O11.

Chapter 11

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third person

"WHY DID he go to the South?" the man on the bed bellowed, his eyes burning with frustration and disbelief. His fists trembled with barely contained rage.

"He's really stubborn," replied the man beside him, his tone dripping with exasperation. "He wants to help because he says that's our hometown," he added, clicking his tongue in irritation.

Both men clenched their fists, their foreheads knotted with fury. Their original plan had been meticulously crafted, but now he was acting on his own accord, shattering their carefully laid strategy.

"The knights in the South have been dwindling, but the Grand Duke sent a battalion to assist them," the second man continued, his face set in a grim mask.

"We have to act quickly if we are to destroy this land," the man on the bed said, his voice low and urgent. "We don't have much time. The orb is glowing brighter every day, and the prophecy the Priestess told us will come true if we don't stop them." He stood up abruptly, the bed creaking under his weight, and cracked his neck with a chilling resolve.

"Maybe I can find a way to break the border's support," he mused, a dangerous glint in his eyes. The man beside him nodded, a sinister smile playing on his lips.

"We need to break down their defenses to let the monsters into the Capital," he said, his voice filled with dark anticipation.

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arthemice

It's been three days since I encountered the Crown Prince and that wretched girl who dared to steal my wallet. The war in the South rages fiercely, leaving me powerless to act. The Grand Duke is so overwhelmed with duties that he has neglected to take me to the temple to awaken Arthemice's powers. We had planned to go yesterday, but a letter from Darious reported that the monsters are on the brink of breaching our border.

Thus, the Emperor has summoned his strongest knights to defend our territories.

I bet Cecelia and Athena have gone South too, given their abilities to aid in the war. And here I am, stuck in this useless body, confined to my bed! Oh, how I wish I could be out there helping them.

"My lady!" My attention snapped to my maid, who had burst into my room unannounced, panting heavily.

I arched an eyebrow at her brazen intrusion. Really? Can they not knock? Or do they still view me with such disdain?

"My lady! It is an emer—" I cut her off mid-sentence.

"Do you not know how to knock?" I asked coldly, fixing her with a piercing glare. She froze, swallowing hard at my words.

"But..." she stammered, her eyes downcast and her body trembling.

I approached her slowly, taking her hand in mine. Her eyes widened in horror at my touch.

"It seems you have hands, so you must know how to use them. Should I sever them for their uselessness?" I whispered, my eyes glinting as I smiled cruelly. She recoiled, stepping back and bowing deeply.

"I'm really sorry, my lady! T-This won't happen again!" she screamed, her voice trembling with fear. I rolled my eyes. If this happens again, I'll surely cut her hands off.

"Then what's your problem?" I asked, my eyebrows knitting together.

"There's a peasant declaring that she wants to meet the Lady. However, she doesn't have a proper letter to be in your presence. That's why..." She paused, looking utterly terrified. "That's why the guards are beating her for her stubbornness..."

My eyes widened as I recalled the young miss I met in the capital. Without a word, I dashed to the gate.

From a distance, I could see the men brutalizing the girl. It's her. What is she doing here?

"What do you think you're doing?" I demanded, my voice dripping with authority as I glared at the guards.

"Greetings, my lady!" they chorused, bowing deeply. Their deference allowed me to see the young miss clearly. Her right eye was swollen, blood trickled from her mouth, and her body was covered in bruises.

"Why did you do this?" I blurted out.

"She insisted on entering a royal place. A peasant like her should know her place, my lady!" one of the guards barked, angrily pointing at the girl. My mouth set in a hard line as memories of Kyro's beating flashed before me. My teary eyes and battered face mirrored the young miss's current state, making the situation all the more horrible.

As I watched the guards beat the poor girl, rage and a twisted sense of empathy intertwined within me. The sight of her reminded me so vividly of my own past, of the times I had been powerless and at the mercy of others. I could see myself in her – the helplessness, the pain, the desperate defiance.

"Stop this at once!" I commanded, my voice cold and unyielding. The guards froze, taken aback by my sudden fury. I turned to the girl, her eyes filled with fear and confusion, yet beneath it all, I saw a flicker of hope. I kneeled down to gently caress the young miss's cheek.

"I-I was just trying to give you this," she uttered, her hands trembling as she handed me a handkerchief with a lily flower embroidered on it. "T-Though the materials I used are not as good as yours, I did my best."

I clenched my fist and put her down gently. "Bring her inside and tend to her wounds," I ordered, my tone leaving no room for argument. "And as for you," I continued, turning to the guards, "if I ever see such brutality again, you will answer directly to me. Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes, my lady," they murmured, their faces pale.

"Get the doctor," I commanded, not bothering to look at the guards.

"B-But my lady—"

"Do I have to repeat myself?" I cut him short, standing up. "I said get the doctor, you lowly bastards!" I howled, my voice deadly.

They panicked, bowing deeply before running as fast as they could.

One of the servants, seeing the girl's condition, quickly stepped forward and gently took her from my hands, lifting her up carefully. "And you, let's get to my room," I demanded, leading the way. She looked surprised and embarrassed by my actions, but she couldn't complain given her condition.

"T-Thank you, my lady," she said, smiling faintly. I rolled my eyes. She's really a troublemaker, isn't she?

'She is light as a feather,' I thought, glancing at her horrible, blushing face. I watched as she was carried inside. The flicker of hope in her eyes lingered in my mind. Perhaps in saving her, I could reclaim a part of myself that I had thought lost forever.

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"She will recover soon," the doctor said, his eyes flicking nervously between me and the peasant. "But my lady, do you think the Grand Duke—"

"I will handle my own problems. Just treat her as I ordered and make her feel better," I replied curtly, not bothering to look at him. The young miss lay on the bed, sleeping soundly despite her battered appearance.

