I'm a Villainess, Can I Die?-Chapter 102

"The magic tools are better described as ‘the wizard's magic has soaked into them,’ rather than ‘the wizard’s magic is contained within them.’"

Alrojen then took out a small pouch from his robes.

From the pouch, he retrieved a bead sent from the Duke’s estate for research.

"And this bead..."

As he rolled the glowing bead between his fingers, he slowly began to speak.

"This bead contains the very essence of a wizard's magic, condensed. The material itself is imbued with magic—it's essentially a lump of magic. Creating something like this requires a tremendous cost."

"Cost..."

At Aaron's muttering, Alrojen clenched his hand around the bead.

The bead crumbled in his hand.

He had crushed it with magic.

Slowly, he opened his palm, and the pieces of the bead fell away.

"To a wizard, magic is life itself."

Alrojen lightly dusted his palm and reached for the book again.

"To condense magic itself and create an object? Not only that, but to create something that maintains its form, rather than disappearing quickly? That’s akin to draining a person’s life force. That’s why this red orb is black magic. When life is the cost, it falls under black magic."

As he continued speaking, Alrojen moved his hand. After turning a few more pages past the 'Red Orb' section, he stopped at a page marked 'Offering.'

"Most likely, the mastermind is using this spell to extract power from the wizards. After that, they condensed their own magic into the orb. When using this magic to create the red orb, they are using other people's magic as the materials. Their own magic serves only as the link. Ultimately, the magic in my body stays within a certain range, positive or negative... so the real mastermind faces no threat to their life. The fact that there is only one type of magic connecting all the power in the orb is a key piece of evidence."

"One type? So, you're saying the person using the black magic is one individual?"

Aaron asked, his face showing uncertainty.

There was a high possibility that this was true. In all the orbs investigated by the Magic Tower, one person's magic was always used as the link.

But to assert this firmly would be premature—there could still be something hidden, something yet unknown.

Noticing Alrojen’s puzzled expression, Aiden asked, "Then when you said earlier that it’s not necessarily the case, what did you mean?"

"It means we can't be sure about the number of individuals involved yet. However, the Magic Tower suspects that the mastermind is likely just a small group. If we exclude those providing the power and only focus on those who are controlling, then the mastermind is few in number."

Alrojen stretched out his hand and began to trace the lines in the book, where the methods for using the 'Offering' spell were detailed.

"Black magic has a very slim chance of success. Historically, those who attempted to use it mostly died on the spot. However, if someone manages to break through that slim chance and succeed in black magic, it becomes easy to continue using it, as long as they follow the proper conditions."

His fingers stopped at a section explaining how to cast the magic, and he tapped lightly on the page.

"And the condition for this Offering spell is to kill the target."

At the end of his sentence, a cold silence fell over the room. A condition of murder—what could be a more fitting requirement for black magic?

Everyone fell silent, lost in thought. The shocking revelations demanded time to process.

Though each person’s thoughts differed, they all seemed to converge on a few key points.

First, the mastermind was likely not a large group, as the Magic Tower had surmised. If only one person could cast the magic, then there was an inevitable power imbalance. Would someone at the top want many people around them at the same level? Of course not.

People who would commit such acts would likely want their name alone to be remembered in history.

Second, the people used as offerings—if they were willingly sacrificing themselves, there would be little to say. But most likely, they were kidnapped.

Considering the recent spate of missing wizards, this theory seemed almost certain.

"Therefore, the mastermind at the top can be divided into two categories: the black magician and their accomplices."

Aaron’s cold, analytical voice made Alrojen nod in agreement, impressed by the young man’s sharp insight.

"Using black magic alone to initiate the events is possible, but gathering the necessary power would be difficult on one’s own. To lure or kidnap people, an accomplice would be necessary. Also, handling the bodies or providing a place to gather the kidnapped would require help."

"Based on this, I suspect the accomplice is likely a wealthy merchant or a noble."

Alrojen added to Aaron's reasoning.

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Their eyes met. The intelligent young man and the senior wizard seemed to have struck a mutual understanding, leaving a positive impression on one another during this meeting.

As the conversation began to solidify around the mastermind, they soon turned to discuss the next steps: locating the missing wizards, dealing with the hidden mastermind, and the final preparations for the hunt.

Amidst the rapid exchanges of ideas, one person remained silent. Unlike the others who engaged in conversation, their pale blue gaze remained fixed on the black book in front of them.

The mastermind, black magic... and life itself.

I tried to focus on the conversation, but my gaze kept drifting to the open book. The contents were clearly visible from where I sat.

