The night after Malaya’s visit to the Marina Household. The dark sky was shrouded in thick clouds, threatening the lands with heavy rain. But in one large household in the city of Orealles, even if the weather looked bleak, the people continued to feast. A celebration of their triumph.

“Hahaha!” The duke’s loud laugh rang out throughout his mansion. The slave insurgency finally came to an end. And he had no idea the eight tribes would come to his aid. Despite the fact that they were not present to partake in his feast. ‘But who cares, in the end, I have the last win. It’s just a shame I won’t be the one to punish that wench now that she’s in the hands of the eight tribes.’

To celebrate their victory, all of Taleba’s nobles and knights organized a grandiose feast in the grand ballroom of the duke’s mansion. The ladies continued to gossip about the latest trends in their circles, while the men mostly discussed politics.

.

Music resounded to the whole room as there were a lot of people dancing.

“Hah. I truly believed I was going to die.” One of the noblemen chattered.

“That sort of thing would never happen. The goddess of light will never bestow her light and blessings on lowly beings such as slaves.”

More mutterings were heard, accompanied by waves of laughter and music.

—⚓⚓⚓—

The duke eventually retired to his room after that party. ‘Finally, I never imagined I’d come back here.’

A strong gust of wind suddenly surged within his room as he was removing his robe.

“Duke. I’ve come to collect my pay.”

His gaze was drawn to his room’s balcony. Three hooded figures stood there, the moonlight reflecting behind them. The hems of their hoods fluttered along with the flow of the wind.

“Oh. It’s the people of the Saintess,” said the Duke. “I apologize if I couldn’t invite you to the party today since I’m unaware of your identity.”

“It’s alright, duke. We are just here to get the end of our contract.” Malaya said.

“Certainly. Please take a seat.” The duke swayed the long sleeves of his robe before taking a seat near the fireplace. “What are the questions and requests you’d like to ask?” The Duke inquired. But he was nervous deep down. Even if they told them they are the saintess’ people but that contract has so many loopholes that could be used against him. And he was right about that since that was how Malaya intended it to be.

“Then I’ll begin, duke,” Malaya said as she took a seat in front of the duke. The crackling of the fireplace could be heard.

“Are you familiar with the plant called Ignis?”

Hearing those words, the duke’s face shrouded. “What are you talking about?”

“I believe, four years ago you acquired that plant.” Malaya continued.

“I have no recollections of such things.”

“That plant is a very excellent enhancer for people who have magic, but it could be lethal if given to people who don’t have magic. They are at risk of dying if they are not treated immediately. Added to that danger, that plant is so rare that only a few people are aware of it. The records of people cultivating that plant were all gone since the war.” Malaya stated.

“That’s a horrifying plant; But wouldn’t that matter? And, besides, why are you even discussing such people? I’d be more content if the world could get rid of people without any ounce of magic; that way, the world would be completely cleansed.”

Malaya’s eyes twitched behind her mask. “Is that why you use this to kill your niece, Marina’s youngest daughter? I’m well aware of how much you detest the Marina Duchy but to do this…”

The Duke was perplexed as to why these strange men in masks were asking such questions, especially in light of Marina’s disgrace.

“You must be misinterpreting things.” The duke answered. “Yes, they upset me. I despise them to the core, and it’s no secret across the empire. Everyone knows that.” The duke gestured his hand. “But I didn’t do such heinous things as poisoning. Besides, that’s quite an accusation you’ve said. I’ll let this slide since I owe you a favor.” The duke paused before he continued his next words.

“And I never heard such plants exist. That disgrace was poisoned? But from what I heard she’s alive.” The duke sighed with disgust. “The heavens must be still merciful for letting that trash live.”

“You…” Dorris wanted to retort but Rein managed to hold her shoulders and stopped her from doing unnecessary things.

Malaya just felt colder within after hearing more of the duke’s remarks in front of her. ‘You’re the one who is the despicable one because despite being mother’s brother, you are nothing close with her kindness. Let’s get this thing done right now. Being with him simply fueled my want to murder him at the moment.’

‘But the moment has come.’

A light suddenly flashed brightly as glowing letters appeared and flew everywhere. It began to hover on the duke like a small whirl.

“You’re lying, Duke,” Malaya said, her eyes gleamed. “You signed a contract in the name of the goddess of light, and you dare to lie?”

The letters began to be flung at the Duke. As it continued to gleam, it clung to every part of his body.

“Ahhhh!” In anguish, the duke shouted. It seemed as if he had been pierced by a sword in each of the soaring letters that were stuck to him. But there was no blood or wounds caused by those letters, simply agony that anybody might render worse.

“Duke!”

His cry was most likely heard by the duke’s guards. But Rein and Dorris foresaw this and sealed the door with their magic.

“Argh!” The duke slid from his chair to the ground.

“Speak the actual answers to the questions I asked before.” Malaya leaned back in her chair, her hands clasped over her lap. “Or else you’ll die from the pain. That would be a shame for us.”

The duke clenched his teeth as he locked his gaze on Malaya. “Who are you? Why-why do you want to know su…Argh!” With each syllable he said, the pain grew.

Malaya shook her head. “Ayah-ayah. Don’t worry, you’ll know me after all of this. After all, it’s part of our deal. Now, since I’m still a good person, I’ll repeat my inquiry again in case you forgot. Where did you acquire the Ignis plant, and why did you poison the youngest daughter of Marina Duchy, Malaya Venizever Marina?”

“His grace Lord Wildemore has been executed!”

“What did you say?!”

Everyone in the Marina Household was taken aback by the unexpected news.

“He went on a rampage against the Taleba Dukedom. Many Taleba duke’s subjects were harmed. And the duke almost got killed.”

“Don’t tell me…” It was Duchess Veronica with both her hands on her mouth. She dropped to the ground, gasping and with fear in her eyes. “Did he went there to seek revenge for Malaya?”

“But…we didn’t have any evidence that it was him who did this.” She started to shed tears. “This can’t be happening.”

Outside the room, on the small opening of the door, Carolle who was just transmigrated as Malaya saw all of this scene.

Malaya’s eyes grew colder as those memories resurfaced her mind.

“Argh! Alright, I’m the one who ordered the trash to be poisoned because I can’t take the prospect of my sister having a disgraceful child! I can’t believe a Taleba bloodline flows from that filth! But she didn’t die!”

The letters that had been attached to the duke began to vanish. Malaya observed this and tightened her fist, thinking, ‘He was saying the truth now.’ ‘But…For that petty reason…two lives had now been lost…’ She clenched more her fist.

‘Malaya. I guess I finally understand why you have no option but to be a villain in the original story. Aside from your family, there are a lot of sh*tty people in this world.’

“And tha-that plant! That witch, she gave it to me!” Malaya’s brows furrowed hearing the duke’s second answer. 

“Witch?”

“I’m not sure what her name is, but half of her hair was burned and she had a large scar over her face.” After then, the letters began to flutter away from the duke. The duke’s pain had finally subsided, but he was still panting furiously and sweating profusely on his temples.