capture William's abilities?"

Liam: "Eh?"

｡⋆｡˚🦋˚｡⋆｡

Kate: "Tower guards and prison guards who trample on the freedom of innocent citizens are 'evil' to William."

Kate: "William would not hesitate to use force or take a life if it was against 'evil'!"

Kate: "I don't see it being easy to catch him."

Liam: "....Indeed."

Kate: "Plus, what will happen after they capture William....?"

Kate: "If they want William to be judged by 'justice', you need to judge him under the law, but...."

-----FLASBACK----

Wiliam: "At the time, I learned of the existence of the 'butterfly' the organisation was already beyond judicial scrutiny."

William: "In this country, the House of Nobles is the highest court. If the legislators collude, it is easy to cover it up."

----FLASHBACK ENDS-----

Kate: "There are legislators in the courtroom who have been caught up in the wrongdoing of the 'evil that cannot be judged by law' that William has been trying to bring before the court."

Kate: "I don't think William will be silently judged by them."

Alphonse: "Fufu...it's certainly going to be a bloodbath the moment he is invited into the courtroom."

Alphonse: "The defeat of clean 'justice' and the breakdown of order. A development the Privy Council loathes."

Kate: "I don't see how the Privy Council could not have foreseen that."

Kate: "No prison officer or judge with a charge against William could kill him.

Kate: "That said, the people on the Privy Council themselves are not willing to get their hands dirty."

Kate: "So how do they intend to bring William to justice....?"

A bad feeling stirs in my head and forms one.

William: "...What do you think?"

(Maybe...no, I don't think so....but...)

Kate: "....Is it possible that they are trying....to get innocent people they have captured to kill him....?"

Liam: "Eh....?"

Alphonse: "Oh, I see. With a script like that, it makes sense for a cat to go a little overboard with an innocent prisoner."

Alphonse: "The prisoners are used as bait to frighten Mr. William. At the same time, they instill hostility towards Mr. William in the prisoner!"

Alphonse: " 'It's all William's fault. We were deceived by him. We lost our family, job, honor, and happiness.' "

Alphonse: " 'If you want to hate him, hate him. Well, here he comes. Look. The guards are getting killed one by one. He's a bloodthirsty murderous maniac.' "

Alphonse: "If you don't want to judged, prove you're not on his side. Come on. I've got the knife right here."

Alphonse: "---Well, it's not a bad plot. I'll be interested to see Mr. William's reaction if that's the case."

Roger: "....Whether it's what Al just told us or not, it's not impossible."

(If I could guess, William must have assumed it too)

(Still, the William I know is the one who chooses to go to...Tower of London)

(William will never allow the freedom of his loved ones to be trampled on)

At the hands of the innocent, executed in the Tower of London as a major sinner....Would that be the destruction he wants?

Jude: "You've been yammering on and on about the Crown going to the Tower of London."

Jude: "If you go in there in this situation, that's exactly what the Privy Council wants you to do, it's suicide."

Victor: "...Right. Jude is right. I cannot move the Crown in Her Majesty's name."

Victor: "Everyone should be as quiet as possible so that they don't realise what's going on....okay?"

(....Certainly not the same as a secret meeting with a newspaper reporter)

(If you go to the Tower of London, you'll be jumping into the enemy's hands)

I try to swallow what Mr. Jude and Victor said, but I can't shake off this bad feeling.

(---Anyway, I'll think about what I can do for now)

Elbert: "..................."

｡⋆｡˚🦋˚｡⋆｡

As dusk approached, the sound of the rain beating against the windows, joined with the merciless ticking of the clock.

After returning to my room early in the morning. I spent half of a day thinking it through.

I stare at the closed door of my room with quiet determination.

"I will rescue the innocent prisoners before William does. I will have to negotiate with Victor for that."

It was the best solution I could come up with and the best I could do at the moment.

(There may be less than a 1% chance of William being harmed as I speculated)

(Conversely, William may want that 1% chance to be dead)

(However....)

(I, for one, cannot allow that to happen)

The breathlessness that has haunted me when I thought of my fate had now vanished without a trace.

At that moment when I cut off my hair with the knife William gave me, it was like I cut off my hesitation along with it.

Far from a sense of helplessness and guilt----only my selfish joy is in my heart.

(If William is going to be hurt. I want to do everything I can to protect---even if it's a 1% chance)

(Because if I don't...I won't be able to be my own master)

I don't want to go back to being the one cowering in front of a closed door, killing my heart.

(William...)

----FLASHBACK----

William: "Because I like to see people act as their own masters."

Kate: "Act as their own masters....?"

William: "It's about facing your desires, being prepared to accept the consequences, and following through."

