By all means, please don't reupload/posting it anywhere (especially on wattpad /asianovel/Instagram/Twitter) and don't re-translate it to your own language!
As I was on my way to meet the protagonist, I thought for a moment about the developments that took place in the novel. If the original plot followed its course, I would have had to raise my younger siblings by selling myself in brothels.
The Ertha of the novel was devoted and willing to sacrifice herself for her brothers. She then started her life anew the moment her twin siblings became wizards.
A horde of personages and top drawers rushed to win over the newly minted wizards with money and titles; ergo, the whopping debt of 5 billion Marcas disappeared overnight, and the three siblings became the most honorable people on the continent.
The original Ertha had hoped to be compensated for her sacrifices.
Her first evil deed was to raze the entire brothel, where she sold herself, to the ground. Seeing people screaming for help in the scorching blazes, Ertha burst into laughter. The inferno kindled by the Wizard of Flame lasted a week.
The second evil deed of hers was to investigate and uncover who had bought her services one by one, and then punish their entire family. When the perpetrators heard the rumor, they hurriedly tried to scramble away, but eventually failed to escape due to the hot pursuit of the Wizard of Wind.
Amidst the ongoing slaughter, Ertha enjoyed her endlessly luxurious life. Her behavior was disturbingly arrogant and cruel.
While everyone shuddered at the mere thought of her, they were fearful to voice their disgust and shock because Charles and Ethan unfailingly protected her. Anytime someone dared criticize Ertha, their tongue would be cut clean off; and if they threw stones at her, their hands faced the same grisly fate.
The other wizards followed suit. It was only natural as she was the sole purifier in the world. Under the protection of the wizards, Ertha lived like a queen.
Then one particular day, she touched something that she shouldn't have. Zahid El-Carnor.
Ertha fell in love with the handsome protagonist at first sight. However it wasn't easy for her, someone who was accustomed to having everything.
At that time, the protagonist had a magical seal to prevent the accumulation of 'evil' inside him. He boasted such a wide variety of talents, it wouldn't be a loss if he lacked magical powers. He didn't require a need for Ertha.
When it didn't go as far as she wanted, Ertha even tried to force the protagonist to consume drugs.
The side effects of the drug clashed with the effects from coming into contact with the purifier; while the drug induced madness, the purifier's touch cleansed the wickedness sealed up within the protagonist; it was no wonder he went stark raving mad as soon as he caught a whiff of the purifier's blood.
For the wizard who was overpowered by the evil energy within him, the purifier's blood proved to be an irresistible temptation. The protagonist proceeded to eat Ertha. His depiction of eating her alive was so evocative and barbaric that it was no more than a carnage.
I'd frowned several times as I read that part, but in the end I couldn't comprehend it fully.
Ertha's death marked the beginning of a serious confrontation between the wizards and the protagonist.
The protagonist realised that the depravity and evil energy that entrapped him was no more after he had devoured the purifier, so he began to practice magic to his heart's content.
Ertha's horrendous ending spurred her siblings, Charles and Ethan, to exact vengeance on the protagonist thereby unifying the wizards under a single cause.
As I recalled the original storyline, I grew afraid, not because I was worried about the changes in the story due to my actions, but because the protagonist is sure to eat me. I'm terrified he will slice off my flesh and smash my bones, without giving me time to try to offer a deal. It was a scary prospect.
While immersed in my own thoughts, my steps rapidly ate up the length of the darkened street under the cover of the night.
“Ertha!”
A voice that I didn't want to hear called out.
I closed my eyes for a moment, then slowly looked over my shoulder. There stood a man who I didn't want to exchange words with.
He was a tryhard bandit who always went about pretending to be the honcho of a slum, and he was the one who'd been pestering me for a long time.
“What's the matter, Kayle?”
I answered in a cold voice. Whoever listened to that apathetic tone would recognise it, but Kayle didn't mind.
His dirty eyes rested on the nape of my neck. I wasn't sure if he was admiring my exposed neckline since I usually tie my hair up, but I didn't ponder too closely on that and muttered beneath my breath as I shot him a glance.
“Come on, let's take it easy… he's just an idiot, even though he thinks the sharpest tool in the shed.”
The easiest way out of this situation right now is to do as the original Ertha did in the novel.
As usual, I won't say anything. It was because I knew nothing was meant to be spoken here, in this scenario.
But why today?
Perhaps due to the belief that I was going to die soon, a pungent retort slipped out before I knew it.
“Shut up and get out of the way. I'm on my way to sell myself.”
Kayle's mouth dropped open. As I moved closer towards the busy street, he shouted and tried to hold on to me.
“You crazy bitch…”
I ran quickly into the crowd before he caught me. Further entanglement here will lead to nothing but trouble. Kayle jumped to his feet and gave chase, but he could not catch me hiding among the throng of people.