"Yes, my lady. I will leave her medicines on the table," he said, bowing and taking his leave.

As he left, I noticed his hesitation. He was a doctor of the ducal palace, yet he was uneasy about treating a peasant. It's not surprising, but it's infuriating. His duty is to heal, and he should do it without bias.

I flinched when suddenly the hologram popped up out of nowhere.

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Your life is now extended because of your kindness! You're such a remarkable player!

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Will you accept the 10% increase in your life?

Yes                    No

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Huh. Here we go again. I pressed the button 'Yes'.

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Congratulations! Continue doing good deeds, player!

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I rolled my eyes. Wow, my title is "Ruthless Villainess," yet the system rewards me for good deeds. It's almost laughable.

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Updating character details…

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Character Profile

Eiliyah Arthemice Loughsin

Title: The Ruthless Villainess 

Current Life: 47% 

Reputation:  12% 

Power Level: Unknown

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So, my life just increased because I saved this girl from being beaten. The irony is almost too much.

"Hmmm..." I looked at the young miss, noticing she was beginning to gain consciousness.

"My lady?" she muttered, her voice weak as she looked at me.

"Are you feeling well now?" I asked, meeting her eyes directly.

"Yes, thanks to my lady," she said, managing a faint smile. Huh. She still has the nerve to smile?

"Why did you do that?" I asked, my eyes narrowing. She flinched but then smiled faintly.

"I thought I would never meet the Lady to thank her, that's why I went to the manor, but I did not expect this to happen." She looked at her hands and then glanced up at the ceiling.

"How did you know my place?" I wondered. She knows me and knows my house too.

"I was a noble once, but my father, a viscount, went bankrupt. That's why our title vanished and we live as commoners," she stated. "I know Lady Loughsin because you're a popular arrogant girl. However, I realized that the rumors aren't true at all. That's why I came here to thank you," she went on, fighting back her tears.

The game is not that detailed, which is why I haven't encountered her or her family.

"Then how about being my exclusive maid?" I asked her. Her eyes glinted with surprise at my words. "You know, I am still looking for one, but since I haven't found anyone capable of this position, maybe you can fill it in?" I continued, scratching my neck and forcing a smile.

"You should stop being a hypocrite, my lady. I know you're forcing your smiles," she sniffled. I faked a cough because she saw through me.

"But I will accept your offer. I will serve you with utmost loyalty, Lady Loughsin," she said, exhaustion evident in her eyes and posture. She looked grateful but weary, clearly tired from everything that had happened.

"Rest now," I said firmly. "You are safe here. No one will harm you again."

She nodded, tears welling up in her eyes as she clutched my hand tightly. The flicker of hope in her gaze reminded me of my own battles and the strength it took to overcome them.

As I watched her slowly drift back into sleep, I couldn't help but feel a sense of purpose. Saving her had done more than just increase my life, it had given me a glimpse of my own humanity, buried deep beneath the ruthless exterior.

Oh, I forgot to ask her name! Tsk. Maybe I will ask her once she gains consciousness.

I heaved a deep sigh and sat on the sofa. I glanced at the tea on the table. It had grown cold since I hadn't touched it. Well, I'm tired of its taste anyway.

I stood up and began pacing back and forth. Now, what will I do? I felt utterly useless, knowing there was nothing I could do! If I had chosen Cecelia's avatar, maybe I would be in the South right now, helping them build a shield. Cecelia's ability was related to weaponry, she could produce swords, shields, or anything that could aid in battle. Meanwhile, Athena's ability was healing. I knew all of this because I played Cecelia's avatar...

The war in the South was brutal. Reports of fierce battles, fallen soldiers, and monstrous incursions reached us daily. The land was ravaged, villages destroyed, and countless lives lost. The southern regions were in chaos, with knights and soldiers fighting valiantly to protect the borders. Despite their best efforts, the relentless waves of monsters overwhelmed them, causing significant casualties.

The strongholds that once stood firm were now under siege, and the civilians were evacuated to safer areas. The Crown Prince and his knights were dispatched to fortify the defenses, using their powers to erect barriers and ward off the monstrous threat. The situation was dire, and the capital remained on high alert, preparing for any signs of breach.

Maybe I could help them by telling them about it! But how can I tell them that I know it? It's not like I can say, 'Hey, I am a human and you are just game characters, that's why I know the future of this land,' right? Hays.

Well, in the midst of this chaos, the villainess of the game, Arthemice, lived her life to the fullest, as if she had no problems. This behavior greatly damaged her image.

I sighed loudly as I reached the veranda. Maybe there was something I could do?

"Hello, system! You sure you don't want to give some work to do?" I whispered, looking heavenward.

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A new predicament will be sent in any second now.

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Luh, system. I was just joking. I'm not bored, I promise!

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A new predicament has emerged!

Defeat the monster, Vorith the Devourer!

Go to the South, find the monster, and defeat it!

Reward: An ancient relic, the Amulet of Aegis. This amulet creates a protective shield when the wearer is in danger, providing temporary invulnerability.

Failure: Death.

Decide your course with great caution!

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My eyes were glued to the announcement. Huh? To the South?! Defeat a monster, Vorith the Devourer?! I don't have any power, sword, nor ability to fight those monsters!

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The portal to the South will now open.

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The wind around me grew heavy, swirling like a magical vortex. It felt as though a whirlwind was encircling me, lifting the edges of my dress and tousling my hair. The air crackled with energy, shimmering with an ethereal glow. Leaves and dust whirled around me, and I felt the pressure of the wind pushing against my skin. The last thing I saw was a portal opening before me, glowing with an ominous light.

What the heck?!

fin.