Survival 43

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Inside the carriage escaping from the Duke’s estate, a curse mixed with anger spilled out. 

For Camilla, it was a failure she hadn’t experienced in quite a while. 

To have the criminal right before her eyes and yet fail to arrest them. 

It was shameful for a member of the Duke of Loberk’s family.

“More than anything, that look in his eyes. I don’t like it.”

Moreover, the sight of him smirking over his shoulder at her provoked a feeling of indignation. 

Camilla’s eyes narrowed.

This northern expedition was a failure.

Fortunately, it seemed unlikely that it would lead to the worst-case scenario of Luciana sending a letter of protest, thanks to them backing off first.

But it was far from the worst.

The situation she now had to face was like a massive iceberg that might capsize at any moment.

Rumors in social circles are always swift. 

Probably her siblings would take this as an excuse to rightly attack her.

“…Let’s postpone revenge for later. First, we need to think about how to deal with this.”

Tap, tap.

Camilla’s fingertips drummed on the armrest as she was lost in thought.

“Pride is hurt, but I must send a personal letter of apology to Baron Byron’s family quickly. Saying that we have reached a peaceful agreement seems the most effective… Ugh!”

Suddenly, a large vibration shook the carriage violently up and down, interrupting Camilla’s thoughts.

“Hey, can’t you drive properly?!”

A sharp shout filled the carriage.

However, no response came from the other side despite her rebuke.

“…What?”

Suddenly, Camilla could not stop the cold sweat from trickling down her forearm.

The guards were not ones to not respond without reason. 

Given the gap in status, they were absolutely obedient.

Especially since this was a journey abroad. 

She had personally selected loyal individuals to accompany her.

That meant…

It was highly likely that the guards had already been taken down. 

Monsters, and demons.

Camilla took a deep breath at the unknown fear she had not experienced in the West.

‘If it’s the former, the guards still alive might be used as bait to escape. But if it’s the latter…’

“Hmm. It’s not these ones. Why don’t you come out of the carriage? Or should I personally come to greet you?”

Camilla sighed at the worst-case scenario she had imagined.

“…I’ll come out on my own.”

Camilla’s pupils shook violently as she stepped outside.

In the cold, a blonde woman dressed lightly, her arms crossed, was waiting for her.

If one were to combine enchantment and fear, would this be the shape it takes?

Blonde hair as sweet as honey and features as delicate as marble sculpted by a master.

The supreme beauty that made one want to hang on every breath she exhaled.

But that was momentary.

Red pupils resembling roses seen in the garden, sharp fangs slightly protruding from her mouth, and wings resembling those of a bat.

‘To think I would meet a vampire, only heard of in rumors.’

Camilla’s fingertips turned cold.

If the opponent was a demon, especially a vampire, it was futile to run away given their intelligence.

“Why should I bother memorizing the surname of a human like you… Hmm, what was it again? Anyway, you’re peculiar. You are the daughter of a duke’s family, right?”

Especially if she had been the target from the beginning.

‘And that mana…’

Though it was an ambush, her own guards fell without being able to put up any significant resistance.

Being a mage herself, Camilla could feel it. The overwhelming difference. It was clear that engaging would only lead to her defeat.

“What do you want?”

“What I want, hmm. If I had to say, your blood?”

Her face paled at the words, which were as good as saying she intended to take her life.

Her hand went to the whip at her waist.

‘If I’m going to die anyway, might as well fight back…’

“Kyaa!”

“Such foolish actions.”

But that attempt ended in vain. 

Lightning magic manifested from the fingertips of the vampire. 

In the blink of an eye, her wrist was paralyzed, and her only means of defense dropped to the ground.

The vampire, with a languid smile, flicked her fingers.

“Just come quietly. You wouldn’t want to see your men die, would you?”

At that moment.

Looking at her guards floating in the air, as if by some magic, Camilla clenched her teeth. 

Honestly, she didn’t care if they died. 

Wasn’t it the duty of a knight to protect their lord, even at the cost of their own life?

‘The problem is, even if I choose to abandon them and flee, can I truly shake off this demon?’

