Chapter 003
In the Kingdom of Tenbrine, they called the powerless “The Unawakened.”
The word had a completely different nuance despite the subtle linguistic shift. Since the population of Unawakened there was so large, discrimination was minimal.
‘I’ll start my new life in a new place.’
Lillian pulled a small sketchbook from her bag.
Flip, flip— With every page she turned, sketches of artifact designs appeared.
‘Heh. Ah, such beautiful things.’
My future source of income!
Artifacts equipped with control stones were, in short, medical devices and accessories rolled into one.
‘Because they regulate the rampages of supernatural users and soothe supernatural disease.’
In this world, the number of Guides was remarkably small compared to the number of supernatural users.
‘Was it said the ratio is roughly 3 to 7?’
If a supernatural user could not find a compatible Guide, they had no choice but to rely on artifacts. The Tillard family led this industry—by draining Lillian dry.
‘They sold the artifacts I created under Iris’s name and never gave me a single penny.’
They told her that people like her should serve Iris. That she couldn’t achieve anything on her own.
But despite her current appearance, in her “past life,” she had established her own workshop entirely from scratch. So, as soon as she processed the memories of her past life, she rushed her preparations. She secretly forged a fake identity and secured a place to earn money in her new home.
Now that she had incapacitated Ramio and the knights, she had to hurry toward the border checkpoint.
After a period of frantic travel—
She finally reached the forest path leading north.
‘I need to meet the mercenaries who will hide me within their group.’
Lillian pulled a map from the bag slung over her shoulder. Both intersecting paths led to the meeting point.
“Which one should I choose?”
Just then, a scent drifted from the right path, gently teasing her sense of smell. It was a pure, mysterious scent, like a forest covered in snow, yet it offered a sense of comfort.
‘Phytoncide is good for mental health.’
Since my future is filled with tasks requiring strong psychological stability, let’s go with the right path.
Lillian stepped forward. It was a small step, but for a trivial villainess in the “original story,” it was a giant leap.
* * *
Aeterna Region, bordering the northern frontier—
Even though it was the beginning of winter, the forest was thick with coniferous trees. It would have been a refreshing sight, if not for the brightly colored monster blood splattered everywhere.
“Don’t let a single one escape.”
“By your command, Your Highness!”
“Kill them cleanly. Without cracking the heart (core).”
Following the commander’s instructions, the ‘Shadows’ swung their weapons with precision. Meanwhile, the one giving the orders, First Prince Evren Tarandia, slaughtered the monsters with total indifference.
In fact, he was nonchalantly humming.
“Hmmmm…”
His long silver hair was tied loosely at his neck. His black military jacket was left open at the chest. He looked every bit like a libertine.
The only reason he didn’t look like a common thug was his breathtaking beauty that emphasized his captivating features.
His emotionless green eyes spotted a wolf-like monster attempting to flee.
‘The last one.’
Ridiculously, that monster emitted the scent of pure, white flowers. But Evren didn’t care and swung his sword. The monster was split lengthwise, meeting its end in an instant.
Splat—
Blood sprayed everywhere.
“…Mm?”
His low humming stopped abruptly.
Behind the monster’s carcass stood a woman in a cloak with pink hair, staring in daze. She was completely covered in the monster’s purple blood.
* * *
A few minutes later, Lillian thought to herself:
Phytoncide is just pseudo-scientific nonsense.
Monsters appear and you’re talking to me about mental health? On top of that, I’m covered in monster blood.
‘Ugh, disgusting…’
Even so, she didn’t scream at the sight of the slaughtered monsters. A living “original story villain” is far more terrifying than dead monsters.
And above all—
“Hmm, you saw it. You saw it.”
“May the Protector of the World be with you. Thank you for the fine towel.”
“My lady, you saw what we were doing, didn’t you?”
“Of course, I am grateful to the First Prince and feel more in awe of him than anyone in this world. I felt the highest degree of Imperial nobility while watching you split those monsters.”
“Did you also feel nobility while I was ripping out their hearts? You flatter me.”
“Oh my, there’s still monster blood in my eyes. Oh.”
Could you not ask me questions while proudly committing an illegal act?
He had publicly ripped the hearts out of the monsters he killed.
The enemy of the heroine Iris and the protagonist, the Second Prince.
An S-rank user with the ‘Power of Annihilation’!
