How to Live as the Terminally Ill Younger Sister of the Villain - Chapter 59
However, Laura’s confused and worried mind was eased after arriving at the resort and having a conversation with Angelina.
‘Laura, you know. I’m not righteous enough to oppose them just because what they’re doing is ‘wrong’.’
The young lady’s appearance as she clearly explained, in a self-deprecating manner, that she wasn’t moving to correct wrongdoings just because she learned about them.
‘I’m not generous enough as a person. Because I’m terribly selfish.’
Although she said things Laura couldn’t agree with at all, the meaning she intended to convey was certainly received.
‘For the first time, I’ve found something I want.’
And the moment she heard those words, Laura’s thoughts were sorted out.
‘I’m going to devote all the time allowed to me from now on to that.’
Laura couldn’t understand why the young lady wanted this.
But it was something the young lady, who had never wanted anything in her life, desired enough to dedicate the rest of her life to.
For her to follow that was as natural as a river flowing from upstream to downstream.
It was the young lady and the Marquis who saved her from living a rock-bottom life in the slums.
They pulled her out of the swamp where she was being used like a slave and had to perform unwanted assassinations as routinely as eating, giving her a chance to see the sun.
Because it was the young lady and the Marquis who saved her life and gifted her a new one, this newly given life belonged to them.
Since the young lady was everything to the Marquis, it was only natural that the young lady became everything to her as well.
“Young lady. Let’s put on your cloak. It’s cold.”
So Laura decided not to ask any more questions.
If that’s what she wants, following without question would be the best way to express her trust and loyalty.
Laura finished organizing her thoughts as she put the cloak, thickly coated with the Tower Master’s protective magic, on Angelina.
9.The Crimson Thorn Guarding the Tomb
Since they had to approach secretly without being detected by the Order, only Laura, Haley, and Jake could accompany Angelina this time.
Regrettably, Pudding’s role this time was to be a house sitter.
They were all under the silence contract with Ante, and their skills were enough to fend off at least one imperial knight squad, so it wasn’t a small but by no means a weak escort.
Thanks to Haley and Jake, who had come a few days earlier to survey the surroundings, Angelina was able to quietly settle in her desired location.
A ridge overlooking the ‘Witch’s Tomb’.
The dense trees were perfect for hiding.
“It’s fierce.”
Angelina let out a small exclamation after examining the Witch’s Tomb using Haley’s clairvoyance magic.
The holy power barrier was so thoroughly set that Haley’s magic kept wavering and breaking.
“It seems difficult to enter from the front indeed.”
Jake said after scanning the situation of the holy knights on guard.
“The tomb’s design is unique, making it easier to siege than to defend if we use the surrounding terrain, but that’s only applicable for an army.”
Angelina nodded at Jake’s analysis.
“Because it wasn’t built for defense or siege.”
It wasn’t even a ‘castle’ to begin with.
Round walls, a sunken center.
If something similar existed in a city, it would be mistaken for a theater or stadium.
The location wasn’t on high ground either but was good for looking in from the surroundings, like where Angelina was now.
“But young lady. Does that moon really turn red?”
Haley asked.
To this, Angelina grinned.
“I’ll explain that a little later. Let’s secure our positions first.”
Angelina looked up at the sky.
She scanned the ridges around the ‘Witch’s Tomb’ that looked like a circular stadium. Then she checked the position of the moon in the sky.
The sun hadn’t retired yet, but the impatient moon was already out.
Today, when the moon and sun share the same sky.
“It’s a great day for thieving.”
Jake and Haley’s eyes widened at Angelina’s murmur. It was something they never imagined hearing from the young lady.
“Why are you so surprised? Isn’t what we’re about to do thieving?”
Angelina spoke indifferently at Jake and Haley’s reaction as if they were hearing this for the first time, and Laura chuckled beside her.
A few months ago, the young lady wouldn’t have said such things. But now it was different.
“Someone once said, doing bad things to bad people isn’t a bad thing.”
At Laura’s response, Angelina narrowed her eyes and glanced at Laura.
“What’s this, Laura? Were you not asleep?”
Seeing Laura repeat what Angelina had said to the Tower Master at night, it was clear that Laura had been watching from somewhere.
Laura smiled faintly.
“It’s my duty to verify everyone the young lady meets.”
Angelina chuckled at Laura’s response, which suggested it was only natural for her to know when an ‘intruder’ entered Angelina’s room.
“Laura is indeed an exceptional maid.”
She couldn’t even sense her presence.
Angelina turned her head back to the sky.
“Then that side is east……”
It was at that moment when she was about to confirm the directions.
“……!”
Suddenly, Laura hid Angelina behind her back, and Jake drew his sword, blocking in front of them. A magic circle activated at Haley’s fingertips.
“Ack, ag-again……! Shh! Everyone, put your weapons away!”
The person who appeared from behind made a fuss, waving his hands.
“Put away the magic circle……! They’ll notice!”
The one urgently shouting in a small voice was Mason.
Angelina’s lips curled up slightly as her eyes met Blake’s, who was beside him.
“You’ve arrived.”
***
After joining up with Blake, Angelina first moved locations.
Where they were was too close to the tomb, risking detection if they weren’t careful.
“Was your journey comfortable?”
The two started a conversation as they moved to the place Angelina mentioned.
“It’s been a while since I had a quiet journey, as monster subjugation had become routine.”
Meaning he arrived safely without trouble.
“So, have you made a decision during your journey?”
“Don’t you doubt that I might have come to stop this, not to join?”
“I didn’t, but should I?”
When Angelina asked with a somewhat playful smile, Blake closed his mouth.
As he remained silent even after a moment, Angelina spoke again.
“It’s not that I didn’t doubt at all. That’s why I didn’t tell Lord Mason any detailed plans.”
Angelina claimed she didn’t fully trust him, but Blake didn’t believe it. Rather, he thought her words were contradictory.
“You seem to have a lot to say.”
As he kept silent, Angelina opened the conversation again.
“Why you took Mason there with you, and had him report everything to me. I have many questions. But……”
“But?”
“If I do, it would again be a conversation that only benefits me.”
“Are you dissatisfied with that?”
“I think it’s unfair.”
Angelina stared at Blake, dumbfounded.
‘I knew the male lead was upright, but I didn’t know he was a pushover.’
To say he’s dissatisfied that only he benefits, what an absurd claim is this? Is he trying to lower her guard with strange words?
“So I’ll ask just this one thing.”
Blake threw a question he had carefully chosen to Angelina, who was too stunned to say anything.
“Do you need me for this task?”
“……Honestly.”
After a moment’s consideration, Angelina spoke frankly.
“You’re not absolutely necessary.”
“I thought as much.”
“Did you expect this answer?”
“You only said it was okay to relay the message to Mason, there was no message saying I had to come along.”
It was an unpredictable part whether he would come, so there’s no way she would have planned a strategy that absolutely required him.
“Still, I asked just in case.”
“Are you disappointed?”
“If you needed me, I was planning to request answers to my questions in exchange for my help.”
“Ah……”
Did she ruin his plan by saying he wasn’t needed?
“Still, if you’re here, it would be a great help.”
“It’s okay, you don’t need to console me.”
“It’s not consolation.”
“I expected this, so I’m not disappointed.”
“You look disappointed though.”
“I did hope a little that you might say some empty words.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Honesty is better. If not, I would have felt more uncomfortable.”
Even Blake himself knew he wasn’t absolutely necessary, so if she had lied saying he was needed, it would have been more uncomfortable.
He would have worried endlessly whether she was being considerate again, or if there was something she was hiding.
She was such an honest woman every time they met.
Is that why he kept being concerned about her?
