I Took The Body Of A Villain 02

 

2. Salvation or redemption

How much time has passed. The sunlight pouring over the window made me feel my mind. My body was refreshed as if I was in a deep sleep. An unfamiliar environment was waiting in front of Manuela who opened her eyes.

‘Where is this?’

She was lying alone in a room with a high ceiling. I thought for a moment as to whether I was being dragged back to the Imperial Palace, but soon I collapsed. I didn't go to all the rooms in the Imperial Palace, but it was quite different from the atmosphere there. It was all antique, but compared to the Imperial Palace, where fine floral wallpaper and golden molds stand out, this place wasn't refined and even felt cold. While getting up, someone opened the door from outside and entered. It was Carl.

‘Have Carl brought me here?’

The last memory that comes to my mind was the scene of reuniting with him after two years in the garden of the Grand Duke. He was Grand Duke Herssen.

“Are you getting a little crazy?”

He walked toward the bed, lowering his words. Manuela fluttered reflexively at the cold gaze he saw for the first time and stepped back. The cold head of the bed touched my back.

“Karina Emerald.”

It was then that Manuela was relieved that Carl could not recognize her. At least I didn't want to see him in his original form. A concubine brought from Archetia when he was the prince. It must have been passed down to Herssen by people who love to talk.

“I will ask you two questions from now on.”

“……”

“If you don't give me the right answer, that will be the  last thing you said in your life. Keep it in mind.”

“Duke, what the hell is this……!”

I couldn't connect any more. It was because the knife pulled out the rapier that was wearing her waist, lifted it and pointed it at her neck.

“The lady who was accompanied by your carriage is now unconscious. What have you done?”

Anyone who rode in a carriage other than her was Manuela's original body. Since the soul had escaped, consciousness could not return until it entered again. It was literally like a live invoice. In addition, the condition will be more serious as it has spread to unknown poison.

“What's the other question?”

“Is there any way to save her?”

I was speechless by unexpected remarks. Since it happened at the Grand Duke's residence, I thought it was just trying to fix it.

“I don't know what the hell is that woman doing, Grand Duke.”

“I am the son of His Majesty the Emperor. Avoid rude words and actions.”

Sounds funny. Manuela never received an example of him. The Sunhwang's girlfriend had a title.

“What about a woman……It's a concubine. You can't show it up anywhere.”

That was Manuela's position. Admittedly, it became comfortable. The things that had happened so far made sense if it was the concubine's status. She was not Lydel's wife.

“What are you talking about?”

A brief change occurred in Carl's face. He lowered his arm and pulled a threateningly gleaming sword.

“The two officially married in front of the priest.”

“If that had been recognized, it would have been called the Crown Prince.”

Looking at the expression, it seemed that it did not go into his ears. Eventually, I ended up getting my teeth covered with my feet.

“Where is Manuela now? Did you take it from the Imperial Palace?”

By now, she must have noticed her disappearance from the imperial palace, and there must have been a raging. Carl said nothing.

“Are you still here?”

The silence was soon positive. There was a reason for asking her how to save her in the first place.

“Then let it die. Even if you return her to the imperial palace, it's the same as you die.”

“……What?”

“It was due to be executed today. On the charge of practicing magic in the empire.”

Carl dropped his sword and plunged into the bed. It seemed that he was shocked by the miserable words of an old friend.

“I don't know who poisoned her, and how she got in my carriage at will. I just took my life and put it in a threatening barrel.”

“How did you know she was addicted? I never said it.”

A cold sweat flowed from my back. Damn it. Inwardly, Manuela recounted all sorts of harsh curses she knew. I overlooked that he was sharp before.

“I found it in the carriage. Can't the naked eye tell you that you are intoxicated?”

“Okay?"

“Of course! Whoever sees her, she looks like an addicted person...…”

“In that carriage, a bottle of poison came out.”

“I guess she dropped it. It has nothing to do with me.”

“If you track the buyer, you will be able to easily find the real culprit.”

It was a situation where Karina didn't know how she got the poison. Even if the Duke was involved as a servant, it was over. 

‘Why, should I be caught for trying to poison me?’

It was beyond her ability to return to her original body. I thought I would go over to Archetia with my body and search the old books to study how to get back no matter how long it took. However, if I stayed like this, I would die of Karina before that.

