Chapter 518: Jealousy is My Power (18)
Chapter 518: Jealousy is My Power (18)
For a long time, Seria had to endure being treated unfairly.
It was mostly due to the one-sided demands of her detested older sister, Delphine. As the acting head of the family, Delphine had assigned Seria a monumental task.
'Seduce Ian.'
Seria was someone who had barely any friends, let alone a boyfriend, in her entire life. Naturally, she had no idea what tactics to use, but as a vassal of the Yurdina family, she had no choice but to obey the head's orders.
Above all, it was something Seria secretly desired herself.
Having steeled her resolve and left the family estate, it wasn't long before Seria had to report her progress.
There was no need to return to the North. Yurdina's confidants were stationed all across the Empire, and with their help, real-time communication with the head of the family was possible.
The first report to Delphine began with Seria’s new treasure.
The Limited Edition Ian Doll given to her by Princess Cien.
Upon seeing it, Delphine fell into a long, heavy silence. Regardless, Seria’s excited voice continued to brag without a hint of tact.
Finally, Delphine squeezed her eyes shut.
"Wait, just a moment... Seria, tell me that again?"
"Yes?"
What is this bitch trying to nitpick now?
Seria tilted her head with such pure intent. Her eyes were filled with wariness, as if afraid this devilish woman might try to steal her achievement.
Unable to withstand the headache, Delphine pressed a hand to her forehead.
"You're not telling me that you gave up the chance to dance at the ball... for the sake of a mere doll, are you?"
"A-A mere doll?!"
Unable to suppress her surge of emotion, Seria’s voice naturally rose.
The more she reacted, the darker Delphine’s expression became.
"This is a limited edition! There are only three of them in the entire world! For your information, the detailed depiction of the collar is excellent, especially the way they calculated the direction of the bloodstains—"
"......I."
It was around then that Seria’s rambling voice cut off.
Biting her lip, Delphine let out a pained groan.
It was a sight Seria had never seen in her life.
To think that sister of hers could make a face so full of regret?
"I raised you wrong. I didn't pay enough attention... I never imagined you would be this pathetic."
At that blatant criticism, Seria’s expression momentarily went blank.
"P-Pathetic?"
"Yes, pathetic... You're beyond ignorant when it comes to romance; you're practically a talking potato. If I had to define you in one phrase, it would be 'Ugly Potato'."
Suddenly labeled an 'Ugly Potato,' Seria’s face flushed with even more indignation.
Just as Seria clenched her fists to retort—
"It seems I'll have to teach you myself."
Her tone was filled with firm resolve.
No one could break Delphine’s stubbornness when she made that face. Seria knew this well, but she felt a surge of anger at her enemy's gaze, which looked as if it were pitying something miserable.
Yes, an enemy.
Looking back, it had been that way since childhood. Delphine lived as one who possessed everything, while Seria had everything taken from her. The sword she wanted, the friends she wanted, and even her mother.
In truth, she didn't have many memories of her mother, who had been driven away.
However, as she grew older, Seria couldn't help but naturally understand. It must have been a decision the Marquis Yurdina made after much deliberation to further solidify the succession of Delphine, who had lost her own mother early to illness.
Perhaps that was why she was even angrier.
Because it felt like she might lose someone precious again, just like that day.
Though she had achieved victory in the Hunting Festival with Ian's help, the nightmares that had plagued the girl her entire life wouldn't just vanish overnight.
As she slowly retraced her feelings, a cold sneer played on Seria’s lips.
"And what do you plan to teach me? How to use a vulgar body to seduce a man?"
"Yes."
But Delphine’s response was unexpectedly calm. Seria, caught off guard, found herself at a loss for words.
Delphine seemed to have already made up her mind.
"Have you forgotten, Seria? What Yurdina pursues is victory. Whether it's a fair victory or a foul one, victory is always right... But what are you doing now? Excluding that childhood friend whose name I can't even remember, you were the first among us to form a connection with our husband, weren't you?"