William: "There's a lot of fear involved in wanting to do what you want and having to pick and choose among so many options."

William: "Whether happiness awaits you or misfortune awaits you...."

William: "You can't blame anyone for the consequences of the choices you make and want to make."

William: "......That's why the moment you're about to step out is so beautiful."

----FLASHBACK ENDS----

(If you saw me now, would you laugh and say I'm beautiful?)

(I am no longer trapped by what my heart doesn't want me to 'have to accept' my destiny of destruction)

(I want to protect...William, no matter what contract I sign and what I have to offer in return)

I want to be true to my desire to do so.

(William, my freedom is not compromised by my love for you)

(Because I'm probably the freest I've ever been in my life)

I put my hand on the doorknob.

What I am about to cross is the last line that William was not willing to let me step over.

With cruel kindness, I let go of the contraindicated lie.

----"Come, come"

I thought I heard an inviting voice from behind the door.

"You knew from the start"

"From the moment you heard that piano that night, everything that has ever happened...has been for you."

"You weren't wrong."

"That very night"

"You could have even left the mail and walked away"

"And yet, you couldn't stop."

"His piano melodies were just too irresistible."

"Because you fell in love with that horrible, beautiful tone."

(That's why I've come this far. My heart chose it)

(Crossing this line means)

The voice from the other side of the door has been echoing in my head for some time now.

(I don't care what anyone calls a way of life that I don't call misery)

I am my master because I am the only one who can decide what's best for me.

Chapter 17

#ikemen villains #william rex #william’s route #translation

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rosse-liz · 10 months

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Congrats Elbert! You're next!

youtube

Beautiful! Extremely beautiful! I love the ominous cold filter used in the trailer. Kate also looks extremely beautiful. I have no words.

#ikemen villains #elbert greetia

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rosse-liz · 10 months

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WE’RE ALREADY GETTING AN ENGLISH VERSION OF IKEMEN VILLAINS?!!??!

#ikemen villains #crying because it’s only coming out next year #the pain of waiting

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rosse-liz · 10 months

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Ellis Twilight 1st Birthday Story (2023)

His POV

I do not own any of the Ikemen Series content being uploaded on this blog, everything belongs to CYBIRD. Please support them by playing their games and buying stories. Not 100% accurate, expect mistakes.

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I still remember how “we” used to celebrate “our” birthday.

One year, while waiting for the real birthday cake Mother was baking at home, we raced each other up a hill in the twilight.

We pretended that the setting sun was our birthday cake, and blew out the “candles” on a count of three.

(That was the best moment, right?)

(— Nah.)

(The day it became “forever” was the happiest day.)

(— Huh?)

I snapped back to reality. I had dozed off while sitting on the couch, likely because I worked till late into the night yesterday.

(It’s been a long time since I last dreamt about those days.)

(... Oh, right. Today is our—)

Jude: Ellis.

Ellis: Jude and… Kate?

Kate: E-Ellis…!?

Jude: This girl has something for you.

Kate: J-Jude, I told you to keep it a secret from Ellis…!

Jude: Why should I be considerate of your feelings? If you have questions for him, ask the man himself.

Jude left the common room, leaving only Kate behind.

(I wonder if she got tricked by Jude to ask me something in secret.)

Ellis: You were looking for me?

When I tilted my head in question, Kate seemed to have given up and frowned.

She looked like a dejected little puppy. Cute.

Kate: I heard that… it’s your birthday today.

Kate: I wanted to find out from Jude what you liked, so that I can prepare a surprise for you.

Ellis: Why didn’t you ask me directly?

Kate: … Because I knew you would say that you like anything that makes me happy.

Kate: You’re always caring a lot about whether I’m happy, so today… I want you to be happy.

Ellis: You’re very kind, Kate.

To me, loving someone as a person doesn't necessarily require knowing them for a long time or having a very grand reason to.

That’s why making someone happy is as natural to me as breathing.

Ellis: Will it make you happy if I spend the whole day only doing things that make me happy?

Kate: Hmm… I guess so.

Ellis: Then, we’ll search for my happiness together today?

Kate: Huh…?

Ellis: I want to search for my happiness together with you.

Kate: … Will you be okay with that? I mean, spending your birthday with just me.

Ellis: Mm, I’m okay with it. … How about you, Kate?

I wanted to make sure that my choice would benefit her.

(Ah… that’s good. She seems okay with it.)

Seeing the slight blush in Kate’s cheeks and sensing that she was happy, it made me feel relieved.

Roger: Why are you two being all lovey dovey in the middle of the day?

Kate: Lovey dovey…!?

We didn’t notice until now that Roger was leaning against the doorframe of the common room. When our eyes met, he smiled.

Roger: Happy birthday.

