A World Where You All Are The Villains - Chapter 49

—————

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

—————

49.

***

“A subjugation tournament….”
After gathering my scattered thoughts, I sat at my desk for the first time in ages and pulled out paper and pen.
Then I cross-referenced the information I’d learned with 【How to Save the Abandoned World】.
Whether the author was simply lazy or had condensed it for easier reading, I couldn’t say, but the novel’s setting differed considerably from reality.
‘I’m glad I thought to ask the Butler about this.’
The upcoming episode on Equinox Island was intimately connected to the “Gate Wave”—something that never appeared in the novel.
It turned out that during lunar eclipse periods, the barriers surrounding the Gate Wave weakened, allowing high-tier monsters to break through!
“This is insane… The novel made it sound like they were just hunting monsters hiding in the Deep Sea?”
Because of this, the “subjugation tournament” held at midnight on the first day of the festival was far from mere entertainment—it was an indispensable annual event.
I furrowed my brow, recalling how the subjugation tournament was described in the novel.

「The subjugation tournament sees each noble house dispatch their finest Awakeners to compete over who captures the highest-ranked and greatest number of monsters.
The victor receives gold coins, a title, and a wish token as their reward.
Each year, the champion traditionally uses their wish token to court a lady of their choosing—a romantic custom.
The woman chosen in this way is called the “Flower of Equinox.”」

Truly, it was a setting befitting a “romance” novel.
But what was even more absurd was that in this subjugation tournament, all four Male Leads tied for first place, rendering the wish token completely useless.
Instead, the Male Leads courted the Female Lead by presenting her with the most valuable parts of the monsters they’d captured.
“I think it was things like hearts, horns, and such….”
Surprisingly, in this world, body parts from high-ranking monsters that were difficult to capture were used as currency, jewels, or medicinal ingredients.
It seemed to be because monster forms were intricate and sometimes resembled legendary divine beasts or creatures from mythology.
‘Right. So that bastard Serge must have brought something claiming it was medicinal ingredients too….’
In any case, the Female Lead ended up sitting on a fortune, and promised to purify all four Male Leads fairly.
And….
“…I probably would have chosen Dylan.”
From what I remembered, there wasn’t any particularly special reason.
Ruellin had already rejected Dylan’s proposal once before, and had kept her distance from him because of it.
Yet she was moved by his unwavering love for her despite the rejection, or something like that.
Thus the two became the most beautiful couple at the banquet, and spent their first night together.
“Ugh!”
Smack!
Having recalled up to that point, I scowled and hurled my pen away.
When reading it, I hadn’t thought much of it, but now that I was actually facing these characters in person.
I didn’t want to know. About the characters’ intimate lives and such.
“Sigh… Anyway, the point is that Ruellin won’t be at this ceremony.”
There was only one thing that mattered.
There was no Female Lead to purify the Male Leads when they returned from the subjugation.
Perhaps because the period without meeting her had grown long, the Male Leads’ conditions lately didn’t look very good.
‘Aren’t they almost at 70, 80 percent?’
Right after a subjugation tournament where they’d pushed their abilities to the limit, it wouldn’t be strange if any one of them went berserk.
Recalling that, I suddenly shook my head vigorously.
“…No. Why should I worry whether those bastards go berserk or not?”
It would be wiser to find the Female Lead as soon as possible rather than worry about such things.
If all else failed, I could simply use every trick in the book to avoid going to Equinox Island.
“…Right. First, let me try to find the Female Lead.”
Fortunately, the novel’s contents weren’t completely useless.
Ding, ding.
I shook the call bell placed on one side of my desk.
Shortly after, Nancy entered with a knock.
“Young Lady, you called for me?”
“Nancy. Could you go fetch Eston for me? Tell her I have something confidential to discuss, just between us women.”
To search for the Female Lead, I first needed an ally.

***

The next day.
I was absorbed in preparations for an early morning outing from the moment I woke.
Nancy and several other maids assisted with my appearance.
“Just do it casually.”
“But miss, it’s been so long since we’ve gone shopping….”
“I’ll look beautiful no matter what.”
“Of course, young lady would be lovely even in a burlap sack….”
Nancy seemed utterly thrilled about the rare outing.
Since I wasn’t actually going shopping, the entire process felt tedious and bothersome to me.
Shortly after, I braided my hair into a single plait and dressed in a simple dark navy one-piece without any accessories.
It was more suited for indoors than an outing, loose enough for comfortable movement.
The maids who had come to help with my appearance exchanged puzzled glances.
“Miss, the weather is so lovely—wouldn’t you prefer something brighter?”
“Perhaps some accessories as well….”
“I prefer it this way.”
At my firm response, the maids fell silent and withdrew respectfully.
Nancy had mentioned that rumors were circulating among the servants that the Young Lady had become strange lately.
But I paid it no mind. The personal opinions of extras meant nothing to me.
‘Besides, the Duke seemed to prefer me this way.’
I smirked with a mischievous smile, then turned to Nancy.
“Let’s go, Nancy.”