"T-That's..."
Every word was correct.
Unable to find a counterargument, Seria hesitated and cast her gaze downward. Though she had become somewhat fiercer than before, Seria was still Seria.
She couldn't entirely shed her innate nature.
"So, do as I say. Before I erect an 'Eternal Virgin' statue in the middle of Yurdina Castle... For your information, I'll have 'In memory of my younger sister, Seria' engraved on the pedestal."
Seria felt an inescapable sense of injustice, but what could she do?
In the Yurdina family, the authority of the head was absolute. Just as it was in other noble houses.
Ultimately, from that day on, Seria was forced to sit in front of a crystal ball for at least an hour every day.
The techniques Delphine taught her were nothing short of scandalous.
Acting cute, initiating physical contact under the guise of coincidence, or intentionally closing the distance to make the other person's heart flutter.
Not a single thing felt familiar to her.
After enduring the shame for several days.
Feeling she could take no more, Seria decided to visit her only friend.
Celine Haster.
Ian's childhood friend and one of the few women who had known Ian longer than Seria.
She was also Seria’s romantic rival.
However, it was clear that the two thought of each other specially. Celine and Seria often stuck together and built a friendship while training together.
So Seria believed.
While Delphine, the Saintess, and even Elsie were redefining their relationships with Ian, the two of them were lagging behind. She thought that by exchanging information, they might find a new breakthrough.
But when she arrived at her friend's residence with such expectations, a guest had already been there.
It was a strange sight.
Celine was under house arrest for the crime of making a contract with the Dark Cult. Naturally, there should have been guards at the entrance, but not a single sign of a living soul could be found.
There was no need to even go inside.
I'm too late.
It was a disappearance. Just as she expected, only a few strands of gray hair remained in the underground dungeon where Celine should have been staying.
This is strange.
Seria thought.
While she couldn't deny the possibility of the Dark Cult's intervention, Celine had already confided her situation to Seria several times.
The 'Black-Haired Girl' she had been seeing for some time.
If that testimony was true, there was no reason for gray hair to be left behind.
It started from then.
A strange intuition began to lead Seria. She couldn't even make the simple judgment that she should inform others and begin a search.
Meeting Ian and confirming the results of her harsh training.
Normally, her heart would have been pounding so hard she wouldn't have been able to function properly. She would have turned bright red and bitten her tongue.
And yet, something was off.
A thrilling pleasure, like a heated needle piercing her spine, and a murky yet cold emotion bloomed within her heart.
Eventually, the path led to a secluded spot in the forest.
By then, Ian was following behind Seria with a serious expression. Seria, who had been walking as if possessed, stopped at a place where a strangely sweet scent filled the air.
There, Seria saw it.
"......Hm?"
Gray hair, blue eyes.
"Who are you?"
A color that reminded her of the mother she had lost as a child.
Something is wrong with Seria.
It didn't take long for me to realize that. My experience of crossing the line between life and death with Seria multiple times wasn't just for show. Realizing an abnormality in a comrade was a basic skill.
Today, Seria was being unusually affectionate.
From subtly grabbing my sleeve to speaking in a cute tone.
The decisive remark came next.
"I went to visit Miss Haster, but I heard she went missing. Since I ran into Senior Ian, I should thank Miss Haster separately..."
I didn't realize it at first.
It was the kind of thing Seria would typically say. She was someone whose emotions—whether you called it obsession or madness—were uniquely amplified.
Even if she showed a strange reaction, I had no choice but to accept it as her usual self.
But, thinking back, wasn't it strange?
She came to find Celine, but she didn't seem particularly interested in Celine's whereabouts. Furthermore, a contractor of the Dark Cult had gone missing, yet the Academy was too quiet.
Did that make sense?
Also, there was no hesitation in Seria’s steps. It was the attitude of someone with a strange certainty.
And at this point, I recalled another fact.
