The Sickly Youngest Member of the Villainous Family - Chapter 40

“It seems that the head of the family gave the key to Sasha Winchester.”

Permetis’s face hardened at Bashiron’s words.

“You don’t mean the key to the Black Tower, do you?”

“That’s right.”

“That’s ridiculous!” Permetis exclaimed, her expression contorting completely.

The Black Tower was a vast magical space that housed all the old knowledge, skills, and artifacts the family had accumulated since its founding.

The key to the Black Tower could unlock not only the Black Tower, but also any other storage space sealed by the power of the Black Flame.

The head of the family would only entrust the keys to the Black Tower to the most trusted person, which was usually the head’s wife.

After his wife’s death, Recardo entrusted the keys to Hector.

It was well-known that Hector was looking for someone to pass on the key to the Black Tower, and everyone speculated that it wouldn’t be until after Jin’s marriage.

But of all people, it was that insignificant Sasha Winchester.

‘I can’t believe it!’

As Permetis recalled the little child who had looked at her with a gaze filled with hostility, she felt her insides twist.

“If even the head of the family acts according to Recardo’s will…” Bashiron’s eyes held a cold anger. “We will be no different from a sinking tiger.”

Permetis clenched her fists at Bashiron’s words.

The person who had mistreated Bashiron had killed Zestia and escaped when the plan failed.

He called himself a “prophet.”

“Grandfather, I…….” Permetis thought of the arrogant baby and gritted her teeth. “I can’t lose to that child.”

There was a tendency to encourage marriages between the Winchesters and their distant relatives of at least the eighth degree.

This was because it preserved the pure bloodline of the dark flames while avoiding genetic diseases that could arise from incestuous marriages.

Even the biological mother who gave birth to Jin and Othello was a distant relative of Recardo, about ten degrees apart.

And Zestia, the mother of Permetis, is the granddaughter of Meches, the elder brother of the former head, Lord Hector.

Although she had been raised as Bashiron’s adopted daughter and received his support, according to the family lineage, Permetis was eight degrees apart from Jin and Othello.

“That key belongs to me. It’s not hers…”

Bashiron had always said to Permetis since she was young.

“You will be the next mistress of Winchester.”

He was not alone in his thoughts.

Lord Hector Winchester, too, had taken note of Permetis’s skills.

In Permetis’s opinion, among the Winchester girls of her generation, there was no one who could match her.

And yet that pesky little brat was the one who was given the keys?

Permetis couldn’t understand at all.

“Permetis,” Bashiron’s lips twitched warningly. “Don’t mess things up by being impatient.” 

(T/N:  So she survived only for us readers to be tormented while reading this? -,- )

* * *

I lifted my hand to study the pendant, shaped like two swords on a shield. It was said to be a finely crafted key.

Perhaps it could provide access to information about an elixir. But the problem was… I couldn’t use the key.

I tried inserting the pendant into the peculiar crevice, but it didn’t fit.

As I stood in front of the entrance to the Black Tower, Othello, who happened to pass by, said a word.

“You can’t enter with your current level.”

“What?”

“The Black Tower only lets in those it deems worthy.”

Then why did they give me an unusable key? Is it some sort of test within a test within a test?

While I was grumbling, Othello took the key from my hand and inserted it into the keyhole, and there was a click sound as he turned it.

The door opened, revealing the unknown interior.

As I attempted to step inside… unsurprisingly, I bumped into an invisible barrier.

Othello laughed at my foolishness.

“I was the one invited by the Black Tower, so why are you trying to enter?”

Damn it, even though you knew…..

“Go in and retrieve it! Whatever it is!” I had asked fruitlessly. 

“You don’t even know that you can’t take anything from the Black Tower to the outside. You’re even more stupid than I thought.”

Then Othello quietly closed the door and handed me back the key.

An expression of ‘you’re a long way off’ was clearly evident in his eyes.

I glared at him, tears welling up in my eyes, and his lips curled as he bent down to look into my face.

“Grow up quickly if you feel wronged, kid.” The smile at the corner of Othello’s lips was sly. “Don’t lose the key.”

He was probably just teasing me. Anyway, Othello swiftly turned around and disappeared.

And now I’m lying in bed, staring at a key I can’t use.

Indeed, Othello is incredibly strong.

While not possessing otherworldly abilities like Jin, who is practically untouchable, Othello’s dark flames are said to be powerful enough to overpower most adult male adepts.

