When the Mid-Boss Villainous Noble Recalls Memories of a Past Life and Gains Game Knowledge. I Will Never Accept a Future Where I'm Called the Jealous Earl - Chapter 4

“This must be the place.”

I approached the waterfall that supposedly hid the entrance to the Shrine of Jealousy. In the game, the entrance would appear simply by nearing the waterfall after completing the main quest. But as I stood there, nothing changed—the waterfall remained as it was, revealing no hidden doorway.

“Hmm…”

I scanned the surroundings, searching for any sign of ruins or structures, but there was nothing—just an ordinary waterfall within the heart of the mountain.

If there truly was a shrine hidden behind the waterfall, trying to push through it without caution would surely result in severe injury. I was running out of options, but I decided to move closer, just in case.

I removed my heavy armor and waded into the water up to my knees, feeling the chill seep through my boots. The spray of water splattered my face, obscuring my vision as I inched closer to the powerful cascade.

“How unsightly.”

Just as I considered turning back, an elderly voice echoed, its source seemingly from beyond the waterfall.

“I sense no trace of envy in your emotions. I have seen your memories—despite the attachments you once held, the influence of memories that were never yours has all but erased them. Why is that?”

“Why, you ask?” I called back.

“You fear the truth of those memories. You came here to confirm them, yet why do you not act to change your fate with your own will? You have resigned yourself—to your betrothed, to the future, even to your own sister, believing all will unfold as your memories dictate!”

I began to understand the voice’s intent.

“Where is your will?”

Ever since regaining those memories, I had viewed this world through a detached lens, as if it were not truly mine. The voice was calling attention to that very detachment.

It was as if I had become a puppet, controlled by the memories and knowledge I possessed.

“Show me your envy. You were deemed worthy to inherit this shrine!”

My will…

“I wish to protect the Count’s House, the legacy my father entrusted to me.”

“Oh? Take your time. Reflect on it,” the voice replied.
What I thought was my will was just a shadow, and the voice was searching for a deeper answer.

It dawned on me, spurred by the voice’s probing, that my will had weakened since obtaining these memories. I had become a blend of Karyl Dicaman and the man of the memories—neither fully one nor the other.

While the persona of Karyl Dicaman influenced me more, it was still only a part of the whole.

“Ah, I see it now.”

“It seems you have your answer. Tell me, are you truly worthy of envy?”

“The one living this life is me, Karyl Dicaman. I wish to protect the Count’s House, and I refuse to be known as the Jealous Count.”

“Ha… Hahaha!”

I spoke with complete sincerity. Despite wanting the equipment within the Shrine, I had risked angering the voice by admitting my rejection of the title.

But to my surprise, the voice seemed amused.

“You are not worthy of envy. Yet you are intriguing. Were it not for envy, the other sins would say the same. I wish to witness your end, to see whether you will harbor resentment, laugh, or succumb to envy.”

“Ah!” Pain shot through my right hand.

“I bestow upon you the power of envy. I bestow upon you the strength of one who has overcome envy. Show me your life!”
As the voice ceased, the roar of the waterfall fell silent.
Where the waterfall once stood, a staircase leading underground revealed itself. It seemed I had been recognized by envy.
“This mark… it’s just as the knowledge described.”

On my right hand, the Mark of Envy appeared—a symbol of sin, proof of one who wielded the power of envy.

“Let’s go.”

Despite the unexpected encounter, I descended the staircase. Torches flared to life as I made my way down, illuminating the dark passage.

“I’ve made it.”

The bottom of the stairs opened into a pristine, though sparse, chamber. In its center stood an altar engraved with the Mark of Envy, flanked by four treasure chests.

I began opening the chests, finding not only the equipment I had read about but magical tools, grimoires, and even tablets that seemed to date back to ancient civilizations.

I tried on the equipment piece by piece, testing each for its immediate effects. If I couldn’t determine its use, I set it aside for later.

“Hm? What’s this?”

My gaze fell upon a small, weathered, square box. Could it be an Item Box? If so, it was a rare artifact that granted its user a skill to store objects in a pocket dimension—a valuable and dangerous find. Due to its single-use nature, only two known to exist were kept as royal treasures.

Without hesitation, I pressed it against my chest. Instructions flooded my mind, confirming it was genuine.

“I’m bringing everything back.”

Repeated trips would arouse suspicion, so my plan was to appraise everything here before returning. Acquiring the Item Box was a stroke of fortune.

I slipped on one ring as I prepared to leave. This ring was known for its ability to neutralize all poisons and block one physical attack per hour—a piece of equipment that rendered assassination attempts nearly impossible.

Time to return.

I had gathered a wealth of resources. Now, I had to move quickly and prepare for what was to come.