Depraved Noble: Forced To Live The Debaucherous Life Of An Evil Noble!-Chapter 627: Love Clouds One’s Judgement

On the other side of the Holyfield estate stood the grand headquarters of the Holy Guard.

It was a fortress-like structure that gleamed beneath the sunlight, its silver banners swaying gently in the wind.

Once, it had been a modest building, barely large enough to house a few dozen knights.

But ever since Cassius had taken over the Holyfield domain, the place had been expanded and refined to rival a castle.

There were multiple wings now: vast training halls with polished floors echoing with the clash of swords, dormitories lined with fresh linen, mess halls, full bathhouses, and break rooms where knights could finally rest after grueling drills.

At the moment, the training fields outside were filled with dozens of armored women sparring under the sun.

The clanging of steel, the sharp barks of commands, and the hum of magic forming from spell circles all wove into a symphony of discipline.

Every knight here had the same purpose—to protect, to serve, and to fight for the safety of the people.

Inside, however, the atmosphere was much calmer.

Within the captain’s office, sunlight filtered through tall arched windows and fell upon a large desk piled with reports and scrolls.

Behind that desk sat Julie, resting her chin lazily against her palm, her lips curled in a playful smile.

Across from her sat Joy, her posture straight and her expression composed as always.

"So..."

Joy began dryly, her tone sharp and analytical.

"You’re telling me that after all your interactions with him—after taking orders from him, speaking with him countless times, seeing how he runs this place—you still think Cassius is a good person?"

Julie sighed softly, her fingers idly tapping the desk.

"If we’re talking overall..." She said with a wry little smile. "...then yes, he’s a good person."

She lifted a hand, gesturing lightly as she continued,

"I mean, sure, he’s a womanizer. And not just a little one, he’s hopeless. He flirts with every woman he meets, can’t seem to go a day without teasing someone, and honestly, I think he’d flirt with a Goddess herself if given the chance."

Joy raised an eyebrow slightly but said nothing.

"And yes, I’ll admit it—he’s also quite the pervert." Julie chuckled softly. "If there were a title for it, ’the most depraved noble in the empire’ would fit him perfectly."

Then, her tone shifted. She straightened slightly, her eyes growing firm and clear.

"But, he’s not the kind of depraved noble the rumors talk about."

"He doesn’t force himself on anyone. He doesn’t exploit his position or his power. He’s not that kind of man. In fact, he’s the complete opposite."

Julie leaned forward slightly, her voice firm.

"Cassius Vindictus Holyfield treats everyone—women, knights, nobles, even peasants with courtesy and respect."

"He may tease, but he never crosses the line."

"Despite being one of the most powerful men on the continent, he’s...gentle. Kinder than most ordinary men you’ll ever meet."

"And if I had to choose, if I had to say whether he’s good or bad..."

She smiled faintly.

"...he’s a good person, Joy."

"Honestly, a better man than most could ever hope to be. With the power he has, anyone else would’ve been corrupted long ago, but Cassius is different and there’s nothing else that could convince me otherwise."

Joy said nothing. Her eyes were distant, lost in thought, as she slowly absorbed Julie’s words.

The reason she had come here today was twofold.

The first was simple.

Friendship.

The two women had known each other for years, both leaders in their own right, both protectors of people—though in very different ways.

Julie led the Holy Guard, sworn to defend and preserve peace.

Joy, meanwhile, had made it her purpose to destroy the corrupt and the evil. To cleanse the world of sin by any means necessary.

Different methods. But same conviction.

Because of that, they had always shared a mutual respect and, over time, genuine fondness.

The second reason, however, was much more serious.

Joy had come to ask about Cassius.

If Cassius was truly the monster the Goddess hinted at—if he truly was dangerous—then Julie would know.

As Captain of the Holy Guard, she was the law within the estate.

Nothing happened here without her knowledge.

If Cassius had done anything vile or cruel, Julie would’ve been the first to act against him.

But so far, everything Julie said pointed in the opposite direction.

Every question Joy asked, every accusation she implied—Julie answered calmly, confidently, with nothing but praise and truth.

No corruption. No cruelty. No lies.

He was...confusingly good.

Julie noticed the thoughtful look in Joy’s eyes and leaned forward slightly, her voice soft but playful.

"You’re still not convinced, are you?"

Joy looked up slowly, her expression neutral.

"No, I’m simply trying to understand him." She said.

Julie chuckled, resting her chin on her hand again.

"You know, Joy...I understand what you’re thinking. The Goddess gives you a mission, tells you a man is dangerous, and you believe it."

"But I really don’t think it’s as simple as that."

"Maybe there’s something she’s not telling you. Because Cassius, he’s not the person you think he is."

"I know you’ve heard all kinds of stories, but I’ve seen him up close. I’ve fought beside him. And against him."

