The Sickly Youngest Member of the Villainous Family

Evan’s eyebrows twitched.

 

“No way…”

 

Jin turned to Recardo.

 

“Is it Lysonia?”

 

“Yes.”

 

He’d read about it in the library.

 

The Akada family of Earth relies heavily on the powers of the earth, which they call “magic”.

 

Their powers are not as powerful as those of Clear Light or Black Flame, but they have contributed to the development of the Empire with special potions and inventions.

 

One of these was Lysonia, which was used to tame slaves acquired in war.

 

A tool used to exert dominance over others, preventing easy betrayal.

 

In simpler terms, if I die, Evan dies too.

 

Evan and I had become linked by our lifespans.

 

“…….”

 

I stared at the ring that fit snugly on my ring finger.

 

“In exchange for Evan Taylor’s release from the dungeon, I have decided to place on him a Lysonia to limit his murderous and hostile behavior.”

 

It seems there was a discussion about this during the monthly meeting.

 

No doubt Taylor would have been unhappy with the imprisonment of his beloved heir, no matter how guilty.

 

Yet, given that someone had attacked me, a wielder of Kaisa’s curse, and Evan’s attempt to threaten me had been exposed, other families would probably think it necessary to protect me too.

 

Chenoa Taylor would probably have reluctantly agreed, albeit grumbling.

 

Now, for the sake of Evan Taylor’s well-being, the Taylor family must cooperate for my safety.

 

Of course, Lysonia had its limitations. As it contained potent magic bordering on curses, its effects lasted for about three years.

 

“If you die.”

 

Evan looked at me.

 

For an instant, clarity poured from his hand.

 

But I just stared at him until it reached me.

 

“I guess that means I’m done.”

 

The blue light stopped in front of my forehead.

 

Jin’s lips twitched.

 

“How dare you.”

 

Evan’s neck, like mine, was enveloped in black flames from Jin.

 

“…….”

 

Evan stared at me intently.

 

I knew he was observing my reaction.

 

I’m not sure what he’s thinking, though.

 

I put on my best nonchalant face and mouthed the words.

 

“Thinking of regressing again?”

 

Evan’s blue irises, catching my words, trembled.

 

A moment later, he lowered his head.

 

It was almost as if he had briefly smiled.

 

“It seems you need a refresher on dining etiquette.”

 

Recardo continued eating with a nonchalant expression, then raised an eyebrow at Evan.

 

The Clarity that had threatened me a while ago disappeared after a moment.

 

“Jin, you too.”

 

At Recardo’s words, Jin also lifted the threat he had directed towards Evan.

 

I thought about Evan’s attitude.

 

Back in the underground prison, he had thought it might be a good idea to kill me.

 

But now, he seemed to have changed his mind.

 

Maybe it’s because of Lysonia, because he’s convinced, I’m the real Phersetos, but he doesn’t want to die with me.

 

‘No. The atmosphere seems subtly different.’

 

Is there a possibility that his thoughts about me being an enemy have changed?

 

His expression doesn’t give it away.

 

“…….”

 

With a cool expression, Jin unfolded his napkin and spoke.

 

“I apologize, Father.”

 

Then he picked up his utensils.

 

As Recardo finished his meal and set down his utensils, he made a clinking sound.

 

He straightened his collar and stared at Evan.

 

“…..It’s a different feeling from your father. There’s no superfluous movement.”

 

A while later, Recardo stood up from his seat after finishing the meal.

 

As Recardo passed by Evan, he spoke.

 

“Nevertheless, it would be wise to think carefully and act prudently in the future. Especially if you want to preserve your life in Winchester.”

 

Once Recardo left and the door closed, blood trickled down Evan’s cheek.

 

The dining area was already a mess.

 

I continued to gaze at Evan Taylor while remaining seated.

 

“…….”

 

I wondered what he was thinking.

 

Meanwhile, after Recardo had left, Jin no longer held back his chilling anger.

