Despite Being an Extra, I'm the Villain's Childhood Friend - Chapter 54.1
Chapter 54.1
Gerald appeared confident, his simple answer suggesting a complete lack of hesitation. This only fueled Michael’s anger, which intensified as he glanced at Robert, swaying precariously.
“Why did you make that decision?”
“Obvious, isn’t it? The nobles and royals would be a nuisance if they found out.”
“….!”
For such a trivial reason…
His fury rose, choking him and leaving Michael speechless. Seeing his frozen expression, Gerald continued, unperturbed.
“Robert knows this isn’t a perfect solution. The spell needs to be adjusted every time his heart changes.”
His gaze lingered on the dark, exposed wound before he continued.
“But a mage isn’t a physician. We can’t be chained to a patient’s side like a lapdog.”
“Still, there’s no need for secrecy. This could be someone’s hope!”
Michael’s voice rose involuntarily.
The response, however, was sharp.
“Hope?”
The mage’s eyes turned icy.
“Do they want to prolong their life even while being ostracized, labeled with a demonic curse or a plague?”
“….!”
“That’s not living; it’s torture, a living hell.”
His violet eyes grew strangely cold, devoid of sympathy or compassion for the Krug afflicted. Only the ambition for his goal remained.
“False hope is worse than none. We are researching a complete cure.”
But what if that ambition disregarded someone’s desperate hope…?
“…A complete cure?”
Could it really be possible?
The hope he thought he had crushed and buried countless times in his youth now swelled within him, rising like a water-soaked sponge, revealing that it had been lying dormant all along.
“What do I have to do? I’ll do anything. Anything you ask.”
Gerald received his desperate plea with indifference.
“Anything?”
“Yes. Anything at all.”
Robert was desperate, grasping at straws.
Gold, money, land—he could offer anything. If it had a price, he could simply ask his father. He would even sell his soul to a demon if that’s what it took.
Anything to rid himself of this wretched disease.
However, as Gerald extended a hand and slowly traced the scar, a disturbing feeling washed over him. This hand, capable of lifting his terrible curse, felt oddly devoid of warmth.
“Everything has a price.”
Gerald’s voice resonated, eerily low.
“The greater the gain, the greater the loss.”
A flicker of madness danced in his violet eyes as he went on.
“I wonder if you can bear it.”
Robert’s heart constricted, then pounded violently. In that instant, sensing the erratic beat, Gerald’s hand unleashed thread-thin streams of mana, radiating like light, blocking Krug’s encroachment.
“….”
Robert stared at him, speechless. Watching the boy sway precariously, he smirked, one corner of his mouth lifting.
“Don’t worry. It’s not possible yet anyway.”
* * *
The cold winter wind streamed in through the open window. Izeline, overwhelmed by the mountain of books Gerald had left that morning, had opened it for some fresh air.
‘The Basic Principles of Magical Formulas, Mana and Attributes, The Qualities of a Mage, Introduction to Magical Studies…’
She didn’t even have mana, yet she was supposed to read and summarize these?
‘My teacher is relentlessly cruel.’
She leaned against the window frame, a wry smile playing on her lips. Below, maids and servants bustled about, carrying various items. They were undoubtedly busy with cleaning and chores, yet the simple fact that they weren’t surrounded by stacks of books made them seem free.
‘I envy them… Huh?’
Her gaze, drifting aimlessly, settled on Monica crossing the garden.
Izeline’s face brightened instantly. However, just as she was about to call out to her mother, she held back.
‘Wait a minute.’
It was Gerald.
She’d assumed he’d left the mansion after delivering the books that morning. Not only was he still there, but he was also suspiciously trailing Monica, maintaining a considerable distance. At least, that was how it appeared to her.
‘What’s he doing?’
★ support nana on ko-fi!
≪ Discord ≫
≪ Novel Updates ≫
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
