A World Where You All Are The Villains - Chapter 104

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

104.

***

After Serge departed, Nancy returned with unexpected news.
“…The banquet has been cancelled?”
“Yes. It seems with people dying and being injured…”
I nodded at her words.
‘Well, with The Purifier dead and the Crown Prince fled, what kind of celebration would there be?’
Unfortunately, when the Gate opened in that chaos, many were injured, but only one person had died.
‘…Ruellin.’
With no body to recover and the island being so far from the Capital, a proper funeral couldn’t be held immediately.
Ultimately, it was decided that a brief memorial service and commendation ceremony for the subjugation would be held under the supervision of Marquis Clonella, who served as the head of the Security Bureau.
‘I thought I’d heard that name somewhere before… she was the wife of the Security Bureau director.’
That wasn’t how I’d intended to send away the Maid who had visited earlier.
As I brooded over the chocolate that Serge had mercilessly thrown out the window, Nancy spoke.
“So you’ll need to prepare to leave soon.”
I paused at those words.
‘Should I just not go?’
It didn’t seem like I’d hear anything particularly pleasant anyway…
But I quickly shook my head.
It wasn’t proper respect for the deceased, and besides, I felt I needed to witness the end to truly accept it.
That the female lead of this world had truly died.
‘…So what happens to the original story now? Me? Do I have to play The Purifier in her place without any choice? Here, for the rest of my life?’
The reality I’d momentarily forgotten because of the male lead suddenly weighed heavily upon me again.
But I deliberately pushed it to the back of my mind.
This wasn’t the time to think about it.
“…Understood. Do you happen to have brought any black clothing?”
“I don’t think we have anything completely black… Just a moment, Miss!”
Shortly after, Nancy returned from among the unpacked luggage with a dress in hand.
The dark purple dress had a somber design without any ornate decorations.
It was fortunate I’d packed mostly plain items, aside from what I’d wear to the vigil.
‘I never expected to wear something like this…’
With Nancy’s help, I changed into the purple dress.
I kept my adornments minimal and also wore the long gloves and veiled hat that came as a set with the dress.
The result was an appearance that wouldn’t stand out too much at the memorial service.
After finishing my preparations, I didn’t leave immediately but lingered in my room.
Leaving later was the best way to draw the least attention.
Shortly after the shocking incident where the sole Purifier was murdered by a fraudulent cult leader, a new Purifier was born.
But this new Purifier was the very villainess who had relentlessly tormented the deceased Purifier!
Could anything be more dramatic than this?
‘Why… of all people, why did it have to be that villainess?’
By the time the crimson sunset finally descended, most of the people had gathered in the courtyard.
After confirming this through the window, I reluctantly left my chamber.
My worries about my dress proved unfounded—the moment I entered the courtyard, I noticed an array of different attires.
Several dresses that were somewhat inappropriate and excessively ornate for a memorial service caught my eye.
Perhaps it was inevitable.
Everyone had probably only intended to enjoy a magnificent lunar eclipse over the blue sea, then leave after some leisure and food.
Who could have predicted that a murderer in a deer mask would suddenly appear, and the Gate would open—like some horror-suspense sci-fi film?
I stood at the very edge of the gathered crowd.
“Look there! The Young Lady Blake is….”
As expected, people who recognized me began to whisper.
“Is it really true that she awakened as The Purifier?”
“I just feel sorry for the dead Purifier.”
“My goodness, what a tragedy….”
The stares piercing my skin were sharp and uncomfortable.
There were certainly some sympathetic glances mixed in, but every word I heard seemed to be something unpleasant.
‘Did I kill her?’
And if I awakened as The Purifier, that’s what I wanted—so what tragedy are they talking about?!
I tried my best to ignore it, but I couldn’t bear the sound coming from right beside me.
‘Shut it.’
“Eek…!”
As I glared in that direction and made a menacing expression with my lips, the young ladies and gentlemen who had gathered there shrieked and scattered.
Only then did the surroundings become somewhat quieter.
“Hmph.”
I let out a scoff and smiled wickedly.
At times like this, the title of the Empire’s greatest villainess actually seemed rather convenient….
That was when it happened.
“Everyone, please be silent. I shall now begin the eulogy for the deceased Ruellin.”
An elderly gentleman with white whiskers stepped up onto a spacious platform in the middle of the staircase at the front, where the Imperial Family’s seat was.
