MPBGS 5

Chapter : 05

“Have you been waiting long?”

Then Donau stopped right in front of the victim and crouched down. The victim’s eyes were still sharp, glaring at him without any sign of death. Donau thought it was a bit cheeky.

He brought the knife to the neck. If he was going to do it, he wanted to prepare it to the devil’s liking. Surely, a demon would enjoy a sight of blood everywhere. Blood began to pool along the thin line he had cut and trickled down. Donau grew excited at this delicate yet artistic work.

Then, just as he adjusted the blade again, a loud crash shook the house, sending dust flying.

Had the door been torn off? Damn it—did someone report to the guards? Forget it. Even if it was a young girl, he didn’t think he could win against a grown man.

Coughing through the dust, a figure approached. The first thing that caught his eyes was a pure white dress, almost like pajamas. Then his gaze fell on equally white, colorless hair.

“Evangeline Rohanson?”

It was only a brief relief that it wasn’t a burly adult man but a frail-looking young lady who seemed like she could be subdued with one hand. But when his eyes finally met the blazing red ones, Donau gasped.

Bow in awe. Worship. Welcome the angel of light who has descended to the earth.

Somewhere, he could hear the sound of trumpets.

Crazy! What is this?

Kicking the door that had fallen apart at his touch, he stepped inside and found Donau holding a knife to the bound girl’s neck. What a madman!

No, I just came to catch a thief who had stolen my insanely powerful otherworldly summoning circle—but why did he evolve from a thief to a kidnapper? Don’t level up alone!

“Kanna!”

Hena, who had followed me, froze in horror when she saw the tied-up girl. Kanna? Since she knew the name, was she Hena’s acquaintance? Could she be a staff member of the mansion? Hena covered her mouth in shock, tears streaming down. Looks like they’re close!

I could no longer forgive Donau. Hena was the only one I could talk to freely in this other world—and he had to kidnap Hena’s friend? I wouldn’t let this slide. I would show him the cruelty of a villainess in a romance fantasy.

As I made that vow, it seemed he recognized me too.

“Evangeline Rohanson?”

Donau trembled as he called my name. Did this ruthless criminal—who had stolen someone else’s property and kidnapped a child—get scared of me? It must be because he got caught in the act.

There was no way he was scared just because Evangeline Rohanson was some ultimate villain whose name alone would terrify people. …Right? Surely I’m not some world’s ultimate mastermind villain! No need for such a setting!

Hah… my head is a little dizzy, but that’s not important right now. The priority is saving the hostage.

“You called me?”

I didn’t expect being a villainess to be useful in this situation. I suppressed the cringe and goosebumps, smiling faintly with only the corners of my mouth. The important thing was that my eyes didn’t smile. Easy villainous smile, right?

The knife Donau was holding was annoying. A line had already been cut across the girl’s neck. What was supposed to be done in a situation like this?

Wasn’t it that detectives said, “Put the knife down and let’s talk”? What kind of conversation could I have? What common ground exists between me and that guy? Ah, there was one.

“Did you take my summoning circle safely?”

I carefully phrased it to avoid provoking him. Take it? He stole it! Come to think of it, why did he steal my circle and then not even summon anyone, just kidnapping someone instead? Irritating.

“So… you’re saying… you are the owner of that summoning circle?”

“Yes. That’s why I came to find you.”

The audacity of this guy! He stole from my room and yet pretended he wasn’t responsible. Well, of course—if he’s shameless enough to steal and kidnap, it all makes sense.

I wanted to curse him out in every vulgar way, but there was a young hostage, so I held back desperately. The summoning circle was important, but a human life mattered more.

“If you have a wish, tell me. I’ll grant it if you return her.”

Of course, I only meant “listen with your ears.”

He might ignore it, but I had to pretend to comply for now. I would handle the exchange first, then bind his wrists in chains. Or, if there are no chains in this romance fantasy world, I’d give him the punishment of justice.

“Make me an incredibly rich person!”

Right. Why else would someone steal and stage a kidnapping? Money.

The problem was—I didn’t have any money. I had just come to catch a thief. If the goal was money, he should have left a note telling me to prepare it! Rookie mistake in kidnapping 101.

“Rich? Fine. How about Count Rohanson? I can make you a count.”

I’d wing it verbally. Right now, all I had was Evangeline’s body and social status. I could use this. Evangeline Rohanson was an only child—becoming a son-in-law would make him a count.

