Chapter 17

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THE SYSTEM must be insane. It actually wants me to eat this disgusting core? Will I gain power or some new abilities by choking down this revolting thing?

“Are you kidding me?” My brows furrowed deeply as I glared at the empty space in front of me, as if expecting an answer.

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Additional reward will be granted to you if you eat the monster’s core.

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My eyes sparkled with a mix of greed and excitement as I read the system’s announcement. The promise of a reward was too tempting to ignore.

I stared at the core, a grotesque, pulsing thing that looked like it came straight out of a horror movie. Without a second thought, I shoved it into my mouth and swallowed it whole. The slimy texture made my stomach turn, and for a terrifying moment, I felt it lodge in my throat. Panic surged through me as I nearly choked, but somehow, I forced it down.

At first, I felt nothing—no sudden surge of power, no miraculous transformation. But then, just as I started to relax, a burning pain ignited in my throat. It was as if I had swallowed a live ember. My hands flew to my neck, clutching it as I gasped for air. I couldn’t breathe!

“Ugh!” I groaned, collapsing onto the blood-soaked ground. My vision blurred with tears as I struggled to endure the searing agony. It felt like the system was trying to kill me—like this was some twisted joke.

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Success. An ability has been unlocked.

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Just as the notification appeared, the pain began to fade, as if it had never been there. I coughed violently, gasping for the air I had been so desperately craving moments ago. That was definitely not what I signed up for!

I lay there, panting, realizing how close I came to an untimely and humiliating death. “Next time,” I muttered, my voice hoarse, “I’ll think twice before taking the system’s advice.”

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Updating character details…

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Character Profile

Eiliyah Arthemice Loughsin

Title: The Ruthless Villainess Current Life: 37% Reputation: 15% Power Level: Primordial Ability: Beast Tamer

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I stared at the object in my hand. Huh. For a world overrun with monsters, it’s not so bad, right? But my power level is so low that I can only tame a bunny. I heaved a deep sigh as I pushed myself to my feet.

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The Amulet of Aegis will be given to you now!

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A warm glow enveloped my hands as a tiny red gemstone materialized on my palm. I inspected it closely. It was a precious and rare gem, but so small that I might easily lose it. I slipped it into my pocket, already considering my next move.

“Maybe I should head to the City and find a craftsman to turn this into a ring,” I murmured to myself. I wiped the blood from my cheeks and made my way toward the cave.

The Crown Prince was still sleeping soundly. I couldn’t help but roll my eyes at his innocent expression. His attitude had definitely changed since our last encounter in the City, after that young miss grabbed my pouch.

I reached out, intending to brush his hair, but a loud scream suddenly echoed through the cave.

“Lady Arthemice!” Sebastian’s voice cut through the tension as he sprinted toward me, sweat streaming down his temple. He was panting heavily as he skidded to a stop in front of me.

“Sir Kyle, you’ve arrived,” I said, rising to my feet with a calm smile. He opened his mouth to speak, but the sound of rapid footsteps interrupted him. The two Ladies came rushing into the cave, their faces etched with worry as they made their way to the Crown Prince. Lady Athena immediately set to work, her hands glowing as she began to heal him.

“Your Highness!” the knights shouted in alarm when they saw the Crown Prince lying on the ground with his eyes closed. I couldn’t help but roll my eyes again, knowing he was only pretending. He was well aware of their presence, yet he continued to play dead, letting them all fret over him. Tsk.

“Lumi!” Lady Cecelia cried, cradling Lumine’s face in her hands, tears streaming down her cheeks. Lady Athena’s hands glowed brighter as she worked to heal him. When she finished, she sighed in relief, watching as Lumine’s tense features softened.

Napatigil ako nang biglang tumayo si Lady Athena, ang mga mata’y nagliliyab sa galit habang naglalakad papunta sa aking direksyon. I was dumbfounded by her sudden movement, but before I could react, her right hand struck my cheek with a force that echoed through the room.

The slap was so intense that it left a sharp sting on my face, and I instinctively took a step back, shock freezing me in place. “This is your fault!” she screamed, her voice trembling with anger and pain.

Lady Cecelia immediately stood up, rushing to her friend’s side, her hands gently grasping Lady Athena’s shoulders. “Stop it, Ena! This is no one’s fault!” she pleaded, her voice soft yet firm, trying to calm her friend. But Lady Athena wouldn’t be soothed, she shrugged off Cecelia’s touch with a childish huff, her tears threatening to spill.

“If you weren’t as useless as trash, Lumi wouldn’t be exhausted and in pain right now!” she spat, her voice breaking as she bit down on her lower lip, desperately trying to hold back her tears.

