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Translator: penny
Chapter: 14
Chapter Title: What Is Your True Identity?
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Once again, I could truly feel just how powerful noble authority was.
The orphanage director, now branded not only with the crime of blasphemy but also embezzlement, was ultimately disowned by her family.
They'd given her an entire village to quietly settle down in and even set up an orphanage for her, yet she'd stirred up trouble instead. From her family's perspective, she must have been nothing but a headache.
And so, she awoke one morning as a commoner and was promptly exiled to a remote village.
Considering her haughty personality, she probably wouldn't last peacefully there either.
The merchant was thrown into an imperial prison.
Even without my involvement, he had a long rap sheet of frauds, so at Roselia's single command, soldiers stormed in and dragged him away.
All of this was neatly resolved in less than a day.
Roselia had fulfilled every single condition of the contract I'd proposed, without missing a beat.
Now it was my turn to keep my word. Even if she was the center of all the darkness.
"Here it is."
I handed Roselia several bundles of herbs.
No matter that Silver Flower Herbs only grew in specific environments, there was no way they couldn't be found somewhere in this vast empire.
"Doesn't look like much. Is this really all?"
Roselia peered at the bundles for a long moment, her eyes filled with curiosity.
"Yes, that's everything."
"Good."
Suddenly, she stood up, grabbed the back of my neck, and dragged me along.
"Eh? Where are we..."
"Just follow quietly."
Her footsteps led to the bedroom.
Roselia placed the herb bundles on the table, then abruptly tossed me onto the bed.
"I suppose we should test it first. See if it really works."
Suddenly enveloped by the bed, I stared at her in confusion.
Snap—
As Roselia snapped her fingers, a faint flame flickered at the ends of the herb bundles.
Soon, the herbs began to burn, releasing a subtle fragrance into the air.
It was mana.
I couldn't see it with my eyes, but what she'd just used was undoubtedly magic.
While I was distracted by the magic I'd never seen before in my life,
Roselia lay down beside me and grabbed the back of my neck again.
"We'll talk contract after a quick nap."
"Pardon? You're going to sleep now?"
"Yeah, I'm pretty exhausted."
Eh?
Right now? Just like this?
The sudden situation left me speechless.
Of course, I understood testing the herbs' effects firsthand, but lying side by side on the same bed like this was a huge problem.
"A-alright... could you maybe let me go?"
Roselia's face twisted slightly as she gripped my neck even tighter.
"How do I know you won't run?"
"N-no... still, I can't share a bed with you, Countess."
"What's the problem?"
There are way too many problems.
Even if my outward appearance was that of a girl right now, the mind inside was that of a full-fledged man.
Not only would my sanity not hold up, but if anyone caught sight of this scene, bad rumors would spread in no time.
Moreover, Roselia had a daughter. One with a temperament just as vicious as her mother's.
If that daughter saw this... it would lead to all sorts of unpleasant situations.
But the countess paid no heed to my concerns and kept holding me tight.
"Um..."
"No backtalk. Sleep."
Her voice was firm, leaving no room for argument. There was no persuading her.
In the end, I sighed inwardly in resignation and carefully glanced up at her.
"I won't go anywhere... so could you let go of my arm...?"
"Can I trust you?"
"Yes. I keep my promises."
Only after my resolute answer did she finally release her hand.
I quickly pulled the blanket up to just below my face, then cautiously looked at the countess.
I could see her eyelids drooping in real time.
"If you run... I'll send soldiers to drag you back..."
The countess's words trailed off unfinished.
Her voice faded, and her long, elegant lashes slowly closed over her eyes.
Soon, only soft, quiet breathing filled the bed.
"...Are you asleep?"
Suppressing my bewilderment, I whispered carefully. I hadn't imagined she'd fall asleep this instantly.
Recalling her past complaints, she usually had trouble sleeping too.
Did she have insomnia?
Or was it related to the curse she bore?
Blood Divine Power.
It was Roselia's true nature—the source of her overwhelming difficulty in the game.
The moment she ingested even a single drop of an opponent's blood, she could control their entire bloodstream for a set period.
In other words, it was tantamount to toying with their life.
In the game, it was set up as an instant kill if you got a bleed debuff. At first glance, it seemed like an omnipotent power.
But every power in the world comes with a price.