Ellis: Thank you, Roger. Did you specially make your way here just to say that?

Roger: Nope? I just happened to be passing by and saw you guys.

Roger: I didn't prepare any presents for you, so I’ll buy you a nice drink next time.

Roger: Did you receive a proper present from Jude?

Ellis: He gave me a blank cheque as usual.

Kate: Does he always do that…?

Roger: Always. Anyway, you’re going out on a birthday date?

Ellis: Yeah, with Kate.

Roger: That guy Victor, he’s so excited about whipping up a feast with the castle chef tonight…

Roger: But if you two don’t come back, I’ll be sure to enjoy your share.

Roger waved and left with a cheeky smile.

Kate: W-We’ll come back of course…!

Ellis: Is that so?

Kate: Huh!?

(... Fufu, she’s so cute.)

Kate: … Please don’t tease me.

Ellis: I’m not teasing you.

Kate: … Let’s make sure we come back to the castle.

I thought Kate liked me a little bit too, as a person.

(If “this” is the kind of relationship that will make her happy.)

(I really wish she doesn’t have to go back.)

Kate: Before we head out, please promise me one thing.

Ellis: Promise you?

Kate: I want you to promise me that you’ll let me know when you dislike something.

Kate: You have the tendency to say that you’re happy even when you’re not, just because you want to make me happy.

Kate: This promise should NOT be broken today.

Seeing her try her very best to make me happy naturally brought a smile to my face.

Ellis: Mm. Got it, I promise you that.

…

Kate: This gelato place was my source of moral support when I was working as a postwoman.

Ellis: The gelato here must be very good, then. Which flavour is your favourite, Kate?

Kate: Lemon! I remember you saying that you like raspberry jam, so…

Kate: You might like this mixed berry flavoured gelato.

We chatted about all sorts of little things while strolling through the city of London.

Ellis: Mm… this is delicious.

Kate: … Happy?

Ellis: Happy. Fufu, it feels different than usual.

Whenever I said that I was “happy”, Kate would stare at me in such a way that she looked like she was trying to see if I was telling the truth. I found that rather amusing.

Kate: Is there anything you want as a birthday present?

Ellis: … I want a taste of your lemon flavoured gelato.

Kate: That’s not really what I meant…

Ellis: Let me think… I don’t have anything in particular that I want, but I do like things that smell nice.

Kate: Things that smell nice?

Ellis: Yeah. Like you.

Kate: … I’m not letting you taste my lemon flavoured gelato if you keep teasing me.

At the same time, she held out her gelato for me to have a taste, and so I licked a little of it.

Kate looked adorable when she was pretending to be angry, because she couldn't conceal her happiness.

In the end, we continued to walk around London. When Big Ben’s arms showed that it was 4 o’clock, Kate told me to stay put and hurried off somewhere.

(Is she going to meet an acquaintance?)

(... Ah, should I be monitoring her in times like this as a member of Crown?)

(Oh well, it’ll be fine.)

I sat on a railing at the riverside while waiting for Kate to return. Just then, a woman came and sat next to me.

Curly Hair Woman: Oh… pardon me, am I bothering you?

Ellis: Nope, you’re not.

Curly Hair Woman: I’m feeling dizzy… can I rest here for a little while?

Ellis: The hospital is nearby, do you need me to guide you to it?

Curly Hair Woman: Are you sure about that?

The woman’s face suddenly lit up upon hearing my casual offer, and she placed her palm on my leg.

(Ah...)

“If you want me to be that happy— give those to me.”

“If you want me to be happy… give them to me. Give me your legs!!”

“... In the end, it turns out that your own wants matter most.”

— I can no longer go anywhere I want. Are you satisfied now?

(...)

Unpleasant memories flashed into my mind, and a feeling of uneasiness rose from the pit of my stomach.

When I tried to swallow it back down…

Kate: Sorry for the wait! … Oh? Who is this?

(Kate…)

Kate looked at me with a concerned look while hiding something behind her back.

Ellis: … She said that she’s feeling dizzy. I was about to guide her to the hospital.

Kate: Are you alright?

Curly Hair Woman: … What the, is she your girlfriend?

Kate: Huh?

Curly Hair Woman: I don’t feel dizzy anymore. See you.

The woman suddenly stood up and walked away.

Kate: … Seems like she was lying to you…

Ellis: It does seem that way. Good thing she’s not feeling dizzy.

Kate: … Looking at you, you don’t look very well.

Kate gently placed her palm to my forehead.

Kate: You’re not running a fever, though…

(I promised to “voice out my dislikes”.)

Ellis: A moment ago, when she touched my leg… I recalled some unpleasant things.

Ellis: I don’t like being touched on my legs.

