She is the Daughter of the Villainess in a Ridiculous Novel - Chapter 80

Someone once said,

‘When you take a bath, your thoughts become clear. It’s as if the water washes everything away to your brain.’

Idel completely agreed with that statement. In fact, one of the ancient philosophers solved difficult problems while bathing.

She felt the same way after finishing her bath at the Count’s residence.

‘I couldn’t think of anything just a moment ago, but now it feels like the tangled threads are starting to unravel.’

With eyes much clearer than when she had just left the orphanage, she sipped the hot chocolate in her hands.

Diane had requested it, saying her body was too cold. Of course, there was also a portion for Sigmund.

“Ugh, it’s sweet. Doesn’t your tongue hurt?”

“You really can’t handle sweet things.”

“Is that a problem?”

“No, it’s actually good for your health.”

As they exchanged light banter while warming up, she soon straightened her back and faced Sigmund directly.

“Sigmund.”

“What?”

“When we go back, make sure to come up with some excuse to have Vilred cast plenty of protective spells. It’s not just about the body, but the mind as well.”

Setting down the nearly untouched cup of hot chocolate, Sigmund met Idel’s gaze. Her eyes seemed to convey certainty about something.

“Is it because of that guy we ran into in the alley? Hey, I told you earlier at the orphanage. The Master is being careful, and I’ll be cautious too.”

“Me too.”

“What?”

“Don’t you remember? That merchant guy disappeared saying he would ‘pass the ball to someone else.’ And my mom is in Nox too.”

As she said this, Idel tapped her finger on her head. It was a reminder that she hadn’t forgotten the curse placed upon her was ‘brainwashing.’

“If he didn’t recognize me, that would be one thing, but I’m sure it reached my mom’s ears as well. Well, technically, she’s not really my mom, but…”

“What do you mean by that?”

“Oh, it’s nothing. It’s not important to you right now. If I’m right, my Mom might call you over. She has a good reason to do so.”

“Because of that lousy friend thing?”

“Something like that. Since I just recovered, she might say something like, ‘Let’s invite a friend to the duchy this time.’”

Sigmund, who had been nodding along to Idel’s flat tone, suddenly frowned. He felt like he had heard something strange just now…

“Hey. Were you sick?”

“Uh? Yeah. Didn’t I mention it?”

“When?”

“I think I sent it when I wrote the letter before. I said I wouldn’t be in touch for a while?”

Was that what it meant?

With his brows furrowed in confusion, Sigmund rested his chin on his hand, looking displeased. Stirring the cocoa he wasn’t even drinking with a spoon, he grumbled to himself.

“Shouldn’t you say something like that more clearly? It’s annoying to find out late…”

At that thought, Sigmund suddenly froze.

“No? Wait. Why am I upset?”

What difference does it make if she tells him?

Is he going to say not to get sick, or offer to be sick in her place?

It had nothing to do with him. Yeah, nothing to do with him…

—Clatter!

“Ugh, seriously! It has nothing to do with me!”

Sigmund suddenly stood up and shouted, causing Idel’s eyes to widen in surprise.

“Ah! You scared me! What’s wrong?”

“…No.”

Sigmund, confused by his own words, secretly clenched his fist under the table.

Fortunately for him, around that time, the Count and Ivan Ernest arrived at the place where the two were.

“Have both of you been resting well? Are you hungry?”

“Yes, well. I had some hot chocolate, so I’m fine.”

“Really? When I was young, I think I ate twice as much as you, miss.”

The Count added lightly as she sat down, her voice tinged with laughter.

“Just in case, I prepared some snacks like sandwiches, so don’t hesitate to have some if you’re in the mood.”

“Yes, I would be happy if you both feel at home in the Bright Count family. And…”

Ivan, who was sitting next to the Count, adjusted his glasses as he looked at Idel.

“Miss Idel, I apologize for abruptly getting to the point, but I’ve read the materials you found while you were washing up.”

“Oh, already?”

