Thought It Was 'The End', Only to Return to a Changed Genre - Chapter 75
Villains, by nature, exist to highlight the main character.
They are the protagonistâs shadow, their counterpart, and the device that induces conflict to accentuate the protagonistâs charm.
No matter how captivating the protagonist is, if there are no significant events, the readers wonât be engaged.
Adeline decided to focus on that role.
The female lead is the Saintess Genevieve.
The villainess exists as the antithesis of the female leadâs personality, background, and abilities.
One might think itâs fortunate that their appearances are somewhat similar, but thatâs not true. The similarity in appearance is merely a device to show the stark difference between their inner selves and the protagonist.
If the story proceeded as written, the villainess would be a character who tried to kill someone out of a lack of love, and her bad personality was a given. The background of the villainess, who had everything, was the complete opposite of the protagonist, who had nothing. Their abilities were also contrary.
So, what about the environment of the villain Adeline is currently searching for?
Although itâs a simple inference, Adeline guessed that the villain might be someone standing in direct opposition to Shane.
âThen, surprisingly, wouldnât Lucian be the closest match?â
If Lucianâs role wasnât to assist the Saintess as a supporting character, Adeline would have long suspected him as the true villain.
But he wasnât a sorcerer.
He was a noble of Green Windsor, standing as Shaneâs opposite.
Simplistically, it would be a local noble with conditions opposite Shaneâs. A cunning philanderer, poor rather than wealthy, and not very powerful despite being a noble.
âShaneâs attributes are so overwhelming that the villainâs conditions seem rather trivialâŚâ
Perhaps someone aiming to revive their family or seeking wealth and glory through their abilities.
Or a mad person wishing for the worldâs destruction.
âI think Iâve seen the faces of all the nobles listed in Delmuz at least once.â
She had met almost all the people who were at the church during the attack.
Most of them were middle-aged couples, and even after using all of Lucian and Jeffâs connections to investigate, there was no trace of a sorcerer.
There were also six young people. Four of them were men, and half of them were married.
None of them stood out.
If there had been anything, it would have surfaced during Lucian and Jeffâs investigation.
She thought she might recognize something if she saw their faces, so she went around meeting everyone personally, but even after making eye contact and greeting them, there was no gain.
Unexpectedly gaining popularity was a bonus.
âBut today, Iâve met everyone on the list of suspected sorcerers that Jeff compiled. There are no more strong suspects. What should I doâŚ?â
Genevieve had been attacked twice.
The sorcerer was definitely nearby.
Genevieve had instantly purified and dispelled the person controlled by the sorcerer, and the sorcerer would know this better than anyone. Genevieve was clearly becoming more and more in danger.
âShould I just leave it at that?â
Donât think you can lay a finger on GenevieveâŚ.
She had met everyone she could, and made every possible effort.
She felt like becoming Genevieveâs lady-in-waiting and sticking to her 24/7, but being anxious wouldnât help.
Now was the time to wait. For the sorcerer to make a more noticeable move. To drop a clue.
âSince His Highness Edwin is with her, it should be alright for nowâŚâ
However, Adeline underestimated the life of the protagonist.
The protagonist exists at the center of all incidents and accidents, sweeping everyone around them into the turmoil.
The commotion began at the center of the hall where the banquet was held.
The floor faintly glowed as a magic circle the size of a human hand was completed.
Then, like a camel passing through the eye of a needle, a foul-smelling monster was summoned.
Gwaaaak! Grrrrk!
The ear-splitting roar was an added bonus.
Adeline, who was on the staircase landing heading to the second floor to talk to Shane, had a safe, direct view of the monsterâs summoning.
Having never gone to places where no people lived even during her reclusive periods, Adeline saw a monster for the first time in this life.
Her first impression was that the reference photos had depicted it quite well.
A towering figure close to three meters tall, covered in thick muscles. Its green skin was smeared with filth, glistening, and two tusks protruded from its mouth, with yellow eyes. It was a disgusting monster.
Shane whispered in her ear.
âItâs called an ogre, Adeline.â
âOh, I see⌠Um, why are you here?â
Adeline blinked at Shane, who was watching the people screaming and fleeing.
âWhere else should I be?â
âWell, you should be protecting or rescuing peopleâŚâ
Shane took her hand.
âThatâs what the knights and soldiers are for.â
Shaneâs face was truly indifferent.