He appeared to be Marquis Clonella.
Before him sat a single coffin with its lid open.
Since there was no body, it was completely empty inside.
Though I couldn’t see it well from my position, it likely contained personal belongings that Ruellin had cherished in life.
“The deceased, during her lifetime, never hesitated to make countless sacrifices and efforts for the Empire. Burning herself entirely for the peace and future of the people, she purified the Magi….”
The Marquis’s eulogy echoed quietly through the silent courtyard.
As I listened to it quietly, a strange sense of déjà vu suddenly washed over me.
It was because I remembered the moment I first possessed this body.
The moment when I had possessed the body of a dead villainess, awakened during her funeral, and caused chaos—that scene overlapped with my current situation.
Honestly, I sometimes wonder if I’m still trapped in a long nightmare.
It’s all so unbelievable.
Possessing a body inside a novel.
The heroine of that novel dying.
I thought witnessing the funeral with my own eyes would make it feel real, but I still felt dazed.
‘…Why does it still feel like Ruellin is alive somewhere?’
Because this is a world inside a novel?
As I struggled with this inexplicable sense of unreality that I couldn’t quite grasp,
“The funeral procession will be conducted by Count Dylan Frederick, who had a close acquaintance with the deceased.”
The Marquis’s words put a period on Ruellin’s death.
Those words I had once heard from inside a coffin.
‘If I had only pulled the bell with all my strength back then, I too would have been burned by Dylan’s hands.’
But Ruellin didn’t even have a corpse to pull the bell.
At the thought of how our circumstances had somehow reversed, my mood turned peculiar in an instant.
By then, the eulogy had ended.
“…Let us not forget the great achievements she left behind, honor her memory eternally, and pray for the peaceful rest of the departed.”
I closed my eyes quietly, setting aside my complicated thoughts.
Though she hadn’t left me with a particularly good impression as a reader, that didn’t mean her death wasn’t lamentable.
No, if I’m being honest, I should be the one most lamenting this.
I had desperately searched for her, hoping she would appear soon and deal with those male leads, yearning for it more than anyone…
‘I hope you receive much love and find happiness there too, Ruellin.’
I paid my respects in my own way and prayed for her eternal rest.
Next came the flower offering ceremony.
“Sob, sob… Ruellin…”
“This can’t be…! Please, someone tell me it’s a lie!”
True to her role as the heroine, Ruellin had cultivated good relationships, and sobs erupted from various corners.
I gazed silently at the people casting flowers into the empty coffin, then turned away.
I had done all I could.
There was still the awards ceremony for the subjugation campaign, but I saw no reason to watch someone I despised receive an award.
I slipped out of the courtyard discreetly, taking advantage of the gap as people lined up for the flower offering.
Just as I was about to climb the staircase and return to my room, I changed my mind and turned my steps elsewhere.
My mood was terrible, and I didn’t feel like going inside just yet.
I continued down the staircase instead.
I vaguely recalled hearing that there was a small beach beneath the castle walls, perfect for a walk.
After passing through the side door at the end of the staircase and walking along a narrow path for some distance,
Whoosh… splash!
Whoosh… splash!
Beyond the dense palm trees, an open sandy beach came into view, and beyond the horizon, a red sun hung halfway over the sea.
I removed my shoes and set them carefully to one side, then walked barefoot across the sand.
Fine sand worked its way between my toes.
‘The sea… it’s been such a long time.’
I hadn’t seen it since before Mother died—nearly a decade and a half ago?
As I strolled along the beach, breathing in the cool sea breeze, the turbulent thoughts that had been clouding my mind seemed to lighten considerably.
Just as a faint smile began to tug at the corners of my lips.
I came to an abrupt halt at the sight of a familiar silhouette in the distance.
Hair the color of the sea at sunset, touched by the glow of evening light.
‘…Vincent?’
A man sat carelessly on the sandy beach, drinking directly from a bottle.

48%

‘So he couldn’t participate in the subjugation campaign after all…’
The unchanged number glimmered above his head, just as it had days ago.
Upon confirming this, I turned away without hesitation.
‘I should return to my room.’
There was no reason for me to greet him warmly now.
Even less reason to ask how he was doing.
But then.
“…Edith Blake?”
Before I could take another step, I heard a voice calling me from behind.
“It’s you, isn’t it? Edith Blake?”

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————