Volume 3, Chapter 4-1 – If Their Life or Death Is Unknown, They’re Dead

The words certainly sounded beautiful.

The atmosphere had also been built up like something straight out of a timeless classic opera.

Being firmly chosen by someone, being unconditionally protected behind someone, really did make Stella’s chest feel a little warm, and her heart uncontrollably skipped two beats.

But the problem was…

The entire premise was wrong!

She really, really, really wasn’t the Pale Daughter.

She was just a human Saintess candidate who had been forced to come work in the Abyss for the sake of her pension, a perfectly orthodox civil servant of the Holy See who even snuck offerings from the altar every few days.

Firefly Dark Alley wasn’t her birthplace, and that stolen egg wasn’t her either.

All this emotion, all this preferential treatment, even the mansion on Nightmare Street that Vivian had waved her hand and gifted her, were fundamentally built upon a misunderstanding that could explode at any moment.

But now, the building constructed from that misunderstanding had already grown far too tall.

If she pulled out the foundation now, the only result would be getting herself buried underneath it.

At this point, she was afraid there was simply no way she could explain herself clearly anymore.

As for where the real Pale Daughter was?

Stella narrowed her eyes and thought about it.

Up until now, the commotion she had caused at Lilith School, a place already packed with freaks, could hardly be called small. She had even made the front page of Prophet Weekly. If the real one were still alive, even if she were barely clinging to life in some corner of the Abyss, she should have stormed over long ago to deal with the impostor.

But the Pale Daughter hadn’t.

Everything remained perfectly calm.

‘Come to think of it, that made sense too.’

Whether it was Mara, Gehenna, or even Aetlana, none of them had any definite information about the Pale Daughter.

Alive or dead, nobody knew.

And in the Abyss, if someone’s life or death was unknown, that usually meant they were dead.

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Thinking this, much of Stella’s unease faded away.

Gehenna also released her hand, and the night wind once again filled the space between them.

“This used to be Vilpana’s residence, as well as her spell workshop,” Gehenna said softly.

She pointed toward the iron gate covered in rose vines and the small building that looked especially secluded beneath the moonlight.

“Now, it’s yours.”

“Consider it a small gift from me, as Master to disciple,” Gehenna said casually as she straightened her cuff. “Everything inside belongs to you now. I left a few interesting tools for you. If Vivian can buy you a property, then as your teacher, I can’t exactly give you nothing.”

“Besides, this is the most secluded part of Lilith School. I’ve set up an arcane-grade identification barrier around the area. You can practice controlling the Pale Power here however you like without worrying about anyone discovering you.”

“As for the actual instruction…”

Gehenna paused, her gaze sweeping across the well-behaved patch of black shadow beneath Stella’s feet.

“Your shadow is very interesting. Its form is filled with malice, and it isn’t merely shadow magic.”

“The way you’re using it now is far too crude. It’s honestly hard to watch. You’re just making it bite by instinct instead of actually controlling the power.”

“Unfortunately, I need to keep a close watch on Lavinia from the Nexus Council right now, so I don’t have the energy to correct your mistakes for the time being.”

“Once I’ve dealt with the trouble outside, I’ll come teach you how to truly use this power.”

After saying that, she turned and walked toward the iron gate.

Her skirt swayed lightly in the wind, while the sound of her boot heels striking the ground gradually receded.

“One final warning, Stella.”

Gehenna stopped before the gate without turning around.

“No matter what happens, do not go to Nightmare Street.”

“As long as you remain at Lilith School, you are under my protection. Even Aetlana Samael wouldn’t dare casually trespass into my territory.”

Stella remained where she was, watching Gehenna’s figure disappear into the darkness as the gate closed behind her, listening as her footsteps gradually faded into the distance.

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Even without Gehenna saying so, she had never planned on going to Nightmare Street to court death.

After all, there was a dragon demon named Aetlana wandering around outside, and she was even here specifically for the Pale Daughter. Stella couldn’t hide fast enough, so why would she ever willingly deliver herself to her doorstep?

Vivian’s mansion really was tempting, but her life was obviously more important.

If she ran out of money, she could always ask Vivian for more. If she lost her life, the only thing left to do would be to meet the Lord.

‘Still, since Principal Gehenna had gifted Firefly Dark Alley to me…’

It would be a little unreasonable not to go inside and take a proper look.

Stella stepped forward and pushed open the wooden door covered in rose vines.

Creak.

The cluttered, simple workshop had a strangely peaceful, almost Sunday-like atmosphere.

A gentle breeze stirred the clean, patched curtains, carrying in the scent of freshly turned earth and wild grass.

The space inside the workshop was much larger than it appeared from outside.

At the very center stood a huge black walnut writing desk, covered in a thick layer of dust.

The surrounding walls were hung with all manner of alchemical equipment, potion bottles that had long since dried out, an orrery floating in midair, specimens made from the bones of unknown animals, as well as abandoned scrolls scattered throughout the corners.

Stella stood before the writing desk.

Even after so many years, the paper and pen still remained exactly as their former owner had left them, standing there alone in silent vigil.

A quill rested inside a dried-up ink bottle, while an unfurled sheet of parchment lay quietly on the tabletop. There didn’t seem to be any words written on it, only countless tiny black ink dots slowly moving across its surface.

Stella leaned closer.

‘It looks like… a panoramic map of Lilith School?’

The ink automatically extended itself, marking every corridor, every classroom, and even secret passages hidden behind the walls.

And between those lines, little black dots labeled with names moved around in real time.

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【Gehenna Jelansika: Heading toward the Principal’s Office.】

【Lavinia Samael: Heading toward Nightmare Street.】

【Lainia: Beginning maid training.】

【Katerina Belford: Staring blankly at someone’s photograph.】

‘Is this some kind of real-time dynamic map?’

‘This really is a good item.’

‘Little Principal must have specially left it here for me.’

‘Interesting…’

Stella tried to find her own location on it.

She found it very quickly.

Right at the edge of the map, a small black dot remained completely still.

But what made Stella freeze was the name displayed above it.

For a moment, it showed 【Stella von Einzbern】

Then it changed to 【Stella Darkfallen】

After flickering a few times, it changed again to 【Stella Valentine】

Then it began cycling all over again.

Stella von Einzbern… Stella Darkfallen… Stella Valentine… Stella von Einzbern… Stella Darkfallen…

The three names took turns appearing as though they were arguing, none of them willing to yield to the others.

Eventually, all the words seemed to get tired of arguing and simply gave up.

【Stella】

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Simple and straightforward.

That was it.

Whoever wanted to argue could argue.

“What the hell is a map even making such a fuss for!”

‘How did even a map know my real name!?’

‘No…’

It couldn’t really be considered knowing.

If it truly knew, it should only display 【Stella von Einzbern】, instead of cycling between three names.

And yet, somehow, Stella could understand the map’s confusion.

Stella von Einzbern, who had grown up on the surface.

Stella Darkfallen, who strutted unchecked through the Abyss.

Stella Valentine, the freshly minted heir of the Valentine family.

Three names, three identities, three worlds.

Stella sighed and lowered her eyes, her gaze naturally falling upon her shadow.

‘Come to think of it, I have something more urgent to deal with.’

Translator Note

Stella’s brain gave up again HAHAH XD