I Ended My Engagement With The Woman Who Despised Me

✦  Chapter 15 — The Assassination  ✦

「Translator — Creator」

᠃ ⚘᠂ ⚘ ⚘ ᠂ ⚘ ᠃

A miraculous tea, brewed by burning an equal mixture of sun-swallowing petals and glass petals to ashes. When it came to fatigue recovery, it was practically omnipotent.

Among readers, there were even jokes that the author, overwhelmed by the final boss’s excessive power gap, had forced this item into the story to artificially bridge the gap.

The tea's effects were not only remarkably potent but also versatile in application, earning it a reputation as a seemingly trivial yet overpowered item.

It was only natural that Siren, who was experiencing mental instability, would develop a fondness for this beverage.

‘She seems a bit calmer now.’

Whenever I tried to distance myself, she’d glance around anxiously like a cat with separation anxiety, peering up at me with pleading eyes.

If she had been someone intimidating, it might have been different, but Siren, who was undeniably pretty and cute, kept stirring an urge in me to hug her—though I fought to suppress it.

'If I keep indulging this...'

Her dependency seemed likely to worsen, so I held back as much as possible.

‘Thankfully, that separation anxiety appears somewhat alleviated by the tea.’

Of course, it was only temporary.

Still, the improvement was undeniable, and I nodded in satisfaction before glancing at Loraine beside me.

‘I still don’t get why she loves this tea so much.’

When I suddenly asked about her reason, she replied, ‘Hmm, when I drink it, my mind becomes incredibly clear, and I feel like I'm just one small step away from reaching Swordmaster. That's the main reason, plus I enjoy how it relieves fatigue and clears my mind.’

At the mention of Swordmaster, I glanced at Loraine.

A Swordmaster was an existence beyond conventional standards, capable of cutting through all worldly common sense.

In the original work, they could slash not only tangible things in this world but also what was considered 'abstract concepts,' establishing them as beings that transcended both human and non-human classifications.

In the story’s later arcs, she definitely achieved this realm. By her logic, the tea wasn’t necessary to become a Swordmaster… yet an inexplicable intuition flashed through me —she might reach that pinnacle far sooner because of it.

‘Of course, this is pure speculation—no evidence whatsoever. Zero credibility.’

But Loraine’s sporadic yet razor-sharp instincts had never been wrong. If she sensed it, it would likely happen. The thought pleased me, and I nodded again.

𓇗

"Myung myung!"

"You're too small, I can't hear what you're saying."

"Myung!"

While watching Siren bickering with the sun spirit in front of me, I recalled what needed to be done before proceeding with the engagement annulment ceremony.

'Finding those who assassinated sister Lilia.'

Though I had managed to uncover several pieces of information 'suspected' to be connected to the assassination, this alone wasn't enough to identify the culprits. More investigation was needed.

As I debated roaming the city with the sun spirit to track down new dark mages, Siren tugged at my sleeve, calling for my attention.

"Is something wrong?"

Perhaps due to having absorbed countless negative emotions, I asked bluntly without any change in expression. However, her fidgeting hands and trembling pupils conveyed genuine concern.

It was curious how she’d grown so attached to me in just a day. When I asked her why, she explained —

“…I overheard a few things during the experiments.”

Realizing this could potentially be an important clue, I asked her to continue. She nodded calmly and began speaking about 'negativity and curses.'

"I don't know if this will help, but I'll tell you everything I heard. The experiment I endured was about containing people's negative emotions within a human body."

Though she clearly didn't want to remember, she seemed determined to tell me everything, continuing with a slightly trembling voice.

"The dark mages said that if this experiment succeeded, it could be used to contain enormous amounts of mana in a human body. Though I'm not sure what that means."

This made sense when recalling Siren's nickname from the original work — 'The Worst Curse, Bloomed from Devouring Thousands' Despair.' In other words, the dark mages were experimenting with containing negative emotions in humans to create curses.

Curses… curses, huh?’

What kind of curse were they trying to create with such actions?

While pondering this, an interesting thought crossed my mind.

'Come to think of it, Siren became an Archmage.'

Though she had taken the wrong path and became an Archmage who drove countless people to their deaths, the important point was that she possessed exceptional magical talent.

Perhaps this talent could help trace the assassins. When I asked if she could use magic, however—

"How do I... use magic?"

— it became clear that she not only couldn't use magic but didn't even know how to. After blinking and considering this for a moment, I decided that while she might not be of much help in the current investigation, it would be beneficial to educate her for the future.

I decided to seek help from the mages residing in the Carsaril household.

𓇗

“…Truly, this is an astonishing talent. I’ve never encountered someone with such extraordinary gifts in all my years.”