I pressed a hand to my cheek, feeling the warmth where she had slapped me, and looked at her with narrowed, malicious eyes. The knights around us stared in stunned silence, their expressions a mix of disbelief and awkwardness, unsure of how to react to the scene unfolding before them.

“You’re overreacting, my lady. The Crown Prince came with me of his own accord,” I said coldly, each word measured as I took a slow, deliberate step toward her.

“See! Lady Arthemice— What?” Lady Cecelia’s words faltered, her confusion evident as she processed what I had just said. Her brows furrowed as the realization began to dawn on her. Why would her fiancé willingly follow me?

I sighed, knowing I needed to protect the Crown Prince’s secret. “When the monster was about to devour me, it sensed the presence of the Crown Prince. That’s why it panicked and teleported us here,” I lied smoothly, watching as she scrutinized my face, trying to discern whether I was telling the truth.

“Ceci, it is her fault! Just look at what she did to your fiancé!” Lady Athena shouted, her voice rising as she tried to step back, her earlier bravado giving way to insecurity. Lady Cecelia’s eyes turned to me, filled with doubt and suspicion, silently questioning what had truly happened while she wasn’t around.

Well, she wasn’t entirely wrong—it had been a harrowing fight, and the situation was far from innocent. And as for how your dear fiancé acted in your absence... that’s a story I’m not eager to share.

“I already told you not to—” The sound of a loud slap echoed through the cave, cutting off her words. Lady Athena didn’t see it coming as I delivered a hard slap across her overreacting face.

“Lady Arthemice, stop!” Lady Cecelia shouted, but I didn’t bother to look at her.

Before Lady Athena could even register the pain, I followed up with a second slap to her other cheek, harder and faster, leaving her stunned and trembling.

She clutched her face, her eyes filling with tears as she stared at me in shock.

“Ever heard the saying?” I whispered, leaning in so close that Lady Athena could feel my breath on her ear. “When someone dares to touch you, you don’t just hit back—you make sure they never think about trying it again.”

With that, I drew back, my eyes locking onto hers. Lady Athena staggered, her hands flying to her face as she looked up at me with wide, teary eyes. I tilted my head slightly, a wicked grin spreading across my lips as I shook out my hand, as if I had just dealt with something insignificant.

“Now that’s how you teach someone to know their place,” I said coldly, my voice dripping with disdain as I looked down at her crumpled form.

She fell to her knees, her tears spilling freely now, but I just rolled my eyes at her pathetic display. Without a second glance, I turned my back on her, catching the astonished faces of the knights out of the corner of my eye. Their shock only made my grin widen.

As I walked toward Sebastian, I could feel their eyes burning into my back, but none of them dared to say a word. My steps were slow and deliberate, every movement exuding the confidence of someone who knew they had just won without even breaking a sweat.

“You!” I was startled as someone suddenly yanked my hair, and even more surprised when I saw who it was.

“Why did you hit Lady Athena?” Lady Cecelia’s tear-streaked face was inches from mine as she pulled my hair, her brows furrowed and her teeth clenched in anger.

I glanced at Sebastian, who pretended not to notice, his gaze deliberately avoiding mine. Huh. I didn’t expect him to help me anyway, all he ever does in this game is stare and wait for the chance to kill Lady Arthemice. Tsk.

I smiled at Cecelia. “But she hit me first, right, my lady?” I replied sweetly, gently brushing her head as if she were a child. She immediately released my hair, slapping my hand away and wiping her tears with a determined swipe.

“Don’t you ever touch me again, Lady Loughsin,” she snapped. Her words felt like a stab to the heart, but I only winced internally. How did things get so messed up so quickly?

I shot a cold, piercing glare at Lady Athena’s tear-stained face. This is all because of that overly dramatic girl, I thought bitterly, letting out a deep sigh.

I was just about to speak when the Crown Prince’s voice cut through the tension. “My, my.” His hand slid around Lady Cecelia’s waist, pulling her close, his fingers lingering possessively. “This is getting out of hand, don’t you think? Perhaps we should cool our heads first, hmm?” He flashed me a smug grin, his eyes glinting with that irritatingly familiar smirk. Ugh! As if this wasn’t all his fault. Now, my favorite character is going to distance herself from me because of him!

“Lumi!” Both ladies cried out in unison, throwing themselves into his arms. They clung to him like he was their lifeline, burying their tear-streaked faces into his chest. I watched as he let a smug expression slip onto his face before quickly masking it with a warm, comforting smile. His hands gently patted their heads, an act of feigned tenderness.

“I’m fine now,” he whispered, his voice just loud enough for everyone to hear. The moment stretched on, the three of them locked in a ridiculous display of affection while the rest of us stood by, mouths agape. Some of the knights looked on with admiration, others with a bashful awkwardness that made me want to gag.

I rolled my eyes. This scene was so cliché it made me want to vomit. Argh!

