BXBX NOVEL Chapter 3 – Kidnapping (3)
“I am Sylvia, a knight of the Vermont family, and I will oversee your running in place of Master Aslan.”
“What?”
“No questions. Start running, now!”
“What?”
Julia’s face turned dumbfounded.
He said it was punishment.
The infamous Aslan Vermont called it “punishment.”
And yet, all they had to do was run laps around the yard…?
Something was off.
Was he hiding his true intentions?
From Aslan’s expression as he stood behind the female knight Sylvia, she couldn’t read any emotions.
‘What is this?’
Running ten laps around the yard?
That can’t be considered punishment!
“Huff, huff! Huff, huff…”
“Your form is terrible. Your athletic ability is severely lacking.”
“You… damn…”
After about two laps, Julia’s stamina was already failing, and her posture was collapsing.
Meanwhile, Aslan’s scolding only annoyed her more.
He looked pale and sickly, clearly less capable of running than she was!
“Charlotte is on her fifth lap already. Unlike someone, she hasn’t neglected her physical training.”
Charlotte zoomed past Julia.
Even though she didn’t want to hear it, she couldn’t help but listen to Aslan’s comments, which only fueled her frustration.
If only she didn’t have the handicap of running with sandbags…
“Ten laps. That’s enough.”
“Huff, huff…”
“Julia, you’re still on your fourth lap? Tsk. Pathetic stamina. That’s not good. You need to be healthy. From now on, both of you will run every morning.”
“Understood, young master.”
“Both of you look utterly exhausted. Heh heh heh.”
Meeting Aslan’s smile, Julia felt a chill down her spine.
Was his goal to drain their energy?
Was he planning to do something to them once they were too tired to resist?
“And now you must be hungry, and you’ll have to eat. Heh heh heh.”
“What? Wait, what?”
Warm food was served in a dog bowl, steaming hot.
Julia’s mouth watered.
She had resolved not to touch the food they provided, but after running, her tired body was drawn to it.
“Charlotte…”
“Um? Hmm?”
“Never mind. Eat.”
“Yum!”
Charlotte was already devouring the food.
Didn’t she already eat earlier? Julia wondered, but she dismissed the thought as she picked up a warm piece of bread.
Closing her eyes tight, she took a bite.
Contrary to her fears, there was no bitter poison taste.
It was delicious.
No, it was beyond delicious, perhaps because she had run and worked up an appetite.
Before she realized it, Julia was devouring the bread and soup in a trance.
“Heh heh heh. Finished your meal?”
“…!?”
At Aslan’s voice, Julia’s hands trembled, and she set down the dog bowl.
She had let her guard down.
This must be part of his plan.
He had made her devour the food she swore not to touch in an instant.
What is he planning now that she’s off guard?!
“Your clothes are filthy, and you stink of sweat. How dirty. Take them and give them a bath.”
“Yes, young master.”
“Eh?”
Guided by the maids, Charlotte and Julia were led to the bathhouse.
It was not some strange bath but a normal one reserved for their use.
‘Hot water…’
How long had it been since they had a bath like this?
Not a tiny tub barely big enough for one person but a grand bathhouse…
As soon as they soaked in the hot water, the sensation, long forgotten, spread through their skin.
Ahh… Charlotte and Julia’s delighted moans echoed.
After a leisurely bath, they found that new pajamas, perfectly fitting their sizes, were prepared.
‘They fit perfectly…’
It was strange.
It was unsettling.
It was unsettling, yet strange.
That man had clearly brought them here to use them.
What benefit does he gain from pretending to be kind?
It was incomprehensible.
“A child needs sleep to grow. Spend the night in a dark room without a sliver of light. Heh heh heh.”
The door creaked closed, and the room was plunged into darkness.
The bedding was soft and cozy.
After exhausting themselves running and eating their fill, then taking a hot bath, Julia felt drowsy.
“I shouldn’t let my guard down… Charlotte.”
“Mmm…”
“Already asleep. Huh? Could it be?”
Was his goal to make them sleep?
What would he do while they were asleep?