That caught Joy’s attention.

"Against him?"

Julie nodded, her expression turning faintly serious.

"Yes. Me, Aisha, Skadi and the rest of the Holy Guard. We all made the same mistake you’re making now. We misunderstood him completely."

"We thought he was...something he wasn’t and let’s just say we picked a fight we couldn’t win."

"You...lost?" Joy’s eyes widened a little.

"Yes." Julie nodded gravely. "And if he wanted to, none of us would be standing here today. He could’ve killed us. Easily. But instead, he forgave us."

She smiled faintly, almost with admiration.

"No, he didn’t just spare us, he helped us. Taught us. Guided us and brought us to higher levels that we couldn’t have done by ourselves."

"That’s why I’m saying that Cassius isn’t the kind of man who thrives on cruelty, Joy. He’s the kind who carries the burden of others, even when it hurts him."

Joy was quiet for several moments before finally speaking again—and her next words caught Julie completely off guard.

"Are you saying that..." Joy said quietly, her tone cool and deliberate. "...because you truly believe he’s that kind of person or..."

"...because you’ve become one of his women?"

Julie froze instantly. "E-Excuse me?"

Joy leaned forward with a inquisitive look on her face.

"You heard me, Julie. Are you speaking as the Captain of the Holy Guard...or as one of his lovers?"

Julie’s face turned crimson immediately.

"J-Joy! W-Why would you even—this has nothing to do with what we’re talking about!"

Joy’s eyes narrowed slightly, her tone sharp but curious, not cruel.

"Oh, it absolutely does. Because if you are one of his women, then your words can’t be taken as objective. Feelings...they cloud judgment. And even the most dutiful knight can be swayed by love."

Julie slammed her hands lightly on the desk, glaring in embarrassment.

"Joy! You know me better than that! I’m a knight—the Captain of the Holy Guard! No matter how much I love Cassius, if he ever stray from the path of righteousness, I’ll be the first to stop him!"

The words tumbled out before she could stop herself, and the moment they did, Julie froze, realizing she admitted how in love with Cassius she was.

Joy’s lips curved slightly.

"Wow, you must love him quite a lot, if you’re willing to make such a bold confession in front of me."

"Th-that’s not—! I didn’t—! Ugh!"

Joy smirked faintly at Julie’s flustered reaction, before she shook her head and said,

"Don’t worry, Julie. I wasn’t accusing you of anything serious. I was just saying so to see how you would react."

Julie puffed her cheeks slightly—a rather childish reaction that only made Joy chuckle quietly.

Joy continued, her tone softening.

"Still, I didn’t expect to find out you’d fallen for him. The last time we met, you were ranting about how your father was forcing marriage proposals on you and how you swore you’d stay single forever to dedicate your life to your duties."

Julie groaned, covering her face. "Oh gods, don’t remind me..."

Joy tilted her head with a teasing smile.

"And now here you are—another one of Cassius’s women. I must say, fate has a sense of humor."

Hearing that teasing line, Julie clenched her teeth, her cheeks burning red—but she didn’t say a word.

Because deep down, Joy was right.

She really was in love with Cassius.

There was no sense in denying it after she had basically admitted it seconds ago, and Julie wasn’t the kind of woman to contradict herself.

Still, she found herself trapped in the awkward corner Joy had pushed her into, unable to fight back as her smug friend smirked knowingly at her.

But then a flicker of mischief danced in her eyes, as she realised something.

A small grin crept across her lips as she leaned forward, her tone turning sly.

"Say, Joy." 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞

She began sweetly, too sweetly which immediately made Joy suspicious.

"...What is it?"

"You said you were planning to stay here with Cassius for a while to investigate him right?"

Julie said, twirling a pen in her fingers casually added,

"Can I ask, how long exactly are you staying?"

Joy blinked, slightly caught off guard by the sudden shift in conversation.

"I’m not sure." She admitted. "Until my investigation is complete, I suppose. It could take...a week, maybe more."

The moment those words left her mouth, Julie’s smirk widened into something downright victorious

The kind of look a knight gave after defeating her opponent in a duel.

Joy noticed it instantly, narrowing her eyes.

"What?" She asked, suspicious. "Why are you looking at me like that, Julie?"

"You look like you’ve just seen my fate play out in front of your eyes and you’re already laughing about it."

Julie shrugged, leaning back in her chair with exaggerated innocence.

"Oh, nothing. Absolutely nothing." She said airily, before glancing back at Joy with a gleam in her eyes. "It’s just that...I thought if you were spending maybe a day or two around Cassius, you’d be safe. You’d resist."

She paused dramatically.

"But an entire week?" She let out a slow whistle, smirking. "That’s more than enough time for Cassius to completely pull you into his orbit and..."

"...turn you into one of his women too."