“I was really startled.”
For a brief moment, when the name “Frost Mane” was mentioned, the demeanor of the Duke changed dramatically.
Just as Luciana, who had first entered the dungeon, instinctively let her body take over and destroyed the patterns without leaving any trace, the Duke of Speda also seemed to feel a deep-seated aversion and murderous intent towards demons.
The problem now was that Frost Mane, his new target, was soon to be revealed as me.
“I’ve ended up crawling into a pit of fire myself.”
But it couldn’t be helped.
[A quest has arisen!]
[Deliver false information to the Duke that the identity of the other demon is Frost Mane.]
[Reward: ?]
A quest without a clear reward.
Moreover, it comes with the extreme risk of being branded as a demon.
However, there’s an unchanging rule in this game.
The greater the risk, the greater the return.
“I went through all this; it better not be disappointing. I’ll ignore all quests from now on.”
Fortunately, the reward turned out to be satisfying enough to quell my grumbling.
[The identity of the infamous thief Frost Mane in the North has been conveyed to Duke Speda as an unidentified demon.]
[The whereabouts of the unidentified demon are now synchronized with Frost Mane.]
A fictitious demon, created through quick thinking and excuses, is now linked to Frost Mane. At that moment.
Messages began to appear sequentially.
[Frost Mane successfully deceived the vampire noble, Erzsebet Bathory, into believing he was a demon through his smooth talking skills.]
That meant, even risking my life while talking in front of Bathory was also.
[According to Hans Byron’s testimony, Frost Mane, who was previously not a primary concern for the Duke of Speda, has now become a top priority target.]
The existence of a demon, who had been secretly lurking and operating unnoticed in the North, heavily guarded by numerous troops.
It all was being treated as the achievements of Frost Mane.
[The infamy of the thief Frost Mane (Demon) has significantly increased.]
[Change in perception by the Thieves Guild]
[Neutral -> Interested]
[Change in perception by the Demons]
[Neutral -> Interested]
[Change in perception by the House of Duke Speda]
[Neutral -> Hostile]
This was the result.
My vision was filled with a new blue window that popped up.
[You have met the hidden conditions. The linked quest, <Find the Collaborator>, is now available.]
[The notoriety of the thief has exceeded a certain threshold. Rewards from the Thieves Guild are….]
[Even the elegant nobles have areas they cannot casually enter. Where there is light, there must be shadow. In the black market, new items are available……]
In summary, it was simple.
Achieving hidden quest conditions, acquiring valuable information, and access to the black market.
All of these were easily obtained through my recent statements.
By raising the infamy of ‘Frost Mane’, who dared to target the nobility of the North and even confront demons.
“Still, I should be careful for a while.”
Being hostile to none other than the Duke of Speda, the power behind the North.
As much as I’ve stirred the hornet’s nest,
It seems I won’t need to use this useful mask, Amen, for a while during this period of intensified surveillance.
“Hans!”
Just as I was thinking about how to make use of this infamy, the door suddenly burst open.
“Are you feeling alright?”
“It’s the lady who should be more concerned about, not me. After all, it was Lady Luciana who was actually attacked by a demon, not me.”
‘I was so shocked when I heard her strength had fallen below 30%.’
She almost went to the other world even before witnessing the prince’s breakup. I nearly got buried along with her.
Seeing Luciana looking neat and tidy was a relief.
It was fortunate that the Duke’s house had the facilities for quick recovery from such grave injuries.
“You should be more careful about your safety. Even if it’s just hunting, take guards with you from now on, and just in case, I’ll prepare some spare equipment….”
My worried nagging was cut short before I could finish.
Because Luciana’s face, who had silently approached my bed and was staring intently, was too close.
“Your, Your Ladyship?”
“You don’t seem to have a fever.”
My mind froze and couldn’t function properly.
The slight warmth touching my forehead felt scorching as if I had been burned.
‘Who, who checks for a fever by pressing foreheads together?!’
If this was a tactic to shut me up, it had worked perfectly.
Ever since I fell into this world,
This was the first time I felt so flustered.
“Anyway, it seems there’s no point in worrying and coming here. Saying the same thing as Yegor.”
Her voice, whispered softly, betrayed a hint of concealed disappointment.
Without realizing it, my tongue smoothly responded.
“…But! In a way, this is all my fault. After all, it was me who suggested hunting the snow rabbit, and it was me who proposed entering the cave where monsters might be.”