Kate: … I see.

Without probing any further, Kate simply nodded her head in response and respected my feelings.

Kate: Thank you for telling me.

Ellis: …? Why are you thanking me?

Kate: … You’re always concerned about the feelings of other people, and doing things for them.

Kate: But there's no such thing as a person who doesn't have their own desires.

Kate: You must be sacrificing a lot of your own desires, right, Ellis?

(My… desires?)

The flashback from just now started clawing at the inside of my heart again.

Kate: Therefore, I’m going to let you have any more unpleasant experiences for the rest of today.

Kate: Thanks to what you've just told me, I know what to avoid letting you go through.

Kate: Happy birthday. This is for you.

Ellis: This is…

She held out the bouquet of pale purple roses she had hidden behind her back.

The gentle breeze brought out its calming and sweet fragrance that suited the sunset.

Ellis: … Smells nice.

Ellis: … Mm, I’m very happy.

(But, therefore… I have to give this to you.)

Ellis: Can you close your eyes for a moment?

Kate: Huh? Okay…

Kate hesitantly covered her eyes with her hands.

Kate: Can I open my eyes now?

Ellis: Just a little longer.

(You said that there’s no such thing as a person without desires.)

(But I feel that I don’t have the need for desires.)

Or else, the “love” I feel inside of me— will turn into something scary.

Ellis: … You can open your eyes now.

Kate: …!

I gave Kate a flower crown made from the roses she had given me earlier. She was puzzled as she alternated her gaze between me and the flower crown.

Kate: This was… a present for you.

Ellis: Yeah. It was mine, and so I wanted to use it to make you happy.

Kate had a troubled smile on her face as she held the flower crown close to her chest.

Kate: … Ellis, you’re… a rather hard to deal with person…

(Ah…)

My heart suddenly felt moved.

The light from the setting sun shone down onto Kate.

The colour of the sky was a beautiful gradient of orange and purple.

That colour was one that could only be seen in that brief moment between day and night.

(How I wish I could stop time right now.)

— That pure and simple desire was mine, and mine only.

Kate: The sun is setting already… time seemed to have flown past in the blink of an eye today.

Kate’s voice brought me back to reality.

Kate: We should return to the castle soon.

I thought that the look in her eyes was saying that she wanted to stay a little longer.

(But— is it just me?)

(l have to make sure… so that I know if I’m just seeing things.)

I took a deep breath and closed the distance between us.

Ellis: … Hey, Kate.

I leaned my body forward against the railing, cornering Kate.

Ellis: I don’t want to go back to the castle. … Can we not?

I pretended to be selfish, because I wanted to know her true feelings.

I had to pretend, in order to suppress the desire that had risen up inside me earlier.

Kate: W-We can’t. Everyone is waiting for us back at the castle.

Ellis: … But you don’t look like you want to go back.

The tips of Kate’s ears turned slightly red… that’s how I knew that what I thought I saw was real.

Ellis: Because of you, I’m very happy today.

Ellis: How about you, Kate? How happy do you feel today?

Ellis: To thank you for today, I want to make you the happiest you’ve ever been.

Kate: Ellis…

Ellis: What would you like? You can go shopping without having to worry about money, or I can take you to meet anyone you want to.

Kate: It’s your birthday today, Ellis… I don't need anything.

Ellis: If there’s anything I can do for you, I’ll do it. Be it kisses, hugs… or more than that.

Kate: Those things will only make you feel the happiest if done with someone you like in a very special way…

(Oh… I see.)

Ellis: In that case, I’ll just have to make you like me in that special way.

Kate: Huh…?

Ellis: I’ll be sure to do my best.

Kate’s eyes wavered.

Ellis: Some day, I’ll make you feel the happiest you’ve ever felt.

(Not for my sake, but for yours.)

(I’ll make all your wishes come true, so that you’ll be happy.)

Then came twilight, painting our surrounding scenery in the colours of night.

#ikemen villains #ellis twilight #translation

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rosse-liz · 10 months

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Ellis Twilight First Birthday Letter (2023)

read this before interacting with my posts

《 Thank you for the well wishes 》

Thank you for wishing me a happy birthday.

The words “happy birthday” felt warmer to hear coming from you, as compared to anyone else.

I was reminded of my childhood when I would gather around a birthday cake with my family, and blow out the candles.

Back then, I made a wish with all my heart, even though I knew that it was almost impossible for it to ever come true.

I wished for someone important to me to be happy again. I also wished that even after they became a free person, they would still stay by my side.

… This birthday, my wish is for you. I wish that you’ll find your happiness, and for that happiness to never disappear.

— Ellis Twilight

#ikemen villains #ellis twilight #translation

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