Chapter 82
Evan didn’t bother to say that he wasn’t an enemy.
He simply stated that during his stay in Winchester, he wanted to be treated not as a hostage, but as a valuable ally.
Evan shared with Ricardo a few past events, including his regression.
He also told him that Sasha Winchester was special—and that he intended to protect her.
— Winchester follows the law of power. You’ll have to prove yourself more useful than the knights guarding Sasha.
Evan knew that even if he gave it his all right now, he still couldn’t defeat Ricardo.
Even though his special ability had reawakened, his body still needed to grow before it could stabilize.
Originally, he had no intention of catching Ricardo’s eye.
— Especially if you’re thinking of using my daughter.
If it weren’t for Sasha Winchester’s existence, that would’ve been the case.
But the dangers ahead were too threatening for her.
Just like the two monsters before, their goals were painfully clear.
Amidst the falling snow, Evan spoke in a low voice, sharing what he knew.
— After Behemoth and Leviathan, the next monster is the Dark Eagle.
The knowledge he had accumulated over multiple regressions was vast enough that he could sense the presence of almost anything with his eyes closed.
— Wolf, snake, and now… eagle.
The Dark Eagle was a monster possessing intelligence, and though its last specimen had gone extinct long ago, it was troublesome for one reason: it could use brainwashing.
Anyone who looked into its eyes would fall into a hypnotic state.
— What the Dark Eagle loves is Bloodstone.
Bloodstone was a crimson mineral buried in the central lands of Parameña.
The townsfolk used the geothermal heat from the stone to craft bullets.
The Dark Eagle enjoyed that geothermal energy as much as any magical stone.
— I’ll be back.
Evan raised his eyes with a cold look as his lips moved. Ricardo’s mouth twisted ever so slightly.
He didn’t like the defiant gleam in that Taylor boy’s eyes.
— And I don’t intend to use her. It’s just that… this time, I don’t want to see her wear that face again.
It was obvious what he was acting for.
Even though Evan had no intention of surrendering her, even if the world perished, his arrogance was still unbearable.
— Support Rowen.
Ricardo ordered Evan, then passed him by and headed into the mansion.
Evan was no longer an outsider.
He had become both a steppingstone for trust between the families and a manifestation of solidarity against a shared enemy.
And at the center of it all stood Sasha Winchester.
But this uneasy feeling…
From Evan’s gaze, Ricardo felt a strange déjà vu, as if staring into a mirror.
For someone who had never cherished anything, that could sometimes become a weakness.
Not that one realizes it before it’s too late.
“Now I can preserve it for a long time!”
I exclaimed excitedly after purchasing a 40-ruby Pill-Maker at the shop.
[Processes the target substance into an easy-to-consume form while preserving its effects.]
My rubies were all but gone, but it was far better than living in constant anxiety about when the Divine Beast’s flower might wilt.
I entered the grand assembly hall Ricardo had given me and carefully harvested the flower of the Divine Beast.
Maya assisted me with gardening shears.
“Milady, you really should leave this to the servants.”
“There’s no way I’d entrust these treasures to anyone else.”
This wasn’t just a treasure—it was my lifeline.
“All done!”
I cried out with satisfaction as I looked at the now-bare tree.
Though the flowers were gone, the branches still glowed with a holy light.
“Do you think more flowers will grow?”
“Hmm… who knows.”
It would be nice if they did, but I didn’t expect such a rare divine essence to sprout again so soon.
“It’s still beautiful as it is.”
I looked up at the sacred tree with a satisfied smile.
Even without flowers, the roots could serve as ingredients for elixirs. That alone gave the tree immense value.
It also had a unique beauty—holy life rooted amidst Winchester’s bleak architecture.
I harvested a total of nineteen blossoms and brought them to my room, where I began making pills.
Halfway through, hunger hit me, so I sent Maya to fetch a snack.
“Oh, it really works!”