Regrettably, those blood-drenched eyes didn’t seem like they would let go of their prey once targeted.

“Fine.”

“Good, you’re coming quietly.”

-Snap.

With a flick of her fingers, the guards fell to the ground.

“Come, someone wants to meet you.”

The vampire turned and walked away. 

Camilla bit her lip hard and followed her. 

For now, she would comply and look for an opportunity to escape.

‘I can’t die here.’

Like livestock being led to slaughter.

But with a firm will to live, Camilla followed the blonde demon slowly into the middle of the snowy wilderness.

***

If Camilla could be defined in one word, it would be the incarnation of vengeance.

“Mother. I will surely avenge…!”

Catching criminals.

And all other actions.

In the original story, every single one of her actions is focused on revenge.

Thus, even though I have managed to humiliate Camilla for now, it was clear how her anger would return.

Eventually, she might threaten the Byron family as part of her plans for revenge.

So.

“…I need to shake off this annoyance.”

I twisted my lips, watching the brilliant golden light and vibrant green approaching from afar in the glowing snowy wilderness.

“Hey, Frost Mane. Brought her.”

“Thank you for your efforts, Bathory.”

“Hmph. To think a vampire noble is being used like this. You’ll pay dearly.”

“Of course. I will try a bit harder.”

The face of the arrived guest turned pale.

It was a very satisfying reaction.

“Kuk, you are…!”

“Just half a day, Lady Loberk.”

I greeted her with a smile, my bow impeccable in my perfectly tailored servant’s attire.

“You’re insane! Do you even realize what you’re doing?!”

“If I were to put it in terms of the criminal law you’re so fond of, it would be kidnapping a high noble, and treason for colluding with demons.”

I couldn’t help but laugh.

It was the same with Bathory, the same with Elizabeth, but this moment was the most enjoyable.

‘I really do have a bad personality.’

The conditions for joy are simple.

Stepping out from Luciana’s servant role to reveal another identity of mine and the moment I deceive someone else.

Feeling the intense pleasure flowing from my brain.

I sharply lacerated Camilla with my venomous tongue.

“But that’s all according to human standards, isn’t it?”

“…What?”

“Aren’t you curious? How a mere thief could command a high-ranking magic-wielding demon at will.”

“If I know Camilla, she could deduce it easily with just a bit of circumstantial evidence. That the identity of Frost Mane is me.”

“Impossible…!”

Even if that was based on several misunderstandings and incorrect information.

-Tadadat.

At just the right moment, Friede came dashing towards me, wagging its tail, with a bright golden mask in its mouth.

“…You used that dog to steal it.”

“Allow me to introduce myself anew. My name is Frost Mane. I am a demon.”

I kindly provided her with additional information as she stood there stunned.

“Specifically, a doppelganger demon whose specialty is disguising as others.”

“…Save your pointless words.”

“Hmm?”

“To think I would face assassination, not in the west where I’ve faced countless threats, but here in the north, to be 

exterminated.”

She glanced at Bathory and exclaimed.

The mask of bravado she wore did little to hide the intertwining despair and anger, which was quite a sight.

“I won’t play along with your pathetic drama, so stop wasting time and just kill me.”

“Me? Kill you? Why?”

“…Stop mocking me.”

It seems she concluded that there was no chance of survival after revealing myself as a demon.

I opened my mouth towards Camilla, who was glaring fiercely.

“How could I possibly cut open the goose that lays golden eggs?”

“…What?”

“Your emotions, that is.”

Spreading my arms, I brainwash myself once again.

See, I am a doppelganger.

A demon that assigns a gourmet value to every bit of human emotion.

The essence of acting begins with deceiving oneself.

I whispered with a dazed look.

“It’s quite stimulating. If Luciana’s emotions are like a refined white fish fillet, savory yet continuously inviting, then yours, shall I say, have a certain kick to them?”

“What….”

“Yes. To use an analogy, it’s like barbecue smothered in every spicy sauce imaginable, fresh yet with a unique taste.”

A reason utterly incomprehensible by human standards.

Camilla’s eyes, previously resolute, now harbored a look of utter astonishment.

