World’s Strongest Became the Game’s Weakest Villain

"I do not know anything about the name, young master, no one else seems to either. She mentioned it on a whim, that was something she did a lot."

I covered my face and nodded.

Charlotte... a free person... It was a pretty name, and from what I had heard, a fitting one.

How she had bothered the Marquis, how she had set up the circumstances that led to my birth. None of those mattered to me.

But this matter bothered Maria, one of my people, and for that, I was willing to hear about Charlotte Fonias, Charlotte Godslayer.

God that's a cringe name.

Only I knew how relieved I was to be called a Hall instead of a Godslayer.

"Do you think it's a stupid name, young master?"

I nodded vehemently at Maria's question, which incited a chuckle from her.

"She thought the same..." Maria said, looking away from me. "You truly resemble her a lot."

Maria's voice cracked as she whispered those words.

"Since I was not even a toddler, young master, she was my entire world." Maria acted unfazed, but the way her fingers curled over her cup spoke volumes to me. "She kept saying she decided to pick me up on a whim... that she was going to make me a servant and drag me around... I didn't understand any of it at first, but even when I did, I couldn't help but be grateful to her with all my heart."

I took another sip of the tea. Whims, huh?

"Do you know that it gets very cold up north, young master? That's why they say people are born there with a frozen heart..." Maria sighed between her words. "But she was like a flame that melted mine. I was dragged to all kinds of places with her as she brought up trouble after trouble. She was on the run from her adoptive family, you see."

Running away from an adoptive family? Was it a case of clearing away a competition for the successor?

"Why didn't she kill them?" I asked.

"She never got in the mood, apparently."

Hardcore.

"She kept a countdown, measuring time. It was when there were three years left in that countdown of hers."

Maria's voice started to crack again, but she didn't let it take over her.

"She came up to me all of a sudden and said, 'Do you know why I am keeping you around?' I was ready to be thrown away if she willed or kept around if she willed. But still a child, I sure was curious."

"She said it was because she decided, on a whim, to have an heir. She said she wanted someone to have her blood, someone who knew the joy of being weak, someone who knew the innocence of forgiveness, someone who knew the love of family. And that... And that I was the one who would be teaching this person all of it."

I held in a sigh at her words. Things were lining up splendidly.

"In a couple of years, she brought me to this place. She said it'll be our home."

Maria took a deep breath, stopping for a few seconds.

"Her countdown reached a zero, and she passed away giving birth to you, young master."

I closed my eyes and crossed my hands.

Maria let out a deep sigh before taking in a deeper breath. Like a child trying their best not to cry, Maria kept puffing her chest.

"I used to think... you took her away from me. I used to think that way for a long time."

The way she said I took away her everything and blamed me for ruining her life. All of that was because she lost someone important.

"But... but then you changed, young master. It was when you got the memories of your previous life." She struggled to speak through her sobs, but I didn't rush her. "You started resembling her more and more, even now, you continue to resemble her even further."

Charlotte Fonias.

One thing was very clear to me. From both the Marquis and Maria's recounts, there was no denying the fact.

She was strong.

Absurdly strong.

Strong enough to live life on her whims. I don't think she was the strongest in the world, probably not even close, but she was the strongest in the well even if not the ocean. I resembled a person of strength, it seemed most natural.

"Young master..." Maria's dam finally broke as tears fell from her eyes, one drop at a time, she started crying.

"It was all normal back there... but, when we came here... I remembered... I couldn't even keep the promise I made to her. I failed her completely, even though she trusted me... No, not her...

I had failed you."

My ears perked. She took a long pause.

"All that guilt... it all made these emotions rise up in me... so I, so I, kept close to you."

My eyes widened at her words.

This girl. She still hadn't sorted out her emotions. If she had, then I was greatly disappointed.

"Maria," I spoke up, my voice sterner than I had imagined.

Maria stopped and looked at me.

Not like this.

"To soothe your guilt... You thought you could make up to me by acting that way with me?"

Maria's eyes widened.

"What! No! Not at... not..."

The girl lowered her head again, clenching her clothes. This time, her entire body trembling.

What more did I need to hear?

It wasn't a yes or a no.

Maria hadn't even thought of her actions from that perspective.

I stood up from the bed and walked away. I didn't say a word. She would find me herself when she thought of things. If she thought I was pissed off because of her motives then that was even better.

Maria didn't say a word as I walked out and slammed the door shut behind me.

Running my hand through my hair, I sighed. I didn't have to worry about this anymore. It would probably take her a few days before she could sort herself out. I had to go meet with Lady Sophia and Sir Buhini.