Chap 72-Traitor

 

Yeon Bennet’s distorted face, bound by ropes and writhing in pain.

And the cruel words and ruthless commands she had so casually uttered before her.

The sight of that small body trembling convulsively as the followers plunged daggers into her skin.

Those deeds, committed to overcome her own weakness, now haunted Camilla as terrible nightmares every night.

She repeatedly woke up in a cold sweat, and even during the day, the scene would suddenly flash in her mind, twisting her insides.

The memory of that day remained a deep, indelible scar in her heart.

So, Camilla avoided Yeon.

She tried hard to stay away, fearing she might run into her, and if their eyes happened to meet, she would quickly flee.

Even when they were assigned to the same group for a project, she completely ignored Yeon, treating her as if she didn’t exist.

Because she didn’t want to face her own sins that surfaced every time she saw the girl’s face.

Because she never wanted to recall the image of that child, who had suffered endlessly by her own hand, by her own commands.

But…

Not anymore.

…

“According to your report, she must be a Contamination Worshiper.”

Her mother, Cassandra Medici’s voice was calm as usual, but it contained conviction.

Camilla, surprised by her mother’s sudden assertion, asked back.

“What? A Contamination Worshiper? But…”

“Didn’t you say you saw it yourself? Regeneration to the point of surviving even after her head exploded. That cannot be explained unless it’s at least a transcendent-level divine power. Then, there’s only one possibility left. She must have obtained such a deformed divine power by borrowing the power of Contamination.”

Her mother’s words sounded reasonable.

Considering the numerous misdeeds Yeon Bennet was known to have committed so far, it would be stranger if she wasn’t a Contamination Worshiper.

All those atrocities might have been evidence of her being consumed by Contamination.

But… if so, how had she evaded the Holy Theocracy’s tight surveillance network until now?

A question arose in Camilla’s mind, and she asked her mother about it.

“That’s what’s even more frightening, my daughter.”

Cassandra’s eyes gleamed coldly.

“A simple Contamination Worshiper could never do that. I assert that there must have been meticulous intervention from the deepest part of that organization, a high-ranking executive. Perhaps… there might be a greater conspiracy hidden that even we don’t know about.”

‘Th-That…!’

Hearing her mother’s words, Camilla gasped without realizing it.

The misdeeds she had committed, with her pushover nature…

Perhaps all of that was possible because there was such a huge mastermind behind it.

Camilla inwardly accepted it that way, and at the same time, she felt even a shred of pity for Yeon Bennet disappear.

“Daughter, listen carefully.”

Cassandra grabbed Camilla’s shoulders and said seriously.

“Right now, the fate of this entire Terra… may depend on you.”

“Yes?”

“I’ve suspected for a long time that there is a traitor among these five great ducal families.”

Camilla was shocked by Cassandra’s shocking confession.

“…A traitor? Then, could it be… the Bennet Family…?”

“Yes. Right now, there’s a high possibility that they are the traitors. Isaac Bennett’s recent actions, and Yeon Bennet. Everything points to them.”

Cassandra’s voice was full of conviction.

“Then… from now on…”

Her mother began to instruct Camilla on what she had to do from now on.

But from that moment on, Camilla could no longer properly hear her mother’s words.

‘Traitor… the Bennet Family… Yeon Bennet… Contamination Worshiper…’

Those words swirled in her head.

The cruel torture she had inflicted on Yeon Bennet.

The plan to use her for the sake of the family.

And the uncomfortable feelings she had felt in the process.

All of that melted away like snow.

Guilt? There was no need to feel such a thing.

The girl she had tormented and tortured was not just an ordinary student of the same age attending the academy.

She was a wicked and malicious Contamination Worshiper who was eating away at Terra, and even a hopeless villain who might be deeply involved with the high-ranking members of that organization.

Camilla unknowingly let out a sigh of relief.

What did the insults and torture inflicted on such an existence matter?

Camilla gently stroked the ring on her right ring finger once.

The family’s emblem, with mysterious patterns engraved on it, which her mother had specially gifted her for this mission.

The ring seemed to further solidify her resolve.

‘First, approach her again.’

And on the day of the midterm practical exam.

That day, the very moment Yeon Bennet leaves the academy’s protection and steps outside, her family, the Medici Family, will move.

She would end everything then.

“So…”

Camilla made an effort to put on a hesitant, or perhaps apologetic expression.

