The Baddest Villainess Is Back - Chapter 112

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 112
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‘This forest held quite a variety of resources.’
Rozelin had wandered through the woods after being chased off by Edward and Albius—not before she’d made the children thrust out their bellies and curse their parents in unison, a singalong of familial insults.
‘Even the captain of the royal guard wouldn’t have expected the forest to be discovered this quickly.’
According to her memory, Jade Stone—the material for Abyss Weapons—was found here as well.
Moreover, it was around this time that materials capable of making the Control Device, which could completely prevent the use of the Abyss, would be discovered.
Beyond that, there were over a dozen varieties of medicinal herbs yet to be catalogued, alongside various minerals, gemstones, and—Magic Stones.
It was with the discovery of these Magic Stones that the Empire’s mages began their ascent…….
‘I died not long after that.’
So I don’t know much about what came after.
I’m equally ignorant of how or in what manner they advanced.
In any case, Magic Stones were a mineral similar to Jade Stones.
Where Jade Stone possessed the property of containing the Abyss, Magic Stones held the property of containing a mage’s Mana.
However, Jade Stone was hard enough to be used as a weapon, while Magic Stone was brittle and easily shattered, so it was worked into jewels instead.
Those mages—fewer in number than Abyss wielders, but weaker than the Abyss itself—began to grow by leaps and bounds with the discovery of Magic Stones.
Being stone naturally imbued with innate Mana, when used without refinement, one could wield power far greater than what they originally possessed.
‘Until now, mages were simply……slightly gifted with unusual power compared to others.’
Since mages rarely won when pitted against the Abyss, they had specialized in Daily-use Magic instead.
They were incapable of wielding impressive offensive or defensive spells.
The Abyss never depletes, but when a mage’s Mana runs dry, their ability weakens and they cannot cast—that was the core limitation.
So until then, they were known simply as mages of Daily-use Magic.
I’d heard the Tower Master possessed great natural power and was quite capable, but since he never stepped foot outside that shabby Magic Tower, no one could verify whether the rumors were true.
In any case, things began to shift when Magic Stones started being supplied to these mages.
Magic Stone was easier to work with than Jade Stone.
So it was simple to imbue with Mana or spells, and vast magics that normally would have been impossible became achievable—supplemented by Magic Stone.
With Magic Stone alone, magic became an inexhaustible ability, just like the Abyss.
And unlike the Abyss, it wasn’t limited to a single power, either…….
‘The greatest advancement was the Teleportation Scroll.’
A Teleportation Scroll created using Magic Stone powder.
And the last thing Rozelin remembered hearing was the rumor that something called a Portal—which would make such travel constant—was being developed.
“Rozelin.”
“Arma.”
“Don’t venture too deep into the forest.”
Arma took her hand without hesitation, his voice gentle with concern.
Rozelin let out a soft laugh.
“Did you come out because of me?”
“Yes. I was worried.”
“What did Edward and Albius decide to do?”
“Garren and the High Priest are overseeing a discussion with the children about their wishes. Most of them say they want to be freed from the puppets and be reborn anew.”
Rozelin nodded.
That made sense. Immortality, in the end, was nothing but an endless cycle of tedium and emptiness.
“Some seem to want to see the outside world first, so they plan to stay.”
Rozelin nodded once more.
“Is Edward all right?”
“The shock is significant, but he’s accepting it. He and Albius are releasing his powers now.”
She was just turning her head to nod and make her way back toward the Estate when—
Edward appeared at their side as if from nowhere.
“……I didn’t know.”
“Didn’t know what.”
“……That none of them wanted to be with me.”
“They’re talking about being reborn. Your body’s already gone—clinging to their souls is nothing but your own selfishness.”
At Rozelin’s blunt words, Edward flinched, his shoulders trembling as he clenched his jaw.
“Then what am I supposed to…….”
The boy lifted his head, his expression crumbling as tears threatened to spill.
“How much longer do I have to live? I don’t want this Abyss……!”
“Oh—I can take care of that for you.”
“……Can’t…… What?”
Edward, who had been trembling with grievance and on the verge of tears, stopped short, his voice thick with confused bewilderment.
“I can show you how to live only your natural lifespan and then die—how to grow old and pass away just like everyone else.”
“……an Abyss is innate. There’s no way something like that could be possible…….”
“There is.”
“……couldn’t you just wait a moment or listen when someone’s trying to set the mood and looking for some understanding? When you cut things off like that, so bluntly, what does all my worrying and melancholy and heartache become?”
“……what should it become?”
Just the worries of someone who never took action.
Rozelin’s brow furrowed as she pressed him, and Edward struck his own chest twice with his fist in frustration.
“God, descendant. What the hell do you even see in a woman like this?”
“Her bluntness is rather charming, sir.”
To Edward’s question, Arma answered with shameless ease, as if there was nothing more to discuss.
“……you two are insufferable…….”
Edward let out a hollow laugh, then rubbed his inflamed eyes roughly before releasing a long, heavy sigh.
The emotions that had swelled so fiercely had already crashed to the ground long ago.
“What’s the method.”
“You want to know the method?”
Edward nodded at Rozelin’s question.
An immortal Abyss is not perfect.
Injuries hurt the same, and wounds don’t heal any faster.
You simply don’t die—nothing more—so you’re left waiting for healing while enduring the same agony as dying itself.
Scars remain, and skin melts if burned.
Aside from not dying and ceasing to age after a certain point, there was nothing that set him apart from an ordinary person.
So Edward despised his Abyss. Truthfully, he loathed it.
He had spent countless days wondering how he might finally die.
‘But to say it so casually like that…….’
Hearing it put this way made his worries feel like nothing at all.
Truly, like the most pointless concern in the world.
“Fine. In exchange for telling you the method…… help me.”
“……help you, you say?”
As Arma glanced at Rozelin, she smiled gently.
* * *
“……you’re really saying something like that will be developed? A device that prevents the Abyss from being used at all……?”
“Yes, probably…… within the next five years or so. It’ll be expensive, but I promise to bring it to you first.”
Edward watched Rozelin explain matter-of-factly as she finished preparing to leave, and his brow deepened with displeasure.
He didn’t like how she intended to depart without hesitation once her work was done.
But what could be done about it?
She’d knocked his father unconscious, and his father’s Abyss might run wild, causing a catastrophe.
‘Still…… when the time comes, she wants me to let her fall into a comatose state…….’
He couldn’t fathom what was going on behind that expressionless face.
“I’ll send someone else, so cooperate.”
“……since I helped you, I’ll keep the promise. Just bring your brother back safely.”
Edward spoke with an anxious face, and Albius stepped forward, gently pulling the boy into an embrace.
“I’ll be back soon, so don’t worry.”
“……I’m not a child.”
Edward answered curtly while hugging his arms, yet he quietly returned Albius’s embrace.
“You are, though.”
“You certainly are.”
As Arma chimed in with Rozelin’s remark, Edward’s face flushed crimson and he sputtered indignantly before turning his head away sharply.
At that moment, Albius burst out in loud laughter.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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