 

“It’s an unpleasant sensation of Clarity.”

 

“…….”

 

“Clarity is always unpleasant, but your energy, in particular.”

 

In response to Jin’s voice, Evan slowly lifted his gaze and looked at Jin.

 

“It seems you could use some change in habits. It’s a pity.”

 

In Jin’s eyes, Dark Flame flickered, and as Evan’s lips curled, I intervened.

 

“Stop it, brother.”

 

I didn’t want to further ruin the dinner with delicious food ahead.

 

Evan stared at me intently.

 

I gestured to the seat opposite Evan.

 

“There’s no point in fighting.”

 

And I also addressed Jin, who was staring at Evan as if wanting to turn him into a sacrifice for Dark Flame.

 

“It’ll just break tables and windows.”

 

Both of their gazes turned to me.

 

Putting aside their remarkable abilities, it was getting irritating.

 

There’s no need to destroy everything in this place by having them clash.

 

“…Let’s just eat. We’re hungry, after all.”

 

And with that, I picked up my fork and knife and began to cut into the steak.

 

They say the true view of Mount Geumgang comes after a meal.

 

Evan’s eyebrows twitched.

 

“……Your complexion looks better than the last time I saw you.”

 

Is that a compliment?

 

I made a “nom” sound as I put a piece of steak into my mouth, then clinked the glass.

 

I spoke to the maid who had just entered.

 

“Prepare another meal for one person.”

 

Having eaten only dry bread for a long time in the underground prison, Evan looked even more emaciated than he did the last time I saw him.

 

“After all, we’re on the same ship, Evan Taylor.”

 

Looking at Evan, I showed him the ring on my ring finger, as if it were a symbol of friendship.

 

“Whether you like it or not.”

 

Jin, who had risen to face Evan earlier, twisted his lips as if sighing and took his seat again.

 

And he muttered.

 

“Even if I were to kill that little brat, it wouldn’t harm you. It was more of a way for me to stretch my limbs.”

 

I know Jin is a rational human being, even when he says this.

 

He wouldn’t treat Evan too harshly as to not kill him. He’ll consider political implications.

 

Considering Evan’s physical condition isn’t great either, he probably won’t achieve the outcome he desires.

 

Soon, the maid brought another serving for one person.

 

“We have plenty of food.”

 

“……I’m tired, I’ll rest.”

 

His lips may have twisted for a moment.

 

As he walked out the door, the soldiers were waiting.

 

A moment later, the door closed.

 

“Welcome to Winchester.”

 

I said to the back of his head.

 

Jin took a drink from his wine glass and set it down.

 

His dark green eyes held a deep darkness.

 

* * *

 

It had been almost two months since Evan Taylor had entered the Square.

 

Back in the room he’d been assigned, he’d showered and changed into clean clothes.

 

Winchester’s interrogators had flogged him once, his body quickly recovered to its original state without a scratch once he used Clarity.

 

Evan, who had experienced unprecedented events so far, entered the Square with a rather fatigued expression.

 

Looking at the cumbersome ring, an image of the child nonchalantly putting meat into her mouth came to mind, evoking a peculiar feeling.

 

He wondered what that absurd warmth is.

 

The twenty-eighth regression.

 

He has a premonition that he might be able to change the future, which has gone in a different but similar direction.

 

Of course, he still couldn’t be completely sure.

 

While Shasha Winchester might be changing the course of events, she belongs to a bloodline of darkness, that of the evil Winchesters.

 

“……whether you like it or not.”

 

Grr.

 

In that moment of contemplation, a sound came from his stomach.

 

Having just come out of the underground prison, he hadn’t properly eaten any meals.

 

It was annoying to even have to deal with hunger in a boy’s body.

 

Still, from tomorrow morning, he could have a proper meal.

 

Stepping into the square, Evan raised an eyebrow as he looked at his desk.

 

The plate of meat he left behind earlier was on the desk.

 

“……Ha…….”