The First Step Toward Salvation
In the original novel, Eilyn Rutenia only appeared as a minor villainess who bullied the female protagonist for the incredibly petty reason of having bright blonde hair. Consequently, I didn't know much about her detailed backstory either. But I suppose I could start learning about her from now on.
Even in the lecture hall:
"Good day, Lady Rutenia."
"You again? I told you to get out of my sight."
In the lobby:
"Lady Rutenia, the weather is quite lovely today."
"...Do you have trouble understanding my words?"
Even during practical training:
"Lady Rutenia, would you care to partner up with me?"
"I told you to get lost!"
I kept entangling myself with her. I intentionally took the same lectures, joined her group projects, and popped up wherever she went. After all, where else could I find a villainess who possessed saint-level divine talent and was this breathtakingly beautiful? Sure, her personality was a bit prickly, but...
One day, while I was following her around as usual:
"Lady Rutenia, would you care to take a walk with me today? I believe the Garden of Blue Roses would suit you wonderfully."
"...I suppose a short walk wouldn't hurt."
For the first time, I received a positive response.
"Really? Let us go at once. I happen to know the Garden of Blue Roses like the back of my hand."
"Fine. I will go with you this once, so do not even think about entangling yourself with me ever again. And stop following me around."
Ah, so it wasn't exactly a positive response after all. And here I thought I had finally succeeded in opening her heart a little...
"...Let us head to the Garden of Blue Roses first."
As we strolled through the Garden of Blue Roses, I attempted to strike up a conversation with Eilyn Rutenia.
"What do you usually do in your free time, Lady Rutenia?"
"I don't see why that is any of your business."
"..."
Seriously, does she dislike me that much? This is starting to hurt my feelings. Nevertheless, I didn't give up and tried again.
"Lady Rutenia, do you have any worries lately? If there is anything I can do to help, I would be more than happy to listen."
"...Why on earth would I tell you that?"
Her thorny attitude felt sharp enough to cut.
"Did something happen between you and Lord Shadys Rutenia? Back at the banquet hall, I noticed..."
"Shut up! Do not mention my brother."
There was definitely something going on between her and Shadys Rutenia. If I had to guess, he likely ostracized and abused her simply because she was an illegitimate child. She always walked alone, her eyes completely lifeless, and there were faint bruises and scars peeking out from beneath her clothes that she couldn't fully hide. When I first read the original novel, I just thought Eilyn was a crazy bitch, but now that I knew the reason behind her behavior, I couldn't help but feel sorry for her. I wanted to drag Shadys out and beat him to a pulp right this second. However, as an outsider, I couldn't prove his abuse just by pointing at her wounds. To draw out Eilyn's true feelings, I decided to bring up a sensitive topic.
"Actually, I am aware. I know that you are the illegitimate daughter of the Marquis of Rutenia."
Eilyn froze. Her face stiffened instantly.
"So what? Are you planning to slander me like everyone else? Is that why you've been following me around?"
"Of course not. I do not care in the slightest about your birth. I, too, have commoner blood running through my veins."
Eilyn frowned, staring intently at me.
"Then why? Why bring that up all of a sudden?"
"Because I think I understand the kind of life you've had to endure. And I want to help you."
"What do you know about me..."
I gently took her hand and spoke.
"Would you mind sharing some of your loneliness with me? Such a heavy burden is far too difficult to bear alone."
Ugh! I can't believe I just said something straight out of a cheesy romance fantasy novel. Goosebumps erupted all over my arms the moment the words left my mouth. I wanted to die of embarrassment.
Eilyn Rutenia remained silent. She simply stood frozen, staring blankly at the ground. I continued to speak to her.
"I know what it feels like because I have experienced that loneliness myself. Your eyes... they look completely lifeless. The reason I keep following you and trying to get close to you is because I want to bring the light back into those eyes."
"...If this is pity, I don't need it. I'm leaving."
Eilyn shook off my hand and quickly hurried out of the Garden of Blue Roses.