Seria’s mother is of the Vampire Bloodline.
The stories I had heard in the North suddenly sent a chill down my spine.
My mouth naturally stayed shut. I followed behind Seria in silence for several minutes.
Seria, who had been clinging to me occasionally, stopped reacting at some point. She just walked blankly, heading toward the forest located south of the Academy.
The route was indeed strange.
Circling the same spot or taking a detour when a straight path would have sufficed.
But even then, I didn't utter a single word of complaint.
The reason was simple.
Every time Seria took such an odd path, the surrounding atmosphere changed moment by moment.
The temperature, the humidity, and even the scent tickling the tip of my nose were shifting at will.
And at the end of that march.
I found myself holding my breath, hiding behind a tree.
"......Hm? Who are you?"
It was a clearing where a faint floral scent drifted.
Every time that artificial fragrance hit my nose, my mind grew hazy. It was clear that some dangerous gas was spreading around here.
And standing in the middle of it.
Was a woman with striking gray hair and blue eyes. Her short hair and the scar running across her right eye spoke of a turbulent past.
Vampire Kin.
Sensing something, I hoped that Seria wouldn't snap out of it.
If she regained her senses unnecessarily, we might fall into an even more difficult situation.
But Seria ruthlessly betrayed my expectations.
"H-Huh...?"
A dazed question escaped the girl's lips.
At the same time, the eerie atmosphere surrounding Seria vanished instantly. Seeing her look around and try to grasp the situation, it seemed her memory was fuzzy.
So, I secretly sent out a subtle wave of Qi.
It was a signal for her to stay quiet.
Fortunately, Seria understood that signal at least.
With a flinch, Seria’s body stiffened. She looked as if she had no idea what kind of response she should show.
What should I do?
I couldn't miss such a good opportunity. Wasn't this the first time I had ever laid eyes on a member of the Vampire Kin?
It would be great if I could extract some information.
Is torture the only answer after all?
Just as I was about to move my hand toward my waist.
"Not going to answer? I asked who you... Huh?"
Whether it was misfortune or luck.
The Vampire Kin tilted her head. I quickly scanned the surrounding area with my Qi Sense while her attention was diverted.
I can't see her.
At the very least, Celine wasn't here. This was why information was even more desperate.
But was the Heavenly God truly looking down upon us?
"What, you were a sister too? You should have said so sooner! I almost misunderstood, ahaha!"
The Vampire Kin burst into a boisterous laugh and draped an arm over the stiffened Seria’s shoulder.
To anyone watching, it was an expression of intimacy.
And before Seria could flinch and show any reaction.
"So, did you bring the 'food'? Everyone is waiting..."
Seria’s body froze again at the unfamiliar topic.
She hadn't even grasped the situation properly. It was hard enough to recall her hazy memories, and now she was being asked such an incomprehensible question.
It was before the vampire could even harbor a hint of suspicion.
My mind began to race. Considering the social skills Seria had shown so far, the possibility of her improvising appropriately was slim.
In the end, there was only one conclusion I could reach.
"......Ack."
Letting out an utterly artificial sound, I closed my eyes and collapsed, pretending to faint.
To be honest, it was a gamble with a higher chance of failure. My name had spread not only to the Dark Cult but across the entire continent. There was no guarantee my identity wouldn't be exposed.
However, there was one thing I was counting on.
"Hmm......"
Soon, a blue gaze began to scrutinize my entire body. During that time, Seria merely moved her hand toward the hilt of her sword.
As if she would kill the opponent the moment they threatened me.
Fortunately, Seria’s resolve didn't have to be put into action.
"......Good, this is high-quality prey. Our sisters will be pleased!"
Because the Vampire Kin’s left eye was also blurry.
And I am a High Expert.
Faking being a corpse was child's play.
Seria also tried her best to respond to my intention.
"Y-Ye-hek... ugh... Yes!"
Though she did accidentally bite her tongue.
No matter what anyone said, Seria was Seria.