Their little ‘precious’ moment was abruptly shattered by a shout from outside the cave. “What happened here?!”

The voice boomed through the cavern, sending everyone scrambling to their knees, except for Lumine, Lady Cecelia, Lady Athena, and me.

“Greetings to your Grace!” the knights chorused in unison as the Grand Duke strode into the cave, his presence commanding immediate respect. His eyes scanned the cave, searching for something—no, someone. A few knights flanked him, their gazes sharp and alert.

“Greetings, your Grace,” I greeted, bowing deeply. I was about to rise when I was suddenly pulled into a tight, almost desperate embrace.

“I was so worried, my dear, when I heard you were here,” the Grand Duke’s voice was thick with relief as he held me close, his hand gently caressing my back as if to reassure himself that I was truly there.

I patted his back in return, my voice calm as I replied, “I’m alright, Father. There’s no need to worry about me.”

He finally released me, but not before wiping the dirt and blood from my face with a tenderness that surprised me.

“You smell and look like a beggar,” he remarked, his stern expression softening into a chuckle. “Should we head to the Grand Duke Dousel’s manor?”

I nodded, and he smiled warmly, the tension of the moment easing just a little.

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“The monsters are gone!” I heard some knights shouting from outside. I was at the Loughsin townhouse, having chosen it over the Grand Duke Dousel’s manor. Lady Cecelia, Lady Athena, and the Crown Prince were all at the manor, and frankly, I couldn’t stomach the thought of seeing their faces right now.

The townhouse was sizable, though not as grand as the Ducal Palace. Still, it was quite large for what was supposed to be just a townhouse.

“The war is over!” Another cheer echoed, drawing my attention to the window. I peeked out and saw people in the streets, their faces lit up with joy. Laughter and smiles spread like wildfire as the news reached them.

Well, the system was right. No more monsters were attacking the city. The people had gathered in the ruined streets, their expressions a mix of relief and disbelief. They had been hiding in evacuation centers, safe from the monsters’ sight, but now, with the war officially over, the knights had likely escorted them here to celebrate.

Three knocks sounded on the door before it creaked open, revealing a maid who entered with a polite bow, her hand resting on her chest. “My lady, dinner is ready. The Grand Duke also wishes you to join,” she informed me. Naks. She’s the only maid who hasn’t treated me like dirt.

“Lift your head,” I instructed, offering a rare smile when she complied. “Thank you. Can you escort me there?” I asked as I walked toward her. Her calm demeanor didn’t falter.

“As you wish, my lady,” she replied, stepping aside to let me pass through the door. I liked her; maybe I could bring her to the Capital with me.

We made our way to the dining room, and as I entered, the lively chatter among the guests came to an abrupt halt. All eyes turned toward me, curiosity and a touch of unease evident in their gazes. Slowly, as if on cue, each person at the table tilted their heads. Room fell into a brief silence, the atmosphere thick with suspense.

I roamed my eyes around and I couldn’t help but be surprised by the grand setup. The table was long and laden with enough food to feed the entire city.

The Grand Duke sat at the head of the table with Darious beside him, his presence commanding the room, while the Crown Prince occupied the other head, his gaze sharp and assessing as he watched my every move. While Sir Kyle was seated next to Lady Cecelia and Lady Athena, flanked by the leader of the knights and the Grand Duke Dousel. What a pleasant surprise.

The Grand Duke caught my eye and pointed to the chair beside him, so I made my way over, feeling the eyes of those at the table following my every step. As I approached, Sir Kyle subtly shifted in his chair, lowering his gaze slightly in acknowledgment before returning to his usual steady focus.

“Now that she’s here, let’s begin our small banquet,” the Grand Duke declared, clapping his hands together. I couldn’t help but gulp as I looked at the dishes—each one more delicious-looking than the last.

We began eating, the room filled with the clinking of utensils and low murmurs of conversation. They discussed the war and a few political matters that went completely over my head. Why the heck am I stuck here? Everyone spoke with a seriousness that made me feel even more out of place.

“Anyways, I heard that the Emperor is planning a five-day celebration in the Capital starting tomorrow?” The Grand Duke Dousel asked, his voice a little gruff as he gulped down his wine twice in quick succession.

“He sent me a letter after hearing about our victory in the war,” the Crown Prince replied, flashing a smile at the Grand Duke of the South. “There will also be an award ceremony. The knights, Lord Darious, Lady Cecelia, Lady Athena, Sir Kyle and especially Grand Duke Daryl will be recognized and awarded for their contributions to the war effort,” he continued, his tone as smooth as silk.

Huh. No surprise I’m not included. I was only there for two days and didn’t exactly make any significant impact. Hays.

