Thought It Was 'The End', Only to Return to a Changed Genre - Chapter 75
Villains, by nature, exist to highlight the main character.
They are the protagonist’s shadow, their counterpart, and the device that induces conflict to accentuate the protagonist’s charm.
No matter how captivating the protagonist is, if there are no significant events, the readers won’t be engaged.
Adeline decided to focus on that role.
The female lead is the Saintess Genevieve.
The villainess exists as the antithesis of the female lead’s personality, background, and abilities.
One might think it’s fortunate that their appearances are somewhat similar, but that’s not true. The similarity in appearance is merely a device to show the stark difference between their inner selves and the protagonist.
If the story proceeded as written, the villainess would be a character who tried to kill someone out of a lack of love, and her bad personality was a given. The background of the villainess, who had everything, was the complete opposite of the protagonist, who had nothing. Their abilities were also contrary.
So, what about the environment of the villain Adeline is currently searching for?
Although it’s a simple inference, Adeline guessed that the villain might be someone standing in direct opposition to Shane.
‘Then, surprisingly, wouldn’t Lucian be the closest match?’
If Lucian’s role wasn’t to assist the Saintess as a supporting character, Adeline would have long suspected him as the true villain.
But he wasn’t a sorcerer.
He was a noble of Green Windsor, standing as Shane’s opposite.
Simplistically, it would be a local noble with conditions opposite Shane’s. A cunning philanderer, poor rather than wealthy, and not very powerful despite being a noble.
‘Shane’s attributes are so overwhelming that the villain’s conditions seem rather trivial…’
Perhaps someone aiming to revive their family or seeking wealth and glory through their abilities.
Or a mad person wishing for the world’s destruction.
‘I think I’ve seen the faces of all the nobles listed in Delmuz at least once.’
She had met almost all the people who were at the church during the attack.
Most of them were middle-aged couples, and even after using all of Lucian and Jeff’s connections to investigate, there was no trace of a sorcerer.
There were also six young people. Four of them were men, and half of them were married.
None of them stood out.
If there had been anything, it would have surfaced during Lucian and Jeff’s investigation.
She thought she might recognize something if she saw their faces, so she went around meeting everyone personally, but even after making eye contact and greeting them, there was no gain.
Unexpectedly gaining popularity was a bonus.
‘But today, I’ve met everyone on the list of suspected sorcerers that Jeff compiled. There are no more strong suspects. What should I do…?’
Genevieve had been attacked twice.
The sorcerer was definitely nearby.
Genevieve had instantly purified and dispelled the person controlled by the sorcerer, and the sorcerer would know this better than anyone. Genevieve was clearly becoming more and more in danger.
‘Should I just leave it at that?’
Don’t think you can lay a finger on Genevieve….
She had met everyone she could, and made every possible effort.
She felt like becoming Genevieve’s lady-in-waiting and sticking to her 24/7, but being anxious wouldn’t help.
Now was the time to wait. For the sorcerer to make a more noticeable move. To drop a clue.
‘Since His Highness Edwin is with her, it should be alright for now…’
However, Adeline underestimated the life of the protagonist.
The protagonist exists at the center of all incidents and accidents, sweeping everyone around them into the turmoil.
The commotion began at the center of the hall where the banquet was held.
The floor faintly glowed as a magic circle the size of a human hand was completed.
Then, like a camel passing through the eye of a needle, a foul-smelling monster was summoned.
Gwaaaak! Grrrrk!
The ear-splitting roar was an added bonus.
Adeline, who was on the staircase landing heading to the second floor to talk to Shane, had a safe, direct view of the monster’s summoning.
Having never gone to places where no people lived even during her reclusive periods, Adeline saw a monster for the first time in this life.
Her first impression was that the reference photos had depicted it quite well.
A towering figure close to three meters tall, covered in thick muscles. Its green skin was smeared with filth, glistening, and two tusks protruded from its mouth, with yellow eyes. It was a disgusting monster.
Shane whispered in her ear.
“It’s called an ogre, Adeline.”
“Oh, I see… Um, why are you here?”
Adeline blinked at Shane, who was watching the people screaming and fleeing.
“Where else should I be?”
“Well, you should be protecting or rescuing people…”
Shane took her hand.
“That’s what the knights and soldiers are for.”
Shane’s face was truly indifferent.