“Anyway, it’s not me, so let me go home.”

“If you bring someone to testify to you, I will sent you home.”

“Are you going to turn the Duke of Emerald into an enemy?”

“I do not care. Even if you are the enemy of the imperial family, not the peacock family.”

It was a remark that could lead to treason. It was the first time I knew if Carl had such a reckless side. It was slightly different from Manuela's memory of him. It seemed to see a stranger. Does he really want to be Lydel's enemy for his friend? He was innocent. Tired of the mud fight at the imperial palace, even the parties couldn't attract him to the board trying to escape. As soon as I had thought about it, a decision was made.

“I don't know how to save her, so I just kill her here.”

The magic of erasing memories was impossible with the current magical power. The magical power engraved on Manuela's soul was depleted while using black magic, and it was unknown how much magical power remained in Karina's body. While signing a contract with the demons, it is unknown how much magical power they filled, but there was a limit to the amount of magical power that an ordinary human could contain.

“Do you think I can’t?”

Carl grabbed the enemy's neck with one hand. With a little force, I could break my breath. 

[T/N: Sword is Carl's neckname but I change it to his name instead. Gosh!!! This is really difficult to translate! (TT)]

‘It's now.’

Manuela grappled with her wrist holding her neck. It seemed that the degree of magic to stun through veins was possible.

“Bena o Malte-”

Even before finishing the spell, the knife lifted her hand and rose. Failed to properly vein. As he noticed, there was no next chance. The scent of birch, her magic mark, was already vibrating in the room.

“why…...”

It was the peacock's turn to ask if Young-ae was using magic. His question again, without exception, deviated from her expectations.

“Why do you have the scent of Manuela?”

What surprised me was rather Manuela. I didn't know I still remember what happened at that time.

[T/N: This part is a flashback of Manuela and Lydel's conversation in the past. Lydel is Manuela's husband, remember?]

—I think you are in the forest.

—Because each wizard has its own magic mark. It usually appears as incense.

—Do you smell the forest?

—Because the source of my magic power is solved. When mixed with water element, it smells of grass after rain, and when mixed with elemental fire, it smells of burning. It's rare that only wood smells like me. It is even more rare that it spreads as wide as a forest.

　

Carl, who had been listening to the conversation between the two, opened his mouth.

— Manuela is special.

　

Her face, glowing red, didn't know it would come back all day. Of course, Carl did not notice how much of a word he inadvertently shook the girl's heart. What do you say. What is that smile that makes women attracted so much every day? Manuela of those days lived as if the center of the world was Carl. His words grunted and gave meaning to each of his expressions. There were such times.

“Say it.”

The cold voice came back to reality. The emotions he felt in his eyes were different. It was wet snow as if it was going to rain anytime soon.

“It smelled the same in the carriage.”

How do you still remember the scent?

“If you were Manuela……”

“……”

“I will not be able to keep my promise to send you.”

“I……I……”

It's not Manuela. I tried to say so. But the feeling of sadness was quick. In a drop of tears running down his chin, Carl didn't bury anything anymore. He hugged her changed friend's body and whispered in silence.

“I had a hard time, Manuela.”

The tears that I had endured poured out.

“Now rest assured. As long as you are by my side, no one can hurt you.”

Two friends who were apart met again. Concealing the emotions that each of us had. 

***

It's already been a week since I stayed at the Grand Duchy. To be precise, it was the time that Carl held her as an excuse for recovery. Carl sent a letter to the Duke's family stating that Yeong-ae would be serving at the Grand Duchy until she was regained her strength. It was common for aristocratic women to pass out when they were wearing tight party dresses until evening. 

[T/N: Young-ae means Lady]

“Look at this man? I don't care if my daughter is okay.”

Manuela laughed at the letter from the Duke's family. Jude Emerald was concerned about something other than her daughter's health. It was said to cook the Great Duke well as one of the fish in her fishing ground. In any case, it was obvious that he was thinking of changing from the emperor to the grand duke.

“Because it’s a consistent noble anyway.”