I gasped as I looked around carefully. The place where I hail from is the Imperial Capital's red light district, a little ways from the slums. The streets, filled with all kinds of entertainment venues, would light up every night.
Today is the last day of the week, so the protagonist must be here because the information guild he manages is hidden within countless stores lining the streets of the entertainment district.
If I'm not mistaken, the protagonist is about twenty two or twenty three years old by now. He lost his parents early and became a duke at the age of twenty.
The protagonist inherited the title of a washed up duke who had lost his former prestige and barely managed to retain his title. It was mortifying to witness the dukedom change hands. The nobles viewed Zahid as an easy target and tried to sway him according to their whims and fancies but were faced with a strong blow.
After all, the protagonist is one for a reason. A brilliant appearance and possession of special abilities are the hallmarks of a protagonist.
It's a fraud technically, being so gifted in various aspects, but it all worked to his advantage. Everything he did turned out well, and he was prone to overcoming crises in a refreshing, calm and collected manner. No one was able to beat him, not with the deadly combination of his outstanding brains and power and Lady Luck as his companion.
The protagonist quickly revived the ruined dukedom. The information guild played a huge role here as the protagonist played around and utilised the wealth of information obtained through it. It was just a matter of time until the politics of the capital were in the palm of his hand.
The intelligence guild— which plays a big role every time a crisis occurs— is also the protagonist's favourite stamping ground, which is the reason why I make sure to stop by the place once a week, every Sunday.
I combed through the streets, trying my best to remember the description of the guild from the novel. How long have I been lost and wandering aimlessly?
At last, I found a building most closely resembling the description. It was a shabby tavern that boasted a decaying wooden signboard with chipped corners that creaked whenever the wind blew. A couple of drunkards passed by, singing random tunes haphazardly.
Looking up at the building in a daze, I slowly came to my senses out of a burst of anger. Carefully, I pushed open the wooden door. The screech of the rusty hinges grated on my ears.
The customers sitting inside collectively looked over at me. There was a glass of wine on each table, but no one seemed drunk. These were all members of the intelligence guild.
I walked up to the long bartop, ignoring the crowd. A stew containing a medley of ingredients sat bubbling on one end.
I told the password to the man who was cooking the stew.
“I heard that there is a special fare that can only be ordered here, is it possible to order that now?”
“How much is it?”
He asked, as he continued stirring the pot, a furrow between his brows.
“Five billion Marcas.”
At my words, the air seemed to quiet down followed by a rattling sound.
The one sitting in the most remote corner opened his mouth,
“I don't know where you came from, but your jokes are not funny.”
How wonderful he is.
I looked at the direction where I heard a voice that I would never forget and saw a man wearing a large top hat. It was obvious who he was.
My heart was beating fast and my mouth turned to dust. Tension and excitement surged through my body, and the overwhelming sensations made the hairs on my body stand on end.
I approached him at a slow pace even as I heard the sound of swords being unsheathed from all sides.
However, at the wave of his hand, the upraised swords were lowered. Coming to a stop in front of him, I spoke up softly.
“I wish to sell myself.”
The man was still wearing the large top hat, so it was hard to tell what kind of expression he was wearing. He reached out his hand carefully.
There was no need for much contact. Just a short moment would be enough. He laid his hand very lightly on my forearm.
As soon as our hands touched, my fingertips tingled. I was about to jump out of my skin.
"…!"
My shoulders jerked involuntarily.
His large hand grabbed my wrist in a hold so firm I would never forget it. My hands trembled from the onslaught of pain.
Somehow I managed to keep my voice steady,
“The price is five billion Marcas.”
I heard the scoffs in the background, but I didn't mind. I believed that he knows the value of this deal.
I mustered a smile,
“I'm offering myself for cheap.”
He burst into laughter. A clear laugh resounded before it quickly died down, then he removed his hat with his other hand.
As soon as the long tapered fingers lifted the hat to reveal his face, I froze on the spot.
His was a severely beautiful countenance, his face as if carved out of marble. No words could pay homage to his beauty; as beautiful as a flower yet it could not be thought of as a flower. It was because of those purple eyes that shone with a strange light within their depths. Those eyes that stared at me did not resemble a human's.
This man is Zahid el-Carnor, the novel's protagonist.
I sighed deeply inwardly. I thought the Original Ertha was stupid, but at this moment I had no choice but to understand her.
Who wouldn't be bewitched by that beauty?
Except, unlike her, I know this man's true nature. He's a man without blood or tears.
His full lips curled faintly and as he leaned his head forward slowly, his well-kept short black locks brushed his alabaster skin.
“It's too much…”
Still holding my wrist, he said,
“That's a deal.”
Today's rant: Someone complain about me in other Translator's blog and tell them to take this novel (I didn't even said that i dropped this novel. What is this person doing LMAO). This person said it takes me too long to update this novel xD. I'm so sorry that i have real life