[Mission: Convert Raquel, your wife]
In front of him was the panel for his next mission.
"I accept," he didn't think twice, after all...
"I'll be going to the academy soon," he remembered. In the original story, the protagonists attended the academy, and, of course, villains like Kael were also there.
"So, if I want to complete this mission, it's now." Making this decision, Kael's eyes filled with determination.
After all, the reward of an evolutionary item was, in fact, quite tempting.
Watching Kael silently, Eleanor asked, "Was it she who poisoned you?"
Kael shook his head. "Do you think she's capable of that?" he asked directly.
Eleanor shook her head in the same way. "Certainly not. But can you know who it was? Someone who directly poisons a Duke's son cannot be someone simple."
Eleanor's sincere words were, in fact, correct.
During his long carriage ride, he had told Eleanor practically everything she needed to know, so she naturally knew all about his current situation.
"Hmmm, I've been thinking about it for some time, and certainly, that person can't be just anyone," Kael paused, continuing. "However, I have a way to find out who it is."
Looking out the window, Kael could see the Raidel family's carriages driving away.
Eleanor didn't ask any further questions. Although she was powerful, she wasn't invincible. The person in front of her, Kael, with his contacts, could eliminate her if he wanted to.
Still, she felt deep gratitude toward Kael for saving her and giving her a place to hide.
[Shadow Speaker: 10%]
Looking at his status panel, Kael focused on his Unique skill, which jumped to 10% mastery after being detoxified.
"What new things will I be able to do?" He was genuinely curious, having never heard of this skill in the novel.
Before, at 5%, he could already communicate with the shadows, or rather, talk to them. What about now?
Kael felt that, logically, the next step was to listen to the shadows.
"Hmmm?" Concentrating, he could hear strange sounds coming from all directions.
Little by little, he began to understand those strange sounds. They were words, more like soft whispers.
And impressively, many of the shadows seemed to be quite childish, saying things like, "Tell me, what does one shadow say to another shadow?"
Listening to their conversations, Kael couldn't help but roll his eyes. "I see why it was classified as an F-rank skill," he thought.
But he shook his head. At least he should try.
"Hmm, hello. Do you know the person who has been poisoning me?" Kael asked bluntly.
Instantly, the cheerful atmosphere of the shadows gave way to pure silence.
"Yes, we know very well about that," the shadows finally spoke, almost instantly.
"A hooded man from the Tayron family came here several years ago. They have been poisoning him ever since, but a few days ago, that man decided to end his life for unknown reasons by adding a more lethal poison to the food, where the servants who cook, his accomplices, allowed all of that to happen."
The shadows' words, spoken in an almost indifferent tone, surprised Kael.
"The Tyron family... That family of marquises in the novel." Kael quickly recalled the entire plot of the Tayron family.
After thanking the shadows, Kael stood up. "This is more complicated than I imagined," he muttered.
Eleanor nodded.
Without realizing it, the two of them at that moment seemed like a work team, more specifically a duo: the boss and the secretary.
"Anyway, get back into my shadow," he said, and Eleanor quickly returned to his shadow, camouflaging herself.
"Later, you must tell me what the shadows told you," Eleanor said.
Kael smiled. "Of course, but for now, there are more important things," he said, opening the door and leaving the room.
Walking through the corridors, thanks to his new charm and irresistible scent, the maids who had previously despised him now secretly glanced at him several times.
"Being handsome is a great advantage in this world," he had to agree.
Kael quickly reached the servants' quarters, where the highest-ranking maids were.
All the maids turned toward him, but he didn't even glance at them. Instead, he casually walked toward a figure.
"I found you." Standing in front of him was Raquel, looking at him in disbelief.
"Hmm?" Kael was confused. Above Raquel, he could see a number.
[Favorability: -80]
However...
[Favorability: -70]
[Favorability: -60]
[Favorability: -50]
...
Kael watched as the negative favorability dropped steadily, until it finally stopped at -10.
"This is going to make my plans a lot easier," he thought with satisfaction.
Taking advantage of Raquel's surprise, he approached her until his lips were inches from her ear.
She could feel Kael's hot breath right against it.
"Slut, nine-tailed succubus slut, it's you, isn't it?" Kael's whisper was as low as the sound of a mosquito, but Raquel could hear it perfectly.
Her pupils dilated. She wanted to deny it immediately, but when she saw Kael's smile and mocking eyes, she swallowed her words and gave up.
"You don't want me to tell anyone, do you?" Kael continued.
Raquel nodded grimly.
Kael's smile widened. "Then it's simple. Just come to my room tonight. I have business to do with you."
Kael's words, more like orders, made Raquel tremble as she bit her lip.
Silence reigned between the two. But at that moment, Kael knew that silence was her acceptance.
Walking away, he saw the panel above her change again.
[Favorability: 10]
"Damn masochistic bitch," Kael muttered, turning around and walking away.
"Tonight will be fun."