‘Wow, at this rate, I might actually get addicted to scamming?’

The delicious reaction in front of me was excessively satisfying.

I shrugged my shoulders without hiding my amusement.

“Well, the point is this. I have no intention of killing you, who harbors such sweet emotions.”

“…Ha. You mean to leave a thorn in your side just for that reason?”

“Just? To me, the dining on emotions is the joy of life, my raison d’être! There’s nothing more important!”

Camilla was left speechless by the strong rebuttal, her mouth agape on the spot. 

Even Bathory watching us shook her head in disbelief.

[Achievement unlocked: Perfectly deceived both the lady and the demon.]

[Frost Mane’s infamy rises.]

With the status window’s validation, I truly became one with the doppelganger identity.

“So? You plan to keep me imprisoned here?”

Then.

Having understood that there was no intention to kill her, Camilla coolly observed me. 

The faint hope in her eyes was amusing.

Her cunning tongue tiptoed on a dangerous line between life and death.

“It won’t be wise. Even if this is the North, news of a Western duchess’s disappearance would be like stirring a hornet’s nest.”

I know.

If she were kidnapped, naturally, I would have to brace for a large-scale search by the soldiers in this vicinity.

But if the kidnapped person returns unharmed within a short period and resumes life as if nothing happened, can it still be called a kidnapping?

“That would be too simple and crude a method for me. It would be a great blemish on my gourmet experiences. I will release you soon.”

“…Then what exactly do you want?”

I clasped my cheeks, beaming brightly.

“I simply wish to be good friends with Miss Camilla.”

“Friends…?”

“Yes. I occasionally wish to feast on your emotions.”

At that, Camilla responded with a disgusted look.

“Enough with the nonsense. Do you think I would compromise with a criminal, let alone a demon enemy of the Manhet Empire?”

The disdain deepened.

The rejection was expected.

After all, it would be strange for anyone to show kindness to a madman who wants to eat their emotions.

‘Considering her past, with her mother killed by a band of thieves, it’s natural for her to show hostility towards someone involved in thievery like me.’

“Of course, I won’t ask for your emotions outright.”

But,

-To achieve great revenge, sometimes small revenges must be forsaken. Remember that.

Recalling the lines she often spat at the protagonist, I spoke up.

“I have information that could aid your revenge.”

“…What?”

“Shouldn’t you seek revenge? Not against a petty thief like me, but against your real enemies.”

The ones who directly killed her mother were undoubtedly the bandits of the wilderness.

However, as is often the case with noble intrigues, there were others who had commissioned the deed.

“Your half-brother, and your stepmother.”

Mentioning the enemies who had smiled while plotting assassination to secure their succession, Camilla’s pupils shook violently.

“How could you…”

“You seem to have forgotten that I come from the West. I happen to know a thing or two, including the fact that you’re at a disadvantage in the succession battle.”

“…..”

“Really, am I more important than your mother, than the head of the ducal family, Miss Camilla?”

Compared to the ducal family, her maternal family was significantly weaker.

A childhood struggling even to survive, let alone qualify for succession.

Her past, as depicted in the original story, was truly bleak.

And not much different now.

She’s barely holding onto her position as heir based on her achievements.

The few supporters she has now would likely leave if they knew she had meddled with Luciana’s personal servant.

But if she listens to me, the situation could change.

She could ascend to the dukedom and take her revenge on those scoundrels.

Whispering so, Camilla’s pupils trembled.

I stepped closer and extended my hand to her.

Close enough for our breaths to touch.

Intimately close, where if Camilla had hidden even a single dagger, she could stab my heart.

“Shall we forget our minor grievances so far and become friends?”

Yet, I was certain.

Of the choice she would make.

After all, her life’s priorities are securing the dukedom of Loberk and revenge.

A fierce flame ignited in her eyes.

“…You’ve already tasted my emotions. Give me the information.”

Soon, the lady’s hand was laid over mine.

“An excellent choice.”

[Achievement: Exceeded satisfaction for an urgent mission]

[Additional rewards will be granted.]

Thus, another ally for Frost Mane was born.

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