Chapter 21
Chapter 21
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 20
Chapter Title: The Baron's Demise
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“There was something like this?”
Rachel felt dizzy as she stared at the blue window.
There were no additional explanations beyond that. It simply showed stamina and the number 1, but the meaning was clear.
The higher the points, the stronger she’d become. And from now on, any points she earned wouldn’t disappear even after regressing. Even if she died and went back, her strength would remain.
‘The Witch’s Arrangement must mean Rachel’s Arrangement, right? It’s like giving someone a disease and then selling them the cure!’
Rachel regretted not noticing this sooner. At the same time, she was thrilled that her efforts wouldn’t be lost.
This gave her even more reason to focus on her training.
“The mansion seems unusually busy today.”
The deep cleaning had finished long ago, and the repairs were done two days prior, leaving the place quiet. Yet today, it was noisy.
Rachel stepped out of her room. It was early morning, but the maids were already hard at work cleaning. She called over the youngest one.
“What’s going on today?”
“A messenger bird arrived at dawn. Baron Emporus is coming today.”
“Ah, I see.”
‘He came around this time before, too.’
Rachel returned to her room.
Click.
She leaned against the closed door and sank into thought. The enemy was walking right into their base. She couldn’t do anything in his territory before, but now things were different.
‘If I deal with him now, maybe Mother won’t die two years from now?’
Rachel steeled her resolve. Until now, she hadn’t been able to commit to killing Paris Emporus herself.
She’d only imagined a scenario where his identity as a Black Sorcerer was exposed, leading to his downfall. But now, she was determined to kill him.
Sari Emporus was still out there, but since he wasn’t here, he couldn’t testify against them like he did in the 16th round.
‘If I can just kill him and dispose of the body in secret!’
But doing it alone, secretly, was impossible for her.
“I’ll need Mother and Enoch’s help.”
Before Rachel could go find Evelyn, she opened the door. Evelyn was standing right outside.
“You’re up early on your own today?”
The maid who had followed Evelyn entered and set down the warmed basin of water.
Rachel washed her face first. The maid handed her a towel, and Rachel dried off. She needed to talk to her mother, but the maid’s presence was a distraction.
“You should change clothes quickly.”
“Yes.”
Once she’d changed into her training uniform, Evelyn took Rachel’s hand and led her into the corridor.
“A guest is coming today, so let’s finish training quickly.”
“I have something urgent to discuss about that.”
Evelyn turned to her daughter.
“Is it pressing?”
“Yes. I’d like Enoch to hear it too, somewhere without the maids.”
“Let’s talk at the training ground.”
Rachel agreed that was best. Even if they sent the maids away in the mansion, someone could eavesdrop from outside the door. No matter how long they’d served in the household, there was a chance they’d been bought off by Paris Emporus, so caution was necessary.
Enoch was waiting in front of the stairs leading to the first floor as they left the room and walked down the hall.
“Why didn’t you go ahead?”
“I was worried you might trip.”
Enoch said. Evelyn brushed it off casually, but Rachel shot him a glare.
The day before, she’d nearly tripped on her skirt hem while descending the stairs. Enoch, who’d been behind her, caught her, muttering then:
‘You keep tripping, so I can’t relax. I’ll have to stick right by your side.’
She’d thought it was a joke at the time, but seeing him like this from early dawn, it seemed he’d be doing this forever.
“Hold my hand.”
“I won’t refuse.”
Rachel took his hand. Evelyn watched with a chuckle.
“You two have gotten so close?”
“Yes.”
Enoch answered shyly. Evelyn covered her mouth and whispered softly.
“But you must hold back until Rachel comes of age?”
Enoch’s pale face flushed red in an instant.
“That’s not my intention!”
“I’m teasing.”
Evelyn added with a grin.
“You react like this every time I tease you, so how can I resist?”
“Right?”
Rachel burst into laughter, chiming in.
She’d had no idea Enoch was like this from the game. The game only showed a sliver of who he was.
The gallant silver-haired beauty was actually quite shy, blushing often and unable to hide it.
“I was wondering who Rachel takes after, but she looks just like you, Lady Evelyn.”
“Of course—who’s her mother? She takes after me in every way except her constitution.”
Evelyn vehemently denied that Rachel’s constitution came from her.
“Yes, yes. That’s from Father. Happy now?”
Rachel replied offhandedly.
Once they reached the bottom of the stairs, Enoch let go of her hand.
Rachel glanced at him, and Enoch blinked under her gaze.
“What? Something to say?”
“No.”
Rachel followed Evelyn, thinking Enoch was oddly sharp in strange ways.
She’d laughed heartily for now, but it wouldn’t last. They’d have to discuss serious matters soon.
They arrived at the open training area and began their usual gymnastics routine.
Evelyn started with light marching in place.
“What I have to say…”
“Tell me while following along.”
“It’s important?”
“This exercise is crucial for improving your constitution.”
Unable to argue, Rachel marched in place and spoke up.
“Uncle is a Pseudo-Contractor with a demon, and he’s targeting me as a sacrifice.”
Evelyn’s legs stopped the moment Rachel finished.
“What?”
“Exactly that. He’s after me, and he’d even kill Father for it. The Curse Medium in the mansion was his doing too.”
Evelyn’s head fixed on Rachel. Her blue eyes churned like a storm.
After staring for a long while, she realized it wasn’t a lie. Her breathing grew ragged with fury.
“How dare he!”