Do I have to become that strong in order to open the door?

That damn Othello! If I go and ask for help… no, it’s pointless…

I thought having the vast information inside the tower would be a shortcut… but apparently, there are no shortcuts.

I released my grip on the key with regret. I should keep it for now. Who knows? The Tower might open up to me surprisingly quickly.

“Woooo…….”

“Do you want some milk?” Maya asked.

“No. I’m stretching.”

I stretched my hands up to the sky as I spoke. I wished I would grow up quickly.

“By the way… What is the intention of the Lord? That key…” Maya’s voice reached me. “It must mean they acknowledge you, Miss. But everyone’s attention will be focused on you.”

I could understand Maya’s anxiety, given what had happened with the Afinizu.

The key to the Black Tower seemed to be quite symbolic. 

Not only among the clan members, but even among other families, I might stand out.

“Perhaps they all had Young Master Jin in mind.”

“The one who will inherit the title?”

“When the direct successor gets married, the key is like a marriage gift with symbolic meaning.”

Entrusting the storage room of this house to the daughter-in-law. Well, something like that.

If the Black Tower’s key can open other spaces imbued with Jin’s dark flames, then maybe that interpretation is correct.

As I thought quietly, I became unnecessarily anxious. An heir whose future is set, and a sister who keeps taking away the successor’s belongings.

I already had a history of stealing Robin.

I’ve already taken Robin away, and if Jin thought of the key as his possession, as in his future wife’s possession, and felt that it was taken away from him…

‘Maybe he wouldn’t have helped me with the Golden Ball. No, back then, he didn’t expect to lose the key, so he helped me.’

“……A word of warning. Don’t trust anyone in Winchester.”

Jin’s cold voice seemed to resonate in my mind.

And then, suddenly, I heard footsteps from outside the door. I heard a man’s voice talking to a maid, and the door opened.

Before my frozen eyes stood Recardo’s aide, Rowen.

* * *

Now I was big enough that I could eat without spilling. I could even scoop up soup with a spoon by myself.

Still, my hands trembled occasionally, and there was nothing I could do about it.

In this harsh dining environment in particular… really…

“I heard you gave Sasha the keys to the Black Tower.”

Recardo opened his mouth with a chilly tone that showed his displeasure.

That’s right. I was at dinner now, and the four Winchesters who made me nervous were all gathered at one table: Hector Winchester, Recardo Winchester, Jin Winchester, and even Othello Winchester.

“Why do you ask? Did you have a specific child you wanted to give it to?” Hector Winchester said, and Recardo raised an eyebrow as if to say no.

“How could that be?” Recardo added, cutting into his well-done medium-rare steak. “I just thought it was too early, considering she is not at an age where she can defend herself against assassins.”

“I’ve noticed it before, but you’re quite overprotective of your daughter.”

By the way, the age when a child can defend itself against an attacker…… makes me shudder. That’s not how you usually describe having grown children.

It was a moment when I was starkly reminded which family I belonged to.

“Yesterday, when I took Jin and Othello to the lion’s den, you didn’t say anything.”

At the mention of the lion’s den, I remembered the story Maya had told me.

In the deepest swamp of the Winchester Territory, there are monsters that are quite fierce. There are monsters with strong killing power and the ability to use mental magic, so even knights can’t enter easily…..

“There’s a difference between us and that weakling,” Othello interjected, and Hector chuckled.

“Well, family is one thing,” Hector continued, “but this is an interesting picture in its own way.” He turned to me and said, “I’m really looking forward to when you use the key.”

I couldn’t understand the meaning, but I nodded with a trembling feeling.

“Yes, Grandfather.”

Shortly after, Jin, who was quietly eating, put down his utensils. Then he turned to Hector and Recardo.

“I’m sorry, but I will excuse myself first.”

Hector nodded, and Jin stood up expressionlessly.

Though all four Winchesters were on my mind, the person I was most concerned about at the dining table was Jin.

If Maya was right, it was obviously an uncomfortably key for me to have, and if Jin really takes it badly…

“A death flag,” I muttered inaudibly to myself.

Even though we’ve become quite close, the Winchesters are still the Winchesters.

A little while later, I stood up from my seat and said, “Grandfather, Father, I will go, too.”

I saw Recardo twitch his eyebrows.

Anyway, it seemed like an expression of acceptance, so I stood up and left the dining table.