She is the Daughter of the Villainess in a Ridiculous Novel - Chapter 76

“Both of you, hold your breath.”

After a moment of holding their breath in caution against the sudden black smoke, an empty robe fell with a thud through the dispersing smoke.

It was as if a person had turned into smoke and vanished. Vivian, slightly frowning at the bizarre sight, turned to the two children and spoke.

“Are you both okay? Are you hurt anywhere?”

“Yes, we’re fine.”

“Same here.”

“Good, that’s a relief. However… now that there’s a real danger, I feel like there’s something I need to hear?”

At the count’s resolute gaze, Idel let out a small sigh.

Though the count had shown considerable concern, she had expected this from the moment she sought help.

Before Idel could speak first, Sigmund rubbed his wrist, which had been grabbed, and began to speak in a seemingly nonchalant tone.

“I think the one who used dark magic at the count’s wedding is that guy. He seemed quite frustrated about messing up that event back then.”

“Wait. If it’s my wedding… why are you involved?”

“Uh, was it because I was fighting with Gianna at that time that we didn’t share the situation? The reason they were fighting was that we were chasing after the dark magician while Gianna was left behind.”

“What?”

At Sigmund’s casual shrug in response to the count’s horrified expression, it seemed as if he was saying, ‘What could be done since it was already over?’

“We didn’t even encounter him. By the time we arrived, only a cufflink with strange patterns was left behind. Well, my master came later too.”

“…Wait. So you mean to say that you two returned to the dark magician’s crime scene without any adults to protect you?”

“Well…”

“If you couldn’t tell the Duke and Duchess, Sigmund, you should have at least asked your master to accompany you!”

At the count’s reprimand, Idel and Sigmund exchanged furtive glances.

It wasn’t a warm feeling of comforting each other; it was more of a passing the buck to see how to handle it.

“…No, I didn’t expect that guy would come back here, and the reason we met is because of my master, so it’s a bit awkward to come together.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“It’s too long to explain everything, but simply put, I suspect a connection between my master and that strange symbol.”

Vivian’s expression became complicated at the overly brief summary. However, before she could add anything, Idel suddenly interrupted their conversation.

“Count, would it be alright if we received a scolding all at once later?”

“Miss?”

“I have a place I need to go right now.”

Both Sigmund and Vivian raised their eyebrows simultaneously at Idel’s words.

“Right now? At this hour?”

“Yes.”

“Where to?”

“Um…”

Idel hesitated for a moment at Sigmund’s question and then looked at the two of them intently.

“…Can you handle something scary, Count? Like being good at seeing in the dark?”

“I have frequent night training, so it’s not a problem…”

“And you, Sigmund?”

“Are you asking because you don’t know my background?”

Hmm, that’s true.

“Then why ask something like that?”

Hearing Sigmund’s question, Idel gave a somewhat awkward smile.

“Because the place we need to go is an abandoned orphanage.”

On a night when even the wind felt bleak.

Checking the map, Idel slowly raised her head to confirm the building in front of her.

“This is it.”

Though the orphanage wasn’t large, it felt quite stable, surrounded by trees. It had simply been out of operation for a long time, and various parts of the building were worn down.

Under the faded roof, tangled vines wrapped tightly around the walls.

As they looked at the broken windows and the swing that had fallen apart, a clanging sound echoed from the rusty bell attached to the orphanage door.

“…Miss, are you really sure there’s something to check here?”

“Yes…”

“In that case, how about we come back during the day? It seems too dark for a proper search.”

At Vivian’s suggestion, Idel shook her head quietly.

“I’d like to, but something’s bothering me. I have a gut feeling that it needs to be now.”

“Then can you tell me what’s bothering you?”

Idel pondered for a moment before looking up at Vivian.

Even in such darkness, the sincerity in Count Bright’s eyes seemed vividly clear.

“The black magician we encountered earlier seemed to know both Sigmund and me. Especially, he tried to drag Sigmund away but failed.”

“……”

“He will definitely come looking for either Sigmund or me again.”

“Most likely.”

Sigmund, who had been quietly listening to their conversation, responded with a nonchalant tone.

“Why would that black magician recognize me? He must have recognized me because he knows my master, who is connected to the symbol.”

“……”

“If it’s because of me, we can postpone this. My master isn’t just sitting idle, and the moving preparations are nearly finished. If I just keep a low profile, it should be fine.”

Upon hearing Sigmund’s words, Idel tightly clenched her fists and bit her lip.

‘It won’t be as easy as you say, you idiot.’

In her younger sibling’s book report, there was no mention of a person named ‘Vilred.’ It only referred to a master who taught the Crown Prince during his time in the crow’s den.

‘Moreover, there’s a gap between the Sigmund described in my sibling’s report and the Sigmund I experienced.’

Idel glared at Sigmund, who was standing awkwardly.

‘Right. No matter how I think about it, it’s strange. How could such a reckless guy suddenly appear during the founding ceremony and act like a proper crown prince?’

Especially in a place where even his master wasn’t present?

Thinking back, Sigmund was the one who growled about why she was looking for his ‘master’ while fighting against her during their first encounter.

So, if he was acting like a crown prince, then that means…

‘It’s one of two things: either he’s being forced to do so because of some weakness, or he’s been brainwashed like me by those with the symbol.’

After that, for reasons she didn’t know, he would become the ultimate villain due to some ‘incident.’

Idel hoped that Sigmund wouldn’t end up like her younger sibling’s book report suggested.

It would have been one thing if she only knew him through her sibling’s report, but now that she understood what kind of person Sigmund was, she didn’t want to leave it like that.

Not just because she was starting to form a bond with him…

‘If I have the capacity, it wouldn’t hurt to help. It’s better to avoid bad experiences if possible.’

Moreover, if both Vilred and Sigmund vanished like smoke right now, what would happen to her brainwashing curse?

‘That’s something that shouldn’t happen.’

Idel shook her head resolutely, coming up with various reasons to help Sigmund.

“So we need to find clues about that symbol right here and now. What if my master disappears suddenly? Do you even know what kind of people they are?”

“That’s… No, wait. But why an abandoned orphanage in the first place? How can you be so sure there’s information here?”

Idel, who had briefly faltered like Sigmund just did, shook her head and spoke.

“Ah, there’s something. It’s information I received from the Duke’s family by chance.”

If she said she found it from the mysterious variable named Patrick, who left a riddle-like statement, what would happen?

‘They would probably think it’s a trap.’

Didn’t she think the same at first? Organizing her thoughts, Idel took a short breath and looked at the two.

“Alright. Let’s do this.”

“What?”

“I know I can’t check the entire orphanage right now. Honestly, we don’t have the time.”

Idel turned her gaze to Vivian, asking for confirmation.

“Isn’t it almost time for the appointment with the Duke? The servants’ carriage following ours must have arrived at the Count’s house by now.”

“Yeah, that’s right. The maid who always follows you should be waiting for you with Ivan at the Count’s house by now.”

“So, instead of checking everything, let’s just look at one specific place.”

At Idel’s words, Sigmund briefly rolled his eyes before nodding.

If they hadn’t come this far, it wouldn’t have mattered, but it seemed feasible to finish quickly at one specific spot and return.

“So, where is that one place you mentioned?”

“Let’s first check if there’s a well somewhere on the orphanage grounds.”

If there was a well, then it would be worth seriously looking for that ‘rabbit hole’ Patrick mentioned.