Chapter 38
Chapter 38
Ch. 38 .｡.:✧ Cologne (8) ✧:.｡.
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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: FusionX
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“Your complexion seems to have improved a bit. Or is it just my imagination?”
“No. I really feel full of energy today.”
Perhaps it was because she hadn’t drunk her daily dose of poison.
Or maybe it was because so many good things had happened today.
Today’s Cornelia was completely different from yesterday.
Of course, even yesterday, she had been radiating beauty despite her haggard state, like a pitiful flower about to wither.
In contrast, today her color had revived considerably.
It wasn’t a dramatic recovery, but there was a promising outlook that she would improve further.
One thing was certain – Cornelia had now passed the crisis of death.
“I’m sorry for coming late.”
“What? You came plenty early. Thanks to you, I survived.”
“…”
Cornelia waved her hands dismissively as she spoke.
No. I was late. By 12 rounds at that.
Cornelia had died 12 times, being abused by a villain who worshipped a demon, in a blind spot I couldn’t see.
Without being able to tell anyone of that injustice.
The fact that I had been nearby yet failed to notice kept pricking at my conscience.
“The residence has become very quiet.”
“Indeed. I feel a bit more at ease now. Even when the residence was bustling and lively, I always felt alone in the midst of it. But today, with just the two of us, the residence feels full.”
We walked through the quiet hall, appreciating the sound of footsteps echoing throughout the entire residence.
The sound of two people’s footsteps overlapped and resonated.
It was a strange feeling, like walking through an empty house after everyone had left.
Glancing to the side, I saw Cornelia modestly clasping her hands together and fixing her gaze on my face.
“That… Yoo-jin.”
“Yes.”
“You can speak casually to me.”
“Is it alright for a commoner like me?”
“Please…”
“Then I’ll do that.”
“Yes. I feel more comfortable this way too.”
Did Lawrence speak casually to her?
I also found speaking casually more comfortable.
I would have to say cruel things to Cornelia from now on.
“So what do you plan to do now, Countess Regent?”
“Hmm. First, I’m going to quit being the Countess Regent.”
Cornelia answered with a smile.
Of course she would.
‘Countess’.
Cornelia deeply despised this word that reminded her of Lawrence.
“No one can stop me now. Of course, my family members will slander and keep me in check, but… As long as I don’t voluntarily give up my position, I have all the authority as the head of the family.”
Cornelia’s eyes shone as she spoke.
Her eyes that had been like a soulless puppet regained their color. She chattered on excitedly, like a teenage girl talking about her dreams.
“I’ll sell this residence, liquidate all the assets, kick everyone out… My ultimate goal is to dismantle the Briam family. The family head worshipped a demon, after all. If I make that public, it won’t be difficult to shatter the family…”
“Cornelia. I’m sorry, but you can’t do that.”
“…Pardon?”
However, I had to shatter Cornelia’s dream.
When I interrupted, a look of confusion settled on Cornelia’s face. As if asking why I was saying such a thing.
“We made a deal. I would kill Lawrence for you.”
“And I would support you.”
“You remember well.”
“Hehe, I’ll support you. The Hildegart family is also quite influential. Whatever help you need…”
“Actually, I mainly need financial support. I heard the Hildegart family is still struggling financially. Please tell me if I’m mistaken.”
“…”
Unable to refute, Cornelia’s mouth closed.
She bit her reddish lips hard, unable to say anything.
Even so, her gaze remained fixed on my face, sending a desperate look.
A look pleading for me not to do this.
“I don’t want you to reveal the fact that Lawrence was a demon’s minion. I don’t want you to dismantle the Briam family either. Cornelia, I want you to take control of the Briam family as the Countess Regent.”
“Ah…”
As if delivering a final verdict, I made a cruel demand to Cornelia.
To give up on her dream once again.
To lead the family of the man who tried to kill her, while bearing the surname of Briam that she so despised, like a stigma.
I couldn’t bring myself to meet Cornelia’s eyes.
I was afraid of the resentful gaze she would cast at me, unable to face her directly.
How would it feel to receive the cruelest demand from the person she thought had come to save her?
I couldn’t even imagine.
“I understand…”
After a long silence, Cornelia finally spoke.
As expected, her answer was affirmative.
She couldn’t refuse and accepted my unreasonable request.
Glancing back, I saw Cornelia fidgeting with her fingers and lowering her head.
It seemed to have greatly disheartened her.
Betraying someone’s expectations for the first time, unlike the repeatedly betrayed main heroines, was quite heartbreaking.
Slowly lifting Cornelia’s chin, I saw teardrops forming in the corners of her eyes.
Ignoring it, I reached into Cornelia’s neck.
When my hand touched her collarbone, Cornelia’s body trembled and a moan escaped her lips.
“Mmph…”
“Cornelia. Don’t be too disappointed and listen. Actually, I didn’t come here to save you.”
I clearly stated it in case of any misunderstanding.
That she wasn’t a princess trapped in a castle, and I wasn’t a hero who had come to save her.
That I had just come to find a treasure and met her by chance.
“It’s hard to explain, but I came for another purpose…”
Whispering quietly like that, I pulled out Cornelia’s pearl necklace and caressed it.
One pearl, then another.
