Is it wrong for me to like seeing the villain suffer [31]
'Hmm... a complete mess.'
I thought to myself as I looked at the three sons of the Cayenne family.
Naran, who was boiling with rage and did not know what to do except exhale angrily, and Arkeel, who seemed to not care, but in reality responded to Naran with a counterattack, and Martha, who looked at the two of them with eyes full of contempt, and pressed her tongue in anger as if they were the most miserable creatures on the face of the earth...
There is no trace of family prestige here, all there is is just ordinary chaos and nothing more.
“Next time, I'll be the one sitting next to Lizzie!”
“But I was the one who married her.”
“Didn’t you say it was a sham marriage with a contract?”
“It is a marriage, even if it is a contract, my sister.”
“I still don't understand what you mean.”
“Anyway, next time I'll sit next to Lizzie, okay?!”
While they were quarreling so loudly, I was quietly sipping my tea.
Behind Arkell was Hwan, with his hand on his forehead, giving me a look that said, “Aren’t you going to intervene?”
I answered him with an innocent smile and raised my shoulders lightly, as if to say, “What can I do?”
A face that clearly indicates “I am powerless.”
Of course, Hwan knows my truth well and will not be fooled by this artificial weakness. But seeing his stunned features was amusing to me.
‘Forgive me, Huan... What amuses me most is seeing others in distress and suffering.’
But in complete contrast to those evil thoughts, it made my eyes shine with pure innocence, as if I had the purest heart among people.
When Tuan realized that I was deliberately manipulating him, he closed his eyes tightly as if he wanted to block out everything he saw.
As for me, I started drinking tea with an innocent face as if nothing had happened.
I felt a little guilty towards him, but it seemed like I was actually addicted to the pleasure of teasing him.
As Huan's narrowed eyes followed the three Cayin sons who were still throwing words around in vain, he slowly raised his hand and wiped his face.
He realized that this banquet had completely failed.
He seemed to be thinking of a way to stop the sibling quarrel, but the situation ended faster than he expected.
One of the men who appeared to be a servant rushed into the hall with a serious face.
“Miss, we have succeeded in locating it.”
“……!”
As soon as Martha heard that, she immediately got up from her seat.
She was not alone, as I also listened carefully to what the man said.
'He means the runaway wizard.'
Martha asked, trying to contain her excitement:
“Where?”
“It's just that...”
The man hesitated a little before continuing seriously:
“'In Kelston.'”
Martha's face froze at the name.
Even Naran and Arkle, who were snarling at each other, were also disturbed.
“Kelston?...”
I asked cautiously, as the name was strange to my ears, and Erkel answered instead:
“It is a small village at the foot of Mount Krum near the border.”
Martha put her hand to her forehead resentfully.
“I was sure he crossed the mountains... I never expected him to stay there!”
Arkel thought for a moment and then said:
“Perhaps it is the best result.”
Martha was silent and stared at him, while he continued coldly:
“As you know, if he crossed Mount Chrome, he would have gone outside the kingdom’s borders, and then it would be almost impossible to intervene. As for his presence in Kelston, even though it is the land of the living dead, it is much easier than being in another country.”
“The living dead?!”
I couldn't help myself and woke up before Martha could even speak.
‘Like Night of the Living Dead or Evil Dead or something?!’
(There are films with the same name, all of which are terrifying and bloody)
Whew...!
'Does this mean that zombies really exist in the Red Moon Realm?'
I was so excited, my eyes were widening in amazement.
Arkell thought I was terrified, so he lowered his voice to reassure me:
“There is no need to be afraid, my lady. There is a strong sacred barrier surrounding the place, and these creatures can never get out of it.”
But I was not afraid at all, on the contrary, I felt my heart beating with longing.
'Wow… I can't believe I'll be able to see them for myself!'
As a fan of horror and gory movies, zombies are one of my favorite genres.
'I always hoped the story would be good and the visual effects would be stronger... but here? No effects, no deception! This is a living reality!'
Just thinking about it made me smile excitedly. Erkel thought I was relieved after his words, and he in turn showed signs of satisfaction.
“Thank God, you seem to be reassured.”
I smiled at him silently, not wanting to spoil his sense of accomplishment.
“…Arkle is right.”
Naran said as he looked at me and him with wary eyes, then pursed his lips wearily.
“It is true that the living dead are dangerous in and of themselves, but it is much easier to cross the border. That could spark a serious diplomatic dispute. Isn’t that so, Sister Martha?”
Although her two brothers agreed one after the other with the positive opinion, Martha remained silent, closing her lips without uttering a word.
Her lack of public opposition suggested that she was of the same mind, but there seemed to be a problem holding her back.
'What's wrong with her...?'
