episode_0039

I still wake up with a sigh every morning, opening my eyes.

I prepare myself to endure the pain and get up.

But as I realize that my throat doesn’t feel scratchy every morning, I notice.

I am now free.

I am liberated from the devil.

I no longer slowly die.

“Have you arrived at work, Assistant Manager? Shall I prepare some warm tea for you?”

“No, it’s okay.”

I only slept for 3 hours yesterday and went back to work.

Yet my body feels light and full of energy as if flying.

It’s been a week since I stopped taking the poison.

My body, which was reduced to mere bones, is now filled with life again, with a healthy complexion.

Every time I look in the mirror, I am surprised.

Was I originally this beautiful?

“Assistant Manager, there’s more paperwork piled up…”

“Just leave it.”

I sit at my desk and start working.

After Lawrence’s death, I took over the vacant position of the market manager.

I was already used to handling tasks from Lawrence, so it feels familiar as if it’s my own.

After successfully managing the situation following Lawrence’s death and performing the duties of the assistant manager without any issues, the Imperial Government recognized me as the acting market manager until the next election.

Those causing disturbances within the family were all silenced.

Those with sufficient abilities were made lifelong slaves using Lawrence’s relationship as a weakness.

New employees were hired at the mansion to normalize the situation.

Sometimes, I feel strange.

Taking over Lawrence’s position and digesting the tasks he used to perform in the seat he sat in.

If I don’t feel any resistance, it would be a lie.

But this is what he wanted, so I can’t afford to throw a tantrum.

“Assistant Manager.”

“What now?”

“The letters have piled up again.”

“Sigh…”

A pile of letters pouring onto the desk.

A week has passed, and the letters haven’t stopped coming.

“This one is from Heinrich. And this one is from Richter…”

Families I’ve never heard of before suddenly popping up.

The contents are all the same.

News of the tragedy. Condolences. Empty words of comfort.

It’s all the same.

Some even subtly inserted suggestions for private consultations along with words of comfort.

“What a pity. I’m so happy I could die.”

It’s beyond my comprehension.

There hasn’t been anything happy in my life since Lawrence’s death.

People treat me as a pitiful widow.

“Hmm?”

Among the neat letter envelopes, I found one roughly made envelope.

A letter with no sender or return address written on it.

I feel like I know who it’s from, so I forget about using a knife and tear it open with my hands.

– Happy Birthday, Cornelia.

“Heh.”

I couldn’t help but chuckle.

Among the sea of tearful letters, there’s only one letter that touches my heart.

There’s only one person who calls me by my name and speaks to me in a familiar tone.

It’s Eugene.

Just by reading the stiff writing, his face comes to mind, and a smile naturally forms on my face.

– I’m not sure if this letter will arrive on time. It’s embarrassing to call it a gift…

“Heh. It’s a day early.”

My 19th birthday, becoming an adult, is tomorrow.

I couldn’t help but laugh at the thought of Eugene, who must have agonized over the timing of the letter’s arrival.

And the result is that it arrived a day early.

Seems like Eugene has his immature side too.

A simple note wishing me a happy birthday.

And a small gemstone enclosed as a gift.

‘It’s the first gemstone I’ve obtained thanks to you,’ the note says…

I’m not sure what that means.

I’ve only given him a few checks as help so far.

“It doesn’t seem high-grade. Is it a medium-grade gemstone?”

Cheap marble.

A common stone that can be found anywhere, like a regular pebble.

But when I hold it up under the light, it reflects an unknown mystical light that captivates my heart.

“Hehe. It’s the first gift.”

I should keep this.

No, I should always carry it with me.

For some reason, holding it makes me feel at ease.

“Yujin. Are you okay…?”

Gripping the marble and smiling is only temporary.

When I think of him, worries inevitably creep into my mind slowly.

I’ve never asked, and Yujin has never mentioned it, but I could easily guess his profession.

A demon hunter.

Different from the inquisitors of the Papal See, a bounty hunter who professionally hunts demons for a reward.

Demons are hard to find and hunting them is extremely difficult, so some people say that being a demon hunter is just an urban legend.

But now, I have no choice but to believe.

Because I saw it with my own eyes.

Yujin told me himself.

He had a different purpose for coming here, and he saved me as a side effect of achieving that goal.

That goal is undoubtedly the salvation of the demon who shook hands with Lawrence.

He appeared here like a comet, sliced Lawrence’s throat in a day, and then left immediately.

Probably to hunt another demon.

Or maybe he left to save someone like me.

He will deny it, of course.

For such Yujin, all I can do is wholeheartedly support and cheer him on.

“Deputy Mayor. The guest…”

“Escort them to the reception room. I’m busy right now.”

“That’s what I’m saying…”

“Cornelia!”

Thud.

The door creaked open, revealing a familiar face.

It was my father.

In a few months, his beard had turned white…

“Sorry. I heard the news from the Northern Continent late.”

“Welcome, father. It’s been a while. Are you going to the reception room since I’m a bit busy right now?”

“It’s an important matter, Cornelia.”

“I’m busy.”

“Cornelia. You don’t have to suffer anymore. Leave Briemga to me. Take care of the dismantling without any mistakes. You are free now.”

“…”

Clang.

My teeth gritted.

Now?

After doing nothing all this time, you want to show off after it’s all over?

“Father.”

“Yes, Cornelia.”

“Don’t try to add a spoon to a finished meal.”

“What, what do you mean?”

“I vaguely knew what kind of treatment I was receiving here, right? I did nothing all this time, just watching Lawrence Briem’s every move, and now that I killed him and took over the family, you think I’m going to take advantage of it? No way. The family I conquered with my own strength is mine. I will do everything my way, whether it’s dismantling or whatever. Since you said I’m free now.”

