Chapter 17

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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 17
Chapter Title: The Reason That Villainess Took Up the Sword
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As if to prove she was indeed the one chosen by the sword, Erin Resus constantly yearned to wield a sword.

Every time, she recalled the words she had heard just before coming to the Marquis's manor.

The arrogant man with golden hair. The words the Emperor, who looked down on everything from the highest seat, had whispered to her.

“Corelia, I have no intention of standing by and watching situations I cannot control.”

“……”

“Make sure the Sword Masters can no longer run rampant.”

The Emperor wanted to hold the nobles in his grasp and manipulate them.

The more Sword Masters there were, the more peaceful the world became, but that was not what the Emperor desired.

To eliminate the Sword Master chosen by the Sword, who would be born into the Resus Marquisate, she had been sent here.

However, her reason for driving Erin to the brink... was also partly because she hated seeing a talent superior to her own bloom right before her eyes.

“I’m sorry, I’ll do better… Please don’t hate me, Mother…”

“I am not your mother! Tsk.”

Corelia recalled Erin, who had apologized without even knowing what she had done wrong.

Foolish girl. Her talent was her sin.

No matter what Erin Resus did, Corelia would not have changed.

But Erin Resus seemed unaware of that fact.

She tried her best to please her, as if doing good deeds would make Corelia love her.

The small child did not realize that all those actions were meaningless. To Corelia, they were nothing more than a ridiculous comedy.

She resolved to thoroughly crush the bud that was Erin Resus. The abuse continued for over ten years.

During that time, Erin steadily broke down.

She became certain that her spirit was completely broken after she killed a servant named Calips.

“God will not forgive you!”

She remembered the servant who had insolently chattered while looking at her.

How audacious. To dare threaten her for such a trivial reason.

In truth, Corelia had no particular thoughts at the time.

She had merely dealt with him discreetly, a servant who had dared to come before her so audaciously and threatened to tell the Marquis everything.

However, his death was more effective than she had anticipated.

Because she could see that Erin's eyes, which had always shone brightly despite her torment, had dulled and grown dark.

Only then could Corelia be certain.

That tormenting those around Erin Resus would drag her further into despair than tormenting Erin herself.

And conveniently, she decided to involve Erin in a matter that needed to be resolved.

By then, Corelia had no choice but to admit it.

She knew better than anyone why she was going to such lengths.

‘Because that damned talent was an eyesore.’

She couldn't stand the annoyance of that child who would walk the path of a Master she could not achieve.

But now, it didn't matter anymore.

Erin Resus was broken, and she was going to break even further.

Ferdin, whom the Emperor regarded as a thorn in his side, was in a relationship with the Saintess, which was as good as having Duke Ashili as a powerful shield.

The Emperor wanted to separate Duke Ashili from Ferdin.

The engagement between Ferdin Lexia and Erin was arranged for that reason.

Erin's enrollment in the Swordsmanship Department was also for that reason. To drive a wedge between Ferdin and the Saintess.

Sending Erin, with her prodigious talent, to the Swordsmanship Department carried some risk, but she was equally confident.

Corelia remembered Erin's eyes the last time she saw them.

Those dead eyes.

Seeing those eyes that had lost all hope, she could be certain. Erin would surely refuse to even touch a sword.

But why were such rumors circulating? Had Erin Resus truly taken up a sword?

Just thinking about it was unpleasant.

“Annoying bitch.”

At Corelia's muttered words, Raymond, who stood before her, trembled.

“This charade will be over soon anyway. I’m tired of dealing with these fools.”

“……”

“The Emperor has begun to move decisively. It will be perfect once Duke Ashili is completely separated from Ferdin… and that will happen today.”

As she spoke, Corelia's gaze shifted towards the door of the Marquis's manor. She saw a messenger enter through it.

It was likely the news she had been anticipating.

“Should I not have sent her to the Swordsmanship Department?”

For the first time in her life, she felt regret. But she quickly forced herself to change her thoughts.

Erin Resus's talent was brilliant, but too much time had already passed.

No matter how much she struggled, she wouldn't even reach the level of an Advanced Knight.

It was common knowledge that if one didn't receive systematic training from a young age, no matter how brilliant their talent, it was difficult to even become an Advanced Knight.

Because their muscles and bones would harden, and their mana wouldn't move as they wished.

Furthermore, what Corelia had kept most in mind when tormenting Erin was to shatter her muscles and bones to prevent her from using mana properly.

As a result, Erin was always in pain during her childhood.

She could barely move her body and had difficulty moving without a carriage.

‘Yes, with such extraordinary talent, perhaps she could become an Advanced Knight.’

With that chilling talent, that much might be possible.

But literally, that was it.

Having finished her thoughts, Corelia felt a slight sense of relief.

No, Erin Resus would not become a Sword Master.

Knowing Erin's naively gentle nature, she could only be more certain.

That foolish girl would live her entire life being called a villainess, and then die. That was the punishment she had decreed for Erin.

“Madam, a messenger has arrived with news.”

At Raymond's words, Corelia offered a benevolent smile.

It was a natural change in expression, so natural that one would never imagine she had just worn a fierce expression.

“Send him in.”

The door opened, and the Marquisate's messenger entered.

He had a somewhat surprised expression.

“Lady Corelia.”

“What is it?”

“The Atenz Academy’s Extermination Squad, who had gone on a monster extermination, was attacked by a swarm of monsters!”

It was the news she had expected. But Corelia adopted a tragic expression.

It was such tremendous acting that Raymond, standing before her, was impressed.

“No way…! Are our Karon and Erin safe?”

The messenger nodded, as if to reassure her.

Corelia's face stiffened slightly. The brats of the Resus family seemed to have long lifespans.

“Were any injured?”

This time, Corelia had to act with all her might.

Her voice, tinged with anticipation, would have sounded unnatural to anyone with a keen ear.

But the messenger did not notice anything strange. He exclaimed with a bright face, as if truly relieved.

“Fortunately, no one was injured. A passing Sword Master defeated all the monsters…”

“A passing Sword Master?”

What nonsense? Corelia stared intently at the messenger.

But the messenger was equally unable to explain.

A swarm of monsters appeared, and Erin Resus and Ashili Princess were almost in danger, but a passing Sword Master appeared and saved them.

That was all he had heard.

That is truly fortunate… Corelia, who had answered thus, dismissed the messenger.

Before long, her face had hardened.

Corelia turned her gaze at Raymond, who stood with his head bowed, his expression calm.

“What do you think?”

Even as she asked, she ground her teeth.

A passing Sword Master? Are you joking?

If meeting a Sword Master were that easy, everyone and their dog would be a Sword Master.

Ashili Princess should have died during this monster extermination.

Duke Ashili's rage due to Ashili Princess's death, and thus severing Ferdin Lexia's allies—that was the goal of this plan.

As an added bonus, if Erin Resus or Karon Resus were injured, nothing could have been more perfect.

But nothing happened. This failure would throw many things off track.

“A passing Sword Master? Does anyone on the continent not know their locations? There’s no way a Sword Master would be in a forest like that. How busy are they?”

“It is certainly strange.”

“This won’t do. Raymond, go to Atenz Academy and find out what happened.”

Having said that much, Corelia fell silent in thought for a moment. Then, as if realizing something she had forgotten, she added.

“Ah… I need to confirm if that rumor about Erin using a sword is true. And if it is true… wouldn’t it be acceptable for her to lose a wrist in an accident?”

“……”

“That would be quite amusing.”

Corelia said, her lips curved into a beautiful smile.