Running my fingers over each pearl, I searched for my ‘real goal’ in coming here.
“Saving you was just an additional objective.”
I found it.
My real goal in coming here.
As I touched and felt one of the pearls, a system window appeared before my eyes.
[Achievement Unlocked]
[Former Hero’s Legacy Found!]
[As a reward for the achievement, the trait ‘Weak Point’ is given.]
[Trait: Weak Point]
[You can see the weaknesses of monsters. It is effective against all types of monsters.]
Actually, I had almost forgotten about it midway because I was busy saving Cornelia.
But regardless, my biggest purpose in coming to Cologne was indeed the Weak Point trait.
The essential trait for conquering the final boss.
“I’m not someone who does charity work. If something goes, something has to come.”
“I understand… It’s cheap compared to the price of my life…”
“Thank you for understanding.”
I quietly put the pearl necklace back inside her neck and stepped back.
Tears had already flowed down Cornelia’s cheeks without me noticing.
Drip.
Drop.
Tears fell endlessly, wetting the carpet on the floor.
I thought I had gotten used to seeing women’s tears after seeing them many times.
In the end, I couldn’t bear it and took another step closer.
“But don’t forget. I’m always on your side.”
“Hic…”
“I’m quite thorough with aftercare, you know. You can call me anytime if there’s a problem. I’ll come running.”
I wiped Cornelia’s eyes and made a vow.
I wasn’t sure how much weight it would carry.
But they were the words of someone who had personally cut Lawrence’s throat, so they would probably sound quite persuasive.
I intended to take responsibility until the end.
After all, people’s hearts are fickle, and they tend to forget even after receiving a favor.
If the aftercare was insufficient, Cornelia would quickly betray me and dismantle the Briam family.
I couldn’t let that happen.
The Briam family had to remain forever as my reliable backer.
So I had no choice but to pretend to be Cornelia’s only ally in a situation where she was surrounded by enemies and entice her.
“The scar on your face. It’s still there.”
After finishing wiping her cheeks, I stepped back, and this time Cornelia approached and caressed my face.
Just before Cornelia’s fingers touched my face, her hand slightly hesitated and wavered.
“It’s okay. It will heal soon… Ah, it stings.”
“It must hurt…”
Then, while stroking my wound, she let out a sigh.
It was the spot she had devotedly applied ointment to earlier.
If she kept touching it like this, the wound would get worse.
I grabbed Cornelia’s wrist and removed it, and her lips trembled as she sobbed.
“Thank you… Thank you so much, Yoo-jin…”
“…”
“You said earlier to call you anytime. Can I call you even when I can’t sleep at night?”
“That’s…”
“Ahaha. I’m joking. I won’t call you for such trivial things. I don’t want to be a boy who cried wolf. I also don’t want to be thought of as a bothersome woman…”
Cornelia laughed forcibly, the corners of her eyes crinkling.
It was an awkward smile, but it seemed more genuine than any smile I had seen.
The smile of a strong and resilient woman.
I was reassured that Cornelia could stand up again.
“You’re leaving now, right?”
“Yeah. Since I’ve achieved my goal.”
“Don’t worry too much and leave with a light heart. I won’t repay your kindness with enmity. I won’t tell anyone your name either.”
“Can I trust you?”
“You can trust me. You, on the other hand, don’t feel burdened and tell me if you need anything. Whatever it is, wherever you are, I’ll bring it to you.”
“Alright.”
“I mean anything, Yoo-jin. Are you saying I can fulfill any request of yours?”
Cornelia leaned in and whispered secretively in my ear.
I was already planning to make her do this and that anyway.
I was glad she seemed eager herself.
“Okay. Before I leave, I’d like to ask for about five blank checks first.”
“Fufu. What will you use them for?”
“It’s a secret.”
“Of course it is…”
With a slightly disappointed smile, Cornelia tore out five blank checks.
Then she diligently signed each one and handed them to me.
I wouldn’t have to worry about money for a while.
“Don’t worry. I won’t write an outrageous amount.”
“That’s not what I’m worried about…”
“Then what are you worried about?”
“…Never mind.”
It seemed we had exchanged enough verbal farewells.
For a while, I brushed Cornelia’s bangs and tidied her messy eyes and eyebrows in place of a farewell.
As soon as I removed my hand from her forehead and turned my gaze, Cornelia’s mouth opened and a look of regret flashed in her eyes.
But she only closed her mouth again without uttering a single word.
“I’ll get going now.”
“Okay…”
“Undecided. It’s all over. Stop watching and let’s go.”
“…Okay.”
I waved my hand and left the residence.
Soon, Undecided, who had been standing far away, came running and stuck close to my side.
The moment I stepped out of the main gate,
“Yoo-jin!”
At the hoarse shout, I turned around.
Cornelia, who had brought her uncomfortable body to the doorway at some point, was panting heavily.
It seemed she still had something to say.
“I’ll be waiting for you. So you can come and rest comfortably anytime. I’ll always be waiting here unchangingly!”
“…”
Worried that someone might overhear, without any answer, I just waved my hand and had to turn back.
Nevertheless, I couldn’t completely erase the delight from my face.
I had a place to return to.
I had a reliable ally to support me.
Just the thought of that seemed to put my mind at ease.
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