A Villainess Should Be Strong

Sierra looked at her in disbelief.

The little girl couldn't believe that Estelle would be this shameless, to ask her for a favor after imprisoning her for nearly a year now. It may not be a real, despairing imprisonment, but it still got on her bad side.

If it wasn't for her sudden power getting unlocked, leading to her anger being pacified by the need to nurture that same power, she would've exploded long ago.

But now, the same culprit that caught her sought her help. Of course, she was going to refuse.

But then, Estelle caught her dismay and pursed her lips.

"I will grant your wish. I wouldn't wrong myself, but as long as it's something I can complete, I will do it," Estelle had to pursue this matter.

There were so many questions and so little answers. Estelle wanted to know the extent of Sierra's power and how she could use it.

"Please," Estelle begged, further strengthening her wish and showing her determination. "At least, let's talk about this. It concerns one of my biggest problems,"

Sierra's first action was to check Estelle's integrity with her Truth Magic.

Estelle, knowing that she had to gain trust, lowered her guard in order for the magic to pass through her high defenses.

Sierra received a truthful response from her magic, indicating that Estelle didn't tell lies. She continued to try and proceed with the questioning.

Nevertheless, she believed that she was in the higher standing in this negotiation. Estelle was the one who sought her power.

"Is it something that could look into people's memories? Or experiences?" Estelle asked, launching her barrage of questions.

"S-something like that, yeah," Sierra was baffled.

What did Estelle want to ask, to the point where she got so enthusiastic?

Gulping her saliva, Sierra warily observed Estelle.

"Could you specify what you can do? The more you disclose, the more I will give you rewards. I will not wrong you," Estelle clasped Sierra's hands in hers, her eyes glimmering with excitement.

"...How far are you willing to go with these 'rewards'?" Sierra wasn't going to trust her that easily. This was a matter of confidentiality, something that might affect her safety at the end.

Estelle held her finger up to her lips while mumbling.

"To the point that even if you wanted a hundred million gold, it'll be fine, I guess?"

"Are you kidding me?! A hundred million gold is Alynthi's annual total rough income compiled together! Where would you be able to get the money from, when you're just a Duke's daughter?!" Sierra was unwilling to take her bluff into account. It was as clear as day that the matter Estelle proposed was impossible.

Let alone Estelle, even the Four Territorial Dukes combined together wouldn't be able to pull out a hundred million gold with ease.

"I have my own ways!" Estelle rebutted.

The moment Sierra tried to check that response with Truth Magic, she got a positive response. Meaning that: Estelle didn't lie.

Sierra trembled in shock, wondering how Estelle could execute the wish.

In truth, one of the easiest things Estelle could manipulate were elements. One of the elements being gold.

She was able to create gold after understanding its chemical components and how it performs. Thus, she gained the ability to create gold out of nothing.

With her unlimited mana, creating a hundred million gold coins wasn't a chore. Of course, knowing the consequences of producing money that large of an amount, she wouldn't do it.

At most, she would control the money's circulation as to not affect the market as a whole.

However, if Sierra truly desired riches, she was the perfect genie for that.

"I don't want riches. I just want to become strong. A strong Witch, just like Minerva-nee," Sierra clenched her fists, looking at her small feet in frustration.

To be honest, she wasn't all that satisfied with the newly gained power.

It wasn't something she could use in an offensive manner. At most, she would be a godly support, but she wouldn't be able to protect herself without the help of others in face or mortal danger.

She tried to ignore the frustration, but it was clearly hard.

"Do you have a solution to that?" Sierra looked at Estelle straight in the eye.

She wanted to improve herself. For that, she was willing to sell her soul. Just like she did signing a contract with Duke Alfonso in desperation.

After she got imprisoned, Yulia paid her a visit to free her from the contract seal, but that meant that she had to get back to where she started.

Back before she met Duke Alfonso, before she worked for him.

Before she bargained for the 'miracle'.

"I can. I can help you. I can even increase your fixed statuses," Estelle proclaimed with pride. If Sierra wanted to be taught, that would make everything easier.

Estelle was confident that as long as she kept training herself and the mana transfer process, she would be able to create something more. Something that wouldn't just be temporary, but permanent instead.

Sierra's eyes widened. She knew that Estelle was maddeningly talented, but to the point of increasing statuses was something that she didn't know.

"Then, we can talk," Sierra nodded in a solemn manner, anxiety showing on her face.

She kept checking her Truth Magic sensor over and over again, but she picked up no false statements.

"I wish to borrow your power to inspect some things," Estelle grinned.

Duke Alfonso's true intentions, the backer behind him, Duke Miller's past, the Elven bloodline... everything.

She wanted to answer her questions.

Most importantly, her own self.

There were tons of possibilities.

Estelle wanted to explore each and every single one of them.

For that, she had to obtain Sierra. At all costs.

There were no magic known to man that could inspect one's intentions and memories without harming or letting the target know.

However, she felt nothing checking her. She, Estelle Clareste, could not detect Sierra prying into her mind.

Then, wasn't she the most profitable ally of all time?

Estelle was happy with her find, and was prepared to carefully grow this power out.