The Villain is Being Suspiciously Kind

An envelope arrived at Citrina’s atelier with a note enclosed. The return address was the same as the one on the letter she had sent earlier.
Citrina opened the envelope filled with half excitement, half anticipation.

She would transfer the debt to Baron Foluin, the original debtor.

A short note came out first.
Ten thousand cerils.
Baron Foluin had taken out a loan in Citrina’s name. But even if they were family, it was obviously a debt taken without Citrina’s consent.
Citrina was no longer obligated to repay the baron’s debt.
‘Now the baron will be tied hand and foot.’
Within the capital of the empire, everything was connected at all sizes like a spider web.
So the rumors about Baron Foluin will have come from the top. His credibility must have plummeted straight to the bottom.

‘Well, they’ll talk about our family feud as well.’

But what was certain was that they would no longer use Citrina to get into debt.
Meanwhile, Desian was also aware of the rumors. Stories of the Foluin family had been circulating covertly; but, luckily, rumors are as quick to evolve as they are to be passed along.
Desian used his minions to secure Baron Foluin’s protection. He was under house arrest at the mansion with his feet restrained so he couldn’t do anything. So he shouldn’t be able to cause trouble for a while.
He had many enemies, so he didn’t know who kept him under house arrest. [T. L. Note: My understanding is that Desian didn’t put Baron Foluin under house arrest. It was another person. Desian just made sure the baron was safe.]

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With all of the inconveniences taken care of, he headed to the border of the empire. The northern border of the empire was a region not often touched by humans.
The border was a place where all sorts of unholy things congregated. Warlocks, necromancers, and the dead.
And Desian was one of the living who frequented the border.

“Some people have died.”

Desian was able to copy most of Toloji’s abilities. It was instinct.
Therefore, it was no surprise to see a man crawling around looking like a cadaver before Desian’s eyes.

“A man named Genfiros is leading the chaos.”

The reanimated corpse exuded a putrid scent as it spoke.
Desian pondered for a moment. His voice echoed eerily.

“For what purpose?”
“It seems like he was trying to kill the underwater species and revive their bodies to form an army.”

He was the head of the Holy Kingdom’s paladins, and his goal was chaos and disorder in the world.
It was clear what Genfiros wanted. And his reason for constantly provoking it was obvious. Perhaps his reason was similar to Toloji’s.
However, once he crossed her, he had no intention of going easy on Genfiros. [T. L. Note: I think Desian is talking about Genfiros harming Citrina.]
He had other goals in life.
He rolled a cigar and lit it.
Perhaps he should kill Genfiros.
It was a casual decision, like throwing away a finished cigar.
Desian spoke in a low voice.

“See that the body is disposed of.”
“Yes.”

The rotting, haggard corpse slithered back down into the earth. Desian smiled picturesquely again.
Citrina was steadily starting to realize things. Desian decided to let go of her fingertips for the first time in a very long while.
That’s because he knew she could fly back to his arms eventually.
Genfiros was moving. However, in what way could not be guessed yet?
The borders of the empire were scattered with the bodies of Genfiros’s minions. He decided to kill them first.
It looked like it would take some time.

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Citrina had a bit of trouble sleeping that night. She wasn’t sure what attitude to take.
But, as usual, the answer didn’t come easily.

‘Let’s just focus on work for now.’

Citrina took a deep breath. Her cheeks flushed as she breathed. She didn’t want to hide it.

‘Just like I thought, I’ll just let my emotions flow naturally, just as Lita said.’

…Strange.
This feeling was like a sparkling jewel, constantly shattered, reshaped, and polished.
A strange yet pleasant feeling.
Citrina was slowly becoming more enamored with Desian.

The day after she arrived back at the atelier with a few dark circles under her eyes, Citrina decided to try out one of the new powers.

-I can attack humans!
-Why on earth would you attack humans…
-I will attack them! I only love you! I also want you to introduce me to a handsome spirit!
-I’ll introduce you to spirits when I know them, Gemma. Take it easy…

Despite Citrina’s positive answer, Gemma was grinding her teeth.
As a spirit who had escaped from the Gate of Deterioration, Gemma had apparently used her anger to hone her offensive magic.
Gemma spoke to Citrina with a stern face.

-To make it to this day, I passed through the Gate of Deterioration! So focus your energy in your fingertips.
-Oh…okay. I’m concentrating.

Citrina wiped away her expression as if she was chewing on a bitter persimmon and focused her senses on her fingertips. [T.L. Note: chewing on bitter persimmons means you have a sour or irritated expression]

-And do what I do.

Gemma demonstrated once, clenching and unclenching her fist. Citrina copied Gemma, but nothing happened.

-I guess you haven’t gotten the memo yet! Hurry up and love me.
-…do I have to love you?

It’s so passionate.

-W, wait a minute.

Gemma shook her head with a flushed face. At that moment, Citrina’s fingertips lit up with a blue flame.

-S, success!

Citrina shook her head. She doubted she would need offensive magic, but since Gemma seemed to like it so much she should practice more.
Afterward, Citrina put the finishing touches on a pair of wedding bands.
They were from the auction market, with the ability to cure insomnia.
Adilac’s jewelry craftsmanship sparkled brilliantly when it met with Citrina’s designs.

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“I’ve never made a ring like this before. It’s really amazing, Citrina!”
“I know. I love that it turned out exactly as I envisioned it.”

There were no other wedding bands like this in the world according to the boisterous Adilac. It was a new challenge, but she knew it would work if she put her all into it.
It was a ring with small diamonds running along all sides. Citrina smiled slightly as she ran her hand over the ring.

-Citrina, can you hear the jewel’s story?
-Um… I think that will take some time, but I can feel the life force in it.
-That’s enough.

Gemma’s compliment didn’t sound too bad.
She thought this commission was going to be perfect.
Citrina smiled with her hand on the wedding band.
From beneath her gloves, which she wore to avoid scratching the gemstones, she could feel a tiny bit of magic from within. It felt like something from a deep shadowing place was being lifted up to the sky. It seemed as if she could feel a connection with the gems.
This was all that she had dreamed of. The feeling was a bit overwhelming.
To touch gemstones, to work with them, to create jewelry for other people, and to feel a connection with an inanimate object.
It was like hearing the answer to a longtime crush, a feeling as gentle as a breeze. It was something like the odd flutter she got when she thought of Desian.
But that feeling was quickly shattered when Lita approached her.
Lita was looking at her with a gaze interlaced with anxiety. He looked uneasy.

“Citrina-nim, there’s a customer outside.”
“I’ve been sent by Countess Badil.”

A moment later, a bald man came in behind Lita with his head bowed.
Citrina nodded, feeling the gentle vibration of the gemstones beneath her fingertips.

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“…Ah, yes. You got here…quickly.”
“It’s urgent.”

With that dripping tone, Citrina finished wrapping up slowly.
This was a most special wedding ring designed for Countess Badil for her remembrance wedding. [T. L. Note: I’m assuming the countess is already married and this is like an anniversary present.] This was the last order of the week.
Soon, Gemma slipped back inside the pendant.
Looking at the wedding band, she felt soft and tender.
Citrina made up her mind with all of the anticipations she had built up till now, as well as with a slightly emotional, impulsive mind.
When she was done with the countess’s request, she would go visit Desian.

‘I’ll tell Del I like him first.’

Absolutely.
That was her way of winning at love.