“It wasn’t a lot. Miss Idel, you know how dangerous this information is, don’t you?”

“Though I’m young, it would be foolish not to know. Looking at the list of patrons, there are quite a few prestigious names.”

“…Do you have any thoughts on this?”

At Ivan’s thoughtful voice, Idel slowly blinked. She glanced down at the half-drunk cocoa cup for a moment before turning her gaze back to Ivan.

“If you’re asking me whether I will fight against the villains for the future of the Empire, then no. I don’t have that kind of determination or thought.”

The reason Idel had been searching tirelessly for the ‘symbol’ was that it was deeply related to Melisa.

If Melisa had nothing to do with the pattern, she wouldn’t have pursued it so desperately.

Even if the organization called ‘Nox’ was a malignant presence in the Empire.

‘I’m not a good and upright person like Gianna or Dante.’

As she briefly recalled Gianna, who had shone many times at the crossroads of choices, she lightly closed and opened her eyes.

“I plan to bury it. Like planting seeds. That’s also why I brought it to you two, to ask you to be a secret vault.”

“It sounds to me like you think it won’t be the case later on.”

A sharpness briefly flashed across Ivan’s face, which appeared delicate and gentle.

As Idel looked at Ivan for a moment, she picked up her cocoa cup and continued speaking.

“That’s not a problem for me… I was only thinking of catching one bug, but what if that bug goes into its nest and doesn’t come out?”

There’s no choice but to deal with the whole nest.

After hearing Idel’s words, Ivan fell silent for a moment, seemingly lost in thought.

Once he swallowed the cold cocoa in two gulps, he slowly nodded in agreement with Idel’s words.

“I understand. The Count and I will prepare as well. Thank you for trusting me once again.”

“Well, you don’t have to say it like that…”

As Idel rolled her eyes slightly at Ivan’s kind smile, he seemed to forget what he was saying and opened his mouth again.

“Oh, and about Farell…”

“Yes?”

“I used the excuse of the temple, but in fact, his punishment has been roughly decided.”

The Count looked at Idel with a serious expression after hearing Ivan’s words.

“Farell was swept away by greed and allied with the black magicians, and even after becoming a priest, he showed no remorse and even tried to poison an innocent child. Though it all ended in attempts, that’s something unforgivable for a priest.”

“So it seems the temple has decided not to show mercy in this matter. They said they would confine him to the ‘Room of the Seeker.’”

“What’s that?”

“The Room of the Seeker is a place where all senses are blocked. You can’t see, hear, or touch anything. Originally, it’s a place where one goes to temporarily abandon all physical desires as a human during a period of asceticism, but it’s also used for those who have committed serious crimes while bearing the name of the temple.”

As Ivan carefully explained the ‘Room of the Seeker’ to Idel, he wore a wry smile.

“Perhaps… Farell will not be able to come out as a seeker until he becomes a child again. They say the Lord loves that form as well.”

Although it was said indirectly, it ultimately meant that he would have to become an idiot to come out of there.

Idel momentarily wore a complicated expression before shaking her head. The result was not created by Count Bright, Ivan, or Idel, but by Farell himself.

The Count, scanning the slightly tense atmosphere with her eyes, clapped her hands lightly to lighten the mood.

“Well then, shall we wrap this up and have some sandwiches? Both of you need to eat well and grow strong to endure what’s coming.”

After all, dealing with villains is always quite demanding!

☪︎ ִ ࣪𖤐 𐦍 ☾𖤓 ☪︎ ִ ࣪𖤐 𐦍 ☾𖤓

…Who would have thought that the Count’s words were foreshadowing?

‘After all, dealing with villains is always quite demanding!’

As Idel recalled that phrase swirling in her mind, she smiled sweetly and faced the person in front of her.

Before Idel sat Melisa, dressed as elegantly as ever.

“I heard you met a friend recently? Thinking about it, Mom hasn’t really paid attention to my daughter’s friendships. Would you like to introduce your friend to me?”

And it was exactly the scheme she had expected.