“No, it’s not your fault. The incident happened because I was weaker than that vampire. I need to train harder.”
Despite my attempt at consolation, Luciana’s face still looked bitter, but…
This was a good sign.
Given her natural talent in swordsmanship and now with newfound motivation, her skills would improve rapidly.
Considering the crises we might face in the future, having strength was never a bad thing, so I quietly nodded in agreement.
“So, as soon as you recover, you should join me.”
“What?”
What does she mean by that? I’m completely taken aback.
“I’ve spoken to my father and managed to reduce my other educational commitments for the time being. From now on, the only place you’ll be guiding me to is the training grounds.”
“You managed to get permission, I see.”
Luciana, as the fiancée of the prince, was investing a lot of time in various other forms of education to fulfill her role. For her to shift her focus solely to training would have been something the Duke of Speda might not have been too happy about.
“When I expressed my desire to prepare for the upcoming martial arts tournament, he readily agreed.”
The martial arts tournament.
In some ways, it was an event even bigger than the recent coming-of-age ceremony. Organized annually under the auspices of the House of Speda, it was a competition for all the minors in the North.
Since commoners could also participate, one of its purposes was to scout out exceptionally talented fighters.
Winning the tournament not only promised a substantial prize and honor, but also access to the artifacts in the Speda Duke’s private collection.
‘The artifacts of the Speda family…’
“Do you happen to know what this year’s tournament prize is?”
As a member of the Speda family, Luciana might have heard something from her father.
“This year, they’re offering an entry pass to the Vigo.”
“Does that mean…”
“Yes, you’re guessing right. It means the winner gets the right to freely take any artifact from Vigo.”
Several artifacts, which I had memorized from the game, flickered in my mind.
My mouth watered at the thought. If I could get in, I might even aim for the underground guarded by the gatekeeper.
“Last year, my brother won, so I need to follow in his footsteps. That’s why I’m starting intensive training.”
It seemed that a combination of a sense of duty to protect her family’s artifacts and her recent defeat by a demon had lit a fire in her.
“Well, it looks like the winner is already decided.”
The flattery slipped out as naturally as breathing.
And I meant it.
In the North, where conflicts with demons and monsters were frequent, there were many formidable talents, but I doubted any of them could match Luciana.
“Don’t be so sure! Complacency is dangerous.”
‘It seems her defeat has been a wake-up call for Luciana.’
Her reaction was more intense than usual, but I was pleased.
Despite her overwhelming advantage, she had no intention of slacking off in her training.
“So get up quickly and start sparring with me.”
And she intended to use me for her training.
I remembered the times I had been knocked around by her.
The noble face that used to scoff at my poor skills…
“Um, I suddenly feel dizzy.”
“I heard you were fine when talking with father earlier.”
My feeble attempt at playing sick was immediately seen through.
“It’s not just about improving my skills. You should also participate in the martial arts tournament.”
“Me, participate?”
I blinked in surprise, having never considered it.
Though the tournament was open to all, regardless of status, it was essentially a Northern event. It seemed unlikely that I, not being from the North, could participate.
However, my doubts were soon addressed by the person who had created this situation.
“The martial arts tournament is open to everyone in the North. Being from the West but serving as my personal attendant, you have sufficient grounds to participate.”
In other words, she planned to push me through with her influence.
It was an offer too solid to refuse, and I nodded immediately.
“Well, then there’s no reason not to participate.”
I was confident in individual combat.
As long as I could get close enough to use my special move, any armor would become useless.
“But are you sure about this? If I’m going to enter, I’ll be aiming for the win too. Aren’t you essentially supporting your strongest competitor?”
“Oh? Getting cocky because of one win? I hope you can maintain that bravado in the training ground.”
Luciana grabbed my hand, pulling me up from the bed.
“I have no intention of losing this time. I will avenge my defeat at the martial arts tournament.”
Facing her fiery determination was a bit overwhelming, so I subtly averted my gaze.
“If you’re thinking of going easy on me, forget it. That would be an insult to me.”
“…Don’t worry about that.”
The prize for winning is access to Vigo.
The chance to obtain artifacts was rare, and I had no intention of missing out.
“Good determination in your eyes.”
The strongest competitor was Luciana, right in front of me.
To beat her, I would have to use every trick in the book.
After Luciana left,
I reached into my bag and pulled out a small pink bead from the side table.