“Actually… I wanted to apologize to you for what happened last time.”

…

‘…This is driving me crazy, seriously.’

I laughed inwardly.

Before my eyes was Camilla, who had slightly lowered her head and was making a sincere-looking apology.

But right now, I didn’t care about such theatrics.

I was seeing something else beyond her hypocritical expression.

Something so secretly and cleverly hidden that even I almost didn’t notice it.

‘Elise gave me a headache for a while, and now it’s you, Camilla?’

I glared at her with cold eyes.

More precisely, at the ring on her right ring finger.

It was a rather expensive-looking ring with the Medici Family crest intricately engraved on it.

And from that ring… faint but ominous energy of Contamination was flowing out, so faint that even I, with the Evil God’s power, almost missed it.

It was so thoroughly hidden that even I, with the Evil God’s power, almost passed it by without knowing.

“So, an apology?”

I glared at Camilla with a cold expression and said.

“Do you think I can easily forgive you with just a few words after being treated like that?”

Camilla’s shoulders twitched slightly at my words, but she tried to maintain a calm expression and said.

“Then… I’ll compensate you as much as you want for the damage you’ve suffered. And I’ll stop the other students from bullying you anymore.”

I squinted and looked at Camilla.

“That’s strange… you’re not the kind of woman to say such things, Camilla?”

“I just… had a change of heart.”

“Hmm…”

I put on an evil smile that I had practiced countless times in front of the mirror.

“Then, repay me with your body.”

“…What…?”

Camilla’s face was filled with bewilderment at my words, and her eyes widened.

I nonchalantly approached her and gently grabbed her right hand.

And subtly, I touched the ring on her ring finger.

“Wh-What are you doing!”

Camilla was horrified and quickly pulled her hand away.

As if she had been burned.

“Oh my, what’s wrong?”

I asked with an innocent expression.

“That’s a pretty ring. Did your mother give it to you?”

Camilla’s mind seemed to have stopped due to my sudden physical contact and question, and she nodded absentmindedly.

Then, as if belatedly regaining her senses, her face flushed.

“It suits you very well, that ring.”

I whispered softly.

“Wh-What… why are you saying that all of a sudden…”

Camilla’s face turned as red as a tomato.

She was flustered and avoided my gaze.

I brought my face close to hers.

And with the most seductive expression I could muster, I whispered in her ear.

“What, Camilla? Haven’t you heard the rumors?”

I could feel Camilla’s body stiffen at my whisper.

She couldn’t say anything and just breathed heavily.

“So… the compensation I want isn’t something trivial like money or power, Camilla.”

I whispered in her ear in a secretive voice.

“What I want… is you. How about it…?”

“Y-You crazy bitch…!”

She pushed me away with a horrified expression and stood up abruptly, heading outside.

The way she moved hastily, as if running away, was quite a sight to see.

“Where are you going?”

When I asked with a sly tone, she answered without looking back.

“…I need time to think.”

“Is that so?”

I smiled evilly once again and said.

“I’ll be waiting, Camilla. You have to think carefully and give me an answer, right?”

At my words, Camilla paused just before opening the door, then turned around and glanced at me with an expression full of contempt before leaving.

The sound of the door slamming shut echoed in the hallway.

After Camilla had completely disappeared, the playful smile on my face vanished.

I raised my right hand and looked down at the finger that had touched Camilla’s ring earlier.

When I touched the ring, I felt it for sure.

It wasn’t just a simple accessory.

I couldn’t tell exactly what kind of power it held, but an evil and ominous force, mediated by Contamination, was condensed within it.

It was a much more refined and powerful kind, different from ordinary Contamination.

And if even I, with the Evil God’s power, could barely feel that energy…

This was not a normal problem.

There were very few beings who could wield this much power. It was the power of a very powerful being, perhaps one belonging to the highest ranks.

Even when playing the game, there was definitely a hint that one of the five great ducal families was colluding.

But it wasn’t clearly revealed which family it was.

And that it was… the Medici Family.

Why them of all people…

How much does Camilla… know?

Does she also know this fact?

Or is she just being used without knowing anything?

My head became complicatedly entangled.

The magical beast attack that would occur during the midterm exam, and the Medici Family’s conspiracy.

The thought that I might have to face all of that alone made me cover my head with both hands.

‘What… what should I do in this situation…’