Thinking back, they had entered this enclosed basement room without any resistance.
This wasn’t the time to be relaxed.
Though Julia was tensed again, she was pulled into bed by Charlotte’s leg wrapping around her.
“Let go, Charlotte. This isn’t the time for this.”
“Mmm. It’s been so long since we had such a comfy bed…”
“…”
Charlotte’s sleep-talking sapped Julia’s strength.
How long had it been?
Warm food, hot baths, and a cozy bed…
They hadn’t experienced such things since coming to the orphanage.
Why was Aslan doing this for them?
What does he gain from treating them well?
She needed to stay alert.
She hadn’t figured out his true intentions yet…
Sleep kept overtaking her.
Maybe this time…
“No…”
Julia’s eyes snapped open at the inexplicable whispers that haunted her nights.
***
“Damn it. Can I do something about this tone?”
All I did all day was feed the kids, bathe them, dress them in new clothes, and put them to bed.
Anyone would see those as normal, good deeds.
But every time I spoke, it sounded like something a villain would say, and there’s no way they wouldn’t take it at face value.
[You can now access the Skill Window.]
[Skill Window]
[Fate of a Villain]
[Passive Skill]
[No matter where or when, everyone perceives you as a villain.]
What kind of garbage skill is this?
And it’s a passive skill.
It can’t be turned off or on at will.
Any other skills?
[Innate Dullness]
[Passive Skill]
[All the world’s mana dislikes you. Your mana responsiveness is significantly low.]
[Villainous Disposition]
[Passive Skill]
[Evil gods and demons adore you for no reason. You’re easily noticed by them.]
[Evil Laughter]
[Active Skill]
[Laugh like a villain scheming something.]
[Touch of Death]
[Active Skill]
[Spread a deadly aura around. Only affects low-level creatures like insects.]
This skill set is as pathetic as it gets.
I’d discard all passive skills if possible.
The active skills seem mostly useless.
Ah. ‘Touch of Death’ might be handy as a mosquito repellent.
‘This body is useless. Any thoughts of getting stronger are futile.’
Forget ambition.
I am not the protagonist of a game.
I don’t have high stats or potential.
To survive, diplomacy is paramount.
Make as many allies among the good guys as possible and exclude the villains.
That’s the only way to live.
It’s already late.
Returning to the library, I decided to inspect the mess Aslan had left.
Books scattered everywhere, magic circles carved into the floor, and various sacrificial offerings.
Anyone would think he’s researching dark magic.
‘I don’t understand any of this.’
The books are incomprehensible.
I can’t even read the letters.
At that moment.
“Huh?”
[Accessing bodily memories.]
[Syncing]
[Sync failed]
[Sync halted due to unknown error.]
[Sync rate: 21%]
As the text flashed before my eyes, I noticed some changes within me.
Aslan’s memories.
But they were fragmented memories spanning different times, so nothing valuable.
Only 21%, but.
‘I can read.’
Apparently, it included knowledge of the letters.
I could read the books now.
Some basic understanding of magic must have been included, too, as I could now understand its contents.
Of course, understanding doesn’t mean comprehending.
To fully grasp this, I’d need to read and reread it thoroughly.
‘I have time. This body seems nocturnal, so staying up reading won’t be an issue.’
I pulled up a chair and opened a book.
Something felt off.
A sensation similar to when Kali’s gaze bore down on me, but weaker.
Then red eyes gleamed in the darkness.
“Young master.”
“What do you want?”
Sylvia emerged from the shadows.
I nearly had a heart attack.
My mind was startled, but my body wasn’t.
Was it because of the recent sync?
“Young master, may I speak out of turn?”
“Go ahead.”
“I’ve seen many of your wicked hobbies, but this time you’ve gone too far.”
“…”
“Release the children before I do it myself.”
[Sylvia Aineias]
[Age: 20]
[Affection: -38]
[A knight serving the Vermont family and Aslan Vermont’s personal guard. She utterly utterly utterly utterly utterly utterly despises you.]
As expected.
She hates me.
To the extent of repeating “utterly” six times.