It was around the time Nancy and I descended to the first floor.
“Edith.”
“Father?”
I widened my eyes in surprise upon seeing the Duke emerge from the lobby with the Butler.
“What brings you out here?”
“What brings me out? *Ahem!* I need to go out soon myself, so I thought I’d step out for a moment.”
“Ah, I see….”
For someone claiming an imminent departure, he was dressed rather comfortably in indoor wear, but I refrained from pointing it out.
The Duke, clearing his throat awkwardly several more times, suddenly asked.
“…How is your body feeling?”
I was startled.
I hadn’t realized he was still concerned about yesterday’s incident.
My mood shifted strangely in an instant.
“…I’m fine. I took a digestive remedy right away.”
“Is that so? Then I’m relieved, but… tsk, still, what’s with the appearance of someone claiming to go out?”
“What do you mean?”
“Dress more brightly, befitting your age! What are those droopy things? Have you already tired of them?”
“Since I’m going out to buy new clothes anyway, there’s no point wearing something difficult to remove—it would only be uncomfortable.”
The Duke had found fault with me more than once before, so I responded without concern.
At that, he seemed to have nothing more to say and closed his mouth.
‘What is this. Did he come out just to criticize how I’m dressed?’
He’s like a mother-in-law incarnate.
I pouted my lips and bowed my head slightly.
“Then I’ll be going….”
“Here. Take this.”
That was when the Duke suddenly uncrossed his arms and handed me something.
It was a rather hefty-looking pouch.
“This is… what?”
“Ah, if you don’t want it, never mind!”
He shook the pouch as if to take it back.
*Clink, clink!*
A clear, melodious sound rang out from within.
‘Money?!’
I, who could recognize the sound of money above all else, hastily accepted the pouch.
And immediately untied the knot.
“Gasp…!”
I saw dozens of gold coins packed inside.
Despite my unfamiliarity with this world’s currency values, it was clearly an astronomical sum.
I alternated my wide gaze between the pouch and the Duke.
“Ah, Father. Why would you….”
“Since it’s been a while since you’ve gone out, buy whatever you want while you’re there.”
“But… there’s so much already? You promised to buy me a dress too.”
“Since when did you care about such things…”
The Duke, who had been muttering, suddenly fell silent.
He seemed to have remembered that his daughter had lost her memory.
“Right… You’re supposedly the Blake Princess. I won’t have you wandering about looking shabby. Don’t be intimidated just because you’re not an Awakener! Dress yourself as lavishly as possible and aim to become the flower of Equinox Island!”
He, who had suddenly unleashed a barrage of words, abruptly lowered his voice.
“Don’t mention this to your brother. Keep quiet about it.”
At his seemingly affectionate demeanor, my heart sank heavily.
‘I wonder… has he been taking care of Edith Blake like this all along?’
I looked at him with wavering eyes for a moment, then slowly nodded.
“…Thank you.”
“Wherever you go, always conduct yourself properly. Don’t be careless and drop things—leave them with the Maid beforehand. Do you understand?”
“Yes.”
“If you run short on money, put it on credit. Though I’m sure you’ll manage well enough without being told.”
“…”
“Go now. Your father will head in first.”
It seemed his purpose was simply to hand over the purse, for the Duke turned around immediately.
Watching him recede, for some reason my throat tightened.
I gazed quietly at the purse he had given me.
Looking at it, indescribable emotions surged within me.
First came hesitation—whether I deserved to receive such a thing.
Then resentment—why hadn’t he done this for Edith Blake before she died?
And the wretchedness of realizing that all the former me had ever wanted was something like this.
All of it mingled together, and I felt like crying a little.
But then.
“Sniff… Your relationship has become so much warmer! This old man’s heart is finally at peace! *sniffle*”
Seeing the Butler already dabbing his eyes with a handkerchief, the tears I’d been about to shed vanished entirely.
“…Butler.”
“Yes?”
“Didn’t you tell Father yesterday that things seemed harmonious between me and the Grand Duke? Have you already developed presbyopia?!”

—————

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

—————