episode_0038

“Your complexion seems to have improved a bit. Is it because of your mood?”

“No. Today, I really feel full of energy.”

Could it be because she didn’t take the daily dose of poison?

Or is it because so many good things happened today?

Today’s Cornelia is completely different from yesterday.

“Ah. The morning air feels so refreshing. I forgot that every time I breathed, my throat hurt.”

Of course, even yesterday, she shone with beauty amidst her exhaustion, but she looked like a pitiful flower on the verge of wilting.

On the other hand, today, her color has come back to life.

It’s not a dramatic improvement, but there is hope for further progress.

One thing is for sure, Cornelia has now passed the crisis point.

“Sorry for being late.”

“Huh? You came early enough. Thanks to you, I survived.”

“…”

Cornelia says, clapping her hands.

No. She was late.

And by twelve years.

Cornelia suffered abuse from a villain who worshipped the devil in a blind spot I couldn’t see.

The fact that I was so close but completely unaware of it keeps gnawing at my conscience.

“The mansion is much quieter now.”

“Yes. I finally feel a bit at ease. Even though the mansion was bustling and noisy, I always felt alone in between. Today, even though it’s just the two of us, the mansion feels full.”

Walking through the quiet hall, they listen to the echoing sound of their footsteps throughout the mansion.

Their footsteps overlap and resonate.

It’s a strange feeling, like walking through an empty house after everyone has left.

Glancing to the side, Cornelia clasps her hands and fixes her gaze on my face.

“Um… Eugene.”

“Yes.”

“You can speak comfortably.”

“I’m a commoner, is it okay?”

“Please…”

“Then let’s do that.”

“Yes. I’m more comfortable this way.”

Did Lawrence let his guard down?

I find that speaking informally is more comfortable.

From now on, I have to say cruel things to Cornelia.

“So, what are you thinking of doing now, Vice Count?”

“Well, first, I plan to resign as Vice Count.”

Cornelia replies with a smile.

Of course.

‘Vice Count.’

Cornelia despises this word that reminds her of Lawrence.

“Now that no one can stop me. Of course, the family members will criticize and restrain me, but… unless I voluntarily step down, all the authority as the head of the family belongs to me.”

Cornelia’s eyes shine as she speaks.

The lifeless doll-like eyes regain color.

Like a teenage girl talking about her dreams, she excitedly lays out her plans.

“I will sell this mansion, liquidate all assets, and drive out everyone… ultimately, the goal is to dismantle the Briumga family. They are a family that worships the devil. If that is exposed, we can easily break the family into pieces…”

“Cornelia. I’m sorry, but you can’t do that.”

“…What?”

But I have to shatter Cornelia’s dream.

As I interrupt, a look of confusion appears on Cornelia’s face.

It’s as if she’s asking why I would say such a thing.

“We made a deal. I would kill Lawrence for you.”

“I will support you.”

“I remember that.”

“I will support you. The Hildegarde family is a powerful one. If you need any help…”

“In reality, I mainly need financial support. I heard that Hildegarde is still struggling financially. If I’m mistaken, please let me know.”

“…”

Cornelia’s mouth closes, unable to refute.

She bites her dark lips and remains silent, unable to say anything.

Even so, her gaze still lingers on my face, sending a pleading look.

Please, don’t do this, her eyes beg.

“I won’t disclose that Lawrence was a minion of the devil. I won’t dismantle Briemga. Cornelia, I hope you can take control of Briemga as the acting viscount.”

“Ah…”

As if delivering a final verdict, a cruel demand is made to Cornelia.

To give up her dreams once again.

To lead the Briem family, whose surname she despised like a brand, the family of the man who tried to kill her.

I can’t bring myself to meet Cornelia’s eyes.

I’m afraid of the resentful look she will cast upon me, so I can’t look straight at her.

How would it feel to receive the cruelest demand from someone you thought came to save you?

It’s hard to imagine.

“I understand…”

After a long silence, Cornelia finally speaks.

Her answer is, as expected, affirmative.

Reluctantly, she agrees to my unreasonable demand.

Glancing back, I see Cornelia fidgeting with her fingers, her head hanging low.

It seems she is deeply disappointed.

It’s quite heartbreaking to disappoint someone’s expectations, someone you’ve never betrayed before.

Slowly, I lift Cornelia’s chin and look into her eyes, tears welling up in her eyes.

Ignoring her, I slip my hand inside Cornelia’s collar.

As my hand touches her collarbone, Cornelia’s body trembles, and a moan escapes her lips.

“Ugh…”

“Cornelia, don’t be too disheartened. Listen. The truth is, I didn’t come here to save you.”

To avoid any misunderstandings, I make it clear.

You’re not a princess trapped in a castle, and I’m not a knight who came to rescue you.

I just came to find a treasure and happened to meet you.

“It’s hard to explain, but I came here for a different purpose…”

Whispering quietly, I take off the pearl necklace around Cornelia’s neck and caress it.

One by one.

