Chapter 2 (1/2)

Translator: Haru Honeys.h.i.+ki

Proofreader: Royals

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As I was on my way to meet the protagonist, I thought for a moment about the developments that took place in the novel. If the original plot followed its course, I would have had to raise my younger siblings by selling myself in brothels.

The Ertha of the novel was devoted and willing to sacrifice herself for her brothers. She then started her life anew the moment her twin siblings became wizards.

A horde of personages and top drawers rushed to win over the newly minted wizards with money and t.i.tles; ergo, the whopping debt of 5 billion Marcas disappeared overnight, and the three siblings became the most honorable people on the continent.

The original Ertha had hoped to be compensated for her sacrifices.

Her first evil deed was to raze the entire brothel, where she sold herself, to the ground. Seeing people screaming for help in the scorching blazes, Ertha burst into laughter. The inferno kindled by the Wizard of Flame lasted a week.

The second evil deed of hers was to investigate and uncover who had bought her services one by one, and then punish their entire family. When the perpetrators heard the rumor, they hurriedly tried to scramble away, but eventually failed to escape due to the hot pursuit of the Wizard of Wind.

Amidst the ongoing slaughter, Ertha enjoyed her endlessly luxurious life. Her behavior was disturbingly arrogant and cruel.

While everyone shuddered at the mere thought of her, they were fearful to voice their disgust and shock because Charles and Ethan unfailingly protected her. Anytime someone dared criticize Ertha, their tongue would be cut clean off; and if they threw stones at her, their hands faced the same grisly fate.

The other wizards followed suit. It was only natural as she was the sole purifier in the world. Under the protection of the wizards, Ertha lived like a queen.

Then one particular day, she touched something that she shouldn't have. Zahid El-Carnor.

Ertha fell in love with the handsome protagonist at first sight. However it wasn't easy for her, someone who was accustomed to having everything.

At that time, the protagonist had a magical seal to prevent the acc.u.mulation of 'evil' inside him. He boasted such a wide variety of talents, it wouldn't be a loss if he lacked magical powers. He didn't require a need for Ertha.

When it didn't go as far as she wanted, Ertha even tried to force the protagonist to consume drugs.

The side effects of the drug clashed with the effects from coming into contact with the purifier; while the drug induced madness, the purifier's touch cleansed the wickedness sealed up within the protagonist; it was no wonder he went stark raving mad as soon as he caught a whiff of the purifier's blood.

For the wizard who was overpowered by the evil energy within him, the purifier's blood proved to be an irresistible temptation. The protagonist proceeded to eat Ertha. His depiction of eating her alive was so evocative and barbaric that it was no more than a carnage.

I'd frowned several times as I read that part, but in the end I couldn't comprehend it fully.

Ertha's death marked the beginning of a serious confrontation between the wizards and the protagonist.

The protagonist realised that the depravity and evil energy that entrapped him was no more after he had devoured the purifier, so he began to practice magic to his heart's content.

Ertha's horrendous ending spurred her siblings, Charles and Ethan, to exact vengeance on the protagonist thereby unifying the wizards under a single cause.

As I recalled the original storyline, I grew afraid, not because I was worried about the changes in the story due to my actions, but because the protagonist is sure to eat me. I'm terrified he will slice off my flesh and smash my bones, without giving me time to try to offer a deal. It was a scary prospect.

While immersed in my own thoughts, my steps rapidly ate up the length of the darkened street under the cover of the night.

“Ertha!”

A voice that I didn't want to hear called out.

I closed my eyes for a moment, then slowly looked over my shoulder. There stood a man who I didn't want to exchange words with.

He was a tryhard bandit who always went about pretending to be the honcho of a slum, and he was the one who'd been pestering me for a long time.

“What's the matter, Kayle?”

I answered in a cold voice. Whoever listened to that apathetic tone would recognise it, but Kayle didn't mind.

His dirty eyes rested on the nape of my neck. I wasn't sure if he was admiring my exposed neckline since I usually tie my hair up, but I didn't ponder too closely on that and muttered beneath my breath as I shot him a glance.

“Come on, let's take it easy… he's just an idiot, even though he thinks the sharpest tool in the shed.”

The easiest way out of this situation right now is to do as the original Ertha did in the novel.

As usual, I won't say anything. It was because I knew nothing was meant to be spoken here, in this scenario.

But why today?

Perhaps due to the belief that I was going to die soon, a pungent retort slipped out before I knew it.

“Shut up and get out of the way. I'm on my way to sell myself.”

Kayle's mouth dropped open. As I moved closer towards the busy street, he shouted and tried to hold on to me.

“You crazy b.i.t.c.h…”

I ran quickly into the crowd before he caught me. Further entanglement here will lead to nothing but trouble. Kayle jumped to his feet and gave chase, but he could not catch me hiding among the throng of people.

I gasped as I looked around carefully. The place where I hail from is the Imperial Capital's red light district, a little ways from the slums. The streets, filled with all kinds of entertainment venues, would light up every night.

Today is the last day of the week, so the protagonist must be here because the information guild he manages is hidden within countless stores lining the streets of the entertainment district.

If I'm not mistaken, the protagonist is about twenty two or twenty three years old by now. He lost his parents early and became a duke at the age of twenty.

The protagonist inherited the t.i.tle of a washed up duke who had lost his former prestige and barely managed to retain his t.i.tle. It was mortifying to witness the dukedom change hands. The n.o.bles viewed Zahid as an easy target and tried to sway him according to their whims and fancies but were faced with a strong blow.

After all, the protagonist is one for a reason. A brilliant appearance and possession of special abilities are the hallmarks of a protagonist.

It's a fraud technically, being so gifted in various aspects, but it all worked to his advantage. Everything he did turned out well, and he was p.r.o.ne to overcoming crises in a refres.h.i.+ng, calm and collected manner. No one was able to beat him, not with the deadly combination of his outstanding brains and power and Lady Luck as his companion.