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Chapter 31
The eyes of those gathered shifted from the Eighth Elder to the Grand Elder.
With a composed demeanor, the Grand Elder opened his mouth.
“I reject it.”
“Pardon?”
“I can’t understand. Why…?”
“Do you truly believe,” the Grand Elder asked calmly, “that using the treasure will be enough to kill the three from Kroforth?”
The Eighth Elder, who had originally proposed the idea, answered immediately.
“Of course. No matter how powerful those three from Kroforth may be, they’re still human. How could a human possibly overcome a ghost?”
“Oh, that’s an apt expression. Indeed, with that treasure, one becomes invisible and silent—just like a ghost.”
“Grand Elder, isn’t this a good plan? Once the Duke of Kroforth and his sons are dead, getting rid of the young lady will be simple. Please reconsider the Eighth Elder’s suggestion.”
“No. My decision stands.”
“Grand Elder!”
“Then at least explain your reasoning for rejecting it.”
The Grand Elder surveyed the assembly calmly before finally speaking.
“The three from Kroforth you mentioned… they can detect ghosts.”
“What?”
“Well, that was partially a joke. But if someone merely pretends to be a ghost using the treasure, those three will undoubtedly detect and kill them.”
“How can you be so sure?”
“The treasure conceals form, presence, and sound—but not one’s energy.”
“…Energy?”
“Yes, for example, killing intent.”
“All living beings emit a faint aura. We ordinary people can’t perceive it, of course—we’re just commoners.”
“But the three you want to kill are not like us. If you approach them with murderous intent, they’ll detect you, treasure or not, and they’ll strike you down.”
“…Isn’t that an exaggeration?”
“Oh, have you all forgotten? What the Duke of Kroforth and Killid Kroforth are capable of?”
“Ethan Kroforth is no different. Blood ties aren’t something to dismiss lightly.”
“…Then are you saying our obstacle, the Lady of Kroforth, is dangerous because of her bloodline too? That she has special abilities just because she’s a Kroforth?”
“Damn that Kroforth name!”
“So this is why the Hierarch told us to be cautious…”
“Enough. Quiet.”
The Grand Elder tapped the table lightly before continuing.
“Admittedly, the Lady of Kroforth having a special ability was unexpected. But there’s no need for excessive concern or despair.”
“…”
“I know what you’re worried about. You fear the Lady of Kroforth will fill ‘that void,’ don’t you?”
“…”
“If that void is filled, the Hierarch’s and our plans will collapse. But that won’t happen.”
Because that void is not something a mere human can fill.
The Grand Elder added this with a soft chuckle. Beneath his robe, his lips curved like a crescent moon.
Then his mouth moved again.
“I bring word from the Hierarch. For the time being, we do nothing.”
“You mean…”
“It means we make no move. With Kroforth, the royal capital, and even the Mage Tower stirred up, even we aren’t immune from exposure.”
“…”
“We’ve already used up quite a bit of the treasure, too.”
Scattered coughs and throat clearings echoed here and there. But no one voiced any disagreement.
“Until further notice, remain in your positions. And remember this—”
The Grand Elder’s voice, filled with certainty, rang through the silence.
“The will of the Hierarch, mine, and yours… will be fulfilled. Without fail.”
After sending Kaiden back to the capital, I decided what I had to do.
‘It’d be great if Kaiden or Kroforth wipes out that cult, but… just in case, I should prepare too.’
Something strange was happening with Bella.
Maybe Bella wasn’t just a greedy, wicked villainess.
“Father, I have a request. Please summon a mage to the estate!”
Truthfully, maybe Bella had a hidden talent for magic that had just never been discovered…
“I apologize, my lady. I would love to teach you magic, but it’s beyond my capabilities.”
…Nope!
It’s not that no one discovered her talent. She just didn’t have any to begin with.
But magic isn’t the only mysterious and useful power in this world.
“Father, could you summon a spirit master to the estate?”
Maybe, while not suited to magic, Bella had an affinity with spirits…
“I’m sorry. The spirits do not respond to your call, my lady.”
…Still nothing!
That’s fine. Not over yet. I still have two more options.
“Please bring in an alchemist.”
It was alchemy that changed Bella’s hair color. Technically, she only bought a potion as a consumer—but still, some contact means potential, right?
“I’m sorry. Alchemy cannot be learned through training. It requires innate talent, and the lady… unfortunately…”
…I still have one option left!
“My lady, can you see the light of healing?”
“…No.”
“I’m sor—”
“Don’t apologize. It’s fine. Take care on your way back.”
…There’s nothing left.
‘No talent in magic, spirit summoning, alchemy, or even healing…!’
Healing isn’t for wounds or illness, but for ailments like poisoning.
I wasn’t expecting it to boost my combat ability, but thought maybe it was better to have something rather than nothing… but no.
“Truly amazing, Elissa. I respect you.”
Now more than ever, the real Elissa—who’s a skilled mage, spirit master, alchemist, and healer—seems utterly incredible…
“…Right. This is the difference between a protagonist and a villain. What was I even expecting?”
A sigh escaped me.
In the end, the only thing I have while stuck in Bella’s body is just the kind of ability that puts a target on your back for a shady cult.
“It’s unfair. This unfair world. This dirty world…”
—No, honestly, I never believed the world was fair in the first place.
At least not since I turned seventeen.
There were times when I felt like all the bad things in life were happening to me alone.
I even got mad seeing someone else smile, thinking, they can smile because I’m the one suffering in their place.
“…I really wasn’t in my right mind, Princess An. That’s why…”
That’s why I said something like that to Mom.
Even though I’d come to regret it.
Even after ending up in another world, living as a different person—I still keep remembering those words over and over again…
A moment later, I shot up from where I was sitting.
The injury on my left ankle had finally healed. It had taken exactly a month.
Yesterday, Doctor Sarah gave me the go-ahead to run again.
I quickly changed and left the bedroom.
Words have power.
That phrase… it’s truly one of the wisest sayings out there.
I sat politely across from Ethan. He sat calmly across from me too.
“Elly, you want to learn the sword?”
“…Yeah.”
“What made you decide that all of a sudden?”
This guy. He knows everything and still pretends to ask.
There’s no way Ethan doesn’t know what I’ve been doing lately. He always keeps an eye on Bella—well, more accurately, Elissa’s stand-in.
To be honest, my recent actions were noticeable enough that even someone not paying attention would have heard.
So I went for the direct approach.
“You know already, don’t you? How I recently brought a mage, a spirit master, an alchemist, and a healer to the estate.”
“…Yeah.”
“And all four of them left right away. Do I really need to say any more?”
“No, Elly. Sorry. I understand why you want to learn the sword now.”
Ethan sat with his arms gently crossed, tapping the side of his elbow with one finger.
“But why me?”
“…Ah, I know you’re busy. But still—”
“That’s not what I meant.”
His lake-like eyes looked directly into mine.
“…I mean, why me and not Killid?”