If Martha had been herself, she would have ordered the formation of a troop of knights and begun preparing for the campaign immediately.
'Is there something you can't say...?'
Her face was covered in shadows and she was biting her lips as if she could not speak.
Finally, she let out a short sigh and said slowly, shaking her head:
“Okay… I understand. I will think about it further in my office.”
Then she turned and left the dining hall.
As for me, I followed her with my eyes as I chewed the food slowly.
'She seems...unusually helpless.' Is this the same Martha who went herself to the capital to seek the Emperor's favor? And now she is hesitating even though the treatment is in her hands? This is strange... I have to check it out.'
With a decisive move, I stuck my fork into the piece of meat.
❖ ❖ ❖
In Martha's office.
She was sitting behind her desk, letting out a long, heavy exhale.
'Kelston...Kelston, you say?'
It was originally an ordinary village, but a hundred years ago a sorcerer practiced forbidden magic there and turned its residents into living dead who could not die.
The Empire quickly intervened and executed the magician, and also eliminated the secrets of forbidden magic, but was unable to return the villagers to normal.
As time passed, their bodies and brains began to decompose little by little, until they lost what remained of their humanity, and began attacking travelers.
Finally, the Empire erected a sacred veil that surrounded them inside the village.
That barrier did not affect living humans, so anyone could enter or exit it freely, but no one dared to enter.
'Unless he's completely lost his mind.'
Martha rubbed her temples deep in thought.
Killing the undead was impossible, but as they were locked behind the barrier, their movement could be restricted by magic.
So, getting out of there wasn't completely impossible.
‘What my two brothers said may be true… his presence in Kelston is much better than his escaping across the border.’
If only there wasn't just one problem.
Martha put her head between her hands nervously and growled:
“Why...why in particular there...!”
And suddenly...
Knock…knock.
She immediately sat up straight.
“Who… who’s there?”
"It's me. May I come in for a moment?"
The voice was soft, warm, and reassuring.
It's her, Lizzy Alheim.
“The time is not right.”
“Miss Martha... you are worried, aren’t you?”
Martha stared at the door in silence.
As for Lizzie, she continued behind him in the same calm tone that carried a strange reassurance:
“I would like to help you. Consider this an opportunity to get your thoughts in order, and tell me what is worrying you.”
“…….”
“I'm on your side, miss.”
Martha looked at the door for a while, then finally sighed and said:
“Come in.”
“Excuse me then...”
Lizzie entered with a bright smile, while Martha remained heavy with worry.
Lizzie sat in front of her and her eyes widened.
"This must be really serious. I've never seen you look so sullen before."
“…….”
“If mighty Martha is this worried, it must be a big deal... What exactly is going on?”
Martha was silent for a long time, then suddenly raised her head and asked:
“Saying that… you see that I don't seem afraid at all, right?”
Lizzie blinked for a moment, then shook her head enthusiastically.
“Of course! You are not afraid of anything in this world.”
“Why do you think that?”
“Hmm...”
She thought for a moment and then simply said:
“Because your appearance is lofty, and your entire career indicates your courage. Even your kidnapping of me was an example of your boldness!”
“Uhm...”
Martha coughed in embarrassment and it hit her.
But Lizzie continued innocently:
“Then you allowed a hostage like me to marry your brother without objection... Anyone else would have completely refused, but for you it was not something you could not do.”
“You admit now that you were suspicious from the beginning?”
“Haha! I mean just an example, nothing more. Anyway… you are like that, miss. Even if it seems impossible, whenever you see value in it, you go ahead with it without hesitation.”
“……”
That is why I respect you so much.”
“……”
“I don't know if I can help you with a problem like this... but I want to do my best for you. Because I want to learn from you.”
When her innocent eyes met Martha's eyes, Martha gasped and held her head in pain:
“Ah…!”
Lizzie's eyes widened in horror.
“Martha! Are you well?"
“No...I'm not okay...”
“Huh?”
“I...I don't pretend to be without fears...”
She slowly raised her head, her voice trembling:
“I...I can't bear to look at them...”
She mumbled the words as she lowered her gaze, barely audible.
But Lizzie understood, and answered seriously:
“It's okay, miss. If what you fear is this great, it must be a great threat to the entire empire—”
“Enough, enough!! I just... I can't stand seeing disgusting things! Does this satisfy you?!”
Martha suddenly shouted nervously, causing Lizzie to stare at her in shock.
Martha continued bitterly, her voice trembling:
“Yes, it may seem ridiculous to admit this at my age... but no matter how hard I try, I can't stand it. These living dead have been around for a century, their bodies must have completely decomposed... How dare I face a sight like this with my eyes open?! If there was someone who could succeed me without fear... I would give up my place immediately.”
****
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