My life was saved thanks to Yujin.

My life was regained thanks to Yujin.

And my dream was revived thanks to Yujin.

It was such a great favor that I was anxious I wouldn’t be able to repay it in my lifetime.

At that moment.

When Yujin asked me to lead Briemga, I was ecstatic as if I could jump.

Yujin needs my help.

I can repay Yujin.

As much as I long for him, I think he wants me too, so my anxiety disappeared and satisfaction filled the void.

Even though it’s a family of enemies and a position of enemies, it doesn’t matter.

As long as it can help Yujin.

I have no intention of handing over such a family to the cowardly Hildegarde.

I have no intention of letting my father dismantle it as he pleases.

It’s my and Yujin’s family.

If Yujin orders it to be dismantled, that’s a different story.

Until then, this family will firmly hold its ground.

“Leave. If you wait in the reception room, I’ll come after finishing my work.”

“Cornelia, the conversation isn’t over yet…”

“Do you really have to be dragged out?”

“…”

Yujin is undoubtedly strong and resolute.

“However, it is inevitable that even such superhumans will eventually become tired and want to rest.”

“Stop bothering me.”

“Okay…”

I intend to provide a sanctuary for her.

I intend for it to be a place where she can come back and rest comfortably.

Anyone who tries to disrupt this plan will not be forgiven.

***

[Eugene: 1.3%]

[Known to only a few people. Presence is minimal. Someone is harboring very strong emotions.]

My reputation has risen again.

Is it because Cornelia found out my real name?

This time, I had to reluctantly tell Cornelia to gain her trust, but there probably won’t be a next time.

It’s dangerous to reveal my real name.

If I were to be exposed to Jill, things would become much more difficult from that day on.

‘I hope they don’t issue another warrant, right?’

Traumatic memories come flooding back.

Memories of being falsely accused and chased with a warrant for no reason.

Back then, checkpoints were set up everywhere, and the Holy Knights were stopping and checking the faces of passersby, making me feel like I was going crazy.

But there hasn’t been any movement like that yet.

Perhaps even a powerful saint cannot accuse someone who doesn’t exist.

Thanks to thoroughly concealing my identity, the person known as ‘Eugene’ never existed from the beginning.

‘At least I can relax for now.’

Until a public warrant is issued, I can assume that Jill hasn’t found me at all.

Until then, I can rest easy.

Let’s throw away unnecessary worries and look around.

‘The problem is this guy…’

Mi-jeong, who is turning away from me, comes into view.

Every time I try to make eye contact by turning my head, Mi-jeong turns away from me again.

It’s been like this since leaving Cologne.

It’s not like he’s being particularly obstinate or protesting, but he’s subtly avoiding me.

It’s like he’s protesting something.

“Hey. If you have a problem with me, just say it straight.”

“Uh, no. I don’t.”

Here we go again.

In the past, I might have just brushed it off and moved on.

But now that I know that there are still lingering emotions in this guy, I show it.

I can’t hide the momentary explosion of emotions, with my facial muscles twitching and my body trembling.

I open my eyes wide.

“This is your last chance. Tell me why you’re sulking.”

“…”

“Three. Two. One…”

“…Forehead.”

“What?”

“Forehead. Touch it.”

Mi-jeong looks at me expectantly and raises his bangs slightly.

What kind of nonsense is this?

“…Like you did to Cornelia.”

“That wasn’t touching the forehead, it was touching the bangs.”

“…Do it.”

This strange guy.

With an expectant look in his eyes, Mi-jeong looks up at me, and I sigh as I brush his bangs aside to reveal his white and pretty forehead.

Oh. Even with a frown, it’s cute.

“Ugh. Gross.”

“Just go on like this.”

Tap.

I fixed my bangs with a hairpin I bought at the general store in the morning.

Then Mi-jeong stumbles as if he’s broken.

“Ugh. Gross, ugh. Strange sensation. Forehead. Cold.”

“You’ll get used to it. We have a long way to go. Let’s hurry.”

“Ugh.”

As I take a step, Mi-jeong quickly sticks to my side.

Revealing his forehead with a red hairpin makes him look much more childish and better.

However, he keeps fidgeting with the hairpin as if it’s still awkward.

But seeing that he doesn’t completely take it off, it doesn’t seem too uncomfortable for him.

We soon arrived at our destination.

It’s a dungeon near Basel.

Didn’t we already clear all the dungeons near Basel with decent rewards?

The Black Star Dungeon and the High-Reward Dungeon have all been cleared.

Today, what is needed is not a dungeon with great rewards, but rather a dungeon with a moderate difficulty.

“Arrived. Are you not hungry?”

“…Not really.”

“Still, have a drink.”

“…Okay.”

Although I’m not particularly hungry, I always make sure to have a full stomach right before tackling a dungeon.

As I roll up my sleeves, Mijung clings to my arm and starts biting wildly.

Whether it’s biting in one spot or randomly all over, my arms are always covered in bite marks.

Stop saying you’re not hungry…

“Wait.”

“…Chomp.”

“Eat.”

“…Okay.”

With permission granted, Mijung brings her mouth to the wound as if she’s afraid of missing out.

The sound of her drinking, it feels like I haven’t eaten in a day.

“Eat plenty.”

“…Mm.”

“You’ll be clearing this dungeon alone.”

“…Huh?”

Swoosh.

Mijung, pulling away from the wound, raises an eyebrow in confusion.

“I wish you luck. I’ll just be watching from afar today.”

“…Huh?”

Today, there is a test of Mijung’s combat abilities.