Chapter 3 - The Fallen Paladin and Gullible Villainess (3)
3. The Fallen Paladin and Gullible Villainess (3)
The reasons why Kasha was labeled as the greatest villainess were mainly twofold.
The first reason was her invention of cursed magical weapons.
Born out of Simon’s request and her own pure curiosity, these inventions, contrary to her intentions, were mass-produced for lethal purposes, decimating the Imperial Paladin Order, the pride of the Empire, in the Holy War.
However, the biggest culprit for Kasha becoming a villainess was the second reason: the three sealed gems she released.
Simon claimed to have accidentally acquired these gems. Kasha researched them at his request and successfully unsealed them. Not only that, she even separated the curses from the gems with benevolent intentions.
But before she could resist, he seized the gems without giving her a chance. He insisted that if she were caught by the clergy, she would be arrested, so she needed to reseal them without getting caught.
However, ultimately, the gems were unleashed upon the world, causing various disasters contrary to her intentions. Among them, the most prominent were the exploits of Main Wolfbane and the demons in the Holy War.
‘What did Simon and his backers gain from causing these disasters?’
When he visited her cell before her execution, Simon was clearly appeasing someone whose identity was unknown.
Someone who swore allegiance to Kasha by shifting all blame onto her. To Kasha, she was only imprinted with the strong scent of perfume and the sound of a folding fan she heard in prison.
She had a premonition that the identity of the woman who came to confirm her death would be at the heart of all these disasters.
Until she revealed her identity and reclaimed the gems, she could be vilified and executed at any time, even if she returned.
‘If it’s the summer of nineteen, it means Simon has already unsealed and taken the gems away.’
The mysterious figure must have already begun to use the power of the gems. Therefore, it should be considered that the disaster has already begun.
One consolation was that it was before the completion of the offensive magical weapons used in the Holy War that she handed them over to Simon. So, if she didn’t hand over the completed products in the future, it would stop there.
‘But as long as the unsealed gems are in the hands of the shadowy figure, I can be vilified at any time.’
As long as the gems are in the hands of the shadowy figure, Kasha would never be free.
‘So, what’s the solution?’
She pondered over the three gems she unsealed with her own hands.
The possessor of the unsealed gem gains tremendous power. However, there is no pure goodness in what a demon does. The fate of the gem’s possessor is to bear a curse as deadly as the power they wield.
But whether it’s the twist of fate or the demon’s mischief, the problem was that Kasha succeeded in separating the curse from the gem through her research.
In fact, Kasha’s intentions were pure. She wanted to find a way to use the power of the gem without being tormented by its curse.
However, before Kasha could find a way to deal with the curse, the gem fell into the hands of the shadowy figure, who used her research results in a wicked way.
The power of the gem was wielded by himself, while the curse was borne by unsuspecting victims.
And the first victim chosen by the shadowy figure was none other than Leon Aranias, the broken paladin Kasha encountered before she entered prison.
The curse of lust that Leon endured. It was clear that it was planted by the shadowy figure who obtained the first gem, Onor.
‘But why Leon of all people?’
Kasha pondered deeply.
‘Surely there must have been a reason to choose Leon. There must have been something to gain by breaking him.’
The one who desired Leon’s downfall.
The one who benefited from the destruction of the Paladin Order and the terrible calamities.
The one who held the power to easily shift blame onto powerless Kasha and escape all charges.
That was the extent of the clues Kasha currently possessed about the identity of the shadowy figure.
‘How can I track her down? What could it be?’
Kasha lay on her bed, contemplating while staring at the ceiling. That’s when it happened.
Knock, knock.
“Miss, Lord Simon has sent a letter.”
Sena entered the room and handed her the letter. Kasha accepted it and cautiously met Sena’s eyes.
“…Thank you.”
“Huh? Uh… It’s nothing. It’s just natural.”
Sena was puzzled. Wasn’t the young lady supposed to thank her repeatedly and look her in the eye properly?
‘She seems quite different.’
As Sena left, shaking her head, Kasha glanced at the writing on the envelope. Elegant calligraphy. Even the sight of the handwriting, which reminded her of Simon’s whining face, made her feel repulsed, making her reluctant to open the envelope.
‘But I have to open it. To accurately assess the situation at this point.’
Kasha took a deep breath and, trying to avoid touching it as much as possible, opened the envelope only with her fingertips.
I long to see your face again from the morning. It’s been agonizing not meeting you for three days already.
But I endured with the hope of seeing you at the Count Tyroth’s ball tonight – unfortunately, this cursed cold refuses to get better.