For Divine Powers, that price was corrosion.
The stronger the Divine Power, the more slowly but surely it corrupted the user's mind.
Of course, it didn't apply to weaklings like me...
But that explained why those with powerful Divine Powers all had a few screws loose.
Among them, Roselia—who possessed one of the top-tier Divine Powers—trod the worst path toward ruin.
Ultimately eroded by her power, she lost her reason. The fallen Roselia later emerged as the black who burst countless hearts.
I slowly lifted my head to look at Roselia.
Her skin was so pale it was almost white, yet her exquisitely sculpted features radiated a striking presence.
'Has she not gone completely mad yet?'
By the game's timeline, it started roughly six years from now.
So it was possible she hadn't been greatly affected by the corrosion yet.
"Right now... she doesn't seem like such a bad person..."
I murmured softly, gazing at her peaceful sleeping face.
Of course, her willingness to burst people open without hesitation—whether the director or the merchant—matched the game's lore...
But she'd also saved me, so I couldn't outright call her a villain.
'...I shouldn't judge hastily.'
Either way, she was destined to become the black later.
She might have already killed many people.
And even without corrosion, the goals she pursued would claim countless lives in the end.
Of course, that was separate from repaying the favor she'd done me. We'd made a contract, and I planned to steadily supply her with herbs going forward.
But getting any more entangled with Roselia than that didn't seem wise.
I'd just keep it to the contract and go my own way.
"...Yawn."
Was it all the overthinking? Or had the Silver Flower Herb's scent made my body relax too?
Drowsiness washed over me, my eyelids slowly closing.
My young body was still too weak to fight off the onslaught of sleep.
I'd promised not to run anyway, so it should be fine to sleep like this.
Listening to Roselia's quiet breathing, I slowly closed my eyes.
"I hope you don't fall..."
I whispered softly and drifted off after her.
Hoping my herbs would truly help her.
Accompanied by the cheerful songs of sparrows, her closed crimson eyes slowly opened.
A clear mind.
A fading headache.
Fatigue that felt much lighter.
It was an utterly satisfying sleep.
Roselia stared intently at the girl sleeping quietly before her.
She didn't know how it was possible, but this child had definitely put her to sleep.
"What is your true identity?"
Roselia carefully raised her hand and gently brushed the girl's hair aside.
Even as her fingers touched the girl's skin, she showed no sign of discomfort.
Normally, she'd hiss like a cat and bristle all over.
Was it because she was asleep?
If so, it was likely a psychological issue.
There was only one reason a child this young would fear physical contact with others.
"Should've cut off her remaining arm too."
Recalling the orphanage director full of greed, Roselia muttered lowly, her voice laced with killing intent.
It was then.
Suddenly, she wondered why her emotions were so stirred.
She usually paid little attention to others.
Besides, it hadn't even been a full day since they'd met.
'Sympathy?'
Too short a time to grow attached. Perhaps it was pity for the child's unfortunate circumstances.
Or maybe worry for herself.
If this child vanished one day, she'd be back to a body that couldn't sleep again.
She was sick of the nightly screams of the dead tormenting her.
Tucking away her resolve never to let her go, Roselia pinched the girl's cheek lightly.
"Nngh..."
A childish whimper escaped the girl's lips.
The sight reminded her of a chirping chick, and Roselia unwittingly let out a chuckle.
"Come to think of it... she's quite pretty, isn't she?"
At first glance, her ragged appearance had hidden it.
But now, she could see the girl possessed considerable beauty for her young age.
Distinct features blooming clearly amid her cute baby fat.
Long lashes framing smooth, flowing blue hair.
If she grew up well like this, she'd captivate many men in the future.
'...The temple, was it?'
The girl's words suddenly came to mind.
She'd asked to be sent to the temple because it would protect her there.
The girl might be right.
For an orphan not even ten years old, the temple was probably the only option.
But even knowing it was best for her, Roselia didn't like the idea of sending her there.
Roselia rose from the bed.
Leaving the soundly sleeping girl behind, she headed to her study.
A way to protect the girl's status.
And a way to keep her by her side at the same time.
An utterly clear solution floated into her mind.
"I wonder what face she'll make."
Imagining the girl waking to find a sort of 'contract' held out before her, flustered and confused.
Roselia wore a smile akin to a smirk.
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