People who are acutely aware of their own misery tend to despise being pitied. They see pity as a cheap, hollow emotion. But I didn't think that way. Only when there is pity can one offer or receive help. I truly hoped she would realize it too—that pity is often the very first step toward salvation.
"So, how did it go?"
"It is not as easy as I hoped. Her heart is firmly locked away."
Mikaris Merian asked as she picked at her salad.
"Can't you just choose someone else? Why persist when she rejects you so vehemently...?"
I cut her off firmly.
"No. It has to be Lady Rutenia."
"And what exactly does that mean?"
A chilling sensation crept up my shoulders and slid down my spine, wrapping around my entire body.
"...I do not mean it in any strange way. Lady Rutenia's divine talent will undoubtedly be a massive boon to us. I am simply trying to recruit a talented individual."
"I see."
For a second, I thought she was going to stab me with her fork. I felt like her possessiveness had grown even more intense ever since we got engaged. Just as the air grew heavy and a chilling silence settled over the table, Ronia Cardelia appeared like a breath of fresh air to clear the atmosphere.
"My lecture ended late, so I apologize for the delay."
"Lady Ronia!"
"Welcome."
The atmosphere instantly seemed to brighten up the moment Ronia arrived. What a relief.
"Did something happen between you two? Why is the mood so tense?"
"It is nothing major. Hound just keeps trying to escape from my fence."
Fence? What fence? Since when did I become a domesticated pet?
"Haha, a fence? You joke too much, Mikaris."
"..."
Ronia clapped her hands and smiled.
"Come to think of it, I haven't had the chance to say it yet. Congratulations on your engagement!"
The corners of Mikaris's lips curled upward. She raised her left hand.
"It is our engagement ring."
"I-I see..."
Ronia, who had been happily offering her congratulations just a moment ago, froze like a stone statue upon seeing the ring. But she quickly recovered and spoke.
"Well, I do not mind being the second wife anyway."
"Second?"
Once again, the air turned heavy. It was awkward. No, it was downright uncomfortable.
"Oh, look at the time. I should probably head out first for my next lecture."
"Really? But you haven't even finished your food."
"My, have a wonderful class~"
I practically fled from the dining table, escaping an atmosphere that was beyond awkward and bordering on freezing. The silent sparks flying between their eyes made it hard to breathe. I seriously thought I was going to get indigestion.
"Whew..."
When I arrived at the lecture hall, I was relieved to find that the seat next to Eilyn Rutenia was empty.
"Lady Rutenia, let us do our best in today's lecture as well."
"You again!"
The glare Eilyn directed at me was as sharp as ever. Even so, I refused to back down.
"Your hairstyle suits you wonderfully, Lady Rutenia. Twin-tails are not an easy look to pull off."
"Are you mocking me?"
"Of course not. I mean it with the utmost sincerity."
Eilyn bit her lower lip. Is she embarrassed? Seeing her like this, she actually has a cute side.
"Whenever I look at you, I cannot help but think how captivating your ruby-red eyes are."
"What on earth are you talking about? Have you lost your mind?"
"As I said before, I am speaking from the bottom of my heart."
Just as I was conversing with Eilyn, the Purification Magic professor called me out.
"Student Hound? If you have enough time to chatter away like that, why don't you answer my question instead?"
Tsk, of course someone had to interrupt.
"Yes, please ask."
"What do you believe the world's Contamination is related to? I would love to hear your opinion."
Is he seriously asking that? If people actually knew the answer, the entire world wouldn't be weeping and in absolute chaos. He's clearly just trying to embarrass me. But I wasn't about to let myself be a pushover.
"In my opinion, the world's Contamination is born from the screams of humanity. Emotions such as depression and despair are what generate the Contamination. I believe this is also why we cannot completely eradicate it—because human emotions can never be fully suppressed."
"Hmm..."
I thought it was a pretty solid answer, but the professor's reaction was somewhat ambiguous.
