Taming The Villainesses

(EP-351.2) #1

351 – Abandonment #1

I returned from the chaotic streets and sat on my bed, slipping into meditation.

With my eyes closed, I could feel the mana within me and the natural energy outside pushing against each other in opposite directions.

As I maintained this tension and gradually reached a state of selflessness, memories from the past surfaced one by one, as if my mind was trying to disrupt my concentration.

Memories like the first time I met Marmar on a stake. If I hadn't gone for a walk with Aira that day and hadn't bought Marmar, what would I be doing now?

Or if I had taken a different path entirely and never enrolled in Ark….

No, I was getting too distracted.

‘Bael, you can eat these distracting thoughts.’

I felt the paper spider in my chest rustle as it nibbled away at something.

In the first place, I started this meditation to gain better control over Bael, the high-rank spell I recently obtained.

The martial festival tomorrow.

If I wanted to win, I couldn’t afford to hold back. Just from walking around the city today, I saw countless formidable warriors from the city, the kingdom, and distant lands.

I had no idea what kind of skills they would bring, so I needed to stay sharp.

Would I be able to claim victory? If I made it to the very end, and faced Aira in the final match and won, what would happen then?

That would mean my plan to bring the four great families under my control would be achieved.

“Status Window.”

I parted my lips, which had been silent for a long time, and spoke lightly into the air. Then, countless letters appeared before my eyes, filling my vision.

=================================

Name: Theo Gospel Angmar lv. 49 → 50

Job: Half-Fairy lv. 9

Casanova Lv. 8

Actor lv. 10

Trainer lv. 9

Little Demon King lv. 3 → 4

Talents: 《Farsight》 《Calm Thinking》 《Ditch Eye》 《Special Perk: Demon King》 《Charisma》

Inclination: Chaotic-Neutral

You are the only survivor of a fallen family.

You must revive the family while avoiding those who want to destroy it.

Fortunately, you are motivated to rebuild your family.

==================================

I manipulated them to display the information I wanted.

「Final Goal Completion Rate: 1/4」

Final Goal.

The number that had risen after defeating Opal, Stella's brother, still remained at 1.

Despite successfully drawing in Elga, Mirna, Narmi and Stella, the completion rate had remained unchanged, leaving me with a slight sense of unease.

While I could vaguely guess what it meant, I also found myself denying it, caught between two extremes, pondering for several minutes.

Sssss.

Clatter.

A strange gust of wind blew my room window open. The candles that had been lit flickered out, plunging the room into darkness.

“What’s with this wind?”

Creak, creak. The irritating sound disrupted my meditation. Annoyed, I rose from my bed and approached the window.

As I gazed beyond the second-floor window at the vast garden, a sense of déjà vu—or perhaps an old memory—washed over me.

Looking through a window that offered such a high vantage point, allowing me to see far into the distance… I had always waited for someone like this. I had waited for my mother to return.

But only now did I realize, I couldn’t remember even the smallest fragment of my mother's face or voice. All that remained was the vague sensation of waiting.

“You’ve let your guard down. If I had come here with ill intent, Theo, your head would already be rolling on the floor.”

At the soft voice behind me, I quickly turned my head. In the dark room, where all the candles had been extinguished, stood a figure in a black robe pulled low over their head.

“When did you come in, my lady?”

“Just now.”

“I wasn’t expecting you, so my room is a bit messy. I’ll tidy it up right away.”

As I hurriedly tried to tidy up the candles and books I had laid out for meditation, Aira, who had removed her robe, glanced around and flicked her finger.

Soon, a glowing orb floated in the air, illuminating the room, and the scattered books and candles neatly stacked themselves in a corner.

“… Hm?”

Letting out a curious hum, Aira gestured toward a book, causing it to rise into the air and land gracefully in her slender, pale hand.

“A history of heresy inquisitions.”

“Well, the people in the North seem to harbor strong hostility toward the church. And from what I’ve heard, the Tarantera family suffered significant losses as well.”

“It’s a thing of the past.”

Aira, seemingly losing interest, casually set the book down nearby. Then, she sank into a plush chair and smoothly crossed her legs.

Only then did I fully grasp the reality that Aira had entered my room. That she and I were alone together. Had she ever come to my room like this without any prior notice?

I was always the one visiting her room.

This felt awkward. No, to be honest, Aira had felt awkward to me lately. Whenever I looked into her brightly sharp eyes, it felt as if my petty schemes had already been seen through.

Didn’t Aira, from 2 years ago, that I met in the dream claim she had clairvoyance? If that was real, then hadn’t she already peeked into my mind and thoughts?

No, if that were the case, she wouldn’t have let me live.

I didn’t know.

“…….”

“…….”

As the heavy silence pressed down on my shoulders, I couldn’t hold back any longer.

“So, what brings you here at this late hour?”

At my question, Aira slowly parted her lips.

And what she said next was something truly unexpected.

Edit by: faker