The Sickly Youngest Member of the Villainous Family

Cassilion Akada creates his life’s masterpiece, the ‘Elixir.’

 

Although it was of little use in the face of destruction, he fulfilled his personal wish.

 

I wonder if the ingredient Cassilion is talking about…….

 

“…….”

 

I looked up at the divine being emitting a bright light.

 

Is this the root of this tree?

 

Countless flowers contained honey-like essence.

 

“Cough.”

 

“Sasha.”

 

Jin called my name as I coughed up blood again.

 

“That……..”

 

I pointed at one of the flowers with my finger.

 

The essence of the divine being. It was a precious healing plant I had seen in the book.

 

“I need it.”

 

At that moment, Evan drew his sword from his waist and lightly moved it towards the air. One of the flowers then fell into Evan’s palm.

 

I looked at him, and so did Jin.

 

Evan approached me with small steps, offering the divine tree’s flower.

 

His gaze was fixed on me. I took the flower with a stiff expression.

 

In the center of the flower I received, I could see a thick honey-like essence shining which reflected my pale face.

 

Without hesitation, I consumed it because the feeling of sickness inside me was getting increasingly severe.

 

The essence of the flower was sweet and fragrant.

 

From the moment it passed my throat, I felt a warmth spreading through my body, and the queasiness in my stomach began to settle.

 

[Your health has increased. +10]

 

The much-awaited message appeared before my eyes.

 

My health was a whopping 46, the same as before I used my power.

 

Considering that the Dragon scale, which cost 500 rubies, only increased my health by 15, getting +10 from just one divine’s flower was amazing!

 

After seeing the color return to my face, Jin seemed to relax a little bit, though he remained cautious.

 

The appearance of the divine tree was as divine as it was beautiful. Wrapped in light, the tree was a sight that didn’t quite fit Winchester’s usual scenery.

 

“I’m glad I came to Winchester, for I have access to some of the best ingredients in the world.”

 

“I made the right choice coming to Winchester, given that the world’s best elixir is within twenty steps,” Cassilion’s voice echoed.

 

“I’ve got some good ingredients here, and I’ve met  ingredient Unni…….”

 

I filtered out the rest of Cassilion’s words, who was looking at the divine tree with an excited expression.

 

“…Are you really okay now?” Jin’s voice came through.

 

“Yeah, I think I’m fine now,” I replied.

 

However, I couldn’t help worrying about the aftermath of the disappearing of the dark goblet.

 

I don’t know if it’s the after-effects of the recovery, but I felt drowsy.

 

Then, Evan grabbed my wrist. I turned to look at him in surprise.

 

His blue eyes gazed at me with a deep intensity.

 

It was at that moment, when a cold black flame emanated from Jin’s body, that I tried to say something to Evan.

 

“Isn’t there something we need to address?” Evan’s lips moved first.

 

And then, I realized that the others were watching us. The situation was still unsettled.

 

There was a need to conclude this unprecedented event. Evan was an outsider, and Jin needed to stay.

 

Despite his young age, he participated as the head of the family, so the responsibility for resolving the situation fell on him.

 

With a cold gaze, Jin whispered.

 

“Take her away.”

 

My wrist was still in Evan’s grip. I looked at Jin and spoke up, “Brother, about that tree…”

 

“It will be preserved well, so don’t worry and go inside.”

 

Jin replied with a knowing expression as if he understood what I was about to say. I nodded.

 

In no time, Evan led me away. “Wait! We need to know what’s going on!”

 

“Is that child’s power not black flame? And what was that power just now!”

 

“We need an explanation about that tree! That monster is…!”

 

The voices of blood relatives were heard, but Evan paid no heed and led me on.

 

I looked pale and closed my lips tightly, meeting the gaze of Permetis. Then, I turned my gaze away and urged my steps.

 

“We should have investigated that child with the Shadow of the Abyss, after all.”

 

“But… didn’t we survive because of that child? Clearly, that child…”

 

“Nonsense!”

 

“Say something, Lady Sasha.”

 

Some of them were openly wary of me, others looked on in awe.

 

“Who do you think helped you survive?”

 

However, at Bashiron’s cold voice, everyone fell silent.

 

“…Th-that…”

 

His words were correct.

 

“You should have some shame! Tsk!”

 

In the end, everyone lowered their heads. The wounded Bashiron pursed his lips in annoyance.

 

Then he said to me, “…This time, I’ll let it slide.”

 

I could see Permetis glaring at me. I kept still and followed Evan.

 

“…….”

 

Soon, passing through the badly dented iron gate, we stepped into the corridor.

 

The pitch-black night scenery stretched out outside the window.

 

Finally, a sigh of relief escaped my lips.

 

“……you.”

 

Evan stopped, holding my hand. I knew what was coming.

