Translator: Nox

Chapter: 16

[Name: Ella (Half-Vampire)]
Title: Master of the New Moon Palace
Health: A+
Intelligence: F
Agility: E
Willpower: B+
Luck: C
Level: 30
Points: 1

After getting my revenge on D, I finally leveled up for the first time in a while.

Overjoyed at gaining a point, I was thrilled I could finally raise my Intelligence stat.

‘Great. I’m going to become a clever villain now!’

I used the point with a pounding heart.

The moment my Intelligence went from F to F+, a new window popped up.

[Web Message]
Congratulations!
You’ve acquired Insight.
( O∀O)✧ I’ll reveal everything!

What? I thought I was supposed to get smarter?

When I checked what Insight was, it said it was the ability to see through things.

“Your Highness, is something wrong?”

“Huh? Ah, no.”

I stumbled over my words a little. That’s because small text had appeared next to Sion, who was approaching me.

·Sion

What kind of Insight just shows names? That’s useless!

“Do you have a fever?”

As Sion touched my forehead, more information popped up.

·Sion (Mage)
Affiliated with the Sky Arcane Faction of the Magic Tower

‘Sion’s from the Sky Arcane Faction?’

This wasn’t even mentioned in the original story. If it was true, Insight was incredibly valuable.

“That’s strange. You don’t have a fever.”

Sion looked at me suspiciously.

I decided to just boldly ask.

“Sion, there are different factions in the Magic Tower, right? Which one are you part of?”

“The Sky Arcane Faction.”

So the information was accurate!

“Why do you ask?”

“I just wanted to know more about you.”

Sion looked dumbfounded, then chuckled.

“Not the most honest answer, but not unpleasant.”

“It is an honest answer!”

Sion shrugged and let go of me.

I started scanning around the room, trying Insight on various things. And I discovered a few things.

First, if I focused on something, simple information like a name would appear.

If I touched or stared at someone longer, more details would be added.

But it was still just one or two lines at most.

‘If I raise my Intelligence, I might be able to see more.’

I had been heavily relying on the original story for information.

That made it hard to deal with anything or anyone not in the original.

But if Insight let me gather new information, it opened a whole new path.

‘I need to gain experience and raise my Intelligence quickly.’

Having reached a conclusion, I rubbed my eyes without thinking. They stung from using Insight too much.

“Don’t rub your eyes.”

Sion grabbed my hand, frowning slightly.

“Your eyes look like a rabbit’s now.”

His pale hand gently covered my eyes. A cool sensation and his subtle scent washed over me.

After a moment, he took his hand away to check my eyes.

“They’re a little better, but you shouldn’t overdo it today.”

His face was so close it startled me. I even held my breath so I wouldn’t exhale on him.

Our eyes met, and he smiled slightly.

‘He’s teasing me!’

He was totally getting back at me for dodging his question earlier.

“Wa-wait…”

Just as I was about to push him away, the door slammed open with a loud bang.

Claude burst in, pointing at Sion with a fierce expression.

“I knew it! You sly fox, how dare you go after this chick-like kid?!”

“…”

Sion, who had been right next to me, sighed and stood up. He nodded at me.

“I’ll step out for a moment.”

“O-okay.”

It looked like he was stepping away to avoid punching Claude.

Completely oblivious to the danger, Claude chased after him.

“Where do you think you’re going?! Explain yourself!”

Claude returned much later, his nose in the air.

“You were scared, weren’t you? Don’t worry, I chased him off.”

“Claude, Sion was just teasing me.”

Even when I explained it was a misunderstanding, Claude insisted I was being fooled.

I gave up and asked,

“So, what brings you here today?”

“Ah, right! Come quickly. I have something to show you!”

Like a cheerful beagle, he dragged me downstairs. The moment I entered the parlor, a sweet scent hit my nose.

“This is…”

I was momentarily stunned by the sight of cakes and desserts covering the long table.

Strawberry shortcake, peach tart, macarons, chocolate cake, madeleines, raspberry pie, Mont Blanc, cupcakes, and dozens of other desserts I couldn’t even name.

“Try them! I picked only the best from the capital’s top shops.”

I stared at Claude suspiciously.

“Claude, do you want something from me?”

Claude flinched and scratched his head sheepishly.

“N-no, I just wanted to thank you.”

“Thank me?”

“For forgiving D.”

“What? I didn’t forgive him.”

Didn’t he hear me threaten D to become my dog?

“I know. But you could’ve made things way worse than you did. You showed mercy.”

I was a bit shocked.

In the original, D was betrayed by his own clan and died a miserable death.

As much as I hated him, I didn’t want him to end up like that, so I forced him to kneel instead.

‘Claude actually picked up on that?’

He might miss the mark sometimes, but he was sharp in his own way.

“Alright then, I’ll dig in.”

But the mountain of desserts looked too much even for a month’s worth of eating.

“It’s too much for just me. Can I share with the others?”

“See? You’re such a good kid.”

Claude beamed and ruffled my hair. My hair was a mess, but it didn’t feel bad.

Just then, the door burst open again.

“…Sion?”

Sion marched in without knocking, holding something out.

Inside the transparent box was a pitch-black cat.

“I captured an intruder hiding in the palace.”

Claude asked in confusion,

“Isn’t that just a cat?”

“Even if it is, something’s off about it.”

Moved by Sion’s response, Claude clapped.

“You’re seriously insane. Amazing.”

I used Insight on the frightened cat. If Sion found it suspicious, there had to be a reason.

·Stray Cat (Iblis)
Possessed by the Emperor.

Why is the Emperor here?!

I almost jumped but disguised it with a cough.

I had to hide that I could use Insight. No one likes being read like a book.

“Could it be a familiar?”

Vampires often had animals obeying their commands, called familiars.

But both men shook their heads.

“Nope.”

“If it were, I’d have disposed of it already.”

Then what was this cat the Emperor possessed?!

I trembled inwardly, unable to reveal the truth.

Meow~ Meow!

The cat cried pitifully toward me, like it was begging for help. It gave me chills.

‘Would ignoring him be considered treason?’

After some internal struggle, I decided to save him for now.

“Looks like an ordinary cat to me.”

“It bypassed the New Moon Palace’s defenses. It’s not ‘ordinary.’”

“Maybe it was so weak it didn’t register.”

Meow?

I ignored the Emperor’s protest and gave a sad look.

“Sion, the cat looks so pitiful. Can’t we let it go?”

“Not until we know what it is.”

Stubborn jerk. I wanted to secretly release it.

“Then let’s keep it here. Just don’t let it outside.”

“……”

“Sion, please. I’ve never had a pet before.”

As I desperately pleaded, Sion sighed.

“Then promise me one thing.”

“Huh?”

“Never let it onto your bed. If I find it there, I’ll incinerate it.”

…Incinerate?!

Sion’s sensibilities… are they okay?