“Mother, calm down! Even if we kill him, it has to be somewhere without witnesses…”
Rachel soothed her. To avoid execution for murdering a noble, they had to dispose of the baron secretly.
He’d entered the mansion— if he didn’t leave, everyone would suspect Evelyn.
“Lady Evelyn, please calm down.”
“Hoo, yes. I got too worked up.”
Enoch infused her with Divine Power to help her settle. She took deep breaths to compose herself.
“So the baron is a Pseudo-Contractor. I suspected something when we found the Curse Medium, but I couldn’t figure out why, so I let it go…”
“He probably cursed us because you interfered when he tried to take me.”
“This isn’t a day for training. I’ll handle everything, so don’t worry.”
Rachel felt reassured by Evelyn’s attitude.
With her mother, it seemed like anything could be resolved.
***
Paris Emporus arrived at the mansion. Several carriages—lavish even for a merchant caravan—rolled into the courtyard along the path.
‘He’s finally here.’
Rachel clenched her fists. Dealing with him here might solve everything.
But just as she started to relax, thinking the regressions were over, Evelyn seemed off. Veins bulged on the back of her hand.
‘No way?’
A very bad premonition hit her. It felt just like the moments before Deyner caused trouble in the original story.
She recalled Deyner charging down the hall yelling not to ignore him, only to step on a rotten floorboard and plummet.
And that premonition proved right.
The instant Paris Emporus entered the mansion with his retainers, Evelyn couldn’t hold back her rage. She yanked a decorative sword from the wall and charged at him.
“Mother!”
Despite her dress, her form reached the baron in a flash.
“Stop her!”
The baron’s guards rushed to block her. They wielded real blades; she had an ornamental one.
But as golden aura coated her sword, their blades shattered. The guards collapsed without lasting even one exchange.
The baron gaped at the scene and shouted.
“What insolence—kugh!”
Evelyn didn’t utter a word to the protesting Paris Emporus. She thrust her sword straight into his heart.
With his heart pierced, survival was impossible. Enoch rushed to him, but his breath had already stopped.
Rachel’s mind couldn’t keep up with the sudden events.
Paris Emporus had died so pointlessly.
Meanwhile, the baron’s attendants who hadn’t yet entered witnessed their lord’s murder and fled in panic.
Rachel blanked out and didn’t think to stop them.
‘What happens now?’
She looked at Evelyn. She stared at the bloodied sword in her hand with a look of regret.
“I messed up.”
“Messed up?! This wasn’t something to end like that!”
The plan had been to kill him secretly and secure evidence. Now, they urgently needed proof of his demon ties.
They tried to catch the fleeing men too late; they’d already sped off in their carriages.
“Kyaa!”
But the problem wasn’t just outside. The mansion’s maids and servants discovered Paris Emporus’s body and panicked.
“The lady…!”
“Calm down! This man was a Black Sorcerer.”
Enoch shouted. The staff, knowing he was a priest, finally quieted.
“A Black Sorcerer?”
“Yes, Lady Evelyn defeated a Black Sorcerer. Everyone, stay calm and don’t act rashly.”
Enoch said that much, but he couldn’t hide his troubled expression.
Without a mark, a Pseudo-Contractor didn’t emit the telltale aura of a Black Sorcerer.
Rachel mouthed silently, asking if there was a mark. He understood and shook his head.
“We need to head to Harpa Castle right now.”
With a mark, things wouldn’t be this difficult. Without it, they had to go to Harpa Castle, locate the contract circle, and report it.
Rachel dashed to the outbuilding and found the coachman.
“We’re going to Harpa Castle immediately. Prepare!”
“Understood.”
The coachman, who’d been brushing the horses, hurried to the carriages.
Rachel returned to the main building and looked at the baron’s corpse.
With so many witnesses, this couldn’t be hidden. Still, they had to keep mouths shut. Fortunately, Evelyn and Enoch were warning the staff.
“This involves Black Sorcerers. One slip, and you could become their target—watch what you say.”
“It concerns everyone’s safety.”
“For now, hide the body in the basement and clean up the bloodstains. Rachel, where’ve you been?”
Evelyn, issuing orders, spotted Rachel panting at the door and asked.
“I told the coachman to prepare a carriage.”
“A horse would be faster than a carriage.”
Enoch added to Rachel’s words. Carriages were bulky and limited on roads, but horseback reduced those constraints.
Evelyn nodded.
“It’ll just be me and Enoch leaving.”
Carriages jolted too much compared to riding. Only Evelyn and Enoch could ride proficiently, so frail Rachel was excluded.
“I want to go too!”
“You wouldn’t endure it with that body.”
Enoch said with a pitying look.
Riding required a lot of muscle.
Hold her from behind? That might work for a slow trot on flat ground, but Evelyn and Enoch would surely ride faster and rougher than ever.
‘Damn it.’
Rachel cursed her weak body.
“Don’t worry. We’ll definitely find and secure the evidence.”
“I’ll make up for my mistake, no matter what. Wait here at home.”
“Got it. Just a few things: In Harpa Castle, there’s a hidden space on the dining hall floor. That’s where the demon contract circle is. And Uncle Sari is on the same side as him, so be careful.”
“I don’t know how you know all this, but understood. We’ll return safely, so guard the house well.”
“Yes.”
The coachman’s preparations went to waste as Evelyn and Enoch mounted two horses and departed.
Rachel watched their backs, praying they’d secure the evidence quickly.