"That is a plausible hypothesis. In fact, research has shown that the process of becoming a Demonic Human is closely linked to one's emotions. You may sit down. Excellent answer."
After that, under the watchful eye of the professor, I couldn't continue my conversation with Eilyn. I guess I'll just have to seek her out personally later. The tedious lecture dragged on, and I had no choice but to yawn my way through until the class finally ended.
I asked the dormitory supervisor.
"Could you tell me the room number of Lady Rutenia?"
"For what purpose?"
"We share a lecture, and she happened to drop something. I wish to return it."
The supervisor narrowed her eyes. Is she suspicious of me? Come on, what is there to even suspect...
"If that is the case, I can deliver it to her myself."
"No, thank you. We share a close personal relationship, so I would prefer to hand it over in person."
What are you going to do about it if we're close? Just tell me the room number already.
"...It is Room 509."
Armed with that information, I headed up the stairs toward Room 509. However, as I drew closer, loud, chaotic noises began leaking through the door.
Crash! Thud! Clatter!
It sounded like things were being violently smashed. I hurriedly knocked on the door.
"Lady Rutenia? Lady Rutenia! It is Hound Egil Yohanes! May I come in?"
There was no answer. Only the sound of shattering objects and muffled groans of pain echoed from within. I tried to turn the doorknob, but it was locked tight.
"Damn it, Lady Rutenia!"
Sensing an emergency, I didn't hesitate. I began to break the door down with my bare hands.
Crash!
The heavy wooden door collapsed flat onto the floor.
The scene that unfolded before my eyes was a complete disaster. The parlor was in absolute ruins, littered with shattered teacups and plates. And in the corner, Eilyn was being brutally beaten by Shadys Rutenia. She looked as if she was on the verge of losing consciousness. My eyes widened, and a raging fury surged deep within my chest.
"What do you think you are doing?!"
"Who the hell are you? Did you just break down the door? Impudent bastard, stay out of our family affairs!"
"This is far beyond a mere family affair! No decent person could witness this and simply walk away!"
Shadys Rutenia stepped toward me, thrusting his chin out arrogantly.
"Ah, so you're the famous Hound Egil Yohanes? I've heard plenty of rumors. But do you really think you have the right to interfere in the affairs of a Marquis's house? Know your place, mere Viscount!"
Squeeze. I gripped Shadys Rutenia's shoulder with crushing force.
"Argh! What do you think you're doing, you bastard?!"
"I am not standing here as Viscount Yohanes. I am here as Sir Yohanes, recipient of the Imperial Medal of Honor."
Thud! I grabbed Shadys by his collar and hurled him across the room.
"Ggah!"
I pulled off my glove and flung it to the floor.
"I challenge you to a duel."
"Are you insane?"
"Any knight who does not lose his mind upon witnessing such a sight is no knight at all."
I let my murderous intent bleed into the air as I continued.
"Will you accept, or are you a coward?"
"You bastard...!"
Shadys's hands were trembling. Judging by his behavior now and the rumors I'd heard, he was a cunning bastard. He undoubtedly knew he stood absolutely no chance of defeating me.
"Accept the duel. The condition is that you will never lay a finger on Eilyn Rutenia again. If I lose, I will kneel and offer a formal apology to you in public."
Just then, Eilyn weakly tugged at my sleeve.
"...Stop. I am fine, so..."
I gently reached down and took her trembling, frail hand in mine.
"Tomorrow's destiny is forged by the choices we make today. Do you remember what I said? I told you I wanted to bring the light back into your eyes. From this moment on, I will do exactly that."
"Ha! Are you two bonding over the fact that you both have commoner mothers?"
I glared coldly at Shadys Rutenia.
"You aren't picking up the glove. Are you afraid? You acted so tough in front of your sister, yet you cower before someone stronger. You truly are a pathetic coward who is weak to the strong and strong only to the weak."
"You bastard...!"
Shadys's face flushed a deep, angry crimson. Unable to contain his fury any longer, he snatched the glove off the floor.
"I accept your challenge!"