As befitting a Ducal house, even the guests staying at the Carsaril residence could hardly be called ordinary. One such individual was the former royal court mage, Friltanin Lirelshue, who stood before me.

To be honest, as he wasn't mentioned in the original work, I didn't know much about him. However, judging from Loraine's extremely formal behavior around him, I could tell he was someone of considerable importance.

'Well, given how much praise someone of his caliber is offering...'

It confirmed my belief that she possessed the same Archmage potential as in the original work.

"Though I hesitate to say this, I can assert that talent of this caliber has never appeared before and likely never will again."

Such words carried considerable weight coming from a royal court mage who had observed countless individuals, rather than just an ordinary mage.

Hoping for the best, I asked if he could teach Siren magic.

Contrary to my expectations of rejection, he readily agreed and said to me—

"As this is the first time I've witnessed such brilliant talent, I should be the one making the request."

"Are you going to abandon me...?"

"Please leave her in my care. I will ensure that Lady Siren receives excellent magical education."

"Don't abandon me..."

Though the conflicting exchanges between Friltanin and Siren created some confusion, I decided it would be beneficial for her to learn magic and chose to leave her in Friltanin's care for now.

"............"

While she strongly disliked this arrangement, when I told her it was my request, she nodded in agreement despite her visible glumness.

"...But promise to praise me if I learn magic well."

Just as I was declaring that I would praise her generously, thinking it wouldn't be difficult, a thought crossed my mind.

‘Wait—if she starts training now, wouldn’t she master magic faster than in the original timeline?’

As I wondered if this meant she could achieve magical accomplishments faster, an unfamiliar yet warm voice reached my ears.

"Damian, are you very busy?"

It was sister Lilia.

𓇗

“Had I known you were suffering up north, I’d have rushed there immediately — but no word reached me.”

“I heard everything you endured. It infuriated me so much I couldn’t sit still. That’s why I came straight here!”

"If you ever feel sick or troubled, just tell your sister. I'll solve everything for you."

She poured out her thoughts as we walked along the beautifully decorated corridor; though her warmth felt unfamiliar, it was pleasant, and I simply nodded with a smile.

Sister Lilia turned her gaze to me and continued.

"And from now on, train properly and absolutely do not get hurt."

I didn't respond since I knew I couldn't keep that promise, but she arbitrarily took my silence as acceptance and finally got to her main point.

"Even if you break off the engagement soon, don't feel discouraged. You're my proud youngest brother and the youngest of the Carsaril family!"

As I stood there smiling, unsure how to respond, a thought suddenly occurred to me — why were the assassins trying to kill my sister?

'She neither suppresses dark magic nor exercises influence externally.'

As I was getting confused about the inexplicable assassination attempt, I recalled a conversation from the past.

[Could this perhaps be related to the problems the Carsaril family is facing?]

Those were Loraine's words to me as she headed to the meeting where the North tried to pin the blame for the rifts on me.

The moment I recalled this, I immediately spoke up.

"Are there any problems with the family?"

"Hmm? Ah, that. It's nothing you need to worry about."

Her reaction was too intense for something supposedly insignificant. Sensing there was more to it, I pressed further.

"...We're having some issues with the Order."

"The Order?"

"Yes. I can't tell you the details as it's confidential, but just know that it's a situation where we have to fight due to conflicting interests."

"Ah."

"So you don't need to worry too much."

Though she said not to worry, something kept nagging at my mind.

When I delved deeper into what it might be, I recalled two crucial points — that it was the protagonist who discovered black magic in Carsaril territory, and that the protagonist had reported this directly to the Order.

In truth, this sequence of events could be considered natural enough. After all, reporting black magic to the Order, which opposed such practices, was the logical course of action.

'But when you consider how the protagonist ended up in Carsaril territory, seemingly out of nowhere instead of somewhere connected to the final boss...'

Perhaps there might be some connection.

'The Order and dark mages...'

Though they seemed like an unlikely combination, something about it felt oddly unsettling.

While I was pondering this,  my older sister embraced me, gently patting my back.

"Anyway, welcome back to the family once again. Make sure to rest well and enjoy yourself, alright?"

"Yes."

"Then I'll be going now."

With those final words, sister Lilia left.

As I watched her leave, resolute in my determination to capture the assassin... a sudden thought struck me.

Since the Order and Carsaril were competing over conflicting interests, if black magic were to be discovered in Carsaril territory, wouldn't the Order stand to gain the 'most benefit'?

The moment this thought surfaced in my mind, I felt as if electricity was coursing through my entire body.

END of CHAPTER

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