…This villain was lightly tossing and catching the heart of a Forbidden First-Class monster.
This requires permission from the Emperor, which he obviously doesn’t have.
‘I thought he was in the East right now. He lied.’
I researched thoroughly to avoid him before the original story began. How did this happen!
There were many reasons Lillian wanted to avoid Evren Tarandia.
First:
‘I died because the ballroom collapsed due to the war this man started.’
Because he mobilized armies to seize the Imperial Palace. Of course, it was my family who left me behind. But since he was the cause of the accident, it’s impossible not to feel uneasy.
Second:
‘This man is a true villain who can’t be saved even by the heroine’s love!’
One would meet a grim end if fooled by his beautiful, calmly smiling face. He kills if there’s no utility, and discards you if he loses interest. A god of destruction who combines calculation with impulse?
Isn’t he essentially a walking “Hot Iced Americano”? But at least an Americano is a harmless drink. This man is an S-rank weapon. I pity the Guide who will have to endure him.
‘Anyway, Iris will be the one to endure him, so I don’t feel bad for her.’
His occupation of the palace in the “original story” was for the purpose of taking Iris.
But now, Lillian was the one who had to face him. She continued to rub her eyes vigorously, pretending she hadn’t seen the illegal acts.
Rub, rub—
“Why was the Lady passing through here specifically…?”
“Oh, the reason I’m here is… I ran away from home, Your Highness. Ah, my eyes.”
“Hmm. Running away from home…”
“My fiancé cheated on me with my cousin, can you believe that? So I felt hurt and decided to get away for a bit, but—”
What if the mercenaries I agreed to meet leave while we’re stuck here? But at that moment, knights in black military uniforms emerged from the forest path.
“Your Highness! We’re finished here as well!”
“Did you catch everyone?”
“Yes. We’ve apprehended all the mercenaries without work permits and deported them.”
“They never understand no matter how many times we say we’ll throw anyone who doesn’t renew their permit into prison.”
…Why? Why is he arresting others while he himself is committing illegal acts? Once again, life is truly unfair.
Then Evren tilted his head. He was a man as beautiful as snow. And though his eyes were smiling, they were as cold as a grave.
“I wonder why? Why I can’t believe that the quiet Tillard daughter has run away from home…”
“Loyal citizens have the right to run away from their homes too, Your Highness. And even the quiet ones do it.”
“Then how can I trust your loyalty? I can’t use my ability against you while you are innocent…”
“…….”
“I only know how to deal with monsters and fools. It bothers me greatly that I can’t use those methods against the dear Tillard daughter.”
Does it really bother you? I feel like you’re looking for an excuse to use your Annihilation power.
‘With that power, one could dream of a perfect crime.’
Impressive. But being the target is not impressive at all.
‘Think fast.’
Why is he here? Think of a way to deceive him and get past this situation!
Suddenly, an idea struck Lillian like lightning.
“In truth, I was on my way to the Aeterna region in the North.”
“Ho…”
“Because I recently discovered a new vein of control stones there.”
At that, for the first time, the villain’s smile vanished.
I hit the mark!
The core material of a control stone is the power injected by a ‘Guide.’ But of course, minerals are needed to hold that power.
However—
‘The Tillard family monopolizes them and never sells them to the villain’s side.’
Moreover, this man hasn’t met a compatible Guide yet.
‘So he uses monster hearts as a substitute.’
Unlike control stones, the time available before a rampage is short, and if a rampage occurs, it’s far more dangerous. But it’s better than nothing.
…So!
“Since news of my escape will reach the main house late, I was on my way there.”
And that place isn’t far from the border checkpoint either…
“That’s amazing. It’s a coincidence that I’m headed toward Aeterna as well.”
Liar.
“My goodness, that’s wonderful!”
But I’m a liar too!
Clap—!
Lillian clapped her hands and smiled.
“I want my escape to last as long as possible. I want to completely grate on my family’s nerves. And grating on the Tillard family’s nerves is something that pleases Your Highness too, isn’t it?”
“…….”
“Pardon me, I will gratefully accept the honor of joining Your Highness’s procession. When shall we prepare to leave?”
Isn’t this before the start of the original story?
‘Instead of avoiding him, if it’s inevitable…!’
I’ll use the original story’s villain and move under the protection of elite knights for free. Then I’ll run away when the opportunity arises!
