A World Where You All Are The Villains - Chapter 50

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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50.

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The carriage that had escaped the Duke’s Residence shot forward toward Salon Street like an arrow.
“Nancy, here.”
I withdrew something from my pocket and handed it to Nancy.
It was a handful of unused rings and bracelets I’d taken from my jewelry box.
Thanks to the Duke providing me with cash, I had no need for these anymore.
“Put them back in their proper places.”
“Yes, Miss.”
Nancy carefully gathered them and tucked them away with care.
I glanced toward the Coachman’s seat and clicked my tongue.
Unfortunately, today’s companions were not merely the Maid and the Coachman.
‘They actually assigned an escort.’
An Awakener capable of telepathy, no less.
Though they claimed it was for protection, it was obvious they’d stationed a watchdog on me with my previous unauthorized outing in mind.
‘So this is what they mean by giving medicine after causing the disease?’
They hand me a purse full of money, then restrict my movements.
The Duke seemed to be gradually adapting to his daughter’s changed nature, which made me deeply uneasy.
‘Thank goodness I informed Eston beforehand.’
It wasn’t long before we arrived at our destination.
Since the Duke’s Residence sat in the heart of the Capital, it wasn’t a particularly distant journey.
The moment the carriage stopped, the escort knight sitting in front leaped out with lightning speed and opened the door for me.
“Take my hand, Miss.”
“Right, thank you.”
After accepting his assistance to descend, I spoke with deliberate casualness.
“Wait out here for me.”
“Pardon? But I must remain at your side for your safety, Miss.”
“I’ll only be inside the salon. What danger could possibly befall me? It’s not as though you’ll be watching me change clothes.”
“That is….”
“Wouldn’t it be easier to report to Father whether I slip away through another exit or not if you’re out here watching?”
“…!”
I’d struck a nerve so precisely that the escort knight became utterly speechless.
They must have deliberately chosen the one most likely to report back quickly.
Unfortunately for the Duke, this knight appeared to lack experience in escort duties.
I left him stammering and slipped into the salon.
Fortunately, my words carried enough persuasion that the knight did not follow me inside.
“My goodness! Welcome, Young Lady~!”
The salon owner greeted me warmly.
“I’d like to browse at a leisurely pace.”
“I’ve cleared out all three floors for you today, so feel free to look around as much as you’d like! Hehehehe!”
True to her word, the interior was completely empty.
The Duke had rented out the entire shop so I could shop without rush—a testament to his considerable influence.
‘Money really does make things convenient.’
Even as I marveled at the Duke’s Household’s power, the moment the owner disappeared, I slipped a robe from the clothing rack onto myself.
Then I spoke to Nancy.
“Just pick out something decent for me.”
“Oh, Miss. Are you really sure about that…?”
“Anything except those with excessive frills or ornaments.”
“But….”
“I’ll be back soon.”
I climbed the staircase immediately, leaving Nancy with her worried expression behind.
The timeline was quite tight if I wanted to return in time.
I ascended to the topmost floor in one breath, then promptly crossed the long corridor.
The third floor consisted of several private changing rooms for customers to try on clothes.
Thanks to having Eston slip money to the owner beforehand the previous day, I was satisfied to find not a single worker passing through.

― Find me a dress shop that’s good for slipping away discreetly.
― I’m the Young Lady’s maid, so of course! I’ll find one right away and bring you the information.

