Chap 93-Cruel Bastards

 

A crimson rift torn open in the middle of the ‘Farm’.

A woman walked towards the gate of hell, spewing out an ominous energy.

She gazed down with mixed feelings at the red-haired girl, who looked astonishingly like herself and had become the core of the gate.

She was a talented child.

Her talent as a Librarian might even surpass Karen Medici, the great founder of the Medici Family.

That was how much Cassandra expected from her.

But.

That was why it was unavoidable.

To drag that monster, who twisted stories as it pleased, onto the stage.

In the end, that Librarian’s talent was necessary.

Kugugugung-

The ground rumbled around Camilla’s body, and an unpleasant vibration spread.

And the moment that vibration stopped as if it were a lie.

Camilla slowly opened her eyes.

Red hair, white skin.

She looked just like her daughter always did.

Except for one thing, her eyes.

The ruby-colored eyes, as vivid as her hair, that the Medici Family had possessed for generations…

Were dyed as black as the abyss.

Cassandra knew.

That the being opening those eyes was no longer her daughter.

The crimson rift slowly closed, as if swallowing space.

An ominous light flickered one last time, and then the gate disappeared without a trace.

An eerie silence descended on the hellish battlefield.

In that space, Cassandra knelt reverently and lowered her head.

“I greet the great being.”

At those words, a black flame faintly flickered deep within Camilla’s eyes.

She stared into the empty air and muttered to herself.

“I am… I am…”

Her lips moved, but the next words never came out.

Silence.

An invisible force cast a dark shadow over her forehead.

She wanted to say her name.

She wanted to prove her existence.

But something unknown was blocking her voice.

A miserable situation where she couldn’t even say her own name.

Camilla, or rather, the Evil God in Camilla’s form, felt unpleasant and uneasy about that fact.

She narrowed her eyes.

With an expression mixed with annoyance and resignation, she slowly raised her hand.

She moved her unfamiliar fingers as if she were a newborn being.

Thin, white hand.

It was a long, smooth human hand.

And she looked down at her feet.

Two feet standing on dusty ground.

One step.

Just taking one step caused the surrounding air to tremble and tear.

“Impressive. To be able to contain me to this extent.”

The Evil God said with admiration.

“Her talent alone is sufficient. She needs to grow a bit more, but with this, she should be able to breach the security of the Akashic Records.”

At those words, a deep elation appeared on Cassandra’s face, who had been bowing her head.

“What is Wrath doing?”

The Evil God asked.

“Lagriel is on standby to attack them at any time.”

Cassandra answered immediately.

“You’ve dealt with those interlopers, right?”

“Those two won’t be able to escape from there for a while.”

A satisfied smile appeared on the Evil God’s lips.

“Is there any possibility that they suspect us?”

The Evil God asked.

“There is no possibility.”

Cassandra replied with a confident voice.

“They have already decided on the culprit for this incident.”

She hesitated for a moment before adding.

“It seems… they are trying to gather more ‘faith of malice’ with this opportunity.”

At those words, the Evil God gave a bitter smile.

“Cruel bastards.”

Was it because the word ‘cruel’ came from his mouth, and not from another being?

Cassandra flinched without realizing it.

The Evil God turned his gaze away for a moment and looked around.

His black eyes captured the figure of Bella, lying far away on the ground.

“This will reduce suspicion.”

The Evil God said, approaching Bella.

He effortlessly lifted the unconscious Bella with ease.

And said to Cassandra.

“Let’s go.”

The Evil God slowly moved his feet, holding Bella.

Behind him, the rising sunlight quietly shone.

…

It was a quiet and weighty office with a dignified charm.

The name ‘Mason’ was clearly engraved on the nameplate on the desk.

The Mirage Times, known to the world as a righteous newspaper that stood against the corruption of the Bennet Family and exposed the truth about the villainess Yeon Bennet.

How would people react?

If they knew that the director of that newspaper was actually a collateral relative of the Bennet Family and a loyal vassal, Mason Blanc.

Mason let out a cold sigh.

Just now, an order had been issued from his master, who had been missing.

All preparations were already complete.

With just a simple command, he could perfectly carry out his master’s will.

But…

Really, is this okay?

The black-haired girl who said she wanted to change while smiling.

The way she bowed her head to him, a subordinate, to ask for treatment just because a maid’s family was sick.

And…

The day everyone in the mansion died.

