Becoming the Villain’s Family - Chapter 348
Chapter 348
‘After all, it’s just a village.’
Surrounded by forests, it was merely a small rural community cut off from the outside world.
‘Mom and Dad have faced the Garcia Empire.’
So, I can handle this! Elaina rolled her shoulders and vigorously moved her limbs, trying to loosen her stiff body.
As she confidently stepped out of the temple’s front doors, she looked up at the blazing sun, squinting at the brightness.
But soon, her steps came to a sudden halt.
She locked eyes with a crowd of people gathered at the blood-soaked altar, chanting and performing rituals.
Standing on the temple stairs, Elaina found herself in a position where she was receiving their reverent bows.
“…!”
She almost screamed but quickly covered her mouth.
She had made up her mind, but she never expected to be thrown into the midst of fanatics so abruptly.
Elaina’s rosy eyes trembled uncontrollably.
‘Why are they chanting and butchering animals in front of the temple…?’
Is this what her ancestor referred to as a ‘ritual’?
It was too different from the typical ceremonies she had witnessed.
Instead of a serene and reverent atmosphere, it was filled with blood and madness.
The scene was dizzying.
They all stopped their actions and looked up at Elaina in unison.
‘Aaaah…’
In that moment, she nearly stumbled back, almost retreating to her ancestor.
‘Okay, it’s fine. At least the ones on the altar are livestock, not people.’
Elaina tried hard not to look at the altar as she met the villagers’ gazes.
[How dare you interrupt the ritual? You deserve to be torn apart…]
[Wait, did that child just come out of Noah’s temple?]
[An outsider? No, is she actually alive and escaped the temple?]
[What an unusual outfit. Should we capture her?]
[Wait, that child resembles Noah too much.]
[Could she possibly be…? No, that can’t be.]
Their thoughts echoed loudly in her mind.
Elaina pressed her temples, trying to sort through the rapidly passing surface thoughts.
She delved deeper into their fragmented memories and ideas to gather more information.
Using only eye contact, she strained her abilities to the limit, resulting in a throbbing headache.
‘They want to drag me out for interrupting their ritual, but they hesitate because I look so much like Noah.’
Moreover, they were astonished that she had survived after entering the temple.
Elaina hadn’t wasted the past five days.
She had spent her time rolling around with animals in the forest, gathering information through their memories and sensations.
‘They mentioned that the sacrificed humans are merely outsiders with unfamiliar scents.’
Therefore, infiltrating the village as a sacrificial offering would be the easiest method.
But that wasn’t an option.
Her life was at risk, and she could only gather limited information.
‘So, I need to show my value beyond being a mere offering…’
Thinking quickly, Elaina finally made a decision and opened her mouth.
“Noah has sent me here to guide the believers.”
Elaina smiled gently as she surveyed the shocked faces of the villagers.
She had quickly discerned the extent of their misguided beliefs and realized that they viewed children as closer to God.
This made her young age advantageous for deceiving them. Children embodied a purity untouched by the world.
‘And I look so much like the Son of God.’
Even though their eye colors differed, this was something they would overlook.
“Believers, the time has come.”
“……”
“It is time for your faith to be rewarded.”
At that moment, the wolf that had been hiding, waiting for her to emerge from the temple, approached her.
Elaina stroked the wolf’s head as it bowed before her and continued.
“I am his daughter.”
* * *
Elaina whistled softly to summon a lark to her shoulder, then glanced back.
The fanatics were watching her with blind devotion.
Some even shed tears at the wondrous sight she had created.
‘Ugh.’
Elaina inwardly cringed but maintained a calm smile on her face.
It was far too easy to mesmerize the villagers with her abilities.
“Your son is ill.”
“Ho, how do you know that!”
“A child’s pain is a parent’s pain.”
Initially filled with suspicion, the villagers gasped in shock as she read their inner thoughts.
“Though I am merely a guide and cannot perform miracles like him, I can bring you peace.”
As she took their hands and infused them with positive emotions, their expressions softened, and they began to look up at her in awe.
It was simple to avoid being underestimated as a child.
All she had to do was maintain her composure and feign omniscience while smiling like a transcendent sage.
After deceiving a few, the rest followed suit with ease.
Even the village chief rushed barefoot to greet her with enthusiasm.
“Did Noah truly respond to our call?”
“Do not doubt his will.”
“Of course, of course, how could I!”
Elaina chuckled lightly, looking up at the elderly man who seemed overwhelmed with gratitude.
‘So this is where I can apply the ability to read hearts and emotions freely…’
Utilizing a skill she usually tried to conceal, she realized it was optimized for deception.
Of course, given that her targets were clearly wicked, she felt no guilt about it.
“When did Noah bless us… with a daughter…?”
“Did he has… someone?”
“Could it be from the offerings…?”
“If that were the case, would we not know?”
Elaina smiled, feigning innocence as she watched the villagers murmur and grow confused.
It was a smile that seemed to say, ‘Do not doubt.’
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