Unlike Nancy, Eston was the type to be swayed by money.
The moment he received the ruby ring, he executed the task flawlessly—a clear indication that the rumors about his transfer to the Duke’s Household being motivated by salary were true.
He would have lived quite comfortably as a secretary rather than a Healer.
A snort of laughter escaped me as I pushed open the iron door at the far end of the corridor.
Beyond it lay a rooftop scattered with bolts of fabric.
The owner of this salon also operated an accessories shop in the adjacent building.
They used the top floor of the neighboring structure as a storage warehouse for fabrics, and according to the intelligence Eston had gathered, they’d connected the rooftops to save time.
There it was!
After surveying the entire rooftop, I spotted a crude wooden bridge constructed from planks lashed together.
Fortunately, the gap between the buildings was quite narrow.
Otherwise, my fear of heights would have been a serious problem.
Creak, creak…
I carefully stepped across the wooden planks to the adjacent rooftop and pulled the hood of my robe over my head.
Unlike the salon, which had an interior staircase, this building had an external iron staircase attached to its outer wall.
Thanks to this, I was able to reach the first floor without encountering anyone.
I lingered in the shadows of the building, stealing a glance at the dress shop entrance.
The Duke’s escort seemed oblivious to any disturbance.
Yet the way he occasionally craned his neck to check the back door confirmed he was definitely stationed there as a watchdog!
Hmph.
A scoff slipped from my lips.
I hadn’t planned to orchestrate an escape quite this elaborate.
Somehow, it had evolved into something akin to a covert operation.
I’d have to give Eston a bonus for this.
Fortunately, I would see him soon enough.
I climbed into the carriage that was already waiting beside the building.
The door swung open.
There sat my temporary secretary, waiting anxiously for me.
Hello.
Young Lady!
Shh. There’s still an escort knight outside.
At my words, Eston’s brow furrowed and he hastily clamped his mouth shut.
Knock, knock.
I immediately rapped on the wall to signal the carriage to depart.
Once we’d put some distance between ourselves and Salon Street, Eston burst out in exasperation.
What on earth are you trying to do now!
What do you mean? I just need to make it back on time.
You never mentioned anything about an escort!
I know. I never expected Father to distrust me this much.
I’m done for. If the Duke catches us again, Theo and I will both be thrown out on the streets!
Here. Use this to rent an inn room somewhere.
“That’s what you call an explanation…?!”
She tore at her hair in anguish, then whirled to glare at me—only to fall silent the moment she caught sight of the two gold coins I extended toward her.
Accepting the coins with exaggerated reverence using both hands, she soon asked her question.
“…Do you truly have to go all the way to Volner?”
“What else am I supposed to do? There’s no other way.”
“You could send someone in your stead…”
“And who exactly would I send? Would you go instead, then?”
“Even if you went directly, there’s no clear method to accomplish this, is there?”
Eston’s words dripped with complaint.
But she was speaking from ignorance.
As someone who knew the novel’s contents, I had no choice but to go myself.
Volner.
Three years ago—the novel’s opening, and the city the female lead first purified.
Volner was originally a satellite city of the Capital, primarily inhabited by the merchant class and minor nobility who operated shops and trading companies.
But three years prior, a massive Gate erupted, dealing catastrophic damage to the city.
Though they managed to close the Gate, countless people had already been exposed to magical corruption.
The hero who resurrected Volner—a city descending into chaos with Corrupted and survivors alike—was none other than the female lead!
‘What a spectacular debut…’
Yet once all the wealthy had fled the city, it swiftly became a refuge for outsiders.
By now, it had transformed into a battleground for organized crime syndicates, guilds, and black market trading companies—every shadow faction imaginable.
And the reason I intended to venture into this dangerous city was…

「Ruellin, born of commoner stock, possessed keen insight into back alley dealings.
Though she was an exceptional Awakener, she needed intelligence to establish her footing among the competing nobility.
Thus, with the aid of the Blue Moon Guild Master—an old friend from her hometown—she gathered various forms of information.
The Blue Moon Guild, operating in mutual benefit with Ruellin, established itself in Volner and gradually expanded its influence…」

That’s right.
If there was a twist to this novel, it would be this…!
The female lead wasn’t simply virtuous and kind—she was an ambitious woman who strategically maneuvered through high society and the Imperial Palace!
‘Though the information I gathered this way wasn’t particularly impressive….’
At best, it amounted to intelligence about key figures like the male leads, or the weaknesses of the villains who despised her.
Of course, thanks to that, she managed to evade several traps that Edith Blake had deliberately laid for her.
Anyway, setting that aside.
I was currently making my way directly to the Blue Moon Guild.
Surely I could find the female lead’s whereabouts there without delay.
“…I don’t understand why you’re so determined to find The Purifier, Princess.”
At that moment, Eston muttered under her breath.
“Wouldn’t the situation be much better now? Your rival—the one who stole your men—has disappeared.”
“Eston.”
“Yes?”
“Do you want to be thrown out right now?”
I stared at her intently and asked in all seriousness, and she straightened her posture in a flurry.
“N-no, of course not!”
“My men? What are you—ugh. Look, I’m feeling nauseous, so don’t bring up such nonsense again.”
“Yes, ma’am!”

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