I search for my ‘real goal’ in coming here by touching each pearl.

“Saving you was just a secondary goal.”

I found it.

The real goal of coming here.

As I touch one of the pearls, a system window appears before my eyes.

[Achievement Unlocked]

[Discovering the Legacy of the Former Hero!]

[As a reward for achieving the achievement, the trait ‘Weak Point’ is granted.]

[Trait: Weak Point]

[You can see the weaknesses of monsters. It is effective against all types of monsters.]

In truth, I almost forgot about saving Cornelia in the midst of my busy schedule.

But in any case, my main goal in coming to Koenig was the trait Weak Point, essential for conquering the final boss.

“I’m not someone who does charity work. If you give, you should also receive.”

“I understand… Compared to the price of my life, it’s cheap…”

“Thank you for understanding.”

Swiftly.

I place the pearl necklace back around her neck and take a step back.

Unnoticed, tears flow down Cornelia’s cheeks and stain the carpet.

I thought I had become accustomed to seeing a woman’s tears after seeing them many times.

But I can’t help it and take another step closer.

“Still, don’t forget. I’m always on your side.”

“Sob…”

“Even so, post-care is important. If you ever have any problems, feel free to call me. I’ll come running in a month.”

I wipe Cornelia’s tears and make a solemn promise.

I’m not sure how heavily it will be received.

However, the words of the person who came to cut Lawrence’s throat must have been quite convincing.

I am willing to take full responsibility until the end.

Human hearts are fickle by nature, so even if they receive a favor once, they are likely to forget it later.

If the after-service is lacking, Cornelia will quickly betray me and dismantle Briemga.

I cannot allow that to happen.

Briemga must remain forever, serving as my reliable backing.

Therefore, I have no choice but to treat Cornelia as my only ally in all directions and try to win her over.

“Your face is still marked. It’s not completely healed yet.”

After wiping my cheeks and stepping back, Cornelia approaches me and gently touches my face.

Just before her fingers touch my face.

Cornelia’s hand hesitates slightly, trembling.

“It’s okay. It’ll get better soon… Ouch.”

“It must hurt…”

With a sigh, she touches my wound, causing me to wince.

It’s the spot where she applied ointment with great care just a moment ago.

She might make the wound worse by touching it like this.

I grab Cornelia’s wrist and pull her hand away, causing her lips to quiver and sob.

“Thank you… Thank you so much, Eugene…”

“…”

“I said you could call me anytime. Can I call you when I can’t sleep at night?”

“That’s…”

“Haha. I’m just kidding. I won’t bother you with trivial things. I don’t want to be seen as a shepherd girl. I don’t want to be seen as a troublesome woman…”

Cornelia forces a smile, her eyes twitching.

It was an awkward smile, but it seemed more genuine than any smile I had seen before.

A strong and resolute woman’s smile.

Cornelia can stand up again.

I feel relieved with that certainty.

“Are you leaving now?”

“Yeah. I’ve achieved my goal.”

“Don’t worry too much and leave with peace of mind. I won’t seek revenge for your favor. I won’t tell anyone your name either.”

“Can I trust you?”

“You can trust me. Don’t feel burdened and tell me if you need anything. Whatever it is, I’ll bring it to you wherever you are.”

“Got it.”

“Anything, Eugene. I can fulfill any request you have?”

Swish.

Cornelia leans in close to my ear and whispers discreetly.

She seemed eager to do all sorts of things already.

It’s fortunate that she seems enthusiastic.

“Alright. Before I leave, I’d like to ask for about five blank checks.”

“Where should I make them out to?”

“It’s a secret.”

“Of course…”

With a slightly disappointed smile, Cornelia tears off five blank checks.

She signs each one carefully and hands them to me.

I no longer need to worry about money for a while.

“Don’t worry. I won’t spend an unreasonable amount.”

“I’m not worried about that…”

“Then what are you worried about?”

“…Nothing.”

It seems like we’ve exchanged enough words.

After stroking Cornelia’s forehead for a while and tidying up her messy eyes and eyebrows, I bid farewell.

As soon as I remove my hand from her forehead and turn my gaze away, Cornelia’s mouth opens in disappointment in her eyes.

But she doesn’t say anything and closes her mouth again.

“I’m leaving now.”

“Yes…”

“Mi-jeong. It’s all over. Let’s stop watching and go.”

“Okay.”

I wave goodbye and leave the mansion.

Mi-jeong, who was standing at a distance, quickly runs up to me and sticks by my side.

Just as I step outside the main gate.

“Eugene!”

I turn around at the loud voice.

Cornelia, who has come all the way to the door with an uncomfortable body, is breathing heavily.

It seems like she still has something to say.

“I’ll be waiting. You can come and rest here anytime. I’ll always be here, waiting for you!”

“······.”

Without any response, just waving a hand, I had to turn around.

Even so, I couldn’t completely erase the happy expression from my face.

There is a place to return to.

There are reliable allies who support me.

Just thinking about that makes my heart feel much lighter.