Her face, wailing in despair amidst the blood and ashes, came to mind.

What was he doing then?

Even though he knew it could be dangerous, he simply neglected her good deeds according to the Duke’s orders.

He didn’t reveal his skills even though he had the power to save more people.

He had to be the family’s ‘shadow’.

After that, he established the newspaper according to the Duke’s orders, and in the process, the things he had done to her were so terrible that they could not be undone.

He framed her for things she didn’t do and made the world turn its back on her.

He thoroughly isolated her so that she couldn’t receive help from anyone.

That foolishly kind and gentle girl…

He threw her into the middle of hell.

All the family had done for her was a little money and the shallow consideration of keeping her alive.

It was disgusting.

Himself, and this whole plan.

But even so, he couldn’t stop.

Because what they had done was more effective than anything else.

Nourished by the faith of malice, she had now become a strategic weapon that easily handled countless magical beasts.

For the first time since the war with the magical beasts began, humanity was facing an unprecedented period of peace thanks to the sacrifice of her alone.

Yes.

Coming this far.

Was he now… disgustingly regretting it?

A self-deprecating smile hung on Mason’s lips.

He had already done all the things he shouldn’t have…

He reached out his trembling hand and pressed the communication crystal orb on the desk.

“…Release the article.”

…

Outside the ‘Farm’, around dawn.

The temporary camp, bearing the clear marks of the all-night struggle, was filled with activity.

“More pressure bandages here! Over here for patients with excessive bleeding!”

Emilia tirelessly moved around the camp, treating the injured students.

Each time the blue light of healing that bloomed from her fingertips touched them, the students’ painful groans gradually subsided.

For now, there seemed to be no fatalities, except for a few whose fate was still unknown.

Emilia let out a sigh of relief, but on the other hand, her heart was heavy.

‘Is the young lady… alright?’

What terrible hardships must she have gone through to save so many students without any support?

And that immature white cat who followed her.

‘I just hope she didn’t cause any trouble…’

She was also worried about the situation outside.

The total offensive of the magical beasts, which had been quiet for a while.

It was definitely a vile act to prevent reinforcements from being sent to the ‘Farm’.

“Who on earth is it!”

Professor Merlin, the head of this exam and the homeroom teacher of Class A, stormed into the camp, panting.

The professors around her looked at her with bewildered expressions.

“An article has already spread throughout Terra that the ‘Farm’ was attacked and the students are in danger! Thanks to that, there are enormous protests and pressure from the students’ families!”

Professor Merlin shouted, almost crying.

“And… and… even the culprit of this incident, which even we haven’t figured out yet! How on earth!”

She shouted, throwing the newspaper she was holding to the ground.

‘The culprit of this incident…?’

For some reason, Emilia’s heart sank.

An ominous premonition enveloped her body.

She slowly bent down and picked up the newspaper that had fallen to the ground.

And the huge headline that filled the front page of the newspaper was etched in her eyes.

[Breaking News] Academy Midterm Exam Disaster, is the mastermind the ‘villainess’ Yeon Bennet?!

-Evidence secured of collusion with Contamination Worshiper-

Emilia’s hands trembled.

The article meticulously listed ‘evidence’ that Yeon had colluded with Contamination Worshiper to plan this attack.

And at the end of the article, there was a chilling warning that all the righteous citizens of Terra would keep their eyes open to ensure that she would not escape this time by relying on her power.

Thud.

Because her hands were trembling so much, the newspaper slipped back to the ground.

But Emilia no longer had time to care about that.

She desperately shouted towards Merlin.

“T, this isn’t true! There’s no accurate evidence yet…!”

“Watch your mouth, Professor Emilia.”

Merlin cut her off with an ice-cold voice.

Then, she looked at Emilia with suspicious eyes, as if piercing through her.

“You. Do you perhaps know something?”

“T, that’s…”

Emilia couldn’t say anything.

The truth about the young lady.

But it was a secret that should never be spoken.

Merlin lightly patted her shoulder, as if giving advice.

“It seems that the other families who almost lost their heirs this time are very angry.”

“It would be best not to give them a reason to pick a fight and get involved.”

“…….”

Merlin looked at Emilia’s despairing figure and let out a deep sigh.

“Unfortunately… the truth doesn’t matter anymore.”

Thump.

With those words, Emilia’s legs gave way.

She simply slumped to the ground and stared blankly at the air.