'The condition is that only those who have reached adulthood are eligible. After reciting the incantation, the target’s life is taken, and with their blood, a magic circle is drawn. The result—death.'

Life as the condition, death as the side effect.

Ah, black magic really lives up to its name, doesn’t it?

It would certainly claim at least one life, and it was disturbingly efficient.

How many times did I read the conditions of the 'Offering' spell before I realized the room had gone silent?

It seemed the meeting had concluded.

Wow, was I really so absorbed that I lost track of time?

Looking outside, I saw that it had grown darker, confirming that quite some time had passed. Yet, I hadn’t realized it.

Once the conversation ended, the book was once again taken by Aiden’s master. I gazed at it with lingering eyes as I followed the Duke’s family and exchanged farewells with the wizards.

As we continued the farewells, I kept calculating the timing.

When would be the right moment to ask my question, slipping it in without arousing suspicion?

I couldn't exactly ask, "Do you have a magic that restores memories?" out of the blue.

I watched the people leave, counting the seconds.

I purposely walked slowly.

Finally, I stepped out the door and, in a careful and secretive manner, tried to engage the nearest wizard.

But that too, was not so easy. After the meeting ended and the farewells were exchanged, my father and brother's eyes were fixed on me.

It felt as if they were watching a baby learning to walk. Their gaze was full of concern and persistence... it almost seemed like I would have to stumble to meet their expectations.

"Lady Selina."

In the end, just as I was about to give up on speaking to the wizards, Alrojen, Aiden’s master, caught me.

"Yes."

I responded briefly, not sure what title to use for him.

Master of the wizards? That felt a bit... strange. Should I call him Alrojen? That might be too informal.

No, now wasn’t the time for such thoughts. I had to ask about the memory-related magic... but all sorts of unnecessary thoughts kept flooding my mind.

"Would you walk with me for a moment? Ah, Aiden as well."

The unexpected suggestion made me pause.

Looking around, I noticed that my family, Lukas, and Aiden were all still watching me.

After a brief scan of the room, I turned back to my father.

Our eyes met, and he nodded, as if to say, “Do as you wish,” offering me a smile.

I silently thanked him... I hope he understood that, then turned back to Alrojen.

"Yes, sure."

The three of us made our way to the garden.

The short autumn sun had already set, so the garden was dimly lit.

Lately, I’ve been walking at night more often.

Well, it’s still not quite night yet.

"The Duke’s garden is truly beautiful. May I ❖ Nоvеl𝚒ght ❖ (Exclusive on Nоvеl𝚒ght) light a few lamps? I’d like to see it better in the light."

"Yes, feel free."

"Thank you."

Soon, Alrojen, without using magic, lightly tapped Aiden’s shoulder. It seemed like the kind of thing a superior would do—leaving the small tasks to a subordinate. Aiden, resigned, shook his head and raised his hand.

A sharp sound was heard, and then the familiar glow that had illuminated us during the dance appeared, surrounding us with light.

"He’s a very talented kid. It's not easy for a novice to cast magic like this right away."

"...Ah, yes."

I couldn’t help but think of Dr. Ian praising Aiden in the same way.

The two of them would make great friends.

We walked around the garden, exchanging small, unnecessary conversations. Most of the talking was done by Alrojen, while Aiden and I just answered or offered exclamations of awe.

I worried that the elderly man might be tiring from walking in the large garden, but his steps looked light.

Well, never mind, I’m not one to worry about others.

"Shall we sit for a bit?"

Alrojen glanced at me and made the suggestion. It was clear that he was being considerate. And I didn’t refuse such consideration.

"Sure."

We sat on a bench in the garden. It wasn’t a bench facing each other, but a long one, so it was a bit awkward.

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If anyone walked by, they would probably give us curious looks.

"Lady Selina."

His voice calling me was serious, just like when he was speaking in the meeting.

"I ask that you take good care of Aiden."

"He’s very bright and wise. He’s handsome too, just like me! Heh heh."

"Master."

Aiden, sitting next to him, urgently called Alrojen.

How embarrassed he must be.

Despite the added praise, my trust in him dropped a bit, but I still nodded sincerely, agreeing with the earlier comments.

"Yes. I know Aiden is a good person. Kind, warm, and good. I’ll take care of him until the day I die."

"Heh... heh heh... yes, thank you."

Alrojen let out an awkward laugh before continuing to glance between Aiden and me.

And then, his smile turned into a sly grin... He glanced at me, blinking before quickly recalling my real purpose.

Oh, I almost forgot.

"Excuse me, Master."

At my call, Alrojen wiped away his sly smile and faced me.