I cheered when, after inserting a flower into the pill-maker, a small pill popped out.
Each pill was about half the size of a pinky nail. I stored them in my inventory.
Seeing nineteen Divine Essences safely tucked away, I felt content.
Now, barring any major incident, I would no longer need to live in constant fear of my frail body.
“Let’s try one more.”
I popped one into my mouth.
[Life Force has increased. +10]
My life force was now 56.
I could feel a newfound vigor coursing through me.
Just in case, I picked up a pencil and gripped it tightly.
“……”
Of course, nothing happened.
Naturally, an increase in life force didn’t mean greater strength.
That sort of ability fell under Stamina and Strength.
[Name: Sasha Winchester (LV.8)]
[Class: Budding Savior]
[Trait: Key of Mecchius]
[Stats: Stamina 28 / Strength 20 / Ability 10 / Intelligence 41 / Life Force 56]
If it hadn’t been for the quest reward that raised my stats by eight at once, my stamina and strength would’ve still been pitifully low.
Pretty on the outside, but physically worthless.
And I still didn’t know what benefits came with higher “Ability.” Could it grant stronger powers to others? If so…
“Milady, I brought your snack.”
While I was lost in thought, Maya’s voice came from the doorway.
But instead of entering, she peeked in with an awkward expression.
“Um… Milady.”
“Yes?”
“Someone’s here to see you.”
Judging from her expression, the visitor was right behind her.
Who could it be? Jin had gone to Rosento to report on the Leviathan incident, and Ricardo was said to be busy with the riot issue.
As I wondered, a voice I didn’t want to hear reached me.
“…Hello, Sasha.”
I froze, my face cooling at the sight of someone bound to be troublesome.
The girl in a crimson dress was someone I knew all too well.
Not that we were close.
“……”
Permetis Winchester—our collateral kin, currently living in the mansion for her fostered education.
She held three red roses in her hands.
I stepped closer to the doorway, standing before her, and looked up.
“What is it?”
Permetis briefly averted her eyes, exhaling a small sigh.
A few seconds later, she spoke, her reddish eyes reflecting my face.
“I came to thank you for what happened the other day.”
“…I thought we were all going to die.”
Sitting across from me at the balcony table, Permetis spoke softly.
I silently sipped my tea, listening.
“If it hadn’t been for Brother Jin, we’d all be dead.”
Her gaze dropped, her hands trembling faintly as though recalling that horrific moment.
“And if it hadn’t been for you.”
I remembered her face—pale white with fear.
Even Bashron and the others hadn’t been much help in that situation.
Permetis slowly raised her head, meeting my eyes.
The hostility I’d once seen there was gone.
“I saw it… that white light shining from your hand.”
“……”
Even her gestures were softer than usual.
“Everyone saw it. It was… incredible.”
Almost awkwardly so.
She wore a faint smile.
“I know you possess a power different from ours. I don’t know what it is, but still.”
“……”
“Our relationship hasn’t been good, but I think it can be repaired. Maybe, in some way, we could even become friends.”
I stared at the milk swirling in my cup before speaking.
“So basically, you’re using gratitude as an excuse…”
The roses she’d brought were the same variety I’d once seen at the summer villa.
Remembering that near-death incident cooled my heart.
“You came here to pry into my power.”
I fixed my eyes on her, voice sharp.
I could see her strained attempt at friendliness falter, her face twisting.
“We can’t be friends. You don’t want that either.”
Her mask was paper-thin.
“……”
Once an enemy, always an enemy.
Permetis finally tore off the mask, glaring at me with open hostility before rising to her feet.
“…You’ll regret treating me like this.”
Then, with a frigid look, she left my room.
She must have come here under Bashron’s orders—punishment would surely await her.
No sooner had she left than a commotion came from the doorway.
“What is this trash? Get lost!!”
Permetis’s sharp voice rang out.
A moment later, a somewhat dispirited Cacillion poked his head in.
“…Sister of ingredients.”
