TKCB 05

After leaving the kitchen, I walked up the stairs and along the hallway leading to the master’s room.

Thud, thud.

Only my footsteps echoed alone through the empty hallway. I’d thought this before, but this mansion had somewhat gloomy corners.

It couldn’t help but resemble its master.

I walked slowly and arrived in front of the door, but I didn’t have the courage to go in right away.

Because I had no idea what kind of reaction he would show today.

I quietly knocked on the door.

“Master. Dinner is served.”

…

No answer. Is it okay to just go in?

Just as I was about to ignore it and open the door.

A hot red liquid splashed onto my face.

Even before I realized it was blood. A human body collapsed before my eyes.

“Good heavens!”

I shouted and raised my hands. I felt warm blood splatter onto my face.

“Waaaaah!”

Realizing this, an even stranger scream escaped me. I wanted to wipe it off immediately, but I couldn’t because of the tray in my hands.

“…”

I leaned my body against the wall, frozen, and looked down at the corpse lying at my feet. Still holding the tray with the meal high up.

The identity of the fallen man was Eden Croyden.

He was already dead. I could feel the last breath leaving the man’s body.

I forced my pounding chest to calm down and placed the meal tray on the table.

After confirming the identity of the deceased, I felt somewhat relieved. Because I knew he would come back to life on his own.

“Not surprised anymore?”

Sure enough, a calm voice came from behind.

It happened in that brief moment as I placed the meal on the table and turned around.

Eden Croyden’s body had finished restoring. If not for the few remaining bloodstains that hadn’t been cleaned up, no one would believe he had just been dead moments ago. Eden Croyden was astonishingly intact.

He approached, pulling out a handkerchief and wiping the bloodstains on his cheek.

“You act as if it’s only natural.”

“I was plenty surprised.”

Didn’t you hear me scream?

Ah, he was already dead back then.

I muttered as I poured water into a cup from the kettle.

“Thank goodness it was me. What if someone else had come in?”

“That’s why I called you, isn’t it?”

Eden Croyden, whom I hadn’t seen in a week, looked somehow… refreshed.

No.

Let me correct that.

His eyes seemed unhinged.

Otherwise, there’s no way he’d look that fine.

And what was that gruesome scene just now?

Was he testing his resurrection ability by committing suicide?

By stabbing himself with a knife?

Blood spurting pssh!

That’s when I came in.

It was terrifying to even think about how many times he might have repeated that act over the past week.

“So… how many times have you conducted that experiment?”

“Well, I’m not sure. I stopped counting after it went over fifty.”

He’s definitely insane!

Who stabs themselves that many times with a knife! He’s out of his mind!

My mother told me never to associate with people like that!!

Imagining him repeatedly dying and coming back to life in a pool of blood made me feel sick.

As I slowly backed away, he closed the distance just as much.

Eden Croyden bent down, gripped the table firmly with both hands, and lowered his head.

When I came to my senses, I found myself trapped between Eden Croyden’s body and the table. Our eyes met.

“So, have you thought about my proposal?”

“Haha, which proposal might you be referring to, I don’t quite…”

“About destroying the world together.”

As if I would have thought about that!

“A week is too short to decide whether to destroy the world or not.”

“Do you really need a week to decide whether to accomplish something so grand?”

He asked.

“Who was it that asked for a week to think about it, saying a second wasn’t enough?”

“…”

“Well, it doesn’t matter even if you don’t want to.”

Eden said casually.

“I’m going to destroy the world anyway. And God wants that too.”

“That’s not…”

I muttered timidly.

Eden Croyden clearly heard but blatantly ignored it.

“You don’t want to accomplish this great task with me?”

“Couldn’t you accomplish the great task alone?”

“Think carefully. This kind of opportunity isn’t given to just anyone.”

“This kind of opportunity shouldn’t be given to anyone at all.”

I retorted firmly, but he didn’t seem to care at all.

Why am I caught up in this ordeal?

I truly, deeply regretted it from the bottom of my heart. Killing him.

If he hadn’t died, he wouldn’t have awakened that damned resurrection ability, and everything would have been peaceful. He wouldn’t have reaffirmed his will to destroy the world again.

Slipping out from under his arm, I carefully opened my mouth.

“If you ask me… I think you might be misunderstanding God’s intention.”

“Misunderstanding?”

“God just wanted to give you another chance. Because you’re too precious to die like this.”

“A chance for what?”

“…A chance to… save people?”

Even as I said it, my voice trailed off with uncertainty.

A chance to save people, my foot.

If such a thing existed, God would have given it to Arthur Cameron.

Seeing my wavering eyes, Eden Croyden said.

“Don’t you feel it yourself that what you just said is nonsense?”

“…”

“If God wanted to save people, He would have given this ability to Arthur Cameron. Why would He give it to me?”

Wow, I just had the same thought.

I couldn’t answer and avoided his gaze.

“What if I go to Arthur Cameron and tell him your plan?”

“Do you have proof?”

“…”

Eden straightened his back and put his hands behind him.

“He knows me too. But do you know why he can’t report me?”

“…”

“Because there’s no proof. Who in the world would think the Marquis of Croyden is plotting to destroy the world? Even if he is a hero, do you think he’d believe the words of a commoner?”

“Why are you telling me all of this?”

At my question, the master smiled. I’ll say it again—his face is truly handsome. The problem is he wants to use that beauty to destroy the world.

“Because you’re mine?”

I am your maid, but the phrasing is a bit…

“And to gain your cooperation. I can’t just let go of God’s messenger.”

Ah, damn.

Whether I made a disgusted face or not, the master’s expression looked firm.

“Perfect timing. I hear there’s a charity party next week. I’ll take you there.”

“Why me?”

“What do you mean, why? To introduce you to Arthur Cameron.”

He wants to introduce me to Arthur Cameron?

“Why on earth?”

Eden Croyden’s lips curled up.

“To get under his skin.”

Hearing those words, I firmly resolved.

I have to run away.

Within a week. Before next week arrives.

That was the moment I started planning my escape.

Unexpectedly, Eden Croyden showed a favorable reaction toward me. He didn’t punish me for trying to rob his safe, didn’t hang me upside down from a tree and beat me, and even offered to include me in his business.

Ah, by “business” here, I mean a euphemism for “Eden Croyden’s World Destruction Plan.”

Because of the message that appeared before his eyes when he first died, he seemed to firmly believe that I was “God’s sent helper for world destruction.”

This couldn’t be more unfortunate. I just want to live a peaceful and comfortable life here, and now I’ve suddenly found myself in a position of being scouted by the villain.

He even said he would take me to a charity party. To introduce me to the original story’s protagonist, Arthur Cameron.

Would that bad-tempered villain, Eden Croyden, simply introduce me as his maid?

To thoroughly irritate Arthur Cameron, he’ll probably say something like this:

“God sent this woman to me, telling me to destroy the world. I will carry out God’s will and destroy the world with her. As expected, God is on my side.^^”

“…”

Should I die?

No, no.

I have to run away.

I brought out the words I had already resolved for the hundred and twenty-first time today.