The Doctor Cured The Villainess And Ran Away-Chapter 8: Talent Unleashed (2)

“A Saint and not a Saintess?”

The Empress repeated my words, looking at me with a frown.

I pointed directly at the artifact on the table and replied.

“That Holy Grail is an artifact that awakens hidden talents, isn’t it? If a Saintess were to emerge from the alliance between the Empress and our family, it would be a joyous occasion without compare.”

“That’s correct.”

“I inherited Gotberg’s blood more strongly than Neria did. Look at my hair.”

I leaned back and tilted my head up for everyone to see.

Snow-white hair.

White hair was a defining trait of those born with potent divine power in our family.

And my hair was far closer to pure white than Neria’s.

“If I use the Holy Grail to awaken my talents, wouldn’t the chances of me being chosen as a Saint be much higher?”

The Empress’s expression turned slightly displeased.

Well, it must be confusing for her. The guy who stabbed her hand in the afternoon was now suddenly acting so cooperative in the evening.

That confusion was precisely my aim.

The incident with the flower crown earlier – was it a mere accident, a careless mistake? Or was it the act of a genuine fool? She must be entertaining all sorts of suspicions now.

People tend to let their guard down when they think someone is easy to handle.

What the Empress needed was a reliable pawn to keep under her thumb politically.

Neria seemed an easy target because she was quiet and docile.

But a naive fool is far easier to manipulate than a righteous soul.

Time to play the fool she wants.

“Are you saying you want that artifact?”

“Not really. I’m just saying the probabilities are in my favor.”

I shrugged nonchalantly.

“Lass, becoming a Saint would come with significant responsibilities.”

“Oh, but I don’t really know much about stuff like that, right? Father will handle everything for me if something goes wrong, won’t you?”

“Hmm...”

“Father, you can’t retire from the head of the family until my children are grown up, okay? You know how much I hate dealing with troublesome things.”

I slapped my father’s shoulder and let out a boisterous laugh.

Then, I grabbed the wine bottle and chugged it straight from the neck, letting out a long, exaggerated belch.

“Hey! We’re out of wine here! Can’t you be a little quicker [N O V E L I G H T] with the refills?”

I shouted like a man already drunk.

The Empress looked at me in utter disgust.

What do you think? I’m a harmless fool who will never betray this family. I’ve already put the leash around my own neck.

I kept grinning as I spoke to the Empress.

“Oh, look, the Empress is finally smiling. You were talking about such boring stuff that I was starting to doze off. Have you ever been down to our territory? The street food there is amazing. How about we go together tomorrow if you’re free...?”

“Master Lass, please. Let’s finish discussing the artifact first.”

The Empress cut me off hurriedly.

She was anxious, fearing that the topic might get sidetracked or forgotten.

Such impatience was the reason she couldn’t secure her position in the imperial court.

She kept revealing her cards when she didn’t need to.

“So, Master Lass, are you saying you want to use the Holy Grail?”

“Well, if it’s good for the body, why not? Sure, I’ll take it if you give it to me.”

“...Do you even know the value of that artifact?”

“Oh, how would I know something like that? But if it’s that great, shouldn’t I, the eldest son, be the first to use it instead of Neria?”

I subtly hinted that if they gave it to Neria, I’d make a scene.

I wasn’t really after it, but if they dared to ignore me, I’d throw a tantrum like a spoiled child.

The Empress’s eyes darted between me and the artifact before she finally looked at my father.

“What do you think, Marquis Gotberg?”

“If that is what Lass wants, I see no reason to object.”

At that moment, Asella interjected.

“Why not give it to the Young Master?”

She had been bored all evening, but now, her interest was piqued.

“It’s true that the Young Master’s divine power is stronger. Just imagine if he were to become a Saint.”

Asella’s long lashes lowered subtly.

“Wouldn’t it be fun to have him as my personal physician then?”

“...I will consider it,” the Empress said, her expression strained.

She rose from her seat, taking the artifact with her.

Her knights and attendants followed her out of the hall.

Asella shot me a chilling smirk before trailing after them.

***

Once they were gone, Father, Neria, and I moved to the lounge to talk.

“Lass, it seemed like you were acting just now. What was your true intention?”

“That artifact is called the Holy Grail of Revelation. It can awaken hidden talents, but it comes with a price.”

“A price?”

“There’s no such thing as gaining something for nothing. For every talent you awaken, you have to sacrifice something in return. Think of it as a curse.”

Asella had said something similar.

Now that I thought about it, what would she demand in return?

I’d have to think about that later.

The way it worked was simple.

Using the Holy Grail would unlock one’s skill tree, but it would also inflict a debuff.

The type of debuff was random, so if the talent level was low, using it could actually be more harmful than beneficial.

But with my sealed S-Rank talent, it was worth the risk.

“Brother...?”

Neria called out to me softly, her face showing a hint of fear.

“Thank you...”

For what?

If Neria were to use that artifact, she would indeed awaken her divine talent and be chosen as the Saint in the future.

But the debuff she’d receive would be Stunted Growth.

Even ten years later, Neria would remain trapped in her current childlike appearance, unable to grow or mature.

‘That kind of debuff is a small price to pay.’

Besides, I had two talents.

A Buy-One-Get-One-Free deal.

How could I pass that up?

If I wanted to buy the Holy Grail outside, it would cost at least five thousand gold, and that’s if I could even find it.

This was a golden opportunity.

I was eagerly waiting for the Empress to hurry up and bring the artifact back when Father patted my shoulder.

“Lass, that was a truly noble act.”

Was it?