I knew what kind of person he was from Karina. Being a high-ranking noble, there were quite a few stories from Lydel. In a word, except for ambition, he was a corpse man. He was a great figure because the second son of a baron, who had little to see, became the son-in-law of the Emerald Duke, who was a daughter-in-law, and inherited the Duke. It was natural in a way that Karina, who grew up under such a father, coveted the position of empress. Meanwhile, Manuela has fully adapted to her new body. Since that day, Carl hasn't mentioned anything about her original body. It seemed to have found a detoxification method.

—I'm here for about a week. I will stay here and go after my body recovers.

　

It was the last day I promised. In the meantime, Carl visited her every day and talked to her. Whenever I chatted with him, it seemed like I went back to the days when I had no worries. When I thought about breaking up, I felt like I already missed it, but it was right to leave. Manuela was tired of living in the imperial palace. I never wanted to intervene in a power struggle again. Moreover, she was a sinner and a divorced woman. It was even worse because I was caught in a scandal with my ex-husband's cousin. The imperial face wasn't the problem. I didn't want to be a burden to Carl anymore.

“What do you think?”

As I sat on the grass, I was locked in thought, and I heard a familiar voice. The sun was dazzling, so I raised my head, covering the light with the back of my hand.

“I'm here?”

Carl sat down with one knee bent and looked into her. He laughed as if he was cute when he saw her frowning in her eyes.

“Is this okay?”

He raised both hands and made a shade over her forehead. The shade fell under the big hand.

“I can see you now.”

“Why are you out?”

“Wouldn’t it be healthy if people get some sunlight?”

“Because of your health. If you get a lot of sun, you get dizzy.”

He also spits out the fluttering words casually. Player, this. Manuela tried to point out this time. Anyway, she was the one to leave. Yes, do whatever you want.

“When do you ever talk? I'm okay...…”

I was about to get up, but my eyes were dizzy. Carl moves quickly and grabbed her swaying body.

“Look. I still do.”

“This is a chronic disease. I'm really well. I came here by myself, well, well.”

“……Who left you alone?”

His eyes quickly fell. Manuela Gisera, who was going to call the employees at any moment and take reprimands, grabbed his sleeves urgently.

“I was frustrated and said I would come alone. If you follow him, he rolls around the hallway of the grand office and threatens to use it.”

“Roll……What?"

Carl asked, confused.

“What did you say about this. Infancy regression? Once this is done, all grown-ups are supposed to lose their gin and fall off. Who would want to fight a child?”

A laughter burst out from his hardened lips. He laughed for a long time and looked down with playful eyes.

“How are you still the same?”

“Seeing that laughter is still sore, so are you.”

“Is it?”

Who would see this boy-like man as the master of Herssen, the famous mercenary nation? Like Lydel, Karl went to the Royal Academy in hiding. It was always common for children of the ruling family to study abroad in Archetia under the guise of their status. However, Manuela did not ask her why he concealed his identity. 

“Today is the last day. The attending physician said that everything was well.”

An old friend I met again. No more crossing the line here. It was forbidden to touch old feelings. Carl smoked as if he hadn't heard it.

“You haven't eaten yet? Shall we eat together after a long time? Because today's work was canceled, I was on a leisurely basis.”

“Sorry. I don't think we can eat together.”

“Isn't it frustrating to stay inside? Tell me wherever you want to go. I'll go with you.”

“You know where I want to go the most.”

Carl kept his mouth shut. I knew what he was going to say. A week in the blink of an eye has passed. It was time to return her home. His eyes shook without aim. It was the same for Manuela that the breakup was regrettable. But now was the best time to leave. It was a short time, but since we left each other's last good memories, the regrets seemed less than before. Manuela quickly made up her mind and spoke calmly.

“I waited to say goodbye.”

“Goodbye?”

“Would you like to tell me where my body is now? I don't have much time left to ship.”

“Really going?”

“Then, I have to go. Thank you for that time.”

The hand that held the shoulder fell weakly. Manuela pretended to know nothing, grabbed that hand and shook her last.

“It was nice to see you again, Carl. I'll see you again if I have a chance someday.”

Probably it will never happen. This was the last one. It's all about stepping into the empire and spending time with him. Carl said nothing. Manuela smiled brightly and removed her hand. At that moment, he took her hand again.

“You can’t leave here.”

“What?”

“Manuella is dead now.”

Facing him with a confused face, Carl said as if nailed again.

“There is no such thing as a body to go back.”