Taming The Villainesses

Chapter 331.1



(EP-331.1) #4
331 – Time Problem #4

Deep within Aira’s heart lies something sinister.

A lurking predator, lying in wait, having dug its den and cast its net, poised for its prey.

I became certain of its existence long ago when I delved into Aira’s inner world.

When the queen had fallen into a deep slumber, I entered her inner world to save her. And before escaping that place, I encountered that monstrous presence.

At the time, I was too focused on escaping to truly grasp what it was. But thinking about it now, I realized it was the shadow devouring Aira’s mind.

Aira’s extraordinary magical prowess.

The occasional manifestations of madness.

All of it stems from that being clawing through Aira’s heart.

“If we can defeat it, we might be able to create a crack in Aira-nim’s seemingly invincible power.”

Hearing my explanation, Elga scratched her eyebrow lightly with her pinky finger.

“So, let me see if I got this straight. You’re saying there’s some kind of monster inside Aira’s mind? This story… feels like I’ve heard something like it before….”

As Elga trailed off, Mirna, who had been quietly listening to my explanation, spoke up.

“It sounds like Solomon’s great magic. A monster that corrupts and destroys a person’s mind… Perhaps one of the great magics we’ve been searching for is within Queen Aira.”

Perhaps because of what happened with Professor Balan, Mirna’s thinking had become remarkably flexible and precise. With just a simple explanation, she understood exactly what I meant.

Like her, I also guessed that what was inside of Aira was a remnant of Solomon.

If that were the case, it would explain Aira’s abnormal magical prowess and the issues with her seemingly fractured personality.

However, Elga seemed doubtful.

“Why would Solomon’s great magic be inside Aira in the first place? Honestly, I find this hard to believe.”

Indeed.

If one were to ask why such a powerful great magic was inside Aira, I would also struggle to answer now.

But if I had to explain, it would be this.

“Even after the Demon King’s defeat, Opal sought eternal life out of fear. The Lioness family abnormally increased their military strength. And the Draco family…”

Mirna met my gaze as I trailed off.

She crossed her arms and softly closed her eyes.

“The Draco family turned to the forbidden art of soul splitting… Thanks to that, unusual twins like Narmi and I were born.”

[T/N: previously half-soul, now soul splitting]

Mirna and Narmi.

The fact that these two sisters were once one was no coincidence. It was undeniable artificial evidence of forbidden arts. One could say that Narmi’s soul was deliberately placed into Mirna’s body.

If someone were to ask why the Draco family did such a thing, there would be many reasons. But one of them might be this.

“They must have had a reason to pursue greater power. I believe Judas Draco, who participated in the subjugation of the Demon King, felt a fear similar to Opal’s.”

At the end, Opal confessed their sins.

He admitted that the Demon King’s subjugation had failed and that everything had been a lie. Of course, at the time, we dismissed it as the delusional ramblings of a senile Opal.

But if what he said was true, that the subjugation of Demon King Solomon was a failure or only had a temporary conclusion—

To prepare for the next great upheaval, it would make sense if those heroes began taking precautions one by one.

“Being there from the beginning, the Tarantera family must have witnessed everything. And like the others, they must have tried to increase their strength.”

That should be enough explanation.

Elga also seemed to have realized something and nodded.

“So, they reached out to Solomon’s great magic to gain power…? It sounds plausible. The Tarantera witches are definitely capable of something like that.”

At that moment, Mirna interjected.

“If that’s true, the tragic deaths of the Tarantera royal family might also be connected to this. Ars Novas always bring death in their wake.”

Because they stir confusion and turmoil in people’s minds.

Taking advantage of that chaos, the Ars Novas seize their hosts. Perhaps, as Mirna suggested, the loss of Aira’s family was due to the shadow inside her.

“What a shítty story. Does Aira know about this?”

At Elgar’s question, I glanced at the banquet hall where Aira was.

“I’m not sure. I think there’s a high chance that she knows. But at the same time, it wouldn’t be strange if she’s completely unaware.”

Aira kept many secrets from me.

Stories she wouldn’t share.

I had my fair share of secrets as well—perhaps we were similar in that way.

Jjak-.

I clapped to lighten the mood.

“Anyway, in order to deal with the entity inside her, I’ll need to enter Aira-nim’s inner world. But honestly, handling it alone will be difficult.”

I needed the help of my allies.

If I could get the help of Elga, Mirna, and perhaps Stella and Narmi, I thought we could do something.

“Sir Theo. To be honest, I think I need some time to think.”

At Mirna’s cautious reply, Elga snapped.

“What’s there to think about? If there’s a monster inside her, we need to get it out as soon as possible!”

“It’s not that simple. There are usually two ways to deal with a lurking great magic.”

Suuk.

Mirna raised two fingers.

“Either we enter the person’s inner world, or we bring the sleeping entity to the surface and defeat it. Professor Balan, whom we faced, belonged to the latter.”

Mirna seemed to have done quite a bit of research on great magic. It was only natural, given that it was the culprit that had destroyed her family. That made me feel deeply sorry.

Professor Balan, who had inflicted such a great wound on the Draco family, was now one of my subordinates.


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