“It would have been difficult to openly reject the Empress’s proposal. If Neria had accepted, we would have had no choice. But you stepped in, knowing everything and sacrificing yourself for Neria. As a father, I’m both grateful and ashamed.”

I was only trying to take it for myself, but sure.

“Neria is still young and has a long future ahead of her. I couldn’t possibly let her use such a dangerous artifact. As her older brother, it’s only right for me to protect her.”

“Lass...!”

Father’s eyes glistened as he placed a hand on my shoulder.

What a genuinely naive man.

If it weren’t for that Empress, he could have lived a peaceful life managing this rural estate.

Just then, a knock echoed through the room, and a servant entered to deliver the news.

“Marquis, Young Master, Young Lady – the Empress has reached a decision.”

The old fox finally made her move.

“Let’s go, Father.”

I confidently strode toward the banquet hall.

Neria Gotberg Was the Daughter of a Concubine.

Her father was a powerful noble, but her mother was a commoner – the owner of an inn, to be exact.

By the time Neria became aware of her surroundings, she was already a legitimate young lady of the Marquisate of Gotberg.

Despite being the daughter of a concubine, she wasn’t treated any differently.

The mistress had died more than ten years ago, and the only complication in the Gotberg family was the presence of a half-brother.

Compared to other noble families, the Gotberg household was remarkably quiet and uneventful.

However, since her mother didn’t come to the manor after leaving Neria behind, she grew up somewhat lonely.

Her father was a stoic man.

But that was fine.

Only...

‘...My brother is scary.’

Whenever he found an excuse, he’d drink and go out to the streets, causing a scene.

Even at night, whenever she heard screams or the sound of things breaking in the mansion, it was always him.

Fortunately, the mansion was well-guarded by knights, so it never escalated to physical violence.

And her father had already isolated him in the annex, so Neria rarely had to encounter him.

That’s why, when Neria found out she had to meet him in person today for the first time in three years, she was petrified.

‘I just need to make sure I don’t give him any reason to get angry. I can’t bring shame to the family.’

After all, her brother would surely despise her for being the daughter of a concubine.

With that thought, Neria straightened her posture and took several deep breaths before entering the drawing room.

The moment she greeted him, she regretted it.

His sharp, menacing eyes frightened her, and she instinctively averted her gaze.

What if he cursed at her?

Her heart pounded in her chest, but then he spoke to her in a gentle voice.

“That dress suits you well. It makes you look taller.”

‘Huh...?’

Neria slowly lifted her head to look at him again.

The older brother she remembered as a delinquent.

But now, the rage and anger that once defined his face had almost completely burned away, leaving behind only a soft, faint smile.

The fear she had felt moments ago gradually subsided.

But the tension remained.

Her body still remembered the terror of his past behavior, and today was an important day where she had to showcase her manners to the imperial family.

“You probably haven’t eaten anything because it’s almost dinner time. Here, have one. Sweet things can calm your nerves.”

Her brother placed a small piece of candy in her palm.

What did this mean? Was it a prank? Maybe the candy was extremely bitter.

But the moment she put it in her mouth, all her suspicions vanished.

A rich honey flavor spread across her tongue, sweet and soothing.

The sugar rushed to her brain, and her eyes widened as her mind cleared.

‘Is Brother a magician?’

Neria marveled at how quickly her mood had improved.

But the good feeling didn’t last long.

The moment the conversation shifted to the possibility of her becoming a Saintess, Neria’s mood plummeted.

The first image that flashed through her mind was the legend she’d heard as a child – the tale of the Hero’s Party that fought against the Demon King.

They fought bravely, only to sacrifice themselves in the end to bring peace to the continent.

‘I-I don’t want to die...’

She didn’t want to fight demons and monsters.

Why was the Empress suddenly bringing this up with a girl she’d never met before?

Was this how adults always spoke?

Her father was just staring at her.

She had no choice. She had to respond.

“...If it’s for the family...”

“Hold on a moment.”

A strong, commanding voice cut in.

Hearing that powerful voice, Neria was sure of it.

Her brother was standing up for her.

‘Heheh...’

Neria propped her chin on her hand, watching as Lass brazenly challenged the Empress.

Even though she knew it was a bad habit to eat snacks right after dinner, she instinctively popped another piece of candy he had given her into her mouth.

‘My brother is...’

Neria’s cheeks puffed up, and her face was filled with a newfound sense of trust in her brother.

***

Sipping her tea, the Empress brought up the main topic.

“Master Lass Gotberg, are you truly saying you can use this artifact to awaken as a Saint?”

I shrugged nonchalantly.

“Oh, come on. Isn’t it obvious? My divine power is top-notch. Even the guys at the training institute bow down to me.”

The Empress’s eyes glinted as if she had finally made her decision.

“Alright. I will grant the artifact to you, Master Lass.”

Perfect. She took the bait.

“Ahem.”

My father cleared his throat, clearly displeased.

“We shall set the usage date for two days from now. What do you think, Marquis Gotberg?”

“Two days, huh...”

Father was hesitating.

He was probably still caught up on what I had said earlier about the debuff being akin to a curse.

Maybe I had scared him a bit too much.

Time to step in.

“Why wait? Let’s do it right now.”

Everyone in the room turned to stare at me in shock.

The physician examination was just around the corner – why would I want to take the risk now?

But that’s exactly why I needed to do it now.

When you’re negotiating, you strike when the iron is hot.

Let a day pass, and people’s minds can change.

“Right now? But...”

“Is there a problem?”

The Empress couldn’t come up with a retort.

She glanced over at Asella, as if seeking some kind of support.

Asella met my gaze and smiled, her lips curling into a sly grin.