***
Bathory was nervously biting her nails, overwhelmed with anxiety.
Just as the unknown doppelganger had said, there was a cellar where the goblins were hiding from predators.
The camouflage was thorough, making it a suitable place for hiding.
She had swiftly dealt with any intruders and absorbed their blood.
“Not enough…”
But the amount was far too little to regain her strength.
She needed more blood, and quickly. She would have gone out hunting right away if she wasn’t worried about being tracked.
“How long is that person going to make me wait?”
“That person you’re talking about seems a bit neglected,” came a voice.
Startled, Bathory stopped her muttering and quickly turned around.
She hadn’t noticed someone approaching so close.
“But, I set up protective magic circles… How are you here?”
Unable to use elaborate magical traps like a maze as she did in her previous hideout, she had settled for a basic alarm spell.
Assuming that this doppelganger has a talent for hiding, that’s one thing; it’s a trait of their race, after all.
But the fact that her alarm magic didn’t alert her despite this creature being right in front of her remained puzzling.
“Ah, that? It was getting in the way, so I disabled it when I came in.”
Bathory couldn’t help but reveal her fangs in anger at his nonchalant response.
“Are you insane? Do you know how much magical energy and effort went into that?”
“Ha, it was just a nuisance, wasn’t it!”
His laughter, seemingly oblivious to her distress, was typical of a doppelganger who thrived on others’ emotions.
“Calm down, calm down. I’ve brought the items you ordered.”
However, she soon had to close her mouth, which was open in anger, at the item he presented.
Somehow, he pulled out a jar as big as himself from his belongings.
But more importantly, it was the contents that mattered.
Despite being sealed, the aroma tantalized her senses.
“I brought blood from deer, bears, wolves, each sorted separately. This should appease your anger.”
Mesmerized, Bathory swallowed her saliva and stared blankly at the doppelganger.
The quantity was incomparable to the blood of wild animals she used to get from her bat minions.
With this much, she wouldn’t have any trouble regaining her strength for a while.
“How did you manage to get so much…?”
“Well, despite appearances, I hold a pretty high position among humans. Just a small favor and it’s as easy as pie.”
A demon asking humans for ‘favors’?
It was a stark realization of how well he had assimilated among humans.
“…Thank you. This will certainly be helpful.”
“Thankful? It’s just a trade, isn’t it?”
He shrugged nonchalantly and continued.
“Last time, you got your answers, so now it’s my turn to ask.”
It was a continuation of their first meeting.
Before leaving, they had agreed to exchange information: he sought details about Evildon, and she sought information for her survival and resurrection.
Although late, Bathory straightened up and asked confidently. In any deal, maintaining a strong front was crucial. From now on, she had to be more alert.
“Ahem. By any chance, does any of these jars contain blood of monsters or humans?”
The blood of wild animals was effective, but monster or human blood was far more potent. If he could procure it, her recovery would be expedited.
However, the doppelganger made a disapproving sound at her question.
“Human blood is off the table. There’s a risk of exposing my identity if I’m not careful.”
Indeed, considering his situation, it seemed he was living a normal life among humans.
Securing human blood, like from a battlefield, wouldn’t be an easy task.
What about monster blood, then…
“Monster blood is problematic too. It’s valuable, you see.”
“Valuable?”
“Magic isn’t exclusive to vampires. Humans find monster blood ideal for making scrolls.”
It seemed even a well-adapted doppelganger found the task challenging.
Bathory felt a deep sense of frustration and helplessness.
She needed to return to Evildon as soon as possible to reclaim her domain.
“Of course, if I put more effort into it, there’s nothing I can’t get…”
Bathory’s eyes widened with renewed hope.
“Really? Then, please, could you bring monster blood next time as well?”
“In this world, nothing comes for free. Now it’s my turn to ask a question.”
The golden mask responded as if it had been waiting for this moment. For a brief second, Bathory felt as if she glimpsed greed flickering behind the mask, and this was not an illusion.
“Could you teach me some magic?”
She thought of the Evildon Empire for a moment.
A place where the law of the survival of the fittest prevailed.
It was common there to seize others’ possessions by force.
And he was no different.
The only difference was that his method wasn’t through physical strength. Bathory’s eyes darkened. Magic that she had honed for decades.
Asking for arcane secrets that were passed down only within the bloodline or to direct descendants.
This doppelganger was undeniably a wicked and cunning demon.
Cliche Novel 
Thanks for the translation!
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