The Chilling Truth of Vina

“Ophe! Are you alright? Is your hand injured?” Emily, startled, rushed forward, taking the Queen’s hand to examine it.

“No, no, I’m fine.” Ophelia, genuinely rattled, assured her.

This was someone close to her.

This was, arguably, her favorite heroine.

This was the girl who had stolen her first kiss.

Why, then, did her spiritual perception deem this person the one she feared most?

“Your Majesty, what did you see?” Emily, no fool, had instantly grasped the underlying reason.

‘I saw Vina? Could I possibly discuss this with Emily?’

Living under the same roof, casually informing Emily might stir suspicion, and Ophelia wished to avoid that.

“I saw… yes, I saw a giant pink bubble, covered in numerous tentacles. I’ve never actually seen anything like it before.”

In her panic, Ophelia blurted out the true appearance of the Desire Bubble. Though it seemed that anything spoken about it would inevitably become known, she already had a clone of it within her body, so using it as a scapegoat presented no real issue.

“A giant pink bubble? Covered in tentacles? I feel like I’ve read that description somewhere, but I can’t recall…”

“Ophe must have seen it too, but it’s probably buried deep in her memory. You really must try to remember later, Ophe, especially since this thing can help avert danger and seize opportunities.”

Ophelia nodded.

“Emily, I’m sorry, I accidentally broke this mirror…” she apologized softly.

“It’s quite alright, really. If it helped you uncover a threat, Ophelia, then it served its purpose. We can just have someone fix it later; it’s no big deal.”

“I’ll go research what this pink bubble truly is. I must have encountered it somewhere… A creature from beyond the stars? Or an evil god? I’ll go check…”

Emily departed, still deep in thought.

Ophelia could no longer maintain her composure.

Her legs gave out, and she sank, leaning against the wall, gasping for breath.

Vina.

The person my subconscious deemed most terrifying.

But why, exactly?

[Because she exhibits distinct changes. Is she another transmigrator? Or a regressor? It’s impossible to conclude definitively, but she is not the Vina from the book.]

The System’s voice remained utterly calm.

“System? Are you saying Vina isn’t the Vina from the book?”

[Host is quite fond of the character Vina, aren’t they?]

Of course. In the book, Vina was incredibly endearing, a diligent and strong-willed girl willing to sacrifice herself for her people.

One either loves a character because they fulfill a personal fantasy (TL Note: ‘xp’ is internet slang often used for ‘sexual preference’ or ‘personal preference/fetish’), or because the character embodies traits similar to one’s own, or traits one deeply desires.

Vina fit both criteria.

[Precisely because the Host is so fond of this character, the foolish Host subconsciously ignored all inconsistencies.]

[Vina is conspicuously different from her book counterpart. She displayed the talents of a king remarkably early and can now wield the Sword of Kings. Given such talent and strength, it’s illogical that she would have remained in the stables all this time.]

[From the moment the Host brought her out of the stables, she swiftly established her own faction, compelling other heroines to yield to her and work for her. She perfectly anticipated all of the male protagonist’s actions, and everyone in the royal court acted like her puppets.]

[I only assisted the Host with one state affair; after that, you were no longer involved in such matters. It is Vina who speaks and sets the agenda in the council, and the Host has been perfectly isolated by her. The Host detests being isolated, and your spiritual perception has already concluded that Vina is the one isolating you.]

Ophelia froze.

The System’s voice was frigid, as cold as the reality it articulated, and this chilling truth left Ophelia stunned.

She knew it was true.

She had harbored suspicions for a long time, but had simply dared not confront them.

“But… why would Vina do this…?”

[Because she, like the Host, possesses knowledge of this story, I deduced that she is either a transmigrator or a regressor. It is presumed that Vina harbors both desire and a protective instinct for the Host, meaning at least the Host’s life will not be ended by Vina.]

[Beyond this, the Host should cease viewing Vina as Vina. While she certainly acts like Vina in your presence, it can now be confirmed that she is different from Emily, Marta, and the others. For now, you should consider her merely someone, cloaked in the role of Vina.]

Ophelia couldn’t quite grasp the emotions swirling within her.

She only felt a chill, starting from her soles and racing up to the crown of her head, leaving her profoundly cold.

“Then, System… what should I do?”

The System fell silent.

Ophelia curled into a ball in the corner, feeling a profound sense of isolation. Regardless of whether Vina was truly “Vina,” she didn’t dislike her.

She had protected her.

The System had also mentioned her protective instincts towards her.

Yet, she was also the one isolating her.

‘If I adopt a hostile stance, would it hurt her?’

‘If I let things continue, perpetually isolated, Ophelia didn’t want that—to be an outsider in every matter.’

It was a truly uncomfortable sensation.

‘What exactly happened? Why did Vina become this version of Vina? Is she truly a transmigrator? A transmigrator couldn’t possibly act so flawlessly, could they?’

‘Then, is she perhaps a regressor after all?’

‘But regressors typically return with regrets, and the Vina in the book had a happy, fulfilling ending. What, then, could have caused her to regress with such profound regret?’

****

“Look at this thing, what is it?” Eli asked, shaking the item in his hand.

An old man stood before him.

“This! This is the VIP membership card to the nightclub I’ve always wanted!” The old man’s body trembled.

“So, President of the Magic Association, what prevents you from obtaining this card?” Eli probed, his tone coaxing.

“Because it only admits nobles, and we mages are not considered nobility… We mages are supposed to be the elite few! Why aren’t we nobles!” The old man grew agitated.

“Magic is clearly a heaven-blessed ability! We are the chosen ones! Mages should rightfully be considered nobles! This has been a long-standing belief and perspective!” The old man spoke with increasing fervor.

“So tell me, who is currently occupying the Queen’s position, governing despite possessing no magical abilities?”

The President was stunned.

“Her presence in that position is as if to say that lacking magic isn’t so bad after all. Her very existence mocks the impotence of magic, doesn’t it?”

Eli chuckled.

‘Luca still proved somewhat useful. Even though he’s gone, he at least taught me a few things, hmm.’

“Come and assist me, President. Let mages become nobles, and strip the Queen of her regency. As long as I become king, you shall be a part of my glory! I will bestow upon you the honor of standing alongside the king!”

Hesitation flickered in the Association President’s eyes.

He swallowed hard, then turned his gaze towards Eli.

“Please instruct me, Your Highness. What should I do?”

“It’s simple.”

Eli smiled, his plan a success.

“Tomorrow, during the weekly council meeting, swear your allegiance to me.”