Translator: Nox

Chapter 5

“Have you been waiting long?”

Donau stopped in front of the sacrifice and squatted down. The girl’s eyes still glared fiercely at her without dying. Donau thought she was a bit cheeky.

She pressed the knife to her throat. If possible, she wanted to prepare it to the demon’s taste. Demons probably liked it drenched in blood anyway. Blood beaded up along the thin cut and trickled down. Donau got completely immersed in this delicate, artistic task.

And just as she straightened the blade again. A roar shook the house, dust swirling inside.

Did the door get ripped off? Damn, who reported her to the guards? Crap. She might beat a little girl, but not an adult man.

Coughing amid the dust, a figure approached through the haze. The first thing that caught her eye was a pure white dress like pajamas. And next, hair just as devoid of color—pure white.

“Evangeline Rohanson?”

Relief washed over her at the sight of a frail girl she could overpower with one hand, not a burly man. But the moment her eyes met the bright red ones, Donau gasped.

Worship with reverence. Welcome the angel of light descending to earth as it turns the ground.

A trumpet sounded from somewhere.

***

Crazy! What the hell is this?

The door, so shoddily made it shattered with a light kick from my foot, lay behind me as I entered the house. There was Donau holding a knife to the throat of a girl tied up tight. This psycho!

No, I just came to catch the thief who stole my awesome isekai munchkin Summoning Circle and ran off—why did she evolve from thief to kidnapper?! Don’t level up solo like that!

“Kanna!”

Hena, who followed me, gasped at the bound girl. Kanna? She knows her name, so a friend of Hena’s? No way someone from the mansion? Hena stood stunned, mouth covered, tears streaming down. What do we do—she’s close to her!

I grew less and less inclined to forgive Donau. Hena’s the only one I’ve really bonded with in this isekai, and she kidnaps Hena’s friend? I won’t let you off. Time to show the cruelty of a romance-fantasy villainess.

I’d just made that vow when she recognized me too.

“Evangeline Rohanson?”

Donau started trembling as she called my name. Is this extreme criminal who stole my stuff and kidnapped a kid scared of me? Probably busted at her crime scene, right?

No way she’s terrified just because Evangeline Rohanson is some ultimate villain whose name alone makes people piss themselves. …Right? Don’t tell me I’m not just a villainess but the world’s top black幕 boss! We don’t need that kind of setting!

Ugh…. My head’s spinning a bit, but that’s not important now. Human life comes first.

“Did you call for me?”

I never knew being Evangeline the villainess would be useful here. Cringe-worthy, but I held back the chills, curling just my lips into a smile. Key is eyes that don’t smile. Villain smirk—easy, right?

The knife in Donau’s hand bugged me. The girl’s throat already had a line from a graze. What do you do in these situations?

Detectives always said, ‘Put down the knife and let’s talk.’ What do we even talk about? What common ground do I have with this freak? Oh, wait—one thing.

“Did you take good care of my Summoning Circle?”

I phrased it carefully not to provoke the criminal. ‘Take care’? She stole it! Come to think of it, why steal my magic circle and not summon but kidnap instead? Pisses me off now.

“So…you, you’re the owner of that Summoning Circle?”

“Bingo. That’s why I tracked you down.”

Look at this punk playing innocent! Steals from my room and now acts clueless—thick-skinned much? Makes sense—she’s brazen enough to steal and kidnap.

I wanted to unleash a torrent of curses, but the young hostage forced me to hold back desperately. The Summoning Circle matters, but human life more.

“Tell me what you want. Let the girl go, and I’ll grant it.”

Of course, I meant ‘hear it out.’

I’d listen with one ear and let it go out the other, but for now, act like I’ll fulfill it. Meet the criminal’s demands, swap for the hostage, then slap on cuffs. No cuffs in a romance-fantasy world? Then I’ll deliver justice’s iron fist.

“Make me filthy rich!”

Yeah. Steal stuff and pull a hostage stunt? Gotta be money.

Problem: I have no cash. Just came to catch a thief—why bring money? If that was the goal, leave a note saying prep funds first! Doesn’t even know kidnapping basics!

“Rich? Sure. How about Count Rohanson? I’ll make you a countess.”