I noticed the slight curve of Darious’ lips as he stared at me, a hint of smugness in his eyes. Oh, yes, yes. You’re getting an award, and I’m not. Tsk. I shot him a sideways glare before turning my attention back to my food.

“That’s good to hear! I truly apologize for not being able to host a more fitting celebration,” the Grand Duke Dousel said, his voice tinged with embarrassment as he lowered his gaze. “Our budget is stretched so thin right now that this small banquet is all I could manage to express my gratitude for all your hard work.”

He looked down, clearly pained by his inability to do more. The Grand Duke’s situation was pitiful, to say the least. As the ruler of the South, his resources were already limited, with much of the area’s wealth drained by the constant threat of the monster portal in their region. The South had long been a barren and struggling land, barely surviving due to the never-ending battles against the creatures that poured out from the portal. Despite his noble title, the Grand Duke had little to offer, his wealth and strength exhausted in the defense of the kingdom. Even now, his face carried the weight of years spent fighting a relentless war, with deep lines etched into his skin and shadows under his eyes that told of many sleepless nights.

He didn’t need to apologize, we all knew he had done everything he could to contribute to the war. His efforts were evident in the worn-down look on his face and the sadness in his eyes as he tried to hide his shame behind a forced smile.

I cut into my steak, chewing thoughtfully as I tried to focus on the meal in front of me, ignoring the tight knot of discomfort in my stomach.

I heard the father of Arthemice sigh as he prepared to speak, but the Crown Prince interrupted him.

“And, we will be giving an award to Your Grace, for the immense effort you’ve put into protecting this part of our kingdom,” the Crown Prince declared, his voice strong and resolute.

The Grand Duke Dousel’s eyes widened in shock, his face frozen as if he couldn’t believe what he had just heard. “T-That’s— Thank you, Your Royal Highness,” he stammered, finally managing to smile, though it was tinged with disbelief. Well, that’s good news, at least.

“Also,” the Crown Prince continued, turning the attention to me, “Lady Arthemice contributed significantly to this war. She located the root cause of the monsters’ sudden aggression and helped me defeat it.”

I nearly choked on my food as his words registered, my body reacting before my mind could catch up. The Grand Duke immediately handed me a glass of water, his eyes filled with concern as I coughed, desperately slapping my chest to clear my throat.

“That’s... unexpected, Your Highness,” Darious said, his tone icy as he shot me a look filled with barely concealed fury. His lips pressed into a tight line, and his eyes narrowed, clearly displeased with the recognition I was receiving. Lady Athena mirrored his disapproval. Her eyebrows knit together, and she pursed her lips, glancing at the Crown Prince as if silently questioning his judgment.

“Yes, but thanks to her, we were able to end the war swiftly and decisively. That’s why I made this decision,” Crown Prince Lumine responded, his voice unwavering as he leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table. He clasped his hands together, placing his chin on them, and grinned at me, that familiar smirk playing on his lips. Huh. I wanted nothing more than to smack that grin right off his face.

I noticed Lady Cecelia and Lady Athena flinch at the Crown Prince’s words, their surprise evident. They clearly hadn’t expected the man who despised Arthemice to speak so favorably of her, let alone in front of everyone. Their eyes darted toward each other, then back to the Crown Prince, as if trying to reconcile this unexpected twist with the man they thought they knew.

“But, Your Highness...” Lady Athena began, her voice tinged with reluctance as she glanced at the Crown Prince. Was she really that opposed to me being rewarded? The Crown Prince didn’t respond, nor did he even spare her a glance. Her shoulders slumped in resignation, and she cast her eyes downward. Lady Cecelia, noticing her discomfort, gently took her hand, offering silent support.

“It’s your first debut in high society, my lady. You must be thrilled,” Sebastian remarked, setting his utensils down with a controlled, deliberate movement. His smile was polite, almost too polished, as he dabbed the corners of his lips with a napkin.

“That’s wonderful, my dear!” Grand Duke Daryl exclaimed, his voice brimming with pride. His grin stretched from ear to ear as he beamed at me, his eyes sparkling with genuine joy. “I’m so proud of you,” he added, his tone warm and fatherly.

“Thank you, Father,” I replied, returning his smile with one of my own. There was something comforting in his words, a rare moment of approval that I couldn’t help but savor.

“Congratulations, my lady,” Lady Cecelia chimed in, her voice soft and sincere as she smiled at me, her eyes reflecting warmth.

“Congratulations to you as well, Lady Cecelia,” I replied, matching her tone.

“Then, let’s raise a toast to the successful end of the war and to those who will be honored!” Grand Duke Dousel declared, his voice filled with exuberance. He raised his glass high, his smile broad and infectious.

We all followed suit, lifting our glasses in unison. The room buzzed with a newfound energy as the wine in our glasses caught the light. “To the successful end of the war!” we echoed, the words resonating in the air.

fin.