ch30

[Chapter 30 - The Villain's Maid]

Every human is born with their own unique individuality.

Individuality is the user's mental image.

A reflection of their definition, values, desires, and fantasies into reality.

The former Evelyn—no, Subject Alpha-001's individuality, 'Black Flame,' was solely for destruction.

Flames of nothingness that annihilate everything. Back then, she had no purpose or value.

But now it was different.

Her meeting with Grimoire changed her very existence. She was no longer someone's tool. She became an independent being with her own will and values.

Protecting Grimoire.

Safeguarding Grimoire's happiness.

Creating the world Grimoire desires.

This became Evelyn's new reason for existence.

And the Black Flame evolved accordingly.

'If Master is to be happy… then I, a refined maid, must be in that everyday life.'

A strong conviction arose within Evelyn.

'If I get hurt, Master will be sad. So, I cannot allow it.'

The Black Flame was no longer a destructive flame beyond control. It became a tool to realize Evelyn's will.

"Black Flame complete control…? There's no way that's possible! It's a power that even the countless alchemists of the Hermetic Order gave up on controlling!!"

The last Solomon's Chains melted away, and Evelyn was finally free. She slowly straightened her posture.

"I've gathered enough information. Is there anything else new?"

At her words, Lazar's eyes widened.

"You, don't tell me you were doing it on purpose from the start…?"

"I needed the latest info about the Hermetic Order. You… fell for it too easily. Thank you."

Only then did Lazar realize. All this time, Evelyn had been pretending to be defeated to obtain information from the Hermetic Order.

Solomon's Chains, the secrets of ether, even internal information from the Council of Great Sages. Evelyn succeeded in extracting all the core information from the enemy.

"To dare deceive me!!"

Lazar struck his chest. Suddenly, more ether began to erupt from his body. Blue light enveloped his entire body, transforming Lazar's appearance. His mechanical parts were corroded by ether, transforming into a more powerful form.

"I don't know what tricks you used, but do you think you can win? Behold! My true form! I am the great alchemist who completed Ars Magna!"

Lazar's right arm completely transformed into a massive Ether Cannon. His left arm became a sharp Ether Blade. From his back, several mechanical tentacles transformed into blade shapes.

Black Flame flared up again in Evelyn's hand. Black flames enveloped her body. The flames flowed from her shoulders in graceful curves down to her toes.

With each inhale, the flames burned more intensely, and with each exhale, they transformed into more delicate forms.

A huge shadow loomed behind her. The flames expanded and took shape.

Finally, black wings unfolded.

Huge wings made of Black Flame that human eyes could not fully perceive.

Whoosh-!

One wing fluttered lightly.

At that moment, Lazar's left arm collapsed. The Ether Blade scattered like dust and fell to the floor.

"This, this is impossible!"

Lazar fired the Ether Cannon from his right arm. A beam of blue light surged towards Evelyn.

But the beam vanished the moment it touched the Black Wings. As if light was swallowed by a dark abyss.

Even the Hermetic Order's new technology was powerless before the immense Black Flame.

The blue energy was sequentially decomposed.

Ether into fire,

Fire into air,

Air into water,

Water into earth,

And finally, into ash.

"Stop! Don't come closer! I said stop!"

Evelyn took one step, and then another.

"You tried to turn Master into a monster, but she chose the path of a villain herself."

"Not a monster! We were trying to create a god! A new King fit for a new world!"

"Master must grow freely. Not in your cage, but in the free outside world. Of course, I, Evelyn, will be with her in that world."

The mechanical tentacles attacked desperately, but the six tentacles vanished in an instant.

Lazar's body began to collapse in earnest. From his feet to his thighs, and then to his waist. The mechanical parts melted away one by one.

Creak-

With only his upper body remaining, Dr. Lazar tried to crawl away. Sparks continued to fly from the mechanical parts.

"This is an error! A mistake! All calculations… all predictions… you shouldn't have emotions!"

Evelyn slowly tilted her head. There was no hatred or anger towards Lazar in her eyes.

From beginning to end, he was a being of no value to Evelyn.

"Then explain it."

Her voice was soft.

"Why my heart warms whenever I see Master."

"Why my heart feels like it's tearing apart whenever Master is sad."

"And why I feel alive whenever Master smiles."

Lazar stared at Evelyn, speechless.

"I decide the purpose of my existence."

Evelyn said firmly.

"And that purpose is only one—to protect Master's happiness."

"What… what have you become?"

Lazar's voice was now barely audible. His body had almost melted away, making it difficult to recognize his form.

Evelyn smiled coldly.

"I am a maid."

Just one word. That one word contained all her identity, all her resolve, all her choices.

"Wait! I… I can help! I'll tell you all the secrets of the Hermetic Order, all the research data──"

Lazar's plea was not completed. The Black Wings covered him, and his body instantly turned to ash.

The factory was silent again. The Cherubim were gone, and so was Lazar.

Now it was time to clean up.

The wings of Black Flame spread out over 10 meters, filling the inside of the factory.

All the evidence and equipment, alchemical devices and experimental tools, turned to ash upon touching the black flames.

Whoosh-!

It was not destruction, but purification. It cleanly erased all traces of the inhumane experiments that had taken place here.

The dark color of the Black Flame gradually subsided, eventually shrinking to a small spark. She gathered her hands and cradled the small spark.

Evelyn withdrew the Black Flame which obediently returned to her hand.

Moonlight shone through the cracks in the ceiling. Evelyn's silhouette, standing alone in the empty factory, stretched long.

She slowly left the factory. The night air was cold, but her heart was warm.

'It's time to go back now. To our home.'

She started walking towards Crown Villa.

Her pace gradually quickened. No matter how much she denied it, her heart was filled with the desire to see Grimoire soon.

As the villa came into view, a smile spread across Evelyn's face.

This was her home. The place where Grimoire was, the place where she could exist as a maid.

Darkness and White King were waiting for her in front of the entrance. The two mice squeaked happily as soon as they saw her. It was as if they were celebrating her victory.

The two mice were holding a long piece of paper on either side. It was a hastily made placard.

[☆Congrats☆ Mission Accomplished ☆Congrats☆]

Squeak—!

"Shh."

Evelyn put her finger to her lips. The mice immediately silenced themselves.

"I was just cleaning up trash."

She went inside. The familiar atmosphere of Room 301 welcomed her.

Evelyn changed into light pajamas, and put the black suit back deep in the closet.

She gently opened Grimoire's door.

She saw Grimoire hugging a rabbit doll tightly, fast asleep.

Moonlight streamed in through the window, illuminating Grimoire's silver hair and small horns.

Peaceful breathing, eyelids moving as if dreaming, a small mumbling mouth.

Just looking at Grimoire's face made all the fatigue disappear.

"This Evelyn will protect your happiness."

At that moment, a different smile than usual spread across Evelyn's face.

Not the usual calm and refined expression, but a warm emotion welling up from the depths of her heart.

Evelyn's expression was always refined. A refined and neat face, the face of a perfect maid serving her Master.

But now, at this moment of looking at Grimoire's sleeping face, it was completely different.

The smile on Evelyn's lips was delicate and pure, like flower petals blooming in spring after a cold winter.

It was a beauty that no jewel, no work of art could match.

The reason why Evelyn, who had such a beautiful smile, did not smile in front of Grimoire?

The reason was surprisingly simple.

'That's… because I'm shy.'

Evelyn chuckled softly and pulled the blanket up to cover Grimoire.

No one needed to know about tonight's events. A true guardian should be like a shadow.

Grimoire could continue to dream of being a pure villain.

"Good night, Master."

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