Whether this world allowed a woman to inherit or followed the patriarchal trope where a male heir was needed could wait.

“Count Rohanson? I like it. I think it’ll be fun to take that wretched count’s position too.”

Deal struck. He seemed okay with the terms. Well, it was a count, after all. Money and power come with it—why refuse?

“Shall we make the exchange now?”

Hurry up and hand over Hena’s friend!

Just as I waited for the hostage, Donau suddenly smiled excitedly, swinging the knife toward the girl. Hey, what are you doing?!

“Stop. What are you doing?”

“I’m finishing the deal….”

Ah. So he was planning to untie the hostage himself? Phew. I watched, relieved—but still uneasy. Was he really going to release her? Or would he turn on me?

Better if I do it myself. I needed to take her first.

“I’ll do it, so give me the knife.”

Donau frowned but obeyed. I thought the hostage exchange was finally happening, but he walked toward me with the knife.

Had I angered him? Did I speak too casually? Or was it my orders? No! Was it a crime to pretend to be Evangeline Rohanson?!

Whatever it was, I seemed to have provoked him instead of calming him down.

Failed? No, stay calm. I could use this. The fact that Donau focused on me instead of the girl was crucial.

“Hena. You save the girl.”

I spoke with ventriloquism. I whispered so Donau wouldn’t hear, and Hena nodded subtly, as if understanding.

I’d draw the attention. A villainess is naturally provocative. Trust me.

“By the way, the promise to make you a count was a lie.”

“What?”

“You really believed that? Foolish.”

Good. Nothing angers people more than taking back what you’ve promised. I deliberately laughed at him to irritate him. My stomach hurt from laughing too much. Ouch, now I can’t stop laughing.

Suddenly, acting serious seemed strange, but I decided to play it boldly.

“Why should I grant your wish?”

“Weren’t you summoned for that purpose?”

No! I wouldn’t have come knowing Hena’s friend Kanna was kidnapped! I only came to catch a thief!

“I only came because I had no choice with my summoning circle.”

Donau lowered his head, seemingly at a loss for words. Listening closely, he was muttering nonstop.

“…This can’t happen. Something’s wrong. I did everything the same. I followed orders. What’s missing? Evangeline Rohanson. I did everything you told me. Why can’t I succeed? I can do it too. I could have become a damn count. Please don’t look at me like that. You too… you think I’m pathetic? Don’t look at me, you… you devil….”

It sounded insane. Well, a sane person wouldn’t kidnap a friend of their ally.

After muttering for a while, Donau suddenly raised his head. His eyes were completely wild.

“My preparations were perfect, but why…”

Like a possessed person, he stared at nothing and then suddenly turned. Hena was frantically trying to untie Kanna’s knots.

“It won’t come undone. What should I do? Why won’t this untie?”

Hena’s face was soaked with tears. Her hands shook like leaves, so the delicate knots wouldn’t loosen.

“No! No! My sacrifice!”

Donau shouted, and Hena hugged Kanna tightly to protect her.

Donau flailed his arms in panic. He didn’t even notice the floor properly, and a candle near his feet rolled across the floor.

The children might get hurt! I panicked. At that moment, Donau fully turned his back to me. Never expose your back in front of an enemy! I seized the opportunity and struck the back of his head.

Gasp! Wrong thought! I should have aimed for the nape! It just looked too easy to hit. Still, it worked. I hit him with bare hands, and he staggered, collapsing to the floor. I bypassed him and went toward Hena.

“Step aside, Hena.”

Seeing her trembling hands, I felt I could untie it faster. Hena cautiously moved aside.

It turned out her nervousness was the problem. Just a few tugs from me, and the ropes came undone easily. They snapped with barely any effort.

“It’s okay now.”

One problem solved. My heart raced from this spectacular event in the otherworldly possession.

“Kanna.”

Hena, who had stepped aside, hugged the girl.

“Sis….”

“Are you okay? How did you get caught! I told you not to be outside! You just recovered from your injuries!”

“Sorry… I didn’t think I’d be caught by someone like that. I was waiting for you…”

“I’m sorry too, Kanna. I’m glad you’re safe. Glad we weren’t too late.”

She wasn’t just a friend, but family. Seeing their gentle interaction made my nose tingle. I wanted to hug them too, but I had just been a formidable villainess, and joining this touching moment might break my character. I wiped my tears while staring into the distance.

Even if I couldn’t cry with them, I wanted to help.

“You’re Kanna, right? What should we do with Donau?”