So, bluff for now. All I’ve got is Evangeline’s body and status. Gotta use it. Evangeline’s an only daughter; a son-in-law could become count.

Wonder if this romance-fantasy world allows female heads or demands patriarchal succession via adoption—table that for now.

“Count Rohanson? Yeah…. I like it. Stealing that damn count’s seat sounds good.”

Deal sealed. Apparently fine terms. Makes sense—a countess? Power and money bundled; no refusal.

“Shall we trade now?”

Hurry and hand over Hena’s friend!

Waiting for the hostage handoff, Donau suddenly grinned maniacally, swinging the knife wildly at the girl. Wait, what are you doing?!

“Stop. What the hell?”

“To finalize the deal….”

Oh. So she’s cutting the girl’s bonds herself? Phew. Relief. Watching warily, Donau seemed off. Really freeing her? Won’t she backstab me?

Nope. Better if I do it. First, get the handoff.

“I’ll do it—bring that knife here.”

Donau frowned but obeyed. Finally, hostage swap? But she approached me with the knife.

W-Wait, did I piss her off? Casual speech? Commanding tone? Or acting like Evangeline Rohanson did it!

Whatever—looks like I provoked instead of calming.

We’re screwed? No, stay calm. Opportunity! She’s focused on me, not the girl.

“Hena. You save the girl.”

Ventriloquism-style whisper, super quiet so Donau wouldn’t hear. Hena’s sharp-eared; she nodded faintly, getting it.

I’ll pull aggro. Villainesses are aggro magnets. Trust me.

“Hey. Making you countess? Total lie.”

“What?”

“You believed that? Idiot.”

Perfect. Nothing riles like give-and-take. Mocked hard to enrage. Laughing so much my stomach hurts. Hurts, so laughter stopped.

Sudden seriousness weird? Whatever—go bold now.

“Why should I grant your wish?”

“Isn’t that why you were summoned?”

Nope! How would I know Hena’s friend Kanna was captured?! Just came for the thief!

“I only came because of my Summoning Circle.”

Donau hung her head, speechless. Thought I struck a nerve, but she was muttering nonstop up close.

“…This, this won’t do. Something’s wrong. I did it exactly the same. Followed every step—what’s missing? Evangeline Rohanson. I did everything you commanded. Why won’t it work for me? I can do it too. I could’ve been a damn countess. Please don’t look at me like that. You, you think I’m pathetic too? Don’t look, you damn, damn demon….”

Crazy talk. Well, no sane person kidnaps a friend’s colleague.

After muttering forever, Donau snapped her head up. Eyes fully unhinged.

“Prep was perfect—why?!”

Staring blankly like possessed, she whipped around. Hena was frantically untying Kanna’s bonds.

“Won’t come loose. What do I do? Why won’t it untie?”

Hena’s face tear-streaked. Hands shaking like leaves—no way to undo intricate knots.

“No, no! My sacrifice!”

Donau shrieked; hearing it, Hena hugged Kanna protectively.

Donau flailed desperately, not watching her feet. Her foot snagged a candle, sending it rolling across the floor.

They’ll get hurt! Panic rising. Then Donau fully turned her back to me. Never expose your neck to the enemy! I seized the chance, smacking her nape.

Gasp! Wrong spot! Meant the head, but round nape too tempting. Still worked—bare-handed strike made her stagger and flop down. I rushed past to Hena.

“Move, Hena.”

Her trembling hands—faster if I do it. Hena, eyes squeezed shut, cautiously opened them and stepped aside.

She panicked; mine untied easily with a few tugs. Just touching snapped the ropes.

“You’re okay now.”

One crisis averted. First spectacle post-isekai possession—heart pounding.

“Kanna.”

Hena, aside, pulled the girl into a hug.

“Sis….”

“You okay? How’d this happen?! I told you not to stay out! You just recovered!”

“Sorry, sis…. Didn’t expect this. Waiting for you….”

“I’m sorry too, Kanna. Glad you’re safe. Glad we weren’t late.”

Not friends—family. Their tender reunion tugged my heartstrings. Want to join the hug, but I was badass villainess moments ago; jumping in would shatter character? Gazed afar, drying tears.

Can’t cry with them, but wanna help.

“Kanna, right? What should we do with Donau?”