Becoming the Terminally-Ill Villain Who Torments His Disciples - Chapter 75.1
Startled by Ryan’s appearance, Cielo quickly stood in front of the towering pile of books.
Ryan silently watched as Cielo flailed, clearly trying to hide the books with his small frame, and let out a short laugh. To think he was trying to cover something stacked like a mountain with that tiny body.
“What are you doing right now?”
“T-this is, I mean…!”
“I mean?”
Ryan stepped closer and patted Cielo’s head, then picked up a book that had fallen to the floor.
“Well, that explains it. Father was making a fuss about some missing books… so they were all here.”
…Flinch.
“And it wasn’t even anyone else—it was the Esteban siblings who snuck them out?”
…Flinch.
“Now that I think about it… these books are all confidential records passed down only within the House of Doberman.”
Finishing his sentence, Ryan set the book down and wrapped one arm around Cielo’s waist, then asked,
“My father’s scary when he gets angry. What are we going to do, Cielo?”
Cielo swallowed dryly at Ryan’s words.
Confidential records. He’d get in serious trouble for taking even one or two without permission, but this was practically an entire bookshelf’s worth…
“M-maybe if I got down on my knees and apologized…”
“Oh right. You haven’t even greeted the elders of the house since arriving, have you? That’s a problem. The House of Doberman is big on formalities.”
As Ryan continued, the color drained from Cielo’s face. He could barely move his lips, unable to form any proper words. Then Oscar, who had arrived late, narrowed his eyes and spoke.
“They said they won’t hold you responsible for the confidential books, but if there’s something that needs resolving, you should take care of it properly.”
“…What?”
“And that there’s no need to trouble yourself with greetings while you’re unwell. They said you can do that later.”
At Oscar’s words, Cielo looked between the two of them. Ryan chuckled and placed a kiss on Cielo’s cheek.
“Did you fall for it?”
“N-no, I mean…!”
“You’re cute.”
Looking into Ryan’s eyes, filled with overflowing affection, Cielo let out a shallow breath. Then Oscar, who had come closer, gently fixed Cielo’s tousled hair and added,
“I should have been by your side when you woke up. I’m sorry I was late. Was the bed uncomfortable? Are you in pain anywhere?”
As Ryan and Oscar naturally voiced their concern, Sol and Pielago slowly began to back away from the three of them.
It was then.
Thump.
Cielo suddenly felt his breath seize. It felt as if someone had gripped his heart. Just like when the twins summoned a monster. But this time, it felt even worse.
“What’s wrong, Cielo?”
The moment Ryan asked the question—
“…Huhk!”
A searing pain ripped through his lungs. His mouth fell open, drooling uncontrollably, and his legs gave out.
“Cielo!”
“Master!”
As Cielo collapsed, Ryan swiftly caught him in his arms.
As if he’d done this many times before, Ryan gently guided Cielo to cling to his neck and calmly stroked his back.
“A-ah, hff, huhk…!”
“You’ll be okay. You’ll be alright…”
Cielo clawed at Ryan’s back with his nails. But even that wasn’t enough, and he writhed in agony.
“…You two.”
Oscar’s voice turned sharp as he glared at the twins. His eyes accused them, as if demanding to know what they had done. Sol and Pielago both raised their hands quickly and shook their heads.
“Don’t lie. Because of you two, Master has been—”
“That wasn’t them. I don’t sense any signs of a monster being summoned near the estate.”
Just then, a man cut Oscar off. His voice was similar to Ryan’s but deeper and more commanding.
Brushing back his hair, now beginning to fade to white, the man stood there as the head of House Doberman—Ryan’s father, Damon.
Damon quietly observed Cielo’s pain before turning his gaze to the books scattered across the room.
“I thought it was odd that all the books you took had to do with monsters.”
“…”
“So the youngest of Esteban has become a sacrifice, then.”
It was as if Damon had witnessed this before. He grasped the situation instantly.
“H-how did you…”
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