Although I won’t be able to escort you tonight, once this cold clears, I’ll come running to you like the wind.
Please wait for me.
Yours sincerely,
Simon>
Rustle.
Kasha crumpled the letter in her hand with a cold expression. As memories of her past happiness reading this letter surfaced, she felt ashamed.
Surely, the true intention behind this letter could be read between the lines.
I have no intention of attending the ball you were looking forward to. The thought of attending with a woman as inferior and gloomy as you is dreadful.
So, I hope you feel miserable and lonely at the ball, missing my presence, making it easier for me to handle you.
And such wishes became a reality in the past.
Already burdened by the noble society, she completely cut ties with social circles after the Count Tyroth’s ball.
Subsequently isolated, Simon found it even easier to approach her, and they embarked on a love affair within a few months.
Of course, it was more of a voluntary isolation to become Simon’s faithful pawn than an escape of love.
Swiftly.
Kasha tossed the crumpled letter out the window.
“I won’t be used like a pawn by you again.”
After briefly gazing out the window into the void, Kasha slowly rose to her feet.
* * *
Knock, knock, knock.
Daryl Ruschino . The eldest son and heir of the Count Ruschino , he raised his head at the sound of the knocking on the door.
“Who is it?”
“….”
No answer. Daryl furrowed his brow slightly, feeling a bit annoyed.
“Come in.”
Thud.
Crinkle.
Daryl sighed as he tossed the letter he held onto the table, simultaneously responding.
Days when he received his father’s correspondence were always sharp like this.
The Ruschino of the Red Bull. With veins of strong belief, honesty, and no compromise.
Although usually as dull as a bear, once angered, neither the Count Ruschino nor his son, Daryl, could be restrained by anyone.
As alike in appearance as in fiery temperament, the wealthy pair tried to interfere with each other as little as possible.
The only topic that incited sharp disagreements between them was Daryl’s half-sister, Kasha Ruschino.
She came into the family like a bolt from the blue one day, led by her father’s hand. Moreover, she was only eight months younger than Daryl.
Considering his mother, who had passed away after a lifetime of tenderly caring for his father and the family, Daryl found the sight of her unbearable. His father, whom he had always respected, felt the same way.
No matter how prevalent the practice of indulging in concubines and mistresses was in noble society, he never expected his father to do such a thing.
He had been a man dedicated to the sword, the family, and nothing else. No, he believed so.
And yet, the father who had waited for his mother’s passing before bringing the bastard child into the family estate.
Even in the letter he held now, there was a clear injunction regarding Kasha.
<… Take responsibility and ensure that Kasha receives appropriate treatment. It is my duty and yours.>
What duty? His father, who left that child here in the capital while only guarding the remote territories. Entrusting everything to his son, Daryl, alone.
Daryl was barely twenty years old. He didn’t know how to take care of his nineteen-year-old step-sister.
‘Moreover, that girl is… not even normal.’
Daryl sighed and ruffled his hair.
Then, the door opened.
Meeting the person who entered, Daryl’s eyes widened in surprise.
“You…?”
“Brother. Hello…”
Kasha, who naturally closed the door behind her with a turn of her hand, faced Daryl.
Her usual pale face. Disheveled hair. Messy hem with dirt stains. Slow and awkward speech.
His only half-sister appeared as enigmatic as ever, but her expression seemed somehow unfamiliar. Moreover.
‘Did she just call me ‘brother’?’
Daryl was perplexed.
Ever since Kasha entered this mansion seven years ago, she had avoided Daryl like the plague, as if he would devour her.
It was frustrating for Daryl. It was true that Kasha was unpleasant to look at. But even if she avoided him, even if she disliked him, wasn’t that her prerogative?
According to the maids, Kasha’s daily routine involved reading books all day, scribbling something, or fidgeting with unknown objects. If not, she would roam the deserted garden at midnight like a mad person.
She forced herself to sit at the table only when her father visited the capital mansion. Then, with a disdainful expression, she would hastily shove food into her mouth as if being chased.
According to the maids, on days when such meals took place, Kasha would pretend to be ill for several days afterward. Since then, she seemed to have given up on the idea of doing anything voluntarily.
But calling him “brother.” It was the first time in seven years that he had heard such a term from her. No, her coming to him in the first place was unprecedented.
“Yeah. What is it?”
Daryl asked bluntly, concealing his inner surprise.
Having said that, he hesitated for a moment. Perhaps he sounded too brusque. Anyway, they had to attend the ball together tonight, so there was no need to make the atmosphere more awkward than it already was.
However, Kasha responded calmly as if nothing was amiss.
“I want to make a request.”