 

He looked at me with a sharp gaze and spoke.

 

“You used your powers again.”

 

***

 

Even in the darkness, the green eyes glowed clearly and brightly.

 

“Yeah, I used it.”

 

Those eyes that looked at him without wavering. They were so pure it was almost disconcerting.

 

“During any regression, I had never seen a divine tree before. Not even…….”

 

“Sorry, but I don’t want to talk.”

 

Even though she might have felt the pressure of his ability, Sasha remained unyielding.

 

“Are you ……drawing a line?”

 

Facing Evan’s subtle threat, Sasha stared at him intently.

 

“Even if you’re the protagonist, isn’t it a bit too shameless? Concealing your own secrets while prying into others’?”

 

“…….”

 

“I may know your past, but I don’t know what you’re thinking.”

 

The image of Sasha Winchester lingered in Evan’s mind as he walked.

 

“So, if you want to establish a constructive working relationship, you should start by cooperating properly.”

 

Since Sasha had been told not to get close to Cassilion, Evan knew there was some underlying anger directed at him. And now, the criticism came right on cue. The tips of her eyebrows were raised high.

 

It was the most terrifying expression an eight-year-old could muster.

 

“You’re selfish.”

 

Evan pressed a hand to his throbbing chest.

 

His decision not to involve Cassilion was purely out of concern that it could pose a danger to Shasha. But now, there was no turning back.

 

He made his way out of the darkened mansion. Inside, Jin Winchester would be sorting out the current situation.

 

“A snake,” Evan thought, recalling the dead Leviathan and the Bahimos he had encountered on the mountain.

 

“…….”

 

He caught a whiff of death carried on the breeze from afar. Unlike the other times, Phersetos’ aura was already thick in the air.

 

Phersetos always concealed his presence. It was to avoid the risk of his physical form being detected before resurrection.

 

This time, however, it reeked of death, as if he were contemplating an all-out war.

 

For Evan, it was a welcome development.

 

A group of people emerged on the darkened path. The man on the well-built horse was Recardo Winchester, the Dark King.

 

For twenty-seven cycles they had been enemies, and now for the first time they were allies. Their relationship had changed considerably.

 

Recardo assisted Evan in controlling his abilities and gathering information.

 

“…….”

 

The master of black flames, born of darkness, is inherently cruel and powerful.

 

Like water and oil, Taylor and Winchester have been at odds forever, but for once, they’re working together for a common cause.

 

“Why are you out here at this hour?”

 

Recardo’s words stopped in front of Evan.

 

Ricardo looked down at Evan, his voice chilling. Evan glanced up at Recardo.

 

Evan looked up at Recardo.

 

“Because I promised to move.”

 

The color of the black flame, which Evan thought to have a different texture, appeared clear in the night.

 

“I’m thinking of making a move.”

 

Recardo raised an eyebrow.

 

A cold winter wind was blowing between them. Carrying Sasha’s words through the wind.

 

***

“Let’s do some calculations.”

 

Back in my room, I sat down at my desk and began to scribble on a piece of paper.

 

Even though Evan’s ambiguity still irritated me, I couldn’t waste time on thoughts without income.

 

There are nineteen flowers. If each one recovers 10 health, that’s close to 200.

 

The optimal range is between 30 and 70. Considering that the condition is still fine even if it goes beyond 40, I thought…

 

“Now I don’t have to worry about dying!”

 

This was truly a touching moment.

 

At the very least, it was an evolution from “the sickly youngest daughter of a villainous family” to “just the youngest daughter of a villainous family,” which solved a problem I’d been struggling with my entire eight years of life.

 

A weakened body and a time limit on my life.

 

Of course, even if the matter of life is resolved, a big problem remains.

 

We’re all doomed.

 

Because of a fellow named Phersetos.

 

“And…….”

 

I remembered the image of the empowered Jin from earlier. He exerted twice the original strength.

 

My ability, the Key of Mechius, provides such a powerful boost, but it also eats away at my life force.

 

Even if there is a way to charge my health with the essence of the divine tree, in situations like earlier, I have no choice but to step forward, life force would be drained.

 

I’m only eight now, and the age at which I die in the original version is twenty!

 

I don’t know how many more situations like just now will occur over the next ten years, but…

 

“…I need to control it well.”

 

I organized my thoughts on the paper.

 

First and foremost, it would be better to avoid such situations. I need to understand the reason for Leviathan’s appearance.

 

Even though there are about twenty essences of the divine tree, thinking about the final battle with Phersetos, it might not be enough. So, I’ll have to ask Cassilion more about his plans for the elixir.

 

Anyway, I feel quite relaxed.

 

“…This should be enough.”

 

“Miss!”

 

Maya’s voice could be heard from outside. I looked towards the door in surprise.

 

“The duke has returned.”